154
Albums Rated
3.25
Average Rating
14%
Complete
935 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2010
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
10
5-Star Albums
1
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Blackstar
David Bowie
|
5 | 3.48 | +1.52 |
|
Young Americans
David Bowie
|
5 | 3.62 | +1.38 |
|
Justified
Justin Timberlake
|
4 | 2.68 | +1.32 |
|
Olympia 64
Jacques Brel
|
4 | 2.78 | +1.22 |
|
Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
|
5 | 3.9 | +1.1 |
|
A Night At The Opera
Queen
|
5 | 3.96 | +1.04 |
|
Signing Off
UB40
|
4 | 2.97 | +1.03 |
|
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
|
5 | 3.97 | +1.03 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fear Of Music
Talking Heads
|
2 | 3.47 | -1.47 |
|
Frank
Amy Winehouse
|
2 | 3.46 | -1.46 |
|
Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
|
2 | 3.39 | -1.39 |
|
Sincere
Mj Cole
|
1 | 2.38 | -1.38 |
|
There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
|
2 | 3.37 | -1.37 |
|
Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
|
2 | 3.36 | -1.36 |
|
Third
Portishead
|
2 | 3.13 | -1.13 |
|
Youth And Young Manhood
Kings of Leon
|
2 | 3.09 | -1.09 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| David Bowie | 3 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 |
5-Star Albums (10)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Jimmy Smith · 1 likes
2/5
I cannot say that I like Jazz, or would ever choose to listen to this again… There also wasn’t much in the wiki for me to read about. I know there’s a lot of musicality, improvisation and technicality that can go into Jazz, but it’s just not my style of music.
1-Star Albums (1)
All Ratings
Grateful Dead
3/5
TLDR: Happy for the exposure and easy enough to listen to, but very much middle of the road for me.
This was a welcomed first album as I’m aware of Grateful Dead, but haven’t really given them a listen. Live music is best enjoyed live, but as far as recordings go the quality was there - the first live rock album to use 16-track recording! I appreciated the music, improvisation and feel of the album overall, but no particular songs stood out to me and I won’t likely seeking out more or listening to again.
The Temptations
3/5
The Temptations are a familiar artist and sound as part of Motown Records. I enjoyed the listen to explore beyond the hits I was already familiar with and appreciate the record’s significance as a turning point for the band - I definitely noted the different style. But again, middle of the road for me and not necessarily a band or album I’d seek out.
Steely Dan
4/5
TLDR: Will I listen to the album again? Probably not. Did I enjoy the listen? Yes.
My Top Track: Dirty Work
My man, Steely Dan! I won’t claim to be a follower, but the opening instrumentals alone were immediately recognized. “You go back, Jack, do it again!” Now let’s see for the rest of the album…
This soft rock, folk rock, pop sound is already more my style and reminiscent of what I’ve heard played growing up. I recognized the hits Do It Again and Reelin’ In The Years, but a new one that stuck out to me was Dirty Work. Overall this was an easy/feel good listen!
Led Zeppelin
5/5
TLDR: This album rocks! Absolutely a classic that I continued to listen to throughout the weekend, and one I’ll revisit again.
First impression - Can’t wait! This is an album I’ve already experienced, but it’s been awhile. I noticed right away that several Led Zeppelin albums are in the highest globally rated for this site and I’m looking forward to giving them a re-listen during this process.
Led Zeppelin’s music is familiar but still exciting. The album has a great build and I enjoyed the journey throughout the songs and lyrics - no song is the same and the entire album is an experience with multiple well known hits. Loved the inclusion of an all-instrumental Bron-Yr-Aur and also appreciated the off-mic dialogue at the end of same tracks giving us a small glimpse of the artistic process.
5/5
TLDR: As a Bowie fan it was great to listen to this album again!
1001albumsgenerator, you’ve got me! It’s been a great lineup of albums thus far and now we’re at one of my favorite artists - BIG David Bowie fan here. :)
“I don’t know where I’m gong from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” This Bowie quote hangs in my home and holds true for this album and many others by Bowie. He was constantly reinventing himself and Ziggy Stardust is a prime example of that.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Lucky me, Led Zeppelin again! This album had more of a blues feel, but still so many recognizable classics for the band’s debut album!
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
My first exposure to Simon and Garfunkel was when I found their Greatest Hits CD in the field of my elementary school. I took it home, cleaned it up, gave it a listen, and was pleasantly surprised! Pretty sure I still have it somewhere… Several of the tracks on the Greatest Hits are also in this album, but admittedly I never explored too much further.
This album was an enjoyable listen, from the title track with the epic instrumentals to a “live” recording of Bye Bye Love later on. Keep the Customer Satisfied was a new/standout for me, and I’d also never heard So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright which was an interesting tribute. It was great to read more on the making or each song in the Wiki. My favorite off the album is The Boxer, with the lyrical emphasis in the fifth(?) verse right around 3min. I love this narrative style and very much enjoy following the stories each song tells.
Jimmy Smith
2/5
I cannot say that I like Jazz, or would ever choose to listen to this again… There also wasn’t much in the wiki for me to read about. I know there’s a lot of musicality, improvisation and technicality that can go into Jazz, but it’s just not my style of music.
Radiohead
3/5
I’m aware of a handful of Radiohead songs, and recognized this album artwork - not sure if it’s because I had a single track from it or because of the ‘pay-what-you-want’ download.
The album starts with high energy and interesting lyrics. I overall enjoyed the music, the melodic guitar, and the haunting vocals typical for the band, but didn’t feel like the album had much direction. If I were to take two tracks with me to listen to again they would be All I Need & Reckoner, but otherwise I’m unlikely to give the album a full listen again.
Curtis Mayfield
2/5
Not an artist or album I was previously familiar with, but started right out with a fun, funky/soul sound. Read through the lyrics, but didn’t really connect with them or see much to read about in the album’s wiki. Spotify offered more information on the artist and his significance as someone who wrote most of his material and one of the first to speak openly about African American pride and struggles in his compositions. Overall, this album was not really my type of music and didn’t have any standout songs I would chose to listen to again, but it was not a difficult listen either.
Minor Threat
3/5
This album was very punk rock, and I can see how it may have paved the way for others. Fun guitar riffs, music, and lyrics. Cashing In was the standout for me and a good close to the album. Overall appreciated the listen, but wouldn’t likely revisit again.
Mj Cole
1/5
Okay MJ Cole, going in completely blind - another pretty empty wiki. Definitely a different style of music. Songs I could hear played in a trendy clothing store or club. I do enjoy some 80/90s dance music and I can hear elements of this throughout, but thus far the beats and repetition aren’t really resonating with me. About halfway through the first disc I was over it… and was more and more eager for the end of the album as the 2hrs dragged on.
Superficial lyrics, manufactured and repetitive beats, just enough to be annoying, but not enough to be catchy. I can appreciate electronica and remixes, but not this. Kept listening just to say I got through it. No stand outs and would not listen to again. I SINCEREly did not enjoy this album, but I tried.
XTC
3/5
TLDR: 3 Stars for an interesting album concept and history, thoughtful (albeit goofy) lyrics, and one song I could take away.
My first impression of this album is goofy and strange to say the least. Don’t love the singing or music. Feels very earthy/hippie with the crickets and background noise and funny/creative lyrics throughout. From ‘That’s Really Super, Supergirl’ and ‘1000 Umbrellas’ sounds like somebody went through a rough break up…. I can see what they tried to do with the seasonality theme of the album and songs throughout, but overall this was too goofy for me. ‘Dear God’ was quite the statement and the standout to close the album.
Yes
3/5
I’m a fan of ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart” by Yes, but it was unfortunately not a part of this album. This was a good listen to explore more of what the band has to offer. I enjoyed the style and music, but didn’t ultimately pick any out to take with me.
Queen
5/5
This album is an experience! Already a fan of Queen and familiar with their hits, this was a fun listen for me - especially after watching the Bohemian Rhapsody movie just a few months ago which touched on the making of this iconic album. I love how each band member contributed to the writing, and how they all pushed their comfort zone. It paid off!
The Cramps
3/5
Garage-trash novelty - let’s go! Have not heard of this band previously. First impression is the recording is pretty rough, echoing vocals hard to understand. Funny lyrics and fun style. This would be fun live music, but not likely something I’d listen to again.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
TLDR: Listened, but did not take time to fully appreciate.
I was familiar with the band’s name and ‘Been Caught Stealing’, but have never explored much further than that. The album was a familiar-ish style/sound that you have to be in the mood for, and I briefly read about its making, but ultimately didn’t take much time to appreciate it besides that. No stand outs (maybe Three Days?) that encouraged me to dig deeper and probably need to revisit some other time. Or maybe not.
Kraftwerk
3/5
I wasn’t very impressed by this album, but also didn’t hate it. Fun to experience some 70s electronic music, and I appreciated the theme the album and inclusion of German, English, and French. Another album that may be no doubt influential but a bit lost on me.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Another band I’m pretty much familiar with by name only. Immediately I appreciated the songs and lyrics - particularly Ready to Start. I enjoyed the themes explored in this album and how it all seemed to tie together with the suburbs and war reference throughout. Also gave me an Elliot Smith vibe. I didn’t realize at first they were Canadian, and I appreciated the inclusion of French at the end of Empty Room. The inclusion of different culture, slang, and languages is always really fun in music to me. I listened to the album throughout the weekend and plan to revisit again.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Who doesn’t know Bob Dylan? I have yet to watch the recent movie that came out about him, but I have seen the Girl from the North Country Musical based on his music, it was okay.
I can’t say the harmonica was what I wanted to listen to first thing in the morning. If I’m being honest with myself…. I respect and recognize Bob Dylan’s music, but don’t often want to listen to it.
Queen
4/5
Happy to get another Queen album, and the one that came before A Night at the Opera. This album doesn’t not have the same grandeur as the one that comes next, but it no doubt has its hits and was good insight into the evolution of the band and their rise to fame.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
Never heard of this band or album before, but I’ll be honest my first impression is I like the sound. Just kind of that 80s pop style that I appreciate, though kind of rough vocals and odd topics. Upon closer inspection I still didn’t really connect with the lyrics. Interesting that the album was influenced by Bob Dylan considering I had one of his albums earlier this week. The music for Down on Mission Street was the standout for me, but overall this was middle of the road and won’t likely be visited again.
Motörhead
3/5
Fun heavy metal sound, funny topics “Jailbait”. Overall not a bad listen, but not one I’m likely to revisit again.
Supertramp
4/5
Happy to see a Supertramp album as I’m familiar with several of their hits, mostly on the Breakfast In America album. Overall this is a sound/band I enjoy.
David Bowie
5/5
Always happy to listen to more David Bowie! This album in its entirety was less familiar to me, but opened with great and recognizable energy with the title track. I just love Bowie’s sound and vocal range and the shift from Glam Rock to a more R&B/Soul sound is apparent. Ultimately this is an artist I am a big fan of, so while this isn’t my favorite album of his I appreciate the experimentation of styles and respect him that much more for it.
The Specials
3/5
Not my typical style of music, but fun enough. One listen through and don’t really need any more.
The KLF
2/5
Time for another unfamiliar (to me) artist and album. First impression it’s its much more upbeat than the electronic albums I’ve had thus far, but that doesn’t necessarily make it good… kind of feels like comedy with the lyrics “I’ve been waiting, you’ve been waiting, we’ve been waiting…” right through to the final track Justified & Ancient.
This basically sums it up: Franklin Soults stated in the 2004 Rolling Stone Album Guide that on The White Room, "the KLF became what they'd mocked with this enduring embrace of Euro-trash club culture. They knew their exit cue."
Kate Bush
2/5
This was is a bit too strange for me, sounded almost like a seance at certain points, and gotta love what sounded like a donkey “eee-awh” chant at the end…. I’m not opposed to artists experimenting, but I’m not enough of a Kate Bush fan to appreciate it for this album.
Adele
4/5
Exciting to get this album/artist as I’m familiar with the hits, but have never given a listen start to finish before. I love when artists write their own music/lyrics and draw from personal experiences - it’s such a sincere form of expression and clearly connected with a lot of people leading to this albums overwhelming success.
Van Morrison
3/5
Recognizable artist/sound/songs. Appreciated a couple listens through, but a bit slower than the music I normally seek out.
The Who
3/5
“Talkin’ ‘bout My Generation…” Another known artist and hits, but not one I’ve listened to otherwise. Enjoyed the album and style well enough. Strong finish with the drums and piano on The Ox.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
This jazz music was upbeat and easy enough to listen to, even if not my style.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
I was familiar with Maps, but that’s about it.
Overall enjoyed the sound of this band and the album.
Janis Joplin
3/5
Familiar with this artist by name and I enjoyed the album’s energy and the singer’s unique voice. No real standouts otherwise.
Air
3/5
This was a good listen and a new band for me. Some of the songs were a bit long, but easy music to throw on.
Depeche Mode
4/5
Happy to have some Dépêche Mode! Saw their Playing the Angel Tour in 2005 and consider myself a fan. Just overall really enjoy their style and sound, but can’t say I’ve explored this album all the way through. Never Let Me Down Again was the stand out and song I was familiar with beforehand, but overall a good listen and a band I’d like to explore more.
The Go-Go's
4/5
What a fun band and sound with some familiar hits. Fading Fast was a new and appreciated song for me.
Hole
3/5
While I didn’t recognize by name, the opening track was familiar and I realized I know Doll Parts by this band as well. Enjoyed the listen and style.
4/5
I remember when this album came out, and first remember listening to Muse in a Virgin Records store at the mall, not sure if it was this or the Absolution record. Either way, this band was all the rage during my high school years and the opening track brought me right back to the Watchmen movie trailer from 2009 that featured “Take A Bow”. Muse has such a unique and recognizable sound as well as many songs I know very well. What a great listen and trip down memory lane for my Friday.
The Offspring
4/5
This is a band I know pretty well (saw them in concert this past year), but not sure I’ve listened to this album start to finish before. It has multiple hits; Gotta Get Away, Come Out and Play, and my personal favorite Self Esteem. I enjoy when albums have an intro and outro or narrator, adds a bit of personality to the start to finish experience and feels less common in today’s single culture. The ‘bonus track’ towards the end took me back to waiting for the track to run through at the end of an album. Overall, a good an nostalgic listen.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
I thoroughly enjoy soundtracks and movie scores, though this is not a film I’ve seen. The intro and overall concept seems a bit goofy, but the music isn’t bad.
Beck
4/5
Familiar with this artist and album name for Lost Cause, but this would be my first listen all the way through. This album was a lot more slow and melancholy than I initially realized, even with the single I already knew. Upon closer inspection/second listen with lyrics I really appreciated the themes explored - unpacking a breakup and the feelings of depression experienced towards the end and after a relationship has ended. Lost Cause remained the standout for me, but I also enjoyed the sound of Little One found a new appreciation for the album in its entirety.
Beatles
5/5
What an iconic album! I went through a phase where I’d get every Beatles album I could from the public library, so this is no doubt one I have explored previously. I did note a shift mid-way through though; ‘Come Together’ through ‘Because’ I knew like the back of my hand, but the second half of the album less so. Either way, an easy 5 stars for this band and one of their most popular albums.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Stevie Wonder - a name I’m familiar with but outside the hits haven’t explored too much. This album was an enjoyable listen and I appreciated reading about its significance, but it’s not necessarily music style I would seek out or see myself listening to again from start to finish.
CHIC
3/5
This band didn’t ring any bells at first, but the second track immediately put a smile on my face. Definitely a fun disco sound and theme for the album.
The Style Council
3/5
Not really my type of music, the kind of droning you’d expect to hear at a hotel restaurant, or in a film with one. Odd song titles as well and then completely different song styles later in the album. Overall, not a terrible listen, but not one I’ll seek out again.
Hookworms
3/5
Kind of hated the noise used for the intro to the album at the beginning of Negative Space, but I’m glad I stuck with it as the lyrics and songs on this album are pretty good. I enjoyed the electronic music, vocal style, and themes of grief and loss explored throughout.
Kings of Leon
3/5
A band I’ve heard of, and know a couple songs that got popular from their 2008 album, but I didn’t recognize a single song off this album by name. Not sure I’m crazy about or really connecting with any of these songs. The vocal style made it hard to understand what the singer was saying and I’m normally a big lyrics person. Bucket was the catchiest. I did a second listen with lyrics, but a lot seemed sexual/gibberish in nature. Again, nothing that really resonated with me to make me want to explore this band or listen again.
The Strokes
4/5
Really liked ‘Last Nite’ from this album, and “12:51’ from Room on Fire just after it - had both as a suggestion from a friend in high school, but would be lying if I said I’d explored much further before now. Gave several listens through throughout the weekend and recognized/enjoyed Someday and Soma as potential standouts. This bad has a unique sound I enjoy, but I didn’t give too much into lyrics or meaning this go round.
The Band
3/5
Familiar with ‘The Weight’ and enjoyed the album as a whole, but no other standouts that would cause me to listen again.
Wire
3/5
New one to me, the music style was enjoyable to listen to, but no stand outs making me want to dig in more.
The Go-Betweens
3/5
Never heard of, but right away enjoyed the opening track. Reading about the album’s song writing process was interesting as well as the lyrics, many of which I imagine were inspired by romantic relationships that were going on within the band.
Justin Timberlake
4/5
Was just talking about this artist’s very successful solo career after *NSYNC, and referencing Cry Me A River off this very album! This one has multiple good songs, but probably not my favorite of his start to finish.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Strong debut album for Cyndi Lauper with a couple well known singles and a good range throughout.
Kanye West
4/5
Pretty excited for this artist and album. Well familiar with but never given a dedicated listen through. The hits and features alone make this album great - cannot deny.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
A lot of times this just felt like noise. Maybe too progressive and not enough rock for my taste.
Portishead
2/5
I didn’t love this, but I didn’t hate it… Ultimately this album was not for me, as I would not listen again, would not recommend, and was ready for it to be over well before it actually was.
Nick Drake
3/5
This was not an artist I’ve heard of before, but easy listening.
Blur
3/5
Recognized Song 2 and the rest was easy enough listening, but no stand outs to make me want to explore further.
Fela Kuti
3/5
I can listen to an hour of upbeat jazz music, even if I wouldn’t ever chose to.
John Grant
4/5
This album was a pleasant surprise. Wasn’t previously familiar with the artist or his former band, but appreciated the style, voice, and lyrics throughout. This was a great find and one I look forward to learning more about and listening to again.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
Music is good, I remain a lyrics person to be more engaged.
Talking Heads
3/5
Knew of this band for Once in a Lifetime and a couple other hits, but can’t say I cared for this album much more than that. It was interesting to read about the Fela Kuti influence as I reviewed an album of his just recently, but as for this one I don’t plan to revisit again.
The Doors
3/5
Iconic band with a couple of hits on here. Good listen overall, but didn’t dig much deeper than that.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Can recognize the significance of the artist, music, and album.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Enjoyed listening to and reading about the significance of this album.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
An enjoyable listen and style though no real stand outs for me.
Genesis
3/5
Thankful for the opportunity to explore more Genisis, but the album didn’t resonate with me the first listen through. Will have to revisit when I have more time.
Duke Ellington
3/5
Though I don’t consider myself a fan of Jazz, I enjoyed this live recording well enough.
The White Stripes
3/5
Good album. Seven Nation Army is obviously a banger.
3/5
The album matched the style I expected from Limp Bizkit. Recognized The Way and see they somewhat made reference to the album name throughout. Was also surprised to hear their NIN Closer reference in the opening track and Mission Impossible Theme in Take A Look Around. The laughing in the Outro was pretty obnoxious. Overall an interesting enough listen.
The Jam
3/5
Listened to a couple times through, hadn’t heard of the band before, but no real standouts for me to comment much more.
Love
3/5
This album definitely employs a lot of different styles and was an interesting listen overall.
Public Enemy
3/5
Have definitely heard of Public Enemy, Flavor Flav, and their music before, but wouldn’t consider myself a fan.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Appreciated the listen and reading a bit about the album.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I guess I’m biased towards the music I grew up with. Happy to see this artist and pleased with this album overall - gave it several listens throughout the day.
Michael Jackson
5/5
The King of Pop!
George Michael
4/5
George Michael is a familiar enough sound/artist, but can’t say I’ve given any of his albums a full listen through. This one was enjoyable enough with some recognized hits.
Dire Straits
4/5
Familiar with Sultans of Swing and a couple others from the band, but enjoyed their sound throughout the album.
Louis Prima
4/5
Fun and upbeat album and sound. Was surprised at how many of these songs I was already familiar with.
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
Not a bad listen or style, but didn’t dig much deeper than that.
UB40
4/5
Familiar with the band in name and for their hit Red Red Wine, but never explored much further. Sincerely enjoyed the musical style and listen in addition to digging into the politically charged lyrics and band’s history a bit more.
Manu Chao
4/5
What a gem of an album! This is exactly why I love this 1001 Albums Before You Die journey - to gain exposure to albums/music/artists I otherwise may have not encountered. This was a fun and different style than my usual and I appreciated the trilingualism as a French-American from Arizona. Will definitely dig in more to the artist, history, and lyrics when I have more time. Stand out for me was the very catchy Bongo Bong seamlessly transitioning into the contrasting Je ne t’aime plus.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
This album rocks, even if I didn’t get to dig much deeper than that with 1-2 listens through.
Frank Ocean
3/5
Had heard of Frank Ocean and this album was an easy enough listen, but not a style I’d typically throw on. Pyramids was probably the standout for me.
Van Morrison
3/5
A familiar name, but not really an album that spoke to me.
John Lennon
3/5
Most everyone would recognize this artist and opening track, but can’t say I was familiar with a single other song on the album. Imagine is the obvious stand out, but I found How Do You Sleep and the drama behind it interesting to learn about.
LL Cool J
2/5
Not my style, but a name I recognized. Almost 100 albums into this journey I’m appreciating the exposure to new artists and styles, but for some of them I really look forward to the album being over… and that says to me I should probably knock my rating down to 2 stars instead of my average of 3.
Prince
3/5
I think I’d only ever heard the radio edit of 1999 prior to listening to this album. While it started strong with the two singles I already knew, I was unfamiliar with the rest and the album didn’t really grab me as a whole.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
White Winter Hymnal was already a favorite/the reason I’d heard of Fleet Foxes. Together Mountain Peasant Song and Blue Ridge Mountains were other standouts and this was a pleasant listen overall.
Alice Cooper
3/5
More familiar with Alice Cooper’s solo career than of the band, even as an Arizona native. This album was an interesting listen, but admittedly I didn’t take time to dig much further.
Coldplay
4/5
I remember listening to this album when it came out, imagine my mom bought it, and at the time my then 4yr old baby brother LOVED the song Clocks. The Scientist and the music video that accompanies it is the standout for me, and I was just recommending it to a friend the other day.
Overall this album was a good listen and I enjoy Coldplay’s other works.
Spiritualized
3/5
Interesting album concept with a unique sound, but nothing that really grabbed me. It wasn’t a difficult listen, but about halfway through I was ready to listen to something else…
The Cure
4/5
I enjoy The Cure’s style and am familiar with several of their hits that are on this album, but this full listen through was a first for me. Last Dance was a stand out, and I’m not sure I’d ever heard Lullaby before, even though I see it is credited as the first single from this record. Overall this was a pleasant listen and exposed me to some more songs by them I enjoy.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
I’m mildly aware of Amy Winehouse. I hated her overplayed song Rehab, but I did enjoy Back to Black (largely because it was covered by Beyonce for The Great Gatsby Movie Soundtrack). I wouldn’t say I’ve identified with her style or ever explored much further. Intro/Stronger Than Me grabbed my attention with its lyrics, and Amy Amy Amy was catchy enough, but as the album continued it solidified that the music and song topics aren’t really my style.
3/5
The album opened with a good sound and was an easy listen throughout, but no standouts prompting me to explore much further.
The The
4/5
Never heard of this artist or album, but I immediately enjoyed the opening track, the lead singer’s voice, and overall style/sound. I found the lyrics really interesting throughout, and especially enjoyed the feelings explored in The Twilight Hour. The Giant was the perfect conclusion to the album and overall this was an intriguing listen that made me want to learn more about the inspiration for the album and other works by the artist.
Various Artists
3/5
A pleasant surprise for Christmas Day. Lots of classics on here, enjoyed the listen overall. Read more about Phil Spector as a result, very interesting…
Talking Heads
2/5
While I recognized the Talking Heads credit to some of their hits, I’m sorry to say that this is the second album
I’ve gotten of theirs and I become less impressed with the band the more I listen to them. Seems their sound is one I’d prefer to consume in much smaller quantities.
Parliament
3/5
Very funky sound, and an entertaining listen.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
Recognized the name and Doo Wop (That Thing) but didn’t really connect with the album or style otherwise.
Carole King
4/5
I have previous exposure to Carole King (Beautiful the Musical) and her work. Upon listening to this album it’s hard to deny it’s absolutely exceptional.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Had previous exposure to this artist and notably the first two songs off this album, so I felt the opening was strong/took me right back. From there I continued to appreciate the lead singers unique sound but couldn’t say any other songs really stood out to me for the remainder of the album.
Kraftwerk
3/5
Now over 100 albums into this journey it’s interesting to see some familiar artists I was only exposed to via this process (Trans-Europe Express). I remember finding the other album a bit repetitive, and can’t say I got much more out of this one, but did note The Model as their top track on Spotify and one I had explored during my initial review of the band.
Nirvana
5/5
This album is one I was previously familiar with and even just referenced the other day! My preexisting favorites are Polly, Something In The Way, and of course the cover of David Bowie’s The Man Who Sold The World. While I don’t normally seek out live recordings this is recognizably one of the best and I welcomed the opportunity to listen to it in full and dig a little deeper into how the band broke tradition (amplifiers, single take, vocal strain) for their performance.
I’ve always said my recipe for what I’d consider a perfect concert or live performance from any artist would be a good mix of hits/throwbacks/ new or lesser known material, a cover song (what artists are important to the artist that’s important to me?), and some interaction with the crowd (tell me a story!) I feel like this recording encompasses all of the above and I enjoyed Cobain’s brief commentary between tracks. It was interesting to read that he was going through withdrawal, nervous about performing an acoustic setlist, and how this album was ultimately released after his death. I think he sounds authentic on the recording which is exactly what I’d want for an in person or unplugged performance.
The Beau Brummels
3/5
Before even reading the album description I noted that the lead singer sounded like Bob Dylan - feeling very validated so see I wasn’t the only one who thought so, haha. But of course as the album continued I recognized that the musical style is very different. It felt like there was a lot going on here between instrumentals and vocals that made this album a bit hard for me to follow at first. When I stopped for a second listen I was able to appreciate it a bit more in the context of fantasy. The song Just A Little autoplayed at the conclusion of the album and I enjoyed that song quite a bit, but don’t think I’ll take any from Triangle with me.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Had heard of this artist in name only, and upon first listen soul music is not my typical style, but this was enjoyable enough. Upon second listen and closer review of the lyrics I was able to follow the narrative, but after 4-5 songs in a row around love/God it started to feel less interesting (as compared to the opening and closing tracks). Overall I recognize and appreciate the significance of this artist/album, the statements made, and was glad for the exposure.
Syd Barrett
3/5
I’d been wondering when a Pink Floyd album would show up (Dark Side of the Moon?), but for now this is as close as I get. Syd Barrett brought a somewhat familiar style and sound to this album which made it an enjoyable enough listen, but the brief dialogue between tracks was probably the most notable part of this album for me… otherwise no real standout songs or lyrics prompting me to dig further.
Tears For Fears
4/5
I was just telling someone how much I enjoy 80s Pop! Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, and Head Over Heels were existing favorites that it was good to hear in the context of the full album for the first time.
Cream
4/5
What a great album to get on this Monday Morning! Already familiar with Cream and their hit Sunshine of Your Love, but I was immediately hooked by the familiar and fun sound on the Strange Brew opener which I can’t recall previously being exposed to. The delightful guitar, vocals, and sound continued through the album and made me want to dig into the lyrics and learn more about the band. Tales of Brave Ulysses was a standout for me. Mother’s Lament was quite the interesting closer, and more funny than sad upon closer inspection of the lyrics. Overall I just really enjoyed the feel of this album and listened several times throughout the day.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
I often feel shallow during these reviews for my lack of appreciation to the intricacy and skill that I’m sure many of these albums employ. But ultimately, I’m simple.
This music was inoffensive, but not something I got a lot out of. Can imagine it being played in a cafe, but nothing I’d seek out on my own or note above my conversation.
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
This was an enjoyable listen. Tried learning Portuguese for a few months on Duolingo, but can’t say I picked up enough to follow the songs. Either way the music and singer’s voice were pleasing and easy to listen to, I continued to enjoy when Spotify autoplayed her other works.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Who knew Johnny Cash was so funny! What an amusing live recording. I already knew he was a legend, but this is probably the first album I’ve listened to all the way through - I enjoyed every minute! What an interesting performance it must have been with crowd involvement and a fitting setlist. I enjoyed reading more about this album and listened to it several times throughout my day.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
While I wouldn’t consider myself a “fan” of Run-D.M.C., I’m well aware of them and how they paved the way for hip hop music. I was pleasantly surprised upon the opening of this album to fall into a fun and somewhat familiar array of songs from them.
Van Halen
4/5
Fortunate enough to have seen this band in concert and well familiar with their hits, but admittedly had been awhile since I had listened. Boy what a masterpiece this album is!
Carpenters
3/5
TLDR: Pretty enough, but kind of boring.
I wanted to like this album, but besides it having that fun “old timey” sound I didn’t really connect with it. I obviously recognized ‘(They Long To Be) Close to You’ and I got excited when I heard ‘Help’ and had to do a quick Google to verify who sang it first (The Beatles). While I appreciate covers I think this version paled compared to the original.
My feelings on the album were further solidified as I read more about the compositions, most of which did not originate or connect much to the artists themselves. Yes, they sound nice enough, but anyone can perform someone else’s work to varying levels of success. I did take note of Richard Carpenter’s three original compositions, the most interesting of those to me being ‘Mr. Guder’.
Paul Simon
3/5
This album was alright. By digging further into the Wikipedia I had more appreciation for Simon’s stylistic experimentation, but ultimately it felt too disjointed and the lyrics and music never really reeled me in. A fine but kind of boring listen for me.
Garbage
3/5
Only Happy When It Rains is an old favorite, and this was a good opportunity to listen to the album all the way through and read more about its production.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
This was an enjoyable listen from a notable artist with some familiar songs and some new insights from listening to and reading about the album as a whole.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
I wish I had had more time to dig in and appreciate this 2hr album. Overall I do enjoy The Smashing Pumpkins, recognized several of the songs, and enjoyed the listen.
The Human League
3/5
Bring me some 80s! Interesting to see this album saves its best known hit for last, and while I enjoyed the listen it did remain as the single standout.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
While country music has grown on me, I can’t say it’s a genre I actively seek out, and thus this album and artist was not familiar to me. Red Dirt Girl proved to be an enjoyable enough listen and it wasn’t necessarily what I’d categorize as country? Maybe this makes sense for the artists’ 19th album release and sort of her departure.
J’ai Fait Tout and My Antonia caught my attention for the French lyrics and then the Dave Matthews feature (though not credited on Spotify?) And I’m all the more impressed to read this artist departed from her usual and co-wrote most of the songs. A second listen and review of the lyrics grew my appreciation for the storytelling and personal aspects that seemed to come through several songs, notably Red Dirt Girl and Bang the Drum Slowly.
I don’t necessarily think I’ll be playing this album again or seeking out her other works, but I did appreciate the listen.
Soft Cell
3/5
Tainted Love and Where Did Our Love Go by Soft Cell are iconic and some of my favorite 80s songs, but this was my first exposure to their other works and this album. It was also news to me that Tainted Love was a cover! First impression was a good sound, but kind of strange/pointed lyrics. Ultimately, like the other 80s album I got for The Human League just recently, I feel like the success of the single propelled the album, and I didn’t take much else from it.
ZZ Top
3/5
I can appreciate ZZ Top and their style. Enjoyed the listen but not something I personally will seek more of.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
I’m lyrics person, but this was a good “jam” album. The incorporation of certain tunes like ‘Amazing Grace’ in “You Don’t Love Me” and ‘Frère Jacques’ at the end of “Whipping Post” was interesting enough. All the more impressive these 20min songs/jam sessions were from live recordings, but not much crowd interaction or dialogue to make one feel like they were there.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
TLDR: I appreciated this listen upon closer inspection.
This was a quick and easy listen. If I had a single dancing bone in my body I may have appreciated it more, but alas I do not. I appreciated the West Side Story reference in Pedro Navaja and the little I was able to recognize from the Spanish lyrics.
Took the time for a second listen and lyrics translation and got a lot more out of the album, most notably the lyrics of Plastico and Pedro Navaja. The style of Maria Lionza was also a standout for me.
Jacques Brel
4/5
Music and lyrics are poetry, and Chanson is a perfect example of this. While there’s not a lot on the album Wikipedia, I got a lot out of being exposed to this artist and exploring his influence and other works. I’d highly encourage others to do the same.
Notable details to me were obviously the French language and renown, Belgian origins (like several of my favorite Francophone artists) the artistry of the lyrics in both languages (some lost or changed in translation), and the inspiration provided to and covers done by so many other notable artists (including my fav, David Bowie). My bias is very present here, but this album exemplifies what I love about the 1001 Albums journey.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
I didn’t recognize the artist and had some trouble with the accessibility of this album (not on Spotify, went to YouTube with ads, no lyrics, couldn’t close app to read/listen to lyrics at same time) so inevitably this album was interrupted often and my experience impacted. Another Day Full of Dread,
Death To Everyone, and Madeleine-Mary were my standouts, but because it was inconvenient I didn’t dig much further.
Kanye West
3/5
My second Kanye album on this journey (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy), and happy to see it cause at the very least I know it’ll be entertaining. Kanye is ever the artist and I appreciated the various themes explored throughout the album. The New Workout Plan was particularly funny to me.
Also in reading and learning more about the album I have to say “chipmunk soul” is a new term for me. But again, entertaining with the skits throughout. Overall this was an album I could appreciate, but probably won’t listen to again outside of the singles.
Pink Floyd
4/5
Oh I’ve been waiting for this one. This album is tied to a core memory of mine, getting to experience it through a planetarium show at the Hutchinson Cosmosphere (near where my grandparents lived and I attend Space Camp in 7th grade). Upon revisiting it this album flowed cohesively and provided an experience start to finish. It was interesting to read that it was released after the departure of Syd Barrett (whose album The Madcap Laughs I was able to review as part of this experience as well).
Eagles
3/5
A familiar sound and album I wanted to like more than I did. Started strong with the well known “Take It Easy’, but felt like it shifted pretty quickly/unexpectedly to ‘Most of Us Are Sad’ and I didn’t really get back on board til ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’. ‘Earlybird’ also rubbed me the wrong way each time it came on with the obnoxious tweeting sounds. Ultimately I appreciated the listen and the band, but don’t plan to revisit again.
Kings of Leon
2/5
This is my second Kings of Leon album through this journey (Aha Shake Heartbreak) and I can’t say I was excited for it. I recognized the singles and read about the various features that I probably had exposure to as well. I know this music has value for some, but I cannot get into the lead singer’s barely understandable singing style - it doesn’t do it for me.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
A band and sound I was somewhat familiar with and can appreciate. Interesting to read about the creation of this album and the creative differences. Not much to the lyrics, but enjoyable all the same.
Queen
3/5
I appreciate this artist and the opportunity to explore this lesser known album (brand new to me). I enjoyed the theming but can’t say I had any standouts or was able to dig much deeper.
Eminem
4/5
TLDR: I’m an Eminem fan, Stan is my favorite.
Ha, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a fan of Eminem and already somewhat familiar with this album (and several of his others). Had to put off listening to this explicit record as I wouldn’t in front of my kids (6&8), but Eminem does take me back to friends I had in my pre-teen era and was very much a part of my music journey growing up.
Abrasive, yes, shocking, yes, offensive, definitely, profound… not always. But the Eminem/Shady/Marshall Mathers personas we see from this artist is one I’ve appreciated seeing evolve over time - and no one else sounds like him. The intro, skits, etc. are all pretty typical for an Eminem album and each one gives a glimpse of what phase he was in at the time. You can’t just take the words/lyrics at face value, it’s more complex than that - and part of why it’s so popular and controversial.
Stan by far is my favorite song from this artist, from the sampling of Dido’s “Thank You” to the Phil Collins reference to the music video and vivid story it tells around fame, personas artists put on, and how fans can sometimes take things too far is very powerful, even if it isn’t pretty. It was fun to revisit this song and album as a whole.
The other singles ‘The Way I Am’ and ‘The Real Slim Shady’ are iconic, and nostalgic. It may not be your style, but there is no doubt value here.
The Isley Brothers
3/5
This was fun, funky music. ‘Listen to the Music’ and ‘Summer Breezem were the recognizable standouts, but these were both covers and did not surpass the originals IMO. Overall a pleasant listen, but didn’t lead me to learn much more about the band or significance via the Wiki.
Sonic Youth
3/5
This is my second Sonic Youth album (Daydream Nation). At the onset I enjoyed the sound, but I can’t say this album or the band this far has had the “it” factor for me to care or explore much deeper.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
I appreciated the listen and recognized the hit Everyday People. It was also interesting to read more about the significance of this album.
Nick Drake
3/5
I feel like I’ve heard this artist’s name but cannot tell you why… His voice and songs were pleasant, but true appreciation for this album is probably lost on me.
Stan Getz
3/5
This was good exposure to some classic Bossa Nova, and fun to listen to some Portuguese too. While this music absolutely has its place in the world it’s not something I would actively seek out or listen to again.
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Growing up in the 90s, Lenny Kravitz was an iconic sound for me. I’m also impressed to read that he wrote, produced, and performed most parts for his debut album. I enjoyed the album and recognized the hit “Let Love Rule”. I also particularly enjoyed “I Build This Garden For Us”. What surprised me was the biblical theming present throughout the album.
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
I wasn’t initially very excited for this album, but I didn’t hate it as much as I thought I would? Having context on the time period was helpful in my reflection on the music/lyrics and I appreciated the exposure.
Frank Zappa
2/5
“A movie for your ears” was probably a good description for this, but I didn’t necessarily enjoy the movie. For example, the screeching instruments in The Gumbo Variations is something I’d liken to a creaky door… good thing there was only one song after it, cause after about 12min of that I was ready to be done.
Meat Loaf
3/5
A band I’m aware of by name only. I’ve seen the musical Neverland so I was intrigued to read that this album was developed from it and later on had its own stage show as well.
I’m sure this would be more enjoyable/interesting for me with additional context from a show; and sometimes musical soundtracks can stand completely on their own, but I’m surprised to hear about how well the album sold.
Marty Robbins
3/5
How fun, I recognized the first song right away. What a pleasant and fun old country western sound. Listened though a couple times, then spent the day listening to similarly styled music courtesy of Spotify auto play. I enjoyed the lyrics/storytelling, style and sound. Definitely culturally significant… Why am I not rating this a 4*? Not quite sure it had what I need to get it over that threshold, but I definitely appreciated the listen.
The Specials
2/5
The first song may have implored me to enjoy myself, but that proved to be a challenge with this band. For me there was just too much going on with this album and it sounded like a disorganized mess - maybe special, but not enjoyable.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Had not heard of this artist, but was interested to read that David Bowie produced with them at some point.
Overall this was an easy/good listen but nothing stood out on the album to make me look much further.
Roni Size
3/5
I tried to go into this album open minded, especially since I was playing catch up from vacation (about 5 albums behind), but I wasn’t able to get much out of this. Some repetitive beats I could see being a fun backdrop to an action scene in a movie, but hardly something I’d think about much more than that. The lyrics sprinkled in here and there only made it worse.
Norah Jones
3/5
The title track came to mind as soon as I saw the album, and this was a recognizable name, but not one I’d necessarily say I’m a fan of. Much slower than what I’d normally seek out and quite frankly, boring.
The Temptations
3/5
I may not have given this album the time it deserved, but it was enjoyable all the same.
The Avalanches
3/5
This was an odd and interesting listen.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
My second Creedence Clearwater Revival album, and a pleasure to listen to overall.
The Byrds
3/5
I might have enjoyed the album more if I had more time to dedicate to it, but ultimately didn’t take anything away or dig much more into the album or band besides some one sided commentary from the members provided at the end of the Spotify album.
David Bowie
5/5
In an attempt to write an honest/somewhat unbiased (who are we kidding) Bowie album review, I’ll start by saying this is not my favorite album of his. It’s not one I’d typically choose to throw on, but it does take me back to 2016, the news of his passing, and it stays true to everything I love about this artist. The singles Blackstar and Lazarus (and their videos) are the standouts. Girl Loves Me also stands out musically to me. The Lazarus musical written by Bowie is one whose soundtrack was on repeat for months in my household and a show I’d love to experience live one day, but will have to settle with a streaming version made available for viewing during the pandemic. At the end of the day, I love everything David Bowie does.
Knowing that Blackstar was Bowie’s last release before he died/recorded in secret while he was battling illness holds weight here, and the lyrics surrounding death and dying leave us contemplative throughout. At the end of the day, Bowie stayed true to himself as an artist, releasing work not with the aim of pleasing others but instead to please himself - we just all get to benefit from his genius and vision.