119
Albums Rated
3.52
Average Rating
11%
Complete
970 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Hip-hop
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
16
5-Star Albums
3
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Post Orgasmic Chill
Skunk Anansie
|
5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
|
Step In The Arena
Gang Starr
|
5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
|
Deloused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
|
5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
|
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
|
5 | 3.34 | +1.66 |
|
Urban Hymns
The Verve
|
5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
|
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
|
5 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
|
Aqualung
Jethro Tull
|
5 | 3.44 | +1.56 |
|
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
|
5 | 3.48 | +1.52 |
|
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
|
5 | 3.56 | +1.44 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
|
1 | 2.84 | -1.84 |
|
Ys
Joanna Newsom
|
1 | 2.8 | -1.8 |
|
With The Beatles
Beatles
|
2 | 3.66 | -1.66 |
|
My Generation
The Who
|
2 | 3.43 | -1.43 |
|
Debut
Björk
|
2 | 3.37 | -1.37 |
|
Sulk
The Associates
|
1 | 2.36 | -1.36 |
|
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
|
3 | 4.26 | -1.26 |
|
Third
Portishead
|
2 | 3.13 | -1.13 |
|
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
|
2 | 3.12 | -1.12 |
|
Architecture And Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
|
2 | 3.05 | -1.05 |
5-Star Albums (16)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Linkin Park
4/5
Linkin park takes the stage here with some very literal heart felt lyrics, crazy futuristic sound shapes and lyrical singing combos, some really creative shit here that I dont think everyone will appreciate to its fullest, but I definitely do
!!
1 likes
The Who
3/5
Better than their debut album thats for sure. The intro for pinball wizard is one of my favorite song intros of all time, great song too, definitely the best on the album. I appreciated the conceptualness of this one, although I wasnt able to pick up much other than Tommy was blind, deaf, dumb and good at pinball lmfao.
The purely instrumental songs were great, I think when it comes to the vocals a lot of it sounds the same, which is the same trap The Who falls into in their debut album.
Some songs annoyed me, and I think its a bit too long for what you get, could be trimmed down.
6.5/10
1 likes
1-Star Albums (3)
All Ratings
Method Man
4/5
8/10, 8/10 Jessie, 8/10 Abe
The Beach Boys
4/5
Great Album! Ahead of its time, some stand out songs, some that fade into the BG
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
7/10, Some real bangers on this album. Monday Monday, California Dreaming. Some songs get repetitive due to the vocal harmony style, impressive pipes and layering's though.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
9/10 banger after banger on this one
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
Great album front to back, has some undeniably classic songs. Big Wheels, Turn to Stone, Jungle, Mr. Blue Sky being some personal favorites. 9.5/10, maybe a 10/10...
Cool album art too.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Great lyrics and storytelling, singing from Bob could do some work. Songs drag on, while musicality kinda repeats and gets old. Some real foot rappers though, tombstone blues, from a Buick 6 were some favorites of mine. Good listen through even with my flack.
Paul Simon
4/5
Loved it, perfect album to enjoy a nice sunny day or when youre looking for something mellow yet joyful. Paul brought some heat with his experimentation with different genres. The flute in Duncan goes fucking hard...
CHIC
4/5
Fantastic album, I want your love is a standout for me. Loving the disco vibes but was left longing for more of it in the the last 3 songs, as I felt it kinda slowed down and lost a lil somethin somethin. Also Le Freak is just an all timer, no questions asked.
3/5
Pretty good album, respect for being pioneers with this one, though some parts of it were missing me with the vibe a bit. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is by far my favorite on the album. Good album name.
James Brown
3/5
Honestly can see why this is on this list, as its quite an amazing live performance truth be told, with some very talented musicians as well. It would have been AMAZING in person I am sure. But as a listening experience in 2025, I think its a little dated (which gives it some personality if you look at it the right way.) Overall though, I think the live quality elements make me unlikely to revisit this in the future. However I will be looking into James Browns other music due to the quality of the music here itself!
4/5
6.8/10 I enjoyed my listen through, pretty good, was thrown off with Exenes vocals at times with the off key, randomness, but at times I thought it worked well. The guitar, bass, and drums were tight. Year 1 was a favorite on the album.
Nina Simone
4/5
9/10, its fucking Nina Simone. Her voice is incredible.
Aerosmith
4/5
Didnt realize how hard Aerosmith went. I think I just never thought I'd like them due to the overplayed songs not being my favorite, but alas, I did not like those songs solely due to them being overplayed. (Back in Saddle, not a bad song, but definitely heard IM BACKKKKK in SADDLE AGAAINNN, one too many times to the point of annoyance). Rats in the Cellar was definitely a favorite of mine.
Napalm Death
2/5
Linkin Park
4/5
Linkin park takes the stage here with some very literal heart felt lyrics, crazy futuristic sound shapes and lyrical singing combos, some really creative shit here that I dont think everyone will appreciate to its fullest, but I definitely do
!!
Louis Prima
4/5
Really fun album, some great humor, musicality and talent involved in this one. Was picturing watching it live while listening and thinking how awesome that would have been. Nothing really quite like it nowadays. Which I think really makes an album this tight and this clean, that much more special (Melbourne Ska Orchestra came to mind in terms of something similar, still a different vibe though).
The Mars Volta
5/5
Well, I think I just have to give this a 5, this blew my mind a few times while listening through. I haven't really listened to much traditional prog rock (if you would call this trad?) But i can say thid was quite the introduction. The album art also really intrigued me, and I can say the music matched in some way lmfao. Like just wild stuff in here. The drums were especially insane in this album. Some legendary names Involved in the making of this.
Bill Callahan
3/5
6.5/10 i did reslly emjoy this album even though I'm giving this 3 stars. Very comforting and warm sound, made me feel cozy, Bill's voice feels like a musical sound hug embracing you lol. There wasn't anything too crazy here though. The 2nd last song did not do this album any favors, don't know what was up with those weird vocals, but it got a skip on my 2nd listen through.
Solomon Burke
4/5
Was good! I honestly dont have much to say lol, really fun album 6.5 or 7 out of 10. Enjoyed front to back, nothing that blew me away.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Although I gave this a 3, I do wanna say, I really did enjoy this album. But I think I need to rate these albums with the name of this list in mind, ones you must listen to before you DIE. & if I'm being honest, I wouldn't really have that much regret if I was 6 feet under without having heard this soundtrack. I think as far as movie soundtracks go, this ones not even A tier.
HOWEVER, Theme from Shaft, & Do your thing, are two stand outs for me, the groove they kept in the first song on the album was giving me some mad stanky face. The other songs were great and funky and soulful as well, but weren't anything mind blowing.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Woah, what an album, what a voice! That opening song hit with a force, the gospel choir, and then from out of left field in comes this epic raspy voice.
Definitely one to listen to with headphones, everything just hits a little harder. I also think locking in to the lyrics and knowing the context of this album adds a hell of a lot of substance. (Cohen released this album a month before passing away, created within the final chapter of his life). Definitely a heavy album, dealing with some darker topics, which in a way adds to its power. I could understand how someone would not enjoy this, but personally, I feel like this album very much deserves its spot on this list.
Elvis Presley
3/5
I think Elvis in memphis is a solid album, some great songs burried in there. Lots I will probably not go searching for again :[, no hate though hes got some great tunes, suspicious minds goes off. Also bonus points for being Elvis... like cmon hes like theeee classic music guy. The hair? Iconic. The outfit, im sure you can picture it. Dudes a fucking legend. 6.5/10
New Order
3/5
This album really grew on me, i think it requires a couple of listens tbh. On my first listen of the album and first track my reaction was: 😵💫
Buttttt after I listened to the album a 2nd time later in the day, my reaction was more this: 😎
This album oozes 80s vibes, through n through. The drum machine at first I thought was a bit much, but then as it went on, I think they mixed in some live drumming. The rock/pop aspects of this album were quite enjoyable to listen to, and definitely grew on me. The last 2 songs being my favorites on the album, Vanishing point and Dream Attack.
7/10 but only giving it 3 stars as I dont think it had enough oomph for the extra star. Id give it 3.5 if I could.
Björk
2/5
Bjork, I really wanted to like you, I had heard a lot about you, had even played a couple of your songs before, but to no avail. I just couldn't really get into it. Like I get it, youre different, experimental and have a good voice, but I just dont think its for me. Theres something about the electronic stuff that is often a bit intense, paired with the untraditional vocals, just doesn't musically give me anything to Bob my head to or make me feel anything. I guess I can see why people like this, but I just dont think im a part of that squadron.
Koffi Olomide
3/5
Im not sure I have much to say on this one, but what I do have to say is that the album art is honestly kinda fuckin great in some kind of way, idk. The music? I think it was good overall, a nice listen through. Id be interested to do a deeper dive into music from Africa, as I dont have a lot else to compare him to. Id give it like a 6/10??
The Verve
5/5
My face lit up when that first song came in, Didn't know where that this was where that song lived!
This album screams early 2000s, something about the violins & the constant slow steady beat. Perfect album to walk your dog to on a warm autumn evening as the sun is setting. Pure vibes.
The rest of the album did not let down either, with some bangers sprinkled throughout! Verve just earned a new fan.
9/10
Favorite songs: bittersweet symphony, The drugs dont work
David Bowie
3/5
Surprisingly the first time listening to Bowie, I don't think this was the best album to start with lol. Although I did still like the last 2 songs on the album. Gotta go with the 3 star rating on this one unfortunately. I think its another case of odd vocal patterns, and the off key sounding melodies. The last 2 songs felt a little more connected in terms of the vocals and the other instruments.
Dead Kennedys
3/5
This album is a very mood dependent listen. Low energy? Its probably going to annoy the hell out of you. Angry, high energy, or looking to get hyped up? This album might hit hard.
The high speed drums, singing, and guitar does not let up at all during this listen, which can be entertaining if the mood is right. Bonus points for the edgy song names, which kept cracking me up. I preferred this more in comparison to Wild Gift by X, it felt like The Dead Kennedys leaned further into the punk genre which I appreciated. Would maybe check out more of their music, not sure I'd revisit this album anytime soon though.
Favorite songs: Kill the Poor, Drug Me
6.5/10
Fela Kuti
4/5
Really like the combination of the 2-3 genres here, some great sections in here. Some interesting history behind this guy and this album as well. Enjoyed the listen through.
Favorite song was Zombie.
Tricky
4/5
This album took a turn at song 4, like complete vibe switch in my opinion. I didn't mind the first song, but the beat got annoying after a bit, was not a fan of song 2 or 3. Surprisingly, Hell is Round the Corner came in with some groovy jazzy backing, I was surprised with the sudden male vocals, really liked the slow rapping. Favorite on the album for sure.
Rest of the album kept switching around the vibe song to song, but I didn't bump against much of it compared to songs 1-3.
Overall was fun to listen through as it had a very unique sound. Only listened to side 1, will have to give side 2 a go at some point. 7/10
Bert Jansch
4/5
Actually really vibed with this, Just a guy and his trusty guitar against the world. I took a gander at some of the other reviews on here and the only negative ones were calling this boring. I mean sure, comparing this to a full on band, ya, the energy is gonna be different. This Bert guy is out here making an album with a single instrument and his voice, and was able to keep my attention for 2-3 listen throughs.
These ipad babies are out here giving this album 1-2 stars have gotta fix their dopamine systems. (Hopefully no one in the group gives this 1-2 stars, if so, I'm sorry for calling you an Ipad baby (but not really)).
50 Cent
4/5
Classic. From the Intro song of 50 cent, dropping 50 cents on the counter, to P.I.M.P, In da club, and so forth. Filled with bangers and some other decent songs all the way through. Loved Eminems features on both tracks, especially since I learned that Eminem signed Mr. G Unit, and this was his debut album.
Many men, many many many many many many men many men many men.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Yeee Bruce Spingsteen. First time listening to Bruce, good stuff. Favorite song was Born to Run. 7.5/10
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
It sounded like the soundtrack to some weird 8 bit European RPG game. It had some moments that were alright, but it was diluted by the not so great parts. Was glad when it ended if I'm being real, just so I could listen to something else, 1 hour of this was too long.
Souvenir was my favorite on the album. 4/10
Gang Starr
5/5
This was dope. I've listened to gang star before, but never through one of their full albums. Love Gurus flow and the producing by DJ premiere is next level. The record scratch interludes were so funky, songs were filled with pure rythym and creative sampling. Their style reminded me a bit of tribe called Quest. 9/10
The Strokes
4/5
Hmmm I could picture myself rollerskating through a suburb and taking out mailboxes with a baseball bat to this album, would fit the vibe perfectly. Not that I would ever do something like that though...
Unless....
8/10 - Good ole 2000s rock <3
Ms. Dynamite
4/5
This was great, gave me classic 2000s pop/r&b vibes. Surprised I had never heard of her before.
8/10
Joanna Newsom
1/5
Using my god given right of the one star to smack this album into the worst of the list category. Sorry not sorry Joanna...
I think the instrumentation was pretty great, but Mrs Newsom came in like a typhoon with her theater kid annunciation and tanked everything to shit. The songs went onnnn and onnnnn... like oh my god, can we wrap it up here. Like I see the vision, but the only way Id listen to this again is if I were drunk off of mead in a tavern somewhere. 2.5/10
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
If you like bongos, you will like this album. If you dont like bongos... you are in for a bad time...
8/10
The Doors
3/5
First time listening to the Doors. Was solid, nothing that blew me away though, very bluesy. Only song I didn't like was l'America, everything else was pretty good.
Favorite song: Riders of the storm
Overall I'd give it a 6.5/10
Deerhunter
3/5
Different! But I liked it. Was very layed back, but the instrumentation would get weird at times, which offered some interesting dynamics. From those first few drum hits when the album started I thought I was in for a bad time lmfao. But it mellowed out quickly. Overall, had some good and some not so good throughout.
Favorite song: Desire Lines
6.5/10
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Decent, way more bluesy than I was expecting. Some good songs, a lot of songs I will not remember. I feel as though they have not found their sound yet, but not surprised their debut is on this list.
Side thought: I wonder how they came up with the band name, if you think about it its kind of a weird name. Like a bunch of boulders rolling down a hill? 'Yeahhhh lets name our band after that, sick!'
Beck
4/5
Would give 4.5/5 if I could, if I ever got broken up with or was really sad this would be a 6/5. Wanted to look into this album a bit more. He caught his fiance of 9 years cheating on him, with a guy from a different band.. he wrote all 12 of these songs in one week apparently. Even more impressive, due to how layered and complete each song feels. Really enjoyed this and will be checking out more Beck.
Fiona Apple
3/5
This album was quirked out. Fiona has a great voice, but sometimes it gets weird, and I'm not too sure if its good or bad weird, might need to sleep on it... (That laughing at the end of the first song (⊙ _ ⊙ ) )
Loved the drumming and piano though.
I prefer Mrs. Apple when she's singing more ballad like tunes. She has this one cover of 'Pure imagination' from Willy Wonka that's really sweet, her voice under other circumstances reminds me a bit of Lana Del Rey.
Throwing Muses
2/5
I was going to maybe go with a one star, but the fact this was out in 1985 or whatever is worth a star I guess... Again, like other albums so far, its the vocals that kill it for me, just straight up annoying. I started wondering if it's all female led punk groups that I dont vibe with. So I went to listen to Bikini Kill to see, and I really liked their punk vocal style! So I guess its just the singer from Throwing Muses... the instrumentation was fine.
Tina Turner
3/5
Jethro Tull
5/5
I really enjoyed this. The flute went hard as fuck, the piano went hard as fuck, and the guitar went hard as fuck. Surprised I had never heard of these guys before.
Locomotive breath was definitely my favorite on the album. Would definitely summon a hoard of goblins and ghouls to these tunes.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
This album was the equivalent of performance art in a musical format. From the poetry to crazy sounding chords and musical elements, to the fucking 52 minute interview tagged at the end. Like you're really gonna interview this guy about this?
There was one song that kinda sounded like gorillaz and the poem about religion was actually kinda decent lmfao
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Really enjoyed this! Listened to it on a rainy drive home from Gimli. With the autumn colours, rainy skies, and chilly winds hitting the car, this album was the cherry on top for the vibe. Really loved the added elements such as the Jaw harp, and strings throughout.
Such a huge difference between this albums sound vs. You want it darker (The other Leonard Cohen album we've listened to thus far). Really interesting juxtaposition to have listened to his last album, and then his 2nd ever album next up, sounds like 2 completely separate artists.
Favorite Song: The Old Revolution, Bird on a Wire
8/10
Cream
3/5
Cream? More like in your dreams of getting more than a 3
First 2 songs were absolute rock n roll banger classics, rest was also pretty good too, but became more ambient. Enjoyed it, but as a full album I thought it was lacking a little.
Keith Jarrett
5/5
The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett I think is one of the most deserving of the title "album you must listen to before you die". It is one I probably would have never picked up or even found without this list, so unassuming.
What a performance, I had chills. Just so everyone is in the know if not already, but the backstory behind this whole thing is NUTS.
Jarrett was hired by an 18 year old concert organizer to perform in a opera house in Cologne, Germany for an 11:30 PM show following some other acts. In some confusion, the grand piano Jarrett was meant to play was not delivered to the opera house, and it was found out too close to the performance to deliver a new one (plus it was raining outside).
Jarrett was driving in from Switzerland and arrived very tired, due to the drive and poor sleep quality from the last 2 nights. The guy gets barely anything to eat, since the show time is so close to his arrival. Then gets to the opera house to find out he will be playing this shitty rehearsal piano that has barely any cadence in the high and low sections of the piano (Oh also the pedals didn't work properly). He was about to not play the show, however this 18 year old kid convinced him to play since the recording equipment was set up and ready to go.
To a sold out opera house of 1400 people, Jarrett whips out a 1 hour improvisation performance so that he can play to the strengths of the current piano he's playing. He scrapped his WHOLE plan and improvised, focusing on playing in the middle of the piano to avoid the higher and lower sections that didn't sound good. He then proceeded to blow the roof off with some absolutely beautiful piano playing.
The story here is what bumps this all up for me, there's so much to it, such a once in a lifetime thing to occur, and to get it all recorded and put into the form of an album? What are the odds.
How could I not give this 5 stars.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Bridge over troubled water came on, and I audibly said 'There is no way they come close to topping this song, they should have saved it for the finale, what an epic ballad'. Sang that song back in the day when I took singing lessons with an older lady named Joy, didn't know these 2 wrote it! Anyway I don't think they topped it with epicness, but they did fill the rest of the album with BANGERS, one after another, Boxer, Cecilia, etc.
9.5 or 10/10
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Started off pleasant, but I found it got old pretty quick. Same sort of airy vocal style and heavily layered instrumentation that started to blend together a bit. Still an enjoyable listen through! Not surprised this eventually got bumped from the list to make room for newer better albums (this online list has 1089 albums, all albums to have ever made the list are on here).
Favorite song: Go or Go Ahead
6.5/10
Television
3/5
Was good! Probably one of my preferred punk album thus far! (If this is considered punk?) Wasn't my favorite, but it was a vibe. Some days I listen to the album a few times to make a better judgment, sometimes I cant stomach listening to it more than once. But I gave this one 3 rounds, and I didn't get tired of it (although I was doing other shit).
6.5/10
Favorite song: Marquee Moon
Randy Newman
4/5
This sounds like the guy who sang in Toy Story (you've got a friend in me). Wait a second... could it be?? No...
*googles it*
No fuckinggg wayyyytt, IT ISSSSS
Felt like an expansion of that song, an album version of that song with different lyrics. Loved it, hes got such a great voice. 7/10
Pulp
4/5
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
Objectively, this performance was tight, cool, sophisticated, and difficult to really understand how much goes into it. I feel as though I would need to fully focus on each of the musicians here and how they are speaking to each other, how they are working together as this super talent of a musical trio, to fully appreciate this to its fullest.
I found it difficult to fully lock in for the full duration of the album. My focus tended to slide after a while, as the music slowly fades in the background again and again. Catching myself again and again, "focus on the music James" I keep telling myself over and over.
The music itself chronically fades into coffee lounge jazz, still, a pleasant cascade of background music. Pleasant being the key word here, I did enjoy this quite a bit. But I guess what I'm getting at is that I lack the musical/jazz knowledge to fully appreciate this album to its fullest. This kind of music I feel like is somewhat locked up behind bars to your average listener, (not to say I'm average), but for most people this would come across as classic ordinary jazz. I do at least know that this is far from ordinary. However, I only have an inkling of the intricacies of this language these musicians are speaking to one another over the course of this live recording. For that I find myself hard pressed to give this more than a 4.
Doves
4/5
Hey ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
What can I say, I'm a sucker for 2000s rock, and the Doves hit the sweet spot, with a bit of their own unique twists here n there. I really enjoyed this one, and enjoyed it even more late at night when its supposedly meant to be played? Some favorites were Catch the Sun, The Man who Told Everything, and Reprise. Kind of gave the same vibes & essence as Coldplay, The Verve, and Soundgarden, although definitely still different.
Will definitely re-visit this one.
Pixies
3/5
I enjoyed this one to my surprise. This one is definitely mood dependent, was not feeling it while working from home, but played it later while I was driving and doing other shit and it sounded better...
Didn't realize they had written 'Where is My Mind?' already knew this one. Solid album even though I'm only giving it a 3, I feel like I've been tossing out 4s left and right... and I don't think this album as a whole hits that level for me.
New York Dolls
2/5
This was like Walmart Brand Rock n Roll in the year of 2025 (Nothing wrong with great value brand at all). Great Value is just fine, and so is New York Dolls by New York Dolls, like c'mon they didn't even come up with an album name. Every single song past song 2 sounded the same to me, so things got old quick. It didn't help that the lead vocalist kept screaming out the name of the song over and over again within each song. Their outfits look pretty cool though, so kudos to that!
David Bowie
3/5
It was ok. I think it liked it better than Black Star??
Brian Eno
3/5
This one was interesting, a few songs I didnt love as much others. But the second half of the album stood out to me. Lovedddd Spider and I, feel like ive had moments in the summer, just staring at a little spider while outside smoking a J lmfao. Reminded me of those moments.
Muddy Waters
4/5
This is what plays in my head when I picture the blues. The guitar absolutely rips on this album. Even though a lot of the songs sound similar due to the style of music, I still really enjoyed my listen through. I have always wanted to listen to some Muddy Waters but have never given him the time of day until now, was not disappointed.
Random side note, there used to be this rib place at the Forks called Muddy Waters, I have a distinct memory as a kid getting nachos there, and I remember them being soooo good, when in reality they were probably just regular nachos with cheese. Anyways, that restaurant was named after this guy, when I thought it was because the rivers in Winnipeg looked muddy. I also say 'was' as it closed down years ago... I will never be able to confirm if the nachos were actually as good as I remember...
Dire Straits
4/5
This was a phenomenal album front to back IMO. I think it definitely has some standout songs, that outshine the rest. Down to the Waterline (The opening bit was super dope, where it dropped into the groove outta left field!), and Sultans Swing. Plus you add in the fact that its their debut album.. Not many debut albums on this list so far that have been as spicy as this one here.
The Jam
3/5
Mixed feelings on this one. The instrumentation was very enjoyable, just sounded like they were jamming, hence the name I guess.
The vocals however bugged me at times, being overly airy sounding, and overloaded with reverb. The vocal harmonies were sometimes very pleasant, however at other times it sounded like they were purposefully singing slightly out of tune (or perhaps not on purpose? 🙊)
Other songs the vocals worked quite well i thought, and to no surprise those were the best ones, The man in the cornershop and Set the House Ablaze were two favorites of mine.
Portishead
2/5
If someone were to come up to me and say "Hey James, you should really listen to this album before you die its soooo good." I'd prank them back by sending them 12 glitter bombs in the mail.
I wish the full album had the vibe of 'The Rip', the synth melodies were super dope and layered on top of each other. The singers style worked well here and felt like it belonged.
For most of the rest of the album I wished there were no vocals, she tanked it hard. At other times, the instrumentation wasnt doing anything pleasant either.
Also, the one random ukulele song in the middle of the album?! Interesting choice, I would like to know the thought process around that one.
4/10
Pentangle
3/5
Sounded straight out of the middle ages, could have convinced me this was released in 1403. I honestly didn't mind it, thought it was pretty good! I thought her voice fit the vibe they were going for quite well, although a lot of people on here would disagree with me. I thought some of the guitar and drum work was pretty cool as well.
Bonus points for the trippy ass cover, honestly one of the coolest album covers on the list thus far!
6.5/10
The Who
2/5
A little bit of Shoo wap shoo wap
A little bit of Ooooo oooo oooo
Oh they're doing it again...
Oh... there they go again!
And again...
Then i realized I was listening to the deluxe version, and theres an hour and 20 minutes to go 🫠
Its not bad music, its just sooooo repetitive. Like out of any other repetitive album on here, this was the worst yet.
There were some good songs! Maybe had I not listened to the deluxe version i would have given it a 3. But this was honestly hard to get through, I just did not care after I hit like 6 songs in.
Favorites being: My Generation, Bald Headed Woman (only on the deluxe version for some reason??)
I guess it sounded too different than the other 12 songs so it was shoved into the deluxe...
5/10 but 2.5 stars cause it pissed me off, so I rounded down.
Janet Jackson
4/5
First time listening to Janet, and was pleasantly surprised! I was unsure at first, and then on came 'Miss you Much'.
I knew this song from this reel I saw a while back of 5 middle aged ladies dancing in this red carpeted, oak panneled basement. This sounds weird now that im typing it out... but the video was fucking awesome, wish I could send it here. Their moves were very average at best, but that's what made it so good. They were slaying the house down, boots mama.
Anyways the song was a large part of the video for me, so hearing the OG version was a crazy occurrence. Usually I dont love 80s drum machine kinda stuff, but this album went hard!
Nick Drake
4/5
Hauntingly beautiful from start to finish. Such intricate layering of guitar, piano and a series of other instruments.
This kinda reminds me of Bert Jansch but like better.... I really appreciated the variety of different moods this album had to offer.
Favorites were: Way to Blue, Cello song, Man in a shed (loved the piano and guitar on this one), Fruit tree had some beautifully written lyrics, and Saturday Sun was a great way to end it off.
8.5/10
Paul Simon
4/5
Banger of an album, I don't think its my all time fave of Mr. Simon though.
Rythym of the saints, the album from 1972, and There goes Rhymin Simon I think rank higher than this one personally.
But still a banger album none the less.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
I think some of the songs were a bit abrasive with the high pitched scratchy noises going on as well as the couple of songs where he was screaming. Enjoyed the songs where the Decibels and pitch weren't spiking to uncomfortable levels all for the sake of being a bit edgy.
Bonus points though for the album art, album title and band name. All very funky and creative, I'm into it. Wish I was into it more so I could say "Yeah I'm big into Dinosaur Jr. these days".
6.5/10
The Byrds
4/5
Absolutely no drugs were involved in the making of this album...
Well... until Tribal Gathering that is where things start to get FUNKY. By the time the Dolphins Smile comes in, we are on the come up. Space Odyssey hits and its like *Mimes a Mind explosion with hands*. Moog Raga tip toes in and now we are peeaaaaking. Then we slowly start to come down within the remainder of the album, which are all really pleasant songs.
I wonder which instrument the horse was playing? Was he on drugs too? I have questions...
Anyways, this album is like a drug trip in itself from front to back. Also knowing the fact that they started with 4 members and ended with 2 by the end of it is kinda wild. Interesting to hear the little blip at the end of the album from the live recording, the drummer, producer and lead singer arguing with one another. Dope stuff, will be returning to this.
8.5/10
Laura Nyro
3/5
This album had its moments. At times Lauras voice was quite beautiful and then the next second she switches to falsetto and her tone to this alternate sound which was incredibly annoying (I.e The song Timer). I think this is a clear case of less is more, and sometimes Laura, you need to quiet down, sit down and let the instrumentation speak for itself.
Wellll, she did not do that, every waking inch of this album was filled to the brim with her vocals. Very overbearing and unnecessary.
Favorites were Eli's Comin' and Stoned Soul Picnic (that chorus is soooo catchy).
6.5/10
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Easy 5
This album is such a journey from front to back. So much musical talent and creative liberties within just 45 minutes, hard to put it into words. I first heard Chameleon and Watermelon man a couple of years ago after I was enticed by the super dope and memorable album art. Filled to the brim with funk, jazz, rock and crazy fuckin solos.
9.5/10
M.I.A.
3/5
Personally, I think this album was really fun overall. It had its dips, and songs that weren't working). But when the bangers bang like the stars on this album do, they can carry the rest of the album on their backs.
Some favorites being Boyz (feat JAY-Z), Mango Pickle Down River (feat. The Wilcannia Mob, 5 9-14 year old indigenous boys from Australia lmfao), and of Course Paper Planes.
The features from Afrikan Boy and Rye Rye on Paper Planes on D2 are dope. I ventured into both of their discographies years ago through that song. Rye Rye especially having such a unique cadence that I really dig. Not to forget about you M.I.A, you're good too I guess.
This would score a 4 for me if I was dancing or groovin on my feet to the sick drum patterns and unique instrumentation. But if you're sitting down or just chillin, its a 3.
I was sitting down for most of it, so... I'd still give it a 3.5/5 though, as it had me moving around. Rounding down for the fluff in here.
Syd Barrett
2/5
I was going to write a mean funny review here, but I think I should change my perspective knowing the backstory to this album.
Syd Barrett was the front man for Pink Floyd for 3 years before ending up with health issues due to overuse of LSD. Look up the backstory, pretty wild and also very sad as he slowly lost his marbles. This was the album he released after getting the boot from the other members. The album I feel slowly falls apart the further you get into it, although there are moments that actually sound alright.
Its an interesting album to listen to knowing the context of what happened, a very sad album to listen to as well, especially knowing how good Pink Floyd went on to be. However it was not very enjoyable to listen to unfortunately.
4/10 sorry Syd.
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
Paul showing that he was a key player to the Beatles song writing abilities. I feel like there's a metaphor hidden somewhere within the name 'Band on the Runway if Paul is on this new journey in his new band the Wings, on the run towards something. Maybe making a name for himself without the rest of his old band mates.
Filled with anthems, beautiful harmonies, chord progressions, and lots of great variety while still feeling cohesive.
I feel as though it just doesnt quite hit the je ne sais quois for me. 4.5/5 rounded down.
Miles Davis
4/5
First time listening to a full Miles Davis album while paying closer attention to whats going on. Feel like I've heard so much about this guy, so it was cool to finally listen to a full album. Enjoyed it quite a bit, interested in hearing more ofnhis stuff now.
Album art seems intense for what the music sounds like, that stare goes straight through my soul.
8.5/10
Baaba Maal
3/5
Fun album! Can get a good sense of the vibe without knowing what he is singing about. Nice to see some more world music pop up on this list. The drums in African music are always so so good, this album did not disappoint. Was really into the vocal style as well.
Gidelam and Minuit were faves
7/10
Nirvana
3/5
In Utero blasts away with metaphorical darkness, grunge, and aggressive sadness. It definitely takes you on a ride, through some softer (only in comparison to other songs) more enjoyable tunes like Heart-Shaped Box, Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle, and Rape Me. Then it hits you with some pretty intense songs such as Milk-Tea and Tourette's, both in lyrics and sound.
First time listening to a full Nirvana album. The album art reminds me of the 2025 Frankenstein movie by Del Toro (side note, highly recommend the movie btw, out on Netflix tmmrw)
album was 7/10, Frankenstein movie was a 9/10
Thelonious Monk
3/5
This was nice, at some times very nice.
Best enjoyed when drinking a martini, by a marble fireplace, dressed in some fancy attire.
Not that I did any of those things, but if I did, it would have achieved maximum niceness.
Jurassic 5
5/5
Flow so buttery, you could make enough croissants to supply the whole neighborhood. The sampling? So inventive and rhythmic. At times I got so into the groove and rhythm patterns I forgot it was a rap album, hopping in and out of the beat throughout the album, offering smooth transitions from song to song. With each song you are delivered a unique flavor, and the random Nelly Furtado feature on Thin Line?!
This might be crazy, but the last song on the album really stood out to me, Acetate Prophets, absolutely zero lyricism, but the sampling?! An instant head bopper, pulling you in further and further with every new sample integrated into the hypnotizing beat.
Probably the best rap album on the list listened to thus far. Really cool album art too, diggin the vibes.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Can somebody tell me which one Franz Ferdinand is?
Bass player perhaps? Is Franz even in the band?
If i focused more, Id have more to say, was listening mostly whole making waffles, and it improved the waffle making experience. Great voice, great guitar, and Take me Out is an absolute classic.
The Flaming Lips
5/5
Such an odd, dreamy, melodic, hypnotizing yet charming album. Theres a lot of depth to this album, within the storytelling/conceptualness of it, as well as the messages within the poetic lyricism. The whole vibe of this was just really awesome, fun, and creative.
I cant imagine how you would hate this album or this sort of music, like I could see if its not your thing. But hating it?! Its just so inoffensive, and innocent. The drums are dope, and the evolving synth additions and sampling here and there add a lot of depth to the already great instrumentation. Anyone hating on Yoshimi needs to get kidnapped and delivered to the Pink Robots...
Its kind of reminiscent of some sort of weird old anime, with this vitamin eating karate girl fighting giant pink robots to save the world. I imagine the first 3 songs as this lead up to this epic battle, (which is interesting to be within the front of the album) ending with the battle in Pt. 2 of Yoshimi battling the pink robots. Then it sorta goes off the rails into some sort of weird lovely side quests.
The album art also helps to give you a picture of what this album could look like if it was visualized (the pink robot with legs coming out of its stump legs is just so creative and weird). Just sort of adds to the whole package.
Favorites were: Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt 1 & 2, and Do you Realize??
9/10
Hugh Masekela
4/5
This was a really great jazz album! Was not expecting to like it as much as I did based off the album art and name hahaha, guess you can never trust an album by its cover!! It was just so much more funky and fast paced than I would have guessed. Amazing trumpet playing, as well as the piano solos were absolutely baffling.
Favorites were Part of a Whole and Maseru
8.5/10
Def Leppard
3/5
This sounded like I just listened to power 97 for an hour and 2 minutes. But with that being said it did make me want to grab a leather jacket, some hairspray, and some ripped jeans and a lighter and wave it around in the air (the lighter not the jeans).
This was 80s rock to its core, Tres Clasique, either love it or hate it. I sit somewhere in the middle. Due to some of the songs like Pour some sugar on it or whatever, just kinda annoying. I guess its still undeniably a classic song, just overplayed to shit within media, so its kinda ruined for me.
Can almost hear the New York Dolls (#Throwback) a bit within their sound, maybe Def got hit with some trickle down effect of their music, or perhaps even some direct inspo.
Love Bites was 100% my favorite, so good! The buildup and then the payoff, like WHAM BHAM thank you MAM. I DONT WANT TO TOUCH YOU TOO MUCH BABBBEYYY, just makes me want to belt out to the heavens, like cmonnnn.
Also their drummer has one arm?!?! That deserves some bonus points.
7/10
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
This was pleasant. Comparing this to the other jazz albums as of late, this one didn't stand out as much. But that doesn't mean its bad, I think all of these different jazz albums bring a different flavor within the whole album. But there is some overlap within some of the songs. The flashy songs stand apart from one another and are what make each album different.
I was expecting something more fusioney with the vibe from the album name and cover, but it ended up being quite tame, which was a bit disappointing.
Not my favorite, not bad though. 6.5/10?
The Who
3/5
Better than their debut album thats for sure. The intro for pinball wizard is one of my favorite song intros of all time, great song too, definitely the best on the album. I appreciated the conceptualness of this one, although I wasnt able to pick up much other than Tommy was blind, deaf, dumb and good at pinball lmfao.
The purely instrumental songs were great, I think when it comes to the vocals a lot of it sounds the same, which is the same trap The Who falls into in their debut album.
Some songs annoyed me, and I think its a bit too long for what you get, could be trimmed down.
6.5/10
Traffic
4/5
Enjoyed this one!
Loved the flute, wish there was more though.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
I liked some of the songs, too long over all I think. Gave me the vibe of seeing a country rock band at a local festival in a good way. DIY Country rock vibes, was digging the vibe at times, other times I wished they leaned more into the twanggggg. The more country sounding segments I appreciated more than the standard rock sound, which sounded extremely standard.
I actually really liked the album art for this, loved the style, simplicity and appreciated the human touch it had.
7/10 if I was driving along the highway, 6.5/10 in the right mood. 6/10 on a regular day...
Norah Jones
4/5
Norah Jones sweeps in, grabs your hand, and says "Come away with me!" She tugs as she pulls you through a curtain onto a stage, you're blinded by the bright lights. You look to your left, Norah is sitting at the piano singing. On your right, a huge crowd in an underground speak easy, each table with a small candle lit. She then proceeds to sing this entire album.
That's how I imagine this album was made.
7.5/10 very pleasant, very easy listening.
Deep Purple
4/5
This album was sick, big fan of Deep Purple. Child in Time is a hell of a song.
8.5/10
Queen
5/5
Wow, guess I've been sleeping on Queen for all these years, this album was pretty incredible from front to back, with a few luls, but the luls were still nothing to scoff at.
Quite the vessel for Bohemian Rhapsody, which I dont even think was my favorite song on the album, but is undeniably one of the most classic songs in existence if you ask me.The prophet song filled the favorite spot for me, as well as Death on Two Legs. Loved the harmonies and melodies on those two.
Just a really creative, outgoing, fun album, a handcrafted work of art if you will. A collection of songs definitely worth listening to before you die.
9/10
The Associates
1/5
This was awful.
This is the kind of album that scares people away from this list. Especially after listening to Night at the Opera by Queen. I either do not like new wave music at all, or this list is just filled with bad new wave albums.
Kind of wish I could discuss the inclusion of this one with the creator of the list. Like even if its a 'stepping stone', it sounded like the sad part of a subpar musical that goes on for an hour. But the singer is putting way to much oomph into everything, and the instrumentation is totally doing its own thing, like they are both deaf to one another. Actually had to skip certain songs, because I honestly couldn't take it, they were difficult to get through. Plus the songs were going nowhere, and you could tell they were going nowhere, so why endure it.
blah blah, its experimental... blah blah...
wellllll it sounds bad... soooo....
Great name for the album though, surely put me in quite the sulk.
1.5/10
U2
4/5
George Jones
3/5
Well Im also not the biggest country fan, but in recent years, Ive sort of found myself enjoying corner pockets of the genre. That being Orville Peck, or a little bit of Keith Urban. As long as its not main stream country, or pop country, that shit is not my jam.
George Jones however I did not hate! I think because its of a different time, before country became what it is today. I really enjoyed the song The Grand Tour, it was very ballad like, with some grandeous sounding measures.
Also really liked the pedal steel guitar, which is such an interesting instrument that can usually only be found within country, and is almost associated with the genre (except for a few exceptions, looking at you Spongebob).
Anyways, I enjoyed this, would listen again if I was in a twangy mood.
6.5/10
The Pogues
5/5
Such a fun listen! What a wide variety in one album, all while still feeling tight knit and similar. I find with the Irish/Celtic sound in their folk music, it can sound very similar, using the same instruments, keys, and musical patterns. But these guys kept it interesting for the whole journey.
From the flute, to the random screaming in the background, piping flute, brass and strings, female vocals on I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day. Such great elements used as ways to switch up the vibe from song to song.
This album feels like a window into a whole other world of music that I don't often find myself listening to, but its a window I'm glad was presented to me. Rum Sodomy & The Lash transports its listeners to grassy hills, irish pubs, and cobble sidewalks, (This is what I imagine Ireland to look like) solely with sound. They paint such vivid pictures, and tell such beautiful stories purely through their music.
If you dislike this, I hope the ghost of Christmas past, present and future come to visit you and take you on a journey through time to resolve your traumas.
9/10
The Stone Roses
4/5
This music was wayyyy ahead of its time, if you had played this for me and not have told me it came out in 89' I would have guessed its release year in the 2010s. Dreamy, inventive, and unlike any other rock album coming out in the 80s in the UK.
I'm at a crossroads of giving this a 4 or a 5, as although these guys are clearly pioneers of that dreamy, ethereal kind of rock (that I really adore) it doesn't have that special something that the other standouts do.
With saying that this is one I will definitely be re-visiting. The 2nd half of this album was especially lovely.
8.5/10
Travis
4/5
Interesting getting this one right after the past 2 albums. These guys are also Scottish, but carry a totally different vibe from The Pogues, and have a very similar sound when compared with the Stone Roses, albeit this album coming 10 years afterwards.
Very enjoyable easy listening pop rock, with that classic 2000s rock sound, with some standout songs such as The Last Laugh of Laughter, Luv, and Slide Show (with a cheeky little secret song after that long pause of silence). Kudos to Here4theSnacks for speaking out on secret songs, as I would usually just end it before letting the silence play out!
Also fun fact, these guys named themselves after Travis Henderson. A character from the movie Paris, Texas, which I watched earlier this year back in Oakville with my roommates. Really, really great film. Would recommend if y'all are every looking for an oldie to watch with a great storyline, and superb cinematography.
3.5 stars rounded up, due to some of the songs really hitting for me.
7.5/10
Grateful Dead
3/5
Ahhh what a classic album. The Grateful Dead have greatly grown on me over the years. Ive always loved their vibe, the name, the art, the little rainbow bears, the skeleton musicians, all fantastic. I remember soooo wanting to love their music so that I wasn't a poser if I were to ever get one of the trendy bear shirts (I never did, but maybe now I can!!). I remember first listening to one of their albums and just thinking wow, this is do mid...
But after letting their tunes simmer for a few years, I now love their sound a whole lot more. Ages like a fine wine. Was a pleasant surprise seeing this one pop up.
Truckin is a favorite of mine, and so is Friend of the Devil, banger songs. But the rest of these fade together into the equivalent of driving across Manitoba, lovely but kinda plain at times. But still lovely, great and close to my heart.
7/10, 8.5/10 if I were a semi driver.
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
God this was insufferable.
"Stephin Merritt was sitting in a gay piano bar in Manhattan, listening to the pianist's interpretations of Stephen Sondheim songs, when he decided he ought to get into theatre music because he felt he had an aptitude for it" - Wikipedia
The only thing Stephin has an aptitude for is pissing me off. What a egocentric thing to do, listening to someone else singing love songs, and think 'Oh I could do that! Let me write 69 of them and put them on an album'. What a gimmicky way to get on this list, and so undeserving of it. It especially pisses me off that he probably thinks his album is good because its on 1001 albums to listen to before you die.
This should be on the a list called 1001 albums that make you want to die. The only reason I finished listening to this is for the completionist inside me. Also 69? Really?! Are you 12 Stephin?
1/10
Santana
5/5
What a treat after yesterdays album (69 love songs, really did not like it). Not sure if im giving a 5 for the juxtaposition, or if it really is just that good.
Pretty sure Abraxas was just that good.
Latin music mixed with psychedelic rock? Hell yeah brother.
Album art might be one of my new favorites. Trippy af!
9/10
Ghostface Killah
4/5
Groovy buttery flow, funny skits, cracking up at the one of the kid cussing out Ghostface, and then the next song being about the strap. Enjoyed it, some classic old-school rap and hip hop.
8.5/10
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
Dinosaur JR. got down n dirty in this one, so grimey!
Super interesting and different stuff, carving out their own style, that I am appreciating more after this one. Liked it way more than the other album on this list, Bug. But kind of want to revisit now.
One favorite was the song Poledo, so bizarre, with the section that kept switching from major to minor chords, drawn out, hovering between notes. Creating comfort and then discomfort in the next moment, then finding the major chord, then losing it again.
7.5/10 not something I'd listen to all the time, but I respect it, and love the creativity and uniqueness.
Al Green
4/5
Lotta soul on this one, that ones for sure.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
This sounded like some sort of weird musical. The highs were high, the lows were mid.
Favorites were Something for the Weekend, Songs of Love, and Theme from Casanova.
7/10? Maybe?
Korn
4/5
Picture this, Korn performing this album as the opener for a T Swift concert.
Hip hop meets Heavy Metal meets Grunge? Is that what they call Nu Metal? Sign me up either way..
So, Freak On a Leash, I really love this song. If you haven't seen the music video, PLEASE go and watch it, it's absolutely nuts, worth the watch. In terms of the songs the interludes balance the more hardcore sounding stuff, and the tension they build and then release with a pungent GO, so good... makes me want to punch a mailbox and kick a trash can over. Much respect to Jonathon Davis for the metal scatting too. The other songs don't amount to what this song does, but there are some other head banging moments.
The opening bars for Reclaim My Place, and Justin are awesome. Sometimes you just want to scream 'What the FUCK' and 'FUCK all this BULLSHIT", then drop into some thunderous metal chords on the G tar. These songs do that. Its great, it scratches that inner childish delinquent.
Anyways, I get why people wouldn't like this, its dark in its themes, grungy, abrasive, angry, and edgy. But if you over look some of those things, indulge a little bit, bang your head a little bit, you're in for a good time.
Album art is great too, ties in with the music video for Freak on a Leash which is cool. Love to see they commissioned some 2D animation for it.
Album gets a 7.5/10. Freak on a leash gets a 9/10.
John Cale
3/5
Childs Christmas in Wales, and Paris 1919 were good (the song not the album). The rest of the songs were good/fine, but honestly forgettable.
Not much else to say...
The typography on the album title is nice...
Beatles
2/5
Yeeesh.. So generic sounding, they clearly are finding their footing stil. Songs are clones of one another with the soaring harmonies, similar melodies, and themes surrounding love... cant you think of anything else to sing about guys?
The album cover makes them look way too edgy and professional, compared to the actual sound of the album. False advertising if you ask me.
Its fine, its easy listening, but honestly I'm getting kind of sick of this type of sound that keeps popping up on this list. The later beatles music is just so much better, no contest. This probably deserves a 3, but Im giving it a 2 just to humble them a bit.
5/10
Prefab Sprout
3/5
Some interesting moments on here, but overall was a delight to listen to. Some of the acoustic versions were nice too, but I think the electronic elements and other instruments added a lot that you sometimes lost in the acoustic side.
6.5/10
Skunk Anansie
5/5
What a voice, wow. So rarely do you find bands like this with such a great female lead vocalist, great control and range. Lots of little flourishes throughout from her that really added, alongside the fact that you could hear her emotion through her voice, very powerful, especially on certain songs.
Favorites were Secretly, Good Things Don't Always Come to You, The Skank heads, Tracy's Flaw, and We Don't need who you think you are. Lots of favorites lol... But they were just all so good! Disc 2 I don't think I cared as much for, but wasn't part of the original album, its still fine, but not nearly as polished as Disc 1 felt.
Lots of overall range in the sound of the songs, wavering from heavy to soft and chill. The random DnB inserts were fun lol, I originally thought it was going to be a Drum n Bass album when the first drum lick kicked in.
9/10 good find on here! Never heard of these guys before.
Fleet Foxes
4/5
Saw these guys at Winnipeg Folk Fest a few years ago now, sat in the rain with my poncho and mini lawn chair with my mom and a family friend out in the fields of bird hill park, had a great time even though I was soaking wet!
It stopped raining by the end of the show, and was able to dry off back at the campsite.
Anyways that was a good time, and so was this album. I may have searched for some of their music back then, but never sat down with an album. Which I definitely should have sooner! Would be an even better album within a certain chill setting, maybe involving some rain or a cloudy day, next to a fire of some sort, maybe cup of tea in hand. Who knows!
8/10
MGMT
4/5
I'm conflicted on giving this a 4 or a 5, there are quite a few songs on here that are timeless and infinitely replayable. Time to pretend, Kids, The youth (Really weird but funny music video for this one), and of course Electric Feel. I really really love all of these songs, they have that je ne sais quoi. The back half of the album is good as well, but wasn't as good compared with the first 5 songs.
I think its funny how MGMT originally wrote Kids, Time to Pretend, and Electric feel as a sort of joke. Showing the world that pop hits follow a certain formula, and then these songs end up hitting the jackpot in popularity. Shows to go ya that hits really do follow a certain formula to a degree and with enough musical talent, precision and a bit of luck, you can hit it big in the music biz.
Also, it kind of sucks that MGMT hates these songs of theirs and don't like playing them, and everyone hates the music that they actually want to make lmfao, (which is way more experimental than the stuff on this album).
I think instead of trying to be above the industry and too cool for mainstream hits, they should embrace the simpleness and success of these songs a bit more. Like be happy with your creative endeavors, even if it isn't something you particularly enjoyed doing. IDK, just interesting to think about.
8.5/10
The Human League
3/5
Its the album with Dont you Want Me, anchored right after 9 songs I will probably never seek out again.
Idk i like the synth, as well as the last song, but not really my style otherwise. Vocals throw me off a bit.
Album art is kind of crazy... those eyes...
👁👄👁
5.5/10?
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Ehh not my thang, I guess not the worst thing in the world, but I'd plainly just prefer to listen to anything else thats not in this genre.
4.5/10 as some of it was interesting, made me think.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
First time listening to Joni. Came out of the gate really strong on this album, she's a great singer and had some discretely really good backup instrumentation on some of these songs.
Felt like it ran out of steam a bit come Just Like this Train. Honestly didn't love the last few songs, she turned into the female version of Bob Dylan. No chorus', direction or structure with the way she was singing.
Favorites were Car on a Hill, Court and Spark, Free man in Paris.
7/10
Brian Eno
3/5
Honestly kinda of nice for a change. Although I feel like this music is almost kind of liminal sounding if I actually heard it in an airport, I feel like it would feel slightly off for some reason...
Could see this being played at a spa, a massage clinic, in a water themed video game level or maybe even an aquarium.
Little bit haunting at times... for listening sake, not sure if it had to go on for as long as it did. For ambient sake the length was solid so that you dont have to loop it as often lol.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Really enjoyed this one! Lyrical style was dope and a bit unexpected with the RHC I was already familiar with. Lil bit of this n a lil bit of that, funk excerpts were dope.
8.5/10