What a flashback this album is! Listened to it a ton as a kid. Had the cd in my car. My closeted gay friend absolutely loved the album and would sing along to every song.
Another wicked trip down memory lane. My late roommate from Minneapolis played this album on the regular!
Wasn’t too familiar with Paul Simon’s music other than Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard. Listening to this album in Hi-Res at breakfast was quite the enjoyable experience. Chill vibes with well mixed audio.
Decent album. A couple of classics but nothing that gets me super into them.
Classic that inspired the posthumous release of Mac Millers Ballonerism. I’ve done quite the deep dive on both albums and would recommend comparing the parallels of each. Both leaning into the more experimental side of their music portfolio.
Was not actively listening to this album. But I enjoyed what I paid attention too.
Never heard of Nina Simone but I loved this album
First time for Napalm Death. Not much of a grindcore fan personally. Cool that this album was one of the first for the genre.
This album is so iconic to my childhood. I probably bought this album shortly after it came out. Then jumped around on couches in my friend’s basement rocking out to it. The lyrics for the time filled with angst, fit right in with so many other artists of the day. Potentially masking Chester’s struggles with mental health (RIP) . As much as I have deep nostalgia for this album, and play it somewhat regularly. Musically I don’t think it holds up to many other great albums. Linkin Park carved out a very unique sound in an emerging genre of music.
Wasn’t too familiar with Louis Prima’s music. I enjoyed this whole album though. I’m sure if I played this for my grandma she would be loving it too.
Another nostalgic throwback to high school for me. Cool see they are still making music these days. I’ll have to check out their newer work. Musically they bring a lot of fun complexity to this album. Personally I find the vocals too shrill for my liking but it works. Great listen after forgetting their existence.
Excellent listen for a colder evening staying cozy at home. I wasn’t aware of Bill Callahan’s music but it will make its way into the rotation from time to time.
Decent album not likely to check it out again.
This was great! I was familiar with Isaac Hayes album Black Moses which I’d recommend checking out. He’s a fairly iconic artist for a lot of musicians that grew up in the black community in North America. I’ve never heard of the movie Shaft but listening to the music for it I’m interested in checking it out.
“He has a scary voice kinda, he makes me feel kinda scared” - Kerri.
I really enjoyed this album. I have listened to the odd song of Leonard Cohen mostly through the radio. But it was dark, moody and worth a listen for sure.
We had a kid in high school that was quite the Elvis impersonator. He would always perform a few songs at talent shows or whatever they were called. Basically he introduced me to Elvis. I didn’t really appreciate it at the time and just thought it was funny how much this kid loved Elvis. But Elvis is one of the greats for a reason. His ability to push entertainment to places it had never been, and move his hips in a way that entranced so many people is impressive. The fact that early video recordings of Elvis’s music purposefully only recorded above the waist is hilarious to reflect on. I wonder if we will ever see a modern day equivalent of how Elvis revolutionized music. I guess twerking is maybe the modern day equivalent of dance moves breaking the status quo.
Wasn’t a huge fan of this one. Very typical sound for the decade imo.
While I was cleaning the kitchen with the windows open in the morning listening to this album a contractor walked up and could hear the music from outside. He said “Is this Björk?!? Björk is god. Like there’s Prince and Björk is above that. I have all her vinyl (apparently one of them was $500, plus a handful of other special copies he was proud about but I don’t recall exactly). When Björk says she’s doing something all of Iceland listens. I don’t even care that you’re in a robe right now. Anyways I’m here to take care of your yard. You enjoy Björk and watch your baby I’ll take care of the rest.”
Upon the end of his work Jason recommended checking out Alicia Marie and claimed they would be the new Amy Winehouse. I listened to her album and I think he has a point. Check it out.
He also suggested Ren. I’ll see him again in a couple weeks. So I hope whatever we are listening to then he has something to say about it.
I didn’t know much about Björk but I learned a ton from Jason and really enjoyed this album.
Cool to hear something quite different. Apparently Koffi is also quite influential to Congolese people pushing what was done in music at the time.
Was fairly certain I had never heard of The Verve. Then after the opening track bitter sweet symphony I knew I had at least heard one song many times before.
The vocals sort of remind me of local artist JP Hoe.
Haven’t managed to listen to the whole album yet. But this is great!
I enjoyed this album. Would love to learn about it.
Never heard of this guy before. He made for some nice evening listening.
I laughed when this album came up as one of the essentials. Remembering sweaty school dances and kids screaming “G-UNIT!” at school in the halls. At the time I wasn’t into hip hop or rap at all, so I never understood why people cared about 50 cent. But I’m impressed with this album. The album art and style of the album inspired Tyler the Creators most recent album Don’t Tap the Glass. Which is a great 2000s style dance album I’d recommend checking out.
Learning that 50 cent was mentored by Jam Master Jay from Run DMC. Also signing a joint venture with Eminem is a huge deal. Probably a big part of why he made this list. 50 cent may not be the best rapper out there. But he is iconic and brought a very fun style played regularly in clubs and parties.
50 cent also famously claimed bankruptcy later into his career. Then apparently later became a bitcoin millionaire by finding 700 Bitcoin that he accepted for payment for an album release. Likely the best thing he has ever forgotten about in his life. Which he totally denies years later.
Classic for a reason! Nate’s parents were probably 5 when this album came out and watched their older brother dress up as Bruce Springsteen
Pretty chill rainy day listen. Very typical 80s music imo. Stereo mixing was fun but nothing overall complex. Probably won’t ever listen to this again.
Great album! I wasn’t too familiar with any of their music other than Last Nite. A quick play through of the album was followed immediately by another start from the beginning of the album.
I don’t know…it was alright. I enjoyed most of it but won’t go out of my way to listen to it again. The sound production was quite well done and fun to listen to on a stereo.
One late night in high school I was hanging out at my friend’s house. His parents were sleeping and we didn’t want to piss them off. So we listened to the radio outside in my friend’s driveway smoking dope. Listening to late night CBC radio, the only station that came on in High Bluff with anything good to listen to at the time. The song “those are not my bongos” by the band fuck played.
When I saw today’s album included bongos, I was hoping it was that random band I heard nearly 20 years ago. Alas, The Incredible Bongo Band is not fuck. But fuck those bongos from The Incredible Bongo Band are the backbone of so much iconic music. I don’t think I have ever listened to the original source of so many samples that are all over music history. I guess drums are pretty universal to music samples so it makes sense The Incredible Bongo band is so widely sampled.
The first notable sample to me was Apache which obviously is a main sample for Jump on It. Turns out Sugar hill Gang sampled incredible bongo band for the same track title Apache. Then sir mix a lot sampled sugar hill gang to make jump on it 🤯. Fun fact the same track was sampled by Nas, Jay-z, and Kanye. But this album alone was sampled with various other artists including The Beastie Boys, Fat Boy Slim, Buck 65 (another CBC throwback iykyk - likely the radio host that late night evening in highschool), N.W.A, Massive Attack, The Chemical Brothers and more!
I really enjoyed this album and absolutely agree you should listen to it before you die. If possible a late night listen with friends having some fun.
Listened to this with my Grandma. Asked her what she thought of it. She responded with an unrelated answer because she clearly can’t hear anymore. So I guess we’ll never know what she truly thinks of Deerhunter.
Overall this album was pleasant to listen to. Your stereotypical indie album imo.
I’ve heard of this guy Beck before. I can’t say I’d know any of his music. I enjoyed this album. It’s very chill and well mixed.
Sounds like a typical folk fest act. Clearly lots of potential Shameka is correct. I can appreciate the music and hate it at the same time somehow.
The first song reminds me of Swift when she chitters at birds through the window. I found this album overall ebbs and flows between annoying and enjoyable listening throughout. Okay is this dogs now or is that coming in from the window? What are you screaming for? Hey this sounds great ah…. a step back again…. rinse and repeat. I debated turning it off many times but somehow I’m still glad I played through.
The fact I had to hunt around for this album makes me enjoy it more. Not on Apple Music, Spotify or SoundCloud. I found it on YouTube. Considering this was Throwing Muses compilation of early music. They have a lot of music later than this album on streaming services. It makes me want to check out some of their later work.
Musically I enjoyed it. A bit of a punk vibe to it.
I feel like love is more of a primary emotion that rules them all. People do dumb shit for love, Tina. So I’m more in the Beatles camp on the love subject. This album is great though. Enjoyed listening to it this morning.
I knew I probably was familiar Jethro Tull’s music. But I couldn’t tell you a single song of theirs I had heard of before playing this one.
When the first guitar riff played in the album title track Aqualung, I was ready for a fun classic rock experience. The album art is thematic to the album experience. Which was apparently inspired by photographs of unhoused people along the Thames and drives the story more around that.
Honestly wasn’t super attentive when I listened to this one.
Another Lenard Cohen album! Quite different from the You Want it Darker album. This paired well with the rainy weather outside. I do like it darker personally. But this was a moody vibe for a gloomy fall Sunday morning.
This is my first time listening to a full album from Simon & Garfunkel. The sound mixing was really fun on this album. The instruments were distinctly separated creating a cool live music experience. I listened to it on my walk to La Maison du Pain near our Airbnb in Samois sur Seine. So that added an element of fun exploring a new area.
“This music sounds so boring. It all sounds exactly the same.” - Kerri
This album would be a great one to listen to while crying yourself to sleep. Clearly some people enjoy it but I agree with Kerri.
The whole time listening to this all I can think of is Toy Story.
Different Class by Pulp was quite mellow and easy to listen to. I was trying to figure out some of the more unique sounds on it. Apparently one of the instruments is a mellotron invented in the UK. Fitting name for an instrument with the mellow sort of vibes. They also played a few other instruments I had no clue that existed like a synare (which appears to be an early version of an electric drum pad), and a vocoder which essentially distorts vocals into synthesized musical sounds.
Not sure I truly understand jazz. I’m sure there is something unique about this album. But it sounded like good jazz.
Never heard of this one. This album leans a bit on the ethereal side imo. Pairs well with our rest day/lazy day in France with not much going on. Feeling like you’re in limbo for the next day to arrive fresh and ready to explore again.
Back in university one of my coworkers in the kitchen tried to sell me his tickets to the Pixies show in Winnipeg. He claimed it was the last tour they were going to play to try and drive value in his tickets. I didn’t fall for his tricks seeing as they are still touring today. Maybe I was just too poor to justify going to live shows for bands I’d never heard of.
Listening to this album today, I wish I went to that show. The Pixies are definitely a style of music that I’ve been to many other similar artists shows live. So I’m sure I would have had a blast rocking out with them in ~2009.
The track Where Is My Mind? Is the only song I’m aware of listening too. This album is very nostalgic for me of an era of time in my life. Despite not following the pixies closely I’m sure much of the music I listened to may have been inspired by them to some degree.
Wicked album! I had heard a small amount off his music before. But I’ll definitely be playing this one again. Muddy Waters inspired a lot of the Rolling Stones music and sound. Kenny Rogers specifically wrote in his book about how Muddy Waters inspired his music. He also wrote a lot about how he would obsess over details of the sound by recording in cellars, etc.
I’m not too sure about Muddy Waters specifically. But heroin use grew quite heavily in the US around the blues music origins. It’s was speculated that the Mafia used blues musicians to make the drug popular. Which then addicted much of the black community. The drugs and music have always had a lot of crossover.
Sally go round the roses was alright. Otherwise hard pass for this entire album for me. Boring and annoying if you ask me. I hope it’s not the last album I listen to before I die.
If you ever want to hear my dad who is on the spectrum spew off a bunch of “facts” about a band. Just play some of The Who and you won’t be able to stop him. Every time The TV show Crime Scene Investigation would play the opening theme music of The Who. My dad would say the same story about The Who which I can’t seem to remember the details of today. I’m sure nothing has changed if you want to have deeper understanding of my Dad’s knowledge of The Who. Overall this album lives up to my Dad’s hype of The Who.
I listened to this album in pieces on the plane back home from Paris. Mostly between trying to entertain our daughter and waiting in line for the bathroom. Which I’d say improved a my overseas flight experience.
Great fireside album in the evening. Some unique sounds Moog Raga was especially weird and fun.
Pleasant listen for a colder day. Cooked some pizza to this album and then ate dinner. Would recommend this pairing.
This is so funky! Opening track Chameleon is sampled or in a set list I frequent with The Funk Hunters and Chali 2na rapping over the track. I kept waiting for it to build into the song I know but can’t find it atm (suggesting a dj set instead of a recorded song).
I wonder if the album title Hear Hunters has some inspiration for The Funk Hunters moniker as well. Regardless I love that this album essentially is the mainstream origins of jazz-funk fusion. Super fun vibe and sound.
Tons of nostalgia from this one. When I was in university one of my roommates Robyn loved playing single songs heavily on repeat. Tbh it ruined some songs for me. Especially since most popular songs you already hear everywhere without even trying. So when she became a huge fan of the popular song at the time Paper Planes. I tried to overplay it for her as a ploy to ruin a song for her. Well instead it formed a deep love for the song for both of us. So now every time either of us hear the song we think of the fun times as roommates together.
Years later MIA became quite popular in the outdoor film scene. Likely due to the song Bad Girls being used in an all female film. Which made me circle back to her music and dig into her discography. The album Kala overall captures MIAs style well IMO. But out of all her music I tend to visit and play more music off the albums AIM and Matangi. They tend to come off a bit harder and genuine
She is also very well known as a filmmaker herself. So make sure to check out her music videos. She has a documentary that I’ve had recommended to me before as well. But I haven’t made the time to watch yet.
Started this album not knowing much about Syd Barrett. I thought it had a lot of sounds similar to the Beatles or Pink Floyd. Later learning, that Syd was formerly part of Pink Floyd and he was kicked out of the band due to mental health challenges, erratic behaviour, and heavy psychedelic drug use. Apparently inspiring the popular song in tribute to him “Shine on you Crazy Diamond”. I’m sure he was a big part of the band and it was a difficult but necessary decision to move on without him. The remaining members of Pink Floyd clearly showed their support and respect for Syd as they would collaborate with him on his solo endeavours.
Though I’m sure the writing was on the wall and the members of Pink Floyd knew they were not going far with Syd remaining a key figure of the band. So as expected Syd’s music career faded away and apparently he faded away from the public. He is said to have picked up a life of gardening and painting. Which sounds quite nice if you ask me. I’m sure with royalties from his early career with pink Floyd supporting his lifestyle he is in a much better place to manage his mental health.
Overall I’m sure his musical talent and crazy ideas helped kickoff what we know of Pink Floyd today. He was probably super fun to party with until he wasn’t. I’m sure we all know someone like that in our lives that we have either distanced ourselves from or rebuilt our relationships so that we can stay connected but in a way that doesn’t drag everyone else down. I hope a life of gardening and painting brings calm and peace to Syd’s life.
I’m not a big fan of Nirvana’s music overall. I appreciate a few of the more popular songs. But sound wise it’s different and I can see why it stood at the time.
More jazz. As mentioned before I don’t know what to tell you about Jazz. It’s good though.
I’ve been semi-familiar with Jurassic 5’s music for a while. I’ve never really intentionally listened to Jurassic 5 but I always enjoy it.
Learning that Jurassic 5 was one of the more prominent groups to make art rap or conscious rap and stray away from gangsta rap is cool. Many of my friends 5-10 years older than me grew up listening to their music at parties, etc. So they have a ton of nostalgia in regard to Jurassic 5. Which makes sense if they are one of the first bigger name groups to push away from more traditional gangsta rap creating broader appeal for folks that may not relate to that style.
They are a classic posse cut rap style. Where four or more artists take turns trying to out rap each other. This style is less common these days for whatever reason I don’t know. The style in my opinion can lead to some very fun and playful rhyme structure and many of the OG rappers started in a posse that eventually split apart.
The song What’s Golden is the only song I could say I truly knew. But Chali 2na is featured on so many songs in the modern day Canadian west coast edm scene. His vocals are so unique that you only really need to hear one bar to know who it is. So it’s fun hearing more of his origin work.
Franz Ferdinand was the eldest son of Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria, the younger brother of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.
His last words were, "Sophie, Sophie! Don't die! Live for our children!". When asked about his own injury, he repeatedly said, "It is nothing". He spoke these words as he was dying after being shot in Sarajevo in 1914.
Franz Ferdinand was shot because the Black Hand decided to assassinate him because of his perceived threat to Serbian independence.
The more I learn about this Franz Ferdinand guy I didn’t see the bands origin name connecting to the archduke. Turns out the band is named after a race horse that was named after Franz Ferdinand and the band liked the alliteration.
Overall an enjoyable Sunday morning listen making pancakes for a bunch of neighbours.
Do you realize?? Was the main track I was familiar with from The Flaming Lips. I don’t think I could identify their music otherwise.
General easy listening imo. Some fun experimental sounds leaning into the weird side. Yoshimi battles the pink robots pt 2 was a fun audio depiction of a cartoon battle. I went back for a second play through today and would recommend it.
“Don’t you just feel like you’re at a social and drunk” - Kerri
This album was Def Leppard’s bridge into more of the pop genre as their 3rd album. Inspired by Thriller they were wanted to make a bunch of pop hits. I just assumed this was what all Def Leppard sounded like because it’s heavy play time at socials, etc. So I guess I only know the mainstream version of Def Leppard.
Cool to learn that this album was mostly a spiritual rebirth for Pete Townsend getting tired of making only singles to gain radio play. The rest of the band just accepting their new spirituality and to roll with it.
Some of the classics like Pinball Wizard will also get my dad telling you verbatim stories about The Who. That you will hear every time the song plays. Seems to be a trend in my Dad’s music listening history.
Though personally this album had some great tracks on it. Overall it was somewhat repetitive sounding and I doubt I’ll go out of my way to listen to it again.
Very inattentive listening to this one due to a late night before. Can’t really tell you if anything stood out.
Southern Rock Opera was quite the journey. I was expecting to not care for it personally. But it grew on me as it continued to play through. The Drive-By Truckers did a great job of creating a rock opera with story telling that took you along for a ride.
I’m fairly certain I’ve never intentionally listened to Norah Jones. I’m sure it’s been force fed to me in a coffee shop or something before. However, I probably didn’t really notice it since it’s meant to be more of a background music in those settings either way. I’ve heard people reference her as an artist many times. So I was familiar with her name.
I found this album pleasant to listen too. She’s got a nice voice and makes for a great coffee shop vibe or a chill time.
Loved Deep Purple when I was in high school. Was ready for this album to be over though.
Kerri has been waiting for this day to come. Hopefully she doesn’t loose interest in this group afterwards. This album is in top 100 of listens before you die imo for a good reason.
We own this record because Kerri hunted it down in marketplace. So I picked it up from some random dudes porch and left cash inside. I probably hear it weekly at home at least and I don’t think it will get old that way.
I really liked the bass and percussion side of this music. The vocals were not my jam personally. But the music was quite good apart from that imo. It gives me a bit of a goth Swans vibe. So I know one person that would likely be a fan.
A long, long time ago. In a small town not that far away. A younger version of myself had an iPod. Imagine…. It was a time before smartphones and music subscriptions. It’s romantic to think of a time without constant notifications and updates. At the time you primarily learned about music from the radio, friends or family.
Then one day a deal made through U2 and Apple forces a download of their newest album onto every single iPod in existence. No consent was given at all. It was like a virus that found its way into your iPod the moment it was plugged in to your computer.
You at first think cool a free album… But then you listen to it and realize that you don’t really care for U2. Then if you shuffle your music it ends up embedded in your life whether you like it or not. So you think whatever I’ll just delete it. Then you find out you can delete are your own personal music but not U2. This violation of user choice made apple release a tool to remove the album and forced an apology from U2.
I was not a fan of U2 then and continue to not really be into their music. But I cannot deny that I sang along to many of the tunes on this album either way.
I’d give this 0 stars if I could. Country music is so bad
The album art on this is wild.
I wasn’t super awake and ready for the high energy of this album. It’s hard not to get into Celtic - sea shanty styled music though. Callie was bopping to the beat while smashing toys. Was a fun morning.
This was fun I liked this!
Wow! I now understand why the Grateful Dead have some die hard fans. This was a virgin listen for me and I was very impressed. The music production and mastering were a total delight to listen too. I drank my morning coffee and just sat down experiencing the music. Would recommend hearing this album before you die.
Move outta the way Taylor Swift!
I’ve never heard of an album that consists entirely of love songs let alone 69 of them. With the idea generated in a gay piano bar and showcased at a drag show. I imagine Stephin is probably a pretty entertaining person if he essentially runs with an idea to troll love stories in the most loving way. I Love it! Super fun idea and well executed! I listened to at least 69 percent of theses songs.
Wow! This is music! I think I’m a Santana fan now.
Kerri cued up this album while I was making her coffee. Callie started bopping to it immediately as it came on. So Callie gives it a 5 stars. Great morning coffee vibes in my mind too. Soul music is underplayed if you ask me. More soul less country please
I was entertained by this album.
When I was in grade 5 or 6 we went camping as a family somewhere in Manitoba. Likely hecla or birds hill park. But I’m not certain.
I remember running around and biking around this campground and this group of young adults had a stereo playing music all weekend. They didn’t have much selection so they kept playing this one popular artist at the time. Having the song stuck in my head. I mockingly sang along and my mom thought I loved this song. So later that year for Christmas, she went shopping for gifts at a bunch of music stores trying to figure out this song. Singing it to the staff until she finds someone that recognizes it. My mom I’m sure very excited buys this CD from the store and wraps it up for me to open Christmas Day. When I unwrapped it, I wasn’t sure who the artist was and didn’t recognize the track list either. So I played the music either way and overall it wasn’t really my thing. Since I was mocking the music in the summer and not enjoying it.
Later that year my sisters friend Michelle is flipping through my music collection and she sees the album my mom bought for me. She was so excited to play it. Then I mentioned that I didn’t really like it and she offered to trade some music for it. So in the end, I traded for her brothers scratched CD of Follow the Leader by Korn. I was so psyched to have some music I was into at the time.
Even if the CD was in rough shape. I played that album a ton and it likely was one of my first metal/numetal albums of many. My mom was quite disappointed I traded her gift for Korn. Especially with all the work she had put into finding that other CD. But one way or another I think the fact that it lead to me getting this album was way better. I doubt I could have purchased it myself being a minor at the time. Since it likely was rated parental advisory. But I played that album so many times and thoroughly enjoyed this throwback. The album is so gritty and dark and at the early end of their genre. The bass and drums really shine through imo and it brings back many good memories.
Fleet Foxes sounds sort of floaty and transcendent bringing a pretty unique sound. Personally I find this style of music boring. It’s great if you don’t really want to notice it playing in the background.
First time listening to a complete album from MGMT. If you haven’t seen their famous YouTube video(link below) just before they went big. You can tell these dudes love making music.
https://youtu.be/vNC1W2m4Uug?si=ufvYfUyveZxwWN8S
Sounded like your typical 80s pop to me.
Ambient music is not something I expected to be on this list. In the right mood this would be awesome.
I had a friend who was a die hard RHCP fan. So I’ve listened to this album a ton. Probably had a few jam sessions playing their music. Most memorably one spontaneous jam session where we went to my house at the farm to pick up my drumkit and drive back to his place. His parents were gone so we could jam all night. It was likely after midnight when we actually got setup at his house. Then we jammed until the wee hours of the morning. It was a wicked jam session that just flowed for hours.
Then we packed up my drum kit to go back home. My friend who gave me a ride must have picked up a screw in the driveway because he got a flat tire on the highway like 5 minutes into our drive. He didn’t know how to change a tire. So I swapped it out on the side of the highway while the sun was just starting to set.
RHCP have always had a very unique sound and re-listening to this album was nostalgic in many ways. I do think guitar hero and generally high radio play time has overplayed them though.
You know what? I didn’t expect to actually like this album. Not a big Coldplay fan at all. But it must pair well with doing payroll and timesheets. I don’t know how pairing two things I’m not a fan of made both more enjoyable.
First time for me. This album paired well with cooking dinner for the next few days.
Listened through YouTube. I’d classify this as stressful jazz. Not your typical coffee shop jazz for sure. The term avante garde as far as I’m aware just means we didn’t want to fit in your boxes definition of the genre. Kerri didn’t want to listen to it. But I listened with Jessalyn while delivering the Christmas Cheer Hamper to the family. Would I listen to it again? Probably not…. But this is different from all the other jazz, so I’ll give it that. It was a fun listen but definitely not first thing in the morning. When my family said to shut it off.
The history on this album is super interesting in how the artist avoided censorship while recording in a military dictatorship in Brazil. Also how they switched styles from acoustic to electric guitar for this album too. The afro-Brazilian sound was very well done. Listening to it without really knowing the title of the album or artist. I figured it was some sort of cultural fusion.
