One of the best Albums from the 80's. One of my favorite albums. Debaser, Tame, Wave of Mutilation, Hey and Gouge Away (also perennial favorite There Goes Your Man)
Great album too many throw away songs to rate a 5, wish there was a 4.5
Great Album from the 90's - I still think they should have dropped one song so there were 10 songs (I know the Mookie Blaylock story) but then they had the hidden track so . . . oh well still one the greatest grunge album that changed music forever
Surprisingly good in that Soul/R&B some Hip-hop is not my goal to genre. Concept album, 'educating oneself about love' (fairly long at 77:39). Quite different than the Fugees material, light on hip-hop heavy on soul. Has Carlos Santana as a guest musician.
I think what I liked most is the album sounded raw (underproduced) for 1998. Contains radio hit Doo Wop (That Thing)
Blues more so than rock probably wasn't in the right space
took a few listens to appreciate - wasn't familiar with this album
Funk is not really my genre. I felt like this was an album I could’ve died without listening to.
Well. . . no doubt one the greatest albums of all time. Paperback Writer and Taxman are two of my favorites also Got to Get You into My Life
Always had issue with Muse as I felt they were too forced and just never liked the marketing -was glad to listen to this album start to finish as the album was tight and much better than I expected.
Country, more covers (including Dolly's Coat of Many Colors) but surprisingly good - more bluegrass and traditional (1973) than 90's country which was refreshing and Emmylou has a great voice. I recall not loving Emmylou growing up but Country wasn't my thing.
Very good - surprised to see it in the 1001. I don't feel like this is a true 4 or 5 in terms of albums that changed a genre, so I gave it a 3 (maybe unfair) because I feel like if this wasn't my type of music I would have been less likely to give it a high mark. I also feel like the music is fairly repetitive/formulaic to their other albums - it works great for 'trance' experience but I expect would get boring if they released many more albumes
Pretty sure this is my first 2, which I feel bad about as it's a great fun album from the 80's. A lot of radio friendly pop hits. I just don't see this album that influential and if we are to have a grading curve of any sort I can't give all 4's and 5's
This is why the 1001 'challenge' exists - missed this album (don't even remember these guys) even though it is in my genre (1996 was a busy time for me.) Very good album. Loved the song God!, a lot on here. Took a few listens to recognize how good this album is (like many great albums they take a bit of time to acquire a taste.)
Wish there was a 4.5 button, just can't justify a 5.
Well. . . how do you review one of the best-selling albums of all time other than a 5? I want to give it a 4.5 as it's not my 'go to' album right now but over the years I've enjoyed this album a lot (most rock fans have.) Remarkable influential album - deserves to be in the topo 25 of all time but for my blog purposes I'm giving it a 4 to save space for a handful of 5 I want to give (feel like every album of 1001 should be a 4 - 5 but grading on a very harsh curve.)
Solid Album
I remember in 1979 just loving Van Halen's eponymous debut album and an older kid, whom I looked up to in every way, explaining to me that someday I'd understand why the Doors were a "much better band."
Well . . . maybe someday Thad.
So I thought, 'well here's the first album I won't know a single song.' Press play and <BOOM!> Straight in to every 60's heist movie I've ever seen soundtrack. Solid. Not a huge organ R&B guy but much better than I predicted.
So this is my first 1-star album. It's odd too as I really like TLC's radio stuff, including the radio hit Waterfalls. I didn't love the album as a whole (and it's not the explicit content, which I was a little taken aback, I've heard and liked far far far worse) it was the Interludes - they just seem childish and sophomoric, I struggled through them. If I was a tween girl in 1994 I could see this being a lifetime 5 (and for those of you that feel it's a 5 I support you - continue loving it!)
I do feel bad - I hope this is my only 1 but I just didn't like this album and I don't think it should be in the top 1001 - still if I hear Waterfalls on the radio (or other TLC hits) I'm still loving the song.
Prog rock gods - reminds me of Moody Blues. Creative for the time, led to an era of 4 song sets . . .
I'm sure for funk fans this was a life changing album but I don't see me listening to it much - glad I had the opportunity to listen
Always liked this album, still like this album. Has a lot of blues riffs from The Faces - great drumming.
Absolute 5 - Probably my favorite Beatles' album (most of the time -depends on mood)
I remember listening to my mom's "North America" version which did not contain "Drive My Car", "Nowhere Man", "What Goes On" and "If I Needed Someone" all of which are fabulous songs (I guess they were on the next North American release). I really don't understand how you could just cut those songs for a whole continent and expect people to wait but . . . I guess those were different times. The album is MUCH better including these 4, and excluding "It's Only Love" and "I've Just Seen a Face" which belong on Help! and do not match the musical style of this album.
"Norwegian Woods", "Nowhere Man", "Michelle", and "In my Life" are all in my favorite Beatles' songs of all time. Also "Day Tripper" and B-side (technically double A, calling both sides the A side) "We Can Work It Out" were released as singles during the Rubber Soul recording time period but not included (as was the style then) on their albums. Add those two songs and there is no doubt this was the Beatles at the peak of popularity.
OK so . . . the album is about 50% the first song - the parts that sounded like Kidsmoke (Wilco) I liked a lot, the parts where it sounds like their studio equipment was breaking down and they said, 'Fuck it, keep recording' I liked a lot less. Had they just stuck with the heavy bass line I think I would have really grooved to this album but . . .
At one point they appeared to have snuck in the some naval sub pinging sonar for some reason. I feel like this is one of those bands you really have to spend some time with to fully appreciate. Didn't hate, don't love it. Do love Wilco! Closest contemporary in the genre that came to my mind is God is an Astronaut.
Punk Rock classic.
I think about how many of these album "challenges" I've given a 3 to because I didn't understand the genre and just didn't have enough listening time to give it enough rotations
For everyone giving The Damned a 3 - I forgive you ;-P
I don't like this album nearly as much as I should and I'm convinced it's the cigarette imagery messing with my subconscious. Also the way this album was marketed was super annoying in 2006. . . I try and love this album but I just can't.
Great album, pulls me into NYC in the 90's which is some outstanding writing (lyrics) but it's not a place I want to be pulled into. I don't want to live Nas' experience too often but definitely rates a spot on this list.
"Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft", Mary Schmich.
Solid - country, blues and bluegrass. Really highlight's Ryan voice, some beautiful songs
Hard album - angry album. I can see why people would love this album. It would take me too long to get into it. I know when I love an album I haven't heard before as I'll play it again on the way in to work and this morning I really wasn't feeling it.
This album gets better with time - I used to find Radiohead whiny pretentious bitches, still find Radiohead pretentious. . . but less whiny . . . enjoyed the album in it's entirety far more than the sum of the parts.
I feel like Kanye's earlier work should have been represented (probably is) - not a bad album but there is only so much Ye I need to listen to before I die.
5 - for so many reasons
1.) This is a live album and it sounds better than most studio albums, admittedly MTV (unplugged) had a lot of experience recording live
2.) This is acoustic (well . . . mostly, acoustic through an amp) and amazing
3.) Kurt is so put together (considering) - integrating conversations, the Meat Puppets (they were touring with) and random banter with his band and guest Lori Goldston
4.) ONE TAKE. Only two days rehearsal - amazing
Considering Kurt's mental state it's just amazing this came together at all and wasn't a disaster.
I expected Madonna albums - I did not expect a 2000's album . . . I like a lot of her stuff, Like a Virgin era. She's a lot better singer and musician on this album and I'm sure in 2000 it was important development for her to stay current and relevant (and selling, I believe this album was a commercial success) but it's not my favorite.
A great album but I prefer the originals more in general. This album is mostly impressive due to the longevity of Cash's career (67 albums over 50 years.)
Blues really isn't my genre but it's a good recording and good album the man was extremely talented.
3.5
This is a punk album I sorta missed - I think if I had spent a lot more time with it, I would have gave it a 4 or even 5 but as a missed classic I'm not going back to this so I'll go 3. Wish there was a 3.5
3.5
Top notch for Rock "Opera" but still. . . Rock Opera
Always thought this album was pretentious (nonetheless radio friendly) pop bubblegum; that is fun for a bit, tastes great at first but quickly loses flavor and you spit it out and move on.
However I really did find that enjoyed this album FAR more in 2025 than 1977. Some of the lyrics are almost childish, and not in a fun camp Rocky Horror way - which annoyed me then but doesn't now. Jim and Todd Rundgren really set up Poor Fat Marvin (aka "Meatloaf") who's voice is actually far better than I remember it. Another solid 3.5, can't quite bring myself to give it a 4. I really do think this album wouldn't have sold a million though without Rundgren who is FAR under credited for it's success. (And as the story goes neither Jim nor Meatloaf really ever made anything off this album . . . though I image they negotiated better on 2, 3, and 4. . .)
4.5
Man I really love this album and it's hard for me not to give it a 5 as I could listen to this album any week of the year and enjoy it. It's so smooth it seems like it's a 15-minute album (it's 33:28 to include the cover of Ms. Robinson but exclude bonus materials.) Have to say two songs (eponymous and the cover) almost warrants a 5 but I was also somewhat surprised to see this album (one of my personal favorites) on a list of the most influential considering some they skipped.
Don't be too upset Lemonheads - I love you just trying to be fair to 'others'
:-P
3
I've always felt like White Stripes was a band I could really get into if I just had the time - still feel that way. Solid album but not currently something I'd revisit frequently.
4.5
Love this album. 14 songs which all seem full and complete delivered in 15 minutes. It's amazingly efficient.
Frankly I shocked this album made the list but I think I should reframe my expectations from "1001 Best Albums" to "1001 most Influential albums"
I had this album on a bootleg (record cassette to blank tape) cassette as a kid and loved it. I figured out if I ran as hard as I could I cover the 2.9 miles from school to home in 15 minutes and 25 seconds. This was only possible if the walkman was playing Group Sex.
Psychedelic Soul is just not my genre in general. I'm positive The Temptations body of work is WAY above of 2 but this album just isn't something I want to revisit (which is my criteria). I didn't hate it but I feel like they must have a better album.
5.0
This isn't even my favorite (The Queen is Dead) or 2nd favorite (eponymous) or 3rd (Stangeways, Here we come) but still definitely 5.0. When I get to The Queen is Dead I am ranking it a 5.5 because it's the best album ever!
Note - if TQisD isn't on this list. . . this project is OVER!
3.0
Thought I'd enjoy this album more than I did. Probably would (frequent note by me) if I listened to it 20 times but only had time for 3 listens and just couldn't get into it. Not bad, but didn't love it - 3
3.0
Thought I'd enjoy this album more than I did. Probably would (frequent note by me) if I listened to it 20 times but only had time for 3 listens and just couldn't get into it. Not bad, but didn't love it - 3
3.0
I liked XTC in the 80's I remember this album more favorably then than I do now. Just OK. I love some of their other radio hits. Probably would love it more in 1988 but my tastes have changed a lot since and a lot of people since have improved on this sound. Still a solid and fun album.
4.5
Love this album just saving my 5's for truly massive drops and I feel like I'll hold off.
2.5
I got Dry by PJ Harvey about 20 albums back and gave her a 3 (rounding up) so I figured a 2 rounding down was fair. Dry she was angry and powerful and I really see why some people may have that album in their top 20 (not me but. . . ) This album was more contained but also more boring. A plus is her vocals have improved.
She's got a powerful voice and is an amazing songwriter but I just can't get into her stuff. Same comment as Dry I think with time I'd come to like her stuff more but I don't have that kind of time.
2.5
Not a bad album but not something I would revisit. Most songs sound a lot like Up on Cripple Creek
4.5
One of the most influential punk albums of all time. Really do wonder what would have happened if they continued to record. Conflicted about giving it a 5.0. If every song was like Anarchy in the U. K. I think it would be a 6. As is a few songs are too repetitive.
2.0
This album didn't excite me. From the guys that broke the radio with You Really Got Me in 1964 it's a disappointing album. Note - I'm really not into concept albums or rock opera - if you like either or both. . . this may be your album.
2.0
OK somewhat apologetic for the 2.0 - I'm not a funk guy.
Maggot Brain (song, not album) is phenomenal guitar work by Eddie Hazel. During this period, I don't think anyone was using the wah peddle more influentially except possibly Hendrix.
HOWEVER - not enough to save this album from George Clinton and the heavy LSD influences. I didn't live through the early 70's but the rest of this album ESPECIALLY Wars of Armageddon is a bad acid trip which I did NOT need to listen to before I died. Still 100% agree this is probably one of the most influential albums of all time (especially for guitarists not just funk guitarists but everyone. There is no doubt a lot of what Prince and others did in the 80's in pop trace to this song.)
1.5
Not a big Psychedelic rock fan in general but add the circus element into this and it's just not aging well. I think at the turn of the 70's there was a lot of experimentation (and not just with LSD) going on in music and this was considered creative and influential.
I just don't see me listening to it again (listened twice to see if it grew on me, it didn't. I think this is the 'way out there' music that takes a long time to grow on you without chemical aid)
3.5 (Genre birth - Shoegaze)
43:45 in it's original release.
Trance really. Shoegaze.
Good album - must be listened to in headphones (hard to appreciate otherwise). This is meditation music. A hike or a sauna session.
Usually I do not like albums in the "psychedelic rock" genre but those were the years 68-72, the reboot of psych rock I'd actually describe as Trance and/or Shoegaze. There are times Trance is quite a mood enhancer and I feel like this may be one of those albums although I somehow missed the band entirely in the 80's
3.5 (4 side)
I'm giving it a 4 mostly because it's one of the most known albums of all times. I greatly prefer Rubber Soul which is a controversial pick as best Beatles album. I think Abbey Road general captures that spot due to
1.) A much better title - Rubber Soul (a nod at sole and something blah blah)
2.) A much better cover - one of the most iconic photos in history. I dislike the Rubber Soul cover shot from underneath and the bubble font
3.) timing - Beatles were at their peak
Still almost everyone would agree great album
3.5
Dream Pop - short - 10 song release 37:38
This album was the grandparent of Dream Pop and Shoegazing - moved the industry for this reason a lone I lean to a 4. However, I've always dislike Elizabeth vocalizing in nonsensical syllables - seems lazy. For a long time I thought they were French and not Scottish.
3.0
Long double album 7 songs 73:27. "Krautrock" a term I've never heard. It was good to hear this was done in the early 70's. Reminds me of Wilco. A lot of it was the sound track to a horror house, pulsating, building dread.
Not terrible.
3.0
Never been a huge The Black Keys fan and never understood why, still don't. The first 4 songs sounded much better than I remember from radio play in headphones and I thought maybe I'd been unfair. The next 14 though were just too repetitive and I couldn't get into it. I can see why people like them but for me I'm going three (album I enjoyed but don't think I'll revisit)
4.0
Coldplay (early Coldplay) is one of those rare bands that got better with age. At first I thought they were just ripping off Radiohead but after 24 years I have come to appreciate this album much more.
I've always thought Coldplay was a "better Radiohead," actually I'd prefer if Radiohead just swapped out Tom for Chris as Tom's voice is annoying and whiny for such an obviously influential band. I really enjoyed early Coldplay (this was their 2nd studio release). I believe Clocks (even though they were sued) is one of the best songs ever written from a music theory (and execution) perspective.
2.5
Didn't like the album at first sounded like standard Knarls Barkley Cee-Lo stuff. The 2nd half of the album was more personal and I enjoyed more.
4.0
I like Billy Bragg, but not enough to give this a 5, very influential but I never thought he had 'one great album.' This album is good as he collabs more (Johnny Marr, Bob Dylan etc.) I really like a few songs on this album. Ideology (and the 2006 alternative) still as relevant today 40 years later. With the 2006 reissue, edited to a single disc, I think this, in a theoretical world, could have been a 5. Deportees (Woody Guthrie), The Tracks of My Tears (Smokey Robinson) etc. and edit out some of the 'filler' but the rules of 1001 albums are 'original release format so. . . . 4
4.0
One of the 'redacted' (removed from future versions) albums - this is unfortunate as "world music" is underrepresented on this list and one of the reasons I've embraced this challenge.
Surprisingly good. Not speaking Songhai I have no idea what the lyrics are but I assume they are strongly political. Many songs (including a titled song) include Mali. I believe they are technically Tadaksahak speakers which is a dialect of Songhai but their beats and hooks come through beautifully. I found myself singing in Tadaksahak.
3.0
New Wave meets Ska. I like the music, the horns are not annoying, Rowland's voice is. Just not into this singing style but didn't hate it as much as I thought I would, kinda Rocky Horror Picture Show
4.0
Came to like this album more on repeat listens. Only criticism is Suzanne is a bit pretentious in her lyrics, feels like she is trying too hard, but it was her debut album. I appreciate her trying. Straight Lines and Marlene on the Wall had the best hooks. I liked Small Blue Thing and Some Journey.
3.5
Probably one of the most important recordings in East Coast Hip Hop - but my rating scale is a 4.0 is an album I want to return to and just don't see me returning to this album. I did enjoy the album, Flavor Flav is extremely repetitive (maybe this is intentional) with the 'yeah boy' and 'cold medina' stuff but Chuck D is excellent.
3.5
Struggled with the rating, felt maybe a four but other than the radio hits I've heard hundreds of times I didn't like much else on this album. I think I decided Strong Enough is my favorite song on the album (which is odd as I didn't love it on radio play.) Finally settle on my rating system that this is a very good album but not one I would necessarily want to invest time listening to again, though I wouldn't at all if someone else had it on in the background. May still come back and upgrade to a 4
4.0
Classic metal album, possibly the most influential of all time.
3.5
Not bad - I didn't really know any of these songs and I do like some of Dwight's radio hits but it was a solid 'full album' that plays out loosely as a concept album
4.0
Hip Hop classic from three Jewish boys from the Bronx. Timeless and classic.
3.5
I owned this album and heard of this band ONLY because in the Marine Corp a buddy of mine meant to buy a Firehouse (glam rock band out at the same time, a lot of radio hits). He couldn't find the one he was looking for and bought this album by mistake. He immediately said, "what is this shit!?!" and, since I was known for eclectic musical tastes, it wandered down my way.
I Liked it then - still do.
Note - if you're a Firehouse fan - I'm guessing this isn't your project - just sayin' but I can see why Firehose ins't for you :-P
3.5 (Genre birth - Bakersfield)
I get for many this isn't their style but Bakersfield country wouldn't exist without Buck. No buck no George Strait or Alan Jackson. Steel guitars are great.
It was a legendary album and influenced genres far beyond country (especially to include rock).
3.5
to be reviewed - tired today
4.0
72:17 (long albums, a lot of gangsta skits run up track count) 24 tracks
Great album but by 1991 I'm not sure we needed another album from Ice (Tracy) to define the West Coast hardcore sound. Power and Rhyme Pays are better albums for this list. A few things I liked:
1.) He gives MC Hammer the street cred he could never get on his own - this was well played
2.) Body Count is a much better heavy metal band than most people give Ice-T credit for
3.) He finally fixed Flav's stupid ass Cold Lampin' (leaning against a lamp post while working the streets) to Cold Lounging which is a big improvement
4.) Still gave it a 4 - a few tracks (Midnight looking at you) are filler and added nothing but other tracks were cuttin'. I disliked the use of the Asian bitch voice.
If you don't agree with me, you can suck my dick
3.5
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE IF YOU ARE READING THIS
- there are multiple versions of this album. For purposes of this project, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you source the 1991 "British" release as this is the electronica/dance pop/techno version which The KLF is known for.
"Correct" Album 43:43 10 tracks, 4th and final (famous flame out) album
I found out there are multiple versions 'the hard way' as I've seen The KLF live multiple times (Rave culture in the early 90s) and listening to their albums so I should have known better. However I inadvertently listened to a 2021 version (release) thinking it was just remastered for better sound - it was NOT it is a COMPLETELY different stripped-down version of the master tapes with all the post-recording productions (which frankly just IS what The KLF is known for, club music) stripped out. The 2021 remaster album should be considered a separate album and classed as Trance (it isn't bad, but it is definitely not the 1001 Album project album.)
Other than this, once I listened to the correct version, it was a great throwback to a very different, younger time. I can't imagine just getting started at "3 AM" anymore but I have fond memories of when I could . . .
3.5
56:56 - long album, Debut (of Gorillaz, certainly not Blur) 15 tracks as originally released.
A lot of great songs but too much filler to get up to a 4. I love Blur too - the concept, with artwork thought, is a 5 - insanely creative to create a virtual 'animated' band that never ages kudos to Blur (Damon Albarn) and Jamie Hewlett for this.
39:23 (8 tracks) - third album by Springsteen
Fully recognizable songs and I felt the sum of the whole was actually greater than the sum of the parts. I've always felt Born to Run was a little too over celebrated, but the other songs are also classics and I really enjoyed 9:34 Jungleland far more than I thought I would. Pleasantly surprised to give this album a 4.
3.0
43:44 (14 tracks original cut) 4th album 1995
I love punk but this really isn't 'punk' per se. It isn't a bad album just didn't get into it either.
4.0
(58:37 13 tracks - released posthumously - 3rd and last album)
Second West African (Mali) group on the list and I liked both.
3.5
57:23 (13 tracks, last hidden a cappella)
Full of radio hits - hard not to know this album
2.5
57:11 (12 tracks, debut), 1992
I liked it a lot more while walking with headphones. Still Tori comes across as whiny. While I applaud her work founding RAINN; it doesn't mean I have to love her music. I've always felt she and Davitt Sigerson exploited for money her personal tragedy. I really feel like Tori could have remained a classic pianist (for a lot less money and fame) but choose this route. Still for anyone who loves this album I don't want to take anything from you - she is a talented musician and artist.
4.5
44:45 (9 tracks) Debut Album. 1969
Classic album that further merged blues/folk with rock and cemented England as a 'home away from home' blues mecca (Yardbirds, Cream, Jeff Beck, Clapton, etc., etc., etc.) It's hard to overstate how important this album was to all rock to come. I give it a four (not five) only because I'm very stingy and it's not my favorite Led Zeppelin album but again it's probably the most influential.
Interesting trivia is Page paid for the recording out of pocket, and it cost under $2,000 (that's about $41k USD in 2025, which for a musician without a fan base after leaving the Yardbirds. This was a heck of a gamble; obviously he knew he was on to something.) This investment gave Led Zepplin artistic freedom most bands in the 70's and 80's never enjoyed. Had this not happened who knows what Zepplin II, III, IV, et. al. may have sounded like.
4.0
51:56 (11 tracks, 1994 debut)
Better than I expected. I've always considered them Beatles want-to-bes but the album was good. Production/sound wasn't great is my main complaint.
5.0
39:28 (10 tracks, debut album, 1979)
Just groundbreaking, as is so often the case Ian (Curtis) was obviously conflicted but a beautiful album and who knows where Joy Division would have went had he battled through? (Not that New Order wasn't an outstanding band as well, just a very different direction for the 3 surviving members.)
3.0
51:40 (13 tracks, 3rd album, 2004) Latin Hip Hop (U.S. band, LA) heavy salsa and jazz influences. English Spanish mix - not bad.
4.5
(72:17, 18 tracks, (4 skits), 2000 third album)
The album that ensured Marshal would be a cultural phenomenon. After this album no one didn't know who Eminem was. I enjoyed the Mel-Man productions far more than the horrorcore of F.B.T.
6
This is the best album on this list IMO
2.5
(63:49 but still a double vinyl record, not sure why. 17 tracks. 1969. Sixth studio album)
So I totally associate the Bee Gees with disco, I'm guessing most everyone does, and the mid to late 70's. I had no idea by 1969 they had released six albums.
The album opens with a long rock opera about (apparently, I had to google this) a made up shipwreck and I expected a rock opera. Not being a rock opera fan I wasn't terribly optimistic but given the Bee Gees success in the 70's I was intrigued. The album turned out to be mostly unrelated tracks with a 'sea shanty' theme.
I really didn't find much in this album which I want to return to. I enjoyed the two instrumental tracks the most which is fairly damning in itself. It was hard to categorize what genre this album falls into chamber music? Pop Country (some tracks). I didn't hate it and I am super glad I did listen to it 'once' to understand the Bee Gees and the transition of music from the 60s to the 70s to 80s. It's easy for me to forget that music and entire genres (for example Disco) don't just 'happen' but a sound and a 'scene' evolves collaboratively over time.
3.5
53:46 (debut, 2017, 14 tracks) "Alternative R&B", American
Pleasant album - never heard of Kelela. Not exactly my genre, would describe more as neo-soul than "Alternative R&B". It's soul plus electronica (some songs more than others, I preferred the ones with less.)
Somewhat sounds like what Sade might sound like if she was born 30 years later.
Probably not coming back to this but if someone suggested it during a road trip I'd be on board.
2.5
57:20 (12 tracks standard format, 6th album, 1997) R&B (technically - more hip-hop pop but this is probably why it's a 'must listen')
Fair amount of Sean Combs influence taints the legacy but . . . then again does it?
Overall each track is pleasant, some a bit too long The Beautiful Ones (a Prince cover that adds nothing) is far too long and should have been dropped for something else. Collectively the album is boring, slow and benign; however, a pleasant shift away from the pop and long frills she was known for to a more pure R&B sound.
I'm glad I did listen to it - a side of Mariah I forgot or undervalued. It's not a terrible album, I enjoyed it more than I thought and struggled with rating 3 vs. a 2 but in the end decided I really don't want to revisit this album and, in fact, took a 'break' in between to listen to ANYTHING ELSE (which I never do) but the back half of the album just gets so boring (first 4-5 tracks aren't bad) so. . . 2. Though there is nothing 'wrong' with this album, if on a long road trip and someone really wanted to play it I wouldn't object.
2.5
(37:13, 9 tracks, 1981, 3rd album) synth pop
Boring. I realize this was a transitional album during the post-punk/new wave movement and kind of set the side for the 80's but looking backwards this album isn't their best and it is just bland listening.
Lean 3 side of 2.5 as I'd definitely listen to it again if I had time and. . . given enough time may come to have really like this album but there are too many better albums to invest that time in 2025
2.5
(only 35:36, live album in Chicago, 9 tracks, none written by Vaughan) Jazz
I like 50's Jazz and thought I'd like this album more but just couldn't help but feel Sarah was mailing it in, she messed up songs, forgot lyrics, went into some unnecessary scat. I get it was a live album but either rerecord or do another take
Maybe fans back then were more forgiving with their money but if I spent an hours pay or more on her record I'd expect better. Maybe this was all just contrived to make it seem more intimate (but then I'd feel played?)
Other than this Ms. Vaughan's voice was loving and the playing top notch. The recording was sub-par by today's standards but for 1959 was probably outstanding.
4.5
(43:18, 7th solo album (excluding the S&G days) 16 tracks in orginal bonus material is worth a once around if you have time too, especially Paul talking on the making of the song Graceland, 1986)
Great album - this is how you culturally appropriate 'right' (note I didn't say misappropriate). Paul someone weaves American country, pop, zydeco, and mbaqanga (South African street music) into a very cohesive beautiful album.
I owe this a longer review if I find time to come back to it.
3.0
(41:24, 9 tracks in original 1978 format (couldn't find), 13 in the 2007 remastered, debut album)
Basically, Magazine is spinoff after the Buzzcocks broke up - Howard Devoto created a more progressive sound now known as "post-punk" (then new wave or artistic rock). They released only 3 albums before breaking up in 1981 and the lead guitarist forming another spin off Siouxsie and the Banshees, Deveto formed a less successful solo project.)
Better in headphones. I have to respect how groundbreaking this was at the time as the 'post punk' genre had not been invented yet but overall there wasn't anything I loved. I'd listen to it again.
2.0 (42:21, 10 Tracks in 1983 format; 2005 bonus adds 6 tracks, 72:10, second album) New Wave, Pop
2nd album but Eurythmics were unknown after their first album, in many ways this was their breakthrough debut album.
Radio hits everyone knows, not much else. Everything after Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These) (sic - I know it's "this", always know this, but "these" rhymes well with "seven seas" so why Annie?) was boring. Hated Jennifer and This House. Don't need more synth pop in my life. Thought it would be a 3 but the back half irked me. The 2005 bonus tracks (while technically I don't include tracks not on original release in my rating) broke the 2 vs 3 tie they were all garbage including, dare I say, a Lou Reed cover.
3.5
(45:28,11 tracks, 2021, seventh album); Americana/folk
Not a bad album, I think people misunderstand Lana Del Rey when they criticize her for being boring. The genre is not pop or rock, she is recording in the genre. It's definitely a stripped-down sound that not everyone will find interesting.
I'm not a huge fan of Lana but this album was pleasant enough, there weren't any stand out tracks. The album wasn't as good as her previous Norman Fucking Rockwell.
3.0
Great first song - hard to top it after that. If you're into Soul you're probably upset I only gave it a 3 but. . . honestly just not my genre. I will say this is 1000 times better than the next album I review.
0.5
Holy fucking hell what the fuck!?!
(49:51, 10 tracks, third album, 1967)
OK - first the genre is described as "Acid Folk" on Wiki but really this is just trolling before there was the word trolling. What I figure is this was the 1967 version of getting "Rick Rolled" by a hippie. You would get this great advise, probably while stoned, 'hey man you need to listen to The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter' and then when you listened to it and realized you were Rick Rolled you'd jump in on the game and insist to your friends and family this was an awesome album and so forth until somehow this got entered in the annuls of music as actually somehow a serious project.
These bastards are just trying to annoy you. A kazoo, a slide whistle; bad, I mean really bad sitar, a vibraphone. a whole shit ton of Jew's harp. I mean obviously they are trolling everyone. This should be most clear by the fact they are Scottish and choose NOT to use a bagpipe which would have been waaay too obvious that they were just trying to annoy everyone,
Then there are lyrics like:
"next week a monkey is coming to stay
if I was a witches hat" (yes they spell this wrong too, probably to annoy)
"sitting on her head like a paraffin stove
I'd fly away and be a bat"
AND for those that think I'm cherry-picking bad lyrics I'm not, this was fairly creative most of the other songs were worse. One has something about riding backwards on a giraffes (I'm guessing this is how they'd spell it) back and stopping occasionally to laugh.
By the eight track - if you are still listening - you will absolutely wish you were dead. It's 7 hours long and it makes you want to commit suicide.
Now get this - best of all I've reviewed 100 Album (this was literally my 100th) and this is the SECOND worst I've reviewed.
I'm really looking forward to this Throbbing Gristle guy as I'm not sure how exactly you can trick the public into getting onto a 1001 list with worse than these two (other was The United States) but . . . I guess we shall see
This is 100th album reviewed and it was a doozy.
4.5
(40:44, 9 tracks, 1969, 2nd album (surprise))
Better than Led Zeppelin I, not as good as Led Zeppelin 4
Why didn't I give it a 5? Because I'm stingy with 5's and saving my Zeppelin 5 for Zep IV. Still a great album.
Looking at the online criticism (and really there isn't much, just don't sort by top comments) it appears almost everyone gives this a 4 or a 5. For those that don't. . . I don't get the criticism that it's 'cock rock' well duh of course it is. It was 1969 and all 4 of them were having more sex with young beautiful women than should be humanly possible. Plus I'm listening to my album 102 now Joni Mitchell's Blue - you won't hear me complaining this is Pussy Pop (can't think of a word for the vulva that rhyms with rock, or actually folk. I would say it's 'joke folk' but for folk it's not bad . . . I digress.) My point is 49% of the population has a cock and they need something to rock to; so fuck off militant feminists. Other criticism Do they sing about sodomizing women? Maybe. Do they sing about sexual relations with minors? Probably not, this is extrapolation. They did just fine with of age teens/twenties but I doubt they checked a lot of IDs. Do they use the word baby waaaay too much? Well, OK I'll give you that one.
At any rate just a classic - stole a lot from Chicago Blues but others would just say they were 'influenced' by the Blues. Considering it was recorded while touring one of the best piecework albums of all time.
2.5
(36:15, 10 tracks, 1971, 6th album) folk
So if I'm ever looking forward to a 35 minute nap on a road trip and someone says, 'how about Joni Mitchell's Blue?' I'm gonna be like, "Fuck yeah, crank that bitch to 4!"
Not bad, considering it's folk. Enjoying the instruments. I think Joni is a better guitarist than lyricist but always impressed by singer songwriters.
Overall boring. Some of the hippie slang hasn't aged well. I find how she hits the high notes annoying
2.5
(53:46, 19 tracks, 1 is spoken word, 1985, 9th album) Experimental
Weird genre, apparently I have to get used to Tom Waits as he has 5 albums on the list. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Some good instruments. Album takes from so many different genres it's hard to define. Waits voice is gravelly. The album is best described as avante garde. I like the song Downtown Train the most but it seems out of place on this otherwise weird album.
4.5 (genre birth - Punk)
(34:33, 8 tracks, 1969, debut) Pre-punk
Includes I Wanna be Your Dog, 1969, and a 10-minute version of We Will Fall. For anyone that loves punk and everything that followed - these are your grandfathers!
So hard to understate how important this album was to the development of punk which led to almost everything good in the 70's and 80's (even if you don't like punk - to include hard rock, no Stooges, no Van Halen.)
A lot of this album is in the same general genre/sound as The Rolling Stones and The Doors et. al. 'rock' at the time but moving rock to a more unpolished 'garage sound' (1969 for example, great song, but not groundbreakingly new sound, almost Stones-like in the beginning) and then out of almost nowhere they recorded the 2nd track "I want to Be Your Dog" and this was a "Smells Like Teen Spirit" moment where basically a generation of pre-teen, and young teens musicians who became the punk artists 6-7 years later said "what the fuck was that?!? I need to figure out how to recreate that sound."
It's hard to understand looking backwards why this song was so groundbreaking as soooo many other songs sound just like this punk riff/beat but that is EXACTLY why this song was so important (they invented it). Out of all the garbage experimentalizing of psychedelic era that NO ONE copied (thank God see some of my 1's reviews) The Stooges created a sound no one else was recording at the time, seemingly out of nowhere. And almost singlehandedly (this is hyperbole for effect) created punk.
It would be like if in 1969 The Bee Gees suddenly recorded Saturday Night Fever out of thin air creating a whole genre (e.g. disco) Note - they did NOT, listen to some of their work in the late 60's good, very experimental, but nowhere near disco. Typically, a sound takes many years and a whole scene to develop but . . . every once in a while, an artist just picks up an instrument and decides to play it in a way no one ever has before (Hendricks, Eddie VanHalen with tapping, et. al.) and this was one of those moments. Rest of the album is great but the B side is just more moving rock to punk through a heavier, dirtier, garage sound.
Thank you Stooges for your contributions!
4.0
Hard album for me - Morrissey (including The Smiths, has 11 albums on this project - that's a full 1% of all albums of 'all time' which is insane. One was 'redacted' (removed in a later edition but still 10 is crazy.) I absolutely love Morrissey but I don't find this his best album so how do you rate it. Struggled as I think if this was his first album (or even first solo) it would have been revolutionary (a 5) but by 1994 most of the songs sound in the same vein as other work he has done. If I ranked all the albums this isn't on the bottom quartile but probably middle - that would be a 3 but no way. I'm going 4, reserving 5's for some of the better work but. . . it would be a 5 if this was his only album and died young.
4.5
(37:37, 8 tracks, debut album, 1976) Arena Rock
Album was their debut and plays like a greatest hits album. Was surprised how much I enjoyed this album and that I'm giving it a 5. However, this album I could listen to so many times and it always puts a smile on my face. Not a bad song on it!
1. "More Than a Feeling" 4:45
2. "Peace of Mind" 5:02
3. "Foreplay/Long Time" 7:47
4. "Rock & Roll Band" 2:59
5. "Smokin'" 4:19
6. "Hitch a Ride" 4:11
7. "Something About You" 3:48
8. "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" 4:44
3.0
To be reviewed - one of the 'redacted' (future editions) albums
(41:51; 8 tracks, 2nd album, 1970) Heavy Metal
Hard to understate how important this album was in 1970 to the development of Heavy Metal. So much hippie garbage and phychodelic rock was dominating that Black Sabbath took the industry a different direction.
1. "War Pigs" 7:57
2. "Paranoid" 2:48
3. "Planet Caravan" 4:32
4. "Iron Man" 5:56
5. "Electric Funeral" 4:53
6. "Hand of Doom" 7:08
7. "Rat Salad" (instrumental) 2:30
8. "Fairies Wear Boots" 6:15
4.5
(47:02, 9 tracks 1990, 7th studio album), late generation Synth Pop
I find it hard to believe that this was released in 1990 not because it seems newer but I could have sworn I listened to it in the late 80's, probably because Personal Jesus was released so long before the album.
Contains so many hits - going to edge it to a 5 - may reflect later and downgrade to 4
3.5
(58:26, 14 tracks, 9th album, 1999) dream pop.
Probably need to listen to this a few more times, might drift up to 4.0 on multiple plays.
I found it pleasant (some of Flaming Lips I find somewhat provoking almost like a joke-band, but none of that on The Soft Bulletin). Definitely a departure from their sound to much more 'layered' dream-pop.
3.5
(36:10, 9 tracks on the "U.S. release", 6th album, 1980) Heavy Metal
Who would have ever thought that a guy in leather singing a song about Grinder (looking for meat) would have turned out to be gay? I like this album. Recognize Priest and Sabbath contributed more to heavy metal than almost any other bad. The thing is Sabbath did it in 1970 (coincidently, or not I got Paranoid (Sabbath) just the other day. I give a lot more credit to Sabbath for clearing the path but the English sure did embrace metal. This was their 6th album, and I consider their best, moving away from a darker sound and more melodic (some criticize as 'over polished' but I like it - what is wrong with music sounding good? However, if you were into their earlier stuff there is no doubt this sound must have felt a bit like 'selling out.' Remember no British Steel, no RATT (some may say that's argument against it) or any of the other metal that surged in the 80's)
2.5
(2:19:54, yes two hours+, 22 tracks, debut, 1997) British Drum and Bass
Mercury Prize winner (best UK album of the year, also certified platinum in UK). Really not sure why Onallee (Tracey Bowen) wasn't more credited as it is a vocal heavy album. I don't feel she adds a ton but 2 1/2 hours of drum and bass alone would have gotten pretty repetitive. (It still got repetitive). I feel like this album would have been more cutting edge in 1990 at the height of the Rave culture.
Four singles, "Share the Fall", "Heroes", "Brown Paper Bag" and "Watching Windows". Given the length of the album I think my 3 listen goal is going to have to be waived.
Clearly a UK bias to include this in a must listen list but not a bad album - not my genre and I still enjoyed it. Kind of Trance.
Main criticism - too long.
3.5
(56:41, 16 tracks (5 are skits), debut, 1992) hip-hop (alternative h-h, joke hip-hop)
OK this band certainly sounds like they could have put out one of the better non-gangster alternative hip-hop albums of the 90s but they just couldn't stay serious. Here is my equation for how to build a Pharcyde
4/8 Arrested Development + 2/8 Will Smith + 1/8 Skee-Lo + 1/8 Afroman = Pharcyde
Another commenter said "it's like a kid good enough to make the NBA but wastes his skills throwing suction cup dildos into increasingly difficult places to reach" - couldn't have summarized it better.
Band literally raps about jerking off, vaginal fisting, a whole song (4:22) of Ya Mama jokes, eating brains, everything, it's just a hot mess. Perfect album if you're in junior high. Pretty much loved Quinton's on the Way (it's a skit but captures the damn album)
Didn't hate the album (was on the west coast in 1992, never heard of them - but then gansta rap was king
3.5
(40:36, 13 tracks, debut, 1998) heavy metal/ Nu Metal
OK so I disliked SoaD in 1998, I don't like the metal gwaaaar sound and the elf talk is worse (but I do like some metal); however, I really never gave them a fair shake. After listening to this album once I moved from 2.5 (leaning 2) to 3, then four more listens and I'm up to 3.5 leaning 4 (that's probably the biggest movement over listens of my 115 albums rated). Serj has an insane range for any genre but has to be the best in metal (wish haters could comment here and prove me wrong).
Personal Favorite - Spiders
Always loved the artwork (Heartfield) and use on this album
"Open your eyes, open your mouths, close your hands and make a fist"
(1:25:43 double album, 17 tracks, 1976, 18th Album) R&B/Soul
Eighteenth album - incredible - for Stevie Wonder.
Singles:
I Wish
Isn't She Lovely
Sir Duke
Another Star
As
Pastime Paradise is infinitely recognizable as Coolio's rework Gangsta's Paradise. I Wish (Wild Wild West, Will Smith)
5.0 (Genre birth - Grunge)
(33:21, 13 tracks, 1988, debut), proto-Grunge
Impossible to underestimate how important this album was to the development of music. In 1988 alternative (aka "College" radio was getting stale, The Smith/Cure sound had been explored entirely, synthpop was dead, College Radio (REM and Jangle Pop was five years old) and the industry was desperate for something new. Almost out of nowhere Boston band Pixies hired Chicago producer Steve Albini to record the first "Grunge" record. While the album was not commercially successful until 5 years later, this kicked off everything known later as "Alternative Rock" - approximately 50 of the albums on this list (many are top 50 rating) owe their existence to this album. So many artists wouldn't even exist without this album.
I remember telling my friends in 1988 (or 89?) it was impossible to understate how important Gigantic was (a song Kim denies is about painful interracial (1986 film Crimes of the Heart) intercourse. . . but it is.) Equally confusing was the flamingo dancer's breast which were on the larger end of the spectrum for 1988 (mostly pre-enhancements era). The album's name Surfer Rosa was selected DIRECTLY because Gigantic and the album cover art would draw an incorrect analogy.
"Where's my Mind At?" (in no small part it's role in Fight Club) finally broke Pixies as the most influential band of the 80's (retroactively awarded by many critics).
No Pixies = no Nirvana - no Smashing Pumpkins - no Alternative - no Grunge
3.5 (genre birth - Trip Hop)
(63:23, 13 tracks (4 skits), 1996, debut) trip hop
Trip-hop sampling record - hard to classify. Hypnotic in a trance way, strong hip hop beats. This album birthed trip-hop which became Chill Lofi. In 1996 it took a master to produce this masterpiece pre-editing tools, pre-internet samples everywhere. What took DJ Shadow a year now takes A.I. 1.482 seconds (which is sad.)
It's easy to overlook the genius of this album. People criticize as it's not his music but you put this together - it sampling at it's best. What he's creating sounds nothing like anything he took it from. NO ONE TELLS A BAKER - it's just butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and milk (vanilla, spices, salt, and baking powder.)
3.5
(43:28, 9 tracks, 1976, 5th album) Rock (future country)
Eagles became essentially the proto-type for 90's country revitalization. I don't love every song on this album but there are some great ones. Only album with the greatest Eagles Lineup (Joe Walsh, Randy Meisner bass, Don Henley and Glenn Fry)
Singles:
New Kid in Town
Hotel California
Life in the Fast Lane
Lost best album to Fleetwood Mac's Rumors; however, remains one of the best selling albums of all time.
4.0 (Genre birth - College Radio/Jangle Rock)
(44:11, 12 tracks, 1983, debut) College Radio (Jangle Rock)
In 1983 REM took college radio a new direction and brought "Alternative" to the masses. No REM, no Radiohead. REM denoised the increasingly noisy punk scene which dominated alternative rock at the time. College Rock eventually became Indie. Opening with their magnus opus - Radio Free Europe - "College Radio" was born.
Track listing - best songs **
** "Radio Free Europe" – 4:06
* "Pilgrimage" – 4:30
"Laughing" – 3:57
** "Talk About the Passion" – 3:23
"Moral Kiosk" – 3:31
"Perfect Circle" – 3:29
"Catapult" – 3:55
"Sitting Still" – 3:17
* "9–9" – 3:03
"Shaking Through" – 4:30
"We Walk" – 3:02
"West of the Fields" – 3:17
3.5
(49:20, 15 tracks, 1998, compilation)
Wilco and Billy Bragg split duties writing music for previously unheard lyrics by Woody Guthrie. Woody's daughter, Nora Guthrie, contact both to create Mermaid Avenue. A second volume of recordings, Mermaid Avenue Vol. II, followed in 2000.
I love Wilco, like Bragg a lot (love some songs) and respect the hell out of Guthrie so I wanted to love this album but for me it's just OK. Beautiful in many ways but not an album I plan to put on frequent repeat.
Best song - Songs in a Minor Key
1. Walt Whitman's Niece 3:53 - Bragg
2. California Stars 4:57 - Wilco
3. Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key 4:06 - Bragg
4. Birds and Ships 2:13 - Bragg
5. Hoodoo Voodoo 3:12 - Wilco
6. She Came Along to Me 3:26 - Bragg
7. At My Window Sad and Lonely 3:27 - Wilco
8. Ingrid Bergman 1:50 - Bragg
9. Christ for President 2:39 - Wilco
10. I Guess I Planted" (Music: 1997) 3:32 - Bragg
11. One by One 3:22 - Wilco
12. Eisler on the Go 2:56 - Bragg
13. Hesitating Beauty 3:04 - Wilco
14. Another Man's Done Gone 1:34 - Bragg
15. The Unwelcome Guest - 5:09 Bragg
2.5
(78:51, 16 tracks, 2015, 3rd album) Hip-Hop ("Gangsta Rap done right"?)
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you're not familiar with Kendrick or a hip-hop fan I highly recommend you start at track 13 (The Blacker the Berry) and loop through 14, 15, and 16. This is the best part of the album and Mortal Man (the spoken word parts) will help a lot understand what Kendrick is attempting. I still don't get it but I really wish someone had given me this advice as by track 12 I had all but checked out.
Almost universal acclaim, I must not get it? I salute Lamar confronting racism but too many distractions.
I don't hate the music but Lamar's vocalization style is annoying (U is just awful). Talking about boo-boo and all the sexual references just seems immature and doesn't add anything. Either do Gangsta Rap (Ice-T's O.G.) or do a political statement (Public Enemy's It takes a nation . .. well except for Flavor but you know his role is to be everyone's loveable but retarded little cousin.)
Album was too long, too immature, not political enough (and/or not gansta enough), it wasn't catchy. Personally I think Lamar was riding a wave of good sentiment from the previous two. Not a terrible album for the community (obviously many love this stuff) but not a great album.
Best track - The Blacker the Berry
Best parts of the album - all spoken word
1. Wesley's Theory 4:47
2. For Free? (Interlude) 2:10
3. "King Kunta" 3:54
4. "Institutionalized" 4:31
5. "These Walls" 5:00
6. "U" 4:28
7. "Alright" 3:39
8. "For Sale? (Interlude)" 4:51
9. "Momma" 4:43
10. "Hood Politics" 4:52
11. "How Much a Dollar Cost" 4:21
12. "Complexion (A Zulu Love)" 4:23
13. "The Blacker the Berry" 5:28
14. "You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said)" 4:01
15. "I" 5:36
16. "Mortal Man" 12:07
4.0
(38:34, 11 tracks, 2009, debut) dream pop
OK for everyone criticizing it as "boring" - I get it, its repetitive and can be boring but you're not getting the genre (dream pop)
Driving bass beats, post punk drumming, minimalist atmospheric sound at its best. This is great and I'd give it a 5 if they could have held the vibe for all 11 tracks.
Mood music for when you to tune out by tuning in. Music is almost spooky good.
2
Sick today - I'll type up later but suffice to say I'm not a Tom Waits fan and I think two albums is enough (this is my second, sounded like the first, both are some kind of weird creepy house of horrors sound tracks out of voodoo New Orleans or something. I think he has 5 albums which is 4 too many)
2.0
(33:49, 10 tracks, 1971, 17th album) Psych Pop
I'm not a fan of Psych Pop and the Beach Boys didn't do a lot to help this. Not the worst album by far in this genre but some of these tracks were just week (or filler? "Student Demonstration Time" is abysmal
On a positive - the album cover and it's introspective "end of the road" tone is welcoming (especially if you're going to to title your album Surf's Up.)
On the negative - Album seems pieced together, no cohesion. Keyboards are terrible. Too slow - I figure if you're the Beach Boys just stay true, record another feel good clean album (by album 17 they had grown weary and tired, see above in positives) and let your fans come to your concerts to hear your hits.
1.5
(34:12, 13 tracks, 1963, N/A) Christmas
OK this doesn't belong on this list for a lot of reasons
1.) It isn't all that great. As far as Christmas compilations go there are better. (Nonetheless Rolling Stones put it as the 142nd greatest album of all time? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
2.) Compilation albums are barred from this list, if compilation albums are allowed I can think of 500 "greatest hits" albums that should be on this list (I realized this was released as an individual album but still - stretching it
3.) Phil Specter - eewww
These aside Specter adds his 'wall of sound' to Christmas and I guess in 1963 THERE wasn't much better. People like this album. I don't see me returning to it.
Best Christmas Album Vince Guaraldi Trio (A Charlie Brown Christmas)
(68:34, 13 tracks, 2010, 5th album) Hip Hop
Why redact the George Condo artwork?
Not terrible, a lot of sound. I'll come back and add more later want to see the next album.
3.0
(34:32, 11 tracks, 3rd album, 1970) folk (country folk)
Kind of a boring album. I've never been a huge fan of Neil's whiny voice. Neil has garnered much more respect over time than when this was released.
3.5
(43 minutes, 10 tracks, debut?, 2017) trance (electronica)
Jane Weaver has been around the UK folk scene for a while, not sure if this was her first studio album. Spacey lyrics with a melodic electronic beat. A pleasant album but I agree with another reviewer I'm unsure why this album is included on this list (he gave a 2, I'm far more generous at 3.5 as I like this album) . Clearly the book has a bias toward songwriters. I can say if this album is considered psychedelic (I don't consider it this) it makes the genre (one of my least favorites) very accessible.
3.5
(31:36, 8 tracks, 12th album, 1973) Soul
Best song is the title track - some of the album seems like filler, 12 albums in Gaye was still innovated and creating hits which, in and of itself, is pretty impressive. Tortured life. A compilation album by Gaye would be a 5 for sure but overall this album is good, not great.
3.5
(41:43, 10 tracks, debut, 1969) Folk
This is the soundtrack to listen to when you are going to take a long one way walk into the woods with a gun.
Nick died young, 26, of an apparent overdose of antidepressants. A high level of sadness is prevalent in his recordings. It does beg the question had he lived would he a.) have been largely forgotten as another unsuccessful but talented struggling artist b.) taken his music to commercial success? Sometimes dying young is good for your reputation.
The music is undeniable sad. One music critic (professional) said he detected that Nick was a virgin in his singing. I wondered to myself what the hell does that sound like??!? I suppose sad and depressed may apply?
Overall, I liked his guitar playing the most; a lot of strings and piano for "folk". Don't plan to revisit it often but I did listen to it 4 times in a day and it's mid-range long (41 minutes). Thought about rating a 4 but I music is just too depressing.
Favorite track - Man in a Shed
2.5
(49:01, 14 tracks (standard release), debut, 2017) Hip-hop (HH soul)
Pronounced sizza (like scissors, less the 'ors', plus za) and control.
Sort of hip hop w/ a heavy influence of rock, some soul (listed as soul, maybe new soul but not really soul in sense of Marvin Gaye Soul). A lot of computer mixing (overmixed in my opinion, I think I see a Commodore 64 behind her on the album cover, I think I hear some Commodore 64 sound bites.)
Her falsetto is annoying, her actual singing voice OK. Heavy use of the N word for no good reason doesn't age well. I'm not against black artists using it to either make a political statement, counter racism, or to desensitize ('own') the word but just throwing it out to say your part of the community doesn't add anything.
She's OK. She kind rocks a low self-esteem, 'not hot, but not bad' girl next door effect throughout. Fairly sexual album, don't mind that but a lot is pretty immature. I don't need filler like the end of track on Broken Clocks - it's not a skit, it's not a song, it's not filler just 'there'. I feel like Kendrick Lamar fucks up things - wonder with no Kendrick influences how much better the album would be (however I'm guessing a lot less financially successful so - probably a good call by SZA). One of the best albums of 2017? Probably. One of the best of all time? No.
Not an album I felt I needed to listen to before I died.
