Every song is incredible as an individual song, but they all have the same cadence with little to no variation. As a whole, it just didn’t work for me.
Great showcase of their varying talents and songwriting abilities.
Very atmospheric. Interesting mix of indie and hip hop elements along with some industrial and synth. That said, none of it was particularly interesting or distinct, just vibes. Not great to exercise to, but would be a decent album for sitting pool side on a summer day.
Definitely speaks to a specific time and place in history. The mixture of funky organ with 90s synth is certainly dated by 2025 standards, but gives a sense of nostalgia. Feels like music that would have been in Cruel Intentions or some other sexy thriller. Funky, but nothing super noteworthy.
Showcases Elton John’s versatility and talent. Each song feels like a testament to loss and the different ways we experience saying goodbye. Whether it’s a relationship ending, a close friend dying, or even just saying goodbye to a personal hero, each stage of grief is represented.
Tons of differing influence in this album. Kind of all over the place, but they definitely pull you in with their unique style. That said, the wide differences in their individual songs gives a sense of an identity crisis in the music. Like, they weren’t sure who they are, so they tried on a lot of hats. This leads to some shock going from one track to the next. Each song is interesting, but as an album there isn’t much flow which impacts the enjoyment. Plus, I felt like the vocals were regularly drowned out by everything else.
Be careful with this album. I listened to it while at the grocery store, and now I’m pregnant. And I’m a guy, so…
A look back at 1960s Americana and the sentiments of the counter culture. A great album with some silliness and a whole lot of soul.
Best DJ to come out of the 90s. His music is definitely great to work out to. High energy and fun, highly recommend.
Interesting protest album during a psychedelic era. His music is full of metaphor and poetry, and I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t fully understand what he’s trying to say. He has a strong fantasy influence in his lyrics, which comes across as spending too many days at a Renaissance fair on LSD.
Fun island vibes. Not being a speaker of Portuguese, I have no clue what any of the songs were about, but they were definitely a solid vibe. Good for listening in a beach or at a pool.
It’s a fine album. Costello stretches his musical Coors and tries some different styles and genres, which typically work well.
A very sweet, soulful album filled with acoustic and piano melodies and wonderful vocals. Not the most energetic album, but wonderful to listen to while enjoying a coffee, sitting under a blanket, watching the rain.
A decent album with a few solid songs. There were a couple I wasn’t a big fan of, and without a through story that I noticed, they felt like they didn’t fit.
A genuine punk album from its early establishment within the music industry. Some of the songs were pretty solid, but then they got into some of the more out there styling, which was done well, but not to my liking.
Great metal album from one of the best. RIP Ozzy!
I really enjoyed this album. Early hardcore that might be better labeled as part of the transition from punk to grunge. And with a name like Dinosaur Jr, what’s not to like?
This album is very fun and boppy with solid performances. My only issue is that I genuinely don’t like Elvis Costello’s voice. Tried not to hold it against the album itself, but that definitely has an impact in my enjoyment.
A strong album from the mid 00s indie scene. Strong influence from 60s and 70s rock, especially the protest songs during Vietnam. I had not heard of this band prior, but I’m definitely going to look into more of their albums.
Quintessential Metallica album. If you haven’t listened to any of their albums, this is a great place to become acquainted.
Decent album. Definitely something to listen to, but nothing that grabbed me and made me listen.
60/70s jam band. Interesting story telling and some fun, era appropriate licks.
Strong album from the quintessential 90s hip hop scene. Wu Tang still resonates 30 years later.
One of the most iconic rock albums ever released.
A testament to feminism and the experience of being a woman in the 90s. Catchy tunes and riffs mixed with poetic and frustrated lyrics. She expresses love, rejection, growth, and the continuous fight to prove your worth. This is a wonderful and heartfelt album, and a personal favorite of mine.
Good album to work out to as the entire thing is super high energy. The lyrics are strongly about sex and rebellion. My big issue is that the songs all bleed into one another with little variance. Hell, Ace of Spades and Fire Fire are the same guitar lick, just in reverse. And then there’s Jailbait which not age well at all.
There is no wonder that the Beatles became the sensation they were. This album is a wonderful mix of rock and doo-wop with boppy riffs and incredible pacing. The album takes you through an entire relationship from young love to bitter split, and every moment is perfectly sold by wonderful harmonies. Not my favorite of their albums, but I will never discourage anyone from giving it a listen.
Good reggae album. Not exactly my jam, but I could definitely see the talent behind the messaging and music.
One of the best metal albums out there. Black Sabbath embodies the revolt against the powers that be, calling out their selfishness and callousness of our leaders.
It’s not often that a website says, “So, anyways, here’s Wonderwall”. This album is a wonderful listen. Perfectly depicting 90s ennui through poetic lyrics and very catchy tunes. If only the brothers had been able to get it off their own way, who knows what they would have accomplished.
Decent 90s dance album with hip hop influences. High energy and very dated, but quite enjoyable to listen to while doing any activity.
This album blew me away. I had, of course, heard “School’s Out” before and went into it expecting a somewhat generic early metal album. And, boy oh boy is this anything but. Once I got to Gutter Cat vs The Jets and the Blue Turk, the depth of talent hit me. This album wasn’t a metal album, it’s a lesson in music theory. Interludes from literal musicals. Blues and jazz influences. Songs reminiscent of the Animals and old school cowboy country. The depth of talent and songwriting ability with a theme of education and graduation is truly mesmerizing. Every song works with the next despite the wide variance in tone and style. This website has recommended some great albums to me already, but this might be the best I’ve heard so far.
Solid punk album in the same vain as the Sex Pistols. More poppy than some punk albums, but still firmly counter culture. All about sex, rebellion, and being a teenager.
The quintessential (and, I believe, first) rock opera. Tommy is the story of a boy who witnesses a murder and loses his senses as a result. His life is filled with abuse and torture before miraculously regaining his senses and becoming a cult leader. It’s a twisty turvy story that will break your heart. The Who’s style may not be for everyone, and this album is firmly placed in the psychedelic rock era of the late 60s/70s, but the story is something everyone should hear at least once. And, for an added bonus, go watch the old movie that brought the album to the screen. It’s a trip!
Interesting album, though I didn’t really connect to it. Some very dark, poetic lyrics with an unexpectedly upbeat tempo. Not that I dislike it, but it’s definitely not something I’m gonna be seeking out.
The Dire Straits are most known for The Sultans of Swing and their incredible blues guitar, both featured in this album. The vocals don’t pop on most tracks, but the guitar never ceases. If you’re listening for soulful lyrics speaking to your core, this ain’t it. But if you’re looking for a crash course in how to play a guitar like the devil himself, this is the album for you.
True Appalachian country showing a strong mix of guitar skills and solid harmonies. While this isn’t my typical listening, it is certainly enjoyable and showcases Gillian’s talent as a vocalist and guitar player. Poetic lyrics elevate the album with a depth of experience and heart.
From the very first note, this album is aged for a specific place and time. Pure 80s bass, guitar, and drums greet you before the iconic voice of Tina Turner welcomes you with open arms. Her talent cannot be denied, and a couple of the entries in this have (and will most likely continue) to stand the test of time. The songs tell the story of triumph and failure, of finding your strength as a woman and trying to maintain your vulnerability as a person. It’s a well paced album for its time, giving us ups and downs throughout. Sure, it sounds dated, but that is definitely part of its charm.
Very interesting mix in this album. Largely folksy blues, but there are some heavy influences of country, rock, soul, and just a hint of psychedelic. Solid album and great outing from The Band.
Early aughts indie that struck big with Take Me Out. A fun, boppy album with pop influences along with rock and funk that fits in perfectly with the indie scene in England at the time. Not the most creative lyrics, but every song is catchy and high energy. Themes of being a young man and poor decision making, particularly where hitting on women is concerned. My main takeaway in the lyrics was the desperation and games that men played to try and seduce women and the frustration that comes out of the continued rejection.
All that said, the guitar and bass riffs are spectacular. The vocals work incredibly well, and the drums elevate the tempo of every track.
Definitely influences from hip hop and electronic mixed in with rock bass licks and drums. Strong instrumental tracks break up the lyrics giving an otherworldly sound. Different instruments are brought in, from banjos to organs, and all help to elevate this album from generic to very interesting. A story is told through the emotions felt while listening to the instrumentals rather than a clear dialogue expressed through lyrics. It’s out there and special in a way that few albums are.
Very atmospheric and intriguing, with some clear influences in jazz and funk along with psychedelic rock.
Wonderful British Invasion album with strong themes of counter culture and protest. The trademark zaniness of that era in rock is present throughout with the implementation of kazoos and intentionally flat harmonies. Truly worth a listen.
Pure rock and roll, this band knows what they’re doing. From the drums and vocals to the bass and lead guitar, no time is wasted or moment spent waiting. High energy and powerful every step of the way. They were truly a wonder to listen to!
Atmospheric and hypnotic. I felt every song.
This album is so 90s hip hop it almost hurts. The beat, the cadence, the lyrics, everything cements this so firmly I can see the shifting camera angles closing and pulling out during the chorus. Enjoyable, sure, but goodness. Though, special shoutout to Milky Cereal for being so cleverly corny that it may as well have been sold by General Mills.
Interesting album showing some early alternative vibes, though it quickly fell into synth pop and music that could have been produced by Wham! Decent, but after the first two tracks it sort of lost me.
Very enjoyable largely instrumental album. Santana is a maestro on the guitar and these compositions are a blast to listen to.
This album is a mixed bag for me, as my favorite Van Halen song is Hot for Teacher, and my least favorite is Jump. There is definitely plenty to like here, and the talent of everyone is on full showcase for many of the songs, but I just dislike Jump enough that it hurts the entire album for me.
I love this album. I bought it when it came out after seeing the music video for I Bet That You Look Good On The Dance Floor simply because the song was good and the band was the Arctic Monkeys, and it quickly became a favorite of mine. Their high energy London indie vibe resonates along with the narrative of getting into trouble in the underground. Then you get Marty Bum and Riot Van, which break up the tempo and tell very real stories of no win situations that the narrator caused. Then it closes with A Certain Romance, which serves as a perfect reflection of a 20 year olds level of cynicism. It’s a wonderful tribute to ruffians getting their comeuppance without a sense of self reflection. Plus, the guitar and bass are spectacular!
This album caught me off guard completely. I was not expecting poetic and punk, so the first couple of tracks were a bit of a shock. Once I settled in, Patti took me for a wonderful ride. Great lyrics, solid (but sometimes too punk) vocals, and great guitar and song structure give this album a great feel.
Atmospheric and good background music, but ultimately not super interesting. Clearly, he’s a talented DJ, but a full album of just DJ is tough the sell.
Stevie Wonder is an incredible artist with dozens of hits from his decades long career. This album features a few of those hits along with some other solid songs about civil rights. I especially liked Village Ghetto Land for the ironic instrument choice, choosing the violin setting on an electric keyboard to play a very aristocratic sounding melody while singing about life in a poor neighborhood. That said, this album was long as Hell and somewhat disjointed for me. There wasn’t a solid theme throughout or a generally interesting and engaging flow from song to song. It just kind of kept going to the point I kept checking that Spotify didn’t change albums on me. Definitely plenty to love here, but not a go to album for me moving forward.
As a fan of 90s dance music, I loved this album. Madonna shows us exactly why she stayed relevant for so long in an ever changing pop scene. The ethereal vocals, high energy beat, and soulful lyrics make each song a treasure. Vibes of pain and longing mixed with hopefulness hit you right in the heart. A truly wonderful album and definitely worth your time.
High octane death metal. Solid vocals, great drums and guitar. Something I was into in my youth, but I definitely didn’t enjoy this as much as I once did. Still, if you’re into death metal, can’t go wrong with Pantera!
My first impression is Allmen Brothers guitar with Violent Femmes vocals. Wonderful guitar licks mixed with somewhat punk lyrics and vocals. I truly enjoyed this album as something different, yet still familiar.
Soulful lyrics and great beats make up this disco era classic. We Are Family is a major hit that I’ve heard countless times, but I cannot honestly say I’ve ever heard a single other song of this album. Which is a pity, frankly, because it’s wonderful. While firmly cemented in its era, it’s boppy and fun that I hope continues to stand the test of time.
Fun and funky, this album reminds you that they’re playing funk. A lot. I enjoyed each song individually and would play most of them at any given event, but the songs definitely blended together as they weren’t demonstrably different song to song. Still, I enjoyed it and will certainly listen to Give Up The Funk again.
I’m glad to see a Sinatra album on this list. I’ve listened to Sinatra my entire life, but never just sat down with one of his albums or collections. And this one does not disappoint! His smooth vocals and charm are timeless. The music resonates as much today as it ever did and should be in everyone’s list.
I’ll be honest, I was not a fan of this album overall. I love David Bowie, but this album was a bit too industrial for the era it was released in. There were some interesting mixes of jazz and pop, and it wasn’t bad, per se, I just didn’t connect to it as I have with other albums of his.
As a fan of 90s alternative, there isn’t any better than Soundgarden. The vocals are absolutely incredible. Pair that with the guitar prowess and poetic lyrics, and you have an incredible album!
A little more goth and avant garde than I prefer, but I certainly respect the talent with which they did it. Some songs were more accessible than others. One was downright impenetrable. But still, their talent was on display and is worth noting.
This was an interesting take on honky tonk country done by an indie band. It wasn’t bad, but I didn’t totally connect to it. The entire album, competently done, was a lot slower and sadder than I prefer with nothing to break up the droning on about a bad relationship. A song here or there to increase the tempo would have helped this album fully.
I love Fatboy Slim. He’s my favorite DJ. Still, an entire album is a bit much. His talent shines through, and this is great exercise music. Just a bit too much DJ without much else.
Fine folk album, but I see why only Me and Julio survived the test of time. Again, nothing wrong with this album, just no songs outside of the aforementioned were super smashing for me.
I love Crosby Stills Nash and Young. Their harmonies and mixture of folk, honky tonk, and psychedelic have always fascinated me, and this album is no exception. Heartfelt and hopeful, it takes you through the lives that they built and the hardships they endured with messages of hope and encouragement. Their harmonies are spectacular and enchanting. Truly a wonderful group and a splendid album.
Solid flow and good beats make this a very enjoyable and pretty chill album. I didn’t connect to all of the lyrics, but the beat and Common’s vocals made it an overall enjoyable experience.
80s industrial goth rock. Certainly more approachable than some other artists in this genre. I enjoyed it enough, but it firmly let you know when it was recorded with some rather specific 80s synth and drums.
This album got me through high school and will never not be a favorite of mine. Between Chester’s vocals, Mike’s rhythm, and Mr. Hahn’s DJ skills, this album is truly unique, even in the nu metal/screamo genre. It is certainly not for everyone, and the anger and angst don’t resonate as much as they used to, but this album will never not take me back to a time of growth, frustration, and a desire to be better and stronger. I will note that the album linked here doesn’t include the extra track My December which I highly recommend giving a listen to. It really shows Chester’s vocal range and talent.
Queen is so wonderfully bombastic and operatic. Queen II delivers perfectly on that approach. Freddie’s incredible vocals elevate the high energy guitar and powerful keyboard to an almost fantasy quality. The harmonies and backup vocals add so much to giving this entire album a sense of adventure and journey. Absolutely worth your time to fall in love with this album.
If you enjoy stories of gun duels and jealous cowboys, this album is going to be a delight. The tales that Marty tells are full of old Hollywood cowboy lore: Gunslingers hunting down bandits; cattle runs and stampedes; running from the law.
I’ll be the first to admit that my expectations weren’t high when I saw the album. I was wrong. Between his wonderful vocals, the great backup harmonies, and solid guitar performances, this album is a delight. This isn’t just competent story telling; this is painting a picture with words and a guitar. Carrying on the long standing tradition of traveling troubadours, his cowboy country stories transport you to the untamed world of the Wild West. My only disappointment is that I was unaware of Marty Robbins earlier in life.
Pharrell’s involvement definitely shines through in its genre bending acid rap/jazz/rock stylings. Truly something unique and unexpected with collaborations from all over the map. I mean, I was not expecting a Good Charlotte appearance, but here we are. Part war protest album, part party anthem, part philosophical musings, the lyrics take you on a journey through a mid-aughts mindset and world. The mixing and instruments give an order to their chaos as they sing from the heart and speak their truth.
Competent country and solid performance. Has all the elements of a country album from that era: guitar, fiddle, southern twang? Check, check, check. Lyrics about how broke he is, but everything is alright because of his love who cheats on him in a different track? Big check right out the gate (tracks 1 and 2/3). I won’t disparage someone for enjoying him, but I find it all too cliche in a way that I just don’t appreciate. I mean, he mentions his truck in the first track. Again, clearly talented and good at making music, but I’m just not a fan of pop country as anything other than background music.
Also, can we just acknowledge that I Sang Dixie did not age well. The phrase “Rebel Pride” in particular means the same as it did then, we’re just willing to admit it now.
I listened to as much of this as I could. Truth is, I just dislike live albums, especially for bands I’m not into. Thin Lizzy is fine, but I would never have dreamed they’d end up on this list, so making theirs the live album to listen to was certainly a choice. Listening to a live album is akin to listening to a party you didn’t go to. And considering this party was hosted by Thin Lizzy, I’m not exactly upset I missed it. Would I have had fun had I been there? Probably, but I wasn’t, so listening in later just doesn’t do it for me.
Soulful and poetic, this album is wonderful. Her solemn vocals bring the lyrics to life.
This album is such a fun mix of musical genres, incredible vocals, and some incredibly upbeat songs with dark lyrics. Basically, my favorite kind of music! Her voice was incredible. I cannot overstate that. And the fun mix of jazz, blues, boss nova, and hip hop really sucked me in. Each song felt familiar and completely new. Familiar topics from a new perspective. Truly a great album and wonderful talent lost too soon.
Heck of a blues album. Bob hasn’t ever been able to sing, but his music writing and poetry are unmatched. His prowess on the guitar shines through each track. That all said, there w not a ton of variance from one song to the next, which I find causes albums to feel bland, which is why I’m knocking of a point.
It is interesting to hear the early outings of hip hop compared to what we hear today. Thoroughly inoffensive, heavy disc scratching, super cheesy lyrics, it’s just about as 80s as you get. It’s like the entire industry was still learning flow. Not sure why they introduced themselves in each song. They definitely felt a need to tell us it was, in fact, them on the mic. And, yes, I get it, you dislike “Succah MCs” and love rhyming “Queens” and “Greens”. I mean no disrespect as hip hop is not what it is today without Run DMC, but this album is painfully dated. This has a special place in history, but the early days of any newer media is often still trying to find itself, which leads to some defined growing pains.
I mean, this is a perfect Christmas album. All the necessary hits, great composition, solid vocals. No complaints! Will listen to again next Christmas season!
Easily one of Beck’s best. Funky beats, cryptic lyrics, and weird noises make up his signature album style. Not every track hits as some show his more out there stylings, but overall it is a very enjoyable album.
This indie band signature sound it present from the first chord to the last. The distinctive industrial and boppy guitar riffs give this album a major lift where variance and comprehensible lyrics kind of falter. Their hits are great, but their songs all sound alike to the point where they blend one track to the next. Without reading the lyrics, I genuinely don’t know what most of the songs are about, though I think the through line is about an unhappy relationship(s). Not a bad album by any means, but I’ll probably stick to their hit songs and consider that enough.
The Wall is one of those incredible albums that has to be listened to as a whole. It’s a complete introspection into the emotional walls that we put up and how those may come into being. The isolation and loneliness cut to the center of each track. Sometimes it manifests in anger. Sometimes in depression. The protagonist keeps trying to fill that void, but money, women, success are all meaningless to him because he is completely alone. Due to the wall. That ever present wall.
The 1 hour 20 minute run time is certainly daunting. Add into that the emotional investment and toll this album can take, and it quickly becomes a “once in a long while” listen. It requires focus and active listening to hear the elements that make it truly special. The voices in the back that represent his anxiety growing louder as the album progresses. The ringing phone that keeps going unanswered. Pink Floyd works hard to tell you everything without holding your hand, but you have to look for it. This is truly a special album and worth the effort.
I do quite like Miles Davis, and always have. Each instrument is highlighted and given a chance to shine. His trumpet is always ready to take over, but he gives the walking bass and piano center stage to remind you of their importance. I do think jazz is at its best when it leans into the blues and slows the tempo down, and Blue in Green is the perfect example of why I feel that. The trumpet is not a soft instrument, but Miles calms its boisterous nature to tell a sad tale with just notes. Plus, it features Coltrane which is always nice. While I get why many people don’t enjoy jazz, I truly appreciate how it asks for nothing other than to listen as closely as you feel like. Good Jazz will draw you in if you give it the chance, and Miles Davis is the best!
This album is tough for me to rate. The tracks are rather disjointed, but his music feels like it’s a collection of non-diegetic, atmospheric songs. Music that was made as an accompaniment for a movie or show. It’s well made, and can certainly make you feel the emotion you’re supposed to. I just found it akin to listening to a movie soundtrack. Only, I’ve never seen the movie and know nothing of the plot.
If I were making a movie and needed music to elevate a scene, this would definitely be an album to revisit. Outside of that scenario, I really just don’t see myself ever listening again.
Soulful and melodic, Nick Drake has coffee shop music down, even if it wasn’t quite called that yet. Just him and a guitar telling stories and imparting feeling. It’s easy for his music to fall into the background, but that’s due to his raspy voice and acoustic guitar. It’s a very cozy album to listen to. I can’t say as to what any given song was about, but I enjoyed the vibes that each imparted.
Isaac Hayes vocals and music is spectacular, but I wasn’t a huge fan of this album. My only real gripe is that the tracks are entirely too long and kinda meandering/repeating. I just felt…bored, honestly. The intros on each song took too long, and they didn’t seem to know how to end so just kept going. With that said, I cannot for one second deny his talent. His songwriting is solid even if I’m not a fan of the content (an entire song about how he feels so torn up by the affair that he’s involved in didn’t inspire sympathy). House vocals are incredible. The music is brilliantly mixed and performed. I just didn’t like the jam bandy nature of the tracks that just seemed to drone on.
I really enjoy Common’s flow, and the beats on this album are great. I didn’t connect to every song, but I enjoyed just letting the tracks happen.
This is the second album by The xx that they’ve suggested to me. Very atmospheric and all vibe. The vocals are well done, but I find them a bit too soft and breathy. The beats are solid and very close to some of my favorite dance hits from the 90s, though it’s missing some of the energy and bombast. And with all of that, I find I just don’t care. Their music has a definite setting. It’s just not one that I connect to. I’ll say they are competent and talented, just not my thing.
Jefferson Airplane might be the singular example of psychedelic rock. There are plenty of other notable artists that engaged with this genre, but few are the example. White Rabbit is the example of psychedelic in my book. Somebody To Love is up there as well, which is why I find them to be the example of the genre. Their lyrics are poetic and mesmerizing, while the guitar and bass are other worldly. The vocals themselves are powerful; grabbing your attention with each word. And each song transports you to a place and time.
Interesting and soulful, this is a solid album. I was unfamiliar with his work prior, but I might need to look into it more. There was a lot of late 90s inspiration in this, along with a fair amount of added funk and a bit of the psychedelic atmosphere. Unique and certainly worth the time.
This was certainly an interesting album. The Replacements bounced around from genre to genre, even using some techniques that didn’t become popular for about a decade. Clearly, their meat and potatoes was punk, but they did it justice when they slipped into metal and what would become alternative.
Solid breakup album. Though, she does not seem to have dealt with it well…at all. Some of the tracks sucked me in more than others. Either way, I’m sure this would have been in heavy rotation had I known about it during a previous breakup.
So, this is a tough album for me to rate. It has 43 songs! That, alone, is ridiculous. Then you get into the vocals on any given track. The lead singer obviously has some very strong opinions, much of which I agree with. Problem is he just comes across as super pretentious. Some of it just screams “I’m an artist! Look at me!”, which bugs me. And it’s often atonal and not set to a certain rhythm. I don’t know, his messaging irks me.
All that said, there is a lot that I love here. The guitar is spectacular! Many of the techniques used here have continued and become more widely used in different genres. And the bass?! I love when a bassist is allowed to shine! It’s not often that I come across the talent on display throughout. Plus, the theme to Jackass is present, which gives this album an automatic star.
So, where does that leave the rating? I feel like the proper route is 3 stars. One star for the Jackass theme, and two stars for the bass and guitar. Definitely stuff to like here, but by golly do the vocals hurt it.
It’s no wonder that Notorious B.I.G. Is still talked about. His flows and beats were special, with catchy lyrics and boppy hooks. This album features his most famous hit “Big Poppa”, but every song is incredible. Though the messaging wasn’t always…great…, he speaks to a life that he knows and loves. He tells the stories of his life, from growing up poor, to hustling for whatever scraps he could get, to being rich and sought after. He shows us his complexity. His vast love and deep anger. His respect and disrespect are often wrapped as one, particularly when he’s talking about women. He seems to love his life, but he’s so full of regrets and justifications that he sees his death as deserved. Then again, he really loves having sex. He jumps between sex and death so much this album may as well have been titled Eros and Thanatos. Ultimately, though, this album is fantastic and deserves its place in musical history!
About a month ago, I mentioned in passing to my wife that I haven’t listened to much Bruce Springsteen and that maybe I ought to give him a chance. And here it was!
Turns out, I don’t like Bruce Springsteen. He has songs here and there that I enjoy. Born to Run from this album is solid, but I didn’t really care for much of the rest of it. Bruce sounded like a 60+ year old man in each song. I didn’t connect to any of the songs. The guitar and sax were great, though.
I continue to be impressed with Alice Cooper. I never listened to him much until finding this website. This is the second album by him I’ve gotten, and I love it just as much as the first (School’s Out). He plays with the rock genre in a way seldom seen. Metal, folk, synth, punk; he nails it all! He mixes and swirls them together to make a musical goulash that works despite the fact that it seems like it shouldn’t. He gets very avant garde at times on this album, which usually turns me away. For some reason, it works from him. Maybe because there’s just something very Broadway about his albums that it just feels like a story with individual characters; each represented by a distinct style and arrangement. I truly enjoyed this one and hope you did as well!
This album is wonderful. I was familiar with Wilco prior, but I wasn’t really a fan. This album may have changed my mind. The differences in styles showcased, and the mastery therein, genuinely impressed me. Every new track feels fresh and unique. Folk, Appalachian country, jukebox country, jazz, and alternative rock all make an appearance. I was never bored or distracted. The guitar work, vocals, lyrics, all of it was fantastic and well worth your time.
David Bowie is such an enigma to me, and this album highlights exactly why. The first six tracks are flawless. They feature his vocals and mysterious lyrics; spectacular instrument work showcasing influences from pop, rock, industrial, and jazz. A little bit of interstellar rock ala Ziggy Stardust shows up from the spaceman. They’re genuine bops!
Then Sense of Doubt starts, and shit gets weird. David was a true artist, and with that comes him making some artistic music, frequently leaning into the avant- garde. It is just not thematically connected to the first half of the album. It begins invoking emotion and settings without lyrics, and, frankly, it’s jarring. I’m enjoying a boppy album from a brilliant musician, and suddenly I’m listening to the emotions of a man staring out a rainy window. I am not knocking the talent at all because I definitely felt what he wanted me to (or, at least, I felt something which is all any artist can ask of an audience). But the complete 180 in tone hurt my overall enjoyment. Then again, this album is from a time period when b-sides were still a thing, so there’s every chance that this was where the b-side started, and it just doesn’t translate to the streaming era.
I’d like to see a scene for you, dear reader. I was sitting on my couch, blanket and cat on my lap, cup of coffee in my hand, when I looked at my album for the day. I started it, and I was immediately in the coziest little heaven on earth. Willie’s voice and guitar soothed every stress life had thrown recently. Each song was spectacularly performed. Sweet cowboy waltzes to calm what ails you and remind you of the love in your life. Hints of jazz, blues, and folk making their appearances to break up any potential monotony. And seeing as these are all songs made famous by other performers, everything feels familiar and safe. Is it Willie’s most adventurous album? Definitely not, but it’s not meant to be. It’s meant to be familiar romance songs performed by Willie Nelson, and that is wonderfully exactly what it is.
I don’t wish to disparage the Stone Roses, but I find this album largely forgettable. Everything they did was done well, but at no moment did anything stand out. Until they got to the Scarborough Fair guitar with other lyrics over, which was notable solely because it’s such a recognizable acoustic stint done by more influential musicians. Again, they did everything right, they just didn’t do anything that I’m going to remember.
REM is a pretty unique group, even for their time. They were part of a counter culture fighting back against the bombast and eccentricities of the 80s, helping to bolster the grunge movement. Hopeful and sad, their music mourns what has been lost but still seeks for better times. Michael Stipe’s vocals being it together while the rest of the band provides wonderful backup vocals and instrumentals. Clear influence from the goth music of the 80s mixed with folk from the 70s help give this album definition. Truly a solid, though not wholly fun, album.
Hoo boy, where to start in this album. Pentangle here is a part of a weird musical era trademarked by an obsession with medieval bardic song styling. They weren’t the only group to do it, but the fact that we had multiple folk/hippie/psychedelic groups get on board is beyond me.
Their harmonies are wonderful. Their voices are light and airy, bringing an overall ethereal quality to each song. It is also the driving force behind the music as most of the songs only feature one or two instruments to accompany their vocals. I cannot tell you what any of the songs are about, however, as their vocals bounced and moved beautifully but incomprehensibly. Again, great harmonies and canon. Just, tough to follow what they were trying to say.
A song or two where they play with this styling would be an enjoyable change of pace. An entire album was a bit much.
This album is a collection of instrumental pieces that seem very much like non diegetic music. Not complaining, just strange. A couple of the songs I actually recognized, though I couldn’t tell you from where.
All that said, this album was certainly interesting. Different styles and settings gave this album a feeling of watching a movie without the movie. You could hear the scenes come to life thanks to their talent and charm in the instruments. With influences from jazz and funk to some African tribal interspersed, it was fun. Just don’t think it’ll be something I seek out again.
The harmonies that the Beach Boys could do at their height are impeccable. Every single track on this album features amazing vocals in conjunction with stellar (albeit simple by today’s standards) instrument accompaniment. Every track is powerful and soulful…until you listen to the lyrics. Some of the songs are heartbreaking and/or powerful. Sloop John B is one of my all time favorite songs, and Wouldn’t It Be Nice is toe tapping, sing-along fun. Then some of the other songs have just the most vapid lyrics you can find in music. When they flexed, their music is unmatched. But you can definitely tell when they phoned it in a bit in the song writing. Luckily, the instruments and harmonies are more important than what they’re singing about.
