Favorite tracks: Get On Our Own, I Don't Mind
Love the energy of 70s punk, but listening to recordings always falls a bit flat. I'm sure seeing these guys at a show would have been killer!
Favorite tracks: Blister in the Sun, Gone Daddy Gone, Kiss Off
I was really back and forth between 2 and 4 stars for this album. I really love their fast-paced songs, but their slow songs feel like a slog. They're just disjointed enough to be interesting, and I've come to really enjoy their unforgiving style and lyrics.
Favorite tracks: Wicked World, Evil Woman
You can't go wrong with Black Sabbath, and the harmonica and jaw harp were a fun surprise! I know it's what they're known for, but I'm personally not as into the slow tracks like the first one
Favorite tracks: Dirty Leaves and the Dirty Ground, We're Going to be Friends
I'm always blown away that they're only two people, and how raw they sound (which feels fitting come out of the grunge era). I love the constant shift from soft vocals to a wall of sound. This album feels a little bit more experimental than their later albums that I'm more familiar with. Still a solid album and would gladly listen to most of these tracks again!
Also love the Toledo shout-out in Expecting, and am choosing to believe it's in reference to Ohio and not Spain
Favorite tracks: Superstition, Big Brother
Most of this album felt like it was moving through molasses (why was Maybe Your Baby SO LONG). Lots of electric piano and soft vocals which really just served to remind me that 70's R&B isn't for me. However, I would be remiss to not mention that the few funk songs are absolute bops!
Favorite tracks: You Oughta Know, All I Really Want
This album is absolutely iconic for female millennials everywhere, so raw and full of angst. As a married woman who hasn't experienced a breakup in 13 years I still unashamedly sing/scream You Oughta Know whenever it comes on.
Favorite tracks: Atlantic City
Man, I hope someone checked on Bruce after this album was released, this was incredibly depressing. Americana is definitely not my style of music, but I can appreciate that this was well made and shows another side of him that I had not heard.
Favorite tracks: Winter Song, Chelsea Girls
Wow oh wow, I've never had so many differing opinions in such a short amount of time. I had really high hopes for this album during the first song. The sparse instrumentals paired with Nico's deep voice really resonated with me, but it quickly grew old with every song sounding the same. I would gladly listen to a couple songs on this album, but listening to the whole thing at once made me want to rip my ears off. I really struggled to finish this one - huge disappointment for me.
Favorite tracks: Yearnin' Learnin', Africano
Fun beats, but annoyingly repetitive lyrics. I had to skip the end of a couple of these songs I was so sick of them by the end.
Favorite tracks: Tentative Decisions, Psycho Killer
Overall I can't help but to feel a little bored with this album. It feels like they're trying to cater to too many genres and end up sounding a bit generic because of it. There are definitely some fun and funky elements to some of these songs, but I just can't get behind the vocalist, who is largely quiet and monotone but tries to make up for it with random scatting.
Favorite tracks: River, My Old Man, California
I was shocked to see this album is from 1971, I would have guessed it was the outcome of the 90-00 singer songwriter boom. Beautiful voice and lyrics, and well ahead of her time.
Favorite tracks: Memories, Socialist
Honorable mention: lyrics of The Suit, but the song was terrible
I hated this album, but man do I have to give them credit for making something completely new. Unsettling, driving, loud, futuristic - but also, noise. Sometimes, it's just a lot of noise.
Favorite tracks: September in the Rain, Thou Swell
I would be happy to have this album as background music for the rest of my life, it is absolutely beautiful. I kept forgetting it was live until the audience started clapping, they sounded about as perfect as can be (also I couldn't believe the recording quality for 1957). I couldn't help but smile at Sarah Vaugan's improv at the end of Willow Weep for Me, I'm sure she was fun to see live. Her voice is incredible and I will absolutely be returning to this album.
Favorite tracks: America, Green, Call Me
A female-led punk band? Don't mind if I do! This album was killer, a perfect straddling of 70s punk and 90s grunge. Also, the perfect amount of cowbell.
Favorite tracks: Lo and Behold, Sunny Skies, Fire and Rain
Favorite tracks: Frightened, Rebellious Jukebox, Industrial Estate
I enjoyed most of this album, but I don't know that it's something to write home about. The songs are fun but felt really repetitive, even for punk (or post punk? Someday I'll learn the difference). A+ work on "No Xmas for John Quays" though, I didn't realize what it was about until I googled who John Quays is
Favorite tracks: can't decide!
I loved this album from start to end! A great sample to show why the Stones are absolute rock legends. Sympathy for the Devil isn't my favorite track, but boy is it one heck of an opener.
Favorite tracks: literally none of them 🫠
This sounds like a country album parody, full of "gi-tar", trucks, and country boys. I can't fathom that this is a real album that is popular and still well regarded.
Favorite tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Your Protector, Blue Ridge Mountains
This album is ethereal. Every song was interesting and as a whole it was beautiful.
Favorite tracks: Shapes of Things, Let Me Love You, I Ain't Superstitious
This album opened really strong with a couple fast paced rock songs, but the switch to blues caught me by surprise. It lost momentum and it never really came back, even with some of the other rock songs sprinkled in. It's clear that Jeff Beck is an excellent musician and I do enjoy when someone can transcend styles, but this one felt a little disjointed to me.
Also, I've always thought of Rod Stewart as mediocre at best so having him on every track was a disappointment. I would have loved to get some other voices in there!
Favorite tracks: Spanish Pipedream, Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore
I've never been a country fan so when I heard that twang in his voice I wasn't particularly looking forward to this album. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed listening to it (even if it's one I likely won't revisit). The lyrics are punchy and unapologetic, and getting a reprieve from the Christian nationalism of a lot of today's country songs was refreshing (looking at you, Flag Decal).
This album taught me that I can get behind country if the lyrics are actually meaningful, well done John Prine 👏🏼
Favorite tracks: Another Brick in the Wall pt. 2, Goodbye Blue Sky
My first time actually listening to this album! It definitely is unique and well crafted to tell a story, but goodness it is SO LONG. I would call it more interesting than enjoyable, there's a very slim chance I would listen to it in its entirety again.
Favorite tracks: Dream Brother, Eternal Life, Lover You Should Have Come Over
Wow, what a range on this album. A lot of these songs left me uninterested and wanting more at the beginning, only to give me more than I could ever have asked for as they continue. Beautiful voice and a truly unique sound.
Corpus Christi Carol and Eternal Life really took this album from 4 to 5 stars for me. Both came out of left field, but thoroughly impressed me!
Favorite tracks: Billie Jean, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Beat It
Legendary album, I will never tire of Billie Jean. I think the singles were well picked on this one, although I think the album is still strong as a whole.
Favorite tracks: Human, Lovely Head, Utopia
I really can't decide if I love or hate this. Some songs seem like they belong on a James Bond soundtrack, others remind me of a dystopian future, and some sound like Ross Geller is on keyboard. Going with a higher rating simply because they really caught my attention and did a great job creating a unique sound!
Also opening with that ominous whistling 👌🏼 excellent attention grabber
Favorite tracks: Penthouse Pauper, Born on the Bayou
Solid CCR album👌🏼They do a great job of blending genres, I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't like them
Favorite tracks: Run Charlie Run, Papa Was a Rollin' Stone, I Ain't Got Nothin'
This album had a good variety of styles and lyrics, it felt like a great representation of The Temptations' skills. I know Papa Was a Rollin' Stone is one of their biggest singles and I thought the lyrics were great but honestly the instrumentals in the first half were my favorite part.
I haven't really heard social issues be addressed in funk music, so Run Charlie Run really stuck out for me. I've never prayed so hard that my toddler didn't pick up a new word 😅
Favorite tracks: Month of May, Ready to Start, Modern Man
I would enjoy hearing this as background music in a coffee shop, but otherwise it really didn't do anything for me. It's fine listening, but I can't imagine why it's in this collection.
Good ambient music, but I didn't care for the vocals. I'm sure this style was largely unheard of at this time, so I do have to give them credit for that.
Favorite tracks: Deceptacon, Friendship Station, Hot Topic
Really liked this! Great punk start with the first few tracks and just when I started to get a little bored and it felt a little same-y I got hit with Friendship Station and it felt like a completely different album in the back half. Will definitely revisit!
(Except for The The Empty, which I really could not get behind)
Favorite tracks: Lazy Days, Pretty Boy Floyd, Pretty Polly
Very confused by this album - I haven't really listened to The Byrds, but I never thought of them as country. My favorite track was easily Lazy Days as it's the closest to rock, but I did also enjoy their storytelling tracks. This album is definitely the closest I've come to liking country!
Favorite tracks: Peace of Mind, More Than a Feeling
Holy cow am I kicking myself for not listening to this album in its entirety before now. Sweet guitar riffs, great harmonies, just a total powerhouse all around. I'm in awe that this is their first album and it was entirely played by one person. Not the deepest or most meaningful lyrics but boy is it a fun listen!
Favorite tracks: Teachers
This was mind-numbingly repetitive. I kept wishing there were lyrics only to see the error of my ways when Around the World came on. I will never understand the appeal of house music.
Favorite tracks: Lovefool, Been It, Iron Man
Who hurt this woman? They did an excellent job of making sad lyrics into complete bops. Will definitely listen again! Also, I'm a complete sucker for covers that cross genres.
Favorite tracks: Gin and Juice, Murder Was the Case
This album is hilariously and unapologetically Snoop Dogg. It started out great and I was pretty excited about it, but it slowly got more tedious as it went along. Sex, pot, and gangstas - I get it!
Then we got to Ain't No Fun, which really ruined the album for me, unfortunately. I don't think I've ever done such a quick 180 before due to a single line, which I can't even bring myself to type out in it's entirety:
"I had respect for you lady
But now I take it all back
..."
Big oof. That is not it.
Favorite tracks: Self Esteem, Come Out and Play, It'll Be a Long Time, Gotta Get Away
Man, what a classic! The singles are well picked on this one, and continue to be my favorite songs on the album. I found another song or two I enjoyed, but for the most part this album was just nostalgic for me. This was great as an angsty preteen/teen, but didn't quite hold up well enough as an adult. I suspect if I was unfamiliar with them I would only give 2 stars, but for the nostalgia I'll happily give them 4.
Favorite tracks: This Is Love, The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore
Overall, not impressed with this album. There were two tracks I would maybe revisit, but even those didn't wow me. It felt a bit like she was trying to be edgy, but never quite got there for me.
Favorite tracks: Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth, Every Day Should Be a Holiday, Good Morning, Minnesoter
I was pleasantly surprised to see this album on the list! High school Molly thought she was really cool for finding to this band. Great 60s psychedelic vibes brought into the modern era.
Rating this one is tough because I really love the songs I enjoy, and the rest I would be fine never hearing again. A lot of the songs felt just a little too long, and we're interspersed with largely instrumental pieces that really dragged to me. I'll go with a 4, but I can't deny that it was nostalgia that set me over the edge.
Favorite tracks: Cry To Me, Won't You Give Him (One More Chance)
This album was enjoyable, but the songs all centered around the same themes and sounded too similar for anything to stand out very much.
Also, I would have thought this was from the 50s rather than the 60s - it feels a bit dated for that time. Not a bad album, but I'm surprised it made this list.
Side note: taken as a whole, lyrically this album is such a red flag 😂 let the girl go, my dude
Favorite tracks: Rio, New Religion
I did not go into this album expecting to give 5 stars! I always thought of Duran Duran as a bit mediocre, but boy was I wrong. This album is so quintessential 80's and I loved every song!
Has this guy ever heard of a chorus? These songs have seemingly no structure to them. That paired with his voice that sounds a little half-assed at time made these songs drag on.
One of my least favorite albums so far on this list.
Favorite tracks: Lights On, Video Girl, Give Up
Favorite tracks: Simple Man, I Ain't the One, Free Bird
How was this their debut album? This is pretty much the definition of southern rock, and while it's not my favorite style of rock I really enjoyed this album. The composition was also great and kept me interested bouncing from harder rock to ballads, and of course ending on Free Bird (which is about twice as long as it needs to be, but is still a great listen)
Favorite tracks: I Found Out, Working Class Hero
Overall this was pretty boring, and the songwriting felt lazy. "Love is real, real is love"? I found myself rolling my eyes at a few of these songs. Definitely a disappointment.
Favorite tracks: Wearin' That Loved On Look, Power of My Love, Any Day Now
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would! To no one's surprise I much preferred good more upbeat tracks to his crooning, but I can see the appeal to both. I was pleasantly surprised by the social themes in some of the songs.
Favorite tracks: So Many Tears, Lord Knows, Dear Mama, It Ain't Easy
Me, a white suburban mom, all day: "It ain't easy being me, will I see the penitentiary or will I stay free?"
Dang, I'm kicking myself for sleeping on 2Pac. I always thought of him as gangsta rap and not much else, but a lot of these songs were very introspective and vulnerable. I'll definitely revisit a few of these songs, but some of the others still have a lot of the violent/misogynistic themes I prefer to avoid. I already love the 90s hip hop/rap era (especially compared to today's) and this really stands out as unique - stripped back with a focus on raw lyrics and vocals, with a bonus of some backing vocals.
Also, an intro of news clips about his shooting goes so hard, A+
This seemed like a more experimental version of REM. Unfortunately, I find REM a tad boring and the experimental part was more interesting than it was enjoyable. Not a bad album, but also not worth revisiting.
Favorite tracks: Be
I found most of this album to be a bit of a drag, which was a big disappointment with how much I enjoyed the instruments on Be. The only thing that set some of the songs apart from others are the featured guests, and having my ears perk up when someone else starts singing/rapping doesn't bode well for the album's artist itself.
As far as the lyrics go it felt like he was trying to be deep but never really got there. My top example is Faithful, where he talks about his relationship with God only to come to the conclusion that maybe cheating is bad - this right on the heels of GO! which is basically soft porn.
Overall not a bad album, but feels a bit generic.
Favorite tracks: Shadrach, Shake Your Rump, What Comes Around, Hey Ladies, B-Boy Bouillabaisse
Man do I love the Beastie Boys, and this album is a perfect example of why. They're unpredictable, innovative, and just plain funny. This album is maybe the height of their sampling, and it's near impossible not to groove along with them. I can understand the criticism of their voices and think that it is a bit of an acquired taste, but for me it was acquired a long time ago.
Starting a petition to bring back hip hop groups instead of vulgar rapper
Favorite tracks: Miss Chatelaine, Outside Myself, Season of Hollow Soul
A beautiful voice on a largely unforgettable album, unfortunately. Many of the songs either blurred together or quickly became (very pleasant) background music. I had to keep relistening to songs that I missed just to get some favorite tracks listed.
Favorite tracks: Lay Your Lovin' On Me, Stand Up
This album had a few fun songs, but overall it didn't wow me or stand out from other funk albums.
Favorite tracks: Piano Joint (This Kind of Love), Hero, Rolling, I've Been Dazed
Favorite tracks: You Can Make It If You Try, Everyday People, Stand!
Favorite tracks: SWLABR, Sunshine of Your Love, Strange Brew, Tales of Brave Ulysses
This is the exact sound I want when I go for 60s psychedelic rock. Iconic.
10/10, excellent album if I ignore Mother's Lament because wth was that
Favorite tracks: Running Up That Hill, The Big Sky, Jig of Life
This album was really fun, Kate Bush has a beautiful but completely unpredictable voice and style. A few bits were a little more experimental than I would care for, but this album definitely deserves its place on this list.
It was hard to really focus on any of these songs. The album was not explicitly bad, but sounded very generic and quickly became background music for me. Not sure why it made it on this list.
Favorite tracks: Southern Man, Tell Me Why, Till The Morning Comes, Birds
Favorite tracks: Break, Sum of Us, What's Golden
Definitely liked this album as a whole, but it lost a star for me because a lot of the backing tracks were just a little too boring. Acetate Prophets was really fun and I wish the same energy was there for the whole album!
Also, it's so fun stumbling upon a sample I know in the wild a là High Fidelity (5th Element by Classified)
Man, I just don't get the appeal of this band. Their music isn't bad, but it is just such a slog to get through.
This is probably the most mediocre album I've come across on this list so far. It wasn't terrible, but none of the songs seemed worth revisiting and it sounds like it came out about 15 years too late - I was shocked to see it was from the mid-70s and not 1960.
Favorite tracks: Where Is My Mind, Gigantic, River Euphrates
I struggled to rate this one because the songs I liked I really liked, but the songs I didn't like I really didn't. I'll definitely be adding a few of these songs to my library, but most of them I would be happy not to listen to again. They absolutely made the best decision in releasing Where Is My Mind as a single, it has that dirty guitar riff but is a lot more palatable than a lot of other tracks. Overall, this was a little bit too much garage rock for my liking.
Favorite tracks: Aladdin's Story, Soul Auctioneer
Most of these songs struck me as dull, but these two tracks I really liked and definitely redeemed the album for me.
Definitely some interesting things going on on this album, but the vocals are just so whiny. Not bad listening, but I also am not going to be the one to turn on Radiohead.
Favorite Tracks: Tears Dry On Their Own, Addicted, Wake Up Alone, Back To Black
Wow, this was incredible from start to finish! I love the modern feel of the album with Amy's soulful voice. It's devastating that she died so young, but she definitely made an impact in her short time here.
Favorite tracks: Hanging on the Telephone, Heart of Glass, I Know But I Don't Know, 11:59
I absolutely loved this album, every song was great. I'm kicking myself for not listening to more Blondie earlier! Spotify had two versions of Heart of Glass/Once I Had a Love, it's interesting to hear a song's evolution. Both were great, but I definitely think they picked the right one for a single release.
Favorite tracks: Coat of Many Colors, Early Morning Breeze, A Better Place to Live
Very pleasantly surprised by this album! I've never really taken the time to listen to Dolly as I'm not a big country fan, but I actually did enjoy listening to this. I've found that storytelling and vulnerability go a lot way for me, regardless of genre. I would gladly listen to more Dolly!
Favorite tracks: Solsbury Hill, Slowburn
This album was all over the place, I wasn't surprised to find out that it was Peter Gabriel's first solo album. There's definitely some good stuff going on here but there's so much variety that I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone who likes the album in its entirety.
Favorite tracks: Whisperin' While Hollerin', Time With You, Let the Drummer Have Some
What a fun album! I love the energy, but it felt like it dropped off as the album went on. The band seems to be genuinely having a good time and I'm sure they would be a blast to see live.
(Also yay Ohio!)
Favorite tracks: Tutti Frutti, Slippin' and Slidin', Ready Teddy
Truly iconic, what a voice! This was a really fun album, but it did start to get old by the end of it. I'm sure Little Richard absolutely killed it live in a club, but falls a little flat listening to him by myself in my living room.
Favorite tracks: Jane Says, Standing in the Shower...Thinking
I like Jane Says so I was looking forward to hearing the rest of the album and boy did it not hold up. A few good moments, but overall the vocalist gets old VERY quickly and the constant distortion borders on grating. In general it doesn't feel like I missed out by not listening to the whole album prior to this list.
Favorite tracks: Piece of My Heart, Combination of the Two
There's no denying that Janis has a crazy powerful voice, but after a song or two it really grates on me. Pair that with the overly distorted guitar on some tracks and I was ready for this album to finish by the time I was halfway through.
Favorite tracks: Money Money Money, Knowing Me Knowing You, When I Kissed the Teacher
Consider this my formal apology for thinking of ABBA as "that band that sings Dancing Queen." This album was great, and I will definitely be listening to many of these tracks again!
Favorite tracks: Harvester of Sorrow, ...And Justice for All
You can tell they're starting to transition from thrash to progressive metal with this album, which is definitely my preferred Metallica era 🤘🏼
