My 1001 Albums Journey

Albums Rated

3.45

Average Rating

Complete

992 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1960s

Favorite Decade

Hard-rock

Favorite Genre

Top Origin

Polarizer

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5-Star Albums

1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Guitar Town Steve Earle	5	2.81	+2.19
Gold Ryan Adams	5	2.84	+2.16
Tuesday Night Music Club Sheryl Crow	5	3.06	+1.94
Pump Aerosmith	5	3.11	+1.89
Slippery When Wet Bon Jovi	5	3.29	+1.71
Eagles Eagles	5	3.3	+1.7
The Band The Band	5	3.36	+1.64
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs Derek & The Dominos	5	3.39	+1.61
Murmur R.E.M.	5	3.42	+1.58
Aqualung Jethro Tull	5	3.44	+1.56

You Love Less Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Innervisions Stevie Wonder	1	3.87	-2.87
Surfer Rosa Pixies	1	3.5	-2.5
Parachutes Coldplay	1	3.46	-2.46
One Nation Under A Groove Funkadelic	1	3.42	-2.42
Debut Björk	1	3.37	-2.37
Juju Siouxsie And The Banshees	1	3.33	-2.33
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady Charles Mingus	1	3.32	-2.32
Teen Dream Beach House	1	3.27	-2.27
Forever Changes Love	1	3.22	-2.22
Trans Europe Express Kraftwerk	1	3.15	-2.15

Artists

Favorites

Artist	Albums	Average
Beatles	4	5
Led Zeppelin	4	4.75
Queen	2	5
Fleetwood Mac	2	5
Pink Floyd	2	5
Van Halen	2	5
AC/DC	2	5

5-Star Albums (43)

View Album Wall

Popular Reviews

At San Quentin

Johnny Cash

5/5

This is a guy who knows who he is, who knows that not everyone likes who he is and who couldn't give a damn.

1 likes

Trans Europe Express

Kraftwerk

1/5

Nintendo Entertainment System music if written by the dancers on Sprockets.

1 likes

Fear and Whiskey

Mekons

2/5

Um, is this exercise making anyone else think maybe your taste in music is bad? If these are the best albums and I can't stand them....is that my fault or theirs? I think it's theirs.

1 likes

Isn't Anything

My Bloody Valentine

2/5

Not my thing. It doesn't make me glad to be listening to it.

1 likes

1-Star Albums (17)

Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman

All Ratings

Sheer Heart Attack

Queen

5/5

All Queen, all the time.

Slippery When Wet

Bon Jovi

5/5

Bon Jovi, the rocker who smiles. Greatness.

Queen II

Queen

5/5

Every Queen album had better be on this list.

American Idiot

Green Day

4/5

They've matured a bit but still have an edge.

Murmur

R.E.M.

5/5

Oh man, I love R.E.M. They formed a band even before they knew how to write songs, I think that's why they seem so unique and earnest. Love it.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Beatles

5/5

I love it. I want more of it. How many bands can do whatever the hell they want and it all sounds amazing and groundbreaking? Not many.

Blood On The Tracks

Bob Dylan

5/5

I think everyone should listen to this album once a week or at least once a month. Even the title is poetic and evocative. A whole book could be written about every song. This is Bob Dylan in his full power and glory. The songs are perfect.

The Cars

5/5

I love The Cars because their albums could easily be found in the collections or punks, rockabillies, mods, rockers, pops and more. They appeal to everyone while being true to themselves.

Led Zeppelin

5/5

What can we even say about LeD ZePPeLiN that isn't a superlative? They exploded on the scene and changed things for everyone. Every band after was inspired by them, whether they realize it or not.

Aqualung

Jethro Tull

5/5

Rock flute? Deep poetry? Snot running down his nose? I'm in.

At San Quentin

Johnny Cash

5/5

This is a guy who knows who he is, who knows that not everyone likes who he is and who couldn't give a damn.

London Calling

The Clash

4/5

These guys took some punk and used it to write timeless songs and helped forge the 80s. Thanks, y'all.

(What's The Story) Morning Glory

Oasis

5/5

Great Beatle-faced pop songs with a bit of an edge that, honestly, seems a little forced. I think they think they're kinda scary but I think they just studied their Lennon-McCartney and learned a thing or two.

Tusk

Fleetwood Mac

5/5

There's a truth carved in living rock somewhere that states that as one gets older Fleetwood Mac gets better and better. I think there's some adult experience necessary to fully connect with the music. I'm glad I've got that now.

Parachutes

Coldplay

1/5

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme

Simon & Garfunkel

5/5

Acoustic guitars, harmonies and weed. Potent combo. Timeless music.

The Dark Side Of The Moon

Pink Floyd

5/5

I so appreciate all the time and thought Pink Floyd put into their music. They are all talented enough to easily write pop music for everyone but they took the hard route and we're all better for it.

Peter Gabriel

4/5

This dude is weird but he can write a pop song. It'll be a weird pop song, BTWs.

The White Album

Beatles

5/5

Why not a triple album, boys? Come on! We want more!

The Joshua Tree

5/5

Holy crap. This album. This band. There aren't too many bands who have created their own sound and style like U2. This is gold from start to finish.

With The Beatles

Beatles

5/5

Putting these four goofballs together in one band is nothing short of miraculous. I often wonder if I'd rather have four really good bands - one for each Beatle - or just one Beatles. I always land on one Beatles but imagine what those four other bands could have done separately. That's a lot of great stuff.

The Wall

Pink Floyd

5/5

Meticulous. Odd. Grand. Emotional. Bleak. Redemptive. Honestly, if it was just a double album of the Comfortably Numb solos played back to back I'd never ever get tired of it. Perfection.

Rumours

Fleetwood Mac

5/5

There aren't many perfect albums. This is one of them, my friends.

Van Halen

5/5

We had no idea what was about to hit us then Van Halen entered our lives. Eddie is a revolution. DLR is a freak of nature. The songs are simply great. People will be listening to this even after humans colonize Alpha Centauri.

Eagles

5/5

This band is just stacked. There's no denying it. Normally, that much talent in one place causes huge problems. In this case, it also produced undeniable hits.

The Band

5/5

We don't need a clever name, we've got the songs. We could name ourselves anything and it will work out.

Graceland

Paul Simon

5/5

So much talent crammed into such a little guy.

Bat Out Of Hell

Meat Loaf

5/5

Guys, you're causing me to have a Meatloaf Flareup. That's when someone mentions Meatloaf then I've got to listen to Meatloaf non-stop for the next several days. I'm not mad, I just wanted you to know the power you have over me.

Led Zeppelin III

Led Zeppelin

5/5

The Mighty ZeP. This was the album where they fully realized that they could write whatever kind of song they wanted and didn't have to worry about pleasing the masses......and yet......they still pleased us. There are no rules, just rock.

Abbey Road

Beatles

5/5

How would we ever make it through this dingy life without the Beatles? It would really suck, my friends.

1984

Van Halen

5/5

OK. When the video for Jump came out it was on a 'battle of the videos'-type segment on MTV and it just kept winning. It's such a simple video but we loved it! I remember getting such a kick out of seeing Eddie laugh so many times during the video. I was hooked.

Appetite For Destruction

Guns N' Roses

5/5

Top Five Albums of all time for me. They had such a raw energy and a 'we don't give an F" attitude AND they had Slash. If I could be a part of any band in history, I'd want to be in GnR.

Celebrity Skin

Hole

4/5

Proof that reprehensible people can record great songs.

Ten

Pearl Jam

5/5

What a triumph. What a blessing that they helped make the guitar solo ROCK again. Great songs.

Back In Black

AC/DC

5/5

Come on. If you don't like this album, I don't what to know you. Seek therapy.

Foo Fighters

5/5

Tragedy turned into rock joy. I wonder if me and Dave would get along. He seems like the kind of person I'd want to hang around with. This album rules.

Guitar Town

Steve Earle

5/5

I love Steve Earle. Such great songs, such great aesthetic. There's some tongue in cheep combined with true, deep emotion. Seems like there's a lot of coping going on.

Tuesday Night Music Club

Sheryl Crow

5/5

This album is just fun. I want to be a part of the club. Full disclosure: When Sheryl was dating Eric Clapton, I wasn't sure who I was more envious of.

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin

5/5

Man oh man. This album is just so IT. Each of the four members of the band are easily in the Top Five of musicians in their respective instruments and they are connected telepathically by black magic or something. I would have probably signed the devil's contract too if I could make songs like these.

Trans Europe Express

Kraftwerk

1/5

Nintendo Entertainment System music if written by the dancers on Sprockets.

Good Old Boys

Randy Newman

2/5

Acquired taste. Taste not yet acquired.

Let It Bleed

The Rolling Stones

3/5

It's good to hear the Stones. This is kind of an odd collection.

Licensed To Ill

Beastie Boys

5/5

Fear and Whiskey

Mekons

2/5

Um, is this exercise making anyone else think maybe your taste in music is bad? If these are the best albums and I can't stand them....is that my fault or theirs? I think it's theirs.

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs

Derek & The Dominos

5/5

I'm a guitar player so Clapton will always be God. While with Derek & the Dominos, he really finalized his transition from various Gibson guitars to the Fender Stratocaster - completely revitalizing the instrument and becoming forever connected to it. Layla is a masterpiece on every level. The bluesy guitar on Nobody Loves You is so Clapton it hurts. I've always been impressed with all of the bands and collaborations Clapton participated in and how he brought his own sound but never overtook the main vision of the band. Who wouldn't want Eric in their band, even just for a minute?

Now I Got Worry

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

1/5

I like blues. I like good music. I don't like this.

Aftermath

The Rolling Stones

2/5

Innervisions

Stevie Wonder

1/5

My knowledge of Stevie Wonder has always been when there's like a big musical tribute or massive super band jam on a late nigtht show or awards broadcast and they introduce everyone and then, finally, they announce Stevie Wonder and everyone goes crazy and all the musicians are bowing and grateful...and then he really doesn't bring anything special to the mix. I'll admit that there's good instrumentation here and it's the grittiest I've ever heard Stevie's voice go but I just can't get into it. I'm sure this is my own fault but, whatever the reason, I just don't enjoy Stevie's music. Sorry man.

World Clique

Deee-Lite

2/5

Guys, I don't know. Groove is in the Heart is an awesome track and instantly memorable. Everything else sounds like someone hit the "Demo" button on a Casio keyboard then said weird things over it. I can see why this might be good music in a crowded club setting with lights and motion and alcohol. Not a great listen here at my desk.

Oracular Spectacular

MGMT

2/5

This albums combines a lot of things I like - deep lyrics, pop-sensible structure, guitar (or guitar synths)....but I don't like it.

I Am a Bird Now

Antony and the Johnsons

1/5

OK, what the hell is this? If I'm not cultured enough to get it, I'm glad for it.

The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady

Charles Mingus

1/5

All Things Must Pass

George Harrison

5/5

Full Disclosure: George is my favorite Beatle. I'm sure that affects my review a bit. There are some real classics here and it all seems so personal. I can feel the love that went into these tunes. I imagine him out tending to the lawn or clearing out old foliage then grabbing some tea and dipping into the studio to lay down some tracks then back out to trim the roses. I know that's not really how it happened but that's the image my heart conjured and I'm just gonna run with it. So many great influences here, Bob Dylan being my favorite. George is well aware of all the things that have passed by him and he's grabbed onto the things that resonated and pays tribute to them here.

Actually

Pet Shop Boys

3/5

This is definitely the Pet Shop Boys sound I expected. I always thought of them being more of an early 80s thing but this was 1987. I think it's pretty cool that this album was surrounded by GnR-Appetite for Destruction, U2-Joshua Tree, Michael Jackson-Bad. The 80s were just so great and musically diverse. I like Pet Shop Boys in small doses but I respect them for doing what they wanted to do and not just following everything else.

They Were Wrong, So We Drowned

Liars

1/5

Um. Am I about to be interrogated by the Gestapo? If so, I'll tell you anything. Just make it stop.

Crooked Rain Crooked Rain

Pavement

2/5

At first I felt like I might actually like this but it's just too low key, bordering on boring. I think that's kind of the idea but me no likey.

Debut

Björk

1/5

I was very scared to listen to this. Yep, Bjork scared me. It was not as scary as I thought, nor a weird. It's odd, to be sure and I don't want to listen to it anymore but not scary.

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

OutKast

2/5

White Light / White Heat

The Velvet Underground

2/5

Beyond Skin

Nitin Sawhney

1/5

Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman

John Zorn

1/5

Ricky Bobby: Nobody plays jazz at the Pit Stop! Jean Girard: Then why is the song on the jukebox? Bartender: We use it for profiling purposes. We also have the Pet Shop Boys and Seal.

Bryter Layter

Nick Drake

2/5

I had high hopes but it never gets much past 'it fine to be on in the background' music. I never wanted to listen to more.

Moving Pictures

Rush

3/5

I've tried my whole life to like Rush. I know they are beloved by many but I just can't get into it. This album has the two radio hits that I know and they are solid. I have no doubt that these three guys are super talented, I just don't enjoy those talents much.

Axis: Bold As Love

Jimi Hendrix

5/5

I really wish I could have listened to this for the first time, back when it came out. It's so bold and unique and earth shattering. It's still all those things today but it would have been amazing to experience this in the musical landscape that it was created in.

Pump

Aerosmith

5/5

I loves me some Aerosmith. This album was very much a part of my high school experience. Great songs, Steven Tyler is a crazy lead vocal, tons of range and so much attitude. The band is tight and rockin'. I did, however, come to the shocking revelation that as much as I love Aerosmith, I really don't love Joe Parry's guitar solos all that much. I'm a guitar guy so it's so weird to be able to over look that and still enjoy the music as much as I do. It's all about the songs, my friends.

Moondance

Van Morrison

4/5

I really like VanMorrison and this is a great album. I couldn't tell you any specific song, I just enjoyed the whole flow in the background as I worked.

Young Americans

David Bowie

4/5

I'm just glad that whichever record exec gave Bowie a chance had the guts to do it. This album is all over the place with style and genre and Bowie eats it up. He'll do what he wants, when he wants and some great sound came from it.

Live At The Regal

B.B. King

5/5

B.B. King is amazing and does so much with so few notes. I had a chance to see him years ago and I didn't take it, I've always regretted it.

Gold

Ryan Adams

5/5

I loved it. I'd only known Ryan Adams from a couple radio hits. This album was great. There's a Bob Dylan quality to the subject and lyrics but sung with an great voice. This is a good one.

Isn't Anything

My Bloody Valentine

2/5

Not my thing. It doesn't make me glad to be listening to it.

This Year's Model

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

4/5

This music seems so urgent and yearning, someone who doesn't have the social skills to express the strong emotions they are feeling. I kinda feel bad for it but I also like the music it created.

Buena Vista Social Club

3/5

Yep, this is Spanish music. It's solid and it's not something I'd ever really listen to but I can feel that passion in every note.

Court And Spark

Joni Mitchell

2/5

I know that Joni Mitchell is one of those artists that I'm supposed to respect. This music was very hard to listen to. The songs tell long stories but don't have the time to tell them so the lyrics are very mashed together and come out like exposition. Oh, and the stories are not interesting. Not my favorite.

Ritual De Lo Habitual

Jane's Addiction

2/5

I'm just not a fan. I like music that makes be glad I'm listening, this stuff just kinda makes me regret it.

Melody A.M.

Röyksopp

3/5

Is it a problem that I kept forgetting that I was actively listening to this album. I don't want to listen to this again but, if I did, I probably wouldn't realize it anyway. If that's what they were going for, then I give it 5 stars.

Don't Stand Me Down

Dexys Midnight Runners

2/5

Physical Graffiti

Led Zeppelin

4/5

I love me some ZePPeLiN. There are some powerhouse tunes on this one but there's a lot of filler as well. They had earned the power at this point to do whatever they wanted, I wish what they'd wanted to do was write a few more classics. That said, I still love it. As the sage Wayne Campbell once said, "I mean, Led Zeppelin didn't write tunes everybody liked. They left that to The Bee Gees..”

One Nation Under A Groove

Funkadelic

1/5

Antichrist Superstar

Marilyn Manson

2/5

I listened to Beautiful People then stopped.

Juju

Siouxsie And The Banshees

1/5

I'm starting to think that someone is messing with me. Somebody thinks this is a great album? I bet even Siouxsie doesn't think this is a good album.

Bummed

Happy Mondays

1/5

Rubbish.

Seventeen Seconds

The Cure

2/5

You know, it's just kinda boring. Very atmospheric and there's some uniqueness to that but I don't see myself remembering or recognizing any track 3 minutes from now.

Surfer Rosa

Pixies

1/5

I've heard bands that I like say Pixies were an influence.....couldn't possibly be from this album.

Sister

Sonic Youth

1/5

Oh man, 1987 was an amazing year for music, one of the best ever. Not this album, though.

Forever Changes

Love

1/5

....I'm starting to lose faith in this whole 1001 albums to listen to before you die. I'd like a few of these to play AFTER I die.

Teen Dream

Beach House

1/5

Kind Of Blue

Miles Davis

4/5

So smooth. I wish I liked this music more but I know that it is quality and groundbreaking. I never knew the trumpet could make me have the feels like this.

Bad

Michael Jackson

5/5

I didn't realize how much I missed Michael Jackson until today. He was a phenomenon never to be duplicated. How could one album have so many hits? I grew up in the age of MJ and I'll never forget it.

Ready To Die

The Notorious B.I.G.

3/5

I am definitly not a hip-hop guy. There are some records that resonate with me. There were a few tracks here that I could listen to again.

Arc Of A Diver

Steve Winwood

3/5

I know that other musicians love little Stevie Winwood. Nothing wrong with this album, just a little too mellow for me. It's solid, just not my jam.

A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse

Faces

3/5

That's quite the title, boys. I'm a sucker for this kind of music, bluesy, rocky, British, organ, Rod Stewart. It's a fun time even if it is a bit homogonous.

The Yes Album

Yes

2/5

No.

Highway to Hell

AC/DC

5/5

Gritty, dirty, rude, awesome. AC/DC gets guff for 'writing the same song over and over.' Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, mate.

Cross

Justice

2/5

I'm sure there are people who love this and I'm sure it would make great background music for some kind of John Wick night club action scene but I'd never listen to this on its own.

The Trinity Session

Cowboy Junkies

2/5

I don't hate it but I don't like it very much. It just seems so quiet.

Green Onions

Booker T. & The MG's

3/5

Recorded in a time before singing was invented.

Birth Of The Cool

Miles Davis

4/5

I know this is cool on an intellectual level and it is by no means unpleasant. It's just not my cup of Diet Pepsi.