Pretty intimidating album to get as my first one of this project. Punk/post-punk is not something I’m very familiar with, but I did my best to go in with an open mind. There are elements of this album that were almost enjoyable and the enthusiasm of the band is hard to ignore. It was definitely an interesting listening experience, but not something I’d ever revisit. Afterwards I decided to check out their album “The Long Goodbye” since I’m a fan of Raymond Chandler novels but the album made me slightly nauseous. I originally gave this a 2 and the first album of this project, but I’m switching to a 1.
Listened to the 2013 remastered version of this album. This is my second album of the 1001. Thus far in life I have tended to dislike music from the 80s. I realized looking into R.E.M. I actually do know and enjoy a number of their top songs, but have never given one of their albums a listen. Listening to Green, I quite enjoyed Pop Song 89 and Stand. What does it say about me that I favor the so called “fruit loop” tracks? Hmm. Orange Crush was also pretty good. Get Up and Turn You Inside-Out have more of that 80s rock sound that I don’t enjoy. I Remember California really has that sound I associate with Nirvana, which made sense when I read Kurt Cobain was a fan of this album. Overall, while I appreciate that they were trying different styles and instrumentals - the mandolin was a nice addition in my opinion, this is probably not an album I’d return to in full. 3/5
My parents played a lot of Bob Dylan when I was growing up and I came to love quite a bit of it. I haven’t really explored his discography on my own, though and while Blonde On Blonde was already in my library, I only recognized a few tracks. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 was new to me and is a party haha. Honestly I really enjoyed the high energy of this whole album. I was already a fan of I Want You, so that was my favorite track. Overall, this is a solid album that I would gladly listen to again. 4/5
Wasn’t super psyched about this one as I have tried to listen to this album straight through before and never make it all the way through. This came out a few years before I was born and I guess I just have never felt that level of aggression. I already was a fan of Come As You Are from the cover the cast of American Horror Story did in the Freak Show season, lol. Honestly, I mostly like Lithium & Smells Like Teen Spirit too. There are a couple softer tracks that offer a nice reprieve from the onslaught of angst. But the rest of the tracks are really hard for me to sit through, the last one especially. I was deeply relieved when it ended. Overall there are things here I can appreciate, a couple songs I would revisit, but the album as a whole is not for me. I originally gave this a 3/5, but now that I’m further into the project I think a 2 is more accurate for how I feel about this one.
Starts getting interesting with Living For The City. The funky groove of Higher Ground really hits in the middle of this album. Don’t Worry About A Thing is kinda fun. I enjoyed this as a break from the alt/punk/post-punk rock the generator gave me this week. However, I don’t think this is an album I’ll be returning to. There’s this smooth lounge sound to Stevie’s music that I’m not a fan off. 3/5.
I don’t think I’ve heard of Dusty before this. I see it’s an album of mostly covers and there may be some ethical concern with her choice of US soul music. Not sure what to feel about that part. Overall it’s an high energy album, it seems clear Dusty loved singing these songs, and it makes for a great listen. 4/5
First album I’ve gotten that’s in the 21st century and second album this week out of the UK. I am not familiar with a lot of hip hop, especially from outside the US. It was really interesting to hear hip hop from East London. It’s definitely got a UK flavor. Apparently it started the grime genre which I’d never heard of. I can appreciate the significance of this album, it’s experimental and a little playful, the beats are strong. However for me the tracks have quite a discordant sound that I found difficult to sit through for 15 tracks. I originally gave this a 2, but now that I have more albums under my belt I am adjusting my rating scale.
The album generator is stuck on UK albums this week which is kinda fun. I don’t think I’ve heard this Scottish group before. Seems their first album might not be my cup of tea, but this second one is off to a nice start! Feels like the perfect thing to listen to on a rainy morning like this. I’m adding this album to my library. 4/5
I was too young when this came out so I only knew the tracks that made it on the radio. I know the media was particularly harsh on female celebrities at this time and so I appreciate that Xtina was trying to stand up for herself and redefine herself with this album. Personally, I don’t love the R&B influence and lyrically I felt some of the songs weren’t at strong as Xtina was aiming for. I think for me this album is a 3/5
This album felt like they were just having fun, it’s playful, but pretty causal. That said I enjoyed most of it. I was already familiar with Psycho Killer which is a great song. These tracks have a similar sound to songs I love by The Proclaimers which came out about a decade after this album. I think this one is more of a 3.5/5 but I’ll round up since we can’t do half stars.
Back to the UK! Seems like good moody background music. I know Lovesong from Adele’s cover and honestly I prefer the emphasis she puts on it, the original is a bit bland. Disintegration is probably my least favorite track, the vocals have a whine-y quality that gets tiresome over 7 minutes. Overall, I was bored with this one and the sameness of the tracks started to bother me. 2.5/5
Ok, I was really vibing with the first two tracks. Breaking Down kinda lost me a bit. I see that this album was self produced and I think as another review noted, it really sounds like a demo and could have benefited from a bit more fine tuning. Most of the tracks I was a bit on the fence about won me over by the end with their high energy instrumentals. Overall this is one I’m happy to have experienced. For that I’ll give it 4/5
This is a good album. I enjoy a lot of Bob Marley’s songs and have listened to this album in full before. It’s good all the way through, but I’m partial to the tracks on the second half. 4/5
Another album by The Cure in the same week? Honestly not looking forward to this. I was fairly unimpressed with Disintegration. And this album might have a touch more energy to it, but it sounds just as repetitive and one note. I literally can’t tell when one track ends and another starts. I’ve never gone through a gloomy goth phase so maybe that’s the issue for me. Overall this album sounds really whiney and it got on my nerves. 2/5
I’ve heard of the Pixies, but I was not familiar with their music. It’s loud and rough around the edges. I guess I have heard Where Is My Mind? before, that track is pretty good. I could really do without all the screaming on this album, it makes this a very uncomfortable listen for me. I think for me this is like a 1.5.
Returning to this project after a month long break, and I’m very relieved the algorithm gave me a mellow album to ease back into things. I think I agree with other reviews that called this good background music. It’s a pleasant enough listen. Most of the choruses fall short for me. There Goes God did stand out though, haha. I would have liked to see more of the energy displayed at the end of the last track throughout the album. 3/5
Hmm, musically this is a decent album. Lyrically, it’s super casual, almost feels like stream of consciousness rather than a cohesive song. It’s humorous enough on a first listen, but it’s not really conducive to repeat plays. Honestly the further into the album I get, the more over this guys thoughts I feel. I think this is a 3 musically and a 2 lyrically. I’m going to rate this a 2 because I don’t think it’s possibly to block out the words when listening and after hearing all 47 minutes, it’s starting to sound really whiney and annoying.
Now this is more my speed. I was practically born on the bayou, but raised elsewhere. So I know about as much about bayou country as this band of Californians. Perhaps that’s why this album gives me a cozy feeling. I knew a few of tracks already, but the whole 34 minutes were very enjoyable. 4/5
As famous as Bowie is, I only know the title track on this one. I hate to say it, but I think Bowie’s music has always been too edgy/alternative for me even though the fan base is large. The title track “Heroes” is somewhat comforting it the fact that it’s familiar from having heard it numerous times before. The rest of the tracks leave me feeling slightly off balance and uneasy. Reading about the album this makes a lot of sense since it was recorded in the shadow of the Berlin Wall. I prefer some of the later tracks than the earlier ones. I think this was a 2.5/5 listening experience for me at best, guess I’ll round up to a 3 out of respect.
I’ve tried to listen to more of Elton John’s music before as I quite enjoy some of his most popular tracks including Tiny Dancer. However, I haven’t found much else I liked which makes me wonder if part of why I like the most played tracks is because they are familiar. Gave this album another try and for me it was just ok, nothing stood out beyond the first track. 3/5
I think every song I know by Led Zeppelin is from seeing clips of Jack Black. Honestly I was picturing him rocking out through the whole album, which made for a pretty fun listening experience. I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. It’s got a nice mix of styles. I particularly liked the more mellow “Tangerine”. 4/5
I was excited to have another album by a female artist, but I really wasn’t vibing with the angst and edginess on this one. I was honestly relieved when I got to the end of this listening experience. Sorry to say it was a 2/5 for me.
Absolute garbage. It’s unfathomable to me that this is an album deemed not to be missed. I refuse to believe I would have been missing out if I had died without ever hearing this abysmal noise. This is truly negative stars out of 5, truly upset that I am forced to give it 1.
I mainly know Common as an actor on Hell On Wheels, which is a top notch show. Musically this album is laidback and chill, if a little one note. Lyrically, I have a hard time looking past the stuff that didn’t age well. Enjoyable enough. 3/5
This album was a surprise. Reading the themes were loneliness and depression I was expecting to suffer through this like I did through albums by The Cure. Not the case here. This was a well crafted album from start to finish and I greatly enjoyed it. 5/5
Of course the title track is a classic, but I found the rest of the album kinda boring. This isn’t my genre, but I still expected more and I think I’m gonna give it a 2 based on that.
I didn’t listen to this album when it came out, but I do remember it being very popular. I agree with other reviews that whatever enamored listeners back then did not appear to age well. This felt like mainstream bland pop tracks with weird sounds layer on top just for the sake of trying to be different. It was nothing more than ok and I don’t get the hype.
This album is short and sweet. High energy catchy tracks right off the bat. Some are a bit repetitive, but the energy stays up and it’s a fun listen throughout. Solid 4/5
As I’ve said on a previous album, my parents played a lot of Bob Dylan while I was growing up so if his music is an acquired taste, I acquired it early. I love a Bob Dylan ballad, and this album has a bunch. The opener “Like A Rolling Stone” is my favorite. 4/5
Perfectly enjoyable listen, but nothing really grabbed my attention. Solid 3/5.
Now this was a surprise. This album went a lot of places and I enjoyed the whole experience. Definitely a highlight of this listening project thus far. 5/5
