Simone has an extreme range vocally. Powerful and sweet at various times. Not an album to put on while doing something else.
Great play among the genres, with some downright groovy tracks and thoughtful. I just don't like Apple's singing voice.
Extremely nostalgic and cathartic listen. I haven't listened through the whole album, just some of the well known tracks (namely, the first three). But damn, this is emblematic of an album you must hear before you die. Atmospheric instrumentation with Bono's signature, powerful singing.
Very joyful. Emblematic of the rockabilly era.
A bit boring
Just really not my style. My friends all love Bruce and I was hoping to, too. What Bruce lacks in singing ability he makes up in enthusiasm! I was hoping for some unique instrumentation here and there.
What's interesting is that some songs remind me of the Clash albums. The grit and edge are strong.
Fun, weird.
I love a 15 min album. You can tell these shows were fucking crazy live. A little redundant to listen to in album form.
I was dreading a metal album but this is actually pretty groovy. Great guitar licks, bass playing and drumming.
God I love Steely Dan. This was easy listening, fun and funky. Nothing extraordinary.
THRILLED TO SEE THIS TODAY DROP IN MY INBOX. Great guitar links, subversive lyrics.
Not sure what the deal is with the out-of-tune singing. Acoustic guitar offers a classic 90s atmosphere. Ultimately DNF.
Super groovy but gets repetitive. I love this type of irreverent house music.
Very boring. Hard not to compare to Joshua Tree, which was so moving.
The inclusion of this album makes me wonder why we're messing around with some of the other albums on this list. One of the best of all time. Why am I listening to some tired ass music from the 80s and 90s? Who put that there? This is what we should be listening to. Lyrical genius: funny, introspective, and groovy to boot.
I've never sat and listened through this whole album. What a delicious exercise in nostalgia. I love the Killers, and the hits on this album still hit! I did find myself skipping through the tracks I didn't know already. Brandon Flowers has a habit of monotone singing. Great drumming and guitar licks.
As a thirty-something, I do think I've listened to Mr. Brightside enough times at weddings. Made it laughable to listen to it in this capacity.
A little boring. Others have called it "bar music" which I agree. Don't mind it. Probably won't choose to listen to it again.
Powerful singing and key slinging. I'd not sat and listened to Tori Amos before but she is a force!
Unfortunately very groovy with cutting lyrics. Coming a week after I listened to a Kendrick album, you don't have to look up the lyrics to hear what Eminem says or understand what he means. He is funny, horrifying and to the point.
A couple songs on here I totally love, namely Sunday Bloody Sunday. A lot of the tracks I skipped through though.
I understand the cultural impact this group has had on music and the scene. I did find myself skipping through many of the numbers (probably because I was playing catch up from previous days!) The sound reminds me of playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater on PS2. Great, gritty sound. Some of the tracks I had a hard time sitting a listening to-too repetitive or the spoken interlude.
I love some tracks on this one and have loved EC for years. Pump It Up is groovy and punky. I don't love Costello's singing voice and some of the tracks you feel like you're waiting for t hem to be over. I do find the lyrics super catchy, and often find myself saying "I don't want to go to Chelsea!" to myself.
Pleasant listening. Groovy, with lots of blues and folk influence. Some songs I skipped if Mick's singing was in no consequences territory.
Wow listening to his singing voice is a lot. But the sound and diction make his beautiful lyrics stand front and center. I like the sparse and jazzy instrumentation that set Cohen up.
I lot of songs on here I knew without knowing. I love the vibe of the album and the songwriting.
When I heard Constantinople, I thought "here we fucking go." But honestly, I couldn't stop listening! I love weird music and this is definitely the weirdest. Some of the same soundingness of the songs got boring. Agreed with some of the other listeners here that I'd rather more albums in this category of wacky shit than, say, 6 albums of Elvis Costello.
I like this. It's fine, good listening while I work.
Listening as someone who already loves this band. Makes easy jazz a little more interesting to listen to. Not my favorite album by this group but a good one.
I had no idea what to expect but the intro into the first song hit the spot. Atmospheric, nostalgic. Songs too long for what they're trying to do.
Looooove the beats engineered for this album. Definitely a top rap record. "Life's a bitch and then you die."
Fun! Reminds me of a joyful video game soundtrack.
Absolutely beautiful music with rich instrumentation. What a joy to listen to.
Extremely beautiful and strange, music that will make you feel. People do not like Ahoni's singing, but I find it so unique and honest.
I’m not sure I “had” to listen to this but it was fine. Makes me excited for the Clash and Ramones records on this list.
One of those classic albums I started this project for. This is sassy and fun.
I was really into a few of the tracks in college, but this whole album rocks. So groovy and gritty!
Classic disco fun. Better to dance to this album than listen.
What a joy! Dreamy and driving. I love the Iron Man cover.
Very delightful 80s pop, with sweet singing from Boy George. Some of the tracks I skipped because I found the repetition and singing annoying. Karma Chameleon is a forever bop, nonetheless.
Weird. A hoot. Devo is way more punk-y than I thought. Enjoyed listening until we got to the lowkey racial slur song.
Very lovely, atmospheric work. If this and Brian Eno opened the door for ambient music, I am grateful.
Electrifying! I love albums like this to hear the reactions of the crowd but also the chance to get to learn more about blues legends.
Eh. I don't like his singing voice all that much. Some bops but mostly uninteresting.
I like the pared down sound. Peaceful and prodding. But the album didn't grab my attention so much.
I love the xx! It's always such a groove. I prefer the debut album over this. Also, the arrangements are excellent but I don't love either of the singers voices. They sound like they are trying very hard to sing.
The album with "What's Love Got to Do With It!" I love this album. I liked the covers but prefer any original tracks.
Loved Theresa's Sound-World, but skipped most tracks. I get the feeling this was important to the evolution of punk and grunge but I prefer other artists in the genre.
Did I enjoy this? Well enough. Did I HAVE to listen to this before I died? Maybe.
I think live albums are great if you already love the music. Hard to listen to while working, which is how I go through this list.
Very specific note here, but you need to listen with both head phones, especially to the first track. I had my work headphones, which is Hannah Montana style. The guitar traveled back and forth. Wacky and weird and groovy as fuck. I love P Funk.
I was assigned this on the anniversary of Eddie Hazel's death. What a great tribute to an absolute god of guitar.
You DO in fact have to listen to this album before you die.
GOD this is so fun! I almost burst into tears hearing people sing along to the songs. 62 years later, what a joy to hear people's joy. And I love Sam Cooke's singing. I previously said on a live Johnny Cash album that it helps to know the artist before listening to a live album. I disagree with myself. This was so fun. Sam Cooke was a master of putting together a setlist.
Boring and sounds like the Beatles. Weird sound effects.
Sick licks on the guitar. I was bored and annoyed listening to this otherwise.
I'm a huge fan of music from all over the African continent, so this was a welcome change from middling albums from the UK. I would love to know more context of why Baaba Maal is important to Senegalese music.
Enjoyable music, fun. Joyful.
I do love the Kinks. This isn't the best of them but not a bad album either.
This was fine, not unpleasant listening. A little icky to hear the Beatles cover motown hits less well than the original, especially given the "borrowing" of work by Black artists of the time.
This was already one of my top 10 albums going in!! The musicality is unbelievable, with powerful lyricism and emotion. I think Lauryn Hill also showcases her mastery over multiple genres here. Long live Lauryn.
I think I did have to listen to a Pixies album. They are iconic. I found this album grating and boring, unfortunately.
Absolutely iconic singing and piano playing. You do get the sense you are listening to a blueprint for rock and roll.
Classic for a reason. I had never listened to a Billy Joel album start to finish and this was a great one to do! Some songs too long.
I like this! It does make me wonder why this made the list. It has less gravitas than other must-listen records. Very aligned with emo vibes of the time. Beautiful acoustic guitar and singing.
Love the Strokes. Didn't want to listen to this whole album at the same time.
Opened the doors for ambient/electronic music! A classic but I did skip most of the tracks.
I was dreading the amount of David Bowie on this list. This is really enjoyed however! Still not a fan of Bowies signing voice, and groaned out loud when the first track was 10 minutes long. But it was 10 minutes I got into because, you gotta have that funk.
I felt the stress melting off my body. Beautiful and boring.
This album rocks
Annoying singing about a disturbing topic with righteous guitar?
I liked the first song then struggled to listen through the rest. Not sure why this is on here.
I feel like this would be better live, as if I came across them playing on a beach. I could come and go, listen with a beer or a seltzer water.
No consequences music. giving me some whacky vibes to write this email to a contractor.
This is a bit nostalgic for me, but genuinely this is such a beautiful album. Norah Jones has a beautiful voice and the lyrics are so thoughtful. Lovely, sparse instrumentation.
Lovely. It makes me think the cult classics of the 60s and 70s were classic for a reason-especially very satisfying harmonies and instrumental prowess. You just don't get music like that anymore.
Decadent. Insane. I appreciate the Viking invasion of England as a topic of song lyrics.
Liked more than I thought
Should be on this list. I was just not in the mood.
Wildly creative but I could not get into it. Felt a little indulgent after so many songs.
Absolutely an album you must hear before you die. Great music and necessary to understand American popular music and folk direction it took through the 70s and now.
I wish this were just an Antonio Carlos Jobim album. Frank makes this album worse, frankly.
Was this interesting? Yes. Should it be on the list? No.
I love "Running Up that Hill," and Cloudbusting is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard. I started writing this too soon, because I hated the eponymous track and loved so much else. I definitely think this should be on here, there's nothing like it in a sea of Brit Pop.
Exquisite. Some of the singing was too grating.
I like Genesis. I love Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel. I am hoping for a better Genesis album.
I wanted to badly to dislike this as it seemed so pretentious. But dammit, I love Mussorgsky and this was such a weird and loving version of the original piece.
I liked the Hanging Garden a lot but otherwise really did not like this.
Some haunting and atmospheric works on here. But I don't think this is the best Arcade Fire album and it's hella whiny. I left an Arcade Fire show early because I came for the opener and people around me seemed more into it than I could be.
Absolutely hated the first track, but mostly this is a solid pop classic. I'm not sure if Swift is a lyrical genius, but she clearly is gifted in writing songs people love with lyrics they relate to. Lots of songs that remind me of college.
Iconic jazz. No consequences music. Definitely should be on this list even though I found myself thinking "What the fuck is happening" over half the time.
Beautiful playing and lyrics, I cannot do the voice right now
Extremely lovely
Definitely DEFINITELY should be on this list! Every song a banger.
I've been waiting for this one!! My top 10 albums of all time.
I dug this! Not sure why it's on this list in particular but super pleasant and fun listening.
"Holding Back the Years" is one of the most beautiful songs ever written for me. The rest is fun but not so interesting.
Some absolute bangers, generational defining songs. Among complete sleepers.
Some moments of real beauty but generally really boring. I love the album cover!
This was fun. The list has made me weary of random Brit bands but this is what great 90s music was about. Irreverance, sick guitar slaying, lyrics about not giving a fuck.
Groovy as all shit. "Master of Sparks" has this righteous second guitar thing creeping in the background. Everyone sounds great and sounds great together.
Can't find the full album but what I hear is very sad, Iron and Wine without the joy.
I listened to a few songs and didn't have patience for it. I'll try again when I'm older. If anyone's listened to the Series of Unfortunate Events books, one of the singer does original songs for that which is fun!
This is fine and fun. Didn't need to hear this before I died.
Pretty iconic
This is so odd and I can't stop listening.
Barely listened.
People love to hate Coldplay. I thought this was pleasant. Clocks is a beautiful song, I'll say it!! Sue me!!!
Cool to hear where certain samples came from but not an album I wanted to listen to the whole thing
I did not need to listen to this before I died
This is not what I want to be listening to right now.
From the first song, deeply satisfying music. Grunge at its best.
This is so very strange and beautiful. Haunting.
I don't mind this.
Sensational
Some interesting bits but mostly annoying. Why is this on this list.
Really savoring this, as I think there should be more Arctic Monkeys on this list. Great album, some of their others should be on the list as well or instead!
Way better than "Wish You Were Here!" Atmospheric and enjoyable at least.
Not a fan
A good album. A life-changing recording of "Hallelujah."
l love early hip hop. Not sure the relevance of this or why it's on the list. Some of the jarring piano playing got old.
What I like about this album has more to do with the non-Bowie contributions. I love the backup singers. I don't love Bowie's voice. Also I just generally love funk and groove. Thanks to the Black artists who made funk and groove possible!
People really SHOULD listen to this before they die. Because, dammit, we need to listen to weird music. We need to listen to pop and not resent it. We need to listen to people doing weird shit like this, too! Listenable and curiosity inducing, why the fuck not. Thanks Tom.
Another album I don't necessarily think I "had" to listen to before I died. I realized I knew "Answering Bell" and liked it! I just feel like this is very put upon.
Don't think this should be on here but wasn't totally unpleasant. Only listened to the first few songs.
Really lovely and dynamic. I listen to these often in the morning and this was just right for that.
A great punk album. I might be influenced by nostalgia.
This rocks. A little long
I love the Who and thought I was going to like this way more. It's a little annoying and droning.
A breath of relief to see this today. I love Otis and absolutely think this should be on the list. A talent of a generation.
A welcome addition to the list. Some iconic licks that you hear everywhere in other music and on TikTok
Sensational.
Magnificent storytelling, tight lyrics and musically satisfying.
A cozy and highly listenable album. With many of the British pop albums, I wonder why it is on this list.
Should be on this list by all means. Some of the tracks I didn't like as well but this goes hard in other spots.
Classic. Fun to hear a band I've heard only a few songs from.
You know, I think this list is actually an exercise in the author's personal nostalgia. I was hoping for more critically acclaimed and influential albums, and there are a lot of that. But you hit a record like this and are like why is this on here? When the Score by the Fugees is too?! Certainly I don't have to hear this type of rap when there are much better rap albums on the list?
I do have a bias against British rap. It's really just not for me. This album gets old quickly, with the guys style.
Skipping a lot based on the singing, it's tough! This album has righteous, heartfelt rock and it is not a nice listen.
Some familiar tunes on here which I enjoyed. Very repetitive but not unpleasant.
what the hell is going on here
Pleasant listening.
Baba O'Reilly and Won't Be Fooled Again are two of the great rock and roll songs.
This was nice listening and weird. Good background for work and I feel like a forerunner for the indie music of the 2010s
Knights of Cydonia is one of my favorite songs. Some real bops on here but some boring tracks as well.
I'm reading "A Brief History of Seven Killings" by Marlon James. A great co-read to this listen. A delight to listen to, with deep political messaging underneath.
This is fine. I loved the spare and intricate guitar playing but got lost with the vocals.
I'm with some of the many reviews here that says there's some talented playing on this album, but it just doesn't do it as a blues album. The best tracks have Black musicians playing their own music (Ray Charles, Robert Johnson...) and Mose Allison playing the fuck out of that harmonica. I would rather more classic Blues album from the US than this.
why on earth was that first track 20 minutes. sorry, dad, I know you loved these guys.
