Takes me back to being 26 and having no idea what I truly liked. This is not my style, but I have a soft spot for this album and its harmonies.
Another one that takes me back to figuring out my musical tastes. A (quiet) banger of an album.
I hate Green Day, not looking forward to listening. Hopefully some undiscovered gems. They made this into a stage musical after all.
After listening: I can see why this translated well into a musical setting. Lots of musical tropes with a rockabilly twist. The best music I’ve heard from Green Day. Unlikely to listen to it again, but I’m impressed. 3.5 rating overall
Classic album from my youth. All my friends loved Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Hole. Grunge hit just as I hit high school. Who can forget the first time they saw the videoclip for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Zero idea of what to expect. Never heard of this artist or album. Pleasantly surprised with melodic slide guitars, country lyric tropes, charming harmonies and a short run time.
I really don’t get the Beach Boys. And there is whistling. No thanks.
Finally some heavy metal! The last few albums generated for me have been folksy country - genres i wouldn’t normally listen to. I’ve discovered some gems, but Slayer is already a fave.
Not looking forward to this. Christina has a fine voice, but from what I recall of the singles of the era, these are too clean and pop for my tastes. Here we go…
3 songs in, and I am prepared to admit my original feelings were wrong. This album is great. I think I have singles fatigue. Ain’t No Other Man gets too many spins.
End of the album. Sorry I doubted you Christina. 4/5 stars.
Oh no. There’s a second disc. It’s dragging down the score to a 3. Really should have thrown disc 2 in the bin.
Some “world” music making it int the list. I hate that term for such a diverse array of music that falls outside of Western norms. I’d only heard his collab on 7 Seconds (owned the single on cassette tape!) and that’s all I knew going in. I enjoyed it more than expected. Could only listen via YouTube, so I’m missing depth in the mix. The instrumentation and vocals are insane. Not an album I’d put on high rotation, but very happy to have been exposed this once. 4 stars.
Never been a huge Anthrax fan. This is fine. Not going to top their contribution to the Judgement Night soundtrack. Solid 3/5
Hell yeah Bob Mould! Never got around to listening to Sugar, but I love Husker Du. Very excited to give it a spin.
Exactly what I expected. Love this. 4.5/5
80s synth pop. About time. Another solid 4.5 rating to an album I’ve not listened to in full before today. Well aware of Talk Talk, but I assumed they were another Duran Duran/Human League/insert New Wave band here clone. I was wrong.
This is unfair. I was brought up listening to Neil Young - he’s my Dad’s favourite artist. Such a nostalgic fave for me and I can’t rate objectively. 5/5 for Neil.
Another album I’m not excited about. Lemonheads are too slacker grunge bland for my tastes. Let’s see if a forced listen will change my mind.
Not as boring as I feared, but won’t listen again. 2.5/5, straight down the middle.
I’ve only ever heard “Lowrider” by Wat. Excited to see what they’ve got!
Genuinely enjoyed my first listen. The Cisco Kid was a highlight. Heard a few samples from this record on hip hop albums. Some space jazz grooves with plenty of funk. Not my usual taste, very happy to be exposed. 3.5/5
The only song I know at a glance is “You Got Me Floating” and that’s because PM Dawn covered it. Generally only know the huge Jimi hits, never listened to a full album. I’m not a guitar nerd. Let’s see how this goes.
It’s fine. You Got Me Floatin’ is my pick. The rest of the album is meh. I guess hippie psychedelic rock isn’t for me.
Those harmonies! Confident piano, wailing guitar…unexpected fave from this project. I’ve been sleeping on Steely Dan for too long.
I didn’t realise I knew half of these songs already. My parents were of the right era, but this wasn’t their taste. My first listen to a whole Steely Dan album.
I’m pretty sure I’ll like this. I was a little too young to appreciate Pavement when Slanted and Enchanted came out, but I remember liking later singles. First time giving it a full listen.
Thoroughly enjoyable pre-grunge fuzz rock. 4/5. Would listen again.
Oh no. Not bad, but not for me. 2/5
Slick production. Never inspired to listen to a Lorde album based on her singles, unlikely to listen again. Fine, just not my taste.
I have no idea what to expect.
Ok. The musicianship here is 10/10. But I don’t enjoy this sort of big band jazz. I would probably love this in a live setting. Too tedious as the soundtrack for my afternoon walk. 2/5 to rate it in line with albums I’ve felt the same way about.
An album I know inside and out - bought the week it was released. Medulla didn’t come out long after Dancer in the Dark - another Bjork album that relied on incidental sounds. I love her approach of relying on vocal instrumentation. Easy 4/5. Deducting one point for some of the tedious moments that come from listening with fresh ears.
Core memory unlocked - bought the videoclip for Oceania to watch on my iPod video
Another nostalgic fave. I love how simple and stripped down the music is. It may seem too basic in comparison to the rap music made today, but it’s an easy 4/5 from me.
I know the title track and that’s it. Excited to hear more from Marvin.
Enjoyable R&B. What a voice! Not something I’ll return to, but glad I’ve listened to more than just the singles. 3.5/5
Not convinced a live album is the way to be introduced to a band I know in passing. I knew the song Kick Out The Jams and that’s it. I know they’re wildly influential. Maybe you had to be there. This live album is not it. 2/5 because this still beats the only record I’ve given a 1/5.
Concerned as I’ve found I’m not a fan of 60s Psych Rock. The name and cover lead me to believe it’ll be filled with 60s Psych Rock. Let’s go…
It’s an hour and a half, 27 songs.
Not bad! Def not as “psychedelic” as I feared. More jangly guitar songs and awkward lyrics. Kinda adorable. I’ll be generous with a 3/5. Won’t relisten, but I enjoyed a taste. Also quickly realised that that the version on Apple Music is a “remaster” so not a full 27 song album. The original recordings (in Mono) then a stereo desk mix run. I’ve stuck with the original recordings. 11 songs of this is totally doable.
FUCK YEAH! The video clip for Black Hole Sun blew my 12-year old brain. Immediately bought the CD single with pocket money. My sister received the album on cassette for Christmas. Tape is harder to skip around, so I’ve listened to this album in full more times than I can count. 5/5 RIP Chris Cornell.
A live album that sounds like love and care was put into recording it. Competent sound engineering! Finally! All instruments crisp and clear. The audience noise adds to the vibe without creating a muddy mess of the audio. I feel like all of the live recordings offered to me on this list thus far have been a pain to listen to.
Not my style of music, but I’m rating it a 4 for that fact alone. Lively. I may not have the Blues, but I enjoyed this a lot.
Not another Psych Rock album! I’m sure they’ve inspired a tonne of bands I do like (Looking at you Dandy Warhols) and for that I’m grateful. Some gems. After a slow start, I really enjoyed the middle of the album: Get me to the World on time, Sold to the highest bidder, Try me on for size… but too many wrong turns on the journey. 2.5/5
Not a Tom Waits album I’m familiar with, but I do like Tom in general.
Tom Waits is Tom Waits-ing all over this album. Love. 4/5
One of my least favourite Bowie albums. It always felt pedestrian. It’s still Bowie, so points for musicianship. Hate hate HATE the cover of Across the Universe. Gotta rate this a 2/5.
No thank you. I don’t generally enjoy Country music and this album had zero redeeming features. I suppose it was well recorded. 1/5
Having a run of music I’m unfamiliar with. Not my jam, but it’s a fun album. 2.5/5
I love A Tribe Called Quest. Haven’t listened to this in full for such a long time, but it holds up. Easy 5/5
Something else from my teen years. My kind of electronica. Fun and easy. 3/5. A few duds but solid overall.
I loved this album at the time. Does it hold up?
Amy sounds fab. Love the Mark Ronson production. I must’ve been going through something at the time, but it doesn’t hit the same way. Still giving it a 4/5
RZA and GZA released my favourite solo Wu Tang Clan efforts. This is a solid entry. Ghostface always performs better with others. 3.5/5
Haven’t listened to this album since a guy I had a crush on recommended it to me in my early 30s. Over 10 years later, let’s see how this holds up.
Had to give the album a second listen. First time I was out running errands. Pink Moon requires your full attention, otherwise easily drowned out by sounds of life. Everything is so delicate. Lovely. No need to add to my regular rotation, but this album absolutely deserves a place on the list. 5/5
Iconic act. Lucky to catch them live a few years back. Such a great album, I left it on repeat while i cleaned the house. 5/5 good vibes.
One of those acts I loved in the indie sleaze 2010s era because they weren’t as pop and polish.
Listening with fresh ears and this album is a product of its time. Still really enjoy the dreamy shoegaze elements. I need to go back and relisten to all of those old Deerhunter albums. 4/5
My favourite Radiohead album. Don’t need to listen to know this is a 5/5
I’m not a person who slavishly follows and enjoys Radiohead. Fell off around In Rainbows, but Kid A and Amnesiac are up there on my personal favourite album list.
We ride tonight!
This was fine. I know they influenced some of my favourite bands. I liked it, but wasn’t blown away.
I only know Rod’s crooning era. This is a rollicking good time. Some blues. Some folk. Slide guitar. Those raspy vocals. I enjoyed this much more than I expected. Not my thing, and I won’t be seeking out more Rod. Solid 3/5.
Violator is a favourite album and I swore I’ve listened to all DM had to offer. I haven’t. I knew the main single and that was it. This is how I like my DM - moody, synthy, dark. Adding this to the regular rotation!
Yereeaaaahhhhhh boooooiiiiii.
Iconic. Influential. Not one of my faves, but I appreciate what Public Enemy have done for rap music. Love the Anthrax collab. 3/5
This project has started disturbing my Apple Music algorithm. Random artists from my previous listens end up in my “radio station”. Most of the time it’s great! Apple knows I’m expanding my knowledge and throws me new tunes from newly discovered faves. But then there are the bad ones. Latter day ABBA. That terrible Beach Boys album. I fear the Flamin’ Groovies are on that list. Not for me. 1/5.
This project has started disturbing my Apple Music algorithm. Random artists from my previous listens end up in my “radio station”. Most of the time it’s great! Apple knows I’m expanding my knowledge and throws me new tunes from newly discovered faves. But then there are the bad ones. Latter day ABBA. That terrible Beach Boys album. I fear the Flamin’ Groovies are on that list. Not for me. 1/5.
Nothing else reminds me of being 20 something than this album. Do I want to go on that trip down memory lane?
Not many standouts besides the three huge singles. The Handshake is good. Don’t mind Future Reflections. 3/5
I have no idea what to expect, but check out those outfits!
They’ve gone all in on “flute”. Wouldn’t say this is truly “Psychedelic Rock”. Hints of, for sure, but this feels much lighter and airy compared to much psych rock. Really enjoyed how clear and bright everything sounds.. Despite some weirdness - is that a bicycle bell? - I enjoyed this more than I had any right to. 4/5
Infamous recording and performance. Amazing artefact. The audience participation adds so much to the listening experience. Do I like Johnny Cash? No. But this album is fantastic.
Oh no. Bland commercial jazz incoming! I did listen to the whole album. Norah has a lovely voice, but not for me. Rounding up to a 2/5 because I enjoyed I’ve Got To See You Again. Handing out 1 star ratings to irredeemable listens.
Orbital sampling Sydney pedestrian crossing signals way before Billie Eilish. Throwback to raves in Uni days and attempting similar sampling techniques in my “audio” classes. 4/5
Liars rock. Amazing to catch live. 5/5
Everyone I know loves Liars, so I wasn’t expecting the bad reviews. Maybe you had to be there in the early 00’s? Was it a Pitchfork thing?
Another classic album from Neil. Know this album well - my parents are huge fans and they played this record constantly. It’s not just nostalgia. This album is seriously good.
Another classic album from Neil. Know this album well - my parents are huge fans and they played this record constantly. It’s not just nostalgia. This album is seriously good.
Having a problem with my old reviews overwriting a thoughtful take on the new album I’m trying to review. An option to edit submitted reviews would be really helpful! I seem a little scatterbrained otherwise.
On this album (I hope!) - really enjoyed Simz. Been meaning to give this album a listen. 35 mins of killer, no filler. New fan!
Harkening back to the garage 2-step British rap I was a fan of in the early 00s
Oh no. I really wasn’t looking forward to the day The Beatles would end up in my list. Never liked them. No nostalgia attached. Maybe not the best album to be served up as a first album full listen.
Unexpected gem. Would listen again when I need some peppy jazz music. Replayed in the car - perfect driving music. I kept forgetting this was a live session until the audience clapped after each song.
I wouldn’t have thought I was an Eagles fan, but this is basically a smoother Crosby Still Nash Young album. Loved the two openers, but the middle fell off. I draw the line at birdsong and banjo. Great song to finish (or at least better than the proceeding tracks). 2/5 for the bangers.
LOVE. Always have a good time with a Sonic Youth album.
Finally got some Prog in my list. Loved my first time listening to of a Jethro Tull album in full. All I really knew going in was that there would be a lot of flute. Thick as a Brick. I always think of this style as 70s wizard rock. These guys inspired a lot of goth/folk/prog/metal bands that I love. Especially Opeth. Will be adding Jethro Tull to regular rotation. 5/5.
Overwrought gothic whimsy with a punk edge. Loved the orchestral elements. Some of these lyrics are a bit much. Solid 3/5. Others did it better.
Never heard of this band or album. Opened the link in Apple Music, very surprised it was released in 1999. As a teen in 99, I was obsessed with finding and listening to as much music as possible. How did this escape me? Two seconds in and I understand why. This album is bland, uninspired faff. I hate it. How the hell did this album make the list of albums I HAVE TO HEAR. Really didn’t. 1/5.
Did they do this on purpose? Yes. Checking everyone else’s review dates, this album lands in your list on Christmas. It’s kinda cute. What isn’t cute is Phil Spector. I enjoyed these takes on Christmas staples. Or did this album make them staples? Either way, this was a fun album. What isn’t fun is Phil Spector. Let’s give it a 3/5 and move on.
I liked the first few Black Keys albums, this was where I fell off. Giving it a listen in late 2025 I feel the same. Songs are fine the band are very tight. Their aged blues aesthetic works. But it’s much more commercial. Even Danger Mouse can’t save these tracks. I understand how this album landed on the list, but I’m still not a fan of latter day Black Keys. 3/5
I loved this album as a teen. Of course I loved Bjork first, then discovered the Sugar Cubes record crate digging at a vinyl fair. Holds up! Rating this classic 4/5. Wish I still owned that vinyl…download will have to do.
First full album listen of a ZZ top record. I knew the singles - all big dumb catchy numbers that were stuck in my head all day. The rest was pedestrian. The same chugging guitar and zero tempo changes in the drums. Big beards and dumb lyrics can only take you so far. 3/5
Killer record. DJ Shadow’s magnum opus. 5/5
Before today I wouldn’t have counted myself as an Elvis fan. We all know the big hits. The dance. The outfits. But this felt pure and fun. Something my conservative Nan would have loved back in the day. 4/5
Second live Johnny Cash album I’ve been assigned in almost as many weeks. I’m becoming a Cash convert. The banter is as much as a star as the songs. 4/5
No thanks. I’ve never liked anything from these two. Listening to a full album was torture. At least it was only 30 mins. 1/5 that single star is for giving The Bangles a great tune to cover.
Not a reggae fan. But I did enjoy this more than I expected. Went back to listen to some of my faves as soon as the initial listen was over. I suppose Bob Marley is a legend for a reason. Would be perfect tunes for a sunny arvo with bevs. 3.5/5
Yes I might have been introduced to EVOL after a cover of Starpower was performed on Gossip Girl, but what of it? 4/5
I LOVED this album when it came out. Listening many years later, I have perspective. There are too many skits. Still a tent pole album. But 3/5. Sorry Slim.
Loved it. Big heavy grooves galore. 4/5
Only aware of Beta Band thanks to High Fidelity. What an album! I was really surprised at the range. I would have thought they were more sad acoustic and preppy. 4.5/5. Knocking off half a star for a few dull moments.
Perfectly fine. Not a fave yet a good listen. 4/5 but not a regular spin.
A second Bob Marley album in a week? I can’t handle this much reggae. Apple Music will start recommending more of the same in my feed! But then again, I didn’t mind the last album.
This was real good. Do I like reggae?? 3/5. Very confused.
There are 4 versions of this album on Apple Music. After wading through to find the version with the fewest tracks (12, in Mono) I sat through 36 mins of ok commercial rock that was probably edgy at the time. Not my thing. “I’m a Man” cover is particularly egregious, followed by “A Legal Matter”. 2/5
From reading some of the other reviews it looks like I’ll have a lot more The Who to listen to down the line. Yay?
Loved it! This is why I wanted to do this project - expose myself to music I wouldn’t have come across organically. 5/5
Had to give this a second listen before I could get into it. I always thought I loved this album, but the first listen didn’t hook me and I started questioning my assumed love of all Bowie. Second time around worked a treat. A short but solid entry from Bowie’s Thin White Duke era 3.5/5
Less bombastic than Back to Black. It seems wrong to say that an album with heavy-ish lyrical content is a breezy jazzy listen, but that was my lasting impression.
Cut a few tracks and this album would land in my regular rotation. 4/5
Whenever I need a mood booster, I pop on “Greatest”. Duran Duran have plenty of amazing hits. Their album tracks also deliver. Rio is simply bop after bop. No misses. 5/5.
Props to the bass lines and sexy saxophone.
I come at this live album as a Van Morrison virgin. The band sounds tight. Does Van always sound like he’s over singing and chewing on every lyric? This album is by no means something I will ever listen to again, but it was a fine intro to Van Morrison. A bit long, but I suppose we get the full concert experience. 3/5.
Lightweight fun with a drop of weird. 3.25 stars
The drums sound like they were recorded in another room filled with blankets. Muffled into oblivion. Cream are known for the guitar riffs and they deliver here. Sunshine Of Your Love slaps. The rest can stay in the 60s. Vocals are so thin. Agreed wholeheartedly with the I hate Eric Clapton sentiments expressed others. I would be more understanding if Mothers Lament was a Monty Python skit. 2/5 for Sunshine and Tales of Brave Ulysses .
Loretta has a great voice. If I enjoyed country music or woman singing about shitty husbands I would have rated this album higher.
J Dilla sampling The Worst Band in The World was the best thing that ever happened to 10cc. Too many ideas per song. I’ve listened a few times through and I still don’t know if I like it. 2.5/5 I suppose?
I love Massive Attack, but I don’t love all of their tracks. Blue Lines carries a few classic tracks (Safe From Harm, Unfinished Sympathy) and all of the hallmarks of early Trip Hop. Hard to believe they were so fully formed on their debut, but I would recommend later MA albums over this one.
Experimental noisy genius.
I’m glad this album was on the list so I could be exposed to music I wouldn’t seek out. But I found this really boring even though I tried hard to appreciate the soft harmonies. Tainted by Paul Simon.
I can’t be objective. Daniel Johns (silverchair) said this album was one of his faves so 14 year old me (massive silverchair fan) hunted it down and has been listening ever since. Haunting and poetic post-rock. 5/5
I’ve now listened to this album in full over 8 times in 24 hours. Washer and Good Morning Captain are divine. All tracks rate highly. 14 year old me was onto something. Putting Slint back in regular rotation.
Trivia - Will Oldham aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy took the cover photo. Makes me love this album even more.
This was fine. I’ve never listened to a full Elvis Costello album and I liked it a tonne more that I thought I would. Some odd moments. Not prepared for a dash of reggae. Elvis’s voice grates occasionally. 4/5 to be generous.
Funky. Sampled to death. Liked this so much more than I expected to.
Bit too bluesy for my taste. And yet another live album.
My favourite Iron Maiden album remains Powerslave. Their self titled debut showcases what was to come for Maiden. Solid riffs. Thrash metal incarnate. 4/5
I was 8 when this album came out so it went over my head. I’m sorry Sinead. Your voice is intense. Pure. Loved this record. There’s a very 90s feel to the guitar forward tracks. 5/5. Rip.
More Sonic Youth? This is the third SY album thus far. Not mad about it, but I’m sure there are more bands deserving of a place. Anyway! A great album overall. Feeling charitable- full marks.
Funky. Sexy. It’s Prince. 5/5
Second Iron Maiden album in the space of a week 🤘looks like this album was released a week before I was born and has aged just as well as I have. 5/5
This is beautiful. I’ve been handing out full marks left and right these days. But this album needs full marks. I’ve been hooked on Leonard ever since my first watch of Pump Up The Volume. Would LC care that I associate him with a hot Christian Slater? Anyway, getting off track trying to bring some levity to this final album from Cohen. Stunning. 5/5.
No. No. No. No. No. I cat stand Oasis. It’s not a Blur v Oasis thing for me. Brit Pop not my thing.
This album gets a 2 for being the one that doesn’t have Wonderwall on it. Every song sounds the same.
I was dancing in my seat during work hours. Not an album I’m adding to regular rotation, but it was a fun listen. 4/5.
Eeeeewwwwww. Noooooooo.
Ok, now that I’ve gotten my initial impression out of the way (never heard an AM single on the radio that I enjoyed) I have to say I liked the album much more than expected. The non-single tracks hold up. I wouldn’t have thought so until I was “forced” to listen to an entire album. Still not a fan, but their esteem has risen. 3.5/5
I don’t understand the Swifties. Not for me. I’d be happy never hearing Shake it Off ever again.
I’ve never purposely listened to a TS album. Not surprised by how many tracks I recognised - she’s inescapable at the gym, on radio, in tv shows… I desperately want to give this a 1 star before listening, but the production saves it from being the worst of the worst. 2/5
As an Aussie born in the 80s, this was the music I was brought up listening to. Hard to separate the nostalgia from the sounds, but I can’t understand the low rating by others. Not The Triffids best (Born Sandy Devotional. Classic.) but up there in the pantheon. So very 80s. 4/5
Gimme Shelter is a banger. The rest of the album bops along without any tracks standing out. 3/5
Happy to be exposed to sounds outside of my comfort zone. Not an album I’ll return to, but worth a listen and worth a place on this list. Still not my thing and im finding it hard to rate. Going with a line ball 3/5 for being interesting.
I saw these guys at the end of last year. And many times before. Massive fan of TVoTR. What a debut album. Experimental but so listenable. An easy 5/5 from me.
Not my favourite Kendrick album. If only I could pull the few tracks I like from each of his records and make my own “best of”. What we have here is a classic. Wonderful mix of jazz and rap with dark themes. But I can only give a 4/5
