I have already listened to Fela Kuti, so this is not a revelation. Still, Femi is good, the compositions are interesting. This is softer and more melodic than Fela, though I feel like Femi is not as good of a singer. Seems like this includes some additional electronic elements. Like the other Afrobeat I've listened to, the tracks get overlong and repetitive if you listen to enough of them.
Many tracks on this album are pretty grating. They remind me of Bananarama. I'm not a fan of the signing and the pop instrumentals are not interesting. There are some rock-influenced tracks that are, in my opinion, much stronger ("Lust to Love", "Fading Fast", "Can't Stop the World"). Those have an edge and creativity that I don't see in most of this album.
Definitely a classic. The hits still hit, the deep cuts are rough and discordant. Its a punk album made purposely to alienate their new fans. As a statement of intent, its amazing. Some of the deep cuts aren't my cup of pennyroyal tea, but overall its a great album.
There are some classic tracks in here, but the album as a whole is not that interesting. Without The One I Love this would be a below average album. Finest Worksong and End of the World are also great. Beyond those its hard to see much value in the tracks here.
A classic. Danceable at any time. The guitar is incredible and drives every track. The blue print for a lot sounds I enjoy to this day.
There are some fine pop tracks on this album, though there are just as many flat covers of black american artists. Does this really deserve to be on this list? Just because it's by the Beatles does not mean it's essential. I'm sure there are hundreds of more interesting, influential, and deserving albums out there.
Brilliant and dark. Can't imagine anyone else making something like this, its romantic, desperate, brooding, passionate, but also hopeful. "I Want You" is probably the best representation of what this album is about.
Really intense. There are some great tracks on here that combine manic energy, screaming vocals, and an underlying groove. Its both psychedelic and punk rock, and I'm a fan. There are a few clear skips, but also some amazing songs for the playlist.
Music for the Xanax generation.
Probably the most overrated artist among critics. This guy is bad.
Ethereal. I appreciate that this album was groundbreaking for its day. Listening today, however, it sounds dated. I feel like I've heard many elements of this music in later shoegaze, trip hop, and electronica music. Overall, I can see the value in this album as a trendsetter, but didn't love the actual listening experience.
The sort of album that people say they like because its experimental while secretly hating it.
Some pretty good blue-eyed soul! This is not amazing, and there a good number of misses, but there are also some great tracks in here. It is mostly a soul album. Dusty is a great singer, so it stands up next to Motown and other girl acts from the time. Overall, a good listen.
Pretty good crooning. Very low-key, sad, and mellow. I liked this more than I expected. Its not that interesting musically, but Price is a good singer. Overall, not bad.
I can see why some people like this kind of music, but its not for me. Sounds like background music to a marvel movie's action scene.
A few big hits, but the rest of this was a hard listen.
Very good album. It kickstarted the return of blues rock and had some real bangers. Its probably not their best, but worthy of inclusion on this list.
This is not terrible, its a perfectly middling 00s pop album. I'm at a loss for why this is an album I need to listen to. Its as essential as elevator music.
The thing that really stood out in this album is how hard Aguilera was trying to be black. She uses AAVE everywhere, models her signing style on R&B from earlier decades, and uses instrumentals that mix 60s soul, 80s R&B, along with some new jack swing. I don't have an issue with emulating your idols, but we'd be better off listening to a lot more Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, and a dozen other artists that Aguilera copies, than her.
One of the best pop albums of the last few decades, if not ever. Melancholic, dramatic, and beautiful. Adele's an amazing singer, but that's not what makes this album, there are a lot of great pop singers. Its the quality of the songwriting, the on-point production, and the cohesiveness of the project that sets it apart. I'm confident in saying this will be remembered as a classic of the 2010s.
PS: Shout out to the Dido-esque Cure cover near the end. I had no idea that existed, but it was very well done.
Knew this was going to be on here. Despite the hit song, I don't see the great value in this album. Its electronic, somewhat experimental, sometimes discordant. There are also a few tracks of peaceful, spacey synths. Besides the hit song there's not a lot worth remembering on the album.
Is it manufactured? Yes. Is it a Beatles rip-off? Also yes. But is it good? Yes.
Maybe I'm biased by my mom showing me Monkees episodes as a child, but I think this is a pretty good pop rock album from the 60s. Its got a good mix of styles, good vocals, and even some classic songs. Overall, a good listen.
Very good reggae record. I've always preferred more soulful singers from this era like Dennis Brown and Freddie Mcgregor, but Tosh brings his own unique style to this. I'm impressed that he found a sound more rootsy than Marley while maintaining groove and rhythm.
The best Blur album. Its uneven, but has some real high-points, including "Girls & Boys", "End of a Century", "Badhead", and "To the End". Its also experimental and has some tracks that are borderline throwaway. Still, it is a worthy album in this list.
Honky tonk. Not terrible, but also not that enjoyable. This gets more grating the more you listen.
Some classic tracks in here. Its a good change up from the typical hip-hop sound in this era, in the early Kanye-style. That said, there are some big misses on this album. An alright listen.
I had heard of Carole King, but had never listened to her music before. This was much better than expected. It's a mix of 70s singer-songwriter and late 60s blues rock. It works quite well.
Messy at times but really interesting. A big band of Gaelic folk and punk.
Sounds like a typical Joni Mitchell album, which is to say boring.
Lots of classic songs on this, but overall uneven. It's punkish but ultimately closer to classic rock than many of Costellos contemporaries.
Quite relaxing. It's barely even rock, but it's not bad.
This is my third album of British guitar music in a row (after Coldplay and Elvis Costello). While this is the dumbest of the three, its also the best. Its pure rock, swagger, and indulgence. There are some classic tracks and some nice deep cuts. A lot to admire, even if its admittedly quite dumb.
Have no idea why this was selected.
Pretty boring. Maybe I dont appreciate jazz enough, but this sounds like elevator music.
Pretty good psychedelic rock album. Both whimsical and heavy at times. It definitely sounds dated, but is an interesting addition from a band I hadn't hear of before.
Not as good as I was hoping. I have some Massive Attack tracks in rotation but most these didn't hit.
I listened through this not too long ago. Listening to it again, it has no business being on this list. It's pretty basic folk country and nothing more.
