1001 Albums Summary

Something was there and I was waiting for it to take off into something I would really enjoy. However, walked away feeling a bit underwhelmed and disappointed by the album as a whole.

This was some weird stuff. It lost me after about 1/3 of the way through. However, the last track (Humor Me) saved it for me just a little bit.

Too long and also redundant at times, but 75% of this album was made for 80's/90's dance clubs.

A swampy-style rock n roll album rooted in the blues and R&B concepts. The sounds that CCR was renowned for. Some of their best songs came off this album, making it not only an all-time classic of CCR's, but for the rock n roll genre too. It's a must-listen if you like swamp rock and the early rock n roll sound.

I mean, I can't say I hated it. Although if this isn't your wheelhouse, a 20-minute never-ending electronic saga of sound to start the album could feel a bit overbearing. The start of Side B with Jeremy Bender was slightly refreshing. A fun little number about a man finally deciding to become a nun (?). Bitches Crystal was also a cool song with an awesome title. I know ELP has some legendary songs and albums but not sure if this is one of those for me. But overall, it was a fun one-time listen (with Jeremy Bender earning its way into my personal music library).

Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. I didn't know a whole lot about Gene Clark other than being an original member of the Byrds. And man, can you hear it right out the shoot in the opening track 'Life's Greatest Fool'. It sounds like it's straight off of Sweetheart of the Rodeo which is pretty odd given Clark had left the Byrds years before Sweetheart was released (listen to You Ain't Goin Nowhere from that album - a Dylan original). But I digress. You can tell Gene had some really strong writing and arrangement chops (his Byrds bandmates' jealousy over this and the benefits he reaped from it actually contributed to his departure from the band). I found myself enjoying this more and more as it went on, and it's an album I'd absolutely snag at the record store if I came across it. Suffice to say, this is what this challenge is all about, boys. Top tracks: Life's Greatest Fool, Silver Raven, No Other, True One Skips: In my opinion, none. There wasn't a bad track.

The sound and vibes coming off this album are at their peak when you listen to it while drinking a coffee in your home on a cold, rainy day. And that's exactly how I took this one in. At first, it was giving me a "weather channel music" vibe which I guess is fitting given the name of the band and album (primarily 'A Remark You Made'). However, it's a pretty smooth listen throughout and is the type of music I'd put on as I work on something else. It doesn't require a whole lot of thought or attention from the listener, and sometimes that's just as enjoyable as an album that sucks you in for 45 minutes straight. Top tracks: Birdland, The Juggler Skips: Rumba Mamba - it just sticks out like a sore thumb to me

We've got a live one, boys! Straight rock taking you back to the glory days of the late 1970's. A fun fact I learned when reading up on the album is that its recordings came from 3 stops between '76 and '77: London '76, Toronto '77, and Philadelphia '77. Thin Lizzy has such a unique sound only they can produce. On top of it being a live album, you get blessed with live versions of some of their biggest hits. Nothing beats Jailbreak and that opening riff to open a show (or at least I hope that was the case). It's not a traditional album, so it's not really worth getting caught up in its cohesion, messaging, or lack thereof. Rather, this one is best served up on a stereo system with the volume up. So, turn that SOB up, rip the knob off, and start head-bangin'. Bonafide Bangers: Jailbreak, Boys Are Back in Town Top Tracks: Southbound, Dancing in the Moonlight, Johnny the Fox meets Jimmy the Weed

Really cool stuff. BB King is the godfather of American blues and if not for him, music as we know it today wouldn’t exist. The branches upon branches of bands, artists, and entire genres are rooted off of music like his which really makes me appreciate it. An enjoyable listen while I was getting my ass kicked in chess, but at least it felt like I was doing so in a dim-lit night club in 1965 New York City.

That was......interesting. I'm not sure if that's what Tom Waits sounds like all the time, but it wasn't what I was expecting. However, his word play and storytelling is quite impressive. As a listener, you feel like you've been dropped into a sleezy, smoky, after-dark piano/jazz bar taking in the live entertainment that evening. Albums that make you feel like you're in their environment and a part of its unfolding are always some of my favorites to listen to, but parts of this one felt like they dragged on a little too long for me. With all that said, the "Intro to" and "Better Off Without a Wife" had me locked into its melody and lyrics. I thoroughly enjoyed that one. That track alone moves this from a 2 to a 3 for me.

That's some smoooth jazz, man. We've been on a roll with the live/jazz albums we've been getting lately. But that's just the luck of draw. I actually listened to this one twice: once at work and again at dinner time. It's exactly the type of stuff I'm looking for on vinyl. Perfect for dinner music, or when you're sipping a cocktail beside the fire.

To be honest, the album is just not my jam. Therefore, I'm not going to write a whole review where I'm subconsciously trying to convince myself I liked it. It's psychedelic as hell and it's definitely the first time I've ever heard something like this from a country other than the US and Europe. In that respect, it was unique and interesting. When I was passively listening, the harmonies, keys, guitars, horns sometimes made me think of Magical Mystery Tour and the Stones' psychedelic records at times. But sticking to my gut here, sorry Os Mutantes.

I haven't had a lot of Radiohead experience before this. A solid piece of work.....though I thought there would be a some more teeth to it. But after reading more about the band and its typical sound and influences, this is right on par for them. There's certainly a time and place when this album would hit the spot. For example - taking a long walk in the pouring rain as you contemplate all your poor life choices. I think there may be other Radiohead albums that would suit my ears more than this one. I'm sure this won't be the last we hear of them in this challenge. Top tracks: Airbag, Karma Police

Quick thoughts here since I need to catch up on a few of these: 1) A unique blend of late 70s punk and on the precipice of 80's synth rock. 2) The heavy, pulsating basslines are the driver behind many of the tracks, and with what I assume is drop-D tuning, giving this album the deep, dark, and droning elements that the listener locked in. 3) Pretty heavy at times, but that's Joy Division for ya Top Tracks: Shadowplay, Insight, Interzone

A little too perky and superficial for my taste, but Our House will always be a fun tune that gets the foot tapping.

This exceeded by expectations and indeed had a little special sauce to it. Although it may have got a little redundant at times, I thought the album had a pretty cool vibe to it; a mixture of blues, funk, and early hip-hop. Top tracks: Garbage Man, Baby's Got Sauce, Cold Beverage

Man, does Little Richard love 12-bar blues. There's no doubt that early rock n' roll was incredibly formulaic, with often the only way for your ears to distinguish one song from the next being the name of the girl (Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, Jenny Jenny, Miss Ann). However, in effort to remain consistent, it's hard not to have a deep sense of appreciation for it knowing the influence it had on the next generation, which took everything to a whole different stratosphere. All those bands/artists adored Little Richard and Elvis and knowing that pre-teen Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney were losing their minds over an album like this must mean there's something special about Little Richard and his music.

I knew nothing about John Cale but was pleasantly surprised to learn he was a founding member of the Velvet Underground. I'm sure he had a few wild Lou Reed stories to tell. I liked this album. Apparently, this was Cale's first album to take on the contemporary singer-songwriter sound that aligned with the popular rock-pop of the early 70's. The electric guitar on Child's Christmas in Wales immediately caught my attention, so I looked up who played on the album. Turns out it was Lowell George from Little Feat! John Cale isn't exactly Elton John. But hell, I thought it was a solid LP. Top tracks: Child's Christmas in Wales, Macbeth, Paris 1919, and hell, throw Hanky Panky Knowhow on there too!

I had high hopes for this one, but it definitely fell short of my expectations. It has a strong start with the opening track, Kate Bush's most popular song by a mile. Jig of Life was kind of cool too. But in the end, I think it lacks cohesion and found myself tuning out for a good number of songs. A bit of a bummer.

Color me naive, I've heard of Jack White but I never realized he was one of the White Stripes (duh). He's actually a Beatles superfan too and I saw something one time where he's able to identify any Beatles song based on a one-second snippet from any point in the song. The album is a tremendous piece of contemporary rock that makes me yearn for the days when music like this was still popular. It has a great mix of arrangements ranging from upbeat rockers to more mellow acoustic ones but always keeping those raw vocals and tone that I seem to like a lot. Top Tracks: Missing Pieces, Love Interruption, Blunderbuss, I'm Shakin, Trash Tongue Talker

Eminem is at the peak of his powers in this period. His lyrical genius and flow never cease to impress me. Just downright silly at times. This album would absolutely get him cancelled by today’s standards but barring some pretty outrageous songs, it’s a classic for a reason. Definitely deserving of being included in the 1,001 but there are other Eminem albums I enjoy more from start to finish.

Off the Wall starts off red hot with two of my favorite tracks in the whole MJ catalogue. The rest of side 1 is strong too and in general makes you want to groove your ass off. Some tracks on side 2 are a little too slow and did not pique my interest, but that doesn't significantly alter my view of the album. While Off the Wall was not MJ's very first solo album, it was the first produced by Quincy Jones. It laid a solid foundation for what was to come

Interesting.....to say the least. The album is kind of wacky because it's truly all over the place, spanning from classical symphony instrumentals to country-western and everything in between. Given this is from their early years, the Bee Gees sound like a group still finding their way, throwing a ton at the wall in the process to see what would stick. Thankfully, they found the niche that ascended them to global stardom and one of the most recognizable acts in history; a stark contrast to what they were doing in 1969. Along those same lines, it is pretty fascinating to hear the Bee Gees as something totally different from their later days of "Saturday Night Fever", stadium tours, etc.

I'm self-admittedly not a big country music guy, but I definitely enjoy the old school stuff way more than contemporary country music which has shape-shifted a half dozen times in the last 10 years to fit what's popular on the radio. Willie represents the old guard, and I like that. Red Headed Stranger is a real easy listen full of country twang. I also like how most of the album is just Willie, his guitar, and limited arrangement. Its relatively quiet nature makes it feel like a private performance for you. Top tracks: Red Headed Stranger, Time of the Preacher, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain

There's just something about ZZ Top that gets me going. Those dudes are masters of the Texas Blues and red hot guitar riffs. Waiting for the Bus is one of my favorites in the ZZ Top catalogue. The riff and driving bassline are packed into that 12-bar blues is next level, not to mention the seamless segue into Jesus Just Left Chicago (keeping with the bus theme) is such a great start to the album. And of course, La Grange which turns me up. If you ever find yourself in Texas, you got to make it a requirement to bump this album. Top Tracks: Waiting for the Bus, Jesus Just Left Chicago, La Grange

Just some damn good soul music by the Queen of Soul, and that's really the only way to put it. No notes for Aretha.....the best to ever do it. I really need to get this album on vinyl (cue the pic of the copy Alex already owns).

Pretty solid album. I loved the saxophone.....something that doesn't show up in punk music very often, if ever. This was a fun punk rock album Top tracks: Warrior Woolworths, Let's Submerge, Highly Inflammable

I really enjoy this album even, after removing the radio hits from consideration. Liam Gallagher's voice is so perfect in its own way. It's the perfect blend of Manchester dialect, cigs and attitude that blends it into something beautiful that couldn't fit the Oasis's sound any better. Some might say Wonderwall is because of radio fatigue, but I don't think there's a single skip on the album. They may have tried a little too hard to be the Beatles of the 21st Century, as a result may have flown a little too close to the sun, but Oasis has some serious chops. Find me a jump suit and a bucket hat to rock ASAP. Top tracks: Some Might Say, She's Electric, Don't Look Back in Anger (s/o Noel), Champagne Supernova

Gloria kicked ass

I've always heard about this album and how it was this mythical long-lost Beach Boys album that was shelved for years, unable to be released. Psychedelic doesn't feel like the right word to describe it, nor trippy. However, there's something about it where it made me feel like it was made for 10-year-olds that are high on laughing gas in the dentist chair. I think the right word here is quirky, and even though Brian Wilson is one of the most influential composers of modern times (up there with Beethoven, Bach, and Macca), he definitely was a quirky guy. Smile was recorded near the peak of 60's drug culture and right at the edge of Wilson's eventual tipping point. While his rapid mental decline is a damn shame, this album feels like a peek behind the curtain at all the chaos going on in and around him in the mid-60's. For that alone, I liked it. Also, his version of Good Vibrations is way cooler now that I've heard it.

Talking Heads are the perfect mix of wackiness and undeniable musical genius. And by Talking Heads I mean David Byrne. I've always dug their sound because no two Talking Heads songs sound the same, so naturally I enjoyed the variety on this album. Top tracks: I Zimbra (banger), Mind, Life During Wartime, Drugs

A number of songs start out sounding exactly like Tainted Love but suddenly pivot into their own song, which is pretty neat. There are some pretty cool tracks though. Classic 80's music....very representative of the times. Top tracks: Tainted Love, Where Did Our Love Go, Seedy Films

No notes. Crazy good album.

There are probably stronger Bob Marley albums in this list, but it's hard to be in a bad mood when his music is playing. Killer album name too. Top tracks: No Woman No Cry, Am-A-Do, Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)

One of the top-to-bottom best albums ever, in my opinion. The lore behind album is so interesting in itself. How they were ever to put aside their internal issues and come together to produce such an iconic album is incredible. Top tracks: All of them, but top are: Secondhand News, Don't Stop (bop), The Chain, Gold Dust Woman

1984 has always been a favorite of mine because of its sentimental value. It contains tracks that introduced me to Classic Rock at an early age. I can remember hearing Hot For Teacher for the first time and being struck by the drum solo; it was nothing like I'd ever heard before....and it was most likely either with Jim or in Jim's dad's car on the way to baseball or basketball practice. Jump and, of course, Panama are the other classics on this one. I always think back to the scene in SuperBad where McLovin is doing donuts in Bill Hader's and Seth Rogan's cop car with Panama blasting. Even though I'm not this huge Van Halen fan, they were one of the first rock bands (alongside AC/DC) that really caught my attention.

This was a long album, but it has some pretty dope tracks. Top tracks: Whip You With a Strap, Underwater, Kilo, Shakey Dog

I like Pavement's sound a lot. This was a solid album typical of the 90's.

Talking Heads strike again. I liked this album slightly more than Fear of Music. Like Fear of Music, it has a very strong opening track (Uh Oh Love Comes to Town and that steel drum is perfect). Top tracks: Uh-Oh Love Comes to Town, New Feeling, Psycho Killer, Pulled Up

Pleasantly surprised by the album. Didn't know what to expect beyond Take On Me, but it was pretty good actually.

This kind of music takes me back to a certain time and place that just feels right. I'm no Kings of Leon stan, but I've always enjoyed their music and sound. This one gets a thumbs up from me.

Never listened to any Love before, but I enjoyed the folk-esque vibes of this album. It's a very easy listen that just feels like 1967. Top tracks: Alone Again Or, Bummer in the Summer, The Daily Planet

This was a nice palate cleanser of hard rock compared to some of the albums we've gotten lately. Pump includes some classic Aerosmith songs; "Janie's Got a Gun" is such a cool track in my eyes and who doesn't love "Love in an Elevator". Other than "What it Takes", nothing about the rest of the tracks really stand out to me but it's definitely a solid enough album to earn a 3. Top tracks: Janie's Got a Gun, Love in an Elevator, What it Takes

A little too chaotic for my taste.....guess I'm just not cut out for that prog-rock lifestyle.

I remember thinking this album was so cool the first time I listened to it in college....and I still think it's pretty damn cool. Doggystyle is similar to the Marshall Mathers LP in the sense that it's filled with tons of satire and sexual innuendos, but milder. One of the better end-to-end 90's rap albums I've heard. It's a no-doubt classic in my eyes. Top tracks: Gin and Juice, the Shiznit, Who Am I, Ain't No Fun

Kinda liked this one. Smooth Operator is a banger

It's hard to not be down with Stevie Wonder and the incredible melodies found on this album. While it may go on for a little bit too long, Maybe Your Baby puts you into this funk/soul trance. Other songs on here feel more like ballads than funk, but Stevie's voice effortlessly fits both. And Superstition of course is in a class of its own. That riff never gets old.

Motown Christmas is my favorite Christmas subgenre. I can't help but feel a bit nostalgic when I hear these songs. I'd be hard pressed to find a better true Christmas album than this one. If I can find this on vinyl I'd play it constantly during the Christmas season. I'm not measuring this one on the same grading scale on the others, but rather how much it makes me feel the Christmas spirit.

loved the country-western B-side. Top tracks: Brown Sugar, Wild Horses, Can't You Hear Me Knockin, Bitch, Sister Morphine

I know Michael will enjoy this one if/when he ever reaches this point in the challenge

It's Tricky instantly takes me to Christmas Day 2002/2003 when I got a PS2 and the SSX Tricky Snowboarding video game, where this was the game's main soundtrack. But putting that aside, this album slaps. The beats, drum kicks, flows, everything suits my ear. I appreciate and respect NWA, Eminem, and Snoop, but this Run DMC album doesn't contain the same level of vulgarity and slurring those albums, making it a little more palatable.

Peak 60's Kinks. This one is right in my wheelhouse - mid-60's rock and roll that's starting to dip their toe into new waters like psychedelic and concept. It gave me similar feels to a Rubber Soul. Definitely an album that I'll be visiting again.

Led Zeppelin debut album....c'mon now. Top tracks: Good Times Bad Times, Communication Breakdown, Your Time is Gonna Come, Dazed and Confused

Interesting that this is in the 1001 best albums list. Great musicianship of course, but this is just a one-time listen for me.

I enjoyed Exodus more than Natty Dread and also think it's wholistically stronger. Therefore, my rating for this one is higher as well. Top tracks: Natural Mystic, Jamming, Three Little Birds

I'm a fan of Lou Reed and his approach to lyricism and songwriting. If you listened to the Velvet Underground's songs as instrumentals only, I think most of the time you might think of them as this bright and sunny pop band with beautiful melodies founded in the major scale (the major scale is almost always bright and makes you feel "nice" or "good" when you listen to it as opposed to the minor scales that normally contain more gloomy notes). On the flip side, if you read their lyrics as poetry and separate from its instrumentation, the lyrics can be surreal or twisted. Not dark, per say, but they don't always match their backing tracks. I don't know if that makes any sense, but that's the best way I can describe how I interpret the Velvet Underground.

Boy, do I love a good rock opera. I imagine that Tommy is one of the earlier examples of a rock opera or even a concept album. Albums that tell a story throughout are some of my favorites, because the artist made a concerted effort to make a cohesive piece of music/art rather than a collection of individual songs pieced together around a few chart-topping singles. I've never been a huge Who fan, but Tommy is something of theirs that I can get behind. Certainly an enjoyable listening experience. Top Tracks: Eyesight for the Blind, Pinball Wizard, The Acid Queen, Christmas

Some good ol' honky tonk country music. Early country western music > modern day country all day long. And that steel guitar is swwwweeet.

What was this thing? A quadruple album? My goodness. Putting that aside, though, the album exceeded by expectations. It got a little weird at times and was definitely too long. But there are some undeniably great tracks that felt like a blend of some of the genres I enjoy the most.

White Light didn't stand out to me quite like No Other did, as it lacked the same teeth. However, there's something about Gene Clark's music that I really appreciate and enjoy; its intimate. The harmonics, acoustics, occasional slide guitar, the Byrds-esque vocal tones, the country-western twang. I could go on and on, but the music just has the perfect amount of everything. Nothing forced, nothing overdone. Top tracks: The Virgin, Because of You, Tears of Rage

A fun little country album. Dolly's voice is beautiful; making it an enjoyable listening experience.

I'd consider this my first experience with Trip-Hop. I dig the underground sound it has, but it didn't really hit home for me. It was easy for me to fade in and out when listening. Probably just not my thing, but definitely not terrible.

I think I liked Celebrity Skin more than Live Through This, but Hole is a pretty damn good grunge band that embodies that angst that's so often evident in 90's rock.

Do I like Brazilian bossa nova now? I guess I kinda do. A significant upgrade from my first experience with Brazilian music (Os Mutantes).

Yeah.....not too sure I can wrap my head around this one or why it would be considered for the Top 1001 list. Utopia was probably the best track of them all to me, but I might even consider that a stretch.

It also feels like quintessential 90's pop. I get some Cher vibes from Madonna on this album too, but that's just me. I found a lot of tracks to be a little boring, but there are some good tracks on this album that are saving itself from a 2 rating. Top tracks: Ray of Light, Swim, Frozen

Solid album. Doesn't include a ton of U2 hits, but it's well-rounded and can hit the spot if I'm in the mood for it.

The title is VERY fitting for this album. Billy Corgan probably gave himself a bundle of stomach ulcers during the making of this album (if he didn't already have them). There's some serious angst and consternation happening here. If you're pissed at the world or want to break some shit, throw Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and you'll be good to go. 1979 is a great song of course, but I think Siamese Dream is more my speed.

I know the Doors get some flack for being overrated when compared with their contemporaries. But I tend to heavily disagree. Sure, they weren't doing anything groundbreaking in the studio or writing songs that were changing how generations saw the world. On the other hand, I think they their sound was incredibly unique for the times. A perfect blend of swamp, R&B, psychadelic with a charismatic front man. They're one of my favorite bands from the 60's. As for Morrison Hotel, it's one of my favorites that's up there with LA Woman. The song Roadhouse Blues kicks absolute ass that. It's difficult to picture anything other than yourself holed up in the corner of some saloon in the Southwest slamming beers when all of a sudden, a bar brawl breaks out. A close second is Peace Frog (the Door's psychedelic prowess on full display). A tremendous album with more than just a few hit singles. Top tracks: Roadhouse Blues, Waiting for the Sun, Peace Frog, Queen of the Highway, Maggie M'Gill

I was kind of digging this at first, but then it sort of petered out for me. I like the little mariachi flavor in some of the tracks....that was different. Good, not great.

This gets a thumbs up. I seem to enjoy the new wave sound from the 80's that incorporates some of that of 60/70's guitar work. Top tracks: I Wanna Be Adored, She Bangs the Drums, Waterfall, (Song for My Sugar Spun Sister)

It's so easy to bump to the Beastie Boys. The beats are hard, lyrics whimsical and rhymes sick. There are lots of classics on Licensed to Ill which solidifies it as an album worthy of this list.

My wife listens to SZA occasionally. It's sort of a guilty pleasure for me. She's not a rough listen because she has a great voice. There are also lots of strong artist features on this record which helps increase my recognition of songs. Like I said, it was a pretty easy listen and a nice change-up from some of the oldies we've gotten on the list to this point

There are Beatles albums that I have higher in personal rankings, but let's not kid ourselves; this is one of their many masterpieces. If you're a Beatles nerd, then you already know.... but there is so much lore behind the inception, development, and actual creation of this album that make it all the more interesting to learn and understand. A few tidbits: 1) More than half the album's songs were written while on their meditation retreat in Rikikesh, India with the Maharishi (a real poser, btw) on acoustic guitars. If you ever want to hear the earliest iterations of the White Album, I highly recommend listening to the Beatles' Esher Demos. 2) Tensions boiled over during the making of this album that led Ringo to actually quit the band for two weeks. As a result, there are several tracks where Paul plays the drums (Back in the USSR, Dear Prudence, Birthday, maybe others too). 3) This was when Yoko really started to become an overreaching presence in the group's safe space that was the studio which obviously ticked off the band. 4) The first Beatles album to include individually penned songs from all 4 Beatles. Ringo wrote Don't Pass Me By all by himself :) 5) The WMGGW solo played by Eric Clapton; a move made by George, who at the time was struggling with his confidence on guitar given that he largely ignored it for 2 years in favor of the sitar during his deep dive into Eastern music and philosophy in the mid 60's. The decision to make this a double album was not a popular one with those outside the 4 Beatles given that they were essentially selling two albums for the price of one at a time when they were the most powerful band on the planet. And to this day, the criticism of the White Album is that it's jam packed with tracks, and not all of them very good (even some of the Beatles have agreed with this notion). But to hell with that. The variety on the White Album is what makes it so special. For those out there that ignorantly claim all the Beatles did was write a bunch of superficial pop songs, they should listen to this album (and also get a slap across the face). We're talking Blues, Rock n' Roll, Ska, Vaudeville Hall, Satire, Folk, Country Western, and more all wrapped up in a single project. The Beatles were in their musical primes here and they held no punches and left no stone unturned for the creation a mammoth album for their fans. As Macca once said when challenged by a reporter on the White Album: "What do you mean? It was great. It sold. It's the bloody Beatles' White Album, shut up!" Top tracks: Back in the USSR, Ob-La-Di, Ob-la-Da, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Happiness is a Warm Gun, Blackbird, Rock Raccoon, Mother Nature's Son, Helter Skelter, Revolution 1

Middle of the road. It very much embodies the early 2000's indie/folk scene.

Solid album! This was my first The Teardrop Explodes experience, but I found them to be quite similar to A Flock of Seagulls and the early 80's pop sound.

A total 180 from the last album released in 1980 (Kilimanjaro), evidencing a real dichotomy in early 80's music.

Kings of Leon are alright in my book.

I initially had higher hopes for this. Don't get me wrong; Nick Cave's got a cool sound. But four more of these may get a bit old after a while. Also, John Finn's wife is a wild song?!

Thought that this Radiohead album might be different than the previous one in the list (OK Computer), but it felt like more of the same.

I was not digging this album very much until I heard the Slits' rendition of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine". The bass is the best part. Wish I could give it a 2.5, but I'll stick to my guns here since albums I've liked more only got 3's.

The Byrds are a joy to listen to. Their music instantly transports you to the mid‑60s—the shimmering 12‑string guitars and rich harmonies create a sound that grabs my ear every time. They may not sit at the very top tier of the decade’s musical giants, but they come impressively close. The musical identity The Byrds embodied helped define the era, and Younger Than Yesterday captures that essence perfectly.

The energy of this performance is contagious. There are a number of rock n roll classics here that really elevate this one for me. I'd love to have been there for this performance. Tremendous playing and performing by JLL; he could really bring it on stage. Too bad he had to go and marry his 13-year-old cousin (yes you read that right....)! Top tracks: Money, Good Golly Miss Molly, Long Tall Sally, Great Balls of Fire

I was exhausted after this album, holy shit. There is something mildly therapeutic about death metal. But man, I know this just isn't for me.

A fine mid-80's country album. It didn't really stand out to me in any way but an easy album to throw on and chill out to nonetheless.

Who doesn't love some flute in their progressive rock? I've always appreciated Jethro Tull for its creativity and genre blending - progressive, folk, rock, and more. Aqualung in itself is a great album that contains the perfect amount of element from all of these. Top tracks: Aqualung, Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose, Locomotive Breath

I need more Curtis Mayfield in my life. These albums possess a certain amount of cool, funk, and gospel that takes you right back to the 1970's no matter when or where you listen from. I love it. There's No Place in America is right next to Superfly. Top tracks: Billy Jack, Jesus, Hard Times

Enjoyed Side 1 but then felt Side 2 sort of petered out. Top tracks: Badlands, Adam Raised a Cane

With so many bangers on this album, it's no less than a 4. However, there are a few tracks that are skip-worthy. But all in all, it's a strong body of work. DLR and EVH bring it. My personal favorite moment on the album is that transition from Eruption into You Really Got Me....chills. This is quite the debut album, by anyone's standards. Top tracks: Runnin' With the Devil, Eruption/You Really Got Me, Ain't Talkin' Bout Love, Jamie's Cryin, Ice Cream Man (such a good song)

Can't overthink this too much here. It's a no skip album with one great track after another. One of my personal favorites to put on and listen to from start to end. A masterpiece through and through.

I love the high, youthful energy that the young Clash bring on this record. The foot-tapping never stopped for me while listening to this and felt energized after listening to it. It was go-go-go from the jump. This feels like a good one to jam out to while running or lifting since it gets the juices going. Top tracks: Janie Jones, White Riot, Police & Thieves

Similar to what I wrote about Van Halen's, the Cars' debut album contains a number of the group's career hits. Granted, not sure what that says about the body of their work as a whole if most of their hits came from their very first album, but I still consider the Cars a respectable group in the classic rock sphere that did have several hits later on. But back to rating this album, it's a very strong debut. As a casual Cars fan, it has everything I like about them: catchy hooks, that distinct guitar tone, Ric Ocasek's voice that makes those melodies and hooks pop even more. And lastly, Moving in Stereo is just flat out awesome. Top tracks: Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, Just What I Needed, Moving in Stereo

On the Beach might not be on the same level as Harvest but there's some good stuff on here. It's classic 1970's Neil Young singer-songwriter material; guitar-dominant songs (some acoustic and some electric) with simpler arrangements and lots of harmonica mixed in. It's one of those albums you can largely put on and drift away to. I also think Neil is an underrated guitarist in the sense that he doesn't get the same level of recognition as the greats. You don't really hear it on this album too much because of it's not the vibe, but he can sure make that guitar weep when he wants. For example, his guitar work on Walk On is pretty sick if you listen closely. Top tracks: Walk On, Revolution Blues, For the Turnstiles, On the Beach

Some of this was catchy, but kind of got annoying afterwhile.

Ehhhh

The Beastie Boys really were in a world of their own making. One thing about this album that resonated with me was after a song would, I never knew where the next one was headed. It really kept me on my toes even if I didn't dig every song.

Very enjoyable, poppy singer-songwriter stuff. Like Alex said, you can hear the Beatle-esque influences in the melodies. Harry Nilsson could write some catchy stuff not gonna lie. Top tracks: Gotta Get Up, Down, Coconut, Jump into the Fire

Brothers felt very Artic Monkeys-esque; fuzzy bass, raw guitar tones. I was digging this album a lot. Maybe could've been 1-2 songs shorter, but strong.

This was a fun album

Good energy on this album. Chrissy Hydne has a really cool voice

Went in with low expectations since I'm into metal very much at all, but this was.....fine. Much more palatable than Sepultura

I really like Bjork's voice and vocal range. The Vespertine's production alone is pretty impressive as well. However, I just couldn't get that excited about this. It was missing some juice somewhere/someway throughout the album. Maybe her club stuff will be more my speed.

Kinda shocked at how much I enjoyed listening to this album. It kind of makes regret the 1 rating I gave to Os Mutantes because I feel that they're quite similar in nature; the primary difference being the language. This album is avant-garde and psychedelic as hell but damn is it cool. It's like an ultra-weird Sgt. Pepper with a flavor of Os Mutantes. The best line throughout the album is "The price is right; the cost of one admission is your mind". And the closing track is awesome too. Top tracks: The American Metaphysical Circus; I Won't Leave My Wooden Wife For You, Sugar; Coming Down; The American Way of Love

These would've been some pretty electric shows to attend in the early 80's. There isn't a lot of variety from one song to the next, but it sure does a good job of keeping the energy up. If you like metal, you should probably really enjoy this.

In a nutshell, this was a snooze fest.

Man, I wish Duane Allman and Eric Clapton could've played in a band together forever. Two of the greatest guitarists of all-time. This is chock-full of crushing blues tracks. I could listen to this over and over again. Top tracks: I Looked Away, Bell Bottom Blues, Keep on Growing, Anyday, Key To the Highway, Little Wing, Layla (duh)

The album is a bit sleepy, But you got to respect the songwriting and lyricism here. It's a chill and peaceful listen that is good for certain moods and weather.

No notes. Pure nostalgia that makes you yearn for the good ole days. Ella Fitzgerald and a big band is all you need to take you back to your 1960's parlor room with your glass of scotch.

I think I'm more fascinated by the lore of Velvet Underground / Lou Reed than I am with their music. Sometimes it just sounds out of tune and offbeat to me which turns off my ears a little bit. However, this album is very reflective of its time in that it's distinctly 1960's and sounds like it could not have possibly come from any other decade.

I really have nothing negative to say about this album. I got HUGE Oasis vibes from it. Very very solid all around and there wasn't a track on here that I disliked. Top tracks: With No Shoes, North Country Boy, Only Teething, Get On It

Nick Cave's lyrics can grab my attention every now and again with a song or two that I'll nod in approval for. But all in all it's the same shtick.

Alright Sound of Silver kind of bumps.

Incredible performance when mixed with the SFSO which made it a more unique listening experience as someone who's not very into heavy metal. Sure, it's a little long but it's a live album so what are you gonna do?

mid-70's Aerosmith kicks ass, man

This is the real Linkin Park, not the "What I've Done" Linkin Park that hit the mainstream in the mid-2000's thanks to Transformers.

This was so wack. 1.

Pretty kick-ass punk album

The year is 2126 and this is your robotic personal assistant's favorite album. The Man Machine really comes off as something that should be from far out into the future, except it was released in 1978. That's pretty mind-boggling to me. Not sure what other groups were making music like this in the late 70's, but this had to be considered pretty ground-breaking at the time.

Rock solid

I liked this album a lot. There are some pretty sick riffs driving the side 1. There's plenty of punk groups and albums that made it into this list, but this Marquee Moon has a nice blend of elements that differentiate them from the others for me; a mix of jam band, garage rock, and punk rock.

Ohhhh yeah. This album rocks. I can't tell which side I like more. Side A has more hits than Side B, but Side B takes you to a whole different level. All around great album. Top tracks: Custard Pie, Houses of the Holy, Trampled Under Foot, Kashmir, Down by the Seaside, Ten Years Gone, Wanton Song

Rather blown away by the sheer variety of the tracks on Cafe Bleu. Can't make heads or tails of what kind of group The Style Council, but it's pretty cool. It was an entertaining listen, that's for sure. Far from some of the lesser albums we've heard thus far.

Pretty bluesy for a punk album. A Cool Drink of Water is pretty sick.

As always, Mark Knopfler brings it on the guitar and side 1 is hot. However, I walked away a bit let down by side 2. It just didn't have the same energy as the side 1 and some tracks go on for a long time. But in the end, I love Dire Straits and I'm looking forward to more of their albums in this.

This did not grab me at all. Two The Divine Comedy Albums seems in here feels like satire.

Not sure what I was expecting here, but this was an interesting listen. I guess it's sort of a hip-hop project? Not rap, not rock, but somewhere in between. Not bad, though, just had a difficult time getting a pulse for it. Top tracks: Clint Eastwood, Man Research (Clapper), Double Bass, Slow Country

No problem getting the funk out on this one....that's for sure.

This was solid. A little disconnected at times, but track for track I enjoyed it.

I really do love this album, minus a few stinkers. The way the album kicks off with The Changeling, an underrated Doors track IMO, to Love Her Madly is a hot, groovy start that the Doors could pull off so well. Outside of the giants like LA Woman and Riders on the Storm, there's enough solid tracks making up the remainder of the track list for me. Top Tracks: The Changeling, Love Her Madly, LA Woman, Hyacinth House, Riders on the Storm

OG folk music...the kind of stuff Bobby Zimmerman from Minnesota was soaking in before he came out the other side as Bob Dylan. It’s nothing that’s going to blow your doors off, but it will take you back to a time when the story mattered more than a hook or the artist themself. That idea feels almost prehistoric now, but folk music and albums like Jack Takes the Floor are really the purest expression of it.

3.5

this was pretty mid

Great energy on this album. I've always loved the E-Street Band sax (s/o Clarence) Top tracks: Thunder Road, Tenth Avenue Freeze Out, Born to Run

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Never heard of the Auteurs before but I love their sound. They're a good alt-rock counterpoint to the Brit-pop culture at the time. Top Tracks: How Could I Be Wrong, Idiot Brother, Home Again

Good, not great.

Alright not too bad. Was expecting worse

Not a fan. Sounded like a drunk Englishman with the thickest accent known to man singing 12 songs with the same 3 melodies

Genuinely don’t know how anyone listens to this and thinks it’s good.

I go back and forth on Anthony Kiedis but I've always liked the RHCP's sound. This is a solid album with a few radio hits sprinkled in.

Was a bigger fan of Raising Hell than this one.

Semi-enjoyable

There's only 1-2 songs on here keeping this from being a 5 for me. The sense of nostalgia is strong with this one.

A thinly veiled jab at all the plastic, poser hippies of the late 60's and still incredibly more psychedelic than anything those groups were putting out. Zappa just kept it so real man.

I liked this album as a whole; an hour of 90's hip hop beats you can get lost in.

I dig it. Also, this gets at least 1 point solely for the album name.

Hendrix is insanely good on this. And there are way more tracks on this that I definitely knew and heard before, but did not know the title.

I had moments where I was vibing with it, but mostly not.

Never got off the ground for me. The singer's voice is quite good but the whole mood of the album is sad.

There's some forgettable songs on here of course, but it's such a classic album. The harmonies, production quality, and musicianship are top notch.

Just a kickass disco album. No notes.

Been awhile since I gave an album a 5. I had no expectations going into this one but there's just something about Bossa Nova that takes you to a certain time and place; for me it's an unmistakable feeling of warmth, palm trees, vinyl, a glass of wine, and a doob. If that's what I picture when this album plays, how can it not be a 5?!

My favorite of the Radiohead albums we've had to date.

Can't quite place my finger on why, but I liked this album. I've always felt a bit sympathetic toward Dennis Wilson for spending the a lot of his career Brian's shadow. Even his brother Carl Wilson was widely seen as more musically gifted than Dennis. And of course, who could forget Mike Love (that egomaniac doesn't want you to forget him, either). All of this on top of his tragic ending, there's a lot to feel sorry about with Dennis. But given all of his imperfections, this album is a really solid piece of work. There's hints of the 70's Beach Boys in here and some fun tunes.

There's probably a lot more Elvis Costello to come in this. Didn't love Imperial Bedroom but it was fine for me. I'm thinking there will be bigger/better albums of his to come.

Doesn't move the needle here. Good, not great.

Yea this is awesome.

Good ass sampling going on here.

Solid album. I liked side 1 more than side 2 though

Great great album. Elton (and Bernie) really is one of the best

Americana at its finest. You can drift away to these songs.

2.5

Pleasantly surprised. It was a good one time listen that was better than many of the albums we've already crossed.

Started out digging this but then it got too redundant. Fight the war, fuck the power, all that stuff over and over. Still bangs though.

An incredible cool and calming listening experience. The lead singer's voice is soothing yet just powerful enough to avoid being too soft or whimpy. A lot of nice twists on some classics here as well.

It's a little much for me but I will give Can credit for really going out there. This is a true case of avant garde, and there are some tracks I did enjoy on their own. I (most people) would probably have a different, more positive, reaction to this after a few too many tokes of the lettuce.

An interesting blend of hip-hop and Rr&B with some elements of rock as well.

Right my name is Jim E Brown, I've just completed a full listen of the album Aja by a bloke named Steely Dan. The sounds like it was assembled in a laboratory by men who iron their socks, and I resent how much I enjoy it. Every note is so clean and precise it makes me feel physically unwell, like I’ve wandered into a surgeon’s theatre and accidentally become the operation. It is, unfortunately, bang on—smooth to the point of spiritual emptiness, like being gently suffocated by silk......Right my name is Jim E Brown.

Glad we got this album for the sake of experiencing broadening our musical horizons but can't say I'll be coming back for more. A 2.5 feels appropriate here, but I have a "round down" rule when it comes to cases like this.

this was fun

If Rubber Soul was the Beatles' pot album, then this was their acid album. I think pound for pound, Revolver may be their best album (though my personal fav is Rubber Soul). In my opinion, there are no forgettable tracks on the entire album. My fast and loose thoughts are as follows: 1. Tax Man and the way it counts in....such a sick way to kick off the album. Paul actually plays the solo too and if you listen closely, you can hear some of the Indian/Eastern influences in the way it's played. Eleanor Rigby - first Beatles song to be written without any first-person lyrics. A classic case of Paul taking the mundane (an ordinary name on a tombstone) and creating a whole new story full of characters and emotion. Also, credit to George for coming up with the "ahhh look at all the lonely people" chorus line. 3. Love You Too - George's first composition to be unapologetically influenced by his fascination with Eastern culture and music. 4. Here, There, and Everywhere - I'll put my money on this being the best love song the Beatles ever put out. It's a perfect song. Beautiful lyrics and chord progressions that have you believing and even feeling those lyrics. Fun fact - Paul wrote nearly the entire song whilst sitting by the pool at John's house as John failed to wake up from a nap on time for their songwriting appointment (I guess that's all that needs to be said for I'm Only Sleeping). 4. Yellow Submarine - Ok yes it's cheesy and everyone loves to point to this song as the use case for why the Beatles are overrated. But it was actually initially written by John with a much sadder and darker message (listen to the Lennon Demo on the Revolver remastered album from 2024-ish) but it was given to Ringo and changed into a more cheerful song intended to children. To this day, Yellow Submarine is still used to put babies to sleep, make them smile, and much more. I don't care what the critics say; I think it's pretty cool that the same band who wrote Tomorrow Never Knows can also make something like Yellow Submarine. 5. She Said She Said & Doctor Robert - these tracks are clearly a direct relation to their experiences with LSD. In She Said She Said the line "I know what it's like to be dead" was a line that Peter Fonda said to the boys at a party one time while high on LSD. It's also a super sick lyric that fits the vibe of the song perfectly. Doctor Robert - based on a real-life dentist that slipped LSD into his guests' tea, including John and George, at a dinner party. Jesus dude.... 6. And Your Bird Can Sing - some of the coolest guitar work on any Beatles track. Double tracked, synchronized guitar parts played by George and Paul. 7. Got to Get You Into My Life - this track is "an ode to pot" as described by Paul. Any time I hear this song it's fun to know that it's literally just a guy singing about how he loves pot and the way it makes him feel. 8. Tomorrow Never Knows - I mean, what a cool track. There's so much going on here. The use of backward-looping tapes, farm animal noises, the swirling, chaotic instrumentation. And of course John's voice, which when devising its production, he told George Martin and Geoff Emerick he wanted his voice on the track to sound like 1,000 Tibetan monks chanting from a mountain. See what I mean when I said Revolver was their acid album? I know I'm probably going overkill on this review, but I truly believe the Beatles were at the height of their powers from 1965-1967. They were established themselves and earned the right to expand their musical tastes and productions beyond the pop sounds and boy band lyrics meant for record sales. They were more experimental than ever. George really began coming into his own as an equal to Paul and John. And most importantly, they were still a true band at this time before all the in-fighting started and hard feelings began festering. As a result, we got Revolver. Yea...it's a 5 for me.

Solid album here. Never heard of Jeff Buckley, but there were some undertones of Robert Plant/Led Zeppelin in his music.

Just a good funky album here. Cisco kid is so smooth

This had its moments, but it never really took off. It's a chill listen but that's all I can say about it, really.

Lots of good renditions by Dusty of some of the Motown classics (Mockingbird, You Don't Own Me, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Can I Get a Witness). It's a fun listen and Dusty has a great voice that enable her to pull these covers off.

This is the type of stuff I'm looking for and thinking of when I want to hear some quintessential 80's.

I prefer CCR's Cosmo's Factory, but Bayou Country is solid as well. A good representation of their southern/bayou flavored sound that CCR really embraced.

I loved this album. It's a masterclass blending of soul and funk and pop that I can play for hours.

Not my bag, sorry

Solid folk-pop that was the Byrds real bread n' butter. 12-string guitars and 3-4 part harmonies are all over this album which I tend to enjoy.

Members of the Art Garfunkel hive....assemble!

Good album, but it didn't scratch the itch like I was expecting it to.

This grew on me the longer it played; enough to make it to a 3.

If you're ever trying to explain what Drop D tuning is to someone, save your time and just have them listen to Spiderland instead. More than anything, it's the guitar work and interlocking techniques that made me really like this album.

I think this was 1-2 tracks too long for me, but I really appreciate the Cure and their music.

Red hot start that kind of fades a little toward the end. Side B does have some good ones though.

Short and sweet rock n roll album with tons of blues influence. Would I say it's one of the greatest albums ever? Probably not. But there's not a whole lot to dislike here.

Good stuff here. Chill but also brings a bit of edge at the same time.

I wanted to like this more, but it lost its momentum toward the end. A 2.5 feels more appropriate, but that's not an option, is it?

A Visions of Johanna stan for life

Solid body of work here....good early 2000's garage rock.

This was rather enjoyable. Nothing crazy, easy to listen to, generally light with some fun instrumentation.

Loved this blues-heavy album. It was easy to sit back and get lost in the driving rhythms and riffs. Really enjoyed All Your Love and What I'd Say (Day Tripper riff)