Not really something I enjoyed too much. Not the type of music I usually listen to, so hard for me to say.
Production sounds extremely clean. In my only listen through, there wasn't a whole lot that caught my ear or stood out to me.
"Look at You Now" was probably my favorite track. Reminded me a little of Talking Heads.
Really enjoyed the music. But upon relistening for the first time in a while, the lyrics are a little rough. It's not so terrible for a single song, but as an album it does get old.
3.5-4
This is my first time listening to the album and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. My favorite song is "I know what I know."
Has a very clean, punchy sound that I don't think I'm a huge fan of at first, but it really works on this album for me. Also, the lyrics are funnier than I thought they'd be.
First time listening.
I enjoyed it well enough. I liked the sound of the album - it was heavy and driving without being overdone. Fun, fast riffs.
First time listening
3
This album was okay? The flute was interesting, and the songs were enjoyable enough. I suppose the variety of the songs was interesting, and I could see it being something I enjoy more on relistening. I can hear the elements of the rock opera/concept album come through.
First listen. I have heard some of these songs before, but never the whole album.
Very expansive sounding album, that was more enjoyable than I was expecting. Really enjoy the guitar riffs and the atmosphere of the songs.
Not first time listening.
4.5
I really liked this album. I don't listen to a ton of metal, but have listened to this before. It's a little difficult for me to put this in context since I'm still early in this listening project, but this feels like one of the better (best?) albums on the list. All of the tracks here are great, fast, and tight.
I think one of the things that stands out to me is how the songs dont get boring, despite using mostly the same sound.
Not first time listening.
5
This is such a good album and one that I really love. The way that Cash makes the cover songs his own is incredible, and the storytelling in the songs is so powerful. One of the only albums I can think of that gives me chills when I listen to it. The album has a very intimate feel to it, and you can really sense the emotion is Cash's voice.
First full listen, but heard some songs before.
3.5
I actually enjoyed this album. I got this only one or two after getting Master of Puppets, and it's interesting to hear the difference in styles. To me this is a much more fun album, and I can even hear some similarities to later-era Black Flag, especially on the first track.
First listen.
4
This seems like an album I'll have to listen to a few more times to really appreciate, but what's hit me on the first two listens is the emotion and intimacy of the album. Very sparse.
Favorite Songs: Blue, California
First listen.
2
It was hard for me to get into this, especially with the first track being Dark Star. I did like St. Stephen and The Eleven, and I guess the "feedback" track was interesting. I also think I'm rating this a little higher after listening to the A History of Rock Music in 500 songs episode about the Greatful Dead, since I think there's some aspects of this release I appreciate more with the context.
At first I was leaning around a 1, but it's not really that bad, but it has some interesting parts.
First listen.
1.5
I'm not sure I really get this. It's pretty boring to me, but maybe I'm missing something. It felt like most/all of the songs on the first disc were slow songs, made up of 2 or 3 notes on a synth pad.
The second disc was a little more interesting, but even then, just when I thought there was something interesting, it'd lapse into a long lyrical part that I didn't care for.
Not first time listening.
5
One of my favorite albums that I can come back to pretty much any time to listen.
This album merges the lo-fi and avant garde with pop elements in the songs. This is what separates from the other garage rock in the 60s.
The songwriting is also very evocative - you can almost feel the griminess of the scenes depicted in tracks like "I'm Waiting For The Man," and the frenetic whiplash of "Heroin" is affecting.
I can see how this album is said to have spawned and influenced countless other bands. It's limited technical musical demonstration and recording quality gives the impression anyone can do this. At the same time, it's clear that the songwriting and attitude are what helps to set the album apart.
First time listening.
2.5
This was interesting enough and had some fun moments. Bumping this up to 3 stars since this is something I would enjoy while running. While the tracks themselves can be repetitive, at least most of the tracks sound different.
First listen.
3
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Fun riffs, fast music. Nothing is super catchy or memorable to me, but it was a good listen.
First Listen.
4.5
Not sure how I never listened to this before. I really enjoyed it and is one I will listen to again. I liked the proto-punk, stripped down sound.
First Listen.
4
I actually listened to this one a couple of times and it grew on me. I liked the organ and guitar with octave effects. It certainly has a heavy metal sound, but is much closer to blues than Black Sabbath.
Favorite songs: Highway Star, Lazy, Space Truckin'
First Listen.
3
This was a perfectly fine album. It had some interesting songs in the second half of the album that had a kinda circus sounding instrumentation, and other songs reminded me of John Lennon.
First Listen.
3.5
I really enjoyed this album. I appreciated the motifs that repeated through some of the songs, and liked that there was diversity in the instrumentation and moods of the songs.
Favorite songs: La via a 2, Luna y sol
Not first listen.
4
This is one that is really hard to give an objective review. Linkin Park was the first concert I ever went to, and I listened to this album on repeat in elementary and middle school.
I do think that the album holds up well enough. Sure, it's not the most inventive or creative album, but I think the songs are catchy enough and it is exciting for what it is.
First listen.
2.5
This was a pretty boring album with shoegaze influences. Most of the songs seemed to follow the pattern of a slow build, swirling guitar chords, then pretty bland lead guitar coming in over the top.
Certainly not the worst thing and pleasant enough to listen to, but nothing really stood out.
First Listen.
3
Fun album, sounded like Elton John in parts.
Not first listen.
5
This is the easiest 5 so far out of about 20 albums. I've listened to this record before, but what stood out to me this time is just how deliberate every second on this record feels, especially the bass and drums. And this is in addition to all of the classic guitar riffs.
The songs are very powerful and driving, but at the same time very methodical and under control. It's amazing how strong of a record this is without being over the top.
And after listening to more music over the years, it's interesting to hear the roots of so many other types and genres of music in this album.
First listen.
3
This album was pleasant enough, but I feel like this probably isn't the most interesting material from Ray Charles. Much of it sounded like other crooners I've heard.
First Listen;
3.5;
This album was fun, not sure what else to say about it. Kinda hard for me to put it in context.
Favorite songs:
(I'll be glad when you're dead) You Rascal
First Listen;
2.5
I didn't enjoy the album all that much, although it isn't terrible. Aside from a few good tracks, I found it repetitive and boring. I did enjoy the production and the instrumentation, but again, nothing really jumped out and grabbed me.
Favorite Songs:
Win
Fame
Not first listen;
3.5;
I've listened to all these songs before, but I'm not sure I ever listened through the whole album. One of the things that struck me was how sparse/limited most of the songs are. This isn't a bad thing at all, and makes it interesting how the album still holds up well. And I obviously never listened closely enough, but I also never realized how silly the album is.
Favorite songs:
Fight for your right
No sleep til Brooklyn
Brass Monkey
Not first listen;
3.5;
While I've listened to some of this album before, I never listened to the whole thing closely. I found it very fun, interesting, and accessable. The different effects and instruments kept my attention, and there's plenty of catchy hooks throughout. This is something I would come back to listen to.
Favorite song:
Chameleon
First Listen;
4;
Really enjoyed this album, and it is something I will probably listen to again. The lyrics are very moving and the music matches it perfectly.
Favorite Songs:
You Want it Darker
Treaty
Not first listen;
5;
I really love this album. For an instrumental jazz record, there's a lot of memorable riffs, hooks, and sections. Parts are very lush and dreamy, but then other parts are frantic with instruments all over the place.
I've listened to this album plenty and will in the future, and I'm glad that it's on this list.
First Listen;
3;
At first I didn't really like this album at all, but it grew on me a little. I'm still not really sure what to think of it. The songs are fun and upbeat, but at the same time, nothing really jumped out and grabbed me. Very funky.
Favorite Song: Music of the Mind, Didgin' Out
First Listen;
4;
I can tell why this album is catchy and well liked. It sounds good, the songs are well produced and diverse, and Beyonce is obviously a talented vocalist. It's still really not my kind of music though and it's not something I would come back to listen to a whole album, but certainly enjoy listening to singles.
Not first listen;
5;
Listening to this brings back memories of college, where I listened to this album a lot. I haven't listened to it in full in quite a while, but it still holds up really well. I remember at the time that this record was still much better than most other electro stuff that was out there. The album is very loud, very abrasive, but is still incredibly catchy. The whole thing slinks and oozes along, while still banging the whole time. Very much and attack and release, attack and release format that builds a ton of tension along the way.
Favorite Songs: DVNO, Phantom, Phantom Pt. 2, Waters of Nazareth, Genesis.
First Listen;
4;
I really enjoyed this album and this is probably the first of the thirty or so in this project that I haven't heard before but will listen to again. The songs have a very lush sound and epitomize a chill, laid-back sound. The vocals are great and fit the music perfectly.
Not first listen;
4;
Gimmie Shelter and You Can't always Get What You Want are obviously the standout songs, but I enjoyed the other tracks much more on this listen than I did years ago when I tried to listen to it. Live With Me and Monkey Man I enjoyed in particular. I think I used to be looking for a louder sound or more catchy songs, but I appreciated the blues and country influences much more.
Not first listen;
3.5;
I really enjoy this album. It really sets a mood and is very interesting how they're able to create the mood/image with their instrumentation. There's something I really enjoy about how precise and pleasant some of the music is, and some of it is eerie as well.
First Listen;
5;
This is the first album so far (#38) that I feel like is a hidden gem for me. The lyrics are clever and biting and the music is catchy. Somehow, to me, the music feels more "modern" than other Kinks records I've listened to. I also feel like this pulls off a concept album really well. Maybe it's that the subject matter lends itself to interesting lyrics, but the album doesn't sound like it's trying to hard to tie everything together.
This is definitely an album I will listen to again.
Favorite Songs: Vincent; Yes Sir, No Sir; Shangri-La.
First Listen;
2.5;
On first listen, I didn't really enjoy this album much at all. It sounded like most other Irish sounding folk music, but pretty sterile and not very interesting. On second listen, it was a little more enjoyable and I liked some of the folky aspects of the music. Still not something I will probably come back to.
Not first listen;
4.5;
Discordant, harsh, edgy, but still really melodic and catchy - I really enjoy this album. The album has way more personality that makes it stand out much more than other albums.
One I will come back to more often now that I've given it a close listen for this project.
First Listen;
4;
I did not have high expectations for this album. I thought that I'd think it pleasant enough but boring and similar sounding.
Having said that, this was much catchier, more diverse, and catchier than I was expecting. This is actually something I would come back to listen to on it's own.
First Listen;
3.5;
This was a fun listen. Interesting and fun music and socially conscious lyrics.
Not first listen;
5;
Incredible how much the music dances around the same melody throughout the record. By working around the same riffs, it's interesting to hear how the different parts evoke different emotion. While being dissonant and chaotic, it manages to keep everything together.
Not first listen;
4;
Great album that really epitomizes the punk/new wave sound. Very tight, punchy songs where the band seems to moving in all different directions but still moving forward together at the same time. Songs are filled with catchy riffs.;
One to put on must listen list.
First Listen;
3.5;
The music really sets a mood. Melonchaly and a little eerie without being boring. I actually thought this was a good example of a production sound associated with the 80s.
Favorite Track: Red Rain
Not first listen;
4;
Classic album that has a lot of exciting moments. Angry, aggressive, and with decades of hindsight, it sounds like a little bit of a parody of itself with some of the lyrics.
Favorite track: Straight outta Compton
First Listen:
1.5;
This is possibly the most boring album I've listened to so far. The songs sound flat, and the guitar leads feel very basic and predictable. Drums also sound mostly the same track after track, and the bass never really does anything interesting. Almost like bad, boring Tom Petty b-side demos. I really don't know how this album is on the list.
Favorite Track: Molly's Chambers
First Listen;
4.5;
This is my favorite completely new artist and album from this project. Never heard of this artist before, but this music was interesting and fun. The songs reminded me of a lot of different bands, and the opening track and a few others reminded me of some Beach Boys songs: short, whimsical, falsetto singing. Others reminded me of the vibe of Kendrick Lamar, and sure enough he was on one of the tracks as well. Other parts sounded influenced by music from Sega or other video games.
Favorite Track: Them Changes
I really like the off-the-wall lyrics and catchy hooks and beats. To me this is the perfect mix of technical proficiency with fun ideas.
I've already listened to the album a couple times through and it's definitely one I'll come back to.
First Listen;
3.5;
This is a really, energetic album. I can hear the sweat on the record. Very raw sound from the performance that makes clear how fun this show is.
Favorite Track: Twistin' the Night Away
First Listen;
2;
Album was repetitive and not terribly interesting. The singing is good, but the instrumentation sounded dated and cheesy. The second disc in particular sounded half baked.
Favorite Track: Ain't no Other Man
First Listen;
4;
While this was first listen to the album, I'd obviously heard these singles before. I expected to think that the album was good enough, but not for me, but I actually really enjoyed it. These songs are just so good and have a timeless quality.
Favorite Track: Someone Like You
First Listen;
2;
Wanted to like this given the aesthetic it was going for, but just didn't do anything for me. No real memorable hooks, music sounds flat as well. And if you're going for this lo-fi production style, I feel like you need to have clever lyrics, which this really doesn't either.
Favorite Track: To the Moon's Contractor
First Listen;
3;
This is a very diverse and ambitious album, and also fun. I think the more upbeat songs work better for the band.
Favorite Track: Enjoy Yourself
First Listen;
2.5;
I thought I was going to listen and find something interesting or enjoyable, but I really didn't connect with it. It was enjoyable enough, but I also found it boring, even though I could tell there's clearly good musicianship.
It's possible that part of the reason this album didn't land for me is that I got it in the dead of winter on a 25 degree day.
This is the first album (after about 50) where I will probably come back another time because I feel like it could be me missing something.
Favorite Track: Concrete Jungle
First Listen;
4.5;
This was way more diverse and interesting than I was expecting. Experimental in parts, lots of fun guitar leads, melonchaly mood, and upbeat rocking. Manages to balance between fun camp and serious music, and nearly all the songs I could listen to multiple times.
Favorite Track: Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Not First Listen;
4;
"Pummeling" is probably the word that best describes this album. Incredibly tight, aggressive, and energetic music. The use of samples and production is revolutionary - it's an impressive technical feat, to say nothing of how well everything comes together. And the lyrics and delivery is powerful but still maintains a smooth flow.
Favorite Tracks: Brothers Gonna Work it Out, Welcome to the Terrordome
First Listen;
4.5;
Really enjoy how crunchy and punchy many of these songs are. There is a lot of jamming and noodling throughout, but it comes through with enough emotion and effort that it works well. There's also a lot of dark, driving moments that are counterbalanced by a chorus that opens things up and lets things breathe.
Can't believe that I never listened to this album before. I love songs that just jam on open chords, and this nails that sound perfectly.
Favorite Tracks: Cinnamon Girl, Down by the River
