Some interesting song ideas. Really enjoyed ambulance. Most of the songs felt like they went nowhere. Way too many GarageBand-type loops and high/low double tracked vocals. Interesting at times but not inspiring.
Really loved this album. Had never heard a single Smiths song going in. Instrumentation and production are fantastic and create the vibe. Great vocal performance. Album is experimental but retains melody throughout. Little to no filler. Very fun listening.
This album did not really push the envelope or innovate in any way, particularly when compared to other albums coming out around this time period. But I found my self tapping my foot along to the beat throughout the listen. Pretty generic and derivative rock, but very listenable and palatable. There are certainly worse albums out there.
Incredible live album. The energy on this record is infectious. The band is tight, and James Brown sounds unbelievably good. I can’t fathom that this is from 1962. I wish this record was twice as long.
Good energy, really enjoyed the songs at the start of the record. Take Me Out is a great song. The record really starts to feel repetitive after 3-4 tracks. Not bad, but gets old.
This music is dense, very complex, and occasionally unpleasant. I actually enjoyed this record more than I thought I would. But I can’t pretend to be able to fully appreciate Jazz, even if this is one of the finest albums in the genre. Glad I listened, probably won’t be listening again.
It was fine. They all can somewhat play instruments. The singer has an interesting voice and delivery at times, although it does get tiring. Overall, not the worst album on the list but far from the top. Very meh.
This album sounds incredible. Super fun. Amazing production. Busta Rhymes rips on the last song.
I am not a hip-hop fan, so the songs started to blend together and it got a little long. But this album gets 4/5 for how great it sounds.
I love the Bakersfield sound and country music in general, so I was pretty excited to get this album. It was honestly a little disappointing.
The writing and instrumentation were a little underwhelming. I enjoyed the listen, but I would have expected an album in this genre to move me more. The songs never seemed to go anywhere energy-wise, even when the lyrics tried to point to a climax of a song.
Overall, it’s decent, but there are significantly better examples of this genre and sound out there.
This album isn’t going to blow you away musically, but it is such a cool snapshot into music history. I love Johnny Cash, I love this record. So much energy and charisma. This record belongs in the pantheon of great American records.
A forward thinking album that has that quintessential mid-60s SoCal sound. The record sounds like early CSNY demos more than a cohesive album. Enjoyed hearing once, but probably won’t revisit, given there are much more polished records with this concept and sound.
Way too many “White Castle”, “girlies” and “my names Mike D”. I actually came in to this record with a positive impression of the Beastie Boys and enjoyed the hit songs. But man, this was so brutal to listen to. Some of the sampling and beats were cool, but I couldn’t stand the lyrics and rap-singing. I just don’t get it.
This one really grew on me over the course of listening. The orchestration is pretty cool. It’s not my favorite music or record ever, but it’s weird and creative, and it holds your attention throughout the listen.
This has to be the most frustrating album I’ve ever listened to. There are 10-12 really cool song ideas in this 28 song record. But the amount of absolute garbage in between is awful. The whole thing just comes off as exceptionally lazy. Couldn’t bother to finish a single song. Couldn’t bother to record it with any sort of quality production. First album I’m giving the 1/5.
This record is more a work of art than it is a pure musical album. I was thoroughly entertained and enthralled. The songs and soundscapes are gripping and sometimes uncomfortable. But they almost always evoke a mental image. Really entertaining.
One of my absolute favorites. Love this record. Generational album, every single is a banger. Creative. Great writing. Easy 5/5.
This record is just fun music. The lyrics aren’t the best, the music isn’t overly innovative, but it’s just a fun listen. I had to tell myself not to take this one too seriously, and I enjoyed the listen. 3.75/5.
Brian Wilson was a mad genius. This record really didn’t catch me the first time I heard it many years ago. But with each listen I catch a new melodic hook, or instrument section, or lyric that resonates. Significantly more complex than it appears. Beautiful piece of art. Another easy 5/5.
Maybe not the best classic rock album of the mid-1970s, but I would argue this is the album that best represents the sound of classic rock during the time period. A few extended guitar solos and jams, acoustic ballads, and nice chunky riffs, all with the energy of a live crowd. This album is “classic rock”. Fun listen.
I’ve never been a massive fan of the Stones’s sound, compared to the Beatles, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc. but I appreciated the hell out of this album. Very ambitious, incredibly unique. Lots of Gospel and R&B influence, with many non-guitar driven songs. I can’t quite give it a 5 because it’s not quite for me, but a hell of a record.
Not bad, a little grating at times. I guess that’s punk though. Didn’t hate, didn’t really feel the need to relisten either. I’ll probably just listen to Marquee Moon if I’m craving this type of sound.
It’s okay. Pretty good songwriting. I can see how the songs are charismatic. But I wasn’t really intrigued musically or by the production. I like Sunday Bloody Sunday, and the last track was kind of cool. Everything in the middle blended.
Kind of cool, but it feels like there are 10 albums on this list that sound pretty similar. Not bad, but probably won’t revisit. 3.5/5
A 2000s mashup of Elton John and The Bee Gees. It’s kind of fun. Hated the Comfortably Numb cover. Overall, I didn’t hate it, but it’s not for me.
Some of the songs felt too long, and the early part of the album felt very repetitive. By the end though I really found a groove with it. And enjoyed the extended jam in Orion. Will probably give another listen while driving or working out.
Just could not get into this. Was truly not fun to listen to. Innovative for the time I guess, but not something I really enjoyed at all.
Nirvana just has an authentic musical darkness and danger that is gripping. I don’t usually like this genre, but I love Nirvana. I don’t think this album has the same level of hits as Nevermind, but the album as a whole feels more polished.
Some very interesting music and blending of genres. The writing is weak in places and I don’t think it quite connects the lyrics to the theme of the record, but the creativity is not lacking. A very interesting listen, especially since this album was released during a period where music was beginning to become a little boring. I found myself liking it more and more as it went along. You will certainly not get bored.
If I had gone in blind, I would have thought this was a Monty Python’s Holy Grail on Broadway soundtrack. This album should only be listened to in a front row seat at Medieval Times with a Mutton leg in hand.
Okay, it’s actually comical in parts.
God dammit, it’s actually pretty funny to be honest.
Oh shit, is this actually growing on me?
The initial shock and hatred did eventually wear off, and I appreciated(?) this album a bit. Would I actually listen again? Almost certainly not. But it’s weird, and it stands out amongst the monotonous mix of post punk debut albums on this list.
Very good record. The production sound is unique, it almost has a lofi sound with lots of Spector string layers on top. Pretty cool.
I think this album 1000% benefits from being titled and beginning with Imagine. I think the rest of the album after imagine is good but not necessarily great. It’s hard not to compare to McCartney and Harrison solo music of the early 70’s, which I just enjoy more. However still a great listen.
