Classic RHCP sound/riffs and excellent instrumentals, overall average though.
Fav Tracks: Under the Bridge > Give it Away > I Could Have Lied
I've never been a big fan of metal, but you cannot deny Metallica's mastery of the genre. The instrumentals in Orion were amazing.
Fav Tracks: Orion > Welcome Home (Sanitarium) > Master of Puppets
Current Fav Album: Master of Puppets - Metallica (#2/1089)
This came out a year before I was born, and while I've heard of them I've never pulled the trigger. Growing up I was a big fan of Dashboard Confessional, AAR, The Verve, Death Cab, etc. I can hear so much of them on this album.
Coincidentally, I read the first two books of Gibson's The Sprawl trilogy a month or so ago and that track has to be a reference, yes? Their whole sound just...oozes, like the grungy underbelly Gibson builds in his books.
Fave Tracks: Teenage Riot > The Sprawl > Total Trash (last half was legit)
Current Fav Album: Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth (#3/1089)
Almost every track on this album is great, but it is very front-loaded. Still, this has to be one of the best modern debut albums; it was everywhere when it came out. You could argue it was inescapable if you left your house. I don't know as time goes on if I'd stick with my rating, but for the sheer impact it had in my formative years I'm bumping it to a 5.
Fav Tracks: All These Things That I've Done > Smile Like You Mean It > Mr. Brightside
Current Fav Album: Hot Fuss - The Killers (#4/1089)
I feel like I should really like the laid-back Brit pop sound, but everything sounded so similar to me until the end. I was literally updating my "fav tracks" list after every song until it finally built to "I Am The Resurrection". Being American, I can hear the impact this undoubtedly had on a lot of our 90's bands, I'm appreciative, but it just isn't something I could see myself listening to over and over. I like the "I Wanna Be Adored" and I Am The Resurrection" bookends though.
Fav Tracks: I Am The Resurrection > Fool's Gold > This Is The One
Current Fav Album: Hot Fuss - The Killers (#4/1089)
I only associated this band with "Smoke On The Water", but they had some great tracks on this album. Other than "Highway Star" they all happen to be in the back half. "Lazy" was by far the best one, I liked the accompanying organ and the intro a lot. Overall, it sounded like an average 70's rock album to me with those few stand outs.
Fav Tracks: Lazy > Smoke On The Water > Never Before
Current Fav Album: Hot Fuss - The Killers (#4/1089)
I couldn't get into this album, it would be background music at best. There were a few interesting songs, noted below, but nothing I would add to listen to again. It's a shame because I enjoyed the more lyrical focus compared to the other albums I've gotten so far.
Fav Tracks: The Hissing of Summer Lawns > The Jungle Line > The Boho Dance
Current Fav Album: Hot Fuss - The Killers (#4/1089)
I just want some good beats and not too much unnecessary explicit language. I can appreciate why this album was received so well, but Kanye's conduct kind of undermines the themes he's highlighting here.
Fav Tracks: Lost In The World > All of the Lights > Runaway
Current Fav Album: Hot Fuss - The Killers (#4/1089)
This was a pleasant surprise. Most tracks provided some sort of element that was new and fun to listen to (mostly instrumental). You can hear Queen and The Beatles everywhere. Honorable mention to Jungle, it was definitely an outlier but very cool.
Fav Tracks: Mr. Blue Sky > Sweet is the Night > Turn To Stone
Current Fav Album: Out of the Blue - Electric Light Orchestra (#9/1089)
Not bad, a few tracks everyone knows, but otherwise it sounds similar throughout. Honorable mention to "Many Men". Unfortunately, a lot of the interesting parts were carried by collaborators. I prefer it over Kanye though.
Fav Tracks: In Da Club > P.I.M.P. (Snoop Dogg Remix) > U Not Like Me
Current Fav Album: Out of the Blue - Electric Light Orchestra (#9/1089)
"Welcome To The Machine" is very good, but something had to fall off to stick to my top 3 songs per album rule. This is meant to be enjoyed as an album, the 3 songs in the middle lose their luster if consumed as singles. An amazing experience, probably the "highest" 5 star rating so far (though I'm still at the beginning of my journey).
Fav Tracks: Shine On You Crazy Diamond (all parts, 1-10) > Wish You Were Here > Have A Cigar
Current Fav Album: Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd (#11/1089)
I haven't heard of them before so this was fun to explore. It makes good background music but very little stood out. I'm curious what it is that drives their inclusion on this list.
Fav Tracks: DLZ > Lover's Day > Family Tree
Current Fav Album: Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd (#11/1089)
Fav Tracks: From The Morning > Free Ride > Things Behind The Sun
Current Fav Album: Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd (#11/1089)
