I’m not the biggest Dylan fan, but he is a genius with words and stories. He obviously has a unique delivery and voice inflection - but I’ve never understood why people hate it. Outstanding collection of songs.
Calming and weird and awesome.
I was familiar with Dixie and Cripple Creek, but enjoyed finally hearing the whole album. I can see how they influenced a wide range of artists and helped shape a sound, but not quite enough to get that 5th star.
I’m proud of myself for giving the whole album a chance. Had never heard 11:59 or Sunday Girl before. They were my “favorites.” I know Blondie and this album are beloved by many, it’s just not for me.
I mean, come on. Quick and easy 5. Amazing album from start to finish. In the running for the GOAT.
Love.
Superstition is phenomenal, but there’s so much more to the album. Personal favorite is I Believe (when I fall in love it will be forever), with a nod to its use at the end of High Fidelity.
Every Bill Evans album on this list will get a 5 from me, and I hope this is the first of many of his albums. This isn’t background music, folks. This is the main event.
Okay, it wasn’t “bad” by any means, but it wasn’t memorable. America Snoring was far and away my favorite song, but I couldn’t hum a bar of it twenty minutes later. I don’t regret listening to it, but I have no desire to listen to any of these songs again.
Oof. First half was maybe a 2 at best, second half was … bad. This is a little too druggie/out there for me, not much else to say.
5 stars, no question. I’d probably give Otis 5 stars if he had sang the alphabet song or a recipe, though.
But his take on these songs is just extraordinary. The passion, emotion, and soul … You just sit back, close your eyes, listen and enjoy.
I used to have no time for electronica. “That’s not music, it’s just noise,” I’d say. Then I gave it a chance. Turns out I like it, too.
This album is great.
I came into it pretty blind. After the first six songs I thought it was fine, but didn’t have a signature/memorable track. Then Around the World came on like John McClane. “Welcome to the party, pal.”
After I finished it I went back and re-listened to the first six songs with new ears and Da Funk stood out.
The driving beat(s), catchy - and, yes, repetitive hooks, and solid grooves were exhilarating.
And I can assure you don’t have to be on ecstasy or at a dance club to enjoy this. I was walking my dog in the bright sunlight at first, then making dinner for my family. I can easily picture listening to this while on a cross country flight, or doing taxes, or doing 100 other things.
This music is so fun and upbeat, you can’t help but smile, dance, and just celebrate living when it’s on. Probably wouldn’t have ever come across this album without the project, but I’m happier for it.
I leaned 4 all day, but the Purdie Shuffle pushes this to the top. Classic.
Not what I was expecting. I’ll never say it’s my favorite album, but it steadily grew on me as it went and I plan to return again to explore in greater depth. A nice discovery.
Pre-listening thoughts:
I remember these guys. I vividly remember Holding Back the Years and the little snippet of the song they’d play on late night TV advertisements for the compilation disc sets. I can’t recall anything else about them.
Post-Listen: ugh. Holding Back the Years was … fine. Worse than I remembered? I couldn’t get into the album at all. I just don’t see this as an album people need to listen to. I won’t be returning.
Merry Christmas.
A timeless classic, definitive versions of memorable Christmas tunes.
And yeah, Phil Spector’s name is on this and he has his little speech at the end, but rank this and give credit to the wrecking crew, Darlene, the Ronettes, et al., who performed on it.
Haunting, beautiful, deep, extraordinary. I feel this one deep in my soul and it lingers - a wonderful work of art.
For a while (first 3 songs) I thought I’d found my first 3 star album presented to me on the list. But the second half was a real struggle for me - one could say it got progressively worse. (Ha ha.)
Talented musicians, but I think a 3 star album has to be something I’d desire and choose to listen to again, and this just doesn’t make that cut.
Solid record. Comes out of the gate hot, loses some steam mid-way through, but finishes on a high note. Takes me back to the late 90s in a fun way.
Classic. I’m glad I listened to the whole thing with today’s ears, though. It’s not my favorite record of all time - not even close - but it’s still a 5.
My mom loves Elvis. I even met up with her in Memphis to go to Graceland together. I recognize his influence in rock and roll and music in general, and I really like a lot of his later work, but this particular album doesn’t sustain a must-hear status to me.
I love this album. I already play it regularly in my house. Perfect for a quiet night with my wife or just relaxing and reading a book. 5 stars.
Never heard of this album or even the band. This is also the first time I’ve avoided all reviews before I listened so I could really have my own experience.
Regarding the album -- I love this. It set a fabulous chill vibe and mood I'd love to explore again and again. This is getting me at the right time. It brought me into its little world and took me on a fun ride. I'll add it to my collection and will happily revisit more in the future. A fun new discovery and an instant 5 for me.
Interesting. Was not familiar with Gene Clark or this album. Album opener made me wince a little, but even then the lyrics made me intrigued. As the album played on the whole thing grew on me. It won't go into my regular rotation, but I could certainly see listening again. And it has a fascinating back-story on its initial reception and later resurgence. Glad to be introduced to it.
I obviously know The Clash, but I’d somehow never heard their debut. I’d have historically said punk is “not my thing,” but I’ve also never really given it a real chance.
I don’t have a single bad thing to say about this album. Way more catchy than I expected. I’d put this back on long before spinning, say, Rubber Soul again, and I already gave that 5 stars, so this one vaults to a 5, too.
Yikes.
Okay, this is not my thing. There was a stretch of songs - Senhor F, Bat Macumba, and Le premier bonheur du jour - that I enjoyed a little, but that was it. I won’t be listening to this again.
I know CSNY, I’ve seen CSNY live. I like them. This is a good record, great harmonies.
Man, this is an instant time machine back to my youth, a soundtrack for California afternoons, good friends, simple times, no responsibilities, just carefree fun. Right place at the right time.
Fight on! ✌️
80’s Prince. Instant 5 stars.
I’ll be honest, I’d give The Rainbow Children and LOtUSFLOW3R and HITNRUN Phase One high marks, too, if they appeared on this list. I love Prince.
But 80’s Prince is beyond next level.
Okay, I never would have found this or listened to it on my own. And I would have turned it off if I wasn't doing this project. (I want to give every album a real chance - no skips.)
I liked the music fine, it was really just the vocals that were grating. I was grateful when it was over and I won’t be revisiting.
I know these guys influenced a lot of people, and some of my friends really love them.
I liked a lot of the music instrumentally. The vocals made me think I can sing. (I can’t.) But they grew on me as the album continued. The 2nd half of the album was awesome, I was almost a little disappointed when it ended.
Best example so far of why to listen to a full album before making a decision on it, and to give the whole thing a chance.
The birth of heavy metal. Still totally rocks and takes a well-deserved place on this list. And a big shout out to Louisa Livingstone on that album cover, too, setting the tone for all the tunes to come.
Classic album, no bad tracks. Representative of an oft-dismissed but super fun era in rock music. Glad to see 80’s hair bands get a little love here. 🤘
Man, I feel like I’m getting spoiled. Live B.B. King is an obvious 5 star. Virtuosity, energy, fun. I love live music, I love the crowd noise, and B. B. really made Lucille talk.
If anyone actually reads this, I encourage you to also check out Joe Williams and Count Basie rip every day I have the blues. That whole album is sublime, too.
Frenetic, relentless, catchy and exciting. I only knew Alright before now because of the Clueless soundtrack, so this was a great, unexpected ride.
Oh wow. Wasn’t expecting this album on the list. I’ll keep this short and sweet.
I love Keith Moon. I like The Who. I don’t like this album. I trust several other albums of theirs will make this list, and they’ll fare better.
So, I love Strangers Almanac by Whiskeytown, and I expected to like this, too. But I didn’t. Maybe if I had listened to it in my early 20’s? I just didn’t connect with it, it was uninspiring, and he just seemed too earnest here.
And I listened without knowledge of Ryan Adams’ personal life, allegations of misconduct, etc. I was not aware of any of that until after I listened to the whole thing and read a couple other reviews here. But separate the art from the artist, anyway.
I kind of liked Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd.
And I’m going to go listen to Strangers Almanac again.
Yep, Whiskeytown still holds up. That’s five stars. Go for that instead of this.
I was really intrigued by the idea of this, and I enjoyed a number of the songs and much of the over vibe. It wasn’t bad, but I probably won’t listen to it again. There’s just too much other stuff out there.
This was really good. Beautiful. Less sad/depressing than I was expecting. I’m not going to put it on my running playlist or anything, but I enjoyed it and will likely listen again. L.A. was a standout for me.
Love. Another band I discovered at the exact right time. Gives me a great feeling, like a couple of my best friends came over with their instruments and we were just having fun drinking beers and making our own music after work.
The great songs on here are among the best ever. What’s Going On, Mercy Mercy Me, Inner City Blues.
Man, how appropriate for our times today, too.
Had some exceptional moments, but they were just too few and far between for me.
Just a great record. Not much more to say about it.
This album is great. It’s okay to like this AND Radiohead. It’s not a zero sum game.
Fun album, totally 80’s. Not my favorite, but certainly of its time and a joy to listen to.
