2/3. Some really good songs on here, especially Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam, Man Who Sold the World, and Plateau. Cool to hear live versions of hits like Come As You Are and All Apologies too. Interesting to hear so many covers, gives an idea of the kind of music they were into. Kurt's singing is a bit hard to understand sometimes (mumbling), but his voice sounds good and he the covers let him show some range. Fun album, would recommend.
2/3. Was not familiar with Van Morrison other than Brown Eyed Girl, so this was a pleasant surprise. The first half of the album is definitely stronger, I wouldn't say the second half is bad, it just didn't catch me the same way, aside from Everyone. His voice really stands out, but I also really enjoyed the simple, organic instrumentation of it, and the songwriting really shines through.
2/3. This album sounds as pretty as Norah Jones looks. It's all very much in one mood and theme (love, longing, heartbreak, etc.), so definitely not something to put on all the time, but her voice is incredible, the instrumentation is soothing and exciting at the same time, and generally speaking this just sounded great. Great lyrics too.
2/3. He obviously has a great voice, and the instrumentation on this is so groovy. Love the really clear and pronounced rhythm sections, the funky synths, and Billy Jack really stood out to me. Other songs will probably grow on me, but there are two or three songs that kinda just dragged on for me.
2/3. Some really great songs on here, Marakesh Express and Wooden Ships immediately stood out to me. Their voices are great together, the guitar playing all over the album is great, and I definitely think this is an album that rewards being listened to over and over. There were a few tracks that just didn't grab me, and I found myself wondering when they'd be over.
3/3. The first 3 has arrived. This one kinda snuck up on me, but I think on repeated listens this might actually be a no-skip album. Sounds totally modern, and the production is exceptional. You can really hear every detail, and the songwriting is there to match. This would be an easy recommendation for anyone to listen to.
2/3. Felt like more of the same from the previous Crosby, Stills & Nash album. A couple of good songs on here and generally good performances, it just doesn't grab me that much. Wish they leaned into some of the heavier sound a bit more often, but I will say that 4+20 was probably my favorite track and that was a totally different vibe than anything else on here or CSN.
2/3. First half of the album aside from The Visitors was a drag, but the second half really picked up. They just really know how to write a chorus, and there's such a sense of fun and music to what they do. The 80s instrumentation of it all is really great to hear too, some really iconic synth, guitar, and bass sounds. I'd buy a vinyl and only ever listen to side 2.
P.S. Guess I was listening to a deluxe edition with bonus tracks on Spotify, which kinda puts a damper on what I wrote above. Seems like most of my favorite tracks were the bonus tracks, but I'll leave what I wrote above all the same.
1/3. The first 1 on my list, I just wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Maybe I'm just not the right demographic or I'm too used to modern rap, but a lot of this just sounds corny to me. There are some cool beat/production ideas here and I'm sure it was very influential in its time, but for the most part I just couldn't get into it. Acknowledge Your History and Doin' Our Own Dang were the highlights for me, the rest was a wash.
3/3. The first 3, I obviously knew this album being a Gorillaz fan, but had never actually listened to it start to finish. So many cool ideas, great production, still sounds as innovative and fun today as it probably did the day it came out. Not really any skips or bores on the album for me, this would be an instant recommendation from me.
2/3. Solid listen, some cool jams on here with a distinct southwestern US sound to it (makes sense given the guys are from AZ). I feel like this would benefit from a closer listen, there’s definitely some more to dig into.
Strong 2/3. This was a surprise for me, I really enjoyed the songs on this, very unique sound overall. The female vocalist reminds me a lot of the lead singer of The Cranberries. While the music is definitely folky, it has a bit more of an edge to it, and their vocal harmonies really stand out. I kept finding myself really getting into the songs by the time they were over, and even the religious dirge had grown on me by the end. A good album for sure.
1/3. This just bounced right off me, not sure if I just wasn’t in the right mood, but nothing grabbed me. The title track has a good message and there are moments in Sex Machine that sound interesting, but nothing for me otherwise.
2/3. Fun little soundtrack album, nice to listen to on a morning walk. Regio's Cafe and Sunday Morning were particularly nice, but I thought it was a pleasant listen in general. Probably benefits further from having seen the movie prior, but even without it the music evokes a mood and scenery pretty well (Ellie's Love Theme comes to mind).
1/3. A bit harsh perhaps, but is this really something you “have to listen to before you die”? It just sounds like generically 60s rock to me. Cool to hear the different lead singers track by track and I did really like Girl in the 4th Row, but overall it didn’t really do much for me.
2/3. Weird ass music but I liked it; only a few songs immediately grabbed me, but as a whole it had such a unique and cohesive sound. There’s such a feeling of tension and anxiety through it all, but not in a terrifying way, more in a can’t sit still nervous energy way. Definitely an album worth revisiting, greater than the sum of its parts.
2/3. Very cool, trancey noise music, Definitely not something I’d listen to everyday (and even less likely while I’m sober), but there were some tracks that I quite enjoyed and overall, it was the kind of music taste expanding album that I enjoy from this list.
2/3. A lot of cool instrumentals, once again feels like an album that really benefits from being listened to all the way through. I’ll be coming back to this.
1/3. Most of this just didn't really grab me, pretty muddy-sounding production, and just not really my vibe. Raw Power and Shake Appeal were my favorite tracks, solid riffs on both, but the rest just passed me by. I do like the unadulterated hedonism and rock and roll spirit of the lyrics though.
3/3. Wow, first album on this list that's really blown me away, just fantastic overall. Great songwriting, awesome instrumentation (there's a fucking harp at the start of Another Human Being??), and lyrics to match. Every song offered something different than the last, but it still feels totally cohesive. Definitely an artist I'm going to dive deeper into.
Strong 2/3. Not as familiar with the back half of this album as I am with the front half, but man the first two sides are about as good as music gets. The back half will take some more digging, definitely some cool songs on there and the musicality of Stevie is just undeniable. Love's In Need Of Love Today and Isn't She Lovely might be two of his best, but the whole thing is great.
1/3. Album moves along sooooo fast, feels hard to keep up with it. The vocals are terrible in my opinion, but there are some nice riffs on songs like Lowdown and Strange. Overall, it's a miss for me; I never really understood the whole punk thing anyway.
3/3. Unreal, such an incredible album and moving story throughout. The beats are hard as fuck, Kendrick’s rapping is as good as it gets, and the 1 hour runtime flies by. One of the best rap albums of all time.
2/3. Good album, nothing immediately stood out to me other than Five Years and Ziggy Stardust, but definitely solid overall. I think I'd benefit from knowing some of the context behind it given Bowie's penchant for aliases and characters, but a good album either way. I'll be sure to revisit this one.
2/3. I knew the title track already, but had never listened to the other two songs. CttE is a prog classic for a reason, and that chorus at the beginning and end is so catchy and melodic. And You and I was a bit sleepy for me, might need a few more listens there, but Siberian Khatru was a fun discovery, pretty groovy.
2/3. This guy was a weird motherfucker, but the creepy horror rock vibe is pretty cool. Some solid playing, good vocals, and real entertaining degenerate shit.
2/3. I hear so much Emmylou Harris on this album and that alone makes it great. But the songwriting and lyrics, particularly on Grievous Angel and $1000 Wedding are fantastic. Cool chilled out country sound, and I like the upbeat live track too. Pleasant surprise overall.
3/3. Heard this album many times growing up, still love it today. Hodgson and Davies voices contrast so well, the keyboards are top-tier, as are the arrangements. Some really groovy songs and thoughtful lyrics as well. A classic for sure.
1/3. Maybe I just listened to this at the wrong time, but it’s such a bore to me. The only memorable moments are the main themes in So What, Freddie Freeloader, and All Blues. Otherwise, I just tune out completely, it just sounds like noise with little dynamics.
2/3. Some real 80s shit, I really enjoyed it. Well paced, great synths and production overall, and love the vocals. Will return to this one for sure.
2/3. Pleasant surprise, usually I hate punk but not this time. I can actually understand the singing which gives them big points, and the riffs are undeniable. Blitzkrieg Bop is in fact a bop.
2/3. Nothing really leapt out at me, and I have to say much of it passed me by. BUT. The influence of this is so obvious, especially on a band like Tears for Fears (one of my favorites), so I can clearly understand why it's on this list, unlike some others I've come across. I think it would be an album that I'd grow to appreciate more with repeated listens, so I'd give it a strong 3, even if it didn't grab me this time around.
Strong 2/3. Though I really can't get on board with the constant use of violent misogyny, homophobia, and unhinged violence references, I cannot deny the sheer skill that Eminem has as a rapper. Furthermore, the production on this album is incredible; creepy, fun, hard, atmospheric, etc. etc. This really feels like an album that's meant to be listened to start to finish, and though a track like Kim makes me viscerally uncomfortable to listen to, that might just be the point.
2/3. This grew on me as I was listening to it; at first, it was too thrashy and muddy for me, but it got more infectious as it went on. I like the energy of it, and I definitely feel that kind of brash, 1960s spirit of rock and roll thing going on here. Not sure if it's essential listening, but it's enjoyable for its short runtime.
2/3. Moody, dark, she definitely listened to a lot of Nirvana. I really like the dark guitar sound, but other than that it didn’t move me much. Lot of tracks bled together and the album just isn’t very dynamic.
3/3. This is undeniable. Her vocals are off the charts, the arrangements feel timeless and epic. I’m wasn’t as moved by the more melancholy songs, but for love scorned and love found, she captures it about as well as anyone can.
2/3. Really great album, I'd heard it before but it was nice to come back to. Great voice, love the production, and the running theme of love and hate and addiction and the blurred lines between them plays out beautifully in the lyrics.
2/3. Was it really a surprise that I liked this album? What a sultry voice she has, it really draws you in. In contrast to some others I've listened to recently, this album sounds like it should all sound the same and bleed together, but it just manages to keep things fresh. Maybe the hype was right all along.
2/3. A good collection of classic rock songs overall; love the prolific use of organ and piano throughout. Some really great vocal harmonies as well, and the songwriting is definitely timeless. I just think it fails to excite at times; well-executed, but not enough raw energy to take it as high as it can go.
2/3. This is a good one, caught my ear right away and didn’t let go until the last 3 tracks. Nice mix of moods and tempos, classic 80s sounds, and interesting stories. Had heard the name but never bothered to seek him out, but I’ll be coming back to this one.
2/3. Classic rock, and I mean classic. There's a reason most people will know most of these songs, and that's because they're just plain good. Great guitars throughout, lyrics that tell a story, and really great grooves to match. Great album.
1/3. Though I don't even think it's a particularly bad album, I just wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Some of it feels cheesy (Jazz Police? Really??) and I'm just not a big fan of the psuedo-singing/spoken word thing song after song. The arrangements are good and I'm sure he has better work out there for me to listen to.
1/3. Maybe I just wasn't in a very active listening mood today, but this just rolled right past me. Nothing particularly stood out, though I did enjoy Brainstorm Interlude. Overall it just wasn't super interesting to me, I probably won't revisit.
2/3. I actually kinda liked it. It does blend together a lot, but there are moments that jump out, and it was well-performed. Even if it's not really my thing, I can see how this would be a great vibe album, maybe on a late-night drive. Worth a listen if you've never heard, but I probably wouldn't revisit much.
