One of the best albums ever made. It’s hard to put his music into a genre, it goes places that are inspirational for other musicians
The happy nature of this album contrasts significantly to the grunge movement in the states that was also popular at that time, but very much conforms to the sound of other British rock bands also prevalent in the early 90’s. A very solid album. Highlights: End of a century, title track, boys &girls
Iconic album, transformer feels like an album where directly inspired blues rock transitions into something more contemporary
Enjoyed listening to this album. The key and tempo changes consistent throughout the album kept me engaged. At some points reminded me of The Doors, especially Wicked Annabella. Also enjoyed some of the tongue in cheek lyrics, people take pictures of each other could’ve been written today
Very “yacht rock”. Listening to this makes me think of upper middle class boomers wearing white linen and Camilla dresses on a summer afternoon, frothing harder than their sparkling white wines listening to this album. Not my cup of tea but I can appreciate the musicianship. Stoked it’s only 7 songs long
I can hear what they’re trying to achieve, but I’m sure there were better examples of this genre of music in the 70’s. “If everyone was listening” and “crime of the century” hold their own though
Pretty cool album, enjoyed the musicianship
This album sounds like if someone bought the Rolling Stones from Temu. Or if I tried to explain the concept of blues rock to someone but actually hadn’t listened to any of it myself
I can’t stand country music, it’s so contrived, so shit, and so fucking preachy. Luckily Johnny Cash isn’t country, he’s punk rock. This album he performs songs about doing coke, committing crime, and getting hung, at a prison while clearly higher than two Charlie Sheens. This album wouldn’t have been made today, it’d incite riots. If it isn’t 5 stars just for the cojones of the guy, at least the music is catchy too
Jesus, I was not expecting this this at all. Each track unravels and takes you down like a sniper.
So far this list has been a bit disappointing. Lots of albums from the 70’s and 80’s that are “classic albums” but to be honest they all kinda suck, this album included. There’s a few hits that absolutely slap; dancing in the dark, I’m on fire, and the title track, but the rest of the album feels like filler. I can appreciate Bruce’s place in American culture and his immense success, but I have to also recognise I’m not the target audience so I’m probably not going to enjoy it the same way others might
This album reminds me of the point approximately 3.5m in from the fog line…Middle of the road
This album felt like eating a kebab at midday, you know you won’t really appreciate it unless it’s 3am and you’ve had a gazillion beers.
I felt the same way listening to this album sober, maybe if I had three tabs of LSD I’d appreciate it more. In saying that, night train made me think of a cut scene in a surf movie, where they’re driving around barren roads somewhere between get shacked off their melons
I love the hip hop and rap, and much as I enjoy listening to songs about street politics on my daily commute, it’s also good to listen to an album that’s upbeat. This album is as much about the production and DJ skills of Maseo, as it is the rapping. I hadn’t heard much de la soul prior to this, and was blown away at how many samples I recognised from other songs created much after this one. So I guess that says a lot about their influence on hip hop through the years, and this album in particular
It’s the Beatles at their best in my opinion. Listening to this album you can tell a lot of thought was put into creating something that is best listened to start to finish, and it still holds up today. 5 stars
Hungover, big fight with the missus, told her this was it, no coming back. Listened to Amon Amorth prior to this. Wanting to sink into the eternal darkness, the music in my ears matches the darkness of everything around. Why has no one ever listed them as an inspiration? If I didn’t know it would be a early 2000’s band that was the side project for Sigur Rös
Not my cup of coffee, however the lyrics are great. Someone definitely hurt Ray Price and he wants them to know about it on this album
Musically, the first 2/3rds of the album reminds me of what you might hear in a quirky 80’s movie or sitcom. Then, out of nowhere “waiting for the big one” hits you with a great bluesy refrain from the 80’s power of love style of rock, would almost call it prog. Down the dolce vita and waiting for the flood also each go to contrasting places that make you wonder if Peter had a deal with the label where he was only able to fully send it for 30% of each record. Was going to give this album 2 stars until I heard the last 3 songs, glad I hung in there
Such a classic album, its darkness is only matched by the quality of the storytelling. I found it confronting the first time I heard it a long time ago, but it’s still a classic. The final song, death is not the end finishes the album perfectly
A typical new order album, with some quirky departures mixed through. Not their best work though, if I were to compare this to brotherhood or get ready
I can see how other bands have been influenced by this album, and refined this sound into something more appetising for the wider population. Shoegaze isn’t really my thing, but I can appreciate the art of this album
Very interesting album. The riffs, and chunky bass of yours is no disgrace is a great opener.
Listening to this I was thinking the sound is similar to the Who, who I understand were first in developing this particular type of prog rock, but the level of skill on this album can’t be denied. So I guess if you are going to copy another band’s sound, at least do it well and take it to some different places, like Yes have on this album
You really can’t dispute the longevity of RHCP’s career, they’ve had a knack of popping up and blowing a generation away with an album that becomes the soundtrack to your teenage years. I missed out on the timing for this album but was old enough for the Californication buzz. This album and one hot minute were those that your older siblings would have on 24/7. Listening to this now, I still think it holds up, you can hear the influence for 311, and the whole genre of nu metal
Yeah no thanks. Lounge and country music fusion. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should
Before listening to this album I was thinking I’m not super keen to hear songs from Toy Story today, then I listened to the way he dismantles and takes the piss out of rednecks, wealthy people, the government and the French, and was surprised and impressed. Sorry Randy, I was not familiar with your game
This album reminds me of an ex girlfriend who used to always have this on every time I got in her car. I didn’t rate it back then and unfortunately I’m still feeling the same way about it now.
Mid 2000’s folk. It’s alright I guess
You sorta know what you’re in for with Neil Young, but it doesn’t take away from the sound. What he does really well is convey the emotion of each song to the listener, harder than it seems.
The Band are so revered amongst musicians, to be honest though I’d never really heard much of them apart from watching the last waltz.
Listening to this start to finish I think I was a little underwhelmed. What I’ve realised so far doing this list is there are many bands & artists that are technically gifted, but what makes a 5 star album in my opinion is the technical skill and the je ne sais quoi that makes songs memorable/catchy and make you want to listen on repeat indefinitely.
There wasn’t really anything I heard that made want to revisit this album
The moodiness of this matches perfectly with Beth Gibbons vocals. Trip hop had a pretty good moment through the 90’s/early 00’s and Portishead were at the forefront of it. A good album start to finish, glory box is the perfect closer
This was a good listen, could hear a lot of influence for punk music. A bit different to other punk influences like the clash or ramones, more like cheap trick maybe
Fuck Yes!! Loved every second of this, the driving baselines, ear melting solos and the falsetto vocals. You really can see where a lot of modern rock, metal & punk bands got their inspo from.
Not bad music per sé, but I fail to hear a real point of difference between this album and others released around this time that are also on the list.
Obligatory Morrissey is a bellend. Such a classic album though. I still remember hearing this for the first time, I’d been through the cure, Radiohead, and Elliot smith so this seemed like the next logical step in terms of broody teenager music. Listening to it again now I still think it holds up, the unique melodies, the musicality, especially some of the basslines, are awesome. There’s not one song on the album that doesn’t hold its own
Ok music to have in the background while tapping the keyboard at work. There’s better music for this purpose available that’s been made more recently, but the fact this album is old enough to have school aged children, you have to credit the output purely based on technology available then vs now
When this first came out I was in high school, and I thought at the time they were a bit mainstream for my liking. Giving this a listen now, I feel like the music feels very dated, the whole nu metal wave had its time
I was really looking forward to listening to this album, but apart from lust for life and the passenger, I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed. Not that the rest of the album isn’t ok, but I was expecting that the rest of the album would be of the calibre of the aforementioned
Jazz, pfft they just make it up as they go along, anyone can do that.
In all seriousness though, this album was a great listen from the first note. I usually prefer blues jazz over the big band sound, however the skill level of the musicians and the overall composition was awesome. The horns and piano trade the main melody/spotlight really well, while the walking bass and restrained drums provide a solid foundation.
The best thing about this list is stepping out of my comfort zone, and while there’s been a few duds, albums like this one are definitely rewarding.
Drugs are one hell of a drug.
This album feels like experiencing another person’s fever dream; a lot of random shit followed by something coherent, then back to more random shit. If Zappa Et.al were trying to capture a stream of consciousness in musical form they nailed it.
Some songs on this album reminded me of Nick Cave, if he spoke French. Overall a really interesting album
I was about 18 minutes into the album when I realised I was still on track 1.
This was a really cool listen though, as I’d only ever heard the song about the pocket calculator I was surprised by this album. The ambient electronic sounds were a great listen while I was seeing the afternoon out plugging away at my desk at work.
I can see how they get so much recognition for being trail blazers of techno, that this was created 50 or so years ago is mind blowing
Not really my style of music but can appreciate the musicianship
J5 and the roots were my introduction to hip hop. This album brought back a lot of memories, such a classic album.
Sounds like an album of show tunes. Might’ve enjoyed it if I was old enough to live through the Great Depression, but definitely not my thing
Don’t really understand why there’s a double up of pretty much the same “Johnny cash playing at a prison” on this list. It’s still good but I think two of the same album is a little bit lazy on Robert Dimery’s part, I don’t know I haven’t read the book, maybe the inclusion of this album is critical to the plot
What a nostalgia bomb! Loved this album when it came out, listened to it non stop in my car back when 6 stacker cd players were a thing.
I love how this album grabs you by the balls straight away with 7 nation army, such an iconic song still chanted by football fans around the world. I think white blood cells slightly edges this one as best white stripes album, but still a banger
Jesus Christ this sucked. The lead singer’s voice I’m sure can work in a genre of music, just not this one. Something has to be said about the proliferation of shitty folk rock music in the early to mid 2000’s, is it the reason we all now live in a dystopian capitalist hellscape? I can’t say for certain but I couldn’t rule it out either
I really tried to give this a red hot go, but couldn’t really get into it
I realise Billie’s name and influence in music is huge, but I just couldn’t get into it
I felt a bit triggered listening to this, reminded me of the last time I was on hold to my internet provider, waiting to tell them a few things they needed to fucking hear. Other than that it was cool
There’s definitely something in this album, it’s not bad, but it feels very of its time. There was a lot of bands prior to this album doing the same thing, and while this album is a pleasant listen, I didn't feel a meaningful point of difference that made me want to revisit it
Good album. About what you’d expect for an Elliot Smith album, double tracked vocals, melancholy melodies. I hadn’t actually heard this one before, probably prefer basement on the hill but it was still good
Black Sunday was required reading when I was a teen, strangely I never got curious to listen to the rest of Cypress Hill’s discography, I’m stoked I got to listen to this one though. Their sound is definitely different to other artists, distinctive vocals, cussing in Spanish, DJ Muggs’ DJ skills. Going through this list has made me look at hip hop a bit different and appreciate how an awesome DJ really makes a difference; Muggs skills of blending old school funk with dirty drum and bass loops wasn’t something I thought too much about as a teen listening to hits from the bong, but as an adult find really cool
I actually enjoyed this, you don’t necessarily need his explanation at the start of the album but it gives it a quirkiness. There’s a cathartic feeling to this album, similar to listening to gamelan music. Found myself in the zone while listening to this at work. Also pretty cool to hear some world music in this list
4 disks, 4 hours running time! FML.
Made the decision to judge this off the 1st disc, as the others seemed to be the same songs just remixed. It was ok, not sure if I’d be rushing back
Strong GTA Vice City vibes. It was fine to listen to, there seems to be a spectrum of sub sounds in the 80’s era synth wave, whether the bands go dark and moody like depeche mode and new order, or more happy and commercial vibes like flock of seagulls etc. Felt to me like human league hadn’t really decided where they fit in that spectrum on this album
If Michael Bublé decided to do an album of Radiohead covers it wouldn’t be too dissimilar to this. Not an entirely bad album, but the production value kind of gives the game away for me, there’s no real grit or soul to this. It’s highly produced, ready made for commercial radio which kills any sense of realness
The whole album is incredible, I challenge anyone not to listen to this without getting a little bit emotional. Cash conveys a profound feeling of sadness which is so haunting and beautiful. What an amazing gift he gave the world before his passing
This was a fun listen. I can see how bands like the beastie boys were influenced by run dmc. The title track actually slaps hard, weird that it’s not as well known as tricky, or walk this way
Solid album. Hot for teacher is the highlight for me, can’t beat a blistering solo
This was a really good listen. Very reminiscent of early to mid 2000’s folk. I kept having to remind myself this album is from the 70’s. Great Sunday morning music
This was a fun album, I was a little dubious in the first half but by the end I felt I understood the appeal. The title track is such a banger, great way to close out the album
I don’t know if I could be friends with Pharrell, at some point I’d have to ask him what colour my farts are. Anyway solid album, holds up
Loved this when it first came out, love it still now
Maybe because of the fame they struck after sex is on fire, I forget how much these guys shook up the rock scene with this album and aha shake heartbreak. It was a real point of difference compared to other bands that were popular at the time; bloc party, the hives, the vines etc.
The dirty blues rock guitars and the gravelly vocals, arranged in a way that was very easy to understand and access, you didn’t need to be a blues officiando to enjoy it.
Listening to this album again now I can enjoy it for what is and what it represented at the time.
Sometimes music doesn’t need to have the complexity of Lateralus, or have lyrics that have you heading over to genius to understand the meaning of.
People like to rail on RHCP, maybe they have a point, but it still won’t change the fact that RHCP’s music is catchier than the numerous std’s Anthony Keidis has probably contracted in his lifetime.
Californication is a great album, still holds up since the first time I heard it. Almost every song is an earworm that’ll stick in your head for days. Actually, while listening to this album I realised I’d had the bassline from Emit Remmus stuck in my head for years
I feel like this is one of those “you had to be there” albums. Listening to this 38 years after it came out, and only knowing about the hacienda from watching 24 hour party people, kinda sucked tbh. I’m sure if I could time travel back to the 80’s and pop a pinger I’d probably be more enthusiastic about this one.
I tried to come in with an open mind to this. I can’t stand pop music and this album hasn’t changed my mind. I could’ve easily gone my whole life without listening to this garbage
Not a bad album, but not my thing really at all. One thing I did appreciate was the musicality, the bassline on stormkeeper was a highlight
Pleasantly surprised by this one. The vocals remind of David Byrne. The general sound seems to skip through genres, sometimes in the same song (looking at you the Bob Medly) Overall a good listen
You’ve just smashed some pre-workout and are walking into the gym with the intention of lifting heavy things and putting them down again, desperately trying to fight off the dreaded dad bod. The only thing missing is a soundtrack of fast paced angry music to keep you motivated. That’s when you remember in your youth there was a wealth of music that applies perfectly to this situation.
Pantera, like most metal bands around that era were the soundtrack to many people going through their teen years, we were angry but this music would make us all jump around like fatigue didn’t exist. I guess it’s funny the music we used to put on and then steal from our parents liquor cabinet is now what we put on to help us stay healthy
Watch out 80’s rap guys, it’s the 90’s rap guys! This album was a must listen as a teen, despite being white and not American the music always seemed to resonate for some reason. Anyway, cool listening to it again now
Every now and then I wonder what would’ve been had Kurt kept living. Would Nirvana have floated into obscurity, kept releasing awesome albums and stayed on top, or if their sound would change over time. This album almost gives a glimpse into the direction they were heading, seems a couple of semitones heavier and darker, but also a bit more polished in terms of songwriting (rape me notwithstanding). Heart shaped box and all apologies are examples of this for me. It’s a shame we’ll never know. I feel like this album represents a modest shift that indicates they were just starting to hit their straps.
A pleasant listen, such a unique voice. Interesting to listen to this as an adult and comprehend the message being conveyed
Never really understood the appeal of these guys. After listening to this album I’m still confused by their popularity
Really enjoyed this one, always appreciate the skill of funk musicians, especially bass players. I want your love felt a classic dance banger that could be released today and not seem out of place.
Man being a teenager, drinking and smoking weed for the first time, trying to hook up with chicks all while this album was on at every single party you went to.
The good thing was even at the age we knew this guy was taking the absolute piss with all of the outrageous things he rapped about. We were all in on the joke, and maybe that’s why he got as popular as he did. But the outrageous shit that brought you in opened you up to the serious messages he was trying to convey. Seemed like he was struggling with fame on this album, but met it with such vitriol and belligerence that as a teen you could think yeah sweet I’ll stick up for myself too the next time that bully tries something on me.
I can see how people view this album as vulgar, homophobic, or misogynistic but there’s where there’s opportunity to acknowledge that content is not to be taken seriously
I never would have considered listening to this album of my own accord. Norah Jones’ music always seemed to be music for your mother, so I never got curious.
This is actually a really good album, very chilled out, good background music. Maybe mum was onto something afterall
