80
Albums Rated
3.08
Average Rating
7%
Complete
1009 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1960
Favorite Decade
Jazz
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
7
5-Star Albums
5
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rattlesnakes
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
|
5 | 2.9 | +2.1 |
|
Suede
Suede
|
5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
|
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
Bossanova
Pixies
|
5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
|
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
|
5 | 3.63 | +1.37 |
|
Dummy
Portishead
|
5 | 3.71 | +1.29 |
|
Atomizer
Big Black
|
4 | 2.73 | +1.27 |
|
São Paulo Confessions
Suba
|
4 | 2.84 | +1.16 |
|
Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
|
4 | 2.93 | +1.07 |
|
Let Love Rule
Lenny Kravitz
|
4 | 3 | +1 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Metallica
Metallica
|
1 | 3.77 | -2.77 |
|
Hot Fuss
The Killers
|
1 | 3.73 | -2.73 |
|
Eliminator
ZZ Top
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
Phrenology
The Roots
|
1 | 3.24 | -2.24 |
|
Like Water For Chocolate
Common
|
1 | 2.95 | -1.95 |
|
The Stranger
Billy Joel
|
2 | 3.86 | -1.86 |
|
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
|
2 | 3.57 | -1.57 |
|
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
|
2 | 3.5 | -1.5 |
|
Marquee Moon
Television
|
2 | 3.5 | -1.5 |
|
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
|
2 | 3.48 | -1.48 |
5-Star Albums (7)
View Album WallPopular Reviews
ZZ Top · 2 likes
1/5
Before: I'm probably not going to like this very much. This my 15th album on the list and it seems like I start most of my reviews with a similar thought. I'm really not a fan of this genre. I was 20 when this album came out and was listening to artists like XTC, The Specials, and Elvis Costello at the time. There are a couple of ZZ Top songs that I do like a lot but they are from an earlier period. In fact one of my all time favourite songs by any artist is "La Grange", released in 1973. I actually have that ranked number one in my 1973 list. |
During: The album starts of with the very well known "Gimme All Your Lovin'". I'm really NOT a fan of this genre. Not sure why, I think it's too simple, formulaic, and boring. I have to admit that it is a very catchy tune, and I find myself bobbin my head in rhythm but something is just not right with it. Another hit, "Got Me Under Pressure" is next. I think I'm gonna have to turn the volume down and focus on other task to get through this. Especially seeing how "Sharp Dressed Man" is coming up next. I think I actually hate that song. It has over 630 million streams on Spotify. What is wrong with these people? I see a one or two star rating coming up. I had to start skipping through at the 5th track, "I Got the Six". "Legs" I already know I hate, so skipping that one too. "Thug" has a catchy little bass thing going on that makes me think of Primus, maybe something to look forward too? Nope, no Primus at all in this list, another miss. |
After: I did not like a single track, not even a little. I'm only on album 15 now but this one is at the bottom. Not much else to say. One star. |
1-Star Albums (5)
All Ratings
Pink Floyd
4/5
It's very good but probably my 4th favorite by them
The Go-Go's
2/5
I heard enough of it already in the 80's but decided to listen to it again. A couple of the songs are OK. I don't care for the the album as a whole though.
Stevie Wonder
2/5
Not my style of music but it would be OK to have in the background, kind of like elevator music. I did add one song, "You Haven't Done Nothin", to my best of 1974 playlist, mainly just because it's Stevie Wonder. It will probably end up near the bottom of that list.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
I already know I like this group and there are a couple songs on this album that are in my top tracks of 1996 playlist. "The State I Am In" stands a good chance of being in my top 500 favorite tracks of all time. Currently I have it ranked at 23 for 1996. The album as a whole is pretty decent but not something I would actively seek out to listen to in it's entirety. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars most likely.
Black Sabbath
3/5
It was not really my style back in the 70's and it's still not. The album does have a few moments I enjoyed. I would probably rate it between 2 and 3. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and give it a 3.
Paul Simon
2/5
It's OK but not something I would choose to listen. I did add Me and Julio... to my 1972 playlist, as it is a catchy tune. I'll likely rate this 2 stars.
Common
1/5
Never heard of this album or artist. Well, here goes... Ugh, it's rap, spoken word mostly it seems. Very little to speak of musically. I have to admit I did not pay attention to the lyrics that much. Overall, I found it very boring. I skipped through most of the songs after 30 secs or so. Parts of "The 6th Sense" were tolerable. Going to give it my first 1 star rating out of the 7 I've listened to so far.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Before: Yay, CCR!I do like these guys' music. This should be an enjoyable listen. I might even listen to the whole thing. I'm pretty sure it's going to get a 4.
After: I did enjoy almost the entire album but found the last 2 tracks a little tiresome. I would rate the piece as a whole, 4 stars.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Before: Another great one that I already know I will enjoy listening to. In fact, I have it ranked as my favorite album of 1975 with 8 of 8 tracks appearing in my 1975 playlist, which BTW is a relatively modest list containing only 60 tracks. My brother was a huge fan and had this album so I heard the whole thing many, many times when we were in HS in the late 70's. Actually, I myself and most of my friends were huge fans and this album was the background music of countless road trips to our secret sliding rock across the border, up in the mountains, and hours long games of Quarters. I guess it's going to get 5 stars which will be my first such rating so far.
After: Yep, pretty much what I thought, 5 stars. I don't normally listen to this album anymore, but it's still great.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
Before: This should be a decent listen, though they are not my favorite artists and I don't love this type of music. I've never been a big fan of southern rock, even though I am a life-long southern, and came of age during its heyday. However, there is a lot to like about Lynyrd Skynyrd's music. In fact, I have at least skimmed through all their albums in recent years when putting together my yearly playlists. I think Tuesday's Gone is my favorite track on this album and Free Bird of course is a well known classic. I have those tracks ranked 39 and 52 respectively in my 1973 playlist which consist of 78 songs from that year. I'll probably rate the album 3.
After: While listening I decided to add Gimmee Three Steps to my 1973 playlist as well. So yeah, I'm giving it a 3, as it's pretty enjoyable overall but I would not normally chose to listen to this album on my own. I do love the album title. I think it portrays a sense of humor which scores a lot of points in my book.
The Roots
1/5
Before: I don't think I've ever heard of the album or the artist. I'm wondering if it's going to be rap. I'm apprehensive.
During: Yep, it's rap or I guess more accurately, hip-hop or neo-soul?. "!!!!!!!" is ok, but it's not rap.
After: I found three tracks to be OK: "!!!!!!!" , "Thought @ Work", and "The Seed (2.0)". I might rate them a 2 or 3, the rest I would rate a 1. I could not relate to most of the lyrics and most of the music was not enjoyable or interesting to me. I give it a solid 1.
Public Enemy
3/5
Before: Rap again, or hip-hop or whatever you call it. At least it's something I like a little. I used to listen to Public Enemy and a few similar artist back in the late 80s'/early 90's but eventually lost interest. I have the first track, "Lost At Birth" ranked 52 out of 84 tracks on my 1991 playlist. Maybe I'll find something else to add. |
During: Four tracks in is "Can't Truss It", I'll add this to my '91 list, maybe at the 64 spot between "I Love You" by Spacemen 3 and "Smoke Signals" by The Magnetic Fields. I like it's but is a little too long. Now "By The Time I Get To Arizona", it's getting a little tiresome. I was toying with the idea of giving the album a 4 but I don't think that's going to happen. I'm ready to stop listening now. Help! I guess it's time to start skipping through. |
After: I made it through, skipping through only a couple tracks, as I was preoccupied with other tasks. I do realize this is an important album but I found it tiresome after only a few minutes. I'll give it a three as it is mildly enjoyable to listen to but I would never choose to listen to the whole album unless it was for a specific purpose such as this. |
Sister Sledge
3/5
Before: I was never a huge fan but know they had a few hits back in the day and I think I liked some of them a little. I had a brief infatuation with disco in the mid 70's but it was never my favorite type of music. I'm already thinking 3. Let's check it out! |
During: "He's The Greatest Dancer" starts off the album and of course I remember this one well. Not my thing really, but it does make you want to get out on the disco floor, LOL. Now I'm thinking I could possibly give this a 4 if the album as a whole is at least as good as the opener. Well, I had to skip through the next 2 tracks, "Lost in Music" and "Somebody Loves Me". My immediate thought when I saw the title "Lost in Music" is that The Fall, my favourite band of all time, released a song with the same title, "I wonder if it's a cover?". Turns out it is, but in the loosest sense of the word. Some of the lyrics are the same, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. I like The Fall's interpretation much better than the original and that is one of my least favourite tracks on that album, "The Infotainment Scan". Continuing with the task at hand, "We Are Family" is another great feel good track. I also liked "You're A Friend To Me". |
After: I'm going to give it a 3. I don't deny it's a great album for what it is, but it's not something I would choose to listen normally. To be a 4 it's got to be something I would choose to listen to, enjoy, and not get bored with. Finally, if my 1979 playlist was not already 160 titles long, I would consider adding the three tracks from this album that I do like, to it. Aw, what the hell, I'll add "We Are Family", just for kicks. For reference my 1979 playlist is probably 95% punk, post-punk, and new wave. |
808 State
2/5
Before: I don't immediately recognize the artist or album title, one of which is "90" and the other is "808 State". Not sure which is which. Released in 1989, given the artist name, title, cover, and date, I'm guessing it's going to be something in the post-punk realm. Here goes... |
During: "Magical Dream" starts off as a fast paced electronic number with a danceable beat. I'm assuming this would have been popular amongst the rave crowd but I was never really into that scene. In fact, I ever went to a single rave, although I was in my mid-late twenties during that time and many of friends went to them. I guess this album is not going to be too bad a listen. Probably going to get a 3, but I doubt I'll be adding any of these tracks to my 1989 playlist. About the closest thing to this type of music that I actually a good bit is The Prodigy's "Music for the Jilted Generation", which came out 5 years after this. You can definately hear the influence. And of course I'm reminded of The Art of Noise's album "Who's Afraid Of The Art Of Noise", which came out 5 years prior to "90". I just thought of them while listening to the beginning of "Cobra Rose", but by the end of the track, I'm being reminded of Dan Deacon's album, "Spiderman of the Rings", which is one of my all time favorite albums, but did not come out until nearly 20 years after "90". If you haven't heard, it's like "90" on acid, and highly recommended to at least give it a listen. I dare say, "Spiderman of the Rings" may never have happened if it were for "90", so thank you for that, 808 State. Sadly, there are no Dan Deacon albums to look forward to in the 1001 albums list, which is a major miss in my opinion. |
After: "808080808" is my favorite track on the album. I guess there's no harm in adding it to my 1989 playlist. Not sure it will stay there the next time I review and sort it. By the time I got to the end of this album I started to dislike it just a little so on that note, I've decide to rate it 2 stars. I'm just not a fan of this type of music, especially when it contains few to no lyrics. |
ZZ Top
1/5
Before: I'm probably not going to like this very much. This my 15th album on the list and it seems like I start most of my reviews with a similar thought. I'm really not a fan of this genre. I was 20 when this album came out and was listening to artists like XTC, The Specials, and Elvis Costello at the time. There are a couple of ZZ Top songs that I do like a lot but they are from an earlier period. In fact one of my all time favourite songs by any artist is "La Grange", released in 1973. I actually have that ranked number one in my 1973 list. |
During: The album starts of with the very well known "Gimme All Your Lovin'". I'm really NOT a fan of this genre. Not sure why, I think it's too simple, formulaic, and boring. I have to admit that it is a very catchy tune, and I find myself bobbin my head in rhythm but something is just not right with it. Another hit, "Got Me Under Pressure" is next. I think I'm gonna have to turn the volume down and focus on other task to get through this. Especially seeing how "Sharp Dressed Man" is coming up next. I think I actually hate that song. It has over 630 million streams on Spotify. What is wrong with these people? I see a one or two star rating coming up. I had to start skipping through at the 5th track, "I Got the Six". "Legs" I already know I hate, so skipping that one too. "Thug" has a catchy little bass thing going on that makes me think of Primus, maybe something to look forward too? Nope, no Primus at all in this list, another miss. |
After: I did not like a single track, not even a little. I'm only on album 15 now but this one is at the bottom. Not much else to say. One star. |
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
ever really a fan. I scanned my entire collection of favorite songs by year and found only one track from them and it just so happens that it is from this album. It's "My Curse" but the title is not ringing any bells, will see how I like it this time around. |
During: I'm not a big fan of this genre but I don't dislike it either. The album cover is interesting but the music is not. It's OK as background music. By the time I'm half way through I decide to start skipping through a little. Now at "My Curse" which is number 56 of 57 on my 1993 favorite songs list. I have to say I don't recognize it but do like it a little. It's the only song on the album with a female vocalist, BTW. |
After: I'll give it three stars. I don't dislike the music but I don't really like it either. |
Metallica
1/5
Before: "Metallica" by Metallica. I'm assuming this was their debut? I was never a fan. The closest thing to metal that I liked back then was Ministry, who were one of my favorite bands back in the day. In fact "The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste" would definately be in my 1001 albums list, and probably be in my 101 albums list. Alas, it's not in this list. So let's get started with Metallica.
During: "Enter Sandman", yep, I don't like this. Too simple, formulaic, and totally uninteresting. Ministry is not really like this at all. OK, maybe just a little, but it is reminding me of White Zombie who I did like a lot for a brief period in the early nineties, but they were groove metal. OMG, "Sad But True" is even worse.
After: I mostly listened to the album while I was doing other stuff and skipped through several tracks. I don't care for this style of music and I don't like this album as a whole. It's very simple and boring. Apparently it was their fifth album. Looks like I'll have three more opportunities to listen to them. I get it they were very influential but I have to give this one star.
Eagles
2/5
Before: All right, the Eagles! My Dad had this album so I used to listen to it a good bit when visiting in the summer. He didn't have many albums so I didn't have much to choose from. However, he did have all of the Eagles first five albums. I dare say, for better or worse, that has probably influenced my current musical tastes a good bit. Maybe it makes me tolerant of blandness if the music is it at least pleasant to listen to? Anyways, I do know I liked the Eagles some back then and should like them at least a little this time around. Checking my favorites of 1972 list, I find "Take It Easy" and "Peaceful Easy Feeling" on there but not "Witchy Woman". Maybe I'll change my mind this time around and add it to my 1972 list?
During: OK, so I added "Witchy Woman" to my 1972 list, not sure it will stay there. The next five tracks are pretty boring. The last 30 seconds of "Take the Devil" are interesting, it would have been great if they had developed that a little more. "Peaceful Easy Feeling" is awesome. I still love this song after 50+ years. I currently have it ranked 32 and "Take It Easy" ranked 24 out of 65 for 1972. I actually think I like "Peaceful..." more than "Take It...", this time around, so decide to switch them. That puts "Take It..." one slot ahead of Van Morrison's "Saint Dominic's Preview" and we can't have that. So, I move "Take It..." down one, below "Saint...".
After: All in all, I don't like the album as a whole very much but don't dislike it that much either. Take It Easy" and "Peaceful Easy Feeling" are enough to surely bump it up a little. I'm on the fence still about "Witchy Woman". I'm thinking of rating the album as 3. I'm in the early stage of this 1001 thing (this is #18) and I haven't clearly defined my ranking categories yet but this album is surely a 2 or 3 in my book. It's a two per my ranking system that put together yesterday.
Portishead
5/5
Before: My first thought is it's a 5. I'm very familiar with the album already. I know there are a few 5 star tracks, and some 4's. I don't have a formal essential albums list yet, on paper, so to speak, but this one's definately in my mental list. Even if I don't absolutely love every track, this is without a doubt the best example of trip hop and is essential for that reason alone.
During: So for this one, I've decided to rate each track:
Mysterons - 5
Sour Times - 5
Strangers - 5
It Could Be Sweet - 3
Wandering Star - 4
It's A Fire - 3
Numb - 5
Roads - 4
Pedestal - 3
Biscuit - 4
Glory Box - 5
Avg = 4.5
After: Easily 5 stars.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
Before: Well this should be interesting. I really don't know what to expect. Of course I know of Count Basie but can't name a single one of his songs. A quick check of Discogs shows the genre as Big Band. OK, I admit, I never listen to this kind of music on purpose, only if it happens to be part of a movie score.
During: And it is interesting. Definately not bad as background music. I'll probably listen to this twice. It's going to be hard to rate though as I do agree that it's really good, but it's not something I'll continue listening to after this exercise is done. Maybe this will be one of the few exceptions I make. I mean, if I can make an exception for The Residents, I can make one for Count Basie.
After: I listened to the whole thing 3 maybe 4 times over the course of the day. I decided to not make any exceptions and stick with my current rating system and while I do agree the album is very good and I would consider it "essential" , it's not I can see listening to a lot and not getting bored with it after a while.
Big Black
4/5
Before: This is one of favorite albums, surely in my top 1000 but probably not top 100. It's get a few 4 and 5 star tracks, namely: Jordan Minnesota, Passing Complexion, Kerosene, and Bazooka Joe. However, I do find listening to the whole album a bit tiresome. In fact I don't think I've ever listened to the whole thing in one sitting. Let's get started!
During: I didn't have a chance to make notes while listening as I was preoccupied with my cats demanding attention.
After: I'm giving it 4 stars. It's got a few 4s and 5s but the rest or 3s IMO. Still, I think it is best in class for this particular genre, from my limited experience.
Love
3/5
Before: I've skimmed through this album at least once before. Two of the tracks are on my favorites from 1967 list, "Alone Again Or" and "Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark And Hilldale".
During: It's very pleasant music for the most part but the songs are not real interesting. Perfectly fine as background music, as long as you don't listen to the lyrics too much, some of them are really goofy, and not in a good way. The Red Telephone is awful.
After: Overall, the music is very nice but the lyrics are distracting, as they are so literal and not very interesting. I prefer that if lyrics are easy to hear, they need to at least be interesting, clever, humorous, etc. Else, the lyrics need to be kind of fuzzy or hard to make out in which case the listener can kind of make up their own lyrics. But that's just me. I'll give it 3 stars.
Throwing Muses
3/5
Before: I think a like them a little but not that much as I'm pretty sure they don't have any tracks on my favorites by years lists. I think I saw them perform at Frijoleros in Atlanta in the late 80's.
During: This was hard to listen to in a logistical sense so that my affect my rating a little. The album is not on Spotify or Amazon so I had to listen to individual songs on YouTube. I did find all of them except "And A She-wolf After The War". There were a few tracks I might add to my 1986 play list if they were on Spotify.
After: Average track rating was 2.6 so I'm giving this a 3 overall.
Green Day
3/5
Before: In case you don't read anything else I wrote here, I just want to say right off the bat there is NOTHING PUNK about this album. If this is punk then the word is meaningless. Still, I think a liked Green Day's music a tiny bit but not much back then as they don't have any tracks on my favorites by years list for 1994, or any other year for that matter. They're way too main stream for my tastes. For reference here are my top albums from 1994. I might be able to squeeze Dookie in some where between 15 - 20.
Rank Artist Name Album Name
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Portishead Dummy
2 Beastie Boys Ill Communication
3 Stereolab Mars Audiac Quintet
4 Soul Coughing Ruby Vroom
5 Korn Korn
6 Frank Black Teenager of the Year
7 G. Love & Special Sauce G. Love And Special Sauce
8 Jawbox For Your Own Special Sweetheart
9 The Prodigy Music for the Jilted Generation
10 The Magnetic Fields Holiday
11 Ween Chocolate and Cheese
12 Radiohead The Bends
13 The Proclaimers Hit the Highway
14 Low I Could Live In Hope
During: Two songs in, yep I remember this sound from the 90's. I'm sure they are very good but as I said, too main stream for my taste. I'll probably give it a 3. Definately would not be in my 1001 essential albums list. Time to turn down the volume and work on other tasks. Then "Longview" comes on. Not too bad, fun even. Maybe I'll add that to my 1994 list, just because.
After: I have to give it a three. Maybe it deserves a higher rating but I would never play this album of my own volition. There are so many better choices out there. For that reason the highest rating I can give it is a 3. Looking at the Wikipedia article I come across this confusing line, "Regarding its legacy, Dookie has been labeled by critics as one of the greatest punk rock albums of all time." In what way is this punk? It's totally mainstream power-pop-rock. I know that's not a recognized genre but that's what it is imo.
Herbie Hancock
3/5
Before: Of course I know of Herbie Hancock and listened to some of his music a decent amount back in the mid 70s. My brother was a big fan and had one or two of his albums which I listened at least a couple of times.
During: Starts off with "Chameleon", it's funk-jazz, I love funk. This is not going to be too bad. It's 15+ minutes long though and pretty much the same thing for the first half repeated over and over. There are probably nuances that I am not getting. It works as background music just fine.
After: Overall it's technically good, maybe great, and I'm sure deserves to be on this list but it's not something I really like and would never listen to other than as background music so I'm giving it a 3.
Suede
5/5
Before: It's a five. I already know this. This was one of my favorite albums back when it came out and it still is. There'e a decent chance it would be in my 100 essential albums list.
During: Favorite songs are So Young, She's Not Dead, Pantomime Horse, The Downers, Sleeping Pills, and Breakdown. Those are all solid 5s. Animal Nitrate, Moving, Metal Mickey, Animal Lover, and The Next Life are 4s.
After: So, before this exercise, I had 5 tracks from this album on my best of 1993 playlist, but decided to add three more so now I have 8 from this album on that list. It's definately one of my top 3 albums from 1993. The other 2 contenders are Stereolab's Transient Random-Noise Bursts With Announcements, and The Breeders', Last Splash.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
Before: All right, Aretha Franklin! This should be enjoyable. I do like her music but it's not my favorite genre so don't go out of my way to listen to her music.
During: Enjoyable experience as anticipated but not one I'll be repeating anytime soon, by choice.
After : The album is very good and I'm sure deserves to be on this list but I have to give it a three as it's not something I personally like a lot.
Jurassic 5
2/5
Before: Never heard of this album or artist. I'm thinking some form of rap or similar based on the album cover and explicit lyrics warning.
During: The first few minutes are not bad, hip hop? Discogs calls it Conscious Hip Hop, while Wikipedia calls if Alternative Hip Hop. Now up, "If You Only Knew", I do like this some. Maybe I'll find a contender for my favorites of 2002 list; let's see what else they got. "Break" is good. "React" is good. By the time we get to the 6th track though, "A Day at The Races" I'm getting tired of the music. Unfortunately Spotify does not know the lyrics for a lot the numbers on this album. Speaking of lyrics, one problem I have with rap, hip hop, and similar genres is that so much of it so self referential, it gets a little tiresome. I might like the music but the lyrics drag it down.
After : It's a long album. Definately got tiresome by the end. So much so that I would rather not listen, than listen to it, which edges it just below a 3. I decided to give it another try but by the time we get to number 6 out of 15, "A Day At The Races", I'm done. I definately don't want to listen to the whole album again and overall I'd rather not listen to it, than listen to it, but I don't hate it. That sits it squarely in 2 territory, even though I did like a couple of tracks a little. There's nothing on this album that I love but my 2002 list if a little sparse at 47 tracks and my goal is between 50 - 100 so I skim through the album one more time to see if there is anything I can grab. I decide to add "React" to the 48th spot, just after Clinic's, "For The Wars", and "Thin Line", just below that. Naw, scratch "Thin Line", it's not that good, so I remove it. It's catchy but a bit too repetitive and long.
Stan Getz
4/5
Before: I recognize the name. I'm thinking some form of jazz from the 50's, maybe?
During: Oh, "The Girl from Ipanema". Of course I recognize that, a solid five. This should be a enjoyable listen.
5 The Girl From Ipanema
4 Doralice
3 Para Machucar Meu Coracao = To Hurt My Heart
3 Desafinado
4 Corcovado
3 So Danco Samba (Jazz Samba)
3 O Grande Amor
4 Vivo Sohando
After : Average = 3.6, I'll round up to 4. This is not how I usually do this but I'm feeling generous. Can't say I'd go out of my way to listen to this again but it was enjoyable. If it weren't for "The Girl from Ipanema", it'd be a 3.
Germs
2/5
Before: Hmm, Germs + 1979 = Punk or punkish? I do recognize the name but don't think I was a big fan back in the day.
During: Well if this on the list I sure hope Dead Kennedys and Black Flag are. Can't say I was ever a big fan of this genre. To me it's similar to rap in that the music in not at all interesting after you've listened to the first song. I mean, it all sounds kind of the same. What's the point of making essentially the same song over and over again. Looks like there is one album each from DK and BF coming up, but I would have chosen a different album from DK which is Plastic Surgery Disasters, which I do like. Now 6 songs in, looks like it's going to be 2. Looking at the reviews, I see a lot of 1's and a lot of 5's, which seems appropriate.
I do like, Lexicon Devil, We Must Bleed, Shut Down.
After : After doing some research I see this is considered a pretty important album. For that reason I'd say it should be on this list. However, I don't really like this genre that much so it's getting a 2 from me.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Before: The Stones! I do like them but they're not my favorite band from that era. I was five when this came out so it's a little before my time. The first track Sympathy For The Devil is one my favorites from 1968. I have it ranked 36 out of 109 from that year. It's hard to believe they had already released 13 albums (9 studio) prior to this one.
During: Five songs in now, I'm thinking 3 stars. "Street Fighting Man", I decide to add to my 1968 playlist. I didn't recognize the name but do know this song and like it enough to add to the list, but I think there is a better version of it out there. I'll need to research that.
After: Yep, it's a three. I don't know why it's on the list, especially since there are 5 other Stones album here. The best thing about this album is it shares the same name as one of my favorite music labels.
Killing Joke
3/5
Before: Hhmmm, know the name but don't think they're in any of my favorites by year list. So, let's see, 1980 + Name + Album Cover = Punk / Punkish? Glancing at the track list I see Requiem starts things off. Oh, I think I know this song.
During: Yep, Requiem is one of my favorite songs from that year. I have it ranked 89 out of 94, between I Wanna Destroy You by The Soft Boys and Making Love To A Vampire With A Monkey On My Knee by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band. But, I don't have anything else from this band at all for any years. It's highly likely that I've at least skimmed through this and all of their albums. Let's give this one the attention it deserves and maybe I'll find some more gems. It's 4 am on a Saturday, so I've got all day. Wardance is decent but not going to make it on my favorites list. Tomorrow's World is much better. I'm thinking this is going to be a 4 star album. Bloodsport is just OK...
After : For me the highlights are: Requiem, Tomorrow's World (which I added to my best of 1980 playlist), The Wait (which coincidently shares the same name as a track from the Pretender's, also released in 1980, but the Pretenders' number is much much better), and Primitive. The rest I could take or leave. Overall, I like 4 tracks a decent amount and 5 just OK. Based on my somewhat strict criteria, I'm gonna have to rate it a 3 as though I do like it overall, this is not something I would seek out to listen too and I would get tired of listening to it after a while. Still, I do think it is a good choice for this 1001 list given it's historical significance.
Donald Fagen
4/5
Before: I think Donald Fagen is one of those artists I dismissed back when he was popular on the radio. My favorite artists back then were groups like XTC, The Pretenders, Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, and The Specials. I'm pretty sure I didn't even consider him for my 1982 or any other playlist. Let's try to keep an open mind this time around shall we?
During: First up is I.G.Y. It does start off nicely. Of course I remember it now. I have to say I do like this song, it's probably a 4 out of 5, maybe I'll have to add it to my 1982 playlist. I was a huge fan of his band Steely Dan's album Aja that came out in 1977, but that was before I knew about punk, new wave, and associated genres. Next is Green Flower Street. I'm pretty sure I've heard this one too, or is that it sounds just like Aja? Ruby Baby I've heard too, it's nice, sounds like it could have been on Aja. Maxine I don't like at all. New Frontier I like. You know what, I think I had this album on cassette. I definately like this song a lot. Don't like The Nightfly that much. By the time we get to The Goodbye Look I'm losing interest. I mean it's nice but I'm starting to get bored. Walk Between Raindrops does not renew my interest. It does have a little ska thing going on which reminds me I'd rather be listening to The Specials.
After :
5 I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year)
3 Green Flower Street
4 Ruby Baby
2 Maxine
5 New Frontier
3 The Nightfly
3 The Goodbye Look
3 Walk Between Raindrops
-----------------------------------------------
28 Average = 3.50
So the average is 3.5. I guess I'm going to have to give it a 3. If it had just one more 4 or 5 towards the end, I might give it a 4. I'm gonna try the lower ranked songs one more time (I've already listened to them twice). Almost done with my 3rd listen. This is reminding me a lot of Prefab Sprout's Steve McQueen which is one of my all time favorites, Probably in my top 50 at least.
So, I changed some song ratings and feel like I can give the album 4 stars.
5 I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year)
4 Green Flower Street
4 Ruby Baby
2 Maxine
5 New Frontier
4 The Nightfly
4 The Goodbye Look
3 Walk Between Raindrops
-----------------------------------------------
31 Average = 3.875
So, I don't normally rate the songs individually as the average does not necessarily equate to the rating. I give the album but when I'm on the fence, it is helpful. That being said, I'm a gonna give it a 4.
De La Soul
3/5
Before: I know I do like De La Soul a bit but I can't name a single song of theirs I like. I had a brief infatuation with hip-hop back in the day. I guess it's my favorite genre from that realm.
During: It's a fun and enjoyable listen. I like it more than I dislike it. However, it's not something I would go out of my way to listen to.
After : Given it's historical significance, I'd say it does deserve to be on this list, but personally, I have to rate it a 3.
Deerhunter
2/5
Before: I have to say, I'm surprised to see this album on the list. I know there is at least on song on it that I like a little but cannot say which one it is. Songs from the album used to get recommend to me all the time by my streaming service. I guess it sounds like a lot of stuff I was listening to in the early 2010's but this one never really clicked with me. Maybe this time around will be different.
During: Earthquake is interesting but I wouldn't mind if I never heard it again. Same for Don't Cry. I like Revival a little better not enough to add to my favorites from 2010. Checking my DB, I find I have one song by Deerhunter on my 2008 list and one on my 2019 list. That's it. Sailing, is a pass. Memory Boy, nothing wrong with it really but this same song or similar has been done plenty of times before. I'm leaning toward a 2 at this point. Desire lines is OK but there is something undefinable that is really annoying about it. In fact that is the case for most of their music. It will be interesting to read some other reviews and see if anyone else feels the same way and is able to articulate what exactly is the problem with their sound. Helicopter is OK, but nowhere near getting on my favorites from 2010 list. He Would Have Laughed, this is the one that used to pop up all the time from my streaming service. It's OK but quite annoying at the same time. I would usually skip it when it came on.
After : I can name at least 12 albums from 2010 that I like better than this one. Looking at my top five, only one artist is even in this 1001 albums list and that is Beach House's Teen Dream, also from 2010. For reference, my other 4 top fives from 2010 are Tall Hours In the Glowstream from Cotton Jones, Bubblegum from Clinic, The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night from The Besnard Lakes, and You'll Understand When You're Older from Venus Infers. Hmm, Discogs lists the genre style as Shoegaze, Art Rock, Indie Rock, I would agree with the last 2 but Shoegaze?, I don't think so.
4/5
TLDR: I didn't care for it very much at first but after a few listens, I do think it's pretty good. Not sure it should be on this list seeing how they have 2 others here but we'll see after I hear the other 2.
Before: Blur, I know their first album and liked it a little but I don't know this one. I'm sure I've at least skimmed through it though.
During: First track is For Tomorrow, nothing remarkable about it. Not bad and not good. Advert, again nothing remarkable. This is the kind of music I get bored with pretty quick. Colin Zeal, nope. Nothing notable to say about tracks 1 - 7. Oh, hold on, the last 2 minutes of Chemical World are interesting. Sunday Sunday is not bad, it reminds of Lazy Sunday on the Small Faces's Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake released in 1968. Oily Water is pretty good, as is Miss America. After that, the next 3 songs are just like the first 6. The final song Resigned is OK, it has a nice transition and ends with an interesting riff, but the first 4 minutes of the song could have been condensed to just 2 minutes.
After : It looks like there are 3 Blur albums in this 1001 list. Why? I think one would be plenty. The only album of their's that I liked a little back then was their first one, Leisure, which is not one of the 3. Maybe I only liked it because my girlfriend at the time liked it and used to play it all the time. Looks like I have to rate this a 3, and should it be on this list? No.
Post: So I listened to this album around 4-5 times throughout the course of the day and I have to say that it did grow on me. Will I ever listen to the whole thing again? Probably not, but I do think it's pretty good and am going to rate it a 4. Favorite tracks are Oily Water, Miss America, and Resigned.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Before: The only thing I know from them is Come On Eileen, which I do like, but also find a little annoying. I'm not optimistic.
During: The Occasional Flicker, this is awful. This Is What She's Like, wow, 12+ minutes, what was the point of that? Knowledge Of Beauty, awful?, not sure, it has it's moments. One Of Those Things, oh I've heard this before, Werewolves Of London. At least I found a song to add to my playlist "one of these things is a bit like the other". Maybe I'll rename it "One Of Those Things isabitliketheother" in honor of this album.
After : I didn't like a single song on this album, but I don't hate it, so I'm giving it a 2. I won't be relistening to see if it grows on me. Well, maybe I'll give it another try in 10 years.
Kanye West
4/5
Before: Oh, this is a nice surprise after what I've been presented with lately. Of course I'm referring to the music, not the person. Apparently he is not a very good human being but I don't know about that as I don't follow popular culture, at all. I've listened to this album before when working on my favorites by year list but for some reason I have it on my 2011 instead of 2010 list. I have Power on there at number 40 and Runaway at 17 out of 42 for the year. Of course I have them in the wrong so year so will need to fix that. It's been a few years since I listened to this, maybe I'll find some more to add to my 2010 list.
During: Dark Fantasy is a good one. Also Gorgeous, POWER, Monster, Runaway. The rest I didn't care for too much.
After : I'm going to rate it a 4. I think it has some really good tracks but most of it is not my cup of tea.
The Soft Boys
3/5
Before: Oh, I recognize the album cover. I think one of my friends had this back in the mid-80s. And of course I know the first track, I Wanna Destroy You. I was a big fan of Robyn Hitchcock back in the early 90s.
During: I like I Wanna Destroy You a lot. It's ranked 88 out of 95 on my favorites from 1980 play list. The next 2 tracks are not so great. I Got The Hots is a good one that I remember as well. I decide to add it to my favorites from 1980 play list. The next 6 are nothing special. I guess this is going to be a three.
After : Overall, I think the album is kind of lame, except for 2 tracks that I like enough to put on my favorites form 1980 list. Maybe taken in the context of the time it was produced, the album deserves a higher rating, but I check my 1980 list and there were several albums at least, that were much, much better than this, imo. For reference, my top 5 albums from 1980 are: Pretenders, "Pretenders"; The Specials, "More Specials"; XTC, "Black Sea"; The Fall, "Grotesque (After the Gramme)"; The English Beat, "I Just Can't Stop It".
Nirvana
4/5
Before: Oh, it's Nirvana. I did like them but my favorite album from them, Bleach, is not even on this list. If I had a 1001 list, I would put Bleach on there for sure, but that's it. I listened to Nevermind countless times already, back in the day. It's probably in vinyl in my collection in the basement. I also listened more recently as research for my favorites by year list. Of course this is a good album. I'll probably give it a 4.
During: Smells Like Teen Spirit: It's fine and hints at a certain energy but guess it's too polished for my tastes. I'm bored with it half way through. In Bloom also hints at greatness but it's like there is a filter on. Come As You Are is OK, but seems muted as well. Checking my favorites of 1001 list, I have the first 3 tracks on there but that is all. I probably got bored with listening to it at that point and put them on there just because it's Nirvana. Breed, I like. It's my favorite so far. I decide to swap it out with Come as you are on my 1991 list. The next 2 tracks are kind of boring. Territorial Pissings is pretty good.
After : I guess I'll give it a 4, but just barely.
N.W.A.
3/5
Before: I have to admit I've never listened to this album. I have heard some of the songs though. I'm not really a fan of this genre.
During: It's Ok but I can't relate to the lyrics.
After : I don't like it much but I suppose it's an important album and deserves to be on this list.
Dagmar Krause
3/5
Before: Here's something I have never heard. I have no idea what to expect. Based on the album cover, I'm guessing some kind on German opera?
During: Was hard to find this but did find it on YouTube music, so I had to listen to ads.
After : Well, that was interesting. I'll give it a 3.
Boston
4/5
Before: I really don't even need to listen to the first 5 songs. I'd give it a solid 5 based on them but the overall quality does kind of peter out towards the end. I'm actually not much of a fan of this genre. This album is the only one of this style of music that I like enough to give at least a 4 in that realm. I have "More Than a Feeling" ranked as my number 1 song from 1976, followed by "Dancing Queen" by ABBA, and "Girlfriend" by The Modern Lovers, then "Stich in Time" by Anthony Moore, and "I'm Straight" by The Modern Lovers at number 5. For albums, I have T. Rex's "Futuristic Dragon" and The Modern Lovers' "The Modern Lovers" tied for 1st, followed by Boston's "Boston", Lou Reed's "Coney Island Baby", and ABBA's "Arrival", at 3, 4, & 5.
During:
5 More Than A Feeling
4 Peace Of Mind
5 Foreplay/Long Time
4 Rock & Roll Band
4 Smokin'
3 Hitch A Ride
2 Something About You
1 Let Me Take You Home Tonight
----------------------------------------
3.5 AVERAGE
After : I'm giving it a 4. It would most likely be in my 1001 essential albums list as well.
Roxy Music
3/5
Before: This is one of those albums that I feel like maybe I should like more than I do. Let's give it another shot. I do know I like Avalon more than this one, and it's not even on this list, but I do see 2 other Roxy Music albums. Whoo-hoo. (he says unenthusiastically)
During: They released this in 1972, really? I was not listening to anything even remotely like this at the time. The opening tracks have elements that sound almost like precursors to new-wave. Of course, in 1972, I was only 9. I think my favorite band at that time was Chicago, mainly because I had received one of their albums as a Christmas present, along with a portable turntable. It was my first album and I was very proud of it.
After : I can see how this is on this list given that it was released in 1972, it seems somewhat ground breaking. Still, it's not something I personally enjoy listening too. I am sure I would feel differently if I had known about these guys at an earlier age. Favorite track was "If There Is Something". I'll add that one to my 1972 playlist.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Before: This looks fun. I'm anticipating some sort of raucous African reggae-esque beats. Let's see. I think maybe I have something from Fela Kuti on one my favorites by years lists. Nope, it's some other African dude, but I cannot recall his name off hand but I would not be surprised to see him pop up as my album of the day some morning.
During: Let's Start, literally. Oh, it's an African James Brown. I do love James Brown's music, is my initial thought upon the beginning of this track which then devolves into some jazzy stuff that I'm not much of a fan of. 13 minutes in now, this way too jazzy for my tastes. I'm leaning towards a 3 at this point. Ye Ye De Smell is great. I kept thinking of some of the stuff the Beastie Boys were doing while listening to this album. I wonder if they were influenced by this artist?
After : Overall, it was an enjoyable listen but not one I'll be repeating anytime soon. I would regard it as a high 3.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Before: I have no idea what this is going be, folk psychedelia? Let's see, lot's of E's (explicit lyrics warnings). Probably not folk psychedelia.
During: Wow, the opener is interesting, made me chuckle a little. Then the next track goes in a completely different direction. How have I never heard of this guy before? Maybe this will be interesting. Nope, not interesting at all. About half-way in I start reading some of the reviews. My favorite went something like this "this is the worse Radiohead album ever". I tend to agree.
After : I had to skip through the last few tracks. And, what's with all the E warnings? I did not hear anything explicit, at all. I even browsed through some of the lyrics and did not see anything that would garner an E warning.
Pixies
5/5
Before: It's not my favorite Pixies album, but it's a darn good one. My favorite album by them is not even on this list, Trompe Le Monde. Anywhoo, this is probably going to be a 5. I've probably listened to it 100+ times already, but here goes, one more time.
During: It does have a few weakish songs but still, 11 out of 14 are good enough to make it on my favorites of 1990 list. I only have 56 total for 1990 so the Pixies comprise 20% of the list. You'd think it would be my favorite album for 1990 but I have to give that spot to Mazzy Star's, She Hangs Brightly. OMG, that album is not even on this list, nothing by Mazzy Star is. How is that possible?
After: Yeah, it's a 5.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Before: I was never a big fan of Neil Young. He's obviously very influential and a lot of people love his music but it never really clicked with me.
During: Cinnamon Girl, I remember this one, but I think there is a version I like better. Oh Lord, there are 7 Neil Young albums on this list. Really? One is plenty. I would not have more than 3 albums by any artist and then, only if they are very different from each other. Further, there are only a handful of artists I would allow 3 albums on a list such as this.
After: I don't have anything else to add. I'll give it a 3.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Before: I don't know anything about this album as a whole. I'm sure there are going to be tracks I've heard but more than likely, this is not going to be the kind of music I like or have liked since it came out in 2002. I did have Born To Run as my 9th album from this challenge and that one I gave 5 stars. I'm anticipating a 3 for this one. Incidentally, this is my first repeat artist. I check and see he is on this list 5 times, that's way too many.
During: I listened to a few times throughout the day. Most of the songs I tuned out or skipped through.
After: I liked three songs a little: Let's Be Friends (Skin To Skin), The Fuse, & You're Missing. I'll give it a 3.
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
Before: I do like the title track, it's one of my favorite songs from 1973. And Jet is another good one. I don't recognize any of the other tracks but I am sure I have at least skimmed through the entire album at least once when building my yearly playlists. I have the track Band On The Run ranked, oh hold on, I don't have it listed at all. I will have to rectify that. I'm gonna add Jet as well.
During: Band On The Run and Jet are good. I really do like Jet a lot. Bluebird is OK. Mrs. Vanderbilt starts off pretty good but soon gets kind of annoying and I have to skip to the next track. The next 7 tracks are not so great and I skip through most of them. The closer, Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five, is interesting. I'm probably going to give this one a 3. Only because of the first 2 tracks, otherwise, it would be a 2 in my book.
After: Nothing else to add really. This concludes my 50th. It's time to find out what's next.
Crowded House
2/5
Before: I've heard of them. I think they may have had some hits on the radio.
During: Chocolate Cake sounds pleasant enough but nothing special. I can already tell this is not going to be something I like a lot. Probably going to be 3. It's Only Natural is kind of annoying. Fall At Your Feet and Tall Trees are just bad. I guess I'm going to have to skip through most of this.
After: I ended up skipping through all the rest of the tracks. It's gonna get a 2 from me.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Before: I never listen to Willie Nelson but do like some songs from him. Looks like this album might be a bunch of covers.
During: 3 tracks in, all covers so far. They are decent interpretations but nothing special. I mean he does have a pleasant and unique voice but that's not enough for me to be interested in listening to a bunch of covers. I do think at least one of his albums should be on a list such as this. I see he has another one on here, I hope it includes original material. I'll probably give this one 3, in large part due to it's all covers.
After: Works great as background music.
Lou Reed
2/5
Before: I do like Lou Reed a lot and he has many songs in my best of years list but nothing from this album. I'm sure I skimmed through it at least once before.
During: Two tracks in. I can see why this album does not stand out to me as one of his best. The first tracks definately won't be making it on my best of 73 list. If this wasn't Lou Reed, I'd definately be skipping through, but it is Lou Reed, and it's a Saturday so I have plenty of time to listen to the complete album. I see 2 version of Caroline Says, is that the song I'm think of? We'll see, the first comes up next, I'm on track 3 now and don't really care for it at all. I see there is only one other Lou Reed album which is Transformer, which is a good choice but what about Coney Island Baby? Why would you put Berlin on this list instead of Coney Island Baby? Caroline Says I - nope, not the song I was thinking of. Candy Says is the song I was thinking of. That's a great song and would be very out of place on this album. Six songs in now, why on earth would anyone put this album on a best of 1001 list? Maybe it was very innovative or edgy for 1973? Let's see what the experts have to say about it.
After : Overall, it's not an enjoyable listen at all but I did like it a little better the second time. I get it that this album is not meant to be enjoyable. Maybe it deserves to be on this list but still can't rate it higher than 2, based on my own persona criteria.
Cat Stevens
4/5
Before: I do like Cat Stevens a little. I've probably skimmed though this album before but the only song I know I like is Wild World which I have ranked as my 35th favorite from 1970.
During: There's some good songs on here other than Wild World. My favorites were Where Do The Children Play?, Miles From Nowhere, and On The Road To Find Out. I see a lot of people mentioning Father and Son but that one doesn't really do it for me.
After : It's between 3 and 4 for me. I'll be generous and give it a 4.
Fats Domino
4/5
Before: Cool, Fats Domino. I need to work on my yearly playlists for the years prior to 1960. This should give some tracks for 1957.
During:
4 "Blueberry Hill"
4 "Honey Chile"
4 "What's the Reason I'm Not Pleasing You"
4 "Blue Monday"
4 "So Long"
4 "La-La"
4 "Troubles of My Own"
3 "You Done Me Wrong"
3 "Reeling and Rocking"
4 "The Fat Man's Hop"
3 "Poor Poor Me"
"Trust in Me"
After : I could not find the album but found different versions of all the songs. 4.
Keith Jarrett
4/5
Before: Hhmm, wasn't expecting this one. My mom had this album back in the late 70's and I listened to it many times. I have not listed to it since then.
During: Some incredible playing for sure but it's not the kind of thing I usually listen to. At some points I'm wondering, how may many hands does that dude have?
After : I didn't know about the back story until I started reading the reviews. I get it now why so much of this sounded like improv. I'm giving it a 4. Sure, it deserves a 5 but it's not something I really enjoy listening to that much.
My Bloody Valentine
5/5
Before: This is a 5. In fact most songs on the album are a 5. I have 10 of 11 tracks in my best of 1991 list which only has 84 total. so MBV comprises 12% of the list in terms of titles. In mind, this album is the definition of shoegaze.
During: I've heard this so many times there's really no point in listening to it again. I absolutely would but it's not available on Spotify for a few months now and I really don't feel like trying to piece it together from YouTube clips. I do have it on vinyl down in the basement, buried in the back of a closet. OK, so I did find the full album on YouTube Music, so here goes...
After : 5, no doubt. This for sure is one of my top 100 albums of all time. Maybe even top 20.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
Before: This is a decent album. I used to listen to it some back then. One of my roommates' had it. I have 3 tracks on my best of 1988 list which consists of 80 songs altogether. I'll probably give it a 4.
During: It's between 3 an 4.
After: Leaning towards a 4, I'll be generous and give it a 4.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Before: The artist and album title look familiar but I can't think of any thing specific I know from them. I'm sure I've at least skimmed though this before.
During: Starting off with the first track, Green Onions. Oh, of course I know this one. I have it ranked 9 out of 37 for my favorites from 1962. The next, Rinky Dink, is great as well. It can't help but make me chuckle a little. For some reason I decided not to put it on m 1962 list but I'm adding it now. At the last track now, Comin' Home Baby, I also added that one to my 1962 list. I have a policy not to put covers on my best of yearly lists but do make a few exceptions.
After: It was a blast listening to this several times throughout the day. Apparently it's almost all covers which takes it down a notch or two for me. It's great but the best I can do is a 4.
Shack
3/5
Before: I don't have a clue, I won't even hazard a guess. Oh what the heck. It's probably not rap, not country, not jazz. Maybe something in the folk-rock realm?
During: Hm, jangle-country-pop-rock? It's not bad. The lyrics in the first rack are interesting, "when you walked in my face and my eyes were shining through". Five tracks in now. This is nothing special but it's not bad, I'll probably give it a 3. Reading some reviews now, seems a lot of people dislike this a lot. Apparently this is Britpop, I can see that now that I've heard 5 songs.
After : I wouldn't mind if I never heard any of those songs again. I'll give it a 3.
Mylo
2/5
Before: Another one I don't have a clue about. I'm guessing maybe it's not rock. Maybe something from the jazz or rap realm?
During: My first thought after the first 30 seconds is "techno background music". Seeing how this was released in 20024, it's rather recent. I'm wondering now if any of my favorite albums from 2004 are on this list.
1. The Fiery Furnaces, Blueberry Boat - nope, nothing at all from them
2. Destroyer, Your Blues - nothing at all from him
3. Flotation Toy Warning, Bluffer's guide to the flight deck - nothing at from them
4. New Buffalo, The Last Beautiful Day - nothing at all from her
5. The Divine Comedy, Absent Friends - well, not this one but there are 2 other albums from them on the list - guess what, they're Britpop
On the fourth track now. You've got to be kidding me. WTH is this album on this list? I can see putting one example of this style of music on the list but it should be one of the best. I wouldn't know but I'm pretty sure this is isn't. By the 10th track I have to start skipping through. I'm considering changing my rating system now. Heretofore, I've been rating based solely on my own personal opinion of the music but I'm thinking now I'll also consider my onion of whether or not it should be on this list, and my opinion of the significance of the album at the time it was released. Lets try it out.
After:
2 - my personal rating
1 - suitability for this list
2 - relevance
------------------------------
2 - composite rating
Talking Heads
3/5
Before:
I do like the Talking Heads but they're definately not my favorite band from that era. I do have at least 3 of their albums on vinyl down in the basement but this is not one of them. Let's get started.
During:
Yep, definately sounds like the Talking Heads. They have an unmistakable sound which I actually find a bit annoying after a few minutes. Checking my best of 1978 list I find Take Me to the River but no other songs from this album.
4 Thank You For Sending Me An Angel
2 With Our Love
4 The Good Thing
4 Warning Sign
2 The Girls Want To Be With The Girls
4 Found A Job
2 Artists Only
4 I'm Not In Love
3 Stay Hungry
4 Take Me To The River
2 The Big Country
----------------------------------------------
3.2 AVERAGE
After:
Of course there should be at least one or two Talking Heads albums on this list but this isn't one of them. Nonetheless, I decided to add 2 more tracks to my 1978 list, Thank You For Sending Me An Angel and Warning Sign.
3 - my personal rating
2 - suitability for this list
4 - relevance
------------------------------
3 - composite rating
The KLF
2/5
Before:
No clue. I'm thinking rap or metal. Let's find out.
During:
Well, this is going to be challenging as it's not on Spotify, apparently. There's something that looks like it called The White Room (Directors Cut). Looks like most of the songs are on the Directors Cut , but I have no idea how they compare to the album versions. The first one I find is Make It Rain and it is definately not rap or metal, more like house-techno which I am not a fan of at all. Next is Church Of The KLF which is more of the same. At this point I start reading reviews, maybe I'll get some ideas of where to find the right versions of these songs. I did find the whole album on YouTube but it di not show the names of the current tracks playing but generally I think they were much better versions than the directors cut.
3 What Time Is Love? (LP Mix)
2 Make It Rain
1 3 A.M. Eternal (Live At The S.S.L.)
2 Church Of The KLF
2 Last Train To Trancentral (LP Mix)
1 Build A Fire
2 The White Room
2 No More Tears
1 Justified And Ancient
--------------------------------------------
1.8 AVERAGE
After:
So, I'm, going to give it a 2. I'm trying out a new rating system but honestly, I don't have a clue about "suitability for this list" or "relevance" for this album other than what I've gleaned from other reviews.
2 - my personal rating
2 - suitability for this list
2 - relevance
------------------------------
2 - composite rating
Patti Smith
4/5
Before:
Patti Smith, Yay! She was a little ahead of my time. In 1975, I only knew about bands they played on the radio and they definately didn't play anything by her in the smallish southern US town I grew up in. In my late years I've tried to develop an appreciation of her music but have not been successful to date. Maybe this time around I will. As of this moment I have only one track from this album on my favorites of 1975 playlist.
During:
Gloria: In Excelsis Deo is pretty good. I did not add that to my 1975 list because part of it is a cover but on my second listen today I decided to add as I think her version is quite different and much better than Van Morrison's. Birdland is, um, interesting. During my second listen I decided to add that to my 1975 list as well. By the time we get half way through Free Money I'm getting kind of annoyed. Kimberly is just as annoying. For some reason I "liked" it in my app at some point, only god knows why. Still, I'm determined not to skip through anything. I mean it is the punk rock goddess herself, I am blessed to be listening to today. Break It Up continues to annoy me further but I'm a gonna stick with it. Next up is the one track from this album that I added to my best of 1975 list prior to today, Land: Horses / Land, Of A Thousand Dances / La Mer(de).
As an aside, I usually listen my album of the day in the morning and I have a lot of stuff going on in the mornings so there are often frequent interruptions during my initial listen. So during one of these interruptions, a song by The New Eves pops into my head and I'm thinking about how similar that song is to what I've just been listening to and wondering, would we have The New Eves today if it weren't for Patti Smith? They are clearly influence by her work, which they themselves have confirmed.
So back to Land: Horses / Land, Of A Thousand Dances / La Mer(de), this definately my favorite of the album. I'll rate it a 4, I think it's my favorite so far.
4 Gloria: In Excelsis Deo
3 Redondo Beach
4 Birdland
2 Free Money
2 Kimberly
2 Break It Up
4 Land: Horses / Land, Of A Thousand Dances / La Mer(de)
2 Elegie
--------------------------------------------------------------
2.9 AVERAGE
After:
3 - my personal rating
5 - suitability for this list
5 - relevance
------------------------------
4 - composite rating
The Killers
1/5
Number: 65
Date: 03/05/2026
Artist: The Killers
Album: HOT FUSS
Year: 2004
Genre: Synth-pop
Rating: 1
Notes:
Before:
No clue, never heard of them. I'm not even going to guess but I'm assuming some form of rock, maybe something along the lines of The White Stripes. Wow, I guess they're pretty popular, The Brightside has over 3 billion streams on Spotify.
During:
The first 2 tracks are decent. They have kind of an urgent new-waveish sound to me. Not really whitestripesish at all. I can't say it's anything special that I'll add to any of my personal playlists. Now on track 6. It's all a bit too main stream for my tastes. I'm skipping though many of these.
4 Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine
4 Mr. Brightside
3 Smile Like You Mean It
2 Somebody Told Me
3 All These Things That I've Done
2 Andy, You're A Star
1 On Top
2 Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll
2 Believe Me Natalie
2 Midnight Show
1 Everything Will Be Alright
-----------------------------------------
2.36 AVERAGE
After:
Well, it started off OK but got progressively worse. I often listen to an album 2 or 3 times for this project but won't be doing that this time.
2 - my personal rating
1 - suitability for this list
1 - relevance
------------------------------
1 - composite rating
Neil Young
3/5
Before:
Well, this is my second Neil Young so far and my first repeat artist. Never was a big fan but it looks like I'll have plenty of opportunities to get better acquainted with his music over the next 2+ years.
During:
Starts off with a nice tune, kind of sappy, but I like it.
4 Out On The Weekend
2 Harvest
1 A Man Needs A Maid
5 Heart Of Gold
2 Are You Ready For The Country
4 Old Man
2 There's A World
2 Alabama
3 The Needle And The Damage Done
3 Words (Between The Lines Of Age)
-----------------------------------------
2.8 AVERAGE
After:
There are way too many Neil Young Album's on this list; however this is supposedly considered one of if not this best. For that reason I'll give it a 4 for suitability for this list. For relevance I'll rate it a 3.
3 - my personal rating
4 - suitability for this list
3 - relevance
------------------------------
3 - composite rating
4/5
Number: 67
Date: 03/07/2026
Artist: Suba
Album: São Paulo Confessions
Year: 1999
Genre: Ambient Latin Acid-jazz
Rating: 4
Notes:
Before:
No clue, I'm anticipating something with a Latino flavor. Maybe in the triphop realm, I'm hoping.
During:
Hhm, I like. The first track instantly makes me think of Stereolab x Sade. I start reading the Wikipedia article midway through the second track and learn the artist is Serbian. Wow, I never would have guessed that. That make this so much more intriguing trying to imagine what it was like when he were putting this music together. Will continue listening with piqued interest. OK, so just read the Wikipedia article on him. I highly recommend reading that if you have not. BTW, I have not read any listener reviews yet, will do so after posting my review.
After:
3 - my personal rating
4 - suitability for this list
4 - relevance
-----------------------------
4 - composite rating
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Number: 68
Date: 03/08/2026
Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Album: Fever To Tell
Year: 2003
Genre: Garage rock
Rating: 4
Notes:
Before:
Yay!!!, It's the Yeah Yeah Yeahs! I should like this. I know I have several of their songs in my favorites by yearly lists. From this particular album I have Maps ranked 6 and Y Control ranked 36 out of 47 songs for 2003.
During:
Hmm. I guess this was their debut album.
4 Rich
4 Date With The Night
4 Man
4 Tick
3 Black Tongue
3 Pin
4 Cold Light
3 No No No
5 Maps
5 Y Control
3 Modern Romance
3 Poor Song
------------------------------
3.8 AVERAGE
After :
After:
4 - my personal rating
5 - suitability for this list
4 - relevance
James Brown
4/5
Number: 69
Date: 03/09/2026
Artist: James Brown
Album: James Brown Live At The Apollo
Year: 1963
Genre: Funk Soul
Rating:
Notes:
Before:
Awesome, James Brown! I love James Brown! I'm not familiar with this album though. I don't see any songs I recognize on it.
During:
3 Introduction
4 I'll Go Crazy
3 Try Me
4 Think
3 I Don't Mind
3 Lost Someone
3 Medley (Please..., You’ve Got….)
3 Night Train
-----------------------------------------------------
3.25 AVERAGE
After:
My favorites were Instrumental Bridge #1, #2, & # 3; however they were each only about 10 seconds long. I wish there had been more of that. I don't think this album is his best. I am surprised to see he only has one album on this list. He is one of the few artists I think deserve more than one album here. I know there has got to be a better representation of his work out there.
3 - my personal rating
4 - suitability for this list
4 - relevance
-----------------------------
4 - composite rating
Billy Joel
2/5
Number: 70
Date: 03/13/2026
Artist: Billy Joel
Album: The Stranger
Year:1977
Genre: Soft Rock
Rating: 2
Notes:
Before:
OMG. I used to like this a little, back when it came out. I don't think I like it at all now but it's been a long time since I listened to any of these songs. My brother was a big fan so I heard it a lot back then. For sure, I don't have nay of these songs on my favorites of 1977. I mean comparing this to Never Mind The Bollocks..., my favorite album from 1977, it's like night and day. Of course I didn't know anything about the Sex Pistols back then and even if I did I probably would have been scared of them. Billy Joel is like the opposite of the Sex Pistols. I wonder what he thought about them back then?
During:
Well here goes nothing. I'm not looking forward to this but I guess I have to do it. Nothing much to say, I was doing other stuff while listening.
After:
It wasn't so bad. I did not skip through any of them. I liked the last 20 seconds of The Stranger and the last 1:20 of Everybody Has a Dream. I think that is what Discogs is calling "Untitled", which I gave a 4.
2 Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
1 The Stranger
3 Just The Way You Are
1 Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
3 Vienna
3 Only The Good Die Young
4 She's Always A Woman
3 Get It Right The First Time
2 Everybody Has A Dream
4 Untitled
2.33 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song length)
2 - my personal rating
3 - suitability for this list
2 - relevance
-----------------------------
2 - composite rating
Bon Jovi
2/5
Number: 71
Date: 3/14/2026
Artist: Bon Jovi
Album: Slippery When Wet
Year: 1986
Genre: Metal Rock
Rating: 2
Notes:
Before:
Argh, my third least favorite genre, behind Rap and Modern Country. I foresee a 2 rating. We'll see. I've never listened to this album but I'm sure I'll recognize some of the songs.
During:
Yep, pretty much what I was expecting.
After :
Well, that was awful. I was going to give it a 1 even though my composite rating is a 2. I had a change of hear though and decided 2 is about right, all things considered. I do agree it deserves to be on this list though, if for no other reason than as an example of this type of music.
Rating Track Name
1 Let It Rock
2 You Give Love A Bad Name
1 Livin' On A Prayer
1 Social Disease
2 Wanted Dead Or Alive
1 Raise Your Hands
1 Without Love
1 I'd Die For You
1 Never Say Goodbye
1 Wild In The Streets
-----------------------------------------------------
1.20 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths)
1 my personal rating
4 suitability for this list
2 relevance
-----------------------------------------------
2.3 composite rating
Talvin Singh
2/5
Number: 72
Date: 3/15/2026
Artist: Talvin Singh
Album: OK
Year: 1998
Genre: Breakbeat
Rating: 2
Notes:
Before:
Cool, something I know absolutely nothing. Let's take a stab at when we're going to be hearing. Maybe some kind of ambient-electro-trance with an Indianish sound as in with sitar's interspersed? No clue.
During:
Starting track one...Oh... Well it is a Sunday, this is an appropriate sound for Sunday morning, I guess.
After :
So there was lots of variety which I enjoyed but overall it's what I would consider background music. A little interesting but not enough to warrant another listen. my personal rating is easy, 3. Suitability and relevance are more difficult. I 'm going with 1 for the former and 2 for the latter.
3 Traveller
3 Butterfly
3 Sutrix
3 Mombasstic
3 Decca
4 Eclipse
4 OK
4 Light
3 Disser / Point.Mento.B
4 Soni
3 Vikram The Vampire
-----------------------------------------------------
3.42 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths)
3 my personal rating
1 suitability for this list
2 relevance
-----------------------------------------------
2 composite rating
Michael Jackson
5/5
Number: 73
Date: 3/16/2026
Artist: Michael Jackson
Album: Thriller
Year: 1982
Genre: Pop
Rating: 5
Notes:
Before:
Noooooooo! I really don't feel like listening to this today. It's Monday morning, not how I want to start the week.
During:
4 Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
3 Baby Be Mine
4 The Girl Is Mine
4 Thriller
4 Beat It
5 Billie Jean
4 Human Nature
4 P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
2 The Lady In My Life
-----------------------------------------------------
3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths)
4 my personal rating
5 suitability for this list
5 relevance
-----------------------------------------------
5 composite rating
After:
To be clear, I don't like this kind of music. Still, my personal rating is a 4. I would never listen to this album or any of these songs of my own volition; still, my personal rating is a 4. I don't have any of these songs on my favorites of 1982 list; still, well you get the idea. Maybe I should consider adding at least one, but my 1982 list already has 139 tracks and seeing how my target max is 100, I really don't have room. Awe, WTH, I'll add Billie Jean.
4 my personal rating
5 suitability for this list
5 relevance
-----------------------------------------------
4.7 composite rating
Foo Fighters
3/5
Number: 74
Date: 03/17/2026
Artist: Foo Fighters
Album: Foo Fighters
Year: 1995
Genre: 90s AltRock
Rating: 3
Notes:
Before:
Well, I know they were/are popular, but I can't name a single song by them, not really my thing. I have no idea if they're popular now or are even still together and making music... I don't have any of their songs on my favorites by years lists. Oh, I see they are touring now and last released an album in 2023 so I guess they are still together.
During:
OK, they sound a little like Nirvana wannabes... Ooops, apologies to Dave Grohl. I see now why they sound a bit like Nirvana...Wow, the dude wrote all the music and played all the instruments on this album? That put's this in a whole different light. I still don't really care for this type of music that much but I am in awe of what he did, nonetheless...this got a little tiresome towards the end and I had to skip through the last few tracks.
After:
2 This Is A Call
3 I'll Stick Around
3 Big Me
3 Alone + Easy Target
3 Good Grief
4 Floaty
3 Weenie Beenie
3 Oh, George
3 For All The Cows
2 X-Static
2 Wattershed
3 Exhausted
-----------------------------------------------------
2.9 AVERAGE
2.90 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths)
3 my personal rating
4 suitability for this list
3 relevance
-----------------------------------------------
3.3 composite rating
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
5/5
Number: 75
Date: 03/18/2026
Artist: Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Album: Rattlesnakes
Year: 1984
Genre: Soft Art Rock
Rating: 5
Notes:
Before:
Oh, this album is gonna be a 4 or 5. I know it has a few 5's but also has some songs that I don't love. Checking my best of '84 list I find 8 of 114 songs are from this album. Another way to put it, is 8 of 10 songs on the album are one of my faves of '84. Even another way to put it is, I have this album ranked as my 5th favorite of the year. But to be fair, 1984 was a great year and there was lots of competition. I have this one ranked between Echo & the Bunnymen's "Ocean Rain" and The Jazz Butcher's "A Scandal In Bohemia". I'll probably listen to it at least 2 times today.
During:
5 Perfect Skin
4 Speedboat
4 Rattlesnakes
4 Down On Mission Street
5 Forest Fire
4 Charlotte Street
5 2CV
5 Four Flights Up
4 Patience
5 Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?
-----------------------------------------------------
4.5 AVERAGE
4.46 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths)
After:
I am really surprised at all the negative reviews of this album. I guess it's a you had to be there kind of thing. I think this album is awesome. It evokes a certain kind of wistfulness that no other record does for me. I see a lot of people calling it pretentious. I don't see that all. In what way is it pretentious? Anyway, just for reference so you know where my head is at , I'll give you my top 5 albums from 1984 and whether they part of the 1001 list as a bonus. 1) The Fall's "The Wonderful And Frightening World Of...." - NO. 2) Butthole Surfers' "Psychic....Powerless....Another Man's Sac" - NO. 3) The Style Council's "Cafe Bleu" - YES. 4) Echo & the Bunnymen's "Ocean Rain" - YES. 5) Lloyd Cole and the Commotions' "Rattlesnakes" - YES.
5 my personal rating
5 suitability for this list
4 relevance
-----------------------------------------------
4.7 composite rating
Television
2/5
Number: 76
Date: 03/19/2026
Artist: Television
Album: Marquee Moon
Year: 1977
Genre: New Wave Punk Rock
Rating: 2
Notes:
Before:
I never was a huge fan of Television. They're OK but there's nothing really unique or special about their sound, imo. I do have one song from this album on my favorites of 1977 list, Marquee Moon, ranked 66 out of 100 for 1977.
During:
So 2 songs in now and I find them a little annoying, maybe it's Tom Verlaine's voice and delivery style that rubs me the wrong way. The music itself is decent. Now at number 4, Marquee Moon. The main reason it's on my best of '77 list is it's because it's by Television and I felt like I had to include at least one song of theirs. It starts off pretty good but is quite long. I think it's going to get a demotion.
2 See No Evil
2 Venus
2 Friction
3 Marquee Moon
2 Elevation
2 Guiding Light
2 Prove It
2 Torn Curtain
-----------------------------------------------------
2.125 AVERAGE
2.22 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths)
After:
I don't really like it at all. I liked their music a little more back in the early 80's but it hasn't aged well, imo. Still I get that they were very influential and should be included in this list.
2 my personal rating
5 suitability for this list
4 relevance
-----------------------------------------------
3.7 composite rating
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Number: 77
Date: 03/20/2026
Artist: LCD Soundsystem
Album: Sound of Silver
Year: 2007
Genre: Electro Indie Rock
Rating: 3
Notes:
Before:
So, I reviewed the wrong album yesterday. I listened to and reviewed their first album rather then this one. I actually listened to it at least 2x and I also listened to this one but didn't make notes on it. So, the point is, I have to listen to this one again and I've already heard plenty of LCD Sound System in the past 24 hours and am a little over it. I do like them a little but not that much. They have a few songs I like a lot but most of their music is not something I would go out of my way to hear.
During:
I have to say I liked their first self titled album much more than this one. On their first album, you could clearly hear some influence from The Fall on a few tracks. The Fall, btw, is my all time favorite band. This album though is mostly electro-pop, which is way down my list of genres that I typically listen to.
2 Get Innocuous!
3 Time To Get Away
3 North American Scum
3 Someone Great
5 All My Friends
3 Us V Them
3 Watch The Tapes
3 Sound Of Silver
5 New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down
-----------------------------------------------------
3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths)
After :
I have to say the closer, "New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down", was a nice surprise. I know this song but had no idea this was from LCD Soundsystem. I've added it to my favorites of 2007 list. The album as a whole though would likely rank somewhere from 10 - 20 for the year. The only thing that ranks highly from 2007 that is marginally similar to this album is Dan Deacon's "Spiderman Of The Rings" which is not on the 1001 list, in fact nothing from Dan Deacon is, which is a major miss, imo.
3 my personal rating
4 suitability for this list
3 impact
-----------------------------------------------
3.3 composite rating
Lenny Kravitz
4/5
Number: 78
Date: 03/21/2026
Artist: Lenny Kravitz
Album: Let Love Rule
Year: 1989
Genre: Pop soul rock
Rating: 4
Notes:
Before:
Yeah, he was very popular back n the day and I was a fan. Not enough to buy the album, he would have been in my 2nd - 3rd tier back then. It will be interesting listening with a little distance between then and now.
During:
4 Sittin' On Top Of The World
5 Let Love Rule
4 Freedom Train
4 My Precious Love
5 I Build This Garden For Us
4 Fear
3 Does Anybody Out There Even Care
3 Mr. Cab Driver
3 Rosemary
5 Be
5 Blues For Sister Someone
3 Empty Hands
3 Flower Child
-----------------------------------------------------
3.9 AVERAGE
4.0 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths)
After:
I see a lot of negative reviews but I think this is a fantastic album. Not quite a 5, but close.
4 my personal rating
5 suitability for this list
3 impact
-----------------------------------------------
4 composite rating
3/5
Number: 79
Date: 03/22/2026
Artist: X
Album: Wild Gift
Year: 1981
Genre: Punkabilly
Rating: 3
Notes:
Before:
I don't know this album. I am very familiar with one of their other works though, "More Fun In The New World". I listened to that one a lot back in the day, had it one vinyl. They have a unique sound but a lot of their songs sound pretty much same. Now when I listen to them it get's a little tiresome after a few songs.
During:
Starting off with "The Once Over Twice", I'm thinking this sounds a lot like one of their songs on "More Fun In The New World".
4 The Once Over Twice
2 We're Desperate
2 Adult Books
3 Universal Corner
3 I'm Coming Over
2 It's Who You Know
3 In This House That I Call Home
2 Some Other Time
4 White Girl
4 Beyond And Back
2 Back 2 The Base
3 When Our Love Passed Out On The Couch
3 Year 1
-----------------------------------------------------
2.9 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths)
After:
3 my personal rating
3 suitability for this list
2 impact
-----------------------------------------------
2.7 composite rating
Public Enemy
3/5
Number: 80
Date: 03/23/2026
Artist: Public Enemy
Album: It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Year: 1988
Genre: Conscious Hip Hop
Rating: 3
Notes:
Before:
The is my second Public Enemy album. It looks like they have three on this list which is 2 too many, imo. They should definately have one album here but I don't think any artist should have more than one unless they are very different from each other and/or masterpieces. I don't see that with Public Enemy's work. They have some great songs but most of their music that I like has pretty much the same sound.
During:
3 Countdown To Armageddon
5 Bring The Noise
4 Don't Believe The Hype
4 Cold Lampin With Flavor
3 Terminator X To The Edge Of Panic
3 Mind Terrorist
3 Louder Than A Bomb
3 Caught, Can We Get A Witness?
3 Show 'Em Whatcha Got
4 She Watch Channel Zero?!
4 Night Of The Living Baseheads
3 Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos
3 Security Of The First World
4 Rebel Without A Pause
3 Prophets Of Rage
3 Party For Your Right To Fight
-----------------------------------------------------
3.50 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths)
After:
4 my personal rating
2 suitability for this list
4 impact
-----------------------------------------------
3.3 composite rating