1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

233
Albums Rated
3.63
Average Rating
21%
Complete
856 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1960
Favorite Decade
Jazz
Favorite Genre
Other
Top Origin ?
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
58
5-Star Albums
11
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Tap a bar to see the albums behind it

Top Styles

Tap a bar to see the albums behind it

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Metal Box
Public Image Ltd.
5 2.41 +2.59
Alien Lanes
Guided By Voices
5 2.76 +2.24
Third/Sister Lovers
Big Star
5 2.8 +2.2
Tago Mago
Can
5 2.81 +2.19
Slanted And Enchanted
Pavement
5 3.03 +1.97
Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
5 3.06 +1.94
Before And After Science
Brian Eno
5 3.08 +1.92
Another Green World
Brian Eno
5 3.11 +1.89
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
5 3.12 +1.88
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo
Devo
5 3.14 +1.86

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
1 3.86 -2.86
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
1 3.68 -2.68
Hotel California
Eagles
1 3.58 -2.58
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
1 3.54 -2.54
Parachutes
Coldplay
1 3.46 -2.46
Eagles
Eagles
1 3.29 -2.29
Bad Company
Bad Company
1 3.24 -2.24
The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
1 3.23 -2.23
Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
1 3.11 -2.11
Tom Tom Club
Tom Tom Club
1 3.04 -2.04

Artists

Favorites

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Radiohead 4 4.75
David Bowie 3 4.67
The Clash 2 5
A Tribe Called Quest 2 5
Fleetwood Mac 2 5
Johnny Cash 2 5
Stevie Wonder 2 5
Joni Mitchell 2 5
Brian Eno 2 5
The Band 2 5
Beastie Boys 2 5

Least Favorites

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Eagles 2 1
Oasis 2 1

Controversial

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistRatings
Neil Young & Crazy Horse 2, 5

5-Star Albums (58)

View Album Wall

Popular Reviews

The Predator by Ice Cube

A level of misogyny, homophobia, antisemitism characteristic of the rap of the time (honestly even more so) paired with stories so vivid and expertly told delivered by one of the best to ever do it. Can say the same about his previous (and superior) first two solo albums. I hope he’s grown over the past three and a half decades. 3 as is; 5 without the skits and misdirected anger.

Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington

Shit cooks as it goes in. First listen I was annoyed by all the talking, but three listens later and I appreciated this as documentation of a real cookin event.

It's Blitz! by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

I enjoyed some of their earlier singles- twitchy guitars and Karen o is definitely a charismatic performer; that said, this sounds like an LCD soundsystem album and I’m not Johnny Disco. I’m sure I might like some of these songs on a well curated playlist but I was glad when the album ended.

Live And Dangerous by Thin Lizzy

Muscula,r dude rock with lots of terrific guitar interplay. Both of those guys really ripped. Phil, his swag and charisma. I enjoyed this more and more as it went on. Some boring aside, I do look forward to revisiting this.

Eagles by Eagles

Tepid watered down garbage. The pit of American rock and roll.

1-Star Albums (11)

All Ratings (233)

Superunknown by Soundgarden
Jan 02 2026

Solid, riff heavy rock and roll. Probably more like a 3.5 but not really my thing. I appreciate it though. I don’t think I’ve ever actually listened to it all the way through although certainly familiar with it from being adjacent to some of the music I loved in 1995 or whatever. The coda to super unknown is fun and the little marching band into Beatles melody of head down. Black hole sun is a winner thirty years later. It is just its own distinctive vibe (file under: Chris Isaak wicked game).

Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Jan 03 2026

Eh. There are so many incredible live Neil sets out there these days I don’t see needing to revisit this. Kind of meanders professionally until sedan delivery which is strange and fun and rips pretty hard before concluding with a crunchy, unenjoyable rendition of my my hey hey. 2.5*

Jan 04 2026

Maybe the only other queen album I’ve heard it in entirety aside from night at the opera. Brian and Fred announce their virtuosity right off the bat and I can imagine loving this album if you’re really into what they do. I felt like I was listening to the soundtrack for a play I hadn’t seen interspersed with some generic seventies rockers. A few highlights- killer queen, stone cold crazy- but this generally confirms that I’m not too interested in queen best their (mostly excellent) singles. I never really understood why all the metal bands loved queen so much but stone cold crazy is a metal blueprint. I wasn’t at all surprised to see that Metallica has covered it several times.

Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
Jan 05 2026

Paul doing all his Paul things.

Live And Dangerous by Thin Lizzy
Jan 06 2026

Muscula,r dude rock with lots of terrific guitar interplay. Both of those guys really ripped. Phil, his swag and charisma. I enjoyed this more and more as it went on. Some boring aside, I do look forward to revisiting this.

London Calling by The Clash
Jan 07 2026

It’s a ten. A great band at their absolute peak. Diverse and tight. Each subsequent listen is fresh and powerful.

Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jan 08 2026

Is CCR the quintessential American rock band? Fogerty was unstoppable at this point.

If You're Feeling Sinister by Belle & Sebastian
Jan 09 2026

Was going to instinctively give it a four having lived with it for nearly three decades but then I popped it in. Their last release where it felt like it was just them and me. Their sound changes with Arab Strap (to great effect! [with diminishing returns thereafter]), closing a book on a once mysterious group.

Purple Rain by Prince
Jan 10 2026

Best soundtrack ever. Prince proving he can do anything. Maybe the best pop album of the eighties. I had like eight copies of this across all formats. Will probably buy more just because. The fucking coolest.

Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Jan 12 2026

Nick at his most menacing.

It's Blitz! by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Jan 13 2026

I enjoyed some of their earlier singles- twitchy guitars and Karen o is definitely a charismatic performer; that said, this sounds like an LCD soundsystem album and I’m not Johnny Disco. I’m sure I might like some of these songs on a well curated playlist but I was glad when the album ended.

Jan 14 2026

Does these mean there are two Buzzcock albums on the list?!? Punchy, aggressive melodic. Not nearly as awesome as singles going steady though

Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin
Jan 18 2026

With her preternatural voice and presence, Aretha singing baby shark for 45 minutes would still be a three star. But with songs as strong as these…

Welcome To The Pleasuredome by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Jan 19 2026

I’m not going to return to this album over and over but man what a strange

Eagles by Eagles
Jan 24 2026

Tepid watered down garbage. The pit of American rock and roll.

Konnichiwa by Skepta
Jan 29 2026

Not my kinda rap.

The Predator by Ice Cube
Jan 30 2026

A level of misogyny, homophobia, antisemitism characteristic of the rap of the time (honestly even more so) paired with stories so vivid and expertly told delivered by one of the best to ever do it. Can say the same about his previous (and superior) first two solo albums. I hope he’s grown over the past three and a half decades. 3 as is; 5 without the skits and misdirected anger.

Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington
Jan 31 2026

Shit cooks as it goes in. First listen I was annoyed by all the talking, but three listens later and I appreciated this as documentation of a real cookin event.

Tracy Chapman by Tracy Chapman
Feb 01 2026

Sometimes a little clunky but always lovely with at least three perfect songs.

At Newport 1960 by Muddy Waters
Feb 02 2026

Starts a little politely- maybe due to the Newport audience of 1960. But really gets smoking midway through. Maybe not where I would start but worth a listen.

So Much For The City by The Thrills
Feb 04 2026

Kinda sounds like a socal version of mid era belle and Sebastian. This is not an endorsement.

Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
Feb 05 2026

Fun trashy rock and roll that I would never be unhappy to hear but at the same time, i can’t imagine I’ll ever listen to it again.

Electric Prunes by The Electric Prunes
Feb 06 2026

All down hill after the single. Sounds like the band in a sixties youth comedy made by squares.

The Velvet Underground by The Velvet Underground
Feb 07 2026

A new iteration of the band and largely devoid of cales avant garde influence, lou might be at his melodic peak and I can’t get enough of sterlings guitar tone. Perfect in a new way.

Third/Sister Lovers by Big Star
Feb 09 2026

A life changing album for me. Definitely mislead me as to what the Big Star sound is. Perfect in every sad, decaying way possible.

Moon Safari by Air
Feb 10 2026

Fine for background music. Has a vibe. Boring one on one. Much prefer their soundtrack to virgin suicides, which has strong stronger songs and not just music.

...Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
Feb 11 2026

Baby one more time is an earworm. But I’m not going to be spending my time listening to this.

Crosby, Stills & Nash by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Feb 13 2026

Sparkling production. Did albino do this?!? Celestial harmonies. Songs tha stand the test of time. Kicks off with an all time favorite. Fuck it. Five.

Endtroducing..... by DJ Shadow
Feb 14 2026

Listened to this a dozen times over the years but maybe I was listening wrong bc this time it made sense. Sudden tempo changes. Time signature variations. The unexpected arrival of new cool sounds.

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Feb 15 2026

Maybe the best from a band that has multiple bests.

At Mister Kelly's by Sarah Vaughan
Feb 17 2026

So stinking professional it almost doesn’t sound live. Perfect Sunday morning, coffee sipping, newspaper reading soundtrack.

Giant Steps by The Boo Radleys
Feb 18 2026

Starts surprisingly strong before being bogged down by mediocre songwriting. My guess is that if a BR fanatic made me a comp I would enjoy it. Dunno. Might revisit this one.

White Light by Gene Clark
Feb 19 2026

After this one and no other, I’m convinced I need to listen to more gene clark. That Byrds family tree is really something.

Here, My Dear by Marvin Gaye
Feb 20 2026

Marvin gets real starkly confessional. Not a singles album.

Hotel California by Eagles
Feb 21 2026

I just don’t care to F with these guys. Their music does nothing for me.

Boston by Boston
Feb 22 2026

It’s Boston by Boston and that’s what it sounds like.

Pearl by Janis Joplin
Feb 24 2026

Some juke joint rave ups and some stone cold classics. Her voice and a killer band.

Feb 25 2026

Not at the top of my TW pyramid but this one sounds real good on a solo road trip. Must engage with it fully to appreciate it.

Elephant by The White Stripes
Feb 27 2026

Great guitar time, dynamics, and man I even like his voice. I thought I was headed to a four and then got a few songs in and found them unlistenable. Not a songwriter. A guitar player. I like the primal backbeat quite a bit. I think this is where they started taking themselves way too seriously and ended up less self aware of the gimmick.

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
Feb 28 2026

I don’t care. Maybe not a five. Art has the voice of an angel; Paul is an amazing guitar player-weird chords, expertise picking. Three stone cold classics.

Mar 01 2026

Practically renders all Wilco albums after it meaningless (although I’ve come o enjoy the narcotic hangover that is Ghost). I love it. A ramshackle singular piece, fraying at the edges, threatening to topple from its axis.

From Elvis In Memphis by Elvis Presley
Mar 03 2026

Elvis going fulll Memphis. Took them a few songs to get his voice right in the mix. Really like this era.

Deserter's Songs by Mercury Rev
Mar 04 2026

Wasa five but then I listened to Boces and yerself is steak and it doesn’t quite reach those heights for me. Still a great album. Downhill from here.

The Last Of The True Believers by Nanci Griffith
Mar 05 2026

Maybe if I had been in college in 1987 and I was laying around in a dorm room with my girlfriend at the time who loved this album and we played it over and over and over, I might have more affection for it. As it stands it’s pretty generic singer songwriter stuff for me BUT it certainly ends on a high note with the last three songs being the most distinctive. I’ll revisit them.

Aftermath by The Rolling Stones
Mar 06 2026

Some bangers. Some classics. Some songs that are way too long. But tons of hints of what’s to come. 3 1/2

Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone
Mar 07 2026

Might be a five but it was an inattentive listen. Still funked and rocked.

Live / Dead by Grateful Dead
Mar 08 2026

I would have become a Dead fan significantly sooner had they followed the jazzy space rock thread. I need to steep myself in this era a bit.

...And Justice For All by Metallica
Mar 10 2026

I mean, it’s good but I would have to be in a super specific mood to listen to an entire Metallica album.

Debut by Björk
Mar 11 2026

I resented this album for a long time for not being a Sugarcubes album. My bad. A solo career with many many highlights now across three decades.

Blood, Sweat & Tears by Blood, Sweat & Tears
Mar 12 2026

Nothing could sound more 70s a.m. radio riding around in Mom’s 10 Chevy nova than this. Doesn’t resonate with me. It’s professional. I am going to check out the Al Kooper led debut to see if it’s got a little swing and grit to it but if has this seventies sheen then it’s in the toilet for me.

Rocks by Aerosmith
Mar 13 2026

I hate to relegate anything to a genre but I’m this case I will: I do not enjoy seventies hard rock. Van Halen, AC/DC, thin lizzy. It doesn’t resonate with me. And maybe Aerosmith, a band I try to understand every few years through their first three or four albums, is at the bottom for me. Plus one because Perry really is an excellent guitar player.

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Mar 14 2026

Immaculate. Pristine. Meticulous.

The Score by Fugees
Mar 15 2026

I haven’t listened to it in years. I hadn’t heard all the once omnipresent singles in ages. I thought it would sound dated and overly familiar but it didn’t- fresh, new, exciting. 4 1/2 because the skits are errrr.

Hard Again by Muddy Waters
Mar 17 2026

Terrific set. I don’t love it as much as I do After Rain as far as late period muddy but I’m not slagging this one, I just love that dirty grimy album. Muddy and a band of guys who know what the fu k they’re doing with produced by a guy who clearly loves the music and knows when to leave well enough alone in a room for three days. The real deal.

Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Mar 18 2026

I just don’t connect with it at all. I was waiting for the songs to end. I feel like you have to be into something that I am clearly not into to really enjoy this.

A Northern Soul by The Verve
Mar 19 2026

I don’t know. Inoffensive, low volume background music maybe. I know that one song from the commercial but it isn’t on the album and I don’t care to listen to it anyhow. I’ll spin it twice. (Update: nah) But sonically, melodically uninteresting. At its best. Some of it sounds like a pop version of a Spacemen 3 song with some funk wah.

Scream, Dracula, Scream by Rocket From The Crypt
Mar 20 2026

I have tried several times over several decades to enjoy this album/band. But it just doesn’t hit for me. I appreciate that it is pure rock and roll but kinda generic to me. And I really don’t like the vocals. Would’ve appreciated them buried in the mix a bit more. I think if I saw them live back when that I would have a different opinion.

I’m not sure the kids realize just how perfect and original the kinks were. I have a lot of thoughts in this album, this band, the passage of time and how much is being left on the side of these roads due to the instantaneous nature society. But I’m just listen to this album again.

The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
Mar 23 2026

Why in lords name would I pick this up if I wanna listen to Bruce.

Blue Lines by Massive Attack
Mar 24 2026

I’ve never embraced its reputation as an influential, classic LP, but still a very strong album with some excellent, atmospheric, close to perfect songs. But it’s a little too R&B for me in spots and has at least two songs that are unlistenable. Would be a terrific like 7 song EP.

Broken English by Marianne Faithfull
Mar 25 2026

I’ll give it another listen because there is something there. Put on my first go around. I didn’t think the songs were that strong and I definitely input off by the period production. Why’d ya do it is easily the standout for me. Marianne is a treasure but this isn’t the one for me.

Searching For The Young Soul Rebels by Dexys Midnight Runners
Mar 27 2026

A little punk snarl, some blue eyed soul and a whole lot of horns!would fit nicely on a shelf next to Elvis Costello, not because they sound the same, but because of an obvious affection for the music, they grew up with filtered through the lens of the music they came of age 2. An absolute rave up of an album. Loved it.

Mar 28 2026

Great songs and instrumentation, but is voice is too golden for me to believe this. Needs a little Cash snarl or Willie rasp or whatever the hell came out of Merle haggard. Still a solid album, but a bit more kitsch than authenticity.

Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
Mar 29 2026

Nothing to add here. Sometimes they sound like a parody but when they hit, they hit hard.

Dare! by The Human League
Mar 30 2026

Probably more like 3.5. I can’t imagine I will spend too much time with this album but a few (several?) of these songs could be on a great playlist.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Mar 31 2026

Sinister, menacing, riff heavy. I like Black Sabbath but I would have have discovered ut at a diffeeent time in my life to really feel it rather than merely appreciate it. much of it still hits hard.

Bongo Rock by Incredible Bongo Band
Apr 01 2026

A bunch of dudes got together in the early seventies to write the songs to be sampled in eighties rap songs and played at sports arenas.

Definitely Maybe by Oasis
Apr 03 2026

If you care not for substance or originality but prefer anthemic yet sterile pablum, have I got the band for you!

Arise by Sepultura
Apr 05 2026

First couple songs hit pretty hard before it started sounding ‘samey’ to me (which I’m sure it isn’t, but I don’t have metal ears. I would give it another listen or cherry pick some songs.

Phaedra by Tangerine Dream
Apr 06 2026
Apr 07 2026

The MacGowan led Pogues at their most…mature? I think Shane may have been on the follow up as well but in a much diminished (in the full scope of the word) capacity. Could be wrong. But anyhow, a four for not being quite as ramshackle as their first two.

Architecture And Morality by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Apr 08 2026

A resounding yes! Some twitchy post punk, synth soundscapes, and pop gems that would settle nicely into a John Hughes movie (as would later happen). Makes me want to dig deeper into the OMD discography. A terrific surprise.

After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
Apr 09 2026

Neil at towards the beginning of an unstoppable and nearly incomparable peak. Think I’ll just keep going after this one ends. As unstoppable as he is as a messy guitar god, he might be even better when he goes contemplative.

Modern Kosmology by Jane Weaver
Apr 10 2026

I would even go three and a half. Great production and quite a few grooves that had me enveloped in a warm aural cocoon.

Ray Of Light by Madonna
Apr 12 2026

I didn’t listen. Sue me.

Apr 13 2026

Wasn’t feeling it. I don’t like the one song I know and I don’t like the production. I didn’t get that far on, four of five songs maybe, so don’t take my word for it. I need some geetar music.

In Rainbows by Radiohead
Apr 14 2026

Just the guitar tone alone is enough to get me there. The last great Radiohead album.

The Next Day by David Bowie
Apr 15 2026

If this album made the list, I have to imagine there are at least 6 more Bowie albums on this list. I’m marking it as 4 but probably more like 3.6846884328. It’s professional, stately Bowie. The next one though…

The Idiot by Iggy Pop
Apr 17 2026

The sound of being coked out in a Berlin disco at three in the morning. 1975. Heart racing, music scratching at your brain, hangers on hanging on just to be seen. Not your stooges iggy. Great album.

At San Quentin by Johnny Cash
Apr 18 2026

Too tired to say anything but this is so essential. Cash is the coolest.

Penance Soiree by The Icarus Line
Apr 19 2026

There are some cool sounds but this sounds like hipsters to me and fuck that noise.

Rejoicing In The Hands by Devendra Banhart
Apr 20 2026

I found it affecting at that time of my life, but although there are highlights much of this is too samey for me.

Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
Apr 21 2026

Stevie operating in rarefied air. Doing it all.

Hunky Dory by David Bowie
Apr 22 2026

My first and forever Bowie. From here, there was no looking back.

Machine Head by Deep Purple
Apr 23 2026

Holy shit this is boring. Sterile production. Decidedly unthrilling guitar solos. Silly lyrics. No teeth. Seventies rock and roll is an abomination. This is why we needed the Ramones to happen.

Is This It by The Strokes
Apr 24 2026

Wears its influences on its sleeve bc every song on it sounds familiar. Even so, there are a few terrific head bopping singles throughout. I don’t know any of their other stuff but my guess is that a strokes going steady comp would be pretty enjoyable and imminently forgettable. The album doesn’t have anything new to say sonically or lyrically but the boys had time to bash out a few bangers, I guess. Entirely unsurprising that this was made by some rich kids slumming it but whatever.

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos
Apr 25 2026

Man this was a surprise! I thought this album was going to be a bunch or boring blues jams but there are some great songs on here and the boring blues jams as executed by this house on fire are slay queen kind of stuff! I’ve now listened to every version available on streaming and the live Fillmore set as well. I’m shocked. I love this. Duane Altman serving a side of sizzling slide from song four on. I’m two days behind bc I’ve had to milk every ounce of goodness from this short lived project. I guess now onto…Cee Lo?

Apr 26 2026

Honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy this so much as a Sunday morning party prep soundtrack. I’ll return to this at the right moments!

Apr 27 2026

I wasn’t all there when it was in but some groovy REALLY 70’s rock was to be had. Might revisit.

Frank by Amy Winehouse
Apr 28 2026

The voice and the vibe but the songs just aren’t there.

Pacific Ocean Blue by Dennis Wilson
Apr 29 2026

A rich California guy on the downside of his career trying to convince us that the party songs here aren’t sad while the sad songs sound like hitting rock bottom. It’s really beautiful in its way and a must for anyone whose appreciation for the BB goes beyond the songs.

Blue by Joni Mitchell
Apr 30 2026

Enough has been said about this album that I have nothing to contribute. It’s not my favorite Joni, but it’s still perfect.

The College Dropout by Kanye West
May 01 2026

One of those whose art is hard to separate from his behavior over the last decade or whatever, but man this album is full of astute observations, sick rhymes, earworm beats, deft hooks. And he would keep this going for a number of albums. It’s not my five but it’s more than a four. Would expect he will show up at least a few more times here.

Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
May 02 2026

I mean, whatever I said about them last time around applies. More mostly very pretty ballads.

My Generation by The Who
May 04 2026

Probably ‘and a half’. A couple pillars of rock and roll, some high energy if kind of generic early rockers, a god awful cover of ‘I’m a Man’, and on any release available on streaming are a host of b-sides or singles or alternate versions or whatever. All the elements are here.

Blunderbuss by Jack White
May 05 2026

The most interesting things he made were rooted in guitar and sounded like they were bashed out in a day so no this overproduced piano album does not whet my whistle.

Tusk by Fleetwood Mac
May 06 2026

Mot perfect on the Rumors sense, but Mashable brilliance and my favorite album Mac album.

Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves
May 07 2026

Pleasant enough. The first song is the most memorable by far- cosmic, evocative. Like something Dave Fridmann might have produced.

May 08 2026

A five star scale without half stats really limits my ability to accurately rate an album. I never lived the singles from this album so to find how much I enjoyed them in context was a delight. A fun sexy silky synthy danceable New Romantic gem. More than a 3! Less than a four but not as far from four as from three so I’ll round to four. Looking forward to another listen. I don’t know. Maybe a four. A surprise!

May 10 2026

Hard to separate the person from the art, but although she’s completely insufferable and I’m really not sure what she’s contributed musically over the past three decades- this album still rips. I’m not leveling the accusation or contending that it was written but someone else but it certainly does bear the influence of her partner at the time with some Bleach era riffage and lyrical content similar to that that consumes Kurt. That said, she completely sells it on this album. I like it.

Hail To the Thief by Radiohead
May 12 2026

Plus another third of a star or so. Radiohead rocking.

Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp
May 13 2026

Pleasant. Way too pleasant. Maybe if it was 4.00 am and I was coming down in the nineties it would be nice. But I’m through about half and need to turn it off and switch to something that will shock my ears back to life.

May 14 2026

I always wonder where to start with Bill/Smog and his other endeavors. Here is as good a place as any. Anyhow, definitely a rabbit hole I can go down.

At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash
May 15 2026

The other contender for ‘best live at a prison’ show. I’ll probably listen to this again today. The legacy version exists so throw that one on.

The Band by The Band
May 16 2026

The only band that matters.

May 17 2026

I don’t know I keep starting this and getting through half of it and something interrupts and then repeat so I don’t know tf yo tell you. Definitely taking queues from Paul and Brian. Need to circle back.

Moby Grape by Moby Grape
May 18 2026

Not generic nor does it particularly standout from its peer group. Certainly not the definitive Skip Spence.

Fever To Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
May 19 2026

No, I’m good. Look I’ll listen to it and it might be fine but I’ve heard enough to know this is not a particularly significant band to me. Conclusion: it’s fine and in places good and if I had teenagers and they were listening to this rather than corporate radio, I would be happy. Some good guitar and Karen seems cool but still not original or memorable for me.

Green Onions by Booker T. & The MG's
May 20 2026

Good songs and musicianship but not something I would put in just to listen to. Would make great music for any soundtrack I am producing and cool music for a cocktail party. My guess is that these guys ripped it live (and to that point, I will check out the live at Monterey set) but maybe we’re tightened up a bit in the studio. Maybe add a half to this score. At least a quarter.

Queen Of Denmark by John Grant
May 21 2026

Listened to a random 5 second section of a randomly chosen song and I never want to hear this guy again. I will listen at some point today but NOT looking forward to it. Update: hot garbage. Will not finish.

Safe As Milk by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
May 22 2026

Don trying to pretend that this is just a blues or early or r&b crooner album but you can’t lock this man up in some pithy genres! No! The weirdness always prevails and it’s absolutely delightful.

Dire Straits by Dire Straits
May 23 2026

Preface: I love sultans of swing so much that been afraid to ever listen to any other DS beyond their few radio hits. It’s just so perfectly atmospheric with the stratiest guitar tone ever recorded. Guess this is what I’ve signed up for though. Pretty terrific the first song is sonically a prequel to sultans, mark flexes on the acoustic too, and there’s a snappy little rave up reminiscent of Christian era Bob. The last song is a snooze fest though.

Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
May 24 2026

Some rockers, some ham fisted clunkers, GnR were definitely a thing though. Three and a half.

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
May 25 2026

I mean for me this is the fifth or sixth best Nick Cave album but he’s released no bad albums and this is still a four or so but I guess I expect to see a lot more NCBS on this list although I doubt it. But in an isolated assessment, quite excellent album.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme by Simon & Garfunkel
May 26 2026

Se if it is a bit too hippy drippy, but there are a few absolute essentials of American music. Those voices.

The music, characteristic of its era, belies the fact that this is lyrically dark material of addiction, infertility, abuse. Really good! And a reminder to watch coal miners daughter.

Rattus Norvegicus by The Stranglers
May 28 2026

Occasionally rises above generic lyricism and musicianship, but too much of it is less exciting and less memorable than their peers fifty years later. It’s good though with a couple inspired gems.

Station To Station by David Bowie
May 29 2026

One of the best albums by one of the best artists. Listened to this three times yesterday and then just continued to listen to Bowie all day.

Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
May 30 2026

Sexy and smooth as shit and the title song does really make people drop their pants and screw no matter where they are. It’s got the power.

Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers
May 31 2026

A really good album which I listened to once and really enjoyed and then put on again and nearly had a panic attack. There’s something about reggae music that is anathema to my brain. This makes me sad as theoretically it is a music I should enjoy.

Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jun 02 2026

I don’t know man. I listened to the wrong CFR album all day yesterday but what do I care.

Jun 03 2026

Occasionally settles into a groove I enjoy but too much of this is pop music that sounds backed up by an 80s Casio keyboard. Got about 2/3 of the way through and then switched to the dead milkmen.

Arular by M.I.A.
Jun 04 2026

And a half. It’s got its vine and I appreciate the politics. Sometimes a little samey but with some standouts.

Nilsson Schmilsson by Harry Nilsson
Jun 06 2026

I find myself caught between loving and not even liking this album unsuccessful listening. This is the relationship I’ve had with it for years. I think it might be perfect. I’m not trying to make a coaching argument either way. This album is a thing in my life.

Calenture by The Triffids
Jun 07 2026

Maybe there would be something there if you dropped the list 80s Phil Collins instrumentation and production, but as such there is not much here to recommend. Throw will sergeant in here and maybe it rises to average, occasionally good, but that’s not what this is.

The Bends by Radiohead
Jun 08 2026

Baby, does in fact, got the bends. Singular in the Radiohead catalog but just damn good songs.

Jun 09 2026

Slows down a little for my taste in the middle but bookended by some terrific, serpentine, technical wonders of songs. The be all end all KC for quite a few folk but I love the subsequent albums where they bare their teeth a bit more.

Jun 10 2026

Eno was just occupying his own space at this point although it goes downhill from here for me.

The Hissing Of Summer Lawns by Joni Mitchell
Jun 11 2026

If I remember correctly from when I was about one years old, this album was very divisive and alienated a number of Joni’s fans as a betrayal of her earlier, more straight forward (which is arguable), acoustic guitar driven material. But whatever. It has largely been appraised as a masterpiece 50 some years later. And that is correct. Perhaps my favorite Joni album. And I just love love love the cover art.

Vivid by Living Colour
Jun 12 2026

Somehow I’ve never listened to this album despite it being omnipresent amongst the kids at the time. The singles are great. Vernon shreds. But if it wasn’t the cure or smiths, I wasn’t terribly interested. Anyhow, looking forward to listening. Update: it’s solidly okay! A few underwritten, a few generic, but a couple where they summon their power and really get ahold of one. Cult is still a legit anthem. I liked it enough to wonder about the follow up.

Music From Big Pink by The Band
Jun 13 2026

The only The Band that matters. Just refining the previous joke. Or kind-of joke. Because the first two albums are world builders.

Jun 14 2026

Man I had hoped to like this but I didn’t! Maybe I’ll give it another spin- i don’t know much traffic but this doesn’t sound like what I do know so could have been that it was shockingly contrary to my expectations.

Jun 16 2026

Might be a five but I didn’t get a solid listen in. But this is some heavy, funky, soulful shit and compels me to dig deeper into this era of Curtis.

A Walk Across The Rooftops by The Blue Nile
Jun 17 2026

4 and a half? Have to spin it a few more times but I listened twice and liked it enough that I fell asleep to the follow-up. This hazy alley, late night, forlorn music which still be dry much suits me. Big blue Nile fan 24 hours after my first listen.

Very by Pet Shop Boys
Jun 18 2026

Generally speaking I do not prefer dance music, but PSB are very good at what they do. When I was listening in the morning, it was tracking towards a four but revisiting in the afternoon, I tired of it quickly b

Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
Jun 20 2026

I’m still shocked at how good this sounds.

Jun 21 2026

The blurb in Apple Music says this hits the sweet spot between Pink Floyd and Coldplay but I don’t know that that spot exists and, if so, this ain’t it. Elbow?!?? More like SMELLbow!

Live At Leeds by The Who
Jun 23 2026

I know that for many this is the holy grail of live rock albums, and the music warrants it. But is NO ONE ELSE annoyed by Roger’s between song narration!?!? Is this an episode of VH1 storytellers? The crowd seems to slow to a halt as well. Silence! But it still rocks hard. Listen to the extended versions available.

Ill Communication by Beastie Boys
Jun 24 2026

The BB album I’ve listened to the most.

Jun 25 2026

Like a diary entry put to music, John howls his pain, declares his independence, and honors yoko. A howl for the ages.

Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
Jun 27 2026

Full of metal cliches but maybe they invented them. Very amateurish. Still properly atmospheric and menacing. .

1989 by Taylor Swift
Jun 28 2026

She pisses off the right people, is going to be Jason’s sister in law, but mostly she brings joy to my daughter.

Synchronicity by The Police
Jun 30 2026

A band who is better than I remember every time I revisit them. Not as complete a statement for me as their previous albums, but the singles are upper echelon- some of the very best chart topping music of the eighties.

Axis: Bold As Love by Jimi Hendrix
Jul 01 2026

Man I just got REALLY into Hendrix this year- I’d long appreciated him- so I would probably give five stars to a steaming pile of shit, but this one earns it.

School's Out by Alice Cooper
Jul 02 2026

A rollicking good time. More diverse and orchestrated than I imagined. Will return.

Fulfillingness' First Finale by Stevie Wonder
Jul 04 2026

I won’t even try to offer an objective criticism of this or any album in this run. I love them all. I’m sure there are at least three more to which this applies.

Germfree Adolescents by X-Ray Spex
Jul 06 2026

Exuberant and rocking with some cool saxophone skronk to jazz up some pretty standard punk chord progressions. An antecedent to SK and bikini kill.

Violent Femmes by Violent Femmes
Jul 08 2026

Still nothing is quite as catchy, bratty, horny, and weird as this album. I still love it.

Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.
Jul 09 2026

I can’t stand the skits. But the rhymes and delivery are so strong and often harrowing, enlightening, damn funny. This might become a five if I spun it a few more times

Exit Planet Dust by The Chemical Brothers
Jul 10 2026

If I was young again, tripping alone on a train with this as my soundtrack, it would be the perfect album. But I’m not. Really enjoyed some of the more atmospheric songs towards the end. Throw on a half stat.

Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock
Jul 11 2026

When I listened to it this morning, I thought to myself that despite several really great moments I just prefer Herbie playing funk infused jazz rather than jazz infused funk but I’ve flipped my shit. I might like it more than a four eventually.

Destroyer by KISS
Jul 13 2026

I feel like this album should only exist in popular consciousness in an alternate world where Bill and Ted are the arbiters of taste. Occasionally, they stumble upon something that is catchy for a few bars in a spinal tap way. Mostly abhorrent.

L.A. Woman by The Doors
Jul 14 2026

A bunch of very competent 12 bar blues jams, a few classics, and a little variety towards the end.

Vespertine by Björk
Jul 15 2026

Bjork in maybe her most ethereal, happy, and horny era. I really like it but the songs are more of a mood than distinctive. Could probably remedy this by listening to it more often.

Protection by Massive Attack
Jul 16 2026

Less soulful than Blue Lines which for me is a good thing! Lots of Tricky which is a great thing! This and mezzanine are my MA sweet spot.

Pieces Of The Sky by Emmylou Harris
Jul 17 2026

Second Emmylou in a week? Okay! Taking it back a few more decades. I’m here for it! I’ll be back. Yes. Terrific stuff. She just knows how to sing. Solid song selection including a great reading of for no one. The song she wrote for GP is heartbreaking.

The Cars by The Cars
Jul 18 2026

Shame on me! I’ve always enjoyed the cars singles but had never listened to a whole album. Unbeknownst to me, the cars are deliciously weird! Like I’m going to have to spin them for a few days!

Pretenders by Pretenders
Jul 19 2026

A rollicking good time with riff after riff. Chrissie inhabits each song.

Jul 22 2026

I’ve have such a fondness for George. Moves away a bit from the pure pop stylings into something more confessional. He’s trying something different here and trying to say something though I’m not quite sure he got there. Prince vibes. Rest easy, George.

Bad Company by Bad Company
Jul 23 2026

Bad Company Paul Rodgers definitely sticks a kielbasa in his tight jeans before each concert where he swings the microphone around by its cord durimg every song. Look, these riffs, these lyrics do nothing for me. They ring pretty Hollow. The whole cowboy motif of the song bad Company is laughable and unconvincing, and that this is the name of the band as well earns them a similar assessment. There was one song with Memphis horns that was OK. I never liked the singles and I like the deep cuts even less. The ballad that closes it down is built on a most annoying riff. I’ve said it before with almost every 70s rock ‘n’ roll album that it is just not my style. Except cheap trick who fucking rock.

Alien Lanes by Guided By Voices
Jul 24 2026

200 stars for this fuzzy, melodic cold stone masterpiece

Rage Against The Machine by Rage Against The Machine
Jul 25 2026

RATM Some pretty samey vocals over a singular musical idea BUT delivered with an exhaustible absolute conviction and the guitar often sounds absolutely bonkers. Not at all shabby rhythm section. And a message to the kids that is absolutely imperative. Had my boys bopping their heads this morning and I hope they’re completely radicalized by the time day care closes today. RATM also holds the distinction for being the band that MAGA shitheads my age liked when they were teenagers bc they thought only heard the aggression and completely missed the call to arms.

Amnesiac by Radiohead
Jul 26 2026

Anxious music like an extension of Kid A but at the end of semblance of control.

Natty Dread by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Jul 27 2026

I do not care for reggae.

Live At The Regal by B.B. King
Jul 28 2026

I’m sorry all hail the king and all but it at blue enough for me.

Time Out Of Mind by Bob Dylan
Jul 29 2026

This was once his late life masterpiece but here we are 30 years removed from it. In any event, it remains for me an essential Dylan aphum (yes, there are probably at least ten) and the supporting material on the box bears out what a fertile and creative period this was. And we are several interesting to really good to great albums into “late period Dylan”.

OK by Talvin Singh
Jul 30 2026

Not hitting but not bothersome, I guess.

Jul 31 2026

Cornershop Is this sugar ray? This sucks. Sounds very much of the time but I mean that as an insult.

Dummy by Portishead
Aug 01 2026
Manassas by Stephen Stills
Aug 02 2026
Supa Dupa Fly by Missy Elliott
Aug 03 2026

I’m giving this a middle of the road grade bc I put it in late and fell asleep four songs in or so but there’s certainly something here so I will loop back to give it proper attention. Certainly something here.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Aug 04 2026

Good timey rock and roll with nods to the fifties and sixties during the seventies. Some of it is bleh but not without Tom’s imprimatur. American girl is a deserved classic. Straight up clsssic of American rnr.

Damaged by Black Flag
Aug 05 2026

I’m a My War guy but they are unleashed and confrontational and awesome here. He is completely emotionally unleashed and Greg assault’s his guitar serving u violent asymmetrical riffage. Drive

Microshift by Hookworms
Aug 06 2026

Gtfo. Really scraping the barrel for relevant material of which there is plenty if you look elsewhere. Makes you wonder if this album was included, what the hell got yeah I mean bumped. This is both in offensive generic as it is unmemorable. Like I’m currently finishing up the album and I can’t remember it as I listen to it no doubt that it has that 2010s sound to it.

Let It Be by The Replacements
Aug 07 2026

You can run five stars from here straight through Tim and then add dead man’s pop and the live from Hoboken and man just the great American self inflicted underdog.

Van Halen by Van Halen
Aug 08 2026

Man I don’t know if I really like the album four stars worth, I listened to it once today and moved along, but this is a pretty fantastic debut and introduction to EVH. I don’t love his style all the time but he’s so original and proficient that it’s hard not to get swept up by him. Diamond Dave is perfect as a lascivious buffoon. The rhythm section.

Aug 09 2026

I understand, Mr. The Prodigy, did your intention was that I take drugs, dance, and fuck this music. But I gotta tell you? This soundtrack me through some of the most intense whole house vacuuming I’ve ever done because that’s where I am in my life. I wasn’t excited to listen to this, but it would be great for working out… We’re vacuuming. It was a surprising amount of diversity throughout. I’m gonna go three but it’s more like a low 3 1/2.

Greetings From L.A. by Tim Buckley
Aug 10 2026

I’ll have to listen again but this was more of a rocker than I would have expected which isn’t exactly what I want from Tim.

The Clash by The Clash
Aug 11 2026

It’s perfect.

Soul Mining by The The
Aug 12 2026

Circumstances caused me to start this album over like four times before I was able to listen all the way through and GOOD THING! I appreciated at first that it wasn’t merely a synth pop 80s album and that some care was paid to its artistry but repeated lengthier listens really opened it up. Terrific album.

The Sounds Of India by Ravi Shankar
Aug 13 2026

At times really cool, qnd at times a little too much for me. I do really like the sitar but this is a lot of it. Could say that about most instruments I guess with a few exceptions. Will definitely revisit though. Didn’t have the perfect listening opportunity.

G. Love And Special Sauce by G. Love & Special Sauce
Aug 14 2026

Nope. I won’t give it one star because I did not listen and that would be disingenuous, but I fucking hate this guy. His music at least. might be a nice dude. The special sauce is not my vibe.

Wild Is The Wind by Nina Simone
Aug 15 2026

Man this album is heavy. Nina was a singular talent.

High Violet by The National
Aug 16 2026

Their high point for me. Most complete album.

Underwater Moonlight by The Soft Boys
Aug 17 2026

Man what a weird and singular and chaotic mess of perfection. Where did these songs come from?!!? I saw them Play this on the reunion tour and it was excellent. So different than the more mature yet quirky Hitchcock I was familiar with growing up.

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis
Aug 18 2026

It’d never be my go-to miles, but there are some absolutely thrilling moments on here and a sense that he was moving forward melodically.

The Hour Of Bewilderbeast by Badly Drawn Boy
Aug 19 2026

Haven’t gotten to this yet. I now remember he was definitely a thing who I somehow never heard and now I haven’t heard nor thought of the band BDB in two decades or whatever. So I’ll listen to it. But first I must continue to scratch this Itch that is the second great quintet’s first electric recordings.

Snivilisation by Orbital
Aug 20 2026

Kind of okay background music. Need another less distracted listen.

Peter Gabriel by Peter Gabriel
Aug 21 2026

I love a few songs, like a few songs, and skip a few songs at this point. Great debut though with plenty of material to suggest the increasingly apparent vision, maturation, and refinement that would come on the next several albums

Inspiration Information by Shuggie Otis
Aug 24 2026

I’ve listened to this album several times and I always think I should like it more than I do, and I do! But incrementally. Haven’t had a breakthrough moment.

To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Aug 25 2026

K at the top of his game is the genre at the top of its game to me. I love this Album.

Dear Science by TV On The Radio
Aug 26 2026

Miles and I heard wolf like me during the new spidey movie and it reminded me of what a terrific band TVOTR is and I would like more now please. This is their prettiest album and maybe they fell off after this but this is really the only meet me in the bathroom band doing anything even vaguely interesting.

Trio by Dolly Parton
Aug 27 2026

This can’t be a coincidence, right? Like I know it’s ‘random’ but can anything operating off an algorithm be random. Bless ya, Dolly. Thanks for all the books. Anyhow, a mostly gem of an album- The best songs are all fronted by Dolly but every song has some moments of sheer beauty where these three very different, heavenly voices become the one thing and it’s the kind of sound that reverberates in your extremities for some time afterwards.

Make Yourself by Incubus
Aug 28 2026

I’m not obligated. There’s no contract. I said what I said what I.

Wordsmith

Reviews written for 93% of albums. Average review length: 173 characters.

Other

Album origins are grouped into three buckets: US, UK, and everything else. “Other” means the artists you rate highest are from outside the US and UK.