1001 Albums Summary

Probably want to rate the album 4 1/2 stars, but have to make a hard choice. Title song is 5 stars, but side 2 is definitely a bit of a letdown after 2112. Going 4 stars... 1976 was the year after Star Wars came out, so a futuristic dystopian society totally plays. The tuning sequence and following jam in Discovery still literally gives me goosebumps, maybe because I've played guitar so long. Great story, and ultimately he decides he can't/won't live in a world where this thing of beauty and wonder had been forbidden. Fantastic ending... ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATION ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATION ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATION WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL... WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL... WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL... Passage to Bangkok better than I remember. Same for Twinight Zone. Lessons with a good groove. Tears, I can take it or leave it. Something for Nothing has a great riff but not much else.

Heavy electronics, a lot of dance and techno tracks. No one outstanding track, but solid overall. Bowie always seemed to me to be a chameleon, changing his sound and appearance every few years. Reinventing. This album was recorded after being addicted to cocaine in the 70s, and used these sessions as the means to work and stay sober. Recorded in France and finished in Berlin, and really kicked off second major phase of his career. 3 stars. Listenable but not great.

Author's note: I reviewed the US release and not the UK release. It turns out to have made a world of difference (or at least 1 star...) 1965, 6th (SIXTH) studio album, all songs originals and no covers. Always viewed this as a bridge album from the pop albums to the psychedelic ones. Opening song I've Just Seen a Face is an absolute banger. Great first track, impossible (for me) not to sing along. Norwegian Wood a classic. Same for You Won't See Me. Classic 60s sound in both. Think For Yourself and The Word both good not great. Followed by Michelle, an unbelievably tender song. Supposedly the name Michelle was the most popular girls' name in 1966, after the release of this album. True or not, it's a great story. Other classics abound, from Girl, to I'm Looking Through You, and In My Life. Supposedly, the Beatles took more control in the studio, defining the sound they wanted. Unbelievable album, easily one of their best. I had literally forgotten just how good it was/is. Supposedly George Harrison's favorite Beatles album, and that is hard to argue with.

Released May 1969. Only 2 Top 40 tracks, but some of the best songs of the era. Only 40 minutes long, CSN's debut album. The harmonies these guys created have stood the test of time. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes easily one of the greatest folk rock songs of all time. Funny reading along with the lyrics and seeing all the words I've made up over the years. Never heard a cover of this song, as I don't think anyone anywhere could pull it off. Marrakesh Express an evocative song, great imagery and harmony. Guinnevere good but slightly corny. You Don't Have to Cry is fantastic, great harmony and guitar interplay. Pre Road Downs another classic (Elevated, you're elated...) with backward guitar solo across the whole track and hippie dippy lyrics. Wooden Ships another hippie classic. Say can I have some of your purple berries? Yes I've been eating them... Helplessly Hoping one of my favorite songs of all times. The soft guitar, the harmonies, the alterations. Perfection. Long Time Gone classic hippie anthem, great electric sound. More great harmony and great lyrics on 49 Bye Byes. Cool story about CSN related to the Laurel Canyon music scene. All these artists would get together (Joni Mitchell, Mamas and the Papas, Crosby, Stills, Nash, Jackson Browne, and more) and play music and party. And when these three guys started playing and singing together, everyone's jaws were on the floor. ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME ARTISTS had their hair blown back by Crosby, Stills, and Nash... Great-ish album. I could say that the 3 best songs in this album stack up with the best 3 from any other album out there. Not every song great though, so I'm giving it 4 stars...

I like it. Absolutely unfamiliar with his work or his history or his lineage. Will I listen to more stuff from him? Yes. I liked the album, had good sounds and moved through a few genres that I like to move through myself. Two listens all the way through, and I'll take it a solid 4 stars.

Never listened to it before. Want to consider it prog, maybe avant-garde, maybe techno with American influence? Don't know why I have to label it or pigeonhole it, bit we all do it to help us process something new I guess. Listenable, but not terribly memorable. Will I go back to it? Maybe as background music but not as in "Hey you've GOT to listen to THESE guys!" Not great, not bad. 3 stars.

For fucks sake... Had good notes written, disappeared when I closed the window. There goes half an hour! Didn't love, barely liked. 3 stars. Here's the gist of it... Largely forgettable. Elvis with strings and horns? No thank you. In the Ghetto? Camp. Suspicious Minds? Great. Did Elvis really throw his career away with those movies in the 60s, or would it have happened anyway? There's my question. But Elvis Presley trying to stay relevant in the late 60s really had a fish-out-of-water vibe.

Good stuff. Wilco's second album and you can hear the evolution from A.M. and prior to Mermaid Avenue. Double album was sold at single album price, a savvy marketing move which no doubt paid off down the road for Tweedy and Co. Now to address this Alt Country thing... Don't know who coined the phrase, don't know where it came from. But it seems a stretch to label Wilco Alt Country just for adding pedal steel and banjo to 5% of your songs. That said, a good album. Made basically with their backs to the wall (not to the level of Springsteen and Born to Run) and with considerable pressure mounting. First track is Misunderstood and does follow the First Rule of First Tracks: get the listener's attention. I like Monday, and the Outtasite and Outta Mind tracks being on separate records. Also liked Red-eyed and Blue, and Kingpin. Good sophomore effort, as the band really started hitting their stride after this. Good, not great. I'd probably go 3 1/2 stars if I could, but I don't feel I can go 4.

One of the preeminent rock albums of the 70s, consistently rated at the top of greatest album polls. Recorded in 1976, released in early 1977. It has sold over 40 million copies since its release. Possibly the greatest opening track in rock history, Secondhand News is a complete classic. The whole first side delivers classic after classic, from Dreams to Never Going Back Again to Don't Stop to Go Your Own Way. Easily top ten single album sides, and if this album was only one side it would get a 5 star rating. But an album has 2 sides, and side 2 is not as strong. Good songs, including The Chain and I Don't Wanna Know (see SNL skit), but some real snoozers including Oh Daddy. Fucking awful. Ends with Gold Dust Woman, another total classic with JUST the right amount of cowbell. Great closing song, but could just as easily have been the opening track. Would probably rate 4 1/2 stars, but that's not allowed...

Debut album from The Clash, recorded early 1977. British version released April 1977, US version released 1979 with additional tracks. That is the version we are reviewing. The Clash is a pretty iconic band, eventually took the mantle of punk icons from such bands as The Sex Pistols, the Buzzcocks, et al, and ran with it. Eventually became more polished, with more diverse influence, and receiving more radio airplay. Good songs on this album, though not one is longer than 3:15, and several coming in under 2 minutes. Laughed to myself you could probably play every song in their catalog in the time it took the Grateful Dead to play one show. Liked Jamie Jones, liked Remote Control, liked London's Burning, liked Garageland, really liked Police & Thieves. The rest are pretty indistinguishable. White Riot (the title) sounds like something I would be wary of identifying with, but overall songs were ok and maybe even good for a first album. I've heard it before, so no real surprises other than learning that the US version wasn't released until 2 years after the UK version. Thing is this: if you sprinkle some punk into your playlist, you're edgy and cool. If punk IS your playlist, you're angsty, you're angry, and not cool. Also, 60 punk songs in a row is actually kind of a drag. And no, that was not a commentary on Green Day, Allison. Overall I'd probably go 3 1/2, but halves are not allowed, so 3 stars.

My first thought was to ask the question: What would happen if U2 and Oasis had a baby? Answer? Urban Hymns. Fun fact: Oasis formed about the same time and in the same place as The Verve, and U2 was of course ubiquitous in the 90s. The Verve is the only band I can name to break up more than Oasis! Second thought was "ChatGPT, create me generic 90s style songs that will be background music on a teen supernatural sleuth TV show." Recognized one song (didn't know it was originally The Verve, actually) but the rest were pretty nondescript. Not good, not great, not bad. Wiki says this was one of the all-time highest selling albums in the UK, and my question was, "How???" Meh. 3 stars.

Released in UK in 1964, original album much different than the subsequent US version we are reviewing. Really only knew her from Son of a Preacher Man, which was included in Pulp Fiction. For those who haven't seen it, the Mia Wallace sequence from Pulp Fiction is absolutely brilliant. Probably the earliest "blue eyed soul" singers. Thought about Amy Winehouse a lot while listening. Great versions of 50s and Motown standards, and yes even country (24 Hours From Tulsa). Strong vocal and good backing, this was way better than I'd expected. Recorded in the same studio Elvis recorded From Memphis in. Strings and horns worked here, however. Can't go three stars because it was better than mid, probably 3 1/2 but halves not an option. Going 4 stars for the pleasant surprise.

Released in 2000, this is a really listenable album that raised so many questions before doing an information dive. Was it one guy or a band? American or European? Alt Rock or Alt Alt Rock? And it doesn't hurt that he's like just barely a month younger than me. Old Guys Rock. Good songs, with good melodies and what I thought was really good mixing. The Shining caught my ear, the title for Everybody's Stalking caught my eye, and Stone on the Water caught my imagination. Other good tracks were Bewildebeast and Pissing in the Wind. Unfamiliar with Badly Drawn Boy before this, but I liked it and actually added them to my artists list. On that alone, I'm going 4 stars.

Things I KNEW about Pet Sounds... -Recorded and released in 1966. -(One of) Paul McCartney's favorite albums. -"Without Pet Sounds, there wouldn't be a Sergeant Pepper's." -Supposedly an early concept album, though I never caught it. -Heavily introspective, very different from previous Beach Boys releases. -Considered Brian Wilson's masterpiece. Things I LEARNED about Pet Sounds... -Charted higher in Britain than the US -Wilson used Rubber Soul as competitive fuel. -Good Vibrations was recorded during these sessions, but Sloop John B made the album instead. -Cover photo taken at San Diego Zoo -Reached #2 in UK behind Sound of Music soundtrack. -Members of The Who did not think it was musical genius. Mostly WOW. Knew this to be a good album, well-regarded by musicians, critics, and fans. But a critical listen really had me understand some of the WHY... I consider Wouldn't It Be Nice one of the perfect songs in the world. Exceptional opening track, but probably the best on the album. Strange to get that as track one... Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) good but not great. I'm Waiting For the Day solid, and God Only Knows is genius. I Just Want Made For These Times entirely different from anything they'd done before. Or anyone for that matter. And Sloop John B is a classic. It comes to mind on the way home from every family trip, me jokingly singing, "This is the worst trip - I've ever been on." I haven't given this a full listen in years, and it's better than I remember. Better than good, not perfect though.

Listened in the car on a trip to Chicago. Entirely uninteresting.

A lot like Brian Eno. Somewhat of a Nothing Burger. Sorry, Sophie.

Avant garde Proto punk Art school Rock Probably all fitting labels. Definitely NYC, interesting and somehow groundbreaking. VU formed in the mid 60s, carried on until 1973 or so, broke up, got back together. Same old story. This album apparently a little like Melville's Moby Dick, unremarkable upon it's release but now considered a masterpiece. Fun fact: A legal dispute over an image on the back of the album had it pulled from stores for a few months, during which time Sergeant Pepper's exploded on the music scene. I'm ambivalent toward it, and everyone knows I love this era. I think there are a couple good songs, but otherwise meh. If it weren't for the historical significance and the Andy Warhol design on the jacket, I'd probably have no interest whatsoever. 3 stars, probably closer to 2 1/2

I remember the first time I heard Electric, someone at college putting it on and saying, "You gotta hear these guys!" I was instantly impressed. Electric is the 3rd Cult album, and it really announced their ascension. Strong stuff from a 3-man combo, especially considering one guy only sings and plays the damn tambourine. Banger after banger on this album. I remember the most popular song being Love Removal Machine, but over time my favorite song has become King Contrary Man. If you haven't, turn this one up and let it rip. Good power chords, changing time signatures, and strong vocals on just about every song. Good old fashioned rock and roll. 4 stars.

Jazzy!

Recorded in Brazil in 1976, released that same year. Good sounds, good rhythms. Well BUILT songs, basically from intros through the main bodies of the music. Defined as "samba rock" and also "samba funk." I would lean toward the second genre, good blend of elements that could have been produced in LA or New Orleans in the same era First song follows my rule of Opening Tracks, really grabs your ear. A few really good songs throughout, the only limit really bring my non-existent study of Portuguese. Alas, by the end of the album, a lot of the songs seemed like they were written/recorded with the same formula. It's a good formula, don't get me wrong, but kind of made them all a little less memorable for me. Good music, not great. Probably 3 1/2 stars, but 3 for this poll...

If you gave me 20 guesses, I STILL would have never guessed that The Cars were from Boston. Always figured a California vibe, but that's probably just based on the New Wave sound. This album is from the Golden Age of leather jackets and skinny ties, and I'm here for it. After listening, I'm amazed how NOT dated this album is. It could go toe-to-toe with anything coming out today Great opening track, love that. Good Times Roll is a great opener, especially on a debut album. Followed by My Best Friends Girl and Just What I Needed, could be one of the great 3-song openers on any debut album. Couple slow ones and off-brand ones probably keep me from giving a 5 star rating, but You're All I've Got Tonight and Bye Bye Love are classics. So I'm in the 4 to 4 1/2 range. A really good listen, great debut album.

Allison tells me there's a UK bias in this poll, and after listening to this ENTIRELY UNDERWHELMING selection... I believe it. This was a big bowl of vanilla ice cream with no sprinkles and no sauce. 2 stars, probably less if I could do half stars.

I generally believe that there is always something redeeming about an artist's work. That no matter how it sounds on the surface, there is something underneath that gives it worth... Historical context, a single fantastic song in a sea of mediocrity, a lyric or a chorus that just strikes a nerve... Not so in this case. Hot trash.

Fun facts: his first name is not Elvis, and his last name is not Costello... How does someone who looks like the world largest nerd write such cool songs? And does he not look like he carries a slide rule? An artist that doesn't have a single absolute banger of an album, but his greatest hits are definitely great. Good songs across the board, not great. But Pump It Up (rock band anyone?) and Radio Radio are classics. When he played Radio Radio on SNL, it turned the world on its ear, if only briefly. Enough to elevate this to the rare air? Not really. Probably a 3 1/2, so going 3 stars.

Why? Just... why?

An album with a couple songs that were not the worst songs I ever heard. Congratulations, Nick!

Good stuff, especially after the last 2 days. Definitely listenable, and I would say start-to-finish. Changes is a great Opening Track, but unfortunately also the best and most recognizable song on the album, too. Always thought there was a neat Stevie Wonder vibe to the beginning of that song... Interesting references to Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan, though I didn't pick up the messaging on my morning commute. Really liked Queen Bitch for some reason, even though I thought it had a king of Lou Reed or Velvet Underground feel. Again about Bowie, always the chameleon. Not a 4, closer to 3 1/2.

Stupid app destroyed my review. And I tried to save it this time. Good, not great.

Good not great. Probably good music to read a book by, as the lyrics wouldn't distract me. Again, my Portuguese failed me here... Probably closer to 2 1/2 but there ya go.

So now I know who Kendrick Lamar is... Big whoop. Not my style. Musical stylings good, and they change, but I agree with Allison. The whole thing makes me uncomfortable. Like the only way I (white middle-aged male) could TRY to groove on this would be on headphones. Alone. Isolated in the spare room.

Female proto punk, good sound, big on historical significance. Saw the 50th anniversary tour stop in Chicago, it was better live (with a 78 year old Patti Smith) than the studio version. I remember first listen didn't grab me, but 2nd and 3rd did. Probably favorite thing was Gloria (1st track) making a second appearance in Elegie (last song) as a kind of reprise. 3 1/2, but 3 for our purposes here.

Absolute classic. Only thing keeps this from full 5 stars is the oft-played and seriously overrated Immigrant Song and the brevity of the album. Several tracks from Physical Graffiti were recorded in these sessions, always wondered what could have been... From Friends to Celebration Day, Since I've Been Loving You, Tangerine, That's The Way, and that absolute classic Bron Y Aur Stomp, this comes at you and doesn't stop. When I was younger, it was a mission to find the 45 single Hey Hey What Can I Do, B side to Immigrant Song. Always loved that song, was eventually released in a box set years later. 4 1/2, but I'll go 4.

British bias once again, but this actually has some decent music and lyrics behind it. Has a bit of Ryan Adams to him. Maybe with a touch more electronics. Coldplay? Anyway, fairly listenable but not terribly memorable.

I just never know about this one. I know it's considered great. I know it's multi-platinum. But it's contradictory for me. I naturally consider this album to be songs that "weren't good enough for the Beatles." And it has a couple bangers, but I just expected more. This is the guy that gave the world "Here Comes The Sun," after all! I loved My Sweet Lord, even when I was a kid. Never thought it was stolen, unbelievable that he had to pay $800k in damages. Wha??? If Not For You, Isn't It A Pity, Wah Wah, I Dig Love, and What Is Life really strong. The others? Really meh. Probably closer to 3 1/2, not quite a 4...

Man, the late 60s and early 70s was not kind to country music. And man, did Dolly Parton have Mama issues or what? She was already established, already a star, and this album left me wondering where the good songs were.

Meh.

Good not great, finally learned who sings There She Goes. Started poorly, gained steam in the middle then just felt too long.

One of Joni Mitchell's best selling albums. No big tracks or big hits, but good music. Solid vocals and lyrics, with a tinge of jazz. Listenable, probably closer to 3 1/2 stars but I'm going 3.

Reminds me of Hard Again by Muddy Waters: late career blues album by an absolute legend, reestablishing his career and reaching a whole new generation of fans. This one has good collaborations with a bunch of well known artists: Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos, Charlie Musselwhite, Robert Cray, and others. Fun fact: Jodi and I saw Los Lobos and John Lee Hooker at the Riviera on the subsequent tour. We don't remember who opened for who... I grew up only knowing John Lee Hooker from the Maxwell Street scene in The Blues Brothers (Boom Boom Boom Boom...). After this album and tour, I searched out more, way more. Again, one of the legends! Second fun fact: first electric guitar I ever bought was an Epiphone Sheraton II, because John Lee looked so cool with his. Still have it! I think this type of collab success on the starting of the producer, in this case Roy Rogers, a guy I'd never heard of. But they pulled it off. I'm In The Mood went on to win a Grammy for traditional blues, album sold a ton and John Lee was fixed for the rest of his life.

Good, not great. A couple good songs, the others not memorable. Closer to 2 1/2, but not close enough to call it a 3.

Unremarkable album.

Good debut album for what eventually became a great group. Part of the Laurel Canyon sound, this one didn't quite kick open the door (a la CSN) but it did open the door and allow a peek of things to come. Take It Easy is a solid Opening Track. We actually visited Winslow. I can still see the look on that poor teenager's face in that Winslow AZ ice cream shoppe... Peaceful Easy Feeling one of their all-time best. The rest were pretty mid, but again this was their debut. Probably 3 1/2, but not a 4. Also disappointed to learn that The Long Run is not on this list. Add this to my list of disappointments about this poll.

Finally can say I've listened to the Pixies. Finally can say why I didn't have any Pixies in my vinyl, CD, or iPod collections. Didn't grab me, maybe only a couple songs were interesting. Unlike a lot of the other blander stuff we've smoked, can't even say I would use this as background music to something.

Not exactly my speed, but overall pretty decent. Sort of like a comic book showing Beyonce's origin story. Survivor is their third studio album. Not much to say. Some decent songs, etymologists would highlight the first use of the word Bootylicious, and Sexy Daddy and Dangerously In Love were pretty good. Again, not my jam and I don't know I'll go back to it, but decent overall.

Good beats, good rhymes, and good cuts in between tracks. Apparently a landmark in East Coast rap. Love the pieces taken from the kung fu movies!

Surprising. Gritty. Tough. But good messages other than bitches and 40 ounces. Black pride, MLK holiday strong. The liquor companies preying on the black community were DEFINITELY unexpected. Good not great.

Background noise at best. Seriously unremarkable music. No great songs, no great vocals. Probably closer to 2 1/2, but I'm marking it down because some ass thought I had to hear this before I died. And they were wrong.

Without checking, I would say that this is one of the greatest album titles of all time. Easily Top Ten. Good arrangements, tight. Definitely the 1950s jazz club vibe, but Miles in a way defined that sound. Through the decade of the 1950s, he made some of the greatest jazz albums of all time (one man's opinion). Move is a great opening track, Venus de Milo a classic. All the other tracks solid at worst. So familiar with Kind of Blue that I forget the other albums he made in this era. Recorded in 1949 and 1950, this compilation album was released in 1957. Way beyond listenable and moving into the rotation. 4 stars.

Good stuff. Always liked the Kinks. Lovely opening track Victoria, not every band writes a love song to a dead world leader. Probably the best known song on the album, but the others don't disappoint. Liked Australia, liked Shangri La, liked Mr. Churchill. And I like to think about the times that the album came out. This album was in the era of the Beatles, Led Zep, the Stones, the Doors, the Who, and more. So it's easy to see how this one flew under the radar. The thing about the Kinks is they have good albums but probably not one absolutely great one. But they have a career filled with great songs. Would say you could put their Greatest Hits up against anybody's Greatest Hits and they wouldn't disappoint. Closer to 3 1/2, but 3 for our purposes here.

Not bad, not great. From a different time I guess, when rap/hip-hop/r&b were a little more fun and actually had to appeal to more than one demographic. Especially enjoyed the cuts between tracks.

OK, full disclosure... I dated this one girl long ago, and I told her that I liked Depeche Mode because I knew SHE liked Depeche Mode. Figured it was a white lie and no one would ever know the difference... Fast forward 37 years, and now I have to do a critical listen of possibly the most important record Depeche Mode ever had... ...and I hated it. How these guys ever recorded the number of albums they did or kept their careers going with essentially 2 songs IS BEYOND ME. And worse, I now have to basically confess this to my children (borne of that previously mentioned girlfriend) that I lied about this specific band just to get closer to their eventual mother... Oh what a tangled web we weave... Anyway, hated it. Probably a 1, but I'll notch it up to a 2 because I did win the girl in the end... Debatable whether it was due in part to my lie about Depeche Mode.

Brilliant sophomore effort from one of rock's greatest. Recorded and released the same year as their debut, 1969. It was a great year. Solid song selections, from the opener Whole Lotta Love all the way through to a dynamite closer in Bring It On Home. In between, you get another TOP TEN PERFECT SONGS in What Is And What Should Never Be, as well as Living Loving Maid straight into Heartbreaker. The DJ screwed up if you didn't hear those 2 back-to-back on the radio. And Moby Dick set the standard for songs with kick-ass drum solos. And I absolutely love Ramble On, which is rightly so the theme of the Loyola Ramblers. I had forgotten just how good of an album this was start to finish. Not a bad track in the bunch.

Good, solid rock and roll from three Tennessee brothers and a cousin. Strong guitar and power drums. Would I have liked it more if I understood more than 10% of the lyrics? Maybe. But I'm still giving it a 4...

Really not exclusively C&W, more like Brother Ray singing songs from the Great American Songbook. Good arrangements on some/many of these that came across as refreshing if not innovative, at a time when anything he did was considered "Black Music." You Don't Know Me and You Are My Sunshine really stood out for me.

Good, not great. Strange, too, because I love this era but their music didn't GRAB ME. It was just kind of OK. Nothing that really stood out. And if you have nothing that stands out in the era of Led Zeppelin, and The Who, and The Beatles, and The Doors, and Grateful Dead, and all the others... Well, it says why I didn't know their stuff.

Nope. I'm too old for this crap. And when I was young enough for this crap, it was not my flavor.

Ya know, not what I was expecting. Light on the hip-hop, more focus on jazz and electronica. Not a lot of song structure, but not unpleasant and maybe even worth another listen. The backstory to some of these tracks would definitely be interesting to me. Better than three, better than 3 1/2, so I'm going to go 4 for the pleasant surprise.

Legend. Or so they say. This was literally nothing but recorded sex acts, drug sales, and crime. Shorties and forties. This ain't even hardcore. No message, no flow. The album is a series of songs WITH THE EXACT SAME BEAT. Utterly disconnected from my reality. I'm glad that the fellows in UK who thought I needed to hear this before I die got me to listen. I won't waste my time on the next Biggie album.

Not great, not bad. Iggy Pop being Iggy Pop at least and not David Bowie. Edgy, fun sounds, maybe proto-punk if I'm searching for a label.

Revised review... Made a snarky review and then got into the meat of the album. Really solid. Debut album, supposedly written as a soundtrack to a non-existent crime film. I can appreciate it on that level. On the other hand, his earlier work also involved a stint with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. These 2 things must offset. But this was good, really good actually. It mixed various jazz styles with a soundtrack flair with noir and even a little Alfred Hitchcock. And as I listened, it kept surprising me. Originally gave it 3 but realized I'm going to test drive it again and that I really liked it.

Different. Quirky. Fun. Kind of trying a cider or a lemon shandy while drinking a few beers: a nice change of pace but not something I want to switch to exclusively. Different styles, changing almost song to song. Not bad, but not great.

Hard to believe this was from 1986, I never listened to Dinosaur Jr. back then. Now I know why.

Gonna start with this: love me some Willie Nelson. Having seen him live, I can attest he draws crowds from every demographic out there: oldies, college kids, black, white, hippies, working class, yuppies, and middle aged guys like myself. Willie started out as a songwriter, until someone (Larry Butler, apparently) refused to buy his songs and encouraged Willie to put voice to them. And the rest, as they say, is history... Willie is an American original, and Stardust is his attempt at singing songs from the Great American Songbook. Not his greatest, but some really good ones here. Georgia On My Mind, All Of Me, Someone To Watch Over Me are all classics and he does them justice. On the other hand, no one can do Unchained Melody better than the Righteous Brothers. Why try? Arrangements are dated and the harmonica overdone in some songs. Love Willie, love some of these songs, but this falls into Good Not Great territory. Probably 3 1/2 stars, but closer to 3 than 4.

Good not great, solid effort from a guy I'm not terribly familiar with but is right there in my favorite era. I'll give it another listen.

"No es lo mio" as they say in Spanish... Do they actually say that? Can't be sure, but it means "not my thing" and the band members are out of El Paso, so I figured why not? Prog Rock is the Not My Thing part, but I can appreciate musicianship. Couldn't focus on the lyrics, I think some in English and some in Spanish. But apparently their live shows are something to see, which I could easily believe. So while the genre ain't my jam, talent comes through. Probably closer to 2 1/2 stars, but 3 for these guys.

Solid solid side one, takes his foot off the gas on side 2. Moondance one of the most perfect songs, on par with Here Comes The Sun. Pure excellence. Great Opening Track in And It Stoned Me, Crazy Love one of the best love songs ever. Van Morrison another one of those artists without a "perfect album" but whose greatest hits will stand toe-to-toe with anyone. His political leanings notwithstanding, the guy can sing.

What can one say about Disraeli Gears? Groundbreaking. Bad ass. Great album cover. Brilliant sophomore effort. Definitely veering harder toward psychedelia as opposed to blues, far different sound than Fresh Cream. Tales Of Brave Ulysses still one of my favorite Cream tracks, if not my all-time favorite. So unlike anything else they did. SWLABR is a pretty good jam. Strange Brew is a banger, and great Opening Track. In the short life of "The Cream" this is really an outstanding album. Representative of the times and featuring the full power of the first rock Super Group. There's a lot to like here. 4 stars.

Simply ok. Not particularly impressed, doubt I'll come back to this album or this group in the future.

An album written by Iggy Pop and David Bowie, produced by David Bowie, while Iggy and David Bowie were functional addicts in Europe in the 70s. With Iggy Pop doing his best attempt to sing like David Bowie... We have officially found the TENTH David Bowie album on this list. FFS. Not great, not good. 2 1/2 tops. Going 2 stars.

Hey look! A David Bowie album! A couple good songs and a bunch of meh. Was on the fence as far as 2 or 3 stars, and Across The Universe pushed it to a 2. Jesus, don't do a cover if you're just gonna fuck it up. Can't wait for more Bowie.

I liked it more than I expected, good sound. Crazy to think it's over 20 years old!

Unremarkable. Not one song that resonated with me, not one moment of "oh yeah that's a great song." Reminded me of the soundtrack playing in the dungeon from Silence of the Lambs. At least it was only 35 minutes long...

Some good stuff here. Traveling Band, Who'll Stop The Rain, and the absolute fun classic Lookin' Out My Back Door. Their cover of Heard It Through The Grapevine rivals Marvin Gaye's version. It almost sounds sinister. Anyway, good stuff but not my favorite CCR. I will say John Fogerty's voice got on my nerves after a while. Never noticed that effect before...

Rod Stewart was gifted one of the most iconic singing voices of all time. It's a shame he didn't use it on better songs here. Very mid album. All I kept thinking was, "Who chose these songs?" In his catalog from this era, there are so many better titles. Some sort of attempt to Americanize the album maybe? No thanks. And covering It's All Over Now from the Stones, while complimentary, fell on its face. If you do a cover, you need to bring something to it and not make it worse. I like early Rod Stewart. But I didn't like this. Thank goodness it was short...

Generic female R&B. Didn't do a thing for me.

Good sounds out of an old band.

Solid second serving from The Police. Google Translate indicates the title has no meaningful translation. Wikipedia suggests it means "white reggae." But that's ok either way, because the album has good tracks up and down. Message In A Bottle probably the biggest hit, but Can't Stand Losing You and Walking On The Moon are two of my favorite Police songs. Bring On The Night another great one. In the post-punk and new-wave world of the late late 70s and early 80s, The Police ruled. Unbelievable that they carved this large a path with just 5 studio albums. Reggatta de Blanc as an album is a solid listen, but only a handful of great tracks. Probably 3 1/2, but not quite a 4...

Mostly meh. First, couldn't figure out just how many names this artist gets to claim. Took me a second to be sure I had the right album... Thought it was Zendaya singing Terence Trent D'Arby. Weird. Anyway, from 1987 and a little dated. I'll give it up for Wishing Well, but that's about it. Sounds like he could be Bruno Mars' illegitimate father... Electronic drums and keyboard/synth, not terribly soulful singing even though he tries. Not terrible.

Good not great. Might get a listen down the road.

Probably one of the best Coltrane album titles out there, and he has a lot of album titles. Not his best music, though. Four seemingly connected tracks, if only in title. Not smooth, kind of wonky. The band doesn't seem to coalesce around any given theme(s), and it sounds like just a collection of notes that don't fit particularly well. I know there's better in Coltrane's repertoire, and this left me wanting more.

Wu Tang ripoff? I did not need to hear this before I died.

Now the first of December was covered in snow / and so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston / Though the Berkshires seemed dreamlike on account of that frostin' / with ten miles behind me and 10,000 more to go... Oh my God, possibly one of the greatest verses ever written. Absolutely love it. Second album from James Taylor, some very solid songs (Sweet Baby James, Fire And Rain, Country Road, Steamroller Blues) and some that catch you unaware (I'm looking at you, Susanna). Came out in that awesome era and truly announced his ascendence. Up for Album of the Year, losing out to Bridge Over Trouble Water by Simon and Garfunkel. No shame in that! These songs have more than stood the test of time.

Another album I didn't have to hear before I die. At least it was short...

Good not great debut album from Manchester lads Stone Roses. A bit new wave, a bit indie, a bit Brit. That Rickenbacker rings through on several tracks. Decent elements throughout, apparently not enough to stand the test of time. Recorded second album (the one I'm more familiar with) then broke up, then got back together years later. So tired of that story. Might give it another listen, nothing really there to object to.

Tougher, grittier music on their second offering. The only difference is that they fired Andy Warhol? Ok then... Definitely a product of its times, and its place. This screams NYC in 1968, somehow. Nothing that feels really memorable or something I'd go back to necessarily, but better than their first album. I rated that a 3 but said it was 2 1/2 with historical significance. This is probably a 3 1/2 but can't go to a 4. And am I the only one thinking the end of Sister Ray sounds like the crescendo in The End by The Doors?

When I first saw 2 discs and 2 hours of playtime, I groaned. But I set it as background music and went at it with an open mind... Not bad, actually. Not great, but not terrible. Interesting rhythms and songs, decent R&B for being 25+ years old. Nothing stands out, but listenable overall.

Soulmates Eric Clapton and Duane Allman recorded this in 1970, before Live at Fillmore East. I didn't know this, always assumed it was after ABB made it big. Supposedly loads of heavy drugs were employed in the making of this album. One article I read a long time ago said "not little bags but BIG bags." Good songs, solid blues based rock and roll. Bell Bottom Blues, Keep On Growing, and Tell The Truth all solid. Layla often considered Clapton's magnum opus, it dominated the end of the album. Perfectly used in Goodfellas and it was the star on Unplugged, Layla has stood the test of time. Little Wing included, I'm guessing, because Hendrix died while they were recording in Miami. Not my favorite version though. Good but not great album, mostly still obscure even today. More of a 3 1/2, but not going 4.

Completely and for all intents and purposes not memorable. Not bad, not great. Closer to 2 than 3.

I think what I find most remarkable about an album and an artist like this is how I've never heard of either. Could not believe it was from 1973, either. What's weirder still is that music from that era would have fingerprints or DNA from his influences all over it, easily visible. Not so. No songs I've ever heard of, no covers to say who influenced him, and no backing musicians that show his connections in the music world. Overall, a pleasant surprise and a very satisfying album. Will definitely explore John Martyn more.

I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT THIS WILL GO DOWN ON YOUR PERMANENT RECORD! A classic. Pleasantly surprised to see this on the list, and a pleasure to go back and give it a critical listen. Had this on cassette (for those kids out there, a cassette was a music medium that played back sound from a magnetized ribbon held inside a plastic cartridge). Also had The Blind Leading The Naked. Self titled debut album, also their biggest seller. Arguably their best songs, too. Femmes were out of Milwaukee, and pioneers of the "folk punk" genre. I had to actually think about that title for a minute. String indie vibe, striped down and often raw sound. Credited with influence in punk, grunge, and alternative scenes. A couple catchy ones, a couple that grow on you. I still hear Blister On The Sun into at ballgames when the stadium guy wants to get the crowd to clap. Blister a classic, Add It Up was a banger back in the day, and it's still a banger. And a handful of other strong songs. Definitely standing the test of time (1983 release) so yeah, I'm giving it 4 stars.

Supposedly renewed focus on East Coast rap. Interesting use of backing music. Standard rap beats with off-key and syncopated piano and horns. His father was a jazz musician, so either a direct or an absorbed influence? Gritty. Urban. He has said he wasn't celebrating "thug life" but more or less shining a light on it. Good grooves and still academically interesting.

My harsh review: A progressive-rock effort out of a British band who seems to be trying to find their voice. No recognizable songs on the entire album, which seems like it could be the soundtrack to a knockoff LOTR cartoon television series. Nice guy review: An interesting effort on Queen's sophomore offering. Still quite a distance away from who they would become, but you can hear some of the elements coming together. Hadn't heard any of these songs before. Album really stands out to me for the time it was recorded/released (and their competition) and the length of time they took to record it. Not a lot of bands were given that length of runway back then, so they either paid a fortune for their studio time OR someone in the record industry backed the hell out of them. I'd probably have to listen to their debut album to have a better guess which...

A bit of techno, a bit of soul, a bit of white boy rap. I just described this album, and every single Beck album under the sun, I think. Not bad, not great. Good background music and chill beats, but wholly unremarkable. Copy and paste for future Beck albums on this poll...

This is an album I've owned for years. Listened to it dozens of times, but this time I turned a critical ear to it. And was STILL blown away. Recorded in 1969, this album is an excellent and outstanding window into the times it was borne of. Gimme Shelter a fantastic song, and absolutely perfect Opening Track for this album. The backup vocals by Merry Clayton still can send a chill. Against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the tumult of the end of the sixties, this is a stunner. But it doesn't stop there. Robert Johnson's Love In Vain appears here, played with the reverence it deserved. Country Honk one of my all-time faves, Live With Me solid, and Let It Bleed unique and soulful. And that's just side one! Midnight Rambler kicks off side 2, strong and full of dark imagery. Nothing like a song about a murderer to get your feet moving! You Got The Silver sung by Keith Richards, Monkey Man good. Album ends with You Can't Always Get What You Want, creative anthem considered I've of their best. This album comes in the midst of a string of great albums by the Stones. Heroin fueled creativity from 1968 to 1973, makes me wonder if Nancy Reagan knew what she was talking about. Solid top to bottom.

I liked this album, I liked his style. I had no info, so it was a cold listen. Tried to peg the genre, the decade, maybe where it was recorded just by ear. From his voice, it had to be country. At first, figured early sixties. Gave of a Nashville odor. And I was right for the most part. Biggest song on there that I knew was Everybody's Talking, which was made famous in Midnight Cowboy (best picture Oscar, 1969). But found out that someone else's version was in the movie Either way, it was good. I'll give Fred a listen on his other albums. Unexpectedly good.

Time it was and what a time it was. It was... a time of innocence. A time of confidences... I am wracking my brain to see if I can think of any American songwriters who wrote as powerfully and harmonized as well as Simon and Garfunkel. I am coming up empty. I love their music, I'll admit. I grew up listening to them, and then Paul Simon's solo work after. This album was their fourth studio album, featuring absolute classics Mrs. Robinson and America, as well as Bookends Reprise (quotes above). They only recorded one more studio album before splitting. Always wondered what coulda been... Listenable, easy to sing along with, and just plain enjoyable. I'm hovering around 3 1/2 but coo-coo cachoo, Mrs. Robinson, we're going 4.

Sandwiched in-between Born To Run and The River, Darkness stands defiantly. Strong tracks, some with anthem qualities, and a banger of a title track to close the album out. From the strong Opening Track of Badlands to the final notes of Darkness On The Edge Of Town, Springsteen weaves his tales and takes the listener on a true journey. A couple slower ones like Racing In The Streets and Factory, but good songs at their heart. Great and truthful writing, always one of his strengths. Born To Run cemented him in American Rock, Darkness continued that. This was one of his best eras. Dunno if I can go 5 stars, probably more like 4 1/2. So... 4.

Three thoughts... 1st, this shit is such shit that only a music industry connection could have gotten them recording time. Rich parents, connected uncle, dunno. Second, just how long would their Greatest Hits album be? 4 minutes? And three, AGAIN, what albums were left off this list for THIS to be on there? Not the worst I've ever heard (I'm looking at YOU, Nick Cage) but not good. At least it was quick.

Not bad. Not bad at all. Never listened to The Flaming Lips. I liked the album title above all. Good sounds, creative stuff. Very listenable. Probably a 3 1/2, but I'll give it a 4.

"Once upon a time you threw the bums a dime in your prime. Didn't you?" "I ride a mail train, Baby. Can't buy a thrill." "There's something happening here and you don't know what it is. Do you, Mr. Jones?" "Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?" "God said to Abraham, 'Kill me a son.' Abe said, 'Man, you must be puttin' me on!'" "They got some hungry women down here that'll really make a mess outta you." "They're selling postcards of the hanging." To borrow a phrase from A Christmas Story, some artists work in clay or in oils... Bob Dylan worked in words. Lots and lots of words. His use of rhyme and metaphor were pretty much unparalleled. With the skill of the best Beat poets and the instinct of a boxer, he could strike his target and return to back to his guard position before the target even knew how badly he'd been hit. He worked social commentary into his music -- hell, he practically TRAFFICKED in it -- better than anyone at the time or since that time, and became world famous for it. And when the world waited for Dylan to share his next opinion, Dylan turned his back because he got bored with the world. Regardless, if an artist (any artist) had written one or two of the above lines in their career, it would have been enough. Bob Dylan wrote those lines during the sessions for ONE RECORD in 1965, but had a string of indelible songs that really showed what he was capable of: 1964, The Times They Are A'Changin' 1964, Another Side Of Bob Dylan 1965, Bringing It All Back Home 1965, Highway 61 Revisited 1966, Blonde On Blonde Five all-time great albums released in less than 2 1/2 years. I'm not sure that pace and that level of creativity will ever be matched. It's why everyone wanted to hang out with Dylan. It's why people wanted to know, "Was that song about me?" It's why the Beatles (THE FREAKING BEATLES) were awed. The semi-legendary 1965 Newport Folk Festival took place in between the first and second recording sessions for this album. So this album can almost be considered a document to the time Dylan Went Electric... Tough songs with tough sounds, electric guitar and keyboards and driving drum beats on some, this was a definite departure from the Folk movement, and they reacted. And he didn't care. He just went on being Bob Dylan, and that was the point. I have listened to the album multiple times in the past, but critically this time around. I've now listened about half a dozen times since. And it's art. Yes, Bob Dylan will never enter the Harmonica Players' Hall Of Fame. And his voice makes some people cringe. But the lyrics, the sheer volume and power of the words, the actual physical message that lie at the heart of these songs makes me stop and wonder in amazement. I don't know that he has ever been as good since this period, but he's still here. He's still singing and playing. He's still touring, And yes, he's still punching.

Some cool stuff out of the Grateful Dead, always rated highly. Considered one of the great live albums of all time (of all bands). Weirdly, this was released before the idea of taping really took hold with Deadheads. So this was a sort of journal about the Grateful Dead sound. But here's the thing: this album was culled from several shows in early 1969, and now the Dick's Picks series has cataloged and published several "perfect" shows from opening notes to last. Album starts with their classic at the time, Dark Star into St. Stephen. This was a regular feature from the group back then, as this was the height of their psychedelic phase (and before Workingman's Dead, American Beauty, and Europe '72, which changed their sound and their approach). Next comes The Eleven, so called because of a unique time signature of 11/8. Rest of the album good, but not great. Love Light, Death Don't Have No Mercy, and And We Bid You Goodnight. I love that the original pressing was in the 1-4-2-3 lp style, where you could play sides 1 & 2 back to back, then flip both to hear sides 3 & 4. Old School stuff. Like I said, though, this was from multiple shows. There is an album that came out in 1992 called Two From The Vault that is a single show from 1968 with almost every song from Live Dead and a few others. As this was a single show, I think it holds more interest for me as a snapshot in time as opposed to a compilation like Live Dead. Still good, and recorded when the band was a cohesive unit who could anticipate each other's moves like jazz musicians. Their music changed shortly after and they also lost some of that groupthink in the 70s, but Live Dead captured them at the peak of their psychedelic power. Also, side note, but anyone interested in their stuff could look up a website called Grateful Dead Of The Day. You would gain access to every Dead show ever recorded (basically 1966 through 1995) and there's a lot there to like. Probably a 3 1/2, but not a 4.

More sounds from Radiohead. Not bad. Not great. Good background noise, I guess.

Perfectly embodies my feelings about the British Invasion, at least in the early years... English bands get hold of American rock-'n'-roll records, fall in love with the music, and rerecord them. America falls in love with it. Stones big fans of American Rock and blues (hell, they're named after a Muddy Waters song) and that's on display here. Muddy Waters, Bo Diddly, Chuck Berry, and more. Album could have been called Rolling Stones Do An Internship At Chess Records... I especially love Route 66, where it's exceedingly clear Jagger doesn't know the names of the cities in the song he's singing and doesn't have access to a map of the American Southwest. Kinda funny, since A) the song is a classic, and B) it's getting a ton of play right now due to the Route 66 centennial. Stones always loved American music, and you can hear it when they "go back" to their roots on Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers and others. Not bad, not great.

Pretty damn good sophomore effort, following up Talking Heads '77. Kicks off with a banger of an Opening Track, Thank You For Sending Me An Angel. Lately, this has been my favorite from Stop Making Sense. Moves on to other strong jams and peaks at Take Me To The River, a remake but one that they absolutely became attached to the rest of their time together. Showed that the first album was no fluke, showed that this band had some chops and a new way to look at music and -- above all -- how to have fun playing music. I'm hovering around 3 1/2 to 4, and kicking it to a 4 based on the 1978 release and the strength of the music.

Exceptional album, Ray Charles lays it all out there. In an era where everything a black artist recorded was considered a "race record," Ray recorded this one and it had massive crossover appeal. In fact, this one was such a hit that the name "Genius" was attached to several other of his projects... The Genius Hits The Road Genius Loves Company The Genius After Hours The Genius Sings The Blues Genius + Soul = Jazz Solid stuff, including some classics. The added horns change the sound completely, making it bigger and fatter. Using Quincy Jones as an arranger can do that. Ray Charles would record over 50 studio albums and several complications. Prolific. Probably not his best, but so significant.

Post punk with a female lead. The Pretenders did it better. Not great. I recognized the British sound right away, that Rickenbacker sound. Thought I might be in for something, and then... nothing. Nothing grabbed me. Nothing memorable. I looked up reviews of the band and the album, and they were so far over the top (which I absolutely didn't agree with) it affected my feelings about it here. Was in-between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2, as I traditionally do with Meh kind of bands. Usually that's a 3. The effusive praise for this work was so off that it pushes me all the way down to a 2.

Hard to bash a band like the Beatles, and this album is so beloved that I feel I have to tread lightly. If you have a favorite band, you will no doubt have a favorite album. And if you have a favorite album, by extension you must have a least favorite album. And The Beatles (aka White Album) is my least favorite Beatles album. Which is hard to say, harder to defend. But here goes... We've previously had this debate at our house about this album. There are some GREAT and all-time songs on this album. But there is some genuine crap on there, too. Always felt if you could just cut out the garbage and pare it down to a single LP, this would have been one of their best. Of all time. A product of their extended voyage of discovery to India in 1968, Lennon and McCartney claimed some of their best songs were created at this time. Is Blackbird one of the best songs ever written? Yes, yes it is. Is Julia a great song? Yes. Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da is an absolute classic. Try NOT singing along with it when it comes on. Rocky Raccoon, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Why Don't We Do It In The Road... All bangers. On the other hand, Sexy Sadie and Piggies will always be overshadowed by the film Helter Skelter. Wild Honey Pie, Glass Onion, and Revolution 9? Dogs. Did Revolution 9 drive Charles Manson insane? It certainly could have. It probably was a short drive, if you know what I'm saying. I really see in this album the fracturing of the Beatles as the world knew them, and likely the "beginning of the end." They only recorded a couple more albums before they said, "That's it." The infighting and lawsuits and money just became too much. And don't get me started on Linda... Like I said, great songs here. Just not great start-to-finish. My lowest rating for a Beatles album, no doubt.