1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

123
Albums Rated
3.54
Average Rating
11%
Complete
966 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

2000
Favorite Decade
Hip-hop
Favorite Genre
Other
Top Origin ?
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
23
5-Star Albums
2
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Top Styles

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Dr. Octagonecologyst
Dr. Octagon
5 2.69 +2.31
Yank Crime
Drive Like Jehu
5 2.74 +2.26
Olympia 64
Jacques Brel
5 2.78 +2.22
Third
Portishead
5 3.13 +1.87
John Prine
John Prine
5 3.21 +1.79
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
5 3.31 +1.69
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
5 3.32 +1.68
Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
5 3.34 +1.66
Either Or
Elliott Smith
5 3.4 +1.6
Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
5 3.43 +1.57

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Frampton Comes Alive
Peter Frampton
1 3.19 -2.19
Headquarters
The Monkees
1 2.86 -1.86
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
2 3.7 -1.7
Young Americans
David Bowie
2 3.62 -1.62
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2 3.47 -1.47
Play
Moby
2 3.45 -1.45
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
2 3.39 -1.39
Garbage
Garbage
2 3.39 -1.39
Parklife
Blur
2 3.39 -1.39
I Should Coco
Supergrass
2 3.35 -1.35

Artists

Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Beastie Boys 3 4.33
Radiohead 3 4.33

5-Star Albums (23)

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Popular Reviews

Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones

I have come to the conclusion that the Stones are best when they're doing gospel songs, instead of their usual blues thang. The wall of sound in Street Fighting Man may have been the first time this was used in rock? It certainly sounds more like a modern indie track in points, which is amazeballs. Still, aside from that and Sympathy for the Devil, noting else really jumped out at me as great.

My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello

There's proto-punk albums, and then there's proto-pop-punk albums. This is the latter. And I'm not a fan of pop-punk. I do like Watching the Detectives, but I'm a sucker for anything of that era that borrowed from the Jamaican dub aesthetic.

All Things Must Pass by George Harrison

Obviously George is the coolest Beatle. I really must get a copy of this on vinyl. Who knew that Harrison recorded the very first Flaming Lips song. (Wah Wah!!!!!)

You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen

I listened to my CD copy on my monitors. And then I immediately re-listened to it on my headphones. Purely amazing in production, scope, and (most importantly) depth. The title track is, IMHO, one of the best songs the man has ever recorded. Leonard is a national treasure, and he is missed.

1-Star Albums (2)

All Ratings (123)

A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
Jan 05 2026

I've heard the first track (Acknowledgement) prior, but have never intentionally listened to the whole thing. Dang. Moved me to tears. And the freaking drumming of Elvin Jones!!! Holy hell. Check out this drumeo video on it: https://youtu.be/r8326NogS2A?si=8USXScIROFFyd9Q_ If this one comes up for you, listen to the mono version on Youtube. The stereo versions that are on the streaming services are very, very irritating. Coltrane in one ear, everyone else in the other. Yuck. But yes, I'm buying this one on vinyl ASAP. This whole 1001 records thing is, I suspect, going to bankrupt me, but I'll have a good record collection.

The White Album by Beatles
Jan 06 2026

What a ridiculous album! Drugs, hey? Also, Paul is obviously the silly one. So much tuba, which I get given that it's the bass of the brass section. I get the critiques that this album is all over the place. Which is simultaneously it's weakness, but could also be it's strength. Depending on the strength of your drugs, of course. Still, the bangers are bangers. While my guitar gently weeps sounds absolutely fabulous. Happiness is a Warm Gun is just weird. Love the tenderness of Blackbird, but who doesn't? I should learn that on the guitar one day. Also, Dear Prudence. Yes please. I still think it's hilarious that I went through ten years of my life thinking that it was a Siouxsie and the Banshees song. The follies of youth. Oh, and once again, do the mono version. Gawd it's so much better. Otherwise you have Ringo bonking away in only one ear. Sure, listen to Revolution 9 in stereo for the fun effects, but John said that the album is better in mono. And are ya going to fight with John? I thought not. Speaking of Revolution 9. I just realized that Skinny Puppy borrowed heavily from this in on Love in Vein. Tres cool. Then again they also sampled (kinda) Helter Skelter on the Rabies album, so that somewhat makes sense. In a fucked-up Skinny Puppy kinda sense. Still, I love it. Anyhow four stars. Can't rate the Beatles less than that, right?

Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes
Jan 07 2026

A 45 minute album with four tracks? Sounds like it would be a prog rock album, not Isaac Hayes' buttery soul. The first track was fabulous... and man this was sampled so many times. It's always a pleasant surprise to learn where samples originated from. Also, Portishead borrowed heavily from this sound. The second and third were also fab. But that last track is pure fromage! A bit of a letdown from the setup from the rest of the album.

Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix
Jan 08 2026

Look, Hendrix isn't 100 percent my bag and that's just fine. I appreciate his innovation and mastery of the strat, and tonally this album is freaking great. While listening I realized how much Billy Corgan was influenced by this sound, but then again who wasn't? Also, it's strats and a fuzz face, so ya. Pretty impressive stereo spread for a 1968 album too. I just think that I'm not completely down with his song writing and structures, which may just be a late-60s thing for me? Still a solid four stars.

Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
Jan 09 2026

Jeazus it opens with Gimme Shelter? Fucking hell. I was thinking about how this must have blown away stones fans when this came out, but it appears that Beggars Banquet (with Sympathy for the Devil) came out the year before, so this would sound like a continuation. But still, what a choon. And ends with You Can't Always Get What You Want, which still sounds freaking great. Both amazing. But, too many of the in-between tracks are too much like white brits discovering blues, which ain't my bag. Still, I was amazingly surprized by Country Honk, which is a country(ish) version of Honkey Tonk Woman, which apparently was released separately as a single. Paused the album to listen to the single and ya know what? The country version is better to my ears. Dig the fiddle work. Look ma, I'm learning things. Also Monkey Man, which Nick Cave could have written years later. Similar sounding chord progressions with some poetic raving over top. I'm thinking that I prefer the rock tracks on this album. Like. Also in listening to this it's cool to hear how the bands I grew up on borrowed heavily on this concoction. I'm thinking mostly Primal Scream's more rockin tracks, and even a bit of Spiritualized (cuz white brits doing blues). I think I'll eventually get this on vinyl, given that it'll sound great on the Belles.

Play by Moby
Jan 12 2026

In 1999 I was raving to house and techno, so wasn't a huge fan of this album back then given that it's pretty chill and honestly pretty commercial sounding. Not much has changed in 27 years. To my ears it sounds like Moby was trying to convince directors that he can do soundtracks lol. A few tracks are a bit different... the one that sounds like Moby doing Underworld, and another that sounds like Moby doing Air. I listened to the extended album on Spotify and actually liked the extra tracks more than the ones on the original album. Some were pretty cool ambient.

Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
Jan 13 2026

In my high school days in the late 80s this is one of the rare albums that the rockers, jocks, preppies, and us weird alt kids, could all agree that is great. I haven't listened to this in 30 years and yup, still great. Five stars. Perhaps for nostalgia more than anything.

Headquarters by The Monkees
Jan 14 2026

Absolutely insipid, as expected. I didn't like them when they were on re-run TV when I was a kid, and it looks like I still don't like them. Almost feel bad for them, given how they were controlled by the producers and song writers. The cool thing was the origin of Mister Bob Dobalina, which was sampled on Del the Funky Homosapien on Mistadobalina in 1992!

E.V.O.L. by Sonic Youth
Jan 15 2026

Sonic Youth are the coolest band that I 100% can't get totally into. I've actually never listened to EVOL and didn't know any of the individual tracks, so this was an interesting exercise. It sounds like... early Sonic Youth. I wonder why the went with this one instead of Daydream Nation?

John Prine by John Prine
Jan 16 2026

John Prine should be beautified as St. John.

Hard Again by Muddy Waters
Jan 19 2026

I'm generally not into albums that are tonally similar, which is why I think I'm not huge into the blues. But man this rawkus and raunchy album was freaking great. I enjoyed it much more than I thought it would, and I'll keep an eye out to buy a copy should I ever came across it.

Be by Common
Jan 20 2026

I have a PhD in biology and I think this album is pretty great, even though hip hop ain't my normal bag. Cool vibes, some Mayfield-esque arrangements (which I'm a total sucker for), sweet rhymes, and overall a great message. From hanging around other STEM PhDs I can attest the the order of weirdness and social awkwardness of science academics is: math heads > chemists > physicists > biologists. Ya, us bio peeps are the cool kids of the bunch. Totally explains that one star review. :-)

Heartattack And Vine by Tom Waits
Jan 21 2026

I think if you're an alt GenXer such as myself, either you're on team Nick (Cave) or team Tom. I'm on team Nick. Regardless, it had it's fun parts. I actually think I preferred the ballads.

Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park
Jan 22 2026

Today I learned that I am not a fourteen year old boy. It's like bad. So bad. Funny thing is that some of the tones (guitar and some basic synth sequencing) is Skinny Puppy-esque from the Greater Wrong of the Right, and I kept expecting something interesting to happen. Honestly, I blame this album for MAGA. Having said all that, I am ashamed to admit that a.) I liked the instrumental that honestly sounded more like a DJ Shadow track, and b.) as I was making dinner I found myself occasionally bopping my head to this. OMG what have I become?

Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
Jan 23 2026

If I was a stoned teenager in 1973 I would have loved this. Alas, I am not. Good sounding but somewhat silly.

Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz
Jan 26 2026

The finest elevator music ever made.

Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones
Jan 27 2026

I have come to the conclusion that the Stones are best when they're doing gospel songs, instead of their usual blues thang. The wall of sound in Street Fighting Man may have been the first time this was used in rock? It certainly sounds more like a modern indie track in points, which is amazeballs. Still, aside from that and Sympathy for the Devil, noting else really jumped out at me as great.

Dr. Octagonecologyst by Dr. Octagon
Jan 28 2026

WHAT A GLORIOUS WERIDO. I know Earth People from a Andrea Parker DJ Kicks album, and Blue Flowers from... somewhere.. but have never heard all of Dr. Octagonecologyst. Yup, just as bonkers. Effing love this.

Moss Side Story by Barry Adamson
Jan 29 2026

I know that Barry Adamson played with Nick Cave and the Badseeds back in the day, and I had a kinda big-beat album that he did in the late 90s back in the day (I wonder what happened to that CD??). Other than that I know bupkis about BA's back catalog. This is... absolutely not what I was expecting hahaha. Two tracks in I thought "damn this sounds like a fake soundtrack of a film noir flick", which upon reading the Wikipedia entry is exactly what it is. How astute of me. Pretty cool all told, and it kept be engaged for the whole thing; impressive considering it's a instrumental. The late 80s recording thing of running everything through a giant compressor so there's zero dynamic range I found a bit irritating though... it would have been more effective if it breathed a bit me thinks. Not Adamson's fault per se, this was quite the norm back then. Or perhaps it was intentional? Who knows. Anyhow solid 3.5 stars with a round-down to 3 for the dynamics thing.

Illmatic by Nas
Jan 30 2026

Given that I don't like the violence and misogyny associated with gangsta hip-hop, by two minutes into the opening track I thought that I was going to dislike the entire album. Also, way to much first person singular in that opening track. But the rest was OK. Not my bag but OK. Pretty slick rhymes and such, although I must admit that I didn't listen too closely to them (I was cooking dinner at the time). Tho I have mad respect for Nas for appearing in the 2020 remix of Fight the Power, which is all-the-more pertinent these days. Unfortunately.

Dookie by Green Day
Feb 02 2026

Other than the hits on the radio, I have never listened to this album. Pretty silly, but then again we were all in our 20s when this came out.

Feb 03 2026

Not very deep, but very very fun. Surprised that I like it this much cuz I'm not a huge big-beat fan!

Hunky Dory by David Bowie
Feb 04 2026

Less cohesive than I was expecting... a few quirky (and not great, TBH) tracks. I guess that's what Ziggy Stardust is for. :-)

The Clash by The Clash
Feb 05 2026

Raw yet somehow with pop hooks. The sound of UK punk with some degree of instrumental prowess (as opposed to the Sex Pistols lol). Pretty amazing for a first album! I really don't care that Strummer came from privilege, he showed though his actions that he was a decent human being.

I Should Coco by Supergrass
Feb 06 2026

This sounds like a Britpop band in 1995. Kinda like they mashed T-Rex and the Kinks with some punk influences (Buzzcocks?) into the Britpop mold. Youthful exuberance indeed. I _should_ like this, given that I was generally into UK bands in the 90s (mind you more 'arty' bands like Slowdive, Belle and Sebastian, and such). I missed this one, which is perhaps why it isn't clicking with me. No nostalgia to attach to it.

Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
Feb 09 2026

The boys took their earnings from Licensed to Ill and bought themselves a Minimoog and a 909. :-) I remember when this came out we all were surprised that it actually had some depth, as opposed to the white youngin' party rap of the previous. Infectious grooves and some sweet sampling, and what I consider to be one of the best recorded examples of what a Moog filter sounds like. Anyhew super fun.

Behaviour by Pet Shop Boys
Feb 11 2026

One of the cooler things in music is that you can take the same (or very similar) instruments, give them to two different bands, and get completely different results. For example: Pet Shop Boys and Skinny Puppy. Anyhew, 80s synth pop is obviously not my thang.

Feb 12 2026

The Queen is Dead is the second album that I bought with my own money back in the 80s. Obviously I listened to it to death (on a double decker bus lol) back then, and I recall not liking Strangeways when it came out. I'm pleasantly surprised and loathe to admit that this album is better than The Queen is Dead. More variation in songwriting / structure / tonality. It's unfortunate that Morrisey grew up to be a nazi tosser.

Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears
Feb 17 2026

Peak 80s. It sounds SO FREAKING GOOD. I'll ignore the ubiquitous 80s saxophone thing here. :-)

Feb 18 2026

Ok this is why I'm doing this exercise. Don't know squat about this guy, and thought that it was going to be shitty gangsta rap from the album cover. Wrongo! Super cool Atlanta (I'm guessing) vibes here with immaculate production. I can't even pigeonhole what genre of music this is... a cool blend of soul, hiphop, bit of funk, and some Caribbean stuff? Dunno, but I'd buy this in a heartbeat.

Blood, Sweat & Tears by Blood, Sweat & Tears
Feb 19 2026

What a weird album. Cool concept having a jazz-based rock band, and I preferred the more jazzy tracks. And they're certainly accomplished musicians. The singles I heard on the radio when I was a kid must have been radio edits... because I don't seem to recall a long-assed horn solo in the middle of them. But the slow jams are pure cheese. The kind of tunes that played behind a soft-focus sex scene from a 1970 move. Minus one star for triggering traumatizing memories of morning calisthenics in grade one. :-)

Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Feb 20 2026

I will reiterate my assertion that the Stones are at their best when they're not playing blues songs. Unfortunately, that's about half of the tracks on their albums of this period. I was going to give this one three stars, but oh man the last three tracks (Sister Morphine / Dead Flowers / Moonlight Mile) are absolutely fucking brilliant. I'm going to have to learn these on the ole guitar.

Hail To the Thief by Radiohead
Feb 23 2026

It's sweeping. It's majestic. It sounds amazing. And it's depressing AF.

Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
Feb 24 2026

Christ on a stick I can't stand G&R. Never have. I'm down for inane rock and roll but good molly there's better inane rock and roll out there. The only reason I'm not giving it one star is the fact that Slash is undoubtably a guitar god. Just wish he played for a different band for this part of his career.

American Pie by Don McLean
Feb 25 2026

Regardez le grand fromage!!

Third by Portishead
Feb 26 2026

I missed this one back in 2008... wowza this is dark and fab. Much much cooler than Dummy.

Elephant by The White Stripes
Mar 02 2026
Bossanova by Pixies
Mar 03 2026

Ahhhhh memories of hosting the overnight radio show at CFMU with Clarke and Ove makes my heart sing. This album is easy-listening Pixies. For those that don't like Frank when he gets a tad shouty. Still freaking great though. I'm reserving the five stars for Doolittle (obvs), but a solid four stars.

Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
Mar 04 2026

Love it... but not as good as Songs in the Key of Life. Second day in a row that I've gotten an artist's second-best album. :-)

Beautiful Freak by Eels
Mar 05 2026

One of those mid-90s albums that had a really silly single, yet the rest of the album is better. Pretty interesting musically, but man I can't get past the lyrics that were obviously written by a dude in his 20s.

Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes
Mar 06 2026

So many of my friends cite The Black Crows as their guilty band pleasure, and they're absolutely correct.

Power In Numbers by Jurassic 5
Mar 09 2026

I really must stop listening to an album and then reviewing the next day. Anyhew, this is freking great hip hop. Good energy, good vibes, good flow, good samples.

Remain In Light by Talking Heads
Mar 10 2026

Pretty much the definition of early 80s cool in art-pop music (ya, this is pop). Somehow the Talking Heads managed to pull off that detached 80s 'we may all die in a nuclear war' sound while still writing good art songs, unlike contemporaries such as Nina Hagen and Laurie Anderson (which admittedly are 10000% weirder and artier). Pretty cool listen all around with no real stinkers of songs. I'd buy this one.

Vulnicura by Björk
Mar 12 2026

Pleasantly surprised by this. It's like... Adult Bjork. Sounds great with the string arrangements and some fairly wacko synth programming. At some points it sounds like Cevin Key did the synths lolz.

Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Mar 16 2026

As a Canadian, I am legally obliged to give any Young album at least four stars. Hell, the presence of Thrasher alone gets this album there.

Hot Rats by Frank Zappa
Mar 17 2026

It's 1969. Everyone is dropping LSD and giving each other STIs. Frank, on the other hand, is straightedge and making... whatever the fuck this is. I liked the jazzier weirdo tracks more than the psych tracks, which is odd for me. The guys was obviously a genius, even at this young(er) age.

I See You by The xx
Mar 18 2026

This sounds like some millennial virgins made some trip-hop without having any concept of sexy. It's just so... banal. Zero real emotion of any sort. The backing tracks are somewhat interesting, which saves this album from being one star.

Chore of Enchantment by Giant Sand
Mar 19 2026

Never heard of 'em. Really like 'em. Kinda like Mark Lanegan and Jonathan Donehue had a weird Americana-ish love album. With some of that Rev weirdness.

Aha Shake Heartbreak by Kings of Leon
Mar 20 2026

I accidentally saw these guys at Lolapalloza in 2007, and thought that they were pretty cool. Recorded tho? It's 'aight. Definitely a distinct vocal style.

Either Or by Elliott Smith
Mar 23 2026

Delightfully delicate. Like fuck this is good.

3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
Mar 24 2026

Classic for a reason! Unbelievable that this came out in 1989, cuz it still sounds so fresh. I had thought that this came out the same year as the Dream Warrior's first album, but apparently their first album came out in 91. Regardless, it's so good to hear hip-hop that's fun and not all gangsta.

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem
Mar 26 2026

MOAR COWBELL. Seriously though... take some French house and Detroit techno, filter though some mid-2000s Brooklyn bands (thinking of you, !!!), add cowbell, and a good dose of genX angst. It speaks to me.

Arrival by ABBA
Mar 27 2026

I was initially going to write that, other than the obvious hits on this album, the rest of the songs are meh. Then Tiger came on... which made me smile because it's used at the end of Dustbunny, which is such a freaking fun movie. So bonus for that. But ya, other than that, it's ABBA.

Garbage by Garbage
Mar 30 2026

Memories of pseudo-goths dancing poorly in a dark club. Mid-tier mid-90s.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Apr 02 2026

These guys are obviously fantastic musicians. And I'm going to sound like my grade four teacher here... but this is why this album is so disappointing. They just didn't work hard enough to reach their full potential. One perfect song (Under the Bridge, or as I call it 'how to compress a strat to the point that you can hear the individual atoms in the strings), a few OK songs (Give it Away), and a lot of boring dreck in-between. Oddly, of the filler tracks, Sir Psycho Sexy was the most interesting song (musically) if one ignores the lyrics. Also, my wife noted that the lyrics to the title track made her vagina as dry as the Sahara. One other point. Why the hell are the snare hits so forward in the mix? They were like ice-pick hits that just annoyed the hell out of me.

Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Apr 03 2026

I'm in my 50s and partially balding. Thus, four stars. All kidding aside, I enjoyed this way more than I should have. We all know the title track, but the rest of it was max bonkers. Great guitar tones. And das flute!!! Only Moe Koffman can rock a flute like that. (Canadian reference yo)

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
Apr 06 2026

Interesting! I never thought that S&G could sound so orchestrated and large. Fabulous recording... looked up the producer and apparently John Simon also recorded some other fab albums like Cohen's first album and Songs from the Big Pink. So that makes sense. Also, I had no idea that Hazy Shade of Winter was originally their song! I love it when that happens.

Apr 07 2026

Having a party indeed. Hot damn it would have been amazing to be there. What a voice! Honestly, I think I may like Cooke more than Brown.

Countdown To Ecstasy by Steely Dan
Apr 08 2026

How can a bunch of obviously talented musicians collectively possess zero soul? Like none. Nada.

The Slider by T. Rex
Apr 09 2026

Dang I apparently really like T. Rex! Then again I should, given that my chosen name comes from Telegram Sam, albeit via Bauhuas. A super-fun and whimsical record. A little bit more nuanced compared to Electric Warrior, and solid all the way through.

Phrenology by The Roots
Apr 10 2026

Pretty danged good ear-candy! This will require a re-listen to get more of the lyrics.

Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Apr 13 2026

Immigrant Song? Fucking amazing. The rest? OK.

Parklife by Blur
Apr 14 2026

Dammit Jim, I'm a shoegaze guy, not a britpop guy. +1 for Girls and Boys. The rest is pretty typical of the time. Still, it's better than Oasis. Didn't finish it. Of their albums, I certainly prefer 13, which I understand makes me a weirdo.

Apr 15 2026

Be still my little beating socialist heart. So 80s production, but Bragg's songwriting shines through, even at his (relatively) young age. So much CE2 chorus! Levi Stubb's Tears is still one of the most devastating songs ever written.

Fuzzy by Grant Lee Buffalo
Apr 16 2026

Decent songwriting, some interesting sonics... and yet I just couldn't connect to any of this. Which may explain their lack of commercial success. Just some secret sauce is missing here that I can't quite put my finger on.

Murmur by R.E.M.
Apr 20 2026

Radio Free Europe. Fuck yes. The rest? Ok. Amazing I wasn't even a teenager when this came out.

Synchronicity by The Police
Apr 21 2026

Memories of the cottage hanging out with Tom... this was an album that we could 'agree' upon. Some tunes hold up over time (I still dig Synchronicity II), but my god that Mother track is horrid.

Olympia 64 by Jacques Brel
Apr 22 2026

Memories of the cottage hanging out with Tom... this was an album that we could 'agree' upon. Some tunes hold up over time (I still dig Synchronicity II), but my god that Mother track is horrid.

British Steel by Judas Priest
Apr 23 2026

OK I liked this one waaaaaay more than I expected to. The nice thing about this kind of metal is that it's simultaneously can be serious music while not taking itself seriously. I like that. I love that Halford just married his partner of 30 years. That's really sweet. I also speaks to the metal community that this guy was out in the 80s and they didn't care one whit. They just love the guy and want him to ROCK. Also: did Grinder take it's name from the song on this album? :-)

Apr 27 2026

I get that this is culturally important. And I also get how freaking angry young black men must have been (and still are) at the built-in racism in the American system. However, I do (like many) find the glorification of violence and the misogyny harsh and not appropriate to this era. The anger? Fuck hell yes. As for the music and flow... absolutely tight. Also, I was delighted to learn how much these guys gave back to the community over the years.

My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello
Apr 29 2026

There's proto-punk albums, and then there's proto-pop-punk albums. This is the latter. And I'm not a fan of pop-punk. I do like Watching the Detectives, but I'm a sucker for anything of that era that borrowed from the Jamaican dub aesthetic.

So by Peter Gabriel
May 01 2026
Young Americans by David Bowie
May 04 2026

This album was so ahead of its' time. Namely: the overuse of saxamaphones that occurred in the 80s. :-).... Honestly pretty low on the Bowie list to my ears.

OK Computer by Radiohead
May 05 2026

Obviously one of the best alt-rock albums of the mid-90s. It's just so coherent and sonically fabulous. Hell, I bought a Boss PS-2 just so I could do that delay screech with the rolled-off low end that's heard at the end of Karma Police.

good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
May 08 2026

Obviously Lamar is better than Drake. Not into this genre, but really enjoyed this one. Also Money Trees has 2.2 freaking billion listens on Spotify. Even at 1cent per listen that's.... a lot of money.

Amnesiac by Radiohead
May 11 2026

RADIOHEAD ARE SUCH SUPER FUN!!! (also, as usual, it sounds great)

All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
May 12 2026

Obviously George is the coolest Beatle. I really must get a copy of this on vinyl. Who knew that Harrison recorded the very first Flaming Lips song. (Wah Wah!!!!!)

The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers
May 14 2026

Don't get me wrong, I do like over the top theatrical rock (read; Bauhaus and Hedwig). But for some reason this just rubs me the wrong way. And that's ok.

A Date With The Everly Brothers by The Everly Brothers
May 15 2026

So hey basically Hank Williams for the suburbanites. Enjoyed it though. Also... the original of Love Hurts! Hahahaha I'm going to have the Nazareth version in my head for days.

Moondance by Van Morrison
May 18 2026

Mom loves Van Morrison and she used to play this album when I was a kid, so it has sentimental value. Pretty good orchestration and songwriting all round.

May 22 2026

Frank's voice is obviously fantastic, and the orchestration good. But if you're at all familiar with actual Latin jazz, this album is pretty cheese.

With The Beatles by Beatles
May 26 2026

Well that was.... cute? They were obviously enamored with rock and roll at the time, and who can blame them. But I prefer the later Beatles when they got all weird and creative.

May 28 2026

Shitballs this fucking rocks!! I wasn't expecting just how metal some of the riffs are. Freddie's voice is of course absolute perfection. However, I don't know why May isn't more often noted as a guitar god these days, because he most certainly is. Also the mofo has a freaking PhD in physics. How cool is that?

evermore by Taylor Swift
May 29 2026

This is a tough one. She's obviously talented, and it's impeccably produced (as one would expect with that amount of moolah going behind this). And as far as I understand it this is a transitional album from the country stuff to the more pop stuff. Cool cool. But it's so fucking... calculated. Empty. She knows her history. There's obvious nods to Joni, Tori, Jewel, the Chicks, etc etc, but it's almost like TS and her writers sat down and thought "how can we blend all of this together and commodify the fuck out of it?". Also: "how can I proclaim to the world that I'm really a serious artist?". After I brought up the comparison to Jewel (can't remember the song), my wife proclaimed "this woman owes Jewel a yacht". :-)

The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
Jun 02 2026

This was the second album I ever bought with my own money. I think I heard Bigmouth on CFNY, which clinched the deal. A lot of lawn mowing went into this. Still own the wax. And ya know what? It's still great. Morrissey the twat can get fucked. But to this day I cannot for the life of me figure out what the hell Marr did on those jangly guitars. It's like he listened to Chet Atkins and thought 'fuck I can make this alternative'. I still to this day can't play half the licks on this album, but that may say more about my shite guitar skills. Anyhow, nostalgia alone makes this five stars. I have a fantasy about doing Smiths karaoke, which would be worst case scenario for all involved.

Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
Jun 03 2026

Huh two Smiths albums in a row! I could figure out the probability of this but I'm too lazy. This one is interesting given that I didn't really listen to it as a kid, given that all these songs are new to my ears. It's certainly their first album, and it's certainly from 1985. Not nearly as good as Hatful of Hollow, but I do usually give some grace to the first album a band puts out. Most interesting track was What She Said, of only for the fact that Marr was thiiiiiiis close to nailing Shield's sound on Isn't Anything, but three years before the MBV album. Pretty cool.

Jun 04 2026

This is how I like my hip hop. Funky and political as fuck. This is such a classic, and I don't understand why there's (relatively) so few listens on Spotify.

You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen
Jun 08 2026

I listened to my CD copy on my monitors. And then I immediately re-listened to it on my headphones. Purely amazing in production, scope, and (most importantly) depth. The title track is, IMHO, one of the best songs the man has ever recorded. Leonard is a national treasure, and he is missed.

Jun 10 2026

I some missed listening to these guys back in the day. Really freaking cool... kinda like a proto-Pavement mixed with other good-shit elements from the 80s (Devo? The Fall?).

Endtroducing..... by DJ Shadow
Jun 11 2026

The album that showed us all that one can make true art with an Akai MPC sampler. Obviously five stars.

Yank Crime by Drive Like Jehu
Jun 12 2026

I'm not normally into screamy-McScreamy stuff, but this was absolutely brilliant. Post-hardcore? Proto-emo? I don't care. Five stars.

The Band by The Band
Jun 15 2026

It's absolutely hilarious that Americana was (mostly) started by a bunch of canucks. One of them indigenous, no less! Everyone should watch the Once Were Brothers documentary, BTW.

Live At The Regal by B.B. King
Jun 16 2026

Wait big band with BB King? Frikkin cool

In It For The Money by Supergrass
Jun 19 2026

Huh. After already hearing their first album, I was not looking forward to this. Is there an award for 'most improved in britpop'? They definitely matured from the (IMHO) juvenile first album to this one. Interesting arrangements, and it's not 100% britpop-y. There's even a hint of Spiritualized in there (especially the penultimate track). Not too shabby.

Guero by Beck
Jun 22 2026

I actually enjoyed this, tho I'm not a huge fan o Beck. Certainly better than the first album.

Jun 24 2026

This poor wanker. From the first track I thought I was going to strongly dislike this, but I did get caught up in the story. Which is one way to look at this: an audiobook that happens to be set to music. Interestingly, this follows a certain tradition in UK music: the 'let's talk over some music' kind of storytelling. Think Captain Sensible and the ever silly Toast song.

Space Ritual by Hawkwind
Jun 25 2026

Whelp apparently for most of my life I've been ripping of Hawkwind riffs via ripping off Spacemen 3 riffs. Who knew? (certainly not I) The guitar work fucking rips. Right up my alley. Tho the vocals/lyrics, which is common for psychrock, are absolutely ridiculous. To counter that, boobies on the cover is always a bonus. Now I just need to find a psychedelic substance that lasts 2h 13min.

Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
Jun 26 2026

Shit that was fun. +1 for the Manitoba mention.

Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division
Jun 29 2026

A classic post-punk album that is unto itself. The soundscape is as visceral as Ian's lamenting vocals.

Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Jun 30 2026

Jah love!!!!

Jul 01 2026

I never really liked the Happy Mondays... they weren't as psych (obvs) as other brit bands that I was into at the time (Ride, SM3, etc.), but also not house-y enough to be fully rave music (which I also adored at the time). So somewhat in-between, but without a synergistic strength. Much like how tech house is the weakest parts of techno and house put together. At least to my ear. So this was better than I was expecting, but still somewhat lacking.

Ill Communication by Beastie Boys
Jul 06 2026

I like this when it came out... but dayuuuuum love this now.

Whatever by Aimee Mann
Jul 09 2026

Not in the very least my bag. This is the first album that I couldn't even get through an entire song. She has a good voice tho, so two stars.

Highly Evolved by The Vines
Jul 10 2026

So like the Strokes, Nirvana, and Suede had an orgy and made the Vines. Fun, but not a lot of depth here.

Jul 14 2026

My goodness how did I miss this one back in the day? It's absolutely lovely.

Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen
Jul 17 2026

Is this the best Springsteen album? (that I've heard so far, that is) Why yes, yes it is.

This Is Fats Domino by Fats Domino
Jul 20 2026

See this is why I love this whole exercise. Would I otherwise have ever listened to a Fats Domino album in its' entirety? Absolutely not.

Fear Of Music by Talking Heads
Jul 21 2026

So Jim hates disco, but loves the Talking Heads. This is, fundamentally, a disco album. Ergo, Jim loves disco.

Copper Blue by Sugar
Jul 22 2026

All hail Bob Mold. This guy should be a (more popular) icon. Yet somehow he is not, which befuddles me. I don't think I've ever listened to this album, and I was surprised just how many of the tracks I've previously heard. A superb rock album from the early 90s.

Meat Puppets II by Meat Puppets
Jul 23 2026

Quirky and cool. Sounds so fresh for '84!

Wordsmith

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