Growing up as a child in the 80s, I think Purple Rain was too sophisticated for me to appreciate. I certainly enjoyed listening to it now as a seasoned 47yr old. And it made me wonder what it would have been like to be a teen in the 80s instead of a kid.
Of course, When Doves Cry is amazing but the standout today for me was Baby I’m a Star.
01-08-2026
Meh. I didn’t dislike this as much as I thought I would but I didn’t like it either. While I enjoy Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, I never really got into Neil Young. His voice is a bit too whiny for me and the music all blends together. Nothing for my ears to hold onto.
Standout song: Walk On.
01-09-2026
My puzzle nook, The Tree of Life 500pc
Can’t do it. I detest this music. I tried but I just can’t.
01-10-2026
Hell yeah. Now we’re talking! Brought me back to my southern roots as a kid growing up in burgeoning Norcross, GA. Good fuckin times.
Enjoyed and appreciated the entire album. Hard to pick a standout song but I’ll go with “Things Goin’ On” - the piano and bass guitar got me good.
Makes me feel sorry for anyone who didn’t spend a decent amount of time in the south. Gotta live it to really get it.
01-10-2026
Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood, but I did not like this album as much as I thought I would. I am tired and it’s a super yucky cold rainy day.
Anyway, although this was only 39 minutes it felt a lot longer and I couldn’t really get into it.
Standout song: Heart of Glass - sure, I e heard it heaps before but it’s a gem. The rest? Meh.
01-11-2026
Fun! I cranked out a quick & dirty workout this afternoon listening to it and it helped keep me pumped.
I won’t lie, the songs started to run together for me but of course the ones I already knew stood out more. I actually enjoyed this more than expected but I will give some credit to the endorphins from working out. Not sure I would listen to this in entirety again. Just a select song or two is enough for me.
Standout song: Pretty Vacant
01-12-2026
Good shit. It’s a classic for a reason. Heard some news songs and liked them all. Could listen to on repeat easily.
Not much to say… great voices, great lyrics, all well done. Made me feel comfy and warm.
Standout song: 49 Bye-Byes
01-13-2026
Well this was fucking fun! I am embarrassed to admit I had never heard of this band… but based on the year and album cover art, I was pretty sure I’d like it. And it surpassed expectations by far!
Definitely got some Rocky Horror Picture show vibes… it’s that fun intersection of rock and drama and performance and all that jazz. Loved the energy, mix of instrumentation and immediate catchiness of nearly all the songs. Super hard to pick just one… so I will allow two this time!
Standout: Gang Bang and The Last of the Teenage Idols (although I think the latter is probably their popular song, I’d never heard it so I’m allowed to pick!)
01-14-2026
Honestly, I don’t have a lot to say except I was excited when this album popped up next but disappointed when I listened to it. It wasn’t bad or anything, it just felt underwhelming. And I like U2. Or thought I did. I’ve listened to most of the albums at least twice up to this point but I don’t want to re-listen to this. Meh.
Standout: “40”
01-15-2026
Nope. I got seconds into the first two songs before I had to skip them. I know the song Southern Man and I didn’t hate that because it’s not just Neil singing. I cannot stand his voice alone. It is awful. Truly terrible. Whiny, abrasive, pathetic. I can see why people like certain music, artists, bands, etc. but I have never understood his popularity. When I hear him sing it makes me want to punch something - preferably his face to shut him up. I wish I could leave negative stars as a review.
01-16-2026
Awesome sauce! This is what I was hoping would happen with this journey - I’d find an album/artist I didn’t know and end up being a new fan. And that is exactly what happened with T. Rex’s The Slider and T. Rex the band. I’m sure there are many influences for them and I won’t try to list them but I loved it all and will definitely add to my rotation!
Hard to pick a fave and of course the song The Slider was excellent. But I’ll go with:
Standout: Chariot Choogle
01-17-2026
Hell yeah fuck yeah all the yeahs!! So damn good!! I wish I could rate this with MORE stars - it's that amazing. Decades later, it still stands the test of time and then some. And while I like to pick a "standout" song that isn't the most popular, it is really really difficult to not choose Panama City. I mean, come on, who doesn't rock the fuck out to that? And Sweet Child of Mine? CLASSIC. Anyway, I obviously loved this and these guys were absolute kings of their day - talented, passionate and life-changing.
Standout (that is not Panama City or Sweet Child of Mine or Welcome to the Jungle): Rocket Queen :)
Yep, still good. I didn’t know about the references to biblical text or questions about them being a Christian band until only a few years ago and it actually made me like them more. I like the “open to expression” style of lyrics and their use of music to explore their own beliefs. Anyway, besides the deep shut, it’s a really fun album and one I would happily listen to on repeat. I bet they would be a fun band to see live. Of course All These Things That I’ve Done is amazing and technically probably my favorite, I have to pick something different for…
Standout: Andy You’re a Star or Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll. Brandon’s voice is so damn good.
Meh. I don't have much to say. I thought I really liked Rod Stewart and maybe this just wasn't his best album. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood. I found myself spacing out instead of listening and I didn't want to try a second time. Oh well. They can't all be winners.
Standout (not trying to pick something "cool" because I didn't really listen): Maggie May
01-20-2026
Embarrassing to admit I haven’t listened to Duke Ellington before… but now I have and will listen more! Loved it. I can’t speak with any savvy about jazz & blues so I’ll just say this was excellent and made my brain happy. Oh, and I thought I was more of a brass fan but on this album, I found the clarinet solos the most satisfying.
Standout: Festival Junction (for the clarinet of course!)
01-21-2026
Very difficult to get into. Not sure I was in the right headspace but I found Costello’s voice to be very grating. The music was silly but also uninteresting. Soft pass.
No standouts. It all blurred together.
Phenomenal. Debut albums like this are difficult to put in words. I thought I was blown away by Guns N Roses’ Appetite for Destruction but this is on another planet. Rock, blues and more. Robert Plant’s voice. All of the instrumentation from guitar to drums to harmonica! The heart & soul in it all. Just wow.
Blah. Not a fan. I tried. I don’t like his voice. The music is dumb. I didn’t turn it off immediately though so I guess that’s something.
01-24-2026
I had never heard of this artist before and was pretty excited to listen! Overall, it was just OK and although it started strong, it all started to run together about halfway through. I didn't hate and would probably listen to a few songs here and there, but not the entire album again. And it wasn't enough for me to do any research to learn more about them, which I tend to do when I find something new I like. So, just, ya know, OK!
Standout: "I'd Like That"
01-25-2026
To be honest, I did not really hear this one. I listened to it while working on a puzzle (like I have done with every other album), but it was completely in the background. I only noticed it was over when another band started. So, I can't say I liked or disliked. It was literally not on my mind.
Standout: Sultans of Swing - only because I know it and it's the only song that I actually heard & noticed.
01-26-2026
Well, I might be a bit speechless. Admittedly, never heard of Gillian Welch before and was not really expecting much. Also, I started listening to this album at a terrible time - at end of work day with a frazzled brain so initially I was not pleased… but then I took a few minutes, got my head on straight and tried again. SO GLAD I DID. This is magical. I don’t know what else to say. It’s completely taken over my brain and heart. I’m on third round of listening and it’s getting better and better - how is that possible? I will be adding this to my collection immediately. Love love love. Thank you thank you thank you. This is why we have music in the world.
Standouts (because impossible to pick one!): Red Clay Halo, I Want to Sing that Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley Blues
01-27-2026
It’s BB King! What can I possibly say that hasn’t already been said. He’s amazing. This is fun and although I don’t seek out this music, I always enjoy when I hear it. Good times all around. Makes me wish I could travel back in time to frequent a cool dive bar and see him live.
Can’t pick a standout.
01-28-2026
I’m not really a fan of Hole, but I went in open-minded and I didn’t hate it! So, there’s that. I don’t know what else to say except I find the music unremarkable and not sure why it’s on this list. Oh well.
Standout: Reasons to be Beautiful
01-29-2026
Funnily enough, when this popped I realized that I'd never actually listened to an entire album of Bob Dylan! And I like his stuff, so this was a real pleasure. So enjoyable that I listened to it a couple of times back-to-back :)
Like my review for BB King, I'm not sure I can add anything substantial that hasn't already been said... For me, the voice, vibe and talent hits the mark. This will be one to add to my vinyl collection!
Standout: Visions of Johanna
01-30-2026
I don't know... I finished the album but not sure I really heard it. I like a lot of David Bowie songs, but this album was just white noise in the background. I should have tried again but I didn't. Maybe another time.
Standout: N/A - I wasn't engaged by any of it.
01-31-2026
Intellectually, I appreciate grunge and this movement in music, it’s not my cup of tea. But I really tried and I listened to most of the album.
Standout: Rooster (because I already knew it and it’s actually a decent song)
02-01-2026
Heck yeah! This was my jam! I had never listened to this album of Beck's (have always been a fan of his though) and it slapped! Really made my day. His creativity, the funky beats and just overall fun was a delight. Will be a staple in my collection for sure!
Standouts: Que Onda Guero and Broken Drum
02-02-2026
Not too shabby. I've never listened to an album of theirs and I enjoyed driving around running errands with this on in the background. I probably won't seek it out but if it happens to come on, I won't turn it off. How's that for a review?
Standout (that's not Bloody Well Right): Dreamer
02-04-2026
I tried! But it’s not my jam. My brain doesn’t like this yelling hard stuff. I lik Henry Rollins as a person - he’s a smart, interesting guy - but the music just ain’t it.
02-05-2026
Amazing. What an absolute legend. Love, love, love the live element - chatting, joking with the inmates. His voice. His storytelling. It's all near perfection.
Can't pick a favorite! I listened to this a few times back-to-back and it's now in my collection. Thank you, Mr. Cash for gracing us with your brilliance.
Meh. Didn't finish. It started off OK but I got annoyed about halfway through. It felt whiny/need or something like that.
Nope. Thought I was a fan of The Doors, but this album was not the one. I found it annoying. Also, it felt like they were trying too hard and amateurish? Not sure that's the correct verbiage but the point is that it was less than impressive.
No standouts.
02-08-2026
Nope. Except for Son of a Preacher Man. Otherwise, this is a big fat no.
02-09-2026
Absolutely not. The sounds made my brain want to stab and murder. Awful.
Good just too long. I like the style and ambient vibe. But I skipped through songs at the end as I was getting bored.
No standouts. They sounded very similar to me.
02-12-2026
Awesome. Love these guys, minus Neil Young. His whiny voice is terrible.
02-13-2026
Classic, fun, good times.
02-30-2026
I didn’t get past the first song. I don’t care if the music is “good” - the politics of it is immature and tired.
02-22-2026
Very cool. Hadn’t listened to much Primal Scream before… of course I knew the track Trainspotting, and love it. The rest of album was very pleasant surprise and I really enjoyed it in the background as I worked & did brain games.
02-25-2026
I love George Michael. This album is a classic.
Per my previous review - I LOVE George Michael and this album has a very special place in my heart. And come on, how can you not love this man’s voice??
Great covers. Love his voice.
Not really my jam. One or two songs are OK at at time but the entire album was too much.
F yeah! David Lee Roth Van Halen is the best Van Halen. This is 80s rock at its finest. David’s voice, Eddie on guitar and Alex on drums?! Insanely good.
