This is really different and interesting. This isn’t my typical listen. Obviously after Stranger Things, I’m familiar with the opening song. The 80s pop sound that follows on the first half is really interesting. There are some nice slower songs too. But the second half has some wild swings. It’s very out there and not as easy a listen as the more pop centric stuff. Some is great. Love the closing track. It’s really interesting. Tentatively a 3/5 because I just don’t connect to the middling stuff. Maybe a 3.5. 80s synth pop is never something I explored much of, but always find myself actually enjoying some of the sound of this genre whenever I come across it. The title track I think is actually better than Running Up That Hill. It’s so infused with pop energy.
Definitely liking the folk rock sound on the first half of the album. It gets a little “samey” on the first side but it’s a coherent sound through all the songs. Never realized that Neil Young was a precursor to grunge like this. Back half of this album has some harder rock songs and definitely hear how this was influential to grunge. Sedan Delivery particularly. The hard rock version of Hey Hey My My too has that sound. Interesting stuff. Not sure it’s something that would hit my rotation but overall some really good folk rock songs and rock and an album with two distinct sides of the album. Probably a solid 3/5, 7/10 type of album.
Appreciate when an album has a defined sound which this certainly does. That jazzy backing band gives it a fun energy. Was expecting more folky, as that’s my only prior experience with Joni Mitchell. Help Me and Free Man in Paris are probably my two favorite songs. Raised on Robbery is super fun and has that dated fusion 70s sound. Feels like it would come on at a boomer BBQ and get the old folks moving. Don’t dislike anything but not sure I would choose to listen much of this again. Her voice is nice, but the way she sings isn’t always my favorite. Seems like a solid 3/5, 6.5/10.
Certainly a different listen for me as I’ve never fully explored 80s New Wave. Seems hard to fully appreciate without the context of the time in music. But I’m giving it an honest listen, and a lot of that sound just isn’t for me…but it’s still really fun at times. The overly 80s sound just is very dated. The less poppy sounding stuff is somehow maybe better? I like Lonely in Your Nightmare. Alright I lied, some of this is really fun. I view this as pop, not really a “rock” sound. But is it catchy. Hungry Like the Wolf sounds like every 80s music background soundtrack…in a good way? Overall, a fun listen at times, but not necessarily a sound I would regularly return to. I was pretty bored and over it after a few songs. It’s on the border of a 2-3/5 for me. Certainly a snapshot in time. Feels like you can play this and say: this is what the 80s sounded like to a lot of people. Not necessarily bad things, but not sure it’s necessarily a vital listen as an entire album.
First album I’m familiar with and have listened to prior to starting this. This is generally more my speed. Haven’t listened to this in a number of years and it still holds up. Just a great late 60s psychedelic sound. Some great songwriting. First half is just great song after great song. As good as the best of the Kinks, Beatles, Beach Boys of this era. Harmonies and full sound. Needs to be heard with headphones on. Am I nuts or is this a perfect album. I’ve always been a fan of that late 60s baroque sound and this is as good as that gets. Probably a 5 for me. Was a great re-listen.
Another album I’m familiar with. Haven’t listened to it front to back in a while though. Kind of the quintessential classic rock album. That hard rock sound that Zeppelin helped define, with some of their biggest songs. Arguably Led Zeppelin’s greatest album. It’s filled with great songs. Stairway to Heaven never gets old. Love there’s still an element of that lighter folk-ish sound with Battle of Evermore and Going to California. A really great classic rock album. One of my favorites and an easy re-listen. 5/5
Haven’t listened to this album since years ago in college when I was exploring different genres of rock music. This is filled with well known songs that are all huge classic rock hits. Overall, that 80s heavy metal/hard rock isn’t my favorite but plenty of it is catchy. This seems better than a lot of other 80s rock. Some of still rocks and holds up. Kinda album where I love some of the songs, but then don’t like the deeper cuts. It all really rocks out and is really fun at times, but wish it was shorter. By the time You’re Crazy rolls around you feel like this should be the closer. It’s probably a solid 3, maybe can push to a 3.5/4, not sure. Just not my kind of rock really anymore.
Don’t know if I’ve ever listened to this front to back but it’s so good. Wouldn’t call punk rock my favorite genre, but it’s so fun. This album has a distinct sound and is just great. It never overstays its welcome. It’s 35 minutes with 2-3 minute songs that just rock. Best way to describe an album like this is it just rocks out. Love the sound of the guitar in this. So simple in a good way. Way better than the 80s metal sound that comes later than this. Also, with headphones you hear that bass line through every song and it gives it such a great sound. Am I going to choose to put this on very often? Probably not, based on personal tastes. Is it a great album? Certainly. If you told me to put something on that rocks out, this is on the list of what I might throw on. Lyrically it’s so simple. In your face political and anti establishment but not sounding overly angry. Hard to explain, but that’s part of why it works. It feels real. And it’s catchy. Stuck between a 4 and a 5, think I’ll go up.
Never really explored Nine Inch Nails before. Was aware of them(him? Is it just Trent Reznor?) and probably know some of the well known songs, but otherwise not really so this will be an interesting listen.
This isn’t my favorite sound. Maybe 12 year old me in 2001 would’ve found this more interesting? It sounds like the music playing at a seedy club where bad guys are about to get shot by the anti hero in a 90s action movie. I don’t think I’m personally angry enough right now to even remotely enjoy this. It’s giving me anxiety. When I got to Closer I realized hey I know this one. So far it’s the only thing I’ve somewhat enjoyed on the album. But still, this guy jeez he’s angry. I listen to my albums in the morning and this is too much. Taking a break.
Everytime I get to something that sounds interesting and I think I’m going to like, I just end up not liking what comes next. This is probably going to be a 1, unless something near the end changes my mind. I got to the song title I Do Not Want This and I couldn’t agree more. Overall, I understand some of the talent involved and he’s clearly great at putting together this sound by himself, but it’s not for me. It’s angst and stuck in a specific time that I’m mentally now where near right now. There’s nothing here I would choose to listen to on my own again. Maybe there’s a few songs that are okay, but still it’s overall just not for me and a drag to listen to for me. Overall a 1/5, but I’m sure there’s people who love this.
First album from an artist I’m completely unfamiliar with. I have heard the name, don’t think I know anything by her.
To start off it’s rock heavy. Sound is kinda timeless rock. Could be late 70s or late 90s. Good Fortune is great. Enjoying it through the first half. Her voice has a great sound for rock music. Wow this gets really interesting. The Thom Yorke song is great. You Said Something is fantastic. Loving a lot of these songs. Kamikaze sounds like 90s grunge. For a first listen to an artist I’ve never heard before, I’m really enjoying this. Horses in My Dreams is probably my least favorite song here. A good album needs a re-listen and I think I’ll give this a re listen. This is feeling like a solid 4.
Wishes it was a song or two shorter here on re-listen, but think I’ll stick with a 4. Really like it.
Never heard of The Screaming Trees, so this is another first time listen.
Enjoying it through the first songs. It has a nice hard rock 90s sound. It doesn’t sound grunge as the big bands of the era, so doesn’t fully fit that label. Isn’t stuck in an era. This is good rock music but also doesn't seem like anything remarkable or special here. But that’s okay, sometimes it’s enjoyable to listen to a solid non offensive rock album. Some keys on songs and backing vocals gives it a nice full sound. I could easily see myself throwing this on or enjoying some of these songs in a rock playlist.
Growing on me more as the album goes. Was expecting more a harder sound early and it’s way more melodic. Witness is the first song I don’t really care for. I like the sound that has more of that 60s influence. Traveler is one. After listening to the whole thing, definitely don’t see this as grunge. It’s hard rock influenced by 60s classic rock. A nice sound. Seems like a perfectly fine 3/5 for me.
Never heard of them and no idea what this is going to be. Let’s jump in.
First track is….noise? Funny, it sounds way more recent than 1973, like a sound that would’ve came way later. Didn’t think I was enjoying the long opening track but by the end thought it was okay and at least interesting. My main thoughts while listening to this album in general are huh this is interesting followed immediately by I don’t think I like this.
Jennifer is kind of amazing. If you told me this song was from an indie band from Brooklyn in 2013, I wouldn’t have questioned it. What a vibe this song has until that crazy instrumental two minute outro.
It’s kinda crazy that every song is like hey this is a fun jam and then two minutes later it’s like just kidding let’s hit you with some crazy noise. Hey what if half way through we just hit you with a sax solo. It all feels jazz and jam band influenced. You never know where a track is going to go. I don’t know if this is all good or not, but it’s certainly interesting. Would feel mean to give something so original a low rating, but not sure it all works for me. I think I’ll settle on a 2, because I agree this is an album you should experience, but not sure I will ever choose to experience it as a whole again. But I would absolutely put Jennifer on. Really enjoyed that song.
Janis Joplin! Haven’t listened to a full Janis album in a long time.
Such a distinct voice and that fun blues rock band behind her. Love the organ sound that accompanies a lot of it. This is legitimately such a fun listen. It’s just a great vibe. With a hint of sadness behind it all somehow, maybe knowing now how her life was cut short after recording these songs.
Move Over and Cry Baby is just a great one two punch to start the album. Two songs that perfectly highlight Janis vocals. Half Moon is as fun as a song gets.
Me And Bobby McGee is the standout song here and kinda comes out of nowhere on the second half of the album with a slower acoustic sound to begin it. It’s an all time classic song. It’s a great album overall. Last half of the album seems kinda sadder somehow. And a more focused blues sound. Overall this is a great album. Was thinking it was a 4 while listening, but seems like may be a 5 now that it’s done. Janis Joplin’s voice is so distinct and the backing band here is just great.
This is an album I’m randomly really familiar with. Was recommended this as a great guitar sound when I was in college and spent a lot of time listening to it. The funk sound with late 60s psychedelic rock guitars is a fantastic one. Excited to give it a proper re-listen.
Forgot about the feeling you get when that guitar hits a minute in on Maggot Brain to open the album. An all time guitar solo and guitar track.
It’s fun and gets real funky right after that opener. Funk rock is great. It’s just fun and Hazel’s guitar solos add something else entirely. A Hendrix inspired 60s sound to a lot of it. First half is all just great funky rock. Everything is catchy.
Super Stupid opens up that back half and it’s more of a rocker to me. This whole album has a full sound. Hazel’s guitar sound dominates the track. Might be the best song on the album. An amazing rock song. Amazing guitar solo.
A nice concept to just open and close with 10 minute mostly instrumental songs that are completely different from each other. Wars of Armageddon is just an out there jam. A jazz inspired full of energy 9 minute jam. It’s a little too long for the closer but is a fun end cap, maybe should’ve ended it before some of the fart noises come in.
This is probably a 5. As good of an album out there and something you’d want to put on when in the mood for an early 70s funk rock sound with some killer guitars. 35 minute albums are perfect length.
It’s like the generator read my review from yesterday praising 35 minute albums and wanted to test me today.
Heard of this band because I think some of their music was in a movie or show I watched years ago, but completely unfamiliar with their sound so this will be a brand new listen. Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou! Right in their Wikipedia page. I do like the sound of this Life Aquatic song.
Early on in the album and I think I’m going to like plenty of this sound, but maybe not 71 minutes worth of it.
This seems influential to the sound of some indie music that came later. Very much atmospheric and spacey. It’s a nice sound, but overall feels more like something I would throw on in the background. There’s nothing I particularly dislike here, but overall the long songs are something I’m less likely to re-listen to. It feels like every song also has a moment where it becomes something else to transition into the following track. That being said, there is a real nice sound to a lot of this. Even if it’s not all entirely for me. I think there’s a stretch of a songs toward the end of the album that I really enjoyed so think I’ll settle on a 3. (Tracks 8 and 9, didn’t like the closer). This feels like the album when you’re in the mood for, it would be great. But I don’t think I would often be in the mood for it. If I need to focus and get some work done, this might be a perfect sound to have on. It’s somehow both original and forgettable.
My second Zeppelin album on this list and one I’m familiar with from years ago, but haven’t listened front to back in a long time.
Filled with so many great now classic rock songs. Such a defined sound for a band to have for a debut album. Great guitar solos, great vocals. Kick ass drumming and bass play. What else could you want in a classic rock sound. Definitely one of the greatest rock albums of all time, especially influential in so much that came later, and only Zeppelin’s first album of a string of greats. Love the Blues sound mixed with their energetic hard rock. It’s great. It doesn’t have some of that whimsical folk acoustic Tolkien inspired sound you hear on some later albums, but this really doesn’t need anything like that.
There’s really nothing bad here. An easy 5 for me on re-listen. And makes you just want to listen to more Led Zeppelin.
Album and artist I’m unfamiliar with so this is a first time listen.
This is okay. Kinda enjoying it but nothing is blowing me away. It’s punk inspired with a slower and more early 80s sound. Through the first half of the album, my main thought was this is fine. Nothing here sounds particularly remarkable, but certainly sounds like early 80s British rock music. I was hoping it would get a little more fun, but never really gets there on the second half either. It’s hard to tell if this is influential to the later sound, or if this is a beginning sound for a band that gets better, because so unfamiliar with this band and generally the genre. But that being said, on its own it doesn’t wow me. I think I would be stretching to give it higher than a 2.
One of the few Springsteen albums I think I’ve actually listened to as a whole, excited to give it a proper listen again as it’s been a long time.
Springsteen is great because the serious lyrics behind his songwriting here are accompanied by the most mainstream pop inspired rock and roll music. It’s filled with hits and great songs but the sound is very “dad rock” at times. But it’s all very good. You get these deep great tracks on the first side like Cover Me and Downbound Train and I’m On Fire. That more serious sound is Springsteen at his best. Like No Surrender is the perfect example. It sounds like a pop song but the story being told through the lyrics is so great.
As a whole it’s really good. You get to the second half and it’s just well known classics like Glory Days and Dancing in the Dark. But something about that overly 80s pop sound behind a lot of the songs makes me like it a bit less. I’ve been giving a lot of 5s, this might be a notch below at a high 4, but it’s hard to argue against a 5. It’s all so catchy and the storytelling really elevates it all. Seems like would be a very easy re-listen.
Something different. When I explored way more hip hop back in college for a while, this came across my radar but don’t remember it except for Killing Me Softly, so excited for a re-listen.
Always liked that old school 90s hip hop sound like this. Ready Or Not is the first song I recognized again and it’s great. Love the sound of this style of hip hop. A simple beat, a great hook or chorus, some great production. All simple but elevated somehow, with one song going seamlessly into the next. This is all so good. Fu-Gee-La is awesome.
Just a really fun easy listen. Not always or often in the mood for this kind of music, but I almost always enjoy it when I do listen to it and this is about as good as that old school hip hop gets. Overall, album feels a song or two too long? But nothing bad here, so hard to complain. Not sure it’s an album that would regularly enter my rotation and I gotta stop giving 5s too lightly. This feels like a solid 4.
Only know T Rex from Bang a Gong that would hear on classic rock radio/playlists over the years. So this will be a brand new listen.
It has a fun classic rock sound. All stuff you can move to. Love the Bowie-esque sound on a lot of it. Some of it has a bit of a silliness about it. But even the parts I don’t like as much are still a super fun listen. An album with a defined sound throughout. Really good. Something I would love to listen to again. Without being entirely wowed like this is a new classic. Very comfortable 4/5.
Never heard of this band or album. Another first time listen outside of my normal style of music.
Don’t hear anything special about this through the first songs? It’s clearly punk but not that early fun late 70s punk. It sounds more 90s/2000s obviously, but still not fully the catchy style of pop punk that would emerge. It seems to alternate between something I’m kinda enjoying and something that I don’t like. I particularly don’t like his voice. There are some songs that rock a little more and get to a more fun point. And some of the horns are fun. (Is this Ska? I never really knew what ska was). But overall there’s a very generic sound to this that doesn’t stand out. I would probably never choose to listen to anything on this album ever again and will forget it in a day or two. I’m sure there are plenty of people who like this music, just doesn’t do it for me at all. Especially this guy’s voice. Something I don’t like.
Wavering between a 1 or 2, but it also overstays its welcome so probably going down. One thing is I fully reject the notion that this is some sort of must listen album. Even others I didn’t enjoy had a special ness to them that this doesn’t have. 1/5
This is from 2018 and I have no idea what it is and never heard of it. So another first timer.
It starts as weird dance electronica, okay. Pretty early on, I get some MGMT vibes, and it’s pretty good. Synth heavy throughout the album. Very 2010s indie rock sound. It’s kinda psychedelic at times. These long synth openings lead into some good rock music. Nothing blows you away, but I like a lot of the sound. Sometimes it does seem to get a little repetitive and certain songs feel to drag longer than they should. That being said, a lot of fun indie music here. Kinda that spacey vibe with the synths but surprisingly rocks at times too randomly.
This feels like a solid 3, and something I may choose to revisit again. The compositions of a lot of the longer songs lead them to be less catchy than they could be, as they seem to meander a little and create more of a vibe. And sometimes that vibe really works.
Only know Peter Gabriel from his hits so know a few songs here but never listened to an entire album of his.
Such an 80s sound. 80s pop music, mixing between some ballads and more pop heavy songs. Don’t Give Up is a great duet ballad. Nice song. Really don’t like some of that 80s production synth/drum beat sound, but that’s not specific to this album. It’s prominent throughout a lot of this though. The pop hits are fun. Sledgehammer is a funky 80s jam. Overall, not a lot of my favorite sound here. Gabriel had a nice distinctive voice though that helps a bit. And the songs are lyrically deeper on the ballads, making them usually more interesting than the funky pop songs. Unfortunately there’s such a dated sound to a lot of this. But I guess that’s part of its charm 40 years later.
Some catchy pop songs, some nice ballads but overall not my favorite sound. 2/5
An album I listened to years ago but never really stuck with me, so will practically be a brand new listen. I always enjoyed The Who, but they never regularly stayed in my top tier really.
First double album here. A concept album “rock opera.” It’s a really interesting concept and The Who have a great sound. It’s fun to have a story told through a long form musical like this. It very much feels influential to rock musicals that came later, not just albums. Sound wise it’s early British Invasion rock with a harder sound. Almost has the feel of something more recent than 1969. It’s hard to be negative about this because love the concept. Some of the songs are great too, even though it all feels a little long and over done. Does it need a 10 minute underture? But the way it “tells a story” feels very original. Even though lyrically, it’s easy to lose some of the story at times. Pinball Wizard is clearly the standout track here. Christmas, and Go to the Mirror, annd the closing track are probably my two other favorite parts of this. It’s funny, while listening I thought it felt a little too long but by the end I’m like that was fun. It’s great at times. 4 feels too generous? 3 feels too low. I’ll go generous. This feels like an album that should definitely be experienced.
Second Neil Young album here on this list for me. Another new listen, not really familiar with this.
Neil Young has that weird voice that you hate at first and then stats to grow on you. I would never say it’s good, but it conveys the right kind of emotion a lot of the time. This is all pretty solid. Very bluesy rock. Really liking a lot of it as I listen. A tone of real sadness behind every song. Some steel guitar giving a hint of country on some of it.
This is a good listen. The parts I’m really liking make me think may be the version of Neil Young I like the best. Nothing groundbreaking or monumental here but just some good music. Not sure if it’s interesting enough to be a solid 4, but it’s close. Think I’ll settle on a 3.
Heard of Blur, never listened to a Blur album.
Very catchy. Very British. Girls & Boys is repetitive and too long, not a fan of that song. You hear some of that 60s British invasion influence but it’s all more pop-centric. A lot of it is real fun. Kind of prefer when they go heavier into that more 60s sound. End of a Century is great and probably the stand out on the first half of the album. Theres a handful of more 80s pop songs that kinda don’t fit with a lot of the rest of the sound. And also some random harder rock songs that break away from that more 60s influence.
It’s a fun album but seems a bit disconnected at times, all over the place. I think it’s a fair 3. Some of the songs I really enjoyed outweigh some of it I didn’t care for.
Second album from The Clash on this list and one I’m only slightly familiar with from years ago. Excited for a relisten.
Hear such a more complex sound than The Clash album I listened to a few weeks ago. That was just straight up punk. This is like so much more. It’s really amazing the growth from their debut album.
This rocks and is so good. The reggae influenced Rudie Can’t Fail is so damn fun. There’s a classic Rock n Roll behind some of these songs. Fused with punk background. And some of that New Wave sound that developed later. The kind of album that proves that the best music doesn’t conform to one genre. This is just great music.
The first side is great and it’s crazy that the great songs keep coming too. Back end of the album has a gem like The Card Cheat. And ends with Train In Vain, one of their most catchy mainstream songs. I think this is an album I’ve long over looked and never gave a proper listen. But this is probably the best thing I’ve “rediscovered” doing this list so far. Makes me want to go back and give lower ratings to other albums it’s so good. 5/5 and a new favorite that I think I will listen to again soon.
