Strong start for this project with this album. In the 90s, I enjoyed the Just album but didn't follow them into the shift in style they did in OK Computer and then this. I've listened to Radiohead more and more in the last few years, and was pleasantly surprised at how much of the album I already know and how strong it is a cohesive whole.
I knew very little of Stevie Wonder beyond the biggest hits. On this album I had only heard Higher Group via the cover by RHCP. The album builds slower than I expected but the music lulled me in, and then turned into the boppers I expected. Very much enjoyed the album.
AC/DC is one of those bands that feels like I know them well given how much they have played on the radio for the last 5 decades, but other than the title track, this was a new listen for me. I was surprised both at the level of consistency is creating great rock songs, and how many of the songs revolve around 'loving your girl'. Great listen, and excited to see more AC/DC appear on the list.
I had only ever heard the name PJ Harvey, and had no sense going in on what to expect except the cover. I expected femail vocalist over soft rock, but the music was harder and more uptempo than I expected. The rock was energetic and satisfying, and the vocals felt like a wall a sound that mostly worked for me. Curious to know what the rest of PJ Harvey sounds like,
This is one of those cases where I would have appreciated the album more if I had first heard it 20 years ago (or more). I knew the record's two biggest singles, and enjoyed the beats on a number of the other tracks, but the lyrics kept pulling me out of the experience. I've heard other gangsta rap talk about more interesting things than what felt like the thoughts of a very young artist still unsure of what he should focus on.
I was late to the party on Metallica, only falling on my radar after the black album. I didn’t understand why they were so huge until I heard this album first. I love the 80s Metallica, and One is such a special track and video. I immediately smiled when I saw the pick for today was this album I know well. It's certainly not perfect (justice for Jason!), but I love it.
Having this album pop up today was right time right place. It's been a challenging few days, weeks, months, so listening to this emotional album full of joy and sadness, but importantly hope and optimism, was uplifting in the best way possible. I had heard half the album through various singles and loved the rest. Great record.
I know very little of this album beyond The Killing Moon so I was excited to dig in deeper, but in the end this record didn't grab me at all. I was hoping for somber, haunting tracks, but the mood was unpredictable, the guitar was light and felt detached from the rest of the songs, and the vocals seemed worse. Not for me I guess.
I came into this record completely blind, having never heard of the artist. I found a soft, pared back album. Mainly one poet and his guitar, with the occasional music backing, or burst of laughing by the musician(s). It was an interesting record, the kind that would fit best softly playing at night while you are sitting on a dock in summer. I enjoyed!
I had heard of George Clinton before, but my experience with Funk is very limited. The most I know about this subgenre is the skit by Key & Peele where they poke fun at non-sensical lyrics. There is definitely some of that in this album (special callout to track #4 Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo Doo Chasers)). All in all the music had great grooves, but I don't see myself going back to this record often.
This was another cool discovery from an artist I had never heard of before. Music was smooth and complex, and the voice grabbed me throughout. Strong listen and curious to check out more of the works from what appears to be a 40 years career!
First time listening to Elliott Smith, but unlike the other new singer/songwriters I found in this project, he didn't do much for me. The lyrics felt adolescent, the songs faily simplistic. I could not get into the album as I felt 'meh' throughout. Not for me.
I only knew Karma Chameleon from this album as it was everywhere on the radio in the 80s, but beyond that opening track, I was surprised by the excellent music that followed. Boy George has a great singing voice, and the tunes were jazzy and boppy in that 80s synth way. I was pleasantly surprised, but the genre has little appeal for my common tastes today.
One the biggest albums of all time, and one that I knew partially. I was surprised by the quieter parts, which isn't a criticism, but generally it delivered on the legacy of this album. Great record!
Another band that I knew by name only. The first songs pulled me in, they lost me for a few, then it grabbed me again. I enjoyed the bass heavier sound, and the singer was engaging. I think this is an album that needs to be listened to a few times to absorb.
This album appealed to my punk and Celtic tastes, with raw chaotic energy and searing ballads. The type of album you year in a pub late at night and lifts the room with its ballads.
The title track for this record is famous, but I knew very little of the rest of the album, which was a shame as I was missing out. This prog-infused hard rock album is a great listen. I know very little about their catalog beyond this album now and will need to investigate more.
This was a big album for me in my team years. Still raw after the death of Kurt Cobain, this new Dave Grohl band (although he ran solo on this one) hooked me early. I have vivid memories of listening to Exhausted in a dark car with the rain making rivers of light on the windshield, tripping out to the music. I love this band, and even if The Colour is the stronger album, I love their debut album.
It's hard to judge this album considering how little I've listened to R&B, but the singer had a great voice and the songs were relaxing, albeit a little repetitive at times. I suspect I'll have a more critical ear as this project advances and I listen to more examples. I did have some sexy dreams so I think that's one thing I took away from it. :)
This one will require a few more listens for me. The angst and punk sensibilities appealed to me, but the song structures seemed chaotic at times. The lyrics and topics were great, but would have jelled better with an angrier tone. Will definitely need more listening and exploration of their discography.
First repeat artist on this list, but happy to listen to more Wonder. I did not know this album either, except for I Wish and the song that Coolio would eventually cover. This album had a more chaotic energy, with anger, sadness and hope. I really enjoyed it!
I am ashamed to admit that despite knowing the artist's name for decades, I did not know she was primarily a country artist, and had not heard any of her music. She has a great voice, and I liked one or two of the more bluesy songs, but the album didn't appeal to my music tastes.
This album was a disappointment. I was excited by the new name, and seeing that it was a punk band from the mid 90ties, I was hoping for something new to hook into. In the end, the music was too boring and not hooky enough to appeal to my pop-punk tastes, and not hard edge enough to appeal to my punk tastes. I guess there is a reason my punk friend never flagged this band.
First time listening to this album beyond Band on the Run and Jet. It was a good album, entertaining, but like when I listen to John Lennnon, I'd rather be listening to the Beatles. The songs are silly and complex, and Paul is in full stride for his vocals. The song Band on the Run always bugged me as I like the two intros better than the main song, but it remains a strong title track.
I much prefer rocks and folk Neil Young to blues and western Neil Young. He's a great artist, but this album didn't pull me in like some of his other more popular records. An interesting listen nonetheless.
I enjoyed the mix of guitar and piano to back the singer, and I liked his voice, but the lyrics pulled me right out. Overly silly and esoteric.
The music consisted of smooth beats that never did anything to catch my attention or cause a reaction. I would equate this to music you would hear in a coffee shop or bistro in 2008. Good for a background to a party I guess.
Aretha Franklin is an institution, and it was wonderful to listen to a full album the first track RESPECT. Dynamite voice over soulful music.
I rarely think to put on bossa nova when I am listening to music, and what a loss. I recognized The Girl from Ipanema, but the rest matched the soothing sounds and jazzy beats. Stan Getz is a quality saxophonist. Great listen!
First time listening to these pioneers of punk rock, and certainly wish I had listened to them sooner. Great, raw, early 70s punk band that shocked with their music and style. Great listen, looking forward to checking out their other record today!
I finally decided to listen to this album and more of Joy Division a few years back, and definitely felt foolish for having missed out for so long. The music in haunting, sombre and beautiful all at once. I come back to this album often.
Another name I've known for a long time, but I can't believe I passed on it for so long. When I researched the album yesterday and saw the prog tag in the genre, I knew I had made a mistake. The music is chaotic and complex, just the way I like it. The vocals will take some getting used to, but I'm sure I'll be going back to the well with these guys!
I assumed that Bob Dylan would appear on this list sooner or later, and having only really heard the biggest hits, I was looking forward to exploring his discography. Unfortunately, the law and randomness started me here on this mid-90s snooze fest. This felt like mundane, old rocker style rock, and left me disappointed when I really wanted to explore the folk and early electric guitar years. I'm sure that will come up at some point, but for now it's left me wanting.
My first super group, and likely not the last. This delivered exactly what I expected from a CSN album: slower, quieter introspective songs, powerful tri-vocal ballads, and a fusion of rock and folk. Great record!
I'm sure this record deserves a few more listens, but it was wrong suggestion on the wrong day as I couldn’t get into it. I recognize the raw energy of Iggy Pop, the punk rocks was fast and chaotic, and I'm sure it'll be a better listen on another day.
I hated this album. Half the songs as instrumentals could have been great with the synth pop sounds, but the singing was unbearable in the repetitive, over the top 90s dance way.
Interesting post-punk album. The use of synth was mostly excellent, although sometimes distracting. It didn't wow me, but it was a good listen.
I was happy to see this band pop-up on the list. Great album, especially side A with the full-length, 12 minute Papa was a rollin's stone. The rest was also great, groovy, smooth. Great listen.
Listening to my first Tom Waits album felt like reading Infinite Jest for the first time: parts were brilliant and engaging, parts felt confusing, obtuse and a pain to get through, and in the end I don't know I could possible recommend the listen to. I don't see myself ever going back to this, even if I am glad I gave it a listen.
Great synth pop record, with music just as interesting and engaging as the Joy Division years. It is certainly a popier album, especially on the vocals so it feels like this band forever remains in the shadow of what it was before, but still quite enjoyable.
Miles Davis is exactly the kind of jazz that I like best. Smooth ensemble sounds and virtuosity without attacking the ears. Love it, can't wait for the next album in this sub genre.
American Idiot is a fine album, but I still prefer the earlier albums like Dookie and Insomniac.
Unfortunately I had to travel today, so my listen of the album was limited to what I heard over the sound of the rain and the road. I liked to chill atmosphere it gave off, so I'll be circling back to this when I have more time to dedicate myself to it.
Interesting listen, but couldn't grab me. The music was unorthodox and surprising in that indie kind of way, but I found very little to grab me. Not sure I'll go back to this.
Classic double-album from The Clash. I knew most of the record, but it was my first time listening to it end-to-end. It was a perfect backdrop to the hint of spring weather we had today. Classic punk rock with ska elements was a great backdrop for the sun, with a perfect edge to take some of the pain of the news today.
Bridge Over Troubled Water is a beautiful album. Coming in, I expected a quieter album due to the ones I knew already being quiet, but there were livelier numbers along with the softer ones. The power of their voices is undeniable!
Was a little weird returning to this album after so long. I used to listen to Eminem more for the silly lyrics than the hip hop merits, but now 20 years later and having heard much more of the genre, I was surprised at how well the album holds up. Even despite the some of the more questionable material.
Interesting little record. The music was sometimes quite engaging, with haunting sounds, and a guitar/drum mix that grabbed me, but then the next song would lose me over being a little too ethereal. The singing also bounced back and forth between these realities. I'll circle back I'm sure, but this may be a band better consumer with a playlist of the more accessible tracks, at least for me.
Fantastic album by Marvin Gaye. The music and vocals blend together so well for this smooth, soulful record. I want more!
Weird record, and this is coming from the guy who likes prog. I think 2 or 3 of the songs I could see myself adding them to a mix, but can't imagine coming back to this record.
I only knew Tito Puente from his time on The Simpsons. It was a great latin/mambo record. Not something that's likely to call for my attention often, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Great record by ZZ Top. Just solid rock and roll. La Grange reminds me of Guitar Hero and always puts a smile on my face. I need to listen to more from this band beyond the singles!
10/10. Quiet likely still my favourite album of all time. I can't understate how influential this album was on my appreciation and discovery of music, and how I processed my feelings in my later teenage years. It's still a job to listen to.
This was an interesting fusion of reggae with more modern pop and soul. I know little about this genre beyond the heavy weights like Bob Marley or Toots & The Maytals. Not every song hit home for me, but it was a good listen.
Joni Mitchell is an icon, but it was my first time listening to one of her records. What a voice! It can be so soft, but it can soar and pierce and boom when it needs to. Impressive singing voice.
I found this one hard to separate the art from the artist. I despise Kanye West as a personality. I tried to go in without having a bias, and did appreciate both the music and his ability to rap, but the lyrics make this something I didn't like and don't intend to listen to again. Here's hoping this is the only time he appears on this list.
First time with Stereolab. The music was interesting as an indie sound with maybe some prog influence. Singing was sometimes great and sometimes a bit distracting, but interesting overall.
I thought this was pretty interesting. It's got a great wall of sound, indie influences with almost a Radiohead vibe at times. I'll check out more for sure.
I never really got into Blur beyond Song 2. I recognized Girls and Boys, but couldn't get into the album. I find the funky weirdness works way better in Gorillaz than this band.
Fantastic album by Faith No More. I still think King for a Day is my favourite, but can' understate how much I enjoyed discovering the full album. Love Mike Patten, love Tomahawk, Mr. Bungle and Fantomas, but I also go back to Faith No More.
I enjoyed the music but the singers voice was largely grating. I'm ashamed to say that the songs I enjoyed best were the ones I knew from Nirvana's Unplugged in New York album, and even then I was thinking I would rather be listening to that. Definite creativity with this band, but didn't land for me.
Another name that I've known but never paid attention to. I enjoyed the record. Jeff has a great voice and singing technique, and the music matched perfectly.
I have to admit, I had the wrong impression of what The Flaming Lips were in my mind. I had Vaseline in my ears, which is not a great reflection of what this album sounds like. I very much enjoyed it, and will likely start with the later part of their career and work my way back!
First time listening to a Jay-Z album, and I enjoyed the beats. The lyrics didn't grab me.
While I enjoyed listening to Tommy, I couldn't help wanting to listen to other albums like My Generation, Sells Out or Who's Next. The rock opera thing can be grandiose or at times too ethereal for this album.
At first I thought I liked DAMN. better, but as I listened I realized this was a more complicated album that will require multiple listens. The lyrics were powerful, but I was lost on context for large parts of it. The music was engaging, I will be returning to this.
The musicianship is clearly impressive, and the singer had strong pipes, but the music is not for me. I am unlikely to go back to this.
