Fav tracks: My My Hey Hey, Powderfinger. Neil Youngs voice is generally not my cup of tea but like the flow from acoustic to the grungy electric songs at the end of the album.
Used to be a massive foo fighters fan, have seen them live twice yet was in a way surprised to see this album make the list as I believe The Colour and The Shape is much superior, with this album pretty much being put together by a one-man band in Dave Grohl. First half of the album is strong and the closer Exhausted is a very underrated song in the FFs catalogue. Having said that there is a fair bit of material in the second half of the album that I find inferior to what the Foos would put out 2 years later. I’ll Stick Around and This is A Call remain great tracks but this album is lacking a truly massive single that the band would consistently churn out at least one of with every album following this for 20 years. Overall a decent listen and an album pretty reflective of the mid-90s alt rock era that was coming out of grunge’s peak, nothing game changing.
The title track remains absolutely godly. Some really cool stuff in here instrumentally, proper jangly goodness but I don’t know if I love the vocal style for an entire 45 min album
It’s pretty top heavy. The big singles are classics but I can’t get with the rest of the album. It’s a fun album tho
Might use this album to help me sleep, and I mean that in the best way possible. Just nice, relaxing and pretty unassuming for 35 mins; could totally imagine hearing Georgia On My Mind or September Song in some dimly lit chill bar late at night. Probably better for background listening cause there isn’t a great deal of variety here but I guess there doesn’t need to be
Really don’t know what to make of this album. It sounds in part rather late 00s dated yet other parts still very fresh. I don’t think the absolute bombardment of “Heads Will Roll” on TV and social media has endeared me to that song on another listen. My favourite track was the opener Zero. Plus marks for the lead vocals.
I’ve come close to getting this album cover tattooed on me it’s that fucking good. The debate rages between what’s better between this and Nevermind and to me it’s apples and orange - the bands sound is much more raw and unpolished and a lot of the tracks feel more personal and retrospectively haunting than what came 2 years prior. I could see why some would give this album a 3 or even lower because it’s hardly as accessible as some of the other huge albums from this period in alt rock history but my god if it hits you straight away you’ll always have this album on rotation. Personally, I was close to giving this a 4, there is a track or two that are just okay to me, but considering the context of the albums release and the bold left turn of the bands sound from their massively successful album I feel like this is deserving of a 5. Also has to be said that some tracks on here like Pennyroyal Tea and All Apologies take on another life in the MTV Unplugged performance that I look forward to reviewing on here at some point.
Favourite song: Anything off the first side and All Apologies
Physically hurt me at first to see such pioneers in Orbital get hit with an average score of 2.70, although I haven’t ever given this particular album a run through. I get techno isn’t for everyone but you can’t put these guys simply in that box. In between a 3 and a 4 for me
An enjoyable listen but too long in my opinion, a bit of filler here and there
I know prog isn’t for everyone but this is one of the very best albums the genre has to offer back to front, all over the place stylistically and it all works.
Fuck Ayn Rand.
Nice stuff. Will be used in the background while I’m at work.
I feel this album is a tad overrated in the grand scheme of things but still a really fun listen. First half of this album I find to be strong. In between a 3 and a 4 for me.
It’s not as good as Exodus or Kaya personally but a great listen as to be expected. The Live version of No Woman, No Cry is the superior one
From the UK so you can’t escape the big singles from this album even 20 years later. Definition of a top heavy album, first side is full of the hits (a pretty excellent 5 song run to kick off) and then we have a loooooot of filler in the second half
Just didn’t do it for me.
The first half of this album fucking rocks - prefer Iggys mix to Bowies
Album 20 and this is the first I’ve found that commits the cardinal sin of just being… boring. Absolutely nothing about this album and I felt it was a complete waste of my time. While I’ve not found certain albums, cough, the Pogues, unenjoyable I can at least appreciate their artistic merit. This is just so cookie cutter vanilla and inoffensive it’s almost offensive to me.
I liked this album but still feel as though it’s a bit of a let down on first listen
I enjoyed this album more than I expected, never been a fan of Aerosmiths music. Just pretty tight all round, nothing exceptional but a very listenable album
You hear how outdated this is and attribute it to its age but then you realise Tribe would drop The Low End Theory just a year later, Public Enemy had already put out multiple classics, you had Rakim in the same era who blows the rapping on this album out of the water and you wonder how this album has made it on the list. The Humpty Dance is a cool opener but it goes on for WAAAAY too long which is a pretty good summation of this album (why is the second song seven whole minutes long??) I guess the best thing about this album is its strong P-Funk influence and some may find the concept funny but on the whole this album really shows its age.
What a talent. A big departure from her excellent debut (which I may still prefer), but love the nostalgic sound and of course her voice
Getting both Amy Winehouse back to back days is a pleasant surprise! Own this album on vinyl so very familiar with this one already. Unpopular opinion but I prefer this one to Back to Black, prefer the jazzy sound of this one to the 60s girl group sound on her follow up
This album is long but barely a wasted second, a great mix of hip hop and neo-soul
Gave me Bon Iver vibes a little. Can appreciate the experimentation but not everything stuck
It doesn’t matter if we all die!
It’s a shame Van Morrison is a piece of shit cause man…
Aldi Fiona Apple. Sorry
Really middle of the road 70s rock. Finding out they added overdubs in the studio so this isn’t really a “live” album either! Minus a star for that
I found this pretty charming if a bit whimsical
A nice concise listen packed with a few smash hit singles, can’t go wrong really
How the fuck did this album make the list and A Storm in Heaven didn’t?
The first five songs off this album? The title track? It just doesn’t get better than this man.
Im very open to almost any genre of music, but god I cannot fucking stand this hokey country music bollocks. I knew immediately from the first song I’d hate this one
I’m absolutely delighted that the generator blessed me with back-to-back country albums this weekend 🙄 I can at least appreciate this one a bit more and it wasn’t as insulting to my intelligence as Steve Earle but this just isn’t for me.
This is why I started doing this challenge. A great discovery, funky as hell and interesting throughout
Boooooooooring
Clearly we don’t have enough junglists on this website. A great compilation by a true pioneer in electronic music
Easiest 5 of all time, changed the game
Liked some of the deep cuts and appreciate the variety of genres on show here. In between a 3 and 4
Lemonade and Renaissance are better
Understand this is very influential but primitive hip hop like just hasn’t aged well. However, obvious funk and electro influences here make for some enjoyable tracks, especially the title track
This is great stuff all round, was familiar with Simon and Garfunkel and the big singles from this album but this is a great versatile blend of sounds of styles.
The angsty early 90s vibe is gonna sound dated to a lot of people, I get that, but this is brilliant, challenging abrasive music. Closer and Hurt are classics
Some is brilliant, some is proper landfill indie. Pick your poison
This is a hard one to rate. I did find most of this album really enjoyable with a few standouts but I did feel like something was missing considering the reputation Talking Heads have. In between a 3 and a 4 for me
Got a lyric about noncing kids 10 seconds into the album. Great
Ahhh man. The old case of the double album that *just* overstays its welcome. Had this album been reduced to 11 or 12 tracks I think we’re on for an easy 5 but the last side is not up to scratch with the rest of the album. I still considered giving this a 5 because this is clearly zeppelin at the peak of their creative powers, and some of their very best stuff is on here, but knowing that Zep IV exists which is punchier and more concise kinda put me off.
Please can they give me an interesting country album soon
This one hasn’t aged too well, production wise and in some case lyrically as well…
Don’t listen to the people who say this isn’t good, this is fucking awesome
Ever looked an album and gone “yep, that’s a 3”?
This album sounds dated as well and her voice is so grating
Pleasantly surprised, my only complaint is that this album drags just a bit for my liking
The first album not available on streaming! I enjoyed this more than I thought. Has to be said I enjoyed the mellow moments a lot more than the heavier content here
I feel like this would be more enjoyable if a couple of these was put into a set and mixed in. That’s the issue I have with quite a lot of electronic albums. That being said, this is still an enjoyable listen
Firth of Fifth is awesome
This is a stand up set with music as a nice side, Johnny Cash is a beast
I mean every song sounds the same but that’s not always a bad thing y’know!
Had two talking heads albums and have to say I’ve been a bit underwhelmed considering their standing within the music community. Some great moments as I saw with ‘77 but a fair few forgettable tracks too. Maybe I need to wait to get Remain in Light
Production is great for 1969. Felt the closing track dragged a bit but the extended version of Walk On By is a highlight. A good listen
Maybe it was because it was a Monday morning and I wasn’t in the mood for a cheesy third rate rock opera with songs that feel longer than 25 minute prog epics because they drag SO much. Or maybe this album is an absolute crock of shit. Day ruined
The influence on the music of the 60s and 70s is obvious here - a true pioneer of rock and RnB. That being said, I’m quite glad this album clocked in at 28 mins and no longer
I’m sorry. I’m really trying with the country music but it just isn’t for me. And they need to stop giving me so many country albums
A great voice, but why the hell is this so long
A true classic alt rock album that managed to blend soft spacey atmosphere with harder sounds in many of the tracks, a very unique album experience
Cherub rock, Disarm, mayonaise, Luna, geek USA, take your pick. Fantastic tracks throughout. One or two songs I could go without which is stopping me from giving this a 5
Some interesting moments, experimental and mellow but does drag a bit for my liking
I imagine this was influential but just wasn’t for me
Pretty agreeable. Not much more to add, didn’t blow me away but was an enjoyable listen
This is the best part of the challenge, finding an album you’d never listen to usually and discovering a hidden gem
A really strong set of blues rock tracks with a couple of classics at the start of the first side for good measure
One great song. And then 10 others you could hear from 50 other bands in the late 60s
Instead of giving you a review on yet another average Nick Cave album, here’s a list of notable artists who have less albums on this list than he does (a whopping FIVE):
Stevie Wonder
Prince
Miles Davis
Pink Floyd
Radiohead
R.E.M
Metallica
Black Sabbath
The Cure
Madonna
Marvin Gaye
Kate Bush
Joni Mitchell
Fiona Apple
And COUNTLESS others. What was the author of this book on??
Good, not great. Some tracks definitely haven’t aged too well
A defining album in 2010s RnB - almost perfect from top to bottom. I think because of the sheer brilliance of Blonde (which also belongs on this list) I forgot about how consistently brilliant this album is from top to bottom
A dark and sparse album that really works sonically considering the subject matter. Atlantic City is still a masterpiece. Would say I find the first half of this album a lot stronger
I just didn’t enjoy this one unfortunately. A bit cheesy
This was a LOT more enjoyable than I envisioned. A lot of that has to do with the production even if it’s very 2000s coded. The main issue is the length - if they cut this album in half you could have a really good album but instead this one drags
Nick Drake was a phenomenal guitarist and lyricist and I’m glad all 3 of his albums make the list. This is probably his weakest effort (prefer Pink Moon) but still a gorgeous album
I love The Smiths so it’s absolutely beyond me that Morrissey has more albums from his solo career on his list than the band that made him famous! This is perfectly fine but it’s not the same without Marr and company I’m afraid
Cute. But boring
An absolute classic. Bob Marley weaves in themes of spirituality and sensuality throughout the album. While this is a reggae album it incorporates aspects of different genres throughout
Mediating whether I should give this a 3 or a 4 tbh, some great moments
🇧🇷
Pretty run of the mill stuff but an enjoyable listen nonetheless
Hair metal just isn’t for me. Best served with a dodgy karaoke bar and too many pints
In between a 3 and a 4 for me. Unique voice, huge bangers and a nice cover of a Prince favourite
Not Bowies best work but still a provoking listen
Yeah. Sorry
Again not a bad listen but didn’t really blow me away either. I can appreciate it
Outdated unfortunately. Decent flow and sampling
Not as good as close to the edge imo, but still excellent prog
Pleasant
I like my folk so was excited to see an album I haven’t listened to before on the list, but left pretty underwhelmed
Strong start. Interesting melodies. This starts to drag and is definitely too long but I have to commend the fact that it remains pretty interesting throughout a mammoth album
The perfect soundtrack to the best afters you’d ever have
Absolutely nothing of substance here. What a letdown
Beep boop
Really enjoyable album. Anything from the Soulquarian collective during this period is bound to be good and this is no exception
Absolute classic. So influential sonically and very risqué for the time. Nico’s lead vocals are a welcome break on Femme Fatale et al. 5 stars, no notes
This was a nice surprise. It sounds so fresh for an album from 1979, very well produced. I liked her voice as well
This sort of stuff is my jam. Proper lock in type shit. Didn’t understand a word and it was still clasa
Ergh. I’m just not getting it
First half of this album is incredible.
Second half forgettable.
Light 4
Whoever made this list has a ridiculous Nick Cave fetish. Even more shite than his solo stuff
Why is his voice so annoying
Why is he a Buddy Holly impersonator
Why is this an hour long
Neil Young has been a pleasant listen whenever he has come up. This is no different
This album is a lock for top 5 hip hop albums of all time. Incredible all round
So influential. How can you not appreciate this?
In between a 3 and a 4. Had low expectations thinking this would be a bargain bin late Britpop era slog but was pleasantly surprised
One of the best alternative bands of the 80s and 90s - was familiar with parts of this album but this is a really strong album in their discography - looking forward to getting Murmur and AFTP as well
Unique sound and incredible vocals. Feels weird describing it as such but it’s a sexy album
This albums a bit mad but it’s also brilliant
What a difficult album to rank. A huge departure from the uber-successful Rumours but FM could have never made another Rumours. Parts sound brilliant, parts sound unfinished. A bit of a slog but there’s enough magic to make it an enjoyable listen still. High 3 star - low 4 star
Tighten Up was on a FIFA soundtrack a decade plus ago so that was a nice nostalgia trip. Pretty bland though
I’ve decided I do not like 80s hair metal. Overproduced, cringey, pop rubbish
Fantastic album. Concise, catchy, and a sound that’s instantly nostalgic
Don’t want to say that this is a one-song album. But it’s close.
Never heard of this band before. Some really interesting stuff here. Not everything sticks for me but there are some highlights
This album is awesome. Groovy and funky. Even though I can’t understand the lyrics myself from a bit of research they seem to carry a lot of weight, talking about race, poverty and colonialism. A brilliant discovery
I mean this is a pretty generic early 2000s rnb album. Nice to see some British rnb get some recognition but this was a bit of a drag at an hour long
I never mind electronic albums but they always seem to overstay their welcome a little. Can only give this a 3 even if I enjoyed a fair chunk of the record
Another great album from the Stones. Aside from the awful lyrics on the opener this is a consistently great effort.
Doesn’t really need an explanation. Incredible album
I have a bit of Byrds/ 60s rock fatigue from this list but this is an enjoyable record on the whole. The closing song with the plane is rubbish though
A dark album but really beautiful and moving. Easily my favourite of the Cohen albums that have come up so far
A bit boring overall with some nice moments scattered about. 2-3 stars
Painfully inoffensive and bland
Good album, not great. I can see how FNM influenced an array of bands moving forward as their sound is definitely unique but not everything hit for me
Good stuff but not quite as good as green river. Consistent. In between a 3 and 4
A pleasant album but didn’t stand out to me. Can appreciate it’s a very well produced album
God this is so BLAND
Elevator music
Really enjoyable snappy punk album
ITS JUST ROCK AND ROLL 🇬🇧
You’ll probably never see another decade like the 1960s ever again. At the start of the decade rock and roll was still barely out of its embryonic phase and just seven years later you get Hendrix, and by the end of the decade you get Sabbath and the beginning of heavy metal.
Crazy to think that this masterpiece isn’t even Hendrix’s best work (imo).
This entire album is very eccentric; half of it hits for me and half of it doesn’t. Probably wouldn’t revisit on a regular basis but can definitely appreciate parts of this
Still remember the first time I listened to this album the whole way through and just being blown way. Incredibly well produced, brilliantly arranged, touching themes of mortality and loss amongst others. Plenty of highlights here but Try Not To Breathe, Sweetness Follows and Find The River are standouts for me. Not one wasted second on this gorgeous album and well deserving of 5 stars
Why is a greatest hits compilation album on this list? I shouldn’t even give this the time of day
Pretty good standard 80s thrash. Didn’t stand out to me but not bad
The beginning of Stevie’s classic period - obviously some classics in here but he’d only continue to improve from here - Innervisions is a much stronger effort throughout, although there are plenty of moments of brilliance here to make this an album to return to many times over. Strong 4
This was pretty erratic but have to say I was pleasantly surprised
Her voice is a delight. Thoughtful and provoking lyrics
Another brilliant groovy album from Fela Kuti who is becoming one of my favourite discoveries from doing this list. Was interesting to read of the political context behind the album as well
What a pleasant surprise this was! Incredible sampling for its time
Bland as a block of ice
Yawn
This was good, not great. Can appreciate it but won’t be going back to it regularly
The problem with most double albums is that there simply isn’t enough amazing music to allow for a fully enjoyable listening experience. Those that are consistently good all the way through (White Album, Keys of Life, Sign o’ the Times etc) are incredible feats of musicianship as well as great albums to listen to on their own for this reason. Most double albums begin to drag without a compelling concept or simply brilliant music for an hour plus.
Now w this album, I understand why the Pumpkins wanted to get grander and more expansive after their brilliant album Siamese Dream. But two hours is simply unnecessary; that’s 3 entire sides of an LP - almost no album could be great all the way through. And indeed, this isn’t. Had this album been condensed into a Siamese Dream-length album it could be a brilliant effort, but a lot of the heavier tracks just do not hit for me and they drag this album down.
Not one song stood out to me but this really holds up as an overall listening experience
Radiohead’s best album against stiff opposition. Incredibly tight, well produced, gorgeous and timeless album that never gets boring. Nude into All I Need is a sensational three song run. Easy 5
