Expectation:
-> Neil Young 1970? No way, not my jam.
After listening:
-> Shocked at how much I enjoy this. Played the album ~10 times.
Track ranking:
Southern
Dance
Only love
Believe
Cripple
Tell me
Birds
Gold
Morning
Lonesome
Bring you down
Expectation:
-> At least I'd heard of Neil Young. Not so here.
After listening:
-> Never heard this album but its influence has made it ubiquitous. If I owned a blues bar, it would be on repeat.
Track ranking:
Mannish
Cat
Bus
Jealous
#2
Baby
Walkin
Satisfied
FL
Girl
Expectation:
-> Hopeful. Al has inspired some of my preferred modern music. That's Al, not AI.
After listening:
-> Ooooh so cool, so smooth. Love me some Al Green.
Track ranking:
Together
Never Found
La-La
Mend
Leaving
Feeling
Judy
Old
Ain't
Expectation:
-> No one better when in that reggae mood.
After listening:
-> Some of the most popular and familiar reggae ever made is on this album.
Track ranking:
Birds
Jammin
Lights down
Mystic (not cultist)
Exodus
One love
Heathen
Guilt
So Much
Expectation:
-> Not sure if PJ Harvey is a band or person.
After listening:
-> Going to take me a while to warm up to this album. No standout songs after a couple playthroughs.
Track ranking:
Fortune
Whores
A Place
Said Something
Float
This Is Love
Mess
Exit
One Line
Kamikaze
Horses
Beautiful
Expectation:
-> Never heard of this band, album, or probably any of their songs.
After listening:
-> Fantastic from start to finish. How did I miss this?!?
Track ranking:
Music?
Concept
December
Alcohol
Sidewinder
Metal
What you do
Star Sign
Satan
Guiding
Pet
Don't Know
Expectation:
-> Certainly heard of them but memories are fuzzy.
After listening:
-> Never got into VF and that's not going to change. But Blister In The Sun will always be great. Overall, 3/5 (barely).
Track ranking:
Blister
Promise
Daddy
Good Feeling
Kill
Ugly
Confessions
Prove
Add
Kiss
Please
Car
Expectation:
-> No expectations.
After listening:
-> Took a couple playthroughs to warm up to this one. Voice/vocals took some getting used to. If you're in the right setting and get into the right mind space, this is quite good. 3 pushing 4.
Track ranking:
What more
Lilac
Ask
Break down
Wild
Love
Four
Why keep
Either way
If I
Black
Expectation:
-> The album cover is promising.
After listening:
-> The rock equivalent of B-list actors…but quite fun. Enjoyed this one. A bit Tom Petty-esque.
Track ranking:
Whizz
Hymn
Violence
Cadillac
Sister
Boogie
Memphis
Ballad
Mother
Rose
Expectation:
-> 1987 and a recognizable name has me optimistic.
After listening:
-> This isn't my jam. No track stood out for me so I didn't make a track ranking. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Expectation:
-> More Bob.
After listening:
-> So so good. Polished, refined, solid production. Lacks the big timeless songs of Exodus and a bit repetitive sounding (similar intros). I need to be cooking with Marley in the background. Solid-4
Track ranking:
Stir
Concrete
Train
Baby
Trouble
Slave
400
Kinky
Midnight
Expectation:
-> A percussion album. Keeping an open mind.
After listening:
-> This could have unlocked a new genre for me but did not. Appreciate the music, the talent.
Track ranking:
Pitche
Immigres
Badou
Taaw
Expectation:
-> One of my most played albums in the early-mid 90s. 5/5
After listening:
-> How does it still sound so good in 2026? My appreciation for it has only grown. Probably a top-20 all-time for me.
Track ranking:
Bloom
Come
Spirit
Plain
Lithium
Drain
Lounge
Breed
Polly
Something
Stay
Pissings
Endless
Expectation:
-> Really looking forward to giving Radiohead a listen in 2026.
After listening:
-> This is not for me. Pretty sure this album was well received. Sometimes creativity and an attempt to do something different gets in the way of making good appelaing music.
Track ranking:
Idioteque
Treefingers
Optimistic
Disappear
Anthem
Limbo
Soundtrack
Kid A
Bell
Everything
Untitled
Expectation:
-> This will be first full Joni Mitchell album listen for me. Long overdue.
After listening:
-> Much respect for her talent, songwriting, and style. I see why she is so beloved by many. For me, I prefer different styles than this, strong vocals, more energy, and songs that really stand out. This music is beautiful but often darkens the mood like a cloudy, brisk day. As she says herself in the title track, "There's comfort in melancholy."
Track ranking:
(skipped)
Expectation:
-> I never got into Rage. Can't really explain it, as I like similar music.
After listening:
-> I’ve never liked Rage but like many bands in similar genre. Not once can I recall searching for one of their songs on Spotify or ever. But I recognize a lot of this album and it’s incredible. Late to the game but better late than never. 5/5
Track ranking:
Killing
Bombtrack
Power
Settle
Bullet
Enemy
Steel
Wake
Freedom
Township
Expectation:
-> An American icon, though not someone I seek out.
After listening:
-> This is timeless and definitely worthy of a listen in 2026. Some all-time ear worms. Recall as a kid spontaneously humming some of these chorus sections.
Track ranking:
(skipped d/t time constraint)
Expectation:
-> This has 4-5 potential. Guessing I will know/recognize 2-4 songs. I know the Automatic album better.
After listening:
-> I find Michael Stipe's voice to be comfortably nostalgic. Instantly recognizable and reminiscent of a better time. Two bangers on this album (Stand and Orange Crush). The others are very good and make for an easy full album listen. Thank you, R.E.M.
Track ranking:
Stand
Orange Crush
(The rest)
Expectation:
-> Can't be worse than Kid A, right?
After listening:
-> Indeed, clearly a step up from Kid A. Listenable. Not all that enjoyable. No tracks really stood out or that I plan to return to. There are some great Radiohead songs out there. Just not here.
Track ranking:
(skipped)
Expectation:
-> Unfamiliar. The only Stooges I know were a non-musical threesome.
After listening:
-> Some Rolling Stone vibes here. Not my cup of tea but didn't mind it. I found We Will Fall interesting. Post-listen I was shocked to see that I Wanna Be Your Dog has 125M Spotify listens with their next most listened song at < 30M. Listened again and I'm guessing there's a story that explains this.
Track ranking:
(skipped)
Expectation:
-> I still remember getting this CD and listening to it often. Still remember the feel of that paper CD case. This album elicits memories for sure.
After listening:
-> An album unlike any other both then and now. Seems fair to call it groundbreaking. Some difficult/uncomfortable moments listening to some of these songs/sounds. That is surely by intent. The best parts of this album are truly extraordinary. Beautiful yet ugly. Haunting. Was wavering 4-5 here but a full listen pushed this to 5…acknowledging that it is an imperfect album.
Track ranking:
Closer
Reptile
Piggy
Ruiner
Hurt
Becoming
Do not want
March
Heresy
Mr
Eraser
Gun
Warm
Spiral
Expectation:
-> I don't know this band.
After listening:
-> Some Beatles/Monkees vibes. Not my genre for sure. First listen I was on a 2 but I gave it 3-4 more full spins through and there are definitely some songs worth coming back to. What this album lacked most of all was cohesiveness. It felt like each song was recorded on a different day, in a different studio, with different instruments, and different vocalists. The final product…a collage.
Track ranking:
Waterloo
Sisters
Tea
Situation
Nice
Love Me
Soldier
Harry
Polly
Funny
Autumn
Watts
Clown
Susannah
Wonderboy
Season
Sun
Lincoln
No life
No return
Expectation:
-> The band name is familiar but I do not know why.
After listening:
-> Love My Way…that's it (though not on this album). Whenever I'm having an 80s night, Love My Way is a must play. I do not recognize any of this album but playing it still transports me to a different time and place. Like the vibe, that 80s pop/rock feel, that familiar voice. I am not muiscally inclined/talented but it seems the lead singer has a limited range, too much monotony. Nothing problematic or offensive here, nor special. None of these songs are a home run for me, keeping this album at a 3.
Track ranking:
Run Down
Pink
All
Tears
Jones
Goes On
Mine
Train
Dumb
Sleep
Expectation:
-> Ah Willie. An American icon, treasure. I am truly thankful for his influence on modern country artists, though do not believe I will prefer much of his own music.
After listening:
-> Much respect to the man and his staying power. There is comfort and familiarity with his singing voice/style. Would love to hear this overhead while dining at my favorite country/Western restaurant. It is quite slow and plodding and minimalist, though peaceful. Took a few spins through AND the right mood and mindset to appreciate, but I got there.
Track ranking:
Sleep
Hands
Blue Eyes
Remember
Bandera
Preacher / Theme
Medley / Red
Couldn't
Denver
Yonder
Just
O'er
Expectation:
-> Definitely know the band name but cannot spontaneously name a song.
After listening:
-> Wow. Early prediction for summer '26…Smores over the firepit with a cocktail listening to Deja Vu.
Track ranking:
Hair
Children
House
Carry
Helpless
Woodstock
Love
Deja
Country
4
Expectation:
-> Who?
After listening:
-> Unfamiliar band that sounds like it should have been more famous. Some of this could have easily blended in with radio hits of the 90s. Some Goo Goo Dolls vibes and the lead vocals with a hint of Rod Stewart. Impressive guitar riffs.
Track ranking:
Design
Interiors
Enola
Australia
Surface
Everything
Elvis
Flowers
Further
Girl
Kevin
Removables
Expectation:
-> I think we're really in the weeds now.
After listening:
-> Listened to the 2006 remastered version of this 1967 album. Cannot fully evaluate the album not knowing the language, but this is quite delightful to my ears. If this were my kind of music, would likely rate a 4 or higher. It is very well put together and there is unquestionable musical talent.
Track ranking:
(skipped)
Expectation:
-> I've always preferred Metallica, and enjoy Megadeth and others, so I expect this will go well.
After listening:
-> Sounds as good, no better, than I would expect for an Iron Maiden album in the early 80s. Some of the best guitar solos I've ever heard. They sound a bit like if Van Halen did metal. Impressive. A couple slow bangers at the top of my rank list…and no weak points anywhere on the album.
Track ranking:
Children
Hallowed
Prisoner
6 6 6
22
Hills
Invaders
Gangland
Expectation:
-> Thriller album? Instant 5. Then I looked at the track list. Is there a >5 rating?
After listening:
-> How were all these songs on one album? Ridiculous. I vaguely remember the absolute madness that Michael and this record created (age six when this was released).
Track ranking:
PYT
Thriller
Human
Billie
Beat it
Wanna
Lady
The Girl
Baby
Expectation:
-> Never heard of this band.
After listening:
-> This may not be popular but I do enjoy this some. Not something I'll return to but if this were an english speaking band I would consider. Some incessant abrasive screaming nudged this down to a two. Could this get some play time at Halloween?
Track ranking:
(skipped)
Expectation:
-> I'm trying to guess the genre of this 1967 album based on group name, album title, and cover art. Folk rock?
After listening:
-> Groovy, man. Some sweet guitar. Decent vocals. A delightful record. Fully support this album being on this list. Probably not excited enough about it, however, to intentionally return to it.
Track ranking:
Love
Martha
Death
Marauder
Flying
Bass
Bird
Sad
Porpoise
43
Grace
Expectation:
-> Dolly's another national treaure. I've listened to a lot of country music but no Dolly album until today.
After listening:
-> No suprises for a 1/1/71-released 27-minute country album. I'm not hearing any big hits here. Some fun songs, some sweet songs. Glad I listened but won't come back.
Track ranking:
Traveling
Here
Way
Coat
Breeze
She Never
Better
Lose
Tears
Mystery
Expectation:
-> Familiar band name but details are fuzzy.
After listening:
-> This is solid and was suprised to hear a song I knew so well (Drive). Oddly picked Battlestar as my favorite track. I'm ready for an entire album of similar songs. Overall, no bad tunes and a 3.5 to 4.
Track ranking:
Battlestar
Drive
Warmth
Miss
Pardon
Clean
Nowhere
Privilege
Out
Stellar
Consequence
Make
Comes
Expectation:
-> Expecting a Lenny Kravitz album to be 3-ish for me. I do like his biggest hits.
After listening:
-> Enjoyed the blend of sounds/styles on this album. Like the interspersed saxophone and orchestral moments. This was Kravitz's first album and for me lacks a big hitter. Too many songs fell flat and were a minute longer than needed.
Track ranking:
Let Love
Garden
Precious
Empty
Flower
Cab
Blues
Care
Rosemary
Be
Fear
World
Train
Expectation:
-> 1965 Bob Dylan. Can't imagine a more likely 1 rating but let's see.
After listening:
-> The first song surprised me and had me hopeful. Then the rest sounded like Bob Dylan. So many of these songs had the same formula with similar riffs, poetic lyrics, little vocal range, and little bursts of harmonica. Just not for me.
Track ranking:
Subterranean
Zero
Tambourine
Road
She
Maggie's
Baby Blue
Eden
Dream
Blues
Ma
Expectation:
-> The Beatles are understandably one of the greatest bands ever. However, I've never chosen to listen to them so this will be a first.
After listening:
-> This is a very very good album. I listened to the 2009 remastered version. I have not researched where this 1964 album fits along their career path but there are certainly some familiar classics. I like every song and have a new appreciation for the band for sure. This is pushing a 5.
Track ranking:
Hard day
Buy love
Fell
Love her
Tell
Better
Any time
Happy
Home
Said
Cry
Back
Can't
Expectation:
-> A live concert album from the year 1975? I'm in.
After listening:
-> This is so pleasant to my ears. I'll happily listen to this all day today and maybe again in the future. Impressive skill and stamina. I do feel that the vocalizations detracted some from the listening experience/enjoyment. Still, a solid 4 from me. Wish I'd been there.
Expectation:
-> My American history books did not tell me that Paul Revere made music.
After listening:
-> This is fun, whimsical at times, mostly energetic/up-tempo, and at times almost goofy. I like most of this album and the rest I didn't mind. I could forget this album a year from now but when listening I'm happy. Was leaning 3 but a couple more listens pushed this to 4.
Track ranking:
Stone
There she goes
Kicks
Louis
Get
All I
Take a look
Shake
Tomorrow
SS
Melody
Ballad (isn't a ballad!)
Girl
Corvair
Expectation:
-> Well known title track (and presumably album) but what's with that album cover photo?
After listening:
-> Did not expect to like this. Almost do not want to like this. But I do. It is just plain good. Comforting melodies and vocals, with some fun upbeat tunes. Interesting use of instruments/sounds. Somewhat reluctantly and unexpectedly, this is a 4.
Track ranking:
Boxer
Condor
Bridge
Cecilia
Boy
Bye
Satisfied
Write
Baby
FLW
Asking
Expectation:
-> Never heard of band or album.
After listening:
-> Never heard of any of this. A bit psychadelic, some jukebox syle songs, too much talking, animal sounds(?), simulated sex. All in one place! Eh. This was teetering on my 2-3 line…with my four least favorite songs (if you want to call them that) pushing it down to 2.
Track ranking:
Cry
Wowie
Trouble
Motherly
Wind
Fool
Heart
Call
Satisfied
Daddy
Police
Wondering
Rock
Happen
Return
Expectation:
-> I think I know two UB40 songs and they are not here.
After listening:
-> More reggae and less pop than the top 40 hits I remember. The songs on this album gel well into a cohesive project/listen. One long hour-plus listen with each song sounding a lot like the last. Making a track ranking was thus difficult. They are good at what they do and on this album they just kept doing it.
Track ranking:
25%
Reefer
Tyler
Little
King
Medusa
Rain
Shame
Food
Signing
12
Adella
Fruit
Expectation:
-> My #1 album of all time. First CD I ever owned. I bought a boom box and my friend's Black CD was in there. He said I could have it. The rest is history.
After listening:
-> All twelve of these songs are in my top-10. All jokes aside, this listen created more separation as my #1. This is a metal, no, a musical masterpiece
Track ranking:
Nothing
Unforgiven
Never
Sandman
Roam
Struggle
Holier
Sad
Tread
Misery
Wolf
God
Expectation:
-> Familiar band name. I think I might like this.
After listening:
-> Well this was fun. The song Connected is clearly recognized and excellent. Lot to like here but no other song really stood out. A lot of good songs and an easy listen. Took me a full day and 3-4 listens to push this from 3 to 4. I feel that the limited vocal range and talk-singing detracted some from my overall opinion. Some fast/energetic songs came off flat/dull. Enjoyed a lot of these rhythms/beats and the background singers are a highlight.
Track ranking:
Connected
Fire
Don't let up
Sketch
Everything
Creation
Fade
Ground
Step
Pressure
Night
End
Chicken
Expectation:
-> I see this album's potential, for me, to be similar to the high floor, low ceiling analogy. Cannot imagine that 1970 Santana will wow me. Yet, he is known as one of the most talented guitarists, has a great reputation.
After listening:
-> Was expecting mostly solo guitar. This is all good, some of it really really good. Especially enjoyed some rock moments and the guitar solos. The talent is obvious. If this is critically acclaimed, and I am guessing that it is, I can see why.
Track ranking:
Mother
Magic
Samba
Hope
Incident
Oye
Winds
Cabo
Nicoya
Expectation:
-> I assumed this was a 90s band by name. Which means this '69 album will be completely new to me.
After listening:
-> This is perfectly average. Transports me back to the 60s-70s. Nothing awe inspiring and nothing cringy. Five of 13 songs are instrumentals and of those only 11 seconds long. Why bother? There are a lot of older bands/albums I would reach for before this.
Track ranking:
Quicksand
Darkness
Beautiful
Smug
Sunlight
Sham
Rain
Wind
Drake
Trillium
Double
Black
Turn
Expectation:
-> I know next to nothing about The Who.
After listening:
-> This might be their best or most recognizable album or maybe not. I do not recognize any of it. While it did not initially click for me, more time and more plays made me realize how very good it is. A fun album, quite refined, and lacking any uncomfortable/awkward moments.
Track ranking:
Kids
Don't Mind
La
Much
Man
Generation
Please
Legal
True-
Street
Good
Ox
Expectation:
-> No clue. Only a pre-internet band would name themselves Love.
After listening:
-> Listened to the 2015 remaster on Spotify. I am definitely a fan of baroque rock/pop. Some of this was very good. Perhaps this band/album influenced more modern artists who put out more memorable tunes. Why is andmoreagain one word? Why on The Red Telephone do they find the name Phil problematic? Questions that will probably remain unanswered. This is very close to a 4 for me.
Track ranking:
Alone
Red
Old
House
Amdmoreagain
Live
Humor
Maybe
Scene
Bummer
Planet
Expectation:
-> I must know some music by The Clash, right?
After listening:
-> Listened to the remastered version on Spotify. I certainly know Should I Stay or Should I Go and Rock the Casbah (neither is on this). Who doesn't?
None of this, however, is recognizable to me (except mayyybe Train In Vain). 19 songs that never reached my ears…I'd like to call them a two-hit wonder but I know that is not true. I like all of this. Quite an interesting mix of musical styles/genres. Just press play and enjoy it all. My favorite song here was a hidden track??
Track ranking:
Train
Lost
Guns
Death
London
Cadillac
Clampdown
Down
Right
Rudie
Hateful
Revolution
Lover's
Kola
Spanish
Four
Wrong
Jazz
Expectation:
-> This should be entirely new to me.
After listening:
-> Indeed the album is new to me. However, I recognized his voice (semi-fondly) and with some research figured it must be the Good Will Hunting soundtrack. I can listen to this but my mind floats away from it pretty quick. This is good music yet his style is too mellow/flat for my liking.
Track ranking:
Sam
Happiness
Junk
Mama
LA
Somebody
Sound
Stupidity
Mary
Quiet
Everything means
Colorbars
Lost
Easy
Everything reminds
Bye
Expectation:
-> Never heard of this.
After listening:
-> Oh wow. What a singing voice. I really enjoy Loreena Mckennitt who has even more Celtic influence than this band. This is a style of music that I listen to a few times per year and have been doing so for several years. I am putting this album into my rotation AND will be seeking out their other albums.
Track ranking:
Patrick
Reynardine
Michael
Matty
Farewell
Come
Medley
Tam
Quiet
Deserter
Expectation:
-> Earth, Wind & Fire circa 1975? I'm guessing I put this at 4 minimum.
After listening:
-> No surprise to me that this will be an album and band I plan to return to on the regular. This was even better than I expected. My lowest ranked song is just a fraction below my highest.
Track ranking:
Love
World
Star
Reasons
Happy
Yearnin
Light
Africano
Expectation:
-> I don't know this band.
After listening:
"-> There are definite moments when I think this is good. These moments are not frequent and are scattered among a lot of songs that do not appeal to me. Enjoyed ""If There Is Something"" much more than the rest. Enjoyed the saxophone and other odd instruments/sounds scattered throughout. I applaud the creativity. "
Track ranking:
Something
Bob
Bitters
Re-Make
Ladytron
VA
Believe
2HB
Chance
Sea
Expectation:
-> Famous Miles Davis.
After listening:
-> Really good jazz is probably a 3-4 for me. Little hope of reaching a 5. Considering this is the famous Miles Davis from 1957(!), this gets a 4. I will likely use this as a benchmark for evauating any future jazz albums during this project.
Track ranking:
Jeru
Move
Godchild
Budo
Boplicity
Venus
Rocker
Israel
Deception
Rouge
Moon
Expectation:
-> ???
After listening:
-> Interesting group name, for starters. I feel that I can break this album into thirds. A third was really good, a third was decent, and a third was questionable. I would definitely consider coming back to a portion of this album. Shy of a 4 rating but a pleasant surprise.
Track ranking:
Zig Zag
Glad
Autumn
Call
Yellow
Woman
Abba
Nuff
Ugly
Plastic
Electricity
Boogie
Expectation:
-> Expectations are not high based on the description.
After listening:
-> My mistake. I quite like this. Yes, it can sound repetitive and grate a little at times. Their duet harmonies and that mandolin playing probably set a standard for future artists. I find most of these lyrics to be entertaining, others with strong religious tones, and some are disturbing. How many people died in the making of this album?!? The more ridiculous and macabre the better (mostly). This style isn't for everybody but it's at a 3.6-ish for me and I'm rounding up.
Track ranking:
Let Her Go
Satan
Kentucky
Tiny
Without Love
Katie
Pines
Brother
AL
Smiles
Mother
Knoxville
Mary
Thankful
Lord
Pray
Expectation:
-> Hoping for David Bowie's mainstream hits. Or will this be odd. Looking forward to it either way. Will listen to the 2017 remaster.
After listening:
-> Not initially as impressive as I'd hoped and no songs were recognized. Thought that this is probably just an average Bowie album when compared with his other works. I was a bit turned off by the instrumentals, tbh. Gave it three full listens and began to appreciate it. Such musical talent and this is quite a solid project.
Track ranking:
Wife
Glass
Career
Crashing
Sound
Speed
Subterraneans
Wall
World
Warszawa
Art
Expectation:
-> This is unknown territory.
After listening:
-> Another surprise win. Not sure that I was ever exposed to this band/album once old enough to appreciate music. No recall of it ever playing on our radio stations or MTV. Too bad, because this perfectly aligns with what I like. I'm hearing influence from The Cure and similar bands but I like this more. Probably would have worn this cassette raw back in the day. Having trouble moving on to today's album. Thought this was an easy 4 after first listen, now I'm going 5.
Track ranking:
Look 1&4
Date
Heart
Mantrap
V-Day
Show
Poison
Tears
Returns
4
Expectation:
-> Pretty sure that I know what to expect here and hopes are high. 3 minimum with 5-level potential.
After listening:
-> Love the tempo variability and flow throughout. Especially enjoy the extended lively periods, typically my jazz preference. As a long ago sax player, I really appreciate his skill. The artistry his interplay with the other instrumentation, wow.
Expectation:
-> No idea what to expect here.
After listening:
-> This is fine and I'm sure many really like it. Not really my jam. Don't love it, don't hate it. Some Nirvana and STP influence is clear but this isn't those bands.
Track ranking:
1969
Jungle
Homesick
Autumn
Ain't
Country
Evolved
Sun
Factory
Free
Mary
Out
