Off to a great start! Marvin's voice is fabulous and it's just so unapologetically sexy and smooth. Not much else to say, expect it's just good music.
Already familiar with this one! Man, what a generational voice. His soaring vocals alone has taken me close to tears on more than one occasion. The production isn't something to sneeze at either. A mesmerising experience all around.
A good listen at times and would be higher if not for a lot of the uncomfortable misogynistic lyrics. I acknowledge his influence, but I'll probably not return to this one any time soon.
Space funk! What fun! The monologues did drag at times, but overall I had a great time. I appreciate the theatricality of it all and the vocal plus instrumental double-whammy really elevated it for me, so lively!
David Bowie is one of those musical legends I've grown up hearing about, how could anyone have not? But I've never actually thought much about what his music would sound like; he's just been floating in peripheral limbo for me, that is until now. This album is great and I'm glad I finally got to experience one of his projects. The record also surprised me with a few instrumental tracks, but their establishment of mood was beautifully intense.
Oh we're groovin' and chillin' with this one! Important political commentary too. Really nice, considering this is one of my first exposures to reggae as a genre. I had a constant little grin on my face while listening.
Pretty good! Loved the bright guitars throughout, though the production feels muted and compressed in some songs. It also kind of dragged in the middle and the nasally drawn out vocal delivery isn't my cup of tea. Not gonna be a fave, but I enjoyed myself and can see why others love this band so much.
Not bad, not bad. The interesting noises and instrumentals (especially that beautiful bass) scratched my brain in all the right ways and elevated the record for me. Can't say there was ever a dull moment (though the guitars did start taking on a sharp droning quality after a while). It started to get tiring during the second half and I'm not the biggest fan of the vocals. However, I can definitely respect it's innovation and it landed pretty well overall. I think more than anything, I liked how it challenged me and my current music taste.
Was stoked to dive into this record. My knowledge of music history is sparse but I know from listening to a lot of modern bands that I'm always excited when I get to discover new punk and rock records. The cover art is simple but effective, and I was liking it... Up until the gratuitous use of the n-word. It may be him doing a character, playing up the absurdity, perhaps a daring mockery of the powers that be. Maybe it isn't serious enough for me to be so harsh, and I can tell its genre mixing of punk and blues was novel for its time.
But using this album as my only reference, to me it's just not excusable every which way you slice it. It really was shaping up to be 3 stars but I bumped it down to a 1 (a rating I never anticipated myself using as I'm an open-minded person when it comes to finding the good in all music). Beyond that, there are quite a few enjoyable songs, but it did become a little repetitive as I listened through.
I actually really enjoyed this! It was rewarding to experience it's crescendo from a soft folky and acoustic sound to one that's louder, rougher and more daring. I'm giving it an extra star just for that. Not the fondest of early rock n' roll but this transitional state between musical decades pleasantly surprised me. I don't care much for "Pocahontas", mainly because of some of its distasteful lyrics. "Powderfinger" is also a great song, but I don't particularly get its overwhelming hype.
A nice listening experience for sure but didn't do much for me beyond that. It's feel-good music I'd sway my head to when ordering food at a cozy late-night bistro. Maybe it's because I'm so much younger than when this album first came out, so I can't fully appreciate it for what it is. I didn't grow up with this kind of early dad / grandpa rock, and relatively modern records are just more exciting to me.
Another one I already know and love! Recently re-listened to this one and man, I don't give it enough credit for just how many bangers are on here. It's a welcome surprise to see this album make it on the list; a hodge-podge of genres with rock at its centre, but all of it comes together to create something very charming.
Getting a lot of albums from the 70's and earlier in the past few days. Similar to a lot of folk and rock from these decades, it didn't really grab me. I liked some of the songs (the brisk half an hour runtime is a point in it's favour) but the album's weighed down by my personal indifference to this period of music. Maybe that'll change in the future as I go through the list! Even though the album is good in a purely musical sense, it wasn't for me I guess.
The streak of 70's albums continues, but this time I'm thoroughly impressed. That sax! I'll admit I don't have much experience with prog genres or albums with long instrumentals (I vastly prefer songs with lyrics) and looking at two of the track lengths was daunting. But that's why I signed myself up for this challenge: to force myself outside of my comfort zone and discover stuff like this, which I'd be too intimidated and youthfully clueless to try on my own. "The World is a Ghetto" is a rich worthwhile experience bathed in thick auditory textures and groovy socially conscious melancholy. I kicked back, closed my eyes, and happily got lost in it.
Decently fun, but an unusually milquetoast inclusion for a book called 1001 albums you must hear before you die? Not sure I agree with it but I'm not mad! I stand by giving most things a chance at least once, and I'm definitely not an anti-pop snob (quite the opposite in fact). However, the pop has to catch me in some way and this album didn't have that clinching factor. It also runs unnecessarily long, and the songs started to blend together past the mid-way point :(
I didn't think I'd enjoy this album as much as I did! Rocking guitars and bluesy vibes (they have a relatively milder sound than I was expecting from such a famous rock band) mixed in with a darker sensual undercurrent. The Rolling Stones is another one of those canonised bands that I didn't have much interest digging into. I figured they're revered for good reason, but their audience of middle-aged dads is wayyy outta my ballpark.
In my opinion some of the lyrics fall flat in their excessiveness and haven't aged the best. Sexual provocativeness is not the issue here, just the strange execution e.g., "Brown Sugar", which I'm not sure is supposed to be radical commentary or unintentional fetishisation that's trying to come off romantic. If it's the former, I don't think they pulled it off well or are the most appropriate people to deliver the message thoughtfully. This tackiness also extends to the album cover itself. I felt compelled to dock a point as a result, but I truly did like this one!
Undeniably playful and catchy! The music really suits the album cover's refreshing but wild pool day aesthetic. I found some of the lyrics to be mindless at times but this wasn't an egregious issue. Very cool tunes and I'd jam out if some songs ever come back on during shuffle.
The oldest album I've gotten yet! Fairly enjoyable and I had a jolly time listening to the soothing folk sounds and pretty vocals. Not my favourite genre of music as it's a too mild and static for my tastes, but I can acknowledge that it's still a nice sounding record.
Seriously, what are the chances I'd get both Fairport Convention albums two days in a row? Similar to their previous project, I guess I've discovered British folk (and older folk in general) just isn't for me. It feels "old-fashioned" but I'm aware that's not the fault of the album itself. Though the main female singer's vocals remain as lovely as ever, and I enjoyed the more rock-ish elements woven into this one! It made for more interesting high-points and thus felt unfair for me to give this anything under 3 stars.
Gentle and inoffensive to listen to, perhaps so much so that it comes at it's own detriment. There's the occasional exciting instrumental moment though, and I quite liked the singer's breathy grounded delivery. This one's a pretty alright and I greatly appreciate it's sentimentality (complimented by the sparkly guitars), but I have yet to encounter a Brit pop album that's really blown me away.
My first ever Beatles album! Legend amongst legends in the world of mainstream music. I can't believe I've never listened to anything else except their most popular singles. I was almost nervous to press play... And don't hit me, but that nervousness seemed to be somewhat prophetic. While this is a good record filled with fun hooks and simple short joys, it's missing something that would've pushed it to "great". I can tell however, that their best is yet to come! I'm super eager to get into albums later in their career (especially a certain one of the most famous albums of all time).
"Go Girl Crazy!" is enjoyable if a bit toothless, and it's not one of the most inspired punk rock records I've ever heard. It's regarded as one of the first progenitors of this genre though, and everything has to start somewhere! Time renders many initial inspirations retroactively pedestrian through decades of innovation so I try not to hold it against them.
I don't think this is bad per say, but after listening to my fourth new wave / Brit pop album, it's starting to get stale; the instrumentals and production become predictable after a while. Maybe it's not fair to compare but it doesn't have that interesting variety and creative manipulation of sounds I look for in other pop genres (especially modern alt-pop).
I must say, glam rock is quite fun! All the high energy of traditional rock but injected with a hell of a lot of pop razzle dazzle and theatrical decadence (that provided some much needed balance). Didn't know what I was expecting from the cover art, though I came away from this record feeling lighter than I had 40 minutes prior. It's more 3.5 stars than a true 4, but I was feeling generous so I rounded it up.
A great subtly eccentric alt rock record with a banger second half! I'm usually not all that partial to bright major key rock that sounds like it could be played during the title sequence of a whacky indie film, but something about this really appealed to me. Part of it is definitely it's surprisingly biting and conscious lyrics.
The second Bob Marley & The Wailers album that I've gotten! In my opinion it's a step up from "Catch a Fire". A very intentioned 10 song 37 minute experience whose themes of politics, revolution and hope in the face of oppression betray it's laid back atmosphere in the best way possible. Even though I can admit I prefer more "exhilarating" genres to that of reggae, I recognise this album's importance to music history and applaud it's timeless uplifting message that endures to the present day.
A lovely display of musicianship here. On the surface it sounds like tame background noise you'd enjoy to while milling about a dimly lit restaurant, but it really pulled me in the longer I listened. Calming yet strangely entrapping, like slowly pooling molasses to the ears. I also find it immensely humanising how strangers' clinking of dinnerware and chattering has been frozen in time and forever immortalised in this record :)
As I've repeated many times, older folk isn't a genre I reach towards. Most of it (and country too) can't make me feel much beyond a "This is nice I guess". However, it appears I might've found an exception; This album is a step up from their previous albums as a part of Fairpoint Convention, and a great bit of music to return to after my week-long break! Overall, it's a high 3, but still not enough to tip it over to a 4 for me. I (predictably) enjoyed the hints of rock mixed in there.
Janis okayyy! Like many people, I didn't know she fronted a band before this but I'm glad I've been given the opportunity to hear it. Super fun acid rock and great guitar through-lines support this absolute time of an album. However, I also have to dock a point; I would've loved the cover art if it didn't have a bunch of racist caricatures plastered all over it. Yuck :/
Hey a non-Western artist on this list! More of this please! That being said, while I definitely enjoyed branching out and think that this project is objectively quite pleasant, I'm not the biggest fan of percussion-driven music in general and found it to be tedious.
Another legend that I'm listening to for the first time, and Holy Harmonica! While Dylan is undeniably a lyrical genius (and I found this to be the aspect I enjoyed the most), I can't help my "meh" reaction to older folk and singer-songwriter tunes. Great musicianship, but unfortunately another album I suspect I'd appreciate much more if I was born before the 2000's. A 3 star record, but a very high 3 for sure.
Not my usual style but I really liked this! Funky and vibey, just an all around neat listening experience (though a few lyrics here and there made my eyebrows raise). It got me feeling strangely grateful that I'll always have more to discover when it comes to music, in this instance golden age hip hop.
What's going on? A fantastic fully-realised body of work, that's what! One of those albums deemed a timeless classic by everybody and their mamas, and boy do I understand it now. Definitely a step up from his previous album I listened to, "Let's Get It On", as while a project doesn't need to be revolutionary or contain a central narrative to be amazing, I do prefer it when it has something deeper to say. The lyrics are piercing in their message, yet stay hopeful and sweet. And of course, both his voice and the instruments are marvellous.
The simple statement, "What's Going On" doubles as both a questioning of our absurd reality and a plea to open our eyes to the suffering around us. Its deserving of deconstruction long past the 70's, because really, what IS going on guys? What are we doing? I'm not a Christian (I can forgive when it got a little too preachy for my tastes), but the overarching message of love, empathy and togetherness in times of strife resonate strongly, while still holding space to criticise a society that has allowed and perpetuated such meaningless waste and violence. But dreams of a better future for the beaten and persecuted don't have to stay dreams, and the world will always be brighter for it.
Right off the bat, the cover art is awesome! I do wish the music matched the intensity of this first impression, though it's a refreshing injection of electronic experimentation after a long string of more traditional genres like rock and jazz. Ambient music doesn't hold my attention too well, but this album was successful in building a cold, spooky and brain-tingling sci-fi atmosphere. Like an explorer spotting the foggy blue glow of an alien spaceship in the distance, as they trudge across a barren icy planet lightyears from Earth. Jean-Michel Jarre's synthetic playground is regarded as ahead of his time, and I'm delighted to understand why!
Oooh Radiohead, another critic and general public darling, whom I've never actually listened to a full album before now. Well, this is as good a start as any! Yorke's wailing vocals are mostly all the right amounts of devastating, but other times grating to the ears. The album straddles the line between artistic and meandering, but thankfully that directionless-ness was usually more hypnotising than stagnating. Overall, "Amnesiac" is an impressive and technically interesting showing of experimental rock!
While I prefer longer songs (given modern pop's under 3 minute epidemic), in this case the songs averaging 5 minutes did make the album overstay its welcome a little. More positively, Brit pop's easy listening has the advantage of never being exceptionally bad. Though, it's contentious to say if this is a true strength, as taking little risks also means a lot of projects in this genre aren't exceptionally amazing either. All that said however, "A Walk Across The Rooftops" is certainly one of the best ones I've listened to so far, as it incorporates more coarse and artsy production that I really enjoyed!
It's the Ramones! Punk pioneers whose name has been whispered in my ear everywhere I search. This flashy self-titled album is akin to setting off backyard fireworks; damn great fun and I admire how fast-paced it is. Other than that though, I don't think I got as much out of it as I would've hoped.
When I saw this was tagged as metal and hard rock, I was excited. When it's good, it's real good. There are some lower points that were too glitzy for me to care much for (80's glam metal and all that), but overall, a heart-pumping high-energy project! The guitar solos were especially exhilarating and I can see why this band is famous for them.
Another song-writing legend I've now experienced for the first time! I actually really like this spoken word stream-of-consciousness style that she's going for here; it feels like I've been cornered by a woman at the end of her rope, sitting me down in the dark corner of a cafe so she can tell me her life story. She's dangling me off the edge of a metaphorical cliff and it's a coin toss whether she'll pull me into safety or let me fall. I can understand why this isn't for everyone, but to me these weirdly intimate rambles are the real star, the instrumentals are just here to set the mood (very well might I add).
Oh my, I enjoyed the heck outta this! Dark and rough-around-the-edges, I'm pleasantly shocked this came out as early as 1980 and don't actually mind how repetitive it is. It's more about the gritty textures creating an immersive atmosphere than it is about intricacy, though there are definitely some catchy hooks here and there. Also, the main vocal styling reminded me a smidge of The Cure (just more growl-y), so that's a plus!
