Here's the next 100...
6/22/2021
Black Sabbath: Master of Reality (1971)
Perhaps one of the most important heavy metal albums, Master of Reality is heavy with sludgy guitars and an ominous sound that founded the doom & stoner metal genres, yet perfectly able to handle atmospheric and ambient psychedelic tracks like "Solitude" and acoustic interludes such as "Orchid."
6/22/2021
Weezer: Weezer (Blue Album) (1994)
We were just listening to Black Sabbath, but Weezer's Blue Album feels like producers hired a bunch of emos to sing over a 1.25x speed stoner rock song. I don't know why that happened. It doesn't sit well with me. Give me more melodic tracks like "Undone - The Sweater Song" or "Only In Dreams" and you'll make a Weezer fan out of yours truly.
6/22/2021
Kanye West: The College Dropout (2003)
Full of sarcasm and bravado, you'd hardly think The College Dropout was a Kanye West album. Hit after hit, and hilarious skits that fulfill the artistic purpose, there's not much to criticize about Kanye's debut studio album.
6/22/2021
The Mothers of Invention: We're Only in It for the Money (1968)
All I knew about these guys is their connection to Frank Zappa, and I know he's one of the experimental pioneers of 20th Century rock, but none of that was relevant upon hearing this. We're Only in It for the Money carried a fast tempo, so every second mattered. The highs were high, but the lows... were low. With a record this avant garde, risks will always be taken. And even though I'm nerdy about this genre, some things went over my head, feeling unnecessary or annoying. Thankfully none of this made or broke the experience, since the songs moved around so much. I just wish they would've stuck to one idea more often.
6/22/2021
The Smiths: Meat Is Murder (1985)
As the title suggests, Morrissey goes full manifesto on this album. Meat Is Murder isn't very different to other Smiths pieces in its sound, so that means I immediately fell for it. The most glaring part about it was that the songs weren't as catchy as can be, but I appreciate the turn toward slower, drawn-out songs. That title track is kind of disturbing, though.
6/28/2021
Leonard Cohen: Songs of Love and Hate (1970)
Leonard Cohen's good. I mean, what else am I supposed to say? This doesn't mean I like Songs of Love and Hate, but I don't hate it either. Singer-songwriters can get away with a lot, especially in the minimalist folk music world. Do listen to "Famous Blue Raincoat," however.
6/28/2021
MC5: Kick Out the Jams (1969)
MC5 do be kickin' out the jams on their debut album and live show. I discovered this proto-punk band through this here 500 album musical listening extravaganza, wherein their Back in the USA project came listed at #446. Pioneers of the punk genre, MC5 also deliver a unique and energetic performance, closing on a long-winded but satisfying trippy outro ("Starship").
7/29/2021
The Velvet Underground: White Light/White Heat (1968)
The Velvet Underground is one of my favorite bands. Their dedication to the avant-garde continues on their second album: White Light. This second album carries a structure similar to the self-titled The Velvet Underground, but it's quite there. There's too many parts where things feel forced and off-putting. I see where they were going with this, but there's obviously some loose ends to fix with regards to composition.
7/29/2021
Bob Dylan and the Band: The Basement Tapes (1975)
So what's this, like the fourth Dylan record so far? (It actually is I just checked). Much respect to this king, but The Basement Tapes just felt like a vacuous collection of Americana music. Since I'm not a huge fan, it's unlikely I'll be coming back to this specific anytime soon. I am, however, waiting eagerly to play his most critically acclaimed projects: Highway 61 Revisited, Blood on the Tracks, etc.
7/29/2021
Talking Heads: Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
"Psycho Killer" is the star that we all know, but I suggest checking out the following: the choppy "Pulled Up" and moody and funky "Don't Worry About the Government; "First Week / Last Week" and "No Compassion" are the prettiest tracks that I can remember. That being said, Talking Heads '77 doesn't even come close to More Songs About Buildings and Food, which Rolling Stone listed at #383 and has recently grown on me even more.
7/29/2021
Al Green: Call Me (1973)
I've been playing "Have You Been Making Out Ok" an ungodly amount of times. Al Green's "Call Me" is 35 beautiful minutes of 70s soul that will go straightt to your heart. (Also, "You Ought to Be with Me" is a phenomenal piece).
1/9/2022
The Kinks: Something Else by The Kinks (1967)
Yeah, nothing really stuck out. This album is mixed pretty terribly on Spotify so that didn't help. There were a handful of songs I liked, but nothing to write home about.
1/9/2022
Grateful Dead: Anthem of the Sun (1968)
At first I remember Anthem of the Sun annoyed the hell out of me (I thought it was trying to do too much), but upon further listening, I changed my mind. Perhaps inpatient or anxious the first go-around, I sat down with a clearer mind and peacefully enjoyed 38 minutes of acid rock jams, and I like the odd compositions that makes the songs sound like the record is flowing in and out of consciousness.
8/16/2021
X: Los Angeles (1980)
Punk doesn't get any more classic than this. The beats on this thing are so fresh and energetic. I can see myself zooming down a desert road on my dirtbike, chucking a Molotov cocktail at whatever flammable object catches my eye first (yeah, I've played GTA how'd you know). You need look no further than the title track, but honestly everything else is just as consistent.
9/22/2021
Al Green: I'm Still in Love With You (1972)
I could tell early on that I'd enjoy this one more than Call Me. It feels more complete musically, and more dynamic, all while maintaining the Al Green standard for a great soul record. Bored? Just want to chill? Got a girl over? You can never go wrong with I'm Still in Love With You.
9/22/2021
Stevie Wonder: Music of My Mind (1972)
Evil, why have you kept me from Stevie for so long? It's hard to believe Music of My Mind is the first Stevie Wonder album I've sat and listened to the whole way through.
First off, I think the most noticeable part was the progressive nature of the project. Then, the bluesy piano and guitars shine bright, and take the music to the next level. All around, it's a great first album for me. My favorite song may be "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)."
9/22/2021
The Cars: The Cars (1978)
This is a fantastic album for anyone looking to get into classic rock. At a time where the trendy post-punk and alternative sound was beginning to grow, The Cars knew they could do their own thing. With catchy tracks like "Don't Cha Stop" and the iconic "Just What I Needed," the band keeps the foot on the pedal (omg a pun), and manage to sound like a developed Talking Heads (vocals and certain styles remind me of David Byrne) crew that built a timeless pop rock record.
9/22/2021
Barry White: Can't Get Enough (1974)
I love the format of Can't Get Enough. As a big Pink Floyd fan myself, I really like seeing artists bookend their albums with a common themed two-part song. "Mello Mood" parts 1 and 2 serve that role. The first one prepares you for two classics: "You're The First, My Last, My Everything" and "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe." On "Mellow Mood - Pt. II," we hear a sweet & mellow R&B piece (that makes me feel like I'm waking up in heaven) to close things off. At 31 minutes, this relatively short thing is pretty much perfectly arranged.
1/9/2021
Muddy Waters: Folk Singer (1964)
Great artist. Great performance. But when it comes to classic blues, I'd rather listen to musicians like BB King or Albert King. Folk Singer is simply not textured enough (few instruments at a time) and not as groovy as I'd like a blues album to be.
1/9/2021
Mary J. Blige: My Life (1994)
This one's pretty long (65 min) but it doesn't feel that way, and met my expectations. My Life is rife with memorable R&B beats (s/o P. Diddy) as well as amazing, passionate vocal performances (see "I'm Goin' Down") that make for a very intimate and standout 90s album.
1/9/2021
U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000)
U2's 2000 album kicks it off with one of the most wholesome rock songs in "Beautiful Day." After that, I wasn't particularly interested in the album, but "Kite" has a really pretty guitar lick, and "Grace" almost sounds like a forgotten acoustic track off The Velvet Underground (1969). All That You Needed Was Lou Reed.
1/9/2022
David Bowie: Aladdin Sane (1973)
I like the progressive nature of this record, and the production was also really crisp. This classic album shows Bowie in a field where it's all about the art rather than accessible singles. It's nice, but not the best iteration of such a project by Bowie, as some tracks just leave your memory as soon as they're done.
1/9/2022
Various Artists: Anthology of American Folk Music (1997)
N/A - anthologies/best-of/compilations, etc. not albums, therefore not included.
4/1/2023
Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)
Really positive energy, with constant driving dance beats (you could've known that from the name) that will take you on a tour of the 80s - and a great way of ending it too. Also catchy enough to be pop and dance. Very good quality.
4/1/2023
Parliament/Funkadelic: Mothership Connection (1975)
Eminem: The Slim Shady LP (1999)
Labelle: Night Birds (1974)
Smokey Robinson And The Miracles: Going To A Go-Go (1965)
Sleater-Kinney: Dig Me Out (1997)
The Beach Boys: The Beach Boys Today! (1965)
The Rolling Stones: Some Girls (1978)
The Jesus And Mary Chain: Psycho Candy (1985)
Paul Simon: Paul Simon (1972)
The Who: Quadrophenia (1973)
Blood, Sweat, & Tears: Child Is Father To The Man (1968)
Damn banger after banger. No skips, perfect progression with just the right amount of variation needed track-to-track to keep you entertained from the first second of this album, while the band maintains their same style with ease. Beautiful jazz rock love songs with orchestral touches that makes it a straight 10/10!
Ray Charles: The Genius Of Ray Charles (1959)
Grateful Dead: Workingman's Dead (1970)
Getting kind of underwhelmed with Dead albums. Casey Jones is a classic, and great record, but there's no enough left to make a complete album.
Tracy Chapman: Tracy Chapman (1988)
You can't really eclipse "Fast Car," but you sure can try: and Tracy Chapman gets a decent way there with her soft, bite-sized yearning acoustic singles.
Crosby, Stills & Nash: Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969)
Grateful Dead: American Beauty (1970)
Freaks and Geeks nostalgia? Maybe. But I think this one's the best Grateful Dead record so far. There's a lot more radio-friendly, and therefore straightforward tracks on this one. I just haven't got the satisfaction I've expected from GD's experimental jams (I prefer their simple, long acid rock jams better), so the straightforward rock perspective was a better direction for American Beauty.
Willie Nelson: Stardust (1978)
Janet Jackson: The Velvet Rope (1997)
The Kinks: The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
Whitney Houston: Whitney Houston (1985)
Kraftwerk: Trans-Europe Express (1977)
Metallica: Metallica (1991)
Otis Redding: Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul (1966)
Bruce Springsteen: The River (1980)
I'm starting to get annoyed by Bruce Springsteen. I just find his music boring and way too cliche for my taste. Still holding out hope for Born In The USA, though, as that's inside the top 100 albums of all time according to this list.
Jay-Z: The Blueprint (2001)
Good enough.
David Bowie: Low (1977)
Some nice experimental electronic sounds at the back end of this record, and it's not something I would come back to but still interesting.
Jay-Z: Reasonable Doubt (1996)
Pretty good, nothing I would remember though..
R.E.M: Automatic For The People (1992)
I almost forgot "Everybody Hurts" is a real song, not just a meme. But now I noticed this is actually a really wonderful song, and you don't just have to listen to it when you're crying. You can rest assured Automatic For The People has a lot more you'll want to discover, like "New Orleans Instrumental
Ornette Coleman: The Shape Of Jazz To Come (1959)
I mean it doesn't get better than playing this kind of music really loud. It's the best way to enjoy it.
Grateful Dead: Live Dead (1969)
The Dead are way better live, in my opinion. And this
The Mothers Of Invention: Freak Out! (1966)
Jerry Lee Lewis: The Jerry Lee Lewis Anthology: All Killer No Filler! (1993)
Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath (1970)
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