I mean, this album starts with one of the best Bowie songs of all time. Starts strong, lost me in the middle, but came back in the second half with Queen Bitch. Kind of sounds like a musical soundtrack at times, but in a weirdo way that is so classic Bowie. Overall, a solid early Bowie work, and a good first album of his to listen to all the way through.
Favorite tracks: Changes, Queen Bitch
Going in pretty familiar with this one already, thanks to my jazz-loving mom & grandparents. Just an absolute masterclass of the genre and one that I see myself coming back to throughout my life. A quintessential album & a beyond deserving inclusion on the 1001 Albums list.
Favorite tracks: Blue Rondo a la Turk, Take Five (duh)
Parliament (and funk from this era generally) always makes me think of my mom, so my rating for this album is definitely biased. However, I can't consciously remember hearing any of these songs before except for Give Up The Funk. This album is groovy front to back, has an interesting intergalactic throughline, and is overall an excellent 70's funk album.
Favorite Tracks: Unfunky UFO, Handcuffs, Give Up The Funk
I just listened to Parliament yesterday, and now they're being sampled in the third track of this album...I live for these connections. ANYWAY - West Coast rap reigns supreme (yes, I am very biased) and this album is a perfect example of that fact. The fact that this album was Dre's explosion onto the scene as a solo artist is nothing short of legendary. A great performance from Snoop across the album as well.
Favorite tracks: Let Me Ride, Nuthin' But A "G" Thang
A bit slow and orchestral for my taste, as I tend to prefer the more upbeat Depeche Mode songs. However, there is some really cool synth work and interesting arrangements that I wasn't expecting. Hoping there is some more Depeche Mode on this list!
Favorite tracks: Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove
Been on this album for years now and it ALWAYS hits. Contains some of my favorite Radiohead songs of all time, and this album as a whole demonstrates what RH can produce when they're at the top of their game & everything comes together just right. Arguably the best RH album out there (though I oscillate between favorites) - a top album of 1997 for sure, and a very worthy inclusion on this list.
Favorite tracks: Karma Police, Climbing Up the Walls
I have major respect for Muddy Waters as a forerunner of American blues, as he is an incredibly talented songwriter and guitarist. However, classic blues like this isn't the style of music I tend to enjoy on a regular basis, as it gets a little repetitive for my taste.
Favorite tracks: Mannish Boy, I Can't Be Satisfied
I don't know what the hell was wrong with me in college when I tried to listen to this album and thought I didn't like it...this album RULES. Not sure how I resisted for so long, but it's so classic and formative to the global popularity of punk. Simple riffs, defiant lyrics, and sneering delivery make this an unforgettable listen.
Favorite tracks: Holidays in the Sun, No Feelings, God Save the Queen
I kind of wish I had listened to this album later in my Elliott Smith journey, but not a bad album by any means. Starts off really strong, but kind of lost me by the end. It always takes me a second to get reacquainted with his vocals too, and I find myself having to consciously overlook my normal dislike of overly breathy vocals.
Favorite tracks: Son Of Sam, Junk Bond Trader
Before listening to this I didn't realize how much I liked Ronald Isley's voice, and it is on display here in a superb way. One of my favorite voices from this era of funk, I think. Funky bass lines, masterfully layered instrumentals, and some really excellent covers make for a solid album that I wasn't expecting to like as much as I did. Instantly improved my mood, and I'll be keeping that in mind for the future!
Favorite tracks: You Walk Your Way, Summer Breeze
I was really ready to like this one a lot more, considering the spectacular hits from this album that I've been hearing for basically my whole life. However, I didn't care for the rockabilly influences and found the rest of the album beyond these hits kind of forgettable. I imagine this hit a lot harder in 1978 with its genre-bending. Sorry Debbie, you're a legend, but this just didn't hit for me.
Favorite tracks: Hanging On The Telephone, Heart Of Glass
Having listened to this now, the influence it had on In Utero is unmistakable. The drumming throughout is superb, and there are a couple of complete bangers on here. However, everything got kind of forgettable in the second half of the album, and for that my rating can't be too high (especially knowing that Doolittle is coming in the future of Pixies discography, where I feel they really hit their stride).
Favorite tracks: Break My Body, Where Is My Mind?
I was SHOCKED at how much I enjoyed this album. Sure, I've been hearing the band's major hits on the radio since before I could talk, but there were a surprising number of "hidden" bangers on this album (clearly I should have been looking). I'm kind of obsessed with Boyd's voice (even though all I can hear in 2026 is Mac Glocky's impression of him). Not a perfect album by any means, but damn was it nostalgic.
Favorite tracks: Consequence, When It Comes, Drive
Often when I'm listening to Arcade Fire, I find myself actively trying to convince myself that I like Win Butler's voice...so not always the most enjoyable experience. This is definitely a fun listen with several songs already in my rotation prior to today. However, in my opinion, anyone describing this album as "triumphant" is drinking a little bit of AF Kool-Aid. There's definitely a generation of people who go crazy for this band, but that's not me.
Favorite tracks: Neighborhood #2 (Laika), Rebellion (Lies)
Goodness gracious, this is an excellent Beatles album - I'm kicking myself for not listening to any in full before today because I was totally missing out! So many bangers I've missed out on, having only listened to "1" for pretty much my whole life up to this point. Yes, I know I'm more than 50 years late to the game, but as a lifelong Beatles enjoyer, this was such a fun listen - clean, simple, and catchy in just the way I knew it would be. A perfect summer listen.
Favorite tracks: She Said She Said, And Your Bird Can Sing, Tomorrow Never Knows (it appears I like Lennon lead vocal tracks?)
Ooooh baby! This gave me goosebumps immediately! Kacey's voice is always so clear and crisp - in fact, the whole production is exactly what I want from modern country music. The definition of lush. I think this came to me at the right time, after my country music stereotypes have softened and I've even become more amenable to pop music. Fills the exact lane that Taylor Swift left wide open for someone far more talented.
Favorite tracks: Slow Burn, High Horse
I have no idea how this made the list. I should have known from the band name alone that it was kinda gonna suck. It sounds like Blur and Flight of the Conchords had a really crappy baby with none of Damon Albarn's genius nor FotC's humor. It's like they're trying to fill a void that Albarn certainly did NOT leave unfilled, so I'm not really sure where this band fits in music history or why it even exists. Giving it 2 stars, but it's more like 1.5.
Favorite tracks (I guess?): [A] Touch Sensitive
As much as I like Steely Dan, this one wasn't really for me. Overproduced & without the swag that SD has. Plus, we already had the core SD discography to enjoy before this came out, and I don't think we needed virtually the same thing as a solo version. The album cover is way more interesting than any song contained within it. At least it was on the shorter side! (Also...how many girlfriends does this guy have? Two songs back-to-back about two different girls is kinda wild.)
Favorite tracks: The Nightfly
I was SO STOKED with this pull today because I've been meaning to listen to this album for so long!!! Wonderfully jangly with the perfect amount of scuzz, this album positively transports you to 1967 NYC. I hate that I'm so late to the game, but at the same time I'm so glad it came to me at the right moment in my life (aka living in New York with a few trips to the city under my belt). There's certainly a reputation preceding this work, and I now know it's for good reason: it's genre encompassing, experimental, and damn near perfect.
Favorite tracks: I'm Waiting For The Man, Heroin, I'll Be Your Mirror
This was...fine? I think I expected more from Dylan as a whole since I have never heard one of his albums in its entirety before, and considering how lauded he is generally. There were certainly a couple of hits here, but I fear his singing style still irks me the same way it has since I was a little kid. Maybe a different album would be a little more my speed, as I assume this isn't the only one I'll encounter on this list. Sorry, but I'm not Dylan-pilled quite yet...
Favorite tracks: Tangled up in Blue, Idiot Wind, Shelter from the Storm
