Album Ratings

Metal

System of a Down

System of a Down

When this album first came out, I lumped it in with hard rock bands like Korn and wrote it off. I didn’t think much of it for the next 28 years. Listening to it now, though, it feels a lot more like Rage Against the Machine, which I love. It’s not for everybody, but it’s aggressive, in-your-face, and I enjoyed it.

Hip Hop

Ready to Die

The Notorious B.I.G.

This album is great, but in hindsight, it’s frustrating to hear Puff Daddy all over it, constantly chiming in with “uh huh, uh huh.” The skits also feel unnecessary. That said, there are some really great songs here.

Rock

If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears

The Mama's and The Papa's

Man, this album was great. I've always liked a bunch of these songs but the harmonies are so good. Mama Cass is the goat. Wish she has more front and center parts.

Rock

Crime of the Century

Supertramp

Just some good classic rock. I think they call it prog-rock but it’s just classic to me. I haven’t really heard these songs so nostalgia wasn’t apart of my judgement. It was good.

Electronic

Phaedra

Tangerine Dream

I think it’s pretty neat for the time period. Nowadays it would feel less innovative. Since I like electronic and ambient music, it was easy for me to listen to. I wasn’t blown away, though, so it sits pretty clearly in the middle of my rankings.

Pop

Bad

Michael Jackson

This album is a great. Most of the songs stand on their own and are enjoyable to listen to. He’s the king of pop for a reason. I don’t think I have ever heard the beginning of I Just Can’t Stop Loving You but it felt so real I actually felt uncomfortable. Album is amazing though.

Electronic

Beyond Skin

Nitin Sawhney

I’m really torn about this album. While listening to it, I thought it was disappointing and not to my taste. It feels too high-brow for me in a way that isn't enjoyable. However, after reading about Nitin and his life on Wikipedia, I gained some context that positively influenced my rating. This leads me to another thought about how we perceive art. When I rated Michael Jackson, I kept thinking about his personal life alongside his music. I consciously chose to set aside his personal life, focusing solely on the quality of his music. In contrast, for Nitin, I decided to consider his personal life and other factors to rate the album more positively. Maybe in the end it doesn’t matter, but it's interesting how I selectively allow external factors to influence my ratings and decisions.

Rock

Imagine

John Lennon

Imagine is the only good song on this album IMO. I can’t deny that it’s a good song but I don’t think one good song can justify the rest of the album not being that good. The Beatles were great but on their own I’m not seeing it.

Rock

Sticky Fingers

The Rolling Stones

When I listen to the rolling stones I always think they are just ok. This album isn't any different. It's just classic rock but it's kind of the boring classic rock to me. Not sure why it doesn't grab me. That is a big package on the album cover though… I’m trying to understand what is going on.

Folk

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Simon and Garfunkel

One of my favorite albums. The reason I like it is because it has one song, "The Only Boy in New York," which was the song I sent to my son when he was little to keep him from crying. It’s a very powerful album for me and I just love almost every song.

Hip Hop

Speakerboxxx / The Love Below

OutKast

I think they make great music but it's just too long to listen through. I think there is a skill in cutting out and only delivering on your best work.

Rock

Millions Now Living Will Never Die

Tortoise

Surprise album. I really liked it. Never heard of them and I love post rock. Some parts were a little too abstract for me, so it is not a 5.

Punk

Crocodiles

Echo and The Bunnymen

I think it's pretty good for the time period but today it would be just ok. For being innovative with the sound at the time it’s something. Overall I think the album is a little boring.

Pop

Heaven or Las Vegas

Cocteau Twins

I love dream pop so I'm pretty biased and probably am pushing up this rating because of that. I can't understand what she's saying but that's expected. I was doing other things while listening so I couldn't focus really hard on it but I think that's but I generally like about this kind of music. I can enjoy it and it doesn't take effort.

Rock

Here Come the Warm Jets

Eno

Boring overall; I like his more ambient stuff. Too abstract/pretentious, felt like trying too hard to be different. Loved the last song/title track — great riff.

Rock

Hot Fuss

The Killers

The first 5 songs are bangers and I love them. When it hits track 6 it just throws the entire album off. I think those first 5 make up for the weaker second half of the album. The Killer make amazing bridges. "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" is an amazing bridge and it's just chefs kiss to me.

Rock

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin

Some really good songs and the sound engineering is amazing — it sounds really, really good. I love that they’re the epitome of rock ’n’ roll in the 60s and 70s, so it was fun to listen to. Not sure I’ll play it all the time, but the history behind it is pretty neat.

Rock

Ritual de lo habitual

Jane's Addiction

Rocks pretty good; memorable. Love the guitar riffs/drumming/songs. Don’t love the lead singer’s voice. Unsure if it’s 90s nostalgia vs actually really solid. Band drama/fights make it feel relevant. Like it, don’t love it; not a 5.

Country

Heartbreaker

Ryan Adams

Liked it and it was fine listening. I didn’t pay attention as much as I should, so the three is hedging against overrating or underrating, but it sounded nice.

Folk

Bert Jansch

Bert Jansch

Easy to listen to, classic 60s folk. Nothing stood out as amazing, but overall right in the middle.

Hip Hop

Licensed to Ill

Beastie Boys

When I was in middle school, I remember going to this girl’s house and they played the song "Girls." Me and my buddies were so hyped, jumping up and down. Ever since that I love Beastie Boys. This was kind of my intro to music beyond what my parents had given me, a time for a lot of people in elementary/middle school when they’re trying to figure out what they like.

Rock

Armed Forces

Elvis Costello and The Attractions

I just could not get into this one. I was actually pretty bored most of the time.

Rock

Nick of Time

Bonnie Raitt

Overall not my thing. But I did like the song Thing called love and Have a heart.

Hip Hop

Paul's Boutique

Beastie Boys

It's hard for me not to rate this a 10. It has some awesome songs, great beats, and clever lyrics. But it's just not as good as the other beastie boys albums. I don't think I can do all 5s for them so some need to drop. Shadrach meshach abendigo is my favorite song from the album

Pop

Hounds of Love

Kate Bush

It's hard not to mention Stranger Things when talking about this album. Several songs feel like they could be in the show. First of Running up that hill is a very very good song IMO. It encapslates the 80s for me. It was a very good fit for the show. Anyways about the rest of the album there are some other really good songs that I enjoyed

Rock

Is This It

The Strokes

It felt like I was listening to a friend sing through a walkie talkie the entire time. Some songs are popular and heard them before so I found mysef sininging along. One of my biggest issues is that the songs all sound the same. Overall it's a good album.

Rock

Live / Dead

Grateful Dead

It's just a boring album to me. Listening to it is a bit of a slog. I generally don't love jam bands, but to each their own.

Rock

Loveless

My Bloody Valentine

I didn't even need to listen to this one. This has been one of my top albums for the last 25 - 30 years. I know people hate on Kevin Shields but I think the album is great

Hip Hop

3 Feet High and Rising

De La Soul

De La Soul is my favotire hip hop group so I'm very biased. This album was so unique for the time. I love the positivity it was trying to show. What I also love about this album is that you can clearly see they are just having fun and goofing off which I just love