Joined 9 November 2026
| 10 | 145 | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | |
| 8 | 156 | |
| 7 | 0 | |
| 6 | 161 | |
| 5 | 0 | |
| 4 | 101 | |
| 3 | 0 | |
| 2 | 64 | |
| 1 | 0 |
| Genre | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Rock | 442 | 6.3 |
| Pop | 228 | 6.0 |
| Electronic | 95 | 7.0 |
| Folk | 87 | 5.9 |
| R&B | 75 | 7.5 |
| Blues | 68 | 7.3 |
| Punk | 63 | 5.6 |
| Singer-Songwriter | 63 | 6.0 |
| Subgenre | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Big Beat | 4 | 10.0 |
| Latin Jazz | 3 | 10.0 |
| Techno | 9 | 9.8 |
| AOR | 3 | 9.3 |
| Vocal Jazz | 3 | 9.3 |
| Heavy Metal | 15 | 8.9 |
| Funk Metal | 5 | 8.8 |
| Samba | 5 | 8.8 |
| Bossa Nova | 5 | 8.8 |
| Cool Jazz | 3 | 8.7 |
| IDM | 3 | 8.7 |
| Industrial Metal | 3 | 8.7 |
| Gangsta Rap | 4 | 8.5 |
| African | 5 | 8.4 |
| Breakbeat | 5 | 8.4 |
Rated 6/10
I remember when this album came out, and Babylon hit, and everyone was all gaga over it, and thinking this guy was a one hit wonder. My thought still stands. Sure, folky electronica would be fine, but this isn't all folky electronica.
My rating: 3/5
Rated 8/10
A defining blend of '90s R&B and hip-hop that still sounds smooth and effortlessly cool today. The interludes and skits contribute very little and mainly serve as skippable filler, but the actual songs range from good to excellent. The hits are deservedly famous, and the album's deeper cuts proved stronger than I expected. Revisiting it now, I find myself wishing I'd given TLC more attention when this was first released.
My Rating: 4/5
Rated 10/10
It's rare for a pop album to be produced in a way that still sounds fresh decades later. There are songs on Ray of Light that could be released today and still find an audience. While I wish more of the album had become widely known, I suspect the deeper cuts wouldn't carry the same impact if every track had been played into the ground.
People love to hate Madonna for being Madonna, but part of her appeal has always been her willingness to push buttons. The controversy gets people to the table, but the music is what keeps them there. Her edginess brings you to the table to see what zaniness she's cooked up today. On Ray of Light, she pairs that edge with some remarkably enduring electronic pop, resulting in an album that holds up far better than many of its contemporaries.
My Rating: 4.5/5
Rated 10/10
Ambient music lives or dies by whether it accomplishes its intended purpose: creating a mood and an atmosphere without getting in the way. Selected Ambient Works 85-92 passes that test with ease.
This album sits at an interesting point in electronic music history. The ambient elements are here, but so are the soft techno grooves and trance-like rhythms that would help define the genre for years to come. Some of the sounds show their age, but "dated" doesn't mean "bad." If anything, it adds to the charm and serves as a reminder of just how influential this record was.
What surprised me is how natural it still feels to listen to today. Rather than feeling like a historical curiosity, it remains an effective ambient album in its own right. I put it on during my morning drive and found it created exactly the kind of peaceful atmosphere that ambient music is supposed to create.
It's rare to find an album that works both as a historical document and as a genuinely enjoyable listening experience decades after its release. Selected Ambient Works 85-92 manages both.
Rating: 4.5/5
I had never heard of this duo before. I looked at the reviews for a hint of what I was in for and saw the tag "Fairport Convention," which filled me with dread because I am never in the mood for RenFaire ponciness outside the RenFaire. Once I got into it, though, I found something closer to Fleetwood Mac-ish rock without all the cheating. The music is masterfully done, the singers bounce off each other and play to each other's strengths, and the songs are catchy. I found myself singing along at times. Well done. I don't know if this is truly essential listening, but I'm glad I heard it.
My Rating: 4/5
