Reviews by brndnnll

Ha Iron Maiden is ridiculous but definitely sweet. Probably the quintessential Iron Maiden record here. Just a pillar in the history of Heavy Metal.

This album is great. Nico's voice is both beautiful and haunting at the same time. I know many of her collaborators wrote these songs for her to sing, and the arrangements are just beautiful. This is a singular work for a unique artist. Really great early morning listen.

I did not have much expectation for this album. I assumed since it was born of the 80s it would be some amalgamation of music of the time and wouldn't resemble what I consider R&B at all. But after listening to this, it does feel like it was (at the time) a very modern take on R&B but still rooted in the classic sound from Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. It certainly seems like it has it's foot in neo-soul too. I didn't love this, but it was a good record for sure.

This album is wild. It's just like a wild progressive rock opera. It's so so long. I can't imagine anyone being super stoked on this and thinking that putting the whole thing on to listen to on a regular basis was a great idea. What a world.

I had never heard of this band, and was listening to it and was nonplussed. Then the last track hit and I realized that they have a song that everyone has heard hundreds of times. Which I'm not sure if that's why it's on this list or if the album itself is considered worthy on it's own merit, but regardless the whole thing was kind of run of the mill and underwhelming for me as far as English synth-pop bands from the 80s are concerned.

I have been aware of Screaming Trees as just the band that Mark Lanegan was in his younger days, but had never listened to them. This record was great, a snapshot of music in Seattle in the 90s. Perfectly enjoyable.

Clearly this is a classic.

I had not listened to Steve Earle before, but this is about as Classic Country sounding as it can get, I guess I didn't really realize that was his deal. I guess it has more of a rocker's country and heartland rock vibe for sure. It was fine, just generally not for me.

The only awareness of this band that I had before this was that "Yes, I know a band called Board of Canada exists" and that was it. I usually bristle a bit at electronic music, but this was absolutely wonderful. Enjoyed the whole thing quite a bit.

Charlie Byrd is always perfect. This is a great jazz/samba/bossa nova record. Great Sunday morning listening.

This album is an excellent bridge from early breezy Beach Boys to the more complex and mature later Beach Boys with the complex lush arrangements. This song is recorded perfectly and works together. An excellent snapshot of the band growing as artists.

I remember this band and album being a big deal when it arrived, but never listened to it. Listening to it, it's obvious they were talented even then, but tough to deny that knowing what Beyonce has been up to since. Overly long which is a classic issue during the CD era, but this was fine, if not all that interesting to me.

I cannot believe this is the third album from this band on this list. This band seems about as middle of the road, check as many mass appeal boxes as possible, to just be a meh band that basic people love. There's nothing wrong with it, but nothing inherently interesting either. Why is this band on this list so much?

Just a great punk record. Urgent and energetic, short and succinct.

Leonard Cohen is such a singular voice and musician. Everything about this album is perfect, haunting, and beautiful.

Pretty meat and potatoes early 70s British rock with Rod Stewart.

A classic album, great artwork. Been a staple for years. Stoked to pull this for a lazy Sunday morning listen. 5 stars always.

Man, a metal album from the CD era, which means an overly bloated runtime. This was a bit of a slog to get through as it's not really my favorite genre. It's fine for sure, but wore on me as the 72 minutes wore on. Not my favorite.

Great album all around. Perfectly produced and nothing at all bad to say about it.

Excellent Tom Waits record. I have always loved his earlier stuff, and this is one of the weirder ones, recorded to make it sound like it's all happening in a jazz club. Great vibe for a late in the work week morning listen.