Reviews by brndnnll

I had not ever heard of this band, but they sound instantly familiar as a product of their time. Definitely decent early psych rock. Totally fine record.

Just an excellent early record from an incredible americana folk musician.

You know this is the second Taylor Swift album I have listened to on this list, and I am just having a tough time with it. It just seems so incidental to me. Clearly it's well produced, written and performed, and is catchy, but it just feels empty and like pop churn. Officially do not get the whole phenomena.

Definitely not familiar with these guys at all, but it's very recognizable an familiar. I love the late 70s power pop punk stuff. Super fun and enjoyable record.

Was not familiar with these guys other than the curious name. This was better than I was expecting--I never really know what to think when I see "post-punk" and "synth-pop" together. But a lot of fun, a bit raw and loud. I dug it for sure.

Another R.E.M. record. Like every other one on this list. I'm hearing it for the first time and it already feels so familiar. R.E.M. is truly part of the our musical conversation in the US. This album was fine, but didn't strike me as being particularly great.

There is nothing wrong with this music, it just doesn't do anything for me. Definitely not my wheel house and maybe because of those things it feels a bit too overrepresented on this list. Will not ever revisit this.

This is a such a sweet album. It packs a punch with it's tone and melodic changes. Deceptively complex for how hard it hammers you. A stone cold classic. Rock and roll baby.

This is a singular album that lives in it's own unique space. It's so odd and mysterious and winding. I love it so much. It used to be in very regular rotation for me about 15 years ago and only listen to it once every few years now, but it's always incredibly rewarding. Very happy to pull this today.

This album is wild. It's all over the place and over the top. I struggle to agree that is something that one MUST hear before one dies. It's fine, but I will not listen to it ever again.

Never heard of this band/album before. A pretty middle of the road and forgettable 2000s indie rock record. Fades in to the background and I'll likely never listen to this again.

I am only familiar with k.d. lang from being one of the more famous celebrity fans for the local Portland Trailblazers. Had no expectations for this record, and have obviously heard the last track "Constant Craving" before. It's not really for me, but obviously it's a decent record and I get why people love it. Good to have more context to her though.

More familiar with this band and album than I initially thought. It's great, it's got that big chaotic big band jazz and rock fusion thing from the 70s going on and shares a lot of the same space as the music from Jesus Christ Superstar which I absolutely love. Had a great time listening to this.

This record surprised me a lot. I'm not super familiar with Alice Cooper aside from the myth and image and the obvious title track hit on this record. I was not expecting the whole cabaret feel and him doing his own take on a West Side Story. I also loved the squonky sax all over it too. This record is awesome and my impression of Alice Cooper has been raised considerably.

It's interesting listening to this album for the first time now almost 30 years after it came out. It was impossible not to know about Fiona Apple in 1996 with the album and the Criminal music video being ubiquitous in all music media. Years later it's a wonder how good this album was and still is and how immensely talented Apple was already at the age of 19, especially in light of how great the rest of her output has been. Really excellent listen.

Pretenders are a lot cooler than I thought they were. This is just a smart clean punchy post punk new wave album. It's honestly great from top to bottom.

I am not familiar with this band at all, even after listening to their top songs on the streaming services. This seemed like pretty run of the mill 90s alt rock. Very short and sweet record. It was fine.

My 4th PJ Harvey album on this thing, which is wild to me. It's interesting to see how hard this list goes at some artists, but as far as over represented English artists on this list, she's one of the best. I had not heard this--much more recent than the others--album of hers. It's good, and is what I was expecting.

I have never listened to Peter Gabriel and this was a lot and not at all for me. This album doesn't feel very cohesive at all. Almost like the songs are from different mixes. It's weird. It has a hit everyone knows though I guess.

Another English band that I have never heard of, and after listening to it, I can see why. I am sure this was a big deal at that time in the UK. But it feels like pretty standard new wave synth stuff. I understand that one of the songs was a hit, it's not familiar to me. I am hoping the whole album is not represented just because of that one hit.