Saying that I was completely certain that this was my first time listening to this album, and then checking on RYM and seeing that I had indeed already rated it is very indicative of how mediocre the music here is. It is far from the worst album in the list, but it does fail to bring anything new to the table.
6/10 [DROP]
Rated 8/10
I found it particularly interesting that this album was included. Typically, when debating Iron Maiden's albums, the ones that get the attention are 'Powerslave' and 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son'. However, this one's got a nice equilibrium between sounds which to me makes it my preferred record of theirs.
9/10 [KEEP]
Rated 8/10
This is starting to become a theme, but this is another album that suffers from being compared to 'Blue'. It is a truly accessible record but fails to have the highlights of other albums in her discography.
9/10 [KEEP]
As its own title suggests, it is a collection of good songs with the greats Eric Clapton and Duane Allman. It does not attempt to be a conceptual album but it works on some level as a collection of bangers.
8/10 [KEEP]
Rated 10/10
This is one perfect album. It is such a psychedelic and baroque album with such a pristine recording and immaculate production that make it the perfect album to include in this list. It was one of the records that I was expecting to be included and so glad that it did!
10/10 [KEEP]
Rated 6/10
It is yet another good Nick Cave album. In a way, it does not feel as unique or fundamental as some of the later records. It is not subject to the harrowing melancholy of the latest part of his discography and feels strictly inferior to the three albums that come after it, which to me are the quintessential part of his oeuvre. I'm bent on whether this album should be included when there are so many better Nick Cave records.
8/10 [KEEP?]
Rated 4/10
Another album which is nothing to write home about. It has highlights, such as the 'Another Girl Another Planet' track, but nothing feels so out of the ordinary to have to listen to it before one dies.
7/10 [DROP]
Rated 4/10
While slightly dated, it is for great reason that it was labelled as one of the greatest debut albums of all time. As perhaps the clearest example there is to Gangsta Rap, it offers a collection of formulaic bangers which are made interesting by his braggadocio.
7/10 [KEEP]
Rated 6/10
Very strong debut from Amy, whose great vocal range is on display throughout the album. While there are fewer standouts than in her magnum opus, the album is very consistent throughout, offering a very satisfactory listen.
8/10 [KEEP]
Rated 6/10
Lacking any of the knowledge to assess the album relevance, it is very refreshing to see the region of Latin America well represented with sounds that are unique and interesting.
8/10 [KEEP]
Rated 4/10
This is yet another testament of the brit-centered nuance of this list. The album itself is not bad, and I thought it was at least half interesting. However, as in many of the albums of the same style, I fail to see the significance that it could have to have landed in a list such as this one.
7/10 [DROP]
Rated 8/10
There is absolutely great reason why this is such an acclaimed album. It is universally beautiful, with a lot of care for arrangements, and masterful songwriting. It is a rollercoaster ride, with fast transitions from the hopeful 'Chicago' to the heartwrenching 'Casimir Pulaski's Day'. While I prefer some other parts of his discography, i.e. 'Seven Swans', this is an easy inclusion.
9/10 [KEEP]
Rated 6/10
This is an album whose relevance lies in containing some of the most significant hits in the band's discography. To that end, it remains a meaningful record but its longer runtime makes it feel a little one-dimensional and flat compared to earlier records in their discography. For that reason I might prefer 'Ride the Lightning' as a more enjoyable listen.
8/10 [KEEP]
Rated 4/10
Yet another solid album within the Roxy Music discography. While it is up to the quality standard of the band and by no means is a bad record, it is the weakest among the first four albums in their discography, and simultaneously feels less relevant than 'Avalon' as a testament of their later era. All of this to say that this album should have been replaced by 'Stranded' as the better Roxy Music album in '73.
7/10 [SWAP]
Rated 6/10
When tasked with reviewing this album, I had the feeling that it would be a collection of filler songs around 'Le Freak' but I was felt very impressed with the record quality.
8/10 [KEEP]
Rated 4/10
It is a great compilation of many of the early works by Miles Davis. It is a magnificient jazz record, which lays the groundwork for scenes such as post-bebop. However, many of Miles' albums feel more monumental than this, such as the other albums included in this list and other glaring omissions such as 'Sketches of Spain'. I respect the glimpse that it provides to the early-era Miles Davis but it does not feel as essential to be included.
7/10 [SWAP]
Rated 8/10
The first great Rush record. This one lies closer to the Progressive Rock canon so it might feel less unique than later albums in their discography. However, it contains some of the greatest snippets to their discography. My only but to the record is that I feel that as a conceptual album its storyline ends up being a bit weak.
9/10 [KEEP]
Rated 6/10
While more accustomed to Eric Clapton's masterful playing in ensembles such as the Bluesbreakers, Derek and the Dominoes, or Cream, his solo career is a testament of his composition ability which ends up consolidating a very enjoyable record.
8/10 [KEEP]
Rated 4/10
Had not heard this record from the Brazilian artist before. Among his records that I have heard, this one has more of a western focus at times, which might make it a more palatable listen to some people. However, in overall quality it is far behind 'Fôrça Bruta' and 'A Tábua de Esmeralda', which I believe are more iconic records of his discography.
7/10 [SWAP]
Rated 10/10
The masterpiece for the Mark Knopfler band, which of itself offers a very bluesy vibe with the great guitar playing throughout. It contains some of the heavy hitters in DS discography but to my ears, 'Down to the Waterline' is their absolute best.
10/10 [KEEP]
