Rated 8/10
In terms of variety, this was -really- good. Meanders between beautiful piano arrangements to straight up hard rock n' roll. Even though it is lengthy, it didn't outstay its welcome for me. It does seem like a one-man project where he's just playing whatever he feels like it, but he stops and thinks "does this sound good?" rather than the more experimental shit out there.
I think 'one-hit wonder' is the most apt way to describe Dexys Midnight Runners. This album had nothing that could stand on its own merits or provide a pleasant experience. Also, those fucking horns.
Rated 6/10
'Uncelebrated masterpiece' could be code for "it's alright, not every hit an artist puts out is going to be the next best thing since sliced bread."
The most milquetoast, honky tonk rock album about the same old spiels of doe-eyed lovers. Feel free to skip this one!
Rated 10/10
FIGHT THE POWER!
Glorious hip hop that stays oh so, so relevant. Fantastic beats, funky rhymes, and just overall an amazing album that I -truly- needed to listen to before I died.
Rated 6/10
I had to double-check the date. This released in 2005? Why is it influential? This is digging up old rock n' roll and country and necromancing the shit out of it.
It -works-, don't get me wrong. Hawley has pleasant, relaxing vocals, and the album lulls you into a state of tranquility. But come on.
Rated 6/10
There's some of the gravel here that I love about Tom Waits, but it's more like a little bumpy road compared to a wild, chaotic path into the rocky hinterlands. So ehh.
Rated 6/10
This album breezed me by in a pleasant, but forgettable manner. The lyricism is pure poetry and evocative, I could feel myself drifting on the imagined worlds of Calenture. But good lyrics does not a good album make.
Rated 8/10
Simply -fabulous-. A great, joyous album that's made my day just a tad brighter.
Rated 6/10
Boy, that sure is some rock. With some thwanging guitars and surfer anthem energy. Gee whiz, talk about rock n' roll!
Rated 6/10
Ehhh is pretty alright. The other John Martyn album on this list was okay but nothing to write home about either, so I think my experience with Martyn can be summarized with: ehh.
Rated 10/10
Much more raw, unfiltered, and powerful than I thought it would be. You can hear the emotions in Cobain's voice as he finishes up the performance. Honestly glad I listened to it.
Rated 8/10
This is some funky, smooth as butter tunes. Me likey a lot.
Rated 6/10
Fuckin' grade A predecessor to heavy metal. Which, however, means it's just 'ok'.
My copy of the book refers to G. Love & Special Sauce as a break away from the stigma revolving around Vanilla Ice when it comes to white hiphop. As a certified quirked up white boy myself, that didn't happen in this album. It's the lamest hiphop I've listened to in my experience with this challenge.
Rated 4/10
You'd think if McCartney stretched his wings for the first time, he'd come up with something unique and genuinely interesting. But nope. This is honestly as bland as porridge.
Rated 8/10
Languid and drawling, perfect for a hot summer weekend. If only I had that cool pitcher of ice tea I'm imagining myself with in this album.
Rated 6/10
Hmm, a sprinkle of jazz here with some poppy undertones. But nothing too new. Can't hold it against that since it's quite an old album, but it was a'ight.
Rated 8/10
Funky as shit boi
Rated 8/10
Catchy indie rock. Pretty nice.
