This year I got into listening to albums in a big way, mostly due to Covid shutting down my gym and forcing me to go on walks for a time.
As I am wont to do, I have devised a complex system of math to grade each album I listen to. This factors songs good enough to add to my playlist (the biggest score), other songs (how much of the album is filler? do any songs annoy me?), cohesion or album concept, and a small score for personal bias (do I love the artist? how did their album meet my expectations? how enjoyable was it?).
Albums are ranked from S to F with a school grade system in mind. In theory, most albums should be Fs, but as I'm not going out of my way to listen to people like Cardi B, this has not happened much (look I dunno maybe Cardi B is really good, who are we supposed to hate right now?).
Now that I have 100 albums on my list, I present it to you for your approval/bickering.
The following are explanations where warranted. I've been doing this for some time, so if I have nothing to say about an album, assume the grade has something to do with the quality of the band and amount of good songs on the album.
Let me know what you think, what I got wrong, and maybe what albums I should be listening to. I'll update in batches of 5 or 10.
As I am wont to do, I have devised a complex system of math to grade each album I listen to. This factors songs good enough to add to my playlist (the biggest score), other songs (how much of the album is filler? do any songs annoy me?), cohesion or album concept, and a small score for personal bias (do I love the artist? how did their album meet my expectations? how enjoyable was it?).
Albums are ranked from S to F with a school grade system in mind. In theory, most albums should be Fs, but as I'm not going out of my way to listen to people like Cardi B, this has not happened much (look I dunno maybe Cardi B is really good, who are we supposed to hate right now?).
Now that I have 100 albums on my list, I present it to you for your approval/bickering.
The following are explanations where warranted. I've been doing this for some time, so if I have nothing to say about an album, assume the grade has something to do with the quality of the band and amount of good songs on the album.
Electric Light Orchestra, Out of the Blue (1977)
My rating system can be biased toward longer albums, but this comes with a huge risk. After all, most albums struggle just to fill 40 minutes. Out of the Blue features 17 songs and somehow they are all bangers, on top of top-tier songs like Mr. Blue Sky, Sweet Talkin' Woman, and Turn to Stone. It's no wonder that this is ELO's most popular and successful album. It may be the album to beat for a long time.
My rating system can be biased toward longer albums, but this comes with a huge risk. After all, most albums struggle just to fill 40 minutes. Out of the Blue features 17 songs and somehow they are all bangers, on top of top-tier songs like Mr. Blue Sky, Sweet Talkin' Woman, and Turn to Stone. It's no wonder that this is ELO's most popular and successful album. It may be the album to beat for a long time.
Prince, The Gold Experience (1995)
JoJo didn't get it wrong here. Gold Experience is themed like a virtual exploration of the senses, covering the human condition in every shade from love to hate. It's the trippy structure that the album nails, and while it doesn't have Prince's best songs, one shouldn't ignore songs like Gold or Dolphin.
JoJo didn't get it wrong here. Gold Experience is themed like a virtual exploration of the senses, covering the human condition in every shade from love to hate. It's the trippy structure that the album nails, and while it doesn't have Prince's best songs, one shouldn't ignore songs like Gold or Dolphin.
Cyndi Lauper, She so Unusual (1983)
Cyndi Lauper, A Night to Remember (1989)
Some people have their top albums crowded with a few favorite artists and it seems I am no different, but I must trust my formula. While almost none of the artists on this list are ones I dislike, there are those that have disappointed me with their albums. I think it's safe to say that is someone likes Ms. Lauper's style, they will find that she doesn't skimp on her albums. Both of these albums are very well-structured oldies throwbacks, being named after a 20s showtune and a 50s movie respectively. The latter has more songs, but the former features Girls Just Want to Have Fun, All Through the Night, and Time After Time. I can only think of one album with three comparable songs.
Prince, Purple Rain (1984)
And those songs are Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, and Let's Go Crazy. The soundtrack album for the movie of the same name, everything holds together remarkably well.
Daft Punk, Random Access Memories (2013)
Random Access Memories was kind of huge for me as I was pretty far removed from contemporary music at the time a friend showed it to me. I wasn't even a fan of Daft Punk. But this opened me up to every other newer album on the list and set the standard for a great album until I heard Out of the Blue.
Cyndi Lauper, A Night to Remember (1989)
Some people have their top albums crowded with a few favorite artists and it seems I am no different, but I must trust my formula. While almost none of the artists on this list are ones I dislike, there are those that have disappointed me with their albums. I think it's safe to say that is someone likes Ms. Lauper's style, they will find that she doesn't skimp on her albums. Both of these albums are very well-structured oldies throwbacks, being named after a 20s showtune and a 50s movie respectively. The latter has more songs, but the former features Girls Just Want to Have Fun, All Through the Night, and Time After Time. I can only think of one album with three comparable songs.
Prince, Purple Rain (1984)
And those songs are Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, and Let's Go Crazy. The soundtrack album for the movie of the same name, everything holds together remarkably well.
Daft Punk, Random Access Memories (2013)
Random Access Memories was kind of huge for me as I was pretty far removed from contemporary music at the time a friend showed it to me. I wasn't even a fan of Daft Punk. But this opened me up to every other newer album on the list and set the standard for a great album until I heard Out of the Blue.
Fleetwood Mac, Rumours (1977)
A legendary album. While many an album spastically swap between love songs and breakup songs, Rumours was actually written by four people over the course of falling in love with and breaking up with each other. It's insane and somehow works wonders.
Eagles, The Long Run (1979)
I was very disappointed by the first two Eagles albums I listened to, but I'm glad I stuck with them. They really redeemed themselves in The Long Run. Joe Walsh kills it and Don Henley's Hollywood myopia isn't so overcentralizing. Perhaps that is why this feels like peak Eagles.
The Cars, Heartbeat City (1984)
Fun, shameless pop rock but the most energizing album you might ever hear.
Fleetwood Mac, Tango in the Night (1987)
Perhaps their last good album, this is easily Fleetwood's poppiest but it doesn't hurt the enjoyability at all.
REO Speedwagon, Hi Infidelity (1980)
This one was a very pleasant surprise. REO Speedwagon has long been a meme band for me and my friends as I love their name but would never have called them a top-tier band. And while I wouldn't do that yet, this throwback album is a big step in that direction.
A legendary album. While many an album spastically swap between love songs and breakup songs, Rumours was actually written by four people over the course of falling in love with and breaking up with each other. It's insane and somehow works wonders.
Eagles, The Long Run (1979)
I was very disappointed by the first two Eagles albums I listened to, but I'm glad I stuck with them. They really redeemed themselves in The Long Run. Joe Walsh kills it and Don Henley's Hollywood myopia isn't so overcentralizing. Perhaps that is why this feels like peak Eagles.
The Cars, Heartbeat City (1984)
Fun, shameless pop rock but the most energizing album you might ever hear.
Fleetwood Mac, Tango in the Night (1987)
Perhaps their last good album, this is easily Fleetwood's poppiest but it doesn't hurt the enjoyability at all.
REO Speedwagon, Hi Infidelity (1980)
This one was a very pleasant surprise. REO Speedwagon has long been a meme band for me and my friends as I love their name but would never have called them a top-tier band. And while I wouldn't do that yet, this throwback album is a big step in that direction.
Depeche Mode, Some Great Reward (1984)
Duran Duran, Rio (1982)
Billy Joel, The Stranger (1977)
Heart, Dreamboat Annie (1975)
Another surprise, this is a very trippy and relaxing album.
Electric Light Orchestra, Time (1981)
With half the songs and a more gimmicky techno sound, this didn't have much chance of competing with Out of the Blue, but few albums do. Still a great one here.
a-ha, Hunting High and Low (1985)
Sleeper album from a band most people probably think of as a one-hit wonder. Take on Me is the greatest music video ever made, but Train of Thought and The Sun Always Shines on T.V. are much more indicative of what this band has to offer musically.
Roxette, Look Sharp! (1988)
Tom Petty, Full Moon Fever (1989)
Great album but I can't feeling that Tom Petty could do better. This was his first album without The Heartbreakers. It was also made at the same time he was with The Traveling Wilburys and it shows. It's just not what I really want from a Tom Petty album, but I'm in no way taking away from the quality it brings to the table.
Bjork, Volta (2007)
I really want to like Vespertine more than Volta. Vespertine is a much tighter package and the songs in Volta are really gimmicky and out there. But it seems that by the same logic I just like more of the songs here whereas a lot of Vespertine blends together.
Duran Duran, Rio (1982)
Billy Joel, The Stranger (1977)
Heart, Dreamboat Annie (1975)
Another surprise, this is a very trippy and relaxing album.
Electric Light Orchestra, Time (1981)
With half the songs and a more gimmicky techno sound, this didn't have much chance of competing with Out of the Blue, but few albums do. Still a great one here.
a-ha, Hunting High and Low (1985)
Sleeper album from a band most people probably think of as a one-hit wonder. Take on Me is the greatest music video ever made, but Train of Thought and The Sun Always Shines on T.V. are much more indicative of what this band has to offer musically.
Roxette, Look Sharp! (1988)
Tom Petty, Full Moon Fever (1989)
Great album but I can't feeling that Tom Petty could do better. This was his first album without The Heartbreakers. It was also made at the same time he was with The Traveling Wilburys and it shows. It's just not what I really want from a Tom Petty album, but I'm in no way taking away from the quality it brings to the table.
Bjork, Volta (2007)
I really want to like Vespertine more than Volta. Vespertine is a much tighter package and the songs in Volta are really gimmicky and out there. But it seems that by the same logic I just like more of the songs here whereas a lot of Vespertine blends together.
Fleetwood Mac, Mirage (1982)
In terms of raw discovery, this tops Fleetwood's discography with a bunch of hidden gem bangers. Will probably only rise in score with relistens.
David Bowie, Young Americans (1975)
Plastic Soul might be the best sound in music.
The Moody Blues, Days of Future Passed (1967)
An album I touted as the best ever for a long time purely for its ambition. I really love concept albums like this and want to see more of them. Ultimately though, you really have to like every song on the "greatest" album. Another Morning is cliched and Lunch Break: Peak Hour feels undeveloped. Everything else is great.
Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)
Jackson made some of the most spastic albums as he had two kinds of songs: edgy and saccharine. They are arranged on the album with little care. But it's still Thriller!
Madonna, Like a Virgin (1984)
Another one I didn't expect to love so much.
The Police, Outlandos d'Amour (1978)
Another band I've been disappointed with in terms of albums. This comes the closest to what you would want in terms of their edgy manic energy, but still feels a little basic.
Rick Astley, Whenever You Need Somebody (1987)
This was a huge surprise. Most people will know Rick Astley for Never Gonna Give You Up. I knew that this album had a handful of other decent hits on it. But if that were it, I expected it to rank much lower. Instead, the back end asks "Do you like classic Sonic music?" Why yes, in fact I do.
Asia, Asia (1982)
A supergroup consisting of people from Yes, The Buggles, and Carl Palmer, they are kind of a meme band and what this album lacks in artistry it makes up for in terms of hits. Known mostly for Heat of the Moment, but people really sleep on Time Again and I heavily recommend a listen.
Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac (1977)
This is Fleetwood's first proper album (with Nicks and Buckingham) and it shows. But it also shows just how great this band is for four of their albums to show up in A range.
Elton John, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
A long album and kind of a mess with lots of wacky songs, a negative highlight being Jamaica Jerkoff (I'm not gonna mention every time one of these albums features white reggae but it happens a lot as we descend tiers), but mostly the length works in its favor with a lot of pretty decent songs including maintstays like Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting, Candle in the Wind, Bennie and the Jets, and the eponymous Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
Lady Gaga, Born This Way (2011)
I did not expect to like a Lady Gaga album as much as I did here, let alone Born This Way, an album with singles that I slept on when they were popular. But it's a fascinating journey as it transitions from a sort of internationally inspired pop early in the album to almost metal in the second half.
Meat Loaf, Bad Attitude (1984)
Meat Loaf did what I think a lot of artists should have done, which is separate his more fun songs and his more serious songs onto separate albums. I'd like to say this was the serious one but we'll get to that. Anyway, a lot of shameless fun here and Surf's Up in particular is a very underrated song.
Billy Joel, An Innocent Man (1983)
I've mentioned some loose throwbacks to oldies but this one goes really deep, with each song honoring a different style or singer. I really thought this would be my favorite Billy Joel album and I respect it a lot, I just can't be asked to love every single style of music he has on display here. Still, Uptown Girl and Tell Her About It are serious bangers and An Innocent Man is pure art.
Tears for Fears, Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
If you're looking for an anticapitalist anthology from one of the best new wave bands, you should definitely check this out. A bit overindulgent but features my current favorite song, Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
David Bowie, Labyrinth (1986)
It was perhaps foolish to listen to so many soundtrack albums going by the bottom of my tier list, but this is a soundtrack album done absolutely right. Bowie's music is interspersed with Trevor Horn's wild fantasy gamish score in such a way that it almost tells a complete story by itself. Frankly, this is a perfect album, it just can't score much higher because it only has five real songs on it.
In terms of raw discovery, this tops Fleetwood's discography with a bunch of hidden gem bangers. Will probably only rise in score with relistens.
David Bowie, Young Americans (1975)
Plastic Soul might be the best sound in music.
The Moody Blues, Days of Future Passed (1967)
An album I touted as the best ever for a long time purely for its ambition. I really love concept albums like this and want to see more of them. Ultimately though, you really have to like every song on the "greatest" album. Another Morning is cliched and Lunch Break: Peak Hour feels undeveloped. Everything else is great.
Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)
Jackson made some of the most spastic albums as he had two kinds of songs: edgy and saccharine. They are arranged on the album with little care. But it's still Thriller!
Madonna, Like a Virgin (1984)
Another one I didn't expect to love so much.
The Police, Outlandos d'Amour (1978)
Another band I've been disappointed with in terms of albums. This comes the closest to what you would want in terms of their edgy manic energy, but still feels a little basic.
Rick Astley, Whenever You Need Somebody (1987)
This was a huge surprise. Most people will know Rick Astley for Never Gonna Give You Up. I knew that this album had a handful of other decent hits on it. But if that were it, I expected it to rank much lower. Instead, the back end asks "Do you like classic Sonic music?" Why yes, in fact I do.
Asia, Asia (1982)
A supergroup consisting of people from Yes, The Buggles, and Carl Palmer, they are kind of a meme band and what this album lacks in artistry it makes up for in terms of hits. Known mostly for Heat of the Moment, but people really sleep on Time Again and I heavily recommend a listen.
Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac (1977)
This is Fleetwood's first proper album (with Nicks and Buckingham) and it shows. But it also shows just how great this band is for four of their albums to show up in A range.
Elton John, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
A long album and kind of a mess with lots of wacky songs, a negative highlight being Jamaica Jerkoff (I'm not gonna mention every time one of these albums features white reggae but it happens a lot as we descend tiers), but mostly the length works in its favor with a lot of pretty decent songs including maintstays like Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting, Candle in the Wind, Bennie and the Jets, and the eponymous Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
Lady Gaga, Born This Way (2011)
I did not expect to like a Lady Gaga album as much as I did here, let alone Born This Way, an album with singles that I slept on when they were popular. But it's a fascinating journey as it transitions from a sort of internationally inspired pop early in the album to almost metal in the second half.
Meat Loaf, Bad Attitude (1984)
Meat Loaf did what I think a lot of artists should have done, which is separate his more fun songs and his more serious songs onto separate albums. I'd like to say this was the serious one but we'll get to that. Anyway, a lot of shameless fun here and Surf's Up in particular is a very underrated song.
Billy Joel, An Innocent Man (1983)
I've mentioned some loose throwbacks to oldies but this one goes really deep, with each song honoring a different style or singer. I really thought this would be my favorite Billy Joel album and I respect it a lot, I just can't be asked to love every single style of music he has on display here. Still, Uptown Girl and Tell Her About It are serious bangers and An Innocent Man is pure art.
Tears for Fears, Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
If you're looking for an anticapitalist anthology from one of the best new wave bands, you should definitely check this out. A bit overindulgent but features my current favorite song, Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
David Bowie, Labyrinth (1986)
It was perhaps foolish to listen to so many soundtrack albums going by the bottom of my tier list, but this is a soundtrack album done absolutely right. Bowie's music is interspersed with Trevor Horn's wild fantasy gamish score in such a way that it almost tells a complete story by itself. Frankly, this is a perfect album, it just can't score much higher because it only has five real songs on it.
Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA (1984)
Spandau Ballet, TRUE (1983)
New wave in its purest and possibly even best sound. People who only know this band for the song True will be pleasantly surprised by how punchy the rest of the tracks are.
Men at Work, Business as Usual (1981)
Creedance Clearwater Revival, Cosmo's Factory (1970)
The closest a studio album may ever come to just being a greatest hits album, but with no surprises beyond the songs you would already know.
Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster (2009)
For a long time I thought this was the same album as The Fame, probably because Gaga wants you to see it that way. But I think I frown on delux albums (see Lights), so I judged this on its own merits and having done so, I don't see why this couldn't have been expanded into a "real" second album. It's good.
Boston, Boston (1976)
A standard setting album for me for a long time as it is incredibly consistent, but at the end of the day it's a lot of basic rock and we've seen better than that.
Fine Young Cannibals, The Raw & The Cooked (1988)
Huey Lewis & The News, Sports (1983)
Bruno Mars, 24K Magic (2016)
Bruno Mars becoming one of the best artists of the decade was probably one of the more unpredictable outcomes after the laughable Doo-Wops & Hooligans, but copying 90s Prince has worked rather well for him. Held back by the fact that he sings about sex with all the bravado of a 12-year-old on Xbox Live, but musically very impressive.
Bjork, Vespertine (2001)
Eagles, Hotel California (1976)
I had to listen to it twice to appreciate it this much. Don Henley definitely provides a strong statement of "The American Dream is dead" as he is always wont, but it's a smidge boring in places.
Billy Squier, Don't Say No (1981)
Men Without Hats, Rhythm of Youth (1982)
The "Safety Dance" is moshing. I just feel everyone needs to know that.
Toto, Toto IV (1982)
Bit of a meme band but I'm a sucker for piano.
The Cars, The Cars (1978)
Wacky album as they were really trying to find a sound that works for them. Sometimes they sound like themselves, but other times they sound like The Police, and still others dip into techno.
Spandau Ballet, TRUE (1983)
New wave in its purest and possibly even best sound. People who only know this band for the song True will be pleasantly surprised by how punchy the rest of the tracks are.
Men at Work, Business as Usual (1981)
Creedance Clearwater Revival, Cosmo's Factory (1970)
The closest a studio album may ever come to just being a greatest hits album, but with no surprises beyond the songs you would already know.
Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster (2009)
For a long time I thought this was the same album as The Fame, probably because Gaga wants you to see it that way. But I think I frown on delux albums (see Lights), so I judged this on its own merits and having done so, I don't see why this couldn't have been expanded into a "real" second album. It's good.
Boston, Boston (1976)
A standard setting album for me for a long time as it is incredibly consistent, but at the end of the day it's a lot of basic rock and we've seen better than that.
Fine Young Cannibals, The Raw & The Cooked (1988)
Huey Lewis & The News, Sports (1983)
Bruno Mars, 24K Magic (2016)
Bruno Mars becoming one of the best artists of the decade was probably one of the more unpredictable outcomes after the laughable Doo-Wops & Hooligans, but copying 90s Prince has worked rather well for him. Held back by the fact that he sings about sex with all the bravado of a 12-year-old on Xbox Live, but musically very impressive.
Bjork, Vespertine (2001)
Eagles, Hotel California (1976)
I had to listen to it twice to appreciate it this much. Don Henley definitely provides a strong statement of "The American Dream is dead" as he is always wont, but it's a smidge boring in places.
Billy Squier, Don't Say No (1981)
Men Without Hats, Rhythm of Youth (1982)
The "Safety Dance" is moshing. I just feel everyone needs to know that.
Toto, Toto IV (1982)
Bit of a meme band but I'm a sucker for piano.
The Cars, The Cars (1978)
Wacky album as they were really trying to find a sound that works for them. Sometimes they sound like themselves, but other times they sound like The Police, and still others dip into techno.
The Cure, Disintegration (1989)
Long album with long songs. I'll never understand the connection between sorta rhythmic bands and really long songs that go nowhere.
Bob Seger, Stranger in Town (1978)
The Police, Synchronicity (1983)
You would think this would be The Police's philosophical tour de force, but the composition is baffling with most of the good songs pushed to the back, and also Mother is just a crap song that randomly sounds like bad Ramones.
The Traveling Wilburys, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (1988)
Legendary group of artists (Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison) even if the result is a little quaint. Shame Roy Orbison died. They never really recovered in spirit.
Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell (1977)
This was Meat Loaf's serious album, and it's good, but he's just not really a capital A Arteest. It's a bit drawn out and slow, and it's a shame the quality of the whole thing isn't up there with Two Out of Three Ain't Bad.
Footloose (1984)
Holding Out for a Hero, I'm Free, Never, Almost Paradise, and Footloose. Enough said. Hardly matters that as a soundtrack album there's no cohesion at all.
Michael Sembello, Bossa Nova Hotel (1983)
Little known but easily my favorite session artist, you might know him for one of my favorite songs, Maniac. This album features a mix of wacky songs (about robots, cowboys, and godzilla) alongside tepid love songs. I wish it was all the former and none of the latter.
Journey, Escape (1981)
Bob Seger, Against the Wind (1980)
Long album with long songs. I'll never understand the connection between sorta rhythmic bands and really long songs that go nowhere.
Bob Seger, Stranger in Town (1978)
The Police, Synchronicity (1983)
You would think this would be The Police's philosophical tour de force, but the composition is baffling with most of the good songs pushed to the back, and also Mother is just a crap song that randomly sounds like bad Ramones.
The Traveling Wilburys, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (1988)
Legendary group of artists (Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison) even if the result is a little quaint. Shame Roy Orbison died. They never really recovered in spirit.
Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell (1977)
This was Meat Loaf's serious album, and it's good, but he's just not really a capital A Arteest. It's a bit drawn out and slow, and it's a shame the quality of the whole thing isn't up there with Two Out of Three Ain't Bad.
Footloose (1984)
Holding Out for a Hero, I'm Free, Never, Almost Paradise, and Footloose. Enough said. Hardly matters that as a soundtrack album there's no cohesion at all.
Michael Sembello, Bossa Nova Hotel (1983)
Little known but easily my favorite session artist, you might know him for one of my favorite songs, Maniac. This album features a mix of wacky songs (about robots, cowboys, and godzilla) alongside tepid love songs. I wish it was all the former and none of the latter.
Journey, Escape (1981)
Bob Seger, Against the Wind (1980)
Paul McCartney & Wings, Band on the Run (1973)
Michael Jackson, Bad (1987)
The negative things I said about Thriller hold true here, only this ain't Thriller. Bad is good, but not great.
Foreigner, 4 (1981)
Gazebo, Gazebo (1983)
Gotta stop for a moment to appreciate italodisco. Lot of out there songs on this album and I wish I liked more of them.
Ellie Goulding, Lights (2010)
This album infuriates me as it does not have the eponymous song Lights on it. What is even the point of listening to it then? I also listened to Bright Lights but didn't even feel like ranking it. It's crap. It adds the songs Lights and a bunch of dogshit. Still, while most of the songs on Lights are not very good, I think the product as a cohesive whole is an enjoyable listen. Shame it doesn't have the obvious showstopper on it.
Celine Dion, The Colour of My Love (1993)
Adele, 21 (2011)
Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms (1985)
Possibly a controversial rating. I really wanted to like this one more. The songs are just very out there, which sometimes works wonders (Your Latest Trick is a phenom), but sometimes flops.
CeeLo Green, The Lady Killer (2010)
An album I used to rate much higher, but listening to it now it sure feels very rapey. He was a musical genius and it's such a waste that he ended up being a fuckhead.
Cyndi Lauper, True Colors (1986)
Pink Floyd, The Wall (1979)
Given that I'm really looking for strong concept albums, I hoped to get a lot more out of this. It feels like 90% build up. There are so many songs that are two-thirds quiet and one-third noise, so many one to two minute songs that are transitional, but also some proper songs just don't hit the mark either. Act One is basically just one long version of The Wall, which is okay, but Act Two is pretty dreadful. Act Three is where the album really shines (but don't be confused, there's also a lacking Act Four).
Michael Jackson, Bad (1987)
The negative things I said about Thriller hold true here, only this ain't Thriller. Bad is good, but not great.
Foreigner, 4 (1981)
Gazebo, Gazebo (1983)
Gotta stop for a moment to appreciate italodisco. Lot of out there songs on this album and I wish I liked more of them.
Ellie Goulding, Lights (2010)
This album infuriates me as it does not have the eponymous song Lights on it. What is even the point of listening to it then? I also listened to Bright Lights but didn't even feel like ranking it. It's crap. It adds the songs Lights and a bunch of dogshit. Still, while most of the songs on Lights are not very good, I think the product as a cohesive whole is an enjoyable listen. Shame it doesn't have the obvious showstopper on it.
Celine Dion, The Colour of My Love (1993)
Adele, 21 (2011)
Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms (1985)
Possibly a controversial rating. I really wanted to like this one more. The songs are just very out there, which sometimes works wonders (Your Latest Trick is a phenom), but sometimes flops.
CeeLo Green, The Lady Killer (2010)
An album I used to rate much higher, but listening to it now it sure feels very rapey. He was a musical genius and it's such a waste that he ended up being a fuckhead.
Cyndi Lauper, True Colors (1986)
Pink Floyd, The Wall (1979)
Given that I'm really looking for strong concept albums, I hoped to get a lot more out of this. It feels like 90% build up. There are so many songs that are two-thirds quiet and one-third noise, so many one to two minute songs that are transitional, but also some proper songs just don't hit the mark either. Act One is basically just one long version of The Wall, which is okay, but Act Two is pretty dreadful. Act Three is where the album really shines (but don't be confused, there's also a lacking Act Four).
Wilson Phillips, Wilson Phillips (1990)
An album that I really wanted to fuck with as a meme. It's just okay.
Eagles, One of These Nights (1975)
Billy Idol, Rebel Yell (1983)
Foreigner, Foreigner (1977)
Heart, Heart (1985)
Not bad here, but not a band that got better as it got poppier.
Van Halen, 1984 (1984)
Prince, Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
Objectively it's hard to say that Prince struggled in the 90s. It's an era that killed most 80s artists and even as a kid I remember him being relevant. This album does show growing pains however. It bounces between funk rock, early 90s dance, and rap. Prince raps. Prince is not a terrible rapper, but he's not a rapper nonetheless.
Don Henley, Building the Perfect Beast (1984)
One of my favorite artists and his album showings disappoint me the most. He could have benefited a lot from having one fun album and one serious album, but instead his albums just feel aimless and dull. Stick to his greatest hits.
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
Great movie soundtrack and about as good an album as you could expect from a wide variety of artists that had no real careers. I Can't Break Away and In Time are stunners.
Def Leppard, Pyromania (1983)
I'd like to think I like Def Leppard but one can only take so much dumb butt rock. This one elevates above Hysteria due to the presence of Thomas Dolby.
The Police, Ghost in the Machine (1981)
An album that I really wanted to fuck with as a meme. It's just okay.
Eagles, One of These Nights (1975)
Billy Idol, Rebel Yell (1983)
Foreigner, Foreigner (1977)
Heart, Heart (1985)
Not bad here, but not a band that got better as it got poppier.
Van Halen, 1984 (1984)
Prince, Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
Objectively it's hard to say that Prince struggled in the 90s. It's an era that killed most 80s artists and even as a kid I remember him being relevant. This album does show growing pains however. It bounces between funk rock, early 90s dance, and rap. Prince raps. Prince is not a terrible rapper, but he's not a rapper nonetheless.
Don Henley, Building the Perfect Beast (1984)
One of my favorite artists and his album showings disappoint me the most. He could have benefited a lot from having one fun album and one serious album, but instead his albums just feel aimless and dull. Stick to his greatest hits.
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
Great movie soundtrack and about as good an album as you could expect from a wide variety of artists that had no real careers. I Can't Break Away and In Time are stunners.
Def Leppard, Pyromania (1983)
I'd like to think I like Def Leppard but one can only take so much dumb butt rock. This one elevates above Hysteria due to the presence of Thomas Dolby.
The Police, Ghost in the Machine (1981)
John Cougar Mellencamp, Uh-huh (1983)
Prolific singles artist. We'll leave it at that.
David Bowie, Let's Dance (1983)
So what happened here? Bowie's pop album struggles to reach 40 minutes. No one needed the eponymous Let's Dance stretched to seven minutes. Less disappointing than it is bizarre.
Don Henley, The End of the Innocence (1989)
John Cougar Mellencamp, American Fool (1982)
Genesis, Invisible Touch (1986)
Gotye, Making Mirrors (2011)
Interesting experimental album. Instead of saying negative things, I'd rather just hear more from this guy. Sadly, his career has been sidetracked by a quest for vengeance (look it up).
The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
The Beatles are not one of my favorite bands and they also came from an era that really didn't put any stock into making good albums. I know they make better ones later, but this one exemplifies the joke of every other Beatles song being beautiful and every other one being goofy shit.
Childish Gambino, "Awaken, My Love!" (2016)
Comedian and actor I like turned rapper, turned soul rocker. Very ambitious but he's just not as good a singer as he wants to be here.
The Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
In truth two small albums, the first a really shitty movie soundtrack and the second a pretty good sample of Beatles music. But an album that you only listen to one side of is not a good album.
Depeche Mode, Violator (1990)
Very controversial ranking. Contains well known DM songs like Policy of Truth, World in My Eyes, Enjoy the Silence, and Personal Jesus, but not much else. Very influential album for 90s and 00s artists that I really don't like. Just not my Depeche Mode.
Prolific singles artist. We'll leave it at that.
David Bowie, Let's Dance (1983)
So what happened here? Bowie's pop album struggles to reach 40 minutes. No one needed the eponymous Let's Dance stretched to seven minutes. Less disappointing than it is bizarre.
Don Henley, The End of the Innocence (1989)
John Cougar Mellencamp, American Fool (1982)
Genesis, Invisible Touch (1986)
Gotye, Making Mirrors (2011)
Interesting experimental album. Instead of saying negative things, I'd rather just hear more from this guy. Sadly, his career has been sidetracked by a quest for vengeance (look it up).
The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
The Beatles are not one of my favorite bands and they also came from an era that really didn't put any stock into making good albums. I know they make better ones later, but this one exemplifies the joke of every other Beatles song being beautiful and every other one being goofy shit.
Childish Gambino, "Awaken, My Love!" (2016)
Comedian and actor I like turned rapper, turned soul rocker. Very ambitious but he's just not as good a singer as he wants to be here.
The Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
In truth two small albums, the first a really shitty movie soundtrack and the second a pretty good sample of Beatles music. But an album that you only listen to one side of is not a good album.
Depeche Mode, Violator (1990)
Very controversial ranking. Contains well known DM songs like Policy of Truth, World in My Eyes, Enjoy the Silence, and Personal Jesus, but not much else. Very influential album for 90s and 00s artists that I really don't like. Just not my Depeche Mode.
Stevie Nicks, Bella Donna (1981)
Bit sad.
The Who, Who's Next (1971)
What remains of a scrapped musical and the quality shows. Baba O'Riley and Behind Blue Eyes are dope though.
Fleetwood Mac, Tusk (1979)
One of these things is not like the other things. I really wanted to defy the status quo here and like this album. After all, Tusk is my favorite Fleetwood song. But the discordant nature of the song doesn't work for the album as a whole. Tusk is long and I have no idea why. It feels like so much filler. Most of the songs here, if you've heard them for 10 seconds then you've heard the whole thing.
Bon Jovi, Bon Jovi (1984)
Bit sad.
The Who, Who's Next (1971)
What remains of a scrapped musical and the quality shows. Baba O'Riley and Behind Blue Eyes are dope though.
Fleetwood Mac, Tusk (1979)
One of these things is not like the other things. I really wanted to defy the status quo here and like this album. After all, Tusk is my favorite Fleetwood song. But the discordant nature of the song doesn't work for the album as a whole. Tusk is long and I have no idea why. It feels like so much filler. Most of the songs here, if you've heard them for 10 seconds then you've heard the whole thing.
Bon Jovi, Bon Jovi (1984)
Bryan Adams, Reckless (1984)
With Summer of '69 and Run to You this might easily be his best album, but that doesn't say good things about him.
Def Leppard, Hysteria (1987)
Sing Street, Sing Street (2016)
Fantastic movie and fake band. This album features songs from the band, some of which needed a little work, and a sample of good futurism songs from the 80s that the movie draws inspiration from. But there's also weird choices, like Motorhead and for some reason Adam Levine felt the need to write a song for the album. Heavily recommend Drive It Like You Stole It however.
Scarface (1983)
Great movie soundtrack, incompetent album.
With Summer of '69 and Run to You this might easily be his best album, but that doesn't say good things about him.
Def Leppard, Hysteria (1987)
Sing Street, Sing Street (2016)
Fantastic movie and fake band. This album features songs from the band, some of which needed a little work, and a sample of good futurism songs from the 80s that the movie draws inspiration from. But there's also weird choices, like Motorhead and for some reason Adam Levine felt the need to write a song for the album. Heavily recommend Drive It Like You Stole It however.
Scarface (1983)
Great movie soundtrack, incompetent album.
Phil Collins, Tarzan (1999)
If any Disney movie could make for a good pop album, it should have been the one comprised mostly of non-diagetic Phil Collins music. And most people seem to like his music here. But in assembling this album, they just didn't give a fuck at all. Yeah, I really wanted to listen to Two Worlds four times.
If any Disney movie could make for a good pop album, it should have been the one comprised mostly of non-diagetic Phil Collins music. And most people seem to like his music here. But in assembling this album, they just didn't give a fuck at all. Yeah, I really wanted to listen to Two Worlds four times.
Let me know what you think, what I got wrong, and maybe what albums I should be listening to. I'll update in batches of 5 or 10.
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