808. Dust

Dust
Screaming Trees
1996

Tracks
1. Halo Of Ashes
2. All I Know
3. Look At You
4. Dying Days
5. Make My Mind
6. Sworn And Broken
7. Witness
8. Traveler
9. Dime Western
10. Gospel Plow

So we are officially in music that was released in my lifetime. I don't think that will be irrelevant to my opinions going forward, since nostalgia often allows us to forgive shittier albums, or condemn albums we have negative associations with. 

But I didn't grow up listening to the Screaming Trees, so I was able to approach this album with fresh ears. I actually enjoyed this quite a bit. It was a little grungey, but seemed more deeply rooted in the post punk sound. It almost felt like a throwback, which I appreciated. The 90s musical style has sounded a little same-y lately.

So a great album with a wide variety of influences, and a nice introduction into 1996.

RATING: 4/5

678. Ritual De Lo Habitual

Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
1990

Tracks
1. Stop
2. No One's Leaving
3. Ain't No Right
4. Obvious
5. Been Caught Stealing
6. Three Days
7. Then She Did
8. Of Course
9. Classic Girl

This is a nice reprieve from the onslaught of hip hop we've been subjected to lately. 

It's interesting to Jane's Addiction lay the groundwork for 90s rock, and again, it's a nice reminder that other genres besides gangster rap exists. I enjoyed the first half more than the second half, since sprawling rock epics aren't exactly my thing, but it still was a consistently good album.

A nice change of pace, but unfortunately only a temporary respite.

RATING: 3/5

668. Shake Your Money Maker

Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
1990

Tracks
1. Twice As Hard
2. Jealous Again
3. Sister Luck
4. Could I've Been So Blind
5. Seeing Things
6. Hard To Handle
7. Thick 'n' Thin
8. She Talks To Angels
9. Struttin' Blues
10. Stare It Cold

I expected the Listmakers to make us suffer after presenting us with such a good album yesterday, so as not to disturb the equilibrium. However, this was also a decent album, and maybe I am wrong about the Listmakers sinister proclivities. 

This felt like a bit of a throwback to the Stones era of hard rock and I was here for it. Maybe it wasn't the most unique sound, but not every album has to turn a genre on its ear. I didn't feel like there was a bad track in the entire album, which is a unique enough experience for me.

Recommended.

RATING: 4/5

655. Pump

Pump
Aerosmith
1989

Tracks
1. Young Lust
2. F.I.N.E.
3. Going Down/ Love In An Elevator
4. Monkey On My Back
5. Water Song/ Janie's Got A Gun
6. Dulcimer Stomp/ The Other Side
7. My Girl
8. Don't Get Mad, Get Even
9. Hoodoo / Voodoo Medicine Man
10. What It Takes/Hidden Instrumental

After the last couple of albums, it's nice to have some lighter fare. I don't mean this is a particularly good album, but it's not very demanding and a welcome break from obscure entires that only music critics like (or pretend to like). 

That being said, this music still isn't really my thing. There were a couple stand out tracks, such as "Janie's Got a Gun" but for the most part, it felt like pretty standard cock rock music.

Hopefully, the Pixies can deliver a really good album tomorrow, because we are in another rut of so-so entries here.

RATING: 3/5

600. Appetite for Destruction

Appetite for Destruction
Guns N Roses
1987

Tracks
1. Welcome To The Jungle
2. It's So Easy
3. Nightrain
4. Out Ta Get Me
5. Mr. Brownstone
6. Paradise City
7. My Michelle
8. Think About You
9. Sweet Child O' Mine
10. You're Crazy
11. Anything Goes
12. Rocket Queen

Happy 600! It is always exciting to reach a milestone of a project, but I am really relishing It under quarantine. It's nice to feel like you're making something out of this time, even if it just putting a dent in a list. 

This album was a pleasant surprise. I am not saying it was brilliant, but it was much more fun than I expected it to be. There were some great hooks and recognizable tracks on this album, with the biggest one being "Paradise City." Some of the lesser known tracks weren't so bad either; I enjoyed "It's So Easy." I have heard people complain about Axl's voice, which can get grating, particularly in "My Michelle." Still, I don't think it is nearly as annoying as Prince's vocals, so it gets a pass.

I am finding the tough guy posturing particularly cringey as of late, and this album was certainly guilty of that in places. A couple of worthy tracks saves this from the cheese pile.

RATING: 3/5

592. Electric

Electric
The Cult
1987

Tracks
1. Wildflower
2. Peace Dog
3. Li'l Devil
4. Aphrodisiac Jacket
5. Electric Ocean
6. Bad Fun
7. King Country Man
8. Love Removal Machine
9. Born to be Wild
10. Outlaw
11. Memphis Hip Shake

There is really not much to differentiate this album from countless other hard rock albums we have listened to on this List. That doesn't necessarily mean it's bad, but it is not one that is going to stick with me for a long time.

It also had the hard rock tendency to pad run times way too much with gratuitous guitar solos and screamed/sung "yeah!"s. I think they were just imitating earlier, better bands and failed to do anything different with the material. 

So meh. Hopefully something more memorable comes along to close us out on the 500s. 

RATING: 3/5

589. Hysteria

Hysteria
Def Leppard
1987

Tracks
1. Women
2. Rocket
3. Animal
4. Love Bites
5. Pour Some Sugar On Me
6. Armageddon It
7. Gods Of War
8. Don't Shoot Shot Gun
9. Run Riot
10. Hysteria
11. Excitable
12. Love And Affection

While many of these albums fall under the "what? Is that even a thing?" category, this one is fairly recognizable. "Pour Some Sugar On Me" is a banger, and has rightfully remained a popular song. 

There are many other great tracks on this album as well, with "Love Bites" and "Animal" being my other favorites. Some of the lyrics are pretty bad. According to Def Leppard, women are "one part lover, one part child." You're the child, diaperhead!

A pretty long album, but the content justifies it.

RATING: 4/5

537. 1984

1984
Van Halen
1984

Tracks
1. 1984
2. Jump
3. Panama
4. Top Jimmy
5. Drop Dead Legs
6. Hot For Teacher 
7. I'll Wait
8. Girl Gone Bad 
9. House Of Pain

Once again, I am in a period of convalescence and once again I find myself turning to the albums for comfort. Sometimes this has disastrous results, because some of these albums have the power to transform budding headaches into full blown migraines (see Minor Threat). Fortunately, this album was a complete delight.

Like most people, I was familiar with many of the songs on this album. Still, listening to the full album at once allows you to appreciate how brilliant and cohesive it really is. Now obviously this album heavily reflects the male experience, but I found it enlightening rather than alienating.

Next up: Prince!

RATING: 4/5

526. Eliminator

Eliminator
ZZ Top
1983

Tracks
1. Gimme All Your Lovin' 
2. Got Me Under Pressure 
3. Sharp Dressed Man 
4. I Need You Tonight 
5. I Got The Six
6. Legs 
7. Thug 
8. TV Dinners 
9. Dirty Dog 
10. If I Could Only Flag Her Down 
11. Bad Girl

As a 22 year old woman, I think I would be quite an exceptional person if I got enjoyment out of this.  Now, I did like Tres Hombres, but unfortunately, this album didn't hold the same appeal for me.  

Did they get cheesier?  I think the 80s were a bad influence on them.  I guess there has always been an element of cheese in ZZ Top, but it was decidedly less charming this go-round.

Anyway, another just okay album.  I'm looking forward to getting blown away by something soon.

RATING: 3/5

456. Back In Black

Back In Black
AC/DC
1980

Tracks
1. Hell's Bells
2. Shoot To Thrill
3. What Do You Do For Money Honey
4. Giving The Dog A Bone
5. Let Me Put My Love Into You
6. Back In Black
7. You Shook Me All Night Long
8. Have A Drink On Me
9. Shake A Leg
10. Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

I don't have to start this album with the usual proclamation of ignorance, as I am quite familiar with AC/DC.  Everyone is; "Back In Black" is one of the most famous rock songs of all time.  Most importantly, of course, a title of a Buffy episode is taken from the song "Hell's Bells."

Lyrically, there is nothing too impressive about this album; songs like "Let Me Put My Love Into You" have all the subtlety of a Juggs magazine cover.  It's still fun music, although I will admit I didn't find any track quite as catchy as "Back in Black."  It's not really music to analyze or write a post about, but it is fun to have on in the background.  It certainly served as an interesting soundtrack as I wrote about peridontitis for a dentist's office.

So one to listen to because of its widespread fame, but it certainly won't blow you away.

RATING: 3/5

427. Highway to Hell

Highway to Hell
AC/DC
1979

Tracks
1. Highway To Hell
2. Girls Got Rhythm
3. Walk All Over You
4. Touch Too Much
5. Beating Around The Bush
6. Shot Down In Flames
7. Get It Hot
8. If You Want Blood (You've Got It)
9. Love Hungry Man
10. Night Prowler

It's 1979 everyone!  Only one more year until the 80s.  I don't know if that scares me or excites me.

I was actually just reviewing This is Spinal Tap on my movie blog (I apologize for the blatant product placement) and now we come to a band very similar to the parody.  This album is rather special, as the lead singer Bon Scott died shortly after the release.  In fact, he went the same way as one of the Spinal Tap drummers...

Anyway, it's kind of eerie hearing a man sing about being on his way to hell shortly before his death.  After the first song was over, I felt sure the band couldn't possibly match that level of energy for the entire album.   I was pleased that it turned out to be quite a consistent album, although it maybe faltered a bit towards the end.

At the end of the day it is not my kind of music, but I can definitely understand what the appeal is.  I don't think anyone can deny the catchiness of "Highway to Hell."

RATING: 4/5

415. Van Halen

Van Halen
Van Halen
1978

Tracks
1. Runnin' With The Devil
2. Eruption
3. You Really Got Me
4. Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love 
5. I'm The One 
6. Jamie's Cryin'
7. Atomic Punk 
8. Feel Your Love Tonight 
9. Little Dreamer
10. Ice Cream Man 
11. On Fire

I had heard Van Halen referenced many times before today but I don't know if I could have actually named one of their songs.  I have to say, I'm not sure I was missing much.

I guess the most striking part of this album is the guitar solos which were...at best, self indulgent.  I read a review by a fellow blogger who described the music as "just some guy wanking his guitar off."  Colorful and fairly accurate.

The best song on this album is definitely "You Got Me" but I found out that is a Kinks cover.  Not particularly impressive, but at least the album could be correctly identified as music.  Unfortunately, that makes it a stand out work on this List, at least recently.

RATING: 3/5

412. Live and Dangerous

Live and Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
1978

Tracks
1. Jailbreak
2. Emerald
3. Southbound
4. Rosalie
5. Dancing in the Moonlight
6. Massacre 
7. Still in Love With You
8. Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed
9. Cowboy Song
10. The Boys are Back in Town 
11. Don't Believe a Word
12. Warriors
13. Are You Ready 
14. Suicide
15. Sha La La
16. Baby Drives Me Crazy
17. The Rocker

I fully expected to hate this, as I always seem to have to have my guard up with this List.  No, I don't think I'm being dramatic.  However, I can't stop listening to "Southbound" now, proving I'm one of those cool girls that listens to hard rock.

The first half of this album was definitely better than the second half, which seemed to transition into everyone's nightmare about what hard rock is.  Still, "The Boys are Back in Town" and "Southbound" actually a kind of sweet nostalgic feel about it.  I know this band would probably hate being called sweet so I will stop there.  Little darlings.

One of the better albums we have had lately and I am excited to discover more of Thin Lizzy's work, as I never heard of them before.

RATING: 4/5

360. Rocks

Rocks
Aerosmith
1976

Tracks
1. Back in the Saddle 
2. Last Child 
3. Rats in the Cellar 
4. Combination 
5. Sick as a Dog 
6. Nobody's Fault 
7. Get the Lead Out 
8. Lick and a Promise 
9. Home Tonight

This is Aerosmith's second chance to wow us.  The first time I was impressed by how catchy all the songs were but the lyrics left a bit to be desired.  This time, the songs were even less entertaining and there is even less meaning in the lyrics.

"Back in the Saddle" is about...what you would expect and is treated with as much delicacy and beauty as the movie American Pie treated women.  I am not saying that we have have to treat it with Victorian delicacy, but I was definitely cringing throughout the song.

Then we hit all the other points of general debauchery and overall, it is just quite boring.  I have heard that Aerosmith just gets worse and worse, but I was hoping we could put it off, at least for a little while.

RATING: 2/5

302. Bad Company

Bad Company
Bad Company
1974

Tracks
1. Can't Get Enough
2. Rock Steady 
3. Ready For Love 
4. Don't Let Me Down 
5. Bad Company 
6. Way I Choose 
7. Movin' On 
8. Seagull

I keep switching between what blog I am most interested in and lately it has been movies, so sorry for not posting lately.  I actually started listening to this album about a week ago and only just now finished.

When I first read about this album, everyone called it "pedestrian".  Naturally, I assumed I would love it because my tastes in music are, um, less than cultivated.  I actually didn't like it too much.  I think that means I am growing.

It was just so generic.  It seems like the kind of music that would play in a movie during a high school party.  I have no idea why it would be on the list when there is absolutely no originality in the album.

Oh well.  I think what we should take away from this is that I am becoming a refined intellectual. Now if I could only drink tea without gagging…

RATING: 2/5