Average Rating: 3.55 Rating Variance: 1.14 Objectivity Score: 79% (Well Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicA Fine Frenzy One Cell in the SeaA Fine Frenzy Bomb In A BirdcageHeard this at the full album listening party at amazon.com! More optimistic, playful, and upbeat than her masterpiece One Cell In The Sea, this is a great thing because it keeps her music fresh! Yet there are still beautiful ballads like "Bird of the Summer" and "Beacon." The sound never is forced. A Fine Frenzy creates another masterpiece! ABBA ABBA GoldAimee Mann Bachelor No.2 (Or the Last Remains...)Alanis Morissette Jagged Little PillBarenaked Ladies StuntBlondie Parallel LinesBob Dylan Blood on the TracksBob Dylan The Essential Bob DylanBon Jovi CrossroadBruce Springsteen Born To RunBruce Springsteen Born In The USABruce Springsteen MagicCyndi Lauper Shes So UnusualDixie Chicks Wide Open SpacesDixie Chicks FlyDixie Chicks HomeElvis Presley Elvis: 30 #1 HitsFleet Foxes Fleet FoxesFountains of Wayne Welcome Interstate ManagersGarbage Version 2.0Garth Brooks No FencesGreen Day American IdiotIndigo Girls Indigo GirlsIndigo Girls Rites Of PassageIndigo Girls Swamp OpheliaThis is one of three classic albums from The Indigo Girls.. Amy and Emily create pure bliss together.Jimmy Eat World Bleed AmericanJosh Ritter The Animal YearsLiz Phair WhitechocolatespaceeggLucinda Williams Car Wheels On A Gravel RoadMadonna The Immaculate CollectionMadonna Ray of LightMetallica Master of PuppetsWhile not one of my all time favorite albums (I do like it, though), this is a classic in the genre.Michael Jackson ThrillerMichael Jackson Off the WallMichelle Branch The Spirit RoomPaul Simon GracelandPearl Jam TenR.E.M. GreenR.E.M. Automatic For the PeopleR.E.M. Lifes Rich PageantR.E.M. EponymousRadiohead OK ComputerRegina Spektor FarI don't usually give classic status to albums I just heard, but I truly think this is good enough. Her most mainstream album yet, it is also her most amazing. Not many artists manage to combine accessibility with quirkiness like Regina does. The album is full of her beautiful piano playing and sparkling melodies. It even has bounciness - like on the opener "The Calculation." She does not venture into alternative rock on Far, but "Machine" is the closest, with its ominous mood and somewhat spooky chorus. Sarah McLachlan Fumbling Towards EcstasySheryl Crow Sheryl CrowSheryl Crow The Globe SessionsSinead O'Connor I Do Not Want What I Haven't GotStars Set Yourself On FireThe Beach Boys Pet SoundsThe Beatles RevolverThe Beatles Rubber SoulThe Beatles A Hard Day's NightThe Beatles Let It BeThe Beatles Please Please MeThe Beatles Abbey RoadThe Beatles The BeatlesThe Beatles Help!The Beatles With The BeatlesThe Beatles 1The Beatles Beatles for SaleThe Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club BandThe Cars Heartbeat CityThe Corrs Forgiven, Not ForgottenThe Corrs Talk on CornersThe Corrs In BlueThe Format Dog ProblemsThe Hold Steady Boys and Girls in AmericaThe Like Release MeIt's like a best-of CD of girl group-influenced songs! But it's more than just a throwback: there's some garage-y guitar, new wave, and Berg's very versatile voice.The National High VioletThis album has some of the most uniquely amazing arrangements I have ever heard. Combine that with super memorable choruses, the lead singer's achingly emotional baritone, and lyrics that define a stage of life, and you have a classic.The New Pornographers Electric VersionThe New Pornographers Twin CinemaThe Pierces Thirteen Tales of Love and RevengeThe Sundays Reading, Writing and ArithmeticThe White Stripes ElephantTori Amos Little EarthquakesU2 The Joshua TreeU2 All That You Can't Leave BehindWilco Yankee Hotel Foxtrot4.5 superbA Fine Frenzy PinesPines is different than her other two albums, with a quieter sound and more pure folk arrangements. The song I recognized most was "Avalanches," a folk/pop gem. Alison made me enveloped in the music and unique narrative, so for me, it works!Adam Lambert TrespassingDarker doesn't mean better. I feel both halves serve their own purpose and are equally great. Aimee Mann @#%&! SmilersAlan Jackson A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love)Alanis Morissette Supposed Former Infatuation JunkieAlanis Morissette Under Rug SweptAlicia Keys Songs in A MinorAmy Winehouse Back To BlackAndrew Bird Noble BeastAnna Nalick Wreck of the DayAvril Lavigne Under My SkinAvril Lavigne Let GoBarenaked Ladies Everything to EveryoneBarenaked Ladies MaroonBarenaked Ladies GordonBarenaked Ladies Barenaked Ladies Are MeBeck MutationsBelle and Sebastian The Life PursuitBrandi Carlile The StoryBrandi Carlile Brandi CarlileBrandi Carlile Give up the GhostBruce Springsteen The RisingBruce Springsteen Devils & DustBruce Springsteen Working On A DreamBruce Springsteen Wrecking BallIts rootsy-rock combination is a very effective one - a little better than Working On A Dream, but I haven't heard enough musically special for it to be a classic yet. Still sure to be one of my favorites of 2012.Butch Walker Left of Self-CenteredButch Walker Sycamore MeadowsButch Walker I Liked It Better When You Had No HeartCamera Obscura My Maudlin CareerColdplay Viva La VidaCyndi Lauper True ColorsDamone Out Here All NightDido Life For RentDinosaur Jr. FarmThis is my first Dinosaur Jr. album, and it impresses! Drawing from 90s alternative, they also add a power pop dynamic that makes their style fresh. The lead singer doesn't always hit the right notes, and there's one long song too many, but those are minor problems when the album rocks like it does.Dixie Chicks Taking The Long WayEels Electro-Shock BluesEisley Room NoisesEisley CombinationsEisley The ValleyEmmylou Harris Red Dirt GirlEnya Paint The Sky With StarsFefe Dobson Fefe DobsonFleet Foxes Helplessness BluesFountains of Wayne Sky Full of HolesGarbage GarbageGarbage Bleed Like MeGarbage Beautiful GarbageGarth Brooks Ropin' The WindGarth Brooks In PiecesGomez How We OperateGreen Day 21st Century BreakdownGreen Day ¡UNO!Guster Keep It TogetherHey Monday Hold On TightCatchy, great vocals, lots of craft put into the music. I love it, and don't care what others think.Hole Celebrity SkinHole Live Through ThisIndigo Girls All That We Let InIndigo Girls Despite Our DifferencesIngrid Michaelson EverybodyIngrid's Girls & Boys was a good album, but sometimes caught in a bit of an uncomfortable mix of intimate indie and mainstream pop. Here on Everybody, Michaelson goes for more hooks while keeping the arrangements from falling into blandness. Check out folky "The Chain" and "Sort Of," and the sweeping power pop of "Mountain And The Sea."Jewel This WayJimmy Eat World InventedJosh Ritter The Historical Conquests of Josh RitterJosh Ritter The Beast In Its TracksKate Voegele A Fine MessKelly Clarkson BreakawayKelly Clarkson My DecemberKelly Clarkson All I Ever WantedLady Gaga The FameLaura Marling I Speak Because I CanLaura Stevenson Sit ResistLights SiberiaLissie Catching a TigerUnique, special - that says it all for Lissie. I really think she'll make a classic someday.Liz Phair Exile In GuyvilleLoretta Lynn Van Lear RoseLucinda Williams EssenceLucinda Williams World Without TearsLucinda Williams Little HoneyMadonna MusicMadonna Confessions on a DancefloorMandy Moore Wild HopeMandy Moore Amanda LeighMargot and the Nuclear So and So's The Dust of RetreatMeat Loaf Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into HellMelissa Etheridge Yes I AmMetallica MetallicaMetric FantasiesNot watered down at all. These are all very muscular and powerful rock songs with pop sensabilities.Michael Jackson BadMy Chemical Romance The Black ParadeNeko Case Middle CycloneNo Doubt Tragic KingdomNorah Jones Come Away with MeOasis (What's The Story) Morning Glory?P!nk M!ssundaztoodP!nk Try ThisPearl Jam YieldPearl Jam BackspacerPhoenix Wolfgang Amadeus PhoenixPriscilla Ahn A Good DayR.E.M. Out Of TimeR.E.M. New Adventures In Hi - FiR.E.M. AccelerateRadiohead In RainbowsRegina Spektor Begin To HopeRegina Spektor What We Saw from the Cheap SeatsRilo Kiley More AdventurousRilo Kiley Under the BlacklightRob Thomas CradlesongRobyn Body TalkSarah McLachlan SurfacingSharon Jones and the Dap-Kings I Learned the Hard WayShe and Him Volume OneSheryl Crow WildflowerSinead O'Connor Faith And CourageStars In Our Bedroom After The WarStars The Five GhostsThe Five Ghosts is sentimental without being sappy and sexy without being forced. They utilize synthesizer in a thrilling power pop way, and use their sweet harmonies. Maybe one or two too many hazy ballads near the end, but otherwise, this is excellent even if it doesn't reach the heights of Set Yourself On Fire.Stevie Nicks In Your DreamsI think this album captures both the pop and blues eras of Fleetwood Mac well, while sounding modern enough. Terrific job, Stevie!Straylight Run The Needles, The SpaceSufjan Stevens IllinoisSugarland Love On The InsideTaylor Swift Speak NowTegan and Sara So Jealousthat dog. Retreat From the SunThe Beatles Magical Mystery TourThe Corrs Borrowed HeavenThe Cranberries Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?The Decemberists PicaresqueThe Decemberists The Crane WifeThe Decemberists The King Is DeadThis album is growing on me even more. It's like a combination of Ryan Adams and Wilco alt-country mixed with REM mixed with Simon & Garfunkel mixed with their own quirkiness. Deceptively simple and a superb listen throughout. Not far from a 5, but I try to do only a couple of those a year at most. Could be a 5 later.The Gaslight Anthem The 59 SoundThe Hold Steady Heaven Is WheneverThe Like Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?The Monkees Greatest HitsThe New Pornographers Mass RomanticThe New Pornographers TogetherNot getting the average ratings for this so far. It has the bounciness of Electric Version plus the majesty of Twin Cinema. Might go up to a 5.The Raveonettes In and Out of ControlThe Shins Chutes Too NarrowThe Shins Wincing the Night AwayThe Smashing Pumpkins OceaniaThe Veronicas The Secret Life Of...The Wallflowers Bringing Down The HorseThe Wallflowers BreachThe Wallflowers Rebel, SweetheartThe Weepies Say I Am YouThe Weepies make absolutely beautiful folk pop. From the beginning to the end, the Weepies let their harmonies and melodies shine through.The White Stripes White Blood CellsThe White Stripes Get Behind Me SatanThe White Stripes Icky ThumpThird Eye Blind Third Eye BlindThird Eye Blind BlueTilly and the Wall Bottoms of BarrelsTilly and the Wall OTori Amos Scarlet's WalkTori Amos American Doll PosseTravis The Man WhoTV on the Radio Dear ScienceU2 Achtung BabyVanessa Carlton Heroes and ThievesVanessa Carlton Rabbits on the RunZolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer Schematics4.0 excellentA Fine Frenzy Oh, Blue Christmas EPAdam Lambert For Your EntertainmentAdele 21AFI Crash LoveAlan Jackson Here in the Real WorldAlanis Morissette So-Called ChaosAlicia Keys As I AmAly and AJ InsomniaticAmy Macdonald A Curious ThingAu Revoir Simone Still Night, Still LightAvril Lavigne The Best Damn ThingBand of Horses Infinite ArmsBarenaked Ladies All in Good TimeBeach House Teen DreamBeck Sea ChangeBelle and Sebastian Write About LoveBen Lee Awake Is The New SleepBilly Joel River Of DreamsBlonde Redhead 23Bob Dylan Modern TimesBon Jovi Lost HighwayBrie Larson Finally Out of P.E.Britney Spears Femme FataleBrooke White High Hopes & HeartbreaksExcellent album from the former American Idol contestant. It is indeed a throwback to classic rock and has the passion and attention to songcraft needed to pull that off effectively. "Phoenix" and "High Hopes & Heartbreak" shake things up with upbeat guitar and dance beats.Butterfly Boucher FlutterbyCat Power The GreatestChristina Perri lovestrong.Very underrated by professional music critics. It's rare to hear this much passion and soul in both the music and lyrics. And just think - she can do even better than the album lovestrong! It has a couple too many ballads, though I can't complain much since they are beautifully orchestrated. Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the HeadColdplay ParachutesCorinne Bailey Rae The SeaCrystal Bowersox Farmer's DaughterThere's certainly no sell-out here. With lots of emotion and not afraid to use swear words, she doesn't hold back. As a singer/songwriter CD, it's excellent. If you were expecting it to rock out, though, you'll be disappointed. Only "Kiss Ya" really rocks, and it uses a formulaic hard rock riff. Only flat out disliked "Hold On," though.Cyndi Lauper Bring Ya To The BrinkDave Matthews Band Before These Crowded StreetsDave Matthews Band Busted StuffDeborah Harry Necessary EvilDido No AngelDirty Projectors Bitte OrcaDuffy RockferryFaith Hill It Matters To MeHer best CD. It's where the country and the pop mixes the best. Today, I have rated her other albums, too. Fefe Dobson JoyThe first few songs are good pop, but she really hits her stride with "Didn't See You Coming" and the songs after that. She really separates herself from the pop pack with rock, soul, and indie influences.Foo Fighters Wasting LightFountains of Wayne Traffic And WeatherGarth Brooks Garth BrooksGarth Brooks The ChaseGarth Brooks SevensGarth Brooks ScarecrowGenesis We Can't DanceGoo Goo Dolls Something for the Rest of UsGreen Day WarningGrizzly Bear VeckatimestGuster Easy WonderfulGwen Stefani Love. Angel. Music. Baby.Hanson UnderneathHeather Nova SirenHey Monday Beneath It All"I Don't Wanna Dance," "Hungover," and "Mr. Pushover" are the most unique songs. The others are Kelly Clarkson meets Jag Star, and because I love both those artists, I like the whole EP. Hopefully the next LP continues their progress.Holly Brook Like Blood Like HoneyHootie and The Blowfish Cracked Rear ViewImogen Heap Speak For YourselfIndigo Girls Become YouIngrid Michaelson Girls And BoysIngrid Michaelson Human AgainJanelle Monae The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III of IV)Jenny and Johnny I'm Having Fun NowJewel Goodbye Alice in WonderlandJewel SpiritJimmy Eat World FuturesJimmy Eat World Chase This LightJohn Mayer Room for SquaresKanye West GraduationKT Tunstall Drastic FantasticKylie Minogue AphroditeLaura Marling Alas, I Cannot SwimLights The ListeningLiz Phair Somebody's MiracleLykke Li Wounded RhymesMadonna American LifeMadonna MDNAMae The EverglowMargot and the Nuclear So and So's Not Animal.Marina and The Diamonds The Family JewelsMatchbox Twenty Yourself or Someone Like YouMelissa Etheridge BreakdownMetallica Death MagneticMetric Live It OutMichelle Branch Everything Comes and GoesNatasha Bedingfield Strip MeMuch better than many reviewers are saying. More rocking than usual from her, and the ballads never drag.Nelly Furtado Whoa, Nelly!Nirvana NevermindOrianthi BelieveOur Lady Peace Burn BurnP!nk FunhouseParamore Riot!Hayley has a terrific voice. And while a few songs fall into pop/punk imitator territory, there is more confidence and less awkwardness than on All We Know Is Falling. Paramore The Final Riot!Paramore Brand New EyesYou can clearly hear Paramore growing up on Brand New Eyes. The intensity of "Careful" and "Ignorance" hits you right away. They better "Misery Business." Hayley is a good enough singer to handle it. Ballads like "Misguided Ghosts" are unlike what they have ever done before. And when the songs have pop hooks, like on "Brick By Boring Brick," they match "For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic," "When It Rains," and "Crushcrushcrush" from Riot! Brand New Eyes might not change the world of music, but sometimes just good old music is enough.Pearl Jam BinauralPearl Jam Riot ActPearl Jam Pearl JamPJ Harvey Stories From The City, Stories From The SeaPJ Harvey Uh Huh HerR.E.M. MonsterR.E.M. UpR.E.M. RevealR.E.M. Collapse Into NowExcellent album.. it's like a little bit of Automatic For The People combined with Monster combined with Accelerate. My one complaint is that they aren't growing as a band or quite equaling their best work. The last song is the only one that stretches. But just based on song quality, it doesn't disappoint.Rihanna Good Girl Gone BadRogue Wave PermalightRyan Adams 29Sade Soldier Of LoveSarah Fimm Red Yellow SunReminded me in a strange way of Loreena McKennitt meets Sinead O'Connor meets Peter Gabriel.. very interesting listen. It just requires you to listen closely to get the full effect.Sarah McLachlan AfterglowSarah McLachlan Laws of IllusionShakira Laundry ServiceShania Twain Come On OverShe and Him Volume TwoSheryl Crow DetoursSigur Ros Takk...St. Vincent Marry MeSt. Vincent ActorStone Temple Pilots Stone Temple PilotsSugarland Enjoy The RideSugarland Twice The Speed Of LifeTaylor Swift FearlessTegan and Sara SainthoodThe All-American Rejects Move AlongThe Cars Move Like ThisThe Civil Wars Barton HollowThe harmonies on this album are tremendous. Some of the best you'll hear. They help get the album through a couple of draggy spots.The Donnas Spend the NightThe Donnas Gold MedalThe Donnas Bitchin'The Duke Spirit NeptuneThe Gaslight Anthem American SlangThe Killers Hot FussThe Lemonheads The LemonheadsThe National BoxerThe Postal Service Give UpThe Sounds Dying to say this to YouThe Tallest Man on Earth The Wild HuntThe Thermals Now We Can SeeThe Veronicas Hook Me UpThe Wallflowers Red Letter DaysTim McGraw Set This Circus DownTinted Windows Tinted WindowsTori Amos The BeekeeperTori Amos From The Choirgirl HotelU2 How to Dismantle an Atomic BombU2 No Line on the HorizonExcellent album, yet it is not one of their very best after a few listens. Does sound fresh, though not as fresh as Achtung Baby.Vanessa Carlton Harmonium martinVanessa Carlton Be Not NobodyVedera StagesVivian Girls Vivian GirlsWeezer The Green AlbumWeezer HurleyWilco Wilco (The Album)3.5 greatAgainst Me! White CrossesAlanis Morissette Flavors of EntanglementAllison Iraheta Just Like YouBringing her own raw, raspy attitude to her debut CD, Allison has made one of the best Idol debut CDs. Yes, it's mainstream, but she really was on Idol, too - I think she shows more of herself on the album than she was able to on Idol. Can she stretch more musically? Yes, but give her time.Aly and AJ Into The Rush (Deluxe Edition)Amy Millan Masters of the BurialArcade Fire The SuburbsAutomatic Loveletter Truth or DareGood pop album; her voice has an interesting tone to it, and there are standouts like "Heart Song" and "Fade Away." The thing that needs improvement for next time is tempo. Too many songs are solid but wear thin.Bat For Lashes Two SunsBest Coast Crazy For YouBeyonce I Am... Sasha FierceBilly Ray Cyrus Some Gave Allblink-182 Enema of the StateBon Jovi CrushBritney Spears In The ZoneBroken Bells Broken BellsBrooks & Dunn Hard Workin' ManCare Bears on Fire Get Over It!Even though the singers in this group are young teens, they have much more sass and catchiness than Miley Cyrus has even now. The musicianship is also impressively sturdy. The lyrics are clearly directed towards the young crowd. But if you tune out that fact and focus on the music, the album is lots of fun for anyone.Carly Rae Jepsen KissCarrie Underwood Some HeartsCarrie Underwood Play OnThis is a bigger, more diverse album than before, but vocally Carrie is up to the task. Some of the lyrics are a little preachy, and again there is some filler, but she makes up for it with scorchers like "Songs Like This" and "Cowboy Cassanova," beautiful ballads like "Someday When I Stop Loving You" and "What Can I Say," and the sly pop/country mix of "Quitter."Chevelle Sci-Fi CrimesColdplay X & YCompany Of Thieves Ordinary RichesCyndi Lauper Hat Full of StarsDido Safe Trip HomeDolores O'Riordan No BaggageThe first two songs gave me a big "uh oh," but fortunately, the album gets much better after that. "It's You" and "The Journey" are tremendous pop songs. "Apple Of My Eye" is an engaging slow burner. The rest is pretty similiar to Are You Listening - it's good she's out of her Cranberries comfort zone, but nor does she hit the highs of much of her Cranberries stuff. Eels Hombre LoboErin McCarley Love, Save the EmptyEvanescence The Open DoorFaith Hill BreatheFaith Hill Take Me As I AmFeist The ReminderFiona Apple TidalFiona Apple When the Pawn...Garbage Not Your Kind Of PeopleHanson Shout It OutIron & Wine Kiss Each Other CleanJessie James Jessie JamesJohn Mayer Battle StudiesJonas Brothers A Little Bit LongerJordin Sparks Jordin SparksJosh Ritter So Runs The World AwayBig fan of Josh - The Animal Years and The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter are at the elite of singer/songwriter albums. While still good, I was a little disappointed in this CD. It still has catchy pop gems - "Change Of Time," "Lantern," and "Orbital" - but it's lacking in songs like those that we know well from him. It's a little low on energy. Stand out ballads include "Folk Bloodbath" and "The Curse." Other ballads are fine but rely too much on similar strumming and his still-strong storytelling lyrics. The only real missteps are "Rattling Locks" and "The Remnant," where he tries to sound like Tom Waits. Those two songs have rhythms that go nowhere.Katharine McPhee UnbrokenKaty Perry One of the BoysCatchy pop with occasionally clever lyrics and vocals with loads of energy. There are definitely a few pop gems here.Katy Perry Teenage DreamKe$ha AnimalKe$ha CannibalI think her lyrics are really funny. An exception is "Cannibal," where the Dahmer reference is inappropriate. Overall, if you found Animal to be a guilty pleasure, you will like this EP.Ke$ha WarriorKeith Urban Get CloserKelly Clarkson ThankfulKelly Clarkson StrongerSounds like she was on the verge of more with an updated pop/R&B sound, but the record company reined her in. Still a good album with some standout songs ("Darkside," "Stronger," "Standing In Front Of You," "I Forgive You," "You Can't Win," "Breaking Your Own Heart").KSM Read Between The LinesThis is actually very good bubblegum rock. It really is more inspired by bands like the Go Gos than other Disney stars. The biggest negative is the lead vocals, which sound solid but unseasoned. But the lead singer IS only 16.KT Tunstall Tiger SuitLana Del Rey Born to DieLaura Veirs July FlameLauren Harris Calm Before the StormLeona Lewis EchoLifehouse No Name FaceMarissa Nadler Marissa NadlerMeat Loaf Bat Out of Hell IIIMeg and Dia Here, Here and HereI thought this was a better CD than their first CD, which had bland hooks. This one adds some variety and also is less stiff.Melissa Etheridge SkinMelissa Etheridge The AwakeningMelissa Etheridge Fearless LoveDecent Melissa Etheridge music - no more and no less. It would be nice if she did more music different than the usual big production and dramatic vocals, like on the Indian-flavored "We Are The Ones." A very solid listen, though.MGMT CongratulationsSounding somewhere between the Shins and the Flaming Lips, MGMT have created a good indie record - you won't like it as much as any Shins album so far, but the experimentation is a lot more interesting than what the Flaming Lips do.No Doubt Push and ShoveNorah Jones The FallParamore All We Know Is FallingPatti Smith HorsesPaul Simon So Beautiful or So WhatPeter Bjorn and John Writer's BlockPJ Harvey Let England ShakeThere's excellent storytelling here. And it has some good melodies. However, P.J. Harvey deserves better than the light arrangements and so much use of her high register. R.E.M. Around The SunRadiohead Kid ARadiohead Hail to the ThiefRooney EurekaSelena Gomez & the Scene When The Sun Goes DownActually an improvement over her last CD. More fun, entertaining, and hooky. Also even a little adventurous for this kind of pop, as on the ballad "We Own The Night" which is with Pixie Lott.Shania Twain The Woman in MeSleigh Bells Reign of TerrorSpinnerette SpinneretteAt times the album bursts with rock energy, and at other times it builds up tension. It's just too bad the music isn't a little looser, as it gets a bit weary over a whole album.Steve Earle I'll Never Get Out Of This World AliveTaking Back Sunday New AgainTaylor Hicks Taylor HicksThe Click Five Greetings from Imrie HouseThe Cranberries Bury the HatchetThe Killers Sam's TownThe Mars Volta OctahedronThe Ting Tings We Started NothingThird Eye Blind Ursa MajorTiny Vipers Life on EarthTV on the Radio Return to Cookie MountainYeah Yeah Yeahs It's Blitz!3.0 goodAce of Base The SignAshley Tisdale Guilty PleasureOK, I'll get one thing straight. Ashley is not a very good singer. But what she does have is a bit of personality, and given some tastefully catchy songs, Guilty Pleasure really IS a guilty pleasure. Although she wanted to be more grown up on this CD, it really just comes across as more mature bubblegum than her last album.Avril Lavigne Goodbye LullabyBeck Midnite VulturesBeyonce 4blink-182 blink-182Bon Jovi BounceBritney Spears BritneyBritney Spears CircusButterfly Boucher Scary FragileCarrie Underwood Carnival RideCeline Dion Falling into YouChristina Aguilera Back to BasicsColbie Caillat All of YouCourtney Love America's SweetheartDavid Gray FoundlingGray sounded like he was going to do something interesting when I heard the first couple tracks - but after that, the arrangements are sparse and his voice sounds more detached than before. This is ok for background music, but doesn't go beyond pleasant.Duffy EndlesslyDum Dum Girls I Will BeEvanescence FallenFaith Hill FirefliesFlorence and the Machine LungsFlyleaf Memento MoriIt's ok. I think Hayley brings more power and Paramore has better hooks.Garth Brooks Fresh HorsesGoo Goo Dolls Let Love InGood Charlotte CardiologyHookier and more fun than I thought it would be from the reviews. Lyrics are awful, though, and the vocals pretty ordinary.Hanson Middle of NowhereImogen Heap EllipseJack White BlunderbussJakob Dylan Women + CountryJason Castro Jason CastroJewel Pieces of YouJohn Mayer Heavier ThingsJordin Sparks BattlefieldBattlefield is an album of solid ballads and Rihanna-style R&B. The best of the upbeat songs is "Emergency"; that should have been the single instead of "Battlefield." I didn't like the re-make of "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" because she sings it too sweetly. In fact, it's a problem in general that she sings the ballads pretty similarly. It's a good thing the production is well done by the typical hit-makers.Katharine McPhee Katharine McPheeLifehouse Smoke and MirrorsLindsay Lohan SpeakLiz Phair Liz PhairLucinda Williams WestMadonna Hard CandyMandy Moore CoverageMandy Moore Mandy MooreMariah Carey Music BoxMariah Carey EmotionsMarilyn Manson Mechanical AnimalsMatchbox Twenty Mad SeasonMetric SyntheticaMichael Jackson DangerousDoesn't match up with Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad, as his vocals can get lost in the busy production. The first three songs, while interesting, are also a bit hookless. But there are some of his best here: "Black Or White," "Remember The Time," "Dangerous," and "Give In To Me." Miranda Cosgrove Sparks FlyFluffy fun; at least she's not forcing being grown up like in the terrible Miley song "Can't Be Tamed."Natalie Imbruglia Left of the MiddleNew Kids On The Block Hangin' ToughNorah Jones Feels Like HomeNorah Jones Not Too LateOasis Don't Believe The TruthPhil Collins TestifyPJ Harvey White ChalkPJ Harvey Is This Desire?Shania Twain Up!Sinead O'Connor TheologySpice Girls Greatest HitsSugarland The Incredible MachineThis is an unrelentingly positive album, with big production and choruses. I need positively right now, so I'm definitely in the mood for it. Because of Jennifer Nettles's passion and the solid musicianship, the album has substance depite the arena-readiness of the music. On the downside, the lyrics are a little lazy - multiple references to fire, light, open hearts, etc. - and the album is not inventive. It's a fun album and a worthwhile addition to their catalog, if not close to their best album.Susan Boyle I Dreamed a DreamThe Beatles Yellow SubmarineThe Cranberries Wake Up and Smell the CoffeeThe Dresden Dolls Yes, Virginia...The Fray How to Save a LifeThe Smashing Pumpkins ZeitgeistThe Whigs In The DarkTom Petty and the Heartbreakers MojoVampire Weekend ContraVelvet Revolver LibertadYeah Yeah Yeahs Show Your Bones2.5 averageAlicia Keys The Element Of FreedomBased on the first half of this CD, I thought Alicia might even best Songs in A Minor. But the second half is full of annoying vocal performances and little excitement.Angels and Airwaves We Don't Need to WhisperAnimal Collective Merriweather Post PavilionArcade Fire FuneralArctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am...Ashlee Simpson AutobiographyBackstreet Boys MillenniumBackstreet Boys Black & BlueBarlowgirl BarlowgirlBest Coast The Only PlaceBilly Idol Devil's PlaygroundBilly Ray Cyrus Storm in the HeartlandBjork HomogenicBon Jovi Have a Nice DayBoys Like Girls Love DrunkBright Eyes I'm Wide Awake, It's MorningBritney Spears Oops!...I Did It AgainBritney Spears ...Baby One More TimeCeline Dion A New Day Has ComeCharlotte Gainsbourg IRMChris Cornell Carry OnChristina Aguilera Christina AguileraChristina Aguilera StrippedCobra Starship Hot MessColbie Caillat CocoColbie Caillat BreakthroughHere's the good news: Colbie's voice sounds less prosaic, and there's more in the songs that grab your attention. The bad news: there's still not a whole lot of charm in her music. She still fails to make you feel much emotion. At least she sounded more genuine on her previous CD.Daughtry DaughtryDave Matthews Band Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux KingEmily Haines and the Soft Skeleton Knives Don't Have Your BackFaith Hill CryFiona Apple Extraordinary MachineFiona Apple The Idler Wheel...Garth Brooks In the Life of Chris GainesGwen Stefani The Sweet EscapeHannah Montana Original TV SoundtrackHilary Duff DignityHole Nobody's DaughterA mixed bag. Courtney's voice has definitely faded. But she can still bring it on songs like "Nobody's Daughter," "Skinny Little Bitch," and "Loser Dust." My problem is that the songs in the middle seem like weaker versions of Celebrity Skin. Not bad, but they don't stand out. Then, "How Dirty Girls Get Clean" is a pale imitation of "Loser Dust." The last song, "Never Go Hungry," is Courtney doing a country sound - it just doesn't fit her.Jack Johnson To the SeaJewel 0304Jill Scott The Light of the SunJohn Mayer ContinuumJonas Brothers Jonas BrothersYou know, PsychoPuppet has a good point - I just think most of their good songs are on one album, A Little Bit Longer, and not this one.Jonas Brothers It's About TimeJonas Brothers Lines, Vines and Trying TimesKeane Under The Iron SeaKris Allen Kris AllenKris Allen's CD is pretty much what you would expect after watching him on Idol. Serviceable, but not a stand out. The CD is over-produced and generically designed for radio. I'd download these three songs only: "Written All Over My Face," ""Red Guitar," and "Alright With Me". Lady Antebellum Need You NowLee DeWyze Live It UpCould have been a lot worse. The safe music actually works to his advantage in a way, because the cloying quality of his voice is kept to a minimum. Three songs here are worth purchasing - "Dear Isabelle," "Brooklyn Bridge," and "Stay Here." "Dear Isabelle" is a rare spare moment, and even though it sounds like John Mayer, succeeds in charming. "Brooklyn Bridge," with its jazzy quality, is refreshingly un-Idol. "Stay Here" is irresistably snappy. All the other songs have been done better by other artists.Lily Allen Alright, StillLily Allen It's Not Me, It's YouLindsay Lohan A Little More Personal (Raw)Madonna EroticaMariah Carey The Emancipation of MimiMariah Carey E=MC²Mariah Carey Memoirs of an Imperfect AngelMaroon 5 It Won't Be Soon Before LongMayday Parade Anywhere But HereMeg and Dia Something RealMetallica St. AngerMichael Johns Hold Back My HeartMiley Cyrus BreakoutMiley Cyrus Can't Be TamedMiranda Cosgrove High MaintenanceMuse The ResistanceWhat were they doing putting three classical-influenced rock ballads at the end? They are not inspiring or enjoyable. Too much of the album is that way, though there are a trio of good rockers (the two that start the album and "Unnatural Selection"), and USOE is epic done right.Nelly Furtado LooseNick Jonas and the Administration Who I AmPaul McCartney Chaos and Creation in the BackyardPeaches Impeach My BushRascal Flatts Feels Like TodayRihanna Rated RSantigold SantogoldShakira She WolfSilversun Pickups SwoonSmoosh She Like ElectricSpice Girls SpiceStaind Break the CycleTaking Back Sunday Louder NowTennis Cape DoryThis album re-creates the 60s sound, but fails to be memorable. Too often the music just drifts along in a haze. The singer also doesn't exactly have the charisma of a Petula Clark.The All-American Rejects When the World Comes DownThe Cranberries RosesIt sounds like The Cranberries, but usually doesn't stand out like they used to.The Flaming Lips EmbryonicHas interestingly freaky moments mixed with songs that are dull or seem to lack meaning.The Fray The FrayThe Pretty Reckless Light Me UpTori Amos Abnormally Attracted To SinTrain Drops of JupiterVivian Girls Everything Goes Wrong2.0 poor3 Doors Down Time of My LifeAshlee Simpson Bittersweet WorldI listened to this again, and couldn't believe I had it at a 3 before. Autobiography at least has some decent bubblegum moments. Bittersweet World is just the sound of a not-so-good singer going beyond her reach.Ashley Tisdale HeadstrongThe songs here are undistinguished dance-pop. The rock turn on Guilty Pleasure at least allowed for better hooks than on this CD.Backstreet Boys Never GoneBackstreet Boys UnbreakableBackstreet Boys This Is UsMore generic dance pop from them. Their early stuff wasn't special, but it was catchier. While they have ok voices, they also sound like a singing factory.Bjork MedúllaBjork VespertineBob Dylan Together Through LifeBon Iver For Emma, Forever AgoChristina Aguilera BionicDaughtry Leave This TownDavid Cook David CookDemi Lovato Don't ForgetDemi Lovato UnbrokenEmpire Of The Sun Walking On A DreamFaith Hill FaithFergie The DutchessGood Charlotte Good Morning RevivalGorillaz GorillazGuns N' Roses Appetite for DestructionHanson The WalkHilary Duff Hilary DuffJessica Simpson Do You KnowJoanna Newsom YsJoanna Newsom Have One on MeJustin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveSoundsKidz Bop Kidz Kidz Bop, Volume 9Kittie OracleLady Antebellum Own the NightLinkin Park Hybrid TheoryLinkin Park Minutes To MidnightLiz Phair FunstyleI see this album as a tongue-in-cheek retort to her critics. So while most of these songs are pretty bad mish-mashes, Liz just put together anything she felt like because the critics boxed her in. I think she does fine in pop (especially on Somebody's Miracle,) and I know she can find some direction again.Mariah Carey CharmbracletMarie Digby Breathing UnderwearWith its processed beats and similar song structures, Breathing Underwear has a numbing effect on the listener. When she finally does try something different, all it is is Evanescence-lite. I recommend her CD Unfold, but you should avoid this album.Morningwood Diamonds & StudsNew Found Glory Sticks and StonesNew Kids On The Block The BlockOK Go Of The Blue Colour Of The SkyPlacebo MedsPortishead ThirdRascal Flatts Me And My GangRascal Flatts Still Feels GoodRicky Martin Ricky MartinScarlett Johansson Anywhere I Lay My HeadSheryl Crow 100 Miles From MemphisSurprisingly dull. The band sounds very uninspired, and there are few of the catchy songs Sheryl is known for. Sheryl's vocals are fine for the soul vibe, but there's only so much she can do with these songs.Ted Leo And The Pharmacists The Brutalist BricksThe Dead Weather HorehoundThey tried to create dirty blues-rock with reckless abandon, but it ends up clumsy and without fully-realized structures. The Decemberists The Hazards Of LoveThe Gossip Music For MenWeezer Make BelieveWeezer Raditude1.5 very poor*NSYNC Celebrity*NSYNC No Strings Attached3OH!3 Streets of GoldThey can't rap or sing. And the melodies are annoying, not fun. This from a person who likes mindless pop at times - like Ke$ha's CD.Bjork VoltaBlack Eyed Peas The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)Brand New DaisyBritney Spears BlackoutBrooke Hogan The RedemptionJust terrible. About comprises everything most generic about pop, from the dance to the R&B to the more rock side. The only song worth a second listen is "All I Want Is You."Chris Brown GraffitiCocoRosie The Adventures of Ghosthorse and StillboGreen Day iDOS!Hilary Duff MetamorphosisIda Maria Fortress Round My HeartJoanna Newsom The Milk-Eyed MenderJuliette Lewis Terra IncognitaShe was always inconsistent, but on this CD, she's just bad. Juliette oversings like she's trying too hard, and the music isn't even fun.Justin Bieber My WorldJustin Bieber My World 2.0Limp Bizkit Chocolate Starfish...M.I.A. MayaMandy Moore So RealMarilyn Manson The High End of LowMarnie Stern In Advance of the Broken ArmMelissa auf der Maur Out of our mindsModest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even SankNickelback All the Right ReasonsNickelback Dark HorsePapa Roach MetamorphosisPussycat Dolls PCDScott Stapp The Great DivideSleigh Bells TreatsSufjan Stevens The Age of AdzI could hardly get through this album. Seen as genius as some, but I find it to be dumb. Fussy electronics with little melody. Big disappointment since I love the album Illinois.t.A.T.u. 200 km/H In The Wrong LaneYeah Yeah Yeahs Fever To TellYoko Ono Rising1.0 awfulAshlee Simpson I Am MeBloodhound Gang Hooray For BoobiesbrokeNCYDE I'm Not A Fan, But The Kids Like It!Chris Cornell ScreamCreed WeatheredHeidi Montag SuperficialHinder Extreme BehaviorHonor Society Fashionably LateImagine the Jonas Brothers, only more amateurish and having worse singing.James Blunt Back To BedlamKevin Federline Playing with FireKittie In the BlackOK, maybe it's because I don't listen to a lot of metal, but I don't think they can roar at all! Any time I have to turn off an album early because of my ears, it's an automatic negative rating.Lightning Bolt Earthly DelightsI'm sorry, but to me, this is just excruciating noise.Lil Wayne RebirthMichael Bolton Time, Love & TendernessParis Hilton ParisPure product that isn't even fun - the best beats were given to other artists. This is the album that gets my scorn - Ke$ha is much better.Prussian Blue Fragment Of The FutureSlipknot SlipknotSoulja Boy iSouljaBoyTellEmStatic-X Cannibal
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