Key Tracks - and i really do enjoy them:
God Save the Queen
Anarchy in the UK
Sub-Misison

I don't want to seem overly harsh, but its miles away from London Calling or even The Ramones. I guess this is more of an observation that the countdown has records like this, and say, The Velvet Underground that were trailblazing, but maybe not all the great to listen to. Rant complete.

Speaking objectively, and I like the band and the album, its not great compared to many of its peers. Its a bit repetitive and limited, but, then again, that was what punk was about, substance over style, angst over qaulity. I get it and appreciate, but I now wonder if it belongs here.

80. Nevermind the Bullocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, 1977, 38:48
I own this on CD but admit I probably haven't listened to it all the way through in years. Looking back on the rest of top 100 so far I am sure this included for its influence, not necessarily the musical consistency or quality.

Key Tracks:
NIkes
Self Control
Nights
Pretty Sweet
Seigfried

Special Mention - Be Yourself - a mothers love and concern all in a voicemail, yet you know the protagonist is not listening

This one is worth multiple more listens to understand it all.

79. Blond, Frank Ocean, 2016, 60:08
This amazing album is multilayered with amazing production, heartfelt lyrics, some jazzy, dreamy, soul, hip hop grooves, some cool dissonance throughout, almost like R&B meeting Radiohead.

OK, I am feeling much better now I have cleared my backlog. I am also feeling a bit more confident about reaching a personal goal of completing the top 100 this year.

The original singles were recorded just a few years after the LP record format was created, and not bundled together for another 20 years. This is still worth a listen, just like Chuck Berry's similar retrospective, but in the same way not a deliberate musical piece by design.

78. The Sun Sessions, Elvis Presley, 1976, 39:47
This is another compilation album, containing 16 of 20 songs recorded at the Sun label from 1954-56. While these tunes are of considerable influence on subsequent rock artists, I will not review this as they were never intended to be an album.

77. Who’s Next, The Who, 1971, 43:39
I own this one, and have listened recently, and most of the songs on it are staples of rock radio. The best are:
Baba O’Riley
Bargain
Behind Blue Eyes
Won’t Get Fooled Again

It was great to listen to this again and get back to some of my musical roots.

Key Tracks:
Pusherman
Freddie's Dead
Superfly

76. Superfly, Curtis Mayfield, 1972, 36:58
This is a soundtrack album, at times evolving the sounds from Marvin Gaye's What's going on, with added elements that now almost seem like stereotyped 70s - wah pedals, disco-ey guitars, but an amazing funk groove throughout. Fun stuff!

75. Lady Soul, Aretha Franklin, 1968, 29:51
That voice! This is a quick but satisfying listen with some classics.

Key tracks:
Chain of Fools
People Get Ready
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

74. The College Dropout, Kanye West, 2004, 76:13
This is an amazing album that combines some classic R&B, rap, gospel, soul, humor, and serious observations on life. Top tracks include:
All Falls Down
I’ll Fly Away
Jesus Walks
Slow Jamz
Two Words

A great listen!

Top tracks:
Head Like a Hole
Terrible Lie
Down In It
Something I Can Never Have

Truly an outstanding album, and one I would certainly rank higher, indeed over some in the top 100, if I were compiling my own list.

Its been a while since I have listened to this and I far more impressed with how revolutionary this album was, how it helped bring so many genres together in a heavily sampled, distorted, and even danceable way. The lyrics are seriously messed up, but make you think.

453. Pretty Hate Machine, Nine Inch Nails, 1989, 48:42
I had this queued up for a while and though this would be a great contrast with the albums in the upper half of the Top 100. I remember when I first listened to this, along with Ministry's The Mind is a Terrible Thing and how blown away I was.

My key tracks:
When You Sleep
Sometimes
Blow a Wish

This is something I would put in my rotation with other bands who were inspired by them. It grew on me quickly.

73. Loveless, My Bloody Valentine 1991, 48:31
I never listened to this, but a lot of bands I did listen to (The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, Lush) certainly did as this kicked of the dreamy, submerged vocals, layered sounds of Shoegaze. This is extremely atmospheric and a bit hypnotic.

With the breadth of genres and my love a few songs it was too hard to narrow this one down.

Track List (with prominent guest musicians):
Heart of Gold
Are You Ready for the Country, Graham Nash and David Crosby
Old Man - Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor
There’s a World - symphonic
Alabama - this and Southern Man inspired Sweet Home Alabama
The Needle and the Damage Done

72. Harvest, Neil Young, 1972, 37:10
At times country, at times bluesy, at times symphonic, always calling for an active listen. Loaded with guest performers.
This is one of the most complete albums of the lower half of the top 100.
Half of the tracks are classic rock radio staples.

Track Picks:
Break My Soul - catchy house beats
Plastic Off The Sofa - more retro soul/funk
Summer Renaissance - I Feel Love by Donna Summer rework

I think the main reason is she moved away from her amazing vocals and while I appreciate changing things up, she played away from her strength in some way. Still good, and best when she leaned into the retro funk and R&B grooves.

71. Renaissance, Beyonce, 2023, 62:14
Covered a wide range of genres including rap, retro R&B, House, and bits and pieces of various pop and other stuff. Its less coherent and more daring than Lemonade. That said, while I liked individual songs, this didn't resonate as a whole like Lemonade.

Track picks:
Straight Outta Compton
Fuk Da Police
8 Ball

Great album I would listen again - this was the first time I heard anything other than my first two picks.

70. Straight Outta Compton, N.W.A.,1988, 60:16
Very NSFW, some funk and jazz grooves in some songs, an almost Jackson 5 groove, and some great samples including the Beastie Boys and even Anthrax! Mostly driving and danceable.

I have been listening but not motivated to write, so to break this block I am going to post some shorter ones today to clear my writing backlog a bit.

YouTube video by Mateo Shakifan Madder Alanis Morissette - Uninvited Live at the GRAMMY´s

Bonus Alanis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfbQ...

Things I learned as I watched the video for You Oughta Know: Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers) played guitar and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) bass. Taylor Hawkins appeared in two of the videos promoting the album, but did not play on it but did tour for it - RIP TH.