Just from hearing a few radio tracks from this band, this is how I feel. Can't stand the singer's voice. I'm sorry you had to endure an entire album.

BTW cool journal, I'll keep an eye on it.

This thread is just going to consist of you ****ting on albums I love :(

Ah no that's not fair.
I'm sure I'll be shitting on albums a lot of other people love too! :rofl:

997
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ver_art%29.jpg
Album title: Hot Fuss
Artiste: The Killers
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Genre: Rock
Chronology: Debut album
Previous experience of this artiste, if any: I have already heard and reviewed this album
Why is this an album you should hear before you die? I have no idea; it was okay but not that great...
Rating: http://www.trollheart.com/tstoner3.png

996
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...The_Zutons.jpg
Album title: Who killed ... The Zutons?
Artiste: The Zutons
Year: 2004
Nationality: English
Genre: Rock
Chronology: Debut album
Previous experience of this artiste, if any: Zero
Why is this an album you should hear before you die? I have, you know, no idea
Tracklisting: Zuton fever, Pressure point, You will you won't, Confusion, Havana gang brawl, Railroad, Long time coming, Nightmare Part II, Not a lot to do, Remember me, Dirty dancehall, Moons and horror shows
Introduction: Who the fuck are the Zutons? I can tell you nada.
Comments: I was a lot more impressed with this album than I had expected to be. Fresh, at times straight-ahead at times quirky rock that makes you want to move, plus the Country influences thrown in from time to time makes this something of an addictive experience. A fine debut.
Favourite track(s): You will you won't, Confusion, Havana gang brawl, Remember me, Moons and horror shows
Least favourite track(s): n/a
My impression: A pleasant surprise. Don't know if I'd become a fan, but I'd listen to more from these guys.
Rating: http://www.trollheart.com/tstoner4.png

995
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...s_Want_Two.jpg
Album title: Want two
Artiste: Rufus Wainwright
Year: 2004
Nationality: American/Canadian (?)
Genre: Singer/Songwriter/Folk/Blues
Chronology: Fourth album
Previous experience of this artiste, if any: Zero
Why is this an album you should hear before you die? I still, at this point, do not know. Why are any of these considered albums you should hear before you die?
Tracklisting: Agnes dei/ The one you love/ Peach trees/ Little sister/ The art teacher/ Hometown waltz/ This love affair/ Gay messiah/ Memphis skyline/ Waiting for a dream/ Crumb by crumb/ Old whore's diet
Introduction: There is nothing I can say as I know nothing about this man. I tell you what though, I'm damn impressed by the opening track!
Comments: Not quite so much by the tracks after though. Shot his load too soon? This guy has a really nice voice, but the songs are pretty varied so it's hard to form a proper opinion on one listen. Some are what I think Batty would term “showtunes”, some are like folk music and some are kind of cinematic. I'm reminded of ELO meeting Divine Comedy and then bumping into Josh Groban. If you don't know who any of those people are, shame on you. I have a kind of love/hate relationship with singer-songwriters: many of them seem to use the opportunity just to whine about how bad their life apparently is, or was, and sometimes Rufus edges this way, but I think I like his music on balance. Mostly.
Favourite track(s): Agnes Dei, Peach trees, The art teacher, Hometown waltz, This love affair, Waiting for a dream, Old whore's diet
Least favourite track(s): The one you love, Little sister, Gay messiah
My impression: Decent enough; some very good songs but I doubt I'd be actively seeking out his music having heard this album.
Rating: http://www.trollheart.com/tstoner3.png

I think the title is to be taken literally Trollheart. There's quite a few documented cases of people literally keeling over after completing this list.

You'll probably hate all the next five, although maybe not TVOTR.

Killers are like....American maan. That's like......that's like...true! cha'mone

I really love that Rufus album, but sure hope there are others by him on the list or else that is a really odd choice by the writers. The Art Teacher is for sure one of his most amazing songs though, that voice!

God damn it! Why does that keep happening? Must be a paste job... :banghead:
Yes. yes it is. I preferred "Agnes dei" though. Mind you, I really thought the rest of the album was going to be as amazing as that, which is why I was slightly disappointed.

994
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e_For_Free.jpg
Album title: A grand don't come for free
Artiste: The Streets
Year: 2004
Nationality: British
Genre: Rap/Hip-hop
Chronology: Second album
Previous experience of this artiste, if any: Again, yeah... :rolleyes:
Why is this an album you should hear before you die? See previous five albums
Tracklisting: It was supposed to be so easy, Could well be in, Not addicted, Blinded by the lights, Wouldn't have it any other way, Get out of my house, Fit but you know it, Such a twat, What is he thinking, Dry your eyes, Empty cans
Introduction: Dear God no! Save me! A rap opera! What have I done to deserve this??
Comments: Two of my least favourite art forms together in one package: rap and opera. Oh lucky me! Well, in fairness, my dislike of opera mostly stems from the fact that it's a story you have to follow but is almost always in a foreign language, and that won't be the case here. Surprisingly it's refreshingly different, at least the first track. Like the brass accompaniment (usually piano innit?) and the cockney accents give the whole thing a different feel. I can relate to most of this, unlike the American gangsta rap and so on. Quite surprised at how good this is; not at all abrasive as I (assume) much hip-hop to be, not in your face, quite relaxed with a sort of endearing thread of despair going through it. Yeah, I amaze myself by admitting I really like this.
Favourite track(s): It was supposed to be so easy, Could well be in, Blinded by the lights, Fit but you know it, What is he thinking, Dry your eyes, Empty cans
Least favourite track(s): Get out of my house
My impression: Truly a revelation. I had no idea I'd like this and I really do. A real mix of orchestral, opera and hip-hop with a real earthy poetry. Superb.
Rating: http://www.trollheart.com/tstoner4.png

Well, I was wrong, but I'm glad you liked that album - it was sort of hard for me to get into but as I forced myself to keep listening it got a lot better.

"Quite surprised at how good this is; not at all abrasive as I (assume) much hip-hop to be, not in your face, quite relaxed with a sort of endearing thread of despair going through it. Yeah, I amaze myself by admitting I really like this."

And you didn't like Nujabes?!?!

>_______>

I mean there's a pretty big gap between the Streets and Nujabes.

Don't see the connection. Nujabes came across as being very jazzy while this is, well, not...

not really the point, the point being that nujabes is about as pleasant and relaxing as anyone i've heard

It depends on what relaxes you. I can see how some people might get that out of it, but not me. It just annoyed me. The Streets, on the other hand, was not relaxing but was very listenable and, more to the point for me, very identifiable. They sang about things I can relate to, which is probably a big part of the reason for the higher-than-expected rating.

I'm glad you weren't revolted by Rufus, he's one of my favorites. Any chance you would add genre to your descriptions? At least a generality if it's unclear?

Yeah good idea Steph. I'll do that now.

993
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...We_Drowned.jpg
Album title: They were wrong, so we drowned
Artiste: Liars
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Genre: Noise rock/Experimental
Chronology: Second album
Previous experience of this artiste, if any: Zero
Why is this an album you should hear before you die? I have no yadda yadda yadda
Tracklisting: Broken witch, Steam rose from the lifeless cloak, There's always room on the broom, If you're a wizard then why do you wear glasses?, We fenced other gardens with the bones of our own, They don't want your corn, they want your kids, Read the book that wrote itself, Hold hands and it will happen anyway, They took 14 for the rest of our lives, Flow my tears the spider said
Introduction: “Noise rock”? Oh crap! Save me, bob! :shycouch:
Comments: Apparently a concept album based on witchcraft or something, but I don't get it. Just not my kind of music. Can't even comment on it. Weird. Noise rock, huh? Um, yeah.
Favourite track(s): n/a
Least favourite track(s): n/a
My impression: Huh??
Rating: http://www.trollheart.com/tstoner2.png

As you've left every single one of these blank may I make a suggestion.

It really wouldn't be too difficult to find out if an album is considered good because it's critically acclaimed or because it's hugely popular and sold a large amount. All you'd have to do is either list it critically acclaimed, publicly acclaimed or both.

I think the problem Trollheart is having with a lot of these albums, is that they're either from genres he doesn't know or doesn't like and I think to really understand this list a broader musical appreciation is needed.

Btw this isn't a dig because I would also suffer with a lot of these albums as well, as there are loads of genres here that I wouldn't listen to.

For example when I saw the last album and saw it was noise rock/experimental I didn't need to see Trollheart's rating to know that it would be low.

I think the whole point of this list as well, is that it's going to be a list of albums that aren't always considered classic but just different.

Or I could just take out that category: problem solved! :)

There's no problem. Keep doing your thing.

One of the best albums of the aughts IMO so I'm not surprised by your low rating. ;)

992
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...abes_cover.jpg
Album title: Desperate youth, bloodthirsty babes
Artiste: TV On The Radio
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Chronology: Debut album
Previous experience of this artiste, if any: Zero
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? No, not really.
Tracklisting: The wrong way, Staring at the sun, Dreams, King eternal, Ambulance, Poppy, Don't love you, Bomb yourself, Wear you out
Introduction: I again have nothing to say. Have vaguely heard their name mentioned but know nothing about them. No: less than nothing.
Comments: The vocal style is a little offputting, but as it goes on this album gets better. Actually, I take that back. After becoming interesting for a few tracks it's now boring me. Very much a sense of David Bowie about it as well as Scissor Sisters. Interesting to see that the Thin White Duke did contribute to one of their recordings.
Favourite track(s): Dreams, Don't love you
Least favourite track(s): Everything else really
My impression: Nothing much more than meh really.
Rating: http://www.trollheart.com/tstoner2.png

You didn't even like "Staring at the Sun"?

991
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...chineCover.jpg
Album title: Cee-Lo Green... is the soul machine
Artiste: Cee-Lo Green
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Chronology: Second album
Previous experience of this artiste, if any: Zero
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? Sort of. It was interesting to hear it at least. Now I know what he sounds like and it was different to what I had expected.
Tracklisting: Intro/ Soul machine/ The art of noise/ Living again/ I'll be around/ The one/ My kind of people/ Childz play/ I am selling soul/ All day love affair/ Evening newz/ Scrap metal/ Glockapella/ When we were friends/ Sometimes/ Let's stay together/ Die trying/ What don't you do?
Introduction: After my surprisingly pleasant experience with The Streets, I'm ready to give Mr. Green a chance...
Comments: Wiki says this is “hardcore hip-hop”, but I hear more soul, like seventies soul, brother! Lots of brass, upbeat piano, little in the way of questionable lyrics, no anger or much in the way of boasting despite the title of the album. Well actually there is a little. I'm not a fan of it though I don't hate it. It was better than I had been expecting. Some tracks I definitely enjoyed but on balance it doesn't do too much for me, and I can't see myself listening to it, or anything else by him, again. Interesting and entertaining.
Favourite track(s): Soul machine, The art of noise, I am selling soul, Scrap metal, Glockapella, Sometimes, Let's stay together, Die trying
Least favourite track(s): I'll be around, Childz play
My impression: Sort of meh really again. Well no, it was okay, but again I wouldn't be actively seeking out his music.
Rating: http://www.trollheart.com/tstoner3.png

I'm pretty sure you will have heard Cee-Lo in some form or fashion before this album.

I never get when Trollheart says, "I enjoyed it, but I can't see myself ever listening to this artist ever again". But... didn't you enjoy it?

Nope. I'm not a radio listener and I don't go to clubs obviously, and I only listen to music on the TV when it's something I want to hear. So it's very unlikely, though not of course impossible. I may have heard a song without knowing who it is. I doubt it in this case though.

Not even this?

Perhaps enjoy is too strong a word. What I mean is, I didn't hate it, didn't feel the urge to turn it off, but given all the other music I listen to and have to listen to, it would be very very far down the list if I decided to listen to it again. So I enjoyed it, but not enough to make me want to listen to it again. Just as you could enjoy a movie but not be in any particular rush to see a sequel, or that movie again.
No. I remain the single person on the planet who has never heard that, until now. Aren't they using some classical melody there?

This song was everywhere a few years ago, although the radio version replaced "fuck you" with "forget you".

This thread is like watching my Grandad go through my record collection, and he's been dead since 1986.

Predictable response #12,904

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVTUOPC0Bu...%2Bsimpson.png

No offense intended, TH, but I don't think I'll be following this much longer. The lack of general appreciation/understanding/curiosity about these albums is just astounding. I mean, aren't you even interested in why or how the albums that are on this list got there? Even a little bit? This is a very unadventurous undertaking, albeit an ambitious one.

Good luck.

Really, really not meaning to be rude here.

HaHa yeah it really does remind me of my dad's reaction anytime I play him hip-hop or any kind of black metal, or newer music in general that he didn't discover himself.

No offense TH but havery you really enjoyed any albums on this list yet? :laughing:

I understand, but imagine me going deep into over one thousand albums, trying to find out all about them and struggling to get into them. I'd be here till I really did die. I'm not sure you realise how much work this is, even just listening to the albums (don't forget, I've tons of other work I'm doing as well) without making it my life's work. I imagine as I get into albums I know better it'll go better, but really come on: you think I'm going to appreciate every album on this list? I've only done what, ten? Not even a hundredth of the list and already you're giving up on me?

There are a few here I liked that I didn't think I would, but a lot of them have been albums I have no interest in getting to know better. Why should I be disingenuous about it? If I don't like albums, I say so. It just so happens that a lot of the selection so far has not been to my taste. But I'm a little surprised that you would take this line. After all, it's not like it's a paying job or anything: I'm just doing this for fun, entertainment and education. I think I've done okay so far.

Sorry if you haven't enjoyed it, but it is what it is. I'm not particularly interested in why this guy thinks I should hear these albums, no. It's all about opinion, and I don't have unlimited time so I do what I can. Sorry if it's not enough for you.

990
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...egedropout.jpg
Album title: The college dropout
Artiste: Kanye West
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Genre: Hip-hop
Chronology: Debut album
Previous experience of this artiste, if any: Zero
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? You know, I am. It's changed my mind, slightly, about rap and hip-hop. (Creaking sound as Trollheart's rusty mind screeches open...)
Tracklisting: Intro/We don't care/Graduation Day/ All falls down/ I'll fly away/Spaceship/Jesus walks/Never let me down/ Get 'em high/ Workout plan/ The new workout plan/ Slow jamz/ Breathe in breathe out/ School spirit (skit 1)/ School spirit/ School spirit (skit 2), Lil' Jimmy, Two words/ Through the wire/ Family business/ Last call
Introduction: One of the high-profile rappers, it'll come as no surprise to anyone that I have never even heard one of his songs.
Comments: Nice soul vibe to the album, good backing vocals and it's not the “hard” hip-hop that I keep expecting. So far, though it's never really music I'd expect or intend to be into, my adventures in hip-hop (MIA excepted) have not been as harrowing as I had expected. The music here is pretty good but with 21 tracks there's a lot to get through. Thankfully many of these are short spoken intros or bridging tracks. It's actually not too bad surprisingly. I like his sense of humour, though whether he's serious about encouraging people not to go to college, or is just taking a swipe at people who avoid getting into the real world by over-attendance at same, is unclear. The music is pretty good and there's no questioning his skill as a rapper. Pretty enjoyable, although some tracks didn't do it for me. Still, with so many, I'm surprised it went as fast and as painlessly as it did.
Favourite track(s): We don't care, I'll fly away, Spaceship, Never let me down, School Spirit, Through the wire, Last call, Family business
Least favourite track(s): Workout plan, The new workout plan, Slow jamz
My impression: A lot better than I had expected. I quite enjoyed it. Someone help that man up off the floor! ;)
Rating: http://www.trollheart.com/tstoner4.png