Rolling Stones Top 500 Songs of All-Time - "Move On Up" by Curtis Mayfield

 

Randon Number Generator selected 474, which happens to be Move On Up" by Curtis Mayfield from 1970.  Haven't heard this one in a while, so this was a good selection.  So you can enjoy it like I did, I have placed "Move On Up" here.

Best Attribute:  Funkiness and use of instrumentation, especially the bongos.
Worst Attribute:  Regular version misses a lot compared to the extended version.  (I attached the extended version.)

Best Line: "Just move on up, toward your destination.  You may find from time to time complication." - So true.

Worst Line:  "Bite your lip and take the trip.  But there may be wet road ahead, and you cannot slip."  Too many metaphors that don't match.

Would I listen again: Absolutely.

Rolling Stone Ranking:  474

My Current Ranking:  2

Projected Final Ranking:  375

Top 500 Songs of All-Time

1.  Rosalita (Come Out Tonight, Bruce Springsteen

2.  Move on Up, Curtis Mayfield

3.  Goodbye Earl, The Dixie Chicks

4.  Cruel Summer, Taylor Swift

5.  Rapper's Delight, Sugar Hill Gang

6. I Wanna Be Your Dog, The Stooges

Rolling Stones Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time - Daytona by Pusha t

I received number 108 from the random number generator which happens to be Daytona by Pusha-T.  Like many hip-hop-heads I know of my generations, we are not as conversant in the last decade or so as the previous 4, so I am interested in listening to this one.

First Track:  If You Know You Know

Start:  Not a really strong start as this song just keeps ending line-after-line-after-line with "boy."  But, the song gathers steam after the first verse and is actually quite good.

Best Attribute:  Production, especially the incorporation of the drums and horns.

Worst Attribute:  The length of the album; 7 songs and 21 minutes long.

Best Song:  Infrared - Easily the best song on the album - best lyricism and flow, with a nice beat.

Worst Song:  If You Know You Know - I still can't get past that first verse.

Most Interesting Song:  The Games We Play - This song incorporates a sitar!

Most Interesting Quality:  A SITAR!

Would I listen again: For sure, especially if I just had a limited amount of time.

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  Post Malone.  His rapping vibe would be true to the album, but his rock sound and presence would make this album different and interesting.

Rolling Stone Ranking:  108

My Current Ranking:  4

Projected Final Ranking: 108

Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time

1.  Illmatic, Nas

2.  Room 25, Noname

3.  400 Degreez, Juvenile

4.  Daytona, Pusha T

5.  Bandana, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib

6.  Enta Da Stage, Black Moon

Rolling Stones Top 500 Albums of All-Time - DOGGYSTYLE by Snoop Doggy Dogg

I was soooo happy about with the randomizer this time as it spit out number 340, which happens to be Doggystyle by then Snoop Doggy Dogg.  When this album was released in 1993 - while I was in college - we knew it was a gamechanger.  Definitely excited to give it a listed from a different, older perspective.

First Track:  G Funk Intro
Start:  Strong for an intro track, as it contains funky beats, Dr. Dre, Lady of Rage, but, not a song.

Real First Track:  Gin and Juice

Start:  The strongest!

Best Attribute:  Dre's funky beats!

Worst Attribute:  Too much actual Barking

Best Song:  Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None) - Younger me would have said Gin and Juice no doubt, but older me appreciates the depth of the funkiness in this one.

Worst Song: Pump! Pump!  The aforementioned barking!

Most Interesting Song:  Tha Shiznit - Because of the cymbals.

Most Interesting Quality:  G-Funk production.  Not just the beats, but the drums, horns, everything.

Would I listen again: Hellz Yeah!

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  Bruno Mars.  This was a tough one, because it is so eclectically iconic, but Bruno could do the instrumentation and make it his own, even if it wasn't rapped.

Rolling Stone Ranking:  340

My Current Ranking:  2

Projected Final Ranking:  189

Top 500 Albums of All-Time

1.  Love Deluxe, Sade

2.  Doggystyle, Snoop Doggy Dogg

3.  Pearl, Janis Joplin

4.  Ramones, The Ramones

5.  Beyonce, Beyonce

6.  John Prine, John Prine

Rolling Stones Top 500 Songs of All-Time - "Cruel Summer" by Taylor Swift

 

Time to hear number 400, which is the 2019 hit from Taylor Swift, "Cruel Summer".  I can only imagine this is the first of a few by Ms. Swift.  For your listening pleasure, here is Cruel Summer.

Best Attribute:  Production value is quite good.  The underlying beat, works.  It's fun and directional for the song.
Worst Attribute:  Too poppy.

Best Line: "Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes." - I love the dichotomy.

Worst Line:  "But ooh, woah - oh, it's a cruel summer with you.  I am sure Taylor could come up with something better than this.

Would I listen again: Sure, if it's a mixed-company, all-ages event, and I need some new-ish pop - it works.

Rolling Stone Ranking:  400

My Current Ranking:  3

Projected Final Ranking:  427

Top 500 Songs of All-Time

1.  Rosalita (Come Out Tonight, Bruce Springsteen

2.  Goodbye Earl, The Dixie Chicks

3.  Cruel Summer, Taylor Swift

4.  Rapper's Delight, Sugar Hill Gang

5. I Wanna Be Your Dog, The Stooges

Rolling Stones Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time - ROOM 25 by Noname

The number generator gave me number 56, which is Room 25 by Noname.  I know nothing of Noname (which isn't uncommon for me of the last 10 years of rap - except Kendrick and a few others).  I don't know if it is a group or a solo artist, but I am game.  Let's go...

First Track:  Self

Start:  OK, so I was caught off-guard.  My first initial thought - other than I love the cover art - is that, Whoa, this is a female artists.  Not because females can't rap, but just the percentages are low.  And I mention this because this song contains a line, "And ya'll thought a bitch couldn't rap, huh?  Maybe this your answer for that."  This is a very smooth song - and the piano addition is amazing!

Best Attribute:  Her flow.  Right up there with the best of all time.  For the record by flow I mean the rhythm in which she raps.

Worst Attribute:  This album only has 10 - mostly short - songs.  Would love to hear more.

Best Song:  Ace! - This song features Smino and Saba, her cohorts in the group Ghetto Stage.  Their musical chemistry is fantastic.

Worst Song:  Window - This is actually a really good song, as I am just splitting hairs for consistency among my reviews.  This one is worst because it just takes a while to get moving.  The ending is fire, though.

Most Interesting Song:  Montego Bay - This one is the most interesting because of the upright bass, which I love.

Most Interesting Quality:  The jazziness, and the quality and feel of the production.  And, as stated earlier, her flow!!!

Would I listen again: Hell Yeah!!!  In fact, I have a weekend of listening to more Noname and Ghetto Stage ahead of me.

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  So a little bit of a story here, My first instinct was D'Angelo (RIP), but then during the album Noname literally raps, "Somebody get D'Angelo.  I think I need him on this one!"  So apparently Noname thinks he would work on her songs also.  So, I have three others:  The first person I thought of was Doechii, who  might give it an edgier feel - but I didn't want to get caught up in the fact that I have to find a female rapper to remake this album. Then I thought De La Soul because of the jazz, social-conscious rap type of feel.  But in reality, to re-imagine this album, but keep some of its feel and intent, the answer for me is Nas.

Rolling Stone Ranking:  56

My Current Ranking:  2

Projected Final Ranking: 31

Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time

1.  Illmatic, Nas

2.  Room 25, Noname

3.  400 Degreez, Juvenile

4.  Bandana, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib

5.  Enta Da Stage, Black Moon

Rolling Stones Top 500 Albums of All-Time - PEARL by Janis Joplin

 

This time I was given number 259 from the random number generator, which just so happens to be "Pearl" from Janis Joplin.  Released in 1971.  I know songs from this album, but if I have listened to this entire album, I don't remember how long ago that was.  Let's get into this.

First Track:  Move Over
Start:  Really strong start.  A driving snare beat which meshes well with Joplin's captivating voice.  Lyrics are strong also.

Best Attribute:  the combination of blues, folk, jazz and rock.

Worst Attribute:  Not really sure what I should put here.  I would say perhaps that her voice sounds the same in every song, but with each song carrying different hits of blues, folk, jazz and rock, it still sounds different (which is good!)

Best Song:  Half-Moon - A very jazzy, fast-swing, type of accompaniment makes this song amazing.

Worst Song: Mercedes Benz. Go figure, one of the songs I have heard endlessly is the worst on this album.  Too preachy without some of the musicality of the other songs.

Most Interesting Song:  Cry Baby - The song sounds like it is supposed to be a really slow song, but isn't.

Most Interesting Quality:  The guitar solos interspersed into many of the songs.  High quality playing, rhythm, sound - just everything about the guitar solos hits.

Would I listen again: Definitely, and I enjoyed the entire album more than I thought I might.

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  Mariah Carey.  It would bring the album a completely different feel, but I want quality re-imagination, not just an impersonation.

Rolling Stone Ranking:  259

My Current Ranking:  2

Projected Final Ranking:  211

Top 500 Albums of All-Time

1.  Love Deluxe, Sade

2.  Pearl, Janis Joplin

3.  Ramones, The Ramones

4.  Beyonce, Beyonce

5.  John Prine, John Prine

Rolling Stones Top 500 Songs of All-Time - "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" by Bruce Springsteen

 

The Randon number generator gave me number 446 which is "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" by Bruce Springsteen, which was released in 1973.  What a fun song, but I haven't heard it in a LONG time.  If it is the same for you, take a listen here: "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"

Best Attribute:  Fun - Sounds like a great party is going on!  Also, the piano, guitar, bass, sax and drums are all heard, but none overshadow any of the others.
Worst Attribute:  Some lyrics are a little nonsensical, but I am being picky here to be honest.

Best Line: "Mama, she's home in the window waitin' up for us.  She'll be in that chair when they wrestle her upstairs.  'Cause you know we ain't gonna come." 

Worst Line:  "Windows are for cheaters, chimneys for the poor.  Oh closets are for hangars, winners use the door." - Huh?

Would I listen again: Oh yeah! - Great for at a beach party, or a day drinking affair.

Rolling Stone Ranking:  446

My Current Ranking:  1

Projected Final Ranking:  284

Top 500 Songs of All-Time

1.  Rosalita (Come Out Tonight, Bruce Springsteen

2.  Goodbye Earl, The Dixie Chicks

3.  Rapper's Delight, Sugar Hill Gang

4. I Wanna Be Your Dog, The Stooges

Rolling Stones Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time - 400 DEGREEZ by Juvenile

  

Number 68 popped out of the random number generator, and that is 1998's 400 Degreez by Juvenile.  I know this album; I love this album; I have not listend to this album in a long time.

First Track:  Intro

Start:  Catchy beat, 2:13 long, but still really just an introduction to Juvenile.

Real First Track:  Ha!

Real Start:  Great song to kick-off this album.

Best Attribute:  Fun beats that match Juvenile's lyrical style to a "T".

Worst Attribute:  Some of the songs can seem pretty monotonous at times.

Best Song:  Flossin' Season - I know you thought I was going to put Back That Azz Up here, but Flossin' Season is great all around; the lyrical flow (more than the lyrics themselves) with great production.

Worst Song:  "U.P.T." - It is really hard to ignore the video games (probably from Qbert?) sounds in the background.

Most Interesting Song:  Gone Ride With Me - Great use of the piano, of all things!

Most Interesting Quality:  Three different versions of Ha!  All with different features and styles.

Would I listen again: Definitely!  Been too long since the last listen already.  Forgot just how good Juvenile is.

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  If I wanted it smoothed out - Nelly; If I wanted it harder - DMX

Rolling Stone Ranking:  68

My Current Ranking:  2

Projected Final Ranking: 47

Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time

1.  Illmatic, Nas

2.  400 Degreez, Juvenile

3.  Bandana, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib

4.  Enta Da Stage, Black Moon

Rolling Stones' Top 500 Albums of All-Time - BEYONCE' by Beyonce'

  

This review is number 81, Beyonce's Self-titled album Beyonce', released in 2013.  I can honestly tell  you I have not heard this album in its entirety, although of course I have heard the hits before.

First Track:  Pretty Hearts
Start:  Interesting little musical crescendo into the start of the lyrical opening lines.

Best Attribute:  Lots of variations of styles and tempos within many of the songs.  Production is amazing.

Worst Attribute:  Some very boring, worn-out trite lyrics and sayings.

Best Song:  Mine - Her voice is amazing, the beats are great, and the background vocals are outstanding.  I also really enjoyed Heaven.

Worst Song:  Angel - Very breathy and weird.

Most Interesting Song:  Jealous - With all of the production in this album, this song emphasizes Beyonce's voice.

Most Interesting Quality:  The production - beats, instruments, etc.   That is what makes this album.

Would I listen again: Yes, not often, but yes.

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  Total.  Imagine Beyonce, but three of them.  (Not saying everyone on Total is Beyonce, but the trio should put an extra something into this album that Beyonce' physically cannot as one person.

Rolling Stone Ranking:  81

My Current Ranking:  3

Projected Final Ranking:  399

Top 500 Albums of All-Time

1.  Love Deluxe, Sade

2.  Ramones, The Ramones

3.  Beyonce, Beyonce

4.  John Prine, John Prine

Rolling Stones Top 500 Songs of All-Time - "I Wanna Be Your Dog" by the Stooges

 

I now get to listen to song number 314, which is "I Wanna Be Your Dog" by the Stooges from 1969.  Honestly, this will be a brand new one for me.  If it's new or old for you, here it is: I Wanna Be Your Dog

Best Attribute:  Guitar play. maybe.
Worst Attribute:  The entire song.

Best Line:  Hardly any different lyrics at all

Worst Line:  "And now I wanna be your dog!?"

Would I listen again: Hell No!

Rolling Stone Ranking:  314

My Current Ranking:  3

Projected Final Ranking:  500

Top 500 Songs of All-Time

1.  Goodbye Earl, The Dixie Chicks

2.  Rapper's Delight, Sugar Hill Gang

3. I Wanna Be Your Dog, The Stooges

Rolling Stones Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time - BANDANA by Freddie Gibbs and Madlibs

 

This time I was rocking with 197, Bandana Freddie Gibbs and Madlib.  I had heard of Freddie Gibbs, but honestly don't know much about his music.  Some serious criticial acclaim so I am interested..

First Track:  Obrigado, Solid start.  I am intrigued.

Start:  Really smooth guitar riff!

Best Attribute:  Like the backgrounds, so Madlib really producing this.  Some of the lyrics seem simplistic.

Worst Attribute:  Some cheesy lyrics.

Best Song:  Flat Tummy Treat - Has soul.

Worst Song:  Half Manne Half Cocaine - Easily for me the low point of this album.

Most Interesting Song:  Crime Pays - Trippy 70's vibe with guitar and synthesizer (It works).

Most Interesting Quality:  Lots of pop-culture references like "Walter White," "Tinashe," and "Jeff Sessions"

Would I listen again: Probably would yes.  Very unique compared to what I would normally choose in rap, but I enjoyed it.

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  Bone Thuggs-N-Harmony

Rolling Stone Ranking:  197

My Current Ranking:  2

Projected Final Ranking: 156

Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time

1.  Illmatic, Nas

2.  Bandana, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib

3.  Enta Da Stage, Black Moon

Rolling Stones Top 500 Albums of All-Time - LOVE DELUXE by Sade

 

The random number generator gave my number 247, which is Love Deluxe by Sade from 1992.  This album is fantastic, and I am so excited to listen to it again.  This came out in college, and I loved it then, and have listened to it in its entirety dozens of times.

First Track:  No Ordinary Love
Start:  An amazing start to the album.  A sensual, rhythmic beat, with equal lyrics, and Sade's sultry voice.  Think Enigma, but with soft guitar and drum.

Best Attribute:  Lots of songs with beats that seem equally fast, and slow - at the same time.  

Worst Attribute:  I couldn't really pick one out.

Best Song:  No Ordinry Love - Other songs are great, but there is a reason this is the defining track of this album.

Worst Song:  Pearls - Not a bad song, just the worst of this album.  I did really like the cymbals in this song, though.

Most Interesting Song:  I Couldn't Love You More - The clapping in the background was very interesting, and a differing characteristic of the rest of the songs on the album.

Most Interesting Quality:  The mix of instrumentation in the various songs; drums, cymbals, piano, guitar, clapping.

Would I listen again: Hell Yeah!

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  Alicia Keys

Rolling Stone Ranking:  247

My Current Ranking:  1

Projected Final Ranking:  98

Top 500 Albums of All-Time

1.  Love Deluxe, Sade

2.  Ramones, The Ramones

3  John Prine, John Prine

Rolling Stones Top 500 Songs of All-Time - "Goodbye Earl" by Dixie Chicks (Now the Chicks)

 

I was given number 469 by the number generator, and that song is Goodbye Earl by The Dixie Chicks, now The Chicks.  The song was released in 2000.  I have never heard this song before, or at least not that I remember.  I know The Chicks nee The Dixie Chicks, but can't recall this song.  I gave it a listen and you can to:  Goodbye Earl

Best Attribute:  Super sing-songy way to address several serious topics.  And the video stars Dennis Franz, of NYPD Blue fame.
Worst Attribute:  Maybe that it makes light of several various topics, but most listeners will understand the literary devices used and that the happiness and joy in the sound of the song and the lyrics is ironic and serious at the same time.

Best Line:  "Well she finally got the nerve to file for divorce.  She let the law take it from there.  But Earl walked through that restraining order and put her in intensive care."

Worst Line:  "Ain't it dark wrapped up in that tarp, Earl?"

Would I listen again: Yes.  I really liked the song!

Rolling Stone Ranking:  469

My Current Ranking:  1

Projected Final Ranking:  312

Top 500 Songs of All-Time

1.  Goodbye Earl, The Dixie Chicks

2.  Rapper's Delight, Sugar Hill Gang

Rolling Stones Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time - IlLMATIC by Nas

I received the number 24 from the random number generator, which happens to be Illmatic by Nas.  Frankly, I am shocked that this album is that low.  More like 24 of all-time albums, not just rap albums.  I absolutely love, love, love this album, and was really jamming out to it while doing some work.  Interested in seeing how long this one stays at number 1 in my list.

First Track:  The Genesis, which isn't so much a song, but an intro with small samples of other songs.  Almost a pre-intro as an homage to hat he is going to be doing with this album.

Start:  Honestly, this might be the worst part of the album.

Best Attribute:  Lyricism and flow.  If I am limiting myself to only one "best attribute" (OK - two).

Worst Attribute:  Only 9 tracks outside of The Genesis

Best Song:  The World is Yours - Honestly, this answer probably changes each time I listen, with N.Y. State of Mind, Life's a Bitch, and One Love all taking turns.  This time, it was The World is Yours.

Worst Song:  One Time for Your Mind - Not a bad song at all; this is just the parameters I have chose for my listing that I have to categorize something as "Worst Song."

Most Interesting Song:  Memory Lane (Sittin' in the Park) - A little haunting, maybe?  Just always found it interesting, but indescribable

Most Interesting Quality:  The xylophone in One Love

Would I listen again: Hell Yeah!  Probably even this week!

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  Naughty by Nature

Rolling Stone Ranking:  24

My Current Ranking:  1

Projected Final Ranking:  No worse that 4 or 5

Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time

1.  Illmatic, Nas

2.  Enta Da Stage, Black Moon

Rolling Stones Top 500 Albums of All-Time - RAMONES by The Ramones

 

Using the old random number generator, I received number 47, which just so happened to be another self-titled album, "Ramones" by The Ramones, which was released in 1976.  I have definitely heard this album before, but not in a very long time.  Glad to give it another go from start to finish.

First Track:  Blitzkrieg Bop
Start:  Strong, and I mean strong, way to introduce yourself to the world!

Best Attribute:  Very hard-charging, guitar-led rock.  Some of the best punk rock has to offer.

Worst Attribute:  Very one-note.  Not a lot of variation among the tracks.

Best Song:  Blitzkrieg Bop - A definite "Pump-Up" song.  Guitar, bass beat with drums just works! I also enjoyed Let's Dance.

Worst Song:  Now I Wanna Go Sniff Some Glue - I just don't get it, I suppose.  Not the glue-sniffing, the song.

Most Interesting Song:  Havana Affair - Just enough different from the rest (although not really that different)

Most Interesting Quality:  Definitely driving beats.

Would I listen again: Maybe not the album, but definitely many of the songs.

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  Fall-Out Boy

Rolling Stone Ranking:  47

My Current Ranking:  1

Projected Final Ranking:  210

Top 500 Albums of All-Time

1.  Ramones, The Ramones

2.  John Prine, John Prine

Rolling Stones Top 500 Songs of All-Time - "Rapper's Delight" by Sugar Hill Gang

 

The number generator gave me song number 427, Rapper's Delight by Sugar Hill Gang from 1979.  This song is absolutely iconic.  But is it a "top" song?  You can listen to it here: Rapper's Delight

Best Attribute:  It is the door-opener to the American public for hip-hop.  Great vehicle to introduce the storytelling aspect of rap.
Worst Attribute:  VERY LONG (15 Minuted)!!!  And the multitude of versus seem disjointed, as if they are different songs.  I get the vigniette aspect to the song, and I don't expect it all to be a single story, but the versus aren't always connected.

Best Line:  "You see I am Wonder Mike and I'd like to say hello.  To the black, to the white, the red and the brown, the purple and yellow."  Rap is inclusive.  It is for errybody.

Worst Line:  "And you can be my boyfriend, you surely can.  Just let me quit my boyfriend called Superman."  And even the rest of that segment!

Would I listen again: Absolutely, but usually just the 6+ minute abridged version.

Rolling Stone Ranking:  427

My Current Ranking:  1 (Since it is the first!)

Projected Final Ranking:  The song is way more important than it is good.  Maybe, 489?

Top 500 Songs of All-Time

1.  Rapper's Delight, Sugar Hill Gang

Rolling Stones Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time - ENTA DA STAGE by Black Moon

 

The number generator spit out #141, which is Enta Da Stage by Black Moon, released in 1993.  I was in college then, and loving the Hip-Hop/R&B scene that was coming out, and I somehow had missed this one, so I was sooo looking forward to hearing it for the first time.  To me, it sounds very much like a product of its time.  Just listening to it and you would never have to tell me in what era it was released.

First Track:  Powaful Impak!

Start:  A very strong start.  Sounds akin to something the Fu-Schnickens would put out.

Best Attribute:  Strong beats - again very reminiscent of the early 90s jazz/fusion rap, or conscious rap.

Worst Attribute:  Some very trite, boring lines, like "I'm a full course meal ur a one dollar hero."

Best Song:  Niguz Talk Shit - I loved the trumpet on this song, along with the entire background.

Worst Song:  Buck Em Down - It sounds exactly like the title makes you think it would sound

Most Interesting Song:  U Da Man - I thought that I was listening to the Lost Boyz

Most Interesting Quality:  The interplay between Buckshot and Smif-n-Wessun on Black Smif-n-Wessun

Would I listen again: Probably, but only after I grew tired of other time period conscious rap

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  A Tribe Called Quest

Rolling Stone Ranking:  141

My Current Ranking:  1 (Since it is the first!)

Projected Final Ranking:  Not knowing what is coming next, maybe 160

Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time

1.  Enta Da Stage, Black Moon

Rolling Stones Top 500 Albums of All-Time - JOHN PRINE by John Prine

 

The number generator spit out #149, which just so happened to be John Prine's self-titled album from 1971.  I had never heard this album prior to this listen.  Although I have heard lots of John Prine's songs, I had never just set and listened to this album start to finish.  It is definitely twangy, but the songs are classic John Prine, and thus an interesting start to this process.

First Track:  Illegal Smart
Start:  First Verse was a great start to the song and album, but the chorus lost me.  Very silly.

Best Attribute:  The fiddle was great throughout the album, definitely different than what I expect to hear on most of the albums in this list, even though it did get a bit much being on every song.

Worst Attribute:  Very one-note.  A lot of the songs were very similar.

Best Song:  Far From Me - I enjoyed this song from start to finish.  Lots of emotions.

Worst Song:  Quiet Man - I dislike songs with obvious progressions, and this song had the days of the week progression ... On Monday, yadda yadda, yadda ... On Tuesday yadda, yadda, yadda

Most Interesting Song:  Hello in There - Mixed slow and fast tempos, and very soulful

Most Interesting Quality:  Definitely foreshadows In Spite of Ourselves feature Iris DeMent

Would I listen again: Not to this whole album.

Who would I like to Re-Make/Re-Imagine this Album:  Pearl Jam

Rolling Stone Ranking:  149

My Current Ranking:  1 (Since it is the first!)

Projected Final Ranking:  425ish

Top 500 Albums of All-Time

1.  John Prine, John Prine

Welcome

Welcome to my Music review blog.  Just so that we are all on the same page, this isn't a traditional music review blog, where you can look to find information on new - or even old - music, songs, albums, records, etc.  This is a single-purpose blog.  I will be listening to the Top 500 albums of all time as ranked by Rolling Stone magazine, and discussing those - and only those - albums.  

There will not be any high-level music discussion, just simply my thoughts on each album, from 500 to 1, including items like my favorite song, my least favorite song, I have I heard the album before, would I listen to it again, and do I think that album was overranked, underranked or appropriately ranked.

This is likely going to take me a long time to complete, but hey, I still get to listen to a lot of great albums, and hopefully find some to which I had not previously been exposed. 

Anyway - welcome and enjoy.