Apple 100

Back in Black by AC/DC is certainly an album. It is one of the power chord-based albums of all time. It used to be one of my favorites in high school. Replaying this for one of the only times I've listened in full since then, it is not bad, but does grate by the end of side A (the lowlight of "Let Me Put My Love Into You"). That three song run of "What Do You Do For Money Honey" to then is rough, especially with the former and "Givin the Dog a Bone" being an exercise in monotony of repetition. They lean a little too hard on their influence from blues music, don't they?
I'll admit that side B consisting of the title track to "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" is fairly enjoyable. They all get a fair share of radio play.
 
Lady Gaga's The Fame and The Fame Monster...I still dig 'em. The Fame Monster really is an EP, but is listed as the Deluxe on the website, so I'll treat the entry as both combined.

The Fame has a firecracker start of the five singles one right after another, each one still as enjoyable as I remembered them from high school. I particularly love the glitzy synthpop production on "Eh, Eh (Nothing I Can Say)." Each of these songs have aged well. After this run, the following ten songs are very much a mixed bag. The title track is the other clear highlight with sassy guitar twang and synth switchups. Unfortunately with the frontloading of singles, the back half lacks any of the same punch and memorability...but you could easily see her talent on display here; which would be especially evident on solo performances on piano during this album cycle.

The Fame Monster...absolute Y2K era pop masterpiece. "Bad Romance" is one of the best pop songs of this millennium, full stop. The production everywhere through this album is stellar, and has held up so well 15 years later. Each one of these eight songs are excellent, with "Dance in the Dark" being one of my favorite pop songs ever. "Telephone" with an excellent Beyoncé feature. "Teeth" is an UNDERRATED cut; don't sleep. From this revisit, I can easily see how she has become a huge influence on the likes of Rina Sawayama, Charli XCX, and Dua Lipa.
She really came into her own here...but never was able to match this peak which is a shame for it to have come so early. Every record afterward lacked the production and slickness that The Fame Monster exhibited. Either way, it is worthy of a place on this list on modern impact of pop music/culture alone...it was inescapable. Ranking high for me right now.
 
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Listened to #86-84 at work on Sunday.

I'm still not huge on Mary J. Blige. Revisiting My Life was confirmation of an exercise in what I already thought: passable neo-soul led by an obviously talented singer...but without much staying power. A few really good cuts, but absolutely none that have me itching to return. It's too focused on being slick and cool for the scene.

Kacey Musgraves's Golden Hour has appeared on the 1001 Albums challenge that the forum has been chiming in on, and one I've listened to a handful of times since. It is still one of the best modern country/pop crossovers I've heard. Kacey's vocals are a delight right from the onset in "Slow Burn." The ending run of "High Horse" to "Rainbow" is still godtier...but I understand why there are those that don't like "High Horse" at all. The middle of the record fluctuates in enjoyability, though is more often pleasant than it isn't. With all that said in general, you will still be unable to convince me to be a country music believer.

Doggystyle is my favorite of these, by far. It's still an undisputed 90s hip hop standard, easily top10 of the decade.
 
I enjoyed Patti Smith's Horses but will need to be more attentive next time. But at least I do know why I like PJ Harvey so much now.

Fiddy's Get Rich or Die Tryin' still holds up. The length and the gunshots/SFX are a bit much, but man is it consistent. Eminem brings forth solid performances on both tracks he is featured on.
 
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