This blog post chronicles a personal journey of listening to every album rated 10/10 by Anthony Fantano, exploring the impact of music criticism on personal taste, and sharing insights and reviews of each album along the way.
In the world of music criticism, few names resonate as strongly as Anthony Fantano, the owner of the YouTube channel "theneedledrop." Known for his candid reviews and a unique numerical ranking system, Fantano has given a perfect score of 10/10 to only 33 albums. Inspired by a challenge to improve my music taste, I embarked on a journey to listen to each of these albums, documenting my thoughts and experiences along the way.
Anthony Fantano's influence on music perception is profound. His reviews often shape the opinions of his audience, leading them to view albums through the lens of his ratings. This phenomenon raises an important question: can we truly enjoy music for its emotional resonance, or are we too often swayed by external opinions? As I listened to these albums, I aimed to form my own opinions, free from the weight of Fantano's scores.
My journey began with "The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady," an instrumental jazz album that set a peaceful yet chaotic tone. I found it enjoyable, awarding it a green smiley face for its fast-paced and engaging sound.
Next was Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited." Having never listened to Dylan before, I was blown away by the album's depth and lyrical brilliance. Each track resonated with me, earning it a big smiley face.
On a day when I felt particularly low, I turned to Nina Simone's "Sings the Blues." Her powerful voice and emotional delivery left a lasting impression, resulting in another big smiley face.
I then tackled "Abbey Road" by The Beatles, an album I had somehow missed in my musical journey. Each track was a masterpiece, and I couldn't believe I had waited so long to experience it.
Frank Zappa's "Hot Rats" was next. While I appreciated its uniqueness, the lengthy tracks made it a bit of a slog for me. I rated it as just okay.
Listening to "Bitches Brew" was challenging due to my tiredness that day. I recognized its brilliance but felt it deserved a re-listen in a better headspace.
Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" was a revelation. I was genuinely surprised by its quality and depth, awarding it a big yellow smiley face.
Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" captivated me despite my initial unfamiliarity with their music. I found it engaging and enjoyable, earning another big yellow smiley face.
"Marquee Moon" had a cover that initially creeped me out, but I was pleasantly surprised by the music itself. It quickly became a favorite.
"London Calling" was a fantastic rock album that kept me engaged from start to finish. I loved its energy and variety, giving it a big smiley face.
I was excited to listen to "Remain in Light," and it did not disappoint. The standout track, "Once in a Lifetime," was a full-circle moment for me, connecting me to my dad's music taste.
Having heard "Purple Rain" before, I was thrilled to revisit it. Every track is a classic, and it remains one of my all-time favorites.
Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love" was another highlight. I loved its creativity and emotional depth, awarding it a big smiley face.
"Master of Puppets" was perfect for my workout sessions. Its intensity kept me motivated, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This album is a masterpiece of rap, addressing important social issues with powerful lyricism. It earned an easy gold smiley face.
"Violator" was another fantastic listen, with every track resonating with me. I found it to be an easy gold smiley face as well.
"Nevermind" is iconic, and I appreciated its raw energy. However, I was left a bit disappointed by the final track, which felt out of place.
I revisited this album and found it to be a fantastic experience. The humor and creativity in the interludes added to its charm.
This album was a delightful surprise, with its unique sound and emotional depth earning it a big smiley face.
This album is a masterpiece, and I couldn't help but give it a big yellow smiley face for its brilliance.
This instrumental album was strange yet captivating, earning a green smiley face for its unique sound.
Revisiting "Discovery" was a joy. I loved the catchy tracks and the nostalgia it brought, resulting in a big smiley face.
Björk's "Vespertine" was a beautiful experience, filled with soft and harsh moments that resonated with me.
This album was a non-stop thrill ride, keeping me entertained throughout. I awarded it a big gold smiley face.
This collaboration between MF Doom and Madlib is a classic. Its unique sound and lyrical prowess earned it a big gold smiley face.
This experimental album was a wild ride. While some tracks were challenging, I found enough enjoyment to consider it a win.
At over two hours, this album was a lot to handle. I didn't enjoy it as much, but I recognized its artistic value.
This album is a modern masterpiece, addressing profound themes with incredible artistry. It deserves every accolade it receives.
This collaboration was a delightful surprise, with its short length making it easy to replay.
This album was intense and dark, reminding me of the Swans album. I respected its artistry but didn't fully connect with it.
This album was a beautiful experience, perfect for reading and relaxation. I loved its ethereal quality.
This album was one of the strangest yet most captivating experiences. I appreciated its uniqueness and emotional depth.
After listening to every album rated 10/10 by Anthony Fantano, I can confidently say that my music taste has evolved. Each album offered a unique experience, and I found joy in discovering new sounds and artists. My dad might finally be proud of my improved taste in music, and I look forward to continuing this journey of musical exploration.
