Here is the second and final part of the ten albums you need to hear!

Kyuss - Welcome to Sky Valley (9.9/10) Personal Rating

Welcome to Sky Valley is Kyuss’ 3rd studio album released June 28, 1994 under Chameleon records. It was written by their guitarist, Josh Homme, and drummer, Brant Bjork, over a two-year period from 1992 to 1994. On the back of all physical copies it states in bold lettering, “PLEASE LISTEN WITHOUT ANY DISTRACTIONS.”

The album starts with “Gardenia,” which has very good mixing that allows you to hear every layer of each instrument. Next is “Asteroid,” an instrumental that leans on the heavier side of the desert rock genre. The experimental guitar playing that comes around halfway through the track is very raw and almost unsettling. The third song is “SSMS,” a song about an unspecified loss. The drums are very prominent in this track compared to the others.

Next up is “100°” which is very different in style due to how clear the influences are from mid 80s metal music. John Garcia's vocals really fit this style of song as well. “Space Cadet” is the most popular song in the album and displays such a unique way of showing off on an acoustic level. This track is all around amazing, especially with Homme’s guitar playing.

“Demon Cleaner” was given to stations as a single and is a favorite of mine. This song resembles a lot of Hommes recent work with his current band Queens Of The Stone Age.

With this album coming to an end it is only respectful to save the best for last. The B-side Stretch “Odyssey/Conan Troutman/N.O./Whitewater” is one of if not the best b sides of an album ever. This 18 minute gruesome garage rock track is their magnum opus and it also includes hidden track “Lick Doo.”

Full Tracklist

1. Gardenia 5. Space Cadet

2. Asteroid 6.Demoncleaner

3. SSMS 7. Odyssey/Conan Troutman/Whitewater

4. 100° 8. Lick Doo

Kids See Ghosts - Kids See Ghosts (10/10) Personal Rating

KSG is the duo of Kanye West and Cleveland Ohio’s own Kid Cudi. Self-titled is KSG’s only album released under GOOD MUSIC on June 8th, 2018 after West’s album, “Ye,” a week prior.

The album starts with the track “Feel the Love” that has a surprise feature from Pusha T as the first verse. Cudi’s vocal performance on the hook makes this an amazing catchy song.

Next is “Fire” which has a very simple beat but very detailed drum layering. The hook Cudi sings over his humming near the end of this song is one of my favorite moments of the album.

“4th Dimension” is a very unique track which samples the Christmas song, “What Will Santa Claus Say?” by Louis Prima. Both verses by Cudi and West are great, and the beat is also very different from the others.

“Freeee” is my favorite track on this album because of how powerful this song is. The lyrics are very real and empowering especially for someone going through something. Ty Dolla $ign is also featured in the choir throughout the song.

“Reborn” is the most popular song off of the album. Cudi’s humming and singing sounds almost heaven-like and creates a sense of security. This song also has one of the realest verses as West opens up about drugs, religion, and even suicidal thoughts.

The self titled track is another favorite because it just sounds like they had fun together making it. Cudi’s wispy verse goes well over the intricate beat, and Kanye has another amazing verse as well.

The last song, “Cudi Montage,” samples guitar from Kurt Cobain and is very similar to the other track Reborn.

Full Tracklist

1. Feel the Love 5. Reborn

2. Fire 6. Kids See Ghosts

3. 4th Dimension 7. Cudi Montage

4. Freeee

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (10/10) Personal Rating

Self-titled by Black Sabbath is their first album released in the UK under Vertigo Records on February 13, 1970. A few months later it was released in the United States under Warner Brothers Records on June 1, 1970 and is regarded as the very first heavy metal album.

The album starts out with the dark self-titled track that has an actual thunderstorm playing in the background. This song is as evil sounding as it gets from the church bell ringing all the way to Ozzy Ozbourne’s vocals.

“The Wizard'' is one of my favorite tracks on the album. The guitar and harmonica work really well together, and Ozbourne’s hook is great too.

The A-side run, “Wasp/Behind the Wall of Sleep/Bassically/N.I.B.,'' is my favorite track on the album. The Guitar riffs and solos in this 10 minute track make this a top 10 metal song ever written.

“Wicked World’ shows off the skilled guitar playing and songwriting skills that Black Sabbath would have for the next 4 albums to come.

The 14 minute B-side stretch finale, “A Bit of Finger/Sleeping Village/Warning,” is a prime example of how to end an album. The whole song makes this album a psychedelic-metal masterpiece.

Full Tracklist

1. Black Sabbath

2. The Wizard

3. Wasp/Behind the Wall of Sleep/Bassically/N.I.B.

4. Wicked World

5. A Bit of Finger/Sleeping Village/Warning

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Axis: Bold as Love (9.7/10)

Axis: Bold as Love is The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s second studio album released in the UK under Track records on December 1, 1967 and in the US on New Year's Day 1968.

The album starts off “Exp” with a radio station intro and out-of-this-world noises being made from Hendrix’s guitar. It shows off how creative Hendrix would get with his guitar.

“Up From The Skies” is my favorite track off of the album. The songwriting is some of my favorite of all time, and the jazz-like drums make it even better. The guitar is so addicting to listen to while Hendrix sings over it.

“Spanish Castle Magic” is another favorite track of mine because of how catchy it is. Hendrix’s vocals fit this song perfectly and the drums are really well mixed.

Next is “Wait Until Tomorrow” with an amazing guitar riff and very prominent drums. The background singers really add the needed depth to this track. “Ain’t No Telling” has one of my favorite fast paced guitar riffs. This song is very well rounded and mixed allowing Hendrix to sing and still be heard.

“Little Wing” is the most popular track and is a very beautiful song. The guitar-playing in this song shows why Jimi Hendrix is one of the best and influential guitarists to touch the earth.

“If 6 Was 9” is one of the best psych-rock songs ever released. This track's guitar is an experimental style and is beautiful to the ears. All of the instruments harmonize together creating a trance like feeling as you listen.

The track “You Got Me Floatin’” is so upbeat because of the hook coming from the background singers. Hendrix also fits this guitar style very well. “Castles Made of Sand” is tied with “Up From The Skies” for being my favorite song on the album. The lyrics are some of my favorite lines of all time and it adds to the incredible guitar playing from Hendrix.

“She’s So Fine” is a solo track featuring the band’s bass player Noel Redding singing about a love interest. The song is well structured and stands out on the album.

“One Rainy Wish” is another song where Hendrix shows off his songwriting and guitar skills. The guitar almost sounds like its spinning around you as you listen .

“Little Miss Lover” is a funk song that has Hendrix’s distorted voice singing over rhythmic guitar riffs. The mixing almost makes Hendrix sound like he is under water in parts of the song. Finally to end the album

“Bold as Love” is the smooth send off as you end the journey through one of Hendrix’s most creative expressions. The solo played by Hendrix has so much passion and emotion and definitely makes this album one of the greatest to be released.

Full Tracklist

1. Exp 8. You Got Me Floatin’

2. Up From The Skies 9. Castles Made of Sand

3. Spanish Castle Magic 10. She’s So Fine

4. Wait Until Tomorrow 11. One Rainy Wish

5. Ain’t No Telling 12.Little Miss Lover

6. Little Wing 13. Bold as Love

7. If 6 Was 9

Talking Heads - Fear of Music (9.5/10) Personal Rating

Fear of Music is the Talking Heads third studio album under Sire Records. It was released August 3, 1979 and was written by producer Brian Eno and lead singer David Byrne.

The first song on the album, “ I Zimbra,” should be a familiar song if you have seen the opening scene of the new Spider-man movie, “Spider-Man No Way Home.” This song is an example of the art style dadaism which is random lyrics that have no meaning. Byrne always finds a different way to express himself in his music and this song is a prime example of that.

“Mind” will make you feel like your skin is crawling. This track is about Byrne trying constantly to change the mind of a love interest. The piano and guitar harmonics really depth to this very complex track.

The next track is “Paper” which is very funk based, and Byrne’s new wave style really mixes well. The repetitive guitar riff is very prominent and makes the bridge of this track very fun sounding.

“Cities” is my favorite song on this album. The piano has some of the best progressions I have ever heard, and this track shows all of the weird and bizarreness that comes with David Byrne.

“Life During War” is the most popular song on this album. The funky bassline and drums make this a staple in the early 80’s club scene. “Memories Can't Wait” talks about Byrne’s mind processes with Aspergers. He cycles through constant worry and being unable to focus in certain situations.

“Air” is a new wave pop song with wispy background vocals and the Heads signature funky sound. The bass is so fun to listen to and it stands out to be the best instrumental performance on this track.

“Heaven” is one of the slower songs on the album. The piano almost sounds like it's singing along with Byrne on this track.”Animals” is another example of Byrne getting weird with his music. The guitar sounds almost abstract and stands out over the climbing drum patterns.

The track “Electric Guitar” gives off a mind control sort of feeling and always makes me think deeply about a lot of different things. Byrne’s genius is really shown off in this song's layering.

The last track and one of the best vocal performances, “Drugs,” makes you feel like you're absolutely isolated. The fact that Byrne and Eno can compose something to make you feel as if you're the only person on earth is extraordinary. That is why this album is listed as one of the greatest ever recorded.

Full Tracklist

1. I Zimbra 7. Air

2. Mind 8. Heaven

3. Paper 9. Animals

4. Cities 10. Electric Guitar

5. Life During Wartime 11. Drugs

6. Memories Can’t Wait