One of my favorite albums of all time.
Copy/paste if you want to read more:
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-1984-by-van-halen?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I loved the album immediately.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-ray-of-light-by-madonna?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Overall, a real gem of an album by a young artist living up to the hype. All of it done before her 21st birthday. There are worse hands in which to place the future of music.
https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/when-the-supreme-court-ruled-to-allow-american-flag-burning
Bad Company is a great listen, and I encourage those who have not heard it to give it a spin and for those who do know it, go back to an old friend for a nice afternoon.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-bad-company-by-bad-company?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
The Temptations are one of the pillars of Motown and one of my favorite groups from the that classic Motown era. They put out so many great songs and this album is absolutely stunning.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-cloud-nine-by-the-temptations?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I find Skylarking to be a major accomplishment and for someone like me who missed it the first time around an amazing gem I feel thankful for discovering all these years later.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-skylarking-by-xtc?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Siamese Dream is a truly special album that is foundational to a fully realized record collection.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-siamese-dream-by-the?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
For my money, one of the best rock albums of the mid-1970s.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-sheer-heart-attack-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
A rather enjoyable romp of rock songs that have earnest thought behind them
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-peggy-suicide-by-julian?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Springfield’s vocal performances are amazing. Full of a wide range of emotion and beautiful tone. She cements her status as a high-level interpreter of terrific songs.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-dusty-in-memphis-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
My first impression of this album was confusion. I had no idea what this band were trying to say. And then it dawned on me. This is a bunch of drunken college kids who recorded themselves throwing their instruments down a very high stairwell. And I began to wonder why this is one of the 1001 albums I must hear before I die.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-wonderful-rainbow-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
"Weather Report rewrote the rules of jazz with Heavy Weather."
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-heavy-weather-by-weather?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
There are probably few examples of country music better than The Grand Tour.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-grand-tour-by-george?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Not sure this would ever be any kind of go-to record for me, but if a friend wanted to listen to it on a roadie, that would suit me just fine.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-close-to-the-edge-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Normally when an artist is all over the map mixing numerous styles in one album my reaction is something like, “Pick a lane.” But Ryan Adams make it work somehow when he put songs of many different styles together on Gold.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-gold-by-ryan-williams?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I didn’t hear much of their music contemporaneously and I’m only tangentially familiar with it. Blur is really good if not great. I can’t say I’m a fan, but I can see why they have a good following. Good but not great.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-blur-by-blur?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
There are some fairly interesting things happening with elements of different genres getting mixed together
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-opus-dei-by-laibach?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Life Thru a Lens is a nice slice of 90s pop if you’re in the mood.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-life-thru-a-lens-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Deep, thoughtful ideas contained within a pop sensibility.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-scott-2-by-scott-walker?r=4ztyq&selection=eed57597-2c03-43d6-a8ac-c0819f95dfa5&utm_campaign=post-share-selection&utm_medium=web
Most of the songs in this exquisite record are slices of the human experience that the band serves up in quick yet satisfying bursts.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-elastica-by-elastica?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
The first time I heard “Whole Lotta Love” I understood what all the fuss was about with Led Zeppelin.
Copy/paste the link if you want to read my whole article.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-led-zeppelin-ii-by-led?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I don’t think ABBA get the respect they deserve for being excellent artists. Yes, a pop group can be considered true artists.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-arrival-by-abba?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
If we’re constructing a Mt. Rushmore of R&B vocalists of the last 50 years, D’Angelo has to be in the discussion. Brown Sugar is one of the great albums of the 1990s.
If you want to read my full article, copy/paste this: https://tinyurl.com/dvj5h7kr
The whole album is full of high-level artistry and thoughtful lyrics and kick ass music. One of Metallica’s towering achievements.
Copy/paste this link to read the whole thing: https://tinyurl.com/2jmuusf4
I like it but not enough to buy it. If you had me over for a dinner party and played this I’d be good with that.
To read more copy/paste this: https://tinyurl.com/tvu6t45k
This is a truly excellent album. I remember thinking at the time that rock n’ roll is in good hands if bands like The Killers will pick up the mantle. And I think this record will be remembered fondly by rock fans for a long time
Read my full article at: https://tinyurl.com/5c46rc22
I haven’t listened to this record very much since its release back in ‘92, but I have to admit that I enjoyed this album a lot more than I remembered from 30+ years ago.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-vulgar-display-of-power?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I definitely recommend this album. Just skip "A Gospel" and “Strength Of Your Nature” which are complete duds and don't belong on this otherwise sublime record.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-cafe-bleu-by-the-style?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Stand! is an ebullient romp that lifts my spirits.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-stand-by-sly-and-the?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I probably won’t revisit My Life in the Bushes, but I appreciate what Eno and Byrne were trying to do.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-my-life-in-the-bush?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
For my money, American Idiot stands as one of the major rock-as-art achievements of all time.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-american-idiot-by-green?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Gabriel’s solo debut is a superb first step on his way to later domination with So and beyond.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-peter-gabriel-1-by-peter?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I really enjoyed this album, and I can see myself revisiting it often in the future.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-gilded-palace-of?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
This album launched Willie Nelson on the path of becoming a national treasure and it is a genuine listening treat.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-red-headed-stranger?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Da Capo isn’t really in my wheelhouse, but I always appreciate when an artist tries to stretch the artform and stretch their wings.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-da-capo-by-love?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Maybe you had to be there? Sounds terribly dated, and I didn’t find much here to my liking. But if the likes of Robert Plant, Paul Mccartney, and the Rolling Stones admire something, then it is surely something wonderful and can’t be all that bad.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-hangmans-beautiful?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
The energy and good times continue throughout the entire record. I didn’t hear a single dud or filler.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-i-should-coco-by-supergrass?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
CrazySexyCool is one of the sexiest records of all time and one of the very best albums of any genre of the 1990s.
Read more about it:
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-crazysexycool-by-tlc?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I’ve listened to it three times and I can’t decide whether or not if I like it. I definitely like parts of it. “Matty Groves” has lots of energy and actually rocks pretty hard.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-liege-and-lief-by-the?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Mayfield applies his immense songwriting and performing skills to great affect on this amazing album building on themes evoked by the provocative cover. Picking the best song is an impossible task as every track is high-level.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-theres-no-place-like?r=4ztyq&selection=9402aae4-879e-45d8-8173-d73014c42a47&utm_campaign=post-share-selection&utm_medium=web&aspectRatio=instagram&textColor=%23ffffff
Thank you, Joni, for the fine cloth that is The Hissing of the Summer Lawns!
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-hissing-of-the-summer?r=4ztyq&selection=0bfef931-94dd-46c8-af56-98f5750bd221&utm_campaign=post-share-selection&utm_medium=web
One of my favorite things in music is when an artist embraces their ambition and really goes for it in trying to create something great. That’s what’s going on with A Grand Don’t Come for Free.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-a-grand-dont-come-for?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
For a lot of people I suspect Frank Zappa provokes a Love him! or Can’t stand him! reaction. I’m neither. Call me Mister Middle. I’m pleased to say I loved the album!
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-hot-rats-by-frank-zappa?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
A great record that still feels relevant.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-band-by-the-band?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Violator has no weak spots, and it holds up really well after so many years, now in its fourth decade. If there were a Mt. Rushmore of synth-pop, this album would be strong candidate for inclusion.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-violator-by-depeche?r=4ztyq&selection=75a8c68a-000c-498b-8bbd-651b2091f79e&utm_campaign=post-share-selection&utm_medium=web&aspectRatio=instagram&textColor=%23ffffff
I love this album! I know, I know. It’s schmaltzy. It’s overwrought. It’s bombastic It’s sometimes silly. It’s over-the-top. I agree! And all that plus Meat Loaf’s incredible voice combine to make this one of the all-time greats.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-bat-out-of-hell-by-meat?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
But I can’t quite get there with Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (a title I like a lot, btw). It just isn’t for me. I recognize 50 Cent’s impact on the culture and on hip hop.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-get-rich-or-die-tryin?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
This album is terrific. Loads of topnotch songs that are energetic, danceable, and offer more to think about than just sex and drugs. Every track is strong.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-this-years-model-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I think the main reason why this album is still important and enjoyable is because even though it was a response to the terrorist attacks, the lyrics are not overtly political or even specifically addressing any of the events of the attacks or the aftermath. The songs are about individuals and are spiritual forming a kind of wall between them and the events and politics of the day.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-rising-by-bruce?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
this album has proven to be a wonderful addition to the holiday musical milieu. All the Christmas records by popular artists since are chasing this collection and mostly falling short.
Copy/paste for the whole article: https://tinyurl.com/ymwmyznu
As much as I wanted to get into this album, I was unable to do so. It’s just not my cup of tea for listening pleasure. For some reason I didn’t warm to it and found it kind of dull. I have to acknowledge the importance on later artists so for that reason my rating is 3-stars.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-man-machine-by-kraftwerk?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
For me, my favorite song from this set is “Gigantic” which features fantastic vocals from Kim Deal. Kurt Cobain once said, “I wish Kim was allowed to write more because ‘Gigantic’ is their best song.” Another classic is “Where is My Mind?” Both these stand up quite well and I believe will be remembered for as long as recorded music is part of the culture.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-surfer-rosa-by-pixies?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I’m very impressed with Very. I was hoping for something special, and I wasn’t disappointed.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-very-by-pet-shop-boys?r=4ztyq&selection=075b2b10-0749-489f-85b3-0b57a3e77e27&utm_campaign=post-share-selection&utm_medium=web&aspectRatio=instagram&textColor=%23ffffff
Meh. I have to say their cover version of Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven” is pretty awful. It lacks energy and spirit. It’s kinda limp quite frankly. I’m shocked it was included on this album.
I fully acknowledge that my lack of love for the Beatles puts me in the minority and may indeed be a character flaw.
https://www.amazon.com/Football-Buck-Crazy-Crazier-Demise/dp/0544454383
I like the album, but I doubt I’ll return to it much. If you’re a fan of any of his other work, I bet you’ll enjoy this.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-born-to-be-with-you?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I know almost nothing about electronica or ambient electronica. I didn’t think I’d like this album, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit.
https://x.com/UAPJames/status/1933157104002400752
If you are looking for a candidate to carve into your Mt. Rushmore of singer-songwriters, you could do worse than Carole King.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-tapestry-by-carole-king?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
This album presaged the coming explosion of alt country and roots rock. Guitar Town is an excellent listen.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-guitar-town-by-steve?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I like the album but don’t consider it essential.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-blur-by-blur?r=4ztyq&selection=bbc48d58-a937-40df-be24-7363e117987d&utm_campaign=post-share-selection&utm_medium=web
Kendrick Lamar isn’t my regular cup of tea, but I have to give it up for Good Kid in M.A.A.D. City. It is a towering classic.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-good-kid-maad-city-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Looking into the Dictators and how much they meant to later acts, I really appreciate what they did. As someone seriously interested in how rock and popular music developed and evolved, I have to respect their place in the development of punk and other genres that followed.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-dictators-go-girl?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Beyoncé’s fifth album Beyoncé is a remarkable piece of work in many ways.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-beyonce-by-beyonce?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
There is a poignant, desperate quality to this outstanding album...
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-i-am-a-bird-now-by-antony?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
It’s fair to say that this album helped explode alternative rock into the mainstream of American popular music.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-blood-sugar-sex-magik?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
No dogs or filler here. All the songs are excellent.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-revolver-by-the-beatles?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I remember Sinéad O’Connor being a sensation when “Nothing Compares 2 U” came out. I’d never listened to this album, however. O’Connor has a truly wonderfully expressive and beautiful voice.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-i-do-not-want-what-i?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Appetite for Destruction is one of my all-time favorites. It came rushing out of the Southern California hard rock scene like a speeding Nightrain. For my money it is one of the greatest rock records ever.
https://tinyurl.com/55pbcea7
Arguably the greatest party record of the 1960s...
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-beach-boys-today?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Almost a perfect album
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-moondance-by-van-morrison?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Exciting. Rousing. Passionate. Earnest. These are the first words that come to mind when I think of how to describe this wonderful album.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-street-signs-by-ozomatli?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Beck has always been one of those interesting artists who I never quite fully warmed up to. The talent is obvious, and the music is usually interesting. But something about it never grabbed me. I always thought he was trying too hard to sound like he didn’t care.
Maybe that’s because I never took the time to sit down with an entire album. I like Odelay quite a bit with this listening. I’m not sure I’d ever add Beck into my regular rotation, but I’ll be glad to hear these songs when I run across them again.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-odelay-by-beck?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I remember the hits off this album, but I didn’t appreciate them much at the time. Mainly because I was a kid. I’m not sure children can fully appreciate the music of Steely Dan. As an adult and, I like to think, as a more mature connoisseur of music, I very much appreciate Steely Dan. And this album is a gem.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-aja-by-steely-dan?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
It’s an amazing album. No weaklings pollute this disc. Some of the songs are decidedly excellent including the classic “Tennessee” and “People Everyday”. A middle stretch of tracks I found particularly enticing: “Children Play With Earth”, “Raining Revolution”, “Give a Man a Fish”, and “U”.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-3-years-5-months-and?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
With this beautiful album Stevie Wonder takes us through the highs and lows of his love life as well as some stark political commentary on Richard Nixon’s America. A brilliant masterpiece.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-talking-book-by-stevie?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
“Karma Chameleon” is one of the great pop songs of the 1980s, which makes it one of the great pop songs ever. That song anchors a collection of enjoyable albeit light char-friendly New Wave music with a touch of blue-eyed soul from Boy George.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-colour-by-numbers-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
My Bloody Valentine is one of those bands that I’ve always been aware of but to whom I never paid much attention. I would hear about them from time to time and how they were doing something different and interesting.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-loveless-by-my-bloody?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Has any artist ever produced a better maiden voyage than Jimi Hendrix?
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-are-you-experienced?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
You gottta love an album of fourteen songs clocking in at fifteen minutes, twenty-five seconds.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-group-sex-by-circle?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
All in all, a formidable example of 80s indie rock including an amazing cover of “Just Like Heaven.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-youre-living-all-over?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Every song is very good or excellent with a couple of all-time favorites in “Who’ll Stop the Rain” and “Up Around the Bend”.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-cosmos-factory-by-creedence?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I found Felt Mountain an interesting endeavor but lacking in energy and excitement. That doesn’t mean it isn’t good. It’s very good. Allison Goldfrapp is an excellent singer and a highly capable lyricist. I enjoyed a lot of this record, but it didn’t grab me in any meaningful way.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-felt-mountain-by-goldfrapp?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Other than the title track and “Season of the Witch” I didn’t find much I liked on this record other than a bunch of meh. I’m chalking up my ambivalence to this being one of those albums that you needed to be there at the time to fully appreciate it.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-sunshine-superman-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Dirty is an apt title for this Sonic Youth album. It sounds like it’s being performed in some filthy back alley you wouldn’t want to be in at night by yourself. That’s not a bad thing.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-dirty-by-sonic-youth?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Arcade Fire never lit my fire. Nevertheless, they are an excellent band and this is an excellent album.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-suburbs-by-arcade?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
This is a really good album, but I can understand why it wasn’t embraced by the record-buying public three decades ago. It’s solid but rarely reached greatness for me.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-fuzzy-by-grant-lee-buffalo?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Fast, unrelentingly fast. That’s Sepultura on Arise...It all adds up to an amazing album without any weak spots.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-arise-by-sepultura?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
In 1971, Marvin Gaye gave the world this beautiful album. The music and the vocals are uniformly amazing.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-whats-going-on-by-marvin?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
This is a great album! Nina Simone is one the great American singers ever. “(T)he euphoria pulsing through her voice spoke for itself. Simone could channel every facet of lived experience.”1 What a voice! Do yourself a favor, find this record and listen to it and enjoy it.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-wild-is-the-wind-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This is a strong representation of English synth-pop/new wave from the early 80s.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/penthouse-and-pavement-by-heaven?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-i-see-you-by-the-xx?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
A terrific album that has whetted my appetite for more. I’ll be checking out the rest of their catalogue soon.
Regardless of its bleakness, I rank this album right up there with the best of its era.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-dirt-by-alice-in-chains?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Another fine example of Afrobeat music.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-femi-kuti-by-femi-kuti?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I do hear a lot of things here that show up in later artists’ work in genres like new wave, hip hop, industrial and even alternative rock. Afrika Bambaata sampled some of the beats here on “Planet Rock” in 1982. It’s good stuff, just not something I’d personally reach for in most cases.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-trans-europe-express?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
after listening today for the first time in a few years I can say that it holds up fairly well. It’s definitely dated but it still sounds great.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-license-to-ill-by-the?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
While being familiar with some of the songs, today is the first time I listened to Rubber Soul and it is a delight. A truly excellent album.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-rubber-soul-by-the-beatles?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I ended up enjoying the heck out of this record. Not only is MC Solaar’s flow smooth, but the beats are excessively appealing. They keep you moving and bobbing without pounding you into submission and provides an eminently listenable and pleasant experience.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-qui-seme-le-vent-recolte?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
For my money the Doors may be the most underrated band from the classic rock era. I love this album from start to finish.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-la-woman-by-the-doors?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Evaluating an album like this presents certain difficulties. It’s been over 50 years since this record’s release. Countless artists and records have been influenced by King Crimson. So, trying to listen to this in a vacuum is impossible. All those subsequent offerings color my perception of this record. So, I don’t want to be too harsh in my evaluation. But I found much of this album to be dull.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-in-the-court-of-the?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
this album is terrific. It’s got all you want from a punk rock record: the attitude, the raw guitar riffs, the high energy tempo. And they give you a bonus horn section
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-scream-dracula-scream?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
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Project 1001: Seventeen Seconds by The Cure
I dig you, you dig me / We dig each other / That's groovy, oh yeah
Rich Cain
Nov 3
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I wonder how many fans of the Cure who came by their fandom via the big hits of the mid-80’s like “Just Like Heaven” or “Friday I’m in Love” have listened to this remarkable album.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-seventeen-seconds-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I’ve been ambivalent to Bowie all these years, but this album moves me closer to being a fan.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-station-to-station-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
If you’re looking for something to spin while you and your dance partner mambo the night away, you’ve come to the right place.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-dance-mania-vol1-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This live recording is a lot of fun and full of crazed energy. It offers a great sampling of the Jerry Lee Lewis ‘Killer’ experience.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-live-at-the-star-club?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I love this album. There is no filler. All the songs are really good. Some are even excellent! Count me as a fan.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-its-blitz-by-yeah-yeah?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I am thrilled they popped up in the rotation today because I really enjoyed listening to this album.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-street-life-by-the-crusaders?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Put this on for a terrific throwback experience to share with your best gal or guy and let the good love vibes flow over you.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-songs-for-swingin-lovers?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
While not a major achievement, this record is a really nice listen if you’re in the mood for some early 70’s rock.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-a-nod-is-as-good-as?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
when hip-hop is good, it’s as good as anything else. And Fear of a Black Planet is hip-hop at its finest.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-fear-of-a-black-planet?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I found it difficult to fully appreciate the uniqueness of this album because I’ve heard all the later artists they ifluenced first. But that didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying the album. It’s a lot of fun and there are many excellent songs that I think many listeners will find make for pleasurable listening. And there is value in understand what shaped some of our favorite artists.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-1-record-by-big-star?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This is a truly exhilarating album even after four decades.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-hounds-of-love-by-kate?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This album is impressive.
Lots of cool soundscapes and some really interesting concepts within the songs.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-modern-kosmology-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
And I applaud any artist who tries to do something different and interesting like Shankar is doing here. This is something really wonderful and special.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-ananda-shankar-by-ananda?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
There is a certain airy-ness permeating throughout the record. I like that aspect, and I really enjoy the lovely vocals of Elizabeth Fraser. While this is not something I’d go out of my way to spin, I respect the craftsmanship.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-heaven-or-las-vegas?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
This album is fine and dandy, but I didn’t find it especially appealing. It’s ok. Some good moments of high energy and some good lyrics.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-whatever-people-say?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This is a hard pass for me. I like a lot of the music, the guitars and drums, etc. I even like the hyper speed. But the singing style, sometimes described as puking into the mic,1 is unenjoyable in the extreme for me. I just can’t get past it. Full kudos for inventing grindcore though.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-scum-by-napalm-death?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This album is beautifully sung and played by an artist who had a very short life and by many accounts a very troubled life. It’s hard to listen to these wonderful songs without thinking about how the man’s life ended. For me a melancholy record made me quite sad upon initially listening. Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed this album, and I hope, if you’ve never heard it, you’ll give it a listen.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-five-leaves-left-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I love this album. I’m not sure there’s a better vocal performance on any record of the twenty first century to date.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-21-by-adele?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
t the same time U2 was becoming the world’s biggest band, the Waterboys were creating music in a similar vein, so I am not sure why they didn’t find much of an audience in America. In any event I’ll be adding them to my regular rotation.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-fishermans-blues-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
It has a clean sound with pleasant melodies and some fine new wave singing. You could do worse than to pull this record off a shelf and give it a spin.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-pelican-west-by-haircut?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Even a novice-to-jazz ear like mine recognizes that there is something special happening here. Bitches Brews sounds different to me than other jazz albums I’ve listened too.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-bitches-brew-by-miles?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Even though it’s not my favorite album by Zeppelin, I find it essential. And certainly, anybody interested in tracing the history of hard rock would want to understand the incredible influence this album and this band had on future purveyors of the “dark arts” of heavy metal.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-led-zeppelin-by-led?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
The opening track of Being There, “Misunderstood”, epically rocks you and announces that this album is not your father’s alt-country.
https://tinyurl.com/mr4aevaw
This might just be the ultimate chill and make out record of all time. Simply put, Let’s Get It On is “a record unparalleled in its sheer sensuality and carnal energy.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-lets-get-it-on-by-marvin?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
It’s right there in the name: Rage. These dudes are pissed about everything. I get that to an extent. But while I like a couple of the songs and there is some really interesting music happening, for me it doesn’t produce a pleasant listening experience.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-rage-against-the-machine?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
The Pogues are an amazing band and this album is incredible. The energy and passion draws you in, slams you around from pillar to post, and never let’s you go. On top of that their version of “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” will absolutely break your heart.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-rum-sodomy-and-the-lash?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This album is packed with amazing songs. Stevie Wonder’s voice never sounded better to me. My favorite is "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away". I think it has such an optimistic viewpoint and is uplifting with a strong statement of faith. Beautiful.
https://tinyurl.com/47btbp65
The album opens with a cool and sexy vocal reminiscent of Sade. The rest of the album is similarly cool and at times sexy. The vibe I got was a dark lounge with people sitting on low couches at low tables trying to look cool without appearing to be trying to look cool.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-protection-by-massive?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Progressive rock can be tricky. Done poorly, it’s a real mess. Done well, as ELP does with Tarkus, it’s magical and powerful.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-tarkus-by-emerson-lake?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
If your knowledge of Beck is “Loser”, Sea Change will probably surprise you. It’s full of sad songs and dour misery reflecting the disintegration of Beck’s relationship. I rather liked most of it.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-sea-change-by-beck?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this album. I love Pink Floyd but I find their earliest stuff to be a bit of a challenge. And I’ve heard lots of stories about the eccentricities of Barrett. So, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy this record. There are moments that produced genuine emotional reactions. Most especially “Dark Globe”.
https://richcain.substack.com/p/project-1001-the-madcap-laughs-by?r=4ztyq
All the cool kids seem to love Kings of Leon. I’ve never been into them. No particular reason. I haven’t been avoiding them. I just didn’t make it a point to ever listen to them. Until today. The cool kids were on to something, and I’ve been missing out. This album is fantastic from start to finish. Even if it’s not terribly original.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-youth-and-young-manhood?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Metal Box, for me, was an unpleasant experience. I found it grating, irritating, and mostly very annoying and on the whole kind of boring.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-metal-box-by-public?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
The Temptations are an American treasure. One of the all-time great vocal groups of any genre. This album is chock full of great songs and every one of them is top tier.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-all-directions-by-the?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
This just isn’t my kind of thing. I found some stuff interesting, but, sadly, I was mostly bored. “Rockafella Stank” and “Praise You” are classic but their brilliance does not elevate “In Heaven”, possibly the dumbest fucking song I’ve ever heard.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-youve-come-a-long-way?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Somebody once said that jazz sounds like if someone took a bunch of instruments and threw them down a stairwell. That description does not fit this masterpiece.
I like the album a lot. No duds among the tracks although a couple songs sound very early 80s and don’t hold up quite so well.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-talk-talk-talk-by-the?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Midnight Ride has some great songs like “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone” and “Kicks”. I’m just not sure this is a great album in its entirety. There is nothing particularly wrong with it or substandard. It simply does not rise to anything other than well-executed yet fairly pedestrian mid-60s rock/pop.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-midnight-ride-by-paul?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
What really stands out to me now that I completely missed 45+ years ago is how much this album rocks. The guitar work is fantastic.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-one-nation-under-a-groove?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Jane’s Addiction were certainly one of the major players in the emerging alt-rock scene of the early 1990s. Some observers consider Perry Farrell to be the Godfather of alternative rock.1 Others label the band as alt-metal or funk metal. Regardless of whatever subgenre one considers Jane’s this record is great rock music.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-ritual-de-lo-habitual?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
