1001 Albums Summary

Stripped of any lingering psychedelic pretense or lounge act crooner aspirations, L.A. Woman captures a rock band embracing their roots and delivers. This is a blues album, no way around it. The band is hitting on all cylinders and Jim's voice has matured, either through whiskey and cigarettes, or age, into a convincingly legitimate bluesman. The song writing is tip top. The performances are inspired. The production is warm and accessible. L.A. Woman hints at the band's evolutionary direction that could have been. I fucking love this album.

I never saw the appeal to Jay-Z. I find this record, and the rest of his catalog, trite and mediocre.

This is Stewart's golden era. Given the personnel and the sound it is basically a Faces record. And that is a good thing.

Most bands don't put out greatest hits albums with this many bangers on it. Rarely does a sophomore effort rival the first album. In this case, it is neck and neck. Zep II is required for any teenager who ever picked up a guitar and a necessary inclusion for all road trip playlists. This is Rock N' Roll culture boiled down into its most potent form. If you don't love it, you don't get it.