1001 Albums Summary

I like Radiohead just fine. It's rare that I go out and seek out their records, and if I do, I'm going to pick up The Bends. Really most of their output, for me, personally, can be filed as background music for reading a book, and I don't feel like this record is any different. 3.5*

I distinctly remember listening to this record in my friend's car around the turn of the century. Take Me Out was the sound track to any number of fuzzy nights of imbibing and 20-somethings friendships. 20 years later...It's a fun, dancey, poppy rock record. None of the songs really live up to the funtime swagger of Take Me Out, but on their own every song on the record is decent. Not likely something I'll revisit a lot, but it was a pleasant listen for nostalgia's sake if nothing else. 3*

Growing up Megadeth was always the band that played second fiddle to Metallica. Dave Mustaine got the boot via bus ticket from Metallica after all and decided that he needed to get back by playing faster and harder than Metallica ever could. This record is a good reminder of why they always came in second. There are riffs. Sooooooo many riffs. Mustaine is an amazing guitarist and the rest of the band excelled at speed and thrash. But this album in particular lacks the finesse and melody that pushed Metallica to the straosphere and that Megadeth would incorporate on later works like Rust in Peace. 2.5*

I never really listened to Echo and the Bunnymen much because their name and fans were off putting, but this record is really fantastic. Cue regret for not tuning in earlier, as this would go splendidly alongside the cure, new order, joy division, the smiths. Really great, moodly rhythmic rock record. 4*

I could listen to this over and over again. It's one of my favorite records, and Bowie is one of my favorite artists. The story told on this record is wonderful and heartbreaking. 4.5*

The Rolling Stones have always been better than The Beatles. This album is fantastic, and is always in heavy rotation on my turntable. I'd give it a full 5 stars if there weren't other Stones records that edge it out. 4.75*

This is just entirely not for me.

I am more familiar with No More Heroes than this record. That said, while I understand The Strangers' place in music history, there are hints of The Jam, The Clash, and many others on this record, but nothing on this record really does much for me to make it stand out above the output of The Jam or The Clash. It's not bad, but listening to it out of context, and well after I had done a good deep dive into UK punk rock, I'm left underwhelmed. 3*

Honestly, I was ready to go into this and hate it. I remember Jamiroquai as a schmucky doofus who had that Virtual Insanity song and the cool video where he was walking funny on a multi plane treadmill. This record is more akin to a funk protest record, and with a couple quibbles I have in a couple spots this is entirely listenable and would be great background music for a party and would fit into a playlist with the likes of Stevie Wonder or Parliment. Nice surprise.

I hate Randy Newman, and this record did nothing to change that. He's like if Billy Joel or Tom Waits were schlockier and more prone to using the n-word. 1*

This is not something I would typically find myself listening to, so it's hard for me to rate. It sounds great, and is well recorded and composed, but I don't see myself coming back to it. 3* because it's certainly not a bad record, but it's not a record for me.

While they may have been contemporaries of Foreigner, these men are no Foreigner. This album is chock full of late 70's radio hits about fuckin' though. The kind of stuff that makes 80's kids reminisce about rides in Buicks, and pool parties and drunk uncles with too short cut off jean shorts. 3.5*

This is basically the record that is being made fun of when movies like Spinal Tap reference schlocky 60's records with a high pitched singer over folk rock.

Better than Tim Buckley, but only barely. I could see myself smoking a bunch of joints and listening to this on a rainy fall Saturday, but there are also other records of this ilk that I'd reach for first.

I have loved this record since I girl I had an instacrush on in college mentioned that I should listen to it. The record wears its influences on its sleeve - Bowie, The Cure, Joy Division are all in here. I'm glad this was on the list, as I hadn't revisited it in quite some time. 4*

This is fine but it's no sweetheart of the rodeo

This is proof that drugs don't necessarily mean good music.

I had never heard of this record or this group before, but it's one of those records that makes me happy I'm actually trying to do this. Really great discovery. Love that it almost feels like a musical, but not in a crappy, "this is a musical" kind of way.

I put Greetings to the New Brunette on an infinite number of mix tapes, and if I were still attempting to woo women with mix tapes I would be putting There is Power in a Union on there. I generally enjoy Billy Bragg, yet his records are not typically ones I reach for often. This was very pleasant to revisit, but I completely undrstand why some find it off putting. 3.5*

Reminds me of college, in some good ways in some bad. 4*

This is such a solid record from front to back. Absolutely love it.

I like jazz, but I don't prefer big band. This is obviously great, but just not suited to my tastes. 3.5*

3.5 stars. Honestly this is a great record, but it's all the reasons I don't listen to more Nick Cave. I really only need small doses infrequently, despite generally enjoying it.

5 stars This is a perfect rock n roll record that begat a lot of complete crap.

2 stars Honestly this record sucks, and I'm generally okay with The Who.

2.75 stars If I'm going to listen to a velvet underground record it's usually and Nico. But I don't listen to much velvet underground.

3 Stars This is so thriller but it's also no dangerous.

The worst bait and switch album cover ever. The older I get the better this record is though.

I always prefer sad Beck over everything else. Since this is not Sea Change or Morning Phase, I'll rank it accordingly mid. 2.5*

I will unapologetically argue that this is the last good White Stripes record. In fact this album is an absolute ripper, and with DeStijil and their S/T is an astounding run for a band's first three albums. This record came out around the time mix CD's were falling out of fashion, but I guarantee that I Fell In Love With A Girl made it on more than one while I was wooing young women. Did it work? Obviously not. Does this record still rip? Obviously. 4.5*

This is a really good record that I heard a lot at the time of its release, and it still delivers. Unfortunately, it came out that the singer is a likely sex pest and their music never improved, only got worse. So I'll rate this according to the fact that it's their high water mark and maybe the singer wasn't a creep at that point. 3.75*

I always get this and Ill Communication backwards. I like this, but it's the most immature of their records, aping frat boy culture, where a lot of people missed the joke. It's still a solid Beasties record, but it's not the best of the best. 3.5*