1001 Albums Summary

Can definitely see the influence on a lot of modern music. Crazy it came out in 78. Not always a huge fan of the vocals though.

Yeah still not a fan. Cheesy cringey vocals and lyrics. Boring instrumentation. I just can't see the appeal.

Pretty good album. Weird choice over Return to Cookie Mountain though. I think the increased prevalence of synths on this one is the weakest aspect. Still got some great funk to it though.

Amazing album. You can hear the influence on so many diverse genres from shoegaze to grunge. All bangers too and Poledo is such a wild closer.

Liked it more than I expected but still not a big fan of southern rock. I wish the vocals would steer away from the over the top southern drawl a bit more. When they did, I found myself enjoying it much more.

Interesting and pleasant enough but I really lack context for this to fully appreciate it. I dig the MS Paint cover though.

Stone cold classic. Amazing beats, poignant varied lyrics, absolute bops.

Can't believe how much I love this for a country album. Amazing lyricism, great voice, solid understated guitar work. I'm going to need to pick this up on wax

Can't believe how much I love this for a country album. Amazing lyricism, great voice, solid understated guitar work. I'm going to need to pick this up on wax.

Lots of nostalgia tied up with this one for me. I still wouldn't say it's an essential listen at all though. Especially coming right off of Muddy Waters. Putting those two in the same list is borderline offensive.

Pretty fun album. I can see the influence on future southern hip hop. There's always money in the banana stand.

Never listened to mambo before but this is nice and upbeat and very catchy. Definitely makes you want to dance.

This album rocks. Amazing guitar work and drumming. Nuff said. Pedo song brings it down a bit though.

I have a disappointing lack of funk in my life and this album cured that. My kiddo loved dancing to it too.

Nice chill folk with great lyrics and occasional instrumental flourishes that really bring it together. Another one I should probably pick up on wax.

Another really great album from Kraftwerk. I think I like this one a bit better than The Man Machine actually, especially in the vocal department.

An absolute classic in every sense. Incredible lyricism, banging instrumentation.

Fun album if nothing really spectacular to me. I dig the vocalist's style. Reminds me of some modern post-rock.

Absolute classic. Is 1969 the greatest year in music history?

Not a style I typically listen to but I really dig it. Chill but still makes you want to move a bit. She has a great voice.

What can even be said about the title track here. One of the greatest songs ever written. The rest of the album is no slouch either though. Certainly one of the best Beatles solo albums.

Banging post-punk with funny but still meaningful lyrics. Definitely can see the influence down the line.

One of the greatest prog albums of all time.

Fun if somewhat slight power pop. Really elevated by the lyrics though.

Not really my thing. Lyrics are kinda cringey and the instrumentation is very flat.

Chill, lush album. I definitely think Spiritualized got better after this but it's a really solid debut nonetheless.

Really digging the vibes on this album. Romantic and a bit cheesy but relatable and catchy af. Lots of great synth work.

Interesting, varied production. Pretty fun pop album even if it's not the type of thing I'd normally listen to.

Enjoyed the funkier aspects when it got there but the more soul parts lost me. Solid mixing though.

This album fucking slays (pun intended). One of my favorite thrash albums of all time. Great way to wake up in the morning on a day when you've been up since 4am.

Interesting intermediary sounding album between new wave and more experimental post rock sound of their later stuff. Some cool instrumental flourishes throughout.

Great grunge album with lots of swagger. Good music to maybe murder your spouse to

Really varied both instrumentally and vocally. I love the focus on live instrumentation. The lyrics are great too.

Chill vibes and really nice acoustic instrumentation. I never really got into Beck for whatever reason in spite of liking a lot of similar music but I dig this album.

Interesting chill hip hop. Kind of gives me Radiohead or Dan the Automator vibes. Not really sure what makes this 'essential' though honestly as much as I enjoy it.

Relaxing but still upbeat alt-country. I think Lambchop got more interesting later on but there's no denying that that started here.

Love me some psych rock and extended jams are my jam so this was right up my alley. The side B tracks are great too.

This album is just way too 80s pop for my tastes. Which makes sense, as an 80s pop album.

Chill but danceable at the same time. I just love the vibe of this album so much.

Fantastic sampling and classic 90s rapping. Plus that cover just rules.

Fuzzy distorted proto-punk with some surf elements. I can see the influence it had on later punk.

I Cannot Fucking Wait Til Morrissey Dies

This is the kind of country I just can't jive with at all sadly.

Exactly the kind of album that should be in 1001 albums in my opinion. Beyond being incredibly influential this album just plain rocks. Plus it covers a wide variety of genres around punk and post-punk.

Everyone knows that song but honestly this album is great all around. FF are super underappreciated in the indie rock canon. This album rocks.

She has a phenomenal voice. The production is really crisp too. I just have a hard time connecting to political folk music unfortunately especially as a white man listening to this.

It's interesting hearing this compared to Songs of Leonard Cohen. His voice is like whiskey over gravel here in the best of ways. The production is so much more elaborate and fantastic too. Love the lyrical themes of struggling with religion and aging.

Never understood the appeal of The Rolling Stones. This album is just boring to me.

Makes me want to watch Toy Story honestly. He has a great voice though and this album is some pleasant baroque pop. Also there's a song about Cleveland for some reason?

Not as good as his debut or You Want It Darker which we've already listened to but still a very solid album.

Absolute classic gothic rock. Influenced many of my favorite bands.

It’s The Beatles

Classic metal album. Really does everything I want an 80s metal album to do.

Such fantastic sampling on this album. The cover is iconic too. Not my favorite album of theirs but I love it still.

Fun and upbeat 60s pop. Doesn't really do much for me that other albums don't do better but I enjoy it well enough.

These guys are really underappreciated in my opinion. Super consistent and tight band. The Killing Moon is a CLASSIC song.

Daft Punk are one of the GOATs. This album is straight bangers.

I've never heard of her before but this is a really incredible piece of psychedelic pop! Very interesting inclusion here but I'm happy to have discovered it.

Fantastic mix of psych and folk with great lyricism. I need to cop this album.

Satisfying fun indie rock but doesn't really do much notable or special for me.

2009 best year for indie rock. I've listened to some Wild beasts but never a full album I don't believe. I really enjoyed this. Dude has a killer falsetto and there's a nice variety of instrumentals.

I liked this album when I was younger but it's definitely aged a bit poorly.

Classic chamber pop album. Love the vocals and pretty instrumentals.

Definitely needed to be in 1001 Albums with the amount of influence this album has had on punk rock. Also it slays.

This is a kick ass jazz album. His connection to Fela Kuti is fascinating as well. Weirdly it reminds me of SimCity 3000 music a bit!

Ugh again?

I’m not super well-versed in rockabilly but I liked this one quite a bit. I dig the cover too.

Definitely a deserved classic of the 2010s. Powerful and catchy album with an absolutely STACKED set of collaborators.

I love me some 70s prog. This album has some high highs and some low lows. Not my favorite Genesis album but when it hits it hits hard

The bongos are a fun gimmick for a song or two but get tiring. I could see myself throwing a song from this into a playlist easily but I'm not sure how much I would want to listen to the entire album.

Classic in the post-punk goth genre. Tough to listen to given the circumstances around its release but it's so powerful at the same time.

Interesting to see another of their early albums here. I don't give these enough listens honestly. This album is just full of classic songs.

I love new wave. It definitely feels dated but I can’t help but still dig it. This album is one of the better ones

Still just as hype as the first time I heard it. Amazing beats and amazing raps. Definitely a classic.

An interesting mix of genres and styles here. I really haven't given Elvis Costello as much of a chance as I should've. This album is fun and consistently upbeat even when it gets a bit more edge on some songs.

Very 80s. I'd heard Take on Me of course but nothing else to my knowledge. Definitely sounds like the Take on Me band.

Not the strongest album of theirs in my opinion. Definitely miss the edge of their earlier stuff

I’m often not a huge fan of typical singer-songwriter albums like this but Fiona just has such a powerful voice and creative and lush instrumentation that I can’t help but love it. Absolute classic album totally worthy of being here.

S tier Bowie album. One of the GOATs

More subdued than most of her work in a way that complements it well. I tend to overlook this album compared to her more bombastic ones but I'm really appreciating her work crafting the beats and melodies here.

Classic thrash album. Thrash is one of if not my favorite metal genre. I don't like Megadeth as much as the other 3 of the big 4 but this album still slays.

An absolute classic rock album in the vein of The Beatles. Dig the lyricism and the instrumentation. '69 was such a great year for music.

Love me some Neil Young. It's fun to hear more electric performances like this even if I prefer the more chill typical versions.

I haven't given Willie enough listens. I really dug the sparse instrumentation and lyricism here. The closing track in particular was simply gorgeous sounding.

Sounds a lot like discount Depeche Mode. Not bad but I don't know why I'd listen to this when I could just listen to Depeche Mode.

Classic album. I need some Talking Heads vinyl stat. I love the guitar work in particular.

Generic boring butt rock. Dave should've stuck to drumming, he was good at that.

Solid production and guitarwork. Alison is a fantastic song. Could use a bit more to help it stand out though.

I never knew how much I'd love funk until 1001 albums so I'm grateful for that. I really dig how comparatively dark and contemplative this album is to the other funk I've heard too. Adding it to the "need on vinyl" list.

Insanely powerful and dense album. I get chills at the line in Girl Loves Me when he says "Where the fuck did Monday go?" I know he couldn't have known when he wrote that lyric but he died on a Sunday so he literally didn't experience that Monday.

I'm confused how a 2021 album is even on this list? I think if I'd heard it elsewhere I may have even liked this, but seeing it here puts higher expectations on it that this just doesn't deliver. To be canonized that quickly, an album would have to be something truly groundbreaking. This is not that. It isn't bad either though.

Tom Petty is one of the greatest. I think some of the later heartbreakers stuff beats this album but it still rocks.

Such a classic, hard hitting 90s sound. Feels very emblematic of its era without feeling dated. The vocals are just sex.

I can't really say anything new about Hendrix's guitar playing and how important and influential it was. This album is an inarguable inclusion in this book. That said, it's clearly a 60s album from the aggressive abuse of stereo panning throughout.

Fun poppy psych music but only barely hints at the potential of what was to come. As far as PF releases go this one isn't nearly as essential in my opinion.

Definitely the most important hip-hop album of the 21st century so far in my opinion. Musically, it's incredible with gorgeous, jazzy, varied production. Lyrically it's Kendrick's peak which is saying something considering how consistent he is. The recurring poem to Tupac ties it together perfectly.

First of all, that name is incredible. This is really great though. I dig the mix of country and rock. The vocal harmonies are incredible especially on headphones and the mix is really well done.

Absolute classic of hip-hop. I have so many nostalgic memories tied to this album. The sampling game here is just unparalleled.

Another really cool funk album I hadn't heard before this project. I love the folksier sound mixed in here and the use of drum machines.

Straight classic in the rap genre. Biting, intense lyricism and amazing crisp production and beats.

Definitely feels very 90s R&B but it's a bit less hokey than most of that so I can enjoy it some more. The funk elements also add to it.

ATCQ never miss. I dig their later stuff a bit more but this album still rules.

Kind of boring hard rock. Doesn’t do much for me unfortunately.

Pretty sick rap album. Great, gritty beats and intense stylistic rapping. I dig it.

One of those albums where I can 100% see why it's on here for historical significance. It's not a bad album by any stretch but it's also not terribly interesting in a "Seinfeld is unfunny" kind of way.

Definitely a classic musician I haven't given enough attention. Scott has a killer voice and the string accompaniments here are absolutely stunning.

Pretty decent punk album if nothing particularly spectacular. I dig the trumpet flourishes. The book makes it sound like removing the "soothing woodwind and strings replacing the silence between tracks" was an improvement but to me that sounds like it would've been a much cooler album.

Killer funky afrobeat album with a powerful antimilitaristic message on top. Definitely a classic worthy of this project.

There's a reason why Sinatra is synonymous with having a gorgeous voice. Dude can sing. Swing isn't my normal style but I have to say this album is really amazing.

Not quite as strong as some of Smith's other work but still Elliot Smith so it's good shit. Eases a bit away from the sadness.

Love this album. While Bowie's weirder and less accessible work will always be my favorite, this album just has such a great fun funky sound. Can't help but jam out to it. Bowie is a musical chameleon.

One of the defining releases in ambient music (one of my favorite genres). This album is beautiful and interesting, while also being able to fade completely into the background - exactly as Eno intended.

Hard rock isn't really my thing at all so this doesn't do a ton for me but I will say that I found it less unpleasant than I expected. The joke about asking if girls want a little Irish in them was gross though.

Absolute classic 90s alt album. Lyrically deep and musically dense. I love how layered it is. You can really hear the MBV influence.

I can see how this led to Afro Beat Sound System. I think the fusion there was more successfully realized but this is still entertaining.

The Bowie influence here is immediately apparent and gives this album such a cool feel. Also I love hearing the drum beat I know from Closer on Nightclubbing.

I'm not very well-versed in disco but I'm digging this album. Amazing vocal performances and the instrumentals are incredibly layered and catchy.

Stone cold classic album. You can hear the influence in so many other albums. I'm a huge sucker for dream pop and this is just one of the titans of the genre.

Gorgeous and uplifting album. Every piece of it really fits so well together.

His vocal range and ability to jump around is seriously impressive. The instrumentation does a lot to compliment it too. Soul isn't my area of expertise but I dig this.

Like most people, I mostly know The La's from soundtracks. I will say though that this album is pretty catchy in general and the production is on point. Very full and crisp.

I love post-punk and appreciate the influence this album/band had but as a listening experience it's a bit grating.

I’m generally anti-classic rock but this album slays.

Very pleasant. She definitely has a fantastic voice. The instrumentation plays a suitable compliment without taking away the focus from her voice.

I’m not a big Americana guy but this album is fun enough. I can understand the significance even if it isn’t 100% for me.

While I prefer their earlier, more sample-focused work, this album still absolutely slaps. Beastie Boys are remarkably consistent.

Never been a huge Kravitz fan but giving this album a solid listen I can definitely appreciate it. It doesn't do anything crazy groundbreaking or anything but it's a solid set of funk rock.

One of The Black Keys' best albums for sure. This album is just wall to wall killer rock. I love it.

I've heard singles from Jamiroquai but never an entire album. The vibe is definitely similar throughout though. The unique instrumental flourishes like the didgeridoo really add to it.

Eels are a classic 90s alt band but also do just enough to push beyond the genre to set them apart. Big fan.

Cool to see the proto-Chicago house AND proto-hip hop here all mixed together. This album rules. Definitely a bit dated feeling but in a "Seinfeld is unfunny" way to a degree.

Not really my general area of expertise but I really dug this. It was catchy and upbeat and didn't edge too far into the more obnoxious elements of a lot of Latin music I've heard.

Elvis is another one I haven't given a focused listen to beyond what you get via general cultural osmosis but you know, I really dig this actually. Beyond the massive impact he had on rock music, these songs are just great to listen to.

She has a nice voice and the instrumentation is fine but I feel like there are better albums in the same vein that I would generally rather listen to.

He has a great voice. It's interesting hearing this early bridge between R&B and Soul. Definitely a foundational record worthy of being included here.

Doesn't really do much for me. 70s singer-songwriter pop just is never going to be my thing I think sadly.

I'm a sucker for a good '90s alt/pop album and this one hits all the right notes for sure. Really fun. I'm surprised I haven't listened to her more.

Spector really killed it with the production here (har har). I'm not really a Christmas music person but as far as that goes these are good renditions in my opinion.

Killer 90s alt with gorgeous lilting vocals. Love it.

Bjork's solo stuff would definitely go on to exceed this band but there's still a lot to enjoy here. It's a bit dated feeling but very fun and energetic.

Not my favorite 90s grunge band but this album has some great guitarwork and powerful vocals.

It's fine. Just doesn't really evoke any reactions in me. Meat and potatoes classic rock.

Really fun and catchy 80s synthpop. I need to get more Pet Shop Boys on wax.

I'm a bigger fan of Dylan's earlier works but this one is still really great. The production is stellar and it has some fantastic storytelling.

The GOAT

Killer mix of noise and pop music. It's wild hearing the influence of this album on such a diverse range of later music too.

Such a cool mix of poppy and experimental. I've always meant to give Faust a proper listen and I'm happy I have. Definitely need to seek out more of their stuff.

Absolute titan of the genre. Stone cold classic.

I've never heard of him before but this album really spoke to me. He has a gorgeous voice and the instrumentation here is lush and beautiful. The lyrics are the kind of wry, witty observational humor that I love too.

I'm already in a bad mood today and the idea of listening to this fascist wax on about his moronic ideals or listen to the dumbest fucking rhyme I've ever heard in my life (Frankly, Mr. Shankly) fills me with the white hot anger of a thousand suns.

Thriller's all killer no filler

Objectively there's nothing wrong with this album but Irish folk punk is just entirely something I don't have interest in. I feel like it would work well in a very specific scene in a movie or something and that's about it.

Killer prog rock with sci-fi lyrics? That’s my shit.

Country + classic rock is just a recipe for me to hate an album. I've never enjoyed them at all unfortunately.

I love Gil Scott-Heron but haven't listened to this one. It's fantastic though. The piano playing is incredibly beautiful and really complements his voice. Another for the vinyl list!

I've tried so hard to appreciate Frank's music since he's so beloved but I just don't get the appeal. It's... fine. Just doesn't really do much for me.

This is fine. Not really sure what I think of it. I don't love or hate much in particular. It's tough to separate it from my general expectations of what I want from Eno, which is more his later ambient work. The second half edges closer to this territory and therefore becomes a bit more exciting to me.

I love LCD Soundsystem but this is an odd choice to include in 1001 albums. I'd place any of their other albums above it. It's still a good album but nowhere near their peak. I'd argue it's the only one NOT justified in being here.

I want to punch Bono in his stupid little face

I'm not convinced that Travis really does anything noteworthy enough to elevate them above their peers to the point of being included in this list, but I will say that I enjoyed this more than I expected based on my prior experience with them. The songs here are very pleasant if somewhat meat and potatoes alt-rock.

Killer dancey electronic album. Love the intro and Impact in particular. This list desperately needs more electronic music but I'm happy that this is included at least.

Some of the best songs in Steely Dan's catalogue, but also some pretty weak ones. This album is frustratingly inconsistent. Still overall enjoyable though.

I'm a casual ska fan. Definitely like this album and appreciate its history in the genre. Not my favorite but we wouldn't have ska as we know it without it.

Incredible folk. This album gets slept on unfairly compared to Pink Moon. 1969 is really one of the best years in music history to me.

I dig his voice and guitar work but the 80s production really detracts from hit in my opinion. It does make me want to check out some of his earlier work though.

Never heard of this before or really heard anything like it. It's really fascinating. An odd mix of industrial and marching music or something. I'm digging it though.

I've never listened to The Jam before but I really dig this! I can see the influence it had on other albums I enjoy. The songs here hit a great mix of catchy and punk.

It’s tough to get into 50s era rock for me just because of how upbeat and simple it is but obviously that doesn’t take away from the influence it had, viewing at in context of when it released. This album is fun even if it’s not something I’d listen to a lot.

Fun if inconsequential sounding album. Britpop is a pretty middling genre in general in my opinion and this isn't doing much to change my mind but it's entertaining enough.

Such an experimental, awesome album that really provided a groundwork for so much music that I love. I think it might be my favorite VU album.

Fucking love Chemical Brothers. One of the first bands I ever really fell in love with and they still have a special place in my heart. While I think they got even better than this debut, it's still absolutely killer.

Fun and kitschy album. Definitely very front-heavy. Rock Lobster is obviously just an absolute classic.

As far as britpop goes, Blur is probably the peak for me. Generally speaking it's a genre I don't connect with but these Blur albums are definitely catchy and well-produced.

Such a fantastic album. It's funny that this is our 1001 albums of the day, on the same day when Godspeed You! Black Emperor's famous lost album officially released. Love both of them.

Music my mom would listen to. There's nothing objectively wrong with it really it's just so decidedly not my thing.

Love this album. Lightning Bolt are one of the best live bands I've ever seen. Complete chaos. This is probably their best album too.

Their later stuff is so much more inventive and exciting that it's tough to objectively listen to this album for me. It's fun though and showcases their strong songwriting fundamentals that would continue on their career.

It's genuinely offensive that this is included on this list.

I've never heard of them before but I really dug this! It's a fascinating mix of folk and psych. I can really see the influence. Definitely going to keep an eye out for the vinyl.

Decent enough punk album but it doesn't really do anything particularly notable or exciting for me.

This album is incredibly pretentious without the chops to back it up. I just think about how she acted like she invented the idea of a surprise drop... the same year that Bowie and MBV did it.

I love this album. So dancey and infectious. New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down is truly an all-time classic track.

Classic psych rock that feels timeless. Sunshine of Your Love is just an all-time great song. Clapton is a major POS but his guitarwork here is legendary.

I enjoy The Beach Boys but don't think I've ever listened to this one. I dug it a lot though. The cover art is fantastic and quite different for them. The psych pop elements are really great.

Fun if dated sounding house album. Not sure how much I would listen to it but I enjoyed it.

The studio experimentation here rivals Sgt. Pepper for how inventive and game-changing it was. While I don't think the songs themselves are quite on the level of Are You Experienced, it's still an incredible album worth listening to.

She had a fantastic voice and I can definitely appreciate this album even if it isn't really my thing. She was definitely talented as hell and gone too soon.

These guys really manufactured some of the best punk in history, and their influence on the genre can't be overstated.

Never listened to them before. This is really weird and fun. I dig it! No idea what's going on half the time but in an entertaining way.

Really great jazz-funk. That title track in particular is a real journey.

90s pop r&b just really isn’t good

Such a nostalgic album for me. My dad played them a ton as I was growing up. Still rips to this day.

Blur really benefited from moving away from britpop a bit in my opinion. This album takes that aspect and mixes it with more indie rock and alternative stylings to create something much better.

Classic grunge album. Definitely super nostalgic to me. Black Hole Sun is just an absolute classic. The album maybe could've done with a bit of trimming down though if I'm being honest.

I can respect Cash's work and this album but it isn't really my thing at all. His voice is overdone and his guitarwork isn't terribly memorable. The prison gimmick definitely adds to this live album though I will say.

I really like his voice, and the instrumentation here is honestly really great too. Fantastic, clear production. It's maybe not the most unique or original sound but it's executed incredibly well.

Enjoyable soul album. Maybe not something I'd come back to a ton but I'd never complain if it was on. Feels kinda dated.

KILLER album. Insanely influential on hip-hop as a genre and it's just full of jams. I love the minimalist beats.

Pleasant music that doesn't do a lot for me personally. Just not my thing really but that's ok!

Half the albums I love probably wouldn't exist without this album. Even setting that aside, it just rocks.

Really gorgeous, sparse production and vocals. I can see why this was commissioned to showcase sound systems. I definitely dig it.

More gold from The Beach Boys. I like the two halves approach of the album.

You can't listen to this without bobbing (pun intended) your head along. Gorgeous, catchy production and infectious lyrics.

Definitely one of the best solo Wu-Tang albums. I'm not huge on gangsta rap but this album is one of the ones I like more than most. Some amazing beats and raps that flow perfectly with them.

Cool guitar effects and very dub influenced style. Feels kind of like world music-influenced pop.

Love punk and adding keys is great. This album is a lot of fun. Lyrically though it's definitely a bit uncomfortable at times, not in a cool punk way sadly.

It's almost impossible to follow up an album like Thriller but I think Jackson did an admirable job at it. I don't like Bad quite as much but it's still a great album.

Not a huge Zeppelin fan and if I'm going to listen to them it will generally be the earlier ones. This... sure is more Zeppelin.

I dig it. Great performances all around. Listening to Clapton feels kind of gross at this point but if I set that aside this is a great blues rock album.

Classic grime album. I haven't listened to this in a hot minute but it's so nostalgic for me.

Listen... I know that they're Slipknot but I can't help but think that this shit fucking rocks. It makes me want to punch boulders and chug mountain dew.

Not as into this as their more experimental stuff like Aja but it's still catchy and pleasant.

A completely deserved classic. I know it’s trendy to say you like their other stuff better but in my eyes this is Nirvana’s peak.

I just like later Streely Dan better than their early stuff. It’s fun enough though.

Great lyricism and playing as usual for Bob Dylan. Fantastic album.

Southern rock isn't my main interest by any stretch but CCR are one of the greats and a go to if I'm feeling the genre. This album is a fantastic example.

Great album as always by Fiona. I think the hype over it is slightly overblown and partially just a reevaluation of her legacy in general. This isn’t my favorite album of hers but a middling Fiona Apple album is still better than 99% of the music out there.

Killer gothic rock. This album is just wall to wall filled with jams and killer songwriting.

Not really my thing personally if I'm being honest but I can still definitely respect her vocal talents and the songwriting quality of this album. I don't know if I'd seek it out but I wouldn't complain if it was on.

Bland, meat and potatoes classic rock. Uninteresting if inoffensive.

Classic post-rock album. The amount of electronic elements really sets them apart too.

Better than most classic rock for me. More Than a Feeling is a certified bop.

Another killer album from Cohen. He's remarkably consistent.

Love her voice. I've been a fan for a long time and this aughts-era indie will always have a soft spot in my heart.

Digging the triphop beats here. Very funky. Lyrically it can be a bit on the nose sometimes but overall a really cool release.

Certainly more unique and interesting than most of her work that I'm familiar with but this kind of poppy singer-songwriter stuff still just mostly isn't for me.

Dire Straits are a band I’ve somehow escaped listening to really but this album is pretty enjoyable and very well-produced.

Love Massive Attack and their massive influence on music. This album basically created trip hop. On top of that, it just plain slaps.

Fela is a god. This album is killer. Another I'll need to pick up on vinyl.

The two sides of this album are very distinct but I dig both. His piano playing really shines on the back half. The mix is somewhat subpar but otherwise this is really enjoyable.

Holy panning, Batman. It's so strong on a lot of these 60s albums that it hurts my head. That aside, I dig the music a lot. I swapped to a mono version and it let me appreciate it much more.

Love 80s new wave but somehow I've never really given Eurythmics albums a dedicated listen. This album is pretty fun. The title track is obviously a total classic.

You can hear the seeds of what's to come on this album but it definitely feels like a band still searching for their sound to me. Enjoyable but a bit more forgettable than their later stuff.

It's fine. Upbeat and pleasant. Manufactured or not, the songs are just very simplistic when viewed from a 21st century perspective. I can appreciate them contextually but I'm not sure how much I'd listen to them on my own.

Southern rock generally isn't my vibe but even I've gotta admit that this album is chock full of great riffs.

I love this album. I think it feels very much like classic rock in the vein of Springsteen, but mixes in enough modern indie rock influences to keep it interesting for me.

I like this one more than Folsom at least. He's dialed down his over the top voice a bit and the instrumentation is a bit more energetic and exciting. Still isn't my thing terribly but I won't complain about it being on.

Reggae is definitely a genre I need to explore more. I really dig this album though. The instrumentation is catchy and the lyrics are poignant and deep.

I haven't heard a ton of big band stuff but among the stuff I've heard this is one of the cooler ones. Makes me want to explore more for sure. The cover is striking too and very different than what I'd expect from a big band album, or any 50s album really.

Classic punk. Short, fast, and angry. What more could you want?

I find The Police enjoyable if somewhat unremarkable. I enjoyed this album but I don't think I would ever really deliberately seek it out either. I can appreciate that it takes some risks though for such a mainstream group.

Definitely a must-own record for any collection and a seminal record in the jazz genre.

Memes aside, Wonderwall only got so overplayed because of how damn good it is. The rest of the album is no slouch either. Truly THE britpop album.

Springsteen is basically the antithesis to what I want out of music. "Heartland rock" sums up the sound perfectly and why I'm not a fan. I can't stand the heartland of this country.

Moog-filled classical/prog what's not to love?

Eminem's beats and rapping ability are impeccable here. It really holds up. Lyrically though damn this has NOT aged well. Truly from a different time.

Fairly safe and stuck in its influences. This album is pretty and pleasant but doesn't really jump out to me much.

Pretty consistently filled with hits. I'm rarely in the mood for Zeppelin but if I am this is one I'll go for often.

Interesting and certainly something I wouldn't have listened to otherwise. It's just tough for me to engage without a lot of added context that I don't have. It's enjoyable though.

Some decently entertaining stuff here but overall this album feels very dated and doesn't bring nearly enough to the table to justify its long runtime. Not to mention the heaps of casual misogyny.

Such a cool mix of influences. I love the Indian elements combined with the chill downtempo vibes.

Bit too hair metal for me. Needs to be a bit heavier. I can appreciate the musicianship though.

Gorgeous vocals and piano as usual from Nina. She’s just fantastic.

While I appreciate their later, more experimental work more, this album still absolutely slaps. It's more straight to the point punk which has its own place. Lyrically it's on point.

One of my favorite Takling Heads releases. I definitely think this is the album where they truly came into their own. It's darker and more experimental than their earlier stuff, while retaining the pop sensibilities. Eno's production is fabulous as well.

Such a nostalgic album for me. I think it's aged a lot better than many of their nu metal peers. I love how they integrated funk in a really fresh way.

Classic rap and probably 2Pac's peak. Mixing his style with G-funk works so well.

2009 best year in indie don't @ me! This is my favorite YYY album and an absolute classic of indie rock. It makes me really happy to see it included here.

Great trip-hop. This album does enough to separate itself from Massive Attack while still clearly building off of Tricky's work with them.

Lovely off-kilter indie rock from the pre-Funeral era. Brings me back to a time alongside Elephant 6 that I have a lot of nostalgia for.

While I generally prefer the work that came after this, so many of those seeds were sown with this album. Tom's unique voice really shows here.

Really great stripped down folk with powerful lyricism and vocals. I like this a lot more than her more heavily produced stuff.

Thundercat is a master bassist and this album definitely showcases that. I think Drunk is a little more scattered and less focused than his first two albums but it's still really good.

You know I've never really sought out Pearl Jam or considered myself a fan at all but listening to this album I realize how much of it I've absorbed via cultural osmosis and just how much nostalgia I have for it. These are some absolutely killer grunge songs that still hold up today.

I'm down for heavy/experimental music but grindcore just isn't my brand I guess. The gutteral vocals don't work for me and the instrumentation feels a bit too focused on sheer technicality without consideration for how it actually sounds. I realize the irony of saying that as a big math rock fan too!

Cabaret country? It's certainly interesting but a combination of two things I'm not terribly favorable on is a tough sell.

Weaker than their debut or their classic followup Mezzanine but still a solid album. Massive Attack are always a good vibe.

Revolver? I barely know her! 5 stars for both this album and that joke. Both classics.

Kinda boring 60s pop that very occasionally pushes its boundaries towards something interesting for a brief moment.

Even as I come over to country a tiny bit, I think pop r&b will remain a genre I just have zero interest in unfortunately. This just does nothing for me.

Metallica was my first favorite band as a kid and will always hold a special place in my heart because of it. I'd personally put Ride the Lightning above this album but both are unimpeachable classics.

Some of my favorite bands consider Pixies a massive influence so I really don't listen to them as much as I should. This album absolutely rips. Where Is My Mind? is obviously a bonafide classic in particular.

It's fine. Roots rock isn't really my thing so it doesn't do a lot for me but it's not unpleasant either. Some nice guitar playing on it.

Absolute classic. Love Neil Young and this album has some of his biggest hits, including my favorite NY song (Old Man).

Tough to even find new things to say about Pink Floyd. This album is a classic and definitely one of the best concept albums of all time.

I'm a very casual reggae fan but this is fine if somewhat middling. Hits a variety of styles but nice and upbeat and chill throughout.

Love Wilco and this album is considered their magnum opus for good reason. It's truly iconic. One of the first country-ish albums I ever connected with so it'll always have a special place in my heart.

Really awesome African blues. I'm digging it a lot. I'm surprised this is the first I've heard of it.

It's fine. Doesn't really do a ton for me but it's pleasant and has some good musicianship. I like the less southern-influenced parts the best honestly.

90s hip-hop is just such a vibe. I've gotta be in the mood but when I am nothing else scratches the itch. Lyrically I'm kind of lukewarm on this album by and large but his flow and the beats are on point.

Duran Duran is one of those bands I always enjoy when they're on but haven't really sat down and listened to much. This album is really great though. Catchy, and 80s feeling but in a way that doesn't feel overly dated.

Killer garage rock. The Hives are really slept on.

While I tend to prefer the older folkier Neil Young, this album is pretty rad. I love how much room to breathe they give the songs. Very jammy.

Depeche Mode are one of the first bands I ever truly loved so I’ll always tell them. Personally I think Black Celebration edges this out (and it’s CRIMINALLY not on this list) but Violator is a close runner-up.

Fun simple lo-fi indie rock. You can definitely hear the Dinosaur Jr. influence but it does enough to separate itself as its own thing.

Love the atmospheric sound here and Dylan's aged voice has such a powerful gruffness that I really enjoy. Lyrically it's some of his finer work as well.

I haven't seen the movie but I really ought to. This soundtrack really works on its own though. Fantastic, experimental soul.

Not as strong as their first two albums in my eyes but still solid. Definitely the beginning of their downhill trajectory though unfortunately.

Not as strong as their first two albums in my eyes but still solid. Definitely the beginning of their downhill trajectory though unfortunately.

I think that Demon Days and Plastic Beach took what this album did and perfected it so a part of me thinks they should be included instead, but I also understand that maybe the s/t was included because it was first and therefore had the impact of being the album that introduced Gorillaz. It's still a killer album and Clint Eastwood is undoubtedly a classic track.

I'm not sure about how "essential" this album is but it is quite fun. Very jammy and grooving and catchy. Definitely something I'd listen to again.

AC/DC are basically the epitome of the style of boring classic rock that I just can't get behind no matter how much people hype it up. The lyrics are trite and the songwriting is too straightforward. Some of the guitar tones and soloing are nice though I will admit.

Never really listened to them but I've seen this infamous cover. It's pretty enjoyable. Catchy with nice riffs and some great arrangements.

Grunge always goes down well

Never really listened to them but I've seen this infamous cover. It's pretty enjoyable. Catchy with nice riffs and some great arrangements.

Love this album. The lyrics are really powerful and her arrangements are absolutely gorgeous. One of PJ Harvey's best works in my eyes.

Classic album that still sounds fresh today. You can hear their influence on so much of my favorite music.

The Stones just do nothing for me. It's fine. Not offensive or anything. I wouldn't outright complain if it came on. Just doesn't evoke any reaction in me at all really.

Love her voice and the stuff I've heard from her in movies, on the radio, etc but I don't think I've ever sat down and listened to an Aretha album straight through. This is some fantastic soul. She deserves her status 100%.

Pretty fun pop rock with some gorgeous production. I dig it! Doesn't do anything super groundbreaking but it's catchy af.

Really dig the combination of their sounds here. Bossa Nova fits well with Sinatra's voice.

Probably the best Megadeth album. I'd still put on Slayer or Metallica and probably Anthrax over it but it hits hard.

Pleasant but unremarkable to me. Honestly that's how I feel about almost all britpop. It's so... inoffensive. Wish it had some more bite. The lyricism has some solid highlights though.

I've heard of them but I'm not sure if I've ever actually listened before. I'm enjoying it. Very DIY feeling and loose but with some cool lyrics. Reminds me of a more palatable Captain Beefheart.

Pretty much what I think of when I think of funk. This album somehow feels retro and futuristic at the same time in the best way. Love it.

A little on the poppier side than I generally like my prog but still really fantastic stuff. Great melodies and production.

Love Cohen and mixing his style with this VERY 80s vibe is honestly a match made in heaven. Great stuff that somehow doesn't feel dated while still feeling very of its time.

Stone cold classic. I don't know what to even say about this album. One of the greats.

Pretty wild that this came out in '68. I can hear a lot of sounds that wouldn't be prevalent for years afterwards. This is a really cool mix of psych rock, proto-metal and blues. Dig it!

I've just never really been able to get into 50 Cent, in spite of digging a lot of his peers. Some of Dre's production on here is pretty good though I will say. I'm happy I gave it another go.

It's tough to follow up an album as popular as Nevermind, but in my opinion Nirvana really did it with this album. It's a different, punkier direction but it hits hard.

Not 100% convinced that this album is noteworthy enough to deserve a spot on this list, but I won't lie it's very nostalgic for me and has some absolute rippers. Can't help but move around to it.

Kinda boring classic rock. Just doesn't really do much for me at all. It's inoffensive though.

Love QOTSA. Although I think they got even better later on, this is still a really great collection of desert rock.

The beats on this album are so chill and funky and smooth. I love it. Common's vocals complement them amazingly with conscientious lyrics. I need to listen to him more.

Textbook definition of 'cool'. An absolute classic.

Such an incredible debut. Love her voice and the instrumentation complements it perfectly. Soulful and still bombastic.

Not much of a britpop guy but I enjoyed this album. Nice guitar tone and melodies and solid lyricism. I'd listen again.

Killer album. I love Bruford's work here and in King Crimson. Progggggg

I don't think I've heard of them before this but it's enjoyable. Very 80s pop. Gives me Steely Dan vibes.

Interesting early post-punk. Vocals are a bit grating if I'm being honest but I enjoy the themes of the album.

Love Sly. Great funk. This one is a bit more pop-oriented than There's a Riot Goin' On but still really solid.

Truly iconic album. Probably the "prettiest" Radiohead album and my second favorite behind Kid A. The PWYW structure was also groundbreaking and influential.

Upbeat, jazzy hip hop with some great instrumentation and production. I like it.

Classic prog weirdness. Love this album.

What a wild mix of bossa nova, electronic and jazz. His life story seems really interesting too, although tragic. I'm happy I learned about this.

Fine just kinda boring classic rock. Instrumentally it's enjoyable. The lyrics are pretty trite though.

Her music isn't really my thing but DAMN does she have pipes. What a gorgeous voice.

I casually enjoy LDR but hadn't listened to this one yet. It's pretty solid. I still think that adding an album to this list a year after release is ridiculous though. It's simply too soon to call it an album you MUST hear before you die. Viewing it through that lens is less favorable unfortunately.

Really pretty chamber pop arrangements. Lyrically it's a bit trite but it's bearable.

Coldplay are underrated honestly. This album is really great. Beats britpop for sure.

I've heard a lot of her songs through the radio and whatnot but don't think I've ever sat down and listened to an entire project. I really dig it. Great beats from Timbaland and her flow and lyrics are mostly on point. Minus some gross casual racism on the first track at least.

I like this a bit more than their self-titled I think. It has a bit more of the psychedelic edge to it that offsets the Americana aspect which I'm not quite as into. Fun album.

Middle school me's favorite album and still one I return to all the time. I have a lot of issues with Metallica as people but the music still slaps (at least until the later stuff).

Classic punk rock but with a bit more sheen and production to it which I love.

Straight fire and more relevant than ever. Fuck any nazis that think they have a right to listen to this. Learn to read.

I wish I knew more about salsa so I could appreciate what makes this album in particular special in the genre. I do really like it though!

Gorgeous and haunting at the same time. I need to get some of their stuff on wax for sure.

Simple catchy melodic punk. Not reinventing the wheel but it's still a fun listen.

One of those albums that 100% deserves every bit of praise it's gotten. Catchy, bombastic beats. Socially conscious and powerful lyrics. Incredibly flow and lyricism. Fuck tha police.

This is the type of album I love discovering through 1001 Albums. I don't think I ever would've listened to it otherwise, but I'm really enjoying it. It's fun, catchy and upbeat with more varied and interesting instrumentation than a lot of early '60s music I've heard.

The better of the two Coldplay albums in this list imo. Funny to get them two weeks in a row. Viva La Vida is their best to me but this one is really solid too.

Not quite as into this as A Girl Called Dusty but still pretty solid. Edges a bit closer to rock and loses some of that upbeat pop fun.

Good fun punk. Not mind blowing for me but it does what it does well. Plus I like the punny title!

The mid-late aughts are the absolute peak of the indie rock genre in my eyes, and this album is a perfect example. Gorgeous harmonies and guitar playing. White Winter Hymnal is one of my favorite songs of all time.

Folk rock with jazz influence? Sign me up for that! Love the mix of styles here and his lyricism seems fantastic. I should dig in more.

Love Prince and this album is one of his best. It's all over the place while still sounding cohesive. Somehow simultaneously minimalist and lush. And above all else, funky as fuck.

My favorite Queen album and I fucking love Queen.

Well at least this one doesn't have the pedophile song? Musically it's decent, albeit not my thing. I just dislike them as people too much and don't have the attachment to it musically to get over that. The lyrics are also really uninteresting to me.

Definitely varied and interesting. I dig the dub influence across it.

Definitely varied and interesting. I dig the dub influence across it.

The mid-late aughts were the absolute peak of indie rock and this album is a perfect example. A TITAN of the genre. So much instrumental variety but all so beautiful with witty, deep lyrics throughout.

Never listened to them before but I really enjoy this! Pretty wild that this came out in 1965. I can hear early elements of metal, punk and psych rock already seeping into this. Especially impressive coming from the dorks on the cover!

Abuser, pass.

I'm a casual fan but this is really good. Very beautiful and upbeat but still with some melancholy to it.

Somehow I never got into Badly Drawn Boy in spite of being into a lot of similar bands but I'm listening now and really enjoying it. I just love aughts era indie.

Love this. Soulful jazz with a focus on organ is something I didn't know I needed so much.

Disco is another genre I am very unfamiliar with outside of what you just get from cultural osmosis. I'm quite enjoying this though. It's upbeat and danceable (the best parts about disco music) without being overly corny like a lot of it is.

Arcade Fire are titans of the indie rock genre and this album really showcases that. Probably the last time I came close to giving a shit about the Grammys too.

One of Bowie's most famous albums and for good reason. Just killler from front to back.

This kind of early 60s rock and roll just doesn't do anything for me really. I appreciate the cultural significance but I wouldn't ever seek out listening to it.

This kind of early 60s rock and roll just doesn't do anything for me really. I appreciate the cultural significance but I wouldn't ever seek out listening to it.

Really pretty harmonies and great songwriting. I hate that cover though!

Really interesting eclectic mix of styles. I didn't realize that this was Paul Weller of The Jam before. I definitely like some tracks more than others but overall a cool listen.

Fun dumb rock. Not really worth being a \"must hear\" album to me but it's enjoyable. Kinda cringey sometimes though.

Politically-charged proto-noise? Sign me up. This fucks.

Honestly more fun than I really give them credit for. Some goofy moments but overall it's very enjoyable metal. Their drummer is basic af though.

This album fucks. Super tight, funky drums and bass and still-relevant leftist subject matter.

Very much feels true to the punk ethos - disruptive and forward thinking with strong simple riffs. A bit more theatrical than most though.

I absolutely adore this album. Such a cool mix of 60s pop with trip hop and dub influences. The Neil Young cover is next level too.

Another band I've listened to just incidentally but never really sat down and focused on an album from but it's really great. Breaks out of the traditional soul formula and does a lot of cool progressive stuff with it.

The GOAT

All the makings of a classic. Fresh, subversive and catchy while still having some edge. Love this album.

Not their best but certainly a solid entry in their catalogue. I think they were still finding their footing here but you can already see the makings of a classic band.

You know I've honestly never really listened to them outside of Smoke on the Water but this rocks. Super jammy and creative.

I don't think I've ever listened to them before but this really checks the boxes on 80s post-punk for me. Cool angular guitars, laconic vocals and tight rhythm. It's a bit funky too!

Love his voice and the gorgeous, melancholy instrumentation here. It's cool to hear a vaguely conceptual album from the 50s, which seems incredibly uncommon. Love it.

A solid album from Dylan but not one of my favorites. I think he's still learning what to do with electric instrumentation here in a way that's better executed later on. Some solid songwriting still though.

Love this album. So catchy and melodic while still being weird and interesting. You can hear their influence on so many other albums I love too.

This is the album that got me into music. Still one of my favorites of all time.

Wow this is super cool. Psychedelic, almost medieval sounding folk full of funky time signatures. '69 really was possibly the best year in music history.

Not quite as interesting as some of their earlier releases to me personally. It's a little safer and happier sounding without that haunting edge that I adore. Still some solid guitarwork and vocal melodies though.

Not doing it for me as much as the other one honestly. Just a bit safer and less exciting. Still got a few solid tracks on it.

Saw these guys opening for Death Grips and it was the cringiest shit, and that was at a Death Grips concert. Just seems like something I would've loved in elementary school if I was a bit older (not a compliment).

Learning about the historical influence of this was interesting, and I can imagine how shocking it was in 1962 to hear this mix. Obviously it sounds much more passe in 2022 in a "Seinfeld is unfunny" kind of way but I can appreciate it.

Country just isn't a genre I have much familiarity or interest in, but this one is alright. It overemphasizes the accent a bit which always grates me (whether that's fair or not). I enjoy the lyrics and guitar playing though.