Harmonium! Kudos to this excellent pick. Listening to this album for the first time I was impressed by it's power, returning to it now its beauty is what stands out to me. In either case, this is a fantastic record. On the lengthier side, but the sweeping quality of the music lends itself to it
Not the Low album I would have picked (that being I Could Live In Hope, or even Double Negative), but then they don’t have a bad pick! Glad to revisit this once more 🙏
I was just listening to this the day before! I’m glad someone else picked this album so I don’t seem like a snob who doesn’t give anyone else’s albums a 5. I’m also glad that I’m not the only one with the audacity to pick such an inaccessible first listen. This album is an uphill battle, but once you climb that hill… there’s no view quite like it. R.I.P. Tim Smith, and thank you for letting us gaze into your world
Was skeptical of this being another unknown 2000s indie record at first, but got into it! Some nice songs on this thing
Not bad. Symphonic metal like this always seems so steeped in strange musical decisions. Why was there a four-on-the-floor disco beat on this album? Many mysteries
Starting of the the user submissions with a fun album! A quirky piece of groovy funk-rock, shifting in sounds throughout. I did end up find the length coupled with tve cheesiness to be grating, but this is certainly not a bad listen!
Solid bluesy rock
Such a unique album sonically. The way the ultra low bass blends in with the kick drum creates a pit of mud at the bottom of the mix. Not to mention the eerie guitar tones and the inimitable Jonathan Davis. I’ve heard this debut being talked up for a while, and it is a solid record! Very interesting that a band as off-kilter as this could be a mainstream success in the 90s
Slick. Ending on a 15-minute minimalistic instrumental was an interesting choice
Not always the biggest fan of this type of hyperpop adjacent electronica, but this won me over bu the end. Pretty songs and nifty production
Groovy beatz 👊
Legendary collab 🔥Gibbs slides over Madlib’s beats so smoothly, it’s like the were always making music together. Lovely album to revisit!
I don’t mind the songwriting of this album in itself, but combined with the production and voice of the singers (which I do mind) the whole thing comes off a lot less appealing to me. Some clever lyrics though to be sure
Fine indie folk! I don’t mind it
Delightful indeed! Sometimes all you need is some smooth easy listening jazz
This album leaves me conflicted: On one hand, I appreciate seeing more post-hardcore representation. On the other hand, this is the type that teeters right on the line of being tasteless. I’m giving it a 3 instead of a 2 because at the end of the day, I did enjoy most of the music
Nice beats, textures and overall atmosphere. So chill!
Dope stuff. Somewhat long but this kind of jam based album can get away with it if the music is good, which this is! Cool Nautilus cover too
Would be right at home in the book proper. Take that as you will
I think I would’ve preferred just a Swedish folk album without the dnb elements, but I suppose somebody had to fill the niche
Was a bit skeptical at first but by the third track I was on board. Interesting choice to pick this and not the cult classic debut, but I suppose I wouldn’t have heard this album of theirs otherwise!
Luv the B-52’s yeah
What this list needed: More Soofjan 🙏
Did not expect to see this here, great pick! Creative & unusual. Not sure if I’ve heard this album of his before, but it’s my favourite
Sweet indie ❄️
Not the Low album I would have picked (that being I Could Live In Hope, or even Double Negative), but then they don’t have a bad pick! Glad to revisit this once more 🙏
Wacky, disturbed, chaotic: An industrial classic
Decent modern jazz fusion
I can see how this guy went on to do movie soundtracks. Decent
I was just listening to this the day before! I’m glad someone else picked this album so I don’t seem like a snob who doesn’t give anyone else’s albums a 5. I’m also glad that I’m not the only one with the audacity to pick such an inaccessible first listen. This album is an uphill battle, but once you climb that hill… there’s no view quite like it. R.I.P. Tim Smith, and thank you for letting us gaze into your world
Right between a 3 and a 4. More interesting than I had assumed
I was mildly skeptical going into this, and wildly suprised at how good it ended up being! Theatrical, but nonetheless energetic and grounded. Noreg 🇳🇴
Firstly, I concur with everyone saying that this is an excessive addition, both in terms of length and the high representation of Bruce Springsteen albums in the original book. However, I also dig Bruce Springsteen (and especially this period) so I’m down to listen to 2 hours of his music, especially when it’s as electric as this.
Quite solid modern post-punk. I dig it!
Better than the other Alan Parsons Project album I’ve heard! Also, these guys have great album covers
Very formative album for me, and a very deserved pick. For a long time I used to think that the skits inbetween songs ate up too much of the runtime, but revisiting it recently they are much less present than I remembered! There are a few spots where they drag (the 5-minute skit suite in the middle could’ve been shorter), but by now they’re an essential element of the record for me. Even then, the rest of the album is filled with enough dense, comedic, quotable wordplay to more than satisfy anyone. Not to mention the great beats, fabulously demonstrating how DOOM was one of the best rapper & producer combos in the game. It’s a shame that the original version of Kookies isn’t on streaming, though! Do seek that out if you’re unfamiliar. R.I.P.
Another album I’m very personally fond of. Inviting, bustling soundscapes by Jimmy Tamborello aka Dntel and vocals that fit like a glove from Ben Gibbard. Wasn’t sure if I wanted to give it a 5, but this is an album I play when I want to hear something I know is good. And that’s all you can ask for, really
Some very danceable grooves. Seems like it would be a great love show
The whitest music of all time? Quite possibly. A fun time? Hell yeah. I'm not too proud to enjoy this
Not my thing, but the album is good and a merited addition to this roster. Atmospheric is the word of the day
More Earth, Wind & Fire 🙏 I won’t say no to that
A necessary correction to the original list
A pleasant listen 🍃
I was recommended this man’s music by a friend a long time ago. I had forgotten the name of it, so thank you for reintroducing me! A healthy mix of blues, soul and funk and well performed at that. Didn’t grab me on a personal level, but solid nonetheless!
Didn’t quite stick with me, but not a bad album
This album has taken some time for me to form my opinion on, but now I can say that it’s a gem! It’s funny how with Mike Patton’s arrival the band eventually became Mr. Bungle lite. Nonetheless, a very eclectic and creative record, firing off in unpredictable directions with one track, but not afraid to stick it out with a slower ballad here and there
These lads certainly have the sauce when it comed to live jams. It’s just a bit much at once, you know?
Much fun 🙌
Great record! I should listen to more Zappa
Suprisingly good! Maybe we do need more 2000s rock to listen to
Regardless of quality: This album is a glaring omission from the original list, considering both it’s commercial success and it’s cultural impact. This being left out indicative of the author(s)’s negative bias towards the pop-punk and emo music that was popular during this time (The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance is another similarly missing classic). Regarding the quality: Energetic and fun. Not totally my thing, but I can see why many are fond of it.
Great live set, but this is something more for the established fans rather than something you would use to introduce the band. Personally I would have picked The Beautiful Game (I assume the EPs aren’t eligible) as an entry into the music. That album is also of a more merciful length ;)
Living and enveloping soundscapes
Chill tones
Banger, simply put
This man likes singing about genitals
Another Blink-182 record. This doesn’t feel as essential. I like that there’s just a The Cure track in the middle
A modern folk classic and a deserved spot on this list! Delightfully lo-fi
Listening to this now I realize how long it’s been since I last did. A very good album, although I don’t find it as amazing as others here do. I’ve also never quite gotten around to how the climactic build-ups just fizzle out and move to the next section. Still, my favourite GY!BE record alongside Slow Riot For New Zerø Kanada, and something that should have been on the book’s original roster
Good japanese pop! Nice to have a new one after a streak of classics
Not as crazy as I used to think it was, but still solid and quite impressive from a production standpoint. If you can find some of the behind the scenes material for how they got some of the sounds on their records I recommend watching those, helps one appreciate the craftmanship even more. “Problème d’émotion” is a personal favourite
More jazz? Yes please 🙏
Not my first (or second–fourth) choice for Decemberists album, but not a bad one either! Gets better every time I return to it. Next time I might be able to follow the story
Even though I was cold and starving at the time of listening, I still had a good time ☀️ classic
I have to wonder what makes one think that what this list needs is more hard rock from the 2000s. Not a bad record though
Unfamiliar pick but this is kind of my jam. Does remind me of Death Cab For Cutie at points.
Took me some time to get into Type O Negative, but now I can see the vision. R.I.P. Peter Steele 🦇🩸
Never quite been my thing, but the music is solid. Perhaps a bit long
A great album from the last 5 years? Take notes Robert!
Like fusion but a little less cool
Interesting but honestly can’t remember much of anything about it
Not bad. Symphonic metal like this always seems so steeped in strange musical decisions. Why was there a four-on-the-floor disco beat on this album? Many mysteries
Banger!!! Great pick, even as a compilation record
There’s more than one Teenage Fanclub album!?
I don’t have anything clever to say (or a joke to make about their name, which is not clever), I just like this music
Was skeptical of this being another unknown 2000s indie record at first, but got into it! Some nice songs on this thing
Unexpected pop banger from the 80s!
Joe Jackson is a too often forgotten artist today, this is funky stuff!
Another solid if unexpected pick. Personally would have still gone for Zen Arcade though
A 2024 album, daring! Not a total shock though, considering it’s the first album in 16 years from such an iconic band, and considering it’s a return to form! A nice chance to give it another listen through
Nice and steady. Wasn’t expecting to see Hum here but I’m happy I did!
Good pop music. Disarmingly often that ”pussy” is sung though
Didn’t think much of this, so I’m suprised to see so much praise coming from the reviews here! I guess I just don’t get it. Maybe sometime in the future I will
Somewhat underwhelmed at first by what seemed to be another 2000s dance album, but around the halfway mark there’s a shift towards more indie tunes. Suddenly it’s much more difficult to make heads or tails about this album! Though with such a unique charcter I can see why you’d want share it with others. Still not the biggest fan of the first half, but the song ”Dare I Say” struck me. Real nice tune
More indie! Varie instrumentation is appreciated, though I’m not such a fan of the vocals. Overall decent
Disco Sparks, complete with production handled by Giorgio Moroder himself. A great combination
I maintain that this album could have been about 30 minutes shorter, but it’s a classic record at this point. Very deserved placement on this list, and much more than many of the post-2000 picks
Good album and a very deserved pick for the 2010s
Solid modern rock album with cool riffs
Wow, this wasn’t included in the original list? Important correction by the user who submitted this. Obvious classic, and absolutely an album you should have heard before you die. Such creative instrumental parts, iconic vocals, an all around indie essential.
Rock on brother
Went into this album ready to hate, but I can’t lie… I was grooving to the songs
Touching songs 🕊️
Harmonium! Kudos to this excellent pick. Listening to this album for the first time I was impressed by it's power, returning to it now its beauty is what stands out to me. In either case, this is a fantastic record. On the lengthier side, but the sweeping quality of the music lends itself to it
If I had to pick an album that sounds like 2003, this would be high up on the list! Good songs on here nonetheless
Interesting mix of styles. Definitely wouldn’t have heard this if not for it appearing here
Classic, a great pick. I’m more partial to Phallus Dei but this one seems to have a bigger impact. Definitely could see this being included in the original list
Very solid and melodic rock songs!
Another solid power pop album. Wouldn’t have picked this personally, but isn’t bad
Going into this I was skeptical: A pop album from circa 1980s by an artist I’ve never heard of, not the greatest formula for success. But to my suprise it was a real banger! Full of infectious melodies and energetic playing. Thank you to whoever submitted this!
Somewhat funky but felt kind of hollow honestly
Not 1000 gecs? Well, this is fine too I suppose
This group only ever made 2 songs
Good fun songs!
Curious mix of styles, not bad
Okok TOOL might have multiple good albums
I appreciate their enthusiasm
Good songs 😀 Cool drums 😀Nice voice 😀
Another album that I faced with skepticism and ended up enjoying! This is the kind of compositionally creative indie I really enjoy. 4 stars 😉
This does have the same feeling as many of the flavor-of-the-month albums that take up most of the 2000s and onwards in the 1001 Albums book. Many cool sounds though, not a bad record
Quite simply: Banger
Used to see this discussed a lot before Everywhere At The End Of Time took over all The Caretaker dicussions. So it’s nice to see this album again (also nice to not have to dedicate 6 hours to one album). This album is enjoyable, but the effect is somewhat lost if you don’t find lounge jazz to be creepy. I find it to be rather pleasant
Nice! Lots of cool grooves
If this is the unfinished album then the finished version must’ve been crazy
I believe this is the first ep I’ve had here, how novel. A gentle listen
Mid-90s funk, not bad
I know this is a classic, but I’m just not crazy about this album! Many majestic sections, it’s the inbetween that doesn’t convince me
One of the top albums of the 2000s yessirr. Absolutely snubbed from the original list with how many flavour of the month albums took its potential place. Chock-full of hooks, detailed guitar interplay between Kele and Russell, steady bass (and synth!) from Gordon, and the explosive, expressive drumming from the one and only Matt Tong. Glad someone else picked this so I don’t have to regret not picking it myself!
🏝️
Banger! A great pick from the last 10 years.
Putting the bon in bon iver
Not bad, maybe a bit too 2000s emo adjacent for me
I love bubblegum pop!!!
This band sucks, and this may be their most sucky album
Like a kick in the face
More dub actually from Jamaica, please
This is between a 2 and a 3 but I’m rounding it down for the lameness factor. Sorry not sorry
Had heard of this album for a long time but never gave it a listen myself, so a fitting pick for this list. Glad to have heard it now, this is a rousing punk journey
A good pick with long lasting influence. ”Mouth Breather” has such a kickass riff
Mighty compositions, reminds me of the works of ”minimalists” such as Steve Reich. Perhaps a bit long and repetetive (heh), personally I found myself enjoying it the whole way through
Irish folk punk? Not a bad combo
Sweet sounds
R.I.P. Roky Erickson. Solid rock album
Fun and lively 🙌
This isn’t terrible as far as metalcore goes, but it’s not my style!
Interesting pick for sole They Might Be Giants album on this list, but what do I know! Good album nonetheless
Damn, why haven’t I heard of this before? A groovy psych record if I ever heard one
Ambient representation, excellent!
Pretty fine hard rock with some dance tendencies
Can’t say I personally see why you must hear this before you die, but it is a pleasant country record
Now this is an album that was sorely missing from the official list! Not sure why this didn’t make the cut, considering it has the commercial, critical and cultural presence. This is also one of the first albums I listened to front to back, so nostalgia is unavoidably a factor in why I enjoy it so much. But the album holds up musically too! This is a modern classic, and a needed addition
Interesting choice for second Eels album over Electro-Shock Blues, but good nonetheless. It’s nifty to hear an indie album with such spare use of guitar, favouring keyboards instead
There’s a lot you could say about this album that I’m not able to put into writing at the moment. Simply put, a special album by a special artist, and an album that very well deserved to be on the original list.
Funny british rap
Good, but not my style. I’m rarely able to follow the ”story” when listening to concept albums. Strange place to end also
Was this really not in the official edition of the book?? A necessary correction if so! Ornette Coleman has become one of my favourite artists. Though I think he went on to make better records, from the first melody of ”Lonely Woman” you know this is a special musical document. A true jazz classic, which is something that deserves much more representation on this list
💅
This cover art sucks but the music is ok
Why was this not on the og list bruv 😭😭
Slick
Banger album from a banger band
Whilst somewhat on the longer side, it is nice sit down and immerse oneself in the soft tones
Fine 👍
Funny lounge vibes here and there
This is NOT Bruce Springsteen
A great record! Never listened to this one out of their albums for some reason, so it’s good to hear it now and see that Mew made great records from the go
People often talk about bands and artist being ”underrated”. If there is one band this would apply to, it’s Procol Harum. Although perhaps ”forgotten” is more apt: It’s rare that I see them mentioned nowadays in late 60s-70s rock conversations. This is music that should live on!
Not bad but don’t really feel like there needs to be more Tori Amos on here
Good music, needs more time for me though
Another classic that should have been included from the start! I am more partial to their second record, but this one has all the hits
My own submission! Does this mean I’m at the end of the user generated list? I could go on about everything that I revere in the music but, well, you can listen to it yourself. Since this album has already recieved many ratings and reviews, I will take this opportunity to elaborate on why I have chosen this niche and unaccomodating work for a userbase which has rated ”Rumours” as one of the top 10 albums out of the 1000+ possibilities. I admit that this was an indulgent pick, so I salute all of those who gave the whole thing a fair shot, and to all those who gave it a ”did-not-listen”: Sorry for scaring you off. A few users questioned picking this album where other, more established classics in it’s field are missing. Certainly, Neurosis’ ”Through Silver In Blood” or Isis’ ”Panopticon” are more beloved ”post-metal” records from about the same time. Even in the small world of Kayo Dot, the predecessor Maudlin of the Well’s ”Bath” has amassed a much larger cult following over the years. So why wouldn’t I choose something more appropriate given the context? The answer is that I, simply, think that this album is much better than the other choices, and that I want this record to be seen in the same light. I’ve certainly listened to enough forgotten rock and indie submissions to not feel any guilt about my own selfish choice! Now that the Tzadik catalogue is available on streaming services, it’s as good a time as any to turn people onto Choirs Of The Eye, having only been available on CD and limited vinyl before. Kayo Dot — and the other works of lead creative force Toby Driver — are unfortunately mismatched with the current trends of music consumption. Besides being decidedly uncommercial, there are two elements that enables the music to fully reveal itself: One is repeated listens, and the other is giving the music full attention. If I had not lended this album those courtesies, I most likely would not have become the superfan I am now. So, being the nature of this site, I don’t assume that everyone who listens will have time to ”get” it before giving a rating (although there have been suprisingly many high ratings already!). However, just having had this many new people listen to this album is a success on it’s own. If even one listener sees the bottomless beauty in it that I do, I am more than satisfied in having chosen this as my album that you must hear before you die.
A lot of blues
Good clean punk 👍
I keep confusing this band with 6 Feet Under so I was relieved to not have to listen to 72 minutes of that band. 72 minutes of this band is still a bit too much though
Not Today’s Active Lifestyles? No matter, any Polvo is good! This side of 90s rock needs more representation anyhow
Fun album!
Avicii did have a certain touch (heh) to his beats, but for a whole album’s length it wears out on you
I like the hits
Nice music to cook spaghetti to
Solid, though I prefer his albums “Grave For Drowning” and “The Raven That Refused To Sing”
❤️
Very underrated album! Any chance to get to hear more of Michael Giles’ drumming is a good time
Suprised by how groovy this was!
Cheerful
Nice indie music 👍
One of the best openers of all time
Fine, don’t see why you’d have to hear it before you die though!
Quite a solid funk/soul effort from mr. Gambino!
Banger!
Now all the Portishead albums are included. Deserved? Yes
More Sufjan ❤️
A personal favourite, glad to see that someone else thought to include it here! There’s a light bounce to this album that keeps me circling back to it. A early example of electronic pop. Sweet!
Good ep from Arca 👍
I could’ve sworn this was already on the list. Either way, a 2010s indie classic
Second disc elevated this to a 2
Suddenly, music history
Preferred this to the SOAD album included in the list proper. Interesting that this one wasn’t chosen instead when it has their hit singles and it charted better, considering that those are traits written about extensively in many of the book’s entries
Not Jeopardy? Daring
My kind of indie 🎸
Carving out The Hip’s place on this list, one album at a time
Fine pop, but a bit too bland for my taste!
Jason Molina is one of my favourite singers and this is one of his most heart-rending performances. Glad that someone else included this great work on here
Totally ridiculous that this was omitted from the book proper. Get it together, Robert
Another album that should’ve been included already. In fact, I was sure it already was! I don’t have much to say about this one, it’s a shoegaze essential
Not bad for this style, but I feel like there’s a lot of essential albums that should be included first. I guess I’m not the right person to make the criticism though!
A bit of a cult classic this one. A consistent collection of songs, but my favourite track is actually the bonus track “Sweetness”
Hoglan went off
A rare occasion where I’m listening to this album aside of new year’s. I should do it more often
Don’t personally feel the need for 3 John Martyn albums, but this is pleasant :)
3 Tool albums? The jury’s out on this one. This is the Tool album I’m the most mixed on. On one hand it has some of their best songs, on the other there’s a loooooot of dead air (looking at you ”(-) Ions”). There’s at least 10 minutes that could’ve been trimmed off without losing any artistic value. Much more likely that I’d pick out the best tracks and listen to them separately, although that is also the case with every Tool album.
Go sports
A classic 👏 Well deserving of a spot on this list with how synonymous Mogwai is with post rock
Didn’t expect to see this one here. A slick collection of grooves
I’ve never been able to get into Marillion the way they’re praised by many prog fans. Something about their music is just so… labored. This is one of their better albums nonetheless, but compared to other contemporary, preceding and later bands I don’t find them very impressive
We did NOT need two Marillion albums! Hogarth is a better fit for the band though
(Quite) alright
Trés bon
Repping the cult classics 💪 You can still hear a lot of this in current alt/indie bands of the internet
Good album but with the 4 something R.E.M. albums already included this one is somewhat excessive
From this year? Personally, there’s a lot of releases I would’ve picked instead. Different strokes :)
Funky music, actually! A pleasant suprise
Cool record!
I think this guy likes rock music
Curious little record
Decent post-hardcore
I think I enjoyed this but I honestly can't remember!
I wouldn't have guessed that this album would be coming up here. A welcome change of pace from the usual styles that are covered by user submissions (and the original list entries). Mighty atmospheres conjured
Enjoyed this quite a bit! Many danceable grooves with varied approaches
Nice beats yeah
if we're talking the history of pop music this absolutely should have been on the list! I however suspect that personal biases separates certain eras of pop music as "important" and "unimportant" in the minds of the author(s). This isn't a darling to me either, but in terms of presence Gaga is unquestionable. And the hits are the hits
On par with Music Has The Right To Children.
good ole country
Above average pop
Even though I consider post-hardcore to be one of my favourite genres, I've never listened to this album all the way through before now. I see that I was missing out! Solid work
Neat jams, props for the flute
Indie 👍
This type of quirky, jazzy hip-hop is a treat. However I do recall that having a wikipedia page was a criterion for albums being chosen 🤓☝️