1001 Albums Summary

Chain of Fools!

Rawer than the later records

This one was completely new to me. Not usually a fan of prog-rock, but this was OK I think partly due to their stripped down sound as a 3 piece

Another great Aretha Album

Brings back memories, but I think has dated a bit

Delicate

Perfection - one of my favourite albums ever

Slick, but not really my taste

I have not listened to this for a long time, and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Dated in parts, overexposed in others, but an interesting album

OK, but not as good as the Stooges

I've always liked and respected Dylan rather than loved him, but I think this is my favourite album of his

Interesting and unique

Nice and loose

Purple haze - one of my favourite songs. This is a great album

I didn't know what to expect, and ended up liking this album a lot

While I don't mind the twin guitar solos, this is not really my thing. Seems to me a heavy 60s & 70s US bias in this list so far

Sounds great, but some of the misogyny jars nowadays

Rude and raucous - Ace of Spades is the essence of rock. Enjoyed this one.

Enjoyed this one - crunchy and precise

Tricky and Walk this Way are awesome, but a lot of this sounds a bit dated now

Sounds incredible - a lot of energy, but now I find the 'Bitch is a Bitch' type lyrics jarring - kicking down?

OK - but a little dull. Not sure what the album is doing on this list

Interesting as a milestone in the history of rock - but not sure I'd listen to it too much for pleasure

I love the Stooges, but this album is let down a little by the production. Great songs, but I prefer Fun House

I love this album - one of my favourites. If you don't like reggae, I don't think it is going to convert you - but I love the raw elements - his plaintive voice, the 'country' horns, poewrful lyrics in patois etc etc

I don't mind Smooth Operator, but the rest of this album is pretty dull. Seems like a strange choice for this list

It had some depth and I enjoyed it. would have liked to have first heard this when I was younger

Smooth and soulful, and a bit strange. Interesting to hear a Public Enemy sample. I enjoyed this a lot

Not what I was expecting. So long and so Spinal Tap. Didn't know Lemmy from Motorhead was in this band. Some weird stuff, some pedestrian. Glad I listened to it once but don't imagine going back to it.

The first album and group that was completely new to me on this list. I enjoyed it as something fresh and different.

I've always loved this album - kept finding myself humming or whistling along. Just brilliant

Pretty good

Some good riffs and energy, but feels like something you grow out of. I agree with the other reviewer - listen to Public Enemy

Pretty Vacant is one of my all time favourites, and there are a lot of other great songs on this as well. Enjoyed it

First time listen for me - pretty good

Known of this album for years, but never felt the need to listen to it. Pretty interesting, including the backstory that it was recorded in Lagos

Pretty good - a Bob Dylan album I guess

I can see that this album polarises people, but I loved it.

Interesting, but not really my thing

A Stevie wonder rip-off that hasn't really dated well. Lots of people loved it when I was young, which is fine, but it was always irritating to me - especially the lyrics

It's OK I guess - of it's time. Can't help but think of Spinal Tap at some point

A bit pedestrian I thought - I don't mind metal, but this wasn't for me

I enjoyed this one - even if as background music I could engage with

I enjoyed this one a lot - unique and true to itself. I can imagine how amazing it would have been when it was released in 1978, and still sounds fresh

Interesting, one of those artists I knew the name of, recognised a couple of his songs, but had never really listened to. I enjoyed the album, and you can definitely hear the Beatles influences

While it is obvlously a classic, I find it a bit overwrought - not really to my taste. I'm not a fan of Opera either.

Interesting to read how polarised the reviews are of this album. Personally, I love it - so evocative of an amazing period

Nice to have non US/UK choice. I loved this one, very funky, and due to minimal french, can avoid alleged paedo overtones to lyrics as noted in other reviews.

Pure and beautiful - what is not to like?

It is impossible to review this album objectively. But there is no doubt there are some bangers on it

Interesting - one of those albums I've known about for a long time, but never actually listened to from beginning to end.

It was OK - of its time I guess

She's a favourite artist of my daughter's but I hadn't listened to her before. Beautiful, I enjoyed this (and Norman Fucking Rockwell, which my daughter said was better)

A fantastic unique album - love it

I love PJ Harvey - but I don't think this is her best album

Fame is one of my favourite Bowie songs ever - but the rest of the album is a little ho-hum

Pretty good - Radioheadhas always been one of those bands I understand are good, but they don't really connect for me

One of my favourite Stones albums - loose and raucous.

Interesting story, I was only vaguely aware of this band and no idea they were from Finland. But album is pretty average

Nothing needs to be said about this - takes me back to listening to my parents' copy when I was 10. I love this album

I enjoyed this more than er other album on this list

This is a strange one - looking through the reviews I don't think I've seen a more polarising album. All 1s or 5s. I've tried to listen to it neutrally, and will give it a 3. There are some OK hooks, but generally it is pretty bland.

Interesting - but not sure I would want to listen to that more than once

Never heard of this band before - interesting album, happy to listen to it while working

Pretty good - distinctive sound

It's OK - an interesting artefact

Its a beautiful thing. I had played it too much previously and happy to encounter it again here.

Too much noodling - this one should have stayed in the 60s

Interesting - a new album for me

Enjoyable, even if I am not as crazy about The Boss as a lot of other people

Never listened to this before, OK - West Coast sound

I was only vaguely aware of this band. Solid 'meat and potatoes' rock

Interesting to listen to such a prominent album which I'd not listened to previously - OK but it didn't grab me. Production is very of its time.

Never heard of this guy - and really enjoyed this one. Bossa nova with a slightly experimental twist that stops it being muzak

Much more familar with XO and Figure 8 so interesting to hear this earlier work

It's OK - an album and artist that was in the ecosystem but which I never felt the need to engage with

Interesting - pure country - not quite my thing but appreciated it nonetheless

Always happy to enjoy some thrash - this is competent, but not distinctive

I am a fan, though I prefer to later albums, this is pretty good

I'd never taken much notice of this band - album was better than I thought it would be

I understand the appeal - it just doesn't resonate with me

I like the texture of this record - have had the vinyl for years

A polarising album - but I like soundtracks and I like the concept

Fantastic - a lot of energy. I enjoyed this as much, and perhaps even more than Fela Kuti - though they do sound very similar. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree

Some good songs here

Pleasant, and a little more interesting than I thought it would be

Happy to see an Australian band on the list. If you like this, try some other Australian bands of the era: Laughing Clowns, Died Pretty, Radio Birdman, The Triffids

Pretty good - pleasant, and every now and then something grabs my attention

Very naughty and a lot of fun - and funky. I enjoyed this one!

OK - recognised some of the tunes, but it didn't make much of an impact

Pretty good - though I like Black Sunday better

OK - though in some ways delivers less than it promises. Love Mango Pickle with the Wilcannia Mob though!

Smooth - perhaps a little too much so - but good background music

Pretty good - though perhaps not his best?

Interesting background music - which I guess is all you can ask from Ambient music

Like many other reviewers, I don't 100% get Prince - though he is obviously an important figure and there are some great tracks in here.

I enjoyed this as a piece of recording history. I think they were very influential for bands in Australia.

Having listened to my parents copy of this on vinyl repeatedly in the 70's this record is part of my DNA. And (with the exception of Run For Your Life - why are so many 60's songs about killing your girlfriend?) it still sounds fantastic. Love it!

Is it unfair to compare this to the Smiths? I loved them, but haven't really listened to his solo work. It's not too bad

Solid, but not really my thing no more

It's OK, but I'm not the audience for this.

I don't think this has dated well, though there are some fresh sounding bits.

Is what it is I suppose - competent but leaves me cold. However happy to listen to a landmark album a couple of times

Completely new to me - never heard of these guys before. Fresh, I liked it

Smooth as butter

I'm a long term QOTSA fan, but had not listened to this album before. Found it a little disappointing at first, but it repaid a few repeat listens

Interesting - I think this album was very influential in the Sydney live music scene in the 80s. Not quite my thing now, but I would have loved it then

Dense and interesting - feels like I need to listen to it a few more times. But also feel like I'm not really the audience for this.

It's a solid album, but didn't hear anything to hook me.

Another album that is impossible to separate from pre-existing impressions, prejudices etc. And I have just heard Hotel California too many times! Can I place myself in the position of someone hearing it for the first time? What would I think? Pretty solid but does not resonate for me. Coincidently - just watched the Big Lebowski - which would get a 4 or even a 5

Interesting to hear the big band sound, but nothing jumped out at me. Perhaps a bit of its time?

This was a favourite of my teenage years, as were all Specials albums. And I still love them

I don't usually like vocal jazz - but I've always felt Amy Winehouse was a bit different. I enjoyed listening to this - more familiar with her later albums.

Great vibes

Interesting album, and a little different - but I just don't like the Beach Boys. I can understand why others do - but I don't

Apart from 'Reelin' in the Years' Steely Dan were never on my radar. I didn't mind listening to this album, and like another person, enjoyed hearing some De La Soul samples etc.

One of my favourite albums - good fun to work my way through the list of samples in the wikipedia article

Pleasant listening, with some interesting twists here and there

I had overlooked this album - it was much better than I thought it would be.

I grew up listening compulsively to this album - so I am not even going to pretend to leave an objective review. Still sounds great!

None of the songs really live up to My Generation

Didn't mind this at all

I've heard a lot about Big Star over the years, but never really listened to them. Interesting album with its own sound

Normally I try to listen to each of these albums at least twice. But this was long and pretty sketchy, so only once.

By co-incidence, we watched Napoleon Dynamite the day this album come up. One of my favourite films, and I never knew the title track was a White Stripes song. I had heard the hits from this album, but never listened to it the whole way through. I think the variety of sounds is surprising, given the set up of the band. Enjoyable.

I'd never heard of this band before, and found this album pretty appealing. Definitely identifiable as a precursor for a lot of other artists I like. A good discovery

Its OK, some interesting bits in there

I agree with all the reviews for this album, positive and negative, and those in languages I can't read.

A solid album, lots of stuff to get caught on in there.

Such a a beautiful voice - the guy in One Last Dance is very annoying though

Pretty album - some parts are a little close to Sly Stone for comfort

I really enjoyed this album. Fantastic lyrics, and I don't understand the criticisms of his voice and delivery which are perfect. I also think the production adds an interesting layer as well.

Radiohead escaped me at the time - there's some nice tunes on this though!

I love the VU so predisposed to listen to this - and wasn't disappointed. I actually like his vocal style, and found all the tracks pretty interesting

I love PJ Harvey - though perhaps her other albums more than this which I hadn't listened to before

Functional head cleaning music - that feels very appropriate reflecting current world events (April 2022)

Some interesting bits, some strange bits and some very daggy bits. Somehow I've escaped listening to this until now - good to check it off the list I suppose.

It was OK - good without making a big impression

Interesting artefact - didn't listen to it then, only really heard of Common People - probably won't listen to it again - but glad I listened to it for this

It was Ok

Fine, but nothing that grabbed me or would lead me to listen to it again

OK - Neil Young cover is one track I would listen to again.

First entire Iron Maiden album I have listened to. It was OK, but not enough that I would consider going back for more

Didn't leave much of an impression on me

Pretty good fun, although iffy in parts. Interesting to hear the Public Enemy parodies here and there - eg Officer

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would - probably because I've only been (over) exposed to their massive hits before. There was some interesting synth-pop in there

A hard one to rate - creative, great production, but unpleasant - hadn't listened to the whole album before, won't listen to it again

I was only vaguely familiar with Nas before listening to this album. I enjoyed the stripped down sound and texture. I'd listen again

A favourite artist of my teenage kids. I thought it was OK - though sounded a lot like the Fleet Foxes

I find the Beach Boys very bland - they are just not my thing

Interesting and beautiful. I prefer some of their other hits, but glad to listen to this

I love Eight Miles High - a cracker of a song. And there are some other good tracks there. I'll go back to it.

I agree that there are some ordinary songs on this album, but Sympathy for the Devil alone rates a 4. Street Fighting Man and Jig Saw Puzzle are pretty great too.

How to compare this with a Byrds album, for example? Pushing the limits of 'popular music' as the subject of this list? Anyway - I enjoyed it.

Brilliant, one of my favourite albums ever, and Good Fortune one of my favourite songs ever. Noting fantastic production by Mick Harvey (ex Bad Seeds).

There is something elegant in the simplicity of the concept here - like with the Ramones. But really, in this case it's not for me. Trivia question - which is the only ZZ Top member without a beard - the drummer, Frank Beard! And then there is the Sesame St parody for the letter Z - classic line and the end from the Billy Gibbons muppet: "Only band I've ever played with that can fall asleep and keep playing the blues"!

Solid, and I like the piano in this album - but Bruce isn't for me

I agree with the majority view here - 1st side of the album is incredible, 2nd half is awful!

A Gen X classic - I had this on a pirate cassette tape bought in Indonesia. The Cure were huge in Australia in the 80s and 90s. This album still creates the same mood now, but I can understand if it doesn't work so well for younger listeners.

Interesting here that no matter whether they give 1 or 5 stars, each review says more or less the same thing. And I agree with all of them

Hadn't listened to this album for a long time - forgot how good it was. And to note in passing that Nick Cave is one of the best live shows you'll ever see. Last time I saw him, he sang People Ain't No Good - during the song I was thinking to myself that the lyrics sounded a little juvenile. Then at the end of the song he said that he'd changed his views since that song was written and now he things "people are alright"!

Never heard of this band before. They were OK, didn't mind them, not sure I had to listen to them before I die though

I enjoyed this - yes some sketchy elements but as a lot of reviews say, a lot of head bobbing, and some great rhymes

I enjoyed this, slick, of its time, cover is the most 80s thing I can imagine, and of course tinge of nostalgia

Although there is the odd moment - this isn't for me

Never heard of this artist before - an interesting enjoyable sort of timeless album

I was vaguely familiar with North American Scum before - which i think is a great song. Otherwise wasn't really familiar with this band, and happy to make their acquaintance

A pleasure to listen to this. Coherent exploration of a sound - cold, mechanical nostalgo-futuristic. I was only familiar with Cars (which was played to death on TV when I was a kids) so glad to hear the rest of the album

A classic of course - can't really review it neutrally as I have the vinyl and have listened to it repeatedly, though not for a while. Not sure my 52 year old self likes it quite as much as my 17 year old self did, but it is still pretty good.

I was aware Gang of Four existed, but didn't know anything about them and had never listened to any of their stuff. Sounds like it was groundbreaking then - a little dated now. But I enjoyed listening to this - they have their own sound.

I remember a lot of this in the background in the 90s and didn't mind hearing it now. It was OK

I just don't like the Beach Boys and I don't like this. There is the odd OK moment - but those slide whistles - jeez!

Rock Lobster was huge in Australia in the 80s - it was everywhere all the time. We covered in my high school band of course. However the none of the rest of this album made any impact at all for some reason. So I was interested to listen to them, and thought this wasn't bad at all.

Interesting to get to this, which had never attracted my attention before - given that it doesn't have their bigger songs. I found it atmospheric, and rewarding for multiple listenings

It was OK - but Madonna isn't really my taste

Another band where I only knew the hits and had never really listened to a full album. I didn't mind this, they've carved out their own coherent sound, and those singles such as Promised... are pretty good.

American country cliches lyrical and musical - not for me

Pretty good for what it was - never listened to it before

I love the Stooges, but there are better albums

There are some beautiful moments, and some pretty cringe-worthy dated moments as well (Battle of Epping Forest). Interesting, but something I would have listened to of my own accord - which is why we do this I suppose

When I was a kid, a friend gave me a cassette, with the first half of this album tacked on one side (remember we use to do that to fill-up the 90 minute cassettes). There was no track listing, no credit, no information at all to explain what was leaping out of the speakers at me. They might have told me it was a friend's band's demo - how could I know? In some ways I feel sorry that mysteries like this denied to kids nowadays by the everpresent internet. I love the Pixies, everything about them, and they are even better live. Who else has this sharp crackly sound, unique worldview. Haven't come across Doolittle on this list yet, but it will get a 5 too!

Beautiful compositions, interesting production etc, but that voice for an hour is a bit much for me - too much, too rich

Had never heard of this band or record before. Didn't mind it at all, but not sure I'd bother to go back. Slightly rough, ragged texture appealed to me, In My mind was pretty good

I didn't realise David Watts was a cover. For me, the Kinks have always been a band in the margins, not quite the Beatles, not quite Bowie, not quite this not quite that. But always so English. They still seem like that, but there were some good tracks on this album.

Good for background while working - but seriously - does not belong here, even given the extent to which it was sampled. The point of sampling is to make gold out of obscure things like this

Converse to some other reviews, I think this is a fantastic name that the group doesn't really live up to. Bog ordinary garage rock really

Reminds me of long car trips. It is a classic, but not an amazing one

I'm new to Black Sabbath - for some reason I missed them when I was a kid despite loving Zeppelin, the Stooges etc. I found this album surprisingly good. Will probably go back to it

Enjoyed this a lot

Listening to the interview, I was intrigued to hear that Jimi Hendrix played with them for a while. Look up Testify parts 1 & 2 on YouTube, also features James Brown I think. A lot more soul that this record which was OK as background, but overall felt a bit flat to me

Clearly a significant album that belongs on this list. Of course, I knew many of the songs, even though I have never listened to the album from beginning to end before - probably because I saw it as to MOR for me. Which it is a bit, but I still enjoyed it

Raw, weird and pioneering - liked it

I've heard of them, but never listened to anything. It was OK

I had never heard of this album, this artist or anything to do with him. So a real delight to find something I really enjoyed, even to the extent of recommending it to my 18 year old daughter. Beautiful production, lyrics which are clever without being annoying, and some real hooks. A find.

Really don't like this - Jay-Z strikes me as an rapper with pretty limited skills, stuck on boring obvious content. Don't understand his status

Bright and splashy, exactly what you'd expect from this. I'll take it

Although long, it was a great soundtrack to work to today. Knew the hits of course, but never listened to the whole album. Generally pretty good - I enjoyed the variety

It's Elvis Costello, so generally OK for me. But not an album that I had listened to before and I didn't hear any hits

I remember this album being huge amongst my peers in Sydney in the mid-90s, but I only knew his cover of Hallelujah. I enjoyed this.

OK, but not for me

Nice - I like the sparse clean arrangements

I didn't mind this as sort of interesting background music, but it does seem an odd choice for this list. I think you could die without having heard it.

Never heard of him, interesting production, didn't mind it

First-time listening to the whole album, though knew the title track of course. A lot of boomer rock noodling, but My Mirage was pretty good

I like Stevie Wonder - but never listened to this album in total. While some parts are a bit slick, and others a bit dated, overall it is pretty fantastic. There's also a lot to take in - I'll be coming back to this

Not sure why this album is on the list? It's pleasant to listen to, like I am at an expensive restaurant. But not much more than that

Old-school Miles Davis, it's good. Does raise questions for me about the scope of this list - should straight classical albums have a place on it too?

This and 'It Takes a Nation of Millions' are my favourite rap albums. I love the production, the flow, the attitude. The claims of anti-semitism are concerning - but I don't hear them here.

I'm not sure why you wouldn't just listen to the Stones?

I had never heard of the band or the album. I thought it was OK

Interesting time capsule!

I thought I'd hate it, but it was OK.

One of my favourite albums - these guys are tight!

Hadn't heard of The XX before - though VCR and a couple of the other songs were familiar to me. I thought the album started strong, particularly liked 'Islands', but then fades away. The space I liked initially sees them melt into the background. 'Infinity' is pretty close to 'Wicked Game'. All up, happy to be introduced to The XX

Pretty good - more raucous and less music hall than I expected. Brainwashed stood out.

Shout out to my university friend Steven who put me on to Kurt Vonnegut and The Modern Lovers in the 90s. I've loved them ever since.

I just don't like Queen, they grate on me. I appreciate the talent, I admire Freddie's chutzpah and attitude, but I just can't stand the music

Top 10 of all time for me. Everything about this album is perfect. I still get the chills at their interplay in No 13 Baby

Not bad sixties psychedelia - didn't mind it

Heard the hits a million times of course - but never the whole album. So that was interesting. Quite liked the heavy 80's vibe.

Never heard of Common. For me, this was a little dull

Strange - I'm pretty familiar with albums 1 - 4 , but for some reason have never listened to this one. It's pretty good, but not sure it contains the hits the other ones do.

So You Want to be a Rockstar is a great song - simultaneously bright an cynical. And the other tracks aren't bad for this style and time.

Didn't mind this - though agree with other reviewers wondering whether this could be seen to be a 'watered down' record, with perhaps other earlier tracks having a stronger claim to inclusion

I hadn't listened to this album before. I liked the rawness of this album, and it grew on me more after a few repeats. Borrowed Tune is pretty bold - never heard an artist do this openly before!

Music is OK, but not amazing and Kanye is too annoying for me. I don't get it

An album and artist I'd never heard of before. Fairly pleasant I suppose, not sure about having to listen to it before I die though

Golden years is a 4 by itself - and the rest of the album is pretty good. Not his best, but pretty good

Late 60's English folk music? I assumed that I would hate this album - but actually really enjoyed it - particularly the track Sally Go Round the Roses. I would never have listened to this album of my own volition, thus the value of this project.

I was listening to NASA recordings from space before this - they went together well. A new album for me which I enjoyed.

I agree with one of the other reviews here in that one of the great things about this project is hearing albums, when you are only aware of the hits and singles. This album is a perfect example of this. I really enjoyed it, and will definitely go back to the Pretenders.

I haven't listened to this for ages. It was everywhere for a while - too much then. But it's actually a great album and I was happy for it to pop up here.

Too many Neil Young Albums

I appreciate having something outside of US/UK artists on the list, and didn't mind this. But didn't find it distinctive either

This was better and more interesting that I thought it would be given the Beach Boys connection. Like the Beach Boys with the annoying elements removed and replaced with something grittier

Nice and swampy - I enjoyed this album, which I hadn't heard before - only Bad Moon Rising.

I don't get the Beach Boys. Yes this is better than (not as terrible as) Kokomo, but it still seems sentimental, twee and juvenile to me, with an undercurrent of incel self-absorption. Yes, God Only Knows is a pretty good song, but it doesn't get this album over the line for me. Comparisons with any Beatles album are ludicrous.

Yep, these guys do it for me. It pumps along, but there's enough weirdness to keep it interesting.

It's well produced and there are some beautiful moments - but on the whole not outstanding for me

Another album from which I'd only heard the hits (a lot) before this project. It was OK, though not sure I'd bother going back to it

First time listen for me - I didn't mind this as interesting background music

I love this album, and it is etched into my brain from my youth. Whatever Morrissey is now doesn't change that. Wry, bittersweet and a strong sense of time, place and state of mind.

It was OK - bit of history I suppose

I love Nick Cave - especially live - no one should miss the chance to see him as he is intense. I don't listen to his records as much as I used to, and somehow hadn't come across this one before. Although not my favourite Nick Cave album, it's pretty good!

This album has particular resonance for me - both from it being a part of my youth, but also because it captures something about being Australian.

Even though I prefer other Bowie albums (slightly) this one still rates!

They polarise people don't they! I liked them a lot when I was young - and there are some nice passages here. I can understand the criticisms but aren't going to join in the pile-on

I enjoyed this stripped-down sound more than the other Springsteen albums on this list

Another band I've known of for ages, but never listened to any of their work. This album was OK, even if it strayed into Coldplay and then Radiohead territory at times.

I have loved this album ever since it slid into my consciousness as a teenager. As one of the other reviews here says - like swimming in autumn. Beautiful

For some reason, I have never listened to this album before, or consciously listened to any song by Ryan Adams before - thought I've heard the Bryan Adams story. However a number of the tracks sounded familiar to me, and all in all, I thought this was pretty good

This is my 252nd album - I don't think I've seen as many 5/5 reviews yet, or as few 1s & 2s. I agree, No arguing about this album's place on the list

It's OK - though so fresh so long

Pretty ordinary

I can hear the talent, but I just cannot connect with this. I have the same response in relation to Queen or the Beach Boys. Not sure if this is a fair comment, but I sense something phony or inauthentic about them.

Dear God is a beautiful ambitious song - hard to believe that they almost left it off! And the rest of the album is not too bad. Definitely original

I'm going to ignore the haters on this one - I think this is a classic album. Such a unique sound, and great songs. I loved this when I was 15 and I love it now.

I like the fact that this album exists - though not sure how much I want to listen to it again!

I liked this, and agree that sounds like the soundtrack to a James Bond movie that doesn't exist

I never liked the covers, seem hokey to me. However, having never listened to the whole album before, it was more interesting than I expected

It was OK, I thought the different style of production worked well for Dylan at this stage - but not sure I'd return to listen again in a hurry

This is such a raw honest album that captures something of what it is like to be a teenage boy. I loved it then (on vinyl) and it still sounds great

Like finding this on vinyl in a house you've rented in the country, in a valley, with lots of dark wood and 70s furniture, listening to it while it's rainy outside, and you're flipping through old magazines.

I always had this strange feeling that I should like this band more than I actually do? Having said that - it's OK

Interesting to finally listen to this album. I knew the guy played flute standing on one leg, and over the years I've seen a million copies in 2nd hand record shops - it's a pretty distinctive cover! It was better than I expected.

I didn't mind this - an artefact of its time that still carries some feeling now!

Happy to listen to a Tito Puente album. I love the brass, the cross rhythms, the 'rrrrrr' at the end of phrases, but it does lead me to wonder where the boundaries of this list lie? What is in and what is out?

I agree with the other reviewers - starts off OK, but then becomes a bit boring. With that name, and coming from the Arctic, I thought they'd be more interesting

Not sure I needed to hear this again

A straight up and down country album - if that is what you are after

First time listening to a T-Rex album all the way through. It seems like a solid proto-Bowie sound and I may well come back to it

Ramble Tamble rocks. There are some other good tracks, some played to death and a few duds. And I love the cover, especially the dude on the bike!

A nice tight sound

So great, one of my favourites. It either works for you or it doesn't, there's no explaining it!

I'm a fan of the hits, haven't listened to their full albums much. There is some filler I think

So boring - possibly the most boring album so far....I can't stand this pointless blues noodling

Pleasant - especially the first few songs, but then it seemed to fade away a bit

Favourite album from a favourite artist. Like the Ramones, who I listened to a few albums ago, he polarises listeners, and that's OK. You either buy into the world he has created over the decades, or you don't.

Does the job when you feel like some thrash metal (if I have the right sub-genre)

Kind of superficial I think? Didn't resonate with me

Pleasant enough I suppose - I think the Stan Getz albums are a better collaboration

I hadn't heard this album before (had a copy of Machine Head on cassette when I was a kid). There are some great riffs in here, possibly a track or two I would go back too - eg Into the Fire.

Too much - I like Deep Purple, but I don't need this

Weird and interesting enough to earn it's place on the list I think. I enjoyed it.

Weird listening to a whole ABBA album and not recognising a song. I'm not usually a fan, but this was better than I thought it would be.

Never listened to this album before, and really only knew this band from Sweet Home Alabama. Thought it was pretty good, and might even revisit a few songs like Poison Whiskey.

With 'run for your life little girl' and now 'you can't do that' I'm wondering if John Lennon was not such a nice guy, and perhaps had some issues... Otherwise there are some great songs, but also some filler on this. Like other reviewers, I prefer the later albums

As for lots of other reviewers - I like Tainted Love, but the rest of it is kind of painful

the music equivalent of an aperol spritzer - its OK

Is was OK - though generally it seemed to pass through my mind without leaving much of a trace

I thought this was pretty flat, and I Love the Dead was gratuitous - try hard.

Need to leave room for Nevermind, so giving it a 4. I'd not heard the whole album before - just seen clips here and there. It's very good

A little dull - lot of noodling

I signed up to this for such albums. Never heard of this before - fascinating back story, and I enjoyed the tight but primitive sound. I own a couple of the Nuggets garage rock compilations on vinyl, and the Monks would definitely fit on those. And you can definitely hear them as precursors to lots of great bands like VU, Stooges, Pixies etc

I will give this credit for being what it is and not trying to be anything else - not that I will listen to it again

Faith was massive when I finished school in 1987 - I hated it. More receptive to it now, but still is not really my thing.

I think this album is very effective as a soundtrack to the film, and creates an eerie melancholic mood.

Interesting, like historically, but not something I'll listen to again

I must have seen the Tusk video with the marching bands hundreds of times when I was a kid, but had never listened to the album. It's a strange collection.

Interesting, inconsistent some freaky stuff here. Never heard of this guy before - this is what I signed up for

I enjoyed this as an archetypal 70s album

Never listened to the whole album - there was more to it than I thought there would be, and I didn't mind the cover of Lovesong. Not that I think I need to go back to it.

Bar Muzak from the 90s - not sure this is essential?

I listened to almost nothing but sonic youth for a couple of years in my twenties - their albums are hardwired. Takes me back

Why not? Strange how many reviewers have a problem with it being in Portuguese. I enjoyed this, a nice change

It was OK - nothing special

I've known about Supergrass for ages, but was never impelled to listen to them. I found this album pretty good, but don't feel that I was missing anything particularly

I've always stood at a distance from Radiohead - but I liked the slightly experimental nature of this

Well it doesn't really work for a 50 year old - but there are some clever rhymes there

Pleasant - Sultans of Swing is OK - but overall bland

Work It! - a great song

I haven't listened to this since the late 90s, when it was everywhere, all the time, in Sydney. I enjoyed the nostalgia and I think it generally holds up

I love this - a fascinating album I've never heard of before, with some crazy and weird music that sheds light on artists that came afterwards.

I listened to this album for about 2 years solidly in my 20s - the sound spoke to me - and it still does.

OK - but pretty overrated. I recall 'Loaded' from back in the day.

Take 3 - an important album I guess, but a little overheard and feels a bit dry to me

It's a rich brew

Such beautiful harmonies

Atmospheric, but didn't really make an impression on me

It's an odd fish this album - many reasons I shouldn't like it, but I do.

I appreciate it, its significance, but it doesn't really move me

Enjoyed this. First time for me for this group, though I have earlier Tinariwen album which is similar. I don't understand why people complain or downgrade records that aren't in English?! Climb out of your burrow. Isn't music meant to transcend language, and isn't the point of this project to discover new stuff?

A band I've known of for years, but never really listened to. Interesting for historical reasons, but I think the Ramones do this better.

Well - it's Otis. Terrible cover art though

An artist whose name is very familiar to me, but I've never happened to listen to any of his music. At least not intentionally. I didn't mind the 70s soft rock / yacht rock, but I can't imagine searching it out in the future.

I've never heard of this band, though 'There She Goes' sounded familiar. I enjoyed them - original take on britpop.

Some good bits, but there are better REM albums - eg Life's Rich Pageant

Having an album this long is pretty insane - I respect the ambition and didn't mind the experience. But I don't think I'll be going back to it.

It was OK but not remarkable

Was aware of Ride, but hadn't listened to them prior. This genre appeals to me generally, however I'm not sure I'll revisit this particular album

I've loved this since it came out - no objective review from me for this

Never heard of this - kind of interesting, but not enough to revisit. Not sure if this has to be heard before death

Interesting to hear the album behind the hit - and to hear what that hit borrowed from the Led Zeppelin song Trampled Underfoot.

Echo & the Bunnymen have always existed on the finge of my attention. Glad to finally listen to an album, but not sure there's enough for me to go back to it. Very evocative of the 80s

A solid soul performance

I enjoyed that more than I thought I would, given how far away from the target market I am. And enjoyed listening to the Ryan Adams cover of the whole album. That is pretty unusual

Didn't really work for me - seemed like a pastiche of Interpol and other groups

I didn't mind this at all - I was fearing the worst reading the Pet Sounds references in the wikipedia entry, but it was OK in the end

Some good songs, but I'm not sure what to make of the Who - why pissing?

a little preachy and clunky for me

I thought I would find this dull - but instead there was an clear eerie feeling to these simple songs - like listening through a David Lynch filter

I enjoyed this, something different, sounded fresh.

At the time I went well beyond saturation point with Come on Eileen. And his voice + violins would usually turn me off. However, overall it was better than I expected

It seems I had, unfairly, written these guys off as a novelty act. There was some interesting stuff in here

I had only vaguely heard of this band before - not sure why they weren't on my radar as I think I would have been pretty into them at the time. I guess they didn't have a strong presence in Australia back in the day. Anyway, another introduction through this App to a band I hadn't listened to before, and who I quite like.

Nice cover, good background music to work by

A voice that is strong and fragile at the same time - I've always loved Curtis, but hadn't come across this album before.

While it's possible there is an excessive amount of Neil Young on the list, I didn't mind this album. The plonking bass and ragged guitar sits well with his plaintive voice

More substance to this than I thought there would be

Had only vaguely heard of them before - a 90s time capsule for me. Music is OK, lyrics and vocals a bit lame

I've loved the Doors for ages - don't care what anyone says! This is not quite their best album, but with Peace Frog and Queen of the Highway etc it still gets a 5 from me

Weird- seen the T shirts so many more times than heard the band. Interesting sounds

That slid past nice and easy 70s style. I really only know Tom Petty as a shadowy character on the margins, and from the hit 'Don't Come Around Here No More' which I saw as a kid and always found intriguing

It has hard to avoid a close comparison with Ziggy Stardust era Bowie. And how much does Buick Mackane sound like Evie by the Easybeats? Notwithstanding these thoughts, I enjoyed this as an album by a band that has their own sound and know what to do with it.

Background music, but OK in that role. Seemed like a strong 90s Bristol sound to me.

I liked the B-52s but rougher and more political sound. I was recommending Deceptacon to my daughter - but she told me it has been 'tik-tokked' - sigh

Never heard of these guys before - it was OK, but not sure it caught my interest enough to revisit

I listened to Jane's Addition intensely for a period in my twenties, then hardly at all since. It was good to re-discover them. Ocean Size is a great song

Enjoyed this - had heard tracks before - but not the whole album. I think it earns its place

Interesting to listen to as a cultural artefact, but really it's all a bit silly?

I loved ABC when Poison Arrow came out, wasn't even a teenager. I still enjoy the polished melodrama of this album.

I enjoyed the 70s future-nostalgia vibe of this. Didn't realise this was where Limmy took the Falconhoof backing music from (which made it a little hard to take that bit seriously)

I understand why this album is on this list, and it is 'adjacent' to music I normally like - but there is something that holds me back from really getting into it

Great album, great cover

I don't understand how you could embrace this project, then write a record off because the lyrics aren't in English? Can't you enjoy the melody of another language? I'd rather that than listen to boring banal lyrics I did understand. Anyway, with that off my chest, I like this record with its gentle, but complex harmonies and rhythms.

Less preachey than I had feared (apart from the interludes), and more enjoyable than I had anticipated

I enjoyed this album much more than I thought I would, the melodies grew on me with a few listens, and I loved the 'quaint' conversations with that Southern formality

Just What I Needed! Perfect tight 80s new wave pop

Some seductive melodies here, even if the vocal affections can be wearing. Another group I was aware of, but hadn't really listened to until now. Overall I enjoyed it

A strange one for me - I didn't mind, though I am not a Paul Simon fan generally

Alison, Watching the Detectives - classic timeless songs

I bought this on vinyl back in the day and have always loved everything about this. The dense almost industrial sampling, Chuck D is a fantastic lyricist, Flavor Flav is the perfect foil for him. And they are talking about big issues.

Was too busy with young kids etc to pay much attention to MGMT when this came out. It's OK, and I do recognise some tracks from the general ambience

Never heard of The Youngbloods before. It struck me as pretty generic 60s music to me, and those jazz noodling tracks are awful. Darkness, Darkness is good though, and rescues this from a 2 rating

The album grew on me, though harder to appreciate on a bright Sydney summer day compared to a dark Vermont winter

Peculiar for sure - hadn't really listened to Sparks before. Enjoyed it as part of this project, but not sure I'll go back.

Weird, peculiar - never heard of him before. but happy to explore for a couple of spins

Shimmering sounds, very evocative of the 90s

Beautiful melodies, clever songwriting, but doesn't really touch me for some reason - do I feel it is too mainstream? Although, as an Australian, the hits have been all around me for a long time, I've never listened to the entire album - was happy to do that

I didn't pay these guys enough attention at the time - this record is pretty good!

Very disco , of the smooth kind- Kathy Sledge has an amazing voice, I enjoyed this

A brilliant original album which hasn't dated since I first heard it over 20 years ago. The videos for both Frontier Psychiatrist and Since I Left You are also brilliant and worth checking out.

It's OK - has a certain vibe

Strange, that despite the ubiquitous artwork, I didn't know any of the songs on this album except She's Lost Control. Pretty good though

It's a great album - I've loved it since I first heard it years ago, even though this sort of Americana is not usually to my taste. I think she has an intriguing voice, writes catchy tunes, and writes with a direct, original style.

Was only familiar with the remix of Asha - didn't mind the album, something a little different

Interesting cultural artefact, so I'll give it a 3 for that - but the best parts of this record were those he ripped off from African and other original musicians