Journey Complete!
Finisher #574 to complete the list
1089
Albums Rated
2.99
Average Rating
100%
Complete
OK Computer
Radiohead
Favorite Album
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Rating Timeline
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1990s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
85
5-Star Albums
77
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
|
5 | 2.39 | +2.61 |
|
The White Room
The KLF
|
5 | 2.79 | +2.21 |
|
Superfuzz Bigmuff
Mudhoney
|
5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
|
Ghosteen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
|
5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
|
Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
|
5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
|
Dig Me Out
Sleater-Kinney
|
5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
|
Everything Must Go
Manic Street Preachers
|
5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
|
Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers
|
5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
|
Clube Da Esquina
Milton Nascimento
|
5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
Madman Across The Water
Elton John
|
1 | 3.59 | -2.59 |
|
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
|
1 | 3.5 | -2.5 |
|
Parachutes
Coldplay
|
1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
|
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
|
1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
|
Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
25
Adele
|
1 | 3.36 | -2.36 |
|
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
|
1 | 3.31 | -2.31 |
|
Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
|
1 | 3.24 | -2.24 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 7 | 4.57 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.67 |
| Kraftwerk | 3 | 4.67 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 4.67 |
| Green Day | 2 | 5 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 5 | 4.2 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 4.33 |
| Peter Gabriel | 3 | 4.33 |
| Pixies | 3 | 4.33 |
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| My Bloody Valentine | 3 | 1.33 |
| Randy Newman | 2 | 1 |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 | 1 |
| Public Image Ltd. | 2 | 1 |
| Rod Stewart | 2 | 1 |
| Ryan Adams | 2 | 1 |
| Kanye West | 3 | 1.67 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 5 | 2 |
| Bob Dylan | 7 | 2.14 |
| Coldplay | 2 | 1.5 |
| Big Star | 2 | 1.5 |
| k.d. lang | 2 | 1.5 |
| Sepultura | 2 | 1.5 |
| Tom Waits | 5 | 2.2 |
| Yes | 3 | 2 |
| Dexys Midnight Runners | 3 | 2 |
| The Velvet Underground | 3 | 2 |
| Madonna | 3 | 2 |
| Kings of Leon | 3 | 2 |
| PJ Harvey | 4 | 2.25 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Lou Reed | 2, 5 |
| Everything But The Girl | 4, 1 |
| Paul Simon | 2, 5, 4 |
| The Beach Boys | 2, 4, 5 |
| The Doors | 3, 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (85)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Milton Nascimento
5/5
Partly of my hope with doing the 1001 albums was to find a hidden gem that I hadn't heard of before... I think this is one of them.
From my first listen, I enjoyed it, no idea of the lyrics meaning, but felt really good. Musically it's a great mix: vibrant, pleasant, upbeat, dreamy and (in places) hauntingly beautiful.
21 likes
SAULT
2/5
I very much doubt that I'm the target audience for this album. Initially I enjoyed the beats and there's some really nice progressions in there. What I disliked is the politicking, sure it's contemporary, but damn does it pull its punches. Listening back to Public Enemy, NWA, RATM - they went for the jugular, they meant it with a passion. This album had the potential, but somehow got watered-down with lightweight easy-to-swallow commercial chants for an ASMR generation.
19 likes
Kendrick Lamar
1/5
I tried to listen objectively, but about halfway through I couldn't stomach any more.
Far too self-referential, far too self-indulgent, far too much profanity - I'm not against profanity, but only if it holds value and if it's gonna be overused to the verge of losing all value, then what is the fucking point?
11 likes
1-Star Albums (77)
All Ratings
OutKast
4/5
I'm sorry Ms. Jackson ooooo! Enjoyed B.O.B. - Bombs Over Baghdad. I remember years ago there was a The Clash mash-up; London Booted, Spanish Bombs Over Baghdad, https://youtu.be/ZgLTO_LqOQA
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
I've only heard of Curtis Mayfield's Move On Up before, never listened to any of his albums. Enjoyed the slow steady funky beats and bass.
The White Stripes
3/5
I used to enjoy this album, but re-listening now it felt a bit too striped back.
On a tangent, I recall some guy adding his own bass tracks to this, releasing it as "Redd Blood Cells", jeez that was nearly 20 years ago! http://www.reddkross.com/features/RBC/
T. Rex
4/5
Get It On! Enjoyed it.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
2/5
I hadn't listened to the album before. The title track is great. As an album as a whole, it felt all over the place, and dated. I couldn't tell if the mid-tracks like "Dreamin'" and "You Are" were taking the piss or not?
The Smiths
3/5
I enjoyed re-listening to this album, more than previously. Felt that it works as a whole album, rather than any standout tracks.
Good guitars, good lyrics.
David Bowie
2/5
I like Bowie. Hadn't listened before. Odd album. Opening instrumental, very short 2nd track, I like "Sound and Vision", although fade out endings generally bug me. The last few (mostly) instrumental tracks felt otherworldly.
Most likely an album I'd need to listen to many times to get the appreciation that bigger Bowie fans have.
David Bowie
2/5
I didn't like it.
Aside from Heroes - which I still like, despite it being overplayed by the media over the past 18 months - the rest of the album felt too self-indulgent.
Maybe it's a better album when listening late at night, after a few glasses of wine.
Living Colour
3/5
Cult of Personality. What an opener!
I wasn't too familiar with the rest of the album. Enjoyed it, but nothing else really stood out.
T. Rex
3/5
It was alright.
Hugh Masekela
3/5
Some albums need more than a day to appreciate them.
Hadn't heard of Hugh Masekela or this album before. Without a doubt he's highly talented. Good vibes.
From my one-time listening, it felt like good background music, to work or walk to, or sitting in a coffee shop. "Where's my frappuccino damnit?!"
Milton Nascimento
5/5
Partly of my hope with doing the 1001 albums was to find a hidden gem that I hadn't heard of before... I think this is one of them.
From my first listen, I enjoyed it, no idea of the lyrics meaning, but felt really good. Musically it's a great mix: vibrant, pleasant, upbeat, dreamy and (in places) hauntingly beautiful.
1/5
As much as I try to like PJ Harvey, I always end up getting annoyed with her music.
The Band
3/5
William Orbit
3/5
It's alright, good for passive listening (background music).
The Flaming Lips
3/5
I wasn't overly familiar with The Flaming Lips. I enjoyed this album.
The opener Fight Test threw me slightly, I initially thought it was a Cat Stevens cover, (then I read the back story on Wikipedia, interesting!)
Prince
4/5
I wonder if it's a little dated? Still, a classic pop/rock album!
The Smiths
4/5
The Yardbirds
4/5
Coldplay
2/5
Oh FFS, not Coldplay!! To be fair, I listened to the whole album, it was alright, but not sure it's a "must hear before you die" though.
Public Enemy
3/5
Bring Tha Noize!
The B-52's
5/5
Some days everyone needs a bit of Rock Lobster in their lives. For me, yesterday was one of those days. Great upbeat tunes, I was bopping along all day!
Scott Walker
3/5
Paul Simon
2/5
I like Paul Simon, but found this album quite boring.
Nick Drake
4/5
ABBA
4/5
The more I hear this album (over the years), the fonder I get of it.
Interesting part for me is with the tracks, midway the general tone changes, and I think about how vinyl LPs were the main distribution medium back then, the A-sides/B-sides. I wonder how much the distribution medium influences the end product... and how well that translates to 21st century music streaming.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic, wondering if that means glorious musical masturbation for the soul?
Brian Eno
2/5
I found it boring. Felt experimental just for the sake of it. Maybe on a different day, in a different setting?
Otis Redding
3/5
I try to consider the albums as a body of work, so while Otis Redding is an incredible artist and I enjoyed the individual songs, the album as a whole didn't work for me.
Richard Thompson
2/5
Donovan
3/5
Heard of Donovan, but never listened to him. I liked "Sunshine Superman" and "Season of the Witch".
Hole
4/5
Didn't expect this as a must-listen. It took me back! 3 for the album, extra 1 for 90s nostalgia.
John Prine
2/5
Musically felt repetitive throughout the album, enjoyed the lyrics.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
"Everything's gonna be alright"
Cat Stevens
4/5
Never judge an album by its artwork. I was pleasantly surprised by this. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Still humming Wild World..
R.E.M.
3/5
I can't remember when Michael Stipe's persona started to annoy me. I tried to put that aside and enjoy the album. Good songwriting, good tunes, good bass, solid tracks. Close to giving it a 4, but Stipe still annoys me.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Aerosmith
3/5
I'm more familiar with 80s/90s Aerosmith, less familiar with this album. It was alright, digging the guitars!
The Youngbloods
3/5
I hadn't heard of this. No immediate standout tracks, but overall I enjoyed it on in the background. Pleasant album.
The Beach Boys
2/5
I like the Beach Boys, but found this album odd. I ended up putting Pet Sounds on afterwards to recalibrate myself.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
I do like LCD Soundsystem, but on the day we had it, I wasn't in the mood - I was probably hungover - so didn't rate it.
Listening again today, it's super repetitive, but still digging the jam.
Travis
2/5
Tired and overplayed. When this album was released, I was working at Blockbuster Video, it was played constantly for a couple of weeks, drove me to boredom. Aside from standout tracks; Writing To Reach You, Driftwood and Why Does It Always Rain On Me? the rest of the album is dull and dated.
Pink Floyd
3/5
I was too sober to fully appreciate this album.
Ash
4/5
For nostalgia reasons, it's a classic album. Youth, talent and determination.
The original CD had a hidden track at the end - Sick Party - of them all puking up. https://open.spotify.com/track/6m5JPMEeIDUzU6ifOYn9Yr
OutKast
4/5
This is the second OutKast album we've had since starting the 1001 group... and it's a double album, 40 tracks, 2hr 15mins runtime, blimey!
Not my usual taste of music, but listening along (with headphones) I kinda lost myself in it, good beats. Some of the skits and interludes were funny.
I preferred Speakerboxxx over The Love Below.
The Beach Boys
4/5
Enjoyed this, the arrangements, the harmonies, some of the lyrics are a bit suspect, but still classic album.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Feeling groovy feeling herbal!
I'm fond of Homeward Bound, it always popped in my head when passing Widnes train station, not that I ever stopped off in Widnes, perish the thought! *shudder*
Beastie Boys
3/5
Digging the beats, sampling and groove. But I'm kinda disappointed that the album wasn't called Lee's Sportswear.
Nico
1/5
It's so bad that even Nico herself refuses to listen to it. Wondering if this album was included in the 1001 as an example of good intentions gone horribly wrong?
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Paul Simon
5/5
Whenever the topic of cultural appropriation comes up, this album gets a mention. Maybe I'm naive, or probably just nostalgic, I saw this in a positive way - would I ever have been exposed to South African music styles? I still enjoy this album, upbeat, bass, love it! (again, nostalgia!)
Beatles
5/5
For reasons unknown, Maxwell's Silver Hammer regularly plays in my nightmares. 🤷
Aside from that, it's an excellent album.
Screaming Trees
4/5
I was only aware of Screaming Trees because of Mark Lanegan's collaborations with QotSA. This could be an underrated gem, a grower, I'll be re-listening to in future.
The Slits
1/5
My initial thought when I saw the album cover was, uh oh Cannibal Holocaust! 😬
Hadn't heard of The Slits before, read a bit about them, post-punk feminism. Reckon they'd be great live (in a late night club). But this album did not resonate with me at all, doubt I'll ever listen again.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Surprised to see this album come up, I'd have thought "At Folsom Prison" would have covered the "prison concert" entry for the 1001 list.
As a live album, it's raw, real, and Cash doesn't pull his punches. Like Folsom album, the prison setting gives a new perspective to having a captive audience.
The Legacy Edition is too long for me, the original release would have more impact. Still a good album.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
The replacement of Mother's Little Helper with Paint It Black (and removal of a few other tracks) for the US edition raises questions for me about "what is an album?" A bunch of songs thrown together, or a creative work?
Do the track listing amendments make it a different album?
Anyway, enjoyed listening to the UK edition, but missed Paint It Black.
Nirvana
5/5
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
More experimental than Rumours, which was to be expected. I quite liked Lindsey Buckingham's tracks. Good listen, but not my go-to Fleetwood Mac album.
I wasn't too familiar with Faces, but knew Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood had some sort of connection, so this makes sense now. The album was alright, bit dated and lacked consistency (of the band's "identity"), it was either "this is a Rod Stewart song" or not. Stay With Me is a good old sing-along.
Sam Cooke
3/5
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
I enjoyed the album, thought it was refreshing, atmospheric, classy and contemporary. Great songs, voice and quality production.
While I'm encouraged by more recent additions to the 1001 list, I do wonder if they can stand the test of time? I'd like to come back to this album in a few years time to see if it has the same impact.
Devendra Banhart
2/5
Spent most of this album thinking "what the heck is he going on about?!". Lovely sounding guitar playing, but felt like some weird passive aggressive overtones going on here.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
"Now, let's hear that song sung properly!" (Vic & Bob gag)
I don't know what to make of this album. Musically sound, vocally less so.
Jazmine Sullivan
3/5
It wasn't bad, but nothing stood out for me.
Various Artists
4/5
This came up for Christmas Eve 2021, a random selection? Hmmm. 🤔
Merry Christmas! 🎅
Muddy Waters
4/5
Thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Venom
2/5
This has to be what parody metal bands use as inspiration. Extra points for giving me a good laugh!
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Great voice. Can't decide whether the performance mistakes from the live recording make it charming or not.
Cornershop
3/5
Turkey gravy. It was okay, but feels forgettable. Brimful of Asha on the album isn't the Fatboy Slim remix, which makes me think about the potential of what a remix of the full album could be?
The Band
3/5
Easy listening, especially when you've probably had too much cocodamol. The Weight is a classic.
Tricky
4/5
A couple of years ago, a few of us started an Album Club, (spun out of our lazy Book Club). One of us would pick an album for the month, we'd listen to it at least 3 times, then meet up at the pub to discuss (and get drunk). Our first album was Maxinquaye.
When the evening of our pub meet came around, the suggestion came up that we should listen to the album in the pub, but how could we do that? Luckily, one of us had some kind of industrial-sized multi-headphone-splitter (and I mean industrial - with no degrading in audio quality), this worked a treat... but you should have seen the look on the landlord's face when he saw several blokes sat around with headphones on, bopping away to Tricky.
It was a great album to kick off our Album Club with, (which has now kind of merged with this daily 1001 group).
The Stooges
3/5
Similar thoughts as the other Stooges albums we've listened to... probably much better to have seen them perform live, and being less sober. 2.5
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
I didn't listen on the day we had it, as it wasn't on Spotify, but I've now listened on YouTube. It's decent enough, enjoyable chillaxed vibes.
Beatles
3/5
At the height of Beatlemania, anything would have sold over a million copies! Content-wise, as much as I love The Beatles and know of this album, the covers are good (they'd be awesome live), and All My Loving is still a great foot-tapper! Their best was yet to come...
The Doors
3/5
Hadn't listened to this one before. Pretty good.
James Brown
2/5
I wanted to like this, but I didn't.
The band were great, James Brown was alright, the audience screams were grating. Odd way to end a live album with a dead close, no applause, just ends.
Ministry
2/5
Setting has a lot to do with the listening experience. 20-something me would have loved this at a thrash metal night club, but 40-something me, listening whilst doing the dishes, it's a bit much. Though I did give those dirty saucepans a bloody hard scrub! 🤘
Sonic Youth
3/5
Another one that I wanted to like more than I did. I liked some of the heavier bass riffs and instrumentals, but overall didn't quite click with me.
Nirvana
5/5
Albums like this make me question "what makes an album?". Technically, this is a bunch of cover songs (including their own), acoustic, recorded live.
I keep coming back to the conclusion of, do I think this is something that music fans should be aware of, and listen to at least once. Yes, absolutely.
Or could that be my Gen X nostalgia? Probably, time will tell.
"The Man Who Sold The World" - arguably better than Bowie's version?
Beatles
4/5
That opening chord gets me every time!
Some parts of the album start to drag, but overall great! I'll always love The Beatles.
The Prodigy
5/5
Quintessential late 90s electro-rock dance music!
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
Great music to have on in the background. Mellow. Enjoyed it.
Read up on the production of the album, Touré had cancer and knew it'd be his last album. Puts perspective on the enjoyment and spirit of musicianship, over commercial incentive.
Aphex Twin
2/5
First time listening. I think my expectations were too high for this album. The tracks felt transient - subtly emotive whilst listening, then immediately forgettable.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Bah, this is an ex-1001 album.
See http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
What ever happened to Franz Ferdinand? I used to listen to this album when it came out, then forgot about it. Still has some great punchy pop tunes.
Sade
3/5
I like many of the tracks, but it's the nostalgia thing again - my parents frequently played this album. Good tunes, but overall felt dated, 80s bossa nova lounge kinda dated.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Another ex-1001 album. If they aren't being removed, then we have an extra 77 albums to get through! 😆
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
As expected, great vocals. Arrangements on the first half felt too stripped back, much better in the second half. Enjoyed the nightlife lounge bar vibes.
Simple Minds
2/5
I wasn't too familiar with Simple Minds, for some odd reason I keep confusing them with Tears for Fears. The album wasn't bad, I recognised the singles, rest of album didn't grab me on first listen.
I did read the Wikipedia page about The Breakfast Club song, I didn't know it wasn't their song. They initially said no, kept getting asked so agreed, recorded it within half a day then forgot about it - until the movie came out and it got big radio airplay in the USA.
Suicide
2/5
The initial opening of Ghost Rider had me thinking this could be good, but fast went downhill from there. I did wonder if this could be one of those "so bad it's good" albums, guess that depends if your an experimental synth-punk sadist or not.
Orbital
3/5
First time listening. Had it on in the background, it was alright. Couldn't tell you much about the individual tracks though.
The Stooges
3/5
It was alright, I was probably too sober to appreciate it. Very raw, almost like a jamming session. Guess it was cutting-edge in 1970. Would have been great to see them perform live.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Funkadelic
4/5
Aside from the overused funk/groove wordplay, and being about 20 mins too long - I enjoyed the album.
Marty Robbins
2/5
Yehawn! 🥱 It's alright if you like this sort of thing, for me it was a one-way ticket to Yawnville. Slept great last night, thanks for asking.
CHIC
3/5
Le Freak is still very much enjoyable, everything else seems to get lost in itself. Nile Rodgers is still a legend though.
Tina Turner
3/5
Nostalgia crept back in for me, the single releases are still great sing-alongs. The rest of the songs, despite Tina's powerful vocals, feel dated and largely forgettable. (I'm ignoring that Beatles' cover.)
The Cure
4/5
Much darker than I thought it would be - the album felt more of an overall mood than any specific standout tracks, I enjoyed it.
Koffi Olomide
2/5
Wow, l'œuvre d'art dit tout! J'ai d'abord aimé les rythmes pop, puis je me suis ennuyé.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I've been digging the Stevie Wonder albums on the 1001. This one isn't my favourite, but still enjoyed it.
Lambchop
3/5
Mellow, in a Sunday morning in Spring, while making pancakes and supping on a fresh coffee kind of mellow. That is before you get to the last couple of tracks that are a bit heavier, like the sediment in your French coffee press, gritty.
Could be a grower, an acquired taste.
Lorde
3/5
I was quite pessimistic when this came up, Having little knowledge of Lorde - I'd kind of written her off as yet-another-2010s-20-something-singer-songwriter - and with an album called Melodrama, I expected to be bombarded with low-key perpetual teenage angst. I kept telling myself to stop being such an old man and give it a chance... so I did, and it was alright, something my teenage daughter would enjoy more. I was glad when it ended. On the upside, I think the artwork is great.
4/5
I wonder if they ever found what they were looking for?
Motörhead
2/5
As much as I love Ace of Spades, the rest of the album felt like hard work to get through.
3/5
Hadn't heard of X. Enjoyed it, pretty good.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Nostalgia hits again, still feels as emotionally powerful as it did back then, difficult for me not give it an instant 5.
The Pogues
4/5
I hadn't listened to the whole album before, thoroughly enjoyed it!
In a small way I felt that Fairytale of New York distracted from the rest of the album, it's become too popular and overplayed.
The Who
2/5
No doubt that at the time it was produced, this was an ambitious and epic undertaking, considered a milestone album in the history of rock music. Feels that it hasn't dated particularly well, certain points felt like an endurance test. Was it worth listening? Yes. Did I enjoy it? No, not really.
PJ Harvey
2/5
Why do I have such a problem listening to PJ Harvey?!
Tortoise
3/5
I'd heard of Tortoise before, but hadn't listened to their albums. I had this one on in the background, and didn't pay much attention to it. Good interesting sounds, nothing that niggled me. Pleasant enough, but no idea when one track ended and the next started.
SZA
2/5
Ctrl+Alt+Del
The Stone Roses
5/5
Nostalgia strikes again! I was a bit too young when it was first released, it wasn't until the mid/late-90s when the rock nightclub in Liverpool, the Krazy House, used to always play I Am The Resurrection for their penultimate song. I picked up a copy of the album and it became a regular listen.
John Martyn
3/5
I'd only heard of John Martyn before because Anthony down the open mic night paid tribute to him. I liked the variety of styles, bit folky, bit jazzy, better than I'd expected it to be... and I liked the cover artwork too!
Korn
2/5
I'm taken back to the Krazy House rock nightclub in Liverpool, moshing away to nu-metal. I wasn't much of a fan of Korn at the time, they were alright, but this album past me by. Listening now it's full of hard hitting beats, but I'm feeling too old to mosh, and feels a bit too long. Interesting that Ice Cube and Fred Durst cameo on tracks, and hadn't known that Todd McFarlane did the artwork.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Another hidden gem, this was great.
Ice Cube
2/5
Some days you need to be in the right mood for the 1001 albums, it can be a challenge. On this particular day and this particular album, there was too much content to stomach. I managed to get about halfway through before needing a break, and didn't feel like coming back to it, maybe another day.
Green Day
5/5
Nostalgia overload! Pop-punk at its finest. Helped me through many adolescent misadventures.
Queen
3/5
Difficult to reflect on the album (as a whole) as legendary as it is, Bohemian Rhapsody takes most of the limelight. It's a fun album, but other than You're My Best Friend the rest of the songs are forgetful.
The Modern Lovers
3/5
Never heard this before, pretty good.
Roxy Music
3/5
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Late-night chill out background music, enjoyed the grooves.
Beatles
5/5
Listening as a kid, I seem to remember that (on vinyl) side one was better than side two. Still a nostalgia trip. Was initially going to give it a 4, but re-listening to the whole album, it's worth a 5.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
With the exception of Pump It Up, (which is great), I've can't say that I've ever knowingly heard anything else by Elvis Costello, which is strange as surely someone would have recommended his music to me at some point in time - especially given his connections to Liverpool - but no. It makes me wonder who is Elvis Costello's audience?
I quite enjoyed this album. Lots of interesting lyrics and compositions, more up-tempo than I expected, good fun.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
I'd heard of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion because they were on the Baby Driver soundtrack. This album is a bit too long, messy and experi-mental.
I'm still laughing at the "Like your drunk neighbors are having open mic night" review. ☝😆
Alice In Chains
4/5
Considered to be the album that established grunge as a genre.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
There's the album, then there's the backstory of its production, which I think adds to its overall appeal.
Bad Company
3/5
It's funny, I knew some of the songs, but had no idea they were by Bad Company.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Hadn't listened to this album before, Sympathy for the Devil is a classic - great opener - then it went down hill from there, next few songs were so lackluster, derailed the rest of the album. Beggars Belief would have been a better title.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Apart from the hits, I never really picked up on Black Sabbath - I think the whole 'Keeping Up With The Osmonds' MTV nonsense kinda put me off Ozzy as a musician - "they're all fookin' mad!"
Turns out is a decent album, quite enjoyed it. Dark, heavy, moody and introspective - will revisit.
Funkadelic
4/5
Mind blown! First time listening. I'm not sure how the opening track got me, it almost became transcendent. The rest of the tracks flowed rockingly, until that oddly annoying metallic pronging noise throughout the penultimate track. I was close to giving it a 5, but the metallic annoyance down-starred it. An otherwise sublime album!
Lucinda Williams
2/5
Generic middle of the road Americana country music, not terrible, just uninteresting.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Mixed feelings on this album. The first 3 and last 3 tracks are brilliant! The middle tracks seemed to drag the album down. I was close giving it a 3, but the bookends are so good it deserves more.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
I listened to it blindfolded.
Air
4/5
"What are you doing here, honey? You're not even old enough to know how bad life gets."
"Obviously, Doctor, you've never been a 13 year-old girl".
Beautiful haunting romantic solemn curious tragic.
Johnny Cash
3/5
Context. It's all about context. Give this album to a teenager and she'll think it's someone's granddad doing karaoke. Whereas 40something me, getting older, the album has more grounding, reflecting on a life of love, loss, regret and wisdom - albeit through the medium of selected cover songs.
Hurt and Personal Jesus are the stand-out tracks for me. I appreciate the rest, but they aren't as powerful.
The Hives
3/5
Bah, another ex-1001 album.
See http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
It niggles me that this is a compilation album for UK marketing purposes - wouldn't Veni Vedi Vicious have been a better choice? I was already on the backfoot before re-listening yesterday.
That said, "Hate to Say I Told You So" and "Main Offender" are still firm favourites.
AC/DC
3/5
Its an important album, in that it shows the transition of replacement after the death of a band member, in this case the singer Bon Scott. I had to re-listen to Highway to Hell to see how different the vocals are, interestingly they aren't that different.
Black in Black and Hell's Bells are great tracks, classic hard rock. Love the energy and riffs, but some lyrics haven't dated that well.
5/5
Is this album flawless? No. But yet again it's another example of my subjective bias of 90s nostalgia! Enjoyed re-listening.
The Auteurs
2/5
Sure, okay, but is it Britpop?
Lou Reed
2/5
On initial listen I was immediately comparing it to Transformer, which on a second listen is unfair - as you can tell Lou Reed wanted to do something different, a concept album, the tragedy tale of a couple's misadventures.
Did I enjoy it? Some good songs on there, but overall, not really.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I was hungover, couldn't stomach Leonard Cohen that day.
Genesis
3/5
I hadn't really listened to much of Gabriel-led Genesis, (which is odd as a I have a soft spot for 80's Peter Gabriel). First time listening to the whole album, quite enjoyed the prog-rock, best experienced inside a wardrobe.
Parliament
4/5
P-Funk, come on, who wants to get funked up?! awww yeeeah!
Led Zeppelin
4/5
I know a bunch of Led Zeppelin popular songs, but hadn't listened to the albums. Enjoyed this one, really dig the classic rock vibe.
Randy Newman
1/5
I can't help but think of the Family Guy skit -- "Randy Neman, sits there all night and days singing about what he sees".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARP6dXMlWQ8
Garbage
5/5
My 90s rock nostalgia bias strikes again!
Come to think of it, I enjoyed it more now than I did back then.
The Byrds
3/5
ZZ Top
4/5
Enjoyed this album, classic hard rock! There were a couple of tracks that dragged a bit, but then pulled right back up with another hit. Gotta love Gibbons' guitar work.
Iggy Pop
3/5
Brenda from Bristol says "you're joking - not another one?!"
How many Iggy Pop albums are in this list?
It's significant, in that, after Iggy's rehab, only with Bowie's backing, the record company would give this album a chance. In that context, the album becomes more interesting - without it, although well produced, it's fairly average.
Liz Phair
3/5
I can see why this album was included, Liz Phair was considered a breakout female star on the 90s alternative rock scene, and for supporting Smashing Pumpkins.
For an angsty, sexual empowered, vocal-led singer/songwriter - it's alright. Feels like it paved the way for the likes of Alanis Morissette, Tracey Bonham, et al. Could have been half the length and still had the same impact.
Eagles
3/5
I like the Eagles and I love The Big Lebowski, such inner conflict! 😎
I like the hits, Take It Easy is a favourite, but as an overall album, it often lags in places.
Judas Priest
4/5
I never really listened to Judas Priest, other than Breaking The Law, I didn't know much about them. Enjoyed this album, headbanging most of the way through.
Fela Kuti
5/5
I'm not sure what happened, I totally lost myself in the music. Fantastic!
Dirty Projectors
1/5
Another ex-1001 album.
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I didn't like it at all. Felt like I'd heard this kind of thing in plenty of other more well know late-2000s alt/indie/faux-folk/hipster bands.
I like the artwork, if that's any consolation.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Operatic pop, often cinematic. I was half expecting to dislike this album, but ended up thinking it was alright. 2.5
Elvis Presley
3/5
Enjoyed listening to a bit of Elvis. There are some slow crooner tracks littered throughout the album, which always seemed to be followed by an upbeat track, redeeming itself. Overall, a good variety.
Van Halen
4/5
Cock rock at its finest!
Steely Dan
2/5
It's not terrible, I can see why people like it. Some interesting bits in the title track, Monkey In Your Soul and East St. Louis Toodle-Oo cover, but overall I wasn't that into it. 2.5
Traffic
3/5
I knew of Steve Winwood (and various bands), but hadn't heard of Traffic. Some parts felt too long, like a carried away jam session, but it's a short album so not too overbearing.
The folklore of John Barleycorn was interesting to read up on. #TIL (Funnily enough, it was referenced in last week's Inside No. 9 episode "Mr. King")
I enjoyed it. "Glad" could be a cinematic track, I'd half expect to see it popping up in a future Edgar Wright movie.
Pantera
3/5
Classic album artwork!
As for the album itself, I can't make my mind up. The guitar riffs are ace, but feels dated now, maybe "you just had to be there, man!"?
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Yet another 90s nostalgia kickback! Funk rock, love it. But the album length felt a bit too long now.
Yes
2/5
Meh.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Much better than I expected it to be. Obviously the tracks featured on Reservoir Dogs and Russian Doll soundtracks were culturally very familiar... and, of course... Ken Lee!
Really enjoyed Jump Into The Fire too.
I think several more listens and this could be a cherished album. 4.5
Beyoncé
1/5
Overhyped, overproduced, self-indulgent pretentious tosh!
Hüsker Dü
3/5
I hadn't heard of Husker Du until recently, my initial thought was, oh this is what REM should have been like!
After a few listens, it's a bit long, but I'm enjoying it. I can see where other bands got their inspiration, hearing a lot of Green Day in there. 3.5
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Working my way through the albums that weren't available on Spotify when they came up for our group, but they are available now, playing catch up.
All I knew about Joni Mitchell was Big Yellow Taxi, so not much to form an opinion on. Most of the songs on the album feel too talky and repetitive, could probably be much shorter, but still I quite liked the overall vibe. Quality listen.
The Waterboys
3/5
This version of the album (on Spotify) was far too long. I couldn't figure out what the original track listing was; the book says 12, Wikipedia says 13 - which would be fine, but still felt longer than it needed to be.
This album sounded like it belonged more in the late 70s rather than a decade later. Maybe it's a response for The Waterboys wanting to escape the city and get back to simpler times, a rural retreat - still at times you can hear the urban chaos trying to resurface.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
Do you know where you are? You're in 90s rock nostalgia baby! Okay okay, it was late 80s, but who's counting?! Still rocks! 🤘
Iron Butterfly
4/5
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is one hella-long track, so awesome though.
Cypress Hill
4/5
I wasn't so familiar with this album, more so with Black Sunday. Enjoy the album, I kinda phased out and got into the beats. No idea what the lyrics were about, getting stoned and police harassment I guess. Good album, shame about the artwork though.
3/5
Listened to this album several times and keep wanting to resonate with it, but overall it doesn't happen.
That said, I've had Moonage Daydream stuck in my head for days! 3.5
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
No More, Please, Thank You.
Supertramp
3/5
It was alright, it was bloody well alright! 2.5
Massive Attack
4/5
My mate Jeff had a new sound system in his car, wanting to show it off, he picked me up to drive around town, when the opening the bassline kicks in - whoah - what is this awesomeness?! This was my introduction Massive Attack. Safe From Harm is a killer opener; Unfinished Sympathy - an anthem for a generation. We drove around for the rest of the album, we felt so cool - good times, great tunes. Last I heard, Jeff had his drivers license revoked for careless driving.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Revisiting this, after 3 years since my first/last attempt. During the 1001 list my opinion of NC&TBS has felt a little hit and miss. This one is very much a hit! Full to the brim of dark storytelling.
Paul McCartney and Wings
2/5
I like the opening/title track, but I didn't find the rest of the album that interesting.
Hole
4/5
Aside from the 90s nostalgia kicking in, I didn't quite realise at the time how much accuracy Hole were holding a mirror up to LA media culture at the time. Courtney Love's vocals aren't the best, but she kicks ass and it's great rock and roll!
Solomon Burke
3/5
Great voice! Cry To Me is great, but then after that opener, the rest of the album is alright, just felt a little lacklustre, (with the exception of Can't Nobody Love You, that's a good 'un).
Raekwon
2/5
🤷♂️
Cyndi Lauper
2/5
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time are 80s classics, the rest of the songs don't come close. 2.5
The Fall
3/5
Bob Dylan
2/5
I knew I'd come across a lot of Bob Dylan throughout my 1001 albums journey, and I'm never in the mood for it. I'm starting to think that I have a problem with the harmonica. I do like Subterranean Homesick Blues though.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
I'm not that familiar with the band, I can see why some would like them. I kinda like the soft vocals, but overall the album feels like a noisy mess.
Al Green
3/5
Although I knew of "Let's Stay Together" before, I can't ignore the influence that the Pulp Fiction soundtrack added to my late teens. Yup 90s nostalgia of a 70s tune!
No other standout tracks on the rest of the album, but still enjoyable contemplative easy listening.
Jeff Beck
3/5
It should have been credited as the Jeff Beck Group. The guitar work is outstanding, and loving the blues riffs, but got tired of Rod Stewart swooning.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Great album, enjoyed it!
Fugees
3/5
Highlights are the covers... Ready or Not and Killing Me Softly. No Woman, No Cry is alright. I'm less keen on the rap tracks, felt they drag the rest of the album down. I do like Lauryn Hill's vocals, but find Wyclef Jean tiresome. 2.5
DJ Shadow
3/5
I appreciate the skill and talent in the sampling - discovering old parts and making something new - somewhat genius.
That said, while the album was good and interesting, glad I listened to it, and I'm sure it'll come up in pub conversations, but doubt it's something I'll revisit. 3.5
Ice T
4/5
I remember hearing Body Count for the first time in my teens, blew my mind!
Digging the Black Sabbath and Halloween samples, brings in elements of psychological horror.
OG is a great album, but it's way longer than it should be. Maybe if it focused more on the hard hitting themes and less on appeasing the pimps, it could be a classic.
Billy Bragg
2/5
Woody Guthrie connection is interesting, but this album didn't capture me (on the day I listened). Maybe one for when I'm in a more mellow mood. 2.5
David Bowie
3/5
Iconic artwork!
As I find with most of Bowie's albums, there are a couple of outstanding songs, and the rest are, well, aren't. 2.5
The Kinks
5/5
Understated, charming, grounded, enjoyed it a lot. 4.5
Black Sabbath
3/5
Interesting album, felt "all filler, no killer" - Changes and Snowblind came close - but strangely still found it overall very listenable.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Not much to say. Love this album.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
What the actual fuck?
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Bloody hell, enough of the harmonica already!
The gentle guitar playing is quite soothing, but far far too much harmonica, man! 1.5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
It wasn't available on Spotify, found on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/albums/B002DPHOF4
Neil Young was one of those that I kept meaning to listen to, but never did. I thought he'd be too folky for me. With this album, I was genuinely surprised, I thought it was really good - great musicianship.
I'll need to re-listen in future, I suspect it's a constant grower. An optimistic 4 from me.
Steely Dan
3/5
Do It Again, Dirty Work, and Reelin' in the Years were good, the rest is okay. I liked the piano parts on Fire In The Hole. 2.5
Ananda Shankar
4/5
An album of two halves, the first to entice the Western audience - something familiar, with a mix of Indian culture... with the second half delving deeper in the raga psyche.
Sagar (The Ocean) is magnificent - albeit
only if you're in the right mind-space for it.
The Byrds
2/5
Spent the whole album in a state of confusion... The Byrds did a country album?
Sonic Youth
4/5
I wasn't familiar with this specific album, good noise-music, enjoyed it.
Thundercat
2/5
2.5
Public Enemy
3/5
When this came up, not being familiar with the album, I wasn't really in the mood for any hard attitudes and aggressiveness. What I didn't expect is that while it's full of that, it's accompanied by many great beats! Ended up enjoying it. Though suffers from a bugbear of mine, I can't understand why most tracks end on a fade out. 3.5
U2
3/5
I think that culturally, we're all a bit tired of U2 - well, mostly Bono, and probably because of that iPod thing, ramming some album down everyone's throats.
That aside, with Achtung Baby, it's a mix of killer and filler. The standout tracks are great: "Even Better Than the Real Thing", "One", "The Fly", and "Mysterious Ways" - they're all very well produced. The rest of tracks feel boring in comparison.
Talking Heads
3/5
It's alright, some good songs, but nothing stands out as a 'must listen'. 2.5
R.E.M.
4/5
Another band with a prominent frontman that I think we're culturally tired of, (I said the same of U2 with Bono). Michael Stipe's persona still grates me.
That said, re-listening to this album, I'd say it is a classic. Many great songs, very much part of the 90s zeitgeist.
TV On The Radio
3/5
Ah, the selection from our 2nd Album Club.
Janelle Monáe
4/5
Lots to unpack with this album. It was absolutely not what I was expecting. I enjoyed it, although got a bit lost in the music that I missed many lyrics, will revisit.
Ian Dury
4/5
Does Ian Duty have to shout so much? Yes, yes he bloody well does! Packed with grit, wit and authenticity, focus is more lyrical than melodic. Great album.
Billy Bragg
2/5
Eh up, yer gonna join the trade union, lad?
Sure, but do I have to listen to Billy Bragg?
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
I couldn't help but read the album title in a Scouse accent. Yeh, is right la!
I quite enjoyed this album. I appreciate that Anohni's vocals can be an acquired taste, still I find them hauntingly beautiful, somewhat anguished and honest.
The Kinks
3/5
Good album, enjoyable.
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
It was alright, nice and mellow, it gets boring though as most of the songs sound the same. 2.5
2/5
I think that Supermassive Black Hole being used so prominently in the first Twilight movie has tainted that song for me... and Knights of Cydonia was mega hard on Guitar Hero 3!
Overall, I'd prefer to listen to one of Muse's other albums. 2.5
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
I like Lenny Kravitz, he's a cool dude. With this album, musically, I liked it, most tracks start off well but then seem to peter off without much direction.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
It's not my favourite Manics album, but still filled with plenty of hard hitting tracks! 3.5
Cheap Trick
2/5
Great guitar riffs, but not sure why this particular live album is on the 1001 list.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
I do like a good old big band swing tune. Majority of the tracks sound the same, with a few classics woven in. 2.5
Frank Black
3/5
I was nominated for Teenager of the Year back in '92, but lost out to some baby face called George Dawes from the Upper Floors. Baked potato! 2.5
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
The guitar work is incredible, but found it got uninteresting during the course of these overlong tracks on an overlong album.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Why do I feel so indifferent about Bob Dylan?
This album didn't do anything for me, mediocre.
The Byrds
3/5
I think I like this one better than the other Byrds' albums, part experimental and more progressive.
The Avalanches
3/5
I do like a bit of Frontier Psychiatrist, always gets stuck in my head for the next few days.
Slipknot
2/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I like Slipknot, their earlier albums are better.
Taylor Swift
3/5
Taylor Swift is one of those singers that I seem to know by osmosis. I'd never listened to this album, yet knew most of the songs. It's a fine contemporary pop album. 3.5
3/5
My initial thought was, bah, country & western, and that the title was amusing. Then midway through the opening track and realised the subject matter was more serious than the initial lightheartedness.
I think Loretta Lynn brings the honesty and grit of a woman who is frustrated with the status quo (in the mid/late-60s) and wants to be treated better.
Doubt I'd choose to listen again, but I respect it and suspect she gave a voice to many a frustrated housewife.
Roxy Music
2/5
It was alright. Cover art kept distracting me. 😐 2.5
Deep Purple
3/5
I knew a few of their songs, but hadn't listened to the album before, pretty cool, classic dad rock! 3.5
SAULT
2/5
I very much doubt that I'm the target audience for this album. Initially I enjoyed the beats and there's some really nice progressions in there. What I disliked is the politicking, sure it's contemporary, but damn does it pull its punches. Listening back to Public Enemy, NWA, RATM - they went for the jugular, they meant it with a passion. This album had the potential, but somehow got watered-down with lightweight easy-to-swallow commercial chants for an ASMR generation.
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
Poorly produced, noisy mess. Tripe!
Moby
5/5
Whenever Moby comes in a conversation, there's always a groan, followed by "but Play was really good". I suspect that we're culturally tired of Moby himself, (in a similar way to the likes of Bono and Michael Stipe), but what a corker of an album Play is, bravo!
The Police
3/5
Definitely an album of two halves for me. First half, the Synchronicity bookends were good, but Mother seemed to derail it for me, WTF?! Second half, much more familiar - when I was starting out playing bass, I'd learn a bunch of Sting's riffs, they were always simplistic but effective.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
I was living in Spain when this album came out, thought it was pretty cool. A few months later I was back in north-west UK, in the car with a few mates - they put this on and they knew EVERY SINGLE WORD. Never underestimate the local cultural impact of a local band doing songs that were so relatable. 4.5
Elvis Costello
3/5
Witty lyrics from a disgruntled wise man.
Anita Baker
2/5
Whilst she does have an authentic soulful voice - and Sweet Love is an excellent song, (that I had forgotten about) - the rest of the album feels like it should be relegated to 80s telephone waiting music. I suspect if she was around a decade (or two) earlier, then would have been much more appreciated. 2.5
Prince
3/5
Dance. Music. Sex. Romance.
Starts of with much passion, then lags a bit, losing interest, then thrusts up the rhythm and pace again, we're back in the game, then reaching an elephant sounding climax, we're left feeling a little deflated towards the end... Yes, we've definitely just had sex with Prince!
Foo Fighters
4/5
There are a fair amount of reviews on this album that are ragging on the Foo Fighters, but this is not really a Foo Fighters album, it's a Dave Grohl solo project. He gave the appearance of it being by a band, mostly for anonymity and throw people's preconceptions.
When you think about the production process, it's all Grohl. He had the drive, energy, skills and something to prove! The Foo Fighters (as a band) were later "retcon'd" into existence upon its success.
While this isn't my favourite Foo Fighters album, I much prefer the following up, The Color and The Shape (or should we be calling that Foo Fighter's first album?), do I think it's a significant rock album, yes totally. It's more about the journey than the destination, and without the backstory, it would have less impact.
Nirvana
4/5
Did Frances Farmer ever have her revenge on Seattle?
Big Black
4/5
I'd been putting this off as it was unavailable on Spotify, and I couldn't be arsed with YouTube ads. But finally gave it a listen... pretty fecking awesome!
(but now all I can think about it investing in stocks with Trading 212, argh YouTube ads!)
The Prodigy
3/5
Iconic artwork. Really enjoyed the popular tracks - Voodoo People, Poison, No Good, et al. Some of the tracks were quite long, which get a bit wary if you're sober. 3.5
Bobby Womack
3/5
For some reason on Spotify (in the UK at least), the 1981 release has some unavailable tracks, but the are available on the 2021 re-release: https://open.spotify.com/album/3b4FRQBIqULkm6vudUXkcS
Super Furry Animals
4/5
Quite literally it was Something 4 the Weekend!
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Great album, great talent! Couple of bugbears, few of the tracks are far too long! and few tracks fade out, bit of a lazy way to end a song.
I'm still confused about the "Voodoo Chile/Child" spellings and versions? I tried to research it, but none the wiser. 4
Kid Rock
1/5
Oh sod off! I tried, I did, but it's like listening to Limp Bizkit's hillbilly cousin - it's embarrassing! nul points, 0.
Talk Talk
2/5
I vaguely recall Talk Talk from various Now! albums, but I guess these days they are more known for their broadband internet services.
"Life's What You Make It" is the one I recall, boring, repetitive, but in a good way.
I like the album artwork, reminds me of that Twitter account, Faces In Things.
Massive Attack
4/5
Is this an good album? Yes, really good. Is this a classic? I'm less sure. Enjoyed listening (and re-listening), proper chilled out, (and love Tracey Thorn's vocals on Protection), but later on feels forgettable when compared to Blue Lines or Mezzanine.
The Pogues
3/5
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Immigrant Song, what an opener!
Serge Gainsbourg
3/5
Conceptuellement, cela ne ressemble à rien d'autre que j'ai entendu. Je ne peux pas tolérer le traitement de la jeune Melody Nelson, la pauvre fille. Soniquement, c'est immersif et mystérieux.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
I wasn't familiar with Siouxsie and the Banshees at all. This album took me by surprise, enjoyed it very much.
Despite not being familiar with it, I couldn't shake that feeling of early 80s nostalgia, the guitars are so otherworldly, feels like you're taking a peak behind the dark curtain, and disliking how the shadowy machinery of that neoliberal Cold War world really worked.
Adele
3/5
Bah, another ex-1001 album!
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Still, it's an alright album. I have a soft spot for Rolling in the Deep, I blame the bass line.
The Smiths
4/5
There's quite a few I like on this. 3.5
Joy Division
3/5
I always dig the Joy Division basslines, and the artwork is iconic! As much as I know some of my mates adore this album, I tend to get bored halfway through each track.
Black Flag
3/5
Hardcore!
A younger angry me would have enjoyed this very much, the older mellow me less so.
I get it, and appreciate it being on the 1001 list. Hot heavy, messy, shouty hardcore punk!
Pearl Jam
4/5
Great album, love all the hits, the rest are good but a tad forgettable.
The Incredible String Band
1/5
More like... The Incredible Shit Band!
Gorillaz
3/5
I didn't enjoy it as much as I did back in the day. The hits are still great, but the in-between tracks feel a tad tenuous.
Patti Smith
3/5
Enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Giving it a 3.5, but reckon further listens would bump it to a 4/4.5.
Kate Bush
4/5
Took me a few tracks to get into it, then enjoyed the eeriness of it all. 3.5
Dr. John
4/5
It's a bit "out there" - but full of good old funky psychedelic vibes.
Grateful Dead
3/5
Rush
3/5
I wasn't too familiar with Rush, I guess I was in need of some prog rock today, as was digging on the guitar work. Enjoyed it, but doubt it's something I'd frequent.
Nas
2/5
I liked the old school hip-hop basslines and beats. Overall the album didn't grab me.
Robbie Williams
3/5
This was played to death by mates during my Uni days. As far as 90s pop albums go, this is fine, consistent and well produced. Although the real talent of the album was co-writer/producer Guy Chambers.
3/5
Initially I wasn't going to listen to this as it wasn't available on Spotify, and I couldn't be fussed with YouTube ads, but was persuaded to I'd give it a try... and wow!
On the surface it's audacious, annoying, violent, batshit bonkers, some kind of avant-garde post-punk jazz! But within that utter chaos there's something beautiful, a raw talent. The more I thought about it, the more affection I felt towards it. 3.5
Johnny Cash
3/5
At San Quentin came up first on our group, so we'd already had "a Johnny Cash prison album", even though At Folsom Prison was released first.
It's good, the live interaction bits give it more character.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
Controversies aside, his music performance could certainly bring a room alive. Wild, energetic and audacious. Still, controversies, eh!
Q-Tip
2/5
I didn't completely hate it. More pop than hip-hop, okay beats, cringy rhyming lyrics though, overall I found it boring.
The Kinks
4/5
Always love The Kinks social commentary on 60s/70s Britain. It's a solid album, good tunes, great production. Sunny Afternoon is a fav. Not my go-to album for The Kinks, probably go for "Something Else".
Dennis Wilson
3/5
I didn't know Dennis Wilson had done a solo album. I initially liked the artwork, felt bold. Started the album, and reading his Wikipedia page, he had quite an interesting life - had no idea about the Charles Manson association - wild! The album almost became a soundtrack to his Wikipedia page, ha!
It was enjoyable enough.
Kanye West
1/5
First look at the "artwork" - Emperor's New Clothes init?!
Yeezus Christ, when will these zealots tell him that Ye's not the Messiah, Ye's a very naughty boy!
Def Leppard
4/5
Sure it's cliché, corny and dated... but goddamn it still rocks! 🤘
Sigur Rós
3/5
Quite unusual. I'd expect in the right setting this would be quite cool. Just felt a bit odd listening in my office on a Monday morning.
The Young Rascals
3/5
First half of the album was like a Beatles and Monkees tribute act, with the second half taking a turn with a mature soulful set of tracks. As another reviewer on here said, "probably the blackest sounding white men I've heard".
Sabu
2/5
I respect the musicianship, but was not in the mood for 40 minutes of bongos and Santeria chants.
LL Cool J
2/5
Hey, Kool Thing, are you gonna liberate us girls from male white corporate oppression?
Yeah, tell it like it is!
Don't call it a comeback, I been here for years!
Good grief.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
No doubt Cohen is a masterful poet, full of wordplay, accompanied by those bittersweet melancholic chords. Not something I'd listen to regularly, but the appreciation is there.
...on a sidenote, who signed off on the typography on the artwork, it's dreadful. Would have been a stronger design without it, just have the photo of Cohen.
Pink Floyd
5/5
The Spotify link was to an odd version, I used this one: https://open.spotify.com/album/2WT1pbYjLJciAR26yMebkH
Whenever I listen to it, I try to find its faults, but always end up getting carried away on its journey.
I keep meaning to experience The Dark Side Of The Rainbow, one day... 5
Jeff Buckley
4/5
I'd heard of, but never listened to Jeff Buckley before. I liked it.
Love
2/5
During the first 6 tracks I was thinking why is this a noteworthy album, then the closing track is 18 minutes long... and that sounded like a overindulgent jamming session.
It's not terrible, just not that interesting.
The Last Shadow Puppets
2/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
It was alright.
I can see why it was originally added to the 1001, noteworthy due to it being by a contemporary "supergroup", alas, in this case, time has proved that the sum isn't greater than its parts.
Missy Elliott
4/5
I liked it much better than I'd expected.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
I like the hits of the Pet Shop Boys, What Have I Done to Deserve This? and It's a Sin are great, the rest was alright, but didn't stick out enough to make this a solid album for me. 2.5
Destiny's Child
2/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
The popular tracks are catchy enough, feels that the whole album exists to showcase their vocal range and harmonies, which I'm sure is a great talent, but feels all over the place to me.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
You want it darker? Be careful what you ask for.
Even in his 80s, Leonard Cohen was still a badass!
The Shamen
2/5
Maybe it's dated, but thought Move Any Mountain was more punchier than it was. None of the other tracks piqued my interest. 1.5
Eagles
4/5
Yeah, yeah, I'm a fan of The Big Lebowski AND I like the Eagles.
For me, this album is all about nostalgia, it got played a lot when I was a kid. The production, musicianship and guitar work are top notch. The opening of Hotel California gets me every time!
The second half (in terms of side B on the LP), starts to feel a bit dreary.
I like the anecdote about "The Last Resort" taking days to record, because they kept messing up because Black Sabbath were making too much noise in the studio next door!
a-ha
2/5
Take On Me will always be great, the rest felt bland.
Justice
4/5
Having never heard of Justice before, I quite enjoyed this. Some tracks felt a bit too long, but in the right setting that'd be fine. Some parts felt Daft Punk-ish, maybe more like Daft Grunge, anyway still enjoyable. Iconic album artwork too!
Gang Starr
2/5
It was alright, bit indifferent towards this, hadn't heard of Gang Starr before, guess I'm not the target audience, nothing really stood out for me.
Gang Of Four
4/5
Great, hadn't listened before, enjoyed this! Damaged Goods was a stand out for me.
The Crusaders
2/5
I knew of the opening title track, it's got a catchy chorus, but no one needs 11 minutes of it! The rest is like background music at a casino.
Billie Holiday
3/5
Undeniably, a unique voice.
I wasn't particularly in the mood for this style of music yesterday, songs felt quite dull. Still appreciate the musical arrangements. 2.5
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Hadn't listened to this album in a long time, enjoyed re-listening. Solsbury Hill is a classic.
3/5
This feels like a Jeopardy answer... "Which album is considered to be the epitome of UK 80s pop music?"
Still, I found myself bopping along.
Elliott Smith
3/5
My only prior knowledge of Elliott Smith was his Figure 8 album which came out a couple of years before his death.
Either Or is good, but not something I'd actively listen to.
Elvis Costello
3/5
I'm always thinking that I'm going to dislike an Elvis Costello album, then end up liking it.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
2/5
I'm still laughing at the Little Richard orgy anecdote.
I like the few songs that were the big hits, overall the album is okay, but it's so short that it's inoffensive and you'd end up forgetting the rest of the tracks anyway.
Laura Nyro
3/5
I hadn't heard of Laura Nyro before, she sounds way more contemporary than the late 60s, great voice.
The album was alright, could have been shorter; enjoyed the up-tempo tracks; the crooning ones less so - half of them sounded the same; there were moments when I could see how the likes of Tori Amos could take inspiration.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
Great opener with Buffalo Stance, then Manchild is okay, but it's all downhill from there on out.
Janet Jackson
1/5
Did you know that Rhythm Nation used to crash Windows on old laptops?
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20220816-00/?p=106994
Neil Young
3/5
It started off well, until the dreaded harmonica strikes again! 😭
Despite this, it's not a bad album. Heart of Gold and Old Man are decent songs.
Elliott Smith
3/5
I'd listened to this album when it first came out, but it didn't really gel with me, recalled it being depressing, but re-listening now, while probably still a bit depressing, was much better than I recalled.
Deep Purple
2/5
The deluxe edition is 2 hours long! (At least that's what the link for Spotify goes to). I found one of the shorter versions, (still over 90 mins), https://open.spotify.com/album/3tZ7O5gGQmkg8FEfqE5wGw
Artwork looks like a family photo album book cover.
For a live album, it's alright, all the hits are there - Smoke on the Water and what not. Whilst I love a bit of dad rock, this all got a bit too self-indulgent for me.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
On a whole, I liked it, but there are several places where the songs drag on a bit.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Talented? Yes! Backstory? Yes! The reality of listening to an hour of live improv piano solos? Maybe in the right setting, late at night with a whiskey in hand, sure, less so on this particular Thursday morning.
The Killers
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I'd listen to this album when it came out, but now you realise it's like boiling a frog, you enjoy it, think it's fine, by the end it's too late, you've become a cultural zombie, what am I doing with my life?!
With the bigger hits, though lyrically devoid, I'd still enjoy a good karaoke night with them. 2.5
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
Ah, it is Rubén Blades from Fear The Walking Dead! Erm, that's probably not the acclamation he'd want to be remembered for.
The album is quite refreshing, great beats and grooves. Felt that most tracks could have been shorter, but overall enjoyed the vibe.
The Adverts
3/5
Oi! Oi! Oi!
🤘 🤘 🤘
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
It was fine, I quite liked Lucretia My Reflection.
Apart from reading about the melodrama of the band during the recording, I'm unsure what else is noteworthy for this to be on 1001. 2.5
Solange
1/5
I'd never heard of Solange, turns out she's Beyoncé's sister... pretty much sums it up.
The Sonics
2/5
!!!Waaahhhhaaaa!!! Reckon they would of been awesome to watch in a pub on a Saturday night, but nearly 60 years later, listening to a poorly mixed lo-fi album with over half the songs being covers, you have to ask why!
Of their originals, The Witch and Strychnine were alright.
Shuggie Otis
4/5
I'd found out about this album earlier this year and enjoyed it... and enjoyed it again today! Couple of stand out tracks, but overall it was just a good vibe. 3.5
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Los Angeles Through The Looking Glass
The Fall
3/5
Seems that I typically listen to The Fall when I'm drunk, sat in the kitchen of an after-party. Good times, but hangovers get worse with age.
Bad Brains
2/5
I enjoyed the music, less so the vocals.
Love
3/5
I liked this album better than the last Love one we had (Da Capo).
Artwork is pretty cool.
Aerosmith
2/5
In hindsight, seems somewhat inappropriate that Love in an Elevator was played at school discos - this was probably my first exposure to Aerosmith.
What I hadn't realised was how long they'd been around before this (and that they're still around now!)
The nostalgia around this album (and more so for Get a Grip) was MTV, they (well their record company) knew how to play the game, sexy videos, get people talking, great marketing, etc.
Does this album hold up? I'm not so sure, all feels a bit dated now.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Wikipedia has this down as a "garage rock / grunge" album, huh?
At this point of the 1001 list, I'm quite tired of Neil Young!
Kraftwerk
5/5
I do like the journey of the album's concept. If you catch it in the right mood, it can be quite immersive.
It's a good one to zone out to, given it was released in 1977, it's a ground-breaking album. Otherworldly.
I was going to give it a 4, but feeling optimistic today, 5.
Slint
3/5
I can't tell if I liked this or not.
There were points where I thought I did, but then got annoyed with the repetition and track length, and other parts where it felt pretty cool. 2.5
Arcade Fire
5/5
Probably due to emotional associations back when I listened to it more regularly, still a great album.
The Go-Go's
3/5
I was already familiar with this album, not saying it's a masterpiece, but still enjoyed re-listening. 3.5
Faust
3/5
Despite the opening track being far too long, there were quite a few bits I liked on the album. Overall it's all over the place, didn't quite work for me on first listen, but reckon it's worth a second chance at some point. 2.5
Elvis Presley
2/5
We've had a few Elvis albums on the 1001 list; undeniable culturally significant, but this album feels like factory churn to cash in after his army service.
Sister Sledge
3/5
"Gettin' jiggy wit it!" (Gah, curses Will Smith!)
Definitely feel all of Nile Rodgers' contributions on this album.
Some of the tracks were a bit drab, but overall I had a good old boogie to the popular disco tracks. 3.5
Bob Dylan
4/5
Okay, I enjoyed this album more than Bob Dylan's other albums.
Elbow
3/5
Not sure why I'd avoided Elbow, putting them down as pretentious wank, some kind of a cross between Coldplay and Radiohead. Turns out I was surprised, still a bit wanky, but in a pleasant way.
"Grounds for Divorce" is the standout track for me.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Family Affair is great. The rest of the album is good, could be shorter, not quite a 5 star album for me.
Barry Adamson
4/5
I'd definitely go see this movie!
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
2/5
It was alright. Musically, it didn't grab me, but enjoyed the whimsical lyrics. 2.5
Taylor Swift
2/5
My trouble with Taylor Swift is that she's got a few very catchy good pop songs, but her albums are gushingly overrated by the media, which is a turn off.
The lyrics on this one feel that they came straight from the inside of Hallmark cards.
I don't hate it, but nothing excited me here.
David Bowie
2/5
I do like Bowie, but, apart from Fame, I found the rest of the album quite boring, felt somewhat restrained.
fIREHOSE
3/5
I didn't dislike it, but throughout I kept thinking I wondering is this what The Saw Doctors would sound like if they came from Ohio? 🤔
The Cars
3/5
What do you get if you cross Roxy Music with Queen? Yeah, it'd probably be The Cars.
Still enjoyable enough. I like the artwork too, happy vibes.
Todd Rundgren
4/5
Hadn't heard of Todd Rundgren before. Initially thought it was bonkers (in a bad way), then I strangely got into it. Still very bonkers, but in a good way. 3.5
Eurythmics
3/5
Apart from the title track, the rest sound quite dated now. 2.5
Neu!
4/5
Krautrock always sounds better when you're travelling.
Having missed listening to this album the other day, I decided to listen on my train journey into Bristol. It was getting dark, the evening felt brooding.
The first track accompanied the walk down to the station; second track the train was delayed; third still waiting; fourth and fifth were the train journey itself; and the sixth was the walk from the station to the pub.
Overall, turns out it was quite a fitting album for my journey. Enjoyed it.
All that said, I'd expect listening in a different environment I would have scored it less.
Mj Cole
1/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I didn't care much for this album.
Killing Joke
3/5
Hadn't heard this before.
Mixed feelings, there were parts I enjoyed, other parts less so.
What was with the vocals on Wardance? Sounded like a Dalek!
Bonnie Raitt
1/5
Oh wow, the artwork screams of 80s clichés! Curious what'll happen when she pushes the button on her belly.
I don't recall hearing Bonnie Raitt before, she seems a good Country singer, with a fine head of hair, but this album wasn't for me.
Deep Purple
4/5
Stereotypically, as a white mid-40s male who enjoys rock music, I may have indulged on this a little too much. Bit like the Terry's chocolate orange you didn't share at Christmas. Sorry, not sorry. 4.5
Bob Dylan
2/5
To me, Bob Dylan is a poet. Every time one of his albums comes up, I'm never in the mood for it. I blame my secondary school for making poetry boring. Also, the harmonica didn't help matters.
The Who
3/5
Who's generation? Brexit baby boomers? 🤪
Still enjoy the hits, the rest didn't click with me as much.
Crowded House
4/5
I have a big old soft spot for this album. Appreciate that a couple of tracks are a bit lackluster, but still love the hits. 4.5
Culture Club
2/5
😬
The Cardigans
3/5
I may have not been paying attention to the whole album as got distracted by Nina Persson's seductively sweet vocals, yes please, don't stop.
Dire Straits
2/5
My dad played this a lot, I recall liking it until I became a teenager, then strongly disliking it. Re-listening now, great guitar work and production, but still invoked a strangely sick feeling in the bottom of my stomach. Mixed emotions. Is there such a thing as anti-nostalgia? 2.5
Butthole Surfers
1/5
Iceman: "You can surf my butthole any time."
Maverick: "Bullshit! You can surf mine."
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Pleasant enough, mostly middle of the road songs. Strong Enough and All I Wanna Do are good.
I liked the backstory of the album and title, sounded fun.
Tito Puente
3/5
Fun times! I was dancing around the house all day.
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
I tried listening to this several times in the past few days, each time I just can't be arsed with it. Rest of our group seems to like it, I must be missing that hook in. 2.5
Iggy Pop
4/5
Kraftwerk
5/5
Half man, half machine, what does it mean?
I'd heard this album a couple of times, thought it was alright, but I must have been in a contemplative mood yesterday and I thought it was great.
I'm giving it an optimistic 5, knowing full well that if I was in a less contemplative mood, it'd be more like a 3.
The Replacements
3/5
Enjoyed it enough, good to get that post-teenage angst out there!
Pulp
4/5
I like most of Pulp's hits, wasn't too familiar with the albums. I enjoyed this one, in an unsettling kind of way. Felt that a few of the tracks were trying to channel Bowie or The Beatles.
Dusty Springfield
2/5
Throughout the 1001, I've been trying to figure out "what is an album?". There's no doubt she's a great singer, but I do doubt this album constitutes a body of work.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I liked the upbeat tracks, the ballad tracks dragged, and Superstition is on a different level.
Louis Prima
4/5
Good vibes, good times!
2/5
Not that it's terrible, I either wasn't in the mood for this, or, just didn't like it. 1.5
The Zombies
3/5
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
A friend asked me recently, what song would play at your funeral? Without a beat, I replied, Free Bird!
Femi Kuti
3/5
Sunday brunch vibes... in a good way.
Christine and the Queens
2/5
Some of the synth beats were quite good, but on a whole I didn't like it, highly doubt I'm the target audience.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
The Louvin Brothers
1/5
Jesus wept! I wasn't in the mood for this. I guess you had to be there.
B.B. King
3/5
Upbeat blues is funny, opening track "nobody loves me, nobody cares" (oh yeah, woo!)
Good live album.
George Harrison
3/5
Given it's a triple album, probably best enjoyed in three sittings, (far too much to take in a single sitting).
...and given all the material, I felt it could have been condensed and refined down to a stellar single album.
"My Sweet Lord" is still the standout track for me. 3.5
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I can't help but think of that scene in Spinal Tap, as a skiffle band, The Thamesmen.
Those slightly embarrassing early years.
2.5
Finley Quaye
3/5
First 4 tracks were great, then "Ride On and Turn the People On" kinda killed the vibe. Picked up again with "Your Love Gets Sweeter", but then fizzled out for me. 2.5
Violent Femmes
4/5
I'd kinda heard of Violent Femmes, but wasn't overly familiar, then I'd listened to this album a few times last year and really enjoyed it. 4.5
Linkin Park
5/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
That said, it's still a favourite of mine. I'd listen to this all the time back then... and still often do now!
Joy Division
4/5
Enjoyed the dark and moody bass lines.
I expect if I grew up with this album, I'd have more affection towards it, but it passed me by, only for me to discover it later on without the context of it's creation and subsequent loss.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
The opening title track is great. It's appeared in so many movies, (maybe too many movies), it's overly familiar.
The whole album feels a bit lounge background music, whilst still good, it's samey, not quite the main attraction.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
I was not emotionally prepared for this album.
As always, context is everything, with having teenage kids myself, I can't imagine the desperation of loss and tragedy. Yet, love transcends.
5 heartbroken stars from me.
Tori Amos
3/5
I may have had a slight crush on Tori Amos back in the mid-90s.
Machito
3/5
"We are currently experiencing a higher-than-normal volume of calls. Please stay on the line. Your call is important to us. We will connect you when one of our operators becomes available."
New York Dolls
3/5
While I can see their influences and who they influenced, there's probably a reason I hadn't listened to New York Dolls before. It's fine, feels very much if it's time.
Charles Mingus
2/5
I'd appreciate it more in the right setting, say maybe in a late night cocktail bar.
Tuesday morning getting ready for work was not my right setting for a first listen.
The Isley Brothers
3/5
Enjoyed it. Summer Breeze, makes me feel fine... 3.5
The Velvet Underground
1/5
I was only familiar with Velvet Underground & Nico 🍌 album, hadn't listened to this one before.
I went with the non-deluxe edition, 6 tracks, conciser-ish.
https://open.spotify.com/album/0HHmJpwOXXRJu9HI9iQiEO
Funny with the opening track, immediately knew where LCD Soundsystem's Drunk Girls got its influence.
For the rest of the album, I didn't care for it much, it's all over the place. Some call it art, most call it noise.
Bob Dylan
1/5
...and I'm back to feeling my bloody boil every time I hear that damned harmonica!
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Shouty, shouty, a tour de force of punk rock!
Steely Dan
2/5
It's a bit like having toast without any butter, it's acceptable but meh.
At least I now know where Deacon Blue got their name from.
Eminem
4/5
Persona on persona, Marshall Mathers as Eminem as Slim Shady. The artist, the mask and the cartoon. Much more satirical than I recall it was at the time.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
A couple of my mates were really really into Dinosaur Jr., to the point it put me off them. I've tried to get into them a few times over the years, but nah, I don't hate it, just never quite gels with me. 2.5
2/5
It's all quite long winded and wanky.
As well as the Simon & Garfunkel cover.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
This was an unexpected joy.
Sugar
4/5
I hadn't heard of Sugar, I'd only heard of Hüsker Dü last year because their album on 1001 (which I enjoyed a lot) ... and I quite enjoyed this album too!
Clichéd as it may be, can't shake the thought I'd heard these songs on those 90s teen shows, 90210, Melrose Place, et al.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Introspective melancholic pop.
It was fine, but I wasn't too fussed with it.
John Coltrane
2/5
Jazzzzzzzz...
Meat Loaf
5/5
Totally musical theatre. It's outrageous! Love it.
Beastie Boys
3/5
There's a lots of detail to like in this album, great use of samples and loops. But I lost interest about halfway through, well pretty much after Sabotage, it was far too long and got far too experimental. 2.5
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Hadn't listened to this before, enjoyed it, but the frequent underlying distortion got too unsettling. 3.5
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
More like descending into Bedlam!
Opening track was alright, then I kinda lost interest about halfway through.
Anthrax
2/5
Admittedly, I did (mildly) headbang throughout this, lots of good riffs, but doubt I'd listen to the whole album again.
Television
3/5
I've listened to this before, it's alright, good pleasant listen, but somewhat forgettable.
Tom Waits
4/5
Hadn't listened to any Tom Waits before. It was alright, like. 3.5
The White Stripes
4/5
Seven Nation Army is modern classic. The whole album is good and very listenable, but I'd struggle to give it a 5.
Pixies
5/5
On a different day I might be overly critical and give it a 4, but not today, it's a 5 from me!
Mekons
2/5
I like the artwork, all faded and washed out, much like the album.
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
Resonates with such joy!
White Denim
2/5
Yet another band I'd never heard of. Yet another album I didn't really need to listen to before I die.
It's alright, just didn't engage me in any meaningful way.
Common
3/5
I'd have thought the opening tribute to Fela Kuti would have been much more vibrant, felt far to subtle to celebrate a legend.
I'm 50/50 on this album, bits I liked, other bits not so much. 2.5
I wasn't familiar with Common, but checked his filmography, turns out I've seen him in a bunch of movies.
Suede
3/5
Good album. 3.5
Radiohead
3/5
For whatever reason, I never really got into any Radiohead albums after OK Computer (which I very much like). Amnesiac is fine, just whatever the thing was that "got me" with OK Computer wasn't quite there for me on this album. Maybe it needs several listens to "get it"?
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
It's Like That... and that's the way it is.
U2
3/5
Iconic artwork. Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day are great. Two Hearts Beat as One is pretty good. The rest is alright, bit dated now. I'm trying not get too bogged down with Bono's ego.
The Jam
4/5
Wu-Tang Clan
3/5
Faith No More
3/5
I'd listened to this again recently. I remember thinking that the opening few tracks are great, gets me in a rock mood. Then it gradually goes downhill after that. Even War Pigs couldn't recover it for me.
5/5
Iconic, in every sense.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Didn't know about this album, first glance at the artwork, I was already impressed. Enjoyed this way more than I'd expected to.
Fela Kuti
4/5
More like Fela Awesome-Kuti! 4.5
Kendrick Lamar
1/5
I tried to listen objectively, but about halfway through I couldn't stomach any more.
Far too self-referential, far too self-indulgent, far too much profanity - I'm not against profanity, but only if it holds value and if it's gonna be overused to the verge of losing all value, then what is the fucking point?
Jamiroquai
3/5
Whilst I still really enjoyed the hits, as an overall album, it doesn't quite jam. 2.5
Saint Etienne
3/5
Enjoyable album.
David Bowie
2/5
It was alright. With the various Bowie albums in the 1001 list, I haven't found any of them to be overall brilliant, mostly a couple of stand out tracks on each. Golden Years was good on this one.
Röyksopp
3/5
I was going to say that I'd never heard of this, but I then vaguely recall hearing many of these tunes at late night cafes and clubs. I'd might feel more nostalgic if this was playing whilst copping off at said night club, otherwise it's good low-fi vibes.
Turbonegro
3/5
From the tongue in cheek opening, felt like Spinal Tap-esque homage to The Beatles and Britpop, I was ready for some non-serious euro-punk-rock fun... and it sure did deliver! 3.5
John Grant
4/5
I hadn't listened to John Grant nor this album until a month or so ago. I've enjoyed listening a few times, it's good, but I don't seem to have the same affection that many of my friends have for it.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
Enjoyed this more than I'd expected to.
Prefab Sprout
3/5
I quite like the first half (well, maybe third) of the album. Feels dated, but in a strangely nostalgic way. 2.5
Method Man
2/5
I like a couple of the tracks, (Bring The Pain, All I Need), but wasn't really into the rest of it.
FKA twigs
2/5
Music for ducklipped teenagers to put their makeup on to.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
Welcome to 12-bar blues central, the zeitgeist of the late 50s white collar America, where the women are loose and fade-outs are cheap.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Strangely, after yesterday's Everly Brothers, I thought I'd be disliking old Frank here, but I seemed to be in a more receptive mood for this crooning album.
On a tangent.
It's the first album listed in the 1001 book. Interesting tidbit, it was first issued on a double 10", then later reissued on 12". Which gets me thinking (again) about how much the medium of distribution influences the album arrangement. e.g. This album has 16 tracks, original double 10" release would be 4 tracks on each side, then for the 12" reissue, 8 tracks per side. Would the track listing flow be different if the original distribution was on 12"?
Bringing that to modern day, are artists thinking in terms of streaming playlists or maybe still in CD's max 74 mins? No breaks, no flipping over interludes, just straight through. Or maybe they just whack them on in any order, why do I care? Ha!
Talking Heads
3/5
I wasn't familiar with this album, apart from Once in a Lifetime - which is now culturally engrained. It's a good album, feels quite experimental, overall I enjoyed it, probably need several more listens to appreciated it more.
The Style Council
3/5
Apart from the hits, I'd never listen to anything else by The Style Council. I was half expected it to be more of the same from Weller as The Jam, but no, it's in a totally different direction.
Interestingly, (this where I bang on about distribution formats), it's another album of 2 halves. Side A is quite chilled, soulful, like café jazz... with a welcome appearance from Tracey Thorn.
Side B, pop ballads, and urgh The Gospel - what was going on with white pop rap in the early 80s? Wham, Blondie - glad that fad ended.
I preferred Side A, despite You're The Best Thing is still stuck in my head a day later.
Weather Report
2/5
I've heard the whole of this album before... that time I was on hold waiting to get a refund from BT.
I like the artwork though.
Syd Barrett
1/5
Jesus wept, this was hard work!
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
The tracks are fine, though they quickly faded into café jazz background music for me. Is it a "must listen" album, nah not really.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I do like Arcade Fire; Funeral and Neon Bible were on regular repeat, but then their subsequent albums somehow passed me by.
The Suburbs is good, though quite long, defo worth a few listens, but their earlier albums still hold closer for me.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Quite surprised how much I enjoyed this, the underlying story drew me in.
Youssou N'Dour
2/5
"20 years of all-time classics"... distilled down to 4 tracks, eh?
It's all fine, decent enough African/World music, but nothing particularly grabbed out at me.
Madonna
3/5
I had a good old sing song to 4 or 5 tracks, of which are scattered across the album, to the point that these tracks are the only thing holding it all together, the rest feels like filler, albeit very well produced filler.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
Apart from the cover of Steppin' Stone I had heard of anything else by the band. My initial impression of the album artwork was the text "Featuring Kicks", with that being the opening track. Just marketing? or was that album purely a vehicle for pushing a single?
Kicks turned out to be okay opener, but had a sucky fade out, and didn't flow nicely with the following track. The rest of the album is a mixed bag of 60s contemporary sounding songs, some are good, others less so. What I did find interesting was this feeling of restraint rebellion, a punky underbelly that couldn't quite punch through.
Classic album, nah. Glad I listened to it before I die, yeah.
Radiohead
3/5
There were a few moments that I thought this was quite good, but overall it felt quite pretentious. 2.5
Depeche Mode
4/5
Hadn't listened to this album before, I enjoy it much more than I was expecting to!
Roni Size
2/5
During lockdown, I was reading up about various Bristol music scenes, and hadn't heard Roni Size before, so listened to this album.
It's one of those "in the right setting, it'd be awesome!", e.g. late at night when you're half cut. But listened on a weekday during school half-term, not so much. 2.5
Emmylou Harris
2/5
My mum would love this album.
The Byrds
3/5
Largely forgettable songs; pleasant to listen along to; nice melodic vibes.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
Shouty wanky preachy bollocks!
Barry Adamson
4/5
Along with Moss Side Story and Soul Murder, the 1001 book calls them a loose trilogy, which is quite good... but it does all start blurring into one, confusing matters.
Still, enjoyed it though.
Van Halen
3/5
I must have skipped a few chapters of Orwell's 1984, don't recall Winston being 'Hot For Teacher' in Room 101.
Manic Street Preachers
5/5
One of my favourite albums, and probably most listened to! I'm not even a big Manics fan, just something about this album got me and stuck with me throughout my late teens all the way up to now.
Depeche Mode
5/5
Great album.
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
Ah, Buffalo Gals "go round the outside", that's where Eminem got that line, good to know.
This album is not what I was expecting at all, it's an interesting pick'n'mix of genres. While the Malcolm McLaren attribution is off-putting, I'm still glad I've listened to it, once.
Orange Juice
2/5
Always thought that I'd like Orange Juice because of Edwyn Collins, but every time I try them I think, meh!
I prefer apple juice anyway.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Enjoyed this!
Moby Grape
3/5
Many of the tracks are quite short, (along with Spotify was missing a few of the tracks), so it was over quite quickly. Initial listen, I thought it was good.
Spiritualized
3/5
One day, someone will need to educate me on why Spiritualized are held in amazing regard. Can't shake the feeling that I might be missing something.
KISS
2/5
Enjoyed a few of the songs, overall *shrugs*
The Gun Club
2/5
Started off well, punky rockabilly, but turned all very samey. 2.5
The Doors
2/5
The title track and Riders On The Storm are great, the rest feels like a boozy blues club band, boorish, whilst still musical tight, it put me on a bit of a downer. 2.5
Elastica
4/5
I listened to this once when it first came out. I kinda wrote Elastica off as a one-hit wonder with Connection. I quite enjoyed rediscovering this, hopefully it won't be another 28 years before I listen again.
Scritti Politti
1/5
Alexa, play me bland 80s synth pop... Are you sure? OK, here you go.
Rush
3/5
Another one of these where I go on about the medium influencing the message.
The opening track is 20 minutes long, this may seem silly in our contemporary Spotify streaming world, but for the original vinyl release, it was the entire Side A, which makes sense for telling a prog-rock concept story - however unfriendly for radio airplay.
Overall, it's a bit slow and meandering, glad I listened, doubt I'd revisit. 2.5
Bon Jovi
3/5
What can I say... gotta love a few power anthems for karaoke! 3.5
Rod Stewart
1/5
I think something was up with my headphones, as I could hear every fooking word. Jesus wept!
Django Django
4/5
Had never heard of this, good mix of styles, some places a bit laggy, overall enjoyed it!
Michael Jackson
4/5
Say what you will about Michael Jackson, this is a great and well produced album.
Elis Regina
2/5
Cuando era solo un niño pequeño, le pregunté a mi madre qué seré. Seré feliz, seré rico. Esto es lo que ella me dijo. Que Sera, Sera. Lo que sea sera.
The Cramps
3/5
Weird, in a kitsch psychobilly surfer punk rock kinda way. At least I think I liked it, a bit, maybe.
Gotan Project
2/5
Telephone hold music for the OnlyFans French office.
"Votre appel est important pour nous. Montre-moi tes pieds."
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Now That's What I Call Elevator Music! '67
Tom Tom Club
3/5
I can see why it's on the list, backstory is interesting enough. Songs are good enough, and good album length. Didn't excite me, but didn't annoy me either, 50/50 with me.
The Blue Nile
2/5
This made me feel very very sleepy. 🥱
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
The most unlistenable album ever, yet still I listened to it. FML!
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Fine and dandy mister splanky!
Tears For Fears
3/5
Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World and Head Over Heels are great, the rest were a bit hit and miss.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Well this was unexpected, I quite enjoyed it!
Stan Getz
4/5
Have you ever noticed that when there is music in an elevator, it's always The Girl from Ipanema? No? Just me and the Blues Brothers then.
Nevertheless, I quite enjoyed this album, easy going vibes.
Goldie
2/5
It was fine to have on in the background, wasn't terrible, wasn't great either, just felt long, so so long! 2.5
George Michael
2/5
I found that I appreciate George Michael more as I get older. Freedom '90 always seemed to be there through my adolescent years.
I hadn't listened to this album throughout before. After the first few tracks I thought it we were on to a winner, but then it started to flag into dreary ballad territory and I got bored. Shame really. 2.5
Skunk Anansie
4/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
When this album came out I was working at Blockbuster Video and the promo was on a constant loop. I quite liked Skunk Anansie at the time, but I never bought the album because it reminded me too much of shift work. Which was a shame, as I've really enjoyed listening to it today! It still deserves to be in the 1001 list. 4.5
David Gray
1/5
Apparently "noteworthy" because he supported Dave Matthews Band and had good album sales in the US, (which always seems to surprise the UK press).
What's the album like? Yawnville! 🥱
Marvin Gaye
2/5
Took one glance at the artwork... I couldn't bring myself to listen to it yesterday! Listened today, it was alright, it's no What's Going On or Trouble Man though.
N.E.R.D
3/5
Better than I thought it was gonna be.
The Damned
4/5
First time listening to this album, and I listened to it twice! I'd only heard of Smash It Up before. Good old fashioned punk fun.
Herbie Hancock
3/5
I'd been meaning to listen to this for a while. Good beats and grooves, tracks are a bit long though. I'm sure the music on the ToeJam & Earl on the Sega MegaDrive borrowed a lot from Herbie Hancock.
Talvin Singh
2/5
I thought Butterfly was an interesting track, but wasn't enough to carry an otherwise tenuous album - am I missing something?
The Specials
3/5
Madonna
2/5
I prefer Madonna's earlier work, although Ray Of Light is listenable enough, it feels more filler than killer. 2.5
Marvin Gaye
5/5
Great album, high production, everything just flows. Mercy Mercy Me is a particular favourite.
Miles Davis
2/5
I got three-quarters of the way through the first track, I couldn't take much more... come back John Zorn, all is forgiven!
Suede
2/5
I'd listened to this one a couple of times last year, thought it was alright, but with today's listen, I found it quite boring.
Happy Mondays
4/5
Good upbeat chaotic fun!
John Lennon
3/5
Top tunes for narcissists.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
Always thought she has a great voice, and this is a good album, but the constant "yea, yo, uhuh" mutterings started to do my nut in!
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Burning Spear
4/5
Enjoyed listening to this back-to-back with Garvey's Ghost.
Ride
3/5
I am told this is quintessential shoegaze.
Not really my sort of thing, but had a good read up about Ride, Andy Bell, Creation Records and Oasis, etc; interesting how shoegaze paving the way for Britpop.
2.5
The Undertones
4/5
Upbeat, pop-punk, good fun!
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I hadn't heard this album before, it was alright.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Do you know what this is? Yes, this is jazz.
X-Ray Spex
3/5
Spunky punky! Screechy vocals start to grate, but forgivable as interesting to read up about Poly Styrene's life.
The Who
3/5
Enjoyed this more that some of the other Who albums, but unsure why it made it into the 1001 book. 3.5
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Though I'd been more familiar with the Ritual De Lo Habitual album, I thought I hadn't heard this one before, but kept recognising the tracks, Mountain Song, Jane Says, Summertime Rolls and Pigs in Zen. 3.5
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
I'd never heard of him, nor the album. It was alright, as far as mid-90s hip-hop go - good beats and raps.
The Offspring
3/5
Most for the nostalgia: pseudo-angry pop-punk, moshing at late night 90s rock clubs, Crazy Taxi and Tony Hawks Pro Skater.
Gary Numan
3/5
I listened to this album last year (for the first time), I had only been familiar with Cars. It all sounds quite dated now, (which it ironically tried to sound futuristic), but I overall enjoyed listening. I dig the cover artwork too. 3.5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Listened to this loads when it came out. Relistening now, I'm still enjoying the music - lyrics are as cliché as ever. First half is funky good, second half meh. 3.5
Julian Cope
2/5
Jaysus Jules, two and a half hours?!
I struggled to get through both sides of the album. There were some good songs, but I spent most of it wondering what the feck is going on? 2.5
CHIC
3/5
Oh damn, the bassline on Good Times, so good! Shame the rest of the album feels like filler. Though I was happy it had a short runtime.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I honestly thought we'd had this one before!
I had a bit of a bumpy one with this album. Gimme Shelter is a fantastic opener, then a couple of duds, then another good one, rinse & repeat, until a great closer with You Can't Always Get What You Want.
David Bowie
3/5
I'm not sure why, but I put off listening to this after hearing about Bowie's death. I was glad when it was selected last Friday, but didn't listen immediately, I wanted to take my time with it.
Now having listened, it was alright. I appreciate it being Bowie's swansong, but nothing particularly stood out as rememberable for me. 2.5
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
Enjoyed it. The title track is excessive, but then this whole album is about excess and indulgence. Kinda like Mad Max 3, with less sand, and more lube.
The Who
4/5
Roxy Music
3/5
I can't help but think of that Shooting Stars skit of Virginia Plain, Vic Reeves' doing Bryan Ferry, so funny!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su1gbmpFj0I
Big Star
2/5
Hadn't heard of before, doubt I'll hear of again.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
I'd totally missed Cocteau Twins growing up, I was introduced to them a couple of years ago, and enjoyed this album very much.
De La Soul
5/5
...as it turns out, for this album, 5 is the magic number!
The Black Keys
3/5
Strangely, I spent most of listening to this album reading up about the artwork and packaging (with its heat-sensitive labelling), I didn't pay much attention to the music itself - it didn't upset me, so must have been alright, bit long though. 2.5
George Michael
4/5
Faith was on regular rotation during my pre-teens - I was never quite sure who was the bigger fan, my mum or my dad. Re-listening today, while it still holds nostalgia, there are a few filler tracks, but overall a solid contemporary pop album.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
2/5
It's an odd album, starts off one way, then goes in the complete opposite direction... it's all over the place! Were there parts that I liked? Yup, some good tunes in there. But as an album, it feels like a mess. 2.5
Marilyn Manson
2/5
This was on regular rotation during my late teens. Couple of tracks can still kick your arse, the rest feel a tad too superficially depraved for middle-aged me.
3/5
Good, chilled out.
Spotify had auto-play enabled, so I didn't realise that the album had finished until 10 minutes later. 😆
The Young Gods
1/5
Arrêtez le bateau, je veux descendre.
Un chef-d'œuvre? Mon cul saigne!
Britney Spears
1/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Dreadful album. But ...Baby One More Time still hits the nostalgia hard. Oh how teenage me wanted to go to that school!
Wilco
2/5
Catching up on missed albums. Having just listened to Wilco's other album on the list (Being There), I thought I best get this one out the way too. Ripping the plaster off, so to speak.
I'm sure in a different life, I may have enjoyed Wilco, but unfortunately today they bore the tits off me!
The only interesting thing I found was that this album was released a week after 9/11, and it's got two towers on the artwork.
1.5
Ghostface Killah
2/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I wasn't too fussed with this.
Billy Joel
3/5
I wish I hadn't read the "sounds like Paul McCartney doing an Elton John impression" comments, it's cracked me up!
Elton John
1/5
Tiny Dancer is great, so lovely; the rest are, well, shit.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
I can't recall when (or why) I'd heard this before, but I like the random eccentricness of it all.
Traffic
2/5
Turns out that even the middle of the road has a middle, this is it. 2.5
The Zutons
4/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I have a soft spot for The Zutons, oh-oh, I can do my "my bessie mate's brother is bessie mates with the singer's brother" thing, yeah yeah, I bore myself sometimes.
4 for nostalgia, the Scouse connection and great banging tunes!
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Leonard Cohen don't give a fuck, just look at this badass mofo, superfly, eating a banana, not a friggin' care in the world!
Mike Ladd
1/5
Did I listen to the right album? Sounded like a lot of low-fi mumblings. Picked up in places, still didn't like it.
New Order
4/5
Hadn't heard this album before, got off to a bit of a slow start, then I really got into it a few tracks in. Good stuff. 3.5/4.
Eels
3/5
I'd listened to this a few times before. I tend to enjoy Novocaine for the Soul and Susan's House, then kinda fade out for most of the album until I wake up again with Your Lucky Day In Hell. It's pleasant enough album, good vibes. 3.5
American Music Club
2/5
Fairly middle of the road white guy dad rock.
So yeah, it was okay, I suppose, maybe.
Madness
4/5
Good album, enjoyable enough, and Our House is a delight.
Strange that this is the only Madness album on the 1001 list. I'd listened to The Liberty of Norton Folgate recently, which was well worth a listen.
Robert Wyatt
5/5
I did not know what to expect from this.
It was weird, yet wonderful... being taken on a dreamlike magical journey, atmospheric and beautiful.
The explanation of "Wyatting" on Wikipedia made me laugh, (both the gag itself and his wife's opinion).
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Heard this before, enjoyed it. Re-listening now, still a great album for a lazy Sunday morning. Take Five is so familiar, remains etched in your mind for all time.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
"...now let's it sung properly!"
Antmusic for sex people.
Sexmusic for ant people.
ZZ Top
3/5
Digging the blues rock and crunchy riffs, and La Grange is a classic. Not sure the fast cars, loose women and drinking beer tropes work as well today.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Turns out that so far through my 1001 albums journey, I don't care much for Bruce Springsteen.
Still, as a 9/11 tribute, it's worth a listen, probably what his grassroot fans needed at the time.
Little Simz
4/5
I'd never heard of Little Simz, this was way better than I'd expected it to be! Digging the low key beats.
Ozomatli
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Aside from the opening track, the rest of the album was unavailable on Spotify. Listening on YouTube wasn't fun. Turns out my neighbour had a copy, (thank you Sam! 🙏)
This album wasn't what I was expecting at all. There's a big old mix of genres and influences going on here, definitely worth exploring. I'd picked up on Chali 2na on the Who's To Blame track, (such a distinct voice, who I mostly know from Linkin Park's remix album).
Overall I enjoyed it, but it's a bit all over the place to be a classic album.
Incubus
3/5
This album was alright back in 1999, feels mostly dated and cringe in places. Still has a few good tracks, I still seem to regularly add Drive to my various rock playlists. 2.5
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
After reading the review in the 1001 book, I still can't work out if that album is parody or genuine.
The The
3/5
Throwing Muses
3/5
I got confused with the linked album on Spotify, was it "Throwing Muses" or was it "In a Doghouse"? Turns out "In a Doghouse" is a compilation album, with "Throwing Muses (1986)" being the first 10 tracks.
As for the album itself, it was alright, but then I'd listened to it straight after Pixies' Bossanova, so maybe not the fairest canvas to start with.
Pixies
3/5
Good album, though I kind of zoned out for most of it, (in a good way). Velouria stood out, the rest blurred into one big surfy spaced out grunge trip, (again, in a good way).
The Black Crowes
2/5
I do like their cover of Hard to Handle. The rest is middle of the road blues hard rock. 2.5
Gene Clark
3/5
Knowing nothing about Gene Clark (other than he was in the Byrds), about 10 seconds in I was ready to skip, but glad I stuck with it, turned out to be a pleasant enough album - many tracks felt a bit middle of the road, but a few standout bits that piqued my interest. 3.5
The Cult
2/5
Not sure what to make of this. It kinda feels like an AI generated Queen tribute band.
Coldplay
1/5
Oh FFS! That was my initial reaction when this album came up. I had to stop for a moment and question, why did I hate Coldplay so much? Putting my reservations aside, I gave it a go. Less than a minute in, it's Chris Martin, does my nut in, yup those contrived predictable lyrics, droning on and on, give me a fookin' break. As for the music, majority of it is so bland, but then there'll be an odd chord progression that strike me as interesting... gotta be one of the other Coldplay guys screaming inside to get their creativity out there. Jesus wept!
Morrissey
3/5
Oh FFS! After yesterday's Coldplay, I wasn't ready for another knobber. Okay, putting reservations aside (again), giving it a solid listen. It turned out to be alright - maybe a few jarring rockabilly moments - but overall, it's a good, consistent, well produced album.
Fairport Convention
3/5
It's a funny one, I'm glad I listened to this, I'm glad it exists, I'm sure folks love it, do I like it? No. Well, maybe a little.
Ice Cube
4/5
Again, there's so much content on Ice Cube's albums, I struggle to digest it all. The -isms feel intentionally uncomfortable.
Musically, there's a layer of cinematic soundscape that I easily get lost in. But lyrically, it's not a world I wanna be in. Fuck, it's 2024 and doesn't feel much has changed for Black Americans.
Radiohead
5/5
OK Computer is one of the all time greats!
I'm not heavily into Radiohead, I struggle with most of their experimental stuff, I preferred their earlier stuff, but with OK Computer - as an album, it seemed to capture me at the right point in time.
Re-listening to the album today, sat down with headphones on, totally uninterrupted. I got to appreciate all the extra details, the layering, the production - it's a crazy equal mix of bleakness and inspiration, quite a journey.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Basement Jaxx
1/5
When this first came up, I listened to 30 seconds of it and couldn't be arsed.
Second attempt, I'm struggling to understand why it made the 1001 list, must be quotas for genres.
Certain Basement Jaxx tracks (like Red Alert) are great at the right place at the right time; parties, nightclubs... but this, as an "album", nah!
Khaled
2/5
Not something I'd actively seek out, but glad I listened.
As an album, it's far too long, interesting mix of arabic rai with western pop, (obviously a Beatles fan), good start, lagging middle and picked up towards the end. 2.5
Baaba Maal
2/5
Afro-Islamic transcendent vibes baby!
Shame it felt far too long, I got bored after 30 mins. 2.5
Ravi Shankar
4/5
The opening track is interesting; makes me wish Metallica would do similar for Metal music.
This album is definitely worth a listen, at least once. Educational and inspirational.
That said, I did zone out as it faded to pleasant background music.
Bee Gees
3/5
This album has completely thrown me off guard, not what I was expecting at all! Unsure what to make of it all.
The xx
3/5
I'm confused with this entry, as there's no reference in the 1001 book or even the ex-1001 list. So I'm unsure why it's on this website. 🤷
As for the album itself, I enjoyed it, it's subtly sublime. Though I preferred The xx's first album (which was previously listed in the book, now an ex-1001, or "xx-1001" for the dads in the room 🤦).
Merle Haggard
1/5
Nope!
Super Furry Animals
2/5
I wanted to like this more than I actually did. I was probably in a grumpy mood or something.
Though, Juxtapozed with U is still *chef's kiss!*
2.5
Beck
3/5
Melancholy melodies for middle-aged masses.
I too prefer a happier Beck.
Madonna
1/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I liked the opening track for the first 30 seconds, then it was too much. Not a fun listen. Step away from the audio effect buttons!
If you want to like Madonna, stick with mid-to-late 80s pop Madonna.
Kings of Leon
1/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
As an album, it's mediocre at best. The Bucket was my only highlight (only because I knew of it), but that wasn't enough to save me from boredom. 1.5
Peter Gabriel
5/5
I have much love for this album, instant 5. (Yes, I was born before 1982, and sure, I'll listen with headphones on!)
Deee-Lite
2/5
Groove Is in the Heart is still a favourite. Digg!
I vaguely recall listening to this album a few years ago and being disappointed, and I still am.
The Libertines
2/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
It's great until it's not... sadly relegated to the "landfill indie" wasteland. 2.5
Genesis
2/5
While I quite like Genesis, this double album is overly long and got bogged down in its own surreal concepts. I liked a few of the tracks, but doubt I'd be re-listening anytime soon.
Hawkwind
2/5
Wow, that felt 10 times longer than it was, which was already long enough.
There were moments that I thought were good, great even, then I suddenly thought, "this sounds a bit like recent Queens of the Stoneage" and I balked that QotSA may have become Hawkwind, and I'm nice an old fucker. Oh, bugger.
Giving it a 2 because I didn't hate it, but it was far far too long.
Guided By Voices
2/5
It definitely sounds like a bunch of unfinished demos. All sounds very raw. Many tracks fade out after a minute. I liked the bits I heard, but in terms of an album, it's very odd.
Brian Wilson
4/5
I wasn't sure what to expect from the opening track, but as soon as Heroes and Villains kicks in, I knew it was going to be a great album.
Hookworms
4/5
Every time I've tried to listen to this album I've been interrupted about halfway through. Today I've finally listened all the way!
It's an interesting one, for all the reasons why I shouldn't like it, I did enjoy it. Good vibes.
Paul Simon
4/5
Hadn't listened to this album before. Quite enjoyed it, pleasant, mellow and relaxed.
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard is a highlight!
Dwight Yoakam
1/5
I mostly remember Dwight Yoakam from Panic Room... he plays a good villain, was kinda fucked up.
As for this album, not my thing, found it boring, didn't need to listen before I die.
Paul Weller
3/5
My head thought it was bland, but my feet kept tapping along. Maybe I should I reconsider a career in dentistry?
Tom Waits
2/5
The opening track was great, but ends with a gradual fade out, (in terms of production values for an album, this grates me). The rest of the album seems to meander along. It's not bad, it's just, well, there.
Frank Zappa
4/5
I'd listened to this for the first time about a year ago. I'd totally forgot most of it. Re-listening, yup, it's batshit crazy and I dig it!
Willie Nelson
3/5
Again, I struggle with the concept of "what is an album?", where I generally rule out a collection of cover songs.
Despite that, if you're caught in a sentimental mood, this could be quite a nice album to listen to, (as I was today).
Jean-Michel Jarre
5/5
A spiritual and ambientic journey through space and time. Part 4 is the pinnacle, but you must experience Parts 1-3 to get there. Parts 5-6 hold the energy and brings you back home.
Giving a 5 for an essential listen, at least once, preferably late at night.
k.d. lang
2/5
Not terrible, just boring. Constant Craving is good though.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
I kept meaning to listen to Creedence since they're referenced throughout The Big Lebowski. I enjoyed this, mostly in that I could imagine The Dude kicking back and have a good time.
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Well, this was quite pleasant. 3.5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
Fever To Tell was on regular rotation when it came out, but I never listened to anything else by Yeah Yeah Yeah since. This was felt quite a detour from their original sound, started off alright, then got quite dreary. Much prefer their first album.
Album artwork is pretty cool though. 2.5
The Specials
5/5
I was familiar with The Specials hits, but hadn't listened to the albums. Enjoyed this a lot, even did a bit of a skank dance in the kitchen. Felt that some of the tracks do get a bit lost in themselves, but they are still fun and you know they love this stuff.
At face value I was gonna give this album a 4, but in the context of late 70s middle-England, it's culturally important, much deserving of top marks!
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Enjoyed it well enough, kind of music you'd listen to darkly brooding in the shadows.
Mike Oldfield
2/5
I struggled with this one. I knew of Tubular Bells because of The Exorcist, already iconic in my mind, but never listened to the album - I was told (at the time) it was a modern classic.
Listening today, I can only assume that everyone only heard the opening 5 minutes of the title track, yes iconic, then spirals off into a prog-rock mess.
Reminded me of the first time I went to Za Za Bazaar, too much choice, you pick everything, now you got to eat with a mountain of food from every corner of the world. Vindaloo flavoured Dim sum is interesting, but regrettable. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
The rest of the album has its interesting parts, but quickly forgettable. I didn't hate it, just felt messy (as an album).
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
Never heard of these before, good grooves! They're were totally an influence on the Eagles of Death Metal.
David Bowie
2/5
I kept thinking of Bowie in that episode of Extras when he spontaneously comes with a song about Gervais' character, "little fat man, who sold his soul".
Dion
1/5
The backstory was more interesting than the album, a Phil Spector shitshow. The album itself, "met with indifference".
The Verve
2/5
It sure ain't no Urban Hymns. Found it a little too raw and a bit boring. 2.5
Beck
4/5
Listened to it several times back in the day, it's been a long time. The runtime is a tad bit longer than it needs to be, but still great album. 4.5
The Roots
3/5
I enjoyed it, plenty of head bopping beats!!!!!!!
Yes
2/5
I can't deny I caught myself foot tapping along at various points, but overall, it is very bland and largely forgettable.
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
Never heard of Lupe Fiasco before. Surprised how good it was. Quite cool to hear the "Daydream in Blue" I Monster sample, (which itself is a sample) - enjoyable enough album up until the Outro - meh 12 minutes of unnecessary circle jerkin' shout outs, Jesus wept! 2.5
Norah Jones
2/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I always forget that Norah Jones is Ravi Shankar's daughter. I quite like Don't Know Why, she has gorgeous vocals, but the rest of the album just felt oh so bland.
Eminem
4/5
Similar to how I reviewed the Slim Shady LP, it's all a play on personas; the artist, the mask and the cartoon. This one felt more of what life could've been like if he hadn't of made it. The satire, the skits, the coulda woulda shoulda.
King Crimson
3/5
The album artwork always put me off. In recent years I couldn't help but think was Robert Fripp's reaction to Toyah Willcox on their YouTube videos.
As for the album itself, it's strangely hypnotic, an almost calm before a storm.
Elton John
3/5
Better than the other Elton John albums we've had on the list. I had a good old singalong to the hits. What was going on with Jamaica Jerk Off? bit bonkers!
Emmylou Harris
2/5
Lovely voice. Unsure how I feel about an album full of cover songs, (with the exception of "Boulder to Birmingham"). "Coat of Many Colors" sticks out, mostly because my mum loves that song. I struggled with The Beatles cover.
UB40
2/5
I'm all for the politics, but quickly gets boring and forgettable.
Björk
2/5
While I appreciate there are lots of ideas going on here, I can't help but think it all gets a bit too self-indulgent. Most tracks feel a minute or two too long, or at least that's the point when I start to hover over the skip/next button. 2.5
Portishead
5/5
Sexy music.
Animal Collective
3/5
Argh, illusory motion of the artwork keeps messing with my head, haha!
As for the album, it's good - some parts pop, other parts pretty out there, maybe you need to be high to fully appreciate it.
Mudhoney
5/5
I'd heard of Mudhoney, mostly for "Touch Me I'm Sick", but hadn't listened to anything else. I was a bit bothered about the 2 hour runtime of this album, then found it was a re-release with a bunch of other stuff, and the Spotify one was the deluxe album, so even more.
The 1001 book entry on this was about the original 6 track version, so I listened to those tracks first, then had the deluxe one on in the background.
I really enjoyed it, will listen again. I can see how they may have inspired the more popular 90s grunge scene.
Probably should be a 4, but yesterday it's a 5 for the raw punky energy.
The Charlatans
3/5
Enjoyed the hits (and Area 51), the rest never really captured my interest. 2.5
Iron Maiden
3/5
Classic British Heavy Metal, great, but in small doses.
Talking Heads
3/5
Psycho Killer gets stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
Overall the album was fine, interesting enough.
Duke Ellington
3/5
Spotify had the remastered album, running at about 2 hours. Far too long! I opted to pick out the 5 tracks from the original 1956 LP (accordingly to Wikipedia). Much better.
Wire
4/5
I honestly thought we'd already had this album, then I remembered that we'd at Elastica a while back, and I'd checked out this album because of the Three Girl Rhumba/Connection.
It's a good punky album, not too aggro, quite accessible - the short runtime helps too. Enjoyed it!
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Sexy music. Maybe too much sexy, maybe it's now cringy sexy music? But then, who doesn't sure love to ball?
Boards of Canada
3/5
Another one of those "in the right setting, this'll be awesome" type of albums. More of a late night after-party feel to it, not a Tuesday morning workday.
Neil Young
2/5
I liked Only Love Can Break Your Heart.
I suspect there is much to like on this album, but I got so damn tired of the whiny vocals.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
Hadn't heard of them before. Album was fine, had it on in the background, enjoyed it enough.
John Martyn
3/5
We had John Martyn's Solid Air a while back, which I thought was good. This feels more of the same, interesting mix of styles, I liked it, but probably not enough to revisit in future.
The The
3/5
Listened to this for the first time a couple of years ago, I recall enjoying it then, but later forgot about it. Re-listening now, I enjoyed it again, and no doubt will forget about it later again!
The Velvet Underground
2/5
I like Lou Reed, and I liked most of The Velvet Underground & Nico album, but I didn't get into this album at all. All felt a bit too slow and meandering, which is fine, but I got bored.
Magazine
3/5
Hadn't heard of the album nor band, I quite liked the melodies and progressions - especially on Shot By Both Sides. Probably not an album I'd listen to again, but enjoyed it enough for its 40 minute runtime.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
First half of the album is great fun, then the second half gets heavy in the subject matter.
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
Noted as "techno's first concept album", what that concept is, I dunno bit of a stretch, it's just a bit weird. There's a Portishead remix on there, that's a bonus.
Spacemen 3
3/5
I listened to the first 9 tracks, as per the original release. The 2 hour reissue on Spotify felt a tad overkill.
It's another one of these where the right setting and headspace make a massive difference. Probably late late on a Saturday night, stood in a field around a camp fire, most suitably intoxicated, enjoying the vibes.
Less so listening with headphones on a Tuesday morning at work.
Rod Stewart
1/5
Aside from Maggie May, which is a good tune for a merry sing along, I struggled to muster any kind of enthusiasm for the rest of the album. Even the artwork is beige.
Brian Eno
2/5
I have ambivalent feelings on this album (and Brian Eno in general). I want to like it, but nothing really grabbed me.
Aimee Mann
2/5
The album is fine, pretty much what we'd expect of female vocal-led singer/songwriter in the early/mid 90s, it's all fairly middle of the road, along the lines of Sheryl Crow, Liz Phair, Alanis Morissette, et al.
The Cure
3/5
Klaxons
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Listened to this when it came out, thought it was alright, then forgot about it. Listened again a couple of years ago, thought it was alright, then forgot about it again. Now today, I think it's alright, and... I've forgot what I was gonna say.
2Pac
2/5
I think you needed to buy into the whole drama surrounding 2Pac to indulge all this. I didn't hate the album, it's just irreverent to me, I couldn't care less.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I've always been a bit hit and miss with Nick Cave. Luckily, this one hit yesterday, enjoyed it.
Pixies
5/5
Was close to giving it a 4, but those crunch bass lines pushed it to a 5!
Mariah Carey
1/5
Awful album, I had to keep skipping tracks, far too much vocal warbling, made me feel queasy.
I feel slightly mean giving this a 1, probably coz I fancied the pants off Mariah Carey when I was 14.
Brian Eno
3/5
Interesting album, some parts good, other parts descending into chaos.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
Great to listen to something different. Unfortunately, I totally lost interest after 10 minutes.
Kraftwerk
4/5
I'd stared listening to this yesterday morning, but stopped as I wasn't in the mood. I was off out in the evening for a walk and a train journey into Bristol, so thought it could be my soundtrack. Turns out it was a pretty good soundtrack.
Although, I prefer Kraftwerk's other albums, particularly Trans Europe Express, this one was still pretty good.
Laibach
2/5
Leben heißt Leben! Ja! Ja! Get that man a light beer! (if only to wet his gullet, his voice is so gruff!)
Tom Waits
2/5
Having a backlog of Tom Waits albums in my 1001 history, maybe tackling them one after another is not the best approach... it's all so samey... gravelly drunk monologuing.
Again, it's not bad... it's just, well, just.
John Lennon
3/5
Yup, Lennon's Beatles break-up / childhood therapy album. Plenty to unpack, if you're interested in that sort of thing - today I wasn't.
Common
2/5
Another one of these where I'm like "nope, never heard of them", then found that we've already had another album of theirs on the 1001 list.
Like Water for Chocolate was alright. Is this better? Probably on par. I don't have much opinion on it.
k.d. lang
1/5
Fine for k.d. lang fans. For me, welcome to yawnville! 🥱
Iron Maiden
2/5
I liked the guitar work, but overall it didn't quite grab my attention. 2.5
Alice Cooper
3/5
Remember when Bruce Dickinson did a cover of "Elected" with Mr Bean? Haha... I think I have a copy of the single somewhere, (yeah yeah, it was to support Comic Relief). 🤣
As for the album, it was fine, semi-enjoyed it. Though it does make me question the Hard Rock genre, as generally feels quite soft.
The Sugarcubes
4/5
First listened to this last year, thought it was great fun. I've grown quite fond of Einar's dry witted vocals.
The Lemonheads
2/5
It's fine for its time, short enough to not get bored, but the nostalgia didn't hold for me. It probably only made the list due to the Mrs. Robinson cover, which was only appended onto the re-release edition.
Muddy Waters
5/5
That's a pretty cool album!
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
I'd heard of Afghan Whigs, (and keep reading it as "Afghan Wings", I dunno, dyslexia), but never listened to anything by them.
The album is decent enough, I enjoyed the guitars and bass riffs, but still all quite forgettable.
The Stranglers
4/5
Some of the lyric subjects no longer align with modern thinking, but I maybe was enjoying the crunchy punky bass riffs a little too much.
Metallica
4/5
All these guitar riffs, licks and solos, it's a massive wankfest... and I loved every minute of it! 🤘
3/5
Our fourth (and final) Kinks album on the 1001 list. I never really got into The Kinks, dunno why its good music, and this album is pretty decent, but if I was going to recommend a Kinks album, I'd go with "Something Else".
Björk
2/5
I always want to like Björk's music more than I actual do. There are moments when I can't decide whether it's genius or just self-indulgent weirdness. 2.5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Doubt it'd ever be something I'd actively seek out, but I happily had it on in the background. Decent swampy blues.
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
"Guess what! I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more bongo!"
Girls Against Boys
4/5
How have I never heard of this band?! Loving the punchy underground rock.
Takes me back to those 90s rock nightclubs, 2-for-1 drinks of whatever rancid alcopop they were flogging, sweaty moshpits, drunken bruises, foolishly thinking we were living our best lives, yeh!
Ryan Adams
1/5
According to Wikipedia, "Ryan Adams; Not to be confused with Bryan Adams." Also, the anecdote about "Summer of '69" made me laugh.
As for the album, too long, uninteresting and I've reached a point in the 1001 albums that I definitely have a problem with the harmonica. Make it stop!
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
It was fine, but nothing particular jumped out at me. 2.5
Jack White
3/5
I was fully expecting to be a wanky narcissistic solo debut, but it turned out to be quite enjoyable. Probably never listen to it again though.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
I had this on frequent play when it first came out, still sounds great (to me) today.
Dolly Parton
1/5
Ouch, not for me, yawnville! I nearly fell asleep 3 times whilst listening. I had to google photos of Linda Ronstadt (younger, of course, but whatever), just to keep me awake.
Deerhunter
3/5
Yet another band I'd never heard of, and probably wont hear about ever again. The album was alright, some tracks felt a bit Arcade Fire-y, which was no bad thing.
Fugazi
4/5
I've listened to Fugazi's 13 Songs compilation album a bunch of times. Hadn't listened to Repeater before, pretty good, plenty of punky beats to mosh around to!
Skepta
2/5
Hadn't heard of Skepta. Not something I'd choose to listen to, fam, the album is listenable enough, fam, the skits get tiresome, fam, but decent beats to keep me engaged, doubt I'd listen again, fam.
My highlight was picking up on the QotSA "Regular John" sample/loop on "Man".
2.5
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
Looks like I'm the fool again, I don't like it, no.
The Go-Betweens
2/5
As others have commented, the sounds a bit like an Australian jangly pop version of The Smiths. I enjoyed the songs that didn't feature a bloody harmonica! 2.5
Prince
3/5
I wasn't in the mood for a double-album, but at an hour runtime, wasn't excessively long. Overall, it was okay, lots of pop funk, but nothing to make me want to revisit in future.
What was going on with "Housequake"? I thought WTF? Is that Eric Cartman singing? Then by the end of the track, I was bopping along. Not sure how to process this.
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
When it says 69 Love Songs on the tin, I wasn't expecting literally 2 hours 45 minutes worth of songs. To give a reasonable review of this album it'd need to be listened to in a few instalments, which I doubt I'd want to put the effort in for.
From the initial one-off listen, it's an alright 3-side album, giving me Lou Reed vibes, quite humorous in places, tiresome in others, nothing I disliked, but equally who would love a chicken with its head cut off?
2.5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
When a Led Zeppelin album comes up on the 1001 list, I always enjoy it, but I'd never really listen to them afterwards, and I'm not sure why.
Listening to IV, I found myself trying to pick faults so that I could down score it from a 5 vote, probably because I have a massive soft spot for The Beatles. But I can't fault it, 5!
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Lyrical poetry about love and hate... and not a harmonica in sight!
Slayer
2/5
Was this deliberately "randomly" selected as our group's 666th album? 🤔
Some days you just need to let your hair down, mosh around and scream fuck yeah!
...I was exhausted after 10 minutes!
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1/5
Pretentious wank!
Miles Davis
5/5
I thought I'd get bored of this, but nope, great album, classic!
Can
4/5
Sounds way more modern than 1973, so yeah it was Future Days alright. Quite surprised how good it was. An optimistic 4 from me.
Miriam Makeba
3/5
Nice, easy listening, all very pleasant.
Kanye West
2/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I was going to skip this one, coz Kanye West is a bit of a knobhead these days, but then I wondered if I was missing something with it, so had a listen... it started off fine for a hip hop pop rap album, but once the skits bled too much into the later tracks, I lost all interest.
Talking Heads
3/5
I don't think one listen of this album is enough to do it justice. It'd probably be more endearing after several listens, (which given my current 1001 backlog is doubtful).
3/5
Unavailable on Spotify, (but thank you to Sam next door for a CD copy).
I had to laugh at Nigel's comment "I think secretly Andy Partridge would like to join the Beach Boys", but I misread this as Alan Partridge and couldn't stop laughing, A-HA!
The album was alright, but I'd probably pick Skylarking as a better XTC album.
Circle Jerks
3/5
Enjoyed that way more than any circle jerks I've been part of!
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
I'd listened to this a several times over the past few years. It's a decent album, but The Killing Moon is the jewel in the crown.
Slade
3/5
Better than I'd expected... and more glam rock too!
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
There are many parts I like about this album, but I think I like the idea of listening to LCD Soundsystem more than I actually do enjoy listening to them. Maybe I'm never in the right mood for them? Why I intend on persisting it's a "me" problem, I dunno!
John Cale
3/5
Some parts good, some parts less so. Listenable enough.
The Beta Band
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
First time listening. It was going pretty well, as a britpop-esque type of thing, that was until the bloody harmonica reared it's head, gah!
Other than that, it was alright. Shame it's easily forgettable.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
Some parts I got into, other parts that I didn't. Guess that's jazz baby.
Adele
1/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I hadn't listened to the album before, only knew a few of the songs... mostly because they are used in the cut aways in those over-sensationalised ITV talent shows... which is why I think the likes of Adele get a bad rep. Too much commercialism leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Full of empty calories.
Vocally, Adele is great. As for this album, meh.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
Incoherent self-indulgent tosh. Yeah, I didn't like it.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
With her recovery story in mind, this is quite a gutsy comeback album, you can feel the vocal struggles. I wouldn't say that I enjoyed it, but definitely appreciate the body of work.
Justin Timberlake
2/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I read at the time that most of the tracks were written for Michael Jackson, but he wasn't interested. When I eventually heard this album, all I could think about was, is Justin Timberlake doing an impression of Michael Jackson?
It turned out well for Justin Timberlake, album was a success.
I can see why it originally made the 1001 list with all famous people involved behind the scenes, and I can see why it was removed. It's a fleeting thing, moments lost in time, like tears in the rain... cry me a river, FFS!
Brian Eno
3/5
God love the 1980s... an innovation of sampling and synthesizing experimentation, or an incoherent mess? You decide. Still "art" though init!
Dexys Midnight Runners
1/5
I didn't think much of this, too slow, too long, nonsensical mutterings, warbly vocals, no thanks! Searching For The Young Soul Rebels was a better album.
MC Solaar
3/5
Curse my English tongue! Great beats and vibes!
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Oh, Geno!
Eric Clapton
1/5
Hmmm, not great (for a 1001 album) when the standout track is a cover. Sure, Clapton is an influential guitarist (and controversial), yadda yadda, but I found this album quite boring.
The Pretty Things
3/5
With most of the albums in the 1001, giving it just one listen is probably not enough. This album was pretty good, but I didn't feel invested enough to think of it much higher than a 3, though I reckon with several more listens I'd probably warm to it more.
The Monkees
3/5
From reading Wikipedia, it's a noteworthy album as it's the one where The Monkees wanted to take on more songwriting/performance/recording responsibilities. It's a good fun 60s pop album, worth at least one listen.
Pulp
5/5
I wasn't really into Pulp during the mid-90s, sure Common People and Disco 2000 were instant classics, but for whatever reason I wrote them off at the time and never listened to this album. Last year on the 1001, we had "This Is Hardcore" come up, which I quite enjoyed. So, finally time to give "Different Class" its due... and it did not disappoint, great tunes, great social commentary, great album!
Def Leppard
2/5
I can't quite figure out why there are 2 Def Leppard albums in the 1001, surely Hysteria was enough to cover the 80s hair metal quota!!
That said, I didn't hate it, just felt dated and pointless. 2.5
Soft Cell
3/5
I was dubious when this album came up, I'd initially saw it as a vehicle for Tainted Love - which is a banger, but also a cover version - so didn't hold much hope for the album... and turns out I quite enjoyed it, in a non-serious sleazy pop innuendo fuelled peep show type of way.
Fred Neil
2/5
The album was alright. I liked some of the bluesy folk tracks, (but didn't like the bloody harmonica bits). Of course, Everybody's Talkin' is a classic, although I tend to prefer Harry Nilsson's cover.
David Crosby
4/5
I wasn't sure what to expect from this, but I liked it. How had I never heard of Cowboy Movie before?
Little Richard
3/5
A wop bop a loo bop a lop bom bom!
As much as I love a classic rock and roll track, there's only so long you can listen to a 12-bar blues riff. 3.5
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
We got Want Two come up on the 1001 list a while back. I recall being pleasantly surprised by it (after I'd wrongly assumed it'd be awful). I wonder if I should have listened to this one first? As it sounds like more of the same. Nothing bad, I liked most of this album, but I see why it's now an ex-1001.
The Who
2/5
Seeing Roger Daltrey in a bath full of baked beans makes me feel ill, especially the spewing from his mouth, blurgh.
I like the idea of this concept album, but didn't enjoy listening to it, (apart from I Can See For Miles, that was good). 1.5
Richard Hawley
3/5
I'm not too familiar with Richard Hawley's solo work, (I listened to Lady's Bridge last year, which was decent enough). I quite liked Coles Corner, bit slow in places, but overall had a classic rockabilly vibe to it.
Big Star
1/5
I thought it started off okay-ish, then the 3rd track kicked in and I was ready to throw the stereo into the river! and oh gawd, the cover songs were dreadful!
Giant Sand
2/5
Yup, that was a chore! I liked how several of the songs start off, then they seem to drop off the cliff edge.
Gram Parsons
2/5
Not really my thing, but interesting to listen to whilst reading the background of the recording, Gram Parsons' death and Emmylou Harris having her credit removed. Love Hurts.
The La's
5/5
This album used to be on my regular rotation during the 90s, it's been a while since I'd listened to it. It's difficult for me to listen subjectively, to separate the nostalgia from the album - being (a tiny) part of the Liverpool music scene in the 90s, The La's meant something to all of us. While I didn't know any of them personally, (realistically there was a decade between us gigging), I had mates who did know them and we played the same venues, (Phil Hayes once told me to get the fuck out of his office!), so I felt close enough connection.
As for the album itself, I've really enjoyed re-listening to it today, so many great songs! But the album does feel like a thrown together collection of songs, rather than a coherently flowing track list.
I've read the stories that the record company were exhausted of waiting for Lee Mavers' approval, so released the album anyway. Whatever Mavers uncompromisingly envisaged as the sound of the album, I'm glad that a version of it did see the light of day.
R.E.M.
2/5
Hadn't ever listened to their debut album, better than I expected it to be, quite repetitive and samey throughout. 2.5
Waylon Jennings
1/5
Not my thing at all.
Tim Buckley
3/5
Fiona Apple
3/5
The mid 90s were a good time for female vocal-led singer/songwriters.
I've been intrigued by Fiona Apple, but never really listened to much of her music. This album was fine, but quite didn't grab me, I wanted to like it more than I did. Criminal is classy track though.
The Bees
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Plenty of good time mellowing lo-fi summertime vibes to be had here. Shame its largely forgettable.
Coldcut
4/5
Great stuff!
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I always think that Nick Cave albums are going to be a struggle... which this was, but in a good way!
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
4/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Surprised that this album ever made it onto the list. Fred Durst comes off as a total knobhead, so why did I rock so hard to it?! Awww... it's complicated! 🤘
Kanye West
2/5
At this point of the 1001 list, I'm tired of Kanye West!
Subjectively, it's a fine pop/hip hop/rap album, good beats, well produced and all that, a little too much autotune, but by the time I got to the Chris Rock skit, I couldn't take any more.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Hadn't heard of Hanoi Rocks before... not bad, in as far as 80s Glam Rock goes.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Disenchanted lullabies
The Temptations
3/5
Not what I was expecting at all, it's quite the rollercoaster... it's got the usual funk/soul tracks, then it would hit an outlier ballsy track, and then drops down to some lacklustre track! Overall I liked it, but feels an odd album. 2.5
The Flying Burrito Brothers
1/5
I struggled with this one, the slower country/folk tracks aside, there were little things with the production that felt shoddy and rushed, (coughs in vocals, random knocks), put me off, especially considering the talent involved. There were a couple of decent tracks, (the cover versions were okay), but overall I didn't enjoy it. 1.5
The Birthday Party
3/5
The artwork is mental, almost Pythonesque! ...and the album itself is just an mental! Would have been ace to see them perform live.
Pink Floyd
5/5
For no particular reason, I'd never listened to much Pink Floyd... Great to finally listen to this masterpiece! Shine On indeed!
Gene Clark
1/5
Awww... that bloody harmonica strikes again!
It's a shame I have such an issue with it, as Gene Clark's voice is quite soothing. Fecking harmonica!
FWIW, I liked the album artwork photography.
The Boo Radleys
3/5
I once went for a full english breakfast with Tim from The Boo Radleys, it was 1999, we were a web dev training course, and he was there to set up a website for his new recording studio. Top bloke.
As for the album, it's good, but long, experimental for the time, mixing genres, but feels dated now.
Sleater-Kinney
5/5
Hadn't heard of Sleater-Kinney before... really enjoyed this one! Here's to the riot grrrls!
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Listened to this a few times last year, it's an enjoyable album... if you like The Flaming Lips that is; it's out there!
Randy Newman
1/5
How on earth are there 2 Randy Newman albums on the 1001 list? The mind boggles, it's a parody of itself!
"Randy Newman, sits there all night and days singing about what he sees."
Elvis Presley
3/5
There's no denying Elvis's cultural and musical impact... and there's no denying I was foot-tapping throughout this album, but that's mostly because the 12-bar blues osmosis.
Taking this album on its own merits, it's good but not great.
Mercury Rev
4/5
Listened to this last year for the first time, I couldn't shake The Flaming Lips vibes... then read that Mercury Rev frontman Jonathan Donahue used to be a guitarist in The Flaming Lips, so the connection made sense.
It's a grower; think I like it a little more today than I did last year.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Individually, there are many great tracks - plenty of emotion and nostalgia - but does it flow together as an album, I'm not so sure, feels a bit up & down between tracks. Still, those standout tracks are gold!
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
As much as I love QotSA, this isn't their strongest album, still good though. Songs For The Deaf or Rated R would have better choices for the 1001 list.
Metallica
5/5
The nostalgia hits pretty hard when relistening to The Black Album.
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
They weren't wrong, but they didn't quite drown!
Interesting experimental noise rock, glad I listened, (once). Most surprising thing, it was released in 2004, I'd have guessed 1984.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
Only appears to be a noteworthy album because it heavily features Eric Clapton. Meh.
Another reviewer says "it's probably the whitest version of the blues I've ever had to listen to"... sounds about right! Which is fine, if that's your thing.
The Strokes
3/5
Last Nite is the obvious highlight, the rest of the album is a bit samey but in a good way.
The Vines
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I remember when this came out and I was rocking out to Get Free and Outtathaway! and the UK media were hailing the The Vines as the next Nirvana... and then they weren't.
Still, I enjoyed the album at the time, a good mix of alternating tracks between grunge and mellow.
Wilco
2/5
Far too long. I kept losing track of how I was or what I was listening to. Individually, many of the songs are decent enough, but I just got bored of the album, it all felt a bit too beige.
Chicago
2/5
Corny horny lounge act.
Shack
3/5
I don't know anything about this Liverpool band, so none of my usual anecdotes. Unfortunately, it's quite a forgettable album, I enjoyed most of it while listening, then puff it's gone.
Ryan Adams
1/5
After listening recently to Ryan Adams' other album on the 1001 list, I wasn't enthused to listen to this one... but I pushed through... and it wasn't going too bad, then the harmonica hits... meh!
Doves
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Doves' debt album Lost Souls is still in the 1001 book, which is probably enough to experience Doves. This album is fine, but it's more of the same.
GZA
3/5
I enjoyed the general vibe and Shogun Assassin references. 3.5
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Unsure why this album made the list, I'd have thought All the Young Dudes would have been the one to pick. Mott is a fine glam rock album, enjoyable enough.
JAY Z
3/5
"It's ya boy, Jay-Z! Woo!" Okay, it doesn't happen on every track, but sure feels like there's a meme soundboard with all the Jigga vocal flows on it.
I liked the samplings, you can tell Kayne West's beginnings. Plenty of good beats and flows. Renegade is solid. Glad I listened, doubt I'll revisit.
George Jones
1/5
🥱
Pentangle
2/5
What is this folk baroque rock? Take these magic mushrooms, and offer a tribute to the Wicker Man.
Public Enemy
5/5
Welcome to the Terrordome!
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Having only listened to Heaven or Las Vegas, which I quite enjoyed, Treasure feels similar yet rawer.
Blue Cheer
3/5
A short and enjoyable listen. I'm a bit critical that it's 6 tracks and half of those are covers, so more like a rough & ready EP.
Megadeth
3/5
As insanely cool the guitar work and drums are; it's a relentless 35 minutes of thrash metal. (I skipped the live tracks on the deluxe edition.)
Stereo MC's
2/5
Connected and Step It Up are the rememberable ones... the rest, meh!
Goldfrapp
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I quite enjoyed it, pleasant and dreamy, unfortunately quite forgettable. Well, except for Happiness, that got suck in my head for the rest of the day.
...and those gorgeous eyes!
Sonic Youth
3/5
Our third Sonic Youth album on the list; similar in ways to their other albums; good artsy noise-music.
Dire Straits
2/5
For those who love Sultans of Swing... here's 40 minutes of the same.
Oasis
4/5
Why am I feeling nostalgic listening to this? I wasn't even into Oasis when this came out. I guess it's one of those cultural things that creeps up on you over the years.
Queen
4/5
Despite a couple of lacklustre tracks, it's a good album! You can tell they'd started to experiment with recording/production techniques, refining that "Queen" sound.
The Beta Band
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Our second encounter with The Beta Band on the 1001 list, similar to the previous one, it's fine, some good bits, but quickly forgettable.
Opening standout track, Squares, felt like yet another heavily sampled version of Wallace Collection's "Daydream"... probably best to leave one that to I Monster's "Daydream in Blue". 2.5
James Taylor
2/5
One of the cousins had a kid named James, and he was always referred to as Sweet Baby James... literally ALL THE TIME, to the point of "was this a joke?" I still don't get it.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth still hits the nostalgia notes! The rest of the album is fine, a bit wishy washy... but yeah, I agree: Every Day Should Be a Holiday!
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
I'm not sure what to do with this. Is Ella Fitzgerald a great singer, yes. Do I have time to listen to a 3+ hours, 6 disc boxset album? Probably. But do I want to? Not really. I ended up listening to disc 1 and parked it.
I may revisit on some rainy Sunday, today wasn't the day.
Dolly Parton
3/5
The album starts off quite strong, but plateaus off to fair generic country & western.
My mum loves Dolly Parton and specifically the opening track, which is a great song, that's enough to inflate my rating.
Stephen Stills
3/5
When this album came up, I was like "who's Stephen Stills?" Which is the real tragedy, as he's a talent and should be more well known than he is. Ah yes, Buffalo Springfield; Crosby, Stills & Nash, of course!
Several decent songs on this album, not always my sort of thing, but overall quite good. 3.5
Manu Chao
3/5
Peter Gabriel
4/5
I don't know why I'm always surprised that I enjoy Peter Gabriel's albums more than I expect to!
Tom Waits
2/5
I'm unsure what environment is ideal to listen to this. I'd probably enjoy this being performed live at some jazzy open mic night, but listening on headphones at my desk... it sounds like a lot of drunken drivel.
Beck
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I enjoyed it well enough, it's just that I don't know how to differentiate it from Beck's other albums on the 1001 list.
Has a few standout tracks, the rest blend in around the edges.
MGMT
4/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I hadn't heard of MGMT, but 4 seconds into the album I recognised it from adverts. Decent enough modern pop, enjoyed it.
System Of A Down
3/5
I enjoyed most of this, although towards the end it all sounded a bit too samey. 3.5
Kings of Leon
2/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I've always been indifferent about Kings of Leon... even when everyone in the pub is roaring to Sex on Fire, meh!
A question about audio production, everything felt dampened down, was it recorded under a wet blanket?
Dagmar Krause
3/5
Wasn't on Spotify and took me a while to find a decent playlist version on YouTube (thanks to those who linked to it in the reviews!)
Quite a strangely powerful album, took me unexpectedly.
Supergrass
5/5
It'd been a while since I last listened to this, great debut album!
The Streets
2/5
Interesting in that it's a concept album, so worth a listen right? Well, it's a bit too whiney and wasn't all that interesting. 1.5
Drive Like Jehu
4/5
Now That's What I Call... Post-Hardcore Punk '94!
Fun Lovin' Criminals
4/5
Of course the standout tracks are still great! I like the hip-hop genre mixing throughout the album, taking much inspiration from mid-90's Tarantino movies.
The Stooges
3/5
There are parts of this album I thought I was listening to The Doors. The standout tracks, I Wanna Be Your Dog and No Fun are still awesome.
The Dictators
3/5
I liked it, short album, quite daft, but backed up with some decent 70s punk.
Stereolab
3/5
I knew of a few Stereolab tunes before, but hadn't listened to any of their albums. I liked it, it's great for background music, but nothing that really jumped out at me with a wow.
Carpenters
3/5
Aww, this was rather lovely!
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
After having 4 (of the 5) Springsteen albums on the 1001 list, I was hoping this one may pique my interest, but nope, I still don't care much for Bruce Springsteen.
Pretenders
3/5
It's a listenable album, nothing offensive, good rhythm. I did struggle to understand many of the lyrics, I'm not sure if they were nonsensical or it was Chrissie Hynde's vocal style.
Dr. Octagon
2/5
The artwork is pretty cool!
...and I liked the B-movie sound bites, and that's about it.
Pere Ubu
3/5
I like the artwork.
The album itself is a bit bonkers, in a good way, I guess.
I'm sure I'll revisit some time.
Paul McCartney
4/5
Enjoyed this album. For better or worse, I always saw it as McCartney's cathartic cleansing, to work through all those unused Beatles ideas.
Everything But The Girl
4/5
I knew some tracks, but hadn't listened to the whole album before, enjoyed it more than I thought.
Similarly, I kept finding myself muttering "...and I miss you" on most of the choruses.
John Lee Hooker
2/5
Grandiose, and boringly so!
Why this is the only JLH album on the 1001 list? Something like Urban Blues is a much better showcase.
Supergrass
4/5
I was already familiar with this album, enjoyed re-listening. Tails off towards the end, but the hits still hit hard!
Sebadoh
3/5
It was weird, I kept wanting to dislike it, but I really didn't. Angsty yet subdued, a bit like Dinosaur Jr with a hint of Mclusky, but felt that they kept pulling their punches. Could have been more edgier, although overall, I enjoyed it.
On a side note, I couldn't help think that Placebo ripped off "Soul and Fire", felt a lot of similarities with "Burger Queen" and "Lady of the Flowers".
The Verve
4/5
Of course the opening track is a classic, but when the second track kicks in, you know you're in for a real treat! Enjoyed this album much much more than The Verve's previous album.
Mylo
2/5
Although I found myself head bopping throughout this; and I liked Drop The Pressure; the In My Arms sampling remix one was weird; Destroy Rock & Roll started off amusing... "David BOO-wie, Cyndi LOOP-er", but went on far too long. The rest of the tracks all seemed to blur together in an EDM soup.
TLC
1/5
✔️ Crazy
✔️ Sexy
❌ Cool**
** with the exception of Waterfalls, that's pretty cool.
Lightning Bolt
3/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
At first I was like "what is this load of old shit?", ready to give it 1 star... then it grabbed me by the head and shook me until I submitted "okay, okay, jaysus christ, I'll give you 2 stars!" ... alright, an extra star for the guerrilla tactics!
Sparks
4/5
My uncle was really into Sparks, I didn't pay much attention to them back then... I should have done, enjoyed this album a lot!
Cover artwork photo is great too!
Stan Getz
3/5
It's a perfectly fine album, but my trouble with Stan Getz (and any other kind of bossa nova) is that I always find myself humming The Girl from Ipanema.
The Icarus Line
1/5
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Wonder if this is what The White Stripes would sound like with more guitar pedals and low production values? Meh, landfill material. 1.5
The xx
4/5
Quite like this album, minimalistic, low-key beats, subdued duets, it's a chill vibe. The downside is that it's largely forgettable. The Intro is such a solid opener!
The Residents
1/5
No doubt there's an experimental pioneering aspect of this in 1972, and probably inspired a bunch of our now well-loved artists, but it doesn't hold up to modern standards, it's just, well, annoying. 1.5
Jurassic 5
4/5
Hadn't heard this album before, much enjoyment!
Frank Ocean
1/5
Nope, I didn't need to listen to this before I die.
Björk
4/5
Green Day
5/5
I have a soft spot for a concept albums... and this one is a great pop punk rock album, that also kicks dirt at the GW Bush era, win-win! 🤘
Brian Eno
4/5
Ambient music: "as ignorable as it is interesting"; which, I guess, this album achieves.
4 for the calm.
The Mars Volta
3/5
I'd been looking forward to listening to this one, as I thought the artwork looked a bit bonkers. Of course, you should never judge a book by its cover, but this was kind of accurate.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
It's fine, I guess. 🤷
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
I didn't get into this at the time, but have listened to it several times over the years, it's a solid rock album, but for me it never quite lives up to the expectations that my mates put on it. Don't get me wrong, there are many tracks that are great, but overall it doesn't grab me.
Portishead
4/5
Best enjoyed late at night.
Spiritualized
4/5
Ladies and Gentlemen I have been floating in space!
Napalm Death
2/5
MEIN GOTT!
Fishbone
2/5
The 80s called... they want their clichés back!
Sonic Youth
4/5
Our fourth Sonic Youth album on the 1001. I probably like this one the most, but still find it difficult to differentiate between all their other albums.
Radiohead
3/5
I loved OK Computer so much that I think I subconsciously avoided the follow-up albums so not to feel the disappointment. So today was my first time listening to Kid A... and I think I may have been right to avoid it. I didn't hate it; it was just there.
I appreciate the direction Radiohead took, but for me, the bar was set far too high with OK Computer.
The United States Of America
2/5
Only God knows how much I tried to like this, alas, I did not.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
I semi-enjoyed it, in that it's interesting a concept album/story-ish... but jeez do they have a raging hard-on for Lynyrd Skynyrd!
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Bit too much vibrato vocals for my liking, thankfully it was a short album.
Doves
3/5
I prefer this one to The Last Broadcast. It's not something I'd actively seek out, but fine enough to listen along to.
The Clash
4/5
What a day to have The Clash... I'm So Bored with the USA too!
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
The first half of the album is awesome, the second half is unfortunately lacklustre.
Orbital
1/5
The incessant use of soundbite loops got very irritating. By the time the album got interesting I was already too disinterested.
Jethro Tull
3/5
I liked this more than I'd expected to.
Bob Dylan
3/5
*Note to self: do not rate based on harmonica usage.
Harmonica aside, this album is quite endearing and thoughtful.
Grizzly Bear
3/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I'd never heard of the band before. Pleasantly surprised by it, quite enjoyed it (in a hipster kind of way). I think it would have had more impact with a shorter runtime, (30 mins-ish).
Ray Price
2/5
Why don't more albums have an introduction? oh, yeah, coz it makes 2 minutes feel like 10!
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
No need for a double album here, it's so long that I started to go delusional, and I misread the subtitle of side 3 as "Cornetto for a Rainy Day", which may be my new favourite phrase!
Daft Punk
3/5
The singles from this are fantastic, but as an album, it's far far far far far far far far too long (and repetitive)!
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Scissor Sisters
5/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
At the time of release, this album was on my regular rotation. It might not be perfect but I enjoyed it a lot, good catchy fun.
Ray Charles
4/5
Enjoyed this, but don't ask me when one track ends and another begins, it all seemed to blend into a single stream of good background lounge vibes.
The Only Ones
2/5
Another Girl, Another Planet... the "only one" we care about.
Blondie
5/5
Great album, hits all the right notes!
Stephen Stills
3/5
I liked many of the tracks, but was far far too long!
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Chill and jammin' vibes!
Earth, Wind & Fire
2/5
I listened, I bopped along a bit, then forgot all about it.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Sometimes this list feels like 1001 Longest Albums... yet another double album!
I mostly liked it, the pop tunes are fun, but could have been much much shorter.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
I always wanted to like this album more than I actually did. There are many great highlights, but like most other reviewers, the double-album feels far too long, most get tired of Corgan's vocals after 20 minutes.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
Well, that, happened!
There are times when we may ask ourselves, can you separate the art from the artist... in this case, the art is the artist! We're being thrown into the abyss of Spence's mental state, and after a maddening hour, I never want to go back there.
TV On The Radio
3/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Quite enjoyed this, I warmed to the distorted drones, dark and dreamy.
The Jam
5/5
You know, I knew this would be decent, but I wasn't expecting to be drawn in as much as I was, great album!
Wild Beasts
2/5
I liked the melodies, the vocals less so.
It all started off well, then drifted into nagging annoyance.
ABBA
5/5
Just to think, this was released a year after their "Greatest Hits" album. So much gold on this album. Sure there are a few droney cheesy ballads, but the production quality is always sky high, it's a class act!
M.I.A.
4/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Different and refreshing from most the albums on the 1001 list. I may also have developed a soft spot for M.I.A. since I lived in Sri Lanka for a while during the civil war years.
Kendrick Lamar
1/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
After heavily disliking "To Pimp A Butterfly", much to the shock of one of my mates, I said I'd give Kendrick Lamar another try.
The first half of the album felt like "Blah, blah, bitches, bitches. Where my motherfuckin' dominoes at?" Urgh!
The second half got better, but still felt mostly drug-fuelled gangster cliche tosh.
I tried, but nope!
Santana
4/5
It's got the hits, it's got the riffs, it's got the grooves. Cha-cha-chá!
Erykah Badu
4/5
Enjoyed this much more than I'd expected.
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
Catching up with my unrated albums. I was sure that I'd listened to this at the time (at least my YouTube history tells me so), but I forgot to review it.
I've since found another version of the album on Spotify. Although the track listing is different, but it is the original recording/artists, (unlike the son's remake).
https://open.spotify.com/album/0fDzIMDhfPA8lgELDXMiuh
I enjoyed the soundscape of life in the valley.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Overrated.
I do like the first few opening tracks, but then the album quickly drifts up it's own arse. Nico's droney vocals annoy me. The experimentation goes bonkers. Lou Reed carries what he can.
Can't help but think Andy Warhol's peelable banana artwork concept gave the perception of greater musical value than it actually has.
I don't hate it, I just don't see it as the masterpiece it's often lauded to be.
Alice Cooper
3/5
After the opening track, I was expecting more of the same... how wrong I was. Turned out to go in many different directions, genres and theatrics.
Pere Ubu
1/5
Meh, no good, quite annoying.
Fatboy Slim
5/5
I only found out recently that the "Right Here, Right Now" sample quote is Angela Bassett in "Strange Days".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmL5uWrvUUM
Overhyped, overplayed, yup, but there's way too much nostalgia with this album that I couldn't give it anything less than a 5.
3/5
Anecdotally, recorded live as "no studio would have been capable of capturing [MC5's] sheer energy, excitement, and danger".
Unfortunately the audio quality dampens most of that energy. Like most of the "live" albums on the 1001 list, I guess you had to be there.
The Associates
1/5
I listened to the original track listing, first 10 tracks - not all the extra alt/demo bloat.
Unfortunately, it didn't make it any better, it's far too melodramatic. I'm sure there are better albums that represent the a similar space and time.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
Every day I'm ramblin'!
The Chemical Brothers
5/5
While not perfect, it is great, I was close to giving it a 4, but Setting Sun tipped me up to a 5.
The Cure
4/5
The Thrills
3/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I laughed at the "END IT!" soundbite in the closing of the opening track. I was thinking the same thing, just end the song already.
The album itself is okay, the retro 60s indie pop inspired style is nice enough, but it's largely forgettable.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Enjoyed much more than I anticipated. I liked the 60s pop, faux-innocence and heart-warming harmonies.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Nick Drake
4/5
A lovely, intimate and bittersweet album.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Elvis Costello has generally be a good discovery (for me) on the 1001 list, but 6 albums??!! That's enough for the book.
Anyway, I did like this one, Oliver's Army is the highlight.
Morrissey
2/5
I'm not sure we need 3 Morrissey albums on the 1001 list. I didn't hate it, but it didn't entice me much either. 2.5
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
Feels a bit dated, but still enjoyed it!
4/5
As daft as it is, I enjoyed this a lot!
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
The artwork is groovy!
The album was alright, but I got distracted by googling what an "electric jug" was... turns out that it's literally a bottle... um, okay. Oh yeah, the album, yeah it was alright for psychedelic 60s.
Buffalo Springfield
2/5
I kept losing interest in the album, then there'd be an interesting riff or lyric that I'd pick up on, and then I got bored again.
Miles Davis
3/5
Tricky to judge this, did I like it? In places, yes. Would I listen again? Probably not.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
...and the winner of the best name spoken in a Scouse accent goes to... 🤪
Aguilera has a great voice and range, I'm sure her fans love her, but this album wasn't for me, it's far too long and far too much warbly oversinging.
Radiohead
2/5
I remember this as one of the first pay-what-you-want albums, I thought I'd do the decent thing and paid £10 for it. Later I found a bunch of my mates paid £0, and made fun of me for being a mug... bloomin' cheapskates!
Turns out that I didn't like the album, and the cheapskates loved it, go figure!
Fats Domino
2/5
Unsure how to rate this as an album. I think the question (about its inclusion in the 1001) is, have you listened to any Fats Domino before? No? Then you'd be better listening to one of the several greatest hits compilations.
Do I like Fats Domino and a few of his songs? Yup sure. I'm less interested in this particular album.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Having never heard of Nanci Griffith before, I was fully expecting to trash this album, but it turned out strangely endearing.
Air
4/5
Ah, the sound of the summer afternoon, outdoors, with a refreshing drink in hand.
Le Tigre
5/5
Had a listen to this when I first picked up the 1001 albums book a couple of years ago, thought it was ace. Turns out I have a soft spot for riot grrrl bands. It's been on regular rotation ever since.
Bert Jansch
3/5
Bert Jansch is a new one on me. It was pleasant enough. Doubt I'd revisit.
Neil Young
2/5
I can't make my mind up about Neil Young. I keep wanting to write him off, then there'll be a track that piques my interest, and then the harmonica hits... argh!
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Felt like an odd album, nothing seemed to happen, still I nodded along with it, then forgot about it.
Minor Threat
3/5
Short and sweet, screamy shouty, punky punk, pulling no punches, what's not to love?! 🤘
...cup of tea anyone?
Kings of Leon
3/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
#TIL Kings of Leon are a family band (3 brothers and a cousin).
My knowledge of Kings of Leon is limited to a dislike of the overplayed "Sex On Fire" and nauseating "Use Somebody". So I surprised myself that I quite enjoyed this debut album.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Happy Sad or Meh! 🤷
Mudhoney
3/5
Enjoyed this, more good grunge from the Mudhoney lads! This one probably doesn't need to be on the 1001 list, given that Superfuzz Bigmuff is so great!
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
I'd been reading Nick Hornby's 31 Songs recently, so Thunder Road is an interesting one, personally I still don't like it, (don't get me started about the harmonica), but have listened to it differently since reading that book.
Born To Run is fine, but overall I still feel indifferent about Bruce Springsteen. 2.5
Donald Fagen
2/5
The kind of background music you'd have on whilst cooking a casserole. It's fine but dated, just like my Le Creuset.
King Crimson
2/5
Now I like Prog, but I also like Rock. But which is better? There's only one way to find out, FIGHT!!!
Snoop Dogg
3/5
This is satire, right?
Goldfrapp
3/5
Any one else notice the artwork of Alison Goldfrapp's doubled head looks like a vagina? I can't unsee it!
Feel it's gonna be a similar to my review of Seventh Tree... I enjoyed it, unfortunately quite forgettable.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I like the idea of supergroups doing interesting things. While this was interesting in places, I found it overall boring.
Germs
2/5
Fast, thrashy and pointed, pretty much what you want from a punk album.
I guess if you were part of the late 70s punk scene this would be gold dust, but mid-2020s it just sounds chaotic.
Beatles
5/5
"I've got blisters on my fingers!"
Difficult for me not to give this a 5.
Lou Reed
5/5
I wasn't aware of this until the mid-90s, I took a punt on it when HMV had it on offer. This was before the BBC butchered Perfect Day for Children In Need. Anyway, fantastic album and it's been on regular rotation ever since.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Haha, what the...??!
Listening on YouTube added to the batshit craziness, I couldn't tell when there was an advert or was it part of the album?! The comments section did make me laugh!
"I have never experienced such a strong desire to keep listening and stop listening at the same time."
"I listen to this album when I vacuum my lawn."
"This sounds like a Salvador Dali painting."
"This sounds like an entire band falling down the stairs, but they keep playing."
I ended up watching a few more YouTube videos dissecting this album and I found myself slowly warming towards it's mastery and absurdity.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
Theme from Shaft is so iconic, but I don't think that alone is worthy of including the entire soundtrack on the 1001 list. I'm sure it's included on the 1001 Songs list.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
I dunno, this is fine, but if I had to pick a Fatboy Slim album to listen to before I died, it'd have to be You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby.
Queen Latifah
3/5
Is it dated? Is it repetitive? Did I head bop along to it?
Yup to all the above.
Will I listen again? Probably not.
Janis Joplin
5/5
Fantastic album, Joplin is a vocal powerhouse!
CHVRCHES
2/5
CHVRN RATΞ
Pavement
3/5
I hadn't heard this before, on first listen it's fairly generic early 90s American indie shoegaze grunge rock. It's listenable enough, but no earworms.
Grateful Dead
2/5
Now I like Hippy Jazz, but I also like Experimental Rock. But which is better? There's only one way to find out, FIGHT!!!
Suzanne Vega
4/5
I can't quite put my finger on it, I enjoyed this much more than I was expecting to.
Japan
2/5
I wasn't aware of this band. Probably much loved by whatever the 70s equivalent of emos are. Tried to be dark and brooding, but I found it uninteresting.
Gillian Welch
2/5
It's a pleasant Friday evening, you're settled on the sofa with a glass of wine watching Later with Jools Holland. Gillian Welch comes on, does a few songs, it's lovely. You decide to buy her album. You play it once, then forget about it. Until one day it surprisingly pops up in this 1001 list, and it makes you think... is Later with Jools Holland still on the telly?
Kelela
1/5
NOW! That's What I Call Music for duck-faced teenagers!
Old grey doesn't get it, sounds like commercial churn to me. All warbling and ASRM appeasing toss.
Red Snapper
2/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Red Snapper, a band is never heard of, and doubt will ever hear about again. This album was fine to have on in the background whilst pottering around the kitchen.
Digital Underground
2/5
Mostly cringe! I can't quite work out if it's satire or not.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I was fully expecting to dislike this album, and I mostly did... but there were a few tracks that stood out and, dare I say, enjoyed!
It's an odd album, Aguilera seems to want to be both a modern R&B soulstress and Xtina dirty sex siren, which seems disastrous, probably why she went "Back to Basics" for her follow-up album.
R.E.M.
3/5
Beige
Death In Vegas
4/5
Dark and stormy... it's quite the journey and much to navigate.
(Oh hi Sam! 👋)
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
I prefer Kaleidoscope and Juju, but this is still a cool debut album! 3.5
Joanna Newsom
4/5
On the surface, there's much to dislike with this album, but it unexpectedly turned out to be an incredibly absurd and beautiful album!
Can
2/5
Part genius, part batshit crazy. The first half was more interesting than the second half. Gonna have to re-listen to their Future Days album to see how it compares. 2.5
Pink Floyd
5/5
I was familiar with a few of the songs, but really not the album as a whole. Everyone tells you that it's a great album, one of the best. I can't help get that nagging feeling to rebel against it, being too overcritical.
So, I'll stop overthinking it and just enjoy this great album!
Tangerine Dream
4/5
As if I'd been transported inside my computer, surrounded by a dreamlike stream of ones & zeros and curly braces. I have become one with our technological overlord. I know kung-fu!
Minutemen
4/5
Far too many tracks, but I did like that they're all super short, make their point and get the heck outta there. Great fun!
The White Stripes
3/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Usual stuff, I liked the singles but not too fussed about the album.
The Monks
4/5
Enjoyed this more than I expected to.
Underworld
3/5
I'd started listening to this with headphones, found myself getting irritated, so switched to a speaker, much better listening experience. Still not really something for a typical Wednesday morning, would be better in a late night setting.
The War On Drugs
2/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I can't quite work out what this wants to be, sounds like some mashup of Springsteen, Arcade Fire and other Americana. Either way, it's all very middle of the road.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
How have I not heard this album before?
You need to be in the right mood to listen to this, and luckily I was... an optimistic 5 from me!
Jacques Brel
3/5
Je n'ai pas compris un seul mot, mais j'ai adoré la passion et l'esprit français.
The National
2/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Even before I pressed play, I knew it'd be an ex-1001 album. I found it quite mundane. Feels like the sort of music that's made for life insurance adverts.
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
It was like being in a Tim Burton fever dream.
I then spent far too long trying to find a connection between Gary and Tim Burton... spoiler... there isn't.
Buzzcocks
4/5
I only knew of Ever Fallen In Love by the Buzzcocks, never listened to any of their other stuff. This was good punky upbeat fun, enjoyed it a lot!
Beastie Boys
4/5
No Sleep Till Brooklyn! 🤘
The Pharcyde
3/5
I wasn't aware of this group or album. Despite a few cringy and dated skits, it was quite a fun album!
Soul II Soul
2/5
Back To Life is killer, the rest is filler.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
A refreshing change from the usual transatlantic albums we have on the 1001 list, even if this is a Paul Simon produced album.
Despite being a bit samey towards the end, it's a beautiful companion to Graceland.
M.I.A.
2/5
Sadly, my soft spot for M.I.A. has passed. I found the majority of this album annoying, apart from Paper Planes, which was cool.
Miles Davis
2/5
Despite overall enjoyment, minus points for compilation album.
The Doors
5/5
Trippy, psychedelic, hypnotic, all round good vibes, great riffs and loving the organs (and marxophone)! Can't imagine how much LSD Jim Morrison had taken whilst writing the lyrics.
Os Mutantes
3/5
Well, that happened. I'm not exactly sure what it was, but it definitely happened.
Ray Charles
3/5
The backstory of why Ray Charles made this album is more interesting than the album itself, it's a covers album after all.
Don McLean
3/5
Having not listened to this album before, it's an interesting choice to open with American Pie, difficult to judge how the rest of the album would measure up. There are a few highs and lows, but it mostly plateaus.
Notably, I did find The Grave hauntingly beautiful.
Queen
2/5
I do quite like Queen, so I feel a bit bad that I didn't like this album, at all.
Felt like I was just waiting for Seven Seas Of Rhye to hit.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Our 6th Elvis Costello album on the list. Haven't we covered Elvis Costello enough already?!
As for the album itself, it started off alright, then got progressively more boring.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Immediately invoking memories of Top of the Pops, oh yeah, forgot this was a Zeppelin album for a minute.
Much like their other albums, this is really good, but the difficulty on this 1001 list is that you unfairly start comparing it to their other albums (*cough* IV).
I have a big soft spot for Ramble On though.
Holger Czukay
4/5
I completely forgot to add my review for this one, (I listened to it on the day our group had it). It is beautifully bonkers!
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
If I heard the odd track, I'd be thinking this is great, bossa nova summertime vibes!
But an album's worth is way too samey. 2.5
Boston
2/5
Middle of the road dad rock. 2.5
Joan Baez
2/5
I'm sure this is lovely in smaller doses, with a couple of crushed up paracetamol.
The Police
4/5
I learnt to play bass to many of these tracks, (well, the Greatest Hits album), still holds much nostalgia for me. There are couple of lacklustre tracks, but overall enjoyed relistening!
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Listen up you mothers... invent this!
🌹 🌻 🌷 🌿 🌵 🌾 🌼
👖 👖 👖 👖 👖 👖 👖
🐩💨
Motörhead
3/5
Title track is as epic as ever! As much as I like fast rock, the rest of the album feels samey. Blissfully ignoring the topical pubescent lyrics. 😬
The Triffids
2/5
Some of the tracks were okay-ish, but overall it was quite bland. 1.5
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Kashmir is such an epic track!
The rest of the album gets lost in itself, probably because it's too long. Reduce the runtime and excessive bluesy riffs and it'd be a much more engaging listen.
N.W.A.
4/5
Born of frustration. Some of the themes haven't dated too well, but still very much worthy of the 1001.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
I found this all quite amusing.
But was he in love with an actual horse or what?
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Mixed feelings on this as an album.
Did I enjoy listening to Dusty Springfield, yes very much so!
Do I feel this is anything more than a loose collection of cover songs? Not really.
That said, Son of a Preacher Man is a stellar track... an extra star, thanks to Mr. Tarantino!
Maxwell
2/5
Smooooooooooooooooooth!
It was fine as background music, but largely forgettable.
Nick Drake
4/5
Meat Puppets
3/5
Let's get the obvious out the way... **cough** Nirvana Unplugged **cough**
I really like the artwork.
The album is quite chaotic, lots going on and all over the place. I can't quite tell if that's the intention or poor production value.
I like all the tracks that Nirvana covered, probably some sort of conformity bias going on there.
Caetano Veloso
4/5
Digging the artwork!
It's an unexpectedly fruity funky album!
Silver Jews
3/5
On first listen, I didn't like it. Felt that it was some kind of Lou Reed tribute. But there are moments of authenticity that make me think I should relisten to this later. Like maybe when I'm drunk on a couch in Nashville.
Blur
3/5
I recall listening to this a bunch of times when it first came out. Relistening today, I only remembered Beetlebum and Song 2, which are still great, but zero nostalgia of anything else.
Sinead O'Connor
2/5
Always liked Sinead O'Connor for her personality.
As for the album, gets off to a slow start, picks up with tracks 4 and 5, Nothing Compares 2 U is as hauntingly beautiful as ever... then the rest of the album goes downhill from there.
Sex Pistols
5/5
I picked up at copy of this in my teens (in the mid 90s) and listened to it relentlessly for a year or so. It was great! Then hardly listened to it since.
With the 1001 list, after disliking a couple of Public Image albums, I started to doubt if I'd still enjoy Sex Pistols... turns out I do, a lot!
PJ Harvey
3/5
Yet again, I really want to like PJ Harvey, and yet again, I'm getting annoyed by her music. I'm disappointed in myself more than anything else.
To be fair, I did like this album more than the other 2 we've had on the 1001 list so far, so a bonus point for that.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
I remember seeing Rocket From The Crypt on Top of the Pops playing On a Rope and thinking that was a lot fun. That song has made it into most of my playlists throughout the years, but I'd never listened to the album. Is it a great album? Nah, it's all too samey. Did I enjoy listening? You betcha!🤘
Cee Lo Green
2/5
I like his vocals in Gnarls Barkley, less so on this album. It was okay, but mostly fell into background music.
Ute Lemper
1/5
Well that was dramatic! (and somewhat depressing)
Despite the talent involved I had to stop listening as felt like continuously being nagged.
Grant Lee Buffalo
4/5
When you're 900 albums in and on the homestretch of the 1001 list, you can become a bit indifferent, haven't we heard it all already?
I vaguely recall hearing of Grant Lee Buffalo, but had no idea of their music. Took me a bit by surprise, I quite liked it. Good songwriting and performance, gets a bit too somber in places, but a decent Sunday morning listen.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
I'm not convinced about the inclusion of live albums on the 1001 list. Feels more like there's a bunch of gigs that the writers would have loved to attend.
Thin Lizzy are great on this, enjoyable.
Primal Scream
3/5
Hadn't listened to this album before. Solid cinematic vibes. Felt a bit lacking in places, but enjoyed it well enough. 3.5
Sepultura
1/5
As much as I'm okay with thrash metal, I only made it a few tracks in. This quickly became tedious and far too samey.
Scott Walker
2/5
Opening track is fun, the rest heads straight to yawnville, next!
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
There are some lovely moments on this album, and the musicianship is excellent... but damn, ain't nobody got time for a straight 2 hours of bluegrass!
Les Rythmes Digitales
1/5
There were a few tracks that were okay on their own, but as an album, it's all over the place, not good.
Missy Elliott
2/5
Cream
3/5
I hadn't heard this before, quite enjoyed it. Though, I'm not sure what I make of the Monty Python bit at the end! 😂
Metallica
2/5
The symphony aspects makes it feel quite cinematic, but the live performance/audience makes it feel out of sorts. Interesting enough to be worth a listen, but 2 hours is far too long!
Radiohead
3/5
It's one that I really have to be in the mood for. The first half of the album is great, the second half gets far too whiney. Street Spirit does pick it up at the end, making me forget about the more boring tracks.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
I'm 50/50 on this, I liked it, but gets a bit too boring and sombre in places.
Aerosmith
2/5
Sweet Emotion is decent; Walk This Way is fine, but the Run-DMC collab is better; the rest is clichéd tosh.
The Mothers Of Invention
4/5
Wowie zowie, I freaked out!
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
Found it quite drony and a bit too depressing.
Maybe that was the point?
Bee Gees
1/5
Jeez, that was a struggle.
Literally halfway through the album there's a track called "Somebody Stop the Music"... okay if you insist!
Simply Red
3/5
Holding Back the Years and Money's Too Tight to Mention both still sound fresh, the rest is okay-ish, but feel quite dated.
The Beach Boys
5/5
No way is this 1001 generator is random: getting The Beach Boys the day after Brian Wilson's death! (Narrator: it wasn't random.)
Feeling quite sentimental about it, such a great album! (I'm blissfully ignoring the lazy fade outs.)
Primal Scream
3/5
Movin' On Up and Loaded are out of this world, but the rest felt a little lacklustre. 🤷
Tom Waits
1/5
At this stage of the 1001 albums, I've given up on thinking "let's give Tom Waits another chance". I'm a few tracks into this album and I don't know which way is up or down anymore.
Everything But The Girl
1/5
I'd prefer Walking Wounded over this, literally and metaphorically.
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
I'm confused with this entry, as there's no reference in the 1001 book or even the ex-1001 list. So I'm unsure why it's on this website. 🤷
As for the album, it invokes the same feeling as when my daughter puts Taylor Swift on in the car, it's bearable, but can we change the CD yet?
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Pleasant enough, nice listen.
50 Cent
2/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
There are a couple of standout tracks, In Da Club and P.I.M.P., the rest was uninteresting to me, felt that I'd heard similar with other hip-hop/rap on the 1001 list.
Dr. Dre
2/5
"Ya know what I'm sayin'?"
After an hour of this, sure I know what you're saying... and you kiss your mother with that mouth?
Pavement
3/5
Similar to the previous Pavement album we had on the 1001 list, more generic 90s American indie shoegaze grunge rock. Which is great if you're into it.
Duran Duran
4/5
The sun was shining when I listened to this, glorious day!
This album has its fair share of filler, but I enjoyed all the hits.
Extra star for the bass, I can't get over how funky the basslines are, incredible!
10cc
3/5
Once I got past the cringiness of it, I quite enjoyed the album, quirky, fun and good spirited.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
If I was a teenager in the late 80s, I'd probably like this, but I wasn't and I don't.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I'm feeling less annoyed by this album.
I guess this is progress in my appreciation towards PJ Harvey.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Our fifth (and last) Sonic Youth album on the 1001 list. I may like this slightly more than Daydream Nation, and that's probably down to Kool Thing.
Small Faces
4/5
Definitely an album of two halves. First half progressively climbs up to the zenith that is Lazy Sunday! Second half is all a bit odd, but in an interesting way.
Steely Dan
3/5
Countdown To A Shrug 🤷
This is the fourth (and hopefully final) Steely Dan album we've had on the 1001 list. It's fine in as far as classic dad rock goes. Middle of the road 2.5 from me.
The Coral
4/5
Enjoyed this very much, the obvious highlight being Dreaming of You.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
One of their more lighter albums on the 1001 list... whilst still taking aim for those downwards brooding melancholy moods.
Slipknot
3/5
I do like Slipknot; Corey Taylor's vocal range and Clown/Tortilla's immense drumming combo! As always, you have to be in the mood for it.
Wait and Bleed is the obvious highlight of the album, the rest is fine, but not an album I actively seek out.
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
I'd started to enjoy this until that damned harmonica kicks in, fml!
D'Angelo
1/5
The opening track had a good groove, then spiralled into the blandest RnB I'd ever heard!
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
I got thrown by the opening track, it's a live recording, and it had a fade-out, felt a bit jarring. The rest of the album was okay, but yeah usual Neil Young, harmonica and whine. 2.5
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
I'd been meaning to give this album a listen many years ago, but never did. It's very mellow and fluffy, nothing offensive, but equally nothing really excited me.
808 State
3/5
Pacific 202 is still enjoyable, the rest sounds a bit dated, but appreciate the innovations made at the time!
I was working at Blockbuster Video when this album came out, the promo was on a constant loop. There's only so much of Beautiful Day a soul can take! 1.5
Buck Owens
2/5
Felt like I was in a honky-tonk twangy Tarantino movie, just keep that tiger away from my tail!
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Iconic artwork by R. Crumb!
This album is quite out there in a psychedelic bluesy way. Too much to take in on a first listen, will need to revisit in future.
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
Hadn't heard of Nitin Sawhney before, so wasn't sure what to expect from this album, turned out quite pleasant and chill, (I mean apart from the undertones of nuclear dread).
The Fall
3/5
Interesting yet chaotic
Black Sabbath
5/5
RIP Ozzy!
(A non-random 1001 selection, the day after Ozzy Osbourne's death)
Peter Frampton
3/5
Sure it's dad rock, but my foot kept on tapping!
The Temptations
3/5
I did not like their cover of Heard It Through The Grapevine.
The rest of the album was decent mix of funk and soul.
Fever Ray
3/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Thought it made good ambient background music.
I like Martin Ander's artwork, has a Charles Burns/Blackhole vibe to it.
The Clash
5/5
I picked up this on CD in the mid-90s, (not previously knowing much about The Clash), I had it on constant repeat for months! I listened to it twice yesterday!
David Bowie
4/5
This is the last of the Bowie albums on my 1001 albums journey, in some ways, the generator has saved the best until last. I enjoyed this much more than the other Bowie albums we've had on the list.
The Teardrop Explodes
4/5
Being a scouser, I'd heard of Teardrop Explodes (and all the stories that connected other Liverpool 80s bands), but never listened to them.
It feels a bit dated, (I mean it's 80s new wave after all), but I quite enjoyed it!
1/5
Given Dylan's other albums on the 1001 list, we didn't really need this Live album... sure, the contrast (an heckling) between side one and two is an interesting Wikipedia footnote, but not enough to spend 90 minutes on.
One thing that I've learnt about myself during this 1001 albums journey... how much I dislike the harmonica!
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Such an incredible album! I find some of the ballady ones get a bit long and self-indulgent, but the more funky tracks are superb. Sir Duke, yes siree!
The Saints
3/5
Listening to this for the first time... haven't we had this before?
I guess the difficulty with listening to an unfamiliar band, (on the 1001 list), is trying to establish whether they were inspired by or an inspiration to a particular genre.
Blur
3/5
Iconic artwork. Nostalgia for the hits, but sadly several misses.
I like they could be experimental and playful under the potential commercial pressures of maintaining that Britpop success, but some of the tracks fall a bit flat. 3.5
Rahul Dev Burman
4/5
One, two, cha cha cha, that's the way I like it!
Despite being the 1001 list's token Bollywood entry, I quite enjoyed this, a refreshing change.
Fairport Convention
3/5
I wasn't sure what to expect, turned out very pleasant, quite lovely.
The Notorious B.I.G.
1/5
Jeez, this album is a struggle on every level!
Soft Machine
2/5
I'd never heard of Soft Machine, so started reading up about them and noticed Robert Wyatt's involvement, suddenly it makes sense, except it doesn't - this is a soundscape for an (experi)mental asylum!
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
I know this is a good album, great production, tunes and harmonies. But the times I've listened, I always think "okay I've had enough now". 3.5
The KLF
5/5
All bound for Mu Mu Land!
3/5
Probably the Blur album that I'm least familiar with. It's fine, but nothing really piqued my interest.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
4/5
Another great discovery on the 1001 list for me.
Although most of the lyrics are laughable, I really enjoyed the bluesy swamp rock and punky riffs.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Man, this album is a like a rollercoaster that keeps going up and up and up! I didn't want it to end.
Nine Inch Nails
4/5
I prefer Pretty Hate Machine as my go-to NIN, but there are so many gems on Downward Spiral; Closer and Hurt are epic!
Michael Jackson
5/5
Hit after goddamn hit, eeee-heee!
Jimmy Smith
4/5
Do you know where I wanna be? ...that's right, back at the Chicken Shack!
Bill Callahan
3/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Funny reading all the other reviews that are trying to define what genre it belongs to... apocalyptic folk is my favourite.
Van Morrison
4/5
First time listening to this album. Enjoyed much more than I'd expected to.
The Darkness
2/5
Hold on. The Darkness were a real band?! 🤪
Of course it's daft, cliché and silly, but you can tell they had good fun with it! 2.5
XTC
3/5
Skylarking is an okay album, though I have a soft spot for Dear God.
But recently found out that it wasn't included in the original release, so now I'm overthinking "which version of the album is worthy?", yup, who cares?!
Dear God is still a great closer.
Jane Weaver
4/5
One of the hidden gems of this project.
It does feel a bit obscure to be listed in the 1001, but I don't care, call it my Scouse bias.
Bauhaus
3/5
Ticks all the 80s New Wave/Post Punk boxes. I did like the basslines, albeit basic but effective.
Nina Simone
5/5
Whoah, Nina is on top of her game here!
Four Women is outstanding, gave me the chills! Bravo! 😚👌
Hot Chip
2/5
I always thought Hot Chip were a comedy band, no idea where I got that from.
This album feels like it was made for gyms and exercise classes.
"Let's sweat, let's sweat... come on ladies, keep moving, it's only your fat crying!"
David Holmes
4/5
The soundtrack to the movie you want to see before you die, but it only exists inside your head.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Definitely an album of teo halves, as per the original vinyl release, (which gets lost in our current age of streaming). Side one, the bookends concept; side two, the crowd pleasers. I enjoyed this a lot.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
Who, when, where, how, which... why????!
The Soft Boys
3/5
I kept thinking this was rubbish, but my foot kept on tapping along. Did I like this? I'm so confused!
Ramones
4/5
One, two, three, four... Second verse, same as the first!
Ramones is very repetitive, and very listenable. Extra star for the punkness!
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Good vibes, all a bit samey though.
The Human League
3/5
The sound is definitely of its time. Felt that the first half of the album dragged on, with the second half picked up the pace, carrying it. 2.5
Baaba Maal
3/5
I do like the atmosphere Maal creates here, especially the funky and rootsy tracks.
The Byrds
3/5
Odds and evens, I liked all the odd numbered tracks, I found all the evens a bit too folky for my tastes.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
There no denying Hendrix's guitar mastery, but I struggle with this album as a 1001 entry, what does it offer that Are You Experienced or Electric Ladyland didn't already provide?
It's good, but probably taking up space for something more worthy to the 1001 list.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Great follow up to Funeral, I enjoyed this a lot at the time.
Beach House
3/5
I didn't hate it, but it made me feel very very sleepy. 2.5
Haircut 100
2/5
I do like the opening track, Favourite Shirts. The rest of the album has its moments, but overall feels drawn out and dated.
Joe Ely
2/5
20 seconds into the opening track and things have already spun on its head! I couldn't figure out what this album was meant to be. Sure, it's country, but those random balladry-electro-swing-bluesy moments, gawd knows, did I enjoy it? I dunno, maybe, I'm so confused!
LTJ Bukem
4/5
After finding the YouTube links for the actual album (thanks to a fellow reviewer comments 🙏), this was much better than the "Level 1" version that was on Spotify.
Despite the 2+ hours runtime, I liked it, decent beats, drum & bass!
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
As always with Bob Marley & The Wailers, good chill reggae vibes.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
I like Go West, but unsure why we need yet another Pet Shop Boys album on the 1001 list.
Calexico
5/5
I was unfamiliar with Calexico, was pleasantly surprised with the album, enjoyed it very much.
There are parts where I thought I was listening to Neil Finn/Crowded House, (which I love). Great blend of melancholy for a fine an autumn day.
Megadeth
2/5
Similar review to Megadeth's other album on the 1001 list, it has insanely cool guitar and drum work, but thrash-metal isn't something I'd actively listen to.
AC/DC
4/5
Sure, it feels like the same song played 10 times over, but it still rocks hard! 🤘🤘
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
Television The Drug Of The Nation, a must listen, classic!
There is a lot to like on this album, but by the end I felt exhausted from political lecturing. I get it, we're still screwed!
Morrissey
4/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I wasn't in the mood for another Morrissey album, I couldn't be arsed with the knobheadery. But was then later surprised how much this album resonated with me.
Terence Trent D'Arby
4/5
I got sick of this when I was younger as my dad overplayed it in our car.
Listening back to today, whilst the production does sound dated, there was enough to keep me entertained. Cursed nostalgia! 😝
Leftfield
4/5
I'm not overly familiar with Leftfield, apart from tracks on various movies, and hadn't heard this album before. It's very good, but would probably need more familiar to give it a 5.
The Electric Prunes
4/5
First time listening, I really enjoyed the first half, but the second half kind of spiralled off. 3.5
The Undertones
4/5
Enjoyed this, I give it 4 stars... one for each of the power chords they played repeatedly!
Steve Winwood
1/5
80s "plod-rock", LOL!
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
This album felt more lounge blues than country, I quite liked the slow meandering vibes it gave, quite mellow and chilled.
Fleet Foxes
2/5
I hadn't heard this before and was quite interested to listen... and I got bored, very bored indeed!
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
It was fine, but not very memorable. I had to go back this morning to remind myself of a few tracks... yeah, it was fine, maaan! ✌️
Björk
3/5
As with the other Björk albums, it's not bad, it's just that I can't quite figure out if it's good or more self-indulgent madness... "Björkness" I guess!
Van Morrison
2/5
It's Van Morrison... but LIVE! 🤷
Heaven 17
2/5
Interesting to read up on the backstory of Ware & Marsh transitioning from Human League to BEF/Heaven 17, and the Pavement/Penthouse sides concept, but that's as far as it went, I found the album itself quite dated and lyrics cliché.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
It got overplayed at the time, but it's still a favourite. Powerhouse of an album!
(I'm blissfully ignoring the harmonica parts)
Fiona Apple
3/5
I couldn't find any reference to this album in the 1001 books or even the ex-1001 list. Fiona Apple's Tidal is on the list, but I'm unsure why this one is here. 🤷
As for the album, if you'd have told me that it was recorded during the COVID lockdowns, I wouldn't have been surprised... but that it was recorded before then, yikes, talk about going stir crazy!
Sepultura
2/5
I'd heard some Sepultura tracks in the 90s, but never really got into them. Listening today, the constant screaming got too exhausting.
5/5
My initial reaction was this is great, then I started to nitpick some of the tracks... I told myself to chill out and enjoy the ride, so yeah, an optimistic 5 stars!
Tim Buckley
2/5
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Sure, this may be pretentious artsy bullshit, but there is something strangely endearing about Robert Wyatt.
Peter Tosh
3/5
Very samey, enjoyable though.
Metallica
4/5
As soon as the title track kicks in, the nostalgia hits way too hard for me! 🤘🤘🤘🤘
New Order
3/5
There is much to like here. Drags in places, but overall good.
I couldn't shake hearing similarities with Guilty Partner's verse bassline with Monaco's What Do You Want From Me? (well, it's all Peter Hook, so all cool).
3.5
Soundgarden
4/5
On regular repeat throughout my teenage years.
Neil Young
3/5
This felt more bluesy than folk, I quite liked it - apart from those harmonica parts!
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
I wasn't familiar with the Allman Brothers... this album is ultimately a big olde jammin' session, I enjoyed it well enough on first listen, doubt I'd revisit.
David Ackles
2/5
It's an odd album, definitely wants to be a musical, a neurotic cabaret, of sorts.
The artwork cracks me up! 🤣
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
The opening 2 tracks were pretty good, then it descends into a gloomy introspective melodrama.
I always want to like Echo & The Bunnymen more than I actually do.
Kate Bush
3/5
Quite beautiful and ethereal. 3.5
Beth Orton
3/5
I always wanted to like this more than I actually did. It's pleasant enough though.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Yet another great album by Wacko Jacko!
Carole King
5/5
Probably one of my favourite discoveries on the 1001 albums. A top tier album!
Dizzee Rascal
1/5
I'm sure there is talent here, but this ain't for me! Got annoyed with the background samples/loops, far too repetitive, gave me a headache.
Steve Earle
1/5
Now I'm gearing towards the end of the 1001 list, I'd hoped the duds were behind me... but nope, there's always one more to bring out that good olde apathy and indifference... Welcome to Yawnville! 🥱
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Tarkus! Tarkus! Tarkus!
Dude, I mean, just look at this artwork, says it all really!
As for the album... could this batshit rock get any more progressive??
Beatles
5/5
A masterpiece!
Kate Bush
5/5
It's quite magical really.
Van Morrison
3/5
Pleasant enough.
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
Just another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
Such miserable tripe! Cliché shoegaze.
We get it, they found the distortion pedal and couldn't figure out how to give it a rest.
Arrested Development
4/5
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are seven acknowledged wonders of the world. You are about to witness the eighth..." oh yeah, great hip-hop vibes here!
Morrissey
3/5
I guess everyday is like a Sunday!