1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

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Finisher #578 to complete the list

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1089
Albums Rated
3.04
Average Rating
100%
Complete

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1950
Favorite Decade
Reggae
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
119
5-Star Albums
117
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Tap a bar to see the albums behind it

Top Styles

Tap a bar to see the albums behind it

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
5 2.39 +2.61
Timeless
Goldie
5 2.51 +2.49
Shleep
Robert Wyatt
5 2.51 +2.49
OK
Talvin Singh
5 2.56 +2.44
New Boots And Panties
Ian Dury
5 2.68 +2.32
Dr. Octagonecologyst
Dr. Octagon
5 2.69 +2.31
Movies
Holger Czukay
5 2.71 +2.29
Our Aim Is To Satisfy
Red Snapper
5 2.72 +2.28
Beyond Skin
Nitin Sawhney
5 2.76 +2.24
The White Room
The KLF
5 2.78 +2.22

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Thriller
Michael Jackson
1 4.22 -3.22
Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
1 3.67 -2.67
Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
1 3.67 -2.67
The Cars
The Cars
1 3.65 -2.65
Madman Across The Water
Elton John
1 3.58 -2.58
Moving Pictures
Rush
1 3.56 -2.56
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
1 3.53 -2.53
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
1 3.48 -2.48
Aja
Steely Dan
1 3.48 -2.48
Diamond Life
Sade
1 3.47 -2.47

Artists

Favorites

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Radiohead 6 4.67
Jimi Hendrix 3 5
Beatles 7 4.29
The White Stripes 3 4.67
Bob Marley & The Wailers 3 4.67
Nirvana 3 4.67
The Velvet Underground 3 4.67
Blur 3 4.67
The Flaming Lips 2 5
Aretha Franklin 2 5
The Prodigy 2 5
Massive Attack 2 5
The Specials 2 5
Robert Wyatt 2 5
Fatboy Slim 2 5
Primal Scream 2 5
Pink Floyd 4 4.25
Björk 4 4.25
Simon & Garfunkel 3 4.33
The Stooges 3 4.33
Queen 3 4.33
Pixies 3 4.33
Leonard Cohen 5 4
Led Zeppelin 5 4
Tom Waits 5 4

Least Favorites

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Bruce Springsteen 5 1.6
Steely Dan 4 1.5
Rush 2 1
Emmylou Harris 2 1
Big Star 2 1
Gene Clark 2 1
Ryan Adams 2 1
Dolly Parton 2 1
Sepultura 2 1
Yes 3 1.67
The Byrds 5 2
Hole 2 1.5
Genesis 2 1.5
Eagles 2 1.5
Traffic 2 1.5
Adele 2 1.5
Grateful Dead 2 1.5
Def Leppard 2 1.5
Fairport Convention 2 1.5
The xx 2 1.5
Emerson, Lake & Palmer 2 1.5
Megadeth 2 1.5
Christina Aguilera 2 1.5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse 3 2
Echo And The Bunnymen 3 2

Controversial

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistRatings
Fleetwood Mac 2, 5
Slipknot 1, 4
Depeche Mode 1, 4
Frank Sinatra 5, 2, 2
The Beach Boys 2, 3, 5

5-Star Albums (119)

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Popular Reviews

Moving Pictures by Rush

I'm so glad someone is taking Spinal Tap seriously.

Diamond Life by Sade

Like being stuck in a hotel lobby in the 1980s.

Meat Is Murder by The Smiths

I'm not sure why this album makes me so cross. Maybe I'm disappointed that I missed out on something because I don't, "get it". Anyway, it's wrong and I'm right. NAA.

The Visitors by ABBA

I think I managed 4 songs before the wave of pop nausea overcame me. Like aural Kendal Mint Cake.

4-Star Albums (282)

1-Star Albums (117)

All Ratings (1089)

Stankonia by OutKast
Sep 27 2021

Meh. Bit too shouty. Sorry Miss Jackson is a banger.

White Blood Cells by The White Stripes
Sep 29 2021

Get in! Love a bit of the White Stripes. Thumping drums, stonking gurt riffs and agro vocals with a touch of whimsy. Lovely.

Electric Warrior by T. Rex
Sep 30 2021

This album is perfectly fine, until you get to Get It On, at which point it becomes a STONE COLD CLASSIC (TM).

The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Oct 01 2021

OMG. I don't think I'd ever listened to this full album before. What a joy to find the diversity of tracks on here.

Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
Oct 04 2021

I'm not sure why this album makes me so cross. Maybe I'm disappointed that I missed out on something because I don't, "get it". Anyway, it's wrong and I'm right. NAA.

Low by David Bowie
Oct 05 2021

Worth listening to as a whole album. Most tracks are familiar, but together they really feel on that Low feeling. If you are listening to this regularly, you probably need to take up a team sport or something to get you out of the house.

Heroes by David Bowie
Oct 06 2021

Yep. Fine. Move on.

Vivid by Living Colour
Oct 07 2021

Meh. Really not my cup of tea. I checked out their more recent albums, and they were better.

The Slider by T. Rex
Oct 08 2021

Enjoyable, good glam fun.

Strange Cargo III by William Orbit
Oct 15 2021

I thought I was going to love this, because of his version of Barber's Adaggio for Strings, but it was just pleasant. One piece I imagined would make good backing to an extremely dull wildlife documentary. It promised so much more from they opening couple of songs but didn't fulfill that promise.

Purple Rain by Prince
Oct 19 2021

If you ARE going to insist on making pop music, then have the decency to do what Price did, and do it with talented colleagues and make it a little funky.

The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
Oct 20 2021

Sorry. I'm not a massive fan of The Smiths.

Oct 22 2021

I wanted to not sing along, but they're so.... bloody... NICE! Grrr. Coming in here with their good intentions and catchy tunes.

B-52's by The B-52's
Oct 26 2021

Good fun. Not bad fun.

Scott 4 by Scott Walker
Oct 27 2021
Hearts And Bones by Paul Simon
Oct 28 2021

I want really drawn into this album. It was just kind of on the stereo.

Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
Oct 29 2021

Ooh, he was very good that Nick Drake, wasn't he? I'm not a folk fan, but if I was I would probably really enjoy this. I enjoyed this 3 stars, but feel like it's a 4 or 5 star album.

The Visitors by ABBA
Nov 01 2021

I think I managed 4 songs before the wave of pop nausea overcame me. Like aural Kendal Mint Cake.

Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes
Nov 02 2021

Oh Chef, Chef, Chef. This is how you got that badass reputation, you smooth motherlover

Sunshine Superman by Donovan
Nov 08 2021

Whiny folk drivel saved by some catchy riffs.

Nov 09 2021

I enjoyed the angry grunge for a bit, but it's all a bit facile and superficially teen angst, and made me wonder how much of being in a band like this is having the rock star image.

John Prine by John Prine
Nov 10 2021

I just dislike this kind of country sound. The lyrics were interesting to read, but the vocal fry and slide guitar have me shudders down the spine.

Natty Dread by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Nov 11 2021

Solid gold

Document by R.E.M.
Nov 15 2021

Yeah, s'alright if you're into that kind of thing.

Rocks by Aerosmith
Nov 17 2021

Sounds exactly like I expected an Aerosmith album to sound. Heavy-ish guitars, harmonies, non specific lyrics about girls and life. Neither offensive but interesting to me.

Elephant Mountain by The Youngbloods
Nov 18 2021

If I were in my 70's this would've been my era, and I would be listening to their record regularly. But I'm not.

Surf's Up by The Beach Boys
Nov 19 2021

Why would you do a Beach Boys album without Brian Wilson? It's like The Jackson 3, NSYNC without Timberlake or Destiny's Twins. It's like a poor photocopy of Harry Nilsson on a bad day.

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem
Nov 22 2021

I keep forgetting I kind of like LCD Soundsystem. I think I prefer each song individually though, rather than a whole album at once!

The Man Who by Travis
Nov 23 2021

I thought I was going to hate this, "Oh God, not Travis!" Maybe the catalogue of middle of the road 70's whining had lowered my expectations. Maybe Travis have some good riffs, with lovely mellow bits and unexpected angry bits, lyrically sound too.

1977 by Ash
Nov 25 2021

What a relief. I thought my sense of taste was going after I enjoyed Travis, but thankfully I found this to be fairly drab middle of the road rock. The lyrics were indecipherable amongst all the guitar noodling.

Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
Dec 01 2021

Yeah. Quite fun, but not my favourite Beastie Boys

Chelsea Girl by Nico
Dec 02 2021

She sounds bunged up and posh. I sound bunged up and posh sometimes too, but I'm not sure it's something to aspire to.

Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Dec 03 2021

At last a sixties /seventies album I can get behind. This is a classic. OK, it's a load of whiteboy blues covers with questionable accents, but they make them their own and really knock them out of the park.

Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin
Dec 06 2021

You got a problem with Aretha? Yeah? Then you have a problem with me. Don't mess with the Queen of Soul.

Graceland by Paul Simon
Dec 07 2021

Nothing says stealing black music and making it white like Graceland. A beautiful album, with coherent lyrics, made by a proper musician. Well done, Mr Simon.

Abbey Road by Beatles
Dec 08 2021

So good. The Beatles are used as an example of how 10,000 hours of practice can give you mastery of a form. I think I listened to The Beatles, mostly this album for 10,000 hours in our basement when I was a child, so I've mastered listening to them, and I've really got it down to an artform. A lot of the album is quite childish, but so am I, and so was I when I listened to it most. I love the range of songs, the lyrics, and that you can have a song along to most of these.

Dust by Screaming Trees
Dec 09 2021

I think I preferred Screaming Trees by Dust. After Abbey Road (yesterday), we now seen to be listening to some middle of the road bullshit again. It's not bad music, but the chord progressions are so textbook, with the lyrics on Spotify I can sing along, despite never having heard it before.

Cut by The Slits
Dec 10 2021

Singing out of tune and cultivating an attitude like you've made no effort is SO PUNK. Oops, I am so punk I put on Bob Marley & The Wailers instead.

Aftermath by The Rolling Stones
Dec 14 2021

Generic songs. Was this the Stone's Contractual Obligations album?

Nevermind by Nirvana
Dec 15 2021

Ah! An album that deserves to be in the top 100!

Tusk by Fleetwood Mac
Dec 16 2021

Note the best album by not my favourite band.

Dec 20 2021

A Change didn't come. :-( I think I prefer the studio albums. Still, Sam Cooke, what a star!

KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka
Dec 21 2021

Lovely lovely lovely

Rejoicing In The Hands by Devendra Banhart
Dec 22 2021

Extremely pleasant background music. Crank it all the way to 4 in your local bistro.

Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan
Dec 24 2021

Do you like sex? Do you like albums about sex? Do you relate to the inner city struggles of Harlem? Well, here it is on a plate. Dig in!

Black Metal by Venom
Dec 29 2021

Very enjoyable. The lyrics were delightful: black, simple iconography of heavy metal stuff. You could hear what he was on about My favourite but if the Wikipedia page was that Countess Bathory was inspired by The Magic Roundabout theme music, and that Smells Like Teen Spirit was inspired by Countess Bathory. So now every time I hear that Nirvana song, I'll start humming The Magic Roundabout music. Lovely!

At Mister Kelly's by Sarah Vaughan
Dec 30 2021

My grandmother and I concur, Sarah Vaughan is a classy delight.

Music From Big Pink by The Band
Jan 03 2022

Look out! Will everyone PLEASE stop standing in the middle of the road, it's really not safe. What's that? No, I don't care that you used to be Bob Dylan's backing band, this constant flow of traffic over all lanes at once is a disaster. You British bands, just keep to the left and everyone else stay to the right and that way we'll have no troubles.

Raw Power by The Stooges
Jan 05 2022

Grrrrr. Yeah.

Winter In America by Gil Scott-Heron
Jan 06 2022

Do disappointing. I live a lot of Gil Scott-Heron's poetry, but this just sounded like lift music. I'd heard The Bottle, which was the highlight, but failed to lift the whole album up.

With The Beatles by Beatles
Jan 07 2022

It's your nan's favourite mop-tops. If you've any knickers left over after the Tom Jones tour, chuck em this way!

KE*A*H** (Psalm 69) by Ministry
Jan 12 2022

Oh, man, I'm tired and don't need someone shouting at me. Stop it. Even if what you are really singing is, "In my dang a ding a ding a ding dong A sticky sticky son of a gun Ding a danga danga dong dong ding dong Why why never know Why why wack a dong a dang ding dong Then you take it on the bill Ding dang dong don't dong Whoa! I want to love ya!" (Jesus built my hotrod) I think I'd prefer it in a Country and Western style, and I generally hate Country and Western

A Hard Day's Night by Beatles
Jan 17 2022

I would've been a terrible Beatle. I don't have the hair.

Savane by Ali Farka Touré
Jan 19 2022
Jan 20 2022

Lovely great trippy swooshing noises. Less aggressive then a lot of his work. Beautiful stuff.

Franz Ferdinand by Franz Ferdinand
Jan 21 2022

Had some good songs on it.

Diamond Life by Sade
Jan 24 2022

Like being stuck in a hotel lobby in the 1980s.

Frank by Amy Winehouse
Jan 25 2022

Loses one star just for not being Back to Black.

Jan 26 2022

I can see how this could be someone's thing, growing up in a town suddenly they discovered this album and no-one else got it like they did. I found it hard to focus on, like trying to catch a worm, it just kept slipping away and something else would pop into my head.

Fun House by The Stooges
Jan 31 2022

Good rocking fun

Superfly by Curtis Mayfield
Feb 01 2022

What an album. Superb, funky, smooth. Yes please, Curtis.

C'est Chic by CHIC
Feb 04 2022

I feel like I should be wearing a one piece flared jumpsuit in a primary colour. Martinis al round! This was a cool slinky album, but also quite irritating at times.

Private Dancer by Tina Turner
Feb 07 2022

I can take it or leave it or tie it up in a bag with a brick and throw it off a bridge in a torrential midnight rainstorm.

Pornography by The Cure
Feb 08 2022

Oooh, look at that boy, he's so quiet, dark and mysterious. The way he avoids all eyes contact and uses monosyllabic responses betrays his inner genius. He's clearly got high emotional intelligence, I can tell by the eyeliner.

Fulfillingness' First Finale by Stevie Wonder
Feb 10 2022

I've got this on vinyl and I listen to it whenever I want to feel thoroughly disappointed. It's OK, but pales in comparison to "The Best Of ... "

Nixon by Lambchop
Feb 11 2022

I got all excited when that one song dropped, and thought this was going to be a barnstormer, but then nothing else dropped. I looked up some of the lyrics and was fairly unimpressed.

Melodrama by Lorde
Feb 14 2022

Yeah. It's a'right.

Feb 15 2022

Ugh. I should hate this more than I do according to, "people" but fuck them, it's got some catchy ones. This album is very middle of the road 2pm traffic updates coming next. It's sponge cake with decent jam; the excitement of junk mail when you've been at home too long; that clean numb feeling of strange teeth after the dentist's given you a really full-on polish; the smell of opening a jar of Asda's own brand instant; landscapes you don't remember in the family photo album; the back of the head of the person next in queue which is the twin for your presumably long dead school teacher's pate.

Feb 16 2022

Every song would be improved by someone shouting, "THE ACE OF SPACES, THE ACE OF SPADES" at the end of each verse.

Wild Gift by X
Feb 17 2022

Rockabilly. Sigh.

Tommy by The Who
Feb 22 2022

Why, Who? Why?

Let England Shake by PJ Harvey
Feb 23 2022

Love PJ Harvey, but she's not easy listening. This is one of her finer albums.

Ctrl by SZA
Feb 25 2022

Lovely stuff

Solid Air by John Martyn
Mar 01 2022

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I thought John Martyn was all twee fiddledy diddledy stuff, but it was punchy and varied and had loads of good riffs that stick in your head after the song had long gone.

Mar 02 2022

An enjoyable mix of nine inch nails type goth metal, hip hop, bagpipes, weird bleeps, funky bass. A bit too angsty for my tastes, but still enjoyable and good stuff.

Music in Exile by Songhoy Blues
Mar 03 2022

All the songs were a bit samey and I don't speak their language. It sounded nice, but I didn't know what it was about. Were they pro Mali or dissing it?

Mar 04 2022

Listening to the lyrics I thought made it was trying to address misogyny, but the whole attitude of the album seemed to be in a tone of gangster rap, so I was confused. Like when people go to the opera to see La Boheme dealing with issues of poverty.

Dookie by Green Day
Mar 07 2022

I took the time to listen to you whine about everything. Now go and tidy your room and tell your little friends it's time to go because their mum's will be expecting them back for tea.

The Modern Lovers by The Modern Lovers
Mar 09 2022

Roadrunner is a decent song. All the others are weighed down with trying to be The Velvet Underground. They do a good job, but it's just not that great.

For Your Pleasure by Roxy Music
Mar 10 2022

It sounded like Nigel got a kick ass backing band! The vocal stylings have a lot of similarities.

Smokers Delight by Nightmares On Wax
Mar 11 2022

Absolutely lovely. I wish this were as good an album as carboot soul, but it still takes me back to the drowsy days of chillout rooms and basement flats with tea in chipped mugs and the smell of weed, tobacco and damp.

Rubber Soul by Beatles
Mar 14 2022

Yes please. A sold Beatles album.

This Year's Model by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Mar 15 2022

A really nice album. Worth listening to twice.

Now I Got Worry by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Mar 16 2022

4 stars for having the balls to be The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: A band that needs to exist. I love the band and the attitude, but I found it hard to get through the whole album in one sitting.

Dirt by Alice In Chains
Mar 17 2022

Shouty songs about (or vaguely related to) death and sadness and anger. That's it.

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Mar 18 2022

Wow! An album that clearly deserves to be in some Top X Albums of ... list. Incredibly listenable, varied and interesting.

Bad Company by Bad Company
Mar 21 2022

I got all excited when I glanced at this album, because I love Bad Manners. Such disappointment! I get that this was probably ahead of the curve with a lot of blues rock, but I feel like it probably inspired a lot of middle of the road mid eighties crud, so that's not a good thing.

Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
Mar 23 2022

Phenomenal stuff. I didn't think I'd like it half as much as I did. The Osbornes doesn't show this at all.

Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
Mar 24 2022

The absolute Bible of funk. I think I've listened to this album 4 times this year before it came up in this list. I smack my fingertips like a chef. Mwah!

Mar 28 2022

Before I discovered Billy and Ella and Nina, I sung along to Aretha in The Blues Brothers. What a winner. This album bangs out hit after hit, with all the force of Aretha's almighty lungs and beautiful vocal chords. Great backing, great tunes; loved it!

Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
Mar 29 2022

One is Stevie's least crap albums. I love Stevie, but a lot of the album tracks don't stand out.

Mar 30 2022

What a fantastic album. I may have to watch the film again.

Mar 31 2022

Really good covers of songs I don't much like in the first place = 2 stars. Bonus star for Hurt and Sam Hall, though.

Back In Black by AC/DC
Apr 04 2022

I think I've figured out how to be myself after listening to this album.

Apr 05 2022

Simultaneously enjoyable and annoying. I can't separate my history listening to this and assess it objectively, sorry.

New Wave by The Auteurs
Apr 06 2022

Whiny singing style: quite contrived. I feel like the musician is more into the guitar playing than the singing. The lyrics don't connect with me personally, so I find it hard to give a shit. Maybe you can't win with me though, the lyrics are VERY easy to understand (well enunciated and not jumbled in strange rhythms). If they were less hard to understand would I like them more?

Berlin by Lou Reed
Apr 07 2022

It was not terrible.

Good Old Boys by Randy Newman
Apr 14 2022

Track 1, I thought I knew Randy Newman. That guy from Toy Story, right? Track 4, yup, I've heard all I need to.

Garbage by Garbage
Apr 15 2022

I was really enjoying this. Then the guitars just kept on doing the same thing and the lyrics kept on about angels and demons. Maybe I don't have the patience for this, or maybe it's a little bit pants.

Eliminator by ZZ Top
Apr 19 2022

It may be a bit cheesy rock, but they're not taking it too seriously, and made a good album for good times. I'm torn between giving it a high 3 stars or a low 4 stars.

Eagles by Eagles
Apr 22 2022

Ugh. Eagles. No.

British Steel by Judas Priest
Apr 25 2022

Classic heavy metal. Well made, but just not my thing.

Zombie by Fela Kuti
Apr 26 2022
Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors
Apr 27 2022

It took 3 or 4 goes to listen to this album. TIP: They made it too complicated and it's better with only one headphone bud in. I used the right one. I don't know if the left channel is any better. The lyrics were utter bobbins.: think teenage poetry attempts. I can't go as low as one star reasonably because they clearly made an effort and have some misplaced talent.

Want Two by Rufus Wainwright
Apr 28 2022

Very enjoyable.

From Elvis In Memphis by Elvis Presley
Apr 29 2022

I've got a raging boner for the king and fuck you if you can't stand him. Unless it's on racist grounds... In which case fair enough.

Van Halen by Van Halen
May 02 2022

Surprisingly good.

Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan
May 03 2022

When I was a boy, my sister and I had a record player in the basement and a small selection of records including Pretzel Logic. I thought it was dull then and I haven't changed my mind.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
May 06 2022

At last! An album which deserves a spot on this list!

Nilsson Schmilsson by Harry Nilsson
May 10 2022

Think of this as the twee, desperate ramblings of an alcoholic American trying to keep up with the British invasion, then you may see the beauty of it as I do. Sure, it's 70% utter bobbins, fuelled by frozen margaritas and too many meetings with record execs, in the heat and ennui of affluent 70s California. Sure, some of those earworms are sung loud and desperately in the halls of asylums for the insane. But you can be sure when you've ratched Russian Doll and Gotta Get Up starts up for the seven thousandth time, a little smile will creep across your face and your your will tap along.

BEYONCÉ by Beyoncé
May 11 2022

Nice enough.

May 12 2022

Husker Dön't? Many of my friends with excellent good tastes like Hüsker Dü, so I'm missing something.

Hejira by Joni Mitchell
May 13 2022

I just couldn't focus for a whole song.

Too Rye Ay by Dexys Midnight Runners
May 23 2022

A good fun knees up of an album. No idea what he's muttering about, mind. Do you think the singer intonates like this at all times? While asking for a carrier bag in the supermarket or boarding a bus?

Blue Lines by Massive Attack
May 25 2022

Classic. It's not my favourite of their albums, but it is a timeless wonder.

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
May 26 2022

Lovely stuff. Thanks Nick. I feel like I should have read the lyrics in preparation for listening because the odd line I picked up was highly literate, but snippets here and there didn't coalesce into anything sensible.

Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
May 27 2022

Oh no. I thought this was going to be an undiscovered classic. How wrong I was: indulgent, twee nonsense (sorry, Paul).

Celebrity Skin by Hole
May 30 2022

It looks like Courtney Love could be a contender for the 1001 best fucks in the world, but I'm not sure why this album is here.

Rock 'N Soul by Solomon Burke
May 31 2022

When the opening chords of Cry To Me pounded in, my heart pounded, \"Another Banger!\" Thinks I. But then, that was the one good song, what a disappointment!

Jun 01 2022

A lovely accompaniment to the Wu Tang docudrama on Disney+ It's all guns, bitches and homophobia, which is not my jam. One liners in foreign slang with great rhythms and samples does tick my boxes though.

She's So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper
Jun 02 2022

She's best when she's on the helium.

Jun 03 2022

Great stuff. I'm just not a big fan of The Fall. This is one of those things where a lot people I respect think they're the best, but I just don't really get it.

Jun 06 2022

Having this alongside The Fall was interesting. Both if their vocal stylings were unique and mildly annoying. It's a fine set of songs though.

Loveless by My Bloody Valentine
Jun 07 2022

Pleasantly surprising, this one. Hints of Autechre and ambient droning, whereas I think I expected something like a bad metal score to a slasher movie.

Let's Stay Together by Al Green
Jun 08 2022

Wanting less than 3 stars is incorrect, and you should try harder on your next listen.

Truth by Jeff Beck
Jun 09 2022

Twiddly guitar blues rock.

Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone
Jun 10 2022

Really good. I liked it.

The Score by Fugees
Jun 13 2022

Classic album. At times cheesey, at times pop, but I love the hooks and their version of killing me softly. I understand that it was overplayed on Radio 2 for a long time, but I still have love for this album.

Endtroducing..... by DJ Shadow
Jun 14 2022

Five stars all day everyday and it's not even my favourite DJ Shadow album. I listened twice just to prove a point to you all. I'm not sure what that point was, may be that I'm a dick, but that's for you to decide.

Mermaid Avenue by Billy Bragg
Jun 16 2022

If I listened to folk music This might be the kind of folk for me And if I wrote lyrics for folk songs I might sing them over these tunes Kind of witty sentiment and A fag packet bar chord structure Old twenties Americana Or contemporary satire If I listened to folk music This might be the kind of folk for me

Aladdin Sane by David Bowie
Jun 17 2022

Banger after Banger, but I want really in the mood this evening. Undeniable quality, mind.

Vol. 4 by Black Sabbath
Jun 21 2022

Pretty good.

Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
Jun 22 2022

Barely a shower goes by where I don't belt out a song or two from this album.

Well... that was a thing. I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I don't know if I want to listen again. It was probably innovative and unique at the time, but it's a bit dull to listen to now. I've just listened to their modern work, and found it much more interesting. It's still borderline art/bullshit, mind.

Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen
Jun 24 2022

Is the singular for tedium tedia?

Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan
Jun 28 2022

Initial reaction, "Oh why bother? Who wrote this stupid list?" After the album, "If this was my lift music, it wouldn't be so bad to live another floor up."

Dirty by Sonic Youth
Jul 01 2022

"Can you sing it as if you have constipation throughout?" anon, Sound Engineer

Drunk by Thundercat
Jul 04 2022

I feel like I should like this more; funky basslines and humorous lyrics. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but it's just not in my top albums.

Jul 05 2022

Insipid, middle of the road and dull. Oh, no, sorry that was 90% of the albums thus far. This is quite cool and a bit more interesting. I'm not sure if listen that often though.

Achtung Baby by U2
Jul 06 2022

I don't hate this as much as I should. It's perfectly fine benign middle of the road stuff.

Dear Science by TV On The Radio
Jul 11 2022

You know what? I think this album deserves to be in this list!

The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
Jul 12 2022

Love it. Not as good as Dirty Computer, but literally fantastic.

New Boots And Panties by Ian Dury
Jul 13 2022

Not as strong as I remembered. But I remembered it as strong as chilli pickles and Social Workers, so it's still a 5 from me.

I Am a Bird Now by Antony and the Johnsons
Jul 15 2022

I found the singers voice really offputting: so breathy, husky and with vibrato on everything. I ended up just listening to how much I disliked it, rather than to music. This was most apparent, when there was a lovely Rufus Wainwright sounding track in the middle all of a sudden.

If You're Feeling Sinister by Belle & Sebastian
Jul 19 2022

Nice. Far too nice. Terribly horrifically nice. Eminently forgettable, not bad, just not great.

Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz
Jul 21 2022

Oh no, it's like being stuck in the mind of a horny 55 year old woman with poor taste.

At Budokan by Cheap Trick
Jul 25 2022

All sounds like one long song from the Bill & Ted's movies to me.

Teenager Of The Year by Frank Black
Jul 27 2022

Not as good as The Pixies. There were a couple of good tracks, but not enough to make it great. I kept stopping to listen to other things, to be honest.

Younger Than Yesterday by The Byrds
Aug 01 2022

Tedious. Spotify says they were more responsible than any other band or artist for the entire folk rock movement. Fuckers.

Since I Left You by The Avalanches
Aug 02 2022

Fab stuff. Mostly instrumental bobbins, but with good beats and little samples of this and that. Sometimes a bit self indulgent. I get why others mightn't rate it, but it's right up my street.

All Hope Is Gone by Slipknot
Aug 03 2022

I think one of these songs was about shopping for nice things to eat because his best friends were coming over for a tea party, but maybe I didn't hear it properly.

1989 by Taylor Swift
Aug 04 2022

Synthetic manufactured pop. I hatred myself for singing along and doing my little dancer in the kitchen.

Country Life by Roxy Music
Aug 08 2022

I was really not bothered. I listened to it two days ago and it made no impression at all.

Machine Head by Deep Purple
Aug 09 2022

A solid block of rock. Deservedly good.

Isn't Anything by My Bloody Valentine
Aug 11 2022

Woe is me, gloom and heartbreak.

Play by Moby
Aug 12 2022

Was it a great album? We'll come to that. Was it overplayed? Yes. That summer, that winter, all the Bourne films, and a lot of tedious wankers really loved this album. What did it do well? Great samples, interesting lyrical bits, a range of styles, nice to here some old stuff in a modern style that want just a cover version with a heavy beat. What did it do wrong? Too many instrumental mood pieces. Was it a great album? Yes, for its time. It was brave and innovative. It doesn't age that well though.

Synchronicity by The Police
Aug 15 2022

Pleasantly surprised by this. Not entirely the middle of the road fare I've come to expect from this list. What was "mother" all about? Quite fun.

Brutal Youth by Elvis Costello
Aug 17 2022

You know when someone labels the Christmas presents wrong and you are given a lovely floral scarf, which would really suit aunty Susan? That's how I feel about this. In this metaphor aunty Susan has perfectly good taste, by the way. In an alternate reality, I had a flatmate who was obsessed with Elvis Costello and I learned to love this album along with the rest of his back catalogue, and I could carry off a floral scarf with panache and lavender eau de toilette.

Rapture by Anita Baker
Aug 18 2022

Just brain-melting goo.

1999 by Prince
Aug 19 2022

Probably a great album, I'm just not that into Prince. It all feels like a mid 80s party.

Foo Fighters by Foo Fighters
Aug 22 2022

Solid rock. Like a pebble or some't.

In Utero by Nirvana
Aug 23 2022

Ra Ra Ra . Quality noise.

Atomizer by Big Black
Aug 24 2022

It wouldn't work on Spotify, so I streamed it from YouTube, every 2-3 songs, I'd think, "Oh, this is different, nice interesting change ... " and then find I was listening to an advert. It's good solid guitar noise, which I want to like, but when I find myself enjoying the jingles more, it's very telling.

The Poet by Bobby Womack
Aug 26 2022

Pretty f-ing dire. Not good enough to be soul. Not funky enough to be funk. No standout singles. The kind of music some bloke you're stuck with on a ferry boat for 2 days into.

Fuzzy Logic by Super Furry Animals
Aug 29 2022

Very nice.

The Colour Of Spring by Talk Talk
Sep 01 2022

Eminently pleasant as background music; full of hits; I didn't really notice when it went on to Spotify autoplay and kept on churning out 80s synthpop, though, so I wasn't gripped.

Protection by Massive Attack
Sep 02 2022

Absolutely love this one.

Histoire De Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg
Sep 07 2022

Better than I thought it was going to be. It sounded like a load of Portishead samples! I didn't understand much of the lyrics, though.

Juju by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Sep 08 2022

Oh, that was lovely.

21 by Adele
Sep 09 2022

Not terrible pop, but not great either.

Damaged by Black Flag
Sep 14 2022

I thought it was going to be manufactured pop punk metal for some reason, and was pleased that it was raw and fun and I could make out some of the lyrics. TV Party was a highlight.

Ten by Pearl Jam
Sep 15 2022

Classic. That girl at uni loved this and played it over and over and I liked her so I listened to it over and over and agreed it was amazing. It's OK.

Gorillaz by Gorillaz
Sep 19 2022

As good as ever.

Horses by Patti Smith
Sep 20 2022

Pleasant

The Dreaming by Kate Bush
Sep 21 2022

MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP

Gris Gris by Dr. John
Sep 22 2022

Very enjoyable.

American Beauty by Grateful Dead
Sep 23 2022

A load of reckless white boys roaming the American suburbs at the end of the 60s. What's to like?

Moving Pictures by Rush
Sep 26 2022

I'm so glad someone is taking Spinal Tap seriously.

Illmatic by Nas
Sep 27 2022

I want really listening. There was some good ones in there, but it's all a little gangster isn't it?

Life Thru A Lens by Robbie Williams
Sep 28 2022

Meh. Pop bangers, but not my thing. Good sing along tunes.

I'm glad that someone made this and it exists. I don't ever want to listen to it again. There's something about it, like when you go to an art gallery and see some pretentious shit and think, "My toddler could do that." But there is some subtle difference. This is the musical equivalent of Tate Modern finger painting.

At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash
Sep 30 2022

Have we not listened to this already? Maybe I just had our on repeat after watching Walk The Line... Good stuff, anyway. I like the live element, it does add something. Only three stars because I'm not into country music.

Live At The Star Club, Hamburg by Jerry Lee Lewis
Oct 03 2022

I just can't separate the art from the artist on this one. I really liked his boogie woogie energy when I was a teenager, but now I am just imagining the leering perv.

Yeezus by Kanye West
Oct 07 2022

I dislike his bragadociousness and misogyny, but he has good samples and flow. I want to either like this more or hate it, but I'm honestly struggling to do either with much emotion.

Hysteria by Def Leppard
Oct 10 2022

A bit shit.

Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós
Oct 11 2022

I honestly had trouble starting awake through this. It's beautiful, but verging on the medicinal.

Groovin' by The Young Rascals
Oct 12 2022

Surprisingly not as shit as the album cover. I thought it was going to be awful, but it was quite pleasant.

Palo Congo by Sabu
Oct 13 2022

Enjoyable blue note jazz, works music stuff.

Songs Of Leonard Cohen by Leonard Cohen
Oct 17 2022

He does his thing very well. I'm not always in the mood for it, but it's objectively good.

Grace by Jeff Buckley
Oct 19 2022

Lovely.

Da Capo by Love
Oct 20 2022

I like Love's sounds they are a lot more raw than other acts of the time and their big hits are fantastic. Nothing in this album particularly moved me though. I can only assume Forever Changes is somewhere else in the list of greatest albums? And the one with Just Be Thankful For What You Got on it?

The Age Of The Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets
Oct 21 2022

Enjoyable pre-post-britpop jangly guitar stuff w/acerbic lyrics. File next to Albarn, D. if room on shelf.

Actually by Pet Shop Boys
Oct 25 2022

It's a Sin? It's an earworm more like. #actually #Ithinkyoullfind I got quite into this, and then the second half bored me

Survivor by Destiny's Child
Oct 26 2022

Started off thinking this was enjoyable enough pop. But it wore thin very quickly.

You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen
Oct 27 2022

Loved this. A nice new gem of an album to listen to from time to time.

En-Tact by The Shamen
Oct 28 2022

Enjoyable synth sounds. electro hand clap cla-cla-cla hand clap.

Nov 01 2022

Listening to Take On Me, it was a lovely piece of pop. Then it was all eighties dribble.

Cross by Justice
Nov 02 2022

What a treat. A post daft punk electro dance thing. I felt like I'd heard every song before somewhere. Enjoyable low calorie fodder.

Street Life by The Crusaders
Nov 07 2022

Just terrible. Even the recognisable hit is terrible.

Lady In Satin by Billie Holiday
Nov 08 2022

This album should be called Lady Day Phones It In. It's obviously her, as there's none like her, and she has a great voice; but why is this over orchestrated mush on this list and not her greater jazz contributions?

Peter Gabriel by Peter Gabriel
Nov 09 2022

This is a really interesting album. It was original and had great composition, the lyrics were good and you could hear it constantly innovating from all these different sources. This is definitely sometimes favourite album of all time, and if I were on The Desert Island with just this album I'd get really into it before dying of starvation. ... I'm just not sure I'd choose to listen to it ever.

Nov 10 2022

Catchy and vacuous, but I think that was the intention from the melodrama of the lyrics and the pulp fiction artwork. I'm tempted to give it 3 stars.

Either Or by Elliott Smith
Nov 11 2022

Mystically forgettable. Like a really serious academic paper, I tried to focus on it, and my brain instantly wandered off on s shipping trip, I must but some tubs from the hardware store, and I'll grab a coffee. In the coffee shop they're probably playing Elliott Smith, but I can't be sure because it sounds so benign and when I try to listen above the coffee cups and subdued chatter my mind wanders off and I'm listening to the "greatest"albums. I wander what the next over is. What was I doing again?

Chirping Crickets by Buddy Holly & The Crickets
Nov 15 2022

Formulaic songs in simple language, Crowbarred into matching suits and ties, Torn between Rock n Roll and being christian virgins. I imagine it's still in the top hundred albums of the 1950s.

Raw Like Sushi by Neneh Cherry
Nov 17 2022

Thought it was a'right at the time. In retrospect, I enjoyed the singles and began considering it a classic. On actual listening it's got some great tracks but doesn't consistently hit every ball out the park I like the originality it shows.

Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson
Nov 18 2022

Number one pop hit you like very much. Coca cola chic, yes? Make good and very enjoy. Have you ever want to visit? Click here for discount. All your needs!

Harvest by Neil Young
Nov 21 2022
Figure 8 by Elliott Smith
Nov 22 2022

Haven't we heard this already?

Made In Japan by Deep Purple
Nov 23 2022

Long guitar solos. And a long drum solo. And a bit of singing, which couldn't quite be made out. I think it was something about a woman? And smoke on the water which is always nice. But this version went on a bit and had too many long guitar solos. And a long drum solo. And a bit of singing. It was just too indulgent, that's the point I'm trying to make when I go on about the long guitar solos. And the long drum solo. And that bit of singing. Too indulgent and too long. If you really like guitar solos you'll love this. There was also an organ which was playing, but it wasn't particularly notworthy. Not as noteworthy as the long guitar solos in any case. Or as the long drum solo. The organ was comparable with the singing, I suppose. But not with the long guitar solos, which were far too self-indulgent.

Casanova by The Divine Comedy
Nov 24 2022

Yeah. Good.

The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett
Nov 25 2022

Really nicely done. Some of the best background music I've heard in years. Probably good to see live in concert. Also good to play at home if you've got a deadline or an aunt visiting, or if you're going out and the dog gets lonely.

Hot Fuss by The Killers
Nov 28 2022

Set stun to mild.

Siembra by Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Nov 29 2022

I thought there'd be more of this kind of thing on this list. A refreshing change, but not particularly my thing.

Floodland by Sisters Of Mercy
Dec 01 2022

All I needed was to be tipsy on cheap fruit schnapps somewhere formal like a funeral or railway station waiting room, listening to this on cheap headphones, and I would feel teenage again.

The Infotainment Scan by The Fall
Dec 08 2022

It's OK. I think you have to be in the mood for some weird. It's as if they go at great lengths to make it as out there as possible. And this is one of their most accessible albums!

I Against I by Bad Brains
Dec 09 2022

Do you like Pearl Jam? If your budget doesn't stretch to Pearl Jam, why not try Bad Brains? All the nutritional content of Pearl Jam without the inconvenience or cost? Maple Jar

Pump by Aerosmith
Dec 13 2022

I was in there mid for this cheesy uplifting slice. All me tomorrow and I'll hate it, but today I enjoyed.

Ragged Glory by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Dec 14 2022

Not my thing. Sorry, Mr Horse and Mr Young.

Spiderland by Slint
Dec 16 2022

Like Bauhaus meets the Velvet Underground or Godspeed...

Funeral by Arcade Fire
Dec 19 2022

Fun indie pop rock

Beauty And The Beat by The Go-Go's
Dec 20 2022

Easily in the top 5 of my list: Albums Called Beauty and the Beat.

Faust IV by Faust
Dec 21 2022

Lovely droning guitar stuff

Elvis Is Back by Elvis Presley
Dec 22 2022

Not a great Elvis album. Back of your gran's record box.

We Are Family by Sister Sledge
Dec 23 2022

Quite fun, bubbly pop. It reminded me of a supermarket lemon mousse. Very manufactured, but the idea is there. Without Nile Rogers it would have been unbearable.

Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan
Dec 26 2022

This is in my own personal Top 1001 albums (somewhere). It is good.

Moss Side Story by Barry Adamson
Dec 29 2022

Lovely dark atmospheric stuff. It has no teeth though.

Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Dec 30 2022

This would make great music for the end credits of a budget ITV drama

evermore by Taylor Swift
Jan 02 2023

Listenable but it's got a very commercial pop sound. I enjoyed the quiz, "Swift or Shakespeare" though.

Young Americans by David Bowie
Jan 03 2023

Quite a good Bowie album. I didn't know he co-wrote Fame with John Lennon until just now. The funk influences are strong. I liked it.

Fromohio by fIREHOSE
Jan 04 2023

Coincidence that the band banner is an anagram of ire of use? Yes? I'm too tired for this. Maybe as it makes no sense; no? No coincidence, just nonsense? Gah!

The Cars by The Cars
Jan 05 2023

Standard eighties fare.

A Wizard, A True Star by Todd Rundgren
Jan 06 2023

Yes please. This is the kind of batshit weirdness I was hoping to discover on this foray into albums. I could hear influences of (or to) Pink Floyd, Meatloaf, The Beatles, psych rock, Zappa. It's not something I'm particularly INTO, but it is GOOD.

NEU! 75 by Neu!
Jan 10 2023

This is sublime music to work to.

Sincere by Mj Cole
Jan 11 2023

They had so many of the cocaines that they started thinking that crew was spelt with a k.

Deep Purple In Rock by Deep Purple
Jan 16 2023

I didn't manage to get all the way through the last Deep Purple album. It's not that it's bad, it's just that my emotive response to it is boredom, so I keep listening to something else instead. This one I hung on until I woke up when Spotify decided to play some Zappa instead.

My Generation by The Who
Jan 18 2023

Grinding, fabulous post-Beatles evolution.

Woodface by Crowded House
Jan 19 2023

Limp like three week old lettuce. Good sing along tracks, though.

Colour By Numbers by Culture Club
Jan 20 2023

Very eighties. Too radical for Stock, Aitken & Waterman, maybe, but not by much.

Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
Jan 24 2023

I wanted to hate this more than I did because it's so middle of the road and so over played, but I think it's probably played so often because deep down it is quite good. Ah me, oh my. Down to 3 stars because of all the radio drive time airplay.

Dance Mania by Tito Puente
Jan 27 2023

Absolutely what I thought I'd be listening to when we embarked on this voyage. Funky salsa rhythms.

Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Jan 30 2023

Really enjoyed this one.

Lust For Life by Iggy Pop
Jan 31 2023

Yes! Fabulous stuff. Admittedly led by two bangers, Lust for Life and Passenger. The Bowie is strong in this one.

The Man Machine by Kraftwerk
Feb 01 2023

Fabulous. I really liked this. Not exactly listenable, but funny and weird and innovative.

Let It Be by The Replacements
Feb 02 2023

More six form bands. This one's quite good, and I'd have gone to their gigs in the back of a pub until they broke up because the bassist wouldn't stop saying how fit the drummer's mum was and it all got a bit tense. The lead singer probably knew that half their fans only came to gigs because they fancied the drummer AND his mum.

A Girl Called Dusty by Dusty Springfield
Feb 06 2023

I was in the mood for this cheese and happily sand along to a few numbers. The Carol King-penned tracks in particular got me through some of the smoochier Burt Bacharach & Hal David numbers.

Talking Book by Stevie Wonder
Feb 07 2023

There are some classic tracks on here, but somehow it's never really worked as an album for me. I want to like it more.

The Wildest! by Louis Prima
Feb 08 2023

I absolutely loved this. OK, it can lose a point for being all covers.

Feb 09 2023

I had to listen to this twice to give it proper attention. It was quite far out of my comfort zone, but I would definitely listen again. Weird and wonderful. Hectic latíno electronics. It was rocking all the right boxes, but there were points where it all got a bit too crazy.

Odessey And Oracle by The Zombies
Feb 10 2023

Nearly redeemed by Time Of The Season, but it is not ticking my boxes.

Femi Kuti by Femi Kuti
Feb 14 2023

I was really enjoying this, but then it was somewhat ruined by my teenage son asking why I'd been listening to the same song for half an hour. I couldn't shake that, so my rating went right down to 3 stars. Maybe it should be 4?

Chris by Christine and the Queens
Feb 15 2023

It was enjoyable, but went on for far too long in the same style, until by the end I was angrily doing little Christine and The Queens impressions to myself.

The Rolling Stones by The Rolling Stones
Feb 22 2023

I really enjoyed this album. Proper old school.

Maverick A Strike by Finley Quaye
Feb 23 2023

Nostalgia filled me to the brim and then I spilled over with joyous bubbles of musical pleasure. Maybe if you didn't listen to this weekly in your teens, your feel differently.

Violent Femmes by Violent Femmes
Feb 24 2023

Good stuff, punky whingy stuff. Not every track hit, but there were some great tunes in there.

Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park
Feb 27 2023

What are they so cross about?

Closer by Joy Division
Feb 28 2023

Bit sad and grumpy.

Green Onions by Booker T. & The MG's
Mar 01 2023

Green Onions is a legendary track, but the rest of the album was, frankly, a disappointment.

Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Mar 02 2023

Very pleasant and a bit sad.

Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos
Mar 03 2023

What an album! I love this. It's got emotional depth, gothy vibes, virtuosity, literary references.

Kenya by Machito
Mar 06 2023

I really enjoyed this one. I have reasons.

New York Dolls by New York Dolls
Mar 07 2023

Jolly good, but I wasn't angry enough to appreciate it.

3 + 3 by The Isley Brothers
Mar 09 2023

A weird mix of love music for the ancient and decrepit and absolute bangers. Some of the soppy numbers were so unlistenable for my rough gruff grizzled boxer ears that I've only rated this three, despite having a lovely sing along.

Blonde On Blonde by Bob Dylan
Mar 13 2023

Ugh. Why is Bob Dylan doing a dodgy Bob Dylan impression for this whole album. It reminds me of sitting around in a campsite with my mother's tedious hippy friend.

Aja by Steely Dan
Mar 15 2023

Awful

You're Living All Over Me by Dinosaur Jr.
Mar 17 2023

Noisy boys and their body guitars. Shouting shouting shouting all the bloody tube. Just calm down, eat some food and get some sleep FFS.

Africa Brasil by Jorge Ben Jor
Mar 21 2023

Joyous fun. Very groovy. No idea what the lyrics were on about, but it sounded good. A little to heavy in the cheese.

Copper Blue by Sugar
Mar 22 2023

Right down the middle of the road.

Ill Communication by Beastie Boys
Mar 28 2023

Simply amazing. Dope beats, guitar licks, great rapping. A proper classic album. One of the greatest.

Psychocandy by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Mar 29 2023

Bit dour

Rising Above Bedlam by Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
Mar 30 2023

A little pretentious but interesting.

Among The Living by Anthrax
Mar 31 2023

Real spotty teenage stuff. I had to listen to it in tiny bursts with the volume down. I like that you can make out the lyrics and enjoyed the Judge Dredd song. Immature, not (just) in a poobumwilly way, but like if they kept pursuing this, it could grow into something better.

Rain Dogs by Tom Waits
Apr 04 2023

Great moody swathes. Lyrically interesting, but like good classic poetry I feel like it needs undivided attention. I'm going with 4 stars because it seems like an objectively good album, despite the fact I wasn't really appreciating it.

Elephant by The White Stripes
Apr 05 2023

Sometimes you just need good lyrics, a guitar and drums. This album was played on full on 6 Music the other night and a song got stuck in my head, consequently it's the third time I've listened to the album in full this week. I still enjoyed it.

Fear and Whiskey by Mekons
Apr 07 2023

It was probably good if you're into that kind of thing.

Buena Vista Social Club by Buena Vista Social Club
Apr 10 2023

A genuinely lovely album. Ry Cooder had a great idea getting all these neglected amazing musicians together.

D by White Denim
Apr 11 2023

I thought this really picked up at the end of the album, but it turned out my streaming service had just switched to playing similar, and slightly more catchy, music. I was impressed by the lengthy guitar harmonies and jazzy bits, but didn't really enjoy them that much.

Apr 12 2023

I didn't enjoy this. The laid back rythms are good, but all the casual sexism and racism really put me off. Maybe when it comes to the misogyny I didn't, "get it". Maybe it was ironic or satirical or something?

Suede by Suede
Apr 13 2023

Good fun. A little whiny. Guild me with nostalgia for indie clubs in the 90s.

Amnesiac by Radiohead
Apr 14 2023

Simply fantastic. Not my favourite Radiohead album but nevertheless it is great.

War by U2
Apr 18 2023
All Mod Cons by The Jam
Apr 19 2023

A good solid album by The Jam: no complaints here!

The Real Thing by Faith No More
Apr 21 2023

As soft metal (leaden perhaps?) goes, it's not too bad. There are a couple of good tracks, but it's not really my thing.

Apr 24 2023

Amazing. I thought it was great then, I think it's great now. It's a got a real variety of music, there's story telling, straight up songs, nonsense and I love it.

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Apr 25 2023

I love A Tribe Called Quest. The combination of jazz samples and positive raps is nice.

Live! by Fela Kuti
Apr 26 2023

Well, I thought this was a winner. I love a bit of jazz drumming, and these two pros did not disappoint. It didn't write make it to be a 5 star album because I couldn't imagine myself listening to the whole album over and over.

Apr 28 2023

Pop funk. You can hear the cocaine arrogance seeping through, but at the same time it's toe-tapping stuff. When I was a barman, I'd put on The Pogues when the pub seemed a little dull and everyone would spring into conversation. I imagine this would work for the same trick.

Foxbase Alpha by Saint Etienne
May 01 2023

This was a nice album.

Station To Station by David Bowie
May 02 2023

I know he has now transcended into alt-sainthood, but I didn't go all the way to give stars. It has done great tracks on it, though. I appreciated it's brevity, too!

Melody A.M. by Röyksopp
May 03 2023

So chilled. Very background music, but lovely nonetheless.

Queen Of Denmark by John Grant
May 05 2023

A phenomenal album. I just love this one because of its bitchy lyrics, its range of musical style, its electronic bits and its harmonic bits.

Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
May 08 2023

Pants

Steve McQueen by Prefab Sprout
May 09 2023

Dull, but not horrible.

Tical by Method Man
May 10 2023

When we listened to Wu-Tang earlier on this list, Method Man was on my favourite tracks. I enjoyed the vague sounds of this, but didn't listen to it properly; my bad.

LP1 by FKA twigs
May 11 2023

Fine

A Date With The Everly Brothers by The Everly Brothers
May 12 2023

I had my aunt's old record collection when I grew up in the 80's, so listened to a lot of fifties music growing up. This has some real classics in it. Very cheesy, but very enjoyable once you get over that.

In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra
May 15 2023

Don't get me wrong, I like Sinatra, but this is an hour of listening to a guy go on, in the barest of detail, about how he's sad because his baby has gone. It's sixteen different ways of saying the same thing I had to listen to it in installments because it was too boring.

Remain In Light by Talking Heads
May 16 2023

It's fine. But I think I need to have a kooky haircut and a beard to enjoy it properly. The bass is fantastic. The lyrics are probably very clever, but I can't make them out, so I have to look them up. The whole is less than the parts for me though.

Cafe Bleu by The Style Council
May 17 2023

"Yes!" I thought, "The Style Council! Great!" It turned out I was thinking of The Jam.

Heavy Weather by Weather Report
May 18 2023

The first track is a classic. The rest is dross. Another disappointment.

The Madcap Laughs by Syd Barrett
May 19 2023

I feel thoroughly depressed now. Not technically accomplished or particularly sophisticated, but brutal in his honesty about the mental health struggles he had, which ultimately consumed him.

Water From An Ancient Well by Abdullah Ibrahim
May 22 2023

It's lovely to have some jazz, but I honestly stopped focussing on it after a few tracks.

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
May 23 2023

I was really impressed by the credentials and accolades when I read about this album. I didn't get the same by listening to the album, which was fine. Just fine. I know a few Arcade Fire tracks to hum along to, and I'm not sure why this album was picked instead of one of their other albums.

Immigrés by Youssou N'Dour
May 25 2023

Fine. Viva Nigeria was great.

Like A Prayer by Madonna
May 26 2023

Started strong. I sang along to bits of it, but it fizzled out.

Bummed by Happy Mondays
May 29 2023

Bum! ha ha! It's rude.

Midnight Ride by Paul Revere & The Raiders
May 30 2023

So benign. Would be one star, if not for I'm not Your Stepping Stone, which in turn would be great if not for the band who wrote it changing their name to Liverpool 5, to cash in on Beatlemania. They weren't from Liverpool.

Hail To the Thief by Radiohead
May 31 2023

Lovely slice of Radiohead. But why this album?

New Forms by Roni Size
Jun 02 2023

Quality. I'd like it less if I didn't live in Bristol at that time; but I did: so I do.

Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris
Jun 05 2023

The antithesis of my musical tastes.

Public Image: First Issue by Public Image Ltd.
Jun 07 2023

Bit punky, bit show-offy in a self conscious way. It overtly says, "Oh look at me aren't I contraversial?"

1984 by Van Halen
Jun 09 2023

Just the kind of enjoyable nonsense I was in the mood for today. Like a trashy film. I'll hate it tomorrow, but I enjoyed it in this ice tea swigging summer's day.

Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers
Jun 12 2023

It's got some good stuff on, but all sounds very same-y.

Violator by Depeche Mode
Jun 13 2023

Got some really good songs in here. I enjoyed it very much.

Duck Rock by Malcolm McLaren
Jun 14 2023

Interesting. It ticked all the boxes for me: Varied, silly, a bit of jazz a bit of hip hop. It didn't quite hold it together in the execution though. I liked it a lot more than I thought I was going to.

Rip It Up by Orange Juice
Jun 15 2023

I felt this was tedious. Not my bag at all. Standard four four drums and guitar and nothing to make it stand out to me. I imagine there a better band to see live in a dingy cellar club, but I wasn't there at the time. Maybe I'd have loved it.

Moby Grape by Moby Grape
Jun 19 2023

Sigh. Not another of these.

Lazer Guided Melodies by Spiritualized
Jun 20 2023

I like the ambient noodling, but I prefer Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space. I like that it's different to a lot of stuff. The horns and keys washing in and fading out amongst the other bits and bobs is great I'm not usually a fan of soundscapes, but they do this very well.

Fire Of Love by The Gun Club
Jun 22 2023

Today I learned that punk blues is a genre and it sounds like you'd expect. Not offensive, but it didn't stand out to me.

L.A. Woman by The Doors
Jun 23 2023

Classic. I am guessing this will be divisive as some in our number think that Jim Morrison was a twat, but I enjoy it. It has a load of great songs on their, the organ noodling isn't too indulgent compared to their other work and the bangers BANG HARD. Riders on the Storm? Yes, please. Love Her Madly? A great track.

Elastica by Elastica
Jun 26 2023

Superb. Dancing in the kitchen.

Cupid & Psyche 85 by Scritti Politti
Jun 27 2023

Yeah. It was alright. I had a Scritti Politti take in my collection as a teenager and every now and then I'd fish it out and be pleasantly surprised that it wasn't a shit as I'd thought. This time, thinking it was going to be a pleasant surprise, it was not all that. 3.5 stars.

2112 by Rush
Jun 28 2023

Bag o' poo

Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
Jun 29 2023

Painful. It hit every nerve in me that cried, "This is terrible." Somehow I listened to the whole thing, but it wasn't for me at all I am quite aware that there will be people for whom this is their #1 of all time. Let's agree to disagree.

Gasoline Alley by Rod Stewart
Jun 30 2023

Rod was the Ed Sheeran of his day, I guess.

Django Django by Django Django
Jul 03 2023

I am really enjoying this funky, bleepy alt-pop.

Off The Wall by Michael Jackson
Jul 04 2023

I enjoyed the first and last funk numbers, but not so much the romantic soul. I can't reasonably drop my score below 3 stars because Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough is so good. Well done, Quincy Jones.

Vento De Maio by Elis Regina
Jul 05 2023

Neither amazing nor offensive to my ears.

La Revancha Del Tango by Gotan Project
Jul 07 2023

I listened to this album a lot. It takes me back to a time when Giles Peterson rules the stereo system and WOMAD was always on the cards for summer.

Tom Tom Club by Tom Tom Club
Jul 11 2023

Pretty good. I got into this more when I knew it was a Talking Heads spin off. Nice guitars and catchy tunes. Wordy Rappinghood reminds me of the kind of things that teachers do in a school assembly which seem like a good idea at the time.

A Walk Across The Rooftops by The Blue Nile
Jul 12 2023

Oh. Another album of earnest whining and guitars. It's fine and all, if that's your jam, but by the end when they were singing "Are we rich or poor? Does it matter any more?" I was shouting, "Yes, it does matter, if you're poor." Maybe I missed the point of the song ... Maybe I missed the point of the whole album?

Kollaps by Einstürzende Neubauten
Jul 13 2023

I had this girlfriend at uni who was an intense Greek cellist who listened to Einsterzenden Neubauten. Or maybe it was the German's who came for some kind of summer language school when I stayed behind and worked in the halls of residence. In any case I got this on cassette in the late nineties and found it completely unlistenable then, even as a teenager with a modicum of angst and a recent B grade in GCSE German. I imagine watching Fritz Lang's film Metropolis is just as tedious and is also only done by art students who want to show off how clever they are.

The Atomic Mr Basie by Count Basie & His Orchestra
Jul 14 2023

Nice stuff. Not world changing but good, solid, Big Band work.

Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears
Jul 17 2023

Surprisingly enjoyable for yet another middle of the road eighties pop act.

Timeless by Goldie
Jul 20 2023

Fantastic work. I love this album.

Jul 21 2023

I'm increasingly surprised by how much I enjoy this pop music. I was sick of it in the eighties, but it's not so bad now.

White Ladder by David Gray
Jul 25 2023

Are we definite that AI was not around when this was released?

Here, My Dear by Marvin Gaye
Jul 26 2023

A bit too smoochy for I.

Fly Or Die by N.E.R.D
Jul 27 2023

I listened to this just after attempting Bitches Brew and it was just the pop antidote I needed: Neither to alternative not to facilitate to put me off. So saying it is enjoyable without being complex. A charming mash-up of genres.

Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock
Jul 31 2023

Good jazzy vibes

OK by Talvin Singh
Aug 01 2023

Love it. Right up my electro weird avenue.

Ray Of Light by Madonna
Aug 03 2023

The music was alright and the songs were alright.

What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
Aug 04 2023

It's got some great tracks ... it's got some alright tracks.

Bitches Brew by Miles Davis
Aug 07 2023

The first couple of tracks made for good angry walking to and fro from the corner shop with headphones in. The last few tracks were on in the background whilst I worked. It was as if the musicians were consciously trying to skirt around an actual main tune whilst never hitting it. When the album ended and Spotify auto played, I got a sense of relief. Painful listening at times and interesting at others.

Aug 09 2023

Good fun. Not sure about the intentionally off singing, but I enjoyed it and like their musical output. I pushed it from 4 to 5 stars purely because it would be funny if this was our group's top rated album.

Imagine by John Lennon
Aug 10 2023

Wonderful. At times a bit soppy, but there are plenty of great songs on here for me.

Aug 11 2023

I've got a soft spot for this album. I love her vocals and the attitude. The lyrics are positive and upbeat and the beats are great.

Aug 14 2023

Can I kick It? Is it possible this is greater than the Lou Reed sample? Probably not, but it's a great track and makes the whole album worthwhile. I also enjoyed the party vibe in Ham 'N' Eggs and the laid back smoothness of I Left My Wallet In El Segundo.

Marcus Garvey by Burning Spear
Aug 15 2023

A great album. He re made it away from Island Records as Garvey's Ghost. Which was great too. I really enjoyed listening to this and then went down a dub rabbit hole all afternoon.

Nowhere by Ride
Aug 16 2023

Here's my trick: When an album gets too dull or unbearable, nip over to Wikipedia and check out how many tracks were on the original release. Have you listened to 9 Ride songs? Well that'll do then, won't it?

Hypnotised by The Undertones
Aug 17 2023

Good fun. Banging tunes and killer tracks alongside some standard punk rock. Very enjoyable though.

A Little Deeper by Ms. Dynamite
Aug 18 2023

Modern soul. I like the vibe. I enjoyed the pop numbers, too. It's quite cheesy overall, but I like it. I wonder why she stopped releasing music.

Sunday At The Village Vanguard by Bill Evans Trio
Aug 21 2023

I thought I was going to really enjoy this, but it was all just a bit limp. They need a person up front giving it some.

Live At Leeds by The Who
Aug 23 2023

Good fun. I really enjoyed this one.

Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction
Aug 24 2023

I had a cassette with The Pixies on one side and Jane's Addiction on the other. They were never up to bring measured by that standard, but they do have some good tracks.

The Sun Rises In The East by Jeru The Damaja
Aug 25 2023

I bought this on vinyl and never really got into it. I put Come Clean on a fair few mixtapes, but nothing else really hooked me in. A disappointed 2 stars.

Smash by The Offspring
Aug 28 2023

They just kind of troweled on the angst and anger without much finesse. Somehow it sounds both raw and contrived to me. Come and Play is a undeniable banger. The rest I could do without.

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Aug 30 2023

It was a good album with some good tunes on it, but I had a bit of a headache and wasn't really in the mood for it. I can't bring myself to vote it as low as three stars, though.

Peggy Suicide by Julian Cope
Aug 31 2023

Pretty crap. I stopped listening hard and was weirdly enjoying it by the time it got to the extended edition remixes, which made me want to go back and listen to the originals again, and then they were still crap. There's something in it, but it does sound a lot like a talented, burnt out, crusty going on and fucking on.

Risque by CHIC
Sep 01 2023

Another case where the music got massively better as soon as the album stopped and Spotify started playing similar hits. Each tune was a couple of minutes too long . Good Times was an inspiration for a lot of samplers in the eighties.

Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
Sep 04 2023

Well done, The Rolling Stones (claps politely), that was nicely executed. There were plenty of good tracks and you ended on a beautiful earworm. Highly enjoyable.

Blackstar by David Bowie
Sep 05 2023

Very good.

Welcome To The Pleasuredome by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Sep 06 2023

Frankie says funny things over music. Frankie says sex noises and David Gilmour style guitar wailing. Frankie says cover versions are a great tribute. Frankie says, "Poppers?"

Who's Next by The Who
Sep 07 2023

Enjoyable. I liked the hits and the other stuff was fi-ine-ish. For once having the 2.5 hour extended edition with live concerts and such added to my enjoyment. But it was mostly background music as I got in with my day. Maybe if have been a mod if I were born at the right time.

Roxy Music by Roxy Music
Sep 08 2023

Quite fun. Some good tunes in there.

#1 Record by Big Star
Sep 11 2023

Superficial bollocks.

Heaven Or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
Sep 12 2023

No idea what she was singing about. It might as well have been in French. It wasn't offensive, but it wasn't very good either.

3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
Sep 13 2023

Like a familiar hug. Such a nice album. I think DeLa Soul are a group who have only improved with age, though. #####

Brothers by The Black Keys
Sep 14 2023

I mentally prepared myself for listening to a Black Eyed Peas album, then was pleasantly surprised.

Faith by George Michael
Sep 15 2023

The pop is strong with this one, hhmngh.

Blood, Sweat & Tears by Blood, Sweat & Tears
Sep 18 2023

Good funky pop jazz. A shame it's mostly covers, but I liked it!.

L'Eau Rouge by The Young Gods
Sep 21 2023

What was all that about then? Got it off your chest did you? Have something to eat and a little sleep and you'll feel better in the morning.

...Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
Sep 22 2023

I got through this by checking out the credits and Googling who else put in the hours apart from Britney. Eric Foster-White and Max Martin are the main culprits. It is vapid, chewing gum music, slickly produced and cynically written. I enjoy a lot of vapid, cynically-written television, but and is the equivalence of being too tired/stoned to change the channel at 3am and watching some Hallmark bullshit. The Beat Goes On was a surprise halfway through, as I quite liked The Allseing I, and this was that, identically, again, but with Britney instead of Cher. I survived it: Go me! Now I have to catch up on that Iron Maiden album I similarly put off until my completionism got the better of me.

Fishscale by Ghostface Killah
Sep 26 2023

Apart from the misogyny, violence and drugs it's good. Great rhymes, good samples and witty. I enjoyed it, but didn't approve.

The Stranger by Billy Joel
Sep 27 2023

Really really well made music that just isn't my thing. It raises the bar in the middle of the road.

Music From The Penguin Cafe by Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Sep 29 2023

I absolutely love Penguin Cafe Orchestra. I would have given 5 stars for their second album, which I much prefer. It's got lovely melodies, eccentricity, musique concrete found sounds.

Traffic by Traffic
Oct 02 2023

I go down to the seafront in Weston-super-Mare sometimes and there's a pub garden with a microphone and amplifier set up the. Usually there's some guy playing covers to a backing track. Occasionally they're quite good, but more often than not there is someone playing dodgy covers, not up to the original and nothing to sing along to in the first place. There is usually a cluster of pensioners nearby who clearly just want to eat their basket of chips undisturbed by seagulls or guitarists, but are having a good moan about both. I bet Ken Bruce loves Traffic.

Oct 03 2023

They were a one hit wonder, but then Amy Winehouse blew shit out of the water with her cover of Valerie (or was it the other way around? Did they do a decent cover of her song? Just Googled it: no). They headlined the Godney Gathering festival last summer, but I couldn't be arsed to stay to see them live. I was tired, it was muddy and I had one tired teenage child moping about and one who wanted to party until dawn. This was the right kind of contemporary upbeat to suit my mood yesterday and I did enjoy listening to it even if it was a bit like Travis with a horn section.

I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen
Oct 04 2023

I had a mixtape from my first girlfriend with Everyone Knows on it. I am unable to separate the nostalgia from any subjective appreciation. ####

Oct 05 2023

I really like the idea of this album (and how nice was it to get something other than 3 men with guitars, a drummer and singer?). I felt it fell short by not having any obvious catchy hooks or chorus.

Low-Life by New Order
Oct 06 2023

Yeah. It wasn't bad. A new Peter Saville /Steven Morris project, CP1919, featuring an extract of the voice of Ian Curtis is getting its preview on 6 Music as I type. ###

Beautiful Freak by Eels
Oct 09 2023

What an album! I'd forgotten this existed. I think I had it on cassette or iTunes, or something... Great lyrics, great riffs. So bleak and twisted.

California by American Music Club
Oct 10 2023

This singer must be really nice. He sounds really nice. I expect he doesn't forget birthdays and he's the kind of guy who pops around when you've been ill or if you're low. I don't know why else he would be on this list as the album doesn't stand out at all.

The Rise & Fall by Madness
Oct 11 2023

Absolutely! (Sorry: Wrong album) I love Madness and they have top songs, but they don't have a solid gold album that is bangers wall-to-wall. Nutty boys, silly songs, sensible songs, ska, reggae: good stuff all.

Rock Bottom by Robert Wyatt
Oct 12 2023

I was kind of aware of Robert Wyatt because of his version of Shipbuilding, but I think I assumed he was just another folkie la-dee-dah troubadour. I really enjoyed this album though, and exploring his catalogue. I was in the sweet spot for listening to chilled soothing melodies and innovative choices of instrumentation. The story behind the able was so captivating and made me want to listen more carefully. Plus: Ivor Cutler! Anything featuring Ivor Cutler ticks my box. Robert seems to have moved in all the right circles in my mind. Ivor Cutler's children's books (yes please), born in Bristol (me too), his accident happened whilst he was in Venice with his wife who was editing Don't Look Now, which I keep meaning to watch (I think, maybe, Edgar Wright mentioned it as a great film to watch), staunch leftie during the Thatcher years (go on, my son!), working with Bjork, Brian Eno, John Peel, David Gilmour (what good taste).

Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Oct 13 2023

Absolute classic. I think I listened to this a lot in my late teenage years. It was on the right side of the listenable spectrum in my step-dad's collection of jazz CD's. All good, solid jazz. I held back from giving it 5 stars as it's a little cliche now, and more cafe background music than smoky jazz dive with clicking fingers and goatees.

Kings Of The Wild Frontier by Adam & The Ants
Oct 16 2023

Good fun. It's got a real dressing up and playing vibe. I can see why it was a smash with the kids at the time. Pop, though, innit?

Tres Hombres by ZZ Top
Oct 17 2023

Good fun blues, I guess.

The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
Oct 18 2023

The blandest. We're talking mild cheddar; overheard nattering from the front seats of the bus; hospital catering grade blandness.

GREY Area by Little Simz
Oct 19 2023

Good to have some modern sounds on here. Lyrically it was thematic, rather than narrative driven; the flow was strong and the backing music was beautiful.

Street Signs by Ozomatli
Oct 20 2023

Good fun. Lively and different. I almost understood some of the slower Spanish! Hooray!

Make Yourself by Incubus
Oct 23 2023

I thought Incubus sounded like a death metal band, so that was a relief. It wasn't very interesting, though.

Infected by The The
Oct 25 2023

Not good.

Throwing Muses by Throwing Muses
Oct 26 2023

I wasn't really into this, but I got into some of the "Doghouse cassette tape" bonus tracks. Maybe they're exactly the same and I just needed to give it a second listen, though.

Bossanova by Pixies
Oct 27 2023

I wanted to like this a whole lot more.

Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes
Oct 30 2023

Dull blues rock. I like their version of Hard to Handle, so it wasn't a complete washout, but I was largely bored listening to this.

No Other by Gene Clark
Oct 31 2023

Not my cup of tea at all.

Electric by The Cult
Nov 01 2023

Soft rock bollocks

Parachutes by Coldplay
Nov 02 2023

I am supposed to love this because it was multi platinum selling album.i should love it because I once met one of them before they were famous, but I forget which. I should love it because my wife does, and my children and it at school concerts. I am suppose to hate this because it was EVERYWHERE and overplayed on Radio 2. Sitting alongside other vilified soft pop targets as James Blunt, David Grey and Bryan Adams. I never really hated it, nor loved it. It has some good sing along numbers, but doesn't really grip me much. I apologise for the lack of strong opinion.

Your Arsenal by Morrissey
Nov 03 2023

It's got done good singles on there, and had a certain eccentric style, but I just didn't gel with it.

Liege And Lief by Fairport Convention
Nov 06 2023

My teenage big sister loved this at the height of me hating my big sister. I grew to love her, but not Fairport Convention. Fiddly diddly dee dee medieval knights and tragic love oh-I nonny no. Flutes, gong and tambor play-ed in time, Sentence like Yoda for to scan the rhyme.

OK Computer by Radiohead
Nov 08 2023

This is the best one. Decided.

Blue by Joni Mitchell
Nov 09 2023

I've tried to love this a few times over the years because many of my friends with good taste rate it highly, but it's just too folky and earnest for me. Maybe it reminds me too much of the worst aspects of my childhood.

Remedy by Basement Jaxx
Nov 10 2023

The best songs were the ones where they get a sample of a great song, looped it and chucked a load of beats and one finger keyboard playing at it, and then asked a budget soul diva to wail a bit, and then sampled the worst bits of that alongside some stuff of their favourite telly programs. And I like electronic music. Catchy though...

Kenza by Khaled
Nov 13 2023

I made it all the way through this one. Enough said.

Djam Leelii by Baaba Maal
Nov 14 2023

Reminds of me of WOMAD. I don't have the cultural knowledge to appreciate this properly, maybe. Or maybe I just need to listen in the right environment.

The Sounds Of India by Ravi Shankar
Nov 15 2023

I kept getting interrupted and when I went back to listening, I had no idea which track I was up to as they all sounded the same to my untrained ear. I like Ravi's explanations (although they clearly didn't go in) and I was enjoying the music.

Odessa by Bee Gees
Nov 16 2023

These are not the Bee Gees I was expecting! Where's the falsetto disco gone? Pleasantly not unpleasant. Not great either, though.

I See You by The xx
Nov 17 2023

Ugh. A bit dull. I think the recipe is: (4 mins, 4/4 beat, mild crescendo) Take a slow moody guitar, breathy vocals and generic non-specific lyrics about one person feeling something about another. Mix with some basic electronic stuff.

Rings Around The World by Super Furry Animals
Nov 21 2023

I really got into this. I loved this album, then I listened to a bit of Griff Rhys's latest one, then I went back and enjoyed a bit of Neon Neon. The tongue in cheek lyrics, experimental sounds and laid back guitar were spot on.

Sea Change by Beck
Nov 22 2023

I bit too melancholic. I cannot relate to his dry desert winds. He should write more songs about grey dull skies and interminable rain.

Music by Madonna
Nov 23 2023

Well. Let's see, shall we? It's better than Ray Of Light, agreed? I was also rather mean about Beck yesterday, so now I feel like I shouldn't go too low on albums that aren't offensively poor. I'm not enjoying listening, but it's not offensive. If I was in a cafe and this were on I'd vaguely think, "Ugh; Madonna." and make no more of it.

Aha Shake Heartbreak by Kings of Leon
Nov 24 2023

A lovely album, not mind blowing genius or trailblazing innovation, but well made, catchy, well sung and interesting to listen to. I can't really fault it.

So by Peter Gabriel
Nov 27 2023

Nice. A lot of recognisable songs. Nothing really objectionable.

World Clique by Deee-Lite
Nov 28 2023

Average. This samples a whole load of great tunes; as a source/reference guide it might be worth checking out the originals. I would have loved this a lot more when I was a teenager. Now I think this was included by some music journalists who rightfully love the one hit Bootsie Collins MAKES Groove Is In The Heart, which is a floor filler in the best way. 2 Stars, plus a bonus for Groove Is In The Heart.

Nov 30 2023

It's like a medley of extracts from a confusing musical, where they forgot to write a plot. Oh god, I just read the plot on Wikipedia; oh dear; oh no. I'm not into these long form monologue progressive rock tracks. I liked the enthusiastic explanation of, "Erogenous Zones" on Counting Out Time. Did he ever get his penis back from the raven (who was carrying it in a shoobedoobe)?

Alien Lanes by Guided By Voices
Dec 04 2023

"Hey, Brian, the audience screening feedback just arrived in the post from the record company!" "Oh wow, that's great Gerald. Did they like the orchestral pieces?" "Umm, let's see... Orchestral... Orchestral... Uh, no. No mention of orchestral pieces. Hey, is audience feedback usually written in crayon?" "What? Well what did it say?" "The gist of it is that the tracks are too long, too complex, with too many instruments, and it says here that the 17-22 year old market doesn't like that it was in tune." "Oh." "Yeah." "I see." "Yeah. But the record label really liked it and said can we make a bazillion songs to go on the album." "They liked it? OK. Well let's do all that then."

Smile by Brian Wilson
Dec 05 2023

Finally! Another album I'd include in a Top Albums ... list.

Microshift by Hookworms
Dec 06 2023

I had to give this a few goes. I was surprised if never heard of it. It seems like a bit of an obscure choice for this list. It was enjoyable to listen to, but I don't know if I'd go back to it. I liked the subsequent suggested tracks that listening to this on Spotify generated, too. 3.5 stars.

Paul Simon by Paul Simon
Dec 07 2023

A bit too folky for my tastes, but there are some undisputable killer mic-drop tracks on here. It's no Bridge Over Troubled Water, but it is also less twee than that.

Wild Wood by Paul Weller
Dec 11 2023

I used to listen to this a fair bit in my teens, it was a go-to not bad album too hum along to.

Heartattack And Vine by Tom Waits
Dec 12 2023

The works is definitely better for having this album in it. It's not something I would listen to often but it's a fan sight better than a lot of the crud on this list. It makes me think of the comic book/movie Sin City.

Hot Rats by Frank Zappa
Dec 13 2023

Nope. I like nuts but this was too far.

Stardust by Willie Nelson
Dec 14 2023

What is this and why is it here? Willie Nelson sings soppy covers? Really? Why do I need to listen to this?

Oxygène by Jean-Michel Jarre
Dec 15 2023

I would argue that whilst it flows nicely as an album, it is ALL ethereal keys and noises, and that's too much for a whole album. I listened in 2 sittings and it was lovely hearing this mix in straight after some Indian music. They are lovely pieces but it doesn't work as an album for me.

Ingenue by k.d. lang
Dec 18 2023

I want particularly listening, sorry. There was something nice about seasons in the middle, and Constant Craving at the end, which I think was the theme to Green Fried Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café. (Quick Google: Nope, it was a Nob Dylan cover). Probably enjoyable, if you're paying attention.

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Dec 19 2023

I rolled my eyes to see another much-discussed late seventies American rock outfit on this list, but I see why they deserve a place. I like the blues energy of this album. Personally, I wouldn't choose to listen to this though. I'm 3 songs in and it still has work to do to earn a 4th star.

Joan Armatrading by Joan Armatrading
Dec 20 2023

I enjoyed this kind of gentle funk with soulful lyrics. Nice.

It's Blitz! by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Dec 21 2023

I enjoyed this. A few tracks I'd heard before and some new. Not worried changing, but enjoyable.

The Specials by The Specials
Dec 22 2023

Every single song is great. This is a top album. Sarcastic, funky, political. It's got it all.

Darklands by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Dec 25 2023

Yeah. Fine, but not really that interesting. Nice and short.

Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
Dec 26 2023

A real work of art. Idiosyncratic, weird and enjoyable. If you can get Viv Stanshall or Ivor Cutler on your albums, get them on your albums (you can't: they're dead).

Teenage Head by Flamin' Groovies
Dec 27 2023

Predictably average country rock. The best songs were covers.

The Next Day by David Bowie
Dec 28 2023

Not my favourite, but good quality Bowie.

Dec 29 2023

I enjoyed reading about Dion much more than listening to him. It seems that his work features a lot of great singles, but I didn't get anything from this album.

A Northern Soul by The Verve
Jan 01 2024

Yeah, fairly decent alt rock. Akin to a lot of other fairly decent nineties/nighties bands. 3 and half stars.

Odelay by Beck
Jan 02 2024

Fantastic. This album was on BBC 6 Music in full the other night, so I happily listened to it twice this week. I'm too tired to review it properly, so you'll just have to trust me that it's good.

Phrenology by The Roots
Jan 03 2024

I have this on vinyl. It has a really good mix of different things on here (although the Pussy Galore track sounds distastefully sexist). The Roots are a really interesting band. There are no standout catchy tracks for me.

Fragile by Yes
Jan 04 2024

Not good.

Jan 05 2024

Deeply unpleasant. I'm glad that's finished. 12 minutes of shout-outs was more unbearable than sitting through the credits on a Marvel film for a 12 second bonus scene setting up the next shit film that gets cancelled anyway.

Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Jan 08 2024

I love this album like a Tom Hanks / Meg Ryan movie. It's pure schmaltz, with jazz musicians in the background as invisible and talented and as obviously there as Spielberg. It's an indulgent weepy raise-a-ghettoblaster-above-your-head indulgence that I am 100% there for. You are welcome to disagree because it doesn't meet your rebellious agro-punk credentials, it's not cool and not alternative, but I have a soft spot for this album so there.

Jan 09 2024

It would be five stars if not for the painful to listen to kidnap skits.

Signing Off by UB40
Jan 15 2024

I had this on vinyl and really enjoyed listening to it again. Far preferable to their later work.

Vespertine by Björk
Jan 16 2024

Lovely stuff. A bit of a weird choice compared to some of her other albums, but she does weird so wonderfully. I spent a happy afternoon LISTenINg to Björk. ####

Dummy by Portishead
Jan 17 2024

My teenage daughter has been hating on Portishead lately, but I just can't bring myself to dislike it, it has so many happy memories tied up with it. I love the melancholy, the mash up of old and new, the vocals and drum and bass playing together. Glorious!

Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective
Jan 18 2024

Contemporary electro noise with a kind of wall of sound vibe and some lively harmonics. I'd not really listened to this before, whilst I'm tempted to go for 5 stars, that might just be because it's not F*&king COUNTRY AGAIN., so I'll be cautious and drop a star because I didn't instantly listen twice.

Superfuzz Bigmuff by Mudhoney
Jan 19 2024

Absolutely fine grunge. I enjoyed it, but not vastly. On my own in the kitchen whilst doing some work was not the correct listening environment.

The Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
Jan 23 2024

See Anthrax,but with slightly better tunes. It's as if they just got a white board out and asked some 12 year old boys to write the nastiest stuff they could think of on there. Then they made songs about that. Two and a half stars, because Run To The Hills was good and 22 Acacia Avenue reminded me of Bananaman, who lived 7 doors up the road.

Talking Heads 77 by Talking Heads
Jan 24 2024

A really enjoyable album that I feel like I must have listened to a few times before. Psychokiller is such a tuuuuunne!

Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington
Jan 25 2024

Whilst it's enjoyable jazz, I wasn't particularly grief at any point. Deserves its pace on this list, though.

Pink Flag by Wire
Jan 26 2024

So-so punk from back in the day. Three Girl Rhumba is in my playlist of maths songs!

Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
Jan 29 2024

Marvin Gaye is/was fantastic but this album is soppy mush Songs for Sexytime, and not really what I'm into. Let's Get it On, is a classic though.

After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
Jan 31 2024

I really enjoyed Only Love Can something something Heart, but the others swung between dull and hum-along classics.

Done By The Forces Of Nature by Jungle Brothers
Feb 01 2024

I had a strong feeling we'd had The Jungle Brothers already. I really like them, and this album is, frankly, stronger than a lot of their other albums. I don't feel like they're massively innovative or original, but they are very good at what they do, and they are not crazily braggadocios or hooked on whores, guns and drugs. 3.5 stars

One World by John Martyn
Feb 02 2024

Very gentle. So gentle I only know I listened to it through the application of logic. I remember that Lee Scratch Perry track, that was good, the rest of the album was like a lovely light anaesthetic coma.

Soul Mining by The The
Feb 05 2024

No. Thank you, but no.

The Velvet Underground by The Velvet Underground
Feb 06 2024

Yes, this is the Velvet Underground album I always reach for. Fantastic stuff! Chilled, weird, good.

Real Life by Magazine
Feb 07 2024

Not quite punk, not quite rock. There's a reason I'd not heard of this band. Not that great, sorry.

Haunted Dancehall by The Sabres Of Paradise
Feb 09 2024

What an unexpected joy. I have heard of and listened to things by Andrew Weatherall before. He died in 2020 and his stuff went into heavy circulation on BBC 6Music. This was good to listen to as a whole album.

Playing With Fire by Spacemen 3
Feb 12 2024

Nice pre-Spiritualised trance inducing guitar noise.

Feb 14 2024

Worth a listen, so long as you don't mind falling into a pit of depression the likes of which you have never felt before where you can only pray for the numbness of public transport and bestsellers from charity shop book shelves.

Whatever by Aimee Mann
Feb 15 2024

Very middling singer songwriter stuff.

Disintegration by The Cure
Feb 16 2024

Some good tracks and solid guitar work. I see why it could be someone's greatest of all time album, but it's not mine.

Feb 20 2024

Celebrates pimping violence and misogyny. I know he keeps saying he's trying to get out of he "thug life" , but he should've stopped being such a dick, really.

Surfer Rosa by Pixies
Feb 22 2024

A fucking masterpiece. Surreal and real and noisy and sentimental by turns.

Butterfly by Mariah Carey
Feb 23 2024

Just terrible.

Feb 26 2024

Very enjoyable. I'm not sure it entirely works, but it was worth a listen.

Devotional Songs by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Feb 27 2024

I'm not racist, but, this didn't do anything for me.

Autobahn by Kraftwerk
Feb 28 2024

Heard to concentrate on whilst I was working, but the bits I tuned into were good.

Opus Dei by Laibach
Feb 29 2024

This sounds like modern Eurovision entries. I got the strong feeling they were aware of how ridiculous they were. Maybe it was their album of Beatles covers that did it. They get an extra star for that.

Be by Common
Mar 05 2024

I had his album Electric Circus when it came out and had a similar thing, that I wanted to really like it, it's intelligent hip hop touching in themes of the black American inner city experience. There was a little bit of misogyny in there, and none of the music really hooked me, so I didn't ever get into Common as much as, say Curtis Mayfield, Arrested Development or Mos Def.

Shadowland by k.d. lang
Mar 06 2024

Meh: country. K D Lang has a nice voice, I just don't like the music.

Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden
Mar 07 2024

Loud guitars and teenage angst. Not too cliche or repetitive. I liked it, but wouldn't seek it out again.

Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
Mar 08 2024

Dull. Based on Wayne's World, I thought I'd like Alice Cooper more, but it just wasn't very interesting.

It's A Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads
Mar 12 2024

Ooh, he's such a nice boy, with his lovely floppy hair. And he does that nice song by that nice Garfunkel and his lovely friend.

Hard Again by Muddy Waters
Mar 13 2024

Bloody good.

Gentlemen by The Afghan Whigs
Mar 14 2024

The thing about dub is getting lost in its bouncy, offbeat rhythm and going along for the ride. The cutting of sounds and samples gives a homemade quality. The deep base groove is like a relaxing heartbeat. The sway of reggae takes me away and the electro wooshing on old synths is like a sprinkling of hundreds and thousands. What a shame this isn't dub.

Rattus Norvegicus by The Stranglers
Mar 15 2024

Marvelous original punk. Good hooks, good lyrics great tunes.

...And Justice For All by Metallica
Mar 18 2024

Shouty shouty men are very cross about something. They probably need a hug, then they'll feel better.

Vulnicura by Björk
Mar 20 2024

Björk, innit?

Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Mar 21 2024

Solidly benign background music to work to. The covers were almost as good as the originals.

Bongo Rock by Incredible Bongo Band
Mar 22 2024

Great fun. Bombastic and funky. Could've done with some singing, on maybe a track or two to add an extra dimension, but it was fantastic and wonderfully different to the usual albums in this list.

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby by Girls Against Boys
Mar 25 2024

Really not bothered by all this shouting and guitars. Not particularly coherent, funky or witty.

Gold by Ryan Adams
Mar 26 2024

I can do this, too. The road is long, You've got to be crazy to catch a cliché, it ain't easy, and my brother, looking over my shoulder, it's been a long path; and my sister, where has she gone? Where has the time gone, dripping off my watch like syrup, Dali on my mind, Dali on my mind, Dali on my mind, Dah-a-a-ali on myyy miiind. Heavy with the pressure, waking up in a motel and thinking, Dali on my mind, Dali on my mind, Dali on my mind. Ooohh, yeeeaah.

Crocodiles by Echo And The Bunnymen
Mar 27 2024

Beige as fuck.

Blunderbuss by Jack White
Mar 28 2024

Very enjoyable. I like the striped back nature of Jack White's performances.

Fever To Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Mar 29 2024

Fab: Punchy and fun.

Trio by Dolly Parton
Apr 01 2024

My Country Album, The Gravity of My Firstworld Problems, features tracks such as: Why Aren't There any Childcare Places? That Hat Don't Match I Ordered a 5 but they Delivered a 9 Not Beyonce Enough Stil' Crushin' on the Mailman Every Cliché has a Rainbow ... and a cover of McArthur Park

Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
Apr 02 2024

Enjoyable but not particularly memorable and I doubt I'll hunt it out again. Someone's jam, no doubt, just not mine.

Repeater by Fugazi
Apr 03 2024

Fine I suppose. Interesting and different enough not to disappoint, but I'm not going to search them out or explore further unless some future person is adamant I must.

Konnichiwa by Skepta
Apr 04 2024

Rude boy! Bit misogynistic, but good sounds.

16 Lovers Lane by The Go-Betweens
Apr 08 2024

In Australia, Jonathan Richmond meets Badly Drawn Boy. This was instantly forgettable. Maybe I've heard it many times before? I've definitely heard the round and round, up and down song before, so that one might be better and less forgettable.

69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields
Apr 10 2024

It took me about a month to listen to. In small chunks it was fine. Individually the tracks can be great and there are some stand out tracks. But it was WAAAAAAYY TOOO LOOONG. I guess the finish helped them get attention, and considering that it was about 4 albums long the quality is remarkable. But I just didn't want to listen to 4 albums of this stuff back to back. 4 stars with one removed because of the length.

Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
Apr 11 2024

A zinger! I didn't know this was wall-to-wall needledrops. What a delight. I am an tired and pottering about doing tasks and this is a lovely accompaniment. I cannot go 4.5 stars, so I'll have to round.

Songs Of Love And Hate by Leonard Cohen
Apr 12 2024

Not bad, not bad. A bit chin stroking and smoking gauloise. Dissertations have been written on this I expect.

Reign In Blood by Slayer
Apr 15 2024

Absolute tosh, but it could be quite entertaining if you're in the right mood. Drummer only knows one drum beat, the singer only has the notes he wrote during his maths class and the guitarist had lovely hair.

Pictures At An Exhibition by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Apr 16 2024

Walk the line precariously between novelty album and serious prog rock statement and then nosedives into the novelty camp. A pointless album.

Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis
Apr 17 2024

A good Miles Davis album. "So What" is the standout, but I'm never drawn to put this on. It's music to have on whilst drinking Martinis outdoors on a hot sunny day, whilst chatting with intellectual friends. It's just a bit too long and all a bit too similar.

Future Days by Can
Apr 18 2024

What a delight. Proper band work, varied and tight. I listened as I walked through sunny fields and a birdsong overdub is recommended for the next remastered release!

Miriam Makeba by Miriam Makeba
Apr 19 2024

Beautiful singing (but I'm not sure what about). I wonder how many were covers... Nice to have heard. Pata pata is a classic and a shame it wasn't on this album. I remember that Miriam Make a looked after Nina Simone when she needed it, and they toured together.

The College Dropout by Kanye West
Apr 22 2024

Solid hip hop classic. Not my favourite but produced to the max. Deserves a place on the list, whatever your opinion of Kanye.

Fear Of Music by Talking Heads
Apr 23 2024

I'm not sure what they were trying to achieve with this one really. I like The Talking Heads, and liked some of these songs, but at times it just seemed a bit rambling.

Apr 24 2024

The production values and quality of singing are not up to the high and ambitious standard of songwriting. I enjoyed the variety of songs and the content of the lyrics very much though. I would love to hear a modern cover of this, it done genius had nothing better to do with their time.

Group Sex by Circle Jerks
Apr 25 2024

Yes! This is the way all (well, most) punk albums should be. 1 minute songs, bang, bang, bang and done. FIN.

Ocean Rain by Echo And The Bunnymen
Apr 26 2024

Listening carefully, I've noticed that the lyrics are 90% incoherent bullshit. The backing is nice enough jingly guitar stuff. It's devoid of anything interesting, really though.

Slayed? by Slade
Apr 29 2024

Enjoyable bobbins.

american dream by LCD Soundsystem
Apr 30 2024

What a band! Fantastic, gush, gush, fawn. 5 Star masterpiece.

Paris 1919 by John Cale
May 01 2024

The title track is a clear standout, and accompanied the reading of the Wikipedia pages on the 1919 Paris Peace Accords well. None of the tunes were bad or tedious they just didn't hook me in much.

Heroes to Zeros by The Beta Band
May 02 2024

An interesting band that rises above the typical middle of the road jangly guitar pop.

25 by Adele
May 06 2024

"Adele! Do your thing!" "Where's me bloody orchestra?" "In the faacking studio, innit?" "Oh, I dunno, mate. Quite honestly, I'm just not feeling it." "Right! Bring in the boyfriend!" "Wha? Simon?" "Hi babes. Listen it's not you, it's me..."

Metal Box by Public Image Ltd.
May 07 2024

"Guys, I am running out of cash let's make an album. Call the producer." "What do I tell him?" "Like, say, we need a mansion with some recording equipment and a genius Sound Technician guy." "K" "Yes, and some K" "He says, have you rehearsed?" "Fuck it. Just say we have."

Broken English by Marianne Faithfull
May 08 2024

Fine. Not bad, but not my thing either.

Justified by Justin Timberlake
May 09 2024

Perky pop vibes. Very manufactured

May 10 2024

Wonky sample nose by art-loving pretentious clever men. I mean, why not? It's not painful to listen to. The exorcism track is great. It just has "Interesting side-project" written all over it. As a teenager, I would pick this out of my step dad's CD rack from time to time when I wanted something different to listen to. 3.5 stars

Don't Stand Me Down by Dexys Midnight Runners
May 13 2024

I can't listening to this without hearing Vic Reeves lounge singer. Even Spotify wasn't sure of the lyrics. But, hey, if you give a thousand monkeys typewriters one might shit something in the shape of a letter onto one.

May 14 2024

I love that I can understand bits of most lines of this, which means I have a better grasp of French than done inner city US slang. Thank you, MC Solaar; well enunciated! The tunes have great samples and it's not all just bitches, violence, drugs and cars. Why they picked this album and not La Nouveau Western, with the cowboy vibes and Serge Gainsbourg sample (from the film La Haine) is beyond me.

Searching For The Young Soul Rebels by Dexys Midnight Runners
May 15 2024

I liked this over the other Dexy's album in this list. The northern soul is strong here, and Kevin Rowland's is simultaneously individual and full of character as well as indecipherable and fucking annoying. I'm not really sure what it was all about, and I was torn between saying that I preferred the original and that I loved the uniqueness and the brass section on slightly punky tracks. 3.5 stars

461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton
May 16 2024

Well, Clapton is always pretty good, isn't he? This is a nice blues album, nothing terrible, nothing outstanding either.

S.F. Sorrow by The Pretty Things
May 17 2024

Back at the dawn of L.S.D. when the "electric" guitar was young, this was novel and exciting. Burroughs was busy creating at the shredder and Waterman had yet to perform a rock opera. Heady days that anyone who was REALLY there cannot remember.

Headquarters by The Monkees
May 20 2024

A real mixed bag, which probably comes from having so many writers. I adore the track "Randy Scouse Git", and "Zilch" is a fun skit. But every time they sing, "I'm going to be stealing, That little girl's heart today." I get a chalkboard shudder. It was a different time.

Different Class by Pulp
May 21 2024

The relief of a familiar album! Not having to wade through an obscure 80s, cheesy 50s or acid-drenched 70s album. 5 stars because I would choose to just put it on from time to time all by myself. I like the lyrics (although the creepy ones go a bit too far sometimes) and the tunes are interesting and catchy.

Pyromania by Def Leppard
May 22 2024

Pretty bland.

May 23 2024

I can really relate to this album of early twenties pretentious self-aware middle class debauchery. I like electronica and songs where you can tell what the singer is actually saying. However, this album reads like a diary entry and Marc Almond is not a good singer and you can tell the music was botched together by one person. File under: Has a good cover of a Northern Soul song. We've already had "I Shot the Sheriff" (Clapton) and "Seven Days is Too Long" (Dexy's) this week though. Highlights were Tainted Live (obvs), Say Hello, Wave Goodbye and Bedsitland. Was Youth ironically out of tune or did they not have anything better recorded and needed filler?

Fred Neil by Fred Neil
May 24 2024

Thankfully short. Everybody's Talking is good and raised it from a one star rating, the rest was typical charity shop reject bin stuff.

May 27 2024

The Wikipedia made me dread this; his girlfriend died and his band broke up, so he ended up doing hard drugs and hanging out in a studio whilst celebrity mates checked in on him and jammed a bit. The resulting album of mostly instrumental psychedelic folk was poorly received by the waiting press. After hearing that, the resulting ambivalence I felt when listening is miraculous. I liked reading the lyrics of the cowboy song.

Want One by Rufus Wainwright
May 29 2024

Fine. Pleasant. Funny.

The Who Sell Out by The Who
May 30 2024

Fun. Not really my thing, but I see why it's on this list.

Coles Corner by Richard Hawley
May 31 2024

Lovely but consistently dour. The title track is really catchy, the rest just kind of sits there.

Third/Sister Lovers by Big Star
Jun 03 2024

Terrible. The kind of album you get stuck listening to at a relatives house where it wouldn't be done to comment on how shit the music is. The covers, usually the catchy ones, were bad: Nature Boy was out of tune and didn't seem stylised.

Chore of Enchantment by Giant Sand
Jun 04 2024

I felt like I'd heard of Howe Gelb before. His output looks prolific. I liked the sound, very chilled and poetic like Buck 65 or Lee Hazelwood. The album wasn't "tight" though and I felt that it could have benefitted from more variety. Twenty years ago I might have bought this in a record shop, I might listen to another Giant Sand album to see, but probably won't return to this one. Also: How geeky is calling your band Giant Sandworms? :eyeroll:

Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons
Jun 05 2024

Oh God, please, no more country music! Aaargh!

The La's by The La's
Jun 06 2024

There She Goes is such a classic jingly jangly happy song. I've always been disappointed by the rest of The La's output and this album backed that up. One good song doesn't make an album.

Murmur by R.E.M.
Jun 07 2024

I tried to listen but it kept moving away like trying to remember a dull dream and resolutely stayed in the background.

Greetings From L.A. by Tim Buckley
Jun 11 2024

I surprised myself on how much I enjoyed this one. I'll give it another listen some time.

Tidal by Fiona Apple
Jun 12 2024

Slinky vocals but slightly devoid of personality.

Sunshine Hit Me by The Bees
Jun 13 2024

Lovely pleasant songs. Typically, the cover song is the banger that got put in adverts. Not a particularly noteworthy entry, though.

Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Jun 17 2024

Comically dark. I like that it manages a range on a theme without coming across too much like s novelty album. Also Kylie not being a total pop princess., which is nice.

Planet Rock: The Album by Afrika Bambaataa
Jun 18 2024

A milestone in music making, but it hasn't dated that well.

Jun 20 2024

A well produced album. Shame about the Chris Rick and Kanye West vocals. There is a wealth of talent hidden in this album who should get more credit. How come Gil Scott Heron didn't get a credit when the last track was his track from an earlier album with added accompaniment?

Back to Mystery City by Hanoi Rocks
Jun 21 2024

Terrible lyrics, big hair, generic guitar sounds; this was all a bit of an accident. Nothing to see here, move along please.

The Hissing Of Summer Lawns by Joni Mitchell
Jun 24 2024

Strong poetry, but the music just makes me think of my mum after her divorce.

All Directions by The Temptations
Jun 25 2024

A lovely little album. It's a bit soppy but there's some gems such as "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".

Junkyard by The Birthday Party
Jun 27 2024

Dirty grungy nose machines. Fine, but not my thing.

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Jun 28 2024

I enjoyed humming along to this. They don't take their time, but not everything has to fit on a 7", so that's a nice change. Shame about Roger Waters politics! I tried getting my kids into Pink Floyd but they weren't interested. I'm pretty sure adults tried to get me into them too back in the day.

White Light by Gene Clark
Jul 01 2024

This is another one of the albums to endure on this list.

Giant Steps by The Boo Radleys
Jul 02 2024

Not bad, but not interesting either.

Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney
Jul 03 2024

Stripped back guitar noise. Nice, but not noticeable, grunge.

The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips
Jul 04 2024

A phenomenal piece of work. Lovely stuff. I wish I had the time to write articulately about how much I enjoyed it.

Sail Away by Randy Newman
Jul 05 2024

Family Guy has ruined Randy Newman for me forever. It's so very twee and idiosyncratic.

Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley
Jul 08 2024

Uh huh ahuuurrr. Yeah, babe-uh. OK, so it's all covers of rhythm and blues, but he did what he did very well.

Deserter's Songs by Mercury Rev
Jul 09 2024

I enjoyed this, but honestly thought most of these songs were by The Flaming Lips. It's very pleasant spacey music.

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
Jul 10 2024

If you hear this album playing from the other room, just be aware I'm feeling emotionally vulnerable and have put Bridge Over Troubled Water on again. It hurts the spot for nostalgia comfort, story tunes, benign things that don't need attention and those sing-a-long hits. It is naff as fuck though, love it.

Queens of the Stone Age by Queens Of The Stone Age
Jul 11 2024

If you like Chilli Peppers and Foo Fighters, here's another band you'll probably like. A pretty good dirty guitar and obfuscated lyrics band.

Metallica by Metallica
Jul 12 2024

Very enjoyable metal. I don't often enjoy metal, but this was really well made and I didn't dislike it despite not really being in the mood to listen to it.

Bluesbreakers by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Jul 16 2024

I had to listen to Can Blue Men Sing The Whites by Bonzo Dog Band after listening to this. It's good considering they have none of the oppression and were all doing too much coke at the time. It's just not great.

Is This It by The Strokes
Jul 17 2024

Yeah, umm, Not bad.

Highly Evolved by The Vines
Jul 18 2024

Noisy on a day when I wanted tranquility, light and fun.

Being There by Wilco
Jul 19 2024

A pleasurable album, but not really my thing. The singer seemed to spend a lot of time around and over his vocal range. I always thought Wilco was one person, like Nico, who popped up walking on other people's records... Huh.

Jul 22 2024

Better than the Chicago LP I have in a box in the attic that's just some middle of the road bollocks. This was quite pleasant and had some originality. Not enough for four stars, but it was better than I thought it was going to be.

Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams
Jul 24 2024

Generic country pop. Not for me.

Jul 25 2024

Pleasant jangly guitars, crescendos and wooshy noises. I don't think there's enough here to hate.

Liquid Swords by GZA
Jul 26 2024

Proper old school hip hop. Not too braggadocios or misogynistic. Needs a banger, with a fine hook though.

Mott by Mott The Hoople
Jul 29 2024

Mott the Hoople just sound like filler tracks on an early Bowie album.

The Blueprint by JAY Z
Jul 30 2024

To start with, I was keen to listen to some good hip hop, then I started to find I was bored by the middle of each track, and by the end it was like being stuck on a long coach journey crammed in a seat next to a mildly bigoted old codger who just would, not, shut, up. Going on and on and on about sexual conquests and how he was morally sound, but broke the law all the time, and how he was down with streets and trying to do God's work and how he respect bitches and his much money he's got (yet somehow is still riding this fictional coach). I need earplugs and a facemask, not headphones, yawn.

The Grand Tour by George Jones
Jul 31 2024

You know those arsehole country singers from The Blues Brothers? Them.

Basket of Light by Pentangle
Aug 01 2024

Absolutely awful. Some kind of Human Rights violation. That children as young as 2 can boot up YouTube and stumble across this deprivation is shocking.

Fear Of A Black Planet by Public Enemy
Aug 02 2024

A scorching album. I would live to just sit and listen to all the tracks sampled in this. It might make a better (and longer) list than these albums! Lyrically raw and angry.

Treasure by Cocteau Twins
Aug 05 2024

Pleasant enough. Rather warbly.

Vincebus Eruptum by Blue Cheer
Aug 06 2024

Yet another 3 Star thing. It makes the argument quite strongly that the whole idea of there being 1001 albums that are worth listening to before you die is stupid. This album has little effect on me emotionally, and if you ask me who Blue Cheer are in 6 months, I am very unlikely to remember that they were some kind of seventies band with wailing guitars and drum solos. Hey, future me: Just listen to some Led Zeppelin instead.

Connected by Stereo MC's
Aug 08 2024

If your have asked me two years ago to rate the Stereo Macs, I probably would've said two stars; 700+ albums into this project I have developed a new appreciation of the subtleties of mediocrity. The rap is All Filler: No Killer on this album, but the tunes are catchy and they have bothered with interesting instrumentation (i.e. some bleeps and a saxophone). It's somewhere between 2 and 4 stars, and I've just had a nice breakfast, so... Next!

Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp
Aug 09 2024

Nice. Really nice. Far too nice. Just an ikkle bikkle wookums of a album, isn't it? Yes it is, yesitis.

Sister by Sonic Youth
Aug 12 2024

Enjoyable noise. A good hard grungy sound and some vicious little lyrics.

Dire Straits by Dire Straits
Aug 13 2024

Appropriately, I was on hold to a call centre for most of the time I was "listening" to this album. I barely noticed it.

Aug 15 2024

Great fun: Screeching guitars, epic rock tracks and Freddie Mercury doing his thing.

Hot Shots II by The Beta Band
Aug 16 2024

I don't know why they picked this album over the 3EPs which I love a lot more (is it because 3 EPs does not equal 1 album?) This was very pleasant jangly harmonies and stuff. It has a lovely homemade feel to it.

...The Dandy Warhols Come Down by The Dandy Warhols
Aug 20 2024

Lovely jangly guitars and generally upbeat lyrics. I feel like they are a force for good, but a bit too nice and are in their comfort zone.

The Gershwin Songbook by Ella Fitzgerald
Aug 21 2024

Ah, this takes me back to by childhood. I love a bit of Ella. It's just classy singing and jazzy numbers.

Coat Of Many Colors by Dolly Parton
Aug 22 2024

There is only one country song: Dead Flowers by Townes Van Zandt. Dead Flowers by Townes Van Zandt covers all the bases of country. Dead Flowers by Townes Van Zandt says everything. Dead Flowers by Townes Van Zandt was, is and will be inevitable. This album is 10 pre-emptive covers of Dead Flowers by Townes Van Zandt.

Stephen Stills by Stephen Stills
Aug 23 2024

This was good music too have a cheeky little nap to. It has no sudden anything, and just sort of drifted over me. I don't think I'd ever listen again on purpose though.

Clandestino by Manu Chao
Aug 26 2024

Stylish, upbeat and groovy.

Peter Gabriel 3 by Peter Gabriel
Aug 27 2024

Never a good sign when it takes a month and give attempts to get through an album. There's nothing wrong with this album and I quite like Games Without Frontiers, but it's mostly so dull I just feel like listening to something else.

Aug 28 2024

I really enjoyed these stories in their contrived pulp fiction diner stylings. I didn't like the previous Tom Waits album on this list but I was in the mood for (and had time for) lying back with my eyes shut and letting this wash over me. Dirty, gritty melodrama from the wrong end of town.

Guero by Beck
Aug 29 2024

NOTE TO MYSELF: Listen to more Beck. You think it's OK, but when you really get into it you really like it.

System Of A Down by System Of A Down
Sep 02 2024

Witty, gothic rambling, followed by shouted repetition, followed by short guitar stabs, followed by noisy guitar wall of noise and shouting. Repeat.

Tank Battles by Dagmar Krause
Sep 04 2024

Somewhere, in a small cobwebbed theatre in Scotland two people with thick glasses are watching this one woman musical. In my mind there would be long costume changes where her microphone was left on and you could hear her cussing and doing herself up. Works better as an A Level history assignment than an album.

I Should Coco by Supergrass
Sep 05 2024

Raucous argy bargy. The slower songs are a bit skip-able. Otherwise it'd be a solid five.

Sep 06 2024

Why this and not Original Pirate Material?! I think the whole hip hopera set-up, instead of giving it a structure and poetic restrictions, instead less it to be a bit dull: Ra Ra, I did lots of drugs and was a scally. This girl I love does or doesn't love me back. Ho hum.

Yank Crime by Drive Like Jehu
Sep 09 2024

Just fucking noise.

Come Find Yourself by Fun Lovin' Criminals
Sep 10 2024

Good fun. Too hip-hoppy to be punk rock, but doesn't take itself too serious either. I liked the hits and the general fun vibe.

The Stooges by The Stooges
Sep 11 2024

Fantastic work.

Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
Sep 12 2024

I quite like reading what the artists (out their label) write about themselves on Spotify. The Dictators wrote, "it seemed that nothing said on the way of The Dictators and mega-popularity. But that's not what happened. There were complications with the record companies ... personnel changes, radio hated them, critical responses were wildly mixed, and lots of audiences didn't get the jokes;" So, all that stood between them and success was that they weren't all that popular. I have no idea why this is on this list. The covers are tedious, the non covers are basic American punk. Nothing stands out for me.

Emperor Tomato Ketchup by Stereolab
Sep 13 2024

Delightful Frenchy swooshes. It has the familiarity of a mother encouraging their child to eat vegetables with a tinky tonk made up song. I imagine the lyrics are quite proper and a bit Poppins, but I haven't made a single word out and I'm on my second listen.

Close To You by Carpenters
Sep 16 2024

Dreadful dreadful twee bollocks. Fills me with more rage than a death metal album.

Born In The U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
Sep 17 2024

I didn't hate it, but I wasn't really into it. It's just the ultimate in mid-afternoon background noise really.

Pretenders by Pretenders
Sep 18 2024

Here's what you need to know: It's OK.

Dr. Octagonecologyst by Dr. Octagon
Sep 19 2024

Fantastic, subtle, delightful sophisticated. The humour was multifaceted and timeless, like Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

Dub Housing by Pere Ubu
Sep 20 2024

There were definitely several moments of, "Wait, What is this?" As the music changed from banal post punk screeching over guitar to something more lucid or interesting. The singer could do one, but the rest of the band had their moments. Not enough to make it good, or even worth the listen, but there was something there that they could've worked on.

McCartney by Paul McCartney
Sep 23 2024

Fine. Just not as good as The Beatles. Let's just say it's his break-up album, shall we? There was nothing very exciting here.

Walking Wounded by Everything But The Girl
Sep 24 2024

This should be ticking all my trip hop boxes, but it's all just a little same-y after a bit. I felt I could sing Missing (off a different album) along to most of these songs.

The Healer by John Lee Hooker
Sep 25 2024

Sounds a bit like he's doing his Best Of. I mean, the best of John Lee Hooker, it's pretty great, mind. It's where Eric Clapton got a lot of he's tunes from!

Bubble And Scrape by Sebadoh
Sep 27 2024

I am sorry to all my dear friends in their Sebadoh tees; I have tried, but I don't get it. The lyrics on Spotify have comments from the person transcribing despairing at trying to understand what's going on. It's just some arty discordant noise: fun basement homemade stuff, which is probably more enjoyable to make than to listen to. If Sebadoh were a mate's band, or if it were cheap and local, I'd go to the gigs, but honestly, I'm sighing and eye-rolling my way through this one.

Urban Hymns by The Verve
Sep 30 2024

Highly enjoyable indie.

Oct 01 2024

I can only think that Robert Dimery had this as a massive earworm in 2006 and thought, "Oh, I'll pop it in the book." It's not like anyone has heard of Mylo or he's had a massive productive influential ouevre.

Crazysexycool by TLC
Oct 02 2024

I could have done without this pop shit this morning. I did not not want No Scrubs.

Wonderful Rainbow by Lightning Bolt
Oct 03 2024

Sigh. Take the loudspeaker off the singer. No, feedback is not an instrument in its own right. And for Pete's sake stop giving the drummer complete creative control.

Kimono My House by Sparks
Oct 04 2024

I liked the lyrics and in small doses it was fun but a whole album of male soprano melodrama got a bit much after just a few songs. It was very enjoyable, if a little naff.

Jazz Samba by Stan Getz
Oct 07 2024

Thank you for calling one thousand and one albums generator dot com. You are position 4.5 x 10e06 in the queue. Your call is important to us. Have you tried looking at the 3 irrelevant FAQs on our website or sending an email into the void? Our Customer Representatives are still busier than usual right now, even though we tell you this every time you call. When your call is finally answered, please resist the urge swear, cast demonic curses or imply malfeasance on our behalf. Press 1 for the wrong department, press 2 for the right department, but a handler who is sticking to a flowchart script, press 3 for finance, press 4 to inexplicably rejoin the back of this queue, press 5 for terms and conditions, press 6 for a s aff m mb r wh n hear ev y oth r word.

Penance Soiree by The Icarus Line
Oct 08 2024

A noisy support band type of thing. All suicide and debauchery and teenage woes with feedback and dirge. I like that screaming was minimal and you could hear the lyrics, but being less shit is not the same as being good.

xx by The xx
Oct 09 2024

Mild background music.

Power In Numbers by Jurassic 5
Oct 11 2024

Jurassic 5, have a solid catalogue of work. Apart from Charli 2na and Cut Chemist I couldn't name the five, but they are fabulous. The makers of this list clearly didn't spend the hours listening to the album J5 that I did, which I can (and will) sing along to regularly in that 'finishing-the-sentences' way of half remembering a rhyme. Maybe I should listen to this album another ten times to see how it holds up against J5. I'm up for that.

Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
Oct 14 2024

I know I listened to this last Friday, but I can't really remember much about it. I don't think it was bad or good. 3 stars OK?

Debut by Björk
Oct 15 2024

This was a HEAVILY rotated album for me in my teenage years. I particularly like "There's More To Life Than This" with the live recording change with her running into another room and the wonderful pronunciation of "ghettoblaster", which I was never quite sure if it was someone's name. I like the mix of electronic, acoustic, ambient, orchestral, dance... I like the way she sings: Instantly recognisable and varied. I understand why this might bug some people (I get annoyed with Bob Dylan for just doing a Bob Dylan impression all the time. I get it.) but this takes me back to being about 15 in my room with a tape deck, bored, doing homework or playing computer games.

American Idiot by Green Day
Oct 16 2024

I don't like this much, but I could at least tap my foot and hum along to it pleasantly. I don't want to like it, but it's had so much airplay that I know it. I want to give it one star because it's got the feel of something cynically manufactured for the teen buck, but somewhere there's someone like me for whom this is their Nevermind, London Calling or Appetite For Destruction.

Oct 17 2024

Well, I was really in the mood for this yesterday whilst working. It is then ultimate in minimal background noise. To say I listened to it would be a stretch. We were in the same room and it made that room extremely chilled and tranquil. I'm not sure about its suitability for an airport what with all the announcements, people being in a rush for their gate, bright lights and overpriced goods.

Deloused in the Comatorium by The Mars Volta
Oct 18 2024

This grew on me, so by the end I wasn't rolling my eyes at every song (or maybe the last 3 tracks were a bit better). It's mostly tedious emo shit. I can imagine at as backing music for some Buffy the Vampire Slayer style ITV fluff. Promoted to 2 stars!

Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
Oct 21 2024

Boring. I have this on LP and have listened to it quite a lot and my expectation is always higher than the outcome.

Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins
Oct 22 2024

This, I really enjoy from back in my student daze. My flatmate played it and played it played it until I enjoyed it. At first I think I might have found it cheesygoth, but it has grown on me, so I no longer groan so much and just humm along.

Third by Portishead
Oct 23 2024

Melancholic, raucous, and sublime

Scum by Napalm Death
Oct 25 2024

I've recently started falling asleep to a white noise machine, which is great because it distracts from the whine of my tinnitus. This helps distract from the whine of my thoughts. Some of the lyrics attempt to be address consumerist culture, whilst also glorifying death and pain in the typical (sigh) angst-ridden way that (yawn) heavy metal typically does. I'm not sure how anyone knows the lyrics without subtitles, mind. Take Caught ... In A Dream as an example, "Surrounding spectacle to occupy curiosity, Nullifies the need to face reality, Forms of escapism and entertainment, Occupy and disable thought." That's alright that is, but it sounded like, "Hrghbgt hrghbgthrghbgthrghb rghbgt hrghbgt hrghbgt! Hrghbgt hrghbgthrchbgthrghbgthrghbgt hrghbgt hrghbgt! Hrghbgt hrghbgthrghbgthrdbgthrghbgt hrghbgt hrghbgt, Hrghbgt hrghbgthrhh bgthrg gthrgh hrghbgt hrghbgt!" It would be a lot funnier if it wasn't painful to listen to.

Truth And Soul by Fishbone
Oct 28 2024

(phone rings) - Good morning, Fishbone, my name is Clarice how can I help you today? - Yeah, hi, umm, I'd like a band. - OK great. Fishbone is a band so we can definitely help you there. What kind of band are you looking to make an album today? - Umm, well I was looking for music that's, like, got instruments played by people or, ah, do you, do you... What do people usually... ? - That's great, let me take a look for you sir. Our most popular offers are The Prince, The Hair Guitar and Generic Australian. We also do Jamaican folk dub with electronic cover versions. - Oh good, yes I'd like that please. - Fantastic, which one shall I put you down for, sir? - All of them. - All of? Right, let's see if there's an option for all. - Do they, do they play loud. - If loud is a problem we can certainly personalised that for you sir. - No, no, loud is good. Can there be occasional screaming? - Screaming. Of course. - But one acoustic guitar love song in the middle. - And maybe not the Jamaican dub thing. - Ah, certainly, unselecting the Electro dub with remixes. And how will you be paying today? - With dad's; I mean, umm, with my credit card. - How old are you sir?

Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth
Oct 29 2024

I quite enjoyed this, but not enough to seek it out again. After the disappointment of Fishbone yesterday, it was good to hear music being well played with confidence and skill. A solid three and a bit stars: It was fine.

Kid A by Radiohead
Oct 30 2024

Such a great album. I love it. Enough said.

The United States Of America by The United States Of America
Oct 31 2024

Yeah, hmmm, contrived to be bonkers, and I imagine at the time it sounded novel, but it's a bit tired now. According to the internet, the lyrics are good, but I didn't really make them out.

Southern Rock Opera by Drive-By Truckers
Nov 01 2024

I actually enjoyed this, which is noteworthy only because as I usually dislike Country Music. It dragged on far too long though, which means it's still a 3 star album for me.

Triangle by The Beau Brummels
Nov 04 2024

Incessantly dull. Not psychedelic enough to be Jefferson Airplane nor talented enough to be The Mamas and The Papas; not old enough to be Geoffrey Chaucer nor interesting enough to be Scott Walker. This is what racists might pick as typical white person music.

Lost Souls by Doves
Nov 05 2024

This was a nice slice of indie.

The Clash by The Clash
Nov 06 2024

Good solid classic punk. I don't think I'd listened to garage land before.

Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C.
Nov 07 2024

Back 2 tha 80s. Yeah bwoooooyyy!

Orbital 2 by Orbital
Nov 08 2024

Weep weep wobble wooble. I feel like this got me through many a comedown before I had the sense not to get that fucked. Serve with a extra large duvet, leftover takeaway and mindless computer games set to easy mode.

Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Nov 11 2024

Jack Black pitched up one octave.

Nov 12 2024

Even as a 22 year old he has the gravely voice of an old man and sings of an olde timey worlde. The musicianship is really good, and the songs are great. I read that the tunes were lifted from folk standards and am curious as to how much was him covering the classics a la Bob Dylan, and how much was novel. I didn't think I liked Bob Dylan all that much but this was undeniably enjoyable.

Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear
Nov 13 2024

Perfectly nice album. I'm not sure what would make it stand head above others to make this list, but I enjoyed listening to it.

Night Life by Ray Price
Nov 14 2024

A pretty decent classic country album, I just don't like country.

Homework by Daft Punk
Nov 18 2024

Nice defence music, but far too repetitive.

Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane
Nov 19 2024

I enjoyed the songs I knew enough to make this a tolerable album to listen to.

Scissor Sisters by Scissor Sisters
Nov 20 2024

I enjoyed this massively. It's camp and silly pop.

The Genius Of Ray Charles by Ray Charles
Nov 21 2024

Yeah! The groove tails off into sentimentality too quickly, but what a groove!

The Only Ones by The Only Ones
Nov 22 2024

Wow. Scraping the bottom of the barrel for essential albums again? Someone clearly likes, "Another Girl, Another Planet" enough to nominate the whole album Nothing offensively bad here, but really only that one track to revisit.

Parallel Lines by Blondie
Nov 25 2024

An eighties album that both serves up his single after his single and doesn't come across as completely manufactured and materialistic. I like that apparently Debbie Harry was still screaming lyrics as the studio engineer was calling her in to sing. Slightly punchy, raucous and tuneful.

Manassas by Stephen Stills
Nov 26 2024

Has it finished yet? Not he's just going on about his mate Johnny's garden... Not objectively bad, but I just don't liked it.

Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Nov 27 2024

Yes! I was waiting for dinner Bob Marley on this list.

That's The Way Of The World by Earth, Wind & Fire
Nov 28 2024

I really wanted to enjoy this. Some little funky nugget of joy and groove, but it was a little wishy washy and I just lost interest.

Something/Anything? by Todd Rundgren
Nov 29 2024

Something/Anything/Nothing? About one in five songs had some interesting/odd bits. (intro/song of the Viking), but it was largely mush. The last quarter of live sessions was listenable, but not magic. I really like Bang on My Drum, but that's not on this album. File under: Innovative For It's Time

Oar by Alexander 'Skip' Spence
Dec 03 2024

Recorded on a 3 track days after he came out of an institute for mental health recovery. At times it does sound like I'm accidentally playing a few different things at once. I think it's a grower, but there's definitely some bun tracks on here. I'm not sure I have three patience to learn to live this. It snowed me when I tried listening properly, but some of the tracks were fine as background music.

Sound Affects by The Jam
Dec 05 2024

Right down the middle of the three star review. Perfectly listenable; has that one hit single you've heard on the radio; mostly background music, let's be honest.

Two Dancers by Wild Beasts
Dec 06 2024

Pleasantly different and musically adept, but the spooky falsetto got a bit wearing. I listened to this a few times and liked it increasingly, but I think what I really like is the, "Similar Artists" auto-generated purify playlist that follows. Wild Beasts keep good company.

Arrival by ABBA
Dec 09 2024

Just no. This has been overplayed by the girls of my household too much. I kind of enjoyed Mumma Mia the movie the first time I watched it, was bored the second time and have refused politely since then. It's really well made pop, that is very enjoyable if you're felt cheesy, so I can't bring myself to vote lower than 3 stars, but when I was listening to it I was feeling like giving one star.

Arular by M.I.A.
Dec 10 2024

Wow! So refreshingly not a member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young for once. Electronic Music? Tick. World Music? Tick. Bit of Hip Hop? Tick. Sense of Humour? Tick. Politics? Tick.

Abraxas by Santana
Dec 12 2024

Very good, very proficient, technically very interesting, but I just wasn't that interested. I think I've heard this album a few times before (I think I have/had it on vinyl). It does what it does very well, but I don't reach for it as a favourite or anything.

Mama's Gun by Erykah Badu
Dec 13 2024

Erykah Badu bringing the soul back from the streets. A lovely voice, a lovely mix of styles. Arguably too much gangster tripping, and I would have loved a couple of phat bass-lead funky hooks, but what do I know?

Call of the Valley by Shivkumar Sharma
Dec 16 2024

Very gentle nice music for nice people at one with their lives.

The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground
Dec 17 2024

It was relaxing to get this album on the list. No challenging aggression, no mumbling banality, not some country album from the mid fifties, just an old friend popped in. Which is weird when the album was trying to be an album of weirdos and druggies living on the fringe.

School's Out by Alice Cooper
Dec 18 2024

Great fun. Alice Cooper is always interesting and listenable.

Dec 20 2024

Classic nostalgia fest. We don't get enough dance music in this list, although a solid ninety minutes of dance hits is hard to achieve.

Dec 23 2024

Every time something by MC5 comes up, I get fooled into thinking it's going to be hip hop. It's not. Standard shouty post punk stuff. Neither bad nor good in my opinion.

Sulk by The Associates
Dec 24 2024

Nearly unlistenable Boy George wannabies. They could have been big if only they had stuck at it and been any good.

Jack Takes the Floor by Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Dec 25 2024

Very gentle pre Bob Dylan Americana blues. Just a guy and his guitar and a whole bunch of stereotypes.

Dig Your Own Hole by The Chemical Brothers
Dec 26 2024

I enjoyed the tracks individually, but it was a bit much as a whole album. It really is fantastic to listen to in a dark night club with the neon lights and everyone around you having a great time though.

Seventeen Seconds by The Cure
Dec 27 2024

Great production on this dark classic. There's a pearl inside this grit.

If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears by The Mamas & The Papas
Dec 31 2024

Delightful harmonies and classic covers. Really really enjoyable. I listened to these guys and girls a lot over the years.

Safe As Milk by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Jan 01 2025

I really want to like Captain Beefheart, but it's such a challenging listen.

Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Jan 02 2025

Really good songs for the mildly depressed on a rainy afternoon.

Armed Forces by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Jan 03 2025

I'm really not bothered by Elvis Costello. It all sounds very much the same. He seems like a really nice turned-on guy. I think we just have different tastes, is all.

Vauxhall And I by Morrissey
Jan 06 2025

I'm just not that into Morrissey.

Talk Talk Talk by The Psychedelic Furs
Jan 07 2025

Something dilapidated about this, but it's got heart. It's probably a four star masterpiece, but I'm not enjoying it as much as I want to.

Jan 08 2025

Such an enjoyable, original sound, full of surprise and a light sound. It loses a star for the covers, but they made the covers their own and did them well.

Jan 09 2025

From Wikipedia, "The album's sound ... is notable for its use of the electric jug, as featured on the band's only hit, "You're Gonna Miss Me", which reached number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100" Oh, for fucks sake. I get the feeling that there was a meeting at 1001 Albums HQ, where Robert Dimery (speaking in a Chicago accent) removed his sunglasses and said, "This needs more cowbell, boys. More cowbell. What's more cowbell than cowbell, boys?" There were no girls, there was, however, a lingering silence. The kind of silence that only comes when someone temperamental with obscene amounts of money says something completely guff. Through the fog of cigar smoke, a falsetto junior piped up nervously, "The ... The electric jug, sir?" "Get some electric jug on this list now goddamnit, I don't care if no-ones ever heard of it, they'll hear of it now. More electric jug!"

Buffalo Springfield Again by Buffalo Springfield
Jan 10 2025

Ugh. More Crosby, Stills and Nash... This one was short and sounded like the Rolling Stones.

In A Silent Way by Miles Davis
Jan 13 2025

I quite like jazz and this was nice, vaguely-on-in-the-background, music.

Back to Basics by Christina Aguilera
Jan 14 2025

It's good that people are revisiting the sounds of the old days and trying to put some soul back on the table, but this just came across as vapid, manufactured and self-obsessed. She has a great singing voice and has sold a lot of albums, so I'm sure she's achieved what she wanted. I just don't know why it would be on this list.

In Rainbows by Radiohead
Jan 15 2025

Sublime songs with witty lyrics (as usual Thom could enunciate better, but I guess that's, "his thing"). Really nicely produced, with all those intricate drum patterns, whooshy guitars and electronic layers. Slightly dark, slightly catchy. I love it.

This Is Fats Domino by Fats Domino
Jan 16 2025

I would happily listen to this any day of the week. I'm not sure it works as an album and the boogie woogie all sounds the same after a bit, but it's great stuff.

The Last Of The True Believers by Nanci Griffith
Jan 17 2025

I hated the first 5 seconds instantly. Blooming country music. After ten minutes every song is blurring into the previous one. Listening to the lyrics is like being stuck on the seat behind some loud teenage girl on public transport.

Moon Safari by Air
Jan 20 2025

There are some great chillout tunes on here and some OK background tunes. It's not amazing, but it is good.

Le Tigre by Le Tigre
Jan 21 2025

Good funky, angry noise. Well put together. Unfortunately I was not in the right environment to enjoy it, but I would definitely listen again.

Bert Jansch by Bert Jansch
Jan 22 2025

Pleasant folk.

On The Beach by Neil Young
Jan 23 2025

There's just too much Neil Young in those list. This one was not annoying, like much of the other stuff, and some of the early tracks were nice, but it didn't stand out in any way other than that.

The Hour Of Bewilderbeast by Badly Drawn Boy
Jan 24 2025

Catchy pop rhythms from a tender, sensitive place. I know this got overplayed quite heavily on the radio, so a fair few people dislike it, but I do enjoy this. Is it a bit too nice in that Coldplay kind of way? Perhaps. Did I hum along? I did. Three and a half stars.

Out of Step by Minor Threat
Jan 27 2025

These boys are very angry about ... Umm ... Something? I did listen to the album and read some of the lyrics, but I couldn't tell you whether they didn't get enough pocket money when they were little or they were getting about the injustice of the capitalist machine.

Youth And Young Manhood by Kings of Leon
Jan 28 2025

I've a soft spot for Kind of Leon, because my former flatmate Tim loves them so much. Laid back and rocky Americana.

Happy Sad by Tim Buckley
Jan 29 2025

Mostly sad though. Some of it felt like you could play at x 1.25 speed and other bits were just a bit mopey. I'm aware that this is a seminal album to many. Reading up on his personal life (having kids too young, driving cars too fast, wasted on drugs and booze) on Wikipedia did not fill me with sympathy, but maybe I let my prejudice and assumptions get in the way of enjoying a perfectly nice album, then again maybe I'm just not that into folk.

Jan 30 2025

Made-up fact: Placed #3 in the 1991 Dirtiest Guitar Competition as a direct result of this album.

Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
Jan 31 2025

Listening to all this list of albums is eye opening. When I started going through these albums I really thought that I probably wasn't bothered by Bruce Springsteen either way, but now I've spent the time to listen to his music properly I know with certainty that I am definitely not bothered by Bruce Springsteen either way.

The Nightfly by Donald Fagen
Feb 03 2025

Classic Friday album: I've completely forgotten it by the time I come to review it on Monday. I don't think it was much of an anything. Weird harmonies: I bet Jacob Collier likes this album!

Larks' Tongues In Aspic by King Crimson
Feb 04 2025

I enjoyed this a while lot more than In The Court Of The Crimson King. Groovy, jazzy and catchy.

Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp
Feb 06 2025

I enjoyed this more than I wanted to add it so schmoooshy. But them 90s chillout orchestral backings get me every time.

The Good, The Bad & The Queen by The Good, The Bad & The Queen
Feb 07 2025

On paper, it has the makings of a fantastic album, but I'm having a second listen now, as I completely failed to have any kind of opinion after the first listen. It isn't very interesting is it?

GI by Germs
Feb 10 2025

I'm not a racist, but, I just can't understand what he's on about. The band is generic punk band. You could stick Johnny Rotten on here and I'd believe it was The Sex Pistols, but if you stick Johnny Rotten on here it would have lyrics you could hear about some engaging eye rolling guff.

The White Album by Beatles
Feb 11 2025

Just a phenomenal piece of work. Nothing is 100% perfect, but to have such a range of musical styles and so many songs that land so well in there is outstanding. Plus it always takes me back to a certain time and place in my childhood.

Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Feb 13 2025

That one guy in the corner shouting obscenities and giggling whilst everyone else tries really fucking hard to pretend they don't exist. Usually that guy is me. When I drink I think I'm funny. That time it was Captain Beefheart. But he wasn't drunk and he roped a load of impoverished musicians in and made them repeat his crazed shit over and over, and he wasn't drunk (at least not all the time) and it went on for hours. All the squares in the bar had never seen a guy giggling and shouting like this before and eventually they looked over and asked each other what the heck was going on. And then they gathered around to see if they could figure him out, but they couldn't. I kind of agree this is an album to listen to before you die, but that doesn't make it good. One of his musicians started crying.

Shaft by Isaac Hayes
Feb 14 2025

Smooth funk. The title track is amazing, and the rest is some good blaxploitation-era fun. Being a film soundtrack a lot of it is quieter music and not as upbeat as I would like, but also that may just be Isaav Hayes for you. Needs more chocolate salty balls!

Feb 17 2025

I'm a bit fan of this nonsense, it gets me moving. I'm sure it's not everyone's cup of tea though.

Pearl by Janis Joplin
Feb 19 2025

Really quite enjoyable.

Feb 20 2025

Fairly inoffensive pop. But I really had to force myself to keep going with it when I'm tired. Not good music to be forced to listen to.

Slanted And Enchanted by Pavement
Feb 21 2025

To quote my grandmother, "What's this? It just sounds like noise; it's not music." When I say grandmother I do not mean wife.

Live / Dead by Grateful Dead
Feb 24 2025

Very much not bothered by this. I've never got what the guys was all about. Maybe there was a drought of good music in the ol' Americana dustbowl of the 50’s when your choice was a sticky black quiff or a washboard and a piece o' chewin' straw.

Suzanne Vega by Suzanne Vega
Feb 25 2025

Feels like I should drive my old 2CV to a a beauty spot in the rain and have a cry. This is tortured and sensual music for the self-obsessed indie girl in your life. Streaked eyeliner and big dreams.

Quiet Life by Japan
Feb 26 2025

Classic eighties pop. Not the worst of this genre, it was quite listenable, but I wouldn't listen to it on purpose again.

Take Me Apart by Kelela
Feb 28 2025

Another tick in the box for "Sexy lady singing about sex in a sexy way." Less pop than a lot of other sexy vibe songs, but to be honest I was bored by the whole thing.

Our Aim Is To Satisfy by Red Snapper
Mar 03 2025

Lovely groaning funky bass, samples and dirty electronic stuff.

Sex Packets by Digital Underground
Mar 04 2025

Old skool hip hop with dick jokes.

Stripped by Christina Aguilera
Mar 05 2025

I have nothing positive to say about this album.

Green by R.E.M.
Mar 06 2025

Standard R.E.M. stuff. I'm afraid that I was present in the room where it was played, but not really listening.

The Contino Sessions by Death In Vegas
Mar 07 2025

Marvelous! I have always enjoyed this album, it's got such a big sound. It's dirty and it's passionate.

The Scream by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Mar 10 2025

Lots of screaming alright. Not all bad.

Ys by Joanna Newsom
Mar 11 2025

Really enjoyable, harp-led eccentric whimsy.

Tago Mago by Can
Mar 12 2025

Trying to be weird a bit too hard.

The Wall by Pink Floyd
Mar 13 2025

Quite a good listen

Phaedra by Tangerine Dream
Mar 14 2025

Pew! Pew! Pew! Warbble wibble. Wooshy swooshy thrwip! Bloopy bloopy bloo.

Mar 17 2025

Upbeat post punk stuff, but with some quality guitar riffs. Quite good, for this sort of thing, but no track particularly stood out to me.

Get Behind Me Satan by The White Stripes
Mar 18 2025

I got my stomp on commuting to work with this in my ears. I was joyfully moshing people out the way and waving as I bounced through the train station barriers. Why are all these grumpy commuters frowning? Turn those friends upside down guys, it's White Stripes Monday, you know.

Mar 20 2025

I happily set off on an Underworld adventure yesterday, and emerged to the sound of my wife asking what all this horrible noise was. It's like a dream now. I can't tell you exactly what happened. I think I was happy then.

Lost In The Dream by The War On Drugs
Mar 21 2025

Pheasant background noise, if a little whiny.

Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Mar 24 2025

Yeah. It's alright, I suppose.

Olympia 64 by Jacques Brel
Mar 25 2025

I assume it's witty, which is totally wasted if you don't speak the language properly. Is he the French Jake Thackeray, or is Jake Thackeray the English Jacques Brel? Anyway, I prefer Thackeray from a subjective point of view that I understand the lyrics.

High Violet by The National
Mar 26 2025

Fine. The one song about Ohio stands out, but I prefer the Dan Deacon about Ohio.

The New Tango by Astor Piazzolla
Mar 27 2025

I really understand why this makes the list and classical music doesn't. I like Astor Piazzola though. I had some album with Revancha del Tango (sp?!) in the nineties and it had some Roni Size -esque remixes, which were ... interesting.

Licensed To Ill by Beastie Boys
Mar 31 2025

Great fun. Very much the playground sensibility of the Beastie's oeuvre though.

Shaka Zulu by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Apr 03 2025

I enjoyed this, but I still think their best work was still their collaboration with Kermit T. Frog, which sadly didn't stretch to a full album.

Kala by M.I.A.
Apr 04 2025

Very lively, upbeat shouting. I enjoyed this a lot, but I am bemused by there being 2 M.I A. albums in this list, which makes it seem like the author is just a fan.

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis
Apr 07 2025

I have been revisiting the compilation series of albums Rebirth of the Cool lately, which are great if you fancy some mid-nineties jazz electro. This album is great. I never reach for it but I enjoyed having it on and replayed it, which is always a good sign. Now (a few days later) I couldn't make a single track or hum any of it.

The Doors by The Doors
Apr 08 2025

What an album! The hit rate is high and so many are classic tunes that put you straight into the zone you were in when you heard them before. I may have listened to this album a hundred times, it's possible.

Os Mutantes by Os Mutantes
Apr 09 2025

Kinda charming.

Apr 10 2025

Oh, damn it. This keeps happening: I get all excited about some quality music and then it's not the good Ray Charles music: the soulful blues or the raw funky stuff. No, it's Ray's country and western pop project which sold loads in the sixties to my grandparents generation who didn't know any better. Yuck.

American Pie by Don McLean
Apr 11 2025

This 36 minute album is 28 minutes too long.

Queen II by Queen
Apr 14 2025

Classic rock. Such a weird (nice) mix of rock, quintessential British references, paganism and melodrama. It is odd that the album cover is Bohemian Rhapsody style, but that that's not here.

Imperial Bedroom by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Apr 15 2025

Albums to listen to when you have run out of ideas. It's fine.

Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
Apr 16 2025

I think this deserves a place on the list.

Movies by Holger Czukay
Apr 17 2025

Really enjoyable strange sounds. More of this please!

Beach Samba by Astrud Gilberto
Apr 18 2025

Now available in your local charity shop bargain bucket.

Boston by Boston
Apr 21 2025

Hot like a cup of Malted Milk on a Sunday evening. Sexy like big pants and support stockings. Groovy like guttering.

Joan Baez by Joan Baez
Apr 22 2025

It's not a bad album, but it's not for me.

Reggatta De Blanc by The Police
Apr 23 2025

CONS: Their lyrics are a little creepy. They took ska and added pop. Police corruption is horrific. PROS: But I like ska, so it's not all bad. Catchy pop hits. Police uphold the law and capture criminals.

Calenture by The Triffids
Apr 28 2025

Not even popular enough to be an obscure pub quiz question.

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Apr 29 2025

I listened to the first half whilst at work. Kashmir is such a good tune, but the rest was bored blues guitar. I thought it would get better on the drive home, and cracked it up, but honestly it wasn't all that. To be generous, I imagine it's a classic case of everyone copying whatever they did that was innovative until it sounds retrospectively generic.

Apr 30 2025

Whilst I don't like all the gangsta stuff, this is a seminal album. Straight Outta Compton and Fuck The Police are classics.

Dusty In Memphis by Dusty Springfield
May 02 2025

My wife is in a wind band in the village and this is very much their style. Think an old lady get dewy eyed, one cold, veiny hand giving a little squeeze as the other taps slightly out of rhythm. The scent of flowers, piss and cleaning products. A simpler time when the milkman got a Christmas bonus. Shall we have another sherry? No, I think one is enough.

Bryter Layter by Nick Drake
May 06 2025

I don't mind Nick Drake, but he's just not really my cup of tea.

Caetano Veloso by Caetano Veloso
May 08 2025

Sixties Brazilian pop fun. A moustachioed Austin Powers strutting across the beach in an indecent pair of budgie smugglers stops and peers over the top of his shades. Wink to camera. Strut on.

Bright Flight by Silver Jews
May 09 2025

A studious avoidance of charisma.

Blur by Blur
May 12 2025

Very enjoyable; indie pop classic.

May 13 2025

If only Sinead had got a pound for every time someone said "Actually, I think you'll find, Nothing Compares 2U was a Prince song." That and The Emperor's New Clothes stood out. The rest was very wishy washy,

Dry by PJ Harvey
May 15 2025

An absolute belter of an album: Raw and honest, catchy and witty.

Scream, Dracula, Scream by Rocket From The Crypt
May 16 2025

Half of the songs had me humming, "On a Rope, on a rope, got me hanging on a rope." A solid 3 star album: It's not bad, it has at least one good track One star: It's offensive to my ears Two: It has no merits Three: It doesn't stand out particularly Four: Yeah, this is good Five: A masterpiece that deserves repeated listening

May 19 2025

A really nice album. An odd choice, given the smash hit Gnarls Barkley album, that came out only two years after. I listened on Friday and here I am reviewing it on Monday unable to remember any of the tracks, but I did enjoy it.

Punishing Kiss by Ute Lemper
May 20 2025

Posh bollocks. Went down well at Glyndebourne, no doubt. This album is absolutely terrible. The singing sounds unrelated to the music in places and insists on being grammatically correct, as if dull story were being told. It is overly orchestrated and sounds starchy and contrived.

Fuzzy by Grant Lee Buffalo
May 21 2025

Normal music played by normally proficient musicians in Los Angeles. No need to listen before you die (unless it buys you extra time).

Vanishing Point by Primal Scream
May 23 2025

What an album! Having seen the film Vanishing Point helps to add an extra dimension to it.

Arise by Sepultura
May 26 2025

I found this really triggering to my tinnitus. I liked that the lyrics were clear. I wonder if this is more common in bands singing in a second language? But overall it was dogshit. I wondered whether lyrics like these could be created by a random word generator in Excel if there was a dictionary of sad words in a table somewhere split into verbs adjectives etc...

Scott 2 by Scott Walker
May 27 2025

Crooner croons covers.

Darkdancer by Les Rythmes Digitales
May 29 2025

Bleep bleep, weeble blew schlang bleep. Mildly annoying pop house. I think he said it best when he said,"Music makes you lose control, control, control. Music makes you lose control (control, control, control, control, control) Music makes you lose control, control, control. Music makes you lose control (control, control, control, control, control) Music makes you lose control, control, control. Music makes you lose control (control, control, control, control, control) Music makes you lose control, control, control. Music makes you lose control (control, control, control, control, control) Music makes you lose control, control, control. Music makes you lose control (control, control, control, control, control) Music makes you lose control, control, control. Music makes you lose control (control, control, control, control, control) Music makes you lose control, control, control. Music makes you lose control (control, control, control, control, control) Music makes you lose control, control, control. Music makes you lose control (control, control, control, control, control) Music makes you lose control, control, control. Music makes you lose control (control, control, control, control, control) Music makes you lose control, control, control. Music makes you lose control (control, control, control, control, control)"

Supa Dupa Fly by Missy Elliott
May 30 2025

When Missy got to work with Timbaland, she decided she had struck gold. "How can I ever pay him back?" she thought as she sat down to pen lyrics, "I know I'll mention how awesome he is at every chance I get. Now what I need is to express that aspiration of success and craftsmanship, let's see...."

Disraeli Gears by Cream
Jun 02 2025

Pretty good. This kind of blues rock is what I think of when I think about that Cream.

S&M by Metallica
Jun 03 2025

6 of these songs were covers of songs by the same band already on this list. How many songs are duplicates in this 1,001 list? How many duplicated by the same artist? Probably Neil blooming Young... Very enjoyable though. Although I'm only ten minutes in. An hour in and I'm starting to flag ... multiple pauses to do something else ... It is attention demanding, but not actually interesting enough to hold my focus. Maybe in 1999 this would be more striking and original. I think this is definitely an album for Metallica fans who want more.

The Bends by Radiohead
Jun 04 2025

What a fantastic album!

Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith
Jun 06 2025

The album passed without registering at all.

Freak Out! by The Mothers Of Invention
Jun 09 2025

Whacky, man. Out there whacky. This may have blown my circuits.

I See A Darkness by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Jun 10 2025

Enjoyable depressed folk indie, but I spent the whole time trying to remember the name of that song about someone thinking they saw Bonnie "Prince" Billy on a train. Googled it: Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror by Jeffrey Lewis

Trafalgar by Bee Gees
Jun 11 2025

Oh, in what world is this essential listening? It's not bad, but it's in no measure good. A solid three stars throughout with not much of note. Minus one star for pissing me off!

Picture Book by Simply Red
Jun 12 2025

Decent bass, decent soul vocals, but it just doesn't all add up to the sum of its parts.

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
Jun 13 2025

Iconic and changed the face of music. 4 1/2 stars because listening to the whole thing at once it's too much, like eating a whole black forest gateau. But it's hit after hit and has just genius scoring.

Screamadelica by Primal Scream
Jun 16 2025

A phenomenal album, with film samples, gospel, and indie rock. It's all over they place and coherent at the same time. I get s lot of nostalgia listening to this.

Bone Machine by Tom Waits
Jun 17 2025

Tom Waits is good fun. This isn't his greatest, but it's grimy dirty bluesy growling.

Idlewild by Everything But The Girl
Jun 18 2025

Incredibly normal.

Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves
Jun 19 2025

Yay! A modern album, I'll enjoy listening to ... Oh, hang on, it's country. Or is it pop?

Tanto Tempo by Bebel Gilberto
Jun 20 2025

I didn't think we'd get any Amon Tobin on this list, but there he is producing the first track. Largely slinky Brazilian smooth numbers on this. It sounds original and cool and I love the sprinkling of electronics. Maybe a bit too smooth though?

Jun 23 2025

Yeah, what Greg said. P I.M.P. cover by Bacao Steel Band is better than the original.

The Chronic by Dr. Dre
Jun 24 2025

Whilst swearing is funny, calling women hoes all the time is not. Beats are peak Dre, but the lyrics are more dated than Neil Young's politics.

Jun 25 2025

Sorry, but I found then a bit dreary. A couple of songs on the verge of being catchy. Some almost jazzy elements. I don't know about chords, but I bet they were mostly minor.

Rio by Duran Duran
Jun 26 2025

Very generic pop. The go-to for examples of eighties pop. I tried to listen to it, but in the end I only heard it.

Sheet Music by 10cc
Jun 27 2025

Upbeat, fun (pre-Queen?) mild rock, but not mind blowing or that noteworthy.

Bug by Dinosaur Jr.
Jun 30 2025

"Hi" "Yeah." "Are you?" "Joey." "What? Oh I see." "Yeah man. Right at the front" "At the front?" "It was the best. Did you see them?" "Well, Mr Dumit, were just in your area to talk to people about their broadband provider. Do you ..." "I was right by the speakers." "Errr." "So cool. You could literally like, see the bass, you know, like really see it." "HERE'S A FLYER MR DUMIT. For fucksake."

Rid Of Me by PJ Harvey
Jul 01 2025

I really like PJ Harvey, and this album in particular as I think it was the first "proper" gig I went to in the Bristol Anson Rooms. But do we need 4 PJ Harvey Albums in the 1,001 !? I love the raw, dirty dinging and guitar; the sensuality and ferociousness of it.

Goo by Sonic Youth
Jul 02 2025

5 Sonic Youth albums you need to listen to before you die!? Surely that number can go down? Not bad, but not my thing. To quote everyone's dad, "It's just a load of noisy guitars."

Ogden's Nut Gone Flake by Small Faces
Jul 03 2025

I think Lazy Sunday and everything with Stanley Unwin made this album for me. It's not something I'm going to reach for again, but I'm glad it exists. I would love to have heard the Spike Milligan version of it had ever been made. There was lots of gentle, post rock n roll British music. And the drumming was amazing.

Countdown To Ecstasy by Steely Dan
Jul 04 2025

Steely Dan are not my thing. Everyone else loves them, but I don't like his voice, and the style of it.

The Coral by The Coral
Jul 07 2025

A week ago I woke up with, "Up in my lovely room, ooh..." going round my head; Googled it; played it twice. Now the whole album is here. It's surprisingly enjoyable for pop music. I like that it has a good range of styles in it. Dreaming of You is the obvious stand out single, but there's nothing wrong with the rest, they were pleasant enough.

The Boatman's Call by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Jul 08 2025

Sublime, I was typing, just as Nick Sang it; beautiful; gentle; moody. It could really do wiv a bit of the ol' knees up muvver brown halfway through, though. Into My Arms is great, but unless you want to enter a long, dark teatime of the soul and wallow in your own self pity for a bit, there's no need for an hour of it.

Slipknot by Slipknot
Jul 09 2025

I was weirdly into this (I had some data-entry to do, and the furious vibe and mindlessness helped). I couldn't stomach it all at once though, and decided to intersperse tracks with Mr Bungle. Why aren't Mr Bungle on this list? The downside to listening whilst working is that I don't look up the lyrics as they are sung and have to make up my own, "Whhhyyy? Did Iiii? FORGET TO PUT THE BINS OUT! It's FriiiiiiDAY Bin day Friday I ALWAYS PUT THE BINS OUT AAAARRRRRG!" Also "Booking the window cleaner FOR THURSDAY I know that he can't come ON A TUESDAY Booking the window cleaner FOR THURSDAY I hope he brings his friend I will make him a mug of HOT CHOCOLATE I offer him tea be he drinks HOT CHOCOLATE We use to have that CACAO NIB HOT CHOCOLATE but now it's just standard stuff" I also particularly liked the song, "Liberate bananas".

G. Love And Special Sauce by G. Love & Special Sauce
Jul 10 2025

Pre-trip hop blues meets hip hop at a family BBQ. I loved the summer vibes and the absence of hos, violence and dollar dollar bills y'all.

Brown Sugar by D'Angelo
Jul 11 2025

Ooh, yeah, I love you so much girl, slide over here cos I'm sexy, mmm, yeah like that, uh uh, yeah over here girl, that's it girl. Uh huh. Why did you walk away girl? So sexy. Now I'm lonely, uh uh.

Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Jul 14 2025

Not so bad for a Neil Young's album, but this is, ridiculously, the sixth on the list (I've probably missed some bands he was in). Are we sure this isn't just a list of 1,001 albums featuring Neil Young?

Tigermilk by Belle & Sebastian
Jul 15 2025

Wonderful, light happy daytime music.

90 by 808 State
Jul 16 2025

Quite good electrónica. Crucially to getting a 4 star rating it wasn't bloody country music again.

Generic music, well played. I can imagine this must've been thrilling in a stadium full of fans, but it is quite vapid, too.

Jul 18 2025

Quite cheerful. I was looking across the plains of north Spain as he bantered away about his little ditties. Apologies to my hating friends, but this was not that objectionable (for country).

Cheap Thrills by Big Brother & The Holding Company
Jul 21 2025

I am loving the growling vocals of Joplin's decidedly alternative delivery. This is the definitive version of Another Piece Of My Heart for me. It's a shame that's it's mostly covers and that she died so young as this album is passionate and exciting.

Beyond Skin by Nitin Sawhney
Jul 22 2025

I've got this one in my collection.

Jul 23 2025

I have tried many times to board The Fall train, but I just don't get the appeal. It seems like the kind of genius you come up with on a drunken night and regret in the morning.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Jul 24 2025

Good, fun metal. The Brum is strong with this one.

Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
Jul 25 2025

Yeah, it's alright I suppose. As rock songs from the 70s go.

Cloud Nine by The Temptations
Jul 28 2025

First impression: Barrett Strong was a hell of a song writer. I love this slinky funky shit. Wikipedia says this was a response to the strength of power of Sly Stone's brand of psychedelic soul, and it does have a lot of that in it. It's a shame this is the music industry's response to copy a thing rather than someone making an expression of their own. Final impression: Maybe a bit sentimental, maybe cynical, but I still like the tunes.

Fever Ray by Fever Ray
Jul 29 2025

What a lovely little treat if an album. The comparisons with Björk (I heard the lyric Way Down With my pixie lord) are unavoidable. There's elements of moody dance like Sister Bliss from Faithless or Everything But The Girl. I enjoyed it very much, although it was a bit too dirgy at times.

London Calling by The Clash
Jul 30 2025

Yep. Obviously, this is on the list.

Hunky Dory by David Bowie
Jul 31 2025

Yes. Of course this is on the list. Such fine tunes.

Kilimanjaro by The Teardrop Explodes
Aug 01 2025

Tedious Cure-esque waffling Each line of song seemed to be split up between the singer's bit and the band's. Singing, twiddly guitar, singing, twiddly guitar, etc The lyrics were typically vague and Julian Cope's posturing a bit half arsed.

Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder
Aug 05 2025

Veers occasionally into the smooshy, but it is a very strong, funky, smooth, charming and unique album.

Eternally Yours by The Saints
Aug 06 2025

Noisy boys making noisy noise. I would rate this as standard punk, but was interested to read their first album came out before most other punk.

Parklife by Blur
Aug 07 2025

This is such a comforting album, for me, as it has been on such heavy rotation in my house.

Shalimar by Rahul Dev Burman
Aug 08 2025

What is this doing here? Some kind of western influenced Bollywood thing? I didn't enjoy it. If this is tokenism, there must have been something better in THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF BOLLYWOOD than this.

Unhalfbricking by Fairport Convention
Aug 11 2025

This band has quite the story asking with this album. They were so young! My sister and mother both loved this kind of folk so much that I now just associate it with teenage rebellion, overly sincere hippies and the smell of boiling beans. It is well done, so I can't bring myself to give it one star, but it still stirs more anger in me than your typical heavy metal album.

Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.
Aug 12 2025

I Googled "Notorious B.I.G. Freud" and was surprised no-one has written a massive treatise about Biggie's phallic obsession. It sounded good, but the constant disrespect for women did my head in.

Third by Soft Machine
Aug 13 2025

There's just not enough jazz on this list, and then, when it comes, it's sort of generic prog. Disappointing, but professional, noodling about not getting anywhere.

Crosby, Stills & Nash by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Aug 14 2025

OK. I made some inroads into understanding why people like Crosby, Stills, Nash (and the other one on the other albums). I guess if you grew up listening to The Hollies, The Byrd's and Buffalo Springfield, this is an interesting mix of those differing styles. However, I'm not in my late seventies.

The White Room by The KLF
Aug 15 2025

What a joy. Upbeat, pop, dance. A smattering of everything to keep all the kool kids happy.

Aug 18 2025

Some great tubes on here. I can see what they were aiming at. Show BUSINESS, baby!

Next by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Aug 19 2025

Barely in the top 1001 albums of 1973 when it was released. Much more of a camp musical than most of that blues rock stuff in that era. It had a real Cabaret vibe. I bet Meatloaf loved this shit.

Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix
Aug 20 2025

What guitar heroes! This is an inspirational album of wailing and soaring, fiddling about and making the guitars sing.

The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
Aug 21 2025

The existential pain and angst of being teenage in the nineties. Good times, good times... I enjoyed the driving bass and the overwhelming noise of it.

Bad by Michael Jackson
Aug 22 2025

It's so hard to separate the art from the deluded paedophile traumatised by childhood pop fame and an echo chamber of people who agree with him to gain access to his power and money. To the extent that they let their children be close to him, build him his own fairground and have I'll advised pets. But once you do, it's quite a good album of funky pop numbers.

Back At The Chicken Shack by Jimmy Smith
Aug 25 2025

Yeah, just the summer jazz vibes I needed for wandering in the sunshine.

Aug 26 2025

About a week ago, I woke having dreamed of something melodic and thought, "I should listen to some Smog." Which is odd, as I knew of them vaguely but I don't know if I knew them enough to place the sound. That was a lovely sunny morning of music listening, and now he's back in my life so soon, with this delight of a piece of art. I'm taking it out on a dog walk with me. Blue skies.

Moondance by Van Morrison
Aug 27 2025

This was my go-to album for something to listen to during my revision. I also saw him at some festival with my mum in the late nineties, so all kinds of feelings are stirred up listening to this in full again.

Permission to Land by The Darkness
Aug 28 2025

Yeah. Rock on you krazy freaks. Let your yodel be heard across the open plan office; let your bright socks raise eyebrows; don't be constrained by a pony tail when you could be whipping that thing around in the lift; who loves you? Out of The Darkness comes a helium balloon with YOUR NAME on it. Kisses! 3 star album with an extra one for cheerfulness.

Skylarking by XTC
Aug 29 2025

Barely noticed it, TBH.

Modern Kosmology by Jane Weaver
Sep 01 2025

That is an interesting one. A bit more modern, obscure electro folk.

Mask by Bauhaus
Sep 02 2025

I always think Bauhaus are going to be unbearable industrial noise, but they are quite middle of the road, with a sprinkling of Art School pretention. Unfortunately, I had Bella Lugosi's Dead on a mixtape in my teens, and none of their other stuff measures up to it (on first listen).

Wild Is The Wind by Nina Simone
Sep 03 2025

At last. I only had to wait 1.027 albums to get some Nina. Not even her best album in my opinion. Overly romantic for my taste. Such a fine singer, composer and pianist though.

In Our Heads by Hot Chip
Sep 04 2025

I thought this was going to be Metronomy, but it was slightly more pop than them, without such catchy tunes. I thought it was the the band that puts more effort into the music videos than the music, but that was OK GO! It wasn't unpleasant, but it just sounded like generic café background music really.

Let's Get Killed by David Holmes
Sep 05 2025

Lovely noises. Ambient electro full of samples and dirt and grit. But with a real range of styles from dub to techno. I loved the street recordings from the disaffected New York underclass.

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
Sep 08 2025

I was disappointed by the lack of funk, despite the bandname.

Happy Trails by Quicksilver Messenger Service
Sep 09 2025

It hung together really well, and the playing was really good, but all the best songs were covers.

Underwater Moonlight by The Soft Boys
Sep 10 2025

Better than you'd think some post-punk semi-mod 70's Cambridge indie group would be. But then I'd think it would be shit and it was actually a'right, I suppose. The lyrics were pretty nifty and the guitar work was jangly fun.

Ramones by Ramones
Sep 11 2025

Punk epic.

Talking Timbuktu by Ali Farka Touré
Sep 12 2025

Pleasant enough mid nineties World Music. Ry Colder doing his thing, before the Buena Vista Social Club collaboration. Ali Farka Toure plays lovely guitar, but two guitars, a little bit of singing and a drum wasn't enough for a whole album for me..

Dare! by The Human League
Sep 15 2025

Quite fun eighties electro pop. Not sure I had to listen to it before I died. I'm not sure that I haven't listened to it before. Am I dead?

Lam Toro by Baaba Maal
Sep 16 2025

Jangly afro rhythms. They're probably better even if you speak the language. I felt there was a real difference between the tracks produced by Baaba and by other people. Maybe more of a European influence sometimes? I probably need to be steeped in the culture to appreciate these properly.

Fifth Dimension by The Byrds
Sep 17 2025

Bob your head to the sixties groove, baby. Some kind of album from waaay back when your (great?) grandparents were grooving.

Axis: Bold As Love by Jimi Hendrix
Sep 18 2025

Seminal guitar noodling. A giant of that era, and unsurpassed.

Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Sep 19 2025

Wow. They are like a modern day Bruce Springsteen. But nearly twenty years old now, I guess. So .... Like Bruce Springsteen. Hmmm. I'm not much of a Bruce Springsteen fan come to think of it.

Teen Dream by Beach House
Sep 22 2025

Gentle soothing sounds for the permanently apathetic.

Pelican West by Haircut 100
Sep 23 2025

So very eighties. Fairly middle of the road with a couple of nice ska moments.

Sep 24 2025

This is bound to rate poorly as it's not a genre I enjoy, however, I was impressed by the instrumentation and lyrics. Also, if The Clash liked him, he can't have been all bad. There were some upbeat numbers and some catchy little things in there.

Logical Progression by LTJ Bukem
Sep 25 2025

Too long. I listened to the first half on a day walk in the near pitch black, it was dark, cold and exciting; trance like but even then each team was a bit long, but I could lose myself in my thoughts and let it wash around me. I listened to the second half at home in the daytime and it got very boring and slightly annoying. Really well made, but without enough of body to it, it just kind of jangled along like a long car journey.

Catch A Fire by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Sep 26 2025

I'm still stankin.

Very by Pet Shop Boys
Sep 29 2025

I kept coming away from this humming, "In suburby, in sub-urb-i-aaa" despite the fact that it wasn't on this album. Maybe their songs are a bit same-y?

Feast of Wire by Calexico
Sep 30 2025

A very enjoyable mix of American borderland music. A bit hit and miss, but more hits than misses.

Rust In Peace by Megadeth
Oct 01 2025

Immature ranting on about destruction and decay, war and illness, etc.

Highway to Hell by AC/DC
Oct 02 2025

I am not bothered by this posturing, bad boy band. They are crying out for those also crying to cry along, but I'm just not in the mood for the needyness.

You Are The Quarry by Morrissey
Oct 06 2025

The other day, Labi Siffre issued a cease and desist order to Tommy Robinson for his use of Something Inside So Strong (he said, “Anyone who knows me and knows my work since 1970 will know the joke of them using the work of a positive atheist, homosexual black artist as apparently representative of their movement.”) I enjoyed the witty lyrics of You Are The Quarry, but worry that Morrisey might have written Irish Blood, English Heart in support of this spirit of isolationism and intolerance. Hopefully I am completely misguided, but the bad taste remains in my mouth. So 5 stars for the good music and outspoken content. Remove a star for Morrisey's dubious politics. Remove another star because I've never really got on with Morrisy/The Smiths on a subjective level: my toe tap doesn't tap to their tunes. But? I? Kind of? Liked? It?

Leftism by Leftfield
Oct 08 2025

I love the range of different styles and samples, brought along with those driving drums. This was such a solid, consistent album and was always great to hear when on a night out in the nineties.

Electric Prunes by The Electric Prunes
Oct 09 2025

Never a good sign if one of those most notable things about the album on Wikipedia is that it, "was listed in the book, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die." Quite nice psychedelic sixties stuff: Touches of ragtime and kitsch among pre-Beatles mop-tops. But, even the band seemed to agree large parts of the album were filler rushed out to capitalise on the success of "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" I dug into some of their other stuff, and the band apparently fell apart when they tried to do complex covers of traditional Jewish religious music in a psychedelic way. That should've been on the list rather than this, but it's really not essential listening.

The Undertones by The Undertones
Oct 10 2025

Out of respect for John Peel, I cannot give The Undertones 3 stars, but it didn't really move me much past that marker.

Arc Of A Diver by Steve Winwood
Oct 13 2025

I recognise the talent, but this wasn't my thing.

The Trinity Session by Cowboy Junkies
Oct 14 2025

Well I'm glad that's over it was making me sleepy and angry in equal measure. File under dull.

Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
Oct 15 2025

Pleasant, booked out folky warbling. It evoked pastoral strolls, campfires and romance. The pitch was high, everyone was proficient musicians, the harmonies were tight. Unfortunately, it's not really my thing though. I got a bit bored listening to it.

Electric Music For The Mind And Body by Country Joe & The Fish
Oct 16 2025

Pleasant enough country adjacent twanging. Way ahead of its time, but not as far ahead of its time as I am. So it's quite old to me.

Medúlla by Björk
Oct 17 2025

I have this record, but it is not something I seen out that often. It not particularly catchy, and Björk is very Björky on it; but I love it. I find it beautiful and odd and an inspirational mix of genres. More of this weirdness, please.

It's Too Late to Stop Now by Van Morrison
Oct 20 2025

Van the Men covers the greats, is how I imagine this was marketed. It would have been a great gig to attend, but did it make the list? Not really. Lots of good covers, good musicianship and sturdy work here, but it just wasn't essential listening.

Penthouse And Pavement by Heaven 17
Oct 21 2025

This makes me think of that time I went on a gay pride march in the nineties. I find the singing too dour. The jangly synths are quite fun. I expect the London Philharmonic Orchestra has had a good at these.

Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
Oct 22 2025

A coupler of catchy numbers on here. The irony of writing a song about irony without understanding the definition of irony! The songs which weren't singles didn't move me particularly.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple
Oct 23 2025

Beautifully chaotic and angry. Like a well reasoned longstanding argument occasionally spilling over into emotional outbursts.

Roots by Sepultura
Oct 24 2025

Mostly screaming until the last track, which was quite cool. I found it unpleasant overall.

Goodbye And Hello by Tim Buckley
Oct 28 2025

Not my thing at all. Too folky. Too much poetry on acid.

Shleep by Robert Wyatt
Oct 29 2025

I listened to it twice.

Legalize It by Peter Tosh
Oct 30 2025

4 stars, just for the nostalgia sake of those hazy days I can't quite remember.

Master Of Puppets by Metallica
Oct 31 2025

More teenage anger expressed through various stereotypes of emotional and physical pain.

Technique by New Order
Nov 03 2025

Pleasant synth stuff. This band know they are doing. It doesn't move me particularly, but it's not shit.

At Fillmore East by The Allman Brothers Band
Nov 06 2025

Guitar noodling at it's finest. Very Rhythm and Blues. Some quite good tracks there, but it certainly could have done without a 23 minute solo jam session at the end.

American Gothic by David Ackles
Nov 07 2025

Seems like it wants to be a shit eighties musical more than an album. Too theatrical,melancholy and folky for my tastes. My it takes a second listen with a song sheet, though. I did like the song Down River, but that was on a different album.

Porcupine by Echo And The Bunnymen
Nov 10 2025

Dark, moody and a little grumbly.

Thriller by Michael Jackson
Nov 13 2025

If you can separate the art from the artist, then Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Beat It, Thriller and Billie Jean are all high energy, rhythmic and funky pop classics. If you cannot separate the art from the alleged child molester then reading the lyrics of Human Nature and P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) will send a chill down your back and want you to never take a child with you whilst visiting a millionaire in their exclusive ranch.

Tapestry by Carole King
Nov 14 2025

Really lovely, if somewhat twee, songs.

Boy In Da Corner by Dizzee Rascal
Nov 17 2025

Rude boy massive. Enjoyable jangly grime, shame about the misogyny.

Guitar Town by Steve Earle
Nov 18 2025

Why are we listening to another country album that only got a single to #7 when it was released. Whilst we're at it, why is country? Johnny Cash nailed it, and it should have just stopped there.

Tarkus by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Nov 19 2025

Probably a seminal prog rock album or something. It sounds like professional musicians up to their eyeballs in cocaine, but that's just speculation.

Revolver by Beatles
Nov 20 2025

Up and coming young things. Keep an eye out for them, they could be the next Arctic Monkeys.

Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush
Nov 21 2025

Surprisingly good. I have never been a fan of Kate Bush, but listening to the whole album at once was enjoyable. I liked the abstract bits and didn't find her voice as jarring as listening to the singles on radio 2.

Astral Weeks by Van Morrison
Nov 24 2025

More Morrison innit?

m b v by My Bloody Valentine
Nov 25 2025

Not if this was enhanced, obscured or amplified by my tinnitus. Not a fan, but I see why some people might be. It's not objectively bad in the most part, but it's not for me.

Nov 26 2025

Woke and proud from a time when Conscious Hip Hop was an effort to move away from gangsta rap to something about being positive, as well as highlighting the shit times people were having day to day. I'm not sure how Sly doesn't get a credit for People Everyday.

Viva Hate by Morrissey
Nov 27 2025

This sort of washed past me. I had a glance at the lyrics to see how hateful they were, but raised no eyebrows. Schmorrissey...

Wordsmith

Reviews written for 98% of albums. Average review length: 137 characters.

Other

Album origins are grouped into three buckets: US, UK, and everything else. “Other” means the artists you rate highest are from outside the US and UK.