861
Albums Rated
3.52
Average Rating
79%
Complete
228 albums remaining
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2010s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
✍️ Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
122
5-Star Albums
10
1-Star Albums
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Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logical Progression | 5 | 2.52 | +2.48 |
| New Forms | 5 | 2.53 | +2.47 |
| Timeless | 5 | 2.53 | +2.47 |
| Bubble And Scrape | 5 | 2.65 | +2.35 |
| Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby | 5 | 2.65 | +2.35 |
| The Infotainment Scan | 5 | 2.72 | +2.28 |
| Life Thru A Lens | 5 | 2.73 | +2.27 |
| Isn't Anything | 5 | 2.74 | +2.26 |
| Two Dancers | 5 | 2.75 | +2.25 |
| Rejoicing In The Hands | 5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rain Dogs | 1 | 3.2 | -2.2 |
| Kind Of Blue | 2 | 4.06 | -2.06 |
| Vulgar Display Of Power | 1 | 2.97 | -1.97 |
| Swordfishtrombones | 1 | 2.95 | -1.95 |
| Nick Of Time | 1 | 2.83 | -1.83 |
| All Hope Is Gone | 1 | 2.7 | -1.7 |
| Slipknot | 1 | 2.67 | -1.67 |
| With The Beatles | 2 | 3.66 | -1.66 |
| Bringing It All Back Home | 2 | 3.65 | -1.65 |
| Scott 2 | 1 | 2.64 | -1.64 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| R.E.M. | 4 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 5 |
| The Doors | 3 | 5 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 5 |
| Beastie Boys | 2 | 5 |
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | 2 | 5 |
| The Verve | 2 | 5 |
| Joy Division | 2 | 5 |
| Oasis | 2 | 5 |
| Pavement | 2 | 5 |
| The White Stripes | 2 | 5 |
| Dinosaur Jr. | 2 | 5 |
| PJ Harvey | 4 | 4.25 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.25 |
| Sonic Youth | 4 | 4.25 |
| The Cure | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Smiths | 3 | 4.33 |
| Pixies | 3 | 4.33 |
| Prince | 3 | 4.33 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 4.33 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 3 | 4.33 |
| Public Enemy | 3 | 4.33 |
| Kings of Leon | 3 | 4.33 |
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Waits | 5 | 1.6 |
| Slipknot | 2 | 1 |
| Scott Walker | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Albums | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Drake | 3 | 1.25 |
5-Star Albums (122)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Scissor Sisters
5/5
I bloody love this album, loved it in 2004 when it came out (no pun intended), love it now. Just full of fun, joy and party. A slight shame that at the time they were characterised as 'that gay band' (which I don't think would be the case in 2023) as there is something for all stripes here.
A slight shame that one of the most horrible sounds I have ever heard precedes the bonus tracks, but it's so banging I can forgive that.
12 likes
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
5/5
I'd never heard of Bonnie Prince Billy, and based purely on the album artwork was not looking forward to this. But it just goes to show you should never judge a book (or album) by its cover. Dark and melancholic, this is really evocative stuff.
11 likes
The Verve
5/5
This album is probably in my top 10 of all time, let alone top 1001.
In 1997 I had just entered my teenage years, full of angst and dealing with a bereavement. The summer holidays were spent with a heavy emphasis on watching music TV and you couldn't go more than about 30 mins without The Box (channel 17) VH1 (23) or MTV (30) playing Bittersweet Symphony. A family friend bought me Urban Hymns on CD and wow, it was so much more than BSS. Full of feeling and resonating as much with my teenage psyche as it does now I played all 74 min of it over and over.
The culmination of the album with the 'big fuck you' in Come On also features one of my favourite lyrics - I must be feeling low /
I talked to god in a phonebox on my way home / I told you my answer /
I left you my dreams on your answering machine
10 likes
Tortoise
5/5
Wow! This is an album out of nowhere for me, but it rocks! I could have predicted a lot of the shade being thrown its way in the reviews but it's really cool and quirky. An experience as much as anything, the opening 21 min track bending and winding its way through the soundscape.
9 likes
Steely Dan
3/5
Rikki Don't Lose That Number is a great tune. The album was ok, a fairly lively listen, but nothing to gripping
5 likes
4-Star Albums (327)
1-Star Albums (10)
All Ratings
Beatles
3/5
Lilting, pre-psychedelia with some all-time classics. It's the Beatles - of course I was already familiar with several songs on this album but had never listened to it in it's entirety. The eastern-inspired instrumental arrangements on Love You To were a highlight. Tomorrow Never Knows is a fantastic closer and sounds well ahead of its time - no wonder really given the Chemical Brothers sampling of it in Setting Sun which didn't seem out of place in the 1990s.
Cat Stevens
3/5
Enjoyable folky fare.
Portishead
4/5
Dreamy trip-hop, a 1990s classic.
Jurassic 5
4/5
Some great drum beats on this one, would listen again.
CHIC
5/5
Majestic. From Nile Rodgers' signature guitar riffs glittering all over the show, to the funky driving basslines, this is one of THE disco classic albums.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Some cool afrobeat rhythms, with a feelgood, erm, feel.
Roxy Music
3/5
Some great tunes on here, can certainly hear how they have influenced later artists
Count Basie & His Orchestra
2/5
Lively jazz with plummy piano and some fun double bass, but not really for me.
Gene Clark
3/5
Dreamy 70s psychedelia
Sister Sledge
4/5
Some great disco classics on this album, although some of the slower tracks are a bit saccharine.
Fred Neil
2/5
Folky rock, not really my bag but a pleasant enough listen. Didn't realise this was the original recording of "Everybody's Talkin'"
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
Interesting latin music with a funky edge.
The Youngbloods
2/5
Dreamy 60/70s rock, didn't really go anywhere
The The
4/5
I knew very little about The The prior to listening, but this was a very pleasant surprise. Shades of Nu-romantics, very much in keeping with my impression of the early 80s, and some interesting lyrical themes.
Bob Dylan
3/5
It's great folk rock, not really my bag but I can appreciate the musicianship and lyric writing
Sepultura
2/5
The opening of Roots Bloody Roots promised so much, yet as soon as the vocals started it was a big fat no for me. A shame as potentially some bangers with the guitar riffs but I couldn't persevere with vocals that sound like a cat being dragged bum first over a sandpaper covered rasp.
Talking Heads
4/5
Great record, Psycho Killer is an all-time fave
Kate Bush
4/5
Great album, Running Up that Hill, Hounds of Love and Cloudbusting personal highlights. Kate's voice works really well with the music
PJ Harvey
5/5
Hmmm, an interesting listen, one that I will come back to definitely. Particularly enjoyed Bitter Branches
Nick Drake
2/5
70s folk rock, some interesting tunes but at times drifted into inoffensive background noise almost to the point of elevator music. Two stars on the strength of some of the more interesting songs.
Stan Getz
2/5
Lively samba, but not really my bag
Neil Young
3/5
Had a few listens and definitely a grower. Will certainly revisit, some good folky rock and Neil Young's vocal range sets him apart. Heart of Gold a standout track.
The Police
3/5
Decent album, Every Breathe You Take is the standout track. Some slightly more... out-there tracks as well.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Standard fare from Arcade Fire, a decent listen.
Miles Davis
2/5
Lively jazz, and some expert level trumpet playing, but nothing really stood out
Robbie Williams
5/5
I loved this album when it came out, and still a classic. I remember being entirely sceptical of Robbie, being as he was a former Take That member and initially feeling validated in that by his awful cover of Faith (thankfully not on this album). But his brash take on Britpop was infectious and I always felt his arrogance was somewhat tongue-in-cheek.
David Holmes
4/5
What a find. I was aware of David Holmes as I loved his soundtrack to the film Out of Sight, starring a certain J-Lo. This pastiche of urban ramblings against a backdrop of urgent beats works really well.
Gang Starr
3/5
Cultured hiphop. I was aware of Guru but had never listened to Gang Starr, worth revisiting.
Def Leppard
3/5
Healthy slice of 80s power rock.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Inoffensive stuff from the Pet Shop Boys, but nothing really catchy.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Dreary and a bit self indulgent.
Mekons
3/5
A decent record, 80s rock with a country twist
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Soulful, melodic rock - an enjoyable listen
The Stooges
3/5
Decent protopunk fare from Iggy and the lads, spanning 60s influences with more forward-thinking elements
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Classic rock, Whole Lotta Love opens with its infectious riff. Good stuff
Hole
4/5
This was a pleasant find, angsty, impassioned rock.
Traffic
2/5
Beige, inoffensive 60/70s rock. An easy listen, but didn't really inspire
Otis Redding
3/5
Pleasant, easy listening
Beastie Boys
5/5
Brash, frantic, funky... this album will slap you round the face and command you to party!
Tangerine Dream
3/5
Soporific and gentle, good background music, worth another listen
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Hmmm, not really my thing
Sugar
4/5
Good stuff, proto-grunge. I enjoyed it!
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
Pretenders
4/5
Brash, punky and lively. Enjoyable rock with a strident vocal performance
Elton John
2/5
As ivory-tinklers go, Elton is of course up there with the very best. Just a shame this album is quite dreary, perfect for BBC Radio 2, which I don't consider a good thing
Donovan
3/5
Pleasant surprise, bright catchy 60s rock.
Syd Barrett
2/5
Not much substance
Steely Dan
2/5
Louis Prima
3/5
Lively, jazzy swing a pleasant listen
Ramones
4/5
Wild, brash punk rock. Good stuff
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
Beige... saccharine... meh
3/5
Well, it's a classic obviously, and there are tracks I was already very familiar with - like Lucy in the Sky, Help from My Friends - that are great, but I'm not bowled over by the album as a whole. I'm sure in the 60s it was groundbreaking but now, it's ok.
Various Artists
4/5
Iiiiiiiiit's Christmaaaaaaaaaas! Chapeau for the 24th December suggestion. Having had Heart Xmas pumped into my ears solidly by more festively minded members of my household for the psst month, I must say this was a nice collection - not as whiny or as showy as newer Christmas numbers and striking a nice balance between secular and religious references. Go on then, I'll admit it. 4 stars!
The Temptations
3/5
Hard to find but worth it, some catchy numbers and great crooning
Fela Kuti
3/5
Lively afrobeat, fascinating back story (thanks Wikipedia)
Bob Dylan
3/5
Ok... I respect Dylan's musicianship, but he's a bit whiny for my taste
Nirvana
5/5
Fantastic. Favourite ever live album
Nirvana
5/5
A masterpiece, maybe less raucous and brash than its predecessor Nevermind, but nonetheless heartfelt and passionate
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Pretty enjoyable listen, somewhat hazy psychedelic 60s rock. Somebody to Love and White Rabbit standout tracks
The Modern Lovers
4/5
This album was great, I particularly liked Hospital. Will definitely be returning.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Sunny, pleasant rock. Particularly liked Fooled Again
The Stranglers
3/5
Any album that opens with the line "Someday I'm gonna smack you in the face" is always going to stand up and demand attention. This is brash angry punk at its finest, I enjoyed it.
Patti Smith
3/5
Patti Smith's distinctive voice works perfectly with some pretty haunting lyrical themes. I found the album an ok listen.
Buffalo Springfield
2/5
This album was pretty forgettable... very 70s sounding rock
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Dreamy rock with some catchy tunes
John Lennon
2/5
Hmmm, John Lennon eh? I like the titular track but the rest I could take or leave
4/5
Pulsating alternative rock. Even without Thom Yorke's cameos there are shades of Radiohead there. PJ Harvey certainly does concept albums well, these songs are indicative of New York
John Prine
2/5
Dreary whiny folk rock... the electric bits were ok but overall not my thing
The Yardbirds
2/5
Ok but a bit forgettable
Missy Elliott
4/5
Awesome album, Timbaland's crisp beats make this an absolute banger. Hip-hop at its finest
Mudhoney
3/5
Ok grunge, not quite as angsty or infectious as some of its contemporaries *cough* Nirvana *cough*
Eric Clapton
3/5
Classic 70s rock
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Standard fare from the Stones with blues and country infused, a couple of standouts
Love
4/5
Catchy folky rock
The Fall
3/5
A beguiling slice of proto-punk. Lyrically very interesting - probably more so than musically
The Cure
4/5
Great stuff from The Cure, one of their darker, bleaker records
The Charlatans
4/5
Sunny slice of 90s indie... nice
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
Lively. Interesting backstory
Alanis Morissette
4/5
A classic breakup album. Ironically, probably my least favourite track is the most well-known one. Some really good driving basslines underpinning solid 90s rock
The Smiths
4/5
Good stuff, notwithstanding any personal impressions of Morrissey
The Temptations
3/5
Smooth soul
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Classic rock, iconic voice. Born to Run is of course a belter, but the album as a whole? Not really my bag
ZZ Top
3/5
Beards at the ready! Thrusting power chords evoke visions of American road trips. Decent enough
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Wasn't expecting much from this album, but was pleasantly surprised. Smooth jazz, a likeable backdrop sound
Janet Jackson
3/5
Fresh and funky pop, politically powered. Bit too earnest for my liking but of the age and danceable
The Pogues
3/5
Pour out your whiskey, gather round and lets have a good ol'sing song. Lively and evocative, not really my cup of tea but it wasn't unenjoyable
Dire Straits
4/5
Great stuff, Sultans of Swing is an all-time classic but I enjoyed the whole album.
OutKast
4/5
Some absolute belters on this album, but not quite a 5-star as there's also a lot of dud filler. Prefer Andre 3000's leads to Big Boi's, some of it does veer a bit too much towards the bragadocious. Miss Jackson, So Fresh, So Clean and Bombs over Baghdad stand out
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
Bluesy rock, very much of the age
4/5
Excellent. Some all time classics on here
Aphex Twin
4/5
Great ambient tracks, smooth chillout background. Four stars!
Lorde
5/5
Full of angst and tension: Lorde sets out a missive of sass and retribution.
SAULT
3/5
Some fresh beats on here, important themes and the like. I would put it somewhere between 3-4 stars, may listen again
The Cure
5/5
Superb. The Cure explore a range of angsty emotions in a lengthy masterpiece
Rod Stewart
3/5
Ok, Rod's vocals are unique over the top of folky rock
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Bluesy rock, surprised it was recorded as long ago as 1969 - sounds more modern.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Gentle, dreamy, folk. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would!
Pink Floyd
5/5
Not just an album, but a journey through an aural landscape. Majestic
Taylor Swift
3/5
As a slice of 2010s pop, this is pretty much the blue riband. Some very catchy, dancy numbers, but it didn't really excite all that much
Funkadelic
3/5
Funky! Some great basslines and beats on this feelgood album
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
Dreamy and heartfelt, Sinead's voice is so smooth
Kraftwerk
4/5
I imagine this album would have been groundbreaking at the time with its use if synthesisers and drum machines. The music itself is pretty good too, you can hear the influences on the likes of Daft Punk
Foo Fighters
4/5
Good stuff from the Foos, before they became rock behemoths as today. There's a freedom and release compared with the last throes of Nirvana here, as Dave Grohl breaks free of the grunge mould
Norah Jones
2/5
Nice voice and some nice piano parts, but overall a bit too saccharine easy listening for my taste
Ice Cube
2/5
I like Today Was a Good Day, but on the whole I was a bit disappointed, the levels of aggression I found uncomfortable even though it does broach heavy subjects
4/5
I knew nothing of X before this came up, and what a pleasant surprise. Lively, brash punk - will be returning for more listens
Big Star
3/5
Listenable enough, started well with a cool 70s rock sound but ended up a bit dreary
Tears For Fears
4/5
Punchy 80s pop, including some absolute bangers
Ray Charles
3/5
It seems quaint that this album is titled 'Modern' when the music would not seem out of place in a 1950s motion picture soundtrack, or a Hanna Barbara original animation. But top musicianship shines through nonetheless
Blondie
4/5
Feisty 80s pop-rock with a definite punk flavour. Some classic dancy hits here to grace any indie disco
Donald Fagen
3/5
Bouncy, inoffensive pop, just not quick got the hook to be catchy
4/5
Compelling rock, evoking themes reminiscent of an HG Wells novel
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Wow, the title of this album was truly apt- bleak, mournful, reflective. A perfect epitaph to a musical legend
Iron Maiden
4/5
My heart sank when I saw this come up... heavy metal?! I'm not going to lime heavy metal!! But... the music is actually pretty compelling, thrusting bass riffs a guitar solos a plenty. A revelation!
Air
4/5
Dreamy, melancholic. Great stuff from the French duo
Billy Bragg
3/5
Interesting album from Billy Bragg and Wilco, feels like pub sing-along folky type music
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Standard stuff here from the Stones
Paul Simon
3/5
Fun folky guitar music
Grateful Dead
3/5
Lilting folky rock with slightly darker lyrical themes
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
A seminal album for the Chilis, marking a level of maturity to their sound. Flea's funky bass line decorate chugging rock riffs whilst Antony Kiedis' sometimes abstract lyrical stylings meander across the top. Top stuff.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
5/5
Fresh, funky and just plain cool. Brilliant album
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
As something of a 90s Indie kid I have always been aware of the Manics without listening to their full albums. All the hits are here and it definitely transported me back to my teenage years
The Clash
3/5
Punky rock. London Calling is an absolute belter, but some other good stuff here too
Gorillaz
3/5
Damon Albarn's first forays into something a little more experimental than Blur's usual stuff. An interesting mix of dance, electronica, hip-hop and indie (hard to detach Damon's... sorry 2-D's vocals from Blur)
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Funky soul, slightly too much on the sickly sweet romantic side for me.
Madonna
3/5
William Orbit's electronica influence is all over this as Madonna sought to re-invent herself. Spiritual and dancey, there are some good tracks on here
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
Brash hip hop, musically very good but some fairly misogynistic lyrical stylings make this a tough listen
Massive Attack
5/5
Inspired. Trip hop at its smoothest, freshest and funkiest, full of brooding emotion.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
A very funky album, with some brilliant tracks. Wonder's punchy clavichord keeps this disc moving and grooving as it ambles between dancey numbers to more crooning ones
Ananda Shankar
3/5
Interesting take on some western covers, almost a reverse-Beatles effect. An interesting fusion of traditional Indian instruments and rock
Van Morrison
3/5
A decent album
Dolly Parton
3/5
I'm not a fan of Country but Dolly's storytelling abilities are fine, painting vivid pictures of tales of woe and betrayal
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Lively rock, with Costello's distinctive voice decorating the music nicely
Pearl Jam
5/5
Immense. Eddie Vedder's vocals are full of feeling as they explore several deep subjects, soundtracked by some pulsating rock riffs.
The Triffids
3/5
Decent album, no idea about The Triffids before it popped up, but a heavily 80s-pop rock sounding album
ABBA
2/5
A bit repetitive, didn't inspire me.
3/5
I enjoyed some of the funky slap bass on this album, which is a decent listen
Hugh Masekela
3/5
Funky jazz, some nice trumpet, bass and piano playing
Kraftwerk
3/5
Pleasant electronica, evoking images of a transcontinental journey
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Wistful, melancholic, full of feeling. Great album
The Offspring
3/5
Rowdy and spiky, and decidedly American. A decent listen
Wire
4/5
Raw and punky, some really catchy grooves on this record
Eminem
2/5
Hmmm. The beats are awesome (Dr Dre's influence surely), the rapping skills are top notch and even the humour is welcome. But the misogyny and homophobia is toxic and impossible to overlook, maybe more so with the passing of 20 years or so. I still can't work out whether it is all front or not, but that probably isn't the point.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
This is the third Rolling Stones album that I've had so far and was the one I enjoyed the most (vs Beggars Banquet and Let it Bleed)
Tim Buckley
3/5
Decent listen, elements of blues and country
Beatles
2/5
Bit dull really, you can tell they've not really found their own sound and it just comes across like a load of covers.
Massive Attack
4/5
More sultry and seductive than Blue Lines, but a steaming, chilled album
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Great album, full of swagger and bluesy tinged rock riffs
Little Simz
5/5
Smashing. The beats are immense and whilst I'm not hugely into rap the lyrical dexterity of Little Simz is something to be admired. Cutting content, a great British talent
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Lively, fun, afro-latin romp!
The Human League
4/5
Great album, full of bouncing brooding electronic beats and melodies
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Wistful and melancholic
Madonna
2/5
Decent 80s pop, but other than the hits I found it a bit boring
Tom Waits
1/5
At university I happened to make acquaintance with a guy called Nick, who was a friend's housemate. Nick was an odd fellow. Infamously, one drink and drug fuelled evening, he declared to another two housemates, both named Tom (who incidentally adored him) that he was so heartbroken that he would stab himself. Which he duly did, with a penknife. Fortunately the injuries were only minor but afterwards he delighted in recanting this story, chuckling all the way.
The other odd thing about Nick was that he was obsessed with Tom Waits, and would listen to him endlessly.
So when I saw this come up on my feed, I wasn't overjoyed, but being open minded and some 20 years on from my experience of Nick, I put this album one. My goodness, what a load of shit - it's so bad almost to the point of parody, in fact I spent most of the time listening to it trying to figure out if it was a parody.
Just awful.
Steely Dan
3/5
Rikki Don't Lose That Number is a great tune. The album was ok, a fairly lively listen, but nothing to gripping
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
Some banging tunes on this electro-dance-rock disc
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I only vaguely knew of Nick Cave before listening, I had a hazy recollection of the duet he did with Kylie (on this cut). I wasn't looking forward to listening too much given the rather grisly concept of the album, and certainly this collection of songs channel a macabre, dark, grim essence. And yet, as much as it is quite a hard listen in places, I found this album oddly compelling; there are some really catchy tunes and Cave's growling vocals suit the subject matter perfectly. After listening, I found myself confused... had I enjoyed it? It certainly evoked feelings of disgust and yet also allure, and maybe that is the whole point of the album.
Depeche Mode
4/5
Some very catchy tunes; Enjoy the Silence and Personal Jesus are standouts.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
An absolute classic album, probably THE break-up record. Go Your Own Way is superb, but among a very strong field
Elvis Presley
2/5
I mean, it's Elvis, I guess you either like his voice or you don't. I could take it or leave it, not an unpleasant listen but equally probably won't be revisiting.
Gil Scott-Heron
4/5
One smooth, laid-back album, full of groove and soul. Nice
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Mournful and melodic, recognise the talent but all too beige for my taste
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
Interesting collaboration between Miles Kane and Alex Turner, like an orchestral, less indie rock version of Turner's mother band. I remember buying it at the time, it was on repeat for a few weeks but not an all-time classic
Janelle Monáe
4/5
Wow, what a fun album, blending elements of R&B, swing and pop. Definitely will be back for more!
Lou Reed
3/5
I felt the first half of this album was stronger, some well-known classic tracks, but it petered out a bit towards the end.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Plenty of fun, bouncy, uplifting Celt-folk rock, but I did feel every track apart from the last suffered a bit by 'Not Being Come On Eileen'. Still, a decent listen, and now my jeans are rolled up
Moby Grape
2/5
Ok, but a bit forgettable.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
I'll start with the positives. Some of the beats are epic, and there's no denying Biggie's vocal dexterity is impressive.
However, I just can't get overly excited about and admittedly disadvantaged guy venomously spitting about gratuitous violence, avarice, misogyny and supposed sexual prowess.
Glad I've listened to it as it probably is worthy of it's place on the list in terms of it's significance to the development of Rap and Hip-hop, but I won't be listening again.
Honourable mention to the reference of pagers making this album somewhat of a time capsule, Biggie's demise coming many years before much more advanced communication technology, his deference to being paged is somewhat sweet if you can overlook all of that other stuff I mentioned.
Talking Heads
3/5
I like Talking Heads, but none of these tracks really gripped me in a way that some of their other stuff does. Still, a decent listen.
Deep Purple
3/5
Some decent classic rock stuff on here. Smoke On The Water definitely stood out
David Bowie
3/5
Ok stuff, but I probably wouldn't listen again.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
There's a fine line between romantic and soppy... I'm not sure where this album falls. It was ok
Cypress Hill
4/5
Cool beats and lo-fi rhymes
Pixies
3/5
Decent punky album
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
More of a soundscape, pretty experimental stuff - didn't really land for me
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
If anyone were to ask me to name songs written in unusual time signatures, Take Five would be one of the first songs I would think of (thanks, GCSE Music). As a keen teenage trumpeter and bass guitarist, it was one of my favourite songs to learn.
Of course, there are six other tracks on this album, a concoction of pleasing jazz, perfect for a fine restaurant or some such.
Beth Orton
3/5
There were some tracks that I really liked, but also a fair amount of filler
Muddy Waters
3/5
Sultry blues, a good listen
Jane Weaver
5/5
Wow, this album picked me up by the ears and knocked me around on a fun, wild, whimsical adventure. Hadn't heard much of Jane Weaver, but what a find!
Booker T. & The MG's
5/5
Had no idea that I already knew the song 'Green Onions'. The most striking thing about this album is that is recorded in the 60s, it sounds much more contemporary than that. Pure groove, so funky
The Black Crowes
2/5
I didn't hate this album, but it got a bit tedious as it wore on - a bit whiny power rock. Don't need to re-listen.
Prince
5/5
I love Prince, but I'm actually wavering on 4 or 5 stars for this album, which seems crazy. It's got some of his most recognisable hits and the titular epic closer, it's just that some of the lesser known tracks don't really have the same pizazz.
4.5/5... fuck it, it's Prince. Have the 5 stars!!
Elvis Presley
2/5
Hmm, Elvis doesn't really do it for me. This is his early stuff as well and that rawness comes across. Great voice, but it didn't land for me.
The Verve
5/5
This album is probably in my top 10 of all time, let alone top 1001.
In 1997 I had just entered my teenage years, full of angst and dealing with a bereavement. The summer holidays were spent with a heavy emphasis on watching music TV and you couldn't go more than about 30 mins without The Box (channel 17) VH1 (23) or MTV (30) playing Bittersweet Symphony. A family friend bought me Urban Hymns on CD and wow, it was so much more than BSS. Full of feeling and resonating as much with my teenage psyche as it does now I played all 74 min of it over and over.
The culmination of the album with the 'big fuck you' in Come On also features one of my favourite lyrics - I must be feeling low /
I talked to god in a phonebox on my way home / I told you my answer /
I left you my dreams on your answering machine
The Cure
4/5
Early stuff from The Cure, and a distinct rawness to the dark and brooding sound on this album.
Fugees
3/5
I remember this album from the time, The Fugees were massive in '96 what with Killing Me Softly and Ready or Not smashing up the charts. I liked Wyclef's stylings and Lauren's vocals are smooth but it's a middling 3/5 for me.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Considering it's age, this was quite an enjoyable listen. Definitely can hear Lou Reed's folk-tinged rock sound that developed in later recordings
The Roots
4/5
I bought this album in the mid-2000s on the strength of The Seed which is a cracking tune. There are some fresh beats on this album and it's somewhat more cultured hip-hop than most.
The Kinks
4/5
Hazy 60s rock, I enjoyed this album - it's stood the test of time.
Mariah Carey
3/5
I wasn't relishing listening to this album much, but it was more pleasant than I anticipated. That said, it did conform to my preconceptions: silky smooth R&B underlying Mariah's unique voice. Wouldn't listen again, but don't feel that my ears have been violated.
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
A pleasant enough listen, beautiful vocals and fun upbeat samba/bossa nova backdrop
Pulp
4/5
Darker and less poppy than earlier releases, this was a very enjoyable listen with some witty lyrics
David Bowie
3/5
Didn't really find this album from Bowie particularly inspiring... it's one of those I wanted to like more than I actually did. Still, Heroes itself is a great song even if a little overplayed and for that this album gets a solid 3/5 from me
Bob Dylan
2/5
Like with my previous album suggestion (Heroes by David Bowie), this is another album that I wanted to like a lot more than I actually did. Bob Dylan's craft is clearly immense but it just doesn't tick the boxes for me. Sorry Bob
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
5/5
Relax, Two Tribes, The Power of Love - these were all tracks I was well aware of and liked, but I had never ventured further into the Frankie Goes To Hollywood oeuvre. Well, I'm very pleased that I now have! I would have originally said Frankie... was decidely 80s pop rock but there are tonnes of different elements going on here, I hear tones of jazz, funk, dance and R&B. Fantastic record!
Ice T
5/5
BOOM! I put off listening to this until my kids were out of earshot which was a sensible move. But moving beyond the explicit lyrics, this album is absolutely banging! The beats are raw and gripping and Ice-T's raps are on point. I can overlook my unease as a non-black person listening to an album laden with references to a certain word beginning with n, have a 5/5
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
Psychedelic rock, probably would sound great while tripping, but I don't dabble in that so it was a bit boring.
Radiohead
4/5
This is a cool album, darker, more urgent and more electronic than earlier Radiohead material. A good listen!
Miles Davis
4/5
Lively jazz, pleasant background listening with enough going on to keep interest!
PJ Harvey
4/5
Raw, feisty and angry, plenty of distorted open guitar chords and drum fills. Great album!
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
Surely pressing social commentary, but it was a bit too schmoozy R&B for my tastes.
Randy Newman
2/5
I wasn't all that familiar with Randy Newman beyond "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story. That's a great track and perfect for the movie, although completely irrelevant for a review of Sail Away. I couldn't help but feel like the aforementioned song would be next, such is the idiosyncratic style of the music, maybe mainly driven by Newman's distinctive drawl. You Can Keep Your Hat On was ok but the rest of the album faded a bit into insignificance. Not an unpleasant listen but don't feel like I need to come back to this one.
Miles Davis
3/5
It seems a pretty divisive genre, but I quite like jazz. This album is pretty out-there, freeform and experimental, basically a genre-defining artist at the top of their game. I quite enjoyed it, but it's a pretty long haul listen
2/5
Hmmm, another Bob Dylan album. This one's a live one, so a bit of different take on things. But still, as with the previous 3 Bob Dylan albums suggested, I'm left feeling like I should have enjoyed them more. Not unpleasant but equally not much lasting interest.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Boom! Spiky riff rock full of power chords and energy. Really enjoyed this one, particularly Simple Man (which I hadn't heard before) and Free Bird (which I had), the latter one of those rock epics that go on an on through seemingly so many phases. So close to giving this the full five stars, but some of the early tracks weren't quite as interesting. But still, definitely worth further listens.
Aerosmith
2/5
Hmmm. Bit forgettable really, aged power rock from Aerosmith
Serge Gainsbourg
3/5
Pretty dreamy sounding album; I didn't pay close enough attention to the lyrics (nor is my French that good) to pick up on the themes which appear to be somewhat controversial
Elastica
4/5
A writhing, pulsating mass of 90s Britpop indie energy. The girl power on this album is far more raw, kick-ass and, dare I say, Spicy than other iconic female (led) groups from the decade. Nice touches of grunge influence and I'm getting shades of the Pretenders. All in all a solid record
The Smiths
5/5
Cracking album, it's a shame Morrissey is such a bell end - I was tempted to dock a star - but Johnny Marr is a wizard, so 5/5 it is.
Radiohead
5/5
I remember when this came out in 2007, and the innovational pay what you want concept, and yet at the time the album passed me by. Shame, because it is a banger - Radiohead at their most polished, a much more mature angst than that of their 90s offerings, almost cinematic in its delivery. Outstanding.
Sisters Of Mercy
4/5
Knew nothing about this album, at all. Had quite low expectations but was pleasantly surprised, a dark, almost gothic sounding album with chilling vocals
Nick Drake
3/5
Lilting melancholic guitar based folk. Inoffensive
The War On Drugs
5/5
This is one of those albums that makes this project so ace - I had only a vague notion of The War on Drugs (the band) prior to this recommendation. Pulsating, haunting indie rock, right up my street. Boom!
Duran Duran
5/5
Brilliant, classic slice of 80s new wave
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
Lively latin fare, but it wasn't really exciting enough for me to get into
Van Halen
2/5
Jump is one of those songs that I always think of synonymously with 80s music... it's a great track, but I couldn't get into the rest of this album really, felt quite aged.
Björk
2/5
I didn't think I liked Bjork before I listened to this album.
The music is actually pretty good, quite chill and ambient. Indeed, after the album finished some of Amazon Music's related tracks playlist included the likes of Massive Attack who I love.
However, I can't really get beyond Bjork's voice, it's just a bit too nasally and whiny.
So, after listening, I still don't like Bjork.
GZA
3/5
As with a lot of hip-hop albums, this is interspersed with numerous skits, broadly themed on shogun culture and mostly tedious.
The music is actually pretty good, as is the vocals.
Joy Division
5/5
Superb. Dark, brooding, melancholy, this is one of the all-time greatest indie records ever made. Ian Curtis' haunting vocals forbode a terrible demise, but the genius is timeless.
Saint Etienne
5/5
Love it! So quirky, joyful and upbeat, such intelligent use of the most obscure samples.
Ian Dury
3/5
Well that was odd. Album started quite jauntily, cockney story-telling almost in the vogue of Chas and Dave, then developing into something a little more darker and unhinged.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
I know this is a seminal album, but beyond the perfection of Stairway to Heaven, it didn't fully hit the mark for me.
Coldplay
5/5
Simply wonderful.
So evocative of late teenage years... I remember first hearing Trouble on the radio and thinking it was Oasis. Given what Coldplay have become I think it is easy to forget that they were once a straightforward indie band, and a bloody good one at that.
Trouble, Don't Panic, High Speed, Everything's Not Lost, Yellow... there's so much good stuff on here. Screw the haters
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Gentle, lilting Latin music, evocative of a dusky night drinking mojitos in the barrios
Happy Mondays
3/5
I thought I would enjoy this album a bit more than I did, Happy Mondays are obviously a significant band in the scope of 90s indie, but I didn't really get into this album
UB40
4/5
Lovely bit of reggae-dub to chill out to.
Elvis Costello
3/5
I quite like Elvis Costello, it turns out, although this wasn't as infectious as some of his other albums
Sonic Youth
4/5
Decent, grungy rock album. Switching from male/female vocals track by track kept interest
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Dreamy electronic indie, quite calming
Nas
3/5
Pretty solid hip hop album, decent lyrics and cool beats
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Dark and brooding, a good listen
Charles Mingus
3/5
Pretty cool album, as jazz goes, this is pretty avant-garde. You need to listen with a different mindset to most albums on this list, since the interest comes through the instrumentation rather than vocals (which are completely absent)
Eurythmics
3/5
Decent nu-wave/electropop album, Annie Lennox's distinctive vocals complimenting the squelchy synth sounds
Arcade Fire
4/5
I remember buying this album of the back of We Used to Wait which is a quality tune. The album is pretty decent as well, taking a journey through suburbia and the 'thrills' of city life. I listened to it loads at the time and it's still worth a spin now and then, but can't quite warrant the full five stars as it loses a bit of energy towards the end.
Venom
1/5
The music actually isn't so bad, but I can't get on board with the screaming vocals, it's all just a bit tedious.
Morrissey
2/5
Hmmm, setting aside the fact Morrissey is an utter bellend, this album consists of his light, whimsical vocals but without the masterful backdrop of Johnny Marr's guitars. As such, it feels like it's missing something. I won't be back for another listen.
Circle Jerks
3/5
I was expecting to hate this, but actually, it wasn't too bad. And at only 15 mins it didn't really grate much. A lot of - for want of a better word - spunk, and tellingly songs that are over somewhat prematurely. I couldn't really hear the lyrics in their entirety due to the frenetic pace
The Smiths
4/5
Ah the 1001 Albums Generator again at it's finest, nominating this album the day after Lizzie has popped off this mortal coil.
I feel any review of The Smiths/Morrissey need mention that Morrissey himself is an utter bell-end, but now that's out the way we find a solid album, containing some of the band's best material - Bigmouth.., There is a Light..., The Boy with the Thorn. Some of the other tracks don't hit such high notes, hence it's a 4/5 from me.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Ok, so there are two thorny issues to contend with here. (1) The dubious behaviours of Michael Jackson throughout his life, from the bizarre to the (definitely not smooth) criminal, (2) the quite frankly absurd appearance of Paul McCartney on The Girl is Mine (instantly rendering it the weakest song on the album).
Without those factors, this album would be an undeniable 5/5, certified gold-standard, all-time superlative superlative superlative superlative.
Can we detach the artist from the art? In my view, whether one can or not, this is some of the finest music ever written, such catchy bass lines and crisp beats. For me, the music stands alone, and it's a solid 5/5.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
Pretty catchy riff rock, double album which maybe worked against it in my mind although probably would have done for the concept if it had been one disc. Wavering between 3 and 4 stars - would be a 3.5/5 for me
Spacemen 3
3/5
Strange album, it was ok, but felt like it was building to something that never came
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
I wasn't expecting too much from this album, but it's pretty catchy, will listen again
Jeff Buckley
4/5
I hadn't listened to thus album previously, despite knowing the tragic story of Jeff Buckley and the poignant Hallelujah. Album is a lot more electric than I thought it would be, and is a healthy slice of 90s rock
Elbow
3/5
I always thought I didn't like Elbow, they were too far to along the way to soppy soft rock for my tastes. Despite being familiar with the single releases on this album, I hadn't listened to it in entirety. Something obviously moved me because I went back for a second listen. The more electric, heavy tracks are pretty good but maybe there's something about Guy Garvey's voice that holds me back from really enjoying it.
The Specials
2/5
I was a bit disappointed with this album, not the polished ska sound I was expecting. It's very evocative of singalongs in a pub in the early 80s (at least I would imagine so, I was only in my infant years at the time) - see "it's all a load of bollocks!" for example.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Decent album featuring music from the motion picture, pretty dated but a cool 70s sound.
Prince
4/5
A storming opening to the album with 1999 (the track) and Little Red Corvette. Prince is a master of both songwriting and instrumental proficiency. The album tailed off a bit towards the end but on the whole, it felt like a joyous party.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
When I was in my early 20s, I lived in Camden, just around the corner from one Amy Winehouse. She was a notorious botherer of the Hawley Arms nearby, although I only actually saw her once or twice. However, several times I was awoken at 3 am as she stumbled past our house, a baying mob of paparazzi in tow. At the time I was pretty pissed off but looking back it's pretty tragic, given what became of her life and then untimely passing.
Anyway this album; nocturnal disturbances notwithstanding I was never that keen on Amy Winehouse, although her voice is amazing. This album was a fairly enjoyable listen but not one I'd put on repeat.
The Who
2/5
I didn't really enjoy this album, which is a shame given how iconic the Who are.
Pulp
4/5
This is a pretty iconic album in 90s music, I can certainly place Common People, Disco 2000 and Something Changed to particular points in my teenage life. Probably Pulp's most solid offering.
Scott Walker
1/5
Hmmm. Usually I would give an album two stars if I don't like it but the music is inoffensive enough that I can sit through it. Although I did sit through this, and not want to rip my ears off, it was pretty bland and there are some other features that have really annoyed me about it. Firstly, how very fucking unoriginal to name your album after your first name, and not only that, this is Scott 2, the sequel to Scott as I later discovered, and furthermore the precursor to Scott 3 and Scott 4. The lyrics verge from the soppy to the downright misogynistic. I also later found out Walker was English, so even more unforgivable is his use of 'ass' rather than 'arse' (get it right if you must).
On a more charitable day this would be a 2, but fuck you Scott, here's another 1 star review
The Byrds
4/5
I liked this album, definite 60s sound - reminiscent of the Kinks for me.
Tricky
4/5
Cracking album, dark brooding trip-hop, full of 90s swagger.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Nice... dark psychedelia
Culture Club
3/5
I've always loved a bit of Karma Chameleon since it was number one the day I was born. This album itself has quite a fun easy-going sound to it.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Pretty raucous affair - rock with a distinctive 80s sound, plenty of power guitar solos and fevered drum fills. Some of the lyrics were a little twee for my ears...
The Boo Radleys
5/5
Prior to listening, I only knew the Boo Radleys for the Wake Up! era; I purchased that album on a holiday in the US and loved it. I hadn't ever delved further into their catalogue, but this is a brilliant album. Proper 90s indie sound
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
I wasn't sure what to expect from this, when I realised it was a live album, but whoa! It's awesome! Some fantastic guitarmanship
Willie Nelson
2/5
Country is not really my bag. This album was inoffensive, interesting in places - if a little bizarre e.g. the murder of a woman for an attempted theft of a pony.
Rufus Wainwright
4/5
Having no prconceptions of this album, its epic opener, Agnus Dei left me stunned and feeling like the album could go one of two ways, either an absolute better or a confused abstract mess. Though it was neither, it veered far closer to the former with poignant lyrics and fresh instrumentation. At its conclusion, I felt I had experienced something, though I wasn't sure whether it was a good thing or not. Moving.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
2/5
A bit drivelly
Ride
4/5
I wasn't aware of this album but it was pretty good, a very 90s sound but that's no bad thing.
2Pac
4/5
My recollection of the 90s is the Tupac was one of the biggest names in hip-hop. There is the aggression typically associated with the genre evident on this album, but it's paired with so slick tunes and a real rhythmic quality to the deliver of the rapped lyrics. I enjoyed it more than I was expecting, and much more than other contemporaries - notably notorious rival Biggie.
The Byrds
3/5
Ok album, sounds quite dated now but wasn't unpleasant
Leftfield
3/5
Dark, brooding electronica... felt like it was bubbling and simmering but then never quite came fully to the boil.
Tina Turner
3/5
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this much, but it was ok - there are so many tracks that are either well-known hits or have been covered/sampled. Turner's voice is pretty special, but the soundscape is distinctly of the era - slap bass, early synths, sax solos... all very 80s
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Just supremely chilled and groovy. I was surprised to find this was as late as Bob Marley's fifth album - other than Stir it Up, I didn't recognise any of the tracks. But Bob Marley does what Bob Marley is best at, making awesome reggae
B.B. King
3/5
Live Blues, pretty good live performance but I wasn't bowled over by the music.
Santana
5/5
Super chilled latin rock. Santana's guitarmanship is God level, and the groovy beats are entrancing. Outstanding
Arrested Development
4/5
Fresh and funky hip-hop, with slick rhymes and some super groovy basslines. Slight deficit of bombast which for me makes it 4/5 rather than a solid 5/5.
Suede
4/5
Classic 90s indie. I had never listened to any Suede albums although I knew them from singles. A solid effort.
Soundgarden
5/5
Dark, thumping, raging rock. Some absolutely belting riffs decorate this epic. 5/5
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Everyone knows Let's Get It On. The rest of the album could be more aptly be named "Marvin Gaye is Horny" as the topic matter is pretty single focussed. Nothing wrong in that, mind, just a bit boring over and over.
The Killers
5/5
An absolute belter. This is one of the best albums of the 2000s, if not of all time. It's interesting to see what The Killers have become since, but this is them in their rawest, most indie incarnation. From the banging bassline in the opener, Jenny was a Friend of Mine, through the spectra of emotions of Mr. Brightside, Smile Like You Mean It and Somebody Told Me and beyond, this album soundtracked my early 20s and brings back memories of drunken house parties; the first throes of independence.
Jamiroquai
5/5
As a teen I was obsessed with Jamiroquai in the 1990s. I was probably too young to understand the charges of cultural appropriation many have levelled against them, and of accusations of Jay Kay being a white rip-off of Stevie Wonder. I listened again and preferred to listen with my innocent ears of the 90s. There is a sniff of hypocrisy when Kay passionately sings about environmental catastrophe, yet is a massive petrolhead. Yet beyond all of that, there is some fantastic musicianship on this album. Stuart Zender is an absolute bass wizard, some of these riffs are just too funky - it's a great shame he later fell out with Kay only 2 albums on. The late Toby Smith's keyboards are exquisite and there's even Wallis' digeridoo for something a bit different. For all the funk, it's a solid 5/5.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
A distinctly dark sound, with Cohen's gravelly voice offering lamentful tales
Billy Bragg
4/5
I really enjoyed this album, I looked it up and 'folk-punk' seems a perfect description. Bragg is unashamedly left-wing and his songs are full of meaning and purpose. I particularly like the line "How can you lie there and think of England //
When you don't even know who's in the team" in Shirley, which I now note features the legend Johnny Marr.
Thundercat
4/5
Wow. Drunk is a pretty decent title, this collection of many short songs which are a blend of jubilant and lamenting, somewhat disjointed but in a very fun way. I enjoyed it!
David Bowie
3/5
Hmmmm, Bowie... I just don't really get the hype, which I'm aware is a borderline sacrilegious thing to say in some circles. This album obviously has a great significance beyond the music, given the timing of its release days before Bowie's passing. On the music's merit, there is a modern sound to it, most of the songs feel quite dark (as would befit an album titled Blackstar). I like the cover art, the text styling is very clever.
David Bowie
3/5
Two Bowie albums in two days, after Blackstar yesterday. I'm really not a fan, but whilst this album was a lot less modern sounding than the aforementioned, it was better than some of the other Bowie albums I've already had.
Genesis
3/5
Surprisingly dreamy and bleak in equal measure. I hadn't ever really appreciated Phil Collins drumming ability, seeing as most of my thoughts on him are based on his solo stuff, which I really am not a fan of.
k.d. lang
2/5
I found this album quite dreary, just wasn't into it.
Taylor Swift
5/5
Wow, ok so I knew Taylor Swift, yes - the ultimate pop kitten. But this album... she's clearly off the back of some massive break-up which is not unusual for a pop record, but this is so heartfelt, and has a much softer, folkier feel to it. Amazing!
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Delightfully folky and quintessentially 60s sounding.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Pretty dark affair, although not unexpected from Nick Cave. Missing some of the swagger and verve of some of his other stuff, this felt all too introspective and didn't really get going.
Boston
4/5
A glorious slab of riff rock, I was convinced this was an 80s record but turns out it was 1976. Nonetheless More Than a Feeling is a classic and the rest of the album continues in a bold and fun vein
The Sabres Of Paradise
4/5
Pretty niche electronica, but plenty of interest, I really enjoyed it
Stevie Wonder
4/5
This is a great album by one of music's true legends, featuring some really funky grooves.
Carole King
3/5
Gentle and folky, a decent background soundtrack but not much more interesting than that
The Dictators
2/5
Neither annoying or interesting, just a bit boring
The Shamen
3/5
I felt sure I knew The Shamen by name, but couldn't place their music. Sure enough the album opener "Move Any Mountain" was the song I was thinking of. Decent 90s electro-indie-rave type stuff, but much like an extended trip it went on a bit too long and didn't really progress to great heights that were hinted at earlier.
Pantera
1/5
I wasn't expecting to like this album, and by and large even trying to listen with an open mind, I was right. The good bits: some of the guitar riffs are pretty catchy, and the drumming is fairly epic. The main bad bit that renders the whole thing somewhat unpleasant is the vocals. I guess I just don't get the appeal but I don't find screamed gravelly vocals particularly fun
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
A delightfully fun romp, impossible not to be in a good mood while listening. On the flip side, also not too memorable other than the hits
Dr. Dre
3/5
I was quite disappointed by this album, I quite like Dr. Dre but maybe this one was just a bit too fresh for me.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
Dreamy electronic album, I found myself thinking of Hot Chip, but not really America.
Lucinda Williams
4/5
Didn't think I was all that keen on country, but this album was pretty rocking. Full of feeling but with enough power to feel a bit feisty. Lovely stuff
Small Faces
4/5
That was a pretty fun listen, the opening track was impressive by just how 'big' the sound was. For an album recorded in 1968 it had a feel of something more (relatively) modern but with a good dose of swinging 60s spirit
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
A refreshing journey with funky hip-hop beats pushing forward positive vibes.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Angsty rock with some cracking tracks.
Roni Size
5/5
Boom! Yes! As a child of 90s Britain, time was that you couldn't adjust your stereo without landing on a pirate drum n bass station. I'm sure the purists will hate this album but in the genre they don't come bigger than Roni Size. Iconic
Bee Gees
2/5
Meh, bland dirge. None of the fun that make disco-era Bee Gees listenable in a somewhat cheesy way, and little of the feeling of ballads such as How Deep is Your Love.
Teenage Fanclub
5/5
I really enjoyed this album, some really fresh 90s indie rock
The National
4/5
I'm not sure where I first heard it but I remember listening to Anyone's Ghost on repeat back in 2010, I loved (still do) that song, but never really ventured further into The National's oeuvre. This is a decent album, I was tempted to go 5 stars but there's a certain lightness to the sound which maybe loses something for me. Still a cracking album and well worth another few listens.
Cornershop
4/5
Fun Anglo-Punjabi fusion, brilliantly bouncy and quirky. Everyone needs a bosom for a pillow!
LL Cool J
4/5
Pretty fresh and funky hip-hop, quite accessible and easier on the ears than most.
Khaled
3/5
In my teenage years, I had a Casio keyboard. One of the features was that it had 128 backing drumbeats for you to jam along to. I was minded of one of them in the World Music section 'Rai' which stuck in my mind as also being the name of a member of the 1994 Brazil World Cup squad.
Anyway, pleased with myself that I could identify this album as Rai, it was also quite enjoyable even if I had no idea what was going on. The Imagine cover was perhaps unnecessary but there were some good basslines and brass work to be enjoyed.
Adele
4/5
Not usually my kind of thing, but Adele's voice is somewhat beguiling and this collection of songs is deeply infused with feelings of hurt and heartbreak. The hits that have had heavy rotation stand out - Rolling in The Deep, Set Fire..., Someone Like You
Guns N' Roses
4/5
There's some awesome tracks on here, that are well-known. Some of it is slightly over-egged testosterone tinged but it's a solid album. Slash rocks.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
This feels like a seminal album in Stevie Wonder's opus, not that I am overly familiar with all his work. There are so many tracks that I recognise from having been sampled latterly, and it rings pretty true that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Wonder's musicianship is without question, his voice is unique and the sound is wholesome, if a little of the era.
Merle Haggard
2/5
Plinky plonky country, not really my thing
Gang Of Four
5/5
Fantastic album. I got into Gang of Four about 3 decades late, but their jagged guitars and infectious licks are beguiling.
The Waterboys
4/5
This was a really fun listen, flavours of celtic folk but with rock sensibilities; a really nice blend.
The Specials
4/5
A classic ska album, this has the quintessential hits like A Message to You Rudy and Much Too Young. Good listen.
The Incredible String Band
2/5
I can see this album has received a lot of shade. I went into listening to it with an open mind, and it's not terrible. But equally it begins to get a bit nauseating and is not really my thing.
Kate Bush
2/5
My second Kate Bush album on this list, after Hounds of Love. This album veers far more towards the experimental than pop, and I didn't enjoy it as much.
Rush
4/5
Bombastic spiky rock, a good listen
Fiona Apple
5/5
I really enjoyed this album, something about the brash and uncompromising sound
The Beau Brummels
3/5
Generally inoffensive, if not a little dull plinky-plonky folky rock, very 60s sound
Spiritualized
4/5
Pretty listenable psychedelic indie
Red Snapper
4/5
Fresh and funky beats, plenty of attitude. Great album, maybe lacking slightly in some all out bangers that stops this being a 5/5 for me
Paul Weller
4/5
Paul Weller is an all-time legend. This is a great album, the one thing I did feel was that maybe it dragged on a little but that's the only blemish stopping this being a solid 5/5
The Replacements
4/5
Brash and angsty, this was a refreshing surprise
Isaac Hayes
5/5
Interesting to have a soundtrack on this list - most of the tracks are instrumental and it's very easy to imagine them as background pieces. I've not seen Shaft the movie, but am aware of it's cult.
As for the music, it's insanely groovy - itchy guitar hooks aplenty; deliciously mellow at times. I've always felt Isaac Hayes was like a much cooler Barry White. Such a shame that he fell in with the Scientologists; for South Park to offer a tender tribute rather than an all-out character assassination speaks volumes.
A fantastic composition.
Slint
5/5
I'd never heard of Slint before, but this is an awesome album. Veers seamlessly from gloomy introspection to all-out brash rock with some epic riffs. 5 stars!
Anita Baker
3/5
I'm not really one for schmoozy 80s fare, but this album was fairly listenable and reasonably uplifting to boot!
Judas Priest
2/5
Meh, found it a bit repetitive and annoying. A few catchy riffs, but... not for me
Elliott Smith
4/5
Another artist I did not previously know, this is a great album - cultured indie rock.
T. Rex
4/5
Classic, fun, bouncy rock. Get it on!
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
This has aged pretty well for something recorded in 1970, decent rock album.
Fairport Convention
3/5
Folks rock, I enjoyed some of the shifts from song to song but it was a bit too dreamy for my liking. Still, not unpleasant
The Zombies
3/5
I had to check because the cover looks distinctly 60s/70s but I could have been convinced this was a throwback 90s/00s band, certainly the opener sounds like it's been recorded in a modern studio. As for the music itself, there were some nice moments but probably won't be revisiting.
King Crimson
3/5
I wasn't much taken in by the cover art but this album was pretty good. Classic rock but interesting enough to set it apart.
Tortoise
5/5
Wow! This is an album out of nowhere for me, but it rocks! I could have predicted a lot of the shade being thrown its way in the reviews but it's really cool and quirky. An experience as much as anything, the opening 21 min track bending and winding its way through the soundscape.
The Style Council
2/5
Mercilessly bright and upbeat. Not really for me but I didn't hate it!
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I think this is my third or fourth Nick Cave album that's cropped up on the 1001 albums generator. I wouldn't have expected to like his music much but there's something quite beguiling about his darkness, with a twist of humour thrown in. This album is slightly more upbeat than previous offerings, possibly even some pop elements, but it is decidedly not mainstream! On the whole, I enjoyed it
Ray Charles
3/5
The album title is slightly lacking in humility, but it's fairly listenable. I imagine if 50s jazz is your bag, this is a fine album, as it is I'm not a huge aficionado but it was, on the whole, tolerable
Moby
4/5
I remember this album from when it came out, I wanted to say 2001 but Wikipedia confirms 1999. Moby seemed to get a lot of heat at the time, I recall it mainly centred around his veganism, pacifism and general hippie NY existence. 24 years on and it seems bizarre that these now comparatively mainstream interests should be marginalised but it seems the 90s was quite happy to consider Moby a bald prick for having such radical views as compassion, what a wierdo. Much like Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP which was an earlier album on this list, that hasn't aged well (I use Eminem as an example since Moby was lampooned in one of his tracks).
Anyway, the music. This is a pretty solid album, and since most of the tracks are largely instrumental or at most scant lyrics, you can imagine a lot of them being used as background music to film or TV (maybe that's the Jason Bourne effect).
Dennis Wilson
2/5
Meh, I found this album pretty boring, maybe you had to experience it at the time.
k.d. lang
2/5
Pretty boring album, just too lightweight and MOR for my taste.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Gentle funky stuff from the legend Stevie Wonder. There weren't any tracks that stood out, mind.
Eagles
3/5
Hotel California the song is God-level, but the album peaks with it as it's opener. The rest was probably awesome in the 70s but feels a bit tired now.
The Sonics
4/5
Lively rock 'n' roll, a fun listen!
Fever Ray
3/5
Interesting one this, quite dark dancy-electronic vibes. The Bjork-esque vocals did get on my nerves a bit though.
3/5
Oooh, a live album. Can't fault the energy here, but the 60s rock sound wasn't all that captivating
Richard Thompson
4/5
I was expecting this to be a bit too folky for my liking, but it was actually pretty listenable. A whole extra star for The Calvary Cross which is an absolute belter!
Beck
4/5
There's something pretty quirky about Beck's sound, a blend of rock with elements of hip-hop, country and other influences and a heavy twist of Americana. The album was a good listen but I'm not sure I would have it on repeat
R.E.M.
5/5
I am a big fan of REM, but this album was one that had slipped by me. Given it's their debut, it definitely has a fresh sound but all the elements that I love are there, full of feeling, and Michael Stipe's voice is truly evocative.
Super Furry Animals
4/5
A bit quirkier than standard britpop/indie, but definite shades of contemporaries like Blur.
The Monkees
3/5
Hey hey, it's the Monkees! Very much sounding of the era it was recorded, but perfectly pleasant and sunny.
The Teardrop Explodes
4/5
Decent album, alternative indie rock
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Some absolutely belting fat beats, this album started strongly but I felt it petered out a bit towards the end, if not for that it would have been 5/5
Bob Dylan
2/5
Ah, another Bob Dylan album. I get the acclaim for him as an artist but even though this album contains some classics like Mr Tambourine Man, it really lacks variety - it's all strumming, strange stories told through lyrics, harmonica solos and, what I found unreasonably frustrating, outros that just fade out. The latter as I say really irritated me for some reason, it felt incredibly lazy. Just finish a song with a flourish once in a while!
Pink Floyd
3/5
A bit of a confusing one this, like a hazy dream full of psychedelia.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
Quite bland, foresty folk
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
A fantastic mix of broody sass and attitude, an original punk heroine!
Amy Winehouse
4/5
Ah Amy, once a nearly neighbour of mine in Camden Town, how I remember your nocturnal activities and the clamour of the paps as they followed you around at 3am outside my bedroom window.
Truly tragic what happened to a clearly troubled soul and you would hope not even 15 years on society would be able to help such an individual better.
Anyway, the music... not my usual cup of tea but this is surely her magnus opus, Winehouse has not only found the greatest extent of her vocal abilities but has a sass and confidence to flaunt them in the best possible way. Sultry, seductive and sexy, it draws you in.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Bright and sunshiny, swinging and soulful. Not something I would usually listen to but pleasant enough
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
This is one of those cool albums I would probably never have heard of let alone heard, were it not for this project.
Brilliant, ambient, intricate... couldn't really care less if it is authentic, I enjoyed it.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Dreamlike and airy indie rock, quite pleasant
Nightmares On Wax
5/5
Cracking album, super chilled, laid-back trip-hop. I know it's not to everyone's taste, but I just wanted to lay back, roll up a fat one, and get stoned
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Bluesy rock, fairly catchy but not one to revisit
The Avalanches
4/5
Fantastically quirky, full of intelligent samples and catchy beats
Daft Punk
4/5
I'm a big fan of Daft Punk and recall being really excited when I first heard Da Funk back in the 90s, with the bizarre music video adding to the mystique of the sound. This album has a few standouts but definitely has the rawness that debuts often do, and that is just what holds this back from being a solid 5 stars for me
The Rolling Stones
4/5
This really feels like a complete Rolling Stones album, full of swagger, sex and soul. Good stuff
Electric Light Orchestra
2/5
I can imagine this sounding futuristic and innovative in the late 70s, but I tired of the vocoder. Mr Blue Skies is a great song and I like how it moves between parts, but I found this quite a tiring listen
The Damned
3/5
Loose, punky rock, a fairly decent listen
Dusty Springfield
4/5
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Dusky motown fare, Dusty Springfield's silky voice decorating the music.
James Brown
3/5
Funky, soulful and wild, this is a great live performance by a legend. I enjoyed it, but probably won't be back for more.
Underworld
4/5
A decent enough listen that I went back for a second hearing. I knew of Underworld through the track Born Slippy which is not on this album, but the music is in keeping, if lacking a bit in the weight of the sound. Still, good as an ambient soundtrack and I imagine awesome if you are pilled up.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
Quite a cool album, lo-fi early electronic vibes with classic 80s rock tones mixed in.
The Mars Volta
3/5
OK album, distinctive early 2000s American rock
Björk
3/5
Not as annoying as I thought it would be. Won't be re-listening though
Liz Phair
4/5
Cracking album, full of sass and sex... a great find!
Beyoncé
4/5
Pretty boombastic sound, great for stadium-filling epics. I wouldn't class myself as a huge fan of either artiste or genre, but there's no denying Beyoncé's talent or appeal. Good stuff
AC/DC
4/5
Pulsing riff-rock, pretty catchy tunes
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
A little bit hazy and dream-like to be too interesting
The Cars
4/5
Cracking album, pretty unique sound but really groovy.
Beck
3/5
A lot more chill and melancholic sounding songs than what I would have expected from Beck. An alright album but lacked a bit of energy
John Coltrane
4/5
Sometimes lilting, sometimes chaotic. Some fine musicianship going on here. I enjoyed it
The Monks
3/5
The garage-rock sound is slightly dated now, but this album was inoffensive to the ears, if slightly dull
Neil Young
3/5
Meandering between lilting and melodic ballads and heavier electric sounds. Neil Young is a great songwriter but I didn't find this album as interesting as some of his other stuff
Deep Purple
3/5
A live performance steeped in high-energy, some epic drum solos. I wasn't too taken with the actual music though
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Bluesy rock, always enjoy a bit of Elvis Costello
Hawkwind
3/5
Dark psychedelia, certainly can hear the space themes
Supertramp
3/5
Decent 70s rock
Nina Simone
3/5
Nina Simone is of course an absolute legend, and has a brilliant voice. The musicianship on this album is also top-notch with some lovely jazz piano. I probably wouldn't listen again but it was pleasant enough and I can appreciate the genius present.
The Black Keys
4/5
I love the Black Keys sound, bluesy rock twinged in Americana. This record is one of the earlier ones and is quite raw, and perhaps they have not truly found their groove at this point. Still, a decent listen.
Happy Mondays
5/5
Brilliantly sunny tunes, so evocative of the early 90s. From the party classic Step On to the superbly cheeky Bob's Yer Uncle, it's a great ride, pun intended. You're twisting my melon man!
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Nice album - pleasant Afro-beat. I only knew of Youssou N'Dour because of his collaboration with Neneh Cherry on 7 Seconds but his distinctive voice works well with the music
Sarah Vaughan
2/5
Decent jazz, evoking images of a smoky club venue, but as this was a live album it went on for soooo long that I was quite relieved when it finished.
R.E.M.
5/5
Brilliant. Michael Stipe manages to fit so much emotion in his vocals and the music is very catchy.
Oasis
5/5
I remember this being released, I was about 11 years old and there was a buzz about this new band called Oasis. They really blew up with the subsequent What's The Story..., but this album as a raw energy and some absolute belters. I remember listening to Live Forever on repeat, then Slide Away, then Married with Children. Fun times.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
A good listen - 80s party electronic vibe
Yes
4/5
Rocking with some decent riffs, pretty catchy tunes
Bon Jovi
4/5
Classic 80s rock. A slight whiff of cheese but fundamentally awesome riffs and banging tunes
The Who
3/5
Classic rock, there are some decent tunes on there but I wouldn't be revisiting much
The Byrds
3/5
Nice and bright, uplifting rock
Sabu
3/5
An interesting listen, generally a happy latin groove. I wouldn't have listened if it weren't for this list, and I feel glad for that.
Hookworms
4/5
Pretty cool album, a decent listen and one which I would revisit
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
On the face of it, this is not an album I expected to like, but there is something quite seductive about the songs. Some great song-writing craft and skilful crooning.
Skepta
4/5
Gritty, but ultimately catchy and infectious grime, Skepta repping for the UK.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
I liked this album, although it faded a bit in the second half. Definite stream-of-consciousness type vibe to it, lending well to the psychedelia. Wavering between a 3 or 4 star rating but as mentioned I think the weaker second half loses the extra star for me
3/5
Had no preconceptions about this album as I knew nothing about War. Pretty pleasant surprise, folky, singalong rock infused with latin rhythms and so funky congas.
Waylon Jennings
2/5
So straight off the bat, this isn't really my kind of thing, but the songs are well written and the musical parts are OK. Maybe if I was more inclined to country and/or blues I would have enjoyed it more
Kanye West
4/5
Kanye is clearly quite a disturbed character and some of the brashness of his lyrics worn thin very quickly, but ignoring that here is a collection of innovative tracks, banging beats and catchy hooks. Would be a 5-star if he could have been slightly less of a bell-end
Scissor Sisters
5/5
I bloody love this album, loved it in 2004 when it came out (no pun intended), love it now. Just full of fun, joy and party. A slight shame that at the time they were characterised as 'that gay band' (which I don't think would be the case in 2023) as there is something for all stripes here.
A slight shame that one of the most horrible sounds I have ever heard precedes the bonus tracks, but it's so banging I can forgive that.
Haircut 100
3/5
Sounds a little cheesy now, but some solid tunes on this album. Some great funky slap bass and urgent drumbeats.
The The
3/5
Lively post-punk with a sound very much entrenched in the 80s
Frank Sinatra
3/5
A classic voice, and an album I probably would never have listened to were it not for this project. Not to my usual taste but I can definitely appreciate the talent.
Al Green
3/5
Deliciously smooth with a hint of funk. Nice stuff if a little dated
Faust
3/5
I had never heard of Faust before, I'm not sure if I would listen again but it was a good record, some nice soundscapes and a bit dreamy and ethereal.
Air
5/5
Superb album, one of the greatest electronic chill records ever made
Pavement
5/5
Cracking album, really nice raw 90s indie sound to it
The Pharcyde
4/5
Fun and funky hip-hop, as has been noted in other reviews the lyrical content is of the age and somewhat dubious but there are fresh beats and cool melodies too
Bad Brains
5/5
Great album, pretty fresh and raw. Some of the earlier tracks were a bit heavy but I've listened to the second half of the album over and over. She's Calling You, Sacred Love and Return to Heaven were stand-out tracks
William Orbit
4/5
Pretty smooth and groovy, an enjoyable listen
Love
3/5
Classic rock album, the finale of which is nearly 20 mins long and features some impressive musicianship
The Stooges
4/5
I was expecting this album to be too punky for my tastes but it was actually pretty great. More mellow than I was expecting but a great sound.
Adele
3/5
Adele's vocal talents are undeniable, and this is a well-polished and smoothly produced album. A bit too middle of the road for my liking, though I respect the talent.
Big Star
3/5
Meh, fine but a bit dull. I found the vocals a bit whiny, but not so much that I wanted to turn it off.
David Bowie
3/5
I understand the gravity of this album on the zeitgeist at the time and thereon, and the songs are perfectly well constructed and executed. I think I just don't 'get' Bowie, there's little that excites me about the music here
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Decent album, Cohen certainly has a distinctive voice and the songwriting is excellent
The Beach Boys
3/5
Dreamy 70s pop-rock
Common
4/5
Some real fresh beats and Common is a more cultured rapper than some of his more mainstream contemporaries. Musically this is an album that hits the right notes
Wild Beasts
5/5
I had to listen to this album a few times to get a good feel for it, but it was certainly worth it! Distinctly quirky but also pulsating and driving, a fantastic find!
Roxy Music
4/5
A certain darkness to the sound, but a compelling listen. The epic The Bogus Man strides on and on and the drumming across the album is pretty interesting.
Ray Price
2/5
Hmmm, I didn't get into this album, perhaps it is due to being nigh on 70 years old, or perhaps I'm just not taken by bluesy schmooze.
Van Halen
3/5
Got pretty much what I expected from this album - banging riff rock with eccentric guitar solos. It was a lot more fun and upbeat than I'd reckoned too
Joan Baez
3/5
I'm not a massive fan of folk but Baez has a beautiful voice, and the music is quite relaxing to listen to
Metallica
3/5
A live album! I was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed this from Metallica, it's pretty epic although at over 2 hours long it really felt like a slog. Some classics in there like Enter Sandman and Nothing Else Matters. The strings sounded live as well which really gave the feeling of an impressive film score. If it were a little shorter I would probably have scored it higher, but a decent live album.
M.I.A.
4/5
I had only heard Paper Planes before and wasn't all that taken with it. However Kala is a pretty impressive, eclectic album. M.I.A. has some vocal talent and some of the beats are pretty quirky, with some cool fusion going on.
The Isley Brothers
5/5
Cracking album. Delicious mix of funk, rock and soul. The harmonies work so nicely and the instrumentation is great. The cover of Summer Breeze has long been a favourite for me
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
It's Bob Marley - that warm, chilled feeling. Ironically I didn't enjoy the recorded version of No Woman No Cry as much as the more oft-heard live version, but other than that, a solid album.
Beach House
4/5
I found this to be a very pleasant listen, dream-like almost. Nice light indie sound
Joe Ely
2/5
Lively, bouncy country. Good fun, but not my cup of tea at all
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Noisy, angsty but with plenty of feeling. An electric rock album, good stuff
Sepultura
2/5
As this is the second Sepultura album that has come up on this list, I thought I was going to hate this. And yes, the same screeching, screaming vocals are annoying and off-putting. Yet beneath them some of the riffs and drumming is really quite captivating, so I can't give this one star. Would be more if the vocals were cleaner and less hoarse.
10cc
3/5
The opener, Wall Street Shuffle, was pretty catchy and promised much for the album. However it was a bit bland from there on in
Gary Numan
4/5
Wonderfully crafted album, from whence the electronic sound was new and relied much more heavily on artistic talent than loops and samples. Numan is a pioneer in the field. As an aside I had no idea that the Chemical Brothers' "Where's Your Head At?" sampled Numan, the riff being from M.E. featured in this album.
Arcade Fire
4/5
I'm not sure where I truly sit with Arcade Fire, I like a lot of their music but find if I listen for too long I get a bit bored. This is probably my second favourite of their albums after The Suburbs. Keep the Car Running and No Cars Go are two belters
Dizzee Rascal
4/5
Fresh and fun beats from Dizzee Rascal, repping for east London!
Buzzcocks
5/5
Super punky, a great big ball of angsty energy. I like!
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
5/5
I'd never heard of Bonnie Prince Billy, and based purely on the album artwork was not looking forward to this. But it just goes to show you should never judge a book (or album) by its cover. Dark and melancholic, this is really evocative stuff.
Tom Waits
1/5
Eurrrrrgh. No thanks Tom. Musically it's not too bad but the chanty, sneery vocals are just too annoying
Black Sabbath
4/5
Some absolutely belting riffs. Wasn't too sure how much I would get on board with this album, but it is a cracker
XTC
3/5
Lightweight sound, drenched with 80s feeling. Inoffensive but a bit boring
Nanci Griffith
2/5
Folky stuff, a bit too bland for my liking.
ZZ Top
3/5
Some pretty catchy riffs on this blues-rock disc. A decent listen
Caetano Veloso
3/5
Warm and sunny latin stuff, with a bit of world fusion thrown in. Decent album
Madonna
3/5
I vaguely recall when this album came out, and it was being heralded as a marked turn in Madonna's career. Listening some 22 years later, it doesn't really have much sense of being groundbreaking, indeed some of the content seems quite dated (see 'Feels Like For A Girl'). Still, there are a few decent tracks, including the titular 'Music' which I recall featured none other than Ali G in the accompanying video
Milton Nascimento
3/5
Decent stuff, latin dance party!
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Pretty joyful, good old rock from The Boss. An enjoyable listen!
Deerhunter
4/5
I quite liked this, pretty dreamy and hazy with a slightly folky feel.
Prince
4/5
Exactly what I would expect from a Prince record, sassy, sexy and outrageously groovy. Sign 'O' The Times finds the Purple One in a direct, if stripped down form. The beats are decidedly 80s, but that works. I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man stands out.
ABBA
3/5
Classic dreamy pop from the Swedish 4-piece. Some of the major hits are here, including Dancing Queen, Money Money Money and Fernando. It's fine as background music but didn't excite me much
David Bowie
4/5
So this is my 7th Bowie album in the 1001 project, and I am still no closer to understanding why he is revered as much as he is. That said, this is a solid album and the best of the 7 I have listened to. Changes and Life on Mars are very pleasant songs so I will be charitable and give this 4/5
Talking Heads
4/5
Delightfully quirky and groovy, this album really feels like Talking Heads have found their sound. Great album
Cee Lo Green
4/5
I love Cee-lo Green's voice, and as a big fan of Gnarls Barkley, I was looking forward to this one. The music is good too, catchy and soulful in parts.
Kanye West
4/5
Everyone's favourite narcissist here with a pretty banging album, mixing hip-hop beats with elements of rock and R&B to good effect. The machismo is sometimes a little grating but otherwise a solid album
Queen
4/5
As expected, dramatic, operatic and ever so slightly camp. Musically this is a behemoth, but the 70s sound is hard to shake.
Madness
4/5
As ever, raucously good fun from Madness. One of their most famous hits, 'Our House' is here, the whole album infused with nostalgia. The faux-Indian accent on New Delhi is slightly uncomfortable in 2023 but other than that, this is solid
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
This was a good listen, pretty hazy 80s rock that has stood the test of time
Erykah Badu
5/5
Lovely stuff. Before listening I only really knew Erykah Badu from 'On & On' and that she was Andre 3000's ex and subject of Ms. Jackson. I wish I had been more aware because this album is fantastic, groovy neo-soul fused with hip-hop beats, all underneath Badu's mesmerising vocals. Boom!
Little Richard
4/5
An album full of energy. Little Richard's vocal stylings are unique on top of bluesy jive. Impossible not to feel good while listening!
The Jam
5/5
Fantastic album, excellent songwriting.
Sonic Youth
5/5
Brilliantly brash and aggressive, the alternating male/female vocal leads showcasing a breadth of emotions
Peter Frampton
3/5
Didn't expect to like this album, but it was actually a pretty good live performance. I knew very little about Peter Frampton beforehand but recognised some songs. Very solid classic rock.
MC Solaar
5/5
Trés bien! I knew who MC Solaar was largely (solely) due to his collaboration with Neneh Cherry on 7 Seconds but hadn't heard any of his own stuff. This is an incredibly catchy hip-hop/trip-hop/rap blend and the French language has the perfect cadence for rap. Je aime ça, cinq étoiles!
Wilco
4/5
I had a few listens to this and it grew on me steadily. Quite a few changes in tempo and tone but generally pleasant indie rock
My Bloody Valentine
5/5
Cracking stuff, a cocktail of angst and daze.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
I preferred the Fugees, although Ex Factor is a great track, particularly the guitar solo. Nice little cameo from Carlos Santana elsewhere.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Marvin Gaye is rightly consider a, if not the legend of soul. His voice is so distinctive and evokes pure emotion. I only became aware of the context after listening to the album but the themes of global and social destruction and despair definitely felt prescient
Pere Ubu
3/5
The word I would use to describe this would be experimental. I can imagine in the late 70s when this was released it was quite groundbreaking, but is just a bit odd now. Not unpleasant though
The Soft Boys
3/5
Decent album, wore on a bit towards the end.
David Bowie
4/5
Not really a fan of Bowie but this album was a lot more catchier than the many others in the 1001 list
Johnny Cash
3/5
Interesting concept for an album. Johnny Cash's sound is so distinct and the songs have a great storytelling element.
Björk
2/5
Bjork... that's the onomatopoeic sound I'd like to make when listening to her music. Vague, scatty and dreamy. Not entirely unpleasant but I was quite happy to experience the relief when it was over
Kid Rock
3/5
A confusing cocktail of rock, hip-hop, nu-metal and country. I see this album has got quite a lot of shade, but a large part of it is comprised of pretty catchy riffs. I don't quite get the Kid Rock persona but maybe you need to be American to understand. Overall, not a bad listen but probably won't be back for more.
Rod Stewart
4/5
Although I know of Rod Stewart, I'd never listened to a full album of his. The voice is special and the songs are also quaint in a good way.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
Just brilliantly funky, sexy and in your face. Flea's basslines are simply epic on this record and Antony Kiedis' rapping is something else. Everyone knows Under The Bridge and it is indeed a great song, but shoutouts to the likes of Breaking the Girl, Naked in the Rain and Apache Rose Peacock. Brilliant
Screaming Trees
5/5
Really liked this album, from a band I don't ever recall hearing about. But makes complete sense Josh Homme was a touring musician for this album. Nice hard emotive sound to it.
Faith No More
3/5
This album was ok, rock with elements of metal and funk.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Some excellent songwriting and storytelling. Not my usual cup of tea but I can appreciate the craft
Suicide
2/5
This album felt a bit like a one trick pony, light synthy sounds over a clicky electronic beat. It was alright to begin with but wore thin towards the middle. Frankie Teardrop was just plain weird. In fact, that is the perfect word to describe the album as a whole
The Associates
3/5
Distinctly joyously 80s, but quite fun.
Justice
4/5
Decent dance album, on the heavier side and actually I prefer the more instrumental tracks.
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
Boom! A superb debut album as the Arctic Monkeys cam swaggering into the public consciousness. Banging guitar riffs and frenetic drumming underlie the urban poetry of a young Alex Turner, describing the trials and tribulations of a 20-something Steel City native.
Shack
4/5
This is a good solid album, there were a couple of stand out tracks (Streets of Kenny, Re-instated) but I enjoyed the whole thing.
4/5
Ah, good old Limp Bizkit. My memories of the emergence of nu-metal in the early 2000s as a late-teen/twenty-something, was that it was the domain of a particular social subset, not quite goth and not quite emo. Whilst I did not subscribe to either, I was quite partial to 'My Way' and 'Rollin''. This was my first time listening to this album in full, and beyond the juvenility inherent (not just the album title), there are some pretty catchy tunes on here, perfect for a good bit of headbanging. I'm sure a lot of purists will hate on Fred Durst and crew, but I would listen unapologetically again.
Doves
3/5
Interesting listen, there were some elements I enjoyed - the stadium-style depth of the music for instance - but others that I didn't get so on board with
Pixies
5/5
A very cool album, some great tunes (Monkey Gone to Heaven is a favourite)
3/5
Whoa. Undeniably frenetic, chaotic, manic. I wasn't sure if this, 494 albums in, would be the first album I couldn't sit the whole way through (Roots by Sepultura was the only other contender).
However, once it calmed down, there were some redeeming features. The later tracks were pretty listenable to, the experimental nature of them notwithstanding.
I can understand the shade being thrown the way of this album, and whilst I probably won't listen again, I am glad I experienced it.
The Doors
5/5
My dad being a massive Doors fan, I know this album like the back of my hand having listened to it throughout my childhood years. The Changeling is such a booming start to the album and considering the Doors never had a permanent bass player, the bassline is like a mission statement for the album. And of course, the finale of Riders on the Storm is typically epic. Could only be 5 stars
John Lennon
3/5
I'm pretty lukewarm when it comes to the Beatles, and less enthused when it comes to their respective solo works. Considering how much flack Yoko Ono cops for the Beatles demise I was expecting not to like this one too much. Whilst it didn't rock my world, the songs are pretty decent and it was quite comfortable listening.
The Who
3/5
A live album eh? The Who bring plenty of energy but the crowd seems a bit lacking, seems a strange choice to release let alone include in 1001 albums
The Pretty Things
3/5
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, not having heard of the band let alone the album. It was ok and not even all that dated for a 1960s record. Even the artwork made the album difficult to place.
Duke Ellington
4/5
Good stuff this - bright lively jazz. Really pleasant listen from the Duke.
James Taylor
3/5
Pretty inoffensive stuff, light folky bluesy guitar driven fare. Not too much of interest but nice enough to listen to.
Pixies
5/5
A little more raw than later releases, but nonetheless still full of punky spirit. A solid album which I thoroughly enjoyed
Tim Buckley
3/5
Interesting to learn that this was Jeff Buckley's estranged dad, I had no prior knowledge of that context. Very much a 60s record right down to the 'made for vinyl' album cover, but some nice songwriting and impassioned singing. Nice
Sebadoh
5/5
I had never heard of this band or album before, but it's a banger! Louche loud and brash indie rock... boom!
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
This album was a decent enough listen, I particularly enjoyed The Killing Moon. But I probably wouldn't be listening to the album in full again
Stan Getz
3/5
Delightfully sunny and positive sounding samba. The Portuguese language has an interesting cadence - the natural rhythm of romance languages but with some more slurred and softened consonants. It works well with the music here. Girl from Ipanema of course is the well-known jewel in the crown here.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Some pretty epic riff rock here, spanning a whole double album.
Van Morrison
4/5
Great album, easily the best pre-1970s album I've had so far in the 1001 albums project. Beautifully tender but with enough substance
Neneh Cherry
4/5
Delightfully fresh and funky, brilliantly upbeat.
The White Stripes
5/5
I was never really sure of the White Stripes back in the early 2000s but listening with 20-odd years of experience gives an interesting perspective. Lots of catchy guitar hooks and Meg's at times frenetic drumming maintain interest throughout. A great album!
Jane's Addiction
4/5
Rough and ready, abrasive and slightly funky. Good stuff
Neil Young
4/5
I've got to say, since embarking on the 1001 albums project, I have developed something of a partiality to Neil Young. I enjoyed this, it's up there with Harvest in my opinion
Silver Jews
3/5
Quite an interesting album, not at all what I was expecting. Pretty folky but quite modern indie rock.
Buck Owens
2/5
Plinky plonk country from the 1960s... meh
Pink Floyd
4/5
As with other Pink Floyd albums, the first word that springs to my mind is 'epic'. Pretty much the definition of a concept album, Pink Floyd paint a bleak and desolate soundscape with gorgeous guitar parts. My only criticism of this is that it is so long, the callbacks to different riffs lead you to expect the full song which is a little ungratifying.
Depeche Mode
4/5
Classic synthpop done brilliantly.
Christine and the Queens
4/5
Pretty fresh and crisp, some nice beats and cool synthy frills.
Marty Robbins
3/5
Not bad for an album so old. Not my usual bag but it was alright
Destiny's Child
3/5
This album opens with a bang, Destiny's Child's string of hits from the resolute Independent Women and Survivor to the party-tastic lexicon-expanding Bootylicious. Destiny's Child were a key pillar of late 90s/early 00s music and whilst not in any of my go-to genres, this was an enjoyable listen.
Fishbone
3/5
I had never heard of this band or album prior to listening, but it was quite fun - rock but with lots of reggae rhythms
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
I'm certainly no prude but I didn't enjoy this much, some of the beats were cool but there was way too much swearing, and not even functionally so as well as overuse of certain racial slurs.
Pentangle
4/5
With a name like Pentangle, I was expecting some sort of death metal so it was actually very refreshingly pleasant to hear the light folky strains of this album. Some nice percussive guitar playing and a mixture of male and female leads.
R.E.M.
5/5
I bloomin' love REM
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
Definitely sounds like QOTSA but certainly a lot more raw. Good stuff
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
A bit confusing this one, in some aspects it feels quite pioneering, in others, a little annoying. Probably doesn't help that I'm clouded by my negative opinion of John Lydon in his later years. The punkier elements are pretty cool but I can't go more than 3/5
N.W.A.
3/5
Despite having known about this album, this was the first time I'd listened to it. Firstly, I was expecting something a lot harsher, despite the language. Secondly, it was a bit more basic than I thought it would be. An important album for sure, despite it's themes aging poorly, but only a 3/5 on the quality scale.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Wikipedia classes this as art rock and that's pretty apt, it feels a bit like an exhibition piece. There are moments of genuine musical quality but then at other times it feels a bit performative. I did particularly enjoy Blues in Bob Minor
Sufjan Stevens
3/5
I was vaguely aware of Sufjan Stevens given he was referenced on Snow Patrol's Eyes Open album, but hadn't ever listened to his stuff. Pretty folky stuff, I can imagine a lot of it being written around a campfire with an acoustic guitar. I didn't really get into it
Mj Cole
4/5
Some pretty banging UK garage to reminisce to... I can imagine some of the shade being thrown on this in the reviews but as a child of the 90s/00s garage was right up my street. This probably isn't the finest exponent of the genre but it's decent enough for me
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5/5
An absolute banger, full of sass, jaggedy guitars and frenetic drumming. Yes!
CHVRCHES
4/5
This album felt still very recent to me so I was surprised to see it was 10 years old already. Some pretty joyous electro-indie, a fine album although slightly surprised it's included in the 1001 list
Sleater-Kinney
5/5
Having never heard of this band or album, wow what a fantastic banger! Full of punky brash guitars and urgent drums with impassioned vocals. LIKE!
Afrika Bambaataa
4/5
This album was a lot of fun, some nice 80s electro hip-hop
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Suitably dark and wistful given the album title. Cohen's songwriting is once again wonderful and considering relatively scant instrumentation the moodscape is rich and at the forefront of each song.
Sade
3/5
So smooth and sultry, some lovely bubbling bass and silky vocals. Not my usual cup of tea but a nice way to spend 44 minutes.
Scritti Politti
3/5
Pretty light and inoffensive, classicly 80s.
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
Some good moments but they are unfortunately the exception rather than rule with some of this album heavy-going.
Carpenters
3/5
Gentle and sedate, and some all-time classic songs on here - We've Only Just Begun, Close To You - but not my bag
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Deliciously funky with some cool groovy slap bass intertwined throughout
Public Enemy
5/5
Brilliant album full of crisp beats and urgent basslines
Incredible Bongo Band
5/5
Wow, just soooo incredibly funky! Haters gonna hate but the percussion on this is off the charts. Fantastic album, a reason to embark on the 1001 project is to find gems like this. So many samples!!
Aimee Mann
4/5
Some nice 90s guitar-based stuff, very emotive
Sheryl Crow
5/5
As a teenager I had a fairly sizeable teenage crush on Sheryl Crow - I don't believe unreasonably however I don't think she was really ever on the radar of my immediate peers. I'd never really listened to this album although I am fairly familiar with many of the songs (the most prominent of which, All I Wanna Do is actually my least favourite), but I wish I had, Sheryl just became even more attractive in my eyes, sexy and talented! I'm sure this will be some comfort to her
Sparks
3/5
Wow, this was somewhat of an oddball album! Not unpleasant to listen to but felt a bit chaotic at times.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Not that big into country but this was definitely one of the better proponents of the genre, Emmylou Harris' voice is wonderful and the songs are well written
Mercury Rev
3/5
Pretty dreamlike and ethereal, but alright
Aretha Franklin
4/5
If you like soul, then I completely get why Arethra is the absolute gold standard, or GOAT in the parlance of today's youth. I can take or leave soul, but her voice alone makes this a pretty beguiling listen. In short: glad I listened and experienced the album, unlikely to be playing it back again
The B-52's
4/5
My first thought was "where's Love Shack?" since my only knowledge of B-52s (the apostrophe is irritating to my OCD) related to the aforementioned song and their appearance on (as it turns out fellow Athens, Georgia natives) R.E.M.'s Shiny Happy People.
Nevertheless, what my ears experienced was a pretty cool album, some of the vocals were a little too screamy but on the whole it was good fun and quite groovy.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
2/5
Meh, not bad so that I didn't want to listen, and while I can respect the craft and musicianship on show it was all a bit too gentle and bland for me
Calexico
4/5
An album I knew nothing about prior to the suggestion. A good find, some dark sounding tunes with a latin edge.
Tito Puente
4/5
When I was learning GCSE Music, I grew particularly obsessed with percussion and indeed timbales specifically. Not playing necessarily, but just the sound. I also played trumpet and a teacher put me on to Tito Puente. I think I only *cough* legally *cough* downloaded a few tracks, this being the days of dial-up modems and before streaming services, which I enjoyed. This full length album is quite a nice trip down memory lane - I guess beyond a certain point it does begin to sound a bit kitsch and Tuesday night village hall salsa class but on the whole I enjoyed it.
The Bees
4/5
Never heard of this band before but the album was decent, laid-back indie rock. Good stuff
Baaba Maal
4/5
Quite liked this one, it's always a little hit and miss with the world music suggestions on this list but this was pretty groovy. I would have guessed it was of African/Arabian origin so the fact Baaba Maal is Senegalese fits with that.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
This was ok - louche jazz from the 1980s
Minutemen
4/5
Great punky album, full of energy and spirit. Probably the only thing holding it back for a 5 star for me was the length
Orbital
3/5
If you're a fan of ambient electronic dance, then this probably ticks the boxes for you. I don't mind the genre but I think it's probably best enjoyed in a rave/club/festival type atmosphere, rather than as some stimulating work music.
Dinosaur Jr.
5/5
I really dug this, cracking alt rock album. I know it's 80s but it has that early 90s proto-grunge feel to it. Great stuff
John Martyn
3/5
Pretty chilled out 70s rock, a little meh for me
Wilco
3/5
This album was ok, it went on a bit too long. I quite like Wilco without being overly keen, a bit like Arcade Fire - can take it or leave it.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
4/5
THis was almost a bit psychedelic, I enjoyed it
Goldie
5/5
Fuck yes, this is an absolute banger. Goldie smashing it to bits with a heavy chunk of drum n bass junglist meat
Billie Holiday
2/5
Classic sounding soul-jazz type stuff
Method Man
3/5
Well, the beats were fresh, the rhymes were tight and the hooks were catchy, but I felt this album lacked a sprinkling of platinum (so beloved by the genre) dust. A decent listen nonetheless.
Julian Cope
3/5
Sort of reminded me of Nick Cave - an artist I can't work out if I think is a genius or don't like. Dark but with a knowing nod. Decent listen
Alice In Chains
3/5
Loud and brash but not really doing much with the aggression. I didn't mind it but it didn't really rock me.
Turbonegro
4/5
Well that was brash, loud and in your face. It was also infectiously catchy and I found myself enjoying it a lot more than I would have expected to
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Ah the Stones' debut, nearly 60 years old now. Certainly sounds fresh and their youth (as strange as it is to imagine) shines through. Great 60s rock
Brian Eno
2/5
I love David Byrne and Talking Heads, and I've heard Brian Eno in interviews and he always sounds very interesting. But this was just a bit too experimental for me, a bit more of a noisescape than anything else.
Parliament
4/5
Fantastically funky! Had me grooving and nodding along... some amazing basswork here.
Stereo MC's
4/5
The titular song has been appropriated endlessly in the UK mainly for a certain telecommunications company which distracts somewhat from what is a solid album. I can remember listening to it as a young child and enjoying something that sounded completely new and fresh and it still has that air.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Glad that's over. I stuck with it but it baffles me that that would be an album someone would think, hey, let's listen to that and stick it on. Very industrial, very noisy, very intense. Not very musical
The Byrds
2/5
Feel like there have been a lot of The Byrds on this list. This album was the most country. Meh
Laura Nyro
3/5
Laura Nyro has an incredible voice and the quality of the production I found surprising for a 60s record. It's not really my thing but respect for the talent
Weather Report
3/5
Some nice funky basslines but felt a bit too much like Muzak at many junctures
Germs
3/5
Full of punky spirit but ultimately a bit drab
The Cramps
3/5
Not what I was expecting from the title but actually although it didn't rock my world it was better than I was expecting! Abrasive punk rock, maybe I'm just a bit worn down by it after the Germs yesterday, but, meh.
Barry Adamson
4/5
I enjoyed this one, a completely new one on me. Something a little different but very catchy, if a little dark in places. Vocals reminded me a bit of Jarvis Cocker
Thin Lizzy
3/5
It's always a bit odd having live albums pop up on this list, 'in the wild' I would only stick on a live album of a band I really liked, and even then it would have to be a pretty special performance. Thin Lizzy are cool enough but at an hour and a half, this was wearing thin towards the end.
Justin Timberlake
4/5
Well this was a real blast from the past. It had slipped my mind how much of a megastar JT was back in the early 2000s, as he shook off the boyband innocence of his N*Sync days and embraced post-Britney manhood.
That there's a lot to like here for me is largely down to the heavy influence of the Neptunes and Timbaland, whose own signature beats make the bulk of this album incredibly catchy. The slower, more R&B style tracks weren't so much to my taste but the big bangers catch fire in just the right way.
Boards of Canada
3/5
This was one of those that whilst it didn't blow my socks off, I'm happy it was on the 1001 list and therefore I had the reason to listen to. I had never heard of Boards of Canada before but this album was quite interesting, if not fully absorbing. Lots of samples and neat use of synths.
Living Colour
3/5
Pretty generic 80s rock, big snares and cutting guitars. Not too exciting though
Bonnie Raitt
1/5
Meh, shite 80s country-pop. Not for me
The Lemonheads
4/5
My main point of reference with the Lemonheads is the Mrs Robinson cover, which didn't appear on the original release of this album. Still, what's on it is that same sun-soaked thoughtful indie rock very muc of the early 90s. Good stuff
Motörhead
3/5
Six albums after the Thin Lizzy live album, and I could cut an paste my comments from there. Decent energy and shorter than that aforementioned album. Was an ok listen
Giant Sand
4/5
Quirky and a little different. Particularly like X-Tra Wide and Shiver
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
I remember finding my dad's UK original release LP of this, and the delights of its cover art (I was probably only a teen at the time). It was a few years later as a young adult that I actually got into the music. Hendrix is rightly an instrument-defining musician, his guitarmanship on God-like levels. Part blues-rock, part psychedelic trip, part stoner's chillout, all fantastic
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
4/5
I remember when this album came out, it was sometime after Blur and Damon Albarn's Gorillaz project and I was quite excited to hear it. There are the same catchy hooks and it's a decent album
Machito
4/5
Lively, fun and energetic!
Morrissey
3/5
I think pretty much every Smiths or Morrissey record that's come up so far, I've taken a pop at the militant vegan xenophobic Brexiteer. So it would be a bit boring to do so again.
Without the Smiths and Johnny Marr in particularly, Morrissey starts to sound a bit bland IMO.
Iron Butterfly
4/5
I quite enjoyed this, only a short album although half is consumed by the titular track, an epic 17 min journey showcasing all the instruments. Quite psychedelic in places and a little bluesy here and there, but definitely rocking.
X-Ray Spex
5/5
Punk AF! I loved it, full of spark and energy and sounding thoroughly English
Kanye West
3/5
I was somewhat surprised to see this album was 20 years old now. The skits were pretty annoying and although Kanye hadn't reached late 00s/early 10s levels of nauseating, he himself was a bit annoying in places. Some good beats here and there though.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Gotta love a bit of the Floyd. Their albums are always like an aural journey and this is possibly their finest. As a slight music geek Money always has a special place in my heart for the rare use of the 7/4 time signature which works so well to provide an ebb and flow to the intensity. Lovely stuff
Iron Maiden
4/5
This is the second Iron Maiden album that has come up on my list, and again, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Yes, there is a heaviness to the sound, but the music is well-written and well-performed.
Jacques Brel
2/5
Je ne comprends pas assez le français pour comprendre toutes ces chansons, mais j'entends bien l'esprit français. Typiquement romantique et passionné mais un peu daté
The Darkness
4/5
From the falsetto to the glam rock riffs, this album reeks of cheese... and yet, it is so embarrassingly catchy. Reluctantly I'll have to say 3.5/5, and round up at that.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Classic hip-hop by some of the kings of the genre. The title track is a cool sister piece to Rock Box from their debut album
Malcolm McLaren
4/5
I'm not really sure what I just listened to, it was so wacky. Can't place it genre-wise but there was some impressive scratchwork and I would imagine it's been sampled a fair few times
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
Loud and with an edge, I was entertained at times but a little bored elsewhere.
Marilyn Manson
2/5
Hmmmm nah. Not for me. Occasionally melodic in places but otherwise nope.
Grizzly Bear
4/5
I found this quite gentle and soothing, a bit like a nice warm bath with maybe a little essential oil dropped in.
Pavement
5/5
I really liked this, gruff, raw, laid-back 90s indie rock
Jean-Michel Jarre
4/5
Lovely ambient electronica. Good as background music, but not much as a standalone
The Go-Go's
4/5
This was a cool album, fresh and lively, like an old-time jive for the 80s.
Queen
4/5
Queen are one of the most famous bands of the 70s and 80s, and although I was only alive during the later stages of the latter decade, for me Queen's best known work is super-glam. I enjoyed this album as it feels pre-stadium era, a little less polished and a little truer. RIP Freddie
Cream
4/5
Heavyweight stuff here from Cream, some delicious riffs (see Sunshine of Your Love) and a good dose of psychedelia.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Pleasent, light jazz, perfect for an easy Friday afternoon
Tom Tom Club
4/5
This was pretty fresh and fun! Read about the connection to Talking Heads after listening and it made sense in retrospect
Dagmar Krause
2/5
Something a little different. I didn't hate it but maybe a little too avant-garde for my tastes
Tom Waits
2/5
This is my third Tom Waits album on the list, and for many reasons, I bloody hate the guy. To be fair, I was fully expecting to hate this album and whilst I didn't like it, it was a lot more bearable than Swordfishtrombones and Rain Dogs, which is something. Whilst both those two albums I scored 1/5, I'm willing to extend to 2/5 for this one, but still, fuck Tom Waits.
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Took a while to track down this album and even then I think I was missing some tracks. Perfectly pleasant lilting samba, lovely for a bit of background music
Gene Clark
2/5
Alright, just a bit bland and boring.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Now here is an album that I'm glad was on the list, even if it's not one I will be listening to over and over again. At a time when guitars were just going electric, it took people like Buddy Holly to push the envelope and create new sounds. You can hear the influences on so many later rock acts.
Britney Spears
2/5
I thought this might be a nice bit of 90s nostalgia but beyond the massive titular track, and to a lesser extent Sometimes, (You Drive Me) Crazy, and Born to Make You Happy there was not much to remind me of my youth. Yes, it's pop in it's purest form, but it's also a pile of wank in my opinion. Makes me wonder why Britney made it so big, so much of it is anodyne and saccharine sweet to the point of nausea.
Joy Division
5/5
A stunning album. The world of music lost Ian Curtis all too soon, but this album and Unknown Pleasures are a befitting legacy for greatness.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
This is great, slightly more on the chilled/stoned end of the Hendrix oeuvre, but nonetheless awesome.
The Afghan Whigs
5/5
Great album, really enjoyed the sound and the concept.
The Birthday Party
2/5
I was tempted to rate this a 1/5, but there were moments where it looked like there was some ideas of musicality. But for the most part it was a noisy shapeless approximation of punk, and was a bit grating.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Liked this one, somewhat loose but pretty sunny feeling to it.
2/5
Plinky plonky country outdated social values meh
Laibach
3/5
An odd album, but one perfectly worthy of inclusion in the 1001 list if not only for its uniqueness. A lot about it I found quite strange, the odd Germanic vocals/vocal sound, but some parts were almost hypnotic - the driving and captivating drum beats for instance. Some of it felt like an imperial march, some like a 1970s supervillain's supercomputer
Dolly Parton
2/5
Three great voices, undoubtedly. Just not my cup of tea unfortunately.
Elvis Costello
4/5
Definitely my favourite musical Elvis. In fact, I don't really know any non-musical Elvises except the buffoon Elvis from Fireman Sam who was so hapless his aim was never true.
Anyway, Mr. Costello's album here was great.
5/5
I was a big fan of this album when it was released and it still sounds banging nearly two decades later. For me, it is pretty much the pinnacle of Muse's oeuvre, fusing rock with more classic and futuristic elements.
The Doors
5/5
I grew up on a diet of The Doors owing to my father's penchant. Morrison Hotel is quite a lot more towards the bluesy end of their work, with a couple of touches of psychedelia. I don't recall hearing as much of this album as for instance LA Woman, Strange Days or the eponymous album, but it's still good.
M.I.A.
4/5
Here's an artist who I was only limitedly aware of prior to this, the second of her albums on this list to come up. I enjoyed it, decidedly spiky and spunky, full of sass and attitude in a very urban Brit way, beneath which punchy drumbeats and phat bass abounds.
Public Enemy
4/5
Some fresh and lively beats and cool, politicised rhymes
Ministry
2/5
There were moments when this album looked like it might turn into something better, but it was largely just and angry throbbing mess
Aerosmith
4/5
Enjoyed this more than I was expecting, catchy riffs a lot of which I wasn't aware originated here.
4/5
This was great, very chilled and laid back. A perfect summer album
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Good fun, this album. Cyndi Lauper has a great voice and is backed by pulsing pop-rock tunes, including a cover of the brilliant Prince's If You Were Mine
Beatles
4/5
The Beatles at a rawer stage of their careers, sounding more pop than anything else. Quite enjoyable, even for someone who is not a massive fan of the Fab Four. Bonus: iconic album art!
Queen
3/5
OK album, relatively plodding and without the glam that featured in later works.
The Police
5/5
Fantastically tight, lovely percussive sounds and some great tunes!
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
The 1950s feels like a very different world to the 2020s, but Ramblin' or not these songs are pretty evocative of a seemingly simpler epoch.
Hole
5/5
Smashing album, I had never really listened to much of Hole but Courtney Love is so much more than the paramour of Kurt Cobain. Fun and feisty, yes!
Linkin Park
4/5
I've always liked a bit of Linkin Park. I remember nu-metal getting a bit of a bad rep around the early 2000s but these tunes are steeped in emotion. There's also some innovative turntable work and elements of hip-hop here too. RIP Chester
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
I'm not a huge fan of the Beatles, but this subsequent album from Paul is alright.
PJ Harvey
4/5
Lots of catchy guitar hooks, very raw, emotive sound.
Harry Nilsson
3/5
The whimsical title didn't inspire me with much hope that I would enjoy this, but it was alright in the end, if a tad bland. Didn't realise Without You was Harry Nilsson but there you are.
fIREHOSE
5/5
Never heard of this band, but I am here for this! Cracking album with some great musicianship, enjoyable drums, bass and guitar at various points. Love it!
Pere Ubu
4/5
I liked this album, cultured rock from the 70s, something a little different.
Michael Jackson
4/5
As I wrote of Thriller, I think it's important to assess the art on it's own merit, detached from the artist. Some of the grooves (particularly Don't Stop... and Rock With You) are some of the finest, funkiest ever written. The slower numbers are a little too soppy for my liking, hence a star lost. But nevertheless, a cracking album.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
There are few more distinctive voices than Billy Corgan's and this album is a belter.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Dreamy indie rock, quite pleasant indeed
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Great album, real nice blend of afrobeat and rock
Tim Buckley
2/5
Just plain miserable
Fats Domino
3/5
Pleasant enough jazz...nice
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
Pretty good - nice and loose guitars and raw emotion
Animal Collective
4/5
Quite ethereal and dreamy. Not bad.
Fatboy Slim
5/5
I hadn't heard much of Fatboy Slim's earlier stuff but this album is a cracker. Loving the retro album art too (although it wouldn't have been retro in the 90s obvs)
Randy Newman
3/5
Warm and comforting, but a bit like listening to Toy Story soundtracks
Megadeth
3/5
Had really low expectations of this album but it was actually OK - some decent power chords going on. A bit too brash for me though.
Slayer
2/5
I can't fault the energy, but this was pretty shite
Kraftwerk
3/5
Curious and experimental, if a little 'all-fart-no-poo"
Rod Stewart's voice is so distinctive and is backed up by some solid grooves.
Queen Latifah
4/5
This was a fun album - forthright feminist lyrical flows over a heavy cocktail of funk, disco and hip-hop. I liked it!
The Fall
5/5
Yes! What a cracker. Loved it
The La's
3/5
There She Goes is the obvious stand out track here but the rest of the album is alright, there were a couple of tracks that were a little more than alright too
The Only Ones
4/5
I enjoyed this album, it was fairly punky and had good energy
Stephen Stills
2/5
Felt like a pretty lightweight album, not very interesting. That said, there was one interesting thing about it, that pink polka-dot giraffe... WTF?! 😂
T. Rex
4/5
A lot of catchy riffs here, elements of power/glam rock at play. Good stuff
Green Day
5/5
Cracking album, raucous and full of energy. I remember loving Basket Case at the time and the rest of the album is just as good.
Kings of Leon
5/5
Proper good 00s throwback. Sex on Fire was all the rage on the airwaves at the time (ca. 2007-08 I think) but this album has some other great tracks too
Raekwon
3/5
I enjoyed some of the beats but all in all it was a little to gruff and aggressive
Mike Oldfield
2/5
Disappointed with this one, before listening my preconceptions were it was an iconic album. The lengths of the two opening tracks suggested, as was borne out, this was going to be a musical journey and things started well with that well-known musical motif, but it got a bit too artsy and unhinged as the minutes wore on.
Butthole Surfers
3/5
My expectations of an album titled 'Locust Abortion Technician' by a band named 'Butthole Surfers' which has been a consistent presence on the Global Stats lowest-rated albums since I started this project (incidentally, this album suggestion is number 666 for me) were certainly not very high at all.
And yet this was alright - sure it was pretty out-there and avant-garde, as you might expect of an album titled 'Locust Abortion Technician' by a band named 'Butthole Surfers', but there were some catchy guitar hooks and I really liked the drums on many of the tracks.
While I probably won't be listening to this on repeat, it is certainly worthy of the 1001 list and I'm glad I listened to it.
Talk Talk
4/5
This felt like a much more chilled out album from Talk Talk compared to their other records. I liked it, and Life's What You Make It is a banger
Johnny Cash
3/5
I've always liked Johnny Cash's voice and it really creates a warm, melancholic atmosphere to this record. The covers are certainly an interesting take - Hurt is amazing and I liked Personal Jesus. The rest is not quite my bag but certainly I have respect for the craft.
Green Day
4/5
A couple of stand-out tracks, a lot of energy and pretty emblematic of the 00s soundscape
Goldfrapp
4/5
An interesting one - I don't like Bjork but I felt there were shades fo her here, and yet I did enjoy this album. Also elements of bands like Air, who I do like.
Baaba Maal
3/5
This was a fun album, some nice rhythms snd vocals
Brian Eno
3/5
There were moments when this was good, very good - I enjoyed the titular track, but then other times when it just was a little boring. I guess in the 70s it would have been pretty cutting edge, but not so much now.
4/5
I liked this one, a nice slice of craziness loaded into a solid album.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
I like Peter Gabriel's voice and there's some decent songwriting here but I found the album a little bland.
Richard Hawley
2/5
A little bleak and dreary, didn't do much for me.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Awesome - there are none better than Hendrix on 6 strings.
David Bowie
3/5
This album was OK, but I'm really not so keen on Bowie.
Lenny Kravitz
4/5
I like Lenny Kravitz but this is an album of his I've not listened to too much. A lot of the good bits are there - catchy bass parts, soulful crooning, epic guitars, but seeing as it is his debut it's pretty raw
John Lee Hooker
4/5
Really enjoyed this - lovely bit of blues rock from a legend, featuring cameos from many other legends.
3/5
My first impression on seeing the album consisted of 3 tracks spanning 37 minutes was this may be a bit of a journey. Indeed, it was a bit of a hazy experience, I think it would be enjoyed better with the accompaniment of some psychedelics but in the absence of illicit substances this was a bit meh.
Tom Waits
2/5
I don't like Tom Waits, but as this album is earlier in his ouevre, he hasn't developed as much of the rasping growl that I really detest. The music was OK - I was not expecting much jazz, but overall I couldn't really get into this one
Kacey Musgraves
4/5
I wouldn't ordinarily listen to this sort of country-pop but I actually enjoyed it more than I was expecting. I had never heard of Kacey Musgraves before but this was a decent listen.
Brian Eno
3/5
I enjoyed this more than the other two Eno albums on this list, it still sounded pretty experimental but had a bit more purpose to it.
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
Deliciously funky - such warm fat (phat, I believe) bass and crisp drums, bright brass. Excellent stuff
Femi Kuti
4/5
Pretty fun and fresh album, infectious drum beats and pleasant brass and bass.
LTJ Bukem
5/5
Took a while to find this one as not on my preferred streaming service, but once I did listen, whoa! What a banger! Another fantastic gem thrown up by the 1001 list to offset some of the shite. Frenetic drum n bass, a lovely aural adventure.
Nirvana
5/5
Just an absolute classic. Genre-defining, era-defining, the works. I knew this was a 5/5 when it popped up, I listened anyway (must have already listened 100s of times), still awesome.
Eels
5/5
Gave this a few listens - I knew Novocaine for the Soul and recognised a couple of other tracks but otherwise was coming to this album fresh. It's certainly a grower (and from a high starting point as I enjoyed it on first listen). Good stuff, classic 90s indie rock
Paul McCartney
4/5
I've been suffering a bit with Beatles-fatigue having worked through 68% of this list, but this album was quite refreshing, Paul cutting loose and being a bit more groovy.
FKA twigs
4/5
Well this was one from out of nowhere. I had only known the name FKA Twigs from an unsubstantiated map on Facebook showing best-selling artists from each UK county, and not having a clue who Miss Twigs was despite her being the representative of the county I reside in.
The album is husky, sultry and sexually charged, a bit of M.I.A., a bit of Lourde but with quite a bit of FKA Twigs. Good stuff!
Guided By Voices
4/5
With 28 songs in 41 minutes, this felt like a lot of ideas for songs that never got very far. I quite liked it though
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Nice bit of organ-infused jazz from the self-styled Incredible Jimmy Smith.
Genesis
4/5
I wasn't overly enthused by the prospect of the 1 hour 34 min running time for this double album, however it wasn't as dragging as I was expecting. Peter Gabriel's vocals are pretty distinctive, and on the whole this was a decent album.
Lambchop
3/5
A pleasant enough album with a few exciting bits, but most passed by as nice enough background music
Megadeth
3/5
Did not expect to like this, but maybe I should be less prejudice against metal - it was actually alright.
Television
4/5
I enjoyed this album, had enough about it to stand out in an unnecessarily large pool of 70s albums on this list.
Bad Company
3/5
Classic 70s rock. Fine, but maybe lacking some excitement.
Dinosaur Jr.
5/5
A banger of an album, notwithstanding the slightly unneccesary cover of Cure perfection at the end.
The Prodigy
4/5
Being as this is, The Prodigy's second album, and one preceding arguably the breakthrough Fat of The Land, this album had a rawer, darker feel too it. Indeed, Keith Flint (RIP) had yet to take up vocals with the group and this does feel a little more 'underground'. Still, some good beats on here.
Goldfrapp
2/5
Pleasent enough but also pretty soporific.
TV On The Radio
3/5
Ok, but ultimately unsatisfying, like a limp wristed handshake...
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Groovy stuff, I enjoyed this one
Herbie Hancock
4/5
This was a pretty groovy album, freeform all the way. The tracks went on a little too long hence not the full 5 stars, but good stuff nonetheless
Public Enemy
4/5
Some great beats and mighty rapping
Talvin Singh
4/5
I bought this album in the 90s and don't remember it being on repeat too many times. It's pretty cool and ambient with hints of trip-hop/DnB but not as much substance. The Indian flavour works well but the tracks are a little lightweight.
Drive Like Jehu
4/5
I liked this, it was loud and brash if a little loose in parts
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
This was an alright album, bluesy psychedelia
Gram Parsons
2/5
Hmmm. Not really for me
Bobby Womack
3/5
Enjoyed the faster numbers, the whole record was scattered with some delicious slap bass. But ultimately fell a bit short, a little dreary in places
Gillian Welch
3/5
I'm not hugely into country, but this album was pleasant enough
Girls Against Boys
5/5
Loved it, never heard of this album before. Full of raw, aggressive energy, grungy guitars and gruff vocals.
The Undertones
4/5
As 70s records go (and there are a disproportionate amount in the 1001 list) this is towards the top end for me. Fun lively punk-rock featuring John Peel's favourite track of all time, Teenage Kicks.
R.E.M.
5/5
Brilliant album, probably the R.E.M. album that has the biggest collection of their commercial hits although I would argue it is not necessarily the pinnacle of their oeuvre. Contains one of my most ridiculous misheard lyrics as for ages I thought Sidewinder featured a 'Homily to Cheryl Baker'
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
As 60s rock goes, this wasn't bad
The Who
4/5
Due to the length of this album and my stubbornness at not feeling able to rate an album unless I've had at least one clean uninterrupted full listen, it took several goes at listening to this album. It definitely grew and grew on me, and in the end I really enjoyed it. Interesting concept album and one which definitely felt like a journey.
Mike Ladd
4/5
A banger - lovely fresh crisp beats and some nice instrumental work. All the best elements of hip-hop
Sonic Youth
4/5
Nice stuff - lots of big ringing guitars and urgent drums
David Gray
4/5
I wasn't all that keen on David Gray first time round in the 90s, finding him a bit bland. However, it goes to show things can change with time as I actually really enjoyed a full listen to his breakthrough.
3/5
Well, the genre 'Noise Rock' was a new one on me, but it does pretty much what it says on the tin. It's quite predictable that this album has received so much shade in the reviews - indeed it is among the very lowest rated albums - but it was completely terrible. I'd rather listen to this than Tom Waits or Scott Walker for instance.
Portishead
3/5
I knew Portishead were chilled, but this is pretty stripped back. A bit too stripped back for me, some of the hooks are catchy but it's a little bare and devoid of interest
Eminem
3/5
In the 90s, when My Name Is first came out, I remember the buzz around Eminem and it genuinely felt like he was doing something massively groundbreaking. Then again, I was 15 and associated with mainly other 15 year-olds. 15 year-olds are generally impressed with bad language and crass topics appearing in music and that's probably a lot of what drove the interest.
Listening back nearly 30 years on and the shock factor is gone. The tunes are still pretty good but lyrically it's not aged too well.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
This was a good album, quite grungy but chilled out with it.
Throbbing Gristle
3/5
If you want a neat album comprising a selection of songs, this is not the choice for you. I can see a lot of hate for this album, and sure, by conventional assessment it is distinctly lacking. Yet, I found it to be quite a profound musical journey. Not one I would want to relive, but one that meant something - and that is surely is the point of the 1001 list
Garbage
3/5
Quintessentially 90s sounding indie rock. The hits are the strongest tracks for me, and whilst a nice nostalgia trip, I probably won't be listening on repeat
Late-stage U2: more commercial, stadium-filling stuff. Not as edgy or captivating as earlier works. However, Beautiful Day will be forever linked to ITV's ill-fated early evening 'The Premiership' highlights programme featuring Dishy Des and Andy Townsend's Tactics Truck for me, and this slice of 00s nostalgia makes me look more favourably on the whole album.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Ooooh, here's a rarity - a 50s album. Of course it sounds dated in 2024, it will be 70 years old next year. But Frank Sinatra's voice is timeless - no matter that I'm not blown away by the music this is an album that absolutely deserves to be listened to just for the significance of the artist.
Dr. Octagon
4/5
I'm not too sure of the medical credentials of Dr. Octagon, but looking beyond the - at times bizarre - lyrics, there were some pretty funky beats and catchy hooks.
Dion
4/5
I'm usually disappointed to see yet another 70s album pop up but this one was actually pretty cool. I liked the use of strings
Iggy Pop
4/5
I enjoyed this one, the riffs drive the songs forward and it's got the two big hits on it, Passenger and Lust for Life.
Bee Gees
3/5
Bee Gees without disco = Bee Gees without fun... nothing majorly wrong with the album, just not very interesting
Crowded House
5/5
A brilliant album by a brilliant band
Slipknot
1/5
These boys are angry... raaa!
Christina Aguilera
3/5
This album was better than I was expecting, but it was just so long - I'm not sure it needed to be a double album. I enjoyed the drumbeats and whatever is said about her, Christina has a great voice. A little too much overreliance on her lung-busting warbles though.
Frank Ocean
3/5
There were moments when this album shone like the finest elements of Outkast, however they were but fleeting. Still, a decent listen nonetheless
Blur
5/5
After the successes of Parklife and The Great Escape came the eponymous album, and I remember buying it at the time - the darker, rockier sound of Beetlebum and Song 2 being quite alluring. I don't know that I would rate it as better than the aforementioned preceeding albums but there's some good stuff on here beyond the single releases, and it was quite a nostalgic listen.
Can
4/5
Well, I wasn't expecting a 4-track, 40 min long experimental German rock album to sound like that! Almost latin in some of the grooves, this was just super chilled and cool. One of the nicest things about the 1001 albums list is finding wierd and quirky albums like this that I otherwise wouldn't have ever heard
The Psychedelic Furs
5/5
I knew the song Pretty In Pink but hadn't realised it was The Psychedelic Furs - I don't even recall the name. The album is much of the same, I really liked it, post-punk goodness
Le Tigre
4/5
This was a fun album, bouncing around full of punky energy. I enjoyed it!
D'Angelo
4/5
Some nice sexy neo-soul, smooth and sweet like chocolate. Yes
Christina Aguilera
4/5
I think this album maybe, ironically, Underappreciated. I quite enjoyed it despite thinking it would probably be 'uncool' on a list like this.
The Young Gods
2/5
This did not float my bateau. Too angry and wierd
Steve Earle
2/5
Not very interesting country stuff. Some songs were mildly catchy
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Stylistically interesting but a little bland. I was disappointed - Want Two has been and gone on this list and I enjoyed that more.
Supergrass
4/5
A solid album, a maturer harder sound from Supergrass following the breakthrough I Should Coco.
The White Stripes
5/5
Considering Seven Nation Army - beloved by European football fans and Michael Van Gerwen - is the huge behemoth hit from this album, the rest is woefully overlooked. A great album, masterfully created by just the duo. Liked it at the time and loved it nostalgically.
David Crosby
3/5
Slightly funky 70s rock. Not offensive, but not all that interesting. A VERY 70s album cover
Joan Armatrading
3/5
I was surprised at how funky this one was, and Joan Armatrading has a great voice
Fairport Convention
3/5
Quite dreamy and ethereal, but very 60s
Korn
2/5
I remember a time when Korn and Slipknot were all the rage amongst a certain subculture - never understood it then and still don't. Some of the riffs are catchy enough but overall it's just a bit immature. I'm not bothered by explicit language but it's used gratuitiously and not even in a clever artistic manner (see: "I say what, say what? (My dick is bigger than yours)")
Gotan Project
4/5
I was in with a lot of Modern Languages students in the early 2000s and I remember this album getting heavy airplay during parties etc. It was decent enough background music and as another reviewer has said, it's a bit like good hold music. A nice nostalgic listen, but not much more than that.
Morrissey
4/5
It's a shame Morrissey is a nob because this was a pretty decent listen.
Bert Jansch
4/5
This was great. There are many different ways of playing the guitar and the way demonstrated on this album with just vocals and guitar is masterful. One of my favourite albums on the 1001 list from the 1960s.
George Harrison
4/5
I quite enjoyed this album, but the triple album concept not so much, towards the end the title became very apt. Would be a much better album if condensed, retaining the very best bits. Of all the Beatles solo stuff that's come up on this list, this is probably my favourite so far.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Considering this album is 55 years old, it really has stood the test of time. I was born 13 years after this was released and I think it still slaps in 2025. Cracking stuff
The Verve
5/5
A lot more raw than Urban Hymns, but stil a cracker nonetheless
Sex Pistols
3/5
Riotous punk, an alright listen
3/5
The word that sprang to mind when listening to this one was 'whimsy'. Inoffensive but not hugely gripping
The Beach Boys
2/5
I recognised the music as being the Beach Boys without consciously knowing any of the songs. Very much of the time and feels very dated.
Violent Femmes
4/5
This was a fun ride, some early 80s punk-rock with attitude. Hadn't heard of the band before, although I recognised Gone Daddy Gone as it was covered by Gnarls Barkley
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Joni Mitchell's voice is a thing of beauty, such smooth silky tones. I found this album quite soulful and jazzy, rather a pleasant 36 minutes. Not my usual music of choice but I enjoyed it.
Kings of Leon
4/5
I recall getting into this album 3 or 4 years after it was first released, maybe around the time of the subsequent release of Only By The Night. This album feels a bit more raw and contemplative. Good stuff
The Go-Betweens
3/5
A little bit of the Smiths, a little bit of Joy Division... it was quite good if not altogether original sounding
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
This is good stuff, laid back funky hip hop
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Such a distinctive sound, classic American rock from the Boss.
Röyksopp
5/5
A heady slice of early 2000s nostalgia this one. Remind Me is one of my all-time favourite songs, and tips the balance on this solid album from 4 to 5 stars.
The Cardigans
3/5
A perfectly pleasant album. I do feel however there are much better Cardigans albums than this, albeit its status propelled forward by the commercial success of Lovefool
The Residents
1/5
I'm all for people being experimental, but not like this
Deee-Lite
4/5
Delightfully hip and funky, a pure 80s sound. Can't help but feel filled with a party spirit after listening to this one!
Willie Nelson
3/5
Not really massively into Country, but this was alright.
Barry Adamson
2/5
Quite frankly, a bizarre album. Definite film soundtrack vibes and wouldn't be a bad score, but with no film, it all feels a little pointless as a standalone album.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
I like Smashing Pumpkins, and I liked this, although as has been noted the length of this as a double album did leave me feeling a little fatigued by the end of it
CHIC
4/5
Love the ringing guitar riffs of Nile Rodgers and some of the basslines are just too funky. Some of the tracks wandered off from the party vibe and weren't as infectious so this is a 4/5 from me
Steely Dan
3/5
This filled me with a warm, comforted feeling - I remember some of these songs being played to me as a child. Nice
Simple Minds
4/5
Very 80s, but quite cool - dark and atmospheric
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Quite a bluesy album from the Stones, I liked this one
Fun Lovin' Criminals
4/5
I always quite like Fun Lovin Criminals in the 90s, so I was quite surprised to see how much heat they were getting on this list. Ah well, my take is this is a pretty cool laid back album by a band that never seemed to take themselves too seriously
Jungle Brothers
3/5
Quite catchy hip-hop. Some good beats but it didn't really hold my attention too much.
Steve Winwood
3/5
The opening track on this sounded like it could be an 80s TV show theme tune. It generally had a very 80s sound, quite catchy in places. I enjoyed Night Train
Michael Jackson
4/5
Shamone! Doesn't quite hit the heights of Thriller for me, but a decent album. Slightly too soppy for me to give the full 5 stars
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Something a little different, a pretty cool with it. An interesting listen
The Electric Prunes
3/5
Some of it was ok, some of it was weird, all of it was a little dated
Metallica
4/5
An interesting learning from doing the 1001 list is that I actually don't mind metal as much as I thought I did. We may share differing views on Napster, but this was pretty banging - highlights were Nothing Else Matters and The Unforgiven.
Basement Jaxx
3/5
At the time, I did sort of like Basement Jaxx but there's a certain quirkiness that sets them apart from similar contemporaries who I prefer, not positively. Some catchy tunes but a little too much eccentricity on others
Killing Joke
4/5
Hadn't heard this before, but I enjoyed it - similar to Gang of Four/Joy Division/The Cure. A good mix
MGMT
4/5
Makes me feel pretty old as in my mind this is still a newish album, yet it was released 2007...
A special place in my heart as it was part of the soundtrack to a happy time in my 20s
The United States Of America
3/5
Well that was a weird ride, felt simultaneously not 60s and very 60s, some elements a little ahead of its time. Not unpleasant but I'm glad it's over.
Aerosmith
3/5
Riff-heavy 80s rock. Was a fairly decent listen
Jack White
4/5
Fairly decent album, some very jerky bluesy rock.
Kings of Leon
4/5
Early KoL and they are sounding a lot looser and more southern than ever. Good stuff
Emmylou Harris
2/5
It's a shame to rate this album so lowly, because I do think Emmylou Harris has a great voice. This album was a little bit more electric than I remember Pieces of the Sky being which initially I did find a bit more interesting. But even the relatively standard album length of 55 min really felt like it was dragging, and after a while I got a bit bored of the dreariness. My Antonia at least provided the fun quiz of guessing who the male vocalist was but I didn't land upon the correct answer of Dave Matthews. Boy from Tupelo was at least a slightly more uplifting outro to the album, but I am glad it's over now.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
There were parts of this I really enjoyed, others felt a bit lightweight. Decent enough
Billy Joel
3/5
I enjoyed some of the more electric/rocky parts of this album but then other bits I found a bit MOR. Reasonable listen overall
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
4/5
The opening primal scream immediately set me on edge that I was going to hate this, but luckily I persisted - this developed into a spiky, eccentric, slightly shocking blues-rock romp that was actually pretty enjoyable. Good stuff!
TV On The Radio
3/5
Slightly generic indie rock, some tracks were interesting
Stereolab
5/5
This was great! Wonderfully quirky, funky and groovy - much as you'd expect from something with such a bonkers title
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Tracy Chapman's voice is simply beautiful. The music wouldn't be what I would normally go for but the pureness of voice elevates it to a higher level.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
4/5
Chin-stroking hip-hop with an intellectual edge. I liked
Cheap Trick
3/5
I find live albums a bit hit-and-miss, especially if it's not an artist you know. This was OK, a good performance. I enjoyed 'Clock Strikes Ten' and its use of Big Ben's peals
Ryan Adams
2/5
Not my cup of tea so not off to a great start, and it was a bit of a dreary trudge through this album. For some reason bore quite a dislike to Ryan, maybe it's the missing B in his name.
808 State
4/5
This is pretty minimal but classicly turn-of-the-decade 80s/90s electronica. Felt pretty nostalgic. Good for atmospheric background, but the songs are otherwise a little forgettable.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
This was a fun listen - I didn't recognise any of the tunes except Geno. The album has a consistently sunny vibe, nice stuff
Alice Cooper
4/5
Can't go too wrong with a bit of glam rock. Feels dated but still a fun listen.
Slade
3/5
Classic rock, this was quite a fun listen although for me it was heavily rooted in the 70s sound
The Strokes
5/5
A classic of 2000s indie, which I would maintain is one of the peak decades for the genre. Vivid memories of sweaty dancing on sticky dancefloors to Hard to Explain and Last Nite. 5*
Ghostface Killah
4/5
Decent rap/hip-hop. Love the crisp drumbeats. Lyrical content a little off my radar but didn't ruin it
The Beach Boys
3/5
Quaint and dreamy, although very much sounding of the era it was made.
Don McLean
3/5
Pleasant, like a late summer lazy afternoon. Two tracks particularly chimed with me - American Pie and Vincent, very tender and delicate.
Deep Purple
4/5
I enjoyed this, harder than most 70s albums on this list. Lots of intense riffs and chugging guitars.
Brian Wilson
2/5
I was going to give this 3 stars - it's a pleasant enough listen - but then there were just a few too many lurches to something more avantgarde which didn't really land for me.
The Streets
3/5
Some of these tunes are classics, but the low-tech DIY nature of the whole album left my attention petering out towards the end. Decent, but not great
The xx
5/5
I loved this album when it came out - it was something a little different, just super stripped back and chilled. Still brilliant
Finley Quaye
4/5
This was one of the first albums I bought as a teenager. It's a nice blend of reggae, dub and rock, also massive nostalgic vibes. Tricky might not like him but I give this a 4/5
Jethro Tull
4/5
Pretty good classic riff-rock
De La Soul
3/5
This was pretty fun in a turn of the 80s/90s kind of way
Beatles
3/5
Aah, the Beatles, yet again. Hadn't actually heard of this album before. Standard Beatles stuff really, not my ticket
Black Sabbath
4/5
Dark and heavy riff rock, fantastic stuff
Tom Waits
2/5
Bloody Tom Waits... this was marginally more listenable than his other albums on this list, but seriously, what is the deal? 5 albums on this list and all varying degrees of shite.
U2
5/5
This is a banger, peak U2 for me before they got swallowed in the hype.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
This is such a classic album, and testament to the quality that many of the songs are still sampled in ads etc. some 30 odd years on.
Suede
4/5
Cracking album from a band that feels like it was a real 90s indie player
Sigur Rós
4/5
I really enjoyed this, I was only aware of later Sigur Rós material so this was fresh. Hauntingly ethereal, it's good atmospheric music and the Icelandic lyrics give it all a very exotic feel.
Scott Walker
2/5
Nearly 3 years ago, album #251 for me was Scott 2. I absolutely hated it and looking back at my review, I was in a very cutting emotional state. Whether I've mellowed since (this is album #824 for context) or not, I felt less violently/aggressively disinclined to Scott Walker. It's still bland tripe, and I still think it's incredibly narcissistic to name your first four albums after yourself (once is OK, two speaks to a lack of imagination, and four, well...) but the first track was alright, so that's something right? I'm feeling generous, so 2 stars it is
Manu Chao
4/5
At university in the early 2000s I hung out with a lot of Modern European Languages students, and Manu Chao was a real fixture at flat parties. I was never much taken with him at the time, but this was quite a nostalgic listen, I enjoyed it.
The KLF
3/5
I could only find the Director's Cut of this on my chosen streaming platform, and initially I was blown away and quite excited to get into this. It did wear on a bit though and I was little fatigued come the closing tracks.
Primal Scream
4/5
This was a good, trippy, chilled ride. Nifty beats and hypnmotic guitars - good stuff
The Undertones
4/5
I liked this one from the Undertones, pleasant punky stuff
Meat Puppets
4/5
As I was listening to this one, I was thinking this sounds a lot like Nirvana Unplugged, and lo and behold several Meat Puppets songs were covered in that session. This was an unexpecetedly good album, pretty louche but cool
Suzanne Vega
3/5
Light and fresh, like a cool spring breeze on a sunny day in May. Love Suzanne Vega's voice even if the music is not really my thing
Beck
4/5
I've never been overly into Beck, but I really enjoyed this album. Full of catchy riffs
G. Love & Special Sauce
4/5
This one came out of nowhere for me, a lovely fusion of blues, rock and hip-hop. Great stuff!
Os Mutantes
4/5
Psychedelic 60s rock... but in Portuguese?! I like it!
Paul Simon
4/5
Really fun, really joyful album. You Can Call Me Al is an anthem, but the whole album is great
The Clash
4/5
Very punky and catchy, some really nice basslines on here
Radiohead
3/5
I do like Radiohead, but this album is definitely a lot more experimental than earlier works
The Band
2/5
This sounded pretty dated and wasn't really all that interesting
Holger Czukay
4/5
This is one of those great albums this list throws up, I would never have listened to this if not. It's so absurd and quirky but actually pretty catchy. I enjoyed it but not really sure why! I want to be Cool in the Pool
Nick Drake
5/5
This is an absolute belter. So good I listened to it twice back to back
Black Sabbath
4/5
Good solid album
Keith Jarrett
5/5
This was wonderous, a fabulous entry into the 1001 list, made even better by the backstory. Like the pure symbiosis of human and instrument
Super Furry Animals
4/5
Pretty cool album, 90s British indie
Motörhead
4/5
Plenty of energy in this one, the titular track is a banger and the rest of the album follows with similar aggression
George Michael
5/5
Looking back on this album in 2025 and having watched the Wham! documentary on Netflix, it's incredibly sad to think how much more celebrated George Michael would be in this day and age, compared to the enforced repression pushed on him by the British media and societal values in the 80s/90s. This is a perfect pop album, brilliantly crafted and executed
Doves
4/5
I listened to this a couple of times in quick succession, it's very catchy, dark and brooding. I like
JAY Z
3/5
Some distant beats here and there, but maybe not a classic
5/5
Some great nostalgia stirred up by this one. One of the seminal albums of my youth: Year 7, Euro '96, Britpop... good times
Beastie Boys
5/5
A banger, blending funk, dub and groove with a smashing of hip-hop
Beatles
3/5
I know this album is heralded as one of the best of all time, but I was pretty underwhelmed. Come Together and Here Comes the Sun the two highlights
Meat Loaf
2/5
I would have thought this was glam rock, but the delivery is just a bit too earnest to have any level of self-awareness about the cheesiness. The titular track is alright but the rest is a big bag of meh.
Digital Underground
4/5
Boom! This was a pretty wild ride, a spicy concept executed funkily
The Doors
5/5
The Doors were my dad's favourite band so after a childhood spent listening to every single Doors album in the mornings before school, this album in particular is etched into my mind. Possibly my favourite Doors album (LA Woman runs it close). Considering there was no bass player in the band Ray Manzarek knocks out some awesome bass riffs on his organ (ooh-err). The tension and release of The End is pretty special too
Frank Black
4/5
First track in I was quite sceptical, but this album really grew on me as it went on! Prior to the suggestion I didn't know anything about Frank Black or his past with Pixies, but I can definitely see the progression to his solo stuff.
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Of course, Snoop is a master of lyrical flow, but what I found impressive on this album was the musicality -some stinking basslines and powerful beats. The aggression was maybe a tad too much otherwise this would have been a solid 5/5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
One thing doing this list has taught me, is that I do like a bit of Elvis Costello.
Tori Amos
4/5
I only had a limited knowledge of Tori Amos prior to listening to this album, largely her 90s hit Cornflake Girl. Some impressive piano work, slightly discordant but fitting with the slightly crazed vocals (shades of Kate Bush). All in all, a decent album
Spiritualized
3/5
As the title and artist name suggested, this was a bit ethereal. Fine enough but lacking a bit of edge to make it too interesting.
Devendra Banhart
5/5
Listened to this a few times, and I really like it. Wistful, folky and dreamy, some fine guitar work too
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
Whoa, this album was pretty cool - very bluesy and very rhythmic
Slipknot
1/5
Nope. (Slipk)not for me. There were occasional elements that were OK but this album really tested my record of having listened to every album so far in full
The Beta Band
4/5
Didn't think I'd of this band but recognised Squares. Still, it was all new to me and I quite enjoyed the mellow laid-back minimalist vibe
Metallica
3/5
This was OK but after 54 minutes of brutal noise, the silences that followed the ends of each song felt more and more stark. There were some good riffs but a bit too heavy in places
Can
4/5
This was a wild ride, and one that i enjoyed so much I was wavering on give a 5-star rating. The utterly bizarre Aumgn and Peking O soundscapes lost me a little, but elsewhere there was some absolutely banging drums and cool guitar solos
Everything But The Girl
5/5
Smashing album, a great blend of dance and chill
The Hives
3/5
Plenty of brash energy but a little too riotous for me