919
Albums Rated
2.7
Average Rating
84%
Complete
170 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2010s
Favorite Decade
Shoegaze
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Critic
Rater Style ?
63
5-Star Albums
110
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Millions Now Living Will Never Die
Tortoise
|
5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
|
Infected
The The
|
5 | 2.92 | +2.08 |
|
Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
|
5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
|
Fever Ray
Fever Ray
|
5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
|
Nowhere
Ride
|
5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
|
Central Reservation
Beth Orton
|
5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
|
Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub
|
5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
|
Ambient 1/Music For Airports
Brian Eno
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
Life's Too Good
The Sugarcubes
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
|
5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
|
1 | 3.98 | -2.98 |
|
Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
|
1 | 3.93 | -2.93 |
|
At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
|
1 | 3.8 | -2.8 |
|
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
|
1 | 3.74 | -2.74 |
|
The Score
Fugees
|
1 | 3.69 | -2.69 |
|
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
Illmatic
Nas
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
Machine Head
Deep Purple
|
1 | 3.59 | -2.59 |
|
Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
|
1 | 3.51 | -2.51 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 6 | 5 |
| R.E.M. | 4 | 4.75 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 3 | 5 |
| Belle & Sebastian | 2 | 5 |
| The Smashing Pumpkins | 2 | 5 |
| Elliott Smith | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.25 |
| PJ Harvey | 4 | 4.25 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.33 |
| Beck | 3 | 4.33 |
| Beatles | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Kanye West | 3 | 1 |
| Bob Dylan | 5 | 1.6 |
| Scott Walker | 2 | 1 |
| Run-D.M.C. | 2 | 1 |
| Eminem | 2 | 1 |
| Christina Aguilera | 2 | 1 |
| Ice Cube | 2 | 1 |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 1.67 |
| The Byrds | 3 | 1.67 |
| Deep Purple | 3 | 1.67 |
| Elvis Presley | 3 | 1.67 |
| Orbital | 2 | 1.5 |
| George Michael | 2 | 1.5 |
| Rod Stewart | 2 | 1.5 |
| Missy Elliott | 2 | 1.5 |
| Aerosmith | 2 | 1.5 |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 | 1.5 |
| Bee Gees | 2 | 1.5 |
| Madonna | 2 | 1.5 |
| Metallica | 3 | 2 |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 2 |
| Van Morrison | 3 | 2 |
| Tim Buckley | 3 | 2 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 3 | 2 |
| Dexys Midnight Runners | 3 | 2 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 4 | 2.25 |
| The Rolling Stones | 4 | 2.25 |
| Neil Young | 4 | 2.25 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Pink Floyd | 5, 5, 5, 2 |
| Peter Gabriel | 5, 2, 4 |
5-Star Albums (63)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Missy Elliott
1/5
I don't need to like Missy, she likes herself enough for both of us.
31 likes
Gang Starr
1/5
This is not the album to convince me that hiphop is worth my listening time.
15 likes
Bob Dylan
2/5
You know how a harmonica sounds really annoying and whiney? Well, on this album Bob emulates a harmonica with his voice and sometimes doubles it with a harmonica too. Just can't get past the worst voice in music. Autotune wouldn't save this either. I'm sure the lyrics are cutting but can't get past the voice.
13 likes
Neil Young
2/5
I wanted to like this. Opened well, but 'For the Turnstiles' broke me, awful voice.
I really don't know what I would have listened to in the late 60's/early 70's. All this country tinged folk with horrible singers.
12 likes
4-Star Albums (128)
1-Star Albums (110)
All Ratings
Beatles
4/5
Stereo separation is strange! Come Together, Something and Here Comes the Sun all winners.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
1/5
Couldn't get into this. Sounded slick but uninspiring
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Never listened to this in full. Mostly familiar with the hits, sounded very clean and would be good to play along with. Filler tracks very meh
David Bowie
4/5
Loved ambient section
MGMT
2/5
Hit songs are great, but not much to recommend for the filler.
Van Halen
2/5
poodle rock
Willie Nelson
3/5
Surprised how good willie sounded.
Willie Nelson
1/5
Nope. Too country.
Nico
1/5
Apart from The Belle and Sebastian link, didn't enjoy this. She couldn't hold a key
Garbage
3/5
Still held up well. Sounded a bit more sequenced than I remember
The Roots
1/5
couldn't do it. Don't see the attraction.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Sounds fantastic, complex rhythms and cool grooves.
B.B. King
3/5
Sounds like a fun concert, crowd engaged.
The Dictators
2/5
Raw, fun, good guitar sounds
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Chilled
Badly Drawn Boy
5/5
great album, still sounds fresh.
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
Superb. just fantastic all round
Soundgarden
2/5
Great voice, but just more hard rock than grunge for me
Beyoncé
1/5
Music made by committee for hairdressing salons.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Surprisingly good, liked the variety and Somebody to Love is a banger
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Hits are hits, filler is bleh
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
Some good songs - but hard to get through all of them.
Mercury Rev
3/5
Chillaxing. Still sounds good now.
Paul Simon
3/5
great basslines, some catchy tunes
Orbital
1/5
Thought I would like this. But I didn't, I think I'd need to a lot of eccys to appreciate it. So repetitive.
Metallica
2/5
Yeah I can see why people like them, but I'm not one of those sorts of people.
Motörhead
2/5
Crankin first song. Does get a bit the same as the album goes on but can't fault the enthusiasm.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
Message still sounds crisp. Love hearing the classic machine sounds but mixed in with great bass playing.
David Gray
3/5
Yeah - listened to this a bit when it came out and was all over the UK radio. Sounds like a good pub singer who had the right sounds for the right time. good for a road trip.
Basement Jaxx
1/5
not aging well.
ABBA
2/5
Easy to see why so popular. Songs are well crafted but not my Thang.
Peter Tosh
1/5
Like the same song over and over and ov ...... Why am I so hungry?
Emmylou Harris
1/5
Daft Punk
4/5
Well crafted, unique sounds.
Buck Owens
1/5
Ooh. Bad.
Air
4/5
What a change from the previous album, a horrid piece of country and western. This oozes smooth sounds, but it's a soundtrack not a proper album and suffers from it. Still got some lovely songs.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Sonically brilliant, sounds great loud on a big system. Yes, it could be seen as pretentious but there is a story underneath that ties it together. Guitar solo on Comfortablely Numb is staggering, that tone and melody is so distinctive.
Joy Division
3/5
Harsh but interesting
Astrud Gilberto
1/5
I may be middle aged but I'm still not ancient enough to enjoy this
Elbow
4/5
Really well crafted album, can tell a lot of work was put into the string section (and a real string section not a synth). Comes across as possibly too polished. Big songs, especially One Day Like This.
The Cardigans
4/5
Surprisingly good - and Lovefool is excellent.
Black Flag
3/5
Groundbreaking punk, still has some good songs. Raw sounds but made with feeling
Skunk Anansie
2/5
Sounds very dated now.
Sebadoh
2/5
thought I'd like it more
Pavement
5/5
Gold sounds
Various Artists
1/5
I don't want this anyday
Bob Dylan
2/5
You know how a harmonica sounds really annoying and whiney? Well, on this album Bob emulates a harmonica with his voice and sometimes doubles it with a harmonica too. Just can't get past the worst voice in music. Autotune wouldn't save this either. I'm sure the lyrics are cutting but can't get past the voice.
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
Smooth sounds, bass seem strained in the mix. Would sound better recorded today I'd think. But not my sort of thing.
Spiritualized
4/5
Wow - this was a pleasant surprise. I only knew one of the songs before hand (run run run). Really interesting soundscapes, one of the few albums I've played more than once.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Dragged a bit
The Boo Radleys
3/5
Interesting but inconsistent. Feels like two different bands mashed together at times
Dire Straits
2/5
Wow. This did not age well. I remember when this first came out and everyone had fancy new cd players and this was the go to album. Money for Nothing still sounds great and Brothers in Arms closes out the album well, but the rest - just sounds flat and boring. They have far better albums.
Proto cock rock, but played well.
Judas Priest
2/5
Good enough to create Spinal Tap, for which we are truly grateful.
Dire Straits
3/5
pretty tight for a debut album. Only knew a couple of songs but the rest was good too.
Death In Vegas
3/5
Dirge is a great song. Enjoyed this album - some chill and some noise.
Prince
2/5
Never been a fan, and this didn't convince me either. I know he's a very talented musician, and I liked the way he constructed the title track. But couldn't enjoy it.
Johnny Cash
1/5
couldn't wait for it to finish. just not a country fan.
Supergrass
4/5
That was fun. Lots of variety, it's not grunge or Britpop but has a mix of a lot of styles. Good tunes.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Sabotage is a standout. Eclectic mix of styles, not my thing but can see why it's in the book
The Byrds
2/5
Interesting through headphones with the stereo mix. Rich sounding guitars, bass dancing around and some airy-fairy vocals. Didn't hate it, but didn't notice when the album ended.
Fats Domino
2/5
Well, historic album. Great piano playing but I wouldn't listen to it by choice
Big Brother & The Holding Company
1/5
bleh
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
What a pleasant surprise. Hadn't heard of this. Soulful but modern. Will play again.
Orbital
2/5
Did not age well. I think in the right timeline and with enough drugs people would enjoy this, but I don't hear much to like in this.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Much better than I expected. Harmonies were lovely, interesting the way they weaved in and out. Honky tonk piano was terrible though.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
started off on fire - great bass, guitar screaming out. Faded half way through.
Talking Heads
4/5
Some great tracks on this. Instrumentation is fantastic. Basslines pop out and synth is everyewhere. Rhythmically complex and interesting, and probably only let down by David Byrne's voice. Heaven is a killer tune.
Violent Femmes
2/5
Classic album that everyone loved except for me. Juvenile (not surprising though given the age of the bad) and a bit fun
Todd Rundgren
2/5
Slick - can see how this set the platform for the next decade of rock
Gang Starr
1/5
This is not the album to convince me that hiphop is worth my listening time.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
Interesting musically, but vocals draining
Ray Charles
4/5
far better than I was expecting.
CHIC
3/5
Groovy baby! Le freak is a kicker, Nile Rodgers elevates this.
Antony and the Johnsons
3/5
Sometimes hard to listen to the vocals, but there is some beautiful music here.
Portishead
4/5
Classic sounds. Scratching sounds dated now but everything else flows together.
LL Cool J
1/5
I'm sure it's very popular for 13year old boys.
Happy Mondays
2/5
Couldn't get into them when they were around, and still can't. Just seems like lazy music.
Eagles
2/5
Like low fat vanilla icecream with vanilla topping. Production quality is good, but that only makes hearing the boringness even easier.
The Undertones
3/5
Good punk sounds.
Elton John
4/5
Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Had heard the hits, but never really sat down to listen and couldn't get the Princess Diana association out of my brain. But a good listen - Benny and the Jets a standout.
Nirvana
4/5
Clean grunge sound, some killer songs. 90s leader.
George Michael
2/5
Heavy 80's synths, sort of nostalgic to hear that but the songs do nothing for me.
Red Snapper
1/5
I don't know how this made the list. It wasn't bad as such, just - meh. lots of meh.
Rod Stewart
1/5
Mediocre. Sounds like a competent pub band.
Beck
5/5
Wow - so sad and so beautiful to listen to. Sonically fantastic, worth sitting down with a decent set of headphones. And a nice bottle of red. Turn it up and relive your most recent heartbreak, and cry just a little.
3/5
Beginning of the end for U2 imo. The transition from alternative to stadium rockers is apparent here, and whilst they got bigger from here this was the last i3 album I enjoyed.
The Jam
3/5
Paul Weller is an interesting geezer. This stuff is good, he's on the front row to new and exciting music. But it's hard to listen to this knowing he's going to form the Style Council and ruin all the street cred he'd built up over years. But he did redeem himself again with his later solo work.
Putting that aside, this is a good album. Bass guitar is as tight as tight can be, even if it does totally rip off Taxman by the Beatles.
The The
4/5
Ooh - this was good. Really sounds like a one-man job, lots of well constructed tunes with nice bass and synth lines. Piano on Uncertain Smile is just fantastic.
Beatles
2/5
Well, somewhat cheesey, but of it's time. Signs of things to come but not something I'll willingly play.
Talking Heads
5/5
Classic album. Great rhythms, loved the mix of instruments. Bass is fantastic, really drives the band along. So many things to listen to at once, there's a lot going on.
Digital Underground
1/5
Gosh - another one for 13 year old boys to giggle over. Lots of rude words and saucy in your endo. Doesn't seem to deserve a place in the list .
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
Well. I'm well into the right demographic for this band, but I don't like them. At all. This was better than I was expecting, there's emotion aplenty, but still sound like a bunch of whiney boys.
New Order
3/5
New Order are great. Their use of synth combined with great bass playing defined an era. Sadly, they aren't great songwriters or singers. This album has some real highlights, but let down by some drab songwriting
Soul II Soul
2/5
DIdn't age well, and wasn't that great to start of with.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
Quite different sounding - 1976, but seems timeless. Really different, but in a good way.
The Beach Boys
2/5
Well. It's classic album. But I can't see why, it's.... niceish, in a cheeey way. Harmony is pleasant, if sometimes a bit over the top. Perhaps you had to be there. I really was expecting something more compelling.
Sugar
3/5
90's grunge, but still sounds engaging. Guitar sounds great, and some good tunes.
Black Sabbath
2/5
not one I'd ever listened to, but did know Paranoid and Iron Man. Didn't love it but didn't mind it either. Sounded good with the vocals and guitar going toe to toe for bits. Can see the influence on metal and hard rock. Not my thing.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Not a hip hop fan at all - but didn't hate this. Lots of musicality underneath, but a bit repetitive for me.
Marty Robbins
3/5
Well, better than I thought. Like Nick Cave's Murder Ballads, but country style. Yee Ha!
Radiohead
5/5
It's Radiohead. You need to listen and listen again. There is lots going on - this is a band who had already done it all and had nothing to prove - so they did things differently.
Paul McCartney and Wings
2/5
Hmm. It's not the Beatles. Solo Paul - songs are still good but I feel this goes into cheesey 70s a tad. Didn't love it.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
First, let's start with the cover. It's horrible. Doesn't suit the album.
Great album - debut three piece noise rock - of it's time certainly, but has enough hits to lift itself. And Maps - wonderful, especially the video.
Thin Lizzy
1/5
pure cock rock. even the album cover is cock.
Muddy Waters
2/5
Nothing wrong with this. Can see why it is included, influence felt everywhere. Didn't love it though.
The Fall
2/5
Horrible singing. Great bass.
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
<Themeland Amusement Park, Stockton, California>
Jeanine: Oh, no! I told them once, I told them a hundred times:
put "Spinal Tap" first and "Puppet show" last.
Derek: It's a morale builder, isn't it?
Jeanine: We've got a big dressing room, though.
David: What?
Jeanine: Got a big dressing room here...
David: Oh, we've got a bigger dressing room than the puppets? Oh,
that's refreshing..
Viv: I've got some of this Mendocino Rocket Fuel, that's supposed
to be really......
David: Can you play...excuse me, Viv, can you play a bassline, uh, like
Nigel used to do on "Big Bottom", can you double that? You recall
the lines in fifths?
Viv: Oh, yeah. I've got two hands here, yeah I can do it.
David: So, that's good, you can play that one.
Derek: "Hole" is out, "Heavy" is out....
David: "Heavy-Hole" ....
Derek: Right, right, right, right...."America" is out.....
David: "America" we can't do, that's Nigel's tune, not my tune.
Derek: We know, we know, we know, we know...That's a nice little set,
isn't it, that's a cozy ten minutes.
David: What are we going to do, we've got nothing to play here...
Derek: I'll tell you what we're gonna have to do...
David: What?
Derek: Jazz odyssey!
David: We're not going about to do a free-form jazz, uh, exploration in
front of a festival crowd!
--- Spinal Tap Mark II performs Jazz Odyssey ---
( in front of a festival "crowd" )
... with bongos
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Funky.
Donovan
2/5
Not my cup of herbal tea. Pleasant though.
Meat Loaf
1/5
Atrocious. Bloated. Overblown. Overproduced. Overplayed. Pompous. If I could do zero stars I would do zero stars.
Johnny Cash
1/5
Second live 60's Johnny Cash. I can't do this anymore. Please, let this be the last Johnny Cash.
Sarah Vaughan
2/5
Smooth jazz done well. If you like that kind of thing.
Missy Elliott
1/5
I don't need to like Missy, she likes herself enough for both of us.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
Yeah - good work here. Some classic soul.
Björk
4/5
Love this. At times passionate, always experimental. Unique voice, Bjork does things that no other singer can. Can understand why people wouldn't embrace this - but I'm all for it. Adore the mix of electronica.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Bluesy and a bit country, classic classic rock.
DJ Shadow
2/5
Better than I was expecting, but I was expecting little. I just don't like sound of a needle scratch. Interesting to hear the ways songs are constructed but didn't float my boat.
X-Ray Spex
3/5
punk with spunk
Nick Drake
4/5
Lush sounds, well arranged and musically interesting. Should have been a star.
Van Morrison
2/5
I don't get the hype. Had Nick Drake earlier this week and enjoyed that a whole lot more. This album rambles, the flautist seems like he's playing in a different band entirely. And Van, could do without his voice warbling all over the place.
Horns sounded good though.
Frank Ocean
2/5
the jazzy bits saved it from 1 stars.
Kate Bush
5/5
She's one of a kind Kate. This is a masterpiece, not without faults, but made with passion and purpose. Got to admire someone who can sing, write, produce and play the instruments, including one the Fairlight.
Unique.
Depeche Mode
3/5
lots to listen to on this with interest.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Cool organ tones. Didn't think I'd like this but I was wrong. It grooved along nicely.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
Drumming is next level. Screams 90's, but screams it so well. That baroque style terraced dynamics marks this as an early-ish grunge winner. Disarm is such a great tune and Today with that cool riff makes this album a classic.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Searing guitar, but a bit of a ramble. Deserves it's place in the 1001.
Guided By Voices
3/5
Jangly and sometimes jarring. Feels very low budget but has some quirk good tunes.
Elliott Smith
5/5
So sad and so lovely.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Not my thing, still belongs to the 70s
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Meanders - not unexpectedly. Dense sounds, I think I'll need to give it a few more tries.
David Bowie
3/5
Cool bass on John, I'm only dancing. Fame is an absolute belter. Across the Universe is just sad though, and there wasn't enough gold in the rest of the album.
Kraftwerk
2/5
Hmmmmm. Cold. Groundbreaking, but ultimately not a great listen.
TV On The Radio
3/5
OK. Ish.
Devendra Banhart
3/5
Folky but in a strange way.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
2/5
Grating. Real 70s stink with the vocal harmonies and slide guitar.
Alanis Morissette
2/5
Ooh. Hasn't aged well. Oozes 90s angst but in a nicely packaged form.
Thundercat
3/5
Liked the jazzy bits more that the hippity hoppity bits. Sounds like 18 bass players on a late night out and too much cocaine.
Led Zeppelin
2/5
CockRock. Big Guitars, Big Drums, Big Cocks. Could happy live the rest of my life never having to listen to Led Zep again.
Janis Joplin
2/5
Yeah. Having this after led Zeppelin makes me keen to hear something more complex than old blues rock. Janis can sing though.
ZZ Top
3/5
70's Blues, but some is good to rock out to. La Grange elavates it.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
World Music? Is that condescending? Proto blues, some cool call and response vocals. Guitar noodling all around, it was sometimes captivating.
Johnny Cash
3/5
Hit and miss. have had two Johnny Cash country albums and hated them. This had some memorable songs reinterpreted and properly produced. Hurt a standout.
Mott The Hoople
2/5
Honky Tock Glam Rock. No Thank You Mott.
Massive Attack
3/5
Big gulf between the hits and the filler. Hits are gold though.
Patti Smith
1/5
Can't listen to this. Her vocal inflection kills EVERYTHING!
Rahul Dev Burman
1/5
I don't know what this was, but it wasn't something I'd ever want to listen to.
4/5
Classic for a reason. I don't - at all - like this era of music. However Bowie is a class above, inventing so others can follow.
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Nice, drums sound very dated now. But not special.
Buena Vista Social Club
2/5
Background music
Tom Waits
3/5
Such a distinctive voice. Good mood to this album, bass playing is top notch
Machito
2/5
Once again, jazz which I have no ability to work out whether it's good or bad. Nice groove.
Q-Tip
1/5
Jazzy bits were good, liked the bass, didn't like anything else. I'm not made for hip hop.
Deep Purple
1/5
Music for dinosaurs. In faded denim and straggly hair.
Pentangle
1/5
Possibly the worst thing I've had to listen to on the list.
Les Rythmes Digitales
1/5
Lame dance electronica.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
1/5
horrible hippy shit.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Superstition is such a great song. Much of the album is saccharin sweet or bland though.
3/5
Nice proto punk guitar.
The Kinks
2/5
Sounds very dated, not much magic hidden here.
Aerosmith
1/5
Pure cock rock teamed up with over the top production.
Kendrick Lamar
1/5
Still not feeling it.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Loved this - will need to listen again. Lush sounds, but still so much space in the music.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Afro jazz, great buzz going on
The The
5/5
80s but somehow sounds modern as well. Songs and lyrics both well crafted. Great bass playing, really interesting musically.
Mudhoney
3/5
Loud and proud guitar, early grunge.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Just perfect.
William Orbit
3/5
Electronica, manages to avoid dance music cliches, good background music.
Scott Walker
1/5
Effen horrible. Sounds like a bad lounge singer with a bad case of the safe.
The Yardbirds
2/5
Dated and boring.
AC/DC
3/5
Simple recipe well executed.
U2
3/5
Polished, listenable, but mostly bland.
Mj Cole
1/5
Deserves to be forgotten.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Just can't get the love for Neil Young. Whiney voice.
Scott Walker
1/5
Bland, dated, inoffensive pap
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
countryblues. I'm sure it's a sad story behind the record, but I just couldn't get into it.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Putting aside the personality issues this is a good listen
Tim Buckley
2/5
Mostly sad.
2Pac
1/5
I'm middle aged, white, non-American. I'm not the target market for 2Pac.
I listened to this with my 13 year old son. He liked the rude words. I liked it only when there were no words.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Wow. Pleasantly surprised, there was so much gold on this. Great vibe, excellent musicianship and powerful voice.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Immigrant song is a standout. Mostly derivative blues, shines when they pull out their cock and balls and rock out.
The Byrds
1/5
one star all the way. eehh
Miles Davis
3/5
I'm supposed to love it. I've tried, it's technically brilliant but.... I don't put it on by choice.
Bob Dylan
1/5
Wailing harmonica and Bob Dylan's voice. If only you could add some bagpipes and an accordion to round out the horror. What a horrid combination of sounds.
If perhaps he just read out his lyrics I could appreciate this. Instead I have to sit through this sonic assault.
Lou Reed
4/5
Some great songs. Perfect day.
Slayer
3/5
Wow. This was a surprise, actually kind of over the top fun. Great drumming, lots of tempo changes to keep things interesting. Not really my style of music but I could find a lot to like.
Jane Weaver
3/5
Interesting choice for this list. It's good, sounds like StereoLab, but nothing stands out on first listen.
Gillian Welch
3/5
Consistent, she's got a great voice - but it's country. Can country music EVER get 5 stars?
The Cramps
3/5
Loud and punky. Can hear influence in Jesus & Mary Chain etc. Would have been great to see live in it's day.
The Cure
4/5
Raw, recorded in only a week. Hints of what was to come. A Forest is such a standout, it's simple but so well layered.
Tricky
3/5
Black Steel sounds great. Some nice beats going on.
Tori Amos
4/5
Full of 90s angst. Songs are good, Tori is a talented artist with lots to say
Aimee Mann
3/5
She's got some talent, but feels like the producer tried to fill every moment with tricks.
The Lemonheads
4/5
90's gold, Evan Dando is effortlessly cool.
Hookworms
3/5
This had a good feel - not sure if it's going to remain a '1001' worthy album, but perhaps too early to tell. Worth another session.
Syd Barrett
1/5
Kids. Don't do drugs.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Sir Duke has such a perfect groove, and that lead horn is divine. This is a great album. There's a bit of cheese leftover but glad I gave this another listen.
SAULT
2/5
Enjoyed this far more than I had expected. Didn't fall in love but the vocals were smooth and some nice basslines going on
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
2/5
The Doo Wop is annoying, but the songs underneath are quality, better than I'd expected. Wouldn't put it on again but can see why it's on the list.
Norah Jones
3/5
The sound of a fine dinner party.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
1978, sandwiched between disco and punk, and Bruce is staying firm on his working man doing his darn best to keep it real in this tough old world. Can't fault the mans' heart, but this is just a bit ....tame? I've put this an about 3 times and completely forgot it was playing - at least until that horrible guitar in Streets of Fire jolts me out of my trance.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Better than expected, mellow and harmonic. But not all of it.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Loud and cranky.
The Electric Prunes
1/5
Completely forgettable.
Van Morrison
2/5
Smooth cheese. Nice bass but I couldn't wait for it to finish.
The Go-Betweens
4/5
Production sounds dated but still some really catchy tunes and some fine storytelling..
Blondie
4/5
Some fantastic hits on this album elevate it.
The Temptations
4/5
All class.
Shuggie Otis
3/5
Cool album this one, enjoyed the laid back groove.
David Bowie
3/5
Bowie is a master craftsman. There isn't a bad track here, but also -- there isn't a standout. I really wanted to like this more but did find it just a bit bland.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
Just couldn't feel the love, but perhaps I was just frustrated jumping between YouTube and Amazon Music to find the songs.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
Well, it does ramble.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
This was a great album, lots of hits but also lots of gold in the album tracks. Sounds like a band that has been playing for 20 years, tight and talented.
Ghostface Killah
1/5
Pure piss.
David Bowie
4/5
Wow, haven't really taken the time to appreciate this. Superb
The White Stripes
4/5
Rockin out with this one. Just a great sound, Jack White's guitar playing is excellent, one monster hit to open the album but lots of bluesy but not tired tunes.
John Prine
2/5
Twang. Would have been better as a comedy album
Stevie Wonder
2/5
Smooth and funky in parts, but I don't think it warrants a place in the 1001. He has better albums and they are in the list.
Aerosmith
2/5
70s rock. Needs to stay there, this is just loud and somehow also bland.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
I have this on a surround sound SACD hi fidelity system. Do you realise is such a joyful song, the whole album holds up well.
3/5
Well, it sounds just like I remember, all big guitars and egos. Still holds up well, but I'm still on the Blur side of this fight.
The Monks
3/5
If you ignore the bonus tracks this is an amazing album for it's time. Mid 60s isn't a place I want to visit musically but got a kick out of this. Great attitude on display.
Maxwell
1/5
If you fed Stevie Wonder into a low grade AI algorithm and plugged in 90s level synths you wouldn't get something as bland as this.
The Stranglers
3/5
Still some fresh sounds in here, Peaches is a kicker.
Metallica
2/5
Well. If I liked Metallica I would probably like this too. But I don't, so that's a waste of 2 hours. None of this inspired me to grab the black Iron Maiden t-shirt and stop washing my hair.
Led Zeppelin
2/5
Well. Kashmir is great. But the rest - musically fine but boring as Eric Olthwaite's shovel collection.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
2/5
Very dated 60's garage rock. No my thing but could see why this stands above similar bands - some good hooks and deviations in the songwriting.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
Relax!!!!! (I feel like it needs lots of exclamation marks) was such a big hit at the time. Album feels like it was chucked together quickly, a few hits and lots of low value covers and synth funk Trevor Horn found under a cushion on his couch
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Beautiful stuff, stands out from the crowded 60's American folkpop
Guns N' Roses
1/5
Painful. The hits I knew from millions of plays on radio, parties, boganfests and anywhere kids like to act tough. The filler tracks were lame . Lyrics are peurile, delivery over the top.
Love
1/5
Hippy rubbish.
Janet Jackson
2/5
Very dated, classic 'Orchestral Hit' midi sample littered throughout. Interludes are just plain annoying.
Elton John
2/5
Maudlin. Not horrible but never going to choose this.
James Brown
4/5
Just plain fun. Would have loved to be in the crowd for this.
The Only Ones
2/5
Was hoping for more like Another Girl.
k.d. lang
2/5
Signs of better things to come, lovely strong voice but material is bland.
Tito Puente
3/5
Lots of fun here. Excellent musicians, if I could dance I would dance to this.
The Byrds
2/5
Some nice jangly tones, but mostly hippy wailing. Very dated.
Sade
2/5
As smooth as can be, but also just a bit bland. Could cope with it as background music in a busy cafe.
Television
3/5
Angular. Great guitar work.
Alice Cooper
3/5
I thought I'd be in for a standard 70s rock album - but pleasantly surprised by this. Lots of variety, didn't love it but appreciate the range.
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
Inoffensive and uninspired.
Doves
4/5
Great tunes, I think Lost Souls is probably a better album but this is a great listen, more polished sound
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Unexpected! Enjoyed this far more than expected, not a jazz fan but could listen to this. Expressive and interesting.
Kanye West
1/5
I have no idea what is good about this. Sounds like a random number generator plugged into a sampler. Lyrically horrible. I took the time to read the lyrics to find out if there is some hidden glory, but it's all Kayne bragging. "I'd rather be a dick than a swallower". This is made for 13 year old boys.
David Bowie
4/5
Does Bowie have bad albums? This still sounds fresh. Short, probably without a standout hit compared to others in his catalogue but all quality.
The Smiths
3/5
Marr is a legend, Morrisey a legendary dick. Great songs, jangly guitar and biting lyrics. Filler though just doesn't kick enough.
Grant Lee Buffalo
4/5
90s nostalgia trip, loved it then, still got it now. Fuzzy is a great groove.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Little Wing is gold, rest is just about meh. Great musicianship but songwriting is flat.
1/5
Cat Power is a singer with an astonishing voice. At times husky, belligerent, soaring, goading and insistent, and always beautiful. I could listen to her sing the phone book.
She doesn't get a mention in the 1001 list, though Bob gets about a hundred entries. This is not fair.
This year (2022) she performed a concert at the Royal Albert Hall recreating this entire album. It's about the only way I think I could enjoy Bob.
Ravi Shankar
2/5
Historical important, but .... just like indian sweets, there some parts of Indian culture that doesn't settle with me.
Beatles
5/5
It's the Beatles, and it's the Beatles when they knew how to use a studio. There's so much going on musically (and then there is Yellow Submarine).
Moby
3/5
Was such a prominent album when it came out - listening back now I find it bland and repetitive. Enough good songs to lift to a 3 but only just.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
Wow, much more enjoyable than expected.
Buzzcocks
2/5
Early punk. Much more coherent than the Sex Pistols and it just sounds like they had a lot of fun making this record. No standout songs for me.
Beach House
3/5
Pretty chill, didn't fall in love but some good tracks
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Tango is a new one for me. Lots of this sounds like 20th century classical, with that Stravinsky shrieking violin doing it's fingernail down the chalkboard work. That aside there is some real interest here, clearly musicians at the top of their game.
Def Leppard
1/5
Cliche after cliche, power ballads and all that. Sticks like superglue to the poodle rock formula.
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Kudos to Lenny for playing just about everything on the album. It's good in bits, derivative but in a fine way - healthy respect for some classic funk in there. But it just lacks spark - never really stands out. Road trip music.
Spiritualized
4/5
This opens soooo well, lovely layers of melody. Album is probably a bit too long - plenty of aimless noodling, quite possible fueled by a bucket load of illicit substances.
Tom Waits
3/5
Is there a more distinctive voice in music? I don't think so. Tom Waits grows through a pretty solid list of blues numbers, like a less poetic version of Nick Cave at times. Solid offering if you've already started on the bourbon and the sun is still up.
Cornershop
2/5
Hmm. Well, I don't really listen to Indian music, and I don't get this album. Catchy at times but not enough substance.
2/5
Well, there's a whole lot going on here, and it goes on for a whole long time. Can't fault the musicianship, but golly gee it rambles, and not in a way that holds my interest.
FKA twigs
2/5
Interesting electronica, breathy voice just gets overdone. Not going to stay on my playlist.
N.W.A.
1/5
Historically important if you are in the USA, but I'm not and this album doesn't speak to me culturally at all. And it sounds like crass juvenile noise. Express yourself is the only thing slightly decent.
De La Soul
2/5
Well, a bit hard to track done the songs. What I could find (or remember) had a nice groove in parts, but I'd just rather listen to the source than the mashup.
Le Tigre
3/5
Opens with a glorious punk rock sounds. There is influences from 60s Motown, hip hop, electronica as well. Sharp lyrics, a few less than stellar fillers but overall inventive and uplifting.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Never listened to more than the singles from Siouxsie, I've missed out! Much better than I was expecting, unique sounds, esp the guitar work.
Brian Eno
5/5
Groundbreaking music that your can't dance to, can't sing along with, can't rock out with? Love it. Eno uses his toys to make music that is texturally fascinating, layering fragments of melody to build a place of comfort.
Elvis Costello
2/5
Quite like some of his work, but this one missed the mark. Bass player sounded like he was working on a different album to the rest of the band.
Alice Cooper
2/5
Shock rock, not a genre that has legs.
Nanci Griffith
2/5
I'm not a true believer in country music. I find it generally ultra basic harmonically, plodding basslines vamping to simple drums and twangy guitars. And songs about missing dogs. Occasionally some annoying fiddler's fiddling too.
I didn't pick up any missing dog references in this album, but ticked all the other boxes.
The Birthday Party
2/5
I love Nick Cave. I've seen him over a dozen times in various stages of his career, but not this early port-punk phase. And listening to this - is proof that progress is possible, change is good, and that Nick was a very angry young man. It's sort of punk, but not really. Abrasive. I think I would have loved it when I was younger, but now I'm crusty it's just too too much.
Laibach
3/5
What a surprise this one was. Expected dated dark metal, received symphonic and innovative collection of songs by that mixed genres. Not all winners but really quite a revelation.
Fiona Apple
2/5
I've never listened to Fiona Apple, she seems to be just a USA thing. Just confirmed - according to setlistfm she's toured a lot but barely left North America. So keen to find out more.
...
[one album later]
...
Less keen now, I couldn't really cope with the stream of consciousness put to music. Lots going on instrumentally but just so random, and just a bit smartypants too. Echoes of Laurie Anderson I support.
U2 was the first band I ever saw live - back in 1984 on the Unforgettable Fire tour. They were fantastic - great songs to sing along with, crowd getting into it and Edge sounding great.
I never saw them again and didn't listen to much past Rattle and Hum, it just seemed like they chased the US market and blanded out.
This album is so flaccid and bland. Insipid. I have no idea how they went from almost alternative music in 84 to this - but what a mistake.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
This one grew on me with repeated listenings. Good songs and complex arrangements, all underpinned by the distinctive voice.
Screaming Trees
2/5
I like some of their work, saw them live once and have got a few later albums by Mark Lanegan. Dust... though, feels like they were aiming for a Led Zep version of grunge and just falls flat.
The United States Of America
1/5
Oh, that's just random hippy gibberish. Just rubbish. I was hoping for the Presidents of the United States of America. This one wasted my time, and I had to hit YouTube to even find it.
Primal Scream
3/5
Some 'bangers', to use the terminology of the time, and a lot of drug addled filler. Pleasant mix of gospel, guitar rock and trippy sampling. Drags on a bit.
Buffalo Springfield
2/5
60's music doesn't generally do much for me. This country tinged twang fest didn't sway me. Neil Young may be a godfather but his voice is grating. There is some nice guitar twiddling going on in parts.
I'd much prefer Buffalo Tom. Or Grant Lee Buffalo. Or New Buffalo. There are better Buffalos out there!
John Lennon
3/5
Imagine is fantastic, good to play on piano. Loved jealous guy as well. But the rest was sub-beatles.
Napalm Death
2/5
Wow - what a ride! Perhaps one of those albums I did need to listen to before I die. Now ready to meet my maker.
Can only imagine how exhausted the drummer would be after a live gig. Lot of technical brilliance, but - no surprise - can't stand the vocals.
You Suffer was a treat though.
Taylor Swift
2/5
Well - this was a new thing. Never listened to the T Schwizzle. Pop music is made differently. Vocals are right on top of the mix - it's Taylor and her backing band - though in this case the backing band includes some indie superstars rather than a hit factory.
She's telling a story with all her heart, but it all sounds very contrived. Like a Big Mac but on a nicer plate, it's an album for easy consumption and mass market. I could happily put it on whilst cleaning the house just to drown out the sound of the vacuum cleaner.
The Doors
2/5
Solid 2 star album. Jim Morrison was an insufferable man and a crap poet, but at least the organ sounds are cool. This album channels 60's blues, but holy F it seems to make a 44 minute album sound like 3 hours of pain.
The End is such a self indulgent stroppy teenager whinefest.
Urrgh. Whatever.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Seminal album, it's influence is everywhere. Blueprint for the alternative rock scene. Anger, angst and sheer guitar brilliance - not in a showoff Yngie J style but in here's what else you can do with 6 strings and a distortion pedal. Some might find that it rambles but I love the way the guitars move in and out of a theme.
Opens with Teenage Riot, as close to as an anthem as they will get - and the best song they ever did. Album does taper off at the end.
Roxy Music
2/5
Well, I thought I would enjoy this. But just 70s crooning, played it twice and forgot it was on both times. No hits and nothing stood out for me.
3/5
Loud and proud, a metric tonne of energy here. Influential and a great change from the proggy/hippy tunes popular in the late 60s
Queen
2/5
I once went on a sporting road, 10 hours driving in a minivan during the golden age of tape decks. Team mates insisted on Queen's Greatest Hits on repeat for the journey rather than my collection of well crafted indie and alternative hits. Fuck you Queen, and fuck you Clive.
Erykah Badu
3/5
Enjoyed the groove here, pleasant discovery.
Steely Dan
3/5
Yacht rock! Smooth, sounds real clear though good cans. Musically complex and beautifully played... But just soft. Soft. Soft and bland. Like Tofu. Yes, this is musical tofu.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
Samba - didn't really know what to expect or how to rate. I didn't get it, but didn't hate it.
Barry Adamson
2/5
This is a very strange selection for the 1001. Barry has done lots of interesting things in his career, and this is the least of them.
Milton Nascimento
2/5
Just not feeling this one. Voice sounds out of tune at points.
Grateful Dead
1/5
I imagine there is a truck stop bar somewhere in rural Ohio with a house band in the corner noodling through a bunch of songs they have been perfecting on weekends when they aren't too tired from their day jobs repairing fencing on the ranch.
This would be those songs. And no-one apart from the truckers passing through rural Ohio would hear them.
How this band has such a following is a mystery. It's home brand diet vanilla icecream put to music.
Run-D.M.C.
1/5
STOP SHOUTING AT ME!
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Fast Car is the standout song, great bit of story telling and an instantly recognisable guitar hook. Bit too far down the complaint rock road for me but can't help admire her commitment.
King Crimson
2/5
Prog all the way here. Impressive musicianship combined with musical tripe doesn't win me over. It just sounds contrived to show off how well they can play. And yes - they really do nail the jazz work but it seems to go nowhere.
Neil Young
2/5
I wanted to like this. Opened well, but 'For the Turnstiles' broke me, awful voice.
I really don't know what I would have listened to in the late 60's/early 70's. All this country tinged folk with horrible singers.
Dr. Octagon
1/5
If you asked me to listen to this 1001 more times or die... well, I've had a good life, no regrets. Can someone please feed the fish?
Eurythmics
3/5
Found myself humming "Love is a stranger" all day, it's the best song on the album I think. Sweet Dreams has the best synth parts though, the layering is excellent. Filler material is a bit thin but it's a good album.
The Allman Brothers Band
2/5
This is really really really well done blues-rock. But I'm really really really bored with blues-rock.
I think to properly enjoy this I'd need a beer belly and a red MAGA hat and be wedged into the back booth of a bar in Tennessee downing Buds and contemplating calling my ex wife to discuss again who gets the dog.
Nas
1/5
I'm not black, not American and not cranky. This album does zero for me. Kindergarten level music and a angry man shouting and swearing.
Get off my lawn!
Robbie Williams
1/5
I moved from Australia to London in 1997. Back then we had a huge alternative music scene in Oz, fueled in part by a national youth radio station dedicated to Indie and Alternative music. I'd never heard of Take That and no-one I knew talked about pop music at all. I'm sure some people knew who Robbie Williams was but for me he was in a world I could happily ignore.
UK was a different beast - no real alternative radio (apart from bits of pieces on BBC and the ill-fated XFM) - the Xmas number one was a huge thing, boy bands and girl bands dominated the radio and press. Robbie was part of that machine, and that machine helped make this plastic piece of piss popular.
This is muzak, a pop star searching for cred.
Eagles
2/5
I knew going into this project that albums like this would come up. Songs that were all over the radio, at shops, at parties, songs that I hated and couldn't avoid. CCR, Queen, Eagles, Led Zep. Classic Rock. Urrghh.
Skilled guitar playing - points for that. Nice solos. But it's the ultimate cocaine fueled cliche overblown dad rock.
This is why we have punk music.
Coldplay
3/5
I've just had a few terrible albums in a row, so I'm pleased to get this on the list, even though it's just Coldplay. It's not going to hurt at all, but like a lukewarm bath cold day, it's not going to make the world a much better place. Musically there's a lot going on, it's all polished and ... nice.
I quite liked the first two Coldplay albums when they came out, but I would have rather see their contemporaries such as Elbow or Doves make it big. Coldplay have taken the U2 path and best of luck to 'em, I'm just not on the journey with them. I don't hate them, but I'll stick to the Parachutes and this and leave the rest to stadium rock.
Billie Holiday
3/5
This is way out of my wheelhouse, but I did get a kick out of it. Voice is just so expressive - it really is Billie + backing musicians, she shines.
Very dated sounding though - it's a bit of an outlier in the 1001 list.
The Stooges
3/5
1969 - this seems way ahead of it's time. Rough and raw, I can't imagine how that would have sounded up against the country folk coming out of Neil Young etc.
Not one I'm going to listen to again, but can hear influences on a lot of music I do love.
Miles Davis
4/5
First album I've put on and then hit play again as soon as it finished. This is deep.
I've listened to Kind of Blue quite a few times and never really been moved, but Bitches Brew is a far more interesting beast. Jazz is not my thing at all, but this thing somehow floats my boat. At times it sounds like 5 songs at once but then all comes back into a single stream of brilliance.
Unexpected 4 stars for me.
Paul Weller
3/5
I don't know what to think about Paul Weller. Clearly he has runs on the board for The Jam, but negative points for the Style Council. There's something just too earnest about his bolshie yearnings.
There's some quality music here, but lyrically lame.
The Clash
3/5
I expected more out of this. London Calling is incendiary, Guns of Brixton has that iconic intro, and of course the album cover is one of the greatest pieces of rock art out there. But I felt nothing for the rockabilly influence and - perhaps this is another case where you had to be there at the time - I didn't feel inspired by much else.
I'm sure it's me not you.
Jethro Tull
2/5
Painful listening. It's like listening to an hour of Ron Burgundy playing jazz flute in Anchorman, but without any humour.
Actually, scratch that, it feels like 3 hours not one.
Justice
2/5
Oh. EDM.
Not my thing.
They don't sing.
Just go bling.
Bee Gees
1/5
Oh god, that warbling voice! Soft ballads - who listens to this and is under 80 years old? It sounds like I'm stuck in a church service and they have got a house band. And not the James Brown sort, the blue rinse hair and pearls sort.
This was a painful listening experience. Bring on the disco Bee Gees cos this is so middle of the road. Lion in Winter just about broke me.
The Black Crowes
2/5
Making 1990 sound like 1970.
This is southern blues rock done very well - competent vocals, talented guitar, stable rhythm section, but southern blues rock is about as bland and safe as music can get and there's nothing to distinguish this from a million other bar bands.
The hit song was a cover of an Otis Redding hit that doesn't really extend it at all (and lacks the vocal nuances that Otis adds). She Talks to Angels is the only song that varies from the pattern. This album lacks imagination.
Black Crowes played at a festival I was at last year. I didn't see much of them, Kurt Vile was on a different stage and was far more my style.
Roni Size
2/5
I like drums. I love bass. The drums here are electronic of course, and not programmed at all to sound like anything a human drummer would produce. Can appreciate the artistry, and didn't hate the music, but I think this makes more sense in a London club at 3am with a bloodstream that has more than just a strong dose of caffeine keeping things moving. Here and now it's just too long and too glitchy.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
17 songs recorded in 12 days. You'd think it might be a bit rough or unfinished, but this is a supremely polished effort. The album opens with pure fire and finishes with a singalong. Rhythm section is tight, there's some lovely bass playing that just ties everything down. The first side is blues based but not at all by-the-book standard blues, there's gospel and grunge and everything else mixed in. Side 2 is a far more mellow and beautiful set of songs.
Masterpiece. I have this in my collection but had forgotten how good it is.
Sheryl Crow
2/5
There's enough material here for 3 and a half good songs, not a full album let along a whole Tuesday night. Sherly can sing, there's no lack there, but the material is a middle of the road as you can get, mixed in with some iconic 90's spoken country rap (aka crap).
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
This is NOT Brit Pop. Repeat - this is not Brit Pop. It's Brit Bolton. Yes, Michael Bolton invaded 90's music via the Manics. How else do you explain the vocals here - especially on Further Away.
I lived in London in the 90s and couldn't ever understand the love the UK music press had for the Manic Street Preachers ( and Menswear). This is a band who would have thrived as a power ballad poodle rock band but were born in the wrong decade.
Design for Life is the only thing raising this from 1 star.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
This could be a difficult one for some - the detuned synths and slightly weak vocals could be off-putting, but if you can get past that it's a rewarding album. I was lucky enough to see them live in the 90s and they put on a joyous and inspirational show. This album doesn't quite capture the vibe of the live show, but that only points out how good they are live. This album is full of great songs, full of experiments and a showcase for a band finding a new sound.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Well. Country music - can it ever get more than 3 stars? Is there a genre with less musical complexity than Country, with it's simple chord patterns, vamp bass, straight-lace drums and songs about dogs? Some nice guitar work though. Cancelled out by the banjo.
Emmylou has an expressive voice, she really does a great interpretation of the songs (I enjoyed 'For No One', and again sweet guitar noodling in this). But it's a cover album of country music, I'm not sure why it makes the 1001.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Never listened to Joni Mitchell before. Liked the album, bass was superb, Jacob P sliding all over the place.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
Pretty vanilla album, I'm sure if this was the only thing Tom Petty released then this wouldn't make the 1001. Not any real great songs, a lot of filler and songs that just fade out because they seemingly ran out of ideas.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
2/5
"You’ve got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know… "Lynyrd Skynrd.
I'm getting tired of southern blues rock. The songs get longer and longer, the guitar solos wail and wail and wail all the way home. And I know somewhere in my 1001 album future is CCR, and that just might break me.
Freebird goes fine, but I prefer the bagpipe version.
David Crosby
1/5
Well, is this a contender for the worst album cover of all time? Even the font is dumb. Or worst album title. Or perhaps just worst album. Lets see.
Track 1 - sounds like a drunk guy singing around a campfire.
Track 2 - oh god is that the most piercing guitar sound ever on the lead? Horrible tone.
Track 3 - OK, this album only goes for 37 minutes, phew. I can survive this.
Track 4. - Maybe I can survive this.
I may have lost the will to live at this point. Some generally OK guitar noodling and some horrible scat jazz styled do wop rubbish. (Song with no words in particular).
This one can go straight to the bargain bin.
The Stone Roses
5/5
This is a great, great album. It's not Britpop, that came about 4 years later, but it certainly set the scene for what was to come.
I remember when I first heard Fool's Gold, it sounded like nothing else around at the time, and I rushed out to buy the CD. I was both surprised and disappointed to find Fool's Gold wasn't on the CD so I bought the vinyl 12" of Fools Gold as well, bases all covered. Turns out Fools Gold wasn't a whole lot like the album, and was recorded afterwards.
Rhythm section is super solid, some fantastic bass playing (love it on I Want to be Adored), but what carries this album is the sublime guitar playing of John Squires. It's not the flashy poodle/glam rock guitar popular at the time (think Motley Crue, Skid Rock, Warrant). This is melodic, arpeggios and wah-pedal heavy trills, some reverse trickery and overdubs as well but it's all pure gold.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
Was a fan of the Pumpkins back in the day, and played the first two albums a lot, and saw them live a couple of times (including touring this album, where they didn't play anything from Gish). Wasn't so much into this one at the time, perhaps I was a bit worn out by sad angry Billy. His voice never bothered me but I know it does for others.
2 hours long, it's going to be a challenge for some but I found this worth going through again. There really is a lot of great stuff here, the singles are rightly famous but there is a wide range of music on show, they can do soft and mellow as well as hard and cranky. Drumming is top notch.
And oh yes, the 90's angst here is out and proud. I'm no longer a rat in cage but still got a nostalgia kick from this.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
yeah nah. Not seeing the value in this.
The Verve
3/5
Hasn't aged well for me, muddy 90s still.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Better than expected. Would not have picked this as 1979, it's got a far more modern sound about it to me. I only knew of her as Mick Jagger's ex (ok, that could be lot of people), and knew the first song.
Working Class Here cover was great. Emotive voice, she's not hitting highs but sings with passion.
Charles Mingus
4/5
I don't really like jazz. But I really like this.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Not sure about this. I listened to it 3 times in a row try and see what everyone else is seeing. It's good, and clearly the social context makes it important for 1970s America, but not finding reasons to elevate this. Save the Children drops this to 3 stars.
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
A lot of blipping and blopping and synthesized wankery. This was a very long and not very inspiring album. Apparently groundbreaking for techno, which is like being groundbreaking for greasy hamburgers - perhaps only good if you are young, intoxicated and don't value your health.
5/5
Fantastic record. PJ Harvey is a great storyteller and here is a superb collection of songs.
Musically lots of variation - PJ likes to shake up time signatures, and the input from Mick Harvey and Thom Yorke is great, especially the latter's vocals on "This Mess We're In".
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
I've got the album with 'The revolution will not be televised' and I reckon it's a better one that this, and probably also more 'meaningful' from a 1001 albums to hear before you die pov. Still, this was a good listen, especially on the faster tracks with the bass dancing all over the place.
Beastie Boys
2/5
Well. It's good in spots, but very shouty. I've seen them live and enjoyed it more when they were thrashing guitars. This one - I'm just not liking it. Had to listen to it in two shifts cos I was done after a few songs. Good to pick up the samples but it just feels a bit smartarse.
Faust
3/5
Pretty left field choice here. Sine waves and early synth sounds were interesting. I would have enjoyed it far more without the singing.
Harry Nilsson
2/5
The sound of cheese.
Beastie Boys
2/5
Second Beastie Boys album this week. Found it tiring - and just too juvenile for me. I'd rather go shout at a cloud.
Elvis Costello
3/5
Well, fun fact for me reading the Wiki, I used to live a block away from where this was recorded, just about 20 years too late.
Elvis has a great singing voice, comes out clearly in the mix. As a debut this is great. Working Week kicks off with some fun, a bit 'doo wop' for me but doable in small doses. Miracle man suffers from some bad bass work (or perhaps bad mixing) and there is a lot of filler on the album.
Alison though is just one of the great songs in the world, and the guitar (and bass) work really well here. Watching the Detectives is also a 5 star song.
Not enough quality for on this one but some real good tracks
Funkadelic
5/5
Wild guitar work on the title track, well worth the price of admission. And the fun continues, there's an infectious groove here. Played this about 6 times in a row. Even the cow noises didn't annoy me (neither moo or bell), and I don't usually have patience for this sort of shenanigans.
ABBA
2/5
Look, it's ABBA, there's not going to be a surprise here. Super polished vocals, some really terrible lyrics and some excellent pop songwriting.
But not my cup of cheese.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
Woah nelly, this is a doozy. Struggled until Pachuco Cadaver, and struggled afterwards. Clearly some talent and and inventiveness, but just don't like the whole package. I think there must have been a lot of drugs sacrificed to make this album.
Afrika Bambaataa
1/5
Yuck. It's like everything I hate all at once.
Radiohead
5/5
Love Radiohead. Always playing with the formula and trying new toys.
Chicago
2/5
Well. Not what I was expecting, which is lazy MOR rawk. Instead got a mix of jazz and my 12 year old son playing with my guitar and amp.
The Kinks
3/5
I have a friend called David Watts. He likes this album. I enjoyed this more than expected, lots of variety and fine songwriting.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Hmm. Hated it when it came out. And haven't changed my opinion since. Perhaps even worse now that the sounds are so dated.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Listened to it three times without ever really listening to it.
Enjoyable without being captivating.
Neil Young
2/5
Neil Young has an annoying whiny voice, plays harmonica and guitar, and writes deep and meaningful songs. Like a rockier Bob Dylan. With a better voice. And I think - probably - better songs. Old Man is iconic; Needle and the Damage Done is perfectly suited for Neil's voice. Not feeling the love for the rest of it, some good music dragged down by the singing.
Gary Numan
4/5
I listened to this, and listened again, and listened again, and every time I like it more. So 4 stars for those lovely synth sounds, I'm sure this would have been tricky to put together with the equipment of the day. Gary Numan doesn't have the greatest voice but suits this fine.
System Of A Down
3/5
Loud and shouty. But not all the time, mixes it up. Didn't like it but didn't hate it either.
Ananda Shankar
2/5
Novelty value only. Unenjoyable. The sitar is unpleasant.
Paul Simon
1/5
Wow. This is possibly the most vanilla album on the list. Paul Simon is a talented and successful artist, but this - this is just bleh.
Traffic
2/5
I know Steve Winwood is a bloody musical genius, but this sounds so dated and bland.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Clean sounding blues. Lots to like.
Sister Sledge
3/5
5 stars for the bass playing and guitar noodling. 1star for the rest.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Tusk - the song - is great. Innovative, catchy, musically simple but fascinating. The rest of the album is just sort of nicely bland . It's 1979, there's lots going on in punk, funk, disco and garage rock, but Fleetwood Mac aim squarely at middle of the road adult rock.
Led Zeppelin
2/5
Whole lotta wank.
Good musicians, entirely derivative music, and not enjoying it at all. I do like some of their songs, but none on this album.
The Charlatans
3/5
I like The Charlatans, but hadn't given this a listen. Probably would have liked it more at the time, now it sounds quite dated. Enough good songs there to try again.
Beatles
5/5
Four or five stars? There's a bit of fluff on this, but so much gold too.
Nitin Sawhney
2/5
Hmm. Lots of classic 90's tropes here, including spoken work audio from the BBC news. Indian music mixed with the emerging trip hop movement, but it just sounds dated.
D'Angelo
1/5
Peurile AND putrid.
The Zombies
3/5
Better than expected. Nice organ solos, didn't stray into horrible hippy territory.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Classic
Peter Gabriel
5/5
Sonically wonderful and some big big songs. The opening three songs -Red Rain, Sledgehammer and Don't Give Up is just about as good a start as any album I can think of. Bass playing (Tony Levin) is of course fantastic, sitting so nicely in the groove, but also leading the show (eg Don't Give Up).
Great roster of singers assisting. Not a bad song on this.
Supergrass
5/5
Supergrass should have been bigger than Oasis - they had better songs and more talent, perhaps just lacked the swagger. This is a blindingly good debut. There are echoes of The Kinks, Beatles, Wire, The Ramones and The Jam in here, even a bit of Status Quo on 'Time'. Nothing describes youthful hijinks better than 'Caught by the Fuzz'. 'Alright' carries on the theme with it's honky tonk piano.
40 minutes of pure fun.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
Third background cd for a polite dinner party.
Ramones
3/5
Great debut. Loud and fast.
3/5
Gets nicely into a groove.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
When the bassline kicked in on You Want it Darker I though that The Bad Seeds had taken over, had that effortless but menacing groove that Nick Cave thrives on.
Some good and some OK, but really distinctive and far more enjoyable - in a dark way - that I had expected.
Little Richard
3/5
Obviously important from a historic perspective, but nothing I want to listen to again.
The Pharcyde
2/5
Well - I didn't hate it. Expect when they had vocals. Then I hated it.
The Icarus Line
3/5
That bass sound is something else - I think would have been good to see live, lots of energy. But feels a bit contrived.
Deep Purple
2/5
This is Spinal Tap...but without the funny bits.
The Coral
2/5
Well - I thought I'd like this - given the era and the producer. But what a lame effort this was, completely forgettable. Derivative but not done well.
The Libertines
3/5
Guitars, poor life choices and a good supply of drugs is a heady mix. And this is what you get - some real sparkle with the opening track, lots of Clash smells throughout the album and a mellow acoustic closer. It's not a great album though - loose and lazy in the middle. Guitar interplay is fun and there is still a lot to like, but it's no classic.
Eels
3/5
Opens so well with Novocaine for the Soul and then Susan's House. Pretty impressive for a debut album as well.
Songs like 'Guest List' and 'Mental' let the album down.
More to come from the Eels (though perhaps not for the 1001 list) - this is a good start.
Method Man
1/5
Incoherent mess over a drum machine.
Randy Newman
2/5
Unremarkable elevator music, with a voice familiar from anyone with kids in the Toy Story era.
Nirvana
5/5
I know it's been overplayed now, but when this came out EVERYTHING changed - for the better. The opening 34 seconds of this album define the 90s. They opened up a world of interesting music and us indie kids had a bigger place in the world. Was lucky enough to see them live touring this album.
Credit should go to Butch Vig for how good this album sounds. It would have been easy for this just to be another loud angry underground release, but he gave it some polish. Fine material to work with too in the songwriting too - this isn't just some 3 chord punkrock screaming. Drums pound and the bass just locks in, and that guitar tone is the sound of flannelette and unwashed hair. Nothing technically difficult compared to the hair metal contemporaries, but perfect none the less.
Hadn't played this start to finish for years, but glad I did. Could live without 'Endless, Nameless' but every other track is a winner.
Elliott Smith
5/5
Sad and lovely album. I've listened more to his later stuff, was good to get into this one instead. He really set the scene for the earnest singer-songwriter wearing his heart on his sleeve.
Tragic end of course, and he never seemed a settled soul. At least we have these albums to remember him by.
Boards of Canada
4/5
ROYGBIV is a standout. This not their best work, but it is a challenging and at times charming bit of electronic noodling. Love the experimentation going on - they are do this for themselves, no record company is backing this.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
The only hip-hop band I've seen live (on a bill with Nick Cave, Iggy Pop, Sonic Youth), and they were great on stage. 3 stars for me, I like that this is a band playing live instruments - everything flows. Cover of California Uber Alles is great. Very preachy, but Michael Franti has things he wants to say.
Wu-Tang Clan
1/5
I just have no idea what people see in this. I'd rather just listen to the source the samples are from without some loudmouth shouting at me. 13 year old me would like the edgy swearing, but I'm way past that.
The Young Gods
3/5
Not an east listen - had to put it on a few times to 'get it' - rewarding though. Lots of interesting tricks in the music, didn't love the vocals though and my French isn't good enough to understand it anyway.
The Damned
4/5
I've clearly been sleeping on the Damned - didn't realise at all that they had such range. Musically far ahead of the Sex Pistols who come off as a cartoon band compared to The Damned.
Finishing off with Smash it up is glorious. This is electric stuff.
Gene Clark
1/5
This sounds like half a glass of low fat milk left out on the counter too long.
AC/DC
2/5
Well, as an Australian I feel like I should get behind this, but this just doesn't stir my national pride. It's formulaic, not musically interesting and overrated.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
One of those albums let down by the vocals. Kevin is an emotional fellow, I got pretty tired of his overwrought swooning. Can see the influence in Jarvis Cocker who does it so much better.
Northern Soul - not my bag baby.
Portishead
3/5
Gave this a few listens - it's not a simple album. Quite different to their earlier work - clear they wanted to move away from the triphop thang and start fresh.
It doesn't hit home the same way Dummy did. It's still unique but not as strong. 3 stars, could perhaps revise to 4 with a few more spins.
Dr. Dre
1/5
Motherfuckin terrible from motherfuckin start to motherfuckin finish, Motherfuckers.
Blur
5/5
Blur had a battle with everyone in the 90's. Whilst Oasis did their thing without care, Blur wanted to win over the critics and the fans. No doubt for me that they were the better band with a greater range, as evidenced by this banger. Beetlebum sets the scene for some classic 90s alternative music, Song II is throw away hit but there is depth in the rest of the album.
Can't believe Gorrillaz are the better regarded band for some - Blur is where it's at.
Little Simz
2/5
Backing music is fine - good even. Quite enjoyed the less vocally aggressive tracks (eg 'Selfish') but the rest left me empty.
Paul Simon
3/5
It was ... nice.
Elvis Presley
2/5
Some good musicians, but bad material to work with, and Elvis should have just retired in the 50s
The Temptations
3/5
Some weak tracks (Run Charlie Run) and some rippers (Papa was a rolling stone). Loved the guitar work with that wah pedal, the horn section adds some real sizzle and production is great.
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
This is like the fine china figurines kept in glass cabinets in your Grandma's house - can admire the artistry but just don't want to touch and don't understand the attraction.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Gimme shelter is a 5 star effort, but the rest is just blech. Drop the choir from the closer.
fIREHOSE
4/5
Good 80s indie. Great little funk bass lines and Wire-like guitar.
Totally new to me, but a good find.
Pulp
3/5
The album AFTER the big one. Clear growing pains, but not a surprise given the explosion in popularity. And can't help feeling let down by this effort. Still a fine record though.
Can
3/5
This was a rough ride - as if they had turned going to the dentist into musical form.
Some parts of it though were great. They have thrown a whole lot of paint on this canvas, some looks great and some is painfully bad.
Kudos for the innovation, but I'm not playing this at my next dinner party.
Hawkwind
1/5
Would sound better in Dobly.
Common
2/5
If I liked HipHop then this would probably be where I'd start. Lovely bass playing, but for me that's where the good stuff ends. Like Intro, hated GO!. They Say was interesting with the interplay of the keys and vocals.
Overall though, I'm still not a hiphop fan, don't every want to hear this one again.
R.E.M.
5/5
I had this when it came out and fell in love with the sound - one of the gateway albums into the indie/alternative scene for me. Discovered their back catalog, saw them on the Green tour (30+ songs on the set, support from Hoodoo Gurus and Go Betweens), and then saw them transform from an Indie darling to stadium filler.
As for this actual album - it certainly sounds 90s not 80s, and I suppose that indicates how much influence REM had on the shape of 90s alternative rock. Michael Stipe is a big part in this - vocal stylings as well as his public persona were like nothing else at the time. But it's not just about him - as a band they had changed their sound from simplistic guitar noodlings to a garage band that knew their chops. Mandolin was a strange addition but it works here. The way the bass and the guitar work together on all-time banger Orange Crush is fantastic, and the drums just drive everything along.
Great to listen to this one again.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
50's rock'n'roll is like finger painting. Super simple, important for for development of skills but just a stepping stone to bigger and better art.
This at least is short (8 songs in 22 minutes, punk!) and surprisingly high energy, took me by surprise. Can imagine the crowd buzzing from this. 3 stars, but only 2 if I had to listen to 23 minutes or more.
The Human League
2/5
Well - here's a bleep from the past. The Human League did things their own way, throwing away the guitars for some cutting edge 80s synths.
New toys however can't hide bad songwriting, and this seems like the scrawlings of a schoolkid in detention. The sounds are thin and bare.
Tears For Fears
4/5
I just listened to Dare by The Human League, which was synth laden but weak. This is just a few years later, synth laden but backed by some proper talent (and proper guitars). And far better song writing. Hit songs are just fantastic and the production is top notch.
Elis Regina
3/5
Hard really to judge this one - seems a random bit of 'world' music in a list that is seemingly just western music. I didn't hate it but didn't enjoy it either.
Fever Ray
5/5
Wow. Sound design on this album is perfect - something going on in every track. Dark and melodic.
Kelela
2/5
Music for shopping malls, this is just well produced muzak.
Neu!
5/5
This was a great ride. Played it and played it again and played it again. Loved the driving beat on ISI. Seeland a slow burn, and E-Musik just a blast.
Doesn't sound like 70s.
Ian Dury
3/5
I can see this one being divisive. Lots of humour - (not humor), so will not appeal to those less enamoured with the UK. Ian Dury has a distinctive voice and a way with words, but it's the bass playing that stands out here.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
All my Friends is such as great song, love the way it builds and the rhythm catches me every time. Worth an extra star. Dance music isn't my thing, but this was a great showcase of sound super synth work.
Eric Clapton
2/5
Well, he's a fine guitarist, great tone, lousy singer and all round shit bloke. Tired covers of some classics.
Germs
2/5
Well - very loud and angry. But just not very good.
Dead Kennedys
3/5
Just had Germs, now this - I'm on a roll with the early hardcore punk life. Whilst the Germs was loud and trashy and just a bit rubbish, this is loud and thrashy with better material. Great punk guitar work. Charismatic singer. Good songs underneath.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Very polished cheese, drum machines sound horribly dated now. Never understood the attraction, this music has no heart.
Stereolab
4/5
Wow - those cheese eating surrender monkeys sure know how to use a synth! Jean-Michel Jarre, Air and now Stereolab throwing out some great electronic music.
This was at times hypnotic - wild rhythms and fascinating keyboard lines. Musicianship is top notch - I have no idea what the songs are about even when sung in English but I don't really care.
This is a whole lot of fun. C'est fantastique!!
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Pretentious tripe. Well played though, but still tripe.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Oh Bruce, what happened? Clearly fell down a hole here, this album is a country twanged cliched mess. Just sounds lazy.
Donald Fagen
2/5
If this was 1001 albums to listen to drinking champagne on a yacht and checking your stock portfolio then this would be 5 stars all the way.
It's slick, well played, tightly produced but I'm left cold by it. Chilled even.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
Adam was certainly out there with this one. Solidly 80s sound but not an 80s record really, there's some nice world music touches here. Inventive, but some dross as well.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
It's like Bob Dylan but with an adequate singer.
I'm not much of a lyric man, so singer-songwriters don't draw me in unless the music is compelling. Apart from 'So Long Marianne' there wasn't much that made me want to sing along, and I prefer the version by The Straitjacket Fits anyway.
It's mostly just Leonard strumming a guitar and crooning and I forgot it was playing most of the time. But bugger me, the last 20 seconds of this album would scare sleeping babies.
The Sugarcubes
5/5
I jumped on the Sugarcubes as soon as I heard Bjork's vocals, luckily got to see them live in 1990 on their only Australian tour. Fun gig and a great band. Bjork of course would go onto greater things but even here it was evident what a talent she is, doing things with her voice I'd never heard before. Sugarcubes were a proper band though, not just a vehicle for her brand of weird, and the songs here are great.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Ultimate elevator muzak.
The Bees
2/5
Well. It was ok, but nothing remarkable. Not sure I why it makes the list.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Solsbury Hill is the standout from this album, that catchy 7/8 time sig works beautifully. But the rest of the album is prog rock noodling. Clearly he'd go onto greater things but this is mostly forgettable.
Pere Ubu
2/5
Surprised by the comparisons to The Talking Heads on this one. Quirky singer but the content isn't as good.
The Pogues
3/5
This would be a hell of a lot of fun to see live. I'd expect a lot of chaos and a lot of beer and a fair few unhinged punters.
Produced by Elvis Costello too, that's probably going to make some people here unhappy.
Dirty Old Town is a banger.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Pretty polished effort here, nothing to dislike, but nothing made me jump with joy either. Would listen again
Wire
3/5
Wire hold a peculiar place in rock history - they were always on the outer but still put out some great stuff. This has strands you can here in lots of music to follow (including of course Elastica)
Country Joe & The Fish
1/5
Stupid name. Stupid songs.
Prefab Sprout
4/5
Unexpected and in a good way. When Love Breaks Down is a great pop song - even with the dated synths it was wonderful. I'm sure I'd heard it before but hadn't ever given it the attention it deserves.
Well produced too - nice bass playing, passionate vocals and good tunes.
The Modern Lovers
4/5
Sounds fresh even after so many years. Simple songs performed with sincerity, and such a contrast to much the bloated country rock of the same era.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Real good groove going on - timeless sound. Dragged on a bit for me with the spoken word, but when Isaac sings tis fantastic.
Motörhead
3/5
Well - no surprises here, there's nothing but solid fast loud bass drums guitars, with the addition of crowd noises. It's a bit of a cheat code allowing live albums which let you add hits from lots of albums into one. Fortunately here the formula is all the same. Generous three stars, I was listening whilst exercising and it helped.
John Martyn
3/5
Bonus star for the guitar work, Songs are rather drab though, and the vocal drawl is annoying.
Cypress Hill
1/5
Incredibly repetitive.
Anthrax
2/5
I'm just not the target market here. Can't fault it technically, has the emotional range of my 15 year old son.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Crisp, brisk, catchy.
Steve Winwood
2/5
Had hoped for more - he's a super talented artist but seemed here he just wanted to play with some new synths and do some yacht rock.
Jack White
4/5
Saw Jack White headline a festival a few years ago - was a surprisingly good show, much better than I was expecting.
Debut album is a blast - superb guitar work (and sonically fantastic, love that tone he gets).
Not all the songs hit the mark but a winner overall.
The Stooges
3/5
One of those albums that doesn't sound like it was recorded when it was recorded.
As they say, does what it says on the tin. Raw, loud, angry rock. Not all winners here but some crackers too.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Probably a bit less interesting that I was expecting - third album in and sounds like they had traded experimentation for polish. Still some great songs, sounded good in the cans.
Iron Maiden
2/5
OK - I can see what all the fuss is about - some great solos in here, it created the formula for a lot of music to come. Hard though to take this seriously in a post Spinal Tap world. I'd rather listen to Tap and get some laughs too.
Tortoise
5/5
I found this one so interesting, and I think I probably played it every day for 2 weeks before deciding how to rate it. So much going on - bass harmonics - well all the bass playing, drummer going wild, melody just wandering around aimlessly and then coming together.
Loved it, will check out their other work.
Suede
3/5
Not their best work - still a good ride though.
Saint Etienne
2/5
Very dated sound -OK for it's time but now nothing to recommend apart from the cover of "Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Genesis
3/5
Hadn't heard this one. Genesis has never been a band I've cared for - but I only really know their lame radio friendly 80s stuff - Invisible Touch etc.
This was better than I was expecting - a bit AmDram but the music is always changing , I didn't bother with the lyrics.
Big Black
4/5
Great use of a drum machine - drives the whole thing along. This was abrasive but - perhaps it caught me in the right mood - just what I needed.
Suicide
2/5
Started ok, and then not ok.
OutKast
2/5
Double album of Hip Hop is not my dream day. I knew a few tracks - Hey Ya is unavoidable - and excellent. My Favourite Things was fun, like the jazzy take. But the rest of the album - did not enjoy. Don't ever need to hear the skits. Can get why you'd like this if you were into HipHop - there's a lot of variety. Not me though, 2 hours was a slog.
Metallica
2/5
Well. Tight sounds, crunchy guitar, juvenile songs. Sonically it's great, can appreciate the quality, but it just sounds formulaic. Perhaps they invented the formula - I don't know and I don't care, it's just tedious.
Kanye West
1/5
Intro. Shit. Graduation Day - shitter. I'll fly away - a bit less shitter. But pointless. Spaceship - longer but still shit. Workout plan - what is the effing point of this?
Kanye is a horrible person who makes horrible art. I don't know what his talent is supposed to be, cos I don't see anything here worth listening to.
Cee Lo Green
2/5
OK - I don't know why this in particular made the list, it just seems like low effort hip hop. Some hip hop drives me mad with the lyrical delivery. At least on this one he was was trying to sing and I couldn't happily ignore it.
Kid Rock
1/5
Ah, well this was interesting. I didn't know who Kid Rock was, assumed he was a clone of Axel Rose and expected some low grade southern rock sort of thing. Instead I got this lame whiteboy rapper. Couldn't finish - I always listen to every song even if I'm not enjoying it. But this time - I had this down as 1 star from the first song, and that is supposed to be the highlight of the album.
Missy Elliott
2/5
Missy again. I think better than her last one, this was a bit more soulful. But still not my bag baby.
Haircut 100
3/5
Borderline 22/3 stars, giving it 3 cos I've had a week of hip hop and the bass playing on this is next level.
Interesting inclusion on the 1001 - not a fantastic album but can hear similarities to Duran Duran - there's good music underneath but still pretty lightweight.
Can
3/5
Good fun. 1 minute 40 in I thought I was listening to Moon Safari by Air.
Awesome rhythmic work - did run a bit proggy and would work better as an instrumental album. In 1974 this would be a great contrast to the trite Americana coming out in that era.
Tangerine Dream
4/5
Wowsers, this was a blast. Can't imagine how hard this would have been to make with such cutting edge technology. I played this every day I for a week working out how to rate it. There isn't a 'killer track' on there but it but there is so much to explore. I'll keep it on rotation.
The Crusaders
2/5
Felt like something I could here at any of a thousand jazz clubs in a thousand cities. Blech.
Bobby Womack
3/5
Funky bass lifts this and the soulful singing was good. Wouldn't put this on myself but enjoyed it nonetheless.
Coldplay
3/5
I'm in the crowd that didn't hate Coldplay from the start. This album is fine - I remember lumping it along with Travis, Doves, and Elbow in that smart Brit indie vein. I thought Doves would be the bigger success and Elbow the most interesting. Didn't expect to see Coldplay rule the world.
A Rush of Blood to the Head is better but after that ... break out the pitchforks.
Simply Red
1/5
Somewhere in a parallel universe there is a waiting room for a small town dentist. The middle aged receptionist, new to Spotify and quite excited by it all puts on one of her nice records - Picture Book - for the waiting clients. Perhaps just a little bit loud but she is hard of hearing lately.
In this universe is a version of me who didn't floss his teeth and gets stuck in that waiting room preparing to have his teeth extracted. The sound of the dentist's drill can't quite drown out the horrible crime of Mick Hucknall murdering the Talking Heads classic 'Heaven'. As my teeth crumble under the clumsy ministrations of this small town dentist I hope for death. But then I realise that I really don't want to die with Simply Red being the last thing I hear.
I'm glad I floss my teeth.
XTC
3/5
Smart pop music. Dear God is the best song by far but as others have pointed out doesn't fit the album.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Some big songs and tight sounds. Enjoyable but not epic.
The Youngbloods
2/5
Mostly bland, and when it wasn't bland it was annoying. Did not need to hear this aimless guitar noodling.
The Young Rascals
2/5
With a name like 'The Young Rascals' I was expecting something a bit more adventurous. This is safe twee music. Groovin' is catchy but the rest is trite. They certainly weren't looking left to see what The Beatles or the Rolling Stones were doing.
Talvin Singh
2/5
It's a heady mix of sounds from all around the world. Ultimately it falls flat though - the songwriting isn't great and it just tries to fit too many disparate parts into an electronica format.
Slipknot
2/5
Glad I listened to it once. Can tick that off the list. Perhaps if I listened to it when I was cranky and 13 it might have meant something more to me.
Good drumming of course. But no thank you sir.
The White Stripes
4/5
Just quality work here, guitar is sounding great and some cool songs on display.
Fairport Convention
2/5
Drones on at times - like much music of this era it can go off on a drug induced aimless wander and leave us sober folks wondering what the hell just happened.
Enjoyed sections of this when it was a bit more tightly focused. Nice vocals, good musicianship.
Glad it was only 40 minutes, I could at least bear listening once through. No more please.
Gang Of Four
4/5
This was a gem - had heard of the band but never given them a try.
Seriously good - bass playing dominates, guitar is stabbing everywhere. Love like Anthrax is a great closer.
Nothing lazy about this - always something to listen out for.
Stephen Stills
2/5
Started mediocre and got worse. Side 2 was among the worst things I've put myself through recently. Far too much twang, some offkey singing, endless guitar noodlings and fiddler's fiddling.
Only think of interest for me was the moog on 'Move Around' but by that time I was almost dead of boredom.
The Pretty Things
2/5
Just another bit of hippy dribbling.
Sigur Rós
5/5
I bought this album on a whim after reading a review in the London press, and what a great purchase it was. This masterpiece came on the end of grunge and britpop, but takes music in places so far from that world. The potent mix of ambient soundscapes, strings, distorted guitars + violin bows and a magical voice was like nothing before it and not much since.
A fantastic album to turn off the lights and turn it up loud, and just surround yourself in another Icelandic present.
I don't know how anyone could give this less than 5 stars.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Possibly too long, but a good listen. Opens well with New York, New York.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
Well - a lot better than I was expecting - gave this a few listens and there is a lot to like. Plenty of variety and very polished. A bit too safe but she's clearly a talent.
Gram Parsons
2/5
Amazed to read he died of a drug overdose. Listening to this borefest I would think he'd ever left his home town, let alone tried anything stronger than bourbon.
Thankfully it was short, and it had Emmylou Harris who does have quite a lovely lilt.
Radiohead
5/5
Classic for a reason.
Radiohead spent 8-9 years practicing with a stupid name ('On a Friday') before sorting themselves out and releasing 'Pablo Honey', containing what would eventually become an annoying hit with 'Creep'. Not a great song but funded them.
And then they got good. The Bends is a great album, much better than Pablo Honey.
OK Computer - better again, and a lot more experimental than The Bends. The could have just churned out some grunge tinged indie and made bank, but instead they put their heads down, got the fancy computers out and produced this masterpiece.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
How many songs are actually improved by the addition of a harmonica?
Not many I'd think. Dumb Things by Paul Kelly?
Anyway, this album would sink if it was by Bruce Everyman, it's so one-paced and turgid.
The Who
3/5
1965. Still hangover from the doo wop era and some of that leaks through unpleasantly. Well, I suppose pleasantly if you are into that saccharine sweetness, but music was changing and The Who snuck in a few more innovative songs here.
Keith Moon is a machine, and without his driving beat this would be mostly a collection of forgettable 3 chord pop songs.
The Ox and My Generation are both fantastic, but the rest is just filler.
Otis Redding
5/5
This is what I came here for. I don't listen to 60s music much, generally too simple and safe for my tastes, but gems like this make it worth trying (old) new things.
Captivating voice, so expressive, fantastic backing band and well written songs.
Van Halen
2/5
If it wasn't for EVH this would be complete garbage. Horrible hair metal cock rock. Mostly bog standard blues turned up to 11. Great guitar work, but horrible bass tone and juvenile lyrics.
Bob Dylan
2/5
The man can't sing and isn't much chop on the guitar either. I don't know what he's singing about and I'm not inspired to find out either.
There are at least some decent songs here - when he strays from the folksie blues formula it gets better, but it's still got that harmonica cutting through everything like a machine gun of shit.
My Bloody Valentine
5/5
Shoegaze is just about the lowest rated genre on the 1001 and albums like this are probably part of that - for a casual listener this is just a wall of noise.
I'm not a casual listener though, and this is my bag baby. Kevin Shields is doing things here on the guitar that no-one had done before. It's a captivating sound with the reverse reverb especially when played (as they did) at colon curdling volume.
Weather Report
4/5
Way out of my lane but still a blast to listen to. There's some cheesieness with the synth sounds but to me it sounds a bit charming rather than cloying.
Jaco is the star of course, he's doing some amazing work on the fretless bass. Jazz is great because you can only succeed if you are fantastically talented on your instrument, but it also means that it can favour musicality over melody. There's enough variety here to keep me happy though.
The Auteurs
4/5
I have this album lying in a drawer somewhere. I thought they were really good at the time, and listening again now it still stands up. Articulate songwriting and good musicianship, it's a pity it didn't take them further.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
This is a tricky one to rate. Leonard Cohen is one of those legendary songwriters that peaked long before my time. Cynical and cutting lyrics, and great songcraft. Tunes are catchy.
Arrangement and production on this album is terrible and has aged like milk.
There are cover versions of these songs that work far better than what we have on show here. The roster of artists (Nick Cave, REM, SRV) that have covered his songs is a testament to the songwriting strength.
Arcade Fire
4/5
This isn't their best work, but it's pretty damn fine. Would prefer The Suburbs
The Hives
3/5
Well, a cheat code unlocked by including a compilation album, albeit one early in their career.
Fast paced, entirely derivative but still a lot of fun. Opens with the best song (Hate to say I told you so), and gradually diminishes in quality. Good driving songs, no-could hate this* but also can't see how anyone makes the Hives their favourite band.
Mostly harmless.
*OK, it's the internet, of course some will hate this.
Suede
4/5
I think bonus stars apply for debut albums. Some really polished work here, set the scene for Britpop. Just a set of well written songs, with top notch guitar work Bernard.
Girls Against Boys
3/5
Never heard of these guys. Quite liked the sound, but the vocals were off-putting - felt like forced teen angst. Take that out and it's pretty good, twin bass fuzz attack!
Scritti Politti
2/5
File under 'hasn't aged well'. Hard to listen to, stock early synth sounds ("Orchestral Hit" preset), tons of reverb, and I just didn't enjoy the vocal styling.
The Jam
2/5
Paul Weller does come across as an insufferable prick, but he can write a tune. He can also steal from the Beatles and the Kinks in almost equal measures.
Just not enough in this for me. Down in the Tube Station is good.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
This is such a difficult one. Some gold in there, but buried in some unlistenable pap. I don't the time or patience for another listen.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
Classic opening track. This is a band who know what they are doing.
Fugazi
3/5
I knew a few songs by Fugazi but none were on this album. All good stuff here but nothing stood out.
The Police
5/5
One of those albums I knew back to front before starting this project, easy 5 star selection.
I spent hours playing along on bass guitar to this album, Sting is a pretty fine muso and it was great teaching myself how to play these songs. Copeland is just fantastic on the drums, so much going on, and Andy Sumner can be showy and also understated in the same song. It's a three piece and they have jazz chops, so there is space in the music for them all to shine. Magical.
Interesting reading the reviews here - lots of people upset about appropriation of Jamaican music. The evolution of music - both modern and classical - is a story of appropriation - everything borrows from previous work, genres mutate and new music is born.
3/5
Probably a strange choice for the list, but still quite a good listen. I must have this buried in my CD collection somewhere because I knew the songs. It's music for grown ups to listen to on the couch - nothing too challenging dynamically but some intricate melodies.
R.E.M.
5/5
"Leonard Bernstein!"
Is there a better 1-2 punch than "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" into "The One I Love".
1987 is when REM were still just an indie band making their own jangly way in the world. 5 albums in but still a shadow of what they would become.
It's still a standard rock band here, no synths, and no mandolins yet. Just good jangly guitars. Bass tone on "Exhuming McCarthy" makes me smile every time, it's so crunchy.
Doves
4/5
Love the vibe here, superb debut and sad that this band wasn't bigger than Coldplay. Really melodic guitar work.
Jurassic 5
3/5
I did know 'What's Golden'. As far as hiphop goes this is more my style - positive and catchy, though still didn't love the rapping.
Stephen Stills
3/5
Pleasantly surprised - enjoyed the opening track and the ones with Hendrix and Clapton. Was a lot more blues based rather than country and that is good in my book. Cherokee was a letdown, and I can't listen to a flute without seeing Anchorman jazz flute in my mind. 3 stars, only just though.
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Way out of my wheelhouse but a pleasant listen nonetheless. Could put it on when the parents come to visit.
David Bowie
3/5
I didn't love this - a bit too honky tonk, a bit too by the numbers rock'n'roll. Feels like Bowie lost his way in the USA. Still quality though, but I'd leave this out of the 1001.
Scissor Sisters
2/5
Music is indeed the victim, in particular Pink Floyd.
Did not enjoy. There was some nice bass playing to groove to, but not much else floated my boat.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Never been a great fan of Led Zep, but can't help but admire this effort. Musicianship is excellent and Plant has a classic rocknroll voice. This seemed a bit less bluesy and a bit more interesting than their previous work.
Stairway to heaven - cliched for a reason, overplayed from radio stations to guitar shops, but that's cos it really is a well written story.
Can't believe they brought in a Ian Stewart as guest pianist for RockNRoll, he pretty much just bashed the same one note for most of the song.
Filler songs don't do it for me, but can see why they are adored. Drumming is just so great.
Ice T
1/5
Pretty painful to sit through - there's not too much going on musically so I'm forced to listen to the lyrics, and then I just despair for society.
The Avalanches
3/5
Knew the hits but hadn't heard the album. Jigsaw puzzle music, fascinating approach but seems like a lot of tedious work.
Dion
2/5
Elevator muzak.
Al Green
3/5
Easy going, smooth and soulful. A lot to like, Al Green has a superb emotive voice, horns sound good though perhaps not mixed too well.
Aphex Twin
4/5
Classic album - merges techno (which I don't like) with ambient (which I love) , end up with some sort of unique shogazie/indie electronica. Not everything hits the mark but really enjoyed this.
Throwing Muses
3/5
Way ahead of it's time. I've got some of their later work, as well as solo work by Donelly and Hersh, as well as Belly and The Breeders.
This is still raw but you can see how much influence this had on later projects. Never going to be famous with this sort of genre but I don't think that mattered to them, just running in their own world.
Khaled
2/5
I feel like I've heard this a lot in taxis when I was in the middle east in the early noughties. I didn't enjoy it then and I didn't enjoy it now - I think it also feels a bit tokenistic to just include a few random 'world music' albums in the 1001.
Public Enemy
2/5
Not the worst hop hop I've had, but this just bored me.
Lightning Bolt
3/5
Wow - big sound for a two-piece band. Got a real kick out this - not going to put it on for the mother in law, but loved hearing what a bass guitar armed with banjo strings and a bunch of pedals could do.
Would get a buzz of seeing this live.
Linkin Park
1/5
I feel my IQ lowering with every rock cliché on show here.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Never explored Frank Zappa. This is the debut album - at times it sounds like a standard 60s guitar band, and at other times it's a psychedelic mess. Neither of these things are my cup of tea but I somehow still got a buzz out of this. It does fall apart at the end.
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
Few catchy snippets but just bleh overall
Boston
2/5
Technically good but this music has no soul.
Jean-Michel Jarre
5/5
French electronica, count me in. At least if it something thoughtful like this. Can't imagine how difficult this would have been to put together in the 70s.
No2 clear winner.
Minutemen
4/5
Hadn't heard this at all. Great find, fast honest punk. Bass playing on point. Agitated guitar, pointy lyrics.
Os Mutantes
3/5
Not sure what I was in for, but this was actually quite OK. I did know the second song.
Soft Cell
2/5
Pretty jarring. I love early synth sounds, but this wasn't a great example. Would rather have Visage or Ultravox or Thomas Dolby.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
Loose and loud, not really a classic album but a lot of fun.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
This was just a rambling mess of guitar wankery. I don't mind a bit of guitar wankery, but this was just pedestrian.
Pavement
4/5
Cracking debut - not their best, there is some rough stuff here but also some solid gold. The sloppy guitar sound is pure heroin in my veins.
Radiohead
5/5
If any band knows how to re-invent themselves then this is it. They were already kings of indie rock and could have ploughed the same fields forever, but chose to jump into sounds design, loops, samples, strange instrumentation and introspective music.
The sonic exploration here is wonderful, and it sounds fantastic turned up loud.
The Fall
2/5
Couldn't feel the love for this. Recorded in a day, impressive , but Smith is just too abrasive for me today.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
This is quite a good effort by the unloved Elvis. No standout songs, but still quality all round.
PJ Harvey
4/5
Stunning debut, this is a rich and somehow still raw album. Sheela-na-gig is a great singalong. Some complex instrumentation here as well. Hope there is more PJ on the 1001, I have some of her later work and it's great.
Sabu
2/5
Well, I just didn't get a kick out of this. Feels like a token world music inclusion.
Herbie Hancock
3/5
Not much of a jazz fan, but didn't mind this. Didn't fall in love either, I find jazz does tend towards self indulgent. Loved the sound of the clavinet, that was the highlight for me.
The Adverts
3/5
Hadn't heard of this band. Good old school punk, lots to like.
The Who
2/5
The Who always sound like 3 blokes who all want to be the star. John Entwhistle is a cool bass player, but often sounds like he's competing with everyone to see who can play the most notes.
Hits are good, covers are bog average.
minus 1 for a live album, that shouldn't be allowed.
New York Dolls
3/5
Apart from the glam bits it was pretty good. Clearly influential on future punk, and that's enough to grab 3 stars
The Louvin Brothers
2/5
Yeehaw. Couldn't wait to finish this so I could clean my ears out.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
One more to tick off the list. Nothing too interesting but still a good listen.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
5/5
Inventive as anything in 1985. Guitar tone is golden, low volume bit highly distorted, lashings of reverb and fuzz. A joy to behold, and interesting pairing with such catchy simple melodies.
Jack this into my veins and give me all you've got.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Unusual inclusion but not unwanted. Some quality work but still a bit contrived.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Bob Dylan still approaches singing in key like a drunk man pissing from a height into a beer bottle. Occasionally he is on target and we all get to feel good about that. Sometimes, for no apparent reason, he increases volume for a second and sprays everywhere.
At least there are some decent and recognisable songs here, the guitar playing is interesting, but I still think this is emperor's new clothes territory.
Arrested Development
2/5
Some of this was catchy, and lyrically interesting, but it's still not my thing.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Good album, much unloved on this site. Polished, witty but still punky. Oliver's Army, Accidents will happen, Green Shirt, and(What's so funny) about Peace, Love and Understanding are all great tracks, and there isn't a bad song here. Attractions are tight. Good band.
3.5, rounding up today.
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
Gosh, liked the bass tone but didn't love the songs.
1/5
Oh, this was just terrible. Horrible. Awful. Sickening. Juvenile. Loathsome. Childish. It's like the worst bits of hip hop mixed in a blender with shitty prog metal, a serving of dog poo and some too long in the back of the fridge yoghurt.
Animal Collective
3/5
Quirky, but good quirky.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
2/5
Ohh, soft rock, this is pretty beige. I did enjoy some of the musicianship, bass playing in particular but the content was bland.
R.E.M.
4/5
I read the reviews here, and one of them describes this as "mainstream radio formula rock" and I just about broke down in tears. This came out in 1983, into a musical landscape laden with synths (Toto - Africa) and heavy production - Duran Duran, Michael Jackson etc. REM offered a stripped down and truly 'Indie' sound, jangly guitar, wandering and dancing bass, and earnest lyrics. It would be years before they could fill a stadium. This was them finding their feet and doing it their own way.
Great debut - a few weak songs preventing a 5 but just about there.
George Jones
1/5
Like an old cheeseburger left out in the sun.
Merle Haggard
1/5
Rolls out all the country clichés. Maybe he even invented them - either way this offers nothing for me. Twangy guitar, brain dead bass lines and dead simple drums, and then just that classic affected country vocals style. Urghhh.
Talk Talk
4/5
Life's What You Make It. Killer piano riff and fantastic drum lines, standout track indeed. Really a top song.
This album starts with a cold and clinical sound, but opens up into a lush and interesting record. Great that they could get Steve Winwood to contribute, it's complex but without getting proggy. No-one wants proggy.
Fishbone
3/5
Hadn't heard this before. Some solid work going on, loved some of the bass playing but didn't really get into the songs. Not bad, just not me.
Michael Jackson
2/5
Never been a fan. Did enjoy the first couple of tracks, this is really polished and well produced work. Disco isn't my thing, and I ran out of patience pretty quickly. Some of the schmaltzy electric piano was especially annoying.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Killing moon, what a classic song. Still sounds new. Rest of the album not quite up to that standard but plenty to like.
Talking Heads
3/5
Seminal album that came out fully formed, doesn't sound like a debut effort at all.
Psycho Killer the clear hit though. The rest of the album is good but I know there is much better to come in future.
Deep Purple
2/5
Points off for a live album.
It's great - if you like long drum solos. And long guitar solos. I'm sure it would have been great to experience this, and the energy shines through on this release. But it's just too much wankery for my tastes. Can see it an easy 5 stars if you like this sort of music - can't fault the musicianship at all, but I'm just praying for it to finish.
Pixies
5/5
Seminal
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Ja
The Streets
1/5
This is, indeed a crock of shit.
Queen
3/5
Clive - I still hate you for playing Queen's Greatest Hits on repeat when we did the road trip to Melbourne in 1990. I had a great REM mixed tape all ready to go.
It's pompous and the car song sucks, but Queen are a level above the 70s glam rockers. I never want to hear it again though.
Bon Jovi
2/5
The guitar work elevates this from a 1 star rating. Horrible cliched karaoke fodder.
Gene Clark
3/5
Pleasant enough, don't love the country twang but found the vocals compelling.
Giant Sand
3/5
Another album I never would have found without the 1001. Like the indie/country vibe here - good songs, witty lyrics.
OutKast
2/5
I knew a couple of tracks but didn't enjoy this apart from a few of the hits.
The interludes adding nothing apart from some low key porn. A bit of funky bass going on but little else musically inspiring.
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
Not their best album at all - Songs for the Def would be a far better choice.
It's good though, not groundbreaking but perfectly captures the stoner rock vibe. Guitar sounds great here.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
1/5
This album is my worst nightmare. Radio friendly three chord dribble. No imagination here just lame covers and blues based twangin.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
This was far more interesting that I was expecting. Didn't have any of the 'hits' I recall but a really diverse mix of songs. Sounds way ahead of it's time.
Richard Hawley
3/5
This wouldn't make this list if it wasn't for the Pulp connection. But it's a fine effort - low key but fun.
Björk
3/5
The world is a far more interesting place with Björk in it. Can't help but admire her talent, but this album didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Eminem
1/5
The Shit Shady LP more like it, ammiright? This is pathetic. Lyrics are by turns sexist, vulgar, misogynistic, and violent. I'm still baffled by the success of this, surely there aren't enough12 year old boys in the world to make this chart.
Randy Newman
2/5
Strange to listen to a voice deeply embedded in Toy Story singing these songs. Bit too lounge for me.
Steely Dan
3/5
I thought I was going to hate this, but I actually liked a fair bit. Except for the bits with Sitar, there isn't a song in the world that has been improved by adding Sitar.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
This was a pretty perky bit of UK pop. Cool drumming and catchy tunes, I did enjoy.
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
Have vaguely known this band but never listened. Think I would have liked them more in the 90's, it now sounds dated. Still interesting though, good guitar and angsty delivery.
Christina Aguilera
1/5
"Hey Siri. Play something vacuous, something with no soul and a big budget with a hottie up front".
Arctic Monkeys
3/5
This was a good indie rock album - two fine guitars, bass, drums, and vocals clear and well up in the mix. Catchy tunes and certainly sounds northern English. Great debut, some bangers and some good quality filler.
Ice Cube
1/5
Could wait for this one to finish. AmeriKKKa can keep you Ice Cube, I have no interest in this rubbish.
Paul McCartney
3/5
What a cool little find. Paul is a musical genius, so even this 'lofi' effort is great. There is nothing brilliant but it is mostly a lot of fun.
Stereo MC's
2/5
Wasn't great when it came out and has aged very poorly. Hi tech but low talent effort.
UB40
3/5
English Reggae, anti Thatcher and pre RedRed Wine (yuck), it's a politically strong album with a pretty good vibe.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
Classic track, not a class album.
Parliament
4/5
Fantastic song titles, this is just a party. Bass playing off the charts.
Anita Baker
2/5
Cheesy music for people 30 years older than whatever age I happen to be at the time.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Good change of pace here. Feels tokenistic to slip in a few random 'world' music artists but I enjoyed this.
The Smiths
3/5
Solid album, lacks a killer hit but plenty to like. Marr is a unique guitarist, his jangly work here influenced a generation, and Andy get's to cut loose a bit more as well.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
Not an album to enjoy without a cocktail of chemicals coursing through the bloodstream. Norman is having lots of fun with his 303 but it's just a lot of knob twiddling.
Cheap Trick
2/5
I think this one is for fans only, the hits are good but most of it just sounds sloppy and not in a cool Pavement way.
Snoop Dogg
2/5
Well - pretty much what I expected, typical sexist/racist/lurid hip hop. Somehow bits of it were slightly listenable.
Primal Scream
3/5
Thought I would like this more than I actually did - hasn't aged well. Still some gold there, but it feels more like a warm up album, better things to come.
Mike Oldfield
2/5
I've got this on surround sound, it's a classic album, hell of an achievement by a kid and launched Richard Branson into space.
But I didn't like it that much. Great concept, but effing sea shanties?
U2
4/5
My first ever concert was U2 - Unforgettable Fire in 1984 at the 3000 capacity Apollo Basketball stadium. Only a year after War was released, 6 songs from the album on the setlist (40, New Year's Day, Seconds, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Surrender, Two Hearts Beat as One) and they all still hold up.
Great concert.
I fell off the U2 bandwagon a few albums later and haven't listened to them for years. No hesitation in putting this on though, some iconic songs from a band still sounding raw.
Public Enemy
2/5
Can respect but not enjoy.
Roxy Music
2/5
Glam rock, it's a bit pretentious. Don't mind it but don't love it. Better albums to come I think, and of course Brian Eno went to on much much greater things.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
This isn't a band deserving of multiple entries in the 1001. Zero would be fine
M.I.A.
2/5
Can admire the ambition here, wide range of influences. Ultimately though I just didn't enjoy it.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Far better than anything Genesis did. Well crafted and mature album. Excellent musicianship and compelling songwriting.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
A lot more accessible than his later work. Blues based but moves far beyond simple 3 chord stuff, and I'm grateful for that.
Didn't fall in love but think this will need a few more listens.
Ministry
3/5
Was familiar (and enjoyed) Jesus Built my Hotrod.
This was a good listen, loved the tightness, reckon they would put on a good live show.
George Michael
1/5
Overproduced torch songs, I'd imagine this would go down well at Tescos.
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
B&S are indie darlings. Their best album by far is 'Boy with the Arab Strap' which doesn't get a flag on the 1001, which is a real shame. This is still a winner though, and I'm glad to see Tigermilk on the list.
Debut albums can be rough, but there is a lot of polish in this. Songs are mostly simple but joyous. It's still a band working out how to make music together, the use of synths is pretty rudimentary, but the building blocks for a long career are here.
50 Cent
1/5
Wanskter Rap. Utterly without value.
Raekwon
1/5
Yet another waste of an hour. I'm going to listen to Tigermilk again so I can feel happier about life.
Shack
2/5
For once I'm with the Americans on this, it's just bland Brit 90s with nothing new to add.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
One of those albums that just sounds better louder. Jimi is a beast, the sounds he gets out of his guitar are just mindblowing. I also love that it's just a three piece - each instrument gets to shine - and they all do. It's a potent mix.
Slint
4/5
This was a real discovery, thank you 1001.
Had to give this quite a few listens, there is a lot going on and I still don't grok it all. I'm going to keep going until I do.
TLC
1/5
LameSmuttyVacuous
Deee-Lite
2/5
Feels like they put all the effort into Groove and let the work experience kid compile the rest of the album.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Early Sonic Youth - lacking the killer punch of later works, but all the ingredients are here.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
Righteous anger captured in a bottle, powerful stuff.
Sex Pistols
3/5
Cartoonish, but necessary for the evolution of music.
Beatles
4/5
There's a bit of 'filler' -if it's not blasphemous to say so. This is the Beatles doing away with the doowop but not quite at the groundbreaking experimentation of future albums.
Songwriting is of course top tier - Norwegian Wood, In My LIfe, Ticket to Ride, and Drive My Car would all be enough to launch a career for other musicians.
Prince
3/5
Funky!
Prince is one of those artist I respect more than I like. He certainly doesn't lack for talent or confidence but I just don't gel with his music. Appreciate it though and think seeing it live would be stellar.
Silver Jews
3/5
Nice little bit of Indie noodling here, will need to check out more of the catalogue.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
I'd just rather hear the songs that they sampled in their original form. I didn't hate this album, but there was nothing at all that I liked. 700 albums into the 1001 and hip-hop is still unable to inspire me.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
In Feb 1996 Jeff Buckley played my home town. I was keen on going but had a few things on, and figured I'd just see him next time he swung through Australia.
Regrets, I've had a few, but that is up on the top of the list.
Anyway, this is just a landmark 90s album. Guitar playing is impressive, love how we he can just wrap his thumb over the top and hit those chords. Songwriting is masterful and passionate.
But the voice - what a voice! I hadn't played this for years, but listening again I had a new appreciation for how much power and emotion he delivered.
Circle Jerks
2/5
Probably would have liked it more when I was younger, but this wasn't kicking goals for me today.
The Style Council
1/5
The Jam are a highly respected band, oozing street cred.
Paul Weller should be embarrassed. This album is an abomination - smooth jazz and bad rapping. Style Council was a serious wrong turn in his career.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
I'm not sorted for E's and Wizz, so this album is about four times too long. Some good work but just so repetitive. Works in a rave but not anywhere else.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
Worse than Blur, better than Gorillaz. It's a bit of a low effort album but a pretty good ride.
PJ Harvey
4/5
PJ Harvey doesn't make a bad album. I don't know if this would be one of my favourites, but it's a pretty mature effort. The addition of Mick Harvey (no relation of course, but linked via Nick Cave) is great, he's another seasoned indie god.
Rush
3/5
Never got into Rush but looking forward to a listen.
Golly, they certainly have crammed a lot of notes into this. I 'get' it, Tom Sawyer is musically really interesting. Actually, it all is interesting, but it just doesn't hit the spot for me. Can see why some would love it.
Mariah Carey
1/5
Officer, arrest this artist. This is everything wrong with music - right here.
If Hershey's made a Cadbury Creme Egg in musical form then this would be it. Sickly sweet, mass produced, and utterly without nutritional value. An insult to proper chocolate.
Yes, she can sing, and has inspired a generation of similarly talented women to appear on tv talent shows around the world. None of them worth a second of my time.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
I can't work out what this album is about.
Actually, of course I can. I have children.
Sinead O'Connor
5/5
Somewhat disappointed that "The Lion and the Cobra" didn't make the 1001, to me it's a groundbreaking debut showcasing a raw and emotional and immensely talented songwriter with an incredible voice. 5 stars easy.
This is still very good - and her Prince cover just astonishing. She's clearly been given a bigger budget and less control on this album. Some talented musicians contributing and more polished production.
I love her singing style - quirky but not contrived. I'm also giving this a borderline 5.
3/5
I started listening to the 1001 albums on my morning run. I think this was my fastest time ever.
A blast. Put these songs down as the least likely to be covered on Glee.
The Beach Boys
2/5
I'm shocked at the number of 5 star ratings for this. I thought it wavered between truly terrible and boring hippy drivel. At least it was short.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
I Want You is one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Raw emotions, compelling lyrics, and some fine restrained production. Every instrument shines - the organ up high, the guitar hogging the lower register, rhythm section holding everything together. That two note dissonant guitar riff/solo is gold.
Don McLean
3/5
Hard to listen to this - have heard the hit song tooooo many times performed by too many bog average guitarists in pubs. Vincent is a nice ditty and Don has a fine voice and a good twang on the geetar, it's a low three for me.
Sparks
2/5
Just didn't feel the love for this. Saw them live once too (at a festival, just a few songs). Crowd were in raptures.
Maybe this is just an album you need to spend time with.
Joe Ely
2/5
Honky Tonk - it's a waste of good musicians.
Travis
3/5
There wasn't much separating ColdPlay and Travis when this came out. It's pleasant enough but really just bland, and years later just doesn't standout among the sea of similar late 90s Brit acts.
David Ackles
1/5
In the 2008 film 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' the character played by Jason Segel wrote a musical for puppets based on the life of Dracula. I didn't realise it at the time but it was based entirely off this album.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
Lyrically horrible. Got a kcik out of some of the songs but wouldn't listen again. Glam rock came and went and no-one should miss it.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
As expected, complete rubbish.
Dagmar Krause
2/5
Not worth the effort it took to chase it.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
This is a mess. Great musicians, but everything else is terrible - vocals, lyrics, songs, production.
RHCP found a sound - based largely on Flea's unique talents - that makes them stand out. But this is just a lame milking of that cred - no spark.
The xx
4/5
Bit of a grower here. At first I was put off by the weak vocals, but music took over and it gets better with every listen. Nice synth sounds in particular.
ZZ Top
2/5
Sticks to the formula like glue. Guitar tone is nice, but apart from that it's bog standard redneck rock.
John Coltrane
3/5
Look - I'm sure listening to this makes me 11% more intelligent.
Depeche Mode
2/5
I really thought I'd enjoy this - innovative electronica has always been interesting to me. But the songwriting is subpar, and I found myself annoyed more than excited. Oh well.
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
Not really my genre, but they did it well, enjoyed the musicianship but not so much the songs
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
No context to rate it, the genre is our of anything I listen to. I could enjoy and appreciate it though which worth something
The Cult
3/5
Guitar solo on Love Removal Machine is so damn good, and the filmclip ticks off every rock cliche. The Cult are a hard band to work out - some of it is more punk than cock rock, but there is also a lot of .... cock rock. Some bad songs on here, but the good songs get to three stars.
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Way out of my wheelhouse but quite enjoyable.
Bauhaus
3/5
I only knew Bela Lugosi's Dead, which isn't on this album. And also Love and Rockets who formed from the pieces of Bauhaus.
Innovative and influential, but buried in gloom. And reverb. Lots of reverb.
Good album, would have loved it in my earlier days. Except Fishcakes, I just don't know what that is about.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
Ooh, admire the attitude, like Buffalo Stance, but it just sounds so tacky now.
The Band
2/5
I listened to this as the common clay of the new West voted in Trump. Again. I reckon The Band is quite popular in that demographic.
I didn't care for this at all.
Common
2/5
There were some bits that were sort of OK. And an awful lot that was plain terrible.
Dizzee Rascal
1/5
The sound that emanates from the windows (down of course to share) of a teenage dirtbag in his first car, 4am on a thursday.
Jazmine Sullivan
1/5
Could not find anything enjoyable in this.
Green Day
4/5
Far more enjoyable than I'd expected. Not sure if I'd call it punk, but I don't think anyone should care either. It's a top notch 3 piece band - each instrument can shine and there is still room for some joyous snotty nosed teenage musings.
Lauryn Hill
2/5
One of those highly regarded albums I've never listened. to. And now that I have, I never will again. Do not understand the hype - there is some nice music underneath some of the rantings and wailings, but nothing special.
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
Layla is a great track, but it doesn't fit the rest of the album which is bog standard blues with some top notch guitar playing by a known knob.
Kanye West
1/5
The Donald Trump of music. One star, I wish I could erase you from my life, and all the sheep following too. All I hear is ego. Only stuck with it to see what Bon Iver contributed.
White Denim
4/5
Caught me by surprise - I found this album endlessly fascinating. Nothing like what I usually listen to. Proggy but not overblown.
Nirvana
4/5
Quality songwriting and great choice of covers. For a band so loud and shouty it's good to see them in this setting.
Turbonegro
2/5
Like a cross between The Hives and Spinal Tap. I'm not feeling the love for this. It's OK in small bursts but the whole album is boring me .
Bonnie Raitt
1/5
Schmaltzy country music, as bad as it sounds.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
Somehow reducing the drums to a machine has made this even better. Lush, open distorted guitar, simple but catchy chord structures and beautiful harmonies. Drum machine just sits in the background like heartbeat.
The 13th Floor Elevators
2/5
Guitar tone was thin, songs were simple and album seemed to drag. Perhaps at the time it was interesting but drab now.
2/5
Just not my style at all. Some nice guitar bits, but songs rambled everywhere.
Michael Jackson
3/5
Look. It's a classic album by a superstar (Quincy Jones) and a music legend (MJ). But, there is some real duds here alongside the classics. Beat It is really good, and well produced. The Girl Is Mine though id complete pants and Paul Mc is wasted on that. Averages out to a three for me. I get why it's so popular. I'm old enough to remember the excitement as a kid watching the Thriller clip when it came out. Novelty value only now, I don't get much from this.
Duran Duran
3/5
Didn't love the album, love the spirit though and the bass playing adds a star.
Frank Black
3/5
Well, I'm annoyed that this album makes the list and The Breeders didn't, Last Splash is a five star effort. This is good not gold. Frank is a crusty fella but talent still shines out on this.
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
One of those bands where I knew a few songs but never took the time to listen to. Great and distinctive voice and some good early synth work. Probably better as a 'best of' rather than an album band.
Yes
3/5
New one for me, prog rock not something I'd ever choose to put on. There's a lot here to digest - super musicians, slight pretentious but with a sense of humour. Winner for me.
Morrissey
3/5
The Smiths were such a force of nature - breaking up the partnership is a risky move, and Morrisey without Marr - that's going to be tough.
This isn't a Smiths album - it lacks the chemistry but it still has the songwriting, and there is quality here. Guitar work is done by Vini Reilly from The Durutti Column. This lead me down an interesting path, and I think I enjoyed their "LC" album more than Viva Hate.
Christina Aguilera
1/5
Effing horrible. Basic moaning.
Django Django
4/5
Really enjoyed this.
Blur
4/5
Classic 90s album by a band finding their feet. Some real great pop songs and some classier mid tempo songs - To The End is great. Not their best work but still a winner.
Carpenters
3/5
Karen Carpenter, as another punter on here noted, is the best Carpenter since Jesus. Great drummer and superb voice. Love that. Most songs here are pretty sappy but I still enjoyed it more than expected.
4/5
Loved this, just leaks innovation. Devo weren't a band to settle for bog standard rock. Great use of rhythm - 5 bar phrasing 7/8 time sigs. Quirky and great.
The White Stripes
3/5
I'm a big fan of Jack White with a guitar in his hand. This album though - it's good but lacks a killer song.
Morrissey
2/5
Morrisey over represented in the 1001, but at least one album deserves a spot. Not sure if this is the one though. And he is a shit bloke, so loses a star.
The Replacements
4/5
One of those bands I'd heard of but never found the time to listen to. Thank you 1001 list, this was a goody.
Good mix of punk and indie, crunchy bass and jangly guitar. Listening again, that bass sound is just fantastic.
Run-D.M.C.
1/5
Hip hop is still a mystery to me, and this doesn't help at all. Tacky midi orchestral hits over a drum machine and synchronised shouting.
John Lennon
3/5
Phew - no Yoko.
CHVRCHES
3/5
Indietronica. Much prefer this to dance/trance style electronic music.
Leftfield
2/5
I like electronic music but hate dance music, and this falls too much on the dance side. I think if it had live drums I would get more or of this, but the soulless hihat and metronomic kickdrum is annoying.
a-ha
2/5
Very dated now, and just too poppy for me.
Wilco
3/5
Wilco are now considered one of the classic Dad Rock bands. I like it though, but I'm a classic Dad. Country but not really country - indie roots shine through. Plenty of variety and nice tunes. Thumbs up from me.
Wild Beasts
3/5
Musically interesting. Got that turn of the century indie sound, light guitar arpeggios and lots of synth work.
Vocals - just not strong enough for the songs.
George Harrison
3/5
That guitar sound on My Sweet Lord is just like being wrapped in a blanket on a cold winter day.
This is a lovely album - makes you wonder how much more songwriting George could have contributed to The Beatles.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
Hard to fit this into 1988 - way ahead of it's time. Clear influence on 90s grunge. Perry maybe a dick but the band can really play. Mountain Song and Jane Says Re two quite different and quite brilliant songs. Loved the bass playing and of course the guitar work is outstanding.
Billy Bragg
4/5
Some really great songs on here. Billy hasn't got the greatest voice but it suits the material - a complete lack of pretention in his delivery. Levi Stubbs' Tears a standout - really simple arrangement, horns towards the end flesh out a lovely but depressing song.
Some excellent contributors including Marr and MacColl really add some class.
James Taylor
2/5
MOR.
Music for people who have given up on excitement and wear slippers and socks.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Wasted entry in the 1001 - this is just a good to average album of covers, wouldn't get a mention if this was their only output. Hints of things to come but nothing you couldn't find in any bar in the Southern USA. Or anywhere really.
Steely Dan
3/5
Ooh, yacht rock from a famously technical proficient band. A bit borderline on the honky tonk bits but the the hit song is enough to drag up to a 3 star.
Megadeth
3/5
Expected to hate this but I was wrong - really a lot to like about this. Not going to play it when Mum comes over for a cup of tea, unless I didn't want her to hang around.
Some fine musicianship on show, crunchy bass and lots of guitar that didn't quite turn into classic lead wankery.
Jamiroquai
3/5
This made JK a very very very very rich man. There's a lot to like about this - as a bass player it's a great listen, but it's also a bit of a polished - highly polished - turd.
I saw these guys a festival a few years ago. Chic had just done a blistering hour long set that was all killer. Having a podgy JK bounce around for 90 minutes was about 81 minutes too long.
Goldfrapp
4/5
This is a lovely album, good songs and great production. Nice work on the synths.
Radiohead
5/5
Never had an issue with Thom's voice, and it's great to hear to used as another lead instrument on this effort.
A lot more glitchy and electronic than previous albums, but it all works and there is the usual fine musicianship on show.
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
Interesting abum. Really great bass and guitar work, fascinating songwriting, but Lydon is the wrong vocalist for this. Really could have been great without him.
Fugees
1/5
I've always hated the Killing me Softly cover. Vocals are fine, though it's layered so thick. But apart from that it's just a simple drum machine and someone repeating 'One Time' like it's the most profound statement ever. I just don't get it. It's lame cover version that any high school band could pull off.
1 star for me, chinese food skit a special low point.
Culture Club
1/5
Just a gimmick album.
John Cale
2/5
Twee and really quite boring. I listened a few times and I think I might have dozed off, it just went in one ear and out the other.
Marvin Gaye
2/5
I think there is enough good Marvin Gaye on the 1001. This is .. OK, but just a bit nasty.
k.d. lang
4/5
Constant Craving sits oddly at the end of the album, which up until this point is a collection of smart tunes delivered by a beautiful voice. Didn't expect to enjoy it this much. And the it lifts with the closer, a heartbreaking love song.
Kate Bush
4/5
I used to have a crush on Kate Bush. I still do. She does it all - writes the songs, sings the songs, dances in weird videos, plays piano and masters the Fairlight as well. And clearly she does whatever she wants, nothing manufactured about her.
This isn't her best album, but it's still great. Vocals on This Woman's Work are particularly splendid.
Traffic
2/5
About infinity minutes too long.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Really good bookends make this album. His voice is still a mix of wavery and whiney, but songwriting is excellent. Passionate delivery.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Never been a fan of this style. Credit though, it's actually pretty good. Heavy and tight, and the vocals are fantastic. No idea what the songs about, but enjoyed the interlude with Changes, and Fx was just a bit of playtime.
Coldcut
1/5
Horribly repetitive. Songwriting talent noticeably absent, just lots of bleep blop scratch.
Underworld
2/5
I like a lot of electronic music. Not this though, it's too glitchy and not melodic enough. Fine if you are drugged out of your mind in a club, but I'm not.
Dolly Parton
2/5
Very traditional country music. Lovely harmonies, dog shit baselines and a lot of twang. Can't knock the vocals, but the songs are dead boring.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Some fine songs on this album. Very much of it's time, but far better than most of the hippy era on the 1001.
Jacques Brel
1/5
My French is pretty rusty, this album is super crusty.
Non.
John Martyn
3/5
Didn't have high hopes for this, happy to be wrong. Sounds pretty fresh even though it's a 70's album. Distinctive style, will listen to this again, guitar work is impeccable. Bonus for only 38 minute
Hole
3/5
Hole were a decent band operating in a pretty tumultuous timeline. Some crackin songs on this, more power pop than grunge. Courtney has the 'riz', the songs are tight and some good low end on the bass. Few fillers in there, but the hits are great.
Caetano Veloso
2/5
Couldn't connect to this.
Neil Young
2/5
Neil Young again. Respect the hell out him, but there's not a lot he does that I want to listen to. Putting aside the tragic story of this album, it's just not easy to enjoy this. Young's voice is whiny. Compliant rock, hey.
Foo Fighters
4/5
Dave Grohl solo really, and it's a pretty impressive effort to play all the parts.
Lots of quality songs, really strong opening tracks.
Ash
3/5
Lots of fun with this one, I had it when it came out. Firmly an album of the 90s. Some pretty cool tunes, let down by a weak singing voice but for a bunch of scruffy Irish teens it's pretty good.
The Gun Club
3/5
Lots of fun here - it's punk, but it's not just punk. Almost a rockabilly side going on with the geetar.
Sounds more modern than 1981. Simple songs but well done.
The Waterboys
5/5
Really great album. Can't believe I'm enjoying something with folk tunes and a fiddle so much. maybe I'll learn to love Bob Dylan by the end of the 1001 too.
Fisherman's Blues is a classic sing-a-long track and a great opener to the album. Mike Scott is 10x the singer Bob D is too, which helps.
We Will Not Be Lovers is the standout though, loved the interplay between the violin and fretless (or double?) bass in the intro - really creates tension. Only two chords (A minor and F for those playing at home).
Keeping the 5* run going is World Party, which spawned a pretty cool band too.
Sweet thing slows things down somewhere, but it's a lovely song.
Pleased to hear a 'bang' on the ear means a 'kiss'.
There's a few not so great tracks later in the album, but I'm going 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Jeru The Damaja
2/5
Look - it wasn't the worst thing I heard today, and it sounds better (or maybe just less offensive) than most of the hiphop I've had so far.
Wilco
4/5
Surprised from the comments that many find this boring. This is a great album - stretching the band (perhaps to breaking point) and delivering some really fine songs.
Bad Brains
2/5
Interesting but not good. Impressed with the talent, but don't like the genre.
The Doors
2/5
I really don't like The Doors. Jim Morrison comes across as a right prick.
Riders on the Storm is a banger but nothing else here is listenable.
Dennis Wilson
2/5
Another example of why punk happened. This is a bloated mess of classic middle of the road rawk, lots of studio time devoted to fleshing out tired songs.
Bad Company
2/5
Bad Company. Or just Bad?
This is just Badly dated boring ass rock.
Pantera
2/5
Gosh, it's good, but also terrible. Great guitar work, and I'm sure it I'd listened to this when I was young and cranky I'd enjoy it. At least in short doses, a full album is far too draining.
CHIC
3/5
Classic, iconic, and much sampled bass playing. Funky guitar work by Nile Rogers, and drumming just just grooves along. Sadly the songs themselves are vapid, but that's typical for disco.
Dolly Parton
3/5
As Shirley would say, "That's nice!"
Not a country music fan, but this was pleasant without being too cloying, and Dolly is a wonderful human (antidote to the Kanye/Morrissey/Clapton types).
Miles Davis
4/5
A breath of fresh air. I've tried to understand A Kind of Blue, but I connect far more with In A Silent Way speaks. Will need to give it a few more listens - there is so much going on.
Koffi Olomide
2/5
Didn't know what to make of this. Ok, apart from cheesy electric piano.
Nick Drake
4/5
I've got a Nick Drake compilation so knew some of the songs. Guitar playing throughout is superb.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Opens really strongly. The Cutter followed by Back of Love sets things up beautifully. Closing song Fuel is the only let down.
Unique sounding, jarring guitar and jittering bass. Loved it.
Iggy Pop
3/5
Interesting as a historic document- have a soft spot for Iggy after seeing him live. Fingerprints of Bowie are all over this album, and that's never a bad thing.
Solomon Burke
2/5
Nice powerful voice. But terrible songs.
Nick Drake
4/5
Glad to get another Nick Drake on the list. There's a dearth of 60/70s folky singers, and I detest most of them. Nick Drake though, perfect blend of sincere songwriting and top notch guitar work.
Hole
3/5
Screams 90s grunge. Hole had something special - not everything hits, but plenty of interesting songs here.
Sepultura
3/5
Not a genre of music I would usually listen to. More enjoyable than I was expecting, really great musicianship. Only downside was the vocals.
Sleater-Kinney
4/5
Somehow skipped this when it came out. It's raucous and brilliant.
David Bowie
4/5
I prefer Low, but Low doesn't have one of the greatest songs ever in "Heroes". It's anthemic.
Bowie greatly supported by Eno and Fripp. Side 2 is enjoyable enough, but if I wanted ambient wanderings I'd just listen to Eno.
R.E.M.
5/5
I was an early adopter of REM. Amazing to see them rise from mumbling indie to stadium fillers.
this is all class. Enough hits and mellow album tracks, easy 5
Super Furry Animals
2/5
This was just a bit of an aimless mess, and I'm just not in the mood for that today.
Tom Waits
3/5
Bit of a mixed bag here. I don't mind Tom, voice of pure gravel can get a bit draining at album length. Much of it isn't enjoyable, but at least he is out there doing stuff no-one else is doing.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
1/5
The sixties were a time of experimentation in music - The Beatles turning from boy band to studio wizards, Jimi Hendrix doing things on the guitar that defied logic etc.
And then there is The Flying Burrito Brothers, producing an album of stupidly simple country ditties devoid of any spark of innovation.
I hated every twang and slide.
Elvis Presley
2/5
Like looking at grandmas collection of porcelain dolls. At some point in history this might be considered interesting, but not in my world.
Gorillaz
2/5
I'm a big Blur fan but hadn't ever heard this album apart from the hits.
Listening to it now, I'm not in love at all. Clearly Damon was done with Blur and wanted just to sit in the background and twiddle some knobs. But the hip hop elements just drag it down.
The Sonics
2/5
Deserves a spot on the 1001, clearly influential garage rock stuff.
But not going to listen to it again.
808 State
2/5
Bit too focussed on the know twiddling and not enough on the songwriting.
The B-52's
5/5
Could be the most fun album on the 1001.
Crackin debut. Opens with the Peter Gunn inspired Planet Claire, layering groovy organ over a guitar line hugging the low notes.
Interplay between male and female voices is delightful.
Rock Lobster has lit up dancefloors and house parties everywhere.
Only poor song is the cover of Downtown, but I'll forgive that.
Femi Kuti
3/5
Another odd choice for a mostly 'Western Music' list. World music is a bit of a token inclusion.
Good listen though. Pleasant groove.
3/5
I'm a blur fan but don't spin this one much. Opens well but quite a few weak songs. Still a band very much finding out how to work together.
The Prodigy
2/5
This album was huge at the time, but I never really bought into it. Seemed like a gimmick - scary looking makeup and a permanent scowl seemed so contrived.
They did put on a good live show and got the crowds dancing, and can admire their songcraft. Just not my thing.
Brian Eno
4/5
Brian Eno is such an interesting character. Glam rock with Roxy Music, groundbreaking ambient albums, early adopter of sampling, and producer for a huge range of artists including Talking Heads, U2, Devo, Bowie, Slowdive (yay). He's also branched out into Nokia ringtones and the Windows 95 start up sound.
First listen for me on this one, though I did recognize a few songs. Rock album, but not really - it gathers influences from everywhere.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Mixed bag here. Neil's voice seems worse, but the guitar work is better.
No real standout songs, this isn't an album that deserves a spot on the 1001
Joni Mitchell
3/5
I really wanted to like this. I've had another one of her albums with Jaco on bass
Fell flat to me even after 3 listens. I'm not much into lyrics and the voice wandering everywhere was more frustrating than enjoyable. Musically though it's still nice.
Destiny's Child
1/5
71 minutes of slutty pop hell. No thanks.
The Shamen
2/5
Shitty rave music.
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
Average Jazz.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Plus for Paint it Black and the fact that this is all originals rather than the pedestrian blues covers from earlier work.
Mostly bad and lyrically horrid. Stones are overplayed.
2/5
Well, Loretta has a fine voice, poor choice in politicians (Trump), and a terrible choice in husbands (married at 15 to a 21 year old who cheated on her and beat her).
This was a chore, twangy guitar, bog simple songs and as much originality as a glass of milk.
The Slits
4/5
Another of those bands I'd heard of but never got around to listening to. My mistake.
Classic British combo of Punk and Reggae, reflecting the strong West Indian culture of London at the time. Very musical underneath the punky vocals. Nothing simple about this, I've played a few times today and got more out of it each time.
Extra star for the cover of I Heard it through the Grapevine. The CCR cover of this is just about my most hated cover song in the world, so appreciate this fresh take.
The Specials
3/5
Knew the hits, enjoyed the rest.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Much prefer Jeff to Tim. This just seems tame and unfocussed.
The Smiths
4/5
Quality band those Smith boys. Smart lyrics and iconic guitar playing from Johnny. Girlfriend in a Coma best song.
Beck
4/5
Beck throws everything into the mix - there's country, hiphop, blues, indie all poking their heads up randomly.
It works well enough to make this stand out.
Waylon Jennings
1/5
If tepid congealed porridge was an album then it would be Hony Tonk Heroes.
Unpalatable.
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
Another sub-par effort here. Enjoyed the uncredited African music but the overall package was bleh.
Goldie
2/5
Not really a fan of Drum and Bass. I find it too different from actually bass and actual drums - those super fast rhythms are jarring and feel so artificial.
This is just OK - there is some good stuff here, mostly the vocals.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
What kind of spider understands arachnophobia? One of many questions left unanswered. Along with "why did we waste Brian Eno on this?"
Can admire the originality of this, but it just seems so out of place in the 90s. Vocals are weak and reedy and songs are just meh.
Cat Stevens
3/5
Pleasant and folksy, lovely guitar playing and songwriting.
Radiohead
5/5
I was not sold on the debut album Pablo Honey, thought that Creep was a cliched effort with overly crunchy guitars and angsty lyrics.
The Bends dispelled my dim view of Radiohead and I've been on board ever since.
This is a great album, and incredible to think this was just their second release. It's complex in an era where alternative music just wasn't this experimental. There's enough hits here for 3 albums crammed into one. Finishing with Street Spirit is icing on the cake.
2/5
This album has shoulder pads and a skinny tie. So draped in overwrought 80s synth sounds and sultry leaping vocals.
Madonna
2/5
Madonna. I'm not sure there is an artist who has traded more on sex appeal and cultural awareness, and less on actual talent.
Her singing voice is just OK - nothing here stretches her and I don't think she has the chops to take it higher. Orbit is a good contributor, but given the choice I'd just listen to his work instead.
Terence Trent D'Arby
2/5
This would not have been a quick album to make. Heavy Heavy Heavy production and has not aged well. TTD'A is clearly a talented man, but this is too polished and slick for my punky tastes.
Suzanne Vega
4/5
Great album. Not as great as Solitude Standing or 99.9 F, and I can only think this album was picked because it was a debut album.
Refreshing to have a singer-songwriter with such a great voice (looking at you Bob and Leonard). She's also great on backing vocals for "In a Lonely Place" by The Smithereens, which is where I think I first noticed her.
Superb guitar work as well. This is a winner and sad there isn't more on the 1001.
American Music Club
2/5
Gosh, it was just a lot of meh.
The Verve
3/5
Some great songs in here - the hits are hits for a reason.
It's a bit toooo lush for me, I'd rather a bit more rawness in my 90s music. 3.5, rounding down though but still a winner.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Happy Mondays milked their talent for all the drugs they could get. Bez did even better, got the drugs without much more than the ability to dance on stage. And eventually the drugs would kill their career. No ragrats!
Their talent was finding a groove and adding their baggy dust to it. And when it worked it was great.
Kinky Afro is one of the greatest album openers. "Son, I'm thirty, I only went with your mother cos she's dirty".
Step On us just lazy though, and I couldn't ever work out why it was the hit song, worst thing on the album.
The Darkness
2/5
Kudos for being a very very very talented tribute band. I'm sure if you miss the days of hair metal then this would be right up your alley.
As much originality as the weetbix I ate this morning.
Permission denied.
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Had no idea her career was so long. Only knew the 80s hits but this was a pretty pleasant album. Top notch backing band.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Ah, that glorious guitar sound. One of the loudest gigs I've ever seen, and J Mascis at infinity volume is a life affirming way to get tinnitus and I'm up for that.
Album does drag a bit at the end but glad to have it here.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Album number 7 for Nick with the Bad Seeds, and this is the one where it all comes together.
Nick Cave is the Quentin Tarantino of Indie Rock - master storyteller of blood soaked dramas. Great songwriter - and (unlike Dylan/Cohen/Young) blessed with a fine voice.
The Bad Seeds through their various incarnations have always been a blistering force of nature. Live they are a beast, and I was lucky enough to see them perform some of this album in 1993 with Nick prowling and scowling in the Adelaide heat. Have seen him a dozen times since, and the Bad Seeds have changed over time, but this incarnation features members who appear elsewhere in the 1001 - Mick Harvey (later features with PJ Harvey, Martin P Casey (Triffids), and Bliza Bargeld (Einstürzende Neubauten).
Previous albums were a mixed bag. The Good Son shines with The Weeping Song and the Ship Song, and Tender Prey with Mercy Seat and Deanna. Henry's Dream is just about all winners. Arrangements are dense and lush but not at all soft. Nick does get mellow later on, but this phase for me is peak angry Nick and I'm here for all that he'll give.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Just a fun and funky ride.
Love
3/5
Alone again.. Or . Top track, seven levels above anything else here. Nice instrumentation, but airy fairy vocals are trying.
Killing Joke
4/5
I know a couple of their other songs - 80s and Love Like Blood (which is bloody excellent). I was a bit disappointed that they weren't on this album.
Turns out this is a really great album, sounds way ahead of it's time. Clear influence on lots of later music - Nine Inch Nails, Ministry etc.
Crunchy guitar, grinding bass and growling vocals.
Spacemen 3
3/5
Very long - but I'm ok with that for this effort. Rich guitar tone, drone like songs but it all worked.
Beck
4/5
Beck in his funky phase. Always delivers something interesting, and he has talent bursting out of every pore.
Meat Puppets
4/5
Another discovery. Nirvana were right.
Announces itself with Split Myself In Two, which just rolls along and then collapses at the end.
Good fun here. Sounds 90s but isn't.
Holger Czukay
3/5
Another left field selection. Weird enough to be interesting.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Birth of a new world here, glad I listened to it. Never going to listen again though.
New Order
2/5
New Order have some really good albums.
This isn't one of them. Power, Corruption and Lies is great. Brotherhood too. Get Ready was a welcome return, and Waiting for the Siren's cool a terrible let down.
Technique - it's just as my kids would say - mid. All the way is a rip off of Just Like Heaven by The Cure.
Feels like the band just phoned this one in.
Sonic Youth
5/5
A sprawling masterpiece of angry noise rock. Kim Gordon has more attitude than actual singing talent, but it works in this context. There's so much experimentation here - not every song hits the mark but most of this is just fantastic.
100% is a perfect opener. Barely controlled guitar feedback from the right speaker to set the scene, distorted bass and crunching guitars to lay it down and thumping drums to bring it all together.
Fairport Convention
3/5
Was a bit scared at the start - I'm no fan of 60s folk music.
This was good though, songs were interesting and not too hippyish. Singer was excellent.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
This album has it all - funky bass, funky guitar, just funky everything. Cheesy lyrics and overblown vocals, but suits the whole vibe.
The Soft Boys
4/5
What a discovery! Loved You'll Have to Go Sideways, real Yo La Tengo vibes.
Drive-By Truckers
2/5
Like the most boring music ever performed by a cover band. And it goes for hours. Good musos but bland songs.
The Notorious B.I.G.
1/5
Puerile. Utterly crap.
The National
5/5
Five stars easy - this is The National at the top of their game. Earlier albums are a bit less focused than High Violet (though still great - Boxer especially).
Songwriting is great, moody and intense songs. Ending live sets with Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks is great. Bloodbuzz Ohio makes me want to stay well clear of Ohio. Terrible Love is a winner too. Actually, there isn't a bad track here and some real fine hits.
Sonically fantastic - sounds beautiful cranked up through my speakers.
Klaxons
2/5
Pretty underwhelming effort. I should like this but it just didn't click for me.
Oasis
4/5
This album drips swagger. Boisterous but stupid. Really nailed the post Beatles sound, with a nice touch of The Kinks.
Married with Children the only lowlight.
Stan Getz
3/5
Very pleasant. Instruments all sound beautifully clear and distinct. Not much of a jazz fan but could certainly vibe on this.
Shivkumar Sharma
2/5
Just didn't know what to make of this.
Magazine
4/5
Better than your average post punk effort. Shot by Both Sides - love that ascending guitar line. Bass on Recoil is superb.
2/5
Brazilian music overlayed with low effort electro dance music. Forgettable.
Liz Phair
3/5
Liz Phair has a lot to say about things I have no perspective on, being male, old and nit American. So instead I mildly vibed to her low fi indie noodlings. It was ok.
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
Good songs - great sound - very 80s. Enough reverb to fill a large church. . Jim Steinman touch fills it out even more.
Never listened to Sisters of Mercy much - I think I've missed a trick.
Hanoi Rocks
2/5
I have no time for protocockrock.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
Must be hard being in Talking Heads and not called David.
This is good stuff - funky and tight. But - I don't think we get this album on the 1001 if they weren't also in TH.
The Thrills
3/5
This is pleasant indie road trip music. Touches a bit of a country twang with the banjo but doesn't dig too deep into that.
Doesn't reach any great heights, but I'd happily put this in the background whilst I research a trip to California.
Michael Jackson
2/5
Never liked it when it came out. Hasn't aged well either. Synth sounds are jarring and lacks the killer hits of other MJ efforts.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Like the soundtrack to a James Bond film I don't really want to see.
She's got a fine fine voice and this is highly polished effort - but it leaves me a bit cold.
The Pogues
3/5
Happy to see this on the list. Good drinking music, and having Kirsty on this is great.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Better than expected, a compelling voice covering some well known hits. I'll put it on next time Mum comes over for a cup of tea, and then never again.
Madonna
1/5
Evidence that you can all the studio tricks in the world and still produce a steaming pile of turdmusic.
I feel sorrow for all the bytes wasted on this.
And the cover of American Pie is a lifeless corpse of a song.
M.I.A.
3/5
Real London sound to this, adds a nice touch. Whilst not a hop hop fan in the slightest I did like how this was produced, had enough hooks to keep me interested.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
This is cool jazz - not smooth and never simple, not easy listening. I was in the mood for a challenge with this one and it delivered. Never going to be the biggest jazz fan but got my foot tapping and jazz hands flapping for this.
The Go-Go's
3/5
Little buzz of pop joy here. Opening track - Alex the Seal - is familiar and a pretty good tune.
This was fun - nothing too serious but liked the vibe.
Ride
5/5
Finally some shoegaze to bring some joy into my day. Not a popular genre on the 1001, and sadly this is the only Ride on the list. Going Blank Again is also worthy.
Classic album, best enjoyed at high volume so those guitar tones ring out in your ears for days.
Vapour Trail should have opened this album, it's a thing of beauty. But then again, what a way to close the album as the final strings put everything to bed.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Repetitive in a way that most dance orientated electronic music usually is. God stuff though, drums sound great and there is enough here to hold my interest.
Santana
3/5
Had only heard the hits. It's a pretty fine album. Guitar playing is - of course - fantastic - but it all fits together so well. Drums and bass get their fill as well and the songs are good. Doesn't drift into pretentious guitarwankery (which I feared).
Listening a second time, that guitar tone is sooooo sweet.
Heaven 17
2/5
Bass playing is top notch, but songcraft is poor and everything sounds so thin. 2.5 rounded down.
Pink Floyd
2/5
I would count myself as a Pink Floyd fan but this isn't the version of PF I want to listen to. Rambling psychedelic jams with unicorns is not floating my boat. I know the future version is a lot better.
Carole King
4/5
Not my thing at all - but this is clearly a great album by a super talented artist.
Superb songwriting and musicianship. Some very famous songs on here. Title track a bit of a dud though.
The Beta Band
4/5
Indie plus electronica. Great vibe to this, loved the songs.
King Crimson
3/5
Challenging listen. I had to put this on a few times to get in mood for classic prog. Worth it though, this is rewarding if I'm in the right mindset. Lots going musically.
Finley Quaye
2/5
Utterly forgettable.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
As an Australian bass player I feel I should like this. And yes, bass playing is great. But songs are shite, Keidas super annoying and RHCP over exposed. I can't handle more than 9 minutes of this.
Nick Cave was right.
Faith No More
3/5
I saw a Faith No More tribute band (Zombie Eaters) who nailed the sound just the night before I got this album.
A real mix here. Epic - it really is epic and Falling to Pieces is great. Filler tracks are just a bit poorer - I think Angel Dust is a better all round album.
GZA
1/5
Once again this is wasted on me. Underlying music is simple and repetitive and holds no interest, it's just a base plate for the lyrics and samples of some movie.
I read the lyrics and didn't feel any wiser.
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
Bog standard and boring.
The Triffids
3/5
This is a hard one to rate. The Triffids were a low key indie band in Australia with a minor hit song that could be our national anthem (Wide Open Road, it's not on this album). They are from Perth, and an 80's band from Perth trying to make it on the world stage is an almost impossible task.
Calenture was their 'big budget' shot at fame. It's good, some great songs and some that seem to try too hard. Recorded in the UK - and that's probably the reason they made the 1001, getting noticed in Perth doesn't happen.
But if you don't hate this - have a listen to Wide Open Road.
Gotan Project
2/5
When I saw the cover I was expecting a misogynistic hip hop album. This isn't that at all, but I'm not sure it's whole lot better. Really adding an exotic touch to elevator music.
Beth Orton
5/5
Flawless album. Fantastic voice and surprisingly good musicianship for what seems like a little indie artist.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Strange that this is his biggest selling album. It's more of a novelty album to me - still great songs but different to the rest his output. Same general mood, but Murder Ballads has collaborations and covers
Songs vary from good to great. Stagger Lee is outstanding - that bassline is a dark and powerful beast, and the guitar work is great. Bad Seeds have always punched above their weight.
Nick Cave is the perfect artist for these songs, he's a brooding and compelling live performer.
Arcade Fire
5/5
Loved the early Arcade Fire work. I read a lot of Douglas Coupland in the 90s and this feels like an album version of his books.
Broad mix of instruments, brooding and angsty lyrics, songs that build and build - all things I'm looking for in my dad rock.
One-two punch of The Suburbs and Ready to Start is a fantastic way to open the album.
Elbows up Canada!
Louis Prima
3/5
Dreaded listening to this so, not a 50s fan but this was a good album. Could hear all the jazz/swing proto rock'n'roll influences here, and there was a lot of energy in this one.
Ice Cube
1/5
Another nope from me. I need to hear something musically interesting to engage me. This is low grade music with all the emphasis on the lyrical content - which is fine for most people. Not me.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Well - it was a bit of fun really, proggy cover of classical music. Interesting enough to earn a spot on the list. Fanfare for the common man is better than this entire album though.
The Isley Brothers
2/5
Look. It's really well produced, great musicians. But cheesey.
Green Day
3/5
Green Day look like a nice bunch of lads. Music is fun, well played. I don't ever feel like putting it on, but I'm not going to get upset if I hear it.
John Lee Hooker
3/5
Quality compilation of guest artists joining a legendary bluesman. It's good but feels a bit contrived.
Prince
3/5
Prince is one funky man, and he knows it. Super talented, I'm jealous of his ability to play 18 million instruments.
It's a bit too slick for my tastes. Could appreciate but not enjoy, happy to listen to it once and never again.
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
I don't ever listen to country music, so have little to compare this to. Nothing here interests me, it's poppy and bland. Not unpleasant, but feels so contrived.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
Not the worst thing I've heard.
The Undertones
3/5
Good pop-punk, lifted by Feargal Sharkey's voice. Not sure if this is their best album, I didn't know these songs but did know a few of their bigger hits.
Richard Thompson
3/5
Loved the album cover, not something I usually notice.
As expected the guitar playing on this is fanstastic. Didn't care so much for the songs, strayed about too folk/country for my tastes but lots of this was great.
The Incredible String Band
1/5
This was a truly awful experience. Horribly hippy warbling.
Britney Spears
1/5
An album for teenage schoolgirls and people who like to perve at teenage schoolgirls.
One and done with Britney, I never want to hear this low effort pop shrilling again.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Quite familiar with Loveless, hadn't heard this though. Loveless is fantastic - this has all the ingredients but not as well put together.
Opening track is probably the weakest link, and perhaps a poor choice as an opener.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
I have Copper Blue by Sugar, great 90s album. Only knew one song by Hüsker Dü, so was pleased to have this one pop up on the 1001.
It's got a classic American punk/indie feel. Guitar is crunchy, bass sadly mixed down (production isn't great on this). Bob Mould is a good frontman, and these are good catchy songs. Probably a bit long.
Jorge Ben Jor
2/5
Not my vibe, didn't get any joy out of this.
Manu Chao
2/5
Coffee shop music I suppose. It was inoffensive, but I just wasn't in the mood for this today.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Inventive - always something to listen out for. Didn't like a lot of it, wavered far too much down the psychedelia arm for my tastes but respect the effort.
Hugh Masekela
3/5
Cool jazz - pleasant to listen to and musically interesting when you concentrate. Not really a jazz fan but can't help but admire the skills. This was a good hour of music.
Kings of Leon
3/5
Pretty catchy tunes.
MC Solaar
2/5
Jazzy tone was good, didn't love the rapping and of course my French is too limited to understand the lyrics.
Wouldn't put this on myself but wasn't offended by it either.
Adele
2/5
Urghh. Adele - no doubt has a super voice. Music though is shopping mall level dross. Inspired a generation of talent show wannabees and I don't want to waste my music listening time on this.
Neil Young
3/5
This is a really hard one to rate. Neil is a great songwriter. But a terrible singer - that reedy falsetto is just terrible and I'm finding it so hard to hear anything else.
Some lovely horn work on the title track, and the guitar work is understated but often quite awesome.
As demonstrated though by Saint Etienne - these songs can be vastly improved by letting someone else sing them. I'm torn on 2 or 3 stars.
Incubus
2/5
It's like a metal band that just wont commit and needs a gimmick - extra nu!!
Miriam Makeba
3/5
Another interesting selection. Simple but a good vibe, nice rhythms and good to hear the mix of African and western music.
Einstürzende Neubauten
3/5
I've had 2 horrible Adele album recently, and it's good to have something like Kollaps to balance the world. This isn't an album to file under easy listening. Best bits were the 'dub' sections where the band played around with polyrhythms and bleep bleeps. Yes, there is a lot of noise but I don't mind that at all.
Teenage Fanclub
5/5
5 glorious slacker stars here. Classic 90s album full of sweeping guitar chords, witty lyrics and hooks galore.
Something for the whole family here - nods to Status Quo, great harmonies, multiple singers/songwriters, groovy basslines.
And F you Gene Simmons for suing them over the cover. Prick.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
I know this is a hugely popular album but it does absolutely nothing forme.
Thundercat input was great, but I just don't get any joy out of the vocals.
Track 2 in particular felt like I was stuck in the back booth of a jazz club sandwiched between two meth addicts crashing out.
The Stooges
3/5
Imagine walking into a club in 1969 and hearing this blasting out - what a buzz that would be.
High energy and clearly influential on a lot of good music to follow.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
Buenas NO
Sounds like a drunk guy trying to keep up with a very good guitarist. And a bass player trying desperately to play nothing but the root and fifth.
Bee Gees
2/5
This was bland, long and not very interesting at all.
The Kinks
3/5
Quirky, manic and just a bit too much twee going on, but still fascinating.
If a kitten was an album then it would be The Village Green Preservation Society. Jumpy and not quite grown up.
Very very British and I'm up for that.
Lorde
2/5
Feels like an Indie hit but done in a real pop way and that really detracted.
Marilyn Manson
2/5
Manson is the ultimate poser. Trent Reznor is the real talent behind this album. Manson is just there to look menacing and annoy your parents, turning everything up to 11, and then turning it up even more.
The Beach Boys
2/5
Beach Boys. Hmm - have always seemed like a cheesy ripoff of the Beatles, and nothing on this album changes my view.
I do appreciate the underlying harmonic setup - it's not simple 12-bar blues based 60s rock. Everything on on top is saccharine sweet and cloying - falsetto and at times screeching (She Knows me too well) vocals, slimey harmonies and questionable lyrics.
The upbeat songs are at least tolerable, but the ballads are horrible.
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
This is a big and complex album. Reznor was breaking new ground everywhere - without his touch Marylin Manson would just be a creepy dude who's ego far outstrips his talent. Innovative use of synths and samples in such a heavy sounding album.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Cheesy cheese here, dated synth sounds (that 'Orchestral Hit' patch is way overused).
Pet Shop Boys were always very camp (not that there's anything wrong with that), the Village People cover just amps that up again.
Did not enjoy.
Adele
2/5
I've already listened to 21 by Adele, and this isn't 4 stars better. Same level of interest for me - fine voice but utterly uninspiring in every other way.
Leave this one to the bored and middle aged.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Quite enjoyable but well out of my wheelhouse. Good groove with the rhythm section, slap bass used sparingly and well.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I'm not really on the bandwagon for Leonard, but I quite liked this effort. Half the songs almost turned into "So Long, Marianne" and the jew's harp was an unwelcome entry, but I did pay attention to the songwriting and got something out of this. 2.5 rounded up.
JAY Z
1/5
Surprisingly musical but unsurprisingly egotistical and misogynistic.
Jay Z inhabits a world that has no overlap with my reality - there is nothing lyrically I can relate to. And the music doesn't move me - it's snippets of quality among a sea of crap.
Eminem
1/5
What a pile of edgelord drivel. Horrible lyrics.
If you enjoy this and have finished puberty then I'm going to think less of you.
Rush
3/5
Ooh, first time with a full Rush album. Before my time, and not a big prog fan. Can't help but admire the musicianship even if the songs are a bit wank.
The Zutons
3/5
Pleasant indie rock - not particularly memorable but also inoffensive.
Steve Earle
2/5
Seems to tick every cliché about country music - heavy accented vocals, twangy guitar, the most boring basslines imaginable and songs about trucks and girls.
Nothing here I can relate to, but some of the guitar twanging is OK.
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
Endlessly interesting.
So much to enjoy on this, I've listened three times today and still want to hear more. Only knew 'Casimar Pulaski Day'. Songs are sad, happy and beautiful. Hell of talented man this Sufjan.
Van Morrison
2/5
Well - this was a real chore to get through. Van the man is pretty full of himself. Voice is grating and the songs boring. AT least the band was OK but just wish he'd shut up.
3/5
Quirky and noisy, and a welcome relief to hear some innovative music after 92 painful minutes of Van Morrison.
Not all of it hits the mark but firing so many glitchy/noisy tunes some of them are going to miss the mark. Would be a buzz to see live.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
I approached this with a fair degree of dread - CCR murdered 'Heard it through the grapevine' and it's hard to forgive that crime.
Pleasantly surprised by this - Bad Moon Rising and Green River are good tunes.
Parts are still pretty hokey, and too much twanging guitar. Fogarty has a good voice and suits the songs.
2.5 stars, rounded up.
Fleet Foxes
4/5
This was a little spot of joy. White Winter Hymnal is part of our Christmas tradition, far better option than the usual Christmas music fare. It's a bit twee but I don't mind that. Good album for a long drive to a secluded camping spot - this is the sound of nature and simple pleasures.
PJ Harvey
4/5
As always, PJ delivers.
Calexico
4/5
This was excellent! Indie but a also bit country, and a bit of Mexico in there as well. Somehow it all works - songs are complex but short - they never overstay their welcome. I played this 4 times through, good mellow music for a rainy day.
Orange Juice
3/5
It's a bit fancy and very dated synths, but songs are good, enjoyed the post punk Scots doing their think.
Queen
3/5
I'm not a Queen fan - one of those bands always on the radio - good hits but way overplayed.
There is some good stuff here, but it's also extremely pompous. Musically faultless - May is great on the axe, and Freddy can sing.
Not one I'll ever play again, but was fun to put it trough it's paces.
Genesis
3/5
Genesis were a band I never really listened to - a bit before my time. I've liked the solo stuff by Peter Gabriel. Phil Collins has made a few iconic works and an awful lot of MOR rubbish. Mike and the Mechanics are the epitome of bland corporate rock. But 80s Genesis always sailed far to close to yacht rock for my tastes.
70s Genesis is a different and very proggy beast. Musically this is fantastic - it's prog rock's selling point of course. Let down by the silly lyrics - which is also a feature of prog. I'm giving this a three - I did enjoy the guitar work, cancels out the flute.
Bert Jansch
4/5
Ooh - much better than I was expecting. Lovely guitar work, sits nicely with Nick Drake. Debut album too - clearly Bert had a lot of talent. This was a good vibe for an afternoon in the sun. Lots of variation.
Brian Wilson
2/5
There are some brilliant bits here, but it's mostly a self indulgent and bloated effort. For evidence I present Vega-Tables.
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
This album drips with confidence and swagger, with a good hit of decadence as well. You get the feeling the Dandy Warhols could have been the biggest band in the world if they really put their minds to it. Big open guitar chords and some actually really good rock synth work, and quality songs in there as well.
Not actually their best album (13 tales would be my pick) - but a fine effort.
The Monkees
2/5
Sloppy effort by a low talent Beatles cover band.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Pleasant album lifted by some great vocals. Don't think it would make the list without the cover of Sweet Jane, but happy to give this a spin.
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
Good bit of fun indie. Doesn't take itself too seriously, probably a bit heavy on the orchestration but a pleasant afternoon listen.
3/5
The Kings -unlike the Beatles and the Stones - still sound very very British. I only knew the first song - and only via it's cover by The Fall.
Really good album, never looked past the hits but there is some quality here.
Taylor Swift
2/5
It's the musical equivalent of fast food at a foreign airport. I endured it, but didn't enjoy it. Well made but just not made for me.
T. Rex
3/5
Yeah - this was actually cool. Not a glam fan at all but loved the guitar work on this, and the songs are good too.
The Saints
4/5
This is great. Early Australian punk.
Opening with the horn section is a bold move but really works. Saints were punk but pretty great musos as well - check out 'The Way I Made You Feel' by Ed Keupper. And of course - if you haven't done so yet - listen to I'm Stranded.
Standout tracks are Know Your Product and This Perfect Day. It's a great album.
Serge Gainsbourg
1/5
Just creepy.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Wow - turns out I was completely wrong about Joni Mitchell! This is great, jazzy but not proggy. No standout songs, it's all just good. Interesting melody, nice piano work and a fine voice. Top notch bass playing raises it for me.
KISS
2/5
Mercifully Short. Sadly Shit.
Justin Timberlake
1/5
Mickey Mouse effort here. There's just NOTHING here that I want to listen to - ever.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Sounds like a bog standard pub bands where the only guy with talent is the bass player.
At least we have his son to listen to.
Peter Frampton
2/5
Really nothing special. Is this the definition of Dad Rock?
The La's
3/5
There She Goes - is just one of the greatest tunes out there. Whilst the rest of the album doesn't hit those heights it's still a good listen. Starts to tail away at the end, and they should have ended before Looking Glass.
Clear influence on 90's Britpop. Such a pity Lee Mavers didn't sort himself out.l
Burning Spear
3/5
Reggae isn't my cup of ganga. I don't dislike it, don't love it either. This was fine.
Jeff Beck
2/5
I just don't need any more Rod Stewart in my life. As you'd expect the guitar playing is great, but there's nothing else here that floats my fussy little boat.
Mylo
2/5
Far to repetitive for me, and a bit too dancy. Didn't enjoy.
Deerhunter
4/5
Another tick for the 1001 list - didn't know I needed this in my life. Cool indie vibes.
Desire Lines - that section from about 3 minutes in is totally my jam. Revival is good too.
The Who
2/5
Ooh - one good song and a lot of pantomine nonsense. I was traumatised as a child when I watched the movie version. Listening back now doesn't improve things.
Cream
2/5
Musically really really good, but also really really boring. Felt like it went for an hour too long.
10cc
2/5
Fun fact - I used to have a job typestting and proof reading sheet music. That's not really much of a fun fact, and this isn't much of an album. Cheesey and at least adventourous, but no idea why this is on the list. They do have some memorable songs - "I'm Not In Love", "Dreadlock Holiday" - but this album lacks a killer track.
Massive Attack
4/5
Front loaded album with some really cool songs, especially the title track. Sounds great on headphones. Could have done without the live track at the end.
Great album, but not a patch on Mezzanine.
Billy Joel
3/5
First time listening to this. It's pretty schmaltzy but he's a fine songwriter. 3 stars, but not one I'd listen to again I'd think.
Elvis Presley
1/5
Terrible. I should have just listened to Blue Suede Shoes and given up.
Vocals on "I Love You Because" were particularly bad.
I understand it's place in history, but it's just displeasing to endure.
Sepultura
3/5
Similar review to Arise. Everything is great apart from the vocals. Not a metal fan by any stretch, but this does sound mostly great.
Elastica
5/5
Yes - it's derivative, and perhaps Damon Alban secretly wrote a lot of this, but I just really don't care. Elastica pulled off something special here. The bass sound on this is soooo crunchy, sassy lyrics and catchy songs. More postpunk than Britpop.
Lineup is the perfect opener, gives you the recipe for what's to come. Mostly just two distorted guitars doing different things, solid solid drums and bass dancing around everywhere.
Ray Charles
3/5
Adds a real class to the country music. Actually makes country music listenable!
David Bowie
4/5
There's no-one else like Bowie. Clearly the context surrounding this album is more important that others on the 1001, but even without that it's a deep and interesting album. Need to listen to it more.
Rod Stewart
2/5
The very definition of bog average.