1001 Albums Summary

Marianne Faithfull nailed this late 70's album. It's a synth-pop masterpiece. Steve Winwood's handy work on the synths and keys pairs well with Faithfulls' vocals, there are lots of interesting sounds and textures going on in this album. Winwood's parts were added as an after thought by the producer to make the album sound more modern and electronic. My first suggested album to listen to from this generator, and a great album to begin with.

Ah, Steely Dan. The "middle of the road/classic rock" band. I've never bothered to listen to their albums in full until today. Album opener 'Do It Again' and 'Reelin' In The Years' are the radio staples I know of off this album and are lifelong ear worms of mine. My attention was held listening to the other songs I was unfamiliar with but they weren't as memorable. You can't fault Steely Dans' musicianship, the band allow room for each musician to be a part of the group without over powering each other - this was an era where bands made a name for being flashy and extravagant in their playing, for Steely Dan to show restraint and still be a successful band of the time is a credit to the group. It's hard to pick their influences, I like that. I wish I could hear 'Reelin' In The Years' without the fadeout during the guitar lead solo, the band sound like they could take off with a lengthy jam if they wanted to. An enjoyable album to listen to from start to finish.

A band I know very little about. The opening song 'Quiet Life' is giving me Duran Duran vibes - upon reading the wiki on this album, the band dismiss being of the genre New Romantic. Crazy to learn that this band was once a Glam Rock band, moving onto being synth pop with a one-off single made with Giorgio Moroder. It's a shame they didn't continue working with Giorgio on this album. The star rating is absent for me on this album, ✰✰ from me. Not an album I need to listen to again. I would rather listen to Duran Duran (or Sparks or INXS) - this album predates Duran Duran's debut album, maybe they heard this album by Japan and bettered it.

Amazingly recorded album. It puts the listener right amongst the session. Country and bluegrass aren't genres I would go out of my way to listen to. I'm not familiar with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band or the list of collaborators on this album. Maybelle Carter was Johnny Cash's mother in law and pioneer of the "Carter Scratch" guitar fingerpick and strum technique. It would be an enjoyable listen if you have a spare 2 hours and the urge to listen to some country and bluegrass. I couldn't listen to the whole album from start to finish. ✰✰