1001 Albums Summary

Soundgarden passed me by in the 90s. Quite enjoyed this and would have liked it more at the time. Dece t bit of grunge rock though.

No prior known experience of LCD Soundsystem. On paper sounded like it could be up my street and Us v Them is a good track but mostly this was more boring than I'd anticipated. Repetitive loops and uninspired lyrics. I'd give it 2.5 but I reckon I could enjoy it more in a tent at a festival so on that loose premise I'll generously add half a star.

Can very much appreciate the impact of this as The King's first proper album. I've never listened to it in full but the songs are classics. Blue Suede Shoes was a pivotal moment in rock. The swagger and legacy of the King makes this an important album but Tutti Frutti and the like are overly sanitised and, for that reason, it's 3 stars.

Classic rock. Good album. Highway to Hell and Touch Too Much are favourites. Prefer Back In Black though.

Just a good singer songwriter. No edge but some nice country and blues elements. Enjoyed listening to this one and will come back to it.

Some classic tracks and it still sounds youthful and fresh. I liked it more than I'd expected I might. Some of the lyrics haven't aged that well though.

Great bit of funk and soul. The 12 min papa was a rolling stone is an exceptional track.

More R&B than hip-hop which isn't really my thing. Some interesting beats and lyrics and I should probably give it more of a chance than I'm going to. I just found most of it a bit boring.

Epitomises a genre I love and that was uniquely British in its inception despite obvious influences from hip-hop, jazz etc.

Horribly cheesy 70s American rock. Doesn't do a whole lot for me.

I prefer the MM LP but this was undeniably a rap debut of huge importance. These are fast flowing and quick witted rhymes backed by solid beats and catchy melody but it's the extremely dark material and humour that defines the arrival of Eminem and his alter ego, Slim Shady. It is hard to think how this level of misogyny, homophobia and violence would be tolerated if released today. It makes for frequent troubled listening, then and now. But that shock and horror is part of the intended experience.

OK, I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. Metal not really my genre but this galloped along and was a fun listen. Stupid for sure, but I digged the Satan stuff. Apparently this record was influential - it sounds like a parody of metal to me but I was down with it.

Surprised on listening to this that I wasn't more into them at the time as it's a 90s sound I was definitely into back then. Probably deserves a repeat listen but initially I don't find it outstanding. Last track, an instrumental, possibly the best one for me. 3.5

I loved Wild World as a child, and I love it now. Father and Son is beautifully poignant. The album is much more than these two singles though. Hard Headed Woman, Sad Lisa, Where do the Children Play are all great tracks. It can veer towards being a little samey but overall an excellent singer songwriter with nice melodies, arrangements, and lyrics.

Wasn't expecting much from this but enjoyed it. Goes on far too long though. I'd probably give it 3.5 if I could but doesn't quite tip towards 4 stars so it's a threebird from me.