User Albums Journey
Exploring beyond the book, one album at a time
View 1001 Albums Summary397
Albums Rated
3.4
Average Rating
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1960
Favorite Decade
Folk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Cheerleader
Rater Style ?
29
5-Star Albums
0
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
World Of Echo
Arthur Russell
|
5 | 2.54 | +2.46 |
|
Metallic K.O.
The Stooges
|
5 | 2.6 | +2.4 |
|
People Who Eat People Are The Luckiest People In The World
AJJ
|
5 | 2.83 | +2.17 |
|
All Hail West Texas
The Mountain Goats
|
5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
|
Penguin Eggs
Nic Jones
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
Is Ellipsis
Psyche Origami
|
5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
|
Up
Great Big Sea
|
5 | 3.03 | +1.97 |
|
The Mantle
Agalloch
|
5 | 3.03 | +1.97 |
|
California
Mr. Bungle
|
5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
|
The Monitor
Titus Andronicus
|
5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tragic Kingdom
No Doubt
|
2 | 3.67 | -1.67 |
|
Toxicity
System Of A Down
|
2 | 3.62 | -1.62 |
|
Dimanche à Bamako
Amadou & Mariam
|
2 | 3.28 | -1.28 |
|
Sublime
Sublime
|
2 | 3.28 | -1.28 |
|
Body Talk
Robyn
|
2 | 3.12 | -1.12 |
|
Deep Down Happy
Sports Team
|
2 | 3.05 | -1.05 |
|
Emotion
Carly Rae Jepsen
|
2 | 3.03 | -1.03 |
5-Star Albums (29)
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Popular Reviews
Swans · 7 likes
4/5
I don’t really know why but I had a different expectation of what Swans were. I thought they were one of the Gallagher’s bands after Oasis. No idea why I thought that. Turns out I was wrong. Who knew?
I enjoyed some compositions more than others. Sometimes I thought it was brilliance and sometimes I thought it was noise.
I did it a disservice and listened to it on my phone and not my main system. I’ll have to try and use a bigger sound next time. This needs another listen or too before I really know how it lands.
Nic Jones · 4 likes
5/5
This came out of left field for me. Knew nothing of it. I have a soft spot for very old style folk music. I think it was due to the presence of Great Big Sea and Spirit of the West on Canadian radio and Much Music as a teenager. As a result I have an appreciation for this style of music. I really enjoyed and will likely come back to it in the future.
The Caretaker · 3 likes
4/5
Really interesting concept behind the record. Also really well executed. I like the use of all the pre-WWII music to build this. Thank you to whoever suggested this for the user list.
Mogwai · 3 likes
5/5
Another example for me of how you listen matters. I had hear of them before and listened to this record probably 3 or 4 years ago and thought - meh. Well, at that time I would have most likely listened to it through my little Bluetooth bose speaker. This time I made sure to listen to it through my main system. Wow. What a difference.
This time it grabbed me from the opening right through the final note. I was blown away by the dynamics in this record. The distance between the lows and the highs, the soundstage the imaging. Wow. Just wow. And the songs grabbed me and I found myself waiting for what was coming next.
My wife did say and one point for the upstairs “what the heck is that noise”. I think that’s the sign of a different and interesting sound in a record.
Anyway, all this to say, listen to this on the best system you have at your disposal. And my system isn’t amazing by any stretch but it is able to be able to pick out the above. I’d love to hear this on a real audiophile grade system (whatever that is).
The Tragically Hip · 3 likes
4/5
This was my suggestion for the list. I have often thought with records on here that I would like to know the why behind them being suggested. So I’ll do that here.
I chose this one not because it is the greatest album ever. You’ll see I only gave it a 4 as a rating. I added this because of the importance of The Tragically Hip in Canadian music and in Canada in general.
The Hip were our band. They never broke into the broad scene outside of their home country but in Canada they were everywhere. One of the only bands who regularly included the Canadian experience in their lyrical content.
Courage (for Hugh MacLennan) who was a Canadian novelist best known for Barometer Rising about the Halifax explosion in WWI which was the largest mad made explosion to that time and destroy much of the city killing thousands. More import MacLennan’s Two Solitudes coined a term that would be used to describe the speakers of Canada’s two official languages.
Fifty Mission Cap is about Bill Brilko a Toronto Maple Leaf who after scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal in overtime disappeared on a fishing trip that summer. The Leafs would not win another cup until the year they discovered his body nearly a decade later.
Wheat Kings is a reflection on the wrongful conviction of David Migaard and is laced with references to “pictures of our Parents Prime Ministers” and “ a late breaking story on the CBC” and “a nation whispers we always knew that he’d go free”.
Looking For a Place To Happen is filled with references to early discovery of Canada by Europeans with lines like “Jacque Cartier right this way”. I do reference Europeans specifically above as Canada was a fully populated space upon their arrival. Gord Downie the lead singer became involved in many causes in his life include a haunting book and album Secret Path telling the story of 12-year old Annishinaabe boy Chanie Wenjack who tried to walk home after escaping a residential school and died alone of exposure on the trip.
The Hip got elevated to a space no other Canadian band has with their final tour. After lead singer was diagnosed with an inoperable form of brain cancer they embarked on farewell tour of the country. The final show was shown on the CBC with an estimated audience of over 10 million watching live and uncut representing a full third of the country. It was a moment of watching a Canadian band in its final performance with its dynamic frontman clearly suffering form the effects of the disease that would shortly take his life. It was an amazing celebration.
So I included this record not because it pushes the boundaries of music forward. Nor because it’s the best example of its type of rock. I added this to the list as it is a great example of music that tells unashamed stories of Canada and its people.
All Ratings
Richard Dawson
4/5
My first optional album after having completed the full list. If this is the quality of what people are putting on here it will be a good bonus list. This was a little bit out there while still being strongly rooted in tradition. Good listen.
The Mountain Goats
5/5
Found this record early in the pandemic. Not sure how I missed them before then. Quickly fell in love with their music. From here I’ve explored many more bands. Lots of things I dislike about Spotify, but the radio play after this record was part of an opening up to new music that got me out of just the 90s (although my heart will always be firmly planted in that time).
I’ll always consider this an important record in my musical journey.
My Chemical Romance
3/5
I’ve tried listening to this more than once now. Just not my thing.
Slowdive
3/5
I’ve really tried to get into this over the years but it’s never taken hold.
Dave Matthews Band
3/5
I think this is the first time listening to a whole record of his. It’s well done. Well recorded. Well produced. It just doesn’t grab me.
Amyl and The Sniffers
4/5
Came across them with their newest record. I hadn’t listened to this one yet so it was good to hear. Nice to hear a current band with something interesting in their sound.
Billy Squier
3/5
Straight up rock record. Enjoyed listening to it. Had heard of him before but didn’t know his stuff.
Great Big Sea
5/5
I was so happy to see this on here. I was in high school when this came out and saw them on the tour for it. The energy the vibe everything about this is a lift in the spirit.
Jóhann Jóhannsson
4/5
A little more than a week into the user generated list and I think I am enjoying this as much as the main list.
I loved the sound on this. I listened on my phone speakers based on when I was able to get time to listen to it. I need to come back to this with my main system one day.
Garbage
3/5
I had not listened to this record in a really time before it came up here. I enjoyed it, but I felt like it was pretty one note throughout. So it got a little tiring for me.
Marillion
3/5
This is why I keep listening to these lists. An artist I hadn’t heard before who I put on and end up enjoying. It’s not really my thing so I doubt I will put it on again. But I enjoyed the time I spent with it.
Hikaru Utada
3/5
When a record is in a language that I don’t know I try to seek out an aspect to grab onto. Maybe it’s the vibe, the music, sometimes even the production. In this case they didn’t do it for me.
The Chats
3/5
Enjoyed that.
Garmarna
3/5
Interesting listen. It was too electronic for my tastes.
Café Tacvba
3/5
Not in a language I know so always struggle a bit in rating. I nearly turned it off during the second song, but I persisted. A lot of different things happening with a lot of different sounds and styles. You never knew what would be coming next. I can see how if you are more familiar with the style that this would be a five. However, as I am not familiar for me it was a three.
Daniel Bélanger
3/5
Enjoyed it enough.
John Martyn
3/5
I enjoyed this. I think k need more listens as I have a feeling it will get better as you get more into the lyrical content.
TOOL
4/5
I loved Undertow when it came out. But after that I kind of grew away from the band. When these records came out I just wasn’t interested. Turns out I’ve been missing out.
Stromae
4/5
My French is not very strong so can’t really comment lyrically. However, I found myself bopping along to this one. Not typically the sound that will do that for me. Found myself surprised with how much I enjoyed this.
Steven Wilson
4/5
I enjoyed this. Well played. Well recorded. Interesting songs.
Angelo De Augustine
3/5
Enjoyable. Nothing grabbed me to take it to this next level but enjoyed listening to it.
Valerie June
3/5
A nice listen.
Martha
4/5
I’ve been doing the user contributed list for about three weeks now and this is the first band I hit the follow button for on Spotify to make sure I come back and listen to another record. Something about the sound really resonates with me.
Backstreet Boys
3/5
Too many negative associations with this for my youth to give it a fair shake. I would give it a 1 but I think that’s disdain for the style that is unfair.
Bon Iver
3/5
I’ve started to get into his works in the last little bit. However this one hasn’t grabbed me as much as some of the others.
Amon Düül II
3/5
Enjoyed the listen enough.
Procol Harum
4/5
I am glad this was on here. I’ve never listened to any Provo Harum other than Whiter Shade of Pale. Very good record. I enjoyed.
Fontaines D.C.
3/5
I’ve tried to get into this band for the last few years. I enjoy the songs enough it just hasn’t grabbed me enough to end up in regular rotation.
Jimmy Eat World
4/5
Listened to this properly on my main stereo system. I’ve always enjoyed what I have heard from Jimmy Eat World but I haven’t sat down to a full record before. This was a really great listen. Great song writing. Well recorded. Well produced. I’m giving it a four at the moment but has potential to be a five after some more listens.
blink-182
3/5
These guys came on the scene as I was hitting the end of high school. I didn’t really get into them at the time. I found it a little juvenile. That hasn’t changed. I tried. I gave it a good shot. Just didn’t do it for me.
Joe Jackson
4/5
Enjoyed that.
Mylène Farmer
3/5
When something is in a language I’m not strong in I try to focus on other aspects. I’ll listen for vibe in the music, overall flow or vocal emotion maybe for production quality. This record just didn’t hit it on any of those for me.
Harmonium
4/5
Listened to a couple of their records when I did a top 100 Canadian records list a while ago. I remember enjoying them then. I still enjoyed in.
Status Quo
3/5
Had never listened to a Status Quo record. It was a good time.
Courtney Barnett
4/5
Started listening to her at the start of the pandemic. Really enjoy this record.
Snarky Puppy
5/5
I’ve seen the name before from a local music venue I follow. Never knew what they were. Great record. Would definitely consider seeing a show.
Igorrr
2/5
Sorry. Wasn’t my thing.
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
4/5
Really enjoyed this one. Nice to hear an album in his genre that isn’t the usual suspects. Seemed to hit all the right notes for me.
The Cure
5/5
I played this when it came out last year and it grabbed me right away. I’ve never been the biggest Cure fan in the world. I’ve enjoyed their stuff and appreciated it but it never grabbed me. This did. One of the best late career records I’ve heard. Well written, well performed and well mastered. Do yourself a favour and listen to this on the beat sound system you have at your disposal.
Arthur Russell
5/5
After starting this one I went to look at my Last.fm and lo and behold I had heard the record before. However I had zero memory of it. I listened to it when I did the NME 500 best albums.
This record is one of the reasons why I always am a little hesitant about the ratings. One listen is rarely enough to properly judge an album. Further to that the way you listen to a record is important. Given what Last.fm told me I most likely listened to this on a small Bluetooth speaker. This time I played it on a proper sound system.
This time I was blown away by the record. Really well recorded. Really well produced and mastered. Really interesting approach to sound and the songs. From the opening track to the end it had me hooked and excited for what came next. So glad someone put this on the list or I would still be missing out.
Also makes me think about other records I was indifferent to and what another exposure or tweaks to listening environment would bring.
The Caretaker
4/5
Really interesting concept behind the record. Also really well executed. I like the use of all the pre-WWII music to build this. Thank you to whoever suggested this for the user list.
Operation Ivy
4/5
Love this style of punk but don’t listen to it enough.
The Upsetters
3/5
Enjoyed that. Love the flow of the record.
The Angelic Process
3/5
Interesting listen. Hadn’t come across this previously.
Charli xcx
4/5
It has had so much hype that I have toyed with listening to this before but never got around to it. It was really for me. However, I did like that the songs were all different. I have teenagers and so have a reasonable exposure to what they listen to and most doesn’t have the diversity of sound on any given album that this does. I can see why it had a lot of buzz. Still wasn’t for me. But I can see it.
Boy Azooga
3/5
It didn’t grab me.
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
3/5
It is one I’ve seen around but never listened to. Not going to be a favourite I listen to on repeat but well worth the listen.
Fontaines D.C.
3/5
I should love them more than I do.
The Jesus Lizard
4/5
Good record. The vocal style is one that I don’t have a tolerance for very long. I am good with it in short bursts, but it does prevent me from coming back to it too often.
Type O Negative
4/5
I don’t know why I wasn’t listening to this high school. Good record.
5/5
I came to start listening to them in probably a less common route. I saw Buck Meek open for Jeff Tweedy. His sound and style was so different from other performers that I started looking into what else he did. Of course in this band he’s not the singer, but the uniqueness of approach continues with that band and goes in its own direction. Added to greatly by Adrianne Lenker and the rest of the band.
I really enjoy this record. Captures what they are doing perfectly.
The Posies
4/5
If you had asked me before I would have sworn this was on the main list. Just has the feel of a record that would have been there.
Glad this was put on the user list.
Adam Green
3/5
Enjoyed this.
Carly Rae Jepsen
2/5
Approached it with an open mind. Just didn’t do it for me.
Sampha
3/5
Really liked the first few songs and the way they sounded. Then it kind of started to sound the same. Strong star that didn’t carry all the way through for me.
The Beautiful South
3/5
Enjoyed listening to this.
Jimmy Eat World
3/5
Enjoyable.
TOOL
4/5
Really good album. I just find it a little long. It’s rare for me that a record that is over an hour does leave me feeling it’s too long.
Cluster
3/5
Another record in place in the category for probably not coming back to, back glad that I’ve listened to. This user list has been great for providing records in this category for me. Enjoyable from front to back.
Avenged Sevenfold
2/5
Unfortunately this is the type of metal/hard rock that doesn’t really do it for me. While it’s not my primary genre I have seen bands like GnR, NIN, Maiden, Slayer, Anthrax live. There is just something about this harder music from this time period I just can’t get into.
Vulfpeck
4/5
I surprised when I see a live album from MSG and don’t know who the band is. On quick research they were the ones with the infamous silent album on Spotify. Enjoyed this record.
Stars
4/5
Another band I came across in the pandemic. I am always a sucker for bands that have both male and female singers. I find they get to do a lot together and explore spaces that just on singer can’t do.
Phish
4/5
Obviously a legendary band from a touring perspective. I never explored them as they were building their thing. At this stage I’ve thought about listening to them but it feels like starting a long-running TV show in the 6th season.
I appreciated this being on the list as I think it was the right way to exposed to them. I am glad I played this on my main stereo system. I think a lot would have been lost if it was on small speakers.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
3/5
Two live jam band records in a row for me. I can see why people enjoy it. Maybe I’ll check out a jam band show one day.
The Decemberists
4/5
I love the depth of the music. There is a bigger than a rock band sound to them. I find this one sounds a little different to me than a lot of their other work. Can’t put my finger on why as it’s not a huge leap.
Pink Floyd
4/5
Before I started listening to 1001 and other lists like Rolling Stone 500 and NME 500 I had never listened to a full Pink Floyd record. I had heard songs and never really saw the need to go deeper. Having now listened to all the classic albums a couple of times I will say that for me this one and Meddle are my favourites.
They have a great deal of interest in the layers of sound without being over powered by the lyrics and vocals which for some I know reason I don’t love.
Freestylers
2/5
Unfortunately not for me.
Men I Trust
3/5
This band has popped up on my Spotify algorithm from time to time. I haven’t explored them much before this. For some reason I thought I was going to be hearing something more pinkish in style. Don’t know why I had that expectation. That is very far from what the album delivers. It was an enjoyable record but hasn’t grabbed me to dive any deeper into their catalogue.
Kayo Dot
3/5
Having read the Wikipedia I thought this would be one I should listen to on my main sound system to give it the best go. I thought it was all recorded and liked the sound but overall it didn’t really grab me.
Ty Segall
3/5
Enjoyed it enough.
Death
3/5
Death came on my radar with some YouTube reviewer who sang their praises. I had put another one of their records on my to listen list and therefore was very happy when I saw them come up here.
I enjoyed this listen but the style isn’t really my thing.
HELLYEAH
3/5
Judged the book by the cover and was not looking forward to this as it started. I was wrong. I found myself bopping along to several of the tracks. It’s still not a style I am likely to come back to but I am happy I have had the chance to listen to this.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
3/5
The main list is definitely short on country music. This list has been short on it as well. I am glad someone put this on here. It is not my genre but part of this is hearing stuff outside your comfort zone. This won’t become a regular but I’m glad I’ve heard it.
Sports Team
2/5
Unfortunately didn’t leave much of an impression on me.
David Baerwald
3/5
I feel this one may grow on me with more listens.
Karnivool
2/5
Something about the vocal style doesn’t do it for me.
Primus
4/5
I’m surprised this wasn’t on the main list. I really thought it would have been. I prefer Pork Soda, but that is probably because it was the way I found them as a teenager. There is no one like Primus.
Oingo Boingo
3/5
A surprise for me. I’ve heard of them forever but avoided as not a huge fan of the 80s sound. I sat down and listened properly to this one and enjoyed it. Thanks for adding it.
TOOL
4/5
I really enjoy Tool records and the layers and the various sounds, etc. I just find them too long for me.
Gang of Youths
4/5
Not a band I was really familiar with. Really enjoyed this one. I’ll be coming back.
System Of A Down
2/5
I didn’t like it at the time. I listened through it all. Still not for me. That Numetal thing was just not for me.
That Handsome Devil
3/5
In the category of I won’t listen to it again, but glad I have listened to it once. Although it wasn’t for me it definitely had its own sound and is well written and recorded.
4/5
Not my style of music but really glad I got to hear it. It seemed like on I should listen to on my main system and I wasn’t right. Very well recorded and produced and a lot of interesting things happening in the sound. That aspect would have been lost on Bluetooth speaker.
Wishbone Ash
3/5
Had never heard of this band. Enjoyed it enough.
Scraping Foetus off the Wheel
4/5
I love hearing the early things in industrial. Enjoyed the listen. Definitely needs to be heard on a good sound system.
Sunny Day Real Estate
3/5
On of those bands I’ve known of forever but didn’t actually know their stuff. It was a good record.
Daft Punk
3/5
For some reason that I can’t put my finger on I didn’t enjoy this as much as the studio albums. It’s still fun and well executed it just didn’t grab me as much
Al Stewart
3/5
Good enough.
Tame Impala
3/5
I have tried a few times to get into Tame Impala. I just haven’t been able to do it.
Titus Andronicus
5/5
So glad this was on here. Spotify has fed me these guys from time to time on random playlists. Never really took note of them. I guess what I needed was to sit down and listen to this record front to back to get it.
Listening to this record shows a cohesive whole that shines.
Gotcha!
3/5
Didn’t really grab me, but enjoyable enough.
Yeasayer
3/5
Different from other things out there. Enjoyed this.
The 1975
3/5
I saw them live on the tour for their second album I think it was. I listened to this once before this go when it first came out. Enjoyed it enough.
TOOL
3/5
The Tool fans are out in force. I feel between the main list and this side list I’ve had all their records in the last few months except Opiate. They’re all good records and I enjoy them. I just don’t know if they all need to be on here. Which one I would remove - I don’t know.
The Avett Brothers
3/5
One of those artists that shows up on my Spotify algorithmic playlists that I’ve never really taken the time to dive into. I enjoyed this listen and will likely go back and try and hear some more.
Rachel Stevens
2/5
Wasn’t really for me.
Korn
4/5
When they first came on the scene I didn’t really have any time for them. I think I’ve been missing out. I enjoyed this.
Death Cab for Cutie
5/5
This definitely benefits from listening straight through with focus. I’ve heard it and songs from it over the years and enjoyed it enough but didn’t get it. A proper focused listening has changed that. Great record.
Talk Talk
3/5
Enjoyed it enough.
Jeff Rosenstock
4/5
For me his music will be forever associated with the pandemic. Didn’t know of him before that time but Spotify fed me him on the algorithm and I really enjoyed his work.
Great record.
Pedro The Lion
3/5
It was fine.
Tori Amos
5/5
An album I have loved for years. I love the gloomy feel throughout.
MF DOOM
4/5
Not my style of music but really glad it’s on this list. If the main list is criticized for not having enough rap/hip hop etc then the user list seems to have even less. This is the first I think I’ve had in 100 recommendations.
Chris de Burgh
4/5
When this popped up I had a moment of panic as I did not want schlocky love songs. What a pleasant surprise this record was. The narrative arc and stories reminded me a little of Ogden Nut Gone Flake. Not sure why that is but it did.
Childish Gambino
3/5
I will need to listen to this again. Maybe he’s an artist I’ve built too much up in my head. My expectations were that it might be a life changing record. Turns out it was good but didn’t hit at the extent I was thinking it would. Probably some more listens might help.
Ian McDonald
3/5
Enjoyable enough.
First Aid Kit
4/5
Funny how it works sometimes. The day before this generated I said to myself I hadn’t listened to a First Aid Kit record in awhile. So I listened to Palamino. Glad this came up the next day. Really enjoyable record.
The Dear Hunter
3/5
Interesting concept. I think I need to spend some more time with it.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
What a great recording. I would have loved to see him live in his heyday (but hey I wasn’t born for another 4 years after this show). I have gotten to see him live in ‘03 and ‘24. Still does a great show.
Childish Gambino
4/5
So I had another album of his show up a few days ago and commented that I was excited to hear it but was let down. So my expectations were not as high for this one. Turns out this one was better for me. This grabbed me the way the earlier hadn’t.
Times New Viking
3/5
Enjoyable Lo-fi.
Jack Johnson
3/5
Another artists who I feel I should love but for some unknown reason I don’t. I have nothing negative to say. Just hasn’t grabbed me.
Sparks
4/5
Only started to hear about this band in the last couple of years. Really neat stuff.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Great record. Not my usual sound, but I found my toes tapping along to this.
THE SPORTS
3/5
Had never heard of them before. It was an enjoyable listen.
Beyoncé
3/5
Second time with this one. Grew on me a little. Still a ways to go to get to the greatness others see.
GAS
3/5
Not sure how to rate this. I think I need to give it a second listen on my main system. I had to listen to it on AirPods which probably doesn’t do it justice. I think the more complete sound of the big stereo would benefit it.
The Lumineers
3/5
Another band that pops up my algorithm but I’ve never dove into. I should spend more time with them. There is something there.
Mull Historical Society
3/5
That was a nice surprise. Went in with no idea what to expect and I enjoyed it.
Enjoyed enough.
Johnny Winter
3/5
Wasn’t really for me, but I was glad to hear it. I like records being on here that are stylistically a little different from the others. It’s 1001 albums you must hear not always 1001 best albums. This lands in a I’m really glad I’ve now heard it category.
Wussy
4/5
Really enjoyed that. Spotify feeds me Airborne with some regularity but I haven’t explored further. I think after hearing this I will spend a bit more time listening to this band.
The Postal Service
4/5
I really enjoyed that one. They have been on my radar but I haven’t sat down to a full album before this. It seems to push forward in all the right places. Not too out there but somehow different.
Chet Baker
4/5
I really enjoyed this one. My appreciation of jazz has been growing with age. I’ve enjoyed what I have heard from him before and this added to my appreciation.
Bloc Party
3/5
Enjoyed more than I thought I would. Should listen to some more.
Vampire Weekend
4/5
Enjoy every record I’ve heard from them.
Screaming Females
3/5
I’ve heard them a few times on the Spotify algorithm. Never really sat down to a listening session before. I enjoyed this. I will likely dive in a little more to their discography.
John Coltrane
3/5
I’ve been starting to get into jazz in the last year or so. I have started with instrumental jazz and haven’t yet made the leap into jazz with vocals. Clearly this is a very good version of that music. For some strange reason it doesn’t do anything for me. I’ll keep making small forays into this world maybe one day it will click.
Calibro 35
4/5
I am really glad someone added this to the list. I knew nothing about them but it grabbed me from almost the first note. Will definitely come back to hear more of their stuff. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the track that had a lot of vocals. Definitely preferred the instrumental tracks.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Enjoyed this.
Yo La Tengo
4/5
This is one that if you had asked me I would have said was on the main list. Definitely an oversight from that list. Love the variety of what you get out of this record. It never gets to the level of worship for me that I think it might for others. Still a great record.
Josh Ritter
4/5
Enjoyed that.
Sam Fender
4/5
I enjoyed this and my check out some more. Just not sure if I know what lands jt as a must hear other than being a must hear other than being recent and good. I’d love to know more.
Frightened Rabbit
4/5
Every time I listen to Frightened Rabbit I think I need to listen to more Frightened Rabbit.
Chloe x Halle
2/5
The first track or two had me thinking I might enjoy this one. But then I slowly lost that feeling and ended up back in the realm of not for me.
Jon Batiste
4/5
I was happy to see this pop up. I remember him getting a lot of buzz a few years ago at the Grammy’s. I did really enjoy this. I thought there was a good variety of sounds going on. At first I was listening off my phone but then I was enjoying it enough that I switched over to my main sound system. Very glad I did.
Courteeners
3/5
Good record. Enjoyed it. For me it landed in the category of good record but not sure what would push it onto a 1001 must hear list. Still, glad I got to hear it.
Rita Ora
4/5
I will admit this is not the type of music i usually enjoy and was therefore not looking forward to this when it popped up.
I can’t say why, but I was so wrong. Nothing about this lands in my usual listening profile but I enjoyed it. I’ve tried to figure out why so maybe I could try a little more with those elements. Couldn’t do it. Just don’t know why I liked this.
Mogwai
5/5
Another example for me of how you listen matters. I had hear of them before and listened to this record probably 3 or 4 years ago and thought - meh. Well, at that time I would have most likely listened to it through my little Bluetooth bose speaker. This time I made sure to listen to it through my main system. Wow. What a difference.
This time it grabbed me from the opening right through the final note. I was blown away by the dynamics in this record. The distance between the lows and the highs, the soundstage the imaging. Wow. Just wow. And the songs grabbed me and I found myself waiting for what was coming next.
My wife did say and one point for the upstairs “what the heck is that noise”. I think that’s the sign of a different and interesting sound in a record.
Anyway, all this to say, listen to this on the best system you have at your disposal. And my system isn’t amazing by any stretch but it is able to be able to pick out the above. I’d love to hear this on a real audiophile grade system (whatever that is).
Manchester Orchestra
3/5
Enjoyed this.
Louis Armstrong
4/5
Thank you for putting this on. This is the type of record I like being on here as a step in understanding the evolution of music. Often times I hear the user list and ask myself I wonder why the person chose to put it on the list.
I really wish people could have their own caption on why they put it there. Often records just feel like ok it’s a good rock recording, but what make it must hear. This one doesn’t suffer from that syndrome. I clearly belongs and I am very glad to have heard it.
Kaizers Orchestra
3/5
Wish I knew the language. I feel I might have really enjoyed it. As is I still enjoyed.
The Amazing Devil
3/5
Did really do it for me.
INXS
5/5
Another one in the category of I would have sworn this was on the the original list. I can’t really fairly rated this one. It came out when I was in junior school and had been with me ever since. I owned it on cassette and then on CD. Puts a smile on my face every time I hear it.
Marillion
3/5
Second one on the list. I think I liked this one more.
They Might Be Giants
3/5
Enjoyed it.
Salif Keita
3/5
Enjoyed this.
Psyche Origami
5/5
Not my usual style. Unlikely to come back to. However, Wow!!! That was awesome. Musically interesting. Lyrically interesting. Captivating flow. Great production.
Refused
3/5
Enjoyed it.
Killswitch Engage
3/5
I may have enjoyed this more on a different day. Wasn’t really the style I needed for when I listened to it.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
5/5
Had to find it on YouTube as they have pulled their music from most streaming platforms. I am so glad that I did hunt it down.
I find on this list there are a lot of records that seem to be just good rock records without being clear why someone would call them 1001 to hear before you die (I would love if as submitters we had a paragraph of why we thought it hit 1001 worthy). This one was obvious to me. Content, sound, recording quality all of it interesting and different. I would not call this just another rock record.
Spose
3/5
Not sure what to say about this. Seems very obscure. I did find it to be an interesting project. Worth the listen.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
3/5
Another band on my list of bands I feel I should love but somehow don’t. I’ll keep giving them a chance. I’m sure one day it will click.
Touché Amoré
4/5
Enjoyed that one. At first I was neither here nor there on it. But it clicked for me at some stage.
Ex-Easter Island Head
3/5
Interesting record. Enjoyed it enough.
Jason Isbell
4/5
Really good album. It’s one where I would love to know why the person chose to put this forward. What pushes it from being a good album to 1001 must hear.
Os Mundi
3/5
Definitely belongs on this list. Different sound and a bit of a challenging record. Enjoyed it.
Gurrumul
3/5
Never would have come across this on my own. Glad to have had the chance to hear it.
Yoko Ono
2/5
Well, know I know why Yoko Ono is always portrayed as caterwauling in comedies.
Biffy Clyro
3/5
Enjoyable enough.
100 gecs
3/5
There is something there. Interesting.
Roky Erickson
3/5
Good listen.
Lady Gaga
3/5
Not my usual style so I wasn’t looking forward to it when it popped up. Turns out as I got into it I found myself enjoying it. Eventually it did transition to being a bit same between the songs and fell a bit more into the background. All in all better than I expected but I lost steam on it.
R.E.M.
4/5
Another one that I would have sworn was on the main list.
Amadou & Mariam
2/5
Sometimes these ones that are far beyond my usual listening I end up hearing something really interesting to me. This one I didn’t get that. Just wasn’t for me.
Chucklehead
3/5
Not my usual style. Enjoyed the listen.
Dead Boys
4/5
Another one I thought was on the main list. Classic punk record. While I don’t put this on often I do enjoy it when I do.
Boredoms
2/5
That one was unique. Had to hunt it down as it was no longer on Spotify.
Metric
4/5
A record I really enjoy. It’s in my semi regular rotation.
Freddie Gibbs
3/5
This one I struggled with. I am not the target market and as a result there is a lot of a particular word I am not comfortable with. I find when an album is heavy on that usage it reduces my ability to enjoy it. I think I really liked the overall sound and vibe. I probably would have given it an extra star had it not been so prominent.
Koritni
2/5
Didn’t do much for me.
Transvision Vamp
3/5
Glad to have listened to this. I knew Tell That Girl to Shut Up but nothing else from them. Interesting sound from a specific moment in time on this one. Well worth the listen.
Ani DiFranco
4/5
At the time is was a teenager and Ani DiFranco was not something I would give the time of day to. Now that I am in my mid-40s I am starting to realize how good her music is. I hadn’t listened to this one as a whole record before. I really enjoy listening to the sound of the record and what she has to say. Glad it was on here.
Alex Cameron
3/5
Enjoyable listen.
Polvo
3/5
Enjoyable enough.
The Tragically Hip
4/5
This was my suggestion for the list. I have often thought with records on here that I would like to know the why behind them being suggested. So I’ll do that here.
I chose this one not because it is the greatest album ever. You’ll see I only gave it a 4 as a rating. I added this because of the importance of The Tragically Hip in Canadian music and in Canada in general.
The Hip were our band. They never broke into the broad scene outside of their home country but in Canada they were everywhere. One of the only bands who regularly included the Canadian experience in their lyrical content.
Courage (for Hugh MacLennan) who was a Canadian novelist best known for Barometer Rising about the Halifax explosion in WWI which was the largest mad made explosion to that time and destroy much of the city killing thousands. More import MacLennan’s Two Solitudes coined a term that would be used to describe the speakers of Canada’s two official languages.
Fifty Mission Cap is about Bill Brilko a Toronto Maple Leaf who after scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal in overtime disappeared on a fishing trip that summer. The Leafs would not win another cup until the year they discovered his body nearly a decade later.
Wheat Kings is a reflection on the wrongful conviction of David Migaard and is laced with references to “pictures of our Parents Prime Ministers” and “ a late breaking story on the CBC” and “a nation whispers we always knew that he’d go free”.
Looking For a Place To Happen is filled with references to early discovery of Canada by Europeans with lines like “Jacque Cartier right this way”. I do reference Europeans specifically above as Canada was a fully populated space upon their arrival. Gord Downie the lead singer became involved in many causes in his life include a haunting book and album Secret Path telling the story of 12-year old Annishinaabe boy Chanie Wenjack who tried to walk home after escaping a residential school and died alone of exposure on the trip.
The Hip got elevated to a space no other Canadian band has with their final tour. After lead singer was diagnosed with an inoperable form of brain cancer they embarked on farewell tour of the country. The final show was shown on the CBC with an estimated audience of over 10 million watching live and uncut representing a full third of the country. It was a moment of watching a Canadian band in its final performance with its dynamic frontman clearly suffering form the effects of the disease that would shortly take his life. It was an amazing celebration.
So I included this record not because it pushes the boundaries of music forward. Nor because it’s the best example of its type of rock. I added this to the list as it is a great example of music that tells unashamed stories of Canada and its people.
Baroness
3/5
Not my thing. But I enjoyed what they did here. I liked the scope of this. Usually a double record puts me off. That was my first reaction when I saw it come up. I think they executed it well.
Shania Twain
3/5
Classic Shania. It was everywhere at the time.
Khruangbin
4/5
I really enjoyed that.
Ozzy Osbourne
3/5
I’ve never been a big Ozzy fan. I will listen to his stuff when it comes on without skipping tracks but I never seek it out. I’ve listened to his Sabbath stuff through these lists but this is the first time I’ve sat down to a full solo record.
It didn’t change my mind. I just don’t love the way he sings. Which I now lots of people do. I can see why if you like his style this would be a top 1000 album for you. Just not for me.
Paul McCartney
4/5
Another one in the category of I thought this was on the main list. I think this is my favourite thing that McCartney did post Beatles.
John Mayer
3/5
For whatever reason his music has never connected with me. It isn’t love, it isn’t hate, it’s just indifference.
With this listen that overall feeling didn’t change but I did gain and appreciation for how well played and recorded his music is. He is clearly a great musician and it’s nice music to have on. It just doesn’t grab me on an emotional level. I can see how it would for others.
Arctic Monkeys
3/5
Good record. Not sure why I don’t listen to more of them.
David Allan Coe
3/5
That’s country alright. Good country.
Agalloch
5/5
When this popped up I had no idea what it was. I looked on Wikipedia and said to myself- oh no not today wrong mood.
Turns out my fear was all wrong. From about 30 seconds in I was intrigued. I’ve never heard anything that could be described as atmospheric metal. I loved it. I will definitely seek out more of this.
I am sure it is something that will be very mood dependent for me. But in the right mood I think this will be the perfect soundtrack.
Joan As Police Woman
3/5
I enjoyed it.
Kashmir
3/5
It was good.
Les sheriff
4/5
This has the sound of the type of punk record that I enjoy listening to. I really wish my French was a bit stronger. Sung this way I just can’t keep up.
Mustafa
3/5
I recently came across his when he was a guest at a Dua Lipa concert. She talked about how many great artists come out of Toronto and this big build up and hype and then brought this guy out. That was the biggest collective letdown I’ve ever felt at a concert. You could feel the audience all be like who the heck is this guy. Then he came out and did a rather boring song with her. It took a solid 4-5 more songs before she was able to reestablish the energy.
As for the record which I’ve now listened to it was as bad as I had feared from the experience. Actually interesting folk in there.
Deltron 3030
4/5
Not my usual style. However, this is the type of rap that I enjoy. I like the theme through the album. The clever use of skits to bridge between songs and sections. When I come across records like this I enjoy them way more than a rap record that is just a collection of songs.
Thank you to whoever put this on. Good choice.
The Burning Hell
4/5
I feel I have let myself down in my musical journey. Canadian indie band of this quality that I didn’t know makes me sad. Great record.
Various Artists
2/5
I’ve heard that people listen to video gags me soundtracks but I never have before. I am guessing you need to love the game to really get into it.
Ookla The Mok
3/5
Had never heard of this band. It was an enjoyable enough listen. I won’t be rushing to put more on, but enjoyed the time with it anyway.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Definitely not my style. But I am pretty sure it is a decent example of what it is supposed to be. I am interested in why this particular Dolly Parton record was chosen out of the very large number she created over the years.
Chappell Roan
4/5
I have teenagers so I have been exposed to a lot more of modern pop than I otherwise would have. I find myself liking this more than most others. I think it is because the songs are distinct and unique. A lot of pop records are very one note to me and this is not. There are risks taken and different areas explored. Much better than a lot of its contemporaries.
Nic Jones
5/5
This came out of left field for me. Knew nothing of it. I have a soft spot for very old style folk music. I think it was due to the presence of Great Big Sea and Spirit of the West on Canadian radio and Much Music as a teenager. As a result I have an appreciation for this style of music. I really enjoyed and will likely come back to it in the future.
Tom Misch
2/5
Really wasn’t for me. A combination of elements to styles that I don’t really enjoy.
Swans
4/5
I don’t really know why but I had a different expectation of what Swans were. I thought they were one of the Gallagher’s bands after Oasis. No idea why I thought that. Turns out I was wrong. Who knew?
I enjoyed some compositions more than others. Sometimes I thought it was brilliance and sometimes I thought it was noise.
I did it a disservice and listened to it on my phone and not my main system. I’ll have to try and use a bigger sound next time. This needs another listen or too before I really know how it lands.
Comus
3/5
Interesting listen.
BABYMETAL
2/5
Yeah. Didn’t love this one. The vocals sounded like they floated over top of the music as opposed to being integral to the music. I enjoy female singers in metal bands like Jinger. In those cases the music and vocals are very much intertwined.
Denzel Curry
2/5
Not my thing. It had a lot of elements I don’t enjoy in rap / hip hop in it.
Dream Theater
3/5
First record I listened to using lossless on Spotify connect on my main system. Never explored them before but I know the name. Enjoyable listen. Well recorded.
Modern Life Is War
3/5
Add one more to my list of I enjoyed this. Thought it was a good record but I’d love to hear from the person who put this on the list the why behind adding it. Other than being a good record what pushed it over the top to be 1000 to hear record. Because I thought it was good. I enjoyed it. But I feel I’m missing something that others have seen.
Joe Cocker
4/5
I was happy when I saw a Joe Cocker record show up as I don’t really know his stuff other than With A Little Help of My Friends. Then I looked at the Wikipedia article and saw it was a live record and got a little worried. Then I saw it was a single show and got excited again. I really don’t like compilation live records but usually enjoy single shows. I find the compilation ones lose the flow which is what I am usually after.
This one delivered. A great performance. A great setlist. Wonderful energy through out. This would have been a powerful show to be at.
Thanks for adding this one.
Spinvis
4/5
That was a good suggestion for the list. Not my language at all so I didn’t understand a thing sung. However, from listening to it you can tell it seemed awesome. For some reason for me it evoked with a Sparklehorse or Eels at times.
Vampire Weekend
3/5
I enjoy this record and while Vampire Weekend isn’t really a band I seek out very often whenever I do listen to them I enjoy them. Having said that this is another for my I would love to know the person chose this for a 1000 record. What moved it from just being a really good record to a 1000 must hear before you die.
The Notwist
3/5
Good indie rock record.
Daft Punk
4/5
Not my style of music at all but I always appreciate a Daft Punk record.
Jai Paul
3/5
Parts I enjoyed. Parts not. I can see why someone put this on the list.
Chuck Berry
4/5
I really enjoyed that.
Jaco Pastorius
4/5
I really enjoyed that.
New Model Army
4/5
Never heard of them. Really enjoyed this.
Duncan Dhu
3/5
Not really my sound or style. Enjoyed it but was longer than its ability to hold my interest.
Susanne Sundfør
4/5
I enjoyed that. First song or two I thought it was nothing special, but as it progressed I found it more and more interesting.
Rodríguez
5/5
I first heard about him through a co-worker who was from South Africa. I had no idea who this guy was talking about. A few years later the Searching for Sugarman movie came out and I was able to piece it together.
Since I bought that soundtrack I have really enjoyed his music. I love what he writes about, how he writes it and how he performs it. Just great.
Arca
3/5
Not my sound. However, I was listening to it my main system and did enjoy the production quality and sound.
3/5
Enjoyed parts of this. However it’s another that falls into a little bit too long for me.
Noname
3/5
I liked this more than I thought I would. It did feel poetic.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
3/5
Not a big blues guy so I enjoyed the breadth you had with this record. Well worth the listen.
CAKE
3/5
It’s one that didn’t appeal to me at the time. The band still has a lot of staying power with its base which is great. It’s an enjoyable enough record but still not really my thing.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
4/5
Only my second time listening to them (first being on the official list). I enjoyed this. Thought it was well conceived and well executed. Interesting throughout.
Quicksand
4/5
So glad this was on here. It’s one I listened to back when it came out when I was a teenager. Somehow it had faded from my memory and as a result probably haven’t listened to it since the 90s. I’ve been thinking recently I should give it another go. So I was very happy to see this on here.
Great post-punk record.
Olivia Rodrigo
4/5
I have a teenage daughter so have way more exposure to music from younger mainstream artists. To me her music is much more interesting than her contemporaries. More anger / rage and a greater diversity of sound. It’s not the same song over and over again. I can appreciate that.
Robyn Hitchcock
4/5
This was a great selection for this list. I’ve always known the name and have had songs play on mixes etc but I don’t think I’ve spent time sitting down to many albums. I feel I’ve heard one on a list somewhere but it didn’t stick with me.
This time I devoted my attention to it properly and it was great. Loved the writing and the changing sound. Great listen.
Nightwish
3/5
I think I need to spend an evening with someone who is a huge fan of this type of music and have them geek out about it while playing different examples of bands.
I enjoyed the listen but I am just not able to tell why one is better or more standout than another.
Warren Zevon
4/5
I came to know Warren Zevon later in my musical life. I remember seeing Springsteen the day that he passed away and Bruce started his show with a Zevon tune.
Since I started to listen to him I have been really glad that I did. His song writing I find very unique and interesting. The lyrics are key to what made him who he was.
This is a great example of who he was and what he did.
This belongs on the list for sure.
Daft Punk
3/5
I don’t really listen to Daft Punk yet every time I do I enjoy it. This was no exception. Although it wasn’t as amazing as the others I have heard from them.
Recently I listened to the new Tron soundtrack by NIN I enjoyed that one more.
So glad someone added this. One of the things I enjoyed about the pandemic was playing music while I was working. For some reason during those times the Spotify algorithm determined that I needed to start listening to folk punk. It was so right. I did need folk punk in my life. Since they I regularly play a wide variety of the genre.
This is a great example of the style and hopefully a gateway to people listening to more.
Björk
3/5
Always enjoy a Björk record.
Shpongle
3/5
Intersting. Probably would have enjoyed it more if it was under an hour.
Turnpike Troubadours
3/5
Not my genre so I would really love to know why the person chose to put this one forward. What make this more special than others in its space.
Thee Oh Sees
3/5
I think on a different day this would have hit me differently.
Yellowcard
3/5
Wasn’t really my thing. But enjoyable enough.
Anaïs Mitchell
5/5
Wow. That was really something else. I knew her name and I knew Hadestown was a musical but I didn’t know that this is where it came from and this came first. While I had heard of the musical I had never heard the musical so this was a first for me. I really enjoyed getting sucked into this world.
Brand New
3/5
Wasn’t really my thing. Wasn’t bad. Just didn’t excite me.
Mac Miller
3/5
Not my style.
Final Fantasy
4/5
Didn’t know him or his stuff. Enjoyed the listen. Probably will give some of his other stuff a listen.
Alabama 3
3/5
Enjoyable enough listen.
Lift To Experience
4/5
This was a great surprise. When it popped up I will admit I judged the book by the cover and recoiled a little. Next I read the Wikipedia article but all I really took in was that this was over an hour. Almost every time I see that I have to steel myself for a record that just feels too long.
Well, my reactions were wrong. Great use of different sounds and dynamics throughout. Kept me interested and excited all the way to the end.
I’m giving it a four, but it has potential for a 5 given additional listens.
Screeching Weasel
4/5
Enjoyed that.
The Who
4/5
Excellent record. There is a reason it’s a classic.
Tally Hall
3/5
Worth the listen.
Charly García
3/5
Never would have listened to this without it being on this list. It was enjoyable.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
4/5
So glad this is on here. While not my favourite record of his (that would likely be Dare to be Stupid) it is where it all started. “Weird Al” has a special place in music that I don’t think anyone else will ever have.
Floating Points
3/5
I made sure to listen to this on my main stereo system. I think that was the right choice. I enjoyed the experience.
Neutral Milk Hotel
5/5
Another one in the category of I would have sworn this was on the original list. A major oversight that it wasn’t.
Foxing
3/5
Enjoyable enough.
65daysofstatic
3/5
Enjoyable.
Bad Religion
4/5
Classic Bad Religion. One of the few bands out there where I need to keep a thesaurus beside me while I listen.
Electric Callboy
3/5
Sort of liked it. Sort of didn’t.
Emicida
2/5
Didn’t really have any elements that grabbed me.
Protomartyr
4/5
I had no idea what I was getting into with this one. Turns out I really liked it. Something about the overall sound just really worked for me. I’m giving it a 4 on first listen. Subsequent listens may push that up or down.
Mr. Bungle
5/5
The variety the is present in this record is wonderful. They don’t make them like this anymore. To be honest they never really made a lot of them like this in the past either.
The Groundhogs
4/5
Oh this was good. I had never heard of the band. Not my usual style. Something in it I really enjoyed.
The Sound
4/5
Had never heard of this before. Really enjoyed it.
Songs: Ohia
3/5
Enjoyable.
Avicii
3/5
Just not my thing. I’m sure it’s a great example of what it is. It’s just not my thing.
Vangelis
3/5
Nice to have heard.
Shihad
3/5
Turnstile
3/5
Good record.
Gerry Cinnamon
3/5
Good record.
Mastodon
3/5
Future Islands
3/5
Good record.
Tom Petty
5/5
I am not a huge Tom Petty fan. I will listen to his stuff and once owned a best of cd. For me this is a stand out in his career. Great songs and a great collection when you look at it as a whole record.
3/5
Enjoyed it.
Nujabes
4/5
That was way more interesting to me than I feared. I knew nothing going in but the title vibe of the design made me think it would something hip hoppy. In general after the golden age of hip hop not much of it grabs me. So I feared this would be another one like that.
Turns out it is newer hip hop but so much more. Its many genres meld together really well. Not sure why I liked it but I did.
Nice find from this list. Thank you to the person who added this.
Nuyorican Soul
3/5
Didn’t do a lot for me. I can see how others would really like this.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Another one in the category of I would have sworn it was on the main list. I don’t play enough of this in my regular listening. Not sure why, I really enjoy it.
Weezer
5/5
This is definitely a miss on the original list. I will always remember this one as a teenager as it was the first time I ever bought a record and after listening to it confidently identified a track (Buddy Holly) as one that was going to be a huge hit before it was released as a single.
Robyn
2/5
Just not my thing.
Porcupine Tree
3/5
Didn’t know this band at all. When I read the brief description I decided to wait to listen until later in the day when I had a chance to listen on my full stereo system. Glad I did. I think it would have felt like a nothing on my phone.
Wasn’t my favourite record but I did enjoy getting to listen to it. I can see how other might love this.
No Doubt
2/5
One of the things I’ve liked about doing these long lists over the years has been giving albums a chance that I wrote off when they came out as a teenager. There are definitely bands that now like that I just wasn’t prepared to at the time. Eels is one, Ani Difranco is another.
No Doubt arrived on my radar in my later teens. I think this was a hard time to arrive as I had very clear ideas of what was good and what was not. I felt this was trying too hard to be a pop record. The singles just seemed to be about trying to have a hit.
I was hoping that sitting down now all these years would change that view. It did not. I can see why so many people love this record. Just doesn’t do it for me. The striving for hits still comes across to me and I still don’t enjoy that aspect.
Vince Guaraldi Trio
5/5
Pure Christmas nostalgia.
Wilco
4/5
The first Wilco record from which so much amazing music flowed. Very much in the alt country vibe. They would go on to be much more experimental but this will always have a soft spot in my heart.
Danny Brown
2/5
Sorry this one just wasn’t for me.
Nik Kershaw
3/5
I’m glad someone put this on here. It hasn’t changed my world and it’s unlikely that I will come back to it in the future but I did enjoy the 40 or so minutes I spent with it.
Sublime
2/5
Another that didn’t really grab me when it first came out. I know my brother in law loves this record. First time sitting down to listen to it in full most likely since it first came out. Still not my thing.
Barenaked Ladies
4/5
Thank you for putting this on here. I’ve had this record forever. It’s an old favourite.
King Tubby
4/5
Great record. I would really like sit down one day with someone who is a mega fan of this style music. I would love to share a few beers and have someone geek out about it a just learn what it is and what to listen for.
Porcupine Tree
3/5
Enjoyable.
Billy Strings
4/5
This was good. I had heard the name a bunch and had broadly figured out the genre which didn’t do much for me so I never explored. Wow. I was missing out. Great songwriting and clearly a master of his instruments. Well worth the listen.
Alexisonfire
3/5
I didn’t have a lot of time for this when it came out. I don’t think I had ever listened to this all the way through before now. Better than I had feared, but still not really my thing. I’ll take City & Colour any day.
Pearl Jam
5/5
Another on that I need to flag as a personal favourite from my teenage years so my judgement is clouded by the importance of this record to my development as a music lover.
Bought this the day it came out on cassette and listened to it in the car while my brother drove me and some friends to a high school dance. My copy was one of the ones with the Vs title on it.
Front to back a great record. They avoided the temptation to just make Ten part two. The sounds push into different sonic territory and very throughout the record. Truly a masterpiece.
Less Than Jake
3/5
I enjoyed that. Should give more of their stuff a listen.
Deafheaven
2/5
This one didn’t do it for me. I hate to say it but I couldn’t see it as much more than noise.
Descendents
4/5
I was very happy when I saw this come up as my next record. I was very late to the Descendents game only really starting to listen to them during the pandemic.
This would be a great record just for Suburban Home by itself. But we are packed with lots of great tracks.
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
I enjoy Teenage Fanclub. Spotify thinks I’m in love with them. The algorithm feeds them to me all the time. Not related to this review just felt needed to be said.
Excellent record. Perfectly captures a place and time and where music was at when it was recorded.
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
3/5
That’s some old time rock and roll there.
Broken Social Scene
4/5
Really enjoy BSS. One of my kids goes to the arts high school that Kevin Drew went to along with other BSS world artists Emily Haines (Metric) and Amy Millan (Stars).
Imogen Heap
3/5
Never would have listened to this without it being on this list. Probably won’t listen to it again. Having said that I did enjoy the listen. Just not quite the sound that brings me back.
Current 93
3/5
Had never heard of them before. Good listen.
Modest Mouse
3/5
I need to listen to more Modest Mouse. I still stick by my general rule that no record should be more than an hour. Not sure where I would trim but it is too long.
Frank Zappa
4/5
First time I’ve appreciated Zappa. I’ve listened to bits and pieces before and never really was interested. This album as a whole worked for me.
Bright Eyes
4/5
Another artists that the Spotify algorithm started feeding me in the pandemic that I ended up loving. I have very much become a fan of all things Conor Oberst does.
Vampire Weekend
4/5
Whenever I hear Vampire Weekend I think I need to listen to more Vampire Weekend
Porter Robinson
3/5
I doubt I’ll ever listen to this again. But I did really enjoy listening to it this time. There is a lot going on and it definitely isn’t just one note.
Bon Iver
4/5
Enjoyable record.
Bran Van 3000
3/5
Recognized the fist track off of this. For me they will always be Drinking in LA. It was nice having a reason to listen to a full record.
Queen
4/5
Great record. Had been a while since I listened to a Queen record.
Harry Styles
4/5
I’m genuinely glad someone put Fine Line on the list, because it feels like a solid example of what resonates with younger listeners right now. It’s polished without being hollow, emotional without feeling forced, and clearly made by someone who understands how pop can still feel personal. Even if you don’t live in that musical space day to day, it’s an album that opens a window into what matters to a newer generation of music fans.
I have a teenager in my house, and sharing music has become one of the ways we really connect. We trade favourites, argue our cases, and occasionally surprise each other. Fine Line was one of their suggestions, and listening to it together gave me a better sense of why Harry Styles means so much to them and not just as a celebrity, but as an artist who feels expressive, vulnerable, and approachable.
Is it my favourite record? Probably not. But that almost feels beside the point. I enjoy it, and more importantly, I enjoy the time spent listening to it with my kid, talking about the songs, and finding common ground. For that alone it’s well worth a listen.
Ryan Adams
4/5
I wish he wasn’t a problematic artist as a person. I really enjoy his music but with all that has come up I don’t put him on in the way I did in the before times.
Chromatics
3/5
I read the Wikipedia description before diving into this and was concerned. The phrase Italo Disco was used. That just didn’t inspire much excitement.
Happy to say I was wrong. While not my favourite record it held a decent sound and pacing throughout. Enjoyable enough for the time spent with it.
Q65
3/5
Worth the listen.
Wet Leg
4/5
Really glad this is on here. I’ve been listening to the since this one came on my radar. Good example of some interesting things happening in modern music. Often I am skeptical about more recent albums. But in this case I’ll make an exception.
Lady Gaga
3/5
Not my thing. This didn’t change that assessment. Having said that I am glad I’ve now heard it.
Pink Floyd
3/5
I’ve just not been able to get as excited about Pink Floyd as others do. I enjoyed this. However, for me it was too perfect. I love live music and listen to a lot of live albums. I even have a subscription to Nugs to have access to a large library of shows. This is too perfect for me. I like the spontaneity of a live show and the warts and all that. This is missing on this record in my view.
Roy Harper
3/5
So I heard this one on another long list but if left not lasting impression. Listening to it for the second time now I feel I see why someone would suggest this. Very good record. Great writing and execution on all tracks.
Amália Rodrigues
4/5
I really like when there are non English records on here. I will never come across them on my own so I appreciate when someone has put them forward.
Since I can’t judge these records on the lyrical messages and meaning I can only look at them from how they feel. This one felt like it transported me to a different time and place. I really enjoyed that aspect.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
4/5
So I find I’m fascinated by this band just as they come off of Spotify. Grrrrr. Oh well off the a record store to see what they have.
Really enjoyed this record. I love that it’s not bound by traditions album structure.
Malibu
3/5
Was not aware of this artist. I enjoyed having this on.
Pop Will Eat Itself
4/5
So glad someone put this on here. It is one I’ve been listening to since the 90s so I am probably biased in my review.
I love the amount that is happening on this record. Nothing stands still. Everything is layered and hyped up. Great pump up record.
Now I’m going to go get a Big Mac and Fries to go…
Paco de Lucía
3/5
Not a type of music I ever listen to. Having said that I can really appreciate the skill and talent and passion displayed.
Reincidentes
2/5
August is Falling
4/5
Another for my category of really good record. Probably will give it another listen. However, I would love to hear from the person who chose it why they thought it was 1001 to hear before you die. I couldn’t tell what moved it from a good record to must hear.
Silverchair
3/5
Fine record. Personally didn’t see anything that would land it as a must listen call out. Still a good record.
Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine
3/5
Always on the periphery of my music listening - aware of them but never dove into them. Good record. I’ll probably check some more out.
Extremoduro
3/5
While I enjoy listening to albums that are non-English and trying to find something awesome in them I draw the line at a 3:40 long compilation. keeping with the mission of these lists I decided to listen to the most popular record they had on Spotify. I really enjoyed it. If I understood the lyrics I might have thought it very awesome. I think if I had listened to the full compilation here I would have found it too much and probably would have had a very different experience.
Stray From The Path
2/5
Enjoyed the instrumental backing through out but the vocals weren’t for me.
Espers
3/5
I enjoyed that.
4/5
Enjoyed this. I should listen to some more low.
The Breeders
5/5
This lands in the category of I thought it was on the main list. This was a key record for me growing up. I listened to a lot of male led bands. The Breeders were key in opening up my horizons.
Bob Mould
4/5
I was shocked when I saw this on here. I am a huge fan of all things Bob Mould. First got into his music with Sugar which then led to Husker Du and ultimately his solo work. I’ve seen him live many times.
This is a great record to get a snapshot of his solo work. Totally a solo album as he plays all parts on it.
The Stooges
5/5
I saw a modern version of them open for The Replacements at their reunion show. Still a very compelling band to watch but it must have really been something at their peak. This gives you a sense of the chaos it must have been.
Clutch
3/5
I have a friend who is a huge fan of these guys. I’ve tried to get into them. I do enjoy their records when I put them on. I just don’t find myself reaching for them.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
3/5
Worth a listen for sure.
The Civil Wars
3/5
I enjoyed it.
The Tragically Hip
4/5
I put another Hip album on this list. They totally belong on this list for the impact and legacy they have had on the Canadian people. Are these the best records ever recorded, no. Are they good, yes. More importantly are they 1001 must hear - absolutely.
The Hip were out band. Massive in Canada. Unknown elsewhere. Probably because they sang very Canadian songs. Bobcaygeon is a pure example of this. Song that is the name of a small town. The overarching theme is the story of the Christie Pits race riots in the 1930s underlies the song. Likely references to The Horseshoe Tavern “that night in Toronto with its checkerboard floors”
Other songs reference a major ice storm that hit the band’s hometown of Kingston. “Ice is covering the trees and one of them is interconnecting with my Chevrolet Caprice”.
Fireworks “if there’s a goal that everyone remembers” “you said you didn’t give a fuck about hockey, I’ve never heard someone say that before” “You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr”. Referencing back to Paul Hendersons goal in the 72 summit.
These are the things that made us love The Hip and these are the things that make it a 1001 album in my opinion.
The Marcus King Band
3/5
I often wonder why someone would suggest a particular record for this list. This was one of those times. I was like ok enjoyable enough but what makes it special? So I asked ChatGPT. It gave a good perspective about how this stands as a more genuine blues rock record than other modern examples. It talked about how the production kept to the emotional connection and didn’t devolve into just a showcase for great guitar skills. All really great context that made me listen a little deeper.
This will never be my style. But I did enjoy the listen.
Hombres G
3/5
Always hard to rate when I don’t understand the language. From the overall sound and experience I felt I am sure this captures a moment and style very well.
of Montreal
3/5
A band that I first heard of based on their appearance on Yo Gabba Gabba. Whenever a track comes on algorithmically I let it play and generally enjoy but I’ve never played a whole album before. Not life changing for me, but enjoyable.
Beyoncé
3/5
I’ve heard some Beyoncé records across other lists. This is the first one I actually enjoyed.
Weezer
3/5
Enjoyable.
Digable Planets
3/5
Enjoyable.
Roger Waters
3/5
So I was faced with a dilemma on this one. It’s Roger Waters who I assume needs the big stereo system vs I was up at the times used in song titles but can’t play it loudly at that time. I went with the novelty of listening to the record at the appropriate times.
The record didn’t change my world but I did enjoy it. I like the concept and it was executed decently.
Ornatos Violeta
3/5
I don’t speak the language so in these cases I go with the feel and impression left by the music and the manner in which the words are delivered. I really enjoyed the sound and feel of this record. Had I known the words it might have been even more appreciated.
The Hold Steady
4/5
A band my brother was always a huge fan of but that I’ve only come around to in the last few years. He had a spoken delivery style that took me a long time to appreciate. It is unique and worth a listen.
Mac DeMarco
4/5
Another in the world of I had the wrong impression. The name only came on my radar in the last year or so. Not sure why I hadn’t heard of him earlier. Honestly I thought he was another Benson Boone. Turns out I was wrong.
I actually sat and listened to this on my main system. Despite appearing as simple it was much more complex in sound, production and even mastering. Really glad I’ve heard this. I’ll be back for more.
Tosca
2/5
Not really my thing. There wasn’t really any aspect that I grabbed ahold of.
Margot & The Nuclear So And So's
3/5
Hadn’t heard of them before. Enjoyable listen.
Soul Coughing
3/5
Enjoyed more than I expected.
Cat System Corp.
3/5
Different.
Unwound
4/5
The right amount of heavy for me.
Mansun
3/5
It was fine.
Poets of the Fall
2/5
Didn’t do much for me.
Crystal Castles
3/5
I went through a journey on this one. Hated it out of the gate. Then a little while later I was like oh I’m kinda enjoying it. Then a little bit later, nope back to hate. Then I finished off with a that was an interesting ride.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
4/5
I really should spend more time exploring their catalog
The Weakerthans
4/5
Glad this is on hear. I really enjoy the Wealerthans and this is a good example of them. Is it 1001 must hear, I don’t know. But what I do know is it’s a good record that I want more people to be exposed to. So I’m happy with it on this list.
Kano
2/5
Wasn’t for me.
Magdalena Bay
3/5
I’m glad I got to listen to this one. It had enough variety and interesting enough concept to keep me listening throughout.
Blackalicious
4/5
This was my 350th user generated record I’ve listened to. This is also the reason why I have remained on this journey beyond the original list. A record I never would have put on myself (as I didn’t even know it existed) that I found myself unexpectedly enjoying.
Not at all a genre I listen to on my own. A genre I actually actively dislike most of the time. However, this one something about the flow of record caught my attention and held it. I probably should listen another time as it seemed it had a strong and relevant POV lyrically as well.
Thank you to whoever added this. It definitely is why I still love this list nearly 4 years into the journey.
The Shins
3/5
Not sure why they aren’t my favourite band. Everything points to them being a contender yet somehow I’m not in love with them. I enjoy listening to their songs but I don’t cross over into that next level of appreciation.
Shudder To Think
3/5
First time listening to one of their records. I knew them from their contribution to the Sweet Relief benefit record but that was about all. Enjoyed it.
WHY?
3/5
Interesting enough a listen.
Boards of Canada
3/5
Always interested to hear one of their records. Not my thing but they are clearly good at what they do.
Porcupine Tree
3/5
There was another Porcupine Tree record on here that I preferred. This was fine but didn’t do much for me.
Low
3/5
I need to listen to more Low.
Zero 7
3/5
When I read the wiki description I wasn’t excited for it. However, I actually enjoyed. Don’t know why but I did.
The Chameleons
3/5
I enjoyed that.
Portishead
4/5
Not my main style but I’ve enjoyed all records of theirs I’ve heard.
Cindy Lee
4/5
This has been on my radar for a while. I was always put off by the length. I was disappointed when it came off of Spotify and hadn’t got to it. So thank you to this list for forcing me over to Bamdcamp to get this one. Thought it was a great record and I need to listen to it more.
DARKSIDE
3/5
It was enjoyable enough.
Built To Spill
3/5
I always enjoy Built to Spill. It’s from my generation but actually came to them much later in my listening journey.
At the Drive-In
3/5
This definitely sounds like the year it’s from.
Zach Bryan
4/5
I listen to a lot alt-country bands like Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo (yes I know what I did there), etc. I would put this on the other side I’d call this country-alt. Much more rooted in country with the alt influence as opposed to rooted in alt with the country influence. It was my first time consciously hearing his stuff. I enjoyed it. Well crafted record with well crafted songs and a great ambiance throughout.
Slapstick
4/5
Really enjoyed this. I do wonder what pushes it to be a 1001 user submitted. I’d love to know why the user chose this.
Rozi Plain
3/5
Enjoyed it.
4/5
Finally listened to this all. Still don’t know why I didn’t listen to this when it came out. It is right up the alley of what I was listening to at that time.
Matthew Good Band
3/5
I should have loved this when it came out. Canadian indie rock at the time when Canadian indie music ruled my CD player. It’s good it just didn’t excite me at the time. Unfortunately, it still doesn’t. Not saying it’s bad. It just doesn’t strike a nerve.
Talking Heads
4/5
I’m glad I didn’t try and listen to them as a teen. I think I would have just dismissed them. I finally started listening about 5 or 6 years ago and have loved that I’ve saved such a great band for so much later in my life. It’s harder and harder to really get into music you don’t know. So having saved a classic band until now is a great bonus.
Everything Everything
3/5
I never really knew what was coming from song to song. Good listen.
Tyler, The Creator
3/5
Not my style but I enjoyed it. I can see why he’s a well known name.
Wolf Alice
4/5
Good record.
Itoiz
3/5
Not my language so can’t comment on lyrical content. Music was enjoyable. Well worth the listen.
Eric B. & Rakim
3/5
Classic hip hop. Don't mind it but one isn’t my favourite from that era.
Graham Parker
3/5
You can tell the sound is very much from its time. Having said that if I was more of it’s time I think I would have worshipped this record. As is I still enjoyed the listen.
Opeth
5/5
I often wonder why someone would pick a particular album for inclusion on this list. Typically this happens when it’s in a genre I am not super familiar with. Metal is one of those genres. I listen to some metal but I haven’t gone deep into it. I’ve seen Slayer, Anthrax, Jinjer live but don’t known all their songs. So when this metal album landed I was curious. So I asked ChatGPT- why would someone pick this to add to a 1001 must listen list. I actually think it nailed it.
Here is the comment it made. I will say I agree with it.
Someone would suggest Blackwater Park for a user-generated 1001 Albums list because it is widely seen as a landmark album: a record that takes death metal and makes it expansive, atmospheric, melodic, and genuinely album-shaped rather than just heavy song after heavy song. It has the kind of ambition those lists reward, with long, dynamic compositions, a very distinctive dark mood, and a blend of brutality and beauty that helped define progressive metal in the 2000s. Even people who would never call it an all-time universal favorite might still argue it belongs because it represents an important musical world at an exceptionally high level.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
Listening to the user lists there are a few recurring themes I’ve seen. This hits on two of the three recurring ones.
1) I could have sworn this was on the main list.
2) A band that the Spotify algorithm thinks I should love way more than I do. I enjoy them. I occasionally will chose to put on one of the their records I just don’t love them.
The third theme which doesn’t apply here is me asking why someone chose this. That I understand for this one. Great record. While a focused rock record it differs in writing from song to song. It has well executed musicianship. Great record all around and worth a listen.
Medeski, Martin & Wood
4/5
I’m glad this was added. I would describe myself a jazz-curious. I’ve been exposed to the classics and then Nels Cline’s work (as I’m a huge Wilco fan) but I haven’t had much exposure to other time periods. I find it intimidating to listen to as I feel I fell into the trap of Spotify PFC early on in trying to explore jazz. So now if I don’t know the name and it feeds it to me I don’t listen.
I enjoyed this record and now have another name I’ll keep my eye out for and probably explore a bit more with this as an anchor.
Various Artists
5/5
A must have on this list. Thank you.
The Hotelier
4/5
Good record.
The Last Dinner Party
3/5
I listened to this a little bit when it came out. Not sure why it faded from my rotation. It’s an enjoyable record. I like what they are doing.
Muse
3/5
I am sure if I was a teen when this came out I would have been all over it.
Chris Thile
4/5
Thanks for putting this on. Really enjoyed their take on music and the combined product.
LaBelle
4/5
Great example of its time and place. Glad it is on here.
Dio
4/5
I grew up in the early 90s very much as a child of grunge. I was 13 when Eddie Vedder sang - while you were sitting home alone at age 13. So my early and most powerful music development was the years that killed this type of metal/hard rock. Only now am I opening my mind to it and appreciating what it was.
Dio has been a name I’ve seen around and known of forever. This was my first time sitting down to a record. I really enjoyed it. For anyone who is skeptical of this type of music I would suggesting sitting down and properly listening to it with an open mind. You may find you enjoy way more than you think.
3/5
I try every once in a while to get into them. I enjoy the listen but it doesn’t really stick with me. No different this time.
Self Esteem
3/5
Never heard of this before seeing it here. It was a good listen.
Interpol
3/5
I’m sure I would have been a bigger fan if I was younger when this first came out. Always worth a listen.
New Order
4/5
One more for the long list of things I thought were in main list.
Ikd-sj
2/5
Didn’t really do it for me musically. Periodically I checked in on lyrics. Also didn’t do it for me.
Andrew Lloyd Webber
4/5
A nostalgic record for me. Not that I ever had the record itself but it was the first big musical i saw with my class in probably grade 4 or 5. Back in the days when you still dressed up to go to a show.
My kid is at an arts school (not in MT themselves) and there is constant talk of the big hits. They are so different now than the Andrew Lloyd Weber years. It was nice
To hear this again.
Bruce Hornsby
3/5
A mixed bag for me. I liked the concept and the inclusion of more jazzy influence. I just found the album was about bit too long for me and my interested waned as it went on.
Jimmy Buffett
3/5
Thanks for including this one. Is it a new favourite, no. Did it give me a chance to learn a new genre and get respect for an artist I only knew as the corny cheesy figure. Much more to this record than I would have thought. It was a good record.
Savatage
3/5
The type of music I grew up actively rejecting. I’ve come around to appreciate it more as I’ve aged. Still not my favourite but it’s growing on me. I’m a big fan of TSO so it was good to finally sit down and listen to this. Worth the listen.
Powderfinger
3/5
Didn’t really stick with mme.
ISIS
2/5
I think it was the wrong day to listen to this. I didn’t enjoy. But there was enough there that I can see it might have hit differently on another day.
Girl Talk
4/5
Great selection. Super interesting. A lot going on and really seamlessly assembled. It’s not my usual thing but there are a few of these DJ mix type things that I’ve enjoyed. I am thinking of like DJ Shadow and J Dilla from the main list (or maybe they were on Rolling Stone 500). Either way interesting flow and mix of musical choices.