1001 Albums Summary

I don't know if I understood it. But I enjoyed it.

Good nostalgia and some songs I remember. Not stacked with classics. Enjoyed For Tomorrow, Villa Rosie.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Once in a Lifetime is a classic, didn't know any of the others. Not a huge fan of the vocal performance but it's a good listen.

I don't consider myself a blues afficionado. Blues to me conjures up images of a weird high school teacher who would roam the campus with a harmonica or listening to the blues. So this is probably the first blues album I have ever listened to. And what an introduction. What an amazing voice and energy. The recording is clear and the musicality is evident. Really enjoyed this.

Didn't finish. It was fine but not really my thing.

I'd only ever heard Sweet Home Alabama before by this band. I don't think they were particularly popular in the UK. I enjoyed this album. Short and punchy with very musical guitar playing. That Southern twang is quite unmistakable and good fun for someone who has never been anywhere near the US South. Would relisten.

It's as if Spinal Tap never happened. Wellz obviously, it hadn't at this point but... Y'know. Very over the top, rock nerdery. Mostly not my thing. I did enjoy Roundabout. I definitely prefer the Paul Simon version of America.

It's just too try-hard bad boy rock. First three tracks all seem to be about hot girls and so on. Just a bit boring to be honest. Not a fan of Steve Tyler's vocals. Overall it's fine as a relic of its time but it's incredibly dated.

Fairly forgettable. Pleasant enough early 90s indie. The kind of thing I listened to at the time but I don't really remember much teenage fanclub. Maybe sparkys dream but that's not on this album. All in all a bit samey and not helped by a lack of nostalgia.

Never heard of him before. This started out sounding fairly bland (if pleasant) indie folk. Then it got a lot more interesting. I really liked his voice and there was plenty of different styles on show (some more successful than others). Overall a good listen. Highlights: Chicken Bones, Silver Platter Club and Sigourney Weaver.

Second Muddy Waters album so far. Not as energetic as the live recording but a good solid blues album. The 15 year old seemed to like it too.

This is pure nostalgia for me. First year of uni, plenty of time to listen to music. As much as I love Pablo Honey, this album just lifted their music to another level. So many good songs on here and mountains of atmosphere. Highlights: Just, Street Spirit, High and Dry.

Every track is a banger. Hard to believe this is 25 years old and to remember that this was pretty revolutionary when it came out. The video for revolution 909 is still one of my favourites.

Not my usual listen, I'll be honest. I don't know much about country. Not something I would listen to again but it was quite fun and she has a superb voice.

I didn't like this when it first started. It definitely improved. Not sure I'd listen to it again. I don't know what I was listening to in 86 but it wasn't this. If this had come out 10 years later I probably would have been all over it.

Awful

I can't say this one really grabbed me. It's definitely musically very impressive but I didn't really latch onto any tracks in particular.

Yes, he has a talent and there's absolute classics like Stan. But you can't look past the content of so many of the tracks. The homophobia and misogyny just ruins it.

It was ok, I guess. Nothing stand out. Pleasant enough but not something I would go back to.

Enjoyed this. I'd only heard Bongo Bong before but there's lots of variety here.

Absolute classic. How anyone can not give old blue eyes 5 stars is beyond me. Maybe I'm just an old fart. That voice so smooth, the orchestra so jazzy, the overall effect is like slipping into a warm bath. I feel relaxed.

I quite enjoyed this as background music. Can't say I listened too closely. Don't know if I'm motivated to go back to it and listen more carefully.

Mostly not a fan of the slower stuff although the musicality is to be commended. The uptempo tracks such as the Bottle and Back Home did it for me more. Somewhat depressing lyrical content. Especially in current times.

This was completely unexpected. What a great album. Never heard of it before.

Very very cool. Not heard this before but really enjoyed it.

I liked the Shamen in the 90s. Can't say this has aged well. Still enjoyable but not a great album.

I saw the year, the cover and read "english rock band" and thought "oh no". You know what? I actually enjoyed this. Very musical and listenable. Jazzy, folk influences. Good discovery.

Some real classics on here. I didn't know the non-single tracks but I enjoyed them. This is my era so not a surprise that I enjoyed it.

Never heard this album before. I've mostly heard his earlier stuff. I love this.

An album I am quite familiar with. So many strong tracks on here and this album was quite influential in its time. Worth a relisten.

One of the first albums I bought on cassette back in the day. I was too young to know about Thriller when it came out so this was my introduction to MJ. It stands up to the test of time with some classics on here. I seem to remember pretty much every track was released as a single. Shows the strength of the production, songwriting and musicianship on display.

A great reminder of teenage years. Funky, fun, lewd, rocking.

Not a band I'd heard before although I knew of them.the singing was quite discordant and none of the songs grabbed me.

Not heard them before. I was probably just a few years too young. Enjoyed this - some good grooves.

Pretty good. Not great, not terrible. Few good songs on there but no standouts

Never listened to Dylan before. Not sure if this is the best introduction. It's fine but a bit samey.

I liked it more than I thought I would. Not an easy listen but it is actually quite musical. Would listen again.

Just a classic. This makes a nice change from the 70s prog rock albums.

So many amazing songs on here. The voice, the production, the music is all just perfect.

This list make me realise how many classic bands/artists I've never really listened to. I actually enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Especially the first half.

Love this. Björk's voice is so unique and the sugar cubes really rocked. Not heard any of these songs before (I think Hit is the only one of theirs I know). Good fun.

So, yes, the last couple of tracks are a pretty tough listen. Overall I didn't hate this as much as I thought I might and I can hear how it influenced some of the electronic artists I enjoy.

Starts off strong with some absolute pop classics. Then it goes off the boil quite quickly.

Tricky. I really don't like Morrissey. His voice grates. It's ok on uptempo tracks but is unlistenable on slower ones. But then I like the Smiths musically. Maybe I can just say I like Johnny Marr.

Crowded House seemed sophisticated when I was of an age listening to indie music. I never got it then. As I've grown older I've appreciated it more. Some really great songs on here.

Inoffensive but boring

This album is almost as old as I am but it really doesn't sound it. The influence that Kraftwerk had can't be understated. And this is not just a historical relic but still very listenable. I'd heard the robots and the model before but the rest were new to me. A good listen.

After listening to the Strong Songs episode on "God Only Knows", I really appreciate that track. Trying to turn on my ears to the other tracks on the album. Not sure I am sophisticated enough to completely get it but I did enjoy this album. Even listened to the mono and stereo mixes. Definitely prefer the stereo mix.

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Definitely an influential album.

Country's not my thing. But this has some good tracks. Favourite (waltz me) once again...

Coming off the back of another country album (which I didn't mind), I wasn't too enthusiastic to get into this. But, boy, am I glad I did. Some great storytelling, low key production, really good. I especially liked the title track.

I actually enjoyed this when it first came out. I still like it now. Not too sure about Kanye himself but I guess you can divorce the music from the person to some degree.

I find it hard to listen to this critically as it forms such a part of my teenage listening. Alive has to be one of the best songs ever recorded.

Bit of an odd one this. I mostly enjoyed it but it was a little bit too "zany" for me.

This album is the perfect bridge between Experience and Fat of the Land. I first saw The Prodigy live around the time of Experience. That was full on rave, whistles, fluoro, lots of white. This album was much darker, more experimental and angry. Set against the background of the criminal justice bill (later act) and the crackdown on rave culture, this was clearly a political album in many ways. Being in my last years of secondary education, this album was perfectly timed to be the background of many hours of gaming. No Good, One Love, Poison, Their Law. All really strong tracks. Not as commercial as Fat of the Land but hugely influential.

A bit out there but a good listen.

I've never really "got" Talking Heads. David Byrne's singing just doesn't do it for me. Instrumentals are good.

Enjoyed the flow and vibe. But the homophobia stood out like a sore thumb and spoiled it.

This is new to me and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Reminded me a bit of L7 who I loved back in the day. Yes, her voice isn't the best and that comes out more on slower tracks, but it's unique. Would listen again.

Not usually my style and I don't really know much of her work other than the big hits. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Not sure if it's just the platinum edition but it went on a bit. Not sure I'd listen again.

Perfectly listenable. Smooth, funky. But also not really that memorable.

Not my favourite. Couldn't really place it. Not really heavy metal. Not really rock.

I only knew Gainsbourg from "je t'aime". I enjoyed the music. But the subject matter? Ick. No.

Not my usual listen. Chilled and basic. Enjoyable enough.

I went to Leeds Uni and attended gigs in the refectory. I remember hearing about this album back then and thinking it was amazing race that our little uni was forever remembered as part of the history of a band as big as The Who. But did I listen to it? Nope. I never did until now. And I wish I had heard it earlier. Loved it. Only complaint? Too short!

Once I got over the style (the parody by Morris Minor and the Majors kept popping into my head) I really enjoyed this. I wasn't really into it at the time but I can appreciate the innovation.

I'm really not sure what to make of this. After the first track I hated it. Off key droningz kazoos. But it grew on me. Then I got to the last three tracks and I was back to hating it.

I've not listened to this all the way through before. Found it hard to get into the first time. Being used to Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain and others, this always stood out as quite chaotic. But I am glad I stuck with it. You can see the progression that Davis was making and appreciate his mastery.

Having listened to Jeff Buckley a bit, I had no idea that his dad was also a singer. You can definitely hear some common vocal traits in the way they approach songs. I really appreciate the jazz inflections on this (mallets!) and generally enjoyed it.

Good Times is a banger. I didn't know the rest but I will definitely listen again. Then again, I e always been a closet disco fan.

I loved Immaculate Collection growing up but never really got into her "newer" stuff (yes, I know this is over 25 years old now). Excited to listen to this properly beyond the singles I heard at the time. The blend of pop and electronica is right in my sweet spot. Starting off with Substitute for Love, I was struck by the beautiful lush production. Looked it up and it's William Orbit so that tracks. I recognised the singles but listening to them in the context of the album gave them much more meaning. Definitely one to relisten to. How did I miss this first time round?

Classic. How can you not enjoy this?

Did not enjoy. Actually couldn't finish it. Life's too short.

One of the first albums I bought with my own money was "A Salt with a Deadly Pepa" and I listened to it endlessly. Lots of similar vibes here. Love the simple production, the big drums, the clever lyrics.

None of the EWF tunes that I know are on here but I enjoyed it. Africano a stand out track.

This is a mess. Some interesting moments and the backstory is interesting. Not really sure how this made the list.

Can't say I particularly enjoyed. A bit too shouty. Good energy, can see where it fits in the timeline but not something I would listen to again.

Loved this. So many great tracks on this album.

I am lucky to have been at just the right age to appreciate this when it came out. The trip hop sound with Portishead, massive attack, and tricky was really influential. So many great tracks on this but you can't go past Roads.

It's fine. I enjoyed the singles that I remember from its original release. There's quite a bit of filler. Don't really understand why it's on the list but I didn't hate it.

This is another one which seems like it was big when the book was written but has not stood the test of time. Sure there's some good tracks on here. And it's short and high tempo but it did leave me wondering "I wonder what they're doing now". Apparently they have a new album this year. So that's me wrong!

This is an album that truly deserves its place on the list. You don't need to know about its place in history or even much about Prince. It's just beautifully put together with some very strong songs.

Listened to this twice back to back. This definitely grew in me. Don't think I've heard much Cream before. I knew Eric Clapton was in there but my opinion of him growing up in the 80s and 90s was not of someone whose music I enjoyed. So this was definitely a surprise. Highlight was Take It Back.

I knew a few of the songs on here. Everybody Wants to Rule the World will always remind me of the movie Peter's Friends. This album is complex and a lot more layered than other albums of the same period. A good listen.

Banger after banger after banger. I don't feel I even need to listen to this one but I did. Because it's a modern classic. I first got into the Prodigy when they were doing Experience. In fact I saw them live with a bunch of ravers doing that album. When Music for the Jilted Generation came out, we listened to it incessentantly. It's fascinating to hear the progression through those two albums to this one which was so innovative. There are some iconic tracks on there (Smack My Bitch Up, Firestarter, Breathe) but my favourites are some of the less known ones (Diesel Power, Narayan). This album brings back so many memories but it's also a complete good time. Couldn't be anything less than five stars.

Not my favourite style of music at all. There was some inventiveness here that kept it a bit interesting but I wouldn't rush back to this.

Not my first listen to this, so I know it relatively well. Amazing how influential this was and how early it was. Listened on a drive home and it was perfect. Eno truly deserves all the praise for inventing ambient music.

Despite being an adopted Aussie, I have never listened to the Go Betweens. I don't know if they were big overseas. Enjoyable album. Some good tracks, some which were less memorable. Worth another listen.

Complicated feelings on this one. In the 90s I was very much Team Blur. I didn't appreciate Oasis or what they were putting out. Listening to this 30 years on and with my son going to see them live and wearing their t shirts, I feel I need to reappraise. I still don't like Liam's whiny vocal style. But this is a really solid album. So many tracks were released as singles. So many have gone on to become iconic. Gotta hand it to them, I prefer this to The Great Escape these days.

Funky. I enjoyed this as background but can't say it really grabbed me.

Boy this was long. Feels like it could have been a single album if they kept the good songs. Didn't hate it but it was a slog.

Another Prince album. Can't beat this for funky pop perfection. Maybe not suitable for listening to in the car with the kids ..

This is cool. Heavy, dirty, raw. Love it.

It was fine. Enjoyed a few tracks like LA but it was mostly pretty forgettable.

This absolutely rocks. Never heard it before. Going on high rotation for sure.

Shockingly I've never really listened to Led Zeppelin. Yes, I know Immigrant Song and Stairway to Heaven. Enjoyed this one. Varied styles, interesting instrumentation. Looks like there's more opportunities to get to know them in this list.

Country is not usually my vibe but pretty much any of the female country singers that have been on the list so far have been great. This is no exception. Although I was surprised it was released it 1987. It sounds older than that. Loved it way more than I thought I would.

Enjoyable and innovative for the time. Some classics like Waterloo Sunset.

Reggae not really my thing. Opening track was very meh. In fact, overall it was meh.

Not heard this before although Love Interruption was familiar. Enjoyable and inventive. Will listen again.

I really didn't get this one. The vocals are bad. Some of the instrumentation is fine. A few tracks I didn't mind but an overwhelming number of tracks that were hard to get through.

Another new one to me. Have heard of them but never really heard them. Enjoyable rock/metal.

This is my kind of hip hop. Laid back, innovative production, great lyrics. Standouts are Bonita Applebum and Can I Kick It.

I know it's punk and all but they don't really even seem to try and sign. But overall there were some good tracks.

I didn't mind it but it wasn't very memorable. Not really sure why it's on the list. There's plenty of other electronica out there that has been more influential.

For a 70s album I enjoyed this more than itl thought I would. Some songs I would happily have listened to in the 90s or 00s. Would listen again.

Ok conflicted on this. Sometimes it's awesomely groovy. I know the title track already and like that. But other times it just feels like a crazy uncle at the front of the local RSL with his Casio keyboard. Nothing to hate.

I get that this is their first album and so somewhat historically significant but it's pretty meh. Trying too hard to sound American, covers of other people's songs. Not a great introduction to what was an era defining band.

A few big hits and a lot of meh.

I remember now why I never got into gangsta rap. Too many guns, bitches, casual homophobia drops, etc. Not for me. Can't separate the beats and rhymes from the content.

Alright. It finally happened. Where do I start? Firstly, I don't hate it. I can see a lot here that has influenced other music that I like. Some of the more ambient tracks could easily have been made in the 90s or even later. That this came out in 1978 is startling. You compare this to Jeff Wayne or Genesis or Rush who all had albums out in the same year. Different planet. Then there's tracks that really are just noise. And they're not pleasant to listen to. Did I like it? Hard to say. Would I listen again? Maybe. Not the whole way through but there were some good bits.

Pleasant. Good background listening. Not much more interest than that.

Smooth, funky, varied. Enjoyed this.

This feels like the kind of album that is "important". A bit like poetry with some music attached. I've never really been into poetry.

Another discovery through doing this. I knew Smoke on the Water but none of their other stuff. This is really enjoyable. Would listen again

Ok, that was pretty cool. The atmosphere and crowd really makes this recording.

Too much Kanye.

Having had Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash recently, I guess it was only a matter of time before Dylan. This holds school memories of a somewhat eccentric teacher who was very into Dylan and played the harmonica. Once I got past that block I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

Love it. But then I know it well.

Enjoyable enough.

So 80s. Although it was from the 70s.

Hang on, didn't I already have this one? Oh, no, that was another Aerosmith album. Didn't like that one. Didn't like this one.

Of course I knew Paper Planes before but didn't know the rest of the album. Really great storytelling and incentive music. Enjoyed this.

I think this is the first Beatles album on here for me. Not one I've listened to all the way through before. Seems I have the US release which omits Drive My Car and Nowhere Man. Folky, strong vocals, enchanting. I'll seek out the UK release and relisten.

Look, it's fine. Perfectly listenable. But also quite forgettable. Not sure what made it a candidate for the list.

This is something of a rarity. An early 90s alternative album that I've not heard before and really enjoyed. I was aware of the band but have never listened to them. This is a great album.

Fine I guess. Nothing really groundbreaking that I could hear.

Really funky. I liked this. Love her voice. Would listen again.

His voice is such a drone. I'm sure the words were really meaningful but it didn't do anything for me.

Ugh. Did not enjoy. Atonal, yelling, not much redeeming about it.

I love the breadth and ambition of this album. It's like a movie soundtrack with so many different styles and stories. And Tightrope is just a massive banger.

It's fine. I like 90s indie. But I don't see how it's notable or fits on the list.

"It only achieved commercial success in the Netherlands". Enough said.

I do have a soft spot for Frank Sinatra. Although reading that this was up against Sgt Pepper at the Grammys puts into perspective how dated this must have seemed at the time. With the benefit of time passing, I really appreciate this album.

Imagine hearing this for the first time in 1975. Must have been mind-blowing. All building up to Bohemian Rhapsody. I've never actually listened to a Queen album (other than a greatest hits compilation). This was a revelation.

Not for me. Boring, discordant in many places, out there without any structure. Pass.

Now this is more like it! Pure fun and funky drumming. I know Apache already and enjoyed the rest. Kitsch but fun.

I've always had a soft spot for the works of Ella. Such an amazing voice. Yes, the Gershwin songs are generally quite dated but there are some absolute classics on this album.

I know you're supposed to like David Bowie but I didn't really enjoy this.

I only knew Autopsy before (discovery via Groove Armada many years ago). At first I thought this was like the music my parents listened to (in a good way) - kind of folky. I enjoyed it and then the last few tracks really grew on me. Really liked Tam Lin.

A bit depressing really. Didn't get into it.

I was really into early Radiohead - Pablo Honey, The Bends. Then I went off them when they got more experimental. So it was interesting to listen to this with fresh ears. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

Sweet dreams are made of cheese. Some great tracks on here. So ahead of their time and you have to love Annie Lennox.

Never heard of before. Reminds me of Haim. Listened to the English version and enjoyed it.

Hey, this is good. Enjoyable. Not amazing. Funny to think that this was out there heavy in its day. Seems quite tame now.

Bluesy. Not too bad but not really my style.

Such an influential group. There is so much here that you can hear as early echos of later electronic music.

"Oh, another 1970s prog rock album. Great." Surprisingly I actually liked this one.

This is one of those albums that it's hard to review objectively because it's so familiar and I love every second of it. Origin of Symmetry was the first album I was familiar with having seen them live around this time. This album, when it was released, almost came close to that. Listening with the distance of time, I think this is actually the better album.

Sigh. First The National, now this. I mean, it's ok but I could do with less whiny indie.

Pop classic. From the first strains of a church organza through the guitar.

Hard to review. The misogyny is a big woah. But there's some great rhymes and beats on here.

That was an album. It had some songs on it. Some were ok.

Strong open. Kind of loses it way a bit after that. And I prefer the single version of Back 2 Life.

Juvenile hair metal. "Hot for teacher"? Really? C'mon.

Prince was certainly prolific. And horny. Nothing on here really stood out.

Classic. Not much more you can say than that.

Nick Cave is one of those people I know of and have probably heard some of their stuff but don't really know. My impression has always been of quite difficult music to listen to. So I went into this expecting not to like it. At first I didn't. But when I came back to it with an open mind I actually rather enjoyed it. Quite uplifting in fact. Not really sure what it's about, mind you, but it was a good listen.

I grew up listening to Dookie in my teenage years. That was the perfect album. 40 minutes of high energy and fun. As I grew up I never bothered to listen to their subsequent albums. There's some good songs on here and the messages seem as relevant now as they were then. But it could have been 20 minutes shorter. I'll stick with Dookie.

Spiky, enjoyable. Liked this more than I expected.

Not really to my taste. I can see how it was influential but a bit out there for me.

Liked this more than the last Beastie Boys album I was served up. Lots of good samples and interesting production. And Sabotage is a banger.

Almost didn't need to listen to this one. What a classic.

Really not my thing. All bling and guns. That said, In Da Club got popular because it's a great track.

Preferred this to the first Rolling Stones one I was offered up. But why do they sound like they are trying so hard to be American?

It was good I guess. Didn't really grab me - sounded a bit country, a bit standard rock. It was short though.

What on Earth? Couldn't finish. No wonder it was their only album.

Not a Swiftie. Surprised by how many of these songs I actually knew already. I think Taylor is one of those artists whose music is so omnipresent that you probably know it even if you don't think you do. Enjoyed this more than I probably should have. At the end of the day it is a fun pop album.

First off, I am assuming that lots of people got this today? Or did I just really luck out by getting it on Christmas day. Actually, a few of these appeared on my Christmas playlist. Obviously amazing music and production. But getting a gift from the murderer Phil Spector is just a bit chilling. Hard to separate the music from the man. But it is a great album.

As well as the songs I already knew, I really appreciated this. A great accompaniment to a sunny post-christmas lazy day.

Great album. Sledgehammer obviously a classic. And having listened to the Strong Songs breakdown of In Your Eyes a while back I really appreciated that one. Overall a solid album.

Weird. Haunting. Beautiful.

Rap not my thing. I didn't know much about the artist except for recent beef with another rapper. Can't say I really followed it. So I went into this fully expecting to hate it. You know what? It was actually pretty good. Probably wouldn't listen again but this was a good use of my time.

This is the kind of music I like in general. Not heard this particular album before but I enjoyed it. Even so, I am not sure why it gets onto a list of albums like this. It seems somewhat unremarkable.

Awesome album. Not heard any of it except for Family Affair before. First off, it's funky. I could feel myself getting cooler after every track. Second off, it's been so influential. That's really clear. Amazing that this album is 55 years old. It sound amazing.

Ugh. Weak, uninspiring, insipid indie nonsense. Look, it's fine as background music but this is not something you have to listen to. I wasn't a massive fan at the time and I've probably mellowed a bit since but I still wouldn't choose to listen to this.

Absolute classic. Defines the Madchester era and sounds as good tofay as it did then. RIP Mani.

Well this was a great find. I am still a bit confused by it but I liked it.

I don't think I knew what krautrock was other than it being associated with Kraftwerk. This was an interesting listen. Definitely some tracks on here I really enjoyed.

I know it may be sacrilegious but I have never got Bruce Springsteen. It's fine but it didn't blow me away.

Unenjoyable.

Not for me. Weird whispered and spoken vocals and nothing that can reasonably described as a tune.

Of course I'd heard The Message before but none of the rest. This is a real mixed bag of styles. Some of it just sounds so dated and cheesy (and reminds me, weirdly of Ditch rap duo MC Miker G & DJ Sven - guess this was part of their influence). Definitely listenable and deserves credit for the last track.

Another album which I feel I should have heard but never did. Enjoyed this one.

Meh.

This is really intriguing. I quickly realised that it was a concept album and then looked up the back story. The fact that it was supposed to be a TV drama/play really made sense. I would love to have seen how that turned out. As an album, it's fine - some good tracks but I think the story is the interesting part here.

This sounds pretty tame by modern standards but it is clear how transformational it was. RIP Ozzy.

Very 80s. Enjoyable enough but not world changing.

Wow. Just wow. This is what I do this for. Discovering new things like this. This is beautiful.

More early 80s post punk? *Sigh* It's fine. But there just seems to be so much stuff like this on the list.

Country's not really my thing. I don't mind some of Willie's works. This was just OK for me.

I think I am the wrong generation for Crosby Still Nash and Young. When I was growing up they were old people music. So I don't think I've ever consciously listened to them. I was a bit wary going into this because of that. But it's actually a great listen throughout.

Not my favourite 90s band but not a bad album.

I didn't know what this was. Heavy metal? Hair metal? Confusing.

How can you not love Joni. Such an amazing voice.

Well. I hated this from tbr first track. Then I grew on me. I don't like it all but it's intriguing and I think it deserves another listen.

My nextdoor neighbour's mum had this when I was growing up. I always thought of it as old person music. And it is. But it's good old person music. And I am now an old person.

"what if we combined whiny indie folk and electronica?" Is the question that noone was asking. But Animal Collective answered it. I didn't mind this.

A proper 80s record this one. Sounds pretty dated now but it's fun.

Pretty enjoyable bluesy album.

Oh yeah! Tina! So 80s but in a good way. And the power of the voice. Yes the production creaks a bit these days but couldn't you just listen to her sing all day long?

Stevie. Don't really need to say much more. This is such an important album. Enjoyed every minute of it.

This is what I come to this list for. An album I would never have discovered otherwise. I knew 7 Seconds (with Neneh Cherry) so I had some idea what to expect. He has such a soulful voice. I don't think it matters that I have no idea what the songs are about. Great listen.

What a ride. Some really very different music on this. Emphasized when my player finished and went back to the start. Like two (or three, four, five) different albums in one.

Never really got the fascination for Beck. It's fine I guess.

It's the 80s. Margaret Thatcher is in the middle of her interminable stint as PM, a former actor is in the Whitehouse. And Billy drops this. Yes, his voice is mildly irritating (although it's not far off an accent I grew up hearing all around me). Yes, it can be a bit in your face. But this is such a statement of its time and how a lot of the country were feeling.

Funky. Jazzy. Brilliant. More please.

That boy needs therapy.

To my shame I'd not heard of Sam Cooke before. But I absolutely adored this recording. The energy. It's like being in that room. Then to read about what happened to him not that long afterwards.

I love the production of this album. I love some of the songs on this album. I'm not sure I completely love the album.

Didn't mind the music but found the voice annoying.

Actually really good. Sounds very ahead of its time.

I listened to this about a week ago now. I think it was ok. But I don't really like Sting. Sorry.

What a voice. Some good songs on here.

Ugh. At least it was over relatively quickly.

I loved Siamese Dream when I was growing up. But I never got into this album when it came out. I like it but it's long. Feels like it could have been heavily edited to make an amazing album.

There are better REM albums. Everybody Hurts has been played to death. But, yet, this is just marvelous.

Reinforcing for me that I don't really like country.

That's the way it's gonna be, little darlin' We'll be riding on the horses, yeah, yeah. No? Shame!

Ever watched Toy Story, enjoyed the music, and thought "what if I could listen to a whole album of this?". No? Ne neither. It's fine but mostly saccharine but also a bit odd

Hey this is pretty good. Who knew flute would work so well here.

Having grown up in Billericay, I certainly knew of Ian Dury. Painfully so. Can I forgive him? Probably not.

Probably could have been a single album.

What if the Beatles but darker.

Yeaaaaahhhh.

There's a line somewhere here which connects the Beatles, Queen, and this album. It's a great listen. Classic.

Oh man, not sure I can listen to this objectively. I hated Simply Red back then. I probably like them a bit more now but, really, Mick Hucknall has such an annoying voice. Also we all know what he gets up to with rabbits. Bunny's Too Tight To Mention; Holding Back The Years.

A "virtual band" hey? Kind of dates this one I suppose. There's some good tracks on here and not as overplayed as Demon Days.

I didn't think I'd like this but it actually worked really well. I don't really get punk - it just sounds too deliberately raw. But this was raw without being over the top.

Ho hum. Bluesy rock. Nothing earrh shattering. Although now I know where the Ab Fan theme tune is from.

Not heard of this band before or this album. I actually really enjoyed it. Will check out more of their catalogue.

I've definitely listened to this before. It's not one that stands out in my memory except for the title track. But I really enjoyed listening to this more closely.

I don't even need to listen to the whole album to rate this one. I was in the right demographic at the right time to enjoy this first time around. The voice, the production, it's just all perfect. Such a talent, such a shame. Vale Amy.

It's Joni. How can you not enjoy it.

I'm sure some of the reviews here will bemoan an 80s pop album being on the list. But, come on, it's Duran Duran!

Tough. Does nostalgia win out or objective reality? Nostalgia says 5/5. This is my eta. Objective reality is more like a 3. Some good songs but if I'd never heard this before I wouldn't go racing off to hear more.

Better than the previous stones albums I had.

This was the first album I ripped from a CD myself. Got it from the library and made some atrociously low quality mp3 files. Many years later and it still sounds great. Even more so with a decent quality copy.

Enjoyed the jazzy production and the overall playfulness of this. Especially when contrasted with other hip hop from the era. Fewer guns and killing here. But it's a bit... Juvenile? Lots of smoking weed, lusting after women, jacking off, etc.

Nice. Nice. Niiiiice. Some real corkers here. Birdland. Rumba Mama. Enjoyable. Some is a bit dated but overall solid.

I kinda want to not like this so I can say "yeah yeah yeah? More like yeah yeah nah". But! This was great.

I'm a simple person. I see New Order, I vote it high. Not really sure why this particular album made the list. It's good. But there's nothing standout.

No. Just no.

Kinda juvenile but fun. The more early US punk I get given the more I realize I like it

I mean, it's Elvis. If you look past the image and listen to the music, especially in context of the time, this is just unbelievable.

American Pie and Vincent are great. The rest all seemed a bit maudlin.

🤘

There were some ok tracks on here but mostly this was just BORING. Like 20 minutes of guitar noodling boring. Who would willingly pay to listen to this, let alone go see it live?

I wasn't as familiar with this album as I am with their debut (which I had on repeat growing up). "Dance music for people who like guitars" as someone at my uni said to me. Some really strong tracks on here. But I expect this to be polarising...

Pretty good. Can't say it was totally memorable but I enjoyed it.

More rapping about girls and guns but with a different accent. Ok, it's slightly more interesting than that in the production but it hasn't aged that well.

Not being a massive hip hop fan, I have not listened to the album before. Can appreciate its importance in the history of the genre and enjoyed some of the tracks. Not one I'll rush back to.

Familiarity breeds contempt? Knew the singles from being EVERYWHERE when they were released. Can't say I was the biggest fan at the time. Overall it was fine but it was a bit of a "where are they now" moment.

Seems like a rock album for rock fans. Some good tracks on this one.

What can you say about Coldplay that hasn't already been said. Yes they are a meme. Yes lots of people claim not to like them. Yes they are somewhat average in many ways. Yes Chris Martin is a bit of a knob. But there's just something about their earlier albums that really hits.

This is why I do this thing. To find albums like this that I've never even heard of before. This is exactly my style. Jazzy, electronic, smooth, rhythmic. Will be adding this to some playlists.

Great voice, banging instrumentation. Love it.

Solid.

Can't really complain about some proper blues performed in front of an appreciative audience. And the man has a voice. What a voice.

Without knowing that this was released in 1990, you'd be forgiven for dating it about 20 years earlier. Derivative, the big song is a cover version of someone else's song. It's an enjoyable romp but it doesn't seem particularly ground breaking.

Yeah! Now this is an album. I knew a few Pixies tracks before but not familiar with this album. The through line to grunge is clear here. And bonus marks because Kim Deal is superb.

This isn't so inventive. From the opening track to the last there's not much which sounds like anything else. This really stands the rest of time.

Oh, I remember this one. Although, oddly, I don't actually remember any of the music except for "Once Around the Block". But this was *big* when it came out. Not entirely sure why. It's fine enough, but, with distance from the UK and the early 2000s, I can't say it's life changing.

Really? Another Morrissey album? Less than a month after the last one. Ugh.

Funnily enough, I think only really knew the remix version of Walking Wounded. Still a good album - my kind of level of laid back and funky.

Didn't like the Fugees in the 90s. Still don't like them. I think their version of Killing Me Softly was the first I'd heard. Now being familiar with the original, I am even more upset that they just ruined it. One time... Two time... No thanks.

Look, it's not Rumours. That's about the only negative I can come up with.

Man can certainly play guitar. Other than that, this was mostly enjoyable if not anything outstanding.

Never heard of this band before. A few good songs on there but some real stinkers too.

This was massive for my age group when this came out. Every student seemed to have a copy of it as the cool sophisticated thing to listen to. Not sure I appreciated it back then but I do now. Unfortunately my Spanish isn't up to understanding the words but the music is beautiful. One of those things where you can be glad it got recorded.

Huh. This one has me stumped. It's a bunch of mid 20s guys pretending to be at school. The title track is a classic of course. Actually some of the other songs on the album are more interesting. Enjoyed more than I thought I would.

Like a lot of other people, I first heard Gillian Welch on the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou. She has a very distinctive voice and style. This is a pleasant album to listen to. Not sure if I'll listen again though.

Glam rock is really an odd odd thing. Wonder why it never really stuck around.

Old guy music

Donovan, swing your pants. It's as if whiny indie was invented in the 1960s.

None of his recognisable (to me) songs on this. But he's so smooth, how can you not enjoy this?

I've never really listened to Adele. She's always just **been there**. Kind of like wallpaper. Fine but nothing you'd really go out of your way to notice. I'm probably not the target audience for this album but there's some good songs on here and some absolute snoozers.

What?! The 60s (and 70s) were a weird time.

Love him or hate him, you have to admire Eminem's creativity. Yes, Slim Shady is problematic as a character. Yes this can be misinterpreted by many. But this is still a classic of the genre.

This was a 5 before I even listened to it. I tried to listen closely as if it were a new album to me. And it's still a 5. So many good songs.

What?! I'm not really sure what that was but it was not good. It's like someone knocked over a drum kit while stepping on 20 cats at the same time. Don't get me wrong, I like jazz but I did not like this.

When the Wikipedia article rests on inclusion in this list and the opinion of an Icelandic music critic, I struggle to see how this is notable.

I do like me some Paul Simon; my parents had a few of his albums so they are childhood listening to me. Not heard this album before, in fact the only song I was familiar with was Me and Julio. Some really great songs on here. Trying to separate out whether lack of familiarity meant it didn't do it for me or if it's not the same calibre as some of his other works.

Great production and very influential for years afterwards.

Been a long time since I listened to this album all the way through. It really is worth doing and focusing on. Takes me back to my time in the US which is when I first heard this I think.

A pleasant punky pop album. Very 70s/80s crossover as you'd expect.

Definitely enjoyed the upbeat numbers more than the slower ones.

Gothic rock eh? Not sure that's something I needed to hear. But I didn't mind this.

Enjoyed it more than I thought I would. But is it really that notable? Two singles which didn't crack the top 40 and Wikipedia's "legacy" section merely mentions its inclusion in this list. Weird.

Not my favourite REM album but even my not-favourite REM album beats out lots of others.

Nope.

I probably prefer Angel Dust as an album but this gets 5 stars just for Epic.

So apparently "Dear God" was left off the original release. What a mistake. Great album.

There is far too much Morrissey on this list. Thankfully this is saved by Johnny Marr. What a dilemma. Should be 1 just for having Morrissey.

Some of the "singing" didn't do it for me but there's some pretty good grooves on this. It grew on me.

This was a real chore. Not fun.

I originally listened to the wrong album (Felt Mountain) and then listened to this straight after. I definitely prefer this. Lush is the word that springs to mind. Vocals, instrumentation, and production.

Only knew Pusherman before the listen but knew I liked that. Glad I listened to the whole album. Soulful, funky, fun.

I don't usually like singer songwriter artists. But this guy wrote some great songs.

This was fun. You can see the influence this had on many later artists. This still sounds really fresh.

Never really got the B-52s. It's fine but the talk-singing grates.

Doesn't seem that long since I had a Public Enemy album. Probably because it was just over two weeks ago that I had It Takes A Nation of Millions. Not that I'm complaining, this is a great follow up.

Prog rock. I preferred the prog bits more than the rock bits I think. Particularly the opener and closer.

Enjoyed this except the last two tracks.

Gotta love the pixies.

Are you kidding me? And almost an hour and a half of this. Just no. It's like a teenager trying to be "random". Zany lyrics, good music I could manage. Experimental music and good lyrics I could probably cope with. Zany lyrics and experimental music is a hard no. love and waffles, *~t3h PeNgU1N oF d00m~*

Oddly enough I've not heard this one before. But it was definitely solidly in the region of albums I would have liked at the time. Especially liked the Thom Yorke duet.

Feel like I could just repeat my review for What's the Story. Still not a fan of Liam's delivery. Probably fewer great tracks on here than the other.

Not their best album but even not their best is better than many others.

First listen I didn't enjoy. Second listen on headphones I did. Make of that what you will. A more complex sound that needs attention.

I mean this was smooth. But it did get a bit samey.

Chalk this up as another album I have actually never listened to. I knew Another Brick in the Wall and my neighbour's mum had this when I was a teen. So I remember hearing bits of it. What an album. Yes, maybe it was a bit pretentious but it's also really listenable and tells a good story.

It was fine. Not much more to say than that. Whatever.

I guess the thing about experimental music is that some experiments work and some don't. That's how I felt about this album. I liked some, but not all of it.

Breathtaking. I only really knew Fast Car (and the cover of Baby Can I Hold You) before. Really beautiful voice, and the songs still sound really fresh. And unfortunately still so very relevant.

I think this is one of the bands people always said I should listen to as they are very similar to what I liked in the 90s. Turns out they were right

I saw the cover and the genres and winced. But, this was actually pretty good. Then I realised where I knew him from. Hah.

Look, I still don't like David Byrne's voice with examples like "Happy Day" really illustrating that. But I was expecting not to enjoy this and I definitely enjoyed it. Can't go past Psycho Killer as a standout.

Not really my thing. Anything with a harmonica is probably a no.

Yikes. I really didn't like their last album. If anything this one is worse.

Hmm, never heard of this band despite being quite familiar with 80s UK acts. Let me look them up... "The Blue Nile's highest chart placement came when "Tinseltown in the Rain" reached No. 28 in the Netherlands in 1984,". Right. So... Notable? Not sure about that. Pleasant enough.

Never listened to a full album. I do enjoy their style but it does require you to be on a certain mood. And this is a long album!

I love this bridge to Disco. Very funky but interesting subject matter. And I would love to do the bass parts.

Always found u2 a bit dull. They start strong on this with the first two songs then it becomes quite meh.

Seriously? Two u2 albums in a row? Although, 1982 U2 is a hell of a lot more interesting than 2000 U2.

Another album where it's hard to separate nostalgia from quality. Who am I kidding? This is a solid gold five. Unfortunately it's as relevant (if not more) now than it was then.

I never really got the Lemonheads. They're fine but they don't blow me away.

Heard the name but don't think I know any of her work. I have always enjoyed the Divine Comedy so came into this with an open mind. Definitely an interesting listen. I think it's one which needs a few plays to really get. Didn't like the last track much. Others were a bit musical theatre which was fun but you need to be in the right mood.

It's not Nevermind. But it's still great.

Pretty fun!

Oddly my first playthrough of this was an instrumental only version. Having listened to it with vocals as well now, I feel I can appreciate both the music and the lyrics.

Fine but pretty dull.

If anyone can make an organ cool, it's these guys.

I vaguely remember this when it came out. Really glad I listened to the whole album. Such a haunting voice and minimal production.

It was OK, better than I expected. I knew Goddess on a Hiway before but never knew it was by Mercury Rev.

Well this was weirder than I expected. I guess it was the 70s.

Ok. I went into this expecting to hate it. I find Springsteen insufferably dull. And over an hour of him sounded like torture. But this had some good tracks. Some incredibly dull ones too but I'll grudgingly admit to tapping my toes to a few too. Highlight was Mary's Place.

What is it about the French and excellent electronic music? Jean-Michel Jarre, Daft Punk, M83, Air, Justice. Love it.

I'm guessing this one wasn't too popular on the site. But, for me, this is both a nostalgia trip and a rediscovering of an album that is underecognised. Theme is the standout here but the textures and atmospheres across the album are outstanding.

Smooth.

Didn't go in with high expectations but it grew on me. I liked the blend of rock and latin styles. Recognised one track from the Collateral soundtrack.

I mean, it's the Beatles. Not one of their best (a few too many covers) but important for what came after.

Feels like one I'm supposed to like. It was ok.

Standard "I don't like country" disclaimer. There's something about the steel guitar, the lyrics and her voice. Lovely.

Another country album! (Two in a row). This feels like I fell into O Brother Where Art Thou. Interesting but quite twee. Not for me.

Only knew two of these before. The Bowie influence shows through. A few missteps (Sixteen? Really?).

Wow. I really didn't like the last Leonard Cohen album I got. This is like that but with added 80s instrumentals and production. Fascinating. Which doesn't necessarily mean enjoyable.

I think I've heard this one before but not sure when. Really enjoyable and lesser known.

Probably the best of their albums that I've had on this list. The raw youthful energy is infectious.

Love it. I think I have heard Immigrant before but not the rest of this. Highlight is Serpents.

It was ok.

I just find it really dull.

Last album from Emmylou was last week and released in 1975. I enjoyed that despite not liking country. I don't know what happened in the intervening 25 years but this is just dull on dull on dull.

This was better than I was expecting having looked at the cover art. Although anything with Phil Spector gives me an ick.

Rockin

Instant 5. No notes.

I think only knew one of the songs from this album. It was quite enjoyable. Jarvis is always thought provoking.

Well that was some pleasant easy listening for a Sunday afternoon. Reading the description I really thought I was going to detest this. I actually didn't. It's challenging, for sure. I probably will never listen to it again. But there's some beauty amongst the noise. Having recently listened to Angine de Poitrine, I can definitely see the through lines from this to what they are doing now. A track like 2 Towers could almost be theirs. So overall, did I enjoy it? No. But I can appreciate it for what it is.

RIP Amy

Pretty much repeat the last Steely Dan review I did: Feels like one I'm supposed to like. It was ok.

Gotta love early Elvis.

Loved it. Perfect listening while I was doing PowerPoint presentations

Man can't sing. Don't get the hype.

Pretty good. I prefer some of their later albums.

Only knew Nothing Compares 2 U before. I do enjoy this a lot more than I did back then. I guess I am older...

Huh. Wasn't sure if this was electronic or rock. Or both. It was good though.