I really only knew the name of this band and that they are from Chicago. "Intro" hit and I'm like "woah...am I a Limp Bizkit fan?" "Hot Dog" started to hit a little hard but then I found myself grooving and laughing. While this is not my preferred genre, I'm really surprised that I kind of enjoy nu-metal rap!

I was 55 years old when I realized that this album I've listened to hundreds of times has a penis on it! WTF? I guess you can chalk that up to CD vs LP? Or maybe because I was so mesmerized by Joni's beauty that my eyes never left those cheekbones except to glance down at how she holds her cigarette with her pinky in such a delicate position. I listened to this album on CD (as opposed to Spotify) and as my husband suggested, my good headphones with a CD was the complete aural experience. What fun to hear Joni's whispers on Furry Sings the Blues! I'm a lyrics bitch over the music and this time round some hit harder: "I do accept the changes at least better than I used to do." "I looked at my haggard face in the bathroom light" "I met a friend of spirit" "I well up with affection Thinking back down the roads to then" It feels so trite to attempt a review of any Joni Mitchell album (as well as Jacko's contributions). So I won't. This one is most definitely an 11.

It's so hard for me to be objective with Bob Dylan. If you know me, you know my deep reverence for the poet, the musician, and the cultural icon. I've drifted away from daily and repeated Dylan listening sessions but listening to Royal Albert Hall is like meeting up with an old friend where time and distance apart has zero impact. So I thought I'd approach RAH with the lens of this 55-year-old woman who knows all the songs and try to not rotely listen to them this time. It's not hyperbole to say this man speaks to me more than any other musician (even The Beatles and Taylor Swift). The definition of "musician": a composer, conductor, or performer—Dylan masters all three. Now weave in "poet": a maker of verses of great imaginative and expressive capabilities and special sensitivity to the medium: "Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves Let me forget about today until tomorrow." How he punctuates with that harmonica! Has anyone else in the world played such poetic and musical harmonica? No. I listened to the Bootleg Series Vol. 4 version of the concert and didn't hear the audience dissatisfaction that is so well known for on the second set. Maybe the hecklers were cut from this version? It's hard for me to understand why the electric Dylan was so unliked by his fans in the same way it's hard for me to understand why people simply don't love Dylan. I mean C'mon...electric Baby, Let Me Follow You Down...how does your head not shake and your toe not tap?! Long-form songs are my jam and I'm certain that's due to Dylan (see ATW10MVTV). Listening to live Dylan and hearing where he changes the words is a little thrill and game for Dylan heads—what did he imply by transposing "finally sees" into "sees finally"? Why "negativity don't 'GET' you through" rather than "'PULL' you through" on Tom Thumb? These are questions for which many a historian has pondered (see Richard F Thomas, a classics professor at Harvard). I suspect when he transposes words or changes things it's simply a wee mistake (see Patti Smith performing A Hard Rain at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony at Stockholm) rather than a major statement. Leopard-Skin Pillbox Hat has what I consider to be the sexiest Dylan line: "Well, if you want to see the sun rise Honey, I know where" I know I'm all over the place with this review but that's because he stirs up so many thoughts and feelings. Isn't that the point? This concert is Dylan at his best. The audience got the best of both worlds-folk & electronic. His voice is great...those long long notes that he holds and uses for the perfect accentuation: "IIIIIIII started out on Burgundy.." The band is great and perfect for Dylan at this stage. They are the foundation of his signature electric sound. I wonder if the hecklers feel like assholes now? (they should have felt that way when he was singing "Ballad of a Thin Man.") This is an 11 but 5 will have to do.

I remember when this album came out. Loved "Today" even though it was overplayed on the radio. Listening now I'm finding Billy Corgan's voice monotonous and hard to understand his lyrics. I value this album for its indie influence and hold this band close in my heart but the album doesn't do it for me like it used to.

Who doesn't love the first song on this album? Well...2022 me, that's who. I was cool with it until the 7th and 8th line when he sang about "a woman stealing his bread." Given that this was written in the early 70s before the passage of Title IX in 1972 (which forbade sex discrimination in any educational program that received federal financial assistance), the suggestion of women on the prowl for men's "bread" just doesn't sit right. And then whoaaa Rod...the Asian slur was just too much. But yeah yeah I get these were different times. I did enjoy the mandolin mixed into some tunes and I was excited to hear Rod cover Bob but Rod's version of "Tomorrow is a Long Time" just didn't have the gentleness of Dylan. Maggie May still hits me right. That's a tune I've carried as a fav since I was a pre-teen. I'd say it saves the album for me but now 55-year-old me hears and recognizes the inappropriateness of the situation and I would love to know how old Maggie was to a young Rod. I did not know Rod could rock so hard on (I Know) I'm Losing You. By the time I got to (Find a Reason) to Believe, I was done with Rod's vocal fry. Finally, I think the cover art could be so much better.

Nostalgia is a strong, sweet force. This album took me back on a glorious romp through my early 20s. Setting aside the nostalgia, I still love The Pogues! I completely forgot how much I love the bodhrán, banjo, and tin whistle especially when it's all jamming together with Shane MacGowan's lyrics that I can barely keep up with. I saw The Pogues May 1, 1988 at the Modernes nightclub in Bremen, West Germany...just a few months after this album came out.

I am not a metal head. I can appreciate that many folks enjoy this fast, loud, head banging cacophony. Listening to Master of Puppets (the song) there are some elements I like---the drums, some of the guitar riffs, but when you put it all together I physically get knots in my stomach and my ears ring. The volume for today's album was the same as yesterday's and I had to turn this down to 4 rather than the previous day's 11. I appreciate the political statements throughout the album, particularly on Disposable Heroes. The cover art is great and I always thought the Metallica logo did a good job at capturing the essence of the band/music genre. Bottom line: metal makes me angry.

This is my go-to vibe. I was not familiar with Röyksopp prior to this listen but I definitely got into this type of jam in the early 2000s with Groove Armada, Air, Different Gear.

Listening to this album and trying to put aside all we now know, my resounding thought is "kill your darlings." Out of 11 tracks, there are only 3 songs that I consider a bop: (in order of preference)The Way You Make Me Feel, Bad, Leave Me Alone. I might toss Man in the Mirror in the bop category but if I'm following my own kill-your-darling-thought---that song along with all the others does not make the list.

Guess I'm a real 80s bitch. Totally enjoyed this album. Particularly liked "Poppies," "Books," "When I Dream." I noticed on Spotify, which is my method of listening, has tracked 9.1M plays on the song "Reward" and 85K plays on the album's namesake song "Kilimanjaro." On Spotify there were two bonus tracks that I liked -Traison (C'Este Juste Une Histoire) - Liked them singing in French a lot! - Sleeping Gas (Live at Club Zoo/1981) - Wish I were there! Cover design: what the heck is the guy (second from the left) holding?! Learned the definition of "blighter," which is a term used in "Went Crazy." Can't say I would spin this one on my own, particularly as I never heard of Teardrop Explodes. But would I get up and dance to this...hell, yeah.

I really only knew the name of this band and that they are from Chicago. "Intro" hit and I'm like "woah...am I a Limp Bizkit fan?" "Hot Dog" started to hit a little hard but then I found myself grooving and laughing. While this is not my preferred genre, I'm really surprised that I kind of enjoy nu-metal rap!

Another band I never heard of and from what I read, that's the story of Wire's life. While I'm not a punk fan, I didn't hate this. But by track 15, I didn't like it either.

I just love a good rock opera! Meatloaf's wailing vocals, the guitar riffs, the long journey of each song. And so many of the lyrics just reek of juicy adolescence, "You were licking your lips and your lipstick's shining, I was dying just to ask for a taste." You know he was jonesing for that Bonnie Bell bubblegum flavor... And c'mon, Paradise by the Dashboard Light comes on and I am 17 again. Oh to be doubly blessed! While I've heard Two Out of Three Ain't Bad so many times, this time I lol'd at the sentiment. I didn't realize Todd Rundgren produced this album. Every song rocks. Album art is classic.

Love kd lang and her voice. Listened to Shadowland and then played Constant Craving right after. Such a better sound and overall quality. Shadowland is kd lang doing Patsy Cline. Ingénue is all kd lang as inspired by Patsy.

This album is definitely a winner for me. When I switched to CDs, this was one of the first I added to my collection. I dig this album so much. However, this listen was my first time doing so with headphones. There is so much phonic texture in the background of the first track London Calling (particularly after the 2-min mark) that I never heard before! Maybe b/c I never heard the remastered versions? This album was the first to clue me in to that ska vibe, which I love. While reading a bit about this album, I was sickened to learn that Rudy Giuliani used "Rudie Can't Fail" in his 2008 campaign run. I get excited hearing Mick Jones and thinking about his evolution to BAD (The Globe better be on this list!), who I always enjoyed even more than the Clash. Lost in the Supermarket, The Clampdown, Death or Glory...oh, aw, aw, aw, ow, ow...London, I'm answering on the first ring! Album cover: Long loved this "font" but it wasn't until today I learned that this is hand lettering! Now I love the cover even more.

Oh I just LOVE Morrissey. While I'm more familiar with The Smiths' work rather than his solo stuff, as soon as those first notes leave his mouth I'm swooning. Hold Onto Your Friends hit me hard today. The More You Ignore Me could be a Smiths song, which makes you realize that The Smiths was so much Morrissey...even that guitar, though not played by Johnny Marr here, sounds like it could be him. (It's Alain Whyte on the guitar btw.) As a collection of songs, I enjoyed listening so much but as a cohesive Album I must hear before I die...well, I'll just go right down the middle: 3.

When the late 80s/90s electric music was hitting I had trouble keeping up with all the bands---Kraftwerk, Pet Shop Boys, Dead or Alive, Simple Minds, Depeche Mode, et al. As my aural skills have evolved with age, I definitely understand and appreciate the nuances across these bands and these sounds. I LOVE THIS MUSIC. I clearly remember dancing to some of these tunes at college parties (Personal Jesus!). Still, hippy early 90s Marianne thought all this electronic music lacked the true musicianship and poetry of the balladeers---Dylan, Joni, The Beatles. Silly girl. This stuff is brilliant. And for the girl who fell in love with a drummer, it's probably scandalous to say...but I do love me a good drum machine. I also appreciate that all these songs strung together took me on a journey to appreciate this as an album (vs great individual songs). The transition from Waiting for the Night into Enjoy the Silence are sonic trips that really hit home the art of the long-form album format.

I dig! I know practically nothing about this genre. Never heard of this Willie Colón & Rubén Blades but this vibe is gonna be grooving a lot in the background when I cook.

Back in the early 2000s I discovered (and endlessly listened to) Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. At the time, I went back to check out other Outkast music. I didn't appreciate this album as much at the time as I did Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The rap - electronic mix was totally lost on me at the beginning of this decade. I really enjoyed the interludes even though they make me recognize how white and unhip (as in hip hop hip) I am.

If you had me choose between jazz and afro beats, I'd pick this vibe over jazz. I like the danceability. Fela is a complicated dude for me to really like because of his 27 wives. This is getting a lower rating because while I really like the vibe, it sounds like one long song.

I first heard Red Hot Chili Peppers when Mother's Milk came out. Thought it was such a cool new sound and groove. Always considered myself a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan. Always found it curious that my musician husband didn't love them. But with this album...I really struggled to get through it. Blah. Meh. I wish I gave Fela a 3 because this is most definitely a 2 of me.

I'll start by saying I had no idea who Robert Wyatt or Soft Machine are. Both names sounded a wee bit familiar. I started reading the lyrics to the first song, Sea Song, before the music started. ugh. As I progressed into the album I thought, I'm cool with avant garde, kitsch, and dada (not to brag but I did see John Cage 4'33" in DC freshman year of college) but ugh...this brings me neither aural joy, intellectual stimulation, nor entertainment. Had I seen the album cover back in my youth, you can bet I'd have made the purchase. I love the artwork and how it makes me feel but can't say the same for the sounds produced on this record.

The Roots are a band for which I thought, "I should know more about these folks and I should know some of their songs." I only know that the guy from one of the late shows (don't even know which one) came from the Roots. I think there is a Philly connection and that also made me think I should really check out these guys and learn more. My ignorance about the Roots felt like a lot to overcome. I don't feel so bad now about not overcoming this lack of music knowledge. I'm going down the middle

I enjoyed the smooth calm of Marvin's voice. A short and sweet album that's hits right down the middle for me.

I always thought this band was overrated and the media frenzy around the Beatles comparison was tiring. Some British musicians really bug me with that exaggerated accent when singing. Sure I think Wonderwall is an OK song and I enjoy it. I do dig Champagne Supernova (mostly because my friend Craig and I liked to sing "where were you when we were getting high"). However, all of these songs strong together don't delight me in any real way. Blah.

Damn! Those opening notes are just so damn iconic. I assumed that I've heard this album in its entirety but yet all the songs in between Young Americans and Fame were unfamiliar. How in the world have I reached this age and not known Bowie did a cover of Across the Universe!? And Luther Vandross on this album! Also no idea. Hearing Bowie's Beatles' cover was a real joy for me. Bowie's interpretation and intonations reminded me again why I love that song so much. Everything in between Young Americans and Fame is just OK. Hard to say if it's just OK because those two songs are just so damn great. I can't rate this a 3 because it's Bowie and because of the bookend songs. I'd probably give it a 3.8.

THIS is the kd lang album that 100% belongs on the list. An album with iconic bookend songs and such beauty in between. kd's voice is so strong, healthy, and lovely. She is no ingénue here. This album reflects real work and dedication to her craft. Interesting that this album was recorded in Vancouver. Something about the cool, high-style of the songs is reminiscent of that shiny Vancouver vibe. Ending with Constant Craving is brilliant. I love every breath on this album.

I'm not at all familiar with Harry Nilsson. Or so I thought for the first four songs and then Without You hit, followed by Coconut and of course I've heard Harry Nilsson. As the album progressed I realized it was only the first few songs I didn't know. This is more of a statement about early 1970s radio rather than me being a Harry Nilsson fan. He's good and there are some things that aurally pleased me like that bass line on Jump Into the Fire. I'm always a bit thrilled when I dig a bass line because I have a hard time actually hearing the bass. Fun little drum solo too in that song that went on way longer than a typical drum solo, which I thoroughly enjoyed. All in all a number of nostalgic songs from my childhood but artistically I felt the album in its entirety was kind of like Harry's bathrobe on the album cover. I mean it's fine, but it doesn't wow me.

Peace Love Understanding

Another band I always thought I should know. I can tell this is good musicianship and a couple songs caught my attention. However, I actually listened to this album 2X and it kept fading into the background. Just did not move me.

I was 55 years old when I realized that this album I've listened to hundreds of times has a penis on it! WTF? I guess you can chalk that up to CD vs LP? Or maybe because I was so mesmerized by Joni's beauty that my eyes never left those cheekbones except to glance down at how she holds her cigarette with her pinky in such a delicate position. I listened to this album on CD (as opposed to Spotify) and as my husband suggested, my good headphones with a CD was the complete aural experience. What fun to hear Joni's whispers on Furry Sings the Blues! I'm a lyrics bitch over the music and this time round some hit harder: "I do accept the changes at least better than I used to do." "I looked at my haggard face in the bathroom light" "I met a friend of spirit" "I well up with affection Thinking back down the roads to then" It feels so trite to attempt a review of any Joni Mitchell album (as well as Jacko's contributions). So I won't. This one is most definitely an 11.

Started today's listen thinking "Blur" who the heck are Blur? Soon as the first note hits on Girls & Boys, I was reminded. I'm surprised Girls & Boys is not a TikTok classic for today's gender fluid kids. Reading the Wikipedia entry for this album, I see that there were a lot of comparisons between Blur and Oasis. I enjoyed Blur way more than Oasis and think they are simply a better band lyrically and musically. I enjoyed the ride and flow of this album. I'm going to explore more Blur!

Brilliant

Highway 61 Pure perfection This was my soundtrack through high school, college, early 20s into my 30s. The perfect blend of lyrics, story telling, piano, keyboard, harmonica!, rock, and fucking roll! I always wanted to throw a dinner party and have people come as a Dylan character from Highway 61. The album is just so rich with personalities and I want to meet and hear everything them. How can I help you Queen Jane? I would love to hold the diplomat's (Andy Warhol) siamese cat! I'm obviously Miss Lonely. Dylan architects the perfect flow of songs and each song's opening notes simply stir my soul with comfort and peace. He taught me a great life lesson with this album and one I try to follow---"negativity don't pull you through." It's actually an 11 but 5 will have to do.

I've really grown to respect and like the Foo Fighters over the years but I'm not really familiar with their music. After Cobain's death, I didn't really get caught up with what Dave Grohl was doing. Yes I loved Big Me when it was played on the radio and was surprised to see Grohl out from behind the drums. Over the years I've come to really respect Dave Grohl and I think the success of Foo Fighters is such a testament to simply working and playing music. I looked up a quote from him worth remembering: "Musicians should go to a yard sale and buy an old f****** drum set and get in their garage and just suck. And get their friends to come in and they'll suck, too. And then they'll f******* start playing and they'll have the best time they've ever had in their lives and then all of a sudden they'll become Nirvana. Because that's exactly what happened with Nirvana. Just a bunch of guys that had some s***** old instruments and they got together and started playing some noisy-a** s***, and they became the biggest band in the world. That can happen again! You don't need a f****** computer or the Internet or The Voice or American Idol ." Well, there is some luck involved too. But the sentiment about just getting out and playing is what I took to heart. Back to this album...this is the type of rock I really like. Hard but not too hard. Throbbing drums. Good lyrics. Loud but not noise. And Jesus! He did all of this by himself over 5 days as a way to process his grief over Kurt. I ended up listening to this album two times yesterday---inspired and moved by Grohl's positive manifestation of mourning.

The album title turned me off. I could envision listening to one or two of these songs in a film. Listening to this entire album was totally unenjoyable.

I was not familiar with Spiritualized. Surprising because they align with the late 90s chill vibes I adore---Air, Zero 7, Groove Armada, etc. I loved the psychedelic cacophony background in I Think I'm In Love. Electricity brought the rock to the spacey roll. Cool Waves went on a bit long but I admire the use of the London Community Gospel choir. I can't parse out all the instruments used in this kind of music---horns, keyboards, and definitely some magic trips, but I totally dig. AWESOME album cover and that blue would win Pantone of the year if I had a say. SIDENOTE: I was mesmerized by the blue. If you listen on Spotify the header art is great and the blue is actually a very subtle gradient (I pulled it into Illustrator to confirm this), which makes it just glow and float (like in space). Beautiful, wild. I'll explore a lot more of Spiritualized.

Love these tunes. Didn’t know much about these guys and now I want more more more.

I was not familiar with this album but knew some of the individual songs. Mary Anne With the Shaky Hands and I Can See For Miles are 4 but the entire album is a 2 or a 3.

I never heard reggae until Freshman year of college. Bob Marley and Peter Tosh touched a groove. While one might listen to this album and hear overplayed reggae hits, they are the hits because these songs are just so good. I listened to this album walking around Washington DC so I couldn’t take notes. But I can say it’s a most awesome album to turn on and vibe around town on a sunny day.

Cis. White. Male. This particular 70s flavor of music by men just ain’t a good jam. Would he even get a record deal today?

Long-time fan of this album.

I'm well familiar with this album as it was my boyfriend's favorite and I always think of driving around in his green Talon in the late 90s/early 00s as he stuck this in the CD player. Of course Rumors was seared in my mind and I knew a few Tusk songs but was far from familiar with the album back then. I LOVE that the first song is a Christine McVie. This album really shows off the beauty of Fleetwood Mac and I mean that from a musical and equitable social view. How many bands from this era shared the spotlight equally among the women and men members? I love that they waited till track 5 to hear Stevie's magic 'cause when she kicks in it hits hard. Odd to me that this album was not well received. I guess after Rumors anything they put out would suffer a poor reception. Combined with the stories around the cost of this album, I can understand. However, I hope time has done its job and pushed this one up into one of the greats. It is on this list so I guess time is working! I wish someone could explain the album cover to me. I did a search and read that Tusk is a euphemism for penis. That pissed off Stevie and she threatened to leave but Mick was adamant. ok...whatevs but what the heck is the dog all about? If you google original album art for Tusk it looked much cooler than this.

Still LOVE this album. Still HATE the title font. Can't believe it was today when I figured out the Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine was cannabis. First time I heard The 59th Street Bridge Song - rainy morning in Vechta, West Germany. I had my yellow Sony Walkman/radio and was walking down a cobblestone street alone. Mind blown! The Dangling Conversation is a nod to Art's reading obsession/love (see https://www.artgarfunkel.com/library.html) The whole album just reeks of 1966. Lots of lovely jingly-jangly (see Flowers Never Bend With the Rainfall). ******** Post-listening note: I discovered that Art's son, Art Jr., has an album in German called "Wie Du: Hommage an Meinen Vater" in which he sings the classics auf Deutsch. Art Jr's grandparents were German and played a big role in his life. My delight = Andre's annoyance. I think any German speaker will enjoy it immensely. Geil!

Classic album with all the hits of Stevie. I get why it's the most referenced Stevie Wonder album. However, it was just too long for me. I think he could have killed some of his darlings. Google Ray Kurzweil and Stevie Wonder if you don't know their story. Kurzweil, like Stevie, is an American gem.

Can anyone listen to High and Dry and not start singing? I didn't cop on to this album in 1995 but once I did, I just couldn't get enough. I still can't. Please come back to us, boys! This is a 10.

I never heard of Doves prior to this. I liked them but I did not give a deep listen. I had this album on in the kitchen on a rainy Sunday while making bread and it was a perfect vibe.

Now I understand why I always confuse Massive Attack with Everything But the Girl and Mazzy Star---the timeline, the vibe, the cool esthetic, and of course b/c Tracey Thorn sings the first tune on this fantastic album.

This album was not available on Spotify and I almost did not check out. But Jen sent me a YouTube link and I'm so glad to have a listen! I don't know if Gil is classified as smooth jazz but I think he's smooth and jazzy and cool.

His name as well as the band's plus the fact that Kylie Minogue loves him make me think I should too. I don't. I did like the didgeridoo in the background of Cannibal's Hymn. Messiah Ward was a good groove but I think his vocal chops could be better. I know he's got a voice but it was a bit too talky (and not in a Tom Waits intriguing kind of way). There She Goes, My Beautiful World - I liked the lyrics but Nick's singing turned this too showoffy This album was too long and I ran out of steam even trying to review the rest of the album. meh. But I decided to give it another shot bc Andre thinks it’s right up my alley and this morning I walked into the kitchen and heard There She Goes and I liked it. A fickle review indeed

I wasn't able to get through the whole album but what I heard I enjoyed. This album could have been trimmed. Was a bit too long. Solid sound.

First thought....ugh. I simply HATE that umlaut usage. Then the Spotify canvas video was completely distracting on the first song with so much flickering and blinking I had to switch to the desktop app for fear of migraine trigger. While this speed metal flavor of the heavy metal genre is something I absolutely hate, I will say I can appreciate the tightness of the drums with the guitars. But that's all I can say about this. A friend reminded me that this project is called 1001 Albums to Listen to Before you DIE. I'd have been OK not experiencing this....thus 1

The Killers is another band I was intimidated by because I thought I should know them. There are a slurry of bands that came out in the early to mid 2000s that leave me feeling this way: The Killers, Vampire Weekend, The Strokes, et al. Thinking about this now I recognize it's because I had my first child during these years and new bands were not a top priority. While this album was just fine, I can't say it's something I'll reach for again. And I'm glad I focussed on my baby who was 1 week old when this album debuted.

I appreciate this sound more than I did when I was younger. I definitely liked the music coming from women bands around this time. This album feels like something Jen and I would put on for a long hang or drive (Friendship Station!). Yes some songs are monotonous and the lyrics screamy (Let's Run). I appreciate their keen observation pre 9/11 ... "Oh fuck Giuliani, he's such a fucking jerk." Maybe I like these women simply because they were women in the late 90s doing this and simply because of that, I'm going to give this album a 4 in terms of a must listen before you die.

In the spirit of really keeping an open mind, I decided to really really try with this rap album. I had to toughen up my conviction by the time I hit track 4 (All I Need). By track 6 (Meth vs. Chef) I realize rap is a culture I can't relate to. Track 8 (Release Yo'Delf) I'm just breathing through the situation and trying to get to the end of this album. Track 12 (Stimulation) Wait...didn't Method Man do that "Get High" song. I liked that one. Track 13 (Method Man) Maybe if I were high I would like this more? I'm ok leaving this world without listening to anymore Method Man. Postscript: It's Afroman who does the song Because I Got High. That's a good one.

I couldn't get over all the "hits" that are on this album. It's like I was listening to the Best of ZZ Top. While I was familiar with nearly all the songs, I realized I don't know much about this band, including why these songs were so popular. I found myself singing along but I think it was simply the familiarity. The conditioned response of having heard one of these tunes every single day in high school or having watched one of their videos on solid repeat on MTV after school. Are they good musicians? I don't know. I'll wait and see what Scott & Andre have to say. I feel it's more likely that they were the right band at the right time --- the dawn of the MTV video with a specific look that does very little to intrigue me.

Let me preface by saying I listened to the "clean" version on Spotify. It was not intentional but once started I just let it go. It wasn't until later that I wondered if I might be missing an angle of Amy listening to the clean version. anyway... This listen was comparable to kd lang's Shadowland. Clearly Back to Black is the better Amy Winehouse album when compared to Frank. And just like kd, I think Amy was working hard to find her voice and sing in a way that inspired her love of music. While each song had a distinct Amy Winehouse sound and feel I could also hear experimentation in style and in some songs, felt I am literally hearing her try to find her voice. I like Amy's brand of R&B or Neo soul or whatever you call it. I love Amy's smooth grittiness (F*** Me Pumps). (There is) No Greater Love is the vibe I love to hear in the background of a dark bar enjoying a libation with any one of you. And...are those crickets I hear?! Hard to believe she only had two studio albums.

I liked it then and I like it now. R.E.M. is one of those bands that I always hear people say, "I like early R.E.M." and I'm always like "what are you talking about?!" Let's focus on Automatic for a moment...I just love that this album opens with Drive. It's a somber sound with phrases that make me feel nostalgic but I don't quite understand that nostalgia until The Sidewinder hits in and Michael references Dr Seuss. Side note: I just love the sub sub substantial stutter. Listening now with the perspective of time I find that R.E.M. does a really good job at encapsulating a 90s sound but with some nostalgic jingly jangly reminiscent of the 60s. I'm sure if you lived through the 90s that Everybody Hurts likely bugs you. It was overplayed and it's melodramatic. And for me...that's a winner! I found myself driving and listening to that song and all the past and present pain started flowing and then dissipated. I was always fond of Monty Got a Raw Deal and Nightswimming. Ending with Find the River feels like a shoutout to John Denver. Does anyone else hear that? After listening to this album, I went back to Murmur, Fables of the Reconstruction (maybe my favorite), Life's Rich Pageant, Green for a few songs. C'mon...R.E.M. has an R.E.M. sound and I think late and early albums are all equally good. In fact, in some ways I prefer later albums because I can understand what Michael is actually singing. As an album to listen to before you die...I'm just doing it > 4!

Something about that wailing rock guitar in Be Sweet literally hurts my ears. In fact there were a number of times on this album I had to check my volume because my head hurt. While the volume wasn't loud, the tonal frequency of this album was a serious problem. I thought I was acting a little fragile about this until I found an article from Science magazine about how certain frequencies can indeed hurt (and damage) your ears. Combine the aural pressure with an album about a breakup and -- from me -- you get a 2.

Yes! This is most definitely an album to listen to before you die. Preferably in your late teens with friends at the party when you are ready to dance. Just don’t jump on the bed…it will break.

The first half (side 1) of these songs were so enjoyable and wholesome by the second half around Please Let Me Wonder I was done.

1987 R.E.M. Classic

While there are many reasons I miss my friend Keith, today I want to talk about this album with him. I didn’t get her in 2019. Keith loved Lana Del Rey and I can literally see his eyes shining speaking about her. She’s lovely and I just loved listening to this album.

First song, fist thought: hmmm, I do like hip hop! Yet I quickly became bored and realized again, this ain’t my jam. I’m certain I shall give hip hop another chance but unlikely that The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy will get one.

I listened to the album while falling asleep and it was dreamy.

The classics on this are great but the first few songs kept making me think “who are you?”

I find this band boring. I've got such a bad association with New Jersey and this band, this album, this year all congeals in trite lyrics and stereotypical riffs. I know it's an important 80s album to people who like this sort of thing. I do think the album title is funny and clever.

I was turned on to this album right after it came out. She played at BAM where my Beyonce-loving buddy worked and he dared utter the words, "I think she's better than Beyonce." Now I'm not going to challenge or agree with that statement. But I'll say that this album immediately enticed me; whereas when another good friend (Michaela!) said she couldn't stop playing Lemonade (which came out the same year as this album), I simply couldn't even get it started. Not the case with Solange's A Seat at the Table. Cranes in the Sky hooked me in real quick. The interludes are great vignettes of African-American culture. The cover--she's Gorgeous!

Not the Funkadelic vibe I expected but I enjoyed nonetheless. Had I played this album outside of this experiment, it’s likely I would have abandoned the album on the first song simply because it lacks the hard funk I expect from Funkadelic. Like most, I put on George Clinton and I want to get funked up. But sticking with it I got to You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks and deemed it my favorite track on the album. This album came out on my 4th birthday. I wonder if I caught it on any airwaves back then?

Before listening I wanted to give a 5 just for those glasses and the suit. Spotify blocked the first 3 songs on the album so I jumped into this on track 4, Just My Imagination. I can appreciate this R&B vibe and would enjoy it as party background music. But truth be told, I appreciate his look more than his music. Still going straight down the middle with Bobby

I’m a CCR fan!

When I first heard Praise You, it was a vibe I never heard before and I fell in love. Like literally in love because it was the time in my life when I also met my future husband. I still dig that song (and my husband) but some of the tunes got too repetitive even for me. Still it’s a worthy album for this list

A high school favorite album here. I appreciate the effort of this rock opera more than the actualization. Always though Quadrophenia was a better album and story. But when those trumpets hit on the first song and lead into It’s a boy, I’m reminded how important this album was to me and how much I still love this album , story, and these songs

Like most, I never listened to the entire album. I probably won't ever listen to it again. But I'm glad I did before I die. I still enjoy hearing American Pie (the song)...a lot. The whole album blasted me with a nostalgia for sweet folksongs and an afternoon watching Magic Garden.

I found my taste for rap and it seems the main ingredient is Public Enemy! That Flavo Flav chap really brings the tasty goods to my ears. I love that 90s scratch sound combined with the repetitive grooves.

Sounds like background music that would be in a Tom Hanks Meg Ryan movie from the 1980s.

I enjoyed this but not a lot stuck out in my mind. Speaking with Jen about this 1001 endeavor, it’s like the timing of the listen combined with current state of mind mixed with some kind of random aural simpatico all contribute to the rating for albums I’m not familiar with.

People really like industrial rock? Closer always made me feel weird. I guess that's the point if this whole album is about the downward spiral to suicide. Recording in the location of the Manson murders makes me dislike this album even more. I don't ever need to listen to this album again.

Amazing how your life can change in just 43 min and 59 sec. This album changed a lot of things in high school. Me and my friends loved it but everyone did in my terribly trashy and racist school. When Let's Go Crazy hit at a basketball game or dance, we ALL got down. Peace through superior groove all thanks to the first rock star who stirred many a pulsing drive in my body that I hadn't felt before. (a'hem...well we can't talk Purple Rain without a nod to his sex factor!) Woah...I just learned today that the gibberish at the end of Darling Nikki was backwards! Those guitar notes at the beginning of When Doves Cry! I think this song, track 6, is my favorite on the album and all-time Prince fav. I got to see him on this tour at the Spectrum in Philadelphia November 1984. Sidenote: you can look up concert tours in Wikipedia and it provides revenue numbers. 3 days in Philly = $848,075, which is about $2,433,975 today. Ending the album with Purple Rain...those violins, the drums, him singing in my ear. This listen brought me to tears. Friends - I left the group chat yesterday because I was too deep in my listening groove. I still love you (even if Scott mistakenly rates this wrong).

The audience sounds like fun and I bet the energy was great at the Apollo on this night. But this just came across as flat for me. Might be that I'm returning to life post bout with COVID and my sense of taste is off but I'm not feeling the greatness that is James Brown on this one.

When we were kids, nothing brought my brother and I more joy than playing this song at the end of the school year. We'd start about a week before the last day but it definitely hit hardest when we'd get home on the first day of summer break and toss this LP on in his room and rock the fuck out! I would leave the room after this song. I had things to do...it was summer. Listening now I don't feel like I missed anything great. Except maybe discovering that Alice Cooper is not as subversive as I thought way back then. I

I dig the groove and the repetition.

I can dig it.

"She's got her keys, money, and fags" Can't say I know Elastica though the songs sound a bit familiar. Until embarking on this 1001 endeavor, I didn't realize how much I enjoy mid-90s new wavish style tunes. What musical conventions did they tap into to make "Indian song" have a gentle Indian vibe behind the driving rock? I didn't hear any sitar but I certainly felt the south asian influence. Tablas? I will definitely explore more Elastica. And I'm happy I listened to this album before I died.

Can't say I've ever listened to a full Willie Nelson album. I've certainly treasured him over the years for his songs and most certainly for his commitment to Farm Aid. (Farm Aid has raised more than $64 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture!) I've also been grateful for his commitment to destigmatize cannabis use. Holy moly...this was his 18th album in 1975! What a national treasure.

This album cover haunted me as a kid. All my brother had to do was flash this album cover (or Toys in the Attic) and I would run screaming. Surprisingly, I enjoyed this listen more than I thought. I wish I had the musical vocabulary to describe that distinct sound I hear over and over in Black Sabbath---dun dun dun du du... It's the beginning of Iron Man but I hear in nearly all of their songs. Is this part of their kitsch? I thought Black Sabbath was all Ozzy's brainchild. Having read the Wikipedia entry it's really Tony Iommi and the accident he had in a sheet metal factory at 17 that is the driving force and sound: "an accident at a sheet metal factory where he was working at the age of 17 in which the tips of the middle fingers of his fretting hand were severed. Iommi created a pair of false fingertips using plastic from a dish detergent bottle and detuned the strings on his guitar to make it easier for him to bend the strings, creating a massive, heavy sound." Now THAT is metal! However, I would classify Black Sabbath as rock. Good rock with a groove I can dig. They are nowhere near as scary nor hard as I thought as a kid. SIDENOTE: I saw Ozzy and family at the Roxy one wild NY night. Kelly was singing "Papa Don't Preach" at the club and we nearly got kicked out because Keith kept saying "hi" and trying to shake his hand.

Bert gets a B for effort C for creativity D for delightful meh

Wow. This album hit the hardest it's ever hit. My best friend died this year. The last words my friend Keith said to Adler when they said goodbye, "I'll see you on the dark side of the moon." oh...the same old fears, wish you were here.

I know that Scotty has shared a lot of his knowledge about The Kinks with me over the years. But I never really dove deep into the band. This album is inspiring me to do so. I loved this listen and this listen really encapsulates why this experiment is important and fun in my life. I also REALLY loved to learn the backstory. I often find the backstory more interesting than the final product. This was a concept album for a tv show: "The rough plot revolved around Arthur Morgan, a carpet-layer, who was based on Ray and guitarist Dave Davies' brother-in-law Arthur Anning." In this age of streaming and a gazillion channels, why hasn't someone revisited the idea?! Here's hoping that within the millions of 1001 explorers, one of us is a producer.

This album is another great example of why I love this experiment. When you hit an album at the right time it's just so lovely. Would I ever put on this album to listen...unlikely. But now that I know Keith Jarrett is an amazing chill improv musician, the next time I have to focus at work...I'll know who to spin.

Confessions of an MTV junkie: I remember when MTV launched with "Video Killed the Radio Star." I was hooked. Every single day after school MTV was a big part of my routine. I wasn't a huge Culture Club fan when Colour By Numbers came out but the repeated play on MTV combined with my fascination with Boy George got these ear worms deeply embedded in my mind. As I matured and realized it's OK to love pop, I listened to a lot more Culture Club. What a joy to listen start to finish because I forgot that so many of the hits came from this album. I'm a big Sam Smith fan and watched him perform at the White House celebration of same-sex marriage law yesterday and it hit what a huge cultural influence Boy George has been to gender non-conforming/trans/queer people in the music industry. Duh! Department of obvious.

Being There where "There" is the halcyon days of the late mid 90s with my girl Jen and this soundtrack and long debates over Uncle Tupelo v Sonvolt v Wilco. What a great double album and what a journey through all kinds of sonic landscapes--- - the hard distortion that leads into Misunderstood and those sweet piano notes with sweet tasting cigarettes - jingle jangly soft harmonica in Far, Far Away - those banjo notes throughout What's the World Got in Store (who else uses the banjo like this with solid rock?!) - Outtasite (Outta Mind) & Outta Mind (Outta Sight) and long conversations with Jen pre Internet about the differences and how I keep the songs straight Every song is a winner on this album and it never feels too long. This album started my love for Wilco and it's just reignited it too.

I tend to think the Pixies are too hard for my liking. However, Is She Weird, Ana, changed my mind. I realized I never really gave a good listen. Further into the album and All Over the World I started to see why folks go gaga over this band and I liked the juxtaposition of minimal and maximum sonic sounds. I like!

Nice tunes for Christmas baking

Solid

I’d never think of putting this album on for a listen but I’m glad I did.

Prog rock is too much adolescent boy energy for me. The only interesting thought I had about this album is how much Peter Gabriel evolved as a musician. I prefer him being a sledgehammer.

I wouldn’t say this is my favorite Tom Waits album. But man when he sings a story the journey is always one I want to take.

I love everything about this album except for Candy's body dysmorphia. I'm a huge VU fan and feel intimidated trying to comment something new on this masterpiece. I don't know if Lou Reed intended it but I often string these songs together as a larger story...maybe it's a story about Candy or Andy? Does anyone else hear this? Candy talks about her problems and then Reed responds in What Goes On with "you know it'll be alright." Because "no kinds of love are better than others" as we hear in Some Kinda Love. Conflict arises but still those Pale Blue Eyes carry something special...soft, kind, complicated (oh boy do I love that gentle guitar). But Jesus...help me find my proper place. Oh here I go, I'm Beginning to See the Light and guess what I'm Set Free---That's the Story of My Life. But life is complex and cacophonous it's "lurid and lovely" and "lovely and filthy." And then After Hours, a youthful androgynous kid lets us know that someday someone will look into your eyes and say "You're my very special one."

For years I thought this band was British. Those Swedes sure know how to export pop. But this ain’t no ABBA situation. They left me feeling a little underwhelmed. Happy Meal II and Never Recover got me rocking more than Lovefool.

I was not familiar with The The thought I definitely heard of them and they seemed like a band I should like. But how could we explore music in the 80s and early 90s without spending money that was slated for completing my Dylan collection? Hence I missed some good music. I dig this band. Spotify shuffle kicked into gear after this album and I was introduced to more The The, which I liked even more (Whisper). It’s not a full 4 but also more than a 3. We need half stars!

I can listen to this sort of rap and enjoy it! But perhaps this is actually hip hop? No wise observations, I just really liked. But not enough for 4. It’s a 3.8

Every single song is a winner. I love love love this album so much and remember a time pre-Internet when I kept looking for more The La's. I realized I've been rating albums against Sgt. Pepper. Like I rarely give a 5 b/c how can anything come close to Pepper. But I'm seeing that as a mistake and trying to be pure to the question, "is this an album to listen to before you die." The La's is indeed such an album. Simply perfect.

By the time I got to Memphis, Rod's vocal fry grated my nerves to the point I had to skip this song and the following two.

I've tried before with Marianne Faithfull. Many times. The closest I got to really liking her music was 1987's Strange Weather. But in the spirit of 1001, I opened my mind and turned on the tunes. I love the album cover and the song titles got me all psyched---witches, John Lennon cover! Let's go! Nope. Snoockered again (did I use that properly, Nicole?!). On top of her voice, which has always sounded wrecked, I just find her music arrangements nondescript. Banal.

I tend to like this era of hip hop more than modern rap. So I thought this might fit the sweet spot for me. It did not.

I love the Beastie Boys; however this album isn’t my favorite. For Sabatoge alone this album deserves to be on the list. I’d say is a 3.8 In case our group doesn’t know…the Beastie Boys opened up for Madonna’s The Virgin Tour…her first tour to promote Like a Virgin and Madonna. The crowd didn’t take too kindly to the Boys and it’s fun to hear them tell some stories from this time.

Brooding. British. I just love it. Joy Division’s Closer is certainly one to have listened to in your mental library

When I first discovered Talking Heads it felt like a gift. Something so new I didn’t even know that I needed. This album still sounds groundbreaking and I still love it.

I knew I liked LCD Soundsystem prior to listening but now I know I LOVE LCD Soundsystem. James Murphy is like a Brooklyn version of Morrissey without the complicated political views. The band takes the best of other bands and genres that I love—Talking Heads, electronica, Bowie, dance, Madonna, ambient chill—and blends them into their own sound. I really like the album cover.

It's so hard for me to be objective with Bob Dylan. If you know me, you know my deep reverence for the poet, the musician, and the cultural icon. I've drifted away from daily and repeated Dylan listening sessions but listening to Royal Albert Hall is like meeting up with an old friend where time and distance apart has zero impact. So I thought I'd approach RAH with the lens of this 55-year-old woman who knows all the songs and try to not rotely listen to them this time. It's not hyperbole to say this man speaks to me more than any other musician (even The Beatles and Taylor Swift). The definition of "musician": a composer, conductor, or performer—Dylan masters all three. Now weave in "poet": a maker of verses of great imaginative and expressive capabilities and special sensitivity to the medium: "Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves Let me forget about today until tomorrow." How he punctuates with that harmonica! Has anyone else in the world played such poetic and musical harmonica? No. I listened to the Bootleg Series Vol. 4 version of the concert and didn't hear the audience dissatisfaction that is so well known for on the second set. Maybe the hecklers were cut from this version? It's hard for me to understand why the electric Dylan was so unliked by his fans in the same way it's hard for me to understand why people simply don't love Dylan. I mean C'mon...electric Baby, Let Me Follow You Down...how does your head not shake and your toe not tap?! Long-form songs are my jam and I'm certain that's due to Dylan (see ATW10MVTV). Listening to live Dylan and hearing where he changes the words is a little thrill and game for Dylan heads—what did he imply by transposing "finally sees" into "sees finally"? Why "negativity don't 'GET' you through" rather than "'PULL' you through" on Tom Thumb? These are questions for which many a historian has pondered (see Richard F Thomas, a classics professor at Harvard). I suspect when he transposes words or changes things it's simply a wee mistake (see Patti Smith performing A Hard Rain at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony at Stockholm) rather than a major statement. Leopard-Skin Pillbox Hat has what I consider to be the sexiest Dylan line: "Well, if you want to see the sun rise Honey, I know where" I know I'm all over the place with this review but that's because he stirs up so many thoughts and feelings. Isn't that the point? This concert is Dylan at his best. The audience got the best of both worlds-folk & electronic. His voice is great...those long long notes that he holds and uses for the perfect accentuation: "IIIIIIII started out on Burgundy.." The band is great and perfect for Dylan at this stage. They are the foundation of his signature electric sound. I wonder if the hecklers feel like assholes now? (they should have felt that way when he was singing "Ballad of a Thin Man.") This is an 11 but 5 will have to do.

While Wikipedia likes to use the term “kitsch,” I prefer “High Fidelity Class.”

I like but I can't say I love. The album took a turn around Blue Jeans and by Resigned…I think I fell. Not quite a 4 for me but more than a 3.

Can't listen to this because I have Spotify and Neil Young does not! It's likely I'd give Neil a 4 for his music and a 2 for his curmudgeonly views on audio quality.

I enjoyed.

This was such a pivotal album for women in their 20s during the 90s. We didn't have much (any?) female led grunge/rock/punk music on the radio. So when you're hanging late night with your girlfriend and Doll Parts comes on and you both want the most cake, you really feel seen. And the music hits hard...in a very good way. I know some people have issues with Courtney Love and I won't pretend to know much about her. But being a widow and a mother and a rocker at 29 still produces a lot of feelings and feelings are what I want out of my music. I really do love this album but it's not a 4. (Sometimes I hate the rankings in this project. I know I'm not consistent.)

I just wasn’t made for these tunes. I mean Wouldn’t it Be Nice and God Only Knows are really good songs. A number of other good songs on the album too. But I’ve never understood the reverence people (Scott et al) have for this. I remember it carrying some mythical weight when folks would talk about “Pet Sounds”. This is the before Internet times … and when I finally saw the album cover and heard it , I thought it was a joke. Like I really thought oh it must be some Sgt Pepper type of musical experience. Some nice songs with some guys playing with goats on the cover.

I will forever walk in any offshoot of Taylor’s Folklorian woods and listen to all the stories forevermore

Not my jam

It's interesting to me that I can listen to a reggae jam and not get bored (unlike yesterday's Quicksilver album). I never heard reggae until I got to college and Bob Marley flowed out of so many windows on campus. Once I discovered Peter Tosh I tended to dig him over Marley. When I first listened to Legalize It (the song) I was blown away that someone openly professed their love for the ganja! I wish he were alive today to see the cannabis reform that's going on around the world. Maybe it's due to the song and his open admiration for the herb but I just love him and I love this album (but I like the album Mama Africa even more). Upon this listen (and I listened two times by myself and also caught some of Andre's listen) I finally looked up "umara composis." It's menstrual pain (and yes, tamjee can help).

I was not familiar with Mylo. I really like this kind of dance/techno/electronica. I put this kind of music on when I'm cooking alone in the kitchen and pretend I'm in the club with Keith.