1001 Albums Summary

Aretha’s reputation as the queen of soul proceeds her. With the focal point of the album being her soulful voice that strikes a balance between power and tenderness - there is no denying the emotion in the music. The horns and saxophone are used perfectly to accompany her impressive vocals. Some tracks do seem to blend into others but the feel of the album is never lost. The standout tracks are the iconic Respect and her rendition of a change is gonna come.

The National cultivated a dissonant atmosphere throughout the album with intimate moments resulting from the dark and desperate feelings expressed throughout. The lyricism and musicianship were captivating, on the other hand - I found the vocals to be something of an acquired taste that I don’t possess. Much of the record feels like falling murmurs over a background of white noise which coincides with the presence of fear, isolation, and anxieties at the heart of the album. Overall, not my favourite record, but I found some high points in the tracks: Anyone’s Ghost and Bloodbuzz Ohio.