1001 Albums Summary

Seminal 80's sound and a perfect example of the strong female vocal stylings of the era.

Heard one, heard them all. No bass line left me feeling there was no soul in the music.

Crisp, lively, 70's Havana vibe. Couldn't understand a word but enjoyed the rhythm and energy nonetheless.

Holy shit....how have I never heard this album before!? Immediately listenable and now I need liner notes with lyrics.

Another album I'd never heard of. Good vibe, refreshingly different, and the diverse rhythms made it immensely listenable. Is it just me or are the vocal stylings oddly reminiscent of Flight of the Conchords?

Uniquely creative and it felt like a 70's rock opera. Don't know if it's just my inability to speak instrumental but, all in all, this one left me a bit empty in the end.

Loved this one. Chrissie Hynde is pretty much all you need to know but the band stays with her every step of the way. Top rating here.

The smell of sweat and whiskey interweaves with the tobacco smoke hanging thick from the low ceiling of the basement club. The society princess has escaped her ivory tower for the evening. A cigarette dangles from her refined fingers as she holds court with the proletariat at her table. Their whispered tones speak of freedom and rebellion and a world different from their parents'. The beat poets are here tonight. They're here every night now. They fill the breaks in the music with the syncopated rhythms of their words. And the people snap their fingers in mute acknowledgement of the poets wisdom. But it's the music they all come for. The music is where the energy and inspiration comes from. The music is what unlocks their doors, takes down their walls, and creates the avenues for their creative thought. Tomorrow, they will all be back in their little boxes, defined by others or external circumstances. But tonight?Tonight, they fly free on the wings of the music.

Good beat, easy to dance to. Uncertain Smile is good. Vocals by the love child of David Bowie and Billy Idol. Otherwise, another nothing special 80's band that I'm sure a specific audience still loves but I won't recognize if I ever hear them again.

A bit creepy that this album shows up on my list the day after QE2 died but maybe the universe was trying to honor the old girl. Whether I was somehow sentimentally invested, or maybe the album was just good, I enjoyed it. Especially the more edgy tracks. Long live the king.

I knew the dame was trouble the minute she walked through my door. I could see the storm clouds gathering behind those far away eyes as her painted lips whispered their siren's song. "Please help me." Well, Benny and his mooks were bound to come around soon for the double sawbuck I owed him from the Palazzo fight, and I didn't have it. So I said "Sure. Take a seat and tell me your story."

I like her name. Otherwise...meh.

I got a 60's girl group vibe from a lot of these tracks. Solid vocals but I think there were others from that genre that did it better. Definitely not unpleasant to listen to but, in the end, I was left a little empty. But, then again, it was 1968. Maybe that's what they were going for.

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

These guys may not have had the MTV face like a lot of early 80's bands but this album shows that you didn't need Downtown Julie Brown fawning over you to be good. Very enjoyable listen and if I have to have a playlist of 1001 albums, I'm definitely not hitting the skip button when this one comes up.

Good, but largely overshadowed by its contemporary, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Ultimately makes me think of crime scene tape...You're pretty sure something significant happened here but the best advice you can get is to keep moving, nothing to see here.

This album made me think of being at Disneyland on a hot day and finding myself in line for it's a small world just to get out of the heat. Nice idea, but taking the brown acid while waiting was not. The ride turned into kaleidoscope of colors and sounds and lots of ducking to avoid getting hit by wooden shoes thrown by demonic little girls with tulips in their hair. Escaping that brought no respite though as animatronic bears would not leave me alone and I ended up drinking moonshine with them while playing a washtub bass. In the end, I trudged from the park like a parasauralophus staggering into the faceplant of its final dirt nap. In other words, for me, this album was a long, strange, trip.

Rousing, angry, loud, and energetic from start to finish. Made me think of a neighborhood garage band. And a pretty damn good one at that. Never heard of them until listening to this but I liked it.

This is what Metallica should sound like. Fast, loud, driving and heart and soul in every chord. This was a good one, boys.

Understandable why the stiff British upper crust didn't like these guys but it was all in good fun, right. Now I need to go get snockered and watch Sid & Nancy.

Background music for the fluorescent jellyfish exhibit at the aquarium in a Stanley Kubrick meets Ravi Shankar kind of way? In the end, I can say that I listened to it. And if this is a way to reach total consciousness, I got that going for me. Which is nice.

I got a less pop-y madonna vibe from this album. Didn't think I would but I liked this girl's material. Given that the last album I listened to was the sex pistols, the was a pleasant purge of that chaos. Now I need to find the lyrics. Hopefully, I haven't been innocently baptized into some demon-crustacean-worshipping cult in the process. But then, it wouldn't be the first time....

A flashback to 90's Seattle is never bad. This grinding innovation of grunge brought music away from the stadiums tours and television sets and dumped it right back into the smokey, dark, basement clubs where it plays best.

I understand there is a loyal following for this band. This album has a good sound but, for me, there was something missing, something sterile...or hollow maybe, that left me a bit empty.

Way more to these guys than just Smoke on the Water. This album is a good one. Some may say it's the band's Rushmore.

Many hours as a freshman spent listening to this in my college dorm room. Oh what a lucky man, I was.

Never heard of this album but am glad I got the chance to listen today. Enjoyable vibe and the experimental sounding stuff works. A definite keeper.

Pleasant. Given that we have to have 1001 albums for this list, not surprising this one makes it.

Really good but I prefer Teaser and the Firecat.

Crisp, classic, jazz trio. Very nice.

Soundtrack to a foreign language film about buddy cops working undercover in Tangier. I enjoyed it but it would have been better with subtitles.

When I checked this album out I originally thought the run time of an hour and 10 minutes was, shall we say, 'ambitious'. Now having actually listened to it, I have to say I never once thought to skip or otherwise shorten the play. Not quite sure how to describe the sound but I had flashes of the doors and pink floyd and, over all, it didn't suck entirely It's an hour I'm glad I allowed myself to experience.

Solid 60's sound but I wish Jeff Beck would have had a bit more of a run at showing his chops on here. Good but nothing special for me.

The piano man does not disappoint on this one. 52nd street may be a bit more familiar to most but this is equally as good.

Good, girl grunge. Not good girl, grunge. I liked it.

Old school, outlaw, country. Waylon is wonderful.

Enough of what you'd expect from Aerosmith but not Toys in the Attic.

When this album came out I totally dismissed it as bubblegum pop and never listened to it. Forty years later, I sincerely thank this 1001 album generator for making sure I had it on my list. This album is really good!

Driving rhythms just sounded all the same after a while. This one's not for me

Okay sound from the era but not unique enough to be memorable for me.

Another really good album by these guys. And this time you get a full 72 minutes. Exactly what LP should mean!

I understand the draw of the lyrics and the multitude of silent voices they represent. Shameika may be right, and maybe I'm lying to myself but they just don't speak for me.

This one was okay but I can't say that I would ever spend hours rifling through boxes of semi-alphabetically organized vinyl at the local record store trying to find it.

Can feel the David Bowie influence on this one and there is enough that is unique with it that it doesn't come across as some contrived, wannabe production. With that said, I think the raw, oozing, sounds of his efforts with the Stooges feel more genuine. Making this one seem just a bit tame comparatively.

Given the success and accolades associated with this album, it's a shame that she ultimately felt that "...scores of tentacled obstructionists, politics, repressing agendas, unrealistic expectations and saboteurs everywhere..."* kept her from doing a follow up. *eonline.com, 1/6/21

Background music for an evening rooftop party. Good food, good drink, good friends, good night.

Easy listening for this classic reggae mix that tops many lists of Marley and the Wailers best. Not enough of an afficianado to judge comparatively but I did like this.

Never heard of them but glad this hidden gem of a late 60's early 70's British psychedelic vibe made it onto the list.

Maybe not the orchestrated production of later albums but this blues-rock and Billy Gibbons guitar rich opus is a perfect representation of the true roots and soul of this Texas trio.

Sorry, not listening to this guy and would rip the page from the book if it didn't have someone actually deserving on the other side of the page.

Didn't really know what to say about this one, other than it provided a mesmerizing soundtrack for both my wife and 5 year old grandson while they did a painting project.

Not sure how 2 albums from these guys made the 1001 list but I didn't get either one. They are just not for me.

Did not get this one at all.

Beautifully crafted instrumentals and exquisite harmonies. It gets a highest rating from me and when you consider that they released Deja Vu the following year, I can't think of better back to back offerings from anyone.

One of the real gems in my collection of vinyl. I suspect that Third Rock and Red House are a bit under appreciated by the general populace but both hold very dear spots on my list of favorites. And if my baby don't love me no more, I know her sister will!

Very nostalgic listen for me on this one as I watched their tv show as a child and can remember the neighborhood kids debating the relative musical merits of the group. Nothing really special about this album but considering they were a group of guys just tossed together for a faux Beatles-like tv production, they managed to find a sound unique enough to distinguish themselves in the era. As an aside Mike Nesmith went on to become a successful singer/songwriter and Grammy winner.

Sure. Visionary music from synthesizers and drum machines. The birthplace of EDM. Too bad I can't tell any of it apart.

Old school hip hop. Maybe even primordial in the sense that the roots of evolution for the genre is recognizable in these beats and lyrics. I enjoyed this one.

Another album that I had never heard of but enjoyed a lot. Now I'm off to my friendly local record store to see if I can find it. Wish me luck!

Retro 60"s, maybe 80's, vibe to this one. Frenetically energetic at times and well balanced when tending towards balladry . Another good listen from the list.

Loved the energy and rhythms. Not sure my hips and feet could keep up if I ever tried to actually dance to it but my toes were definitely tapping the whole time.

Bit of a ho-hummer here for me. At times it sounded pre-grunge, which was a welcome change from the otherwise forgettable balance of the album.

I suppose the lyrics deserve some mention but for me Transylvania Blues was the best track, and it was an instrumental. All in all, this album was 35 minutes of my life that I'll never get back.

Don't know if it was the album art or the melodies but this made me think of folk songs performed by a traveling minstrel show. A very pleasant surprise here.

I didn't exactly get good vibrations from this one but it also wasn't the worst I've heard from the list. Seemed like they were trying to shed the whole surf city thing and do something edgy but nothing about their efforts made me feel anything, good or bad.

Girl could sing, for sure.

This one was hard to figure out. The instrumental portions were interesting but each eventually devolved into an aimlessly orchestrated choral arrangement that was more annoying than pleasant. Definitely not one for me.

I have come to the conclusion that I like music that has a pulse. And not just the drowsy thup......thup......that comes with a food coma. No, I like someting more like the heart pounding that comes from a pack of skeletal zombie wolves chasing you through the forest while the only door to your safety slowly closes in the distance. Although not nearly that frenetic throughout, this album does have a pulse. Never heard it before but I liked it

Damn this is good. Early jazz fusion that served as a prelude for a rapid expansion of the genre in the 70's. Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, The Crusaders, even Chuck Mangione and George Benson; all had notable contributions during the era and easy enough to hear the influence this Miles opus had on their sound.

Bluesy. Folksy. Fun. I loved it.

I can understand that Velvet Underground liked Nico, and possibly saw her as a bit of a muse, but this album reminded me of John Lennon's indulgence of Yoko's attempt at musical art. Similarly, this is not good.

Trippy, hippie, all the way. Somewhere between a nice tab of orange sunshine and the brown acid from Woodstock. Some of the songs were pleasantly minstrelesque and others made me think that voracious worms were crawling under my skin. Ultimately, I think the worms won.

Sweet, smooth, and safe. The Dolly Parton influence shows throughout. Good enough but I would have liked to have seen some emotional and vocal range on the album.

Perfect Annie Lennox vocals and distinctive Eurythmics beats. Solid stuff.

Excellent vibes from (maybe?) the root of the Blacksploitation genre. If you like this album like I did, make sure to check out the Superfly soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield. That cat Shaft is a bad mother......

Yee-haw. Good ol' country music. Pleasant and true to the genre but generally not memorable enough for me to think it should be on a list of greatest all time.

Legacy country music here. Sad, sweet, strong, and poignant, sometimes all at the same time. There is something (genuine?) about this one that made me feel connected to the music. Good stuff.

Arguably Neil Young's best album. Combines unmistakable vocals with consummate musical arrangements. A beauty, Neil. A beauty.

Since I Been Loving You is a keeper but the rest of the album is nowhere near that good. Still, this is way above whatever bar is used to pick the best 1001.

First time listen to this one and I liked it. Good energy with quality vocals and vibrant instrumentation.

Smoothe jams with a nice retro 80's vibe. Good background soundtrack for your next party.

Pop'y sound with a little edge but really nothing unique enough to make it memorable for me. I'll check it off my countdown list and move on to the next one

Background music for the birth of the universe presentation at the planetarium. Not horrible, but like the vast expanse of outer space, there was a lot of endless nothingness here.

All of the individual groups on this album are great. Take Phil Spector's name off of it and I would rate it higher.

Nice enough and I enjoyed the rhythms and energy. The fact that I didn't understand a word made it difficult to give a higher score.

Hadn't heard this one before but glad it was on the list. A very nice surprise.

Standard 70's metal here. Good enough not to skip after the first couple of tracks. Not good enough to actively seek to listen to again.

Willie Nelson at his good ol' country story tellin' finest.

Listened to the entire hour and 5 minutes of the album out of respect for the process. Won't do that again without taking some of the chemicals the brothers must have been taking when they made this.

Another 'no idea who these guys are but glad it was on the list' album featuring jammin' base lines and vocals reminiscent of every drunken, semi-slurred, version of any song sung in a raucous pub at 2 o'clock in the morning. My kind of crowd.

A bit too saccharine and pop'y for me but, hey, it was the 80's. Checked off the list. Next.

Grunge-ily energetic with enough variation in theme and vocals to keep me interested in what was coming next throughout. I liked it.

This one's a beaut from start to finish. Clean, precise, instrumentation with impeccable vocals and harmonization. Maybe a bit tame for any younger audience but for an old goat like me, it's mana from the gods.

Probably overshadowed a bit by the presence of Rod Stewart is the fact that Faces, in itself, was a damn solid band.

Eight Miles High not withstanding, this is good, but not their best.

From the cradle of early, transitive, hip hop, this album is technically raw at times and creatively groundbreaking but still linked to the R&B roots of its predecessors. I get hints of Sly and the Family Stone, Tower of Power, 70's Philadelphia funk (It's a Shame straight up samples the Spinners version and a Bootsy Collins'ish slappin' bass line accentuates multiple tracks), and Dreamin' is sent out to Stevie Wonder and could easily be compared to anything from Earth, Wind & Fire. The rhymes in the title track may sound simple by today's standards but the words and their inherent emotion are nonetheless timeless.

Enter Sandman and Nothing Else Matters are obvious standouts here. The rest of the album features brief glimpses of life but otherwise didn't distinguish itself at all to me.

This one took me a while to get into, what with the spoken lyrics and something in the music that gave me an unbalanced feeling, but I ended up liking the album. It's the 101st that I've listened to from the list and if it ever randomly shows up again, I won't skip over it.

This album should be included on any top 100 list, much less top 1001. It's an exclamation of consummate lyrical and musical expression. Simply put, this one is absolutely Wonder-ful.

Don't quite know how to classify the genre of this album, but having not heard it, or Sonic Youth, before, I can say that I enjoyed listening to it.

Classic 80's Brit synth-pop. At the time, I preferred the edge of Billy Idol, or the straight up flounce of Culture Club or Wham, but Simple Minds was able to sustain their sound when most acts were like a Roman candle fired into the night sky by MTV, briefly flashing brilliantly before disappearing back into the dark. Never fear, lads. We Won't (Forget About You).

Solid sample of 80's metal with an element of controlled thrash that actually allows for the music to be heard.

A little of this goes a long way. Or maybe nowhere at all. Not my jam

Includes blues rock tracks that were fundamental elements of many of the 60's British bands. This album is very good.

Jaunty little romp from 1981 with not so subtle social commentary about L.A.'s music and entertainment culture thrown in. "Change the lines that were said before We're all dreamers - we're all whores Discarded stars Like worn out cars Litter the streets of this town Litter the streets of this town" Loved it then. Love it now.

Not the worst album on the list but it made me think of headphones on while trying to sleep on a 6 hour red-eye flight music. By the time you land, you know it was there for you the whole time but you're still dead tired and you can't remember any of it.

Easily as good, or better, than anything John or Paul did in their solo careers. Damn shame George's talent was subjugated, if not downright ignored, with the Beatles.

This one's a bit 'out there' but not necessarily in a bad way. Can't say I will ever listen to it again but it had a freshness to it that I enjoyed.

I was skeptical about the whole concept of this album but, holy shit does it work. Picture some epic fantasy tale where flawed heroes battle demonic armies across desolate landscapes, and this is the Academy Awards nominated soundtrack.

I must admit that in a former life I spent many hours in an open-necked shirt, platform shoes, and bell bottomed pants. I have done the Hustle, and it weren't for the cheap, easily accessible, recreational drugs and promiscuous, unprotected sex, I would have to say it was a hollow waste of time that can only be described as a guilty pleasure. Just like this album.

Less pop-y than a lot of the other 80's stuff on the list, and that uniqueness is what makes it less forgettable. Good effort from the lads.

I still need an interpreter for most of the lyrics on this album but the music was very good.

Didn't know what to expect here as I'd never heard of it, or the band, before. What a gem this is! Pretty sure the run time was over an hour but that flew by without even a hint of 'Are we there yet?'. Wonderful from start to finish and a perfect example of why I look forward to my daily album from the list.

Wow...Makeba's style reminds me of Edith Piaf, in that her soulful expressions drew me in and gave me goosebumps, even though I rarely understood a word. Lovely. Just lovely.

This is the second album from the list that I've listened to from these guys. This one was better, but still not memorable.

Punk with plenty of actual music, experimental and otherwise, thrown in. Hints of 60's/70's psychadelia provide just that twist of garnish that every album needs. Never heard of this before today but it's definitely going on the list for the next time I go vinyl diving.

I try to knock this album but every time I listen to it, I'm reminded just how good it is. Oh, oh, oh, I'm on fire.

Might have been the British accent but I liked this. Probably would like it more, or, who knows, maybe less, if I spoke rap. Regardless, glad this one made the list.

Hadn't heard this before and liked it well enough, but I never felt anything in the music that would have pushed my evaluation above just average on the list.

She Talks to Angel's is superb and highlights a very good album here.

Wasn't immediately sure about this one but I listened to the whole album and it definitely grew on me. I particularly enjoyed Rodney Yates. This album perfectly reinforced the notion of being rewarded for committing to listen to something you've never heard before.

A revelation of an album that still endures today. "In the end, it doesn't even matter." I beg to differ. RIP, Chester. RIP.

I'll give it another listen somewhere down the road, but my current assessment has it rated as not spectacular, not horrible, and most importantly, not immediately forgettable. As an aside, my wife was dancing to the whole thing. So whatever my rating, I suspect this will somehow end up in my collection.

Very "King of Pop" Michael. Not as good as Thriller but that's a pretty high bar. I did find it an interesting reminder that Jackson actually wrote a lot of his stuff.

This album is a good balance of Stills' vocal and lyrical talents and a superb band. Probably 50 years since I last listened to it and it's as good as I remembered it.

Not bad, but nothing in the music or lyrics grabbed me by the collar, shook me, and said "Damn it, I'm right here and I deserve to be remembered!"

An exhausted looking group of people sits around a large conference room table. Cheesburger wrappers, paper coffee cups, and stack after stack of glossy album art cover every inch. A balding man wearily pushes his chair away and stands. Rubbing his temples, he bellows, "Goddammit, one more! One fucking more and we can all go home!" He slumps back into his chair, hands covering his face, and pleads, "Please tell me somebody's got something." He looks into the eyes of the others around the table. From each, his gaze is returned with the thousand yard stare of someone that has endured an experience so horrific that it can never be spoken of again. But the death march is not over and no one offers to take the final step. His forehead hits the table with a limp thunk. The conference room door opens and the intern enters with more bad coffee. "Who needs cream and sugar?" A resonant 'bing' signals the arrival of the elevator. The doors slide open and the cleaning crew piles out to begin their nightly chores. The manager's ears prick up a hunting dog that's heard the rustling of game in the underbrush. He points excitedly in the direction of the people exiting the elevator. "That's it! We're saved! That's 1001!" And that's how this album of elevator music got included on this list.

In a lot if respects, this is pretty simple music. But then the soul searing magic of Booker T's Hammond plays right through you. And you get that complexity is not an indicator of beauty.

Good metal with enough variety across the album to make it not feel the same every track.

Good stuff. Plus, any artist that chooses to feature folks like George Clinton and Ronald Isley on a track has my full support.

This was unexpectedly quite good.

Man, this joint is jumpin'! It's a wonderful mix of hot, frenetic, swing and cool, sexy, blues. And just to make it all sink in just a little deeper, make sure to listen to the full live version of the album.

Killer Queen and Flick of the Wrist highlight this album that gives us a hint of the Brian May guitar riffed, Freddie Mercury piano and vocals led, complex background harmonized treats we were all in for on future albums.

The irreverance and sass that is The Talking Heads comes through clearly on this debut album. Maybe not their best but decidedly a warning shot across the bow of the music world for what was to come.

Joni Mitchell has a liltingly lovely voice but this album felt like a lot of the same to me.

This album won a Grammy. Without knowing what it was up against, that fact alone should land it on the list. After listening to it, I can add my opinion and say the voters didn't get it wrong.

You know that old saying that if you give an infinite number of monkeys an infinite number of typewriters, they will eventually write the complete works of Shakespeare? Well, in this case, they were given a drum kit, and a bass guitar. And the result was not Shakespeare.

This may seem a bit soft by today's standards but, at the time, to vocalize words we couldn't otherwise express, the girls had Carole King with Tapestry and the guys had Sweet Baby James. Open any school year book from the era and both will be liberally sampled to represent the youthful sentiments of the day.

Less rock, more country twang, than some of his other efforts but this album maintains Young's raw, and immediately recognizable, lyrical and vocal stylings. Good, but not his best.

It's Prince. It's ok. It's not Purple Rain.

If you let this stand alone on its music, it's ok. Vocally, it makes chalk screeching across a blackboard sound like fine opera. Listened. Check. Done. Next.

Didn't understand a word but this album has an energy, a liveliness, a soul that I enjoyed.

Nothing groundbreaking here. It's less surf city and more of whatever they were trying to evolve into, so take your pick and either like or dislike this accordingly. Honestly though, what's not to like about an album with goats on the cover?

Sleepy little thing, this one is. It needs that scene from any hospital movie. You know...the scene where the doctor rubs the paddles, yells "Clear!", and jolts the body back to life? And it either works, or we call time of death. This album deserves to live. "Clear!"

Don't really know, and don't really care, why Coldplay gets a bad rap but I think we can all agree that in the scope of of 1001 albums, we're all entitled to our own dirty little secrets. I liked this album.

Not bad. Not what I expected from an album of the year in the Neatherlands. Not memorable for me in the context of this exercise.

Another Neil Young album on the list and I'm fine with that. It's better to burn out, than to fade away.

This rare gem of an album is a vibrant taste of what I would describe as early 70's funk/fusion. Hip and cool throughout. Delightful. As an aside, Shuggie was featured by Frank Zappa on Hot Rats. What more needs to be said?

An all-star cast backs up Miles Davis on this hour plus of extraordinary quality. It is more refined than some of his earlier improvisational stuff and a definite must have for anyone that likes the genre. And a must listen for any one that's never heard it.

Had never heard this one before. It was good. I will listen to it again.

Not at all what I thought I would get in this listen but I found it actually quite good. It's a bit background-y, for the most part, but a couple of livelier tunes are sprinkled in to spice it up nicely.

Not what i expected, and still a bit too edm for me, but it was imminently more enjoyable that the others of the genre that have been on my daily listen. I dare say that I may actually listen to it again.

Self produced by Hendrix, this double album covers a wide scope of styles from rich blues to psychadelic improvisation, accented with Jimi's inimitable vocals. The juxtaposition of two versions of Voodoo Chile perfectly expresses the dichotomy between the roots of his music and the interpretive vision of the artist. Throw in All Along the Watchtower and Crosstown Traffic and you, arguably, have a magnum opus here.

Pretty much the same review I gave Park Life. Good enough but, other than Song 2, not fully memorable. As in hearing a song, knowing you've heard it before, but, for the life of you, you can't remember why.

Hip-hop'ish with catchy rhythms and accompaniment. For the most part, this old white guy couldn't keep up with the lyrics, but I did enjoy the soundtrack.

It's a shame that It's a shame about Ray didn't make me feel shame for not caring about how or why Ray was being shamed.

Improvisational sets by a bunch of talented musicians, who all get inspiration from voices none of rhe rest of us can hear. I prefer the style of Kind of Blue over this and likely don't need to listen to this one again.

Nothing to this at all. Felt like Sinatra was just going through the motions.

This album lingers on the palate with hints of Bowie-esque flavor. Not bad, but kind of like the Lois Vuitoon handbag you bought from the street vendor in Central Park. It will still carry your glasses, wallet, and makeup but you know it's not the real thing.

I like George Jones but was unable to find this full album. Gave it a 3 as filler until I can give it a proper listen.

I would have preferred Ella does the Cole Porter, or Duke Ellington, songbook from the massive tome that is the Songbooks series. Regardless, her voice resonates through any chosen milieu.

The fact that we can all sing these lyrics as well as Bob Dylan should make this a must have for any collection.

This album was nicely sandwiched between Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life. I don't think it is as good as either of those, but that bar for comparison is set really high. Taken as a trio, its hard to think of better consecutive efforts, with this providing a solid bridge between intro and finale.

It's spaced-out, trippy, vibe does set it aside from other hip hop that has appeared on the list but I'm torn between whether or not that makes it better or worse. Next.

A bit tame to start with but the whole of the album was bright and quite good.

UK punk Good enough but reminded me of a one night stand. I think I enjoyed it but won't for the life of me be able to remember their name.

Forty-seven wonderfully energetic minutes of classic 60's instrumental jams. Take your shoes off, put some flowers in your hair, and enjoy the ride!

I went back and forth on this one as I thought it was a bit meandering at times and it wasn't solely original content. Still, when the cool, funk of Hayes' vocals and own compositions was allowed to feature, it was ok.

What a wonderful romp this one is! I realize it's a 'best of' album but, start to finish, it's deserving of a place on the list. I mean, c'mon, why would you ever need to hear any other version of Just a Gigolo?

Delightful. Bob and the Wailers are jammin'. I like jammin', too.

Had never heard this before. Sure, let's put them on the list.

One thing I've enjoyed about this exercise is discovering music that is new to me and interesting to listen to. This fits the category. As in, some guy named Pharrell is on the drums, Lenny Kravitz is featured on a couple of tracks, and one guy on the cover is giving the vulcan salute. Live long and prosper.

It was ok but it never made a real connection for me. And it definitely didn't need to be over an hour long. Next.

Sleepy stuff. However, I will say that the album is appropriately titled. Five minutes after it was done playing, I couldn't remember why I'd listened to it in the first place.

A bit pop-y for me at times, but, hey, it was the 80's. So I'll forgive them because this album was fun!

Nothing special thrash metal.

It's Adele. It's very, very good. It's Adele.

Took this one a while for me to warm up to it, but in the end, it was a good ride.

Tom Waits is definitely an acquired taste, but after a while, you'll be glad you tried it. Especially good when accompanied with whiskey.

Good mix of energetic and laid back. The vocals are ok but the moments that Weller's instrumental prowess were featured stood out to me.

Once you get past the cold slap in the face from the profanity that starts off this album, it settles into a profanity laced chronicle for the ages. Bow wow wow yippy yo yippy yay.

It's not Bridge Over Troubled Waters but it's still very good.

I realize that it's extremely difficult to follow up a great album with another great album. With that said, this is an hour plus of a double album that is not Rumors.

Background music that turned out to be a surprisingly good listen for me. A little out there at times but that's never a true negative for me. Probably a 3.5 here but I'm feeling generous today and will round up. Some album is going to take the hit for that as I regress to the mean on my ratings. Oh well, so it goes.

This sounded to me like a parody album of a parody album. To paraphrase the late Wavy Gravy, it was 'specifically, not good'.

Non-distinct 80's music that sounded the same on every track to me. I'm a fan of the decade but I did not find this to be representative of the era in any way.

Maybe I just don't get Radiohead but this is the second album I've had from the list and I am having difficulty figuring out how either were included. At least this one was not immediately forgettable.

Don't have enough of a Springsteen catalogue to say for sure but, for me, this is his best. "It's a death trap. It's a suicide rap. We gotta get out while we're young."

Genuine 1968 San Francisco sound with plenty of flower power, peace, love, groovy-ness all over it. Never heard it before but it didn't suck entirely.

Generic country featuring a female vocalist. Meh.

There were a couple of good tracks here but it didn't deliver anything special. Just another mediocre 80's album.

This had an extended Day in the Life vibe for me. Good narrative. Good music.

Energetic, fun, irreverent and, really, who hasn't wanted to know what Tits On The Radio sound like?

This could be the Oscar nominated soundtrack from Dances With Whales. It stars Kevin Costner as an irascible, old, ship captain who sails the world aimlessly while seeking meaning for his life through the song of the sea. Spoiler alert. Much like this album, that meaning is nowhere to be found.

UK punk/pre-punk that comes off brilliantly. For me, this is another hidden gem that's been discovered on this hunt for 1001 treasures.

This is another one that I'd never heard before and it's a right beauty. Most of the songs are longer than whatever am/fm radio would regularly play (that's a good thing!) so maybe that's why I didn't recognize any of them. Regardless, some guy on the Mendicino coast running a pirate radio station out of his garage just nods in I-told-you-so assent to this album's inclusion on the list.

Sure, the Lads from Liverpool, and all that, but I'm not all gaga for this like some screeching bird in her teens swooning about from heretofore undiscovered hormones.

Fantastic early 70's funk/fusion that helped shape listening preferences that I still maintain. Glad to see this on the list.

John solo with a some good songs. Imagine carries all of them on its back.

This one is a punk-y, raucous, and raw little rocker that doesn't disappoint. Plus, David Johansen, aka Buster Poindexter, on lead vocals? Fuggitaboutit!

Cool, refreshing, vibe of reggae meets psychedelia with velvety smoothe vocals topping off the whole concoction. A keeper from the start.

This is good. Vocally, instrumentally, socially, spiritually. All deservedly receive high marks.

I liked this album format in that the entire first side is a single song with a spacey, futuristic, vibe. Ultimately though, this just sounded like Rush to me. Which is not an inherently bad thing, but I expected more than I felt the band was able to deliver.

Couldn't understand a word of this but the rhythms and vocals embodied a lively energy that had my toe tapping throughout the full playtime.

Late 60's early 70's rocker with a sprig of psychedelia thrown in just for flavor. Yes, I'm old and, yes, I enjoyed this, even having never heard it before.

This was a welcome change from most of the generic pop of the early 80's. Sade's sound oozed feminine cool and was anthemic for many at the time. Very nice.

Not unpleasant but, also, totally forgettable. Yesterday it was Sade and tomorrow it's somebody else. In, between? I don't remember.

Straight on brilliance all spun from a combination of sock hop, rockabilly, and punk. Add in classic lyricism and you've got a keeper.

Good but not Aja.

This is an interesting mix of sitar and electronics. I definitely preferred the arrangements that were more 'traditional' and maintained emphasis on the sitar. That said, and on the whole, this was a good listen.

Hank Williams Lite. Ok if you're just thirsty, but not enough if you're looking for something more.

Don't know if this is her best album but Chain of Fools, Ain't No Way, and Natural Woman all deserve to be on list of her best. Give me Aretha anyday, anyplace, anytime, and I'll be good.

I don't know. This was ok, but it felt like it was missing about 50% of what it needed to be truly great.

Didn't understand a word so can't comment on the lyrics but there is an energy, a liveliness, to the vocals and music that I enjoyed. Good beat, easy to dance to.

Not sure I needed 18 tracks of this album but it definitely falls somewhere in the gray mediocrity that represents the middle of the bell curve for the list of 1001. Even though I wasn't fully convinced thematically by the album, I do hope Peggy ultimately changed her mind.

This is that band that was hired in 1965 because the one that was originally supposed to play the Friday night high school dance canceled at the last minute. Archie: Gee, guys, what are we gonna do now? Betty: This is terrible! I already bought a new dress and promised Reggie I'd let him get to second base tonight. Veronica: (rolls her eyes) Oh, Betty, we all know he's stolen second so many times that he's turning for third at the first chance he gets. Jughead: I don't know anything about baseball but I do know that Kevin's older brother has a band that might be able to fill in on short notice. Archie: Great idea! Let's all hop in the jalopy and see if they'll save the dance! Kevin's brother's band does play. The sweaty, hormonal, teens love the covers but it's the original stuff that really blows them away. Epilogue Archie and Veronica hook up after the dance. She shows him what an Alki Beach hug is. Betty and Reggie continue to date for a while before breaking up due to Reggie realizing he doesn't really like baseball, and wants to change teams. Jughead goes on to be the manager of the Dandy Warhols.

Pretty straightforward here...Fun and energetic all the way. Put on your dancin' shoes and rock till you drop!

My wife loves it and I just wish someone would take away Chris Martin's valium.

This has a little bit of a lot going on with it. Stadium hair band rock, 80's pop-y vocals, Prince'ish rhythms and funk, and screaming that stylistically pre-dates what comes in the next decade. For me, I preferred the blazing rock tracks but, all things considered, this was a good inclusion on the list.

Distinctively recognizable vocals from The Girl From Ipanema singer. Airy and smooth, but not much more to it. Kind of like going to a pub and getting a Coors Light when what you really wanted was a Guiness.

This was the second album from Suede I've had on my list and they're beginning to grow on me. Not literally, like a wart, or rash, or anything but in a good way. Don't know if they'll show up again but they were a worthwhile listen nonetheless.

Turned into a bit of a slog towards the end of play but was an enjoyable mix overall.

Southern rock at its finest. "What song is it y'all wanna hear?"

Felt like the album was running a bit long towards the end but this one was very good nonetheless.

Scott 2 was the first Scott Walker album I listened to for the list and I now I get to review Scott 4. Well, I can honestly say that Scott 4 is not twice as bad as Scott 2 and that Walker's musical stylings are only rivaled by his creativity for naming albums.

Absolutely what a live album should be and there isn't a better version of Whipping Post anywhere.

Not their best album but this does introduce their progressive rock style that eventually birthed Fragile.

If you fancy an interminable trip down the road of endless nothingness, this is the perfect album for you.

If this is meant as an abstract representing dreams, it's more like what you might experience when the end is near and they pull the plug on you. Not necessarily unpleasant, but dead nonetheless. No pace. No presence. No pulse.

Smooth jams. I liked it

More really good stuff from Aretha, including a couple of lesser beauties in Baby, Baby, Baby and Do Right Woman, Do Right Man. I'll think I'll just go sit down and listen to the album again...

B.O.B. was fun but I don't think I really needed an hour plus of Outkast.

This is the album every 15 year old girl had in 1971. Vocally, musically, lyrically...all masterful. And who doesn't like an album with a cat in the cover?

Good, but I would have preferred a bit more rock.

It's got that edm/club vibe that I typically can't do. But something in the rhythms kept me in for the full play. Can't say I'll run down to the vinyl store and add it to my collection but, who knows, as it doesn't suck entirely.

Aussie punk. Good energy but I didn't find anything about it distinctive enough to be truly memorable. Ultimately, I guess that makes it Eternally Somebody Else's.

Sure, 90's kinda grunge and kinda rock, but with kinda pop tossed in? It was generally ok but they lost me with that last bit.

Aw, yes...the enlightened age of Blaxploitation. Mayfield's lyrics and vocals stand out in this one and Freddie's Dead and Pusherman are perfect examples of the social statements that were being made through the genre.

My original thought was that this would would be a flat performance due to a lack of the manic energy of the band's plugged in work. It did, but that didn't detract from the vocal and musical artistry of the act. Very good, and a perfect example of the beauty of MTV's unplugged series.

As you'd expect from the title, this album is not full of sunshine and rainbows. It's desperate, dark, and, at times, downright deranged. I mean, the FBI or Interpol or somebody definitively has Nick Cave on a watch list, right? There was a hint of Jim Morrison at his self destructive best that stood out and the featured vocals were nice, but overall, I think this album was forgettable. Or at least I hope so.......

Not sure about this one, but I think I need to stick with my first reaction and describe it as aimless and meandering. I question how it made the list and have no desire to listen to it again.

This is the third Nick Cave album on the list, and second I've had in 3 days. I'm still traumatized from Murder Ballads a couple of days ago so please be understanding of the brevity of this review as I struggle to recover. I liked it, and feel a little dirty about that.

Probably could have cut this down to about 90 minutes but I'm sure there are folks that feel like 2 hours wasn't enough. Regardless, it's an album of the year and deserves the accolades.

Got it. It's U2. It's ok. When do I get to listen to The Joshua Tree?

Have to admit that I've got a thing for girl bands. I'd never heard of these guys and this was a pleasant surprise. It has a Go Go's and The Runways had an angry, sensitive, conflicted, baby vibe going for it that I really enjoyed.

This was actually quite nice. Reminiscent of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, I enjoyed the conversational narrative of the albums presentation.

If a David Bowie album plays in the forest, and nobody is there to listen to it, does it still warrant consideration for the top 1001 list? If it includes Golden Years, the answer is yes.

The second half of this one was a bit strange, but Bowie doing strange is not out of the realm of what Bowie does. Strangely enough, I still liked it.

Not quite sure how to classify this album. Is it punk, or new wave, or synth pop/rock/electronica, or some manifestation of what Mark Mothersbaugh dreams at night? Regardless, Devo deserves a spot outside the mantle of one hit wonder for Whip It. Being included in the 1001 is an appropriate acknowledgement of their artistry

Not adventurous on any level but solid, prototypical, 80's hair band metal here.

OG triple OG OG triple triple OG GOOD.

Here's another good album that I was totally unaware of prior to diving into the list. Don't know if it's typical of Scottish rock but I found it pure dead brilliant, I did!

Iggy and the Stooges. Perfect way to start my week. Hopefully the rest of this week's list will be as good as this one.

I am a definite fan if live concert albums and this is one if my favorites. I particularly enjoy them if the bands just hang out and jam for the crowd. Dark Star by itself is reason enough for this album to make the list.

I'm not entirely sure what it is, or I guess isn't?, with these guys but they just don't make any impression on me whatsoever. It's like somebody gave me drugs and told me I was going to go on a wonderful trip, and then they told me there was a 50% chance I was in the placebo group, and then I didn't feel anything and never found out which group I was in. After listening to this, I want a new drug.

Not horrible, generally mediocre, and ultimately forgettable thrash metal.

Anybody can sing and play as well as Bob Dylan. The list of people that can write as well is much shorter. Subterranean Homesick Blues sticks out for me on this one and the full scope of the album probably ranks as one of his best.

More psychadelia than Clinton's trademark p-funk but pretty good nonetheless. I had never heard the title track and was very pleasantly surprised.

This has an 80's sound without the overtly pop'ish we need to have a flauntingly outrageous music video that will get played on MTV vibe to it. Subdued artistry. I liked it.

Late 60's San Francisco sound from Joe and the Fish. It's full of peace and love and a touch of the brown acid. Very good stuff. The music, I mean...not necessarily the acid. But, hey man, it's your trip.

Somewhere between punk and new wave The Clash put together a really good album.

Hard to believe this album came out in 1986. It was a joltingly fresh slap in the face to most of the saccharine pop drivel that played out on MTV at the time and hasn't lost a bit of its chops to this day. Now, excuse me while I go fight for my right to party.

Pretty sure this was their first album that got away from a more doo wop sound and ventured into expression of social consciousness. Hard to keep 40 some odd albums straight but this has to be one of their best. I also have to admit that I love the Temps and ain't too proud to beg for more.

This is the only U2 album you ever need to listen to.

My first impression was that this album is a more lethargic version of Coldplay, and who needs that? But I've listened to enough of the 1001 to trust the process, so that's what I did. And the album turned out to be pretty good, especially the tracks that had some bounce and pace.

If you take the vocals and instrumentation out of this album, it is perfect. Otherwise, it's an hour and 12 minutes of your life you'll never get back.

Very glad I had 2 hours available today to listen to this. It's a really good double album that I know I'll have to go back and listen to again, probably more than once, to fully digest the scope of this magnum opus.

Soulful, boring, whiney, ground-breaking...insert whatever adjective you want here and it will be Joni Mitchell sounding like Joni Mitchell. This is not a bad album. It's just the same album.

Great album start to finish. It may go out of favor over time but I genuinely feel it deserves to be considered for top 50 or 100 albums of all time. And it lost to Rumours at the Grammys for album of the year so, while we're at it, lets throw Fleetwood Mac into that category as well.

This is not your grandparents' tango, and who knew that some accordion looking instrument could create music so smooth and cool. I'm sure it helps that Burton's vibraphone chops show through it's Piazzolla's arrangements that ties it all together. Although a bit same at times, this is very pleasant stuff, thank you.

West Africa meets Delta Blues. Never heard of Ali Farka Toure before but this album was a nice surprise.

I dunno...maybe I was expecting something a bit harder from an ex Wu-Tang member, but this didn't stand out to me at any level.

Unmistakable Geddy Lee vocals and driving, power trio, rhythms make this one of the seminal albums of the early 80's. It was a definite banger and guaranteed to energize the party every time it was thrown on the trusty turntable.

This is another group I had never heard before, and I'll likely never hear again. The album wasn't bad and it wasn't good, ultimately falling into the unremarkable, forgettable, middle of the bell curve that represents my ratings on the 1001.

I really enjoyed this one. Vocally, lyrically, musicly - a beauty throughout.

Good example of the sound from the British Invasion.

I like punk. I like The Clash. I like this album. It's less refined than London Calling but that very rawness is what makes it just as good.

Quite the rocker here from the Stripes with enough variety to make it interesting.

This double album debut is a massive 76 minute blast of horns, percussion, and (free form!?!) guitar backing competent vocals from Peter Cetera and Terry Kath. They stuck with this formula for two more good albums during the early 70's before running out of steam. This album is generally good, if not spectacular, but does represent a landmark sound from the time.

After listening to this album I felt the odd compulsion to ask myself, "Where is my large automobile?"

Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for metal but this one just didn't do it for me today.

I prefer 1984 to this one but it's still pretty damn good.

This album has an MTV audience feel to it and I prefer the band's true to their roots stuff. You know, more Texas blues rock and Billy Gibbons' soul searing guitar. Still glad to have it pop up on my daily listen.

I try not to prejudge the albums on the list that I've never heard before. This is one of those albums, and it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

I feel like this album was pretty good but I've honestly forgotten what i heard already.

This is a dreamy, mellow, laid back, almost spoken word album that was easy to listen to. And ultimately, I suspect, just as easy to forget.

Nile Rogers production with a couple of solid singles to go with the titular 80's anthem. A bit of a one hit wonder as far as the album as a whole goes but it deservedly finds a spot on the list as a positive representation of the era.

Ok but ultimately forgettable Brit pop

Bit of a chaotic hot mess at times but there are good tracks to be found here. Not enough to require a double album, but worth a listen if you have an hour to kill.

Never heard of blues punk before but I did enjoy what these folks put together. This is the kind of album that slips into a collection as a hidden gem.

Holy fuck, this was a 2 hour and 53 minute death march. It definitely has 69 tracks with music and words and I genuinely believe it could be used as a torture instrument if someone had to listen on a loop. For the rest of you that share my experience, I will be starting an "I survived 69 Love Songs" support group that will meet Wednesday evenings in the basement of the Baptist church. Cookies, cakes, coffee, and tea will be served. In trauma, we stand together.

Well, isn't this just the bouncy ball of fun!? Never heard it before but glad I got the chance today. A definite keeper.

Can't You Hear Me Knocking is one of my all time favorites and the country blues rock vibe on tracks like You Gotta Move and Sway is a nice example of the band's versatility. Not sure if this is their best album but it has to at least be in the conversation.

Not quite sure what this was. It had a nice bass line and had a play time of 65 minutes. Otherwise, I don't know if it was one long song or a bunch of shorter ones. Totally forgettable.

This made me think of the minstrel shows of old. Or maybe a traveling carnival, complete with jugglers, sword swallowers, men with high hats walking around on tall stilts, and a bearded lady. The atmosphere is chaotic, the music more a cacaphony than a symphony, and everyone is having fun. That last bit is what matters. And just as an aside, there was something about the lead singer, Dorothy Moskowitz, that really stood out for me. She's 83 and still working...Fabulous!

Absolutely what the title says it is, and next time I'm in the airport, I'm putting on my 'pods and playing this on a loop until I get on the plane.

Classic, young, everyman Springsteen.

I feel like I'm part of the original audience for this album that wondered what the lads were thinking when they produced this. I like the Kinks so I'll listen to it again in 20 years, and will surely praise it then for its vision and brilliance.

Thump, thump, thump, thump,...Quirky! Thump, thump, thump, thump,...How Chic! Thump, thump, thump, thump,...Funky! Thump, thump, thump, thump,...World Clique! This has a semi-irritating, catchy sound that feels like a parody of an SNL skit that is a parody of funk and house dance music. Bootsy Collins' bass licks bring legitimacy to Who Was That, so at least it's got that going for it. Can't say I need to hear it again but it was kinda fun and kinda bouncy and I didn't hate it.

Okay............Who owed somebody a big enough favor to get this included on the list? Definitely not my jam.

I'm not a Justin Timberlake guy but I did enjoy watching my wife dance to the album, and that adds a +1 for me.

Hopefully, this isn't the only Elvis album on the list, because In The Ghetto is the only track the has any heart whatsoever. I found the rest hollow and soulless.

This album is very good and, to me, Stevie's vocals are the highlight.

A hodgepodge of things. All of which had music and words. White and his mates all appear to be very accomplished musicians, yet, none of what they presented made connection to me in any way.

Good enough but a bit tame for my general tastes.

I can see where this album might be considered ahead of its time and a harbinger of punk. Whether by accident or design, I'll give them credit for that. It's not their fault they were born 15 years too early.

NWA definitely got NWAttitude. The lyrics are harsh, raw, angry, and totally without filter. I can't even imagine trying to express their reality. I'm not now, or ever will be in it but I was held to their narrative by every beat and word on this album.

Quintessential Dylan here. Might be his best album and the lyrics are spectacularly, randomly, nonsensically at times, brilliant.

Piano music for the soul that gave off a kind of a lofi vibe. Probably won't recognize a note of it if I ever hear it again, but not because it wasn't good. I just can't pick our instrumentals unless I've heard them a thousand times.

This was good but indistinguishable from any other indie rock sound from the early 00's.

Regardless of what my daily album is, I always listen to the whole thing. It was a tremendous struggle to make it through this one. Now excuse me while I help my wife get the knitting needles out of her ears.

Fun, nostalgic, little look back to songs from the early 60's. Thing is, it's got a Saturday night local pub cover band feel to it. All the good songs were already done better by someone else.

Well done with a Motown throw back vibe. If that's what they were going for, great. If not, I would have liked to have heard something original in the vocals. Regardless, this is a very good album, and I think I just found my wife's xmas present. Thanks!

Lou Reed stands out here but he and the rest of the lads have put together a good melange of tracks the are a good listen. And bonus props for hanging out at The Factory!

Not sure about this one. I mean, it was ok but it made me think of that Family Guy episode where Brian was trying to get his book published. You know? Except this time it's like "Whose leg do I need to hump to get my album on the 1001 list?" I will say I appreciate Brian's commitment to his art but question the choices of whoever submitted their leg.

Yes, there is a racially motivated impetus behind every song on this album. If that bothers you, don't listen to it. If you do choose to listen, yes LISTEN, it's a good album.

I thought this was pretty good but don't think it necessitated 90 minutes of listening. My wife, however, did not like it. But then, she married me so we know her judgment is questionable and we can ignore her opinion (Don't tell her I wrote this review. The woman is a saint). Yes, dear. Coming, be right there...

Excellent album and it's easy to pick up on the Indian (George Harrison/Ravi Shankar?) influences on the sound. Really good...

My head bobbed a couple of times during this listen but, in general, nothing grabbed me from this album. Not good. Not bad. Not memorable.

Papa Was a Rollin' Stone highlights this out with the do-wop, in with the funk, version of the Temptations. They had so many albums, so many songs, so many iterations of who they were over the years that it's hard to separate who did what when, but bottom line, it's the Temps. Sit down, stand up, dance, sing along, whatever strikes your fancy. For any fan of the group, this is one of their many must listen albums.

A bit odd at times but not horrible at others. Definitely not something that would be in my regular rotation for throwing on the turntable but I won't skip over it when its number does come up.

John Legend lends distinction to this otherwise indistinct album.

Good energy, good sound, good album.

Late 60's psychadelia. I was there and this was not the album we listened to when we were trippin'. But whoever put this on the list must have been.

Maybe it's because I was 13 and just discovering my own tastes in music, and girls, when this album came out that I love it so much. Most of those memories are fuzzy around the edges but the music remains achingly clear and still goes straight to my head and heart. Now excuse me while I go flip the album over to listen to it again.

This album is not good and I'm glad I'll never have to listen to it again.

This was quite the pleasant surprise, it was. Very nice vocals and music with an emotionally mellow vibe. Very nice.

Good party music for when you're drinking gin and juice and need to get your mind on your money and your money on your mind.

This was ok but I prefer the solo effort from Costello on My Aim Is True.

Doubt I'll ever remember the band, much less the album, but you could stick this in a time capsule and shoot it across the universe as an example of standard 80's synth pop. Once it's out there, the chance of me finding it amongst the billions of stars and planets is greater than me ever listening to it again.

There was a haunting element to this album that i really enjoyed. Another hidden gem...

Metal from before metal was widely considered metal. And who doesn't like Smoke on the Water?

Power trio band at it's finest and pretty much a must have album for anyone that wants to include late 60's psychadelic blues rock in their collection.

It's a toss up for me on whether or not this is a better album than Californication so suffice it to say I liked this.

If Brian Wilson intended this to be some opus of a rock opera, he missed the mark. It's more like a bury it under a rock and never listen to it again opera. The Beach Boys at least had life in their music. This is DOA from the get

Not 80's pop, not 80's punk, not very good.

Good beat, easy to dance to, and Be Thankful For What You've Got. A nice little trifecta, if you ask me.

Hard to name 5 albums that are better than this one. Just a peach start to finish.

Fun little album that somehow had me thinking about Toy Story the whole time.

Bit of a wannabe Michael Jackson vibe here but George does a good job of defining his own take on the genre. If you have a chance, watch the videos for this album. They provide a nice snapshot of 80's musical art and a layer of narrative that supplements the vinyl well.

Nope, didn't like this.

There was an element of fun in this one but ultimately it's too repetitive, too long, too much of bloody everything.

Such a good album. It goes to 11.

This was pretty good but I don't think it needed 16 tracks to tell me who they were.

I don't know if this was the first 'rock opera' but in its brilliance it certainly set a high bar for any comparisons within the genre.

A very good album that doesn't need CN&Y to stand up on its own.

Arguably their best album.

Cryptically accurate album title and I guess it's ok. But then I'm a west coast guy so don't tell anybody I said so.

Pretty good LA punk.

Before listening to this I didn't know groove metal was even a thing. Now that I know that, I can make sure to never listen to it again. Thanks for the PSA, Slipknot.

I got a bit if an 80's throw back from this one and it was just middle of the road ok at that.

Might have been revolutionary in its time but, for me, this old school sound ultimately just falls somewhere in the indistinct middle of the rap pantheon.

The Reverend's vocal stylings can best be described as 'soulful'. This album is good but like a lot of other artists of the era, his music is more aptly appreciated by a listen to his 'best of' collection.

Not young, folk song rebel Dylan but this bluesy, old man wondering where it all went Dylan is still pretty good.

Throwback folksy sound from an artist I've never heard from before. Strong vocals paved the way to an enjoyable listen.

Not horrible but I always feel like I need a shower after having listened to this genre of music.

Lively rhythms accentuate this 4 track, album. Need a good cardio workout? Put this on and groove for its full 46 minutes. Guaranteed to make you healthier, or your money back!

This album is the love child of country western and delta blues and rightfully shows off Elvis's range for both.

Can't say this album connected to me in any way whatsoever. Is to describe it as 'extremely meh' an oxymoron?

They've got an irreverent surf punk thing going on here that's not bad. Dick Manitoba sounds like something you get taunted with if you're at a Moose Jaw hockey game rooting for Flin Flon. If you get the reference, give the album an additional star.

58 minutes and 14 tracks that blended together into a nondescript melange of forgettable sound. Here's a soft bulletin for you...if you really want to listen to something good from the 90's, find something else.

Just like everyone else that was alive in 1971, I'm familiar with Get it On and thought of T Rex as a one hit wonder. This album goes a long way to dispel that notion. Although a bit simplistic at times, it showcases a breadth and versatility that I did not expect. This is a solid album that doesn't need to make any excuses fir being included on the list.

Brian Johnson's last album and it's an absolute banger.

A little long but it was a good listen nonetheless.

Today's album is brought to you by the good folks at 1969 music. This double album features hits like: Hair Pie - Bake One & Bake Two, Neon Meate Dream of a Octafish, She's Too Much For My Mirror, and, Old Fart at Play Why a double album you ask? Certainly you can understand that it was necessary to fully chronicle Captain Beefheart's vision and brilliance, while Frank Zappa's producing and influence are evident throughout. (*Disclaimer: This review may or may not have been influenced by hallucinatory drugs that were taken prior to listening to the album's original release.)

My family has a xmas eve tradition that includes singing the beat xmas song ever (my wife routinely calls me a bum and a punk year round). I enjoy an occasional wack fol the do fol the diddly idle ay maybe more than I should. I like this album. So buy yourself a drink, turn up the volume, dance, cuss, sing loud, and enjoy this beauty from Shane and the lads. If you like it, join me on November 30th every year by hoisting a glass, listening to this album, or Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash. RIP Shane.

I think Jack White is a very talented musician, but this album feels like all their others too me. It's too scattered in the attempt to show its range that it comes off as shallow, and this lack of depth fails to pull it out of the hollow morass it's stuck in.

Nice and bouncy. Latin beats with a hint of funk sprinkled in. Full bodied on the ears with a lively finish. Pairs perfectly with a spicy moqueca and a setting sun.

This smokey, old soul, chanteuse, version of Ms. Winehouse is good. Back to Black is better.

Good, solid, album and worthy of inclusion on the list.

Pleasant enough and definitively George Michael, but a bit tame and indistinct for any album I would purposely reach for in my collection.

Very nice debut album featuring the unmistakable, bluesy, guitar and vocal stylings of Mark Knopfler. For me, it's a coin toss for which I like best...this or Brothers In Arms. So I'll just make sure both are in my collection.

Okay album but I do have a question...Why was he wearing her dress?

Never heard of these guys but the album was actually pretty good. It could never have been mainstream but I suspect the band was more into presenting the art than looking for popular acceptance.

Layla and Bellbottom Blues are the most recognizable but the rest of the album's blues rock tracks don't take a back seat at any level. Throw in Duane Allman's slide guitar on most and you've got a real jewel here.

This is a bouncy, energetic, fun little 80's glam rock-y serving garnished with a twist of punk for a bit of added spice. I'll probably have a horrible hangover in the morning, but if you're not allowed to make bad choices, why have the freedom to make choices at all?

Sometimes ok, sometimes quirkily interesting, sometimes outright bizarre, and never my style. I give it an average rating just because it was vocally unique enough to warrant acknowledgement.

Otis sings mostly covers while being backed by Booker T and the MG 's with Isaac Hayes on piano. His rendition of Respect is interesting from the comparative perspective of his writing it and Aretha Franklin subsequently turning it into an anthem. Can't say I need to hear it again but I did enjoy the listen.

I suspect this one caught me on a good day but it had enough energy and anarchy to keep me invested for the whole 40 minutes of play. This easily puts it in the 'potentially relistenanable' middle of my album review curve.

Old school and a lyrically rough listen at times, Chuck D is good and Flava Flav sure does have a big clock.

Not quite sure what l expected from this but I feel like I somehow didn't get all of what I thought I should be getting. And no, that's not what she said...

If you want to listen to a jammin' blues rock album from the late 60's, this is a beauty. Janis Joplin's vocals are so achingly jagged they will flat rip your soul out. Summertime and Piece of My Heart are just plain masterworks. I prefer Ball and Chain from the Monterey Pops but you can't go wrong with this version. This album should be a must listen for anyone that owns vinyl.

Not entirely sure what genre this album falls into but it has a funk feel laced with latin(?) rhythms, great sax, and Hammond organ. Throw in Lee Osker on harmonica and you have a cool combination that I spent many hours listening to in my youth.

Stevie Wonder dominated the early to mid 70's with a series of hit album's, this one being the first of 4 that turned into multiple Grammy awards across that span.

Good old boy country twang going on here. Nothing special to it and you can always check out anything from Hank Williams if you're interested in the real deal.

Never heard of these guys before and can't say I'll remember them if I ever hear them again. But for the 40 some odd minutes I spent with them this afternoon, we had a jolly good romp about.

There is a campily odd presence to this album that I felt bordered on parody. Which comes off well, if that's what was intended. Otherwise, Elis Costello and Cait O'Riordan contributing on the title track is all it has going for it.

Don't know if I really needed this one but I suppose anything from a 69 year old David Bowie is at least owed a listen. So i did. Now back to my originally scheduled programming.