1001 Albums Summary

When someone said "let your freak flag fly", Captain Beefheart understood the assignment. This is what The Kinks would have sounded like if they made a conscious decision to avoid commercial success. It's also kind of what your "creepy but not in a good way" uncle sounds like in your nightmares. That said, the guitars are fuzzy in just the right places and jangley in just the right way. 4/10.

Like a delicious three-ingredient stew, Nirvana are masters of doing a lot with very little. Every song has an iconic hook and takes me on a journey from calm to LET'S GO over and over again. I've been quoting lines from Serve the Servants and Heart Shaped Box for nearly thirty years. In Utero holds up.

I have very mixed feelings. Parts of this album (e.g., Mothers Talk) are too "Rick Astley" for me to enjoy unironically. Other parts are too sappy for me to take seriously (e.g., I Believe). On the other hand, Everybody Wants To Rule The World is deservedly eternal and the opening to Head Over Heels (also, closing notes to Broken) make me feel like I'm heading out on an amazing adventure. Shout is also a banger. The 80's synth-pop vibe is something I had to grow to appreciate; I have to get past ingrained bias against traditional wood and metal instruments. That said, I've listened to it four times today and have zero regrets. 4/5.

I just want to know how much of Richard Hawley's own funds went to recording and publishing this album? I've listened to it three times today and the repetition has not helped it any. Though it may have been innovative 40 years earlier in 2005 this music has nothing to offer. Even worse -- though #metoo came many years later -- by the time this album was recorded lines like "you belong to me, you belong to me" should have been a distant and unfortunate memory. Born Under a Bad Sign makes me wonder if Hawley is just trolling the blues-influenced British rockers who came before (waaaay before) him. The album's silver lining is some nice slide guitar on tracks like Darlin' Wait for Me. Unfortunately, the lining gilds a piece of dry toast.

TIL that Muddy Waters' given name is McKinley Morganfield. Huh! Difficult to put aside my deeply ingrained feelings for this music enough to give it an objective listen. I was shocked to discover that it was recorded in 1977 and not 1950. I don't know how to critique this. Every track puts my entire nervous system in sympathetic resonance (this is a good thing). I'm going to put it on again.

Female singer-songwriter? Yep. William likes it. Not a lot of variation in her sound but it's a sound I can grove to all day.

This album strikes a perfect rock/punk/pop balance for me. Melodic but also grungy, like Nirvana filtered through some happymaking drugs. Aptly titled Soma is a standout, makes me want to jump back and forth with a grin on my face. And Last Nite is one of those songs that puts my awe up to 11 with how much they do with so little.

My aural palette isn't sophisticated enough to distinguish any particular Bossa Nova song from The Girl from Ipanema. That said, I always love the grove. This album could play on repeat in every elevator and supermarket for the rest of time and I'd be happy.

I dig the tunes but can't handle Morrissey. An instrumental version of this album would be the shit. Or maybe just someone else to do the singing.

I recognize the immense talent and production value but . . . the Beach Boys I like are the hit singles. When they aren't singing about surfing they're singing about who-fucking-cares.

I am here for everything Michael Kiwanuka does. The way he uses percussion to build energy, his haunting voice, it's all gold.

Barf. These are the worst Bond theme songs by far. The movie soundtrack background music is great but that Scott guy needs to shut the fuck up.

I can't truly forgive the way they pronounce "migraine" but that only slightly diminishes my enjoyment of this album. Gang of Four rocks hard without trying to do too much. I love how the instruments make space for each other, bouncing back and forth in a head bobbing polyrhythm.

Impossible to separate this music from where it sits so deeply in my marrow. CSN harmonies are those against which I judge all others. Almost Cut My Hair, Teach Your Children, Helpless, Woodstock, and Our House are songs I've been humming while I do the dishes for the last few decades.

Oh my! Funky when he wants to be, soulful when he wants to be, highest highs and most excellent grooves. Shuggie Otis doesn't blow my socks off but there's nothin' in here I don't love.

The perfect album for living in student housing.

Peak '60s. This is the music my parents got high to while my grandparents downstairs worried about the fate of the next generation. I love it even if the \"electric jug\" is waaaaay overused.

Big love for Fleet harmonies. This album has been in heavy evening rotation for years.

Heck yes. Weird hippy Americana jazz stuff is my jam.

What a delightful surprise! 80s is generally not my genre but The The is distinct.

No thanks.

Perfect time capsule.

Super fun.

OMG I fucking love this album.

Punk is not my genre but I didn't hate this.

It's okay. I like the folk stuff much better than the light jazz.

She has a beautiful voice. If I were into disco I'd give this another listen.

B-list 90s rock. The first track is fire but on the whole Beck does it better.

I was turned off by the cover art but this album is fire! Stress is too stressful but the rest are perfect for work or play.

Well that was weird! Psychedelic rock is my jam but most of this album is too far out even for me.

I like the joy and the funky groove. Generally not my style though.

White boy blues, sure. But The Spy? Indian Summer? I'd never have lost my virginity without this album.

I'm glad that's over. I don't do nearly enough coke to enjoy Butt Rock. I'll take AC/DC or Black Sabbath any day before G&R.

There's nothing wrong with music for WASPs. Very smooth.

Solid but I'd prefer his Black Album any day. I don't know what nearly every track needs a big name guest. Tracks with Big Boi and Beyonce stand out but the whole project is tainted by collabs with Eminem and Lenny Kravitz.

Surprisingly delightful!

So good. As fun as it is insightful. Their call and response style is timeless.

He does one thing but he does it spectacularly well and I'm here for every minute.

60s psychedelic pop is my jam

I like prog rock but this album is a bit to frantic for my taste.

That Shanti song can fuck right off to cultural appropriation hell but the rest of the album is solid. Not music I love but it all has a perfectly nice groove, perfect for focusing on work. Don't pay too much attention to some of the silly pop lyrics though.

Solid rock but this pedophilia lyrics are a major turn off.

Hard pass. No streaming revenue for bigots.

Aptly named!

Two thumbs up

His best work post Beatles. A little too self important but how could that much fame not go to one's head?

A delightful surprise!

I know this album well but haven't given it a thorough listen in a while. This time I noticed the variety. S&G harmonies are the through line but no two tracks are similar.

From when heavy metal was cool.

A masterpiece like this doesn't come along very often.

I need to listen to more Aimee Mann.

Just right for a certain mood.

Very synth.

A master at the height of her game.

Iconic.

Super classic. I put this on when my father in law visits.

Fucking terrible!

Too smooth.

Weird is good

I hadn't listened to this in far too long.

Meh. Sabbath did it better.

Delightful surprise.

This album is in my blood.

Classic. No notes.

Yes

Sorry I missed this. Fucking legendary album. Even the goats love it.

Music for baby making!

Redemption album

Tear down the walls!

Pretty funky

I, for one, welcome any and all Black planets.

How did I not know this album!?! Classic hip-hop yes, please!

Didn't know I needed this.

It grows on you

Good

Are you kidding me?!?

Hard to imagine listening to this when I could listen to Leonard Cohen. Good though.

Time capsule. Cool but not really my thing.

Fancy!

Chef's kiss.

Yeah . . . naw.

Yeah, I sang along with a group of stoned tourists in an Amsterdam hostel lounge. I'm not proud.

An oldie but a goodie.

This is an album I wish I'd been more familiar with. Better late than never!

First track almost made me throw up but the rest of it is solid

Yeah, solid 90s rock. That last track tho

Best of the best.

Love it

Fucking rocks

Fun

Pure fire.

All the funk

Not what I usually listen to, but certainly not bad. Peaceful.

Rest in Power, Amy.

Love it. But can't figure out which Mates of State song they sampled.

Best, cover, ever.

That first track took me on a journey

Funky but overproduced for my taste.

This really brings me back. Super serotonin boost.

Low key good.

Not a lot of variety track to track but groove density is off the charts.

Can't top Janelle.

Oh yeah

All Nico all day please.

In the world of jazz this is the album with which I'm most familiar, because when CD players were new it was one of the first CD my dad got.

I like Graham Parsons, I like this.

I love Lou but this isn't his best work.

I forgot how much I like Pavement.

Some cringeworthy, outdated themes but I do love me some old school hip hop.

Good not great

I heard it enough as a teenager. Didn't need to relive.

So silly. Classic.

Not an album I was familiar with. So Boss!

Roger!

Glad I don't have to listen to*that* again. Yuck.

Good, and it prompted me to hit the archives for Rush's first album. Good choice.

Shut your mouth!

Good groove for working.

Not my style

More Kuti is just what I needed.

Good? I dunno. Sonically interesting but hard to groove to.

I feel like I should enjoy Kendrick but maybe I'm just too stupid.

Best listened to in a dark room.

Oh boy. They're so much fun.

I wanted to like this more than I ended up liking it.

I own this on VINYL! Thanks, Dad!

It slaps.

Hilariously, I had to listen to this on repeat before I came to appreciate it.

I'm a sucker for proto punk.

Classic

Oh yeah super special 80's

fuck out of here this shit is without merit

Are you kidding me? Fundamental.

Glad that's over. Not for Williams.

Calm and sincere. Right up my alley.

I want to go to bed with that voice.

Moody AF.

It rocks but nothing earth shattering.

Nice groove but I don't think it really holds up.

Punky

Oh yeah! Not at all what I was expecting. I could grove to these organ licks all day.

Would have really enjoyed this more if it were just instrumental.

I'm more familiar with their later work. This has all the talent but less silly.

Too much super. Not enough grass.

Solid. I like their silly computer stuff better but they're titans of the genre regardless.

I mostly love Neil.

Not my era of pop but Prince is truly a king.

Psychedelic folk by some of the greatest. Love it.

Gods of folk.

This music is pure serotonin cut with a healthy dose of "as a white cis male is it okay for me to listen to this?"

Oh come on. My childhood!

A little uneven

Oye, como va?

Nothing groundbreaking. Solid background music.

No one can stop us now.

Hard pass. No streaming revenue for bigots.

From which so much has grown.

So shouty!

I dig bossa Nova but am not well versed enough to appreciate.

OMG thank you for reminding me of how awesome Calexico are.

Cohen is wonderful . . . but this album is a little too 80s.

The Original Queen

Cool

Are you kidding me?

Very 90s! Much nostalgia.

I'm not punk enough to love the Kennedys. California Uber Alles speaks to me though.

It slaps

The guitar and synth mix with Iggy's vocals is gold.

No surprise that their first album is generic British psychedelic pop of the era. Trippy!

Oh hell yeah what a cool discovery.

Always solid.

It rocks.

I'm not a huge Neil fan but this is his best and it rocks. Also, he's a great person.

I like some of it but can't enjoy the rougher avant garde noise because I'm old.

Music for knocking boots.

One of my favorites going way back to a cassette mix-tape gifted by my good friend Adrian. <3

The funk soul brother? The funk's so rubber? The funko grubber?

From what I read, Costello is a great song writer. I dunno. Too Gen X for me I guess.

Crank it up!

Wow. I had heard some Faust but didn't really know what they were all about.

All the synth pop one could want.

Chronically underrated . . . But this early stuff IDK.

Spectacular. Quintessential West African Blues.

Cringe. It should be up my alley because I like camp rock (Rocky Horror?) but this is too tryhard and kinda gross.

So good. I'm going to listen to it again right now. And again tomorrow.

I'm not a Sinatra fan but I am a bossa nova fan! Too much girl from ipanema though.

What a groove!

Yeah, I dig techno.

Cool. Maybe too cool for me.

Fun party music. Not totally my jam.

I'll take all the samba.

Too much alt, not enough rock.

Too much butt, not enough rock.

I'm either far too immature to appreciate this or far to mature to to appreciate this. Either way . . . get off my lawn.

Criminally underrated.

Formative, for me.

I'm glad I revisited this. Fucking magnum opus.

Just ok.

I think I like The Residents but I'm not sure I'm cool enough to like The Residents.

Not all my style but I recognize the genius.

Canon

I miss Amy and hope she found happiness.

Cool. Maybe too cool for me.

I was going to say that this is some pretty bland pastiche . . . but then I read that it was recorded 40 years ago and holy fuck this was ahead of its time!

So great but still overrated. :)

I wish I could have been there (but not incarcerated)

Too gen x

Music for crying. Showcases her incredible voice. Not what I need on a sunny day though.

I prolly need to listen a few more times and more carefully to fully appreciate it.

Strangely wonderful.

Smokin' hot

OG rockers. History may not see them fondly but without a doubt, the music rocks.

I like the uptempo stuff better, but all synth is good synth.

I should probably appreciate Rod more.

Reminds me of college. This album is top 20 in the pantheon of left-country.

I hate the fuckin' Eagles!

That photo cracks me up. Great album for cruising on a sunny day.

Goddess. I wish I'd been aware enough to appreciate Phair in the early 90s.

Heroine

Feels like a 1980s movie soundtrack.

I'm not a pop punk devotee but this album stands out.

They should have quit while they were ahead.

Not as cool as Liz Phair.

Hot!

Super talent but the album doesn't hold up. Couldn't get through it.

I wasn't familiar with Masekela. He fits right in with Fela Kuti. Sweet, sweet groves.

Warm feelings

I miss the early 90s. :)

I stan Marc Bolan.

The best kind of throw back.

I love Neil Young and I love some of his music but I only like lots of it.

Ahead of their time but behind our time!

Solid cocaine rock.

IMHO this is the overproduced period of classic rock. Winwood is talented but I'd rather listen to Blind Faith any day.

I always want more Crosby.

So Smithy! I hadn't previously listened to this album. It's great!

Oh yeah!

I wish I could have seen him live.

Feels like it was 1986 but it was 1979? Trendsetters.

Replacement level rock.

Fun but dated.

Pure good vibes

Cool but not memorable.

Spectacular. 10/10 will be replacement for Rimworld soundtrack.

The sound of my youth. Thanks, Mom!

A little too 70s but not in the good way if you know what I mean.

Trying too hard. Talented but not my jam.

Oh fuck yeah. Jack outdylans dylan all over the place. Muy autentico.

The hits stand out starkly but despite some clunkers, Bowie can do no wrong.

Very interesting! Not my fave, but I liked it!

Yes, I am experienced. I have been experienced.

Eh. It's ok.

Not as good as I remembered from car rides with my dad.

Spooky! Not a huge serotonin generator but I love that she's doing what she wants.

My kind of alt rock. And it spurred me to listen to a bunch of other music from the era. Pure nostalgia bliss.

I'd say it's perfect but I listened back to back with the new release where he re-recorded the album doing a duet with his younger self and . . . they're both pretty amazing.

Proto jam band is good.

Funky

RIGHT up my alley! Afro Caribbean music is the best.

Yeah kinda 80s I think? Probably should have listened more closely.

Yess. This is the spare, haunting Cohen I came for.

Cash Rules Everything Around Me.

I didn't grow up with an appreciation for The Boss and still don't quite understand his popularity but I can certainly enjoy his talent and most of his music. The title track was the first song I played for either of my children, because, duh.

The futuristic sound of the 60's, and of psychedelic latin america, is my jam.

Kinda all over the place but . . . very much not bad!

I'll never be a diehard Boss fan but I do like this music.

An iconic part of my childhood, however, Green Day doesn't do it for me.

I'm not sure how to classify this but it's not great.

I don't know what I love about The Velvet Underground but there's something they're doing right.

Top shelf pop.

The harmonies of my youth. How the fuck does someone come up with Suite: Judy Blue Eyes?!? CSN drip with talent.

They're trying too hard. Not my energy level.

Scott-Heron's strength is as a poet. The music on this album is a little too mild for me. On his strength as a poet, however, 10/10.

Some of this is a rough listen. I'm glad to have moved beyond youthful anger.

I think these guys are good but I don't have the ear to appreciate it.

Decent, classic rock.

Genre making

It doesn't get more classic than this.

So prog!

Not all disco sucks!

I know almost every word.

The apex of metal.

I was really only familiar with their work on Saturday Night Fever. The Bee Gees were talented! I love the variety.

Cool funky grooves but also some unwelcome crooning.

This is my disco.

It holds up alright. Some definite bangers in there.

Indy rock needs to be special to shine. This was just okay.

Never too much girl rock. Crow isn't my all time fave but I'd listen again.

I think I like this but it didn't really stick.

Classic beats.

He is as free as he is wheelin'. Early Dylan is the best Dylan.

I like these guys. They're even better with Lucius though!

The music didn't grab me at first but by the end I was bopping my head. It also sent me on a happy rabbit hole of early grunge. The Muses were pioneers!

All of Joni's albums belong in the top 1001. The Hissing of Summer Lawns isn't my favorite of hers but I definitely pull it out once in a while.

Major rock milestone.

Calm indy on a wet Monday morning fuck yeah.

Juvenile lyrics, solid blues!

Oozing talent.

Some good songs but on the whole not my cup of tea.

Okay, I guess.

Roots funk!