Not today Prog Rock, not today. The Battle of Epping Forest has me slightly intrigued. But still, no.

Rating 1. I’m not a huge fan of The Who, but I like songs like Baba O’Riley, behind blue eyes, etc. You know, the hits. When I looked at the track listing for this album I recognize the song ‘I can see for Miles’. I thought I liked that song and so started listening to the album. I liked the idea of mixing advertisements with the music, but the execution fell flat. The first few songs reminded me a little bit of CSN. I gamely listened until the song that I knew came on and expected that to elevate the experience for me. But instead it made me like the song ‘I can see for Miles’ just a little bit less. I kept listening because that’s what this is about, right? Starting with ‘Glitter Girl’ and ‘Melancholia’ , I could recognize what I do like about The Who, which is more forceful guitar playing. However I don’t think I ever need to listen to this album again.

An unobjectionable album. I listened to it while going to sleep.

Seems like it wanted to be a Doors album but fell far short.

When the first song started I thought that it sounded like Rod Stewart. Then I remembered that it was him. I love Jeff’s playing and Rod’s voice so it all worked out!

Over and Over: is OK. The ledge: also just ok. Jangly. Think About Me: the complete FMac package so good. Save Me a Place: I kept waiting for it to go somewhere. Sara; this is the reward for not turning the album off. Makes me excited for what may be next. What makes you Think You’re the One: keeps the momentum going. Storms: very controlled, measured. That’s All for Everyone: has a tamped-down ethereal sound. Simple lyrics. Not that Funny: the energy is back! Sisters of the Moon: the energy changes, the coven is near. Angel: Sara with a little more power. And more voices. That’s Enough for Me: I love Lindsey. The playing, the voice, the tempo. Brown Eyes: I keep waiting for it to rock out but it remains repressed. I thought it might at the end but it didn’t. Never Make Me Cry: solid I Know I’m Not Wrong: straight-ahead beat. Lindsey Honey Hi: Christine with great harmonies Beautiful Child: poignant, pretty. Seems like a precursor to Landslide Walk a Thin Line: simple, a bit plodding Tusk: JACKPOT! Never Forget: a fine song, but a let down after Tusk I’m listening on Spotify and after the original it goes into the remastered versions. Not commenting on those, but all the power and ‘rock out-ness’ I wished for on the original was there.

1. I like it. A little sonic, still melodic. 2. I really like this one. 3. This one I have always liked. I think of myself as someone who doesn’t like Radiohead but the first three songs have proven me wrong. Let’s see what comes next. 4. Oh damn, I may be a Radiohead fan. I do love the Fake Plastic Trees. 5. Maybe it’s the Kid A-OK Computer Radiohead I don’t like because this has been a delightful experience so far. 6. A bit repetitive but still good. A bit of the experimental feedback-y stuff near the end that I associate with them (rightly or wrongly, who knows because I am certainly not a reliable narrator!). 7. And the rest… This is a great album. I need to go back in time to see them at someplace like the North Star and enjoy them while they were good!

I didn’t know the Doves until now. The album is OK. If it was being played somewhere I wouldn’t turn it off. Not sure I’d go looking for it either but I do think I may listen to it again sometime. … if it’s being played somewhere by somebody else. I read in one of the reviews of this album that the band was up for a Mercury Prize in 2002. According to an article in the Guardian “ the Mercury music prize…is perceived as the "eclectic album of the year award". If by eclectic they mean uneven ^^^then , OK, I agree with that. If they mean interesting then not so much. ^^^The musical interlude(Where We’re Calling From) and the song unlike the rest (Friday’s Dust). I think those are the ones. I listened to this over three days, which says something about how compelling it was(n’t). I found out that Ms Dynamite won the prize that year. I don’t know who that is either. I am tempted to listen to some of her/their/his music but I won’t now, just in case that album comes up later in this 1001 albums journey. *Fun fact: ‘Heathen’ by David Bowie was also up for the same prize that year.

I loved it then. I love it now. That is all.

Nope. I listened to the song Winter in America on Spotify. Couldn’t find the album. Review of the song: Jazz and a lecture. Found the album on YouTube and listened while driving and running errands. Because it was on YouTube I had no idea what song was what, and a few times it skipped to a totally different album. I did my best. This album gets a 5/5 for difficulty of listening! I didn’t like the electric piano/organ or the Pan-flute(?). Didn’t care about the song for Bobby and wasn’t moved by the one about first love or the one about domestic discord. At the end there was a poem about Watergate that was interesting…. Mildly. It name checked Frank Rizzo. I’m sure it was sensational at the time. I would have liked a lot of the songs more if there were no words.

I know Nick Cave a little but this is the first album I’ve listened to. Very distinctive voice and style. Although ‘Let the Bells Ring’ sounds a bit like Looking Glass. The song Spell would be a good mix with ‘Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon’ either Urge Overkill or Neil Diamond’s version. So maybe not as distinctive as previously stated. Album a bit Halloween-y without being overly maudlin. The refrain (the singing, not the words) in Abbatoir Blues sounds downright cheerful. Hiding All Away is really good. Some songs went a little too long, as did the album.

A bunch of years ago a casual acquaintance was talking about how good this band was. They were so enthusiastic about them that, when asked, I agreed that they were good. I never listened to them until today. It turns out I wasn’t lying. I would play this album on purpose and if the 1001 albums ever end I may even investigate more of their stuff. I got a Beck vibe from some of the songs, starting with Crying. I really like Heroic Dose. And the song with the line about getting so high that their face melts off. I think it’s Lovers Day.

Excellent driving music. The song Love me like a Reptile has a line that goes ‘shock you like an electric eel’. And the band MGMT has a song called Electric Feel. Listen to it. Coincidence? I had planned to write derisive things about this album, like how all the songs sound the same and the lyrics aren’t very inspired. But I just realized that those things are OK because all that matters is the unrelenting beat. Is it the drums, the bass, the guitar? Or all of them? *My brother (limpbizkit…) just informed me it’s the bass. And then talked a lot about Lemmy. I won’t steal that info for my review but he said interesting things so I hope he reviews this album.* It is short. But that doesn’t matter because you can always just play it again. Optimally, while driving fast.

Sounds like the 80s are back on this one. I usually think of Duran Duran, but one of the songs started out a bit like The Smiths. Killers songs brighter and poppier than the influences. Front-loaded with hits, very weak end. The beginning of ‘Jenny was a Friend of Mine’ reminds me of ‘Friends of Mine’ by Duran Duran. I enjoy both songs. “Somebody told me you had a boyfriend who looked like a girlfriend that I had in February of last year” is a lyric I always have to think about a little bit before I figure out what he’s saying. Kind of a musical word problem. I have no idea what “…I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier” is supposed to mean but it’s fun to sing.

No inclination to organize listening notes into anything more. Deceptacon - fun, summer vibe. Hot Topic - swingy and still fun. Until the name checking at the end. The one about John Cassavetes was where it took a turn for the worse. And the barking didn’t help. Made me want to listen to ‘Pepper’ or ‘People Who Died’. Just to cleanse my palate. Then came ‘The the Empty’ - no. No. NO. It hurt my ears. Phanta - OK. Thinking about Missing Persons… or maybe the Waitresses Eau de…. OK Let’s Run. I like this one My My Metrocard- great for the first few seconds before the vocals started. Friendship Station - this one is good. Melody, beat, no ear-bleeding inducing vocal. Slideshow - ‘Sunscreen’ anyone? Dude - random words. Why? Les and Ray - why save this perfectly nice song until last? If I hadn’t committed to listening to this album for this project I never would have heard it because I would have stoped listening at ‘The the Empty’.

I can’t name any Wu-Tang songs and, before today, couldn’t name any by Method Man. In 1994 I was busy scamming Columbia House for $.01 Nirvana, STP and Green Day CDs. The music seems familiar, though, and I like it. I noticed some similarities between the sounds/techniques used here and those used on Reggae radio stations (like on WKDU’s program Jam City Rock). I don’t have the vocabulary to express exactly what it is, but I think I’ll keep digging into it. I was asking my brother about it today and, after listening to my incoherent explanation of what I meant he threw back a bunch of words. Dubstep was one of them. I read on Wikipedia that dubstep started(or at least the term Dubstep) in the early 2000s in London. and the sound I’m thinking of (but can’t explain) goes back to at least the early 90s. So maybe I’m hearing part of the evolution? Dub/hip-hop/reggae? Sometimes the internet is not as helpful as I want it to be. If any of you have any idea at all what I’m trying to get at, please let me know. If not just ignore my rambling. This album gets a 5 for occupying all my spare thoughts today. But probably less for actual quality.

Less melodic and more atmospheric than The Bends. But still better than I remember. Especially good rainy day music.

Great musicianship. I still love the songs from this album that were released as singles. I think whoever was in charge picked the right ones. Except TV Dinners - I liked the B-side much more (Cheap Sunglasses) The rest of the songs weren’t bad, but didn’t make me feel like I missed anything. Fun fact: Billy Gibbons was on the show ‘Bones’ as one of the main character’s bad-ass guitar-playing dad. The song ‘Thug’ had an Eagles vibe. And brought to mind the theme from Seinfeld. I also am sorry I gave OK Computer 3 stars. It deserves 4. Karma Police has been in my head all weekend.

Her talent is undeniable. The production on this album is not. I’m not sure what it was exactly, but it seemed like the album should have been better. Tighter, more lush…something. Mark Ronson would have known what to do. I enjoyed ‘F*** Me Pumps’.

I think it’s a nearly perfect album. What keeps it from being that for me is the instrumental. And that’s just nitpicking. Everybody Hurts is one of my favorite songs.

Garage/Indie/Alt rock. I like the guitars. And maybe the cello (?). Afghan Whigs sound like somebody else. The name is on the tip of my tongue and I just can’t think of who it is. Although I know of the Afghan Whigs, I couldn’t name any songs or albums before today. I may have heard ‘Debonair’ before. It seems to me that the band was either in a movie playing themselves or was on some soundtrack in the early 90s. Reality Bites or Singles come to mind. I just looked it up and they did play as a band in some movie I didn’t see and they were on the soundtrack of the movie Beautiful Girls. I like the first few songs but the interesting instrumental parts start with Be Sweet. Be Sweet - Guitar reverb/feedback is cool When We Two Parted - guitar sounds. Is it a Wah wah pedal? Is this what it means to make a guitar weep? Or is it a cello? The line about the person who hurts you being the only one that can make them feel better is very psychopath-y. My Curse - is it a different singer? (I just looked it up and yes it is) I Keep Coming Back - the beginning has the same kind of vibe as ‘The Night We Met’ by Lord Huron I just genuinely liked it all. Found out that it is an album about the end of a relationship. According to Pitchfork, it’s ‘A harrowing song cycle chronicling the death throes of a relationship ‘. I will have to listen to it again knowing that - someday.

This is not an album to be analyzed. This is one to turn up loud, sing along, and remember how fun college parties were with warm beer and sweaty people oozing pheromones and freedom.

Even if you don’t think you know the Beach Boys, you know The Beach Boys. This album sounds like teenaged angst wrapped in California sunshine. I am having a hard time talking about this album without thinking about everything else that they have done so I will just say that, except for the part about them talking about hamburgers and French fries, it was very good. I listened to this album today with my 16 year-old niece.* After it was over we listened to quite a few One Direction songs (2 1/2 hr drive from Sleepy Hollow, NY, to Philadelphia) and we were talking about how the video for their song ‘Kiss You’ was influenced by The Beach Boys. * I invited Brave to join our listening group so we may get some GenZ-based reviews soon! Final note: I can’t get the song Brian Wilson by the Barenaked Ladies out of my head right now and I’m not mad about it!

REM has a signature sound and Michael Stipe has a unique voice. There is no song I’ve heard by them that I would mistake for another band. A lot of their songs are similar but not the same. I’m not their biggest fan but I like them well enough. The songs ‘It’s the End of the World..’ and ‘This One Goes…’ are ingrained in my memory because of constant airplay at the time and occasionally even now. Here are some thoughts on other songs on the album: I like the guitars in Exhuming McCarthy Strange - Solid. If you’re going to name a song after Lightnin’ Hopkins it should be better. Much better. King of Birds - My favorite on the album. Odd fellows Local - Love the rhythm of the drums and bass. Second favorite song.

The album was good and the last two songs were better, especially the Joni Mitchell cover. Her voice goes well with understated arrangements, but when the music opens up it gives it an extra dimension. I think she is probably great live. And I’m glad someone finally wrote a song about chemtrails!

I like my socioeconomic/political commentary with a beat. My favorite thing about this listening project so far is getting to hear things I wouldn’t necessarily choose. I was never a big hip hop fan and that hasn’t changed, but I am glad to have heard this album. I didn’t realize DHOH was Michael Franti’s band. If the song H2O-Gate Blues on the Gil Scott Heron album had better music I might have liked it more. And if anyone cares about my rant from the Tical album, some reggae radio stations just mix hip hop with reggae. Question answered.

This album makes me want to be a cooler person.

I could hear The Who becoming more of The Who that they would become. This sounds trite when written out, but I stand by it. The beginning of the album sounded to me like a lot of other British invasion bands of the same era including The Beatles. After I had that thought I listened to Revolver, which came out the same year as this album and it was not the same at all. But I will leave that to talk about for when Revolver is our album of the day. Sneak preview- it is great. So for anyone who is offended, this does not sound anything like anything the Beatles ever did. I listened to this album (the mono version) in the car today with my nephew Max (Brave’s twin brother), who does not like music played loudly. So besides the songs ‘My Generation’ and ‘ The kids are all right’ I don’t remember which song was which and because I couldn’t listen to it very loud (and I had to pay attention to traffic) i wasn’t fully involved. I do remember that there was one very blues-y song and one that reminded me of the Old 97’s.

I wonder what Tommy and Gina are up to these days?

She has a great voice, but I found this album super boring. The ‘Tina Taught Me’ interlude was interesting.

The album was short but the songs were long. I don’t really like the ‘jam band’ genre, but these funky jams were better than Phish.

‘Just My Imagination’ had a harp. And seemed to be ripped off from The Temptations. ‘If You Think You’re Lonely Now’ was good. Nothing great, nothing horrible. I prefer my smooth jazz/R &B to be sung by George Benson. The last few albums make me feel like the mean judge on American Idol (Simon Cowell). I wish I knew what his catchphrase was, if he had one.

Ah, Swamp Rock. I like it. This album makes me think of ‘Nam. Or at least movies about it. There are a few songs on here that have, I think, seeped into the collective consciousness of a few generations, both the John Fogerty-penned songs and the covers.

When I saw that this was the album for today I thought that either I was going to be really happy or really disappointed. There was a bit of both. When the first song started I was immediately disappointed because it wasn’t as good as I remembered it being. Rockafeller Skank was as fun as ever. In Heaven repeated fucking about a million times too many. Then came Ganster Trippin. From that song on my sensibilities shifted and I was happy. Except for Kalifornia. That was annoying. The thing that made me happiest was remembering that Norman Cook used to have a group called Beats International and my roommates and I listened to the album (cassette) Let Them Eat Bingo a lot in 1990. It still holds up. I was also thinking about how I say I don’t like jam bands but this seems to be an electronic jam record. And jazz has lots of jamming going on. So I guess I just don’t like the Grateful Dead and Phish.

I am OK with the deaf dumb and blind kid playing pinball, but I am not OK with all of the familial abuse suffered by poor Tommy. I’d like to go back to before I listened to this. I will stick with the radio edits that came from this album and attempt to forget the rest. I guess because it was the first rock opera it should be on this list of albums to listen to before I die but I really wish it wasn’t. I hope Jesus Christ Superstar is also on this list.

The music is good. The singer is annoying and some of the lyrics are problematic (For the Love of Ivy).

I didn’t listen to this band in 1985 because they weren’t in the Top 40 or in heavy rotation on MTV. I watched a lot of MTV and don’t remember them being played at all. Later on, when I did hear about them it was from a friend who was super pretentious and so I didn’t listen to them on principle. I like them. Sometimes a bit too much feedback but mostly a good balance of dissonance and melody. Also, I thought they were from Lancaster, PA. When looking them up today to verify that, I learned that they are not. They are Scottish and their genre was called Shoegazing. That’s a new one for me. The beginning of Sowing Seeds sounds like the beginning of Concrete Blonde’s Joey. I really like the band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and one of the reviews I read said that Jesus and Mary Chain was an influence on them, so thanks JAMC. Lastly, do you think it is possible that they meant to put Jesus Christ Superstar on this list instead of the Jesus and Mary Chain?

When I was really young, my dad sang American Pie around the house. The first time I heard it on the radio I was incredulous about how his song ended up there! Nostalgic 5. Otherwise, earnest man telling stories well.

30 years later and I still don’t understand Flavor Flav’s giant clock necklace. To be fair, I have never really looked into it. And he is a great hype man. I spent quite a bit of time thinking about the word Nigger. About how it is a horrible word and shouldn’t be said. About how it has been taken back by Black people and used as a representation of power. And about how that is all well and good but if you are going to put it in a song that millions of people listen to you shouldn’t be surprised or angry if that word gets said/sung/shouted by non-black people. I don’t know if any of the members of public enemy have expressed anger over this, maybe I am just thinking about Jay Z. It is quite the conundrum. The album was solid. I would’ve thought that It Takes a Nation… (Rebel Without a Pause) or even Fear of a Black Planet (911 is a Joke) would have been the PE album chosen, but as I have not investigated all of the albums that are on this list they very well may be on there, too!

I liked Rumba Mama. Otherwise, no thank you. I looked the band up and they’re really important in jazz circles. And that Rumba Mama was a live version. So while I will never listen to their studio recordings, I would probably have enjoyed them in Montreaux. The album title is the same as a song by Cousteau, a band I like very much. Now I’m listening to them.

This is not for me. I liked bits of some songs but not all of any song. The closest was Monster. Disjointed and distracting. I’ve never heard this album (or group) before and heard nothing that compels me to listen again.

It’s a hard album to listen to at times. I think that’s the point.

From the first sound of the organ/synth to the last note of Purple Rain, it was a wonderful journey!

Is Brian Eno the first artist to fool around with sonic landscapes? I don’t know. Do I enjoy sonic landscapes? Sometimes. I’m glad I got to listen to this album twice. It was OK the first time, but I appreciated it more the second time. I don’t often have the luxury of listening to our daily album more than once, which I think is a shame because, unless something really strikes chord, I am more likely to give it a lower rating. Julie With and Down by the River we’re my favorite songs on this record.

Not perfect, but great. I think the concept that was promised went a bit off track, but it was a fun ride. I always forget how much I like Moonage Daydream. I really want to give it a 5, but my finger tapped the 4th star and that seems right.

This album is very evocative of a specific time and place. Very Laurel Canyon. I wish I lived in the Hollywood Hills in the late 60s. I imagine the Byrds, the Mamas and the Papas, The Beach Boys, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, etc. hanging out, getting stoned and making music. I would hope to avoid the Manson Family, though.

This is one of the few live albums that works.

From ‘School’s Out’ (the harbinger of freedom throughout my school years) to the jazzy ‘Blue Turk’, this was an enjoyable listen. I didn’t expect the West Side Story interlude. My Stars went on a bit too long. Public Animal #9 is a catchy tune. Hey hey hey. Alma Mater is a bit Led Zeppelinesque. Until the banter. I wonder if school marching bands play The Grande Finale?

Heavy metal is what I would’ve said if you had asked me what genre of music iron maiden was yesterday. I still agree with that today but after listening I now have to include hints of speed metal, punk/Post punk, and (horror of horrors) progressive rock. I say horror of horrors, because I do not consider myself a fan of progressive rock. I also am not really sure what progressive rock is, except that I know it is called Prog rock, and I do not like that term at all. (And no, I am not going to learn anymore about Prog Rock right now for fear I might like more of it.) I only learned that they are considered progressive because I looked at a review to make sure that I wasn’t totally missing the mark when I detected the hints of speed and punk. Putting my hangups aside, I thought it was a fine album. I did not mind the instrumental Transylvania, and became invested in Charlotte the harlot. Remember Tomorrow was my fave. And kudos to them for existing so that Wheatus could talk about them in Teenage Dirtbag and then One Direction could do a fantastic cover of it.

I enjoyed this music very much back in the days of late nights and questionable activities. Solid electronica. Please refer to Andy’s review of ‘Rockafeller Skank’. I feel it’s appropriate here. I saw them in the early 2000s and remember it being a good time.

Trippy dippy 1960s psychedelia. Probably music being played in places other than my imagined barbecue in Laurel Canyon. Reminds me of other bands, but I can’t quite think who off the top of my head. Maybe the Moody Blues (days of future passed). Maybe the Doors, Beatles? Some lyrics that struck me: ‘A house is not a motel’ …and the water’s turned to blood…go turn on your tub and it’s mixed with mud ‘The daily planet’ … plastic Nancy she ‘s so fancy… ‘Live and let live’ …The snot has caked against my pants. Summer in the summer is different than the other songs ‘You Set the Scene’. …There’s a chicken in my nest and she won’t lay until I’ve given her my best. The next song that Spotify chose to play after this album was from the Beatles’ album Revolver. Hmmm? The only song that that I definitely had heard before was the first one, ‘Alone Again Or’ but the rest of the album was both really familiar and foreign at the same time. I wholly enjoyed listening to this. Once.

I was familiar with the song Connection and am happy that the rest of the album is as enjoyable.

Willie’s distinctive voice, combined with the spare, simple arrangements were put to good use in the telling of the tale of the red headed stranger. I’m not sure I liked it, but I appreciate it.

Is that a harmonica on The Wizard? I don’t associate harmonica with heavy metal, but here it is. It was interesting to learn about the modifications Tommy made so that he could play guitar. I guess heavy metal would sound a bit different if he had all his fingers. The fact that this record was done in basically one take is impressive.

This was a pleasant surprise. Listening to the jangly guitar transformed a foggy afternoon from gloomy to hopeful. Even the song about famine (I Have No Time) was jaunty. The mood turned dark by Needle of Death. Why was this song not in Trainspotting? The tune belies the words in Do You Hear Me Now? The skies darkened as his songs did the same. My enjoyment persisted. Jangly chords and mournful lyrics. A perfect meeting of the right record at the right time for me. Mission accomplished, book. This WAS an album I needed to hear.

Love the band, love the album.

The song Victoria holds up and the Churchill song stood out. The rest of the album was unremarkable.

Masterful, dynamic and engaging - yes. An album I needed to hear before I die - no. After I listened to it I read about the album and artist. He deserves all the stars for his skills and playing this concert on a sub-par instrument. And for doing it while in pain and wearing a back brace.

I wish the river boat from the Karma Chameleon video was real. The album is more R&B/soul than I realized at the time. Real piano, instead of just synthesizers. Also appreciated the horns and backing vocals.

I like this but I’m not sure how much is genuine and how much is pretension.* Probably about 80/20. Things I thought of while listening to this album: The I Dream of Jeannie theme song, the Bewitched theme song, the show Mad Men, film noir, flamenco music and the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley. * to be clear, it is myself I am trying to impress. I’m trying to be cool enough for this music.

This music was not pleasing to my ears.

Nile Rodgers rules. And the album would get a 5/5 for ‘Good Times’ alone. But the fact that so many great songs came from it, like Rapper’s Delight and Rapture makes me want to give it a 6.

Rockabilly pirate post-punk music. I like it a lot!

I am a huge Wilco fan. This album is not my favorite Wilco album (Summerteeth). Nor does it include my favorite Wilco song (Casino Queen) But it is still a Wilco album. When Jay Bennet was there and they were all kinds of messed up. Good times. Simply put, I love all the Wilco music up to and including Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Everything after that is enjoyed at various levels. Some being not at all. Being There is a bit too long. And all of the songs on this album sound 100 times better when played live. The Lonely 1 is a plaintive song about a fan. Makes me think of the Carpenters’ Superstar. Also, kind of like a Sesame Street version of Eminem’s Stan. Red Eyed and Blue has a cool whistling part that I can sometimes do. I will happily sit with any of you and discuss Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt (and any side projects) ad nauseam. If I remember correctly, Wilco opened for Sheryl Crow at the Mann in support of this album. I do remember that Jeff wore Khaki pants and a light blue Oxford shirt and it made me sad. Uncle Tupelo was truly gone.

Based on other bands I listen to I should love this band. I should know all their songs and their history and have seen them live. But I don’t. And I haven’t. I know the names Black Francis and Kim Deal. I recognize and like a few of their songs but that’s as far as my relationship with the Pixies has gotten. I liked the songs sung by Kim more than the ones by Frank.

I played this album at a dinner party on Christmas Eve and it was a big hit. Classic Christmas songs in truePhil Spector style.

The concept for this album was interesting and the execution was fantastic. I heard that tensions ran high between Billy Bragg and Wilco while making this but they all must be happy with how it turned out. Some songs are somber and mournful, some are raucous and bawdy and then there is the glorious cacophony of Hoodoo Voodoo. These are songs that seem like they would be played at a hootenanny. One that I would be happy to attend. Natalie and Billy singing on Way Over yonder in the Minor Key is beautiful.

Heroin beach funk. Great musicianship all around.

The song structure is similar on many of the tunes in this album with enough differences to keep me interested. Spoonman, Black Days and Black Hole Sun are most familiar to me. I also really like the song Head Down. It has a trippier kind of vibe than the others.

Not today Prog Rock, not today. The Battle of Epping Forest has me slightly intrigued. But still, no.

Tom is a strange man with a voice that hurts. I like his music a lot. And also his acting gigs. ‘Tom Traubert’s Blues’ is my favorite TW song. Not on this album. I was trying to remember where I heard it first and finally remembered it was on the Basquiat soundtrack. Then when I was looking it up to verify, I learned that Tom met Jim Jarmusch at a party for (or held by) Basquiat. I like the bluesy/jazzy style of this album. The songs with the strings/horns feel warmer than those without them. I did not know that he was the composer and original singer of Jersey Girl! ‘Don’t you know there ain’t no devil that’s just God when he’s drunk’ is such a good lyric - Heart attack and vine ‘How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porch light on?’ - Mr. Siegel is my favorite in this album. Tied with Jersey Girl.

I have no strong feelings about this album except the long weird Murder Mystery. I am not a fan of that song.

Lovefool is a fantastic pop song. The rest of the album was easy to listen to. I enjoyed Iron Man, as it was a bit different than the other songs. Definitely not a ‘must hear’ album.

I have loved the song Kingdom of Rain (not on this album) since I first heard it in the early 90s but never explored the band further. And I think I knew at one point that Sinead O’Connor sang on that song, but today I was pleasantly reminded. I started listening to the album this morning without paying very much attention to it but was drawn in by the big sounds and interesting lyrics. I then did some googling and watched all of the videos for this album and I think that today will not be the last day that I listen to The The. I learned a lot of interesting things about this album and the band today, but that can all be read on Wikipedia. The one thing that stood out was that there were, I think, 61 instruments played. Similar sounds: Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, Wall of Voodoo and Morphine

It was all fine. I like the mix of rock and hip-hop on Rock Box. I was going to say that this is an example of making urban music palatable in the heartland, then I read some review that called this music hard. So what do I know!

I first heard ‘There She Goes’ while watching the movie ‘So I Married an Ax Murderer’ in 1993. Thought it was great. Moved on with my life. Then a few years later my great friend Marianne reintroduced me to the band. I borrowed the CD from her and did not want to give it back. Eventually I did after many requests and gentle threats. All of the songs are my favorites!

This was an easy listen. Bluesy rock tunes with story lyrics. ‘You’re So Rude’ is a bit Hedwig-esque. ‘Stay With Me’ is as familiar as a well-worn pair of shoes.

She was God in ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ and it was a well-deserved role. She is fantastic. I just checked on Wikipedia to make sure she’s still alive and she is.

The only thing I know about East Coast versus West Coast is that Tupac was West Coast, biggie was East Coast and they were both shot. If I delved into the meaning behind the beef I might find the lyrics on this album interesting. But I haven’t done it so far and have no plans to do so in the future. So while I don’t dislike this music, it does not resonate with me and is definitely not something that I needed to hear. And I know the names Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. but I have never heard of Jeru the Damaja before today and will not care tomorrow. I like the track Mental Stamina.

There’s a lot going on here. Funk, jazz, hip-hop, rap, punk. It’s a bit much. Sabotage is a great song. So is Sure Shot.

Is the title pronounced Closer or Closer? I think it is closer, as in end. The mausoleum on the cover was my clue. And the fact that the lead singer offed himself. This sounds like it should be played at a funeral after party in a loft in a warehouse down by the docks. Maybe it was. Ian’s voice paired well with the sterile post-punk/pre-industrial arrangements.

I don’t like his voice.

I remain ambivalent about the Talking Heads. I know their hits and don’t dislike them. I have never owned any of their albums and haven’t felt like I missed anything. The music grew on me. By the time ‘Artists Only’ played I think I had Stockholm Syndrome. But a little David Byrne goes a long way.

Before today I only knew one of their songs, ‘Daft Punk is playing at my house’. I really like that song and I always think of it as being very meta-. I’m not actually sure what Meta is so I may be wrong and now I’m thinking of poor Alanis and all of the unironic things she thought were ironic! And that song isn’t on this record anyway so pardon my tangent. This album is delightful. I heard influences of The Strokes, The Killers and even New Order. The music was good, some lyrics were clever and I will definitely listen to this again.

I don’t like his voice. I get that he’s a great musician and songwriter, but my hands are tied when i can’t get past the voice. And there was a LOT of harmonica, which just made my headache worse. I did persevere and noticed that the timbre of his voice changed a bit on the plugged in tunes. A bit more palatable but not much.

Some songs come very close to being too annoying, but mostly succeeds as Fun party music. I love Kate Pierson’s voice. Didn’t like the Petula Clark cover very much.

This album contains the garage band, indie sound I so loved in the 90s. It’s a record that, if I had heard it then, would probably be an old favorite. Having heard it only once, i would probably rate the experience at a 2 with hopes of it becoming a 4 after repeated listens. But I don’t have time for all that now so a 3 it is.

I love the vibe of this album. Great for a road-trip in the barren landscape of the American Southwest. I would shuffle this album with some Eagles, Santana and Fleetwood Mac. Neil Young does not have the best voice and if his singing was water in a bucket there would be quite a bit of spillage., but he is pleasant to listen to nonetheless.

The spare arrangements complement her powerful voice on this bunch of torch songs. Fantastic.

There are one or two songs on this record that I don’t care for, but that is more than made up for by how much I love all of the other songs! One of my favorite lyrics ‘Like a liar at a witch trial, you look good for your age’ - Plump

Perfectly nice.

She’s a great lyricist. I was interested in almost all of the stories told in these songs. Standouts include ‘Willow’, ‘No body no crime’ (ah, HAIM), ‘Cowboy Like Me’ (with Marcus Mumford), and ‘Coney Island’ with The National. I’m not fond of the song with BonIver on this album, although I love the song ‘Exile’ that he sings on in her Folklore album. I thought the mixture of musical styles in Closure didn’t work. And the songs with girls’ names were not my favorites.

I did not need to hear this album.

The first song sounds like an infomercial. Till Your Well Runs Dry is my favorite song on the album.

The music is benign but the lyrics ruined it for me.

there are most definitely better singers and better arrangements of all of these songs, but that doesn’t lessen my enjoyment of listening to Ol’ Blue Eyes

I really love the beginning of Foolin’. Also, Photograph, Too Late for Love and Rock of Ages are seared into my memory because of MTV.

The singer’s voice gets on my nerves - is it an accent, an affectation? The music, the speed, the volume, is fantastic. I really like the genre and if I had time, I would probably investigate this band more.

There was nothing on this album that stood out. It isn’t bad, it’s just not memorable. I’m going to listen to Bittersweet Symphony now. That gets 5 stars!

This was a favorite when it came out. Still is.

Intro sounded really familiar, but if I heard it before I didn’t know who it was. The more I listen, the more I like it. Very chill beach music.

I listened to the first song and thought that this was not going to be a good album. Then the second song gave me hope. And that’s how the rest of the album continued, they were highs and there were lows. The highs were never fives and lows were never ones. Some of the lyrics were just plain bad, but it’s still David Bowie.

Her songs evoke memories of windswept English moors I’ve never seen and Victorian carnivals I’ve never been to. There are a few of her songs that I would give a five, but none of them are on this album.

I was ready to turn this album off during the first song. I didn’t. The rest of the album was slightly better and I liked the last song, but I definitely didn’t need to hear it.

Tiger Mountain peasant song starts out like Led Zeppelin. Meadowlarks was a little bit like Simon and Garfunkel looking for America The song before meadowlarks was a bit Fleetwood Mac esque Blue Ridge Mountains was a bit Crosby stills, Nash and Young ish

The only criticism I have is that most of the songs go on a little too long.

This is a gem of a record. Quiet and subtle, it begs to be listened to with full attention.

I probably would have enjoyed this when I was in my 20s and high and drunk at a club, but I also think that most of the credit would go to the drugs and the drink, not LRD. I don’t even want to read any reviews on why this deserves to be in the1001 albums list. I just want it to go away. Until I got to Mdc Vendredi. Either the songs have gotten better or I have become a slave to the rhythm and succumbed to Stockholm syndrome. That still doesn’t get it more than two stars.

America is one of my favorite songs ever and Mrs. Robinson is a classic. The album as a whole was disappointing. It didn’t really seem to flow and the peace with the old people talking was creepy.

Terrific!

When Little Red Corvette was popular I knew it had something to do with sex but didn’t know exactly what. I was pretty naive at 14. I thought I’d have a hard time deciding whether to rate this album a 4 or a 5 but it turns out that, as much as I like a bunch of the songs, the album falls a bit short.

Meh. Besides Psycho Killer, there was nothing memorable for me.

I first heard this band in college. I didn’t really like them and couldn’t understand their lyrics at first, but after a while I grew to appreciate them. I love the fast guitars.

Come for the rock, stay for the blues.

I was always ambivalent about Bruce until I saw him in concert. Someone gave me tix to see him when he toured for his 50th birthday. I wasn’t excited to go but they were really good tickets, and a gift, so I went. The show was fantastic and I gained a new appreciation for him. It was very confusing to hear all of his ‘fans’ booing him during the concert…until I realized that they were just chanting ‘Bruce’. I’ll never be a super fan, but I will always attend a show of his if given free tickets!

I can’t figure out why I don’t like The Black Keys but I don’t. Even as I listened to this album and enjoyed it I still don’t like them. I think Jack White may have something to do with my opinion of them but I’m not sure what. These are two things I was thinking of while listening to this album: 1: There was an episode of the show Friends where Phoebe was mad at Ross. She couldn’t say why and after a while figured out it was because of something he did in a dream. 2: I dated a guy once who was perfect on paper but there was just no chemistry.

I haven’t done any investigation into this, but it sounded like someone besides, Steven. Tyler was singing lead on some of the songs. Besides the two hits from this record, I liked the song Uncle Salty. The rest sounded like a band finding its sound. The song big 10 inch record was a little too tongue-in-cheek.

Definitely did not need to hear.

I love this album. In spite of the instrumentals that were thrown in to fill time(?). And, while I like Moonlight Sonata (and played it for my first piano recital), I’m not sure why it’s on here. Is it Music for the Masses as in all of the people or is it Music for the Masses as in church? Some of the music on this album seems like it could play played in a church that turns into a nightclub after services are over.

They were hints of the doors, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin. And for some reason during the first few songs, I kept thinking of Kris Kristofferson’s song. Sunday morning coming down. I do not hate this album. I actually kinda like it. All the songs go on way too long, but other than that I must say what a long, strange trip it’s been Sing a song for you was a bit Elvis-y

A little grindcore goes a long way. I admire the drumming.

I love this album in all its messy glory. I would have watched the film tonight except I didn’t have any pot and it really should be watched while high.

I am not fond of this album. I do like Mansion on the Hill, though. During the song Farmer Hohn I kept thinking about champagne eyes, wondering if they would look really cool or really creepy.