1001 Albums Summary

Won't do the Dylan albums. Can't stand him.

This is a great album. Some fantastic music by some great musicians and some great melodies. No filler and some serious all time hits.

First time listen, nothing screaming out to me which suggests another listen would be required. It seems like it's just 'on' and not much else. Maybe the decades haven't been kind to it?

Definitely more than just the well known singles and a clear reason why Depeche Mode became as big as they did. Hard to believe they're the same band who made I just can't get enough. A good listen.

I've never liked Dylan. His voice grates on me. He might be a great poet but I just can't hear what a lot of other people do. This is one of the more famous albums and it has songs like blowin in the wind and a hard rain's a gonna fall on but I just couldn't get into it. A hard listen for me and I sometimes wish I could get more from Dylan as the people that love him, really love him.

Very much of its time but to have so many self written songs was unusual in that era. As an album it's not bad but to think 3 years after this, the Beatles would release Revolver. How quickly pop music became art with the Beatles certainly heavily involved in that.

Not a bad album and certainly more than just the hits. A few different genres which I wasn't expecting too.

Interesting album, very much of its time but I fairly enjoyable listen. Lots of short tunes which was typical of the time and includes the standard psychedelic inspired track.

Not a bad listen. Singles are obviously incredibly well known but the rest of the content was surprisingly good.

Absolutely not my thing at all but not unlistenable. Enjoyed hearing something a bit different even if I wouldn't go back to it.

Rush aren't a band I was familiar with musically. I know them and their rep for being excellent musicians. Listening to this album confirms that at least. I found it much more accessible than I had expected too. Certainly worth a listen and probably quite a good jumping off point for getting into their catalogue.

What a voice and a great live album. Doesn't have his better known songs on it either. Worth a listen as it sounds like it was recorded in a tiny club with a great crowd.

This was fine. Good singer and some interesting songs but I don't think I'd return to it.

First half is reasonably good. The instrumentals on the second half don't interest me as much. I suspect the majority of the Berlin trilogy might not be for me outside the 'hits'.

In my top 10 albums of all time. Amazing from start to finish. An incredible voice and musician who is, in my opinion, at the peak of her powers. Plenty has been written about this album and it really is as good as is claimed.

We've all heard this and it's a truly great album from start to finish. A rare occasion where there isn't a single weak song on the album. I've heard it hundreds of times but I'll probably put it on again anyway.

A band to be respected but just not much on here that did anything for me.

A enjoyed this. A vocal style I enjoyed and some interesting lyrics which made this an interesting listen. Worth checking out.

Something I heard when it first came out. Some big hits on here and Hey Ya! is a song which is pretty ubiquitous. Outkast are a group who get a huge amount of respect and deservedly so.

This was a weird listen. It sounded nice and well produced but it was 22 songs of what seemed like almost the exact same song 22 times. Didn't do much for me at all.

Really good and certainly operatic. Sounds like I imagine teenage life in America during a certain period sounds like. Brilliantly produced and Meat has some voice!

Can't deny the musicianship on display here but didn't do much for me. Definitely prefer when there are some vocals to go along with the music though. Found the instrumentals a bit of a slog.

Great album. Amazing what you can do in 35 minutes.

This was a fairly good listen. Enjoyed it. Singles are all great. Liked the interpolations of Jet etc. in Picasso. Worth a listen.

A good listen and a good example of what I think country music started as. A lot of people seem to get shot.

This was ok but the only thing on it I've listened to it again and again is the title track. Not sure I get the hype with them to be honest.

The songs don't blow me away so much but I do like his voice. The Killing Moon is a great song.

Didn't enjoy this and I hoped that I would. A band who have passed me by. The term noise rock seemed pretty accurate. Not for me.

Seldom seen kid, the song is great. Awesome riff but the rest of this album is a bit samey. Feel like one day like this is ubiquitous in the UK as a song over a montage or an advert. Very easy to be absolutely sick of.

Enjoyed this album. They're a great band but this wasn't one I was as familiar with. Thought the sax bits on fireplace were a cool addition as well.

Good album with some great tracks. Always loved thin line and what's golden. First album is still better but J5 are good overall.

A band I could never get into beyond the singles and this doesn't change that at all.

Some great Christmas songs on here. What's not to like.

Liked this album. Some good tunes on it and there's no doubt that Knopfler is a great guitarist. Sultans of swing is an all time classic. They get better from here too.

Not my thing at all but some serious musicianship here.

Hadn't heard this in years and it's still quite good. I didn't go all in on the new indie thing but it's still not a bad listen. Matinee is a great song and take me out is still something you hear often. Right band, right time I reckon.

Didn't get this at all.

This was ok, has a great nostalgic vibe but I didn't think the songs were of the quality of some of their better known singles. Worth a listen.

Singles are great but the rest of this doesn't do much for me. Much as it didn't at time of release.

Really enjoyed this album. There are some excellent songs on here. Graceland being my particular favourite. Paul Simon certainly has some ability as a songwriter. Interesting history to the album as well.

For a band I've never really liked this was a pleasant surprise. Might have to go back and reassess some of their other work now. Might find my new favourite band?

This was a good listen. Interesting stories throughout but I'm not sure what mood id need to be to listen to it again?

Wasn't overly impressed by this. Much prefer the stones of the later 60s and 70s. Sounds great for the time though.

This seemed much more rock than glam and so it was different from how I expected knowing only their singles. Pretty good though.

22 mins and not a second wasted. This is a great album. Fantastic energy in the performance.

Pleasantly surprised by this one. Quite enjoyed the songs that I didn't know already. Especially the one about all the chugging.

Zeppelin are a great band but this maybe meant more to me when I was younger. No doubt they're all fantastic musicians and there is loads to enjoy here. Bring it on home is my personal favourite.

Heard this a while back and wasn't fairly keen on it. It maybe requires more listening to fully appreciate it. I'll give it another go.

This was fine. Didn't blow me away.

This was pretty good. Definitely had that psychedelic sound to it mixed with some acoustic folk. Worth a listen!

Enjoyed this and didn't realise how many of these songs I knew already. A great example of the classic rock genre.

Really enjoyed this one. Some great tunes and an interesting look at some of the earliest trip hop to get noticed.

Got some fond memories of this as my dad had it on cassette. Haven't heard some of it in decades and some of it came flooding back. Really front loaded in my opinion but still pretty good. Neil Finn has a great voice and this is their best work.

This was fine. Can't say mush more about it than that.

Gave this a skip listen because drum and base very much isn't my thing but it wasn't too bad. Wouldn't play it again and a lot of it sounds very similar to me but probably a good entry point to this type of music.

A couple of things on this: Coldplay are fine. They've got some good songs and a few of them are on this album. An album which I heard when it came out. Fine then, fine now and much better than some of their later work. If they'd made more albums like this they wouldn't be as big and wouldn't be as despised. However, if you try and listen to this in a busy pub while reading book you'll realise it doesn't work in a certain crowd. The world moves around it. Which is pretty much what you can say about the band now.

This was fine. Not sure I can understand why people like them so much though. Less huge guitar solos than I thought there would be so that's a bonus!

Fine. Didn't do much for me.

Some good stuff on here. Not sure I want to check out the rest of the catalogue but I enjoyed it.

I had high hopes for this and it is very much the exact same song on repeat throughout. Which is a shame. It did nothing for me at all.

All time classic album, all time classic band. Do I love this as much as I did when I when I first heard it? I'm not sure I do but it's still great.

I can only imagine what this must have sounded like when it first came out and people heard EVH for the first time. Must have blown minds. This is a great first record and they only get better.

I never had much time for Weller so this was slightly better than expected. It has a couple of good tunes on there but it wasn't hugely memorable either.

That's is an album which gets rave reviews and I'm not sure why really. With the exception of Layla which is undoubtedly brilliant all the way through I can't say this did much that I would say justified it's status.

This is the first album I ever remember hearing. The sleeve is what probably drew me to it at first. It was in my dad's record collection and it seemed to stand out and the colours made it something a very young child would be drawn to. That very record sleeve is up on the wall in my living room now. The descriptions of marmalade skies in Lucy in the sky with diamonds really stick out in my memory too. However, as time has passed it's clear that it's not their best work. They made better albums with better more consistent songs but this will always be the most important one for me.

I'm afraid this didn't do much for me. Green onions is great but I did find the album overall to be very repetitive.

Hadn't heard this in years and still has some great stuff on there. Not going to be on repeat but did not mind hearing this again. Some great singles.

This had some great musicians on it. That doesn't always make great songs. Did absolutely nothing for me.

Great musicians at work but I thought with the exception of the title track the songs were pretty much identical.

Much better than just the singles. Fun album and worth a few more listens.

This was decent but not much outside the singles grabbed me on the first listen. Better than Murmur in my opinion.

Not for me I'm afraid. Seemed like it just went on and on.

Really enjoyed this. Not something I was familiar with either.

Only really ever heard the singles by U2. This was pretty good and certainly better than I expected. Could be worth another listen or two.

A couple of decent tracks but I felt this was quite repetitive and didn't grab me in any way.

This is an album I heard and loved first time around. It's hard to take it seriously now in the context of the 21st century but I'm not going to get hung up on how it should be approached 25 years years later with changed sensibilities either. There is still some great stuff on here and he might never have been as juvenile as this again but it's not a bad introduction to someone who went on to be absolutely massive at the turn of the century.

A couple of good tracks, usually when there are vocals. I don't mind this genre but I don't find it translates well to the albums format personally.

Enjoyed this. Maybe not as much as Exodus. Didn't realise the version of no woman, no cry is not the album version either. Things you learn...

With the exception of La Grange this didn't do anything for me. A-haw haw haw-haw Heh, a-haw haw-haw

Quite samey, good singles but nothing more.

I enjoyed this one. Got a totally different round to what came before it. That's not news to anyone though. Somebody up there likes me is the standout on this for me.

Heard this a while back and thought it was pretty good for a genre that's not really my thing. Came back to time of the preacher again and again.

This was fine couple of stand out tracks. Movin' Out being the one I liked the most.

Just didn't speak to me at all. Some bands just aren't for you and Devo are one of those for me.

Not my thing at all but it was a fun listen. Something different.

Everyone knows the Queen hits and I include myself in that. This was much more prog like than I'd imagined. They're certainly a great bunch of musicians but without another couple of listens I don't know if this would really grab me a bit more as it didn't on the first spin.

This album started strong in a way I wasn't really expecting and then to my mind fell off a cliff. First track is the best. Not sure I get them to be honest.

Pretty good album if a little samey. Incredible that CCR brought out 3 albums that year. Different times...

I like the manics so that was already a good album. They were a different band at this point and I probably prefer this version of them. Must have been tough to make this album for the guys in the band. Still manages to be fairly upbeat.

Weird. Not even sure this was on while I was listening to it. Maybe that's the point.

This was better than I expected. I like a lot of classic rock bands but not a fan of the more overtly bluesy ones. It certainly felt like it was a bit more accessible but I still can't get on board with songs of 23 mins though.

It's Illmatic. What's not to like?

Some of this was ok but it just doesn't speak to me much. As others have noted the production is certainly very good. It does seem that Kanye gets a very high critical appraisal which I'm not sure he deserves.

Would listen to this again. Wasn't quite how I remembered Badly Drawn Boy sounding.

I like a lot of 'classic rock' bands but strangely I've never heard the Grateful Dead. That I can remember anyway. So when this came on I was very surprised. It wasn't what I expected based on reputation. No jamming, no psychedelia just come country folk. This could have been the Byrds I suppose. It was fine but maybe gets an extra point for the surprise element.

This was out when I was 15 and was right at the time when nu metal was at its peak. I liked Maiden and Metallica and had known the Beatles since I could remember which made me think I was better than the people that listened to Linkin Park having only recently found 'their' music while I secretly thought it was great. The life of a teenage musical snob! Now I'm 40 I know that's an absolute nonsense and not just because this is a great album. Chester was a fantastic singer and there is loads on here to enjoy. Glad to have heard this again. While I'm here apologies to all those who hung around outside John Menzies in Kilmarnock for the sneering as I walked past!

Another good one by CCR. Some all time classics on here. Worth a listen.

Had this on vinyl when I was young but hadn't heard it in years. Pretty good but sounds very much of it's time and certainly more glam than I remember. Hello Hooray is probably my favourite track.

Not going to listen to Dylan live I'm afraid. Really don't get him at all.

Hadn't heard this in years and it's still pretty good. Some of the best Neil Young stuff on here. Best song is probably Heart of Gold.

This was fine. Didn't offend me in any way but I probably wouldn't stick it back on again either.

Not something I would usually listen to but this was pretty enjoyable. Might not stick it back on again but absolutely fine and if it's your thing, I can see why.

This is one from my youth which I still have a great fondness for. It's not at good as Aha Shake Heartbreak though! Great debut album from a band who sounded different at the time and became less unique as time went on. Probably don't get the credit they deserve next to the strokes etc from that early 2000s' rock renaissance period. Still a great album, Genius is my favourite track. Side note, once sex on fire came out they became the new rock band that people who don't like rock bands went to see live. I saw them in Edinburgh at a stadium and the crowd were awful in a particularly Scottish way. I like the band but I promised I'd never see them live again.

I really liked this and considering some of the other music I like I was surprised I'd never even heard of this band. Would definitely give this another spin.

Never had much time for the Stone Roses growing up. However, the singles on this album are all fantastic and are a staple of British rock/indie radio. Some of the rest I can take or leave but I can see why people love this album. Still can't see why they cut their hair like Ian Brown right enough.

This is a good album but there is a couple of the more jangly Americana sounding ones which bring it down a bit. It's not Springsteen's best work and if you really want to hear Born in the USA, check out the live 12 string version from the early 2000s. Makes that song so much better.

This is a pretty good album. Much like the rest of the early Coldplay stuff it's fine and it's much better than what came later. I can see why it was popular it's definitely an easy listen. Shiver I think my be my favourite.

Not really sure about this. Interesting, sure. Good, not so sure. Definitely started thinking 'I wonder where this will go?'. But it never really went anywhere. It's different from a lot of the other things that have come up so far but I'm not sure it has much repeat value? The vocals seem weird but in a not unpleasant way but there doesn't seem to be much behind that. Feels a little bit like a novelty.

It's Straight Outta Compton so you know what you're getting. Birthed a whole genre for better or worse. Still some great stuff on here and some of the members went on to have amazing careers as well. Interesting looking back about how much was made of the lyrics at the time. I wonder how that would go over now?

This was fine.

Enjoyed this as I always have done. Some great tracks on here. Definitely worth a listen.

This just didn't do anything for me at all. I suppose a couple of the tunes are noteworthy but I just can't get into it.

Another tough one to grade. Kinky Afro and Step On are radio staples on some radio stations in the UK. It's maybe hard to listen beyond them when they've become so ubiquitous. Listening to 1001 albums doesn't lend itself to repeat listens really but I might give this one another go so I can see if it comes alive.

This album without Bjork would not be worth inclusion on here. As soon as she sings everything gets immediately more interesting. Not much happening otherwise.

Some ok stuff on here but I think my time for hip hop has passed and unless it has a really noticeable melody to it, I'm probably not that interested.

So we all know this one, right. It's really good. Accessible by their standards at the time. It doesn't sell as many copies as it does for nothing. The cover might have helped it out as it's about as iconic as album covers get and it does look alluring. The best song is great gig in the sky. It's a bastard to sing along to right enough.

I tried, with this I really did but no matter how good a song might sound, 18 mins of instrumental won't do it for me so it came to an early end. Some things just aren't made fro everyone.

Quite enjoyed this one as I do with most Springsteen but as people have noted there is a lot of car chat which can get a we bit old.

Again, nothing on here which makes me want to listen to it again. An absolute singles band, good singles at that but nothing more. Based on the other music I like this should be right up my street. It's not.

This has very little appeal for another listen. Like most electronic music it's just a bit longer than it needs to be. It's not bad and Madonna is good on here but it's just a bit repetitive to my ears.

This is like listening to a band doing 12 covers of the Dr Who theme music. It's interesting, I'll give that. Not sure if I'd have paid money to be part of the audience who saw it live though.

This is very much of it's time. Childish, snotty, sort of punk hip hop by bratty boys. It's pretty good too!

This was fine but probably needs more listens to really get a hold of.

Yeah, this is great. No doubt about it. Hadn't heard it in years but it's fantastic.

Never heard this before and I can't say the replay value is too great for me but you can't help feel dragged along by the feeling this album creates. An impressive feat. However, there is still maybe a bit too much of it for one album. Has the best Christmas song on it too which is a bonus.

Great voice but this doesn't do anything for me. Nothing bad about it but I won't have it on again.

This surprised me. A bit more to it than the two singles which are often played on UK Indie radio. Would give this another go. I liked the vibe.

I had a lot more time for this than I expected I would have, even if the songs could have done with being a bit shorter. Not bad at all.

This is pretty good but the high water marks are definitely the singles. Tough to beat Bittersweet Symphony. It's an absolutely iconic song in the UK as is the video. Worth another listen.

Fine, quite samey after the first few tracks and I've no idea under what circumstance I would think to put this back on and listen to start to finish.

At one time Incubus were my favourite band and this album takes me back to a time in my youth for which I have many fond memories. Hadn't gone through this start to finish in a long time and it's surprising how many of the lyrics I still remember. Great album. Maybe not as good as Morning View but it's still getting the full 5 stars.

I like his voice and this was fine. Should maybe have checked the lyrics before I put it on in the office right enough.

I was a big Maiden fan in my younger days and this was the first album I bought. It was always considered their best work. I'd argue it's not seen that way anymore and Powerslave is probably better. Somewhere in Time too perhaps? I've never been a huge fan of Hallowed be thy name either. This is heresy in Maiden circles. Still a great album and from a time where Maiden could make an album full of memorable songs in 40 mins and not forgettable ones in 90. I'll give it the full 5 stars. Half a mark is for nostalgia.

Another good album by I band I should definitely be more familiar with. A bit less accessible than Moving Pictures but I enjoyed this. The 20 min opening track didn't feel that long and that's a hard thing to achieve. Might have to listen to more of the catalogue.

Surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. Not really my thing but would happily give it another listen.

Not the type of thing I listen to often but you can't argue with the man's voice. A nice break from some of the other genres thrown up on this list.

Enjoyed this one much more than expected. Good stuff.

This is very obviously the handiwork of Nile Rodgers which means it's pretty good. Songs you know, songs you recognise from samples. Excellent stuff.

An album I hadn't heard in a long time from a band who are near the top of the 'wish I'd seen live' list. Cornell's vocals are incredible and this is a great album.

This wasn't too bad. Would probably need more of my time.

Much better than just the singles which are all excellent. Power of love making a claim to the be the best Christmas song of all time. Could give this another listen happily. Single version of the title track would do though.

Not a bad album despite not really being my thing.

Quite like the RHCP but this is undoubtedly too long. Cut a couple of tracks and it's a much better album.

Really enjoyed this one. Very much of it's time but the songs were all great.

First time listening to a Tori Amos album. Quite enjoyed it. I love Kate Bush so I would expect that giving this a few more run throughs would be worthwhile to really get into the lyrics etc. Good stuff.

Not the version of the cure I like at all.

Turns out I quite like some reggae tunes. This is pretty good. Not sure what the title track is about though? If he could just have been a wee bit clearer, I might have got it.

A great debut album by a band who went on to greater things. Much more raw than some of the later sounding stuff and includes some tracks that stayed in the setlist for years to come. Running free, phantom of the opera, prowler all great. Sanctuary too if you ignore that it wasn't on the original version. Excellent stuff.

A band I had little time for when then came out as I was busy with Maiden and the like. However, there are some great tunes on here now the musical snobbery has passed. Still not as good as what's the story though...

This is an album of it's time. Caught somewhere between the very real issues with American society, particularly relating to the Rodney King incident and the LA riots of 92' and calling every woman a bitch or a ho. The king stuff is incendiary and this coming from a white guy who lives thousands of miles from where this all happened. A really interesting album and a great soundtrack to the riots. Ice Cube will come up again on this journey and rightfully so.

Gets a 2 because of the 2 singles but the rest of it is dross.

Great album. They were never better!

This was bit nothing. It was fine and that was it.

Well this was different. Not helped by the fact I didn't understand a word but I can't say it would get another listen. Would never have heard it before but I suppose that's the point of this.

I love some of the songs on this album and they're so good I've never got sick of them. Red Eyes, Under the Pressure, An Ocean Between the Waves. I'd give this a 4 but in doing that I don't really know what albums would deserve a 5 when I like this much about it. Not everything can be Rumours, can it? All this despite hating Dylan who's clearly in there somewhere. Fuck it. 5 it is.

Not too bad. More accessible on first listen than some of the other Neil Young albums which have come up so far.

Really enjoyed this one. I much prefer the rockier, glam version of Bowie over the Berlin stuff which just doesn't do much for me. Can't go wrong with the Jean Genie!

This was unexpected. I remember the band being heralded as part of the return of rock n roll at the beginning of the millennium. I'm not sure I really understand that. I didn't think this was up to much. Maps is still a fantastic song but the rest maybe needs more time and I don't have it!

Really enjoyed this. Production doesn't make it sound 45 years old which gave it certain feel. Definitely give this another listen.

This was fine.

Some excellent stuff on here but it's arguably just a bit too long.

Some great stuff on here. The man comes around, personal Jesus and Hurt which is arguably the best cover of all time.

This was on. I heard it but it is such a weird album. Fine to listen to but it's just there and nothing else.

An absolute shift to listen to this. Wasn't as bad as I had feared but I have little room for 12 minutes songs. Won't get another listen.

I actually quite enjoyed a lot of this. Found it to be quite and engaging listen and the concept is certainly an interesting addition to the music. Not too bad.

Enjoyed this much more than Bossanova. Some good tunes on here and worth another listen.

Yeah, this is good stuff. Some really interesting sounds on here and it's very busy sounding. Always something happening. I can only imagine what it was like getting this on release day in the late 70s and sticking it all on in one go. Still sounds great. A touch too long but other than than, pretty good.

Quite enjoyed this one. Definitely wasn't a slog to listen to. Had a lot going for it. Might go back to it.

I was in Helsinki recently and got moved from a section of the bar I was in because it was to be used as part of an event. There was a guy being interviewed in a booth in the back of the section. Turns out it was your man Michael Monroe singer with this band. Patrons cock a hoop about seeing their local hero. Anyway, reasonable album even if all the tracks sounded very much alike. Nothing special.

No time wasted here that's for sure. Contains as much speed as Lemmy's nostrils. Great stuff.

I had reasonably high hopes for this and it let me down a bit. Can't say much jumped out at me and it was a bit samey. With the exception of Malibu which is excellent.

Enjoyed this one again having heard it before. Some good stories on this album as there always is with Springsteen but presenting it in a different way makes it a bit special. None of the hits but good stuff nonetheless.

This obviously has something about it for some people but when it's not in English and I can't understand the lyrics and therefore what the song is about then I'm not one of them. Decent tunes though.

Proper old school country music. Title track was petty good but the rest passed me by.

Besides the bigger tunes the Doors have I really don't get them at all. They undoubtedly sound like the archetype sixties counterculture band but the rest of it it does very little for me. Can't quite get my head around them.

This is a great album and one which I've loved since I was a teenager. Is it the best debut album of all time? Maybe. Would I happily go another 20 years before I hear Sweet Child O Mine and Paradise City again. Definitely. Still excellent though.

Liked this more than it's probably cool to admit. Bloody well right being my personal highlight.

This wasn't as good as I remember. I much prefer the less overtly blusey version of Zeppelin which came later. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You is an all timer though. Best thing on this album by a mile.

This wasn't bad but not something I have much interest in returning to. More glam than the Ambient noise once which made it more interesting for me.

Better than I had expected as it's got a more obvious rock sound. Maybe thanks to Ronson's involvement but I still don't think it's up to much. In fact I don't understand why there as so many Morrissey solo albums in this list. Can't get my head around it. I hate Dylan but I get why he's on here so often. Morrissey I can't see why that is the case.

Good stuff on here. Layne has a great voice and the multi track vocals make it even better. Some good guitar work too.

Would definitely give this another spin. wasn't what I expected and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Guy has a great voice.

Certainly interesting and you can see how that sound was used for early 90s west coast hip hop. Good stuff.

Absolute dross.

Better than expected. I thought we'd get loads of blues based guitar wankery but actually not that bad. The 60s definitely had a sound though didn't it.