1001 Albums Summary

Fine. The album opens strong with "Break on Through" - a high energy rock song that really got me dancing on my toes (& I really love that rock organ!). However, from there the album really wears on me. I don't know if it's just a question of era, but I don't believe a word the lead singer sings - it seems too affected to me. I listened to the album twice through, and it never got better to me.

So "Fresh"! I was amazed by how full of life and present everything on this album sounded. It was like a missing puzzle piece in my understanding of musical history. Made me want to dance; I don't ask for much more.

This album has really beautiful soundscapes that blend seamlessly from track to track. However, none of the individual tracks really stood out to me, but I could definitely listen again (especially on a road trip). I've always been told to listen to Sufjan, but I've never gotten around to it. I hear how it reverberates through later music I'd heard (e.g., San Fermin's eponymous debut), maybe a variety of "chamber pop" - and love the brass horns.

Loved it - the pulsing energy on "Search and Destroy" was infectious and didn't let up. I had never listened to Iggy Pop before, but wow his voice just exudes a constant energy and I love it.

I didn't anticipate Van Halen would be so /playful/; definitely going to get a relisten sometime.