(if you skip track 1) it's Stylishly made music of seething perfectionism. Akin to listening to eloquently phrased pain, there are some very atmospheric moments, with "Washer" we get a taste of something a bit more cinematic, with building a menacing undertone, oh yes the foreboding is rising, especially if you listen to the lyrics .... It's an 8 minute track. The kind of music a pensive serial killer might unwind and do the dishes to. I admire the art, but in the end, I dislike it.

Thank you 1001 for introducing me to do many new albums. Except for all the crap ones like the one after this.... Music is meant to be fun. To press a musical pleasure button. Bring about a wanted emotion or distract from an unwanted one. This one is a very, very out there version that. This is at the DEADPOOL end of the spectrum. Soothing quirky irony is track one. I gird myself for the 2nd. Oooh, funky. I like the kettle. Oh shit I might be hooked on a new album. And wildly new genre that feels created all for me. I'm in a good mood with this. Immediately added this to my "grooving mornings" playlist.

Ok. First listen to this. Surprised how many songs leapt out. Very dynamic style. Of course groovin' is one I knew but I'd say I probably didn't know the other tracks. Enjoyed it.

Infected - the the ( I am catching up on the first 100 I missed) Very familiar and I enjoyed their hits in the late 80s/early 90s. Reminds me of porch parties in Summer. I didn't realise how inconsistent the actual album is - familiar songs “infected” and “heartland” and “slow train to dawn” are great and still resonate. But the rest sound unfinished, and really missing something As an album its jarring to bo form rocking along cool but weird stuff then stop. Thank goodness for the SKIP button. Reminds me so much of the voice of Hunters and Collectors, I thought they might be Australian. Inconsistent, with 3 brilliant tracks and good atmospherics. Pitty I don't know more from them. 3.5-4.0 depending on mood

Stankonia • Outkast • 2000 The teenage mentality of the opening and HIP HOP genre don’t bring high expectations. I feel dumber just listening to the first track. Ms. Jackson has always been so catchy though, so I raise my expectations (so i know Outkast after all)/ I raise my hopes. But its more a soundtrack for a violent or urban film, and i cant rate it within the genre as I stay away mostly... In summation, it might be highly rated as hip hip, or rap, but its not much music to my ears. Wouldn't turn it on again... I skip a few interludes and nasty tracks ont he ebay to the Cee-Lo collaboration (track 22). Sounds like a drug den scene in a ganster movie... historically an interesting artefact, perhaps - but not for listening Skip. next album.... 2

Rings Around The World All over the place. Starts with a piano melody morphing into space soundtrack, then track 2 is a jarring rock alarm. Smacks of annoying concept album of monumental importance to musicologists but not me. I look them up. Welsh brit pop electronica. Ok. I hear a bit fo “AIR” in track 3 But them I got bored.

Nice hard rock opener. Its ok. Good vocals... but their best track, for me, is “Love rears up its ugly head” - which is another style... They have a good stop start thumping style. Which might be their signature sound. Ok. they’re good. But the album is 3.

Who do you love? Al Green. So let's stick together. I will be listening to this some more.

Being My FIRST listen to Revolver, and the Beetles mean LESS to me than those who heard it NEW in its groundbreaking context. And I've never been a massive fan, so this felt like homework, and I am maybe critical, but I like 1001 Albums for being educative and horizon-expanding. I still appreciate their sound, vast influence, and stylistic journeys. and how this album is mentioned SO OFTEN as a landmark. So, I made myself listen to EVERY TRACK in full. without skipping. I felt like I should have incense burning and a velour bean bag, and bead curtain, lava lamp... its chill by todays standard, but also it's a messy, all-over-place album. could be Beach Boys for one of the tracks, brain dead kids music for amnother, trippy stuff, but reading reviews, I held out for a strong finish. mostly new songs for me. I LIKED She said, love to you, got to get you into my life (finally some energy) and and it turns out I knew and liked the last TRACK "Tomorrow never knows" BUT WHY IS IT SO SHORT AND UNFINISHED?- man if there was album of more like the last 2 tracks i might have loved it...., (DISLIKED yellow submarine. and your bird can sing.) and, songs don't finish, they just fade away... an historical style? So, in summary. a few really good original tracks that got me interested. I CAN'T GIVE IT MORE THAN 3.5 STARS in terms of liking it...but it finishes strongly.

I am about 150 albums behind the pack, being a late joiner, so I an working on my backlog. Time for Bowie! (hard to rate important, hisotorical albums - they are so important, but i just bagged Revolver, so ...). but here is my reaction. I dont like each track, but then Heroes, the song, is so soaring, moving, and lyrically interesting, ambitious and has the best of his Berlin period in it. I enjoy his yelling of the chorus, unbridged almost pleeding. this is the song. I'd like to find the trilingual single disc for this one day. Songs of the silent age returns to familair style. then the B side atmoshperics are interesting and totally unfmailair for me... Bowie is demanding. not going to gush about hsi as an album, but interesting symth expeirments on side B. I were an older man, I might have had blues, funk, jazz, Stones, Bowie, Cohen, (but probably not Beetles, Folk or much other rock...). I like the last track, the Secret Life of Arabai, and the Moss Garden was a surpise... NB: the track played next by the YT ALGO: "more than this" by Roxy Music. the algo knows me...

Who does he remind me of :-) Interesting. This guy's incredibly varied in the material and styles. He is trying to do everything with his instrument. Musical peregrinations. Good.

so wonderfully flawed, out of tune and even more intimate for it. maybe I am alone in this, there is something playuful & humourous, even hilarious, as well as a soothing. Its not melancholy - more a lugubrious tone, hence playfyully sleepy, lulling. and then, at times, its like a Nick Cave lyric pops up... original. I need MORE COHEN, not less. adding nhim to my new listening pile, alone with Serge Gauinsbourg.

... like an enormous Star on the end of a Girder, you might miss it if you don't look up, and pause. music that moves every song rubs through your body like a soothing cord, and then some almost move you to tears, or to dance, or to shout in exultation of the beauty and exquisite pain and delicious richness and terrible precariousness of life and music that once in a while just gets it.... sometime hypnotic, calming, or evocative of the most painful moments and episodes. it's the comfoet of reapting a familiar chord and letting it out...healing. they are angels come to sing to us, while we toil fumble and stumble, they get us to look up and see the hand, or the fire, the point, or the star sticking out in the sky, and go on. or the whole album could just be about sex and loss, dear kitten. read the lyrics.

oh, yeah, smooo-ooth, lush and pure 1970s. Quelle Poesie decontracte, esprit de reves. This is so different & new to me. I do like a concept album from time to time.... (But if I had to guess, the its Francoise Hardy, (but I'm wrong, its Jane Birkin) and yes zeh eenglish weeel be geluwss that a french man can spend an album in admiring contemplation of a single, fascinating woman while sustaining our rapt attention.

New to this and them ... as an album and barely know the key tracks. Saving this to listen to again....it's all very good isn't it.

Happy to be here, but how can I be so late to this party? I am new to P-Funk, Parliament-Funkadelic, etc. This is better than any imitations that have come since. pure enjoyment. stylish, ultra cool, joyful concept and the instrumentation even works. warm vocals, hilarious, and they know it.

I may benefit from narrated guidance ... as to WHY an album in included. I listened to it like novice. And while I appreciated the guitar noodling and changes of styles it left me cold... UNTIL the lyrical and rhythmic slow * TAKE ME TO THE RIVER * - which got me. So alive and playful like a new language after the tinny stuff before it... Is this track and stylistic transition why the album was selected ? It's the sound I associate with talking heads, so maybe this is their breakthrough or experimental album from which this big new sound emerged? Curious now. 3/5 as an album for me.

Each U2 album an atmosphere and set of anthems we know like a multiplication table. With this new sound, they go it right again. Even if you see it as a product like Madonna, this was on very Heavy Rotation on cassette my car. So good to listen to it in order. My brain still knows it this way. Resolution: listen more to the favourite albums of youth. They press the buttons so well. Enjoyed that.

stylish. good stuff.. some excellent HITS ... but, I cant listen to a whole album of them, as much I *want to*.... and the tinny drum machine just grates and lacks the warmth I like for techno - a distinct & unique sound though for the 80s and 90s. Please, just the hits.

Brings back the excellent documentary about Lemmy. Entertaining story and good music that was too big for me in the 80s but now I enjoy it, good fun, almost comedic music, I see it as fun not serious rock now, to listen to with a wry smile. This guy is an icon... He looks and acts like a philosophical Roady, living for the moment, and the poker machine at the end of the bar ...and sex with his groupies and bourbon slacker life on the road ... Other will describe this better and. Have more attachment to it... Not my top album but the sound is defining for the times ...

It took a long time to like in the 80s. I wasn't into heavy rock ....and again I am surprised how much I enjoy it now.... considering I have only heard this during the 1980s, from a cassette player on and only Renault distorted speakers... It's really quite good. 3 years to record, with a one armed drummer (that's not why) this was a huge hit ...

the incomparable Tom Waits. this album is slower and more atmospheric than the others I know. and the ealrier the album, the less gravel in his voice. some songs are a shambles and yet there is beauty soul and execution in Jersey Girl, which is so Springsteen, and then I remembered he does a cover... (a fun and obscure crossover I hadn't realised), in the ends it's a LUMPY . gems, rough stones, and inexplicable flat spots.

Ok, Lool, I tried. It sounded like a blend of punk and mod and a few tracks sound like the beginnings of a Joy Division sound. Not one of the greatest albums of all time. An interesting musical sampler of sorts. if you were doing a course on the evoluition fo British music. I assume it's an important transition album, or it represents a genre or "moment" in music. but I don't like it... I wil let Wikipedia do the rest as they say it best, actually " their music has generally been characterised by an abrasive, repetitive guitar-driven sound, tense bass and drum rhythms, and Smith's caustic lyrics" yep.

Fucking out there. Artistry.

I like the guitar. but mostly it's music to repel grown ups. All the noise. Ok I get the history and influence of the sound. If you can get past being screamed at and the assault on our hearing .. . ( I hate distortion ) and the stupid screaming, then it's almost good. They were onto something... It's been copied so much it makes me think of "Wild Thing" by the whatever's ... I lost interest fast

Definitely belongs on any list of music that defined the 90s. Was everywhere. And it's exquisite on headphones. Very slick.

Took me a bit ro get into it and then by "trust me" I was bopping. This era started rock n roll and modern music, the inventive new sounds are important... And there is walking blues and jazz and swing and everything mixed in. I didn't realise his single FatMan is considered by some as the first ever rock n roll singles. or that he sold 100 million albums. It almost got boring until I read about the origins of rock n roll on wikipedia and the then it came to sounds that defined it . I wonder if the others like Sister Rosetta Tharpe get it... But so many were singles and not albums back then....

Well executed but not my sound. Post Punk 80s... His voice sounds like a lot of bands of the time... Did he sing with Duran Duran?

(rounding up to 5, because I want to rememebr to listen more to thise guys) Tempatations cloud 9 - tight. but ti not the GREATESt HITS... its a new sonbd maybe,.., makes me want more"1001" is a wide ranging tour and education, .. and even this is new for me. I know the name. thats it. ...You can enjoy the breakthrough unique sound and just imagine how amazing it would have sounded "in the day" when I captured the sound of that summer and excitement of the time. plus is beautiful to listen too. vocals. tapping beat and a sound so often imitated...

In a nutshell: first time ever paying attention and listening ot them - soothing, easy to listen to and very catchy indeed, so yeah, Surprisingly good, tight and varied. I understand (form reading) its poppy energetic on sideA and quiet introspective on side B - a real concept album, they say. They have a mature and artful sound here for sure. So educative. AND also, kind of loved the album for social curiosity/etymological reasons too; hearing the language of the YOUTH era used (without self consciousness? Not sure) terms and content like Groovy, Square, “put me down” , “turn me on” all with layered connotations today of course. MORE: Surprising myself by giving it 4-5 stars, thus demonstrating the Simultaneous GENIUS and JOY of discovering critically acclaimed albums you would never otherwise listen to. Th Beach Boys “today!” is catchy, happy and evoking care free, dreamy youth / surf vibes for me more than most bands... I admit never having sat down to actually "intently listen to Beach Boys“ but generally i see them as “easy listening defined”, it provides a cushy wall to lean against and it doesn’t intrude on the one hand, but then jump in /throws up a richly happy sound with its twangy guitar anthems…. (still a bit “tin can sound” for me overall, but thats maybe an aside). they are so enticing and woven into American cinema and TV, then when Beach Bosy summer anthems come on, it is like i have them as implanted memories of driving to the beach in my parents’ station wagon to meet my friends and surf followed by a coke while watching the sunset. Maybe its something relatable, form growing up on the West Coast of Western Australia. (but) Being a kids of 80s Perth, I doubt I got much Beach Boys on FM radio - so my beach boys memories are probably due to overexposure to flashback/fantasy sequences in The Wonder Years or <cringe> ALF (h, no, its coming backt o me now… TV commercials doing covers, and “Help me Rhonda” on Alf…, got done a few times, and our brains love repetition, so I accept zero blame!) .

(generally i thought i LIKED Pixies... but...) Likes: 1) the DRUMS on every track are great.... and gets me bopping to the the drums start and reckon it's gonna by a 4... her voice. DISLIKES but his yelling was a bit much ... oo a Debaser.... best tracks : I bleed (for the bass line and slow build , slow liscious drums laid on..) .

Torn. dont like, it, but objecitvely I cna admire what it does. I see it as an interesting historical curiosity - probably breakthough stuff at the time, and shows how far PF developed in their distinctive mastery. I remember int he 80s as a big PF fan trying hard to listen to this but really not liking it. Not much has changed.... I appreicate the originality, interesting stylized stuff (I could really do *without* the painful, oddly nauseating and saddening spacey 9 minute synthesizer trip - very out there, ok done, glad its over! ). But overall, its not that engaging, also think this music would make for an unpleasant terrifying acid trip if this si what was playing in the background. where is the joy and uplift. its not what "wonder" sounds like to me. However, I persisted, and then came to the final tracks.. needed comic releif is provided in the form of THE GNOME which is fun and sounds very stoned & playful. I think teenage stoners of the 80's much have been quoting this, and i didnt understand... So, PF; they have achived a high quality window into distorted perception in this album which experiments a LOT with new sounds, and they had relaitvely little to work with as tools, so well done... Hoorah. also "bike" has some perfect auditory echoes which are hallucinatory (NOx-like) , this would have been very new then. and maybe not understood. But as an album, happy to leave it again for abother 40 years, TBH.

unhappy. English industrial . the cover looks like they just want to poss you off. the music does the same.

I am writing this in a bad mood. Does it show? An obscure album name, which almost helped piss me off before I even listened to it... So expectations low. Piano is opening track sounds out of tune, music sounds like flat boring air guitar stuff. The track title "Hym for the dudes" is meh. Got at far as the title BALLAD, and yeah I don't get this kind of 70s rock.

never heard of them. Is this another drummer-led band? I think, then,... turns out I know & LOVE "connection" for it's edginess and her sexy voice... its 90's joyfully relived, Turns out I would have been a massive fan if I knew them. discovery! Best tracks on first listen are: Smile (oh YEAH on the finish), Connection, Car Song, Blue, (and yet, GREAT drummer, i love their sense of rythmn, and her voice is at an indiscirbable sweet spot of soft refined, and yet a punky edge makes her elusively sexy to listen to.

This is one reasons to do this. Listen to albums you never say down to understand and appreciate. They have their own sound. Out there on their own mastered it and stayed Distinctive ... I don't know what you call this funky r&b bear but it works and it's great. Full of anthems of our time. Breaking the Girl. Give it Away! Blood sugar sex magic .. under the bridge Are standouts. Some low points but legendary rock tight bands live sound. Captivating singer.

I was bracing myself before it started and then Ugggh. How can I describe the sound? Soundtrack for a shot movie about awkward skater boys? The kind of music they'd have in a Jackass film. Intentionally annoying shitm Cultural sludge of America. Maybe it's supposed to be funny and Beavis and Buthead laughed at it while headbanging . 1 star because the drummer worked hard. Woeful song titles.

(and to my ears thoroughly distinctive original) and surprisingly resonant sound and use of strings and percussion, (there is an Eastern influence somehow?) and whatever it's called when harmonies echoes and overlap happily. Needs a room, and the echo of a student share house without furniture, loose drapes, incense, and ....

Wanted to like it more ... But to was noisy. Self indulgent. Unpolished. Unpleasing... Not a single standout good track. Listed to it twice.

Made in 1992 and sounds like 1992 - the kind of music someone who wishes they were in a band would like. Good drummer. Alternative indie cool boy music .... I am sure the smart lyrics would make a guy smile. But you missed your window with me and there is nothing that speaks to me... I was probably into Cake. But this feels garage noisy distortion. No joy or melody for me.... Music for a Sydney SoCal 90's Kegger?

a great grooving goth intro ...and then Vooodoo Dolly opened up. superb atmospherics (at once chanelling through time: Ute Lempur, Nirvana, Cure, B52s and some other batshit crazy stuff, but tight ) Sound like Banshees alright, fun loud shrill, and jungle girl sounds... wild woman lyrics, - its impressive for 1981 and i imagine it was influential and the tribal drums very new...I LIKED the propelling transporting beats of Arabian Nights, It is goth, is it punk, is it girl garage band? its empowered, in your face and avant guard. Feels like 1988. Spellbound rang a bell,but pretty sure this is entirely NEW MUSIC for me

Great performance and recording strong and young! I saw this man perform live at the age of 83. He did it all but his voice was heavier and gravelly, and he did it sitting down... Yes. Blues. Touring his whole life to pay for the 13 children dependant on him (and their mothers). This would have been going mainstream.... A joy to hear his baby young voice and the crowd are so exuberant and involved, he bends the notes in his inimitable style so well, a bonus is stereo in 1965. Great recording. No hits on it but what an intro it would have been for mainstream.... authentic as hell

tracks on this album are either good or shit for me. (at first lost on me) disliked weak voices and British fragile crappy sounding instrumentation - hurts me, like listening to Andrew Lloyd Weber with the vacuum turned on, while someone's mum sings along doing housework. I wanted to shut off the music and walk away!... So, I skipped through the 2nd half of each track .. Then "time of the Season" hit a note and the album completely shifted to something else completely with some synth organ and hitting their stride " she's not there " was on the 40th anniversary version of the album.. but wait. That's a bonus from another album. Still shitm . Only 2.5 stars.

one sentence review: (Liked "first Impression" for the humour, but I can agree with the words, if you listen to it...) at first enjoyed & felt all cool and tough like gansta, but soon it reminded me why I just dont listen to Rap - gives me a headache, glorifies shitty lifestyle/actions/gang war, machine gun violence, childish, mindless, full of violent disturbing boasts and attitudes, the horrible underbelly of the american psyche of the disempoered and alientated. they want ot destroy the system taht destroys and marginaises them. sounds cool for a sountrack.... but grates really quickly... hardly uplifitngif you listen tot the words.

A very unexoted 4. Could this be the answer to my unanswered questions form the film American Beauty? Ah so this is the punk music I missed out on. Better than the sex pistols. Sounds like the sister act. But with better instruments. They took it seriously? Anyway... Yep. She has a kind of a voice and we'll stylaised.... Good brass and the drum kits gets a workout, and telling. it wants to woman does a better job . Funnest songs. THE DAY the world turns dayglo. ( I found my self humming "I am am an ar Christ...." Somehow) . How funny . By the time art-i-ficial came on I think I could like this guys despite it all... Where's my hair gel, safety pin, and tartan? It's fun. "my mind is like a plastic bag" is beautifully dernaged and she goes on to perform a wonderfully unhinged salute. Landmark. It this American beauty explained? She channels Bellatrix Lestrange for a moment ... Is Helena B.H. a time shifter too? What's that, cockney? But yes. Thanks for the Edyukation.

Original varied There are almost no female voices in this list of 1001. And there is so much shitty garage experimentation, and not enough masterwork. Those are my two criticisms of the list..... Back to this album.. side b. that's where the magic of this album is for me. Either way, Kate, it's been a while... I had you on cassette. Nice to hear your mad genius and kaleidoscopic arabesque on a hifi instead a plastic 80s Stereo. there is something wonderful and very Gemeinde about it.... Although shrill at times and hard to take on LARGE doses, here we have something completely different richly executed. Art. I can't go without mentioning the very suggestive flower on the cover... This has nothing to do with the photo shoots she did for the album.... in case the title didn't give it away, clearly marketed as boudoir music... But when you enter, there is a lot more to handle. The prescience of \"deeper understanding\" and the impact of computers and consumerism and loneliness in our world. Not easy to listen to. But brilliant and demanding. With flowers

I am noticing a theme here - music that can be PERFORMED for an audience wins me over far more than stuff you might have mixed in your bedroom for YOURSELF. first impression is hthis is a private musical diary and scrapbook of their "TRUTH" great for them.... (first track, fully of "Get it together Bitch..." and yeah yeah acapella whaling). I am saying to myself "on no, more American urban attitude and shared trauma, violence and struggle... there isnt going to be a single song on here". I have nothing against social commentary / perosnal dioary turned into an album.... but in this case, nup. this is an urban petry project, an interesting cultural document, but not for me, enjoyable. I am not the audience, I know. Do I really need to deal with the attitude and statements-as-music .... I don't disagree with the social messages and aspirations, necessarily or owning your own script in urban life. but the MUSIC IS LACKING . zero enjoyment... but a good and mabe significant social historical document/project 1 star.

hearing it immediately after Back in Black by ACDC, it is unfair to compare - the drumming and seething power is different here... angrier and more snarl (which make the AC DC boys seem sinpler, happy and loud). not that darkness is needed in rock - its raw power it taps into. but here there is also a somehow subtler finesse that is more easily heard - details that endure scrutiny. Shit guys, I need to say its Ornate, and what they are doing is "on show". a performance of power, almost POSING, no illusion of spontaneous animal rock here. ?. maybe that is part of the magic of AC DC, it works and you don't question why. (whereas if we call this virtuoso stuff more "American" - well it is from the first track, it's telling you why it's special - the slapping/tapping timbre and thunder drums is really attention grabbing... then the restraint and musical "The Unforgiven" shows their control in a way that juts spoves their skill but also everything I just said (even if the cutover form intro int hat song is harsh IMO). I Like it, I admire it, but I find myself feeling it's much more "commercial" and pristine as heavy rock goes. The skill and talent of the musician's is beyond question. showpiece stuff. But what is missing? relatability? is all this showing off putting distance between artist and audience?. and yes, too much twiddling on the guitar at times, and what that up-tick and "ah" at the end of words. over-laboured? yes to me it is Ornate heavy rock, at times it even operatic "wherever I may roam" was tiresome for me. I guess this is what 1001 albums and thinking about music does - I sound like a record shop tosser now. who cares. no one is ready, ha! Nonetheless the first song from the album is all class. 4.5 stars... marked down because it's a bit much, despite great musicianship.

Two reviews here. Kate Bush (5) + cee-lo (2). 1st: Cee-Lo to get it out of the way. way too self indulgent self referential onanistic crap. funky in parts... But ultimately annoyingin large doses. 2nd 5 stars for Kate Bush The Sensual world.(I PRESSED Didn't LISTEN BY ACCIDENT) There are almost no female voices in this list of 1001. And there is so much shitty garage experimentation, and not enough masterwork. Those are my two criticisms of the list..... Back to this album.. side b. that's where the magic of this album is for me. Either way, Kate, it's been a while... I had you on cassette. Nice to hear your mad genius and kaleidoscopic arabesque on a hifi instead a plastic 80s Stereo. there is something wonderful and very Gemeinde about it.... Although shrill at times and hard to take on LARGE doses, here we have something completely different richly executed. Art. I can't go without mentioning the very suggestive flower on the cover... This has nothing to do with the photo shoots she did for the album.... in case the title didn't give it away, clearly marketed as boudoir music... But when you enter, there is a lot more to handle. The prescience of "deeper understanding" and the impact of computers and consumerism and loneliness in our world. Not easy to listen to. But brilliant and demanding. With flowers

This is music I only appreciated in my 4th decade onwards- Hells bells is important, given the theme and history of the album, but track 1 feels badly mixed with the bell oddly subtracting in stereo, "shoot to thrill" is the first that does it for me ... by track 5 the vicals are really soaring anf then boom, guiar , drums and lyrics all explore forth on |Back in Black. A singular song. NOTE to self...full enjoyment of this bass-driven power-rock album is brillaint with big drivers and a subwoofer to feel the kicker in the car.... I will always remember playing Back in Black at top volume through Klosters one fine summer ... windows open so the locals got to enjoy it with us, while exporting Full Bogan (this music is actually more popular in Germany than Australia, where they have the - often deadly- Rock Am Ring rock festival.). so, its a unique sound and this band owns it 100%. on Shake a leg, i heard vibrfato int he voice like Led Zeps lead singer--- how i wonder if they every payed together? sparks.

an easy 4 or 5. It was cooking from the first track "lets get started what we came into the room to do". a whole new artist for me. Ginga Bekaaar. I was transported easily to another time and place. grooving background bop, made me think of shuffling around while cooking, and its pure gentle propulsion. Irrisistable drum music from africa, with synthesizer, standard drumkit, and a bunch of stuff, even horns... the audio quality for a live recording in 1970 is very good. not a boring moment either, despite the improv bits. SO I went on the net to read that it is "The album is on Rolling Stone's list of the 50 greatest live albums of all time. " yeah I see that. so which one is the Ginger and do he Smeeell? :-)

ok, this is entertaining. fun even. I dont like MOST rap. ,But unlike most urban stuff , this has some nice head candy / enjoyable musical sounds, pace, attitude, and its lyrical and fast. The lyrics are catchy. But they cant be sung out loud in public. Fun irrisistable new music for me. 4. ***(I am impressed my her releases since this 2019 album. Her style has evolved veryu quickly and her African and jazz influenced album is very VERY enjoyable to listen. An artist to watch - maybe my eyes werent open or int he right places ?***

(please come back to her if you're new and find it odd. For example go away and listen to SUGARMAN, and My Baby Just Cares for Me. Or read about her life and music. Shit she made it despite it all.) . Pure Nina. (YT MUSIC has 2 versions. The oink cover is better. Very different tracks so maybe a glitch?) From the first track opening, I am at a 5. I am at five at the last too. Such an intimate recording. Amazing despite having none of her greatest work...., (usually the quality isnt great for 69s live,as far as I know. Is this an) it's like sittig on stage between the instruments. She moves from playfyul carefree joy, with that 'smile' in her voice, to the breakup and slow heartbreak songs like at track2 where voice is pain, rendered beautiful, and then ... back to where ? Its lady sings the blues on this album, even Summertime is subdued, restrained. I know her for songs of joy. and here she is live, singing her pain,which was her life.,.. can you imagine being there to see it live? Nina is art. her life was pain. Ive listened to her SugarMan and My Baby Just Cares for Me 1000 times, but never this. amazed. they saved a taste fo her best, the redemption, for last. If you listen carefully to her highs on the last track (Fine and Mellow) , her voice is like a muted trumpet. Alright! ****(NB: the algo followed this one up with "Mad About You (Live at Koningin Elisabethzaal 2012) Hooverphonic With Orchestra Live 2012***** its all soaring troubles and strings. oh. mad about you....

While dreaded a dose of yet another rap hip hop, which is not one of my preferred styles, This one is - at times - actually funny a bit catchy and less unpleasant/malevolent general. And then Express Yourself is a bit upbeat. Still, would I ever listen to them again? No.. . Not really. Maybe only that one track....

Sumptuous opening track. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Bossa Nova music style. And real music. If you like this just a littel bit, go listen to RED HOT +RIO (a compilation) or the all time classic album that will blow you away "Getz/Gilberto" . This album gives me hope for The List. ....which needs more variegation, World and more Varied (and female) voices, and less rancid rap, garage and punk. But hey, another time we can go down the allmusic ratings, or rolling stone lists, right? And this has been educative so far. Bebel. She was Eva in the film Rio, is a brazilian bossa nova figure, she is NOT descended from Astrid Gilberto, but IS descended from Brazilian guitarist / vocalist João Gilberto (Astrid's ex), and her mother was singer Miúcha. So, maybe we will hear the album "Getz/Gilberto" which has two of my all time favourite tracks. I'm off to Rio now....

I like his popular stuff. He is quirky. Interesting. Sings like a wonky gentle punk Brit who got dunked in punk then blues, and this is what came out. Playful yet sad, upbeat and depressing in equal measure. Perfect teen alternative music.

And now for something completely different. Ahead of their time clearly. But their Lyrics could be considered, funny, in very bad taste, or inviting violent insurrection depending on your perspective. Too bad they didn't develop this further. At times they

(it helps to know french). 5 stars. A Smart mimic and comedian, hilarious complex and double-entendre lyrics linking wildly unrelated concepts. It's a fun juxtaposition - surprising to hear childhood & everyday french phrases. Catchy. enjoyable. Yes, rap can be fun and intelligent. \"Bouge de là\" (part 1) provides a veritable thesaurus 'get out of here's and he goes on to mixes a bit of Reggae and plays across cultures. He is great mimic and a comedian. . There is some English language in \"La musique adoucit\" (the music softens you).

Annoying. For me, sorry, this is boring. Music from another planet. A planet called air guitar hero? Seriously this was a bit album in 1981? Thin reedy lyrics. Huge drum kit presence.... Big guitars. Droning forever. I can just imagine the long hair. Alas, I have found a new band I don't like. I need an antidote to wash the taste out....

Sorry, this is boring. It's now caricature, maybe that's why it's on the list (so 80s megaband, so baaaad, it's good?). I'd happily listen to David Lee Roth, but not this. I give it a slot as "80s obscure /do they have big permed HAIR/ in the video game "air guitar hero"? Thin reedy lyrics. Huge O v E R d O n E drum kit presence. Big guitars. And tiring stereo effects that go on forever. And zero groove. Droning forever. Oh my.

Surprised by this album and it's history.( But first, a Note: previous review text=duplicate, but for me it's still a "1" . Felt like Johnny Mathis hour. Didn't finish... ) Ok. So. I am new to Gene Clarke. Fellas, I Gotta admit, yet another unfamiliar cover and name...I was dreading (yet another) obscure "back shelf" 1970s music that essential" by old music afficionados. That band called Rush ...was not a rush. I knocked off my grumpiness and listened to this on the big speakers instead of headphones (to appreciate it better, and also so I can run away if I need to!) ...so I read that this "Gene Clarke" was in the Byrds. And hung with/collaborated with the influential music and culture types in 60s California and wrote this album after full days meditating and staring out to seea. So it's going to be soothing and contemplative. And maybe a touch floaty... Also, The 'Pedia says he "was in the vanguard of popular music during much of his career, prefiguring developments in such disparate subgenres as psychedelic rock, baroque pop, newgrass, country rock, and alternative country. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 as a member of the Byrds" And that's what's this sounds like. Sure there's big tape hiss. An interesting discovery album, and pity it didn't get recognised until recently. As "education" for 70s music this works for me... maybe this is just the right album. It's musical, well arranged and recorded, and quite pleasing to the ear with plenty of warm resonances, mood creating, and playful. I needed this as antidote to some of the painful garbage on this list. I can hear the sound and rhythms pre-saging / reminiscent of "the horse with no name". This could be a soundtrack to a movie of the 60's. And by the time "No Other" comes up, you're enveloped in its rich shaggy pile and the guitar does something wonderful, I think this would be in my "mellow/grand chill" music pile to bliss out to. As it starts to soar. I want to read the lyrics. Apparently he wrote sober but very psychedelic/floaty/other dimensions are there. Like burning gens cooling in the sun... This album is especially nice through some big old speakers in a living room. Bookshelf speakers without a sub-woofer won't do it justice, sorry. In conclusion, this is the kind of album that makes it worth persisting with the "flat spots" of this list. A nice discovery. In summary: warm trippy early 70s California freedom in the sunshine soft psychedelic rock... the perfect album to play on a summer road trip in a big station wagon on the west coast, or in a big old holiday house overlooking the sea.

Bit of a sampler isn't it? First track is the bomb... Housemate used to pump it loud on the roller speakers 3 times a week before going on dates. It's stuck as a good time song ever since. He does a full range of styles like his slow romantic "snowball" or "slow" songs for dancing cheek to cheek .. this was the 50s.... How new and strange this would have sounded in 1956. It's all there... But as always, despite liking Elvis after 5 songs I tire of it. So 4 stars. But it's important...

Not my sweet spot. Agha I thought I liked the band, some sounds are good but a whole album is aaahhh, what the word? To closed and constrained ? kind of flat homogeneous and featureless and I suppose no life to it... 3 stars... That kind of serious music you hear and think "what's this?". Sounds interesting, but then after a few songs nothing seems to happen. Yes, worthy, good background atmosphere cool stuff but I'm not getting it.

It's a grower. Culminating in Bloodbuzz. Listened a few times to the whole album. Enjoy it. The vocal warmth I think is what makes it work, and energy. Good stuff.

A musical education for me. The first few tracks are ok...but.... Sounds a lot like 1968 Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix, (could it be they had the same peddles and guitars?)so.... Blue Cheer is, for me, unheard of... and I have no idea how this was called Heavy Metal. Different times. Anyway. It's ok, as a historical album. But not listening again... Only can only listen to so many guitar solos.... 3 stars tops. 2.5 maybe.

Finally. An album I actually have. A favourite. It's atmospherics. Thanks Jonathan for recommending it in ZRH. It's a defining album of the first decade of the 2000s. But does anyone know it. Bare with it, let it envelope. And do it's thing. This time I listen on headphones for the first time, and I get a whole other layer of intimacy... It's surprisingly vulnerable, personal and feels honest. The corn cob cover (Marina City complex towers in Chicago). The rejected album. "She tasted like mountain dew and maraschino cherries" It's a building somewhere. A full five stars from me.

Enjoyable album to play again and again, plus if you use a streaming service, the algorithm will go on to provide an endless stream of groove based on this, as a tasteful follow-up. This albums is the kind of music that A) DJ Sarcastic Elbows plays at Cotton Mouth records B) cool seduction music to play in sunken lounges beside a lava lamp c) fun groovig beats to drive to. put youy in a GOOD mood. The warmth of a 70s hifi ... Only funky. 5

Wondering, will he hear better stuff like true masters in the genre , like Ina Kamoze " here comes the hotstepper" , or Run DMC and the Beastie Boys? Or Arrested Development? There are some fun and pleasing rhythmic party tracks with a rolling bass line, contagious and on a subwoofer.... Ok? And his voice isn't all screechy. It's quite warm. But what got it on The 1001? A mystery. Is it saucy lyrics ? Did it empower low rider owners to bounce in time. The threat of "making your g spot sore" for it's originality ? Mmm , mood music for da strip club...? Or is it purely thew commerical success he made, as evidenced by his jewelry ? ( gold is a good hedge against inflation, he is right there). His voice has potential but I want more that smart ass lyrics spoken on a slickly produced album. Take the lyrical peregrinations of his most popular track "doin it" pleading "yo baby open the back door" . There is much worse Here is an extract from Til Da Break of Dawn. "Homeboy, hold on, my rhymes are so strong Nothing could go wrong, so why do you prolong? Songs that ain't strong, brother, you're dead wrong And got the nerve to have them Star Trek shades on Ha, you can't handle the whole weight Skin needs lotion, teeth need Colgate Wise up you little burnt-up french fry I'm that type of guy" The Power Of God is an interesting departure. .

not my thing. Performance / stage / big concert music for the MTV generation, the stage performances keep you paying attention, a few fun bits but nostalgia aside, its not great. nothing to see here.

Ahh the Gunners.... how can they be ignored? My 1st actual album listen. starts off sounding solid ... lets go trackj bvy track this time... 1. Jungle. I know this one. 2. "It's so easy" is an angry rape anthem. Nope. 3 &4 . "Night train" & "out to get me" are a copy of ACDC with a Kiss chorus. 5. Mr Brownstone opens like a Stone's track ,but then he starts to sing and it's over. Skip. 6. Paradise City. That's more like it. This is their sound. All energy. And great whaling. Easy catchy chorus. Good one. 7. My Michelle. Dumb/flat. 8. More filler.... flat/Skip. 9. Sweet child of mine. Ah! Iconic 80s big rock music ....instantly recognised. Signature track. The opening guitar, love it. How can lyrics that say so little imply so much? The defining song of the album. And the joy is prolonged by an actually *good guitar solo*. Top stuff I have mostly though of this band as "ok" etnertaining, Halloween fun with garish Costumes included. heavy rock people sing along to after a few drinks... Now that I have actually listened to a whole album, my opinion of them is lowered, they're ok ... but "Sweet Child of Mine" is very good as an 80s anthem that captures soemthing of the big carefree celebratory zeitgeit of big rock acts of the day. (But the debased portrayal of rapey sex and misogyny of some of the lyrics on other sings can't be ignored.) trivia: But they sold 100 millions albums (matching Fats Domino, how funny) , made the most expensive album in history (14 million) and the most successful tour by a US Band (dwarfed by U2 and Rolling Stones and even Ed Sheeran and Elton John). They sure left a mark. An icon. But...

"Fly or die" . Ok let's get urban and possibly deeply ironic, yeah :-) . It ticks a genre box I suppose. I'm curious as to why it's on the list... I drop my bias for a moment... I looked for their most popular track.. "she wants to move".. and reluctantly, I can say , on the 2nd listen, does have a certain catchy and original style, on the 2nd listen. Sometimes you have to give new music some time... As the album cover advertises so well what it is, it's easy to see this as juvenile american boy music with attitude. Mostly not for me, and at first it really defies me to see what it defines, achieves or says. ... I actively disliked much if it. As the review mentions they worked hard to make something that others see... Party Rap rock. I started to hear influences of Nirvana harmonies and heavy 90s rock updated ....with modern bit band overtones - moments of Timberlake without the vocal gifts. So that's how I got to 3 stars instead of 1. Bruv slates, andLive long and prosper, fellas. (But I am not sure you broke the metaphorical shell of our understanding of brash American culture).

"Fly or die" . Ok let's get urban and possibly deeply ironic, yeah :-) . It ticks a genre box I suppose. I'm curious as to why it's on the list... I drop my bias for a moment... I looked for their most popular track.. "she wants to move".. and reluctantly, I can say , on the 2nd listen, does have a certain catchy and original style, on the 2nd listen. Sometimes you have to give new music some time... As the album cover advertises so well what it is, it's easy to see this as juvenile american boy music with attitude. Mostly not for me, and at first it really defies me to see what it defines, achieves or says. ... I actively disliked much if it. As the review mentions they worked hard to make something that others see... Party Rap rock. I started to hear influences of Nirvana harmonies and heavy 90s rock updated ....with modern bit band overtones - moments of Timberlake without the vocal gifts. So that's how I got to 3 stars instead of 1. Bruv slates, andLive long and prosper, fellas. (But I am not sure you broke the metaphorical shell of our understanding of brash American culture).

Symphonies of strung out boredom. Enter Sandman was just ok. Why mess with perfection? This genre crossover experiment is strictly for fans. Personally, I would have gone for Baroque period instruments and gotten a bit more floral, or then tied in Ravel & Tchaikovsky influences.... Or at least Danny Elfman, might have made it fun actually! Whereas, thing might have been entertaining - this is about as attention grabbing as a Hans Zimmer 90s soundtrack (he did better with Dune & Blade runner 2049, so he's not all bad a digress. ) Stick with electric strings.

Whitney minstrel noise for old men. I was there already when I was 21. Love this shit. Inexplicable - he just has a groove and way with words and non stories...

Born after 1970... I remain unmoved. It's and album of soft background music of the era. I have never listened to so much of this band in all my life... Why does this not speak to me?

Also for the oddments pile. Even when contrasted with Hawkwind, which i sampled immediately before, not especially soothing, musical, entertaining or uplifting. Again, unpleasant and verging on noisy and mechanical then flicking over to ballads. Or whiney and deflating, like english weather. yes, thats it. heavy low clouds, rain, puddles and mud with a druggy tone that is more bathroom echoes that any kind fo pleasant tickling of the lower or upper ganglia.

What an amazing quirky band. I nearly shut it off after 5 seconds , but it turns out their work is quite varied, intelligent and the screaching is used selectively, thankfully. Interesting lyrics. Varied style. (Mr Elbows can tell me the name for this style as I am ignorant) Turns out I got interested enough to look up their more recent work. How did these guys stay under the radar so long? I guess that's Indy music - you end up getting noticed on a soundtrack selected by people with great taste... Good stuff - quirky, good stuff. Feels like walking down King St Newtown after a strong espresso....

Look. It's ok. Enough beetles.

I gave it a 2nd listen. It's an interesting garage band sound, at moments sounds like the Violent Femmes (ah, high school days!). And there is that punk sneer to the vocals ...Some good sounds but changes style constantly. (Another Girl and Breaking Down are very youth targeted, and I can imagine them doing well a tragically cool alternative live music scene in the 80s. Surprised it was the 70s.. .This sounds more like a well made demo tape than something ready for radio. It has signs of attitude, or of a potentially great guitar band strutting it's stuff. I hear some Doors and Stones and even Patti Smith sounds - but I find the vocals depressing. Pity that heroin stopped them in their tracks, no pun intended. Interesting historical stuff but not going to listen to it again ... not quite there for me

A familiar easy listening sound, but didnt know this by name... I now see its good easy listening mix of jazz blues rock and other experiments. I cant dislike it, but its doesnt make a strong impression on me.

Morrison Hotel - The Doors Yes, yes, and yes. What an album - this is what I expected to find lots of - amazing , superb albums, that capture: an essence; a style; a moment in music; or cultural/musical shift. This is also wonderful for listening simply for its enjoyment and artistry. Yes, 5+ stars. Amazing album, I simply loved *every* track, cohesive and really enjoyable and interesting music, its elevating and soaring, catching blues rock psychedelia (I suppose ), sometimes bawdy in sound, then lilting and trippy, then rollicking and catch, and so, so different to the other music of the times. Behind the catchy tunes are rather challenging, political, or counter culture or simply obtusely poetic and psychedelic messages, if you can be bothered with the lyrics. And a joy - it is the kind of music to turn up loud and exalt in, its so enjoyably unique and bizarre, beautifully executed, they really defined something so different. Naturally, reminded me of the Doors movie, but also of the track "The End" used for the Opening scene of the film "Apocalypse Now" - which has a strange resonance right now, but that's for another article. The Doors. Super solid album. More like this please.

And again. They pull off doing blues and never admitting the ruse... First and last tracks blow it out of the water. Really music defining. I've greatly enjoyed the Stones through the last few decades. This album captures much of what I like. Grandstanding pouty confident grinding big blues with a mix of unexpected tenderness , whimsy, as that contagious & rythmic. Sounds convincingly gritty at times depsite the blues premise... they pulled it off - showmen. And they just got better, and better. but kind of I comprehensible at times. As is life. More.

Perplexing.... This is more bizarre and more obscure and odd than I knew music could. A maddening english riddle. Is this Month Python under cover? Or is this the turgor they mock? These are the people who made clockwork orange and a dish called toad in a hole.

Liked it more than I expected... will give them some more listing time. For the simple reason that bands like Radiohead and Muse get written up so well, and then I find its "meh" for me. These guys are slick, smooth consistent and well produced. I think I need to listen more to fully get the sound. One word summary 'slick' .... But I wasn't truly listening... (But it certainly didn't annoy me, which is a relief after the recent albums on this list!)

Ok, and lets try some spacey folk rock. How different the 60s were. the slower pace, the tinny instruments, cheery tone - I know its not beach boys but it does remind me of their carefree stuff. Apparently an important album for US to have somethign so Byrds could Beeetle and Stones. Its innoffensive eneough but to my modern ear today a bit slow...

1990s music I havent heard of?. hmm. They really are a throwback sound. is the time signature or beats different? A 60s brit/liverpool sound I read... but I didnt "bond" with it in the 90;s so this music doesnt speak to me. "there she goes" of course... (turns out I had heard that one). Yeah, it warms up as the album goes on. like a live show. form a musicology perspective it may have been super influential. but not on me.

Ins E always found this band hits my sweet spot. Like all sweet spots, it's hard to describe. Soothing gentle, perfect for a Friday morning, grooves on, but it's not juts the guitar sound, he has a happy warm voice that does the work. I love the uniqueness of his confusingly happy minor key (or whatever it is he does) vocals and melodies .... I blame California stars.

Pledge a groovallegiance to the funk. Do you promise to Funk the whole funk and nothing but the funk?

Early Cat Stevens. It could be a 2 or a 5 depending on your mood and sensibilities. its slow and dated but not annoying or boring. He was a bit of a heretic even ealry on it seems. His lyrics are commentary. Father & Son. he has such a warm style, and voice, and still cuts through with a universal voice and appeal... I enjoyed somethign less jangly today.

This promises a lot on Wikipedia, so I'm ready for the swing and gliding entry of the opening track of The Shagadelic Love Pad, I mean "Urban Hang Suite". you guys hated it, but for me, its grooving sexy beats get more and more mellow and sensual using all the tell tell sounds, until its obviously romance atmosphere music and dimly lit hotel room or rug by the fire scenery comes to mind. I managed until track 10 before It actually felt a bit too cheesy and self conscious, by the time its The Suite Theme is very post coital somnolence. ha, this is so cheesy and cool, and done with such a straight face, that it made me smile. I see why the Algo suggested to play next songs from Marvin Gaye and George Howard (but not Barry WHite, that would have been too much!)

Let's do this. Nü-metal. If not for a film soundtrack for The Matrix, I'd have never heard of these danger dudes ("Take a look around" still does pack a sweat punch). It can be grating and rythmic and still I can heal some begrudging praise, but the subject matter is awful. So, debasement can be an aim, in music, and life. Does it belong in the list? Maybe. So does Tool, maybe more so? Do I like it... But Man, it's wrecking music for an insane workout... not sure I want to listen to music as loud as this needs to beheard (it's better when it's so loud you can hear it bouncing off a neighbours' house... I do believe it is designed to do that). but those few catchy songs, what can I say? It's not completely awful but it's so damned RARE to feel this angry and destructive.... Overall 3

As musical education and history I see why it's here. I didn't especially like it but it's not "bad" or "annoying'. A showcases some vood guitar and drumming, changes styles a fair bit, shows off solid blues. It's music historian or serious guitar student collection stuff ... but to my ear, it's very much "period music" when listened to in 2023. Reminds me of Hendrix era. even is it's "important" and worthy and well rates, definitely not going to listen again and in terms of pleasure provided for me 2 stars, despite the artistry.

Enjoyed it great funky sound track. Enjoyed. Grooves and has that warm 1970s groove. Sounds 1,000 miles away from what was playing in the rest of the world, but sounds incredibly influential.

The Cure. Transporting, defining music of the last 2 decades of the 20thC. And of my generation for sure Yes, they belong on a list like this. They are good, too good, at what they do. I had forgotten what it is to listen to, and then enter, beautiful discomfort. at first you resist it as moody angsty stuff. but if you want to remember the feelings of teenage alienation, unrequited love, and the complex moods of those hormonal, transitional, and so formative and yet whimsical/melancholic/exciting/hopeful and disoriented times? Disintegration, is sounds almost glib to say it, but it evokes all the longing, pain, empty moody depressed emotions of a teen breakup, or alientation, or sense of isolation so well.... Their melodies and lyrics (their strange so beautifully evoke emptiness, sadness, and Hopelessness with a capital H. As an online reveiwer from Immortal Reviews wrote: "The Cure's Disintegration is an ode to depression, capturing the hopelessness of it in a perfectly..." and then there is this : “A protracted wallow in the misery of love unrequited or recalled in hopeless desolation” is what Britain's Q magazine called Disintegration. And that is their artistry. I always liked (and needed, as an antidote for any listening to their painful cure) their 1 or 2 "happy" tracks best. (Just Like Heaven, "Friday I'm In Love", lovecats. They do make pain beautiful. they do sadnes well, so they also know how to evoke an exquisite joy. I am reluctantly giving this a 5, despite not *wanting* to listent to this at the outsiet, but its quite the psychological exploration. and then the music; they were masters. Small doses.

(if you skip track 1) it's Stylishly made music of seething perfectionism. Akin to listening to eloquently phrased pain, there are some very atmospheric moments, with "Washer" we get a taste of something a bit more cinematic, with building a menacing undertone, oh yes the foreboding is rising, especially if you listen to the lyrics .... It's an 8 minute track. The kind of music a pensive serial killer might unwind and do the dishes to. I admire the art, but in the end, I dislike it.

MORE Steely Dan .. ? is this list rigged towards a certain demographic? Do I attempt to critique this ak I'm? It's probably another breakthrough concept album of semi all importance and stylistic brilliance that ... Anyway. I didn't know I could be found listening to a Steely Dan album TWICE in a year But there you go. It's very up and down. Some tracks "reeling the years" rock on. Other are easy listening but uninteresting. Doesn't really stand up well these days, to these ears. It sounded old to me in the 80s. Is this what pro and anti drug or prostitution messages were like back then? I'm not sure what the title is saying. Or the cover art. Something about self addressed envelopes making people happy. NO more Steely Dan please. Or beetles.

229 Midnight Ride - Paul Revere & The Raiders Please indulge a lack of concision here. We like music from what Springsteen so aptly named our “Glory Days”. And so, it’s hard to break through that. Its highly personal idiosyncratic and down to taste mostly, or so we think. But if we’re honest and informed about the neuroscience and genetics of our programmed preferences – what we like is also a product of time and environment but is largely beyond our own free will and volition. We like and dislike stuff based on criteria that are largely set for us, not by us. And one of those is familiarity and repetition. Or the known formulae for catchy, and the earworm… And the attention we have given it, the memories associated it with; the film, party, personal or relationship (real or imagined), a special place and time. Or maybe it’s something you find very danceable…. Where is the DANCEABLE music? This list was not, I hypothesize again, made with much input from dancers. Or women. You can tell. It’s a list overweight with introspective, male oriented, sitting on the bean-bag listening guitar rock, experimental, and psychedelic in a U.K. and US 60’s -70s stuff And then there are masterpieces. Which brings me to his album, and its about time I do. The (3) times I listened to this album... and each time it played though without any track truly grabbing me. Oddly, its the 1960s stuff that came on next due to "auto play" on my streaming services, fed by algorithm , that I liked. Every bloody time. Just when I thought, “oh I like this one, what is it?” “I'm not your stepping stone” is ok – but that was familiar because of the Monkeys’s version. So does it count? Its hard to like unfamiliar music. And unless you really have an interest in 1960's music or styles, or good memories linked to it, its risky - its hard to break through and inform our taste anew with an unknown album. And 1960s stuff is going to sound quaint and slow. So this album didn't jump out at me. I don’t dislike the band. This album does nothing special for me. So why is it hear? "Baby Please don’t go"" is not on this album NOTE TO SELF - CONCLUSION / THOUGHT - I am adding this one to the pile to be labelled "Textbook stuff", yes it was part of my musical education and broadening of repertoire. I can now name a band I was COMPLETELY ignorant of.,. I've heard the style and heard their experiments now. Tick that box. And I tried really hard to ‘get’ it. But this album, just ticks the box of making progress on the 1001 list goal. I could regret slowing down and spending hours exploring this slightly featureless flatspot of an album that presses no particular buttons for me, but you now what? I learned: 1. If its not working, after a 2nd glance SKIP the album. As an antidote, listen to a few hits from the decade. there is plenty to like in the 60’s - atime of Singles. Get the taste out… 2. There is work involved to sift and find gold and new discoveries. But it sticks out when you find if. Trust your instant reactions. While it failed to move me.. in a way THIS ALBUM HAS SOMETHIGN FOR EVERYONE. "get it on" soulful on the Hammond Organ (or send up of square culture?) "SHAKE IT UP" . could be called "pretend at home" its background music to a 70's film with a house party - except the sound of people talking in the background has been added in. "Little girl in the 4th row" - it is creepy, is it a lullaby? Is it just trying way too hard, and from an era where it seemed oddly sweet to serenade a fan so shamelessly and exploitatively ? Likewise, "melody for an unknown girl" is like an awkward musician writes a musical Personal's Ad which is innocent and hopeful, but also irksome, obvious, and immature and I dont want to be rude. So I will stop. SS396 – oh boy! a song about a car (Chevrolet Chevelle) it sounds like advertising. An interesting archaeological artefact from a more innocent time when popular music and productions were less polished, hyper aware of criticism and varnished into something indistinct. Its doesn't stand up well today. Remove from list…

I am putting this in the "unusual" pile. Having at least *heard* of these guys, I flicked off the actual album, went and listened to hits Master of the Universe & Silver Machine. And then I remembered Motorhead. The band. Music doesnt need a point, or message, or form, it can just be. I seek not to understand. I bare witness. It has its moments. Guitar grind. But I do wonder though what potion you need to take it with for this music to fully 'work'. Steve Halpern is far more transporting. And pleasant I feel the need for a towel folded under my feet to reduce the disorientation and nausea. The guitars are good - but is it because of Lemme? For me, this lacks the pleasant vibe I'd like to have during space travel. This is akin to riding in the back of a Transit van with a broken muffler all the way north on the M6. I'll take an early exit.

Oh lordy that was painful. Shortly after (quite bad experimental track) "Blues Pt 2 " I had to stop..classical attempts are notable for the hellish amateurism. This albums reassures me of my recent conclusions about this list. It's definitely not about the 1001 ***best*** albums. Some parts of the album are so bad they taint the okay parts. Definitely doesn't work for me. I'm starting to think think this list was put together by someone with very wide ranging and obscure tastes which seems to excessively and detrimentally favour uniqueness, curiosity factor or obscurity of the material (perhaps with an exhaustively éducative goal?) over enjoyability or objective quality. The quality/ enjoyment of the last 20 albums has been very inconsistent.

Amazingly, this album still sounds timeless and fresh despite being from 1978. Some of these are quite beautiful midnight guitar ballads of love or regret. How is it some albums can sound terrible, forced, dated, awkwardly produced by amateurs, and this one still sounds to current, universal and well made ? So finally another wonderful “discovery” album... so much to it, too. Nice to have this for phase two of my use of the 1001 list. I am using it to not just listen and rate, btu also understand why on album is considered important or influential... The 1001 book isn't much help (uses too much impenetrable ‘insider’ shorthand ) so I resort to internet articles and they say enough when I ask basic questions like “why is big star considered influential?" Yes, evidently this band is held responsible for what we recognise as 80's and 90's "alternative pop" sound, or our beloved, lamenting university radio (or Triple J in Australia) at the time. This - they say - is the most influential band no one has heard of. My online search yielded this (rolling stone) comment: "It's a record of gorgeous, disjointed heartbreak ballads." and this (from “insidehook”) that “Third wouldn’t have sounded out of place on ’90s college rock radio at all." I agree. It still sounds current... yes, hauntingly good stuff and sounds fully 1990's and very playable at midnight. their languid stuff is very good indeed if you're in the mood for it. Standout for me were: Dream Lover , Nature Boy, Night time- sound so perfectly ahead of their time. and do remind me of a softer version of REM . I did note that Chris Bell (vocals, guitar) sounds, to my ear, very, VERY Australian on Motel Blues (on another album).

The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five Edit - My reviews and tone may get a bit more neutral and maybe upbeat... because I am now reading up on the influence / likely reason an album is here, so I know a bit better what I am in for, and thus less bemused about "what is this?". So thank you 1001 list for introducing me to this seminal album/group. They (MC’s and DJs coming together) paved the way by going from "house parties" to recording studios with their new form of music - rap and hip hop, with important social commentary. It is going to be hard to rate this separately from the obvious importance of a work (I get it) from personal enjoyment, as I don't listen to this style much... and I am only learning to appreciate how much this was “breakthrough” as a style and voice. LIKES +very high quality, no rubbish on this album - (slick and professional in a good way) +warm grooves, oddly soothing and comforting sound +history lesson/art education about his being the first band and seminal work in the style of HIP HOP +oddly familiar (I suppose endlessly covered is why) DISLIKES -its a bit slow at times, and demands attention, COOL % whole song dedicated to celebrating / devoted to “Stevie Wonder” as “the Greatest” % Hearing all the special sounds and cuts and stuff they probably invested, in its original context and early form. % there is a dance remix of The Message. That Notable tracks - The Message - Turns out I know this song "The Message". It’s very well produced, catchy beat and rolling vocals carry me along ... has a warm, listening style, despite the harsh themes covered. I can see how it got the status of “anthem”. New York - cautionary tales, with a cool signature voice effect I dont know the same for.. Scorpio - seems to showcase use of a robot voice - I expect this was very new at the time... and was very cool for the time. Summary: definitely “must listen” as part fo a good Musicology education of the seminal works and sounds that started it all. Top quality production and enjoyable listening. Its objectively high quality art of a new style. I enjoyed it, and its nice to know it a bit better. And to understand its importance socially too. Does it belong on a 1001 list? (1-5) 5 Personal Enjoyment (1-5) 3.5 Will I listen again? Maybe Final score. 4

It's an experiment. Conceptual. A study. Collage. Moments. Observations. All smashed together. It is art and expression but horribly unlistenable. It serves as conceptual art... Ingredients to pull out and do something with later, like the junk drawer. Mostly it is rubbish when countenanced as such. Few will know what to do with it. DOES IT Belong on the kist.? Maybe so we can aste a bit and move on fast... Debatable if you only have 1001. A 2? Maybe there is a category for noise in musicology. If so maybe there are tigers than can sit noisy beside this one. Did I enjoy it even finish it? No. A 1 from me. 1

It is what the articles suggested it to be. Original - so very Icelandic and other "ic" words like Cinematic, beautiful Ágætis Byrjun - Sigur Rós Summer up in a phrase "Take me dreaming, carry me, languid , through a mystic dream forest to the exquisite slate mountain so I can sleep in the Heaven up there" So soothing and well suited to soundtrackers and past listeners of Eno or maybe minimalists who can tolerate a soundscape album for a while - music for those who can hold unfamiliar music and can grasp imagining a film scene or creating in their "KopfKino" a continuance after the seminal scene of a films climax , the ones where the camera rises, and floats before it blurs or darkens after that long drift (like at the end credits of La Grande Belezza, or in films like Wings if Desire ).... Me, in other words. I really enjoyed how this website did a well researched review that went wide and deep,included reference to Huldufólk, the Icelandic island’s native elfin population, and its potential relevance when first listening to this so it needn't seem so odd. Well it will still be odd. But it's like a soundtrack to a very different movie ... And knowing there might be elves there gives you an opening into the ethereal fairy world you are invited to share. https://classicalbumsundays.com/album-of-the-month-sigur-ros-agaetis-byrjun/ So Imagine Brian Eno music for airports meets Nick Cave and Warren Ellis music for odd movie moments. - the outcome is something ethereal and very organic feeling ... and depicting elves maybe, in this highly original Icelandic music with lots of words ending in "-ic" to describe it Cinematic is grasp reach and ambition. Lands it too. Artistic and ambitious - and gets there. The sonic landscape of the elves and of being enthralled , engulfed, embraced warmly and sonically Ethereal Enigmatic and yes somehow familiar and soothing. Melodic and yet some schrill moments - there is falsetto Incomprehensible nordic tongue means you hear the voice and don't understand the words except in a soothing transporting nautical way like a half dream. It Reminds me greatly of "music for airports" by Brian Eno (especially on Avalon) .. and also of Moments of late Hansa Zimmer here too (blade runner 2049 ) I imagine making this , especially when young, this isdaring stuff, not even done as a project for a film, with a support or pointz but as stand alone is quite something. And they stuck with it for more than one experiment. Imagine it in black mirror or cinema credits. They can do some amazing stuff. Yes it could be trippy. I'm not sure if the effect would be happy or unhappy if you were floating drugged to this soundtrack. To my ear you don't need anything. It does enough on its own NOTED WITH INTEREST. to keep the vibe going after this album, the algo again came up with the gorgeous sounding SONG FOR ZULA by Phosphorescent.. and then the lovely, so lovely Palace played HEAVEN UP THERE. Oh yes... That might be a direct influence and connection right there ? I do thank you, algo. I like it when that happens. More of this for a haggard soul. Not for everyone but if you're this far into the list, you can probably handle almost anything. And hopefully this soothed. Should it be here on the list? Yes. 4-5 (wonderful and unqiue for a genre, unsure how influential or important it is, but beauty and art it is to me ...) Like it? 4.5 Overall. Oh gosh a 5. I'd like to hear more Palace since we are here. Written completely sober, save for the entrancement if this album .... This album sustains an idea a long as half an album side ... And yet has

His 16th album. I had no idea he was so prolific, or had a record deal at age 12, and they say here is was at the height of his powers - from his “classical period” this is one of his best, most perfect works (3 consecutive Grammy best album awards in the 70’s - and he not only defined the sound of the 70s, he is a joyful voice for so many feelings, moments and places - thats a legacy and influence). Thai album, I learned, is considered “his the most consistent, most coherent and most perfect of all Stevie Wonder albums“ . And yes, I found it spectacular for so many reasons. His beautiful warm and delicate voice. Motown is so soulful enjoyable happy and upbeat. And then the emotion evoked, when understanding it an important political / social document on post 60’s disappointment - the promise that didn't materialise. Succinctly summarised here ( I am neither expert nor succinct enough to do better): https://somethingelsereviews.com/2015/08/06/stevie-wonder-innervisions/ So onwards... MY IMPRESSIONS Simply put its a beautiful album. Very cohesive in sound. Agreed. Fascinating wonderfully and elevating . He does tender, beautiful, intelligent and strong simultaneously. Moving if you actually sit , pause, and listen to understand what he is singing about. Standout tracks for me?(so hard to choose) Higher Ground. Summary Does it belong on a 1001 list? (1-5) 5 yes. Personal Enjoyment (1-5) 5 Will I listen again? Yes Final score. On easy 5. What a standout talent and impact for all of us... not to mention so many other albums spanning decades, the “other” version of Happy Birthday and its significance to many Americans. Entertainer, and true leader and culture shaper.

Disclaimer - mostly on country, I am more I Solent and heretic that irreverent. You see country is a style that I have never taken fully seriously for it's bizarre plaintive and repetition, not least the wonky noises it makes. (Think of the use of Blue Bayou in Mars Attacks film, as a weapon that killed Martians ... that will out you on my wavelength , dear reader, as there can only be one of you, too!) This album, well the band name is a clue, - A curiosity and highly entertaining as a pisstake of country and folk and whatever the cool style of the moment was. (I mean, does style and gentle matter...? . )The lyrics are meant to be funny right. Right??! It's like the send up/hamming up - beautifully done - in the fillum O'Brother Where Art Though? It's gelled so stiff it's caricature. And thus funny. And "Sin City" could be what " A man if constant sorry " was based on.... Performed with a stupor and straight face, it would make me grin ear to ear. I can rarely handle country except ironically, and this helped me chill and smile wryly while sipping from my jar and thumbing the hole in my overalls. Surely "Juanito" is both parody or horror of true childish male debasement of women. Does it belong here? Not sure. To tick a box? Did I like it? It's ok.mnif it gives you the giggles but then gets painfully plaintive Sometimes it serves to entertain (like the upbeat, My Uncle). Actually better is the soundtrack to OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOUGH ? ... Final rating. I barely care to rate it... It induces such deep hopelessness and apathy, as perhaps it should.

The Wizard of Oz had a yellow brick road, Dorothy, travelling buddies, and encouraging affirmations to sing so the journey was less painful ... Instead, Radiohead listeners WANT the pain. Exhibit A: their most popular track is “Creep” , which soars in beautifully articulated self disposing teen-like shame pain. A quick ‘taste’ is enough for most. So, this is exhibit B: An entire album about a protagonist suffering from severe anxiety and social isolation, unable to get the contact and joy they seek. A bit like that bit in Pilgrims Progress, where, weighed down by his Burden (his own filth and shame literally strapped to his back), the protagonist sinks into the Slough of Despond. If you want, this album can take you there. To that feeling. And it sounds so screeching and grating, others will close the door so you can be really alone with it. So don’t listen to this. Look for the metaphorical steps. Climb out. Seek help., Yes a purpose in life it to learn to adaptively LEAN IN to your own pain, and not always seek comfort, if you’re to grow. But sitting and listening to this is just depressing. So what is the attraction of Radiohead ? Why is this pain enjoyable? Does it feel deserved. Is the illusion that diving in you come out the bottom, stronger? On the other hand, researching the musically influences for this album led me to re-find some excellent ambient techno from last century (“we are the music makers”). So its not all bad. Why its hear? Because serious muso seem to like it. Is it art? Yes. Do I like it? No. Especially the voice. And the music. Rating 1.

I liked it. From the first track. Its cinematic and quirky, only a few tracks detracted (was it theramin they ruined it with? or a saw? c'mon.) but anyway.... gentle and flowing to the point of almost boring, perfect for odd cinema and TV or a scenic road trip through alps or majestic valley in a desert, or tripping (the psychadelic connection isn't hard to make) I do think you could go for a walk in a forest to this and not realise the music is playing - its so breezy and atmospheric. (it would just blend with the situation, and make sense, carrying you along. SO YES, seeing I liked, it, I wondered and thought why not? ... so, yes - I dared, I LISTENED TO THE INSTRUMENTAL VERSION OF THIS OBSCURE LITTLE ALBUM. Yes, there’s more! Its even better and cleaner. This is going to appeal to listeners of classical and soundtrack, and gentle ambient music, and it is evocative - hence , yes, I liked that even more. warm slow pulsing builds BUT NOW WITH MORE HORN! and some harp...Not kidding. . Yes, psychaledic rock, I like. Best tracks, Opus 40, Godess on a Hiway, Holes. Does it belong here?. Probably because its obscure and they hung around., and maybe there isnt much recent Psyrock around? Do I like it? yes, I do like Psychadelic rock. its a great soundtracky journey. and somehow it dint annoy me. 4.5

Ragged glory - Neil Young The guitar on the first track: S U P E R B. Feels like a concert (and on reading, I find it sort of was). Oh the warm and soothing sounds of Neil Young. He constantly evolved, (he has done so much over the decades - I love his “Harvest Moon” version). Apparently this album was another renewal. It certainly sounds like wonderful jam session among friends (the internet explains they recorded all their “sets” across 2 weeks, and chose the best version of each song). They capture a polished yet “live” and natural feeling very well. It works, and you feel invited to be right there. Quirky, homemade, and real. Just go with it. Let it work. And I love how they sound somehow celebratory and carefree... "it gives me peace of mind, and leave myself behind" Apparently they call this ‘garage rock’ A full throated 5 from me.

The piano man never lets down. He is Mr Consistent. Oddly I didn't know the album, but yes to the tracks, obviously perhaps, from cassette days... I thought it would sound more dated after all these years. Good stuff. Timeless? Definitely polished and well produced. He fills the well worn slot if story teller for the everyday man , where relatable suburban music is rare on this list. It's not hard to listen to. Or understand buts relatable. Decent. It's like music or stories that are welcome because parts of them are already known, I served, either familiar tropes, or silent echoes already in your soul, like an ancestor. I don't know if I can critique it, we so easily dismiss what works well because it's isn't hard. 4

Screwing with database is since the 1960's these guys clearly were experimental and willing to mix different styles which I guess that's why it's in this list it's a Fusion kind of crossover in a bit of Bluegrass mix it country mixed with I don't know probably do I love it no do I hate it no it's it's ok soft background country 20 fun stuff 600mm

Warm and enjoyable over big speakers for pretty much anyone who lived and loved through the 80s a wonderful reminder of the joy of Simply Red and his bouncy locks and magical voice... And what a nice way to wake up. Great blue eyed soul (was it always called that?).

fun . much more enjoyable and familair than I expected. because I thought I woudl compeltely hateit. but it felt like caracature rock for Japan to thrash out and headbang to... who is to say? belong? no idea. Love? not especialy. and I in a bad mood now form all this mediocrity and obscuranus on this list today? yes.

So different at the time. So alternative it was our mainstream. Stunning. Gripping emotional languid emotional almost purple and atmospheric - a sound that lasted a decade until we probably heard it too much. Soft samba country blue no genre ... It's so VERY different to occasionally turgid garage boy albums on this list. Yes this is much needed colour, warmth, sensuality and a female swooning voice. Take me to your place and play this.

It's well produced. Alternative and non standard.A bit haunting and soundtrack like. Atmospheric. Polished. Experimental clanging and lyrical with a good little drum kit. Warbling lyricist who does all kinds of things. Creatively courageous because it isn't going to be a commercial hit and would be hard to give radio play, or tour with.... I didn't bother reading why it's important or who's side project this was. Good but not a bringer of particular joy. Does It deserve to be on 1001 list? Hard to see why... There is a lot of very interesting instrumental stuff that never sees the light of day. Why this one? How much did I love it...? 3-4. I could listen again.

Soundtrack to a kids film? I thought at times it was a 45 rpm played at 33 rpm. Dated. To the point of feeling archival. Not groovy.

This might make sense on a cassette. But in a different place time and music system than mine. As the song by this band says "all my friends are dead" and "FTW" and "don't say motherfucker motherfucker" sum up their developmental advancement and contribution to the art.

Oh the british. Like childish song sung by a sock puppet. Rubbish. The mentality of a teenager. Creepy when sung by an adult. We expect so much more now. This aged poorly. Take it off. Off.

Um yeah. I accidentally listened to a Delux edition and the album had a about 30 too many tracks. This band is in the category of " a few tracks good, a whole album, bad" So it hurt after a while. I imagine some people like this rock opera and maybe it brings back power ballad memories, like maybe running helicopter missions on speed in Vietnam, with this on an 8 track. But I wasn't there man.

((Totally new for me. Excellent and different. a relief it isn't crap. This is a wretched list)) Adventurous? ...you like it non-standard sometimes? Or maybe you are bored and need something edgier to meet your mood ? Take one of these then. It might work.... Excellently chaotic music, suited well to almost any mood, but perhaps best suited driving top down along Mulholland at some crepuscular dawn after an all night pool party, half open Hawaiian shirt, RayBans and a 52mm girth Cuban between the lips. Haven't you heard of this band? Me either. He played with the Pixies. This description from Wikipedia makes help to make sense of what is going on, and why the guitar sounds are pressing familiar buttons you can't put you're finger on: "His vocal style has varied from a screaming, yowling delivery as lead vocalist of Pixies to a more measured and melodic style in his solo career.[4] His cryptic lyrics mostly explore unconventional subjects, such as surrealism, UFOs, and biblical violence, along with science fiction and surf culture.[5] His use of atypical meter signatures, loud–quiet dynamics, and distinct preference for live-to-two-track recording during his time with the Catholics, give him a distinct style within alternative rock.[6] Source: Wikipedia, obviously.

Björk the screaming sparring angel. So playful and Acid drenched... A fascinating warm and merry band of revellers twirling the skirts of reality - bluegrass and freeform meets dervish singers..... I also liked her on 808 State....

I almost missed it, but had a 2nd listen. Atmospheric stuff, languid and cinematic and a bit soundtrack-ish Sunday morning music. But small speakers ruin it Large speakers let it's warmth fill the room properly, and revel the artifice. A massive echo, sounds like it recorded in a big warehouse - hence big atmospheric airy feel. And so I look them up. Toying this year. Subdue Opera House in December.

2008. rated album of the year by some. why havent I hear of it? I play their best of... / most popular in descending order. nothing for me today. Tidy, atmospheric, but the vocals dont light me up. Boring boy music? So I tried not to dismiss them. I listened all the way through GOLDEN AGE. Nothing.

I actually like the yeah yeah Yeahs I liked every truck on this album it's a funny playful punky super firm screeching with playful delight kinda sexy

What's not to like? Perfectly suited to chilling . Great rainy day music. Amazing that it stands up so well from the 1960s... And there is nothing quite like can Morrison... I don't think anyone even imitates it... Best when not overplayed. (Like the 90's after the Julie Roberts film - sleeping with the enemy....) That was rough. Yes belongs on the list ... Not my all time favourite musician. But a big soft spot. 4 starts

Hello blur. That gorilla sound. French autoroutes. Driving. European summers.Im finking about leaving the house. And I crack a beer. And I am happy for the test fo the day. Know what I mean ?

ok, my instant reaction was this is the kind of whacky stuff that many of us first heard on all those soundtracks of vietnam war era Hollywood films that came flooding out in the 1980s - way out psychadelic road rock. I got into those for a while, but I dont recall ever hearing of this. We are in woodstock territory here. Not sure when I will next be in the mood for that... Or how this is different or better than the ones that were successful- sound very similar. If "in-a-gadda-da-vida" is meant to sound like siganture anthem - the noodling is fun and familiar vbluesy, but then its a bit overdone and verges on rock opera.... oh my.

Main review - started as a 4 or 5 but i see how others ended on a 3... His voice works for the genre, and he has a distinctive sound, and a lot of melodic complexity, breaks out into singing - the very well woven in (seemlessly?) samples and mixed with other singers - what a great example. Apparently 20 years on. The beats and sounds work for my ear, and bring a playful joy and intricacy that is both polished and enjoyable ... Energy and yet - slow beat - is this called swingin' ? I cant but agree with terms like “lush” and “effortless” The best tracks have a warm richness and evoke fun motown so smoothly woven / counterpointing the samples. But ... then it takes darker turn (so awkwardly it sounded like caricature/irony/pisstake to me.. I thought Weird Al Yankovic got the mic) - oh boy - he needs to claim and show and explain how great he is.. And it get less happy in tone and the words revert to bragging themes... As the albums cover suggest ( on urban african american posing on a large wooden desk with leather writing pad, smoking a cigar, showing status and holding audience - ) in the end, has all the hip hop signs of “show and explain” the status and triumphant superiority and brittle socially constructive redemption and mutual destruction inherent to urban masculinity. Which is abrasive and boring, and doesn't give something that i take up and run with, thats for sure... is it the cover for urban boys - puffed up status - so hollow. Post script I know so little about Hip hop, I had to look up how it differs to rap (which I now know is a musicall offshoot of 4 part culture/artistic movement of music dance street art and xxx) . This album - released 11 September 2001 - (yes, 9/11) continues my exploration of the genre which is due to this 1001 list. Before this I mostly hear it incidentally if it was charting (although I once owned a cassette by “the disposable heroes of hiphoprisy” which i found interesting social commentary) When I hear one I like, I am basically surprised, so I have started a playlist called something like “rap & hop hop I actually like” (because I cant tell the difference between hop hop and rap yet - and it mostly unusual to find one that is energising happy and pleasant - I dislike most for their harsh rapping, misogyny and violent dissing and shgit-taliing, and general non melodic aggressive beats - ) . Some are cool - and have warm grooves and powerful lyrics, and - maybe - a pleasant voiced singer who does something other than claim exceptional amazing, superior dominance and power over enemies he wants to smoke for their transgressions. There is some literature on the particular socially constructed (reactionary/ insecure/shame based debased then exalted) male identity, misogyny etc of the genre. Because it is reactionary - emergent and I’d like to know better how to describe what this is, socially, psychologically and in terms of identity. Is it self aware? Its definitely archetypical and caricature - young bloods, gnasters, bosses, intimidations and war etc . Its about “getting out” and not being like the rest (which is what they were so.....?). Rejection of the self - shame and a type of false confidence and a constructed and possibly false self? Disowning a part of yourself - and them I remember “Jenny from the Block” , when she goes back and owns that part of herself her past , her origin story, transforming the whole identity or making peace with it, or is it PR? I would like to read more on this thing. But pain produces something beautiful sometimes and this subculture gives a voice about injustice, social political and identify issues.... Unique. Important. If harder to understand when you aren't the intended audience.

I think this might be a quick listen and review. I think its heavymetal. Excelent power ballad stuff for those seeking it in this form. Deeply unpleasant voice that evokes horror, disturbing feelings of visceral unpleasantness and nausea. Id give them a chnace with a different vocalist... if life was longer? I need 30 seconds before I shut it down., or.... the time it took to write this.

OK we are 1980s caricature now. Is there a famous or brilliant track here, is this Paula Abdul's backing band doing intro music for straight to VCR movies? Hmm cater a few tracks...is album is here because it fits into a micro genre and if we're going to fill out the entire colour wheel of musical genres in this house and one album left we're taking a box birth other than the curiosity fact there in musical education of 80s synth pop background music that could well be elevator music I really don't understand what special here

Ah De la Soul. The happy smiling voice grooves. They make hip hop sound SO much lighter than anyone I can think of right now... Of course it's more a private listen, as opposed to radio, so unless you had an album, you don't hear this much... Outside clubland, that is, and even then it was faster remixes.... A welcome shift in mood. And I so like the gentle pace. For grooving. And chilling hadn't noticed the whole thing was like a gentle hip hop Sesame Street ... It's explaining the basics. ... Life lessons and a big piss take. Like. Belong on the list .. yes but not sure it's their best album. Was it breakthrough? Like. 4-5/5

Proof I am not an Elton man, I havent heard of the album. that is also how ignorant I am of the 70s. Does he rival the piano man for ballads, i hear you ask? its ok road music... is it telling a story I relate to like Billy Joel? its pleasant enough, and doesnt offend. I cant beleive there is a 3 disc 50th anniversary version to draw all this out though. Life must have been SO BORING and dry for this to ignite anything. Oh England in the 1970s was so awkward.

Thank you 1001 for introducing me to do many new albums. Except for all the crap ones like the one after this.... Music is meant to be fun. To press a musical pleasure button. Bring about a wanted emotion or distract from an unwanted one. This one is a very, very out there version that. This is at the DEADPOOL end of the spectrum. Soothing quirky irony is track one. I gird myself for the 2nd. Oooh, funky. I like the kettle. Oh shit I might be hooked on a new album. And wildly new genre that feels created all for me. I'm in a good mood with this. Immediately added this to my "grooving mornings" playlist.

oH mY. carefree, songs that make me long for my party friends. TWO HAPPY ALBUMS IN A ROW. WELL DONE 1001! This is class stuff. Classy. classic. and even has sing along and dancable stuff. old favourites - so yeah a sentimental choice. Summary: 1. Belongs on a list of 1001 - no idea... It's interesting. But how unique or influential, I don't know OK. 2. Do I like it? Yes. One if albums to own. 4-5. yes.

...my instant reaction this is going to be more of that whacky (cool?) stuff on all those nostalgic/atmopsheric/retro soundtracks of Hollywood 1980s 'vietnam' war films. - way out psychadelic road rock 8 track rediscovery stuff... generously or optimistically thinking "ah, We are in Woodstock territory here. Not sure when I will next be in the mood for that..., but maybe this is ithe time?" If "in-a-gadda-da-vida" is meant to sound like their signature anthem for their album, the first 20 seconds of noodling is fun and familiar, but then its a bit overdone and verges on rock opera.... oh my. the vocals lets this down. not for me.

Its not aweful. I have now heard even more hip hop and can say I heard something offshot from wu-tan clan but I miss the signifcance and imprtance shirotically msuically or otherwise? why is this different enough to include? Its smooth consistent and like one long background track for a ganster scene - repetitive for me, you? its not talkoing ot me, its not my pain, origin, style or scene I see puff daddy helped on a remix...

According to a rolling stone article it's a drug fuelled masterpiece from 1972. To me it's a slow version of heavy metal, which I basically don't listen to, except for a bit of Motorhead, and a bit of ACDC (its energising stuff now)kind of ironically for fun.. . gentle even... rock opera? anyway, i saw them live in Sydney 15 years ago and it was history, education, It is funny how this music was so rebellious and harsh and scary to people in the 1970s, compared to how normal and tame it sounds now. they clearly were very influential.. SUMMARY IT belongs ON THE LIST? probaly. imprtant. 3 ish...? Do I love it? no. 1-2

This moves. A change of pace alright. SO DIFFERENT to the turgid stuff in this part of the 1001 list.So slick and lush and almost painfully sensual (this makes the mainstream stuff others were playing feel cold and remote...an aside on album art - fonts aside - the cover photo is modern, still). This album moves... what a voice, and style. tight band. If this is his first attempt at funk, he nails it. ... and he isnt even at "sexual healing" (that was 10 years later!) , but he is on the topic already, as captured on the wikipedia page for this album. ...this deserves to be on the list. and I like it. An easy, so easy, 5 and I am just 3 tracks in.

Well boys, if am going to listen to this, I am going to need a Trucker handle (name) for my CB radio chatter , but cant decide between Moonshine & Luna Moon. Which is more me, a double entendre or the tautology? This smooth album, err, "transports" me to a big barn style bar with neon and barrels and peanut shells and sawdust around. The warm relaxing tones are welcome on this album, and unlike most country, it doesnt grate and need not be weaponised in the Mars Attacks style. I suppose I do miss my 80'thundering Copperhead Road (Pogues influenced). Does the album below here? not qualified to say Do I love it? It is pleasant enough. Comforting. And the lullaby "little rock n roller" finally mentions a Truck Stop, and is kinda sweet. 3.5

Aware of it's legendary status, I have a listen (while reading a bit about its groundbreaking sound effects, equipment and recording methods... ) It was overall an enjoyable ride and a good tour of their music and some surprising styles they had collectively and individually arrived at by the time it was recorded, including a more expansive guitar and blues than I expected, but plenty of their psychedelic style, but also interesting, as a musical education goes. It takes a fair bit of education to understand the immense symbolism of what is achieved here. But the main thing is to experience it and have a fresh (actually, first) listen. I enjoyed the fittingly warm welcome of Track 1, the rich warmth (on big speakers) of "come together" - which is exactly what they did, here, for a final album. And then its quite a range of styles and pace: sometimes its blues album, some almost roger-waters guitar going on, and other experiments as if they each got a few 'wild cards' to put on it. Notable are "trippy" and coded references I suspect I often miss (being neither a Beatles expert or around at the time to understand). Track 2 (to my ear) jumps back to an earlier very McCartney sounding style? then "Maxwell's silver hammer" was just annoying, American blues with "Oh! Darling" but not with a voice I'd match with blues at all... ). A few jarring oddities (Octopus's Garden a kids singalong ditty). Andyte, this was fun and carefree rebellion, music of a time. Obviously so massive and influential. Would have been a wild listen. And on big speakers the warm blues rock sounds do work. I;ve seen at least one Beatles doco, soi i am not surprised the boring flat spot is Lennon's song about Yoko "she's so heavy" ( a triple entendre unintended?) to end side A. SideB offers "Here come the sun!"... Lovely uplifting energy. They can put a smile on your mind when they do their stuff right. Kids of the 60s, I think I might be starting to understand your music a bit better. (and how did you listen to "Because" without feeling stoned?) Sun king. I like "Sun King". A bit of fun gibberish. I think I have a favourite Beetles song finally And then it keeps going - a medley they called it... . A fitting, playful, showcase, farewell album. A bit of everything and it felt like everyone got to have a go... I am happy I did not skip it.

2004. A " best album " I never heard of it. ... Curious. But the ugly portentous cover threatens a forgone conclusion it might not be my taste. (Because it's going to be intentionally jarring and ugly and hard to love?. But let's see. ) Ok. You really have to be in the right mood for this...! Their music is wild and rough and original and varied. And also I sure and hard to get access to via streaming. Important to include a struggling stark and different voice. Even if it's not easy

oooh yeah, wonderful; its the mellow groove - yes, smooth on every warm loving track. I am going to have to be careful not to overplay this now...

Let's just take a moment to take in that cover art. And then try standing still when the music starts. Smiling, dancing, soul warming music. The energy and playfulness and riotous fun of Latin music, still does it's magic as well now as 50 years ago. And the title and texts Endure some analysis apparently. A timeless masterpiece I guess. Again! Ola.

if music on this list can make me smile, even ironically, it gets a point. At my high school there was wall with either The Jam or The Stems grafiti on it. Given how many mods I knew then, I am surpised I dont know this music so much. (obviously it was deeply cool at the time), i find iconic happy crazy light sound. I find it playful, in the way Elmer Foodbeat is, without the poignant and extremely crude French lyrics. So yes, there's a warmth to the guitar style, and something proulsively mindless to the poppy repetition. Funny to discover these at age 50, feeling my teen rebeliousness rising, I am putting this in the cool pile. Oi! babbabbababah! yeah why not, a fiver for ya.

While I have sufficient empathy to see how serenely introspective and delicate this album can seem, I wasnt in that mood. It made me so ... tired. This... it answers "How to make one of the most vibrant times in musical history feel boring, dejected, flaaaat.. oh wow a droning steel string in the left speaker, and droning male rheedy voices on the right. harmonically bored in stereo. ****stop press*** the exception was the tralalalalla bits in "our house" was almost happy in a silly way. probably perfect for swaying and painting walls while off your face, half asleep... to twangy to sleep to, alas.

I nearly named my first born son Jamiroquai because of this album. Jommi for short. This is just just soaring music, the coolest, happiest beats..

Soothing cinematic opening, warm strains, evoking a dark, softly lit and red carpeted jazz lounge. Not a jarring moment - well produced, after a gentle country moment, it returns to full stylistic form, before a fine exit. On the 2nd listen its like a male analog of Petula Clark, with Karen Carpenter perhaps. I am surpised I didnt find it corny. It is relaxing. I am not sure how this made it onto the list, but it is very listenable. And not at all challenging. If the role of Art is to uplift, provoke, soothe, entertain and educate , this ticks one box nicely. Why havent I heard of Mr Hawley?

Admittedly, the music bits of my brain were salivating before I even got it going, as I'd never listened to an actual Beastie Boys album. Normally, I just sing along to their anthems, feeling audaciously cool and hoping there is a some RUN DMC coming on too. Secretly hoping I haven't confused the two... <cringe?> While at its best these guys are “good fun” and extremely effective and catchy hooks and have a really special signature style we all know and enjoy to various degrees.... Alas, it turns out its lyrically debased if your examine it closely, they are upfront in their fascination for getting the girls, and theft are so different to the rest in the urban music space, despite the indisputably shrill and annoying vocals. Summary Does it belong on the list? Yeah, they did stuff that stood out... but I cont say this has the influential songs. The hits certainly aren't here. It does represent a consilience of styles from different genes - were they experts at assembling other’s ideas (like the film the Matrix by stealing almost every science fiction concept out there) or did they do breakthrough stuff? I have no idea.. Did I love it? Its was just OK. Somehow I preferred the first track to the rest. So no then... It's not really album music - it gets annoying fast . Their catchiest songs like Sabotage and Fight for your Right, and Intergalactic have been huge - they aren't here. Rating 2. Dont love or hate it. meh

Sometimes a cover tells you all you need to know. One of their albums (till deaf do us part) has a bent 6 inch nail hammered into an earhole. And I now believe these man-boys of Wolverhampton had no more meaningful or artistic ambition than to 'ave a go and cash in on the crap glam rock era. They sure 'ave succeeded in making satirically aweful music. But why did they make so much of it? As if english food, and the weather wasnt enough.

Oh well, on to the like with the other circa 1970 albums that sounds like a (bad as opposed to wonderful ) self indulgent teenager rebellious experiment... a quirky caricature of the 70s. ... was it " Deliberately challenging and hard to like " in that punky way.... ? They took the repellant image of a Rictus Sardonicus, the tetanus induced grin, from the horror movie (a 1961binteractive horror film) ... and made an album. Thumbs down. I choose punishment.

Liked track 1. Tried twice but this album didn't sustain my attention. Felt like it's juts noodling and noisy. And I like led Zeppelin, or so I thought.

intimate and brooding and then animal howl. sexy sensual and rocky angry artistry packed into a small space. she has a voice and does a lot with it. Putting it on the energetic workout or gardening pile, work out some angst on this soundtrack.

Interesting and amped up time capsule from 1969 - a live punk rock education. A call to the barricades. Rocking along, energetic, choatic agro fun for slam dancing. The hoarse vocals are a bit painful. They sure put it all out there. This is real rock. interesting vintage listening, history lesson.

Ah, what fun!. That hand on the cover, it pleads like the hungry five petaled face of a demogorgon... Self aware and funny ... I hope it's intentionally a giant pisstake of everything an angry young man struggles with. A nice light touch for the genre. Refreshing. Happy. so playful and varied. A soundtrack to a video game life wish a big dash of Dead Kennedy's insouciance ... 1. Does it belong on a list like this? Absolutely. Wonderful example of a well executed stuff most sane people will never willingly explore but this is enormously entertaining fun. (Example "Chop suey!" On another album). All of it is probably in bad taste but I haven't assessed the lyrics yet... 2. Did I like it? Oh yeah, I probably like the album called "toxicity" more for it's entertainment value. Score? 4.5 because it should be played more. But ONLY when your up to it ... Go for it .

OK a warning might be nice. Intense. Requiring serious attention, substantial tolerance for noxious psychological stimuli. Functioning as my own ethics committee, I assigned myself an antidote immediately (vagus nerve breathing). Astonishing and Potent. And how obviously Springsteen's NEBRASKA album sound - yeah verily, "Rocket USA" gave us the whoops on Johnny 99, and Frankie Teardrop fed State Trouper. Effective as all ____. But never again.

nice to experience ray charles voice - different to what I expected. very varied album. side B preferred, smaller intimate sound, and his voice comes through. a different pace altogether. but mostly its background, atmosphere, as oppose to deeply moving, for me.

Its just not my thing. bye bye rock opera 70's style. but i I want to blame you, and british stuff like this, for spawning Andrew Lloyd Weber .

A perfect album for evoking a thorough hopelessness and deep dispair. I wonder - the female vocalist could do a “cowboy junkies” cover with that voice. Impressions: A melancholy and weary sorrow. Deep disillusionment. Pleading when hopes have withered and died. A droning desolation, punctuated by shanty drinking tunes. charting the bottoms of the sea of depression, they paint a very brown picture of lifes despondency. I hear 'pogues' like sounds and a 'cowboy junkies' female voice peaks through , but I dont , I really dont, want to listen to this any more today. it makes me worse than weary. so yes, very effective, their evocations of self pity. 2 2

I cant fathom why this album is special enough to make it on a top 1001 list. its a genre... is it amazing? no. plus there is plenty of this genre here.

Much more enjoyable as a LZ sampler than LZ 3

what can I say that hasnt been said ? - great energetic really different fun sound - playful full bore rock. yeah!

At first boring then it got interesting because I paid attention to what was going on, and read about it's psychedelic improv ... which makes it a whole different experience. A careful listening thing. Curious.

Headphones made this especially joyful. The detail in the synth instrumentation and the rhythmic and energetic grooves plus the really fresh attitude Cherry brought to music is just a wonderful throw back to the era. Some defining sounds of the era which remain so fun to listen to.

A few historical and important tracks and shows their style. But is this their best album?