1001 Albums Summary

2.2 Turns out I really can't do Europop. It wasn't terrible, just found nothing interesting about it. I think he'd do really well at eurovision, let's say that.

3.3 Really enjoyed the first half, definitely ran out of steam towards the end, chucked all the weaker tracks back there. Don't mind a bit of this genre, but can't help but feel there's a lot of better options out there.

4.5 Never realised how good this was. This came out the year I went to uni, as an angsty teenager I thought the title track was a masterpiece (although I'm sure there was a single version which was a bit shorter) but couldn't really get into the rest of the album. My Ashes brought the rock down to a crashing halt and Anaesthetize I found too long. Had the first on repeat though. Then I quickly put it down and never listened to it again. Listening back two decades later... Wow. The first track ironically is one of the weaker ones, the lyrics are too much like he's trying and failing to see the world from a kids eyes. It feels exactly like what a parent worries their kid would think. Still a good tune though. The rest of the album really shines though. Anaesthetize is an absolute corker. Can really hear the Steven Wilson - Opeth partnership shine through here. Even Sentimental and Way out of Here are great tunes, I don't think I ever got past Anaesthetize before. Will definitely be checking out their back catalogue now.

2.9 Tough to rate this. A few lyrics sounded familiar to Opeth, and sure enough, this album was big inspiration to him. I liked it at first, although each subsequent listen left me less and less enthused. It's extremely proggy, to an extreme in places. For every great riff or great moment there's a counterbalancing moment of nonsense elsewhere on the record. Glad I heard it, but it just fell short of getting saved down.

4.1 Yes, very good. I went through an electronica phase in the late 2010's which sounded very similar to this. Nathan Fake, James Holden, etc. First track felt like if Kieran Hebden and Steve Reich had a baby, and I'm all here for it. Last track was a belter, great atmosphere, very Bing & Ruth. Won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it was a bit of mine. Good rec.

3.6 Enjoyed that, never heard Spanish punk before but I'm all for it. If I could understand Spanish that would slip right in there with NoFX, Pennywise, Propagandhi etc. Definitely detracts from the experience not knowing what they're saying, but musically it was very enjoyable. Saving it down.

4.5 I was very torn on whether this slips into 5* territory or remains at 4*. So much so that I must have given it about 10 listens now, one of my highest before giving a rating. I think it deserves it. I've enjoyed the small number of post-hardcore albums on the original list, a genre I never explored before but wished I had. I think this album is the creme de la creme when it comes to this genre. I'm listening to it and don't understand how this didn't take off alongside grunge. Two similar but distinct genres, one of which blew up and the other didn't. Luck? It's got as much energy, passion, and playability as grunge. Anyway, very interesting to hear this, as it's the missing bridge between bands I like that came before (sonic youth, Jane's addiction, + hardcore in general) and bands that I like that came after (Deftones rings so much in this). How was this not on the original list.

2.4 I was pretty disappointed by that. Initially excited when I saw this, I liked that Blinding Lights song but never explored him further, was happy to sit down and giving this a devoted listen. However, it feels like as all the elements that make Blinding Lights work just gets... lost elsewhere. The 80s vibe to the song is only really perfectly captured on that song itself. Maybe Save your Tears also. However, whilst it works in 5 minutes bursts, the vocal style is extremely grating for a full hour - so much autotuning is horrible on the ears. The beats are good in places, but a bit repetative after a while. Just really let down by both vocals and lyrics - feels like it's aimed at the "I'm 14 and this is deep" generation. More than anything, overall it's just an exhausting album to listen to. Disappointing.

4.5 Kept coming back to this. This is a beautiful album. I only knew of Talk Talk really from that one vice city song, which was on the album on the main 1,001 list. Was alright, but I wrote them off as yet another new-wave band. This is a great release though, very soft, very slow, very moody, but also tranquil and ethereal in parts. The almost soft jazz like vibe rippling through these songs compliments the vocal style so well. Great inclusion.

2.4 I tried to understand why this was rated so highly so gave it a couple listens. Just not doing it for me. It's early electronica, it's repetative, it's not very disco-y, it's not really doing much. I can see maybe this was an inspiration to a fair few people. There's even a bit of Ceephax Acid Crew-nish to this. But in isolation I don't think it's doing much.

2.8 I really really tried, but it just didn't click for me. It was the sad twang of a lot of 2000's artists, like a louder Damien Rice, but with a country vibe that just really didn't do it for me. The only song I did enjoy and save down was First Day, but the rest was just a depressing slog to get through. Can see why others would love it though. Just not the right time or place for me.

3.6 Haha I actually quite enjoyed that, it was quite endearing, come on. I think I would have loved it if I heard it when I was 14/15. I didn't think nerd rock was much of a genre (other than potentially Weezer's debut?), but pretty talented, I did enjoy the novelty of an album full of monkey songs, the genre hopping didn't grate on me, although I do agree with their final song ascersin that the album had potentially gone on 17 minutes too long. But I enjoyed it, and the score reflects that. Definitely shouldn't have been on the original list, unlike other albums I've liked on this alternative list, but I'm glad I heard it.

3.2 Probably the best R&B album that's appeared on either of the 1,001 & +. But still not a genre I'm really bothered about. It's pretty dull, although it's stillness is what makes it more bearable than most. I enjoyed the pivot to more electronica at the end, although again it still didn't really grip me. It was good to finally enjoy an album like this, although it tipped way too far into elevator music vibes.

3.5 I did enjoy it as an album. It was as though someone put Beatles, Marilyn Manson and Stooges in a blender and rolled with it, turns out I'd dig that. One thing that holds it back is a lack of many real stand out tracks. Candy Sam is the best track for sure, and one that I'd play in isolation, but of the rest...? Possibly the opener. But nothing else really. Works well as an album, but would have been good to have a few more bangers on there.

2.9 Ah man, sometimes you're correct not to deep dive. The Past is a Grotesque Animal came up on my discover weekly about 6 years ago and it's been in one of my playlists that get regular airtime ever since, such a unique track, an 11 minute epic that doesn't seem like 11 minutes. Very excited to see this album appear therefore, having never ventured further than that sole track. Starting off it's fine, quite unique dancey-pop with a Beatles inflection to the vocals. It's okay, nothing more than that. Then my fave track appears, banger. Then the next four tracks really really drag. Maybe I'm out of energy by this point, but it's a complete slog to get through the end of this album. The only saving grace is the closer is actually decent. Overall I'm struggling to save down anything other than one track I have already. Bit of a shame.

2.1 Extremely lame.

2.3 Preface this by saying that I'm really not into rap/hip-hop, but have appreciated many albums here and there. However this one really didn't do it for me whatsoever. It just feels so dull, and at 74 minutes really drags on forever. Can see why some people might like to chill out with this, but not for me.

3.8 This has made me realise than Bon Iver didn't appear on the original list. How on earth. Anyway, slight shame in that (in my opinion) it's the worst of his first 4 albums (still yet to properly digest sable fable), however it does arguably contain his best song in Holocene. Honourable mentions to Perth also, but other than those two there's neither the stellar stand outs that other albums have, nor as good flow between non-stand out tracks. It's a noticeable bridge between the acoustic For Emma, and the very electronic 22, a million, but then falls slightly short by not excelling in either. Still, as an outing it's still very good. I get the pretentious tag he sometimes gets but I can look past that.

--- I refuse to rate this. I flat out don't think it should be on here. I could understand including a musical in which the music itself was an ancillary part, which interspersed the real story. However, including a musical soundtrack in which 99.9% of the spoken word in the musical comes in the form of a song is ridiculous. You're basically watching Hamilton with your eyes closed. Don't get me wrong, I liked it the show when I saw it, but after half an hour of this I had to turn it off. If I wanted to listen to the entire 2h 20m of it again I'd go and see the bloody show. Whoever picked this needs to give their head a wobble.

4.0 I initially starting scoring this in the 3's and rambling about how it went off the rails at the end before finding out the last three tracks were bonus tracks (which I often argue should be excluded). D'oh. Ignoring those then and re-assessing, this is a very good album. Lovely fusion of trip-hop, alternative rock/indie, electronica. Would explore more.

3.1 I tried giving this a few listens thinking it would grow in me as I'm not opposed to proggy stuff that doesn't feel pretentious, but alas it didn't really grow. It's interesting in parts, but also pretty bland in others. Overall pretty mid.

3.1 I enjoyed the EW&F album that appeared in the main list so was looking forward to this. This album didn't reach those heights though, I enjoyed Boogie Wonderland though it seemed a bit basic. The rest of the album was pretty tepid though, nothing really stood out as better than average.

2.4 Sounds like the taste of tepid water. My life would be completely unchanged if I'd never put this on.

2.2 Gah. I really don't get this, and I really want to. I just can't take her seriously. She was 40-ish years old when writing this, the age I'm almost at now. Why does she come across like a tacky 21yo mouthing off on Love Island because someone stole her man that she'd been with for two days. So many songs ruined that on the whole might have been enjoyable if it had stuck with its core. First track case in point. How can you start off with: "I pull up in these clothes look so good Cause I'm in that hoe You know all these songs sound so good Cause I'm in that hoe Deadass deadass I'm deadass" You're fourty years old. Forty. Literally grow up. Probably going to sound like a bellend for saying this but I feel like this album goes hand-in-hand with the dumbing down of society in recent years. Scored it higher than a 2 because her voice is actually really good in places, and some of the beats are complex and genuinely interesting. However, the score has been absolutely kneecapped by the godawful commentary that runs alongside some questionable lyrics. How does anyone over the age of 25 not absolutely cringe listening to this. Embarrassing.

2.1 Maybe that flew right over my head, but I just couldn't grasp what the point was. Scattergun of genre's, nothing really good enough to be enjoyable. Missed the boat on that one.

2.0 One of the most overrated bands out there imo. The one song that was actually a good tune is about voyeurism, and with Jarvis I honestly don't know if it's autobiographical, which gives me the ick. One hit wonder band. And the hit ain't on this one.

3.8 Not my normal thing at all but I really appreciated that. Sounded timeless. Great voice, good music.

3.1 A unique album that needed a couple of listens. On first listen I was thinking it was a Tool rip off, with other softer prog (porcupine tree, muse) flavourings sprinkled in. However, the last two songs made me sit up and think I might have missed something here, as they were by far the most captivating parts of the album. On a re-listen the same thoughts creep in, the first half of the album is honestly pretty bad. There's nothing gripping here. However, the second half certainly picks up, which is a rarity. Last two tracks definitely the stand out, they could have made a great stand-alone EP. Just feels out of place with a pretty tame album preceeding them.

1.9 Best saved for Tony Hawk on the PS1. Loved pop punk, hated ska. Couldn't get into the brass at all. Even removing that (which by god is mentally difficult to achieve given how grating it is), it isn't terribly exciting music. Bass is nothing compared to NoFX. Drums are nothing compared to Blink. Hooks are nothing compared to Green Day. Atmosphere is nothing compared to Jimmy Eat World. Energy is nothing compared to Propagandhi. Not for me.

1.7 Jesus, didn't we get enough of Elvis Costello on the main list. Now we get the Poundland version. Wank.

3.7 Quite enjoyed that. Gave it the few listens it deserved. Super chilled. Nice to work to. Suits the mid-2010s stripped back alt pop genre well.

3.1 Not-so-fun fact: Gorillaz self titled was the first album I bought with my own money. It was then all I had to play so I had it on repeat whilst telling myself I liked it. I didn't. Fair play to them still going 25 years later, but again it didn't do much for me. Couple of stand out tracks (Tarantula, Silent Running), but most of it felt like exceedingly safe electro pop. The Bad Bunny track was god awful though, dragged the rest of the album down with it. Never listened to Bad Bunny but if that's the calibre then I'll keep it that way.

3.6 I appreciate the artistry, not my usual thing at all but in parts quite beautiful and almost harrowing. Enjoyed the first 3 and the closer, definitely got a bit fatigued in the middle, but can't fault the effort.

2.4 A puzzling album. There's nothing terribly wrong with it, it's just none of it really gripped me at all. Did absolutely nothing for me, but didn't overly offend me. It's super forgettable, very quiet background music material if you want a 2% funky time. However, what's quite depressing is that these guys are clearly very talented and yet the songs have been listened to a couple thousand times on Spotify (I'm guessing a band member selected this one?). I imagine a chunk of that is from people on here. Extremely disheartening to any wannabe musician out there.

2.1 There's lo-fi and then there's whatever this is. Sounds like very early demo tapes for a Medicare again. The fidelity is so bad that it's just not too enjoyable to be honest, despite a small handful of tracks sounding like they would be good recorded in an actual studio.

2.0 Didn't go down well at all. Felt like it was squeezing the juice out of the last excesses of the 80s, and making you realise that there was a lot of shite in that decade. I didn't actually mind the Depeche Mode that appeared in the main list, albeit not my usual thing, but this one felt like they were past it by this point.

4.3 Most refreshing bit of rap I've heard, possibly ever? Certainly since discovering Kendrick on the main list a few years ago. But wow, I'm not normally a rap fan but this hits on a other level. Sci-fi, most, atmospheric, noise-infused yet with a smattering of other genres used well in combination. This works perfectly as an album, individual tracks don't work by themselves. Doesn't hold it back too much though. Great find.

3.6 Like all McCartney albums post Beatles (and tbf arguably his input with the Beatles), a mixture of great sing along tracks (Monkberry Moon Delight, Long Haired Lady) and songs that drag on (Eat at Home, Back Seat). Saved down a few tracks from but don't think I'll be saving the album.

4.2 I really enjoyed the Sufjan Stevens album on the main list, my only gripe being that it dragged on towards the end. The 40 minutes on this one works so much better. However, given it's all soft acoustic, it doesn't thrill me on an individual song level as much as some of the ones off of Illinoise. Despite that, there are some beautiful tracks on here - Should Have Known Better is absolutely fantastic, as are Carrie & Lowell and the ending. Great shout.

2.4 Pretty disappointed by that. First track was alright but that was about all it offered. Didn't enjoy the reggae ones. Didn't enjoy the rapping, falls just the wrong side of the funny line that Beastie Boys trod so well. I thought I recognised Two Wuv when I realised it was a complete Islands in the Sun ripoff, which made sense given earlier on I thought they were ripping Weezer off. Not for me. Sounds like it came out in 2005, and I don't mean that in a good way. Also, how on earth do these have hundreds of millions of listens on Spotify?! Guessing a tiktok thing, which often explains why mediocre bands seem way too popular. Very undeserving imo.

2.7 First time listening to 1975, and I get it, but it's just not for me. It sounds like the taste of vanilla ice cream, and I don't mean from a really good quality gourmet small trader, I mean the stuff your mum used to get you down in Iceland in those big neopolitan boxes and you'd always eat the strawberry and chocolate rows first. I can get why if I was 15 I'd listen to this and think 'wow this is so deep yet so sad' but listening with an extra few decades on top of this it's just so... meh. What's funny is that I can imagine my grandparents generation saying the exact same thing when bands like the Police came out, which I love, as I did get into them when I was 15 and now sound so classic. Anyway, a lot of rambling to say this is pretty hollow shite, but somewhat pleasant on the ears so hard to score it too low. Thanks for getting me to finally listen though, appreciated.

2.5 Just didn't tickle me. I'm not adverse to whimsical/comedy rock, I used to love Tenacious D (although I quickly grew tired of even that). The music isn't bad, just not really interesting. The funny bits aren't really that funny.

2.4 Wow. First listen through I was pretty unimpressed, seemed extremely bland, odd Radiohead rip off thrown in here and there but then also some odd choices ("what a wonderful man" the low point in particular). Thought it'd check the wiki for it before rating and genuinely wondered if I'd listened to the wrong album based on the reviews. Gave it a second listen. "My Morning Jacket's OK Computer" must have been written by a deaf journalist, Jesus Christ. Nothing good here.

2.1 That did absolutely nothing for me, and I can't exactly work out why. The closest reason I can get to is that for all the complaints about the original list being too UK-heavy and (potentially rightfully) including some UK-based dross, this to my UK-based ears just sounds like yank dross. I don't find it amusing, I don't find it enjoyable, the musical style just isn't for me, even without it being the usual American aversion I have for country etc. The only thing redeeming it is that the genre it draws from isn't as shite as many other genres out there.

2.3 Ah Chuck Berry. I'm trying to vote based purely on the music, as by all accounts he was an absolute bellend (and that's even with assuming innocence on the 14-yo front..). I get why he's the godfather of rock n roll, I get that he was influential etc etc. but purely based on this album? Nah. He's managed to rip himself off twice on one album - one Johnny B Goode copy and one Sweet little sixteen copy. The opening riff from Roll Over Beethoven even makes a random appearance. Why? Just write original music man. Scoring what I think is quite highly due to the influence he had, but one could argue by this point his influence had already been shared and used. You Can Never Tell is a banger though. Will never play the rest again in my life.

2.3 Growing up in the 90s we had Queens Greatest Hits on repeat, as I'm guessing most UK households did. I loved almost every song on that record. Yet every time I hear a Queen album (other than maybe their earliest couple), other than the small handful of songs that was on that record (here it's Somebody To Love), I feel completely underwhelmed and I can't explain why. They're on one of the few bands that I think I just don't 'get', despite me absolutely loving 15 or so of their tracks. Very odd.

3.6 Wow. First time I can ever remember liking a emo/screamo album. I grew up at the perfect time for emo as well, becoming a teenager in the early 00's, but it never did it for me. Skipped straight from Papa Roach/Korn/Marilyn to Slipknot/Metallica/Slayer etc, couldn't get into the whining of emo. Maybe it's having a more open mind now, but I actually found this one quite interesting. The vocals on one of the middle tracks was slightly grating, but luckily it was a one off, the other tracks trod just on the right side of the line of bearableness. The actual music though and the emotion... Very good. Fair play.

1.9 I appreciate the effort but it's not for me. I'm not opposed to some Avant Garde stuff, I actually didn't mind the droning of the 20min pre-opener that's on Spotify, but the album itself just wasn't endearing, there was very little actual songs/music with which to enjoy. The vocals did get tiring towards the end (until Nick Drake popped up at least - first time I've ever been relieved to hear his voice!). I couldn't quite put my finger on who he sounded like and then track 4 or 5 sped up his voice and I realised it was Johnny Rotten lol. I feel like if I saw this live in a theatre setting, perhaps with an edible, I'd be digging it. But alas, I'm at work and cba with having a man whisper in my ear about children.

3.0 I'm not sure how you can get more average than that. The one redeeming thing about it is that I normally have a strong aversion to indie, but I got the vibe that this was an indie album by a band had gone through a recent Paul Simon's Graceland obsession and it made it more palatable. There's not a single track on here that sticks out though, ultimately it's instantly forgettable, but inoffensive.

2.3 Dreadfully dull if I'm being honest. Can see a lot of posh 15yo's being into that and thinking they're very alternative. Not my cup of tea.

2.4 Utter wank. Forgot how much dross there was in the early 00's. Instantly forgettable.

3.1 Surprised reading the blurb of this, it sounds a lot more grunge/alternative than punk to me. However, it fails to really live up to heights of either of the genres. The music is pretty good, but the vocal style (& lyrics) really lets it down to be honest. It works well for a few tracks but lacks the power and depth to give some of the tracks what they deserve (Jet Black probably the most obvious example - a bit more oompf in the vocals and that track could land really well). Might have helped drive a genre but as a standalone piece it falls just short.

3.3 Been a while since I had a power ballad album on here, maybe the time apart has made it more enjoyable as this is probably one of the better ones of a genre I don't care much for. Drags on slightly long and though most songs are fine there's not any really killer tracks for me.

1.7 A while back I created a best of Pink Floyd playlist. As part of that I went through every solo album by each band member and included tracks from them also if I liked them. I think this outing was only one of two or three that didn't land a single track on the playlist. I find it infuriating, it just brings to light Roger Waters excesses, and reminds me of how he completely ruined Pink Floyd for 15 years at the end of the 70s. Almost every song sounds the same, soft timid annoying voice, loads of licks that just seem pointless after a while. Don't know, but really riles me up. Looking forward to never hearing this again.

3.2 I can't remember being this conflicted during an album. Normally a 3* is a middle of the road, average or boring album. No matter what mood I'm in it would score a 3, or breaking it down into it's constituent parts it would be 3's across the board. This however...mind melting. - The beats are pretty phenomenal. The last time I remember being this blown away by beats on a hip hop record was the first time I heard Kendrick. 5*. - However, *that* voice... So incredibly grating. For the most part, 1*, however inexplicably it works in a couple tracks (eg when it rain). I think if it was used sparingly (like one of Kendrick's alter ego voices which sounds equally nasely) I'd be really digging it. - Song length and album length, 5*. Nothing overstays its welcome. Not enjoying a track? Don't worry it'll be over in a minute. - Constant obsession with pussy/sex/ass - 1*. One of my biggest pet peeves with hip-hop. I don't even think I'm much that of a prude, I just think it makes them sound like a horny 15yo and find it insanely cringy. "Hey guys I have sex". Grow up. Score reflects an average of my 1*-5* feelings about this album. Great inclusion on the list though, reckon it should be on the original. Everyone needs to hear this. But not everyone needs to enjoy it.

1.3 Firstly Dubstep was always terrible, I'm glad it aged poorly and people have generally now accepted that. Proper "I'm 14 and this is deep" energy. Violinist is obviously talented but god does she use her talents poorly here. Every track is exactly the same, it's like a guitarist doing a non-stop solo for 45 minutes over a shitty beat. Get a grip. Somewhat hypocritically though I'm glad it was on the list, it was a genre I didn't know existed so I appreciate being shown it. But god wow, not for me in the slightest. Made it as far as Roundtable Rival, I'd rather dip my balls in tabasco sauce than continue further.

2.0 Maybe I'm having a bad day but that was dull as shite. Sounded like a really tame version of Dodgy. Nah.

1.8 One of the most uninspiring albums I've heard on here in a while. Just generic 80s guff, I was searching hard for anything below the surface but I ain't hearing it. Not surprised I've never heard of this before.

1.2 I assume this was picked as a wind up but I'll try to rate it genuinely anyway. Some of the choices on this album are inexplicable. The very first track - extremely mediocre, and then they spend one minute on the fade out. One. Whole. Minute. I don't now if they're trying to be dicks or they're just totally self deluded that that is a good artistic idea. Mindtrain I quickly skipped through after the first minute to confirm that it would indeed be the same dub dub train throughout - correct. Too obvious. And then on from there. Every track, just raises questions. What the fuck was John thinking. Got to be the biggest 'fucked it' ever. Breaking up the biggest band ever to indulge this.

3.3 It's fine. I don't mind this type of punk, it does sound a bit same-y after a while but it's inoffensive to have on. Feel like it'd be a lot better live than on album, similar to Idles in that respect.

2.4 Could never get into No Doubt. Gwen Stefano's vocals are pretty impressive, but honestly not my cup of tea. But strip that back and the underlying rock/ska that sits behind is just not very interesting. Gwen's voice I can do for a bit, and works well on the two actual good songs, but an hour is far too long. There is almost a slight Mr Bungle vibe to a couple of the tracks, particularly Tragic Kingdom, but honestly just doesn't hit the mark. Not for me.

3.1 Not my usual thing. The tracks seem to come in two types: some jazz fusion stuff which I liked as they reminded me a bit of Squarepusher, or Nintendo esque music that reminded me of a Mario Kart menu page. Both are fine, but both are not really something I'd come back to.