My 1001 Albums Journey

Albums Rated

3.01

Average Rating

Complete

1017 albums remaining

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2000s

Favorite Decade

Indie

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Wordsmith

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5-Star Albums

1-Star Albums

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Albums

You Love More Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
World Clique Deee-Lite	5	2.87	+2.13
The Gershwin Songbook Ella Fitzgerald	5	3.53	+1.47
Funeral Arcade Fire	5	3.56	+1.44
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots The Flaming Lips	5	3.57	+1.43
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Wu-Tang Clan	5	3.61	+1.39
Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul Otis Redding	5	3.93	+1.07
Ghosteen Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds	4	2.97	+1.03

You Love Less Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Groovin' The Young Rascals	1	3.03	-2.03
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road Lucinda Williams	1	3	-2
London Calling The Clash	2	3.98	-1.98
The Infotainment Scan The Fall	1	2.72	-1.72
Now I Got Worry The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion	1	2.52	-1.52
Cheap Thrills Big Brother & The Holding Company	2	3.42	-1.42
Buffalo Springfield Again Buffalo Springfield	2	3.18	-1.18
Solid Air John Martyn	2	3.16	-1.16
Rocks Aerosmith	2	3.12	-1.12
Street Life The Crusaders	2	3.09	-1.09

5-Star Albums (7)

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Popular Reviews

Ghosteen

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

4/5

It's like if GY!BE tried to go mainstream. More vocals, and some piano. It tries to be so unbelievably melancholy at points it feels almost corny. With that being said though, it was still a great experience. Would recommend listening to while walking in the rain.

4 likes

Purple Rain

Prince

5/5

I don't think this album is a 10, but 4 stars seemed too low. This album was solid, even great until the last track. If not for the title track, it would definitely be a 4. Purple Rain. What a song. 8 minutes of pure catharsis and beauty. Possibly my favorite album closer OAT. Without it this album would be good, but nothing special, but the title track just brings it that extra mile.

1 likes

Gorillaz

3/5

Nice little album to turn on and chill to.

1 likes

Car Wheels On A Gravel Road

Lucinda Williams

1/5

My mom describes this as elevator country music and I agree. Painfully generic.

1 likes

4-Star Albums (10)

1-Star Albums (4)

All Ratings

Hard Again

Muddy Waters

3/5

I have never really listened to much blues, and it isn't really my thing, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't jive to it. It may not be my choice of music, but I respect it.

It's Blitz!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

3/5

Nice little indie record. Felt a bit formulaic at times, but overall a positive experience. Nothing too offensive. Some tracks I might play now and then but I don't see myself returning to often (or ever). While I could see how this record is placed on this list, I think there are much more deserving albums.

Common

4/5

Phenomenal production, though once or twice I was thrown off by the chipmunk soul vocals. Love the subdued horns on (forgot the name of the track).Overall, just a great hip-hop record.

Here, My Dear

Marvin Gaye

3/5

Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul

Otis Redding

5/5

Probably the first time an R&B/Soul record has connected with me on an emotional level, rather than just a technical one. If that doesn't speak of the value of the album, I don't know what does.

The Bends

Radiohead

4/5

The beautiful jumble of awkward, emotional noise that can only be described as Radiohead. A little less diverse in soundscape than OK Computer or Kid A, but still a fantastic release.

Groovin'

The Young Rascals

1/5

This album is like eating stale tortilla chips. It's not technically the worst experience, but just kind of a nothing gained, nothing lost experience. I believe that being completely devoid of interest is the largest mistake a piece of music could succumb to. If something tries to accomplish something but fails, at least there was an effort to do something greater, while this album just feels like something that has been created, and I have no dislike or like for it. The only issue I have so far (not the creator of the website's fault, rather the author of the book's) is that they seem to think old = better. While this may be partially true, I think there should be less of a bias towards older music.

Music Has The Right To Children

Boards of Canada

2/5

No idea what score to give. As sound, it's excellent. As music, it kinda sucks. It sounded nice I suppose, but just kind of became ambient background noise. It's like ambient music done so well your brain just ignores it, making it almost pointless from a music perspective. Might return for studying, but nothing musically gripping worth returning to.

Street Life

The Crusaders

2/5

Cheesy, generic background music, but nothing atrocious. My Mom rates it a 3.

The Band

3/5

Quaint, sonically pleasant. Not something I would go out of my way to listen to, but I don't regret listening. Whispering Pines is FANTASTIC.

The Infotainment Scan

The Fall

1/5

Purple Rain

Prince

5/5

The Rise & Fall

Madness

2/5

A train wreck of noise, only saving grace is that it has character. Sounds dated even for the 80s. I HATE the pianos though. Atrociously tinny and soulless.

World Clique

Deee-Lite

5/5

I went in with the most skepticism possible, thinking it would just be mediocre electronic 90s music, a 3 at best, and...… It's fantastic. It has this funky, unique, unbridled sense of energy to it. Production is unbelievably clean without giving the sense of being overly-polished. Bass lines are groovy to the highest degree. Now for the negatives. First off, the cover. Not much to say besides it sucks, but I suppose it also somewhat encapsulates the energy of the record, so I can forgive it. Second, the pianos. I hate midi pianos with a burning passion. So lifeless and overly-bright and uncanny. If they had been more prominent in the record, it may have significantly detracted from the experience, but they are somewhat ignorable in the grand scheme of the album. Another thought: The original vinyl pressing did not contain the first or last tracks, and I think omitting them might have led to a better experience, especially the intro track, Dee-lite Theme. Overall, not flawless, but 4 stars just seems inadequate. It's full of character and life, and leaves you wondering what will be around the corner next.

Water From An Ancient Well

Abdullah Ibrahim

3/5

Sure is a jazz album. Unmemorable, but not in a super bad way. Not a big jazz guy in general, though.

The Atomic Mr Basie

Count Basie & His Orchestra

3/5

Sure is another jazz album. Liked this one a little more, enjoyed the trumpet ensemble.

Take Me Apart

Kelela

3/5

If top 40s-ish artist thought about going ambient. Could be worse. Production is clean, and it's unique. Not really my jam, but worth a listen simply for it's originality. While the rating may seem like I don't care much for it, I did actually enjoy it quite a lot

Ctrl

SZA

2/5

I just don't get it. Production is adequate, but nothing else felt any bit interesting.

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin

4/5

Riff-driven hard rock with strong blues influence. Somewhere between 3 and 4, but 3 is just too low.

Time Out Of Mind

Bob Dylan

3/5

Not really a fan of this album. Wanted to like it more than I did.

Ghosteen

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

4/5

Blood And Chocolate

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

3/5

Not bad. Especially liked the closing track.

Let's Get Killed

David Holmes

2/5

Listened to the first half, just got tooo bored to continue. I just don't get it. :/

Third

Portishead

3/5

Not completely clicking with me, but still good somehow. I feel like this project would grow on me with a few listens, just not ready to devote that time yet. VEEERRY strong 3.

Madman Across The Water

Elton John

4/5

Perhaps it's a bit repetitive, perhaps it's a bit corny, but I like it anyways. It sounds sonically pleasant, and is emotionally gratifying.

Bookends

Simon & Garfunkel

3/5

Not bad. I don't regret listening, but I will probably never listen again.

Killing Joke

2/5

Eh. Didn't love it.

The Gershwin Songbook

Ella Fitzgerald

5/5

If I were to describe this album in one word that word would be "pure". The vocals are crystal clear and gentle, the instrumentals are soothing, everything is just perfect.

Pornography

The Cure

4/5

Pornography is great. Album cover depicts the feeling of this album perfectly; It's hellish and foggy. I especially appreciate the drum (mixing?) on this project.

John Barleycorn Must Die

Traffic

3/5

Not a bad little album. Sound pallets isn’t my favorite.

Gorillaz

3/5

Nice little album to turn on and chill to.

Bandwagonesque

Teenage Fanclub

3/5

Solid 90s grunge, though nothing too special. Also, what the actual HELL is that album cover.

Music

Madonna

2/5

Listened to front half, I'm guessing the back half isn't too different. Meh in every sense of the word. Exc3pt "Nobody's Perfect". That's straight ass. 2.5/5

Car Wheels On A Gravel Road

Lucinda Williams

1/5

My mom describes this as elevator country music and I agree. Painfully generic.

Catch A Fire

Bob Marley & The Wailers

4/5

It's just really nice.

Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin

4/5

A solid album, but I would not put it on the same pedestal that it seems that many others would. It has some great songs, but also a few (somewhat) forgettable ones.

The Poet

Bobby Womack

4/5

Great album, perhaps a bit front-loaded. Pianos are a little too bright for my taste, but they fit in with the sound of the project adequately. Perhaps a bit repetitive in its ideas and sonic qualities, but not overwhelmingly so.

The La's

3/5

I was pleasantly surprised by this album. It's generic enough to the point where it feels familiar, but unique enough that it still feels fresh. Not the most adventurous album, but a solid release nonetheless.

Rum Sodomy & The Lash

The Pogues

3/5

“And others, when the bagpipe sings i’ th’ nose, Cannot contain their urine; for affection” - William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice (IV.i.50-51) Definitely a chance of pace from some of the other albums on this list. It may not be as deep or meaningful (or pretentious), but y’know what? I had a good time, and at the end of the day that’s what really matters.

Oxygène

Jean-Michel Jarre

3/5

Clandestino

Manu Chao

3/5

Can't understand most of it, but I liked it anyways. Nice and chill.

Kimono My House

Sparks

3/5

I would love this album if I was a different person. It's spontaneous yet well thought out.

The Chronic

Dr. Dre

3/5

I understand the significance of this album, and it's by no means bad, I just don't love it. Nothing on this album makes me go "Wow, I want to listen to that again!" Just consistently OK.

Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Wu-Tang Clan

5/5

The production on this thing is SOOO GOOD. It's rich and smooth, and the rapping melds immaculately with the beats. Perfect integration of humor, just enough so that you have a good time, but not so much that you can't take it seriously.

Ritual De Lo Habitual

Jane's Addiction

3/5

Hot Rats

Frank Zappa

3/5

I kind of understand why Grank Zappa is so controversial, but for me (at least there on this album) I just found it ok. I liked it, but not my favorite. Just solid.

Songs For Swingin' Lovers!

Frank Sinatra

4/5

Sounds like pure gold. It's pure and sweet.

Supa Dupa Fly

Missy Elliott

3/5

I'm not going to pretend like the lyricism is top notch on this album, but it doesn't stand out, and it's not supposed to. This is an album to just kick back and relax to. Don't think about it, just let it carry you away. And for doing that, this album is perfect. Production is fantastic and immersive. Overall, is it a good album? Definitely. Is it a great album? Perhaps not, but I wouldn't dispute It's placement on this list.

Locust Abortion Technician

Butthole Surfers

2/5

I don't hate it. I actually kinda like it, but let's be real; if I listened to this album again, I would probably get bored.

Van Halen

3/5

La Revancha Del Tango

Gotan Project

2/5

2.5/5

Beautiful Freak

Eels

3/5

Buffalo Springfield Again

Buffalo Springfield

2/5

Like yesterday's album, just ok. Nothing I will remember, just indifferent.

Tapestry

Carole King

3/5

Adequate. Perhaps a bit straightforward, but I'm not in the mood for something complicated right now.

Out Of The Blue

Electric Light Orchestra

3/5

A bit cheesy, but it has some bops.

Boy In Da Corner

Dizzee Rascal

2/5

Sheer Heart Attack

Queen

3/5

The first half is an easy 4, but it falls off quite a bit in the second half.

Cheap Thrills

Big Brother & The Holding Company

2/5

60s psychedelia just isn't really my thing.

Bongo Rock

Incredible Bongo Band

3/5

Now I Got Worry

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

1/5

Some mediocre ideas with terrible execution. Some of the licks are decent, but everything else is awful.

Funeral

Arcade Fire

5/5

One of the most well textured projects I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. It carries its air of melancholia flawlessly with soaring strings, strained vocals, and beautifully crunchy guitar tones.

My Aim Is True

Elvis Costello

3/5

A solid debut, but there's definitely too much Elvis Costello on this list.

Bad

Michael Jackson

3/5

Almost forgot it was playing for the first half. It's not bad, though.

Solid Air

John Martyn

2/5

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots

The Flaming Lips

5/5

The instrumentation on this album scratches an itch in my brain I didn't even know I had; it feels as though every instrument breathes life.

The Grand Tour

George Jones

3/5

Unbelievably cliche, but very well done. Just enough instrumentation to keep it fresh, while not feeling overdone.

At Newport 1960

Muddy Waters

3/5

No doubt an iconic blues album, I just don't feel as though I have an adequate enough pallete to fully appreciate it. I love the vocals, though.

London Calling

The Clash

2/5

It grew on me a little bit as it went along, but I honestly just don't care for it. Maybe someday I'll look back in this review and think "Mann, I was completely wrong", but that day isn't today.

Moon Safari

Air

3/5

It's alright.

Rocks

Aerosmith

2/5

This here is real music!!! REAL rock music from legends, not like today's rap bullshit (except for Eminem, he's pretty good). These guys knew how to rock! Rock on!! 😎🤘🎸🎶🎶

Born In The U.S.A.

Bruce Springsteen

3/5

I have to give it to him; this is definitely the most American album I’ve ever heard. The songwriting, the instrumentation, everything about it oozes patriotism. It’s ok, but nothing about the instrumentation makes me want to come back; it’s textbook acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, vocals, etc. I will say that Bruce Springsteen does this cliche to a perfection, though.

Blackstar

David Bowie

3/5

While undoubtedly a fantastically haunting album, I simply do not connect to this album. Not an isolated incident, as I have listened to several other David Bowie albums, and felt the same way. Feels as though it never really gets where it wants to go, as far as a cohesive experience. It's weird how you can actually hear the Death Grips influence on tracks like Sue.