894
Albums Rated
3.19
Average Rating
82%
Complete
195 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Samba
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
115
5-Star Albums
35
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water
Limp Bizkit
|
5 | 2.48 | +2.52 |
|
Bubble And Scrape
Sebadoh
|
5 | 2.65 | +2.35 |
|
Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors
|
5 | 2.69 | +2.31 |
|
New Boots And Panties
Ian Dury
|
5 | 2.7 | +2.3 |
|
Fly Or Die
N.E.R.D
|
5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
|
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective
|
5 | 2.9 | +2.1 |
|
Pelican West
Haircut 100
|
5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
|
A Date With The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
|
5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
|
Copper Blue
Sugar
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Smash
The Offspring
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
Horses
Patti Smith
|
1 | 3.31 | -2.31 |
|
Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
|
1 | 3.21 | -2.21 |
|
The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
1 | 3.2 | -2.2 |
|
Screamadelica
Primal Scream
|
1 | 3.17 | -2.17 |
|
Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)
Bob Dylan
|
1 | 3.15 | -2.15 |
|
The Wall
Pink Floyd
|
2 | 4.14 | -2.14 |
|
Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
|
1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
|
The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
|
1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 5 | 5 |
| Beatles | 6 | 4.5 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 5 |
| Joni Mitchell | 4 | 4.5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.67 |
| Nick Drake | 3 | 4.67 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.67 |
| Kate Bush | 3 | 4.67 |
| Fleetwood Mac | 2 | 5 |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 | 5 |
| Elliott Smith | 2 | 5 |
| Steely Dan | 4 | 4.25 |
| Pixies | 3 | 4.33 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 3 | 4.33 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 3 | 4.33 |
| Peter Gabriel | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Stooges | 3 | 4.33 |
| Sonic Youth | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 4 | 1.5 |
| Leonard Cohen | 5 | 2 |
| Primal Scream | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Mothers Of Invention | 2 | 1.5 |
| Ryan Adams | 2 | 1.5 |
| Grateful Dead | 2 | 1.5 |
| Bee Gees | 2 | 1.5 |
| Barry Adamson | 2 | 1.5 |
| Bob Dylan | 5 | 2.2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| The The | 1, 4 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 5, 4, 1, 3, 3 |
| Metallica | 2, 5, 5, 3 |
| Frank Sinatra | 2, 5, 4 |
| Elvis Costello & The Attractions | 2, 4, 5 |
5-Star Albums (115)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
CHVRCHES
2/5
Quite a painful listen after artists like Michael Jackson and Fleetwood Mac. The chord progressions were simplistic, there was no harmony, just bland synths and lyrics. This nearly fell into a 1 but I did like the Scottish accents coming through, and one of the songs was Ok (can’t remember which one). Overall this made me really question the list. This just feels like such an arbitrary choice, probably added shortly after it came out. I’d say at least 10 years should pass before an album can be considered for the list, looking back on this album now you can see it for what it is, soulless synth pop, or as the Scots say “a load a’ shite”.
10 likes
Green Day
3/5
This isn’t a bad album, just not for me. The constant power chords and unsubtle social commentary got boring after a couple of tracks. The album is too long and I didn’t like the rock opera elements. They never produced anything better than Dookie in my opinion.
9 likes
Neneh Cherry
2/5
An 80s pop/rap album with one hit on it. One of the songs sounded like the theme to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Why the fuck is this on the list.
6 likes
Aerosmith
2/5
Sleazy cock rock. Best covered up and forgotten like the many sexual offences committed by the band members of this era.
5 likes
Led Zeppelin
3/5
There is a lot of plagiarism on this album, it’s so brazen, like one of those hiding in plain sight situations (Jimmy Saville). I get that stairway is a boomer anthem but it made me feel nothing. It’s a decent album overall but it’s like they colonised black music and copywrited it.
2 likes
4-Star Albums (205)
1-Star Albums (35)
All Ratings
Steely Dan
4/5
I enjoyed it more than the last time I tried to listen to it. I think Steeley Dan is an acquired taste as the music is complex. It has definitely clicked with me and I would listen to this again. Some of the lyrics are a bit odd.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Enjoyed some songs but others a bit annoying. Don’t feel like I will be listening again
B.B. King
2/5
I like the sound however I found the songs quite repetitive after a while and there wasn’t enough to keep me interested. I am not a regular blues listener and this album seemed a bit mediocre in comparison to the complexity of the last two albums.
Deep Purple
3/5
It has a good start and there’s some bangers on there but there are a few too many proggy movements/solos. The rock organ is a complete joke. I’ve included Black Night even though it wasn’t on the original release, which gives it a star in its own right. It’s groovy but I can see why punk happened after this.
Cat Stevens
4/5
I enjoyed it overall. Not what I’d usually listen to but it was a very endearing listen on a Saturday morning.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Very difficult to listen to this objectively. I was never a winehouse fan however it is impossible to deny that this is a great album. If it isn’t a 5 star album I don’t know what is
R.E.M.
4/5
I've never been a fan of REM because their singles from the 90s were played excessively during my childhood, and listening to them now evokes an unpleasant sense of nostalgia. However, I recently came across "Radio Free Europe" and found myself genuinely enjoying it. I particularly appreciated this album's simplicity.
Bill Callahan
4/5
I’ve tried to listen to this before but gave up. I really enjoyed it this time round. The production and string arrangements are really pleasing.
Primal Scream
1/5
I struggled with this one. I don’t think it had much to offer other than the two big singles, and one of them reminded me of the theme from The One Show. The rest of the album sounds like someone pissing about on a Casio keyboard. I hated it.
Faust
2/5
This is one of those “it was really innovative and influential at the time” albums. I enjoyed parts of it but it doesn’t hold up as well as other krautrock stuff like Neu and Can. I won’t be listening again.
Pixies
5/5
I do love this album. It’s awkward and abrasive and its weirdness makes it unique. It seems like you can find music that was influenced by this album in every year since its release.
Hüsker Dü
2/5
I was looking forward to this after listening to REM and Pixies from a similar time, but it actually didn’t resonate with me at all. I didn’t like the production, and the album felt too long with no variety. The album has 20 songs but I didn’t find any of them memorable at all.
New Order
3/5
Bit confused by this album. I’m not a fan of the band and I don’t like vocal style, it sounds weak and out of tune. I never usually notice lyrics but from the first track they stuck out as quite bad to me. The style varied quite a lot, the first few songs seem to have a kraftwerk influence but the 4th track Sunrise sounds like the Cure.
I did really enjoy Elegia which was moody and cinematic sounding. It’s an instrumental and I could imagine Ian Curtis’s voice over it which made me feel quite sad. I think I will always see New Order as Ian’s backing band.
I preferred the second half but it has the same flaws, the vocals and lyrics grate on me, e.g. Sub Culture starts well but it loses me when Sumner comes in with “I like walking in the park”.
Blur
3/5
For me there is no Blur album that I enjoy from beginning to end. There are some decent songs on this one but the style jumps all over the place and I feel like a few songs could’ve been cut. The album is a mixed bag and doesn’t feel like a ‘journey’. I like Graham Coxon’s tracks but they might’ve been more suited to a solo album. It feels like they just threw everything into this and it is a mixed bag. I do really like what each member brings to the band, I’ve always liked Albarn’s vocals and the guitar and bass tone is really satisfying. I think James is an underrated bass player and I enjoyed his work on this album.
Daft Punk
3/5
This album is like a lot of other albums on this list. To me, a couple of good singles alone shouldn’t qualify an album for this list. I liked parts of this album but some of the sounds were so annoying, and certain songs could’ve been dropped to make it more enjoyable as a whole. Another 3/5 album for me.
Ozomatli
2/5
Couldn’t really listen to this as it wasn’t on Spotify and only some tracks were available on YouTube. It sounded like a Latin hip hop album with a couple of the J5 lads popping up here and there. It seemed pleasant enough but not something I’d come back to.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
I quite enjoyed the late 70s new wave sound. It reminded me of XTC. A decent album but there weren’t many major stand out moments for me.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
This album was a nice surprise. I really enjoyed it. There were some classic songs on there and I like the 80s sound mixed with power pop and other genres.
Eric Clapton
2/5
It’s hard listen to that without thinking about the fact that Clapton is a complete cunt. It’s pretty ironic that he covered I Shot the Sheriff on this album in 1974 then two years later demanded on stage that Jamaicans “leave the country” because Britain is a “white country”. He was lucky to still have a career, that wouldn’t even exist without the black music that he channeled in every song he played. I made the mistake of reading his Wikipedia page, and it seems he’s never fully rejected his racist beliefs, and found himself caught up in anti vaccine bollocks decades later.
I feel like I can separate the artist from the art, and there are some decent songs on the album. I really like the 70s production, which sounds really clean and tight. I didn’t hear anything groundbreaking though, and it’s fair to say it wasn’t my cup of tea overall.
The Yardbirds
3/5
I quite liked the 60s mod and psyche elements but there were some weird tracks on there. It was an interesting album but I won’t be coming back to it.
5/5
I like the Kinks but I’ve never heard these songs. The album starts really well and Brainwashed is a real high. The production and arrangements are really satisfying and the drums really pack a punch. The album keeps you hooked throughout with unexpected movements in the songs. Considering how it was really fresh and enjoyable for me having not heard it before, it’s earned a 5/5.
Caetano Veloso
4/5
Another pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed the mix of Latin styles and 60s psychedelic rock.
Fugazi
3/5
This has the elements that I like about Fugazi, the tight bass and drums with abrasive guitars. However I never liked this album and still didn’t really enjoy it this time. I think it lacks the hooks and choruses that The Argument has, which is my favourite of theirs. I didn’t find any song particularly memorable.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
I really enjoyed this album. It showed Joni Mitchell’s range and talent, and I liked the experimental elements. I was blown away by the last track.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Two Joni albums in a row. 10 years ago I would have been annoyed but I really enjoyed both. Her style has been an acquired taste for me but I really appreciate her talents now. There are some really intricate songs on this album.
Iron Maiden
3/5
I’ve never listened to an Iron Maiden album before yet there were no surprises with this. Every song had the fast galloping guitars, wailing vocals and solos. It was interesting to hear how much this clearly influenced Metallica. Number of the Beast and Run to the Hills are good fun but the album wasn’t for me.
The Young Rascals
4/5
Never heard of this band but I really enjoyed this. It was short and sweet.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
This album really is perfect. Every song offers variety and has its own character yet still ties in to the overall feel of the album. The lyrics are perfect, the choruses are perfect, the harmonies are perfect, the playing is perfect, the production is perfect and the album doesn’t outstay its welcome. My favourite track will always be The Chain, the bass part at the end is iconic and is one many examples of genius moments in the album.
Radiohead
5/5
This is an amazing album and easily one of Radiohead’s best. It’s pretty incredible how they reinvent themselves, creating interesting music and remaining relevant.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Some nice bossa nova sounds but overall I found it quite boring and I really didn’t need to hear Girl from Ipanema three times on one album
Gil Scott-Heron
2/5
I like other GSH that I’ve heard. Unfortunately this didn’t grab me at all. I enjoyed some of the electric keyboard sounds and lyrics but that’s about it.
Ray Charles
3/5
I really enjoyed some parts of this however a lot of the songs towards the end sounded the same. I liked the orchestration and Ray’s voice is incredible. It’s between a 3 and 4.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I liked the early 90s production but I’ve never really liked PJ’s voice or lyrics and the songs are a bit simplistic.
Eels
4/5
This album was a pleasant surprise. There were some interesting sounds and lyrics.
The Specials
5/5
I do love this album. The lyrics are clever and reflect the social issues at the time, and you can hear the Coventry in Terrys accent. There is a huge mix of genres, sounds and voices on the album which reflects the amazing things that were happening in music at the time, as well as huge cultural changes in the UK. I especially love bass lines but every member brings something unique to the band. I always thought the shorter live version of too much too young was better as it showed the energy in the bands live performances but it’s still a 5/5.
Blondie
4/5
I enjoyed the singles. Not sure there was enough for 5 stars
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
I’ve never heard this before and I really enjoyed it. I think I used to write Paul off as a bit of a cheese-monger but this was a nice upbeat 70s album.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
I liked the sound of it. There was something of the pixies and the stone roses about it, however I didn’t enjoy it as much as those bands. I thought the songs melted into each other a bit and there weren’t any stand outs.
Michael Jackson
5/5
The album is really satisfying to listen to from the first track. There is so much complexity in the syncopated percussion, layered bass, interesting chords and vocal harmonies. The arrangement and production is ingenious and almost alien-like, when certain chords hit (like the thriller chord) it almost brought a tear to my eye.
I have to say I believe that Jackson was a paedophile who exploited children that admired him. He was clearly a very damaged individual who had a traumatic life, but this does not excuse his crimes.
It would be easy to give this 1/5 but there is no point lying, I still listen to this album and think it is incredible. As I’ve said in other reviews, I can separate an album from the artist so it is still getting 5/5 from me, but I want to be clear that I think Jackson did some horrific things in his life and I think people need to accept that.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Gaye has an amazing voice and I always like hearing James Jameson on bass. A personal pet peeve with albums is when songs come back as a reprise, no idea why, it just bothers me. Also the orgasmic noises on you sure love to ball were awkward.
Sugar
5/5
I really enjoyed this, it had some elements of grunge but also 90s rock - kind of like the Breeders. There were also some moments that reminded me of 70s/80s art rock I.e. XTC which I really liked. I hadn’t heard of this band and was really surprised to see this was Bob Mould’s project. Husked Du came up on this on a previous day and I really didn’t like it, but I found this album to be way better produced, with more variety in the songs.
I decided when I started doing this album challenge that I wouldn’t be too shy to give a 5 star rating and considering how much I enjoyed it on the first listen and how there didn’t seem to be any low points I think it qualifies as 5 star album. I will definitely come back to it.
Miles Davis
3/5
I didn’t really have strong feelings about this. I feel like 2 is a bit harsh but this is definitely somewhere between a 2 and 3.
Beck
5/5
I really liked the singles from this in 2005 and never got round to listening to this album. I really enjoyed it, it had a lot of elements I like in an album, especially the use of different styles but still having an overall feel. I thought the choruses were really strong and memorable. I like weird/experimental albums, and considering I liked it a lot on a first listen I’m giving it 5/5.
CHVRCHES
2/5
Quite a painful listen after artists like Michael Jackson and Fleetwood Mac. The chord progressions were simplistic, there was no harmony, just bland synths and lyrics. This nearly fell into a 1 but I did like the Scottish accents coming through, and one of the songs was Ok (can’t remember which one). Overall this made me really question the list. This just feels like such an arbitrary choice, probably added shortly after it came out. I’d say at least 10 years should pass before an album can be considered for the list, looking back on this album now you can see it for what it is, soulless synth pop, or as the Scots say “a load a’ shite”.
Coldplay
4/5
I secretly judge people who say they hate Coldplay. I get they’ve been through a few cringey iterations but I simply ignore everything after their second album and let the people who enjoy them (I’m assuming 40 year old Christians), enjoy them. This album has some really enjoyable songs on it and it’s not all simplistic pop rock, there’s some interesting chord progressions and memorable choruses.
My only criticism is that it is slightly too long but people who write off this album simply because its Coldplay are just brainlessly hating on them. Chris Martin did nothing wrong!
The Kinks
4/5
I’ve had two The Kinks albums come up now and I have really enjoyed both of them having not heard them before. This one was really weird but still had some great singles, eg Picture Book. I really enjoyed the 60’s groovyness mixed with wacky English eccentricity. Some tracks near the end were a bit much but I will definitely come back to this.
Culture Club
1/5
For me this was somewhere between George Michael and Simply Red. I didn’t enjoy any of it apart from a couple of the bass lines. If found the style grating and the lyrics were repetitive. I didn’t like the singer’s voice and it didn’t blend well with the backing singer. The ad libbed vocals by the backing singer in some songs were very over the top and annoying, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. I have no idea why this is on the list, the album had one big hit and the rest was a forgettable cheese selection.
The Mothers Of Invention
1/5
Not in the mood
The White Stripes
4/5
I enjoyed this album, I like the dynamic between the two members, and Jack White’s guitar tones really shine. I feel like my problem with 2 piece bands is that they can only go so far without that extra harmonic layer of another member. I really liked the heavier tracks like ‘Girl you have no faith in medicine’, where I’m sure the echoey ‘woo!’ at the beginning was later copied by The Oh sees/Ty Segall / King Gizzard. Overall it’s a great album by a great band who have their own trademark sound.
ABBA
4/5
I turned my nose up when I saw it was a lesser known ABBA album. I was surprised that I really liked it. There’s some really catchy moments and groovy bass lines. Some of the stage musical sounding songs were a bit much but I enjoyed it overall.
Solomon Burke
3/5
Nice but forgettable.
Goldie
2/5
Nearly gave up on this. I get that this is a pioneering album for the genre but it sounded badly mixed and dated. The first track being 20 mins was a joke. There were a couple of enjoyable parts but it mostly dragged on.
Beck
4/5
This is my second Beck album and this one is completely different to the other. This album reminded me of Radiohead - (in rainbows) and Elbow. I’m impressed that Beck can produce such varied albums that are high quality in such a short time period.
Iggy Pop
3/5
I found most of the album quite unaspiring and lacked the excitement of the stooges however the last track was surprisingly good.
The Smiths
4/5
For me, The Smiths are one of those bands that have amazing singles but no album that I enjoy from beginning to end. This album has one of my favourite The Smiths songs, Stop Me, and it shows all the characteristics that made the bands sound unique, however it’s not quite a 5/5 album in my opinion.
David Bowie
3/5
Not sure what he was going for with this one. Some interesting songs but mostly a boring alt rock album.
Lou Reed
3/5
Couple of iconic songs, interesting 70s album but I doubt I’ll revisit it.
Roxy Music
2/5
I’ve tried to listen to this before. It seems like something I’d like but no part of it clicked with me. The songs felt long and aimless, and I really didn’t like Ferry’s singing voice. The last track was really quite annoying.
Linkin Park
3/5
I was reluctant to listen to this but I actually enjoyed some songs. I think you need to have been a very specific age when this came out, it was one of the first albums I bought. Everyone listened to this when I was in school, and it it was a bit of an equaliser for those that liked hip hop and those who preferred guitar music. Unfortunately, without the nostalgia factor, the call and response rapping sounds very corny, and the lyrics are like an angsty teen brat who hates their parents for no reason. It’s now quite laughable that there’s no swearing in the album, just shouting things like “go away” and “shut up”, along with threats of running away. It was a nice trip down nu-metal memory lane but a strange choice for this list.
Coldplay
4/5
Reading the other reviews I just don’t understand why people get so worked up about Coldplay. Listening to this was an absolute delight compared to some of the other shit on this list. It is quite a gentle album, and derivative of Radiohead in some parts, but people act like Chris Martin is Satan and listening to this album is like getting stabbed up the arse with a pitchfork. I get that Coldplay are ‘commercial’ and ‘mainstream’ but it’s fine to not listen to them, there’s no need to be so triggered.
Shivkumar Sharma
2/5
When I was a kid my mum used to take to me the garden centre, and for some reason they used to sell CDs of instrumental relaxation music with weird names like “gentle panpipe”. You could press buttons to hear a sample of each one and I always wondered who bought them. Anyway this reminded me of one of those, or the music from an assassins creed game.
The Only Ones
4/5
I enjoyed this one. Wasn’t sure what to expect but it surprised me with its deferent elements of rock, new wave, punk and power pop. I will be listening again.
5/5
I haven’t listened to this album since hearing it in my dads car in the 90s. It used to remind me of long journeys and feeling sick. I rejected oasis completely as a teenager as it just wasn’t fashionable to listen to them. Coming back to it now I have to accept it is a great album. They do wear their influences on their sleeve, and the lyrics are complete nonsense, but there is a certain magic about the album, and the choruses are huge.
Green Day
3/5
This isn’t a bad album, just not for me. The constant power chords and unsubtle social commentary got boring after a couple of tracks. The album is too long and I didn’t like the rock opera elements. They never produced anything better than Dookie in my opinion.
Depeche Mode
2/5
Couple of memorable songs but some of the sounds were a bit dated. I didn’t really like it overall.
Germs
1/5
I guess you had to be there
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
An interesting and unique album. I enjoyed it
The Specials
3/5
Interesting album but I didn’t like it as much as the other specials one. There weren’t many memorable songs on this
Doves
3/5
I have heard their later stuff which I preferred. Quite an uneventful album and I’m surprised it’s on the list.
DJ Shadow
4/5
I like this album, I think DJ Shadow used sampling to create something artistic and different sounding. Having said that I thought the weird blast beat on stem was a strange choice. Overall I’m conflicted about sampling as it can be quite lazy and can alter my enjoyment of the original songs that were sampled. This album still gets a 4/5 as it has an interesting and mysterious atmosphere to it.
Orange Juice
2/5
Tried to listen to this before and it just doesn’t do much for me
Burning Spear
3/5
Nice reggae album for a heatwave. Hard to differentiate from a lot of other reggae I’ve heard.
Nirvana
5/5
This is an amazing album for Nirvana enjoyers as it shows the songwriting and vocal talents of Kurt Cobain that was previously hidden under layers of fuzzy guitars and loud drums. I liked most of the songs but thought there was a few too many covers, the Bowie one is great but some of the others are a bit annoying. Ah fuck it I’ll give it a 5.
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
A pleasant retro sounding album. It passed me by without making me feel much.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
Baby boomer bullshit
Finley Quaye
1/5
Cod reggae for Generation X.
This guy is a violent piece of shit.
Yes
4/5
I never thought I’d enjoy a prog album this much. My only criticism is that it is simply too long, but I understand that is a feature of prog.
Ice Cube
3/5
Sounds a bit dated now. I enjoyed parts of it but I switched off after a while, there was other much better hip hop in the early 90s in my opinion
Ms. Dynamite
2/5
Sounds like generic 00s R&B. I see this somehow beat The Streets to the mercury prize (not that anyone cares about that award) and the artist herself had an MBE, for this one hit wonder album. The songs that weren’t derivative of Lauryn hill and Erykah Badu were pretty dated sounding. This and Finlay Quaye might be the final nail for even doing this 1001album challenge. Too much cack on the list.
Van Morrison
2/5
Never really liked Van Morrison. This album had some interesting moments but it wasn’t for me.
Radiohead
5/5
I put off listening to this because I heard that it wasn’t popular when released. There are some amazing songs on this, and it I think their sound is completely unique. There are a couple of songs that could be dropped in my opinion but it is such a high quality album compared to some other dross on the list. I love how Radiohead can reinvent themselves and continue to make dark, interesting and challenging music (that is somehow catchy and sing-along) throughout the years, but I understand it’s not for everyone. It’s easily 5/5 despite being inferior to other Radiohead albums (incredible album art too).
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Surprisingly enjoyable
Morrissey
3/5
Morrissey is a knob but I didn’t dislike the album, I think the production was better than the Smiths albums. Some decent songs on here
Boston
5/5
Never heard this before. I thought it was a fun listen. It was really entertaining and well crafted. I didn’t think it was overly cheesy like the other person said.
James Taylor
3/5
I really liked the last track but some of the other white boy blues songs were a bit cringey
Tricky
2/5
Long and dull. I really don’t need to hear multiple songs about this little freaks sex life.
Gillian Welch
3/5
I see she featured on the o brother where art thou soundtrack which is amazing. I don’t listen to country but she has an amazing voice. I liked the bluegrass elements
Herbie Hancock
4/5
Jazz funk fusion.
Groovy.
I quite liked it.
Nice.
Bob Dylan
3/5
The harmonica is such a grating instrument. Some of the songs start well and then this awful metallic sound stabs me in the ear drums. I did enjoy parts of this album but I was bracing myself for a magical, ground breaking, mind blowing album based on the way people talk about it. Of all the 80 or so albums I’ve listened to so far I believe this is the most overrated. I think the boomers have rose tinted hearing aids.
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Quite liked the lofi production. I expected a Hendrix/Prince derivative but it was more interesting than expected. Too long though.
Talking Heads
5/5
I just love Talking Heads
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
A tough listen
Destiny's Child
2/5
Nah
LL Cool J
3/5
It was interesting at first but got quite boring after a while. Too long.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Beautiful album. Stevie makes complex, genius song writing catchy. One of the greatest of all time.
k.d. lang
2/5
Not for me
Big Star
4/5
I had never heard of this band but I quite enjoyed it,
OutKast
4/5
I’m conflicted because songs like BOB are some of the most interesting and unique sounding songs I’ve heard on this project. However I really hate interludes on albums, it ruins the flow for me, and some of the tracks are just bad, like the hoez one. Some of big bois lyrics are questionable to say the least. The album as a whole would be better if some songs were cut.
John Coltrane
3/5
Pretty cool
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Another long hip hop album. Reminded me of outkast a bit. I am aware Ken is stratospherically popular amongst the young’ns but I tried not to let that cloud my judgement. I thought the horny and misogynistic lyrics showed hip hop probably hasn’t moved on much in 30 years, however it felt a bit deeper than some of the other newer shit I’ve heard and I found myself enjoying it. It did feel like a special album with some interesting sounds. Worthy of a 5/5 probably.
Ramones
4/5
It is one dimensional but I enjoyed it
The Police
3/5
I liked parts of this a lot. I think this band will suffer from the Coldplay effect, where it is hard to overlook the general ‘wankyness’ of the band and the lead singer. I feel like mother was an attempt to be edgy and different like XTC or something, but it was a failure. Every breath is probably the reason this album is on the list but it stands out as quite different to the rest of the album.
Prefab Sprout
2/5
Prefab Sprout should definitely be on the 1001 awful band names list. I wanted to like this album but it just didn’t grab me at all. The songs fell into the cheesy zone unfortunately.
Queen
5/5
I’ve not heard any of these songs before. It sounds like quite typical Queen. I liked the production and I thought it was a fun album with lots of unexpected twists.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I think I listened to the wrong one. The cover was blue. Anyway I quite enjoyed it
Pantera
4/5
Not listened before but I actually thought this was a pretty enjoyable metal album. I think history has favoured Metallica who sound similar but had bigger hits. I thought the production/mixing was weird, the guitars seemed too loud in comparison with the drums when compared to other metal/rock/grunge from the early nineties but I’ll probably listen again when the mood takes me.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Really strange sounding album. I enjoyed it and will revisit it
Blue Cheer
2/5
I’m assuming this album is considered ahead of its time but that didn’t make it enjoyable to listen to. I don’t think you can say this is better than, or vastly different to cream or Hendrix who released albums the year before. I don’t really see the Sabbath comparisons either. They may have been an influence but the first sabbath album was darker and better produced and the songwriting was infinitely better. This just seemed like a blues rock album in comparison.
Elliott Smith
5/5
Some albums just have an indescribable magic. Elliot smith doesn’t have a technically great voice, and the production is low fi but this is easily a 5/5 album. It should be studied by aspiring producers and bands. If the songs are good enough just keep it simple!
Boards of Canada
4/5
I thought it sounded fresh and wouldn’t have guessed it was from 1998. Clearly inspired the likes of 4tet who I enjoy.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Quite dated sounding, I don’t think it’s survived the test of time
Air
3/5
The songs are a bit long and drawn out but I enjoyed parts of it
Thundercat
5/5
It feels like space age jazz. He is clearly a nerd and doing something completely different
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
Another mildly interesting 60 psyche rock album
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Hardly a classic Stevie album… it didn’t have the magic of his other stuff. This shouldn’t be on the list
Queen
4/5
Bohemian rhapsody and some other songs. Good fun though
Throbbing Gristle
3/5
I skipped through it. I liked the idea but couldn’t listen to it. It’s still better than Eric Clapton and Finley Quaye though
The B-52's
5/5
I’m have a real soft spot for the B52s. I much prefer Wild Planet to this though. I think rock lobster (and later love shack) put me off listening to them for a long time but they have some amazing freaky post punk sounding songs. I feel like they carved out a unique sound and i was very sad to see their underrated guitarist died so young. 52 girls is a power pop classic.
Janis Joplin
4/5
Nice and short. The over the top wailing was annoying in places but I enjoyed the funkier ones
Tim Buckley
3/5
Bit annoying
Bad Company
4/5
Not what I’d usually listen to but it was quite enjoyable. It’s funny hearing such an epic song about a seagull when the seagulls that live near my house are the most annoying creatures on the planet.
2Pac
3/5
Another long hip hop album. I liked some of it a lot but it’s just too long and I got bored. Also hearing the same rhymes over and over again got annoying.
He sounds like Bender from Futurama when he says “it’s just me against the world bebeh”
The Who
4/5
It’s a pretty cool album. I feel like including live albums on this list is a bit of a cop out, like they’re trying to cover multiple albums with one. Having said that I think this shows why The Who were popular, they had a full and exciting sound for a 4 piece. Too many covers though.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
I don’t mind Costello but I don’t really see why this is on the list. I think it is his attempt at a Sgt Pepper style album. The ballads just make me feel nothing, that style doesn’t appeal to me at all. I think Sgt. pepper had survived the test of time (as has Costellos late 70s stuff) whereas this just sounds dated.
Calexico
4/5
It seemed a bit all over the place at first but there are some really cool songs on here with a variety of genres
Nick Drake
5/5
I really liked it, the production was very soothing. The last track left a really nice impression
Mott The Hoople
3/5
It was enjoyable, reminded me of Bowie and Rod Stewart a bit. I don’t think I’d revisit it
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
Really nice album, amazing harmonies.
The Auteurs
2/5
Uneventful 90s rock. I’m imagining David Brent was in this band before he got into the paper industry, he played guitar and co-wrote some of the songs. The lyrics were noticeably bad. I’m imagining whoever chose this for the list was around 16-19 when this came out, and they have some nostalgia for it that the majority of people who listen now don’t have. Get this off the list and restore some credibility to it.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Enjoyable album, it isn’t perfect but it had an immeasurable impact on music and meant a lot to me personally so it gets a 5. I’m sure there are people out there calling it overrated but they can butter my arse
The Kinks
3/5
My 3rd kinks album. Didn’t like this one as much as the others. I feel like this is only on the list because of Waterloo sunset
Ray Charles
4/5
I haven’t really enjoyed the RC that has come up so far. Couple of songs on this were really nicely put together so deserves a 4 I think
Miles Davis
4/5
Quite a cool chilled out album. I liked it
Dolly Parton
3/5
Some groovy country, some plain old country. I liked some of it but it wasn’t a memorable album.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
I struggled
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
I guess I don’t like tango… there were some interesting arrangements but it was too dramatic and lacked the cool of other jazz albums I’ve enjoyed. I also put accordion in the same dark cupboard as the harmonica… these instruments are surely only enjoyable to the people playing them. I’m going to be completely honest and say I gave up on this. Not for me.
Black Sabbath
5/5
I really enjoyed it. The first track is one of the best openers ever. The album is varied and enjoyable
David Bowie
3/5
Nice album that loses its way at the end
Butthole Surfers
1/5
Not for me
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
I liked it but some songs were just too long
Robert Wyatt
3/5
It had some nice moments but was annoying overall
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
I like CCR and I enjoyed this but I can’t give an album with an 11 min version of through the grapevine 5 stars sorry
Pere Ubu
4/5
I actually really enjoyed the 70s post/ punk - funk sound.
Garbage
2/5
It has one hit on it and the rest is forgettable. Perfect for the list!
The Cure
3/5
Dreary
Dr. Octagon
2/5
It’s an ugly album, some nice beats here and there but mostly quite difficult to listen to. I’m sorry to say I gave up on it
Jack White
3/5
A solid album but a strange choice for the list
Fever Ray
3/5
Interesting album. Moody synth music. Reminded me a lot of Bjork.
Megadeth
3/5
80s metal that will always be in the shadow of Metallica
Dolly Parton
2/5
This was a bit too country for me
Pink Floyd
3/5
I liked it more than expected. Love the album art
Paul Simon
5/5
I watched a documentary about Graceland and the groups that were fighting apartheid in South Africa were disgusted that Paul Simon breached the embargo to make this album. I’d agree that PS probably shouldn’t have made it... I’m not sure if it was his US exceptionalism or he genuinely thought making it would improve the situation in SA.
The fact is I like this album a lot and to me it sounds completely unique.
The bass line for diamonds is easily one of my favourites of all time. Would I have heard of Ladysmith Black Mambazo if this album was never made? Probably not.
Others have said it’s cultural appropriation but some of my favourite music has been a result of a clash of different cultures and genres, and it’s not as if he took the black music and performed it with white American musicians like other celebrated albums on this list.
Having said all that when I found out that Graceland is literally Elvis Presley’s house I thought that was a dumb thing to name an ‘iconic’ song/album after.
Jacques Brel
1/5
I didn’t like his voice, or the music. Live albums shouldn’t be on this list. At least it was short.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
I also disagree with the ‘1982’ person. Maybe there’s a contingent of people who don’t like the 80s sound because their parents listened to it.
I thought it was a really interesting, varied and fun album. I’ve always loved the bass on sledgehammer and I was happy to hear Kate Bush pop up.
Sonic Youth
4/5
I enjoyed most of it after hating it the last time I tried to listen 10+ years ago. It was snotty ‘fuck you’ Gen X punk. I would listen again.
Elliott Smith
5/5
This album sounds timeless to me. There’s influences from different decades, some of it sounds a bit 70s. Elliot Smith is an amazing songwriter who used interesting chords and harmonies. The lyrics are heartbreaking but the production is warm and satisfying. What an amazing underrated album, and reminder of what a huge loss it was to music when he died.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
My rule is: if I don’t finish an album I can’t give it a 1. That was pretty laughable musically, it jumped from new order to sting and the police in the first two songs. The weird lyrics stuck out. I’ve never listened to Cohen before and that wasn’t what I expected.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I’m just not into it
The Pretty Things
3/5
There’s quite a lot of kooky 60s psyche albums on here. I enjoyed this one though
Crowded House
3/5
Mostly boring 90s rock/pop. I remember seeing this album in my mums collection and being a bit freaked out by the cover. I liked tall trees, it was a bit like the cure/rem. another track had nice orchestral instrumentation. Overall it was a bit boring
Ice Cube
3/5
He’s obviously a hip hop legend and the songs have a powerful message but I can’t get over the fact the songs are so repetitive musically. It was a good day is a nice sample but it’s so fucking boring after a few minutes, and you’re just left sitting there listening to him talk about how he had sex once.
Happy Mondays
2/5
I’ll be honest I gave up on this. Can’t believe this came out in 2007, I don’t remember it but it must’ve sounded so dated and out of place. HM were pretty irrelevant by then
Fleet Foxes
4/5
I enjoyed it, it is a shame Mykonos isn’t on this album. I always liked white winter hymnal, I used to wonder what the lyrics mean, I remember seeing an interview with them where they said the lyrics are basically meaningless
4/5
A really weird one but I quite liked it
Prince
2/5
I’ve never listened to a Prince album and had high expectations but this really disappointed me. 1999 is a decent track but the rest just felt like filler, and it was all over the place. Some songs were stupidly long, 5 mins into let’s pretend we’re married I was thinking ‘where the fuck is this going?’. Lady cab driver redeemed it a bit but Jesus, 8+ mins..? Why??
From this 1001 album challenge I’ve discovered overly horny albums really bug me. Jesus Christ just have a wank mate. He sees himself as some sort of sex god but he comes a cross as a skeevy little creep.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
I liked it. Cool cover. I like JF’s voice
David Gray
3/5
2000s male singer songwriter. It was like some of the early songs were over produced with cool beats to make them sound a bit modern. This just dated the album. It fell into James blunt territory at times but overs it wasn’t bad.
Pixies
4/5
Not as good as Doolittle or Surfa Rosa, I don’t really think much more needs to be said. Allison is a great song
Arrested Development
2/5
Another long hip hop album. Cheesy bars and samples
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Nice album but too long
Taylor Swift
2/5
With some albums on here I assume I’ll hate them and I end up pleasantly surprised. With this one I secretly thought I might like it but actually it’s was mostly bland, over produced, 4 chord pop. Shake it off is a great pop song but it doesn’t really sound like the rest of the album. I like Taylor’s voice but it was quite an uninspiring album.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
I thoroughly enjoyed it. It made me want to drive around in a big old truck and fire a revolver in the air. The solo in free bird is the definition of musical ecstasy, I was worshiping the gun and the cheeseburger by the end of it.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Surprised I really enjoyed it. Sounded a lot more raw than later FBS.
Femi Kuti
2/5
I like Afro best but this didn’t really resonate with me. I didn’t really get into the groove, it felt quite drawn out
David Bowie
5/5
Some really nice songs on here and overall a really enjoyable and well produced album
Lauryn Hill
4/5
I liked it but it’s way too long and those 2000s style hip hop “skits” or interludes ruin the flow and make re listening a chore
Richard Hawley
3/5
Heeee’s a 1950’s conman.
This was a nice throwback album but I didn’t get much more from it. The lyrics didn’t really grab me. I’ve never heard his music but I’ve always thought this guy was a bit of a poser.
Nanci Griffith
4/5
It’s a really nice album, she has a great voice and the production is amazing for an 80s album so it has a timeless feel. I thought the other reviews were incredibly harsh so it gets a 4 from me even though I don’t like country.
Kanye West
2/5
Doesn’t appeal to me at all
Jerry Lee Lewis
2/5
His voice isn’t that great compared to others of the time. It was 20 mins of ‘piano riff woo’ music and there’s not much else to say other than he was a child abuser.
Ghostface Killah
3/5
Nice soul samples but too many cringe skits and too long just like every other fucking hip hop album on here
Various Artists
4/5
Really nice actually
Black Sabbath
5/5
There are better ways to describe this album than metal. It is really varied. I enjoyed it
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
A really nice, funky album. It’s quite lofi and quirky sounding, sometimes the rhythms feel like they’ll fall apart but they fall into interesting patterns. That makes no sense but I can’t be bothered to rewrite it.
Circle Jerks
4/5
I’m not a fan of gen x punk, I really didn’t like the germs which came up on here. I absolutely love that this album is 15mins, and by the time it got to group sex I was really tuned into the album. I liked it.
Beach House
2/5
This sums up 2010 era music for me. It was big and dreamy and hit the big stadium sound at times but it felt a bit bland and empty to me
Deerhunter
5/5
I was slightly annoyed to see this as Spotify constantly suggests it to me. I’ve seen them live and don’t remember having strong feelings about them. It really won me over this time, not sure why. I’m a bit annoyed Spotify was right
Cream
4/5
Some good songs, I liked it. Claptons a prick though
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Some really great songs and really enjoyable overall
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
Surprisingly nice album but the cover is the worst on the list so far
Stevie Wonder
3/5
It’s the one with superstition on it
The Byrds
2/5
Landfill psyche fodder
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Some nice songs on here but it’s too long and the lyrics aren’t very interesting
The Soft Boys
4/5
I quite liked parts of it. It was probably somewhere between a 3 and 4 for me
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
It was a funk fusion of genres at times. Don’t think I’d listen again
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Proof that albums can be full and enjoyable in under 30 mins. I love JF’s voice, the production is so nice and they keep it simple.
Kraftwerk
2/5
Not their best
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Not a bad album, I preferred it to Taylor Swift who I would put in the same category. The songs sounded very haunting and classically American, like the laments of a cowboy’s widow.
I don’t like the album name though, it’s just alliteration, like ‘cornflakes in the cat carrier’.
Kraftwerk
3/5
Better than the Europe express one
Nirvana
5/5
This album has some of the most iconic songs of the 90s so I don’t really agree with others saying it’s overrated. There is a couple of filler tracks but overall it is a powerful album with amazing songwriting, playing and production. It could be a 4 for me as it drags a bit, but it is easily a 5 in comparison to some of the absolute shit on this list
The Fall
4/5
I quite liked it. It was scatty but stumbled upon greatness at times. Got boring by the end though.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
5/5
I really enjoyed it, it was gloomy and groovy
Frank Zappa
3/5
Doing this challenge has made me really hate Zappas music. This was much better than the mothers of invention though. I liked the riffs but overall, the songs are too long and don’t go anywhere.
Iron Butterfly
2/5
The only decent song on here is 16 fucking minutes long. You could’ve told me this was a Cliff Richard album and I wouldn’t have questioned it.
William Orbit
3/5
It was very 90s. One of the tracks sounded exactly like the ‘welcome to windows 98’ song. It was pretty uneventful overall and I can’t really see why it’s on the list, maybe one of the authors used to smoke weed whilst listening to it at uni. Having said that the track water babies made me feel something, it was like well crafted hold music.
The Fall
3/5
Some interesting moments
John Lennon
2/5
This list should be called 1001 albums with one hit on them. Honestly songs like I don’t wanna be a soldier are appalling. Personally I have hated imagine since I was a child, and the more I learned about Lennon, the more I felt vindicated about my opinion. This albums sums up what a pathetic, hypocritical and generally unpleasant person he was. “I’m just a jealous guy”… Jesus I’d hate to be on the receiving end of JL’s violent jealousy like the people close to him were.
Having said all that I do really like ‘how can you sleep’ musically, I’d definitely listen to that again. It’s just ridiculous how he lashes out at McCartney for no reason, “how can you sleep at night you cunt?” John asks, in an unused take of that song. I Imagine Paul always slept a lot better than John, who probably rolled around, haunted by all the evil things he’d done in his life.
Genesis
3/5
I have to admit I stopped at colony of slippermen, I’d heard enough. I liked how unpredictable the album was but 90mins is a joke.
Portishead
4/5
It is a really interesting album. Hard to define genre-wise. I prefer dummy though
The Verve
2/5
It was quite boring
Rush
3/5
Proggy Prog Prog Jr. Progadoo
U2
5/5
It gets a 5 because of how much I expected to hate it. I never thought I’d like a U2 album
The Velvet Underground
5/5
There’s a lot of mediocre 60s psyche on the list but I really enjoyed this. Surprised I’ve never bothered to listen considering the classic album cover
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Enjoyed it
The Black Crowes
2/5
Nah fuck that
Napalm Death
2/5
I get its anarchic but it’s not fun to listen to. It’s like seeing a canvas smeared with shit in an art gallery. I’ll always prefer a nice inoffensive Constable.
Prince
2/5
I’m really surprised how much I disliked that
The Roots
3/5
Why are hip hop albums so long
Peter Gabriel
5/5
I came across this album a few years ago and loved it. It is so weird, it doesn’t hold back at all and utilises loads of strange sounds and techniques. The songs are still accessible and catchy at times. I’m always happy to hear our Kate pop up.
Iron Maiden
3/5
It sounds exactly how you expect it would. Do we really need multiple iron maiden albums on this list
Beatles
4/5
Some nice songs and some forgettable ones
Fats Domino
4/5
Enjoyable, couldn’t find all of it though
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
Laughably bad
Elton John
2/5
You hear tiny dancer and you’ve heard them all. I’m not a fan of piano ballads
Led Zeppelin
3/5
There is a lot of plagiarism on this album, it’s so brazen, like one of those hiding in plain sight situations (Jimmy Saville). I get that stairway is a boomer anthem but it made me feel nothing. It’s a decent album overall but it’s like they colonised black music and copywrited it.
The Byrds
2/5
60s psyche folk country, interesting but not that enjoyable
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Interesting album, more abrasive than I expected as I have only heard their later work. The production is a bit all over the place and I don’t think I’d listen again. Very sad to read about their guitarist.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
It’s funny hearing a monolithic jazz record like this after some of the piles of shite on this list. It still sounds fresh after 65 years, where other albums barely make it out of the decade (who even IS Finley Quaye?). You could probably make a list of 1001 jazz albums rather than selecting the well known ones and sullying them by putting them in a list with s&m by Metallica.
Aphex Twin
5/5
It looks like this was quite a divisive one, but I really enjoy this album and put it on regularly. It might be one for Aphex Twin fans as it’s so interesting to hear the origins of his style. Richard James was born in 71 so he must’ve made some of these tracks when he was 14, which to me shows how he has a unique talent in making music.
4/5
Really enjoyed it!
Justice
3/5
Enjoyable but not sure why it’s on the list
Beastie Boys
2/5
Cheesy beats, cheesy rhymes, samples where the original is infinitely better than the resulting song, it gets an extra star for the iconic cover.
Tom Waits
3/5
I thought it was a really cool idea. Tom waits has an amazing voice, and the playing is really impressive. Some of the songs are really groovy
Queens of the Stone Age
5/5
I really like this album. I am a fan of QOTSA and discovered this quite late. The low fi qualities and its simplicity really appealed to me, but I understand these are drawbacks to other listeners. QOTSA definitely forged their own style of groovy stoner rock, and there are some catchy choruses too. It is refreshing to hear rock albums that don’t have overblown production, I feel like you can appreciate the songs in their raw form. I’d put this in the same category as the first foo fighters album (also all the instruments on both albums were mostly played by one person). It is a bit of a weird choice for the list though.
Van Halen
2/5
These guys must really hate spinal tap
Donald Fagen
3/5
I like how the top review refers to this as over produced beige yacht rock, like that’s a bad thing!
Arcade Fire
5/5
If it was my first listen i might’ve given it a 2/3 as I remember my first impression was very meh when this came out. It grew on me a lot and I think the first half of this album is perfect. I guess that’s the flaw of doing this challenge. I’m surprised the top review is aggressively negative, but looking at the authors top albums explains a lot, they just have shit taste.
N.W.A.
2/5
A failure to survive the test of time and a chore to listen to. I don’t believe the people who rate this album highly ever actually listen to it
Orbital
3/5
They got bored of ecstasy
They finished their degrees, with no tuition fees
They fell into a career
They knocked that club down and now it’s flats
They bought houses and rode the property boom
They vote for the Conservative Party
They listen to Orbital and reminisce about taking ecstasy
Cheap Trick
3/5
Some enjoyable songs in there but I would’ve preferred a studio album. I feel like if you’re choosing a live album for the list you might as well just put a best-of… I take it this band has no individual album that is worth listening to.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
Interesting backstory but it doesn’t make it a good album
Derek & The Dominos
1/5
I’ll never pass up the chance to give Clapton one star
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
I thought it was quite fun electro album. I preferred it to prince and the 80s hip hop I’ve heard. Surprised how bad the reviews are
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
I quite liked it. Some Cure/joy division Elements. I don’t know why it’s on the list though
Sam Cooke
5/5
I think live albums are a bit of a cop out. This is a decent one though, you can feel the energy in the performance.
The events surrounding his death are incredibly sad and interesting to read about.
Christina Aguilera
1/5
Fuck off
Kate Bush
5/5
Kate Bush used to make crazy, weird, genreless, sometimes genius music. I genuinely believe she would get less criticism if she were a man. She used innovative sampling techniques and interesting chord progressions.
I really like Sat in Your Lap, it is truly a nuts song but there is nothing else like it. Her mockney accent (and donkey braying) did always make me cringe, and Hounds of Love is a better album but this one is still a unique work of art in my opinion, and I do love our Kate.
Run-D.M.C.
1/5
I think this album has some very dated attitudes towards sucker MCs, and some of the sucker MC-phobic language is hard to listen to in 2024. I’m glad that in the 21st century, we are more accepting of sucker MCs thanks to those who have tirelessly campaigned for sucker MC rights.
Adele
3/5
Nice voice and songs but I’m not a 50 year old mum
Mudhoney
1/5
It sounded like your average pub band. I looked up the original track listing and listened that. Awful.
The Monks
1/5
More 60s landfill psyche shite
The Who
5/5
Probably a 5 star. It is a great album but I’ve never fully liked the who
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
2/5
I didn’t know Lloyd before I listened to the album, but an album should be able to stand on its own legs. I didn’t find the album interesting. Lloyd has a ‘brightness’, an intelligence of a certain kind but there is a linearity about the album that is just tedious.
The The
1/5
They really shat the bed with snare sounds in the 80s. There was very little to enjoy about this album
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
This sounded like a precursor to the bigger Bob hits I’ve heard. I prefer the production on the later stuff but this was pretty good.
The Killers
3/5
I was 15 when this came out and really into bands. Looking back I’m glad I connected with guitar music. I should’ve liked this album but I never connected with the Killers, it was just too pop and almost up there with Coldplay levels of ‘mainstream’. The singles were omnipresent and so overplayed it is impossible to hear them objectively. I quite liked some of the ones I hadn’t heard before but it was forgettable other than the singles.
Gorillaz
5/5
I first heard this album when I was about 12 and I think it changed my brain. It was weird and arty and mysterious and I absolutely loved it. I bought into the art work and fully imagined it was created by a band of Japanese style cartoon characters. I loved the beats, bass, obscure samples (it didn’t even occur to me that the were samples actually), and the strange vocals. I remember finding out it was made by ‘the guy from blur’ and I don’t know how it took me so long to realise, you literally hear his voice. People generally say their second album was better but I didn’t care for their later stuff at all.
Listening again I really enjoyed pretty much every track, even the bizarre instrumentals like Double Bass. I really can’t think of another album like it.
I’d love to know how I would rate this if it was my first listen, but it’s impossible to be objective. I think it is an odd, eclectic, unique yet catchy album that had no right being mainstream, but I’m so glad it found its way to me as it showed me what music can be.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Quite enjoyed it but it wasn’t very memorable
Neil Young
5/5
I really enjoyed it. The production was very warm and the songs were meaningful
Brian Eno
2/5
I didn’t hate it but it was almost a completely nothing album. There’s ambient then there’s this… it’s like the sound of a distant fridge running
Stan Getz
5/5
A treat for the ears.
John Grant
3/5
Started off well but descended into a poor Elton/Bowie derivative. I didn’t think the lyrics flowed well, he was just saying stuff.
The Strokes
5/5
I really really like this album. So glad it still sounds fresh after 20+ years. The bass line in the opening track is glorious, all from a Casablancas demo. The dry guitars and distorted vocals are iconic.
Listening again there are so many high points in the album, like the solo in last nite, or the chorus in hard to explain. It is such a well crafted album. The playing is quite restrained and minimal at times, so when there’s a change in the drums or a guitar riff, or a melodic bass line comes in, it really has impact.
Deep Purple
2/5
6 songs and 56 minutes is such a huge red flag for me. I’ve said it before but you can see why punk was so revolutionary after this.
3/5
I always thought Muse were desperate to be Radiohead, and by existing they actually made Radiohead worse. They did have some credibility with their earlier albums but this one marked a very obvious move to try and establish themselves as a stadium rock band. A few bands did the same thing in the mid 2000s, Kings of Leon when they did Sex on Fire, and Biffy Clyro with that ‘I am a Mountain’ song.
Muse’s lyrics have always been incredibly cringeworthy, they have the political awareness of a 6th form student who likes rage against the machine.
This album isn’t terrible but it’s bland IT service desk rock.
I listened to this on YouTube because I don’t want it fucking up my Spotify recommendations and it’s always nice seeing Matt Bellamy as he looks like my old maths teacher - Mrs Cunningham.
Dusty Springfield
5/5
She has a beautiful voice and this is a really nice 60s album.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
I liked the harmonies and the chilled out country twang.
Ute Lemper
2/5
A wailing woman. I’m not into it
Def Leppard
2/5
Best left in the 80s
R.E.M.
4/5
Classic 90s album. It was on heavy rotation in the car CD player. I reminds me of feeling sick.
Buck Owens
3/5
It might’ve been the best country album ever, it just sounded like all other country
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
A cool album but not their best. Too long/ too much filler
The Band
3/5
Quite forgettable but pleasant enough
John Cale
3/5
It was pleasant enough.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Really interesting album. The production is amazing and I enjoyed the mixed of styles. You can hear Thundercat and flying lotus’s influence. It reminded me of the weirdness of Outkast.
The album is too long though(this is always a pitfall of hip hop albums). Also It’s pretty funny that even in alternative hip hop there is still a requirement to rap about having sex and being rich. It’s a good album though and it’s nice to hear something groundbreaking and different.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Really nice sounding but 4 tracks in 45 mins is insane and what was that weird rant on the last track
Guns N' Roses
3/5
80s metal is so dated sounding now. It’s a fun one but I wouldn’t listen to it voluntarily
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
The ultimate 3/5
The National
4/5
I tried and failed with this in 2010. I thought it was too slow and depressing. 14 years later it hit a bit harder
Snoop Dogg
3/5
Too long and too many skits (like every fucking hip hop album). Some decent tracks but mostly the usual hoes/money/crime zzzzzzzz
It was in 3 territory but I was really enjoying it by the end. He does have a nice voice old Roderick
The Youngbloods
3/5
Interesting at times but descended into meandering white boy blues
Dire Straits
3/5
Couple of good well known songs and the rest is shite, just like every other fucker on the list.
Fatboy Slim
5/5
It’s funny to think I was listening to this on a tape Walkman in my dad’s car whilst others were listening to it on a cocktail of ecstasy and acid. I really enjoyed it, it was good fun and sums up the 90s well.
Mercury Rev
2/5
Did like the singers voice. The arrangements were unsubtle and cheesy. It sounded like a rock band trying to be mature and clever by using an orchestra but it just sounded heavy handed and immature.
System Of A Down
4/5
Good fun. It laughs in the face of metal but not in a novelty way. There are some Middle Eastern sounds in there too. I liked it
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Good but not as good as the other one
The Beau Brummels
2/5
I’m so fucking sick of forgettable 60s psyche shit. The author of this list has shit taste
The Human League
4/5
I thought I’d hate this but I ended up really enjoying it, there’s some nice groovy songs on there and it’s not just throwaway 80s synth pop. The last song is obviously a monolith of 80s music but the rest reminded me of Kraftwerk at times. A pleasant surprise.
The Libertines
5/5
I guess these two Herberts are the pinnacle of “indie sleaze” which I think means they were stinky skag heads in skinny jeans. I used to listen to them a lot when I was a teenager, and I definitely preferred their first album but revisiting this for the first time in ages I think it stands up well. I always thought it would fall apart if they didn’t have such a solid rhythm section, and the sound of scrappy guitars and sloppy vocals over that solid foundation still sounds really good.
I think the song writing is high quality and it’s a shame the many imitators that came afterwards dragged them into the indie landfill category.
The album actually gets a lot better as it goes on, I’d forgotten how good ‘the haha wall’ and ‘campaign of hate’ are. It ends strongly on a bittersweet note which is pure nostalgia for me.
I can imagine our American friends struggling with this one but I think it’s eclectic and enjoyable the whole way through.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Wasn’t my thing at all but some enjoyable moments
1/5
Made me feel sick. I don’t believe anyone actually listens to this. The ultimate pretentious ‘music’.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
An 80s pop/rap album with one hit on it. One of the songs sounded like the theme to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Why the fuck is this on the list.
Pretenders
4/5
Enjoyed it more than expected, but it dragged a bit at the end. Didn’t like the one that sounded like sting and the police
Weather Report
5/5
I liked it a lot. To bass players, Jaco is as iconic as Jimi Hendrix is to guitarists. However to some, being a legendary bass player is about as impressive as being a legendary dentist.
I thought it was a really interesting album and packed a lot into just 37 mins.
Hugh Masekela
3/5
Cool at times but way too long. It got very boring
The Divine Comedy
2/5
That became quite annoying quite quickly. More gen x shite.
R.E.M.
4/5
Wasn’t v excited about another REM album but quite enjoyed it
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Interesting reading the misogynistic reviews that appear quite high up on any female artist. It just shows how women are inherently ignored, overly criticised, dismissed and/or ridiculed when they try and present any creative output. It’s a good album but it’s not what I’d usually listen to.
SZA
3/5
Some nice production at times but descended into the annoying trap hihat beat with triplet autotuned rhymes that we’ve heard a billion times. The lyrics were uninspiring, just the same shit we’ve heard for decades in R&B.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
An enjoyable album
Motörhead
3/5
REMOVE ALL LIVE ALBUMS FROM THE LIST! It’s like the author had a ‘no greatest hits’ rule, but this is just a cop out.
I enjoyed a few tracks but gave up pretty quickly. Every song is literally the same. It sounds like generic ‘rock 1’ music from an old video game.
Daw naw naw naw naw naw, daw naw!
Alice Cooper
4/5
Probably the most unexpected album of the list so far. It was an eclectic work of art really.
Eurythmics
4/5
I thought I’d hate it but I really liked it, the ones where Lennox sings are the best in my opinion
Neil Young
4/5
Glad it’s back on Spotify. I will definitely listen again. I didn’t like it as much as harvest moon on first listen
The Crusaders
3/5
Pretty smooth
Ryan Adams
2/5
Cunt thinks he’s Bob Dylan
Radiohead
5/5
I like Radiohead but I never come back to this one. Can’t argue that it’s a 5 though.
Grizzly Bear
4/5
Interesting album with cool production and song structures
Pulp
2/5
What an uninspiring choice for the list. I don’t like Pulp but I know a couple of their hits and they’re not even on this album. This felt like the album of a band that had a big production budget but no decent songs. It was just an overblown, over produced, vapid, echoey mess.
The Smiths
4/5
This is supposedly the best smiths album but I’ve found there’s no album of there’s that I like the whole way through apart from hatful of hollow which was more of a compilation. This has some great songs on it though. Andy Rourke is as iconic a musician as Johnny Marr. His basslines are some of the most memorable ever written and it is so sad he had a difficult life tragically died before his time.
King Crimson
3/5
In some parts we’re really cool but I personally can’t get into prog
Nas
5/5
Probably one of the best hip hop albums of all time. Represent represent!
Ananda Shankar
3/5
Sitar Vs Synth, unfortunately there are no real winners here. Most of the tracks I enjoyed more before the sitar came in. Jokes aside I did really like the last track, which earns it an extra star.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
Nice enough
The Cars
4/5
I liked it a lot, really enjoyable and interesting. Might be a 5 after another listen
Hole
4/5
Decent grunge album
The Replacements
2/5
Quite an uneventful rock album
The Clash
5/5
If someone wanted to hear a classic punk album would you show them this? I think calling it punk sells it very short. To me punk is three chord rock played by angry boomers who spit at each other. I don’t think any song on this can be defined as typically punk, there’s elements of ska, rockabilly and rock/pop, with almost a new genre in each track. I was confused by this album when I first heard it, but I’ve grown to love it, it feels like the lads put everything into it and it doesn’t drag can’t point despite being over an hour long.
Jethro Tull
3/5
Quite enjoyable but went on a bit at times. I liked hearing him go mmmyeah! Whilst playing flute
Scott Walker
3/5
Tried a few times with Scott but it doesn’t do it for me. Some interesting songs and some boring ones.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Amazing sound. It was good concentrating music which is what I happened to need at the time. Ginger Bakers tracks emphasised how good a drummer Tony Allen is. The production was incredible
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Heard a couple of FLs albums now and they are interesting sounding but I wouldn’t revisit them.
Les Rythmes Digitales
3/5
Quite enjoyable and not as terrible as these reviews make out
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Decent hip hop album. The skits are annoying though
Johnny Cash
2/5
Don’t mind JC but I never got the hype for that Hurt cover. This album does nothing for me
Violent Femmes
3/5
These guys must’ve gone against all of the trends of 80s production. I would’ve guessed 90s. It was an interesting sound but I didn’t like all of the songs.
Antony and the Johnsons
3/5
Not my thing but very sincere and beautiful sounding.
Black Sabbath
5/5
It’s a perfect rock album
The Who
3/5
A weird one, I wouldn’t say it was good but had some ok songs
The Last Shadow Puppets
2/5
I can appreciate that they tried to do something interesting here but it misses the mark in my opinion. It doesn’t have that vintage 60s production, it just sounds like bland late 2000s indie with strings dumped on it. I get the impression that Turner was too scared to try this on his own so brought his mate along. There is a noticeable deficit in their songwriting abilities and their voices clash like two drunk blokes doing karaoke in a pub. Turner developed his affected crooner voice in the years after this came out and it probably blends with the style better.
There’s a lot of 60s psyche on this list that probably inspired this album. Unfortunately this album lacks the basic elements that makes those old ones enjoyable. It just isn’t groovy.
I fucking hate the album cover as well.
Portishead
5/5
Cool and unique
Sister Sledge
5/5
Highly enjoyable
Magazine
4/5
Really enjoyed it. It was like television + some other interesting influences
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
It was ok
Talking Heads
3/5
I love TH but this one never clicked with me. Some of the songs are cool but they’re drawn out and don’t seem to go anywhere.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Quite a cute little album to be honest. Probably was the epitome of cool at the time
Aerosmith
2/5
Sleazy cock rock. Best covered up and forgotten like the many sexual offences committed by the band members of this era.
Alice In Chains
2/5
I guess this is considered a grunge album. In my opinion it took itself way too seriously and lacked charm. Listening to the Spotify radio for this album brought up some other grunge stuff that I hadn’t heard before that were way more enjoyable on a first listen, e.g drown by the smashing pumpkins.
The Offspring
1/5
Horrible album. The only thing that isn’t forgettable about it is the singers voice which is incredibly annoying. As if it wasn’t bad enough they chucked a ska number in there. Yuck.
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
I liked it, but didn’t realise some songs were on twice which shows how much I was concentrating
Taylor Swift
2/5
Better than the other one I heard. Pretty chilled out album. She has a very safe formula though and it gets boring.
Pixies
4/5
A really cool album with a big hit on it. I didn’t like it as much as Doolittle
Mike Oldfield
2/5
Classical prog
Minutemen
4/5
I liked a lot of the songs but it was too long and would be more enjoyable as an album if there were fewer songs. It reminded me of fugazi a bit and I liked hearing the jackass song in full at last.
The Prodigy
2/5
Was probably fun at the time to hear this in a club, off your nut, but it just sounded amateurish and a bit boring.
Marty Robbins
4/5
I enjoyed it. Nicely recorded and a bit different from other stuff on the list.
Kings of Leon
5/5
This was a big album for me when I was 15 so it’s impossible to hear objectively. I used to turn my stereo balance all the way to one speaker so it would cut out one guitar part (that had been hard panned to one side) and play along on my guitar for hours.
I never really got the strokes comparison, in my teenage brain this was more a mid 70s credence style sound rather than late 70s post punk sound like television, that the strokes seemed to be going for.
I love the live sound of the album and the short impactful guitar solos.
It’s an easy 5 for personal reasons but I do wonder why it’s on the list.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
5/5
This is like the heavy metal of jazz. It was thoroughly enjoyable
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
Some cool songs on here. Better than some of the other landfill 60s shite on this list.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
The author of the list loves this band and has such poor taste that he is unable to think of enough artists to fill the list, so puts them on multiple times. I didn’t enjoy it
Slipknot
3/5
Not their best album. Half the songs are fun and the rest are pretty samey and forgettable
The Avalanches
3/5
Tried this a few times and never got the hype. Frontier was fun
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
I went out and bought this the day it came out when I was 17. I loved the singles but remember thinking the album didn’t offer much more. It was like they’d played all their cards.
It’s hard not to cringe at lyrics like “banging tunes and dj sets” now, I don’t think the album has aged well.
Having said that I still enjoyed the singles, I feel like AM are my generations oasis. It was a nice trip down memory lane.
Meat Puppets
3/5
I liked some of it a lot. And hated some of it a lot. Interesting that Nirvana chose to cover the three best songs off this for their unplugged gig. It was a bit all over the place
SAULT
4/5
Took a while for me to warm to it but I ended up really enjoying this album. It’s experimental hip hop with some other genres like afrobeat thrown in. And a sprinkle of motivational affirmations for black people.
Bob Dylan
2/5
I was desperate for it to end. The harmonica is the most disgustingly abrasive instrument ever created. I simply can’t see what the appeal is with this guy. It’s like a big joke I don’t get. I predict in 10/20 years he will have started falling out the collective agreement of who is considered a legendary artist.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Quite enjoyed it
TLC
3/5
Quite a nice sounding album, not just pop
Johnny Cash
4/5
I like the story behind this album but he could’ve played more hits haha
Elvis Costello
4/5
One of the few elvis Costello albums actually somewhat worthy of the list
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Dramatic blues… I really don’t get the hype around this guy. Didn’t like his voice at all, and the rhyming patterns were quite monotonous
Korn
3/5
You have to admit there aren’t many albums that sound like this. It’s a work of art haha
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Some decent songs but not much variety
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
Pretty much a by-the-numbers jazzy hip hop album
Dagmar Krause
2/5
Not a fan of the stage sound. I didt like it at all but it didn’t make me angry like some of the other stuff on the list
Marilyn Manson
2/5
Just a poor man’s Nine Inch Nails
George Harrison
4/5
Quite long and all over the place but I liked it musically, some of the lyrics were weird .. I love dig
Thin Lizzy
3/5
Some decent songs but live albums shouldn’t be on the list. Just put the greatest hits on there
David Bowie
3/5
Short and forgettable, like me
Judas Priest
2/5
Incredibly annoying. Very dated
David Holmes
4/5
Really surprised by all the bad reviews on this one, at the very least it’s an enjoyable 90s trip hop album. This guy did some decent soundtracks which definitely comes through in the album. I liked the elements of the late 90s lounge/exotica revival in the samples, I think one of the tracks was used in spaced. I liked it!
Stephen Stills
3/5
I liked certain songs but it was too long
The Saints
3/5
I liked the late 70s sound but the songs weren’t there for me
The Go-Go's
3/5
Fun at times but also quite forgettable
The xx
3/5
I always found the guys voice very affected, like he thought he was from New York but actually he’s from Surrey or something. They take themselves too seriously but I didn’t hate it. This album shouldn’t be on the list though.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
I don’t like albums like this. Cave’s voice grinds my gears. I find the lyrics quite cringeworthy. Green eyes was particularly bad.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Some good songs and a lot of filler
Solange
3/5
Enjoyed it
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Really great hip hop album. Qtip has a nice flow.
Drive Like Jehu
4/5
I enjoyed it. It reminded me of fugazi a bit, and I actually preferred this to early fugazi. also Metz who were clearly influenced by them
Jimmy Smith
3/5
It’s was groovy but I probably won’t listen again
Sheryl Crow
4/5
Really enjoyable album. Lots of different styles. I feel like Taylor swift is just a boring rehash of our Sheryl
Sonic Youth
4/5
Seems very ahead of its time for 1988. Enjoyed it and will listen again
Rush
4/5
More enjoyable than the other one
The Associates
2/5
Decided by the third song this was a pile of wank and hoped I’d have something clever to say about it by the time it finished. I didn’t.
Erykah Badu
4/5
Didn’t like all the songs but felt like a high quality album. Pino is a god and it’s always a pleasure to hear him play
Patti Smith
1/5
I really disliked it, the style didn’t interest me at all. It was like bad karaoke.
Van Halen
3/5
Too much 80s cock rock on this list. This is better than some of the others though
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Nice enough sound but didn’t really go anywhere
Pink Floyd
2/5
There’s only one scent song and it’s on there 3 times. Too long, too overblown, and you can tell how clever they thought they were. It was bollocks and I hated it.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
It’s interesting that this band found stratospheric success considering their sound is so weird. I used to listen to this album a lot and it was easily my favourite by the band. The ones before it were a bit to 80s sound for me, and the later ones went a bit stadium/soft rock. It’s undeniable that musically, flea/john/chad were on another level during this era. I love how Fruciante switches from restrained funk to wild solos, and flea’s basslines are legendary. John really is an underrated player. Kiedis is basically a hype man for this band, I feel like the lyrics don’t really matter but he crosses the line too many times. Sir psycho sexy is particularly bad, he clearly has some weird fucked up relationship with sex. There are some moments when he surprises everyone with something heartfelt though, I.e. under the bridge.
I liked this album a lot as a teenager and then turned my back on rhcp in my 20s as they made me cringe. Listening again now I think this album holds up really well and I enjoyed it a lot.
David Ackles
2/5
Not a fan of musical/ballad styles
Randy Newman
3/5
Better than Bob Dylan
The Waterboys
3/5
I liked some of the tracks a lot but didn’t enjoy the really folky ones
Carole King
3/5
Listened to this a couple of times and I really don’t get the hype at all. Lots of piano ballads.
Jane Weaver
5/5
Really enjoyed it. Some krautrock elements, it was groovy! It gets a 5 because my recent my recent ones have been so bad
OutKast
4/5
This actually commits a lot of the crimes that I’ve marked other albums down for. It’s too long (2 albums mashed together), there’s some seriously annoying skits that ruin the experience of listening to the album as a whole, there are some overly horny moments and there’s a lot of filler. I still really rate this album though. There are some weird songs on speakerboxxx which I enjoyed but it does lose my attention towards the end. I actually believe the love below is a work of art, there are some incredibly strange pop songs on there, as well as some cool unique sounding hip hop that is blended with jazz and other genres. It is a work of art. It gets a hypocritical 4 from me.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Funk rock fusion!
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Quite uneventful and samey
Ministry
3/5
I was ok, it had that very tinny pantera production. Not one I’d revisit
Spacemen 3
2/5
I didn’t hate it but it was way too sparse. It felt like there were no actual songs on there
The Beta Band
3/5
Weird little album, I liked some of it
The Cure
3/5
I find the cure’s albums to be too long and uneventful. I liked the overall sound but I wouldt listen again. In my opinion the cure owe me a balmy summers evening
Supergrass
4/5
Some decent songs on here. I liked it
Sonic Youth
3/5
Liked it at the start but went off the rails a bit. Weird to think this came out the same year as the queen is dead by the smiths
Madonna
3/5
Slightly weird 80s pop.
Bruce Springsteen
1/5
It seemed like they tried to reinvent Bruce for a post 2000 audience. It was horrible alt country shite. They absolutely sucked the life out of the poor bastard. What a horrible album.
Massive Attack
3/5
Inner city life
Inner city pressure
The concrete jungle
Is out to get ya
Beatles
5/5
Obviously a great album but the ‘best album of all time’ isn’t going to have maxwells hammer and octopuses garden on it… sorry
The Pharcyde
3/5
Some ok moments, will try again at some point but didn’t do much for me
Harry Nilsson
3/5
Not a fan of the ballads but some were ok. Wouldn’t listen again
Eminem
2/5
Couple of decent singles but as a whole it is a very cheesy and dated sounding album
Baaba Maal
2/5
I actually found this quite annoying. The songs were not interesting
The Sonics
4/5
I enjoyed it, it was very raw and energetic
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
Just some white guy who should never have been allowed to make an album
Guided By Voices
4/5
So many albums on here have a really small amount of long songs. It’s nice to hear the other side of the coin. Overall I liked the lofi sound , and a few of the songs were catchy. I liked the idea a lot
Kate Bush
5/5
Amazing weird unique creative album. The witch song is almost a step too far but overall there is nothing like this.
Justin Timberlake
2/5
I generally like Pharrell but even the hits on this album have some weird choices. The ‘guys sing this’ bit on señorita is weird. Also the beatboxing on dance with me. The weird mouth sounds and mumbling under cry me a river is like sitting next to an adhd kid. There aren’t enough good songs on here
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
This clearly isn’t his best. 10 min songs? Come on, Neil.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Very nicely recorded. And I like the album cover. Country just sounds like country to me
Saint Etienne
3/5
I liked a couple of songs but wouldn’t listen again
1/5
Half boring, half badly recorded. Get this off the list.
Prince
3/5
I didnt really like it other than a few songs. I think this is my third prince album and I’m surprised I’ve disliked all three.
The Charlatans
2/5
Just sounded like a oasis/stone roses derivative
The Triffids
2/5
The author of the list loves this sound. Moody 80s. I really didn’t like it. Bad voice, bad songs, bad production. I feel like every day I’m delving deeper and deeper into this guys bad taste. It’s like I’m walking around his messy house, with rotting food everywhere and shit on the walls. I don’t want to hear another shit 80s/90s British alt pop landfill album
Minor Threat
3/5
I think Ian’s songs were more melodic and enjoyable. Probably won’t listen again
Michael Jackson
4/5
The first half is hit after hit. The second half is such a wet fart apart from the last song. Also Jackson is a nonce
Richard Thompson
2/5
A rather miserable affair, if you don’t like folk
Todd Rundgren
2/5
Some decent songs but an unfathomable amount of annoying bullshit
The Lemonheads
3/5
We’ve got REM at home.
REM at home:
The Jam
5/5
This definitely feels like the come-down from punk. There’s clearly punk elements in there, especially with A Bomb in Wardour Street, but it came across more like a power pop album. They look like mod revivalists and clearly like the who which definitely isn’t very punk. The tender moments are really sweet, English rose almost brought a tear to my eye, and then down in the tube station is an unexpectedly heart breaking note to end on. The energetic 3 piece approach is really appealing to me, and the rhythm section really drives the songs. It’s pretty mind blowing that the lads were only 19 when they produced this, although the album has a naivety in the way it wears its influences on its sleeve. Maybe an older band would start to doubt themselves if they sounded too much like other bands.
It was a very pure album and I liked it a lot!
The KLF
2/5
Very dated sounding
The Doors
4/5
Liked it but it’s not their best.
Talk Talk
2/5
All style no substance
Steely Dan
4/5
Liked it, will definitely have another listen. Steely D has been a nice surprise from doing this
Fairport Convention
3/5
Not my thing at all but I liked the album cover and a couple of songs
New York Dolls
4/5
A fun proto punk album. I enjoyed it
XTC
4/5
I like xtc but this album never clicked with me. I enjoyed a few songs but some are a bit corny. I really hate the kids voice on dear god. The album is interesting and different though.
Laibach
2/5
Didnt finish it
Stereolab
5/5
I enjoyed it more and more as it went on. A nice discovery
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
I liked nutcracker tbf
Pere Ubu
4/5
Couldn’t fathom why there would be 2 albums by this guy on the list, but actually I ended up quite enjoying it. I was into the late 70s post punky weirdness
The Incredible String Band
1/5
I hate hippies
Jane's Addiction
2/5
Big echoey 80s rock. A bad time for music production
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I really like the first track and communication breakdown. But it just annoys me how they’re constantly ripping off old blues songs. They are the 20th century’s most brazen plagiarists.
Frank Sinatra
5/5
Really enjoyable. Amazing voice and arrangements. It made me think of people walking around New York in smart clothes.
Björk
3/5
It’s a cool experimental album but I need something to hook me in and this didn’t have it
Roxy Music
3/5
Nice 70s sound. I wanted to like it but probably won’t listen again.
Tom Waits
3/5
I liked some of it but i really don’t like ballads.
Funkadelic
4/5
Weird funk. I liked it but maggot brain got boring
Cornershop
3/5
Some good stuff but a lot of aimless meandering shit
The Byrds
3/5
Generic and forgettable 60s album
Incredible Bongo Band
5/5
I enjoyed it I can’t lie
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
Fairly enjoyable but not memorable
Bert Jansch
4/5
It was a chilled out album, I enjoyed it
Brian Wilson
3/5
Really weird. I do think Brian is a genius
Massive Attack
3/5
I liked a few songs but it was quite unexciting
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
Raw album, wasn’t a big fan of her voice
The Prodigy
4/5
I liked it. Sums up the late 90s. It is crazy they got away with smack my bitch up
ZZ Top
4/5
Liked it. Nice production and warm sound
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Some decent songs but didn’t hook me
Grateful Dead
2/5
Americana dirge
Sparks
5/5
Enjoyed it a lot. Fun 70s rock
Frank Ocean
3/5
Long and sparse. I was quite disappointed
The Style Council
2/5
Trying to think why this would be included on the list and then you’re the best thing came on and I remembered Dimmery will chuck any old album on there if it has one popular song. This was such a smug choice. Pretentious generic instrumentals. This can’t be considered a good album by anyone
The Afghan Whigs
1/5
Sounded like a shit pub band. Poorly recorded alt rock wank. Sorry but that was fucking shit. 1001 albums to make you hate Robert Dimery
The Pogues
3/5
Pretty interesting. Not a huge fan of the sound but appreciated it
Brian Eno
3/5
It was arty and interesting but I didn’t exactly like it
Raekwon
3/5
Another long hip hop album
Can
3/5
I was enjoying it but it really lost its way by the end
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
Not for me
Lucinda Williams
2/5
Modern country…
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Noisy and weird but there were some nice songs in there. No need for 3 Mbv albums on the list though
Haircut 100
5/5
I bought this for 20p in a charity shop. I got more than double that back in enjoyment. Great fun, such groovy bass!
Tina Turner
3/5
Delightfully fucking weird
Madonna
3/5
Not terrible
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Beautiful voice and really nice sounding album
3/5
I can imagine hearing this in a trendy restaurant in 2001
M.I.A.
4/5
I thought it was creative and raw. It’s a shame she has become a right wing grifter
Deee-Lite
3/5
Pretty forgettable 90s house album with one mammoth hit on it. I can imagine Dimery getting to about 700 hundred albums and exhausting all the music he’s ever listened to. He turns to his wife and says “who did that groove is in the heart song?”.
T. Rex
4/5
Nice British glam, comforting like a warm cup of tea
The La's
4/5
This one got a lot of hate but I quite enjoyed it. You can tell it influenced oasis.
Kid Rock
2/5
Get it off the list and forget it ever happened
Moby
3/5
I loved this album when I was about 10. It is very nostalgic for me. In hindsight it is a bit long and repetitive, also it seems a bit icky to sample a load of old black singers and put a simple beat over it and make loads of money
CHIC
3/5
They dragged out these tracks way too much for it to be an enjoyable album
The Monkees
2/5
Another horrendous choice. A lesser known Monkees album that has no notable songs on it, and sounds like a poor imitation of the Beatles.
Mariah Carey
2/5
Sounds very dated now
Big Black
3/5
Interesting sound, I might have to try again
Rod Stewart
3/5
It was alright but does nothing to secure a place on the list
Oasis
4/5
I liked some of the songs but it’s not as good as the other album
The Beach Boys
4/5
Really interesting album. Love the cover
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Come on Eileen and 58 minutes of some other shit
The Zombies
3/5
Far out man
Leonard Cohen
2/5
My 3rd Cohen album. I just don’t get it.
The Band
4/5
Nice warm album
The Adverts
3/5
I didn’t really rate it, I liked the idea but it didn’t groove
The Stooges
5/5
I really enjoyed it, beefy Proto punk
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Not bad but I won’t be listening again
4/5
A cool album, some long songs annoyed me a bit
Terence Trent D'Arby
2/5
These people from the East Midlands swear a lot
Brian Eno
4/5
I liked the 70s art pop vibe, got a bit boring at the end
Killing Joke
3/5
I liked the first track, the sound was cool and reminded me of Gang of Four a bit. Got a bit bored at times
Neu!
3/5
70s space rock, I prefer the other album by them
LTJ Bukem
4/5
Didn’t listen to all of it but I’d probably revisit this for concentration music
Led Zeppelin
4/5
This is Kobe of their better albums. Not a huge fan of the band but ramble on is a great song
Kanye West
3/5
Some decent singles but has all the annoying traits of a hip hop album
Hookworms
4/5
I did enjoy this one. It was a bit flat at times though. Not sure why it’s on this list.
Radiohead
5/5
Probably one of my favourite albums of all time. It is not restricted by a genre and has many twists and turns.
Madonna
2/5
Quite ahead of its time for 2000. Set the trend for this poppy sound. I didn’t like it
Sepultura
4/5
Really interesting album. Lots of quite interesting sounds, and it had quite a scary atmosphere. It feels really ahead of its time for 1996 and you can hear it’s influence throughout the years since.
The Undertones
4/5
I enjoyed it, I always saw them as a punk band but this is more poppy and varied.
Tom Tom Club
2/5
It’s the one with genius of love on it. And only the first few mins of that song are interesting
The Black Keys
3/5
Nice enough sound. They sort of merged with white denim at this point.
Skunk Anansie
2/5
I wasn’t into it
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Worst of the 80s + worst of the 90s
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Very cheesy
Ravi Shankar
3/5
I like the idea of it and Ravi as a person. Wouldn’t listen again
Fugees
3/5
I liked the singles and the 90s beats. It was too long though and the skits are always annoying
Jungle Brothers
3/5
It was nice enough
Ian Dury
5/5
I can see why the Americans hate this one. It references old cockney music hall tunes which doesn’t exactly have global appeal. It mixes that with 70s funk which makes for a unique and inimitable sound.
Norman is one of my favourite bass players and he really drives this album.
It’s an easy 5 for me as it’s one of a kind, and I did enjoy reading the American comments.
Anthrax
3/5
Not terrible. The genre is quite formulaic and this could be an 80s Metallica/megadeth/maiden etc album
Aerosmith
2/5
More cock rock
Pavement
4/5
I enjoyed it and will try and listen again. I liked the scrappyness of it
Wire
4/5
I enjoyed its simplicity. Wasn’t sold at first but liked it more after repeated listens
Kraftwerk
3/5
Enjoyed some of it but it was quite forgettable
Coldcut
3/5
It sounded very 90s to me. It was interesting but didn’t hook me
808 State
4/5
Not a huge fan of the era but I enjoyed this one
The Stooges
5/5
Proto punk, yet it is better than any punk that came after
White Denim
5/5
Surprisingly good. Experimental with Lots of different genres
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
I liked the abrasiveness of it but the production annoyed me after a while. It was quite thin sounding
Joy Division
4/5
I liked it more than I thought I would. I didn’t recognise any of the songs and would revisit it
Digital Underground
1/5
Appalling
Paul Simon
4/5
I enjoyed it and will try and listen again
Green Day
4/5
Their best album. It’s a shame to lump it in with pop punk. It’s a bit more interesting than that.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
1001 albums that Robert Dimery listened to while he was at university.
Al Green
4/5
Really nice album, I was also in a good mood
Peter Tosh
3/5
It was a reggae album
Fela Kuti
3/5
I like the afrobeat sound but it got boring
Elbow
3/5
I really like grounds for divorce, it’s a great song. Garvey’s voice is amazing. However the album just crosses the line into sappy for me. Some of the songs are really sweet with clever lyrics but it’s a bit too slow. I feel like by the end they’re just trying to target the Sunday afternoon Glastonbury market.
Elastica
4/5
It wears its influences on its sleeve but it is still enjoyable. I liked it more than other albums from the era, garbage for example
Otis Redding
3/5
Nice soul music
The Rolling Stones
3/5
A fun 60s blues album with no memorable songs
The Stooges
3/5
I’ve given the 2 other stooges albums 5/5, but this one is nowhere near as good. Doesn’t have the songs the others do. Poor choice for the list
Pink Floyd
3/5
Lots of padding between two chords. Lots of wailing. Money was good but the rest was a bit annoying. Grandiose prog. Probably the most overrated album of all TIME
Dirty Projectors
5/5
Since this album got loads of hate I feel like I should defend it a bit. I had never heard it before and it offered some of the originality I was desperate for when I started doing this album thing. I thought the production was really interesting and the sparse playing was unlike anything I’ve heard recently. Some of the instrumental sections were really cool, like around 2:30 of remade horizon for example. The only thing I didn’t really like about it was the male vocal melodies, they were a bit meandering and didn’t support the music well. Overall though I will definitely be listening again. For originality, and how much I liked it on the first listen it gets a 5. I like how the top review described it as ‘up its own arse’, I mean that’s purely a prejudice of the listener. I’ve criticised this list a lot, and seemingly it cannot win as there is always someone criticising the album choice, with the exceptions of the Beatles and pink Floyd, but I have to give it credit for showing me something a bit different and interesting.
The Who
2/5
It’s the one with pinball wizard on it
Donovan
2/5
Hippie dippie flower power bullshit
The Bees
3/5
These guys had to be Dimery’s mates. It was nice enough but forgettable.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
It’s was enjoyable but Paul Simon gives me the creeps sometimes. He’s like little angry song writing robot
Leonard Cohen
2/5
It made my skin crawl
David Bowie
3/5
It’s not his best but it has one big song on it so it has to be on the list apparently
Ice T
2/5
“I’m the original gangsta”
Ok..?
The Beach Boys
5/5
It’s a nice one and there isn’t much more to be said
Astrud Gilberto
4/5
60s samba was always going to please me but the one with the kid was annoying
Cee Lo Green
3/5
A throwback to the time when everything was produced by timbaland and pharrell
David Bowie
3/5
It’s the one with Fame in it
Tori Amos
2/5
I’m not a fan of ballads. This actually sounded like a huge rip of Kate bush to me
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Can’t get over the fact that this is an Australian man imitating an old American blues guy. It’s not as bad as the other nick cave albums on the list but it just makes me cringe
Stereo MC's
2/5
90s cheese
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
2/5
Music for the toothless inbred
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
It was obviously way to long and proggy but I enjoyed moments.
Badly Drawn Boy
4/5
I actually quite enjoyed it. Once around the block is a really nice song. Fuck it, 4
Public Enemy
2/5
Not a fan of this era. It’s not held up well at all
Alice Cooper
2/5
Didn’t hook me at all
Slayer
3/5
Raining blood is a fun song but the rest of the album is quite boring in comparison
Slade
4/5
Enjoyed it, some decent pint spillers on there
Kings of Leon
2/5
They took a disappointing turn in their careers when they produced this. They used to be fun.
CHIC
3/5
Defined disco. However there was a bit of forgettable cack on there
Nine Inch Nails
4/5
Quite noisy but it was interesting and overall I liked it
Hot Chip
2/5
What a horrendously bland album. I can’t believe they’d had 5 albums by 2012. It sounds exactly the same as anything else I’d heard by them.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
A nice 60s album with good few hits
John Lennon
4/5
Not a fan of Lennon but I liked the production on this. I found out is a great song. Can’t really deny it’s a good album
The Stone Roses
5/5
Took me a long time to warm to this album. I still skip don’t stop, and prefer the edited version of fools gold, but overall it is one of the great British albums with iconic songs.
The Zutons
3/5
It’s a nice enough album but the songs are quite vapid and forgettable. It was like an album of The Coral b-sides
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
I genuinely believe that AI could make more interesting music than that
Sigur Rós
3/5
Really interesting sounding. I liked parts but can’t say i loved it overall
Shack
1/5
Borderline unlistenable. Boring pub rock. I hate seeing reviews saying the list is biased towards British bands because US BRITS HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THESE BANDS EITHER! The list is biased towards the shite that Robert Dimery listened to at university, and some other random shit bands that his friends, neighbours and the local homeless happened to be in at the time. THERES SO MANY BETTER ALBUMS THAT COULD BE ON THIS LIST INSTEAD OF THIS SHIT FFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Billy Bragg
3/5
Right wing? Wrong wing!
Steely Dan
4/5
I like the sound but some of the songs went on for too long. I prefer their other albums
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Nice but not my favourite stuff of hers
Supergrass
2/5
Forgettable rock
Steve Earle
2/5
I thought it was generic country, and a bit of a Springsteen derivative. Then I thought I shouldn’t compare every 80s American male singer/songwriter to Springsteen. Then I got to the Springsteen cover.
Talvin Singh
2/5
Very 1998
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Not terrible. Shouldn’t be on the list though
Brian Eno
2/5
There’s an idea in there somewhere but it is not executed in a way that makes it listenable
Metallica
2/5
This is the ultimate example of how shit the list is. The orchestrations don’t fit at all. I have a friend who’s a huge Metallica fan and he said the album is amazing if you use the option to turn off the orchestra on the live dvd. Pointless shite
Drive-By Truckers
2/5
I’m not listening to 94 mins of that
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
It’s a fun album that informed millions of teenage guitarists. Pentatonic rock.
Dwight Yoakam
1/5
I’ve heard all the county I ever need to hear in my life
MGMT
4/5
Enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Kids was overplayed in my youth so much always avoided this one
Louis Prima
4/5
Good fun and nice sounding.
Goldfrapp
2/5
Of course the completely unknown 3rd album from Goldfrapp is on the list. I fully believe that Dimery hadn’t even heard 1001 albums when he made this list. Jesus Christ
Moby Grape
3/5
Forgettable
Steve Winwood
2/5
It had a touch of Phil Collins about it
David Crosby
5/5
A really weird one and I’ll definitely listen again
Gene Clark
2/5
Bit too country at times. I preferred no other
Elvis Costello
2/5
Similar to modern Paul Weller in a way, all the money in the world to produce a nice polished album but he has nothing to say.
The Isley Brothers
5/5
Lovely album
Devendra Banhart
2/5
I’m guessing this was Dimery’s midlife crisis era. Completely lost touch with what separates good and bad albums, and is just listening to what he perceives to be trendy with young people.
Deep Purple
2/5
About 2 mins of decent riffs buried in 41 minutes of overblown dramatic rock bollocks
John Martyn
3/5
In a lot of ways it was a pile of shit but I didn’t hate it
Wilco
5/5
I’ll admit on first listen this album sounds quite bland. It took me a few listens to scratch the surface to find that there js so much texture, and clever catchy chord progressions that draw you back. It’s really laid back and calm but it is a very clever album.
Jorge Ben Jor
5/5
What a masterpiece, amazing
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
I’ve given prince low ratings for oversharing so for the sake of fairness, when I listen to an album I want to hear music not someone chatting about something or other. I like albums that I can listen to again and again, and these skits are just annoying. “To be honest.. money makes me cum”. Cheers Precious but who asked?
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
Lovely voice. Nice short album
Grateful Dead
1/5
That was really fucking shit.
1001 albums to make you hate Robert Dimery.
You have awful taste in music Robert. Did your dad show you this? Your dad had awful taste too.
Blur
3/5
It starts well. The bass line for Tracy jacks is underrated. But it’s the same as their other albums, they are unable to be critical of themselves and cut out the chaff. There is way too much filler and it’s not pleasant to listen to overall
Metallica
5/5
Really enjoyed it. They seem to have matured from thrash to more foot stompy riffs here. Not ashamed to give it a 5, and stand by my opinion that S&M is appalling
Leftfield
2/5
Agree with the ps2 comment
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Unremarkable
Scissor Sisters
2/5
Disco pop, this was very popular at the time. No idea why
Queen
3/5
Some interesting songs on there but didn’t love it overall
Tears For Fears
5/5
That was pretty amazing. You have to look past the 80s production, but the songs are really enjoyable. The last track was a bit self indulgent but I’ll forgive it
k.d. lang
2/5
I found it very boring and not to my taste at all
Duran Duran
4/5
A fun album, I enjoyed it more than expected
Kings of Leon
4/5
Listened to this a lot when I was 15. I still enjoyed it. Not sure why it’s on the list though. It’s just your above-average mid-2000s ‘indie’ rock album.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
I love that this was made for a now barely known blaxploitation film. It is a really high quality album. I always liked how Mayfield looked like a bit of a nerd but his voice was amazing
Peter Frampton
2/5
All live albums should be deleted from the list. Might as well just put “the very best of Peter Frampton” on there.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
George Harrison energy. Similar standing in the pecking order of his old band.
Little Richard
3/5
As expected, piano riff woo music, I liked it
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
Quite weird , can’t say I’d listen again
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
Some good songs on there
Laura Nyro
3/5
Sounded like Minnie Riperton or something similar, it was really nice at times but there was something off about it
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
I hate this guys music. Of all the albums ever made there is no justification for having everything this cunts put out on here. Jesus Christ
Aerosmith
3/5
A decent 70s rock album I suppose
Joe Ely
3/5
A decent 70s rock album I suppose.
a-ha
2/5
It’s the one with take on me on it
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Enjoyed it.
Primal Scream
2/5
Nothing music
2/5
Pure unadulterated prog (not a good thing)
Nina Simone
3/5
I like Nina but I found this a bit boring.
GZA
3/5
I liked the sound of it but it was a bit boring
Slipknot
4/5
I enjoyed it but it got a bit stale at the end, probably more enjoyable than their first album.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
Maybe I’d listen again if it was on Spotify , but it isn’t so I won’t. Welcome to 2025
Beatles
5/5
There are some duds on there but Tomorrow Never Knows solidifies it as a 5. That song is a masterpiece and sounds fresh and interesting after nearly 60 years.
Scritti Politti
4/5
I thought it was a fun album with some interesting arrangements.
Thelonious Monk
2/5
Not a fan of this subgenre of jazz. It’s like listening to a hangover.
Waylon Jennings
2/5
It’s a country album
The Verve
3/5
Manc rock. Bottled swagger. Forgettable
Roxy Music
3/5
It’s weird and I wanted to like it but nothing grabbed me
The Damned
4/5
Really enjoyed it, I’ve never listed to this band. Interesting punk
American Music Club
1/5
This is the American equivalent of the forgettable British rock that pollutes this list
The Beta Band
2/5
I almost liked it but it fell apart. What a poor advert for British music this list is
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Oh well done Robert! What fantastic taste you have. You’re so clever for putting this on the list! Well done.
Lightning Bolt
4/5
It was quite mental in a good way. The drummer is great
Soul II Soul
3/5
It was alright
3/5
It’s not terrible but I can’t bear to listen to it
The Everly Brothers
5/5
Loved every second of it. Delightful.
Mudhoney
3/5
I didn’t hate it as much as the other one but it felt like a poor man’s nirvana
ZZ Top
3/5
I enjoyed it but it got quite boring
Koffi Olomide
3/5
Didn’t hate it
Kate Bush
4/5
It was mysterious with lots of bwahhh bass, I liked it
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
I absolutely hate the album cover, not really sure why, just reminds me of some cheap art you’d see in a dated hotel or something. This is one of his better albums. 1979 was a great year for British music,.
The Coral
4/5
Always had this down as a bit of a novelty record but I enjoyed it this time round
Tito Puente
4/5
I enjoyed it, perfect for a Friday. The brass stabs got a bit much by the end
Living Colour
3/5
I’ve never heard of them and will listen to this again, this must have inspired the early RHCP and sounds a lot tighter and more polished than them
Depeche Mode
2/5
Boring 80s album
The Gun Club
3/5
I thought it was pretty cool, there was something indescribably appealing about it
Willie Nelson
3/5
It sounded exactly like I expected
Janet Jackson
4/5
If you are like me and extreme syncopation scratches an itch in your brain, you will love it.
Skepta
2/5
Grime as a genre emerged in the early 2000s so by this point it had transcended the mainstream and was well into the twilight of its relevance. At this point Drill was cementing itself as the darker, grittier successor, truly reflecting what was happening on the streets of London and filling the void that the grime scene left when it became ultra commercial Brit award winning fodder. This just sounds like uncle music now… painfully mid 2010s.
The Cardigans
5/5
I was blown away by this, it is a really clever and creative album. It’s quite jarring to hear lovefool amongst all these songs I’ve not heard before. It is a great pop song and if id known how cool this album is i would have listened to it sooner. It covered loads of genres and went to some weird places, looking forward to my next listen
Genesis
2/5
My dad loves this one. I can’t listen to 10 minute organ solos. There’s too many on this list
Def Leppard
2/5
I really can’t stand sleezy 80s rock
Maxwell
2/5
The first track is what you get if you combine all the r&b loops in garage band
MC Solaar
3/5
It’s funny how all the cliches of the albums of the same era can appear globally
The Slits
3/5
Yeah I get what it was trying to do
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
It sounded unlistenably bad but the first song was ok
T. Rex
4/5
I really liked it, very cool 70s glam sound without being too cheesy.
Silver Jews
2/5
I got quite bored, it was a miserable slog and I didn’t even finish it
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Beautiful voice, a genius
Mj Cole
3/5
Pretty dated but quite a fun nostalgia trip, shouldn’t be on the list tho
Iggy Pop
4/5
A really enjoyable album
Billy Bragg
2/5
The world did not need this album
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Really cool album, not sure much more needs to be said
Bee Gees
1/5
Robert Dimery’s face when he selected this album for the list: 😏
You’re so clever Robert. I can imagine you at parties, cornering some poor bastard and saying “I actually prefer the the albums the BeeGees made in the sixties…”
The Byrds
2/5
No more country
Eagles
3/5
Enjoyable at times
Nirvana
4/5
It’s good but the grunge schtick gets boring. Nevermind is a better album despite what all the greebos say
The Go-Betweens
2/5
1001 forgotten British bands from the 90s
Funkadelic
4/5
I really liked most tracks. Pure funk. But the long jams were annoying so it loses a star
Leonard Cohen
1/5
Pure unadulterated dirge
Kelela
3/5
UnRem&rkaBle
The Louvin Brothers
2/5
I’ve heard all the country I ever need to hear in my life
The Temptations
4/5
Really nice upbeat album. High quality and only 35 mins, can’t go wrong
Radiohead
5/5
I understand the criticism of this one. If you don’t like Thom’s voice you will hate it. The songs are strange. For me there is a hook in every song. Pyramid song might be their best song ever. Thom has an incredible range and the album has a unique sound.
Orbital
3/5
Sounded interesting but I’m not listening to all that
Elvis Presley
4/5
Never really listened to him but my family love him. I liked the album and you can’t go wrong at 28 mins.
Missy Elliott
2/5
Forgettable album. I didn’t have get your freak on on it . Delete
Fishbone
1/5
Holy fuck
Elis Regina
3/5
Brazilian funk, fair enough but shan’t be listening again.
Frank Black
3/5
It’s not as good as Pixies is it. It’s amazing how there’s probably millions of albums to choose from and somehow we have at least two Pixies and one Frank Black album on the list. I love Doolittle but come on….
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
Dipped in and out, one song was alright, it’s obviously too long
Eagles
3/5
Decent 70s rock album
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
It’s the one with killing moon on it
Nick Drake
4/5
Really nice, I think prefer his other albums but this one is cool
ABBA
4/5
A nice one, some great songs on there
New Order
3/5
They were quite forward thinking. You can hear the transition into the 90s. I just don’t like it, his voice is horrible
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5/5
Haven’t listened to this since 2005 and it still sounds exciting and fresh
3/5
Kind of nice but I wouldn’t listen again
The Who
5/5
Really enjoyed it. Some great songs on there with lots of energy
Jamiroquai
3/5
Fairly enjoyable white boy funk. This band had quite a few popular albums, this wasn’t one of them. Shouldn’t be on the list
Queen Latifah
2/5
Meh hip hop
Nico
1/5
It was the forlorn sound of the local wino in a dual carriageway underpass
Joanna Newsom
2/5
I couldn’t find the whole album which I think was a good thing
fIREHOSE
3/5
This was when people got so bored of rock they invented funk rock and quickly regretted it
Morrissey
3/5
A decent single on there I think but lacks any magic the smiths had
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
It was more fairly groovy 60s music
Django Django
3/5
It was fairly enjoyable but a crazy choice for the list. They must’ve just picked whatever was on the radio that day
Small Faces
3/5
Not the worst of the warehouse worth of wacky sixties shit I’ve heard on this list.
Adele
3/5
Peak radio friendly music. It’s not terrible
Can
3/5
I liked it at the start but got a bit bored. I like a few can songs but not an album
Neil Young
3/5
Pretty mediocre Neil album
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
I liked the general sound but there were no hooks for me.
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
It’s the one with nothing compares on it
The Beach Boys
4/5
Enjoyable, like dance dance dance a lot. RIP big man
Public Enemy
3/5
The author loves the late 80s to early 90s era of hip hop. There’s THREE public enemy albums on the list, and no MF doom. This album is fine but the list is just a deep dive into one man’s taste, it’s horrendous.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Another album with 1 good song on it
Aimee Mann
3/5
Pretty run-of-the mill mum
-rock. Wasn’t bad
The Flying Burrito Brothers
2/5
We don’t need any more country
Gang Starr
3/5
Another boring early 90s hip hop album, it drones on at the same tempo, emotionless monotone corny rhymes
Lou Reed
3/5
Unremarkable but somewhat enjoyable
Holger Czukay
2/5
Nothing there for me but at least it was weird
Manu Chao
3/5
Nice enough. It’s the sort of album you can smell
Bob Dylan
2/5
I’d rather chew tin foil for 1hr 12mins
Björk
3/5
I like bjork but the a cappella and beatboxing was too much
Meat Loaf
2/5
Not for me
Q-Tip
4/5
Some decent songs on there. And surprisingly good features. The Can sample was kind of mind blowing
Pearl Jam
3/5
What even is grunge? This just sounded like an alt rock album , like creed or something
Talking Heads
4/5
Didn’t like it as much as some of their other albums but I will listen again
Basement Jaxx
3/5
Some songs are surprisingly good but there’s a lot of filler
Muddy Waters
3/5
Long long blues
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
Quite enjoyed some tracks. Very interesting background to this album. Funny to think I used to come home from (catholic) school as a 13 year old white kid and listen to this shit. “You got a problem blad? Les solve it blad!”
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Nice and short. Some good dreamy songs on there. Never liked the nonsense lyric trend
The Boo Radleys
2/5
I know this band for their horrific wake up boo song in the 90s. That song isn’t even on this album. It’s a none hit wonder
Death In Vegas
3/5
The 90s was a time where everything had to be edgy.
Metallica
5/5
Surprised I enjoyed this a lot , you can really hear the influence of Ennio Morricone on Hetfield and it really benefits the album. It is light years ahead of similar stuff I’ve heard from the same era (such as megadeth but I’m no expert).
The Fall
4/5
It was incredibly weird and I liked it.
Spiritualized
3/5
Interesting but too long
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Fairly enjoyable but a bit forgettable
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Decent album and I like the low fi feel. Wouldn’t listen again apart from state trooper
Shuggie Otis
3/5
Nice dry 70s production but not many hooks
Mekons
2/5
Another one from the 1001 albums only Robert Dimery has heard
Stephen Stills
4/5
Enjoyable. Not sure we need every album by every combo of Crosby stills Nash and young and all their solo projects on the list
3/5
It’s probably great if you like this sub genre of punk
Sepultura
3/5
Just sounds like slayer to me
Goldfrapp
2/5
“Please let me do the next bond theme”
Travis
4/5
Can’t believe how many hits this band had. It somehow sounds like the worst of late 90s Radiohead, oasis and Coldplay mixed together. I enjoyed it!
Love
2/5
Hippie shite
TV On The Radio
3/5
Some good songs on here but it is quite a mediocre album overall. The production is so flat, it’s miserable to listen to something so lacking in dynamics. It has a very late noughties sound
The Kinks
3/5
More wacky 60s music. It’s not good is it
Britney Spears
2/5
Even trying to be completely objective, the songs just aren’t there
The Teardrop Explodes
2/5
There is one person in the world who believes the 80s was the best decade for music, and he is the author of this list.
Beatles
4/5
Some decent songs on there but a lot of shit
M.I.A.
3/5
Paper planes is a great song but the rest of the album doesn’t live up to it. It is quite annoying albeit unique
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Really dull late 2000s sound. This electro disco indie or whatever was a horrible time for music. Way too polished compared to their first album
Hawkwind
2/5
Remove the live albums. There were some ok moments but no-one’s listening to all of this shit
The xx
3/5
I think crystallised is a great song but the vocals are unbearable after a few songs
Method Man
3/5
Unremarkable
Barry Adamson
1/5
Proto Ai slop
Hole
3/5
Wanted to like it but didn’t really
Marvin Gaye
3/5
I like MG but this was really repetitive
Gotan Project
2/5
Its library music for and advertising company. I am now certain that Dimery had not heard 1001 albums when he wrote this book.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
5/5
Maybe delete the other Elvis Costello and just have this one on there
Underworld
3/5
I liked elements but I skipped through it. Too long baby
Kanye West
2/5
His music does nothing for me. At least he kept it relatively short compared to other hip hop albums
The Dictators
3/5
Pretty fun album, I liked the cover. I wouldn’t listen again
The Hives
5/5
I like this band a lot. It makes no sense to have a compilation on the list though, I’m pretty sure the author just put the wrong album by mistake
Sabu
3/5
I started really enjoying it after a while but I realised the album had ended on Spotify and I was listening to Machito
James Brown
3/5
This was before JB found the funk. Not a fan of live albums
The Velvet Underground
4/5
I enjoyed it , a mysterious album
Common
4/5
I liked it. Similar to d’angelo with some nice features
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Round of applause for Dimery for putting this on the list. Well done mate you are so clever.
Sonic Youth
5/5
I enjoyed it a lot and would listen again, a lot better than other guitar music of the era
KISS
2/5
Too much noise, quite annoying to listen to
Sebadoh
5/5
Ended up really enjoying it. Sounds like dinosaurs jr and sonic youth but I preferred this I think
Parliament
5/5
Funky and weird
Tom Waits
3/5
Interesting sound, I’m sure it’s an amazing album if you like Tom Waits
Common
3/5
I preferred the other one. This felt like an effort to make a modern ‘what’s going on’. I’ve never really liked Kanye West either
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
Quite groovy. Eric Clapton is still a cunt
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
Nice enough. Sounds a lot more modern than 1978
FKA twigs
3/5
It wasn’t memorable
Todd Rundgren
3/5
I like some it a lot, but some of it was fucking annoying
Buffalo Springfield
2/5
Really boring. More late 60s shite
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Very enjoyable
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
Didn’t hate it as much as metal box
Throwing Muses
3/5
It’s was unremarkable
10cc
3/5
It’s like a wacky Paul McCartney album
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
An overly polished 90s rock album with a couple of hits on it. I feel like successful bands hit a point where they have a high budget but no ideas for an album so they just chuck a string section in there
The Electric Prunes
3/5
Another wacky 60s album
Giant Sand
3/5
It was an interesting sound. Quite sparse
Beth Orton
2/5
She can’t sing very well. It reminded me of Dido
Cocteau Twins
3/5
I prefer the other album
5/5
I don’t believe there is a rhythm section in the world that sounds like the light-up bass guy and the little fella.
Nobody sounds like Wes Borland.
There is fortunately only one Fred Durst.
Some songs are stupid and fun.
Some songs are surprisingly intricate (The One)
Some songs are utter shit like whatever that last track is.
It’s a unique album and I enjoyed it so it gets a 5
Sonic Youth
4/5
I liked it a lot more than I expected. They’ve won me over
Doves
3/5
Catch the sun is a nice song, but yeah this album shouldn’t be on the list
Steely Dan
5/5
The ultimate acquired taste band. This is a satisfyingly good album when you get into it
Happy Mondays
3/5
There’s 2 well known songs on it. This doesn’t make it a good album
Little Simz
4/5
Reminded me of the roots. I liked it mostly
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
Very authentic feeling album. I don’t know if it actually is, I’ve never been to Cuba. But I feel like I’ve been there.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
I really liked Jaco’s unmistakable bass playing. I will listen again
X-Ray Spex
3/5
I find this kind of punk quite boring
The Cure
3/5
It’s a miserable dirge that gets worse as it goes on. I get it, i didn’t like it
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
I liked the sound of it and will listen again
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
An odd one. Sounded unfinished
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Some decent songs and some boring ones
Eminem
4/5
I kind of hated it but can’t deny how massive this one was culturally. The way I am is a great track. And the production is iconic
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
A bit weird but sounded ahead of its time
Klaxons
2/5
As a 17 year old in the uk when this was released, I feel like I was the target audience for this. I distinctly remember this band being the ultimate industry hype band. They were one of the bands that gave rise to the term - landfill indie. It was exciting hearing guitar bands when I was a teenager but it was all going downhill at this point
Mylo
4/5
It’s probably a pointless album that should fade into obscurity but I enjoyed it and it reminded me of a time when some people actually still had hope for the future
N.E.R.D
5/5
I really enjoyed it. I prefer their first album but this is a really fun rock album
The Blue Nile
4/5
It sounds like Peter Gabriel but I like Peter Gabriel.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
I liked most of it
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
It’s a bit of a nothing album
Suede
2/5
This is the ultimate uk gen Xer rock that no one else likes
Joan Baez
3/5
She walked so Joni Mitchell could run
Morrissey
3/5
Quite dull. There is simply too much morrissey on the list
Suzanne Vega
2/5
Quite boring, I didn’t like it
The Temptations
3/5
Sometimes maybe good sometimes maybe shit
Big Star
2/5
It was quite a miserable dirge at times
Black Flag
4/5
Really liked the production, it’s not like anything else I’ve heard especially from the 80s. Will listen again
The Pogues
3/5
It was different
Lorde
3/5
I didn’t like it but it seems like a well produced album
Duke Ellington
3/5
Duke Ellington is amazing but live albums are horrible to listen to
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Interesting one but not his best
Bauhaus
2/5
I didn’t enjoy it and it had no redeeming qualities
Beyoncé
3/5
Surprised I’d never heard a single song on here. Must’ve been influential as pop music still sounds like this, it was alright but not for me
Wilco
4/5
I enjoyed it and will listen again
Country Joe & The Fish
2/5
This genre plays such a big part of the taste of the lists author. It’s ridiculous. We do not need to hear every obscure 60s psyche band ffs
Bon Jovi
3/5
Some hits on there. Not for me though
Metallica
3/5
They famously shat the bed with the production on this one. some enjoyable moments
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Nice sound
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
I enjoyed some songs but some of it was a bit country
3/5
I’ve tried many times but I can’t get into PJ. The songs just seem boring and empty
The Mars Volta
3/5
It’s basically a prog emo album. It was interesting but felt like it was trying to be more clever than it actually was
Johnny Cash
3/5
It’s an interesting concept for a live album but I still don’t think they should be on the list. I dont mind JC but this isn’t a great set
Ryan Adams
1/5
800+ albums in and I feel like I’ve come across the “final nail” many times however TWO RYAN ADAMS ALBUMS is a fucking joke. There are without doubt HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of albums that could’ve taken the place of this fucking nobody. There is simply no way the author of this list had heard 1001 albums when he started making it. TWO RYAN ADAMS ALBUMS!
U2
3/5
It’s an alright pop rock album. People seem to get upset by U2 but they don’t seem that relevant anymore
Animal Collective
5/5
I hated this in 2009 and thought anyone who listened to it was pretentious. I enjoyed it this time and wish I’d been part of the cool gang in 2009.
Muddy Waters
3/5
It was the bluesiest of blues
Neil Young
3/5
There is so much nesl on the list. It’s frankly outrageous
Röyksopp
3/5
I cannot believe this boring shit is on the list. It’s just naughties furniture shop music. It made me want to buy a sofa.
Nick Drake
5/5
Really intriguing and I love the album artwork. It was a cool album and I will listen again
The Icarus Line
3/5
Forgettable noughts rock, presumably on a label owned a friend of the lists author
Soft Cell
2/5
This was really bad. One famous song and it’s a cover.
Tortoise
4/5
It was good concentration music , I don’t usually like instrumental stuff but it was good
Elvis Presley
3/5
It was alright, it sounded like Elvis
Syd Barrett
3/5
You can’t beat a good album made by a nutter
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
MAGA brain rot music
The United States Of America
1/5
More wacky 60s shit
Fun Lovin' Criminals
3/5
It was ok. Shouldn’t be on the list
Le Tigre
4/5
It felt like an evolved B-52s. I liked the energy and rawness. I thought it was interesting and would listen again.
Khaled
3/5
Can’t help but enjoy it by the end
4/5
I enjoyed it and like the band, some duds on there
Tim Buckley
3/5
I thought I’d like it but the first song was really bad and put me off.
Keith Jarrett
4/5
Nice to have something a bit different. Good for concentration
Fairport Convention
3/5
It wasn’t bad for hippy shit
AC/DC
4/5
Great fun, I enjoyed most songs
Roni Size
3/5
Started off alright but got boring pretty quick
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
Quite cheesy pink album
5/5
Still a really mesmerising album. John can’t help but mention he beats his wife at one point. That’s the only thing that dates it
The Smiths
4/5
There’s not a full smiths album I like, this one’s probs the best of the ones I’ve heard
Venom
2/5
It’s not good is it. Nice cover though
Dr. Dre
3/5
Some nice basslines on there but wouldn’t listen again
The Byrds
3/5
This is my FIFTH the byrds album! We get it ffs
The Stranglers
3/5
Some decent songs on there, i like the sound and would listen again
Björk
3/5
I want to like Bjork. I think she’s good. I just can’t get through her albums.
Spiritualized
2/5
Of all the overrated 90s British bands that Dimery likes for some reason, this one is the most overrated
Barry Adamson
2/5
Sorry but that was wank
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
Yeah it was awful, I liked the Soweto sound but those were just lazy samples
The Police
4/5
Quite liked it to be honest
Public Enemy
3/5
I liked bring the noise because it was on Tony Hawks Pro Skater . But it was a forgettable album otherwise
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
I was looking forward to it but it fell flat
Dead Kennedys
3/5
Pretty cool album but I don’t know if id listen again
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
I really liked a couple of songs but it was too unhinged for me overall
Bee Gees
2/5
Two pre-disco beegees albums on this list is pretty mental. Just trying to be clever.
Bob Dylan
3/5
This is the only bearable Dylan album for me. Not too much harmonica
Beatles
4/5
Quite enjoyable despite the lack of hits
Wild Beasts
4/5
It feels like they tried to make an interesting and different album. I liked some songs a lot.
The The
4/5
Quite enjoyed this one, very weird sound similar to xtc
The Cramps
2/5
I like surf but this was annoying to listen to, the production was really abrasive and didn’t suit the style at all
Machito
5/5
Highly enjoyable. The combo of intense percussion and big band was very pleasing. Easy 5 star
My Bloody Valentine
5/5
Very cool album that has grown on me over the years. Always thought the drums sound terrible though haha
Alanis Morissette
3/5
It was a massive album at the time. I found it a bit cringe
Paul Simon
2/5
“Cars are cars!”
They sure are little buddy.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
2/5
Very cute
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
I liked some of the tracks a lot. I think it’s somewhere between 4 and 5
Soft Machine
3/5
Beastie Boys
4/5
Some shite on there but I mostly enjoyed it,
Suicide
3/5
Really intriguing but it cross the line into utter bullshit
Stevie Wonder
4/5
There are some really annoying songs on here. And some good ones obviously
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Racing game music
Björk
4/5
Probably the best Bjork album. She makes really unusual and interesting music but sometimes it’s hard to listen to