1001 Albums Summary

3.5 (rounded down) It’s hard for me to not compare psychedelic musicians/albums with others. This album gives you harmonies akin to post-Pet Sounds The Beach Boys or CSNY while giving you the sometime simple lyricism of the early Kinks. A Rose for Emily is easily the best example of this. Other songs, like Beechwood Park, offer interesting instrumentals and harmonies. Most of the album remains simple and non experimental compared to other psychedelic albums. Overall 3.5 because instrumentation was nothing unique to the genre, the lyrics were simple in places, but overall a genre I like and a solid album from start to finish that was a breath of fresh air from my previous.

I went into this album hearing from my dad when I was younger that Patti Smith was big rock and roller. I was expecting more of the album to be like the first song or her cover of my generation (both of which are fantastic, before I even listened to this album Gloria and Redondo Beach were already in my saved songs). Instead, I found this album contained more poetry. The album starts off really well, but then reaches a lull with Birdland. The only other saving grace in my mind was Horses, which blended the poetry with a rock jam. I can get behind long winding poetic songs (I’m a big Dylan fan) but some songs on this album were very Avant-Garde. I get the artistic vision of this album and it’s merits but I’ll stick with the rocking Patti Smith over the poet for now. This album will definitely get another listen later on though for sure.

Surprised by this one after reading reviews. I’m a big fan of the genres this album blends but even then the chaos of this album fits the sound. This is an album where the opening five seconds describe what you’re going to hear, as the screams give way to a more punk instrumentation. My last review, Horses by Patti Smith, began hopefully but quickly fell off (in my opinion). As mentioned, this one tells you right from the start it will be chaotic and sticks to its punk themes. I don’t think the album is worth a 5, as nothing necessarily blew me away, but a 4 fits as this is one I will definitely come back to. All said, Jon Spencer is not an artist I’ve ever heard of, but this leaves me wanting to explore more of his discography. Songs of note: rocket ship, can’t stop, wail, love all of me (all saved in Spotify)

There's a solid album in here, bits and pieces here and there are really good. 8:00 - 11:00 ish of Hollywood Symphony was really good. Persian Love was probably my favorite song on the album and one I added to my playlist separately. The voiceovers and melody really worked in tandem. For every other song, the voiceovers felt more out of place and didn't add much of anything to the overall instrumentation. This album was produced by Frank Zappa, and if you like his body of work you may enjoy this album. I have not dabbled as much into Zappa (though I like and appreciate Captain Beefheart). Maybe that is taking away from my enjoyment, but overall from an outsider's perspective this album is 1/5, or 20/100 (20 points for Persian Love, great song). Without the voiceovers, I'd give it an even 50/100, as the instrumentation really was very good, but when the voiceovers don't work or add to the song as a whole besides being something the artist wanted to include, the listener loses out on the experience.

Great album, one of my favorite hip hop albums of all time!

Good album, not their best (brothers In arms).

This was an alright album. "Good Day" was the best song and others didn't come close. I don't rate the more politically charged albums based on the politics or subject matter in which they are performing, but I felt the beats and flow were lacking in a lot of songs. It has a strong message that's worth sharing, especially based on the Rodney King Riots, but in my opinion it's just not good musically.

I wanted to like this but it was very hit or miss for me. I didn't really know what "glam rock" would sound like but now I know it's David Bowie-ish. It was good all around but did not impress me or seem that special.

This album was just alright, I didn't think it was anything special and didn't necessarily set itself apart. I'm not knowledgeable on the history of women rappers, so I'm not sure where she stands in the timeline and if this was influential, so I'm not judging it based on that at all.

Can’t listen

For a band with a guy named bono and the edge this music is very tame.

Half not on Spotify