I remember owning this album on CD and relisting to it, it still holds up. Let's face it, Air had so much influence in the downtempo genre and this is just an iconic album. Sure, I originally bought this album because Sexy Boy was in the 10 Things I Hate About You movie, but it did become a key album to help me expand out of my CCM childhood and my main focus towards alternative rock/metal.
I never was much a fan of Creedence Clearwater Revival, I appreciate their influence on roots/southern rock but this isn't really something that I would listen to frequently. It's weird to think that when this was released that side two would have all their best songs on it.
Standouts: Bad Moon Rising, Lodi, Sinister Purpose
Eric Clapton is just a great guitarist, I was rocking out before I made the connection that this was one of his bands. Honestly this works better as background music for me. I enjoyed listening but its not something I would actively play, for one thing, it is far too long and I rather the band as individual songs on a playlist rather than a album listen.
Standouts: I Looked Away, Bell Bottom Blues, Layla
Honestly was a little irated with by this album. I have no nostalgia for this and there was far too many high-pitched chimes, keys and horns. Then you get the story telling that didn't hold my interest at all. Also what is with the African and islander cultural appropriation?
Standouts: The Boy In the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, Crazy Love, Vol. II
#5 of working through the 1001 Albums list
I think this was one of my favourite britpop albums (at least in the top 5), maybe its that psychedelic style that's here. This was so much more than just Bitter Sweet Symphony. I didn't realise Richard Ashcroft went solo after this album, now I have so much music to check out, including a pandemic acoustic version of this album.
Standouts: Bitter Sweet Symphony, Sonnet, The Rolling People, The Drugs Don't Work, Lucky Man
Putting aside any feeling I have about Jack White as a person, I have to admit this album was better than I expected. I think the musicians had so much fun here with the standout being Brooke Waggoner on the piano. If you took away the vocals in a song like Weep Themselves to Sleep, it still remains an absolute banger.
Standouts: Missing Pieces, Sixteen Saltines, Freedom at 21, Blunderbuss
It is hard to believe something like this was released back in 1979. I know these is so much great punk in the 70's but this hits harder than some of the others. Granted this was a little messy but then again, that is what you expect in punk. The music is great, I'm not a big fan of the vocals
Standouts: Communist Eyes, Land of Treason, Lexicon Devil
I know a few songs, but I don't think I've ever listened to a full Kinks album from start to finish. Honest, while I enjoyed it, I do wish it was less pop and more garage. I feel like some of the songs needs a bit more emotion and grit to them. For example Rosy Won't You Please Come Home felt too joyful for the subject matter.
Standouts: Party Line, Too Much on My Mind, Sunny Afternoon
I am finding it really hard to rate and review this album. It’s great, it’s iconic and there are so many great songs here, but also it’s not sometime I would spin regularly, I like Dylan, I’m just not a fan (I know that doesn’t make much sense). I’ll be listening to more of his music and it wouldn’t surprise me if this rating changes frequently based on my current mood.
Standouts: Like a Rolling Stone, Tombstone Blues, Ballad of a Thin Man, Desolation Row
This album was almost perfect, I knew some of the songs here but I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve actually given Lou Reed a proper listen. I know I have so much to explore in my musical journey and discovering albums like this is the reason I’ve been working through the 1001 albums list. There is a lot going on in this album and I think after a few more spins, this might been a favourite.
Standouts: Vicious, Andy's Chest, Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Satellite of Love (I know these are the obvious picks but they really do standout)
I’ve been a fan of the song Celebrity Skin since its release, it’s just so catchy. I don’t think I ever get sick of listening to that song. The other singles on this album never lived up to that level. Malibu is good but it was nothing I would purposely go out of my way to listen to and I thought Awful never got much attention in Australia. So I went into the album knowing I’d love the first song but not sure what to think of the full album.
I was surprised to see Billy Corgan was involved in so many of the songs. While spinning this, I could easily pick out the songs he was involved in, he has a style and it shows. I honestly enjoyed this more than I expected.
Standouts: Celebrity Skin, Hit So Hard, Malibu, Reasons to Be Beautiful, Dying
I didn't expect this to be as prog as this. I normally associate Deep Purple with Smoke on the Water and that's about it, but this showed me that I was dismissing this band because of one over played song. As soon as Speed King started, I was taken back and I really wish more of the album was at that tempo, it was such a great song.
Standouts: Speed King, Child in Time
I've not listened to much Bossa Nova but that is the reason why I'm trying to work through the 1001 album list. It's always a joy to experience good music in genres you've not paid attention to in the past. This was such a vibe and almost got me up dancing around the room...and I'm very much not a dancer. Stan Getz is just a great Sax player and worth listening to this for his playing...because I don't know what João Gilberto is saying.
Sandouts: The Girl from Ipanema, Para Machuchar Meu Coração, Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)
Okay, I'm not a fan of Sting's vocals (for the most part), to me, it feels too high pitched and my ears really don't enjoy that experience. There is some really good music here, but the vocals ruined it for me. But like I said on Paul Simon's Graceland, I really don't appreciate what feels like cultural appropriations. The reggae influences were very over done in Walking In Your Footsteps and I get why bands want to use sounds they like from all around the world but there is a fine line between appropriation and appreciation. I'm not sure what the hell was going on with Mother, but I'd be glad to never have to hear it again. Every Breath You Take is an obviously classic, and I can't say anything bad about it.
Standouts: Every Breath You Take, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger
This is pure poetry! I feel like I need to finger snap after every song. I find it hard to judge this album, but I think if I think of this as poetry readings, its much easier to judge this.
Standout: You Want It Darker, On the Level, Traveling Light, It Seemed the Better Way
There is so much going on in this album, it is hard to narrow down just what this album is...this is part indie rock, part Britpop, part shoegaze, part psychedelic, with a little country, reggae, noise pop and orchestral in there.
Standouts: Upon 9th and Fairchild, Leaves and Sand, Barney (...and Me), Lazarus
Radiohead make great music and In Rainbows could possibly be one of their best, but it's not my favourite (that goes to The Bends). Relistening this album for the first time in a long time, this was such a great experience. I probably should have listened to their albums in order to enjoy their musical transformation. I think this album hits that perfect combination of the old Indie/Art rock Radiohead and the more experimental rock styles they started doing beginning with OK Computer.
Standouts: Nude, Weird Fishes / Arpeggi, All I Need, Reckoner, Jigsaw Falling Into Place, Videotape
I don't know much about 80's music, it was a generation of music that I never really got into. There was something about the sound that I never really enjoyed, and I know I can't dump all albums into a single thought, so obviously I need to try to make more of an effort. I do prefer New Order to Joy Division and I don't know why. This album didn't have much I was familiar with but it was still enjoyable. The incorporation of synthesisers and samplers was surprisingly good, I think The Perfect Kiss might be one of the best new wave/synthpop songs out there. This was a very catchy album and that feels like an interesting juxtaposition to the lyrics.
Standouts: Love Vigilantes, The Perfect Kiss, Elegia
I loved this album in the 90's, It was one of those albums of my youth...but I don't think I've listened to it in almost 20 years. Even Spotify doesn't have any of the songs hearted but going back to this, the nostalgia kicked in. I'm trying to judge this without letting nostalgia effect my feelings but that is difficult. This is a great album, and while Eddie Vedder is not the strongest singer out there, these songs are just so memorable.
Standouts: Even Flow, Alive, Black, Jeremy
This is such a beautiful album, and a tragedy we lost him so young; image all the great albums we missed out on. If you've only heard his cover of Hallelujah, you are missing out the rest of the album. I think Last Goodbye might be in my list of one of the best songs of all time. This is just a beautiful album and I'm doubting my rating already, it might be too low!
Standouts: Grace, Last Goodbye, Hallelujah, Lover, You Should've Come Over, Eternal Life
This feels like how I imagine metal to be in the 80's. The instruments where amazing in this and I really enjoyed listening but I found the vocals a little hit or miss, but I know Paul Di'Anno wasn't with the band long enough. I think he can sing really well, but when when he gets the heavier vocal styles (like in Prowler), I don't think it works. It's a weird issue, but I personally think he sounds great singing in Remember Tomorrow, Strange World, Iron Maiden and not a fan of it in Prowler, Running Free, Phantom of the Opera and Charlotte the Harlot. In the end, I think I would prefer this album as an instrumental without the vocals; like for Transylvania.
Standouts: Remember Tomorrow, Transylvania, Strange World, Iron Maiden
The Smiths is one of those bands, I never really listened, mainly because of Morrissey but this was better than I expected. I love their jangle pop style and surprisingly I am not annoyed by hearing Morrissey singing. I really enjoyed the anti-corporal messaging through out this album but not enough to give up eating meat. The best thing about working through this 1001 albums list is finding bands and albums like this that I should know but never took the time to listen to.
Standouts: The Headmaster Ritual, I Want the One I Can't Have, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Well I Wonder
I have always remembered this album as a vehicle for David Byrne's creativity, but it has been a long time since I've listened to it. I has hit was a sudden feeling of recognition but also I think I forgot how influential African music (like funk and afrobeat) had on this album. I mentioned it in Graceland by Paul Simon, how much of this is influences and how much is cultural appropriation? But I have to admit I enjoyed the experimental nature of this album, maybe because I like this band or maybe because it was being experimental in all types of musical styles.
What I've always liked about this album, is that it feels like it's almost entirely stream-of-consciousness, making it hard to predict what is going to happen next. I know David Byrne's did struggle with writers block and the band just went with this approach and resulted in such a great album.
Standouts: Crosseyed and Painless, Once In a Lifetime, Houses In Motion, Listening Wind
This isn't really my thing, I wanted to like this but I couldn't get into it at all. I'm not sure if Glam rock is for me but I will continue to explore the genre. Roxy music is an iconic band, I have respect for what Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno both did to music, just not my thing.
Standouts: Do the Strand, Editions of You, In Every Dream Home a Heartache
It's had to imagine when think of The Doors, all the songs that come to mind are on this debut album (there are probably some songs I'm forgetting about from their other albums). Jim Morrison was such a poetical song writer, if you want to see good song writing, look at his lyrics. Also, I don't think there is enough organ playing in rock music nowadays.
Standouts: Break On Through (To the Other Side), Light My Fire, The End
Let's face it, Gimme Shelter has to be one of the greatest songs from the 60's, it's such an iconic song. Then you have You Can't Always Get What You Want on here two. Probably two of the best songs from the Rolling Stones (my favs being from other albums; (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Sympathy For the Devil and Paint It, Black) but there two songs are really great songs. Apart from those two songs, this wasn't a bad little blues rock album.
Standouts: Gimme Shelter, Let It Bleed, Monkey Man, You Can't Always Get What You Want
If you were to ask me for my favourite Green Day album, I would probably pick this...unless I was to say Dookie. Both albums, are two pivotal albums for this band, Dookie making them 90's pop-punk icons, while American Idiot was a new direction and possibly more influential. This was the blueprint for future concept albums, a rock operas, and a political/anti-war albums. I think this might be one of the best rock opera's of the 00's (it doesn't beat The Black Parade).
One of the biggest problems with this album is the way so many songs appear on a single track! Just separate them for fuck sake! Like I would listen to Give Me Novacaine more if I didn't have to listen to She's a Rebel.
Standouts: American Idiot, Jesus of Suburbia, Holiday, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Wake Me Up When September Ends
Obviously I've heard Where Is My Mind?, it is such a great song, but I don't think I've listened to a full album from Pixies. This feels very 90's and I know it was released in 1988, but you can see their influences on grunge, punk and the alternative rock genre. Honestly, if it wasn't for all the slapstick, this would have been a great album....I just love the sound of the drums on this album. I also love that both Black Francis and Kim Deal share the lead vocals.
Standouts: Bone Machine, Gigantic, Where Is My Mind?, Tony's Theme
I'm not going to lie, I knew some songs from Taylor Swift but I never really spent much time listening to her albums. This is now my second of her albums, and this was so much better than Midnights. I like the folk pop style, and I think that works so much better for her song writing style. I'm glad she is willing to try different styles, but honestly more list this! Not that she needs advice, she is going to be okay. I'm never going to be a Swifty; I am always going to side with Olivia Rodrigo (if you know you know). To be honest, I can see she is a great songwriter, and a savvy business woman, but I don't think her songs are to my taste.
Standouts: willow, tolerate it, no body, no crime, evermore
#30 of working through the 1001 Albums list
Honestly I didn't think I would like this album, based on the cover alone. I also didn't think I was into Psychedelic Rock or Acid Rock but as soon as that first song kicked in, I knew I was going to be in for a good time. This is not necessarily my style, but I appreciate the style and I am trying to be more open to different styles. I was grooving along to this album and I didn't realise that the songs were blending into each other, that was beautifully done. It does make it hard to pick out standouts, but at least I know this is an album listen, not just a few songs. This has a real prog rock vibe to it, which I think I loved, I really do enjoy the experimental and I think this would be a good album to listen to while high.
Standouts: Who Do You Love, Pt. 1, Who Do You Love, Pt. 2, Mona
I don't think I can say anything bad about this album, this is just so smooth and full of so much soul. Okay, let's be honest, Respect is no longer an Otis Redding album and belongs to Aretha Franklin; she does it so much better. So many Iconic songs on this album, I know sometimes I forget that Otis Redding sang versions of these songs.... like Shake, My Girl, and Satisfaction. I checked, there were only three songs on this album written by Redding.
Standouts: Ole Man Trouble, Change Gonna Come, I've Been Loving You Too Long, My Girl
Moby was so big back in the day, I normally associate him with songs like Porcelain, Bodyrock, Extreme Ways, etc. I was surprised to find that most of the songs I associate with him are actually on Play. Listening to this I realise I have such a gap in my knowledge of electronic music, I see this tagged as downtempo or Trip Hop and I don't think these match, but my knowledge is not all up to date on this to judge. All in all, this was a pretty good album, not great, easily forgettable and it was really top heavy, the back half was lacking. But I really enjoyed my listen through and remembering some of these old songs I have heard frequently on the radio.
Standouts: Find My Baby, Porcelain, Bodyrock, Natural Blues
I'm finding this hard to review this album, this was my next album to listen to on my 1001 list, and I have listened to it a few times, but I'm not as versed in hip hop and I don't think I have anything intelligent to say about this album. But here I am trying...I love the music and I end up reading the lyrics and have found that Kendrick is so poetic and always has interesting flows. From that first song, I knew I had to check out some more Kendrick and also why haven't I listened to some Funkadelic. The more I listen to this album, the more I like it, I think this will have to be one of those albums I will be changing my rating on in the future. I find it hard to rate something like this because I think my opinion is always growing and changing.
Standouts: Wesley's Theory, King Kunta, These Walls, Alright, Momma, How Much a Dollar Cost, The Blacker the Berry, i
I was surprised to see that Pulp formed in 1978, Common People is the song I knew from them, and I normally associate Pulp with the britpop revival of the 90's. I know Blur and Oasis were the biggest names in the 90s britpop, but Pulp seemed to offer something different and a little different. It took me a while to get to use to Pulp's sound but it is obviously an album that grows on you. Jarvis Cocker has a unique persona that seems to drive the band, it's a little weird, it's a little nerdy but it is what makes Pulp. I don't know much of Pulp, to be far, I think Different Class might be the only album I listen to.
Standouts: Mis-Shapes, Common People, Disco 2000, Something Changed, Sorted for E's & Wizz
I don't think I've listened to enough music from around the world to fully appreciate this one, Senegalese musicians Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck have really made something I haven't really heard before. The guitaring in this was really the highlight for me. I don't understand the lyrics, so I can't really say too much about that. For me, I just let the vocals be another instrument, and enjoyed the experience. There are influences of Blues and Jazz here but I can't help but wonder how these songs if an Electronic artist added something here, like a sick beat would really elevate these songs. This will have to be an album I come back to when I understand world music a little better.
Standouts: Muudo Hormo, Salminanam, Bibbe Leydy, Sehilam
Slowly working through the 1001 albums list, I know so many of these songs on this album, but I don't know if I ever listened to the full album. I thought the same with their self titled album at #21 (the random generator didn't separate these two albums very well). As I am a metal fan, I never really spent to much time in the 80's, but I like that there were elements of progressive metal here. I have to say Bruce Dickinson is a better leave vocalist over Paul Di'Anno, which made this so much more worth listening to. I honestly wasn't looking forward to this album, I don't know if it's just an aversion to 80's metal, but this turned to be an amazing album, the musicianship really makes this album.
Standouts: Invaders, Children of the Damned, The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name
I didn't think I knew who Narry Nilsson was but as soon as I heard the start of Gotta Get Up, I knew I have heard him before. I was surprised that I knew so many of these songs but didn't recognise his name. He really is a great singer songwriter and I think there is something special here. While I really like the first two songs, I think this album is very back heavy. Most of the songs I loved were on the second half, and it makes me wonder, if I own this album on vinyl would I play the second side more than the first side. I think Gotta Get Up following Driving Along might be the perfect 1-2 combination. A song about getting up and then driving to work. Obviously Without You is the highlight of this album, it's such an amazing song, I think his version of this song so so much better than most others. I am still not sure about Coconut, it just too much of a joke song for this album especially after Without You. However if it is a hangover cure, then maybe it's the right place for this song. This album was really amazing, I am so glad to discover it.
Standouts: Gotta Get Up, Driving Along, Without You, Let the Good Times Roll, Jump Into the Fire, I'll Never Leave You
The debut album from The King and I have to be honest, I am not really a big fan of Elvis. I know these songs, but I think he is karaoke singer. I know back in the day this was how music was made, but I'm not that impressed with this style. How many artist didn't get the fame or notoriety because of their colour of their skin? Yes Elvis had a lot of charisma which helped and he has a decent voice, I just have too many issues...without going into creepy relationships, I just choose not to give him attention. For an album of 12 songs, I'm glad it was over in less than 30 minutes.
Standouts: Blue Suede Shoes
I always liked that folk music where the acoustic guitar is played so well that, you don't want to hear the singing you are too focused on the instruments. I think that is what I got from Bert Jansch. I do appreciate that he did give us an instrumental with Smokey River, Veronica, Alice's Wonderland and Angie; all might be some of my favourites on this album. I don't know much about Bert Jansch, except he has been compared to Bob Dylan... but then I think anyone that sang folk like this in the 60-70's were. I had a look and see that people like Jimmy Page, Mike Oldfield, Paul Simon, Pete Hawkes, Nick Drake, Donovan, Neil Young, and Johnny Marr have all cited him as an influence, which is an impressive list. I believe there is more Jansch on this list, so I am looking forward to hearing more, but it makes me now want to listen to Australian music folk legends, The John Butler Trio.
Standouts: Smokey River, Oh How Your Love Is Strong, Veronica, Needle Of Death, Alice's Wonderland, Angie
I'm not a big GnR fan, but even I admit this was a pretty impressive debut, I think it has most of their bests songs. So relistening this, I was happy to hear songs like Welcome to the Jungle and the other sings, but some of those deep cuts are not good at all. I always get thrown off by It's So Easy, because it sounds like Axel Rose isn't the primary vocalist, and often have to go check my music isn't on shuffle.
Standouts: Welcome to the Jungle, Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine
Despite the terrible name, Buffalo Springfield Again is probably the best album from Buffalo Springfield, I believe this is the last album to feature Neil Young (but they only released 3 albums). This was more a Psychedelic rock album, rather than the folk album the first one was. Not surprising, as this seemed to be the era for psychedelic. I am not really a big fan of Buffalo Springfield but I do appreciate their contribution into the music scene. The band did pave the way for Neil Young and obvious the supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash (or all the other variations of the group). There are a few songs on this album, that feel a little out of place, I think A Child's Claim to Fame and Good Time Boy were a little out off compared to the rest of the album. Like A Child's Claim to Fame feels almost like a polar opposite to Mr. Soul, I'm not saying the song is bad, it just very different. Having said that, this album is a little all over the place, it does seem like they were exploring all different styles, I just don't think there was a consistent direction for this album.
For the longest time I thought the first line of Mr. Soul was "Oh hello Mr. Soul I dropped by to pick up a reefer"
Standouts: Mr. Soul, Bluebird
Like most people when seeing this list, I was shocked this was here instead of Led Zeppelin IV but this is still a classic album. I have heard this so many times, but obviously gave this a fresh listen for this review. I have so many albums I really need to review, so many classics, it's hard to find the balance between new and old albums. I love the production quality of this album, there is so many little elements that you need to pay attention to. There is so much I love about this album, and so much that will make me want to come back to it, but then I think about all the other music I would prefer to listen to instead. Nothing wrong with this album, just won't be high in my playing priorities.
Standouts: Whole Lotta Love, The Lemon Song, Heartbreaker, Ramble On
Dolly Parton has such a distinct voice, you can pick out her sounds easily, but listening to this album, I don't think I paid much attention to what sounds like a little vibrato (I'm not sure if that's the right word) there that really works so well to this style. I don't know country too well, but I am willing to give anything a try. Dolly is a real story teller, and in the title track it really shined through, but I do find myself getting a little bored at times with this album. There are some great songs, but then most of the song, I doubt I wouldn't come back too often to listen to this one. When trying to focus on the music, I was surprised just how great the bassist (Bobby Dyson) was here (especially in Travelling Man).
Standout: Coat of Many Colors, Traveling Man, Here I Am
This was popular when I was in high school, I wasn't listening to it back then because I grow up in a CCM house, but I heard a lot of these songs around. While the singles might be the best songs on this album, the whole thing is really amazing. As much as I love American Idiot, I think Dookie is Green Day's best album. Although that might depend on my mood. This album was so much fun and a real trip down memory lane. It reminded me of just how good the band was back in the days.
Standouts: Having a Blast, Longview, Welcome to Paradise, Basket Case, She, When I Come Around
Queen is one of those bands that I love so many songs from them, but I never listened to an album. So now is a good chance to rectify that...and this is the album that holds my favourite of their songs; Bohemian Rhapsody (insert Wayne's World gif here). Looking at the track lists, I thought I only knew two songs from this album, but there was so much more here that I recognise, I obviously didn't know the names. Queen is a band that loves to take you on a journey and I know there were so history that inspired the album, this was so much of an amazing listen, just because I never knew what genre to expect for each song. I remember hearing the back story for I'm in Love with My Car and it felt so weird to hear a different vocalist here. I never knew Queen used different vocalists for their music, it really adds to the variety of their musical styles.
Standouts: Death on Two Legs (Dedicated To...), You're My Best Friend, '39, The Prophet's Song, Love of My Life, Bohemian Rhapsody
The 90's seems to be the decade for house, trance and tribal music, Leftfield was one of those band that seemed to pave the way for some of the bigger names like Prodigy, Underworld, Chemical Brothers, etc. There are a few songs on this album I remember mainly from the Hackers OST. This was never my style of music, but I loved Hackers so I played that OST all the time (that orbital song is my fav). This is classified as progressive house, I think because some of these songs are more tribal, trance and even dub. While I know this was influential in the electronic genres, I think I prefer some of the more innovative artists that came after Leftfield.
Standouts: Song of Life, Original, Open Up
Not gonna lie, I was not looking forward to this album. I remember Yellow and never connected with that songs, so I actively avoided this band. I heard stuff on the radio but normally didn't listen. This felt a little like U2; great musicians but not a style I'm drawn to. Listening to Don't Panic, I felt it like it was way too repetitive, and the last album I listened to was electronic. Honestly I really tried with this album but it felt so melodic and uninteresting, I felt was bored, I need something more, and this didn't offer that really. For me, this felt like it was britpop with less energy. I would have liked to listen to the music without the singing.
Standouts: Shiver, High Speed
I've been through my Metallica phrase already, so going back to this, I kind of feel like there are better albums out there. Sure they were highly influential, but if I were to listening to Metallica, I prefer the black album or their live S&M album. Can I say re-listening to this, it's interesting to hear how Lars Ulrich's average drumming really works for this garage/trash metal style. Sure this is a quintessential trash album, and I have listened to it so many times, I just don't think it's their best and to me, Metallica is a little overrated. Having said that, it's not a bad album, just one I don't listen to often.
Standouts: Battery, Master of Puppets, Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
From what I know about Cat Stevens is that he left his record label to focus more on his vision of folk/singer songwriter music with deep spiritual focus. Tea for the Tillerman is the results of his vision, and probably his most successful album. Some of the production choices are weird and not really playing to the strengths of Stevens, but maybe this is just a result of the time. I find there are some amazing songs on this album and the rest of it was just okay. I am not a big Cat Stevens fan, but gotta respect the man for sticking to his vision; and I think it paid off for him.
Standouts: Where Do the Children Play?, Hard Headed Woman, Wild World, Father and Son
I don't know much about country music, but I like this. There is elements of Psychedelic Rock going on at the same time and it is a hell of a good time. To be honest, I like this more than a lot of the other albums I have heard in both genres. There is something about this music that works for me, there is elements of experimentation but also great storytelling. I didn't know who Gene Clark was before (apparently he was a member of The Byrds) but I really liked the album. At the time the record label didn't promote this album, and it wasn't a success. The reason I do the 1001 albums list is to discover albums like this, the genre blending is what makes this album.
Standouts: Silver Raven, No Other, Strength of Strings, Some Misunderstanding
This is such an 90's album, I knew of Slint, and remember hearing a few of these songs before, but this was just a wonderful experience. It's a shame this band's life was so short, but their influences are widespread. Listening to this you kind of feel that they have influenced in future genres, including grunge and shoegaze. The vocals here are so interesting, it almost feels like I'm listening to poetry being spoken to a musical accompaniment and I think that is what makes this album so great. Highly recommend listening to this album as a whole in one sitting, this was just deeply moving and an amazing piece of art.
Standouts: Breadcrumb Trail, Washer, Good Morning, Captain
I always think of Beck as an assentic musical genius (he seems to be able to play every instrument), while I know of so many Beck songs, I haven't listened to enough of his albums. I use to have the CD's of Guero, Odelay and Mellow Gold but outside of those I only knew a couple of tracks (Lost Cause and It's All in Your Mind). I went into this album no recognising any of the track names, but there were a couple of songs I recognised. The album feels so melo and emotional, it feels like Beck was in a depression. I had to read his wikipedia, and it seems like this came as a result of a 9 year relationship ending. I found this album so heavy and sad; while it was a good album, it's not something I would play unless I want to sink into a depression.
Standouts: The Golden Age, Paper Tiger, Lonesome Tears, Lost Cause, It's All In Your Mind
It feels a little weird having a live album on this list, but this was often called one of the greatest live albums of all time. This feels like a great show and a decent way to showcase some of their best songs. Looking into the band, I was surprised to learn they started more as a celtic band, with songs like Whiskey in the Jar, but they later focused on hard rock with The Boys Are Back in Town still being the most notable song from this band. Not going to lie, while I enjoyed this, the live recording felt a little flat (some of their guitars felt too blended together, which took away from having the dueling guitars), but as far as I can see live recordings like this wasn't yet a perfected artform. I realised I didn't know many of these songs, but I'm glad I listened to this.
Standouts: Jailbreak, Massacre, Still in Love with You, The Boys Are Back in Town, Don't Believe a Word
I don't really know much about Fleet Foxes, so I went into this album not knowing to expect. It feels like this era was big on that folk pop sound. It reminds me a little of early Mumford & Sons, but still unique and different. There is some interesting mixing happening here, like with the panning in Sun It Rises. I'm glad to discover this album, it was such a cool vibe and it might become a new favourite. I find myself thinking of Mumford & Sons, but there is also some influences from much older folk artists. There are just some interesting mixing and instrument choices and that is the real highlight of the album
Standouts: Sun It Rises, White Winter Hymnal, Ragged Wood, He Doesn't Know Why
RIP Ozzy Osbourne (1948 - 2025)
I thought in honor of a legend, I would go back to a classic. I have heard this album before, but not in great details, however this is the birth of metal, so this is an important album. It's hard to believe this album is 55 years old, it still holds up so well. It's atmospheric and psychedelic, such a great album. I often forget just how good instrumentally this band was. I know people like to complain how evil and demonic bands like Black Sabbath were, but honestly it feels so camp and theatrical; there is a reason why this band is so recognisable and creative, they paved the way for so many different genres.
Standouts: Black Sabbath, The Wizard, N.I.B., Warning
