Unknown Pleasures
Joy DivisionHighlights: Disorder, New Dawn Fades. Overall: 8/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 5+ Yet to be reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints
Highlights: Disorder, New Dawn Fades. Overall: 8/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 5+ Yet to be reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints
Highlights: Natural Mystic, Guiltiness, Waiting In Vain, Turn Your Lights Down Low. My initial interpretation of reggae was “protest songs with backing singers, groovy bass and subtle percussion”. Today I learned that it is, and also more than that. Albums like “Exodus” weave themes of celebrating progress, unity, love, socio-political commentary, understanding one’s existence, repatriation, optimism, “downpression” (a variant of oppression) and Rastafari life. Seamless transition between songs on Spotify. Overall: 7/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 4+ Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
"nobody is excluded from my poking fun at. Nobody. I don't discriminate, I don't exclude nobody...If I do something fucked up, I'll make fun of myself - I'm not excluded from this..." Eminem. With that said, this was a difficult listen for me. I was in my mid teens when this album came out. My younger sister (13 at the time) was a fan and after hearing her crank The Real Slim Shady to 11 on repeat, I listened to the album myself. I was mortified. How the hell can someone record misogynistic, violent and homophobic lyrics and get away with being released?? Because, controversy sells. Retrospectively, it's still terrifying to listen to. There is a lot of dated references and cliched hip hop tropes ("mic check 1-2", name dropping, skits on albums). Instead of crossing the line between satirical and offensive, he pissed on the line while flipping the bird. The lyrics are definitely (a) offensive, even though you know the tracks were deliberately created to offend you (and now you're mad that you reacted the way you did), (b) darkly comic, (I didn't find it funny but I bet a small audience will) and (c) are a sharp jab at everyone and everything. Listen "The Way I Am" first, decide if you're prepared to hear more, then make your own conclusions. I won't be listening to this again, too many bad memories. As for you, brace yourself. Overall: 3/10
In a nutshell: Messy. Bloated. Frantic. Confusing. You’ll either love it or despise it. It’s supposed to be a concept album but I don’t understand the brief. The bass and drums are amazing (the galloping beat, swoon!). Can hear the Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa and Aphex Twin influences; perhaps early My Chemical Romance or early Muse (Absolution was recorded at the same time as De-Loused and released in the same year). I’d say this is an influential album, just not for me. Overall: 5/10
In a nutshell: mellow protest album influenced by reggae and ska. Sounds more ambient dub than mainstream reggae. Always appreciate a DIY/made on a shoestring album. It’s unfortunate that the variety in the backing beat is missing. Overall: 5/10
6/10/23 Highlights: 15 Step, House Of Cards. It’s okay: Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, Jigsaw Falling Into Place. Not my fave: Nude, Reckoner. Overall: 7/10. Not reviewed on 1001AC (yet)
Highlights: Le Freak It's okay: Chic Cheer, I Want Your Love. Not my fave: Happy Man, At Last I Am Free, Sometimes You Win. Overall: 5/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club, yet to be reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints.
Highlights: Old Man, Alabama, The Needle and The Damage Done, There’s A World, Are You Ready For The Country? Words Not My Fave: A Man Needs A Maid. Overall: 8.5/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
Highlights: all of Side A Good but not great: The Twilight Zone. Not my fave: A Passage to Bangkok. Overall: 7/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club (4+) Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
Highlights: Aladdin Sane, Cracked Actor It’s okay: Let’s Spend The Night Together Overall: 8.5/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club (5+) Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
Highlights: “Can we have everything louder than everything else?”, Highway Star. Not my fave: Strange Kind of Woman Overall: 7/10. Note: avoid watching The Simpsons episode “Weekend At Burnsie’s” if you love “Smoke On The Water”. All I could hear was Homer singing the second verse wrong and couldn’t stop laughing. Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 5 neutral. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
Occasionally good horns, drums and guitar; played furiously. Kinda bluesy glam rock. This is album reminds me of "hair metal" and I wouldn't be surprised if bands from that genre cite this as an influential album. 2/10
Highlights: Disorder, New Dawn Fades. Overall: 8/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 5+ Yet to be reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints
Highlights: Push It Along, Luck of Lucien, I Left My Wallet In El Segundo, Can I Kick It? Not my fave: Pubic Enemy. Overall: 7/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints, yet.
Highlights: The Ecstasy of Gold, The Call of Ktulu, No Leaf Clover, Devil's Dance, Until It Sleeps. It's okay: "Of Wolf and Man", Human. Overall: 7/10 First time listening. BRILLIANT arrangements by Michael Kamen. Fusion genres such as symphonic metal or bands like Metallica may not be everyone's shot of bourbon. That said, it's worth listening to this album- even if it's just once- to appreciate musicians who push their own boundaries. Plan an intermission if streaming, it's 133 minutes.
Highlights: Pretty Green, But I'm Different Now, Set The House Ablaze, Music For The Last Couple, Boy About Town, Scrape Away. It's okay: That's Entertainment, Monday. Overall: 8.5/10 This album is compulsory listening. I loved it.
Highlights: The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn, The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. Overall: 7.5/10
Highlights- The Boxer (my favourite S&G song), Cecilia, Baby Driver, Bridge Over Troubled Water “It’s okay” - Why Don’t You Write Me Not my fave- The Only Living Boy in New York, Bye Bye Love (live cover) Overall: 6/10 You need to be in the right mood to listen to Simon and Garfunkel. Time will tell if ‘Bridge…’, the duo’s final studio album, is a better listening experience than previous outings (this is the first of three S&G album reviewed). Unless my ears are deceiving me, it sounds like Paul is mixed louder than Art in the duets. I sorely wanted to like this album, but there is something about it that doesn’t stick. Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 4+ Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
I couldn't finish this one, it's a sensory overload. Can hear slithers of garage rock and hearty serves experimental rock from the tracks I could tolerate. Reminds me of J Mascis. Can understand the underground appeal. 4/10
First thought: I wonder if Hot Chip and The Presets listened to The The in their youth? Although not directly cited as an influence, the synth use and vocal style from Soul Mining reminded me of 'One Life Stand', 'In Our Heads', 'Apocalypso' and 'Beams', only at a different tempo. Songs were too long. Not my thing. Will revisit this album when another synthpop or new wave title comes up. 4/10
In a nutshell: the man from Style Council and The Jam does dad rock/northern soul. The songwriting isn’t much to write home bout, the guitar work is fine. Although Gomez do not directly cite Weller as an influence, I can hear bits and pieces of Paul’s music in the band’s first two albums (see Sunflower, Country and Has My Fire Really Gone Out then compare to Get Miles and Make No Sound). Overall: 3/10
Highlights: Love and Anger, The Sensual World. It’s okay: Heads We’re Dancing Not my fave: The Fog Overall: 7/10 The third and last Kate Bush album in the book, my first album reviewed for the generated list. Soft, moody, sometimes sensual. I recommend bookending with Kate’s debut The Kick Inside to see how her trademark sound and songwriting has refined over time. Controversial opinion, but would gladly trade Neneh Cherry’s Raw Like Sushi for The Kick Inside. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
This is noise, not music. Or maybe I just don't get the concept. Skip this album and listen to Hot Chip, Art vs Science or Modest Mouse instead. Overall: 1/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints, yet.
Not bad
Sad bastard music meets whiny rage music. Overall: 1/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints podcasts at time of writing.
Listener warning: some tracks are "quiet-loud-quiet" so be careful when turning up the volume. Heard of the band name, never heard their music. Was anticipating punk rock based on the short description on here. Nope. Don't let the opening sentence of the album's Wikipedia entry fool you, this isn't the rock music you're expecting. This album is definitely punk. It's more in the experimental noise genre than rock. It felt... grimy? First thought that came to mind after I finished the album: "if anyone was to act out The Aristocrats joke, this album would be playing in the background" So, yeeeeaaah, I'm not listening to this again in a hurry. 1/10
Overrated. Might listen to back catalogue. 2/10
Highlights: Australia. It's okay: Victoria, Brainwashed, Mr Churchill Says. Not my fave: Yes Sir No Sir, Shangri-La. Tl;dr: a concept album that doesn't hit the target. I'd say skip Arthur and go to "The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society" (a better album that pokes fun at British culture). Overall: 4/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of publication.
Walked in completely cold. Until it occurred to me the band's early single 'Teenage Kicks' featured in the film Good Vibrations (tl;dr: want to open a record store and foster the underground punk movement in 70s 'The Troubles' era Ireland? Challenge accepted). Think 80's pop-punk, reminiscent of Madness and DEVO. Maybe The Specials? Can hear influences of early Beatles, Ramones and the Buzzcocks. Not a repeat listen for me, but I'm thankful to have listened to it. Reviewed on 1001 AC club: all positive. 6/10
Highlights: Love Hurts, Cathy's Clown. I found myself skipping a lot of songs on this album. I knew of an earlier Everly Brothers single "Bye Bye Love" and was hoping this album showed an expansion of their sound. Nope. Just heard more of the same melodies. The Everly Brothers definitely influenced future musicians, especially in the UK. There is too much filler on this album to justify its place on the list. Overall: 2/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
This album was nice to listen to. And from what I’ve learned, this is skilled piano improv. It's proof that it's how you play, not what instrument you use, that makes music great. 7/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints
Highlights: Junkie Chase, Give Me Your Love (Love Song) Not my fave: Pusherman, Little Child Runnin’ Wild, Eddie You Should Know Better. Hearing the title track so many times over the years has unfortunately spoiled my listening experience. It’s a shame, because the backing band is excellent! Mayfield’s lyrics illustrate a dark reality, noticed a narrative arc. Tracks 1-3 could have been shorter or changed into an instrumental. Haven’t seen the movie, so this review may change after watching it. Verdict: 6.5/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club (5+) Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints yet.
Haven't listened to this album in full before, and only familiar with the band's hits. Gotta say, it's almost flawless. Starts at a blistering pace then goes into head bopping mode, rarely venturing into boredom. I always appreciate a band who ventures into different genres on an album while still sounding coherent and familiar. LZ III is the first Zepp album to appear on the generator. But is it their best? Time will tell. Ask me again in a few months. 9/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club (4+) Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
Highlights: Tiger In Your Tank, I Feel So Good, I've Got My Mojo Working. My first blues album of the generated list. Waters and the backing band are on fire! Felt a lull with tracks 1-4, but maybe my ears are more accustomed to upbeat blues? Reckon it's time to listen to Muddy Waters' studio albums. Reviewed on 1001 Album Club (4+) Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet) 6.5/10
Highlights: Natural Mystic, Guiltiness, Waiting In Vain, Turn Your Lights Down Low. My initial interpretation of reggae was “protest songs with backing singers, groovy bass and subtle percussion”. Today I learned that it is, and also more than that. Albums like “Exodus” weave themes of celebrating progress, unity, love, socio-political commentary, understanding one’s existence, repatriation, optimism, “downpression” (a variant of oppression) and Rastafari life. Seamless transition between songs on Spotify. Overall: 7/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 4+ Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
In a nutshell: Live and tame. Overall: 3/10
Highlight: So Many Tears. This was a difficult listen and I stopped halfway. Therefore, I can’t give a fair review on this album. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints. Overall: 5/10
Highlights: Selfish, Wounds. Sounds like: Ms Dynamite and Missy Elliott. Slick production. An air of vulnerability. Feeling indifferent about the album. It’s not my kind of music. Overall: 5/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Highlights: Showroom Dummies, Franz Schubert, Endless Endless. First of three Kraftwerk albums reviewed via the generator. You know Kraftwerk when you hear it: synth, sequencers, minimalism, monotone vocals, loops, feels like you're on a journey. It's comfortable, familiar music. Six of the eight songs are over 4 minutes so it will be a challenging listen for some. A Kraftwerk album is compulsory listening, but unsure if Trans-Europe Express is *the* album. Overall: 6/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 3+ Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
Highlights: Josie, Deacon Blues It's okay: I Got The News. Not my fave: Black Cow, Home At Last. First of four Steely Dan albums reviewed. This would have been a bitch to record and mix, sounds like there are so many components to organise (props to Katz and the music engineers there). Much respect to the session musicians and singers who made an appearance (including Doobie Brothers frontman Michael McDonald, he actually has range!?!), they are on fire. There's something about Aja that feels off that I can't put my finger on. 'Black Cow', 'Aja' and 'Home At Last' would benefit from pruning. The title track is cringe by today's standards. I dunno? It's not my favourite of the four in the book. Overall: 5/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club (5+) Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
Highlights: Starling, The Fix, One Day Like This. Not my fave: The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver Went in only knowing one single from this album. It's a mixed bag. Brooding, aching, a bit drab occasionally. Many songs are too long but hang in there as some songs have lyrical gems. Elbow Frontman Guy Garvey reminds me of Peter Gabriel (one of Guy's inspirations) but with a Mancunian lilt. Overall: 6/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints (yet).
It’s okay: Back From Somewhere, Friend You've Got To Fall. Bob Mould was right - “Warehouse would have made more impact if it was paired down to a single record...” I struggled to find something positive about Warehouse. It feels middle-of-the-road (spot the REM and The Replacements influences) and was a slog to listen to. Overall: 3/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 1+, 1-, 1 N. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet).
Highlights: Ponta De Lança Africano, Taj Mahal Pleasantly surprised by this album! It's fun, sensual, chill and get-up-and-go-dance music. I can picture some songs appearing on Late Night Tales compilations. Think funk, soul, light disco and bossa nova, all in Portuguese. Overall: 7/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
Highlights: Gotta Get Up, Coconut. It’s okay: Early In The Morning, Down, The Moonbeam Song. Not my fave: Without You. Ahh yes, Nilsson. The guy responsible for the nauseatingly heartbreaking cover of Without You (yep, it’s a cover. Written in 1970, by two members of Badfinger), Gotta Get Up (an absolute banger that experienced a resurgence after appearing in Netflix's Russian Doll) and the catchy jam-fest Coconut (read between the lines, friends). Jump Into The Fire is overplayed on classic radio stations and overused in commercials (groan), promoting cars and adventure activities. Which is a shame because the extended cut with instrumental breaks are fantastic. I really wanted to like this album but just couldn’t. However, I gotta give Harry props for his vocal acrobatics throughout and the session musicians. Overall: 5/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 3+ Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints.
Highlights: Suliram, The Click Song, Lakutsh'n Ilanga, Mbube, House of the Rising Sun. It's okay: The Retreat Song. Not my fave: One More Dance. A delightful fusion of jazz, African melodies and blues. Makeba's voice is one you won't forget. Overall: 6/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Highlights: Season of the Witch, The Trip, The Fat Angel. Not my fave: Legend of a Girl Child Linda, Guinevere. Part folk rock, part psychedelia, light touch of baroque pop. It’s music you immediately identify with the cliched care-free part of the 60’s. Donovan was dismissed by critics as “a Dylan clone”. They’re wrong. There is a crossover but no ripoffs here. Many folk musicians- including Donovan and Dylan- would cite Martin Carthy, Woodie Guthrie, Rumblin’ Jack Elliott, Joan Baez, blues and British/Irish folk music in general as their forerunner influences. Donovan even taught John Lennon a different way to finger-pick a guitar and it was incorporated into ‘Dear Prudence’. Overall: 6/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (yet)
Synth pop is not my thing, couldn't finish this album. However, I feel that Pet Shop Boys deserve credit for the contributions to pop culture and 90s music. I may have more opinions when "Behaviour" comes around. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints (yet) Overall: 5/10 (neutral rating)
Highlights: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), Exhuming McCarthy. It's okay: The One I Love, King of Birds. Not My Fave: Fireplace, Strange, Lightnin' Hopkins. First of four R.E.M. albums reviewed. I only know of R.E.M.'s hits, so it was a fresh listen for me. It wasn't a boring listening experience, but it wasn't pleasant one either. The sax solo was an odd choice in Fireplace. Michael's voice was screeching while holding some notes (eg in Strange "riiieeeeeeghht"). Many of the songs sound similar to me. I might change my mind when I listen to Automatic For The People or Murmur. At least one R.E.M needs to be on this list. Document isn't it IMHO. Overall: 4/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 4/4 positive. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints (at time of writing).
Highlights: Man at C&A, Sock It To ‘em J.B., Holiday Fortnight. In a nutshell: drawn out album by two-tone/ska heavyweights. I can hear elements of Northern Soul and avant pop on here. More Specials has some good moments, however not enough to earn a high mark. I’d imagine that The Specials would be incredible live. Overall: 4/10
Highlights: Strength of Strings, From A Silver Phial A commercial flop upon release, praised by critics, dubbed as "a lost masterpiece" years after Clark's death. Think Neil Young but with blues/jazz/gospel flourishes. Some long songs but they don't feel long. This will require repeat listens to appreciate No Other. Give it a chance. Overall 6/10
First thought: is this Australian hip hop? *Checks Wikipedia* nope, Jurassic 5 are from LA. "Alternative hip hop". Okay. I can get into that. Think A Tribe Called Quest/De La Soul but with the tempo of a heartbeat. I didn't mind it. It wasn't blown out of the water awesome. Overall: 5/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints (yet).
Highlights: Sure Shot, Tough Guy, Root Down, Sabrosa, Sabotage, Flute Loop, Transitions. It's okay: Bobo On the Corner, Get It Together, Ricky's Theme. Not my fave: B-Boys Makin' With The Freak Freak. First of three Beastie Boys albums reviewed. It's a long album by current standards (59:37). Could do with a trim to make it 40 minutes and release other songs separately. Overall: 7/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
All songs sound 'meh' to me. This must have been a popular album (underground or mainstay) upon release. I just don't dig it. You might like this if you like Tears For Fears or Joe Jackson. Overall: 1/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Positive: 2, Neutral: 1, Negative: 1. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
In a nutshell: one of the last great concept albums of the century. If you’re already familiar with the album, try listening in “original vinyl version” track list order (see the Wikipedia page for details) so you can get a different listening experience. Overall: 8/10
Without clicking on the Wikipedia tl;dr, the album sleeve design of a focused musician indicated to me early 60s jazz. Correct! Four track album that runs under 35 minutes got my attention. Was prepared for drawn out tunes. Pressed play... and I liked it. The vibe goes from chill to frantic then a slow, rousing coda. One or more of these tracks is something that would suit a lazy Sunday morning or while cooking dinner. Overall: 7/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Highlights: The Magic Number, Eye Know, Tread Water, Say No Go, In a nutshell: old school sampling meets late 80’s hip hop, but not as you know it. I don’t think anyone had heard anything like this album (maybe Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation…?) at the time. It’s not my thing. I definitely appreciate this album’s importance to music history and I do like the fusion of rap, jazz and sampling. Also, damn you De La Soul for inventing the hip hop skit! (shakes fist at sky) Overall: 6/10
A work of pure genius. If you haven't heard of this album or of The Avalanches, put everything you know about sampling aside. This album puts the samples front and centre. Every song is a collage of sounds lifted from obscure vinyls found in thrift shops and pasted together to create a sonic journey. It is an engineering feat to create an (18 track!) dance album in the late 90s with minimal studio interference. And it doesn't sound messy. Robbie and Darren didn't keep track of how many samples were used. Numbers range between 200 and 3500. Based on the website WhoSampled, I'd say over 800 samples sounds about right. This number includes a handful of samples used throughout the album to tie it all together. It's a nice foreshadowing tool. Example - the horse neighs from Frontier Psychiatrist (Track 13) make an appearance in Stay Another Season (Track 2). It may not be to everyone's taste but The Avalanches deserve credit for creating a complex DIY album. Brace yourself for a long ride, but a fun one. Overall: 9/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Complaints at time of writing.
I think it’s one of those albums that resonated more in the 70’s and rode the wave of the band’s (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) commercial success. Excellent guitar work by Stephen Stills, as one would expect. Not an album I’d play again. Overall: 3/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: neutral. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
It feels like the band relied heavily on the formula that worked for them. Pity. Skip this album and listen to Electric Warrior instead. Overall: 2/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 3/3 positive. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Formulaic hard rock songs. Grew bored after 'Live To Win'. Overall: 3/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 5/5 Positive. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Nice transition between some songs. Interesting use of samples/loops. But that's about it. The album is laced with hip hop cliches ("one-two", name dropping, self referentials) and IT'S JUST TOO DAMN LONG. It's 77:55?! This could have been a great album, especially with Common collaborating with genre heavyweights (D'Angelo, Questlove, J Dilla) but it doesn't deliver for me. Overall: 3/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Folktronica. Let that word settle in. How does it make you feel? The Beta Band play with trip hop, electronica, experimental rock and a touch of folk to make an album "something completely incredible, that didn't sound like anything else..." You have to give the band credit - they succeeded in their brief. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. Overall: 4/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
In a nutshell- Latin rock, Chicano rock and blues musicians meet in a bar... Went in only knowing Oye Como Va and Black Magic Woman, left appreciating Carlos and his band. WOW! There's a noticeable flow to it. Each band member's skills are on show. Carlos seems to work WITH the band rather than above the band. Truth be told, I'd listen to 70's Santana over Eric Crapton anyday. Overall: 7/10
Highlights: Broken English, Guilt, The Ballad of Lucy Jordan, Working Class Hero, Why D'Ya Do It. Lyrically iconic. Sonically unique. Marianne Faithfull establishes mood and beat from the get go. Wikipedia labels this as new wave but it waltzes with and away from said category. And I don't hear any filler! So many gutsy and captivating lyrics are to be found, from the title track ("It's not my reality. It's just an old war. Not even a cold war... What are you fighting for?") to the closer 'Why D'Ya Do It'. The final track is a spiteful, yet eloquent piece reminiscent of an X-rated Patti Smith poem ("When I stole a twig from our little nest and gave it to a bird with nothing in her beak, I had my balls and my brains put into a vice and twisted around for a whole fucking week" And that's the 'tame' lyrics!). The common complaint of Faithfull is her voice and crass lyrics. Yes, it's not for everyone. Thus the basis of its appeal (am I a hypocrite for complaining about Michael Stipe's voice and not Marianne's? Probably). You NEED to listen to this album. Perfect length (36:35), challenging and thought provoking. Give it a chance. Overall: 9/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 5/5 positive. Not rated on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Note: Spotify has pulled all but two songs from this album ('Believe' and 'Love and Hope'), so this review is based on the two songs I had access to. The two songs I listened to are a jumble of genres including (wince) "rap rock". Not my thing. Overall: 2/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints or 1001 Album Club (at time of writing)
Highlights: The Virgin, White Light, One In A Hundred, Tears of Rage. If you remember The Byrds and like Dylan's earlier albums, look no further. It's nice. This is folk rock album you can enjoy while slowly sipping a drink and watch the summer sun set. Overall: 6/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Highlights: Mannish Boy, I Want To Be Loved #2, Deep Down In Florida, Crosseyed Cat. The thing I’ve learned about blues from this project is that songs of this genre follow a template but it’s rarely boring. You can appreciate the solos and the musicians jamming. Some tracks on this album didn’t need to be over 4 minutes - a common complaint of mine is song length- but I’m guessing that it’s a live studio album, so you roll with it (perhaps the band is in one room and does it all in one take? I don’t have a good enough ear to make a distinction). Overall: 6.5/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Highlights: Date With The Night, Black Tongue, No No No, Y Control. It's okay: Tick, Maps, Poor Song. Not my fave: Modern Romance. For context, this album was released in the same month as "Elephant" by The White Stripes. It's difficult to not compare Jack and Meg White with Karen O, Nick Zenner and Brian Chase- two garage rock revivalists blazing their own trails, two albums that sound similar and slightly different. IMHO, ending the album with 'Y Control' or 'Poor Song' (forgo Modern Romance or relegate it to a hidden track) would be the better choice. I have a soft spot for the band's follow up album "Show Your Bones", so this may be skewing my opinion. Overall 6/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
"San Quentin, I hate every inch of you." The audio quality of this album is good given the time and location. Thankfully the banter between Johnny and the audience remains. I can't add more to what is already been said by many. This is an important live recording. Overall: 7/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing Overall: 7/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
“You still gotta make a decision- leave tonight, or live and die this way” A powerful debut album. Go listen. Now, if buskers can stop performing “Fast Car”, that would be great. Don’t get me started on *that* sped up cover. Overall: 7/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints at time of publication.
Cool album art. I got bored after track 3 for some reason. Will take the word of the Wikipedia article and associated references as being an important album for thrash metal. Overall: 4/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
In a nutshell: prime candidate for a film or game soundtrack. Early 90s house with a song played on chillout radio ad nausea ("Original") Overall: 3/10
Highlights: Up In The Skies, Spanish Castle Magic, If 6 Was 9, Castles Made of Sand. First of three Jimi Hendrix albums reviewed. Tl;dr: a series of groovy and trippy jams. Don't expect anything remarkable lyrics wise. Just enjoy the drums and guitar work. Overall: 6/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of publication.
Two things you need to do: 1. Remember that the album is a product of its time. Some lyrical content is cringe, offensive and/or sexist. Some of it is okay. The 90s were a weird decade, trust me. 2. Listen to the 1001 Album Complaints episode instead (Episode 127) Overall: 2/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club at time of writing.
In a nutshell: why listen to ABC’s Lexicon of Love when you can listen to a-ha, Duran Duran, Frankie Goes To Hollywood or The Buggles? The production is good though (courtesy of Trevor Horn). Overall: 2/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club (2 neutral, 3 negative). Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of publication.
Frantic surf punk meets psychobilly. I can imagine it being the pre-match music at a roller derby game. It would be an important album in the subgenre, it's just not for me. Overall: 3/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 5/5 positive Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
"nobody is excluded from my poking fun at. Nobody. I don't discriminate, I don't exclude nobody...If I do something fucked up, I'll make fun of myself - I'm not excluded from this..." Eminem. With that said, this was a difficult listen for me. I was in my mid teens when this album came out. My younger sister (13 at the time) was a fan and after hearing her crank The Real Slim Shady to 11 on repeat, I listened to the album myself. I was mortified. How the hell can someone record misogynistic, violent and homophobic lyrics and get away with being released?? Because, controversy sells. Retrospectively, it's still terrifying to listen to. There is a lot of dated references and cliched hip hop tropes ("mic check 1-2", name dropping, skits on albums). Instead of crossing the line between satirical and offensive, he pissed on the line while flipping the bird. The lyrics are definitely (a) offensive, even though you know the tracks were deliberately created to offend you (and now you're mad that you reacted the way you did), (b) darkly comic, (I didn't find it funny but I bet a small audience will) and (c) are a sharp jab at everyone and everything. Listen "The Way I Am" first, decide if you're prepared to hear more, then make your own conclusions. I won't be listening to this again, too many bad memories. As for you, brace yourself. Overall: 3/10
Highlights: I Ain’t The One, Tuesday’s Gone, Free Bird. In a nutshell: the go-to album for a 70’s movie soundtrack. A pleasant listening experience but not spectacular. Overall: 6/10
In a nutshell: indie folk revivalists that spawned many imitators. I *really* wanted to like this album, but I didn’t. A friend of mine calls this type of music as “beige”. Many songs sound alike and feel limp instead of stirring. I found myself comparing the album to folk rock/indie artists who came before, at the same time or just after (The Decemberists, Grizzly Bear, The Mountain Goats, Boy and Bear, Bright Eyes, The Middle East). The aforementioned, in my opinion, delivered better albums and are easier to listen to. However, I will give Fleet Foxes some credit for generating a renewed interest in the genre. Overall: 5/10.
In a nutshell: a case of sophomore album blues. Loops galore, glockenspiel, cowbell, handclaps… I don’t hear anything groundbreaking or new here. Overall: 2/10.
Highlights: Armenia City In The Sky, I Can See For Miles, Sunrise. It's okay: Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand Not my fave: Odorono, Tattoo, Silas Stingy. The first of five albums by The Who on this list. In 1967, the public would not have heard music like this before. Compared to the band's debut "My Generation", The Who's third album "The Who Sell Out" embraces the concept album format. Admirers of The Who's mod pop sensibilities will take solace in "I Can See For Miles", "Sunrise" and "Rael 1 & 2". It would have won new fans upon release. As to if this is The Who's best album- as many critics claim to be the case- I can't say for sure. We'll see. Overall: 6/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
First of four (4?!?!) Morrissey albums to be reviewed. In a nutshell: This *album* is full of crashing bores. The music and lyrics have aged badly. Save yourself the 48 minutes - skip it
Highlights: The Bells of St Mary. It's okay: Here Comes Santa Claus. Not my fave: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. Well played, Album Generator. Overall: 5/10. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Highlights: Unfinished Sympathy It's okay: Safe From Harm, Blue Lines Not my fave: One Love In a nutshell: an essential album for anyone new to triphop. By the way, stunned that Mezzanine isn't on the list! Overall: 6.5/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Highlights: Turkish Song of the Damned, Bottle of Smoke, Fairytale of New York, Fiesta, Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road to Dublin/The Galway Races, Sit Down By The Fire. It's okay: If I Should Fall From Grace With God, Thousands Are Sailing, Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six, The Broad Majestic Shannon. The gritty and dirty Pogues make a polished album, one of the best of the decade. I recommend you have the lyrics nearby before pressing play, sometimes Shane's singing voice renders some songs incomprehensible (jury is still out if it’s the thick accent or if it’s alcohol induced) After you finish this album, Google "Rockwiz Fairytale of New York". This live cover - featuring Tex Perkins, Clare Bowditch and backing band The RocKwiz Orkestra - is sentimental to many Australian music fans. You might just fall in love with Tex, Clare, the backing band or all of the above. Overall: 7/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club (5 positive). Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of writing.
Highlights: Roundabout, Cans and Brahms, Five Percent For Nothing, Heart of the Sunrise. First of three Yes albums reviewed. In a nutshell: Virtuoso prog rock. The band, along with album cover illustrator Roger Dean, build a universe with each song. Without the band’s new direction and the inclusion of Rick Wakeman on keys, rock music wouldn’t be the same. Some songs are long (Heart of Sunrise, America) but will give a free pass because they hold my attention. As for the “one song per member, the rest as a group” concept, it feels fractured to me. Reviewed by 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of publication. Overall: 6/10
Highlights: All I Want, Carey, Blue, California, A Case of You, This Flight Tonight, River, The Last Time I Saw Richard. It's okay: My Old Man, Little Green First of five Joni Mitchell albums reviewed. Blue is so close to perfect. The lyrics are deep, Couldn't quite dig Little Green, sounds like a cliched devotional to a hippy child. I didn't mind the length of the songs. If the composition and/or lyrics are right, any song over 4 minutes can be exceptional. Joni's vocal range is impressive (some quavering notes, but I forgive this. There is a wide range to cover with complex arrangements). I am swooning at the storytelling and world building lyrics. This is compulsory listening. Go buy this album. Overall: 9/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club (5/5 positive). Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of publication.
Wait, this was all recorded in a band member’s basement studio?! And it’s a debut? Wow. It’s a gear shift in music cannon and it was ruined by commercial radio overplayed the singles. Shame, because the music is good. Overall: 5/10
Highlight: We'll Let You Know It's okay: The National Front Disco Second of four Morrissey albums reviewed. Bland. Many success subs similar to me. Better than You Are the Quarry, but not by much. Overall: 3/10 Not reviewed on 1001 Album Club or 1001 Album Complaints at time of publication.
Highlights: Tears of Rage, The Weight. It's okay: This Wheel's on Fire, In A Station, Caledonia Mission, We Can Talk, I Shall Be Released. Not my fave: To Kingdom Come, Long Black Veil, Lonesome Suzie. TL;dr: a multi-genre album cooked in a basement studio. Harmonies, organ, piano and country/blues guitar jams. The only exposure I had to The Band was the Jennifer Saunders/Joanna Lumley karaoke cover of This Wheel's On Fire (which is the theme for the British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous) and this album's hit "The Weight" (one of the best songs of the late 60s and probably the best song about troubadour life that I can think of, probably ever). Music From Big Pink has occasional good moments but I was largely disinterested after track 5. My main complaint is that the vocals sound whiny. I know that this album is sentimental, nay important, to many classic rock music fans, so I'm not going to write off The Band completely. There's still the self titled follow up to review. Overall: 6/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club and 1001 Album Complaints at time of publication.
Highlights: Shapes of Things, Beck's Bolero. Not my fave: Greensleeves. Tl;dr: straightforward blues rock album full of covers. Wear your good earphones for this one. The bass and drums sometimes get lost in the mix if you're listening to this album on a streaming service. Rod Stewart scene steals and shows off his lyrical prowess on most tracks (he definitely sounds horned up). The Jimmy Page cameo is obviously awesome. The applause mixed in on Blues Deluxe was unnecessary, a little tacky IMHO. Also, isn't there already enough blues rock in the book anyway? P.S. people cite this album as early heavy metal. I don't hear the heavy metal roots on here. Show me where it is. Overall: 5/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club: 3/4 negative, 1/4 positive. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of publication.
Highlights: Sway, Bitch, Brown Sugar, Can't You Hear Me Knocking, Sister Morphine. It's okay: You Gotta Move, I Got The Blues, Dead Flowers, Moonlight Miles. Not my fave: Wild Horses First of six Rolling Stones albums reviewed. I have listened to the opening track dozens of times but didn't pay attention to the full lyrics until it was time to listen to this album. Sometimes I couldn't hear Mick's voice. Knew that there are slavery references in Brown Sugar (which is a little uncomfortable to hear) but was completely unaware of the real meaning of "tastes so good" (younger me thought it was about interracial kissing. Nope. It is not. How naive I was). It's hard - dark lyrics, problematic lyrics but the music is so good. Sticky Fingers is everything you would expect from a Stone's album - a fusion of dirty blues, country flourishes and balls to the wall rock guitar riffs. Overall: 7/10 Reviewed on 1001 Album Club. Not reviewed on 1001 Album Complaints at time of publication.
There is something missing from #1 Record and I can’t put my finger on it. It has the markings of the “your favourite indie rock band’s favourite album”. Pleasant listening though. Overall: 5/10
Highlights: I feel The Earth Move, So Far Away, It's Too Late, Home Again, Way Over Yonder, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman. Carole's hits from Tapestry are still hot, the lesser known songs are warm and satisfying listening. Name me five people from the 60's or early 70's who wrote songs for other people then became a singer-songwriter with critical success? I can't name one. Carole King wrote 7 and co-wrote 4 of the 12 tracks on Tapestry, so it's not really a cover album. Performing and recording aforementioned songs yourself when they are already in the public conscience would be a risky business decision for a record label. But it succeeds because it has energy, charm and composition strength. It's worthy of it's classic album status. Enough said. Overall: 9/10
A big departure from the glamourous Supernature and synth pop banger Black Cherry (both albums had hits, why aren't either of those on the list?!). I hear a bit of Dusty Springfield in "Clowns" and Katy Steele/Little Birdy throughout (specifically "Some People"). It just feels... beige. Beach House (self-titled, Devotion), Blonde Redhead (23), Au Revoir Simone (The Bird of Music), M83 (Before The Dawn Heals Us) and The Sleepy Jackson (Personality - One Was A Spider, One Was A Bird) released dreampop-esque albums in the same year or earlier and did it far better than Seventh Tree. Overall: 3/10
Prince deciding to make this a double album feels like a flex. Thankfully this was released as a palatable single LP in some countries. The hits (1999, Little Red Corvette) still pack a punch. Subsequent tracks are hit and miss, mostly due to the length. The funk driven drums and synth combo definitely have inspired artists to come. Odd choice to include women crying at the end of Automatic or the amused baby noise at the end of Delirious. We can trust Prince to perform each song at an epic scale. Many lyrics range from flirtatious to seductively sinister. Out of the three Prince albums on the list, this is the front runner for holding its place. Overall: 6/10
In a nutshell: short, fast, loud. Recorded by the pioneers of grindcore - a sub-genre that fuses punk, metal, industrial, anarchy and the kitchen sink. Not my kind of thing but feel that genre and sub-genre diversity is important for this project. Overall: 3/10.
In a nutshell: the origins of punk. Starts strong then runs out of steam midway. Overall: 5/10
In a nutshell: ambitious and haphazard passion project number 2. Overall: 2/10
Second of five Leonard Cohen albums reviewed. In a nutshell: Leonard Cohen not-really-sings-he-recites-poetry-in-his-baritone-voice about being ready to die. Again, Cohen is reliable for creating memorable lines. The music arrangement is consistent (the bass, bass synth, melotron, stripped back drums, strings etc) although cliched in my opinion. Overall: 6/10
Highlights: Precious, The Phone Call, Space Invaders, Kid, Brass In Pocket, Mystery Achievement. It's okay: Stop Your Sobbing. In a nutshell: You're in for a treat if you only know Brass In Pocket, there are some 80s new wave punk rock/guitar pop bangers on here. I can hear influences of Patti Smith, Iggy, The Kinks, maybe The Police. It's so satisfying to hear Chrissie mumble "fuck off" in Precious. Overall: 8/10
Highlights: Baba O'Reilly, Bargain, My Wife, Getting In Tune, Going Mobile, Behind Blue Eyes, Won't Get Fooled Again. Second of five albums by The Who on the list. Energetic, chaotic, heartfelt, progressive, skilled. Opens and closes strong, no filler. This is my favourite studio album by The Who (unless My Generation can convince me otherwise). Compulsory listening. Enough said. Overall: 9/10
In a nutshell: Marvin Gaye sings about being horny in 1973. Overall: 5/10
In a nutshell: acid house/rave music. If you like EDM, put on this album, turn off the lights, indulge in substance of choice and let the high take you away. It's not my jam, however I can see why this album made the book. Overall: 2/10.
Highlights: Rock ‘n’ Roll Star, Supersonic, Cigarettes and Alcohol. It’s okay: Digsy’s Dinner (aka Digsy’s Diner), Slide Away, Married With Children. In a nutshell: in Noel’s words, sung by brother Liam “You’re not down with who I am. Look at you now, you’re all in my hands tonight”. Decent debut but it doesn’t have that “it still sounds as awesome as it did thirty years ago” feeling for me. Overall: 6/10
In a nutshell: Messy. Bloated. Frantic. Confusing. You’ll either love it or despise it. It’s supposed to be a concept album but I don’t understand the brief. The bass and drums are amazing (the galloping beat, swoon!). Can hear the Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa and Aphex Twin influences; perhaps early My Chemical Romance or early Muse (Absolution was recorded at the same time as De-Loused and released in the same year). I’d say this is an influential album, just not for me. Overall: 5/10
Highlights: Autobahn, Kometenmelodie 1, Kometenmelodie 2. Second of three Kraftwerk albums reviewed. Robert Christgau, you were wrong. This is not inferior to Tubular Bells and it's unfair to compare Kraftwerk to Mike Oldfield. Layered, hypnotic, atmospheric. Never boring. Just close your eyes and picture yourself driving on a local highway for twenty minutes Autobahn), the car takes off into space; coasting in orbit (Kometenmelodie 1, Kometenmelodie 2), slowly returns to Earth at midnight (Mitternacht) before driving home as the sun rises (Morgenspaziergang). If you love Air's Moon Safari, you'll love Kometenmelodie 1 & 2. Overall: 9/10
Highlights: Ace of Spades, Stay Clean. In a nutshell: dad rock/hard rock, but live. If given the choice between this and Motörhead’s fourth album The Ace of Spades, I’d pick No Sleep til Hammersmith. Motörhead sound like a band better heard live and in their prime. Overall: 5/10
In a nutshell: bland psychedelic rock. Overall: 2/10
First of five Cohen albums reviewed. Highlights: The Stranger Song, Hey That's No Way to Say Goodbye, So Long Marianne. It's okay: Suzanne, Winter Lady, Stories of the Street. In a nutshell: wry heartbreak poetry set to stripped down music. This is where it all began for Cohen, a Canadian poet who became a singer-songwriter. No baritone singing here, more folk standard singing voice akin to Donovan. The overuse of "and" as a sentence starter was irritating. Some songs were longer than necessary. BUT, there are fantastic lines within ("you held onto me like I was a crucifix" from So Long, Marianne). It's a decent debut, but not spectacular album for me. Overall: 7/10
Highlights: Jacqueline, Take Me Out, The Dark of the Matinee, Darts of Pleasure. Yes, yes, I get the comparisons to The Strokes, BUT Franz Ferdinand did it better. Sexy, witty, slick, catchy as all hell. Jacqueline is an underrated opener. Take Me Out still gets your toes tapping. Nostalgia might be tingeing my review, but fuck it. Overall: 9/10
In a nutshell: uninteresting alternative country that is okay for background music. Overall: 1/10
I can’t slot this album neatly into a sub-genre. Alternative country? Easy listening folk? It’s not quite country and not quite folk. The deadpan sing-speaking throughout is boring (reminds me of The National’s Matt Berninger baritone voice, but without the charisma). One point for the line “All my fine memories are fucking me down” in ‘Eid Ma Clack Shaw’. Overall: 1/10
Second of four Steely Dan albums reviewed. In a nutshell: more of the same formula of jazz rock arrangements and strange lyrics. But it works. Steely Dan released an album a year between 1972 and 1977. Four of those five are on the list (Can't Buy A Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, Pretzel Logic and Aja). Pretzel Logic seemed like a last roll of the dice for Steely Dan as Ecstasy did not get traction on the charts. Logic's first single 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number' was a hit. Any artist with three or more albums on the list will face this conundrum: is there charted growth and/or change in sound between albums? You can see the progress made between Thrill and Aja. I *kinda* see some evidence of growth between Thrill and Logic. It's not the Steely Dan album I'd recommend to a new listener (my pick is Katy Lied, which isn't on the list. Maybe Aja depending on the person). Not terrible, but not as memorable as Aja. Overall: 4/10
Highlights: Lovely Head, Paper Head, Human, Felt Mountain. In a nutshell: electro-cabaret mystery tour. Whimsical, eerie, romantic, experimental. Can see the comparisons to Portishead, Felt Mountain is downtempo and ambient. Touches of 60’s Shirley Bassey. I dig it. Overall: 7/10
In a nutshell: a starter pack to early punk rock. The only bummer on this album is the slow track "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend", which sounds like it was played under duress. Overall: 8/10
In a nutshell: groovy British Invasion band from the Midwest that try to sound like everyone else but themselves. Strong composition, kinda bluesy, kinda psychedelic pop. Overall: 6/10
Highlights: Bookends Theme, Overs, Mrs Robinson. Second of three Simon and Garfunkel albums reviewed. A concept album that haphazardly explores the chaos of life. However, the duo seem to ditch this great idea at the end of Side A. Side B sounds disjointed, even with the inclusion of runaway hit from The Graduate “Mrs Robinson”. The album would have more impact if the duo dedicated themselves to one theme and given more time to overcome their writer’s block. Is it me or is Paul’s vocals mixed louder on most songs compared to Art’s? I noticed this when reviewing Bridge Over Troubled Water. Overall: 5/10
Highlights: Piano Joint, Another Human Being, Living In Denial, Hero, Final Days, Solid Ground. Holy hell. Michael Kiwanuka, this album is impressive! There is something special here. Modern Northern Soul, indie rock, funk and folk rock all thoughtfully blended. Dramatic yet personal. I was reminded of Donald Glover's "Awaken, My Love!" (released under the name Childish Gambino) and Leon Bridges while listening to Kiwanuka. Maybe Frank Ocean (channelorange era?). Yet Kiwanuka doesn't imitate Glover, Ocean or Bridges. He sounds like himself. I feel that albums need about 4-5 years breathing room before it can be considered as a 1001 Albums inclusion. Hype around release and awards eligibility can hinder good judgement sometimes. At time of publication, this album just snuck in as it was approaching 4.5 years since it's release date. It gets to thumbs up from me. Kiwanuka is a treasured find. Overall: 8/10
In a nutshell: uninspiring and mostly bland psychedelic rock/folk/country rock. This could have been good. It’s not. I don’t hear anything different or new compared to other albums released in the late sixties that can be found on the 1001 Albums list. Save your time. Listen to Crosby Stills Nash and Young or The Byrds instead. Overall: 2/10
Highlight: St Olav's Gate This is how I imagine American country music sounded like in the 80s to early 90s - mellow, tough, delicate. Country with a touch of folk. Perhaps country pop? Nanci described her style as "folkabilly". The charm wore off by track 6 unfortunately. Overall: 5/10
In a nutshell: "The Monkees on acid" YouTube user. Overall: 1/10
In a nutshell: pleasant, minimalist jazz meets gentle samba (is it really bossy nova?). The kind of music you’d hear in a 4 plus star hotel lobby or you would play while cooking dinner. Overall: 6/10
I agree with previous reviews of this album - it sounds like a demo. The bare bones of QOTSA's trademark sound are there. The band just needed some experience and time to polish up (which is noticeable on sophomore release Rated R and third album Songs For The Deaf) Overall: 5/10
In a nutshell: a country concept album that WORKS! Stripped back composition. Consistent and engaging story. I’m not a country/western music lover, but I liked this. Overall: 8/10
In a nutshell: mellow protest album influenced by reggae and ska. Sounds more ambient dub than mainstream reggae. Always appreciate a DIY/made on a shoestring album. It’s unfortunate that the variety in the backing beat is missing. Overall: 5/10
Today I learned: Herbie Hancock dabbled in funk. Up until now I identified Hancock with jazz and their standards. I like that he experimented with different sounds in Head Hunters. Fusing two or more genres can ordinarily lead to a half baked album. Not this one. It feels light and thoughtfully composed. Hancock wanted it to be ‘tethered’. In his words “… I was beginning to feel that we (the Mwandishi sextet) were playing this heavy kind of music, and I was tired of everything being heavy. I wanted to play something lighter.” Mission accomplished, Herbie. Well done. Overall: 7/10
I thought I would hate ”You’re Living All Over Me” after hearing J.Mascis live. He overused feedback and distortion. But it’s actually okay. It’s kinda, tactile? I think Dinosaur Jr’s music was created for you to feel each note. The guitars remind me of The Ramones and Motörhead. J Mascis with his droning/monotone vocals has a Neil Young touch (J cites Nick Cave as an influence, which I can hear as well). This is an eighties album that sounded way ahead of its time. Perhaps shaping what was to come with 90’s grunge. It’s not my thing, however I feel that at least one Dinosaur Jr needs to be on the list. Overall: 6/10
This album seemed to be an experiment, a departure from the main stable of Motown. I can see why people refer to it as Stevie's Classic era: the delightful backing harmonies, his layered vocals, killer guitars, use of Moog and clavinet. These instruments are not overused and they didn't bore me. Some songs (You And I, Lookin' For Another Pure Love) were too saccharine for my liking. Maybe Your Baby didn't need a 2 minute long "repeat until fade" outro. I feel that this album needed another upbeat funk song to balance the "slow dance" tunes. Overall: 6/10
Highlights: Ole Man Trouble, A Change Is Gonna Come, Down In The Valley, Shake. Ten out of eleven tracks were recorded in 24 hours. You don’t see that everyday. It is a covers album plus two originals but damn it’s good! Swagger filled, crisp backing ensemble (all-star cast, no spoilers on who). Otis belting with all his might. The cover of Satisfaction was a left field choice. I couldn’t dig it but appreciated the attempt. Overall: 7/10
In a nutshell: in the words of the man himself "plastic soul". It pains me to say this as a Bowie fan- it's not his best album on the list. Title track obviously rocks. Lots of filler. Fame sounded out of place on the album. Supremely talented musicians and vocalists on this album. Overall: 5/10
In a nutshell: excellent first single surrounded by generic indie folk. I was only familiar with the first single (Two Weeks) before listening to this album. The swirling blend of chamber pop, baroque pop and indie rock on Two Weeks was a delight. Disappointed to learn that the experimental sound didn’t carry through to the rest of the album. Instead, I heard bland songs I would expect from Fleet Foxes. Overall: 2/10
Highlights: Take A Bow, Supermassive Black Hole, Map of the Problematique, Exo-politics, Knights of Cydonia. In a nutshell: singing stadium rock style songs of dystopia and new world order. I remember playing this album on repeat for months, and in retrospect... it sounds like a mishmash of Depeche Mode, Radiohead and Queens of the Stone Age (the latter was not cited as an influence). Knights of Cydonia still kicks ass. Overall: 6/10
Sound familiar? Two of the three members of the Minutemen started a new band. It's good punk influenced indie, but it's unnecessary to have this album on the list when Double Nickels on the Dime is already on there. Overall: 4/10
So close to perfect. I can only nitpick. The outro to Hummer was too long. Sweet Sweet is nice but only a filler track. I would have placed Luna elsewhere on the album and ended the album with Silverfuck. This was a first time listen for me, and it was a joy. Overall: 9/10
Highlights: Shining Star, Happy Feelin’, Africano. Most songs are easy to bop your head too. It was jarring to hear mini jams tagged onto the end of tracks (especially the closing song!). These outros spoil the vibe for me. Good, but not great. Overall: 6/10
Highlights: Jacksonville, A Short Reprise…, Casimir Pulaski Day, To The Workers… In a nutshell: “Wes Anderson vibes” (my first note when I heard the opening track) Abstract, spiritual and surreal storytelling, with music likely inspired by Neil Young, Bright Eyes, The Shins, The Polyphonic Spree and Elliott Smith (maybe Belle and Sebastian?) It’s an acquired taste for sure. Overall: 5/10
In a nutshell: live, cosy jazz. Endearing persona, lovely voice, great backing band. I appreciate it, but it somehow feels…soulless? Perhaps a little flat compared to Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. The only other good thing going it’s one of the earliest live albums on the list. Sorry, Sarah. It’s a no from me. 4/10
Highlights: This Is Hardcore, TV Movie, A Little Soul, I'm A Man, Seductive Barry, Glory Days. It's okay: The Fear, Party Hard, Help The Aged, Sylvia, The Day After The Revolution. In a nutshell: glam era Bowie, Bryan Ferry crooning (a la Roxy Music) and Britpop "kitchen sink drama" lyrics all rolled into one. Jarvis, are you trying to seduce me? ;) Overall: 7/10
In a nutshell: bloated final album that needs to cite Talking Heads (see American Dream) as an influence on top of Berlin-era Bowie. Overall: 1/10
A disengaging and disappointing listen. Can hear the California punk influence, but that's about it. Where are the "punch in the guts" moments users are referring to? The songs are unnecessarily long too. If I wanted to listen to post-hardcore, I'd listen to Fugazi or mclusky, who did this way better. I reckon Yank Crime might win over fans of post-punk/post-hardcore, so I'll give it that. Overall: 3/10
Highlights: The Good’s Gone, My Generation, The Kids Are Alright, Please Please Please, I’m A Man, The Ox. In a nutshell: a solid debut album. And one not made entirely of covers, huzzah! Overall: 8/10
Highlights: Battery, Welcome Home (Sanatorium), Disposable Heroes, Orion In a nutshell: master of (thrash) metal Came into this familiar with Metallica’s live album S&M and of course, Enter Sandman. Metal isn’t my thing…yet this album was surprisingly good. I can see why many teens from the late eighties through to the nineties idolised early Metallica- challenging instrument work (especially the drums!), thoughtful pace with tracks, lyrics of blistering angst… I need to give the band props for their endurance and building an album with little filler. I give Metallica a reluctant pass for the song length. This Puppets was not made for radio. This needs to be heard at least once all the way through. Or just listen to Orion and see how you go. Overall: 7.5/10
Highlights: Blue Orchid, The Denial Twist. It's okay: Instinct Blues, As Ugly As I Seem. Not my fave: The Nurse, Forever For Her. It's not their best album. Thankfully it was dropped in future editions (was not in 2018 edition). The inclusion of a xylophone (The Nurse) and a toy piano (Red Rain) was jarring for me. The ukelele thrash was nice (Little Ghost). What I struggled with most is the lack of variation with guitar, piano and percussion (eg does My Doorbell and The Denial Twist sound similar? I swear I heard similar drum beat and piano chords here and throughout the album). Overall: 4.5/10
This sounds like a stripped back kind of punk rock. “Beyond and Back” tends to flirt with rockabilly as well (could this be the origins of punkabilly?). With repeat listens, I know the band will grow on me. It’s nice. Overall: 6/10
The problem with reviewing this album is that it was released in the era when the LP format was still new. It sounds like a compilation and the songs sound mostly the same. But just like The Everly Brothers and BB King, Buddy Holly and The Crickets are important to music cannon. They inspired the next generation of musicians. That in itself gives this album a passing grade from me. Overall: 5/10
'With "The Bends", Radiohead found their voice ... No other contemporary band has managed to mix such a cocktail of rage, sarcasm, self-pity, exquisite tunefulness and braininess.' Nick Hornby - Radiohead Gets Farther Out (The New Yorker, 22nd October 2000) Before you listen to this album, "Anybody Can Play Guitar" or "Stop Whispering" from the band's studio debut Pablo Honey. Finished? Now start The Bends. Can you hear the difference? I can. This is a band's charted growth in action. It's a classic for a reason. Tip: If Thom's voice annoys you, focus on the instruments and the background flourishes (grand and subtle). This is compulsory listening. Enough said. Overall: 9/10
Highlights: School, Bloody Well Right, Asylum, If Everyone Was Listening, Crime of the Century. In a nutshell: think Yes meets 10cc. There’s nothing sonically groundbreaking on this album (a mixed bag of prog, pop rock and art rock, proto-yacht rock?), but it’s inoffensive. Didn’t mind it. Overall: 7.5/10
In a nutshell: It’s not their best, and it’s not their worst. This was recorded when the band was fracturing so there’s a lot of material that is “let’s mess around and see what sticks”. That’s the vibe I got anyway. John goes bluesy and avant garde, Paul indulges more in self penned ragtime/vaudville-esque tunes. George truly shines with While My Guitar Gently Weeps* (which is easily one of my top ten favourite Beatles songs of all time) and Ringo does a solid job of closing the album with Good Night. Should it have been a double album? No. I think it could have been a great single LP**. Yet again, we would not have known that The Beatles could still record downright weird and batshit crazy music without LSD. Overall: 6/10 *If you haven’t seen the 2004 R&RHOF live performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, find it immediately. It’s a loving tribute to George on his induction as a solo artist and you get to see Prince shred at the end. **This is my contribution to the “what if The White Album was released as a single record?” argument. With this cut, we get two George songs, Paul’s strongest tracks are there, a “John with Yoko” track is included and we finish with a Ringo song: SIDE A: Back In The USSR, Dear Prudence, Glass Onion, Mother Nature’s Son, I’m So Tired, Blackbird, Julia, I Will. (Side A length: 20:44) SIDE B: While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Sexy Sadie, Helter Skelter, Long Long Long, Goodnight. (Side B length: 21:39) Tracks relegated to singles and B-sides: Birthday, Cry Baby Cry, Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da, Don’t Pass Me By.
Highlights: Fuck Me Pumps, I Heard Love Is Blind, No Greater Love, Take The Box, Help Yourself, Amy Amy Amy. In a nutshell: the cis-female Millennial's companion to love, loss and desperation. Ethereal high notes (the end of Take The Box, wow!). Smart and crushing lyrics about shitty relationships ("But you made me cry, where's my kiss goodbye? I think I love you"). A vocal style that flirts with ska, soul, hip-hop and R&B. The reuse of tweeting birds got old quick, as did the split songs (Intro, Cherry). It's not perfect. It doesn't need to be. It's as rough, tough and vulnerable as Amy was. Overall: 7/10
In a nutshell: if a drunk Nick Cave smoked 4 packs a day and sang the blues. Overall: 6/10
Bland, uninspiring, same-sounding. Skip this. The Monkees are more of a singles band than an album band. I’d put “Last Train To Clarksville” on the 1001 Songs list. This album does not belong on the 1001 Albums list.
Highlights: Them Changes, Lava Lamp, Day and Night, Show You The Way, Tokyo. In a nutshell: third album by bassist and producer extraordinare that doesn't take itself seriously. Smashing electro-jazz, funk, hip-hop, soul, yacht rock and pop into bite sized songs. It's tasty. The flavour doesn't last til the very end (once I reached Drink Dat I found my low point). Definitely read the 'Songs' section of the album's Wikipedia entry as you go to get an idea of what you're in for. Overall: 6.5/10
You only need to hear their cover of Tainted Love. The rest of the album is just taking the piss. Overall: 2/10
It's difficult to score this live album fairly because this was a visual experience as it is sonic- it featured suspended animation, dancers and light shows. That doesn't always translate into listening the album at home. However, Hawkwind definitely influenced future prog rock/stoner rock/space rock artists (case in point: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard). Overall: 5/10
Highlights: Feel It, Twistin' The Night Away, Somebody Have Mercy, We're Having A Party. RCA thought this was too raw and gritty. They were wrong. The label was gutless about releasing it, wanting to preserve Sam's on stage persona. Sure, the sound quality isn't spectacular (perhaps a single mic job?). You can barely hear the horns and guitar, which sound lush when you get to hear them clearly. Sam's voice is crisp and oh so slick. But in saying that, it's likely to be one of the best live recordings of the early 60's. It's down-to-earth compared to Cooke's tv performances. Crowd is loud, the band is playing mightily, EVERYONE is having fun. I wonder if James Brown took notes from Sam Cooke... Overall: 7.5/10
Highlights: Even Flow, Jeremy, Porch, Garden. In a nutshell: a pillar of the Seattle sound. Ten by Pearl Jam is easily one of the best debut studio albums of the 90s. Haunting and piercing are the only words I have to describe songs not overplayed on the radio. PS. if you have the original CD, you will find a secret track which starts at the end of Release (I miss the days of secret tracks on albums). Enjoy! Overall: 8/10
In a nutshell: Arctic Monkeys frontman forms a supergroup… but they don’t play indie rock. I am flummoxed by this album. The lyrics are great, there is an ambitious utilisation of a symphony orchestra (which I applaud)… it feels thoughtfully made but it’s music I’ve heard before. If you like Morricone, early Bond movie soundtracks and an orchestra presence that rivals Belle and Sebastian’s Dirty Dream Number Two you’ve got a surprise in store. Overall: 4/10
The band is slick. Pleasant listening. The Atomic Mr Basie would be a good entry point for appreciating jazz/swing. Overall: 7/10
Highlights: Cry Baby, Half Moon, Buried Alive In The Blues, Me and Bobby McGee, Trust Me. “I have to have the ‘umph.’ I’ve got to feel it, because if it’s not getting through to me, the audience sure as hell aren’t going to feel it either.” Janis Joplin ‘Soul blues’ is the best description for Joplin’s sound on Pearl. I was impressed by this album. Knew the hits, but was not anticipating to be stunned by the whole package. You can feel the longing, the passion, the raw emotions of the band AND Janis. They all go hard. It’s a must listen. Overall: 9/10
In a nutshell: Eminem - storyteller, nightmare creator. As much as I abhor Eminem’s amateurish production and cringey lyrics, I feel that one Eminem album needs to be on the list. Eminem shook the music world in the late 90’s. Barely anyone heard music like this before 1999. Part of my rating rationale includes this clause: “any album on the list released less than 18 months apart requires further scrutiny.” The Slim Shady LP and Marshall Mathers LP were released 15 months apart. The difference between the two is a maturation of sound (an oxymoron but it’s true) on the Marshall Mathers LP compared to The Slim Shady LP. Skip this album. Listen to the follow-up instead. Overall: 1/10
Highlights: Weary, Mad, Don't Touch My Hair. In a nutshell: an album dedicated to identity, soul searching and self-empowerment. I must give Solange praise for making a deeply personal album (pardon the cliche). The self-estrangement, connection and healing process that happens to all of us is unique, sacred and intrinsic. And beautiful. Go in with an open mind. Concentrate on the lyrics. Neo-soul and modern R&B may not be everyone's taste, but stay with it. Overall: 7/10