658
Albums Rated
2.78
Average Rating
60%
Complete
431 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2000
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Critic
Rater Style ?
40
5-Star Albums
80
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
|
5 | 2.62 | +2.38 |
|
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
|
5 | 2.66 | +2.34 |
|
Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
|
5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
|
Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
|
5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
|
Woodface
Crowded House
|
5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
|
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
George Michael
|
5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
|
The Real Thing
Faith No More
|
5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
|
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
|
Virgin Suicides
Air
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
|
1 | 3.63 | -2.63 |
|
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
|
1 | 3.63 | -2.63 |
|
In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
|
1 | 3.62 | -2.62 |
|
Moving Pictures
Rush
|
1 | 3.56 | -2.56 |
|
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
|
1 | 3.54 | -2.54 |
|
Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
|
1 | 3.43 | -2.43 |
|
Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
|
1 | 3.43 | -2.43 |
|
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
|
1 | 3.41 | -2.41 |
|
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
|
1 | 3.4 | -2.4 |
|
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 4 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.75 |
| Peter Gabriel | 2 | 5 |
| Beatles | 5 | 4.2 |
| Nick Drake | 3 | 4.33 |
| U2 | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Springsteen | 5 | 1.4 |
| Miles Davis | 4 | 1.5 |
| Yes | 2 | 1 |
| Wilco | 2 | 1 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 2 | 1 |
| Kanye West | 2 | 1 |
| Dexys Midnight Runners | 2 | 1 |
| Aerosmith | 2 | 1.5 |
| Mudhoney | 2 | 1.5 |
| Motörhead | 2 | 1.5 |
| Sonic Youth | 2 | 1.5 |
| Ryan Adams | 2 | 1.5 |
| Pere Ubu | 2 | 1.5 |
| Elvis Costello & The Attractions | 3 | 2 |
| Talking Heads | 4 | 2.25 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Michael Jackson | 5, 2 |
| Barry Adamson | 1, 4 |
5-Star Albums (40)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Thelonious Monk · 16 likes
1/5
Just annoying.
It’s like they are constantly warming up and I spent the album waiting for them to start playing something.
Syd Barrett · 6 likes
5/5
I know that this album will be unfairly judged.
It may seem indulgent, pretentious and just silly. It may also seem like people were taking advantage of Syd in the editing and recording of the album.
It also speaks volumes about drug induced mental illness.
However it also peeps behind the curtain of an extremely influential and respected singer songwriter without whom there would be no pink Floyd, as it is today, or even at all.
I love this album and I love syd Barrett
This album definitely belongs on this list.
Machito · 4 likes
2/5
Not in the mood.
Fucking jazz, it’s up there with the harmonica as my least favorite type of music.
The War On Drugs · 4 likes
1/5
This album is completely unremarkable. It has no business being on this list.
Spiritualized · 4 likes
1/5
I thought I would like this album, reading a bit about it before listening. How wrong I was.
How this album made it into this challenge is beyond me.
1-Star Albums (80)
All Ratings
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Not a massive reggae fan, I find it all a bit same sounding.
Nice and relaxing, but not my go-to genre
Talking Heads
3/5
Pretty good album, I like talking heads, haven’t put this on for a long time! I get fed up with the remixes at the end of albums
ABBA
4/5
when I kissed the teacher - lol
Count Basie & His Orchestra
2/5
Enjoyable for a change - might be a classic but not my thing
The Smiths
4/5
I enjoyed listening to this album much more than I thought I would. I think its probably my favorite so far in this 4 year challenge, which says more about the previous 4 albums than this one!!!
The Temptations
4/5
This album was excellent! I loved it and it is the very reason I undertook this challenge. This is the first album in the challenge I am grateful for being introduced to. Live track 2 and 3 the most!
So much groove! Just knocked this back to 4.
Adele
4/5
A beautiful album. Lacks the impact of her first 2 album but the songwriting is much more mature.
Fav track - hello
The Bees
2/5
I liked this album, very easy to listen to.
Not my ‘go-to’ elevator music but I’m glad I heard it.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Great Album, more from a nostalgic sense than any other. I like the Pet Shop Boys but probably more of a 'greatest hits' fan.
fave track - Its a sin ;-)
Metallica
4/5
Fuck yeah! Metallica’s most awesome album! Not a bad track in there (actually there 5 tracks I never listen to, but the other tracks more than make up for them!)
Just revisiting this one - knocked it down a star, seemed appropriate considering some of the awesome albums I have given 4 stars to!
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Although I have heard the occasional song, I have never listened to a Joan Armatrading album start to finish. I loved it! Really great guitar playing and sound.
Made me want to pick up my guitar.
Loved - tall in the saddle
Edit - what a great album for a lazy Saturday morning lay in bed!
Elliott Smith
2/5
Considering how acclaimed this artist is its strange that I have never heard of him. Strong late Beatles vibes. Interesting death!!!!
Fav track - Son of Sam
Yes
1/5
No
See what I did there! lol
Listened to it a few times, I think that was the problem.
Bobby Womack
4/5
Short listen - the first three tracks were GEO locked :-(
I really liked listening to this and it made me realise that I don't listen to enough Soul!
So COOL!
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
I do like the bet shop boys but found this album to be a little boring?
Ice Cube
4/5
This is an awesome album and artist. Love this old school hip hop with the skits between tracks.
Great listen!
Stan Getz
2/5
Not my thing. Nice background music
Billie Holiday
4/5
This is a beautiful album, such an iconic voice. I really enjoyed this album her voice is so emotional. Recorded in the last year of her short life. Pretty special
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Looking forward to this one!! You can hear the influence they had on some of my favourite bands like Radiohead, the cure and joy division. Cutting edge stuff for the late 70s.
The Lemonheads
2/5
I’m not exactly sure why I would need to listen to this album before I die? It was OK, but pretty bland jangle pop. Meh from me.
Moby
4/5
I was obsessed with this album in 99!
I feel Iike I know it backwards. There are some absolute bangers on this album.
I know there is controversy around his sampling (and not paying) which is pretty shit, but he made some great tunes with them!!
Did a bit of reading about Moby over the weekend, he sounds like an absolute twat! lol
Beatles
4/5
Almost my fav Beatles album! This was great to listen to and it made me realise how long its been since I popped a whole Beatles album on!
Loved it!! I imagine most of their discography will be in this project.
Harry Nilsson
1/5
Sorry just didnt like this one at all.
WTF is the Coconut song!!
Janis Joplin
4/5
Ahh Janis, such an amazingly soulful voice.
At 27 she died so young and this album was released 3 months after her death.
What an amazing singer songwriter !
Awesome!
Nina Simone
3/5
Such a beautiful, emotional, honest voice. Nina Simone is gorgeous blues soul music I could listen to anytime.
The song four women is very powerful.
Marty Robbins
1/5
Another album I think I may have been fine to go to the grave without listening to. Might have scored better whilst watching a good spaghetti western!
Fela Kuti
3/5
I quite enjoyed the energy behind this album and I do love a long track like Zombie.
Not my usual thing but I’m glad I listened to it.
awful to think that this album led to the murder of his mum :-(
Snoop Dogg
3/5
I hadn’t heard this album before but hire enjoyed it. I get a bit fed up with the gangsta language and nonsense between tracks but on the whole thought this was quite a fun album.
I enjoy doggystyle ;-)
Japan
3/5
This was very interesting, I could hear Duran Duran, Roxy music, David Bowie, ultravox all through this album. The New Romantic synth pop era. Love it!
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Here we go again, probably a bit too soon after snoop. As much as I enjoy Doggystyle, this is much better, seems a bit more focused and serious.
I’m tired of the misogyny and the constant use of language that is not acceptable these days.
I enjoyed this album but I’m happy to have a rest from hip hop !
The Strokes
3/5
What a fucking awesome album!
I forgot how much I like the strokes
Bob Dylan
3/5
I struggle with Bob Dylan. He is a folk singer/songwriter and as such should be right in my wheelhouse BUT.....
Having seen and heard so many parody's and memes, its hard to take is distinctive singing style seriously. Just sounds like he is taking the piss?
3/5
This is the first album in this challenge (33 albums in) that I actually own a physical copy of!!
I lived in the uk at the height of this album’s battle with blur and listening to it again after so long was very nostalgic.
I saw them live at Shane festival and Liam Gallagher was a bit of a knob.
A nice slice of time!
Jane's Addiction
4/5
OMG I really enjoyed this album.
Highlight for me was Ted…just admit it.
There is an amazing remix/mash up version on the ‘natural born killers’ soundtrack.
What a great album!
Sepultura
2/5
I remember being in a band in the very early 90's and trying to sound like Sepultura! Not my fav genre of music but I enjoyed the nostalgic listen! Double bass drumming and guitar shredding at its finest.
We used to think this stuff was so serious, dark and edgy, now it just looks and sounds a bit silly. Orgasmatron lol
De La Soul
3/5
This was a very funky listen and obviously a pretty influential album. I do like old school hip hop. I'm ashamed to say that this is the first time I have listened to this record and my fav track is Eye Know, but they are all awesome!
Jethro Tull
3/5
Jethro Tull is a bit of a blind spot for me and im not sure why. I absolutely loved this album! I love a bit of Prog Rock and it reminded me a bit of early genesis. Who would have thought a flute would be center stage in a rock band lol!
The Go-Go's
3/5
Ha ha ha… Skidmarks on my heart ;-)
I really enjoyed this album and am so glad for this challenge as don't think they would have found their way onto my radar without it!
...Skidmarks on my heart
You can hear Belinda Carlisle trying to break free!
I think ill have a listen to some of their other stuff, when this challenge is over.
The Stooges
3/5
Well, they say that the first taste is with the eye - what an album cover! lol
I fucking love the track - wanna be your dog - and came across it on the lock stock soundtrack.
I love Iggy pop but don’t listen to him much
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
I'm sure this will be an unpopular opinion but I just don't know why Nick Cave is so revered. He just seems to spend an awful lot of time making sure he looks and sounds angst ridden and edgy. I like some of the soundtracks he has produced but find this solo stuff too 'up itself'. Cheer up Nick
Elton John
2/5
I don't know why, but I don't like Elton Johns music as much as I think I should! He has some absolute bangers and 'Tiny Dancer' is no exception. I often find myself belting out his songs, I loved the recent movie Rocketman and even read his biography last year. Despite this, I dont think I have ever put on an Elton John album on to listen to!!! It's very supermarket/elevator music and I enjoy it very much in the background, where I feel it belongs.
That said, he has much better albums than this one!
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
CCR - Here we go! I don’t hate CCR, I think the problem I have with them is because when I was young and interesting, I was in a band and we used to play covers of a lot of their songs so I think I overdosed on them! lol
They are a great band and have some absolute bangers, most of which are on this album.
David Bowie
4/5
There is a lot to love about this one, it's Bowie's soul album. Fame (the single was his first number 1 single). It's not my favorite Bowie album so i sincerely hope that there are a few more coming up in this challenged.
I love Young Americans (the single) and John, I'm only dancing. It's unfortunate that he decided to cover Across the Universe because its an awful version!
It gets a 4 just because its Bowie.
Paul McCartney
2/5
I love this album - its the best! 5 stars!!
(That was an account hack from someone I very much respect the opinion of, except when it comes to Paul McCartney albums x
Ok, full disclosure, I’m not a fan, but I can also acknowledge and respect musical genius. Imagine the pressure on this first album, post Beatles !!!
I listened to it twice and probably enjoyed it less the second time around. He is a legend but I’m just not that into him.
Dagmar Krause
2/5
What a way to end the week! Tank Battles was up against it right from the start as I had to listen to it via YouTube, an experience almost as irritating as some of these tracks.
I actually liked the album, it was like listening to a play with its peaks and troughs of emotion. I loved some tracks (Mother Beimlein and the opening whitewash track) but have no idea why!
I read a bit about it and it appears that the YouTube clip I listened to was only half the songs (30mins) but the full album is almost an hour. I spent a few minutes contemplating searching for the remaining tracks and then came to my senses.
I gave this a 3 because I like people brave enough to stick their heels in and produce avant- garde work.
Queen
4/5
I love queen! This is a great album. Such a camp album cover, sweaty and serious all at the same time! They look like they are playing twister!
Not the best, not the worst.
Its queen, its a solid 4!
Various Artists
3/5
I loved this album and it dropped at just the right time. He may have a thing for gunplay and occasionally accidentally murder romantic partners, despite this he certainly knows how to produce a record. What an awful human being.
My three stars are for the performers on this album.
Don McLean
4/5
Full disclosure, American pie is a very sentimental track for me, so regardless of the rest of the album, this was always going to rate well.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the rest of the album is awesome! He has such a beautiful voice and his songs tell such sincere stories. I love folk rock and this album hits a sweet spot.
I really enjoyed listening to this record!
Jeff Buckley
3/5
Full disclosure, I have always resisted Jeff Buckley, it just sounds so whiney and emo for me.
Whilst listening to the album, almost every track sounds like a lame, try hard version of a Radiohead song with pseudo Thom York vocals.
Then I put the timelines together and realised that the Jeff cart came before the Radiohead cart! Mind blown!!
I’m not saying that I have become a die hard Buckley fan, because I’m not, it just too whiney, miserable, emo, angst ridden for me to be into, but I have given him a three star review because, he MUST have influenced Radiohead, so for this he needs to be recognised.
It is a shame that he died so young, it would have been interesting to see in what direction his next couple of albums went!
I’m glad I listened to this whole album.
Mariah Carey
2/5
This was quite amusing. I popped this album on this morning and started to do a bit of work, occasionally pausing to zone in on the ridiculous high and irritating vocal whistling technique she is famous for.
Almost every song sounded the same, the evidence for which was accidentally listening to it 2.5 times without even noticing!
I'm sure her voice is unique, amazing and celebrated but the songs on this album were just so 'background'. Nothing stood out for me.
I didn't hate it and I do have a soft spot for her Christmas album and for that reason I award it 2 stars!
Lynyrd Skynyrd
2/5
I enjoyed this album, possibly because it followed Mariah Carey?
I’m not a big fan of country rock but I am a fan of guitar solos and there are plenty of those.
I’m not sure I would listen to this again but I’m glad I have listened to it once.
On reflection, (I’m listening to free bird as I type this) the guitar solos bang on a bit too much.
This album was getting a three, but I have reduced it to a two based on the needless monotony of the free bird solo.
This review was started at the beginning of the free bird solo and it’s still going!!
It’s just at that really high fast twangy bit and starting to come down a bit.
Oh, it’s starting to fade, I hate a fade as a way of dealing with a song ending, but I’m going to give this one a pass, I just wish it had faded sooner.
Nick Drake
4/5
I loved this album. I can’t believe I had never even heard of Nick Drake.
I could listen to this for weeks!
What a lovely new year surprise!
The Avalanches
3/5
I like sampling in music, but when I read that this single album contains over 900 samples - that’s next level.
It’s not my ‘go-to’ music but it’s very easy to listen to whilst chipping away at work.
This album reminded me of a cross between moon-safari (Air) and play (Moby) but not quite as good as either of them.
Another album that played 3 times because one track just merges into the other.
Waylon Jennings
2/5
I enjoyed this album more than I thought I would!
I don't mind a bit of country blues (I don't tell anyone!!)
Listened to it a couple of times. Reckon I'll pop this one on, time to time.
The slide guitar is a little grating, for that it gets a 2
:-)
The Fall
3/5
I quite like a bit of post-punk.
I enjoyed the raw chaos of the tracks.
I really enjoyed the track - paintwork!
:-)
Joni Mitchell
3/5
I love Joni Mitchell, although this is not my favourite album of hers.
She seems so sincere and powerful and reckon she would be ace around a campfire with that guitar!
This may have scored higher with me but I had to listen to it via YouTube and it’s surprising what a shit experience that is.
U2
4/5
This is an awesome album. Listening to it, you can hear the roots of U2.
Although it’s their third album I feel like this is the beginning for me, the next 5-7 albums (depending on my mood) take this formula and build on it and the eventuate into one of the biggest bands is history.
I know that U2 is almost Christian rock and that Bono can be a bit of a dick, but this is an awesome album and delivers some great social messages and a very politically unsettling time.
Love it!
Pixies
3/5
I liked this album much more than I was expecting, its first couple of tracks are a little intense, especially 'Rock Music', but then it settles into a cool alternate rock album.
I know that there is a lot of fuss made about the Pixies and their influence on just about every band ever. Personally I don't see what all the fuss is about but they do have a couple of banger tracks!
Stereo MC's
3/5
This was a great album, slightly overstayed its welcome with some very repetitive sounding tracks. Regardless, it was great to listen to whilst cracking on with some work - great vibe!
Meat Puppets
1/5
Mmm... CowPunk
No thanks.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
I love Neil Young, and respect his stance on streaming media, but listening to music on YouTube is just awful!!!!!
This is a great album, Neil Young has such a beautiful and simple way of delivering vocals over very intimately written songs.
Love the album
Hate YouTube (free)
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
Pretty groovy! Great album to pop on whilst cooking and having a glass of wine or as a pre going out ‘warm up’.
Loved it
Stevie Wonder
4/5
one of the funkiest, coolest artists ever!
16 album in 1972 this dude has been around!
This was great and you can hear its impact on may artists today.
what a dude!
Love = higher ground!
Baaba Maal
4/5
I really loved this album, I absolutely love world music.
About half way through there were some very distracting synth horns? But the rest of the album was so beautiful I’m still giving it a 4
The Doors
4/5
I LOVE the Doors.
Saying that, this is not my favourite album of theirs. You can hear Jim Morison decline which makes the album much more raw and in some ways fun.
Some of their best tracks are on this album, some of their worst too!!
Loved them when I was 15 and still love them just as much today. I remember listening to this album on my Walkman when visiting Jim’s grave in Paris whilst on my Doors pilgrimage. 😂
Has to be a 5.
Revisited and knocking it back to a 4 - seems only fair!
The Cure
3/5
I think this album is an excellent introduction to the sound of the cure.
I love so many of these tracks.
Favs = forest and play for today.
Solid three (probably lost a point because when I saw them live in Melbourne in 2000’s(?) they were crap - worst concert I have been to!
Kate Bush
4/5
I love kate bush and I love this album.
Some of the tracks and the ‘cutting edge’ audio treatments have not aged too well but it still makes for an interesting listen.
Bold, beautiful and probably a little crazy, she is a beautiful songwriter.
It’s a 3 star album but a 4 star artist! Discovered by the legendary David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
Wilco
1/5
Wow, this was a slog!
Its not that is was an awful album or a genre that I don’t like, it was just such a vanilla, boring album!
This should be right in my wheelhouse, guitar based rock, but it was such a boring album.
Sorry, it might be amazing, but it was lost on me.
Vanilla shite
Blondie
3/5
Considering how iconic Blondie is, I was a little disappointed in this album, I expected a little more ‘wow’ factor, that’s probably on me!
Solid 3
Solid album
Prince
4/5
Not a massive prince fan, but it must be said that he is an absolute musical genius. I wish I was more into his music.
Also wish the movie was better!
I enjoyed listening to the album in its entirety. Not my thing, but it and he is amazing!
Solid 4
Willie Nelson
2/5
Not my bag at all although I love a concept album.
Johnny Cash
3/5
This was a great listen!
The toe-tapping, and handclapping was out of control!
It sounds like it would have been an amazing concert to have attended.
What a performer - I was familiar with about 1/3 of this albums songs and I listened to it all morning!
Loved it!
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
I wanted to like this album more than I did. There were moments of absolutely genius mayhem! I absolutely loved the intense humming of evil and many of the songs intros and outros
Some of the tracks were greenday, some of them were Robbie Williams and some the sex pistols.
Too incoherent for me but I’m glad I listened to it.
Aerosmith
2/5
Good background rock album.
I wanted to like it more than i did, just found it a bit soft?
Listened to it all day, still not convinced!
Jimi Hendrix
2/5
It was OK but I think its the weakest of his 3 albums. I admire his musical genius but just find his sound (especially his solos) a bit to raw and messy for me.
This should be right in my wheelhouse alongside all the other late 60s psychedelic rock bands that I love, but its not.
I think I'm probably a Jimi Hendrix 'Greatest Hits' kinda guy.
The Allman Brothers Band
2/5
When I first put this album on, I started to enjoy it and get into the vibe of what must have been an excellent concert to attend. However, as the album continued and the improvised guitar solos got longer, I started losing interest. It was like listening to a very long rehearsal, just a bunch of dudes jamming.
This album has me questioning my love of guitar solos!
Deep Purple
2/5
Probably bad timing, this album turns up just one after another self indulgent, guitar solo dominated album live and extended album.
Enough!
The same track, three times on disc 2? Really?
Fuck drum solos
Jeff Beck
3/5
It's a bit of a tricky one. I love Jeff Beck, but I'm not just reviewing the artist and his amazing guitar skills, I'm reviewing the album, and it was just OK. I would probably listen to it again, I don't mind the late 60s blues, and Jeff Beck is one of the all-time greats.
Not sure what I think of Rod Stewart.
I'll give it 3, but I wish I could rate it higher.
2/5
Nah, not really a fan of punk.
Didn't hate it, and listened to it a couple of times just to make sure.
Just not my thing.
They should Elon for appropriating their name!
The xx
2/5
I think this may be the most recent album I have listened to in this challenge to date.
I’m surprised in its inclusion in this challenge. It’s a good album but I’m not sure it’s a ‘must listen to’ album?
Sounded a bit vanilla to me?
Janelle Monáe
3/5
I loved the first track and thought I was in for an amazing treat.
I did enjoy the album but I think the first track lulled me into a promise that it just didn’t deliver.
I’ll listen to it again and perhaps some of her other albums. Her thoughts on androids are quite interesting!
John Lennon
2/5
The title track is a timeless classic (if not a little overplayed!). John Lennon was one of the wealthiest music celebrities, living in his mansion whilst writing about how great the world would be without possessions and greed. Hypocrite warning!
John Lennon was a complex dude and was pretty appalling to women.
In his own words
"I used to be cruel to my woman ... any woman. I was a hitter. I couldn’t express myself, and I hit. I fought men and I hit women.”
Both these stars are for the title track only.
Funkadelic
3/5
Another painful YouTube listen!
I found that many of the tracks sounded similar to each other, and some were a little too long (most were a little too long).
A fun listen
Aerosmith
1/5
I hate this music.
I hope that's the last one from Aerosmith in the 1001 challenge. Two so far seems a stretch?
The Temptations
3/5
This was good, but not as good as the previous one we listened to in the challenge.
It was great to listen to as I chipped away at my work.
Funky Friday!
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
This was a great album and a real surprise. I had never heard of A Tribe Called Quest before, but I listened to this album all weekend! I'll certainly be listening to them again. Jazzy Hip Hop, loved it!
Radiohead
5/5
It's my perfect album.
The album is sublime, with no fillers.
Highlights are definitely Fake Plastic Trees and Street Spirit (Fade Out).
This would be one of my Desert Island Discs (google it millennials).
❤️
fIREHOSE
2/5
This was such a strange album. I didn't hate it, I didnt love it.
I just kept listening listening to it to see if I could get into it but i didn't.
It was just odd, I felt like I should have liked it, but i didn't.
Im confused!
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Yeah, I loved this album; it is so funky and cool to listen to while chipping away at work.
Some of the songs were super cool, and some were dated and embarrassing!
On the whole, this was awesome and will get another spin soon!
The Doors
5/5
I love The Doors and love this album. This band really captured my imagination when I was first starting to gig in bands. We thought Jim Morison was some sort of shaman when it turns out he was just a dude with an ego and a drug problem.
I love it when bands remaster albums however, this album has been tinkered with, they have added lots more of Jim’s ad lib sounds/grunts/ words (beyond the sung lyrics) etc, which I think detracts from the original and make some of the tracks sound a bit try hard and cheesy.
Still, it’s the doors so it gets a 5 from me!
Try to run
Try to hide
Break on through to the other side!
Beastie Boys
3/5
This was a great listen. I'm a little more familiar with their later stuff which I prefer.
Great fun for a debut album!
Pink Floyd
5/5
Perfect.
Mudhoney
1/5
Fuck that noise. 2 hours and 15 minutes too long.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Hard not to love this blues guitarist. The recording is so raw and packed full of the feels.
Loved it!
Led Zeppelin
4/5
This is a classic album, and I love it. Every track a winner with Robert Plant sounding as late 60's as ever, singing about Golumn and juice running down his leg! lol
Whole lotta love and Ramble are my standout tracks.
Listened to it all day!
Steely Dan
3/5
I quite enjoyed this album. Pretty vanilla sounding 70s jazz rock.
Just funny to think that the band was named after a "revolutionary" steam-powered dildo mentioned in the William S. Burroughs novel Naked Lunch.
Steam powered!
Nick Drake
5/5
Second album for this artist, served up by this challenge. I can’t believe I had never heard of him before the 1001.
He is such an amazing singer songwriter and I find his songs so emotionally engaging.
Just beautiful.
This dude, may be one of my favourite songwriters!
Spiritualized
1/5
I thought I would like this album, reading a bit about it before listening. How wrong I was.
How this album made it into this challenge is beyond me.
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
What a fucking annoying album
Donovan
3/5
This was a bit of a surprise! I had heard of Donovan but never listened to an album.
As cheesy and whimsical as it was, it reminded me of very early Bowie and Syd Barret. He sings with such conviction that it's hard not to go along with his journey. Some songs were like listening to a fantasy audio book.
I am not saying it will be on high rotation, but I will definitely have a poke around his work.
David Bowie
5/5
Just listen to it! The perfect epitaph.
Just listen to how much he is enjoying himself on side B!
Steely Dan
3/5
Yikes, 2 Steely Dan albums within 6 days of each other!
I was going to give this 2 stars, but I'm warding an additional star for making this album short and sweet. (just 34 minutes)
I didn't hate it, probably just a little to close to the previous one.
Don't mind bit of the 70's cheese rock.
Queen
5/5
I Love Queen and this iconic album.
One of my fav Queen tracks, Love of my life ❤️
"I'm in love with my car", what were they thinking? 😂
I came back to revisit this album and bump it up. Two of my favourite Queen tracks deserve a 5-star and they are definitely missing from my 1001 5-star playlist.
The Dandy Warhols
2/5
Just vanilla britpop.
Heroine might be passe, but so is this album.
Next please.
Happy Mondays
3/5
I enjoyed this album much more than I thought I would. I happily had it on rotation all day.
It’s background music with nothing really standing out and nothing too awful.
I’m not interested in listening to additional remixes, but in the spirit of the challenge, I did it just the same.
Nas
3/5
I had never heard of this album or this artist (my bad?).
I loved this album and listened to it over most of the weekend.
It's great to listen to it in detail with interesting lyrics about social poverty and gang life. The album also works well as a passive listen while doing other things.
Pretty cool to have debuted with such an incredible album at such a young age!
Elvis Costello
1/5
I found this to be a pretty boring album!
The only track I loved was the last track (watching the Detectives), which didn't even appear on the original album, so it probably doesn't count!
1 star for the bonus detective track.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Fuck this album was good! It came along at a perfect time in my week. I love the Rolling Stones (greatest hits kind of fan) and really enjoyed listening to this all day.
So what if these white male dudes want to pretend to play honky tonk blues - it’s fucking awesome!!
Loved it
Prefab Sprout
1/5
OMG - hated this album, just so wank!
M.I.A.
4/5
I loved this album; reminded me of the frenetic band Die Antwoord!
Paper Planes is a clear favorite, but honestly, I loved all the tracks!
That's why I joined this challenge!
Iggy Pop
4/5
Loved this album. Highlights were
Lust for life
Tonight
Passenger
Neighbourhood threat.
Bowie’s buddy
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Awesome album. I couldn't quite remember what propelled this album into the zeitgeist in the late 90s, but I clearly remember it! Everyone seemed to have a copy of it. I was working in Operating Theatres at the time and remember it being on VERY high rotation!
loved it
Suede
3/5
Ha Ha, this was a surprise! I enjoyed this album so much today. It was great for a change and most of the tracks were pretty catchy.
I'm not sure about the album cover; I had some strange looks from office staff peeping at my Spotify browser app.
Loved it
The Cramps
2/5
I enjoyed the nostalgia of this album. I didn’t think I would enjoy a whole album of psychobilly rock but I did!
Probably wouldn’t go looking for it, but it was nice to find it!
Again - fuck those bonus tracks!
Guns N' Roses
4/5
This album was such a big deal to me and the band I was playing in when it came out.
There are some awesome, energy filled tracks and listening to from start to finish takes me back to my teenage years instantly!!
Welcome to the jungle has one of the best intros and although overplayed I have a soft spot for sweet child of mine.
Love it!
Dire Straits
5/5
Love this album. Although not their best album, it was my entry point to dire straits. It was the second cd I ever purchased!
I love mark Knopfler’s unique style of playing and I have tried to master the ‘brothers in arms’ solo many times!
A couple of average filler songs, must mostly awesome!
5 stars from me and most of those are for brothers in arms (the track)
Fugees
4/5
I really enjoyed this album. Imagine crafting Enya into an awesome Hip Hop track - Genius!
I loved the skits and in-between bits and wish more albums would incorporate this in their storytelling. (Shout out to The Killers—Pressure Machine!)
I'd be happy to listen to this again outside of this challenge, and I'm sure glad it was on the list.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
I usually get through the challenges album a few times in the day, not this one.
Apart from the fact that I had to listen to it through YouTube, being punctuated by advertisements, I just found it too miserable.
I may not have been in the mood for this album. This just seemed too depressing with no sonic or lyrical payoff.
Not today.
The Electric Prunes
3/5
This was a pretty cool album.
One of the first psychedelic rock bands, leading the charge for other bands like T-Set, Syd Barret and The Pink Floyd.
Pretty awesome!
Marilyn Manson
4/5
This is a tough review, and I will do my best to separate Brian Hugh Warner from the art that the band Marilyn Manson (and its 5 members) created and the 11 other people whose contributions made this album. I won't judge the album based on my negative feelings for 1/5 of its members. The 1/5 band member Brian Hugh Warner appears to be an awful human being (beyond his persona as Marilyn Manson) with issues involving violence and the abuse of women. I have no intention of diminishing their allegations or experiences because I enjoy this art.
This album is art, a concept album, and the first part of a trilogy. I love industrial rock, and Trent Reznor, one of the album's producers, is among my all-time favourite artists. I'm not sure this album would have been as successful without him; you can hear his influence in every track. The album's concept is awesome and very much suits the music and lyrical style. A supernatural being—a demagogic rockstar—who seizes all political power from humanity to initiate an apocalyptic event. Let's face it: if you don't like the sound of that, you're not going to like this album. I don't think this album is as good as Mechanical Animals, but it introduced an element of death metal and industrial rock into the mainstream.
4/5 for the art
0/5 for Brian Hugh Warner, a vile human being.
Ramones
3/5
The Ramones are a beloved part of punk rock history and have certainly left their mark on music and influenced many artists.
They were also I nice palate cleanser after the last album.
I enjoyed this album. It's not my go-to genre, but it played about ten times today and over the weekend.
The Velvet Underground
2/5
I absolutely love the song Heronie, and I do like Lou Reed (except when he is channelling Bob Dylan)
I know this is another beloved band, but I just don't get it.
The track 'All Tomorrows Parties' seemed just to drone on forever.
Not a fan.
These stars are both for Heroine
Queen Latifah
3/5
I liked this album. I hadn't heard it before; in fact, I'm ashamed to say that I only knew of Queen Latifah from her beautiful voice acting with the character Ellie in Ice Age!
So far, although I'm only 122 albums in, I don't think this challenge features enough women. The music industry is dominated by blokes (mostly white!), so it's nice to have a bit more representation of women in this album choice.
I'd probably still prefer to listen to her as Ellie, who has a very special place in my heart from so many viewings with my children!
The Black Keys
4/5
I really enjoyed this album, I think I’d like to listen to more of their stuff.
All 4 of these stars are for the track ‘I’m not the one ’ and its use in the series the leftovers. The track plays to plastic dolls being made and sold, one lucky baby to be swaddled as baby Jesus and placed in a nativity scene.
The baby is stolen - I’m not the one x
Madness
2/5
I have said this a few times during this challenge, as a completionist, fuck those bonus tracks and remixes, it almost doubled the length of this album!
I like the novelty aspect of Madness and their greatest hits and the sentimentality of some of their tracks, but I’m not a fan of ska.
2 stars for ‘our house’
The album cover is a bit problematic these days 🤭
Television
3/5
A good album I have never heard of!
I enjoyed it but only only enough to put it on an occasionally repeat!
I thought it would be better based on community reviews
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
2/5
I fucking hate jazz.
(But I appreciate the talent of the musicians)
MC Solaar
2/5
Pretty cool listening to rap in French.
A little bit to jazz for me.
Guided By Voices
3/5
I really enjoyed this album, it was fun and the idea of having tiny songs is a bit of a novelty!
28 songs in 41 minutes - Bravo!!!
The Incredible String Band
1/5
Fucking hippies
Black Sabbath
4/5
What an awesome album. Consider it in the context of the year it was released! It was soooo HEAVY and broke new ground!
This is my favourite Black Sabeth album by a long shot.
Tony Iommi is awesome with his replacement fingertips, what an amazing sound.
A true landmark album
Deep Purple
3/5
Anyone who owns a guitar MUST give this album a minimum of 3 stars for the number of times we have all played the riff "Smoke On The Water"
🎸
The Band
2/5
Not my usual thing, Americana Roots Rock, but I did enjoy it and listened to it a few times today. Just OK.
Probably won't pop it on again.
The Beta Band
2/5
Meh.
Tears For Fears
4/5
This was a roller-coaster!
Before even listening to a single track I was so looking forward to the nostalgic anthems "Shout" "Head over heels" and of course "Everybody wants to rule the World".
Those tracks did disappoint, but as I listened to the other tracks, my interest started to wane. and I began to think I had misplaced my faith in this being a BANGER of an album.
I listened to it another few times, and with each listen, the unfamiliar tracks grew on me!
The production of this album is awesome. It sounds so fresh for an album that was put together in 1985!
I am sure my score is still influenced by nostalgia and memories of listening to this with my first girlfriend, but this album has been such good fun to listen to that I have to give it a 4.
One for each of the anthems above and the other star for the mullet sported by Roland Orzaba.
Parliament
4/5
This is one crazy funk album, and I loved it! The album cover sets the scene: one of the funkiest bands of the 1970s in a mothership, flying through space trying to find the mothership connection—wild!
Short and sweet, what an awesome album!
N.W.A.
5/5
I reviewed the original album, not the 2002 remaster, I get a bit tired of the bonus mixes and tracks.
This is a landmark album. Its social commentary on the realities of life in Compton is powerful.
Its lyrics and performance is timeless, and although misogynistic, homophobic and violent, it needs these elements to convey the experiences of the band in that time and place.
It's not woke, but to devalue it for that would be a dick move.
Wilco
1/5
Just like the previous Wilco album I have trouble understanding this album it’s so boring and yet mysteriously popular.
Hope it’s the last Wilco on the list.
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
Just noise. What an unpleasant mess.
Missy Elliott
3/5
I enjoyed this album a lot, that may be because the challenge served up the previous two abominations, and this was a welcome return to music.
I like Hip-Hop, and it's great to see some gender representation in a very male-dominated genre.
The White Stripes
4/5
I loved this album and it might even be my fav White Stripes album.
It's so raw, genuine and imperfect that it's beautiful.
I listened to it about ten times this weekend and loved every spin.
Pink Floyd
5/5
I only wish there was an option for 6 stars.
Ghostface Killah
3/5
I quite enjoyed this album, and I do like the genre of Gangsta rap. I had never heard this album before and didn't know Ghostface Killah was a member of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Solid listen!
The Beach Boys
3/5
This is one of the few (very few) albums I remember my dad playing when I was a child. so it gets two stars for nostalgia and some very fond memories that I forgot I had! The other star is for the cover - hilarious!!
Emmylou Harris
3/5
This is a beautiful album! I hadn't heard of Emmylou Harris, but I feel I should have!
She sounded like a cross between Dolly Parton and Olivia Newton John!
I'm not useally a fan of Beatles covers, but her version of 'For No One' gets an exception as her voice takes it to a different level!
Willie Nelson
2/5
I'm not a massive fan of cover albums. I thought this record was nice to listen to, but it felt a bit sleepy and a bit boring.
I like Willie Nelson as a singer/songwriter, perhaps just not a singer of other people's songs!
Sade
2/5
One star each for the 80s Hits - Smooth Operator and Your Love is King.
A nice background listen, but I'm not sure how important the album is as far as the evolution of music is concerned.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
I have listened to a lot of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, he has collaborated a lot with Peter Gabriel on tracks such as Signal to Noise - https://open.spotify.com/track/2CnucOZJUTMviGIADnNFRY?si=bf7dd4ab95c54dd3
and Taboo
https://open.spotify.com/track/4q9auAqHLCeJpXa4XoEidI?si=cdf0066d26b045cf
Do yourself a favour and listen to how amazing this dude is!
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
It first I thought this was just another gangsta rap album as they all follow a fairly similar recipe.
After a couple of listens, this one grew on me.
I do wonder what the Gangsta Rap scene would be without 'Bitches and Ho's'
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
I really enjoyed the mash up of world music and the blues! I had never heard of Ali Farka Toure so this is another reason I love this challenge (on most days!)
Iron Maiden
4/5
What an awesome album! I was 10 when this album was released and remember how treasured the album art T-shirts were!
Iron maiden defined heavy metal. The sounds, music, lyrics and the impressive vibrato on the sustained notes at the end of every line!
Loved it!
The Cure
4/5
This is probably a pretty special album for a lot of people and definitely marks a moment in time. My second favourite cure album.
Beautiful/gloomy sounds and lyrics.
Love it!
The Killers
5/5
My love of the killers came from this album. Hot Fuss has one of my favorite album opening tracks EVER!
Although Mr Brightside is definitely overplayed commercially, it's still a banger!
I love the Killers and ALL their albums, with the exception of 'Imploding the Mirage' (🤮) and until 2021 this was my favorite Killers album. Obviously that title is now held by Pressure Machine.
My favorite track is the least popular track on the album (according to spotify streams) 'Everything will be alright'
All Killers - no fillers, its Indie rock and roll for me!
Devendra Banhart
3/5
I struggled so much with this album. The first few tracks made me feel like I wanted to give it a 1 star review, but then a track would come along that made me want to listen over and over again!
It wavered between unlistenable and fucking awesome!!
I absolutely loved ‘see saw’ and most of these stars are for that track.
I could imagine jack white performing see saw, and most of the other tracks could be performed by a hippie uni student at a weekend party with an acoustic guitar and a bag of cheap weed.
Such a conflict !!
King Crimson
5/5
I wondered when this was going to turn up!
This is an awesome album, not an easy first listen, for its time it was groundbreaking and such an influence for many bands. Anyone who doubts the influence on bands like pink floyd is not listening hard enough.
I love epitaph
To me, this album is almost perfect and there are not many of those around. It’s a 4.5 rounded up!
Love it.
Air
4/5
I love this album and it’s a bit of a ‘go-to’ when I want a relaxed background ambience.
I was introduced to it by my friend from the USA, Larry, during a scuba diving trip in Egypt. So when I do play it, all my memories of that trip come flooding back.
Awesome bass beats and modulation effects - love it.
Came back to revisit this one - need an Air track on my 1001 playlist!
Came back again and decided to get a track from their other album on the list! - back to 4!
The Velvet Underground
3/5
The Velvet Underground has always been a musical blind spot for me. I have also never really understood the celebration of Lou Reed (unpopular opinion!!). However, I did enjoy this album much more than I expected to.
I'd definitely pop this on again.
As much as I enjoyed this, I do think that the late '60s are tragically overrepresented in this challenge. Perhaps it's just the order in which the albums are being served to me.
2/5
This might be an amazing album, but to tell you the truth, I'm so over exposed to Psychedelic Rock in this album challenge that I think I have become desensitised!
Perhaps a bit of rebranding is in order
'1001 Psychedelic Rock albums you must here before you die'
Björk
2/5
I wanted to love this album, I find Bjorks albums so musically interesting, she is a true artist.
I just find her tracks too similar and I think its just not my thing.
:-(
Peter Gabriel
5/5
I forgot how much I love this album! I think listening to it in the context of this challenge and the other albums that were around at the time, makes me love it even more.
I'm a massive Peter Gabriel fan and love how diverse his music can be. I much prefer his work around so, us and up, but this album is such an important part of his journey and was at such a pivotal time in his life, that it has to be a 5!!!!
Pink Floyd
5/5
I don't have the words to describe how much I love this album.
It was the first CD I ever purchased, and I bought it before I even owned a CD player!
The only thing I will say is that it's important to listen/critique it as an album, not as individual tracks. It's too easy to focus on Comfortably Numb or Brick in the Wall as hit singles. It's a concept album and as such needs to be listened to from start to finish. It represents such awesome storytelling, art and music.
One of my all-time favourite albums.
Thanks for landing on a weekend!
Elvis Presley
2/5
I'm not a massive Elvis fan, but I do know that there are albums of his that are far more worthy of inclusion in this challenge.
Meh
Dusty Springfield
3/5
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this album half as much as I did! I'm not sure if it had much to do with Dusty herself or just the fact that there were some great songs I recognised from all over the place.
It seems odd that a covers album would make it to this list, especially considering that the tracks weren't interpreted much differently from their originals.
This is like a Karaoke album!
But I liked it all the same
The Coral
1/5
What a truly awful album.
1 star for the interesting collage on the cover.
Shit
The Shamen
1/5
Soleless electronic nonsense
Why is this on the list?
Just awful
Linkin Park
4/5
This album is my guilty pleasure!!
I loved this album so much when it was first released, and loved it almost as much listening to it again.
Cheesy, teenage angst combined with awesome musical hooks and loads of shout/singing.
Those guitars have so much compression applied, I’m surprised they are not synths!!
Michael Jackson
5/5
What @boopidoo said.
But also have nostalgia on my side.
One of the most influential albums of my life.
Digital Underground
1/5
This was a very cringe album. I'm all up for a concept album, but preferably not one written by adolescents!
It could have been good, but it wasn't.
First and last listen.
lol
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Leonard Cohen has some great tracks, but not on this album.
I love the 80s, but I found this too much.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
So much better than her last album in the challenge. Not really my thing, but probably deserves the 'classic' status.
Pop it on and then get your work done!
Beastie Boys
4/5
This is an AWESOME album and just what I needed to put some 'pep in my step' this weekend!
Listen all y'all, it's a sabotage
Van Morrison
3/5
I enjoyed listening to this album, he is such a crooner and whatever he sings sounds sexy!
I too hope that @boopidoo's friend Claire got laid to Moondance, it is a pretty special track.
Soft Machine
1/5
I was looking forward to this listen as I frequently hear about Soft Machine whilst poking around Pink Floyd sites.
However...
This is borderline un-listenable.
A truly horrible album and perhaps my least favourite in the challenge.
Just a pointless mess of sounds.
Hawkwind
1/5
I might have been kinder to this album had this challenge not just served up the abomination 'Third' by the soft machine directly prior.
Together, both albums represented 3.5 hours of psychedelic 70s Rock which is about 2.75 hours too much.
I appreciate a good rock opera but add the psychedelic angle, and what seems to be a bunch of random noise, repetitive musical instrument notes and some absolute hippie bullshit space jargon.
I'm not stoned = I'm out.
Roxy Music
1/5
Shite
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I LOVE some Stones albums, but this is not one of them.
It’s ok, but there are much better albums to include in the challenge.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
I was looking forward to this album as it had been so long since I listened to some Smashing Pumpkins.
The first couple of tracks were great but VERY soon I realised how irritating Billy Corgans voice is. I also realised how try-hard the lyrics are, they are like a year 9 students first attempt at poetry, just juvenile rhyming angst. lol.
My other big complaint is that the album is over 2 hours in length, which is just too much whinging to listen to in a single session.
I loved the little bits of nostalgia that surfaced between Billy's pretend singing moans.
Reading a bit about him, he also sounds like a bit of a narcissistic dick, although I'm sure this is a requirement for famous emo dudes.
I love that 7 years ago Billy Corgan anounced that he "hates everything except for David Bowie." Nice one Billy, all is forgiven :-)
Air
5/5
This was a nice surprise, although a popular album, I had never come across it (I was out of lots of loops for 12 months around 1999/2000 - Just like I didn't know what The Blair Witch Project was!)
So this album was completely overlooked!
I love it! Im a sucker for a soundtrack album anyhow, but combine it with the band Air and 'I'm IN!'
I absolutely loved the last track 'Suicide Underground' and recognised lots of Air 'Notes' scattered throughout the album.
I wish I had found this one earlier!
I'm back to bump this up to 5 - need it on my playlist!
Pretenders
2/5
Although I love Chrissie Hynde's unique voice, as a 'Pretenders greatest hits' kind of guy, I found it pretty irritating toward the end of the album.
Perhaps its a little too high-energy, jangly, new wave for me?
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I wasn’t looking forward to this, I’m not a big Nick Cave fan, I find his music and persona pretentiously dark.
I fucking loved this album!
First listen was odd, but then I listened to it a few more times and started to deeply listen to the lyrics. The chaos and raw sounding production, magnified the drama even more and helped to elevate the mood of the album to the next level!
Fucking loved it
Curtis Mayfield
2/5
Just couldn't get into it!
I'm sure its great music, just not to me!
T. Rex
3/5
I quite liked this album and know how much David Bowie LOVED Mark Bolan so I have to give it a three, even though it was a bit boring lol! :-)
R.E.M.
4/5
Without doubt my favourite REM album.
I saw them play at Slane festival with 110,000 other people and they were awesome
I love this album and I especially love 'losing my religion', 'Drive', 'Man on the moon' and 'Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite'
I really love 'Drive'
Wish this was a weekend album!
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
I love this album. I was one of my first ever vinyl purchases!!
It’s so beautiful and relaxing, natural and grounded. Each track has the most amazing voices and harmonies. I'm hope they are singing about beautiful things, but I wouldn't know.
I listened to it on repeat for a few hours during a pretty intense and stressful situation at work, and it helped keep me totally chilled!
William Orbit
3/5
I know of William Orbit from his work with Peter Gabriel on the US album and his track on the Plus From US album.
I really like his sonic landscape and his ability to create an atmosphere with mostly electronic instruments.
I liked this album!
Boston
2/5
Cheese
George Harrison
3/5
This was a LONG listen! I enjoyed quite a bit of it but found some of the songs needlessly long and a bit too George Harrison.
He is an awesome talent, and his songs are ones that I love. I REALLY LOVE!
Double albums are a bit much sometimes.
Dolly Parton
3/5
I really enjoyed listening to this a few times over this morning. It was a nice break from some of the shite that this challenge has been serving up.
Also, I thought I was the only person who wondered:
“Will there be any freight trains in heaven?”
Country music can be so hilariously serious sometimes lol
Duran Duran
4/5
This album was fun, shit, annoying and great all at the same time. I remember listening to this album on high rotation (on tape!) when it came out.
I still love the track 'Save a prayer', its my favorite on the album.
80s Sax, combined with jangly keys, synth drums, sexy Simon Le Bon vocals and a massive serving of cheese!
Barry Adamson
1/5
For fuck sake!
Listened to it
Thought I would love it
Read about it
Wank
Van Halen
3/5
This was another seminal 80s teenager album (at my school at least) but I never understood the whole ‘hair metal’ movement!!
Three stars from me.
One for the album cover and 2 for Eddie van Halen’s awesome guitar tone!!
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
This is a great album, and Jimi Hendrix is an amazing guitarist, however I'm not sure why some artists have multiple albums in this challenge that seem very similar to the last one I reviewed. Its NOT 1001 artists to listen to before you die!
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Another awesome album I’d never listened to!
Didn’t get into it much the first time round but after a couple of listens I was hooked!
I loved the Lyre of Orpheus more than the abattoir blues but both were awesome.
I’d give this a 3.5, but I’m going to round it up, because I love the second album so much!
Green Day
4/5
I came to the Greenday party a little late and although I cherry-pick the Greenday albums I listen to, this album is definitely a cherry.
15 songs in 38 minutes, It's absolutely non-stop!
The energy is just awesome.
Metallica
4/5
There are only a couple of Metallica Albums I can listen to, start to finish, over and over again. This is one of them.
I love this album. Especially its opening two tracks.
It's also great to hear one of Metallica's very few instrumentals, Orion.
Lars Ulrich is a bit of a dick, I just had to say that.
:-)
Radiohead
5/5
This is a very special album to me. I can remember hearing Paranoid Android for the first time on the radio. I had to pull my car over because I couldn't concentrate on driving while it was playing.
The first half is slightly stronger than the second, but every track is a winner. The track placement takes you on a roller-coaster of emotions, speaking of which Exit music from a movie is one of the most emotional, dark, angsty songs I have ever heard. Its beautiful and scary all at once.
It's tricky to name a favourite song because I love them all so much.
Exit Music
Paranoid Android
Lucky
I'm so glad this dropped for the weekend!
I love this band soooo much!
Pixies
3/5
Where is my mind? I have lost track of the amount of significant moments in my life that this song has accompanied.
This noise sandwich was worth consuming, if only to enjoy this track as the filling.
3 stars, all for Where is my mind?
Metallica
3/5
I didn't get into this album as much as I wanted to. A friend watched the concert, and I think that would have been a much better experience.
I find the concept a bit cheesy and was applied to most popular bands around this time, unless they were too busy doing 'unplugged' albums!
I'm not sure about the track selection either.
I'll give it 3 stars:
One star for Jason Newsted (his last album with Metallica)
One for Michael Kamen who is a dead set legend!
One star for Kirk Hammett (who appears to be the most 'Normal' member of the band)
One star for the way that James Hetfield holds his pic (there are not many of us!)
but then minus One star for the absolutely lamest album cover EVER!!!
Miles Davis
2/5
It's background music jazz.
Just not my thing :-(
2 stars
R.E.M.
2/5
I think this might be a context album. Everyone seems to agree that it’s an amazing first album from REM, the original Indie Rock band.
To be honest I thought it was boring and Michael Stipe’s voice sounded very different!
It was interesting to hear how they developed their sound.
Duke Ellington
1/5
Too long
Too shite
Santana
2/5
Santanas music appeals to a broad audience.
I’m not in that audience
Radiohead
5/5
I love this album. Such a surreal futuristic depressing soundscape full of dystopian, confusing and scary elements. Lyrics that make no sense and music that shouldn't make sense, but does.
Listening to a band reinvent themselves in a single album is mesmerizing.
My two favorite tracks are:
How to disappear completely which conjures up images of Thom York gesturing the listener to follow him into the depths of depression, irrelevance and ultimately peace. He sounds so tortured.
Everything in its right place is sublime and possibly the most accurately named track of any artist!
Love it
The Hives
3/5
This was a fun album and at just 28 minutes didn’t outstay its welcome.
I think the key to this bands success is its ability to license its music to just about any sporting or car advertising campaign!
The Everly Brothers
2/5
These charming crooners managed to cram 12 songs into 27 minutes. Some of the songs were catchy but most just seemed corny.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
This album is currently the second highest in the global stats.
It's not even the second highest in my last 2 weeks of rating!
It's good, but not that good!
Boomer nostalgia at work.
Billy Joel
3/5
Billy Joel is an awesome songwriter. Although a bit dated, I enjoyed listening to this album this morning. I also reflected on how he retired from songwriting whilst on top of his game (let's just ignore the misfire "middle of the night")
Solid 3
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
1/5
I'm guessing that the Penguin Cafe is not very busy?
What a load of musical nonsense!
Eminem
4/5
This is a tough one!
On the one hand, he has an amazing talent, his ability to evoke emotion whilst telling stories and his creativity with his skits/concepts is pretty next level.
On the other hand, the content is problematic and in this album in particular, very juvenile.
I really love some of his later albums and I hope that they turn up on this list (but I doubt it).
I’m giving this a 3.5 but rounding it up to 4 in celebration of his talent/art, not his obvious misogynistic homophobic and VERY Rapey personas.
Primal Scream
1/5
I fucking hated this album.
WTF?
Psychedelic, dance, ambient, happy bullshit.
Movin on up!
Couldn’t be further down my list!
Fleet Foxes
2/5
I wanted to like this album more than I did. I gave it 4 complete listens over the weekend and although it sounded better on a real stereo, I still didn’t get into it as much as my musical colleagues.
Just sounded like another version of Mumford and sons, and both bands have stupid names.
Kanye West
1/5
I had never listened to a Kanye West album in its entirety before and I was wondering if I would like it.
Nah.
Which is quite handy as he seems like a bit of a dick.
Cream
3/5
This is a classic rock album. I don't have much time for Eric Clapton, especially having had the misfortune to see him live (Ouch!).
Solid three
Black Sabbath
3/5
This is a solid album, not quite as good as their earlier 'Paranoid', rated a few months back.
Love the Tony Iommi sound!
Supergrass
3/5
This takes me back to the Brit Pop, Oasis, Blur era. I spent 1995 in the UK so I probably listened to this album about 100 times, just by tuning into the radio!
It's fun and happy, and it has energy you don't get in many albums.
Solid 3
Jerry Lee Lewis
1/5
For me, its usually very important to separate the artist from the art. But in this case, its OK because the album was a piece of shit too.
Bruce Springsteen
1/5
I find this beloved, working-class hero so overrated.
His lyrics are barely understandable. He sounds like he is heavily constipated and trying his hardest to 'knock one out'.
The Boss, no thanks.
Charles Mingus
1/5
I don't understand jaz. It puts me in a bad mood.
I listened to this album in its entirety. The first track sounded like a bunch of kids tuning their instruments, and it just went downhill from there.
To my ears, it's just messy, repetitive noise and it made me want to punch something.
Rush
1/5
Yuck
David Ackles
1/5
I’ve slogged through 220 albums in this challenge so far. It’s been a wild ride—discovering weird, unknown tracks, revisiting some familiar bangers, and talking about all this music with my friends and fellow challengers. That part has been awesome.
BUT, this week? This week has been a relentless parade of shit. Seriously, these albums have dragged my Friday spirit right into the gutter.
If I hit this 'Rate' button one more time and get served another pile of musical shite, I’m seriously rethinking my place in this challenge. I can't take it anymore!
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
I really enjoyed this album, perhaps because the last five albums have been dogshit?
I first heard White Rabbit in the movie 'The Game' with Micheal (sex addict) Douglas. The scene is where his house has been trashed, and he slowly ascends the staircase to see what is happening. It's such an awesome and fitting scene for this song. Every time I hear white rabbit, this scene is painted in my mind.
This is great, dramatic, psychedelic music.
3 stars for the track, White Rabbit and round it up for the rest!
Arcade Fire
3/5
This was a tricky one.
I want to award this album 5 stars, because there is a single track on it that I would LOVE to add to my team '5 star challenge' playlist.
Sadly, this would not be in the spirit of the challenge.
The rest of the album is OK - 2.5 stars, rounded up to three.
Do yourself a favour and watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6c9Ejfu-iU
Motörhead
2/5
OMG this was a long, tough listen which eventually gave me a headache.
I didn't realise how similar Motörhead songs were.
Then I realised that they did their best song first and it was all downhill from there.
Whose idea was it to have Ace of Spades as the opening track? lol
:-(
Dexys Midnight Runners
1/5
Too Rye Ay?
Fuck Off!
What an insufferable band and style of music. Pretending to be Dickensian street urchins, running around urban England with their brushes, fiddles and cloth caps.
Fuck Right Off!
Suzanne Vega
3/5
I liked this album, although not quite as much as I expected. I thought I was going to LOVE this album!
Awesome debut album.
The Stone Roses
4/5
I listened to this 5-6 times right through. I enjoyed it more with each listen.
The hits are really good, but the rest of the tracks are a bit jangly. I know that it is a pivotal Manchester genre album, and based on that, I'm happy to give it a solid 3.5 and round it up for the track 'Fools Gold'.
Beck
3/5
This is a good album and I enjoyed listening to it a few times.
Solid 3.
(not sure what all the fuss is about with Beck)
Liz Phair
3/5
I had never heard of Liz Phair before and I thought this album was great.
Reminded me a bit of Sinéad O'Connor?
Almost a 4 but definitely a 3!
TLC
1/5
I fucking hated this album.
Jean-Michel Jarre
5/5
I LOVE Jean-Michel Jarre!
To think that this was crafted in 1976, pre-digital, pre-ProTools.
It's an awesome album, although it's not my favorite Jarre album.
I was going to give this a 5, but I think that would be for the artist and not the album, so for consistency in my rating, it's a solid 4.
This dude is still active and producing awesome albums. His concerts are definitely worth a watch on YouTube!
I'm back - fuck consistency!
Thelonious Monk
1/5
Just annoying.
It’s like they are constantly warming up and I spent the album waiting for them to start playing something.
The Police
4/5
This is an awesome album.
The rift is large between the good tracks and the shit ones (it’s alright for you - im looking at you!!)
It’s a solid 3.5 but I’ll round it up to 4 because I love Stuart Copeland!
The Libertines
1/5
If I wanted to listen to Franz Ferdinand I would have popped on one of their albums.
The Divine Comedy
5/5
Well this was unexpected!
I absolutely loved this album. I had never heard of it or the band before and based on the reviews, I approached the album with some trepidation.
I REALLY loved this album. It sounded like something that would happen if David Bowie and Mike Oldfield put on an Andrew Lloyd Webber style musical.
LOVED IT and so glad this made the list! Its what the challenge is all about.
Marianne Faithfull
2/5
I was looking forward to this one but found it a bit boring!
Beatles
4/5
I love the Beatles and I love this album.
It's not my favorite album, it's a bit all 'over the place', which is probably a reflection of how the band was during this tumultuous period, Ringo quit the band for a couple of weeks!
It's WAY TO LONG!
Fav's - Happiness is a Warm Gun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
I also like annoying people by claiming to like Revolution 9
lol
Dolly Parton
3/5
Wow. What an awful time Dolly Parton is having with men in this album.
A boyfriend who gets stolen by her mum.
A boyfriend who is trying to convince her to become a swinger against her will.
And a woman who will fuck anything that moves.
Loved it
Giant Sand
1/5
I didn't listen to the bonus tracks, I couldn't have done this for 2 hours!
I had not heard of Giant Sand but was surprised that they have 33 albums in their discography!
What a long and boring album.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
This is the third Jimi Hendrix album so far in this challenge, and although I like him as an artist, I'm not sure why he has multiple albums on the 1001 list when they all sound very similar.
I'm giving this 3 stars, one for 'Voodoo Child' (Slight Return) and 2 for 'All along the Watchtower' (which is probably a 5 star track, but there are too many average tracks in this collection to give the album more than 3.
Jane's Addiction
2/5
A bit too angry and noisy for me. I preferred their other album in the 1001 challenge from a few months ago.
Depeche Mode
3/5
I wasn’t a fan of Depeche Mode back in the day, but I can’t understand why not!
This is an awesome album.
Great beats and atmosphere.
Loved it
Amy Winehouse
4/5
I thought I was going to hate it! The first 12 seconds of Jazz scatting - aaggghhhh!
Thankfully, it was very short-lived and I loved this album.
Another member of the '27 Club', addiction can be brutal.
Kraftwerk
4/5
Fuck yeah!
Awesome album.
Fav tracks:
- Europe Endless
- The Hall of Mirrors
- Trans-Europe Express.
The Beatles of Electronic music
Bruce Springsteen
1/5
🤮
Big Star
2/5
I found this album to be pretty blah!
I listened to it twice just to make sure.
2 stars for nature boy (one for each listen)
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
I absolutely love the first track, my my hey hey (out of the blue)
All three stars are for that track.
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
I have a soft spot for ELO, I like their signature orchestral/rock mash-ups!
I'm giving this one 3 (One full star for the very 70s album art!)
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
I prefer old school hip hop. This is just not my thing, might have tolerated it better if it was shorter, but at 1hour and 19 mins I found it to be a chore.
This review bucks the trend of popular opinion and makes me feel like an old grumpy man.
Bebel Gilberto
2/5
This album was a welcome relief from the previous album, so I'm being generous, 2 Stars!
Not sure why I NEEDED to hear this before I die; I feel like I hear it every time I step in a shopping center elevator!
Songhoy Blues
3/5
I enjoyed this album. Considering the bias in this list to psychedelic rock and male singer-songwriters, this album is a welcome relief.
Awesome music.
Not being able to understand the lyrics made me appreciate the sound of the words and music so much more.
Worthy of this list.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
I enjoyed this album much more than I thought I would. The album was listed as psychedelic rock in Wikipedia, a genre that is over represented in the 1001 challenge.
After a few worrying, live guitar noodlings this album quickly turned into an awesome listen.
Janice Joplin's voice is so distinct and emotional; such a great loss at such an early age.
Loved the album art.
This would be a 3.5 but I'm rounding it down for the noodling.
Sigur Rós
4/5
This album is beautiful, I'm so glad its is on the 1001 list.
This is exactly what I wanted out of this challenge, new and interesting music, Ágætis Byrjun certainly fits the bill!
I'm not sure where it will fit into my listening habits; it feels like listening to a beautiful dream. Not being able to understand any of the lyrics takes it to the next level. It almost feels like some sort of magic spell!
Derek & The Dominos
1/5
Pure unnecessary wank. endless cheesy solos, no real heart or emotion—just a lot of technical skill that ends up feeling empty. Instead of something memorable, it’s more of an ego trip.
Eric Clapton = most overrated guitarist ever.
Fuck right off.
Second worst concert I have ever been to.
Beyoncé
1/5
Beyoncé has a reputation for receiving songwriting credits for work largely done by others. She has been criticised for cultural appropriation and commercialising feminism. She is massively overexposed to the point that she is considered an actress and her clothing line has been accused of unethical labor practices.
I used the 1.5 hours I was forced to listen to this album to research why I felt like I needed to punch a wall.
Phew - it's over.
Fiona Apple
3/5
I thought I looked Fiona Apple, but found this album hard work.
It's difficult to articulate; I like what she is saying. I struggle with the way she is saying it, and there is too much repetitive chanting.
Her writing seems deeply personal; I think she is a true artist.
I simply didn't like this album as much as I wanted to!
The Who
3/5
"My Generation" is a blast. It's raw and rebellious and demands the volume to be cranked up. Keith Moon's 'No Rules' drumming is awesome.
The title track is a classic.
The album is rough around the edges, but it is an excellent debut album.
3.5 stars rounded down because of Roger Daltrey's LEGO-style haircut on the album cover.
3 stars
Björk
3/5
I much prefer this album to her more recent music. Im gonna sound a like an old fart when I say that her earlier stuff is more accessible to older ears!
Her voice is so beautiful, and her music sounds unique, but it's just not my thing.
3 stars
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
This album and the track 'Take Me Home' truly define the summer of 2004. With many indie artists emerging at the time, sifting through the singles of so many bands was exciting. While it's a fun listen, I’m not entirely convinced by the whole album. It’s enjoyable but perhaps best left where I found it in 2004.
Cheap Trick
1/5
What a boring, uninspiring, soulless, generic 70s rock album.
Meh.
I certainly didn't need to hear this before I died!
One star for its length, 41minutes
Jack White
3/5
I enjoyed this album, probably not quite as much as I enjoy The White Stripes.
Great guitar sound and some pretty awesome tracks.
Solid 3 stars.
The War On Drugs
1/5
This album is completely unremarkable. It has no business being on this list.
Bob Dylan
3/5
As a singer/songwriter album, it gets a 5-star rating, however, I have to minus 2 stars for the fucking harmonica.
3 stars
John Grant
3/5
I liked this album!
I thought the songwriting was exciting and, in some songs, unusual/original.
I went in with VERY low expectations, based on the album art, which looked like high school artwank and the fact that I used to work with someone called John Grant (that's not the artists fault).
4 star album, but it was reduced to 3 for the album cover.
JC Hates Faggots = spicy number!
Bad Brains
2/5
This was an odd one.
From start to finish, sometimes I thought I was listening to the Ramones, then I thought I was listening to The Clash and at one point, I thought I was listening to a slightly heavier Duran Duran!
A little too punk for me
The Gun Club
2/5
This was like Iggy Pop meets The Legendary Stardust Cowboy!
At least it was only 40 minutes.
Beatles
5/5
I have always loved this album and listened to it hundreds of times. I fell in love with the Beatles about 38 years ago when I was 15.
This is an awesome album and clearly illustrates the Beatles as one of the most influential bands ever.
Sure some of the band members were/are dicks but this is greatness.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
This is an awesome album. It's the perfect storm of anger, rap and rock!
It's a landmark album.
Tom Morello is a fucking legend.
It can't be on too high a rotation for me, as it just makes me feel angry!
solid 4 stars
Simon & Garfunkel
2/5
Yawn, what a fucking boring album.
ZZ Top
2/5
I didn’t hate this album as much as I thought I would!
Listenable but nothing special
XTC
2/5
I read that this was the best of all XTC's albums.
I sure hope that they don't have any more on this list.
Meh
4/5
As annoying as Bono can be, U2, particularly during the 80’s and 90’s, were a pretty important and influential band.
This is considered by most to be their best work, but I have always struggled with this album. There are a few bangers on it but I feel there is also a lot of filler.
With or without you is an awesome track and may actually be my favourite u2 song.
I’m giving it 3.5 stars (rounding up to 4) three of these stars are for the track ‘with or without you’
Alice In Chains
2/5
I came to this album expecting to love it, but sadly didn’t.
It sounded like a low rent Metallica performing The Door’s songs turned up to 11.
Sonic Youth
1/5
This wasn't what I expected.
It was a hot day.
I was busy in work.
I had too much coffee.
This album sounded like it was recorded in a garage.
TOO MUCH NOISE.
Small Faces
3/5
What a strange album.
I didn’t hate it, some tracks sounded like very early Bowie.
Comically stupid and fun.
John Prine
1/5
No thank you.
Some amusing lyrics, but not enough to actually enjoy listening to country music.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
I was excited to listen to the first Siouxsie and the Banshees album in this challenge, almost 12 months ago.
This is a great album and probably deserves a higher rating, however I’m annoyed with the challenge when it includes the same artist multiple times, especially when the albums sound very similar to each other.
MGMT
3/5
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to! I was a bit glum and it was just the right combination of upbeat vibes and familiar hits.
Just goes to show that I should stop judging albums by their covers because this cover is shit!
Brian Eno
4/5
Brian Eno’s influence in modern and ambient music can’t be denied. The same can not be said for his contribution to the art of singing.
Loved this album except for the tracks with vocals.
He is a legend!
The Go-Betweens
3/5
What an awesome example of Australian indie 80s rock.
Like the smiths playing Paul Kelly songs.
Why on earth bands insist on slipping harmonica into tracks is beyond me, it’s just fucking irritating
Metallica
3/5
4 albums so far from Metallica on this challenge and whilst I like like them, I don’t think their sound/albums are different enough to warrant multiple entries.
It’s not their fault, sometimes this list is shit.
3 stars
Carole King
4/5
This was a beautiful album to listen to and a reminder that music can be simple and still be amazing.
Steely Dan
3/5
I guess I’m hitting the part of the 1001 challenge where bands are turning up for their second or third time.
I don’t think multiple entries are warranted unless a bands sound or album style has changed significantly.
That said, this is a fucking sexy album!
Stan Getz
2/5
Every track sounded the same.
Not my thing
Ryan Adams
2/5
More fucking harmonica!!
Rocket From The Crypt
1/5
This album sounded like a very average garage band. Every track almost identical.
I will never play this album again, absolute shite.
DJ Shadow
3/5
I enjoyed this album a little more than expected. It was great as background music in quite a busy day. Excellent chill level and some awesome sounds!
U2
5/5
Some of my closest friends HATE U2 with a passion, I mean REALLY hate them. Some U2 'douchebaggery' is warranted.
Bono can be an outspoken twat.
Adam Clayton can't play bass and often looks like a complete dick (ironic as his dick appeared in a photograph on the back of the vinyl edition of this album).
Even I didn't want 'Songs of Innocence' the free album they 'gave' everyone in 2014 that apple helped us to remove from our accounts by having to introduce a new 'remove' option.
I'm also against bands with multiple entries in this 1001 challenge unless their sound or musical approach has changed.
I'm gonna let this one pass as a multiple entry as it marks a departure from their previous sound and a cool collaboration with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois (a pair of awesome dudes).
It's also a very nostalgic album, 1991 was a big year for 19 year old me! Most of my peers were fans of the classic U2 sound (Joshua tree, war etc) but this album had flavors of alt rock, industrial and even dance and hit a sweet spot for me.
The sounds that the EDGE generates with his guitar/effects/processors is next level.
My fav tracks are:
Ultraviolet (the Killers do an amazing cover)
Love is blindness (Jack Black does an amazing cover)
Mysterious Ways
and obviously One! (there is an awesome version, not cover, of this song by Chris Cornell, https://youtu.be/MG9nqWoLjns?si=mDm4dTqMAM5iIusZ
It seems an embarrassing thing to say these days, but this is my favorite U2 album, and I do like this band.
There, I said it.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
This is an awesome album and I kept it in my ears for an extra day just to savor it. I have never listened to this album, start to finish. What an oversight!
I could listen to the track Back in Black over and over again.
This album is even more impactful knowing the tragedy of her situation and premature death.
Almost a 5! (Sorry @boopidoo)
Im sure it will be in time!
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
cela ressemblait à la bande originale d'un film pornographique des années 80.
c'était un peu nouveau et pas trop long, donc c'était tolérable.
marqué pour être pédophile
Manu Chao
3/5
I enjoyed this album for it unique content and chill.
I recognise Bongo Bong and Je ne t'aime plus from the Robbie Williams album ‘Rudebox’, an album that will definitely not be on this list.
This is an album I could imagine popping on occasionally, just for a change.
An excellent addition to this challenge.
AC/DC
4/5
This is a great album!
I think it’s probably my favorite AC/DC album.
Just simple massive chunky rock riffs with sometimes juvenile lyrics.
Solid 4. I really enjoyed listening to the whole album, I haven’t done so for a long time.
Who doesn’t love Back in Black!!
Lauryn Hill
4/5
There was a LOT of fuss made about this album when it first released and I know at the time this put me off a little.
It had been a long time coming but revisiting this album has been an awesome. It’s pretty timeless.
It’s probably a 3.5, but I have rounded up to a 4.
Iggy Pop
4/5
Awesome album and collaboration with his good buddy Bowie.
Short and sweet and suitably Iggy!
Love nightclubbing!!!
Interesting to hear the first iteration of ‘china girl’ before Bowie took it to popular culture.
This is iggys second album in the 1001 challenge. It sounds very different to the first so I will allow it 😂
Machito
2/5
Not in the mood.
Fucking jazz, it’s up there with the harmonica as my least favorite type of music.
Megadeth
2/5
Disregarding the fact that Dave Mustaine is a complete Dick, they are a bunch of solid metal musicians.
It was a bit too much for me today, and eventually, the incessant shredding and dive bombs got very irritating. Perhaps I was in the wrong state of mind for this album today.
On the plus side, I like their album artwork!
Poor Dave - lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYQWzdPM6d4
Beck
3/5
I’m not sure how Beck manages to have multiple albums on this list.
It’s ok music, nothing special.
Middle of the road music.
Would have preferred something a little more meaty for a weekend listen.
2.5 rounded up to 3
Taylor Swift
2/5
I’m sure Taylor started with humble beginnings and I don’t doubt her talent.
It’s been great to see a female role model propelled to global stardom. I can’t doubt her influence or talent.
I’m just not into it.
PLUS with a $2 billion world tour just completed, it’s a shame she is not even sharing her talents with her paying audience.
Don’t believe me?
https://youtu.be/k8rMNMURShM?feature=shared
Syd Barrett
5/5
I know that this album will be unfairly judged.
It may seem indulgent, pretentious and just silly. It may also seem like people were taking advantage of Syd in the editing and recording of the album.
It also speaks volumes about drug induced mental illness.
However it also peeps behind the curtain of an extremely influential and respected singer songwriter without whom there would be no pink Floyd, as it is today, or even at all.
I love this album and I love syd Barrett
This album definitely belongs on this list.
Laura Nyro
1/5
Nope
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Sympathy for the Devil is an excellent track. But that’s about it. Just another blues rock album from the stones.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
This is an awesome album.
Had it on high rotation this weekend, especially in the car.
Very chill.
Loved it.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Frank Sinatra has such an iconic voice and with it comes all the nostalgia of the 50s and 60s.
It’s not the sort of music I would listen to regularly but when it’s on it’s easy to listen to and enjoy.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 due to his connection with the mob. 😂
Peter Frampton
3/5
I loved this album for a little while. It introduced me to the ‘talk box’ effect used on Framptons guitar.
Back in my band days, Julian (band member) tried to build one using a funnel, some plumbing pipes and masking tape, looked and sounded fucking ridiculous!
An awesome effect when used sparingly. Listen to David Gilmour’s solo on Pigs (three different ones) and keep talking.
Otherwise this album is just a very ‘standard’ 70s rock cheesy overplayed (and over purchased!) live album.
George Michael
5/5
I may be a little prejudice going into this one because this album snapshots such a memorable time in my life.
I love this album and struggle to pick a ‘best track’ because there are simply too many to pick from.
George Michael was such a talent and by what I have seen was also an awesome person. I listened to this all day!
Ride
2/5
Pretty boring and average.
Ok to listen to, but nothing special.
B.B. King
3/5
Quite enjoyed this one.
Too many live albums on this list.
Judas Priest
2/5
Just not my thing, Generic 80s metal.
Might have been groundbreaking at the time but not in the context of todays music.
The Monks
2/5
I’m thankful that there were only 2 tracks listed on Spotify, because I didn’t really enjoy either of them.
Usually I would seek the complete album to make sure I was judging it fairly, but I just couldn’t be bothered.
Merry Christmas 🎄
Steve Earle
1/5
I’m not sure why I dislike country music as passionately as I do. But I definitely do and this album helped me to prove it.
Too much boot scooting twang for me.
Ryan Adams
1/5
Second album for Brian and still no summer of 69?
Talking Heads
2/5
Because David Byrne, and Talking Heads are often cited as an influence for many artists, I feel a little awkward saying that I don't like this album.
I also struggle to articulate exactly why.
I did read this review by :
https://1001albumsgenerator.com/shares/600b2b41df8aed0e2460fa9c
who summed the album up as:
A spooked ostrich in a house of mirrors.
I couldn't agree more.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
I liked this album better than the last one I had to review, and at just 39 minutes, it wasn't too challenging. I'm still not sure why he has so many albums on the list.
Mj Cole
1/5
In the words of Bob Hoon (you know if you know), this album is 'A sheep-eyed arse tumour.'
Way too long and Way too shit.
What a rubbish start to the new year.
The Beta Band
2/5
This was a vanilla album.
Nothing great but nothing bad either.
Not sure why it’s on this list
Bob Dylan
2/5
Not quite as shit as I was expecting, but he can shove that harmonica right up his arse.
Van Halen
3/5
Eddie Van Halens guitar sound and style was so unique to this era and really made Van Halen pioneer their newly created genre, ‘glam metal’
It’s a pretty awesome debut album.
I enjoy Van Halen it in bits and pieces, but a whole album is a bit much for me.
Foo Fighters
3/5
I have always found the Foo Fighters to be a bit generic.
That said I really enjoyed reading about this album and its creation and lyrics.
I had no idea that Grohl played all the instruments.
I wish I had discovered this before listening to it and it has almost inspired me to give it a second listen.
Almost.
The The
2/5
I remember when this came out, people loved it! I didn’t understand it at the time and now that I have listened it it again, still don’t understand it.
The the. Cool name!
The Human League
3/5
Really enjoyed listening to this today. Total synth pop overload!
Don’t you want me was one of the first singles I bought (on 45)
He haircut was next level back then and just looks a bit try hard now!
Lol
2Pac
2/5
I quite enjoyed this album but I’m sure that’s because the last 2 weeks of albums have been absolute dog shit.
The Prodigy
5/5
This is an awesome album. So much energy and angst!
Chocked full of bangers.
Although I wasn't really into it when it first came out, its been on high rotation for perhaps the past 20 years?
Blur
3/5
I was living in the UK during 1994 which was when this album landed. It's hard not to be biased due to nostalgia.
Love 'em or hate 'em Blur certainly made their mark and was one-half of the Brit Pop war during that year. I'm not sure why they were pitched against Oasis as their music is so different.
Just can't resist Damon Albarn and his cheeky, cockney accent singling his pretentious lyrics. Love it
Holger Czukay
3/5
Never heard of this album or artist, but after settling in, following a period of ear adjustment, I really enjoyed it.
Sounded like Mike Oldfield on Acid.
Turbonegro
1/5
No thanks. A bit try-hard and sounds like a bunch of 16-year-old kids practising in a garage.
Lyrics were a bit embarrassing!
Black Flag
2/5
Bollocks, another punk offering.
At least they are short.
Queen
3/5
I enjoyed this album, although I think its an odd choice for inclusion in this challenge!
The xx
3/5
This album was OK but a little dull.
I enjoyed having it on whilst chipping away at work.
Red Snapper
1/5
# The Rough and the Quick - LOL!
Soooo repetative, it must be what OCD feels like?
Barry Adamson
4/5
I really enjoyed this album! Spooky and interesting.
including Nick Cave, Atticus Ross and Jarvis Cocker. Whats not to love!
What a fucking creepy album!
Patti Smith
2/5
Jesus, that was a long 43 minutes.
Parts of it sounded like the rantings of a mad woman.
It might be musical genius, but unfortunately, I just don't get it.
I giving a bonus star because I do like Patti Smith, just not this album!
Cocteau Twins
2/5
I don't mind listening to music in various languages, but I just found this album to be a bit boring. Each new track sounded very much like the last, and it was all a little too pop jingly whiney for me.
I'm shocked at how many negative reviews there are simply because the album is not all in English!
Miles Davis
1/5
Ooof, I struggle with 'free-form' Jaz, which speaks more to my inability to understand/enjoy it rather than the talents of the person performing it.
Fuck that.
Sex Pistols
4/5
I enjoyed this album. I hadn't listened to it for a long time. It seems much more coherent and melodic than I remember, which really surprised me!
I guess the shock value has been very diluted by what passes for music these days (spoken like a 52 year old! lol)
The Clash
4/5
This is an awesome debut album.
A classic, awesome rock album. Imagine reaching no.12 in the charts with a budget of 3 weeks and 4000 quid!
UB40
1/5
I fucking hated this album.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
This is another phenomenon I have never been able to understand.
How he continues to pull off the ‘working class hero’ image following decades of fame and wealth is beyond me.
Don’t mind his greatest hits but his voice always sounds strained rather than powerful and his lyrics a bit over sentimental.
4/5
This album got my day off to such a good start! Even the slower tracks were so engaging, Four Cornered Room, I'm looking at you!
I don't listen to this type of music enough.
Big Black
4/5
This album blew me away!
I had never heard of them or any of the tracks on this album.
This is right in my wheelhouse! Not an everyday, high-rotation album, but when its on, its on!
So aggressive, offensive, musical, noisy, bleak, fucking awesome!
Exactly what this challenge is all about!
Madonna
3/5
I really enjoyed listening to this album today. I loved Madonna (in the day!) and despite not listening to this album for about 30 years, I still managed to recall most of the lyrics.
It's not musical genius, but Madonna was one of the first female pop stars/idols and has managed to survive a pretty tough industry, so for that reason, she is to be celebrated.
I think her choices in cosmetic surgery detract from her legend status.
She has much better albums than this, but I'm giving it 3 stars, mostly for nostalgia.
Haircut 100
2/5
This was just too much 80's-pop in one helping. Spotify only has the PLUS version with an additional 20+ minutes, and I really could have done without that today. It's not awful, just embarrassing and I have no idea what it's doing on this list.
Nirvana
4/5
This is a great album. I think you need to be at least familiar with their regular 'plugged in' to understand the success and hype of this album.
in a stripped-down format, this album makes you feel like you are connecting with the band on a more personal level, which is also assisted with the candid conversations between songs.
Although 'unplugged' albums saturated the 90's, there were 68 in total. this is one of the few that seem to matter to people which is probably a pretty good indication of how good it is.
I know Kurt was a troubled soul but there is no denying his creativity and talent.
Oh, and it contains the second-best version of 'The Man Who Sold The World' ever recorded.
Coldplay
5/5
I was very much looking forward to listening to this; it was such an awesome album when it first came out and I can remember listening to it over and over and over again.
Nothing can take away from this being a very strong debut album, and for a few years and a couple of albums, I was a massive fan.
But then Mylo Xyloto happened, and it was as if Chris Martin had found a single glitter cannon and thought, “Yes. This is who we are now.”
Don't get me wrong, I really like some of their music, but it's different now and most of the time, way too optimistic and wrapped up in earnest douchebaggery. The rainbow wristbands are tedious and all that neon gives me a headache.
Came back for a revisit. I LOVE this album and would like it on my 1001 list!
Throwing Muses
2/5
I thought these tracks all sounded a bit samey and just a bit average :-(
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
This is a tough one!
This album turned up at a particularly complicated period in my life and as such it’s a soundtrack to some wild, amazing, awful, fun, depressing, lonely, crazy, sexy, isolated, hedonistic, excessive, destructive times! Listeniy to this album multiple times over the past 24 hours instantly transported me back so I don’t know wether to love or hate it!!
I love every track on this album, especially the first side/half.
I’m not a massive RHCP fan but there are a few albums in my collection.
I also decided I didn’t like Anthony Kiedis after reading his memoir ‘Scar tissue’ an awful publication that highlighted what a selfish twat he is. A deplorable human being who thinks it’s cool to gloat about drug abuse and pedophillia. His awful behaviour continues today, as a 61 year old man, he is currently dating a 19 year old girl. Yuck.
I had to get that off my chest because I’m giving this album 5 stars and wanted you to know that I’m. It doing it for him, but for the music of the band.
He is an absolutely disgraceful cunt who should be in jail.
Flea is awesome!
Bauhaus
3/5
This was such a tough album to rate!
The tracks I loved, I really loved and the ones I disliked, were awful!
I’m glad I listened to it.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
At least it was only 32 mins long.
Not bad but not great either.
The Clash
3/5
Another album that is twice as long as it was when originally released.
It’s a great classic album if listened with its original track listing. A bit bloated and diluted with the 2 additional album sides.
The Residents
3/5
Wow!
Within the first 30 seconds, I knew things were going to be challenging!
What a crazy and nightmarish album.
Probably a 2 because although I probably won’t ever listen to it again I’m glad I did and I imagine this band has been pretty influential for bands Primus and Mr bungle.
I’m going to bump this to 3 just because, it’s such a trip!
Pere Ubu
2/5
Duck stab/Buster & Glen yesterday and this today!! It’s a bit too much.
Perhaps if it was listened to a few weeks after yesterdays I might have been kinder.
Just strange.
The Kinks
2/5
Just another 60s - 70s British rock/pop band. They have a few classic hits and non of them are on this album!
Neil Young
4/5
I know that Neil Young has lots (perhaps the most?) entries on this list.
I have said many times that I don’t believe artists should have multiple entries on the list unless the entry depicts a different sound/structure/aspect to their music.
I’m not sure After the gold rush qualifies as a change of style/sound, but I love it all the same!
The Police
4/5
I loved listening to this album today (and yesterday).
Stewart Copeland is such an awesome drummer.
Mother is such a fucking awful song.
Synchronicity II is such a good listen and so is Every Breath you Take.
loved it.
The Modern Lovers
4/5
Another album/band I wasn’t aware of, this 1001 challenge is awesome!
I loved this album. I didn’t realise that Pablo Picasso was their track, it was covered by David Bowie on the Reality album, I almost prefer their version (almost).
The right combination of energy, rawness, music and what sounds like lots of alcohol.
Loves it.
Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole!
Joe Ely
1/5
This was absolute shite and I will never listen to it again!
Unfortunately I cant give it 0 stars
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I found this album a bit boring, which was a surprise to me, I was looking forward to it.
Neil Young
3/5
I do like Neil Young although listening to a couple in close succession dilutes the experience somewhat.
I don't think that a single artist should have so many entries in the list.
Old Man and Heart of Gold are standouts, but now I have had enough.
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
As a debut album, this is next level!
I love listening to people singing in their native accents and the Arctic Monkeys rock pretty hard.
Mardy bum and Riot Van are the standouts for me.
Paints such a vivid image of northern British youth.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
This was a nice listen, and Joni Mitchell's talents can't be denied. It won't be on high rotation, but I'm glad I know it's there.
Janet Jackson
3/5
I remember having my first romantic crush, 1982 (?), Janet Jackson in the TV series Fame. If you look her up, she looks like a completely different person to how she appeared on this album.
It was like listening to a time capsule.
Ita chronically over produced, but she was trying to telegraph a message.
I think?
Jimmy Smith
3/5
I can believe I’m going to say this about a jazz album.
I didn’t hate it!
Joy Division
4/5
I love this album and band and think that for context its important to watch this movie
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421082/
and then watch this movie
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0274309/
The order is important, the first movie is awesome, but also obviously quite depressing. The second movie is a blast!
Fucking loved it and also went to my first New Order Concert this weekend!
The Flaming Lips
3/5
This was a tough one. They have some interesting music design and themes going on.
They sound like the band Air asked Neil Young and Jean Michelle Jarre to join their band.
The bits I liked, I really liked.
The bits I didn't, were avant garde pretentious wank
The Doors
3/5
I love the doors, but this is far from their best album.
Although the music is pretty bluesy, creatively they sound tired.
Jim Morison was a bit of a mess by this album.
The Associates
2/5
This album is an unpleasant mess.
Moments of musical awesomeness, but they were just moments, and not many of them.
Nope
Django Django
3/5
This was an interesting album. A little too repetitive for me. Didn't hate it, didn't love it either.
I'm sitting on the fence for this one. I was listening to it during a very busy day, which may have helped or hindered their score, I'm not sure!
Pearl Jam
4/5
In my preparation for attending the 2025 Peral Jam Dark Matter tour, I endured the cinema release of their new album Dark Matter. The whole album was played twice through, and after the first round, a lot of people left, including me.
I didn’t end up going to the concert but I did hear lots about it through friends and family.
Their new album actually put me off wanting to go! I’m glad I had the opportunity to listen to this album, it reminded me that in the day, they were an awesome band (even if they do sound a bit too country sometimes)
Green Day
5/5
For fucks sake - just give it a 5!
Fairport Convention
3/5
I really enjoyed this album. It went on a bit too long and its production could have done with more variety.
Khaled
3/5
This album was a nice surprise. A little long and a bit cheesy in some spots. I'd listen to it again. Loved the voice and intonation.
Adam & The Ants
4/5
This is such an awesome album but I’m sure it’s mostly about nostalgia.
Adam and the ants was one of my first pop idols.
We must have looked pretty stupid.
8 years olds with white stripes across our noses, feathers in our hair and one of my friends even owned the Adam ant French style military jacket.
Like it or loath it, it was a unique style/type of music combination, New Romantic/pop/tribal
Definitely belongs in this list.
Awesome!
The Isley Brothers
3/5
Very Sexy
VERY Groovy
The extended album was a little too extended.
Loved it.
Lorde
4/5
This is a great album, and Lorde is a beautiful singer. Her collaboration with Jack Antonoff perfectly suits her lyrics and unique voice.
I'm not a massive pop fan, but I'll make an exception for Lorde.
This is a beautifully produced album and I'm glad it's on this list.
The Last Shadow Puppets
2/5
Short and sweet!
I thought I would enjoy this album more than I did. It sounded quite interesting at first, but then it became a bit repetitive.
Mekons
3/5
I liked this album a lot. It reminded me a lot of the Pogues. Rambling drunken folk/country/punk!
High rotation this morning.
Radiohead
5/5
This is the least accessible Radiohead album, but I think that's why it's one of my favorites. Even the band criticises it and suggested it had too many tracks. Their suggested omissions were
Backdrifts
We Suck Young Blood
I Will
A Punchup at a Wedding
"I will" is one of my all time favorite Radiohead tracks and I think 'We suck young blood' is very 'Hail to the Thief'
I don't love all of Radiohead's albums, but I absolutely love this one
4/5
This Album was going to get a solid 2. It's OK, familiar sounding, and I can't quite put my finger on why.
However, it gets 4 stars for the collaboration with Thom Yorke - an awesome track!
OutKast
2/5
This album was WAY TO LONG!
I love the song Hey Ya! and I like a bit of Hip Hop, but this album outstayed its welcome.
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
This album sounded a little undercooked, like a bunch of demos.
Pretty boring stuff.
Talking Heads
2/5
I want to like Talking Heads.
I respect the impact and influence that they have had on the music industry and its artists.
It's all a bit too 'Art school' for me.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I love the track 'Wild Horses'.
I like the raw energy in Mick Jagger's voice, sometimes ugly but usually emotional.
Keith Richards' guitar tone is awesome.
The cover of this album is gross.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
I find CCR cheesy.
I know it's (hallowed) classic rock, and I used to play a lot of CCR covers, and they certainly go off. I have just never really understood their place in classic rock folklore.
Its OK - just a 3.
Massive Attack
3/5
I think I'm a Massive Attack 'Greatest Hits' kinda guy.
The stuff of theirs I love, I really love, but there is also a lot of meh.
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
I was quite enjoying this album until I dug a little deeper into Afrika Bambaataa (who sounds like he might be an appalling human being).
I'll separate the art from the artist for this one. Speaking of art, the album cover is next level! I enjoyed the listen, although I found it a little dated.
Energy was pretty high!
Solid 3
Common
3/5
I enjoyed this a little more than expected. I went into this album with a negative mindset, mostly due to the Kanye hype, but if I’m honest I quite enjoyed it.
It won’t be on high rotation, but I’d be happy to revisit it.
Of course I need to mention that Kanye West appears to be a controlling antisemitic, misogynistic narcissist, but he has some good tunes!
Weather Report
1/5
My least favorite type of album, Jazz.
My musical blind spot.
I didn't enjoy this at all.
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
This is a great post-Beatles album. I was hoping to be able to criticise this album, because I'm not a fan of Paul McCartney. I find his personality grating and his false sincerity nauseating. I also observed a control freak and a bully in the Peter Jackson documentary The Beatles - Get Back.
Unfortunately, it's an awesome album!
Little Richard
3/5
I enjoyed this.
At only 30 minutes in length, I appreciated a type of music I don't usually listen to. Any longer and there would have been trouble!
Obviously a pretty influential artist.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
It sounds like every song is being performed at the back of a very long cave. I don't think the heavy use of reverb helps the songs at all. Some of them sounded like they had substance, but then it got lost in the reverb.
Didn't hate it, but probably wouldn't put it on again.
The Adverts
2/5
It was ok. I’m not a massive punk fan but I got through this album in one piece!
Tom Waits
4/5
This was a great listen!
I listened to it on a loop over 3-4 hours.
It was like a cross between a nightmare/dream and some nostalgic feeling from another time.
First time listen, won't be the last, but its one of those albums that has the right time and place!
ZZ Top
2/5
I can't believe that these dudes have 2 albums on this list. This one is just as boring as the last one. There is something about this band that seems a bit try hard/sad?
Simon & Garfunkel
2/5
I thought this was a very vanilla album. They are two talented dudes, but the songs and performance sound very sterile and often cheesy.
Their public spats have been fun to watch.
This album has the second-best version of 'Homeward Bound' ever performed. (Nothing can surpass Kevin Garvey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzakrA2NUpg )
Led Zeppelin
3/5
An iconic band with iconic cover art, this album and sound define the late 60s supergroup rock era.
It's not my favourite Led Zeppelin album, so I hope I get a further opportunity to review them a little higher.
Solid 3.
Standout tracks - 'Dazed and Confused' and 'Good Times Bad Times'
Culture Club
3/5
I enjoyed listening to this album. It was a super flashback to the 80s.
Silly, Synth, Pop, Catchy, Charisma.
What's not to like?
Violent Femmes
3/5
I wavered on this album, and I feel I have some bias coming into it. I was playing in a band in the late 80's and got so fed up of hearing 'Blister in the Sun' being aggressively strummed by anyone with an acoustic guitar regardless of talent. Its definitely tainted my enjoyment of this album.
I gave it a 4 and then had to remove a star for 'Bluster in the sun'. Its very unjust, I know, but trauma is unjust.
Yes
1/5
More self indulgent, Prog Rock wank.
Not today!
No thanks.
Public Enemy
3/5
I enjoyed this album and can hear its influences on lots of other music/bands. I constantly forget how much I enjoy Hip Hop, especially the political stuff!
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
I like the fusion between hip hop and EDM.
I enjoyed it but only as background music.
If I was off my head on pingers, then it would probably be a 5!
Funkadelic
4/5
I loved this album, even the first track, Maggot Brain and its 10-minute repetitive guitar solo! I really enjoyed the use of stereo spacing on this track.
The rest of it was nonstop funk!
Loved it!
Aphex Twin
3/5
I enjoy ambient music and frequently listen to it whilst working. I find music without lyrics so much less distracting.
Having said that, it's possible to listen to music without actually hearing it.
I listened to this album 3 times on rotation last week, and couldn't describe a single track!
Shout out to Die Antwoord!
Calexico
3/5
I enjoyed this album and its mashup of genres and sounds.
Possibly the worst album cover I have ever seen?
Mudhoney
2/5
I know is not fair to compare bands, especially at a time when they were all striving to define a genre, but this album was like listening to a soft/safe nirvana.
Fuck harmonicas !!
Dexys Midnight Runners
1/5
What a fucking annoying voice. This is their second addition to the list and does not have the redeeming feature if their 'one hit wonder'.
FKA twigs
1/5
This was a bit of a sonic mess.
@boopidoo, your reviews are so funny!
I found the introduction to each track infinitely more interesting than the track itself.
Cee Lo Green
2/5
Nothing special here. I think of this dude as a one-hit wonder, and his wonder does not even appear on this album.
Pretty irritating voice/style
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Things I like
+5 stars for the 'The immigrant song'
+3 stars for 'since I've been loving you'
+3 stars for 'Tangerine'
Things I don't like
- 2 stars for 'hats off to Roy Harper'
- 4 stars for 'non-consentual' sex play with fish (google led zeplin + mud shark)
- 2 for Jimmy Page for underage relations.
= +3
I usually bang on about judging the art, not the artist, I have made an exception to my rule today.
Circle Jerks
2/5
I fucking hated this album, although I’m giving it an extra star for being only 15 minuets long!
Prince
2/5
Prince has some awesome albums.
This isn’t one of then
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
I really enjoyed this album, sounded like a less electronic version of a Mike oldfield album. It would have been a 4 star review but I had to remove a star for an unnecessarily long drum solo in ‘Blues Pt2’
The Pogues
4/5
So much emotion.
So much alcohol .
So much fun
Absolutely loved it
Erykah Badu
2/5
It not you, it’s me.
I don’t understand/enjoy this genre.
Just sounded boring and at times irritating.
I don’t hate it and it was ok to have in the background but it doesn’t do anything for me.
Really annoying voice?
Aretha Franklin
4/5
An absolute powerhouse!
Perfect album length.
Classic Aretha
Stereolab
4/5
I really liked this album!
Awesome loops and lyrics!
Love
3/5
I liked its acoustic focus.
Silly psychedelic rock bullshit.
Didn’t hate it. Pretty self indulgent!!
The Cardigans
4/5
4 stars for a nice - sub 45 minute album and for lovefool.
It’s the standout track on the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack. Fucking awesome!
Fleetwood Mac
2/5
I don't really understand the hype around Fleetwood Mac. As a "Greatest Hits" band they rock, but listening to a whole album... meh.
The fact that they have the second-highest rated album in this challenge is probably just a testimony to them appealing to a broad audience AKA Easy listening. Obviously, this doesn't apply to Pink Floyd, David Bowie or the Beatles, who also dominate the top 10 !!!!!!
Def Leppard
2/5
There are a few Def Leppard tracks I love (growing up in the 80s!
However I couldn't find any of them on this album.
The Kinks
3/5
This was a fun album! I'm not sure if it's a classic, but I really enjoyed listening to it today. It put a spring in my step on the way to work!
The bonus tracks made the album drag a little, but that's not the KINKS' fault!
Scott Walker
2/5
Depressing and self indulgent cheese
The Streets
3/5
I thought I would like this more than I did.
I love it when artists perform in their native accents and although this is no exception. I found the tracks very average.
Perhaps if there was more flow, I would have rated it higher?
Michael Jackson
2/5
Another tough one. I used to love this album so much but it’s hard not to relate the music to Michael Jackson’s paedophilic legacy.
I’m sure he has destroyed a lot of lives.
This is a 4 star album but minus 2 for kiddy fiddling. Some people think that kiddy fiddling is only worth minus 1 star. I’m taking this seriously, minus 2 stars.
MJ what an awesome talent encapsulated in the mind and body of a rich and famous pervert.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
1/5
What the fuck
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
This was a tough listen. Just the exact type of country music I dislike.
Sounded very generic
Everything But The Girl
3/5
I didn’t hate it, but the fact that every song sounds exactly the same is a little bit off putting.
It’s ok, but nothing more.
Orange Juice
2/5
If I wanted to listen to David Bowie, I would have popped on a David Bowie album.
A bit try hard - that includes the wanky album cover too!
Elbow
4/5
I really enjoyed this album and look forward to popping it on again and also listening to some of their other stuff.
Sounded like what would happen if Peter Gabriel, Radiohead and coldplay had a baby!
Loved it
Isaac Hayes
2/5
Exactly as I expected listening to a TV series soundtrack would sound like.
Background elevator music.
The Triffids
2/5
This album didn't even make it into the top 30 of its own country's charts when released. I'm not surprised, I listened to it today, and it's as boring as batshit.
It's upsetting when I think about some awesome albums that don't feature on the list and yet I have to listen to this dross.
Lowpoints = vagabond holes (😳) and trick of the light
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
A bit sexy
A bit background
A bit boring
It was ok compared so some of the shite I have had to listen to this week!
Brian Wilson
2/5
Brian Wilson’s (beach boys) life and talent is often likened to Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd).
Musical geniuses plagued by mental health issues that eventually forced them out of their respective bands.
That said, the surf sound, falsetto harmonies created by Brian just annoy me!
John Martyn
2/5
I started off enjoying this album, but that may have been relative to the albums that have been served up lately.
Very soon it developed into a ‘I have changed my mind’ situation and ended in a ‘no thanks’
Kate Bush
2/5
I love some of Kate bush’s albums but not this one.
I found it pretentiously irritating and so next level progressive pop that I almost couldn’t listen to it.
Kate bush is awesome, this album is not!
Ray Price
2/5
Way too much steel guitar and honky tink piano for me. Just another old country album, they all sound the same to my uneducated ears
The Fall
2/5
Wikipedia states that this is the most accessible album to date for the Fall.
Thank fuck I didn’t have yo listen to one of their more challenging ones.
Just because synthesizers are capable of playing unusual, diverse and unexpected sounds, doesn’t mean that you have to play all the sounds, all the time.
Just felt all over the place.
The Byrds
2/5
More jangly psychedelic rock that I probably didn’t need to listen to before I die.
Johnny Cash
3/5
‘Hurt’, ‘Personal Jesus’ and ‘In my life’ are awesome songs and although listening to such an awesome voice singing them takes the songs in another direction, it’s not enough. This is a bunch of covers 3 performed well and the rest just predictable.
Nine inch nails does have the best version of ‘hurt’, probably because it’s their track, but ‘Mr Cash’ does have an awesome video clip for it.
Dennis Wilson
2/5
If this album was 50% shorted it would have stood a chance. Such long albums just dilute anything that has any substance.
Not even his excessively thick facial hair could save this one.
Portishead
2/5
I thought I liked portishead so was looking forward to this album, especially because this challenge seems to be on a roll of sending me albums that have been painful to get through. This album was no exception. Turns out I may only like their first album!
Fuck that noise - literally!
Arcade Fire
3/5
Not their best album and had a very ‘killers’ sound and vibe with was a bit spooky!
Good for a listen but nothing flash!
Elvis Presley
2/5
I appreciated the length of this album!
I have never been a fan of Elvis but I must admit to having a lot more empathy for him since watching the recent biopic.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
This is a beautiful album. Although I listened to it during the late 80s, it wasn’t until this re-listen that I fully appreciate her simple but powerful lyrics.
What an amazingly powerful singer/songwriter,
The power is in the simplicity of the writing and the performance.
Spacemen 3
2/5
I didn't hate it, but I did hate how long it was.
What a stupid genre - Shoegaze. lol
Pink Floyd
4/5
I love this album, but I’m very bias as a massive pink floyd fan.
It’s a tough listen in the context of the rest of their work.
I see this album as a vehicle for what is to come from the band. Wouldn’t have worked with syd Barrett and wouldn’t have worked without him.
If you hated this - I totally get it!
Traffic
4/5
I listened to this album with my 16 year old son.
First song starts and his review is “more Austin Powers garbage”
But when the second and third songs played, we were hooked!
He gave it a 4, I gave it a 3.5!
Loved freedom rider and John barleycorn.
Rounding up to 4
Roni Size
1/5
It’s not a genre I’m super familiar with, but I am pretty open minded (unless we are talking about shoegaze) that said, this album was pretty repetitive and boring.
I think I would have been alright to not listen to this one before I die.
I will never play this again.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
It’s a tricky one to rate, because at the right time and in the right place (ironically NOT ‘right here, right now’) this would be a banger album!!!
Outside the context of a nightclub/rave or a Mitsubishi/volvo/toyota car commercial, the album can be pretty fucking repetitive and irritating.
It’s a solid 3 from me.
I had never heard the song fucking in heaven, but after just one listen, I managed to learn the whole thing.
That track is such an ego wank.
Fatboy Slim is fucking in heaven
Fatboy Slim is fucking in heaven
Fatboy Slim is fucking in heaven
Fucking 'n fucking 'n fucking in heaven
Fatboy Slim is fucking in heaven
Fatboy Slim is fucking in heaven
Fatboy Slim is fucking in heaven
Fucking 'n fucking 'n fucking in heaven
Fatboy Slim is fucking in heaven
Fatboy Slim is fucking in heaven
Fatboy Slim is fucking in heaven
Fucking 'n fucking 'n fucking
The Who
3/5
I quite enjoyed this album, which surprised me because I’m not a massive ‘The Who’ fan.
Just a solid British rock album.
Live albums can be a bit average, this one is good. Not great.
Common
2/5
Just sounded like generic rap to me. It was ok as background music, but probably won’t get another spin.
Neil Young
2/5
I thought I liked Neil young until this challenge. How many fucking albums can one person have on this list! It’s like he sponsored the book!
Paul Simon
3/5
Paul Simon is a bit of a musical blind spot for me. I know he is considered a musical legend. But for me it’s a bit vanilla, a bit sanitised. Was going to score him a 2 but think this is probably a little unfair and not reflective of his talent as a songwriter (?).
He can have an extra star for marrying Princes Leia, every schoolboys fantasy (if you were born in 1972)
Pixies
5/5
What an awesome album.
This was my fist time with Doolittle, and as its a pretty short album I listened to it over and over again yesterday afternoon and all this morning.
Absolutley loved:
Debaser
Monkey gone to heaven
Hey
Gouge away
This album is now firmly in my 'High rotation' playlist!
Came back to give this album a 5.
Mostly due to Monkey gone to heaven
Jamiroquai
3/5
A little too much didgeridoo!
Its OK, but I'm probably more of a 'Jamiroquai's Greatest Hits' kinda guy!
Pretty hard following the Pixies album - Doolittle
Tina Turner
3/5
I love Tina Turner's power ballads, but the pop stuff is a little too much.
It definitely deserves a place on this list.
Too many covers!
Buck Owens
2/5
At least it was a quick listen!
It might be great rockabilly but its not for me.
Way too much slide guitar!
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Another 80s pop album. I listened to this over and over, time after time (see what I did there!) as a teenager. I forgot how much I loved this album. Cyndi is a powerhouse.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
I was looking forward to this album based on some of the reviews I read. Perhaps this was a mistake? I went in with high expectations and came out pretty disappointed.
For me, this album felt like listening to a dream about wind chimes in an echo chamber. Way too much reverb and each track was very similar. It reminded me a lot of Kate Bush, but at least with a Kate Bush album there is a bit of variety (and 300% less reverb).
Supergrass
2/5
I didn't hate it, but why do Supergrass have a second album on this list? It's just generic Brit Pop.
It's OK in the background, not offensive but not awesome either.
I preferred their previous album.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
For nostalgia I give this 5 stars but I have to peg it back a little because I read Anthony Kiedis’s autobiography ‘Scar Tissue’ and found out what ‘A MUPPET-HUMPING MONKEY FEOTUS.’ Mr Kiedis really is, (Thanks Bob Hoon, you always know how to describe people accurately). He is a self confessed pedophile, proud enough about it to include it as a chapter in his book!
Flea is awesome!
Black Sabbath
3/5
This is a tricky one to review with Ozzy’s death just yesterday.
I hadn’t heard this album before and enjoyed it. I was going to give it a 4 but then realised that was just down to sentimentality.
A solid 3
Donald Fagen
1/5
What a vanilla jazzy pop album - yuck!
Or perhaps it’s because it came right after black sabbath? Lol
Aimee Mann
2/5
What a boring, generic album. Very skipable! a quite liked the cover.
Louis Prima
3/5
I thought I was playing fallout 4 for the 2 hours I listened to this album this morning!
The Zutons
3/5
I quite enjoyed this album, although it was nothing special. probably just in a 1001 rut and anything above a 2 is special!
10cc
1/5
@boopidoo said it best.
This album is absolute shite!
Track 2 should have been the name of the album to get the message across.
Traffic
2/5
Generic late 60's rock, I'll pass.
"Melody Maker enthused that the album showed tremendous pace and originality"
Nothing original about this album in the context of the era.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Its not you, its me. I know everyone in the whole world LOVES Simon and Garfunkel, but I don't. They are great singer-songwriters, but the esteem they are held in baffles me. Most of these stars are for the Album cover - Place thumb over Paul Simon. Embrace the moustache.
The Sonics
3/5
I thought this album was a lot of fun! old school raw rock and roll.
Is spin this album again!
The Dictators
3/5
This was a new album for me and I loved its energy! I was amazed that it was released in 1975!! What an awesome sound.
2/5
I didn’t really enjoy this album. Just a bit too messy and noisy for me. lol
New Order
4/5
I only knew 2 songs on this album and really enjoyed listening to it on repeats a couple of times yesterday.
Bernard Sumner always cops a beating for his singing, but I kinda like the honesty of a crap singer doing his stuff with the backdrop of perfect synth and drum machines. Playing the bass an October high has such a classic sound. I recently saw New Order in concert, which made me realise how much tinkering they do to his voice on studio albums! Lol
New Order are an awesome band and although I’d prefer to be reviewing other albums in their collection, it was a great excuse to be introduced to this one.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
I enjoyed this album. I'm a sucker for a bit of folk, and this album was no exception. It sounded a little more country than I like, but it also had a lot of heart. Reminded me a little of Jewel.
Hüsker Dü
1/5
I absolutely hated listening to this album. Sounded like a shit version of REM. awful cover and the album was way too long. Hüsker Dü, you got me on the wrong day.
Justice
4/5
This was an awesome album. I had never heard of Justice, and I enjoyed listening to most of the tracks! Some of the tracks sounded like they could have been on the TRON soundtrack. I love the dark, dirty synth leads! A great find!
American Music Club
2/5
I listened to this album on youTube, which always gets things off to a bad start - extremely underwhelming. Another album whose place on this list is questionable.
Talking Heads
2/5
Please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please let this be the last Talking Heads album on this list.
Jacques Brel
3/5
J'ai aimé cet album et je ne l'aurais probablement jamais écouté en dehors de ce défi. Je ne suis pas sûr de le réécouter un jour, mais je suis content de l'avoir écouté une fois.
Depeche Mode
3/5
This is a great album. Emo Synth Pop, what’s not to love! It can get a bit repetitive and its darkness means that I need to choose wisely when to listen to depeche mode, it can be a real downer. Love it!
Hole
4/5
I must admit to having a few hangups about this album prior to to listening to it, based on my memory and experience of the early 90's and appetite for Nirvana.
I was ready to hate this album (again) but instead found myself loving its energy and although it sounded very much like another version of Nirvana, I totally appreciate the difference now (something I didn't, back in the day).
Wire
3/5
Two loud/Chaotic and Raw albums in a row! This album sounded like a more diverse/interesting version of Punk to me. 21 songs in 35 mins! Gotta love punk!
Eels
3/5
It's a nice album, but nothing special. In the day I always thought the Eels were a bit overrated. My original score was 2 stars, but I really like the album title!
Incredible Bongo Band
2/5
I'm shocked that this album rated as well (Globally) as it did! It was just a cheesy 'Hooked on Classics' (if you know, you know) but with bongos!. Who'd have thought!
Bob Dylan
2/5
I recently watched the biopic 'A Complete Unknown' starring Timothée Chalamet, depicting the early career of Bob Dylan. The movie portrayed him to be a superficial, self centered uninteresting character, which is further reinforced when I listen to his uninteresting music delivered via a grating, nasal and off-key voice. Only the 'much too frequent' use of the fucking harmonica had me begging for his singing to return to the albums tracks.
Meat Loaf
3/5
I was haunted by the popularity of this Album when I was a teenager and resisted it for a long time. This album seems to have everything dialed up to 11, including the concept, drama and album art. It's definitely a moment in time!
Missy Elliott
2/5
I didn't like this album at all. I'm sure it has its audience, but I'm definitely not in it!
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
Didn’t hate it but also didn’t love it.
It passed the time and occasionally made my toes tap!
Motörhead
1/5
This album does fall into the category of 'classic album' for some people, and I certainly remember it's popularity when growing up.
It just sounds like a noise to me, and it's not even a pleasant noise.
Repetitive riffs and sound.
Juvenile lyrics.
In case you missed it:
Teenage baby, you're a sweet young thing
Still tied to Mummy's apron strings
I don't even dare to ask your age
It's enough to know you're here backstage
Tell me baby, oh you look so fine
Send quivers up and down my spine
I don't care about our different ages
I'm an open book with well-thumbed pages
Jailbait
I ain't too late
Jailbait baby, get down
Right now
GROSS
Gotan Project
3/5
This is a very sexy album! Great to chill to.
A little repetitive, and the tracks are a little too long.
But I enjoyed listening to it, because this list has served up some absolute shite for the last couple of weeks!
The Auteurs
2/5
What a crap album. Thankfully, I listened to the non-expanded version!
The Replacements
2/5
This was a pretty average album. Short enough to not be annoying.
I listened to it and probably never will again.
Fever Ray
4/5
I really liked this album, very dark and atmospheric.
Obviously, you need to be in the right mood for a listen! Never heard of them, but I'm definitely going to investigate.
The Byrds
3/5
I enjoyed this in an odd kind of way! It reminded me of every movie ever made involving young adults from the United States being conscripted to fight in the Vietnam War!
Mylo
5/5
This album had such a massive influence on me! I have listened to it thousands of times!
It peaked my interest in home recording electronic music. I read that most of this album was recorded using the DAW ‘Reason’ by propellahead and I spent the next 6 months trying to learn how to use it and making music. Obviously I didn’t become famous and make it to this list, but I had a lot of fun! My interest in electronic home recording has never left me although the DAW ‘reason’ left my computer pretty quickly as I found it way too complicated!!
I can’t believe he never made another album!!
What an awesome album - full of ‘getting ready to go out’ bangers!
The Thrills
2/5
This was a fair album. Vanilla.
Ash
3/5
I had never listened to this album and really enjoyed some of the guitar sounds they were experimenting with. But this got a little old as the tracks continued. It felt like a new guitar effects peddle had been purchased for each track and its settings all turned up to 12.
Interesting.
Hole
3/5
This sounded like a ‘more accessible’ (commercial) version of a Hole album.
Trip down memory lane, and from a challenge perspective, just a little too close to the previous Hole album.
Raekwon
2/5
Eyeroll.
Load of bollocks - Nah wot I'm sayin' man.
Hot Chip
3/5
I thought this was a little 'try hard'. didn't hate it, but didn't love it either. Tough shoes to fill, considering they are being measured against some of my favourite all-time bands!
The Fall
3/5
It was OK, pretty similar to the previous two 'The Fall' albums. I do like the very unpolished delivery of the lyrics!
The Velvet Underground
2/5
I am not, and have never been, a fan of the Velvet Underground, or Lou Reed for that matter!
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
This album annoyed me. Just irritating nonsense. It’s pretty well reviewed so it must be my issue!
Probably the worst album cover I’ve seen for a while?
Alice Cooper
3/5
I sat with this album for a week!
I do have a favourite Alice Cooper album but it's not this one. Saying that, I really enjoyed Billion Dollar Babies!
I was close to giving this a 4 but instead settled on a 3.
It was a bit to much 'shock' for the sake of shock rather than substance.
Its hard to like a track with the word rape in the title.
My challenge friend told me that this album could be summed up simply with the word 'Gay'. I agree, but wouldn't say it.
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
I love Sinead O'Connor and everything she tried to do/be in the 90's. She has some amazing work! Her battle with mental health issues, unfortunately, clouded her contribution as an influential female artist toward the end of her life. Definitely gone too soon :-(
1/5
I hated this album.
Ms. Dynamite
2/5
I thought this was OK. A bit vanilla and certainly not worthy being on this list.
Herbie Hancock
1/5
I absolutely fucking hated this album. Its everything I hate about Jazz, crazy repetitive nonsense.
Nick Drake
4/5
This is beautiful music although I prefer his 'non band' stuff. It was nice to get an album I enjoyed listening to! I might be wrong, but I think we have had all 3 of his albums, that 100% of his studio work!
Country Joe & The Fish
1/5
Nope - this is just annoying! It's like a time capsule containing the worst of the late 60's psychedelic wank.
Nightmares On Wax
4/5
I really enjoyed this album! Reminds me a bit of when I first discovered the Afro Celt sound system.
More than just background music.
VERY chill!
The Band
2/5
What a boring album.
The Smiths
2/5
I can't separate the Smiths from Morrissey, so this review can't be objective. I just don't understand the fascination people have with this pretentious twat. Nope
Prince
2/5
Prince is a musical genius; there is no disputing that. But he also comes across as an absolute tool. Another pretentious narcissist that people fall over themselves to wank on about. That's right, I'm looking at you Morrissey). Awesome music technically.
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
It does sound like a very 1984 album. My big moan is that it's very repetitive. It sounds like they were an important influence for those who followed, but it's not a genre i get into.
The Specials
3/5
This was a very fun and cool album to listen to. I gave it 3 solid 'back-to-back' listens. It's like a time capsule for the early 80s. Ska is such a funny/odd genre. It's all a load of bollocks, and bollocks to it all! Loved it!
Girls Against Boys
3/5
I didn't mind this album, pretty raw and some nice chunky riffs. Haven't heard of these dudes, I'm sure ill give another listen!
Burning Spear
3/5
I'm not a reggae fan, but I like this challenge and the fact that I have to listen outside my 'usual' playlists. Although relaxing and chill, I find reggae very repetitive and much like every other reggae track. An additional star for having one of the all-time great surnames.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
A short one, but a good one! This was a pretty groovy listen.
The Cars
4/5
Chock-full of bangers, this is an awesome listen. I was going to give this a solid 3 stars, but on reflection and a little deep diving into the album (1001 Album complaints podcast) I have elevated it to a 4.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
2/5
Generic 60's Rock. Nothing more, nothing less.
Os Mutantes
3/5
I really enjoyed this album. Crazy and energetic. Awesome album cover.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
This album was nice for a change and some of the orchestrations were very interesting. Gentle background music.
Goldie
2/5
Ironic that an album called 'Timeless' manages to take almost 2 hours to play. I didn't hate it, but I will probably never play it again. Background music, repetitive background music.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
I'm not sure how this happened, but I'm giving this a 4! I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of a more chilled version of underworld? Awesome, another great find!
Massive Attack
4/5
This is a great album, HOWEVER.......
Saving possibly the worst EVER cover of The Doors 'Light My Fire' to the very last track somehow leaves the listener with an awful taste in their ears. What a dreadful track in an otherwise excellent album.
Faith No More
5/5
I fucking love this album. I remember watching the music video for epic, the fish flapping around at the end, at my high school formal. lol.
I played in a band that tried its hardest to be Faith no More. We definitely looked like Faith No More, but the talent was questionable! This album was my gateway into a band rated among my all-time favourites. This is an odd album choice for the list and although awesome, it was mostly complete when Mike Patton was hired to sing it. He wrote all the lyrics in just a couple of weeks (at the age of 20)! Every album after this is more Patton-influenced, and is more of the Faith No More I love. I'm not sure if there are any more of their albums on the list, but do yourself a favor and listen to Angel Dust! That said, this album is full of bangers. The energy in 'Surprise Your dead!', the emotional menace in 'Zombie Eaters'. 'Woodpecker from Mars' goes off, and the cover of Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs' is next level! I fucking love this album.
The Beau Brummels
1/5
"Are you happy?" - Yes, but mainly because the album is only 28 minutes long. Their album cover looks like it was made by someone in primary school.
What a rubbish album
Ananda Shankar
3/5
I enjoyed this album, Its great to hear different interpretations of familiar music. Loved it!
Goldfrapp
3/5
I thought I would love this more than I did. Their second album 'Supernature' was pretty awesome. This was OK, but a bit boring, easy to listen to but also easy to forget.
The Slits
4/5
I fucking love this album. I had never heard it before but it combination of science fiction, punk 70s had me hooked all day.
Awesome album! Love the band name!!
David Crosby
1/5
What a fucking boring album!
Super Furry Animals
4/5
I really like this album! It was like a mash-up of a bunch of other bands/genres. Its oscillation between moods and sounds was quite jarring. definitely worthy of being on the list!
Bob Dylan
3/5
Another album I enjoyed more than I expected to! Ironic, because from what I read, it sounded like Dylan did not like it very much himself! I have a lot of respect for Daniel Lanois work and wonder if it was his magic touch that got this one over the line for me :-)
Queens Of The Stone Age
3/5
Queens of the Stone Age have an unmistakable sound. Most of their music sounds almost identical, which is OK because I think they sound awesome! My fav album (and introduction to QOTSA) is 'Songs for the deaf'.
Minor Threat
3/5
Short and sharp (apparently the second shortest album in the challenge???) I liked it, although it sounded like pretty generic punk to me. There is a lot of punk on this list!
TV On The Radio
2/5
It was OK, not amazing and not quite as weird as I was expecting based on the reviews! I probably wouldn't pop it on again.
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
This music on this album is annoying, although I did enjoy the spoken (shouted) pieces between the songs.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
I enjoyed this more than expected. Some awesome raw and energised music that helped me get through my day yesterday! I'd give it another go! Calm down on the guitar effects.
3/5
I find Blur tricky to rate. I like their music, but it's right at the pointy end of pretentious Brit Pop wank. They have some excellent tracks, which probably means I'm a greatest hits kinda guy. I'm glad I listened to the original track listing and not the whole Spotify album, which went for almost 2 hours and 20 minutes!
Alanis Morissette
5/5
OMG, I absolutely loved listening to this album and knew it word-for-word despite not hearing it for perhaps 20 years!
I saw Alanis Morisette in concert back in the day and still feel embarrassed thinking about the way she moved around the stage. She dances like someone with cerebral palsy stepping on a thumbtack.
Bruce Springsteen
1/5
Fucking harmonica
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Not sure why we have two Flaming Lips albums on this list. Seems a little indulgent. I preferred the other album.
Pavement
3/5
I liked this album, it sounded like a mashup of all the alternate bands from the 90s!
Robert Wyatt
1/5
What an irritating album. No, thank you.
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
This is such an awesome album.
There is no other artist that combines anger and sensitivity with incredible musicality like Trent Reznor.
I have always loved this album. When my friend Craig introduced me to it, it changed my listening life! It sounds like every nightmare I have ever had.
It's tough to listen to, but well worth the effort!
I vividly remember popping a girlfriends cherry to this album!!
Jurassic 5
3/5
I really enjoyed this album, pretty upbeat and positive for a Hip-Hop album. Awesome!
Thin Lizzy
2/5
I like Garry Moore as a guitarist and think that Thin Lizzy has some bangers. I would have preferred a studio album. Sometimes the energy in a live performance gets lost in the mix, especially if its an older recording.
Orbital
2/5
I usually like the electronic stuff in this challenge, but I'm making an exception with this album. Almost a 3. The good bits were great, but there were too many dodgy repetitive tracks.
Track 1 sets the tone!
Beatles
4/5
This is my favourite Beatles album. I love its simplicity and enthusiasm. The tracks are short and sweet and just invite toe tapping!
My challenge buddy has pointed out that the tracks ‘little child’ makes the band sound like a peado ring. But aside from that, I fucking love it.
The Vines
2/5
I thought this was a pretty generic and almost boring album.
Killing Joke
2/5
I have dipped my toe into punk music during this challenge and inspired by friends. I thought I would enjoy this album more than I did. I think I’m getting old!
Suicide
3/5
This reminded me a lot of the ‘Fuck Buttons’.
There were some awesome tracks but lots of madness inducing repetition.
Kanye West
1/5
Fuck that guy
Rufus Wainwright
4/5
Absolute art/music wank. But considering I have Mike Oldfield and Enigma in my corner, no choice but to give it a 4!
Slayer
2/5
I always find slayer a bit too fast and aggressive. It’s ok in small doses and luckily this album is only 34 minutes long!
I like a bit more melody and a little less shredding in my metal.
Blur
2/5
As I said in my last Blur album review, I find their music, lyrics and delivery, a little too pretentious. The ultimate in BritPop.
Song 2 is good.
I wish I liked this album more than I do.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
Without doubt one of Peter Gabriel's best albums. Chocked full of bangers. At this stage in his career he had perfected his songwriting and orchestrated collaborations with some of the world's finest musicians/performers. Red Rain, Mercy Street, big time, sledgehammer, don't give up, in your eyes, how can it be anything other than a 5!
PJ Harvey
3/5
I must admit, it surprised me how much I enjoyed this album. Not at all what I expected. I'm looking forward to having a flick through some of her other albums.
Gene Clark
1/5
Oh dear.
This was just irritating.
It reminded me of camping with people who own guitars and although not asked to make sure they perform an impromptu concert. Actually this is usually me!!
But I would never inflict a harmonica on peoples ears the way this dude does.
Hated it
Suede
4/5
I liked this album and I’m not even sure how to articulate why!!
The Style Council
3/5
I quite enjoyed this, some of it was a little too meh, but there were some great instrumental pieces.
Sabu
1/5
from the first track, I knew I was in trouble. What an annoying album.
Richard Thompson
3/5
I listened to this 3 times in a row. I have a soft spot for folk music!
Cornershop
1/5
Brimful of Asha - fuck off. Hated it when it came out and turns out I still do.
Neil Young
3/5
How many Neil Young albums must I listen to before I die?
Astor Piazzolla
1/5
This album and its instrumental nonsense actually made me want to jump out of the window this afternoon. I could feel my blood pressure rising with each track. I fucking hated this album.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
4/5
Thank god for OMD! Although my favorite album is crush, ill take this any day over the shite I have had to subject my ears to this week. Is it The Cure, is it David Bowie, is it Depeche Mode? It's such an excellent combination of synth sounds! Awesome spotlight on the Mellotron, what an amazing instrument. Loved this album.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
This is a very funky album. Some absolute bangers on it! Superstitious is one of my favourite tracks.
Pere Ubu
1/5
Fuck that noise.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Not my type of music, although they are gettingb3 stars just for the Bowie crossover. A bit too glam for me.
Björk
4/5
This is such a beautiful sounding album. I usually struggle with bjorks vocals and delivery, but the musical arrangements and soundscape of the music helped me through! This is such a beautiful album and although I remember enjoying it 20 years ago, I really enjoy it now.
KISS
2/5
I have never understood the hype and popularity of this band. Such an odd combination, hyper sexual demonic looking leather clad men singing some of the gayest songs ever recorded.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Another beautiful album, spoilt by its length. Such a calm, beautiful and thoughtful album. This is what the challenge is about, what a gem to find.
Miles Davis
2/5
I feel so ‘unsophisticated’ but - nope.
R.E.M.
4/5
I’m typically hot and cold with REM and although this album is a little more accessible than some of their previous ones, which is bound to make it a more popular choice, I prefer my REM a little less mainstream. They got me on a good day and following a miles Davis album. 4 stars.
Fred Neil
2/5
Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Fucking harmonica!!
Throbbing Gristle
3/5
First listen, first couple of tracks, are a tough listen. But once you settle into the creepy, anxious vibe, it’s quite a trip.
I ended up listening to this album 4-5 times over the weekend and really loved it.
It reminded me of the downward spiral with some amnesiac thrown in.
I believe this is the lowest rated album in the challenge. I’m not sure this is fair, just because it’s challenging doesn’t mean it’s shit.
Dr. Dre
2/5
Some of my woke friends constantly criticise 90s hip hop / rap for being misogynistic and glorifying guns and violence.
They are correct.
The Black Crowes
2/5
generic, blues rock. meh.
Can
2/5
A bit to ‘cyber Jazz’ for me. Sounded like the experimental middle sections of the early Floyd songs!
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Didn’t hate it, but found it to be a bit generic sounding. Bit noisy for me.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
@ boopidoo said it best, although forgot to add the rule excluding albums that contained more than 2 tracks that featured harmonica.
3rd album, same artist, same sound, same score.
Brian Eno
4/5
Although I rate Brian Eno more for his production and collaborations, this is one of my favorite solo albums. It’s a bit of a journey in that it starts off a little dodgy and gets infinitely better. By the end, ‘spider and I’ it’s awesome!
Brian Eno
4/5
I completely understand why this might be a tough listen for some. This is actually quite accessible compared to some of his other albums!
I love him as a producer and collaborator. Not so much as a solo artist. But it’s still pretty awesome stuff!!
Arcade Fire
3/5
Omg, I can’t tell you how much I loved their first album. I didn’t mind this one but it sounded like a lot of the Indi pop of this era.
Shack
2/5
another Brit-pop band that wants to be Oasis (or probably the beatles). Of all the amazing music to come out of Liverpool, this album gets chosen. Shite
Paul Weller
2/5
Pretty dull and boring, sorry Paul.
3/5
These three stars are for ‘the look of love’ the only awesome track on this album. The rest of the tracks are just 80s dross!
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
This is a tough one! On the one hand, it sounds like 3 extremely talented dudes showing off with their technical amazingness and on the other, it sounds like a massive steaming pile of pretentious wank. I'm giving it three stars, mostly because I love listening to Greg Lake sing!
Miles Davis
1/5
Just as annoying, painful and unlistenable as his last album in this challenge
Eagles
5/5
All of these stars are for the title track. Don Henley is a dick for too many reasons to list.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Just a bunch of noise! Got through it but only just!
N.E.R.D
2/5
More dross from the list! There are so many more albums I’d prefer to be listening to!
Jungle Brothers
2/5
I enjoyed elements of some tracks but disliked more than I enjoyed! It’s been a tough week!
The Soft Boys
3/5
I liked this album, especially the album art! The tracks are pretty epic and pretty hard. Their cover of vegetable man (in the bonus tracks) is a very decent cover!
Sam Cooke
4/5
I’m not typically a fan of live albums but for this one I’ll make an exception.
The banter between songs was almost as good as the tracks themselves!
The track ‘chain gang’ made me realise where Fleetwood Mac ‘big love’ got their inspiration from! lol
Awesome album!
The Flying Burrito Brothers
2/5
Yuck. I'm sure that this is awesome for some, but not for me!
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Just another generic Brit Pop band for me. :-(
50 Cent
4/5
I fucking loved this album!!
I may even come back and give it a 5 star!
I had never heard it before but I’m so glad I found it. Like a black version of Eminem (lol)
Absolutely love it and listened to it all morning !!
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
I must admit to being very surprised at its release year - 1966. I quite enjoyed its silliness.
John Coltrane
1/5
This dude is probably a master of his instrument, but I found this album fucking annoying. Probably says more about me than him.
Otis Redding
4/5
This is an awesome album. The thing I love most about it is hearing very different versions of such familiar songs.
King of Soul.
Scritti Politti
2/5
I was looking forward to this album because I remember the ‘world girl’ track I used to love back in the day.
Unfortunately, I think I was experiencing nostalgic deafness because I couldn’t even begin to understand how I could have liked such an awful song. Lyrics and music alike just awful. The rest of the album was just as bad and perhaps a little worse. It was like listening to sugar.
Eminem
5/5
It’s interesting to see how the ratings over time for this album are in steady decline. I’m sure it’s to do with the spotlight placed on narcissism and the deplorable behaviour of a certain bunch of male celebrities.
This album is full of domestic violence, homophobia and a general objectification of women.
these things conflict with my own values to the point that it’s a struggle to get through some of the tracks.
I fucking love this album.
OK I'm back to bump this up to 5.
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
Pretty vanilla brit pop rock? I'm sure its someones cup of tea, but its not mine.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Elvis Costello appears on the 1001 list 6 times.
That’s 5 times too many.
No more
No more
The Prodigy
4/5
This album came along at the right time in my life and also during a very stressful work week! It doesn't quite hit the heights of "The Fat of the Land" album. But it's still awesome! Almost a 5 but not quite.
Sepultura
3/5
I know I'm gonna sound like an old man by saying this album was a bit too loud and shouty/screamy for me. I know they are a respected metal band, but its just not my thing. I appreciate their musicianship, but wouldn't actively listen to it.
Pulp
4/5
Another banger album, it's been a great week. Its almost worth a 5 for one of my all time favorite tracks 'Common people'
Underworld
4/5
It's Underworld, It's a 5!
I can't believe how much I love this band and how much of an influence they have had on my music playing and listening. I'm not sure I would ever have found them by myself, I needed the guidance of a work dude (I'll call him Wally) who used to play some of the strangest, challenging and occasionally irritating music in a very small office. Until one day he played 'Everything Everything', and my listening life changed forever.
I came back to revisit this and knocked it down to 4 - with the exception of Nux (which does not technically appear on the album) I couldn't find another track to include on my 1001 list! I wish this were ANY of their other albums!
Beatles
4/5
I love the early Beatles stuff! Not quite a 5 but almost!
Tim Buckley
2/5
We have had some absolute bangers in the last few weeks, but sadly this is not one of them. 4 Awesome albums in the last 5 days. Very tough shoes to fill. Tim's feet were a little small.
Stephen Stills
2/5
I'm giving this a 2, mostly for the album cover. A bit bland.
The Blue Nile
2/5
Probably awesome in its day, but just sounds like pretentious 80s pop to me. I have more than enough of that, so I'll take a pass on this one.
Frank Ocean
1/5
I found this album to be pretty crap and although I shouldn't use someone else's review, but I couldn't have said it better myself - This is the answer to the question, "What would Stevie Wonder sound like if he had no talent for singing or song writing?" - I couldn't find the authors name but it was posted 31 August 2022. Well played.
David Gray
3/5
I loved this album when it first came out, but the more I listen to it, the more I think it's more about the time and place I was in. It's good, but not as awesome as I remember. I was a bit sad about that.
Living Colour
3/5
it was an interesting mash up of styles and genres. didn't hate it but didn't love it. sounded like a bunch of bands all rolled into one!
Julian Cope
4/5
This album is a real find - I loved it! The opening track is so spiteful and angry in its lyrics. "How much does it take, take to go down on someone you hate!" Yikes! With the exception of a few tracks, it reminded me of Nick Cave.
The Undertones
2/5
This album received some reasonable reviews, not by me! I thought it was a bit gimmicky and juvenile (probably the point of the album, but this was missed by me!) I liked the album cover.
LTJ Bukem
1/5
When i saw that the album on Spotify was over 3 hours long, i had a peek at some reviews. One reviewer had very kindly pointed out that the spotify album was not the original. So its off to YouTube, to listen to this one.
CD1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZK_0dgj43s
CD2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYqDVqYSTxs
OMG what a fucking irritating album punctuated by irritating youtube adverts. I will never play this again.
Elastica
3/5
I absolutely love the track 2:1! It appears on the soundtrack to trainspotting and automatically earns this album a solid 3.
Hookworms
2/5
This band soooooooo wants to be the Killers, but they are not.
Grizzly Bear
2/5
It was ok, but I’m not sure what it is doing in this list.
Deee-Lite
3/5
This was a fun listen, especially 'Groove is in the heart', which I always thought was ''Groovers' in the hall!'. Live and learn.
Teenage Fanclub
2/5
Pretty forgettable. There were some good tracks, but on the whole, it was pretty average. meh
Heaven 17
2/5
With tracks like 'Geisha Boys and Temple Girls' and the absurd 'Height of the Fighting', this album is the embodiment of early 80's absolute pretentious pop shite. Just listen to 'Height of the fighting' and tell me I'm wrong!
Le Tigre
3/5
Half way through the first track, I knew that my challenge buddy @boopidoo would be 5 staring this one! I'd love to vote it up a bit, but it's just not my thing! We are building a playlist with a single song from all our 5-star albums, I wonder which one she will pick!
Kings of Leon
2/5
2 stars, both for the album cover and its simplicity (just the photograph, as the font choice is very pretentious). The singer has such an annoying voice. It sounds strained and whiny, like he’s permanently stuck between trying to be gritty and completely losing control, which just makes every song feel more irritating than powerful. Yuck.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
A couple of the tracks were OK, just OK.
A bit whiney, emo, shouty, loud and noisy for me
Crowded House
5/5
This album is probably a solid 4, especially the first half of the album, which is chocked full of bangers!
I have been a bit tight with my 5-star ratings recently and had a quick peep at some of the albums that had previously qualified for 5-stars (I was a bit surprised by some of my decisions!!) With all that in mind, I'm giving it 5 stars because I want it in my playlist! Now which song to pick!!!
The White Stripes
4/5
This is an awesome album, its raw sound and folk-type songs make for a great listen. This may be my favourite White Stripes album. It was also a good opportunity to read about the VERY odd relationship they had sister/spouse, etc!
Lambchop
2/5
Meh.
VERY cool album cover.
WARNING - Don't judge an album by its cover.
Both of these stars are for the cover, and would make an excellent poster!
The Rolling Stones
3/5
The Rolling Stones seem to create a lot of tracks that sound like the Rolling Stones. They do have a very specific sound. I enjoyed listening to this album, but I find most of their albums and tracks sounding the same and all merging into one another. 2 starts, plus a bonus star for my fav track, 'Mothers little helper'
Madonna
3/5
I used to love Madonna's music and personality. During the 80s and 90s she kicked ass and broke the mold for female mainstream pop artists. A real trailblazer. I bowed out at 'Ray of light' (an awesome album) because for my listening taste she walked a little too far down the 'clubbing' path.
I hadn't heard this album and I enjoyed it. Its a shame she made herself look so odd!
Gang Of Four
3/5
A little more punk than I like but I thought their sound was pretty energised.
Paul Simon
2/5
What a shit album considering some of the music this dude has put out. He has some awesome offerings but this is certainly not one of them.
Listen to ‘cars are cars’ if you need evidence. Shit.
X-Ray Spex
3/5
As I have said many times, Punk is not really my thing, but i must admit I found this album much more melodic than most Punk albums!
CHVRCHES
3/5
It was OK - but that was about it. The Chvrches have a few good tracks, and my favourite is the one that was on the game Death Stranding. Apart from that, they are a little vanilla pop for me
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1/5
This was one of the most pretentious and annoying albums I have endured on this quest. Total wankfest!
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
over 3 hours of listening! I enjoyed most of this, but I'd be lying if I wrote that I actively listened to every track. The music was playing in the background whilst I was plugging away at my work. I think I enjoyed most of it. Way too long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
Nah, trying too much to be something it is not. It's probably useful as a stepping stone to some authentic world music?
Drive Like Jehu
4/5
I'm a sucker for an Interscope album! This was an awesome listen! It reminded me of early NIN combined with Nirvana and sprinkled with a hint of Faith No More. Im definately popping this onto a higher rotation and will give it a few more spins. How bold is that super fucking annoying opening note on the track Super Unison! Nice!
Fugazi
2/5
Although called Repeater, I can guarantee I won't be repeating this album. Once was enough.
Eurythmics
5/5
OMG, I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed this album! There are some classic bangers on it and also lots of their lesser-known tracks. Probably the last album they created prior to becoming a band that defined a decade of music. Annie Lennox's voice is sooooooo sexy, strong and beautiful, and Dave Stewart's compositions and musicianship combined to make the perfect band. It's their first album on this list for me, I do hope its not their last!
Marvin Gaye
2/5
Pleasant enough, just a little boring if I'm being honest! Funky Space Reincarnation - lol
Dire Straits
4/5
I love Dire Straits enough to see them a couple of times in concert. This is a great debut album, but, for me, they have a sweet spot and took a couple of albums to get to it. A little too 'blues rocky' for me. He is an awesome musician and has been a massive influence on my own musical journey.
Bill Callahan
3/5
I was surprised to see that this is a 2009 release, it sounds its about 4 decades too late! Folk/Country/Spoken word. Its interesting how much more I enjoyed this album with each successive listen. I was ready to 2 star this one, but I'm elevating this to a 3. He does have a very beautiful voice!
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
This is an awesome album. Soma and Mayonnaise are standout tracks. Billy Corgan had an awful childhood which I'm sure has shaped his abrasive personality. Regardless of past traumas, its still a personal decision to behave like an absolutely narcasistic twat. That said, he sure knows how to play a bunch of instruments and how to produce an album.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Love her, or hate her music, you can't deny her talent. I do find a lot of her music very samey, which is surprising as her guitar is often tuned in some very weird combination of notes!
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Im not sure what it is about Bruce Springsteen that irritates me, but irritate me he does. For me he falls into the same category as Paul McCartney. I think it's the earnestness and embodiment of working class America that he portrays, in much the same way that Jimmy Barnes does to Australians. Sorry Bruce. At least there was less harmonica than the last album I was forced to endure.
k.d. lang
2/5
I think K.D. Lang is a very talented singer-songwriter. This is such an odd choice for a first album, usually an opportunity to show the world who you are and why you should be taken seriously. This album consists of all covers, so it's like a karaoke album at best. Fortunately, there is another K.D Lang album on the list, which will better reflect here talents.
Skunk Anansie
3/5
This was an odd album as all of the ingredients were great. I loved the music but found the mixing/production putting the vocalist to high in the mix distracting. I like powerful female vocals but they also need to be within the mix. I wanted to like this album more.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
I love a bit of 'world music', and it made a change from some of the shite that we have been subjected to during the last couple of weeks.
The Crusaders
3/5
It was an OK album (nice and short - lol!) Pretty funky, pretty sexy. I reckon it would be a great 'getting ready to go out' album!
The Verve
2/5
I don't hate them; I just find them really boring and full of 90s-era downtrodden moaning. I'm not sure how these dudes ended up with more than one album on the list! Their other album was better.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Vanilla EDM. I love electronic music, but find this a little too repetitive (I know that's the point of EDM!). But if it has to be repetitive, i prefer something with a bit of mood, not just sounds).
Mike Oldfield
5/5
I know this is a tough listen! The critique of this album is also compounded by people evangelising it as the most important album ever created (or some-such claim). The truth is that even Mike Oldfield thinks this album is technically flawed and jumped at the chance to re-record it for its 30th anniversary. Regardless, it is a triumph of recording, music production, and engineering, not to mention music talent in its writing and performance. Mike Oldfield has been a massive influence on me in music and recording. So I'm always going to rate this album highly. I actually prefer the iterations that came after it, Tubular Bells 2 and 3 to the first, but thats because they are recorded better and the instruments/recordings are actually in tune! lol.
Love
2/5
A good friend and fellow 1001 challenger described this album as 'A bit tedious. ' Incorrect! This album is VERY tedious. It is true that "The coolest things about this album might be Neanderthal Han solo on the cover. "
Sleater-Kinney
2/5
Wow, her voice is a lot! I found it so distracting that I almost had to stop listening. Sorry, whilst I enjoyed the music and lyrics, the singing was just annoying! A level of vibrato that should only belong to goats! I did enjoy the track Jenny.
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
This album definitely gets a few points for nostalgia! I must admit I forgot the phenomenon that this dude was, and reading his Wikipedia page reminded me how 'up his own arse' he was at the time. The most important album since Sgt Peppers! My arsehole!. It's interesting and definitely marks a time in my life, but there is not much staying power, and I can honestly say I don't recall listening to this during the last quarter century! To be fair, he has pumped out a bunch of albums (that are not on this list) since he changed his name to Sananda Maitreya. I did like this quote regarding his name change. "D'Arby legally changed his name to Sananda Maitreya on October 4, 2001, explaining "Terence Trent D'Arby was dead ... he watched his suffering as he died a noble death. After intense pain I meditated for a new spirit, a new will, a new identity" The wank continues!