1001 Albums Summary

Starts pretty raucous and follows the anticipated sine wave of Basie arraignments. Enjoyable listen

Their best. Highly ranked and well produced. Hard to give less than 4.

Solid production with good pace. A couple tracks feel out of place but very minor. Great late 70s real.

It’s hard to not want to give this 5 stars. As an album it may be produced perfectly. As individual songs they’re all incredible.

Up there in the Top 2 Beatles albums for me. Tomorrow Never Knows was very formative

Production is pretty disjointed but likely a reflection of the overall message and genre typicalities. Not my favorite style of this type of album but has some highlights. Closing 2 tracks seem to tie it together well. 3.5/5

Nicely dynamic English punk album. Quite a few highs. Album production follows a nice up and down sine wave throughout. The remaster is well done. 4/5

Promising first track leads into edgecore underwhelmed hipster pop, sprinkled with tech forward synth and basic chord progressions. Don’t forget “soaring vocals” that really cherry top this flourless cake. Probably a victim of my collegiate years being peppered by an inundation of pedestrian level indie inspired hodgepodge with few redeeming qualities. As if Bono was born into a vacuum knowing only Good Charlotte and 30 seconds to Mars. I wouldn’t choose to listen to this, but as an album, for people who like it, I could see this being likable. They’re not entirely talentless but I wonder if this could exist without other references to create the touchstone. And we can’t forget the emotion that really makes me feel like I’m listening to Thom Yorke on a too-high dosage of Paxil. 1/5 Least favorite album on this list so far.

Architected beautifully. Very well put together album, with some high level songs but mostly 70s era rock calling. Not bad but not incredible 3.5/5

Beautifully constructed and timeless representation of the Bossa Nova style with the GOAT. Hard not to do 5 but a solid 4 with room. What a lovely timepiece

I’m glad I finally got a chance to listen to this entirely. Above average composition and album structure. She’s a true legend albeit maybe an acquired taste vocally. I’m down with it.

This is THE example of the hybridized goth rock post punk, neo pseudo glam that everyone should hear or repeat forever. It’s not my favorite genre but this album is undeniable and absolutely fantastic.

Packaged and polished, opens hard, rises and falls and closes so well. Reads like a true greatest hits and it’s only ‘65. So much heat even Jerry Garcia took cues and covers. You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Coming out the gates is an understatement we all understand. Her roots show and provide color for the overall album structure. It makes introspection easy and available. It’s good but anchored by the biggest song ever. 4/5

What to say. Formative. Coalesced. Unhinged. Cathartic.

Oceans eleven et al. Understood as it is. 2/5

You can feel this is a posthumous release solely from the surreal spiritualism spoken and meditative rhythms. He’s speaking to us from the afterlife. Solid offering for centering yourself.

Incredibly well architected. Chuck D’s voice and Flav’s flav are top notch. Powerful commentary on the black experience in America. This is the real stuff. A touch repetitive sounding otherwise almost perfect. 4.5/5

Her voice creates a main player in a cast of well thought out country and cover compositions that allow room to see her full potential. She’s versatile but also tends to stay in her lane on this album but you can see the stretching of her legs as something outside of pure country.

I’ve gone from “I hate U2” to “This is one of the best albums ever”. Perfectly built. Well executed but the B-side wants more action. Front loaded. 4.5/5

An example of why this exercise is so valuable. A release of my era but I’d never heard. Part Ween, part symphony, part alt and prog. It’s impossible to define and across the sound spectrum. What a gift.

Big fan of all they do but overall on this list I’m trying to figure out where this lands. It’s formative for the genre and one of the largest successes commercially but is it great? 3.5/5

Feels like walking through pea soup. I can understand the sentiment but the songs and structure of the album didn’t speak to me. The quality of the band is there though.

I think I’ll use this as a true benchmark 4 star album in this rating system. I may have given them out a little liberally early on. I’m a sucker for all early Nirvana and this one comes out hitting, production value is super high but I just can’t justify anything higher. 4.25/5

Pastiche. Like the Oneders meet The Revolver inspired Wonders. Some interesting sounds and song structure. Overall 2.5/5

Considering this follows his commercial success I can see it being a true departure and therefore visionary. But is this a sophomore slump? I don’t really think so but it is independently viewed in his catalog and that can make it hard to be fully objective. Produced well. A bit singular. 3.33/5

Such a great tracking listing with a little cohesion issue. Obviously a massive winner for many reasons. Overall 4.5/5 but giving a 4.

Take out your can and open it.

Love this

Disjointed and improv as only Mingus does it. 3.5/5

Good. Not great. Some heaters. Some beaters.

Can he do no wrong? KL4L

Such a statement piece from this outfit. Top tier.

It’s really pretty good when you put on the right lenses. For the definitive album of the genre it works well.

Exhibit A for why objectivity is a fleeting perfectionist parade. If I’m ethnographically inclined, I watch from the bushes to not disturb the natural environment. Is that ever possible if you have a record on every available format withhold 8 track? It’s the coke bottle from the sky of revelation and modernity. Classic no matter the season. It hits heavy from beginning to end and is produced in almost perfect balance.

Given the era and general cultural goings-on at this time, this album could be considered way ahead, if not just “ahead” of its time. It’s both genre bending and inventive. Classic sound but with something still creatively unique in 2024. Production is crisp, layered and clean. The architecture is on point.

Homer Dough. The chief of the tribe and a known warrior. Slide that neck o’ Dwaynie Boy

This is a tough one bc it’s so good for what it is, but I don’t think 5 stars really fits. It’s super tight and the sound is undeniable. The tone is like brass but full. It’s structured great as an album. 4.25/5

Pretty long winded, even for a Genesis fan. This era always reminds me of Gabriel as an elvish priest in Middle earth. The prog brings it back for me but his voice and overall lyrics push the vibe. 3/5

It’s pretty good from an immature, me n the boys out chasing the muff around kinda place. Not the highest quality but a good bop. 2/5

A rarity in the back half being weighted heavily. The album builds to the final track. While his voice is extremely unique and definitive, the over-enunciation of the final syllables gets to be a bit vexing. 3.25/5

Concept album, soundtrack, revolutionary structure and lyrics, flat out, straight up and all around. 4/5

Very cohesive. Incredible constructed. Flat production but indicative of the style.

Love. Truly a hallmark for myself and hip hop as a whole.

One of my most formative. Top.

It really is one after another. Over before you know it. No contrarianism here. Just respect that is due.

This is my perfect example of a goal album in this 1001 exercise. Completely unknown to me and absolutely erratic on the genre bending. It’s unique in the clarity of production and musical elements for the early-mid 80s. It befuddles and bemuses. Art jazz and contemporary piano bar meet new school swing with undertones of prog rock and hip-hop fusion. Quite something. Difficult to place on a whole star scale. Like The Slip in places but almost resonating with the feeling of “CBS Sound”. Possibly the most manic album ever. Touches of Prince, Tool, Devo, Paul Anka, Tribe called Quest and Parliament et.al. When you ask someone what kinds of music they like, they respond “Everything” queue this one. 3.75/5

Vaudeville meets Billy Joel, produced by Bernie Taupin. I appreciate it, but don’t like it. So many huge names have referenced his impact on their careers but are confused by his lack of success. It’s deeply personal, the album is a bit messy from a tracking standpoint and it’s just a bit too “theater kid from the church band” for it to have the true mass appeal. A great exercise of this project, and a victim to the whole star system. I would give it a 3 but the personality doesn’t make it digestible for any repeat listening. Probably a 3.25 but for this sake, 2.75/5

This album flows. Without eyeing the track list its tracking is almost imperceptible. Message, influence, motivation and social impact are all there. He’s vocally sublime with layering from voices to street sounds and constant audio barrage. One of the greats when it comes to COMPLETE album production.

Ba-Lue, more like Cruella. Bitchin vibes and standards. 3.75/5

Without backlogging a review with my personal relationship with Prince, Sign ☮️ the times is not my favorite version of the artist but holds up. The message for 1987 is real. First album without the Revolution and his NINTH studio release. The prolifically abundant artist never failed but this is production worthy of a few potential reworks. Incredible messaging and dripping with sex.

First ever rock opera. Sets the stage for so much in music and art as a whole. Touched so many places. It tells the story really well but it’s just not my favorite version of this band. A 5 star for impact, 4 star for concept and execution, 3.5/5 for me.

Ah here we go again. The Beatles conversation is one with no end and plenty of side paths that every human being who listens to music can exist within, on, off, sidelined, parked, crashed or at a perceived destination that they found to be a wholly unique experience. Impossible to be devoid of context and impact any Beatles review is sure to be a subject of dissection, reverence or disdain. If you view it in a vacuum, this isn’t my favorite or what I consider their best. If you factor the impact it made on 1965 and the whole of global culture, it’s the shift album that shows a maturing band. I’m not going down either exhausting path. Production is solid and sounds clean and clear, remaster to applaud for that, but laid out well and balanced. Somehow ‘In My Life’ always seems to come out of the blue and ‘Wait’ just sounds like ‘You Won’t See Me’ 2.0. 4/5

Fan of Dub and UB40, but this album is lacking. He somehow champions dub structure with pitchy, straining vocals that get irritating see: Tyler and Burden. Burden is a great example of the complete change that can happen, back half much better than front just from an energy standpoint. Some classic ‘80 sound textures too. Adella is great classic dub, oh wait, no vocals… I’m sensing a theme. This just dragged on.

Love the man. Get the concept. Appreciate the art. Unrepeatable.

Opus?

Puppet this Meat. So good

Absolutely slamming. Live album hitting hard.

Love them

This was the humdrum of the dole-drums. I thought there may be a spark of some weird alt 90s feelings but I was left with was a sour third eye blind taste written for a hearing impaired historian.

I’ve tried and tried. I just can’t get the Chris thing. Oh well. Not a 1 star.

True, early & raw. Perfect 80s hip hop if you’re looking for a benchmark or in the mood.

This a really well produced version of things I wouldn’t typically rate this high. If you’re looking for a golden voice and Americana folk country singer songwriter, this is a great female staple.

This has always been a huge album but given its usage as a distraction for a 45 minute medical procedure, it will be an even deeper part of my life forever. The tracking is absolutely perfect, the production value is immaculate and influential.

Bowie meets Zappa and the Talking Heads really something to behold where unique defines and limits it. Underground sensation and truly a music man’s muse. Eno lacks contemporaries for myriad reasons, all can be heard here. There are snippets of so many musicians to follow that it’s impossible to imagine the impact this has had on the whole.

Straight fuego but erratic as to be expected. Mood based listening and another victim of whole stars. Want to give it 4, but a 3 in this case. And I like it!

Love them. This is middle of the road. I need more teeth. Trying to be objective.

Revolutionary and way ahead of its time. A bit droning over the entire album but it’s the deal.

If you call this Sunny you’ve never been to California. Subjectivity of seeing the West Coast and then writing about in during cold Northern Irish winters. Like Ben Folds meets Death Cab with a juvenile SoCal twist.

Could this be in my top 5?

Zzzzzzz… oh sorry were you talking? It’s not terrible but it’s not enticing or exciting at all.

First I stumble, then I fall. Toddler triage trip hop from Britain. A stale tea leaf. Also, an hour long? If only ‘Pump up the Volume’ never existed, there may have been a place for whatever this is. 1/5

Papa was a rolling stone. Totally appreciated and victim of whole stars. Easily 3.5. I’ll give a 4

‘Not fade away’ gives it 3 stars easy ✌️ This is apart of rock ‘n roll canon so you have to give it full respect. Not my favorite but a foundational album worthy of understanding and appreciation.

A true classic from the underground but how well does is it in 1001 albums? I’m not sure. 3.25/5.

You hear all sorts of eventual bands in this album from 311 to Incubus. It was likely a niche during its time that gave way to an entire genre. Some rocks decently. Hints of Chili Peppers and Jane’s Addiction but more singularly focused than either predecessors or followers 2.75/5

Take on me > all the rest but not lost. It’s good for what it is, but isn’t structured that well and lacks cohesion.

A little dysfunctional on the structure, but a few highlights of the 70s buried within. Can somewhat hear an Ackles influence.

It’s either 2 or 3 but I’ll say 2 given just how middle of the road this really is. Napoleon, we’re gonna be friends. Typically I’m alright with their work but this just doesn’t tick any boxes. Some decent lyrics I suppose. Jack White has come a long way.

What a world we live in.

Understanding the history of this album, you realize it’s on the list not just as “Sinatra for Frank’s sake”. This truly melds. An album of cohesion before almost any others. Not my favorite version of the Man but definitely a solid underline of the concept of a concept album. 4/5

Final album of an illustrious career but it’s so on the nose it hurts, no pun intended. Some good covers and of course his voice is good but I just can’t make it into the cathartic can-you-believe-how-deeply-emotional-I-am-OMG-I’m-crying.

This is a five star Canadian classic. If you’re into that kinda thing. The way of the road.

Like a love letter from Withnail to Keely if she acted more like Amy Winehouse. I’m not a typical fan of Brit Rap and this is no Stormzy, but there’s an endearing sweetness to it all. Like a youthful spoken word love letter to your own drug addled and girl obsessed brain. A bad addiction that you can’t or won’t quit. It took a while for me to get over the seeming hilarious syntax and rhyme scheme but keep an open mind and it might surprise you. Plus is early aughts which is a time without incessant communication and it’s reflected in a lot of the messaging. Especially noteworthy the night at the club. 3.5/5

This is another perfect example of value in this exercise. Incredible album from 1980 with total teeth and lovely edge. Just all around avant punk with a touch of electro.

Okay I liked this but can understand the criticism. A lot feels like it’s divisive for the sake of contrarianism but it’s a well crafted album. Looking forward to diving more into his catalog. 3.5/5, giving 4.

So solid and open. The truth from the era of 70s prog and exploratory jams.

It’s between 4 & 5 but I’ll pull 5 bc of my teen years. Really does hit all the way through.

This is way more than Lovefool. So much speaks to the difficulties in reaching American audiences and I’m not just nostalgic for my childhood or the 90s. It’s a question of how well structured this album is and the intensity and depth of many songs. Songs flow well and album ends nicely after a through beat of understanding their style.

Always loved this stuff in my younger years. Approachable but too polished. I like the old stuff

Victim of whole stars. Better than 3 but not 4. Solid generational rock album. A little different and a few standouts. Not heavily structured.

Outstanding in basically every way. Benchmark for the genre and produced almost perfectly.

It’s definitely Ohio rock. It’s good but as redundant as a corn field. It’s hard to discern the tracking due to the monotonous, repetitive lyric structure. Decent production and a few good ones in an otherwise moist peat bog.

“Kids” tainted my taste in this album at release. Certified bangers exist across the album and have allowed me to open more to it as I age. Struggling with a rank.

So many big thrills. Skate video and surf flick. Jakcass. Too many good things on a massive album. Great for it’s time.

Victim of whole stars. Given the timing, impact and sound, this is a unique representation of an enduring work. For this to be ‘82 is insane in its own right but given the staying power it’s easily 4.5/5. Giving 4.

The context of it being in a reformative period for Bowie, Eno is involved and its setting makes this inventive and influential. Ahead of its time somewhat for ‘77 but Zappa meets Bowie, hence Eno. Best experienced with deep surround or good headphones. The $ is in the production.

Solid 3.75/5. I get the context and listening now is probably fresher than 68/69 but a lot of stand out tracks. Not a 5 star but a solid listen. Deciding bt 3 or 4 was tough. Gave 4 for the ending half really pulling it up.

Not my absolute favorite but good Dan nonetheless

This is an EXERCISE ahem EXCORCIST, somebody call one. 2/5 just because it sonically is very clean.

Fame and John are true standouts. While it’s been derided, it’s not terrible.

I mean.

Like the first time all over

Burning Spear, big up, jah rastafari

Tight, influential and inventive. Ahead of its time.

Solid offering from a true pro outfit. This is probably their best album but trying to decide with whole stars… 4.25

Please just more.

Started off strongly but just tapered too hard. Kinda like the first time hearing a jamband turned into an album. Not exactly revolutionary but could speak deeply to a certain group or age. Unfortunately that passed thru me decades ago. Not bad but certainly not more than 3.

Between 4 and 5 just given how original and explosive the whole album feels. Spoken word, culturally explicit and harmonic all come to mind.

It really is the complete package of his work in a release.

Very disjointed as an album, but an obvious influence on music as a whole. Their SoCal impact is clear. Not my favorite thing but not terrible.

Such a classically divisive artist but I’m on the positive side and I love the structure of this album. Not greatest but up there.

Not bad, not my favorite. I am Lorde. Yah yah yah.

Up there, but not my top TH album. Lots of great tracks; Stay Hungry Juice Fam. Artists Only, The Good Thing. And of course Big Mouth Billy Bass

It’s probably 3.5/5 but honestly better than anticipated. I’ll give it a 4 to revisit.

Really loved this. Never heard the whole thing. Bond Trip Hop, yes. Dark Alley UK vibes, yes. Great vocals and textures, yes.

This was more poppy than I expected given the garage rock tendencies of TRex. Overall nothing crazy but good.

Titan impactful overall an extremely good version of this genre. Obviously, they are some of the front runners.

This is the encyclopedia of hip hop samples and extemporaneous soundscapes from the 80s. Possibly the most influential beats?

I’ve tried multiple times. I just can’t get past the straight up wuss rock. I get the influential nature but no thanks.

This is just a straight up classic across the board. One respite in the track listing otherwise just fantastic early 70s rock and roll 4.25/5

I could try to explain myself but it’s based in redundancy and over-length.

I get it. I lived in Appalachia for over a decade. There are many that have done this better and not so tired, but hard to deny impact. Entry level people; Try Hank Williams for melancholy and Bill Monroe for the mojo

The early stuff doesn’t hit me as hard but it’s a def 3.5 star album. Giving 3. A few standouts.

I’m not a Coldplay fan. I understand the mass appeal and rise to stardom on the backs of this well structured album. The hidden track is a nice touch from a somewhat bygone era. I like the opening track.

Brit Party 70s Rock.

Classic Setbreak

It’s definitely got a place here. Not my favorite stylistically but well structured and good songs.

Looking for more of this in my life.

Yes

Somewhat of an interesting new listen. Nothing groundbreaking but enjoyable. 3.5/5

Started off with an edge, ended with a woolen sock.

Blue Note Congo. If you hate it, I’m sorry for your mother.

She’s sweet and smooth and sings about love. Easy to get and enjoy.

The haunting witch vocals throughout really tie the room together.

Zappa meets Chicago_Transit Authority with Acid in the water. What an experience.

Sublime

It’s not TERRIBLE but there is no place in my world where I would ever pick this. Musically it’s derivative and repetitive. They write and play but do they know why?

I was born of the Untz and will die under the Untz. Peace Love Unity Respect and Triple Stacks. One love.

Mostly ballads and standards so temper the outlaw expectation but 4 bc it’s Willie

This is a new wave pick for sunny days or dark afternoons

Soul heavy, almost poppy, but contained within the future of the Zappa freakdom that will blossom in years to come. It's a true 60s sound. Like psychedelic Tommy James.

Hits, gems and a full musical spectrum. 4.5

Gotta go for 5 just given the unreal track listing and intense impact. Not my favorite band but unmistakable legacy on music.

Hard 3.75. Give it 3

Concise, decluttered, engineered, clean and punchy. Represents all of their best with hits on board. Remarkably replayable.

2.5 but overall just a bit mundane. Starts strong of course with the eponymous track then Jet, trails off and tries to reunite at the end.

A continuation of the deviation starting with LZII. It’s good, a lot of great tracks but it’s running theme of acoustic and pedal guitars just makes it feel a little too rustic all these years later. Since I been loving you.

A clear foray into the electronic sampling world. Annie Lennox is her own right. It’s a scene. Not my all in but obviously noteworthy for so many reasons.

A few out of play songs like thug and TV dinners are the only thing driving this classic classic rock album into somewhat corn ball territory. Otherwise an obvious classic was so many callbacks big hits and representation of the ZZ Top sound. It can only be a four.

Good angry and to the point. 3.5.

I love this album. Did when I was a kid and still to this day. Himming and Hawwing b/t 4/5. Def 4.5. Walking on the move pushes it into the second act where they just let loose. I’ll give it 5

Almost impossible to be objective. She’s an incredible singer that’s for sure, but I can’t figure out how to rate a popular album that I don’t care for, backed by extreme talent…

This is cringe before cringe was defined in our modern era. I’ve lived through this time, and I’ve never met one person who says “I’m a fan of the fun lovin criminals“ how this made it to the list I’m not quite sure couldn’t find redemption in any aspects of traditional music production that I’ve been using to grade albums this entire time

Overlong Sample Parade. Living through this in college, it was clearly influential for future to come. Just a bit redundant. The story at the end ties it. 3.5.

If your G-Ma was born in 1940, you’re probably the direct result of “It Had to be You” I love this as a reference point of the genre

Old Friends. They truly built a piece of art. I’m not a major fan or anything but this is undeniable. Truly a case study in a nice sized bite of a melodic, flowing album production

When you’re so famous for many original sounds, additional albums can be difficult. Is this the best Bowie? No. Is this good for Bowie in 2013? Hell yeah. Easily 3.5, possibly 3.75. A few standouts, nothing revelatory, but not a total waste.

I like this better than Blue. It’s diverse but solidly Joni. Big fan.

Congealed and monotonous

Pretty classic. Obviously impactful. Another tough one to rate. As an album, solid tracking but a bit redundant for my tastes.

This poor album. They’re great. Love a lot of their stuff. Impossible to think the doesn’t sound like counterfeit Beatles meets Velvet Underground. Don’t hate it but I just….

The struggle is real. The Smiths in general make albums that sound like one long song. That’s not to say I don’t like them! My wife with a Morrissey voice is a hilarious way to enjoy a weekend afternoon. Their music is good. Their vibe is solid. This isn’t a 4 star album. Peace be with you.

This is tough to rate. I get the quality. I get the structure. Not my favorite nor mass appeal. Have to give 2 to even the system otherwise it’s just a void into another set of 3s. Likely 2.75/3 but the last tracks are solid.

Well it’s a pioneering album. Sampled over and over. Truly ahead of its time. Probably won’t need it until I NEED IT 4/5

It’s morrissey. Album is constructed well

I hated this band as a kid. 15 years old and Bono was just a PITA. As I’ve aged, their early work just hits different. This is 3.75 but give it 4 just for the composition.

Okay. I was a teen when this came out. Hated it. Able to understand less emotion and more melody. What is a 2 star album? How do you find 1?! This exercise is making myself.

This came out when I was a kid. Modern Dylan. Tom Waits meets melody. It’s good but not my favorite Freewheeling Dylan. If you can stay objective with his career you might get more of the cosmos than most. 3.5/5

Not terrible. Not Loser. Mid Road Beck. 3.33/5

Love the interaction. Not as lively as San Quentin but great album nevertheless.

3.75/5. It’s back heavy with a good intro. Constructed well but not my favorite type of Bowie. A harbinger of things to come.

There may be some feeling here, but doing LSD with Enya I suppose you end up in Las Vegas?

Ehh meh

Picture this it’s 1993. You’re gay British. Uncle is doing aerobics with teal colored ankle weights. Now I don’t know if this is a thing, I’m American. But still can’t shake the division. Three out of five for effect

Great capsule of their work. Not sure it’s 5 but opens and closes so well, with a lot of meat in between.

Always loved this one. Very cohesive as a whole 4/5

I’m a fan of AfroPsyche. This is pretty cohesive. Enjoyable

Mostly light hearted post punk frolic through a well constructed album. Fun but not groundbreaking

Acoustic pseudo break beat Britt emo pop rock. Yawn if you hadn’t heard it maybe it would matter. However, living through this I have no tolerance for it maybe you like his voice?

I get it. It’s good. Not my favorite thing but if you like neo-Nashville with the old sound this could scratch an itch.