1001 Albums Summary

Knew Sultans of Swing but nothing else. Had that 70s almost country twang. Good overall album even if ot loses steam at the end.

Pretty brisk with 12 songs in under 26 minutes. Some honest gems in this mix even if it did feel like a "50s pop" album. Knew a few songs beforehand. Nothing cohesive about it, just a good collection of songs.

Never been a big Neil Young fan but would give this another listen.

Good but nothing really stood out to me. Consistent from start to finish. Very emotionally laden. Fans of Taylor Swift would like for sure. 3/5 on the 1001 album scale.

Some strong Led Zeppelin vibes. Would come back to it and listen again. Was a pretty quick 40 minutes.

Knew a few songs before but nothing that well. Ranged from good to kinda boring.

Been a minute since I heard this album. I remember liking it, let's see if it holds up. Holds up. 5/5

I feel like this is exactly what the mid 60s music sounded like outside of The Beatles and The Beach Boys. Some great songs, some ok songs, some covers that were fine. California Dreamin still slaps. 4/5

Great album from start to finish. I'm partial to the genre, and Heads Will Roll is quite well known, but this is some indie-rock (indie-pop) at its peak. Keeping this one in rotation.

Some super creative stuff on here that makes it well worth listening again. I don't love the skits but I get that they're a product of that era.

I can appreciate how unique this album was when it first came out. Even though it may not catch you immediately it makes you want to listen again.

Similar feel to Oasis, maybe had some Beatles influence as well.

Some absolute amazing tracks. A bit slow in the back half but I get why it's considered a classic.

My immediate reaction though is that this album is just boring. There are a few singles that I remeber from back when it came out (Senorita, Cry Me a River, Rock Your Body), but if a song didn't feel dated it felt slow or just not about anything. I keep finding myself checking how much time is left in a song only to discover that most tracks are roughly 5 minutes long and that the album is somehow over an hour! Mostly the music just isn't interesting to me. Nothing really catches outside of the singles, and for an album where Justin's actually solid vocals are the primary focus there are some really dumb lyrics to highlight them. Maybe this was sexy when it first came out, but for an album old enough to hit the clubs it talks about, it doesnt feel that way anymore. There are 3 or so decent, fun songs but the rest of this Hit-Clips era album is just filler. I just don't get the hype.

This is what the 90s sounded like.

Some of the best background music I've ever heard.

Beautiful composition, excellent song writing and album cohesiveness, brilliant raw emotion throughout. Insanely relistenable.

Nothing really jumped out at me. If you're a Bowie fan it's good, but otherwise there's no need to rush out and listen to this when Black Star does it so much better.

Decent album overall, a bit dated but some solid tracks on here. The controversy with Skynyrd over "Alabama" is an interesting part of pop culture history.

Better than most versions of these songs but that's a pretty low bar to clear. Phil congratulating himself on the only track about Jesus seems pretty on brand.

Powerful album both lyrically and musically. A lot is packed into just 33 minutes. With its super left viewpoint and harsh lyrics this will not be an album for everybody, which is exactly what the band intended. A few lines haven't aged well but at 43 years old that's pretty impressive.

Thoroughly enjoyed this quick moving, energetic album. Can only imagine what it would have sounded like live.

I can appreciate how groundbreaking this was when it first came out. Through sheer imitation over 40+ years it doesn't feel quite as special anymore, though that doesn't diminish the music quality. It's classic punk driven by raw vocals, high energy, and simpler (though not quite 3 chord simple) melodies.

The answer to the question "What if The Beatles were a 90s band?" Honestly I love this album, jokes about Wonderwall and all.

Definitely the inspiration to some later folk music. Still has the real country kick to it.

A classic in its own right. A few elements are a bit dated but overall an album that lives up to the hype even for non-fans of the band. Some absolutely brilliant composition and musicianship.

A master of a forgotten genre. Almost feels like novelty music due to over use of some of his songs, but can't deny there are some solid tracks on this album.

I don't care that this is considered the birth of Gothic rock or whatever. It's boring, whiny, and 1 dimensional. It makes me sad in the way that seeing your houseplants slowly die does. Not real sadness, just general melancholy and annoyance that I'll have to clean up the dirt I spill taking it out to compost later.

Solid as a complete album with a few standout tracks like Pyramid Song. I personally don't love Radiohead but can't deny this album's merit.

It almost feels novelty except that musically it's so well done.

Always good to get some non-English albums in the mix.

A few absolute classics on here.

The cultural impact of this album really can't be overstated. Growing up when it came out, I can tell you this was everywhere. There were at least 4 huge songs off this album. Despite this, Linkin Park has mostly faded into history, and in the end it doesn't even matter.

This is where I wish we could rank between stars. From a historic perspective its an obvious 5 in terms of what it meant for rock. And of course the music is good. However, it's an album of cover songs, and by modern standards the recording quality just hasn't aged well. Still, it's a classic with some of the most famous version of these songs.

A style of hip hop that just isn't done anymore. Some great vocals, composition, and a few stand out tracks. Maybe ran a bit long and with some lyrics that don't quite hit at times, but overall a very fun listen.

Solid throughout, with some brilliant musicianship. No single strong track in my opinion but a good overall album.

Just kinda forgettable.

Couldn't tell you why I liked this album, it just all fits together beautifully.

This album has really grown on me over the years. Even though dream pop isn't really my thing each song is unique in its own way, keeping the album fresh all the way through.

Why is this album 2.5 hours long? I mean it's fine but that's just too much.

Delightful. More non-English music please!

Could have been a bit shorter but still its an all time classic.

Really enjoyed this album. Not quite as high profile as Electric Ladyland but the music is just as good and at 40 minutes it's a highly cohesive album.

Musically it's not bad, but as an album felt more disjointed than creative.

Not something I would normally have selected. Nothing jumped out at me but I'd gladly throw it on as background music.

Fine all around. No weak spots but nothing that would make me want to listen again. More of a 2.5 than a 3.

Very pretty, but almost too mellow.

Innovative, unique, and makes me want to listen to more Peter Gabriel. Not often you hear an effectively used Marimba but it absolutely works. Could see changing this to a 5 in my head on subsequent listens.

Beautiful vocals, a unique and effective variety of song styles, and an amazing artist history to go with it. If you are unfamiliar with Miriam Makeba do yourself a favor and read up on her career and life in general.

Almost feels like I need to give this two different reviews. The A and B side are vastly different, with the A side typical Bowie rock and the B-side an avant garde mini-album. Very interesting as a whole.

Some great stuff on here even it's showing its age. The B side doesn't quite have the energy of the first 5 or 6 songs but it's easy to see how it could be so big at the time.

I've long lost count of how many times I've listened to this album over the years. From the bookends of Shine On You Crazy Diamond to the three great featured songs it's an all time classic. Earns it's place alongside Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.

Found myself grooving along to this one.

Nothing bad but nothing noteworthy in my opinion. Country flavored singer-songwriter music.

Knew a few of these songs before I listened to the full album. The whole thing is just bursting with energy, will be returning to this one later.

Songs I knew from this beforehand were "Changes" and "Life on Mars?". It's that classic Bowie feel with something for both casual fans and ones who want a deeper dive. Great album within Bowie's catalog and in general.

Paving the way for bands like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, this album does an excellent job of blending traditional and modern styles. Occasionally felt like a collection of singles rather than a cohesive piece, but still entertaining throughout.

Incredible for all the reasons so many better critics and musicians have written about before. Unless you are an afficionado though this is a challenge to listen to. Worth it for sure, but certainly not a casual little album.

Multiple great songs on this album that have become essentially "soundtrack music." Some solid, old school dinner party jazz.

Infectious beats that stick with you. Must be listened to with a proper speaker or headphones. Not every track is a banger but it's clear why they were so popular in their heyday.

The epitome of classic rock. Good blues/country influence and really no weak spots, impressive given its 84 minute time. Kashmir is likely the most well known track. It's only lacking the truly standout tracks that many of their other albums have. Great for fans, but a deeper cut than say Led Zeppelin IV.

Just classic after classic on this album. First time listening and probably knew half the songs. Some of the better pop-rock of that era, it's the kind of music that's catchy without you really noticing. It's Boston for people with a pop preference. 4.5/5, nothing groundbreaking but solid all the way through.

Some great vocals and emotions on display. The extended versions could go on a bit long, but if you think of this as a concept album it all fits together very well.

Some excellent singer-songwriter music.

This album has some of Bob Marleys most well known songs, ones that have become genre defining in their own right. Though the full album can sound a bit repetitive at times, the genuine joy a track like Three Little Birds or One Love produce demonstrate exactly why Marley's music and legacy have endured for so long.

Like an amalgamation of so many 80s bands. Hints of Peter Gabriel, U2, Talking Heads, and The Cure. Nothing particularly exciting on this one .

For reasons I can't quite explain Solsbury Hill is a song I just can't stand. The rest of the album is fine though.

A few well known songs and an all around solid album from start to finish. Despite its age doesn't feel dated or even necessarily a product of its time, just good music.

Bizarre and a bit nonsense at times but truly unique and risk taking. Deserves some a close listen as even some of the simpler seeming songs genre bend in both subtle and blatant ways. Off the beaten path for sure but worth the trip.

A few great tracks, but almost aggressively 1960s. Somewhere in the 3.5 range.

I can see how this was groundbreaking at the time, but I don't feel like I gained much from this. Found myself checking how much was left multiple times. Even as a fan of punk music this just didn't vibe.

This album contains some of the most well known rock songs of all time in Hells Bells, Back in Black, and You Shook Me All Night Long, but there are a few duds on here as well. Arena rock at its peak.

Enjoyable the whole way through. Chill, relaxing, well made music. Helps that I agree with the message too!

Old school rap group at its absolute finest. A brilliant blend of hip hop and R&B that allows songs like Ready or Not, Zealots, and Fu- Gee-La to work right next to the amazing, transformational cover of Killing Me Softly With His Song. Lauryn Hill's vocals are the standout throughout the album, but nearly every track has something to offer from everyone involved.

CCR are of course the patron saints of movie montages set in/around the Vietnam War era. This album features several well known tracks by them that are still good to this day. They exemplify southern rock, and this particular album has no weak spots to speak of.

A strange album in hindsight, but a risk taking rock opera that just isn't made anymore. Includes several classics like Pinball Wizard. Not sure if it's something I'd keep on rotation since it's material gets super heavy at times, but the singles are all catchy and musically it's very well done.

I can see why critics seem to love this album. It's raw, genre blending, and not afraid to rake risks. It jumps from punk to country to rock to Irish folk styles effortlessly. Unfortunately this didn't quite materialize in a way that worked for me. Some tracks like Hard to be Human Again were stronger than others. Wish I liked it more than I did, and wouldn't advise against listening to it.

This album is a real listening exercise in separating the art from the artist. I want to judge the album without having my opinions of Kanye influence it but it's hard when his personality is so pervasive throughout. Regardless, this is one of the best produced albums you will ever hear. The lyrics bounce between juvenile and deep, but there some incredible tracks on here that elevate the hip hop of its time and still don't feel dated.

It's a unique listening experience, but not one that was particularly engaging. Very much a product of its time and the problem with the 1970s LA based humor is that it's audience 50 years on is pretty niche. Nothing sonically negative, but feels creative just for creativity sake.

Enjoyed this one from start to finish. On top of the music itself their formation and history is worth reading up on too.

First of all, single greatest album cover in the history of music. Second, the influence a record like this had on country nusic and especially someone like Johnny Cash is obvious. Though novelty or sounding like a movie soundtrack today, they songs themselves are catchy and arrangements are a fun example of a bygone style.

Some fun rock, some lame power ballads, and genuinely funny lines. Kind of a mixed bag.

One of those albums where the brilliance shines through even if it's not always for me. Intensity and energy are present even in the quiet parts of this album.

Brooding and melancholy. Dark and a bit Gothic. Oddly didn't feel nearly as long as it's run time. Fans of The Cure will love it, most others will recognize the one or two singles that everybody knows.

A classic in pretty much all respects. No weak spots, catchy songs, still known to this day. Doesn't hit at that deeper level to quite warrant a 5, but as close as it can get.

Some mid-tier Fleetwood Mac

Easy to see why this album is considered a classic. Starts out with 3 huge songs though it fades a bit on the second half. Largely compelling material in an album with no real weak spots.

Noisy but quite good

There are a lot of interesting musical choices from unique instruments to genre mixing to lyrics that don't quite go where you expect. But at its core this album just isn't deep or exciting or that fun. I can see it's appear as a pop act of its time but there's no real itch that it scratches today.

Come On Eileen has 600 million listens. The next closest track has just over 6 million. That sums up this album pretty well IMO.

The music Is great even it this album doesn't have Metallicas biggest known hits. Only challenge is the track lengths which average roughly 7 minutes each.

Am album ahead of its time in a lot of ways. Perhaps it's the age and 1970s influence, but I found myself grooving one minute and then bored the next.

Reminds me of a combination of St. Vincent and Black Moth Super Rainbow.

Exemplifies a lot of new trends from the early 90s including trip-hop and incorporation of dance beats. Probably goes on a bit long with several filler tracks able to be removed.

Absolutely overlooked this album during the 2000s indie wave. Outside of Maps which is super well known is a great rock album that brings to mind early White Stripes and other noisy, distorted guitar rock. Will be jamming to this for a while.

Knew a few tracks off this already. A bit of an acquired taste but started to really enjoy it towards the end.

Upbeat and a great blend of genres.

A lot of U2 influence but with an Americana vibe. Can see how this would go on to influence later bands. Really a 3.5 but rounding down because it's just not that memorable.

Love the funk elements and some of the singles like Under the Bridge are classics. Suffers a bit from its attempts to be edgy that haven't aged amazingly. Largely a great album though with just one or two skips along the way.

Great album from start to finish. Me and Bobby Mcgee is obviously the well known track here with others like Mercedes Benz following suit. Far better writers have penned far better reviews of Joplin over the years, but I expect this is one I'll eventually come back to.

Just some great jazz.

A wholly unique blend of genres with jazz, rock, folk, and even British traditional influences. The album itself just didn't strike me in a memorable way.

I remeber when this album was on everyone's lists for AOTY. Back then I just didn't get it. Upon relistening 10 years later I kinda get it now. Some beautiful vocals that are honestly underutilized and a largely cohesive album, just not one that hits for me.

So many hits on this album.

Good album from start to finish. The songs stay fresh throughout.

Some mega hits on the first half but a bit repetitive towards the end. A staple of the genre though.

Some great tunes, Hallelujah especially, but a bit boring towards the end.

Glad I gave this a second listen, some of it hit a lot better after the first go. Might be an acquired taste, but one that almost makes it for me.

As talented and entertaining Prince is, his music is not always the most interesting. Obviously there a few mega hits like 1999 and Little Red Corvette that make this album worth a listen, but a number of songs could be cut too. 3.5/5 but rounding this one up.

Enjoyed this one all the way through. Felt like a truly cohesive album.

Liked this one a lot more than I was expecting. Though the lyrics bounced between serious topics at times and utter crap at others, the music itself shreds. Will likely listen again.

One of the great things about the 1001 albums list is just how much great jazz is on here that I would have never heard about otherwise.

Very unique sound. Tracks like Running Up That Hill have taken on a second life which is what this album will likely be most known for. Want to give it another listen at some point.

Just a lovely album from start to finish.

A fun pop-rock album with catchy tracks like "Band on the Run" and "Jet". Nothing spectacular but not low points either. However, it's impossible to rank this without comparing it to The Beatles. In that sense it's lacking. The originality, risk taking, and soul of the group just aren't there, even if musically this is a wholly competent and even engaging listen.

Some excellent guitar work, but an hour of it felt a little repetitive.

Started out strong with some absolute classics like Beautiful Day. Ended up just a bit weak towards the end, but there is enough quality on this one to overcome that.

One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands. Aside from Where is My Mind (which isnt even the best track on the album, thats Gigantic) there are at least 8 other amazing songs and no weak spots at all.

The sheer amount of well known songs off this album makes its place on the list undeniable. Less wild and crude than some of their earlier work, this is RHCP fully realizing their potential.

Raw, but with such passion behind it.

It's like if the Beatles made a rock opera. Works some of the time.

As a sucker for experimental genre blending this was a really interesting listen, especially for an album that came out in 1999. There's some excellent musicianship here and a unique concept throughout. Not ever track is needed though and a few go on too long, but otherwise this was a good find.

CCR are an odd case of the buisness side of music interfereing with the music side, in that multiple songs on this album have been used ad nauseum in TV, movies, truck commercials, and parodies off all of those. It's very good music, but annoying to listen to for the approximately 10,000th time.

Fun little live album, forgotten a soon as it was done.

I don't like this, but it's also really good. It's excellent execution on everything it tries to do, but I don't enjoy much of it. It absolutely shreds, and doesn't resonate with me at all.

Not really a metal fan but found this more accessible than Slayer. Despite being a bit gimmicky in hindsight it's still very good with highly competent musicianship.

The importance and ground breaking of multiple genres of this album cannot be overstated. However as an album it peters off towards the end, and it's most well known song is a cover. The music is enjoyable but more history than greatness.

Some solid Britpop.

Really enjoyed just letting this album wash over me. Got into a solid groove most of the time, with a only a fee sections that dragged on a bit.

Fun album, but feel like I needed to "be there" to fully appreciate it.

Another interesting case of music management affecting an albums perception. Somebody to Love and White Rabbit are mega hits that are still frequently used in media nearly 60 years later, while the rest of the album is fine but nothing special. However these two songs could easily be considered overplayed. Does that taint the album or make it a classic? To me oddly it does both.

Might be the perfect pop album of its era.

A few really good covers, but this felt more for Cash fans than anyone else.

Just didn't hit for me, nothing terribly interesting on this one.

Excellent album with lyrics I want to go back to explore and varcgy songs that don't feel like they've aged a day.

It's both good and incredibly dull.

Really grew on me as the album went on. Planning on exploring some of their other music.

Music was nice but man did the book mess up this entry.

Maybe this was really exciting stuff back in the day but it mostly just felt like generic dad rock in this listen. Some pretty weak lyrics all around too.

Another 60s album that kinda suffers from its own popularity. The popular songs are used ad nauseum, and it does take some of the shine off what would otherwise be some absolute classics. A bit weaker on the back end but certainly a good listen still.

Now I know what you're thinking, "Oh jeez, just another bandemoneon and vibraphone player teaming up for the glory, money, and fame." But NO! These are two musicians at their finest, doing what they do best. Piazzolla continues his unparalleled advancement of the entire genre of Tango. Meanwhile you have the master of marimba, the virtuoso of vibraphone, the GOAT of glockenspiel, Gary Burton himself tearing it up throughout the entire album. It's unusual, really good for a live album, and despite not being sure if I enjoyed it I do respect the musicianship. Good genre expansion for the 1001 album list.

Just some excellent classic rock.

Not feeling this one. Poignant lyrics but not much else working for me.

It's like a bad Bowie impression. Didn't enjoy it and promptly forgot it.

Not bad for a live album. A few covers thrown in there but I get that was the style at the time.

Beautiful album. Only minor issue is it suffers from feeling a tiny bit dated.

Some nice musicianship but otherwise I have no clue what's happening on this album.

The inflection album between light poppy easy Beatles and more experiential interesting stuff.

Album ranged from some excellent single tracks to being a little boring at times. The highlights well overcome its weaknesses though.

Undeniable talent from Franklin herself and some absolute classic tracks.

Peak genre blending.

Not my favorite Talking Heads album but Psycho Killer is an all time classic.

Some lyrics haven't aged great but there are still some absolute bangers on here.

Great singer songwriter album. Some odd musical instrument choices for some of the solos but it was the 70s I guess.

Music was good but nothing really stuck. Really a 3.5

Might have been a 3 but holy shit are these lyrics sophomoric.

Can't deny its place on this list for having multiple mega hits. Mostly light fun pop music.

Corny, annoying, dated, especially the second half of the album. Can't deny Livin' on a Prayer slaps though.

Just some straight up psychedelic rock. Nothing too cohesive about it as an album but a good collection of songs.

Crazy that a sound track out sells the movie it's for.

Wild album in hindsight, with cultural impacts ranging ranging from novelty sings to corny ballads to legit hits. It's inconsistency is its biggest flaw, but it's place on this list is deserved.

Occasionally grooving but mostly just waiting for it to be done.

Despite the misogyny and homophobic lyrics it's still a really good album in a lot of respects. The over the top nature is central to it of course, but I think it struggles a bit with age to just become shock for the sake of shock. Kinda tough to rate it higher compared to some of Eminems follow up albums.

Started good, got boring in the middle, ended well.

Some great tracks from the early era of punk. Even at 30 minutes feels a bit repetitive by the end, but mostly an enduring classic.

An all time great album. Multiple mega hits that have fully stood the test of time.

Straightforward early brit punk.

This is what "80s music" is supposed to sound like.

Most songs are better than Alright, but that still doesn't make this especially memorable. Not bad, just kinda forgettable.

It's impossible not to hear how this band could have influences groups as varied as Talking Heads, Pixies, Radiohead, and many others. Gonna have to give this some more listens

Maybe I just don't get The Cure. This was fine but I'm not sure why it's on this list.

Even with this being a challenging listen at times there are some truly outstanding tracks on this album. Drags a bit in the second half but worth it for the highs it hits.

This album feels like reconnecting with an old friend. Excellent from start to finish.

I can see why it was so influential at the time. Unfortunately hasn't aged well in either lyrics and style. Even excluding the bonus tracks it goes on about 15 minutes longer than it needed to. Overall some great stuff mixed with some corny filler.

Dylan has never been my favorite but there are a few tracks I can't get out of my head. Will for sure revisit this one.

Not really my thing but one of the better albums that isn't really my thing.

Whiney nu metal vocals, twice as long as it should have been, and some homophobic lyrics thrown in. Should have left this one in 1998.

This was fine. Definitely in the good tier of early 90s alt rock. Not super memorable but scratches the itch for that genre for sure.

Possibly the quintessential soul album. Even with being roughly 50% covers this albums simple yet effective delivery makes you want more.

Good quick album of some classic chill music.

Just some great pop music.

Actually liked it more than I expected. It's still corny as hell but honestly pretty fun overall.

Excellent album, some of the best hip hop to come out of that wra.

Solid album from start to front.

A few classics on this one.

Easy 5. Complete album from front to back.

Not even sure what to do with this album. On the one hand I didn't like it, but on the other it's definitely something I've never heard before. Giving it points for being interesting if nothing else.

Very 2000s feeling but still has some great tracks.

Carey's vocals rescue what would otherwise be a pretty bland album.

Super chill album

Unique and creative.

Love some good short punk rock

Maybe I'd appreciate The Doors more if their entire discography hadn't been absorbed into the Boomer Nostalgia genre. Some ear worms for sure on this album but nothing that makes me want to seek it out again.

Just a fun listen.

I know this album is beloved and there's honestly some beautiful music here, but for whatever reason Radiohead just never clicks for me.

Not bad but far from the most impressive thing Monk has done.

Not bad but kinda forgettable.

Some good tracks on here but a lot more filler than anything.

Can genuinely say I learned something today, plus I got to hear some good music.

I always like a well done genre blend. This wasn't always the most captivating but the high point were beautiful.

This is the best of the three Roxy Music albums I've gotten so far. Maybe it's personal preference, but there's a fine line in glam rock between fun and annoying fluff. This band just strays into the latter side too much.

Even with some filler on it this is by far the Beatles most interesting album. Some absolute classics here. I could make some minor critiques for why its not perfect but it's much closer to a 5 than a 4.

The kings of Yacht Rock

This is supposedly a masterpiece but just isn't doing it for me.

Doesn't quite have the bite of the ST debut album, but still good nonetheless.

Somehow too safe for glam rock. A few good tunes but otherwise forgettable.

Absolutely get why it should be here, by this is a tough one to get through even with a whole weekend to do it.

For people who want psychedelic rock but don't like The Doors.

Pretty dated but I see why it's here.

Honestly, liked this a lot more than I expected. Too long but some real bangers on here.

Solid first half, weak back half. A few classic songs from the early 2000s, but needed to be 17 minutes shorter.

Great first half, but holy crap there are some lyrics that aged badly.

Atlantic City is an all time classic.

Some good stuff, some nonsense. One of the better post-Beatles album I've heard. Feeling generous so a 4, but probably closer to a 3.5

Some great stuff and some stuff that was really grating.

Actually liked everything other than their 2 most popular songs.