1001 Albums Summary

This was a wacky one. I'm pretty familiar with Bowie's early albums, but had never listened to this. I definitely didn't expect how straight up experimental this was, and so much electronica/hip-hop/drum'n'bass to come through, but I listened through twice back to back and absolutely look forward to spending more time in it.

This album blew my little artsy high school mind when it came out almost 20 (!!) years ago. Though I stopped paying attention to the Arcade Fire around the time of The Suburbs and I haven't listened in many years, I can't believe how much I enjoyed coming back. It sounds like emotional euro dance club music for the Great Depression. Was this the blueprint for the next decade's worth of "hey ho stomp clap" to follow? Maybe. Did it change the game for myself and all my artsy hipster friends forever? Absolutely.

I realized I've been a "real instruments only" snob for a long time. I wanted to hate this. I loved it.

Didn't really grab me?

Generational talent taken far too soon. Minus one star from this dyke for the aggressive heterosexuality of it all

It's like if Radiohead were American and their brains made enough serotonin. Cool synths and textures, but a little finely sanded for a Touch and Go band? Three stars. Favorite track: Dreams

I absolutely loved this. Super hooky songs and incredible guitar work throughout, just a little bit outside but still way catchy. Favorite track: Pantomime Horse (but also The Drowners?)

This album comes with a lot of baggage. Tonight was my first time listening in many years, having cried SO MUCH to this album as a Sad Art Teen. It taught how me to fingerpick, and kept me company sneaking cigarettes behind the dumpster at shitty minimum wage jobs. But I, graciously, don’t smoke or get that kind of sad any more. I didn't cry this listen. Having grown older than Elliott lived to be and uncovered newer, more exotic sadnesses, I guess I'm desensitized to the songs, drawn instead to memories of a different life long gone. It felt a little bit like running into a childhood friend who never made it out of the town you grew up in. Anyway, five stars, RIP. Favorite track: 2006 - Angeles; 2026 - Ballad of Big Nothing

I've heard The Girl From Ipanema a hundred times, but never this whole record. Stan Getz sure sucks but boy could he play a saxophone. Justice for Astrud. The mono mixes are better. Five stars. Favorite track: Corcovado.

This one was tough. Stunningly intimate deathbed confessional production. But all I could really think about was how he logged off at the right time before getting a chance to really lean into his zionism. Four stars. Favorite track: Treaty. Free Palestine.

This album rules and was a perfect thing to set as your facebook status in 2007 to let everyone know you liked indie music. And you know what? I still do. Five stars. Favorite track: I Think I'm in Love.

it's still 2007 and I'm trapped under a mountain of pinstripe ringer tees in an urban outfitters. they won't let me leave. turns out I'm not particularly nostalgic for the aughts post-punk thing. catchy though! Three stars. Favorite track: Michael.

I don't go deep with Bob Marley beyond the hits. Listening through the album was kind of like, yeah, okay, this is chill, groovy. But at the very end (at least on Tidal), I hear High Tide or Low Tide (Jamaican Version) and it's way different, so I looked it up. No doubt common knowledge to real Bob heads but turns out there's a whole earlier version of the album as originally recorded, and holy shit, it's outstanding. It's got edge, the harmonies are way up front, they're freaking LOCKED. So much better than the white-guy'd down version for 70's America. My rating reflects that version and that original vision. If you're gonna listen, listen to the originals. Five stars. Favorite Track: Concrete Jungle

Mixed bag of movie credits music, albeit with heart. Loved the rap songs and the Chali 2na collab, got a little too Santana Ft. Rob Thomas for my tastes other times. Three stars. Favorite Track: the unbridled aughts energy of the Saturday Night music video