610
Albums Rated
2.5
Average Rating
56%
Complete
479 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2000
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Perfectionist
Rater Style ?
6
5-Star Albums
99
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
|
5 | 3.73 | +1.27 |
|
Kings Of The Wild Frontier
Adam & The Ants
|
4 | 2.83 | +1.17 |
|
The Stranger
Billy Joel
|
5 | 3.86 | +1.14 |
|
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell
|
4 | 2.87 | +1.13 |
|
Ten
Pearl Jam
|
5 | 3.91 | +1.09 |
|
Pelican West
Haircut 100
|
4 | 2.97 | +1.03 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
|
1 | 3.87 | -2.87 |
|
Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
|
1 | 3.72 | -2.72 |
|
Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
|
1 | 3.66 | -2.66 |
|
Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
|
1 | 3.65 | -2.65 |
|
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
|
1 | 3.65 | -2.65 |
|
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
|
1 | 3.63 | -2.63 |
|
The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
|
1 | 3.62 | -2.62 |
|
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
|
1 | 3.6 | -2.6 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Sonic Youth | 3 | 1 |
| Brian Eno | 4 | 1.5 |
| Frank Sinatra | 3 | 1.33 |
| Elvis Presley | 3 | 1.33 |
| The Stooges | 3 | 1.33 |
| Leonard Cohen | 3 | 1.33 |
| Ray Charles | 2 | 1 |
| Willie Nelson | 2 | 1 |
| Bob Dylan | 5 | 1.8 |
| Miles Davis | 3 | 1.67 |
| Sepultura | 2 | 1.5 |
| Stan Getz | 2 | 1.5 |
| Muddy Waters | 2 | 1.5 |
| Curtis Mayfield | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Beach Boys | 2 | 1.5 |
| Stevie Wonder | 4 | 2 |
| Tim Buckley | 3 | 2 |
| The Velvet Underground | 3 | 2 |
| The Kinks | 3 | 2 |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 2 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 4 | 2.25 |
5-Star Albums (6)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Stevie Wonder · 3 likes
1/5
I'm not sure what they hype about this album is. Stevie slowed it down way too much through the vast majority of this.
Superstition is miles ahead of anything else on the album. The rest of this is completely skippable.
1.10 stars
JAY Z · 1 likes
2/5
I'm not much of a rap fan overall but I've found some artists throughout this list that have impressed me. I guess I'm not much of a Jay Z guy because I found this album mostly a snooze. It's not bad, it just did little to hook me in any way. Production, lyrics and hooks were all kinda down the middle. Everything from Jay Z sounds like it is produced for mass appeal so it just flies overhead as forgettable to me. Most memorable section was Eminem showing up and clearly outclassing Jay Z. I don't have any ties to this from 9/11 so at the end of it I was happy to shelve it and move on. I'm sure Jay Z and this album specifically are deserving of the entry but it isn't in my wheelhouse and did nothing convince me otherwise.
1.99 stars
Gary Numan · 1 likes
3/5
I associate Gary Numan with Cars but didn't realize how into robots and technology he is. This is all very evident from music, lyrics and album cover of The Pleasure Principle. I enjoyed what I think is an early look at electronica/electro-pop genre. Hard not to call this one ahead of its time as it seems to be an influence and helped morph the techno and other EDM genres.
The Pleasure Principle was a pleasure to listen to. As a whole this album is a little weird though. It seemed like Gary Numan knew that he had a hit on his hands with Cars so he attempted to churn out a couple songs that evoke the same beats/sounds. Without looking at the track listing a couple songs started and I was fooled into thinking Cars was about to start. It's clear that nobody loves an echoing high synthesizer more than Gary Numan. Fun stuff.
3.23 stars
Pink Floyd · 1 likes
5/5
Have been looking forward to this album as it has been one of my favorites for so so long. I already knew nearly every single note and lyric of this album from front to back and yet I was still surprised how great it is as I gave it this re-listen. This album is tied to so many memories throughout my life and I can remember so many "firsts" that I've associated with Dark Side Of The Moon. I've loved it since childhood and have realized how much I appreciate it as I grow through each new step of my life.
What else is there to say about DSOTM? It 100% belongs in the pantheon of great albums and would be a worth entry for anyone arguing it as the greatest album of all time. Everything about the album works from front to back. It's about as close as you can come to a perfect album from all aspects of execution. There is so much represents its well-deserved long-legacy from the music, themes, pop culture connections (Oz?) and whatnot but for my money it also features the most iconic album cover of all time. It belongs on everybody's shelf from both a musical and cultural standpoint. I could talk about this album forever, and would be happy to do so, but it would be far too long to post in a review. Unbelievable album.
4.75 stars
1-Star Albums (99)
All Ratings
David Bowie
3/5
Really solid album from start to finish. Couple of great hits and some solid album cuts. Only 1 song that I wasn't into.
Although I prefer the original, a Bowie-fied Beatles song is always welcome. I think I'd be interested in basically any song getting a Bowie treatment.
First album of the project. I plan to be pretty stingy with my ratings but I was impressed on the first listen. Happy to get the project started.
2.78 stars
Kate Bush
2/5
Started strong with some engaging mode. I was confused how i had never heard of Kate Bush or this album. Why is this not known as an indie rock classic? As it went on it devolved into a mess closer to the likes of Bjork or Yoko, notorious experimental banshee rock beasts. I now understand why this is not an indie classic. A+ would experience the rise and fall again.
2.25 stars.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Dope. Boys being boys in the 80s. Grab a drink, shave your face and have a great time evidently.
Surprised how much i liked it. Melodic and well assembled. I expect this is the album i would like the most but is entirely plausible I've been missing out on IM my whole life can't say i know a single song
Bam.
3.20 stars
Various Artists
1/5
A nice assembly of standard Christmas songs everyone knows. It's fine but nothing special for me when there are a million other versions of every holiday song. Darlene Love is the real star here. There's really no reason for me to ever listen to this. I guess Phil Spector gets credited for the production or putting it together?
1.00 stars
Eminem
4/5
Eminem was huge while I was in middle to high school. I'm pretty sure I've heard nearly all of the songs on this album but this is the first time I've ever listened to it in unison.
I always knew he had a reputation for anger and violent references but didn't realize how extreme until listening in one sitting. Regardless the songs are catchy and entertaining. Eminem is clearly a master lyricist. His skill is on display throughout. This is a fantastic album that deserves respect even if rap isn't your genre of choice.
4.20 stars, would get my ears fucked again.
P.s. never realized the direct diss/ callouts to ICP before which are fantastic.
Tim Buckley
3/5
Pretty interesting album for 1967. While I'm not sure I'll go to it for with any regularity I appreciated it on one listen. I dig the early psychedelic synth pop though by the end the songs were starting to sound very similar. I'd be interested to see if anything else from his discography is as good.
2.75 stars
Frank Sinatra
1/5
It's music from another time. There's nothing wrong with that but it's not for me. I'm pretty sure this could have been a shuffle of the same 2 songs over and over and i wouldn't have noticed. I'm sure this captured the audiences 70 years ago, but nowadays a slow set of redundant romance songs is nothing but a time capsule to the past. Meh.
I'm much more a fan of his upbeat big band stuff than the sappy love songs.
1.15 stars
Wilco
3/5
I've heard of Wilco as an indie rock darling for years. This is my first exposure ever. Decent album. It's not hugely in my wheelhouse but I can see how they would generate a dedicated fanbase. Might check out more of their stuff down the line.
2.75 stars
Talking Heads
4/5
Talking Heads 11 year run was truly something special. Remain In Light is a great album in the middle of their discography. They had already hit their groove and proved to be one of the most unique rock bands ever.
First half of the album is loaded. Second half is still strong and full of unique sounds. I personally prefer Speaking in Tongues to RIL but this was a complete joy on a re-listen.
Anybody who hasn't delved into Talking Heads needs to do themselves a favor.
4.09 stars
Blur
3/5
I definitely dig brit pop and shoegaze. As one of the flagship bands I'm a big fan off Blur. Love their overall discography but in a vacuum none of their albums blow me away. Blur self titled is a solid entry, but at 14 songs and 56 mins is a little threadbare by the end.
3.0 stars would gaze again
Al Green
2/5
First song is an absolute classic. Unfortunately the rest of the album isn't as strong and doesn't do enough for me to give it any high praise. It's a solid entry but nothing special.
2.25 stars.
Beatles
3/5
This album is very schizophrenic. Some absolute classics surrounded by tracks that hardly qualify as songs. 30 songs and 90 minutes was excessive. While it is still essential album for music history, it works have been better served had they trimmed a lot of the fat.
I can only imagine how it rocked the world and influenced so much at the time. 60 years later it's still an important album but i don't expect myself to spend extended time with The White Album moving forward.
2.75 stars but gets the bump for to how iconic everything about The Beatles and this specific album are.
Coldplay
2/5
A Rush of Blood is a pretty solid debut album. Nothing special but a couple recognizable songs that stand up over time. Unfortunately it seems like Coldplay has been making a worse version of this album with each subsequent release.
For years I called myself a Coldplay fan. After I spent some more time with their discography there was nothing to differentiate one song/album from another. It didn't help that their popular songs inevitably become overplayed. What starts as enjoyable becomes a nuisance after overexposure.
2.5 stars
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Pretty solid album. I can't say there are any bad songs on it. At the same time I can't say there are any great songs on it.
I appreciate the mixed vocals but Stevie Nicks vocals tend to elevate a song up a notch compared to the others. Some of the quick hit songs are fun, but I can't say I'll come back to this album with better Fleetwood options out there.
2.84 stars.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Easily the best Cuban mambo I've ever heard.
That being said, that list is relatively short. That being said it's a pretty solid album. That being said there isn't much it does to differentiate it from any other Cuban (or similar genre) music I've heard. That being said you can tell this a group of very skilled musicians that clearly synergize and work really well together.
It's definitely worth a listen. Best part was recognizing live that one of the lead players is Gorillaz collaborator Ibrahim Ferrer.
2.60 stars, gets the bump to 3 since I might throw it on in the background with the in-laws (also gorillaz collaborator) .
Faust
3/5
What a bizarre bit relatively enjoyable listen. A couple long drawn out songs of random instrumentals that kinda work for some reason? Not sure I'll ever recommend it but glad i was exposed to it.
2.80 stars, would kraut again
Happy Mondays
3/5
What a treat. I dug the punky acid rock sound. Had a sense of early shoegaze noise at certain points. I get the sense HM would be a blast to see live. Can't believe it's Shaun Ryder (Gorillaz Dare) on lead. Love it.
3.0 stars. Interested in checking out some other hits and remixes from Happy Mondays.
Little Richard
2/5
I'm sure it's a huge entry in rock history. Makes sense that it is on this list but after a few songs these all ran together for me. A couple good hits and then a handful of very similar filler songs.
Little Richard is deservedly an icon and I'll always love how The California Raisins immortalized a couple of these songs. That being said I don't think I'll be coming back to Little Richard any time soon.
2.0 stars
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Pretty solid album. A few big hits and some really unique fun deep cuts sprinkled across all sides. There's enough here to make a Grade A album if Stevie chose to cut it down. I understand why this album is so highly regarded and it definitely belongs on the list.
I definitely enjoyed the ride but the length is too much for me to want to revisit it. Stevie should realize that often less is more when it comes to a solid concept album. I can appreciate Songs in the Key of Life but I'll stick to singles play. That being said it is recommended for a single full listen and deserves its
3.0 stars.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Other than Fuckin' Up everything else was pretty middle of the pack. A couple decent jams I guess.
Regardless Neil Young is always great. I'm a little surprised this is what is considered one of his bigger albums as I didn't find anything special in it. His discography is expansive so maybe his hits are just spread through 25+ albums and Ragged Glory is considered a cohesive and impactful project. It's worth a listen but I'll be moving on from this one pretty quickly.
2.20 stars.
Dusty Springfield
1/5
Meh. Couldn't help but tune out a couple songs in. Really didn't do anything to pull me back in.
I assume Dusty has enough of a legacy to show up on this list. I'm obviously completely out of the loop as I just realized Dusty Springfield wasn't a man by listening to this album.
0.60 stars
Traffic
2/5
I kinda dug the jams. Nothing spectacular but an album that can definitely provide a good background at the right time.
2.20 stars for John Barleycorn.
Massive Attack
3/5
Pretty slick and unique. Definitely dug the trippy hip hop vibes. Some songs better than others but I enjoyed the versatility and varied styles.
My first exposure to Massive Attack as far as I know.
Would be interested in seeing what else they have put out. I had heard they had connections to Gorillaz though never saw them as a listed collaborator. I can definitely hear the influence.
3.25 stars
Elvis Presley
1/5
I get that Elvis is favorite for so many but he has never done it for me. I can stomach a handful of croony, gospel country songs due the immense icon that Elvis is, but after a couple songs I'm out. I get that Elvis needs to be included on this list but I'm not looking forward to further entries. I'll stick to the 5-10 hits that have remained relevant and avoid the rest of his catalogue for the most part.
0.70 stars
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
Couple of decent songs in the middle but nothing special. OK background music but nothing memorable by the end of it. Never heard of Manic Street Preachers but I'm typically a fan of 90's britpop stuff.
2.5 stars
Missy Elliott
3/5
I was too young for this upon release. I'm not hugely into hip hop but expect that Missy's debut was a breath of fresh air. A couple decent beats from Timbaland, a handful of known collaborators, and I expect a couple long standing hits (not sure though). I expect this album was cemented over time as Missy emerged as a long standing hip hop icon.
2.70 stars
Paul Weller
3/5
Never heard of Paul Weller prior to this. Relatively casual album between soft rock and easy listening. Surprised how much I enjoyed it. Seems like something I would been aware of previously.
2.6 stars
Stevie Wonder
1/5
I'm not sure what they hype about this album is. Stevie slowed it down way too much through the vast majority of this.
Superstition is miles ahead of anything else on the album. The rest of this is completely skippable.
1.10 stars
Neil Young
3/5
Very solid album. This is right in the Neil Young wheelhouse that I typically associate him with. A handful of good hits and not really any low points on it. Very pleasant through and through.
It's possible I've been stingy on my ratings for the past 25+ albums but nothing has really impressed me. It's so refreshing to find an album I was pretty much unfamiliar with that I enjoyed. Due to the lackluster run before this I'm giving it the bump to 4 stars.
Unfortunately Neil is not on Spotify because I would plan to revisit this if so.
3.50 stars
Ray Charles
1/5
Some of the background tunes with strings and orchestra are nice but otherwise it is a series of similar sounding tunes arranged to a similar treatment. Maybe this was a refreshing take on some classics at the time. For me it was just a set of redundant, relatively dull love/soul songs.
1.20 stars.
Def Leppard
3/5
Pretty emblematic of 80s arena glam rock. I'm not a huge Leppard fan but the album belongs on the list. A handful of good songs but it overstayed its welcome. Over an hour of what felt like the same songs structure again and again. This is Leppard at its best and even then it's pretty mediocre for me.
2.5 stars, probably bump it up a bit if they cut 2 songs of filler.
Sepultura
1/5
Not a heavy metal fan. Demon wretches surrounded by admittedly skilled musicians. I'm sure it's influential in the metal community but I'm just not into it.
Incidentally the songs I liked the most were the ones that deviated from metal and included some of tribal mode. Not my bag baby.
1.00 stars.
Bill Evans Trio
1/5
I guess it can be nice to hear one of these songs while relaxing every now and then. But to hear multiple songs and even multiple takes is so completely redundant an unnecessary. Surprisingly, I wasn't there in 1961 but I'm not sure what the crowd sees in this. Evidently this is peak jazz?
It's entirely possible I just listened to the same song 6-10 times in a row. I'm not sure I would have noticed a difference if any of these songs was put on repeat and someone told me I listened to this album. The first bass solo is somewhat refreshing and cool I guess? After that its all just the same baloney for an hour.
0.10 stars
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Meh. It's fine I guess. Stones have a handful of pretty amazing hits but otherwise they are mostly mediocre otherwise for me. In a 50 year discography I can fill a solid greatest hits and then skip the other 85%. Their deep cuts have rarely done it for me.
I've never been high on Brown Sugar or Wild Horses so this album is nothing special for me.
2.00 stars
The Magnetic Fields
3/5
What a unique and charming collection of songs. Some of them are little more than demos or short clips. A few of them are skippable but many of the songs are enjoyable. Overall the collection is a far too long and drags a bit by the end . As a collective project I don't expect to listen to this again but I am glad that I was exposed to this.
Never heard of The Magnetic Fields before this. This lead singer has a unique voice that I suspect I will enjoy outside of this project. Interested in checking out some of their other hits.
2.64 stars stars
Isaac Hayes
1/5
Very skippable. Isaac Hayes sings for about 8 minutes on a 45 minute soul album. I'm happy to stick to his brief tunes as Chef from South Park.
1.10 stars
1/5
This sounds like they told a bunch of ADHD children with no musical skill to pick up instruments and play them randomly. Car horns blaring while a set of monkeys smash drums, random elephants having their trunks stepped on, various flightless birds being picked up and punted, a litter of cats being thrown up against a wall of drums, etc. There are various ways to describe the absolute chaos over the first 20+ minutes of the album. I'm actually questioning whether myself and a group of my friends could go into a studio and spend a day to generate something more ridiculous to be passed off as music. Everything is mind boggling as to how this ended up on any sort of list by acclaimed music critics.
Halfway through it all of sudden morphs into a somewhat controlled arrangement before mostly devolving again by the end of the album. All this did was confuse me whether I'm supposed to take this seriously or not.
While I will never listen to this again something about it tickled me. At various intervals throughout the 40 minutes I found myself just listening and giggling like an idiot at my desk. Overall its surprising the amount of enjoyment I got out of an album that I can truly say I don't like at all. Consider me fully bamboozled.
0.05 star. Can't wait to see other reviews for this.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
Really strong album from start to finish. Each band member brings their own style to the table and all 4 of them work. Relatively short and sweet with no filler in between. This album deserves a lot of respect it is given.
4 stars
Otis Redding
3/5
Otis with very solid entry. Of the soul/R&B stuff I've encountered so far within project, Otis has been the best of the bunch for me. Good range of different sounds and a couple hits that have some lasting effect.
3.0 stars
Roxy Music
3/5
I kinda enjoyed it. Little art rock weirdness here and there. Not really any great songs but not really any bad songs either. Relatively pleasant.
2.71 stars
Christina Aguilera
2/5
It's not a bad album, but I don't think its a good album either. As soon as it ended I couldn't tell you anything about it. Nothing really stood out and it was basically just background music for more than an hour. First half of the album is marginally better than the second half though I did enjoy a few of the string arrangements near the end.
Another example of an album that would have been better trimmed to a single release rather than a double album. I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between Christina Aguilera or any of the female pop/R&B stars from the 90s and 2000s. I don't suspect I'll ever listen to anything on this again.
1.61 stars
New Order
3/5
I dig the synth pop 80s sound. Couple of good songs. I've been tangentially a fan of Joy Division and New Order for years. This might give me more of a reason to check out more of their work.
2.8 stars
Adele
4/5
Damn. I've always heard Adele was a tour de force in the early 2010s and that her first couple albums dominated the charts. I was exposed to the hits and always thought she was talented but am blown away by the sales numbers and the magnitude to how big 25 was.
Adele is definitely a beast. This album is really strong and I can now see why it took the charts by storm. Her vocals are incredibly strong. This album deserves the praise it gets and deserves to be discussed for its impact. While it's not in my personal wheelhouse I can recognize talent and quality when it is there.
As a Bond fan I'll always appreciate Adele for giving us Skyfall. I'll have to go give 19 and 21 a listen at some point.
3.67 stars
T. Rex
3/5
Very enjoyable solid album. Really dug Mambo Sun and Bang a Gong is a well-known classic. Some very fine deep cuts to accompany. I dug the vibe pretty much the whole way through.
Never knew T Rex was such a big influence on glam-rock roots. What a great slice from a band I only was exposed to 1 song of previously.
3.41 stars
Love
2/5
I was exposed to Love years ago due to their history as label mates with The Doors. I checked them out but never found anything very memorable.
It seemed like they had potential but never got over the hump. Da Capo is an OK album. The first half has a few songs that seem like they could be filled out a bit once the group grew into itself. I probably enjoyed the Side B long jam more than most but its still nothing special.
Incidentally it reminds me of what The Doors were doing at the time with The End and When the Music's Over. The problem is that Love doesn't execute nearly as well as The Doors and don't have Jim Morrison's voice and antics to keep it interesting. When it's said and done it's a relatively mediocre listen.
2.35 stars
Venom
2/5
This exceeded my expectations as I went in fully prepared to endure an hour of demon-retch death metal. What I heard was actually relatively melodic lo-fi thrash that I was actually able to somewhat enjoy. I'm not really into metal but can appreciate the musical skill and showmanship it takes.
I can see why this would be an influential album as it sounds like it lays the basics for a death/black metal album. It feels like it establishes the "tropes" of over the top satanic lyrics and imagery that I find ridiculous and sometimes makes me chuckle. I don't expect I'll listen ever again but I would rather revisit this than many of the other "classic" albums so far on this list.
2.1 stars
Goldie
2/5
I would consider myself a passive fan of electronic music but I've never heard of Goldie. A mix of groovy beats and sensual electronica. I was pleasantly surprised by this album as I didn't know what to expect going in.
Reminded me of Aphex Twin, Oakenfold and others. It's way longer than it needs to be and starts to feel a little redundant, but I found myself enjoying the majority of it.
2.3 stars
Van Halen
4/5
What an awesome debut album. Van Halen brings such a great sound. Eddie's skill and style is on full display. David Lee Roth's vocals and antics elevate everything. This must have blown people's minds when it dropped. What can be said that hasn't already been said?
4.26 stars
The Rolling Stones
2/5
It's not bad, but it's also not great. Just another mediocre album from the Stones for me. Sympathy for the Devil is a great opener and the rest of the album is relatively forgettable. Some OK blues rock but nothing I feel the need to go back to.
2.1 stars
Solomon Burke
1/5
Never heard of Solomon Burke. Rock N Soul is fine for a one time listen but it does little to differentiate itself from the countless 1960s soul albums on this list. I guess I appreciate that he has a little more guitar accompaniment. Otherwise its just another soul album from this time period.
0.80 stars
OutKast
2/5
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. Speakerboxx had a handful of upbeat tracks that I enjoyed. Overall I liked it more than the more experimental The Love Below. The entire package is too long as a 2+ hour listen is a tall order. However I respect the art and what they were going for on the project. Not something I'll likely go back to but I might throw an OutKast shuffle on for the right occasion which would hopefully include a few tracks from this double album.
The hits from this album definitely have staying power as I still go back to them from time to time. This was my first exposure to the full project and I'm glad I listened to it. I feel like OutKast was everywhere for a couple years following Stankonia and Speakerboxx/Love Below and I now have a better sense for why.
2.2 stars
Billy Joel
5/5
A fantastic album through and through. Loaded with hits that stick with you. Even the deep cuts are songs that I remain fond of. As I grow and listen to this album I get more and more out of it. Completely deserving of all the praise it gets.
Billy's strongest work and deserving of AOTY for 1977/1978. Really surprised to see Just The Way You Are is the what got record/song of the year.
4.55 stars
Ray Price
2/5
Another snoozy 60s country album. It's not inherently bad, its just not something I'm interested in. It's fine as background music in the right setting I guess but overall pretty meh.
This album seems to do very little to differentiate it from the myriad of other folk/country artists of the day. Simple beat, light acoustic, and a crooner with gospel vibes on vocals. I've never heard of Ray Price before this and expect that all his albums sound just like this. Not sure if there is a reason Night Life stands out or was selected to be on this list but overall this is skippable.
1.55 stars
The Sonics
2/5
Early garage punk rock. A dozen rapid paced, 2-3 minute songs. Despite the lack of polish its pretty to easy to digest which might be part of its allure. This sounds like something that would have been unique and refreshing at the time of release. I kinda dug it.
2.35 stars
The Byrds
2/5
Evidently this was our best answer to the British invasion? The guitar work is nice in parts but otherwise it's a handful of forgettable singles and couple Dylan covers. It's fine, I guess but really nothing special.
2.1 stars
Elliott Smith
2/5
This sounded like a low-rent worse version of every The Shins song I've heard. I feel like I could have heard this at a coffee house and wouldn't have noticed. It wasn't necessarily bad, but this album was completely forgettable. A few minutes after this ended I'm not sure I could name a single song or tell you anything about it.
1.6 stars
Herbie Hancock
2/5
Started off groovy. Lost some of its luster by the end but overall some decent jazz fusion stuff. Definitely sounded like it was bridging genres and ahead of its time. Maybe not an everyday listen but works for background at work or while chilling. I dug the first half but was over it by the end.
Been aware of Herbie Hancock for a while but don't think I've ever heard anything before. If this is what his other stuff sounds like I might check it out periodically. It sounds like he has assembled a handful of bands/projects over the years so not sure if that is the case. Either way glad I gave Head Hunters a listen.
2.30 stars
Milton Nascimento
1/5
There have been a handful of foreign language albums thus far on the list. Some have been a nice treat. Clube Da Esquina did nothing to make me think this belonged on the list. I'm sure this is influential for Brazilian music but this is a skip from me.
0.80 stars
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Pretty simple acoustic guitar with some nice backing tracks. The vocals are definitely the star. It's surprising how much emotion they can pull from you. There's nothing specifically great about it but I'm surprised how much I enjoyed it.
I've only recently been made aware of Joni Mitchell's legacy. Prior to this I'm not sure I'd ever heard any of her work. I can see how this would have had an impact when it released.
I don't think I'll be going back to Joni but I have a better understanding of why people speak so highly of her from this small slice.
2.20 stars
Van Halen
4/5
Another solid entry by Van Halen. 30+ mins of more of their recognizable sound. Not as good as their debut but still a worthy album entry.
3.53 stars
Simon & Garfunkel
2/5
It's a sleepy little album. A couple of good songs but a lot of filler.
Simon & Garfunkel are such a weird thing. I feel they belong in a conversation about music history because of the unique niche they carved out. Some of their songs are great but not for any of the reasons that line up with the genres or styles that I love.
Bookends specifically did little to bring me back to S&G.
2.00 stars
Prince
3/5
I wouldn't call it loaded with hits but doesn't have many low points. Funky, groovy and sensual much like Prince himself. Starts to drag in the second half but overall I enjoyed the listen. It feels like Prince was carving out a new sound and it worked for the most part.
Prince is certainly a unique and notable talent. Everybody knows plenty of Prince hits but his expansive discography means I haven't listened to a Prince album in unison before this. I expect he has plenty of other music I would enjoy but also plenty I would need to skip. I don't think I have it in me to delve into 20+ albums but hope he shows up on the list again.
2.8 stars
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
1/5
It's a fine collection of country opry music with some decent quick hitter honky-tonk jams mixed in. I didn't mind this nearly as much as I expected. The main issue I have is don't need anywhere near 2 hours of this.
If you put a couple of these songs in a vacuum they would be above a lot of the earlier 50s/60s stuff from this list. I'd probably listen to some of the instrumentals again if I didn't have to comb through 40 songs to get there. Unfortunately I have to knock down the rating a touch as I would much rather listen to 30 mins of romance ballads than 2 hours of this again.
1.35 stars
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Whether it's from Christopher Walken videos, FIFA soundtracks or some other organic reason I've always had a soft spot for Fatboy Slim. This is my first exposure to BLTC and I enjoyed it. Despite doing nothing I would consider groundbreaking Fatboy Slim has a uniquely identifiable sounds. Something about it works for me. I'm not sure this album belongs on the list. I would have deferred to their 2nd release which includes their larger and more identifiable hits.
2.6 stars
Black Sabbath
4/5
Solid album. Sabbath with young Ozzie has a great sound. Great hits and the deep cuts are enjoyable. Appreciated my listen from front to back. Worked great for a run.
3.7 stars
Pixies
2/5
I've often heard that nearly all post-90's music stems from Pixies in some way. Not sure if it is a running joke or there is any merit to the claim. Regardless Bossanova is my first time listening to a full Pixies album in unison. While it wasn't bad I wasn't impressed with anything. Nothing notable that lead me to believe why this album was on the list. I'll have to go back to another album to see why they are supposedly one of the most influential artists in music history I guess.
2.3 stars
Fats Domino
1/5
Meh. Better than some of the 50s stuff we've heard but nothing special. I get that it was a different time in music but everything sounds so similar. There is little to differentiate it. Would have been down to chill with the fat man though.
1.05 stars
Van Morrison
2/5
I didn't recognize a single song. Despite this Van Morrison has a very distinct voice that makes most of his work pretty instantly attributable. There's some decent stuff in here but overall I lost track of the individual songs. I imagine if you are a Van Morrison fan this is right up your alley.
I think I tend to prefer his pop radio hits over the more folk/blues deep cuts from VM. Astral Weeks wasn't something I need to hear again. I'll stick to the greatest hits rather than dive into 50 years of his prolific discography.
1.80 stars
Baaba Maal
3/5
What a unique pleasant treat. Easily the most surprising listen thus far. Didn't expect to enjoy this nearly as much as I did. Can't say I've ever been exposed to Senegalese music to my knowledge before.
I wish have could have understood the lyrics. Even despite the barrier the songs are all relatively enjoyable.
2.8 stars
The Louvin Brothers
1/5
More early country from the 50s that I get nothing from. Simple melodies and standard empty lyrics. Music sure has come a long way since then. Completely skippable. At least it's relatively short I guess?
0.90 stars
Jeff Buckley
3/5
The only prior knowledge I had of Jeff Buckley was the Hallelujah cover and that he is Tim Buckley's son. Not sure what I expected but it wasn't this.
Surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Never realized this was a highly regarded album. It's got a good mix some emotional rock songs and some slower ballads. Incidentally the Hallelujah cover is the worst song on the album for me (song has always bugged me). I can see why Jeff Buckley was viewed as an up-and-comer before his tragic drowning. Not sure it's one of the greatest albums ever but I can see why someone might identify with it.
2.95 stars
The Band
2/5
Pretty good folky rock album. I liked the diverse use of keyboards and organs. Nothing really special but its a good collection of songs. The Weight is the only thing I recognized. I liked this much more than the majority of Bob Dylan I've listened to.
2.55 stars
Kate Bush
3/5
I was worried as I initially hit play. Once this got going I was on board with the weird experimental indy stuff that Kate Bush went for. She managed to thread the needle of experimental weirdness while still keeping this engaging and effective. A fun varied listen.
2.75 stars
Fishbone
3/5
It's a pretty good ska/reggae album. A couple songs that stand alone on their own. A little weak to finish but overall a pretty good album that is worth a listen.
I saw Fishbone many years ago with no prior knowledge whatsoever and had a blast. They were fun and engaging with a wide variety of music played. I'll always appreciate a band that can pull me in and turn me into a fan from an unknown live show.
3.05 stars
Animal Collective
2/5
I've heard of Animal Collective before but wasn't familiar with any of their music. I'm glad I had an excuse to give this a listen. I appreciate the synthesizer heavy electronic songs but wasn't overly impressed with it overall. It's not bad but overall pretty forgettable. I'm sure there is a time and a place for this.
2.45 stars
Beastie Boys
4/5
I dug it. A little all over the place but a lot of fun. I'll always give credit to BB for doing something original and carving out a niche that worked for them. Love the various sampling sprinkled all over the place.
I've been exposed to plenty of Beastie over the years through pop culture but I should definitely give the rest of their collection a good listen. This only piqued my interest in them further.
3.51 stars
Arcade Fire
2/5
It's a fine album but I'm not sure why it is held in such high regard. Nothing stood out as a hit. I'm sure there is a deeper meaning to it that I didn't pick up on. Decent background album but nothing more for me.
2.4 stars
Harry Nilsson
3/5
Not what I expected in a good way. Pretty decent collection of quick 70s pop songs. Didn't mind it. Never realized Harry Nilsson was the source of Coconut or of Without You. Probably won't go back to the well on this but glad I gave the album a listen as a result of this list.
2.7 stars
Incubus
4/5
Big fan of this album. A couple of huge standout hits that hold up nowadays and even the deep cuts have a great sound. I've always liked the vocal style and melding of rock and nu-metal sounds. This album has great vibes for me.
In general the more I hear Incubus the more I like them. I've seen them live and they always put on a great show. I've talked for years of delving into their discography which I still plan to do. Excited to to hear the remainder of their albums.
3.75 stars
The Smiths
3/5
Pretty solid album. In a way it sounded like the same song repeated a couple of times. I guess I enjoyed the song though because overall I thought it was a pretty good listen. I did notice a couple of the later songs stood out a bit differently. From what I have heard of The Smiths they have a pretty distinct sound and are pretty good at staying within their comfort zone to relatively good results. Nothing blew me away but overall the album was very listenable.
Morrisey (and The Smiths by proxy) is one of the iconic acts I think largely in part to his antics and extra-curriculars outside of music. I know people who love and worship him, but I personally have never understood it. He's a fine songwriter and I enjoy the handful of hits I've been exposed to but otherwise he seems like a miserable blow hard who would be a pain to be around. Whatever, to each his own.
2.75 stars
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
It's a fine listen coming from a non-rap fan. I'm aware of Kendrick Lamar as he is probably the most popular rapper currently. It is evident that Kendrick Lamar is skilled and why he has been creating hits over the past few years. I imagine a rap fan can tell you a lot more about the depth, style and linguistic skill on display on this album. For me it was a fun listen with a couple songs that stood out. I can respect the skill and art.
2.30 stars
Michael Jackson
3/5
Off The Wall is a disco classic that still holds up today. I love the early impact MJ had when he broke out and went solo. The main issue is that the album unfortunately has diminishing returns as you get through it. Side A is damn near flawless with a couple of timeless classics, but the back half of the album fizzles as you get through it. Regardless it is still a very strong pseudo-debut that is absolutely worth a listen.
Always been a huge fan of MJ's music. While Off The Wall is a classic and belongs on this list it doesn't compete with his next 4 albums for me.
2.9 stars
Justin Timberlake
3/5
It's fine freshman entry for JT as his breakout from the boy band. A couple hits but doesn't hold up over a 60+ minute listen. Its's fine but nothing special, even coming from a big Timberlake fan (both musically and from his extra-curriculars).
I'm sensing a theme as a handful of 1st solo albums from former band members appear on this list.
Maybe there was some importance in the fact the JT established himself as more than a N Sync boy band member but I personally think all of his other albums belong on the list far more than Justified does. Unless they show up later on the list skip Justified and listen to FutureSex or 20/20 Experience. Far more interesting albums in every facet.
2.65 stars
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Weird, unique and a lot of fun. Never heard of The Divine Comedy but I'm definitely intrigued. Great pull from the 1001 list. Hope more stuff like this shows up down the line.
2.95 stars
UB40
2/5
It's a relatively pleasant reggae album. The issue is that a lot of the songs sound the same. After a couple tracks I felt like I tuned out to the relatively redundancy. It's not a bad album per se, but does little to establish itself a something I need to hear ever again.
I'm not sure if the rest of UB40 discography is the same but if this is the best entry I probably don't need to delve into much more.
2.40 stars
The War On Drugs
3/5
I've only been exposed to a minimal amount of The War on Drugs. They definitely have a sound that carries through the entire album. I like the melodic psychedelic musicality. I can see this as good background music for a variety of scenarios.
Might inspire me to check out more of their stuff. Supposed to see them live next week.
2.8 stars
Jethro Tull
4/5
Such a great album. Strong from start to finish. Some all-time hits sprinkled in but the deep cuts hold their own as well. I can see why this was a breakout hit for Jethro Tull and deserves to be their best selling album. While I'm sure I've heard it in the past I didn't realize how well this album holds up.
Jethro Tull has to be one of the most unique acts. I've regularly praised them for Ian Anderson's flute but I'm starting to realize how talented they are across the board. They aren't just a gimmick as a rock band to feature a flute. I've always known their radio hits but I'm going to have to dive into their albums a bit more.
3.85 stars
2/5
A very mixed collection a weird noise coupled with bizarre mostly dumb lyrics. Every now and then something comes up that might pique your interest but most of the time its just a bunch of experimental nonsense. It's not the worst thing on this list but there isn't much I want to spend any time with.
1.70 stars
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
Wasn't expecting anything from a band called Grant Lee Buffalo. Was pleasantly surprised at what I got. It hit a very casual 90's sound that I'm surprised I hadn't been exposed to previously. It's not my favorite but was an easy listen. I guess all I can say about it is that it's fine but nothing special. I don't really have much to say about it in the wake of the listen.
2.39 stars
The Jesus And Mary Chain
1/5
When this first started I was on board. A couple of low key melodramatic songs with the distortion and reverb turned way up was at least a somewhat unique sound. Unfortunately this continued for 40 minutes straight. Ever song used the same trick and sounded the same.
By the end of this album I was frustrated and wanted it to be over. Despite only being 40 minutes long I can't believe how long of a listen this felt like. Not sure if this is The Jesus and Mary Chain signature but this album is completely a one-trick pony. Listen to one song then turn it off.
0.30 stars
Prince
2/5
There's a couple of good songs mixed in but overall too long and relatively skippable. When Prince is on the music is fun and sexy, but I just don't think its sustainable for 80 minutes. It's an OK album but I feel it takes the place of something more deserving.
To echo previous comments about Prince he has a ton of music and I just don't think I want to sift through 50 hours to find the 30% that are worth listening to. Some of his music is great but plenty of it is "meh". Despite being a fan I'll stick to primarily greatest hits with Prince.
2.31 stars
Ray Charles
1/5
Enjoyed more than prior Ray Charles entry. I'm more into the big band sound than his soul/R&B hits. While it started with a bang it unfortunately slowed down a lot and was pretty mundane. Not sure I would listen to this with any regularity but it serves as a better entry to 1001 than a few of the prior 50s albums. I wasn't there in the 50s but it yet again doesn't sound like anything special.
1.10 stars
The Fall
3/5
It's a fine early British punk album. Not sure what the sound was in 1979 but I can see how this might have had some influence at the time. Overall it's nothing special but there are a couple decent tracks within.
As usual it gets a minor Gorillaz collaborator bump for Mark E. Smith.
2.66 stars
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I've always found III to be the weakest of Zeppelin's "core" albums. This re-listen confirmed this. Outside of some of Plant's vocals it does very little to highlight any of the strengths of the band. There are hardly any riffs or solos from Page. The drumming doesn't feature much of Bonham's hard hitting style or creative fills. Not much of what JPJ does on his other instruments stands out compared to their later work.
It's not that its a bad album its just a clear step below nearly everything else in their discography. For some reason they leaned a little more into a folky rockabilly style which is fine but not as good as what they moved into. It's still a good album, it's just mostly forgettable when you put it up against a handful of all-timers from the rest of their catalog. The album is limited in terms of its "hits" though I will say I've been sleeping on Since I've Been Loving You for years.
3.35 stars
Radiohead
4/5
What an album. Always heard how good OK Computer was but never sat down and listened in unison. I am happy to sign off that it belongs on every list. Fantastic and creative from start to finish.
I've been tangentially into Radiohead for a while but haven't really spent extended time listening to them. I know the hits and have been exposed from time to time to others and have pretty much always liked what I've heard. This listen specifically will inspire me to go album by album through their discography.
4.15 stars
Supergrass
4/5
Never heard of Supergrass previously and enjoyed the listen. Solid brit-punk/pop album that does all the little things right. Sometimes there's no need to complicate things when you write a handful of fun upbeat songs. Solid listen all the way through the album and there's never really a low point. Great choice for 1001.
3.7 stars
Elton John
4/5
Elton's finest album. Despite the length it's pretty strong from start to finish. Even the weakest songs don't need to be skipped and there are enough hits and recognizable songs to get you through the whole thing.
Well deserving of all the praise. The opening side belongs in the pantheon of all time great album sides. A must-listen for so many reasons.
3.85 stars
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
1/5
I guess I give a guy credit for being able to go into a studio alone for a week and this comes out. I can always respect when a solo artist lays down all the tracks and puts all the pieces together. That being said there's not much here that captured me. At times it felt like a bad attempt at Bob Dylan. The second half I kinda zoned out and it was fine background music but nothing stuck with me.
The background story on this album is wild. Does that contribute to the legacy and praise for this album?
1.10 stars
5/5
What more can you say about The Beatles? They are iconic for so many reasons and Sgt. Pepper might be their absolute peak. This album deserves all the praise and more. It deserves to be near the top of every list and I'm sure there's an argument that it's the best album ever written. It has everything you want with some poppy hits and some experimental tracks that go outside the box that work really well. A multitude of the songs remain all time classics.
This album holds up unbelievably well nearly 60 years later. Credit to all involved and their well deserved legacy.
4.70 stars
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
Meh. I don't think it's bad just not my cup of tea. I'm sure there is more to it but it didn't engage me.
1.65 stars
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Pretty good 60s pop album. A lot of quick catchy songs that still hold up today. Never listened to The Mamas and The Papas previously but I was glad to have a reason to sit down and listen.
3.00 stars
The Who
4/5
It starts and finished with absolute bangers. While I positively rate every song in between the rest of the album doesn't blow me away like it once did. That isn't to say that it isn't still a great album, but at one point I may have held this in my top 10. On this most recent listen it didn't hold up as well as I had romanticized in my memory. Every song is at least good, some of which are great, and it is book ended by two stone cold classics. However, the late-middle of the album drops off a little bit. It's still a very solid album deserving of praise. It belongs near the top of every list. Throw it on pretty much whenever and it will always be an enjoyable listen.
4.2 stars
Bert Jansch
2/5
A relatively pleasant country folk album featuring some fantastic guitar work. Didn't expect anything from it but I'm surprised how much I liked it. Despite that not something I'm going to go back to but glad I was exposed.
2.49 stars
Buffalo Springfield
2/5
Decent album. Nothing wowed me, but there are a couple of good songs. I know Buffalo Springfield through Neil Young's involvement. I know a couple of hits but not much else. This album is an OK listen but not sure it needs to be on this list unless it had a lot of influence when it came out.
2.3 stars
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
It's a fine album I guess but it didn't do much for me. There's a couple of OK songs and some decent post-punk sounds worth checking out but overall pretty forgettable once it was finished. I've heard of Siouxsie influence over the years so it must have been a big deal when it released. I imagine Siouxsie is an icon for female punk rockers. I'm glad I finally gave them a listen but don't need to go back to the well on them.
I've never really liked Helter Skelter as a Beatles song and the Banshee cover doesn't do anything to help that.
2.11 stars
Jack White
4/5
Jack White has always been an artist where I don't know much of his discography (especially post White Stripes) but every time I hear something by him I'm interested. Blunderbuss is yet another positive example. At some point I need to do a deep dive on his career because the more I'm exposed to him the more I realize how talented he is.
Blunderbuss is a great record for his solo debut post-Stripes. Solid all the way through with a couple of songs that I will come back to in the future. Jack White has to be one of the most creative artists working over the past 20 years. He's great at weaving a unique sound into non-contemporary rock.
As a 2012 album is this the latest entry in the 1001?
3.87 stars
Fatboy Slim
4/5
This is the Fatboy Slim album that I was familiar with. It's got most of his/their best songs many of which still hold up today. I thoroughly enjoyed the re-listen. It's got a pretty iconic late 90's techno sound. Glad to see it represented on here.
3.53 stars
Queen
4/5
Really enjoyed the listen. I thought I knew what to expect from Queen from their 20+ radio hits, but Shear Heart Attack exceeded expectations. This is a solid rock album with all the necessary Queen flair to help make it unique and stand the test of time. Mercury and company are great as usual and pretty effectively weave 40 minutes of tracks together. First side of the album is very strong. While the second half fizzles towards the end there are relatively few low points. I suspect that Queen will show up on 1001 a couple more times which will be welcomed with open ears.
What can be said about Queen that hasn't already been touched on? Their legacy has been evident pretty much my whole life with constant exposure to their greatest hits, references to Live Aid, countless karaoke renditions of Bohemian Rhapsody, etc. While I would say I'm pretty attuned to Queen, they aren't a band I sat down and listened to their albums in unison. I'm glad that Sheer Heart Attack showed up on this list as it gave me a perfect excuse to listen.
As much as I am a Queen fan, it unfortunately has been diluted over the past couple of years in the wake of Bohemian Rhapsody movie which was an absolute shiteburger. It's hard not to see it as an unnecessary smudge on an otherwise great legacy. Perhaps diving into their albums will help rekindle my former enjoyment.
3.65 stars
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
Something about it is a little hokey but for some reason I kinda liked it. There's nothing special about it at all but a few of the songs are catchy and fun enough to work. Shoutout to Doktor Avalanche, drum machine extraordinaire.
2.81 stars
Arrested Development
4/5
Weird, funky and refreshing. Don't know Arrested Development but they seem like they would be a blast to see perform. Dug the completely unique hip hop take mixed with beats, scratches and samples.
This is one of the most unique albums to show up on this list and I mean that in a good way. What a treat.
3.64 stars
David Bowie
2/5
As much of a Bowie fan I am there are better albums by him. I imagine the aftermath of Ziggy Stardust and Bowie's rise to stardom at the time is a huge reason this is held in high regard. It's not a bad album but there isn't anything special beyond the imagery of the Aladdin Sane album cover. A couple of songs are decent but overall the album is relatively "meh". This is probably one of the the albums that deserves to be brought up in discussion (mainly as a follow up to Ziggy) but probably doesn't belong on any must-listen lists.
2.30 stars
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Very solid album that I've always dug. I remember being very into Franz when this first released. Years later this albums hold up and is still very strong. All songs good, many very good, some of them great. Franz has a ton of fun and has a great sound. The more I listen to them the more I get into them.
4.1 stars
Public Enemy
3/5
I'm not a huge rap fan in general but this is more my speed. I appreciate the old school hip hop style over modern rap. There's something endearing about an MC scratching' and ridiculous Flava Flav overtones that I can somehow get behind.
2.69 stars
Marvin Gaye
2/5
No doubt Marvin Gaye is a great vocalist. The first song is iconic for so many reasons, but I really didn't need the additional 25 minutes of this album. It's fine for a single listen but I'll never listen to this again. I'm sure it was a big deal at the time. Kinda cool that Marvin made an entire about fucking though I guess.
2.15 stars
The Adverts
2/5
Decent alt punk album. Never heard of The Adverts previously. Seems like they had a sound that would have worked moving forward but broke up after only 2 albums. Glad I gave it a listen but nothing special to write home about.
2.35 stars
Led Zeppelin
5/5
What needs to be said? Incredible album all the way through. This belongs in the argument for best album of all time. Whether you love Zep or not so much about IV is iconic. I expect this to be at the top of many many lists.
4.9 stars
Talking Heads
4/5
I love Talking Heads but this isn't their strongest album. I'm a little surprised to see it make the list. It's not a bad album, just not something that needs be highlighted in 1001 when the rest of their work is better in my opinion.
I still a good album with more unique funky Talking Heads sounds. There's a couple good songs but not much I would consider as classics. Take Me To The River is a good song but has never been my favorite Talking Heads single. Still glad to give it a listen.
3.59 stars
The National
2/5
I respect The National as an artist. They make some decent music and continue to remain relevant. My only issue is that you need to be in a certain mood to listen to them. Their sound is so somber and glum that often times its just not what I want to listen to.
That's not to take away from High Violet which is an OK album. It just doesn't resonate with me as something I want to spend time with. For that reason I have to mark it down.
2.12 stars
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I always hear about Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds as a modern rock act that is slept on. I'll admit I don't think I've ever heard a song by them before. They definitely bring a distinct sound. It's fun and raucous with some ridiculous vocals that kinda add to the whole thing. I can see why people have mentioned them to me previously. I'm curious to check out more of their work to see if I like it. As for Henry's Dream it was a solid listen and I'm glad for the exposure.
2.85
Tito Puente
1/5
It's fine background music I guess. I'm not that into mambo and I'm never really going to take it seriously unless I'm in a foreign country looking to dance. It's fine for a single listen but nothing I'll come back to. Every song sounds pretty similar regardless of who is involved. I've heard of Tito Puente as likely the most famous mambo artist but I'm not really sure what he does to differentiate himself.
1.40 stars
The Cure
2/5
I'll always respect The Cure for carving out a sound that is somehow both unique and formulaic at the same time. They are able to land pretty firmly in the emo/sadboy realm but still give their songs a rock/poppy edge. Not quite sure how they do it but it works. Not sure I've ever met someone who doesn't like The Cure even if they aren't a big fan. Between their hits they have something for everyone. Credit to them.
Disintegration threads the needle much in the same way. It's got a lot of the signature dark depressing nature associated with Robert Smith and The Cure as a whole. A couple hits and some solid deep cuts that keep the album interesting. It's a little long at 70+ minutes and it drags by the end of it with a couple unnecessary long songs in the back half. It would benefit the album to cut 2 songs to tighten it up, Despite this it still held my attention much better than plenty of the long albums seen elsewhere on 1001. All in all a good listen and a worthy album from my end.
3.4 stars
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
The Smashing Pumpkins and Mellon Collie are kinda hard to sum up. On the one hand, some of their finest work is absolutely on display. On the other hand, do we need 2+ hours and 30+ songs? After a listen I guess I feel like we do on this one. The huge quantity and wildly varied stylings from melodic ballads, grunge, hard rock, and everything in between are all integral to why this was such a smash on release. I remember the hits from this album were all over the radio for a spell, some of which are all-timers and definitely deserve to remain in the rotation 20+ years later.
This album certainly has a reputation. I'm glad I gave it a listen in unison. Despite the fact that it will be a long time before I come back to it I can completely see why an angsty teen or early 20's rocker in the 90's would have fully identified with this. It's a solid album and great project despite some question marks. I fully understand why it catapulted SP and Billy Corgan up a couple levels for a bit. Billy Corgan has become a bit of a blowhard and the other SP work I've tested over the years has done very little for me but it shouldn't detract from Mellon Collie. Not my favorite but it belongs on the 1001.
2.93 stars
James Taylor
2/5
James Taylor was able to build a career off of a handful of quick acoustical folk songs. He has a certain sound that obviously scratches the itch for a lot of people (pre-millenial 40 year house wives?). Sweet Baby James is firmly is his wheelhouse as his debut that quickly made him a household name. Every James Taylor song sounds the same to me and Sweet Baby James is no different. It's firmly "average" in almost every way. It's not my personal cup of tea but it's also not bad and at 30 minutes there are worse choices. I guess credit where credit is due.
2.4 stars
Goldfrapp
3/5
Who the F is Goldfrapp? This seems like an artist that should have crossed my radar and should have more attention. Some creative melodic electronic music that reminds me of a few other artists I enjoy. I can't quite put my finger on it but overall it was a pretty good.. Another good recommendation by 1001 for something I've never heard of. Might check out more of them. Seems like something my wife and a few friends might enjoy.
2.76 stars
4/5
My introduction to Muse was somehow in the front row of the main stage at Street Scene 2007 on my birthday. This was late in the Black Holes and Revelations tour. I had no prior knowledge of MUSE and had never heard a single song by them. The entered to raucous cheers proceeded to absolutely blow me away. They took the crowd on a ride with a fantastic stage show. I could instantly tell how talented they were and was amazed at the sound they could put out from a 3-piece band. Every aspect of it was a treat to take in.
Black Holes and Revelations is an incredible album. It has lived in high regard in my memory for years but it was exceeded on this re-listen. They bring a very creative sound that isn't heard elsewhere in modern rock. They blend electronics with solid rock to accompany Bellamy's varied vocals. The album is solid front back to front and loaded with hits that still belong in regular rotation.
MUSE had a huge run following BHAR and they vaulted to superstardom that was well deserved. Their follow up albums were solid and maintained their status as one of the best working bands through the 2000's. I've seen them a handful of times and they always deliver. That original show though is in my all time top 10 and lives on in my memory.
4.28 stars
Jurassic 5
3/5
It's a decent hip hop album. Pretty basic beats and some good flow from the team. I dug A Day At The Races and a couple others. Decent listen but not anything that's going to stick with me though I'm way more likely to throw something like this on over many other forms of rap/hip-hop I've heard.
2.81 stars
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
It's an iconic album for a reason. Whether you like Bruce or not this album is filled with hits and does stand the test of time. As much as I hate to admit it, Born In The USA is an iconic (though often misunderstood) song and album. It's one of the highest selling albums for a reason. It belongs on the list and should be discussed.
2 years back I went through Bruce Springsteen's entire discography. It was a horrific chore that proved the I'm not a big fan of The Boss. That being said, Born In The USA was the only full album that I actually enjoyed. This is the only Bruce album that I will ever really return to. I do not look forward to his other inevitable entries on this list.
Reluctant 3.49 stars
Sabu
1/5
I don't understand why this is on the list. 40 minutes of mundane congas mixed with redundant chanting. I've legitimately heard better versions of this at weddings or restaurants. Hard pass.
0.5 stars
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
Welp. That was certainly an explosion. It starts with a guy straight up yelling into your ear. Then it gets weird, and kinda good and kinda all over the place. A wacky listen for sure. Some OK stuff sprinkled in but not sure I'll ever listen to anything by Jon Spencer again. In terms of 1001 you can certainly do a lot worse I guess.
I expect the music video for Wail might go into my rotation for the sheer weirdness and Weird Al connection.
2.35 stars
Kelela
2/5
Threw this on while making dinner. Early on I was down with what I was hearing. Unfortunately by the 5th song everything started to sound the same. I felt like I was hearing a the same song over and over. By the end of the album it was hard to care about it at all. I would have taken Kelela for a couple singles but I didn't need anywhere near an hour of this. Not sure this needs to be on the list for any reason.
1.85 stars
The Clash
2/5
I was surprised how little of the signature sound and attitude from The Clash is on this. I didn't realize how relatively tame the early punk scene was. I'm sure it was iconic upon release for reasons I don't know but not sure what stands out about this album. It's an OK listen to nowadays but nothing I need to revisit. Pretty forgettable for the most part. Not what I expected.
Felt way longer than 35 mins for some reason.
2.05 stars
The White Stripes
4/5
I'm always impressed when a 2-piece band can put together an album with a variety of sounds and styles. Almost everything on Elephant works and a couple of songs are still regularly in my queue. Definitely an album I'm happy to see get a nod.
Jack White continues to prove to me he is one of the best working artists from the 2000s. Elephant is a great album and probably what I'm most familiar with from his discography.
3.71 stars
Tricky
2/5
A couple of OK tracks. Pretty groovy at times. I tended to prefer the songs with mixed vocals as opposed to the solo Martina tracks. I enjoyed a couple songs but overall relatively "meh".
2.31 stars
Bauhaus
3/5
Kinda cool ambient rock album with a mix of dark and light tones. Sometimes keeping it relatively simple can still be effective. Couple quick decent songs that I might come back to. Earlier it felt relatively run of the mill but by the end of it I realized how much I enjoyed the listen. Nothing special but I'll take more stuff like this whenever it comes up on the 1001.
Never heard of Bauhaus before, guess I'm glad to get exposed to this. One of the few times I actually listened to the bonus/added tracks after the album finished.
3.45 stars
Violent Femmes
3/5
I've always had a soft spot for Violent Femmes for some reason. They bring the right mix of garage, folk and rock while keeping the mood light. Their debut album stays right in their wheelhouse with a handful of jaunty tunes that scratch a certain itch. Nothing is amazing but it gets the job done especially at a 35 minute listen time. While I dig VF I fully understand if it wasn't someone cup of tea.
3.1 stars
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Are You Experienced was one of the first albums I ever bought. Used to get regular play many years back. It's been a while since I've spent extended time with Jimi Hendrix but I'm always pleased when I do. While Jimi is established as a star, Mitch Mitchell gets wildly overlooked as a drummer (Noel Redding as a bassist too). Their range of frantic and melodic creativity always made them stand out and push the psychedelic/blues rock genre to new heights. Always been a Jimi fan. Shame we lost him so early.
Always liked side 2 better. Some of the songs on the extended CD release are worth including as well.
3.66 stars
The Doors
4/5
I can talk forever about The Doors. Primarily about how overlooked and underappreciated they are as one of the best American bands ever. While I continue to enjoy them they don't get as much air play as they used to for me.
My memory for Morrison Hotel is that it was one of their weaker albums. I was surprised how strong the album is on this re-listen. They fall back to more the blues roots and get away from some of the psychedelic Jim stuff. Manzarek's organ/piano paired with Kreiger's flamenco style and Jim's flair sprinkled in work really well this time around. Stronger album than I had expected though I look forward to hopefully LA Woman and The Doors.
The one thing it missed is a signature long jam ballad that they are famous for. I understand that isn't everyone's cup of tea but I've always love The Soft Parade, The End, When the Music's Over, etc. I would have loved if they dropped 1 or 2 songs and had another long track to cap the album. Despite that still high marks deserved.
3.61 stars
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
I can't say I expected much as I got to the artists wiki and Spotify pages. I'm not familiar with tango in any way really. There's some pretty crazy arrangements that include some rapid pace xylophone? and string work. Others are a little more somber with some pretty emotive strings and piano. While an hour of it was more than I needed, there was more than enough to take in that I don't regret the listen. That being said I'll file this away forever as a "huh, kinda cool I guess".
This dude's Spotify discography is ridiculous. It seems like they recorded every show he ever played and just posted it up.
2.48 stars
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
I can imagine seeing this live at the time would have been a hell of a ride. Pretty cool progressive rock project that I'm sure made a splash. There's some great organ and synch work all throughout the album that definitely scratches an itch. I don't know anything about the original piano suite but the ELP adaptation seems like a pretty cool project. I have to agree that this is one of 1001 albums I had to listen to before I die. Another good selection even if its something I never go out of my way for again.
2.82 stars
Killing Joke
2/5
I wanted to like this more than I did. Didn't grab me in any way and didn't do anything nearly as well as some of the other early British punk albums we've heard so far. It felt awful long for a 35 minute run time. For me this is a miss and one I would remove from the list.
1.71 stars
Steely Dan
4/5
These guys stormed out of the gates. Solid album all the way through with a couple of all-timers that stand the test of time.
There was a time in my life where Do It Again was my favorite song of all time. It's a worthy album anyway but that reason alone is enough for me to put it on any list. Keep bringing the Steely.
3.82 stars
Paul Simon
3/5
I've really only been exposed to Simon (and/or Garfunkel) through various hits. I've never really sat and listened to a Paul Simon album prior to this list. I respect him as an artist but for the most part I've just considered him an musical icon but not in my wheelhouse.
With Graceland it's nice to hear him with a little pep in his step as opposed to the very somber and sleepy work I'm familiar with. I wasn't familiar with the backstory of this album but the African influence is pretty evident all the way through. While it's a solid album there's only a couple songs I'll come back to. I understand why it's important and it's not something I'll turn off, but like plenty of other Paul Simon just something I'll move past.
2.83
Genesis
2/5
Pretty good music but overall I wasn't able to follow any of the storyline and themes. I expect this would improve upon repeated listens. As it stands it was mainly just a long progressive rock album. Not bad but didn't do that much for me.
I imagine a visual version of this a la Tommy/Quadrophenia would make it more enjoyable experience.
2.21 stars
Van Morrison
3/5
Despite this album having a huge presence in our household I don't think I've ever listened to it in unison somehow. Not sure how I missed out for so long as Moondance has some quality tunes. Side A is fantastic and while Side B is weaker it is still good. I'm not huge on VM overall but Moondance deserves any praise it gets. I have to imagine this is Van at his best as many of his other work I've heard is relatively mellow and skippable.
I suspect any remaining Van Morrison on the list will pale in comparison. I would be in favor of removing Astral Weeks as a start.
3.09 stars
Randy Newman
2/5
Upon seeing Randy Newman on the list was I was looking forward to this listen. I went in cautiously optimistic as my only previous exposure was Disney/Pixar soundtracks and pop culture jokes. After the first few songs I was on board. Unfortunately the album fizzles as you get further through it. Despite that, after the listen I think Randy validated his place on the list.
There is no doubt that Randy Newman is a talented songwriter. Somehow there's something pleasant about his music despite his ridiculous vocal style. Good Old Boys is not something I will listen to with any regularity but I'm glad I gave it a listen. I'll stick to his jauntier soundtrack tunes for the most part moving forward. Even though Good Old Boys doesn't get the highest marks you can do a lot worse with many of the other albums on the list.
2.36 stars
Naked Man is a just ridiculous and will make guest appearances moving forward.
Jimmy Smith
1/5
3 minutes of this was about all I needed. 40 minutes just made me completely tune out. I don't feel like there was any reason I needed to hear this album before I die. Vote to remove from the list.
1.11 stars
Radiohead
3/5
I wanted to like this more than I did. I'm an up-and-comer in terms of a Radiohead fan. The more I am exposed to them the more I am liking them but for some reason The Bends does little for me. There's a couple good songs but overall it's got less of the creativity that I associate with Radiohead. Not sure if I'm missing something but it was a relatively mediocre album (by Radiohead standards). Still a good album but not something that stands out from the rest of their catalog so far.
3.01 stars
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
Pretty great sleeper album. I knew of John Mayall specifically because of Clapton's overlap. I was surprised how well this album not only held up but exceeded a lot of the early blues from the same time. I feel like this sound could have progressed and stayed relevant compared to some of the contemporaries. Definitely worth a listen.
2.83 stars
The Police
3/5
While their run was short The Police brought something unique and fun to the table. There's something about their beats coupled with Sting's vocals that has always worked for me. Reggatta De Blanc is a fun album. Not sure if it is their best work but it got more than enough going for it that it is worth a listen.
3.11 stars
Butthole Surfers
1/5
This album is all over the place. At times it's a mess of noise, at times it's a somewhat creative ensemble of some weird experimental rock. While I wanted to give Butthole Surfers a shot and get behind this, I just can't do it. It seems like it made the list for the sheer diversity and weirdness of the whole thing. I guess they live up to their deservedly weird reputation which was earned as soon as they named themselves Butthole Surfers. Overall it's not my cup of tea and something I'll likely turn off after a couple of minutes moving forward.
1.41
Nirvana
4/5
It's been a while since I've listened to Nevermind in unison and I forgot just how strong of an album it is.
Ignoring how insanely iconic it is for so many reasons, the music hold up really, really well. It is absolutely loaded with hits that are both deserving and stand the test of time. Even the 2 weakest tracks are still good songs that don't detract from the album. Nevermind is cited as one of the most important albums of the 90s and it still deserves all the praise 30+ years later.
I was too young when Nevermind (and Nirvana as a whole) were contemporary but its effects are still evident. It has held a cultural presence my entire life and I don't see any reason it wouldn't continue to do so. An absolute gem of an album that deserves the recognition.
In a vacuum I'd probably consider Nirvana a little overrated. The are iconic, no doubt, but outside of Nevermind their discography doesn't do much for me. Context is key here as they have been immortalized since Kurt's passing. It's hard to remove any aspect of that from the overall phenomenon that was Nirvana's rise and aftermath. I have friends who list them as their favorite band. I still see Nirvana shirts and posters everywhere. I've always liked, not loved them. That being said Nevermind is incredible. I wouldn't put anything else from their catalog on any lists though.
4.35 stars
The Who
3/5
It's really hard to sum up Tommy as an album. There is a lot of fun and creative music included but the individual pieces don't make any sense. The project really needs to be taken in as a whole. Outside of Pinball Wizard you can't really pull singles or consume any of this without a lot of context and backstory. The whole project when listened in unison is so much more than the sum of its parts. It is clearly a unique work of art that belongs on this list.
There are so many layers to the onion that a deaf/dumb/blind pinball player taking LSD and starting a religious cult start to make sense once you get through it all. It's even crazier that is somehow worked and developed a cultural impact.
It's hard for me to distance this from the accompanying Tommy film which features some even weirder and more ridiculous scenes and performances than I could have expected. It's a perfect of example of something I have to recommend for the shear crazy and weirdness of it.
I don't plan to listen to Tommy with any regularity but it might be time for me to rewatch the movie.
2.99 stars
Sex Pistols
2/5
It's hard for me to appreciate Sex Pistols as I don't know much about them. I always hear they were hugely influential and an iconic British punk act but I can't tell you anything about their music. This album is a decent British punk rock album on the surface level. I'm sure it so much more than that but that is about the only way I can take this one in. Decent album, nothing special, hard for me to tell the difference between any of the songs.
2.37 stars
Green Day
4/5
This album is ubiquitous with pop punk. 30 years later it still sounds like something that could have been written today. It threaded the needle of expressing indie teenage angst while appealing to the masses and still holds up nowadays. The hits from this album are still punk anthems decades later. Green Day was everywhere shortly after this album dropped and stayed close to the top for a long while.
I saw Green Day somewhat recently and they still have it. I rarely play them in my regular rotation but whenever they come up in the wild I'm always surprised how much I know and enjoy their music. Dookie will always hold a special place.
3.91 stars
Megadeth
3/5
I've never given Megadeth a chance. Glad I finally sat and listened to an album in unison. There's some decent songs and some definite skill demonstrated. Overall it's a decent metal album but not really in my wheelhouse. Nothin something I would listen to on a normal day but also not something I'm going to turn off.
2.76 stars
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
There's something about old school hip hop that hits in a fun positive way. Raising Hell exemplifies this all the way through. While it may be considered cheesy compared with modern rap/hip hop it's hard not to have a blast with this album.
My suburban white-boy ass tends to side with old school hip hop compared to modern stylings so this is much more up my alley than other rap and hip hop albums on the list.
3.56 stars
ZZ Top
3/5
Middle of the pack rock album. Some decent songs but other than La Grange nothing really stands out for me. There some nice guitar work by Billy Gibbons. ZZ is fun for their beards and they have a handful of hits but nothing super special.
2.73 stars
Sonic Youth
1/5
I'm not sure where the praise for this is coming from. Mostly generic skippable noise rock? Some reverbed guitars with washed-out lyrics? Maybe I'm missing something here? On the surface level I feel like this should have resonated with me a tiny bit, but I don't know, this did nothing for me. By the end of it I couldn't wait for it to be over.
1.14 stars
Spiritualized
2/5
If you are a really huge Grateful Dead and Phish fan you can find an alternate psychedelic jam band in Spiritualized. Unfortunately, if you are just a casual fan (like me) I wouldn't bother.
Overall I guess it's an OK space rock album but it's far too long and filled with a lot of filler that gets forgotten as soon it finished. There are a couple extended segments that I enjoyed (I Think I'm In Love), but overall it was pretty skippable. Not something I'll ever visit again but I guess glad for the exposure.
2.32 stars
Stan Getz
1/5
Felt like I sat in a hotel lobby lounge with mediocre background music that you don't realize is even there unless you specifically focus. After the first song it seemed like it was just a loop of the same dull jazz song. The one benefit of this album is it was very easy to tune out and ignore without feeling like you missed anything.
Jazz albums continuing to get horrible reviews. Save your 30 mins and remove this from the list.
.55 stars
The Velvet Underground
2/5
I'll always have a soft spot for Lou Reed. I appreciate some of the very overt and direct reference to sex and hard drug use. They didn't pull any punches and managed to churn out some decent stuff among the mess. It's certainly a unique album but overall it's relatively mediocre musically.
There is no doubt that the album is iconic. The banana cover and Warhol connection seem to due the brunt of the work though. An album that belongs on the list even if The Velvet Underground isn't anything I'll ever reference beyond the novelty pop aspect of it.
2.11 stars
Guns N' Roses
3/5
I've never been a big GNR fan. Something about Axl's vocals doesn't land for me and the backing music always sounds "packaged" or something. At one point all the hits from this album were overplayed and overexposed so I got really tired of hearing all of them.
I went into this with an open mind and ended up enjoying it more than expected. With some distance between myself and GNR over the last decade I can appreciate Appetite a little more. There is no doubt that there is some good guitar work by Slash mixed with some steady rock from the rest of the lineup. Axl's vocal still annoy but everyone has their own taste. While GNR still isn't for me I can recognize that this album is solid. I can't deny there are a couple of solid radio anthems and even the deep cuts are decent. I can recognize the impact it would have made after it launched GNR. Not something I'll go back to but I won't fault someone if they preach about hot good the album is. To each their own.
2.74 stars
2Pac
2/5
I vaguely recall the news of 2Pac's murder but was too young to know anything about his work beyond the ensuring pop culture phenomenon. I've never really heard his music before and know little about him beyond ongoing legacy references and Coachella hologram appearances. After a listen there is no doubt he is a skilled lyricist but overall it does little for me. I appreciate that it wasn't just a bunch of standard bitches and hoes gangsta rap. Dear Mama was a touching tribute that stood out mainly because I wasn't expecting it. Glad I finally heard the album but it's just not in my wheelhouse.
2.13 stars
Blur
3/5
Parklife is a pretty solid trip down 90's brit-pop lane.
Front half of the album is pretty solid. Back half isn't nearly as strong but still has a wide range of diverse sounds intermixed into some relatively down the middle songs. Although I do prefer what Damon Albarn eventually grew into I still enjoys some Blur from time to time. I don't expect this will move the needle much for most people but I have some nostalgia tied to it. Even with that, it's still only a moderately above average album.
3.46 stars
Barry Adamson
2/5
What an interesting project. The music certainly felt cinematic and to be honest it makes me want to se the non-existent film that it would accompany. As a concept I think it succeeds, though after a listen I feel it will be more a conversation about the idea rather than the actual music.
I'm not sure I had to hear this album before I died I guess I'm glad I was exposed it.
2.38 stars
The Strokes
4/5
The Strokes figured something out right out of the gate with Is This It. There is a certain simplicity in their tracks that consistently works without any unnecessary flair. Something about their sound keeps it from aging as none of their hits have "aged". Is This It sounds like it could have been released in 2024 and been just as successful.
This album was a regular play in my teenage years and still holds up today. Solid to great from front to back. You really can't go wrong with any tracks on this album.
Julian Casablancas is one of those artists where everything he touches is worth a listen.
4.27 stars
MGMT
4/5
Always liked this album as I have a lot of great college memories associated with a few of the hits. Second half of this album is a little darker and although it is weaker it isn't necessarily a bad thing. Still a solid listen all the way through. MGMT brought some needed indie pop vibes with the keyboard/synth sounds that are appreciated.
I haven't kept up with MGMT but after listening to this I feel I need to check out their other albums. I'll continue to put this on in the rotation and recommend it as a great debut from that time period.
3.65 stars
Roni Size
1/5
New Forms is a Too Long Album hall of fame entry. Even if a few of the initial songs were somewhat cool this was completely washed out by the fact that it is 2 hours of nearly the same thing over and over and over (and over again). Most of the songs are 6+ minutes long with a redundant beat and similar structure.
If you were to take any of the singles in a vacuum they aren't bad I guess. Early on I was considering throwing one of the singles into my "Like Songs" list, but by the end I don't really want anything to do with this album. I'm not sure I mind drum & bass as a genre, but I'd rather stick to electronica, trance, dubstep, or any other EDM genre. Play 2 minutes of this in a club somewhere when trying to get some energy in a room then pull the ripcord and move on to something catchier. Or better yet just skip it altogether and play a crowd pleaser. I'm sure there is an application for this but I'm scratching my head as to when anyone would need 2 hours of this (not to mention the 5 hours Deluxe edition).
Unfortunately I have to give this album a bad review because by the end of it I really was suffering through it. Cut this in half and its still too long. Give me a quarter of this album and I might have left a mediocre review because the overall music didn't bother me but otherwise this was basically a 140 minute slog.
.45 stars
The Prodigy
3/5
The Fat of The Land starts off with a couple hits but otherwise didn't keep me overly hooked. The following songs are fine but nothing memorable. While it's still a album, for some reason I expected to enjoy this more than I did. I remember being into The Prodigy and thought I had deeper ties to a few of their earlier albums.
2.96 stars
John Lennon
1/5
Not sure why this belongs on the album as it kinda pretentious and annoying (like most things associated with Yoko). I guess it's somewhat interesting to hear what Lennon's first move would be after The Beatles and I'm pretty sure everyone on the planet would agree it was a huge step in the wrong direction. If this wasn't by John Lennon it would be overlooked as a completely "meh" album. I don't plan to ever listen to any of this again.
1.36 stars
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Despite her star status and the impact of her death I somehow managed to miss all of Amy's career so this is my first exposure to Amy Winehouse beyond the single Rehab which was a huge hit upon release.
Back to Black isn't what I expected for some reason. It's not a bad album by any means but it was more lounge-act than I expected it to be. It's clear she is a talented and tortured vocalist but overall it didn't do much to resonate with me. In the wake of her death she was hailed as an icon and a "wasted talent" but I didn't have any familiarity so she was just shelved as another tragic rock star story. I'm probably not the target demographic for this album so despite its reputation its not something I think I'll be listening to any time soon. Relatively straight down the middle marks from me.
2.5 stars
Marvin Gaye
2/5
What's Going On is a decent album but doesn't stick with me after the listen. The few hits are solid but the rest of the album is padded with filler. I appreciate the fade between songs and some of the topics he sings about. I expect this was hugely influential on release and vaulted Marvin up yet another notch during his prime. Unfortunately I wasn't there for any of that so it just falls into the "decent old soul album that I don't need to revisit" category.
Marvin Gaye produces some legendary vocals and the man epitomizes soul. I respect his career and status but I don't have any history with his discography so it falls to the way side mostly.
2.34 stars
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
Wasn't sure what to expect going into this. Wasn't aware of the name change so needed to confirm I had the correct album. It's a decent listen that I would say is a little more upbeat and rock version of Stevie Wonder which I appreciate. None of the individual songs standout but the overall album is a good background album that I was pleased to be introduced to. Nothing special but better than a lot of the unknowns on the list so far.
2.77 stars
Led Zeppelin
4/5
As much as their other albums get deserved attention I've always loved Led Zeppelin's debut album. It's one of the strongest debut albums ever and upon a re-listen its very evident how polished they were as band right from the get go. While their production and presence grew as they got more popular it's pretty clear they were something special right out of the gates. All 4 members established themselves as masters of their craft over the band's lifetime, but the fact that those vocals came out of a 20-year old Plant is truly astounding.
I love the hits, particularly opening track Good Times Bad Times, but always thought some of the deep cuts really help cement the album. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You has been climbing my personal Zep list for years and You Shook Me continues to surprise me how overlooked it is with the harmonica solo and Page/Plant guitar/vocal call-and-answer. Side A is one of my favorite album sides and while Side B isn't nearly as strong it still holds up. Zep I isn't their best album but has such a special place in my heart, and the Hindenberg album cover has been so iconic and present in my personal life for 20+ years as I'm currently staring at it on my wall as I write this.
What else needs to be said?
4.25 stars
Brian Eno
1/5
Hard to rate something like this as it's not a traditional album in any sense. If you are going into this looking for music you'll get nothing out of it. Overall, it's nothing great and not something I'll ever sit and listen to again.
However, I give credit to Brian Eno for trying develop something for ambient listening. It's nothing something I explicitly enjoy, but could see it as passive background music in a lounge, waiting room, elevator, whatever. I think this album in general is more of a thought-piece than work of musical art.
Incidentally, it works for background noise when sitting around with a 1-week old infant. I'll probably check out the rest of Eno's Ambient series just as background noise when I can't have sounds distracting a sleeping baby.
1.01 stars with a pretty big asterisk*
The Kinks
2/5
Not sure why The Kinks don't get more attention. They have a handful of recognizable hits and then a swath of fun original deeper cuts. The Village Green Preservation Society is another batch of jaunty tunes from The Kinks that deserve a listen. I'm not sure the overall album is anything great, but each of the songs is pretty quick and digestible.
The Kinks should be recognized for managing to succeed at something different. There is something about their music that has an edge of humor and feels like they aren't taking anything seriously while still managing to assemble competent albums with occasional hits that stand out. I don't go out of my way to listen to The Kinks, but whenever they come up in my random shuffle I'm always pleased. They bring something else to the table and have some deep cut sleepers that need some more exposure.
2.28 stars
Bob Marley & The Wailers
2/5
I've been told Natty Dread is Bob's best album a couple times in the wild. I was relatively unimpressed after a listen. It's not bad, but I found it pretty generic and did little differentiate or stand out to me. Some decent songs, but overall relatively forgettable. Not something I would turn off and works when the vibes are there, but not something I'll be putting on again.
Bob Marley is deservedly the iconic representative of reggae rock. If you walk up to me and ask me if I'm a fan it would be met with a swift and emphatic "Definitely". As I've listened to more of Bob Marley's work it's looking like I'm just a huge fan of the Legend greatest hits album which is loaded with his best work. Not sure I need to delve into his albums but maybe I'm missing something here with Natty Dread.
2.48 stars
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
Good to see something so recent on this list even if the album didn't wow me. MK has a good voice and the album brings some interesting diverse sounds. There's a lot of emotion and soul buried in this album so perhaps that's why it got the nod. Overall a decent listen. I may check out his other albums to see what else he has.
Kiwanuka seems like a pretty skilled specialized musician. I'd like to see him open it up a little more and try his hand at a harder rock album and see what he is capable of.
2.78 stars
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Not sure how Nick Cave slipped by me for all these years. His discography is extensive and the unique rock sound seems right in my family's wheelhouse. NC & The Bad Seeds is one of the highlights of a new artist I'm exposed to as a result of this list. I enjoyed the previous entry and was looking forward to this one.
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus delivered again. However, I do think that both of these albums suffer a bit as a result of the 2-fer joint release. Each disc is solid in its own way and feel like individual projects with a different sound. The extended play time unfortunately drags the rating down a bit, but I found both albums enjoyable. I look forward to any other Nick Cave entries and will probably check out some of his other stuff when this list ends.
2.98 stars
Pink Floyd
4/5
Wish You Were Here is nearly flawless in its execution. The worst song on the album is Welcome to Machine which is still a solid song in its own right. While a 20+ minute jam may not be everybody's cup of tea, Shine On You Crazy Diamond might be the best example of a long jam ever. I personally love this album and while I have a lot of personal history with Dark Side or The Wall, Wish You Were Here might be the choice for best Floyd album. It is so enjoyable from start to finish and is a a perfect entry point for anyone hesitant to jump into Pink Floyd's discography.
4.4 stars
Johnny Cash
2/5
Years ago in the wake of Walk The Line I thought I might be a Cash fan. Then I listened to more than 3 songs and realized that I'm just not into it. Johnny Cash may be on the Mount Rushmore of overrated acts for me. I have coworkers and colleagues who constantly gush about how great he is yet they can never name more than 1-2 songs they like (Burning Ring of Fire is OK I guess?). I'd pass on the vast majority of his early work, and I can't stand his late covers of Hurt and Personal Jesus that people won't shut the fuck up about.
While a scathing review is probably expected, At San Quentin is an OK album. You get a decent sense of his persona and performance charisma while the prison crowd is on the ride. It's a short enough example of a handful of his popular hits and some interludes that don't overstay their welcome. I imagine the prison concerts were iconic and important in their time so I give him credit for doing something different. It's not something I'll come back to and don't need to slam either. It has it's place and I wouldn't fault someone if they throw this on in the background.
1.7 stars
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
I've been exposed to the CCR hits for years and they always deliver. Bayou Country is a nice little 30 minute album with a couple hits and couple southern jams I'd never heard before. Easily consumable and either album side works for something quick to put on to mix it up. Nothing amazing but gets the job done.
2.72 stars
Suede
3/5
Kind of a mixed bag for me. I'm not familiar with Suede so didn't know what to expect. The first half of the album was alright and brought a little indie britpop influence that I didn't mind. The second half of the album was a little glum and didn't do much to keep me around. It's an OK album but not sure what puts it on this list. Perhaps it was more influential on release or Suede has a bigger arc that I'm not familiar with. Middle of the pack, plenty of better but plenty of worse offerings on the 1001.
2.56 stars
Gorillaz
4/5
Very solid debut album from my favorite band ever. It was great upon an initial listening but has only grown on me over time. A couple hits are all-timers for me and all the remaining deeper cuts are solid songs. Gorillaz get nearly constant air play from me and this album has a handful of sleeper hits that make the rotation frequently beyond this big singles.
Gorillaz bring a very diverse sound that is approachable from so many angles. While the debut album is understandably not as deep as some of their future work it was clear that something special was set in motion. Damon just starts to scratch the surface of all the unique sounds that come out of his immense amount of musical collaboration and I'm here for every second of it.
An aspect that needs to be discussed for anything related to Gorillaz is the accompanying artwork. Hewlett created a couple perfect caricatures for the "virtual band" that were instantly part of the band's draw. The initial music videos were creative and unique at a perfect time when MTV and music videos were still a huge part of marketing and exposure. The approach to have the live performances with animated characters included and an ongoing side-story/plot was a cool aspect to the whole project. The animation and artwork is certainly a contributing aspect of why they became my favorite band.
I've consumed nearly every aspect of Gorillaz possible and still the more I hear/read/see the more I love it all. Nothing but praise for the first album that got it started, but they only got better over the next few albums.
4.3 stars
Brian Eno
1/5
I respect the hell out of Brian Eno's work as a producer as he has engineered some incredible albums by some of my favorite artists. The shallow dive into his solo work thus far has shown me that he may be at his best when he goes a little experimental but has a band/label reels him in. This is too artsy and experimental for me to care after a couple of songs. A little too much Eno, not enough Byrne.
Getting a little worn out on experimental noise albums. Not sure I need to hear more of these before I die.
1.13 stars
Pixies
3/5
Decent rock album. A couple songs I recognized but nothing that I listen to with any regularity. A couple of quick hits, and nothing that stands out in either bad or good ways. It's a good middle of the pack album that would work in many situations but nothing I would call overly special.
I've always heard that Pixies are one of the most influential bands of all time and that so many other acts either derived or were directly touched by Pixies. I'm not sure what it is about them but maybe they have a signature sound or some tricks of the trade that I'm not aware of. Doolittle is an OK album and I won't skip Pixies songs that I run into in the future.
2.79 stars
Beatles
3/5
Hard to beat the classics. The Beatles are in the pantheon of great and influential artists for so many reasons. While I've been exposed to The Beatles for 30+ years I haven't run through many of their early albums. I was familiar with about half of these songs through various radio segments and their existence in the cultural zeitgeist. The tracks I didn't know had more of the same catchy simplicity that the early Beatles mastered and managed to successfully crank out to take the world by storm. With The Beatles is expectedly bubble-gum pop but its crazy that their catalog from the early 60's still sounds so good and enjoyable.
I'd probably rank With The Beatles on the lower side of their discography but that isn't to be a knock, merely to recognize how strong their albums were through their insane 10 year run.
I know there is going to be more Beatles and I'm excited for the forthcoming albums.
3.04 stars
Eminem
3/5
I was too young for Eminem's rise and had only heard 2 songs off of this debut album. It is clear that he is an incredible lyricist but holy shit the subject matter is way more extreme than I would have expected. Violence, misogyny, drugs etc. are all a part of MM's schtick, but there appears to be far less joy or humor in this early segment of his career. Everything seems fueled by extreme anger and resentment which no doubt helped establish and market him. Dude was clearly struggling with so many things when this was written. As a parent I would actually agree that I wouldn't want my children listening to this until they are of a mature age. There plenty more of this in his later career, but maybe there was a little more satire or a layer of polish put onto it that didn't make it stand out as much once he was mainstream. It's a pretty crazy album for a first time listen either way. I don't really want to go back to this but can recognize the skill and talent it took to produce and release this.
3.08 stars
Aerosmith
3/5
For some reason Aerosmith is one of the classic rock bands that I've never paid attention to. I know a couple hits but otherwise I have basically slept on them. Glad I was given a chance to listen to delve into their discography. Rocks is a solid album. A tight 35 minutes with a couple songs that will remain in rotation. It doesn't pull any punches and stays true to its namesake. Pretty satisfying listen, might have to give Aerosmith another chance.
3.48 stars
Grateful Dead
2/5
I'm not the biggest Grateful Dead fan (more of a Phish phan) but recognize their place in music history. Jam bands aren't everybody's cup of tea but I've always passively enjoyed them. While I don't necessarily think that Live/Dead specifically is a strong album it's a pretty solid example of what to expect from a jam band show. Even if it isn't in your wheelhouse, I do think you need to get exposed to a jam band at some point before you die (even if it's just to confirm it's not your thing).
Jam bands are a whole vibe with their own culture and identity that goes beyond the music. I can take or leave Grateful Dead but I throw on Phish more often than I think most people expect. I can't outright recommend Live / Dead but overall I'd say this album belongs on the list. There is plenty better you can do, but plenty worse you can do from this list.
1.91 stars
Radiohead
2/5
Not sure what I'm missing here. Kid A has always been on my radar as a critical darling. I've enjoyed the prior 2 Radiohead albums from the list (one more than the other), but Kid A fell very flat for me. Sure, it's an experimental take on electronic rock, but is it any good to listen to? I had it on both while driving and then while feeding an infant and it didn't bring me in for either. A little too obscure and pretentious for me to come back to this one.
2.27 stars
Elvis Presley
1/5
Better than the prior Elvis I guess but nothing special. I'll hear Blue Suede Shoes again but the rest just fall into skippable Elvis.
1.38 stars
Def Leppard
3/5
I can recognize Pyromania is a decent album that has a few hits and some pretty approachable arena rock songs. I'd probably take this over Hysteria but either one is just an OK album that works in the right setting. Fine for a single listen but they don't do much to stay with me at all.
I didn't realize Def Leppard sold as many records as they did. They have a handful OK songs but nothing that really lands with me.
2.72 stars
Sleater-Kinney
3/5
Not familiar with Sleater Kinney but I liked what I heard. A handful of quick 2-3 minute pop punk songs with female vocals. By the end of the album it devolves a little and starts to get a little one-soundish, but it is a sound that works. Either way I give them credit for bringing something mostly unique and different to the table. One of my main takeaways was that I would like to see them live. I imagine they would put on a good show in a smaller venue. Solid entry. I'll likely check out more of S-K's stuff.
2.83 stars
Elastica
3/5
My only prior tangential knowledge of Elastica was their proximity with Damon Albarn. It continues to be clear he has great taste as I enjoyed this Elastica album. Another example of some quick britpop tracks that hit the spot. Nothing too flashy but it works.
3.30 stars
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Despite being a huge Zeppelin fan I've never had any prior fondness for Physical Graffiti. It was always an ignored entry that I looked upon as bloated and represented the beginning of the end for LZ. When scrolling track listings, greatest hits albums, playlists etc. there was lessrepresentation from Physical Graffiti when compared with their earlier albums so it was often overlooked on my part.
I am very happy to say that this album held up much better than I remembered. While it doesn't have a huge amount of hits/singles, it is loaded with great deep cuts. Zep was firmly established in the upper pantheon of great musicians after their rise and sustained success through their first 5 albums. At this point and they were highly respected musicians and their sound had been fully developed and mastered.
Disc 1 is so solid as very song is good, some of which are great. Second disc doesn't have the same luster but still has a number of tracks that I am fond of. They really lean into it in some of the longer songs. While I would often skip these (any many other longer songs) when listening on an iPod in my youth, I was glad to refamiliarize myself this time around. I've always loved Zeppelin but haven't been listening to them as often the last couple years. This definitely rekindles some of the reasons why they were my favorite band growing up. This was a really fun listen.
3.95
The Pogues
2/5
Surprised I had never been exposed to this band. It was a decent album for a while but it overstayed its welcome a little bit. It may be fun to throw on a handful of songs at the right event, but I don't think I need to come back to it.Kind of an odd decision to include a Christmas song in the middle of the album, but it was pleasant enough of a track to work.
2.24 stars
Pearl Jam
5/5
An all-time great album. Pearl Jam came out of the gates with Ten that is absolutely loaded front-to-back. The guitar, bass and drumwork are solid and varied throughout the album. Eddie's puts on one of the best vocal performances ever. The sound is the perfect level of grunge rock that really strikes a chord and resonates for me.
I know a handful of other albums typically get the nod elsewhere (Nevermind), but this is the seminal album of the 90's for me. I pretty much love it from start to finish, and it doesn't hurt that my namesake is one of the highlights of an otherwise incredible album.
4.5 stars
Soft Cell
4/5
Soft Cell? The Tainted Love guys? Do they have another song? Man was I wrong to overlook them. Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret was a blast from start to finish. This absolutely nail the 80's synth-pop sound. I added a handful of songs to my mix and am excited to run into them in the future. Wondering if they have more in their collection that is worth listening to.
This has been the biggest surprise on the list so far for me. What a treat.
3.71 stars
Beyoncé
1/5
Beyoncé has been touted as the biggest fucking thing for the past decade or whatever. I've steered clear as I'm not the target demographic and her press is so overblown that I'd rather just tune it out than engage. Every time she drops an album it is huge news but I've never gone out of my way to listen to any of her music.
I went into this expecting it to be mediocre overproduced middle of the pack diva R&B. I figured it wouldn't be anywhere near my wheelhouse but just something I could listen to and file away as "meh". Boy was I wrong. It's more than an hour of nearly insufferable pretentious bullshit. It's track after track of her gushing about how hot, amazing and perfect she is in every single way. I'm sure there is some powerful feminine messages buried beneath the countless tracks outlining how Beyoncé is an insanely erotic and sexual specimen. 10 minutes I started to understand what this album was and had to suffer through the rest of it.
I'm actually impressed at how much this annoyed me. Where I previously would have responded "not a Beyoncé fan cuz I don't know the music" I will actually now update this to "I actively dislike her music". Not sure if this is part of the schtick and yet another form of engagement for her but I will be going out of my way to turn off Beyoncé moving forward. Garbage.
.58 stars
Norah Jones
2/5
This album is kinda tricky. Is Come Away With Me anything spectacular? I don't personally think so. However, I do remember this album taking the world by storm. Don't Know Why was everywhere and Norah Jones was touted as the next big thing when this album topped the charts and collected some Grammy's. It's not something I think I need to hear before I die, but I don't think it should be ignored either.
I'm a little surprised it resonated with the world as much as it did. It's not a bad album, it just seems far too mellow and jazzy to have mass appeal. It was a fine listen, but didn't move the needle much for me. I haven't thought about this album in forever and don't really have any reason to come back to it now that we are past it on the list.
2.19 stars
Nina Simone
1/5
Another example of dated jazz blues from a bygone era. I wish there was more to this but it was mostly just an old frog woman crooning over simple piano and bass lines for 40 minutes. There are some vocal sections that I couldn't put a finger on from Nina that were somewhat compelling at the start. A couple jauntier tunes show up that I enjoyed but unfortunately it quickly goes back to slow, slow, sloooow bad lounge music especially on the back half.
I wanted to like this and tried to keep an open mind but after 40 minutes I was so ready to be done with it.
1.25 stars
Destiny's Child
2/5
I recognized the first few songs which were radio/MTV hits in the early 2000's. It was a fine 15 minute opening, but the remainder of the album did little to keep me hooked. Overall Survivor didn't resonate me and did little to stand out. I'm not the demographic and this isn't a genre I listen to so its overall a forgettable listen that gets filed in the "meh" department. Not sure there's anything on here that warrants this to be included on the list.
1.9 stars
The Style Council
2/5
Not a bad jazz fusion album. Nothing special but far been the prior jazz entries. There are a couple of decent jams (Strength of Your Nature, Mick's Blessings) included but also a horrible spoken-word rap jazz rap track that cancels out any positive favor.
My takeaway I guess is that Paul Weller is a name that I should have been familiar with since he has shown up on this list previously. I'm not going to delve into his other work but I guess I can sound sophisticated by dropping his name into a music conversation moving forward.
2.01 stars
Peter Gabriel
3/5
I've always enjoyed Peter Gabriel's voice and sound so I was excited to delve into this earlier album and I was not disappointed. It's got a good mix of diverse sounds that mostly work. Nothing spectacular, but a pretty good album overall. I expect PG will show up again on this list and I will be glad to give any of his other albums a listen.
3.06 stars
Miles Davis
2/5
Birth Of The Cool is a fine look at a some classic jazz from a bygone era. I can respect Miles Davis and recognize his part in music history, so this album deserves to be on the list, it's just not something that I want to spend any extended time with. There's unquestionably some great trumpet playing on this album, but after a couple songs I don't want to hear any more. This is best served as background music at theme park or elsewhere in small doses.
1.69
B.B. King
2/5
This actually wasn't a bad live album. I went in with low expectations and was greeted with a couple short blues songs. Nothing special, but not something I was tired of by the end of it. Slightly better than some the other 1960s fare on the list.
1.75 stars
The Monks
3/5
Pretty cool little hidden gem. Didn't know what to expect but it wasn't this coming out of 1966. Despite some very basic drum beats it's got some really unique sounds. The more I listened to it the more I got into it. Wish it was on Spotify because I may have revisited this at some point, but unfortunately it looks like its going to remain as a lost/forgotten classic.
Gotta love the name The Monks
2.84 stars
Ghostface Killah
3/5
I wouldn't consider myself a rap fan but I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. Ghostface is a little manic but it kinda works. I enjoyed the collaboration with the rest of the Wu Tang clan when they appeared on tracks.
2.68 stars
Gillian Welch
1/5
My lord this album was so boring. Whether artists were talented or the lyrics were interesting didn't matter as after a couple songs I was completely checked out and couldn't wait for this to be over. I'm not sure why this makes the list as it sounded like so much other mundane coffee shop soft rock I've heard elsewhere.
I would use this to put my infant child to sleep but honestly I don't ever want to listen to this again. I have no reason I needed to hear this before I die. Skip.
0.4 stars
4/5
This is a difficult one. This album was huge and has always been a critical darling. It includes are a couple of huge hit songs that have remained in the zeitgeist (even more so now with the recent Oasis reunion). It is one of those albums that is bigger than itself due to all of the lore and history from the band's overall arc.
I was surprised by how underwhelmed I was on this re-listen. It's got a couple hits and then is filled with a lot of good-to-OK songs. Overall it doesn't have many weak points, but the middle of the album is kinda filler. By no means is it a bad album, but I can't put it anywhere near the top of the list. It's solid for sure, but I doesn't hit that upper tier despite some of its lasting impact for me.
3.64 stars
Willie Nelson
1/5
It's hard to imagine Willie Nelson as a young man in any way. He's been an old stoner for as long as I can remember, and while he is associated with music he has been represented more as an icon of past years than a relevant musician during my life.
While I'm not upset to hear an old Willie Nelson album there's really nothing here for me. It's a handful of very short, relatively slow blues country songs, none of which stay with me after a listen. I imagine I could listen any of the many albums in his collection and lump them together as skippable. I don't identify with this genre in any way so overall its just a skip from me.
1.3 stars
Sepultura
2/5
While I would gladly skip this entry I enjoyed it more than the prior Sepultura album. A little more grounded with seemingly less demon wretch (though still a healthy amount). I'm not really into thrash/death metal but I guess if I had to point to an album this is probably the best representation I can think of. It's got a lot of the standard earmarks I would associate with a down-the-middle death metal act as far as I can tell and was overall not the worst listen.
While speed metal artists are admittedly very skilled, I find it hard to differentiate between the various songs. They all appear to follow a pretty similar structure with limited variance between the drums, riffs, and over the top lyrics. More power to you if this is what floats your boat. For me, it's fine in very small doses but I just don't feel like I'm missing anything by passing on this genre for the most part.
Not sure why Sepultura gets more than 1 album on here but evidently I needed to hear them again before I die.
1.66 stars
Pere Ubu
2/5
Not sure what to make of this. At times its a fun romp with some weird alt-punk sounds. At other times it devolves into obnoxious vuvuzelas, honking and the ramblings of a seemingly drunk madman. For a 3- minute listen you can do a lot worse with some of the other garbage on the list. Not recommended but also not mad about it.
1.5 stars
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
This was a surprise. Brazilian electronic bossa nova? I went in with low expectations and was very pleased that I was greeted with a pretty solid album album. Not something I'll listen to regularly but there is definitely a time and place for this.
Much of the sounds and vocals are quite pleasant. I actually enjoyed a couple songs enough to throw them into my random list. Great choice as I can't imagine I would ever have run into this otherwise. This could end up as one of the biggest surprise tidbits to take out of the 1001 when all is said and done.
2.71 stars
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Have been looking forward to this album. Did not disappoint. Strong from front to back. It deserves all the accolades and praise it has received over the years. Deservedly should be in the conversation for one of the best albums of all time. Backstory and turmoil from the band at the time only increase its legacy.
There are only a few albums in history that exceed this album so I wouldn't fault anyone giving this a 5 rating.
4.29 stars
Alanis Morissette
4/5
Jagged Little Pill was deservedly a huge album as it loaded with hits, many of which I still turn to today. Alanis's best work, not sure she ever got close to this again.
I have so many fond memories of this album from release through current day. I'll shamelessly belt out many of the sneaky bangers from this album any time.
3.9 stars
Funkadelic
3/5
Pretty slick entry. Maybe not the best album but I can appreciate the long jams that bookend a pretty fun 35 minute album. Hard not to get behind a band called Funkadelic that seems to just want to get together and have fun making music. Love seeing Bernie Worrell of Talking Heads (and elsewhere) pop up as a band member.
2.89 stars
Johnny Cash
3/5
I had more fun with this than expected. I'm not really a Johnny Cash fan, but there is something endearing about a guy going on stage at a prison just to have fun and entertain some inmates. He plays a handful of the classics and does enough light crowd work to make it an entertaining listen. I won't put Johnny Cash on in my free time, but I can understand why this is on the list.
It's a little unfortunate we got two Johnny Cash prison albums so close together as it would have been nice to break them up and it's possible I would have appreciated this more to hear it further down the line.
2.57 stars
Dirty Projectors
2/5
This album ran the gamut for me. Parts of it were irritating and pretentious. Other songs had a cool indie sound that I vibed with.
I feel like Dirty Projectors is an offbeat artist that should resonate with me and that I should have liked this more than I did. I should have liked this more than I did. Maybe I was in a bad mood or something. Might have to give these guys another shot.
2.41 stars
Willie Nelson
1/5
Unfortunately the second Willie Nelson album in two weeks. This is in line with the prior album. It's not bad by any means but doesn't move the needle for me at all. Really slow light country songs are made for someone but its not me. Nothing against Willie but two albums was all I need for the next 10 years.
1.30 stars
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
It's got a lot of the signature Jeff Lynne ELO sound that I enjoy but I don't need 70 mins of it. This would be better served as a tighter single album. Trim a bit of the fat and it would be a really strong entry. As it is, its still a good album, just a little bloated. Despite the complexity of album some of the songs start to sound the same after a while. As much as I'm a fan of ELO I mostly stick to the greatest hits, but this is still a solid entry deserving of the 1001.
3.02 stars
Sade
4/5
Credit to Sade on a pretty great debut album. It opens with a very strong 3-fer and while the rest of the album isn't as good it is still a solid listen. There's something very pleasant about the backing band's smooth bass and sax accompaniment.
This album must have been on in our house a lot as a youth because a couple of these songs lived deep within my psyche despite not recognizing the names.
3.63 stars
Skepta
2/5
This British rap is somewhat endearing for a couple of songs, but I'm not sure it holds up over an entire album. It's kinda cheesy but not too bad. Not sure about the post-song conversations/sketches needed to be left in though.
This was kinda like the best version of when a random rapper on the streets of Las Vegas hands you his album. It's kinda stupid, but a little bit fun every now and then but not something I would recommend or plan to revisit.
1.98 stars
Duke Ellington
1/5
I'm sure this was a hell of a show back in 1956, but not much translates through when listening to the album version. It's 40 minutes of big band jazz that does very little to differentiate itself to the untrained ear for me. Duke is a legend from way back so I'm sure he deserves this entry on the list for historical reasons but I'm sure I could never hear any more of his work without issue.
1.39 stars
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I enjoyed it more than the prior Stevie Wonder albums. I'm not sure if that is saying a lot or a little. It's a very approachable album that has the right mix of Stevie's juice for it to work.
I wouldn't consider myself a big Stevie Wonder fan but after some representation on this list I can see how he is a huge cultural icon. He is a solid songwriter and does a lot of the right things to keep a solid fan base satisfied.
2.70 stars
Keith Jarrett
1/5
Can't say I've ever listed to something like this before and don't imagine I will again in the future. I can't speak to anything about the skill or composition because it all starts to run together after an hour but its clear that Keith Jarrett is a skilled pianist. I guess I'm impressed that someone was able to string together 60+ minutes of unaccompanied piano and keep me (relatively) interested. There's been a lot worse on this list in a multitude of genres. At least I can understand without scratching my head as to why that this is a guy improvising on a piano for an hour whether you like it or not. If this is your thing I'm sure it's an impressive concert but it's not for me beyond a few minutes.
1.45 stars
Billie Holiday
1/5
Woof. Didn't think this would be so bad as it got started but this was a tough listen. I didn't find anything notable in this album as I wasn't impressed with the vocals nor the backing band. Felt like it was almost the same song 10 times in a row, which I didn't enjoy the first time through. This was a tough 45 minutes.
.52 stars
John Martyn
2/5
Overall a mixed bag and pretty "meh". It wasn't actively bad but I can't say I liked it either. Pretty forgettable once it finished up.
1.59 stars
Ute Lemper
1/5
The lineup of artists involved in this is certainly intriguing, however it really failed to stick the landing. It's an eclectic mix of showtunes, art rock, experimental noise and skippable bullshit. Seems like it could/should have been something more with all the collaboration involved but instead it deservedly ended up as a forgotten project that probably shouldn't be bothered with.
1.31 stars
Sigur Rós
3/5
This was a very peculiar album but rather enjoyable. Wasn't sure what to expect from Icelandic dream pop but I was pleasantly surprised. The soft notes bring a sense of calm. While I'd like to know what the lyrics say, the fact that they are in another language makes the whole album very soothing and a little transcendental. There's something compelling about the album but I'm not sure what it is. It worked as good background while working for the time being.
It's a little too long of an album but my curiosity is piqued to delve into Sigur Ros at another time. They sound almost like a foreign Radiohead pastiche. Great entry for the 1001 as I've never heard of this otherwise.
3.19 stars
Beck
4/5
Beck brings a creativity and diversity in his music that is effective and rarely emulated elsewhere. Guero is a fantastic return to his prior style and hits it out of the park. The opening 3 songs pack an incredible punch, but it remains a very solid album from front to back otherwise. Easily deserving of the list, and I expect to see other Beck entries in the future.
In the wise words of Bender Bending Rodriguez, Beck is a musician-poet who transcends genres even as he re-invents them. Beck is one of the best working musicians of the past 30 years and I'll support his work as long as his career continues to evolve.
4.21 stars
David Bowie
2/5
I can't imagine many people expected Bowie had much left in the tank after a notorious lifetime of the rock star lifestyle and ongoing heart problems after a retreat from the public eye. I went in with admittedly low expectations and was treated to a relatively middle of the road album. It's really nothing special and doesn't do anything flashy. Bowie has clearly aged and doesn't have a lot of his Bowie flair that made him stand out and so special through his career.
The best case I can argue for The Next Day is that it is consistently mediocre with little to no high or low points. I guess that is an accomplishment as this very easily could have been a huge miss after a long hiatus away from music for an aging rock star. Bowie is bigger than his music at this point and while I'll always be a fan I don't have much attachment to the end of his career.
2.14 stars
Beck
3/5
I'm a big fan of Beck but this one is a little too sappy and melodramatic for me. It lacks so much of his unique creativity that sets his music apart from any other artist. It's clear that a lot of this was written from a place of pain and despair as it doesn't sound like Beck is having fun at any point on this album.
In a vacuum Sea Change is a pretty good album, its just my least preferred version of Beck. I much prefer when he is integrating strange sounds and cryptic lyrics in an alt-pop rock style. I can see how it could be a critical darling, but for me it gets shelved as there are so many other Beck albums I'll reach for before Sea Change. I can take it or leave it personally.
2.59 stars
Nas
3/5
Nas and his featured artists consistently have good flow with some decent lyrics accompanied by relatively simple production. The songs are pretty straightforward and consumable. The one knock I have is that everything started to sound the same by the end of it. The songs all have similar structure with basic beats and little variance to the hook so they start to run into each other.
Illmatic is a pretty good album but I'm wondering why this is held in such high regard instead of just another run of the mill debut album from a NY rapper. Maybe it hit at the right time or represented NYC in a way that I'm not aware of. Either way, decent album just didn't stand out as a landmark album to me in any way.
2.85 stars
Beatles
4/5
Abbey Road is a tough album to review. On the one hand its discussed as one of the greatest works from a band that was the biggest thing on the planet at the time. It features one of the most iconic albums covers ever and is sprinkled with a couple of all time hits that have become anthems bigger than the album itself.
On the other hand I don't think it is The Beatles best work. It is a hodgepodge of a variety of styles and a handful of the songs are pretty forgettable, especially when lined up against the remainder of The Beatles catalog. Context is key here and while I still think it is a good album, it doesn't wow me the way many of their other albums do. It's still a very strong album and its hard to knock it simply because some of The Beatles other work surpasses it though.
3.62 stars
David Bowie
2/5
I remember the news of Blackstar's release and Bowie's subsequent death. I had low expectations that Bowie could still assemble a decent album in the last days while fighting illness. I was surprised how competent Blackstar was on this listen. Admittedly, the backing band is doing the majority of the heavy lifting as they bring in some funk that hits with more impact than Bowie's vocals. It's not an amazing album but certainly an appreciated parting gift from Mr. Bowie. Tragic loss to the music world, and even if it isn't something I'll return to often Blackstar was a great swan song on his way out. Final track I Can't Give Everything Away was a fantastic closer to a legendary career.
2.33 stars
James Brown
2/5
While I'm only familiar with a handful of his hits, James Brown is an icon of stage presence and performance showmanship. Unfortunately a lot of that doesn't translate through on an album, especially this selection from his early career. Overall it wasn't 30 minutes wasted, but I'm scratching my head as to why I needed to hear this before I die. I think my time would have been better spent watching some performances of James Brown on Youtube. This albums really seems like a "you had to be there".
1.86 stars
Adam & The Ants
4/5
I've been aware of Adam & The Ants forever but can't say I've ever heard a song prior to this. After listening to this album I feel I've been missing out. Kings Of The Wild Frontier was a surprisingly good listen. I was surprised this was from 1980 as it felt like it could have been released 5 years ago. It had a handful of fun britpop songs and really leaned into the band themes at times. I appreciate how well this held up. I'm evidently a fan of Antmusic and have added a few of these songs to my Spotify list.
3.55 stars
Wild Beasts
2/5
This album has a pretty wide range for me. There were a few groovy songs that I definitely vibed with. There were other songs that were forgettable and I don't need to hear again. Overall I think Wild Beasts brings something different and unique to the table. There's a good variety of indy electro pop sounds in it that I appreciated as a change of pace from some of the more traditional entries on the list. Glad I gave it a listen but probably nothing I need to follow up on. I tended to like the music more than the vocals though the falsetto voicework is certainly an interesting choice.
2.22 stars
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
Arctic Monkeys debut album is an incredibly impressive release. They managed to bring an original rock sound with the perfect edge of British attitude and punk-rock themes and deservedly vaulted to stardom in the wake of this album. There isn't a bad song on it and has an absolutely blistering second half that I might put at the top of all time Side B's.
While I remain and Arctic Monkeys fan, nothing they have done has come anywhere close to this debut album. You can pick any song out a hat and be satisfied but there 5-6 all-timers that I routinely revisit. Props to Alex Turner and company on one of the best ever.
4.60 stars
Iggy Pop
3/5
I've only ever scratched the surface with Iggy through pop culture references like Trainspotting and the like. I never really paid attention and kinda just figured Iggy was an artist that I've overlooked. Lust For Life is a fun little collection of tunes. Nothing special, but solid enough to warrant a listen and make me wonder what else Iggy has. Might be something I come back to when I need to scratch a certain brit punk rock itch.
2.86 stars
The Stooges
2/5
I can appreciate that The Stooges were trying to do something different, but I think they were a little too far outside the lines. There is a semblance of music on this album but its tucked away pretty far between a cacophony of random drums and unnecessary noise. I stayed on board for as long as I could but Side B was a bit of a struggle. By the end of it I was glad it was over. Seems I'm more of an Iggy fan than a Stooges fan once he grew into his punk persona a bit.
1.68 stars
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
I've had Echo And The Bunnymen on my radar for a bit as a band I need to check out. I'm glad 1001 gave me the excuse to give an album a listen. I went in with tempered expectations and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. They bring a pretty subdued synth rock sound. Ian McCulloch brings a vocal style that almost acts as another instrument that I enjoy. They have a pretty clear sound that I don't mind. I could see myself checking out some of their other hits. Ocean Rain is a solid album.
3.50 stars
Heaven 17
2/5
There's something endearing about 80's synth pop for me. No matter how cheesy it gets there something about it that brings me positive vibes. I wasn't sure what to expect from Heaven 17 and was mostly pleased with the results. Penthouse and Pavement is an OK album. Side A (Penthouse) is admittedly better and more fun that Side B. Title track was the best song. Never heard of these guys but I guess I'm glad I was exposed even if its just another brand of 80's electropop that is mostly forgettable that will pop up every now and then.
2.38 stars
R.E.M.
4/5
It's hard to deny that Automatic is a great album. It's yet another collection of R.E.M's effective alternative art rock sound. There are a couple of huge hits and the deep cuts are all interesting and solid.
R.E.M. does what almost no other rock band is able to do and somehow toe the line between artistic rock and pretentious bullshit. While I can see how someone might not like their message or their music, they so effectively toe that line for me. I love their varied, artistic sound that they somehow managed to keep fresh and unique from release to release. They deserved to be at the top of the charts through the 80's and 90's and Automatic is a perfect example of why. Their songs are varied, artistic and well written. The musicality is effective but completely unique somehow and Stipe's vocals really do elevate their work. I can see how the split between R.E.M. hater to lover is pretty defined, but their discography lands on the positive side almost all the way through for me. R.E.M. had a crazy run of albums through the 80s and 90s and I hope another entry shows up on the list.
3.65 stars
The Cure
3/5
I'm a little surprised this album is on the list. Not because it is bad, more because it does little to feature anything unique or groundbreaking. It's more of the same brooding dark rock from The Cure but on a stripped-down limited scale. It really feels like they tried to remove as much as possible and keep it quiet, simple and straightforward.
I was simultaneously surprised by how much I enjoyed it. There's a handful of pretty quick straight to the point songs that hit their mark. There are also a couple longer tracks that feature an extended soft jam that kinda just fill a void for background music.
I wouldn't put The Cure anywhere near the top of my favorite artists list, but I keep enjoying what I get exposed to. They have a weird allure that I can't quite put my finger on.
3.41 stars
The Coral
3/5
Decent indie rock album from another band I've never heard of. They have a pretty solid repertoire for a band launching their debut album on this one. They have a folksy playful sound that I is pretty unique. I didn't love anything I heard but I also didn't dislike anything either. Looks like The Coral have been pretty prolific following this release so maybe it's worth checking out a couple other hits to see what else they have in the bag.
Always glad to be exposed to a new artist on 1001 and this is another solid entry from an unknown. I feel like The Coral would put on a very good live show.
3.12 stars
Tim Buckley
2/5
I associated Tim Buckley with more whimsical psychedelic rock from his previous entry on this list and my limited prior exposure. Greetings From L.A. was a trip down a weirder funkier hippie-esque lane that I didn't expect. I can't say I was displeased but the album unfortunately doesn't hold up through the full duration. It's only 7 songs, and while any one of them is fine, they all kinda sound the same. For the most part Tim Buckley is slinging some bluesy lyrics over some simple beats and jams time and time again. While I'm happy to bring on the weirdness, there is limited variance from one song to the next. It's an OK album, and you can do a lot worse elsewhere on the list but not something I needed to hear before I die.
2.37 stars
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
I think I expected more from this. I usually dig synth pop even when it is on the lower end of the spectrum. I was enjoying Actually for the first half, but Side B was a letdown. By the end of the album it felt overall bogged down and did little to stay with me. A few of the songs were too slowed down and drawn out. Overall a forgettable album for me.
1.84 stars
Foo Fighters
2/5
I'm a little surprised this album made the list as Foo Fighters has a lot of other work that far exceed the self-titled debut. I imagine nearly all of the consideration is due to the fact that Dave Grohl was able to throw this together on his own in a matter of about a week. It's an accomplishment no doubt, but I was surprised how basic and stripped down parts of this album are. Some of the tracks are little more than a demo tape with placeholder lyrics that never got fleshed out. The lone cool aspect is that you can clearly hear the groundwork laid for what Foo Fighters would grow into.
Foo Fighters deservedly became one of the iconic rock bands of the 90's and beyond and have remained relevant for 25+ years. I don't dislike Foo Fighters debut album but I don't personally think it is a good representation of their work. Props to Dave Grohl for being able to rise from the ashes of the end of Nirvana and grow into the prototype for the modern rock star. I'm a big Foo Fighters fan but nearly all songs off this album get a skip from me when shuffling through their discography.
2.32 stars
George Harrison
2/5
Going in to this listen I expected a lot of this triple album would be skippable filler. While I don't think I'll come back to ATMP, I was surprised how competent it was. There aren't much in the way of high points or hits, but there also aren't many low points. It's a pretty solid collection of songs that do more than enough to prove that George was an effective song writer. While the inclusion of the Apple Jams on the back end aren't something I will revisit it felt good to get a slice of George's musical mindset in the wake of The Beatles breakup. I'd probably say that various cuts get a little too spiritual and holy, but I guess that's to be expected from George. Honorable mention to the songs that were co-written with Bob Dylan which were some of the strongest tracks.
I imagine the release of All Things Must Pass was a huge and cathartic moment for both George Harrison and his fans alike. I've always liked George's influence on the band and will continue to hold him in high regard even if All Things Must Pass will get mostly shelved by me. I don't plan to re-listen to All Things Must Pass but I do believe I had to hear this album before I died.
2.38 stars
Kraftwerk
3/5
I thought I would like this more than I did. I wanted this to have more of an upbeat and fun feel to it but it was mostly dark and minimalist. It's not bad, but I don't see anything special about it or why this is heralded as such an influential album.
In my mind I have a fondness for Kraftwerk though I'm not sure why as I'm pretty sure I know a couple of songs. Maybe they have some other work that resonates a little more with me.
2.51 stars
The Young Rascals
2/5
Relatively plain and forgettable. I wouldn't call it bad but overall pretty empty. I can't see any reason I needed to hear this before I died. I came out of this listen pretty blank with little to say about which I guess is an indictment in itself.
1.81 stars
Buzzcocks
3/5
Another treat from the early brit pop genre. I'm always impressed when a group of 20-somethings can throw something simple like this together that manages to so effectively hit the mark. Another Music In A Different Kitchen is pretty solid 35 minute album. A handful of fun, varied pop punk songs with limited low points. This album holds up really well and seems to be ahead of its time as it feels like something that could have been released in the late 90's/early 2000's (or even more recently even) and still made a splash. I'll admit that I enjoyed my listen. Great selection by 1001, might have to check out some of the other Buzzcocks hits.
3.58 stars
Arcade Fire
4/5
This was a solid listen. I was impressed by the diversity of sounds that were on display on Neon Bible. I enjoyed a couple songs enough to add them to my shuffle list which I didn't expect going in. I enjoyed this much more than the prior Arcade Fire entry on the list. This gave me a little more perspective on them as a band and maybe I have to delve in to the a little further.
3.5 stars
Bob Dylan
1/5
Bob Dylan has to be the most polarizing artist ever. At any given point he is a random mix of genius, frustration, aggravation, annoyance, and contrived bullshit. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan is no exception to this rule. Blowin' in the Wind is a great opening track that sets the expectation high. From there it devolves into classic Bob Dylan fare which only gets worse as you continue to listen to it. It's hard to believe how obnoxious it actually gets in less than an hour. I'm always impressed how an icon of musical history and one of the world's most heralded folk music artists can make me want to punch him in the face so quickly.
Bob Dylan is a musical icon for so many reasons. I've heard equal stories of how his shows range from transcendental experiences to absolute horseshit from various sources. For some reason his out of tune rambling is beloved by many fans. For others its a perfect example of how music from generations past is just a bunch of nonsense that doesn't hold up. While I recognize that Dylan has some timeless classics and is certainly a competent song writer, I land further on the side that he's an annoying blowhard who ignored all the advice over the years to shut the fuck up and cut the bullshit. Props to Bob Dylan for keeping it going and somehow carving out his spot in musical history despite the naysayers. I for one will give his stuff a listen when it pops up and quickly file the majority of it in the "what the hell am I missing here?" section.
I lament the fact that we are about to see the release of the new Bob Dylan biopic featuring Timothee Chalomet. I expect to be spoonfed 2 hours of horrific bullshit that will surely flood the airwaves with more out of touch Bob Dylan discussions and shitty impressions.
Sorry Bob but it's only 1.29 stars from me.
DJ Shadow
1/5
Reading up on Entroducing I was intrigued but what I was about to listen to. Using samples to create essentially an entire album seemed like a a great concept. Unfortunately, I like the idea of this album a lot more than the execution. It's mostly just a mish mash of random sounds with no staying power. There are a couple of decent segments but nothing that will have any lasting effect beyond this listen. I think the lack of any true vocals hurt this album as there is not much to listen and relate to for an hour. Endtroducing was a pretty big miss for me.
1.46 stars
Everything But The Girl
3/5
I'm not sure Everything But The Girl did anything overly special in this but sometimes simplicity and sticking to what you are good at works. On face value I probably shouldn't have enjoyed this as much as I did. However, it was a really pleasant listen that sucked me in for some reason. Maybe it was just the time of day but something struck a chord with me and I thoroughly enjoyed this listen.
3.47 stars
Meat Puppets
2/5
This was a bit of a weird and unexpected listen. The songwriting and music is all over the place from Meat Puppets. From initial vibes it is a bit of a turnoff, but once the album gets going its clear there is something more to it. Meat Puppets are somehow able to blend a weird synergy of raucous noise and lyrics into something competent. The vocals are a mess both in terms of style and lyrics, but sometimes they work. Overall it kinda feels like the best version of when one of your wasted stoner friends starts messing around on a guitar and every now and then something decent comes out of it. I can understand how this wouldn't be someone's cup of tea, but for 29 minutes I was mildly intrigued.
My only prior awareness of Meat Puppets was Kurt's reference on the Nirvana unplugged album. After now hearing the source material I have a new respect for those tracks both in the way of Nirvana's performance and the Meat Puppets originals. It's clearly highlights how Meat Puppets assembled some decent music that with a little fine tuning and a different approach could have been something really special. A little hard to put a rating to this one because I'm a little torn on how I feel about it. On the one hand its pretty annoying, but on the other hand its also kinda fun.
2.23 stars
Crosby, Stills & Nash
2/5
The best way I can sum up Crosby, Stills & Nash is "it's fine I guess". There's nothing bad about it, but there's also nothing great about it once you get past the opening Suite Judy Blue Eyes. It's a good example of some OK folky rock from the 70's, it just isn't a genre that moves the needle much from me. Crosby, Stills and Nash are all clearly competent writers and musicians, but nothing on the opening album makes a big splash for me. I can't help but think that CSN was an OK act that needed Y to put them over the top.
2.31 stars
Aretha Franklin
2/5
I went in expecting 30 minutes of outdated soul music. While that's what was delivered it was probably the best version of it I could have expected. Aretha and her backup singers are pretty great throughout the length of the album. Not sure I want more of it, but Lady Soul held up pretty much all the way through the 30 minute run time which is more than I can say about many of the albums on this list. Prior to this listen my exposure to Aretha Franklin outside of the song RESPECT was minimal. I was aware she was lauded as an iconic vocalist and I can see why.
2.02 stars
Stereolab
2/5
Never heard of Stereolab but I dug their vibe. ETK was a OK listen with a couple of decent songs. Nothing special but definitely worth a listen. I appreciate being exposed to something new from the 90's in lieu of much of the older stuff on the list. Title of the album makes me curious about the Japanese experimental film. Not sure if it is worth digging up.
2.47 stars
Fiona Apple
2/5
On the frontside of this listen I vaguely recalled the name Fiona Apple but wouldn't have been able to name a song. My curiosity was piqued by the first couple songs. Seemed like a decent 90's sound with a female vocalist. Maybe this Tidal album could be alright?
Unfortunately it didn't hold up through the remainder of the playtime. It's not awful, but it mainly devolved into a handful of long boring melodramatic songs. I was completely over it by the end of the runtime. Not the worst of the bunch but nothing I'll ever put on again. Pretty skippable overall.
1.67 stars
Taylor Swift
2/5
Though Taylor Swift is probably the biggest artist on the planet right now I'm relatively unfamiliar with her work beyond a handful of radio hits. I went into this listen with pretty low expectations for a handful of reasons. For one, its nearly impossible for an artist of Taylor Swift's level to live up to the hype. Regardless of the quality of Evermore as an album, the Swifty fanbase has blown everything so far out of proportion that it is hard to get a genuine take on it. Another key aspect is that I don't expect that I am anywhere near the target demographic. I can recognize that many popular artists are creating music for a variety of younger mainstream audiences as opposed to a mid-30's father of 2 toddlers. I can typically separate myself from this fact and recognize the music for what it is regardless of whether it is my cup of tea or not. I can admit some forms of radio pop hits can tickle my fancy, including a couple T Swift tracks I've heard in the past.
With that in mind I approached Evermore with an open mind and tempered expectations. It's certainly nothing to herald as amazing, but I found it to be an OK listen. My main criticism is that there's very little that moved the needle in either direction good or bad. All the songs sounded pretty much the same and lived in the same melodramatic alt-pop genre. It felt like a handful of somewhat generic alt-pop songs with some There's a little more emotional edge it was a little more somber and heartfelt than the prior work I had heard from TS. For 60 mins of mainstream pop I guess you can do a lot worse. This didn't do much to make me think Taylor Swift is anything near a transcendent artist, but it also didn't turn me into a hater or make me want to turn it off. Not necessarily looking forward to anything else from Swift on the list.
1.70 stars
Rush
4/5
Not sure why but Rush was unfairly seen as bit of a whipping boy in our household. As I've grown up I've learned to really appreciate them. For a 3-piece band, they bring of ton of diverse and interesting sound. They somehow manage to keep their music simultaneously eclectic yet smooth and effectively arranged.
Heading into this listen I noted that Moving Pictures featured a few of the only Rush songs that I previously knew and liked. After a listen I'm blown away at how good it is. I was hooked for the entirety of the 40-minute listen and will definitely be going back to this again. Tom Sawyer and Limelight are deservedly huge songs but I also really enjoyed some of the extended instrumental sections. Neil Peart is universally recognized as a force to be reckoned with on the drum kit. Alex is no slouch on the guitars and pedals. While Geddy Lee's voice used to really annoy me, over time it has grown on me.
Rush has always had a rabid fanbase and if the rest of their collection is anything like Moving Pictures I understand it. I expect that this album is basically their best version of an album release, but I can't help but think there's a bunch of other stuff I might enjoy from them. At some point I'm going to have to dip my toe into Rush a little bit.
Props to Rush for hooking me with Moving Pictures.
3.70 stars
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Mixed reviews for Rust Never Sleeps for me. This album started out promising with a great opening track. Neil sticks to the solo acoustic sound for the rest of the first half which isn't groundbreaking but is still effective. His style is tried and tested and while Rust Never Sleeps isn't his best work, Side A is still another example of why he should be recognized as one of the greats.
I was surprised how unimpressed I was by Crazy Horse and the entirety of side B. Overall I found it to be very generic filler that I think weakened the overall experience.
It's hard not to feel like Neil Young has too much representation on this list. He's an amazing musician, and I love a ton of his music but some of the entries are a real stretch for something I needed to hear before I die. Nothing against Neil, but a few of his albums should be removed/replaced on this list. Rust Never Sleeps is fine, but overall nothing special.
1.95 stars
Funkadelic
3/5
Out of the gate this album sounded really promising. One Nation Under A Groove is a really fun song with a great bass line and tons of energy. Unfortunately, it's also the high point of the album. The rest of the of it is OK, and has a couple decent segments, but overall it overstays its welcome by the end of it.
I'm glad I got some exposure to George Clinton and Funkadelic between One Nation and Maggot Brain. I appreciate that they bring something different to the table. Their weird unique vibe is fun and while I don't think I'll come back to these albums I'll likely throw a couple Funkadelic tunes on in the future.
2.71 stars
Dagmar Krause
1/5
What did I just listen to? I thought this might be a joke or an incorrect posting on YouTube when I first turned Tank Battles on. Nope. It was in fact nearly an hour of a German woman singing/speaking translated lullabies or fight songs or tall tales from post-war battles or something? There were occasional chuckles at some of the ridiculousness of the whole thing but overall this was rough to get through. I feel I had no reason I had to hear this before I died but maybe there is some other external reason the editors felt this belonged on the list.
1.03 stars
Hugh Masekela
1/5
I would have considered myself somewhat of a jazz fan, but as more entries end up on this list it is becoming clear how hard it is to appreciate in anything other than small bites. I was somewhat into this jazz fusion album for a little while, but I definitely didn't need 70+ minutes of it. 3, maybe 4 songs of this would have been fine. Unfortunately the long playtime and a couple really bad songs at the tail end dragged down what would have otherwise been an OK listen. Hard not to pass on Home Is Where the Music Is as a result. Cut this album into a third and it likely picks up a couple full points.
1.27 stars
Pulp
3/5
Pulp was a band I had heard of but never listened to. I always saw them put in the upper tier of britpop bands with the likes of Blur, Oasis, etc. This was my first real exposure to them and this listen of Different Class showed me that Pulp deserves the praise they get. It's a strong album with some of the signature britpop workings. I dug the solid vocals, simple beats and lines and all of it worked from start to finish for me. A couple solid singles and no real low points on the album.
I continue to be impressed with 90's brit pop as I'm more exposed to it. Looking forward to any other unknown gems to keep popping up on this list.
3.49 stars
Louis Prima
2/5
One of the better examples of 50's music on the list. The songs were mostly high energy romps that were somewhat fun to listen to. I recognized Jump Jive and Wail from the BSO cover. Nothing I need to hear again but Louis Prima, who I wasn't previously familiar with, actually clocks in higher than some of the other earlier more well known artists.
1.67 stars
Muddy Waters
1/5
I don't have much to say about Muddy Waters or At Newport 1960. It's obviously a very forgettable album as I just finished listening to it and can't tell you anything about it. It was passive background music that didn't strike or chord and stand out in any way (good or bad). I'm sure there's some historical significance but none of it translated or remained relevant 65 years later. At least it was relatively short I guess.
1.02 stars
Wire
2/5
Pink Flag was better than expected. It's a bunch of cobbled together punk songs, some of which hardly qualify as so. Despite this, there's something endearing about an album that has such a garage-y sound to it. It makes me feel like I'm just listening to a couple friends jam in the basement before they really find their musical signature. I can recognize how this would be considered a quintessential punk album and a building block for the genre.
I'm not sure I'll listen to it again, but I enjoyed my 30 minutes for what it was. Recommended for a single listen in the right scenario then move on.
2.46 stars
Laibach
1/5
It's not the worst album on the list but I didn't need any aspect of this. It's not entirely out my wheelhouse but there are so many barriers for entry that overall I'd rather just skip this altogether. I'm not huge into industrial metal and don't speak German/Slovenian so this is a pretty big miss for me. I tried to give it a shot but after a while I just wanted it to end.
0.59 stars
Nick Drake
3/5
Didn't know what to expect from Nick Drake but I was pleasantly charmed. It's a decent indie folk album with some unique vocals that I somewhat enjoyed. Nothing hugely jumped out but it was a cozy 40 minutes that went down relatively easy. For some reason it had me thinking of an old sweater knit by your grandmother. It's not your favorite thing to wear but it's comfortable and has some heart in it that makes it special even if its a little ugly or outdated.
It's a decent album with a pretty unique indie sound so I wasn't surprised to see it has been used by Wes Anderson and in the movie Garden State. It lives firmly in the "indie darling" realm which I don't mean as a slight. I'd be curious if any of my friends are familiar with Nick Drake.
2.94 stars
Joy Division
2/5
Joy Division has always been a major head scratcher to me. They are frequently cited as a hugely influential band and listed among many people's must listens. This isn't my first time diving into Joy Division and I still just don't get it. I keep feeling like I'm missing something because their music just ends up so hollow to me. I can't say it's outright bad in any way, but it does little to nothing to resonate with me. I respect that this is an early example of the post-punk movement, but somebody please educate me as to why they are held in such high regard. Until then, they will remain shelved as a band that I find overrated and mostly skippable.
1.76 stars
Jane Weaver
3/5
Even if I don't think I'll become a huge Jane Weaver fan, I wish I had been exposed previously. While Modern Kosmology isn't an amazing album its got some segments in it that I enjoyed for the unique and diverse sound. I appreciate when someone is bringing something else to the table that doesn't feel generic. The main criticism I have for Modern Kosmology is that the songs started to sound the same after 45 minutes. I mostly enjoyed that sound but would like to see what else she can do.
I feel like Jane Weaver has a couple songs up her sleeve that I'd appreciate but not sure I'll spend the time to find them. I need an indie friend who has already combed through her discography to find her best stuff and let me know.
2.67 stars
The Fall
2/5
Some stuff to like, some stuff not to like. For every fun/quality track like The League of Bald Headed Men there was a stinker like Light/Fireworks. The vocals are wild which might have their own unique allure but they definitely detracted from the end product for me.
I imagine The Fall has some quality nuggets in their extensive discography but I'm not willing to sift through it. The Infotainment Scam was an OK listen but not enough to bring me back to the well.
1.72 stars
Bad Company
4/5
Big fan of Paul Rodgers and Bad Company (the band). Bad Company (the album) is such a solid rock debut. Both side A and B are solid with 3 bangers and 1 "miss" but even that is probably too harsh as neither of the off tracks deserve a skip. If I could I would remove 2 songs but it doesn't mean that it's not still a great album. Bad Company (the song) and Seagull remain a couple of my favorite songs and get regular play outside the album.
Hoping Bad Company has at least one more entry on this list. I've always enjoyed them and they hold a special place for me as one of the premier acts to come from Swan Song Records.
3.98 stars
The Specials
3/5
This was a nice little glimpse into to what I expect was early ska/reggae. For the most part it was a pretty fun bop. It hits a lot of the standard ska and reggae beats/notes and was a pretty fun listen. It's not necessarily too long, but I think the ska/reggae sound gets a little tired after more than half an hour. Either way I enjoyed The Specials and had some fun with it.
I could swear I previously heard the A Message To Rudy song elsewhere on this list.
3.34 stars
Marty Robbins
1/5
From the onset of the first note I was worried that this would be a struggle. I expected a collection of outdated country western songs with limited appeal. While that's pretty much what I got it was a little better than my initial judgement. Classic western country is pretty far from my personal taste so I won't be coming back but I didn't struggle with this as much as many other entries on the list. I'm sure there was an era and a setting when this was appealing but as a coastal city boy it just doesn't resonate with me in any way. You can throw one of these on in a late night saloon every now and then but otherwise I'll mostly skip the entire genre.
1.57 stars
Kanye West
3/5
It's hard not to be aware of Kanye West's relatively public and scandalous rise and fall. Despite his huge pop culture influence I hadn't heard any of his music beyond a couple of radio hits many many years ago. I had never delved into any aspect of his early career but have consistently heard from various sources that The College Dropout is a great album. I went in skeptical, but after finishing this listen I have to agree. It's a different take on rap with some pretty catchy tracks and some clever lyrics. It hits on some of the common rap tropes but mostly avoids a lot the standard gangsta rap points that never really worked for me. I had never heard a single song off of The College Dropout and was entertained from start to finish. If he was able to build off of this strong debut I can see how he quickly elevated himself to one of the biggest rappers of his era.
Unfortunately Kanye has certainly had a storied history. He has done himself no favors over the past couple of years which has only served to distance himself from what may once have been a very promising musical career. At this point I think most people look at him as an off-the-rails psycho and largely ignore his music (I know I did prior to this listen).
Glad I was given a reason to give this one a listen. Solid review from my end.
3.18 stars
Suicide
1/5
Not sure what the allure of this one is (if any). Kinda sounds like you are listening to someone on a PA system with minor electronic feedback coming in. I guess that's a unique sound but not sure its one that I need at all. Somehow this was a slog at just over 30 minutes. Not a fan of any form of Suicide.
.75 stars
The Beta Band
2/5
The Beta Band brings some soft electronic rock to the table that works at times and doesn't at others. There's some tracks I enjoyed and some others that did nothing for me. Second half of the album grabbed me a little more than what I heard initially. Not really sure what to say otherwise. It's a middle of the pack album for the most part.
Wish this had been a soundtrack for the comedy masterpiece Hot Shots Part Deux instead.
2.42 stars
Public Enemy
3/5
As I hear more rap albums from this list it's becoming clear that I am a sucker for the old-school hip hop stylings much more than current/contemporary mainstream rap. While I didn't find Fear Of A Black Planet to be the greatest album I can't deny that it has an upbeat energy that resonates more with me than some other examples. FOABP will be chalked up as a fun romp albeit an at times hokey and annoying one. Regardless Chuck D, Flava and company carved out a sound that scratches a certain old school house party itch that I can enjoy at times.
2.87 stars
OutKast
3/5
I was exposed to quite a few songs off this album and remember OutKast's influence at the time this album dropped. Stankonia is a solid entry but is definitely front loaded. The first half has all of the hits and best songs before the back half of the album mostly peters along. That being said it's not a bad listen. Andre definitely has a vocal style that stands out and they mix it up enough to keep it mostly engaging. There's a couple of solid hits that stand the test of time and still make the rounds nowadays.
For some reason I didn't realize the second half of B.O.B. is such a repetitive drag. The second half of the song must have just been skipped when people were playing back in the day.
2.71 stars
Fairport Convention
2/5
I'm getting a little burned out on folk music so I wasn't looking forward to this album. I came away from Fairport Convention relatively pleased. Liege and Lief is nothing amazing but it offered a minstrel-ish sound that is somewhat fun. The female vocals are solid and she is good at telling a compelling story in music form. I think in small doses I can enjoy this but don't need a full album of it. Matty Groves was a fun romp and was the track that stood out the most to me.
While Fairport Convention exceeded my expectations I'll probably never listen to any of this again. I feel like I would bump this up a full point if I was listening to this at a Renaissance Fair.
2.21 stars
Machito
2/5
It was decent but overall forgettable. There's nothing this album does to stand out. Not sure I even recognized when songs ended and the next one began. It's just kinda feels like 30 minutes of any cuban music I've heard in the background at a cantina or elsewhere.
I don't mean it as a criticism of the entire genre but it would be hard for me to tell good cuban mambo from bad cuban mambo. It all sounds like bongos and horns, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but really only works in the correct atmosphere. Kenya isn't awful but I'm not sure it belongs on this list for any reason.
1.62 stars
The Stooges
1/5
Even if I don't love Iggy and The Stooges I appreciated their prior entry for bringing something unique to the table. Raw Power was an attempt at more of a hard rock approach and for some reason it didn't resonate with me. Everything was pretty generic and run of the mill. Raw Power did nothing for me and was overall disappointing from my end.
1.37 stars
The Offspring
4/5
The Offspring kick ass. Smash rocks pretty much from start to finish. 'Nuff said.
Give me more solid 90's rock and I'm going to love it every time. The Offspring had an pretty incredible run in the 90's that is often overlooked and deserves another look. I look forward to (hopefully) at least one more entry from them.
3.69 stars
Rush
4/5
Another well deserved entry by Rush. Really enjoyed the album pretty much the whole way through.
2112 as a song is an awesome sci-fi rock opera that deserves to be heard even if it isn't in your wheelhouse. It tells a succinct story and has a range of segments that add up to a great 20 minute album side. I've known about its influence but never listened to it previously. Would love to see some more concepts like this from Rush and/or others.
Side B is has some decent one-off tracks. Even if it can't hold a candle to 2112 (how could it really?) it's still a solid album side.
Credit to Lee, Peart and Lifeson for a getting their hooks in me through Moving Pictures and 2112. I definitely need to comb through more of their discography. Hoping they have something else that belongs on this list. As for 2112 it's another great entry on 1001 that gave me an excuse to listen.
3.63 stars
The Kinks
2/5
Something Else is something else I guess. Death Of A Clown has always been a favorite of mine for some reason. Harry Rag was kinda fun but otherwise it's a pretty mediocre album.
I echoed it in my prior review that The Kinks somehow manage to sound like they don't take anything seriously yet still manage to put together an OK album. I could swear The Kinks entire existence as a band is some kind of elaborate joke or bit taken too far when they realized they can actually have some success.
2.18 stars
Curtis Mayfield
1/5
There's No Place Like Today didn't really have any bad songs, but it also didn't really have any good songs. It's not terrible but doesn't have any staying power either. Once it wrapped it was basically removed from my mind.
This sounded like if Prince's younger, less talented brother tried to pursued a more jazz oriented funk career and didn't quite hit the mark. Not a complete waste of time, but really nothing I need to hear again.
1.51 stars
Underworld
3/5
I feel like Second Toughest In The Infants is going to be pretty polarizing. It's got a pretty high barrier for entry as not everyone is open to multiple 15+ minute songs. At the same time its one of the best examples of various electronic sub-genres.
While a lot of the tracks are long I was personally drawn in by them. I got lost in a couple of the beats and melodic backgrounds. I found it overall very approachable but would fully understand if someone dismissed as repetitive junk.
This album is the definition of Certain Time/Certain Place. When applied correctly in the right setting Underworld scratches an itch so effectively. I wouldn't fault someone for requesting a skip or "poker stick" if this came on in the wild in the wrong place.
I didn't realize that the original release didn't include Born Slippy which is the best and most well known song by Underworld. While it might knock the album down a peg to not include Born Slippy it was still a good listen (maybe a bit too long at 70+ minutes).
3.03
Beatles
3/5
As much as I love The Beatles I think they are receiving too much attention on 1001. There is no doubt that they had the ability to crank out a multitude of solid 30 minute albums with a bunch of good songs and occasional smash hits. However, the continuous feed of Beatles and individual member albums is softening the impact of their entries.
It's really hard to knock Revolver as it doesn't have many low points. However, after already hearing a bunch of Beatles stuff it doesn't stand out as much as it does in my memories. I think if a few of the prior entries were removed Revolver would be a reminder of how great their catalog is. Unfortunately, for this specific listen it sounded like just another Beatles album unfortunately. It's got a couple of great songs like Eleanor Rigby, but much of the middle/late parts of the album are relatively run of the mill.
The Beatles have the ability to make solid albums seem pedestrian which is an incredible feat. Revolver is a great album and deserves to be discussed as so, but this listen was almost a victim of The Beatles overall success as it didn't move the needle for me as much as it might have if consumed as an independent listen. Credit to The Beatles where it's due but let's pump the brakes on putting every Beatles album on this list.
Reluctant 3.48 stars may have to revisit
King Crimson
1/5
I've been pleasantly surprised by the other prog-rock albums that have shown up on this list. Entries from Rush, ELP and the likes have been getting a healthy bump above my initial expectations.
Unfortunately King Crimson didn't follow this trend. I wanted to like this album it but really couldn't get into it at all. It's a mess of long bland songs and honestly a little annoying. I will be filing this one away for good.
1.22 stars
Slade
2/5
Nothing special but it's always a treat to get a decent rock album from a band I've never heard of. Almost felt like a conglomeration of a handful of 70's rock bands that had one-off hits (Quiet Riot, Ratt, Great White, Warrant, etc.). I can see how Slade could have gotten lost in the mix but it seems like they've been doing their thing for a little while so maybe their albums have some legs. Middle of the pack entry.
2.35 stars
Talk Talk
3/5
Nice little album from Talk Talk. Great melodic melding of sounds from various instruments. Had a couple of somewhat hypnotic tracks that I enjoyed. Good background music for low key activity. I can see how someone might not like it but it worked for me. Might have to check out more by this band.
2.78 stars
Judas Priest
3/5
Judas Priest puts in a pretty solid album that from start to finish. It's got some signature heavy bass/drum, good guitar work and distinct vocals from Rob Halford. While I understand that it is likely a grassroots heavy metal album it's hard for me to wrap my head around it. Due to how the genre has evolved and what it currently represents it's hard for me to lump it into the same place.
It's clear I've previously overlooked some of the early pioneers like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, etc. because I don't consider metal to be one of my favorite genres. As we get through this list I'm realizing that what was once considered heavy metal or hard rock from the 70's is a lighter sound that is much more palatable than I expected. I'm hoping more early heavy metal shows up as I feel I may have unfairly overlooked some quality stuff. Solid marks for British Steel for me.
3.31 stars
Prince
4/5
Purple Rain is an iconic album no doubt. It deserves the praise as it contains a handful of fun hits and wraps with one of the all time ballads with the title track. While it's difficult to divorce the album from the film, if you look at it as just an album it deserves to be on every list.
Say what you will about Prince's personal life or ridiculous antics but the man knew how to write a tune and orchestrate a movement. One of the best showmen ever and Purple Rain is considered his peak by many. His Superbowl halftime show is one of those historical transcendent performances mainly due seeing Purple Rain during a rainstorm.
3.67 stars
The Velvet Underground
2/5
This album was an unexpected slow and grounded approach from The Velvet Underground. It's hard for me to know if this was step in the right or wrong direction as any prior knowledge of Velvet Underground is for the weird, crass and overt nature of their career. In a vacuum this is a completely run of the mill album that I wouldn't expect belongs on this list. Maybe the alternate approach was such a shock that it made some impact. Regardless, it didn't do much for me and will be filed away.
1.66 stars
Bobby Womack
2/5
Didn't realize Bobby Womack was a previously successful R&B artist as my prior exposure was through his work with Gorillaz. I guess I should have figured since Damon Albarn has an incredible eye for talent and continues to collaborate with so many respected musicians. Any appreciation I have for Bobby will always be tied to his involvement and featured tracks with Gorillaz, though I was glad to dip a toe into his solo work with The Poet.
It's an OK album I guess. There's a couple funky tracks that I enjoyed (notably Stand Up) but also some stuff that's skippable. I expect he has some quality nuggets hidden among his discography that I would enjoy, though I have no plans to comb through 40+ years of work. Glad for the exposure but happy to move past.
2.03 stars
Public Enemy
2/5
I've enjoyed the prior Public Enemy albums to decent reviews. Something about this one didn't stick. With 3 entries on the list already perhaps they have overstayed their welcome for me. While it felt mostly like another hour of similar Public Enemy fare, something about this one felt a little more watered down. The production felt like generic beats surrounded by an annoying noises to take you out of it. While Flava carries another aspect of annoyance I still find his Public Enemy hype man additions somewhat endearing for some reason. Either way, this was the weakest of the Public Enemy albums I've heard so far and I'm getting ready to close the book on them for the most part.
2.04 stars
The Doors
4/5
I often forget how into The Doors I was in high school but it's times like this that remind me why. I drank the kool-aid many many years ago, and while I don't listen to The Doors as much anymore (not nearly as much as I should), anytime they come on I find myself defending them as one of the best American bands of all time. This debut album is a perfect example of why.
The makeup of the band created such a distinct style that hasn't been captured otherwise. Jim Morrison is an absolute force on vocals. Crazy to think he was belting some of these tracks out in his early 20's while still growing into the face of the band and an incredible front man. His voice acts as additional instrument with the depth, inflection and timing that help drive the melody beyond just a straight vocal track. He can bark and howl like the best of them and his off-kilter added noises add so much character to the album.
Outside of Jim, Ray Manzarek is the real identity of the band and his organ/piano accompanying his key-bass lines separate them from so many other acts. The range in his solos and depth to his multi-instrument play carve The Doors out as much more than a standard 4-piece band.
Due to the other characters in the band I find John Densmore is underappreciated. His drum work is overlooked in how it punctuates the rest of music. He's happy to sit in the back and carry the engine of the album, but there's some notable drum leads throughout their discography that I feel are overlooked (notably The End on this album).
I've always appreciated Robby Krieger's flamenco guitar style. While this debut album has some of his identity in it, it's amazing how much better Krieger gets as the band grows. The solos and backing guitar are relatively simple on this album which allows more space for Jim and Ray to do their thing. Hard to believe that a relatively notable guitarist might actually be the weak point in a rock band.
All of this adds up to a fantastic debut album from The Doors. Side A is a smash with no weak entries at all. Side B has a lull in the middle but it can't be ignored due to The End and establishing a Doors niche of including a long jam to close an album which I've always personally loved.
Even with their legacy I find The Doors to be slept on. It's incredible what they were able to put together within basically a 5+ year run (excising any work post-Jim). I'll continue to defend The Doors and hope they get additional representation on this list as their work deserves to be heard and discussed beyond occasional radio hits. I could wax poetic about The Doors and this album forever so I'll try to wrap it up. Give me more reasons to listen to The Doors!
4.25 stars
N.W.A.
2/5
Straight Outta Compton is a weird one. It's holds the identity of breaking the LA rap scene and has maintained a legacy that speaks for itself. The album opens with a couple of iconic tracks that helps show the listener exactly why it was such a huge album. Ice Cube, Easy E, MC Ren and Dr. Dre or effectively on display as a new tour du force that continue to have an impact in both the rap scene and LA area many years afterward.
After the opening handful of songs however it really lost a lot of its luster for me. I found myself scratching my head wondering if this was really the same album that hugely influenced the gangster rap scene. It felt like it devolved into some relatively hokey old school rap that didn't line up with the identity of how NWA opened the album.
When it wrapped up I was a little surprised that some of the cornball tracks came from Straight Outta Compton. It's got its moments, it certainly deserves some praise but it didn't hold up as well I would have thought for what I expected from NWA's debut past the first couple tracks.
2.39 stars
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
What an entry by Bob. Even if the 10+ minutes are relatively pedestrian by Marley standards they are still solid reggae songs that firmly outline their sound.
From the title track through the end of the album Exodus really fires on all cylinders though. Side B is pretty much a greatest hits album and includes a couple of Marley's essential songs. Marley has always been a greatest hits artist in my life with nearly all play from the Legend compilation. Exodus feels like a pretty big slice of that pie so it deserves its marks.
3.64 stars
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
Hard one to review. Musically it is relatively minimalist with a simple back beat, some light guitar and miscellaneous orchestration over spoken word vocals. There are a couple upbeat sections that were pretty good. I was initially intrigued by what I was listening to.
Unfortunately I don't speak French so any impact of the lyrics and storyline are completely lost on me. While I read the synopsis, I think a big part of this is being on the ride with the narrator. I'd love to hear an equivalent English version just to get a sense of it.
1.60 stars
The Police
3/5
Strong finish from The Police. I mean that by saying the last 5 songs on their final album are an example of some of their best work. Unfortunately the first half of the album is mostly skippable, so Synchronicity is a mixed bag. The Police have a wide range in their music. The stuff that works is great, the stuff that doesn't is boring. You get a bit of both here.
2.70 stars
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
Was pleased to see Nick Cave on the list again as his prior entries have been pretty good for an artist I was previously unfamiliar with. He had proven to be a competent songwriter with some pretty varied rock roots with a band that dabbled in other genres.
Unfortunately The Boatman's Call swayed way way too far from what I previously appreciated. I have a pretty wide range so I tried to keep an open mind. Maybe this would be a fresh look at something new and different from Nick Cave? Nope. Instead we got a painfully slow acoustic album with a couple really somber segments. This album dragged from song 1 all the way through. I tried to hold on and keep an open mind but it was pretty insufferable by the end of it. I couldn't wait for this to finish and don't ever want to hear this again. This was like taking all the worst parts of a bad Bruce Springsteen's acoustic albums and making it drag even more. Overall a painful listen.
I get that this could be a critical darling forbringing something different from Nick Cave but this was a surprisingly huge miss for me.
1.04 stars
The Allman Brothers Band
2/5
Wasn't expecting much from another long live album. Was actually pretty pleased with what I got. 20-minute songs aren't the norm but I'm usually on board to give them a listen. You get to hear some of the inter-band interaction and how personnel play off of each other. There are plenty of much worse examples of this than what we got on this Allman Brothers album. While there are some sections that are just noodling around there are also some pretty tight segments mixed into the jams that I enjoyed.
Long jams aren't everybody's cup of tea but I've always kinda enjoyed them.
2.49 stars
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs are a little polarizing for me, primarily because of Karen O. At times she is a fun icon of modern female rock and roll. Other times she toes the line of approaching Yoko One obnoxious BS. Luckily it is the former the vast majority of the time as opposed to the latter, much in the way that a lot of Yeah Yeah Yeahs music is a fun new take on rock music. When it works (Maps, Y Control) its pretty damn good. When it doesn't work I'm close to turning it off and leaving (Modern Romance). Fever To Tell has more than enough good stuff to make up for any misses but not sure I can say the same for the rest of their collection. A solid entry that I have no qualms including on the list.
2.74 stars
Jane's Addiction
2/5
There was truly Nothing Shocking about this album. It's not a snooze, nor is it anything exciting. I find the biggest hits from it are pretty mediocre. At the same time the deep cuts were also mediocre. I guess that's something to praise?
I must be missing something because I've always found Jane's Addiction to be overrated and nothing special. Not sure how they were placed in such high regard but maybe you had to be there when they were breaking. This album is a pretty accurate example of them. Filed in the "meh" department and moving on.
2.17 stars
Burning Spear
1/5
Felt like some pretty run of the mill reggae. It wasn't bad but it also wasn't great either. Not sure there was anything special about it in any way. Felt like something that I could play in the background of any cantina in an island nation and I wouldn't have noticed it at all.
1.26 stars
Ash
1/5
A 90's irish pop punk rock album with a handful of singles? Seemed like something that I would enjoy so I went into this hoping I might be introduced to a new band. I was surprised how much of a miss this was for me. Maybe there is something more buried in this but I felt like I was hit with a bunch of generic rock songs that had too much reverb and distortion so it kinda drowned out any of the detail. I didn't dig the vocal style in any way and can't tell you anything about the supporting instrumentals. After 30 mins I was mostly tuned out just trying to get through it. I'd never heard of Ash before and there is no reason for me to revisit them after this. On paper I feel like I should have enjoyed this but after a listen this is a skippable album for me.
1.28 stars
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Relatively short, straight to the point, southern/bayou rock songs with just enough twang to differentiate them from other acts. CCR quickly figured out a formula that works. Fogerty gets it done again with a pretty solid album. A couple of their best songs appear and the deep cuts are more of the same reliability you expect. Crazy to think they were prolific enough to pump out 3 albums in a single year, each that had a couple of singles/hits.
Liked this one a bit more than Bayou Country.
3.13 stars
Ramones
3/5
While overall I'm not a huge Ramones guy I can recognize that they are punk rock icons. This first album is an early example of high energy beats, simple guitar lines and basic lyrics with some edge that shaped the genre. Even if it doesn't resonate much with me I can appreciate how influential it must have been at the time. My biggest issue is that it sounds like they only wrote 1-2 songs and just recorded slightly different forms 14 times on this album. It's still an OK listen nearly 50 years later so I guess it has that going for it.
Ramones logos and shirts have always been more of a visual icon than an audio thing in my life. I suspect many of my peers growing up in my generation were more so representing punk as a genre rather than Ramones specifically.
2.52 stars
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
Maybe I'm missing something here because what I got was a somewhat pretentious collection of experimental noise rock instead of something that was "potentially timeless", "absolutely breathtaking" or "utterly contemporary". Not sure what makes this "universally acclaimed" but consider me a skeptic. This album reeks of hipster bullshit rhetoric from critics about how "moving" and "deep" it is.
Second half of the album gets a little better as it falls into some more melodic shoegaze songs that at least have a semblance of rhythm and musical structure, but even that is being a little generous. There's certainly worse on 1001 but not sure MBV is anything for me to write home about. Maybe I had to be there when My Blood Valentine was evidently "pioneering" the shoegaze genre.
This album is "decidedly mediocre at its best" and "quite bad in its execution" by me.
1.34 stars
Robbie Williams
3/5
Life Thru A Lens was a pretty generic pop rock album for me on this listen. It's not bad, not great. Has a couple songs that I can see why they might resonate or become minor hits upon release. It's mostly forgettable but is perfectly fine filler music for most occasions.
What I didn't know was how big of an artist Robbie Williams is/was. His popularity never extended stateside so I wasn't familiar with him previously. A CGI monkey ingesting copious amounts of drugs and acting like a cheeky asshole for 2 hours gave me the perfect context as to why this album belongs on this list. Robbie Williams has a crazy story and it is best viewed through the filter of a digital monkey partaking in classic boy-band turned rock star antics.
Album gets 2.50 stars.
Better Man biopic also gets 2.50 stars.
CGI monkey get 5.0 stars.
Primal Scream
3/5
I feel like I may have previously heard of this album strictly due to the track titled Trainspotting. Despite this I didn't really know what to expect going in. First half of the album didn't do much to grab me. Second half was much better with a couple songs I enjoyed. Not sure what puts this on the 1001 but I guess its got a pretty good mix of some unique sounds. There isn't much I would knock it on. Middle of the pack entry which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
2.73 stars
The Who
2/5
I guess I didn't realize how much of the early The Who were basic R&B covers. I like quite a lot of The Who's catalog but this early debut album doesn't move the needle much for me. I get that they became a huge act but very little on My Generation (other than the title track maybe) did anything to stand out. This sounded like it could have been by pretty much any act from the 60s. The one thing I noted is that Roger Daltrey's range on his vocals is more than I would have expected from a 20 year old. His style has always seemed pretty consistent and dialed in so it was weird to hear some alternate songs with him crooning old blues hits.
I want to give this higher marks for The Who's legacy, but at surface value I don't think My Generation is anything notable. It's a pretty run of the mill early rock album with mostly misses as opposed to hits. Not sure this was something I needed to hear before I died.
1.68 stars
Bob Dylan
2/5
Even if it isn't my thing this is closer to the Dylan sound that I associate him with. Blood On The Tracks is probably his most competent album in my eyes. It opens with Tangled Up In Blue which is one of his best songs. From there it's a lot of his signature folk with acoustic guitar, harmonica and simple backing beats. There are a couple of decent tracks in the mix that are worth a listen.
Blood On The Tracks is probably the best execution of Dylan's signature formula so I have no issue with it being on this list. This is one of the few examples of a Dylan album that I don't have to suffer through after 15 minutes. Not looking forward to more Dylan but I'll try to go in with an open mind.
1.94
Korn
2/5
Nu Metal as a genre commonly gets picked on (deservedly). As much as it tries to have edge or attitude something about it comes off as lame. Korn is a perfect example of this. While they had/have somewhat of a following there's a certain lameness associated with them. Follow The Leader is a pretty ridiculous album and not one that I enjoyed much on the listen. The best thing I can say about this album is that it transported me completely back to the time of its release.
1.87 stars
Curtis Mayfield
2/5
Kinda weird to see a movie soundtrack on this list. It's pretty crazy that the soundtrack managed to out-gross the movie it is associated with. I'm not familiar with the film, but after listening to the album I can see why. I don't have much familiarity with the soul genre but it felt like it hit a lot of the signature sounds I associate with the genre. It's a pretty solid 30-minute soul album with a couple tracks that I can see applied to a movie. I don't expect I'll ever listen to this again but I didn't mind the 30 minutes I got.
2.43 stars
The Cars
4/5
What an incredible debut by The Cars. It's basically hit after hit for 35 minutes. They bring a great sound with mixed vocals, some good guitar and keyboard lines and a couple of off-the-beaten path tracks that work.
I guess you could improve it by removing the final song, but even that song isn't bad. Just rename this The Cars Greatest Hits and call it a day.
Been looking forward to this album and it delivered. Full marks.
4.38 stars
Talking Heads
4/5
Talking Heads 77 is a pretty perfect intro to the band. It's a great mix of some unique varied songs with just the right amount of weirdness from David Byrne's vocals to help you realize that Talking Heads were bringing something new to the table. While I hold their later albums in higher regard I found myself really enjoying the debut album on this listen. It doesn't carry many of their longtime hits outside of Psycho Killer, but it's got a couple of other fun tracks that I'll go back to. I think Talking Heads got better as they grew through their discography but 77 still belongs on the list.
3.81 stars
Pretenders
3/5
Pretty cool debut album. I'll always appreciate when a band can carve out a fresh sound from the get-go. Pretenders did exactly that by bringing a modified punk rock edge to the 80's rock scene. Chrissie Hynde's vocals have a lot of character that stand out from other female vocalists of the time. The backing instrument tracks are varied and still contemporary many years on.
While I have certainly been exposed to Pretenders I feel like I should get them into my rotation more. They seem like a band that is slept on that could have some other stuff in their collection I might enjoy. Solid entry.
3.33 stars
Snoop Dogg
3/5
What a trip to get a taste of the up-and-coming youthful Snoop. He's been such a TV personality known for his weed smoking and other extra-curriculars for so long that I almost forgot that at one point he was a very well respected rapper. I wasn't exposed to Doggystyle (beyond Gin and Juice many years later) or much of his early work so it was nice to sit and actually listen to this album in unison. I can see why its held in high regard. Snoop is smooth with his lyrics and has a nice flow that resonates really well with the background production. None of the songs jumped out at me as smash hits, but the whole composition was a pretty enjoyable ride that cruised by. I much prefer this style of hip hop rap (G-Funk I guess) to other contemporary gangsta rap sub genres even if none of it is really in my wheelhouse.
I was too young to really be exposed or appreciate much of Snoop's musical heyday so to me he has always been kinda a clown that shows up on radio hits/remixes of pop songs or reality show bullshit. Snoop Dogg/Lion/Zilla is character no doubt, and I'm glad he at least has a sense of humor to take the piss out of himself or show up and lean into the ridiculousness. I'll always appreciate that about him. Props to him on Doggystyle which I've always heard is a great album and I'd agree belongs on the list.
3.01 stars
Slint
1/5
Not sure why anyone thinks that what I just listened was something I need to hear before I die. It was 30 minutes of pretty annoying minimalist emo bullshit. This felt like a band that would play in the background of an edgy teen coffee house in a small east coast venue. Fifteen minutes in minutes in any actual customers would wonder why this coffee house allowed some angsty teenagers to plug in instruments so they would finish up their cups and disperse. Never heard of Slint and I wish that were still the case. I would actually like my 40 minutes back on this one.
0.51 stars
Ananda Shankar
2/5
Sitar is an instrument that I respect the hell out of and enjoy in small doses. Unfortunately that doesn't always translate to appreciation of Indian, or other sitar-lead music. It's cool in doses but doesn't keep me hooked most of the time.
It's not often that sitar crosses over into American rock, but every now and then it effectively does so. There are a handful of incredible examples (Do It Again - Steely Dan, some Beatles stuff) but those are relatively few and far between. Ananda Shankar manages to bridge the gap pretty well with his debut album. The Jumping Jack Flash and Light My Fire tracks are cool for offering an alternate take on some familiar songs. Other parts of the album feature some good example of some sitar-fusion. The longer more traditional tracks are the weakest part of the album for me but I can appreciate them on a single listen. I don't think I'll delve any deeper into Ananda Shankar but I'm glad I had an excuse to listen to this even if it isn't the strongest entry on the list.
2.23 stars
Patti Smith
1/5
From the very first note and opening lyric of "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine" I was worried about this. I was pleased to find that I was not in line for a 45 minute gospel album. However, I wasn't thrilled with what I got either. Patti Smith's Horses was a mix of annoying and pretentious poetry rock that was a pain to get through. I get that she attempted to bring a punk rock edge to this but it just didn't work for me. A couple songs were listenable but the majority of the album had me itching for a skip button. Patti is a miss for me.
1.09 stars
Jefferson Airplane
2/5
Jefferson Airplane is mostly fun psychedelic rock. A lot of it is relatively middling, but they have some nuggets sprinkled in. Surrealistic Pillow is overall an OK listen with most of the heavy lifting done by Somebody to Love and White Rabbit which are good enough to elevate the rest of the album. I'll never delve deep into their discography but I'm never upset when they pop up now and then. Middle of the pack album which isn't always a bad thing.
2.32 stars
Screaming Trees
3/5
Surprised I had never heard of Screaming Trees. They seem like a second tier 90's grunge rock band which isn't a bad thing. Dust is a pretty solid album with some relatively melodic grunge sounds. I imagine these guys didn't get much airplay just because of how much grunge competition there was at the time but I would have liked to have been exposed to the sooner. Enjoyable background listen.
2.93 stars
The Yardbirds
2/5
I've only previously been exposed to The Yardbirds through greatest hits. I'm always impressed by their history but have never gone out of my way to listen to their albums. It was nice to have an excuse to check out Roger the Engineer which was a decent 60's rock album. There's still a lot of blues influence but it scratches a certain itch that The Yardbirds were always good at. It's a fine album, nothing special, but I do feel like The Yardbirds deserve an entry.
2.44 stars
The Vines
4/5
Nice album from The Vines from down under. They bring a good rock sound that sounds great pretty much all the way through the 40 minute album. A couple quick hits, a couple slower songs, some varied vocals, good solos, solid drumwork. Highly Evolved has a little bit of everything and nearly all of it works.
This is one of the better finds off this list for a band I was unfamiliar with previously. I'll have to check out some of their other hits to see if they were able to keep it going.
3.72 stars
Lou Reed
4/5
I've always been a fan of Lou Reed for some reason. There's something about his vocal style that resonates with me. I've known a handful of songs off Transformer but not sure I've ever listened to it in unison. I was glad to put this album on and very satisfied with what I got. Lou's casual loopy vocals and simple backing music are a treat to listen to.
Side A is excellent and will start to get more regular play from me. Side B tapers off but is still a decent listen. Take A Walk On The Wild Side is undoubtedly the biggest hit but I've always had a soft spot for Perfect Day which is my favorite song on the album.
All in all Transformer is fun entry that certainly belongs on the list. Glad to see another Gorillaz collaborator show up. Love that Lou gets some representation outside of Velvet Underground (who did little to impress me).
3.58 stars
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
To be honest I wasn't super excited for another Yeah Yeah Yeahs album coming off the heels of the prior entry only a couple weeks ago. I tried to go in with an open mind and lucky for me It's Blitz! surpassed their previous entry and was a very solid album. I'm not sure what they did differently, but something about it produced a very effective indie/alt rock album from start to finish. Each song has its own style and hook yet it remains a cohesive overall collection. I really have no criticism through the 41 minutes of the album as it kept me interested from start to finish. Credit to Yeah Yeah Yeahs for following up their debut with a very good sophomore album.
3.57 stars
Julian Cope
3/5
Not sure exactly what to say about Julian Cope or Peggy Suicide. It's a decent psych rock album I guess. It almost feels like a support act or someone who would tour and play side gigs with Phish or similar jam bands to me.
There's couple groovy songs on Peggy Suicide but also some filler. I feel like this would have benefited from trimming some fat and releasing a tighter 45 minute album instead of the 75 minute album we got.
Julian Cope seems like an artist that I would enjoy catching midday at a festival. A low stakes set where I could just lay back, enjoy some vibes then move along to something else. I have a fondness for this style of music but I wouldn't begrudge anyone who says its not their thing.
2.71 stars
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
It's better than most of Springsteen's discography post 1987 which for the most part over the last 35+ years is barely listenable bullshit. That isn't saying much because the majority of The Rising is a bunch of mediocre rock songs. Unfortunately The Rising is also 70+ minutes so its even more of a commitment than some of his other garbage.
I've tried to give him a chance and have established that I'm just not a fan of Bruce beyond his first couple E Street albums, and even those are just OK. I give him credit as he somehow managed to carve out an enormous fanbase. He ended up branded as the king of workingman's rock so he was give full license to spoon feed his fans a bunch of obnoxious bullshit which they somehow take inspiration from. Props to The Boss for riding the wave I guess. I, myself, will pass on 95% of what he offers. Not looking forward to more from Springsteen but I suspect there are at least 2 more albums coming.
1.56 stars
The Cramps
2/5
I guess it's a different take on garage punk I guess. Almost seemed like they don't take it seriously and just want to get on stage, act like a bunch of clowns and sling some weird punk songs at you. I really couldn't tell if they were good musicians as it mainly comes off as manic punk vocals with a steady back beat. It's not the worst thing but it also gets annoying pretty quickly as most songs sound the same. 30 minutes was about all I needed of that.
2.09 stars
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
I figured this album would show up on the list. I've never listened to it unison so I was glad for the opportunity. It's a pretty well known blues rock album that checks a lot of boxes with some jams and noodling from Clapton and company. I've never been huge on the Little Wing cover, Bell Bottom Blues is a good track and there's a couple other decent songs sprinkled into the mix. The album is definitely too long so I think a few songs should been trimmed to make it a more palatable listen. The main thing that becomes evident when you finish is that the song Layla is so far ahead of anything else on the album.
I can enjoy an occasion blues jam every now and then, but not sure I need to listen to Layla beyond the title track again. Clapton was king at one point, but I'm not sure a lot of his earlier work has held up that well. He's a legendary guitarist no doubt, but I don't care to listen to a lot of his catalog beyond the big hits. Even worse so now that he has emerged as a grade A butthead.
2.23 stars
The Smiths
2/5
Morrissey has always been a mixed bag. Some of his songwriting is intriguing. Some of his tunes are catchy. A lot of his stuff is depressing and melodramatic. The Queen Is Dead is a good mix and most of it worked for me this time around.
2.46 stars
Queen
4/5
I didn't recognize a single song off of Queen II other than Seven Seas of Rye and I was still impressed. The first half (Side White) was unexpectedly heavy and doesn't carry much of the musical flair that I expect from Queen, however it was still enjoyable. They get a bit closer to their signature sound on Side Black which remains solid all the way through. I've always known the hits but Queen once again proves that their albums offer something different and deserve to be on the list.
3.57 stars
The KLF
3/5
I really enjoyed this listen to The White Room. It's a very accessible electronica album that mixes electronic beats with enough basic vocals to break it up. While not everyone is looking for a techno club mix, I feel the way it integrates some vocals and interludes gives it a little wider appeal than just your typical club kid/raver. There's a couple of tracks that work as obvious singles that I could see myself throwing on in the right setting.
Really nice to get some electronica representation on here. I've never heard specifically of The KLF but it sounds like something my brother would have been playing in the early 2000's. I'm curious to check out the Director's Cut version of the album which I will try to revisit.
2.88 stars
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Unfortunately Peter Gabriel's debut solo album is a little too erratic for me. It's a valiant attempt to do something different and break out of the Genesis box, but it's too many ingredients throw into a blender. It showcases some of the roots of what would become his successful solo act, but for my money Peter Gabriel (Car) has too many experimental songs that almost sound as if they are trying to be artsy for artsy's sake. It may have been a better album if it was reeled in tad. I like what Peter Gabriel's solo work morphed into, but this initial record isn't something that I'll come back to. It's not terrible, just mostly skippable in a sea of other more notable work.
2.26 stars
U2
3/5
War isn't an album that moves the needle for me. It's an OK U2 entry, but nothing special. Side One is significantly stronger and includes the 2 biggest hits, while Side Two is mostly forgettable. I'm a fan of U2, but there are other albums by them that I would prefer to see on this list over War. Not sure this is one I need to hear before I die, even if it isn't bad, it's just mediocre.
2.50 stars
Wu-Tang Clan
3/5
Wu Tang Clan has always been a blind spot for me. I've always heard they are an influential rap group but somehow managed to incidentally avoid them. I've known about the various members that have come and gone but wouldn't have known any of their music beyond some titles that have become external pop culture references (CREAM, Protect Ya Neck, Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin to Fuck With, etc.).
I went in with an open mind and was pleased with 36 Chambers. The rap is enjoyable with good contributions from a handful of members, Method Man being the highlight for me. The backing music is varied and a little more artistic than I've come to expect from rap/hip-hop. Overall a pretty solid rap album that I would put on the higher end of the genre from this list so far.
I can appreciate Wu Tang's contributions to the art and will always loved that they share my love and respect for old school martial arts movies. Bonus points awarded as I recently watched The 36th Chamber of Shaolin for the first time and really enjoyed it (along with many other Shaw bros. classics). Good stuff.
3.07 stars
Tim Buckley
1/5
I haven't minded Tim Buckley's prior entries but I did not enjoy my listen of Happy Sad. This was 6 really long, slow, annoying songs that left my mind as soon as they were over. Even 44 minutes started to feel like a drag. Not sure Tim Buckley needs 2 yet alone 3 entries on this list. Maybe his influence reaches farther than I'm aware of but I'm losing interest as I get more exposure to him. I'd vote this one off personally.
1.24 stars
Tortoise
3/5
Never heard of Tortoise so I didn't know what to expect when this hit the list. After the listen I really appreciate the blend of various alt-genres that I just heard. This is listed as post-rock jazz fusion but I'm not really sure that paints the right picture. I'm not sure how I would refer to it that would capture the mood but regardless it was a very nice blend of a various instrumental segments some of which provide some great vibes.
It's no easy task to create a 20+ minute song that keeps the attention of the listener all the way through. Tortoise managed to do that with the opening track on MNLWN. I would call Djed the high point of the album basically encompassing the first half. There are some other nuggets within the remaining tracks that I also enjoyed, but also some stuff that could go (axe A Survey please). All in a all a very nice entry on the list from a completely unknown artist and style.
3.21 stars
The Mothers Of Invention
1/5
Frank Zappa has a reputation for being weird for the sake of weird. This basically describes We're Only In It For The Money. It's hard to even call it an album as its mostly a bunch of joke-songs that don't really work beyond a surface level listen, and even less so if you take them at an individual level. I assume this album made a splash at the time due to the album artwork and direct attack/satire of pop culture in its moment. I imagine the shock value is the reason for its inclusion in the list which I guess is reason enough considering some of the other entries. I didn't enjoy the listen but i guess I appreciate my exposure to a piece of dated pop culture and getting another snapshot of Zappa's inscrutable legacy. Nearly 60 years removed in the current internet age this is a skippable relic with little to no relevance. I'll file this away as a weird novelty that I'm glad I heard even if I didn't like it.
1.12 stars
Fugees
2/5
For some reason I thought I would enjoy this more than I did, though I'm not really sure why. It's not that I'm an established Fugees fan, more that I've been aware of their influence for some time and for some reason had preconceived notions that I hold them in high regard. I've had Killing Me Softly in my Liked list forever and after this listen I actually decided to take it off. It's not that it'd bad, it's more that I'm not sure why I thought I liked it so much.
I got through the album and basically shrugged my shoulders as to what the buzz was all about. Second half hooked me more than the first half but that isn't saying much as I couldn't tell you much about it. The beats are simple, the vocals are basic and melodic (which is fine) but the interludes between songs are pretty annoying. Wyclef, Ms. Lauren Hill and Pras just basically whiffed on me. Maybe it was the time and place when I listened to it but The Score didn't feel like much of a score.
1.73 stars
Stan Getz
2/5
Far better than any prior jazz or samba entries. That isn't saying much since the bar is set so low but I found myself actually enjoying parts of this. 30 minutes was about all that was necessary as the songs all start to sound the same after a bit. It can work as a pleasant background piece if you need something to fill the silence I guess.
1.88 stars
The Velvet Underground
2/5
Admittedly this is probably The Velvet Underground album that I enjoyed the most. That isn't a low bar to cross as the prior entries have been mediocre at best. White Light / White Heat has a couple entries that I enjoyed in the first half, most notably The Gift due to its fun spoken word story. The rest of the album is mostly random nonsense. The "noisy improvisation" doesn't work for me outside of acting as a novelty act for a minute or two. Any good grace built up from the first couple songs on White Light / White Heat is gone long before you hit Sister Ray which is a drag regardless of the subject matter or backstory.
Not sure The Velvet Underground deserves 3 albums on the list let alone 2. I understand that they are a notable slice of music history but I find this mostly to be outside of musical reasons. Without the Warhol connection or banana peel album cover I think this band would be entirely skippable. I'm sure they made their splash in their era, but almost none of it holds up over time. Give them a spot on the list for whatever reason you want to justify then spare us the remainder of their collection otherwise.
2.32 stars
Deep Purple
3/5
Outside of Smoke On The Water my prior exposure to Deep Purple was cursory at best. I figured they were just another 80s band that had a couple hits and faded out. Surprised to see that they are a RnR Hall of Fame member.
I wasn't really on board with the first couple of songs. By the end I'll admit it had won me over. It's nothing amazing but I ended up enjoying In Rock. A couple long jams get a little redundant as they sound like they use the same drumlines over and over, but the guitar and keyboard work stands out at times and reels you in. Overall In Rock is a decent formula for a hard rock album. I don't plan to come back to In Rock or really venture further into Deep Purple but it was fine use of 40 minutes.
2.72 stars
The Who
2/5
As much as I'm a fan of The Who, I'm not sure they need 4 albums on this list. Especially when one of them is a live album without anything really new to offer. You get an alternate side of the The Who from a live standpoint, but I found most of the album rather pedestrian. The Who has a reputation for their live shows due to smashing guitars and claiming the title of "loudest band" but Live At Leeds doesn't do much to transport me there. It's got a couple of good cuts, and at 30 minutes is a pretty decent listen. However, it's just another live album on this list that would be better used elsewhere.
2.28 stars
Nirvana
4/5
I've always had a fondness for this album. It's a really approachable and satisfying album from front to back. It's got a ton of range as I've heard the likes of Nirvana die-hards to grunge-haters to grandparents from their first listen all chime in as to why MTV Unplugged is a great album. It accomplishes a very rare feat that it resonates with nearly everyone and is deserving of a play in almost all scenarios.
While I hold MTV Unplugged in very high regard, I can't in my mind qualify it as an all-timer. I really enjoy it but I don't hold live albums in nearly as high a regard as the actual show/act is so much of what makes a performance special. MTV Unplugged however serves as a great glimpse from a different perspective that helps round out the band's reputation. You get some exposure to the character of Nirvana without the distortion and grunge production that made them famous. When I was younger I didn't realize so much of the albums are cover tracks (many of them improvements) but it doesn't detract from Nirvana's ability to assemble a really palatable song that stands the test of time.
4.05 stars
Television
4/5
I've only ever heard of Television from their reputation coming up in New York's famous CBGB. Can't say I had ever heard a song by them previously which is really unfortunate as I quite enjoyed Marquee Moon. The 8 tracks included are a fun romp featuring some really great guitar work and a couple of extended jams that keep you hooked all the way through.
I've previously heard of Television as an indie-darling and one of the pioneers of the art rock/punk scene and can totally agree. This was a nice entry on the list and I'm glad to have gotten the exposure. I'll be checking out some of Television's other top tracks to see what else they can offer. One of the better surprises on the list so far.
3.81 stars
Marilyn Manson
1/5
This is one is really tough to review. I tried to go in with an open mind but expected this to be an hour of drivel that I would struggle to get through. While it's overall not something I want to listen to again I'll admit I was surprised that there are actually a few segments of listenable music buried within the 71 minute ridiculous antichrist opera. The main issue is that it is loaded with the expected overdone goth/horrorcore lyrics and bullshit that only seem to serve an angsty teenage audience. As soon as you realize that Marilyn Manson is a blowhard shitbag only trying to upset the norm you realize how obnoxious and stupid the whole thing is.
In a post-internet world where shock value is such a normal selling point and the content comes and goes so quickly its easy to see how its/his cultural relevancy is minimal at this point, but would have rocked the world upon release. It's easy to see how some of the rumors were exaggerated and percolated for Marilyn Manson and everything surrounding his act. Even if it's not my cup of tea I guess I would say that Antichrist Superstar is effective as I think it did exactly what Marilyn Manson was going for. I was too young or uninterested in any of this at the time, but I recall some of the cultural zeitgeist and uproar against Marilyn Manson. It seems like an act almost entirely built on shock value and pushing the envelope from name(s) to subject matter to the ensuing act played out on stage. Antichrist Superstar appears to have played it pretty perfectly. The fact that MM and his tour had church protests and state-wide bans seems like it only fulfilled his goal fed the bullshit machine that Marilyn Manson curated.
I'm am able to easily ignore nonsense like this and know that its staying power is limited once people realize the entire point of this is to troll or get a rise out of an audience. Marilyn Manson had no choice but to continue to double down on his antics throughout his career which only has so long of a leash. People eventually lost patience and over time he was exposed as a douche which surprised almost nobody. Marilyn Manson will remain as something I ignore and chalk up as stupid bullshit outside of this list. In the long run Antichrist Superstar was about what I expected.
1.36 stars
Suede
3/5
Maybe Suede is bigger in England or have a far reaching influence that I'm unaware of because I didn't find anything special about this debut album. It's an OK listen but it does little to differentiate itself from a handful of other albums by bands that never hit the big time. A couple of the singles were OK but the rest of the album was mostly just filler. Even though its only 45 minutes long, the album starts to run together and by the end of it I'm not sure I could really tell you anything of detail about what I listened to. Starting to realize why despite being a fan of britpop Suede was never on my radar.
Looks to be pretty in line with my prior review of Dog Man Star by Suede. Very middle of the pack.
2.58 stars
Linkin Park
4/5
When Linkin Park debuted with Hybrid Theory and made their rise over the next couple years I didn't think much of them/it. It wasn't until 15 years later that I looked back and realized that they had compiled 15+ hits and that I had been a passive fan for a major part of my life. I did a deep dive through their discography and found out how much I enjoy a lot of their music. I'm not sure how they pulled it off but they managed to carve out an effective niche by somehow combining light elements from a handful of genres that I'm not really big on (rap, nu metal, screamo, etc.). It doesn't quite make sense but somehow it works and managed to gain pretty wide appeal. Perhaps it was just the right amount of angst and experimentation to work at the turn of the millennium.
I remember how big Hybrid Theory was on its release. The hits that made the band have proven their enduring power and have remained relevant for 25 years even in the wake of Chester's passing. The deeper cuts have grown on me over time and really round out the album well. For better or worse Hybrid Theory's tracks are pretty formulaic as you can almost expect the same distorted guitar-riff amp up as Chester prepares to belt out his next anger-laden chorus. While it's become an aspect of their identity I wouldn't fault anyone for tuning out Linkin Park citing the anger and yelling as unpleasant.
As much as I like Hybrid Theory I think Linkin Park improved over their next couple albums. I'd love to see Meteora or Minutes to Midnight show up on this list but I'll be surprised if they get a nod. Here's to hoping though. All in all Hybrid Theory is a really effective debut that established LP's style and formula right from the get go. I appreciate that they softened and refined themselves as they grew but I can't knock Hybrid Theory for putting them on the map. Even if it isn't my favorite LP album it is a deserving entry.
3.68 stars
Nick Drake
3/5
A couple songs in I was prepared to mostly tune it out and chalk it up as a generic folk album. As the album continued it managed to get its hooks in me and by the end of it I was pleased with the entry. While I expected some smooth guitar and steady vocals there's something to the depth of what is featured on Five Leaves Left that make it stand out from the crowd. Nick Drake's voice has a soft gravel/husk that pulled me in. It features some nice guitar lines that are varied just enough to keep the album interesting. Five Leaves Left is a folk album on the surface but there's a little more to it than that. Hard to explain without giving it a listen. I'm not sure I'll ever put it on again myself but if I ran into organically in the wild I wouldn't mind.
2.82 stars
Black Sabbath
4/5
Now realizing that this album is considered the starting point of heavy metal I realize I need to redefine the genre in my mind and revise my stance on my fandom. What was once considered heavy metal is so much smoother and melodic than I expected. I've admittedly slept on Black Sabbath as I wouldn't call myself a heavy metal fan. Now getting some exposure to their early discography I realize I've been wrong about the early roots of metal.
Black Sabbath's debut is a very solid album with some great tunes. Ozzie' young voice is raw and melodic while the darker lyrics add a lot of character to the mix. Iommi's guitar work is great and really drives the album behind Ozzie's vocals. Not sure why the likes of Black Sabbath didn't get more airplay in my youth. I definitely need to give these guys their due as they've been a blind spot for me for too long.
3.59 stars
Alice In Chains
2/5
I've always considered Alice In Chains the odd man out from the popular 90's Seattle scene. Something about their sound never resonated with me. They were lucky to get caught up in the wave of their more talented peers in my opinion.
Dirt was yet another example of this. After 60 minutes I was ready to shrug my shoulders and move on completely unmoved. For the time being I will continue to hit the skip button on AIC. I won't fault anyone who is a fan of them, but I wonder what it is I am missing because they do nothing for me.
2.12 stars
The The
3/5
This album came out of the gates pretty strong. I was excited for the new take and alt rock approach of Infected, Into the Blue an Heartland. Unfortunately the best song was the opening song and it slowly downgraded as it progressed. It's not a bad album, it just didn't keep me reeled in like I was hoping after the first couple songs. It didn't completely lose me, but finished in the realm of mediocre when all was said and done. Solid effort from The The but probably not something I'm going to come back to.
2.77 stars
The Fall
2/5
I'm not sure what about This Nation's Saving Grace made it something I need to listen to before I die or why The Fall has 3 albums on this list. The prior entries have mostly been mediocre British punk. This album was more of the same with no stand out tracks for me. Some of the songs were redundant and annoying at times. Overall it landed firmly in the "yawn" category where I'm not sure why this deserves an entry. Any favor I had with The Fall has been eroded by having to listen to 3 relatively mediocre albums already. I'd vote to remove this one personally.
2.16 stars
The Black Keys
3/5
The Black Keys were seemingly everywhere for a few years in my late-college run. I wasn't aware they had been active since 2002 but they really made a splash and hit the big time in 2010/2011 on the heels of Brothers and the smash follow up El Camino. Both albums had radio hits that seemed to scratch a certain alt-rock itch. While El Camino is the better album, Brothers is what put them on the map for me. I was exposed to a lot of the songs on this album but don't believe I had ever listened to it in unison previously.
Brothers is a respectable album, but my criticism of the album echoes my feelings for the band overall. I'm not sure I need all 55 minutes of Brothers (or The Black Keys for that matter). They have proven they are very capable of putting together a solid radio hit, but there is very little depth or staying power. I respect the hell out of a 2-piece band that is able to assemble a handful of tunes with mass appeal, but I feel they are better consumed in bite-sized quantities and sticking solely to the hits. The deep cuts do little to keep me around, and with only 2 players, there is little variation to the sound they crank out. The Black Keys have their time and place, and I do believe the deserve an entry on this list, but I don't find myself going back to the well on either Brothers or El Camino with much regularity. I'll continue to enjoy a Black Keys songs now and then with a group but quickly move on to the next thing.
2.47 stars
Johnny Cash
1/5
It's pretty damn impressive that Johnny Cash managed to maintain a career for 50+ years. Whether I enjoy his music or not I can't deny that he is an icon.
That being said, his late career filled with sappy acoustic covers of popular songs have always really annoyed me. I didn't realize that the album American IV is basically the poster-child for this segment of his career. It features Hurt, Personal Jesus, In My Life, and a handful of other bologna that I really wish I didn't have to sit through. Even if this isn't objectively the worst album on the list this type of shit bugs me to no end. This album was at best a slog and at worst a punishment for me.
The prison albums were somewhat endearing for changing it up and some of the history tied to those performances but I don't get any similar warm and fuzzies from American IV. I won't fault people who claim to be Cash fans but I've confirmed it's not my cup of tea. I hope there isn't another Cash album on here but with 70+ studio albums I fear we may run into another.
0.98 stars
Carole King
2/5
Carole King's Tapestry takes you on a comfortable 45 minute ride. Her vocals are very cozy and laced nicely between some simple backing tracks. It's relatively minimalist in an effective way. This is a good example of a competent album from a bygone era. While it's not really in my wheelhouse and a little boring for my personal liking I can absolutely recognize it as something that would have had some impact. I can see how it would have struck a chord with many in the early 70's and why it would be highly regarded.
Similar vein to Joni Mitchell but I'd land on the Carole King side personally.
2.30 stars
The Cardigans
4/5
There's always been a very big soft spot for Lovefool in my relationship and the minimal exposure to The Cardigans I've had otherwise has always gone down smoothly. The music is the right amount of fun and energetic where something sticks with me after a listen. First Band On The Moon was more of the same yet still better than I could have expected. The singles stand out but the rest of the album is mostly fun and solid. Not sure why but Nina Persson's vocals completely resonate with me and are able to elevate basically any song. I feel like I could listen to her read the phone book and find it kinda catchy. Not sure about the Iron Man cover but something about it worked I guess? This one was a surprise hit for me.
3.54 stars
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
I never realized how big Cyndi Lauper's debut was. After listening to She's So Unusual I can see why. This album nails it nearly every step of the way. Quality vocals as expected from Cyndi accompanied by some really fun synth/pop tracks pretty much front to back. While I only previously knew Girls Just Want To Have Fun and Time After Time (both of which I love) I enjoyed every other track for one reason or another. Not sure there's anything I can really fault this album for, including the fun Betty Boop interlude, as it was admittedly a very enjoyable experience for my fresh ears.
I've always known Cyndi was an icon but I'm too young and don't have the exposure to know why. She's So Unusual is quality album pretty much from front to back so I can see why this would have taken the world by storm in '83. Props to Cyndi on this release. Wondering if she ever did anything else close to this level for the remainder of her career.
3.82 stars
Steely Dan
4/5
Always been a fan of Steely Dan. Growing up Pretzel Logic was probably the album that got the most play. It's a very worthy 3rd entry that comes in at a tight 33 minutes. It's not loaded with hits, but the entire ensemble is mostly engaging. Steely Dan are great at weaving a tale while showing off their musical diversity and skill without featuring face melting solos or extravagance. They are simply masters of competence which is pleasing on so many levels.
3.62 stars
2/5
It's hard not to feel like The Kinks are over-represented on this list at this point. This is already the 3rd entry and I hate to say it but I fear we could be in for another. I don't mean to discount the talent of The Kinks but we've already been exposed to what it is they offer. While that has its place in music history, I don't personally feel like they deserve to be placed at the top of any legacy lists.
For what it's worth I think Arthur was probably the best album of the bunch thus far. Even with that I'm not even sure it belongs on this list. It's a coherent concept album with the typical Kinks flair. There's some variation in style with some of their light humor mixed in.
For my money I'd probably leave Arthur on the list and remove the prior 2 albums. Overall as I get further exposed to The Kinks it makes me only want to stick to the hits and avoid the rest of their collection. I will likely adjust my scores to prior Kinks reviews.
2.39 stars
Dr. Octagon
2/5
Not a bad entry from an offbeat indie rapper. Not sure how I feel about Dr. Octagon as a rapper character overall but I guess the album has some funky scratching, wacky production and unorthodox lyrics that can be enjoyed for single listen. It starts off OK but loses its luster by the end of the album. Points to Dan The Automator as another notable Gorillaz collaborator handling the production. You can do a lot better but you can do a lot worse on this list.
2.12 stars
David Bowie
3/5
It's a little hard to sum up Station To Station. It's not a bad album but I'm not sure it's a good album either. It doesn't carry the glitz and glam that some of his other work is known for, but still has effective moments, Golden Years being the best example and a personal favorite. I appreciate the transition into the Thin White Duke phase and Berlin trilogy of his career but I'm still not sure why this one gets so much praise. Side A isn't bad, but by the end of the album it mostly lands in the "meh" department (Golden Years excepted).
Bowie takes back the lead with his 5th entry on this list. While I've enjoyed what I've got so far and Bowie's place in rock history absolutely can't be ignored a few of these entries have been a stretch. I'd prefer we thin the heard on some of over-represented acts and make room for something else. I didn't mind Station To Station but I'm not sure there was any specific reason I needed to hear it before I died.
2.69 stars
Pixies
3/5
To echo my prior Pixies reviews, Surfer Rosa is an OK album that does little to move the needle for me. Where Is My Mind is their most well known song and does a lot of the heavy lifting. The rest of the album is relatively mediocre. I will continue to scratch my head as to how/why Pixies are held at the top of the pantheon of musical influence. To me they sound like any other indie rock act from the era. They must be doing something different that I'm unaware of. Overall, I'm underwhelmed by most of what I was exposed to from Pixies. They are fine but that's about it from me.
2.44 stars
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
I wouldn't consider myself a rap fan but found myself enjoying this more than expected. To Pimp A Butterfly was anything but a run-of-the-mill rap album for me. It's loaded with all sorts elements beyond the typical hip-hop and R&B world. I appreciate that Kendrick Lamar broke the mold a little bit on this one as there's clearly influence well beyond the streets of Compton. All of these elements combine to showcase many of Kendrick's rap style and skills. It's a little long at 78 minutes, but I didn't find myself struggling to get through it.
Kendrick Lamar is probably the biggest rapper working today and as I am exposed to more of his work I can see why. Credit where it's due, To Pimp A Butterfly is a pretty creative album that served up a good listen.
2.69 stars
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Didn't go in with the highest of hopes for a 70's folk-pop act that I'd never heard of. First couple songs were about what I expected but I'll admit I was pleasantly surprised as the album continued on. There's some pleasant vocals and some cozy tunes on this one, Water With The Wine being the highlight. Joan Armatrading put together a nice little album that features enough variation from song to song to work for a listen. Was surprised how much I was enjoying this by thend of it.
2.88 stars
Janis Joplin
3/5
I've been somewhat looking forward to a Janis Joplin album so I can get some exposure beyond the couple hits that I know. Pearl was a perfect entry point for me as I felt like I got a pretty polished version of what she has to offer. It's got Bobby McGee and Cry Baby which are some of the prime examples of her smooth raspy voice that brings so much emotion into her vocals. I was also pleased to hear her last ever recorded vocal in Mercedes Benz which a good a cappella isolation of Janis. Overall Pearl is a very worthy entry that I can appreciate a lot more now than I could as a kid.
3.14
Depeche Mode
3/5
I'd consider myself a Depeche Mode fan. They bring a darker synth pop sound that mostly resonates for me. Even though I enjoyed the album I wouldn't consider it "for the masses". I feel like it has a pretty high point of entry and could easily see how someone would find this album skipppable or off-putting.
I tend to lean more toward the album Violator as their best work so I'm a little surprised that Music for the Masses made the cut. I'll be pleased if Violator shows up but I'm not sure they deserve two albums on the list so I think this one could be axed without issue. While Music for the Masses is a good example of what Depeche Mode offers I'd consider it a pretty middle of the pack entry even if I am a fan of the band.
2.50
The Gun Club
3/5
Not sure how I've never heard of The Gun Club, especially as a resident of the LA area for so long. Fire Of Love isn't an amazing album but it has more than enough appeal to belong on the list as a sleeper hit. My lone criticism is that the songs tend to run into each and all sound pretty similar. By the end of it I had my fill of The Gun Club but I enjoyed it enough to be pleased with the entry. I'll keep an eye/ear out for these guys to see if they ever get any play among LA bars/clubs/venues.
2.73 stars
Adele
4/5
Evidently I'm a sucker for Adele as I enjoyed 21 even more than my surprisingly highly-rated 25. Something about her vocals strike a chord with me as I found myself drawn in through pretty much all 48 minutes of this album. She manages to effectively meld emotional lyrics with engaging pop music somehow which is a fine line to walk. I had mild exposure to a couple of the hits over the years but didn't realize how deep 21 is as I found myself recognizing quite a few tracks off this album.
I wasn't surprised to see this listed as a #1 chart topper and Grammy winner and agree that it deserves its props. Can't believe I'm saying but it's pretty clear I'm a bigger Adele fan than I expected, far beyond just her title track from Skyfall.
3.81 stars
John Coltrane
1/5
That was an awful lot of redundant jazz saxophone. Hard not to tune throughout the majority of this. Out of the infinite amount of skippable jazz albums I'm sure there is a reason this specific one is on this list, but I couldn't tell you why. Didn't find anything memorable about this album after 30 mins. I guess it works as easy-to-ignore background music?
1.41 stars
Maxwell
2/5
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite is a mixed bag of a review. On the one hand Maxwell absolutely nailed the execution on assembling a 90's R&B album. It sounds like a prototype for everything in this genre that came out during this period, some of which got airplay on MTV. It's got all of the expected smooth R&B tropes in soft electronic beats, sensual groovy bass, silky vocals laden with romantic themes, etc.
On the other hand it's a genre that just isn't that interesting or engaging beyond a single song. Even if these are all effective R&B songs I just don't care to listen to an album of them. This album may have worked if it was slashed in half in terms of playtime, but by the end it had become a redundant mess of sappy songs. All in all its not a bad product, it may even be a fantastic product for somebody, it's just not one that I personally need/want.
1.83 stars stars
Don McLean
3/5
American Pie is such an iconic song that it is reason enough to put this album on the list. I was pleased to hear that the remainder of the album ain't bad either though. Vincent is a solid second entry, and I enjoyed a couple others including the more upbeat Everybody Loves Me, Baby.
Don McLean has a certain charm to his vocals that he is able to elevate even the most basic of tunes up a notch. I figured I'd get through the song American Pie and then tune out for the remainder of the album but it was solid enough to keep me interested for 36 minutes.
2.54 stars
The Beach Boys
2/5
There's no denying the importance of The Beach Boys. I'm not the right person to discuss whether or not their music holds up 50+ years later but I know that it's a little too bubble-gum for me to enjoy in anything other than small doses. A song here or there is fun in the right scenario but I don't listen to the Beach Boys with any sincerity. They are icons for their influence in rock history and Pet Sounds is probably their most notable work but it didn't do much for me on this listen. It's a relic of a bygone era, and while important and deserving of this list its not something I plan to listen to again any time soon.
2.12 stars
The Temptations
1/5
Not sure what it is about All Directions that lands it on this list. What I got was a pretty slow, boring album that did very little to keep me interested for anywhere near the 30 minute playtime. Even the best track, Papa Was A Rolling Stone has little to offer. It had a decent setup, and I kept expecting it to grow or break out at some point. Instead I got 11 minutes of a monotonous beat that could/should have been trimmed down.
It feels like the 70's have much more to offer within this realm. The Temptations seem like they needed to lean more into the funk/groove and get away from the gospel/soul aspect to hook me in any way. Maybe this is one where you had to be there to understand why it's important but this would be one to remove/replace for me.
1.07 stars
Miles Davis
2/5
This was the best jazz album on the list so far. Unfortunately that is a very low bar to clear. Still not in my wheelhouse but at least it was relatively melodic and smooth as opposed to a jumbled mess.
This was a listen during a 5AM drive to work so the tone matched my somber/quiet mood more than it would have had it been an afternoon drive home. Someday I might appreciate this more but its still just another jazz album for me at this point.
1.52 stars
3/5
Never heard of PJ Harvey but it seems like she deserved some air play from the alt rock scene at the time. Maybe I was too young or just unaware of her career but I liked a lot of what she brought on Stories From The City, Stories From the Sea. There's a good offering of alt rock tracks and PJ brings enough edge and emotion to make it effective. Nice to see Thom Yorke show up and you can definitely hear his influence on the tracks he was involved with.
She fits in nicely with Sheryl Crow, Alannis Morrissette and other female rockers of the era. Another nice unknown entry on the list. I'd be curious to see what else PJ has to offer.
3.32 stars
Peter Frampton
4/5
I've been pretty stingy about prior live album entries on this list. However, Frampton Comes Alive is one of the seminal live albums and I do believe it has its place in music history. The whole album has a great mix of hits and accessible deep cuts that make it a fun album from front to back. He perfectly weaves slower ballads with guitar solos, long jams and crowd service for 70+ minutes. It's well deserving of being the best selling record of 1976 and remains relevant to this day. I've always loved this album and it held up even better than I remember on this listen.
I've had the pleasure of getting to see Peter Frampton come alive in-person in a church parking lot at Brea Summerfest 2004. He played the majority of tracks and absolutely killed it. He sounded the same as he did from 30 years earlier and still entertained what was a miniscule crowd. One of the most memorable concert experiences of my life was when he pulled out the talk box for Do You Feel Like I Do? to close the night. It's a fantastic album in its own right, but Frampton Comes Alive will always have a special place in my heart for this reason. Well deserved high marks from me, but I'm curious to see how others feel about this specific album.
3.89
The Verve
2/5
Alternative psychedelic britpop? On paper this should have been something I enjoyed. However, what I got was a bunch of mostly skippable nonsense. There's a couple decent instrumental tracks mixed in but every time a song came on that was somewhat engaging it was immediately followed by something dull and slow. I'm not sure why but I somehow found this album somewhat pretentious for some reason. When all was said and done I was surprised how mediocre this ended up being.
2.18 stars
The Isley Brothers
3/5
Decent entry. Was somewhat familiar with Who's That Lady but didn't realize it included an extended jam for the majority of the track. Rest of the album was about what I expected from a 70's soul album. Silky vocals to accompany simple beats and backing tracks isn't the worst thing but also not something that I'll play in my free time.
2.53 stars
Thin Lizzy
2/5
Thin Lizzy is fine but I didn't need or want 70+ minutes of them, especially live cuts that in my opinion are worse than the studio versions. There must be another reason this is on the list because this did little to stand out in any way even among live albums. This is one that should probably be replaced. There's some nice guitar work mixed in but the whole product was pretty mediocre for the most part.
1.83 stars
Who knew Huey Lewis played harmonica for Thin Lizzy?
Iron Butterfly
3/5
Figured this album made the list solely off of the title track. While the front side of the album doesn't do anything special, its also not too bad. In A Gadda Da Vida is obviously the standout track, but I didn't mind the whole album. Definitely a worthy entry beyond the 17 minute opus. Didn't realize Iron Buttefly was so much of a psychedelic rock group.
2.92 stars
Cream
4/5
Hard to argue against this one in any way. A couple of hits, a couple of slow jams, and everything in between to sum up the blues rock genre. It has everything you would come to expect from Cream in pretty much all the right ways. This really feels like a signature album of the band, each of the members, the blues rock genre and the time it was released. Disraeli Gears absolutely deserves its spot on the list.
3.82 stars
Earth, Wind & Fire
2/5
I wasn't aware of a movie named That's The Way Of The World nor that the soundtrack was by Earth Wind & Fire. I was a little skeptical because its not easy to thread the needle of combined soundtrack/album, especially one that sounds like a completely cookie-cutter 70's music business drama with an overbearing record executive. I hoped EWF might be able to churn out a couple hits and some slower jams to fill a mostly forgettable album. I guess I got pretty much what I expected as that's how I would sum this up. It's not a bad listen, but about half of the album is good and half is bad. I might throw Shining Star or Africano on sometime in the future but the album doesn't do enough to make me come back to it. Earth Wind & Fire did what they are known for in bringing some miscellaneous funk/groove but these tracks don't have the same magic that some of their other hits capture. It's a serviceable album but nothing special for me.
2.43 stars
Nirvana
3/5
To echo a previous review, I've always liked but not loved Nirvana. In Utero is a perfect glimpse of this as it has some really strong tracks but also some filler that leaves a lot to be desired. The album gets recognition for the mainstream hits and keeping Nirvana firmly in the limelight. It's a good album, but I can't really call it a great album.
While Nirvana's mark on music is undeniable there are parts of their catalog that don't resonate with me. This isn't an attempt at a hipster hot take, as I'm a fan of the band, I just never held them in quite as high regard as the rest of the public.
2.97 stars
R.E.M.
4/5
R.E.M. continue to surprise me with how creative they are. They definitely carved out their own signature sound, but they managed to keep it relatively fresh and varied from album to album somehow. I can't understand how Stipe's whiny vocals work but they do.
I've become a big R.E.M. fan over the years. Document is an example of some of their best work from their prime. It's solid pretty much all the way down the line and has a couple of top hits included. I wouldn't begrudge anyone who says they aren't a fan of them, but their albums continue to engage and scratch a certain itch for me. File Under Fire because this is a great one.
3.86 stars
Le Tigre
3/5
I had a friend in high school who was into Le Tigre but I never got around to giving them a listen. Glad to indulge in their debut album. It started on a high note with Decepticon and while it didn't quite maintain that high it was still mostly fun, mostly unique and mostly entertaining. I think the 31 minute length played into their hand because this would be best consumed in short bursts. I get the sense Le Tigre would be a blast at a live show and outdo their studio/album versions. This one is definitely based on vibes so if you aren't in the right mood I don't think this would work.
2.84 stars
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
That's a lot of range to display on a single album. Even if every song isn't top notch it's cool to see he can vary between genres and styles and weave some classical music influence into it. Seems like something I would have been exposed to at some point but perhaps it's a little too niche to have wide appeal? Rufus Wainwright is clearly very talented and I appreciated a lot of what I got on Want Two as something different. There may be a time and place where I come back to this but it isn't something I would slate for everyday listening. In the long run this ends up on the shelf but a good entry for 1001 nonetheless.
2.40 stars
Tom Waits
4/5
I've been generally aware of Tom Waits and his unorthodox music for a while but never actually spent the time to listen to more than a couple of songs. After a listen to Rain Dogs my mind is kinda blown. I'm not sure what I expected but it wasn't this and I mean that in a good way. I see this is classified as experimental rock which I guess sums it up pretty well as it doesn't really fall into a lot of the traditional genres. I was surprised how much I enjoyed Tom Waits and his weird vocals. The music was fun and unique from start to finish. There was something pirate-y about this that I dug. Tom Waits seems like he has indulged the weirdness and created a musical scalawag persona that I'm interested in exploring. I'm going to have to open a bottle of rum and dive into his collection at some point in the future.
3.52 stars
T. Rex
3/5
Evidently the US completely slept on T. Rex as I never knew how prolific and popular of a band they were. It appears to be a decent blind spot as I had absolutely no previous exposure to The Slider (or anything beyond Bang a Gong really). I didn't enjoy it as much as the prior entry, but The Slider is another solid album from Marc Bolan and company. They stuck with their sound and cranked out another album that has some pretty good appeal. Nothing blew me away, but it was also a very easy listen from front to back. One of the songs almost sounded like a re-skinned alternate version of Bang A Gong.
2.91 stars
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
2/5
Wasn't excited about a salsa album but it wasn't as bad as I thought it could be. Nothing I will ever revisit but at least I got to enjoy some Spanish vocals for 45 minutes. Not sure what makes this something I need to listen to before I die but I guess this is the best selling salsa album of all time so I guess it's good I can now check that box.
2.07 stars
Portishead
3/5
Nice entry from Portishead. They bring something different than what we have seen elsewhere on the list. Wasn't sure exactly how to classify this as it felt like a mix of various genres but evidently it goes by trip hop which I guess describes the vibe of the album. Some slowed down trippy beats with some diverse production and female vocals worked well so I mostly enjoyed it
2.87 stars
Tracy Chapman
3/5
I expected this album might show up on this list but didn't realize how worth of an entry it is. First of all, I had no idea this album was from 1988, nor that it brought in multiple Grammy awards. It's well deserving as Tracy Chapman strings together a handful of pretty catchy tunes that tell a story and/or present a message pretty effectively. A handful of tracks feature some raw and emotional vocals that provide some impact. With a more mature ear I can now appreciate how solid of an album this is. As a bratty, snot-nosed high-schooler I constantly ripped on this album. This may have been related to some over-play within the household, but the case stands that perhaps apologies are in order for not realizing how talented Tracy Chapman was. Solid marks to Tracy for bringing it on her debut.
3.06 stars
Fela Kuti
2/5
Didn't expect much from a live version of a foreign album. Was actually pretty satisfied with what I got. It's mostly just some afrobeat jams but it was relatively satisfying. Not sure what the connection is but kinda cool that they got Ginger Baker involved. Pretty redundant after a while but I guess I enjoyed the album enough to stick around for the drum battle as opposed to immediately bailing out.
2.08 stars
Dead Kennedys
2/5
I'm finding myself more and more surprised how much representation punk bands are getting. It's an iconic genre for the edge, attitude and presence it can maintain from generation to generation despite fans aging out of the punk scene over time. I've never been a big punk rock fan, and often find a lot of punk acts pretty annoying after 15 minutes or so, but I appreciate the music and scene for what it represents.
Dead Kennedys are iconic for their outright political satire identity. As mentioned above I can typically enjoy the first 15-20 minutes of a punk album but by the end of it the formula is played out so there is diminishing returns as each song ends. This one surprised me and went the other way despite the inane lyics and whatnot. I found myself enjoying it more and more as I got through it which admittedly wasn't much at the beginning. This isn't something I would listen to with any regularity but in the right environment I can see why people go crazy for punk rock even if it isn't really my thing.
2.21 stars
Robert Wyatt
1/5
This started out as something different and a little intriguing. Unfortunately the novelty wore off very quickly and it mostly devolved into somewhat obnoxious and drawn out noise. This kinda felt like a jazz musician informally warming up and experimenting without realizing it was being recorded for a release. Pretty weak when said and done.
1.23 stars
M.I.A.
3/5
Paper Planes was absolutely everywhere in the wake of this release. I enjoy that track, but never put a second thought toward M.I.A. and don't believe I ever heard anything from her collection. Only now after listening to Kala did I realize I was missing out. This album is a bit all over the place but it's also a lot of fun. It features some of the most creative and diverse production from Switch, Timbaland and company nearly all of which works. The lyrics and vocal style are somewhat wacky but the hooks are constantly strong and engaging. I found myself getting more and more into this as the album continued. Props to M.I.A. as Kala was a fun surprise that pretty much brings it from front to back.
3.33 stars
Neil Young
3/5
I expected this album to make the list. It's got a couple of Neil's biggest hits and has a lot of his signature folk rock tone through the full duration. It's probably the format of Neil Young that I'm most familiar with and hits home the hardest. It's a solid entry that goes down smooth.
Although I'm a fan, I'd favor significantly cutting down Neil Young's representation on this list but I think After The Gold Rush has a solid argument and would be worthy to remain.
3.36 stars
Simon & Garfunkel
2/5
Simon & Garfunkel certainly have a signature sound but I'm not sure it holds up over the length of an album. I really enjoy the soft vocals and delicate instrumentals on Scarborough Fair/Canticle, but after that it's pretty easy to tune out the rest of the album.
It's hard to knock the album as it contains some fine work, it's just nothing I would sit an listen to unless I'm trying to meditate, fall asleep or take a relaxing bath or something. There must have been some sort of wider allure when this was contemporary in 1966, but I don't know. I'm glad I heard it before I died I guess but I don't think I'll ever listen to it again.
2.02 stars
Drive-By Truckers
1/5
Woof. This album is certainly for someone but it ain't me. Reading the description I didn't think I would mind it too much. How bad could an attempt at a rock opera with some southern rock Lynyrd Skynyrd influence be? Pretty OK for about 15 minutes and then verging on insufferable after 90 minutes evidently.
I tried to enjoy this for what it was, but I was constantly feeling like this was something an AI program would churn out if you asked it to generate a down-the-middle inspirational Lifetime movie with Lynyrd Skynyrd references sprinkled in. Noting that it was originally based on a semi-autobiographical screenplay gave me the feeling that an unsavvy record labelman would take a multi-million dollar hit in an attempt to create a shitty jukebox musical Broadway show only to have it fold after 4 weeks due to poor attendance and terrible reviews (like a shittier Rock of Ages). This lands firmly in the wimp-rock genre as I found the musical accompaniment had little-to-no punch. In all seriousness the part of this that I enjoyed the most was the brief history lesson about George Wallace that was more of a spoken word section. Big swing and miss for me on this one.
0.85 stars
Sister Sledge
2/5
Some decent disco. I was familiar with a couple of the hits which were still fun and held up pretty well. Love the strings integrated with the smooth bass and drum lines. A few of the vocals from the Sledge sisters are pretty silky. Unfortunately outside of the hits they slowed it down a little to much and the back half is pretty much skippable.
2.06 stars
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Not as strong as their prior entry but not bad. I have to give The Bunnymen credit as it sounds like they established their sound pretty early. Even as a debut album I feel like it had a lot of their signature already included and it was pretty tightly produced. There wasn't much to take away from this listen as none of the songs really stood out. It wasn't a bad listen just mostly forgettable once I got through it. I'm not sure there's any reason for this to be on the list because it didn't appear to do anything different and didn't hold a candle to prior entry Ocean Rain.
1.97 stars
Black Sabbath
3/5
I've come to realize that I've unfairly overlooked early heavy metal and am glad to continue to have reason to delve into it further. It's no wonder Black Sabbath were huge and Ozzy was such an icon if these are the releases they were putting out. Vol. 4 has all the pieces you need to take you on a ride and keep you entertained.
RIP to the Prince of Darkness. We lost a legend a couple weeks back.
3.13 stars
Kanye West
2/5
Not as good as the prior Kanye entry. He's got some clever lyrics sprinkled in here and there, but otherwise MBDTF did little to keep me interested. The highlight of this album was Monster, and specifically Nicki Minaj's segment. Beyond this song nothing really stuck with me. Perhaps his schtick had mostly worn off by this point in his career?
2.04 stars
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Glad to see The Chemical Brothers make the list. Exit Planet Dust is a fun album and fine entry point for making electronica more mainstream. Props to The Chemical Brothers for popularizing the genre in the 90's. Even if they have some superior work later in their discography Exit Planet Dust is still gem of a release and great debut effort. It fizzles a bit by the end of Side B, but there is more than enough on this to carry it through as a solid entry.
3.33 stars
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Nope. Hard to call this music most of the time. Not interested in listening to a couple Germans yell and bang pots and pans for the most part. Thankfully a good portion of it is minimal enough you can tune it out but what a waste of an entry. Definitely didn't need to hear this before I died.
.53 stars
Brian Eno
1/5
Going to reiterate that I like the products of Brian Eno the producer, but not really a fan of Brian Eno the musician. Another Green World is another example of him getting too weird with it. Most of the tracks sounds like demos or early concepts as opposed to songs. It's great that Brian Eno is able to experiment with his creative side, it just doesn't turn into anything that interesting for me.
1.06 stars
Eagles
2/5
Not sure what it is about Eagles, but I simultaneously can enjoy them but also be a little annoyed by them. This album is no exception. On paper it's a pretty solid debut. It's got a couple of what are considered some of Eagles longtime hits, but for some reason outside of Witchy Woman these songs don't really resonate with me. I can fully understand why this has staying power as an easy listening debut rock album but for some reason it was a pretty hollow listen for me this time through. I guess I never paid attention to how often they switch vocalists which is an effect I can appreciate but I'll take Henley if I had to stick with one. I imagine Eagles will show up again and get a better review from me down the line.
2.32 stars
Pulp
3/5
Not sure they need to be on this list twice but the list creator is obviously a britpop fan. It's a bit of a departure from the britpop sound but I think it still works. The more diverse and electronic sounds from Party Hard and a couple of other tracks round the album out a little more than what I heard from their earlier stuff. I thought it might drag a bit at 60+ minutes but I didn't struggle through it.
2.79 stars
JAY Z
2/5
I'm not much of a rap fan overall but I've found some artists throughout this list that have impressed me. I guess I'm not much of a Jay Z guy because I found this album mostly a snooze. It's not bad, it just did little to hook me in any way. Production, lyrics and hooks were all kinda down the middle. Everything from Jay Z sounds like it is produced for mass appeal so it just flies overhead as forgettable to me. Most memorable section was Eminem showing up and clearly outclassing Jay Z. I don't have any ties to this from 9/11 so at the end of it I was happy to shelve it and move on. I'm sure Jay Z and this album specifically are deserving of the entry but it isn't in my wheelhouse and did nothing convince me otherwise.
1.99 stars
The Undertones
2/5
I've said it before that the punk rock formula of a handful of short-burst, high-energy songs works to an extent but only for so long. Luckily this is a pretty short album so as the novelty wears off, the albums gets ready to wrap up. I wouldn't call The Undertones anything special. Seemed like another run of the mill early punk album. There's a bit of a weird twang to the lead singers voice that throws it off a little bit. It's short and mostly un-memorable but could be worse I guess.
2.21
Aretha Franklin
2/5
Can't deny that Aretha sounds great throughout the whole album. Unfortunately its mostly a relic of a bygone era and genre. Outside of Respect it's primarily a handful of slowed down soul songs. In a vacuum they aren't bad, and might be perfect for a late night lounge act, but from a modern listen on a streaming service it just doesn't have the same impact. I understand the appeal at the time, but I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You is just another outdated album to listen to and then move on from. Respect to the artist and her work, but it's not something I will need to revisit.
1.74 stars
LL Cool J
3/5
Weird to think that I'm more familiar of LL Cool J as an actor than a rapper. I'm aware he his a highly touted rapper but his discography is never anything I paid attention to.
I went in not expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. Mama Said Knock You Out is a nice taste of the old-school rap hip-hop style that I prefer to modern gangster rap. Pretty simple production but LL's lyrics and flow are catchy throughout. It's got a couple higher energy tracks that I enjoyed. It's got style and smartly avoided a lot of the annoying aspects of stupid rap albums skits or contributions from a background MC's. I found this more polished than some of the Public Enemy or NWA entries that have appeared on this list. Seems LL Cool J's reputation as an early rap icon is deserved.
3.22 stars
Michael Jackson
4/5
Where do you start? MJ was coming off the success of Thriller and managed to follow it up with one of the greatest albums of all time. It's crazy to think that any album could produce 9 singles, but Quincy Jones put together another insane lineup that is well deserving of the 6 Grammy awards and other accolades. The album is killer from top to bottom, even the 2 non-singles aren't bad songs. Overall it is an incredible example of MJ's ability to carry a tune and put on a performance and really solidified him as the King of Pop.
I love nearly everything about this album, and so much of it is immortalized in the tie-in Moonwalker film. The music videos, the production work, the ensemble dance segments, everything about it hits in the best way. Despite Thriller's lasting impact and I find Bad to be MJ at his best.
4.44
Leonard Cohen
1/5
I was only previously familiar with Leonard Cohen from his version of "Hallelujah" which has always immensely annoyed me. After hearing Songs Of Love And Hate I can see that this is not a one-off experience. This album was 45 minutes of slowly drawn-out uninteresting acoustical folk music for me. I'm sure it works for someone, maybe someone depressed, but that person is not me. I now can feel more secure when noping out in the future when Leonard Cohen makes the rotation as I am obviously not a fan.
0.83 stars
Super Furry Animals
3/5
I continue to be surprised by the number of britpop albums. As a fan of the genre I appreciate the sentiment but I'm not sure Robert Dimery needed to give pretty much every 90's britpop act an entry (or 2) on this list.
Fuzzy Logic wasn't a bad listen, but not sure what makes it stand out as something I needed to listen to before I die. They sound like they had some fun making it but it did little to differentiate from other acts in this ilk. I chalk it up as another run of the mill britpop album. That certainly isn't the worst thing, though I expect I will mostly forget about Super Furry Animals after this listen.
2.81 stars
Morrissey
3/5
A little more of mostly what I expected from Morrissey, though I did enjoy it more than prior entries. His vocal stylings and melodramatic songwriting are pretty consistent from what I've heard throughout the discography though it mixes it up a bit on the second half of the album which I enjoyed. Most of Morrissey/Smiths stuff land s firmly in the "not bad" area for me, this one is on the higher end of that.
2.98 stars
Sinead O'Connor
1/5
I know the name but I can't say I have any prior familiarity with Sinead O'Connor's work. I was aware that Sinead was a huge act at a moment in time but I was too young for any of it to be relevant to me. I'm a little surprised to hear that this is a huge #1 album that pulled a bunch of Grammy awards in 1990. It doesn't seem like it has mass appeal, nor does it have what I would consider a hugely iconic hit/single. The whole entry was a little hollow and had limited lasting appeal to me when it wrapped. Perhaps this was lightning in a bottle and offered something different when it released? Were the haircut and controversial comments such a huge contributor to the zeitgeist that it elevated the album? Perhaps this context in the moment is significant, I don't know, but personally this one was a pretty disappointing entry.
1.38 stars
Carpenters
1/5
8 Grammy Nominations? Was there nothing else more interesting coming out in 1970 than what Carpenters were bringing to the table? It's objectively not bad music, it's just supremely uninteresting. A bunch of re-hashed soft ballad vocals from past hits will only get me so far. I guess I'm glad I don't live in a time where this is some the most exciting music that is being released. I'll file this one away.
0.99 stars
Frank Sinatra
1/5
About what I expected from Sinatra. I don't think I'm much of a fan since I find so much of this just forgettable music from another era. It sounded really repetitive even on a short 28 minute length. After the first song I felt like I got it and just had to listen to the same thing over an over. To echo prior review I'm sure this was influential in its time but nowadays its just a time capsule to the past.
1.15 stars
Megadeth
3/5
Didn't mind this despite not really considering thrash metal a genre I'm fond of. There is some definite skill on display as all the tracks feature some very tight intricacy between the players. I'm no prude, but it's a little too hardcore with over the top lyrics for everyday listening for me.
I can definitely see how someone would be into this. I recognize that this can absolutely amp you up and appreciate that I've gotten some exposure to Megadeth as a result of this list even if I won't listen to them regularly moving forward.
2.53 stars
XTC
3/5
Pretty good entry for 1001. I'd never heard of XTC previously and was pleased to be met with something pretty original. They've got a unique whimsical sound and I can't say I've heard another band quite like them previously. Nothing really blew me away, but it's got some decent tracks. The album mainly just coasts along as something easy to consume that has an approachable sound. Something about this sounded more contemporary than something that was released in 1986. Didn't love, didn't hate it.
2.65 stars
The Libertines
3/5
Evidently I had run into this one in the past as I already had a couple songs off this album saved in my Spotify. I wasn't overly familiar but I can see why these were tagged by me. The Libertines bring a nice indie alt rock sound with the right amount of British flair, almost like the younger less successful brothers of Arctic Monkeys. Most of the songs are quick fun hits with easily digestible hooks. There's nothing overly special about it, but it worked for me for 40 minutes.
2.97 stars
Christine and the Queens
3/5
I didn't think I knew Christine and the Queens but apparently was familiar with Doesn't Matter from this album which I had previously saved. Outside of that song I was surprised how much I dug the rest of this. The electro-pop gave me a sort of amped up Imogen Heap vibes, which is definitely a good thing. The music was catchy enough to keep me hooked for the full playtime. I didn't opt to check out the french version of this album but might circle back to see how it sounds for comparison. Wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did.
3.08
Jorge Ben Jor
2/5
You never know what you are going to get when a random foreign album shows up on this list. A handful of them have been surprise hits, some others have been understandable exposure to a foreign genre that doesn't interest me beyond a single listen. Africa Brasil is little bit of column A and a little bit of column B. It opens up with some pretty nice guitar and backbeats with some afro influence. I was digging it for a little while, but unfortunately it isn't able to maintain the level once original novelty wears off. It's a decent entry that features some pretty competent music from a foreign country. Perhaps I would have enjoyed this more had I been able to fully understand the lyrics?
2.29 stars
Scissor Sisters
3/5
I've heard a couple Scissor Sisters songs in the past and always enjoyed them. It turns out their debut album is pretty solid and a lot of fun. It's like the upbeat parts of Elton John were mixed with some 2000's electro-pop. I'm not high on the Comfortably Numb cover, but the rest of the album offered some good dance tunes. I ended up digging this album more than I expected to.
3.26 stars
Neil Young
4/5
I knew we would be running into this one. Despite being a little tired of Neil Young it was a welcomed entry. It's probably Neil Young's finest work from start to finish. I heard this album quite a bit growing up and a lot of the hits are still very deserving of any airplay they receive. While Neil Young is over-represented on this list there is no argument to be lobbed at Harvest as it really is a strong album whether Neil's folk rock sound is your thing or not. It is hard not to have Neil's other entries bring this one down a bit but it still deserves its marks.
3.68 stars
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
2/5
Time Out is probably the first jazz album that I wouldn't actively turn off on a repeat listen. There's something really pleasant in Paul Desmond's sax play. This album also has the claim to Take Five which was burned into my head as a kid and I still have affection for. The rest of the album isn't weak, but it's still just a bunch of outdated jazz. It's fine for a listen every now and then but not something I need regular exposure to. I don't mean to write off an entire genre but compared to what else we've been exposed to it just doesn't do it for me most of the time.
1.82 stars
Sonic Youth
1/5
Not sure what happened on this one. The drum and guitar work is actually pretty damn good at times from a distance. Unfortunately there is something about the overarching style of the album that didn't work for me. Every time I started to dig one of the tracks I was immediately met by a section of obnoxious noise jams or overly reverberated scratchy backgrounds. Something about the female vocals came off really lazy and blase which also bugged me. It seems like there is a good album buried somewhere in here but it's covered in too much goo for me to enjoy it.
I'll admit there are segments of this album that I was into. However, there are also sections of this album that I really disliked. In the end it was enough of a turn off for me to want to shelve this album. Not sure if Sonic Youth has something else that would interest me but if this is their best album I would like skip the rest of their collection.
1.42 stars
Simple Minds
2/5
I don't have any prior familiarity with Simple Minds beyond The Breakfast Club and "Don't You". I've always been a fan of the song so I was hoping this would offer something in the same vein. At the end of the listen, there is very little for me to take away. It's not bad, but it's not any good. Another one to add to the "meh" pile and move on. Simple Minds will continue to stand as a one-hit wonder for me for the time being.
1.96 stars
1/5
I get it, Bob Dylan is a legend. He's a legendary songwriter and absolutely deserves to be part of the discussion of music history. Now that that's out of the way I'm not sure how to respond to Live 1966. I'll break it into 2 parts because its essentially two sides from the the same live show.
Starting with the opening acoustic folk half it has all of the signature Dylan that confuses and annoys me. His vocal style is so out of control at times to the point where it sounds like a cartoon character. The various parodies I've heard of his style don't do justice to just how unhinged it gets in reality at times. Some people love this aspect and for me its some fun and games for a few minutes and then just kinda somber and annoying. I recognize why Dylan had an impact, but I don't personally want to suffer through it.
The back half features Dylan with electric guitar and backing tracks from The Hawks/The Band featuring a lot of organ/keyboard. I definitely enjoyed the electric half of the setlist more, though that is a low bar to clear. It's got the other side of Dylan's typical schtick with harmonica and rambling vocals. Again, fine in doses but nothing I need for any extended length.
I'm well aware of Bob Dylan's live music career and the way this list is constructed I should have expected some live Dylan. I think it's a deserving entry for its/his place in music history and the impact the Bob Dylan going electric had even if it isn't my cup of tea. Glad to have some background on it but not something I need to hear again.
1.47 stars
Stephen Stills
2/5
I never paid much attention to the members of CSNY other than Neil Young. I always just figured that they each did their thing and the other 3 mostly fizzled out. I didn't expect much out of Stephen Stills solo album, but was delighted that it was more than just a throwaway album. It's a little soft rockish at times, but most of the album are relatively pleasant tracks. I had no idea he collaborated with the likes of Hendrix, Clapton, Ringo, etc. but he obviously was more of the talent behind CSNY than I originally figured. His voice brings a lot of emotion to the music so I mostly enjoyed this album with Love The One Your With as the clear stand out. Nothing special but better than expected.
2.41 stars
ABBA
1/5
I assume I'm not the target demographic for this band/album, but even despite that it's hard not to consider this album cheesy and ridiculous. Obviously there was a time and place when people needed a light disco album with some hokey tunes, but it doesn't hold up. Dancing Queen has staying power for its legacy, but even then its a pretty lame song. The rest of the album was skippable filler with some pretty bad deep cuts like Dum Dum Diddle. This ABBA album is a perfect example of the criticism that bad disco gets and deserves.
1.37 stars
Coldcut
3/5
Never heard of Coldcut and from what I can tell they are not on Spotify so I had no idea what to expect. What a pleasure to be greeted with a completely unique electronic pop album from 1989 that I never would have heard of otherwise.
What a bizarre and fun album. All the tracks are solid and some of the electronic jams are catchy and groovy. Surprised to see this album had 4 singles, but I'd say they are deserved. This album scratches a certain itch and lives in a realm with some other unique acts that I enjoy. It might have outstayed its welcome a bit toward the back end but I still enjoyed it enough to stick around for the bonus tracks. Great entry for 1001.
3.39 stars
Nick Drake
1/5
Surprised this album is so highly touted. It's pretty much some simple acoustic lines with some muddled vocals. Not sure it stood out in any way as it sounded like anything that I could have heard at a coffee shop, college campus talent show, street corner busking or elsewhere. The context that he was a depressed independent musician does little to resonate with me as that appears to be closer to the status quo than otherwise.
I didn't realize until checking just now that this was the 3rd Nick Drake album on the list. I enjoyed the prior albums for what they were as cozy indie folk albums but Pink Moon didn't hook me. I'd vote this one off personally to make way for another artist. At least it was short so not a huge investment.
1.47 stars
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
Interesting entry. It's a pretty cool demonstration of the synthesizer in what felt like a very outer space inspired album. It's not bad, but also not something I think I need outside of this list. I can see how this would have influenced other electronic artists and I can see why it makes the list even if it is a niche entry. I myself somewhat enjoyed the soundtrack of a trip to the planetarium in the 70's though I'm not sure I'll ever revisit it.
2.48 stars
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Better than their prior entry but still not something for me to write home about. It's a little more approachable than their debut album and they've grown a bit as a band over the couple years they performed together as expected. I wouldn't begrudge anybody who connects with this album or band overall. For me it's about what I expected which is a middle of the pack album from a band that I'm pretty mild on.
2.67 stars
Supergrass
4/5
Another solid entry by Supergrass. Glad that 1001 exposed me to these guys. They are a good example of the 90's rock sound. There isn't anything overly special about what they are doing but they manage to string together a handful of catchy songs through both albums so far. Definitely an overlooked band as I hadn't heard of them previously. Their sound is pretty simple but something about it works. I'll have to check out some more of their stuff beyond this list.
The White Stripes
3/5
White Blood Cells is another well known album from The White Stripes. While it still holds up well it comes in a little below the prior entry. It's got a lot of the signature Jack White flair and a good mix of some hard indie rock and more slowed down folksy stuff. Enjoyable listen pretty much all the way through. Another solid entry from Jack White (and company).
3.31 stars
fIREHOSE
3/5
Pretty run of the mill indie rock album from what I could tell. It wasn't bad, but at the same time I'm not sure what it did to land on this list. It didn't do anything really unique, and while that isn't a necessary point of entry I'm wondering what the author saw in this to differentiate it from countless other indie acts. Not sure I'll ever find out but there are many worse ways to spend 30 minutes than listening to Fromohio.
2.63 stars
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
What an entry. I guess I should have expected something a little out there from the gang that hit the map with Relax. I can't say I've ever heard anything else by Frankie Goes To Hollywood and I guess I can see why as Pleasuredome seems like it would have had limited commercial appeal beyond its initial launch and reaction. Seems like a perfect amalgamation of a new fad that Frankie managed to encapsulate by being at the right place at the right time. A little hard to believe this album actually features (3) British #1 hits but kinda cool that they managed to strike a chord at one point.
I'll always give credit to an act that manages to do something completely different and make it work. It's a fun album for a single listen but the lasting appeal is pretty limited. The weirdness is just enough to keep it approachable for the masses, though I expect the novelty wore off pretty quickly. It's got some solid production and some varied subject matter, but all in all I'm not sure the album holds up over time. Not sure we need a cover version of War, Born to Run, Burt Bacharach, or Huey Lewis from the likes of Frankie but I guess they shot their shot. Even if I don't think I'll come back to this I did enjoy the listen as a time capsule to a strange project and unique point in time.
Welcome To The Pleasuredome is a little tiresome (both single and the overall album) but still a cool example of a long-form electro-pop track / concept album from the time. I am truly glad that I heard this before I died which is about all you can ask when reviewing this list. Great entry for 1001 even if it isn't anywhere near the top of my list.
2.18 stars
Kings of Leon
3/5
I'd consider myself a fan of Kings of Leon but this debut album doesn't excite me the way some of their future albums do. Their debut is a little too muddy or rockabilly adjacent which I believe pales in comparison to the more refined alt rock sound that popularized them a few years later.
Youth and Young Manhood is still a pretty solid debut though. It brought some new flair to the southern blues rock genre and and offered up a new family band for the populace to get behind. The engine room is competent and some of the guitar work is good enough to keep the listener hooked. Caleb Folliwill has some smooth raspiness in vocals that I typically enjoy, but they are a little too slurred and messy at times on this album to really draw me in.
It's still a pretty good album, but I would personally have opted for either Because of the Times or Only by The Night as better entries. Perhaps one of these will show up later on this list.
2.68 stars
Hüsker Dü
2/5
I had only been familiar with Husker Du by virtue of their band name (always was a fan of the children's game). Now that I've spent an hour+ with them, I'm not sure they are for me. I can understand why they may have influenced other bands but they didn't do much to keep me interested after the first handful of tracks.
Overall the album is a little tedious and would have been stronger had they shortened it up and trimmed some of the fat. After a while the songs start to meld into each other and do little to stand out. When all is said and done this one will be shelved and skipped over by me in the future.
1.77 stars
The Beach Boys
1/5
The Beach Boys distanced themselves a bit from the surf rock genre and with it went a lot of the charm that I guess I appreciated from their earlier albums. Maybe it was the right professional choice at the time, but 25 years later these chamber pop albums are just skippable bubble gum for the most part. It's not the worst in small doses for 1-2 songs but most of it has no lasting appeal. I'm not a big Beach Boys fan to begin with and this comes in well below than the prior entry. Glad that it was short because it would have taken additional hits had it dragged on.
They had their moment in the sun and deserved it but music has mostly moved on. (Evidently not everyone has moved on since whatever is left of The Beach Boys is still touring in 2025 with John Stamos involvement. Madness.)
1.48 stars
R.E.M.
3/5
More of what I've come to expect and very much enjoy from R.E.M. It's got handful of hits and a couple of solid deep cuts in line with R.E.M.'s other work from this period. My biggest criticism would probably be that there is a little too much mandolin from Peter Buck. I recognize that it became part of their signature over time, but it's better used sparingly to add character than to play a featured part. I have a lot of fondness for Green even though I think it ranks behind the other entries on this list in Document and Automatic.
3.42 stars
Tom Waits
3/5
I'm not sure what it is about Tom Waits that makes his music so endearing to me. On paper, Swordfishtrombones is all over the place and messy, but somehow Tom Waits is able to wrangle this into something mildly successful. It's got a lot of his typical charm, wit and craziness as we romp between various musical stylings. Somehow this all boils down into something that I found pretty enjoyable, even with some misses sprinkled in. While it doesn't stand up to prior entry Rain Dogs, it's another example of why an artist like Tom Waits deserves his flowers as everything about his act is unique. Only a character like Tom Waits has what it takes to lean into the unusual and pull it off to moderate success. He's a perfectly executed musical fiasco that somehow works.
Tom Waits is quickly climbing my list of artists I would most like to get a beer with. He's got a special kind of weird/crazy and I imagine it would be a blast to pick his brain for a couple of hours.
3.24 stars
Dizzee Rascal
1/5
About 5-10 minutes in I felt like I got what this Dizzee Rascal was going for. Unfortunately there were 10+ more tracks that I had to sit through. The rapping is wild and often difficult to understand beyond the chorus and the beats are a little obnoxious after more than 5 minutes. Most of the songs are pretty similar and run together. I'm sure the attitude and swagger that accompany this have an effect if you are a young rebellious kid out at the clubs, but it doesn't have any allure for me. The drum and bass grime genre must have its fans somewhere in Britain. For me, I'm happy to avoid it for the most part. No disrespect to the DJ's and MC's but its just not my thing.
1.44 stars
AC/DC
3/5
Yep that's definitely AC/DC. While I enjoy some of their hits I've never been into the rest of their catalog. They have a formula that they stick to, which mostly works but for some reason just never wowed me. I know they are beloved but I've always considered them just OK.
I found myself enjoying Highway to Hell through most of the duration. It's a pretty effective execution of their formula. It's got all their signature hard rock sounds with some good guitar work. Bon Scott is in typical form wrangling lyrics about sex and hell as expected. While I know he is beloved but I've never been big on his vocals (nor really Brian Johnson's for that matter). By the end of the album I was over it and ready to move on.
Like I said I enjoy a couple of their hits but I've always found the rest of the catalog to be just OK. Highway to Hell is probably their best album and a good outline of what they bring to the table. It's certainly worth a listen. I get why people like them and they are relevant in rock history but I've always just been lukewarm on them.
2.66 stars
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
After listening to this album I'm a little surprised I've never heard of The 13th Floor Elevators. It seems like they paved the way for the psychedelic rock movement but I've never heard them mentioned in discussion with other contemporary acts from the 60s. This album had more than enough to stick out from the bunch. Some of it is relatively standard fair, but they go off the beaten path enough to make it interesting. There are a couple tracks that I liked enough to add to my list, with Roller Coast and Fire Engine being a couple highlights.
What a cool entry to come out of 1966. Hard not to consider this album ahead of its time. I can't imagine I've heard an example of amplified jug as an instrument before.
2.92 stars
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
Perfect excuse for me to delve a little deeper into LCD Soundsystem. I know a couple of their more popular songs but have never listened to an album. I really liked what I got in Sound of Silver. James Murphy and company are really creative in their use of electronic instruments with some traditional backing. They meld genres really effectively and pump out a really fun, high energy collection of tracks, all of which are solid. James Murphy's vocal style adds another layer of onion to help them stand out as a unique act in contemporary music.
Really nice entry by LCD Soundsystem. They are a band that I need to get more familiar with. Every time I hear them come up I'm interested and I've yet to hear something from them that I didn't like. Keep it coming.
4.07 stars
The Verve
2/5
Not sure what to say about this one. It's not objectively bad but I'm surprised how little it moved me. It might have gone down a little smoother at half the length but the 75 minute playtime made this album really tiresome. After the opening track I didn't find the album did anything to grab me. It's some melodramatic indie brit-pop but doesn't have any of the energy that I typically enjoy in the genre. Even Bitter Sweet Symphony which is undoubtedly the biggest and best song from this album appears to have lost a lot of its appeal to me nearly 30 years down the line. I understand why this album may have had its moment in 1997 but man did it underwhelm me in 2025.
A surprising 1.78 stars.
Motörhead
2/5
Didn't really like it, but also didn't hate it. Motorhead certainly established a formula and stuck to it. That felt like 12 of the same song over and over. Fast beat, hard rock riff and some strained gravelly vocals from Lemmy. Pretty easy for me to shelve this and move on from Motorhead.
Lemmy's vocals are primarily what set Motorhead apart from other hard rock acts of this ilk. This dude must have smoked a couple packs then chased it with a glass of thumbtacks and sandpaper. I can understand the unique allure but is has never worked for me. A song here and there is OK but I have no need to spend any extended time with Motorhead. Glad it was only 35 mins even if I didn't mind it.
2.20 stars
TV On The Radio
3/5
I've heard of TV On The Radio in passing over the years. They've never had a breakout hit to my knowledge so I never gave them a shot previously. Dear Science was a nice little indie rock entry that mixed it up a bit. Some decent arrangements and variance throughout the album. Nothing wowed me, but there was a handful of songs I liked enough that I'll probably check out some of their top songs and see if they have anything else to offer. Even if they don't have their place in music history I'd take entries like this of somewhat unknown contemporary indie acts over outdated albums or more run of the mill britpop acts.
3.02 stars
Manu Chao
3/5
Manu Chao has some creative beats and production tied throughout the album. He switches between languages pretty seamlessly which is a nice fold. I'll admit I was enjoying the first half of this album but I don't think it held up throughout the full duration. While it fizzles over the back half it is still a decent entry as it offers something unique and new. Glad to get the exposure to something like this as I can't imagine I would have heard of it otherwise.
2.59 stars
The Damned
2/5
Most punk rock is a little bit messy by design. Sometimes this adds to the charm or gives it some edge to help it stand out. Other times it just makes an album sound bad and leaves me uninterested. Machine Gun Etiquette fell into the latter category. I wrapped up the album and basically wanted to move on. I didn't take much from it. At least they varied it up a bit and mixed up their vocals and included some piano at times. Machine Gun Etiquette didn't really do it for me.
1.76 stars
Röyksopp
3/5
Interestingly enough I was familiar with Royksopp through a Geico caveman commercial and a friend in college quite a while back. I enjoyed what I had heard, but hadn't delved into their albums. Glad I was given an excuse as Melody A.M. was a very pleasant listen. I really vibed with the chill electronic beats and soft vocals. The album was just the right level of engaging and cerebral without asking too much from the listener. The last two songs slowed it down too much and were a little empty, but I really enjoyed 80% of this album. Melody A.M. was mostly delightful and I'd be interested in listening to more by Royksopp.
3.44 stars
Morrissey
3/5
Another dip in the Morrissey well for better or for worse. I can't disagree that objectively he is a competent musician and songwriter. However, he manages to do everything in what seems like the most obnoxious way he can possibly think of. The subject matter appears to be designed to piss everyone off and alienate as many potential fans as possible. Despite this You Are The Quarry was OK for a one time listen. It's got a little more modern swagger to help cover up just a bit of the Morrissey melodrama and completely ridiculous lyrics. It's another entry in the "meh" department though I think I've had my fill of Morrissey on this list.
2.50 stars
Leonard Cohen
1/5
After the first song and title track I didn't think the album would be so awful. Unfortunately I was hit with more and more very slow, acoustic folk rock from an aging octogenarian that did very little to keep this interesting. I'm sure the list creator finds meaning in this album but I'm not sure I had to hear this before I died. Just because the guy was 80 doesn't mean I have to enjoy it.
Evidently I do want it darker as I found this album pretty much a bore. I didn't realize that I gave his prior entry such a low score because I had basically removed this from my memory but that tracks. To echo prior review, I'd like to nope out of future Leonard Cohen albums if possible.
0.76 stars
2/5
I need to stop giving myself a false sense of excitement after the first song on an album. River of Orchids was a pretty good entry and had a decent hook to open the album. It turns out I like the idea of Orchustic (orchestral acoustic) genre better than the reality. Despite some of the shortcomings I can't write off the full album as there a couple nuggets buried in there (Greenman especially) and the album is unique enough to be worth a listen. There's some good strings, vocals and synth lines mixed in that even though I can't give it a great review I was at least interested in what XTC was doing.
The good stuff is pretty good, the bad stuff is pretty bad especially on the back half of the album that really lingers too long. It all adds to up a middle of the pack album, but not a listen I'm regretting. If anything my curiosity is piqued for Volume 2 (Wasp Star) and I'd like to see what they do with a more rock-oriented approach. Hoping it makes an appearance despite the lack luster marks for Volume 1.
1.93 stars
Laura Nyro
2/5
How has Laura Nyro been lost to musical history? Even if this Eli album didn't rock my world I was hugely surprised this was an entry from 1968. It definitely sounded ahead of its time and I can see how this would have influenced future musicians despite the fact I've never heard of her. Some decent meldings of jazz, pop, soul, and other depth genres. It's not in my wheelhouse but I can understand why this would have a lasting legacy and belong on a list like this. Must have been a pretty cool album at the time of its release.
1.89 stars
Dolly Parton
2/5
Much like her personality, Dolly's music has a certain charm to it. This is some early bubble gum country which is easy enough to stomach for 27 minutes. It's nothing special for me, but I can see why someone would enjoy this. Coat of Many Colors is short and sweet much like Dolly herself.
Country is not my thing but Dolly Parton has always been a treasure. I'll never fault anybody who is a fan of Dolly whether that applies to her music or other professional endeavors. There's plenty other music I'd rather listen to, but if country is what is on the playlist I'd hope that Dolly is involved.
1.92 stars
Portishead
2/5
I didn't quite connect with Third the way I did with Dummy. It has some cool segments and pretty wide range of tracks some of which I enjoyed. It's eerie and uncomfortable at times which I imagine they were going for but it was a little too all over the place for me to maintain any momentum.
I get that Portishead likes to mix it up quite a bit, but Third almost seems to be experimental just for the sake of being experimental. They pushed the envelope a little too far. I put this is the same realm of auteur movie director who establishes their unique style, but after too many visits to the well they seem to be doing inane things just to show how out of the box they can be. This got too close to being up its own Portishead butt for me.
1.87 stars
Elvis Presley
2/5
More of what I expect from The King. Evidently I like this era of Elvis a little more than the prior entries. The ensemble of pop rockability love songs with some added accompaniment and backing vocals make it a little more fun than crooning gospel country songs. There was a time and place for this and he was influential no doubt but it does little for me in 2025. Not bad but I don't expect I'll ever listen to this again.
1.80 stars
Stevie Wonder
1/5
Didn't get much out of this Stevie entry. I can understand why he has a following and is a cultural icon but this album doesn't seem to belong on the list. I enjoyed Boogie On Reggae Woman but otherwise this album came up mostly empty. Nice to see a shout out to the Jackson 5 thrown in I guess. I'd relegate Fulfillingness off the list since we already have 3 other Stevie Wonder albums on here.
1.18 stars
The Incredible String Band
1/5
This sounds like a handful of eccentric 60's hippies grabbed a fist full of acid and started playing whatever instruments they could find. I guess Acid Folk as a genre pretty accurately describes a bunch of strung out minstrels playing some whimsical songs. It's definitely a mixed bag. There's some colorful segments but at times it felt like a parody of what you would expect at a renaissance fair. I held on for a while but the back half of the album went out with a whimper.
Not sure how I feel about The Incredible String Band. Pretty sure I would recommend they change their name as I heard mostly flute and light vocals and didn't find any of it incredible.
1.33 stars
Ella Fitzgerald
1/5
I wasn't looking forward to running through 60 songs over 3 hours of outdated vocal jazz for good reason. I figured the best way to approach this was to throw this on during a daytime stroll through the park with the daughters. This was probably the best setting possible as it was a gorgeous sunny day with a light breeze with one cutie pie riding her bike and the other in the stroller observing the pedestrian and dog passerbys.
For the first half hour or so it was a pretty pleasant experience. There were a couple of tunes that I recognized from random pop culture references (notably Let's Call The Whole Thing Off). The old-school whimsical show tunes actually made it feel like a slice of an outdated classic movie scene at times. Despite this, the effect could only last so long.
Ella's singing is fine and the musical accompaniment isn't bad, but the whole collection is excessive for a list like this. You quickly understand what the Gershwin songbook has to offer and unfortunately have to suffer through another couple hours. For every good song there are 10 more that sound just like it. It's not that the music is bad, it just really only works in a certain place and it more than overstays its welcome. Even after an extended nearly 2-hour walk I still had quite a bit left to get through. I opted to finish it up during some morning busy work at the office which I guess wasn't the worst. The music isn't overly distracting and is light enough to keep the mood positive while churning out emails or whatever.
This entry was a bit of a struggle to get through, mostly due to the playtime as opposed to the content. I understand that the Gershwin songbook is a heralded collection of jazz showtunes so I appreciate that it gave me a reason to intake a piece of musical history. The fact that any of these songs are relevant nearly 100 years later is an accomplishment in itself so I understand why it deserves recognition and how Ella's recordings fit into that. However, I really hope additional entries from Ella Fitzgerald's Great American Songbook aren't included in this.
I got enough Ella in this 3+ hour collection that I plan to file her away for good. If you could slice this into a smaller format it would garner a couple more stars but due to the excessive length I have to give it low marks.
.84 stars
Lorde
3/5
Decent follow up album by Lorde after making a splash with her debut. Melodrama has more of the same indie pop that helped put her on the map. There was a couple of radio hits that may have overexposed her in the wake of her quick success but the albums have held up pretty well over the past 10 years.
I've always considered Lorde a little overrated, specifically in terms of a vocalist, but that doesn't detract that I can still enjoy her music. The pieces of the puzzle come together well enough that she will continue to get some deserved air play. We've seen her live a couple times and she puts on a good show.
3.27 stars
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Born To Run was more enjoyable than I remembered, both in terms of the album and the title track. It's during the best phase of his career and has a couple examples of the tropes that made Bruce famous. His strained vocals and over the top enthusiasm are still kinda endearing before they devolve into what I find to be tired played out trope later in his career.
My main take away is how good the E Street Band is on this album. While Bruce will always be the face/front-man, the E Street Band really carry Born To Run. The piano lines are solid, Clarence's sax is great when it gets the spotlight, Max's drumming is on point, and occasional brass and strings are effective when they join the mix. Without their influence you lose the majority of the charm of the act, which is why I've always disliked The Boss's acoustic and later albums without the E Street band.
I did a deep dive on Springsteen a couple years back and realized that outside of a couple of hits The Boss isn't really my thing. I'd make exception for Born In The USA and Born To Run, both of which are worthy entries for 1001 even if you aren't a fan. They give you the necessary glimpse as to how and why he was sellling #1 records for an extended time and why the E Street Band were able to spin off and remain relevant at times. You can keep the remainder of his discography away from me though.
2.99 stars
Bob Dylan
3/5
That's definitely Dylan, and it's surprisingly enjoyable. I've waxed poetic about my contempt for Bob Dylan on prior entries but I really don't have any negativity for Blonde on Blonde. It's a rather effective album pretty much from start to finish. I expected I would have to suffer through this as a double album but Mr. Zimmerman was able to hook me and keep me engaged for 70 minutes, a feat that I didn't expect was possible until this listen. While I quickly moved on from prior Bob Dylan entries, there are a couple of tracks from Blonde on Blonde that I will definitely revisit in the future.
While Dylan mostly misses the mark for me, I can see why this album is listed among the greats. It pulls all the right strings whether you a Dylan die-hard or not. It's a pretty perfect slice of the 60's folk movement that Dylan was such a key component of. While I don't think he'll make a believe out of me in the long run, I have to give props to this one.
3.23 stars
Morrissey
2/5
This list creator has way too much of a hard on for Morrissey/Smiths. There's only so much of his schtick that I can take. Your Arsenal was a little bit more rock and roll but Morrissey's vocal styling still brings it into the same realm as prior entries.
Had this not landed within a couple weeks of a couple other Morrissey albums I might not have minded it but unfortunately its a victim of timing and overexposure. There's altogether too much Morrissey on this list and Your Arsenal and future entries are going to suffer as a result. In small doses I don't think I mind it, but as I listen to more albums there are diminishing returns and its actually hurting my opinion of the tunes. I'm really burned out on him already and suspect there might still be more coming.
1.87 stars
Can
1/5
Not familiar with Can but prior krautrock entries have been a nice little surprise for something different that I wouldn't normally be exposed to. I wasn't minding Tago Mago for a little while. Nothing special but a couple of decent tunes to zone out to. Then about 30-minutes in it took a complete turn. It devolved to a bunch of way-too-long minimalist experimental bologna. I feel like I typically have a pretty wide range for this type of thing and even if it's not my cup of tea I can appreciate an artist going off the rails to do something weird. This was not the case for the back half of Tago Mago which was pretty much a bunch of nonsense. I'm not sure why this would deserve praise or critical acclaim. I don't think I'm missing anything so I'm not sure who would enjoy the 30-minute detour this album took. Save your time and opt to listen to something else.
1.08 stars
Steve Earle
2/5
Not the worst country I've heard but still not something I want to listen to more than once. It has some textbook southern twang and hits enough of the country music tropes where I'm sure there is an audience for it. It's relatively unobtrusive for the most part which is more palatable than a lot of the other country garbage I've been exposed to. I can't fault it too much even if it's not my thing.
1.63 stars
Happy Mondays
2/5
At times I was really enjoying this. At times it was nothing more than background noise. At times the mancunian lyrics and over production was working. At other times I wanted to tune out.
Hard to nail down Pills 'n' Thrills so I guess it comes out somewhere in the middle. There's plenty worse on this list but also plenty of more interesting albums as well. I have a lot of endearment for Paul Oakenfold and Shaun Ryder so I probably enjoyed this a little more than it deserved.
2.44 stars
X-Ray Spex
2/5
Nice to be exposed to some alternate punk with a female vocalists. She brings a lot of enthusiasm to the affair which is otherwise pretty basic. I was enjoying this for a bit but I didn't expect the novelty to wear off so quickly though. Within 20 minutes I had consumed pretty much all the X-Ray Spex I think I need. It's not bad, but the formula is so consistent that it almost feels like you listened to the same song for 10 of the 12 tracks. Glad to be exposed to them, but not anything I'll spend more time with.
1.98 stars
Radiohead
3/5
Another decent entry from Radiohead. It's got a lot of what I've come to expect from Thom Yorke and company. Some very cerebral dark electronic sounds and a couple songs I quite enjoyed. This album didn't stand out in the way the OK Computer did but still has enough of the Radiohead flair to make it worth a listen.
Hail To The Thief comes in middle of the pack for Radiohead discography which remains pretty reliable. Not the top of my list but they are a good band. I like them and can see why others love them.
3.21 stars
Frank Zappa
3/5
Zappa has a reputation for being eccentric and weird. I figured he would inevitably end up on this list and was looking forward to consuming something from his collection. I definitely didn't expect this to be an instrumental jazz fusion album. Figured this might be a bit of a snooze but I found myself enjoying Hot Rats in spite of myself. The jams, while at times a little long-winded, are pretty catchy and fun. There was enough in this to keep me listening through the full duration. It's nothing special but manages to scratch a certain itch. I'm interested in hearing something else by Zappa that is closer to his signature weirdness. Preferably something more like the first few minutes of Willie The Pimp.
2.52 stars
Paul Simon
2/5
Paul Simon is one of the best at weaving some somber emotional vocals between some soft backing tracks. For better or for worse, he certainly has a style/schtick that resonates with some people I can appreciate the occasional jaunty tune or touching ballad with some nice guitar picking but it gets played out pretty quickly. A couple PS (or S&G) songs now and then are great, but its tough for me to spend any extended time with Paul Simon (solo or duo). Hearts and Bones was another middle of the pack album overall. I don't think I'll ever revisit any of this other than maybe Cars Are Cars as a joke for my toddler-aged children.
Like past reviews I appreciate the artist and even enjoy his work in small doses but its going to remain on the shelf for the most part beyond the occasional sampling of a couple of his greatest hits .
2.09 stars
Femi Kuti
3/5
Some pretty nice jams from Femi Kuti and company. I only know an inkling of afrobeat from Gorillaz/Damon Albarn overlap with Tony Allen and some of the minor ways it has permeated pop music. It's upbeat and fun enough to give some good vibes and Femi Kuti proves this on here. 70 minutes was a little more than I needed, but the album was competent enough that I didn't struggle through it at all.
Another good global entry from 1001. Even if a lot of this foreign music is not something I would typically come back to I am really glad to be exposed to so many acts that otherwise would have been nowhere near my radar. Can't complain about this one.
2.62 stars
Miles Davis
1/5
Can't say I took much of anything out of In A Silent Way. It's two unspectacular jazz songs book ended by boring jazz dabbling. At least there is some electric influence in it to make it sound a little less outdated but nothing in the playing stood out really. Poor drum guy had to play the same consistent boring beat for 20 minutes. This did very little for me and I'm ready to move on from Miles Davis.
0.79 stars
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
As much as I've consider myself an RHCP fan for many years I've found that my fondness for them has been waning as I age. I've started to understand people's complaints about them or why Kiedis' vocals would annoy someone. I still enjoy a handful of singles but they don't hit the same way they did in my teens and 20s.
This echoes my thoughts on Californication. This album was huge and I recall being inundated with the singles when they being released. The front side of the album is loaded with singles and all the best songs that still hold up really well today. Unfortunately, once you get past the first half the remainder of the album is a little lackluster. After the opening bang it leaves you hanging for 30 minutes just kinda shrugging your shoulders.
A solid album that deserves its entry on the list but when it wrapped I was a little underwhelmed after storming out of the gates. I'll surely come back to Californication in the future, but might pull the ripcord after side A. Perhaps if they had re-sequenced and not front-loaded it so much I may have given it higher marks. Still a worthy entry no doubt.
3.49 stars
John Grant
2/5
I can't figure out what's going on with Queen Of Denmark. One minute he's singing about Sigourney Weaver and aliens and then he's tackling conservative religion and suicidal depression. At times it felt like a children's album, at other times it felt like an emotionally charged thinkpiece about the writer's personal beliefs/feelings. The tone is all over the place and I can't figure out if it's a sarcastic album with tongue in cheek nods or something to be taken seriously. Sure it's creative, but I'm not sure I really enjoyed any of it. I can understand why someone would connect with this, but it was a little too artsy fartsy for me.
1.64 stars
Koffi Olomide
1/5
Another unknown foreign album. Sounded like a bunch of African musicians got together and had a good time. It's all over the place but not bad. Wish I could have understood some of the lyrics to find out what it is they are singing about but the music is fun enough for a while before you tune out. It's got vibes, I'll give it that, which is about all you can ask for on an album that otherwise I would never been exposed to. Not bad, not great.
1.49 stars
Cornershop
3/5
I didn't recognize Cornershop by name, but realized that I've heard a couple of these songs before. Always been a fan of Brimful of Asha (remix version) and nice to come back to Sleep On The Left Side after so many years. There's some decent diversity throughout the album and Tjinder Singh's vocals do enough to make the whole act somewhat unique.
This one was a good revisit of some of the 90's alternate electronica influenced britpop from the time. It's great in small doses but doesn't hold up through the full duration unfortunately. I wish there was a little more meat on the bone because the hits are good and variety with the Eastern influence is enough to keep the album interesting. I'll revisit a couple songs sparingly in the future but probably won't delve much deeper into their discography. Was really excited to see Justin Warfield involved on this and hope we get some more of him on this list.
2.87 stars
The Flaming Lips
3/5
I always wanted to listen to this album but for some reason never pulled the trigger. Glad I got the excuse I needed to give it a listen. I knew the title track but not confident I had any prior exposure to the remainder of the album. Wayne Coyne and company bring a pretty nice fantastical album to life. It's got a lot of the electronic creativity they are known for without being too weird to alienate listeners like some of their other work does. Pretty solid throughout. Good entry point for any newcomers to The Flaming Lips. Glad to check the box, will probably come back to it at some point in the future.
3.15 stars
Jamiroquai
3/5
I've obviously missed the bus on Jamiroquai. Prior to this album I've heard like 3 songs and liked them all but never thought to throw them on in the background. I was very curious going in to Emergency On Planet Earth. They set the table with a very poppy hit that has a lot of energy and establishes the electro-funk sound. It holds on for another handful of songs that have really positive vibes. Remainder of the album has its highs and lows, but nothing I didn't enjoy. Jay Kay's vocals have a great allure and make you feel like he is just there making music and having a great time with some buds.
Never heard of Acid Jazz before but it seems like a lot of fun paying homage to some foregone genres with a modern swing. Great blend of classic instruments melding with electronic funk with a modern-retro flair. Now that I've gone through Emergency On Planet Earth it seems like these guys might be right up my alley. If the rest of their discography is anything like this I feel like they'll have a new fan on their hands. Interested in checking some more out.
3.32 stars
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
I'm a pretty big Jimi Hendrix fan but Electric Ladyland has always been a little difficult to defend for me. I love Are You Experienced? and really enjoy Axis: Bold as Love but Electric Ladyland doesn't pack the same punch. I get that Jimi was experimenting and trying to showcase a handful of styles/genres but the overall collection and 73 minute playtime is a little lackluster when compared to his other work. This is another example where the album would have been stronger had it been cut in half. There's a lot of filler on sides B and C that I think should have been left on the cutting room floor. I typically enjoy a long jam, especially when Jimi can just do this thing, but there was no need for 2 on this album.
Despite its flaws there is still some quality Hendrix and company on this album. It opens with a couple solid songs and gives you the 14 minute Voodoo Chile to showcase some signature blues rock from the Experience. If you tune out for B and C you get a hell of a finish with Watchtower and Voodoo Chile (Slight Return). Overall it's an OK album, but I tend to go elsewhere for my Jimi Hendrix fix.
As a footnote, considering how recognized Jimi is for his guitar playing, I'm amazed he isn't regularly listed as a great vocalist. Something about his voice packs a huge punch and a ton of style whether he's noodling about magic castles or musing about civil rights and war issues. RIP Jimi.
2.75 stars
Girls Against Boys
1/5
I'm not sure what made anyone think this album belonged on this list. It was pretty much 45 minutes of the same bad hard rock song over and over. The vocals are completely washed out and comprehensible. The drum and guitar work are lackluster. The tone of the album feels consistently negative and unpalatable. This didn't even do anything weird or bad enough to make it interesting in any way. I'm not sure what made this so unpleasant as at face value its just an unknown post-hardcore rock album. For some reason nothing about this resonated with me which is almost impressive in its own right. I think I'm voting this one off the island and filing Girls Against Boys away for good.
1.21 stars
Devendra Banhart
2/5
Can't say I was familiar with Devendra Banhart and after listening to this album I can see why he wasn't on my radar. It's not that the music is bad, it just isn't my cup of tea. It's a pretty artsy fartsy modern folk album from what I can tell. It's hard to knock this album as it is objectively competent but doesn't do anything for me personally. Most of the songs are a little too slow for my liking. The best tracks are the ones that kick it up a notch with a little accompaniment (Fall). I can see how this would be an indie hit and be used various pop culture media. There's plenty worse than this on the list but I'll personally file this one away.
1.79 stars
Bon Jovi
3/5
For some reason I feel like Bon Jovi gets ripped on a bit more than some of their contemporaries. Sure, some of their hits are a little corny, but overall they've managed to stay relevant within their lane of hair metal / glam rock for much longer than they are given credit for. Whether you like them or not their hits are noted crowd-pleasers even if a few of them are played out at this point. Slippery When Wet is the best example of this as a couple of the singles have been beaten to death from radio or cheesy karaoke airplay over the years. In a vacuum the singles aren't bad, but they take on new meaning (both good and bad) when consumed among the masses.
It doesn't surprise me that Slippery When Wet was a smash hit upon release and I can see why the hits are still relevant today. It scratches the itch of 80's hair metal and pop rock pretty effectively. Taken at face value 40 years later its still a pretty solid collection of tunes that I think a lot of people enjoy more than they care to admit (especially side A). Props to Bon Jovi (the band) on the album and staying with it despite any flak thrown their way. Props to Bon Jovi (the guy) for what seems like being a decent guy both in and out of his musical career.
3.03 stars
The Stooges
1/5
Didn't need another Stooges album. Figured their debut might have shed some light as to why they are on the list 3 times but that wasn't the case. Maybe this was iconic when it released but it didn't hold up for me on a current listen. I tried to like this but just couldn't.
We Will Fall was an awful waste of 10 minutes and the rest of the album did little more to rein it in. Evidently I'm just not a big fan of early Iggy and/or his time with The Stooges.
0.95 stars
The Charlatans
3/5
I've noted in previous reviews that I am a fan of britpop. Always been a fan of many of the flagship britpop acts but it seems the genre is deeper than I initially thought. Never heard of The Charlatans but it seems like they should have been given more exposure stateside. Tellin' Stories has a lot of the same appeal you would get from Blur, Oasis, etc. but feels like it has a little more friendly of an approach. Very solid album that has a lot of the 90's appeal without some of the pompousness and arrogance that I get from some of the other british acts.
It's pretty easy to say its just more of the same britpop charm you expect from other acts buts its got 11 songs, none of which are bad and some of which are pretty good singles. This album deserves a good review but I might have given it a little higher marks had it come up a little earlier. It might have sounded more novel as opposed to derivative of so many other acts that have appeared on the list so far. It's hard to knock The Charlatans or Tellin' Stories for this but unfortunately the entry is a little harmed by the list creator. Decent entry, glad for the exposure though I can see how anyone would be burned out by so much britpop on the list. I might check out some of their other hits to see what else they have though I expect Tellin' Stories was a good example of their offering.
3.07 stars
The Clash
4/5
I never realized how much London Calling was a departure for The Clash from their punk rock sound. The title track is such pop culture anthem that I figured the rest of the album just followed suit and stayed in the lane that they had carved out for themselves.
I was pretty pleased that they mixed it up and sampled some other genres. The albums still carries the British swagger and accents that The Clash were known for, but its a refreshing take to include horns, rockabilly, ska beats and whatnot from a set of known punk rockers. I can see why this would have shook up the culture and how it remains relevant today. The songs are all approachable and hold up pretty well. Even at 65 minutes this remained enjoyable throughout. There's some fun cheeky subject matter (Lover's Rock) mix in and I've always been a big fan of Train In Vain. Glad I gave this a full listen after all these years as its a very deserved entry.
3.83 stars
Lou Reed
2/5
Not sure what about Berlin makes this list-worth. It's a pretty pedestrian album in terms of Lou Reed and in the broad spectrum. Side A has a little more energy and is a decent listen. Side B has a couple slower ballads that are not bad but not great. I'd call this album pretty skippable not in that it's bad, but moreso in that it doesn't do anything to stand out.
Even as a Lou Reed fan he is over-represented on this list (primarily because of The Velvet Underground getting 3 albums for some reason). I'll stick to Lou Reed greatest hits for the most part and skip a lot of the filler among his discography.
2.05 stars
Orange Juice
3/5
I was previously unfamiliar with Orange Juice but have heard of Edwyn Collins. Interesting to get a glimpse into his early years. Hard to put a finger on Rip It Up as the album is all over the place. It's a unique variety of stylings and instrumental lineups most of which make for an interesting listen. Despite the lack of coherency I enjoyed the album though I don't think I'll come to it. No real standout hits for me but definitely not a bad use of 40 minutes.
2.54 stars
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
Most of the post-Beatles individual careers have been a mixed bag. There are some nuggets of competence but the majority of the releases have been relatively pedestrian that likely would have been skipped over or lost to the void if they didn't feature the namesake of a former Beatle. Paul McCartney has certainly had the best post-career arch with his solo and work with Wings and Band On The Run is probably the best example of it. The album features a lot of the charm that Paul brought to the big band. His tunes were usually a little more positive and bubble-gummy, which holds true for Band On The Run. Paul was already legend before this but his ability to stay relevant and maintain a career over another 50 years after the split is no feat to ignore. I enjoyed the listen to Band On The Run and will continue to come back to the title track when I need to scratch that itch.
2.92 stars
Gene Clark
2/5
Yet another 70's folk rock album from an artist I don't know but am aware of some of their classical connections. I didn't expect much heading into this but wasn't disappointed. It's pretty run of the mill folk album. Thankfully it's a tad more upbeat than some of the prior entries but still nothing special. Overall, I'm getting a little tired of folk rock albums but some of them are better than the others this one being on the higher end.
1.85 stars
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
I find it strange that multiple acts on this list named themselves Incredible ___ Band. I didn't expect much out of this as acts that tend to self-label themselves as incredible rarely live up to the namesake. All pretentiousness aside I was pretty pleased with what I got from Bongo Rock, though a little perplexed as it seemed pretty short on bongos in general (unless I missed something?).
It's a fun detour down an instrumental alley with a couple funky jams and some nods to otherwise famous tunes (Apache, Gadda-Da-Vida). While I don't think I needed to hear this before I died I'm not mad that I did. Nice little slice of an alternate approach to the genre for 30+ minutes. I'd strip the Incredible moniker, but overall not a bad entry from the Bongo Band. This lands pretty much straight down the middle as there is plenty worse but plenty better on the list.
2.50 stars
Van Morrison
2/5
Another reluctant live album with this one coming in over 90 minutes. You get a good smattering of some of Van Morrison's best songs and a couple of class guest hits with some really nice accompaniment on horns and strings. The backing band is humming which really helps to fill out the album and you can tell the synergy was there as they were going through the set list.
Can't say I didn't enjoy it but there is still so much lost between an audio recording of a live show and actually being there or even having seen the band live at a different time. I have limited knowledge of Van Morrison and never got the pleasure of seeing him live (don't expect I ever will since he's technically still active) so even while some of the tracks were good these live recordings do little to impact me. I almost always prefer listening to a studio version vs. live recording but Van sounded about as good as you can on this one. It's a decent album but its hard to classify this as something I needed to hear before I die.
Outside of some specific legendary live recordings that have a very notable story or have survived the years in pop culture references I find most live recordings to just be an alternate glimpse into a band's work. It's Too Late to Stop Now wasn't bad considering I expected 90 minutes of some mellow drawn out VM deep cuts. You can do a lot worse, especially in some of the other live albums on this list.
2.22 stars
Gary Numan
3/5
I associate Gary Numan with Cars but didn't realize how into robots and technology he is. This is all very evident from music, lyrics and album cover of The Pleasure Principle. I enjoyed what I think is an early look at electronica/electro-pop genre. Hard not to call this one ahead of its time as it seems to be an influence and helped morph the techno and other EDM genres.
The Pleasure Principle was a pleasure to listen to. As a whole this album is a little weird though. It seemed like Gary Numan knew that he had a hit on his hands with Cars so he attempted to churn out a couple songs that evoke the same beats/sounds. Without looking at the track listing a couple songs started and I was fooled into thinking Cars was about to start. It's clear that nobody loves an echoing high synthesizer more than Gary Numan. Fun stuff.
3.23 stars
Bob Dylan
2/5
Highway 61 Revisited was another decent album from Dylan. Opening track Like A Rolling Stone is one of the most recognized anthems and still holds up great. We move on the Tombstone Blues which isn't bad before settling into a handful of standard Dylan fair that I find just-OK. The album closes with 11-minute Desolation Row which I recognized but didn't do much for me. The electric version of Dylan that he settled into during this period is a lot more listenable than a lot of other stuff from his discography.
Blonde On Blonde did some good work trying to flip me on Bob Dylan. I haven't turned as of yet and while Highway 61 Revisited is an OK attempt, its tough for me to be a believer when this album is truly carried by Like A Rolling Stone. The rest of the album isn't bad, but it also isn't great. The last couple entries haven't been insufferable and at least put up an argument as to why he is looked at as one of THE guys in terms of music history. It's not my thing but I can recognize why his presence in the 60's and beyond is such a touch point. I'm still not fully sold though.
I expect that a lot of Mr. Zimmerman's best stuff has now been featured. I'm sure there will be another couple OK albums as well as a couple of pedestrian entries that I would prefer were skipped as we get through the back half of this list. I'll give them all a listen but it doesn't mean I have to love them while getting through them.
2.08 stars
Basement Jaxx
3/5
I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see a 1999 house album from a band I've never heard of hit this list as it pretty much outlines the reason to run through this. Basement Jaxx did an admirable job putting together Remedy. As was the trend at the time this comes in at nearly 60 minutes, and while you get more bang for your buck it's a little too long. Despite this it's got a handful of creative and catchy tracks that I enjoyed. I might hit a couple of the hits in the future, but don't expect I'll come back to this much beyond this listen even if I enjoyed it for the most part. Not a bad album but probably gets filed away in the long run. Can't complain about more exposure to something I don't expect I would have heard otherwise.
2.69 stars
Small Faces
3/5
Pretty cool example of some British psychedelia. It's not quite as out there or musically diverse as some of other contemporary psych acts, but the English accents give it a bit of swagger. Side B of the album is a mix of rock and minstrel-like narration telling a little fairy tale which is a welcome change of pace and pretty original.
Love the album styling of designing it around a giant tobacco tin which may have contributed to this one making the list. Would be a pretty cool collector's item to get a hold of.
I didn't think much of it when it started but I'll admit it hooked me by the end of it. There's a certain charm in the journey they take you through on side B. Nice entry by otherwise previously unknown Small Faces.
3.05 stars
Emmylou Harris
1/5
Not much to take away on this one. I'm sure this southern belle is alluring for some but it's just some slow country honky tonk to me. Sure the vocals are fine but it doesn't seem to be any different to a million country singers I've heard in Nashville bars or elsewhere. Not sure it's list worthy but it's not in my wheelhouse either way. It was easy to tune out as opposed to actively obnoxious which is more than I can say for some other entries.
1.25 stars
The Smiths
2/5
Oh great, another Smiths album. Strangeways went down a little smoother than the others. Not sure if I was in a particularly glum mood or this one was just a little less depressing or whatever.
I didn't realize The Smiths only have 4 albums. Most of their stuff is in the decent/OK/not bad realm for me but they have a handful of hits they I enjoy. More of this is not the worst just a little tiresome at this point. I'm not sure why the list creator finds Morrissey and company so intriguing.
2.57 stars
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
I was surprised to see that this is Flamin' Groovies third studio album as it still sounds really garage-y to me. It's a handful of early blues rock songs, some of which aren't bad. Mick Jagger hit the nail on the head in citing the similarity between this album and other early Rolling Stones blues rock. Never heard of Flamin' Groovies and don't expect I'll run into them again in the future.
2.42 stars
Dire Straits
4/5
Man, Dire Straights storm right out of the gates with their first album and specifically with opening track Down To The Water Line. It sets the table perfectly with the slow build opening and introduces you to Mark Knopfler's top notch guitar and vocals. The rest of the album goes down so smoothly as you get through Water of Love, Six Blade Knife and Sultans. The deep cuts keep the engine rolling and exemplify all the best aspects of what the band brings to the table.
Mark Knopfler is recognized as one of the greats and this first album shows his unique style that exemplifies his mastery. The way he gently interludes his vocals with guitar lines really help pull you into the lyrics and almost provide a second voice to the band. Something about the way he leans into the depth and rasp of his voice gives it so much gravity. While Knopfler is the star here, the rest of the band shouldn't go overlooked. The bass lines and drum fills stand out at times and really bring the whole thing together. I've always loved what Dire Straights brings to the table and as a result this album has always been held in high regard. I think a lot of people slept on this album over the years, but it held nearly a permanent spot on my high school bedroom wall vinyl display among some of other much more known classics. Was really glad to revisit this album and it held up even better than I expected.
3.90
David Gray
3/5
Hard to believe White Ladder is one of the highest selling albums of all time in UK. Not that it's bad, as I actually enjoyed the album, I'm just not sure what it did that it stormed the charts for a couple of years.
I was only previously aware of Babylon which I still enjoy. The rest of the album is more of the same in mostly the same mold. The songs are somewhat melancholic indie folk, so I'm not sure why they resonated so much with everyone. Perhaps David Gray was just in the right place at the right time.
Glad I finally listened to this whole album even if I don't think there will be many times I'm in the mood for this in the future.
2.86 stars
Goldfrapp
2/5
Goldfrapp had a prior entry on this list that was a pleasant surprise. As a result I was excited to take a chance on another album from them. Unfortunately, Felt Mountain didn't hit nearly the same way. While it started off OK, the style of this album quickly lost its appeal to me. Maybe it was slowed down too much or leaned too far into the ambience?
In line with the description/background, early on it was evocative of some alternate takes of bygone Bond themes. This should have been more than enough to get me through but unfortunately after a while these all started to run together and become a little too slow and boring. It took a backseat as background noise while I drove home and was glad to finish it up so I could put something else on.
It's not a terrible album, but had this been my first exposure to them I probably would have written Goldfrapp off. Not sure why this one hit so much worse than Seventh Tree.
1.93 stars
Donald Fagen
3/5
I've heard many times that Steely Dan was a set of detail oriented perfectionist virtuoso musicians. This comes through in some of their albums but feels even more evident in The Nightfly from Donald Fagen. Fagen is still in Steely Dan form as a handful of songs felt like they could have been later releases by the band which I say with a lot of respect. I enjoyed my listen though at times it does feel like a watered-down Steely album without the rest of the players.
Something about The Nightfly felt very sophisticated which is both good and bad as it might feel a little hoity toity at times. Regardless of the subject matter, Fagen often nails the slight jazz rock/pop/fusion tones that Steely were so known for. While I'll continue to prefer Steely Dan to this solo entry, The Nightfly has a lot of the heart and soul that made Steely Dan special.
I've wondered why I never previously checked out more of the solo stuff from the other artists but maybe this listen and review gave me the answer I kinda already knew. Still a solid entry though.
3.08 stars
Charles Mingus
1/5
I like the the name Charles Mingus. I am not into the music that he makes apparently. A bunch of horns and squeaks spread out of 40 minutes does little to convince me this is peak jazz in any way. So many of these albums from the jazz's so-called golden era are just a bunch of skippable noise for the most part.
1.32 stars
Tom Waits
3/5
Another great entry by Tom Waits. Opening title track hooked me with his signature unique wailing. I enjoyed the rest of the ride and added a couple of the other tunes to my like songs list for future listens. Lands in the same realm as his other work which I have enjoyed. As he racks up more albums I may find that I want to slide these ratings up as the more exposure I get the more I am enjoying them in hindsight.
Keep bringing the Tom Waits. I need more of his musical weirdness in all ways.
3.29 stars
Digital Underground
1/5
Good lord Sex Packets is incredibly hokey/cheesy/corny. I wanted it to be fun in doses but its schtick runs out pretty quickly. It's almost like the album tries to be standard 90's hip hop masked in an air of parody or satire, though I think they were taking this seriously. The Humpty Dance was the only song I recognized which still has a minor presence some 35 years later. I enjoy the softer vocal style and clean lyrics of this style of 90's hip hop over more popular gangster rap but this was a pretty ridiculous listen. All in all its a fun trip down memory lane at times, though pretty sure I don't need any more visits from MC Blowfish.
Overall Sex Packets starts as a decent listen with its opening hit, but runs out of steam within an hour. Once it wraps there isn't much to take with you long term. I'd smile if I run into any of these tunes again for 30 seconds but the 6+ minute playtimes from quite a few of these make them unlikely to be included in any rotation. I'll file Sex Packets away (in my wallet like an unused condom from the 90's?).
1.48 stars
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I really disliked the prior Leonard Cohen albums on this list. I found them overly slow and depressing so I'm Your Man came completely out of nowhere for me when it started with synth lines and a much more upbeat approach. I was pleased that I wouldn't have to suffer an album of an old gravelly man complaining again.
I'm Your Man actually wasn't bad. Maybe I shouldn't completely give up on LC as it sounds like this was direction he took during a middle portion of his career. I don't think he will be someone I become a long-term fan of, but there were sections of I'm Your Man that I enjoyed. I can see why this had a handful of singles as the modern synth sound works decently well for him. I'm still not convinced but maybe I don't have to write Leonard Cohen off completely like I previously thought in the wake of his prior folk albums.
2.22 stars
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Not quite as strong as Sound of Silver, but still another solid entry from LCD Soundsystem. Another batch of good tunes, a couple of which I added to my liked songs. The back end slows it down a little too much and I can see why the bonus track didn't make the cut on the original release as there's not much there. This album didn't resonate as much as the prior entry but I still enjoyed the listen. The talent and creativity is clearly on display at various times and seeing that the band only has 4 albums it's clear I need to check the other ones out. It's a shame I wasn't more familiar with LCD Soundsystem prior to running through this list as I feel I've been missing out.
3.21 stars
Travis
2/5
Wasn't overly impressed with The Man Who. In a vacuum I'm sure its a fine album but its a little too somber for my likings. I feel like these guys tried to take a page out of Radiohead's catalog but didn't quite stick the landing. Why Does It Always Rain On Me was probably the song I enjoyed the most. A couple others weren't bad but most of it fell kinda flat and didn't really move the needle. There may be a time and place for this, but I'm not sure I want to be there for the most part. I don't know Travis, not sure I want to get to know him.
1.82 stars
Bruce Springsteen
1/5
Bruce continues to puzzle me as to how he got so damn popular and such a movement. His hits with the E Street Band are certainly fun, but I've never liked any aspect of his slowed down, acoustic folk albums. Nebraska is heralded as a timeless classic but I just don't get it. I guess people love that at the time he distanced himself from stardom and self-recorded a solo acoustic album? Like so much of his other music (majority of it very skippable) it must have resonated with the common man as it was another huge hit despite there being little to no meat on the bone for me. Atlantic City is probably the only song that I have even a shred of appreciation for.
Bruce only continues to prove that I am not a common man I guess because this album does absolutely nothing for me (nor do his others in this ilk). Despite my dislike of the album I knew it was going to be on this list. Happy to put this back on the shelf to collect a lot of dust.
0.93 stars
Pink Floyd
5/5
Have been looking forward to this album as it has been one of my favorites for so so long. I already knew nearly every single note and lyric of this album from front to back and yet I was still surprised how great it is as I gave it this re-listen. This album is tied to so many memories throughout my life and I can remember so many "firsts" that I've associated with Dark Side Of The Moon. I've loved it since childhood and have realized how much I appreciate it as I grow through each new step of my life.
What else is there to say about DSOTM? It 100% belongs in the pantheon of great albums and would be a worth entry for anyone arguing it as the greatest album of all time. Everything about the album works from front to back. It's about as close as you can come to a perfect album from all aspects of execution. There is so much represents its well-deserved long-legacy from the music, themes, pop culture connections (Oz?) and whatnot but for my money it also features the most iconic album cover of all time. It belongs on everybody's shelf from both a musical and cultural standpoint. I could talk about this album forever, and would be happy to do so, but it would be far too long to post in a review. Unbelievable album.
4.75 stars
Coldplay
3/5
After years of being a decent Coldplay fan I had started to become underwhelmed with them over the past couple of albums. Their hits had been excessively overplayed and their schtick had seemingly started to wear thin. Their albums had become less and less interesting as the seemingly pushed for a pop rock sound.
Despite being an OK album, A Rush Of Blood was a bit of a lackluster listen on my last revisit, so I went in with tempered expectations for Parachutes. I was pretty pleased how well Parachutes held up. It's a little simpler and holds a little more of the indie rock vibe that made Coldplay more alluring earlier in their career. Parachutes has a bit more of a glum alt rock sound that maybe worked better earlier in their career when it still felt fresh. Perhaps it was feeling more and more thin as they aged and continued to release albums in their signature vein. While Chris Martin is mostly an admirable frontman, his act had started to feel packaged as he became an aging rocker and more of a pop culture icon. All in all I was a mostly OK with Parachutes on the revisit.
3.10 stars
Fever Ray
2/5
Mixed bag for me on Fever Ray's debut self-titled album. On the one hand it's a somewhat fresh take on electro-pop. Where it's good it's pretty good including a decent two-fer in Seven and Triangle Walks early in the album. On the other hand quite a lot of it is pretty boring and has little lasting impact. After hearing a couple songs I mostly just said OK, shrugged my shoulders, and tuned out. Any initial praise gets lost as you work through the remainder of the album. Unfortunately it limps across the finish line as the back half is pretty slow and empty. It's not bad by any means, but upon completion I didn't have much positive to say about it. I'll give credit for trying to do something a little different but not sure it sticks the landing most of the time.
1.75 stars
Method Man
3/5
Not sure what it is about Tical but it scratches a certain itch. It's a weird entry as despite its mostly pedestrian content it hits a certain sweet spot. RZA's early production is pretty simple but mostly effective on this early album. There isn't really a flagship hit single that has had lasting impact (Bring The Pain maybe?). Perhaps if you are a prior Wu Tang fan there might be some added hype from the guest spots and featured artists for me they didn't do anything to add to or elevate any tracks. Overall the album is loaded with Method Man name-drops, the word Tical, kung fu references and typical 90's hip hop shtick. There isn't anything overly special about the album, but it still kinda works.
My best guest as to why is the impact gained from the force of Method Man's deep voice. Something about his voice and style are rugged and hardened and really elevates anything he says. Had this been a release by another rapper it wouldn't hit as hard and would probably be just another 90's hip hop album to forget. Method Man has always been my favorite Wu member, mostly because he sounds cool when he talks (also How High).
Even if Wu Tang Clan isn't anywhere near the top of my musical list I'll always love their affinity for old school kung fu movies. The so-called shaolin style is really endearing from a fellow kung fu junkie. That alone is enough to get smile out of me here and there and bump it up a couple ticks.
2.58 stars
Moving forward I will be taking a drink every time I hear the word Tical in a Method Man or Wu Tang song.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
Not a bad entry for 1001. Unfamiliar with Penguin Cafe Orchestra and doubt I would have been exposed to them otherwise. What I got was mostly pleasant jazz fusion or whatever this genre qualifies as. Nothing special but I also wasn't upset in any way to listen to this. Decent background music to turn your brain off to. Some silly racy penguin artwork on their albums doesn't hurt I guess.
2.24 stars
KISS
1/5
Never been a big KISS fan and figured maybe there was something I had been overlooking over the years. After listening to Destroyer, evidently not as this album was an absolute travesty of wimpy arena rock. Is this really the best that KISS has to offer? How these guys got a huge following is beyond me if this is considered some of their best work. After Detroit Rock City (which is fine but really not that great in itself) you get 30 minutes of some of the lamest arena rock and wuss ballads. I couldn't believe how lame this whole album was. Shameful wimp-rock at it finest.
KISS has always been a maligned band in my eyes. Whether you like their music or not, the facepaint, branding and live show antics are a reason to include them in musical fandom conversations I guess. They carved out a niche and somehow curated a rabid fanbase. They became bigger than their music and have some of the strangest cross pollination ever between bad movies, reality tv shows, pinball tables, casket sales and failed arena football teams.
I'll always love Detroit Rock City (the movie) but feel like I can write off KISS pretty much entirely after this listen.
1.40 stars
Frank Ocean
1/5
Something made me feel that I had heard Frank Ocean's name in the past. Seeing this was a 2012 release and featured a handful of other popular artists I figured I would at least have some passing familiarity with it. Surprisingly this was all new to me and although some of it wasn't bad, I'm not sure any of it was good either. Not sure why this album is so highly reviewed and garnered a bunch of Grammy nominations. There's some mildly creative use of sampling during the interludes but the main meat of the album seemed like a lot of run-of-the-mill R&B tracks to me. Mostly slowish soul tracks with simple themes, limited hooks and a bunch of juvenile bullshit fake sexy lyrics. These are fine for the first couple tracks but as this album continues it gets more and more annoying. Even standalone none of these songs are anything I'm going to put on in my free time.
Bold move to start an album with the original PlayStation start-up sound. Wish this hadn't been my favorite part of the album as it really was steadily downhill after the opening 30 seconds. Just because you sing about tits and add a couple of dated pop culture references into an R&B album doesn't make it interesting. The reality is there wasn't anything else that stood out for me from Channel Orange when it wrapped. This was pretty much a miss for me and Frank Ocean is an artist that looks like will get shelved moving forward.
1.42 stars
Sugar
3/5
Never heard of Sugar before and I'm a little surprised that I didn't have any prior exposure. The songs on Copper Blue all seem to have the accessibility of other similar 90's rock acts that made it big. Sugar didn't conform to the grunge genre and go for a more mainstream sound which I feel like would have worked for a 90's radio sound.
I didn't love the prior Husker Du entry which they have connection with. Seems like I prefer the direction that Bob Mould took with Sugar. Almost sounds like they just weren't in the right place at the right time as I had never heard of them before this though. There's nothing huge that stands out on the album, but all the songs are OK to decent across Copper Blue. Even if I don't think I'll revisit this album I can't complain about what I got out of it. Middle of the pack entry
2.50
Motörhead
2/5
I was writing my review, then checked the prior Motorhead entry and realized that I wrote nearly the same thing verbatim again. To echo the main thought: they certainly have a formula as nearly every song sounds the same. You can expect a fast beat, Lemmy growling out some lyrics over a riff then a couple quick-shot solos. I guess if you like one Motorhead song you would like them all. I'm fine with one song but don't need to hear it repeated ad nauseum for the length of an album.
I do expect that these guys seem like they would be on another level at a live show. There's a ton of energy and in the right room I can see why Motorhead would kick ass. It translates a bit in the live album, but not enough for me to get into another gear. To their credit not much is lost between studio and live versions, but its just not something that I need beyond a single song every couple of years.
Not always, but there have been plenty of albums on this list where I've stuck around for any bonus tracks or extra versions on Extended/Deluxe/Remastered Editions or whatever. I didn't bother with this one as I got more than I needed from the 1 x 11 tracks I heard in the original cut.
2.13 stars
SZA
1/5
What am I missing here? SZA's breakthrough debut is leaving me scratching my head with a giant question mark hovering over me. The beats are nearly all the same with mostly weak vocal rap sprinkled over it. There was very little to be found in terms of wordplay, rhyme schemes, or hooks that would make this album enjoyable. A couple featured artists phoned in some slop and called it day. The modern trap style influence is apparent which just doesn't resonate with me.
I feel like such a prude saying it but singing about pussy, dicks and constant fucking doesn't sound empowering, it's just sounds trashy (whether coming from male or female artists). I was mostly nauseated as opposed to inspired by any of the subject matter. If this is one of the highest rated albums of 2017 and is lauded by critics it's no wonder that I have mostly abandoned modern rap, hip hop and R&B. There are worse entries on this list from a musical standpoint but I really didn't enjoy Ctrl.
1.35 stars
Mudhoney
2/5
Meh. I don't think I'd mind if I heard these guys at a local bar, but I also probably wouldn't go out of my way to hit one of their shows. Early on this wasn't doing much for me but it grew as the album progressed.
Most of it is pretty standard grunge from the era but there are also a couple of decent jams that mix it up a bit (Broken Hands). They sound like a bunch of older garage rock guys who never made the big time which isn't the worst. It's noted that this was a low quality recording on an 8-track so at times it is just a bunch of noise but overall it came together better than I expected. Not sure what landed this on this list though as there wasn't really anything notable included.
2.45 stars
Frank Sinatra
2/5
This is definitely closer to the Frank Sinatra music that I'm more familiar with and appreciate. I prefer Sinatra with some big band accompaniment belting out a jaunty tune far more than a slowed down romance ballad. I recognized a couple of these from Swingin' Lovers and had about as much fun as I expected which only lasts so long.
A couple songs every now and then are a fun reminder of what music used to be. Some of the hits hold up OK but its still something I'd quickly move on from otherwise. Sinatra is a legend and maintains his reputation even if its not close to my heart in any way.
1.99 stars
2/5
I wouldn't call Close To The Edge a miss for me, but I also wouldn't call it a hit or solid entry for 1001. As Close To The Edge wrapped up I was a pretty underwhelmed. The first side with the title track was a mostly empty piece-meal of a long jam prog rock song. It was disjointed and didn't really have any segments that stood out. I enjoyed Side B a little more. The folk-slanted first song was OK, the second more rock-oriented song was definitely the highlight of the album but even that was still middling.
I was looking forward to seeing what Yes was about and didn't come away with much. In the wake of a couple Rush albums I enjoyed maybe I built up my expectations a little too high for another longform prog-rock album. Or perhaps Yes's Close To The Edge just isn't the best example of it. I guess we'll find out as I run into more of them but this one will go back to the shelf.
1.72 stars
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Not sure what to say about Tigermilk. The music was relatively pleasant. At the same time it was pretty minimalistic and I don't see it having any staying power in my mind. I guess I enjoyed the listen but at the same time I can't ever see myself thinking about going back to revisit this. A couple songs I enjoyed, but an hour after listening to it I'm not sure I could tell you the name of a single one.
Tigermilk, and Belle & Sebastian by extension, feels like an OK indie pop album that would have a song featured in a popular indie movie that falls out of the cultural zeitgeist or doesn't age well and gets lost to time (maybe like Garden State?). Even if it has its moments, when the dust settles it ends up as a middle of the pack entry.
2.55 stars
R.E.M.
3/5
As much as I'm an R.E.M. fan I really don't think Murmur belongs on this list. It pales compares to their future albums, and for me their early work doesn't exemplify anything special like what they grew into. For the most part its just a forgettable alternative rock album. I'm a little surprised how critically acclaimed it was at release because it does little to impress me compared to their other albums nowadays.
Understandably, debut albums tend to carry a lot more weight as you get a look at a band/artist at the start of their career. Maybe Murmur is looked upon a great debut that paved the way for them to become as huge as they were at the peak of their career. Saying it's not as good as their other work is hard to hold against them as its still a decent album, it just doesn't wow me like the rest of their catalog.
2.68 stars
Cocteau Twins
2/5
Cocteau? Like the french playwright?
Evidently not as what I was presented with was pretty unremarkable. I'm not sure what gets this album on any lists as it didn't appear to be doing anything special. The genre dream pop does seem to describe it pretty well as the overall feel was relatively whimsical and light. I'll admit I was enjoying the first half of the album a bit, but it didn't have the stamina to keep me interested through the second half. After 15 minutes all the songs started to blend together and I realized I hadn't understood a single lyric to that point. As it limped across the finish line I was pretty happy when it wrapped up.
The best application I can think of for this Cocteau Twins album is a late afternoon festival band on the small stage. After already hitting a couple of the acts and standing in the sun all day you need to eat something, recover a bit and rest before you gear up for the larger headliners. The background dream pop works as some passive white noise that scratches the itch while you lay on a blanket for 20 minutes and talk to your group about who else from the lineup you are interested in for the rest of the day. I don't believe I've been previously aware of Cocteau Twins but you could convince me that I've overheard them in the background of a festival in this exact scenario and it would make sense.
1.71 stars
Brian Eno
3/5
Not what I expected in a good way. Here Come The Warm Jets is a lot more eclectic than the other prior Eno entries for the most part. I know he has a reputation as a producer to be experimental and all over the place but he also has churned out some smooth, melodic and ambient albums that have shown up on this list. I figured his solo stuff would be more down the middle so I was glad I got some weirder crazy stuff on this album. A couple songs stuck out for the inclusion of some random weird vocals which I kinda appreciated.
Eno's fingerprints are all over music so many major acts and albums in music history so I guess I should have expected him to show up with so much regularity on this list.
2.58 stars
2/5
I expected a little more out of this album. It starts off with Cisco Kid which I've always enjoyed. From there it devolves into long form progressive soul songs. It's not the worst, but it also does little to hook me or make me want to revisit this in any way. I guess its good that this genre got a little exposure on this list, but the overall product doesn't move me much. All in all its OK but mostly skippable.
1.92 stars
The Electric Prunes
2/5
60's rock just has a different vibe than what the genre evolved into. There was so clearly a formula to crank out a bunch of 2-minute songs and call it a day. It's kinda a wonder that a band could release an album with 12 songs and have it come in under half an hour. Nothing on Electric Prunes stood out to me, but it also wasn't bad. Probably won't ever listen to these guys again but I do like the song title I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night.
The Electric Prunes sounds like they should be an offshoot lineup for The California Raisins when brothers AC and Bebop want do a reunion tour in their old age. Following the untimely death of Stretch due to overdose on preservatives years earlier the original lineup disbanded but the fans always wanted more. Red has now retired and enjoys the quiet life owning a vineyard in Italy but is able to be convinced to go on one last ride. In order to not besmirk the original band, they grab some session musicians and backing singers to tour under the Electric Prunes label and enjoy a final farewell.
2.50 stars
Roxy Music
3/5
I had no idea that Roxy Music was know for this style of music at all. I only previously knew Love Is The Drug which is a pretty straightforward rock song that I'm a fan of. For Your Pleasure surprised me straight out of the gates with the immediate dive into the deep end on Do The Strand. It caught me off guard and piqued my curiosity which it managed to grab a hold of for 40 minutes. Each song had its own allure from the weird, macabre and frenetic world of Brian Ferry and company. As weird as it is I think the best song might be In Every Dream Home a Heartache with its pretty pretty straightforward affection of a blow up doll. Enjoyed The Bogus Man and a couple others. Mostly weird, but also pretty good.
I never knew Brian Eno was an early member of Roxy Music but wasn't surprised when I found out he was involved in this album. I don't think he had dipped his toe into production yet, but there is still some of his experimental musical identity hidden in this album. I can hear some of the groundwork laid out here that show up in early Talking Heads albums he was involved in. Say what you will about the man but his reputation and discography is impressive to say the least. His work with Roxy Music even if limited is yet another positive example of his influence.
I guess this album really was for my pleasure as every time I started losing interest I was sucked back in by the next bar, lyric, track, whatever. Nice entry for 1001. I don't think I would have heard this album otherwise.
3.06
The Icarus Line
2/5
Decent hard rock album. It's a little whiny and suffers some of the tropes that always affect noisy hard rock from this time period though. Most of the songs sound the same so even if I didn't mind them individually there are diminishing returns as the album continues. After 30 minutes the whole thing is played out and you are ready for it to end. Even despite that I found most of it competent and didn't hate the listen. Always good to see a local band from LA hit the list even if I wasn't familiar with them previously. Might ask around as I expect I have a couple buddies that would enjoy this and might know of The Icarus Line.
This isn't really my genre but I expect I would have enjoyed them had I caught them at one of the smaller venues like Chain Reaction (RIP) back in the day. I've mostly outgrown a lot of this and don't expect I'll revisit The Icarus Line but maybe it'll show up at a friends house without me knowing. Either way I can't complain about some new music that's a little more modern than most on the list, even if it somehow is 20+ years old already. Was 2004 really that long ago?
1.85 stars
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Back To Black was an admirable but mostly mediocre listen for me for Amy Winehouse's prior entry. Frank started out as more of the same with a young but clearly talented modernized lounge act. The songs were quaint and casual and I was getting through them with limited lasting impact. This album definitely hit its stride for me a bit more in the second half. Maybe I was less distracted or the backing band clicked with me a little more but I enjoyed the last half of the album. Even if its not really my thing I started to see why she emerged as a talent in the 2000's. I don't think I personally need Amy for any extended time but can enjoy a song of hers now and then moving forward.
I didn't realize until now that Amy Winehouse only had two albums. He career widely overlapped my time in high school and college where she was nowhere on my radar and I wasn't really the target demographic. I was informed of her struggles in the wake of her death but didn't realize how much of a flash her career it was. I don't have any connection to Amy Winehouse beyond the pop culture impact but I understand why females would have identified with her as young girl singing from the point of view of a tortured soul. Glad for a reason to check her music out beyond Rehab but I'll mostly be moving on in the long run.
2.66 stars
3/5
Another good entry by Blur. It's a nice departure from the early shoegaze roots and opted for more of a pop sound. A couple good hits and good mix of 90's British rock sound. It works and holds up pretty well for the most part even it it does start to sound like so many other albums on this list.
I try my best to remove the rose-colored glasses when listening to anything related to Damon Albarn, but the reality is he is my favorite musician for good reason. Pretty much anything he touches is decent-to-good at worst and Blur is no exception. Modern Life Is Rubbish is a solid album and really doesn't have many low points even if it is 2+ songs too long. I'll always have a lot of affection for these albums even if they are nowhere close to the pinnacle of Albarn's discography. I cite Blur as my favorite britpop act for obvious reasons but I would completely understand if that doesn't hold true for anyone who prefers any of the other popular acts.
3.25 stars
3/5
ABC is a perfect example of a band that I didn't know that I know. A handful of these songs were completely familiar but I would never have been able to come up with ABC as the artist as many of these songs appeared on 80's compilation albums with other hits from the era.
ABC completely nailed the assignment to blend 80's synthpop with classic showtunes and some romantic lyrics. When it works its delightful, when it doesn't its pretty cringe-y but still kinda fun. You get some warm and fuzzies as each of the singles play. The album might be a couple songs too long but the whole collection is still worth a listen. Peak 80's cheeseball vibes. What's not to enjoy?
3.23 stars
Muddy Waters
2/5
Well aware that Muddy Waters is a well respected legend of the blues genre. Many artists cite him as influential but I can't say I've ever listened to his music.
That's definitely some growling blues. Pretty much the same song over and over again which I guess it to be expected. I have to admit I liked it more than some a lot of the other traditional blues as it was a little more upbeat. This felt like something to listen to on the front porch of a southern bar as opposed to a dark smokey late night lounge. It's not my genre for the most part but can appreciate it for what it is even if I'll never listen to it again. File it away with a lot of the other classic artists that have been passed by.
Manish Boy was somewhat familiar from other versions I've heard from other artists.
1.86 stars
Scott Walker
2/5
Can't say I enjoyed this Scott Walker album beyond the initial few minutes. A couple upbeat songs that sound like a mashup of showtunes, tv theme songs, and an entry level lounge act. Then it devolves to a less and less interesting slowed down version as the album continues. I guess that describes baroque pop for the most part?
Not sure who is listening to this but it looks like Scott Walker had a decently prolific career in the wake of this album. He must have continued to move units and do what he loved for some sort of fanbase. I've never heard of him previously and not sure I need to hear from him again but there is definitely worse options from this list. As it is stands this was a mostly lackluster album after any initial excitement wears off.
1.81 stars
Lauryn Hill
3/5
While Lauryn Hill is clearly talented, my opinion of her is a little maligned. She has an absolutely terrible reputation regarding her live shows and touring career, which is a point that will never sit well with me. I've heard constant reports over the years of her showing up late, wasted, not giving a shit or even just skipping shows altogether. There are countless examples of her alienating her fans so I never indulged her music beyond some of the surface level hits from her solo and Fugees career, despite being aware that Miseducation considered a hugely influential album.
I'm glad I had a reason to give this a full listen as it is a very competent entry for female hip hop / R&B. It has the right level of swagger to contain some silky production and relatively smooth vocals from Ms. Lauryn Hill. The hits hold up pretty well and the overall theme woven throughout the album is evident and effective. The interludes with the teacher in the classroom are effective to help you feel like you are on the ride While a little long at 78 minutes, I didn't find myself suffering through any part of it which is a pretty big testament to its quality. Each of the songs and goes down smooth and worked whether you are following along with every lyric or enjoying at as passive background. Not something I expect I'll revisit with any regularity but glad to check this one off the list with a positive review.
2.96 stars
Waylon Jennings
1/5
Wasn't looking forward another outdated country album. One song in after the title track I figured hey, maybe this won't be that bad. I immediately had to backtrack on this as I was then dealt 9 slowed down boring old country songs. Not sure what would be considered groundbreaking or list-worthy out of this as they were all very simple acoustic tracks with little to no variation or anything interesting.
Best feature of this album is the playtime. At 27 minutes its one of the shorter entries on the list and even that was too long for me. I legitimately don't believe I've ever been a fan of anything that includes the words honky tonk. It's just not my scene at all.
0.65 stars
Minor Threat
2/5
Didn't expect much from a hardcore punk rock album from 1983. While it hits a lot of the tropes you get in punk rock it was a little cleaner than prior examples. As opposed to a mess of sloppy punk rock garage tunes you can actually pick out the individual pieces of this puzzle and understand the lyrics for the most part.
Not sure what gets this onto the 1001 list but perhaps it was influential for a specific time or place. It's really just another punk rock album, but at 21 minutes it's easier to justify the listen and I guess there is little to complain about. Not gonna come back to Minor Threat but I appreciate the relatively low cost of entry for which it gets a little extra bump.
2.02 stars
Ride
2/5
Shoegaze as a genre isn't for everybody. You need to be in a specific mood/state to zone out and just enjoy the ambiance, otherwise its just a bunch of wasted time and energy.
Ride's Nowhere was a little bit of both. A couple songs worth works for an afternoon ride home through traffic. However, the overall impact of the album is likely lost when consumed sitting in a car instead of at a live venue or chill session with friends. I didn't dislike any aspect of the album, but at the same time it did little to connect with me.
Hard to nail it down so it comes in pretty much middle of the pack. I might dig this if I throw on some headphones or run into it again in a different scenario.
2.46 stars
The United States Of America
3/5
Creative, weird, interesting and confusing. This album is a truly a mixed bag as at various times I was thinking to myself both "This is kinda cool" and "What am I listening to?". Overall it straddles the line pretty effectively because because when it ended I was happy I listened to the album. A weird one-off project from a group that immediately disbanded in the wake of the release. I'd welcome a listen to another album if they ever released one just to see what else they would explore. Credit it to them for mostly threading the needle on what could have otherwise been a complete failure. Not a fan of the name of the band at all though.
2.68 stars
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I opted to listen to the UK version of Aftermath. It's an OK album overall but after looking at the comparison, perhaps the US got it right by cutting it down a bit. While you would lose one of the original release's best songs in Mother's Little Helper, you would also pick up one of the Stones' best hits in Paint It Black and reduce the run time by about 10 minutes.
Aftermath is a pretty accurate amalgamation of The Rolling Stones as a whole for me. The album has a couple pretty good songs and then the rest of it is just OK. None of it is bad, but a lot of it is skippable filler.
This is accurate to almost their entire discography for me. Some of their hits are top notch, but so much of the rest of their discography just doesn't move the needle for me. It's mostly fine but also not that great. They are living legends and an indispensable part of rock history, yet while I'm a fan I rarely go to them beyond a couple singles now and then. From 60 years of their career give me their 20 best songs and then call it a day.
I know there will be more Rolling Stones on this list and I look forward to the entries. However, outside of Some Girls (which I love) I expect I'll be mostly underwhelmed with their albums.
2.67 stars
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
I often forget how much I appreciate Jimi Hendrix's work. I always refer to Axis: Bold As Love with fondness but over the years I've overlooked how solid of an album it is. Castles Made Of Sand has long been a personal Hendrix favorite, and I've always loved Little Wing and Sand Castle Magic. I expected these would have been singles as they are a couple of the tracks that I've heard outside of the album but was surprised this wasn't the case. The rest of the album features some really pleasant deeper cuts that hold up far better than I remembered. I feel like the other albums get more attention but I think Axis: Bold As Love might be when Jimi was at his peak as it featured a more balanced attack where he was still exploring different areas but not getting too far down experimental hole. The songwriting is tight, clean and effective pretty much from start to finish. I love some of the long-form Jimi Hendrix jams that are missing on this album, but I know they aren't for everyone, and Axis really just brings 40 minutes of solid tracks in a nice package.
I've said it before but Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding are slept on as backing musicians. Jimi has always been lauded for his guitar work and gets all the attention but the other 2 are no slouches being carried. Despite some of the shorter track lengths Jimi's signature guitar work is sprinkled throughout the songs. The tone on his guitar is really clean on this one and cuts so nicely when he decides to ramp it up at times.
To echo prior reviews, something about Jimi's vocals are so endearing. They have a softness to the melody that almost act as another instrument intertwined with the band. Jimi's vocals really elevate the music which is most clearly evident on She's So Fine featuring Redding on vocals. It's not a bad song on its own merit, but pales compared to the rest of the album due to its lack of Jimi on the mic. He's a gypsy poet and his signature/style has always resonated with me.
Even as a known Hendrix fan, I was genuinely surprised how much I enjoyed this listen to Axis: Bold As Love.
3.58 stars
Steely Dan
3/5
Glad to see another Steely Dan album but really surprised that this album made the list. It's an OK album but doesn't really stand out from anything else in their discography. It's not their debut, nor does it have the benefit of an extended length of times between releases to make it significant. It's simply a middle of the pack release from the middle of their career. I like Bodhisvatta and My Old School but wouldn't put either of them near the top of their singles list. A head scratching entry even if I do enjoy the album simply because their isn't anything notable about it as far as I can tell. It's more of the same Steely that I know and like, but its never an album I turn to on its own merit. Hopefully Aja makes the cut down the line I guess.
2.98 stars
Astrud Gilberto
1/5
Pretty pleasant vocals surrounded by some simple relaxing samba music. Would work for a vacation on a foreign island otherwise it's not something I would listen to on my own. I didn't mind it for background noise for a while but got a little tired of it after 7 songs or so. The length of the album is about all I need of this unless I'm sitting in the sun near some water with a cold drink in my hand and even then I'd probably want to switch after 20 minutes.
I'm seeing a lot of samba influence from the Getz / Gilberto lineage so it seems like they were all connected somehow. I won't be mad if I don't hear from them ever again. I don't outright dislike their music but it does little to nothing to keep me hooked beyond the initial couple of minutes.
1.44 stars
David Ackles
2/5
David Ackles seems like he is trying his absolute hardest to take seriously something that mostly came across as a ridiculous pastiche of aged songbook tunes. He is imposing so much gravity into something that just doesn't feel like it can carry the weight. However, the vocals are so earnest that you can't help be charmed at moments.
At times this felt like a parody of a washed up broadway star trying to maintain his Tony award winning status from 20 years ago while doing a children's show at Chuck E Cheese. It's like a respected classicly trained actor appearing in a Sandler flick and trying to prove that he still has the chops to act despite showing up in a bad wig and making a fart joke.
One of the more puzzling entries as I just can't imagine who the target audience for something like this is. Although I was not a fan of American Gothic I'll admit I was entertained at times. Maybe it made more sense in 1972 but nowadays it was hack-y and cheeseball, but also kinda stupid and bad-good. It is so far down both ends of the spectrum that I have no idea how to rate this.
For some reason I feel like South Park or Family Guy could nail a ridiculous David Ackles-like singer character and it would hit perfectly.
1.99 stars I guess?
Love
2/5
Not bad, not great. Maybe a tad better than the prior Love album but pretty similar in my standing. There a couple of moments that stand out and make you think these guys could have had something more. However, for some reason the whole album just doesn't have anything that sticks to you when its said and done. Even the best songs are just alright and seem like they need some more development. Maybe it's the softer vocals or slightly folky style that makes it just another 60s album as opposed to something worth exploring deeper. I do believe the artists are talented but something about their arrangement appears to hinder what could be the sum of their parts. I've tried to give Love a shot in the past and they just can't get over the hump to make me care at all.
2.37 stars
Haircut 100
4/5
What a surprise this was. Haircut 100 was entirely brand new to me and I was really pleased with what I got. As the songs ticked by I found myself marveled at how much I was enjoying it all. Pretty much every song was solid with a couple added to my Liked Songs list for future play.
This is listed in the new wave genre and I don't think I really know what that means. My lack of knowledge about the genre or the associated acts means I wouldn't have said I was a fan if someone asked. If this is what new wave has to offer, then its entirely possible that I've been a fan without ever knowing it. I'll have to delve into it a little more but maybe its a cleaner/preppier style that resonates with me more than punk roots. Either way I'll look forward to more from this vein.
3.74 stars
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
In the wake of Billy Corgan's douchiness and the overall falloff of The Smashing Pumpkins I overlooked how good of an album Siamese Dream is. I was too young in 1993 to partake in this album when it was contemporary so I largely missed its overall impact. However I remember how the Pumpkins and Billy Corgan somehow ruled the airwaves in the late 90's in the wake of this and Mellon Collie.
The hits are still strong and deeper cuts have the basis for the angsty edgelord cringefest that Smashing Pumpkins is known for. It's truly an accomplishment that the music on this album is somehow strong enough to carry Billy Corgan's grating vocals for 60 minutes without issue. Despite the constant stream of whininess I was surprised how well this album held up. I kept expecting it would devolve into absolute drivel but it managed to hold on for an hour and keep me entertained. Mellon Collie gets a lot of attention but Siamese Dream is the the real gem of The Smashing Pumpkins collection.
3.17 stars
Japan
3/5
Was hoping that I would be lead down the same path as the prior new wave entry from Haircut 100 a couple albums back. Unfortunately Japan's Quiet Life didn't grab me nearly the same way. It was a bit of a different style with some darker synth sounds and less of a pop approach. A couple of the longer jams were pretty lackluster. Most of the album was relatively mediocre. Not bad but not really good either so just a middle of the pack entry.
While it may be kinda nitpicky, it's hard for me to take seriously a band that names itself something so generic like "Japan". You spend your youth learning instruments and writing music only to finally align the stars with an album deal and the best you can come up with is just Japan? It makes it so much easier to just gloss over an act when their name does absolutely nothing to engage or even show that they are a band. I could see a review/article or hear about this band in conversation and just think its about Japan the country.
2.56 stars
Garbage
3/5
I cannot nail down my thoughts on Garbage. They are equal parts fascinating and frustrating. They really go for it when they meld heavy electronics with rock music and dark vocals. Some of it threads the needle and is actually pretty good and interesting. Other parts of it are confusing and a little irritating. Their production is over the top and Shirley Manson seems to exude a certain attitude that makes this album feel like it is tied to a specific time period. It's a little try-hard but something about it mostly works here on their debut album I guess. They are a maligned artist for me but I can't really explain why without just throwing out random thoughts and seeing what sticks. I would totally understand hearing someone hated this just as much as I would get why someone absolutely loved this. I wouldn't say that the album Garbage went down smoothly but I think I mostly enjoyed it for what it was.
In a certain sense I feel like I should check them out further, but at the same time I think additional exposure will have diminishing returns and any enjoyment I get from them would wane. I'll always have respect Garbage as one of the strangest selections for a Bond theme ever so at least they have that going for them. They'll get constant listens from me for The World Is Not Enough which might be just about the amount of Garbage I need in my life.
2.89 stars
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Not sure what the hubbub is about Sly & The Family Stone. I always hear about them as a flagship soul/funk band. If this is some of the best they have to offer I don't feel like I've been missing out really. There's A Riot Goin' On is some pretty basic soul/funk jams with limited vocals and variation as far as I could tell. Maybe it works if you are chilling in the living room on a quiet weeknight with nothing else to do I guess. Family Affair was probably the best song but even that was pretty forgettable as soon as I got through it. I imagine this is credited with paving the way and influencing future acts but it did little to convince me to come back to Sly well at all. Maybe I'm missing something here but this was mostly a miss for me dog.
1.84 stars
Common
4/5
Admittedly I'm more familiar with Common's work as an actor as opposed to a rapper. I've enjoyed his work when he pops up in John Wick or elsewhere in small parts. I knew he had a rap career but never gave it two thoughts other than "cool, good for him for being able to cross over successfully". I had no idea that he has been in the game since the early 90's and that he has ties to Kanye West's label nowadays.
Didn't know what to expect from this going in since I'm unfamiliar with Common's rap career. Couldn't believe how crisp and developed this album was. Really great production from start to finish that is both simple but gives enough to establish the mood on any track. I can't deny that Common has great flow throughout. His lyrics are really refined, and each of the rhymes and raps are tight. The featured acts are solid across the board and do actually enhance each of the tracks as opposed to just act as a cameo appearance. The use of sampling is effective without completely taking over the album. There's a really nice level of sophistication that avoids a lot of the gangsta rap tropes that tend to bug me when listening to rap. Common is spitting rhymes that have edge without having to rely on guns, drugs, bitches and hoes that I really appreciated.
I have to give props to Common on this one as it was a surprisingly good listen. I'd take more rap like this in a heartbeat compared to pretty much anything else from the genre that has shown up on the list otherwise. I'm bumping Common up a couple notches as an artist in my book and have a new appreciation for him if he shows up in a movie.
3.86 stars
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Bjork is another artist whose career and eccentric weirdness related to her music has eclipsed anything she has actually recorded and released for me. While I've been aware of Bjork for 20+ years within pop culture I'm not sure I've ever heard anything from her outside of soundbites and ridiculous impressions outlining her weirdness and quirkiness. I figured she came from an indie band at some point but never would have known it was The Sugarcubes. I definitely get why this made a splash when it released because it does contain a couple decent songs. I agree with the critics in that there something about its unorthodox nature that gives it some appeal.
However, the weird quirkiness can only get you so far if you aren't able to back it up with consistency. As decent as some of this is on Life's Too Good, you can definitely get a glimpse how some of the success could lead this to unravel into insane eccentric bullshit just for the sake of being different. I don't know much about Bjork's future music career, but I have been made aware of random clips of her shrieking, cackling and all sorts weird musically-tangential bologna in crazy outfits that lead me to believe I wouldn't be able to stomach her work in anything other than small doses and jokes.
As it is, Life's Too Goode is pretty interesting. Parts of the album prove they are capable. I enjoyed the songs that featured both Bjork and Einer alternating the vocals. The music structure was fun and diverse for the most part. However it does feature some of the weirdness and eccentricity that can easily spiral out of control if not handled tactfully. Life's Too Good is a mixed bag, a decent one at that, and I'm glad I had a reason to listen to it even I can't see myself becoming a longtime fan of Sugarcubes and/or Bjork. With some good management they probably could have been reeled in as a successful alt-pop band I may have enjoyed on the sides but they will mostly remain a forgotten overlooked act beyond this listen for me.
2.61 stars
Meat Loaf
4/5
Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell is such an endearing album. As a child the album cover of a motorcycle flying out of a graveyard with a huge bat gave me the sense it was going to be a dark, foreboding, hard rock album. Instead I was greeted with a collection of romantic ballads disguised as a rock album. Meat Loaf digs his heels in and belts out some cheeky teenage love songs with a wide variety of flair.
The whole thing seems like a load of fun from Meat Loaf's sweaty vocals to the backing band solos (and accompanying vocals where they apply). It's loaded with puns, innuendos and references that make you think of high school days as a horned up teenager in all the best ways. It's a great collection of tracks from that finely walk the line between a variety of genres effectively. Not sure why it works so well but it does.
While the vocals rightfully get the bulk of attention I found myself more and more drawn to the piano and backing accompaniment than on previous listens. I was previously unaware that Todd Rundgren and members of the E Street Band were involved but each of their contributions are good.
Paradise By The Dashboard Light will remain one of the great anthems that I love but there's so much else on this album worth listening to. I have so much affection for this and was excited when I saw it on the list. I'd agree this is one you have to hear before you die.
3.92 stars
Tori Amos
1/5
I guess it's good that a 90's female artist is on this list, but I'm not sure I'm the demographic. Little Earthquakes evidently issued 5 singles off of it, but I'm I'm not sure I've heard any of them. Or perhaps I have and I just blanked them out in my mind as I've certainly heard of Tori Amos but couldn't identify with any of this.
The songs all land in the same vein and feel like they could have been interchangeable with anything else from the album. I'm not sure if Tori Amos is known as a one-trick pony but I got that sense after listening to Little Earthquakes. A lot of the songs were really similar and definitely stayed within a certain lane. I didn't think it was bad, but not something I need more than a song or two. I wasn't outright annoyed by the album but when it ended I was pretty relieved I was done with it. Maybe the early 90's were just starving for some emotional female vocalists in the wake of the 80s. Either way, Little Earthquakes didn't do much for me.
1.45 stars
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Another high quality electronica album that helped the genre cross over into the mainstream a bit. Block Rockin' Beats was a tour de force when it released and definitely made a splash within the music world. Setting Sun was another hit that has always been a personal favorite, though I somehow never knew that Noel Gallagher was involved. It's hard to call the remainder of the album lackluster, as it is still very solid but doesn't have the same oomph as the two flagship singles that really did rock the world. I might have had too high of expectations as I did enjoy the album but didn't blow me away as I thought it might have after years of rave reviews from the older brother. Still really glad to see more representation from Chemical Brothers and electronic music genre(s) overall.
3.51 stars
Steve Winwood
2/5
While I was enjoying the first couple songs off this album, it wasn't able to sustain the momentum it had through the back half of the album. Opening track While You See A Chance was the highlight of the album for me, and while I also liked title track Arc Of A Diver, it can genuinely say it was pretty much downhill from there.
Steve Winwood has some great stuff in his bag, but he also has quite a bit of skippable filler. When it all comes together effectively it perfectly scratches that smooth easy-listening itch that puts a smile on your face. The remainder of the collection ends up becoming easily ignored background music. I like Steve Winwood but feel he works best as a greatest hits artist.
When it all wraps up Arc Of A Diver is just OK and lands in the middle of the pack.
2.46 stars
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
Another British band that I'm completely unfamiliar with. The Teardrop Explodes comes out of nowhere with a pretty solid post-punk album. It mixes it up a bit including horns at times that surprisingly worked when they were featured. Each of the songs are relatively tight and enjoyable. Hard to believe any album has 7 singles off of it but it obviously resonated with the audience. Pretty good album that I doubt I would have been exposed to without the list.
2.68 stars
The Hives
2/5
That's an album that certainly has a lot of energy. I'm often impressed how punk bands can rip through songs that are essentially a 2 minute sprint. The Hives certainly appear to be skilled musicians as the songs are all tight and pretty well arranged. While I appreciate the sentiment it unfortunately sounds like just another punk album to me. It's not that it's bad, it's just that the appeal of the genre only last so long. A couple tracks for a couple minutes is fine, but surprisingly even at 28 minutes its a little too much of it and I get burned out. I applaud the short playtime and as much as I can respect a band like The Hives its just not in my wheelhouse for any kind of casual listening 99% of the time.
2.36 stars
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
Something about this album was really hollow at times. The vocals sounded lethargic and the backing tracks were mostly uninspired. None of the tracks stood out to me. Incidentally the one that stuck with me the longest was the closing version of Just Like Heaven that started out OK but then devolved and became annoying.
Maybe I'm missing something but I have no idea why this album made it onto the list. You're Living All Over Me was the definition of in one ear and out the other as the minute it ended it was as if it had been basically wiped from my memory. Not the worst 30 minute ride but I'm completely fine with moving on from this one.
1.65 stars
Morrissey
2/5
We get it, Robert Dimery loves Morrissey. Unfortunately that gives him way too much representation on this list and makes us suffer through way too many of his albums. To echo prior reviews, on surface level they aren't the worst, but I certainly don't need 4 Smiths albums and 4 Morrissey albums. Any enjoyment I may have had from his work is completely washed away from having to sit through too many of them. Heard one, heard 'em all so any novelty is gone.
Morrissey and The Smiths have carved out a style that works in the right time and place. The melodramatic disjointed vocal style makes them somewhat unique in an alt rock setting. I get that some people identify with his lyrics, but they don't do much for me. I don't actively dislike Morrissey but I'm tired of his albums as a result of this list. After too many albums they all have blended together and unfortunately dragged them all down.
2.06 stars
Deep Purple
4/5
I'll admit I had previously dismissed Deep Purple as just another run of the mill rock band from the 70's/80's. A couple hits but nothing with any major staying power from my end. After now listening to a couple albums and talking with a friend who is a big Deep Purple fan I have a much better appreciation for them.
Machine Head is a really strong album. It's a great example of hard rock sounds that paved the way for the heavy metal genre without being too aggressive. Smoke On The Water is a well known hit but I never knew the full story about the Montreux Casino fire so that's a cool bit of trivia to add to the whole thing. The album is solid pretty much all the way down and holds up really well 50+ years into its life. All in all I really enjoyed Machine Head and might need to take a Deep-er look at the rest of their catalog at some point. Preferably this will be on vinyl at my buddy's house in the near future. Color me impressed by this one.
3.57 stars
The Who
3/5
What a fantastic album. Despite growing up in a big Who household I had never heard The Who Sell Out as this wasn't one of the parents collection. I was only familiar with the cheeky album art and I Can See For Miles prior to this listen.
Sell Out was such a fun and creative endeavor. Outside of I Can See For Miles there aren't really any hits/singles but the album has all the best aspects of the early Who days. Loved the inclusion of radio bumpers and fake product jingles to make the whole thing sound like a programmed broadcast as opposed to an album release. The songs finely walked the line of solid radio hits with an edge of humor and wit. The Who nailed the assignment on this one from every level.
I was underwhelmed by My Generation and Live at Leeds but the other Who entries have been high quality albums that absolutely belong on the list.
3.42 stars
The Sabres Of Paradise
3/5
Very interesting mid-90's electronica album. I'll always appreciate something like this when it hits the list because it brings something different to the table compared the rest of the list. I'm personally a fan of electronic music so I dug this quite a bit but I can understand if this isn't in another listener's wheelhouse. What you lack in traditional instruments and lyrics is made up for with some ambient electro-beats and creative mixing. It's a bit of simpler, cleaner approach to other well-known electronica artists but works in the right setting. You could maybe trim a couple songs a bit but given the 70+ minute playtime I was surprised I didn't find it excessive.
This album doesn't feature a ton of bleep-bloops (though still some) like you might see in some other techno, but it definitely scratches an itch when taken in with headphones in a casual setting. I enjoyed what I got from Haunted Dancehall and would be interested in seeing what else The Sabres of Paradise bring to the table as I was unfamiliar with them previously. Nice unique entry.
3.11 stars
Todd Rundgren
2/5
It can be fun to rip through a handful of 1-2 experimental songs but after a handful you kinda wonder what it the album is going for. The disjointed nature is fun for a bit, but the effect only lasts so long. After about half the album any enjoyment has devolved to a relatively uninteresting mess. Later in the album there is a medley of classic hits that only further add to the confusion as none of the versions from Todd are anything notable.
I often see Todd Rundgren show up as a contributor or influence on other classic rock acts, so he is clearly a renowned musician. I get why A Wizard, A True Star could be held in high regard from indie rock acts that like the free flow nature of the way he arranged everything, but I'm not sure it makes for a great listen in a vacuum. You can do a lot worse elsewhere on the list as it wasn't a punishment to get through, but I also believe this isn't one that I really needed to listen before I die. I guess heavy use of psychedelic drugs and the way Todd largely self-performed and produced the album makes it a bit of an impressive endeavor but overall without context its just another skippable 70s album to me.
1.64 stars
Green Day
4/5
I remember when this album dropped and hit the airwaves. It was definitely a tour de force as a handful of the singles were all over the place and it seemingly revitalized Green Day's career after fading a bit over the prior decade. Although I think you could argue they were already superstars in the wake of Dookie, American Idiot definitely re-catapulted them back to the top of the charts and cultural zeitgeist. American Idiot rips out of the gate with a handful of singles, many of which are still enjoyable today. It gets a little thinner as the album continues but the sum of its parts are greater than the individual tracks as you get through the album and all in all it wraps up pretty nicely.
American Idiot made a statement in the wake of 9/11 and the political fallout. While I wasn't overly interested in the political message or the opus that was American Idiot back in 2004, it was a welcomed listen when it arrived on the list. I can't say I was surprised how well it held up as the world that it was commenting on has only leaned further into how ridiculous it can get. The overall storyline and message was enjoyable and the pop punk tunes that Green Day assembled remain very accesssible more than 20 years later. I can see why it is heralded as a solid pop punk opera as its appeal seems like it could range from teenager to people over their 50's. The work has taken on a new life as it was adapted into a musical and the title track has been used as an anthem in various ways. Pretty well deserving entry by Green Day. Enjoyed the listen and glad I was able to revisit it.
3.60 stars
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
Surprisingly I have a little bit of exposure to Malian music through Damon Albarn's extensive collaboration with African Express and others. He has a handful of releases that I don't regularly listen to but have given each of them a spin over the years as a completionist.
Worldbeat isn't my typical genre in any way, but I found Talking Tumbukto to be pleasant for a little while. The beats and delicate stringwork provide a fine foundation for some low energy background music. There's a wide variance of instruments that I don't expect I would hear in traditional american/english music. After a while it all starts to sound similar and you tune out.
Even if I can't understand anything they are singing about I can appreciate the exposure. Like many of the other international releases on the list its not bad and just another reason to gain some insight into music from another culture. A half hour of it is about all I need every year or so. After a while it starts to run together and sound too similar so it gets shelved and I move on.
1.53 stars
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
Pretty much what I expected from a 70s country album. It might be a little better than some of the others due to the inclusion of more instruments which helped vary it a little bit. It's got the typical twang that you would expect. Better than most from the genre but still nothing special. For my money Dwight Yoakim's best work lies in the movies Crank and Crank 2. Not sure I need much else from his musical career but to each his own.
1.79 stars
Grateful Dead
3/5
At one point in high school I tried to give Grateful Dead an honest shot. I was familiar with a couple of hits (Casey Jones, Touch of Grey, maybe a couple others) and figured given their expansive career and reputation as a legendary jam band I hoped there might be something interesting buried in the mix. I rented a box set from the library and started churning through tracks. An hour in I realized none of it was moving the needle for me. I continued Truckin' but only ended up with a pretty limited few songs that made the cut beyond a single listen. I returned the box set and haven't really thought of them much since beyond classical comparisons to Phish and other jam bands. While I ultimately confirmed Grateful Dead isn't really my thing, I've understood over time why they are perfect for an aging stoner hippy crowd. They are a casual folk jam band with some chill vibes that have earned their dedicated fanbase.
For what it's worth American Beauty is probably the best Grateful Dead has to offer (outside of a live show I assume). They mostly stay in their lane and hit the folk rock sound that forms the basis of their long form jam band nature. It's fine in the right place, but not somewhere I personally find myself ever really. I don't often go to the Grateful Dead well, but I was surprised how many songs off of American Beauty I was actually familiar with. Box of Rain, Friend of the Devil, Sugar Magnolia, Ripple and Truckin' were all songs I knew and was surprised by how much I enjoyed. The remainder of the tracks were a little too snoozy and slowed down but still not bad.
I've never had a reason to argue for or against Grateful Dead because to me they are just one of those bands that have been around and have their place. They have their culture, their fans, their history, etc. and that's OK. I didn't mind American Beauty, and I won't mind if I hear some of those singles again. American Beauty was a good entry as it offered me the best version of the Dead and exceeded my expectations.
2.69 stars
The Avalanches
4/5
I previously had a passing knowledge of The Avalanches from Frontier Psychiatrist and a couple of other songs I had run into in the wild. Always thought they made some cool stuff but never took the time to check out an album. Since I Left You was an exciting entry to see hit the list.
I went in a little giddy with somewhat high expectations and man did The Avalanches hit it out of the park. Since I Left You is such a creative and fun endeavor. The practice of generating an album from extensive sampling and looping is really intriguing but I haven't seen it come together so effectively until this album. Any acclaim for this album is deserved as it really is a unique and exciting experience. A couple hits stand out but entire album is engaging and doesn't have any low points or skips. Fun and creative from start to finish. I'd love for more stuff like this to get an entry on the list.
3.73 stars
Shack
2/5
I'm not sure what it is about this album but something about it bothered me. Maybe it's just the Liverpudlian accent or something about the arrangement but I didn't really enjoy any of the songs. I can't really point to anything specific that rubbed me the wrong way but on paper it shouldn't have been that bad. It's some softened alt rock with a pretty down the middle approach but it just didn't resonate with me at all. I'm shrugging my shoulders as to what it is about the Head brothers and Shack that bugged me.
1.73 stars
Joan Baez
1/5
I recognize that Joan Baez is a very accomplished vocalist. She has a classically pure voice that is able to cut pretty cleanly when she is in it. While I applaud Joan Baez for being able to maintain a career that is mostly just her with guitar and her voice I just don't get that much out of it personally. I'm sure it hit differently in the 1960's and maybe as I age and get into my own 60's I may identify with this more. However, at this point in my life there just isn't much for me to take out of her debut album. It's a handful of traditional folk song arranged around Joan Baez's personal style. The songs are OK I guess (John Riley probably best song I guess) but I quickly shrugged my shoulders and tuned out as I had to get through the remainder of the album.
I recognize that it is no small accomplishment to keep a crowd entertained with only a single guitar and a voice. I understand why this album is on the list but I don't ever need to come back to it. She's talented no doubt, but many other artists are also talented that I have zero interest in.
1.28 stars
Nico
1/5
Andy Warhol must have really seen something in Nico to produce her solo stuff, put her in his movies and get her involved in The Velvet Underground. From my angle I'm not sure what he was so infatuated with. Maybe there's something interesting about her character in person, but her vocals and musical presence are rather lackluster from my point of view.
Chelsea Girls has a minimalist approach that gets played out and boring pretty quickly. I haven't enjoyed much of the prior Nico exposure and this only further cements it. Warhol continues to prove the mediocrity of nearly everything he associated with.
1.08 stars
Pentangle
2/5
Not familiar with Pentangle but recognized the Bert Jansch name for earlier on this list. Basket of Light is a basket of mixed goods. There's a decent variety of sounds and instruments but the whole things is a little messy in its arrangement. Figured it would be a middle of the pack entry which is about where it lands. Not great, not bad, just another entry to check the box and move on.
Give me something like this a renaissance fair or some sort of outdoor public event and I might check it out for a couple songs. Otherwise I'm mostly just walking by.
2.14 stars
PJ Harvey
3/5
Another decent album from PJ Harvey. Didn't enjoy it quite as much as her prior entry, but still liked it enough where I'm wondering how I have zero prior exposure to her. As a somewhat contemporary artist it seems like I should have had run into her from the radio or a random Spotify recommendation. Perhaps her work never took root across the pond but seems like she is a pretty solid musician.
2.75 stars
Air
3/5
Pretty cool lower-fi electronica album. Nice debut from a french duo that took more of a downbeat chill approach instead of ramping up a bunch electronic dance beats. It doesn't finish as strong as it starts as the back half of the album starts to run out of steam but I still enjoyed the listen for the most part. Probably not much I will take from this album in the long run as a lot of the songs tend to fade together as you get through the listen. It definitely works for some background music while chilling. Decent entry for 1001, glad I listened to Moon Safari.
2.94 stars
Sonic Youth
1/5
What the hell am I missing about Sonic Youth? Dirty as an album is yet another noisy, lazy mess from the likes of Sonic Youth. The instrument work is lackluster, the beats and backing tracks are washed out and covered with obnoxious noise and the vocals almost seem intentionally phoned-in. I'm trying my best not to be hyperbolic about this album but I'm actually surprised how much this album bothered me. Outside of Sugar Kane and maybe one other track I wanted to just keep my head down, get through this and turn Sonic Youth off forever.
Three albums in I can confidently confirm that I am not a Sonic Youth fan. There is almost nothing endearing I have taken from the nearly 3 hours I have spent with them thus far. I can't imagine myself identifying with any of this even at my most rebellious hipster phase of my life. Really hoping they don't show up on this list or in my rotation ever again.
1.16 stars
Kings of Leon
4/5
Kings of Leon had a steady climb through their first couple years and albums. While the prior album Because Of The Times was a solid release, Only By The Night is where they really put it all together. Always liked this album and for a spell while I was in college I felt like the Kings were everywhere. Rightfully so as this album is a true force from start to finish. It features a couple extremely popular hits that still sound great nowadays and a handful of very solid accompaniment from all the deep cuts. You can rattle off any of the hits as crowd pleasers but Manhattan was the track that resonated with me the most this time around.
I always appreciated this album, but this listen really cemented how good it is. You can hear the growth in Kings of Leon from all facets as they really refined their southern sound but made it all the more accessible to the masses on this one. A very deserving entry in all ways.
3.92 stars
The Thrills
1/5
Not sure why a bunch of Irish indie-pop boys are singing about California towns but to each their own I guess. Maybe someone else can draw some inspiration from the subject matter but I was mostly annoyed by the whole thing. Despite the softer approach something about the vocal style was really grating and irritating. Almost like if someone was intentionally doing a bad impression of someone to get a rise out of them or something. When said and done this album came off as a bunch of lame sappy ballads. At only 45 minutes this was a surprising struggle. Not thrilled in any way.
1.27 stars
Björk
1/5
While I'm admittedly not well versed in Bjork's work I've always seen her referred to as a snobby avante-garde artistic mess that critics love to laud for her eccentric nature. None of that means anything to me since the majority of what I've been exposed to of her work is Yoko-esque cackling, random chanting, and over the top musical beats paired with truly ridiculous outfits (prior Sugarcubes album excepted). She comes off as the personification of an angsty off-broadway show that is trying to push the envelope of edginess to get some press coverage. It's posed as an extreme way to express yourself but is any of it any good or worth listening to? Fun to look at for a few minutes, fun to make fun of, fun to refer to but not the best in large doses.
I tried to keep an open mind heading into Vulnicura but the truth is I didn't have high hopes for a Bjork album from 2015 and this was about as bad as I expected. Every song is in the same vein and if you take Bjork's reputation out of it I'm not sure there is anything of substance in here. I didn't really find anything personal, inspirational or groundbreaking.
Perhaps the instrumentals are only 1 piece of this larger puzzle as I can imagine some cool museum art or a show set to this soundtrack would be a much better experience to take in. The second half did start to improve and mix it up a bit (Notget and Atom Dance probably the best songs) but it was too little too late. I maintain that there is absolutely some talent buried in there, but without someone to reel her in it just devolves/spirals into a mess. As it stands as an album, I sum Vulnicura up as some bad electronic minimalist production and Bjork spewing some inane lyrics for an hour.
I can finally say that I've heard a full Bjork album so I guess that's something. Bjork ain't for everyone, that's for sure.
1.29 stars
Dion
2/5
Dion has such better material to offer than the slowed down ballads featured on Born To Be With You. I can understand why he distanced himself from this album and referred to it as "funeral music" as I agree with him. Not sure why this one would make the list as Phil Specter himself shelved the album upon completion because it was met with overall indifference.
I for one much prefer the doo-wop sound that made Dion famous over the slowed down gospel-ish sound from this one. Give me The Wanderer, Dream Lover, Runaround Sue and more from that ilk over anything on Born To Be With You any day of the week. It's not the worst album on the list but overall a disappointing affair as I like Dion's other work more. This one should be skipped or replaced with a better album.
1.69 stars
Beatles
3/5
Just another Beatles album. While still not bad, the second half of the album is pretty lackluster in terms of Beatles standards. There's really no hits and can be written off as more of the same early Beatles work that you already know. Simple, formulaic, somewhat catchy and quick. The Beatles output can't be understated as they were cranking out 2-minute hits on the regular, but most of the tunes on this specific album are just placeholders. Outside of the title track and Can't Buy Me Love I'm not sure anything else on this album is really that notable. I assume this makes the list due to the film accompaniment but I'm not sure this qualifies as an essential album in any way. Still better than an average album but as much as I'm a Beatles fan I think we need to axe a couple of their entries from this list including this one.
2.60 stars
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
CCR continues to age like a fine wine. Always liked them, but the more I listen to them the more I appreciate them. Not sure how they managed to do it but they established such a unique sound while keeping so much of what they do simple. Their sound has a very defined signature that only so many bands have been able to establish and it just works. I enjoy so many of their quick hits, but definitely appreciated the longer jams included on Cosmo's factory. Quick chords, fun beats and riffs with a dash of the swamp rock lyrics that make their tunes so catchy and fun from start to finish. Great entry by Creedence here. Those swamp rock boys sure know how to write a tune.
3.69 stars
SAULT
3/5
Wasn't familiar with Sault but evidently I already had one of these songs saved in my library so I must have been exposed to it at some point. This album appears to be a project centered on black empowerment in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. I had fear that this would just be an empty political piece that made the list due to controversial subject matter. While it includes a dash of political messaging none of it is excessive or out of touch. After a few songs the album hits its stride and has a handful of enjoyable tracks. Any of the political underlying is tasteful, measured and effective. It's not a bad album and I imagine would have been a powerful righteous entry for the target demographic and charity proceeds that it generated. I don't think I would have heard this album otherwise so I'm glad it made the list.
2.72 stars
Janet Jackson
3/5
As big of a Michael Jackson fan as I am I have never delved into the likes of the rest of the family. Outside of the single Scream, with her brother, I think my only exposure to Janet Jackson is truly the Superbowl halftime show. I couldn't name a single song by her prior to this listen of Rhythm Nation 1814.
I'm happy to give some overdue credit to Janet. It's not really in my wheelhouse but I can appreciate it for what it is. The drum machines and synthesizers plant you firmly in the late 80's time period, but it works well to accompany Janet's upbeat dance track vocals. While the album is good enough to hold up years later it does gets to be a little derivative by the end of it. The songs start to sound a little too much the same, but the baseline on the first half of the album is catchy enough that you can stick with it for a while and not be complaining. The end wraps up a little weak but it's still OK. The production team and Janet knew to stay in their lane and crank out some dance hits while she was coming off prior success. While I'm sure underlying theme may have come through more at its release I was mostly OK to just tune out to the hits without paying too much attention to the message. It's mostly fun and well arranged (though a little cheesy too) so even if it isn't in my wheelhouse I can enjoy it for what it tried to accomplish.
I've always heard Janet was a superstar at one point but I was too young or not the target demographic when she was at her peak. When the Superbowl wardrobe malfunction occurred it hugely derailed her career and unfortunately turned her prior work in to a punchline. She wasn't on my radar previously, and MJ's career had declined in the wake of the turmoil so I never bothered to go back and check out any of her work. I don't plan to go back to the well and listen to another album, but might see if any of her other greatest hits are any good. Not a bad entry for 1001 as it gave me some exposure to Janet's career that has otherwise been ignored by me.
2.85 stars
The Jam
3/5
Apparently this Paul Weller guy has his fingerprints on a lot more music than I was ever aware of. Pretty cool to see his name keep popping up on this list through a variety of bands and musical styles. While I've enjoyed some of his other work that has been featured, The Jam's Sound Affects is probably the best so far. This album was a pretty solid listen with a handful of enjoyable tracks. Seems like they were ahead of their time as I was surprised to see this was released in 1980. It it felt like a preliminary to the popular 90's britpop sound with something Bowie-esque about it. I liked a lot of the pieces they were working with and might check out some more from The Jam. Good stuff.
3.04 stars
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Hard to believe we haven't had a Zep entry in over 400 albums, but I guess we were a little front-loaded within the randomness of the 1001 list. Any Zeppelin album is a welcome entry, but LZ II has never been near the top of my personal fandom. I understand why they went with a heavy rhythm and blues approach that really catapulted them to the next level but their later work where they leaned into the rock and roll is when they hit their stride for me.
There's still a lot to take from II. Out of the gates you get Whole Lotta Love which has a little bit of everything in terms of vocals, riffs, solos, free-form psychedelia, etc. It's a welcome entry before they depart into a handful of very solid R&B tracks broken up with a couple softer melodic tunes. The peak of the album for me has always been Ramble On (gotta love a solid LOTR reference). I enjoy some of the other hard hitters but they don't stand up to the hits from other Zeppelin albums. I get what they were going for with Moby Dick to feature a drum heavy track and some of Bonham's impact but I've never felt it made for a great listen on the album (check out videos or see a Zep tribute band instead). Livin' Loving Maid is one of my least favorite Zeppelin tracks for really no reason whatsoever. What Plant is doing in the first minute of Bring It On Home is kinda wild, but I really like the rest of the song and the way the album closes.
The entire work is very competent and has its moments, but this album just doesn't stack up against a handful of Led Zeppelin's other work. You don't get quite as much of Page's master riffs as you do elsewhere in their catalog. Plant had already established the vocal chops of a grizzled vet and is ripping through songs and having fun with it all. It belongs on the list, but there are a handful of Zeppelin albums I take over II.
3.69 stars
Christina Aguilera
2/5
I remember the release of this album and Christina's attempt to re-brand and re-emerge as more of an adult in the wake of the teen-pop craze of the late 90's. While I get what she is going for, I'm not sure it stuck the landing. The album is a forgettable mixed bag of various genres. It almost feels like they got a "packaged" version of every genre they thought they could cram into an album so that it would have wide appeal among various radio stations.
The album is OK I guess, but its also has almost zero lasting appeal. Outside of Dirrty (and maybe Beautiful because I'm sure the message gives it the chance to show up in some random pop culture piece in the future) I don't think I'll ever hear any of these songs again, and if I did I wouldn't recognize any of them. It's a valiant attempt for a young women trying to reclaim her independence and re-brand but I agree with the initial critical reviews that its just a mediocre hodgepodge of a release. Perhaps if I was a young angsty girl in the early 2000's this would have done more for me. Alas, I was not so Stripped goes back on the shelf to continue to be ignored.
1.88 stars
Bee Gees
2/5
I had no clue that iconic disco band Bee Gees had a basis of weird artistic baroque pop in their bag. Not sure why Odessa would receive critical acclaim nowadays because despite being a concept album I found it to be pretty empty. There's a couple of OK songs, but for every one of them there are 2+ confusing snoozers. I agree with the fanbase that this was overall a miss and would lead to less interest in the band.
I really only know a couple of the Bee Gees popular hits from Saturday Night Fever and other disco pop culture. Not sure if they were more of an auteur act from the onset and then later transitioned to something more popular, but I guess I welcome that move. If Odessa is one of their albums that is list worthy I feel like I'm fine missing the bus on the rest of their collection.
1.78 stars
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
2/5
Fun for a single song as a throwback to the bubble gum pop era. However, even at only 25 minutes long the album gets a little thin. It feels like the same song and backbeat over and over again with basic pseudo romantic lyrics in the vein of everything else from this era.
You could have told me this was Buddy Holly, Big Bopper or basically any of the icons from the 50's rockabilly era and I wouldn't have known the difference nor really cared. I don't have any personal draw to Buddy Holly (beyond the Weezer song), so its just a bunch of outdated bubble gum pop for me. It belongs on the list for its place in music history but I don't have any personal tie to it. Even if its not bad it's easy to quickly move on.
1.91 stars
Merle Haggard
2/5
A little more upbeat than I expected from some 1960's country but its still firmly in the wheelhouse of the genre. I'm not a country fan by any means but this wasn't slog to get through. Just some run of the mill jaunty country tunes from an apparent ex-con. I'm sure this was influential to the early county fans but it does little for me 60 years later. Put it in the realm of everything else that came from this genre and era for me.
1.58 stars
Taylor Swift
3/5
I have to admit that 1989 is chock full of catchy pop tunes. I was aware of Taylor Swift when this released in 2014 and didn't mind when I was hearing various singles through radio play or elsewhere. The tunes are catchy and harmless breakup ballads for the most part which didn't bother me post-college in my late 20's (still don't really). Even nowadays a handful of of these songs hold up and are still worth the occasional listen in the right place.
Following 1989 it felt like TS was everywhere all of a sudden but I figured she was just the next up and coming pop star who was able to capture the generation of girls younger than me with a couple hit singles. Little did I know that she was about to take the world by storm and how big the Swifty movement would become over the next handful of years. The Taylor Swift wagon wasn't running nearly as strongly back in 2014 compared to nowadays. On the heels of her rise through country music and transition to this pop-oriented release I can see why she picked up a ton of support in such a small period. 1989 deservedly made a splash which is evident as it is still somewhat engaging more than 10 years later and not just an out of date pop album.
Credit where it's due because Taylor Swift is clearly talented, and immensely driven as anyone would have to be to cultivate the fanbase and following she has. Despite the overexposure I've never really been on the Taylor Swift hate-wagon. She's a cultural sensation which certainly gets tiresome (NFL/Kelce exposure certainly hit critical mass) but I'm not hugely affected by it as I'm not really in the core demographic. I suspect the majority of criticism she receives is deserved, as is praise that she simultaneously receives. Such is the nature of being in the center of the spotlight on a global stage. For what it's worth she has a handful of songs that I enjoy from this earlier pop part of her career. Without any other knowledge of her catalog I suspect 1989 is likely the best version of Taylor Swift for my money and admittedly the album is pretty solid. I can't speak to much of her work beyond this album though as I don't really pay attention to her music otherwise. Evermore which was previously on the list and I found it pretty marginal. 1989 was a significantly better listen and I enjoyed it more than I expected to.
3.22 stars