My 1001 Albums Journey

Album	You	Global	Diff
Pictures At An Exhibition Emerson, Lake & Palmer	5	2.65	+2.35
Space Ritual Hawkwind	5	2.68	+2.32
Basket of Light Pentangle	5	2.76	+2.24
Tarkus Emerson, Lake & Palmer	5	2.79	+2.21
Ys Joanna Newsom	5	2.8	+2.2
Ogden's Nut Gone Flake Small Faces	5	2.95	+2.05
Ray Of Light Madonna	5	2.99	+2.01
The Who Sell Out The Who	5	3	+2
Music From The Penguin Cafe Penguin Cafe Orchestra	5	3.01	+1.99
evermore Taylor Swift	5	3.04	+1.96

Album	You	Global	Diff
Rage Against The Machine Rage Against The Machine	1	4	-3
Let's Get It On Marvin Gaye	1	3.78	-2.78
Let's Stay Together Al Green	1	3.76	-2.76
The Low End Theory A Tribe Called Quest	1	3.7	-2.7
21 Adele	1	3.69	-2.69
The Score Fugees	1	3.69	-2.69
Buena Vista Social Club Buena Vista Social Club	1	3.66	-2.66
Ill Communication Beastie Boys	1	3.65	-2.65
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Lauryn Hill	1	3.63	-2.63
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Wu-Tang Clan	1	3.61	-2.61

Artist	Albums	Average
Beatles	5	5
Radiohead	5	4.8
The Who	3	5
Simon & Garfunkel	3	5
Peter Gabriel	3	5
Queen	3	4.67
The Byrds	3	4.67
Joni Mitchell	2	5
U2	2	5
Deep Purple	2	5
Coldplay	2	5
Nick Drake	2	5
Kate Bush	2	5
Pink Floyd	2	5
Fairport Convention	2	5
Emerson, Lake & Palmer	2	5
ABBA	2	5
Led Zeppelin	3	4.33
Black Sabbath	3	4.33
Bob Dylan	5	4

Artist	Albums	Average
Public Enemy	3	1
Sonic Youth	3	1
Adele	2	1
OutKast	2	1
Common	2	1
Dexys Midnight Runners	2	1
Beastie Boys	3	1.67
Elvis Presley	3	1.67
My Bloody Valentine	3	1.67
Sly & The Family Stone	2	1.5
Can	2	1.5
Ryan Adams	2	1.5
Dinosaur Jr.	2	1.5
The Band	2	1.5
A Tribe Called Quest	2	1.5
The Jesus And Mary Chain	2	1.5
Isaac Hayes	2	1.5
Christina Aguilera	2	1.5
Gene Clark	2	1.5
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band	2	1.5
Talking Heads	3	2
Pixies	3	2

Artist	Ratings
Marvin Gaye	1, 5, 1
Taylor Swift	2, 5
Neil Young	5, 2, 4, 3

Radiohead

5/5

My first generated album after joining site. Album well known to me in my collection and personal top 10

Bill Evans Trio

3/5

I did not like jazz at all in my younger days but as I have aged i have lost my jazz prejudices and have given it a try but in no way am I an aficionado. The elements of jazz I really like nowerdays are the more modern female jazz vocalists singing in a laid back smoky atmosphere. This album however was a joy to listen to. Have listened to Bill Evan’s before and found it ideal background music or to put on at bedtime. Can tell very accomplished and talented musicians involved. Liked this enough to put in my new discovery playlist.

The Bends

Radiohead

5/5

Another album I know well by one of my favourite bands. Discovered this after I had got into OK Computer. One or two really stand out tracks with my favourite being Fake Plastic Trees. The last verse of that in particular means a lot to me - a cutting indictment of my marriage at the time. Having been prompted to listen to full album again realised what a great and ground breaking album this is and nearly 30 years on from release stood test of time.

Stand!

Sly & The Family Stone

1/5

Sorry but this genre of music does not do it for me. Avoided it when I was young but unlike some genre’s which I have grown to like and appreciate this type of funk and soul I cannot listen to and always push the stop button. Only good thing I can say is that some tracks take me back to my Mecca nightclub days standing at side of dance floor etc etc but even those nights sometimes turned out bad and this is a soundtrack for those times.

1989

Taylor Swift

2/5

This album turning up is quite opportune as I’ve been making effort recently to listen objectively to Taylor Swift. I’ve previously dismissed her and her music as run of the mill manufactured pop for the teen masses. But her recent stance of music streaming and her remixing her earlier albums (including this one) presumably because she wanted to improve them made me take note of her. Listening to this album I realised that just about each track was a hit in the past but I had dismissed at the time. As i could remember each of these tracks from way back then, they must have lodged in my brain somewhere. Partly due that every track has a memorable pop riff and hook. This skill I applaud even though the actual substance of the music is still not to my taste. However, my Taylor Swift discovery has taken me to her most recent albums Folklore and Evermore, which I have found myself liking and occasionally going back to.

Black Holes and Revelations

Muse

4/5

An album in my library and one which i bought close to release date. Must say I have not listened to it lately so this selection is welcome opportunity to discover it again. Muse are a bit of an enigma to me. Many put them in the (my favourite) Prog Rock genre and that’s what brought me to Muse but I don’t get that. I see them more of a big arena rock band. For a trio they make an hell of a big sound and this album is a great example of that. Loads of anthemic tunes abound and everything goes on at an amazing rate. Only one slower song so at the end you feel slightly exhausted. A great album but I think the earlier Absolution is technically better and the albums that follow are perhaps more proggy and a little inferior to this.

Meat Is Murder

The Smiths

2/5

I bought this album on vinyl at time of release (now worth a bit more) not because I desperately wanted it but The Smiths at the time were the darlings of the music press and could do no wrong. I wasn’t exactly hyped into buying the album but all reviews indicated it was the must have album of 1985. I was pretty dissapointed then and giving it another listen today still find it so. I was aware of the The Smiths and found their many jingly jangly pop hits of the time OK. In fact ‘There is a light that never goes out’ released the following year is one of my favourite all time pop songs which I play regularly. This album only contains one or two of the instant guitar pop standards. The rest is a mishmash muddled collection of songs which get nowhere and immediately disposable. The sentiments of the title track, whilst uneasy lyrically is let down by the music and unnecessary animal noises. Could have been a rallying call for animal rights activists but I doubt that nowerdays hardly anyone is aware of the song’s existence. This album remains the only Smiths album I ever bought and the music press quickly moved onto other idols. That said I do realise that The Smiths are rightly ranked highly and were a very significant band at that time responsible for some of the best pop tunes ever, but this album is not a good example of that.

Quiet Life

Japan

2/5

Whilst I bought and loved 80’s synth and New Romantic music Japan never impressed me. I liked a lot one or two hits, Ghosts and Nightporter, but their albums did nothing for me at all. Japan were great musicians and Richard Barbieri in particular has become one of my favourites with his involvement in various prog rock ventures. Having now given Quiet Life a listen my opinion of Japan has not changed. There is one standout track, Despair which I would listen to again. The rest is forgettable having not aged well at all.

The Cars

3/5

Do not know enough of The Cars except for the big hits of the 70’s and 80’s of which there are a few on this album. So listening to this album with fresh ears was enjoyable although not enough where I would seek out their other albums. Nice to listen in the car or in the background but not something I could listen to seriously.

Let's Get It On

Marvin Gaye

1/5

I cannot argue that everything about this album is absolutely perfect and is deservedly rated one of the best albums ever. However, unlike other musical genres I have become to like I have always had an aversion and avoidance of music like this. It just doesn’t do anything for me. As for the sexy thing, if I were to put this on the turntable and dim the lights my partner would die laughing. I’m more likely to put on Marillion. Having dutiful listened to it through in full the only thing I can say is that if I had only one choice between this and modern chart stuff I would choose Marvin..but I don’t have to.

Fromohio

fIREHOSE

1/5

Never heard of them. Never want to hear them again. Don’t know how this was even considered for the chart. I gave Marvin Gaye a bad review yesterday which I feel bad about after this. Unlike this lot he was at least musical. This is straight into the bin.

...Baby One More Time

Britney Spears

1/5

Well I did listen but not for me. Modern pop Muzak yuk!

Blue

Joni Mitchell

5/5

Didn’t really like Joni at the time this album and her other classics were released. But as I have matured I realised what a great songwriter, wordsmith and musician she always was. This album was a window into my appreciation of her. Once I had heard it I immediately went out and bought her full back catalogue. I now rue the lost years I did not have her albums in my life. Blue encapsulates everything I like about Joni in one album and I think and hope will be regarded as a classic album always.

Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Wu-Tang Clan

1/5

I’m simply too old now to give a constructive review of this album. When it was released I instantly dismissed it as it was ‘music’ i hated and would switch off from. I took no notice of the hip hop genre as it developed over the years and have no idea who the exponent’s of hip hop are now and I who I still switch off from. As I’m committed to listening to all the albums on this list I streamed it using Roon so to be aware of all the metadata associated with the album. I was also able and wanted to view all the lyrics as to me they are otherwise indecipherable. If I’m missing the point I’m sorry but to me all the songs do is to glorify guns, knives, gang culture and the violence associated. Let alone the misogynist and racist elements which I also find distasteful. If the songs are ‘anti’ these things well OK but to wrap them up as entertainment no thanks. Artists should be able to express their political views and I admire them for doing so but to advocate violence is wrong. Maybe they don’t which is a reason why I know this music is not for me. It exists but not in my world.

Future Days

Can

2/5

Apart from the odd track I’ve heard on radio or has appeared on a streaming algorithm I’ve never been bothered by Can. So I welcomed this opportunity to listen constructively to a Can album. It was OK but nothing more than that. Not inspired enough to seek out any other Can album or purchase their music. My overall impression was that the record was an extended jam session. Very enjoyable to Can themselves but becoming tedious to me after a short time. As background music its OK but not worthy of inclusion on this list.

Rattus Norvegicus

The Stranglers

5/5

An album I bought at the time on vinyl. It might be labelled Punk but to my prog rock infuenced ears back in 1977 I heard a lot more than the 3 chord trick punk bands around then. This is probably because the Strangler members were a bit older than the average punk rocker and by the addition of Dave Greenfield the keyboard player in the lineup. His swirling organ sound can be heard on most tracks giving the songs an extra layer. I love a rock keyboardist, Emerson, Wakeman, Lord etc, but Greenfield’s organ solo accompanied by Burnel’s thundering bass at the end of Down In The Sewer is magnificent and one of my top keyboard moments. But the Stranglers were and have proven to be great musicians and some of the songs on here are memorable pop tunes. Peaches is particular is a song everyone will know, exceptional guitar riff and cheeky lyrics which will always come into mind (well mine anyway) when on a beach somewhere. It was great to sit down with this album again and remind myself how great the songs are on this album.

21

Adele

1/5

Never listened to Adele constructively but because of her worldwide stardom was aware of her and her music on the radio. The way she presented herself on the TV and her speaking voice always annoyed me and I do not like potty mouthed ladies! That said I accept she does have a strong singing voice but I can’t get away from thinking that it’s X Factor manufactured. As I’ve recently began to listen and really appreciate other female vocalists previously off my radar, Tori Amos, Diana Krall, Lana Del Rey, Norah Jones, I was hoping that Adele could offer something I had previously missed in her. I read that the album is about a relationship break up. I quite like the melancholy and sadness this subject sometimes brings out in artists who have experienced this (Peter Hammill’s ‘Over’ been the best example of this) so I was expectant. Not so and I was very disappointed I’m afraid. I felt nothing of the pain and anguish she may have been trying to convey. Instead it was more a case of look what you’re missing I’m a superstar and loaded! I found my mind wandering and wondering when the album will end. Ended it myself in the end before the last song. This didn’t matter as I had subliminally heard all the songs previously anyway somewhere but hadn’t took no notice. Adele comes nowhere near the aforementioned ladies and I just hope that 25 or 33 or whatever number she comes up with naming her albums stays off this list.

Heartbreaker

Ryan Adams

2/5

I’ve never listened intentionally to anything of Ryan Adams. I was aware of him but whenever I heardhis name I always thought of Robin Hood which apparently and quite rightly pisses this Adams off. So I was quite open to listening to this album to see if I was missing something. I found it on the whole a pleasant way to while away a Saturday morning. A couple of tracks I really liked - Winding Wheel and Amy but nothing else stood out for me. Cannot say that I’m a lover at all of Country Rock or Bluegrass but as a change and as an attempt to widen my musical appreciation it was OK. Prior to listening I had a sneak look at other reviews. It appears that in the USA Adams is a bit of a hate figure due to his admitted harassment allegations. Something I was totally unaware of but also something that bothers me. As I am never going to purchase his music and probably never again listen intentionally to his albums it made no difference to my overall impression of this album.

Jagged Little Pill

Alanis Morissette

4/5

I bought this album on CD a few years after release when I was going through a breakup and I could relate to a lot of the songs on the album and helped me get through. Some really good cutting lyrics. I don’t know if I was the target audience. I was late 40’s then and in my 70’s now but I still love this album. All memories of the reasons I bought the album are now gone but I like it in its own right having lots of memorable tunes. I don’t wallow now in its melancholy but will put it on to happily sing along. I sold the original CD a few years ago but recently obtained it again from a charity shop. As a regular visitor to charity shops searching for cheap CD’s you can more or less guarantee that this album will be on the shelves of every shop selling for a few pence. What that says about the album I don’t know. Probably it’s because the album sold in such high numbers there are plenty about and were disposable when owners (like me) discovered streaming. I have also obtained the acoustic version on one of these visits which compliments the original. I put this album in my top 5 guilty pleasure albums and one I will keep coming back to.

Doggystyle

Snoop Dogg

1/5

Hate this stuff. Always have always will. Don’t know much about Broadus but what I’ve read he seems to be an obnoxious long time criminal who I don’t want polluting my ears or in my life. His song lyrics confirm this.

Shaka Zulu

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

3/5

Like the majority of people I guess outside Africa I was introduced to Ladysmith by Paul Simon. I loved their contributions to his albums and it perked me interest in them. Peter Gabriels Real World Records also generated my interest in similar artists he championed. I was never motivated enough to buy their own music but always enjoyed listening to them as their popularity increased and they were heard more and more on radio and TV. It was good and a joy therefore to listen to this full album and also read about the group on the accompanying Wiki page. However, I don’t think that I could ever sit down on a dedicated listening session but I don’t think the music is produced for that purpose. They suit soundtracks on magnificent African dramas and make the watching memorable. They sing with joy and fun and their music should be reserved for such occasions.

Orbital 2

Orbital

2/5

Not a great lover of this type of electronic music which I put in club/dance/rave bracket. But a lot of the music I do adore does have a lot of electronic elements in it by the use of synthesisers, drum machines and similar. Whilst I was very into 80’s new wave music and the way electronics were used I think I became a bit too old to appreciate the 90’s electronic groups such as Orbital. My only experience of them seems to be confined to their yearly appearance at the Glastonbury festival. I was still keen to give this album a fair listen as I had not heard it before. I began by streaming it at low volume to a small bedroom speaker which did not do it justice. Streaming it out of my hifi rig gave it the life and space needed to fully appreciate it. Whilst I heard many interesting things I cannot say that I was totally convinced by the album as a whole. I do like ambient music so was drawn more to that. Halcyon + on + on in particular is a nice piece which I enjoyed. As for the rest, well as I say, maybe I’m just a bit too old.

Abbey Road

Beatles

5/5

An album I do not need to listen to as I bought it on vinyl on release and played it to death and still regularly listen. My favourite Beatles album behind Sgt Peppers. Without the inclusion of Octopus’s Garden and possibly Maxwells’s Silver Hammer this album would be faultless. The song segue on side 2 brilliant and I never tire listening to it. Come Together is perhaps the best John Lennon song ever and George’s Something one of the best love songs ever. The next album Let It Be was for me a letdown so for me Abbey Road was the last great Beatles record and an all time classic.

The Köln Concert

Keith Jarrett

5/5

Knew of Keith Jarrett but not this album but having now listened cannot believe I have missed this for nearly half a century. What a corker of an album which if it even doesn’t happen again has made subscribing to this site so worthwhile. One man and one piano making music up on the hoof has kept me captivated for over an hour. This is one of the best improvisations I have ever heard and it goes beyond my level of understanding on how the hell it is done. So talented. Jazz (if this is pure jazz, i’m not so sure) used to leave me cold but recently I have become more interested in it so I was very receptive in giving this record a listen. Hearing just the few notes I knew I was hooked. For a live album it is also sonically excellent. When the music gets upbeat I hear Keith (I assume) shouting in the background and in pleasure, along to his rhythm’s adding to the warmth and intensity of the music. Having read the background to this concert I know that it was thwarted with various problems so I’m astounded that such an excellent piece of music resulted at all. So impressed I’ve now bought the album!

Tidal

Fiona Apple

2/5

Whilst I had heard of Fiona Apple (great name!) I had never intentionally listened to her music before. If I was to guess I would have said she might have been a teenage pop artist or a rapper but I didn’t know really what to expect. Whilst she was neither of those things she neither tickled my interest to an extent that I would listen to her again or seek out her music. Quite an unforgettable album.

Third

Portishead

3/5

My only real previous experience of Portishead was the Dummy album who all the music critics raved about. I never liked this album then or more recently having bought the CD cheaply in an attempt to discover if I was missing something. I really wanted to like them so when Third arrived on this list I was very keen to give it a fair chance. To me Dummy suffered from too much hip hop and electronica for my taste. Third is an improvement but I really want my music to be melodic and conventional. There are one or two nice melodies on this album but just as I think this the music goes off in a way I don’t want or like. Then there is the overuse of industrial sounds interrupting the melodic flow of the album and making it, to my ears, almost unlistenable. Without all the abrasive bangs and clanks this album would have been a whole lot better. One exception to this is the massive vibrating bass sound at the end of Threads (best track) which gave my speakers a real good workout and producing a very satisfying sound. There is enough on this album to liek but not enough to make me return to it.

The Joshua Tree

U2

5/5

Doubt if there is no-one who’s never owned or heard this album. U2 came into my life after I had seen the Red Rocks video on ‘The Tube’ and was blown away and after which I began buying their albums. I played Joshua Tree to death at the time and became one of my top albums. Nowerdays I hardly play the album as there is little need to do so as the big 3 well known tracks at the start of the album are still constantly played on the radio. Listening through the album again I enjoyed listening again to the tracks after the first 3 and struck by the quality of every track. I was always attracted to the end track Mothers Of The Disappeared and I think now it could be my favourite track. I don’t think U2 have bettered this album All That You Can’t Leave behind runs it close but for me this was the pinnacle.

Ill Communication

Beastie Boys

1/5

Liked one or two or their singles but other than that unaware of what Beastie Boys do so was looking forward to listening to this album. Huge disappointment. Sounded the same throughout or until half way through when I had to switch it off. Not my type of music at all. Do not like rap and this type sounds worse than those i would term as original rap artists. Just looked at the 1001 book and can see the Beastie album with the two singles I like is on the list so at least when this arrives in my mailbox I can give it more than 1 I did for this crap.

Punishing Kiss

Ute Lemper

1/5

Never heard of this lady or album so was interested to hear the album through without any preconcieved ideas. I’ve recently got into smooth type jazz and bought albums by Diane Krall and Norah Jones etc so hoped this album would live up to them. It failed miserably I’m afraid. To my ears just MOR muzak. Type of thing I believe (but never experienced) your host would put on in the background at dinner parties. This would give me stomach cramps!

Fear and Whiskey

Mekons

2/5

Another new album to me so another potential discovery. I enjoyed a few tracks but others not so. The violin backing on some of the tracks was good but the sometimes out of tune singing and instrumentation was at times jarring. I could tell that this was an honest attempt by the group to do something very different and judging it with what was around 40 years ago they succeeded. If I didn’t know it was from the 80’s then I would have never guessed as it is hard to categorise this album by genre or time which is to its credit and probably why it is on this list. I appreciate what it’s trying to achieve but not something I will return to personally.

Licensed To Ill

Beastie Boys

3/5

It’s only 3 days since the last Beasties album III Communication,arrived on my list. I hated that album and gave it 1/5. I said on that review that I quite liked the two singles which I knew appeared on this album - Fight For Your Right… and No Sleep Till Brooklyn, so I was bound to give it a higher score. It was an advantage to be able to compare both albums whilst the first was still in my mind. Listening through this album I was immediately struck that it was a lot more melodic than III Communication and found myself actually liking most of the album. To my ‘English white male in his 70’s’ ears I could actually hear the lyrics so could tell what they were on about. Very clever and amusing most of the time which I enjoyed. I also liked the sampling and good guitar riffs used throughout the album. The samples gave the impression of familiarity with the songs and the guitar riff on Fight For Your Right is up there with the best guitar riffs ever. Although not my type of music I could not help but love this album. It was a pity they could not take this to their future albums but I know they were/are not making music for people like me, so what do I know?

Lady Soul

Aretha Franklin

3/5

No-one who has any musical appreciation at all can doubt that this is an exceptional album and I would defend it as such. Aretha Franklin is one of the best female vocalists ever. The problem I have is that whilst I appreciate soul music and understand why millions if not billions love that music, I don’t. Yes I enjoyed the 30 minutes or so listening to this album from start to finish and there will be other occasions when I listen but I would never choose to do so if I was to sit down and think of an album I really want to listen to. Maybe I don’t have ‘soul’ but I would love to hear Aretha sing “Suppers Ready” or “21st Century Schizoid Man”. Imagine that if that’s not sacrilege? Feel as though I should give it 5 but to be true to the assessment system I have developed over the time of doing this can only go with a 2.5. But because it is regarded by others better qualified than I as the greatest album of all time, I will round it up to 3.

Since I Left You

The Avalanches

1/5

Never heard of The Avalances before or what their music was about so quite excited to learn something new. Streamed the album through Roon which categorises music above the track list. One such category was “Funny Breaks” which I had not seen before and made me wonder if I was about to have a rib tickling hour ahead of me. Quite the opposite it turned out. It started bright enough and I thought I really had found a new musical delight but it quickly degenerated into turgid monotony. Others might complain about the overuse of samples but to me it was these that kept it half interesting, trying to spot something you had heard before and wondering where? It was the monotonous drone beneath the samples which hardly changed in tone or rhythm I disliked. Got half way and had to switch off. Will have to again concede as I often do whilst going through this list, that this music was not meant for me.

At Folsom Prison

Johnny Cash

3/5

I remember as a teenager becoming aware of this album and the single Boy Named Sue which up until today I thought was on this album. Having updated myself I now know the chronology of the single but that gives an idea of my lack of knowledge of Jonny Cash. Country music was never to my taste and I have largely dismissed it. But I have listened to this album through and really enjoyed it. Just about every track is a toe tapper and I loved a lot of the gallows humour contained in the lyrics. I also thought that given that it is a 55 year old live recording with limited resources and technical recording equipment, that the overall sound of the recording was good. Especially that it managed to capture the feel of what was an unusual concert. The context of the concert does bother me, wondering why serious criminals should be entertained in this fashion. Surprising it was ever allowed in the 60’s and more likely to be done in these woke times. That aside and assessing its musical value only I enjoyed the album and can understand why those of the Country Music persuasion value this album so much.

Live At The Regal

B.B. King

4/5

Early in my musical development I bought two blues sampler albums, World of Blues Power (Decca) and Super Duper Blues (Blue Horizon) partly because as samplers they were cheap and that’s all my pocket money could extend to and because they featured many artists who were big. Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac to name but a few. Didn’t necessarily buy because of the blues but because of the artists on the albums. By playing these albums endlessly I unwittingly got a grounding in good blues music which has obviously stayed with me for life. BB King didn’t feature on these albums but all the artists on them claimed to owe everything to him. As my musical tastes got a little more sophisticated I moved away from pure blues music but always appreciated that blues music was at the root of everything I went onto like. I’ve never bought any BB King albums but always ready to listen. Likewise I listened intently to this album which I can say is another gem I would have missed had it not been generated on my list. Is an absolute smorgasbord of classic blues guitar licks and one liner lyrics - “I gave my baby seven children, but she gave them all back” I could go on! An album I will now keep returning to and a gateway for me to discover other BB King classics.

Histoire De Melody Nelson

Serge Gainsbourg

1/5

Strange that a record like this is still on the list. I am very much anti-woke and strongly believe that history cannot be rewritten to satisfy modern thinking and behaviour. But I do not include paedophilia in this so I find this record extremely distasteful. My french is not good enough to understand the lyrics but the album cover tells you all you need to know about the record and record reviews leave you in no doubt. There is nothing musically of any great significance so why is this on the list? Is it a tick box exercise to ensure France has a proportionate number of entries on the list? The greatest joy I got from this recording was when I read the Wiki entry describing the plot. I laughed out loud when I read Melody was on her way back to Sunderland when she met her demise. Sunderland??!!. Not believing everything I read in Wiki I checked the lyrics and sure enough Sunderland is there. Sunderland is a great city with great people but not exactly a city one would think of in the UK for the romantic heroine in this story to come from. Might be a subliminal message in that but can’t help wondering if Mr Gainsbourg ever visited Sunderland when researching this story if you see what I mean? Back to the album - wish there was a 0 rating as 1 gives it too much credibility.

Roxy Music

4/5

Bought this album on vinyl at time of release. The album cover is perhaps one of the most recognisable ever. I loved the album when I bought it but must admit I rarely listen to it now so was eager to do so in full. It brought back many memories some in particular about a girlfriend I had at the time and I remembered it was her not me who really liked Roxy and in particular Brian Ferry! An album of its time which is regarded quite rightly as groundbreaking. One I’m not likely to regularly play again but one I’m glad to have in my personal library

Heroes

David Bowie

3/5

David Bowie is an enigma to me. I know that he was a groundbreaking and very talented musician responsible for some of the best recordings in the last 60 years. There is an odd album of his I like in full and an odd track on other albums but in the main I just don’t get him. I have tried to listen constructively numerous times. In particular to his “Berlin Trilogy” of which this is one and which many say was his finest hour But they are littered with tracks which sound to me disjointed and without melody. On this particular album, “Heroes” stands out from the rest which at times degenerates into tuneless meanderings. The instrumental tracks on side 2 seem meaningless to me. Neither dance or ambient they seem to serve no useful purpose on this album and to me instantly forgettable. Just why David Bowie does this to me I don’t know as I do know he has heavily influenced musicians who I do like. There is a Bowie album in this list which I know I will rate at 5 but unfortunately this to me is worth only 3 and it only gets that because of the influence this album has had on others but not me.

Infected

The The

3/5

This album wasn’t as bad as I first thought. I was expecting to skip forward tracks but found myself engaged with the whole album. Not one which I will keep returning to but a lot better than some of the previous reviews suggest. Some interesting drumming going on particular right at the beginning of track 1 which gets you hooked for the rest of the album. Nice occasional orchestration and female backing vocals (Just read its Tessa Niles so that why it sounds good) compliments and takes the edge off some of the punkiness of the songs. An OK album.

The Holy Bible

Manic Street Preachers

2/5

Always aware of the Manics and tried a few times to get into them but it never clicked. Although I’ve never seen them live it always struck me they were a better live band than on record. Their music suits a live atmosphere and I could see myself enjoying a live performance. But back to this record it all seemed a bit samey and not enough melody within the guitar bits (which are good) to satisfy my tastes. Not a record I would want to listen from start to finish again.

Synchronicity

The Police

3/5

Loved The Police at the time and have all their albums on vinyl. But the fact that I have none on CD reflects that I quickly fell out of love with them and seem to remember that this album was the last straw. Apart from hearing the hit singles off the album I haven’t listened to it for yonks. Giving it another spin I realise why. The first side is garbage apart from perhaps the Synchronicity 1 and 2 tracks. The second side which contains most of the big hits manages to redeem the whole record although Tea in Sahara does sound like a Sting solo record and he was trying this out before he went his own way after this album. Listening to The Police again reminded me of the CD thing and note to self to buy their second album on CD but not this one. Strong side 2 reflects my rating.

Cloud Nine

The Temptations

2/5

When this album was released I would have avoided it like the plague. Did not like the Motown, soul, funk sound at all. But you could not avoid it as it was played almost exclusively in clubs and across the radio at the time. So indirectly it became part of the soundtrack of my life from that particular time. Listening to this album there are moments where the music takes me back to my youth. Music should evoke memories so in that respect this album in parts fulfills that purpose but now older I can begin to appreciate the musical value of this type of music. Still don’t like it personally but the millions who do cannot be wrong I suppose.

Woodface

Crowded House

2/5

Crowded House never grabbed my attention. I quite liked one or two of their hits but never raved about them at all. Listening to the album through it appealed to me in that it was melodic but that was all. All the tracks merged into one another in one boring sound that never seemed to go anywhere as if too scared to deviate from the tried and tested formula used to gain the hits. Sleepily I arose from my slumber to turn the record off before it ended.

Play

Moby

3/5

Moby would have passed me by had it not been for a mate giving back word on a Moby concert at Manchester Apollo and giving me his tickets. Moby was on tour promoting this album. I went not expecting much but the concert was fantastic so I bought this album straight after. Moby became big in the UK soon after and his music was all over the place on radio and countless TV adverts. This album and the next one 18 I had on my iPod and I remember a particular day walking in the Lake District having these albums on repeat. It was one of the most memorable days in the Lakes I have had (and I have had many) so always think of Moby when I recollect that day or when I occasionally touch the same route again. My fascination of Moby did not last long and after buying 18 I lost track of what he was doing and I don’t think I played this album again until prompted by this list. Listening again was pleasant enough and obviously brought back those memories but I do wonder what made me have the brief dalliance with Moby as dance music is not my thing. I do like ambient sounds which I believe Moby’s later work includes (will have to research that) and there are traces of ambient on this album along with some nice ochestration. This album belongs in my past and at that time was a favourite so my rating reflects that and is higher than if it was an album which was new to me today.

Master Of Puppets

Metallica

4/5

I have to be in the mood to listen to Metallica. Normally when I’m on my own in the house turn up the amp, open a beer and perform with my air guitar. I enjoy doing that with this album but thing is I never take much notice of the music or the lyrics. It’s just the thumping basic primeval experience I enjoy. Having said that isn't this one of the functions of music? I think it is but for me I couldn’t sit and listen constructively to heavy metal. This album is one great guitar riff after another which is the reason I will reach for it when I’m in the mood. The instrumental Orion is riff heaven and a thing of beauty. It is probably the best continuous and varied guitar riff album I own so love it for that reason alone.

Catch A Fire

Bob Marley & The Wailers

3/5

Well there’s a coincidence - this album arriving on my list in the week the Bob Marley film “One Love” is released and I’m going to see later. Must admit I wasn’t aware of the album before as my knowledge of Bob Marley is pretty sketchy. I bought his more famous albums on vinyl at the time but was a little underwhelmed. At that time I preferred Prince Buster, Linton Kwesi Johnson and at risk of upsetting the purists UB40 and the like. No doubt at all that Bob Marley was a very inspirational musician and lyricist who was taken much too soon. With new ears and a little more mature in my musical tastes I listened to the album in full. It was a great listen through headphones and I’m sure that I will visit it again as I’m sure once I’ve seen the film, I’ll be going through the full Bob Marley catalog.

Nevermind

Nirvana

4/5

Another album I bought due to media influence and the hype of it being a must have recording. I’m happy to have it in my collection as I acknowledge that it is one of the most important and influential albums of the 90’s if not the whole of popular music but it is not a personal favourite of mine. It’s ages since I played the album through (no need as the album hit singles are still continuously played on the radio) so welcomed opportunity to do so. Cannot argue that the first three tracks are perhaps one of the strongest album openings ever. As for the rest it’s mediocre grunge rock, which I don’t like, with the odd good track. Something in The Way is a welcome relief. But this is followed by Endless, Nameless which sounds like a jam session used as an album filler and ends the record at complete odds with how the record begins. Half the songs make this album a classic but can’t help thinking that the myths and legends surrounding Nirvana also lend weight to why this album is regarded as a classic by so many.

Court And Spark

Joni Mitchell

5/5

What a lovely Monday morning treat for this arrive on my list! As I’ve written before I’m a late convert to Joni Mitchell and rue the lost years I did not have her in my musical life. Choosing your favourite Joni album is like choosing your favourite child - impossible. But this one right now is at the top of the pile having today listened to it twice. First time in bed with headphones on which was so beautiful and comforting sent me into a lovely snooze. The ability of an album to do this is a mark of a great album to me. Second time on my hifi which reminded made me how great the album is sonically. Wonderful instrument separation across a broad soundscape. Every note is so clear even on my modest system. The signature piano chords running through the title track sound fantastic and been track 1, side 1 herald how great the album is. Like all Joni albums either on or neglected by this list i give it top marks.

In The Wee Small Hours

Frank Sinatra

2/5

I would think everyone knows Frank Sinatra. I certainly do be it from my dad singing his tunes in a morning whilst he was shaving or belting out New York, New York when rounding off drunken Friday nights at a local pub. I also knew of this album as it is often cited as the first concept album. I’m a lover of concept albums and have a number in my collection so was eager to listen. My conclusion having done so is that it seems to be just a collection of standard Sinatra croons going on about lost or broken love. I cannot see/hear a connection between the songs like I was expecting. Nothing at all to rival a DD&B much abused pinball player or a mod hopping on his scooter to go to Brighton. However, great singing as you would expect together with great jazz musicians accompanying make this worthy of inclusion on this list. But it is stuck in the time it was recorded which was even before my time so difficult to relate to. I appreciate it for what it is, salute those who will say it’s one of the best albums of all time but it is not an album which I will be rushing to play again.

Make Yourself

Incubus

2/5

Never heard of Incubus before so didn’t know what to expect. Took a listen and discovered it to be run of the mill guitar based rock not very different to the 100’s of similar bands churning out radio friendly rock. Some do it better than others and probably Incubus do just that but it made no lasting impression on me. Reading their reviews and discography realised they have been doing it for years and have extensive back catalogue. So had a listen also to their latest album Morning View for comparison and to see how they had developed. Most of the tracks could have come from and not out of place on 1999 so concluded that they have stuck with tried and tested formula which is so very often the case with this type of music and bands making it and for me reason I don’t like it.

Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space

Spiritualized

3/5

Was always aware of Spiritualized but hadn’t consciously listened or took much notice. I thought that they were similar to The Chemical Brothers or some other electro dance outfit but didn’t know really what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised and quite liked about half the tracks on this album. As I’m into ambient sounds these were the slower and quieter tracks. The rest, although inoffensive did tend to drone on a bit. The same sounds droning on in a loop and not getting anywhere so becoming a bit boring. However my interest has been perked to an extent that I will research more recent releases and if I see this album on CD going cheap anywhere I will buy it.

Band On The Run

Paul McCartney and Wings

4/5

I’m a massive Beatles fan and can thank them for my lifelong love of music. As regards solo Beatles records I’m a bit more reserved. Some great and some not so. When The Beatles split up I continued buying their solo records but I began to think that Paul McCartney’s records in particular were becoming a bit twee. This coincided with me getting into more sophisticated types of music which the progressive rock groups could give. So McCartney and Wings seldom came onto my radar. I was aware that Band on the Run was a massive hit but one which I never bought. To me it was just an OK album but not special. Had this album arrived on my list 2 weeks ago that would have been the end of my review but there has been a recent underdubbed mix release of this album. Out of interest I gave this a listen and loved it more than the original. To compare I also listened again to the original and I must say that my assessment has changed for the good. The underdubbed version gives a good indication of the hard work put into this album and certainly changed my view of it. I can forgive the tweeness of some tracks but appreciate that this album represents Wings finest hour.

Come Away With Me

Norah Jones

4/5

A few months ago I would have dismissed this album as probably good but not for me. However, firstly I’ve recently begun to become interested in jazz largely has a result of listening to artists like Melanie De Biasio and streaming algorithms pointing me in the direction of Norah Jones. Secondly, I spend a lot of time searching out second hand CD’s in charity shops and the like. You can almost guarantee that this album will be on the shelves of every charity shop selling for pennies. So having bought it I learnt that it was an excellent album ideal for quiet listening with a glass or two. Very relaxing but also a beautifully made album showcasing her enormous talents. I have now began collecting all of Norah’s albums which are very varied in musical content as she has developed but this album remains my favourite. I can only assume that because this album sold in astronomical numbers is the reason why it is so common in charity shops but the album is worth tons more than for what it sells for and is a bargain.

Buffalo Springfield Again

Buffalo Springfield

2/5

Never took much notice of Buffalo Springfield at the time. I always thought their sound was a bit too countryfide for my tastes. Over the years I have become more interested in the Laurel Canyon artists and as a result have given these a listen but never this album. It was not a bad album to listen through and there was one or two tracks I really liked. Everydays was a surprise as I had forgotten Yes had recorded this on their first album and which I really liked at the time. One or two new techniques for the 60’s are evident as in final track for example making me wonder in this was Buffalo’s ‘Sgt Pepper’. An OK album but not one I’m likely to go back to.

Born To Run

Bruce Springsteen

2/5

Never been a Springsteen or American MOR rock. There is something about Springsteen’s voice although distinctive, I do not like. I have a Springsteen greatest hits album which will be as far as ever go purchasing his stuff. As regards this album I have given it a listen through and found it to be normal Springsteen fare. All songs are a bit samey. Everyone knows the title track Born To Run but as a retired runner I find it nauseating as it was audible on every street corner on a marathon route so I hope I never hear it again (and Frankie Goes To Hollywood version is miles better!) Worth a 2.5 but that voice and song reduces it to 2.

Exile In Guyville

Liz Phair

1/5

I get quite excited when an artist and album I’ve never heard of comes up on my list. I hope that it will be a gem which I have previously missed. But not this one. What a load of old tosh. I’m no expert on the Stones’s Exile On Main Street but see no similarity at all. Out of interest I googled the comparison reviews and to me they all seem to be academic highfalutin nonsense. Making it something its not.

Myths Of The Near Future

Klaxons

1/5

Heard of the Klaxons but never consciously listened to them. Gave it a listen but nothing in it for me. Very underwhelming and wondering how it made the list. Appeared on my list on same day I went to watch Bob Marley biopic One Love at cinema. What a chasm in musical talent between the two. Bob Marley by no means a favourite of mine but musically he’s light years ahead of the Klaxons and similar wannabes.

Phrenology

The Roots

1/5

I really shouldn’t read reviews of albums before I listen to them. Did that with this and knew it would be rubbish to my ears. It didn’t disappoint - utter crap! Nothing at all in it of interest to me.

Moondance

Van Morrison

5/5

Another artist that I came to late. Never really got into his music when I was younger but as I matured so did my tastes and I realised what a great musician Van Morrison is. I am currently still purchasing his albums and only yesterday obtained two of his lesser known albums at a charity shop. The album which started it for me was Astral Weeks but Moondance quickly followed. It is perhaps his most accessible album. I never tire of listening to Van Morrison albums as every listen brings new delights and discoveries. As illustrated here when listening again for purposes of review. Had a 4 in my mind but after another listen decided it is a top class album and an all time classic. A 5 all day long. Today is the first day of spring and this record is perfect. If any record could be a lazy, sunny summers day this is it.

Stankonia

OutKast

1/5

Sometimes you know that you will not enjoy an album when you see its cover. There are exceptions to prove this rule but in this case the cover told me all I needed to know about what I was about to listen to. A better related maxim is don’t judge a book by its cover. I believe in this so dutifully waded through this album. But there came a time when the whole process became unbearable and I had had enough. This type of music was never written for the likes of me at my stage of life so as I have written before, I cannot make a sound judgement other than to say I didn’t enjoy listening to it but good luck to those having the opposite view and derive a great deal of enjoyment from this.

Deep Purple In Rock

Deep Purple

5/5

When I was 17 this must have been my favourite album or at least one of three. I joined the police cadets in 1970 and this record became the soundtrack between the mates I made there. We all played along with our air guitars, imaginary drums and a sideboard for an organ to our vinyl copies (most of us had one) played on a Dansette on full volume. Only thing missing for us wannabe headbangers was long hair. Police cadet discipline dictated that our hair was kept short courtesy of a Polish barber (butcher) from Wakefield. In celebration of this (not the haircut but the album) and because I haven’t listened to the album in full for a while I dug out my vinyl copy from those days. Immediately came the loud cacophony announcing Speed King on side one which still comes as a shock when the needle touches the vinyl. Then all the familiar cracks, pops and hisses caused by lots of plays on old equipment and when I was not as careful with vinyl as nowadays. In its own way these imperfections now merge with the music and are strangely comforting giving memories of a time long ago. Not one bad track on this album but the highlight is of course Child in Time. Pennine Radio in Bradford put out an evening rock show in those days. As a request I rang and was put on air to recommend and proudly announce that track as the DJ had never heard it before. The one omission from this album but later put right on anniversary releases is Black Knight the best selling Deep Purple single. Inclusion of this would have made a perfect album stellar. I carried on buying Purple albums up to the mid 70’s but after personnel changes in the band I did go off them a touch. Loud rock albums are not what I regularly reach for nowadays but listening to this again was a joy and I will be forever thankful that this album existed and brought me such happy times and memories.

Heaven Or Las Vegas

Cocteau Twins

2/5

Never listened to this before and Cocteau Twins have never featured as a favourite of mine. No doubt that Elizabeth Fraser is a great vocalist but I prefer audible lyrics rather than mouth music which makes up the most of this album. I don’t think this album has aged well and is stuck in the early 90’s although at times it reminded me more of 80’s synth pop. That said it has a distinctive style but this is due to Fraser’s singing style rather than the music. A mid rated 2.5 but falls wrong side of a likeable album for me therefore a 2.

From Elvis In Memphis

Elvis Presley

1/5

I know that he was/is one of the greatest singers and performer of all time and that millions if not billions cannot be wrong but Elvis is not for me. I obviously have heard at one time or another an enormous part of his repertoire but there is not one song of his that I like. Apart from one or two songs of his which appear on compilation discs I do not own any of his music and if at all possible will try to avoid it. So this album is a complete turn off for me and I haven’t even bothered listening. It would be wasted time and as I know most of the songs very unlikely to learn or hear anything new.

Kind Of Blue

Miles Davis

3/5

I really like this album. I was never a big jazz fan but a few years ago I began to take an interest and wondered if I was missing something. I read that Miles Davis was a good place to start my jazz journey and his must have album was Kind of Blue. I streamed the album initially but loved the album so much that I have since bought it. I need to be in the mood to listen to it and mostly this tends to be in bed before dropping off to sleep. I still find a lot of jazz a challenge to get into but intend to persevere. My eldest brother who was partly responsible for my overall love of music in general, was a big jazz fan and I have inherited all his vintage jazz vinyl albums. Kind of Blue is a good touch stone to compare other jazz albums. The first track So What is my favourite. Not an expert but I think this follows the classic jazz form with the initial rhythm eventually returning at the end but in between little snatches tempt and tease the listener so that when the the track eventually resolves itself it comes as a relief. So not an easy listen but if you are more than a casual listener gives immense satisfaction.

B-52's

The B-52's

1/5

Something about B-52’s I don’t like. To me they are like a modern 1950’s skiffle group. Good for dancing I suppose and Rock Lobster does get all those dancing dads moving at wedding do’s.

Melodrama

Lorde

2/5

I remember having an interest in Lorde a few years ago. I think it was as a result of the single Royals which I really liked. But having streamed some other of her tracks decided she was a bit on the Brittany Spears side of pop music to retain my interest. Since then I’ve really got into Lana Del Rey and bought all her albums. As Lorde is often compared to LDR I was willing to give this album a serious listen. I can now see the similarities between the two. This is a well crafted album full of interesting ideas and I now realise mentioning Brittany Spears in the same breath is unfair as I think Lorde is trying to make serious and memorable music. Writer In The Dark is a good example and is the standout track. There are some other good moments but my same initial opinion that Lorde drifts over to the Gen Z poppy side too much for my liking still holds. I much prefer the darker side LDR brings to this genre which I think Lorde tries to achieve but fails as she is still trying to achieve chart success. And who can blame her?

Live At Leeds

The Who

5/5

I live near Leeds. Not actually in it but visit at least every two weeks to watch the mighty Leeds United (WAFFL, WACCOE, MOT etc). Speaking to others about this album I wish I had a pound for everyone who says they were there because I’d be rich. I’m a massive Who fan and a regular gig goer in 1970 so I often wonder why I never went. As I recollect it wasn’t until the album came out that I knew it had taken place at all so wonder if it was a low key by invite affair as the gig was specially organised with another at Hull so that it could be recorded. Anyhow I bought the album on release day and still have it intact with most of the memorabilia tucked inside the inside pouches. The only thing missing is the “Maximum R&B” poster which took pride and place on my bedroom wall. Wish I still had this and no idea where it went. Think Mum must have binned it when I moved away from home. As regards the music - well “It’s the bleedin’ Who innit” Was there ever a better live band? I love every second of this recording and often play it. The recording captures the energy and excitement of the gig wonderfully. You can’t exactly close your eyes and be there as this would need 100’s of sweaty bodies next to you jumping and swaying, but it goes damn close. The 6 songs on the original album are all you really need to get a flavour of The Who in those times. Later releases included the other songs on the set together with the Hull gig recording’s and are great to have but the original 6 work just right for one solitary listen. Highlight for me is My Generation. Begins with a great rendition of the classic song and then meanders beautifully but powerfully against the backdrop of the Underture from Tommy enabling every band member to display their undoubted talents. They were really on top form. This album means a lot to me and my memories of that time in 1970. Even as a live album it hints of the greater things yet to come. Certainly in my Top 10 of all time and at the top (so far 66 albums in) of this list.

Movies

Holger Czukay

2/5

Another new one for me. Streamed it through Roon on a lazy Sunday morning and fell into a light slumber half way through. Not a criticism as I like music to have that effect on me. I wasn’t bored at all as the first couple of tracks before I dropped off had kept my interest but I suppose I eventually gave in to the overall ambient feeling the album has. After the album had finished the Roon algorithm produced some great unknown tracks from the likes of Tuxedomoon, Moebius and the Plank, and Popol Vuh. These are well worth further investigation as is Holger Czukay himself. So from that point of view a worthwhile album to discover.

Hail To the Thief

Radiohead

4/5

To me this album was a return to the Radiohead I knew and loved after the Kid A and Amnesiac experiments. Having said that I remember playing the album on repeat during a car journey to the Lake District. I wanted to really enjoy the album like I had with their early stuff but there was something which I could not put my finger on preventing me from doing this. There were nice melodies as on Sail To The Moon and the whole instrumentation sounded like it was played by people rather than machines but it was an album I soon tired of. Playing it again now from start to finish was like having a cloud lifted on the album. Tracks which I had previously disliked were not so bad after all and the album as a whole finally worked for me. Not the first or last time that this has happened to me. I put it down to an ever changing musical appreciation and that as I’m now older not so much of a musical snob or swayed by current fashions. Still not quite as good as their earlier albums or albums yet to be made but for me a solid one which will not gather dust anymore.

Triangle

The Beau Brummels

2/5

Although a child of the 60’s cannot remember this lot or if I did had forgotten. Absolutely love 60’s music and the memories it brings back. This album is just average. There’s no doubt it was made then as it has all the hallmarks but nothing on it stands out.

Different Class

Pulp

3/5

I didn’t buy this album immediately but after hearing the great hit singles from it I eventually bought it. Overall a good album which I still like. Feeling Called Love (easier to type minus the full stops!) is for me the standout track and one I never tire of. It’s of its time particularly some of the lyrics which must drive some of the modern woke’ists mad. My opinion of Pulp is largely derived from regularly listening to Jarvis Cocker on a Sunday afternoon. Not only did he play a lot of good music (and for me discoveries) but he came across as a thoroughly decent chap. His lyrics to me are observations of what goes on in real life in thoughts and deeds and not necessarily attributable to him. At the time whilst Oasis and Blur were battling it out, Pulp were at the other end of the spectrum making different and original music and this album is a fine example of this. If asked to explain what Britpop was all about then I would hold this album up as a great example.

Buena Vista Social Club

1/5

The only thing I have in common with this album is I once had a Che Guevara T-Shirt.

Shake Your Money Maker

The Black Crowes

1/5

Not a Black Crowes fan and could tell you nothing about them. By sheer coincidence this album arrived on my list the same day their latest album Happiness Bastards was released in UK. As an experiment I merged the two albums into a playlist and then pressed shuffle to listen blindly. Guess what? Couldn’t tell which track belonged to which album. So to my ears that’s how far they’ve progressed. Not saying churning out the same is a bad thing but musically and to retain my interest for more than a few bars it all becomes a bit of a bore. As others have said a poor mans Rolling Stones.

Crocodiles

Echo And The Bunnymen

3/5

Never really got to grips with E&TB. At their peak in the 80’s was very aware of them and bought at least one album but not this one. They were just an OK band to me and that was it. Never listened to this before and as the singles from the album never charted highly probably everything on this album is new to me. It was a pleasant enough listen but nothing to set the world on fire. The album was degenerating towards dullness but then I heard the last two tracks which changed my opinion and rating. Thought the album ended really strongly. Not enough to make this a great album but adequate enough.

It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

Public Enemy

1/5

Would rather listen to the Birdie Song all day than suffer this.

Franz Ferdinand

2/5

Like lots of similar bands generating this type of indie rock they will be great live but the music doesn’t transpose as good onto records. Not something I could sit and listen to. At best would be OK on a playlist for the gym or out running.

Lazer Guided Melodies

Spiritualized

3/5

Second review of a Spitualized album and like the first was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this music previously off my radar. This was even better as I love ambient music particularly late at night in bed. Thought this one had a lot of the quiet side of Stone Roses in it which is no bad thing. Like I said before about Spititualized, so glad this list brought them to my attention and I’m even more determined now to add them to my CD catalogue. 3.5/5.

Blur

2/5

With the Blur v Oasis thing I was always on the side of Oasis. Whilst Blur were undoubtedly groundbreaking musicians and made some great albums for the masses who adored them I was always a bit cold. I thought that their albums were a bit weird for my tastes but there was always a gem which sprang out of the weirdness to grab you and appreciate why they were so popular. In the case of this album that great song is Song 2 which I suppose half the planet are aware of. Despite its ubiquitousness I never fail to enjoy the power of the underlying riff. A really great song which stands head and shoulders above the rest of this album. I only bought this album recently. Not intentionally but because it was going cheap in a charity shop and decided because it was an album of some significance to some I needed it my collection. The only other Blur album I have is their greatest hits which is the one I like more as it mainly contains the aforementioned gems which I can play without enduring the weird. 2/5 20/3/24

Document

R.E.M.

4/5

Cannot understand why I do not have this album in my collection. Think I came to R.E.M. quite late so have their later, some may say, more popular albums but somehow this passed me by. Particularly when the album contains two of their most banging singles - End Of the World… and One I Love. Really good album. So good that I bought it today to enjoy and catch up on lost time. 4/5 21/2/24

Aladdin Sane

David Bowie

3/5

Undoubted genius he is I do have a love hate relationship with Bowie. I always like bits of his albums but these are often inter-spread amongst other tracks I just do not get. It’s not that these tracks are bad but they just go in a direction I don’t want. This album is a great (bad) example of this. Prettiest Star is a lovely song and Jean Genie a great dance track. The piano bits on the title track are brilliant and weird at the same time. I find myself liking a few bars before it veers off in a different direction without resolving itself. I suppose this shows the brilliance of the man striving to push the envelope and coming up with something new. I appreciate why this album is considered a classic but for me it misses the mark. 2.5/5 (3 because it’s Bowie) 22/3/24

Bug

Dinosaur Jr.

1/5

Don’t know how this made the list. Can hear no talent at all and the singer’s voice really grates after a while. Needs to get to the chemist and buy a decongestant. Hopefully it sounds better nowerdays with auto-tune. Have heard better at my local open mic nights. 0.25/5 23/3/24

Grievous Angel

Gram Parsons

1/5

I’d heard of Graham Parsons but have never taken any notice of him or his music. It was only has a result of this album turning up on my list that I read about him and learning that he died shortly after this was released. Whilst it was interesting to learn about him I’m afraid that country music is not my scene. Born in wrong place and time to appreciate it and a big turn off whenever I hear it. 1/5 24/3/24

Madman Across The Water

Elton John

2/5

I just have an occasional love of Elton John. There are an handful of his songs which are brilliant but the majority I can take or leave. Not listened to this album in full before. Not surprising as there are no big hits on the album which would draw me to it. The exception is Tiny Dancer which belongs to the aforementioned brilliant category. The other songs I haven’t heard or took notice of before. It was an enjoyable listen which I would not avoid in the future. Will stream again but unlikely to buy unless in bargain bin. Lot of album reviews state album is a bit proggy. Other than Rick Wakeman being on it and a few tracks over 5 minute mark cannot hear this. 2.5/3 25/3/24

Killing Joke

1/5

Another album I hope not to hear again before I die. 0001/5 26/3/24

KIWANUKA

Michael Kiwanuka

3/5

I first became aware of MK when he was interviewed by Guy Garvey on his BBC Radio 6 show. He came across well and the music played stirred my interest to research and listen his music more. I wasn’t moved enough to go out and buy any of his albums. I found lots of things to like but equally other tracks which were duds to my ears. A bit like this album really. I have listened it fully from start to finish. MK is obviously a very talented man being able to knot together more musical genres than you can shake a stick at. The knotting together is particular good as each track merges seemlessly unnoticeably but then again it is noticeable how good this is achieved. 75% of this album is brilliant - Piano Joint, Hero, Solid Ground been highlights. One or two other tracks do not measure up for me but this is true for lots of albums as very few albums are perfect. I could be persuaded to go out and buy this album but it certainly goes onto a streaming playlist. I’d would rate it a midway 2.5 but as Guy Garvey rates MK music so much and because Guy has introduced me to so much good music (as well as his own) it must be a 3. 2.5(3)/5 27/3/24

Scissor Sisters

1/5

Can’t believe it’s 20 years since this album was around. Remember it been pushed down my throat by the media and not been able to escape it. People describe it has a ‘fun’ record and they’re welcome to that opinion. But in my book it’s not fun but blasphemous to ruin a classic song like Comfortably Numb. Hated it then and more so today. It speaks volumes that you can more or less guarantee copies of the album will be on sale cheaply at every UK charity shop. A sign that this album was discarded largely into oblivion and rightly so. 0.1/5 28/3/24

Oracular Spectacular

MGMT

2/5

Remember been interested in MGMT about this time, Cannot remember how - probably well known hits or seeing them on Jools Holland maybe. They were definitely a very different sound and considering the dross what was around in the mid noughties, they stood out as having talent. But from what I heard they were interesting but not enough for me to buy their music. Had then forgotten about them until this arrived on my list. Listened to the album in full and really enjoyed it. As per my initial assessment of them there is a lot of good stuff on this album to make it an OK album and one I’m likely to listen to again as well as their later music. 2.9/5 29/3/24

The Last Of The True Believers

Nanci Griffith

1/5

Whilst I like English folk music and always receptive to listening to it I’ve never quite got American country music. Whilst Nancy has a lovely voice I just do not like the accompanying countyfide instrumentation. Woolworths on the other hand I did love. Bought many a good album on vinyl and CD there and the pic’n’mix was to die for. Never had a Luncheonette there though. Sadly Nancy and Woolworths are no longer with us so will have to wallow in the nostalgia of Woolworths and I’m sure that the millions of Nancy fans will play her music evermore but I’m not one of them. 1/5 30/3/24

Roots

Sepultura

1/5

To say they have been around for 40 years I have never previously heard of Sepultura. Might say something of me as an incomplete music fan or more likely in my defence that this music was never meant for me. I’m over 70 now so I say the same about Hip Hop or Rap etc - made for a completely different generation. Having said that having now listened to this album I could have seen the younger me liking it (unlike Hip Hop and Rap) Some nice guitar riffs in particular. What I don’t understand about these Thrash Metal combo’s is why the lead ‘singer’ needs to growl instead of sing?And if they need to growl, why in English or any other earthly language? Klingon would be better suited in my view and probably make it a bit more enjoyable. 1/5 31/3/24

Power In Numbers

Jurassic 5

1/5

Well this album has the dubious distinction of being the first time I have given a 1/5 three times in a row. Well deserved in my view! Only to be surpassed if another 1/5 turns up tomorrow. As I seem to keep on saying this type of music not meant for likes of me so I cannot give a meaningful review. Getting worried now that with all these 1 out of 5’s turning up my streaming and Roon algorithm’s will start thinking I actually like this stuff. Or maybe this is just an April fool and this album will get replaced by a 5/5 classic after 12 noon? (Addit - no such luck!) 1/5 1/4/24

Darkdancer

Les Rythmes Digitales

1/5

When I said yesterday that whatever crap I was served up (forgotten already) had broken new records of been my first 3 in a row 1 out of 5, I gleefully hoped that this miserable sequence would end. It not only hasn’t but this offering has surpassed the depths my list has recently sunk to. I was up all last night with excruciating toothache but even that was a thankful relief than giving this a listen. The actual music (and I use the term loosely) reminded me of a video game I used to play with my kids. Forgot the name but the one where you race around indefinable circuits throwing bananas and bombs at your opponents featuring a man dressed in overalls who comes to your house to mend things. You know the one? It was played on an early computer where my kids used to also make up short passages of elementary tunes. Despite the fact that these used to get right on my chest hairs they at least were significantly better than those arranged here by Mr Darkdancer. Most interesting thing about this album, and has got me wondering if the time 12:14 on his watch has any significance? May have but will have forgotten about this album in an hour, so who cares? 000000.1/5 2/4/24

25

Adele

1/5

Please see review for 21. Nothing has changed. So boring. Could be same album. 5th 1 out of 5 on trot now. Help! 0.9/5 3/4/24

Countdown To Ecstasy

Steely Dan

2/5

After voting for yesterday’s album which was the 5th 1/5 in a row I was in excited anticipation about what today’s album would be. Surely after five duds I was due a classic? Well not quite but at least I knew of Steely Dan and that they were competent musicians. The sound of Steely Dan is very much rooted in the mid 70’s and listening to this album brought back memories of what was a happy time of my life. I was never a fan enough to buy their music but their MOR rock sound was everywhere during the 70’s. It was an enjoyable listen and sonically it was a well produced album with a great soundstage to pick out all the individual musicians. Not an album I will personally go back to but I’m glad Steely Dan and their music exist. Thanks for the memories! 2.9/5 4/4/24

Raw Power

The Stooges

2/5

Can only go on what I’ve seen on TV but I think Iggy and his Stooges are very much a live act. Can never imagine putting this music on at home to casually listen but when live and with Iggy’s stage act is probably amazing. 2/5 5/4/24

The Idiot

Iggy Pop

2/5

What a coincidence Iggy and his Stooges yesterday and Iggy Pop today. This album is heavily influenced by David Bowie and if you didn’t know would say it’s one of his. For that reason (although I’m not the biggest Bowie fan) it benefits and is a better album than the Stooges one. But that is relative and doesn’t mean that I like this album. There are one or two melodic passages but like a lot of Bowie influenced albums of this time they suffer from Bowie’s and Iggy’s quest to find new musical directions which to my ears amount to random sounds rather than musical masterpieces. Most interesting aspect of this album was learning how Bowie and Iggy collaborated. A piece of musical history I remember reading about at the time but had forgotten. 2/5 6/4/24

She's So Unusual

Cyndi Lauper

2/5

Big hair, big shoulders, big produced MTV videos, big synths all the hallmarks of the flamboyant 80’s. At the time it was all good but looking back everything was a bit naff. My ex-wife liked Cyndi Lauper and even styled her hair like her but I won’tlet this cloud my judgement. In fact it was refreshing to play some of her songs again and there are one or two tracks on here which symbolise 80’s music and remind me how rubbish a lot of 80’s pop songs were. I do not like Cyndi’s tinny voice and the weak and thin production of the album only highlight her vocal limitations. Time After Time is the best song on here and one I really like. I wonder if it has ever been covered by someone with a stronger voice? Probably has, but I can’t really be bothered to find out. Which is my attitude to the whole album. Whilst it revives memories of that time, some good some bad, it firmly belongs in that time and should rarely be exposed. 1.999/5 (Time After Time makes it a 2) 7/4/24

Disraeli Gears

Cream

3/5

Never actually owned this album but was always on my want list. I was at the start of my record buying days and funds were short. There were loads of other albums out in 1967 which I also just had to have. Since I had already bought two singles from the album Strange Brew and Sunshine Of Your Love with Tales of Brave Ulysses and SWLBR as B side’s I’d already got a good third of the actual album. As these 4 tracks were probably the best on the album other albums took priority. All the tracks showcase how great the component parts of Cream were and how together they were one of the best supergroup’s ever. Mothers Lament at the end of the album was a very strange ending but as a young boy I thought it highly amusing and at one time it was my party piece reciting the poem. 3/5 8/4/24

3 Feet High and Rising

De La Soul

1/5

As my album history shows do not like Hip Hop or Rap music at all so I was not expecting much here. But at least this was in the main a fun album not full of gangster slang, shootin’ guns, knives and slapping bitches. Also not much in the way of profound language as far as my ears could tell. There is a skit which nods towards an orgy with accompanying sounds but I suppose it could be someone suffering from toothache or stomach cramps and i think it is meant to be taken in fun rather than intended misogyny. There are one or two tracks I could even listen to again but my memory tells me that they were hits when the album was released. Has not changed my views on this type of music but at least it made me smile (slightly!) 1.9/5 9/4/24

The Clash

3/5

I was in my mid 20’s and still a Prog Rock only when punk came along. As part of the punk rebellion was partly directed at people like me I initially resisted it and enjoyed how it was ridiculed and dismissed in the general media. But I couldn’t ignore what I read about in the music press. The Clash were the darlings of the NME. A bit more refined than the Sex Pistols and much more political. When I think of the Clash I always also think of the UK inner city riots and the general malaise in the UK at the time. I did not agree with a lot of what The Clash stood for but as someone who tried to appreciate all types of music I did eventually succumb and bought this album on vinyl. I did not like it then and still do not like it but I cannot deny that it deserves its place on this list and understand why so many will put it at the top of their favourites. Listening now it sounds very naive, hollow and lacking substance. But I cannot forget this was how and why punk came along. Simple structures most people with a mind to could play themselves. A direct opposite to the music I enjoy then and now. As The Clash grew their future albums offered a lot more to me. Not personal favourites but a whole lot better than this one. It’s difficult for me to rate this album as I dislike it but cannot ignore the place it has in popular music and it will always be regarded as something at the vanguard of punk, an important musical chapter. 1 (but 3 because of its musical importance)/5 10/4/24

At Fillmore East

The Allman Brothers Band

2/5

Don’t know much about the Allman Brothers or this album. Another one which a bit of a mystery as to why it has appeared on this list. It’s just a run of the mill live album. The musical content is nothing notable. Having said that I do enjoy extended bluesy guitar solos and there’s enough of them on here to choke a donkey. But I return to my original point that there are hundreds of albums not on this list I’d rather listen to. 2/5 11/4/24

The Village Green Preservation Society

The Kinks

3/5

Listening to this album solved a long standing conundrum I had with Blur. They always reminded me of something but could never put my finger on it. But this album is it! So many Blur influences on here. I loved the Kinks as a young lad and bought their early singles. When it got to the period this album was released I was totally consumed with Sgt Peppers to notice this album. I suppose this was The Kinks Pepper. If not certainly their next album Arthur which I like more than this and bought on vinyl. It’s only the last few years when available on streaming services that I listened to this album. It is a quintessential English album and from the title of the album that’s what the group were trying to capture. I yearn for the old days when there was a lot more Englishness about so this album is a small window into those days. For me the album has succeeded in capturing the sounds and flavours of those days preserving those times into today’s very confusing multi-cultural times. Yes this album reminds me of my childhood of long summer days, rhubarb in sugar cones, tickling trout, machine guns made of sticks etc when life was so simple. Modern life is rubbish (Blur again!) so thank God albums like this were made to capture a wonderful time to be alive in. 3/5 12/4/24

Maxinquaye

Tricky

1/5

An artist and album I’ve no interest in whatsoever. So cannot give an opinion. Did listen but the window cleaner came. It was more interesting watching him use the squeegee. 1/5 13/4/24

Central Reservation

Beth Orton

3/5

Beth Orton is someone I always meant to listen more to. I bought her previous CD Trailer Park on a whim when it was a cheap sale item. I continued to hear bits from her and made a mental note to listen but never got around to it. So this arriving on my list was a timely reminder of her and I was eager to give it a listen. I enjoy this style of music. I own a lot of female vocal music and this album sits well amongst my collection. Only criticism is her voice does tend to sound a little monotonous after a while and her vocal range is not very varied. But her lyrics are thought provoking and help to immerse yourself into the music. An album well worth a further listen and as my memory has been jolted by this albums inclusion, an artist I will definitely spend time on. 3/5 14/4/24

A Hard Day's Night

Beatles

5/5

Don’t really need to listen to this album as I know it off by heart and listen to it regularly. I was (and still are) a Beatle nut and I bought this album at the time playing it to death. Still sits proudly in my vinyl collection. Every track for me are greats. One or two I would say are all time classics - ‘And I Love Her’ top of the pile. Some say better albums were to follow but for me every Beatle album stands out on its own and are classics in their own right. Impossible to compare one album against another because the genius of The Beatles is that each album is unique. I’ve never considered this album to be a soundtrack as it sits well as well constructed set of songs which compliment each other. One of the characteristics of The Beatles and producer George Martin was that a lot of thought went into track orders and nothing was random. One exception was Twist and Shout at the end of the first album needed to fill in album time. The album does remind me often of my experience when I went to see the film whilst on holiday in Newquay Cornwall with my parents. As soon as the film began the females in the audience began to scream as if present at a live gig. The film was immediately stopped and the cinema manager came out front warning everyone that if the screaming continued the film would not be shown. Unfortunately this was the closest I ever got to experiencing a Beatles gig as during their touring days I was too young. 5/5 15/4/24

Figure 8

Elliott Smith

2/5

Not to my credit I admit, I’d never heard of Elliot Smith before but it appears he was not so well known on UK side of the Atlantic. So I was quite expectant in learning about a new artist. As I listened I read all the reviews and Wiki page concerning Elliot. What a very troubled man and shocking ending to his life. Reading things like that really do affect how you listen more closely to the music and look for clues as to why and how he turned out as he did. Nothing was apparent on first listen but I stand to be corrected on further listens or when broadening my knowledge of his whole musical catalogue. I generally like singer songwriter troubadour types such as Damien Rice, Bon Iver and Paul Simon etc but I’m afraid this album did not quite measure up to some of the aforementioned works. It is an inoffensive album and just OK. However, I’m sure that judging by some comments there are plenty of his fans about who will keep his flame alive and will rate this album as a lasting memorial to him. 2.9/5 16/4/24

Post Orgasmic Chill

Skunk Anansie

2/5

Can remember Skunk Anansie been around but had forgotten about them. Nothing on this album to make me think I’ve missed anything. Some nice riffs but the music is a bit too harsh and shouty for my taste. 2/5 17/4/24

Bandwagonesque

Teenage Fanclub

2/5

A group I was aware of but took not much notice as none of their music thrilled me at all. Plenty of alternative rock groups which I fancied more. Never heard this album before. It was just run of the mill stuff and nothing there to make me want to listen again. 2/5 18/4/24

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Aretha Franklin

4/5

As I normally do everyday when I wake up, I reached for my iPad to check out my album of the day. Great! after a few duds an album I could get my teeth into. As I only have a bedside HomePod to listen to in my bedroom I decided that as this album is regarded so highly I would wait until I was up and able to listen on my Hifi combo. I then learnt that today was also a musical momentous day in that Taylor Swift had released her new album The Tortured Poets Department. Reviews of this indicated that this album was likely to make the 1001 list sometime in the future. So I began to listen to Swifty on my HomePod. Halfway through track one I gave my head a shake and wondered what I was doing. Was it not blasphemous to pick the Queen of Pop over the Queen of Soul? Yes I decided. I then snuggled down and blissfully spent a fantastic 30 minutes with Aretha. Now I’m not a soul music lover at all. Up to a few years ago I would have avoided it like the plague but I’ve always given it a little respect (geddit?) as half the world’s population cannot be wrong in liking soul. I’ve never listened to this album before but most of the tracks were familiar to me. You cannot help but be drawn in by Aretha’s outstanding vocals and the musicians behind her. I can understand why people can be reduced to tears and this album is full of tearjerkers. I was nearly there myself with the final track A Change Is Going To Come knowing the political and social message behind it. This album will not alter my opinion of soul music but will certainly make me more receptive of it. As for the Taylor Swift album, as she would probably admit herself it comes nowhere near the majesty of this album and is a sad reflection of the standard of today’s music. But maybe that is an unfair comparison but I can’t help making it (I later listened in full to the Swift new album and surprisingly I loved it. Another 4/5 when next edition of book is published) 2nd listen was a FLAC Tidal stream and is absolutely beautiful. A sonic delight. 4/5 19/4/24

Ramones

3/5

I never had this album but had the It’s Alive album which contained most of the live version of the tracks on this album. As a side, this selection prompted me to look for the live album and it appears to have gone missing, stolen, failed to be returned-whatever! It was the Ramones who finally got me interested in Punk. I liked the relentless energy generated song after song. True that each song sounded like the last and seemed to begin “1.2.3.4”….but loved the endless riff which was great when you needed to real stomping music to put on. This was especially so on the live album (if I could find it!) Listening again to this it does nowerdays sound a little thin and you do need to crank the volume up high to experience what the Ramones were about. The sameminess of the songs did mean that after this initial dalliance I soon went off The Ramones. It’s not an album now that I particularly like but i don’t rate it now on today’s likes. The Ramones and these songs were an important part of my lifetime musical journey. These songs do bring back a lot of memories and I will occasionally, in the absence of my live album, stick this on. 3/5 20/4/24

Dookie

Green Day

3/5

My only foray into Green Day was the later album American Idiot. Never listened to anything prior to this. So came to this somewhat blind although one or two tracks sounded familiar so must have heard them before subliminally. I enjoyed the album. Whilst there are elements of punk in it I could also tell that they were in transition towards more mainstream rock which I liked in American Idiot. 3/5 21/4/24

Parachutes

Coldplay

5/5

An instant 5 as soon as I saw the cover. One of the greatest debut albums in my opinion and the first of an amazing triple set of albums. They went off the boil a bit after X&Y for me but the first three are one of the strongest sets of albums ever. First became aware of this album and Coldplay early one morning. My clock radio woke me to the Yellow riff. The song was half way through and I never caught the name of the song or band. I spent the next few days listening out for the song with that riff, which is something of an earworm, constantly in my head. Once found I immediately bought the album CD and played it constantly. Coldplay are very much ridiculed by some nowerdays which is a shame but as they are headlining Glastonbury again this year (2024) it proves what a crowd puller they are and loved by the majority. I saw them live during the X&Y tour (a travesty that X&Y isn’t on this list at time of writing as that is in my top 5) and they played many songs from this album and every one was a crowd pleaser. For me an album always at hand to play and in my favourite playlist. 5/5 22/4/24

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

3/5

I’m a recent convert to Nick Cave and absolutely love everything he’s done from Push The Sky Away onwards. Carnage and Ghosteen are absolutely brilliant and both should be on future versions of this list. I’d listened to his earlier work and seen his performances on TV but nothing struck a chord with me. This album comes from that era but I recently bought this album on CD. It is the box set version and was pretty cheap so I thought it was worth a punt and the chance to find out if there was something in his music I was missing. Truth is after purchase it went onto my ‘give it a serious listen’ pile and there it remained until the album timely arrived on my list today. After one listen through in full I still think that there is something missing from his earlier for me to give a 5/5 which I desperately wanted to. I much prefer The Lyre of Orpheus disc and can hear lots of things I love and if it was this disc alone I could give it 5/5. The Abattoir Blues disc is just OK. Not bad but not melodic enough to blow off my socks. Future listens may change my mind as I know Nick Cave music including lyrics is a challenge and something you’ve got to persevere with to get full satisfaction. 3/5 23/4/24

World Clique

Deee-Lite

1/5

Another one which spoils my streaming algorithm. Embarrassed to have it on my streaming history. And there’s only two e’s in Dee as in River Dee which is exquisitely beautiful and a direct opposite to this shite. 0.000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001/5 24/4/24

Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite

Maxwell

2/5

Another album which I never knew existed. When I saw the title displayed my mind went straight to The Beatles Maxwell’s Silver Hammer. Which is odd because whilst The Beatles is about violence and murder this could not be further removed. Any potential exterminator would certainly nod off to sleep listening to this. In the past I would have instantly dismissed this type of music but my recent new found love of slow piano led female voice jazz R&B did mean I gave this a lot more attention. There were bits of laid back jazz in and amongst which I found acceptable but overall there was nothing to rival Sade or Patricia Barber, to name but two favourites of mine. Perhaps an unfair comparison but for me this album did not measure up to the type of R&B which I have recently got into. Not saying a bad album but not for me. 2/5 25/4/24

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan

4/5

Bob Dylan is no doubt a musical genius and will be regarded as such forever. I understand why younger generations might not see it that way at present as they are living too close to his time and they quite rightly have their own favourites and may disregard any music which is a million miles away from what they like. But future generations will talk about Dylan in the same breath as all the musical greats. Dylan in particular will be looked upon as being in the first wave of 60’s popular music and responsible for its development so this album will be highly regarded whenever Dylan is talked about. So it really is an album you need to listen to. You might not like it and there are tracks on it I don’t but it is musical history. Personally despite what I have just said I didn’t like Dylan at the start. That’s why I say you need to mature to appreciate his musical value. His later albums, which no doubt will be on this list, have greater depth and substance. This is just simple and straightforward folk music with a political kick towards the protest movement of the 60’s. As a musical historical document it is worth a 5/5 but as I must judge it on my musical tastes and enjoyment goes to a 4/5.

Blood And Chocolate

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

2/5

Judging by global reviews I’ve done well after 115 in to avoid an Elvis Costello album of which there are many on this list. Not that I want to necessarily avoid them. Armed Forces is a belter of an album and I was really into Elvis back in his Armed Forces days. I found however that he became a bit samey which is a bit unfair as I know he’s involved in classical music and jazzy stuff (probably thanks to his wife Diana Krall) which are well worth a listen. It’s is more rocky stuff which always feels the same. Listening to this album most of the tracks could have found a home on Armed Forces or other albums of that period. For that reason not an album I would listen to again. 2/5 27/4/24

Here Are the Sonics

The Sonics

1/5

Although I love 60’s music never heard of The Sonics before. Probably because as far as I can tell they never had any success in the UK. Listening through the album I don’t know how they made this list. Maybe because according to Wiki some quite influential musicians say that they themselves were influenced by them. The few original songs are just standard 60’s rock and roll. The remainder (and majority) are second rate covers which bring nothing new to the originals. The recording quality is chronically bad. I know it’s just 60’s tech but even allowing for that it sounds as if it was done on a low budget. The number of covers also indicates just one or two takes so the whole thing could be done it has little time has possible. I streamed this on Tidal and all I was getting was sound from one speaker. That could be Tidal’s fault but the whole listening experience was poor only helped by the fact that the album was less than 30 mins long. I think overall and not meaning to be rude to our American cousins, this album is very American centric and came in response to the real explosion of UK groups about that time and who put The Sonics week into their shadow. 1/5 28/4/24

Blood On The Tracks

Bob Dylan

5/5

Wow! My second Dylan album in 3 days. So lucky! This is my favourite Dylan album although given his massive catalogue listening to them all is still a work in progress. Does not contain my favourite all time Dylan song but that is probably for another day. I only got into Dylan a few years ago hence reason why I’m trying to catch up on his albums. I saw one of those classic album reviews on TV about this album. The album content about lost love and relationship tensions struck a chord with me at the time. Not necessarily because of my own experiences I hasten to add but I do perversely like to hear how such tensions translate into the artists music. The title Blood On The Tracks reinforced that this was an album full of dark matter. Whilst those things are true on this album it isn’t all doom and gloom and you can catch a lot of humour in the lyrics. Lyrically this is an outstanding album and every listen reveals new things within those lyrics. They also challenge you to work out the true meaning of the words and if indeed there is any meaning. These are the reasons why this album is high up on the list for me. An album I never tire of and listening today to it again was a joy. 5/5 29/4/24

Southern Rock Opera

Drive-By Truckers

2/5

Never heard of this combo but as ever willing to give it a listen. Haven’t listened much to US southern rock and bits I have heard not really my scene. As always gave it a listen and in fairness the album started well and pricked my interest. However as I got deeper into the album it all became a bit the same with the music and vocals beginning to grind. Reminded me a lot of Neil Young and Tom Petty but not has talented. References to Lynard Skynyrd meant nothing to me. Nothing here to see. 2/5 30/4/24

Joan Baez

3/5

Whilst I very aware of Joan Baez I have never bought any of her music. I was always happy to hear her on the radio and when she came on randomly on streaming services. I cannot say that Joan has a voice I enjoy. A bit harsh and warbley for my taste but I cannot underestimate what she stands for in terms of her involvement in protest movements which sometimes comes out in her music. This album however as far as I can tell, is just traditional folk music where she began her career. What makes this album important for me is that Joan is retelling these folk tunes and keeping the songs alive and ensuring that they are passed from generation to generation. You do not need to like all of them but important to know that they exist and are part of musical history. A lot of the tunes are old English folk tunes. Although I am English I did not know many of them but learnt a lot about them simply by reading the wiki pages relating to the songs which increased my appreciation of them. 3/5 1/5/24

Let It Be

The Replacements

1/5

Sure I heard this lot at my local pub the other Saturday but then realised that the pub band were miles better. Heard this stuff a 1001 times before and I’m bored of it. Good name for an album though but this record does not speak words of wisdom so let it be. 1/5 2/5/24

Violator

Depeche Mode

3/5

Depeche Mode were always about on the airwaves back in 80’s and 90’s. I always enjoyed listening and they produced some good dance tracks but I never bought their music. Good to see that they are still producing music but now completely off my radar. Whilst streaming this album I strayed onto the 12” remix version. Bought a load of the 12” extended singles back in the 80’s as they were very often better than the 45rpm version. That holds true with this album although it extends the whole listening experience to 3 hours as there are numerous versions of the albums hit singles. All in all a pleasant album. Not great but good example of what was about in 1990. 3/5 3/5/24

The World is a Ghetto

War

3/5

It’s my birthday today so I was expecting a really good album but instead got this. I went about my day doing birthday things and watching Leeds United lose and consigning themselves to the playoffs. Best thing was that I got a new Eversolo music streamer for my birthday. So I eventually listened to this on my new gadget. You might think that I hated this, and you might be right, but as I am typing this pissed in my bed, I am feeling generous and full of birthday goodwill. So I’m giving it a drunken three out of five. Not because it deserves this rating but I really need to get my average above 2.5 otherwise I am bound to hate half the albums on this list which I don’t. It actually wasn’t all that bad and a lot better than a lot I’m subjected from this genre. Please disregard the average score thing as I am trying to be fair across the board but on my birthday surely I can be a bit more generous? It really is a 2.7 so closer to 3 than 2. This is a one off for my birthday and hope that next year on my birthday the 1001 Gods give me a better album. Happy birthday to me and hope that all your ideas are great and there’s a big one around the corner. 3/5 4/5/24

Hysteria

Def Leppard

3/5

Never a great lover of Def Lappard at the time this album came out. I was buying and listening to heavy rock types but preferred bands such as Extreme and Thunder. Def Leppard just sounded a bit too glam for me and I thought their sound was aimed at American MOR Rock fans wanting more polished rock. I never bought any of Def Leppard’s albums until last year when I bought their Drastic Symphonies album. A collection of reworked greatest hits with orchestration. This is a formula I have always liked and I thought it was about time I had a physical Def Leppard album in my collection so it fit the bill. A handful of the hit singles off Hysteria are on the Drastic Symphonies album which I like and enjoy so I listened to Hysteria again with new ears and open mind. You cannot deny that Def Leppard are masters of the type of rock they produce and for that reason they deserve their place on this list. Not entirely my thing but enjoyable to listen to every so often when in the mood. 3/5 5/5/24

The Downward Spiral

Nine Inch Nails

1/5

Industrial rock is a genre I just cannot stand. I do like loud rock music but also like it to be melodic and easily able to distinguish the different instruments and voices making the tune. This is just a cacophony of random noise. I’d rather have a 9 inch nail through my skull than listen to this again. 1/5 6/5/24

Physical Graffiti

Led Zeppelin

3/5

I was a big fan of Led Zep through their first four albums which I believe are on this list but not yet given to me. The album after the first 4 and preceding this one, Houses Of The Holy, was to me a big change in direction and did not like. As a result of that I did not take too much notice of this one and those after it which is a pity because as the years have gone by I have grown to appreciate them. Not as much as the first four but these later albums have revealed themselves to have some great songs on. Kashmir on this album has become (after Stairway and Whole Lotta) one of Led Zep’s most recognisable and distinctive songs. It’s a while since I played this album in full but glad I was reminded to by the inclusion of it in this list and serves as a prompt to listen to their full discography in the near future. 3/5 7/5/24

Tago Mago

Can

1/5

Did someone say there were melodies on this album? Must have blinked and missed them. I like my music to sooth, entertain and grab my attention (amongst a lot of other things) This is just a mishmash of random noise and impossible to listen too. 1/5 8/5/24

It's A Shame About Ray

The Lemonheads

2/5

Never listened before. Was MOR indie stuff I’ve heard countless times before so nothing hear to write home about. 2/5 9/5/24,

Hard Again

Muddy Waters

4/5

I cannot help but love the old time blues. This album has all the bluesy guitar riffs and stereotypical blues vocals (my baby left me but that’s alright mama, I’ve still got me guitar etc etc) you will ever need or dreamed of. Defy anyone not to be tapping their toes in time to every track. Love it! 4/5 10/5/24

The Band

2/5

This lot were famous back in my youth for backing Bob Dylan but even that did not impress me. Country Rock was nowhere near my radar back then and still isn’t really. But listening nowerdays i can understand their popularity- just. But still, yodelling along to a mouth harp does test my full appreciation and convinces me again that it wouldn’t bother me if i never listened again. 2/5 11/5/24

Stardust

Willie Nelson

2/5

I know Willie Nelson is an American icon and treasure. Had a listen to this album and it was inoffensive and I knew every single track. What pleased me, and it has happened before following this list, was reading Willie’s wiki page and learning all about him. An added bonus. It’s good getting to know artists completely off my radar even though the actual music is not to my taste personally. But millions do so well done Willie and congratulations on a long and eventful life. 2/5 12/5/24

Funeral

Arcade Fire

3/5

People have told me, knowing my musical tastes, that I would like Arcade Fire. So I have at various times listened to them including this album. Whilst liking their music it never completely grabbed me so I largely dismissed them and never, until recently when I bought Neon Bible cheap from a charity shop, bought any of their stuff. Listening again to this album in full there are many good songs and my appreciation of Arcade Fire has improved. I would buy this album if I came across it cheap and certainly give any new releases a listen. 3/5 13/5/24

Music For The Jilted Generation

The Prodigy

1/5

I’m not part of the jilted generation so this album does not apply to me (thankfully) 1/5 14/5/24

Neon Bible

Arcade Fire

3/5

Second Arcade Fire album in three days. The last one was Funeral. I described my love/hate relationship with Arcade Fire then. I bought this album cheap at a charity shop recently so have listened to it a few times. It is a grower and more enjoyable than Funeral. The track Intervention is brilliant and the stand out track for me. One or two other good tracks but one or two duff ones too. Glad to have the album in my collection as Arcade Fire are a big band and I feel should have them in my collection but there are plenty of other contemporary bands which I like a lot more. 3/5 15/5/24

I'm Your Man

Leonard Cohen

3/5

Leonard Cohen is another artist that always thought I should get into but never seemed to have the time. From reviews and what people told me his music might fit into the dark and moody music which I seem to collect. I have listened occasionally and whilst his lyrics fit into the dark and mournful criteria I didn’t always care for his voice and his vocal delivery. I did actually buy (or rather acquire cheap at charity shop) the live album of his Isle of Wight appearance which apparently was quite special. I’ve yet to listen to that in full but because this one appeared on my list I did dutifully listen in full. Like others have said I think he has overblown the synths on this album. He ain’t no Depeche Mode or OMD and should have stuck to acoustic guitar but I suppose well done in trying to keep up with the 80’s sounds. I liked some of the lyrics which are not as gloomy as expected so the album as a whole was miles away from what I expected a Leonard Cohen album to be. I became bored after a few tracks but promised myself to investigate Cohen further this time and to get to the bottom of his true sound which people rave about. 2.9/5 (Just enough pleasure derived to tip it to a 3) 15/5/24

War

U2

5/5

Know this album well so no need to listen. A big favourite of mine. When released was never off my turntable and I thought it was the best thing ever. Brilliant music and edgy political lyrics. Intro to Sunday Bloody Sunday is for me one of the greatest guitar moments and instantly recognisable before a word is sung. And I love Bono’s live introduction “This is not a rebel song. This is Sunday Bloody Sunday” Song he later gave tribute to EnnisKillen pensioners who were killed in a bombing attack on Remembrance Sunday in a mid song speech “Fuck the revolution”- hair standing on back of head stuff. I have hardly listened recently but it will always be a record I have high regard of even when future U2 releases superseded this one. 5/5 17/5/24

Fly Or Die

N.E.R.D

1/5

Never heard of this outfit and listening i know why. Music not made for my age group so cannot comment. Do not like at all. 1/5 18/5/34

Gold

Ryan Adams

1/5

Second Ryan Adams on my list and my opinion of him and his music hasn’t changed. Blue grass country music isn’t my thing at all. I’m also slightly worried about him has a person. From what our American reviewer’s say about him I cannot listen and feel at ease. Especially when there’s so much music out there I can avoid Ryan Adams and pretend he doesn’t exist. 1/5 19/5/24.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

David Bowie

4/5

An album which needs no introduction. I was introduced to Bowie by a girlfriend at time this album was released. I also went to see Ziggy Stardust tour at Bradford St George’s Hall and was blown away by him. Subsequent albums with one or two exceptions never bettered this one. 75% great tracks with one or two fillers not up to scratch. Not on my list of all time greats but a classic in general and a musical milestone. 4/5 20/5/24

D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle

Throbbing Gristle

1/5

Previous reviewer in 2022 said it was the lowest rated album on the list. I checked and in May 2024 it had climbed to second lowest. So here is my 1 in hope it drops to its rightful place. (I did try to listen but I’m on holiday and it was spoiling it) 1/5 21/5/24

Tellin’ Stories

The Charlatans

2/5

Whilst always aware of The Charlatens i was more of an Oasis fan when it came to Britpop. Some of the songs on here are good but do merge into one another without any clear divergence in musical style. Not an album for me. 2/5 22/5/24

Get Rich Or Die Tryin'

50 Cent

1/5

Like i keep saying when hip hop comes up this music was not made for people like me so i cannot give honest review except to say I don’t like it. 1/5 23/5/24

This Is Fats Domino

Fats Domino

3/5

It would be sacrilege to rate this album low even if the music itself does not rock your boat enough to play it regularly. Most of the tracks are well known standards and can be heard regularly on the radio and have become warm comforting songs everyone knows. I doubt that I will ever have a Fats Domino album but will always be happy to hear his tunes. 3/5 24/5/24

Devil Without A Cause

Kid Rock

2/5

This was better than I thought it would be. Don’t like rap/hip hop but when it is delivered in a heavy rocking style i can just about get along with it. Was going to give it a 3 but then read other reviews, who I assume the majority are better qualified and know their hip hop and who all seem to disparage the record and Kid Rock. Reading further about Kid Rock I learnt that he is a bit of a divisive character in the US so maybe that accounts for the bad reviews. I’m a white male in his 70’s from the north of England so this music is miles away from my comfort zone. I therefore amend my rating as advised indirectly by my American cousin's and hope tomorrow I get an album that I can review with a bit more authority, which has this process goes on seems to get rarer. 2/5 25/5/25

Talking Heads 77

Talking Heads

2/5

Rather like Arcade Fire Talking Heads are a group I have really thought I should get to grips with but each time I listen to an album I’m left cold. This is a good example of that. After Physco Killer (which is by no means a track I go wild on like other people) the album highlight there is bottles of interest to me. This was a quick listen as I was away from home watching Leeds at Wembley (we lost!) so didn’t have my music head on at all. And since I’m now in bad mood this album deserves nothing more than a 2. 2/5 26/5/24

Harvest

Neil Young

5/5

I bought this on vinyl in 1972. As I recollect at that time I was not a big Neil Young fan but there was a lot of chatter in the music press of how good the album was. I rated it an OK album then. The standout track for me was A Man Needs A Maid which I still think is a beautiful and melancholy song but I wasn’t exactly keen on the Country music feel on a lot of the tracks. It is a while since I listened to the album in full so this arriving on my list was a welcome chance to do so. I did this in bed listening on headphones and was totally enchanted. It was like listening to the album anew. Gone has my apparent dislike of the Country music element and in fact I think it now enhances the album. Loved it from start to finish. 5/5 27/5/24

Leftism

Leftfield

3/5

Dance music to me has been stuff like Band of Gold, Saturday Night Fever or even the Birdie Song none of which I particularly like (especially the last one) but that’s what I heard when I frequented dance establishments a long time ago and only hear now (thankfully) at weddings. That said I have always been intrigued by the big anthemic anthems I used to hear on Radio 1 each Saturday night. Things by Darude, Eric Prydz, Scooter (a particular favourite)etc. I loved the way samples of tunes I liked were woven into big synth melodies with massive climaxes and fall offs. This album does not quite live up to that but nevertheless was a whole lot better than I expected. I don’t know what passes for dance music nowerdays but I don’t hear anything like the anthems I liked passing along the airwaves when I occasionally listen. Nothing I hear measures up to this album. In the absence of any Scooter album coming up on this list I place this as an admirable substitution. 3/5 28/5/24

The Low End Theory

A Tribe Called Quest

1/5

I’m beginning to think that there’s too much Hip Hop on this list for its own good. Don’t like it. Never will. End of. Have tried to explain why previously and getting tired of repeating myself. In future will give similar albums a straight 1/5 without comment. 1/5 29/5/24

good kid, m.A.A.d city

Kendrick Lamar

1/5

I refer to yesterday’s review! 1/5 30/5/24

Deja Vu

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

5/5

When this was first released I was never interested in the album or in all honesty gave it a listen. I was aware of one or two or the single releases but nothing more. As the time of release was at the height of some of the best Prog Rock albums ever to be released my musical interest and buying power was firmly elsewhere. I liked the single Woodstock and as it was the theme tune to something that was great (and so thankful and privileged that i lived through that time) I would nod my head in acceptance that CSN&Y were a big part of the Woodstock generation. But at that time I was more interested in King Crimson, Yes and Genesis and in any case I much preferred the Joni Mitchell version of Woodstock. And so it remained that CSN&Y remained at the edge of my musical consciousness. Skip forward 50 years and something happened that I struggle to put my finger on. Maybe it was a documentary about Laurel Canyon or one about David Crosby in his later years or an interview I heard by chance on BBC Radio 5 with Graham Nash. Could even be that my next day neighbour was always waxing on lyrical about them but something made me explore the music of CSN&Y more and I became hooked. I love the first album better than this but there is only a cig paper width between both. It is an absolute pleasure to listen from start to finish and maybe its because I am catching up on the lost years CSN&Y were not in my life, I cannot now imagine life without regularly listening. Never bought the original album but now proud owner of the CD and one of 20,000 lucky souls owning the Deja Vu Alternates album released a few years ago on Record Store Day. A record which sits proudly at the front of my collection. If you’d told me this 50 years ago.. A firm 5/5. 5/5 31/5/24

Hybrid Theory

Linkin Park

2/5

By sheer coincidence yesterday I was listening to the Steven Wilson/Tim Bowness The Album Years podcast which featured this album. Steven Wilson gave a one sentence review of the album - A bit of Nine Inch Nails, bit of hip hop, bit of new metal, packaged like a boy band. As I have no knowledge of this album or Linkin Park I thought that this was an interesting observation and one which struck a chord with me. Then, Lo and behold up pops this album the very next day. I see what Wilson means and can understand why this album was such a big seller. I do actually own this album having bought it cheap at a charity store but have never got round to listening to it seriously. In all honesty now that I have listened it won’t be one on repeated plays. It was alright I suppose with some interesting phases but not a style of music I like. 2/5 1/6/24

Actually

Pet Shop Boys

3/5

Lasting memory I have of this album is been at a bbq on a warm summers evening. It’s a Sin began to play has someone arrived at the house on the track build up and made an entrance to the garden via patio door just as the thunderclap on the record sounded. Everyone turned attracted by such a dramatic entrance. That’s all it was but little things like that remind you of certain tracks. It’s a Sin is a cracker of a song and that alone makes it a great album but add in the great Dusty Springfield singing as well then you really do have a good album. Not a classic to my ears but one which gives me many happy memories of the 80’s and an album which could only come from those times. 3.8/5 2/6/24

Live!

Fela Kuti

2/5

I’m well aware of Ginger Baker but had never heard of the other fel(l)a! or this album before. When I think of Ginger Baker I immediately think of Cream and long drum solo’s. Never saw Cream live but have listened to their music which includes quite a few long drum solos. The trouble with long drum solos I find is that whilst they may be technically brilliant they are something which must be seen live because the drumming is also a visual experience which is obviously lost when recorded. As I say I’ve never seen Ginger Baker but witnessed quite a few live. Carl Palmer of ELP springs to mind. An example of the visual bit is how he would take off his t-shirt in the middle of the solo whilst still drumming furiously. Or as the solo climaxed his transformation to an Octopus as he banged everything in front, side, behind and even above. Always well worth a round of applause similar to one you hear on this album during Ginger Baker’s solo but you’ve no idea what feat he has just performed. Whilst it was interesting to hear Ginger’s involvement in this album the rest of it did nothing for me at all. Thanks to Peter Gabriel I have become aware of African music and do like some but very little on this album. 2/5 3/6/24

Roger the Engineer

The Yardbirds

3/5

As a musical child of the 60’s this is an album right up my street. It wasn’t one I knew previously but well aware of The Yardbirds and their standing in the history of rock music. When I think of The Yardbirds I think of Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. According to Wiki there’s nothing of the first two on here although streaming it through Roon, their metadata credits Jimmy Page on two tracks. There’s a whole lotta Jeff Beck though and his style of playing shines through and make this album a worthwhile listen. The album skips between blues numbers and psychedelic rock which was in its infancy at the time so a very interesting mix of different musical styles. 3/5 4/6/24

Cosmo's Factory

Creedence Clearwater Revival

2/5

My first job after leaving school was working in a carpet factory when I was 16. One of my overriding memories of that time was relentlessly hearing Bad Moon Rising on the radio as I worked. Not a bad song and in fairness not on this album but that bloody song sent me nuts and this experience has clouded my appreciation of CCR which amounts to nothing and they were a group who I did not to have any involvement with. Listening to the album today I recognise many of the tracks as hits but did not change my opinion of CCR. An album described as good or better by many but not by me. 2/5 5/5/24

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

The Smashing Pumpkins

3/5

The Smashing Pumpkins have never pricked my interest and not aware of any of their stuff. So this was another welcome adventure into the unknown that this list throws up. The first track was lovely and melodic but this proved to be the best bit of this album. After a great start the album became a bit heavy for my tastes and confirmed what I always thought TSP were all about. I thought the lead vocals were also a bit sharp and whiny and got on my nerves after a while. However, I was listening whilst ironing and found myself once or twice moving to some of the heavy riffs around the ironing table so not all bad. All in all a mid 2/5 but nearer 3 than 2. 3/5 6/6/24

The ArchAndroid

Janelle Monáe

2/5

Never heard of this lady and probably because looking at the charts she has made little impression in the UK. Reading about the album in Wiki I was interested in the albums concept. I am usually receptive to crossover albums but normally this is orchestrated rock. On listening everything is thrown into the mix here to the point that anyone favouring a specific genre could find something to like. I admire this but the old adage jack of all trades, master of none, springs to mind. All in all not an album I would return to but an admirable attempt at coming up with something new. 2.5/5 7/6/24

A Short Album About Love

The Divine Comedy

3/5

If I’d have just met the girl of my dreams then this record would be the soundtrack of that meeting. I guess those circumstances are what this record was made for. But I met the girl of my dreams (well a few of them before I found the right one) many years ago and the music then to accompany my heartfelt love was by Bread or Clifford T Ward. Never had The Divine Comedy down as producing a love album but this is an admirable effort. I like a good love song and there are one or two on this album which fit the bill but none come anywhere near Home Thoughts From Abroad but for me no love song ever will. A nice album which I enjoyed. 3/5 8/6/24

Mama's Gun

Erykah Badu

1/5

I would have once took one look at this album and artist and instantly disregarded it. I am nowerdays a bit more receptive to all types of music regardless of genre (well perhaps not rap or hip hop) so look forward to listening to this. Unfortunately I found nothing on it to attract my attention. It was just plain old R&B I’ve heard thousands of times before. Found ‘Erykah’s’ (Yes it is Erica - why change a perfectly good name to something perceived more cool?) voice a bit too screechy for my taste also. 1/5 9/6/24

Blackstar

David Bowie

5/5

As I’ve said before about Bowie when he’s popped up on my list, I cannot throw myself into being an enthusiastic fan. Some of his stuff is brilliant and others not so. Of all his albums I’m familiar with this comes in at number two behind Ziggy. I remember listening to one of the lead singles taken from this album - Lazarus and not being impressed at all. When this full album dropped I streamed it and again it did not grab me fully. It was only two days later that Bowie died and like most of the musical population I turned on his music in homage to the man. The more I played Black Star the more I liked it. It certainly is a grower but Lazarus still goes above my head. Prior to listening again I had a 4/5 in my head but I’ve given it another two listens and again it’s grown on me. I wouldn’t put the album anywhere near my top 50 or 100 even but some albums should be held in high esteem because of their standing in musical history. Bowie has made a few of these which have already appeared on my list but I never marked higher than 4/5. In reverence to Bowie I give it full marks as in my opinion it is a remarkable album, recorded maybe when he knew he didn’t have long to live so should be regarded highly even though one or two tracks do not personally click with me. 5/5 10/6/24

Psychocandy

The Jesus And Mary Chain

2/5

Not listened to much TJAMC stuff before. Liked the slower quieter tracks. The rockier tracks not so much. I was listening on a speaker in bathroom. My wife at one point asked what the funny noise was. She thought I’d left my electric toothbrush on. See what she means such is the overuse of distortion. Sounds like it was recorded in a cave or pedestrian underpass. This makes it an album you cannot listen to comfortably from start to finish. Turn down the treble please! 2/5 11/6/24

Double Nickels On The Dime

Minutemen

1/5

Sometimes this list makes you feel musically inadequate. Yet another album where i neither know the band or this record. Having said that in this case I’ve missed nothing as it’s completely way out of my zone of likeable music. Advertised as a punk band straying into other genres. Even when I liked punk I would have struggled to like this lot. Best thing about the album is the gag that The Minutemen keep their songs to around the minute mark but would have been better to reduce the track count from 44 to 1 which is the star I give it. 1/5 12/6/24

A Night At The Opera

Queen

4/5

I bought this on vinyl at the time. I cannot remember if it was because it included Bohemian Rhapsody or because it was one of the must have albums at the time. I remember hearing Bohemian Rhapsody early on as it was a lead single from the album. Goes without saying that this is one of the best songs ever and I was totally absorbed by it. However the only other song on the album I like is Love of my Life which personally means a lot. I find the rest of the album not so good. There are a couple of more songs which are good and liked by many but not to my taste. The remainder of the album consists of throw away tracks which once heard you don’t want to hear again they are so poor. The success of this album was due to the one stand out track. I never bought the album on CD which proves to me that it wasn’t worthy to be in my collection. Rating this album is therefore a dilemma. Despite the duff tracks it is a classic album and it contains a song which will always be regarded one of the best ever. For this reason I rate it higher than the majority of the songs contained on the album deserve. 3.9/5 (4) 13/6/24

What's Going On

Marvin Gaye

5/5

When this was released I didn’t give it a second thought. This was peak Prog Rock time for me and anything else didn’t get a look in. As regards soul music I’d go further and say that in 1971 I had a hatred of the whole genre. Times have changed and there is no doubt that this album has become highly regarded (or should) by every music lover. It’s yet another example that this list occasionally throws up an album you don’t personally like but cannot deny that it is a masterpiece. I might be wrong on this, but this album is perhaps the best example of that rule. Unlike in 1971 I do and enjoy listening to this album. Not particularly because I like it outright (although each play I become fonder) but because as a music lover I should be aware of its pedigree and be able to relate to it when it is talked about. Accordingly my 5 star rating is made because of its musical standing rather than my musical preferences. 5/5 14/6/24

Screamadelica

Primal Scream

1/5

The closest I got to Rave music was raiding warehouses and even moorlands in the Constabularies pursuit of illegal gatherings and all the associated naughtiness. I wasn’t therefore very popular amongst the Rave community. I therefore cannot condone anything to do with the Rave scene even if I found this album remotely good or entertaining - which I don’t. Well aware that I am a hypocrite as most of the music I like has drug connections but at least the music is good to my dope free ears. 1/5 15/6/24

Something Else By The Kinks

The Kinks

3/5

Second Kinks album for me (Village Green Presevation Society was first one) and as I wrote then this is another album filling me with load of nostalgia and yearnings for times gone by. It’s ages since I’ve heard a lot of the tracks on this album. I’d forgotten just how good Death of a Clown is. Everyone knows how good Waterloo Sunset is and the fact it is on this album elevates it another star for me. It’s knocking on the door of 4 stars but as I rated VGPS 3 which is perhaps better album as a whole, cannot go higher than that. And there’s Arthur yet to come with is a definite 4. 3/5 16/6/24

Ellington at Newport

Duke Ellington

3/5

I can get along with Jazz nowerdays and signing up for this process has lead me to some good Jazz albums and opened my ears to albums a few years I wouldn’t have considered. This is also a good example of why I like to read the albums wiki page to learn good snippets of information I was previously oblivious of and to enhance my enjoyment of the album. The example in this album is the “Gonsalves Solo” which appears to have gone down in jazz history as a very significant moment and nearly starting a riot. As a saxophonist of some note myself (not!) I can really appreciate how good this solo was and one which I will listen to again. In fact there are a number of really good tracks on this album which deserve further exploration. Obviously very aware of Duke Ellington and of his immense standing in musical history and this album is by all accounts one of his best and one personally I will return to. 3/5 17/6/24

The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady

Charles Mingus

3/5

Second Jazz standard over two days. Duke Ellington yesterday and Charles Mingus today. The only previous experience I’ve had with Mingus is Joni Mitchell’s collaboration with him on her album Mingus which I like very much. As. Regards this album was excited to listen in full. Wasn’t exactly disappointed but I think the jazziness of it all straying into very avant-garde jazz was a bit too much for my current level of jazz appreciation. I’m trying very hard to get into jazz but this album is not for the faint hearted and not one to dip your toes into the jazz canon. I think all the jazz buffs value this album very highly so I am guided by them to accept this is a very good album of its time and genre and grateful for the list to introduce me to Mingus. 3/5 18/6/24

Head Hunters

Herbie Hancock

2/5

3rd Jazz album in a row, if this can be classed has Jazz? For my purposes I will say it’s more Jazz than any other label Wiki has given it. This the first Herbie Hancock album I have listened to in full so again subscribing to this has taken me places I wouldn’t normally go. I like this album although not as much as the last two list offerings which were more traditional jazz oriented. Quite a lot of synth features which is not a bad thing but my favourite track is Vein Melter. Probably because it borders on the ambient side of things giving a smooth and calming influence. Not an album I would return to in a hurry but was nice to hear as a one off. 2/5 19/6/24

Ritual De Lo Habitual

Jane's Addiction

3/5

First time listening to this band. First 5 rockier numbers i could take or leave. Track 6 onwards was a different kettle of fish. Wiki said these tracks were more proggier and boy were they right. Three Days and Then She Did were worth the admission price alone. Music right up my alleyway. Will have to research Jane’s Addiction to see if they continued in the prog vein when they reformed. Would have been a solid 4 star review but let down by the albums first side. 3.5/5 20/6/24

Aja

Steely Dan

3/5

This is an album when it was released in 1977 I wouldn’t have given any attention to at all, let alone buy it. But over the years I have become aware of its critical value and the fact that nowerdays it is considered a classic. For that reason I have tried once or twice for it to resonate with me and appreciate what all the fuss is about. The best thing about the album is that it is very typical of the music which was around in the mid 70’s. Before I checked it reminded me very much of the UK’s long hot summer of 1976 but then realised it was released a year later. Nevertheless the jazzy soft rock feel of this and other albums reminds me of many memories of happy summer moments. It is a nice album to listen to and relax. It doesn’t get my juices flowing but to read or gently snooze outside in a warm breeze then it is just the ticket. Production wise it is also often cited as an album to test high end audio equipment on. This is true even on my modest middle of the road gear. Instrument separation and a wide soundstage is very apparent and adds to the overall enjoyment. I still haven’t bought the album but agree is probably one I should own at some time. 3/5 21/6/24

Born In The U.S.A.

Bruce Springsteen

2/5

For some reason I always get Bruce Springsteen and Bruce Willis mixed up. Is it because they look alike? (Probably not) or because Springsteen’s music is like the Die Hard films? (More likely) or because they share same name and I’m getting on a bit now so unable to distinguish? (Very likely) Anyhow I always think of the other when watching or listening to either chap and this spoils both things for me. This is because I end up feeling that both the films and music are over the top American jingoism. Don’t get me wrong I think that in the main this is a good quality and wish the we in the UK displayed more of it but not sure I want it in my music. Having said that UK musical history is full of jingoism - Rule Britannia, Land Of Hope And Glory spring to mind but that stuff was eons ago. When rating this album I cannot help but be distracted by my rambling thoughts I have tried to express above. Whilst it is full of good rock tracks many of them now established standards, it is not the type of rock music which I yearn for when in a rock music mood. Cannot doubt its significance but an album low down in my appreciation. I don’t own the album but would buy it if seen cheap. To date I only have a Springsteen greatest hits album which is probably all I ill ever need. 2.5/5 22/6/24

Porcupine

Echo And The Bunnymen

2/5

Nor certain why this has appeared on list. At time of release Echo and his bunnies were relatively big but I don’t think their fame has lasted through the years. On checking my Discogs collection it appears I have The Cutter 7” single in my collection which I’d forgotten about. Listening again I understand why I bought this but as it is the first track on this album everything else falls dramatically away. So one good single outshining every other track = 2 stars. 2/5 23/6/24

Hot Rats

Frank Zappa

3/5

Never took much notice of anything Zappa did whilst he was active. What I had heard did not appeal. A few years ago I was at a Christening party and had a conversation with a stranger about music. I was telling him of my love of Progressive Rock and he said I would like Zappa then? He was surprised that I didn’t as he classed it as prog. Since then I have heard/read many features (including UK Prog Rock Magazine) who all cite Zappa as a Prog trailblazer. So I have since been listening to Zappa in hope I could do a massive catch up. But thing is I still don’t get him. This album is good and I want really to like it but I cannot go beyond just above average. Some good extended guitar work which deserves more than a second listen. Also like the jazz influence. Not bad but I still fail to see the Prog Rock within it. 3/5 24/6/24

Hot Fuss

The Killers

5/5

I remember when I first became aware of The Killers. Their set was televised at 2005 Glastonbury where they played most of this album. I loved their on stage energy and how just about every song was an instant sing-a-long classic. I immediately bought this album and still love it playing it regularly. Just about everyone must know the instantly recognisable guitar licks at the beginning of Mr Brightside a sure floor filler at any party. The Killers have gone on to headline Glastonbury and recorded many fine albums. Probably never bettered this one but running it close. A band still at their peak making good music with an enviable back catalog. And I can’t say that about many bands of the 2000’s. 5/5 25/6/24

Lost Souls

Doves

3/5

The Doves! I’ve tried many times to like and get into their music. Main reason being is that they are Manchester contemporaries of Elbow which is a band I really do like and Elbow themselves hold The Doves in high esteem. I also think that both bands have collaborated at one time or another. Whilst Elbow music is very melodic and most of their songs very memorable and lyrically masterpieces, Doves music is the very opposite. The vocals are a bit too ‘Manc’ for my liking. Not a lover at all of that Manc(hester) drawl. Oasis got away with it as Oasis could only do. A meaningless football comparison springs to mind when I think of The Doves and their music. The Doves to me are the red part of Manchster whilst Oasis are very much Manchester blue. As a Leeds United fan I cannot stand the red Manc’s. A senseless observation I know and based on nothing but my own bias not music but I just wanted to get my loathing out there. I’m sure The Doves are very nice chaps and might even despise the reds as much as me. As for the music it’s OK, and because Elbow like ‘em and just in case one the band hate scum you can have 3 stars. 3/5 26/6/24

Fear Of Music

Talking Heads

2/5

Second Talking Heads album so just checked back to see what I wrote the first time. Horror of Horrors that was the day Leeds United lost at Wembley. This album now only serves to remind me of that sad day. Like the day I do not want to experience this album again. Seriously, I’ve tried numerous times to like Talking Heads but I don’t get them at all. Brian Eno features a lot on this album so for that alone is worth another star. But still a lowly score - shame really as yesterday my average rating just clicked above 2.5 for first time in ages. 2/5 27/6/24

There's No Place Like America Today

Curtis Mayfield

2/5

Not my type of music at all so not qualified to rate. The music does sound competent and as I’ve heard of Curtis Mayfield before, made by good musicians.A lot of the tracks remind me of those Shaft like films back in the 70’s featuring New York gangs. This may have been the object but don’t think it has stood test of time. What has stood test of time is the album cover art work. Album cover says a lot about America back in the 70’s and first track I gather is about gun control. Both things have not progressed particularly well so the ironic album title may still be relevant today. Today been the day after the 1st Presidential debate of 2024 featuring a senile old man and the other a convicted criminal. Sat here in the UK I shake my head and ponder that it’s just as well there is no other place like America. 2/5 28/6/24

Me Against The World

2Pac

1/5

As I have said many times now on here I hate Rap music so this album is not on a winner with me. Much less so having read about the album and 2Pac. My background and former career mean I have no sympathy whatsoever for anyone living by the sword and dying by the sword. Such people have no place in my life and I refuse this music to be let inside my home to pollute my ears. Law abiding honesty is possible by anybody despite the disadvantages they may have born with into this world. To sing about their problems and expect the world to sympathise and follow their misguided examples compounds my loathing of such people. 0.00000000000000000000001/5 29/6/24

Boston

4/5

This album reminds me very much of Saturday afternoons in the mid 70’s and listening to the Alan Freeman Saturday Rock Show on BBC Radio 1. Great show to listen to all the prog rock bands. It was here where I first heard Boston and this album. More Than A Feeling was an instant hit with me and a track continually played on that radio show. I also loved Foreplay and the way it segued into Long Time and it was nice to experience this again. A good album bringing back lots of memories. 4/5 30/6/24

Sheer Heart Attack

Queen

5/5

I’ve always been a bit indifferent to Queen. They have recorded some great individual tracks which are highlights on their albums but there always seem to be a lot of filler between these outstanding tracks which make me reach for the forward button. Queen were the favourite band of my ex wife and she used to play their albums incessantly but I have tried to leave that very negative thought to one side. Listening again today (must be 25 years since I last did) I had to eat a lot of humble pie, shake my head and reassess my view of this album. It was a great deal better than I remember it. The last spin 25 years ago was a vinyl copy I had bought cheap in a record store sale (WH Smith I think). It was cheap because the cover was missing. These were the days when stores would sometimes put a cover in the shop window as a form of advertisement. For some reason record and cover never got reunited to my financial gain. Anyhow today I streamed the 2011 remastered version - well more than once it was so good. I know that Brian May is a great guitarist but here he excels and to appreciate his work to the full volume knob needs turning up and I defy anyone not to grab that air guitar. Track after track run well into one another as if the album is one continuous track. Production is first rate and Now I’m Here must be played loud through good speakers to get the great echo effect. I reviewed Night At The Opera a couple of weeks ago and concluded that was perhaps their best album but leaving aside the track that the whole world knows on ANATO, this album beats that hands down. All that needs to be done now is to dust off my cover less copy and see if it matches up to the remastered version. 5/5 1/7/24 Good start to the month lets hope it continues

Third/Sister Lovers

Big Star

2/5

Never heard of Big Star so as is usual when this is the case took extra interest when reading the accompanied wiki page. The most striking thing I learnt was that their leader Alex Chilton tragically died much too young but that he was also the lead singer of the Box Tops. I then had to give myself a verbal good kicking over the lack or gap in my musical knowledge. The Box Tops famous hit The Letter I know well but I always thought they were a black soul band. So I live and learn. As regards this album it’s very meh. Nothing new to see here at all. It’s given the title or genre of power pop which again is new to me and I wonder who thinks all these different genre titles. Anyhow it doesn’t sound very powerful at all. It’s inoffensive and if I heard it unannounced on the radio it would go through one ear and out the other without registering or disturbing the fluffy birds within that space. 1.5/5 2/7/24

Traffic

3/5

I like Traffic. Loved their early singles particularly Hole In My Shoe which for me will be one of the songs I associate with the summer of love. They were great musicians - Stevie Winwood and Jim Capaldi both highly regarded and responsible for some great rock moments. As regards this album I cannot remember if I ever listened to it first time round. I suspect I must have done but the fact that I was mostly unaware of its contents when I listened today (apart from Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush but I think this was not on original track list) says a lot about my view of it. It’s an OK album but a lot better things were yet to come from Traffic. John Barleycorn is the obvious stand out classic but my particular favourite and one I play regularly is The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys. So I look upon this album as a necessary step to get the better ones yet to record. 2.9/5 3/7/24

Here's Little Richard

Little Richard

5/5

This is a significant album deserving its place in the list. Not necessarily because of its musical content but more because of Little Richard’s importance in musical history and his influence on artists who have produced some of the best music ever. Little Richard’s influence on me was through my elder brother who played the music on this album incessantly. Even though I’m now old I was just a 4 year old when this album came out so I do wonder if my lifelong love of music was nurtured during this time and with this music. I also recollect that a bit later on, mid 60’s perhaps, there was quite a famous TV special of a Little Richard concert. He sang all these songs but what I remember most is the way he threw himself into the music. I have images of him sweating profusely and having to wipe his face after every song. Also sometimes using his feet to play his piano which resonated with me and why I used to love watching one of my later heroes Keith Emerson play. Every song on this album is a banger and will be familiar to anyone with music in their bones. Looking at the music nowerdays through modern eyes and ears the music on this album may sound basic and the song structures all very similar. So some may argue why is this album on the list? My view is that just take a look at the artists Little Richard influenced with the music on this album. Top of the list surely are The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. Need I say more? 5/5 4/7/24

Five Leaves Left

Nick Drake

5/5

Like a lot I was never aware of Nick Drake during his lifetime. It was only after his death and then quite a lot of time after that before I heard mentions of him in musical circles and in particular his album Pink Moon. Once I did learn of him I was hooked as his type of gentle folk music appeals very much to me. This album I do not know as well as Pink Moon but now having listened to it in full I have to conclude that I like it more or at least as much as Pink Moon. Every song is a winner for me particularly those with string accompaniments. A real joy and one wonders what Nick would have gone onto if his life didn’t end tragically so early. 5/5 5/7/24

Hounds Of Love

Kate Bush

5/5

I wondered yesterday as I gave a 5 star review to that days offering and so made it two in a row, if that was the first time I had done that. But before I had time to check this album comes along to make it, without any doubt whatsoever, my first 3 in a row 5 star album. And there are few albums which deserve this accolade more. Another album I needn’t listen to as it’s hardly off my playlist rotation. I’ve been a Kate Bush fan since she first appeared. I have all her albums on multiple formats and was one of the lucky ones who saw her in Manchester during her first 1979 UK tour. As good as this album is and notwithstanding it contains The Ninth Wave, often cited by her fellow contemporaries as one of the best musical suites ever, it is not quite my favourite Kate Bush album. But that is like trying to pick your favourite child - impossible. They’re all bloody good! 5+/5 6/7/24

Destroyer

KISS

1/5

So there I was this morning basking in the achievement of having three 5 star albums in a row wondering if it was indeed possible to have four in a row. I doubt that I would be in this position again so was praying for a classic Prog album or any of the Beatles, Joni maybe or even now that I am a Swifty convert something from you know who. Buggar it’s bloody Kiss! I’ve never understood this lot. I like my pop stars to dress cool but the Kiss look is neither cool nor in keeping in how grown men should look at all. Even out of make up they all look like rubbish Brian May’s without his enormous talent. My view is that the Kiss look is done to detract from the music they play because it is so crap. Orchestra strings and a child choir cannot mask how awful this album is. Self conceited to the point where they disappear up their thongs. They even diss Beethoven by nicking a bit of his beautiful Sonata Pathétique but can’t be bothered to give him the songwriting credit. As if Kiss are capable of such talent. Released in 1976 this album serves as a good reason why Punk came along. So back to the drawing board in terms of getting four in a row five star albums but whilst the likes of Kiss are served up that is a long shot. 1/5 7/7/24

Coat Of Many Colors

Dolly Parton

2/5

I know that Dolly Parton is a global superstar and an American national treasure but American country music is not my thing at all. Which is odd because I do like English folk music. Probably because I’m English dohh! I don’t mind Bob Dylan’s early stuff which is if I’m not mistaken is American folk music. Is there a difference between country and folk music? I must find out. A bit later…… “ Folk songs use acoustic instruments. They often rely on found instruments to establish a beat. These might include sticks, spoons, washboards, food stamps, handclaps, and finger snaps. Additionally, folk songs change from generation to generation largely because they were passed on orally. Other key sounds of note: Folk songs have several verses with an easy-to-remember chorus sung between each. Aptly, folk songs were written for the common folk. Country music may have a story to tell but it is less likely to be a protest. Country music often consists of ballads and Texas two-step and line-dance tunes. The harmony is simple and the sounds often include banjos, electric guitars, steel guitars, acoustic guitars, fiddles, dobros and even harmonicas and Irish whistles. Tunes can range from haunting to sprightly” There we are then. But wait! The article I copied mentioned Taylor Swift and I’ve recently began to listen and like her. But I still don’t like Dolly as wonderful she is. 2/5 8/7/24

The Marshall Mathers LP

Eminem

2/5

This album gives me a great big problem. Up to now I’ve rated every hip hop or rap type album very low. Main reason is that this music was not made for the likes of me and probably made with the intention of deliberately insulting people like me. So I’ve taken the position that instead of saying I hate it and writing a full diatribe to justify this I’ve let rap music float over me without too much comment because I’m so unqualified to say anything other. This should be the position I adopt now but there is something in the music which Eminem produces that I like. Not the lyrics (God no) or the images he describes which are horrific but sometimes he produces very melodic music which gives an instantaneous hit. I’m a sucker for a memorable tune and Eminem does produce some good ones. There are some good tunes on this album but more so on his later albums. This album then is full of what I don’t like in that I don’t want in my home. I’ve seen enough of real life cretins in my career and witnessed the hurt they bring to innocent people and justify it because of their poor life starts. So anyone exhorting the false virtues of such things I avoid. I doubt that nowerdays in these woke times an album like this would gain the same traction like it did 24 years ago. I’m not a woke’ist but a lot of the subject matter in this album should not be held high in popular culture. The counter to this argument is the inclusion of Dido whose sample must have been sanctioned by her. I get the impression the she is an unassuming typical English Rose so just why she appears on an album full of misogynistic language and imagery is beyond me. So do I like the context of this album? - resounding no. If I could leave this to one side do I like the music? - some of it but not enough to alter my overall view of rap gangster type music. 1.5/5 9/7/24

Night Life

Ray Price

1/5

Another occasion where subscribing to this list has expanded my musical knowledge as I’ve never heard of Ray Price before. In this case I didn’t need it expanding as it’s a record I do not like. Cannot say I’m familiar too much with the songs on the album. Although listening to them it took me back to my early years when my Dad was prone to wake up the whole house singing songs whilst shaving (a thing I’ve inherited) A lot of these songs sounded just like the ones on this album. He left us nearly 40 years ago so I cannot check but an album like this would have been right up his street. The introduction on track 1 is not to my liking. Once you’ve heard it once what’s the point of listening to it again? A waste of track space. I bet the majority of the original vinyl albums still in existence have a major click at the beginning of track 2 as evidence of the owners trying to drop the needle past track 1 to avoid spoken repetition. Unless of course, as I am led to believe in those days music lovers had listening parties and played the full album to their friends as if at a concert. Oh what fun they must have had! 1/5 10/7/24

Live At The Star Club, Hamburg

Jerry Lee Lewis

3/5

There is always a debate when reading reviews of live albums whether or not they should be included on the list. My view is that if it is a very good recording and it comes across as such when listening on your own audio equipment then I’ve no problem with it. Wiki says that many in the know say it is one of the greatest live albums ever recorded. I cannot agree with that. I assume that recording techniques in 1964 comprised of strategically placed analogue microphones around the band which was probably fine then. But when listening now if you take away the energy of the recording, the actual sound is a bit thin and muffled. I know that we are not judging albums primarily about their sound quality but for me listening enjoyment is a major aspect of an album and despite how good a song is it spoils it if there are sound or production defects. That said, as I have already indicated the record does have a lot of energy and it must have been an amazing concert. For that reason, despite sound issues, I’m glad it was captured for posterity. All the songs are well known and as they are now musical artefacts they must be respected. I’d forgotten about the seedier and unsavoury aspect of JLL but plenty of reviewers have reminded me of it. Rating reflects this and lower than what the actual music deserves. 3/5 11/7/24

This Year's Model

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

3/5

This was the first Elvis Costello album I bought on vinyl. Largely bought because of music media reviews as a must have album. I remember been a bit disappointed when I got it home and listened. Like most Costello albums I’m familiar with it contains some great songs interspread with lesser forgettable ones. Good to hear the songs I like again but skipped through the filler ones. Technically a good album with fine musicianship. This was an iconic album at the time but for my tastes it has not stood the test of time. 3/5 12/7/24

Real Life

Magazine

2/5

Was aware of Magazine in post punk period but what I heard never interested me. Gave this a listen. Still no interest. 2/5 13/7/24

Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd

5/5

I cannot say one bad thing about this album. Although probably my second favourite Floyd album behind Meddle it’s still in my top ten greatest albums. The album was released at peak Prog time when I was at my most receptive to a complex concept album different to anything else and pushing the Prog boundaries further. I bought the album on release day and still have it intact together with the black shrink wrap cover, round banner sticker and postcards. My copy is worth a bomb now but will never sell it as it means so much and part of my life. The album does remind me of the emotional turmoil I was suffering at the time. This album and others helped me through that. The eight minute plus instrumental start of Shine On You Crazy Diamond in particular takes me back to that dark time. Played endlessly it’s one of just a few pieces of music where I can identify and anticipate every single chord, guitar pluck, ambient background and every thing else which makes up that track. Another reviewer on here said that this album was one his uncle would play at the end of a barbecue to get deep about his divorce. I assume this was not meant as a compliment but I do understand where the reviewer is coming from. But I do warn the reviewer that in time he/she will have a piece of music to hold onto and only then will he/she realise what a beautiful thing that is and the enrichment music gives your life. This album for me is a top example of this. 5+/5 14/7/24

Music in Exile

Songhoy Blues

2/5

I hope I am not been a bit unkind here but I do think that inclusion of this album on this list is a tick boxing exercise to include a fair percentage of rest of the world albums in the list. If an album is deserving of inclusion then it should but surely an album should have some merit making it stand out from the mean but I fail to hear anything of merit here. There are plenty of rest of the world album’s out there which I am aware of and which have had some influence on some of the top artists making great albums today. Peter Gabriel albums immediately spring to mind. To make an assessment about the worthiness of this album I did of course listen to it. It is a joyful album and the instrumentation on the album is good. But nothing exceptional. I had a one star rating in my head but then after a bit of research learnt that there is a deluxe version of this album. This comprised of extra tracks two of which are covers of The Clash’s Should I Stay Or should I Go? And Led Zep’s Kashmir. Jimmy Page apparently endorsed this version which alone gives the album another star. The Clash’s best known song (probably?) rocks along well and is interesting because it is sung in another native tongue. That is worth another listen and perhaps playing to your Clash mates to garner a reaction. 2/5 15/7/24

Suzanne Vega

3/5

Well aware of Suzanne Vega but never took much notice of her releases apart from the big hits she has had. One of them, Marlene On The Wall is on here and it is a very strong composition. Giving it a listen I was very pleasantly surprised and concluded that I have missed a good album so another win from following this list. As an admirer of Laura Marling and Sandy Denny etc it’s no surprise that this album appeals to me. Now on the lookout to purchase this album. 3/5 16/7/24

Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus

Spirit

3/5

Yet another unknown band and album thrown up. Can only conclude that there was so much good stuff about and so little spending money in 1970 that this minor gem passed me by. But no worries today was a lovely sunny day so off for a day long hike equipped with AirPods and this album streamed in hi res as I walked. Walking and listening always enhances whatever album I decide to listen and today was no exception. A good example of psychedelic rock with touches of prog made my walk all the happier. The Roon algorithm decided to play Tull’s Aqualung after the album finished. Not sure if the algorithm got it quite right but think I know where it’s coming from as the album is quite difficult to pigeon hole. One to look out for a possible buy. 3/5 17/7/24

Sound Affects

The Jam

3/5

I played this album a lot at time of release. I have it on vinyl so know the album well although must be over 30 years since I gave it a spin. Cannot say that I was fully committed to The Jam. They produced some great individual tracks but for me there was a lot of filler. This is a good example of this with the singles Start and That’s Entertainment standing out. But my personal favourite is Boy About Town which should have been a single. My all time favourite Jam album was the previous one to this Setting Sons. Wiki says that Sounds Affects was a deliberate move away from Setting Sons to the more familiar Jam sound. This says a lot about which Jam sound I prefer and perhaps why the band never took total hold with me. 3/5 18/7/24

Music From Big Pink

The Band

1/5

Like I said when I reviewed the other Band album on this list, although you cannot doubt their musical ability, I just cannot stand this style of music at all. They were a big thing in my youth but in those days my head was full of Prog Rock and the stuff The Band were producing was pole opposite. Happy to give it a more considered listen nowerdays but it still is a big miss from me. 1.5/5 19/7/24

Third

Soft Machine

3/5

Back in 1970 when this album was released I had just started my career and had left home and lived in an hostel. Staying there with me was another Prog Rock minded muso. So we immediately hit it off sharing our love of this genre. One of his favourites were Soft Machine although I recollect he liked the similar band Colosseum more and in particular their Valentyne Suite album. For me at that time there was too much jazz influence for me to fall completely into these bands. But I recollect spending time with my mate in a darkened room where he played this stuff but as I say I was never motivated enough then to buy and follow jazz rock bands. Fast forward over 50 years to last year when I went shopping to a newly opened record store in Wakefield. Primarily I went to look for second hand CD’s but the store was more vinyl than CD’s. The guy who had recommended this store to me although not the owner was a friend of the owner and they were both there and engaged me in a long conversation about music. I felt a bit obliged to buy something (like you do!) but there was nothing in the CD racks to interest me apart from this album so in desperation almost I bought it. But what a good buy it has been. My natural avoidance of all things jazz 50 years ago has now gone so it is an album I can gladly play and enjoy. It sounds particularly good in a darkened room when I can take myself back and think of my friend (no longer with us) who tried his best to get me into jazz rock. He eventually succeeded albeit 50 years on. 200th album tomorrow. Let’s hope it’s a good one 3/5 20/7/24

This Nation’s Saving Grace

The Fall

1/5

My 200th Album (and a disappointment) The Fall were very much the darlings of the New Musical Express and John Peel played them endlessly on his radio show. I fell for this and bought their first album Live At The Witch Trials. I believe that is another Fall album on this list so I’ll reserve comment on that until it turns up but I was hoping that constant play would eventually reveal why the whole UK it seemed were going potty about them. It didn’t. I like my music to be in the main melodic and The Fall or should I say Mark E Smith go out of their way to be anti-melody. I hadn’t heard this album before because my initial dose of The Fall taught me to avoid them. Surprisingly the first track Mansion is a nice tune but is just a short track after which Mr Smith reverts to norm and serves up a cacophony of noise which goes nowhere. So I was right nothing had changed from 1979 when I bought the first Fall album in the six years until this was released. Nor I bet did the 30 odd albums The Fall released offer anything other that Mr Smith’s meanderings. Even now and more so since Mark died the indie radio stations wax lyrical about The Fall. There’s 3 Fall albums on this list also so even the list compilers have got them bad. So there must be something in all that but I just don’t get it. 1/5 21/7/24

White Blood Cells

The White Stripes

3/5

I am a late convert to the White Stripes and have bought a few of their albums recently but not this one - yet. I was always intrigued how a duo could produce such loud and full sound. Only seen them on TV but i liked to watch Meg White’s nonchalant manner when performing which belied how her drumming drove the overall sound along. So I was interested but never enough to buy their music until I bought a later album to this one cheap at a charity shop. Playing White Stripes music loud on your own hifi really does make a difference to casually catching it on the radio. Listening to this album for the first time in such circumstances does not disappoint. It’s full of compelling and melodic riffs which is what I like. You need to be in the right mood to stick a White Stripes album on but when that mood comes along it’s a fine album to satisfy it. 3/5 22/7/24

LP1

FKA twigs

2/5

Vaguely recollect giving this a listen when it was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. I always listen to the yearly nominations as it is a good source for discovering good albums you might have missed (like this list!) Cannot recollect my reaction to it then but would have been similar to today’s listen. I’m all for experimentation and pushing boundaries but this album goes nowhere and quickly becomes boring. The occasional heavenly vocals are pleasing and these save it from a 1 star. 2/5 23/7/24

E.V.O.L.

Sonic Youth

1/5

I always knew Sonic Youth were there but had no interest in them at all. Might have heard a track or two before but they must have washed over me as if they never existed. I set off to listen to this album positively hoping I would learn something new but to no avail I’m afraid. Found myself concentrating more on an ipad card game I picked up after track 1. 1/5 24/7/24

Queens of the Stone Age

2/5

Just like yesterday’s offering Sonic Youth I know of the Queens of the Stone Age but I’ve hardly taken any notice of them. So like yesterday I was wondering if my indifference could be ignited. Yesterday the ignition was like holding a match to a wet leaf in the wind. Today it reminded me of a lighter when you first use it and it nearly takes your eyebrows off. An analogy to describe this albums first track. But just like a lighter the initial flame reduced to just above the wick and I was left debating whether or not to relight the lighter but didn’t bother. A lighter is more exciting than a match so it can have one more star. 2/5 25/7/24

Aqualung

Jethro Tull

5/5

This is another landmark album for me. It was released during peak prog years for me. Jethro Tull were a big band but not exactly my favourite and because there was an embarrassment of prog riches my money was spent elsewhere. I had just started my career and was living in a hostel in Wakefield with other young lads many of whom shared my love of music. Aqualung always reminds me of one particular pal who was heavily into Jethro Tull and who introduced me to this album which he loved and wore a long trench coat. He would always greet you with “Aqualung, my friend”. It is a top album which I grew to love but strangely never bought the album until very recently when I saw the CD cheap in a sale. Just about everyone I knew had a copy, it was always played on the radio and more recently was readily available on streaming platforms. So there was never a dire need to own it. I do have other Tull albums, in fact most of them, and I rate some of these more highly than Aqualung. But this album means so much to me that I can only give it 5 stars. A lot of my fellow reviewers seem to be hung up on the use of flute by Ian Anderson and don’t think it very prog. My view is that they are missing the point. I do like the flute and Ian is a very proficient player but a lot of it is to do with Tull’s image. Ian stood erect on one leg playing his flute is very iconic and an image immediately associated with the band. 5/5 26/7/24

Bad

Michael Jackson

2/5

What to do about Michael Jackson? No doubt that he was a flawed genius and a superstar the modern equivalent on the scale of Taylor Swift. But all the pedophile allegations do hang heavy. If I was able to leave that aside and just look at his music, he was never an artist that I personally took to at all. Like everyone else I enjoyed his videos. Not the musical value but they were to some extent groundbreaking and a bit of a do not miss thing when they were released. Equally I enjoyed Jarvis Cocker’s protest at The Brits over the pomposity of it all. Back to this album. I know just about every track on it and would not be bothered if I never heard them again. Come to think of it they are rarely played since his death so maybe there is something in the allegations or it’s the woke world we live in? As I am familiar with the album I have not played it today as I do not want MJ corrupting my Roon algorithm. Don’t like the music but as he was a genius in his own field I give it an extra star than it deserves and in recognition that millions of people love this album. 2/5 27/7/24

The Good, The Bad & The Queen

3/5

I was quite into this album when it was released. Can’t remember why or how I was introduced to it as Blur and Gorillaz stuff is not my cup of tea. Think I might even had the CD which I later sold to Music Magpie when I went temporarily went CD free. My favourite track and the one I suspect convinced me to buy the CD was the very last track with the same name of the band. Listening today that still remains my fave. As for the rest it’s a bit meh. Nice to be reminded of it but nothing special. 2.5/5 28/7/24

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin

5/5

Another album in my own personal top ten. This was the album which switched me onto Led Zep. Their first album had passed me by but was soon to become another hardly off my turntable. This album was everything a 16 year old male would want. Great guitar riffs (in fact some of the best ever) lyrics to make an adolescent boy titter (squeeze my lemon ‘til the juice runs down my leg) references to Lord Of The Rings which every self respecting boy had read and just about every song was danceable in the way young boys would gather in a circle, jump and air guitar so wildly all the girls would clear the dance floor. My mates and I even had a dance worked out for the weird bit in the middle of Whole Lotta Love. That song by the way was the anthem of boys my age at the time but as time has passed, as good as it is, I’ve sort of relegated it down the pecking order. What Is and What Should never Be is perhaps my favourite nowerdays. The guitar echo effect before the HEY HO is one of the best to listen with headphones. There’s even a great drum solo on Moby Dick short enough to leave you drooling for more which was always the case when played live. I love the dreaminess of Ramble On and the time when I was a young man just starting to earn, dressing as I wanted looking for a girl share the great times I was living then. Definitely an album to soundtrack my youth. If only I could go back there now knowing what I…….etc etc 10/5 29/7/24

Signing Off

UB40

4/5

I bought this album when released contrary to Reggae not being a go to genre of mine and that it was very overtly political. On the first point Reggae was everywhere in 1980. Probably not purist Reggae but more like ‘white mans’ Reggae caused by the TwoTone label explosion. Thing is it got me personally trying to seek out more traditional Raggae and got me into artists like Prince Buster, Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Judge Dread. The album is full of political references serving as an education but also as a platform for UB40 to sound off about their political persuasions which doesn’t always sit well with me. On the other hand I do accept I have the choice not to engage with them at all if I don’t agree. But a lot of what they sung about is very cutting and not in line with my own politics. As a footnote where would we be now without Madam Medusa? Leaving all that aside I loved the sound of this album and playing it today was again a joy. Despite some of the lyrics the music is uplifting and gets you moving. This was by far the best UB40 album. I didn’t care much at all to what followed as the sound went more pop and mainstream. 4/5 30/7/24

Back to Mystery City

Hanoi Rocks

1/5

Bit of a tick box exercise here I think to get Finland onto the list. Nothing against Finland at all but I could say a lot about how bad this album is. Wiki states they have now broken up. Thank goodness for that. 1/5 31/7/24

Darkness on the Edge of Town

Bruce Springsteen

3/5

Today I’m celebrating Yorkshire Day and hoped for something I could find a tenuous link with God’s own County. Difficult but I know for a fact that he once appeared at Roundhay Park, Leeds because I know someone who went and they were thrilled. I also think I’ve seen a picture of him in a flat cap but no sign of any Ferret. Sadly though I don’t think Bruce will find any of the things he’s looking for in the darkness at the edge of many Yorkshire towns. Quite the opposite but that’s another story. Anyway this is my third Springsteen album and looking back at what I wrote for the first two my relationship with BS has not changed substantially. Although distinctive and identifiable within 2 bars of music I will never like his voice. Relaying on my previous notes because I don’t really want to listen again, I think I like this album a lot more than the first two served up. There are more likeable tracks on this album. Highlight for me is the slower Racing in the Street and The Promised Land has a really cool Sax solo. Quite an enjoyable listen and probably an album I would buy if the price was right (For those who don’t know Yorkshire men are notoriously tight with their money and their favourite saying is “How Much??!!”) Happy Yorkshire Day Bruce your rating today exceeds my average so far! 3/5 1/8/24

Lost In The Dream

The War On Drugs

4/5

When I used to listen to BBC 6 music before it went too Hip Hopity Rap Crap, War On Drugs used to feature a lot and so brought them to my attention. I did and still do stream their albums occasionally. So this was a good excuse to renew myself with the band. I have probably streamed this album at some point but obviously not remembering if I did or not it must have been in the background whilst doing other stuff. Listening to the album seriously without distraction I realised how talented this band is. They are very melody centric so it’s no wonder they appeal and are right up my alleyway. The only criticism is that they rarely venture away from the laid back shoe gazing sound but when the time is right I like this. It’s nice to put on an album just wanting to chill or fall asleep to without a big banging number disturbing that ambience by track 3. Definitely an album and band I will continue to listen and invest in. 4/5 2/8/24

Unhalfbricking

Fairport Convention

5/5

An album I own and love.Superb from start to finish and exceptional in the case “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” which is probably the best song Sandy Denny ever recorded. I don’t like everything that Fairport Convention have produced but this album ranks as one of their best. 5/5 3/8/24

Metal Box

Public Image Ltd.

3/5

Traditional English folk rock yesterday and post punk experimental music today. How diverse is that? Reason why I like following this list religiously every day. This album received glowing accolades from the music press and I was tempted to buy it. But what I heard of the album beforehand put me off as I had no interest in sitting through a protracted jam session with wailing inaudible vocals over the top. So I didn’t bother but a part of me still wishes I had had done just to possess one of the most iconic album covers of all time (and worth a bit!) John Lydon now becoming a national treasure also makes me regret not buying this album at the time. But looking at the low average rating given by fellow reviewers it is obvious that the musicality of the album still leaves a lot to be desired despite a lot of music critics still hollowing on about what a game changing album this is. Listening today was very much a chore and on some of the longer tracks the FF button was deployed. I like John Lydon and what he stands for. So, as I do occasionally, I will ignore what the music sounds like and reward a rating based on my appreciation of those who make it even if it’s rubbish. The average global rating today is 2.49 and Johnny Rotten deserves more than this so he can have a 3. 3/5 4/8/24

Hunky Dory

David Bowie

5/5

This is my favourite all time Bowie album just sneaking ahead of a recent addition to the list Black Star. Saying favourite is perhaps wrong because due to my love hate of Bowie there are only a few albums of his which I personally like. He has a vast catalog and the majority are lauded by those in the know as classics and ground breaking. The reason I like Hunky Dory is perhaps why I don’t like a lot of what Bowie produced. That is it is a very easy album to get into whereas a lot of what he has recorded is a real challenge. There are some lovely memorable tunes and one or two of them are perhaps his most famous all time songs well known to those who only have a passing interest in music. Haven’t played this album in full for a while so a joy once again to do so. 5/5 5/8/24

Picture Book

Simply Red

2/5

My only tenuous link I have with any rock star is with Mick Hucknell. I used to work with a woman who went to Manchester Poly with him and never let us forget that. That fact doesn’t change my opinion of this album or Simply Red in general in that it doesn’t appeal to my tastes. However, this album does have one redeeming track - Holding Back The Years which is their most famous and one which I do like. Always takes me back to those clubbing nights when that track accompanied the ten to two desperation dash for those wanting a last minute snog. It is also a song which works for me when in a reflective mood. That track aside I do know that there are other songs which are well liked to those loving this type of music but an album which I do not need to hear again. I’ll stick with the best known single. 2/5 6/8/24.

Tarkus

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

5/5

I was very much into ELP having bought their first album and seen them live two or probably three times locally. I was a big fan of The Nice and King Crimson and to a lesser extent Atomic Rooster so ELP were ready made for me. I love the rock/classical crossover in music and my favourite pieces of music usually have a strong orchestral element in them. ELP were one of the first exponents of this type of music (carrying on from The Nice and Deep Purple) They were a fantastic band to watch live. Keith Emerson was very much a showman and his antics towards the end of a show, physically throwing his Hammond organ around the stage and producing amazing sounds will remain with me forever. So I bought this album on day of release and played it endlessly. I was away from home during the week and in these were the days when playing music remotely anywhere was still a fantasy, I remember playing the album until the last minute on Sunday evening before I caught a train so that every note would stay in my brain for as long as possible. The constant listening I did over 50 years ago has paid dividends because on today’s listen I anticipated just about single note of the long title track. It’s been a while since I listened in full so it’s testament to how a piece of music you really love can stay with you. My favourite ELP album is their first followed by Trilogy but Tarkus is an exceptional album which I will always love and cherish. 5+/5 7/8/24.

Fire Of Love

The Gun Club

1/5

Never heard of this band and not surprising as it appears they had little success in the UK. If I’ve never heard of an artist will always look at the accompanying wiki page to learn about them. They are heralded as the first exponents of punk and American roots music which sounded an interesting combination. But on listening this album did nothing for me at all. Was quite bored after a while. 1/5 8/8/24

Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs

Marty Robbins

1/5

As a UK resident living in West Yorkshire this album is of very little relevance to me. Although parts of Bradford do nowerdays resemble The Wild West. But I do appreciate that these songs are of significant historical value to my American friends so do not want to dismiss this album out of hand. I’ll leave it at that with a rating which reflects my own personal enjoyment the album. As a historical document I’m glad the album exists for future generations. 1/5 (over 200 albums in and my stats indicate that the 1950’s are my favourite decade - which it isn’t. This rating has nothing to do with bringing the average down but can’t help hoping that it does so that the 60’s and 70’s rightfully go top!) 9/8/24

The Sensual World

Kate Bush

5/5

If there is a problem in loving and appreciating an artists work so much, it is you are sometimes so familiar with a particular album you seldom listen to it in full. This is one of the great things about following this list in that you are sometimes ‘forced’ to listen to an album you thought it was impossible not to find anything new in. I realised that a few days ago when I was dealt Tarkus by ELP and reinforced today with this massive album. I knew it was bloody good but if you asked me yesterday where I would have put it in the complete Kate Bush catalogue it would have been near the bottom. But how the passage of time sometimes distorts your view or memories. Just one listen through again and I had to reassess to conclude it is impossible to grade any Kate Bush album as they are all masterpieces in their own way and completely different from one album to the next. That’s the magic of Kate Bush and why I and billions of others love her music. Because of the passage of time it was like hearing one or two of the lesser known tracks for the first time and since I have upgraded my listening equipment over the years discovered new sounds within the tracks. “This Woman’s Work” is a track which has never slipped my mind and one of my all time favourite Kate Bush songs. What a beauty it is. When Kate Bush sits behind a piano and sings a song with little accompaniment there is no-one like her to produce such emotion and sadness which always invariably brings me to tears. 5+/5 10/4/24

Imperial Bedroom

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

2/5

Yet another Elvis Costello album. The best thing about been dealt another one is that I’m a bit closer to the end of his particular additions to the list (according to the book it’s 6 so 3 to go) It’s not that I don’t like him or his music but a truer reflection of his status on the list would have been to restrict it to just My Aim Is True and Armed Forces which you could argue were groundbreaking albums. This is an album I am not familiar with so I hoped I would be proved wrong and found something new in his music. It starts brightly enough but carries on in the same vein leaving me thinking these collection of songs could be on any of his albums. It’s an alright album but it prompted me to research if he has any connection to the compilers of this list. Nothing found so far so wonder if he stumped up the cash to produce it? 2/5 11/8/24

Let's Stay Together

Al Green

1/5

Would have hated this album when it was released as Soul music was not what I liked at all. I would like to think that as I’ve matured I can appreciate this music for what it is. No doubt it is a Soul classic and the title track is a well known song immediately recognisable. But I need to be honest and as much as I try to analyse this album and look for the good things, but for me beyond that title track there is nothing. 1/5 12/8/24

Vulgar Display Of Power

Pantera

2/5

Considering I was brought up on a diet of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and AC/DC (who are responsible for my acute hearing loss) I don’t know what went wrong with regard to my appreciation of more modern metal. Somewhere along the line metal or heavy rock as I prefer to call it turned into thrash metal. I was never aware of this transition as I continued to listen to the classic heavy rock acts and ignored the other noise which seemed to be gaining prominence. I’m sure that this stuff sounds great live. In fact if Metallica qualify I’ve seen them live and for the majority really enjoyed the gig but must admit after 3 hours or so was glad to go home. Anyhow never heard of Pantera so wondered what they would sound like. Just a few bars of playing their instruments at 500 mph and a horrible rasping voice singing something inaudible to me but i accept this was probably Angus Young and Bon Scott’s fault back in 1978, I knew all there was to know. The album cover is a great metaphor for what I feel about the music although a picture of a heavy kick to someone’s groin would be more accurate. I certainly am more inclined to this stuff rather than the other genre which I hate - hip hop rap crap, so am forced to give it a rating above 1 star. A lowly compliment indeed. 2/5 13/8/24

90

808 State

1/5

Well after a familiar start with Pacific Start which I knew it quickly degenerated into a long boring procession of dance music. One of the things which intrigues me here is do the people who actually like this stuff put on the disc and sit down to enjoy it like I would if listening to a classic album by Pink Floyd say? (For Pink Floyd insert your own favourite who you would sit and listen) Or is it a case that they would only listen when out clubbing or whatever the occasion is when this stuff is played? I just cannot imagine putting this on for a leisurely analytical play but like I have said before I’m getting on now and this music was never produced for the likes of me. 1/5 14/8/24

Shaft

Isaac Hayes

1/5

Reminds me of drunken Thursday nights at the Mecca in Wakefield which in itself is a good memory spoilt by having to endure music like this all night. Never saw nor want to see the film either. 1/5 15/8/24

Get Behind Me Satan

The White Stripes

3/5

My second White Stripes album within a month. This appears to be new entry on list. Bought this CD recently cheap in charity shop following my new found interest in White Stripes. Nice use of all sorts on unusual instruments within the songs make this album different. Love Doorbell Ring song which was worth in itself the small amount I paid for full CD. 3/5 16/8/24

Take Me Apart

Kelela

1/5

Why? 1/5 17/8/24

Bat Out Of Hell

Meat Loaf

5/5

I’m very surprised this album is not higher in the global rating stats as personally I think it is one of the most famous and recognisable albums of the last 50 years. Judging by the sales a lot of people would agree with me so why it has a global rating of ‘only’ 3.44 is a mystery. Maybe those embarking on this 1001 album journey are a more discerning lot than the general music buying public and not swayed by popularism. For my take on the album, its arrival on my list is quite opportune as I’ve been playing the album recently. This is as a result of the YouTube algorithm throwing up to me the iconic performance of Paradise By The Dashboard Light on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1978. I watched that live trans fixed and it was that which opened up the whole album to me. A great collection of songs in their own right but as a whole made up a great story with lyrics everyone seemed to be able to relate to. And so they did. Just about everyone in my friendship group had a copy and the music on the album was everywhere. I’ve never considered the album to be anywhere near my top 50 or even top 100 favourite albums of all time. But I come back to the point I tried to make at the beginning that this is one of only a few albums which stands out regardless of the music on it. It was an album you simply just to have in your collection and to educate yourself with because it was topic of conversation everywhere and you just had to hold some sort of opinion on it. On that I cannot really remember at the time anyone having a bad word to say on it. I will always like the album but to the modern ears of the present generation I can understand why without the hype of the 1970’s this is just another album liked by their mums and dads. To me it’s more than an iconic musical album. I would liken it more to a piece of art which touches at your emotions even without hearing a note of music. The series of words Bat Out of Hell and Meatloaf conjure up images in their own right even without the music. This is an album you should hear before you die and probably have. 5/5 18/8/24

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots

The Flaming Lips

3/5

This a group who I have tried to get into a few times. They produce some good songs but a lot of what I hear is a bit meh. I actually bought this album in a charity shop recently but after copying it I can’t say I’ve listened to it completely until today. I can understand why it’s on the list as it is very different but not in a way which floats my boat. Don’t hate it and glad it’s in my collection for random occasional plays but that’s it. 3/5 19/8/24

L.A. Woman

The Doors

2/5

Not a great fan of The Doors. Thought a lot of their music meandered a lot and drug fuelled. However they produced two really fantastic songs Riders Of The Storm (on this album) and Light My Fire on previous album which has one of the best organ arrangements ever. LA Woman is deserving of being on this list as The Doors and Jim Morrison in particular left an enduring mark on pop and rock music. Not a favourite of mine but is redeemed with the inclusion of Riders. 2/5 20/8/24

Off The Wall

Michael Jackson

2/5

I got ‘Bad’ about a month ago and have just re-read my notes on that. Everything I said there also applies to this album. But in a nutshell - Never liked MJ or his music. Even less now in view of allegations. Appreciate millions really rate his music so that stands for something and one extra star. 2/5 21/8/24

Wild Is The Wind

Nina Simone

3/5

Another album which I have to rate not to reflect my own musical tastes but to reflect the fact that the artist is very significant and deserving to be on this list. That said there is a lot of music on this album which appeals to me more than it would have when released. My tastes have matured to appreciate all types of music and there is no doubt this is a very good album. 3/5 21/8/24

Bookends

Simon & Garfunkel

5/5

My history with this album began in 1968 or 1969 at school in an end of term music lesson. This lesson was also responsible for a significant event involving a Jimi Hendrix album. That Hendrix album is also on this list so the story about that is for another time. However at this lesson I remember a teacher whose name I cannot recall introduced Bookends to the class. He also mentioned that he thought the cover photo of Paul Simon bore a resemblance to me. I did have a scissor home cut short fringe at the time but looking back I’m not sure what the exact motives that teacher had making that very ‘friendly’ comment to me! Anyhow nothing came of that apart from an unconscious seed of appreciation of this album being planted. Hendrix was more important at that time but with the release of Bridge Over Troubled Waters later on, Simon and Garfunkel really hit home. My love of that album naturally led me back to Bookends. It is now perhaps one of the most played albums I have and certainly in my all time top 10. Every track is exceptional. America and Mrs Robinson are classics. Overs is one of the best ‘break up’ songs ever. But it is the Bookends Theme and the song Old Friends which mean the most to me. Bookends theme is a beautiful melody and capable of bringing me to tears every time. As a 17 year old the lyric in Old Friends “How terribly strange to be 70” struck a chord as I could not imagine then been old but the words served as a warning of fleeting life. The lyric continued to haunt me throughout my life and was something I was aware of as the years progressed. Last year when 70 I played the song on my birthday as I always knew I would. It now gives me an intense feeling of nostalgia and lost time. Preserve your memories. They’re all that’s left you. Another poignant lyric from the album which means so much more now. Much more than an album. More a soundtrack to my life. Without doubt the best album on the list coming to me so far. 5+/5 23/8/24

Transformer

Lou Reed

3/5

Can’t say I rated Lou Reed back in the 70’s. American artists in those days didn’t really interest me. I do have an interest nowerdays if only to ensure I have no serious gaps in my overall musical knowledge. As regards this album I can sum it up with a handful of good classic tracks - Vicious, Perfect day, Walk On The Wild Side, Satellite of Love (just maybe) interspersed with a lot of dross. Those handful of named tracks are all I need to educate myself and acknowledge what Lou Reed is about. 2.9/5 24/8/24

Kings Of The Wild Frontier

Adam & The Ants

1/5

Bloody Adam and his bloody ants annoyed me at the time and still do. That might be a bit unfair due to my ex-wife liking them. But as I say I disliked them then when things were rosy between me and my ex (her liking this shit should have been a massive neon lit warning sign) Where my hatred lies is hard to define because I suppose the tracks on this album are up to standard reasonable toe tapping pop songs. Everywhere you went in 1980 you had to endure these songs which came a bit exhausting. That and of course all the “ants” stood in an upright pose with two fingers across their brows looking menacing (not that was possible due to hilarious application of make up) And don’t get me started on those ubiquitous videos on MTV and the like. It was impossible to avoid them. Crashing through glass windows is really dangerous but Adam or should I say Stuart managed to do it regularly and still came back to give us more of his stinking music. There is a happy ending in that they broke up in 1982 so my misery was short lived. That is until today when this album arrived on my list. 1/5 25/8/24

Mothership Connection

Parliament

1/5

Motherfuck disconnection 1/5 26/8/24

Fred Neil

2/5

Should I have heard of this guy ‘cos I haven’t? Yet another choice giving me a complex that my musical knowledge isn’t what it should be. But always excited when this happens that I will find a new gem. Not this time I’m afraid. One or two nice pleasant songs but not keen at all on Mr Neil’s voice and the way the songs are delivered. Might have been better for this to have remain hidden from me. 2/5 27/8/24

Space Ritual

Hawkwind

5/5

Hawkwind and this album were about during peak Prog rock so I was naturally attracted to them. As such I’d bought a previous album to this one, In Search Of Space and later bought another yet to be recorded Quark Strangeness and Charm. I struggled to like Hawkwind as much as their Prog contemporaries so never followed them closely. So largely unfamiliar with this album. A lot of fellow reviewers question why live albums are on this list. But this is a good example of an album which answers that question. When comparing the studio versions the live ones on this album have a lot more energy and power. To have been present must have been a great experience. So listening to this album today was better than I thought. Perhaps a bit longer than necessary as after a while my attention began to waver. Would never buy the album but OK to put on a streamer shuffle with other similar artists. I thought at first the album was a 3 rating but on listening it is a very good 4. Then I saw the low global rating which reflects the Prog haters out there who obviously outnumber the Hippity Hoppity Rap crap haters like me. So fuck it, it’s Prog so it can have a five. 3(5)/5 28/8/24

Kenza

Khaled

1/5

One of the selling points and pleasures of subscribing to Tidal and Roon is the automated playlists generated which are based on your listening tastes. So this was another occasion I had to find a secluded corner of my home (don’t want the family to think I enjoy this stuff) and listen on another streaming service where I’m not bothered too much about what the algorithm thinks I like. It was a very quick visit. Whilst I appreciate this list has to include every form of music it is nevertheless still dominated by westernised music. To dip occasionally and feature albums such as this is nothing more than tick boxing. There may be an argument for a list to reflect every type of world music and that the albums featured, many many more than 1001, are evenly distributed in the list. If this is a list of modern western music from the 1950’s onwards so keep it as such. 1/5 29/8/24

Getz/Gilberto

Stan Getz

3/5

It’s the end of August so nearly the end of another summer. Not been such a good summer here in the UK so was only thinking recently I have been a bit short changed with long balmy hot summer days. So this album coming along is just like laying on a sun lounger by the side of a pool with tequila cocktail in hand. Actually more accurately for me climbing up and standing on top of a Lake District mountain and taking in the beautiful view stretching away under a hot sun. Either way a lovely summer sounding record. Not what I would normally listen to but will always enjoy in short measures (rather like lovely English summer days) whenever they pop up on the radio. Think I’ll reach out for that holiday brochure or more likely wait a bit for the late summer sun in the Lake District. 3/5 30/8/24

One Nation Under A Groove

Funkadelic

1/5

Title wrong. Think I’m part of a Nation but certainly not under a groove. Not on Spotify?!! Lucky people. It is on my bloody Tidal though! 1/5 31/8/24

Teenager Of The Year

Frank Black

1/5

If I was christened Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV I would have felt blessed and the last thing I would have done was change it to Frank Black. But this critter did and that lack of judgement and sensibility is very much reflected in this collection of music. I say music in its loose sense because there is nothing here in this long procession of songs to interest me or offer anything new which is always something I hope for when I am given a previously unknown artist. 1/5 1/9/24

Birth Of The Cool

Miles Davis

3/5

Was it coincidence or the 1001 Gods working their magic that I dreamt last night playing a duet with a trumpet player (not Miles) last night? As an occasional Sax player for my own pleasure I have recently been trying to educate myself with Jazz. A genre I would have previous dismissed. An album titled Birth of Cool by Miles Davies in itself gives the impression that it should be on this list without any argument at all. As part of my jazz eduction I have bought Miles Davies albums. Kind of Blue (already reviewed) and Bitches Brew are two of these and albums I really like. I do not like this one as much. It’s OK but every track seems to follow the same jazz recipe - opening melody, each instrument solo, resolving melody. Which is fine but difficult to distinguish one track from another other than a random title. Whilst listening could not get the image of American GI’s dancing with northern town English girls in 1944 to this type of music. That gives anyone of a certain generation an idea of what this album offers. The other interesting thing was whilst reading the Wiki entry for the album I learnt what a nonet was. So an extra star for that enlightenment. 3/5 2/9/24

The Beach Boys Today!

The Beach Boys

3/5

No doubt the Beach Boys were (are) very significant in the history of pop music and their place on this list is more than deserved. Personally they are a group which I am glad exist but at the same time can take or leave. They were big in my formative years of getting into music but even at that time were not what I wanted to listen to or develop with. There was so much choice in the mid 60’s of British bands that I rightly or wrongly discounted American ones. My appreciation of US 60’s bands has changed over the years to an extent that I wish I hadn’t been so blinkered but would never include the Beach Boys within the bands I now think I’ve missed out on. When the time and mood is right I love to listen to them and one or two songs on later albums and on this list are absolute classics. But having now listened to this album in full I don’t think that I will ever pop it on again. Listened to the album via Tidal which offered hi-res stereo and mono versions. It was interesting to listen to the difference and concluding that the mono version sounded better. Testament perhaps to the times it was recorded for a largely mono market and that faffing around with the original recording is not always good. 3/5 3/9/24

London Calling

The Clash

2/5

The Clash- Darlings of the musical press late 70’s and early 80’s made you feel inadequate and deficient if you were not onboard with them. Difficult for a lad like me whose musical tastes were at odds with the likes of The Clash and a reason why they and others were a reaction to my music faves. But I did try and even bought another Clash album wondering if constant playing would help me realise what all the fuss was about. All in vain. Just don’t like them. Appreciate I’m in a minority as The Clash are historically important. Well done to all those who highly rate them but I prefer to ignore them. 2/5 4/9/24

Marcus Garvey

Burning Spear

2/5

Probably to my detriment and loss I do not have a lot of reggae in my collection. Run of the mill popular albums yes but none of the deeper stuff I always promised myself to investigate. Will probably never get around to it now so signpost’s like this are a welcome advantage of this list. That said, whilst time spent listening to this album was pleasant enough I found nothing in it to convince me to return to it. 2.5/3 5/9/24

Crime Of The Century

Supertramp

5/5

This is an easy 5/5 for me. An album I know well and play constantly (according to my Roon count) Whilst I am (obviously) an out and out prog rock guy I only consider Supertramp to be on the fringes of prog. If you dig deep into their albums there are some great prog cuts but also some great toe tapping pop songs. This album probably has more of them than most. But by the fact that I keep spinning this album and never tire of it is testament to how much I rate it. 5/5 6/9/24

A Seat at the Table

Solange

1/5

Never heard anything of this women before. Looking at the album cover initially thought that someone had thrown clothes pegs over her head and wondered if there was a travelling person (G—-y) connection. No sign of that and from my own personal point of view no enjoyment either. My wife mentioned the other day that she needed some clothes pegs but was struggling to find some. Makes you think doesn’t it? 1/5 7/9/24

Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine

Cee Lo Green

1/5

Saw the advisory sticker on the front cover so didn’t bother listening. (Well I did a bit to be true to the list but not pleasant) 1/5 8/9/24 250 up tomorrow, a quarter of the way through so hope the list comes up trumps 🤞

Songs In The Key Of Life

Stevie Wonder

3/5

250 albums up so a gnats cockhair off a quarter of the way through. To celebrate this achievement (right word??) I was hoping for a blockbuster album. Well this is certainly a blockbuster but not so based on my own personal taste. Stevie Wonder is one of music’s greatest artists and Songs In The Key Of Life is an album every musoo is aware of. Awareness for me does not equal liking. An inoffensive album but I simply don’t like this style of music. Another album which has a right to be on this list and I rate on its own magnitude rather than my own preference. 3/5 9/9/24

The Real Thing

Faith No More

2/5

Faith No more exist on the edge of my consciousness and this album has never registered. Was expecting more than what actually tuned up on this album. Same old same old so instantly forgettable. 2/5 10/9/24

First Band On The Moon

The Cardigans

2/5

Had heard of The Cardigans in my past but if I’d been asked before today I would have said they were part of the UK late punk alternative movement. So when I read their Wiki page I was surprised they were Swedish. Nevertheless they were still classed has alternative/adult rockers so hoped for the best. One give away and cautionary tag in their Roon description was Twee Pop. By Jove was Roon right. A lot more twee than rock in my view. Anyway another musical lesson learnt and knowledge gained albeit if useless information. Album title caused me to stop and ruminate the concept of when and who will be the first band to play on the moon. And what will be the first song? If it were to happen today I’m sure Swiftie would be a strong candidate. But I don’t think present day spacecraft technology would allow for the expansive stage set used during her Era’s tour. Which led me to think that the lack of gravity would allow her to whizz around the set without use of lifts and motorised sleigh so that would save space. I then climbed out of that rabbit hole and played some more agreeable music. 2/5 11/9/24

Your New Favourite Band

The Hives

2/5

Today’s album was a bit of a shock and a weird coincidence after yesterday’s. What are the chances of two Swedish groups one after another? Especially after yesterday’s choice The Cardigans, when I nearly commented that it was a tick box exercise to include Sweden on the list. But before I made a dick of myself I fortunately remembered ABBA who are bound to feature at some stage. I fell into the same trap as yesterday thinking that The Hives were also a UK post punk band until I read their Wiki page. I quite liked the album until about three songs in when I realised that there was little in the music to differentiate each track. A lot of fellow 1001’ers complain that a greatest hits album should not be on the list. In fairness I think that the album is a conglomeration of previously released odds and sods rather than hits as in reality they haven’t had enough to fill a full album. And as if to reinforce this point the album length is only 28 minutes. I’d have been very disappointed about that if I’d bought the album. All in all a bit better than their fellow Countrymen yesterday but still a lowly 2/5. Now what are the odds of another Swedish group tomorrow? If it’s ABBA I’ll eat my copy of Arrival. 2/5 12/9/24

Parallel Lines

Blondie

5/5

I loved Blondie when they were in their pomp. Bought all their albums and continually played them. They were massive in 1978 partly due to the popularity of Debbie Harry. I managed to get tickets to see them in Manchester which at the time was like trying to get Oasis tickets for their reunion tour in 2025. One of the best gigs I have seen and managed to get a drum stick thrown into the crowd by Clem Burke which I still proudly own. Like a lot of men in their mid 20’s I was perhaps a bit too obsessed with Debbie. I say perhaps because it must have been more than that as my workmates once bought me a Debbie Harry lookalike doll at a Christmas party. Listening today I still like the songs which are all really strong and have stood test of time as they are still massively liked by many people. By today’s standards the sound of the record is a bit thin to my ears. But overall a great record full of happy memories. 5/5 (And a relief there was no ABBA or any other Swedish group today!) 13/9/24

Call of the Valley

Shivkumar Sharma

4/5

An interesting and unexpected entry on the list. I’ve always had an urge to get into this type of Eastern music. Began I suppose when influenced by some of my music idols who are named in Wiki has fans of this album. Might be a bit crass to say but when eating out at Indian restaurants I have often been captivated by some of the background music but because of the circumstances unable to work out or identify the artist (Pre Shazam or it didn’t work!) Another problem is that I really think appreciating Indian music is a challenge. Unlike modern Western music which is characterised in the main by instant melodies and a hook line, Indian music is a lot more complicated. There seems to me that there is a lot going on which needs research and knowledge to fully understand. I’m at a stage in life where I really do not have the time to do this as there is still a lot of music in my own sphere I want to listen to. With that in mind I listened today to this album and really enjoyed it. But without the aforementioned knowledge concluded that this could be any one of the numerous similar albums I have listened to in my attempts to understand this genre. If it was readily available to purchase, which it is not and probably relates to the streaming platform problems described elsewhere, I would happily buy it. All in all a lovely experience and relaxing way to spend listening on a lazy Saturday morning. That is until Leeds lost 1-0 later. Now in need of a pint of Cobra, onion Bhaji , and chicken bhuna. 4/5 14/9/24

Like Water For Chocolate

Common

1/5

Again I say I’m a white male living in the UK now in his 70’s and brought up on a diet of progressive rock and you want me to listen to this stuff before I die? Appreciate millions love this genre but when Mr Common recorded this he wasn’t thinking me so likewise I’ll shut him out of my life. 0.1/5 15/9/24

Songs For Swingin' Lovers!

Frank Sinatra

3/5

This album reminds me very much getting woken up early morning with my Dad singing these songs whilst shaving in bathroom. He loved singing in the house (which had rubbed off onto me) and listening to this album reignited some of the belters I became to know when a young lad through him. At that time of course these songs were of a different generation and far removed from the music I liked then and went onto love in later life. So they were regarded by me in the same way today’s youth would class has dad rock. As I’ve aged I become to appreciate Sinatra and his music. I will never buy or sit down to listen but no-one can doubt his talent and he was perhaps the best crooner there was. An album full of songs from a more simpler time and a big part of me wishes life could revert back there for the good of everyone. 3/5 16/9/24

I Against I

Bad Brains

2/5

Not quite what I expected but having never heard of this lot had no preconceptions. Some of the rockier tracks struck a chord but overall I cannot say it was an enjoyable or memorable listen. 2/5 17/9/24

Arc Of A Diver

Steve Winwood

3/5

I bought this album on CD at time of release but it was one which was sold a few years later. Sold because I soon tired of it and it was seldom played. I always thought Winwood’s albums of this period were light years away from his work with Traffic. Another album Back In The High Life suffered same fate. My perception was he was trying to appeal to the North American MOR radio friendly audience. This was OK at the time but it became that there too much of that stuff about. I still prefer his earlier Traffic work. The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys is my highlight. Good to listen to this again and I wish I hadn’t been so judgemental in getting rid. Spanish Dancer in particular worth owning CD for and probably reason I bought the album. 3/5 18/9/24

Cypress Hill

1/5

(C)rap music. I refer to my previous (now many) reviews of this genre. In happier news just bought a new car today. 0.1/5 19/9/24

The Genius Of Ray Charles

Ray Charles

2/5

No doubt that Ray Charles is another mega superstar who deserves all the accolades for his contribution to music. Personally I always thought of him as from a different generation and that the music he made was for the pleasure of the likes of my mum and dad. I am now in my 70’s so where that leaves Ray Charles goodness only knows. To younger listeners he may be as relevant as Bach or Beethoven. To others latching onto his magnitude he is an artist who is extremely cool by modern standards. I have no strong feelings either way and ambivalent to his music. It exists but somewhere outside my consciousness. 2/5 20/9/24

The Man Machine

Kraftwerk

3/5

Glad that at least one Kraftwerk album is on this list. Not because that I am particularly a big fan but because they and a few other contemporaries actually brought something new to music at that time. It was bound to happen with the advancement in technology and synthesizer‘s that this type of music would take hold and become a big part of the music scene and still is. As a big Keith Emerson fan I did love his use of the Moog Synthesizer but this was restricted to the odd solo or extra texture to his virtuoso keyboard playing along with other instruments. Synthesizer music only was a big step change. I was excited by this at the time but my interest was mainly towards Gary Numan and what he was doing. I knew Kraftwerk existed but never really got into them enough to buy any albums. Listening to this album today was pleasant enough for the first few tracks but it quickly became monotonous. I found the melodies were very simple and repetitive to the extent that they began to jarr. I do like some of the modern day electronic artists in particular if they on the ambient side such as those by Brian Eno. Maybe Eno type music exists thanks to albums like this one so my rating reflects that and the fact that Kraftwerk were very unique. 3/5 21/9/24

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

3/5

For me Neil Young’s albums always consist of two or three banging tracks but the rest a bit meh. This is no exception. Down By The River and Cinnomem Girl are the standout tracks but the rest don’t really do anything for me. There’s a lot of music Neil Young has produced which is exceptional either on his own or with CSN&Y. I have a greatest hits album of his which I love but made up from multiple decades and albums. So as a singular entity not so good but as part of a collection, marvellous. Would buy this album though if found so that makes it 3/5 material. 3/5 21/9/24

Elvis Presley

2/5

Despite his magnitude and perhaps being one of the most famous musical artists that has ever lived I must confess that I dislike Elvis with a passion. How can this be I ask? My elder brother played his records so my early years were filled with his music but it appears made no connection with me at all. My earliest musical foundation can be traced to Cliff Richard (Bachelor Boy my first single) who was often compared to Elvis and has his English version. I don’t think that this registered with me and if there was ever an Elvis v Cliff thing. In any case this was only my one foray into the Cliff camp (although I do like his Christmas songs) so I don’t think my Elvis hatred stemmed from that. I was soon into The Beatles and early English 60’s groups. And whilst my musical heroes lauded Elvis has their inspiration I just dismissed this and considered Elvis from a previous generation and not for me. Nowerdays I can listen to artists who were about during the 50’s and can actually enjoy their music and see their value. But unfortunately this does not extend to anything Elvis has ever produced. This could be considered as heretical and I get that. I wish that I could say there was at least one Elvis song I liked but honestly can’t. This album in my estimation is a 1/5 but this is based on my own prejudices and Elvis, whatever I think of him, does not deserve that. 2/5 23/9/24

Doolittle

Pixies

2/5

One or two of my musical buddies have told me to listen to The Pixies. A group I know nothing about. I ignored them very much like this album which I will ignore in the future. Not a complete listening disaster but getting there. 2/5 24/9/24

Songs From A Room

Leonard Cohen

3/5

I reviewed I’m Your Man album back in May when I said that I needed to listen to more of Leonard Cohen to understand what all the fuss was about. That particular album was Cohen’s 80’s synth style effort and perhaps not what I consider to be true the true dark and melancholic side of Cohen. It was this side of Cohen I wished to get into. So this album is a good example of that. His voice and lyrics are to the forefront. Whilst his lyrics are extremely thought provoking I do have a problem with his voice. If auto tuning had existed and had been used back in 1969 I’m sure that I would like this album a lot more. As it is I think that I sound better when washing my armpits in the shower. But who am I to say that Cohen has a bad voice when millions would argue to the contrary. But it is my ears that matter and for me it is his voice which spoils some excellent songs. 2.5/5 25/9/24

Meat Puppets II

Meat Puppets

2/5

Never heard of this group. Casual research reveals that they never charted in the UK or toured. I’m sure some hip UK DJ may have championed them at some point but never to my attention. Having listened to them it’s pure Americana rock which I doubt could be made by any non US bands. I expected Nivana type grunge but more like yee haw hillbilly on speed. Some good guitar but heavily spoilt by warbling lead singer. 2/5 26/9/24

Definitely Maybe

Oasis

5/5

Well it’s an album I now know very well but at the time of release I was initially ambivalent towards it. I was well aware of the Britpop thing but more perhaps by the media coverage rather than listening to the music. I didn’t care too much about how Oasis conducted themselves. I thought that they were just big mouth Manc’s not appealing to me at all as someone born and bred in Yorkshire just over the border. So I was late to the Oasis party. But it was hard to escape the media hype and the constant plays on the radio and eventually I did realise that despite their personas the Gallagher brothers were indeed very competent musicians. So whilst this album probably escaped me the subsequent Oasis albums did very much appeal to me and that there is no doubt they have recorded some of the best rock songs ever. Some of their best songs were yet to come but there are some real bangers on this album Supersonic and Live Forever the standout tracks for me. Whilst perhaps not an out and out fanboy I do still love listening to all the Oasis albums including this. I do now have all their albums in my collection. I also recently spent a wasted all day Saturday online trying to get tickets for the Oasis reunion (or Noel Gallagher divorce fund) tour 2025 as I was never inclined to see them first time round. So those two facts mean that Oasis and this album have made a big impact on my musical life and my rating reflects this. 5/5 27/9/24

Remain In Light

Talking Heads

2/5

Third Talking Heads album arriving on my list and every time a Talking Heads arrival always seems to coincide with some real life catastrophe. If its not Leeds United losing at Wembley this album arrives when trying to purchase a new car the sale of which went so wrong I had to reverse the deal and then my old car then costing me an arm and a leg needlessly. The whole point of mentioning this is that even if I was minded to listen to the Talking Heads for pleasure, which I’m not, I seem to get little time to do so when the 1001 Gods present me with one of their albums. However in this case this is an album I am vaguely familiar with as it’s the only one I have ever bought. That was out of curiosity because of all the music press continually going on about them. No streaming then of course so the only way to hear an album and seriously listen was to buy it. So I did my time then trying to get into this so in all honesty don’t feel the need to repeat this trauma listening today. Nothing has changed. I consider it to be an awful album. It holds nothing of interest to me at all. The only improvement from my vinyl copy I bought is that I can easily skip tracks early when streaming. The one concession I will give it is that I am aware that the album is lauded by greater minds than mine as been of great musical value. For that reason it does perhaps deserve a place on this list. So with a doff of my cap to these musical geniuses I will move my finger right from hovering over the figure 1 and through clenched teeth bring it down on 2. I have just checked the 1001 book and seen there is yet a further Talking Heads album to endure. It would be nice to know when this will be so that I could stay in bed to prevent further bad luck befalling me. But alas that isn’t how this process works. I will keep my readership (ie me alone) posted. 2/5 28/9/24

Unknown Pleasures

Joy Division

4/5

Liked this album when released and bought it. Loved the atmospheric depressive nature and general feeling of despair in the music. I do still occasionally listen when I’m in the mood and derive great enjoyment when doing so. I sometimes like to wallow in my own misery and this is a great record to accompany that mood. A really great record which I consider to be a return to serious sounding music after the three chord punk period. Never saw them live but in my memory I can recollect Ian Curtis’s trademark dancing on She’s Lost Control Again or was it Shadowplay? Must look on YouTube to remind myself. It’s a sight to behold. My one gripe with Joy Division is their single Love Will Tear Us apart Again, the tune of which is used by opposing supporters to take the piss out of Leeds United (something about falling apart again) As that song does not appear on this or any other Joy Division it this is the one and only time I can vent my anger at that and wished that they had somehow put another syllable into the title to prevent its use in such a juvenile way especially when it is such a great song. 4/5 29/9/24

Back In Black

AC/DC

4/5

When i fancy a bout of ear bleeding and a blinding headache i will reach for this album (or any other AC/DC album as they all sound the same!) strap up my air guitar and school satchel, shorts on top off and away i go. Good stuff and i salute you. 4/5 30/9/24

Throwing Muses

3/5

272 albums in and I’ve only so far have had selected a handful of previously unknown albums/artists which have truly been a revelation. Whilst this album is not quite a revelation it is a fair effort. I liked the sometimes weirdness of a track which after a key or time change morphed into a lovely melodic passage. Would seem to be a Throwing Muses thing to have these constant direction changes in songs which I like and shows their talents. Will listen again and take interest in their other stuff. 2.6/5 1/10/24

Teen Dream

Beach House

4/5

I really love the Fleet Foxes who always give me the feeling of walking through a grass meadow on a warm summer day, next to a babbling brook, everything in soft focus, dandelion seeds and pollen dust floating in the suns rays - get the picture? This has the same vibe. Second day on the trot the list has done its stuff and given me an unknown gem. Certainly an album put on my list to buy and to research their other albums. Lovely, warm and gives a yearning for those wonderful summer days past. 4/5 2/10/24

Private Dancer

Tina Turner

2/5

I loved Nuts Crush Titty Remit or whatever it was called. Reminds me of a great holiday in Newquay Cornwall when that song was in the charts. So a great song and part of my musical formitive years. As regards other Tina Turner stuff well it’s a big turn off for me. Cannot deny that she has one of the strongest, best and recognisable voices ever and deserves all the plaudits for that. But her musical output does not do anything for me at all. Know most of the songs on this album partly because you cannot avoid hearing them. If not on the radio but when at wedding evening do’s or Christmas party’s. But her records are nowhere near my collection apart from that song about a little old town in Tennessee. The nice little kitty on the cover is the best thing for me about this album. 2/5 3/10/24

The Stranger

Billy Joel

2/5

Billy Joel has always been on the edge of my consciousness but never taken much notice apart from a slight recognition of his biggest hits. There’s one or two of them on this album and cannot deny that they are good memorable pop songs. First time then that I have sat down and seriously listened. I was pleasantly surprised. An enjoyable listen although unlikely to go out and buy any Billy Joel albums. 2/5 4/10/24

Honky Tonk Masquerade

Joe Ely

1/5

Would like this if doing a road trip across America, stopping at a roadside bar, dusty and rolling tumble weed, when ordering ice cool beer someone slips a dime into the juke box and this music comes on. But none of that is true and in my world C&W has no relevance at all. 1/5 5/10/24

Want One

Rufus Wainwright

3/5

I’ve picked up a few Rufus Wainwright CD’s cheap whilst seeking them out at charity shops. Not because I’m a big fan but more because I occasionally catch his songs on the radio and enjoy listening to them. Haven’t got this CD and don’t think I’ve heard any of the songs before. Some nicely produced tunes with a lot of good orchestration which always appeals to me. Problem is after a few tracks I do tire of Rufus’s voice so I did a bit of skipping. The CD’s I have of his sit amongst my library on Roon so when I play track shuffle I just get the odd Rufus track every now and then which is just about as much as I can take but always a welcome interlude. 2.5/5 6/10/24

All Directions

The Temptations

4/5

As I have said many times now Soul music was never my thing and the only time I would hear back in the day was at the local Mecca. But I was very pleasantly surprised by this album. I never knew that there was an extended version of Papa Was A Rollin’Stone and what a brilliant song and recording it is. This is worth the cost of the album alone and will go on my list. I listened on Tidal hi-res stream and the sound of the recording is excellent. Luxurious deep clear sounding. A lovely record to curl up to as I did on a dark autumn evening with the lights down. List come up trumps again with a revelation. 4/5 7/10/24

Giant Steps

The Boo Radleys

2/5

Another album in the why the heck is it on this list category. Even for 1993 it offered nothing more than their contemporaries had done before and after and a whole lot better. Also another example that when released it was boom time for the CD so bands were filling up the available extra time with sub standard filler tracks. This album would have been better if restricted to the 35 to 40 minute mark. 2/5 8/10/24

Morrison Hotel

The Doors

3/5

As I’ve mentioned before Doors were never a favourite band of mine but cannot deny The Doors were big and deserving to be on this list. Having said that now I have listened today to this album I quite liked it. Not remarkable for me but appreciate why millions would and did rate it. 3/5 9/10/24

Little Earthquakes

Tori Amos

5/5

I’ve always been aware of Tori Amos throughout the years. I’m a big Kate Bush fan so that was the obvious attraction. I did dip in and dip out of her music but much to my detriment I never gave it chance and regarded her as a second rate Kate Bush. It was only in the last two years when I began to move away from streaming to buying physical media again that i began to pick up Tori Amos CD’s at charity shops. It was this album that really cemented my appreciation of Tori and as a result of buying this album I made it my objective to purchase all of her studio albums which I now have done. I am now a massive Tori Amos convert. To say that this album was her first it is testament to what a wonderful talent she is. As I have already done and many others do Kate Bush is always mentioned in the same breath has Tori Amos. Kate is often applauded for her first album The Kick Inside but I would say that Little Earthquakes is a much stronger debut than that. To get one up on Kate Bush deserves top marks which I am happy to give it. My one regret is that I turned my nose up at Tori Amos for too long but now I am working hard to make amends. 5/5 10/10/24

The Velvet Underground

3/5

Another band I never took much notice of at the time. I knew of the banana album with Nico but nothing more than that but decided recently that as a collector I should have the banana album in my collection due to its iconic status. So i wasn’t has dismissive if this album as I might have been a few years ago. All in all a good collection of songs which I am sorry to have missed first time around. So another thumbs up to an album I would have had no knowledge of if it wasn’t for this list. 3/5 11/10/24

James Brown Live At The Apollo

James Brown

2/5

This stirs the argument again of whether live albums should be included on this list. This one has a a bit too much whooping and hollowing for my liking which detracts from the actual merit of the music. James Brown is a well loved and respected musician and rightly given the title Godfather of Soul. That said he has never made an impression on my musical taste buds. I admire this album from afar but like James Brown himself and despite his exceptional talent, does nothing for me. 2/5 12/10/24

Nilsson Schmilsson

Harry Nilsson

3/5

I only listened to this album the other day on the occasion of what would have been my 50th wedding anniversary to with my first wife. Not that I think of her a lot but she came into my mind on this significant day. Reason was that the album contained ‘our song’ Without You. Turns out that I could live without her so for me the song has not aged well. But it is a good song. I obviously bought the album on vinyl 50 years ago and I remember then that my valuation of it was that apart from that one song there was nothing of interest elsewhere so it rarely got played. Listening again brought nothing new so my evaluation of it has not changed. So it will be again stored somewhere in the back of my brain until I might be lucky enough to get to the 60 years mark when I can imagine playing the album again on receipt of the telegram from The King. As my life has progressed this will be the nearest I get to that moment in reality. So that deserves a higher rating than perhaps the album itself deserves. 3/5 13/10/24

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme

Simon & Garfunkel

5/5

For me the least known S&G album but all the tracks are all familiar to me. The only problem with the album is that it is way too short. S&G can do no wrong for me and I consider them to be exceptional musicians and responsible for composing and singing some of best songs making up the soundtrack of my life. None of the tracks on this album make that soundtrack but all come pretty close and are certainly a foretaste of the magnificence to come. 5/5 14/10/24

In Our Heads

Hot Chip

3/5

Have kept hearing this band on the radio but never took much notice or interest in their music. DJ’ing club type music not my bag at all. However did stream this album at lunchtime. Might say everything that I fell asleep before the end of track 1 only to be woken by my son coming into the room and asking “why are you listening to this dad?” He was obviously surprised by my choice of music. He was wanting to watch an episode of Brassic so was banished elsewhere. I went without telling him that I wasn’t listening for the good of my health but because I had signed myself up to this bloody musical quest. Question was did my son’s intervention save me from further abuse to my ear lugs? Well no I did later give it another go but this time listening through my AirPods Pro rather than speakers. Listening on headphones brought out the production value of the album and I must say I was quite surprised. Sometimes albums benefit from headphone listening and this is one of them. Did not go to sleep this time but instead spent an enjoyable hour identifying and following the various electronic sounds whizzing around my head. So intrigued was I that I went onto Apple Music hoping that there might be a spatial sound version on there. But there wasn’t and in fact the Tidal version I was initially listening to sounded a lot better. Underpinning a lot of the tracks are some lovely melodies which I am sure if I listened long enough would become pleasant ear worms. Not an album I will buy at my local HMV but one I will look out for on Music Magpie. So an album which at lunchtime was a 1 but managed to sneak up to a very good 3 as illustrated by my review written over the course of today. 3/5 15/10/24

A Girl Called Dusty

Dusty Springfield

3/5

When I began to get into music in the early 60’s I had to be very selective about when and which album or single to buy. Money from a paper round and the odd 2/6d birthday money didn’t go far. Listening to this album today reminded me that at that time there was a series of albums featuring all the chart hits at the time. Not by the original artists but by session musicians and they were very close to the originals. From memory I think they were all called Top of the Pops and featured a bikini clad lady on the front. I bought one of these albums and my favourite track happened to be a cover of Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want To Be With You” which is from this album. That track was on constant replay so the song is permanently imprinted in my brain. Other than that I had no further involvement with Dusty other than she appeared a lot on TV and had a hit with the Pet Shop Boys. I appreciated her vocal talents which is an understatement because perhaps she had one of the finest female voices in pop and soul. It wasn’t until recently when I have become reflective of all the music I may have missed because I was too busy with life, that I picked up a Dusty Springfield greatest hits CD at a charity shop. Thanks to that I am very familiar with mist of the songs on A Girl Called Dusty and I can now really appreciate what a talent she was. A good album. Note to self - Wiki states that the Top of The Pops series didn’t begin until 1968 so there must have been another similar series of covers around 1964 the date of this album’s release. Wonder what happened to that album as it’s no longer in my collection? 3/5 16/10/24

Vulnicura

Björk

4/5

Bjork is an artist who fascinates me and who I have tried and tried to get into over the years. I was’t expecting this one on the list as I know two earlier albums are on it. In my attempts to see the light I have bought a few of her albums including this one. This and her next Utopia (discounting the different versions of Vulnicura) I bought on vinyl second hand but in immaculate condition. The record shop manager told me that he had bought them from someone who apparently struggles like me with Bjork. So a very common theme and I suspect that Bjork herself would approve of the reaction to her music which she gets. I actually think that this album and certainly Utopia are a lot more accessible than some of her earlier stuff. I do play these albums more than anything else of hers. The problem I have with Bjork is that I love a melodic song and she often comes up trumps and traps you momentarily before she goes off in a direction I don’t want her to go. So I can listen to half of her albums quite happily but a full album listen is not for the faint hearted and very much a challenge. But as I say I can normally better that with this album and get to the second side before I crave for something more normal. Bjork is out there on her own and trying something new every album. For that reason I applaud her and long may she continue. And who knows one day she will serve up an album full of beautiful melodies but I doubt it. The other versions I talk about with strings and live are well worth a listen and stand out on their own. 4/5 17/10/24

Maggot Brain

Funkadelic

3/5

Looks and album titles can be deceptive. As illustrated here. One look at this album and I wasn’t looking forward to it. But what a great guitar solo to start it all off. Not what I’d expect on a funk album and it wouldn’t have sounded out of place on one or two of my prized harder sounding prog rock albums. Well produced sound as well. Guitar echos bouncing from my speakers to every corner of my lounge. This was 10 in the morning so what it’ll sound like at night after a few beers?? That first track was perhaps the highlight (so much so that I bookmarked it as a favourite) as it soon reverted to what I expected and a funk sound which does not do it for me. But then Super Stupid came along and I could have been listening to Hendrix. Wiki dares to state that at times tracks on the album bettered Hendrix. Wouldn’t go that far but a great effort as regards that one track. The long last track, Wars of Armageddon I was expecting another great guitar solo but it turned out to be an overlong jam. But that great first track really made this album and worth the entrance price alone. Cover art was intriguing. Was that a head of someone buried whose brain had been infested with maggots or just a carelessly discarded head? Either way not worth pondering too long at 10am. 3/5 18/10/24

The Soft Bulletin

The Flaming Lips

3/5

I’ve mentioned before that The Flaming Lips are really a group I should listen to more but I’ve never happened to come across any of their music to keep me captivated. But this one did the trick. Loved mostly the lush and moving orchestral interludes and some nice melodies. The one thing which prevents total devotion is Wayne Coyne’s voice. I just don’t like it at all. As I say the music behind the voice is good but that voice! Would probably appeal to me more if there was a female singer. But that won’t happen so it is what it is. Not a bad album by any stretch and I would be glad to hear it, as I seem to do often, stream on an algorithmic shuffle. 3/5 19/10/24

John Prine

1/5

Not a Country music lover at all and this album did nothing to change that point of view. A genre I will never play and even avoid. My lack of Country music knowledge means that I cannot make a judgement on the actual quality of the music and where it stands compared to similar albums. I therefore go with my gut to say it’s a big miss from me. 1/5 20/10/24

At Mister Kelly's

Sarah Vaughan

3/5

I’m OK with all the 1950 albums this list generates partly because it was the decade I was born and there might be some hidden gems i don’t know about. That is true in one or two of the albums so far generated but the rest seem to be live recordings. I would say that the ratio of live albums from the 1950’s seems higher than other decades as there are fewer albums from the 50’s. Anyway putting that to one side and the argument about the validity of live recordings on this list at all, I did listen and quite enjoyed this album. Sarah Vaughan is someone I know very little about but these songs were vaguely familiar as many were sung by my dad when he was shaving in the morning. Not good at the time (as I was still trying to sleep) but anything now to remind me of my dad is very welcome. 2.5/5 21/10/24

Darklands

The Jesus And Mary Chain

1/5

Can’t see how this is a groundbreaking album of note. Just normal stuff I’ve heard a million times before. There are at least 1001 albums better than this. 1/5 22/10/72

American Pie

Don McLean

5/5

Is American Pie the most famous song in the world? It’s the only one I can sing in the shower word perfect from beginning to end. I think this is some feat given its length. The only song of that length which comes close to a perfect singalong is Stairway To Heaven, another song of similar stature, but I have to confess I do fumble the words when I get to verse 6. It is of course also a great drinking song and I can look back fondly on those drunken nights, lads together, arms around shoulders, bellowing out the lyrics at the top of our voices. The album also features Vincent which is another great song. Not in the same league as American Pie but a lovely gentle reflective song which you can relate to a lot of events happening in your life. Then there is the rest of the album. I bet I’m not alone when I say all the other songs are relatively unknown to me. This is not to my credit. I have the two aforementioned songs on various greatest hits CD’s so I never bothered to buy the album. I have listened to it in full before but it never made a mark with me. Today was different and I listened to it skipping the two big hits, to assess if I would buy the album in that format. My answer is yes I would. Some good songs which In their own right stand up but obviously have suffered because of the magnitude of the big two. This is an iconic album deserving of its place on the list because of its title song alone but worthy of merit for the quality of the supporting songs. An album which should have been in my collection long ago. A serious wrong which I will soon put right. 5/5 23/10/24

Penance Soiree

The Icarus Line

1/5

This ain’t music. Good music is produced by people who have talent, expertise and able to demonstrate this either live or on record. Any music lover should at least appreciate all forms of music even when it is not to their own personal taste. I struggle to find anything on this album which ticks the aforementioned boxes. It what circumstances and surroundings would you actually put this album on and listen to it? To sit and listen left me feeling uncomfortable and stressed. It’s not anything you could have on in the background when doing other tasks as you may as well have the sound of a pneumatic drill coming out of the speakers. The structure and constant time changes make it impossible to sing along with. Maybe this is what the Icarus boys wanted to achieve in the name of art maaan! More worryingly I wondered how the experts compiling this list came up with this choice so I consulted the entry in the book. “The perfect punk statement”. “Huge sonic step forward” lyrics of “Insightful tales of gutter living” are just some of the platitudes. Really? Anyhow why should I care? Never heard of this combo before and whilst I got a bit cross that it was ever thought good enough to go on this list I will never give them another thought and delete the tracks I played so that my streaming algorithm doesn’t get the wrong idea. 1/5 24/10/24

Hotel California

Eagles

4/5

It was only two days ago that I was served up the American Pie album and I suggested that the title track was one of the most famous songs ever. Then today I get Hotel California and it could be argued that this albums title track is equally popular. There can’t be many who don’t know this song. My own personal view of the album is that I never liked it enough to go out and buy on release but as time as passed by I have begun to appreciate its worth and I have since purchased it. No self respecting record collection should be without this album given its now iconic standing and the fact it is one of the best selling ever. Having said that it’s not an album I ever reach for in its own right but happy to hear tracks randomly on shuffle. When I hear the title track, which is often, I now always relate it to the UK’s Brexit problem. “You can check out anytime but you can never leave” I also think that those immortal lyrics can be applied to a lot of other life situations but unlike American Pie those are the only lyrics I immediately recall so on that basis alone when considering the battle of the Dons it is McLean who beats Henley. 4/5 25/10/24

m b v

My Bloody Valentine

1/5

Ahh the Shoegazing genre. Never heard of it until I started on this list but well acquainted with it now. Actually I’m a bit of a shoeqazer myself. This is restricted to toiling up English Lake District mountains where steep ascents mean watching your feet plod steadfastly along. This is always done with AirPods in ears listening to my favourite combo’s and every so often averting my eyes from shoes and lifting my head up to enjoy the marvellous vista’s in every direction. Now I’m sure that these shoegazing pursuits will never involve this album. In fact the thought of this album accompanying me up the fair slopes of Harrison Stickle would besmirch the loveliness of that mountain. I know that this review does nothing in accessing the worthiness or otherwise of this album but the fact that it has nothing of merit gave me chance to wax lyrical about something of much more importance. Hill walking with for instance Pink Floyd, now you’re talking. I’d only take this album with me to dump in Mount Doom. 1/5 26/10/24

The Trinity Session

Cowboy Junkies

3/5

Heard of the Cowboy Junkies but never listened to them so this was a complete new experience for me. Not exactly what I expected. Some tracks very good others a bit meh. Nice touch to record the album live around just one microphone. Despite that a very nice sounding album which captures the intimacy of the session. Not an album I would rush to listen to again but another album I can add to my 1001 discovery list. 3/5 27/10/24

Channel Orange

Frank Ocean

1/5

My 300th album! Don’t let the existence of this album distract you from the fact that there are 49million kangaroos in Australia and 3.5 million people in Uruguay which means if the kangaroos were to invade Uruguay, each person would have to fight 14 kangaroos. 1/5 28/10/24

System Of A Down

1/5

I often think that I was born a bit too early to like this really heavy thrash metal stuff. When I was in my mid teens I couldn’t get enough of the heavy rock groups who were around then. Deep Purple in particular. But I cannot think of any bands around then who played rock at this speed and intensity and who would have made Purple look like pussy cats. If there had been I’m sure that I would’ve gone for them wholeheartedly and the hearing loss I now suffer as a result of placing my head between two speakers, on at full pelt and headphone style, would have been a whole lot worse. As it is, when I did eventually get to hear stuff like this album my musical tastes had gone off in another direction and I discounted it like I do now has horrible noise. I struggle to think of any circumstances when, where, how and why it would be a joyful experience to listen to this album. But then I’m probably forgetting my time as a spotty faced teenager in my bedroom with my mum at the bottom of the stairs shouting at me to turn my music down. That was then but this is now and today’s listen wasn’t a very pleasant one at all. 1/5 29/10/24

Hot Buttered Soul

Isaac Hayes

2/5

With it being Halloween season was not surprised when I opened today’s selection and saw the album cover. Took me a few seconds to realise that it was not a pumpkin but a bald bonce belong to Isaac Hayes. This would have been an album I would have avoided at time of release but reading the albums Wiki page I was encouraged not to dismiss it now out of hand. And I must say I was at least 50% surprised. The two long tracks were particularly good and appealing mainly due to their orchestration and the way the tracks built towards a dramatic end. Both those I have favourited for future listening but as for the rest and the album as a whole I won’t bother revisiting. 2.5/5 30/10/24

Gentlemen

The Afghan Whigs

1/5

Leaving the music to one side for a moment because it’s not worth talking about at all, The Afghan Whigs is a very interesting name for a band. The Whigs were a political party from the 1600’s who were the forerunners to the UK Conservative (Tory) party. If I were to think of a more polar opposite to pair Whig with I doubt I would come up with Afghan. If this was the intention of the band then I applaud them come coming up with such a dichotomous name. The last time I checked Afghanistan was ruled by the Taliban and were even a thing in the 1990’s when this album was released. The Whigs and Taliban are very strange bedfellows which brings me to my second point. Are those images on the album cover young children in bed? In this day and age I’m a little surprised the album cover still appears in its original form. Might be me but this was the first thing I thought of when I saw the cover. I gather the cover is based on a photo entitled Nan and Brian in bed which does have sexual connotation’s. That in itself is enough for me to boycott this album and I have no interest whatsoever in the music. 1/5 31/10/24

Machine Head

Deep Purple

5/5

After four 1 star reviews in the last week this album is a breath of fresh air and very welcome break from the dross I’ve been served up. In their early days and from the time this album was a product of, I was a big Purple fan. Having said that this is probably my least favourite album from that era. Their other albums from that period contain a lot more decent tracks than the ones making up this album. Machinehead benefits from containing what is arguably Purples most famous track, Smoke On The Water. The riff of that track is instantly recognisable and again arguably one of the top guitar riffs ever. Inclusion of that track alone makes this a five star album but it is admirably backed up with two other gold standard tracks Highway Star and Space Trucin’. Beyond that though for me the standard of the tracks are not top Deep Purple fayre but enough for me to give it its obligatory 5 stars. 5/5 1/11/24

Elephant

The White Stripes

4/5

Yesterday I got an album which I said contained one of the most instantly recognisable guitar rifts ever. That was Smoke On The Water but the big track on this album, Seven Nation Army arguably trancends that. I was a late convert to White Stripes and only got into them by seeing them perform on television. I was intrigued on how a duo managed to make such a big sound. I own this album having bought it on the strength of seeing them on TV and wanting to investigate further. I now love the White Stripes and this album is perhaps my favourite. Only caveat is that I need to be in a loud music mood to listen to them. But when the mood hits this is a fine album to spin. 4/5 2/11/24

The Age Of The Understatement

The Last Shadow Puppets

4/5

I remember buying this album on CD in a sale. It was more a punt rather than a must have largely down to its cheap price. I’ve found that the more I have listened and got used to it the more I like it. My son who is a big Arctic Monkeys fan heard a track from the album which had randomly come up on a shuffle play. He thought I was playing an unknown Monkeys track which told me where the biggest influence on this album came from. A good album which I’m glad is in my collection and as a bonus at a bargain price. 4/5 3/11/24

Dummy

Portishead

3/5

This album came out without me taking too much notice but I was aware that it quickly gained a lot of media attention and acclaim. Because of this I thought that I should give the album a listen but never got around to it. So Portishead for me remained a signpost on the M5 which I used to see on my way to Cornwall. I gather the name came about as they largely originated from the Portishead area. A good name but a good job they weren’t from the Ramsbottom area of Lancashire. The album has reached so much notoriety, as illustrated that it’s on this list, that I recently bought the album cheap at a charity shop. To my disgrace to some I suppose this was the first time I had listened to it in full. My honest conclusion is that I don’t think I have wasted the years this album was not in my collection. The overriding feel of the album is spaced out hip hop James Bond theme music. So not to my liking but it has allowed me to become aware of the lead singer Beth Gibbons. She has released a corker of an album in 2024 called Lives Outgrown so that is something in Dummy’s favour but little else. 2.5/5 4/11/24

Bitches Brew

Miles Davis

4/5

My third Miles Davis album and perhaps his most popular. As I have said before Jazz was never my favourite genre but the albums by Miles Davis on this list are largely responsible for me appreciating it a lot more. I have bought the CD version of this album and happy to listen to it anytime. It is a challenge to listen to in full from start to finish but if you pick any one of the longer tracks this is just enough to give you as entertaining jazz fix. It’s fully deserving to be on this list and as it’s described as one of the greatest jazz albums ever, a must have in my own collection.. 4/5 5/11/24

Here, My Dear

Marvin Gaye

1/5

Over 300 albums in and I see that Marvin Gaye is recorded as the only controversial artist I have by the 1001 Gods. 5 stars for What’s Going On but only 1 for Let’s Get It On. Retrospectively I think I was a bit harsh with Let’s Get It On having appeared early on before I got a fair and constant marking system clear in my head. More so now that this album appeared today. Compared to Let’s Get It On this album would go into negative rating territory if there was such a thing. I don’t doubt at all the talent Marvin Gaye had but this album to me is same old same old and sent me to sleep. The only good thing about it is that it reminded me to listen again to What’s Going On and wonder why I gave that 5 stars. And I also wonder by giving this a 1 Marvin will no longer be controversial to me. In my head he never was but I don’t argue with the 1001 Gods. 1/5 6/11/24

The Notorious Byrd Brothers

The Byrds

4/5

An album which I was not familiar with but once listened to contains a lot of familiar songs. All standard 1960’s fayre which for a chap my age creates a lot of nostalgia. Pick of the bunch must be Wasn’t Born To Follow, one of the standout songs from the soundtrack of Easy Rider. An iconic film of the time and which spoke to my generation even here in the UK. For this reason that soundtrack should be on this list but as it’s a compilation of various artists it is not. It is also hard to find now but there are plenty of playlists compiled by enthusiasts like me, on the streaming platform’s, which you need to listen to. This is a very good album. There’s quite a bit of phasing technique’s going off which certainly puts this album in the 1960’s but that is not to its detriment. A very enjoyable discovery and an album I will return to. 4/5 7/11/24

The White Album

Beatles

5/5

Another album I don’t need to listen to I know it so well. I am the proud owner of the original release. With a number embossed on front, poster and four Beatle portraits each with drawing pin holes in the corners as evidence that they were on my bedroom wall until I left home. Constant playing on a Dansette record player means that this original copy is not in the best of health but nevertheless a very cherished possession. I have since bought the album a number of times on CD and vinyl as a mark of how much I value and treasure this album. It does contain some of the best and worst Beatle songs but the good outweighs the bad. When I say bad this is probably restricted to Revolution 9 which as a teenage boy I never got. My dislike of this explains the loud click and jump at the beginning of Goodnight caused by the Dansette needle plonking down repeatedly when I skipped this track on my original disc. Nowadays I have warmed towards Revolution 9. Not as a song but more of a historical statement made at the time. Given that I have now moved on from a Dansette to higher end hifi gear I hear different things every time I sit through the track which is probably The Beatles intention from the start. As for the good Dear Prudence, While my Guitar etc, Piggies, Mother Natures Son, I’m So Tired and Yer Blues are the outstanding highlights for me. Some of the finest Beatle tunes ever. Also it is a family tradition now to play Birthday for everyone on their birthday morning. Although now older my son does not always appreciate this if celebrating his birthday the night before but admits he would miss this annual event. One of my top ten ever albums 5/5 8/11/24 Addit- just as I finished typing the last couple of minutes of Helter Skelter came on. Bloomin’ ummer’s is there ever a better ending to a song ? And then “I’ve got blisters in me fingers!!!” Followed by Long Long Long. How many times have I sang that in my head and dedicated it to a lost love? Add them to the good ‘uns above.

Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago

3/5

I’d forgotten and had to check but I have the 7” single I’m A Man taken from this album. That also brought me back to the reason I bought it. When I was a Cadet in Wakefield back in 1970 this was a record my mates and me would constantly play on a juke box in a Wakefield pub. It had all the necessary components that young teenage lads would have liked then. Good riff, long drum solo, crunching guitars etc. it was also over 7 minutes long so good jukebox value. So good to hear this track again and whilst doing so I delved into my memory and realised that I did try to get into Chicago at that time but eventually gave up on them as they were a bit jazzy for my tastes. Whilst my indifference to jazz has now changed to an acceptance, the type of jazz I now like does to run to that which Chicago turn out. It was good to hear this album and the fact that it rekindled forgotten good time memories. 3/5 9/11/24

Welcome to the Afterfuture

Mike Ladd

2/5

I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Not the normal hip hop rap I normally hate. Don’t get me wrong not an album I could cherish or love in any way but some of the musical arrangements and assorted genres used or very interesting. These are spoilt of course by the vocals and lyrics. Glad I’ve heard it and can now associate something if Mike Ladd comes onto my radar again. But I’d prefer it if Mr Ladd left me in peace in future. 2/5 10/11/24

Music for the Masses

Depeche Mode

3/5

Not a favourite band but one I am aware of but never bought any of their music. Certainly back in the 80’s their music was everywhere so when I listened to this quite a few tracks were familiar. This is music of its time so from a nostalgia point of view nice to reminisce again. Trouble is after a few tracks they all seemed to merge into each other and began to sound the same. A problem music of this type seems to share. I blame electronic drums and the constant beat uninterrupted by a human putting his/ her style upon it. That said this album is a good example of what was happening in the late 80’s and better presented than a lot of other bands around at the same time churning out similar stuff. 3/5 11/11/24

Whatever

Aimee Mann

2/5

I bought this album as a punt cheap at a record store sale. Had never heard of Aimee Mann but the cover attracted me for some reason. Probably thought she was a bit like Alanis Morissette and that rebellious female rock stuff that was around at the time. It turned out to be money wasted as although Aimee might have thought she was like the Alanis set, she was a lot lot more MOR. Got rid of this CD and never expected to hear the album again so was surprised that it turned up on this list. Listening through the album again confirms that my initial view of it stands firm and there is nothing here to interest me. 2/5 12/11/24

Let It Bleed

The Rolling Stones

3/5

I was never a great Rolling Stones fan. In my age group there was Sones v Beatles debate and I came firmly down in the Beatles camp. Whilst there were Stones tracks which I really liked I never bought any of their music apart from a greatest hits CD. That is until recently when I have become a music collector again and deciding that in addition to my all time favourite albums I also need to include classic albums not necessarily to my taste. So it was only in the last month that I obtained this very album for it to become my first purely Stones album I have ever owned. This was not by choice. Rather than Qobuz began to offer HiRes DSD downloads for the first time. The catalogue they were offering was very limited but Let It Bleed was included and appeared to be the best choice. So I have listened to this album quite a bit even before it appeared on this list. The DSD version is something to behold and sounds out of this world. But I don’t want that to cloud my judgement as any old bit of Muzak would sound fantastic given the DSD treatment. For my tastes 50% of the album is good. Gimme Shelter and YCAGWYW speak for themselves and are classic tracks. The title track and Monkey Man are also good standouts. The rest are OK and instantly recognisable has Stones tracks but for the reasons which I must have formulated when I went for The Beatles all those years ago I can take or leave. 3/5 13/11/24

Winter In America

Gil Scott-Heron

3/5

Album Review: Winter in America by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson Winter in America, released in 1974, is one of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s most essential and moving works, blending socially charged poetry with soulful, jazz-inspired sounds. This album stands out in Scott-Heron’s discography for its powerful lyrics and atmospheric instrumentals, which capture the mood of a country in turmoil. Strengths: One of the album’s greatest strengths lies in its bold social commentary. Scott-Heron’s lyrics address political disillusionment, racism, and urban decay, offering listeners an honest and sometimes bleak look at life in America. Songs like “The Bottle,” with its infectious rhythm and searing critique of addiction and poverty, became an underground hit and an anthem of protest for many listeners. Meanwhile, tracks like “Peace Go With You, Brother” and “Your Daddy Loves You” show a more introspective, compassionate side, balancing the album with warmth and hope. The collaboration between Scott-Heron and Jackson is seamless, and the album’s production values reflect their shared vision. Jackson’s soulful flute and piano complement Scott-Heron’s rich, resonant voice, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape that underscores the themes of social hardship and resilience. The fusion of jazz, blues, and spoken word makes this album unique and immersive, drawing listeners into a world that feels simultaneously timeless and urgent. Limitations: However, Winter in America might not appeal to everyone. Its emphasis on social issues and the sometimes dark, introspective nature of the lyrics might feel heavy for listeners seeking lighter themes. Additionally, some might find the production slightly dated, as it carries the lo-fi quality characteristic of 1970s independent records. Final Verdict: Winter in America is a landmark album that encapsulates Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s musical and social legacy. It’s a must-listen for fans of socially conscious music and those interested in the roots of hip-hop, as Scott-Heron’s work laid the foundation for later generations of politically-minded artists. The album remains relevant today, resonating with ongoing struggles and triumphs in society. Winter in America is not just a listening experience but a statement, asking listeners to reflect on the state of the world while celebrating resilience, community, and hope. Today I’ve been playing with the new Apple AI intelligence whilst listening to this album. Can you tell? 3/5 14/11/24

Fear Of A Black Planet

Public Enemy

1/5

Best thing I can say about this album is that compared to other hiperty hoperty (c)rap music I’ve so far (too much) been served up there’s hardly any horrible gangster speak, glorification of guns and knives, misogyny etc. Apart from a track title little use of the N word as well which is another small blessing. Other than that I struggle to say anything positive but realise as I have said many times this music was never made for me in mind and perhaps it was made to make people like me react as I do. If so very well done 😉 1/5 15/11/24

Led Zeppelin

5/5

This is one of my top albums. I didn’t buy it on release but probably like a lot more after the more commercial Led Zep 2 album (I refer to my review on 29\7\24 of that masterpiece) I quickly added it to my collection. I am almost certain that I bought this on my way home from Wakefield after my first job interview. As when I play the album it takes me back to standing suited and booted in Georges Square, Halifax waiting for a bus home so I could play the record asap. This is a lot more bluesy than their second album so has a young lad it took me a bit longer to get into it. But when it did if push came to shove I would say that this is their best album. There may better songs on later albums but has a collection of good songs from start to finish this album takes it. There just isn’t a bad song on it. If I were to pick a track above them all then How Many More Times would top the list. I love the pounding riff throughout and for me Jimmy Page’s guitar solo prior to “I was a young man, I couldn’t resist” is one of the best ever guitar moments for me. The way it returns to the mighty riff by way of “Cos I’ve got you in the sights of my gun”- is something to behold and an hair standing on the back of your head moment. This is an album I still play a lot. I see that younger reviewers describe the album as Dad Rock which I can see but I feel so sorry for these youngsters that they were not about at this time to witness and experience the excitement of this and dozens of other masterpiece albums released at this time. If they had have been then they would truly appreciate and cherish this record. 5/5 16/11/24

I’m a Lonesome Fugitive

Merle Haggard

1/5

I don’t like Country music and I didn’t like this album. But whilst listening I thought to myself that this music could not originate from anywhere else other than the USA. This type and style of music could not be from anywhere else in the world which made me think of how it originated anywhere but there. I can hear no influences at all from what I understand to be native Americans or any of the hundreds if not thousands of different nationalities who emigrated to America. There are other types of music which have their roots in America and I can hear the influence of other cultures. I’m thinking here of soul music and the influence of black Americans but Country music as far as I can tell is firmly in the domain of white Americans and so must have their roots in the founding fathers who in turn originated from Europe. This is my point. How can European musical dna go down two widely different paths? English folk music was about in pilgrim times so I assume it continued to be sung on those cold Newfoundland winter nights. Or perhaps they weren’t due to strict Puritan values? Maybe English folk music was looked upon as the work of the devil and anyone whistling hey nonny nonny no down the street had seven bells kicked out of them in the puritan pursuit of discouraging immorality and other sinful activities. So it gave birth to this clean cut inoffensive wholesome music we now call Country. So I blame the bloody puritans for this album. 1/5 17/11/24

The Doors

3/5

This album features for me one of my whole time keyboard moments ever on Light My Fire. The keyboard solo in the middle of that track is just sublime and the guitar solo ain’t bad either. It was sacrilege to cut these from the single version. I also love the first few minutes of The End before it goes a bit weird. The rest of the album is standard Doors fodder. OK but not great. But this is the Doors and Jim Morrison so deserves the accolades it gets. 3/5 18/11/24

Coles Corner

Richard Hawley

3/5

Richard Hawley has two things in his favour. Firstly he’s from Gods own County Yorkshire and secondly both Guy Garvey and Jarvis Cocker rate him. However, he’s from the wrong side of Yorkshire and supports Sheffield Wednesday. Musically I must admit my only experience of Mr Hawley is via Guy and Jarvis playing his music a lot on their radio shows. I always thought he had a very distinctive voice and different from the mainstream but never heard anything he produced which would induce me to buy any of his music. This album was an interesting listen and an admirable attempt at a crooners album. His voice does lend itself to this type of music but I cannot help but think it could be better deployed with some really heavy rock sounds complementing those very low and dulcet tones. However his Yorkshire deity wins through here. Flat caps, whippets, stinginess and racing pigeons and any other stereotype the rest of the Country throw at us make us unique. 3/5 (because Wednesday will donate 6 points to Leeds this season) 19/11/24

Peace Sells...But Who's Buying

Megadeth

1/5

Well I’d buy a bit of peace from this album. 1/5 20/11/24

Chore of Enchantment

Giant Sand

2/5

Never heard of this guy so was interested in listening to something new. It’s difficult to categorise this album. Some good music arrangements but soon tired of the talking monotonous vocals. Not certain why or how this album made the list. Not so much an enhantment but more of a chore. 2/5 21/11/24

Surfer Rosa

Pixies

2/5

Pixies are a group I know little of or have any inclination towards. In fact the only time previously they came on my radar was a couple of months ago when they appeared on my 1001 list. Didn’t like that album and like this one less. As I said then not a complete musical disaster (allowing that a lot of folks do like them but not me) but nothing which lubricates my girth. 2/5 22/11/24

The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground

3/5

One of the most iconic album covers ever and an album which has also become iconic over the years. This album appeared in my youth but as it was American it made no immediate impression on me. But as the years progressed and Lou Reed and Nico became more famous so did the standing of this album. Even then and having listened I was never totally sold on it. More recently I did change my view on it and actually purchased it as really for a music collector it is a must have album. Best bits are those involving Nico who I have gone on to seek out her music. Love her doom laden voice which is unlike anyone else and instantly recognisable. 3/5 23/11/24

Rip It Up

Orange Juice

1/5

My ex wife liked this lot so what do you expect? 1/5 24/11/24

Paul's Boutique

Beastie Boys

1/5

I’m surprised Beastie Boys are not on my controversial list. I hated III Communication but quite liked Licensed to III. Both these appeared on my list at the beginning of this year and at the start of my 1001 quest. Unfortunately this album reverted me back to what I originally thought of them. I never knew of this album and now really need to forget it. 1/5 25/11/24

Isn't Anything

My Bloody Valentine

2/5

Like ambient music but this is too harsh on the ears

The Modern Lovers

2/5

Now I know where Roadrunner is from and that the original was not by the Sex Pistols. Apart from that track nothing here to inspire me.

Public Image: First Issue

Public Image Ltd.

2/5

In common with the albums which were to follow I find this album is largely unlistenable apart from the single Public Image which is probably an insight into what the Sex Pistols may have become. The Religion tracks I find offensive. So anyone thinking that PIL have musical value and groundbrreaking are in my view delusional and have been taken in by John Lydon’s sneering remark and his nod to the truth when he said ‘Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated? ” I think that this is his intention all along to see how much he can get away with and how gullible we all are. That said as the years have progressed I have warmed towards John who has become very much a national treasure. But this cannot take away from the fact that this album is an absolute disgrace and an abortion. 2 (only because of the Public Image Track)/5 28/11/24

So

Peter Gabriel

5/5

This is an all time classic but in common with most PG albums for my own tastes there are really exceptional tracks which rank in my all time favourites but also tracks which I can take and mostly leave. This album is perhaps the best example of that. Red Rain, Don’t Give Up, In your eyes and Mercy Street are off the scale and beyond outstanding tracks which I could listen to on repeat all day. But then there’s Sledgehammer and Big Time. These are two of the biggest hits off this album but leave me absolutely cold. Despite the existence of these lesser tracks there is still more than enough to make this album a notable must have classic made by one of the most talented songwriters and performers of the last 50 years. Maybe he intended his albums to appeal to all tastes so that there is something in them for everyone which if true is again a measure of his talent. This trait continued in his subsequent albums. With the advent of easily made up playlists I believe that I have compiled for myself the perfect Peter Gabriel album spanning his post Genesis career right up to his recent album IO. But that is the abnomaly. IO is perfection in every track. Thought I’d say that because IO is unlikely to feature on this list until maybe the next revision? But I have it pencilled in as a possible 1001 ending choice. 5/5 29/11/24

I See You

The xx

3/5

The XX have always been on the edge of my musical consciousness. I was aware of them when they first appeared on tv music shows and charted. I liked the vocal style with the interchange of two different singers along with some distinctive guitar playing. I have their first two albums on CD bought fairly recently cheap at charity shops. I just digitised them for random playback without really taking the time to listen to the albums from start to finish. If I’m honest I would struggle to name a single track. This album is in the same mould as the ones I have so didn’t offer any surprises. Still an enjoyable listen but won’t be buying the album. At least until I’ve actually become more familiar with the ones I have. Credit to them for achieving a very unique sound which is also evident on this album. 3/5 30/11/24

In It For The Money

Supergrass

2/5

Not many album covers bother me but for some reason this does. There is something in that picture which unsettles me. Not a new thing has I can recollect whinching away every time I saw it when the album was new and popular. Now an album cover should never detract from the music therein but has I was never interested in Supergrass in the first place this was an album which I never went near. So when this album popped up this morning and after clearing up the sick I did give it a listen for the first time. It’s standard mid 90’s britpop but nowhere near the excellence of Oasis or Blur. So just why its on this list is a mystery. Having said that it’s not as distasteful as its cover and sits firmly in the ‘an album I would never buy but happy to hear occasionally on a random playlist’ category. 2/5 1/12/24

The Score

Fugees

1/5

What a load of tripe. Best thing I can say there were a couple of recognisable songs which I didn’t like anyway. 1/5 2/12/24

Dig Me Out

Sleater-Kinney

1/5

Never heard of this beat combo so wondering if they never made any impact here in UK. I Paused here whilst I consulted the internet for any major UK references. Not much at all apart from reading Half Man Half Biscuit name checked them in a song of theirs. So that’s an interesting fact and probably the best thing I can say about this album. I’ve heard the likes of this album so many times done by artists a lot more musically competent. 1/5 3/12/24

Young Americans

David Bowie

2/5

Not a big Bowie fan but appreciate his immense contribution to modern music. This is a good example of why I don’t go overboard on Bowie. Not one song on here which I like. That includes the couple of big hit singles. Would like to hear where big Bowie fans would place this album on their all time list. I suspect it won’t be anywhere near the top. Certainly lacks a lot for me. 2/5 4/12/24

Oxygène

Jean-Michel Jarre

3/5

Generally I'm not a great lover of pure electronic music. I don't dislike synths and the like but prefer them with analogue instruments and voice. However this album seems to have been around all my life and just about every track is recognisable either because it was a hit or used for TV programming or adverts. It is also one of the first albums of its genre and certainly made a mark and was a great leap forward in 1976. Even more remarkable is that 1976 was peak punk and at that time this album could have been considered proggy and everything that punk was rebelling against. Luckily JMJ is French a nation who do not follow and which explains why and how this album was ever made in the first place. So for all that this album is an album which I do rate. However as time went on and this genre of music shed its Prog clothes and went on to produce countless duplications of this albums formula, I soon tired of it. In fact the reason why I don't enjoy electronic music is because of the sheer ubiquity of records like this. If this was the only JMJ album ever recorded then it would be an extremely coveted classic and my rating reflects that conclusion. 3/5 5/12/24

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols

Sex Pistols

5/5

When the Sex Pistols arrived it is fair to say I hated them. I also hated all they represented as well as the entire punk scene. I was after all in a profession which the Pistols and all their sort would hate as much as I hated them. Let alone my main musical tastes, Prog Rock, which was the complete opposite and often cited why punk rock was established. When this album was released the UK Fire Brigade were on strike with the Army deputising for them. The Army had no idea where they were going so needed to be escorted which is what I was doing. The Sex Pistols were booked into a Keighley nightclub Nikkers for a gig and as a goodwill gesture the Army lads were invited free. A mate and I were able to go on the back of not many of the Army lads were up for going. To say I was transformed is an understatement as I would put it in the top 3 gigs I have ever attended. Not because of the music which to be honest was not very good but more for the chemistry the presence of the Pistols made in that very small club. The acoustics were awful and I now shudder to think what would have happened if there was a fire (ironic given how I was there)as the place was overcrowded but that made for an atmosphere I have only experienced that once. I cannot now remember if I had bought the album before the gig in anticipation or afterwards now that I was then a convert. I continually played the album over the next year or so. I knew it was very raw and basic but it served as a reminder of that great night. But eventually as the punk movement burnt itself out and became a cash cow for the record companies who would promote anything they thought would replicate this album, my enthusiasm also waned and I once again returned to my preferred more sophisticated music. I don't often play the album now other than to rekindle memories. Anarchy, GSTQ and Pretty Vacant are to me the best tracks which I never tire of. The album as a whole is not really very good but that is not the point. It will always be a statement of that point in time and probably the best one. It is iconic and has one of the best and most recognisable album covers ever. A work of art which pictorially tells you all you need to know about the music and generally what was relevant in 1977. 5/5 6/12/24

Konnichiwa

Skepta

1/5

Kon'nichiwa, mō ikanakya 1/5 7/12/24

Wild Gift

X

1/5

US punk is not for me. My view is that the best punk bands originated in its birthplace the UK. The one exception is The Ramones but not sure if you could label that punk. More like good short melodic tunes played fast and loud. Never heard of the X before and I could have done with being blissfully unaware of them as this album is one of the worst to pop up on this list. Just shouting over simple guitar chords. I read that the female vocalist is now suffering from MS which I sympathise with but I found her voice so annoying and put me off listening to the album in full. 1/5 8/12/24

Tracy Chapman

3/5

Once owned this album on CD but tired of it and eventually sold it. I’ve not listened to it since. Listening today was an enjoyable reacquaintance and a reminder why I bought the album. Not enough to think I’d made a mistake getting rid because it isn’t an album I could listen to repeatedly. I know that because during my trawls of cheap charity shop CD’s it is one of those albums you can always more or less guarantee will be for sale and so far I’ve resisted even though it costs only a few pence. Given the number of sales on release this indicates a fair few others followed my example of getting rid. However, this does not detract from the fact that it is a good album and for every person selling the album on there’s probably double that cherishing it. 3/5 9/12/24

Dirty

Sonic Youth

1/5

As I progress through this list I’m realising that when I get an album which I like I find it easy to write about (which I guess I’m stating here the bleeding obvious) But when I get an album which I consider bad it’s harder to come up with comments and emotions that I have not used before. Sometimes a bad album might have been made by an icon and considered globally as a classic. In which case I can say it’s not my barrow but I can appreciate the impact it made on music and deserving to be on this list. Which brings me back to my original point and this bag of shite. I’ve already used all the expletives and dismissive’s for all the other crap I’ve had to listen to. I don’t just like saying ‘not my cup of tea’ in one line as I prefer justify why don’t like it. But as I’ve now waffled on and my review looks long I can now end without saying anything remotely knowledgeable or assessing the musicality of this album and thus fooling everyone except myself. Who reads this anyway? 1/5 10/12/24

There's A Riot Goin' On

Sly & The Family Stone

2/5

Another album which manages to revive bad memories. Primarily Thursday nights at the local Mecca Club where music on this album and similar would be played. Fortunately at that time I would be normally drunk so would generally have enough confidence to dance to it in the hope of attracting a young lady. But as these Thursday nights were billed as “Grab a granny night” you can possibly understand my reasoning for bad memories. That aside the music itself I could put up with as a means to an end at the Mecca but in the sober cold light of day I classed it just as bad as the headache and sketchy recall of the events the previous night which involved a ‘beautiful’ eight pinter. 2/5 11/12/24

Clandestino

Manu Chao

1/5

Like been on holiday in Benidorm drinking a cold beer in a bar and in the shade. Great when you’re there but instantly forgettable when you get home. 1/5 12/12/24

Blunderbuss

Jack White

3/5

On the back of discovering The White Stripes late on and in fact after they had disbanded, I saw this album selling cheaply in a charity shop so bought it. And a bargain it has turned into. An album which gets better after each listen. Continues what I said previously about White Stripe albums on this list, a good solid album made by someone who has enormous talent and somehow produces a big sound. It was astounding the sound just two of them made but even without Meg Jack somehow still manages to conjure up a wide sonic experience. 3/5 13/12/24

Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room

Dwight Yoakam

1/5

I refer to my previous review of Merle Haggard’s I’m a Lonesome Fugitive, this all is the fault of the Pilgrim Fathers and puritan values. But I see a trend developing here - Lonely and lonesome!! I wonder why? 1/5 14/12/24

The Blueprint

JAY Z

1/5

Don’t play this stuff on principle. Glorify’s all what’s wrong in the world. 1/5 15/12/24

The Specials

3/5

Weird one is this. There was a time that I wouldn’t have given this type of music Ska any attention and immediately dismiss it. But when the 2 Tone Ska revival came along I did eventually climb on board. Maybe it was because of the regular radio and club plays that I became very familiar with the style of music. I bought this album and other subsequent ones together with other’s in the 2 Tone stable. The biggest outcome I got from this was a desire to discover artists who the 2 Tone artists were influenced by. So I had a brief dalliance with the likes of Prince Buster, Judge Dread and Linton Kwesi Johnson. I also saw The Special’s live at St George’s Hall, Bradford in 1980 which was full of blokes dancing wearing pork pie hats. But the overall memory of this was the one and only time I saw someone crowd surf by diving off the circle balcony. Good gig but not enough to keep my interest long term in 2 tone and Ska. But plenty of music on this album to revive memories of that time so a worthwhile listen to a decent album. 3/5 16/12/24

The Poet

Bobby Womack

1/5

Not a lot to say about this apart from I hope I get something I really like tomorrow. 1/5 17/12/24

Ogden's Nut Gone Flake

Small Faces

5/5

My prayers were answered with this album appearing on my list after a long period of mediocre ones been served up. The first thing I’ll say about this album is that I will be forever regretful that I never bought it on release when it was offered in the round tin box format. In fact I never bought it all until recently on CD when I decided that it was a must have album of significant historical music value. Despite not having the album myself for many years I liked and was familiar with its contents. Importantly the Small Faces in this configuration were made up of four very talented musicians who were in the late 60’s were pushing the boundaries of music. Sadly two of these died very young. Ronnie Lane died of MS like my own brother so I know what he went through and feel a connection there. Steve Marriot was to me the UK’s Roger McGuinn super cool looking and someone a young lad like me would idolise. As for the music on this album I can understand how it divides people. Whilst there some big hits on it and well known the second side in particular throws up a lot of challenges. The album deserves a lot of repeated listening to discover a lot of its beauty. I think I might have been influenced in liking this album due to the appearance of Stanley Unwin on it. My dad loved Stanley who was one of his favourite comics and I can still see him now, laughing at his comical use of the English language. I think you need to be of a certain age to understand and appreciate this but I’m so glad for my dads sake that Stanley is immortalised on this album and because of this he will come to the attention of future generations. This album included my favourite track Song of a Baker and I remember them playing this on a BBC2 programme called Colour Me Pop. This was such a strong performance of that song. So much so that it is often repeated as an example of what was so good about UK rock in the late 60’s. A great album by a great group who showed their greatness by morphing into the supergroup Humble Pie and of course been at the start of Rod Sewart’s career. 5/5 18/12/24

Feast of Wire

Calexico

2/5

Interesting mix of a number of genres. Can hear Latin and Country in there against a backdrop of Indie Rock. 10/10 for trying something new but unfortunately did not tickle my fancy. 2/5 19/12/24

Exile On Main Street

The Rolling Stones

2/5

As I’ve mentioned before I was never a big Stones fan and this album typifies why. Great musicianship throughout but after a while I become bored at the same sounding blues which is the Stones’ trademark sound. I do like one or two Stones tracks which are probably their most popular and famous but none of them are on here. Tumbling Dice is perhaps their best known song on this album. It says it all when I say that it is the best track on the album but still one I dislike. 2/5 20/12/24

Electric Prunes

The Electric Prunes

2/5

Had heard of Electric Prunes but unfamiliar with any of their music. Music from a period late 60’s which should have been right up my alleyway. But unfortunately nothing on here to raise the pulse or pick up on a missed gem. 2/5 21/12/24

Cafe Bleu

The Style Council

2/5

When the Style Council emerged I remember the music press journalists wet their pants and fell over themselves in their efforts to praise and pile on the accolades. The Jam to me were OK equally liking and also disliking their output. So their demise was no great loss to me unlike the music press but who were quick to jump onto anything Paul Weller did next. This album was an early example of this. I hated it then and as a consequence have not given it another thought until my listening today. It hasn’t improved with age. My one concession to it is that my opinion of Paul Weller has improved from someone who annoyed me because of his political values encroaching into his music to his elevation to become somewhat of a national treasure. And for that he has my minor admiration. 2/5 22/12/24

...And Justice For All

Metallica

4/5

When I’m in the mood for something heavy a Metallica album is something I will normally turn to. I got into Metallica about the time this album was released and certainly when it was topped by the next ‘black’ album. My dalliance with Metallica didn’t last long as it was difficult to find anything really new from one album to another. But I accept that if the formula is right then why change it? That said listening to this album again I realised that I wasn’t as familiar with it as I thought. Some really nice melodic guitar passages which I love and get me every time. But also lots of trademark Metallica chugga chugga riffs which are the bits which become a little monotonous after a while. All in all a solid album which I enjoyed and had me reaching for my air guitar. 4/5 23/12/24

Haunted Dancehall

The Sabres Of Paradise

1/5

Ah yes I yearn for the days when in I played the colander, Glynn on the spoons, Brian on a bit of corrugated roofing and Gwyneth on vocals. How great we sounded or so I thought. This album reminds me of those days and I wonder if only we had persevered then maybe we might have produced an album worthy of an entry on the 1001 albums you must hear before death. But we didn’t and this lot of wannabes (The Sabres of Paradise - really???) stole out rightful place. If only they had come to me for some musical advice and guidance. Their loss and sadly because of this crock of excrement also anybody else misguided to listen. It’s Christmas Eve and I really did want to show some Christmas goodwill but this album brings out the Scrooge bah humbug in me. I wonder if tonight I will be visited by the musical spirits -Music (Selling England By The Pound) past, Music (Songs Of A Lost World) present, Music (Next album by Steven Wilson) future then tomorrow on Christmas morn I shall rejoice at that days 1001 choice. 1/5 24/12/24

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Various Artists

4/5

Christmas Day 2024 and I get this album. Should not come as a surprise I suppose but reading the reviews some of the other 1001’s got the album at all other times of the year. So I feel blessed that the 1001 Gods found it within themselves to actually give me this classic Christmas album on the big day itself. Leaving aside, difficult I know, Mr Spector’s indiscretion’s this album for me is a must have around this time of year. Not only gets you into the festive mood but musically it sounds great as you would expect given the PS treatment. All of the tracks are memorable Christmas tunes which I suspect will be still played down the future ages at Christmas time as much as any of the big Christmas songs you care to name. Merry Christmas everybody! 4/5 25/12/24

Deserter's Songs

Mercury Rev

4/5

Mercury Rev came to me in the middle of the night or rather that twilight period between wake and sleep. Few years ago now but I was listening to Bob Harris late Saturday night program on Radio 2 and must have nodded off but was awoken softly by the enchanting sound of Snowflake in a Hot World from a later album than this. But that made an impression on me and led me to discover more of Mercury Rev. So I was familiar with this album and is a good representation of what Mercury Rev are about. I like their later albums more but this is a solid one full of delightful music. 4/5 26/12/24

Beauty And The Beat

The Go-Go's

1/5

Bubblegum 80’s pop of no interest to me at all. Only good thing is that The Go-Go’s included Jane Wiedlin who went on to record a great single Rush Hour which is one of my top guilty pleasures. None of the tracks on this album resemble or come anywhere near that. 1/5 27/12/24

Immigrés

Youssou N'Dour

3/5

This is not music I would normally go for but when I do I am always drawn into it. Like a lot of people of my musical background I become aware of Youssou as a result of Peter Gabriel. If PG says a musician and the music they play are worthwhile than that is enough for me to take note. This was a joyful listen from beginning to end. Whilst one listen was enough it left a feeling that I should really develop my knowledge of African based music. Even if I don’t, this album reinforced a yearning to periodically return to it and other similar ones. 3/5 28/12/24

Superfuzz Bigmuff

Mudhoney

2/5

Never heard of this lot or knew that they were there at the birth of grunge. Never a lover of the grunge sound at the time and less so now. So it’s a miss from me. 2/5 29/12/24

Tapestry

Carole King

5/5

An album I admit that when it was released I avoided like the plague and would vocally dismiss it has your mums and dads music. At that time big rock prog groups were the only thing I thought worthwhile so closed my ears to anything I thought inferior. However, it didn’t take long for me to begin to take an interest. This largely coincided with my interest in the opposite sex and the teenage angst of falling in love and breakups. This album is full of songs which I could relate to when going through all these dramas. So I became very familiar with every song on this album and each one holds very happy and sad memories. I have played this record constantly throughout my life and consider it a masterpiece not only has a soundtrack to my life but also sublime musicianship. Good as it is I would not put it anywhere near my all time Top 20 albums. I consider it more like a pair of comfy old slippers. Very familiar, taking away any built up stress, and like the album cover, a lovely warm feeling knowing all is well. 5/5 30/12/24

Hunting High And Low

a-ha

3/5

New Years Eve today and an album full of good party time tunes so well appropriate. This album was very much a guilty pleasure of mine and I actually bought the album on CD although it was sold a few years back on a clear out. My favourite track and probably reason why I bought it was The Sun Always Shines On TV which was a great single. I loved the production back then and sounds even better today played on my upgraded hifi. A good album fully deserving of repurchasing when I see the album at the right price. 3/5 31/12/24

Bryter Layter

Nick Drake

5/5

A new year and what a belter of an album to start a fresh year with. A lovely relaxing album perfect to listen to quietly after all the rush and excesses of the last week. As is usual when I listen to a Nick Drake album the last one I listened to always becomes my favourite so this is it. At least until the last remaining Nick Drake album on my list, Pink Moon, arrives from the 1001 Gods. What a talent he was and so sad he passed so young. But maybe in this case less is more. When listening to any of his three albums I hear something extra every time which is extraordinary given that the songs and arrangements are basically simple in their structure. Perhaps my favourite Nick Drake tune Northern Sky appears on this album. Such a beautiful tune to close your eyes to and transport yourself to that personal place where you keep all your memories and emotions. Gorgeous beyond words.* 5/5 1/1/25 *Language not normally used by me but that’s what this album and Nick Drake in particular does to me.

Who's Next

The Who

5/5

My first year doing this project is up today. Started on 3/1/24 but as 2024 was leap year this is number 366. And what an album this is to round off year one. It perfectly bookends year one. My first selection was Radiohead’s OK Computer. I said that was one of my all time favourite albums and I put Who’s Next in the same bracket. Like OK Computer no need to listen to this album as I know it so well and not many days go by without any one of the brilliant tracks coming up on a playlist. Not my favourite Who album. Quadrophenia occupies that accolade but a fantastic album in its own right. A classic to celebrate the achievement of one year done. Looking forward to the start of Year two tomorrow. For future reference my average rating for year one is 2.58 which I guess is pretty low. But suppose it shows I have liked just over half the albums served up. Interesting to see year two score next January. 5/5 2/1/25

The Dark Side Of The Moon

Pink Floyd

5/5

This album marks the start of year two of this project. And I would say that this is very much a landmark album to mark this milestone. The 1001 Gods have certainly been kind to me selecting this. As they were exactly one year ago when I set out with Radiohead’s OK Computer. This is one of a few albums I knew would crop up and all the while I was thinking in advance of what I could say when it actually turned up. Truth is that after all that deliberation little needs to be said as anyone into their music knows that everything needed to be said has already been said thousands of times. It has been analysed to death. So it really comes down to what your ears and brain think and if it passes your own personal preference. I love this album and it’s certainly in my top ten. I know the album in every detail and if I never heard it again every track is permanently ingrained in my brain and will be until I go to the great gig in the sky. I bought the album on day of release with the light blue pyramid label, stickers and poster still inside. With very careful handing and storage I have a record which is sought after and will one day probably, if they are so inclined, make my kids a bit of money. But for now it proudly sits near the top of my collection and I do still get a lot of joy periodically handing and playing it whilst also remembering all the many happy memories associated with this record. 5/5 3/1/25

Casanova

The Divine Comedy

3/5

The Divine Comedy always perked my interest every time I heard them (him?) on the radio. So I always left a mental marker that I must someday research their music but never got around to it. So this album appearing on my list was a welcome reminder to give some time to perhaps catch up on what I had missed. The album is full of good melodic pop tunes coupled with a certain comedic innuendos with a nod towards the actor Terry Thomas. The suggestive nature of some of these might not suit the modern woke brigade but anything which upsets them is OK with me. Not an album which I would keep returning to but glad to have discovered. 3/5 4/1/25

School's Out

Alice Cooper

2/5

I always liked The Schools Out single ever since it was released. Became a family tradition to play it to my kids on the last school day before the summer holidays. Don’t think I’m unique there but personally never heard anyone else doing that. As for the rest of the album - it’s garbage. Probably a bit unfair as I’ve never really tried to get into Alice Cooper but listening to this album today became a bit of a chore as it always did. Pity because I like Alice Cooper (aka Vincent) as a fellow. I’ve listened to his interviews and read articles about him. A really intelligent and interesting guy but his music sucks. 2/5 5/1/25

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs

Derek & The Dominos

3/5

I had been big Cream fan and even some of Clapton’s earlier work with John Mayall, but 1970 was peak Prog times so had moved on. I did take an interest in this album but to my ears at the time was a bit too country and rockabilly influenced for my liking. I even missed Layla, the standout track on the album, at the time and it was only because of me realising the story behind the track and the end section been used everywhere, that I realised it had come off this album. As time went on so did the standing of this album and it has become a seminal recording. Even so I never bothered to add it to my collection until recently having bought it cheaply second hand. So I eventually gave it my attention that it had deserved all along. There are still roughly half the tracks which do not appeal but the rest are worthy of Clapton at his best. These include of course Layla and my next favourite Bell Botton Blues. 3/5 6/1/25

Frank

Amy Winehouse

2/5

Never a big fan of Amy. Female vocal jazz singers are fine with me but I found her vocal style more R&B. Such a shame her life ended so soon as despite my reservations about her I fully accept from those in the know that she was a wonderful talent. Never listened to this album before but was aware of it and always thought that it was an album of Frank Sinatra covers. Silly mistake to make as I could never imaging Frank singing Fuck Me Pumps. It was a pleasant listen as a background whilst going about my ablutions but that’s where this record will stay. 2/5 7/1/25

When I Was Born For The 7th Time

Cornershop

2/5

Another group I’ve never heard of so was eager to listen to something completely new. But two tracks in realised that they were not completely new to me as I instantly recognised Brimful of Asha. A track I had heard countless times but never bothered to find out who sung it. Thought at first it was a cover version but read that Fat Boy Slims version was the cover. Whilst this track was well known to me albeit more of an ear worm rather than a likeable song, the fact that it is the best track on the album does nothing for the rest of the music served up here. The version of Norwegian Wood is passable but more of a novelty track. So the music did nothing for me but reading about the origins of the bands name Cornershop did raise a titter. Made me think that if I had been lucky and made a career in music that I would have ended up in Sting’s band. 2/2 8/1/25

Brothers

The Black Keys

1/5

This is to my ears a poorly recorded album which was a a hard listen. The poor audio quality could be excused if the actual album was up to scratch. But there was nothing at all to hold my attention. All been done before by better artists. 1/5 9/1/25

The Chronic

Dr. Dre

1/5

One thing which really pisses me off when walking through most cities is the sound of gangster rap being inflicted on me by cool kids cruising through the streets pounding out from expensive speakers fitted in blacked out BMW’s. Reading through the reviews it would seem that this album is responsible for that reprehensible behaviour. So for that alone I condemn this album to the shitter. But if that was not bad enough how on earth have we arrived at a place in musical history when singing? (rapping? whatever) about one’s cock, shooting people and gross sexual deviance is considered normal and to lots of people to be valued? How ever bad your upbringing was or is I don’t want to be bombarded with this music which as far as I can see is telling the world or making excuses why you have turned out as you have. My life hasn’t exactly been easy and for that reason I sought out music to enhance my well being or be soothing. A momentary break from the chores of life. I don’t need this type of music in my life reminding me all the misery out there. I feel sorry for anyone wanting this music in their life. Please be joyful, be like me and listen to say..(off the top of my head) The Beatles (there are lots of others but a good example as I don’t think they ever sang about rape, knifing and the size of their penis) 1/5 10/1/25

Rid Of Me

PJ Harvey

3/5

When I think about it I am more inclined towards female vocalists than male. Obviously there is Joni and further back the likes of Dusty. Moving forward there is my all time favourite Kate Bush. Nowadays there is Tori, Lana and of course Taylor. Not forgetting the smooth female jazz vocalists, Melanie De Biasio and Patricia Barber in particular. The list goes on and I could name many more. I have often wanted to add Polly to this list as when a new album of hers comes out there are many rave reviews and the way she is talked about leads me to think she would be right up my alley. Thing is when I do listen to her albums I am always disappointed. There is something in her music which does not sit right with me at all. Listening to this album I think I now know what it is. I’m not a lover of grunge, industrial or garage music and this album is full of that. It’s not a total disaster as like a lot of PJ’s albums there is always a lot which is different from the mainstream, keeps my interest and at least one or two songs which I could listen to on repeat. I appreciate her strong performance, her talent and her determination to always add something new but for me it never strikes the right chord. 3/5 11/1/25

On The Beach

Neil Young

2/5

If I was to have a Neil Young album which I truly liked and put it into my top 20 it would be a self compiled compilation from all his many releases. I can just about find one album’s worth of great track from his complete discography. None of the tracks on this album would make it which is the problem I have with Neil Young. I find the majority of his work self indulgent and boring. As many have commented his voice is on the whiny side and becomes annoying after a while. But every so often (but not recently) he comes up with a stellar song which goes way beyond his standard stuff. As I say not on this album though. Great album cover which has more of a British seaside vibe than I guess a USA one where it was actually taken. 2/5 12/1/25

At San Quentin

Johnny Cash

3/5

When this album arrived this morning my immediate thought was that I’ve had this one. But checking back that was the Folsom Prison album I’d had previously. Listening through I think there is very little difference between the two. But that is a good thing as the fun, banter, gallows humour etc just carries on. Even has Boy Named Sue on it which I covered when I reviewed Folsom Prison. My reservations about entertaining hardened criminals when they are in clink for a reason still remains but as this album as now reached historical value who am I to argue (and probably most of the participants be they goodies or baddies are now probably dead) 3/5 13/1/25

Yank Crime

Drive Like Jehu

2/5

Totally unconnected but I had shingles jab at doctors yesterday and like last time I had one reacted badly overnight. Woke up this morning very delicate so this was not the album to suit how I felt. Needed ambient but got the complete opposite x100 with this. Even trying to put myself in a place where my physical condition didn’t matter, I’m afraid that I couldn’t connect with this. If the shouty lyrics had been dialled down a touch I could have found bits to my liking. Some nice guitar and bass interplay at times were good. But that voice!!! I did persevere turning my speaker down low to suit my mood but then everything sounded the same. A low level drone which did not suit the music but today I was unable to play it loud. 2/5 14/1/25

Pump

Aerosmith

2/5

Aerosmith have existed on the periphery of my musical consciousness. Knew them but never listened to their music. American MOR rock made for radio. Listened whilst making tea which was OK and for me the right situation to do so. Won’t listen again. 2/5 15/1/25

Straight Outta Compton

N.W.A.

1/5

The one bad thing about going through this list is having crap (not music) like this served up on an alarmingly regular basis. Stuff like this brings out the worse in me and makes me angry which is the exact opposite of what music is supposed to do. Yes by all means it should create a reaction but when it is done by glorying all what’s wrong in this world, there is no justification at all in subjecting those outside your grimy little world to it. As if to reinforce my point, there is a report in the UK press today about a gangster who was convicted of killing a young boy in 2009 and released in 2023 (yes I checked my figures - less than 14 years) He’s now making a living and been played on the BBC as a gangster rapper. Some of the lyrics refer to his slaughtering of that innocent child. The rage I feel must be nothing to that of the victim’s parents. This has everything to do with N.W.A who are responsible for promoting violence and not caring one iota for the rule of law. Worse still they are ‘role models’ and big influencers to the brainless moron’s who feel that the world owes them for the poverty and hardship they were born into. Should not appear on this list/5 16/1/25

Queen II

Queen

5/5

As I have said before Queen are a bit of enigma to me. My ex wife loved them but I try to put this to one side as I do rate a lot of what they have done. This album is one of the least known to me so listening today was a bit of a revelation. This album is heralded as a prog rock one. Prog is my favourite genre and a flavour of music that I compare other genres with. It certainly does have prog tendencies and I do wonder how it has escaped my attention for so long. The individual musicianship and the songwriting is superb. Does not quite get up there with the all time prog classics but you tell that this is a group firing on all cylinders. Having today listened in full I can say I have a new favourite Queen album. 5/5 17/1/25

Peter Gabriel

5/5

Well in a sentence I could say “It’s Peter Gabriel innit” and award 5 stars but that would be lazy and not worthy of PG himself so some flowerification (made up word) needs to be done to justify why I love PG. When considering the quadriset (another one) of self titled albums before the holy grail of SO I fluctuate between this one and the last (Security) in deciding what my favourite should be. This one because it stopped me in my tracks and hit me straight in the face such was it’s freshness and divergence from what was the norm at time of release. It took my breath away but so did every release he has ever made right up to the present with I/O. But as I have mentioned Security and because for some ridiculous unknown reason it does not appear on this list, I must ask why? I’m at a loss to reason why when two of the greatest PG songs San Jacinto and Wallflower appear on that album. 1001 Gods take note please and in particular the one who served up N.W.A Straight Outtta Compton just two days ago. Anyway back to this album. It’s great but I’ve already told you that. Words are not enough but your ears will confirm. 5/5 18/1/25

Run-D.M.C.

2/5

Well it’s rap and previous reviews show my loathing of this genre. But wait - no misogynistic lyrics, no drugs, no knives, no ‘N’ words, no penis infatuation (well as far as I could tell) Is this a rap record I could actually enjoy and like? Not really - in fact not at all. But I suspect the hardcore rappers have no time for this record as well. Not wanting to be on the same side of the fence as those ahem - ‘motherfuckers’ I’ll give it 2 stars because there are one or two nice melodies. 2/5 19/1/25

Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

The Kinks

4/5

I bought this album at time of release. I remember that I had earlier bought Tommy by The Who and was fascinated by concept albums. It was because of that fact that I bought it rather than hearing many tracks prior. Comparing it with Tommy is unfair as that was a much more polished album and destined for the mega status it later got. Arthur never really got the same appreciation even though there were some good songs on it. A very British sounding album as was most of The Kinks output was. Haven’t played the album in ages so it was good to hear it and become acquainted again. It is very much of its time which is (can I believe it?) 55 years ago but despite its age has stood test of time. Special mention for the album cover which I still have. A gatefold with a Queen Victoria cardboard insert with lyrics. Very nice packaging and one of the first of its type. 4/5 20/1/25

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

Iron Butterfly

3/5

This reminded me that back in 1969 I was aware of this group but never really heard much of their music. So this album was completely new to me despite knowing that it had existed for years. In 1969 I wondered if they would appeal to me due to their prog rock credentials. Listening today was a bit underwhelming and a realisation that it was not as proggy as I thought. That is apart from the 17 minute title track. I’m not put off at all by long tracks. I mean isn’t Supper’s Ready one of the best opuses ever? In this album’s case it is this track which redeems it for me. Every other track is a bit mediocre but the title track lifts the whole album. Not so keen on the vocals at the beginning but when the bands various instruments interplay with each other it is a very special 10 minutes or so. 3/5 21/1/25

Back to Basics

Christina Aguilera

1/5

Very early on in this process I unfairly dismissed out of hand an album on this list by Britney Spears. As time has gone on and perhaps because of this list broadening my horizons I am prepared to give anything (apart from gangster rap) a chance. For example I have opened my ears to Taylor Swift and now really rate her. I have a long standing love of female artists who naturally appeal to my musical tastes. So I did try with Christina and can see why she does appeal to so many. Unfortunately this album could not cut through to me at all. She has a strong voice but the style of music she produces here is totally disposable. 1/5 22/1/25

Bad Company

3/5

I was a big Free fan back in the day. What a tragedy losing Paul Kossoff so young and such a talented guitarist. I often wonder if Paul was still with us that Free would have gone on to much greater things and perhaps Bad Company would have never existed. It is because I come from that angle that I always thought Bad Company were a poor man’s Free so never really connected with them. Although a few songs especially Feel Like Making Love off their next album, are really good. A enjoyable listen today and made me reassess my opinion of Bad Company who were indeed a very talented Supergroup. 3/5 23/1/25

Jazz Samba

Stan Getz

4/5

Not something I would intentionally put on so when stuff like this arrives on my list it’s a real joy to listen to something outside my comfort zone. Also convinces me that I should broaden my musical tastes but so much music out there and so little time etc etc. But having now listened this is one album I would buy. Big thing to strike me was the recording quality considering this album goes back to 1962. I streamed the album on Apple Music. It was a lossless version and wow did it sound great. I sometimes struggle to hear a difference between lossy and lossless versions of the same album but in this case it was night and day. A wonderful audio experience. 4/5 24/1/25

Ace of Spades

Motörhead

2/5

I liked early Hawkwind so have a soft spot for Lemmy. I also like the track Ace Of Spades very much. Trouble is its track 1 side 1 on this album so the rest quickly falls away in mediocrity of the same old same old. This stuff will appeal to many old rockers and I know quite a few who do but I’m not one of them. 2/5 25/1/25

Now I Got Worry

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

1/5

An album that tries so hard to embody chaos and swagger that it ultimately feels exhausting rather than exhilarating. While the band’s raw energy and fearless experimentation are apparent, the end result often comes across as disjointed and unfocused, lacking the cohesion that might allow the listener to fully engage with the music. Spencer’s trademark yelps and grunts, which are supposed to channel the primal essence of rock ‘n’ roll, can feel more like a caricature than an homage. Tracks like “2Kindsa Love” and “Love All of Me” descend into overindulgence, more about noise and attitude than actual substance. The blues influences are there, but they’re buried under layers of distortion and bombast that leave little room for nuance or melody. At times, the album feels like a chaotic mishmash of ideas rather than a well-crafted work. Even moments of promise, such as “Wail” or “Identify,” feel half-baked, teasing the potential for brilliance but never fully delivering. Instead of pushing boundaries in a meaningful way, Now I Got Worry often feels like it’s just trying to be as raucous and abrasive as possible, leaving little for listeners who crave something more than surface-level intensity. Ultimately, while the album may appeal to die-hard fans of the band’s unhinged style, it’s unlikely to win over new listeners or those looking for something more polished or substantial. Now I Got Worry feels like a missed opportunity to channel the band’s undeniable energy into something truly memorable. Would you like me to adjust the tone or focus on specific aspects of the album? Thanks Chat GPT. Couldn’t have put it better myself. 1/5 26/1/25

Fulfillingness' First Finale

Stevie Wonder

3/5

Second or third time I’ve had a Stevie Wonder album and like before i cannot say I like his music at all but as an outstanding musical legend he has my appreciation. I listened to this album whilst queuing and going through a car wash. It passed the time and made for a relaxing 30 mins or so complementing the ever changing shapes of the soap suds as they descended my windscreen. 2.5 but pushing towards 3/5 27/1/25

Eliminator

ZZ Top

3/5

Bluesy rock and big bushy beards. This album contains just about every track I like and are familiar with so to me it’s their greatest hits album. Good for a change when in the mood but not one I’d keep spinning. 3/5 28/1/25

Vento De Maio

Elis Regina

1/5

Bit odd that an album with little information, hard to track down and a compilation is on this list. Be that as it may I dutifully listened to what I could from a variety of streaming sources but that big effort was a sheer waste of time. This music will sound great if drinking cocktails and watching the Samba on the Copacabana but little effect on me on a dull January day in Yorkshire. I blame it on the Bossa Nova 1/5 29/1/25

Nowhere

Ride

3/5

Never expected this album to be on this list. I bought it in 1990 when I was at a pretty low point in my life and music was very important to me and a way of getting me through the mess I was in. I wanted to change my life so was striving also to change or educate my musical tastes to go along with the new me. Ride seemed to be a group to fulfil that aim so I bought the album more as a punt rather than knowing much about them. I knew that all the cool kids raved about them so another reason to involve myself with them. But what about the music? Well it didn’t reach my expectations and I always found it a hard listen despite my efforts to the contrary. Listening today revived those dark memories but not in a bad way. I’m such a different person and in a better place now so view this album as an important milestone in my life but it did not define it like I thought it might do. 3/5 30/1/25

Pretzel Logic

Steely Dan

3/5

Third Steely Dan album I’ve had. Already had Aja which I guess is their most famous. First thing which came into my head when I began listening was the long hot summers in the UK mid 1970’s. Then checked my notes of the first two SD albums I reviewed and saw that I said the same thing about them. So that’s final then. Steely Dan records are meant to be played on long hot summer afternoons with tequila cocktail in hand. In my book that’s a win. 3/5 31/1/25

Grace

Jeff Buckley

2/5

I always pay attention when I see the name Grace which is a lovely name. If I had been lucky enough to have a baby girl I would have been rooting to name her Grace. I also associate the word with prayer and in particular saying grace at school before dinner. So lots of things here to potentially like. I knew of the album and that it was very much a highlight of JB’s career but without much knowledge of its musical content. It started very well so showed a lot of promise particularly when the title track was next. U2 also recorded a song called Grace which very much lived up to its name and a favourite of mine. Unfortunately JB’s version of Grace was just a non descript ordinary song and an absolute disappointment. After that apart from the singalong Hallelujah which everyone knows the album failed to live up to my hopes. As it’s been proved before, subscribing to this list also serves as an education. In this instance the fact that JB died very young in a swimming accident which is very sad. I also learnt that musical greats such as Bowie and Page considered this album a masterpiece. Despite that accolade I cannot warm to this album at all. 2/5 1/2/25

Alien Lanes

Guided By Voices

2/5

Another discovery from the 1001 Gods. How on earth have I never heard of this lot when they have released zillions of albums? Had a problem keeping up when listening. By the time I had waded through the album track list when hearing something I liked they had moved onto the next song. With amount of album’s and individual tracks on them you’d argue that Alien Lanes are dealing in quantity rather than quality. If this album is anything to go by (because I’ve no intention of listening to their complete discography at my stage in life) I’d probably agree with the view of quantity over quality and that more is less. Having said that there are one or two brief moments of joy. Just wish these tracks were longer. 2/5 2/2/25

Disintegration

The Cure

5/5

Back in the 1980’s I really liked The Cure who to my mind were one of the best ‘new wave’ bands. Primarily because they were playing traditional instruments in the main rather than electronic ones which were becoming the vogue. Robert Smith is also a brilliant tunesmith responsible for some of the best 80’s songs. As time went on and as it turned out, to my loss, I forgot about The Cure. It wasn’t until very recently that they came back onto my radar. This was as a result of a Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness podcast ‘The Album Years’ They were waxing lyrical about another Cure album Pornography and this caused me to give that a listen. I was hooked once more. Even better, this coincided with the release of their 2024 album Songs of a Lost World. This is my favourite album of 2024 and if that does not make this list at a future date something is wrong. It is a masterpiece and if another album of seismic proportions is not released in the meantime Songs of a Lost World will be my choice as an album to be added to the list when I finish. But I digress, discovery of this album came about as a result of reading reviews of Songs of a Lost World. Many saw similarities between both so I immediately became acquainted with it. It is true that Disintegration could be the mother of SOALW. Both share the darkness of the songs and the long instrumental intros which build and build largely driven by Simon Gallup’s bass. As a record on its own Disintegration is a classic which for not a series of lucky coincidences and following the 1001 list I would have missed. I would have been much the poorer for that. 5/5 3/2/25

Bossanova

Pixies

2/5

Never listened to The Pixies before but must have caught them at some point on the radio. Trouble with this stuff is that I have heard similar music time and time again and there is nothing to distinguish one group from another. It has been done so many times before on repeat. Don’t get me wrong it’s quite passable but next please. Which will be number 400 so a good one please. 2/5 4/2/25

Dub Housing

Pere Ubu

1/5

What a disappointment. My 400th album and one of the worse so far. Biggest take away is that I’m away from home in Scarborough a short break so not much opportunity to listen and take in. Some may argue I haven’t given it chance which is fair comment but I think my wealth of musical knowledge and appreciation (60 years) I know what I like and what I despise. Awful recording and an assault on audio senses. Would rather listen to a flock of Scarborough seagull’s which is serenading me now. 1/5 5/2/25

Moon Safari

Air

3/5

I have this album but bought it by mistake. Thought I was buying Moonmadness by Camel which is a classic unlike this. But it’s inoffensive and when playing in the background is fine. 3/5 6/2/25

Sincere

Mj Cole

1/5

Sincerely, stick to cycling mate. 1/5 8/2/25

Be

Common

1/5

Well it’s Rap Jim but not as we know it. It’s devoid of misogyny, gangster speak, knives and willie references. So that is its favour. If Stevie Wonder was a rapper then maybe it would have sounded like this. But despite Stevie’s undoubted talent any imaginary fusion between him and rap would make no difference to my judgement of this type of music. 1/5 8/2/25

No Other

Gene Clark

2/5

Never realised the connection between Gene Clark and CSN&Y. Never heard any of his music either so was eagerly anticipating listening to this album. It is pleasant enough but little in common to my ears with anything done singularly or collectively by CSN&Y. OK CSN&Y do stray into Country at times but that is my least favourite repertoire of theirs. This album unfortunately has much to much of that Country stuff. 2/5 9/2/25

Le Tigre

3/5

To my shame I cannot think of one all woman group which I enjoy or like. Which is odd because I admire and have many favourite female musicians In fact many more female than male. This album did not change my feelings to all girl combos but made an admiral attempt. Above the clatter of typical punky ever repeating riffs there were some nice melodies going on which were quite endearing. So not as bad as I thought and an album when I’m in the mood for I would return to. 3/5 10/2/25

Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

Dead Kennedys

2/5

Not an album I’ve listened to before knowingly and not one I would seek out as my punk loving days ended about the same time as mainstream punk did. Would have liked this back in the day but I hardly listen to any of my punk albums bought then so this would have suffered same fate. That said all the songs were entertaining but like a lot of punk stuff became a bit boring due to repetitive three chord riffs. 2/5 11/2/25

Red Dirt Girl

Emmylou Harris

3/5

Emmylou Harris has been around all my adult life and on the fringes of my consciousness but never taken any notice of her. American Country Music has never taken a hold of me so explains my ignorance of Ms Harris. So having been somewhat forced to listen to her today I expected the usual countyfide sound. To the contrary I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the presence and elements of Country there was much to enjoy here. Some sweet singing and tight arrangements made this an enjoyable hour as I listened whilst out on a walk with AirPods. Probably the best environment for me to listen as I cannot see me again sitting down and listening constructively. 3/5 12/2/25

Slanted And Enchanted

Pavement

2/5

I put Pavement in my “must listen to but ain’t had time’ category. First came to my notice by chance when I randomly turned on some Glastonbury coverage and Pavement were playing. The song they were playing was brilliant but I never caught the title. I made it my ambition to find out what that song was but so far failed. So I wondered if today’s listen would finally reveal this song to me. Thing is it’s getting on now from this Glastonbury outing and with it been a live rendition and all, I’m not sure if I would recognise this lost song even if it hit me between my peepy’s. But I did listen today in this forlorn hope the song was on this album. Afraid not was my final conclusion. In fact the whole experience was unfortunately a bit of a trudge. Not desperately bad but to my ears it was too much of a grunge fest. As this was their first album perhaps that is how Pavement started and they matured into the band responsible for the sound I’m seeking from them. This album did not fire me up to carry on and identify the elusive song but at least I can confidently cross one off Pavement’s complete canon. 2.5/5 13/2/25

Basket of Light

Pentangle

5/5

Quite surprised that this album has turned up on the list. I know it well but always thought it was a bit obscure. It was popular at time of release largely due to the hit Light Flight but then forgotten in the mist of time. Which is my own experience as I’d also forgotten what a corker of an album it is. I guess the reason why it is on the list is to include and highlight the mastermind behind the album Bert Jansch. He was a brilliant guitarist and his list of influences is a who’s who of great musicians. So again following this list has come up with the goods. This time not for introducing me to a new album but for reminding me of a great one I loved back in the day and lost touch with but not anymore. 5/5 14/2/25

Urban Hymns

The Verve

2/5

This album hasn’t aged well at all. I remember buying it when released largely because of the well known big hit on the album. No one can doubt that BS is an amazing song. But as for the rest it felt tired then not helped by the album length. If it had been stripped down to 40 minutes it would have been a lot better. Hardly played it and actually sold the CD a few years ago but must admit I recently saw it cheap (very) in charity shop so bought it again just so I had BS in my collection. Didn’t bother listening to it in full and dutifully listening today for this project was a slog and fast forward button deployed once or twice. 2/5 15/2/25

Street Life

The Crusaders

1/5

Jazz for people who do not like jazz said one of the previous reviewers of this album. I might be one of those people so wondered if this album might tickle my fancy. Due to involuntary subjection to the song Street Life over the years and to my shame I was able to sing along to the first track on the album. So I now know who actually recorded this annoying song but immediately deleted that knowledge. This deletion process was helped by what followed next. If there was ever a good example of monotonous “Muzak” well this is it. I fail to see or appreciate in what circumstances anyone could sit down and listen to this. Even as background Muzak I just couldn’t imagine having this on whilst stood painting my ceiling or having a tooth filled with this streaming from the Dentist’s radio. So remind me who recorded Street Life? 1/5 16/2/25

Destroy Rock & Roll

Mylo

1/5

Odd that someone born on the Isle of Skye is eventually responsible for music like this. I would have thought that somewhere along the line he would have been influenced by the Gaelic music which typifies that part of Scotland but there is precious little evidence of that. Maybe this is a straight rejection of that type of music which I would have thought was hard to escape from in his formative years. I cannot think of any other type’s of music so diametrically opposed to than this and the organic sounds produced at the local ceilidh. I’m sure that Mylo would be able to explain to me this chasm but I don’t think he would be able to convince me that this album is of any value to my life and that it is imperative I must listen before I snuff it. Indeed when I hear what he has done to Judy Tzuke’s beautiful song it would have been better for my ignorance of this record to have continued. As penance for this rubbish entering my earholes and to cleanse them I’m off to listen to some true Gaelic tunes courtesy of Julie Fowlis and others. 1/5 17/2/25

The New Tango

Astor Piazzolla

1/5

The word tango always conjures up images of Marlon Brando and butter. More latterly however I can say that as a resident living in HX3 England this album will definitely be the last tango I hear in Halifax. 1/5 18/2/25

Raising Hell

Run-D.M.C.

2/5

My aversion to rap and hip hop is now well documented in my previous reviews and no doubt those which still remain on this list yet to reveal themselves. In fairness I don’t understand that genre and accept that it was never made for the likes of me. But what I do detest is the glorification of violence and misogyny which seems to be a theme running through the majority of rap I have had to endure. However this album seems to be devoid of all that distasteful stuff which for me is a big bonus. I still don’t like it even when it merges with types of rock music which could appeal to me. But everyone seems to be having lots of fun and I suppose this must have been one of the first albums to come up with the rap rock genre. For that reason and probably for the one and only time I award a rap record slightly higher than the customary 1 star. 1.9/5 19/2/25

Germfree Adolescents

X-Ray Spex

3/5

I bought this album at the time and still have it in my record collection. That said I don’t think I have played it for well over 30 years. As I recollect I thought the sound on my particular record was not particularly good and a bit thin. It was never a record I overly enjoyed because of the tinny sound and repetitive nature of the songs. I didn’t listen to my record today but the Apple Music stream. I must say that the sound of this was vastly improved and nothing like I remembered it to be. I particularly liked the sax solos interspersed about the album which I never really had noticed previously. Polly’s voice is still irritating after a while so thank goodness for the sax interludes. Have given it an extra star than I thought I would when it was revealed on the list. 3/5 20/2/25

Tigermilk

Belle & Sebastian

4/5

A very rare find as a result of this list. How this has escaped me I will never know. Music that’s right down my alleyway. Reminds me very much of Roy Harper’s work. Will be added to my own collection soon. 4/5 21/2/25

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

A Tribe Called Quest

2/5

I was about to complain about excessive rap hip hop which I have been served up recently leading to a trail of 1 stars. But this one surprised me. Mainly due to the use of samples which I have to admit were perfectly done and were very effective. Sometimes with humorous results. Not enough though to drag this type of music beyond 2 stars. But this is a good achievement given my loathing of this stuff. 2/5 22/2/25

Sail Away

Randy Newman

3/5

Never took much notice of Randy Newman but knew he was a good songwriter and responsible for a few notable MOR songs. Not forgetting his notoriety as a result of Toy Story. More popular in the US rather than here in the UK me thinks. This album is a good example of his talents. Not an album I hate and I think any self respecting music fan should have at least one RN albums in their library to touch all base’s. This album would qualify for that job if I ever come across it cheap. 2.9/5 23/2/25

Ready To Die

The Notorious B.I.G.

1/5

Just reading previous reviews was enough for me and I didn’t listen to one track. I find this stuff totally obnoxious and I don’t even want one second of this crap polluting my home. This isn’t music but one man’s putile attempt at using the music industry to glorify all that’s wrong with the world and promoting it so that others follow in his footsteps regardless of the fact that he paid the ultimate price for living in his grimy rancid world. 0/5 24/2/25

Wild Wood

Paul Weller

2/5

Cannot say I have ever been a great fan of Paul Weller as a solo artist. Although he is a well regarded musician there is little of his solo work that I like. I am also not keen on him as an individual in the way he acts and his deportment. This was not helped at all by the death last week of The Jam’s drummer Rick Buckler. Reading his obituary it appears that Weller’s attitude towards him was not good. True or not I don’t have much time for Weller so my view of him does affect my view of his music. He was the darling of the British music press and this album held up by them as a masterpiece. I never bought into this and less so now and regarded listening today as time wasted. 2/5 25/2/25

Stripped

Christina Aguilera

2/5

Got to be careful here. When I was just 4 albums in I got Taylor Swift’s 1989 album. I dismissed this out of hand and slagged it off somewhat. This was before I’d heard TTPD which lead me onto Folklore and Evermore. Now I’m a 72 year old male brought up on a diet of Prog Rock and a confirmed Swifty. I have a similar ambivalence to CA as I did for TS so not so quick to dismiss this album out of hand. However after listening I can confidently say that CA is no TS. She might well be to millions of other ears but she lacks a lot the sophistication of Taylor. This is pure mindless bubblegum. Although it is a well produced record and sonically sounds very good. For this I give it an extra star. 2/5 26/2/25

Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

Bill Callahan

4/5

Bill Callahan was a name I had heard and knew he was a musician but that was it. Knew zilch about this album but suspected it was American Country music. But reading previous reviews spiked my interest when fellow 1001’s were associating Prog and Nick Cave with the sound. They were right and I immediately knew from the first few notes this was going to be good. One of the few albums on the list so far which was sound wise completely original and new to me. Whilst there is a Nick Cave influence (or maybe it’s the other way round and Nick influenced by this) it is nevertheless a unique album to me and one which truly deserves the accolade being heard before I snuff it and one prompting me to seek out Bill’s other work. SMOG is another musical connection I have also heard but no idea of what they do so ow excited to find out. 4/5 27/2/25

Green

R.E.M.

4/5

Love REM and such a pity they no longer make records. This album though is my least favourite. I much prefer some of their other albums. But there is no doubting that this record could have been made by no others than REM as it is full of their trademark songs. 4/5 28/2/25

Happy Trails

Quicksilver Messenger Service

4/5

QMS are another lot who I have heard of but never bothered to research them. Who do you Love is a song just about everyone should be familiar with but if you had asked me yesterday I wouldn’t have been able to tell you who sang it. As a Progger a 25 minute live version of this really did wet my appetite. I was not disappointed. A lot of fellow 1001’s complain that live albums should not be on this list. In this instance I do have some sympathy for this. Without visuals some of the guitar work which was going on stage does require a lot of the imagination. The audience reaction tells me that whatever was going on was really good and appreciative. So maybe the performance was that exceptional it really does deserve a place on this list? I certainly think so. A very good album and one which will make me look at QMS’s back catalogue. 4/5 1/3/25

After The Gold Rush

Neil Young

4/5

I’m not the biggest Neil Young fan but there are plenty of his songs which I would put on my greatest hits top 200 compilation. Two of these, Only Love Can Break Your Heart and the title track are on this album. So by that metric this is probably my favourite of his albums. Apart from these two songs there is also a lot to like on this album and listening today I concluded that there was not one duff track on it. 4/5 2/3/25

1977

Ash

2/5

Typical Britpop stuff which was all over the place in the mid 90’s. All were mostly Oasis or Blur wannabes. Won’t be unkind to label Ash as that. They are still about and making music but I don’t think this album is remarkable in any way and made no impression on me at all. 2/5 3/3/25

Caetano Veloso

1/5

You know when you’re in Lloret De Mar on your annual Wakes fortnight abroad and your skin is burning from too much sun, you have a bottle of red wine which is so good you take a bottle home and it tastes like ?&!*. Well there is no doubt that whilst you were feasting on Paella at Bodega Sa Xarxa music like this was pumping out of the systematic de altavoces and unfortunately suffers the same fate as the local plonk. Great whilst you were there but so is the Birdy Song. (I know this album is Brazilian and Portuguese applies but you get the picture) 1/5 4/3/25

Ys

Joanna Newsom

5/5

This album is truly unique and unusual. Maybe because of this or maybe in spite of this, it is one of my favourite albums. It needs time because it is a challenging listen but once it gets under your skin you appreciate all the layers which make up each song and there is something new there to hear on every listen. I came across the album by chance one late Saturday evening. Bob Harris played a track from the album on his late night BBC 2 programme. I was laid in bed totally captivated by whichever track he played. I had missed the introduction and start and when the track ended I didn’t quite hear Bob’s announcement of the artist and album name. I was in the dark so could only mentally make a note of this but the next day I began searching for an album called Yes by Jo Newsholme. With this wrong information and because in 2006 streaming sites and Google searching were not as they are now it took a while to identify the album. But so determined and captivated by the music I eventually did unite with the album and there began the journey to unwrap its delights which is still continuing to this day. Musically and lyrically a true one off and difficult to pigeonhole. There should be a genre just called Joanna Newsom. 5/5 5/3/25

Headquarters

The Monkees

4/5

The Monkees TV show holds a special place in my heart. It was essential viewing every Saturday tea time (in the UK). I was at an age when it mattered not that none of them played their instruments. It was just a lot of fun to watch and was interspersed with songs such as these on this album which were instantly catchy and typical of pop songs in the mid 60’s. This apparently is their first album where all the Monkee’s actually played and had a hand in song writing. Consequently not too many Monkee classics on here but nevertheless still captures the great memories I have of that time in my life. 4/5 6/3/25

Medúlla

Björk

4/5

Two days ago the 1001 Gods selected Ys by Joanna Newsom which is one of my favourite albums. I said then that she was a phenomenon all on her own and nothing else matched her. But then I was forgetting about Bjork who like Joanna Newsom has a sound all of her own. Don’t think I’ve ever sat down before to listen to this album. Like a lot of her stuff quite a lot of the tracks are instantly accessible but one or two do leave you thinking what the hell was that about? But I like that challenging sound and appreciate how hard Bjork has worked to produce her unique sound. Didn’t get around to listening until late at night which as it happens is probably the best time to do so. Certainly not an album for the school run or titivating oneself up before a night on the beer. Like most Bjork albums another one to file under “must listen repeatedly and critically to understand it” section. Which I hope to do one day but which I suspect is futile as Bjork does not want it that way. Doing so would also mean seeing a glimpse of what’s inside her head and I don’t think I really want to go there. 4/5 7/3/25

Face to Face

The Kinks

3/5

A Kinks album which I’m familiar with apart from the big hit single Sunny Afternoon. This is so quintessentially English it smells of toasted muffins and Earl Grey tea. It also sets the standard for the rest of the album. I’ve decided that I do not have enough of the Kinks in my life. When this album was released there were so many other groups around which I preferred The Kinks slipped the net. As this is the third Kinks album on this list I am grateful to the 1001 Gods to reintroducing me to them and realising what I have missed. 3/5 8/3/25

Fisherman's Blues

The Waterboys

3/5

So glad this album was served up today. I like traditional UK folk music and have been listening to this genre quite a lot recently. I’ve heard The Waterboys on the radio a lot and always made a mental note to listen to them more but never got around to it. This and no doubt other albums of theirs really appeal and I must try to get some into my record collection. 3/5 9/3/25

The Queen Is Dead

The Smiths

4/5

As I think I’ve said before when served up previous Smiths albums, my favourite Smiths album is their greatest hits. I say this because every album they have released is populated by one or two fantastic songs but the rest I can take and mostly leave. Three great songs are on this album, Bigmouth… The Boy With… and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. The latter is my all time favourite Smiths track. In fact I would go further than that and put it in my all time top 10 singles. Such a lovely melody and lyrics of teenage angst that I always associate with The Smiths. The presence of this song on the album gets my vote as The Smiths best and reflected in my rating. 4/5 10/3/25

Femi Kuti

2/5

Albums like this are often referred to as World music. Which is a lazy description as it also applies to music outside our sphere of normal listening. Thanks to the likes of Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon I have discovered and can appreciate some African music but I don’t think that I am qualified at all to make a serious judgement. So I can only make a basic assessment of this based on how emotionally it makes me feel. In this instance I do not like it. I’m sure others will see good in it but I cannot. Just shows that music appreciation is a basic instinct influenced largely to what you have been exposed to all your life so anything outside that struggles to grab your attention and enjoyment. 2/5 11/3/25

Manassas

Stephen Stills

2/5

Was looking forward to this as over the years have developed liking for CSN and solo stuff. But this reminds me why I never liked Blue Grass Country rock at the time. Did nothing for me at all. 2/5 12/3/25

Locust Abortion Technician

Butthole Surfers

1/5

The best thing about this process is learning about artists and albums you have never heard of. This is one of them but in this case it might have been better to have continued to live in ignorance of it. Says it all when best thing about the album is the cute dog on the cover. 1/5 13/3/25

Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts

The Adverts

4/5

This is probably my all time favourite Punk album. I bought it on vinyl at the time (my copy is a rarity and worth a bob or two) I liked the album not only because of the bassist Gaye Advert was hot but this collection of songs were a lot more melodic than the standard punk stuff around. Not all shouting or violently strumming or banging their instruments. These are good standard toe tapping pop songs and if they had been presented as cleaned up versions of themselves with nice suits and haircuts, I dare say they would have been a lot more popular. The album title has also struck me as well thought out and memorable. Even now when the Red Sea is ever mentioned I think of Gaye. 4/5 14/3/25

Rumours

Fleetwood Mac

5/5

Another album which I don’t need to listen to or if I never heard again it wouldn’t matter as I know it so well. I have been wondering when this album would turn up for me as I’m aware that it sits at the top of the highest rated albums just ahead of Abbey Road and DSOTM which I rate higher than Rumours. So I have the dilemma of should I be sneaky and mark it down or give it its true 5 stars? Easy decision really because I have to agree with the majority that this album is iconic and will be regarded as such centuries from now. So many highlights are on this album but Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar solo on Go Your Own Way is one of the best ever and even better in its lengthened form when played live. 5/5 15/3/25

Electric Music For The Mind And Body

Country Joe & The Fish

3/5

I’d heard of this band as they were about during my formative years when I began to appreciate and listen to music. Must admit the Country Joe bit led me to believe that they produced American Country music which is not to my taste or liking at all. So today was a revelation. Whilst I could hear some Country influence the majority was rather quite good. Not enough to make me go out and seek out their music but something I wouldn’t now reach for the skip button on a random streaming playlist. 3/5 16/3/25

Greetings From L.A.

Tim Buckley

2/5

As I always do began to read the accompanying Wiki entry as l listened to this. Apparently an actual postcode was attached to initial pressings of this. Which led me to the thought if this is where Pink Floyd got the idea from for WYWH. But then I mused that I couldn’t see any of the Floyd members going anywhere near this record. Whilst I was wrestling with these thoughts the record ended and I realised I hadn’t taken one bit of notice. Didn’t bother listening again. 1 star for the music but 2 for the postcard concept. 2/5 17/3/25

Rock 'N Soul

Solomon Burke

2/5

Soul music and me don’t really get on. There are one or two Soul classics which I do like but as a genre I have always avoided it unless it was impossible to do so in nightclubs etc. What I have never done though is dismiss Soul artists for their musical greatness. I accept that many Soul artists are some of the best musicians that ever lived and will be remembered for all time. Solomon Burke although I don’t know much about him, surely is one of these greats. I can hear this in this album regardless of the fact that I would have preferred to have spent this time listening to the likes of Pink Floyd. The album cover is very 60’s. Made me think of the record shops in those days. At least 4 or 5 in every town but all were set out traditionally with records in artist order and a delight to spend hours searching through the LP’s. Many were like this one with the track list on the front so time could be saved not having to also look at the records rear unless you really were going to buy it. A popular song title written on the front would aid this decision to purchase or not. 2/5 18/3/25

My Aim Is True

Elvis Costello

2/5

Think I must be at least now halfway through the Elvis Costello marathon part of this process. So the end is in site which I hope includes is best work Armed Forces. I like just one track on this album Alison. Which wasn’t enough to convince me to buy it at the time despite all the chatter in the music press that it was the best thing ever. Hasn’t improved with age. 2/5 19/3/25

Safe As Milk

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

2/5

I can understand why my younger self at the age of 14 would not like this record. I was much too immature to appreciate blues music when my head was being turned by the sounds of The Beatles. A few years later thanks to the likes of Clapton the Blues did awaken in me. My record collection therefore has a sizeable amount of Blues associated music but alas no Captain Beefheart (even Trout Mask Replica). So today I listened to this album with the intention of probably righting this wrong. It turns out that in fact there is no wrong to be righted. Not certain if you can pigeon hole this pure Blues and after listening confirmed my suspicions all along that Captain Beefheart was more a product of Southern States drawl if you get my meaning. Turns out my younger self was right all along (as he normally is - the little bastard) 2/5 20/5/25

The Libertines

1/5

This is a good example of where sometimes I judge the lifestyle of a musician over the actual music they make. I realise of course that in all its history, music has hundreds of examples where drugs have played a significant part in how the music was produced either good or bad and that in a lot of cases some of the masterpieces we now enjoy would not have come about if not for the part drugs played in the creation of the music. I also accept that drug addiction can be construed as an illness. But in the case of this album I was aware of the exploits of Pete Doherty before I’d heard even a note of his music. In fact his lifestyle put me off this album despite the musical press praising it. Pete Doherty is no role model and I cannot condone his behaviour and certainly not buy or listen to his music. 1/5 21/3/25

Zombie

Fela Kuti

2/5

Could have dropped the needle any place on this album and apart from tempo’s it would have sounded the same. Reminded me a bit of a wedding I went to last year when a sax player mingled with the dancers improvising over the music being played over the speakers. Not a bad thing at at a drunken night do but not a thing I could sit down to and listen for pleasure. 2/5 22/3/25

Shadowland

k.d. lang

2/5

Like many have said - beautiful voice shame about the music. 2/5 23/3/25

Vol. 4

Black Sabbath

3/5

It was only two days ago when I was served up a Libertines album that I was grumbling on about the lifestyle of musicians affecting how I viewed their music negatively. In the case of Pete Doherty the music was crap anyway but there are many drug fuelled albums around which are all time classics and which I love. This Sabbath album according to what I read was conceived from sea of white powder of varying types. So is it one of the aforementioned classics which I must turn a blind eye to? Yes and no. Leaving aside role modelling issues there is a lot of Sabbath music I do like and there is plenty on this album. But as with other Sabbath albums the constant riff after riff guitar in your face nature of their music, I begin to tire of it after a while. As regards musical excellence it is head and shoulders above the likes of The Libertines and compared to Ozzy Pete Doherty is a pussy cat. The clincher is of course the fact that Tony Iommi is the glue which keeps this album together. A great guitarist and as it turns out a good producer as well. 3/5 24/3/25

Time Out

The Dave Brubeck Quartet

5/5

I would say that this album is perhaps the most popular and iconic Jazz record of all time. This record reminds me so much of my elder brother who unfortunately is no longer with us. Like me he was an enthusiastic music fan and I probably owe my equally love of music to his influence. But we had diverse tastes. He was a big Jazz fan this was one of his favourite records. But at that time a did not get Jazz at all. I remember having heated debates over the version of Rondo on this album and that of The Nice who were much more to my liking. When I listen to that track nowadays I must concede that I think Keith Emerson owes a lot to Dave Brubeck’s version. The big track on this album Take Five is something I bet everyone into their music are familiar with. It is a masterpiece and even the most Jazz hating critic must admire the construction, way out time signature and the fact it is an instant recognisable toe tapping tune. Over the years I have become to appreciate Jazz and take on what my brother also saw in the genre. Like many more people this will always be my favourite Jazz album. Love you Frank and thank you for the music. 5/5 25/3/25

Gris Gris

Dr. John

3/5

Don’t quite know what to think about this album. It’s certainly different in a multitude of ways. Another album that if not for this list I would never have been aware of but unlike a lot of these unknowns where I would have preferred to have continued my ignorance, this did ignite my interest. 2.5/5 26/3/25

A Grand Don't Come For Free

The Streets

2/5

As rap and hip hop albums go this one is quite palatable to me. In fact I actually possess it having bought it cheap from a charity shop. There are one or two melodic tunes on it which I can relate to. Chiefly I suppose Dry Your Eyes. Didn’t realise or know that this album was conceived as a rap opera. Puts a different slant on it but it ain’t no Tommy or Quadrophenia. Mildly amused by the comments of my fellow American 1001’s who seem to complain about the Englishness of this album. The lack of gangland culture, misogyny, knife killing and boasting about penis size actually endears me to this album. 2.5/5 27/3/25

White Ladder

David Gray

3/5

I quite liked David Gray at the time and bought a few of his CD’s including this one. His songs are very melodic which I like. Solo male troubadours were very much a thing. Whilst such music was very hip back then it does sound too cosy and MOR today. Exception to that is Damien Rice who does still manage to pull off meaningful new exciting music. Haven’t heard much of David Gray recently but I’m sure he must be about. That is unless his head fell off with all the nodding he did whilst singing. 3/5 28/3/25

Smash

The Offspring

2/5

Having looked at the various chart entries of this album on Wiki I saw that it had just limped in at No 75 in the UK charts. So no wonder I’ve never heard of them and wondered if it was yet another one of those US ‘filler’ bands who seem to populate this list in order to make the numbers up to 1001. This was actually unfair as it wasn’t such a bad album. A bit Green Days wannabes maybe but still an admirable attempt. One question though - was this ever released on vinyl and if so were the words on track one changed? 2.5/3 29/3/25

L'Eau Rouge

The Young Gods

1/5

Well I know it’s close but fellow 1001’s are going on about the French when I believe this lot are Swiss as in a thin sponge with jam on top and then rolled up. Very yummy, unlike the music produced here where it is recommended that the aforementioned confection is used as ear plugs. That would be a waste as it was in terms of my wasted time listening to this. 1/5 30/3/25

Tubular Bells

Mike Oldfield

5/5

Sometimes an album, and this is a good example, needs to be considered in the context of when it was released and what was happening then either personally or globally in your life. This is on top of how it was considered musically at the time. On the latter point and as others have said it was an immense achievement for an unknown 19 year old to write, play and produce a piece of music this size. The fact that it has been re-mastered many times and re-recorded and played at concert halls by symphonic orchestra’s is testament to how great a piece of music it is. More importantly to me and the reason why I like this album so much is the time period it was released. 1973 was a dreadful year in the UK. The Country was on its knees due to numerous strikes. There was a 3 day week due to power blackouts. IRA bombings were striking fear into everyone. Music was a welcome distraction and this album was at the forefront of that. Virgin records consisted of a mail order page at the back of music papers. LP’s were cut price so it was not only financially advantageous but Virgin were considered to be extremely cool. Tubular Bells was the biggest thing at Virgin Records. The Exorcist was the biggest film of the year and the music intro from this album helped to make it that way. Having this album was a badge of honour. No more more so when I arrived at RAF Disforth on a cold winter day and discovered one of my mates had managed to smuggle his copy of TB into the dormitory along with a dansette record player. We must have listened to it through over 50 times the 3 weeks we were there. Such happy memories and why the music and the iconic sleeve mean so much to me. Plus…Tubular Bells (hair standing up on head and shivers down back of spine stuff) 5/5 31/3/25

GI

Germs

1/5

Is this an April Fool joke? 1/5 1/4/25

We Are Family

Sister Sledge

3/5

Don’t naturally gravitate to this sort of music at all. But one track Lost In Music has always appealed to me and a firm favourite. As music fans we are all probably lost in music and this song and words could be an anthem as to how we feel. A bit like John Miles and his great song Music (is my first love etc) But I can remember where I was when I first heard Lost In Music and how it struck a chord. I was in a swish nightclub in Palma Majorca when the DJ played an extended version of it. This was probably the best location to hear that song for the first time. I spent the rest of my holiday trying to remember lyrics of the song so I could discover the song on my return home which I eventually did thanks to I it becoming a hit in the UK. One or two other passable songs on this album make it not a complete turn off but it is that one song heard on holiday which reflects my rating. 3/5 2/4/25

A Love Supreme

John Coltrane

3/5

Heard of John Coltrane but not this album. As a Sax (now retired) player myself always keen to listen to John Coltrane as he is one of the greatest ever jazz sax players. He can play and make the sax do things I can only dream about. Despite my sax credentials this type of jazz is not entirely to my liking. But unlike a lot a jazz it is an easy album to get into as there are a few memorable melodies which keep reprising leading to a feeling of familiarity even after one listen. 3/5 3/4/25

Live Through This

Hole

2/5

Whilst I was vaguely aware of Courtney Love I never knew she was part of a group I had never heard of called Hole. My indifference to Ms Love is mainly due to her non musical antics and way of life which I despise. I had never previously listened to any of her music so feared that it would be the standard post punk grunge stuff and as it turned out was. But there was something endearing about it leading me to conclude that Courtney did or still does have some talent. I have heard a lot worse than this and another surprise from the 1001 Gods. 2.5/5 4/4/25

Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

Soft Cell

4/5

I have this album on vinyl and also a few of the 12” extended remixes which are better than the original album versions. None more so than Say Hello and Wave Goodbye. I tend to get quite emotional when I play that track. The clarinet opening with the mellotron backing always send shivers down my spine. I also always think of Mr Tomlinson deputy head at Calder High School Mytholmroyd, who played clarinet in the school orchestra of which I was also a member (trombone) It’s not that Mr Tomlinson would have played anything like that but alongside his clarinetting he was also a very strict disciplinarian and I fell foul of this side of him a lot. I can safely say that without Mr T’s influence my life would have taken a different track for the worse. So when I hear the track I always give thanks and pay my respects (he must be long since dead now RIP) for someone who really did make a big difference for good in my life. Lots of other great 80’s tracks are also on this album. Tainted Love is instantly recognisable from just the two or three opening synth notes which is always a sign of a great song. And who has never danced to this at a wedding with his tie tied around his forehead? Soft Cell have strong Leeds links. Today is 25 years since the murder of Chris and Kev. Never forgotten. MOT ALAW 4/5 5/4/25

The Who Sell Out

The Who

5/5

I absolutely love this record. Not necessarily because of its musical value (although there are some brilliant tracks on it) but because it makes me very happy when I listen to it. Pete Townsend is beginning to show his song writing talents here. The breath of different musical styles across the album make it stand out. From loud rocking numbers to whimsical comedic ditty’s and in between glimpses of mini rock operas for which he is best known. A smile comes to my lips and I get a warm fuzzy feeling when I hear Heinz Baked Beans and Tattoo. I reminisce marching around the lounge with my boys to Heinz Baked Beans and laughing with them childlike when they heard the lyric “A lady in the nude”. On top of this there is the more serious work like Rael (1&2) and identifying bits which were to develop into Tommy. A wonderful record and one which I own on vinyl and various CD reissues so also one I cannot get enough of. On this sunny Sunday morning in April there could be no better record to listen to. 5/5 6/4/25

Surrealistic Pillow

Jefferson Airplane

3/5

Never liked or got into Jefferson Airplane at the time. My best mate liked them which I thought was strange because his main faves were Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and Tina Turner. Diverse tastes I know and I don’t know how JA fit into the middle of them. Never asked him and cannot now do so as he is no longer with us. I have a feeling that because he was a bit of a ladies man he thought Grace Slick was hot and who cannot agree with that? I have no JA in my collection and I think that this is a bit remiss of me considering how important they were and in particular this album. I prefer the quieter slower numbers over the more rockier ones and for them alone I think it worthwhile that I should buy the album. 3/5 7/4/25

Sweet Baby James

James Taylor

4/5

Fire and Rain is such a beautiful song and means so much to me. A melody which resonates with my soul along with the very meaningful lyrics. So because that song alone is on this album make it one which I rate. James Taylor has a great voice and simple guitar style. A very laidback album which creates a mood that everything is right in your world. 4/5 8/4/25

Heavy Weather

Weather Report

1/5

Today in Halifax it started off sunny but felt cool due to an easterly wind. This weather has been typical of April 2025 due to the jet stream being to the south of the UK. High pressure has been across the UK. Consequently the UK has been dry all month with plenty of sunshine. It is expected that the wind direction will change tomorrow so temperatures are expected to rise until the weekend when the high pressure will move away to the continent and it will then become changeable with rain. All in all glorious weather for this time in April so able to sit out in the garden listening to music streamed to my smart speaker. But not this album. 1/5 9/4/25

Back At The Chicken Shack

Jimmy Smith

3/5

Anything on the Blue Note label is generally good and this album is no exception. I particularly like the organ playing which I think (but I’m no expert) is a rarity in jazz. As a Sax player myself (have I mentioned that before 😉?) I love to listen to those really proficient and dream that I was just 1% as good. This is a nice album to play anytime as it covers most bases. 3/5 10/4/25

Seventh Tree

Goldfrapp

4/5

If I didn’t already have a female singer guilty pleasure (clue - the biggest star of the 2020’s) Goldfrapp might achieve that accolade. I made a mental note some years ago, probably as a result of hearing one of the tracks on this album, that I should investigate Goldfrapp later. Unfortunately never got around to it until a few months ago when I took a punt on one of her albums (Ohh La La) which I bought cheap from a charity shop. I didn’t like this as it was too dance oriented, but no damage done financially but it did make me wonder how that seed was planted in my brain years ago. Now thanks to the 1001 God’s serving up this album today, my musical relationship with Goldfrapp is now realised. What a surprisingly lovely album this is. Having no knowledge of her I had to resort to Wiki who describes this album as a more laid back ambient album (which I like) rather than her usual dance electronic music (which I don’t). Certainly moved me to buy the album on Music Magpie (£1.99 a bargain) The album cover is intriguing and looks like a still of Keira Knightley in Pirates of the Caribbean which was all the rage when this album was released. Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate - but could be this album! 4/5 11/4/25

Good Old Boys

Randy Newman

2/5

Not something I like at all. Best thing about Randy is that he has perhaps one of the most identifiable singing voices going but that is probably down to a toy cowboy. Just occurred to me whilst writing that, isn’t Randy a bit of a cowboy name and why he got that gig? But then Randy could be applied to other cheeky things but I digress. Back to that voice- everyone knows it but for me personally it right gets me in the Chaps. For that reason it’s a miss from me David. 2/5 12/4/25

Let Love Rule

Lenny Kravitz

1/5

“Are you gonna go my way?” “No mate, sorry” 1/5 13/4/25

Tical

Method Man

1/5

Well I know it was too good to last but it’s ages since I’ve had the misfortune of having a rap crap hipperty hopperty album served up. Despite the break my view of this utter rubbish has not changed. Please no more!! But I guess that there is plenty more of it coming my way since I have yet to hit the half way point of this process. 1/5 14/4/25

Planet Rock: The Album

Afrika Bambaataa

1/5

Me and my big mouth. Only yesterday was I saying it was ages since I got some hip hop and then right on cue this comes along. Just like buses I get two in a row but this ain’t no magic bus (clue there for what I’d rather have had) So I refer to my (too many now) previous reviews of this genre which I hate. 1/5 15/4/25

S&M

Metallica

4/5

Must admit that I’m a bit of a sucker for rock and classical mash ups. To my mind there are three categories in this type of genre. Interpretations of classical music by rock bands such as that done by The Nice and ELP. Music composed by rock musicians which are rooted in the classics. Good example of this would be Deep Purple in Rock which was the album which really got me into this genre of music. Thirdly and this album is an example, rock songs with an orchestral accompaniment. This third category is perhaps the most popular type of rock/classical crossover and there are hundreds of other examples. I like Metallica and enjoy listening to their most popular tracks but I am not familiar with a lot of their back catalogue. So the majority of tracks on this album are not well known to me. I like a good guitar riff and Metallica are the masters of these but after a while every track begins to sound a bit the same. The orchestration relieves this and because Michael Kamen is responsible for the scoring it is very accomplished. I can’t help thinking that the orchestration compliments the rock instruments rather than the other way around. So maybe a rock band who were born out of thrash metal should not be looking to orchestra’s to enhance or put a different slant on their music. That said as an experiment which I gather Metallica have repeated since, this is a very interesting album to listen to and a worthy addition to this list for its uniqueness. 4/5 16/4/25

Lam Toro

Baaba Maal

3/5

Although it’s outside of my comfort zone I quite like this album. It’s very similar to other music on the list originating from Africa so my knowledge of such musical compositions and the artists making it is so limited you could put these albums side by side and I would not discern any major difference. My problem of course but I”m not enticed enough to research and listen more closely. Always happy to hear this stuff as a change especially when artists such as Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon incorporate it into their music, when African and other ‘world music’ really hit the spot. 3/5 17/4/25

Rings Around The World

Super Furry Animals

3/5

Not familiar with Super Furry Animals at all. Knew of them but never bothered to explore them. So a blank piece of paper today when I listened. Album began brightly and grabbed my initial attention but soon tired and began to sound the same. An OK album but nothing special. 2.5/5 18/4/25

Ten

Pearl Jam

2/5

Pearl Jam are another band who I knew of but never listened intentionally to their music. There’s so much of it around much more to my taste. If truth be told and without any evidence at all, I always thought that they were a hip hop combo so another reason why I thought they were best avoided. Putting all that to one side I listened to this with fresh ears hoping for the best. The first two or three tracks really resonated and I wondered if I had misjudged this band all along. However, by track 4 I had become a bit numb to it all and was bored. It’s all a bit MOR rock to my ears and stuff I’ve heard hundreds of times before. At least I’ve discovered it’s not hip hop so I will take more notice of them in future. 2.2/5 19/4/25

Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes

TV On The Radio

2/5

Looked forward to this album. Never previously heard it but had heard good things about the band. Very disappointed on what I heard. Usual US indie band rock. Nothing to see here. 2.1/5 20/4/25

Violent Femmes

2/5

1230 am and laid in bed pissed after celebrating the mighty Leeds United’s return to the Premier League. I recollect, just about, listening to this earlier and thought it was The Ramones playing acoustically and thinking WTF is Folk Punk. Well now I know but would have preferred to have been kept in the dark. If the 1001 God’s did promotions then today I should have got Employment by the Kaiser Chiefs. I Predict A Riot. If you know you know. MOT WAFFLL. 2/5 21/4/25

Is This It

The Strokes

2/5

A bit too whiny and LoFi for my tastes. Today was not a good day for me for listening to music like this. Nursing a post promotion (C’mon Leeds) party hangover. Where’s Brian Eno when you need him to sooth? 2/5 22/4/25

Suicide

2/5

Completely new stuff to me. Never heard of Suicide and if I had seen the album before today, due to the band’s name, would have naturally avoided it. But to be true to the list and despite the name had a listen and was pleasantly surprised. The instrumentation was good and had one or two melodies which immediately hit home but suspect that could also become a bit annoying due to their repetitive nature. What I didn’t really like was the vocals. Sounded like the chap wasn’t really trying so vocals became incidental to the music. If I owned the album I don’t think it would be played much. But if ripped to a playlist a random track every now and then would be welcoming. 2.4/5 23/4/25

Cross

Justice

2/5

Another album and artist I’ve never heard before. Don’t really know what to make of it. Obviously not made for my demographic and someone my age but I did find myself liking it. That’s the power of music of music I suppose. Not an album I would buy or listen to again 2.5/5 24/4/25

Teenage Head

Flamin' Groovies

2/5

The Rolling Stones despite their greatness have never been my go to band. So a Rolling Stones tribute band have no chance. 2/5 25/4/25 Lots of 2 and 5’s there. Will have to remember that next month.

Djam Leelii

Baaba Maal

3/5

I enjoyed this album. I’ve become more receptive to all types of music as I’ve become older as long as it’s not (c)rap Hippetty hoppity sh*t. So this passes this test. Would buy this album without hesitation if found cheap in charity shop but not certain if full price. But I’m from Yorkshire. 3/5 26/4/25

The Predator

Ice Cube

1/5

Read the reviews and Wiki first and as I suspected this cretin represents everything not only that I hate in music but more wider in general society as well. Politics and music is fine but when this degenerates into misogyny and gangster behaviour I want nothing to do with it. So in that spirit I will not pollute my streaming service with this sewage. 0/5 27/4/25

Elastica

2/5

I remember listening to this at time of release because music press were going barmy about them and this album. Just sounded like late 70’s punk and certainly not to the same standard of Britpop around at the same time. So I quickly dismissed it back then as I do today after today’s listen. 2/5 28/4/25

Ray Of Light

Madonna

5/5

Not much time today as I have to travel to collect my new car. But fear not I know this album well. It is also an album which I will play regularly in my new car. People who know me are shocked when they discover I like Madonna not only musically but on the evidence I’ve heard and read also as a person. It was this album which really made me notice her. I had been intrigued by her earlier hits but this album oozes quality from start to finish. Really accomplished by an artist at the top of her profession. I just about have all of Madonna’s albums but this one is by far and away the best musically. I’m very much a Prog Rock man and 90% of my listening time is consumed by Prog but the remaining 10% will have a fair smattering of Madge. Strange but true. Now off to get that car! 5/5 29/4/25

Loveless

My Bloody Valentine

2/5

Was looking forward to this. Some good reviews and an album I’d been meaning to get to grips with for years. Listened to it in the garden on hottest day of year. Fell asleep half way through it was so boring. Woke up with red face having had too much sun. Shouldn’t blame this album but I will. 2.4/5 30/5/25 🥵

Elephant Mountain

The Youngbloods

3/5

This album is like the Scottish weather. They say if you don’t like the weather wait 10 minutes and it’ll change. So if you don’t like one track move onto the next for a completely different one. This album seems to cover everything. Traditional folk, jazz, blues, psychedelic rock, laid back lounge type bossa nova and more. So well done to The Youngbloods diversity. But did I like it? Yes and no. Not something I would go out and intentionally buy but another one I’d snap up cheap if I saw it at a charity shop sale. 3/5 1/5/25

Hypnotised

The Undertones

3/5

I liked The Undertones at the time but not enough to buy any of their albums but most of this album was familiar to me before today. It captured the times the album was released but listening today I realised just what a thin sound was produced. Also a bit repetitive but nevertheless quite jaunty. Feargal Sharkey has been visiting frequently in my area, Ilkley, campaigning admirably to stop sewage polluting the lovely River Wharfe. So another star added because he’s a great fellow. 3/5 2/5/25

Antichrist Superstar

Marilyn Manson

1/5

Everything I have read about this lot indicated that I would not like the music. So I have never taken much notice of them or their music. So been ‘forced’ to listen to this was not pleasant. As unpleasant as what the concept behind this album and the underlying distasteful nature of Marilyn Manson as a whole. Totally at odds with how I feel today due to Leeds United winning the Championship Trophy. Because of that I feel all fuzzy and warm if also a little drunk. So I refuse to let stuff like this dampen that mood. An album I gladly relegate. 1/5 3/5/25

Jack Takes the Floor

Ramblin' Jack Elliott

2/5

It’s my birthday today so was hoping for something a bit more special. However I suppose the 1001 God’s went for something which is nearly as old as me but I don’t think there is anything on the list older than me or even same age. What a sobering and depressing thought. Anyhow what do I think of old Ramblin’ Jack? Traditional Americana folk music is something I respect if not necessarily get. It’s not the horrible gangster rap which seems to over populate this list. The perpetrators of which are not fit to lick something brown and smelly off Ramblin’ Jacks cowboy (I assume) boots. All this is in its favour but I appear to be ramblin’ on myself in my joyful birthday stupor. So best shut up in the thought that by the time my next birthday comes around (God willing) I will be close to finishing this process. How time fly’s when you’re enjoying oneself and knowing some of my all time favourite albums are yet to be dished out to me. But alas sorry Jack you are not one of them. 2/5 4/5/25

The Yes Album

Yes

5/5

No Need to listen to this one. Know every note by heart I love it so much. Not my favourite Yes album but certainly in my top ten all time favourites and Yes are in my top three favourite groups. I bought this album day of release from the famous Record Bar, Wakefield. It was an album I was eagerly anticipating after getting into Yes through their previous album Time and a Word. I was not disappointed as there is lots of spine tingling climatic music to be heard. I was in a hostel in Wakefield whilst a Police Cadet where a friend of mine at the time and we would lay on our beds in the dark continually listening to this album. This is why I know the album so well. I am an unashamedly a Progressive Rock nut so like others of my kind I figuratively wear this album like a badge of honour and consider it a rite of passage to know intimately. Regular readers of my reviews (that’s me only) will know it was my birthday yesterday and I so much wanted a classic album like this but instead I got Ramblin’ Jack Elliot. But fortunately I am still very much in a birthday mood as I am off into Leeds soon so watch and applaud the mighty Leeds United parade their Championship Trophy around the City. No doubt “ I’ve Seen All Good People” will be reverberating around my head as I cheer my heroes. There could be no better soundtrack to join my love of football and music together. 5/5 5/5/25

Liege And Lief

Fairport Convention

5/5

This is a highly regarded album in English Folk circles and regarded as one of the best folk rock albums ever. Don’t feel qualified enough to agree or dispute this but it is an album I really like and have in my collection. Wasn’t always the case as Fairport Convention were not to my taste in my younger days. It is only becoming older that I have become to appreciate them so probably an indication as to the age group they appeal to. No I’m not elderly bearded chap who drinks real ale and cups his hand to his ear when singing. As regards Fairport it was more a case of becoming aware of Sandy Denny and what a brilliant singer she was. Two lovely songs highlighting her talents are on this album Reynardine and Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood (Ok I know this wasn’t on initial realease but its on my reissue, so good enough for me) I could and did today keep listening to these two tracks on a loop such is their beauty and calming effect they have upon me. Matty Groves always raises a smile when I listen and makes me wonder as a traditional song if it is actually based on a true story. Reading the songs history is very interesting. Jigs and reels are not everyone’s cup of tea and a reason why some may give the album a wide berth. Must admit myself I need to be a right mood to listen at home but in a folk club environment they come alive and i would defy anyone not to at least tap their toes in that setting. But as I say it is Sandy Denny that really makes it a favourite album of mine. Any album featuring her beguiling voice is a winner in my book but this one is exceptionally good. 5/5 6/5/25

Duck Rock

Malcolm McLaren

2/5

Before reading the blurb about this album I’d no idea that it was largely responsible for introducing Hip Hop into the UK. Given my loathing of Hip Hop this did not bode well for my feelings towards it. Secondly, in my view Malcolm McLaren is a massive prick. I’m at ease saying this because John Lydon also endorses this and if he says it there is no doubt that he is one. However, I do actually own McLaren’s next album with all the Puccini stuff on it. I did like a lot of this at the time but can’t say I’ve had it out of its sleeve for over 30 years or more. But that it is not this album. Listening to this and putting to one side the Hip Hop crap I did find myself liking the African music. Must have been groundbreaking at the time as this album predates Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon getting their hands on African tunes. So for that reason I understand why it is on this list. Arriving at a final score for this album presents a bit of a dilemma. If it was an album of African music I would be scoring it 3 to 4 stars. But and this is a big but, I cannot forgive the inference that this album unleashed the horrors of hip hop onto the UK and me in particular. It might be hip hop you could play to your Granny because it goes on about fluffy ducks instead of the usual gangster violence, but I am not prepared to show any liking whatsoever to hip hop. 1.6/5 7/5/25

Pyromania

Def Leppard

3/5

I’m not a lover of the type of rock music Def Leppard put out. I always feel that it is MOR rock designed and polished specifically for FM American radio stations (maybe they are DAB now?) I did purchase their orchestrated greatest hits album last year as I felt I need a Def Leppard in my collection but this will be as far as I go into their discography. This album is OK every now and then but the formula for each song is the same so nothing here to challenge or learn something new. 3/5 8/5/25

En-Tact

The Shamen

1/5

What lovely childhood memories I have. Going down the Shay at 3pm on a Saturday to watch my heroes Halifax Town play the likes of Accrington Stanley in the old English fourth division. Singing songs like “We Hate Chelsea” “Who’s That Copper With The Big Black Hat (on the beat all day, on the wife all night)” and of course “Shaymen, Shaymen, Shaymen” So it was with eager excitement I scanned the track list of this album so I could one again relive those moments……bugger! Shamen 1 Shaymen 5 9/5/25

A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse

Faces

3/5

This was when Rod was a genuine rock star before he morphed into the crooner he became. Faces on top of their game. Known for their excessive indulgences and having good times. I bought this album along with the now banned and by modern day standards, inappropriate poster. Not an album I now listen to a lot but was the soundtrack to some of my best memories. 3/5 10/5/25

Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby

Terence Trent D'Arby

1/5

Quick one here cos I’m on holiday with little time. Ex-wife like TTD so what do you expect from me? Even allowing for that hate i it with a passion 1/5 11/5/25

For Your Pleasure

Roxy Music

3/5

Roxy Music came into my life because of my first wife. Got their first and this album probably because I was trying to impress her. In reality was never a real fan. Just one or two songs are real bangers but the rest a bit boring. Really like In Every Dream Home etc which makes me smile plus a good guitar solo. Do The Strand always reminds me of seeing them live in Leeds. On this particular tour Brian Ferry would insert the name of the town they were at when singing the place lyrics on the original recording. Leeds just having one syllable just didn’t sound right. Glad this album is on the list for those two tracks which I would always include on a tape compilation. 3/5 12/5/25

The Slider

T. Rex

3/5

I was never a big fan of T Rex. When they arrived it was peak prog which they never seemed fit into despite having a lot of love from the musical hierarchy at the time. In the end of course my aversion to T Rex was well founded when they became teenage girl favourites and arguably kings of glam rock. It’s ages in fact since I’ve heard any T Rex at all so listening today was a bit like hearing them for the first time. My conclusion is that I agree that Marc Bolan was indeed a very talented songwriter and musician with a very distinctive voice and style. So T Rex do deserve a place on the list even though personally it will never be for me. 3/5 13/5/25

Remedy

Basement Jaxx

2/5

Not an album or genre I am attracted to but surprisingly the first few tracks were OK. But that was the trouble the album collectively was a bit meh and OK. For a dance album not one to get the pulse thumping. 2/5 14/5/25

Tragic Songs of Life

The Louvin Brothers

2/5

This another example of how difficult it is sometimes to rate an album I would not naturally listen to but also know that there must be a background to it which brings it to be included on this list. This is especially so with older recordings. The fact that they are on this list and in this case nearly 70 years old is there some wow factor contained within to account for its longevity and perhaps influenced so many musicians? I ask this question not knowing the answer. Reading Wiki and the 1001 handbook doesn’t really answer the question either. So it’s down to relying upon my ears. My ears are connected to my brain and that immediately tells me that this is just American Country music which I have heard hundreds of times without note other than gaining a dislike of it. 2/5 15/5/25

Trafalgar

Bee Gees

1/5

My 500th album! So just about half way through the process although the exact point will be the start of side 2 on tomorrow’s album. So I await in anticipation of that. 501 days to go which will take me to 29th September 2026. This date has nothing to do with the Battle of Trafalgar so not the reason why I got this today. Trafalgar is very significant in British history. A naval battle where we defeated the naughty French but they got there own back by sneakily shooting Lord Nelson the blighters! He was killed on HMS Victory. Long story short but I once got drunk in Lord Nelson’s quarters and had a piss where Nelson would have done so over the ship’s stern. So having this interest I wondered what homage to it the Australian Bee Gees would serve up and in particular the title track. Imagine my disappointment to discover not one mention of the great battle and one of the greatest British heroes ever. All I can say is that it is obvious that the Aussie’s wanted to get one over of us Poms and do as much damage as possible to one of our finest hours. But what do you expect from Aussies? From a penal colony to proud nation - proof that you can really polish a turd. 1/5 16/5/25

American Idiot

Green Day

5/5

This is album 501 for me. Over halfway now but the exact halfway occurred 28 mins 36 secs into this album during track 7 Give Me Novacaine. I did the maths whilst listening to this album as I know it well and didn’t have to listen too closely. American Idiot is a one off album as I didn’t like what Green Day did before or since. I wouldn’t have normally been attracted to this album at all if it wasn’t for the fact it was been played everywhere in 2004 and 2005. I was firstly attracted to Jesus of Suburbia and this caused me to download a MP3 copy of the album from some pirate site. This went straight onto a 1st gen iPod shuffle which was ideal to use whilst running. The shuffle had a clip which went onto my shorts elastic. I was running 50 miles + at the time so this set up really got me acquainted with this album and others. Just about every track had a good beat fast enough to run and train at a good pace. Now having a bad back I can no longer run so this album really does remind me of those great days running not only on summer evenings across Yorkshire moorland but also cold winter nights on slippery pavements. Just writing that makes me feel very nostalgic of those days so a good reason to mark this album highly. So significant for that as well as a great one to mark my halfway point in this process. My average star rating at halfway point is 2.58 which seems low but will be interested to know if second half gets better. At least my score shows I like at least more than half what I have been so far served up. 5/5 17/5/25

Electric Warrior

T. Rex

3/5

This my second T Rex album this week. So no time to change my view. I repeat that I appreciate the talent Mark Bolan had and he was no doubt a master songwriter. That said this music was never to my taste. This album contains more of the early 70’s hits which were ubiquitous at the time so if you want just one album of T Rex hits this is the one. But not one I’d be interested in. 3/5 18/5/25

That's The Way Of The World

Earth, Wind & Fire

1/5

I don’t know about anyone else, but when I see this lots band name I always begin to consider the scientific elements of life. Obviously, they substituted air for wind. This must’ve been a conscious decision made by a band mate as a joke when suffering from the effects of a Keema Madras the night before. Having experience this myself, this may be all well and good, but what about water? Isn’t water the most important element to sustain life? Fire is very nasty so why not Earth Wind and Water? This has a nice ring to it so I think they missed a trick here. By the time I stopped staring into space and contemplating all this the music had stopped and I realised that the album had passed me by. It had made no impression unlike the elements of life which are essential building blocks and values that sustain our bodies, shape our purpose, and connect us to the world around us. 1/5 19/5/25

Graceland

Paul Simon

5/5

This was one of four CD’s I was bought to go with my first ever CD player. Whilst I am a big fan of this album I cannot remember how or why I came to like it. My main musical taste is Prog which sound wise this album isn’t but could be regarded as such due to the relative new fusion of African music with western pop and rock. Back then there was none of this modern woke nonsense of white men appropriating black music for their own ends and degrading it. I believe Paul Simon genuinely wanted to bring African music to a new audience to experience the joy he also had when discovering it for himself. Had it not been for this album and those of Peter Gabriel I would have never have discovered African music and doing so has enriched my life. So I think it was the freshness and absolute joy, which I still get, which attracted me to this album. 5/5 20/5/25

Tanto Tempo

Bebel Gilberto

2/5

Always happy to hear new stuff but when it comes to Samba it’s way outside my list of musical likes. Appreciate what others say about its musical value but I’d rather leave it to them for listening pleasure. 2/5 21/5/25.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Simon & Garfunkel

5/5

One of my all time favourite albums. Certainly my favourite album made and originating from the USA (incidentally the second favourite is Bookends) It was not an instant hit with me as when released I was just 17 with a head filled with Hendrix, The Beatles and just beginning to get into my life long fave Prog Rock. But as I matured this album grew and grew on me. I now never tire of it and often play it in its entirety. Each track is unique from the rest meaning that you go through a journey of very different musical styles. There are some of the best harmonies I have ever heard. Best example is the end section of Only Living Boy In New York. The heavenly “ahhs” ascending with the orchestral background always sends the hairs on the back of my head on end. So beautiful and I often imagine that when my time comes I could ascend to heaven myself accompanied by those breathtaking chords. But the highlight on the album is 4min 20secs into The Boxer as the “lie la lie” section comes a crescendo and a bass synth sound thunders in. Just play this loud and put on loop repeat. What a moment this is and a reminder of the power of music. A wonderful album and one which has become the soundtrack to my life. 5/5 22/5/25

Pictures At An Exhibition

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

5/5

This is a fantastic album and one of my all time favourites. Perhaps not my favourite ELP album but one which gives me some great memories particularly seeing ELP live. Those who complain about the sound quality of the album I do sympathise not because of the sound but because you were never fortunate enough to witness Pictures played live. I saw and heard it live 3 times. At Leeds Town Hall the static building organ was above stage level. When Keith Emerson said “I’m going to do some climbing “ everyone knew what was coming. He played the first few chords of Pictures, instantly recognisable and a beautiful tune, and everyone went wild. Keith was an amazing showman and just had to be seen live. As an explanation to those who think the sounds halfway through The Great Gates of Kiev are just random noise, Keith here was playing his Hammond either on top of him or with him sat on top rocking it around the stage. To see it was to believe it and I’m so glad that I did witness this as a testament to his superb musical ability. Shout out also to Greg Lake for his tender lyrics set to the original score. I know those words by heart and often sing them myself in any impromptu moment. I bought the album just prior to going on a 3 week outward bound course in the Yorkshire Dales where access to any news let alone music was forbidden. I was desperate to get home and to play this very disc. On the Friday night I arrived home I was exhausted due to exertions and lack of sleep. I went to bed early and listened to Pictures but did not get beyond Promenade before I was asleep and the needle was stuck on side one run off when I awoke 12 hours later. This is one abiding memory when I listen to this disc but it is the live performance which really does come to mind. One other important thing. Getting acquainted with this album encouraged me seek out the original Mussorgsky classical version of Pictures. As I had also done previously with other classic/rock crossover’s introduced to me by The Nice. Whilst I cannot be described as a classical music aficionado my knowledge and appreciation of that genre was gained entirely due to albums such as this and I think that was what ELP intended. 5/5 23/5/25

Ctrl

SZA

1/5

The album cover depicts fly tipping. For those who don’t know fly tipping is the dumping of rubbish by dirty twats who cannot be arsed going to their local refuse collection point or have to pay to dispose their trade rubbish, so decide to dump it on pretty country lanes and fields. A despicable and anti social act which says a lot about the calibre of person guilty of perpetrating this filthy habit. All the above also describes the contents of this album. 1/5 24/5/25

#1 Record

Big Star

2/5

Totally new to me. Reviews indicated a potential missed gem as they promised similarities to Tom Petty and REM. But on listening was very underwhelmed. If the aforementioned were influenced by this well they made a better job of it. Not the worse but instantly forgettable. 2/5 25/5/25 - I gave it 2 out of 5 even before I considered today’s date - weird!

Rattlesnakes

Lloyd Cole And The Commotions

4/5

I bought this album at the time largely because of the hit singles emerging from it. Just checked my Discogs collection and reminded myself that I also bought the next album Easy Pieces. So I must have been smitten by this band for reasons I cannot now easily recollect. I like jangly guitar melodic pop songs so that must have been it. Lloyd’s nasally voice and singing style also good. 4/5 26/5/25

Soul Mining

The The

3/5

Ofter heard The The on the radio but took no real notice so today was the first serious listen. I was drawn to comparing them to Talk Talk not because of the similar play on words for a band name, but because Talk Talk were contemporaries. I concluded that The The were trying to evolve a new sound I could not help but think they were very much influenced by Talk Talk. Mark Hollis was a genius so I could understand why they did this. Whilst Talk Talk music will be highly regarded for ever I cannot pay The The the same compliment. Not an unpleasant album and one which I would buy if I came across it cheap second hand. 3/5 27/5/25

Beach Samba

Astrud Gilberto

2/5

Wow I’m impressed the original girl from Ipanema or so I believe? As I have said before when receiving similar picks, this seems a tick box exercise and a nod by the 1001 Gods to lesser known stuff to ensure fairness. Not a bad thing I suppose but just because we are highlighting minorities doesn’t mean to say we all should shout hallelujah and rejoice at sounds hardly heard to our ears. If I was drinking cocktails on the Copacabana and this album was on in the background that would be fine. But on a drizzling grey day in West Yorkshire it just doesn’t cut it. 2/5 28/5/25

The Stooges

4/5

Well this is a rarity. An album served up which I’ve never been anywhere near and which I’ve had to change my mind about. Don’t know if I’ve been influenced by Iggy Pop who even in the UK has become a bit of a national treasure. As an aside I love Iggy’s speaking voice which sounds (on the evidence of this album) nothing like his singing voice. But maybe like us all it has got deeper with age. Anyhow back to the music. I can now see why the plaudits value this album highly and accept that it was truly ground breaking at the time. The guitar solos make it for me. Don’t know anything about Ron Asheton but will delve into his back catalog. All in all good stuff and another good reminder why I like this process so much when gems are occasionally thrown up. 4/5 29/5/25

Songs The Lord Taught Us

The Cramps

2/5

Looked at the album title and thought I was getting “All Things Bright and Beautiful” or Onward Christian Soldiers” Imagine my disappointment when I listened. 2/5 30/5/25

With The Beatles

Beatles

5/5

As a life long Beatles nut I know every beat, note and word. In the early 60’s when still at school and dependant on parents to finance record purchases you were lucky to have access to more than 4 or 5 LP’s a year. So the records you had were played endlessly and so became part of who you were. Unlike today where you have access to just about every record ever made, which is good but the downside is that you never get so emotionally connected as you did back in the day. So I began listening today knowing full well that I would award it 5 stars. So no need to listen critically but an opportunity to listen again from start to finish and try to capture again those memories of times as a young lad singing along in his bedroom adorned with posters of the Fab Four. At the risk of annoying younger people those times were really golden and I feel so privileged that I lived through that time. This album is a great example of how good music was then. What I didn’t know was that this was just the start. This to Sgt Peppers in 4 years!! 5/5 31/5/25

Want Two

Rufus Wainwright

4/5

Like many have said this album has a lot of Radiohead vibes which for me is not a bad thing. I have a couple of previous RW releases on CD bought because I like his vocal style. This album is completely different to those. So was not expecting what this album actually offered. RW was obviously trying to produce an album of new ideas and sounds which I think he largely achieved. 4/5 1/6/25

Ragged Glory

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

3/5

I’m more of an early Neil Young solo fan rather than his Crazy Horse stuff. Although I do believe Rust Never Sleeps is on this list and that is ace. But this is not a bad album. Where it scores best is Young’s guitar work. Really like his extended solo’s but must admit his singing does tend to grate after a while. Whilst he has an instantly recognisable voice it is advisable not to prolong your listening session when he’s singing. 3/5 2/6/25

Here Come The Warm Jets

Brian Eno

3/5

I like Brian Eno. He is a very intelligent man having a brain as big as a Galaxy. So he is interesting to listen to when interviewed even though his views don’t always sit well with me. I’m more a fan of his ambient work rather than albums like this released in the period after he had left Roxy Music. I often stick on his ambient albums as background or when I turn off my lights at bedtime but I don’t think I would ever include this one. That said this album got better after each listen so is very much a slow burner. 3/5 3/6/25

Don't Stand Me Down

Dexys Midnight Runners

1/5

Lot of talking going on here and its the kind of talking you can’t ‘sing’ along with so what’s the point? Pity because a lot of the underlying soft melodies are quite nice. That said there is also too much of what I associate Dexy’s with. That is the bloody foot stomping and clapping along to dance numbers at wedding evening do’s. Geno and Eileen have put me through hell and are my nemesis no matter what fucking Jackie Wilson says. 1/5 4/6/25

Black Monk Time

The Monks

2/5

Never heard of this album or group before which isn’t surprising as there appears to have been no official UK release. Consequently it wasn’t easy to trace and listen to over the streaming services. Only managed to find it on YouTube. Quite enjoyed it although it is of its time but nevertheless must have been considered an experimental and ground breaking back in 1966. Enjoyed the keyboard work on the album reminding me of The Doors. I detected a reoccurring riff which in itself is quite memorable but I couldn’t help but think it was nicked from an English football clapping chant popular at the time. You know the one… Clap Clap Clap,Clap,Clap, Clap,Clap,Clap,Clap Clap Clap “United” (or City or Town or colour of teams shirts etc) 2/5 5/6/25

Paranoid

Black Sabbath

5/5

Black Sabbath have never been a top heavy rock band for me. I was always more a Deep Purple fan. Yes they were similar in a lot of ways but Purple songs were a lot more appealing due to their melodic value. But this Sabbath album is an enormous favourite of mine. It is the subsequent Sabbath albums which never resonated. One track alone and that is the title track, make this album a solid 10/10. Paranoid the single means a lot to me. I mean which 17 yr old in 1970 could resist that riff? Or with his mates stand round in a circle, armed with air guitars, shaking their hair to disrupt all the girls who all they wanted to do was dance to Band Of Gold? A top record which alone gives it top marks but in all honesty every track on this album is a banger. Pity it was for me never replicated. 5/5 6/6/25

Nighthawks At The Diner

Tom Waits

2/5

Tom Waits’s voice is famously divisive, and for some listeners, it can be downright grating. It’s a gravel-pit growl that sounds like he gargled razor blades and whiskey for breakfast, with a tone that often borders on unintelligible muttering or aggressive barking. For those not attuned to his style, it can feel more like a test of endurance than a listening experience, making even his most heartfelt ballads feel like they’re being delivered by a malfunctioning garbage disposal. While some call it raw and authentic, others hear little more than an off-key croak dragging over a piano’s funeral. Pity really because beneath the voice were some engaging tunes. 2/5 7/6/25

The Grand Tour

George Jones

1/5

When scouring the charity shops for CD bargains the largest majority of CD’s for sale all have album covers like this. So I quickly flick past them without giving them a second thought. Sometimes without a thought at all now that I become adept at sorting the wheat from the chaff. A silly practice I know as I’m in danger of missing a gem. But as this album cover depicts you know exactly what you will get from the CD and why it needs ignoring. American Country Music means nothing to me in my UK northern environment and I know of no one in my circle of friends who would disagree. Although I did share a bedroom in a hostel with a fellow recruit when I was 17. Despite my love for Hendrix, Genesis, Yes etc which was also shared by most of the other guys in the hostel, my bedroom mate did have an unhealthy love of Country Music. Don’t recall him liking George Jones but I’m sure he must have been on his radar. So whilst listening to this today it was nice to recall Phil (that was his name) singing Jim Reeves songs at the top of his voice and 18 other lads shouting at him to shut the fuck up. Which in my view George should have done before cutting this album. 1/5 8/6/25

2/5

Always aware of Alex Harvey but never bought and of his music. Always associate him with his version of Delilah which was good. Thought he was still with us but learnt today as a result of this that he died yonks ago much too young. RIP. Can’t say I enjoyed this album much. Some good musicianship but not to my liking. One redeeming track was The Faith Healer which is excellent and bumped it up a star. 2.5(2)/5 9/6/25

Tres Hombres

ZZ Top

3/5

Don’t dislike ZZ Top and when in the mood I like 12 bar blues songs. But I have to be in the mood and today I wasn’t and found this album too repetitive. Later in the day whilst streaming randomly an early Groundhogs blues track played. Having just listened to this ZZ Top album I was able to compare the two. Maybe because the Groundhogs are British I decided that I liked their blues more. Or more likely I was also influenced by the fact The Groundhogs went onto develop into a Prog Rock band which is much more to my liking. Saving grace for the ZZ’s is that I have seen them live opening for Eric Clapton and they were brilliant. A live version of La Grange was especially good and since that appears on this album my rating of it improves. 3/5 10/5/25

The Seldom Seen Kid

Elbow

5/5

One of my top albums although not quite my favourite Elbow record. TTOALOE achieves this mantle. First came to my attention when I saw them live. They opened for Coldplay at Bolton Wanderers Stadium and was really impressed with them. So tinkered around with their earlier albums and bought this one on day of release. Was singing the hook line “Throw those curtains wide” to One Day Like This ages before my workmates caught on so they were really impressed when that tune was everywhere. Have seen Elbow again live many times. If you’ve never caught them they are highly recommended. Guy Garvey is a lovely chap and that shines through in abundance live. As can be expected by his down to earth and relatable lyrics which this album exploits to the maximum. His Radio 6 slot on a Sunday afternoon is also a treasure chest of the best music around. I’ve followed dozens of bands and singers as a result of what he plays. One of the best albums of the 2000’s. 5/5 11/6/25

Surf's Up

The Beach Boys

3/5

Thought this was too much of a coincidence with Brian Wilson unfortunately dying yesterday. RIP. However, saw on Facebook page many fellow 1001’s also got a Beach Boys album so that was a lovely touch and fitting tribute to a great musician. I had this album once upon a time but somehow cannot trace it now. It wasn’t an album I played a lot. In fact now that I’ve listened to it again today there are only two tracks which I rate. That is the title track and Feel Flows which for me is the best track by far and worth the purchase price alone. That said don’t think I’d purchase again but thanks for the timely reminder of how good Feel Flows which is now a ‘loved’ track on my favourite streaming service. Thanks for the music Brian. Better things will be said when Pet Sounds comes my way but this is also a great way to celebrate your life and music. 3/5 12/6/25

In Utero

Nirvana

2/5

Not much of a grunge fan at all. I only bought Nevermind because the rest of the world had done so. That was alright but only just. As for this, just more of the same to my mind. Or was Nevermind more of the same as this. Can’t be bothered to look to see which was released first. Forgive my lack of enthusiasm here but today I learnt that the 50th anniversary release of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway has been put back for second time until autumn of this year. That has really pissed me off and this album did nothing at all to cheer me up. 2/5 13/6/25

Skylarking

XTC

3/5

Rather a timely selection today. XTC were never a favourite of mine but I never listened to them intently. This album came to my notice a year or so ago. It was mentioned by Steven Wilson in his and Tim Bowness’s Album Years podcast which I have followed religiously and as a result have discovered a treasure trove of previously unknown albums. This particular XTC album was one that they both raved about so I made a mental note to give it a listen but then immediately forgot about it. That is until getting this reminder today. It is a good album and one which I shouldn’t have ignored but still screams 1980 vibes. So being children of the 80’s I can understand why Steven and Tim relate to this but I’m not and don’t. 3/5 14/5/25

Nixon

Lambchop

3/5

Completely new band and album for me. Bit of a duff name Lambchop especially for an American band from Tennessee. Thought a lambchop was very much an English delicacy. That aside the album had a bit of everything in it so chapeau to that. Was wondering what Wiki described as countrypolitan was. So now I know but i do sometimes have to laugh what lengths some people go to when trying to describe a genre of music. An enjoyable hour spent listening but probably something I will not readily return to. 3/5 15/6/25

Electric Ladyland

Jimi Hendrix

5/5

I’d bought and proudly owned Jimi’s first two albums but when this was released in posed one or two problems meaning that I never actually bought this one. Firstly this was a double album at double the price and my meagre earnings could not stretch that far. Perhaps more importantly as a 15 year old boy I would have felt extremely embarrassed to go into my local record store and buy a double album with 19 nude ladies emblazoned across it. That’s even if they would have sold it in the first place to a 15 year old as many considered the cover as ponographic. Even then if I had managed to get it home I doubt that I would have got it past the Gatekeeper AKA Mum who would have given me a clip around the ear hole for attempting to bring such filth into her home. So whilst I was starved of the pleasure of this album my mate’s brother did own it on a reel to reel tape upon which he had recorded the album from the radio. I did buy all the singles released from the album so I did end up buying a fair proportion of it. But I was denied the standout track on the album which is Voodoo Chile slight return. Those first few bars of Jimi’s guitar building up to the crashing wave of that familiar and unique riff gave me goosebumps and still does today. I think that track is largely responsible for the hearing loss I suffer from today as when I actually owned a copy of the album a few years later, it was my wont to place my head between two speakers at full volume and experience the orgasmic delight of that track. This exercise was often repeated when I purchased headphones right up until today. My love of Voodoo Chile alone makes this album a standout one. 5/5 16/6/25

Horses

Patti Smith

2/5

Thought I had this album but then checked on Discogs and saw it was Wave. Similar covers in my defence. Reason I wasn’t mistaken is that I don’t think I’ve played anything by Patti Smith since the 70’s. Can’t remember why I bought an album of hers at all as I don’t like her style at all. This album has one saving grace and that is her rendition of Gloria which is excellent. The rest pretty meh. 2/5 17/6/25

High Violet

The National

3/5

As it happens I’m very much in the process of discovering The National. This was prompted would you believe by Taylor Swift. Aaron Dessner has featured in her last few albums and his contribution has led me to his own music and as a result I have bought this album so now know it quite well. It did pass me buy when released in 2010 so this proves it is never too late to discover and appreciate new talent. As many have said a lot of the tracks do merge into one another but the overall ambiance of the music is nice to have in the background. 3/5 18/6/25

Paul Simon

3/5

I’m a Paul Simon fan but this is probably my least favourite album. This album contains more of his poppy tracks which might be alright for some but personally I like his my folky stuff. There’s enough on it though to give it more than half marks. 3/5 19/6/25

Mr. Tambourine Man

The Byrds

5/5

Don’t know why I haven’t got this album as it’s an absolute classic. Listen to it regularly via streaming site but must get round to buying it. Was only young when it was released and apart from the title track which I adored the other tracks on the album did not instantly grab me but with age I have grown to like the album as a whole. As regards Mr Tambourine Man, one of my earliest musical memories and something I will never forget is seeing Roger McGuinn on Top of the Pops singing that song. He had those trade mark square shaped sunglasses on perched at the end of his nose and looking as cool as fuck. What a look that was and was something I tried to emulate but thwarted by the scarcity of similar sunglasses and in any case the money to buy. 5/5 20/6/25

KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)

Ministry

1/5

Once upon a time I’d like to listen to this stuff whilst getting ready for a night on the beer. I’m 72 now and don’t do beer so no use whatsoever of industrial racket. My favourite industry nowadays involves arts and crafts. Not much steel industry in UK thanks to the Chinese and Trump’s tariffs. 1/5 21/6/25

Murder Ballads

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

4/5

Must admit I’m a late convert to Nick Cave. Had dismissed him from my list of likes until I heard Skeleton Tree. His albums since then have got better and better with Ghosteen becoming an all time favourite and certainly the best album of 2019. Because of my new found love I obviously delved back through his back catalog but this album is still relatively unknown to me apart from the Kylie duet. As a general lover of music originating from tragedy and blackness I’m surprised this has never come to my notice. There is a lot to like on this album with a lot of underlying melodies which contrast with Nick’s dour vocals. Nothing as good as what’s on Ghosteen but you can hear the seeds of what developed to become the mastery of that album. An excellent album narrowly missing out on 5 stars but one now on my list to buy. 4/5 22/6/25

Black Metal

Venom

1/5

Discounting Hissing Sids, venom means to me a spiteful malicious feeling or extreme ill will which describes my view of this lot and this album. 1/5 23/6/25

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

3/5

Love and bought Tom Petty’s biggest album Into The Great Wide Open but never delved into any of his other albums. So looked forward to listening to this. Unfortunately nothing I heard compared to what is on ITGWO. Inoffensive but not groundbreaking. 3/5 24/6/25

Kala

M.I.A.

2/5

I liked this more than I should have. Hip Hop if this is what this album is has never and will never done anything for me. So anything described as such before I even listen is off to a bad start. I dutifully did listen and the first few tracks did hold my attention but as is always the case this interest soon trailed off. Music not made for me but I appreciate here the Artist trying to do something different. My biggest gripe always with this stuff is the tendency to go off in a swearing rant. Thankfully nothing of that nature so a rarity of an album of this genre getting more than one star. 2/5 25/6/25

Peggy Suicide

Julian Cope

3/5

I sometimes use these opportunities to review or make notes about an album to ramble on about what an album means to me or if it triggers any special memories etc. This album does none of those things but whilst I was musing over that and whilst listening to this album a thought did occur. This was because prior to today I had no idea that this album existed. I knew of Julian Cope having Teardrop Explodes albums and also a single by him Charlotte Anne which is a very charming song. So I thought that I’m 72 now and been collecting and listening to music seriously for 60 years. The fact that I did not know this album made me think how many other albums exist which I know nothing of. This led me to conclude that despite my age and the vast amount of music I either own or have access to, at the end of the day I’m just scratching the surface and know very little. I wonder if folks who review music for a living, who will have obviously listened to more music than I, but are they also ignorant of the vast majority of music ever composed and produced? An imponderable just like the meaning of life. So back to this album. How did it escape my attention when released? I like it and would have probably bought it. Shocked also to see that Julian Cope has quite a big solo back catalog. Do I now research them now or accept that life is not long enough to consume every bit of music and that we will all go to the great gig in the sky having missed an exceptional piece of music. But I suppose the contrary is true that we’ve all by accident stumbled across a great piece of music which if not for a freak moment we might have otherwise missed. Hmmmm, makes you think doesn’t it? 3/5 26/6/25

You've Come a Long Way Baby

Fatboy Slim

3/5

There must have been a lot of copies of this album sold. This is because you can always find a copy or more for sale cheap at charity shops which is where I bought my copy. Not a must buy but I do recognise it to be a significant album and deserves a place in my collection. So whilst not entirely to my taste there are one or two tracks which I really do like. Probably like what the rest of the world’s population think Right Here Right Now is the stand out track and must be one of the most popular tracks of the last 20 plus years and will continue to be a staple at wedding do’s and the like for years to come. For that reason alone a seminal album. 3/5 27/6/25

Dig Your Own Hole

The Chemical Brothers

2/5

By chance (or not?) it’s Glastonbury weekend and my only experience of the Chemical Brothers is seeing them there on the TV. Image that sticks out are those goggles they wear projecting beam on light from their eyes. Looks good and suits the music. Glastonbury all well and good but in the cold light of day and playing this album I do not get the same vibe. From what I can gather the music is just one part of the Chemical Brothers experience. Live there is lots of artistic visions and movement going on to accompany the music. Take that away and rather like the Riverdance album without the dancing you only get half what you paid for. 2/5 28/6/25

Queen Of Denmark

John Grant

2/5

Got to know John Grant as a result of him duetting with Guy Garvey on one of my favourite Elbow songs Kindling. His voice was very deep on that so was surprised to hear how different his voice was on this earlier recording. Do prefer his newer darker and deeper voice than the one you hear on this and was quite disappointed in what I heard. Just a bit MOR and meh for my taste. 2/5 29/6/25

Group Sex

Circle Jerks

1/5

So pulling your plonker in a circle with others I suppose is (weird) group sex but does leave a very unsavoury image in your mind. Unsavoury just like this record. 1/5 30/6/25

A Date With The Everly Brothers

The Everly Brothers

3/5

When I read biographies of my favourite musicians nearly all of them cite one of their biggest influences are the Everley Brothers. Unfortunately I do not share their enthusiasm but when my hero’s state that they wouldn’t have got where they are without the Everley’s I do have to take note. I have heard most of the tracks on this album many times and it is standard late 50’s and early 60’s music. I can understand why the mega stars who were about to flourish were influenced by this as it is light years away from what went before. So as a historical musical document it does deserve a place on this list although not a personal favourite of mine. 3/5 1/7/25

This Is Hardcore

Pulp

4/5

Quite a topical choice seeing that Pulp are on the comeback trail and also made a big impression at Glastonbury last weekend. I like Jarvis Cocker and listened regularly to his Radio 6 Sunday Service Show a few years back. His choice of music really fitted in with what I like . Like most folk really rated previous album Different Class which is also on this list. Can’t remember without checking if I’ve had that yet. A follow up album from that was always going to be tough as it was literally different class. But this is a decent album made very much in the mould of Different Class but strives to build on that and which I think it succeeds in doing. An album missing from my collection which I now need. 4/5 2/7/25

Scott 4

Scott Walker

4/5

Up until recently I always partly dismissed Scott Walker as just a member of the Walker Bothers responsible for My Ship Is Coming In and The Sun ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore etc. Nice 60’s hits but nothing more. My impression of him changed as a result of Prog Rock God and Producer Steven Wilson. Listening to his and Tim Bowness podcast The Album Years really brought him to my attention. Scott Walker’s solo albums are always bigged up on the podcast. So much so that I have began to stream them and this includes this album. I find his music very beguiling and also challenging at the same time. You really need to give his songs chance to draw you in. Not so much this album but others require hard work to get into and I relish a challenge like that. He is very much a guilty pleasure and a well kept secret just enjoyed by those who know. 4/5 3/7/25

Kid A

Radiohead

5/5

This was one of the most anticipated albums ever following the phenomenal success of OK Computer. I know this because I was one of those counting down the days and buying Kid A on release day. What a disappointment it turned out to be. Radiohead certainly tested their fans here. Nothing at all like their previous releases. No singalongs at all and to me it sounded like one disjointed continuous racket. Things didn’t really improve either after seeing the album performed live but with one notable exception. Everything In Its Right Place was exceptional live and a memorable moment I still relish today. Like a good wine Kid A has matured and grown on me over the years. It has taken me over 20 years but I now view it very differently from when it was released. Even today putting it on to listen I heard new sounds and threads which I was previously unaware of. Each listen brings something new which I am sure Radiohead wanted to achieve. After Amnesiac which is just a continuation of Kid A, subsequent Radiohead releases reverted to more tuneful offerings. So Kid A is really a one off. I like to call it Radiohead’s Topographic Oceans which if you know that album sums up the concept of Kid A. 5/5 4/7/25

Opus Dei

Laibach

1/5

Having spent all day at a local pub who had hosted an all day festival of young local bands this came as a shock when I got home to listen to this album. Best I can say in its favour is that the 1001 Gods are once again playing a tick box game by including a Slovenian band. A Country (ahem) well known for its outstanding musical output. My advice is listen to Vinyl Friday a young band I was privileged to witness today instead of this muck. 1/5 5/7/25

Clube Da Esquina

Milton Nascimento

1/5

Second day on trot I’ve been served with a tick box selection ensuring that this list covers every possible Country and culture etc. This one though is a bit better than the last one which was so bad I’ve already forgotten what it was and erased it from my memory. And likewise tomorrow I will have forgotten this. Very negative I know as the authors of the list will have made a real effort to include this album to educate us all but there are bounds to how far my musical appreciation stretches and try as I might this ‘un doesn’t stretch far. 1/5 6/7/25

Every Picture Tells A Story

Rod Stewart

5/5

No need to listen to this. By coincidence following Rod Stewart’s appearance at Glastonbury last weekend I sought out this album thinking that I had it on vinyl. I was mistaken so streamed it the other day. And what a fine album it is. One that obviously got away as I have always liked it and by thinking I had it must have years ago had it on my wanted list. Goes without saying Maggie May is an all time rock classic which I do have on single. But also Mandolin Wind and Reason to believe are wonderful love songs which hold dear memories for me (and again by sheer coincidence it is today the birthday of a person who prominently features in these memories) These early Rod Stewart albums are to me his best. As his popularity rose and he began pandering to his new post Faces fan base I took no heed whatsoever of subsequent albums. This was made when Rod was still tearing apart rock music with his raucous behaviour. Will soon make amends and get this album as it deserves to be in any music fan’s collection. 5/5 7/7/25

Bayou Country

Creedence Clearwater Revival

4/5

After a run of mostly great albums wondered if this one signified a bad moon rising. Actually pleasantly surprised. An album that I had not taken any notice of or had any previous knowledge of but on listening every track seemed familiar and homely. Knew Proud Mary of course but every other track carried the distinctive trademark John Fogarty singing together with some great southern guitar licks. An album to spend a pleasant hour with. Strong 3 star and just a gnats cockhair off being a 4. 3/5 8/7/25 Later addit - after a further listen - Fuck it give it 4. Superb guitar playing and some mean mouthorganing made it so. 4/5 2359 hrs 8/7/25

Da Capo

Love

3/5

Made me imagine walking down the King’s Road Chelsea plotting an alternative counterculture lifestyle. If this record was supposed to do that then well done. As Tony Blackburn keeps reminding us every Saturday morning - The 1960’s best decade ever. 3/5 9/7/25

Eternally Yours

The Saints

2/5

Away from home on walking holiday in Lake District so had to shove this on whilst on the fells in over 25 degrees of heat. Punk not normally my barrow but this album surprisingly helped my yomp. Not your common a garden 3 chord songs but a lot more sophisticated bordering on the best The Ramones managed. All in all good for what I did today but on any other not an album I would buy or listen to again. 2.5/5 10/7/25

Sound of Silver

LCD Soundsystem

1/5

Still on my walking holiday in the Lakes. Only chance I had was to stream it when I happened to have a mobile signal. Boiling hot day so I was suffering in the heat. This album did nothing at all to relieve the suffering. In fact it made matters worse as this stuff never sounds great to me. 1/5 11/7/25

The Madcap Laughs

Syd Barrett

3/5

Really sad listening to this. Reminds me of what a big influence he was with Pink Floyd and personally to me. Sadly this album documents the decline of Syd. Not that anyone knew at the time how he would deteriorate and lead to his very untimely death at such a young age. Not a bad album at all but possibly illustrates the direction Pink Floyd could have gone in. So very sad and a waste of a talent who if he had made different life choices would have undoubtedly gone onto great things and be regarded as a musical icon much bigger than than the appreciation he gained during his short life. 3/5 12/7/25

Junkyard

The Birthday Party

2/5

I have got like Nick Cave over the last few years which is surprising because I remember hearing his early stuff on TV music shows and been far from impressed. This album is an example of that early music which bears no resemblance whatsoever to his last half dozen albums. I cannot think of another example of one artist been so at odds between their early and later work. There is no indication or clue within this album to suggest that small seeds had been sown which would develop into the magnitude of an album such as Ghosteen. 2/5 13/7/25

Out of Step

Minor Threat

1/5

On the day after Dave Cousins of The Strawbs left us I had no stomach for this stuff. I did give it a cursory listen but first few tracks confirmed what I feared. Anyone who knows the music of Dave Cousins and similar will know why i cannot give any truck whatsoever to Minor Threat or are they called Out Of Step - who cares. 1/5 14/5/25

Raw Like Sushi

Neneh Cherry

1/5

I can’t remember why but I once owned this CD. Must have had some aberration because listening today there not one track upon it which appealed and was glad that I eventually sold the CD on to Music Magpie for a few pence and it no longer stinks out my collection. Only dilemma I have in rating this album is should I take note of my younger self and accept that 36 years ago there was something likeable and don’t we all have a guilty pleasure? Hell No! I do have guilty pleasures but these involve the likes of Abba. Instead I plead guilty and ask the music community for leniency for my incongruity. 1/5 15/7/25

Armed Forces

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

4/5

Surely I must be coming to the end of the multitude of Elvis Costello albums in this list? I’ve had a few now but this is without doubt my favourite and arguably his best album. I bought this on album and because of the nature of the cover stuck it straight into a plastic sleeve where it has remained now for 46 years in pristine condition. Whilst I really liked the album on release I did tire of it in later years so I have rarely played it. But today I listened to it with fresh ears and was able to remember why I was drawn to it originally. Lots of hit singles which everyone was playing and making EC a constant on Top of The Pops. Best track for me is Green Shirt which still sounds fresh and original today. Streamed it through a few times but resisted getting my LP out of its cocoon. But writing about it now I think I must at least remind myself of the album cover which is superb. 4/5 16/7/25

Tonight's The Night

Neil Young

3/5

Had another 1001 constant Elvis Costello yesterday and hoped I was getting to the end of his contributions. Same goes here for Mr Young who I don’t dislike but a lot of what he does sounds very repetitive to me. So this is staple Neil Young fayre. Not good and not bad but at least it ticks off another one towards getting to the end of this list. 2.5/5 17/7/25

Golden Hour

Kacey Musgraves

2/5

A few years ago I would have dismissed this album immediately. Traditional American Country Music does nothing for me at all. But Taylor Swift has educated me not to be so rash. Listened and gave this album a chance in hope, considering it was on this list at all, that it would appeal to my inner Swifty. Pleasant enough I suppose but not deep or meaningful like you get from Taylor Swift. 2/5 18/7/25

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Arctic Monkeys

3/5

One of my son’s favourite bands so I often hear this album around the house. But I was aware of them long before he was old enough to know them. There’s a lot to like about this album and I have bought the CD on the strength of liking most of the hits coming from it. Always happy to hear these songs on a random shuffle. 3/5 19/7/26

Rejoicing In The Hands

Devendra Banhart

1/5

Folk Rock? You must be having a laugh. I generally like this genre but I recognise nothing on this album to give it the right to be classed alongside the Folk Rock giants. Just a fellow with an annoying voice and simple guitar style inflicting his untalented musings on us all. Will have to listen to my Fairport Convention albums to cleanse my ears. 1/5 20/7/25

Drunk

Thundercat

1/5

I love good music but I also hate some music. All that I hate about music is encapsulated in this album. 1/5 21/7/25

Trout Mask Replica

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

1/5

I wish I could like this album as it is regarded by a lot of my age contemporaries as a masterpiece and a must have album. I was 16 when it came out and was introduced to the album by John Peel on his radio show. He was very influential at the time and he had pointed me towards Bands who have become life long favourites. But this is where John Peel and me parted ways. As a double album it was never going to be an album I would buy given my meagre income and the riches of many classic Prog Rock albums around at the time. I’ve realised over the years that for an album to resonate it must have a fair proportion of good melodies within it. When I analyse my collection built up over 60 years the majority do reach this requirement. And that’s the trouble with this album. I struggled then as I did today to hear one teeny weeny melody. So like I said earlier many would walk around proudly displaying this album, talk at length expressing the many virtues this album had and that anyone not getting it was an imbecile. I on the other hand just scratched my head and accepted that I must be inadequate in some way and continued through life as if the album did not exist. That is until today when my faith was restored by my fellow 1001’s when reading their reviews. I was not alone after all. Thing is I can’t help but think whatever happened to all those who did think that this album was the best thing ever? Did they eventually see the light? Probably not. More likely they listen to it locked away in their room striving still to understand what the Captain was trying to communicate to them and reluctant to give up until they find the answer. And they are probably all Audiophiles! 1/5 22/7/25

Black Sabbath

5/5

As soon as I learnt of Ozzy’s death I wondered if there would be another tribute selection on here as there was for Brian Wilson. I had my own tribute last night but went for Paranoid and Master of Reality instead of this as I have always considered them the best two Sabbath albums and still do even after giving this album a listen in memory of Ozzy. It’s odd how Ozzy has gripped the Nation’s and even half the world’s attention as he was far from a good role model. But he had a great and one of the most distinctive rock voices and this will be his legacy. He ended up being a national treasure and will always be so. Would be crass to criticise this album on this day. Suffice to say I listened today with a smile on my face and if any album does that it deserves 5 stars. 5/5 23/7/25

Melody A.M.

Röyksopp

2/5

Seeing that I bought this album twice you’d think I would like it but I don’t. Can’t remember why I bought it the first time round but it was a CD I foolishly sold to Music Magpie along with most of my collection when streaming came along. This actual album was no great loss unlike the vast remainder but that’s a story for another day. Second time around it was bought at a charity shop and made up a third choice to get 3 for a pound. Downloaded it to hard drive and then forgot about until today. This says it all really and my attitude towards it. 2/5 24/7/25

Ágætis Byrjun

Sigur Rós

5/5

Sigur Ros are one of my all time favourite bands. Their albums whilst always experimental never fail to move me. As a live band there is no better. Always an experience rather than a gig which always leaves me emotionally drained. As a fan I obviously have all their albums which I play regularly so this album needs no introduction. If I were to rank their albums, which is hard because each one has unique features to set them apart and love equally, I wouldn’t quite put this at the top of my list. Takk contains most of their well known tunes and () is sublimely beautiful and surprises me every play. Both these I would rank ahead of this one but only just and on another day might change my view. The best thing on this album is that Jonsi’s trademark guitar playing with a stringed bow is really to the fore. What a wonderful sound he makes guaranteed to make the hairs on the back of your head stand up. They also achieve something Pink Floyd on Echoes manage. An immediately recognisable one note start to Svefn G Englar. What a wonderful happy tune Olsen Olsen is. Can it ever fail to put a smile on your face and make you want to skip along to that penny whistle tune? The title track is Jonsi singing and playing at his best in a style as if he’s right In front of you singing for you. Note the guitar string sounds recording his movements along the fret which make it so personal. The effect he achieves here is replicatated and improved upon on the live album Harv/Heim which really must also be sought out. This album is no doubt in my top five of those so far served up to me and I cannot recommend it enough. Pity and a travesty that this seems to be the only Sigur Ros album on the list. For that reason make the most of it because music does not get a lot better than what’s on this album. 5/5 25/5/25

A Rush Of Blood To The Head

Coldplay

5/5

Coldplays first three albums are in my opinion one of the strongest debuts of any band. Coldplay are subject to much ridicule nowadays but those first three albums were brilliant and shot them to the stardom they deserve. One travesty is that unless it a late entry the third album X&Y does not make this list. Such a pity as it is one of my all time favourites and a contender for my nomination at the end of the process. This album makes it on the list as just about every track is a crowd pleaser and in the case of tracks such as Clocks, The Scientist and Politik instantly recognisable classics. I always know when an album means a lot to me because I can usually remember where I bought it. In this case it was Morrison’s Supermarket, Morley having nipped in one evening whilst at work and grabbed it as it was a supermarket bargain. The grandeur of this album belies the inauspicious circumstances of me obtaining the album. 5/5 26/7/25

Revolver

Beatles

5/5

Turn off your mind, relax and float down-stream, isn’t that one of the greatest song lyrics ever? And it’s on this album so obviously this is a great album. I’m a boyhood Beatles fan and it was the Fab Four who inspired me and who were the catalyst to give me my life long love of music. So anything The Beatles did get an automatic 5 stars from me. Many argue which is the greatest Beatles album and many nominate Revolver. I prefer not to get involved in such arguments although for many years I would have said Sgt Peppers was the greatest album ever recorded. As I’ve matured and my music appreciation has widened I just think of The Beatles as I think of my parents. There at the start and responsible for all the love and nurturing I received. Any Beatles track holds a special place in my heart. So I equally love Here,There and Everywhere on this album, to Anna on their first and Come Together on Abbey Road. A few highlights for me on Revolver - Is it the only album ever to mention two British Prime Minister’s? For No One is one of the best songs about being ditched which I and I dare say many can relate to. Tomorrow Never Knows will forever stand as an aperitif for what was to follow. Yellow Submarine is derided by many but even that song had its uses as a football chant. What fun I have had over the years singing at Elland Road “We all piss in a red and black pot, a red and black pot, a red and black pot”. 5/5 27/7/25

Logical Progression

LTJ Bukem

2/5

Yesterday I had the excellent Revolver by The Beatles so this is not a logical progression. 2/5 28/7/25

Copper Blue

Sugar

2/5

A band I had never heard of before so was intrigued to hear something new. Disappointed I’m afraid. Just a pale imitation of those around at the time 2/5 29/7/25

What's That Noise?

Coldcut

1/5

The fact that as of July 2025 you struggle to find this album on any streaming platform speaks volumes. If you were able to listen from the misfortune of having bought the album and having it your collection then my sympathies go to you. YouTube snippets were the only way I could sample this album but that made the whole experience mercifully short. 1/5 30/7/25

Fever Ray

2/5

Better than I thought. Some nice relaxing melodies. Good background music but nowhere near good enough to put on for a couch listening session with a glass of red. Think this must be another tick box exercise to include the rest of the World and not just the US and UK. 2/5 31/7/25

Elvis Is Back

Elvis Presley

2/5

To say I’m well over half way through this process I think that this is the first Elvis album I’ve been served up. Does this mean he has less albums on the list than the more famous 😉 Elvis AKA Elvis Costello? I say all this because despite all the plaudits the more older Elvis has and his historical place in the annals of music, I am totally ambivalent towards him and if he had never existed I wouldn’t have missed him. But that raises the question of if Elvis P had never existed would we have music today in its present form and would I have the same musical heroes responsible for all my favourite albums? One to chew over whilst listening to this album. At the conclusion I’m still at a loss as to how any of Elvis’s stuff influenced all the musical greats. But I’m an imbecile without any musical talent so what do I know? But I know what I like and this does not include this album. My gut instinct is one star but with a nod to those who know better I’ll stretch to 2. 2/5 1/8/25

Truth

Jeff Beck

3/5

I freely admit that when I hear of Jeff Beck I admonish myself for not knowing more about his music. I know his hits but little beyond that, and this inadequacy is highlighted by the inclusion of this album on the list. For example I’d no idea that he worked with all the would be superstars featured on this album. Secondly when halfway through the album I realised that I knew a lot of the tracks but had been given the Jeff Beck treatment. Not in a bad way but giving new life to old Blues standards. A very enjoyable listen to which I thank the 1001 Gods for picking. It truly might have been an album I would have missed before my demise. 3/5 2/8/25

Olympia 64

Jacques Brel

1/5

Just a French taunter. He could well be singing “I’ll fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberry. You English pig dogs” Never forgiven us for destroying the French fleet in 1940. 1/5 3/8/25

...The Dandy Warhols Come Down

The Dandy Warhols

2/5

Never taken much notice of this lot although often thought I should. So this appearance on my list was somewhat welcome. Started off alright but as I listened it became a bit difficult to distinguish where one track ended and the next began such was the sameness of the whole album. Not something I will return to. 2/5 4/8/25

16 Lovers Lane

The Go-Betweens

2/5

Like yesterday with The Dandy Warhols, for a band I didn’t know a lot about, this album also opened strongly. So strongly that I did stop what I was doing to study the relevant Wikipedia pages. However, I had only got halfway down the page when it dawned on me that the album was nothing special. It did remind me of something and I eventually realised that it was Lloyd Cole and his commotions. But a second rate version of him. Wonder if there is a lack of Antipodean 1001’s doing this process hence the low average rating? 2/5 5/8/25

Idlewild

Everything But The Girl

2/5

My original review is below which I’ve had to amend because I mixed Everything But The Girl up with Fairground Attraction. An easy mistake to make I’d wager and why it all sounds so bland. Whilst Tracey Thorn is an undoubted talent (Fairground Attraction) Everything But The Girl have never done anything for me. Even now when I’m a bit older and arguably wiser to the extent that I collect and appreciate the likes of Norah Jones, Diane Krall and the like EBTG (FA) still sound too MOR and devoid of any humph. A bit mind numbing. Still a lot like them and this album so they don’t need my vote. 2/5 6/8/25

Sister

Sonic Youth

1/5

Sometimes when I am served up an album by a band who have appeared multiple times on this list and I have also previously reviewed I go back to read my musings and to see if my opinions vary. I’ve cut and pasted these below. Saves me having to repeat myself but unfortunately not the torture of listening. Bugger me I’ve just checked the book and still have another two albums by these cretins to go. Is it really credible for at best a division 2 band to have 5 albums on this list? Or put it another way, nearly .5% of the whole list? As I progress through this list I’m realising that when I get an album which I like I find it easy to write about (which I guess I’m stating here the bleeding obvious) But when I get an album which I consider bad it’s harder to come up with comments and emotions that I have not used before. Sometimes a bad album might have been made by an icon and considered globally as a classic. In which case I can say it’s not my barrow but I can appreciate the impact it made on music and deserving to be on this list. Which brings me back to my original point and this bag of shite. I’ve already used all the expletives and dismissive’s for all the other crap I’ve had to listen to. I don’t just like saying ‘not my cup of tea’ in one line as I prefer justify why don’t like it. But as I’ve now waffled on and my review looks long I can now end without saying anything remotely knowledgeable or assessing the musicality of this album and thus fooling everyone except myself. Who reads this anyway? I always knew Sonic Youth were there but had no interest in them at all. Might have heard a track or two before but they must have washed over me as if they never existed. I set off to listen to this album positively hoping I would learn something new but to no avail I’m afraid. Found myself concentrating more on an ipad card game I picked up after track 1. 1/5 7/8/25

Midnight Ride

Paul Revere & The Raiders

4/5

As a child of the 60’s have heard a lot of what’s on this album but if you had asked me yesterday would not have heard of the band. Good music made in a time when things were simpler and when I was young. So reminds me of that great time and wish I was back there now instead of this stinking, woke ridden, hell hole we endure now. 4/5 8/8/25

Apocalypse Dudes

Turbonegro

3/5

Never heard of this band so well done the 1001 Gods for introducing them to me. It was a bit of a revelation and could hear that they were attempting to produce something different. Not to my own personal taste and not something I would buy but happy to have been enlightened. 3/5 9/8/25

John Barleycorn Must Die

Traffic

3/5

In 1970 a lot of the major record labels released sampler records. These were made up of single tracks of the labels artists from their latest albums. A God send for lads like me on a limited budget as these albums were cut price too. One of the most iconic (still?) such sampler albums was ‘Bumpers’ released by Island Records. One of my favourite tracks off this sampler was Every Mother’s Son which is also a track on this album. This spurred me on to listen to the full album the title of which also intrigued me. At that time I was disappointed as there was too much jazz influences on it for my liking and nothing at all measured up to sampler track. Cannot say that I have really sought out this album since then so another chance to listen in full was welcome. Must say that my younger self was right. Even though my appreciation of jazz has increased over the years there is not a lot on here to get my juices flowing. Every Mother’s Son remains the standout track and that song alone is worth my star rating. Traffic themselves always remained on my radar and their album a year or so later Low Spark of the High Heeled Boys is a cracker and should be on this list. 3/5 10/8/25

Crosby, Stills & Nash

5/5

An undoubted classic which I am sorry to say passed me by the first time around. I was aware of the record largely due to CSN’s appearance at Woodstock but my musical tastes did not extend to them. Although, again due to Woodstock, I thought Suite Judy Blue Eyes was a piece of harmonising excellence and probably with Hendrix and The Who the best part of the whole thing. I wasn’t there of course but base this on the Woodstock film. To be honest it is only in the last few years that I have become a CSN (more than CSN&Y) fan. As I have said I doubt if there is a better example of close harmonies with all three of them bouncing off and complementing each other. Guinnevere is a beautiful love song and a song I never tire of. If I have one tiny criticism the album does seem to tail off with the last two tracks in particular being just filler tracks. Still a great album and well worthy of been on this list and I hope somewhere near the top scoring wise. 5/5 11/8/25

Shalimar

Rahul Dev Burman

1/5

I’m at a complete loss as to why this album makes this list. Not only the inclusion of a movie soundtrack questionable but the quality of the music is so bad it is contemptuous to most of the other artists on the rest of the list. It reminds me of the kiddies cassettes I bought my son as a singalong. If anyone knows The Wiggles you’ll get my drift. Thing is The Wiggles did have degree of talent unlike anything on this album. I accept that this may be a tick box exercise and a nod to the Wokerati to include some Indian music on the list. But then again why when Ravi Shankar is already included? It is a crime that a maestro like Ravi shares this list with dross like this. But I have said that about other included albums but this one is definitely at the bottom of a shitty barrel. 1/5 12/8/25

Devotional Songs

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

3/5

I’m beginning to think that someone actually reads this stuff. After yesterday slagging off an Indian film soundtrack which had somehow made it onto this list, I get this. I said that the soundtrack yesterday was an embarrassment to the great array of Asian musicians of which there are hundreds if not thousands of examples. So along comes this one. Whilst totally unknown to me prior to today it is one of the good examples of Indian music out there and a good representative of this genre that some would say is underrepresented on this list. My knowledge of this genre is virtually nil so I purely listen to see if it pulls any of my strings. Well, just a bit and it is a world away from yesterday’s offering. But when I have previously popped my toe into this type of music it is the likes of Ravi Shankar which I have enjoyed more than what is on this album. 3/5 13/8/25

Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black

Public Enemy

1/5

Third album on this list I’ve been served up by this lot. The 1001 Gods really do try your tolerance. Thank goodness it’s the last. 1/5 14/8/25

Rocks

Aerosmith

2/5

Aerosmith are a bit of an unknown quantity to me. Don’t know if I’m right in thinking but I have them down as a typical American soft rock FM friendly combo. There’s evidence of that on this album but also an heavier side which I have never picked up on. Don’t think I’m alone in being influenced by the Walk This Way video which I disliked with a passion. In fairness this was because of the inclusion of Run DMC but I will always associate Aerosmith negatively because of it. So not a lot for me to like here. 2/5 15/8/25

The Sun Rises In The East

Jeru The Damaja

1/5

Well it’s been a while since I had to endure a shitty album like this. So I’m thankful for the month or so since my last hipperty hopperty crap rap album but fearful that another one is just around the corner. 1/5 16/8/25

The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

Genesis

5/5

If I were to say that I have had the 50th anniversary deluxe version of this album on order for nearly a year (the one which should have been released September 2024 and has been put back twice and will now be released October 2nd 2025) it is probably obvious why I rate this album so highly. That said when it was released initially I wasn’t all that convinced about it. Thought that Peter Gabriel whose work this album largely is had gone a bit weird. But this was partly because I was comparing it with the previous album Selling England By The Pound. I don’t think that I am alone in saying that album is my favourite all time record so any follow up album had a lot to live up to. It has never exceeded SEBTP in my view but as the years have gone by I have learnt to love it and I can say it certainly makes my top 5. Putting the deep story line to one side because I still cannot understand it fully, there are some of the best Melodies Genesis have come up with - Fly on a Windshield and Hairless Heart are but two of many. The Lamia is a devine song and to me very sad. The Cage is typical Genesis building to a climax with soaring keyboard sounds and was a sure highlight played live. An album I know very well and play regularly. Eagerly waiting for October to arrive to hear the remastered version and extra tracks. My love for this album can only increase. 5/5 17/8/25

If You're Feeling Sinister

Belle & Sebastian

3/5

Belle and Sebastian are another band who have been on the edge of my consciousness and have made a mental note to research their music but never got around to it. So it was welcoming to get this album today so I could at last give it my attention it deserved. Not disappointed in the least as the album is full of gentle melodic tunes which immediately struck a chord with me. The name Belle and Sebastian conjures up to me calm and warmness. A lovely cozy feeling which this album projects. Not going to go mad and buy their entire back catalog but happy now that I know what their music consists of and will always be on the lookout for their albums as I scourer the charity shop CD’s. 3/5 18/8/25

Live At The Harlem Square Club

Sam Cooke

2/5

So Sam Cooke is regarded the Father of Soul whilst James Brown is the Godfather of Soul. So who is the most important? Something to mull over whilst listening to this. But not me as I am definitely an anti soul boy. Hated it when I was young and unlike other forms of music which I once hated but now appreciate, I hate it still. That’s not to say that I don’t understand why Mr Cooke and Brown etc have a place in musical heritage because they do. Best thing about this album is that it is a continuous mash up of all those great soul classics and would be ideal at a BBQ party to get the guests moving. Meanwhile I would quite happily stand cooking with my AirPods in gently smiling whist I listen to ELP’s Brain Salad Surgery. 2/5 19/8/25

Car Wheels On A Gravel Road

Lucinda Williams

3/5

Pleasantly surprised by this album. “It’s Country (Jim!) but not as we know it” springs to mind. Not your normal “Papa sittin’ on the porch” or “Mama hollering at Billy Jo” but some thought provoking lyrics and good melodies. Good melodies are always a hit for me. Pretty good production sounding great on my system. 3/5 20/8/25

Fifth Dimension

The Byrds

5/5

Not an album I’m familiar with but it’s great 1960’s psychedelic folk rock so right up my alley. Eight Miles High I did know and is the best track. Conjures up the vision of Roger McGuinn singing on Top of the Pops, with his oblong shaped shades perched on the edge of his nose looking so fucking cool (song might have be Mr Tambourine Man but he looked cool all the time) 5/5 21/8/25

Brutal Youth

Elvis Costello

3/5

All good enjoyable songs but trouble is they are all a bit the same. Now 5 albums into Elvis’s vast catalog on this list I can say that this is a common theme about his music. Very competent musically but all have his very recognisable trademark which does begin to get weary after a few tracks. Last album I had of Elvis was Armed Forces which is head and shoulders better than this. That was a high watermark so a bit unfair to compare. So this is a middling sort of album. Nice to hear but forgotten about after a while and if you were to hear one of the tracks on this album in isolation you’d be hard pressed to identify which album it was off. 3/5 22/8/25

Highway 61 Revisited

Bob Dylan

5/5

This album gets top marks from me just for the inclusion of Like A Rolling Stone. This is a masterpiece and by a mile my favourite Dylan song. It is the ultimate cynical put down song. If you apply the lyrics to someone known to you that you dislike or a former partner who’s dumped you, you’ll know what I mean. The rest of the album is standard Dylan fayre. All good with thought provoking lyrics - Don’t matter what side you’re on, we’re on the Titanic so all doomed! Amazing that this album is now 60 years old. If released today would be still relevant. So an indication that Dylan will be remembered long into the future. 5/5 23/8/25

C'est Chic

CHIC

2/5

This album succeeds in bringing back memories but not very happy ones. This stuff and the like was played constantly at the local Palais De Dance, AKA The Mecca or any other nightclub of your choice. There was only one reason or sometimes two reasons why I went there and the music wasn’t any of them. In fact nightclub music was a good excuse not to go at all. That and the warm watered down beer. So in principle I hate Chic music. Big however here though because Mr Rodger’s and his Chiccette’s have somehow become National Treasures. Locally they have become an annual institution appearing at the Halifax Piece Hall to which members of my family and friends go and come back with many tales of how great the gig was. So much so that they try to convince me to go. As I speak their next appearance happens to be next week. My rating of this album signifies whether I will be there or not. 2/5 24/8/25

You Are The Quarry

Morrissey

3/5

I’d forgotten what a good album this is. Thought I had physical copy in my collection so getting this today prompted a search for it. Looks like it was victim of my foolish CD sale when I thought streaming was the way forward. So marked this album down to purchase again. Some good song melodies to enjoy and Morrisey is his usual miserable self communicating his usual utterances on a whole host of subjects. I can take or leave his views on these things but what matters is that the music is good. It escaped my notice but yesterday I was served up my 600th album. Chic didn’t exactly light up that auspicious occasion but up until then my average score was up to 2.62 from 2.58 when I had my 500th. So this last 100 must have been on the whole quite good. 3/5 25/8/25 Albums Rated 600 Average Rating 2.62 Favorite Decade 1960 Favorite Origin UK Favorite Genres Folk Psychedelic Rock Singer Songwriter Worst Genres Hip Hop Funk Soul Favorite Artists Beatles Radiohead The Who Simon & Garfunkel Bob Dylan Queen The Byrds Joni Mitchell U2 Deep Purple Coldplay Nick Drake Kate Bush Pink Floyd Fairport Convention Emerson, Lake & Palmer Peter Gabriel Led Zeppelin Black Sabbath Worst Artists Public Enemy Sonic Youth Adele Common Beastie Boys Elvis Presley My Bloody Valentine Sly & The Family Stone Can Ryan Adams The Band A Tribe Called Quest The Jesus And Mary Chain Isaac Hayes Christina Aguilera Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band Talking Heads Pixies Controversial Artists Marvin Gaye Neil Young David Bowie

Club Classics Vol. One

Soul II Soul

1/5

All that I dislike in music wrapped up in a single album. 1/5 26/8/25

The Only Ones

2/5

Remember liking big single from this album Another Girl, Another Planet. As a result looked at buying this album but as everything else on the album was rubbish never bothered. 47 years (how can that be?) later it hasn’t improved. It’s the vocals which spoil it. Trying to hard to achieve that mean Pete Shelley of The Buzzcocks sound. Still one good single drags the album up a bit. 2/5 27/8/25

The Hour Of Bewilderbeast

Badly Drawn Boy

5/5

No doubt about it that I do have a penchant for guitar playing troubadours producing exquisite melodies with a folky feel, northern English grit and plenty or orchestral overdubs. Badly Drawn Boy ticks all these boxes so no surprise that I have this album and a fair few of his others. A great album which can make you happy and also when in that mood very melancholy. 5/5 28/8/25

At Budokan

Cheap Trick

2/5

My only previous engagement with Cheap Trick was buying an album of theirs on cassette cheap at a new year WH Smith sale. Their big hit Surrender was on it so the album must have been Heaven Tonight. It was very much a punt purchase as I’d no idea what I was buying. The cassette like very many suffered the same fate of being chewed up in my cars stereo system. So I remember little about it other than I considered it a good buy for the few pence paid. So until today that was my sum involvement with Cheap Trick. This album opens up the argument again about the inclusion of live albums on this list. I sit on the fence over this. Some of my favourite all time albums are live. The Who Live at Leeds, Purples Made in Japan and Keith Jarrett’s Koln Concert are all landmark albums. But this one ain’t. Sound quality is poor as if recorded on a single mic cassette recorder. The quality of the music is no better. Sounds like a tribute band playing at a boozy Christmas party. I’m sure those who were at the gig have a different view as the audience sound right up for it. And to me that is where the majority of live albums sit. As a memento of the gig to those attending it and for committed fans as a must have album to maintain their collection. 2/5 29/8/25

Boy In Da Corner

Dizzee Rascal

1/5

How come such a horrible scumbag manages to get a MBE? Still he was responsible for one of the funniest things I ever saw on a BBC news programme with Jeremy Paxman referring to him as Mr. Rascal. Don’t think Mr. Rascal realised that Jeremy was taking the piss big style. The music on this album? Do you really think I’d waste my time and ears? 1/5 30/8/25

The Pleasure Principle

Gary Numan

4/5

I loved the likes of Keith Emerson who was one of the early pioneers of using the Moog Synthesiser in his music and which enhanced traditional instruments. So I was always receptive to electronic music. It must be said that when Gary Numan came along he was truly groundbreaking because of his use of purely electronic instruments. Debatable though if this album should be regarded as the most important example of this genre. More inclined towards the his previous two albums released under the guise of Tubeway Army. In particular Replicas which contained the track Are Friends Electric which had a strong electronic riff and introduced me to electronica and I suspect the rest of the world. So if this album is not on the list for being the first of its type then it must be judged for its musical value. Cars is the standout tract with an equally good enticing riff and which makes this album good. But the rest to me is just more of the same. The arrival of electronic music made a tremendous first impact but then just went a bit static. Gary Numan will always be regarded as the pioneer of this type of music so his place in musical history is assured. Personally after being enticed into electronica I quickly tired of the sort on this album. I am now more inclined towards its use in ambient music made by the likes of Brian Eno. For me guitars rule but can also sound better and can be complimented by the use of electric instruments and for that I thank Gary Numan. 4/5 31/8/25

Fetch The Bolt Cutters

Fiona Apple

2/5

Fiona Apple is such a great and memorable name I immediately remembered having one of her albums (Tidal) early on in this process. I was not very complimentary about that which was disappointing as she has all the hallmarks to compete with the likes of Tori Amos but perhaps never with the likes of Lana Del Rey or Her Majesty Kate Bush albeit that she shares a bit of their DNA. I put this album on streaming it on Apple Music whilst my wife was sat next to me scrolling through her phone. She summed the album up halfway through the first track by exclaiming “What the hell is this?” The cause of her comment was when the song went a bit off key and weird. My wife is no muso but I had to agree with her I thought it worthwhile using my wife as a lightening rod to sum up what the general population would think of this album. After my wife had departed to do some ironing I continued with my listening session. Bit chauvinistic some would say but continuing listening to this album was not an easy or relaxing exercise. In fact I concluded that I would have preferred to put a crease down a shirt sleeve. Mrs Apple just tries to hard to be like the aforementioned superstars. Her voice isn’t bad and if she sang more natural singer songwriter softer songs instead of the needless experimentation and attacking our hearing then she would be a lot more likeable. Indeed, when halfway through this album and when my attention had wandered I found elsewhere on Apple Music her rendition of Heart Of Gold which was a whole lot better than anything on this album and proves my point. She’s still got a top name though! 2/5 1/9/25

New Forms

Roni Size

1/5

Something went wrong today. Wrote notes about this album but when I was presented rating screen I saw that my notes were gone and replaced by the notes I had written for my previous album. Not going to write review again but suffice to say crap music and much too long 1/5 2/9/25

Supa Dupa Fly

Missy Elliott

1/5

Big missy from me. Hate this stuff. 1/5 3/9/25

All Hope Is Gone

Slipknot

1/5

Odd that being brought up on a diet of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin etc that I never made the jump to Metal. I think it’s because each of the aforementioned gave us all a break from the thrashiness by including softer more cuddley songs on their albums. That and because Ian, Ozzy and Robert had great voices and were diverse. Unlike Metal vocals whose proponents seem to shout in Klingon fashion and at speeds to outdo each other and to get to the end of the song as quickly as possible. It was therefore a chore to get to the end of this album which was full of the hallmarks just described. It was a viscous assault on my ears forcing me to immediately find solace with the gentle tones of Joni. 1/5 4/9/25

Deloused in the Comatorium

The Mars Volta

5/5

To borrow a line from a monthly feature in Prog Magazine - It’s Prog Jim, but not as we know it. This is what sprung to mind whilst listening to this album. Probably because I never had The Mars Volta down as a Prog band. I’m an unabashed Prog fanboy so always excited to hear new Prog. Not that this is exactly new and makes me wonder how on earth I missed this first time around. Firmly in the court of the heavier side of Prog made by the likes of Dream Theatre and Muse but like the fact that they kept to the values of traditional Prog with a concept storytelling album. This album going on my must buy list and note to self to listen to the bands back catalog. 5/5 5/9/25

Murmur

R.E.M.

3/5

REM do not yet feature under my controversial artists section but regardless of whether they will ever feature, they are my very own conundrum. There is not much on this album which I like or would return to but then again there is a single track Perfect Circle which is REM at their very best and producing a sound which is unique. REM is composed of great musicians capable of producing outstanding songs but also terrible songs. To my mind there is only one album they have produced where every track is exceptional and this is Up. So, as I might have mentioned on my last REM selection, apart from Up my favourite all time REM album must be the greatest hits compilation. When they are good they are very good but when they are bad they are horrid! 3/5 6/9/25

Amnesiac

Radiohead

5/5

I refer to my previous comments about Kid A. This album came out of the same recording sessions so shares the same DNA. Namely more electronic than guitars. This could easily have become a double Kid A album. Weirdness and beauty coexist on the album. Like Kid A I was not sure originally about the album but has become a grower. Is purely for Radiohead aficionados. 5/5 7/9/25

Virgin Suicides

Air

3/5

Bit surprised to see this album here. I always thought that Air were a one trick pony in that Moon Safari was their only album of note. I’ve already reviewed that and it is an album I am fond of so wondered what was so special about this one to warrant being on the list. As it turned out I thought if anything it was marginally better than Moon Safari. A very pleasant listen although like Moon Safari it suffers from becoming a bit monotonous. One to listen to with the lights out when trying to work something out in your head. Not for a long car journey on an Autoroute as the consequence may require intervention by Gendarmerie nationale Oh La La! 3/5 8/9/25

Appetite For Destruction

Guns N' Roses

3/5

I bought this album on the strength of the guitar intro for Sweet Child Of Mine. This must be instantly recognisable to any rock music fan and for that reason I would consider it to be a classic song. As for the rest of the album it is standard MOR American rock ideally suited to their FM radio stations. Not disagreeable and considering GNR were one of the first making that stuff it certainly has a right to be on this list. Not an album nowadays which I would put on to listen in its entirety but good to occasionally hear tracks which randomly are selected when shuffling my music collection tracks. 3/5 9/8/25

The Slim Shady LP

Eminem

2/5

Despite my hate for hip hop rap crap, Eminem is the only artist producing that stuff that I can lend an ear to. Putting aside the misogynistic lyrics, foul language and violence Eminem can produce a great tune and he his at times quite humorous. He also tells us that is music is not based on reality but rather like a grotesque horror movie who the majority do not believe to be true. So why not apply this to music? An interesting concept when music over the years has been used as a political tool and a means of getting a point across. But then again I can think of quite a number of movies which have been used for propaganda and to convey a serious message. So that argument does not really stand up. Which leaves us with the music. Whilst there are quite a few toe tappers it is impossible to ignore having the unpleasant lyrics depicting a life of grime being served up in my home. 2/5 10/9/25

Bert Jansch

3/5

When this was released I was at secondary school and I seem to remember a teacher recommending Bert Jansch to me as he knew I was getting into music. Might even have been this album. Only a vague memory of the teacher concerned He was probably a Geography teacher who wore a checkered blazer with leather elbow patches. That description also describes this album. Typical English folk sang by bearded dudes with a cupped hand over one ear. Anyhow my attention had firmly gone towards loud rock by then and was never going to return to this genre until about 50 years later. I now realise what a tragic mistake this was. Apart from forays listening to the likes of Steeleye Span or Fairport Convention I did miss a lot during that period and I am now in later life trying to make amends. So this album was a welcome selection. Reminds me very much of Nick Drake if not reaching the heights of his triple albums. Not sure if it is an album I would return to but a reminder to finally take my teacher’s advice and sample his back catalogue. 3/5 11/9/25

Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter

3/5

Never heard of this band at all but Wiki review and other 1001’s reviews convinced me I was in for a treat. And it was. Not a bad album at all. Not something I wish to own but good enough to save it to my streaming service of choice. Was hard to buttonhole which is good because the band were obviously trying to be different. Closest I can compare them with are the Eels. That’s the band not the long slimy variety popular with cockney’s. 3/5 12/9/25

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

1/5

Any wokerati on here? If so they won’t be best please with this bands name. If they are wringing their hands in anger then this album has done its job so I salute it for that. But that is the best thing I can say about it. 1/5 13/8/25

Debut

Björk

4/5

I find Bjork a challenge. I desperately want to like her and do. But her albums are full of traps and surprises. One moment you are listening to a truly wonderful song completely unique and sonically superb then along comes a bonkers key and time change and you wonder if the poor girl has been possessed. But this the nature of Bjork’s music and it is down to you to either take it or leave it. As this is the third Bjork album coming my way the 1001 God’s must believe that Bjork holds her own alongside musical greats and that we should make the effort to explore her music which reveals great delights when given the chance. As it happens this album is perhaps Bjork’s more accessible albums. Not full of jolly toe tappers but perhaps a few more conventional songs than on her other albums. I am now a committed Bjork fan knowing that I will never truly understand her music but happy to spend time trying to do so. Problem is that contrary to the aims of this list I will almost certainly die without achieving that understanding. So another album to file alongside the daddy of them all - Tales From Topographic Oceans. 4/5 14/9/25

Bubble And Scrape

Sebadoh

2/5

Never heard of them or this album. Nothing remarkable. US 1001’s are constantly having a go at the high number of mediocre UK Indie bands on the list. Tables turned on this one cos I’m likewise getting sick of these US wannabes who all they want to do is sound like Nivana or Pavement. 2/5 15/9/25

Liquid Swords

GZA

1/5

I hate Wu-Tang with a vengeance and this is them by the back door. Absolutely abysmal dross. 1/5 16/9/25

Parklife

Blur

3/5

I was never bothered to enter the Oasis v Blur debate. But if I was pushed I did prefer the Northern English gritty sound over the southern cheeky chappie cockney which I identify Blur has. That’s not to say that I dislike Blur. In fact I do own this album. It’s not a favourite but thought it worthwhile having in my collection due to it’s popularity and high ratings by those in the know. Like most Blur albums I am familiar with there are one or two good songs but these and interspersed between fillers which revert to the aforementioned “Cor blimey guv, I’ll have a jellied eel with me auld man” type. Blur are/were great musicians but these sound they produced never entirely resonated with me. 3/5 17/9/25

New Wave

The Auteurs

3/5

Not as bad as the previous reviews suggested. Not a band I’m familiar with but can hear a lot of Blur/Damon Albarn influence. I actually had Parklife by Blur on this list yesterday so easy to make comparisons and spot the similarities. Whilst the musicianship of Blur is head and shoulders above The Auteurs, I did find myself enjoying this album more than Parklife. Some strong melodies which I like, mainly sung in minor keys giving a melancholic brooding sound which again is to my liking. Unlike Damon Alburns chirpy cockney style which irritates me. 3/5 18/9/25

Music From The Penguin Cafe

Penguin Cafe Orchestra

5/5

When I saw this bands name it struck a chord as I had heard them previously years ago on the John Peel show or similar and made mental note to listen further. But I never did until today so another thumbs up for this list. Might have been this album I heard all those years ago as the release date fits. What a radical album it must have been then and in my view still is. Think the musical whimsical style has been copied many times since but this album (thinking here of the likes of The Cinematic Orchestra) must have been the first of its genre. A very pleasant listen and an album I must add to my collection. 5/5 19/9/25

Spiderland

Slint

4/5

Never heard of this lot or this album so read the Wiki entry before I listened. I saw there that their style of music is math rock! What the heck is that? Did I need to get my logarithm tables out to understand what was going on? Well that was not far from the truth because their music is complex characterised by multiple key changes, tempo and sound levels. This apparently is where the musical boffins get the term math rock from. Very much in the style of King Crimson they say which pricked my interest more as someone into KC and prog in general. So I did enjoy this album. The band were really trying something new. I’d say the style is still rarely heard let alone 25 years ago. I’d be surprised if there is anything similar to this in the whole of the list so deserves high praise. 4/5 20/9/25

A Little Deeper

Ms. Dynamite

1/5

Best part of listening to this is realising that the hidden track is buried so deep you’ll need a map, compass and dynamite to find it. Along with a strong desire to justify your life choices. 1/5 21/9/25

Let England Shake

PJ Harvey

4/5

PJ Harvey is for me the English equivalent of Icelandic Bjork. A very talented musician but goes a bit weird. Like Bjork I have expanded a lot of time listening to Polly wanting to reveal her secrets. In pursuit of this I have previously listened to this album many times and didn’t really get it. So today wondered if it would again leave me cold. The good news is that all my previous groundwork must have paid off because it all sounded very familiar and good. I’m glad about this because I remember when the album was released the NME went absolutely bonkers over it so I always thought I was lacking somewhat. It’s certainly a grower! 4/5 22/9/25

I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

Sinead O'Connor

5/5

This album was released during a bad period of my life which in some respects I would prefer to forget. But this album more than any other released then reminds me of that period. It’s not so much the lyrics which whilst poignant have no meaning of that time but the actual tunes and ambience of the music which take me back to that black hole. That all said it is an album which I adore. As I have already said didn’t take much notice of the words back then but listening today a lot of what she wrote is still very current and not out of place today. For instance Black Boys On Mopeds is a take on Thatcher’s Government and police brutality. But the words ‘These are dangerous days, to say what you feel is to dig your own grave’ resonates with me living in England in 2025 where the authority of the police has diminished so much everyone it seems can do whatever they want ( to borrow another line from the album) How times change? For the better or worse? My own feelings is depicted by that single teardrop at the end of that well known video. RIP SInead. 5/5 23/9/25

Green River

Creedence Clearwater Revival

3/5

When this album was released I had just left school and my mum had got me a temporary job at a carpet manufacturer. I began working with real men and women which was an eye opener to 16 year old me. One of the lads I worked with was called Gary who absolutely loved this album and could always be heard singing amongst the piles of rugs Bad Moon Rising. So this album will always me of him and these enlightening times. Didn’t really like the album too much back then as these times were at the start of peak prog which was my type of music. But listening today was very enjoyable. Lovely production and mix to make the overall sound clear and fresh. 3/5 24/9/25

xx

The xx

4/5

I love this album. Jangling guitar riffs and laid back whispering vocals make it a unique sound which can only belong to The XX. I have this album in my collection and also subsequent ones. If I do have one complaint you only need to have one of their albums to appreciate their sound as they all do tend to sound like one another. But this is a fine album and well worthy to be on the list as there are few bands around, if any, producing this sound. 4/5 25/9/25

The Undertones

3/5

Feargal Sharkey has been around my area quite a lot. Complaining about the amount of sewage being deposited into the River Wharfe and the adverse effect this has on cold water swimmers and more importantly in my view, the trout. So he’s come a long way since this album was released. It’s another one that I had on CD but stupidly sold it cheap when I thought I was going hook, line and sinker (gedit?) towards streaming. What I never realised was that their biggest hit Teenage Kicks was an addition to the rerelease so I suppose it depends which version we are reviewing and how many stars it gets. Teenage Kicks is a blast and raises the star count on its own. With that addition and Get Over You this album becomes a bit of a greatest hits. A good album of its time but not one nowadays that I will reach for. That is apart from Teenage Kicks which is a song you never tire of. 2/5 without Teenage Kicks 3/5 with Teenage Kicks so let’s assume I’m reviewing the rerelease. 26/9/25

Iron Maiden

2/5

By the time this was released I had moved on from this type of music. I knew of it but avoided it and have done so ever since. Chance today then to perhaps listen to the album in full. Which I did but found despite its brashness, my mind wandering. Cannot think of any circumstance again when I would play this or any other Iron Maiden album. 2/5 27/9/25

Dry

PJ Harvey

3/5

Think this is the 3rd album by Polly I’ve been served up. So the 1001 Gods must be really into her which is no surprise. As I’ve said before I find her music a challenge but without doubt very accomplished if not immediately accessible. Never come across this album before. First impressions is that it is very brash with a lot of punk and grunge influences. So for me not as refined and easy on the ears as the albums she made later. 3/5 28/9/25

The Rolling Stones

3/5

In the great Beatles v Rolling Stones debate of the mid 60’s I always came down and still do on the side of The Beatles. This collection of songs are all decent blues and R&B numbers and whilst The Beatles themselves would have appreciated them, as a fan I didn’t. My indifference towards The Stones has continued right up to today so cannot get excited at this album. Only interesting in terms of comparing their first album with their more famous albums they were yet to make. This album is number 636 on my list so marks exactly one year to go before I get to album 1001. 3/5 29/9/25

Lust For Life

Iggy Pop

2/5

Despite his checkered past Iggy seems to have become a National Treasure. He sounds a nice guy on his Radio 6 radio show. Unfortunately I’ve never liked his music. Apart from Passenger this set of songs does nothing for me. 2/5 30/9/25

Illmatic

Nas

1/5

Happened to be on my morning walk when I decided to give this a listen. Had no idea from title, artist name or album cover what I was letting myself in for. Thought it might be some traditional African folk music or rather hoping it was instead of this rap crap. What a disappointment. Stayed with it as long as I could but it was spoiling my walk in the Countryside. So eventually retuned Spotify to my weekly discovery (lossless now yay!) and calmed my self down with some beautiful neo-prog. 1/5 1/10/25

Dog Man Star

Suede

4/5

Suede were not for favourites when they were about I the 90’s. Had no feelings one way or another. But I really liked Brett Anderson’s solo work. This prompted me to revisit Suede and obtain one or two of their CD’s including this one. I have therefore learnt that Suede were a very competent band and this album one of their best. A welcome addition to this list on the day before the entire musical world goes bonkers over the next Taylor Swift album release! It’s now 11 pm so I’ll be joining the rest of humanity in an hour when streamed on Spotify for the first time. Wonder if the servers will cope? 4/5 2/10/25

Selected Ambient Works 85-92

Aphex Twin

4/5

As a retired type person I usually have the luxury of being able to lie in bed first thing in the morning and on my iPad complete the daily Wordle puzzle, check out The Times and of course listen to the 1001 selection of the day. Today I had a dilemma because today was also the release day of Taylor Swift’s 12th album. So should I join the rest of humanity in listening to that or not divert from my daily routine and have Aphex Twin welcome in the day? As a now dedicated Swifty and because I had received a notification overnight on my iPhone announcing the album’s arrival I chose the former. As I listened, I wondered if Taylor’s most recent offering would be in the 2050 edition of the 1001 handbook. A disturbing thought as by then it is a possibility that I would have actually died. Shuddering this led me back to the here and now to quickly resume my challenge of completing this list before that fateful day arrives. I Doubt if there could be a more diverse comparison between Aphex Twin and Taylor Swift. When in the mood I do like to listen to Aphex Twin. Usually late at night so this is the ideal album to do that with. I like ambient music and often listen to Brian Eno the Godfather of ambient. This album is definitely on the techno side of ambience rather than the more mellow sounds Brian Eno produces. But it is a lovely album to put on, close your eyes and drift off somewhere to contemplate the vexing question of why at my age and a lifelong Prog Rock aficionado Taylor Swift came into my life. 4/5 3/10/25

Viva Hate

Morrissey

3/5

A Morrisey album I am not familiar with but the songs are standard maudlin Morrisey so could be from any one of his albums. I mean that as a compliment because he is a one off and instantly recognisable. You really only need one of his albums in your collection. Likewise The Smiths I suppose. 3/5 4/10/25

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Ray Charles

2/5

Can’t argue Ray Charles has a great voice but not my barrow at all. Historically significant but can’t say more than that. 2/5 5/10/25

Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

The Pharcyde

1/5

Another day and yet another shit hip hop album. Is there no end to these? 1/5 6/10/25

Welcome To The Pleasuredome

Frankie Goes To Hollywood

5/5

This is a great album and probably my favourite from that time having that distinctive 80’s sound. There are one or two caveats - the album could be regraded as a Trevor Horn solo album as I gather few of the group members actually played. The singles on the album whilst good received much better treatment on the 12” singles and subsequent remixes. Also there is a lot of padding and would have been better as a single album. This can be achieved by formulating your own playlist missing off those duff tracks. The best feature of the album is the accidental Christmas song Power of Love. Behind Fairytale…. this is probably one of the best Christmas songs ever. The title track is really well produced and sounded great played loud over my middling hifi system. If the lesser songs on the album are disregarded this is a top 80’s album. 5/5 7/10/25

Treasure

Cocteau Twins

4/5

Like the name on the tin this album really is a bit of a treasure. Never heard anything of it before but really loved its ambience. Good album to nod off to as I did. This is not a negative as the time of listening was mid afternoon and I’m at an age where I regularly do that. So discovering another album to accompany my slumbers is another benefit of enrolling to this list. 4/5 8/10/25

Wonderful Rainbow

Lightning Bolt

1/5

Just checked and seen that these critters are currently 9th bottom on the list. This is a gross injustice and outrage. Should be firmly at the bottom. 1/5 9/10/25

Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Red Hot Chili Peppers

1/5

Well wading through this was a chore. Never really listened closely to them and now I can understand why they have never got my attention. I thought they were a lot rockier than this but it’s more hip hop (c)rap than rock. To be fair my musical tastes are nowhere near what’s produced here so so cannot assess if it’s musically good or not but it certainly makes no impression with me. 1/5 10/10/25

Abraxas

Santana

4/5

I inherited this album from my eldest brother. Quite why he had it I don’t know because he was heavily into traditional jazz and classical music. He’s no longer with us so it will always remain a mystery. With all the love in the world to my brother it was never a record I truly cherished. There is one caveat to this. The guitar so.o at the end of Black Magic Women is absolutely sublime and worth the admission money on its own. A solo I never tire of and which highlights what an exceptional and talented guitarist Carlos was. Also in fairness having listened to it today I can hear a lot which I previously ignored so well worth putting on my permanent rotation. 4/5 11/10/25

Mermaid Avenue

Billy Bragg

2/5

I like the concept behind this album to celebrate a great like Woody Guthrie. Haven’t checked the list but this is perhaps the only way to get Woody on the list and who can’t argue that he should be on a list? The same can be said to a lesser extent about Billy Bragg (who does have an another album on the list) and Wilco. Unfortunately that’s as far as I can go in praising this album. The style and substance of it does not resonate with me at all. Billy and Wilco seem to be having a fab time singing these songs so good luck to them and all who like this type of music but it’s not for me. 2/5 12/10/25

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1

George Michael

2/5

As a collection of songs on this album there are none which I personally like although I accept there are some good pop songs which a lot of others will value. There are George Michael songs which I do like none of which are on this album consequently I cannot rate this album very highly. But don’t want this to reflect on the fact that George Michael was a very talented vocalist and songwriter who left this world tragically and much too soon. 2/5 13/10/25

Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Stereolab

2/5

Got quite excited about this. I’d heard of Stereolab back in the day but never listened to their music. So another opportunity created by this list to listen to something I’d forgotten about. Huge disappointment though. Boring and repetitive. 2/5 14/10/25

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Wilco

3/5

This started really well. An album I had not listened to before so I thought that the 1001 Gods had come up trumps again in actually producing an album which I should hear before I join the choir invisible. Track one excellent. Track two and three good but then it all trailed off into much of a muchness. At least I now know that there is a difference between this lot and Dr Feelgood’s Wilco (RIP) Also helped by having Wilco (the band) and Billy Bragg’s album a few days ago. This really did confuse me as I would have thought it more likely Billy would have teamed up with Wilco (Dr Feelgood version) rather than Wilco (the band) but how wrong can I be? Just glad that Wilco’s (the UK shop selling all sorts of stuff) went out of business a few years ago. 3/5 15/10/25

Fever To Tell

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2/5

When I read the reviews pre-listening i thought it was going to be No No No. But post listen I concluded it was more a Maybe Maybe Maybe. So all in all to quote another song - Let your Yeahs be No and your No’s be Maybe. 2/5 16/10/25

Live / Dead

Grateful Dead

2/5

In common with Frank Zappa I have never quite got what the fuss is all about with Grateful Dead. A lot of their music is a mish mash going around in circles with very few melodies. In other words just a random noise with no substance as is illustrated here with the contents of this live album. However, and this is a big one, I was recently alerted by Steven Wilson in his excellent podcast The Album Years of the existence of Terrapin Station album. The title track is excellent and could and should be regarded as a Prog classic and is the exact opposite to what I expected and described above. As Terrapin Station came 8 years after this album it has no bearing whatsoever but I mention it only to highlight that good things do come from the most unlikely sources. 2/5 17/10/25

Lady In Satin

Billie Holiday

2/5

Only previous experience I have had with this lady was being dragged to the cinema by a former girlfriend in the 70’s to watch Lady Sings The Blues. In my musical ignorance in those days I’d no idea who Billie Holiday was but remember being bored to death watching it. Don’t know if that bad experience influenced me or not but I continued through life completely ignoring Billie Holiday because her music meant nothing to me at all. Only recently have I eventually dipped my toe into the female jazz singer catalogue. Patricia Barber and Melanie De Biasio to name just two of my favourites. When I listen to this album I obviously compare it to these two modern contemporaries who I am sure if I were to read their biographies would cite Billy Holiday as an enormous influence. That may be so but personally i do prefer the more modern offerings. But no one can deny that Billie Holiday was a very significant artist and singer and so deserves a place on this list. 2/5 18/10/25

Rage Against The Machine

1/5

4 star average? Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me. 1/5 19/10/25

Follow The Leader

Korn

2/5

The great Steven Wilson in one of his Album Years podcasts once said that everyone should own at least one Korn album. I remember this because at the time I had never heard of Korn. As his and my musical tastes seem to coincide (if not obviously his great musicality) I did stream a few Korn tracks but was largely unimpressed. Then I get this album on the list so considered by the 1001 Gods good enough to be on it. Again I’m unimpressed. Not an all out stinker as there are some good great guitar sounds going on but the vocals let it down. This is a common thing to my ears when I hear heavy metal singers. Seems that they are communicating in Klingon instead of the Kings English (nearly put Queen there) Striking album cover in an horrific way. Little kids playing hopscotch to oblivion? 2/5 20/10/25

Arrival

ABBA

5/5

I think it must be likely that ABBA must be every music lovers guilty pleasure. I know that they are mine. Few groups must have the power to unite gangster rappers with classical aficionados or punks with Prog Rockers like ABBA do. Some might refute this but can’t deny they have whistled just a few bars of Dancing Queen or at least joined in the fun dancing to Mamma Mia at a wedding. I love this album for what it is. Straight forward pop music with enduring melodies with the power to make you feel happy. Who can ask for more? 5/5 21/10/25

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

John Lennon

4/5

I was and still am a Beatles fan so when they broke up without exception I bought all their individual solo stuff. This was John Lennon so a must have album bought on day of release. I was of course hoping that The Beatles sound I had grown up on would be continued ignoring the fact that he himself wanted to distance himself from that. Whilst I was proud to have this album secretly it was a huge disappointment which I was only able to admit in later years. There are only two tracks on the album which I truly liked, Mother and Working Class Hero both of which I still play. God I found offensive and still do. As a musical statement made by one of the all time greats I cannot deny it should be on the list but it is never an album I regularly reach for. The habit of liking just a handful of tracks continued across all of his solo albums. All these in total amount to just one album consigned now to a playlist. A sad indictment really but John Lennon’s best work is contained within all of The Beatles albums. 4/5 22/10/25

Illinois

Sufjan Stevens

4/5

A very pleasant album to listen to and which came up to expectations. I’m a sucker for good melodies and this album is full of them. Only drawback is the obvious one that it is very American centric so will mean more over there and in particular the people of Illinois. Drawback is probably the wrong word as music is full of references to locations meaning a lot to the artists making it. Who would know where I lived if it wasn’t for On Ilkla Mooar Baht’at? A song which would also sit nicely on this album. 4/5 23/10/25

Music Has The Right To Children

Boards of Canada

1/5

I found the whole album boring and non-descript. I’m at a loss under what circumstances you would listen to this. It’s neither danceable or ambient. Instead it lies somewhere in-between in some weird zombie state. Even as background Muzak I would find it annoying rather than relaxing or motivating. 1/5 24/10/25

Who Killed...... The Zutons?

The Zutons

2/5

This album is another of those you see a lot in charity shops when scouring for CD’s. To me that means it was either bought in great quantities or the owners have quickly tired of it. Can understand the latter as this album could have been made by a number of similar indie bands around at the same time producing the same old bland Muzak. 2/5 25/10/25

The Rise & Fall

Madness

2/5

Madness to me were a band very much of their time. I know that there has been a slight recent uprise in popularity but I will always associate them with the Ska revival of the late 70’s. Their first album One Step Beyond encapsulates their contribution to this movement but by the time this album was released to me they had gone off the boil. This begs the question of why this album is on the list and their best One Step Beyond isn’t. Oh well what do I know. 2/5 26/10/25

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill

1/5

Yet another album where IT and I have nothing in common. Don’t want to be rude about it so will leave it there. 1/5 27/10/25

No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)

Motörhead

3/5

I quite like this stuff when I’m doing household chores like hoovering or mowing the lawn. Put it on loud and off you go moving whatever you’re pushing in time to the music. Doesn’t matter that I don’t know the songs it’s the vibe that’s important. Have done this for years to The Ramones It’s Alive album. This is a worthy successor. The value of the music is questionable but the sheer raw power of it is top notch. 3/5 28/10/25

Rising Above Bedlam

Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart

3/5

A lot better album than what I expected. There is something for everybody on this album whatever your genre bias. I particularly liked the lovely melodies and harmonies which abound right across the record and it was these which came as a big surprise. Basing my limited knowledge of Mr Wobble on what I have heard on PIL records I never thought he would have it in him to write such luxurious tunes. So again a direct hit by the 1001 God’s in serving up an album I would have previously missed or ignored. 3/5 29/10/25

Millions Now Living Will Never Die

Tortoise

2/5

Pleasant enough but a bit Muzacky. I like ambient music and this borders on that genre but a pale comparison to Brian Eno. Worryingly, although recorded in 1996 this does sound like it could have been produced by AI. A frightening glimpse of what’s around the corner? 2/5 30/10/25

American IV: The Man Comes Around

Johnny Cash

3/5

Must admit that on a day when I’m in Prog Rock ecstasy following the release of two new albums by Lunatic Soul and Gazpacho today I had little time to listen to this album. Fortunate that I knew most of the songs and as I skipped through it sounded like Mr Cash had made a decent job in his interpretation of them. A world away from these two new releases of course and where my true music allegiances lie but I always tip my hat to Johnny Cash for what he contributed to music if not always to my liking. 3/5 31/10/25

Tuesday Night Music Club

Sheryl Crow

2/5

In principal I really like a lot of female solo vocalist’s and apart from Peter Gabriel, a lot more than their male counterparts. Unfortunately this does not apply to Sheryl Crow. This album not a complete disaster as it’s made up of quite a few different genres. Enough to make it stand out and I can see why it’s on the list. A once through listen was not wasted time but if asked to listen again would have to say I’m washing my hair. 2/5 1/11/25

Dust

Screaming Trees

4/5

Very pleasantly surprised by this album. A band I had never previously not heard of. Was put off initially by the grunge label given to them but on listening it was only mildly grungy. There were a lot more agreeable sounds throughout. Particularly liked the guitar play which appeared at points across the soundstage you were not expecting. Equally satisfying was I allowed the Spotify algorithm to do its work after the album ended. It produced a great series of songs it thought connected with Sugar. Bands like Screaming Trees, Mad Season and The Gutter Twins all featured. Again previously unknown to me but now copied into a playlist. 4/5 2/11/25

Time Out Of Mind

Bob Dylan

3/5

A Dylan album I’m not familiar with at all. Not sure why it’s on the list because his more famous albums are on the list which in my view are much superior to this one. It’s all standard Dylan fayre throughout but none of these songs get the pulse racing and the album is without a great memorable classic Dylan is famous for. That said it is Dylan and anything by him must be taken note of. 3/5 3/11/25

Africa Brasil

Jorge Ben Jor

1/5

Pros - Just one - it has a song about Zico on it. Cons - no song about Carlos a Alberto who scored one of the best goals in history. 1/5 4/11/25

Berlin

Lou Reed

3/5

Always considered this an iconic album although I’ve never listened to it seriously until today. Or maybe I’m getting mixed up it’s the Bowie trilogy? Easy thing to do because there is a strong Bowie influence on this album. Learnt that this was a concept album. These always appeal to me although subject matter is depressing if not sordid. Best song was the last song. 3/5 5/11/25

A Walk Across The Rooftops

The Blue Nile

3/5

Heard of this band but never listened to them so today was a revelation. A very different sound even today so truly experimental back in 1984. Something for everyone is contained within this album. One which I will obtain and worthwhile to seek out their back catalogue. 3/5 6/11/25

1999

Prince

1/5

Whilst I’m willing to accept the proclamations of people better qualified than I, that Prince is an excellent musician, I’m afraid that his type of music does not resonate with me at all. Very, very occasionally, I do hear a superb guitar solos which makes me take notice. I’m thinking here of Purple Rain. But on this album there is no such guitar work so I found it hard to like anything. 1/5 7/11/25

The Next Day

David Bowie

3/5

I can remember exactly where I was when I learnt about the release of this album. Not that it was a JFK,Twin Towers or Princess Diana moment but I its own way was a significant moment. The first Bowie release for some time. Not that anyone’s interested but for the record I was in Finkel Street, Brighouse outside the High School picking up my son from that school. It was announced on BBC 6 music on the Radcliffe and Maconie Show. It was a big deal to them but I was unimpressed as they played the lead single Where Are We Now? That was more or less my only involvement in that album until today. Bowie is very much a controversial artist for me whether or not this process highlights it as so. Think I like the album more today than I did back then and that single is very much a grower. I’m sure in the same way, that continued listening will reveal more and more. So I will do just that and thank for the 1001 God’s for bringing this album to my attention again. Really like the album cover concept. That is truly unique and an extra star for that. 3/5 8/11/25

The Visitors

ABBA

5/5

This album is regarded by some as ABBA straying into Prog Rock. Prog is very much up my alley way so this album has always been of interest to me even if so far, I don’t own it. I wouldn’t say it was Prog for the mainstream but for ABBA it certainly strayed into a new and experimental phase with the result of this being a great album and well worth its place on the list. It was the last (until very recently) album coming at the end of their astronomical working career. It bookends what a tremendous talent they were and how varied their music really was when comparing this album to their first. There are two sorts of music lovers in this world -those who love ABBA and those who are liars. I belong to the former but whisper it! 5/5 9/11/25

Faith

George Michael

2/5

Can’t say I’m a big George Michael fan but Wham are a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. Particularly 12” remixes of their big hits. I also loved Careless Whisper for personal reasons. Today 10th November 2025 Last Christmas came onto the radio for the first time to my ears so that was a bit apt. None of that relates to this album but shows how I am struggling to come up with any positives. But George was a flawed character and talented musician who died tragically much too young. 2/5 10/11/25

Slayed?

Slade

3/5

When the time is right and you’re in the mood you cannot beat a bit of Slade. Trouble is the time and mood normally coincide with Christmas (it’s November as I write so any day now that bloody song will be everywhere) or wedding do’s when a bit a dad dancing is order of the day. Rest of the time Slade are a bit naff. My ex absolutely adored Slade so I’m trying not to let that influence me despite an old LP (might be this one actually must check) hanging around my collection. Timely reminder I guess to give it her back 30 years later. Moving on from that, got to say Noddy is very much a national treasure and responsible for making a lot of 70’s teenagers of which I was one, very happy. So a worthwhile addition to this list albeit musically shallow. 3/5 11/11/25

Goodbye And Hello

Tim Buckley

3/5

Knew of Tim Buckley but never seriously listened to him. I do like British Isles folk music so am very receptive to that genre. Unfortunately there is something about American folk which does not sit right with me. Not surprising I suppose when folk music is meant to delve backwards into our national DNA. I’m not American so can understand this in the same way, as I have read previously on this site in reviews, American 1001’s seem to have a problem with British folks. So any negative thoughts I have with this album, which are only very minor, are down to misunderstanding between cultures and what we were all exposed to as we grew up. When all said and done some of my all time favourite albums are by Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan etc but comparing this album with those isn’t really fair as the likes of Joni etc progressed into other forms of music from their early folk roots. So maybe it’s now down to me to listen to Tim’s so see if how his music has developed over the years. 3/5 12/11/25

Pink Flag

Wire

1/5

Beginning to understand why a lot of American 1001’s complain about the excessive amount of British post punk bands on this list. All much of a muchness. Was just about OK back then but has not stood the test of time. 1/5 13/11/25

All Mod Cons

The Jam

4/5

Long time since I listened fully to this album even though I have it on vinyl in my collection. Ice to get acquainted with it again. Settings Sons is my all time Jam album but this pushes it a close second. English Rose is a lovely song and makes this album special. 4/5 14/11/25

It's Too Late to Stop Now

Van Morrison

3/5

Was never a fan back in the day but like the man himself I have matured like a fine red wine to appreciate his music. I have a lot of his albums but not this one. But then again such is his catalogue it takes a great amount of money and effort to have them all. Think I have enough of his music to say that this is an OK album showcasing all his talents, but not his finest work. His best work Astral Weeks and Moondance are elsewhere on the list. This does not measure up to them at all. His next album Veedon Fleece and in later years Common One knock this for six and are more worthy of being on the list. 3/5 15/11/25

Cupid & Psyche 85

Scritti Politti

1/5

Spent all of the 80’s avoiding this stuff and just when I thought it was safe to come out again some despot puts it on this list forcing me to grab Tales From Topgraphic Oceans to cleanse my soul. 1/5 16/11/25

The Sounds Of India

Ravi Shankar

3/5

I’m always curious and receptive to sitar based music. Don’t know what the heck is going on but the slower examples of this music I find relaxing. The quicker stuff I like less but the pace the music is being played at displays what accomplished musicians they are. Ravi Shankar is no doubt the most famous and perhaps the master of sitar music. His attempt to explain the music at the beginning of the album is welcome but at 4 minutes long and considering how technical this music is it did not really enlightening me in my quest to understand. I suspect full mastery is more like a religion taking a lifetime of study and practice. So I think it best to continue in blissful ignorance accepting it on face value as an accompaniment to help me relax or as a background at my local Tandoori when snaffling a Chicken Bhuna. This album will serve those purposes well. 3/5 17/11/25

Bummed

Happy Mondays

1/5

Never fell for all the hype surrounding Happy Mondays then, since and I’m not going to do it now. In other words was never bummed then and no chance now. 1/5 19/11/25

Mama Said Knock You Out

LL Cool J

1/5

Please do knock me out - save having to listen to this shit 1/5 19/11/25

The Nightfly

Donald Fagen

2/5

Why is it I always think of Oliver Twist when I hear this name? Can’t get ‘Gotta pick a pocket or two’ out of my head now thanks to this selection. Thing is I prefer that than most of what’s served up on this album. 2/5 20/11/25

Underwater Moonlight

The Soft Boys

3/5

Thought I was in for monster listening session when Apple Music displayed this album as 40 tracks and two and a half hours long. Turns out actual album only 10 tracks and rest were bonus tracks. If these were a bonus at all is debatable because after the first 10 tracks it all did become a bit repetitive. Still the official track listing was a surprise as I did enjoy all of them. Not bad for a band I’ve never heard of before and a genre which doesn’t always rattle my ribs. 3/5 21/11/25

Peter Gabriel 3

Peter Gabriel

5/5

Peter Gabriel is one of my all time favourites and if I say he can do no wrong you know where this is going. Whilst preferring his later stuff than the first four solo albums of which this is one, there is plenty on this album to make it a five star. Two top tracks appear, Family Snapshot and of course Biko which is one of PG’s most famous tracks. So well worthy of a place on this list. 5/5 22/11/25

MTV Unplugged In New York

Nirvana

4/5

I have this album in my collection having bought it very cheap at a charity shop (part of 3 CD’s for a £1). I’m not a big Nirvana fan so I must admit it was bought on the strength of the albums good reputation rather than an album I would play a lot. In fact after ripping it to SSD and then stored I haven’t given it another thought until today. I now realise what a big mistake this was. What I like about the album is that the acoustic versions of these songs have reduced the grunginess of them to something more palatable to me. So much so that I can actually hear the lyrics clearly. This is also owed to the good production which gives the songs a lot more width and air. So different to what I know of Nivana’s normal work which quite frankly is hard on the senses. This is what I expected of this album also but I was very pleasantly surprised. 4/5 23/11/25

Fuzzy Logic

Super Furry Animals

2/5

I love super furry animals. In fact I have one and he’s called Billy. Named after the greatest number 4 Leeds United and Scotland ever had. Seriously (not that I wasn’t serious with regards to Billy) I remember a good friend of mine recommending SFA to me. It was about 1996 so may have even been this album. On strength on that I did listen to some of their music but was not impressed. Today’s listen did not budge that initial assessment. It all seems an uneasy alliance between punk, new wave and laddish Blur music. A poor man’s Blur describes this album well. 2/5 24/11/25

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

OutKast

1/5

I read a lot from the American 1001’s who whine a lot about the over population of British punk/new wave/indie bands on this list. They may have a point but the same can be said about USA hip hop rap artists who want to invade my life with their violent and misogynistic lifestyle. One album popping up weekly is bad enough but fuck me two albums posing as one??? When I saw that I played my joker as I wasn’t even going to quickly skip through this filth. 0/5 25/11/25

Truth And Soul

Fishbone

2/5

Rather aptly this is the musical equivalent of Rachel Reeves (AKA Rachel from Accounts) 2025 Labour budget delivered today. The media are calling it a smorgasbord of tax increases just like the abundance of difference genres on this album. So it is as welcome as the extra taxes I will have to pay over the next few years. 2/5 26/11/25

evermore

Taylor Swift

5/5

If one album reminds me of Covid and which I associate the pandemic with, it’s this one and the subsequent release of Folklore. Just why I’m at a loss to say but maybe it was because I had a lot of time isolated I was able to give more attention to all sorts of music I would not normally go near. Taylor Swift was on my list to avoid as I thought she was purely manufactured pop. But the album cover spoke to me of earthiness and all things pure, clean and free from disease which we were all trying to avoid. So I did listen back then and found that the album did not contain those things in abundance but I was nevertheless not disappointed. I began to learn about what Taylor is famous for but was at that time ignorant about. That each song was a short story of various experiences she had encountered with lyrics which were both poetic and poignant. As we all returned to normal my dalliance with Taylor faded and laid dormant. That is until the release of The Dead Poets Department (Midnights had again passed me by) which came with a fanfare and massive publicity about the song story telling angle. This is when I became a Swifty so naturally returned to her previous releases. It was therefore very easy to to reunite with this album and once again enjoy its delights and find others missed first time around. I’m in my 70’s now and my main musical love has always been Prog Rock. The fact that I regularly play this album and others is testament to how Taylor does extend across all genres. I know primarily her audience is young females so where I fit in I don’t know. I am just happy to listen to her stories and admire her superb musicianship. 5/5 27/11/25

Searching For The Young Soul Rebels

Dexys Midnight Runners

1/5

If there is a good thing about this album its the snippets of Purple’s Smoke On The Water before been drowned out by the dross of Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Music used by DJ’s to get a party going after the buffet and upon which I head for the bar. 1/5 28/11/25

You're Living All Over Me

Dinosaur Jr.

2/5

This is another good example of hearing this music being played live is a whole lot better than sticking the album on in your living room. Don’t know that is true for certain as I have never seen Dinosaur Jr live and unlikely to. But I imagine played live these songs will come to life and would make for a great experience. Just not the same on record. 2/5 29/11/25

Atomizer

Big Black

2/5

Not the album I really wanted on a Sunday morning. Especially on Advent Sunday when I love to hear O Come, O Come Emmanuel which is such a beautiful song and a lovely way to begin the Christmas season. This album therefore was an assault on the ears and as I say not in keeping with how I felt today. That said it was not without some merit as I did hear some great guitar riffs which on any other day would have gone down well. This assessment made without bothering to read or listen to the lyrics which according to other reviews will have shocked and lessened the little goodwill I might have. In short, wrong album on wrong day. 2/5 30/11/25

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West

2/5

So when I saw this album as today’s selection I was prepared to do my usual when I get hip(perty) hop(perty) (c)rap music and seriously slag it off. I might be wrong here but I don’t associate Kanye West with gangster rap likely to shoot me in a drive by, threaten to burn my house down or sexually abuse my mum. This favourable impression was improved when I read reviews and the wiki entry. Couldn’t believe my eyes when it was described as progressive rap influenced by The Beatles and Pink Floyd. As a Prog Rock fanboy this did really prick my interest and convinced me not to be so dismissive. The album started well with some good melodies which was good but out of the blue came a King Crimson sample of 21st Centuary Schizoid Man. Unfortunately after this the album did degenerate back to your normal hip hop stuff. Apart from one or two Prog Rock style length tracks, as far as I could tell that was about as proggy as it got. Still, compared with the excessive number of hip hop rap albums on this list, I can safely say that so far this is my favourite which is meagre praise. For that reason it scores more than my normal one star. Album 700 tomorrow. Let’s hope it’s a good one. Does Steven Wilson feature at all on this list? 2/5 1/12/25

Chelsea Girl

Nico

4/5

700 up today and what a challenging album this is to mark that occasion. Nico’s voice is very much of the marmite variety. I can listen to her in small bits but it does become jarring after a while. Think a modern day auto tune device in the studio would do wonders. Her voice belies her undoubted beautiful looks. Leaving her voice aside I do very much like the music. Most of the songs are very tuneful with orchestration to complement. I even like to flute parts! The song It Was A Pleasure Then is the exception. Teaspoons scorched black come to mind. This album is likely to end up under the ‘Love more than most’ category featuring in the new excellent summary page devised by the head 1001’er. But hesitate to give it 5 stars as it’s labelled folk and folk is currently showing has my favourite genre, which it isn’t! 4/5 2/12/25

Electric

The Cult

3/5

The Cult, I believe, are the band or musicians actually on this list who originated or lived closest to where I live. I’ve got to whisper this but that location is Bradford. Despite it being the capital of culture 2025 it is a bit of a dismal place to live. Thankfully I don’t live there but in a place where the band Embrace live. In fact I can wave to the band’s drummer from my bedroom window. It is a gross mis-justice that Embrace do not feature on this list as they are head and shoulders better and more deserving than a lot of what does actually appear on the list and that includes The Cult. This album is standard MOR mid 80’s radio friendly rock. Which surprised me because I always thought of them as producing Goth rock type stuff. But overall not a bad way to spend an hour but not an album I will return to. Worth a top end two stars but as they are from Bradford and despite its present state it is a place I have very fond memories of I will promote it to three. 3/5 3/12/25

Time (The Revelator)

Gillian Welch

3/5

Never heard of Gillian Welch. Her name sounds more like belonging to an English girl you first met at primary school from a council estate rather than an US Country singer. First impressions is that this music is ideal for putting on when you’ve gone to bed, switched off the lights to relax as sleep takes over and not filling your head with too much complexity. I like to do this when I’ve had a really raucous and exciting evening when my senses have been at 100% and I need to come down. Such as last night when my team, the mighty Leeds United, beat the sickeningly entitled Chelsea 3-1. For that fact 3 stars go to Gillian because it is quite an enjoyable album and I will be listening again tonight as I slip off still bathed in the glow of that magnificent win. 3/5 4/12/25

The Lexicon Of Love

ABC

5/5

In a decade where in my opinion, there weren’t very many great albums this one did standout for me. It’s well produced and mixed to give an outstanding audio experience. I thought that even today 40 odd years on. I love good melodies with swirling orchestration and this album is full of them. Lyrically the word play used for the numbers 4 and 2 (or should that be the numbers used for the words four and two) on Forever Together is very clever. I wonder how many young lovers have scrawled this on a wall or used it in a love letter. I KNOW I HAVE! What came after Lexicon never matched it so for me ABC are a one album wonder but a very worthy one. 5/5 5/12/25

Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman

John Zorn

1/5

Goodness me as a Saxophonist myself I desperately wanted to go against what appears to be the norm and give this album (once I found it available to be streamed) a big thumbs up. Instead of thumbs up it became two index fingers into ears. 1/5 6/12/25

White Light

Gene Clark

1/5

Not an album I’m familiar with and not one I will rush again to listen to. Big chance to give it just one star because according to the new super duper summary page that the Head 1001’er has devised, folk is my favourite genre. This is not strictly a true reflection. Like this one, Wiki seems to lump American Country music under the folk music banner. In my book American Country and English Folk are as different as chalk and cheese. They may both be classed as music from the ages but sound nothing the same. So whilst I do generally like English Folk (because I’m English) I do not like American Country (because I’m not American) unless if one day I am lucky enough to go on a road trip to Nashville and it will be compulsory to listen. 1/5 7/12/25

Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo

Devo

1/5

I’d forgotten until today that I actually bought the lead single from the album, Jocko Homo/Mongoloid back in 1978. Listening today I’ve no idea what I was thinking of and shows how much your tastes can change. But that is not quite right as there is loads of music from 1978 which I still treasure, adore and play regularly but not this. Despite Brian Eno being involved in production this album sounds very thin. The treble really does need turning down. Not Brian Eno’s finest moment but if Wiki is to believed he did try to change things but Devo refused. So the mystery continues why I bought the single buried within my 7” collection. I never play these at all now but have taken a look today. The single is contained within a fold out sleeve and my copy is still immaculate as is the actual single. Rarely played I guess. So I checked out Discogs to discover it’s worth over £22. I could therefore say that I bought the single as an investment but I’d be lying. 1/5 8/11/25

Sea Change

Beck

3/5

When I read the Wiki entry prior to listening to the album I saw words to describe the album as heartbreak, desolation, solitude, and loneliness. This excited me because when I’m in that sort of mood I love music to make me wallow in my own sadness or pit of despair. On listening there was plenty of melancholy on display but unfortunately a lot of it was delivered in a Country Music style which took the edge off it. Yes there were one of two opuses with soaring orchestration which did hit the mark. The best of these and the best track on the album being Paper Tiger. But overall not an album likely to accompany me and a bottle of red wine to sit in the dark and contemplate all my lost loves and heartache. 3/5 9/12/25

Scream, Dracula, Scream

Rocket From The Crypt

3/5

Thought I was going to have to repeat my negative feelings about yet another US punk rock album. But I have to eat my words. This one wasn’t bad at all. The day was saved by some really good guitar work and memorable riffs. Good sound production as well. Didn’t fall into the trap, like a lot of punk bands, in keeping it real and producing a tinny sound as if recorded on a cassette tape in the lead singer’s bedroom. Wrote that last sentence before I read the wiki entry which gives over a whole lengthy paragraph about how the splendid audio was produced. So embarking onto the 1001 journey and critically listening to different albums every day really does help in honing your listening skills. 3/5 10/12/15

The Bones Of What You Believe

CHVRCHES

2/5

Nice move by this band coming up with a way to notice their name in a way that it sticks in your memory. Trouble is I never thought they were Scottish and guessed they were French. But I was so unmoved I didn’t bother to research and didn’t give them another thought until today when I did learn they were from Scotland. Whilst Scottish they do sound like they could have been manufactured by any enterprising producer known to bring us the next big thing. Good pop music if you like that kind of thing. 2/5 11/12/25

Vauxhall And I

Morrissey

3/5

Standard Morrisey fayre. Lost count now of how many Morrisey albums I’ve reviewed now but overall there is very little to set them apart from each other. I now have come conclusion that you really only need one Morrisey album in your collection to know what he’s about. 3/5 12/12/25

Your Arsenal

Morrissey

3/5

Well blow me down. 711 albums in and it’s the first time I’ve had consecutive albums by the same artist. Even more poignant is that the words I wrote yesterday are so very apt to the album I was served up today. Makes you think that what you write is being analysed! Better be careful out there. Anyway to prove the point I copy and paste below yesterday’s review. Standard Morrisey fayre. Lost count now of how many Morrisey albums I’ve reviewed now but overall there is very little to set them apart from each other. I now have come conclusion that you really only need one Morrisey album in your collection to know what he’s about. 3/5 12/12/25⭐ 3/5 13/12/

New York Dolls

2/5

Best thing I can say about this and for the sake a variety, is that after getting two Morrisey albums on the trot it was not a hat-trick of misery. That said listening to this it was a bit miserable for a different reason. I’m not into this type of raucous rock/punk at all. I can understand why people liking this stuff dig it and for a debut album it is quite impressive. But it will never rattle my cage at all. 2/5 14/12/25

Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)

Bob Dylan

3/5

Didn’t much care for Bob Dylan back in the day but he’s grown on me over time. The songs on this album are all well known and some are classics. The problem I have with it is that the album lives up to its name and like a bootleg from these times it cannot escape from the poor source used to record the gig. For me to enjoy an album one of the main things is that it should have exceptional sound quality. So despite liking the songs this album is spoilt by poor audio quality. For quite a few reasons the album is a significant release and I’m glad it was ‘recorded’ for posterity but as an album to sit and listen to it really is hard work on the ears. 3/5 15/12/25

Chirping Crickets

Buddy Holly & The Crickets

3/5

I don’t know this album but feel that I know just about every track. I guess this is either because I was a very impressionable young boy when these songs were on the radio or because my elder brothers were playing the songs incessantly. Whilst the songs were familiar they never hit me like they did my brothers. I was fortunate enough to begin my musical journey in the mid 60’s onwards so by that time these songs even then sounded ancient. However, my musical hero’s of the 60’s unlike me did really rate and were influenced by the likes of Buddy Holly and if it wasn’t for him and his contemporaries the music I love may never have been created. So I regard this album as historically important in the progression of popular music in the same way as any significant moment in history bringing about major change. 3/5 16/12/25

Low-Life

New Order

3/5

Quick review this as I’m away on holiday. Listened to the album on way to destination on CarPlay along with Christmas carols playlist. Which did I enjoy most? Well only 8 days to the big day when I hope Santa has not left this album in my stocking. Whilst I do like quite a few New Order songs I am still bewildered how they morphed from a unique and valued band like Joy Division into an electro dance band. Seems that millions did appreciate this radical change of direction but very much like Peter Hook I sought pastures new. 3/5 17/12/25

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