1001 Albums Summary

Not a hip-hop fan. I can see the appeal in this album but it's just not for me.

I really wanted to like this album. What I listened to was enjoyable if you could get past the lyrics. Maybe I'm just an old white guy, but the pervasive language and incessant n-word is just too much. What you listen to is how you speak, and I just can't be someone who talks like that.

Quite a mix of styles on this album, and a lot more than I expected. I wasn't familiar with the work and have to admit this wasn't quite what I expected when I saw it was from 1966. Overall enjoyable, and never descended into that sameness that a lot of albums do.

Just not my thing. The things I like best were the things that made it not-deathmetal, so it's really more about the genre than this particular album.

I liked it more than I thought I would, but still not a huge fan of the genre. An entire album is a lot.

Just no. I just can't do it.

Ah, looking back to simpler times. Less thought-provoking and less soul-searching, but a nice throwback.

I'm not really sure. I put it on as background music while I'm working and all of a sudden the album ended and we were on to Radiohead. It's good at not grabbing your attention. I may go back and listen to it when I want to hear what it's about, but as background it works.

Aside from the profanity, obscenity, glorification of drug use, etc. it wasn't horrible. I mean it's a solid 2 and I didn't think it was even going to be a 1.

Just chillin'

Just a fun album

Not having heard of this group, I was kind of dreading it. I figured it'd be some sort of loud screaming or something. It was actually kind of pleasant and relaxing.

Chill

I know the name, but how do I not remember any of these songs?

I got this album right after Suzanne Vega. I think Vega would have gotten a lower rating if the order had been flipped. Adele's vocals are just amazing.

I forgot how enjoyable Metallica can be

Listened to this while doing yard work. It wasn't really notable one way or the other. Not sure if I missed anything.

I've never been a huge fan, but this was pleasant to listen to. Except it kept going on and on and on. I mean, there's only so much of this stuff you can listen to at a stretch.

I had several days' worth stacked up and noted this in the queue. I'd honestly been kind of dreading it but it wasn't the screaming, thrashing mess that I somehow thought it would be. Vocals are pretty clear, melodies are involved, and the guitar is slappin'.

I tried, really.

I'll admit I wasn't familiar with Jeff Buckley until I heard Hallelujah, which led me to search out his other work. Talented musician, tragic story. But the rest of this album just never hit me the way Hallelujah still does. Giving it a 4 just based on that work.

The lyrics are a lot more interesting than the music. Suited to mindless work where you can pay attention to what they're singing. Even if it leaves you scratching your head, saying "what did I just hear?" But it's confirmed... I don't like songs that glorify drug use, no matter the genre.

Another one I wasn't familiar with, but enjoyed it.

This one's kind of out there, but I'm going back to listen to it again. It went well with yard work, so I'm going to see how it holds up when I'm paying attention.

Having been on the road and not able to listen to any of these albums for a couple weeks, I have about 15 days worth queued up and waiting for me. Looking over my list of upcoming albums I'm kind of dreading it because there are a few artists that I detest and a whole lot that I've never heard of. So today is the day to sit down to work while the deferred albums roll forth in the background. How bad can it be, right? And first up is Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake, who I'm not familiar with. And my first thought is "Wow, this is pretty good!" Enough that I had to go and find out when the album came out, and a little bit about the artist. Don't know how much my expectations (low, based on some of the others in the queue) played into it but I'm really digging this one! I think this is exactly why I signed up for 1001 Albums, and why I keep going even when there are stretches of albums I don't enjoy. This one is a gem.

Heck yeah! This album makes me feel like I'm on vacation. A little dancing, a little bourbon, some appetizers... I know what I'm doing after work today!

Oh yay. Some guy screaming in French.

Smooth, easy listening

Pretty decent, but I wound up with the "50th Anniversary Legacy Edition" and the songs just kept going... and going... and going. I can't fault the original album. I could've done with fewer than 34 tracks covering the same 8 or so songs.

This is one that I'm re-queuing for today. I didn't get to pay enough attention to it yesterday, and I think it merits another playing.

Ended up listening to this about 3 times yesterday. Definitely a gem from a band I didn't know before.

Definitely got some smooth vocals, but this isn't my taste any more than it was in the 80s.

nah.

This isn't really what I was expecting. It was a great listen, with lyrics that just flowed and were easy to understand.

Not bad. Probably the first part was the outro that never wanted to end.

Solid tunes, but some of the themes are a little cringey by modern standards

There's a lot of sameness to this album. Like the background track to a 1980s console video game. It's more than 1 star because I don't actively hate it, but that's the best I can say for it.

A bit of a classic

I was listening to the album just kind of letting it float by me and all of a sudden it was over.

Easy to listen to, nothing too deep.

I didn't get a lot out of this one. It seemed unnoticed.

This album came on the heels of a lot of instrumental jazz, with more to come, which I enjoy best in smaller doses. This was a welcome change. The vocals are casual, and thoroughly enjoyable. Normally I'm not a fan of albums packed multiple different versions of the same songs but this album was an exception. It's confirmed my appreciation of Mr. Waters.

This album reminds me of 1980. In middle school in a small town and trying to figure out what the cool older kids are listening to so you can order it from Columbia House's "13 albums for a penny!" deal. And you hear one of these songs on the radio, and you don't really know what's going on in the song because the lyrics are kind of hard to understand, and it's kind of stupid to buy an entire album just for one song so you get something else that you actually know. Now you're north of 50, and apparently you have to listen to this album before you die so you dive in to a creation featuring no less than *39* versions of the same songs, and the lyrics are still hard to understand and they all sound the same. Dear 1980 Me, it was ok not to order this album from Columbia House. You didn't miss much.

It seems like I've been getting a lot of jazz lately . This album was a little different in that it only had two, rather lengthy songs. It hit me like good jazz is supposed to.

Just good, clean fun.

This was about 90 minutes too long

nah

That's a lot. Not horrible, but I didn't overly enjoy it.

I dunno. I wanted to like it. If it was in another language and I didn't know what he was saying, maybe. Or better yet, in a made-up language so nobody knew what he was saying. Yeah, that's the ticket....

Not somebody I was familiar with, but it was enjoyable. I'd listen again.

solid 2

I wasn't expecting two albums in a row by Dusty Springfield, but they worked nicely together. Such a good voice, and included sings that I didn't realize were hers.

I tried to listen, honest. But just no.

Some of the songs got a little tedious, but overall not bad.

I guess I don't pay a lot of attention to things I don't know. I saw John Prine, and was thinking some mediocre contemporary elevator-rock artist. And then the first song started and I was like, "Wait a minute... I guess I don't know who John Prine is after all." This album is the kind of music that takes me back to the country I grew up with. Thoroughly enjoyable!

I think a solid 3.5 on this one. I vacillated between 3 and 4, and had to filter and review my prior 3 and 4 ratings to decide it was maybe better than the 3s and maybe not as good as the 4s. It's the kind of 80s that I heard a lot of but didn't make an impact beyond sounding familiar. Knowing the name but not what songs they did. Not recognizing the titles but recognizing the songs when I heard them. I don't know that it's in the top 1001 of all time, but definitely better than some of the dren I've heard on this list.

Definitely going back to hear this one again.

Such classics, and on Christmas no less.

I listened to this entire thing, and I have no idea what's going on. Other than I think she's Bjork's hippie grandmother.

For me, this album aged well. Or maybe it was just revisiting my teen years.

It's easy to get too much Dylan, but this album was quite enjoyable.

Just no. I tried but I'm pulling out one of my infrequent not-gonna-listen cards for this one.

A strong reminder that old Chicago isn't new Chicago. While I grew up on 80s Chicago, it was nice to go back and revisit their beginning.

So many great songs on this album.

3.5, but rounding up to a 4. The absolute best thing on the album is Lauryn Hill's vocals. I'm still not a huge fan of hip hop, so for me the standout songs are Killing Me Softly and No Woman No Cry. I don't think this is a commentary on The Fugees' writing as much as that I like the singing more than the rapping. Other songs I enjoyed are Ready or Not, Zealots, and Fu-Gee-La; especially when Lauryn gets the spotlight.

Now I want to hang out at a bar in the tropics.

Early Elvis, before all the bad things. Blue Suede Shoes is my favorite.

I saw "electronica" and thought "oh, great." But it wasn't bad.

Confirmed. Neil Young is mostly inoffensive, but not great.

Really enjoyable jam that still plays well a half-century later.

Inoffensive but that's about it.

I know she can sing, but there's a lot of sameness to this album.

3.5

One of those days where I keep flipping back to my player to see how many songs are left. This is probably ok in small doses. "Destroy Rock & Roll", apparently by reciting the names of other artists. Maybe death by association? I'm not sure what these folks are trying to do here, but whatever it is it's beyond my ability to see.

The music is good, much better than I expected. The rhyming is good. The lyrics are, as usual, problematic. Going back to my rating for "The Marshall Mathers LP", I think the comments sum it up well: I dunno. I wanted to like it. If it was in another language and I didn't know what he was saying, maybe. Or better yet, in a made-up language so nobody knew what he was saying. Yeah, that's the ticket...."

I never figured out what to do with this album. And I don't know what "shoegaze" is, unless it means they're staring at the floor mumbling?

Not one of my favorite types of music, but this is easy to listen to.

There have been a few albums where I accidentally clicked the deluxe version with so. many. extra. versions of the same songs. And there have been a few where that was the only option available. I've hated it every time. For this album, I deliberately picked the deluxe version with so. many. extra. versions of the songs. On purpose. And I listened to them happily, and will do it again. Bad Company is pure classic rock. It's one of those bands that I'll listen to over and over. It never gets old. 5 stars. Related, I also recommend Five Finger Death Punch's cover of Bad Company.

Not a group I knew before Day 384, but I'd listen to them again.

Ok, another one I've never heard of. And what kind of name is this? From 1976... great, some kind of hippie nonsense. Well, let's get it over with... HANG ON--- This lady is fantastic! How is she not more popular? Or is she and I just didn't know it? Regardless, this is one of the best albums I've come across on this projects. A quick count shows that I've rated 26 albums a 5 (including this one) out of 385 played. I'm digging up some of her other work for my playlist.

An enjoyable listen, but nothing that reaches out and grabs me. Another 3.5, rounding up to a 4 just because I would play it again.

Boy, this is a lot. It started out good (probably 3.5 or so) but then just kept dragging on as the songs got longer and same-ier. So we're going with 2.5, rounded down.

4 more songs after this one, and then I can move on. I didn't really need to hear this album before I die. But at least it's not Eminem?

3.5. Some of these have held up well. Others just seem to run together.

4, unless you get the 40th-Anniversary-Goes-On-For-25-Songs version. Then you fall asleep during the slow parts and forget to give a rating.

It wasn't bad, it just wasn't particularly good.

Driving down the road. Waiting and waiting for this one to end. But not so bad that I just skipped it.

Madonna as an adult. It's a good sound.

Didn't know a thing about this album or artist, yet I would listen again.

This is one of those albums that when I listen to it, every song is a joy.

What happened to that girl who was singing at the beginning of Konnichiwa? I heard that and figured it might be pretty good. And then she left, and all we had was... that. Not horrible; I can go maybe 2.25. At least it wasn't Eminem.

Never heard this before, but it was pretty freakin' cool! At album #424, it's another that I find myself wishing I'd known sooner. Definitely going back for another, deeper listen.

This was good stuff, probably a 3.5 but I'm gonna round down because it just didn't stick with me.

Gone too soon. Great voice.

Moved this one to my listen-again playlist.

Still not a huge fan of hip-hop but Latifah's got a good voice and fast delivery. It's also refreshing to have an album in the genre that's not misogynistic, drug-fueled, and using racial slurs every other word. Maybe that's the real reason she's the Queen?

Soft and soothing, and that's something I need right now. Putting it on the replay list.

I didn't really need to hear this one. 2 stars because while I didn't care for it, I didn't actively hate it.

This album is U2 doing what U2 does best. Reinventing itself again, lyrics that make you think--or at least wonder what's going on, and music that you just want to play again. Favorite songs: Even Better Than The Real Thing One Until The End Of The World Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses Mysterious Ways Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World

Having a teen girl and a pre-teen girl when this album came out means that I heard the album a LOT. And the previous albums, and the future albums. So I know the songs. But one thing that always struck me about Taylor Swift was how she stands up for herself, without becoming a terrible person. She charted her own path and has enjoyed huge success in doing so. And with each new sound, she never went off the rails as so many young female artists have. She was, and is, someone that I didn't mind my daughters listening to, singing along with, and looking up to. Granted, a lot of songs have dealt with more mature themes as she (and they) have grown up, but I'm not a total curmudgeon. One note though: Rather than this album as originally recorded, I queued up 2023's "1989 - Taylor's Version". Because fuck you, Scooter.

3.5, but rounded down.

Another I didn't really need. Rated a 2 because it wasn't actively bad. But seriously, I seem to be in the middle of a long dry spell with this project. I wonder why I don't seem to have any long spells of great music?

Relaxing metal

3 songs in and I'm ready for this album to be done.

This album might win the award for longest album. In fairness, I probably wasn't in the mood for ...this. I don't think I've ever been so happy to hear the intro to Steven Stills' "Love the One You're With", signifying that I had finished this one. Or maybe Steve was telling me I should've loved Goldie?

Straightforward music. A refreshing change of pace from some of the more artsy concoctions.

2.5 rounding down

4.0. Great voice and stage presence.

Almost 500 albums into this project, and there have been albums pop up that I didn't want to listen to. Some of them ended up surprising me and I really liked them. Others justified my aversion. But I've always given them a chance. Until now. This is where I draw the line. This guy is a clown show, and his genre is one I just don't care for. Not gonna do it. Hard pass.

I just can't get into these guys. But at least it's not Kanye?

I wasn't really sure about this one, but it was easy to listen to.

Oh man. I got this one the day after Brian Wilson died. Coincidence? Sent deliberately to projects that haven't received it yet? Anyway, this isn't my favorite Beach Boys album but it has Sloop John B, which is my favorite Beach Boys song. Plus a lot of other good ones such as Wouldn't it be Nice and Good Only Knows.

Surprisingly enjoyable. It kind of sneaks up on you, hands you a beer, and invites you to have a seat and chill with good conversation.

This was a really long album. Good, but might've overstayed its welcome just a little.

For whatever reason I haven't heard this album. I guess at that time I was listening to a lot of classic- and alt-rock. She's got a great voice, and beautiful piano. Just a great listen! I'd probably rate a 4 but Happy Album #500... to celebrate I'm going with a 5.

Pure Early 1970s. I'd like the album better if I enjoyed that kind of music more.

I know everyone loves The Doors. But honestly, some of their drug-fueled moping is just boring. This album though... this is great! After listening to the complete album, I needed to hear it again despite about 10 more albums in the queue to get caught up on my 1001 Albums project. Awarding this a rare 5.

Eh. A few good songs and a few that just drag.

I liked this. I didn't really pay any attention to the lyrics but the music and the voices were enjoyable.

First thought when I saw this: "Oh, joy. Experimental trash." But it wasn't Kanye, so I'll give it a 3.

First thought when I saw this: "What? Two in a row from this guy? I haven't even listened to the first one! What did I ever do to you?" But really, it wasn't bad. Another 3.

I've just never been able to get into Nirvana. I can't understand what they're singing and there seems to be a lot of angry or stoned or otherwise incomprehensible to them--both the instruments and the vocals. But this album was pretty enjoyable. Maybe it's the acoustic instruments or the slower-paced vocals instead of usual. For probably the first time, I can see why people like this group.

Some parts were better than others, but I think the industrial noise kind of spoke louder than the inoffensive songs.

Despite having heard some Peter Gabriel in the earlier 1980s, much of this album was a surprise to me. That may be a condemnation of Top-40 stations. This album wasn't what I was expecting, and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. Another 1k1Albums win.

Another artist I'm not familiar with, but apparently she's related to someone who's kind of famous? She's got a smooth voice and the album went by very quickly. I'd listen again. 3.5/5.0.

At least it's not Kanye?

Inoffensive

I'm really ready for this album to be over, but it isn't. Wait... oh, nope. Still isn't.

Another one I didn't know, but I'd listen to them again.

Another unknown-to-me album, and it was better than I expected.

This is an album that would be easy to write off, given how much airplay "Relax" got back in the 80s. But I think that would be a mistake. There's more to see here, from the covers of "Born to Run" and "San Jose" to "The Power of Love" and "The Only Star in Heaven". Listening to this album brought back memories, and also introduced me to songs that I missed the first time around.

Wow, this album is polarizing! A lot of love and a lot of hate. I come down more on the like side of things. I generally didn't know what was going on, and it's like half-listening to that crazy uncle that you enjoy even though everyone says he's a lunatic. And every now and then you just have to smile at whatever the hell it was he just sang.

This album is just easy to listen to. And after a listen, I read the story of the group and how the album name fits in. I'm glad we have the chance to hear this group.

Not the 60s psychedelic trip I was expecting. This was pretty enjoyable.

Started out pretty good. Retreated into a lot of sameness.

It was promising. And then I was really happy to move on to Led Zeppelin.

I was just sitting here enjoying the album and all of a sudden it was over! Zep has a way of just flowing over you like a cool breeze on a warm day.

It was not terrible.

2.5/5, but I'm gonna round down to 2 based on how I've rated other albums. Still, at least it's not Kanye.

Monotonous.

I mean, it's Sir Paul.

I never got into the whole grunge scene. Never found a Nirvana song I liked enough to play it on purpose. But yeah, I figured I'd be hearing them on this project and thought maybe I'd develop at least a little appreciation for them? Well, there was the "MTV Unplugged in New York" album, and I enjoyed that (4 stars!) But their regular albums? Looking back, I see that Nevermind got a 3/5 rating from me. This one's going with a 2 so I'll finally have someone on my "controversial artist" list.

Can't say I needed this.

I don't really know what's going on with this one. It wasn't bad, but I'm not sure I need to hear it again.

It was fine, just a lot to listen to at once.

I really enjoyed this album. Having the orchestra shows that Metallica actually does *music*. There are a lot of haters in the reviews though.

Not terrible, but not a fan. At least it isn't Kanye.

Maybe it's just because it's from the early 80's, but I thought this was good. Not something I want to listen to over and over, but I wasn't ignoring it and hoping it would be over soon.

I have no idea what they're saying, but it's a fun vibe and makes me feel like I'm on vacation somewhere new.

I was not at all familiar with this guy, or the album. But I'm really digging it. The music is easy to listen to, but then I looked up from my work and did a double-take at the lyrics. So awesome! The best comparison I can make is to Barenaked Ladies. And now I see that he's got quite a few albums out, so I've got some things to add to the queue once I get caught up on my 1001 Albums project!

Still not a fan of the genre, but this wasn't terrible.

I mean, it's ok. Yeah, some of their stuff is good but I've never been a Deadhead. I'd listen again but it just didn't hit me.

It started out pretty good, but turned into a lot of sameness.

meh.

Another one I'm not familiar with, but definitely enjoyed this one! Some days you just need a little punk.

I still don't understand her. But it was harmless.

I'm not giving a single penny for streaming to this asshole. I've heard some of this album before and I don't need to revisit it. Pulling out "Not Gonna Listen" #3. Congrats, you're on a level with Kendrick and Kanye.

Captain Beefheart is just such a name. Imagine my surprise to find not one but two albums from him on this list. Easy album, but the music just didn't grab my attention.

I was really concerned about an album I didn't know featuring 69 songs. But it's going on the listen-again list so I can pay more attention to it.

What? Some parts I'd listen to again. Other parts I can do without.