My 1001 Albums Journey

171

Albums Rated

3.26

Average Rating

16%

Complete

918 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1950s

Favorite Decade

Hard-rock

Favorite Genre

Top Origin

Wordsmith

Rater Style ?

5-Star Albums

1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Pacific Ocean Blue Dennis Wilson	5	3.07	+1.93
Junkyard The Birthday Party	4	2.16	+1.84
The Bones Of What You Believe CHVRCHES	5	3.18	+1.82
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector Various Artists	5	3.31	+1.69
Rock 'N Soul Solomon Burke	5	3.37	+1.63
25 Adele	5	3.37	+1.63
Different Class Pulp	5	3.42	+1.58
Foo Fighters Foo Fighters	5	3.5	+1.5
Low David Bowie	5	3.55	+1.45
Here's Little Richard Little Richard	5	3.56	+1.44

You Love Less Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Darkness on the Edge of Town Bruce Springsteen	1	3.42	-2.42
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back Public Enemy	1	3.37	-2.37
Fear Of A Black Planet Public Enemy	1	3.34	-2.34
Sunday At The Village Vanguard Bill Evans Trio	1	3.31	-2.31
Daydream Nation Sonic Youth	1	3.3	-2.3
Music Has The Right To Children Boards of Canada	1	2.91	-1.91
American IV: The Man Comes Around Johnny Cash	2	3.89	-1.89
Siamese Dream The Smashing Pumpkins	2	3.83	-1.83
Next The Sensational Alex Harvey Band	1	2.71	-1.71
Blood On The Tracks Bob Dylan	2	3.67	-1.67

Artists

Favorites

Artist	Albums	Average
The Rolling Stones	4	4.25

Least Favorites

Artist	Albums	Average
Public Enemy	2	1

Controversial

Artist	Ratings
Bruce Springsteen	1, 4

5-Star Albums (16)

View Album Wall

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

1-Star Albums (10)

It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

All Ratings

Innervisions

Stevie Wonder

3/5

Very atmospheric. Basslines on fire (obvs). That being said, it's not very memorable aside from one or two tracks.

From Elvis In Memphis

Elvis Presley

3/5

One I already know! Initially excited to hear it again. Bass is very prominent and melodic but it's not the most exciting. By the mid point of the album, it had reached the point of depressing. Gentle on my mind is a highlight, full of feeling, but in the context of the album feels quite slow, it's dragged down by the others. True love travels on a gravel road is another highlight, lots of emotion behind the vocals. Overall, I liked it but didn't love it

S&M

Metallica

4/5

The most dramatic album I've ever heard. Enjoyed it tons more than expected though.

Darkness on the Edge of Town

Bruce Springsteen

1/5

A bit slow and depressing to say the least. Can definitely hear how it has influenced Gaslight Anthem, but it's admirable how they've turned something quite drab into their excellent music! Racing in the street is a very boring song considering the name, pretty disappointing, and the start of "something in the night" sounds like a cat in heat. Definitely my least favourite so far.

Jazz Samba

Stan Getz

3/5

I didn't know what to expect from this, but I enjoyed it more than I expected. Glad it wasn't any longer but it was very atmospheric and emotion evoking, despite being instrumental. Bass, piano and sax is a great combination. Really nice background music, but not much more than that. Would give it a 2.5 if possible

Coat Of Many Colors

Dolly Parton

3/5

After seeing the other ratings I was expecting to hate this but I think it was a solid middle of the road album! A bit slow paced for my liking but emotive and authentic.

Shake Your Money Maker

The Black Crowes

4/5

I had never heard of the band before, although I had certainly heard (and even played) hard to handle enough times! Overall very pleasant, well and and enjoyable. Solid 4/5.

The Modern Dance

Pere Ubu

1/5

Interesting at first but got pretty irritating by the time I was halfway through. Also incredibly repetitive. Relieved to finish it.

Hounds Of Love

Kate Bush

4/5

I was super excited for this, first impressions were great and it continued strong. Very dramatic. Waking the witch is bit too trippy for me to give it a 5.

Iron Maiden

3/5

It's good, but every track is about twice as long as it needs to be. Solid 3 - enjoyed it but I've no inclination to put it back on

Daydream Nation

Sonic Youth

1/5

I can't put my finger on why I found this album so irritating, but I couldn't finish it

Logical Progression

LTJ Bukem

2/5

Enjoying the twinkliness of Danny's song. Not my cup of tea but it's good... I was planning on a 3/5 but by the end I couldn't wait to turn it off so it's demoted to 2

Haut de gamme / Koweït, rive gauche

Koffi Olomide

2/5

If the goal of this challenge is to listen to things I usually wouldn't, this definitely ticks that box! I enjoyed it and it was quite uplifting, but I'm not in a rush to listen to it again.

Rust In Peace

Megadeth

4/5

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

The Kinks

4/5

Basslines in Victoria are to die for. Sounds much more modern than it is, you can hear the influence the kinks have had on music immediately. The riff at the start of Brainwashed reminds me of Bad Guy by Billie Eilish

Maggot Brain

Funkadelic

4/5

This was fun, enjoyable but not massively interesting or unique That being said, I was a bit sad when it ended so it got an extra star for that!

Maverick A Strike

Finley Quaye

3/5

Devil Without A Cause

Kid Rock

2/5

"his dick was metal, her pussy was a magnet" is one of the worst lyrics I've ever heard. 2/5 is generous.

Inspiration Information

Shuggie Otis

3/5

This was fun, I enjoyed it. Nothing incredible about it, but generally really enjoyable background music. Enjoy some of the funky lines. Shame I can't give it a 2/5, so it will have to be a 3

Fear Of A Black Planet

Public Enemy

1/5

The first half of this was alright, but by the time I got to the second half I was ready for it to finish. A bit too attention grabbing/distracting for me! Ended up skipping the last few songs as they were putting me in a bad mood

Gorillaz

3/5

This was fun and objectively good. I just found it quite disruptive to listen to, I'm not sure it's my cup of tea!

The Gershwin Songbook

Ella Fitzgerald

4/5

Sounds like Christmas and a Disney soundtrack had a child! Delightful

Let It Bleed

The Rolling Stones

5/5

I already knew this was going to be a 5/5 and it delivered. Not only is this an album that's greater than the sum of its individual tracks, a perfect blend of political statements and absolute bagers. It is also an absolute nostalgia fest, grew up listening to this on vinyl. Dead cert 5/5

I See A Darkness

Bonnie "Prince" Billy

3/5

It was alright, just a bit whiny

Green River

Creedence Clearwater Revival

4/5

Black Holes and Revelations

Muse

5/5

This was worth a four, but it gets the extra point for nostalgia

Buffalo Springfield Again

Buffalo Springfield

3/5

Blood On The Tracks

Bob Dylan

2/5

Like A Prayer

Madonna

4/5

Joan Armatrading

3/5

All Directions

The Temptations

3/5

Locust Abortion Technician

Butthole Surfers

3/5

Hot Buttered Soul

Isaac Hayes

3/5

This was okay, but strictly as background music. No way I could pay attention to an 18 minute song!

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

The Smashing Pumpkins

4/5

I would have given this a five if it weren't so damn long!

Nilsson Schmilsson

Harry Nilsson

4/5

I enjoyed this quite a lot more than expected. Couple of corkers and the rest is possibly best described as "emo before it was cool"

Treasure

Cocteau Twins

2/5

This reminded me of Kate Bush in a good way, but it didn't capture my attention past the second or third track

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin

4/5

Rock 'N Soul

Solomon Burke

5/5

3 Feet High and Rising

De La Soul

2/5

Thriller

Michael Jackson

4/5

Musically, this is a 5/5. Just a shame about, you know...

Tracy Chapman

4/5

Atmospheric and emotional but lacked enough zing for a five.

Coles Corner

Richard Hawley

3/5

If You're Feeling Sinister

Belle & Sebastian

2/5

Bit whiney

Here's Little Richard

Little Richard

5/5

A rare gem where it deserves a 5 both for how influential it is, and for how enjoyable it remains in 2024.

Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Wu-Tang Clan

2/5

I enjoyed this more than expected... But only barely.

Calenture

The Triffids

2/5

Very middle of the road. It's not bad, it's not great. A bit repetitive. Was going to give it a 3/5 but it went on so long I lost interest and it's really got to be a 2.

Tubular Bells

Mike Oldfield

2/5

Faith

George Michael

4/5

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

2/5

Not bad per say, but quite dull

Master Of Puppets

Metallica

3/5

Just a bit more "eh" than I was expecting

Moving Pictures

Rush

4/5

Do I like prog now?

The Atomic Mr Basie

Count Basie & His Orchestra

3/5

This was good just not my cup of tea

Document

R.E.M.

4/5

A band I've never given a lot of mind but I really enjoyed this. It was a bit droney occasionally (particularly Fireplace) so missed out on the 5/5 but still really enjoyable, would listen again

American IV: The Man Comes Around

Johnny Cash

2/5

Of all the albums I expected to be in this challenge, a Johnny Cash cover album wasn't one. It started out OK but it made me wonder if he knew this would be his last as the majority were very depressing. His voice, which can usually be quite emotive was surprisingly flat... I just found the whole thing quite mediocre. It would be a solid 2.5 out of three - I'm rounding down to 2 because a day later I can't remember much of it.

Junkyard

The Birthday Party

4/5

What an explosive start! Loved this, and a band I've never heard of before. Not quite lifechanging enough for a five however.

My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts

Brian Eno

2/5

Just really boring

When I Was Born For The 7th Time

Cornershop

3/5

This gets an extra point simply for having so many genres in one album! I kept having to check it wasn't autoplaying.

Lady Soul

Aretha Franklin

5/5

Superfly

Curtis Mayfield

4/5

Untitled (Black Is)

SAULT

2/5

20 songs in under an hour is a great start. Excited for this one. Unfortunately didn't live up to the initial excitement

The Who Sell Out

The Who

4/5

Not my favourite who album but it gets extra points for being so barmy

Very

Pet Shop Boys

3/5

Enjoyed this more than I expected but generally not my cup of tea

Dookie

Green Day

5/5

A classic. One of the formative albums of my youth. The album that defined my favourite genre. Would give more stars if I could.

On The Beach

Neil Young

4/5

Rock Bottom

Robert Wyatt

1/5

An obscene amount of noise

It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

Public Enemy

1/5

This just... isn't for me. I couldn't finish it so it's got to be 1/5 really.

Grievous Angel

Gram Parsons

4/5

I enjoyed this a ton more than expected, a great one to return to the challenge with!

Synchronicity

The Police

4/5

Heroes to Zeros

The Beta Band

4/5

This was much more my cup of tea than expected. Not a complete banger but generally deserves 4/5

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

1/5

Is this satire?

That's The Way Of The World

Earth, Wind & Fire

3/5

Some enjoyable funky basslines, and nicely uplifting, just not super memorable

Wild Is The Wind

Nina Simone

2/5

Nice and emotive... Just a bit irritating at times

Feast of Wire

Calexico

4/5

Enjoyed the Latin inspiration but not something I'd come back to

Machine Head

Deep Purple

4/5

Super influential and enjoyable just didn't have enough pazazz for a 5

Debut

Björk

2/5

Had to skip the second to last song as it was just too irritating. A generous 2/5 Bonus review off Tom "I imagine this album is very popular with the deaf community"

Hypnotised

The Undertones

4/5

Enjoyed this a ton, but it was a bit too samey for a 5/5. Easy 4 though

The Wildest!

Louis Prima

4/5

5This album just sounds like everybody recording it had a ball and it shows.

Talking Book

Stevie Wonder

4/5

Solid 4, enjoyed the funk. Was tempted to give this a five but it was just a bit samey in the middle at points. If we could do 4.5 stars, it would be deserving.

The Köln Concert

Keith Jarrett

2/5

This was enjoyable... I guess. An hour of piano solo will always be background music to me. It was good background music but I can't really give it more than a 2

Green Onions

Booker T. & The MG's

2/5

Another lovely album of background music, but not interesting or attention-grabbing enough to be more than that.

Hot Fuss

The Killers

4/5

A fantastic nostalgia-fest. A tough call but I don't think it quite scrapes a five, just because it's a tad samey aside from a few bangers.

Fragile

Yes

3/5

This might have been revolutionary back in the day, but it just sounded like generic dad rock to me.

Aftermath

The Rolling Stones

3/5

Opened straight into an absolute banger but then got steadily more boring.

Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul

Otis Redding

4/5

The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

Genesis

2/5

This has no right being as long as it is. It's not objectively bad, even Bowie-esque at points (in a good way), it's just not quite my cup of tea and goes on a bit.

Dirt

Alice In Chains

3/5

Music for the Masses

Depeche Mode

4/5

Pet Sounds

The Beach Boys

4/5

Van Halen

4/5

Enjoyed this so much more than I expected! A bit cheesy but in the best way.

The Madcap Laughs

Syd Barrett

4/5

The story behind this album was incredible, and incredibly sad, and I'm glad I researched it before listening.

Are You Experienced

Jimi Hendrix

3/5

Songs From The Big Chair

Tears For Fears

3/5

Funeral

Arcade Fire

4/5

Licensed To Ill

Beastie Boys

2/5

This had a significant negative impact on my mood.

Music Has The Right To Children

Boards of Canada

1/5

Too many creepy kids voices

Talking Timbuktu

Ali Farka Touré

2/5

I don't have the attention span for this

Diamond Life

Sade

4/5

The Yes Album

Yes

3/5

Not unpleasant, not particularly memorable either.

Odessa

Bee Gees

2/5

Fire Of Love

The Gun Club

4/5

Power In Numbers

Jurassic 5

2/5

Purple Rain

Prince

3/5

Kala

M.I.A.

3/5

This is probably my favourite hip hop album so far... but still not something I'd want to listen to again.

Exile On Main Street

The Rolling Stones

4/5

Fine to good, but nothing breathtaking. 3.5 if it were possible!

Songs For Swingin' Lovers!

Frank Sinatra

4/5

Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea

PJ Harvey

2/5

Neon Bible

Arcade Fire

4/5

I enjoyed this more than I expected, but I also can't see me listening to it again.

The Velvet Underground

4/5

I had an idea in my head of what this album was going to be and this... wasn't hair metal. In a good way.

The Wall

Pink Floyd

4/5

This was great, I simply can't concentrate for an hour and a half on one album, however. It's not Pink Floyd, it's me.

Low

David Bowie

5/5

Pacific Ocean Blue

Dennis Wilson

5/5

Slayed?

Slade

4/5

Enjoyed this a lot, quite nostalgic for me. Extra points given for the black country connection.

Born To Run

Bruce Springsteen

4/5

The Man Machine

Kraftwerk

3/5

Reading about this before I listened, I fully expected to hate it. I'm not sure I'd listen to it again as it's definitely not my ideal genre, but I enjoyed it way more than expected. I'd give it 3.5 if possible, but I'll round down to three simply because I can't imagine myself listening to it again

The Nightfly

Donald Fagen

3/5

This got a bit samey but it was really enjoyable. Very much of its time.

Heaven Or Las Vegas

Cocteau Twins

2/5

British Steel

Judas Priest

4/5

Big. Just really, really big!

Come Away With Me

Norah Jones

2/5

Boring and samey but not offensive.

Bat Out Of Hell

Meat Loaf

4/5

Figure 8

Elliott Smith

3/5

Good, just a bit... bland.

Kenya

Machito

4/5

Would never have put something like this on, but I really enjoyed it.

Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

The Byrds

4/5

Sunday At The Village Vanguard

Bill Evans Trio

1/5

Led Zeppelin III

Led Zeppelin

4/5

Some of this (e.g. the last track) was really quite different to what I expect from Led Zeppelin but I still enjoyed it - perhaps not as much as some of the later stuff though.

Being There

Wilco

3/5

This is trying really hard to be something - but unfortunately that something isn't particularly enjoyable or memorable.

Don't Stand Me Down

Dexys Midnight Runners

3/5

I am strongly of the opinion that any track over 4 minutes long should be banned. Who writes a 12-minute song that sounds the same throughout!? 'Listen to This' and sections of 'The Waltz' were enjoyable enough to earn it an extra star but it still leaves this as a 2.5-star album.

Guero

Beck

4/5

The Dark Side Of The Moon

Pink Floyd

5/5

One of the best albums ever created. Loved this relisten - an easy five.

Ingenue

k.d. lang

2/5

Beggars Banquet

The Rolling Stones

5/5

I couldn't think of a single reason to not give this a five.

Different Class

Pulp

5/5

Gentlemen

The Afghan Whigs

4/5

Odessey And Oracle

The Zombies

4/5

Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine

Cee Lo Green

1/5

Beauty And The Beat

The Go-Go's

4/5

Enjoyed this a ton, especially the driving basslines.

En-Tact

The Shamen

2/5

If I Should Fall From Grace With God

The Pogues

2/5

Stardust

Willie Nelson

2/5

Brown Sugar

D'Angelo

4/5

Not my cup of tea but not bad. Extra point awarded for bass lines being on fire.

Aladdin Sane

David Bowie

4/5

Paul Simon

4/5

Odelay

Beck

3/5

Just a bit meh really

Autobahn

Kraftwerk

3/5

Weird but not unpleasant.

Music From The Penguin Cafe

Penguin Cafe Orchestra

3/5

The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady

Charles Mingus

3/5

This was good, just not my cup of tea. It's not the album, it's me.

Foo Fighters

5/5

Adele

5/5

For some reason, I thought I was too cool to give this 5* but you know what, I'm not. Absolute corker, enjoyed every track and some of the lyrics are bonafide poetry.

In Utero

Nirvana

4/5

4. Went on a bit.

Warehouse: Songs And Stories

Hüsker Dü

4/5

Tapestry

Carole King

4/5

The Bones Of What You Believe

CHVRCHES

5/5

Chirping Crickets

Buddy Holly & The Crickets

3/5

Enjoyed it but it did't blow my mind. Probably very influential in the 50s however!

Let England Shake

PJ Harvey

2/5

Siamese Dream

The Smashing Pumpkins

2/5

Music From Big Pink

The Band

4/5

What's Going On

Marvin Gaye

5/5

Before And After Science

Brian Eno

2/5

Harvest

Neil Young

4/5

Among The Living

Anthrax

3/5

Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

Soft Cell

4/5

This Is Hardcore

Pulp

4/5

Good, but not as good as Different Class.

The College Dropout

Kanye West

2/5

Not going to lie, I went into this with the preconception that I wouldn't like it. However, I didn't hate it. I did get really bored of it about halfway though, so I can't give it more than a 2.

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Various Artists

5/5

Problematic for many ways, but musically it's simple. An easy five stars.

All Hope Is Gone

Slipknot

4/5

I Should Coco

Supergrass

4/5

Very good, but no pulp.

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