1001 Albums Summary

The contrast between forcing me to listen to Skepta yesterday to giving me one of the greatest albums of all time the next day is poetic. The majority of the population are more then happy to listen to hit albums where all the songs have standard structure and just fit the bill of being a good song. And I am no stranger to it, Appetite for Destruction and Hybrid Theory are 2 albums where there is just constant good rock songs that fit a formula and are both in my top 10 of all time. But albums like this are where music peaks. Shoegaze had been around for a short amount of time by this point still finding its footing before this album came around and laid down the image for everyone. I genuinely believe that Kevin Shields is one of, if not the greatest guitar player ever. Maybe not in a traditional manner but this album is carried how mesmerising the sounds he makes with that thing are and when you just sit down and listen to this album it is just one of the greatest feelings. It wasn't just on the album too, MBV's live events are some of the most unique ever and although many would hate listening to a wall of noise before every gig it created a one of a kind experience for people, in such a huge industry to do what they did is incredible. I do think it is the face of Shoegaze even if it isn't my favourite album they are all so close up there. The genre is art, there is just something so beautiful about the noise that is hard to explain to anyone and I just have to except not everyone will like it. People will always complain that not every song hits like a single, but for me an amazing album needs these slow atmospheric down parts for the high points to really hit, anyone listening to this will experience it when "when you sleep" comes in it is just so incredible. And rock snobs love Pink Floyd but The Dark Side of the Moon only has maybe 3 proper songs and it is considering one of the best albums of all time (rightfully so) because of how amazing those high points are, you don't get those without the build up. Shoegaze will forever be my favourite genre and I hope that Slowdive, Have a Nice Life and Cocteau Twins are on here because they all influenced and changed music perception in it's own right and if Skepta can be on here then they better be. Stand out songs: When You Sleep What You Want Soon

My college teacher always swore by this being her favourite of all time and although I wouldn't have rated it always this highly I must admit it has always been a go to for me. I wasn't always a fan of the way he sang but they have warmed on me and change through time. I also think the mix is great one of the most pleasing soft mixes I an think of it helps when you can hear it properly through headphones etc but something about it is nice and soft. I said it before with Jeff Buckley that this is a hard genre to pull off and I think this is great, it may not hit the heights for me as Jeff Buckley does but it is up there. A strong 4/5. Stand Out Songs; Between the Bars Cupid's Trick Ballad of Big Nothing

When I saw this was another late 60’s folk rock album I was a little disappointed because I didn’t think I was in the mood. However from the start this felt like quite a fun album and I ended up really enjoying. The mix although strange was great and I love high notes on bass and it was super prominent in the mix. Although there were points it felt a little bland I would focus more on the calm instrumental and it would make up for the poorer songwriting. Only other real negative was the ending, great albums need a well written ending and it is a shame this didn’t have that but still didn’t completely kill it. Going to give it a generous 4/5 because it was a great first listen. Stand Out Songs: Christine’s Tunes My Uncle Hot Burrito #1