1001 Albums Summary

I still remember my first summer job, installing fiberglass ceilings on a scissor lift with my dad and playing this album for him. He told me about what a concept album was. This would be a strong contender for album of the decade if Kendrick hadn’t eclipsed it himself three years later.

Listening to this album for the first time in 2023 was like a revelation. I had spent much of my adolescence, around 2011-2013, developing what would become my first self-made musical taste, listening to artists that were emulating this album. To finally hear it a decade later was like a veil had been lifted. I understood.

Great album. Nicki’s verse is the highlight though.

Proof that it is possible for an overrated album to deserve all the praise it gets. Current #5 of all time. Thank you mom.

This album, as well as Why Make Sense, represents to me the best of the music taste my brothers passed down to me. They showed me much of what I came to enjoy, and I associate each of these albums with them for different reasons. Current #25 of all time. Thanks, bros.

Second in my own personal Beatles ranking only to Abbey Road. Thanks Dad, for sharing your appreciation of side three.

Liability, Writer in the Dark, and Supercut are definitely the standouts but the rest of the album forms a great setting to experience them. Great breakup album.

As I sat in the car thinking of how to review this album, the radio automatically switched to FM and stairway is what happened to be playing. All of zeppelin is overhyped but only stairway is really overplayed. It’s impressive that a song which sees so much play can feel like it earns it, and more so that the album it appears on feels cohesive, complete, and commensurate to its success.

The rest of the album forms a nice listening experience around Seven Nation Army and In the Cold, Cold Night, but in order to be that it became a slightly weaker White Stripes album, especially when compared to some earlier efforts.

Delightful. A favorite. A memory.

A masterpiece. Only could have been created in the moment it was. Timeless as a result.

The opening fills of this record inspired my brother to start playing drums. Not sure where I’d be without it. Historic.

Been in the top 10 my entire life and I reckon it’ll stay there. The most focused and coherent Beatles album. Contains several of the best singles as well as the best side progression of their discography. Masterpiece.

Take it, I don’t wanna sing anymore.

Got it as a gift, on vinyl. Thank you Gabe, much love.

Don’t even need to listen today. It’s already in the heavy rotation. All timer.

One of the greatest album covers of all time.

Part III is among my favorite drum solos ever. Part II is among my favorite lead melodies ever. This is one of the albums that helped me into jazz. Cannot be overstated. Supreme.

The title track alone would be enough for it to earn a place in my charts. Treaty is good as well, and along with its reprise forms a beautiful bookend to the rest of the album. On the Level through If I Didn’t Have Your Love is a slump, sonically. Cohen’s signature cheap synth pads and simple arpeggios undercut his lyrics. It’s difficult to believe the gospel when it sounds more like karaoke. Traveling Light recaptures the highs of the opener, though, and the album finishes strong from there.

California stars is still the stand out but I hadn’t known how good some of the other tracks were until this relisten. A family favorite.

Not sure whether to credit it to my parents or my friend and bandmate Sam, but I’ve heard lots about this record. Heard a few songs off it and even listened through once before. Shocking that I hadn’t given it a real chance until today. Phenomenal.

NY ily is definitely the standout but the rest of the album holds up.

Never connected with a song so quickly as I did with Emily. Emily is an astrophysicist, Emily is a sister, she is depicted reverently, lovingly, even as she is at the center of the singer’s conflict. She is central, also, to the resolution.

Most albums would be happy to have one career defining hit on them. Harvest has three.

Second only to Sky Blue Sky in my book. So many hooks that catch in the back of my mind. Jesus, Etc. is a very personally important track that helped me reach catharsis at a pivotal moment.

This album is a memory to me. Walking down 26th to meet my mom at work and really hearing it for the first time. Every note is in it’s place, every musician holds up their end of the bargain, but to me Astrud’s voice is the star. Not to discount João’s.

Vinyl relisten. Took me forever to find the right moment to do so despite knowing ahead of time it’s a five. It has been since at least summer 2017. Put it on over dinner and drinks with a dear friend. I love you Gabe, I love you Oliver.

Never going to forget covering the eponymous opener to the good people of Meridian’s garage. Thank you Billy. I’m sorry Neha.

They say ignorance is bliss. I don’t know what this album is about, and I hope I never do. Timeless classic. Thank you Liz.