Really didn’t like this. Too many airy & breathy love songs that all sound the same. Not creative or interesting musically. Too heavy on vocals.
I enjoyed the jazzy/folk arrangements. Flute, saxophone, piano. Very nicely arranged, and very creative. Easy breezy vibe. Unique artistic expression. The fact that he chose two songs, including the title track, as pure instrumentals is a testament to that.
The first 2 tracks are listenable and enjoyable. But not much else that would make me come back here.
I get how this album makes this list because of its first of its kind nature and influence on rap. But as a stand alone work it doesn’t really hold up today. It sounds kinda silly and simple.
I love the Who and this album beautifully captures their raw buck wild unchained energy. Daltrey is a force but Moon, Entwistle, & Townsend bring another level of unbridled intensity. I can’t think of any bands in recent memory that even come close to how these guys absolutely own rock & roll.
Creative & unique sound and arrangements. 3-4 min song length makes it easier to listen to 22 tracks. Lyrics are nearly impossible to discern any meaning. Practically gibberish.
My fave Clapton album
I hated this. It actually irritated me and made me angry.
Possibly Joni’s best album. More mature evolved songwriting and arrangements. Jack Pastorius’ contribution on bass is other worldly. Can help but notice that apart from Coyote (an all time great) many of the songs sound the same.
I’ve gone back to this album a couple of times now since first listening to it. This is a supremely interesting and marvelous creative work. Love final days & the interlude.
I was shocked how much I enjoyed this. I’ve already gone back to it again. And will do so again.
I actually had never listened to this album from start to finish and it is really enjoyable and highly listenable. I have a newfound appreciation for Sheryl Crow.
Pretty mediocre. I would not have included this work in this compilation.
Brilliant work from a musical genius
A fantastic album, never understood why this was considered an inferior album to the first five.
The more I listened the more this grew on me.
It must be a culture thing. Definitely an age thing. But I do not relate to or enjoy this.
Really didn’t like this. Too many airy & breathy love songs that all sound the same. Not creative or interesting musically. Too heavy on vocals.
Not a fan. I actually really don’t like his voice. If I want to listen to R&B, there is a long list of other artists I’d rather listen to.
I knew the 3 radio play songs but had never listened to this album from top to bottom. I actually loved it. Come on! Let’s go Space Truckin! It has a super fun flair and energy. Sure, it’s a bit dated but that is hardly a criticism. Most music is a product of its time. Very little is timeless. Still, I really enjoyed this and had fun with it. Doesn’t sound like heavy metal but I can see how this was an influence on that genre. The high pitched howls are awesome. Just going for it.
One of the most overrated bands. This album is so boring.
I listened to this over and over when it first came out. Not one throw away track on this. Top to bottom just an outstanding album. Amazing songwriting, musicianship, and production. It transcends the grunge genre and is a master work from a band that was peaking. Sadly their next album would be their last.
Papa is awesome. The rest is meh.
Just his 3rd studio album. Not a bad song to be found. Such a unique force and special talent: piano, guitar, harmonica, poetic songwriting, and arrangements. Some may not like his voice, I find it compelling. He shows such range on this album from gentle ballads to shredding savage guitar and vocals.
Nice fusion of soul, jazz, and funk with a laid-back vibe. Clearly very talented group. There are a couple of good grooves. Still, some of these songs are way too long. I don’t mind a long jam as long as it holds my attention. I will not revisit this. I was actually very surprised to learn that this was Billboard magazine's Album of the Year and best-selling album of 1973. Never would have guessed that. I’ve never even heard of this album before
There’s a reason the majority of the songs on this album are all time classics. Bitch and Can’t You Hear Me Knocking are standouts. Moonlight Mile is a lush & soulful closer. Brown Sugar is a victim of cancel culture but the times they are a-changin’
If you’re going to make an album with this many songs it better be worth it to the listener, which this wasn’t. I don’t like the tone of the singer’s voice. He’s whiny and annoying. A lot of the songs sound the same. Despite its popularity I don’t particularly like Bittersweet Symphony. Catching a Butterfly was my fave but the rest is forgettable.
Loved this. So edgy. Hard mix of punk inspired in your face unflinching walls of sound. Keeps you guessing with interesting tempo changes, distortion, tension, & sparse melodies. Very unique sound. Neil Young chose them to be his opening act when I saw him at MSG in 1990. He was clearly an inspiration to their sound along with many other 90’s grunge bands.
His solo work is not as good as his work with the other members of Pink Floyd. Pipers and the other singles he produced with them is genius and truly pushed the envelope. On the surface Madcap is not impressive musically but its merits are found in its true originality. Syd’s music is unique. No one sounded like him. It’s as if he’s saying, “Here’s my music. If you don’t like it, oh well!” There’s a whimsical psychedelic nursery rhyme childlike quality to it. I like it.
if I’m going to listen to prog rock, this is not it
I enjoyed the jazzy/folk arrangements. Flute, saxophone, piano. Very nicely arranged, and very creative. Easy breezy vibe. Unique artistic expression. The fact that he chose two songs, including the title track, as pure instrumentals is a testament to that.
Did not like this. Is this album here because it was influential in the elevator music genre? Do Your Thing is a long bloated mess. Cafe Regio is probably the only redeemable song here.
Not my favorite but has some gems. Fagan is a brilliant songwriter, but this album feels disjointed and doesn’t have a good flow. If you’re a fan of the band (like me) you’ll still enjoy it. Otherwise I wouldn’t tell my friends you have to listen to this album before you die.
A big gap between QMS and other bands that command this genre so much better. Songwriting is not the most important aspect of the music I listen to but you have to at least try to. Would not listen to again.
That voice. Incredible talent. When she wails it is moving.
Had never heard of Wire but learned they helped form the core of punk from 1976-1978. Unique fresh and original. Clearly super influential. The 3 Girl Rhumba riff was sampled by Elastica in their 1994 song “Connection”.
I’m not a fan of country but that’s some might fine singing the blues. Beautiful harmonies.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate Bowie’s ingenuity and creativity. He was such an original and pioneer. This album is so interesting with the atmospheric instrumentals. And I’ve always loved the groove of Sound & Vision.
This is good not amazing 80’s soul. Still way more enjoyable than much of what followed. Had never heard of Bobby Womack until now so for that I’m thankful for this project. However don’t believe this is an album I HAVE to listen to.
Not a big fan of their sound, but I’ll give it a three because Free Bird is a classic American song
Very boring and numbingly repetitive. I didn’t like one song and since they all sounded the same the whole album is terrible. I can listen to depressing music if it’s at least somewhat cathartic, which this was not. Why did I have to listen to this album before I die? Swing and a miss.
VH’s zenith. Top to bottom insane. Every musician is in peak form.
This is a major contribution to, at the time, was a very different take on grunge & metal. This is overproduced and formulaic but if you listen to the lyrics is expressive and vulnerable real songwriting which is more than I can say for most of the garbage that came out of this era.
Have never liked this band. The lead vocalist is awful. Their songs are disjointed and don’t have any flow. I did like Suddenly Everything Has Changed.
Not great top to bottom but the first three songs are fantastic. She was just getting started and got better with subsequent albums. She is a singular talent, very unique style, the kind of artist that when I’m in the mood she is all I want to listen to. Her band is terrific, very underrated.
Remarkable effort. Not my favorite genre but much respect for her ability to both rap, sing, play guitar, and compose / craft such creative songs. Lyrically she is expressive, vulnerable, and to my surprise talks a lot about her faith in God and how much it affects her. I felt like I was on a journey through her personal experiences of motherhood, failed relationships, and recovery. It’s a shame her artistic output was so short lived; she burned brightly albeit brightly.
4 solid stars. I’m stingy on giving 5 stars. On such a scale 5 stars is the hall of fame. As awesome of a debut as this album is on the remarkable 10 year arc of this band, I give it a 4. It’s a great album but not hall of fame which is Aja. In 1972 NOBODY sounded like this. They are true American originals. Superb smart songwriting, terrific musicianship and composition. A classic.
Really interesting contrast, listening to this next to Sinatra‘s Songs for Swingin’ Lovers which came out the same year. I understand how groundbreaking and popular Elvis was, but I just don’t like his style. It comes across very forced and cheesy. He was meant to be experienced live because he was an electric performer, but The music in my opinion doesn’t stand solidly on its own.
This was so enjoyable. Great slow grooves and expressive soulful songs. Would rate higher, but every song being sung falsetto gets a little monotonous.
I really didn’t like this. Kind of annoying actually. I think I could’ve died in peace not having listened to this. Immigrant was ok.
Golden voice in his prime. This is a book of standards. Captures the zeitgeist.
I know Queen’s music primarily through their most popular songs on the radio and now I realize why. I have only listened to an entire album through the 1001 project. If this record is considered Queen’s finest it only confirms that they are the quintessential greatest hits band. This is a disjointed mix of genres with no flow. Too many campy silly songs mashed up with bloated overblown prog arrangements. Not a fan. Freddie Mercury is obviously a unique vocalist and performer, but also an overactor. If I never hear Bohemian Rhapsody again, that would be fine by me.
I had never listened to an entire CCR album. Shame on me! Every tune (except Ooby Dooby which I would like to set on fire) is executed flawlessly. I hear influences of Chuck Berry, the Beatles, and the Dead and yet they have a completely original sound. Fogerty shows a mastery of writing a 2 1/2 minute rocker that neither feels too long or too short, and leaves you wanting more. Then out of nowhere they show their range and ability to absolutely jam on Grapevine. This is such a phenomenal cover; they take Motown to the Bayou and stretch out effortlessly. They find a groove and settle in to a space that you don't want to end. I remember like it was yesterday as a 20 year old college student shooting pool in a bar in Tucson, AZ when someone played this on the jukebox. What a feeling.
The sadness that comes through these songs is palpable and leaves a heavy residue. Kurt committed suicide just 4 months later.
Innovative and pushing the limits of pop music. I can hear his influence on other bands. Fearless and original but just not something I would come back to listen to again as a complete album. I wouldn’t mind the instrumental only tracks but they’re just not very good. Heroes is probably my fave of all his songs.
Neil Young is an acquired taste. He’s one of my absolute favorite artists. This album is very good, but not his best. Not particularly fond of thrasher or ride my llama. Still, if you like his music, then this is a worthy listen. Live Rust is a superior live recording.
Inspired jamming. Really enjoyed the creative and instrumentals. Frank should not sing LOL.
Awful. Not for me. Maybe I could take one track in a playlist but a whole album of this was boring & painful. Don’t care how influential they were.
Not required listening in my opinion. Decent album but no one song really moves me.
This is a band in full command. I love how they let theses songs breathe and are in no hurry. Why Worry? is lush and dreamy. And Money For Nothing has an all time riff that is unforgettable. One of the greatest openers to a rock song and Sting complements it flawlessly. I will always connect to this band and this album because of how much my dad played it. The Man’s Too Strong was one that he particularly liked. I have vivid memories of him playing those power chords at max volume. It’s a beautiful thing to pass music down to your children.
Boooooooring Snoozefest. Every song sounds the same. Uninteresting in every aspect: musically, lyrically, vocally. Low energy, plodding, breathy. Scratching my head why this is must listen material..
Outstanding work. He’s one of a kind. This is the 3rd album on this list and is my favorite so far. More approachable and not as far out on the edge as the exploratory Berlin albums. Across the Universe cover is absolutely brilliant.
This is the one Doors album I come back to listen to over and over again. Every track other than the last is flawless. Jim’s vocals have fully matured. His ability to float from crooning to full on rage is mesmerizing. The segue from Peace Frog to dreamy Blue Sunday is beautiful. Robbie’s guitar is sublime and transports you. The Spy, so groovy and jazzy. They are exploring and pushing each other to greatness.
Great follow up to Are You Experienced? but nowhere near as transcendent. If 6 was 9 is such a wild trip. So uniquey Jimi. Castles is brilliant.
Some of their absolutely best funky groovy music. Their fusion of punk, funk, & rock is so unique. The only complaint is the album is too darn long. They could easily trim off 5+ tracks and have a tight killer album. I dock this 1 star for being too bloated.
Great storytelling and simple guitar. He’s one of a kind. You can hear how rowdy the crowd is and the intimate interplay. He does what he wants. Refreshing to see an artist true to himself and his audience.
Awful. Make it stop. Why is this on the list.
Being such a big fan from Boy through Joshua Tree, I hated this when it first came out thinking they’d sold out. It has since become the album I come back to and listen to the most. The songwriting and production is brilliant. From The Fly where the Edge shreds to the gorgeous ballad So Cruel, the band shows their range not shown by today’s bands. This album does not age. It sounds as edgy and fresh as when it first came out. U2 announced their recreation with the ballsy proclamation Achtung Baby!
Clearly a super influential band that spawned the metal genre. The atmospheric title track effectively imparts a dreadful feeling. Although all the references to Satan & Lucifer feel like a gimmick used for shock value. That aside evaluating this based on its own merits not a very good rock album.
Exuberant and joyful. -1 star as an album because all the songs sound alike. But for 38 minutes pure body moving rhythm. Love the percussions & horns.
This is a time capsule that transports you to a singular cultural moment. This was the first major record out of the Haight-Ashbury movement that opened the door for all the SF bands. Amazing how dated it sounds to me today versus when I first listened to this in the late 80’s. I don’t think I ever played it from top to bottom. There are some high points, mostly the Grace Slick tunes, and How Do You Feel -> Embryonic Journey -> White Rabbit is a sweet progression to close out the B side.
This debit album was crazy critically acclaimed. I must be obtuse because I found this boring and uninspiring. I didn’t connect with any one song. Most of this sounds the same. The songwriting is awful. It sounds like a dumb person trying to sound intelligent. I don’t get it..
Not a lot to like here but I do love the instrumentals on Feel Flows & Till I Die is mesmerizing. Brian Wilson is a master of layering vocal harmonies. RIP.
Not a fan of country in general but her poignant storytelling with that sweet beautiful voice is easy to listen to. Love that each song is sub 3 minutes. Just enough. She makes it seem so easy.
I get that this is an expression of someone’s lived inner city experience. Consequently I do not relate to this “music”. I have a hard time calling it music when there are no musicians of any tangible instruments. I find this grotesque and dark dominated by youthful arrogance.
I reserve 5 star ratings to the greatest albums of all time of which there are a select few. This is one of them. A masterful album by a true original. There’s a purity to this that is raw, intimate and evocative and her voice is angelic. I’ve listened to this album many times over the years and will continue to come back to it.