1001 Albums Summary

The most remarkable thing about this record is the fact that you can't imagine a single artist in modern popular music ever doing something like it. The Man in Black is charismatic on the microphone, controlling the dynamic and performing to a rowdy room of convicts. Beat that, Swifties!

An album with a runtime as long as this one has no business being so great. Harrison manages to draw from every thread of influence that made The Beatles a compelling cultural force, and infuse them with something deeper, richer, and mlore complex than any of his former band's efforts. It's very easy to argue the case that this is the best solo work that any member of the Fab Four would go on to release.

An all-time favorite. Some of Radiohead's greatest deep cuts appear on this album.

Rush. One of the most musically talented bands that just happens to make some of the least interesting music.

Enjoyable.

Not the best album by the great rap duo from Atlanta, but sonically unique, bold and experimental.

One of my favorites from Dylan. An absolute classic.

One of the best by the always eccentric Flaming Lips

Impressive production, probably ahead of its time for 1979, but did not resonate. Hated the vocals.

A few great Stones cuts on this album.

Not a fan.

Pretty standard 90s pop-rock

Musically distinctive with some stellar production on a handful of tracks. Vocally and lyrically not compelling.

Remains (arguably) the single greatest hip-hop album ever made. Pure poetry from start to finish.

Solid album with some great songwriting that recalls bands like The Smiths.

A solid, energetic debut album that blends Black American blues with the sonic hallmarks of early hard rock and punk.

Vocally medicore. Got a bit reptitive by the middle, but closed more strongly.

Fun, chill album with some cool reggae/ska vibes. Fans of The Clash, Sublime and early No Doubt would probably dig this.

Maybe a 2.5. None of the songs are as interesting or magnetic as earlier projects from Lana.

Possibly the most iconic album of the "hair band" era proves why the genre was a bad idea to begin with

The album has some great moments but fails to stack up against Bowie's classics

A classic mix of Zappa's experimental musings and unique styles

Soulful, dynamic and groovy

Solid, chill project

A musically unique and ambitious album with some of Simon's best songwriting.

A surprisingly well-produced album of the early reggae-infused punk subgenre, popularized by bands like The Clash. This one is all about rhythm and vibes. Some really cool, interesting grooves and transitions here.

A slightly-overrated follow-up to the generational masterpiece that is "good kid, maad city." Musically, one of the most impressive hip-hop albums, maybe ever. Lyrically dense with introspection and concepts. A great project that should absolutely be heard at least once, but has lost some of its luster over the years.

A solid album that recalls Bowie, Queen and, at times, even a bit of post-electric Dylan. A very familiar early-70s rock & roll sound, for better, and for worse. At times, a bit melodramatic and indulgent.

Non-stop energy from the Swedish power pop band that hit the U.S. during the garage-rock revival, ushered in by the likes of The Strokes and The White Stripes. Groovy, head-banging, feel-good jams.

Stands out as one of the best debuts from the 2000s wave of folk-rock inspired indie bands, with a touch of neo-psychedelia. Recalls bands like The Shins and Arcade Fire. Beautifully-arranged, well-written and produced songs.

Great album from start to finish.

Absolutely cannot take Tom Waits voice seriously at all. Some of these cuts are laugh-out-loud cheesy. Musically, very diverse.

Classic, Golden Era, New York City hip-hop. A chill album with a handful of standout cuts, as well as some strong production by the great DJ Premier. Gang Starr would go on to make a few projects that have aged much better than this one.

A couple standout tracks. It picks up in the second half, but not enough to draw you back in

A fun album full of songs that sound like they would be sung in large crowds at the local pub. I would push it to 3.5/5.

I definitely could've died without hearing this.

Solid album with good energy. Didn't love the vocal performances on some tracks. 3.5/5.

Solid 70s blues rock record. Blazes thru the 36-minute runtime with strong riffs and energetic vocal performances from Rod Stewart. 3.5/5

Fun, if repetitive, 90s dance tunes.

Well produced, with a couple standout tracks that flirt with dreampop and psychedelia. The airy vocals can be grating. 2.5/5

Sly and the gang prove why they were one of the most influential funk bands of all-time. Heavy grooves and soulful vocals, with lyrics that reflect the social consciousness of their time.

The stellar debut from Sade is just as funky, groovy and sensual as always. This one doesn't quite hit the high peaks of their later releases, but it's still a damn fine listen from start to finish.

A dynamic, driving indie/art-rock classic that holds up to the high praise it's received over the years

A youthful, fun, rock n roll record that would sound more at home among the garage rock revival movement of the early 2000s than the alt-rock/pop punk of its time. Recalls Oasis with a bit more edge.

The album that became the nexus of the hip-hop & neo-soul movements of the mid-1990s. Lauryn's raw approach to her lyricism and soulful vocals are iconic, revealing an earnestness and sincerity that is almost completely absent from today's hip-hop landscape. The album's lengthy runtime and a couple less-than-stellar cuts hold it back from a perfect 5. 4.5/5

Chill, groovy, and soulful Brazilian funk

Extremely repetitive electronic house music.

One of the great live blues albums, of which the King has a few!

A highly-lauded album often credited with helping spark the alternative "hippy rap" movement of the early 90s. It retains much of its carefree, playful charm, but its extremely long runtime is simply not justified.