1001 Albums Summary

Great album - not something I would naturally have sought out to listen. Some tracks are more interesting than others. Soulful singing and settings which perfectly encapsulate the '60s.

The inherent problem with live albums is that they can never recapture the experience of being at a live gig. A two-minute drum solo is spellbinding when you're in the audience, pumped up and surrounded by other fans - the atmosphere carries it. Without that context, it becomes interminable, dull. Live albums provide nostalgia to people who were actually in the audience and want to relive the experience. Sure, the band know what they're doing and the musicality and performances are good. There were some cool tracks on this - 'Dancing in the moonlight', 'Massacre' and 'The boys are back in town', for example. For me, though, live music and recorded music should be kept separate, at least in rock.

Pure chaos

Astonishing for a 21 year old.

'United' was my favourite track. Quite enjoyable, once I got into it.

I can't relate to Elliott Smith's struggles with addiction, but this kind of music goes straight to my soul. Beautiful, poignant lyrics with wistful melodies. Love it. Highlights: Between the bars, Ballad of big nothing, Alameda, Pictures of me, Cupid's trick (which stands out for its much rockier sound than the rest, which are indie folk).

Surprised by this one. Wasn't expecting to enjoy it as hiphop isn't usually my thing, but enjoyed She's fresh, It's nasty and the Message (which I'm positive has been sampled elsewhere). Standout track for me was Dreamin', a tribute to Stevie Wonder. Hated Scorpio, which was like listening to Ross from Friends' 'Sound', hence only 3 stars overall. Album let down imo by Scorpio, which sounded like the music Ross in Friends makes...

The album is saved by the final track, American girl, which is iconic. The rest is forgettable and, frankly, mediocre rock and roll (aka a piss-poor imitation of e.g. the Stones)

Extended jazz solos aren't really my thing. It was funky though.

She has a nice voice, but this album is pretty bland and forgettable. Don't feel I was missing out on much.

Very funky. I recognised 'Green onions' from the cover by Georgie Fame. Quite a few of the songs on this album are covers of other songs, but decent arrangements.

This album should have been left on the cutting room floor. No amount of vocal gymnastics can disguise weak songwriting. Couple that with a totally mixed message about femininity by including a song about girl power (Independent woman) and 'slut'-shaming lyrics (Nasty girl). A terrible album and really not worth over an hour of life.

Pretty far-out, man. Some interesting tracks, and a nice glimpse into 60s counter-culture. Drifts off towards the end, possibly because they were too stoned by that point...

I admit, I only listened to half the album. Pretty repetitive, so I don't feel I missed anything earth-shattering

One decent song does not an album make. Disappointing.

Glad I found this album. Norah Jones vibes.

Really enjoyed this one. Common people spoke to me, having lived in a rat-infested Camden flat in my 20s.

He seems to be at his best when appropriating (stealing) from other cultures. Pretty sad really. A couple of the tracks were pretty cool, but I'd rather listen to the originals than a copy. The rest seemed to be crappy square dances (the final track in particular seemed to be aimed at toddlers, with cartoon sound effects and voices for good measure). Most of the creativity was stolen.

Good, not great. A mixed bag - doesn't include any of the major hits, but damn, the man could sing.

Always wondered why this was so popular with borrowers at the library I worked in, now I know.

Enjoyed this. Saved for listening again.

Excellent. Been a fan of the Kinks since I was a teen. Still fresh and pointed satire.

Bit samey. Not really for me.

Tricky one. Parts of it were brilliant, parts pretentious and others just too rambly.

Cheesy listening, but quite pleasant overall. Nothing groundbreaking.

Very jazzy. Slight lift-music vibes.

Not keen on this one. I was born after the punk era, and it always feels like artists are trying too hard to outshock each other. The album has good moments (I enjoyed 'Stealing people's mail') but the line between irony/satire and nasty is thin on some other tracks. Think you had to be there.

Decent album, especially for a debut. Prefer the instrument lines (that bass!) to the vocals (which sound a bit whiny). Lyrics are a bit samey (I feel lonely, why will no-one love me, ad infinitum).

Really fun album. Saved it and will definitely listen again when in need of its dancey feel-good vibes!

Any old music won't do, Tina. Pretty dull and repetitive, with a screechy voice that made my throat feel sore. Petition to give Tina a throat lozenge?

How have I not heard of this band before?! Excellent album, which will definitely be on my rotation now!

I'll admit: I didn't finish the whole album as it appears on Spotify. It was 2 hours and 40 minutes, which is pretty nuts. I enjoyed the first few tracks, but got annoyed after an hour and a half, so had to deduct a star.

Good songs, but a bit one-note for me. Upped to four stars for 'Bad moon rising'.

Bit too wacky for me.

Second Prince album of the list. Couple of decent songs and a whole lotta shit. 9 minutes per song is just self-indulgent - guy needed an editor to be firm with him.

Bland songwriting and whiny singing accompanied poorly played instruments. Reminds me of those prats who bring an uninvited guitar to a party. Hardly essential listening. There is a special place in hell for the violinist on 'Running dry'. I say that as the daughter of a violinist, who has spent a long time listening to beginner players.

Just not my cup of tea. The singer fluctuates between out-of-tune screams and what seem to be bad Louis Armstrong impressions. Nothing particularly memorable here, it's pretty cheesy.

Really enjoyed this one. I used to listen to ambient music a lot when studying (and still do for working). The likes of American Analog Set, Röyksopp, Goddamn Electric Bill etc. got me through more all-night essay writing than I care to remember.

Fun in parts, but not a good album.

A total joy from start to finish. Will listen to more!

Some interesting stuff here, harmonically. But I can't stand his sneezy, off-key voice.

Never heard of this band, but really enjoyed the album. Saved for listening again.

Got about ⅔ of the way through this one. Frankly, I'd got the gist midway through the 2nd track...

Utterly mad. Fun, but not my fave.

I admit. I got halfway through and judged at that point. Life's too short for this crap.

Definitely a debut album. Good, not great.

Saved from 2 stars by the violin on 'Of course'

Didn't realise it was possible to simultaneously mumble and be flat. Springsteen has proved me wrong.

'Adam's apple' a blatant rip of Beatles' 'Get back'. Steve Tyler a vile piece of excrement. To quote the late, great, Stan Lee "'nuff said'.

Loved it.

Pretty generic disco (but may have been groundbreaking for its time). Got a bit samey