1001 Albums Summary

20241608 Sign "O" the Times 3/5 Coming back to this challenge two years after I started it, the first album I get is this well acclaimed album by Prince. I’m not much into his music, but I’m well informed of his impact on the industry during the 80’s, and this album is considered by many as his best. However, as it has happened to me before with other well-known last century "masterpieces", I’m not impressed with its songs, and the style and sound production is not for me. Regardless, there are a few songs that I have saved for a future listen. The variety of styles Prince is capable of playing is one of the highlights of the album, with pseudo “hip-hop” on Housequake, Gospel on The Cross, or Rock on U Got the Look, to name a few. Every song with a touch of Funk and an incredible groove, with the incredible range of Prince’s voice as the cherry on top of the positives of this album. On the other hand, the aged production is a low, with clear examples as the difference in volume between different songs (not sure if a problem of Spotify), or the lack of clarity on the mixing of the instruments. I feel like this is a “me” problem, as my ears are used to 21st-century production, but it makes for a poor listening experience. Other problem is that, besides some of my highlights and the difference on styles, most of the songs sound flat and boring. Probably because I didn’t experience it the time, but the album doesn’t sound (in my opinion) as revolutionary or groundbreaking as I was told. Perhaps working alone, without the influence or advice of other people, was the problem. Favourite songs: Sign "☮︎" the Times, The Ballad of Dorothy Parker, Strange Relationship Least favourite songs: It, Starfish and Coffee

20240817 Superunknown – Soundgarden 3.5/5 With only knowing Black Hole Sun before listening to Superunknown and being not much into Grunge apart from Nirvana and some more songs, this listening has been an interesting one. Clearly marked by a 90’s rock sound, Soundgarden earn a lot of points thanks to Chris Cornell’s voice, probably one of the best on the scene. However, the sound gets kind of repetitive through the songs, and makes a continue session with the album a bit boring. Despite that, I have saved it for a future deeper listen. Onto the positives, its clear how Soundgarden has been one of the pillars of Grunge in the 90’s, but developing a deeper and heavier sound, probably influencing Alternative Rock and Nu Metal bands formed later. Again, Cornell’s voice is fantastic, and is probably what elevates their sound to the next level. Additionally, the instrumentation but specially the guitars create a nice bed of sounds that generate full heavy songs. On the other hand, as I mentioned before, this heavy sound makes the songs in Superunknown difficult to differentiate, and to really dive into them in a quickly first or second listen. The album needs a slow digestion to be fully appreciated, because 70 minutes of them clogs your brain a bit. On top of that, a very consistent “strong six - light seven” quality through the album makes it difficult to pick any highlights, apart of course from Black Hole Sun, the best song by far. Favourite songs: Black Hole Sun, Let Me Drown, Superunknown Least favourite songs: My Wave, Kickstand, 4th of July

20240820 Keith Jarrett - The Köln Concert 4.5/5 As someone with some musical background with the guitar, I have always been impressed by the musicians that are able to improvise above some basic chords, creating melodies on the go and continue during a long period of time without a stop. That summed to the fact that I love the piano as a solo instrument (more in neo-classical music than jazz), have made me enjoy this album very much. It's amazing how much of the melodies created during this concert live could be songs written with intention in the studio, after hours and hours of trial and error, and are "simple" improvisation in a concert. This is what makes this album so impressive for me. The energy on Keith Jarret, the sounds of the audience and the musician himself apart from the piano takes the atmosphere to another level. If I have to say something negative about the album, perhaps it is too much "jazzy" sometimes, a genre I have not got into yet. But it there is any tipe of jazz to bring me in, this is it. Favorurite songs: Part II, B

20240821 - LED ZEPPELING – IV 4/5 I already did a review on this album the last time I started the project (it was my first review), and I'm a bit busy right now, so I just going to copy what I wrote last time. (It did not grow on me a bit) "Probably a great album, but not of my style. With some more time the songs could have grown on me a little bit more. The punctuation comes from the importance of the album in the band context, and because it has one of my favourites songs (and possibly one of the best songs of all time, in my opinion), Stairway to Heaven. The voice of Robert Plant is one of the things I dislike the most about Led Zeppelin, and the reason I don't like songs like Four Sticks more. Black Dog --> 4/5 Great guitar riff, and a very good guitar solo Rock and Roll --> 4/5 very catchy, very good rhythm The Battle of Evermore --> 2/5 Voice harmonies are very dissonant sometimes, and don't sound good in my opinion. Stairway to Heaven --> 5/5 Masterpiece. One of my favourites songs in all time, and a great example of how to work with a relatively long song and a simple intensity change Misty Mountain Top --> 1.5/5 Not a fan of the rhythm or the guitars, and the voice of Plant at its worst in the album Four Sticks --> 2.5/5 Cool drums and feeling, but that's all Going to California --> 4/5 Beautiful and simple folky ballad, with a more contained and better voice performance from Plant When the Levee Breaks --> 3/5 Very good musically and instrumentally, nothing out of the ordinary in my opinion"

20240822 The Beatles – Rubber Soul 3.5/5 Again, an album I have revealed on my last project. As I'm still kind of busy I'm going to copy the review I did then (although it is not very good). "I’m a fan of the late era of The Beatles, and Rubber Soul starts to develop their change into a more experimental and rich sound. Their past as an early 60’s pop boyband is still present, and that makes this album worse in my taste. I think that it also flawed for having too many songs, many of them quite similar to each other. On the final songs the listening become tiring. But it’s still a Beatles album, and it’s very good. Drive My Car --> 4/5 One of the iconic Beatle songs when I think of them and their more catchy early music. Great pop/commercial song in general. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) --> 5/5 The Beatles + a sitar = Love. One of the first songs where The Beatles are able to experiment and include different sounds in their music. You Won’t See Me --> 2.5/5 First sign of the first era of the band. It’s okey, but nothing I like too much. Nowhere Man --> 2/5 Again, a song that could perfectly fit into their previous era. Even less remarkable than You Won’t See Me. Think For Yourself -->2/5 The same as Nowhere Man. The World --> 1.5/5 The same, but I like this song even less. I’m not a big fan of the vocals here. Michelle --> 4.5/5 Very sappy song, but very well executed and catchy. What Goes On --> 3/5 Again, first Beatles era sound. This time, the rhythm of the song and its guitar make it more likeable for me. Girl --> 5/5 The music from the movie “Across the Universe” makes me love this song for some reason. I think the film made me discover some Beatle songs I had never listened before and created a special link. I’m Looking Through You --> 4/5 early era Beatles song, but I like this one. In My Life --> 5/5 One of the best Beatles songs of all their carer, maybe not one of my most favourites. There is something they transmit with this song that is very special, both musically and in the lyrics. And I love the piano-harpsichord solo. Wait --> 3/5 This is the point of the album where I want it to end. Nothing special in my opinion. If I needed Someone --> 3.5/5 Again, nothing special. But I like this song a little bit more. Run For Your Life --> 2.5/5 Here I’m just a bit tired. Again, an old-sounding Beatles song, doesn’t add too much."

20240823 Jorge Ben Jor – Africa Brasil 4/5 Back from my busy period, I have to write reviews from a couple of overdue albums, and this one is the first. This was quite a nice surprise of a reveal. I had very low knowledge of Brazilian music apart from very known artists like Caetano Veloso, or some soft-pop songs recommended by Spotify; and it has been a very good introduction to some samba-rock fusion. It is a very energetic and melody-rich album, with a very contagious rhythm through and through. The most outstanding quality of the album is the perfect mix between 70’s rock and Brazilian music, with some notes of African sounds. Some of the songs are very funky, while others are closer to “pure” samba, being the last the ones I have enjoyed the most, like Taj Mahal. If I have to talk about negatives, the sound can be a bit overwhelming for a continue listening; and the “rock-ish” songs work worse for my taste. In summary, a great album I will gladly listen more closely in the future, and a reference to be introduced into Brazilian music. Favourite songs: Meus filhos, meu tesouro; Taj Mahal Least favourite songs: Pomta de lança africano (Umbabarauma), África Brasil (Zumbi)

20240826 Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral 4.5/5 I’m going to start with a bit of a ramble here first. Please, if you are going to review an album, get a bit of context about it first. And leave your anti-art critique out of it. I got on my nerves reading people talking about a concept album about the path of a person through committing suicide with “this inspire people to kill”, “this is against God message”, or other bullshit. Just because some types of music sounds “satanic” or “noisy” to you is not an excuse to unappreciated or flout it. Please, be mature, we are talking about art here, that can be used to convey something as complex as the feelings of someone going through a “Downward Spiral” to end their life. Now, to the album itself. I had a metal music phase during middle and high school, and some of the bands I liked have stayed with me during the years, mainly System of a Down. Lately I’ve been listening to some metal again, like Deftones; and my ears are getting used to listening to more heavy stuff, like Deafheaven (Sunbather is a great album, go listen to it if you have the opportunity) thanks to appreciating the sound and diving more into noisier electronica and other similar styles. Thanks to that I think I have been able to appreciate fully the experience that The Downward Spiral offers, and what a surprise. Nine Inch Nails, a band I never fully appreciated before, creates music best described as Industrial Metal, mixing together heavy rock music with electronic sounds. I feel like the sound NIN crafted into the album is a perfect match with such a heavy theme. It sounds very well produced, and it shows the mastery both Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have and have showed in the soundtracks they have published together over the last few years. Both very heavy sounding, more electronic-like, and even instrumental soft parts complement the sound of the album. I understand that this album is not for everybody, but give it and opportunity, and it can surprise you like it has surprised me. Favourite songs: Heresy, March of the Pigs, Eraser, Hurt. Least favourite songs: Piggy.

20240903 Boston – Boston 2/5 This album is the definition of Dad/Uncle Rock. A very 70’s sound, self-produced album, with an interesting story behind its creation, but nothing too memorable apart from the opener “More Than a Feeling”. It sounds kind of generic, like something created for the soundtrack of a coming-of-age or road trip movie at the time, and most of the songs are forgettable. One of the positives of the album are the guitars, very melodic and with interesting riffs and solos; and also, the atmospheric and epic landscapes created in some points on the, for the rest, very generic rock songs. An attempt was made in “Foreplay/Long Time” to create something more interesting, but on its 7:48 minutes it lacks depth, novelty. Again, very easy listening but plain album. Music perfect for a commercial. Favourite songs: More Than a Feeling, Foreplay/Long Time. Least favourite songs: Peace of Mind, Smokin’.

20240904 Gary Numan – The Pleasure Principle 2/5 I generally have problems with older albums, considered classics or genre-defining, that I reveal in this challenge, and this is a good example. The Pleasure Principle is a clear synth pop precursor, innovative for the time (1979), but it couldn’t have aged worse. Not clean production (expected for the time), and the melodies used quickly become repetitive and tiring. If I have to name a few positives, it sounds like it was a clear influence for the music created in the near 80’s and was probably modern for the standards. The use of classical instruments or synth variations is a nice touch in some of the songs too (like the violins in “Complex”), but it stops there for me. As I said before, it becomes repetitive very quickly. The synth melodies in the songs are used ad nauseam, and the songs are too long for their own good. The voice of Gary Numan is another big negative, and a singer’s voice has a major influence on how much I like a record. In summary, this is a good album to listen if you want to know the significance it had on modern music, but it doesn’t deliver anything else good in my opinion. Favourite songs: Metal. Least favourite songs: Films, Tracks, Conversations, Engineers

20240905 Saint Etienne – Foxbase Alpha 3.5/5 Now this is an “old sounding” album that I can get around (knowing that it is a 90’s album, but it has aged quite a bit). This electro pop album sounds exactly like its time, similar to other artists like Portishead or Massive Attack; and on the trend of sample-driven music, probably influencing other bands like The Avalanches. I’m a big fan of these musicians, so that is a big start for liking Saint Etienne’s record. Despite its aged production and other flaws like too long songs, I have enjoyed it quite a bit. Favourite songs: Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Spring, She's the One. Least favourite songs: Carnt Sleep, Stoned to Say the Least, Like the Swallow.