Not a punk listener, and, I haven't listened to any Clash. Totally fresh perspective.
Meh. Not my thing, very forgettable. Maybe listening on a Sunday night at 8pm didn’t set the right tone but I have no desire to revisit.
Wow wow wow, how have I never listened to this before?
I used to listen to a lot of Kayne West, so could hear his influence immediately.
No notes, enjoyed every single song on this record. Will now be in my rotation.
I LOVED THIS.
Ok I’ve got to be honest I’ve never listened to BB&THC, let alone Janis Joplin before. Sure, I’ve heard of JJ, but I know her being referenced in the same sentence as Woodstock or the infamous 27 Club. I’ve never been particularly pulled to seek her out and listen.
Anyways, I popped this on in the car, commuting to work and from the first listen I was truly blown away. It’s fun & funky and I couldn’t get enough.
(….I was kinda getting Marge Simpson vibes with Janis’ voice from time to time. )
I’m grabbing the album on vinyl as soon as I can and putting into my rotation.
Not really inspired to make a comment either way. It was fine.
Maybe I made the mistake of reading the reviews before I listened and everyone was saying it’s a masterpiece and one of the best album released, so I was expecting to really love it.
Honestly, I kinda wasn’t like grabbed by it, it was enjoyable but I would run to put it on again.
I felt the second half of the record better than the first half? Like from 4-8 were better than 1-3, and that Battle of Evermore was…interesting
Thoroughly enjoyable album.
Not inspired to make any comments
Was quite torn by this one, I think because I wanted to absolutely love it. Though my ratings currently (8/1001) wouldn’t suggest it, I really like the indie genre, and some of AF’s newer stuff.
Instrumentally this album is really great, lyrically, welll initially I couldn’t tell a word they were singing so had to listen again. The lyrics I did pick out weren’t….the most inspiring.
I’d love to know what the notes in the book say about this inclusion. Why is this an album I must hear? Is there more context to the album that I’m missing and didn’t get whilst listening?
Either way it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t amazing, but it doesn’t warrant less than a 3.
That’s one very long song.
I am really torn with this rating. I originally did not connect with the album at all, but decided to give it another quick listen later in the day. I felt the second listen, it was a better all round experience. I don't know the significance of the album so can't feature this in my scoring so this is scored on personal listening experience. Overall, I can't find myself actively choosing to listen back to this but it's not quite a 3.
I’ve never sought Tina Turner out so this is the first body of work I’ve listened in full.
It was okay - didn’t hate it but didn’t love it. There’s of course the classics “what’s love..” and “private dancer” and one or two others I thought were pretty alright. But I saw another review here call the cover songs “uninspiring” and that’s how to summarise those covers for me.
Would I go back as a whole? No. Have I saved any songs since listening? No. But you could throw it on in the car and find it pleasant enough to listen to on any journey.
Probably more a 2.5, but let’s round it to 3.
“Dusty in Memphis” showcases Dusty Springfield’s sultry vocals against lush, soulful production. Her emotional depth shines on tracks like “Son of a Preacher Man,” and “Windmills..” blending pop and Southern soul with timeless finesse. Though not every song hits the same peak, it’s a classic, essential listen for any fan of 60s soul.
Getting an album you know and love is like a little Christmas Day treat. It’s a bit out there, but in the best possible way. I loved it and would always return to this album.
I have been really torn with how to rate this album. Initially, I was really pulled in, and started to enjoy it. However, 20 minutes in, I kinda forgot it was still on, and it began to sound really forgettable and all merging into one.
I'd say this is a good album to have on whilst working, in the background, you can sort of feel it's presence but it's not doing much else other than filling the silence.
I am not too overtly familiar with Bob Dylan’s whole catalogue, but I listen to Blonde on Blonde and Freewheelin’ quite a lot, and this album just didn’t do it for me like they do!
Don’t get me wrong there are some killer tracks, i particularly liked Tangled up in Blue, and Shelter from the Storm but it didn’t capture my attention the way that Dylan’s classics do.
Would I revisit as a whole ? Probably not, but I wouldn’t be mad to hear it in full again.
I’d rate a solid 3.5, but 4 seems too high based on my rating system and 3 too low. But I’ll round down for this one. Maybe it’ll grow on me….wish I could revisit my ratings!!
I'm mad that I had to wait this long to leave a review and move on with my life. Nobody needs to hear this.
I Am a Bird Now is a lyrically beautiful exploration of self-identity, gender dysphoria, and personal transformation. Their haunting voice captures the emotional depth of these themes, with tracks like “Hope There’s Someone” offering raw vulnerability. However, musically, the album feels repetitive and overly somber. The sparse arrangements and melancholic tone can make it difficult to revisit, lacking the energy or variation needed for repeated listens. While emotionally resonant, its heavy atmosphere doesn’t make an album you’d reach out for again, due to being a beautiful but burdensome work of art.
This album just felt super generic, and uninspiring.
A solid introspective performance from Nirvana
Didn’t necessarily hate it - but it went in one ear and directly out the other. But wasn’t totally offensive.
I often think that many of the albums on this list make it because of 1 or 2 popular singles that the album produced. And this is one of them. In this case, it was Frozen and Ray of Light. Outside of that a largely forgettable album, that is for the Madonna fans. I don't think this gave us anything that made it an absolute must hear.
I standby my previous album reviews. Some albums have one or two popular songs and it’s made the book. I’ve heard suspicious minds enough to last a lifetime, I didn’t need the rest.
Can’t speak a word of French but really enjoyed the vibes, some great samples used. Listened to it twice through, and would happily put on my rotation. Maybe after a google translate of the lyrics 😅
Suede’s self-titled debut album has its moments, but overall, it didn’t resonate with me as much as I’d hoped.
Fans of the genre might appreciate its style, but for me, it fell short of being memorable or groundbreaking.
A 2 might be slightly harsh but I can’t see myself revisiting it
Ok! So I was super cynical when I first saw this was my album of the day. I don't have much familiarity with Cyndi apart from the obvious songs.
But I thought, Cyndi Lauper, of course she's on this list, she had two popular songs and they had 1001 album book to fill. There's no way this album has made the cut.
Now, I'm not saying this blew me away but...it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. Did I have to hear it before I died, no. But, it's true 80s synth pop rock, and it was pretty fun.
Who knew that Harry Styles was clearly inspired by She Bob for his song Cinema!
In all, not an awfully bad album, voice is irritating and I don't think I'd run to listen to it again in full but hey, it was ok!
Noooooooooooooooooooooo.
An undeniable classic!
Not as bad as I anticipated it to be, but it really goes to show the author was out there just digging deep at random records to fill out this album.
It's not my cup of tea, but, it was a damn of a sight better than some of the similar genre album's I have had. It didn't pain me to listen, but wouldn't say I got anything out of it either.
Really curious how this project is going to mess up my Spotify wrapped in a few weeks :-)
I mean some decent story telling if you like the same story of a cowboy gunning people down 15 times. Or not. I’m not sure I only made it to song 7.
The Sun Always Shines on TV - where have o heard that before?!
In any event it actually wasn’t that bad. Who knew that they had more songs than just Take on Me?
Did the author of this book have a deal with punk bands?
Different strokes for different folks, and so on and so on...great album, great band!
The ultimate Disco Queens - Sister Sledge and Nile Rodgers.
This album is not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 absolute disco dancefloor classics. Anyone who does fw disco, must have a misunderstanding the genre's complexities.
Thinking of You is one of my all time top favourite songs (at least top 10).
Love!
Not for me.
Just didn't capture me at all.
Some classic classic OutKast on this album. Actually ashamed to say I have only ever listened to the most popular singles from this album but this was a great body of work by OutKast. Sometimes it felt slightly chaotic but I think that was intentional - having listened to the whole album, Ms Jackson and Fresh and Clean, do feel slightly misplaced on Stankonia but I think that's what adds to the chaos and charm of the album.
Really enjoyed it!
It wasn’t as bad as the reviews are making it seem. There are a couple of songs on the album I’ve quite enjoyed, but man it’s so long???? So really it has to be marked low because it was only a handful of songs that were enjoyable on such a long album.
I think stone cold sober isn’t the way to enjoy this album.
One star for With or Without You, another star for I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.
Look the album is good but there was just something missing for me. Typically many genres on the album are my vibe. I enjoyed the blended genres and their take on some covers - I really enjoyed Heard It rendition despite it being 11 minutes. But it also felt slightly disingenuous in some songs. I think this is one I’d need to listen to again, and maybe I’d want to revisit the rating (if I could) after spending more time with it.
Actually quite enjoyed this. Never watched the film, and not sure I’d go back as a whole but listening to it in the background was pleasant enough. Suppose that’s what you want from a soundtrack! I am not sure this was critical to the list, but a enjoyable listen nonetheless
Overall it didn't capture my attention as I hoped. Typically I am drawn to the music but I think an understanding of the lyrics may have helped here. Maybe one to revisit but for now, struggling to rate it any higher.
Better than the first Arcade Fire album I had. Confused why I even had a second arcade fire.
Some nice transitions between songs, couple of great songs, opener is really catchy, peppered in between some forgettable ones.
Honestly, I don't think you need to listen to multiple AF albums before you die. It could have been one or the other (hey, we have 1001 albums to include after all).
I think I liked it. But what language are they singing in?
Maybe controversially I’ve never been one for the Beatles. This is a preppy album, but completely derived of the soul, especially in some of the covers. I’d give this one a miss.
Turns out when he doesn’t have her, he really does go insane.
Torn on this one, I did want to really love this. There were some stand out tracks, and some heavy lyrics. But Neil’s voice sounded drowned out on some of the tracks and pretty forgettable. Maybe one to revisit at some stage.
No
Is this book sponsored by Punk music? I honestly do not get it. Didn't make it through the album.
In a sober kind of way, a welcome break from the obscene about of punk albums I've had recently.
We all know Curtis, but I've never heard him like this. What's confusing is given the time this was written, I would have expected to have this referenced in the same breath as Marvin's What's Going On. Seemingly an overlooked album (maybe just by me).
I read a little into this album and read it described as the 'most sombre funk album created' which seems fitting.
A great example of music reflecting the current events, and sadly, some of the lyrics still seem fitting and relevant reflection of America today.
Overall, great album, would certainly revisit.
I definitely enjoyed this album more than the first CCR album I received (2 in one book?). This was an all round more pleasant album to listen to, and I caught myself playing for a second time.
I was going to comment on their Proud Mary cover until I discovered that Proud Mary is their original song.......!
Really surprised me how much I enjoyed this album. I had never heard of JMC previously, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I had read some reviews comparing them to the Cure or Joy Division, who don't get me wrong, I love a song or two, but couldn't really face into listening to a whole album.
The opener is really strong, sort of familiar? I don't know enough about JMC if they were influencers or the influenced but either way, great opening track.
Only reason for the 3 (maybe a 3.5 but, I'm gonna round down) is that based on my own rating system, I can't see myself revisiting the whole album on a regular basis but still a few songs will definitely make their way into my rotation again.
Not sure how people can listen to this genre for pleasure. Unless you're a Tesla robot.
Couple of songs (the most popular) were a good listen but could have left the rest.
Iconic !
Took me by surprise this album. I had it on whilst baking and initially felt really relaxing … until it wasn’t.
In keeping with the theme where I listen to the same 10 artists or songs over and over like a continuous stim, I once again have never heard an Elvis Costello album in full. In fact, I'd go so far to say the only EC song I know is Alison thanks to it's continuous playing on Smooth Radio.
Notwithstanding, I have heard of Elvis Costello. And normally with praise. So I was quite excited to get an EC album, maybe add an 11th artist to my rotation.
What in god's green earth was this? The second Welcome to the Working Week kicked in, I knew we were not in for a good time. It felt the same but weirdly inconsistent at the same time. The lyrics were poor. Was he meant to be an Elvis Presley tribute act?
I didn't get it. I was going to give it 2 stars on the basis that I could listen to Alison again (again thanks to Smooth Radio) but, after flicking back through to write the review, I got annoyed by it all over again so downgraded. This was not a good album.
4 stars for Down To the Waterline and Sultans of Swing. Lost one star because not every song sounds like Down To the Waterline and Sultans of Swing.
Absolutely not.
This was a bizarre album. It felt really incohesive.
Thoroughly enjoyed this
Really forgettable. A bit wet.
I had this on whilst working, so maybe that isn't the right situation to immerse yourself into this album. I mean, it didn't blow me away. It felt like musical theatre, was that the intention? I can't say I know much about Pink Floyd or this album, apart from 'The Wall' (idk which version because who knew there were SO many versions?!). Anyways the one with the kid chorus. One other stood out to me, Young Lust, that was fun. Outside of that, nope. It didn't do it for me at all. Maybe I'll listen back when I am not distracted but really, I guess 2.5, rounded to 3.
