1001 Albums Summary

If Kiss was my gateway drug into hard rock and metal, AC/DC was the hook that kept me there. It was also nice to hear a record free of ballads. I actually heard this before “Back in Black” came out. It sucked that Bon Scott died so soon after this came out, but that only added to the band’s hard rocking/hard living reputation.

I knew Fats Domino was an early pioneer of rock and roll, but I never knew what a profound influence he was on other artists. There’s a reason we’re still listening to Fats 70 years after he released this music. Enjoy.

Apple Music says the genre is soul, but this goes so far beyond that. I wish I'd known about this album and this artist so much earlier. This one is definitely going into heavy rotation for me.

I haven't heard much of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but I've liked everything I've heard. This, however, is next level greatness. Too often when a band starts off as guitar/bass/drums and then adds synths, it's because major label execs got their hooks in, brought in a flavor-of-the-month producer, and tried to squeeze a hit or two out of them. In this case, though, the synths and keyboards are a sign of a band growing and maturing. It's an amazing record. Also, "Heads Will Roll" slaps.

Before today, I'm not sure I knew this album even existed. Man, I'm glad I know now. A little of the acoustic stuff and a little of the heavier stuff, this album works from start to end.

They had the sound, the look, and started the label that was ska in late 70s/early 80s England. Now don't turn your nose up at "ska." This isn't AFV theme song ska. This is stripped-down ska. It's aggressive. It's political. And it's amazing. This album in particular. I'm still on the fence about their second album, "More Specials." But there isn't a weak tune in this collection. It's mind blowing.

Oh, this is a good one. And they were quite young when they released this. Gaz, vocals and guitar, was 19. NINE. TEEN. I can't remember what I was doing when I was 19, but I know it wasn't putting out amazing albums.

Almost 50 years old and this sounds as good as it did back then. An amazing piece of work.

Marianne Faithfull was a big deal back in the day, but since I'd never listened to, I never knew why. Now I know and I can see why.

I love going back to this album. It starts with a bang and doesn't let down. Hearing Captain Beefheart on "Willie the Pimp" got me to thinking "Bongo Fury," so that album got a listening, too. Amazing.

I'm a little more partial to "Innervisions" but, honestly, you can't go wrong with anything he's ever done. At least from the 1970s.

Sure, they're really angry (and rightfully so), but this is a fun album. It was also, along with DK's "In God We Trust, Inc.", my gateway into hard core punk. Thanks, Circle Jerks!

I'm more of a bizarre, experimental Radiohead fan, but this album still has a lot of great stuff. It's well worth the listen.

I was in college when this album came out. And since she wasn't angry or unclean, I didn't pay much attention. Shame on me. This is a fun record! It kind of loses steam towards the end, but there's a lot of great stuff here.

No other album inspired more dudes to get ponytails and wear flannel, cargo shorts, and army boots than this one. Great record.

When I first saw them on Saturday Night Live, I was maybe 12 and I thought they were the weirdest band I had ever seen. They played "Take Me to the River" and "Artists Only," from this album. I've been a huge fan ever since and this record is part of the reason why.