Very very good. Will be coming back to this one.

Enjoyable 80s jangly intellectual pop

Appropriately beginning my listening of the 1001 albums with probably the last “new” album/artist to make an impression on me. Still stands out with its energy and lyrics.

Not listened to all the way through before. Clearly a really good album in there - the singles are exceptional. But suffers from the curse of the 90s album. It’s too long!

More musically varied and interesting than I was expecting. Found the language in the lyrics difficult and alienating, although it does explore a concept and is a proper album. And it’s too long!

A great debut. Not as strong as later albums though

I ignored this at the time, but is very enjoyable. A good length too! Lyrics quite depressing though considering her end.

Wow. The power of a recording to take you back in time. Amazing voice, and an album that doesn’t overstay its welcome. A great introduction to her and 1950s jazz - and a great accompaniment to yesterdays album (Amy Winehouse).

A huge surprise. Really enjoyable - both short and epic. Heavy and proggy.

Worth being on this list for the reviews from Americans. Great musicianship. Lyrics a bit marmite.

A bit surprised this is deemed “essential”. Pleasant enough but not groundbreaking. And I’ve never really liked Lovefool. I remember enjoying the singles from their next album though.

Second Iron Maiden album in 5 days!

Classy, atmospheric.....just not entirely for me

Really enjoyable

Very late 90s. Somewhat overrated. Heard it back then, not sure I needed to hear it again. Certainly doesn’t warrant it’s place on this list. Enjoyed the opening track (and first single), but it’s all very similar after that. I was mystified “…rain..” was the big hit. The original Q review was quite funny though. “Dynamic variety stays in a locked cupboard labelled Dynamic Variety: Do Not Touch”

Very very good. Will be coming back to this one.

An album to appreciate rather than love. Lost interest halfway through. Be interested to know how many of those who gave it a perfect score on metacritic actually listen to it regularly. I bet their Spotify wrapped tells a different story.

Still sounds pretty good for all my reservations about them. A very good pop rock album with great singles - with a sound that hasn’t dated much. And doesn’t outstay it’s welcome.

The thing about this exercise is that I’m always going to be more warmly disposed to albums I know well. Still love this as much as I did in the mid 90s.

Enjoyable 80s jangly intellectual pop

Not their best

I always want to love these guys more that I do. Singles are often good but I struggle with their albums - the melody’s just aren’t strong enough. Both things are clearly evident here. Ocean Rain contains the strongest of their singles but the rest is forgettable (sadly).

Really enjoyable and important. (Strange how New Order took Blue Monday in such a different direction)