1001 Albums Summary

Chameleon - It took me about three minutes in to realize that my High School Jazz Band had played this song last year. The drumming beats and rhythms paired with the keyboards make this such an enjoyable and fun listen. Watermelon Man - Keyboards, tambourine and guitars are a pleasure to listen to. Who ever told the wind instruments to come in towards the final 45 seconds is a genius. Sly - The saxophone goes absolutely nuts, the frantic but controlled drumming adds so much to the background. Along with that just the ACCENTS from the drums, light ride-bell hits, tom-tom smacks in appropriate spots. The entire track is just a vibe. Vein Melter - Chilled out track to finish out this album. The strings are a nice addition to the now established formula of keyboards and drums.

This is abysmal

Brian Eno said in 1982 that while this album only sold approximately 30,000 copies in its first five years, "everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band". May be true, but I'll say the influence is much bigger and better than the original product. I know this is one of the greatest ever, but man I would just rather listen to so many more OTHER albums than this. The way my ears are uncomfortable is not in the way I would prefer. "There She Goes Again" is about the only song I can say I enjoyed, but not much. The strings paired with the guitars and, wind instruments? are such a strange combination. Does it need a remaster, no. It needs an ALTERNATE remix, that's a "bad" thing to say, but I think it would make the album more accessible for younger audiences.

Pretty solid southern-rock album. Of course "Free Bird is amazing, but the run from "I Ain't The One" to "Simple Man" in the beginning half is great. "Things Goin' On" as a fine track as it is, but I could not get behind "Mississippi Kid". The piano playing on "Poison Whiskey" adds much to the track that I would not have expected. All around I enjoyed this album maybe slightly more than I would have thought. 8/10

"Good Times Bad Times" is a wonderful opener which sets the tone for the album, all the way through up to "Black Mountain Side" is some really good stuff. The only reason I don't like that track is because it is purely instrumental, but it's not even that good, so there is no merit to it in my opinion. Then to the end we're back to the original feel of the album. Very solid debut from a band that will prove themselves time and time again in coming records. 8.6/10

This album is such a fucking good debut, despite the rate Kanye is at right now, it is amazing where he came from and what comes after. The lyrics, vibe and production is something to praise. I don't have much else to say. 9.9/10

Very solid blues-y rock debut from a band that I know will go on to write and record many hit songs. "Breakdown" and "American Girl" are classics and one of my other favorite is "Strangered In The Night"