I really like the contrast between the chill vibes of the music and some of the heavier lyrics. And always good to know that the problems we have today have been persistent for decades. Not depressing at all Felt the mixing could have been better. Vocals seemed to really overpower the music, though that could easily be a problem of the YouTube version I listened to.
I am admittedly ignorant to the intricacies of music production. But man, why don't more albums sound this good? The mixing is fantastic.
The Stones are a quintessential Greatest Hits band for me. You could compile a lengthy and killer album with their greatest hits. But any individual album is a bit lacking. This is a 3.5. The one-two punch of Wild Horses and Can't Hear Me Knocking rules enough to bump it to 4 though.
Really starts off with a trio of bangers. The influence this album has is readily apparent. Sometimes it can be hard to view a work of art separate from the art it has influenced. It is hard to view a work alone and not think of the many pieces it has gone on to influence. Sometimes a work of art might not stand the test of time on its own but rather as a piece of all it helped create. I think this album is not that. I think it does stand on its own. I might like some of the music is inspired more, but I liked this quite a bit.
No idea why they didn't choose Toxicity for this list.
Really starts off with a trio of bangers. The influence this album has is readily apparent. Sometimes it can be hard to view a work of art separate from the art it has influenced. It is hard to view a work alone and not think of the many pieces it has gone on to influence. Sometimes a work of art might not stand the test of time on its own but rather as a piece of all it helped create. I think this album is not that. I think it does stand on its own. I might like some of the music is inspired more, but I liked this quite a bit.
It's Miles Davis. I mean... cmon.
Nothing wrong with it, just not very interesting.
The instrumental song "R.L Got Soul" is quite good
The short instrumental section in "Hard Feelings" is the best part of the album. Overall, not a big fan of Lorde's singing voice.
Nice blend of punk and bluesy country. A bit long for what it is, but I dig it.
This rules. Probably my favorite album up to this point.
Could I listen to most of this album while playing Skyrim and it not break the immersion? Yes. 4 star album
I can't think of any other band that incorporates the guitar the way Dire Straits do. It isn't just a guitar solo or two per song. Used almost like punctuation during vocal sections. And the guitar sound is so clean. Really stands out during an era that was progressing to heavier distortion.
The Weight is already one of the top songs of all time. The rest of the track list could be nothing but white noise and this would be a 5 star album. Luckily, the rest of the songs are good too
Singers in bands tend to get all of the attention and credit. So when singers go off to do solo work, it offers the chance to recognize the unnoticed impact of the other band members. This is readily apparent for Morrissey. His solo work here isn't awful by any means but clearly Johnny Marrs's songwriting and instrumentation was a key aspect to The Smiths's success. The song complaining about Indian immigrants knocks this down a star though. There is something nefarious about hearing Morrisseys' sad wistful voice - so commonly heared mourning some lost love - complaining about non white people in the subway station. Yuck.
Dat sax tho
A trio of good songs (Tainted Love, Where Did Our Love Go?, and Say Hello, Have Goodbye) surrounded by meh.
I do not like Red Hot Chili Peppers. They are the music equivalent to licking an ashtray. That said, I liked the song Breaking the Girl decently enough. And Under the Bridge is good
Smooth as silk
Classic for sure. Not necessarily something I'd think to put on, but I won't complain when I hear it.
Probably my favorite Miles Davis. Not as accessible as Kind of Blue
Forgettable.
I went in not expecting to really like this because I'm honestly not a big queen fan. But I ended up liking it a decent amount. There is a noticeable drop when you get to a song that doesn't feature Freddie on vocals. But those songs do serve as a good pallete cleanser from the bombast of the Freddie songs. A 3.5 for sure but this site doesn't allow half stars for some god awful reason.
It might be due to very low expectations given the terrible album cover, but I didn't find this too bad. Some enjoyment to be had. I'm glad british people aren't real though.
Really wishing I had that half star increments... 4.5 album. Very good. Talking Heads rule
Good instrumentation. Worth another listen but didn't really draw me in
Electronics is tricky because it does not lend itself to just listening. It works better in context to something else. Be that dancing or as the soundtrack to a movie (for this album, The Matrix comes to mind). Without that context it risks becoming stale and repetitive. That said, I found this album to be pretty well paced. As soon as a song was nearing that repetitive state where my ears tune out, it added something new to the track to grab my attention. It would be a killer score for The Matrix.
You open an album with a French horn interlude and you've sold me
3.5. Some good songs here.
Ah, yes. A classic album from "The Misspelled Animal Names" I don't really want to be so reductive in only drawing comparisons to another band with a misspelled animal name. I think that is unfair to what this album offers that is unique. There are some neat production tricks. I think this is an album that would grow on me with subsequent listens.
Quite dull.
A live album is certainly a choice. Not a good one, mind you. But a choice for sure. I'm not against live albums in general. There are some great ones (looking at you Stop Making Sense) but I'd never put that over a full Talking Heads album. And this isn't even a good live album. It is short though.
A lot of fun. Very nice melodies. Quite revolutionary for 1978
3.5
4.5 I am biased because this was a big deal to 10 year old me. But I think it holds up. Probably the definitive anti-Bush era album. Jesus of Suburbia is still a top tier medly
Let's give this album one song to be anti-cop, but you know who really needs to be taken down a peg? Those damn hippies. So the rest of the album will be making fun of hippies. This is good satire.
Didn't feel much listening to this. It isn't bad or offensive in anyway. Just doesn't do anything for me.
The Eagles is one of those bands thst have a great song you discover on Guitar Hero and think "man, I should listen to more of these guys", only to discover that Guitar Hero chose their one good song and everything else pales in comparison. Hotel California is a great song. Unfortunately, nothing else on the album is as interesting sonically, lyrically, or thematically. Great album cover though.
Bummed this wasn't on spotify for some reason. The youtube audio quality wasn't as good. But I was surprised by this album. Wish I could listen to it more easily.
Chock full of great songs. The only misstep is Revolution 9. But as this is a double album, one song is not enough to drag it down.
3.5
It is not that it's bad per se, but in the context on 1001 albums I must listen to before I die? I'm questioning that level of praise. Quite generic.
No
A decent portion of songs felt like they went on just a bit too long. Started to feel monotonous. But that is the nature of this kind of music and it is less suited for casual listening. Regardless, a lot of it was quite catchy 3.5
Anything with a Twin Peaks sample gets at minimum 4 stars.
The only good thing to come from Aerosmith is Liv Tyler
3.5 I got to listen to this in NYC. But this album doesn't feature the song from Elf. So what's the point of anything anymore?
Lots of different styles. Quite engaging
This is the kind of metal that people who hate metal think all metal sounds like. Just incoherent noise. The only way this album works is if it is meant to be satire of this era of terrible metal.
Love the dark fantasy gothic vibes. Not the biggest fan of Ozzy's vocals but they aren't enough to detract from the music.
3.5 Good sound but it all kinda blurred together.
I really like the contrast between the chill vibes of the music and some of the heavier lyrics. And always good to know that the problems we have today have been persistent for decades. Not depressing at all Felt the mixing could have been better. Vocals seemed to really overpower the music, though that could easily be a problem of the YouTube version I listened to.
I've had several listens to this album before; because of its acclaim. This is the first listen that really clicked with me. Sometimes an albums prestige sets unfair expectations, and I think this is a prime example. Sometimes too, and album requires more than one listen to really sink in. Which can be an issue when ranking the albums on this list.
Torn thoughts on this one. On the one hand, if they wanted an album with this vibe on the list, why not go with Angelo Badalamenti's score for Fire Walk With Me. Arguably the best film noir soundtrack on existence. On the other hand, as I listened, it did begin to grow on me. I started to see scenes from a movie that does not exist play out in my mind. It does a great job of playing with tropes and expectations to create visuals from nothing but music. And that's pretty neat. So I can see why it would be on the list from an experimental point of view. Doubt I will go back to listen again but I did have fun with it.
Those drums tho
I liked this a lot. Decent variety. Sounds great. Will go back to listen again
Pretty bland
I like Neil Young's voice. This may not be his best offering but it is decent. 3.5
Undoubtedly influential to the sound of thr early to mid 60s (looking at you early Beach Boys and Beatles albums). However, it just doesn't really offer anyrhing all that exciting or interesting in retrospect. It is very short though so it never out stays it's welcome.
Ultimate chill. Makes the days worries slip away and reminds you that, in the end, everything will be all right
I've gotten to the point I dread seeing yet another 60s-70s psych rock album. A genre I enjoy but is over represented on this list. So a good test of an album of this genre is that even though I groaned seeing this album pop up (I've not listened to it before) I really enjoyed it.
I've always had a blind spot for MJ. This is likely due to the fact that I grew up hearing all of the many many controversies and scandals and South Park jokes. Honestly, up until the day he died, I kinda thought MJ was always a joke. No one ever really liked him or his music. And I just never really went and listened to test that thought. So I enjoyed this album quite a bit. Always happy to have a push to listen to things that I for some reason never bothered to before.
Liked the instrumentation. The vocals were okay
Im not a big Elvis fan. This album didn't change that. But it wasn't as bad as I expected
3.5
Surprise Kate Bush!
No idea why they didn't choose Toxicity for this list.
Love the atmosphere. The way songs build layer upon layer. Would take more listens to fully digest the lyrics but I'm sure they're depressing. But I plan to listen again. Alright, I wrote the above text right after my first listen then shortly after listened again. Can confirm: very depressing. But also not hopelessly so. A very beautiful album both sonically and lyrically. One of the best I've discovered from this list so far.
I am admittedly ignorant to the intricacies of music production. But man, why don't more albums sound this good? The mixing is fantastic.
Van Halen is great example of a group that is technically proficient, but so so boring. It is montage music. On its own it offers nothing. Put it as the backing track to a cool work out montage? Then it'll be pretty neat.
3.5
Chill vibes; good times
Bright as a summers day with lyrics that bring take all the cheer away. Good stuff
There isn't a thing I, or anyone on this site, could say that hasn't been said hundreds of times before. It's like trying to write about Citizen Kane. It may not have been their final release, but it was their final recorded and they went out with the biggest bang possible. The 2nd side medley is one of the best things recorded in popular music history.
Liked the sound for the most part. Nothing too stand out. I could see it growing on my after more listens but for now I'd go 3.5
Very theatrical and vibrant but also moody. Very good
Look, 1001 albums is a lot of albums. And I am sympathetic to the fact that after a while it may get tiring or boring coming up with that many albums that really deserve to be listened to. So maybe you decide to break up the tedium and add in a few troll albums. That is the only explanation I can accept for why this album is on this list. There are so many grunge adjacent 90s rock albums that could take its place. Hell, put Nevermind on here twice for all I care. Beyond being exceptionally generic, it doesn't even sound good. The mix is very muddy. Like I am listening to it on speakers lying submerged in a pool filled with the tears of the many musicians who deserved a place on this list over this album.
Undeniable in its impact on what would become the sound of most alt indie rock for the next few decades. More interested in creating a mood with its music than catchy melodies, it is easy to see how the "emo" artists of decades to come wouldn't have been without albums like this. It is hard to judge the album on its own apart from this influence. In ways it holds its own, and in others it feels lacking. Probably a 3.5
I respect this more than I like it. Maybe with further listens I could eventually like it.
Liked more than I would have expected
Context is important in music. Some things do not lend to casual listening as well as others. And electronica is a prime example. Often too repetitive for just listening, it benefits heavily from hearing it in the right context. Namely, when dancing. This album surprised me though by offering a bit more. At times quite cinematic.
One of the worst hours of my life. However, I understand why it is on the list. To fully appreciate the beauty of life, you must glimpse the deepest depths of despair.
4.5. Trying to not have too many 5 stars but this could easily be one.
I wish British people were still this cool
Smooth listening for a nice sunny day
Kinda boring. Never been a big fan of American Pie and it was by far the highlight of the album.
The pinnacle of okay
The Stones are a quintessential Greatest Hits band for me. You could compile a lengthy and killer album with their greatest hits. But any individual album is a bit lacking. This is a 3.5. The one-two punch of Wild Horses and Can't Hear Me Knocking rules enough to bump it to 4 though.
I like the balance between the up beat higher energy tracks and the slower contemplative ones. Some of these songs are prime staring -out-a-rain-soaked-bus-window or listlessly-swinging-in-a-park-on-a-foggy-summer-night tracks.
More albums should have the artist explaining the mechanics of their songs. In some ways, I enjoyed those explanations more than the music itself.
This album just did nothing for me. It isn't bad per se, but very forgettable.
I think I'd be more accepting if this was intended as a Led Zeppelin parody.
As the soundtrack to an experimental disaster or war film, this would be 4 stars. Having two drum sets played in sync (a move I highly respect) creates this wall of sound that the saxophones, while always ahead of it, are constantly on the run from it. It creates a highly chaotic sound that is very much its own thing. And then having the audacity to make the
Great instrumentation. Look, I am by no means a prude. I am not 17 and scared of Sabrina Carpenter. But this genre of 70s era dudes talking about how their dicks are gifts to the world is neither exotic, sexy, or sensual. It is just annoying and gross.
Not really my thing. But I 100% understand it's placement on the list. Monumental in modern pop history.
This happens with a lot of heavy punk and metal bands. I love the instrumentation but the vocals leave a lot to be desired. Not that I want the vocals to be super clean or anything. Just more on par with the quality of the instrumentals.
Within the first 4 songs, there is more variety and experimentation that many artists have across multiple albums. Insane to think what this would have been like to experience upon release.
I can understand some of the negative reviews if this was the first time they had listened to this album. I believe this is my third time listening and the first time it really clicked. Partly that is due to listening with more rapt attention instead of casually listening at work. But I believe having some familiarity with the album allowed me to better digest it as a whole. That is an inherent flaw in listening to a new album everyday. Some albums require time and multiple listens for them to fully make sense.
I want to like this more than I do. It has so many elements that should add up to an album I really enjoy. But something in the production really saps all the energy that should be present. It comes off sounding really flat. That this made it on the list and Weezer's Blue Album didn't is maybe a war crime?
Maybe I shouldn't read reviews on her before listening. Because so many reviews on here reference to this album being spooky. This really got my hopes up. A New Orleans style spooky album? Sign me up. I have no idea where any of those reviews are coming from. Nothing spooky about this. It is decent though.
When I saw this was an hour and six minute electronica album, a bit of dread came over me. It was not alleviated by reading the numerous 1 and 2 star reviews. So maybe going in with so low of expectations helped, but I did not dislike this as much as I feared I would. I didn't super love it or anything, but it was enjoyable enough of a listen. No where near the worst this lost has offered so far.
Didn't really dislike it but it all blended together after a while.
The transition from the "I Love my Car" song to the "You're my Best Friend" song is hilarious
The runtime can be a bit intimidating. But there is enough variety that it ends up working quite well. You could split this into one very good art pop album and one very good grunge album. But I think, when added together, the contrast between them makes for an excellent mega album.
Probably a victim of over hype. Oasis is so popular that this album feels like a let down. In a vacuum, it would probably be 4 stars. But I was expecting more from it. Is it unfair to rate it lower for that reason? Maybe.
I like reggae well enough. I don't seek it out on my own, but I don't dislike listening to it. Steel drums are cool. I like the almost lethargic groove. But a full album of reggae is too much reggae for me. It loses its appeal by the halfway mark.
A 5/5 for its influence, no doubt. But rather one note on its own.
There are some good vibes here. But not enough to sustain its long runtime. In the right mindset and atmosphere, I could see myself enjoying this more. If I was listening to this while going on a drive or a walk on a rainy fall day, it might be a 4 star album.
I played tenor sax in high school jazz band. Coltrane is THE guy.
I really really hate Aerosmith. At what age does someone writing a song called "Young Lust" go from pretty creepy to borderline pedophilic to just straight pedophilia? Cause Steven Tyler was 41 when this was recorded. Gotta figure out where on that spectrum this places him
In years past, big band was my go to for jazz. In recent years, I have become more fond of the smaller ensembles a la Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, etc. But this was nice to go back to. It might not be my favorite form of jazz, but it is still a lot of fun.
Sounds like church music you'd hear on a planet from the Dune universe. It rules. Bjork rules I respect her unwillingness to stay in one lane for too long. Post (my favorite album of hers) is an all time banger and was critically and commercially very successful. She could have stuck to that sound and released numerous albums that would have sold well and - let's be real - been all timer albums. But she clearly thinks very deeply about music itself, not as simply a vessel to deliver a message or a catchy melody. She creates sounds that are unique and captivating. Love it or hate it, there is no denying that the sound of this album is uniquely this album. If you were to hear it in a vacuum years down the line, you will not mistake it for anything else. And she doesn't sacrifice catchy melodies either. I don't really buy into the idea that this album is some avant-garde inaccessible art piece (despite the myriad of 1 star reviews that seem to think so). It isn't random noise; there is melody. It isn't in some discordant key that makes the ear cringe. I do not know why people are so unaccepting of any time art goes out of the norm (be it film, music, painting), but I am glad artists like Bjork do not let it stop them.
I Am Waiting saves this album from a 2 star. And part of my love of that song is it's use in the movie Rushmore. I listened to the UK release which didn't have Paint it Black. That would have bumped it to a 3.5, but still a 3 on this site.
I really like Cat Stevens's voice. Wild World and Father & Son alone makes this at minimum a 4 star album. I'd give it 4.5 if I could.
A bit of a nightmare scenario for techno/electronic. Repetitive and long. The sounds and beats are good, they just go on far too long with little change.
Far too many 60s psychedelic rock albums on this list
Feels a bit lacking, but then you realize it came out the same year as Ghostbusters. Worth listening to just to see how far the genre has come and in such a relatively short amount of time.
At times, a worse Blade Runner score. At others, a worse Mega Man score. That my comparisons all came out a decade after, speaks to its innovation. But innovation only counts for so much.
A hard one to review. Partly because he sucks so much in real-life but also because any negative reviews will probably be looked at as reviews of Kanye as a person (again, he sucks). But I can say that I have listened to this album several times before he went fully off the deep end and I have never understood the hype. And after this listen, I still don't. It isn't bad and there are things I enjoyed. But it is too long and feels lacking because of how hyped it is.
I am dubious about the validity of listening to and rating a standard 40 minute album after one day. A 3 hour box set stands no chance of being fairly appreciated in that amount of time. I also find the idea of putting a compliation album like this on the list in the first place. Feels like a cop out to me. Would be like putting the 2009 Beatles box set on as a single entry.
Not at all what I was expecting from the band name, or the album title, or the album cover. In some ways, that made this album more palatable. But at best it is passable GTA loading screen music.
In some ways, having a ridiculous number of 60s psychedelic rock on this list does offer a good contrast to how different this album was from similar artists of the time.
3.5. Not a big Jimi Hendrix fan.
It is fine. It sounds good but it is nothing special. Doesn't do much for me.
Surprised by how lacking the instrumental is. On first glance it has everything you would expect from an early metal album. Heavy trudging guitar riffs. Occasional frantic solos. But everything feels so slow. Like the sound is caught in a layer of molasses or something. The end result is an album that sounds no heavier than Helter Skelter, and would be easily toppled by Metallica a few years later.
While I do agree that we do not need this fascist groove thing (now more than ever), that song might not be the most convincing approach. However, the rest of the album was quite good. Some great grooves.
This was a fun listen. Probably wouldn't go back to it often, but very easy and enjoyable listening.
Growing up seeing Flavor of Love on VH1, I would never have expected Flava Flav to have songs like this. I'd give it a 4.5, so I struggled between a 4 and 5. But hearing Burn Hollywood Burn right before seeing Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest cemented it as a 5.
Should absolutely be Demon Days or Plastic Beach. I get the idea of paying respect to albums that started it all (and this album is still very good), and I would be more accepting of this album on the list if just one of the other albums I mention were also on here. But this is not the best representation of Gorillaz, but nor is it the most culturally significant. Everyone and their dog knows Feel Good Inc, after all. Gorillaz deserves a 5 star album on this list, but I do not think their debut is 5 start unfortunately. Still very good though.
Just not my thing
That one od the top reviews on this site is a 1 star reviews that claims this album is directly responsible for later mass murders and is an affront to god and nature is really funny to me. So I must give it 4 stars.
Not too bad but nothing remarkable either. Kinda David Bowie lite.
I have a hard time putting to words what I love about Fiona Apples' music. There is something ineffable about it. But I am happy to just sit back and enjoy it.
Liked this a lot. Lots of variety. One of my favorite discoveries from this list.
Liked this a lot. Could easily be a 5 star with further listens
Really liked the drums The instrumentals were good too And the vocals were... there.
I have seen Thief so I know their stuff works great as a soundtrack. But I really enjoyed the atmosphere even without a film to accompany it.
Compared to later rock operas, it is lacking in both narrative and musical complexity. And because it is trying to tell a cohesive story, it is musically lacking compared to other albums from The Who. Major respect for being one of the first rock operas and there are still good moments.
My least favorite area in Disneyland is the Alice in Wonderland teacups. Not because of how nausea inducing they are, but because of my deep seated hatred of the calliope. So when this album started with a cacophony of discordant calliope, I felt I had landed myself in the deepest layer of Hell. Which is quite fitting when you consider the current state of the bands namesake. I was happy that they used it sparingly after. But a side effect of this list having so many god damn lates 60s psychedelic rock albums is that I can't appreciate them anymore. So the rest of the album was fine. It is probably better if you haven't been burned out by this authors weird obsession with the genre.
The most interesting thing about this album is the reviews on this website. Mostly because they have the same tone I would imagine parents had when this album came out. Idk why we need to jump to, "this album is evil and will corrupt the mind" when it is just try hard edgy metal. Some of the sounds I like. A general creepy atmosphere that is pretty unique. But it all sounds samey by the end and the aforementioned try hard edgy lyrics are cringe. But it is not corrupting or the end of the world.
I am fascinated by the hatred people have for U2. Does it all stem from them forcing their album onto Iphones? They just are not interesting enough for me to understand the hate they get. This album does feel like a major fluke for this list though. At least the other U2 albums had some level of influence on the future of music. This album doesn't even seem that interesting in the history of the band, let alone to the music scene as a whole. Which isn't to say I dislike it. Again, it is too uninteresting for me to even dislike it. It was fine. I enjoyed some moments. But there is nothing that I will remember.
Immediately listened again after it ended. If the wikipedia section for theme analysis is longer than most other albums's entire page, then you know it is a good album.
Just never been a big MJ fan. This album didn't really change that. Some good songs though.
Next to this list's propensity for late 60s psychedelic rock is its love for any and all New Wave Brit Pop Rock. Which is lame because, depending on what order one might get some of these albums generated, they might be completely over one of these micro genres by the time they receive an actual good album in said genre. This is a quintessential example of one of those albums that pollute the waters. There is nothing about this that I haven't heard done much better in many other albums. By this time next week I imagine I will have forgotten all about it.
10 years ago this would have been an easy 5. In recent years I have soured a bit on Muse. It isn't so much that I dislike them. I still enjoyed this album. It just felt more lacking than it once did.