After much deliberation and a continully enjoyable few listens i’m giving this one a 4, I’d have welcomed a little more psych in the mix but i find the whole thing very nice to listen to. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fine, I admit it… This is the best solo Beatles album and yes, it is 5*, all 2 bloody hours of it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 black stars
Silver Jews - Bright Flight Very much my cup of tea, and a new album for me from a band I already enjoy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 1: Rush - Moving Pictures I like proggy music (prog-metal especially) but am seriously lacking in prog rock education. This is my first Rush album and my first album of the 1001 project (hi everyone). I think I said “fuck yeah” out loud 2-3 times, mostly from the guitar playing, which I really enjoyed. I also loved the drum sound throughout and the production generally sat well with me. However, the tracks did not always keep my attention and I only liked about half of what the vocalist was doing. I can see why people rave about Rush and I think if I spun this a few more times I might enjoy it more. I certainly enjoyed moments, but I don’t think I “get” it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Ratings reflect how much I enjoyed any album, not how “good” I think it might be, though that’s another conversation altogether)
My first full album from Ray. I enjoy the bombastic first half and the slower second half equally, and both conjur vivid moods. I can imagine reaching for this quite regularly. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It only took 3 days for me to pull one of my pre-existing favourite albums! I was a late bloomer with The Beatles, finally getting on board in my early to mid twenties, much to the frustration of close friends who got it from the outset. I remember singing When I’m 64 at school in assembly for Christ’s sake (I went to a CofE primary)! My first experience of love with the band came either through equally holy, or perhaps sinfully depending on your view, means with a very good acid trip. Me and my housemate of the time took the plunge accidentally by watching the Yellow Submarine film on half a tab (he also was yet to be converted to Beatlemania). The film, to us, at that time, was mind blowing, and we followed it up by spinning Sgt. Peppers. The rest is history. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First Eagles album, already enjoyed the title track and listening to this through twice gave me 2/3 more tracks I enjoyed. I did find a few too many of the tracks a little uninspiring though. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love all 3 of Nick Drake’s albums, perhaps I love Pink Moon the most but perhaps that’s Five Leaves Left… There seems to be some kind of wisdom in here which belies his youth. I particularly enjoy the blend of folk styles and the expressive guitar playing. His voice and vocal phrasing is instantly recognisable and whilst some of these songs are very melancholic I find the whole effect to be a balm. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fine, I admit it… This is the best solo Beatles album and yes, it is 5*, all 2 bloody hours of it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If Thundercat is this good at bass but still writes songs about playing Mortal Kombat, boy would I love to see him playing Mortal Kombat. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day 7 gives me my first new artist! This one is hard to rate after 2-3 listens through. I think if i spend some more time with it it may become a 4 but atm its a strong 3. I adore Not Even Stevie Nicks… ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I like some of this, and can hear how it’s permeated some of my favourite music. I’m not fussed on a fair bit of it though and i’m yet to properly learn about Elvis and his cultural impact, as well as the more modern discussion of Elvis as either a representative of a deeply racist system or/and a bridge between musical cultures. This would be a light 3, but I deduct 1 for these not being his own songs. ⭐️⭐️
After much deliberation and a continully enjoyable few listens i’m giving this one a 4, I’d have welcomed a little more psych in the mix but i find the whole thing very nice to listen to. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve been meaning to listen to this for some time and it didn’t disappoint. Some great playing by Fripp and co. and a nice ratio of proggyness and tunefulness for me. Not quite a stand out like some of their records though, a strong 4. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t listen to a lot of bossa and can’t imagine reaching for this very often. That being said this was an enjoyable listen and I especially liked the production which I assume is a little different from a lot of bossa. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved some of this, I liked some of this, and I didn’t care about some of this. A very solid 3 for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Only 13 albums in and here is my 2nd Beatles record! This is not my Beatles, but it’s pretty enjoyable with a couple of strong Lennon/McCartney compositions and, dare I say, a very enjoyable cover of Please Mister Postman. I don’t listen to this one often and I can’t see that changing, but it’s a fun record. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is lots of cool stuff going on here that I really enjoyed. I like my indie rock to cover a fair bit of ground stylistically and I feel fIREHOSE do that well. I’d not previously heard of this project and based on other reviews I’m in for a treat if there are any Minutemen records on the list. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay I enjoyed this more than I expected, some really fun moments and I dig the guitar leads… I still didn’t enjoy a fair bit of it though and it’s definitely not my genre. Might keep a couple of the tracks and check out some of their studio work. Lightest 3. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I prefer the faster tracks but the slower ones might grow on me. Lovely record with plenty of melodic surprises and nice grooves. Solid 4. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 black stars
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon Already an all time favourite but it’s been a little while since I listened to it in full. Just shut my eyes and laid down with good headphones on and oh boy is this thing stunning. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s hard to dislike any of this but it’s not my cup of tea, likeable enough that I did get some fun out of it, just bluesy enough to not fall into the hole of hard-rock for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
File this under: have been meaning to listen to for years. Really loved this, only the first track feeling a bit less interesting than the rest kept it from being a 5. Note to self: check out Canterbury scene properly.
Not sure how i’d never heard of this dude before as i knew a fww of the tracks. Strong 3 could be a 4 if i spend some more time with it.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs Loved this when i was 15/16, strange hearing it again for the first time since the allegations against Win a couple of years ago. The music is great, grand, and anthemic. Not close to Funeral imo, not quite Reflektor, but slightly surpasses Neon Bible (don’t make me think about their last two albums) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tracy Chapman - S/T A light 4 for me, took a couple of listens for the fairly subtle arrangements to grab me but there’s something undeniable about the songwriting here. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Silver Jews - Bright Flight Very much my cup of tea, and a new album for me from a band I already enjoy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Shivkumar Sharma - Call of the Valley Great, this is one of the reasons i’m doing this project: to hear things I might never hear otherwise. Have had this on all day, sometimes in the foreground, sometimes in tbe background, it’s been a good day! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another Bowie, another 5.
The Divine Comedy - A Short Album About Love I’m ending up as a high 3 on this after a couple of listens. It made me laugh a few times (in a good way) but I also rolled my eyes a couple of times. I find the orchestration hit and miss, when it sounds like Bacharach I love it, when it gets too bombastic it tips the whole thing over the edge for me. Anyone got any other albums by this band they recommend? ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beach Boys - The Beach Boys Today A transitional album of which I enjoy the second half more than the first (i typically enjoy 66-71 beach boys best) but enjoy it all less than the best of what came before and after. Low 4 for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One that’s been on my periphery for years. Took 3 listens to decide on a lower 5 rather than a high 4 - absolutely loved listening to this all day.
If i spent more time with this I could see it creeping up to a low 4, some really interesting things going on and generally up my street. After one listen though i find it a bit too disjointed and there are 3-4 tracks that don’t do much for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Buck Owens - I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail Just not for me, not bad by any means but a reminded to myself that i like modern country-ish music, not actual country music. ⭐️⭐️
Pretenders - S/T It’s going to be a 4 from me after years without listening to a record I used to enjoy a lot. A very welcome reintroduction. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Going with my gut after only one listen, will be giving this some more time I’m sure ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Still too country for me but approaching the sweet spot of country-ish.
I love the boom bap beats here and the jazzy stuff is well up my street - this has clearly had a big influence on jazz rap and abstract hip hop that i enjoy from the 2010s onwards. Shame that some of the lyrics put me off (Oh Shit especially) but a super fun record.
Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet This definitely needs more than the one full listen i’ve given it but it’s great ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Unsure how I missed this back in 2009 as it’s well up ny street and very in keeping with the indie I was loving at that time. Sad to see such low ratings for what i thought was an interesting and quite lovely record.
I get it, and I think it’s great, but I don’t quite love it - a v high 4.
Fiona Apple - Tidal Probably a light to medium 4, already a fan of hers and I like all of this but I could go for a couple more tunes as good as Carrion to make me surer of my rating (Idler Wheel and When the Prawn are both more consistent albums for me). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I thought i’d like this more than I did, and I totally get why people adore it, but it’s not quite my thing!
Have never heard of this artist and didn’t realise who Ry Cooder was but damn this was a treat.
Probably quite influential on stuff i love (various post punk and art rock) but a bit too severe and sparse for me on one listen (is this no wave?) Could grow to a 4.
I didn’t enjoy this as much as The Genius of Ray Charles. A bit long for me and genres I don’t get as much from.
Rufust Wainwright - Want One Gave Want Two a 3 and this gets a 3 too, but a slightly different, better 3. Surprised both of these made the list and surprised to pull them both in my first 50.
How have I never heard this?! Too violent for me in places but undeniable beats and verses and when I let go and vibe with it I love it so much.
I’d rather just listen to Coldplay…
Yeah this is great and I’ll definitely be returning.
I love this. It’s a bit long for me but I appreciate having the complete show here.
Sadly had to listen to this over two sittings, but that told me enough to know that this requires repeated listens and could become a favourite. Lost gem? Exactly why I’m doing this project!
A lot to enjoy here, just not quite my cup of tea.
A joy to experience.
Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story I like a couple of tracks here but i’m not a fan of his voice or his personality on this record. ⭐️⭐️
I expected to give it a 4, but listening this morning I just found myself enjoying it too much for that. In my mind it was a 4 but in my heart it turns out to be a 5. I have a suspicion that it is because this is the first new Bowie album I heard as a fan, which can often bias me positively. Listening back this morning after a few years was really special.
I still don’t get it…
One of my favourite Beach Boys records and a VERY strong 4.
Had a lovely rest listening to this and can see myself using it for that again.
Confirms Queen are not for me, some fun to be had hear though and some spots of excellent production.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me, made me want to watch the film, which i think i will! Loved the psych flavours melding with the more traditional indian instruments A lot lost on me through not understanding most of the lyrics which meant it never fully resonated but a cool record
High 4, absolutely loved this, definitely a fan of this band after previously only hearing I’m a Cuckoo (on The Gloaming)
Loved the first half, weaker second half but v up my street overall.
Forever grateful to my friend Richard informing me that early REM is as good as or superior to middle REM!
I’m not a big punk fan but this brings back memories as it was one of the first records I got into in my teens when I was stealing my Dad’s CD collection for the first time. A bit inconsistent but the tunes are there.
A fantastic album that blew my mind and was my favourite Radiohead for some time, second to In Rainbows now but not by much.
The first half of blues tracks is not my thing but the jam tracks at the end are exquisite
Yet to find a synthpop record i love. It’s good, just not my cup of tea.