1001 Albums Summary

LIke the critics say, it does sound fresh. Mostly samey but not in a bad way. "American Girl" in my mind has always been great but I wish it was _more_ of whatever it is. Heavier, maybe. The earlier tracks on the album actually sound better.

The vocal harmonies are good but not Earth-shattering. Some of the backing music is good though the production is clearly date. This probably needs multiple listens.

Oh, she sang _that_ song (Criminal). Incredible voice. Both the rock-ish and somehow the jazz tracks sound quintessentially 90s, but in a good way. Favorite track: Pale September

Heavy but hardly a slog. The soloing never feels repetitive. The vocals are iconic. For some reason I'd never before picked up on Ozzy's enunciation being so clear. Favorite track: Black Sabbath

Feels like art. Even though I usually never pay attention to lyrics, these stand out as making no sense, delivered with Byrne's almost deadpan exclamation. The only downer is that Once in a Lifetime is tired. I feel obligated to rate it highly due to its quality rather than enjoyment, but not by much. Favorite track: The Great Curve; the guitar solos reminds me of Adrian Belew (who would later play with them).

I've played this album hundreds of times. Favorite track: Blue in Green or Flamenco Sketches. Favorite Miles solo: So What. Favorite Coltrane solo: Freddie Freeloader. Favorite Cannonball solo: Freddie Freeloader. Favorite Evans solo: Blue in Green.

I've never really listened to Elvis before despite doing a Jailhouse Rock skit in preschool. (It mustn't have left much of an impression.) This just isn't my thing. Rated on quality this is a 2 or 3, but I can't do it. Favorite track: ??? (nothing stood out)

There's a strong emphasis on the lyrics, possibly due to Tennant's vocal style, which is enjoyable, but they're noticeably simple. The electronics are often sparse, not in a bad way, but they do sound distinctly 80s. I prefer Depeche Mode and Erasure. Favorite track: I Want to Wake Up

Season Cycle predates much of Jellyfish, which I'd much rather listen to. A lot of the backing instrumentation is campy in a bad way, particularly the synths. I'm not immediately hearing the cohesion within the album, though it may manifest on how I don't have strong opinions about any particular part of the album. The exception is the initial vocals on Dear God are extremely annoying. I see why this was popular but I really don't like this song. Favorite track: Ballet for a Rainy Day or The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul

I never cared for the Stones much, at least in singles form. I still don't, but I think this is a more compelling album than as single tracks...a concept form a more civilized age. Doesn't rock as hard as the Who, but sometimes more complex. Favorite track: Monkey Man

The drone tracks are fine, but it's the other tracks that make me think Sonic Youth is a great rock band. (I feel the same way about Boris.) Favorite track: Tunic (Song for Karen)

It's not that I think this isn't for me, it's that I think it's actively bad. Saying it's shoegaze played by elementary school kids picking up instruments for the first time would be an insult to kids learning instruments. There are no sound concepts, everything is thin, the vocals are barely uttered. Favorite track: I couldn't even finish the album

I don't like hip-hop or rap. But maybe that's not completely true. This sounds decidedly 90s in a good way, and the lyrics are a riot. Favorite track: The Humpty Dance, but the whole album is consistent

Pretty repetitive lyrically within each track, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Never having heard glam rock before, I expected it to be a little heavier. Favorite track: Mambo Sun

I don't like it as much as I should, in part because I wish it was "more". That's a personal flaw that can be corrected. Favorite track: Yearnin' Learnin'

Motown, a genre (basically) that I never listen to but is right up my alley. I don't like Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, and the mix on Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On is terrible, but everything else stands out. Favorite track: Love Woke Me Up This Morning

My first Talk Talk album. I knew the rating before the first song was even over. This is from 1993? Favorite track: Give It Up

Singer-songwriter isn’t a genre I enjoy, since lyrics almost never mean anything to me, and the vocals aren’t usually pleasing to me. Following that, the guitar here is nice, but Nick Drake’s voice, with a slight but peculiar drawl, doesn’t do anything for me.

Not a country fan to begin with, and liked this less than I was hoping. The title track is repetitive in the worst way possible. The instruments can't save this one.

His bassist is great. I could do without ever hearing Alison again. Favorite track: Miracle Man

This is nerd soul, not so much funk. It reminds me of Louis Cole without the insane drumming, the hot horn playing, and the excitement. I prefer Cole's bassists too. The lyrics are original but not memorable since the rest of the music is rather boring.

I love the Sugarcubes but have never listened to a Bjork solo album. This isn’t as vocally energetic, but more musically adventurous.