May 11 2025
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
Prologue: This was selected as my first album out of 1001, although I have the book and have done some random picking / listening / discovering before.
I totally understand people who love this album. I totally understand people who hate this album. I'm not sure to which group I belong to though. Elo is not so familiar to me (not even blue sky, I am sure I've heard it...vaguely), overproduced aor (i wouldn't call this progressive rock) isn't my beef. But damn the production is magnificent. Too magnificent perhaps?
I can hear the influences, but also can here ELO in so many things that have come later, from Daft Punk to Divine Comedy to Quincy Jones productions and hoards of indie and electronic musicians of today. I don't care so much about the more or less traditional, basic rock songs which have been over-ornamented, but there are beautiful melodies and interesting song structures, some of which almost get hidden under the production, some of which would probably sound lame without the production. As someone mentioned here, the Concerto as a sort of minialbum in the middle is a masterpiece, have to agree on that.
Epilogue: In the end, would I buy it? Probably in a good enough condition from a discount bin. How often would I listen to it? Maybe once in 10 years. From the year 1977 I'd choose 10-20 punk records over this one. But it remains still quite an amazing gesamstkunstwerk. So I'll settle in a 4.
4
May 12 2025
Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
2/1001
I actually used to own this back in the early 90s, I don't remember if I sold it, gave it away or did it just vanish, as seems to happen to some LPs. Of course some of these tunes (white rabbit & someone to love especially) play more or less regularly ubiquitously. So anyhow this listen was a nice reminder as a whole. Actually there are many things here I've come to love over the years - acoustic folk guitaring especially. But for that I rather turn to British folk, mcCarthy, Jansch et al, Graham, etc. And If I need a soundtrack od the Pyschedelic era, the summer of love, California hippie scene, there are excellent compilations which gather all the hits (and yes, they probably include the two mentioned ones from this album). So nothing really wrong here, of course - like so many other bands and records from the same area / era - it hasn't aged so well, but still it is varied and interesting and full of great tunes, but it is not for me, not anymore.
My favourite LP dig from Haight-Ashbury area is a record for training your parakeet to say sentences. The image - no matter how inaccurate it may be - of hippies stoned and listening to 20 minutes of monotonous voice speking "hello budgie" over and over again makes me smile more than any late 1960's pop record ever can. Happy to say that record is now in Finland at the Arctic circle, I'll set up a listen any time you might pop around.
But for the White Rabbit alone a 4.
4
May 13 2025
Urban Hymns
The Verve
8/1001. Ok amd rhe review I wrote got lost great. To cut the story short: heard? Check? Own? Maybe. Listened to in 20 years? No. Enjoyable album which has been obscured by the Bittersweet megahit, which must be in top 10 (5?) songs from the 90s. It's story of Rolling stones stealing "This May Be the Last Time,โ from the Staple Singers and then getting pissed that the Verve used too much the sample from "Last time" and claiming 100% writer rights still makes me laugh and feel sorry for the Stones. Glad to hear that since 2019(!) Ashcroft has been returned the rights. Come on, one sample - although it makes most of the song, but it is really like claiming that our album cover had yellow init and now you are using it.
After listening ro this now it feels a tad too long (cd era, let's put everything in it, and I never got too fond of Brit pop, and it is not so dreamy, spacey and druggy as the Spiritualized (it must be included in 1001 albums, right?), but more than Oasis so 4 stars.
4
May 14 2025
Tidal
Fiona Apple
3/1001. I listened to this twice with about a week delay, the 2nd listen since I thought perhaps I didn't pay enough attention to the music or something. But no, this music doesn't speak to me. Somehow it sounds like a 17-year old who wants to tell her life story, cry her heart out, but there is not much to tell yet. Nothing too wrong about the music, but the songs roll out one after other without too much variation. I suppose she was one to start or at least to establish a genre, but the ones who came after really mastered it (perhaps her later albums as well). Nevertheless imho a surprisong pick for 1001 albums.
2
May 15 2025
A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
Who else sang like this in the U.K / Europe in 1964? Ok, Lulu's Shout appeared a month later from the release of this, and then there was Cilla a bit later... But anyway Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette OโBrien has to be seen as the pioneer, inspiration and role model to so much to what happened in the mid 60s in the whole Europe, be it yรฉ-yรฉ, schlager in Germany, Finland or France and even the Eurovision song contest. The Merseybeat did one thing, this one another. Then again the question is why this album in this list? A few years later Look of Love, Dusty in Memphis... songs written for her or songs made immortal by her... Here we are looking at a beginning, an interesting beginning, but shouldn't this type of collection concentrate on the madterpieces? Or then name the book 1001 records which changed the world. If they could find that many.
For me it was a nice chance to get to know some Dusty songs which are not in the classic albums or in the collections.
4
May 16 2025
Synchronicity
The Police
10/1001. confession #1: i'm an 80s fan boy. Confession #2: I've nevee listened to a full Police album. The hits have turned me away, and what a lost it seems, at least I felt that during the first few songs. But more the album went on the more I was ok with initial confession #2. There was a sense of a story - a dramtatic curve in the beginning (almost like a pop proge album) which faded away. Ok, so that's not what an album must need, right? But somehow while many of the non-hits were interesting they are overshadowed by the hits. And at least I have become so comfortably numb (yes i know a pink floyd not a police quote) to the hit(s) that they feel like every breath or daily bread.
3
May 17 2025
In Utero
Nirvana
12/1001. What do you get when an angry and depressed band gets world famous, pushed and pulled around? Add a bit of drugs to the mixture and they get angrier and more depressed, and it shows here. So for me this album is a diary of what was happening at that time to Nirvana / Cobain. Somehow I can't imagine what would have happened after this if what happened didn't happen with the band? Cobain sobered out, grunge craze gone by, next big thing in everyone's cd-walkmans โ would they have mellowed out, wrote more savvy, still a bit grungy songs a la the Foo Fighters? Would the world have wanted that? And does this make this album better because of that improbable future never happened?
The album is honest, with great songs and amazing energy and rawness, but I don't really feel too comfortable reading or listening to someone's private life splattered over 12 songs. I liked Bleach when it came out and Nevermind was out of this world, and this album reminds us that Grunge Lives Matter.
4
May 18 2025
(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
13/1001. Guess I have to listen to a complete Oasis album. Wankers wanking with their guitars, and then putting up immortal classics is a tough mixture for me. I'm slowly realising this book seems to like electric guitars, and western pop way more than what my personal preferences are. But there is no similar website for the 1000 recordings you must hear before you dieโฆ
So what to say. Most of the songs for me are boring and bland and the attitude is obnoxious. But Wonderwall and Don't Look Back in Anger are undisputed classics to be ruined time and again in campfires around the world. A 2 for that.
2
May 19 2025
Playing With Fire
Spacemen 3
14/1001. After some grunge and brit pop it is so refreshing to hear guitars used for something creative :) It takes quite a lot of courage to strip down to so much, to remove chord progressions, riffs and what not. Many seem to claim they could do it, but I really do doubt it, at least on this level. The songs undulate, grow, fade away and (some) contain beautiful melodies. I'm a fan of the Spiritualized, in knew about Spacemen 3, but never listened to them too much. The meditative / religious themes seem to stem already from here. Have to dig in deeper after this :)
If you open your mind a bit and think that music can also be about texture and tone rather than about Pop tunes crafted in an A B A or some other format this is for you. After all this I feel even more sad Spiritualized cancelled their show in 2023 for Epรคjohdonmukaisten tanssiaiset.
5
May 21 2025
Blue
Joni Mitchell
Simple yet complex. Delicate yet powerful. Quirky, sad, joyful, blue. I donโt know how this much of everything is possible to put in one album, but here it is.
5
May 23 2025
Stripped
Christina Aguilera
5/1001 This is the first time I listened to a full album of Aguilera. But hey, we all have to test our limits someday. It is worrying and troubling that a singer / star of such proprtion has to convince herself that she is good and shouldn't be looked down upon. What does that mean to an average 13-year old trying to survive in the pressure of today's surface-is-what-counts-world? The music is so pathetic as well, how much pain does she really hold inside? Or is it just a big performance of something totally empty inside? Do I smell Mickey Mouse club here? While I am sure this speaks to millions out there it left me more wondering than admiring. And yes, I do own quite a many R&B albums. Beautiful stuff here and there, awesome production, but when this doesn't speak to me then it doesn't. I am sort of sorry to say I am glad I don't have to listen to another album of her again.
1
May 24 2025
Imagine
John Lennon
15/1001. A familiar album from my childhood, but still some songs seemed quite unfamiliar. Besides the title there are some other classics here as well, Jealous Guy being my favourite. I was quite surprised how boring and similar some of the songs were, to be considered such a classic. Also the honesty Lennon wanted to bring in to his lyrics doesn't make the listener at home. First he sings the most universally know anthem about people living together in peace and then goes about trashing McCartney. That just doesn't feel right. Or Yoko again. I mean I like Yoko's stuff, perhaps more than Lennon's solo efforts, her music in all its naivete is much more interesting than Lennon in the 70s, sorry to say. But of course an anthem is an anthem, and there are not many people in the world who have been able to produce so many of them.
3
May 25 2025
Doolittle
Pixies
16/1001. I was never a big Pixies fan, although their music and style was exactly what I listened to at a certain time, before and around grunge broke off. They were in my radar and I remember watching their live concert on Finnish TV (now that's revolutionary considering late 80's early 90s Finland and pop/rock music in national channels).
After all these years listening to this reveals it has aged quite well, it is varied, interesting, full of energy and sprinkled humour. Melodic and harsh one after other, sometimes even simultaneously, quite an accomplishment. 15 songs totally felt much more than 38 minutes, perhaps a song or two made my mind wondering about, but focus was re-grabbed soon. A second or third listen will surely liven up those songs as well. If I would have to recommend someone an alt/rock album this might be it, although I am more of a sonic youth fan (perhaps that's post rock then?). 4/5, I'm stripping one star, since this really is not my type of music anymore, and replaying or digging deeper is not very likely.
4
May 26 2025
Take Me Apart
Kelela
17/1001. An R& B Bjรถrk? Interesting? The album start is promising, the electronic production is great, her voice of course as well. But the atmosphere, mood, the energy level stay the same throughout the record. It feels there is no real songwriting? Her voice goes up and down, repeating the same-ish melodies over and over. Thanks for 1001 project for introducing this artist, something to keep an eye open for sure.
3
May 27 2025
Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
18/1001. One more album I had in the shelf. But this one was in my "b-pile" for some reason. So a quote "Well now that I heard the whole thing it is actually quite good. Should we listen to it again?" fits. There are songs I recognized but would never have attributed to Nilsson. Coconut - I'm sure was in the Muppet show (they always had the best songs, right ;)? Without you, really written by him? Great. And to balance that you the have boring "I want to be like the Beatles after they broke up stuff" like Let the good times roll. Come on, who needs yet another song like that? Some of the echoes of the fab four or even similarities with the Mael brothers sprinkled here and there along with the epic Coconut and some quirky production lifts this back to my main LP shelf :)
4
May 28 2025
Savane
Ali Farka Tourรฉ
19/1001. The first "world" music album to my list, which goes to show the bias of the book. Would be lovely to do a 1001 African albums you must hear before you dieโฆor Asian, Caribbean or Brazilian. Oh, I'm sure we get some here, but this album alone is worth reminding that there is great music everywhere, and listening outside your typical Pitchfork/Rolling Stones/1001 selection can be an elevating experience. So I'm realising sadly, that the majority of this book and the project won't be about discovery but flogging on more or less dead (race) horses. I'm sure nice and new (to me) music to be discovered over there as well, butโฆ
I've listened to Ali Farka Tourรฉ before, and the newer "Sahara blues" acts. (And of course Mulatu and basically the whole Ethiopiques collection, to South African Kwaito and more contemporary urban rhythms not to mention Tony Allen, Fela Kuti and many other Afro beat / Funk acts, compilations, online bootlegs. Analog Africa anyone?) This one not, but definitely will again. Such skill to craft hypnotic tunes from a few notes, with authenticity, feeling, passion, evident sense of death coming upon the maker. I hope I keep getting albums like this (anywhere in the world) to be listened to during the next 1070 or so albums (I just came to understand there is more than 1001 on this list!, cheaters :D)
5
May 31 2025
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
5 (or 6?)/1001. I used to own two LP copies of this one, the other one I probably got either from my mom or sister, and the other I bought because I remembered how good this was, not remembering I already owned it. For me this is an album one can put on any time there is a moment not to know what to play. It sounds really good on the background, but perhaps now giving a dedicated listen reveals a bit of inconsistency or I don't know what, something missing?. The songs are strong and musicians great, and I still love it. There are some albums between this and Graceland which I've never heard (not to mention stuff after that one), so perhaps I will dig into those at some point.
4
Jun 01 2025
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
7/1001. Many of my friends have said that recently they listen to mostly country music. Well screw them! ;) Ok, jokes aside. As a matter of fact I do own one Lucinda Williams cd, her voice is great and songs are simple enough. But thats maybe the problem - too simple songs โ for me nothing really stands out here, and to call this album a masterpiece, or that it should be included in the list of albums one should hear before they die is just too much for my musical taste. Mellow and smooth and sometimes sad, sometimes funny, but hey, so are millions of other albums as well. Blame me for not understanding country & western and I'll go drink one for you. When I get to Inari I don't think I miss this record that much. Or even remember any of its songs.
2
Jun 02 2025
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
11/1001. Should this list be more like 1001 similar albums? Maybe not too fair, but for me this album is here because a) the book is getting old, and b) someone was a fan of brit pop back then. Back in the 90s this was ok, I guess, and in 2025 this album doesn't really qualify even for that. It's perhaps a nice document of an era which came and went, nothing everlasting for me in this album. I agree the best tune is the cover of Simon & Garfunkel, and who gets the credit for that? It's a shame about Lemonheads.
2
Jun 03 2025
Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
20/1001, and catched up missed albums (although this is bound to happen hundrerds of times).
I haven't really paid too much attention to Norah Jones, I think my sister liked her quite a bit, but that's about it. The initial reaction was: I love this. Then: is this a Christmas album? Then: are all the songs the same? Then: how to rate it? Then: when does it end? So from 5 toโฆ2 I think. I don't know why I would listen to it again, the mood stays the same throughout the record, there are no standouts, it feels to made for the foreground, headphones didn't really reveal anything new. A few sassy but jazzy tunes here and there please, lift the tempo up, change instrumentationโฆ Come away where? Sorry, but no thanks.
2
Jun 04 2025
Under Construction
Missy Elliott
Wow, I really must listen to rap/hiphop more, if it is this good. Soulful, uncompromising (but sort of apologizing with all the spoken stuff?), fun and funny, groovy, nasty, varied, and it is always great when the n- or b-word count is in reasonable limits. This became one of my favourite albums of the genre, but have to admit, that my knowledge of the genre is quite limited โ it basically consists of the hits, old school, some of the stuff of some of the well known acts and some local (Finnish) stuff. Maybe more than many, but nothing to brag about. Sure there are more gems out there, let's keep diggin. 4 for now, perhaps after a few listens a fiver?
4
Jun 05 2025
Morrison Hotel
The Doors
22/1001 ( I think). I am not a huge Doors fan, but heard the albums a few times, some of them more, and of course the hits keep playing over and over and over. This album is not in my top Doors list, mostly bluesy, basic rock with an attitude and a few good songs. Favourites: Peace Frog and Waiting for the Sun. Actually the more the songs step outside the blues norm the more they are interesting. A solid 3 for me.
3
Jun 06 2025
Sister
Sonic Youth
23/1001. Third album from my shelf, and I think the first band I've sen live (missed Nirvana in LA in 1991 and in Finland a few years later...) For some reason I tend to always pick Goo, Dirty or Daydeam Nation if I want to listen to SY. I don't really know why, this is a solid sonic youth album which sounds like the sonic youth. Perhaps that is also a bit of an issue: no songs really stand out. But still I love the bands sound with alternative tuned guitars screeching out and in the middle of the noise beautiful melodies suddenly pop out. Gotta love them.
4
Jun 07 2025
Gorillaz
Gorillaz
24/1001. Hmmm, I might own a library sale cd copy of this? Anyway I hadn't really LISTENED to thw album before...many songs seem groovy, the sound is nice and funky, featuring artists bring a lot in, and the songs have interesting details in the background, but still overall feel is too lazy, like an album which is made stoned. I hope they had continued the virtual only band, they were really pioneering the thing and now you would have so many possibilities with virtual productions, motion detection, Fortnite concerts and what not. But hey, a Jim Henson award for creativity and a guinness world record!
4
Jun 08 2025
Fred Neil
Fred Neil
25/1001. I don't think I've heard about Fred Neil before. I thought this was his debut, but seems like rhe 2nd album. A bit blueay and more folky, psychedelic influences are there, hip and beat vibes all around. I file this to the same category with Tim Buckley, also by rating: I don't mind listening to this, but it didn't really become an instant hit with me either. So a 3.
3
Jun 09 2025
Antichrist Superstar
Marilyn Manson
26/1001. So I have to bury my prejudice and listen to the whole album, ignoring the misogynism, rapes, sadism? As a dj I stopped playing Michael Jackson after seeing Leaving Neverland, should I do the same here? Well I haven't played MM any time nor do I think I ever will. To blame him / band on school shootings is just stupid and childish, but to blame on violence, rape, torture is quite another issue. Somehow I feel rhe Finnish guitarist Andy McCoy's quote fitting here: "you have to watch out what you wish for, you might get it".
To move to the music: yes, it is an angry album, which is partly due to the genre, but somehow close and personal and journal type of angry. To couple this with the brand of the band it is no surprise to see why this touches so many people (and might be misunderstood as a cause for violence in the weaker minds? Well I wouldn't blame it on one band, figure or a fictious character, try e.g. the news + commercials mindfuck done by TV). But it is at parts beautiful, the production remains interesting for most parts of the album with all nitty bitty details scattered to rhe left, right, up and down. I hear Reznor heavily here. Thumbs up always when mac text-to speech sounds are used.
But everything is a bit too much, the energy levels, the voice, the length, the hate and anger. Not my genre by far but it was an interesting listen, but still a 2.
2
Jun 10 2025
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
27/1001. I think I had this - or my sister had it, about 35 years agoโฆ Anyway, most songs are familiar, since I also had tabs for the best of Sabbath and probably still would know most of them by heart on a guitar.
The album must be considered a classic, basically it is one cornerstone in the history of metal. No blues scale really here but riffs and power chords. I wouldnโt call it a masterpiece though, a few easy to forget songs here and there and some jamming. But the sound is tight as ever, 55 years and it sounds as fresh as an ancient graveyard after rain.
4
Jun 11 2025
E.V.O.L.
Sonic Youth
28/1001. The first artist in my list to appear twice, just 5 days between this and the following album Sister, now in wrong order. But I don't mind, been a SY fan for 35 years or so. Interesting to see which albums will be featured in the 1001 list since I think they just kept getting better after these two quite early onesโฆ even the newer albums are unique and continue their sonic experimentation, pop and rock songs, which mash up noise to beautiful melodies and create haunting spirit with an attitude.
Evol contains a few excellent tunes, but for me how it comes out nowadays is how it documents all the base ingredients which later will be polished โ and challenged โ by the band: an introduction to their sonic palette, song writing style, and how they manage to turn a waterfall of mood/sound in to a quiet pond (or vice versa) in one single bear. As with Sister I had forgotten how good this was. I haven't played this that much, even though I have it on my shelf, but then again I don't think I will be playing it any more in the future. There is so much good Sonic Youth albums out there, the selection rarely lands on these two albums. And perhaps even with all the experimentation in sound, melodies, song structure, tunings, noise, you name itโ the problem is that they still sound quite the same, same experimentations from album to album โ at least they make me feel quite the same. (Which is an ok feeling if you didn't read it between the lines already). So no more or less than 4.
4
Jun 12 2025
Rust In Peace
Megadeth
29/1001. Ok, I just listened to Black Sabbath's title album a few titles ago, I'm all set for metal. "Brother will kill brother" are the first lyrics I hear. omg. I'm sure there will be long solos and heavy riffs, slow and fast sections and lot of "my dick is bigger than yours and the world is dying, death will release us all, join me in hell fuck the news". And I'm halfway to the first song. So let's give it a spin and fill in later. My sister in law who is (also) a metal fan always says, that you have to ignore some of the cliches in any one music genre, and especially heavy metal, not let it disturb the music. BUT "They killed my wife and my baby, with hopes to enslave me", seriously, ROFLMAO!" Ignore that you muthas!
Sorry to say, but from the first few riffs you know what the album is about. I didn't sign up for this to get back to the music I left behind already when I was a teenagerโฆok, maybe 16 or 17, but still.
1
Jun 13 2025
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
30/1001. Was it random coincidence or does someone plan these? 2 days after Brian Wilson's death I get this on the plate. What to say? Well let's start with that I've seen the Beach Boys live! That was way back in 1991, at the Dodgers stadium in LA, and I can't say I enjoyed it, it was 4th of July celebration with Patriot missile style fireworks, you know after the Gulf war, which I hated. Didn't stand up for the national anthem (it wasn't my nation anyway). Ever since that year I spent there as an exchange student I've looked America with a crooked eye, what a waste to so much beauty and potential greatness it has become. Can't figure out why my sister wants to live there and stay thereโฆ
But to the music, yes. I do own this cd, but for some reason the Beach boys always sound too beach for me. The unofficial bootlegs of Smile and the final release of Brian Wilson's Smile are great, (I don't think I have actually heard Smiley Smile?) but this one for me is more surf than turf. I'm sure more BB albums are coming up, perhaps some interesting ones. perhaps.
3
Jun 14 2025
Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
31/1001. Bluesy, hippy, raw and the one and only Janis. I already had Surrealistic Pillow on my turntable for this project, and I guess this โ by geographic area and time at least โ could be grouped together. But as Airplane was more varied in their songs, this one is about the ding-a-ling, and for me it just doesn't speak too much. Joplin's solo efforts were more interesting, and started exanding out of the hippie rock scene, but it seems every bit of cough she has ever produced has been put an a 14th extended-great-best-of-mega-box-special-edition collection, which kind of makes me go meh, (similar thing of course has happened to many others with similar fates, take Hendrix or Drake for example). But waiting for Pearl. 2
2
Jun 15 2025
Like Water For Chocolate
Common
33/1001. Another new artist for me, and another positive surprise coming from hip-hop. Funky, soulful, witty... but seems to repeat what's good. In the end the songs blend one to another and not too many stand out. Definitely have to check out some more Common. In the end an album with lines like "From bashful to asshole to international" deserves nothing less than 4.
4
Jun 16 2025
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
34/1001. Shoegaze meets britpop in this classic. Yes, I have it and yes it was important for me at a time ...and still manages to play nicely in most situations it seems (this time mostly in the car and with headphones). So much has been written about this album and the band and the long-waited sequel which I guess was a disappointment for everyone that it is hard to add anything relevant. Somehow this seems to fit right between a musical gap in the history of western pop & rock music, and that is probably the reason it is on this list (and on my shelf). Does this mean I love it? Well not immensely. But I like it.
4
Jun 17 2025
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
35/1001. I love Al Green, but at the same time if this record didn't exist I'm sure I would not think there is something missing from the world. It comes and goes, mostly harmless.
3
Jun 18 2025
Honky Tonk Masquerade
Joe Ely
36/1001. Unknown artist for me, and I can't really claim to be a country music afficionado. By the third song I think I have to get to know the artist and the genre better, but then Jericho drops the mood down, and it just keeps going down. A promising 4 turns to 2 as I walk by the railroad tracks towards the next album.
2
Jun 19 2025
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
32/1001. This probably is the soundtrack of mid 90's for many: the drum patterns, the guitars, the typography and graphic design, the videos, the voice. For me not so much, back then I more or less dissed anything that went top 10. I don't think I ever listened to the whole album before, the hits were pouring in and that was plenty. So, what is revealed after 30 years? Nothing that gets me excited about now either. Yes, some young energy and freshness is there, no fancy overproduced shite, pardon me stuff, like so much of today's music. Songwriting is at times great, I guess the hits are hits for a reason, although the chord progressions are nothing new. But somehow I can't get this out of 1995-96, ghosts of trip-hop drums and grunge guitars apart from the Spice Girls, who were much more fun and still raise a heck on the dance floor when played today. Somehow the album holds through, although I don't see a reason to listen to it again. Perhaps it is just the the amount of distorted guitars of 1995.
3
Jun 20 2025
Django Django
Django Django
37/1001. I started this project to encounter interesting artists like these, which I have missed for once reason or another. Back in 2012 I was probably to busy looking for cool cumbia, scouting through brazil bossa and beats, had a trip or two across african music plateaus, while re-re-visiting electronic 80s obscurities. So, I guess I missed quite a lot what was happening in the indie-/alternative-/ art music scene. Super duper nice that these kinds of things pop up here on this list as well: sonic exploration, adventures in digital production, retroesque harmony arrangements รก la beach boys / Brian Wilson, stereolabish synth grooves, FourTet / Animal Collective sound collages, Tame Impala indie attitude... fun and interesting, I don't mind that song writing is rather simple or that perhaps too many hours have been spent on a computer to create these pieces. I want more!
5
Jun 21 2025
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
38/1001. 2nd Pixies in this list so far, and I guess a few more to come. This one is more raw, and showcase a younger band perhaps still looking for it's place / songwriting style. That said it does sound very Pixies. But something in this doesn't speak to me that much, the songs aren't that good you know?
3
Jun 22 2025
Revolver
Beatles
39/1001. First, and I'm sure not the last, Beatles album hear. And also this happens to be one of my favourites, familiar from my childhood, as mum lived through the Beatle-craze and owned two or three Beatle records (music was expensive back then!). And since they got rid of their record player I got to keep the vinyls :) btw, my grandparents hated "this trash" at that time, but I think they later changed their minds after hearing me listen to heavy metal ;) Anyway, another album full of classic songs only, and the sonic and production experimentation and eastern influences never feel additive. Somehow I think if the hippy movement had ever happened without this album. Taxman and I want to tell you also showcase Harrison's rising talent as a songwriter, which for whatever reason even Lennon & McCartney sometimes criticized (another Harrisong?). So all in all amazing album. Ok, I could live without Yellow Submarine, but for me this is Beatles at their bestles.
5
Jun 23 2025
Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
40/1001. Another "yes I've had it for the last 35 years" albums. So what did this listening reveal? That at least the spotify version had extra song(s?) which just made the whole worse? Let's just ignore that. I got introduced to Jabe's Addiction in LA during my exchange year, but didn't manage to see any of their shows. Either they were sold out or at 18+ places. But they were happening there back then. And for some reason (drugs? Artistic disagreements?) they also lost it quite fast after Ritual de lo Habitual, which in 1990-91 was constantly on my turntable. But slowly this album has grown past it I think, hard to say, they are both great. They really know how to make more delicate and fragile sounding, slowly growing songs. But also the rock-funk-groove and energy is there, with a sound like no other. And after 30-35 years it still sounds fresh as fuck.
5
Jun 24 2025
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
41/1001. Own? Yes. Do I love it? No. I guess I have been buying Bowie albums since every good record collector and music appreciator does. But besides some good songs they are quite a drag to listen to, and this album is one example. I don't know how this repeatedly gets picked to top 100, 50 or even 10 lists, just because of Starman? The playing is lazy, the drummer sounds like he is almost late, the story is sas stupid as Bowies interest in pantomime... for me the highlight this time was It ain't easy - and that turned out to be a cover song. IMHO Bowie is way overrated.
2
Jun 25 2025
Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
42/1001. Own? Yes (a cd though, which kind of seems like a disgrace here). For me, a dj has always been a person, who spent their lives picking on LPs as depicted in the cover, and through that knows some kick ass music history, can introduce some crazy funky beats on top of familiar melodies you almost don't recognize anymore and spices it up with some speech samples. At least I'm like that as a dj :) I don't think mash-ups or bootlegs were yet a too hot thing when this came out, and while most of them are fun they present two of three top pop songs which fit together so nicely that they sound like another pop hit song. A totally different aesthetic is at play here. Crafting new songs out of samples which don't seem to belong together is a rare skill and DJ shadow is the master of it. I highly also recommend to search for the project where someone digged out all the original songs where the samples are from. Actually the word sample doesn't do proper justice here - song building blocks maybe? A classic, a milestone, adventure in modern recording for sure.
5
Jun 26 2025
Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
43/1001. I guess this is the album when Dylan went electric to a huge disappointment to some folk purists. Well boo-hoo. I haven't listened to this one as a whole before - actually haven't listened to any Dylan too much - nor do I think I ever will (well if I finish this project I'm sure a few albums will pop up). But I never realized how punk he was. No wonder they called him an anarchist (in the U.K), "Give the anarchist a cigarette" -quote (especially sang by Chumbawamba) is a classic. But then, it is all about lyrics, isn't it? I don't tend to listen to lyrics too much when I listen to music - the music should speak to itself. Here the music is raw and rough (read: out of tune), which is great, but but still blues- / folk-based. Uncompromising. Boring, as is his voice. Screeching, blasting your ears with a harmonica (why?). Punk. Not much to love in these quite simple and too long songs wothout the lyrics? So mixed feelings here. I liked it more than the Bowie album I just reviewed though - no fake moonage sci-fi pantomime theatre here, but quite an assault, surprised that common people at that time bought it and loved it. But still a mixed 3.
3
Jun 27 2025
To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
44/1001. Own? Yes, although a library sale copy, which I probably played once. I think I got interested in this after hearing King Kunta in a street dance competition. Around the same time short docufeatures about this album (rap albums which shook the world of something like that) came out. But I think only now I listened to the whole piece concentrated. Or at least tried to concentrate - 1h 20 minutes is just too much to take in for this whitey. Not that any of it is bad, but is more really more in this case? Some thoughts : it has a lot of humour, Kendrick would make an excellent guest in the Muppet Show ๐
But at the same time the thing (not only the lyrics) is dead serious. Hard to find such an interesting mix of the two. The groove is there, the message is there, the little I understand as a cis European male. I don't get the use of the N, F or B words in rap music, shouldn't they spell out NFL or better yet NBA? :D
4
Jun 28 2025
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
45/1001. Not all bands went to full psychdelic frenzy in the late 60's. Too bad. This was better than I thought, but as we say in Finnish "pessimisti ei pety".
2
Jun 29 2025
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
46/1001. First I thought it was fresh to hear some progressive rock, but somewhere before the middle all the riffs and changes and extwnded songs were just too much. If they comw up with something interesting one can be sure that they will change quickly in to something else and necer return. Meh.
2
Jun 30 2025
Done By The Forces Of Nature
Jungle Brothers
47/1001. This name didn't really say too much beforehand. Perhaps should take a closer look. Tight stuff and good grooves, filling what ever missing links there might have been between funk and hip-hop. Towards the end of the album it got a bit repetitive for mw, and when the album started over it was clearly time to move on. But still a powerful bash of music.
4
Jul 01 2025
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
48/1001. How come this album is on this list? It doesn't have any hits, the playing is lazy and the sound is boring, singers wank out their frustration to life.
1
Jul 02 2025
Opus Dei
Laibach
50/1001. First I thought this is some joke, kind of like when Gregorians did cover versions of famous pop songs. Ok, this is not a joke, but there is definitely some very very dark humour at play herw. At least I hope there is. Well, of they did the soundtrack to Finnish film Iron Sky that proves this point. But a humor band or a joke album this is not. Beats every wanking brit pop album without question.
4
Jul 03 2025
Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
49/1001. I used to own this a long time ago, and haven't probably listened to this in 30 years. While it has the raw energy of the youth I'm glad they changed from abnoxious teen party hip-hop band in to abnoxious adult I-don't-know-whats-gonna-happen-next -hip-hop band. Their delivery is as fun and crafted as their shouting and voices are annoying.
2
Jul 04 2025
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
51/1001. I am not a big fan of country music but Johnny Cash is an exception and this album is the best live album in the world, period. Anyone not agreeing with this should spend some time in their local prison and wait in vain for such a gig to happen. Love that it includes all the interruptions, booing to the prison staff, hickups and mistakes and stories. The atmosphere is thick with imprisoned joy and anger. I feel this could have lead to a riot.
5
Jul 05 2025
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
52/1001. I do own many Prince LPs, but for some reason have missed this. We'll the catalog is quite immense, right? And with that comes maybe the weakness - no matter how genius one might be, there is no way all the material can be great. For me the music sounds will crafted and I like the way he turns positive what ever limitations there are e.g. in the choice of instrumentation, and also that he doesn't want to let the listener gwt out too easily. But then the problem is that are there any hits, good tunes, memorable songs? Well some, but others just go in one war and out the other, the simplicity-complexity craft not fitting to your brain cells and their patterns. Which is also a positive thing: I'm sure you can listen to this album (as other Prince albums as well) over and over again and discover new things, new favorites, songs you didn't remember were in it. A 3 or 4? I think there will be more Prince here that I'm more familiar of, so only a three here - I didn't discover nothing new really about the man, the myth - the legend.
3
Jul 06 2025
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
53/1001. I think this was the first PJ Harvey album I didn't buy, and first listen didn't revwal much. However, throughout the years this has grown on me an almost on par with the her other classics. But you know some albums mean more to you because they were THE albums at the time, and these newer ones can never reach that something. So I'm waiting for Bring You My Love and Rid Of Me...meanwhile a steong four. Beautiful but indie. Her voice is amazing, fuck Courtney Love.
4
Jul 07 2025
Spiderland
Slint
54/1001. I had no idea what this band or music is about. First few bars remind me of Tortoise, then after the distortion kicks in it feels like a missing link between hard-core and grunge and the American post- rock a la Tortoise et al. And sure enough, reading the band's history, the breadcrumb trail leads from hc to Tortoise. I didn't know this missing link but am glad that it popped up here. There is always new to learn about artists and albums around one's favourite artists, one reason I am doing this project. Meditative, raw, surprising, beautiful, simple, complex, well tuned guitars with new strings creating interesting intervals and harmonies with the bass, Pรคrt of pop suddenly torn to shreds... I love it when music is all these at the same time. Millions of people claiming this is simple and "I could do it without trying" have no clue (and I'm sure they wet their pants over a Nirvana or Ramones record).
5
Jul 08 2025
Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
55/1001. Golden age of hip-hop, classic album, greatest hits of the 80s in this genre. Keep it real and minimal, not illin'
4
Jul 09 2025
Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room
Dwight Yoakam
56/1001. The story so far: we need more hip-hop and less country.
1
Jul 10 2025
Low
David Bowie
57/1001. 2nd Bowie in this list and for the three first songs I thought it was Bowie at his lowest. If avant-garde is synonymous to boring, uninteresting songwriting, songs that are not more than demos, count me out. Thank god Sound and Vision saved that thought, for a moment. Around about the B-side (stupid Spotify doesnโt let me flip the album) the music began to be interesting again, which I credit more to Eno than Bowie โ this might be a wrong thought but perhaps not far from the truth (which is: David Bowie alone is super boring). Well, according to wikipedia: โEno arrived after the backing tracks for side one were "essentially" finished.โ So, for that and Sound and vision, a 3
3
Jul 11 2025
Nowhere
Ride
58/1001. I think I used to own it. But haven't missed it if I sold it. I also recommend listening to only the original LP length, which is 8 songs. That is probably enough shoegaze for mid 2020's for a while. 2 for the nostalgia.
2
Jul 12 2025
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
59/1001. The first Jazz album on this list for me so far, which I hope tells more about the random algorithm which picks the play order, than how much jazz actually is included to the book. C'mon, I've listened to 5,9% of the project already! I'm sure Jazz consistency in the top 1001 albums is at least 14,7%! This said, I can't claim to be a big jazz fan or afficionado, but groovy, funky jazz is just the greatest thing after pickled herrings. And this one also happens to be an album which I own and love. Herbie Hancock is one of the giants, also later merging jazzy stuff to sampling, beats, creating a huge part of the electronic sound of eighties. Here the various synthesizers and their possibilities in combination with more traditional instruments and some kick ass percussion are explored to create an irresistable jazz-funk groove, be it original compositions or a fresh arrangement of old Hancock classic (Watermelon Man). Mindblowing stuff, the importance and greatness of this album only grows over time. Glad also to notice the year the album was made, good vintage (I might be biased about that though).
5
Jul 13 2025
Pyromania
Def Leppard
60/1001. File under hard rock. I don't know a situation where I would voluntary listen to this album. Wait a minute, I just did? What was the purpose of this project: to expand musical horizons, to go out of one's comfort zone? Was it worth it? No, not really.
1
Jul 14 2025
Odelay
Beck
61/1001. After sauna grillaamista (barbecue), next to the outdoor fireplace which is falling apart, made out of an unused concrete well ring (tai mitรค vittuja kaivonrenkaat englanniksi ovatkaan), sun is shining even though it is near midnight (yay Inari!), Beck's Odelay is playing. What a time to be alive!
5
Jul 15 2025
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
62/1001. Based on my idea and empirical in-the-field test I let chatgpt write this review:
We listened to Hybrid Theory while frantically searching for a toilet for our son, who was in the throes of a full-blown poop crisis. As the album raged on, so did the urgency. The tension built track by track โ One Step Closer indeed โ but when we finally reached the bathroom, the anticipated catharsis refused to come.
Much like our sonโs bowels, the album struggled to deliver. Loud, angsty, and emotionally overwrought, Hybrid Theory blends rap, metal, and teen turmoil into a sonic hybrid that often feels more engineered than sincere. As a musical experiment, it fuses emotional intensity with the slick, compressed production of early-2000s nu-metal โ not always successfully.
In the end, this odd combination of parental panic, gastrointestinal suspense, and sonic angst is the only hybrid theory I truly found in the album.
2
Jul 16 2025
Safe As Milk
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
63/1001. While I am a big fan of experimental music, and have been listening to Beefheart albums for a long time, in Safe as Milk there is much still yet to emerge out from the traditional blues / rock / pop mold. Using weird instruments or funny (ok, you can call it everchanging) voice with mostly quite traditional song structures and chord progressions doesn't really make this much different from a comedy album. Better stuff to come, hope also in this list.
3
Jul 17 2025
The La's
The La's
64/1001. File under "missed when it came out which is too bad I would have enjoyed it quite a lot sounds quite nice but it might be too late to fall in love with this band anymore definitely worth a few more listens sounds like Britpop of the 90s which it is rather than timeless I don't have anything against the bassist James Joyce's skills but I still prefer his books". Or did I write this kind of review already?
4
Jul 18 2025
Ramones
Ramones
65/1001.
Repetitive. Repetitive. Repetitive.
And the punk who I stole this line from, and gave a 1 couldn't even spell, so I must be right.
5
Jul 19 2025
Debut
Bjรถrk
66/1001. Loved it when it came out, but now seems a bit aged. Hope more Bjรถrk to pop up.
4
Jul 20 2025
Roger the Engineer
The Yardbirds
67/1001. Don't know too much about the Yardbirds except that Clapton, Page and Beck all were guitarists at some point, and that this is the album my sister had and we jammed along with it in the late 80's. Good feeling and quite a fun album for.mw then. Next.
4
Jul 21 2025
Heroes to Zeros
The Beta Band
68/1001. Ahhh, The Beta band. There are bands (and albums) which sound super good and interesting, and when they are over, one forgets them instantly. This is what happens with me with the Beta band. Repeat listens might help, then again, should I bother?
3
Jul 22 2025
Tommy
The Who
69/1001. We all love how the Who brought art and rock together as so called "rock operas" in concept albums. We all hate how the Who brought art and rock together as so called "rock operas" in concept albums.
For me this one leans a bit more on the love side, it is 69 (year and my 69th generated album) after all. And I remember Tina Turner kick ass as the acid queen in the film version, plus they are calling my name. I might imagine buying this LP.
4
Jul 23 2025
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
70/1001. Another Lamar for me, tpab was first, so this is sort of in the wrong order. This definitely is an album that would need more listens. But the problem is that I don't really listen to this kind of music. Nor that I wouldn't want to, but there is just too much beyatch to get over.
3
Jul 24 2025
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
71/1001. I guess this not a coincidence that the album is in my plate the day after Ozzy left us, or is it? A secret war pigs algorithm which puts forward recently deceased artists albums? What are the odds, same as the betting ratio between Iron man vs. Jack the Stripper? Is this a message from an electric funeral in a planet caravan? Hand of doom preparing some rat salad? I think I am paranoid.
5
Jul 25 2025
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
72/1001. I saw the movie 24 hour party people and ecer since have tried to find a good, danceable, party song by the Happy Mondays, but never succeeded. Most of their stuff just floats around, which I guess is their thing. In the end it all feels mediocre.
3
Jul 26 2025
Parallel Lines
Blondie
73/1001. There are those albums, which you love and own,but which you donโt listen that much. And then there are those, which you own and love and listen to over and over again. This is one of those latter albums.
5
Jul 27 2025
The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monรกe
74/1001. Before listening I had no idea what this was. After listening I have no idea what this was.
5
Jul 28 2025
Let's Get Killed
David Holmes
75/1001. This I think I have, but I don't know why. The name keeps popping up and the sounds remind of an era but nothing seems to stand out. After half a day of listening I can't recall anything that was in it and don't want or need to go back.
2
Jul 29 2025
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
76/1001.
Is this album a lot of fun?
- He'll yeah.
Would you consider this to be one of the 1000 masterpieces of popular music?
-...
3
Jul 30 2025
Tank Battles
Dagmar Krause
77/1001. Used the YouTuble playlist. I'm a fan of weill/brech and this clearly falls in to the same category. I've xome across Krause in Willners superb Lost in the Stars album (also check out the September Songs movie!) compilation. To file this under agit pop or protest songs is a major mistake. The voice and the production is amazing, and the songwriting is great. 26 songs is a lot, but over all this collection of 1001 great album needs more divergence like this one.
5
Jul 31 2025
The Poet
Bobby Womack
78/1001.
To quote Hitchhiker's Guide to tje Galaxy: mostly harmless.
3
Aug 01 2025
Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai
79/1001. I saw Jamiroquai about 25 years ago, back in 1999 in Helsinki. Red Hot Chili Peppers played the next day at the same place but we chose this gig instead (couldn't afford both as poor students you know). The gig was good and fun, but still I think that perhaps we should have picked RHCP. Well, it seems they are still in business so perhaps it's not too late... My favourite album from J-roquai is Synkronized, this one is a bit too Stevie Wonder pastusche. Well aren't they all? But good grooving and solid tunes.
4
Aug 02 2025
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
80/1001. Definitely my favourite R.E.M. album. I'm sure I haven't heard them all but enough to make this stand out from the others. I love the instrumentals, the slowly swirling low guitars which fit / complement Michael Stipe's voice perfectly, the minimalism, the droning synth and guitars. Excellent tunes all over, and even radio hits. Another one of those timeless albums for me which I can (and have done countless of times over about 30 years) put on and cjill.
5
Aug 03 2025
Life's Too Good
The Sugarcubes
81/1001. Although Bjรถrk at some point was a sort of a goddess a la Kate Bush for me, I never digged too deep to her earlier production. Well Gling-glo yes and some sugarcubes, but they were not so interesting. Listening to Sugacubes debut arises mixed feelings: on the other hand it is energetic, on the other the music isn't too innovative. Bjรถrk's singing is an instrument on it's own, the comes Einar with his crappy output. I don't know if they wanted to create an unmatched pair for a reason, but that's what we hear. Our perhaps they all were to good friends to tell him not to sing. Or most likely just so punk that they wanted to have the shitty output and poor mixing as part of rhe show. Well it is raw and rough, and somehow part of the attraction of it - otherwise it sounds more dated than late 80's in general. But come on, looking back: the band was angry that all the media focused on Bjรถrk - well what the fuck else is there to focus on? 3 stars +1 for the supernova called Bjรถrk.
Btw. i've performed on stage while Bjรถrk was in the audience at the Reykjavรญk city theatre (as a host, not as a musician). God damn you crazy s.l.a.t.u.r. people, or perhaps thanks for not telling me beforehand. I love you all.
4
Aug 04 2025
16 Lovers Lane
The Go-Betweens
82/1001. Now I know where to turn to if I need slightly more obscure than average love songs, which sounds like a criticism, which is not true (necessarily). Looking from the bottom of the lake, the light still reaches this album, but it is a shitty place to listen to music.
3
Aug 05 2025
Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
83/1001. The oldest album at least by a decade. Well they didn't really make albums innthe fifties, right? In the beginning the weird speeches interrupted the good mood and at some point I got bored, but then I put in the headphones and the band started to play for me. Crazy energy and vibes from 70 years ago. Some licks and talented musicians, the recording quality of a gig is what it is, it is 1956 for god's sake. I had some kind of extended version which started putting out some outtakes after the gig finished, and just had to stop. It was good enough already.
4
Aug 06 2025
Pictures At An Exhibition
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
84/1001. "The album continues to evoke a highly divided reaction among critics." I think I used to own this and even listen to this. Now I don't really see why. A lot of the early electronic stuff is really boring โย there are some interesting sonical experiment things done for sure in radio workshops and by some pioneers, with buchla and tapeloops and all sorts of weird machines, but using a moog to recreate classical music is nowadays imho was and is mistake. Sorry Walter / Wendy Carlos, sorry ELP. I guess this album has created highly divided reactions even within me. There is some groove going on at places and some beautiful moments, so a 2.
2
Aug 09 2025
One World
John Martyn
85/1001. The following might include some hallucinations:
"Hey chatgpt + music generator, can you create an imaginary artist? He should be a British folk singer/songwriter with a deep and rough voice, incorporates jazz and early electronic elements on his music a bit like pink floyd and progressive rock. I'd like to get a name, short bio and an album from the later part of 1970's"
"What an interesting and inspiring combination. Let's create an experimental folk artist which takes folk music beyond Davy Graham, The Pentangle and John Fahey.
The artist John Martyn started in the British folk scene in the 1960's, but after befriending BBC radio electronic experimentation lab people and listening to early American psychedelic rock, especially the more experimental section of it, quickly realised his true potential would be combining jazz and electronic music to more traditional folk tunes. His records from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s document the process very well. His masterpiece album "One World" from 1977 was hailed by the critics but failed commercially. Instead of glueing very different styles together, it singlehandedly seemed to define a whole new genre.
The new version of ChatGPT can also generate this album for you, would you like to listen to it?"
"Yes, please"
5
Aug 10 2025
Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
86/1001. This album (and the band behind it) is a living proof that humans with penguin heads do exist and that they make interesting, odd but gentle music. I've known it for the last 30 years since I've owned this album and a few others, and cannot rate this lower than 5, otherwise the hatrded of these demigods will be upon us, they'll curse us, making us unable to incorporate ukuleles on pop / jazz / folk / rock / soul / easy listening music ever again (they will be allowed only on musical albums which contain sampled tape loops of telephone ringing tones).
5
Aug 11 2025
Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
87/1001. Interesting. Starts up as a gangsta rap album with a very angry inside reporter from the drug scene, has soul / rnb love songs and skits about domestic violence and ends up with a very angry inside reporter from the drug scene. Wasn't boring to say the least, but as for me - the closest to a bar...was that ballet class? - I don't know if there is a place and time when and where this music would speak to me. Perhaps if and when I want to be evil.
3