1001 Albums Summary

I don't like Hard-Rock, I don't like Live Albums, I don't like double Albums. But well, here we are for my first album. What makes this acceptable for me are two things: First, Thin Lizzy can write songs. Jailbreak or Southbound for example are catchy as hell. Second, Phil Lynott has a voice I enjoy very much. On the downside, it's to much riffing and soloing for me. Also, I could do without the rockstar pathos. Still, I definitely can see why people enjoy this. I would not put this record on at home, but if a friend played it, I would not object. I might even tap my leg a little bit.

Listened to before: Yes This Album always sounded more like a compilation than an actual album to me. I like a lot of it's ingredients, but as a whole it never worked for me as well as one would expect. I can't even say why. Perhaps the 70s harmonising vocal style is not for me. Helpless is one of my favourite Neil Young Songs, apart from that I enjoy side B more than side A. Rating: 3.5 Stars

Listened to this before: No To my shame I have never heard the name Louis Prima before. But I'm trying to get into jazz currently, so that's a plus. This album is fun, fun, fun. Prima seems like the born entertainer, the band is tight, the recording sounds perfect. But sadly there is only so much fun that I can stand at a time, so the album won't make it into my collection. I know, that's nothing I can blame on the artist, but still I can't go with a higher rating for me

Listened to before: No This is just wonderfully produced and who could ever resist Q-Tips rapping? I like how the album incorporates large portions of soul and jazz, without compromising on it's Hip-Hop roots. Rating: 4.5

Listened to before: No Before this album I only knew the song respect. And while I knew it is considered a classic I never really enjoyed it. Not that I didn't like it, it just did not click with me. I could never say why that was. Guess what, for the album: It has the smae effect for me. Obviously Aretha Franklin is a fantastic singer, but somehow her music does not reach my feelings. Probably my fault, not hers. I enjoy some parts here, like the beginning of Drowning in my tears or the brass in Soul Serenade. But as a whole I get nothing out of this album. Things I can point out: The singing is a bit much for me, I like a more toned down approach. Also the recording could be more polished and clear. But still, it is probably just the style of music that is preventing me from liking this album. As sorry as I am: Rating 2.5

Listened to before: Partially I tried, I promise. Every few years I try to listen to PE, because I know of their musical and political significance. But they are not for me. I find their music exhausting and that does not seem to change with multiple spins. Sorry PE

Listened to before: No I did not expect to like this album as much as I did. I'm not a big fan of metal, and rap-rock has a thing to age poorly. But this album has energy and good melodies. Sadly, I am not a fan of Pattons voice, which blocks this from getting a higher rating. My highlights are the first three tracks and Woodpecker from Mars.

Listened to before: No I think I knew the name before, but not what sound Gray made. The hype must have passed me by, at it's time. With the first track Please Forgive Me, I got interested. Minimal piano chords and a nice breakbeat make a fine introduction into a very good song - A highlight. But after that it goes downhill for me. The further Gray moves away from gentle electronica into acoustic soft rock the less interestet I get. And that is not because I don't like acoustic sound. There just does not seem anything to be there that catches me. I enjoy Grays voice at some points, but often he moves towards a Dyland impression - At these time I can't stand his voice. I know it is easy to hate on this kind of music. I don't want to do that: It has it's purpose and I find it listenable enough to sympathise with it. But I wob't play it on repeat, as it does not touch me. And if it does not touch me, there is nothing much left in this kind of music.

Listened to before: Yes Yes, this is a nice little gem, on which I return to at least every few years. Did it change music forever? Probably not. Am I glad that it exists? Absolutely. The more well known songs like Drop The Pressure and the title track send a wring lead as the album is actually quite smooth and works very well if you listen to it from start to finish. Favourite deep cut: Rikki. Rating: 4.5

Listened to before: Yes I've still got 991 Albums in front of me. But I would be very surprised if this were not in my top 5 at the end. Every praise you hear about this album is true.

Listened to before: No I love the energy of this album, which sounds pretty unique to me. From second one on it is an exciting ride on a powerfull wall of sound. For me, more songs could have gotten an individual spin. Also sometimes it is a little bit too muscular/rock-n-rolly, if that makes sense. Still, I enjoyed listening a lot

Listened to before: No I enjoyed this album. I always wanted to listen to the Roots, now I finally managed to. I knew The Seed 2.0 which is one of these magical tracks, that just are outstanding. The rest of the album is good to, but there are two things that prevent it from getting 5 stars. First, it is a little to long and incoherent for my taste. Second, the sound seems to be a little messy sometimes. That is probably a creative decision, but still keeps me fron liking the album more. Still: Well worth a listen

Ah, yes. When I started this project I expected to get Led Zeppelin every other day - but it lasted until Album 13 until I got to them. Here's the thing: I can fully understand the appeal of the band, but I do nit like their music very much. I can listen to them without screaming and some songs are quite good. But I would never put one of their records on voluntarily. Physical Graffiti strengthens my perspective of the band. Of course it has a massive energy and great guitar work. On the other hand, how can anyone stand the voice of Jimmy Page? It is a mystery to me. Moreover my dislikes for blues-rock (Especially when it just reworks blues songs, as in In My Time Of Dying) and the rockstar pose make this album not for me. My favourite song here: Kashmir, obviously. It's powerful and really unique in it's sound. Some other songs work for me, like Down By The Seaside and Ten Years Gone. Basically everything that ommits the grandiose stadium rock gestures. Funnily, I do not mind about PG being a double album, even though generally I do not like these very much. The album keeps up it's quality until the end of side 3. After that it get's weaker ( With the exception of The Wanton Song, which has interesting guitar work) So, yes: I can understand why this is in the list, it just is not for me.

Listened to before: No For a long time I wanted to listen to The Jam, now I finally got to do that. From my perspective this is a solid album, without being remarkable. It has quite a few bops, that I added to playlists, but I don't think the full album will get many more spins. But let us talk about English Rose: This is the absolute standout track - a magical little love song that hits me directly in the feels. In total I am exactly between 3 and 4 stars (3.5 obviously). Going to be friendly and hit the four stars button

Listened to before: No Somehow I always believed The Human League were a second class runners up band of the 80s, but somehow I was wrong. This is a perfectly produced synth pop album of which almost every sojg could have been a single (and probably was). Emotionally something's missing for me, so just 4 stars. But this album deserves a listen.

Listened to before: No How do you even approach this album? I find it fascinating, but I don't enjoy it. Is enjoyment even what this album is about? Probably not. Do I get most of it by listening to it from start to finish? Now, that's a tiring experience. But taking songs out of it would tear it apart. Kollaps has a flow, a structure - even bringing in slight elements of melody towards the second half. Seeing EN live around that time must have been an exciting experience. My thoughts are unstructured. I don't think, I will listen to Kollaps a lot, mainly because I don't know how. But it is well worth beeing on this list, and I am glad that I gave it a try.

Listened to before: Yes Genesis are my favourite 70s prog band. There are two things that play into this: First, Peter Gabriel - His performance and his humour set the band apart from their peers. Second, Genesis consists of a bunch of musicians that play their instruments impressingly - but it never sounds like they are showing off, lile with some other bands. The four album run from Nursery Cryme to The Lamb is immaculate, with Foxtrot being my favourite. Selling England is great to. It might have some lengths towards the end, but that's just nitpicking

Listened to before: No I am rarely in the mood for Rock & roll/R&B. But when I am: Fats Domino seems like the right choice. (Rating: 3.5)

Listened to before: No Great production, absolutely danceable - There's just not much reason to listen to this outside of a disco.

Listened to before: No Yes! This is what I came for. I knew the name 808 state but probably never would have checked them out, without this project. I don't do drugs, so I am still figuring out how to get the best effect from this album: By taking a run through the forest at dawn? By lying in the gras and starring blankly into the sky? While not being an ambient album, I still feel 90 has the ability of resonating with your surroundings. And even though I have not found the best way to listen, I still think this album is great. Might sound a little dated on the first listen, but for me this weared of after a few listens. The combination of electronics and more organic sounds works really well and the flow and pacing are just immaculate.

Listened to before: No Ok, this was my exact thought process: -I have never heard of this band -The cover looks like synth-pop -Maybe with a little post-punk or goth in the mix -Yes, that is exactly how it sounds -Wait, is this an instrumental album? -Please don't let it be an instrumental album! -Please let it be an instrumental album! -Oh, now they are singing -They definitely must like David Bowie -It sounds like if Sparks and 1977s Bowie collaborated -Maybe with fewer hooks and less humour -It is synth-pop, I demand more hooks!!! -Am I being basic, by demanding more hooks? -On the other hand, I like that it is a bit unwieldy -Am I tricking myself into liking the album? -I need a second run -The stories about the recording process put me off -Is this just famous because they've got popular friends? -Some parts are catchy, though -I would probably not buy the record, if I found it at a second hand shop -I still don't know what to make of this -I'll give the album 2.5 stars -I hope this won't grow on me, or my rating will be horribly wrong

I'm not

Listened to before: Yes Sometimes it is difficult to put personal taste into a rating. There are albums with obvious weaknesses. There are albums that are well made and which I respect, but they are not my cup of tea. And there are albums like Doggystyle, which are well made, which I respect and which should be my cup of tea. But just aren't. And I don't know why. The production here is magnificent and Snoop is a fantastic performer (although I could go without the misogyny). It just does not click fully. Rating: Thrizzle point fizzle stars

Listened to before: Once Finally my first country album - and, boy, I do not like country. But: Golden Hour leans as much into pop territory as it possibly can. I heard the album once a few years ago, without me remembering any of it. And so I was pleasantly surprised that I could actually enjoy it: Golden Hour is a collection of nice little songs, without much depth, but with catchy melodies and a nice vibe. The instrumentation is interesting and every so often we get nice little instrumental hooks, like on Butterfly or Wonder Woman. Which is why I listened to the album more often, than I had expected to.

Listened to before: No At the beginning, I decided to give fully subjective ratings. Does an album work for me personally or not? Otherwise I might have given Jorge Ben a higher rating. Incredibly well made and catchy music, but it's not for me. I always feel bad dismissing non-western music like that and I am glad, that I got to learn about Jorge Ben through this project. But in the end it is not my jam. Rating: 2.5 stars

Listened to before: No I I had bought this album in 1981 beacause I heard Tainted Love on the radio, I would have been disappointed. TL, as the banger it obviously is, does not represent the album at all. Imagine it more as if Eric Idle recorded a sexclub-themed Synth-Album (and I mean this in the most positive way). NSEC is quirky, it is unhinged, it is fun. I particularly enjoy the run from Entertain Me to Bedsit. From todays perspective some sounds feel a little dated and not every song slaps - Still, this is an album that I enjoyed a lot and will listen to again.

Listened to before: Yes While, I prefer the sample-heavy sound of Paul's Boutique over the dry, minimalist sound of LTI, the Beastie Boys are the Beastie Boys. So: Entertaining, unique and powerful

Listened to before: No Granted, this mix of post-punk, metal and industrial sounds very unique, even today. In 1980 this must have been highly innovative. Also I love Jaz Coleman's dialect and the cover is fantastic. But sadly, that's were it ends. The songwriting does not work for me and it is just not my sound. Sorry, but pass