1001 Albums Summary

Pretty good, strong first half but not overly memorable

Strong 8 Love most of the songs, love the tongue and cheek commentary on post war England and the Monarchy. A few of the songs felt annoying at first but I've come around to enjoy them for that reason

7/10 Pretty good, some songs better than others. I like the pacing of this album

This album is pretty great, particularly love the noodlie jams on the longer tracks. Gotta be in the right mood to listen to Neil young sing but. 7/10

Whilst this album is iconic and incredibly influential, i personally don't enjoy it all that much. Gang violence, drugs, poor treatment of women and police brutality were all a reality for the people on this album but i don't feel those things were portrayed in a way that's remained as fulfilling as it once would have been. In my opinion this album is more about bragging over beats rather than painting a picture of life in Compton for young African American men. Compare this album to 'Ready to Die' by Biggie Smalls and then differences in terms of instrumental variety and lyrical depth are night and day. Most tracks feel the same, continuing for 4 minutes with little development, there are a few standouts though. Fav tracks - The Chronic (intro) - The Day The Fellas Took Over - Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat - Lyrical Gangbang (gross name though) - The Roach (The Chronic Outro) 3/10

To me, this album is a bland, forgettable, relic of the past. I'm sure it was a hit during it's day but i don't think it has aged well at all. The vast majority of the album sounds like a fever dream/desperate attempt to create a memorable 80s banger about love. The songs went in one ear and out the other. The only decent track is Love the Fever(being generous here), thanks to the catchy synth lick during the chorus. Other than that, i can't recall a single lyric, riff, motif, or lick off of this album. Wet noodle Neutered dog Stale bread An absolute bore to listen to Hated it Fav tracks: - Love the Fever 1/5 (i would give it 0 if i had the option)

Damn these white boys like to sing, huh? I like this album, it's a pleasant listen. It's very of its time which is both a positive and a negative. Some 60s stylistic choices aren't my cup of tea all of the time (big focus on beach boys esq group vocals) but I'd be knit picking if i was to say that's a massive issue. Most tracks are very breezy, perhaps to their detriment as they teeter on the border of being forgettable. I also appreciate this album as a time capsule for the origins of psychedelic rock. You can really hear the building blocks of the genre. I enjoyed this listen but don't think i will be returning very often.

It would be easy to pass over this album after a first listen and not think much of it because of its amateur sound but i think that's its best quality. This album sounds like an average guy went and bought some second hand music equipment to have a crack at making a couple of tunes about what's going on around him. These songs are brought to life by Mike's lyrical abilities. On the surface these songs seem to be amateur grime beats focusing on girls he fancies, trouble returning a dvd and a broken tv but really he's exploring deeper themes of relationship issues, addiction, self deprecation and personal growth. All strung together with witty, dry lyrics and packaged up as tracks about an average English lads experience in life. Furthermore, Mike's ability to weave the narratives of this story into individual tracks whilst maintaining a sense of flow, only speaks to his genius as a song writer. This album is so bad, it's good, but the "bad" element of it is really just a disguise for a well crafted, sonically appropriate record. Enjoyed it very much, even made me laugh aloud a couple times: Fav tracks: - It Was Supposed to Be so Easy - Blinded by the Lights - Get Out of My House - Fit but You Know It - What Is He Thinking? - Empty Cans

I like this album a lot. For a run time of 74 minutes, it feels like it flies by. The beats are crafted and mixed incredibly well. I love how lush the synths are and how the reverb/delay on the drums adds lots of depth and space. The beats are repetitive but you end up hypnotised by them rather then getting bored. Would make a great soundtrack to a 90s documentary about sea life (particularly dolphins) Fav tracks: - All

For me this album exists on a spectrum. At one end you have catchy 60s esq rock and roll, down the other end you have Bluesman impersonations that sound like any average white dude trying to sing along to 'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong. I think this spectrum raises a lot of questions for me. - What does it mean to take inspiration from other peoples cultures? Particularly people of colour. - What does it mean to take inspirations from other peoples cultures in the 60s? - How should we respond to this sort of art from the past? and how should that inform our response to it in the future? - Where and how do we define the lines of who can take influence from who? If we draw these lines how much art will be lost or never created? and what are the implications of that? - How do we define what's taken out of love and appreciation for a sound/culture? and what's taken with spite? Whilst i don't have all the answers, i do personally believe we need to be aware of the origins of music like this and ensure if we listen to it, make it, or whatever, we need to have/show appreciation for its roots. I also think condemning taking influence from other cultures is no way forward. In the 60s when bands like The Who clearly rip from the blues, condemnation is valid, but at what point does that response start coming from a place of trauma? When do we grow beyond it and embrace the cross pollination of art and culture? Where do we draw the lines? Maybe it's not for me to say. Ultimately, i think the vast majority of songs on this album sound fantastic, the riffs are catchy, the singing is great (mostly) and the pace/energy is captivating, Whilst all that is true, i believe we'd be doing ourselves a disservice to not take into account the broader implications of how music like this came to be and what that means for art/music in the future.

I really enjoyed this album. I was aware of it from when Kanye sampled 'human' in 2016, but I'm glad I hadn't fully listened to it until now. It's very cinematic, sounding like the backdrop to a film noir thriller about a evil female protagonist, cross sci fi mystery, cross evil circus?. The songs are hauntingly beautiful, featuring operatic singing, classical instrumentation and weird weird ear candy. What a pleasure to listen to, favourite album so far. Fav tracks - All

This album is pretty good. A lot of quite unique instrumental parts. I think a lot of music from previous decades can sound very dated or stuck in it’s time but this albums unique instrumentation helps it retain its edge. Unique arrangements over 12 bar blues, interesting guitar tones, weird instruments. It also feels like it straddles the line between tight and sloppy, feeling as if it can fall apart at any moment. I’ve definitely heard records that heavily incorporate the blues and are an absolute slog to get through but I feel this one manages to cut through. Some stinkers in there for sure but overall the tracks are pretty good Fav tracks: - Happening Ten Years Time Ago - Psycho Daisies - Lost Women - Over Under Sideways Down - The Nazz Are Blue - Hot House of Omagararshid - He’s Always There (Pussy Cat dolls stole this riff too lol)

Right, it’s either a crazy fkn coincidence that todays album is a Brian Wilson solo record, or whoever is generating the list is paying their respects by making everyone listen to his work. Either way, R.I.P Brian Wilson, my thoughts are with your family. Upon first listen, I really didn’t like this album. I felt the group vocals were blown out, I felt the instrumentation was goofy and the lead vocal sounded like that cursed cover of ‘Winter wonderland’ by Ozzy Osbourne. Then I put my headphones on for a second listen and my God, this album is great and such a fun listen I foolishly listened to this album in the car for the first time but this album comes to life with a good set of headphones. The mix is incredible, with different instruments and voices jumping out at you from every angle. Initially the songs sounded too silly for my liking but their character and charm has certainly grown on me upon second listen. I don’t love every song but most are great. In mono, not a good listen In stereo, great album

This album is nice. Sufjan's song writing is incredible, each track is very emotionally potent. I also really love his use of time signatures, there's lots of unpredictability which keeps the tracks feeling fresh over there 73 minute run time. A few of the instrumental tracks i could take or leave but over all, great album

What an honest rock record. This thing sounds like shit but in all the right ways. Hissy production, trashy guitars, raw vocals and crazed lyrics. A very cathartic listen!

I’m glad an album like this is included on the list as it’s likely not something I would have come across without it I haven’t translated and read into the lyrics but the impression I’m getting is this is some sort of anti (or pro?)war related, industrial, national pride album. I’m not quite sure but these sounds definitely suit that vibe. This album has a strong first half, I’m a big fan of the guitar work on a few of the tracks. Unfortunately the tracks book ending the album feel like half baked ideas that don’t go anywhere. Would of loved if this thing finished as strong as it started. Very unlikely to return to this but it was a fun listen Fav tracks: - Leben heisst leben - Geburt einer Nation - Leben: Tod - Opus Dei - Trans-National - How the West Was Won Worst tracks: - The Great Seal - Herz-Felde - Jägerspiel - Koza (Skin) - Krst (Baptism)

Wow, wow, wow, painful listen…. First of all, Iggy pops singing is pretty insufferable. I’m quite broad with what I consider appropriate singing but there are so many moments on this album that remind me of the trash you come across on Instagram reels. Instrumentally this thing is pretty bland too, and the mix is terrible. I listened to the 2023 Iggy pop mix where I think he must’ve been gacked out his mind when remastering this album. The music is muddy and his voice is way too loud on a few tracks. There are a few instrumental elements which I enjoy, the left panned xylophone mirroring the guitar on Penetration is a nice touch (although ruined by Iggy having a nashing fit on the mic). Also the descending chromatic riff on I Need Somebody. If this album does anything for me, it’s prove that making sloppy, noisy music sound good is a lot harder than it seems. Fav tracks - Penetration Worst tracks - everything else…

This album is quite the mixed bag. A lot of great tracks and a lot of real stinkers too. Things feel very Abbey Road, with a lot of different attempts at experimental tracks. Some pay off, some don’t Fav tracks - I’d like that - Easter theatre - knights in shining karma - frivolous tonight - fruit nut Worst tracks - green man - your dictionary

Instrumentally I love everything about this album, especially those sour guitars drenched in chorus. I wonder if they were a big influence for Dry Cleaning The singing really ruins this album for me. It’s very blondie Esq, not sure if there’s a name for this style but I’m not a fan of it. Very dramatic and annoying. I really really like the instrumentals but I’ve got to give it a three for those vocals, can’t stand them. Fav tracks - Spellbound - Into the light - Arabian Knights - Halloween - Monitor - Sin in my heart - Head cut Worst tracks - Voodoo dolly

Can’t knock this one, a charming country record. Not my cup of tea but there isn’t really anything to fault, the tracks are catchy and still fresh despite their age. Fav tracks - All

Ehhh it's okay but it could be way better. Sonically, i like the tones and general vibe of the album but I feel a lot of these tracks could do with more development or differentiation from each other. Although they're groovy, some of the tracks linger around without really going anywhere Also, the lead guitarist is overplaying to compensate for this lack of development in my opinion. The bends they do with this tone aren't very pleasant either, sounds like he's fighting the guitar, in a bad way. Funky and unoffensive but a bit boring. Would do great in a new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie... Fav tracks - Le Freak Worst track - Chic Cheer - savoir faire

This one is very beep and boopy. I like most of the tracks. There’s plenty of variety on this one Fav tracks - Forever - Sad but true - Crash and carry on - Science Friction - Are we here? Worst track - I Wish I Had Duck Feet

Good album but I don’t think there should be live albums on this list. Plenty of albums should make the cut over any live album.

Not a fan of this one. I can’t stand the dramatic performative nature of 80s music at the best of times, let alone when it’s as washed up and forgettable as this. The songs are so forgettable, instrumentals are bland but my biggest issue is the singing. Every lyric is delivered with this smug swagger but is completely mumbled. The things she’s singing about don’t make any sense or you can’t make them out at all. Her singing is really unplesant Brass is Pocket is arguably the only good song but it’s floating in a pool of shit which really brings It down. Fav tracks - Brass in Pocket Worst track - The Phone Call ( seriously what the fuck)

This album has the same vibe as a lot of ‘essential’ indie music from the early 2010s. This album was okay, It’s not my usual cup of tea as I’m not the biggest fan of this type of synth pop. I think even though there’s variation between the tracks, their foundation is still all synths and a driving, boom clap drum beat, it gets a bit stale once you’re about half way through. There are some highlights, I like the glitchy vocal sample on Gun and the atmosphere and distortion on You Caught The Light is nice too. Fav tracks - Gun - You Caught The Light

Fantastic album, weird, interesting. Some of the tracks on here aren’t exactly tracks but they’re still odd enough to be enjoyable to listen to. Exactly what you’d expect by putting these two together. My cup of tea. Fav tracks: - All

Ehhh this album is alright, I feel there’s a lot of energy and noise, but something about these songs feels very shallow to me. I don’t think a lot is being said. Given the punk nature of the album I feel I should enjoy it but it just feels like another performative record from the 80s that has all the bells and whistles but lacks depth. Few decent tracks but not loving it overall Fav tracks - I Will Dare - Worst tracks - Unsatisfied (the singing sounds like Puddle of Muds cover of about a girl) - Answering machine -

I've got a lot of love for this album, as many do. I haven't listened to it in a couple of years so it was a pleasure to return to it. The track list is incredibly solid. Witty, arrogant, emotional, angry, each track explores varying aspects of Kanye's psyche, extrapolating them to their limits. Greed on Monster Self awareness and vulnerability on Runaway Lust on Devil In A New Dress etc etc Even without the context surrounding Kanye at the time of this albums release, the songs still hold up as time goes on. The only thing i don't enjoy about this album is the annoying outro on Blame Game by Chris Rock, it's a bit much. Other than that, an incredible album, shame about his disgraced legacy Fav tracks - All except the end of blame game

Incredible album, huge fan of this one. Great singing, interesting songs, that iron man reinterpretation is awesome. This is the sort of album you hope to discover from a list like this!

Always been a lover of the beastie boys but never listened to this album. Fuck it’s good, front to back banging tunes, the heavy use of effects add so much stank to all the tracks. Something about the smart ass tongue and cheek lyrics against booming funk instrumentals, my god, best shit ever…

Ehhh I don’t like this album. None of the songs are offensively bad but they’re boring and forgettable. Any instrumental highlight is often ruined by the singing (which I know is a hot take to dislike). I find its alright at the best of times and grading at the worst. The instrumentals are bland and don’t hit hard, idk they’re just kinda lifeless. I'm sure this album would of hit hard in the day but it's completely lost it's edge as time has gone on, everything lacks a real punch. It just doesn’t resonate with me. This album is a bore for the most part with a few interesting moments sprinkled throughout. Fav tracks - Man on the moon - Ignoreland Worst tracks - Drive - Night Swimming

I don’t think this is a bad album but it’s not my cup of tea.

I would love to hear the justification as to why an album like this has made its way onto 1001 albums i need to hear before i die. I needed to hear this before i die, really? I need to hear insufferable singing that is the vocal equivalent to being dragged over hot coals? Every word is so unconvincing and aimless. I need to hear a F tier level of generic 90's rock? And why is this thing so damn long? I only listened to disc one, which was enough of a challenge, you can forget about enduring remixes and left over tracks. I don't dislike this album because it's bad, i dislike it because it's bad and we're memorialising it on a list like this. So many other albums deserve this spot, not this bloated piece of shit.

I like this one, I appreciate that it’s just a solid 10 tracks, 40 minute run time. Unlike many albums that came out at a similar time. I enjoy most of the songs, some are ok, but the majority are still very enjoyable to listen to. The ones that are okay just don’t stand out as much Good overall Fav tracks - Sympathy for the devil - No Expectations - Jigsaw Puzzle - Prodigal Son - Factory Girl Worst track - Street Fighting Man

I get the hype around Bob Dylan’s music. I feel his formula is to divert from your expectations with each lyric. The direction you think they’re going to go in are never the case, which keeps things fresh and interesting. You spend most of the time trying to figure out what he’s singing about. The instrumentation provides a great backdrop to his lyrics. I specifically love the nastiest chord Ive heard in a while, played by the lead guitar at 5:02 on Ballad of a thin man. My god it stinks, so dissonant. Great album, great songs. Fav tracks - All

This album is nice but I feel the fact that it’s such easy listening may work against it slightly. The tracks are pleasant funk/soul songs but I feel many of the moments don’t stick with me beyond first listen personally. There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of the songs, they’re actually quite good but they just sort of float by and then they’re gone. Maybe this is because it’s a movie soundtrack? They’re not meant to take the forefront? Not sure. Fav tracks - All

I love this album. There’s an incredible energy that runs throughout the whole track list. Funky and urgent. Some deep vague memory from my childhood has shaped my love of acid jazz, funk and disco. Jamiroquai is completely underrated in my opinion. Fav tracks - All

This album is pretty great. 1001 album generator is giving me a much greater appreciation of the Beach Boys and their brilliance. Such rich, tangible and fully realised songs. This album is full of great, fun songs, a few that are just okay. I really love Disney girls, beautiful song, I’d even say it rivals Something by The Beatles. I really don’t like the way ‘Lookin’ at tomorrow” sounds, the production is very nauseating for some reason. What a great, weird cover too! Fav tracks - Don’t go near the water - Long Promised Road - Take a Load Off Your Feet - Disney Girls - Student demonstration time - Feel flows - A day in the life of a tree Worst track - Lookin’ at tomorrow

Upon first listen i really didn't like this album. I felt that it was a left over relic from the 80s, full of self indulgent, drab, boring synth pop. Unfortunately i think that truth still stands for the majority of this album but my second and third listen revealed a few tracks which i actually came to enjoy. In its best moments, this album shines with charming, amateur sounding synth pop tunes. The songs in my favourite tracks all have a vulnerable quality to them, they don't seem so sure of themselves. The same can't be said for the rest of the album. Most tracks are dramatic and drab with no good reason. They stick around for too long without developing, which makes them a slog to listen to. Not great overall but a few gems in there for sure. Fav tracks - The New Stone Age - She's Leaving - Souvenir - Georgia - Motion and Heart - Gravity Never Failed Worst tracks - Sealand - Joan of Arc - Architecture and Morality - The Beginning and The End - Sacred Heart - The Romance of the Telescope - Navigation - Of All the Things We've Made

This album flips between so good it’s good so bad it’s good and so bad it’s bad Some of the tracks on here are terrible, but some are terrible in a way where they’re unique and so ameuter that they end up good? And some moment just slap I’m a sucker for that amateur, sloppy accuracy but I’m still pretty perplexed by this one but a pretty good listen Definitely a big Nirvana, Elliot Smith influence on this too. Fav tracks - Soul and Fire - Fantastic Disaster - Sister - Sacred Attention - Elixir is Zog - Homemade - No Way Out - Bouquet for a Siren Worst tracks - Flood

Remove live albums from the list, did not listen.

This album feels like if the Beatles, Beach boys and pink Floyd were all fighting for creative control of an album. There are some tracks which feel like they don’t mesh together properly and some are too abstract

I like this album. You can see how it is a crucial part of QOTSA developing their signature, sour and heavy sound. Many bangers and highlights throughout, a few average tracks but overall such a great debut Fav tracks - Regular John - Walkin on the Sidewalk - You Would Know - The Bronze - Mexicola - You Can’t Quit Me Baby - I Was a Teenage Hand Model Worst Tracks - Spiders and Vinegaroons

Instrumentally I love what’s going on here but I can’t get past the delivery of the rapping. It’s as if ‘☝🏿🤓’ was turned into a flow. The beats are awesome, super eclectic with strange samples chopped up but I just need Mr. Ladd to calm down on the mic. The lyrics also don’t make much sense, or the ones that do are pretty corny. There seems to be an attempt at sounding clever in the same way MFDOOM does but here it’s more so aimless, fractured rambling. “I’m thinking gynaecologist ☝🏿🤓” Fav tracks - 5000 miles west of the future - Planet 10 - Takes More than 41 - To The Moons Contractor - The Animist - Wipe out on the Wave of Armageddon Worst Tracks - Red eye to Jupiter - Welcome to the afterfuture

I’m not crazy about Simon and Garkfunkel but I do think this album is far more compelling than Bookends. Plenty of great songs and performances on this one that have far more direction than other tracks of their I’ve heard. Over all, don’t mind it Fav tracks - Bridge Over Troubled Water - Cecilia - The Boxer - Baby Driver - Why Don’t You Write Me Worst tracks - So long, Frank Lloyd Wright

It’s a nice album, nice to listen to whilst your doing things like cooking. I don’t think this would be one of sit down and listen to. It’s pleasant but I don’t find it to be amazing, better as background music in my opinion. Fav tracks - What’s going on? - What’s happening brother? - Mercy Mercy Me - Right on - Inner City Blues

i love this album. Groovy, fun, chaotic. The closer is one of my all time favourites. Fav tracks - All

This album is pretty bloated, their signature funk, rap, rock style gets old pretty quickly. Couple of great tracks in their though Fav Tracks - The Power of Equality - If You Have To Ask - Suck My Kiss - The Righteous and The Wicked - Give It Away - Under The Bridge

I like the space on this album. The songs are deceptively simple but each element is carefully crafted. It is a little one note though. Cheesy lyrics but that’s what this music is. Nice voice and harmonies too. Fav tracks - Cry to me - Just Out of Reach - Won’t You Give Him One More Chance - He’ll have to go

This album is okay, it’s a little one note and I feel many of the tracks linger for far too long. The tones are pleasant but it’s the lack of direction that lets it down in my opinion. Few highlights. Fav Tracks - Come All Ye - Marty Groves

I like this album. Nice warm tones and beautiful song writing. My only issue is the use of vibrato is a bit excessive, I know that was indicative of the time but it’s a bit grading. Lots of nice highlights Fav tracks - Silver Dagger - East Virginia - Wildwood flower - Donna Donna - John Riley - Rake and Rambling Boy - El Preso Numéro Neuve

I like this album instrumentally but the vocal delivery is pretty insufferable for the majority of its run… Fav tracks - See No Evil - Friction - Marquee Moon - Prove it

Things were not looking good for this album. A late 80s pop album is exactly what I’m notorious for not enjoying. But I was really shocked how much I enjoyed this record. The vocals lack that horrible slurring the 80s are known for. They remind me of Sade and Sinead O’Connor. Instrumentally it’s also a step above your usual 80s pop dross. The tracks have the same quality as city pop or j-jaz. Slightly more jazzy chord choices I believe. A few tracks aren’t as compelling as others but over all a great listen Fav tracks - Love is Here Where I Live - These Early Days - Shadow On A Harvest Moon - Blue Moon Rose - Tears All Over Town

Man what an album, this thing hits heavy and could honestly be my favourite sabbath record. There’s so much depth and variety to the tracks, often changing and developing into completely different songs as they play. And Changes is such a beautiful song. RIP Ozzy, thanks for the music 🖤💜 Fav Tracks - All

I really dont enjoy most of what came out in the 80s, this Included. All of the quintessential 80s tropes just don’t do it for me. It’s a fine album but I don’t enjoy anything about it.

This album is pretty good overall, some nice songs. Love John’s voice too. Fav tracks - Imagine - Crippled inside - I Don’t Wanna Be A Soldier Mama - Oh My Love - How Do You Sleep? - Oh Yoko!

This album is really pleasant but I just find to be such a slog to listen through. The laid back instrumentation and spoken word vocals are nice but they make everything drag. Fav tracks - Jim Cain - Rococo Zephyr - All Thoughts Are Prey To Some Beast

Nice album, enjoyed the rapping and beats. Easy to listen to Fav tracks - All

Loved it. Great song writing, love the blend between acoustic and electric, great guitar tones too Fav tracks - all

I like this album but I don’t think I have the knowledge to appreciate what makes it so great. I enjoy it but I don’t think I understand it Fav tracks - All

This albums pretty good, a bit bloated and one note but overall it’s not unpleasant.

“I want to feel you deep inside” has got to be one of the most revolting hooks in the history of music… Overall, this album is okay, there are some real stinkers but I don’t mind it over all. All the pieces were there for a terrible album but it’s not bad…

Boring company

Simon and Garfunkel are fine but I roll my eyes every time they appear on this list, they’re just such a bore to listen to

Walking in your footsteps and mother are awful, and I’ve always felt like I’ll be watching you is a creepy Christmas sounding song. I also feel like so many of these songs are technically complicated for the sake of it, it doesn’t add much to the music. Overrated band in my opinion.

I don’t like anything about this album Weak songs, terrible audio quality