1001 Albums Summary

Approached with caution having listened to Ray Charle compilations in the past, but this was very pleasent surprise. Top track: It had to be you

First time listening to Hot Chip, got a few Pet Shop boy vibes. Listened on repeat a couple of times & it continued to grow. Will be back Standout track, These Chains

Strong opening of first track, upbeat but tailed off into feeling derivative. Most likely it was not at the time of release. Our House stands out on first listen as familiar songs often do. A couple more listens (it's a short album) and the harmonies & musicianship shine through

It's music of an era In parts uplifting, with slower emotive lyrical tracks thrown in. You want an album to take a journey & this delivers Top track: The Chauffer

Started off OK By track 4 I'm thinking why am I listening to this shit Persevere for long enough and there are some interesting tracks but not enough to redeem this as an album

Not my usual listening but enjoyed the listen. Ultimately a little too samey for me which knocked it down a star and made it difficult to pick out an individual track

I already knew the album inside out, word for word. The tunes are catchy, the mood generally uplifting but with a couple of slower tracks along the way. Enjoyed the harmonies and a little slice of retro Top track: You will You won't

This was almost a 4, some good tracks mixed in with what felt a bit more like filler. Worthy of a bit more of a listen but there were a few too many distracting elements such as the pronunciation of 'im nervous ' on the otherwise excellent 'I'm Shakin' Top track: Keep themselves to sleep

Joyful, can't help but a boogie A couple of huge singles off this album gave some familiarity but it's a seamless journey through the album Top Track: Da Funk

There's some good musicianship, but my overwhelming feeling was one of indifference. This didn't move me, or motivate me to seek out more

In judging an album, it's not just how good are the best songs, but how much filler is in between. The first half of the album is hit after hit and the second half held up ok too Tops track: Somebody Told Me

Music for a generation, just not mine

Small slices of juicy pop hits. It's upbeat & unashamed

Perfect background music for a romantic dinner

Plenty of good, but not outstanding tracks with the common issue of a couple of fillers stuffed in the back half of the album that drag it down Freedom Song, an unexpected gem Top track: There She Goes ( the obvious choice, but still a belter)

Not my usual listening fare, but surprisingly engaging Top track: Halftime

Enjoyed, not a big jazz aficionado so difficult to make comparisons

Surprisingly enjoyable. A well crafted album, mixing the crowd pleasers with some slower tempo songs

So much to like about his album. Whilst the first half of the album could be accused of being a but samey & allowing the mind to drift it was a really strong finish from the jazz infused Twisted to the finger tapping Raised on Robbery

This had me quietly rocking out. Something indefinable missing to rate as 5* Top track: Today

Not bad, but nothing grabbed me.

This felt like a bit of a musical education to something I didn't know existed. Enjoyed it, but unlikely to return

Just an incredible voice and enjoyed this album more than some of the past compilations I've listened too

Parts of the album i quite enjoyed, but too many tracks i wanted to skip, too much wailing

Great tempo and intensity. All round enjoyment of a wall of sound that relentlessly comes at you...in a good way

Inoffensive, which also means it there were no real standout tracks

Really enjoyed this, felt like somehow familiar, perhaps it's inspired many later songs. Will listen again, good option for background music without the distraction of lyrics

Day 1 listen & not really my thing, trumpet too blarey However in listening at a different time of day it was better 2nd time round. Unlikely to return, but still good for it's genre.

Some tracks were ok, a couple good and some self indulgent nonsense in between

Wasn't a big fan first time around (in the 90s), started off poorly, the vocals on You Oughta Know in particular were grating. But there was enough in the later tracks to balance it out

When it's good, it's great but when it's bad it's ugly I would happily listen to a cut-down version of this taking away the extraneous & extended tracks

Solid gold, every track 2-3mins of storytelling, catchy melodies and enough variety to avoid being formulaic

An album that could only have come from the 60s, and it really works well

Decent enough but no real standouts

Not bad, but nothing to make me come back again

Had high expectations, but somewhat underwhelmed initially. However playing it on repeat a few times & i started to really warm up to it. There's something in the way his voice interplays with the other instruments that compels you to listen to the lyrics, and the timing is immaculate.

Not for me The vocals are unpleasant. The music samey

A slightly generous 4 The general vibe was good, classic tracks such as homeward bound still hold the test of time

Definitely a grower of an album The vocals veer from grating, to melodic

I wasn't fully sold, but could see how its influenced later artists & interested enough to come back & listen more in the future

Delicate and beautiful The title track is an incredible showcase of minimalistic accompaniment to a haunting voice

Enjoyed this more than I expected too.

A very solid 3, but ultimately drifted into the background rather than holding my attention

Dull, dull, dull

Jolly enough

No known pleasure here It didn't speak to me in any way

A couple of tracks are absolute belters, but not the great album i had in my mind when it popped up

Within the first minute I was ready to switch off, but repeated listens I got a lot more from it & whilst it won't be staying on repeat I wouldn't mind coming back in the future

Those was fine, in parts I thought it was going to break into greatness, but never quite made it

Loved this Music to work to, or just sit & enjoy the melodies

Didn't enjoy it enough to listen again to the parts that were not so bad

It's not just the classics that still hold up all these years later, but the tracks I'd not heard before. Silky smooth vocals

There are some incredible tracks on this album, but ultimately some of the filler in between is too much R.E.M. by numbers,. It's an unmistakable sound which I love, but they have made better albums

First listen round felt a bit bland, but I warmed up to the album and apart from the monster hit, lovefool, i enjoyed the delicate vocal & wonder why i didn't listen to this back in the day

Just didn't do much

First up, Thom Yorke is a musical genius. However whilst there are flashes of genius, some of the tracks miss the mark. Tracks such as Optimistic & Everything in it's right place are worth the admission money alone

Enjoyed this, only 4 tracks but a nice change of pace between them

This feels like a lot of time went into crafting each song, thinking about the precise timings & effects of every note, all there for a purpose, creating a soundscape that must have influenced a lot later work Timeless

Not my sort of music, got a little better after a few tracks, but first impressions didn't really change

Some classic elvis, to the point where I started singing aloud as I walked down the street. Enjoyable

Without knowing this genre it's hard to compare this, but standalone it's inoffensive, nothing jumps out as ground breaking or innovative, so it's also difficult to call.out any stand out tracks

I didn't engage with this as much as I hoped I would, it wasn't bad, but it just didn't pull me in enough

The first 4 tracks are tremendous, rip-roaring, riotous, joyful. 5* Then Simon Diamond comes in with inane lyrics and it's a bunch of mediocare fare after that. As an overall album it probably only deserves a 2

I just don't get it I think the childlike voice is the most grating

It's a pastiche Starts off at 11, seems to be front loaded with all the singles (i.e.the sings i recognise without checking their discography) and calms down a bit in the 2nd half Enjoyable if you don't take it too seriously

From the first note of track 1 this album sets out its stall. It feels like it was written for stadium rock, which is exactly what Muse were doing at the time & as a reminder of those experiences watching them lie it probably adds a bonus star to what an objective listener might have rated it.

Didn't do too much for me, but maybe if I'd grown up listening to it it would have been different

Some good tracks, but a lot of filler, probably inevitable as a soundtrack tge instrumental tracks probably worl great in the film, but don't work in the context of a standalone album

Just a bit bland and inconsequential

This was a surprise, not really knowing the stones back catalogue it was much more folk than I expected.

The head is nodding along, this gallops along off the back of some tight beats & vocals floating over the top

Adopt old man pose: it's just too shouty

Loved the story telling of the album, took a couple of listens to get into & not let it float by in the background

It's a cool, laid back album but not quite enough for me to put it onto a regular cycle

It's funky, and unmistakenly the Black Keys within a few notes of the first track. There's a swagger and a positively that exudes from the speakers and infects the listener.

Whildt i enjoyed the more up tempo tracks, but other times it meandered and I've never been a fan of the Hammond organ

This was fine, but not memorable enough to really have much to.say about it

A funky bassline and some joyful vocals

Haven't heard this album for years & Coming back to it there is a bit much screaming to love it as a whole album. But the more accessible tracks, e.g. Dumb, All apologies make me want to rate it higher

Some stone cold classics that don't miss a beat

It was mostly an easy listening sort of vibe, although with a lot of French I found it blended together to a point where it passed me by somewhat

Straight down the middle of the road, not bad, but nothing special

I was preparing myself for another 70s album and actually enjoyed it more than expected

This was ticking along nicely, let's just try & ignore the penultimate track and imagine a world where it doesn't exist. That one abomination aside I enjoyed it

I listened a few times and it didn't do quite enough to grab my attention

A hidden gem of an album

I'm sure it's a decent example of the genre, it's just totally not my bag baby

Not my favourite Radiohead album, but the layers of sound and musicality come through with every listen

Bland and a bit boring

It sounds like the Smiths..a bit of an acquired taste, but once you get into it it's a pretty cool vibe

I started started with low expectations but it was mostly quite good

After several albums of more misses than hits, pulp finally struck a winning formulae. Lyrically cutting and musically catchy

I get that this is not for everypne, but the rhyme & rythem can't fail to get your head nodding along

This is quite probably my favourite album of all time. It's atmospheric, the tonal shifts just work and it's an unmistakable sound that no other band has come close to producing.

Enjoyable enough on a nothing really stood out kind of way

Nothing wrong with this, but unlikely to come back anytime soon

A real mix of top notch songs and self indulgent nonsense. 5 minute drum solos and playing a guitar so fast my brain can't keep up is the limiting factor here

Whilst appreciating the skill i ask myself do I want to listen to this album again, and that's a no thanks

Was hoping for more, but felt a bit middle of the road

Some absolute belters, this is an album to put on, turn it up and sing along to and just skip a couple of duds that

A tortured genius, after initial success this is a series of songs that mangage to capture raw emotions, but can have you singing along and felling uplofted. When an artist appears thats just vocally unique you have to count yourself fortunate if you watched her live

Just not really the groove for me, it's hard to criticise this too much but I just won't be returning anytime soon

This is undoubtly a good album, but i don't love it enough to listen regularly

Middle of the road

It's all a bit dated, just nothing there to want me to listen again

It's offensive undoubtedly, where's the line between edgy & downright antisocial? Elton John's story about why Eminem isn't homophobic convinces me that this is firmly tounge in cheek, it's a shock jock approach to selling records and as a commercial success it certainly hit the mark. The final track,The Kids, which is samples South Park is another bit of supporting evidnce that this album isn't to be taken seriously. I'm also conflicted on rating an album with 'skit' tracks that mean you want to keep a finger close to the skip track button. The genius of the rhythm & rhyme comes through strongly but ultimately it's probably only 6 or 7 tracks within a bloated 77 minutes. Despite all these contradictions i think it's great

It's album that feels connected, there's a pervasiveness to the whole album that means nothing stands out too far from the overall ambience

Nothing to write home about

The anticipation for this album when it was released was huge. It actually stands the test of time well with all time classics, Wonderwall & Don't Look Back in Anger surrounded by a strong supporting cast, and its those strong mid album tracks, Some Might Say, She's Electric & Cast No Shadow that elevate this album.

Initially loved this, but as the album wore on either it became more chaotic, or the novelty wore off, either way unlikely to cpme back for repeat visits

It's nonsense, but didn't burn my eardrums so gains a bit of credit

As a self proclaimed 'not a U2 fan' i was pleasently surprised by this album Would i put it into my furture playlists? Unlikely But, would i happily lisyen again? Yes

In some.ways there's nothing outstanding about this album, but on the flip side it's great to chill out to & worth repeat listens

The 3 strong aingles are frontloaded to start the album, so after listening though the rest of the generic dullness that comprises the remaining 9 tracks you'd be forgiven for losing the will to ever listen to this album again.

It's pleasent ebough, but boardering on bland

There isn't a weak track on the album, it's groovy and bears repeated listens

Really enjoyed this, possibly an album with the biggest range of genres packed into 40mins that i've ever heard i think i enjoyed it despite, rather than because of that. We open with a bit of honky tonk piano, move through instrumental jazz and hip hop stylings that brought beastie boys to mind, and not even sure where we finish.

This got me offside from the start, the first few tracks werr all a bit bit discordant. It got a bit more mellow and the secpnd half of the album was fine

There were tracks i enjoyed, but the falseto/strained vocal stylings got me offside that i wouldn't come back for more

This feels like the definition of an 80s album to someone thay wasn't old enough to remember it at the time. So seeing it released in 1980 makes me feel like this was ahead of its time and a big influence on the decade - without making any atte.pt to validate this claim. Warrents further exploration of this band I dind't love it on first listen, but 2nd time round there's quite a bit to like

I guess you'd call this a concept album, however some modicom of quality control would have helped, case in point track 2: The grand old duke of york, scratched out on a violin with a vocal that i would be ashamed to produce at karaoke Some of it was quite good, but a lot more misses than hits

Never really 'got' Billy Bragg but this was OK

A debut album with the band at arguably their peak. Raw, driven. Liam's vocals cut through with the perfect first track, rock n roll star it sets the stall for the ambition of a band, that at the time, became one of the biggest on the planet. Live forever was the breakthrough single and it holds up. Digsy's dinner could is like many of the countless b-sides that are just classic, simple songs but somehow capture the essence of Oasis

On the fence a little on this one. A strong first couple of tracks, a bit of a lull in the middle with a strong finish. DLZ stood out with the vocals rhythmic and just adding so much to track.

It's both a classic, and a pioneer in terms of the influence on the 90s indie scene that followed. The first 3 tracks are all great, it's a real let down when Don't Stop comes in, i just don't get it. However, by the time Made of Stone kicks in and you round off with I am the Resurection then you can forget the lull in the middle. It's probably a 4, but i can forgive a couple of duff tracks

I didn't love this album on release, i listened to it plenty but never really connected. Now, it's like meeting an old friend, there's a familiarity there but also a new appreciation of the incredible musicianship Thom's vocals are incredible, laced with emotion, soaring over a bed of sonic genius

Just a bit bland, the whole album is a similar shade and whilst it's not offensive to listen to, it's just a bit middle of the road

It sounds like it shoild be cool, but soemething just doesn't cpnnect for me

This didn't really do enough for me, the beats weren't funky enough

I dismissed this on first listen, but giving it a second chance it grew on me a lot. Top track: through the iron gate

The music is fine, and if this was a studio album it might have been better, it takes something special to make a good live album & this wasn't it

Crank it up and rock out.

A little underwhelming, having then read about other bands, such as R.E.M. that were influeced by this i listened again & could hear some of that, but original doesn't always mean better, later generations can refine & improve

A classic album that, after a long time since i last played it, is even better than i would remember it The vocals sublime, each track has something new to offer

It takes a couple if listens but this is chilled out listening at it's best

It's not that David Bowie is massively overrated, it's just a lack of appreciation for his songs. A couple of more epic tracks caught my attention att the end

It's not offensive, but it's not interesting either

Not the most accessible album. Could I get into this with multiple listens? Maybe

Love this, 1* off for the live recordings that include people talking. I'm all for the jazz club vibe but i prefer it without the additional soundtrack

Not my regular genre but the album has some merit. It's lyrical & rhythmical, if i was a different person this could rate much higher

Feels like a one hit wonder, with one big song up front. So after track one it's a bit too kitsch and one dimensional but having said that it's geberally ok and inoffensive

Can't get past the vocals

Some monster tracks mixed in with a few more average ones - I'm in love with my car being a case in point

Not my usual listening fare, but it was good for what it is

There's a real variety of styles on this album from Roll Over Beethoven to All My Loving to Money. But there is a cconsistency that keeps the bar consistently high

I do like the beastie boys, but found the album a little repetative

I enjoy a good bit of electronica & this floats my boat. It effortlessly cool

There were spme great bits and other tracks where i'm wondering if this is the same band. It's a bit inconsistent

Tremendous musicianship, enjoyed this and will return to this album

41 mins of my life i never get back Never again

The flow and the beat made this surprisingly listenable, a couple of tracks were downright offensive in the lyrics but overall a decent album

It's pleasant enough but even after a few listens nithing really stands out or is memorable

Not my cup of tea

Wayne Coyne is a visionary, when i first heard this album (nearly 25years ago!) I thought how can you have a frontman that can't sing. However through subsequent listens and coming across them at festivals the overall experience takes over. There is a tapestry woven that occasionally fades into background music, but despite this the standout tracks, do you realise, are you a hypnotist & the title track stand the test of time

A very long 34 minutes, and that run time is probably the most positive thing about the album for me. It's a genre of music i just don't get, and am never likely to try

Some all time classic tracks and an all round decent album

It took a few goes around to get into the album, but pnce i got there i was happy i perservered Will it be appearing frequent on my playlist? Probably not. But i wouldn't turn it off if it did

I find it difficult to critique a genere i'm really not familiar with, but this was a good listen

I really like Aimee Mann, and was excited to see this on the list, but whilst i remember the album cover not enough of the songs are memorable and when spotify took off onto similar songs i was reminded i prefer her later work a lot more

This was a beach boys revelation for me, havibg obly been familiar with greatest hits i kinda thought they were a one trick pony. But this album had depth, musicality & a touch of thr Eagles at times

I gave it a second listen just in case, but no better next time round. The vocals grated, the experimental sounds annoying

There's nothing wrong with this, but it doesnt seem like an evolution or an upgrade on what has come before

It wasn't bad but not comibg back anytime soon

There was something in this Whilst i didn't love it, with a few more listens i might be able to define why

Just kind of drift through with no real standouts

Aretha is right up in the top tier, so it's hard to be overly critical, but the album didn't fully connect woth me despite some individually excellent tracks

Enjoyed this Musically engaging

This was surprisingly good. Not my usual bag, but after a slightly dubious first couple of track i enjoyed the whole flow and and vibe of the album. Lyrics were strong and punchy

Definitely not for me, whilst it wasn't an earbleeder, ot's one i'd happily bever encounter again

A beautiful voice. I recognised the beatles cover, perhaps there are others but either way it was just a good listen

This was a real grower of an album, listened a few times and will now be expanding to their back catalogue. I had to check back, and it wasn't a surprise to see the was released mid 90s, it harks back tp that era even though it passed me by at the time

Riotous is proabably the one word description for an album that barely pauses for breath. It delivers hit after hit (partly because they released so many singles) For such a young band it really covers a lot of ground and throws around ideas for fun. Objectively, it's probably a 4.5/5, but having recently watched the 30th anniversary tour and watch the band play the whole album live it can't be anything but a 5

This wasn't for me, but at the same time i didn't hate it

Didn't love it in first listen, but 2nd time around it started to grow on me

There are some really great songs, but ot's not a great album, i could probably edit this down to a 40minn 4.5* album. But i dont want to just put this on, sit back and listen to the whole thing

I enjoyed the music, not so much the talk tracks over the music

Within a few seconds of the start i'm transported back to the mid 90s. It's so British - "like glasses comfy on the NHS" is such a great line. At it's best the lyrics are just outstanding and witty. Dispationately there are some lulls on the album. But the nostalgia in me can't help but rate it higher

The early, intense/earnest Manics phase with a string of well crafted, passionate songs that still hold up after all the years

First track, i thought these are one.hit wonders, then it turned out there was more i recognised. It was a pretty enjoyable listen, 3.5*

It's a bit forgetable, bavkground music that is fine

A bunch of noise and words. i couldn't wait for it to end

I saw this & was happy to go back, unfortunately it had not stood the test of time. Whilst there are a few good tracks it just didn't engage me

Not much to say on this, it didn't engage me and no standout tracks

It's kind of joyous & uplifting. Musicality shines through

Just a cool vibe that just oozes with character. I know nothing about Dylan but this feels like if someone else tried to sing these songs it jiat wouldn't be as good

I real surprise, kind of jazz inspired

Pretty chilled out vine and an album i coild happily pit on & let it play through

There are some incredible tracks in here and the album is coherent (unlike some where 1 or 2 tracks stand out) I listened to this one a few times and it's a band for me to now delve into the back catalogue

With harmonising out of this world it reminds me I should listen to this band a lot more

The tone of her voice and the laid back vibe just hits my sweet spot

Björk should be marmite, but for some reason I float in the middle, torn between musical genius & not a fan of the singing style

The combination of lyrics and the delivery makes this feel like an important album in music history

This was fairly OK generic 70s, but it really tails off at the end to leave me an overall negative feeling

Classic album that just hits the beat

Saw this band in HMV when they released 'On a rope' and played the song ad neaseum at the time. It's not quite as good as I'd remembered it and the same goes for the album, it's ok but not one I'll return to

A bit of a mixed bag, but no real standouts

This is an album I could keep listening too, it's symphonic treat for the ears

Some of the lyrics are grating on my old man ears, but the beat, tune and general vibes make this deserving a place on this list

It's hard to knock this album, it's got musicality combined wotha controlled agression that just makes you want to rock out

Verged between good and moderate, after 2 or 3 listens i warmed up to it, but not fully sold

It's jaunty enough, but nothing to make me want to return anytime soon

Funky Grove i enjoyed it

It's not bad, it's just boring

It's most definitely of an era, or maybe it helped define the era. Either way still good

I thought it a bit wishy washy at first, but listening closer to the storytelling it's an enjoyable enough caper

The vocals hit just right for me, should explore more

I'm rarely a fan of the live albums, but this is an exception 2 hours is an epic, but it stays strong

Disappointing. I remember the hype around this album and it winning the mercury music prize, back when that seemed like a true accolade. It was a bit messy & disjointed

Its pure country. Jaunty storytelling

I thought I liked the Specials, turns out a whole album is too much.

Objectively this is not a seminal work. However it holds a special place in my formative music years and it makes me happy just to belt out a bit of parklife

This was middle of the road kind of stuff, it went round on repeat for a while before I realised

There were a couple of times when I thought, this isn't too bad. But then the Hammond organ kicked back in & it was just too much

Mostly just fine, couple of decent tracks mixed in

I should like this, it's jazzy & funky, but it just doesn't land right or engage me

An enjoyable listen, it's certainly of an era but no worse for it