1001 Albums Summary

Boring music. Peurile lyrics. I had never heard of these guys before and I really wonder how they made the list because they are so unexceptional. I will be generous and give them 2.

I’d give this album 3.5 if I could. I live her voice and style but I’d like some more good songs. 3

Maybe my favourite album. Certainly my favourite Bowie album. Well, the first side anyway. I’m not crazy about the second, ambient side - but the first side is so good. The sound of it changed music. It was the start of the eighties even though the album came out in the 70s. That first side gave birth to synth pop even though it didn’t use synthesizers. The songs are very short and have strong melodies or lyrical ideas. The rhythm section is awesome. If you haven’t heard this. Do yourself a favour.

I wonder how many British teenagers lost their virginity to this record in 1971? It’s very slinky and sexy. Bang a Gong! Indeed. Not much mistaking what that’s about. I’m not completely sure what a Jeepster is but for sure the song is about boys and girls having fun together. They both chug along beautifully. It’s boogie rock but with a British sensibility and I’m pretty sure producer Tony Visconti had a lot to do with that sound. The closest thing I know in sound is the Visconti produced Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie. Girl, Cosmic Dancer and Life’s a Gas are slower dances but also great. The rest is not bad. I’d give it 4.5 if I could but I’m happy enough to round it up rather than down.

After revolutionising pop music from 1963-67, the cracks start to show. There is no real innovation. There's Revolution 9 but that’s not a song. There are lots of novelty songs. Lots of messing around. A lot of mediocre Paul songs that needed John’s input but he couldn’t be arsed. « I’m so tired » is one of the better songs. It sums up the mood of much of the album. But there are still some songs that make you smile, feel genuinely sad, or smile. About a single album’s worth. A lot of people say this is their favourite Beatles album but it is not mine. 3.75. So round up to 4

Bright 70’s pop-punk with lots of strong songs. Except for the big hit, Heart of Glass which is pop disco which confuses many at the time. Some songs are like 60s girl group songs but with edgy or grungy guitars instead of wall of sound orchestrations. They are not brilliant musicians but this is musically an improvement on their first two albums. I think that’s due to the songs and producer Mike Chapman. The cover pretty much sums it up. I’d give it 4.5 but it doesn’t quite do it for me like when I was twenty so I’ll round down to 4. Definitely belongs on the list.