Pretty chill one to start my 1001 album journey. Reggae is one genre that I have not listened to a whole bunch (not that I've listened to a whole lot of music in general); so these songs were mostly brand new listens. The percussion does tend to get a bit repetitive for me, but the vocals, and the lyrics especially more than make up for it. Solid 7/10
Favorites: Rebel Music, Revolution, No Woman No Cry (the live version preferred)
Never fully listened to an album from them before. Much more varied instrumentally than expected; I went in thinking Blue Orchid (the only song I heard from here before) would be a good indicator for the rest of the album. I do have a personal bias towards idiophones so enjoyed the non-drum percussion; but outside of a few songs, none of them really clicked for me. 6.5/10
Favorites: Forever for Her (Is Over for Me), The Denial Twist, Red Rain
I thought it would be like 300 albums, not 3 before I got to one I've heard all the way through lol
Fun album overall, I don't actively hate any of the songs (I do think Last Nite is just alright), but maybe I just enjoy them individually and not all at once. I can understand why people say it gets repetitive. Having my music player loop back to the beginning did make me appreciate the slower tempo and the bassline on the first track even more; stands out from the rest.
I do prefer The New Abnormal; that ones like a 9/10 for me. This one is an overall 7.5/10
Favorites: Is This It; Someday; Alone, Together; Soma
I hate myself for not listening to this earlier. Who knew that intentionally avoiding certain things just because your parents enjoy it, in some sort of act of rebellion, would deprive you of some great stuff.
Really makes me want to pick up the flute again tbh.
Also I made a mistake of looking at the reviews (never doing that again) - damn some people are so vehemently opposed to the idea of the flute and act like the instrument composition of rock bands was ordained as immutable, and any addition is heresy. cowards. whimsiless mfs.
Easy 9/10
Favorites: Locomotive Breath, Hymn 43, Mother Goose, Wond'ring Aloud, Cross-Eyed Mary
First time listening to the doors.
I usually am picky about vocals and like songs despite the singing, not because of it. Unfortunately because of the extremely nice baritone vocals here, it makes me pay attention to the lyrics. Which isn't great because these lyrics aren't the best.
Fortunately there's some GREAT organ to make up for it. Love it.
(I also don't like Alabama song. Which is a shame because I really like hammered dulcimers. )
Overall it wasn't bad; in fact quite good; and the one disliked song and mid lyrics did not skew the average too much. 8/10
Favorites: The Crystal Ship; End of the Night; The End; Light My Fire; Take It as It Comes; Soul Kitchen
Ah, an album that I have technically heard partially before. Even if you don’t like funk or the bongos you have to admit that the amount of times this has been sampled is impressive.
Are the songs good? Yes. Is Apache still stuck in my head? Yes. Will I listen to any of these songs again? Probably not all at once like this. Bongos are good, but i prefer a little moderation.
7/10.
Favorites: In-a-gadda-da-vida, bongolia
Not terrible. Took me a bit to get into it because it's another vocal heavy album (obviously). I think I'm simultaneously too depressed and not romantic enough to fully enjoy the lyrics. There were some enjoyable songs, but most of it was meh. 4.5/10
Favs: Where do we go now but nowhere; idiot prayer; lime tree arbour
Ah, yet another slow album with a baritone. I do enjoy the vocals here slightly more than yesterdays (Nick Cave); but that's maybe the only positive thing I can say about this album. Not that I can say anything negative either - It isn't bad or offensive, just not my thing.
Actually, now that I finished listening to it fully, I can say one more positive thing: the last track was superb. Listened to it like 4 times on repeat.
Overall 4/10
Favorites: Last Orders; The Ocean; Born Under A Bad Sign
Really great. Instantly enamoured with the organ; works wonderfully with the sax. Man, I should listen to more jazz. 8/10
Favorites: Back at the Chicken Shack, Minor Chant
Have heard half of these songs, never the full album.
Expectations were high - and were definitely met. I was kinda meh on Star and Hang onto Yourself, but other than those its banger after banger. Ended up listening to it twice, really helped after the terrible day I've had. 9/10
Favs: Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide; Five Years; Starman; Lady Stardust
Another concept album. Or semi-concept; since there is no overarching narrative as far as I could tell. I feel like I always really want to like concept albums; I love artists exploring an idea or building a theme or instrumental interpolation or motifs in structures, etc etc. Anything that has some thought put into it. This one was an album that sounded interesting on paper (the idea of listening to music on a bootleg radio station), but unfortunately I did not like many of the songs, and the jingle/radio announcements were kind of distracting. But hey, at least it was interesting as opposed to boring (which, in my eyes, is a much more severe crime). 5/10
I bumped it up to 3 stars for the drums alone, which was the highlight in every song.
Favs: Rael, I Can See For Miles
Enjoyed this much more than I thought I would; haven't listened to too much bossa nova. Lovely voice; the best by far from the recent albums. Love love love the subtle electronic elements. I will definitely be listening to more of this. 8.5/10
Favs: Samba E Amor; Alguem; Samba da Bênção; Tanto Tempo
Not even gonna touch the whole "cultural appropriation/apartheid boycott" stuff.
But I'm also not gonna lie - I always found myself really vibing with the songs until paul shows up with his annoying little voice and stupid little lyrics. Like I LOVE certain specific elements, the sax in Gumboots, the tin whistle solo and the bass!! in You Can Call Me Al, the accordion in the first and last track? Not to mention the backing vocals from Ladysmith Black Mambazo?? But the rest of it is so blah- I don't see myself revisiting these songs anytime soon.
I can't really reconcile my irrational dislike for Paul Simon with my appreciation of literally everything else, so I'm just gonna put this at a solid 2.
Favs: None really :(. Maybe Homeless?
Fun early pop-punk. I'll admit I've only listened to more contemporary punk acts but I enjoyed this; teenage-me would have probably enjoyed it too. Simple, upbeat songs with some catchy hooks that don't overstay their welcome. Unfortunately the short nature of punk songs didn't make them the most memorable after only one listen, but I will definitely revisit this album again sometime. 8.5/10
Favs: Listening In; Teenage Kicks; Wrong Way; Get Over You
Blues and Hip-Hop sounds like a neat combination but I think this one is less than the sum of its parts. Does not really work for me :(
I'm between 1 and 2 stars but feeling generous; since it wasn't completely unlistenable, and at least it’s not generic rock album #452
Loved it when I first listened to it years ago and love it now. Wait, wait - I'm gonna try my hand at one of those cringey one-liner funny review:
"14/8? 9/8? 5/4? more like 5/5 stars amirite"
Anyways, re-listening to this was great; I think I really do enjoy cool jazz more than other upbeat jazz subgenres. Take Five is superb (that drum solo!!) and is my favorite from this album (and also clearly an inspiration for another song, coincidentally, that I was listening to earlier today: KG&TLW's the river). Blue Rondo à la Turk, Kathy's Waltz, and Three to Get Ready are up there as well, really excellent.
The only really negative thing I can say about this album is that I put it on as background music, but couldn't concentrate on my work because its just so good. Definitely going to revisit this one soon with my full attention. 9.5/10
Favs: Take Five; Blue Rondo à la Turk; Kathy's Waltz; Three to Get Ready; Strange Meadow Lark
It's hard to resist comparing this to the most recent album of the same genre. Definitely enjoyed it more than the previous hip-hop album; the beats are fun (the simple drums-horn-bass combo on some of the songs is so good), and the vocal timbre doesn't grate me (even if i think the delivery is sometimes monotone).
Unfortunately I haven't listened to much hip-hop, let alone older albums, so maybe that is why none of the tracks really stuck with me. Don't get me wrong, I can recognize the impressive amount of rhymes stuffed into each line, and the fun rhythms, but I'm distributing stars based on how much I would re-listen to the album. Tentative 7/10. Might bump it up to 4 retroactively if I end up hating a lot of the hip-hop albums from this decade, because I for sure didn't hate this.
Favs: Who's Gonna Take The Weight?; Check The Technique
Only heard Sympathy before. I enjoyed it, mostly. Loved the instrumentation on some of the tracks (I think that was a tanpura in Street Fighting Man??), and like the choir in the last song. I can acknowledge that its great for a blues-country-rock album or whatever; but most of it was just not my thing. 6/10
Favs: Street Fighting Man; Jig-Saw Puzzle; Sympathy For The Devil; Stray Cat Blues (i can only hope this song is narrating a perspective of a character as opposed to autobiographical)
The first minute or so sounded like some cool electronic ambient stuff from the 70s and I was REALLY into it. Maybe I should read the wiki first instead of diving blindly into albums. Anyways, after getting over the tiniest bit of disappointment that its 90s EDM instead, I was quickly back to enjoying it. The beats would seem repetitive, but the subtle changes, the slow addition and fading of instrumental elements made it ever-changing and fresh, and I couldn't help but relisten to some tracks immediately after finishing them.
she (me) should be at the club!!!!!!
Favs: Song of Life; Open Up; Original; Release the Pressure; Space Shanty;
Has some of the elements I enjoy most in hip-hop: smart, poetic lyrics, lovely voice and great soulful beats. But man, did the sped-up samples on some of the songs annoy me to no end. I would go as far as to say I hate it. :(
But it didn't completely ruin my experience; 7.5/10. It's definitely a well made album - I get why people say they miss older Kanye stuff.
I'm glad I'm not studying mathematics (scary and real) and only statistics (epistemically contested; made up and fake) so I can enjoy this album with my low quantitative intelligence.
Favs: Be (Intro); Love is...; The Corner; Chi-City
Never heard pulp before. The instrumentals are mostly slower and moody (not very hardcore), and the lyrics sound like it's about the most annoying horny guy you knew in college having a self-destructive quarter-life crisis. Definitely made me slightly uncomfortable at times.
9/10 really enjoyed it. Gonna go listen to more of their stuff.
Favs: The Fear (the 5 seconds of theremin?!!?!? and then the hammered dulcimer for the second half?? excellent I love it); This is Hardcore; Like A Friend; The Day After The Revolution; Sylvia;
Really, really liked.
I do feel like the songs could be 10-15% shorter, but maybe its just because im not in a dancing mood because i'm sick :(
she (me) should be at the clubbb :'((
8.5/10
Favs: I Want Your Love; Savoir Faire; Chic Cheer; Le Freak
Metallica? like, from Fortnite?
(7/10) favs: The Unforgiven, My Friend of Misery, Enter Sandman
I don't know if I dislike American folk stuff in general or just Paul Simon. I'm hoping it's the latter.
I do admit I was probably too harsh for his last album. I don't know if its just that I'm building up a tolerance to his vocals or I'm still amazed by the great instrumentality, but I put this one higher at a 6.5/10.
Favs: Peace Like A River (the guitar is mesmerizing. 10/10); Duncan, Mother and Child Reunion;
Y'know, it wasn't as bad as I expected. I would give it a 5/5 if it was only for the drums. Actually all the percussion in general. Plus the electronic & industrial elements as well made for a more interesting listen (and the varying vocal techniques was neat!).
I feel like that's the best way I can describe it overall, "interesting", not bad nor good. But I do feel like I kept waiting to hear some riff or motif or SOMETHING that would make me "Ah, I get it now" but it never came.
Also those lyrics.... from what I could understand, it’s very on-the-nose, in-your-face, angsty, juvenile, nihilistic, etc etc. I know that’s probably a genre staple but I honestly would have preferred more distorted screaming and growling just so I wouldn't be able to discern the words. Maybe I just need to listen to nu-metal that's not in English?
3.5/10
Favs: Hmmm maybe Prosthetics?
Enjoyable to listen to while on a perfectly timed 30 minute commute. Simple and nice. Nothing stood out for me that much, the songs were also kinda on the shorter side which made them even less memorable.
5/10. Rounding up because i’m in a good mood (silksong today!)
Favs: I’m a Lonesome Fugitive;
Really really liked. Only heard Killer Queen before, so wasn’t sure how the rest of the album was going to go. Surprisingly varied, unsurprisingly fun. :)
Favs: Brighton Rock; In The Lap Of The Gods… Revisited; Flick Of The Wrist; Stone Cold Crazy, Lily Of The Valley
Noisy and thrashy. I think i’ll like it with another listen or two. Adding this to the rotation of “music to listen to while playing binding of isaac”
6/10
Favs: N.W.O.; Scare Crow
Couldn’t listen to it all at once - it took me at least 5-6 tries to get through the album. It’s not necessarily terrible but man was I not in the mood for this today.
I'm neutral about snoop's voice, somewhat positive on his flow, fairly negative on the lyrics, and hated the skits. I really did like the funk, the beats, the SYNTHS (the moog-like analog sound ?? love it). But, while I really love some good high-pitched synths, the occasional REALLY high-pitched riffs got irritating fast. Murder Was The Case was the most egregious example, which sucked because I think it was one of the more interesting songs lyrically & narratively. Overall it was a good, fun, album, just not my thing. I might revisit one day when I don't have a migraine.
4.5/10.
Favs: G Funk Intro (even with that intro and outro, this was by far my favorite. Maybe its just Lady of Rage, though)
I want to preface this by saying I completely understand why this is here - really did influence a lot of the sounds of the decade.
But I do think it’s overproduced and overrated. Was neutral about this album in high school - dont really like it now. Absolutely hate his voice, flow is mediocre at best, and while some of the lyrics were fine, there was always at least one or two downright stupid lines that ruined the whole song. No amount of great guest features and interesting samples will make me like this, sorry. :(
Favs: None
Christ, those vocals. Definitely an acquired taste, and most definitely not to my taste. It's just such an overpowering part of the songs it took me concentrated effort to try and enjoy the great instrumentals. I feel like I would love this if I listened to it at least once or twice more, but for now its ehhh 6/10.
Favs: Up the Beach; Summertime Rolls; Ocean Size
Obsessed. This is so good.
Immeasurably disappointed at how small their discography is. :(
Favs: Germfree Adolescence, Art-I-Ficial, Identity, The Day the World Turned Day-Glo
6.5/10
Favs: Road Trippin', Otherside
5/10
Favs: Shadowboxin', Living In The World Today
3/10
Favs: None :(
7/10
Favs: Express Yourself; Gangsta Gangsta; Fuck Tha Police
9/10
Favs: Money, Breathe (In the Air), Us and Them, Brain Damage
8.5/10
Favs: Estoy Siempre Junto a Ti; Hong Kong Mambo; Varsity Drag; Cuando Te Vea
7/10
Favs: Simple Man; Free Bird
2023 covid vaccine fever dream: hearing the most incredible melodies and harmonies in a dream (within the dream), and then waking up (still in the dream) and desperately trying to transcribe what I heard, and then waking up (for real) and not being able to recall a single note.
Anyways, this album gave me an uncanny feeling. Both déjà vu and dread? 8/10.
Favs: In Blue Hawaii; Our Prayer/Gee; Child Is Father of the Man; Good Vibrations
7/10
Favs: The Chauffeur; Save a Prayer; Rio
9/10
Favs: Warszawa; Always Crashing in the Same Car; A new Career in a New Town; Sound and Vision; Subterraneans
Favs: I’m so bored with the U.S.A; Police & Thieves; Cheat
Favs: The Mountain; Water From An Ancient Well; Tuang Guru;
Favs: Genesis; Phantom I/II; Let There Be Light
Favs: Folsom Prison Blues; Cocaine Blues; Orange Blossom Special; Greystone Chapel
