1001 Albums Summary

I really enjoyed this. Part way through the album it occurred to me that this sounded familiar. It reminded me of that music video where Christopher Walken dances. What do you know it's the same artist. I listened to this while working and it was great for that because there aren't any lyrics and it's pretty vibey.

Overall great album. Fun, funny, funky. A number of classics here.

This was a fun and enigmatic album. It just FEELS British. What must have felt extremely experimental at the time feels almost familiar now likely due to the influence this album had on music going forward.

I thought this album was kind of 'meh' to be honest. A couple of times I thought "oh this is interesting" but other than that I don't have much positive to say. I don't think I'd listen again.

He was clearly going through something at the time. But it hits all the soulful and funky beats you'd expect just with a bit of an edge.

This album was kind of all over the place. I think I liked it? At times I didn't. I'm still not sure. But there were definitely a couple of songs that stood out.

The lyrics weren't all bad. But they weren't enough to save this album. It was difficult to get through. If I was in the backseat on a road trip with friends and someone had the aux and put this on I'd open the door and jump out.

A classic.

It's probably unfair to say that this was surprisingly good because obviously everybody (especially anyone watching Sesame Street in the 90s) is familiar with Stevie Wonder. But before this I don't think I could identify any of his songs. I certainly recognized a few on this album. And overall I can see why he was so iconic. Great album.

Not bad.

Jazzy and folky. Pretty enjoyable.

This album was weird but I liked parts of it. I'd probably give it 2.5 stars if I could.

Not bad.

Bob Dylan is great and this album is no exception, but there's only so much you can listen to in a row.

Rod has a very distinctive voice and sound and that makes his music interesting. I don't think I have ever sought his music out and this album didn't change that but it didn't make my opinion of him worse.

Loved this. Several absolute classics on this album and a few gems I'd never heard.

This album is not noteworthy to me. I listened to it but couldn't tell you anything about it, good or bad.

This was pretty good. Nice, indie, folkish album. Enjoyable

A classic. Nothing new or surprising here because I've heard all of these songs a million times but still good.

Bad

This reminded me of Interpol. Pretty good. Easy listening.

Just okay. You'd really have to be in a specific mood to play this album. Maybe if you are having a hard time sleeping.

Not my favorite Eminem album but it is a classic.

Enjoyable to a fan of the genre. Good listen.

Not bad. Fun listen. Good autumnal vibes.

I liked it. The samurai subplot was fun. The songs were entertaining. The beat was nice.

My favorite track was the last one where it was just a recording of the fellas opening their burger order and talking. The rest of the tracks were fine, just exactly what you'd expect from the beach boys.

The songs all sound more or less the same to me. Not upsetting, but not interesting.

A couple of 4 or 5 star songs on this album. I liked this one slightly more than the previous Stevie Wonder album, but it is quite long and by the end I felt like I had more than my fill.

One of the classics of this genre and era. I also didn't realize that James Taylor also did some blues. Good album.

Some of these songs are pretty out there but overall a good time if you're feeling like listening to dirty 80s music.

Overall a good album. Some real standouts like 1979.

Overall pretty good. Didn't stand out, but it was good.

I liked this album more than I expected. I think for the genre (which is not usually a top one for me) I liked Liquid Swords slightly more but this one was quite good.

Great album. Lyrics, beats, overall sound. Great stuff. First time that I thought an album was surprisingly short.

This is the first album we've listened to that I can say I remember from when it came out in 2014. And I know all of the songs. An instant classic.

Not bad.

Bad

Loved it. Started out a little slow but really got going.

This wasn't bad, but it also wasn't really noteworthy.

Pretty good overall. Very 80s vibe. They have a pretty distinctive sound, like a cooler, more 80s version of arcade fire or something.

I think the best thing I can say about this album is that it is interesting. The second best is that it's inoffensive and I was rushing to turn it off. Just okay.

I had heard of the cure but never listened to them before. I can recognize their influence on the genre and overall I'd say this album was not bad.

Lots of classics here. He's great at what he does.

A bit of a weird one. Overall I liked it. It reminds me a lot of Pink Floyd and I'd say for 1975 this feels ahead of its time. Though, it's probably not for everyone. Good for lyricless music to work or study to, but I'm certainly not running to tell everyone about it.

First time listening to this artist. I liked it, didn't love it. But if you're in the mood for metal I think this album works.

Some classics and some new (to me) stuff. Always fun hearing artists playing with different genres than you're used to hearing from them. All of it pretty good. Enjoyed this.

Solid jazz album.

Some of the vocals are not my favorite but overall not a bad album. I think I'd like it more if it was only instrumental. May just not be for me.

Not bad at all. For 1969 it sure felt like I was listening to the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack but with a splash of the Beatles.

Not bad, but not anything to write home about.

Feels very 80s if you're into that. Otherwise not much to say, not bad though.

Hello is a classic. Overall the album is very good. Adele has a great voice.

Meat Loaf is clearly one of the most talented musicians of his time. The songs are fun, the album feels cohesive, it's funny, it's powerful.

I would give this a 2 because I just feel pretty meh about it but I bumped it up to 3 because it's at least got some variety and tries some different stuff out. On or around St. Patrick's Day this is more of a solid 3.

Reminded me of the music from Bridgerton, which isn't a bad thing necessarily. Other than the song with vocals I would willingly listen to this again especially while working or reading or something.

I'd never heard of this band before but I recognized one of the songs. Seems like maybe a one-hit wonder, but the album wasn't bad.

This one caught me off guard. I've definitely heard Janis Joplin's name before but I didn't know anything about her or her music. This is an easy, enthusiastic 5 stars for me. I think she has a great, distinctive voice and just thoroughly enjoyed almost all of these songs. I might be biased because I really like the genre but I was just really impressed.

Not really my jam. If I enjoyed listening to the music I might pay more attention to the lyrics and maybe there's something there but I just didn't have a good time.

Probably just not my kind of music but I couldn't really get into this. Dolly as a person is great and I've liked other songs of hers but this album is so-so.

This falls right down the middle for me at 2.5 stars but I'll round up. Not bad, and I'll give it credit for the variety in genre/style but I probably wouldn't return to this album or artist.

Interesting album. Seems quintessentially late 80s/early 90s. According to the Wikipedia entry for this album, it was originally meant to be a soundtrack to a movie of the same name that got cancelled. Probably would have been a strange movie too.

This album has a lot of classics on it even without Garfunkel

Led Zeppelin is a 5-star band. This is probably not their best album and I still think it deserves five stars. Though to be fair to this album it has a lot more going for it than I previously thought.

This is a good album. I really enjoyed the vibe. Felt quintessentially 80s and also beachy.

I'll be honest, I went into this album expecting to give it a low score. That's on me for rushing to judgment. Because this album is really good.

Not bad for background listening. Not noteworthy.

I've never really understood the hype around Bruce. Maybe it's just not for me, but it seems indistinguishable from anything you'd hear on a classic rock station or playlist.

Great album, some really good hits on here and overall I think it's a standout of the genre.

Never heard of them before and for good reason.

I am biased because Arctic Monkeys are pretty high on my list but yeah what's not to love? I'll be fair and give it a 4 because I don't think it's their best album.

It's probably not fair to blame Buddy Holly or the Crickets for the fact that this music feels so overdone and cheesy. That's just because it's so old and has become ubiquitous to the point of dilution. Probably really slapped at the time.

I gave Blue 1 star, and I think this one is better than that so I'll give it 2 stars. Totally subjective but I just don't like her voice or style.

Better than I thought. Sabotage is recognizable and good but there were several others I would listen to again.

Not the worst but not very good and way too long.

I take back everything I said about Bruce Springsteen. I never understood the hype. Now I get it. This whole album was good.

I didn't think I cared about Bon Jovi but I guess he's pretty good because several of the songs on this album are sing-along good.

They don't call him the king of pop for nothing. Great album.

Pretty good.

Not for me and I probably don't want to hang out with the type of person this is for.

I didn't even realize until after that this was the Come On Eileen folks. This album's style is very different from that song in my opinion. Not better or worse just different. I really liked this album. Might actually like ska now. Go figure.

Good stuff.

Layla is a classic but there were several other good songs on here.

Very good

The Beatles are good, not breaking any ground by saying that. This album has some weird songs and overall doesn't have their best stuff on it but none of it was bad and two of them are quite good.

This one is a little challenging to rate because a lot of my positive feelings about the album are from nostalgia. But it has held up over the years and I would gladly listen again so I think I can safely give it a 4.

It's fine for like grocery store or elevator playlists but I wouldn't seek it out.

I've never heard of this artist or album but I thought it was overall not bad.

Another nostalgia album in a way but I actually hated Green Day when they were a thing and now I actually quite like them so I can give a 4 quite easily.

You can really feel how 2002 this album is. They mention anthrax and the matrix. Overall this album outshined expectations. I expected to give it a 2 but it earned a 3.

Hard to believe this album is from the 70s. It surprised me, I enjoyed it.

This is an example of the flip side of nostalgia. I definitely remember when Mariah Carey was a big deal. I don't remember any of these songs in particular and yet it still felt very 1997. I didn't like it then and I don't like it much now but I don't think it's objectively bad. So it's like a 2.5 but I'm going to give it a 2.

Not even their best album and it's an easy 5. Shine on you crazy diamond is just so good. The whole album is amazing.

Great album, usually I don't enjoy live albums but this was great.

Not bad but to be honest the songs all kind of sound the same to me and all sound (to me) like every other punk song I've ever heard. Which I guess is fine if you're into that. I'll give it a three because it's not my thing but is maybe objectively decent?

Weird stuff but not particularly interesting or fun to listen to.

It does what it says on the tin.

Not bad, but mostly just good for feeling 80s vibes.

They don't call him the King of Pop for nothing. I think there's only like on or two songs on this album that I hadn't heard before. Every other one is a classic that I've heard a million times and they still hold up.

As a whole I think this is a good album. At first I just liked the bluesy feel but then it got more experimental and that was also pretty good. Not a new favorite or anything but I like what they did.

Tambourine man is a classic. Overall great album.

This was quite good considering I knew nothing of the album, artist, or genre. Good listen.

The Doors have a very unique style. I like it, this album as a whole is a good listen.

Nostalgia album but I think it still holds up.

I was surprised to learn that the Violent Femmes are men. Blister in the sun is very catchy. The rest of the album isn't bad and is kind of fun and flirty at times. Not bad.

Maybe it's just not my favorite album but I think their best songs must be on other albums. This was alright but nothing to write home about.

Overall pretty good though no real standouts.

Way better than expected. I quite enjoyed a few of these songs.

Not bad but not noteworthy.

Its not Neneh Cherry's fault, but this album reminds me of Sesame Street. Probably just because they played a lot of similar sounding music when I watched in the early 90s. Doesn't make it bad but it does mean I likely wouldn't seek it out. Also it's kind of funny hearing music I associate with Sesame Street discuss such adult themes.

Maybe I'm missing something but I just can't listen to Joni for more than a song or two.

For an artist and album I've never heard of before this was a really fun and funny listen.

Great album, especially for a debut album. Impressive accomplishment but it's also highly enjoyable.

Janelle Monae is underappreciated and this album shows why. One of the rarer concept albums, it's fun and clever and entertaining.

This exceeded expectations especially considering I hadn't ever heard of the artist, album, or any of the songs (other than the cover). Very good. I would listen to this album again.

The second half of the album was better than the first. As someone who claims to like Queen this was a sort of disappointing album. The sound is similar but nothing really stood out.

I think you can really only do bob dylan in small doses. It's alright.

I like this album better than Queen II. Peppier and fun.

I think every Led Zeppelin album is at least a 3. This one is maybe a 4, but Moby Dick is a solid 5 track.

Meh. I've tried to like punk. I feel like I ought to. I like sticking it to the man as much as the next guy. But idk it just doesn't sound good.

It's hard to rate albums when it's really the genre that I don't like. This may be good compared to other similar bands/albums but I personally didn't like it. Feels repetitive and just kind of one note to me. Not my cup of tea.

As others have said, this album starts of super strong and then slowly kind of fades but damn those hits really hit.

I have heard many of the hits on this album but listening to it as a whole you really feel something different. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would and I already knew they were good.

This one is truly peaks and valleys. Some of these tracks are quite good but others are a little tough to get through. Overall not bad.

A fun album. I thought the classroom setting idea was good and the songs were good. Nice listen.

I'm familiar with Rod, but I don't think this is his best work. It's not bad but it's not really noteworthy.

I liked this. I don't even know what I would call the genre but it was fun and upbeat and funny and weird.

I think this ranks somewhere around where Boston does where there are a handful of really good songs and some just good songs. Nothing bad. I'd say a solid 3.

Triple blind. I liked it. I had to glance at the year on the album because it definitely sounds more 80s than you'd think. Clearly an influence on hair metal bands. Good listen.

This is somewhere between a 2 and 3. It's chill music but I think they have better albums and nothing really stood out here.

This album does one thing and it does that thing really well. That thing gets a 3. Unfortunately that's all the album does and that thing gets old after a few tracks. Overall a 2.5

So this one caught me by surprise. I always assumed Bjork's music was basically just Enya. It feels very 90s but even now does seem quite experimental. Didn't love every song but overall was impressed.

I feel exactly mediocre about this album. Not bad not great. Recognized one song but I can't see myself ever intentionally searching for the artist or that song.

I do think Bruce Springsteen holds his own special corner of folk rock. I guess you could call it urban blue collar folk? Either way, it's not something for every day but it has its place.

Familiar with the artist but not the album. Good listen. Some of the lyrics are questionable but overall enjoyable.

Some really good songs on this album. The only thing dragging it down for me is the duets. I liked the solo songs better.

Classics.

Nice easy listening but to be honest I'm not sure I understand the hype.

Not sure how I never heard of a band with such a funny name. Music doesn't really stand out to me but I would happily listen to it in the background.

Not bad, I really like the bass. The lyrics are good. I enjoyed a few of these songs. Probably wouldn't ever seek it out but not bad.

Might just not be my genre or decade for that genre but I think this is just fine.

Fleet Foxes is a band I really like but I don't think they're very well known. This is not their best album in my opinion but it is very good. I think they're what I go for when I want some sad boy music but not in the style of like Radiohead or something. Sad chimes kind of music I guess.

I thought this was a fun mix of two genres that on their face seem incongruous but actually make a lot of sense together as American folk genres which themselves were considered experimental. I don't love all the honky tonk songs - the last song is my least favorite - but overall a good listen, she's very talented, and I had a good time.

Loved it. 5 stars. Honestly though I'd give it 4.5 because of the occasional vocal exclamations that you could faintly hear in the background throughout the album. I don't begrudge him getting excited and exclaiming while playing but I kept thinking it was someone shouting at me and then I'd realize it was from the album. So a little distracting. Otherwise fantastic.

Excellent album. Radiohead is one of a kind and this album is one of their best.

Probably shouldn't be surprising that every song on this album is a banger.

Weird. Some of the songs are good despite the weirdness. I don't know why there's so much kazoo. The last two songs are basically unlistenable.

I was surprised to see that this album was so recent. It feels very late 90s or early 2000s. I don't think it's bad but I didn't think it was great either. Just okay.

Kind of a strange album but not bad. Kind of felt like a David Bowie tribute band or something.

It's not bad but feels kind of meh.

Better than expected and I was surprised that I had actually heard one of these songs before. A solid 3 for the album. Wouldn't turn it off if I heard it in the wild.

Kind of an interesting choice for an album here. Glad to see some representation of non-Western music. The album is an enjoyable listen, the music is good and you can feel the passion that went into making the album. It's hard to rate it because it is so different from most of the albums we've listened to but I think it stands as a solid 3 because while I wouldn't seek it out again I can enjoy it.

I didn't realize that 'where is my mind' had been around for so long or that it was a Pixies song. Overall I can see how the artist were so influential in the genre. The album was a good listen. Solid 3.

This album was great. I was surprised by the variety but it was all great.

I like it, don't love it. Recognized the one hit song from this album. I think I just don't care for the lead singer's voice.

I think Paul Simon is a great songwriter and maybe talent wise is a good singer but subjectively I don't care for his voice much. Also this album has a very 80s feel but it gets a little cloying after a while.

It's alright but I didn't think any of the songs really stood out.

Weird album. Very British. I guess it's sort of a comedic album. Hard to tell sometimes when something is influential but you've only heard the stuff influenced by them so it feels reductive even though it was the original. I guess I feel that way about this. Not bad but just okay.

It has happened more than once that I'm surprised by how much I like the Rolling Stones. I don't consider them a top tier band even though I like several of their contemporaries like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. I think because they're SO commercially successful - often literally as their songs appear in advertisements regularly - I don't give them enough credit for just be a good old fashioned rock and roll band with a lot of bangers.

Great album. Lots of hits.

Somehow you can just tell it's British like with the who album. Not anything special in my opinion.

Strange and very European. Feels ahead of its time. Not bad.

Kind of weird. The guy's voice reminds me a bit of Harry Connick Jr which is nice. Overall kind of fun and 80s feeling.

Not their best album but still a good listen.

Fun listen. Good album overall.

Not bad. Reminded me of dexys midnight riders.

Kind of fun, not really my genre but it's upbeat and entertaining.

This is pretty good. I feel like this carries weight independent of the Beatles collectively. He's clearly a good artist. Good folk feel.

Okay I was surprised by this one. Hadn't heard of Carole King but I have heard several of these songs, including the theme song to the Gilmore Girls(!), and overall this album is great.

Until the last song I thought it was just kind of beatles-esque British late 60s rock. And it's mostly that. But the last song is good and the 1914 one. Overall it's alright.

I don't think it's their best album. Compared to other music still probably a 4 but compared to their own other albums a 3. So I'll give it a 3.

Queen is classic. Some good stuff on this album.

I don't really care for the voices. The tempo is fun. It's not BAD but definitely not my thing.

Classic songs on this album. A little long but good.

They're a great listen. Pretty good album overall.

A little too garagey for my taste I think. It's not bad and some of the songs are pretty good but overall not my thing.

Not a fan.

A great album, obviously well known. Even for the Beatles this album is really great.

The titular song of this album is one of their best. And the album overall is really good. Nice

I quite liked this. Good and bluesy but also kind of had a Beatlesy vibe to it.

Some of it isn't bad but at best it should be background music. Or like the soundtrack to an indie movie.

Not bad. I'm surprised I've never heard of this band. It sounds similar to a lot of its contemporaries but is enough of its own thing to stand out.

It's just a little meh.

This was better than expected. Kind of reminds me of Journey or Boston.

Not bad. Always hard to rate songs where I'm sure it's just that the genre isn't my thing. I'm sure if I was looking for something in this genre this would fit the bill but overall it is just okay.

Somewhere between meh and okay.

Just a little too soft rock/easy listening to be enjoyable.

I like this album.

Pretty good. Reminds me of a mix of Louis Armstrong with Frank Sinatra or something. Not bad though.

Once again it's nice getting an album that's a little different. Not having anything really to compare it to I can still say that this album feels adventurous. Sort of fantastical. Good listen.

Honestly at first this sounded like pretty standard 90s rap/r&b but actually it's quite ahead of its time. A lot of cool and interesting sounds. Good album.

It is good but I don't know that I'd want to listen to it in most circumstances. Maybe on a trip.

Great album. It was a funky journey.

I think Neil Young is talented but also maybe a little overrated. Plus I think he's better in a group than solo.

My favorite of their albums. Probably their best.

Wow this is the kind of album this project is for. I don't think I had ever listened to her before, but she has a beautiful voice and the album as a whole is a winner, great piano.

Not great.

Familiar with the band but not the album. It is quite good which isn't surprising, it feels familiar because of the style which is pretty iconic. Underappreciated band I think.

I think of all the 90s R&B/rap so far this is the best one. I also liked it better than Lauryn Hill's solo album. Some real standout songs here.

I like it okay. It gets a little samey after a while but not bad.

Great album.

Feels like your typical 80s metal band but not bad.

This is the ultimate ZZ top album. Ready to roll up to Chili's with Nance while sporting some jorts and sunglasses.

Good fun album.

Reminds me of the bangles.

Umm strange album. Not bad necessarily but I don't know when I'd have occasion or interest to ever listen to it again.

Sounds like the soundtrack to the X games or something.

Classic 80s jams. Good stuff.

Didn't really care for it.

Yeehaw

It's not bad but the album title is too literal. 3 discs and almost 3 hours? No thanks.

Fun, energetic, jazzy.

Reminds me of The Doors and other contemporaries. It's not bad but I don't think it stands out much.

So far all of the MJ albums have been winners. This one continues that trend. Surprising considering how early this one was, 1979.

Maybe I'm not the target audience for this but it's kind of just noise and yelling.

Pretty standard 80s fare

I think that Paul Simon is absolutely a talented artist. Especially as a songwriter. His genre of music isn't my fav though.

As happens often in this activity, what we have here seems to fall into the category of influential more than approachable and enjoyable as an outsider listening for the first time. I really like folk music but this is quite a bit RAW if you will. I guess I'm used to "cooked" folk, mixed up with spices from other genres.

CCR is underrated in my opinion. A unique sound, very classic bluesy. Good album

Honestly I think he's a little overrated but it's not bad.

Borderline unlistenable

Well the title of the album is a bit misleading but the album overall is enjoyable in an 80s or 90s easy listening kind of way.

Good, classic, fun temptations.

First time listening to a whole Elvis album. You can see why he's so popular, the guitar, his voice, the whole vibe.

I liked this album way more than I expected. I knew several of these songs, and they're really good. But considering that most of the time the song they're associated with is sweet home Alabama which just gets old real quick. But this album just had hit after hit.

Not bad.

I thought I was pretty familiar with Chicago's music but this surprised me. Some great stuff here.

Maybe it's just cuz 90s rap isn't my thing but this sounds just like every other 90s rap I've heard.

Great album. You wouldn't expect the band to actually be from California. They play the part well.

At first I thought this would just be 2 stars but as the album went along I realized it isn't actually just the usual 80s stuff but it's quite experimental and still fun in that 80s way.

Not that interesting

Paper airplanes is good but the rest of the album isn't that noteworthy.