1001 Albums Summary

Somewhat dated, but still fun and energetic.

Classic era. The “hits” still sound great, and the lesser known tracks hold up.

Fun, cinematic.

Listened in a Dallas hotel room. Sublime sounding.

Moody, broody, spooky, snooty. Wonderful.

Personal favorite REM record. Songs are great, and the band is tight. Perfect mix of articulated vocals, but mysterious words.

I don’t know much of the PJ Harvey catalog, so I assumed this was from the 90s. Feels very much of a different era. Did it.

Only knew the opening track. Crazy how that smash didn’t produce another single I was familiar with. Impressive debut!

Great way to start a Sunday. Walking my dog in my bucolic neighborhood. Legends, no doubt. Baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby….

So many hits! I didn’t recall knowing all of this tracks. Even though this was an “album” era, I only know these songs as singles. In Your Eyes is an amazing last track!

Solid as ever. Breezy and fun.

All timer. Probably listened 1000+ times in my life. Masterpiece

First time ever listening to a full GBV album. Which is wild, since they are chronologically and sonically right in my wheelhouse. I absolutely get the hype.

Magical. Ethereal, with just a little edge.

Legends. GI is OG.

Incredible debut. I was 16 when it was released, feels like last week.

Not giving Moz the streaming satisfaction of listening, but the record smokes.

Simply stunning. Still.

Justifiably iconic. Practically perfect.

So much good stuff. Just electric and velvety.

5 stars.

Not my bag. Also, surprisingly, I was completely unfamiliar with this artist. Weird.

Smooooth

My daughter has a T-shirt of them, with a picture taken by my friend.

Holds up well. Great follow up to Blondie.

I outgrew Frank about the same time I outgrew the Beatles. But the instrumentation is good.

Just lovely.

Icon. Legend. Muse.

Wasn’t familiar with 95% of these songs. Probably holds true for their whole catalog. Always pleasantly surprised.

Waits is 1/1.

So many hits. Although I was convinced Sultans of Swing was also on here. So not all the hits.

Learned about Armatrading from an old, old friend. Literally life-changing times, catapulting me into the first phases of real adulthood.

Sounds like another Sinatra album. My friend Kurt loved him when we were teenagers, oddly.

Perfect segue way into spooky season. American treasure, they are.

Obvious legend. Love the underlying tone that the rehabilitation system doesn’t/won’t work.

More appropriate moody vibes, as the seasons change. Underrated genius.

Reminds me of my childhood friends’ weird older brothers. Technically, I guess it’s a good record. Technically.

Big ballsy emotions.

Monae will be spoken about like Prince and Bowie and the queens of punk. Wholly unique.

Icon in so many ways.

Unfortunately still timely. Definitely some outdated language and questionable attitudes, but the tone still hits.

5 star MC. -4 star misogynist.

Epic. Hokey and somewhat problematic, but damn epic. Danzig could never.

More one star misogyny.

First listen. I get the hype now.

99 stars. No notes.

Classic of the genre. Holds up well, top to bottom.

Had never listened all the way through before. Solid, indeed.

What a spirit. RIP Shane.

Fantastically enjoyable. Equal parts and joyous.

Icon. Amazing that the lead single, and smash hit, is the final track. Unusual sequencing.

Trendsetting, and still holds up incredibly well.

Forgotten gem. A little too clubby for 7a, but good stuff nonetheless.

Is it the only Beatles record that matters?!

I don’t think I had the correct drugs available at 7am. Sounds like an artifact from a time capsule, left by a cult.

Didn’t age well.

Like many resourceful teens, my friends and I would rent seedy hotel rooms to party in. During one such party I was having a spat with my girlfriend, and couldn’t figure out why she was aloof. My friend Tom began singing She Moves In Mysterious Ways. Record holds up well.

Heavy. Duty. Heavy duty rock and roll.

Eh.

Was just listening to a John Prine cover of Oh Boy! the day before. Was also reminded of my friends The Craigs covering Not Fade Away. These songs were on one of the first mix tapes anyone ever made me (a friend’s older brother maybe?)…so much history!

Adequate background vibes.

Fantastically fun. However, I just realized The Prisoner sounds like Van Hagar.

Never quite gets going. Love Vigilantes is an all-timer though.

New fav SY.

Had absolutely no idea this existed. Rare occurrence on this list. Not life changing otherwise. .

Juicy is one my favorite vocal turns ever.

Michael Franti! I had no idea. Sounds fresh and the social commentary is still on point. Incredible discovery.

Perfectly weird on an early fall day.

My wife was just as Dollywood a few days ago. Started a fascinating discussion about what is real and what is myth. Her persona is becoming more Dylan-esque to me over time. But more importantly, these are some of the few songs that were playing on my childhood home.

These songs made me nervous.

These songs made me nervous. But in a much better way than yesterday. Still incredibly prescient.

Nah.

I saw George Martin speak about making this record, once. Cheap Trick played.

Sweet sounds.

Just spooky enough for Halloween week.

Shocking number of hits. Basically marked the end of U2 listening for me, however. Nothing after this was ever as good as what came before.

My wife was just talking about brown sugar the day before, but she was enjoying a pop-tart. I mean…

I thought it was A-Ha. Once, my friends covered Dirty Work, but that’s not on this record.

Very pleasant surprise!!

No notes for the record. I saw them once in a smallish venue in Iowa, with some of my closest friends. During a blizzard. Epic.

Exquisite. Iconic. Important.

Could have been wrong long track. Shouldn’t have been but could have been.

Might have enjoyed this in 1994, but I don’t remember hearing it. Sounds dated now.

One time at the Cubby Bear, I hugged Bootsy and his belt buckle knocked off my glasses.

(Image showing five purple heart emojis.)

Sheryl Crow with reverb. Doesn’t sound as fierce as originally did.

TL,DR. But congrats on 40 years. Once, I called Billy Corgan on Thanksgiving.

Queen.

I dig some Alice records, but not necessarily this one.

One of these guys had something to do with the Nashville Food & Wine Festival. Weird.

Oddly long songs, with unexpected instrumental interludes. But nice and nostalgic.

So chuffed to see this pop up. Bragg is one of the most underrated artists of all time, so completely caught me off guard to have this as a selection.

The great Todd Snider passed away this weekend, so I mostly listened to him instead. Plus, this isn’t my bag.

I unexpectedly knew a lot of the words. So did Olive.

Solid background vibes. I love a mellow acid jazz situation.

I used to play Jimmy a lot at a restaurant I where I worked, with my friend New Orleans Dave Brown. A lot of other friends worked there, including my wife.

It’s been too long! What a talent. Fantastic record!

One time in college, I was riding with my friend Tony (who is a great musician) and he was playing a Neil Young tape. I didn’t know who it was, and actually thought it was a female singer. Boy, was my face red.

Felt fun and fresh at the time (maybe it was the giant bong?), but now it sounds dated and juvenile. Extra star for nostalgia.

I saw GZA perform this once, the whole record.

My daughter loves that guy.

Extra star for the Johnny Rotten cameo. Otherwise meh.

Same them in November 1998 with about 8 other people, then never again. Even the headliners that night don’t believe it actually happened.

One time I walked four miles home, after seeing them play at Empty Bottle in Chicago. It was late, but it was a lovely night.

Perfect backseat roadtrip vibes.

Wish it would have snowed.

Never caught the bug as a teen, and probably won’t now. Killer drumming though.

5 for nostalgia.

Best surprise so far!

Still underrated icon!!

Fuzzy wuzzy.

Made me dance in my kitchen while making breakfast tacos. People should dance more.

Shocked at how familiar this record was. Never listened intentionally, but I knew several songs. Mediocre, and went in too long, but still!

Sounded surprisingly fresh. Holds up well.

Sounded nice in the car on a cold morning.

I line one Van Morrison album with my whole heart. Astral Weeks is top 10 all-time for me, maybe top 7. But I’ve never really listened to much else. This was nice.

That voice! Somehow still underrated!

Fun one, for sure, on a cold Saturday. Grocery shopping.

Shirley Manson (and this whole band) is an absolute treasure.

Isn’t he lovely? Really? Yes he is.

The feel-good record of the year!

Waaaaaay softer and folkier than I anticipated. I guess I didn’t know this band at all.

Neighborhood.

Wonderful band, wonderful album, wonderful memories of my life when I heard them first the first time.

Unexpectedly enjoyable and somehow appropriately wintery.

Hadn’t ever listened all the way through. Some great songs, but Eve better as a collective album.

Ahhh. What a unique sound, and a singular voice for so many years. Tunde’s solo album was one of my favorites of 2025.

Saw them play this album live once. With GZA and Sonic Youth. What Friday.

Random album generator really hit this one out of the park. Classis.

This led to an extremely in-depth discussion with friends about the value of The Beach Boys. I don’t think I understand what they were trying to do on this record, and therefore don’t really understand The Beach Boys catalog I have friends who love this record, but to me it sounds like a joke. Overall three stars based on friends and opinions

Nice and smooth.

Road trip with the family. We all sang along, perfect use of this record/band.

Perfectly dated, for being back in my hometown.

More highschool vibes.

Another mesmerizing road trip vibe.

Beautiful and smoky. What a loss.

As my wife said…”alright Herbie.” Funky, playful, expansive.

Just lovely. Had an unexpected drive on a nice winter afternoon. Perfect.

Still underrated Brit-pop, even though someone put them on this list. Unexpected classic rock vibes sometimes.

Silky. Some of it doesn’t hold up as well (the title track), but most of it is as great as I remember.

Very fun. Definitely reminded me I need to learn more about Blades’ music career. I was dropping my daughter at school after winter break, so it was the perfect record to get her ready for Spanish class.

Stranger and stranger things.

Legendary. Just not for me.

Some of my all-time favorite Brit-pop. Not all winners in retrospect, but good stuff!

Top tier stuff from on of the best bands to ever do it.

Iconic. Played it with my teenager and her friend in the car, and they both already knew it. My old friend Kevin Brown has always loved this band, he’ll be so proud.

So much Brit-pop in this list! So much a moment in time. But this holds up pretty well. Still sounds happy, at least.

One of THEE 1001, huh? Nah.

Yay! More second tier Brit-Pop!

Legends! Shocked to see this pop up! Watt forever!

Feel good album of the year, so far! Had me dancing in my car, during a rain storm. Epic!

Fine, if you say so.

Somehow still underrated and under appreciated!

One of my all time favorites, from the time of release. Easily my favorite PE album. And always a perfect soundtrack for impending Armageddon.

I indeed CAN drive 55. Three 5 stars in a row. RIP D. Boon….Watt 4ever!

What a run this week! Still feels fresh. Guitars!!

Wasn’t it all familiar with this, very pleasantly surprised. Nice addition to the roster!

Totally new to me, fantastic find!

Perfectly appropriate soundtrack for the current American hellscape.

Another perfect voice during wild times .

Yeah…actually no.

Solid. I’m currently frozen solid. But solid.

Yeah yeah yeah. Problematic dude, but songs are incredible.

Just fine.

So dumb, but so many memories.

Ys.

I had a rough night, and I hate the fuckin’ Eagles man.

Magical moments in time. I was never a huge fan, but the nostalgia is strong.

Fine.

One of my favorite records from one of my favorite bands. Absolute legends still tragically underrated.

Banger from start to finish. One-time top five favorite for me.

Masterful.

Chilly run this morning, through a somewhat apocalyptic neighborhood. This felt fine.

Soundtracked a nice hike through a state park. Worked swell.

Nope

Weird as shit, but kind of in a good way. Can’t really see how it made this list. There probably 1001 similar records that are better.

Took me a minute to get into Miles, because I started with the more avant garde stuff. But once I got it, I got it.

The rawest. Still sounds fresh and fun.

Great soundtrack to the day. Perfect energy!

Knew them in name only. Seems a younger me would have been totally into this sound. Oops.

What a marvel. Just remarkable, especially as a debut. Still sounds incredible.

Mmmm. Dreamy.

Not something I would ever choose to listen to, based in genre and description alone. But pleasantly surprising.

My old friend Kurt used to love Frank Sinatra and the Police. That seemed that such disparate tastes at the time, but lately not so much. It was nice to be reminded how fun and “modern” the Police were.

Started the morning with a little run, and this was great. Got it my car for my work commute, and it almost gave me a panic attack. Classic Fatboy Slim vibes.

Never listened to a Siouxsie record all the way through. Definitely on the short list of icons that I should have heard sooner. Never realized how similar she sounded to Patti Smith. One of my favorite “discoveries” of this series.

Duh.

Shockingly monotonous and repetitive. It all sounded like one long uninteresting track.

Extra star for nostalgia.

Lovely. Holds up pretty well across the board.

Fun, but a bit of a throwaway for me.

Forgot how all over the place this record is. They really threw everything they had at it, and took advantage of that studio sound. Didn’t realize Weston produced…makes sense.

Still magical. Some of the lyrics didn’t age well, in that they seem a little juvenile. Happens across genres, but seems to occur in hip-hop and (hair) metal most often. Literally had me dancing all day though.

Those tonez. Those vibez.

Meh.

What a record. I have to got back and make sure this wasn’t a retrospective, or “hits” collection. So many classics.

Awesomely quirky. Holds up well.

No notes. Forever 5.

A bit all over the place, with a weird amount of klezmer? sounding stuff.

Generally maudlin, but a couple of classics.

Slightly less than mid.

Always fun, and I love that the deep cuts are always weirder than the MTV/radio hits.

I’m not sure if I “get” Willie. I’ve got tons of respect for his career, idealism, independence, playing, etc. But I’ve never fully gotten the mystique. This is a beauty, though.

Meh.

Alien legend. Still amazed she had commercial success. One of one.

Better than I remembered, but about 110 percent longer than it needs to be.

Shockingly disappointing, even outside the non-musical reasons this is problematic. Just not good.

Completely unknown to me, so a really great surprise. A little bit of a lot of things that I love. Not sure how they haven’t crossed my path before.

I was proudly telling a coworker, who was an OG New York hip-hop kid, did I had Scene LL in 1991. He was like oh yeah, I saw him in 1978.

Didn’t we do this already? Or was it live? Pretty redundant either way.

German industrial? In this economy?

That saxophone!

Absolutely what I needed today, this week, this month, this year, this administration. Holds up incredibly well for a record that (at the time) was a departure for Prince. Incredible songs, and incredible production.

Back to back unarguable classics, from very different genres! Hasn’t happened in a minute.

Three 5 star days in a row. Big Star is simply foundational in the music I love. When I was developing my personal taste as a teenager, I was drawn to so many bands they have influenced, but I wasn’t aware of them yet. Once I heard it, I got it. It’s almost impossible to run in the musical circles I do, and not love this record. You’d get kicked out.

Really only knew them in name. Silly me for sleeping on listening to a full album. Killer!

“It came from the back of my sister’s sewing machine. It just means power.”

Pretty good chill-vibes on a quiet morning. My daughter is trying to get me to go see them (and 200 other acts) at Lollapalooza. We’ll see.

Fantastic vibes. Smooth and emotional, and still sounds fresh.

Clean, tight, strong debut!

Friends of mine performed this album the day analog broadcast TV went off the air (2009?). Death to television, long live Television.

Wayyy more enjoyable and diverse than anticipated! Great Brit-pop, some more rocking tunes, and one that even sounded a bit Wilco-ish.

Possibly the greatest record, by the greatest band of all time. The importance of The Replacements, and Paul Westerberg, in my life can’t be overstated. Ten stars.

Fine. Just fine.

Wow. Just finished Mark Lanegan’s memoir and a book about In Utero, so the timing seemed great. This was bad when it came out, and is worse now.

Somehow I never knew they did “You’re My Beat Friend.” What a voice. My daughter loves them.

Z-Rock (106.7) in Des Plaines IL played premiered this whole record the night before it came out. I could only get reception in my car, so I sat out there the whole time listening. Fun memories, of fun times. Still a fun record.

Never once listened to a Hendrix studio release all the way through. I’d only had “collections.” No matter the format, always impressive and interesting. Still feels like one of those artists you outgrow after college, like Morrison, Marley, or Joplin.

Minus 4 points stars for Adams being a shit human.

That was absolutely awful.

Wow, those are some long songs. But pleasant.

Super dreamy and fun. I never knew, but now I know!

Oof.

A guy walked into a restaurant where I was working, and I could swear it was Todd Rundgren. I asked everyone around, but no one knew who he was. Eventually, I realized it wasn’t him and moved on. No shit, about a week later the real Todd Rundgren came in for lunch.

Weird record. It’s like a greatest hits album, with some covers tacked on. The songs holdup though, and JF really shines.

This record is partially responsible for most of the music insistent to today.

Funny this should come on the heels of the Byrds. This is the follow-up, imitation, watered-down version of what they were doing. To huge commercial success, while the Byrds are still relatively unheralded.

In funk we trust! (One time Bootsy Collins knocked off my glasses with his belt buckle)

Still not too familiar with them, but sure seems like something I should’ve been into in the moment.

Fun, and holds up well. Had me dancing in my car.

All timer for me. Based on WXRT Chicago tradition, I still listen to Battered Old Bird every Thanksgiving.

Sounds pretty fresh. Fun stuff across the board.

💄💄💄💄💄

He’s so dreamy. I’m fascinated by his whole family, and their work. But Rufus might be my favorite.

My initial reaction was “I can’t believe this record is on the list.” But it turned out to be one of the most fun listens so far. Really great top to bottom.

Still so so great. Blew my mind in release, and it still sounds so cool and unusual.

Snotty chef’s kiss! Still somehow underrated.

Completely new to me. Probably the biggest curve ball this exercise has thrown me.

This feels like Metallica for people who don’t get Metallica. Ultimately the tshirt is far superior to the music. Extra star for goth elder status.

Infectious grooves, strong lyrics that don’t sound aged. Great!

Dumb fun, if a bit repetitive.

Odd inclusion, I think, for an Elvis record. Ultimately just meh.

Noisy, melodic, fast, slow.

Good snotty fun. Somehow still unique, within the pub-punk genre.

Feels more like a novelty record, with all the features, but John Lee deserves to be on this list.

Double album, twice the joy. Ray is just a real treat, no matter the situation.

Great fun! I didn’t realize I knew some of these songs. Perfect for a sunny spring morning!

Can’t believe how much Dulli sounds like Tony Parks from Luxury Bucket.

One time my friends and I are driving to an Elvis Costello concert. When we parked, the car of strangers that hand been behind us in the highway correctly guessed we’d been listening to this record. Slowly based on our dance moves. Iconic grooves top to bottom.

This was one of the few bands my dad and I bonded over when I was a teenager. Weird now to realize how old they seemed (and sounded). Definitely felt more like old person music at the time. Extra star for nostalgia.

They should’ve just given the Grammy to Spinal Tap.

Way more enjoyable than I wouldn’t predicted. Super nostalgic to that teenage moment in time when most people are into this band.. but hearing them for the first time in many years they sound surprisingly fun and fresh.

I’ve some old friends who have a Kraftwerk cover band. Noteworthy, I think. This was a good listen on a nice spring morning. I was robot-ing all around.

Not the Dead record I what put on this list. Not even the live record I’d include. But it was nice.

Went into this completely blind, but mostly enjoyed it. A little jazzy sometimes, a little Elvis Costello sometimes, and sometimes weird as hell.

One of the few bands that my dad and I had in common. He loved those crazy California boys. I got to see them once, but Diamond Dave wasn’t in the band, sadly.

Wow! Surprise addition!

Just learned they partially chose their name because they thought it sounded like the Beastie Boys…and they were somehow associated with working at a pet shop.

One of one for sure. Too bad that voice comes with si much baggage.

Weird online retailer tried to sell me a copy of this record today too. Very weird.

Wasn’t familiar at all. Fascinating little record.

Ahhhhhh. Still love it. Later year listens reveal that the bass is phenomenal on this record, and I didn’t fully appreciate early on.

Epic, gothic, moody, electric.

Long overdue accolades for a band that was somehow completely out of place and still grounded in the moment. For a long time. Gelb and Co are legends in my world.

Oddly not as hard as a remember, but super melodic and enjoyable tunes too to bottom. And those guitars. Refreshing surprise!

High school flashbacks. Don’t think I’ve listened to this since then. I don’t remember Dave’s vocal being so low in the mix. My memory is that they were/should be more prominent. Still rocks.

Just lovely, and fun. Have it on CD somewhere but rarely pull it out. Some this was a great reminder.

Surprisingly fascinating. I’m not familiar with Ms. A’s catalog, so this “rebirth” of her persona wasn’t on my radar. Love the mix of classic style with modern lyrics and sass.

This is canon, in the civilized world.

Memorial Day morning stroll sounds. Felt pretty good.

A little shocked to see this pop up. It’s got some solid tracks, but sounds dated at times. Swings mostly, though.

Beauty of this being British-based is that I sometimes get exposed to things that were completely off my radar. Very unlikely that I’d have listened to this is the moment, so very fun to learn about it now.

Another British band that was almost completely off my radar. A little in the Paul Weller school, I like that it’s all over the place.

The Lizzzzzzzzzzz! Underrated masters!

1001 total picks, and this band makes it twice? Twice!? Vocals are fascinating, but come on!

Soundtrack for a sunny Sunday morning stroll through my neighborhood. Photographing birds that aren’t birds. Perfect.

Absolute stone cold classic.

Trippy as hell. Cosmic Americana.

Minus 2 for attitude and opinions.

High school.

I’m all for superheroes named Tony. I came to this late somehow, even though it’s right in my wheelhouse chronologically and ironically. So glad I finally got on board.

Buttery perfection. I have a great story about her giving BGV advice.

Unheralded early pioneers! Gaye should be more well known. And the songs rip.

Is it Bowie? The Boss? Broadway? Nah. Is it bad? Mostly.

Wow that was weird and wild! Cult folk artists are some of the strangest discoveries.

Just as a was listening to this, the legendary Jonny Wurster posted a classic #rockandrollweirdness about them. Anyway, this record slaps.

Absolutely astonishing number of classics in this record. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to hear on first release. Totally helps explain the rabid fanaticism that this helped secure.

Immortalized by Midwest legends Luxury Bucket. Especially enjoyable today, since the first track lined up almost exactly with my morning drive.

Was just looking at photos the Go-Go’s posted of being on tour with Madness. Fun times.

Plus one star for Ian’s lifelong dedication to the scene.

Problematic due to misogynistic and potentially homophobic language, but actually more tame than I would have guessed. Plus one for ACAB.

Is trip hop the best hop? Certainly near the top of the hop heap.

Loretta was a constant in my home growing up, for the short time my parents had a stereo set up. What a joy to listen to her now!

One time I was on Steve Gorman‘s radio show, but my segment got cut before it aired. My teenage self was so proud of me, I wore this record out when I was young. But then my teenage self was disappointed that we never made it to air. Also, too bad the brothers can’t get it together, still team Gorman all the way.

I’ve probably mentioned before, this is one of the bands that I shared with my dad. I would find ZZ Top and Van Halen tapes in his truck, that he had borrowed for me. I always love that connection. Also, this record is just so bluesy, swampy, swaggering.

I never really listened to this guy, so I never realized how pale he looks on the cover, or that the flag is upside down. Anyway, I never really listened to this guy. One star for incredible songs, minus a bunch for all the rest.

Transformational band of my teen years. Absolutely coalesced my love for metal and “punkier” sounding bands, but bypassed the dated hard rock bands that surrounded me. Still one of the most epic live bands I’ve ever seen.