1001 Albums Summary

This album was basically like if The Clash were a better band (sorry, Clash heads). I loved it. This was early punk rock, storming into the early 80s whilst still holding onto the boyish charm of the 60s and 70s. I found the vocalist so endearing and was very impressed with the lyricism too. I had a vast majority of the songs favorited at the end of my listen, which is always a good sign. The last couple of songs fell a bit flat for me, so it loses a point for that So so good though. Emotional highs and lows. Beautiful music. Fun moments. Great album.

I hadn't listened to this album in full before, even though AM was a very important and formative album for me in my adolescence. I think it's a solid album, but definitely didn't trip my trigger as much as I expected. This debut definitely has the Arctic Monkeys sound, but lacks the refinement that makes their later work so special. While it starts strong, it kinda just stays like that for most of the album, not really going anywhere interesting or playing with highs and lows. It's not that I didn't enjoy this, but I think it does blend in to the other indie rock being made at the time. That being said, Alex Turner's vocals and songwriting will always stand out and are sharp here.

Ah, one of my high school comfort albums. Even years after my adolescent obsession, In Utero still holds up. The lyrics here are sad, twisted, and, in classic Cobain fashion, full of sarcasm. The band really lets lose on this album, especially compared to Nevermind's more polished and pallatable approach. The grunge sound that the band helped pioneer is present in full force. This album is cathartic. It swallows you in its sound, engrossing you within its messy walls. It hits hard, but also breaks down, often in the same song. It's a masterclass in honest emotional expression in music, and is a lasting testament to the fact that music doesn't always need to sound pretty to be stellar. Sometimes the music calls for ugly, and this is a perfect response to that call.

I have complex feelings about this album. The ripples of this release are still felt in music made today. Some of my favorite records are infused with the Bossa nova sound that this album pioneered. During my listens, I did enjoy having it on and felt like it blended in to the background seamlessly. But that seamlessness turned out to be one of my biggest issues here. I hate to say it, but I found this album quite boring. Aside from the iconic first track ("The Girl From Ipanema"), all of the songs seemed to run into each other without much ado. I know it was intended to be easy listening, and it was easy. The problem is that it wasn't much else. Even though it's an important and extremely well-done piece of work, I just don't think this album is for me. It left me feeling a bit unsatisfied, like it was a beautiful setup for a story that said nothing.

Generally speaking, this kind of rock music has never really been my jam. That being said, I did like this album significantly more than I expected. The guitar solos were engaging and impressive, and the sound design was superb. There were sonic highs and lows, although Deep Purple seemed to be the most comfortable during the highs. That's one of the reasons heavy metal has never spoken to me; it often fails to acknowledge that being loud and busy can still result in a one-note album. I did like this album more than most heavy metal albums I've listened to, but I still wasn't moved by it. It didn't really say anything, and often felt more like playing with sound and instruments rather than a full-fledged album. I appreciate the skill displayed here, but good music can't exist on skill alone. There needs to be heart, and that's exactly what was missing here.

Okay fine.... I think I finally get Radiohead.... This album was awesome. It held my attention the entire time, and existed in its own, unique musical world. So many of the lyrics were just crushing, and when they paired with the soft, yet striking sonic landscape, something seriously magical was born. It's funny because I listened to this album a few months ago and wasn't impressed, but I guess the stars finally aligned during my most recent listens. I was so impressed by every second of this, and now understand why people say this is one of the greatest albums ever made.

True to the name of the genre it helped shape, this album felt like a dream. It was misty, and felt like it picked you up and ushered you along the fuzzy memories of its story. This album impressed me by being an extremely easy listen, one I could probably leave on for days, whilst also being a genuinely interesting piece of music. The vocal layering and looping in this album were powerful and really added to the overall haziness of the music. This is some of my favorite production work I've heard, and all of its converging strengths result in a striking finished product. I've recently spent less time with this type of shoegaze-y music, but I still enjoyed every minute of this album. It's just an objectively beautiful and well-done album all around. Definitely worth all the hype that surrounds it.

I am obsessed with this album. It was fun and loose, but somehow didn't feel messy. At times, it just felt like listening in on a group of friends messing around with each other, and those moments were some of my very favorites. The production was energetic and really just melted around the vocals. There were so many clever lyrics and different stories told. The jazz element of this album was great, too. I think that really brought it to another level. This was one of my most enjoyable listens in recent memory, and may be my new favorite hip-hop album... Just so, so good the whole way through.

This album is a true testament to Muddy Waters' talent and ability to engage with an audience. He built up the crowd's energy gradually, until they were at their peak during his back-to-back renditions of "Got My Mojo Working." That build was so fun to listen to. While some of the energy definitely translated to the live recording, it didn't all translate. I'm sure seeing this performance in person would be one of the best concert experiences ever, but I felt disengaged with this album at times. I think I'm just not a huge fan of live albums generally. To me, they often fall flat sonically and feel far away. This definitely was not a bad album, but it was one I don't think I'll return to.

I listened to this album with Rylee, and we both really enjoyed it. The songwriting specifically really stuck out to me, which I appreciated. I think that sometimes, with bands similar to Dire Straits, the lyrics get lost in the music, but I felt like both aspects melded together beautifully here. This album was groooovy in a laid-back way. The guitar really led the way for most of the time, but it felt intentional, not lazy. I've listened through this album a few times now, and it's gotten better with each listen. I think this will most definitely be an album I'll revisit many times.

I enjoyed every minute of this album! It's definitely one of the strongest debuts out there. Björk is truly one of a kind, and her first solo album proves it instantly. The genre blending on display here is something else, and her ability to blend soft and harsh sounds together into one cohesive song is so nice to listen to. Speaking of softness, there was so much more of it in this album than I expected; It was really quite beautiful. In just this one album, Björk both displays her musical prowess and then goes even further by using her expertise to create something brand new. If that isn't the sign of exceptional music, I don't know what is. This is a dance album, yes, but that's just one small sliver of its makeup. It is a free-flowing body of work that exists and operates only within its own boundaries. It may be my favorite Björk album I've listened to yet.

I definitely liked this album more than Getz/Gilberto, but I think I learned that bossa nova is not my jam. It's the perfect soundtrack for a summer beach day, but outside of that context, I just struggle to connect with the genre. This album fell victim to that struggle as well. I did like the overall listening experience that Gilberto delivered, and her voice was so pleasant and smooth. I'll probably end up re-listening to this eventually, and I enjoyed the world it created. I just wish bossa nova lent itself to more variety.

This was a good album. It didn't blow my mind or do anything revolutionary, but I liked almost all of the tracks and thought the production was interesting. It was a very Y2K attempt at genre blending, kinda like a better, more interesting version of that early 2000s, Maroon 5-esque rock. It definitely had a good groove to it, even if that groove did get a bit lost at times. This one definitely grew on me after a few listens. At first, I wasn't sold, but eventually I really started to enjoy it. I give it points for being a truly unique, even if largely evocative, album, and then extra points for also being a generally enjoyable, fun listen.

FIRE!!!! I loved this one, which is kinda funny considering I was not a fan when I first listened a few years ago. I remember thinking it was a bit one-note, but guess what? I was wrong. So very wrong. Taking nothing else into account, Janis' vocals alone are enough to carry the album. She's the epitome of a once-in-a-generation talent. Then, when you consider the strong production and soul infused deep within each song, this album becomes otherworldly. I think I could listen to this album forever. Somehow, the rasp and harshness of Janis' voice don't prevent the warm, inviting qualities from flourishing as well. She was a singular talent, and every song on this album is a testament to that.

Did this album drag a bit in the middle? Yes. Was the strength of the beginning and ending enough to make me forget that? Also, yes. I haven't listened to much of The Who, but my dad really likes them (as dads are known to do). Although I am not a father, I agree with their consensus. This album was so fun to listen to. The lyrics were strong, and the music itself was engaging and exciting. Like I said, the middle did lull a bit, but who cares when the rest of it was so fire. I don't think this is a perfect album, but it is a very, very good one. And the album cover is one of the very best ever.

Oh, this was such a cool album. I wasn't sure what to expect going into it, but I ended up falling in love with it. It's kinda like the epitome of 80s music, like a big, sprawling intersection between all of the sounds and styles of the time. There was so much depth to this album, too. It made me pause a few times to really reflect on what I was listening to. The production was just unreal, genuinely revolutionary for the time. My one critique of this album is its length. I definitely feel that if they cut a few songs, this could be a perfect album. Even then, it's still an exceptional one that really struck a chord within me.

This album triggered a revelation within me. I have realized that I am, in fact, a Glam Rock girl. I loved every single second of this album. It was so dynamic and was great during both its peaks and valleys. There were so many layers here, and they were all done so well. So yeah... I think this is a perfect album. It's definitely my favorite Glam Rock album ever. It was both a display of serious skill AND a super fun, exciting listen. There was not a single bad song. In fact, every song was exceptional. Musical excellence in every way!

There is no other album that better represents what it felt like to be a teenage girl in the late 2010s. This is like the bible for women currently in their mid/late twenties. Despite my ongoing disdain towards Jack Antonoff, I think this is his magnum opus as a producer. The sound here is electric and alive. Together, he and Lorde utilized an array of contrasting sounds and production elements to create a sonic masterpiece. The songwriting is melodramatic, and it only adds to the album's cohesion and overall theme. This is a story being told through music, and it is done near perfectly. I will always be grateful for Lorde's commitment to giving depth and meaning to the teenage experience. The songs on this album have meant a lot to me throughout my life, and I know many other people feel the same. Everyone say, "Thank you, Lorde."

This is probably the coolest movie score I’ve ever listened to. I was hooked from the start, and I stayed hooked until the very end. There is a dark, ethereal tone to this album. It's almost a bit spooky in places? This entire score is just a beautiful testament to what music can do and how deeply it can make you feel things, even without saying much. I've never seen The Virgin Suicides, but its score has enticed me. I will for sure be watching soon and for sure be listening to some of these tracks again.

This is another one of those albums that I appreciated musically, but didn't connect with personally. There were some parts I liked along the way, but generally, I liked this less the longer I listened. It was not a bad album, but it was not something I think I'll return to. It feels silly to critique punk music as being too messy, but I think there's a way to be punky and messy while still displaying skill. That's definitely not to say there wasn't a display of skill here. The guitar work was impressive (like really impressive) and the rhythm stayed strong throughout the whole runtime. I can see why some people really enjoy this album, but I am not one of those people. Different strokes for different folks, I guess!

YEAH!!! This was incredible. Tens across the board. This album really scratched an itch in me. It's genuinely hard to believe it's a debut. Everything about it felt so cathartic, and the energy flowing from start to finish was alive and breathing. There's a playfulness here that is so enjoyable to be a part of. It made me feel like a teenager again. To capture and recreate such a palpable feeling of freedom in music is a feat. This album is eternal youth stored within 35 minutes. The songwriting is honest and raw. Little vignettes are being painted in each line. That storytelling, paired with genuinely inventive production and music, makes something singular. I feel a new artist obsession brewing within me. The Strokes better watch out because I'm coming for their discography. I've wanted to get into Garage Rock for a while, but so many of the albums I've listened to were slightly different copies of each other. This was the cream of the crop. Excellent album.

This album is so cool. A bit messy, yes, but the originality makes that okay in my book. Sure, a couple of songs could've been cut, but I think the length and disarray actually add to the overall energy. Albums don't always need to be clean and concise, especially when they're made by someone with the skill of Frank Black (more commonly known as Black Francis). This really was just an hour of unfiltered musical self-expression. Albums like this one are rare, and I really enjoyed my listen. I'm sure this will be an album I'll return to, and even with its flaws, it's one of my recent favorites.

This album definitely proves that disco does not suck. In fact, disco actually can be very fun when it's done well. Giving this album a rating was a bit tough because it succeeds at almost everything it set out to do, but disco music does lose some of its shine when listened to outside of a dance club. There were a few times where the songs felt repetitive, like they could've either been cut down or extended in a more varied way. Even so, I couldn't help but dance around while I listened, and I do think the production and energy were full of life. Parts of this album were downright corny and kitchy, but you know what? Those were some of my favorite moments. The fun here was palpable, and in the end, my desire for a disco resurgence was only strengthened.

This is one of those albums that makes me so sad I didn't listen to it sooner. I think listening to this album earlier would've really shaped the route of my music exploration. It's a feat, a true gem, and will absolutely be an album that stays with me for a long time. It's more than an album. It's a full musical without the need for a stage. It speaks for itself and by itself. I cannot think of any piece of music I've listened to that is similar, even Sufjan's indie folk contemporaries lacked the vision that this album has. As an instrumental alone, I would give this 5 stars. The fact that such contemplative, heart-wrenching lyrics accompany the vast soundscape is astounding. Simultaneously being a profound poet and an immensely skilled musician is so rare. I was truly amazed by this. I feel like I'm overhyping it, but this was truly one of the most beautiful, moving pieces of art I've ever consumed. Immersive, interesting, and sharp. This album could not be any better.

This was a very fun album. Right away, I was endeared by Richard Butler's vocals, but the rest of the album held its own, too. There was a refined sound throughout, even though the music itself was super varied and dynamic. The lyrics weren't revolutionary, but they were clever and loose. They worked well with the music and fit the overall theme of the album. This was one of those albums that probably could've been a mess if they hadn't put so much care into it. That care made this an enjoyable listen the whole way through.

Frank Sinatra's music is timeless. Something I love about old recordings, specifically Sinatra's, is that they feel so close. Listening to this album felt like I was in the room with the musicians. Recorded music tends to be so produced now, which isn't always a bad thing, but this album definitely made me wish there were more efforts to simplify the process sometimes. Of course, as is the case with most older music, this wasn't the most exciting listen, and the songs did seem to mimic each other at times. Even then, Sinatra's silky vocals and intentional lyrical delivery made me return to this album a few times after my first listen. I especially enjoyed his rendition of Anything Goes. He took a classic song and completely made it his own with only minor changes. Sinatra was a master at singing like he was conversing. He really communicated with his listeners, and there's a joyful lightness to the way he interpreted the words of songs. At a time when most songs were written by writers instead of the artists themselves, he took great care of other people's work and did his due diligence as a vocalist. Despite the fact that this isn't my exact type of album, Sinatra ensured that I, along with all of his listeners, spent the 45 minutes listening to this album fully immersed in the stories he was telling.