Pre Rubber Soul Beatles isn't really my thing, even if their graduation is so historically vital and fascinating. There is raw excitement here and a youthful charm but the real art and craft was still a couple of years off. I didn't necessarily yearn to finish it early, but was quite relieved when it was over.
It's been a shame to see how flippantly people seem to rate albums like this, with it's average currently under 3 here. I've never purposely listened to the Mott other than when All the Young Dudes gets autoplayed. I'd not have realised how well considered some of their albums are without this 1001 prompt. This album comes after their Bowie reboot and this album certainly sounds like glam Bowie of this era, but with their own twist and great songwriting and it's great fun. Even on my second listen and songs are already embedding them. The production is great and they're such a solid band (even if they were already depleted in numbers by this point), and it's sad that they would split up after their next album (also very well thought of!), with Hunter then forging what looks like a rewarding solo career. Yet another artist to be less snobby or dismissive about, thanks to 1001...
I am not averse to all AC/DC and own Powerage but I'm not a fan of Brian Johnsons yell vocals, so struggle here even if it's well known and is their best post-Bon album. I am dying for it to finish tbh
Only one listen so this is probably unfair, but it's not really my era of music and the extremely melodic rock washed over me somewhat, though I know from older peers that they hold this in very high esteem. I think this washes over those who were born after it was released who are more influenced by post punk music.
Not a hardship to listen to this one as it's only a few days that I did in "normal" l know that PJ was not happy with this one as the sound was too slick and mainstream for her, but the songs are so strong and the overall mood so cohesive, that it's power and brilliance is impossible to deny. In my favourite three albums of hers with Rid Of Me and Let England Shake.
Despite my brother having played me his vinyl years ago and trying it myself more recently through streaming, this album hadn't connected with me beyond the great title song and Fame. Today listening to it on a journey home from long weekend away in Scarborough for my 50th birthday I enjoyed it more, even if still have some reservations on the qualify of a few songs and his singing on them, they're a little loose and lacking in his normal precision and form. Still further to go with this one I think!
I'm starting to get the feeling this is going to be hard work. I'm sure this is great for people who like this kind of rock, I'm really not keen unfortunately. There's great songs on there but I find it tedious and tiring.
I do like some Willie but this is too smooth and easy for me atm, I prefer his self penned songs with an edge
Apart from the spoken introductions for the performers, this is great stuff. I probably didn't experience it as per the original release but more the expanded modern edition.
One of the greatest, especially the closing frou-frou
The title song has been a favourite of late so a great reason to listen to it more. The album always struck me as being too long but it was enjoyable to immerse yesterday. The Nick Cave duet doesn't work as well as hoped unfortunately!
My favourite revelation on this path so far - not that I didn't know the album, but I have felt the need to play it on repeat and the non-singles have really hit home. I must now find a decent vinyl copy. Are there any other classics where the main hit / best songs are at the end?
Oh God, I'm going to need to feel in a strong constitution to survive this! It was a fave when I was more maudlin / morose / depressive / suicidal / drink in nature! Listening to it now the shock is how pleasant it is to listen to despite the subject matter and dark introspection. Kudos to Waters for bringing the songs when others were unproductive BUT it's the others that make it so enjoyable and listenable.
Bob Stanley had already opened my mind to the Bee Gees in his book Yeah Yeah Yeah (haven't got around to his book specifically about them yet!), but these boys are so much more than SNF and disco. I knew this in part due to songs like New York Mining Disaster, but I didn't know anything about this 1971 album apart from the opening song that became one of the best songs ever in the hands of Al Green. And it's a great album and repays repeat immersive listens to its consistent sound and quality.
Whilst I think it was a great soundtrack for a wonderful film, I don't tend to enjoy soundtracks without the visuals. This has a great few tracks however, and Air of this era were superb.
Wow was I blindsided by this! The album coming up prompted a less than enthusiastic response but this is is just great swamp blues rock with such a strong vocalist and band. I don't know why I had a negative perception of them, Susie Q was somehow known positively from my childhood (must ask my brother why!) but I think I'm probably a bit snobbish about some US 70s blues rock (thinking it's boring wank jam fears) and need to be more open minded. There is nothing boring about this.
Splendid album of course with one of the best opening 3 song salvos in music history, up there with Let's Dance for perfection. Frankie's first Affair immediately drops the quality substantially (with some of Sade's worst vocals IMO she just doesn't suit it) but the rest of the album is good enough, if not as consistent as later works. Those first 3 tracks though....
Pre Rubber Soul Beatles isn't really my thing, even if their graduation is so historically vital and fascinating. There is raw excitement here and a youthful charm but the real art and craft was still a couple of years off. I didn't necessarily yearn to finish it early, but was quite relieved when it was over.
Not one I'd have known or considered but it's a great listen and has the incredible title song!
Reliably serviceable album from the blues rock behemoths, I need to listen to more intently again but the first couple of tracks in particular were captivating and impressive. Never going to be my favourite band though.
Some damn fine music here, though I must admit I didn't get to the end - it lapsed into more pure instrumentals after a while and I lost some interest (will finish it off at work today). The mark lost is for the overly American Christian nature of some of the songs, which rankle due to the crap that the Christian right wing are perpetrating in the US today.
One of my favourite synth bands, their albums can be a mixed bag but when they hit hard they are perfect
There are so many great songs appearing on his albums by now, which are almost evenly distributed between acoustic and electric forms. Sadly it's the electric ones that Maggie's Farm that bring this down for me (although songs like this can be amazing live). When an album has Mr Tambourine Man and Subterranean Homesick Blues however who can complain.
If this would allow 4.5 stars I'd give it, but even though this album is a standout of the era and is so original and impressive, it is VERY cold, which stops me playing it often and giving it top marks
The surprise here is that it's the instrumentals that I really like, which is the opposite to what I expected. Apart from the title track I am not fond of his vocals, he has that lack of discipline whine and the recording of them has too much echo and effects, it's just unbelievably pretentious and annoying, stopping me really here any song or tune, like vocal masturbation. What I like is very good and it would be churlish to give it 3 given how amazing the song Heroes is and how much I like the instrumentals, so 4 it is.
An absolute "modern" classic (ahem, it still feels it but of course it's nearly 30 years old now!), the only downside is that the production can seem a.bit lumpen and flat at times, but I can't quite bring myself to allow that to make it a 4*, as it is a solid 4.5 and nearer 5. So many great hit songs and the album tracks like I Spy are fabulous.
Absolute classic, just perfect as a band and as a record.
It's a lot to take on fresh as it comes at you like an onslaught with little respite. I find the Captain's switch to guitar unbelievably successful after the departure of Brian James and can't find any fault here on 2nd listen, far too good for a 3 even if as a newbie it's yet to sink it's talons fully yet.
Overjoyed to see this gem come up, not least because they have just released a new album (Rainy Sunday Afternoon in 2025), but because it's an old favourite. There's rather annoying shouting (roaring basically) on songs like Charge and Through a Long... but otherwise it's an impeccable enjoyable listen. TDC would only improve from here and had more masterpieces to come in the form of Regeneration, Fin De Siecle and Absent Friends but this continued to pave the way nicely.
Whereas this was his most successful album and I love it, it's not my favourite TTD, but those main singles are perfection "wishing well", "dance little sister", "sign your name" and "if you let me stay". I feel the album tracks improved with the next 3 records to give better overall experiences but this will of course be the one held most in peoples consciousness
Child in Time tipped the balance, initially I was daunted - it's exactly the type of thing I'm dreading in this project (70s hard rock), but there was some good stuff, especially CiT which added much more variation shade and colour.
It's been a shame to see how flippantly people seem to rate albums like this, with it's average currently under 3 here. I've never purposely listened to the Mott other than when All the Young Dudes gets autoplayed. I'd not have realised how well considered some of their albums are without this 1001 prompt. This album comes after their Bowie reboot and this album certainly sounds like glam Bowie of this era, but with their own twist and great songwriting and it's great fun. Even on my second listen and songs are already embedding them. The production is great and they're such a solid band (even if they were already depleted in numbers by this point), and it's sad that they would split up after their next album (also very well thought of!), with Hunter then forging what looks like a rewarding solo career. Yet another artist to be less snobby or dismissive about, thanks to 1001...
I had the album at the time and there is a wishy-washy slightly boring nature to it and the band (at times) and I definitely didn't hold it in great regard (and had tried it again not so long ago). However, on relisten here it's really not so bad and is chock full of good songs. I imagine the rating from others here will be savage, for me it would be a 3.5 but I've got to lean and it's closer to a 3.
I'm not going to listen to a self professed modern Nazi, sorry.
I'm sure it's full of great songs but the production is dreadful (all mid guitar wash and splashy echoed drums/cymbals), which thankfully improved with Bob Moulds next band Sugar and solo albums.
I can't believe this was 1969! Practically the only thing that makes this understandable is VU, elements of Led Zep / Rolling Stones and the White Album and the Stooges, but this is INCENDIARY! Not what I would normally choose but undoubtedly important and impressive.
One of my mum's favourites, this is enjoyable and listening to it at work today my colleague said it sounded like Michael Bublé and therefore Christmassy (I pointed out that it's the other way round). I can't help but be influenced by the fact he was a fairly awful mafia tool, but still I can appreciate his importance as a singer performer.
I am not averse to all AC/DC and own Powerage but I'm not a fan of Brian Johnsons yell vocals, so struggle here even if it's well known and is their best post-Bon album. I am dying for it to finish tbh
I had already started listening to and loving this album (& all of peak era Chic) due to seeing them support Mariah Carey at Sandringham in August 2025. As my wife pointed out last night I used to hate disco, so this is a major turnaround, but this album is awesome. Fave track "At Last I am Free".
I am already a fan of this album (& by extension so is my family, especially my son), so it's no hardship to listen again. Whilst I admired them with their first album and the second was still acceptable (although more wallpaper music), this really broke free and became more expensive, possible thanks to Jamie XX success and more expensive sound. This added excitement to the XX mix paired with their intense introspection. Romy's album then went even further with club beats and euphoria, so who knows what is to come next (which may be forthcoming in 2026 as they are playing Primavera).
I've heard a few of their albums and given them a reasonable try, and even if they're never going to be my favourite this is by far their best album. The Dan stew reached perfection by Aja
A new one that I've never heard of (rare) and an excellent mix of club beats with South American / Brazilian vibes, reminiscent of St Germain, Goran Project etc. I really like it and will add to my listening rotation, which is a good result for this project - to find out unheard gems! Sad story regarding his death however and why there was no more Suba music.
A frustrating album, in parts brilliant and others boring and annoying. Beck has proven such over his now long career and leaves me unconvinced. There is enough brilliance here to justify 3 stars but I long for it to finish even now having also owned this from its release.
This has been a gradual grower for me over the years, bridging the old school hip-hop from my childhood 80's and more modern production values and forms. This is tight as hell and may not have the colour or variation of a Tribe Called Quest but sometimes a consistent vibe has its place. Nas has great flow and isn't revolting in his subject matter which makes everything easier to stomach.
There are obvious highs (Disorder) but overall this album tends to be a drag for me and despite being a big Post-Punk / New Wave fan I have never reached for this album much over the years despite it being in my record collection since I was a teenager.
I had Baduizm and had respect (if not total love) for it, but obviously not enough to buy the next album. This was in the days before streaming so I couldn't even easily try it, so Erykah didn't get another look in on my musical journey. I now find out how well thought of some of her subsequent albums are, and there are certainly many gems on here even if as a whole it can be a little long and strangely cold or abrasive at times (whilst conversely warm and gentle in others). I'm glad to get to know it better and will certainly check in more with her music in the future.
One of the first albums I feel needs more than one day to rate. Sometimes it makes me queasy, like on more conventional country songs like "Queen of the silver dollar" but on others like Danny Flowers "Before Believing" there is undeniable depth, charm and superb production / playing. I think what makes me veer towards 3 stars rather than 4 is that this isn't essential music for me and I don't think it will ever be my passion. If I reach for Emmylou it will generally be the Lanois drenched Wrecking Ball where she is at her most haunting (& there is less country pedal steel twang)
An album loved by those around me at school but left me cold, as most funk rock does. I did my duty here and fought through my distaste of Kiedis and his 14 year old girlfriend's. To my surprise there was plenty to appreciate, and AK was incredibly annoying at times. The guitar playing of Frusciante was awesome at times (If you have to ask sticks in the mind) and there are great songs (Under the Bridge of course but also Breaking The Girl). It's too long but wrestles itself above a probable initial 2.
Torn on this one, whilst it's not the sound I like, there is a high level of sophistication here in the song construction and overall concept. Just as I got bored during Jesus of Suburbia and was ready to give up on it the song flipped to a new form (it lasts for nearly 9 minutes and has 5 stages) and kept my interest for the rest of the album. That alone rewards it with 3 stars, as well as for "Wake Me Up" becoming an earworm for the day.
Loved at the time and still holds up today. One of those bands who weren't a favourite but I had all the albums.
Painful, stuck it out but begging for the end from the second track "Gang Bang" (as awful as it sounds). HTF is this included. It's not even generally regarded as one of their best albums, not that I'm going to be sampling the others on this showing. The worst album on 1001 that I've listened to so far (Ye didn't get heard due to a built in self professed Nazi filter).
Generally rated as slightly weaker than his other two albums by myself and other opinion sites (like RYM and AOTY) this is still nearly perfect, especially on its opening run of five tracks and Northern Sky. For me a couple of the later instrumentals bring it down (flutes are a little too twee and pastoral for my liking here) as well as other B side songs that are only great rather than utterly amazing (Fly and Poor Boy). On rateyourmusic this is a 4.5 stars (& 5 stars for FLL and FT), here it JUST rounds up to a 5, especially as it is criminally low at 3.5 on this project.
An album that's been coming up frequently in recommended and Best of the 21st century lists in the last week, this is one that I tried at the time of release but I wasn't quite ready for. I think I was more prudish at the time, and this is definitely only for those that are more sexually open minded! It was a real treat listening to it and it's the first that I've listened to 3 or more times on the day specified (easy as the original work is only 32 mins, though I do recommend the deluxe which has no drop in qualify).
As a reasonable admirer of HC (owning 4 albums) and having really enjoyed their recent 2025 best of, this one leaves me a little underwhelmed. The album somehow passed me by at the time (I may have figured that I had enough of their music and it preceded streaming suck it and see services, and didn't seem to have a hit song. The sound is light and spacious and lacks the depth that I prefer in their music either in subject / mood or synth sounds. I've given it a few listens and the best I can give is a muted 3 stars, more out of loyalty than anything (not knowing if there are any other Chip albums on here).
Another album that coming to this project I had no great love, choosing instead the more varied multicultural sound of the Clash. Forced to listen properly here my preconceptions of musical primativism is found to have been unfounded. What has surprised me lately when listening to PiL before the ForeverNow festival in 2025 is how intelligent and creative Johnny Lyndon is, but the overall sound is also far more cohesive, sophisticated and powerful than I suspected. The simple truth is that every song is very listenable and attention grabbing, even if they're not the headline songs of Anarchy or God Save.
A Jazz album I already owned but want necessarily in love with, preferring his other records Mingus Ah I'm and MIngus Mingus Mingus... This one obviously makes my family uncomfortable and is the least easy listening of the three, but has a formidable reputation and complexity. The final track is over 18 mins and is a Medley in many parts, some of which are my favourite of the album. Overall it is obviously great if not a favourite.
A poor effort that I once owned and gave away, despite paying homage (ripping off) a favourite band in the Clash this is thin, poorly produced, badly played and drags on well beyond when it should be put out of its misery. Their careers effectively ended here with any dribbles of creativity already spent revealing much. The only redeeming factor is that some of the songs hold some charm, such as Can't Stand Me Down and Campaign of Hate.
As a fan of electronic / ambient / D&B whatever you want to call it at the time, this album was already in my collection at the time and was a regular love of mine and has continued to be over the years. It's obvious that this style of music doesn't appeal to many hear (or is unknown / uninitiated) but for me this is a fabulous twist on things with his Eastern influence.
YYY's dropped off massively for me as Fever to Tell was a real favourite, whilst it's follow up A side was dreadful (somehow it's B side was pretty good!). I therefore didn't bother with this 3rd album but upon listening to it now I was obviously heavily exposed to Zero and Heads Will Roll by radio (6music in UK). This album is definitely better than Show Your Bones but still lacks the energy and audacity of their debut. This time however it's front loaded and whilst the rest is decent enough it touches on pleasant which is not something I come to their door for.
Unfortunately I had written a long review and the page refreshed and got lost, so suffice to say I'm not an aficionado on Country but do own some Willie and like some of his work. This one is okay, but I dislike the Time of the Preacher theme and it comes in 3 times, and by the last one I'm reaching for the stop button. Blue Eyes in the Rain and Can I Sleep in Your Arms are highlights, as they are less about a concept and more about feeling (but worryingly neither are written by Nelson). There are a series of very short songs in the middle of the album which don't appeal to me like the standard Over the Water and then honky-tonk of Down Yonder. So overall with the few highs (the title song is also good) but many underwhelming lows, I can only give it a 3, but have struggled with this and had to listen to it a few times as I'm really not sure (so may revisit).