My 1001 Albums Journey

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3.13

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1022 albums remaining

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1970s

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Jazz

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Wordsmith

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5-Star Albums

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Albums

You Love More Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Music in Exile Songhoy Blues	5	3.33	+1.67
My Aim Is True Elvis Costello	5	3.35	+1.65
The Köln Concert Keith Jarrett	5	3.39	+1.61
The Atomic Mr Basie Count Basie & His Orchestra	5	3.5	+1.5
Machine Head Deep Purple	5	3.59	+1.41
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme Simon & Garfunkel	5	3.62	+1.38
Getz/Gilberto Stan Getz	5	3.65	+1.35
Can't Buy A Thrill Steely Dan	5	3.72	+1.28
Atomizer Big Black	4	2.72	+1.28
Parallel Lines Blondie	5	3.76	+1.24

You Love Less Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Oracular Spectacular MGMT	1	3.61	-2.61
Licensed To Ill Beastie Boys	1	3.55	-2.55
The Gershwin Songbook Ella Fitzgerald	1	3.53	-2.53
Illinois Sufjan Stevens	1	3.5	-2.5
First Band On The Moon The Cardigans	1	3.29	-2.29
System Of A Down System Of A Down	1	3.26	-2.26
Hysteria Def Leppard	1	3.22	-2.22
The Real Thing Faith No More	1	3.2	-2.2
Rage Against The Machine Rage Against The Machine	2	4	-2
O.G. Original Gangster Ice T	1	2.97	-1.97

5-Star Albums (14)

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Popular Reviews

Is This It

The Strokes

2/5

Sort of always the same song. Don't understand the hype. Albums like this are part of the reason albums died. They don't have much to say and they can do it three minutes.

1 likes

4-Star Albums (14)

1-Star Albums (12)

All Ratings

Goodbye And Hello

Tim Buckley

1/5

Aargh. Very disappointing.

Elephant

The White Stripes

3/5

Alright. Couple of standout tracks and definitely a choice

Is This It

The Strokes

2/5

Sort of always the same song. Don't understand the hype. Albums like this are part of the reason albums died. They don't have much to say and they can do it three minutes.

The Gershwin Songbook

Ella Fitzgerald

1/5

Started this but could not go on. Great singer Great songwriters. But no wonder Rock n Roll came along if this self indulgent treacle was their legacy.

Pet Sounds

The Beach Boys

3/5

Historical and sort of fundamental though I reckon they are not as original as they pretend; more tech driven. I wouldn't listen to the whole thing again.

Gorillaz

2/5

A strange choice. The stuff sounds like a deliberate piss take and really could be ignored.

Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin

4/5

Just a stupendous album and really deserves to be here. LZ are just the definition of heavy rock and this is amongst their best. Unfortunately the remaster doesn't compensate for the poor modern standards of audio reproduction. A very clear 'sound!' argument for vinyl!

Apple Venus Volume 1

XTC

2/5

Very listenable but far from outstanding. Dubious this is their best work must be better albums from that era. Surely? As a band definitely would have a higher score but this just doesn't hang as a piece of coherent album nor a pop classic

Getz/Gilberto

Stan Getz

5/5

Great album. No bad tracks. Variety. Clearly got something to say and one of the most covered tracks of all time. Really easy to listen; lots to appreciate. Certainly needs to be on this list

Can't Buy A Thrill

Steely Dan

5/5

Know it almost too well. Almost impossible to over play this.. has to be in top 20 or higher.

Power In Numbers

Jurassic 5

4/5

First rap album I've listened through . Nice hangs together. Definitely an album rather than a collection of songs with variety and something to say. Some great bass. Won't persuade me of the genre or indeed urban culture but not bad. Be an interesting benchmark for future rap .

Hejira

Joni Mitchell

4/5

I find 40 minutes a lot of Joni Mitchell but she definitely is a one off and this is pretty classic Joni. Understands what an album is and delivers. I suspect there's others to come and she maybe has more accessible albums.

Under Construction

Missy Elliott

4/5

Not my genre but pretty good stuff. Lovely grooves and very positive feminine take on rap/hip hop/rnb. Preferable , especially in this context to some of the other derivative stuff from heavier rock or indie genres. Also held together well as an album. Not my taste but v listenable and some great playing/ sampling too.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme

Simon & Garfunkel

5/5

So 4 or 5? Brilliant stuff classic songs. Holds together. Of its time and a massive marker in the road. Never tire of this. 5 I spose.

The Köln Concert

Keith Jarrett

5/5

Astounding. I have no idea how I and my acquaintances missed this genius. Really worth a listen. Almost too intense and piano well played always is. Definitely should be in list

Stankonia

OutKast

3/5

Sounds like a good representation of the genre. Some humour. Some social criticism. Some detailed biology. We luv deez hose is catchy. It's an album. Not my thing but if the critics put it here it's not for me to say no.

Tapestry

Carole King

5/5

Obviously brilliant. No question it should be on the list. Craftswoman at work.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West

3/5

Ugly transparent and far too real. Just taking great production talented singers and musicians and letting your sweary rap loose isn't a great album. It's just very boring. Worst rap album ive had to listen to so far though clearly very expensively produced. Nothing raw, little to amuse, and full of egotistical rambling.

Mr. Tambourine Man

The Byrds

4/5

From the very start when they sing too tired for sleeping it sounds like they are. Same idea same fairly pathetic heterosexual mysogism in lyrics, twangy guitars and harmony throughout. Hopefully enough to last a few decades. Classic but very limited

Dig Me Out

Sleater-Kinney

4/5

Brilliant..hadn't heard of them but they are certainly superb at what they do. Loud brash but also varied. The musicianship is very good and the tuned down guitars a genius touch giving a very different experience. A fairly clear good call from the editorial team.

Oracular Spectacular

MGMT

1/5

Sort of disposable bubble gum Pink Floyd or whatever. Not my bag.lacks any kind of appeal beyond a catchy Riff on the singles. Weedy. I recognised the single but the rest is disposable with fairly pointless sorry for poor us lyrics.

O.G. Original Gangster

Ice T

1/5

I don't give a f*** either

Hysteria

Def Leppard

1/5

Excellent example of 20th century AI as anyone who has ever gone head over heels at the speed of light would immediately guess. Some well executed heavy rock with a nod to pop. As disposable now as it was when it came out, crowding talented and constructive artists from the market.

Physical Graffiti

Led Zeppelin

5/5

Got this one but haven't listened for years. Couple of dodgy tracks and Plant is a little bit limited when he squeaks too much. But the rest is very much superb and very much a different sound from the early albums without dropping quality. Guitar work, drums, bass all fantastic and played for the song and each other.

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby

Girls Against Boys

1/5

I dont mind this genre but this is awful. No idea what it's doing here. Completely disposable. Lacks genuine anger or humour just goes on and on. Slight touches of Lou Reed or Doors done without conviction or subtlety were the only relief from pointless noise.

Highly Evolved

The Vines

3/5

Very listenable album difficult to place without research. No problem listening right through. Nice arrangement and production. Good variety of songs and yet hangs together well. Not sure if it's a high 2 or a low 3 as there are few real highlights. My kind of stuff and good contributions from whole band so edges a 3.

Atomizer

Big Black

4/5

Punky. Aggressive but pointed and not over egged

On The Beach

Neil Young

4/5

Honest gorgeous stuff. Not his best but up there in the 1001 easily.

Bayou Country

Creedence Clearwater Revival

2/5

Great band but average album

The Atomic Mr Basie

Count Basie & His Orchestra

5/5

Excellent. Exactly the type of album.that deserves to be in this list. Excellent playing great variety .

Rubber Soul

Beatles

5/5

So good to listen to this again and recall what songs are on it. The remix is really excellent and the musicianship superb. Paul's bass in particular is genius and the whole thing really is the epitome of a 'band'. Given the 5 or 6 long time hits as well has to be 5 stars. Also note how many songs they pack in 40 mins without dropping solos, breaks, repeating backing etc.

Punishing Kiss

Ute Lemper

1/5

Very operatic. Impressive guests like elvis costello n Tom waits. Probably great as a musical drama on stage. But didn't feel very lyrically clever, musically engaging or outstanding even as a postwar Berlin thing. As an album I reckon there should be stuff like this in the 1001. Not convinced about this example though could do a lot better or if not drop this . Costello and Waits certainly can. Persuaded me to generally be harsher as a critic. 1 star

First Band On The Moon

The Cardigans

1/5

Nothing much here. A decent catchy single is not a album I need to hear before ( or after) I die.

The Next Day

David Bowie

4/5

A proper album with great production well played instruments and a set of excellent David Bowie songs. Definitely better that a lot of other stuff on this list. Not quite his best so just 4 stars.

The Genius Of Ray Charles

Ray Charles

4/5

Good example of a great songwriter singer, player and bandleader

Africa Brasil

Jorge Ben Jor

3/5

Pretty decent good listening some average some good tracks. Artist deserves a place slightly surprising if this is their best

Only By The Night

Kings of Leon

3/5

Nice one. Some songs that are classic; variety and consistency; lyrical interest. Yeah should be on the list. High 3. Nearly 4

My Aim Is True

Elvis Costello

5/5

Definitely in top 100. Musicians songs arrangements all stunning. Songs still fresh. Classics including at least 2 best ever.

The Real Thing

Faith No More

1/5

Really so far from. Real this is a horrible mish mash of stuff. Like a yellow label cheap option. Should be nowhere near this list.

Os Mutantes

2/5

Not sufficiently outstanding. Bit of Spanish bonzo dog and other stuff but not "must listen" . Might be a good track but a lot of it felt confused so that tracks tended to have bits that were more self indulgent and as such less listenable. The Beatles did it and got away with it. This lot just sound a poor shadow.

Tarkus

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

2/5

Of its time. Not great enough.

Beggars Banquet

The Rolling Stones

4/5

Very much a Rolling Stones album. Keen to pretend they aren't that deep but they are. Obviously a must listen

System Of A Down

1/5

You definitely do not need to listen to this album before you die. There are similar local bands who hit the drums just as hard scream meaningless rants just as incomprehensibly and do guitar gymnastics and percussive bar chords just as incessantly ( with stops for effect). Try a track or two if you must.

Machine Head

Deep Purple

5/5

Classic in every way. Top of the genre. At least 4 songs still live gems. Vocal never squeaks big high voice. Guitars bass drums keyboards all in top 5 all working together. Song variety.

New Wave

The Auteurs

3/5

Actually quite liked this though stunningly egocentric. Instruments and lyrics come through and it fits my idea of an album. Scrapes a 3

Rage Against The Machine

2/5

Unconvinced that this really has a place ; might be one of 1001 albums but if so you definitely don't need to listen to 1001 albums before you die. Not very pointed and not very effective. Sounds more like part of the machinery tbh.

Jack Takes the Floor

Ramblin' Jack Elliott

3/5

This is ok. Have to trust the editors that this is ok

Disintegration

The Cure

5/5

Always been aware of this band and what a great album. Exactly the sort of thing that should be on this list. A set of different songs and emotions and stories set in a recognisable original style. Musically and emotionally interesting and completely listenable. Simple stuff layered and complex stuff made approachable.

That's The Way Of The World

Earth, Wind & Fire

4/5

Brilliant reference album. Great soul n funk with hints of jazz n prog. Outstanding musicians vocals horns keys guitar and definitely drums n bass. I'm not to familiar with their repertoire but they are v comparable with the Average White Band, who are also in the list. Good varied album perhaps just lacks a standout track. 4+++

The United States Of America

2/5

Forgive it for being 1967; no criticism of the band or rmusic. It has its place in history. But the test do you have to listen to it? Try a wee bit but it's one of thousands of this type of stuff and far from the best.

Wild Wood

Paul Weller

4/5

Great as always. His vocals are particularly good and the drums stand out but it's a consumate set of songs really well performed and a proper album

Illinois

Sufjan Stevens

1/5

Started off sweet and engaging but it's too much far too long. Plenty other similar stuff

In Rainbows

Radiohead

3/5

It's a radiohead album. Not sure it's their best

This Nation’s Saving Grace

The Fall

2/5

Ho hum. It's a fair enough picture of how punk turned to depression rather than anger. But that wasn't a good thing was it? Musically a bit bland though bass player working hard to some effect. If you're in a hurry to die I'd skip this.

Freak Out!

The Mothers Of Invention

3/5

Its 1966 and the mix is good. But they are prats really. Yeah needs a listen but I doubt you'll play it twice

Tigermilk

Belle & Sebastian

3/5

A bit wishy washy but nearly a 4 as folk like a bit of wishy washy. The intimate narrative of the songs is outstanding and definitely should be in the list.

Green

R.E.M.

4/5

Great band great album pushing a 5 with the clever singles and the range of approaches. Has to be on the list

Bad

Michael Jackson

3/5

I thought this would be much h better. But very disappointing. Singles ok rest really uninspiring and a waste of money and talent. Not even great pop. Check out the videos before you die but skip the album

Destroy Rock & Roll

Mylo

3/5

Was prepared to be bored or disappointed but this is pretty good. Variety, hangs together, some humour. This 'genre had to be in and this is a pleasant example

Rip It Up

Orange Juice

3/5

Great wee album launching Edwin Collins stellar career instruments great variety and genre establishing. Could be a 4 but kept it at

Parallel Lines

Blondie

5/5

Brilliant album. Like one or two other 'new wave' band Blondie managed to keep pop and rock mainstream. Perhaps also watershed in terms of the turn towards female singers dominating pop. But great songs great hardworking playing by the whole band to produce a wonderful sound. A bit seminal to jangle pop too probably.

Nighthawks At The Diner

Tom Waits

3/5

Well what can you say. It's a thing. Well hidden genius but probably not his best material. You should probably listen. Spare parts 1 is possibly the best track and yeah give it a shot. Really more a historical record than an 'album' tho.

(What's The Story) Morning Glory

Oasis

5/5

Vastly overplayed and over covered it's still completely deserving of 5 stars. The music is full of hooks and the lyrics are either genius irony or verbal diahorrea. In both cases catchy. Liams guitar sound is really much more deserving of comment and what a great live band they were; with a nice live sound in the studio.

Music in Exile

Songhoy Blues

5/5

This is great. Slightly different interesting take on blues and African music. Much better that Bonamassa or Vaughan for example. Perfectly approachable.Electric and acoustic: good lyrical and emotional content. Variety and general sense of hope and cheer and musicality well better than a lot of the industrial over produced stuff on this list.

Licensed To Ill

Beastie Boys

1/5

One classic and a decent other one. Rest just shouty shitey shallow . You die happier having missed it

Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

The Kinks

3/5

3 + 3

The Isley Brothers

3/5

Not as great as they think they are. A couple of classic sngles and that's about it. Edges a 3