Sep 10 2025
Arc Of A Diver
Steve Winwood
Started off quite strong but went downhill into mediocrity quite quickly.
2
Sep 11 2025
Funeral
Arcade Fire
If we were allowed half votes this would be 3.5, but I’ve rounded up to 4 as it’s certainly not an average 3. It’s a good solid album.
4
Sep 12 2025
Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
Whilst the album has a couple of my favourite Iggy tracks on it (Passenger and Lust For Life) it’s not one I’d really listen to in full. It’s ok, but doesn’t set my world on fire.
3
Sep 16 2025
Urban Hymns
The Verve
Pretty bland and largely forgettable. Kept having to drag myself
To pay attention to it and let it just be background music.
2
Sep 17 2025
System Of A Down
System Of A Down
2
Sep 18 2025
A Walk Across The Rooftops
The Blue Nile
This album doesn’t warrant a score of 1 because it’s technically well done and produced. I just find it sooo boring! So, thanks to its production, it gets a 2 from me. Not an album, or a band, I’ll be listening to again.
2
Sep 19 2025
The La's
The La's
The album that almost never was. Can’t believe this actually came out in 1990 and was the bands only album. When “There She Goes” came out in 1988 it was really popular in certain circles at our school and a group of us even went and saw them live in 1989 (they were good live but I preferred the two support bands - EAT, and Trash Can Sinatra’s).
The band was splitting up and changing band members so much it’s no wonder the album took years to finish (they recorded it a load with various member changes).
Although BritPop really became a big term in the mid-90’s it was 80’s bands like The LA’s, Stone Roses, and Primal Scream which helped pave the way. Whether they are to be lauded or share part of the blame depends on your taste of course.
This album is alright. It’s inoffensive and has some catchy tunes which atleast makes you “hear” the album as opposed to being background music you forget is on.
Probably preferred The La’s to Cast (who sprung from The La’s ashes).
3
Sep 22 2025
Brothers
The Black Keys
Ah, it’s one of those fairly bland bluesy rock albums. Not really my cup of tea (bet you couldn’t tell that from my opening sentence).
Doubt they’ll be too upset though as they’ve sold millions of albums worldwide.
I’m half way through the album as I write this - and I’ll see it out, but can’t imagine the music will suddenly give me an epiphany and change my mind 30+ minutes.
…Yep, no epiphany received.
2
Sep 23 2025
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
You oughta know that all I really want is perfect album. You’d be forgiven thinking it is ironic that this gets pretty close. Sometimes I wake up to this album and the songs just go right through you. You learn to come to love this LP , and no one can tell you otherwise, certainly not the the Doctor. I saw her live on this tour but there was no crowd surfing, you know - the head over feet kind so common at metal gigs. More the hand in my pocket tapping away whilst singing along to Mary Jane.
In short, top album. 5 stars for Jagged Little Pill.
5
Sep 24 2025
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Some great tracks on this album, me not just Fast Car that originally brought her to international attention.
I’ve actually listened to this album a few times over the years, and it’s still sounds great. Saw her performance of Fast Car at the Grammys last year and she’s got a great voice.
4
Sep 25 2025
Maverick A Strike
Finley Quaye
I’d heard the name Finley Quaye but didn’t know anything about him or his music before listening to this album. I’m pretty sure I’ve never heard any of his tracks before, but was vaguely hopeful as Spotify also had him appear on some chill out Ibiza playlists… but I can only guess that was a trancey remix or something.
Now I don’t know much reggae, obviously Saint Bob who is a favourite summer chilled listen. When I worked at Camden Market back in the 80’s a lot of reggae was played, which I enjoyed, but apart from aforementioned Saint Bob I’ve never brought any reggae music myself.
I guess Finley Quaye is pretty good to have made it onto the top 1001 list, but he’s not really my thing. Doubt I’ll ever listen to this again.
2
Sep 26 2025
...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
I knew of The Dandy Warhols but had never listened to any of their albums until this one. It started off reminding me a bit of REM, certainly from the same college roots. The majority of the album is pretty decent and, apart from a couple of tracks which seem to go on a bit too long towards the end of the album, I really enjoyed it. Certainly a band I might explore further.
4
Sep 29 2025
Ramones
Ramones
I like the Ramones, have done for years, and always enjoy throwing them on for a spin every so often.
I’m torn between giving this a 3 or a 4, mainly because whilst I like them I also think that a lot better bands and albums exist out there. I can enjoy an album whilst appreciating it’s not the greatest album (or band), or even close to being, out there. So… fun album. Guess I’m giving it a 3.
3
Sep 30 2025
Green
R.E.M.
I think this album was the first time I heard REM. Orange Crush was getting a lot of plays at some of the local Indie clubs, along with It’s The End of the World as we know it and The One I Love from their previous album, Document, that I think is actually the better of the two albums.
Green is a good REM album, not my favourite (that goes to Automatic For The People), but is overall pretty solid.
4
Oct 01 2025
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
I’m sorry but the levels of misogyny and takes on peadophilia and general attitude of this album makes it unlistenable. I don’t mind some Eminem tracks but do find a lot of his work pretty terrible - especially in the lyric content and attitude. I did see him live at Reading Festival years ago and he makes a terrible role model. Loads of kids in the crowd with their parents and he’s up on stage making jokes about women, sex and drugs - to be fair that’s less his problem and more the festival organisers scheduling him at a very much pre-watershed afternoon slot. I don’t mind rap and hip-hop but this album should never have made a 1001 best album list.
1
Oct 02 2025
Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
Never heard of Deerhunter before and, now I’ve listened to the album, can confidently say I’ve still not heard them. What a bland album. Didn’t even really notice it was on, and certainly not a song that grabbed my attention. I’m going to have to listen to it again and try and pay attention as first listen was just blah background noise.
Ok, second listen was better as I heard the songs and music. Still found it a rather bland album with no track jumping out at me. Technically not bad though, but as nothing grabbed me it’s getting a 2.
2
Oct 03 2025
The Real Thing
Faith No More
I first heard Faith No More when We Care A Lot came out. It was an exciting mix that you didn’t really have much of in metal at the time. An album later, and a change in singer, we had The Real Thing which propelled them in the limelight. Epic was a metal and alternate club classic - and I loved the entire album… plus live they were phenomenal. Whilst I really enjoyed The Real Thing my favourite album of theirs was the follow up to this, Angel Dust. Faith No More were pretty groundbreaking in the metal scene at the time - as the vast bulk of the scene was still rooted in the classic metal sound and FNM disrupted that and opened the path to a lot of new bands experimenting with their sound and style.
4
Oct 06 2025
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
I’m going to presume there are more than one Black Sabbath album on the 1001 album list, because this is certainly not their best (Paranoid is far better). This is alright, lots of twiddly guitar and riffs. Probably viewed more with rose tinted spectacles, especially now Ozzy has departed.
2
Oct 07 2025
The Joshua Tree
U2
This was the first CD I brought. I was a massive U2 fan in the 80’s and think I got this the day of release. It’s probably my favourite U2 album and the last album of theirs that I think was full of great tracks. Post-Joshua Tree there are certainly songs I like but I rarely (or never) listen to entire
Albums all the way through from their later releases.
5
Oct 08 2025
Hearts And Bones
Paul Simon
Apart from his time with Mr Garfunkel I’ve never really listened to Paul Simon beyond “You Can Call Me Al” (which you couldn’t avoid when it came out) and (possibly) the “Graceland” album.
This album certainly doesn’t reach the heights of the Art & Garfunkel tracks, but is largely inoffensive. That said, what the hell is “Cars Are Cars”? What bright spark thought that was a good or interesting idea? That song almost made me drop the album to a 2. Maybe it still will, but generally the album is probably a more mediocre average 3. Halfway through my second listen as I write this but none of the songs have jumped out at me (or atleast in a good way - Cars Are Cars certainly jumped out, but more in a road crash sense).
3
Oct 09 2025
Talk Talk Talk
The Psychedelic Furs
I’d love to actually see the full list of 1001 albums at somepoint as they just have left some brilliant ones out so they could include some dubious ones. Sure, Pretty in Pink is a classic song, and there is possibly one other good song on this album but it’s hardly a classic in its own genre let alone of all time albums.
2
Oct 10 2025
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
If I had ever known of The Good, The Bad & The Queen I’d completely forgotten about them until today’s album suggestion. Damon Albarn certainly likes his projects doesn’t he. Shame they mostly sound more-or-less the same.
There is a track I like on this album, but most of it does sound very samey. It’s not a *bad* album, just a little dull.
3
Oct 13 2025
A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
I enjoyed this album. I’d never listened to more than the odd song from Dusty Springfield if it was on the radio or a compilation album. She has a good voice, but the reason she ends up with a four, instead of possibly challenging for that coveted 5, is the same as a number of singers and groups from this era - that they end up releasing albums with a load of covers or songs that other artists also do. I know it was for a number of reasons, including radio play, but whilst bands like The Beatles and Rolling Stones were (largely) doing their own thing it’s a shame more singers weren’t able to.
4
Oct 14 2025
Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
I have never really listened to much Bob Dylan, despite seeing him live twice (both times at festivals). I do generally find his voice too whiney for me, sometimes hurts my head.
I did watch The Complete Unknown, which is a brilliant movie, but came out of it going on a Joan Baez kick instead of going down the Dylan road. He is a good song writer and an icon of the music biz. Flipping between a 3 and a 4 with this one, mainly because I’ve had a headache all day and Dylan really is not an artist to listen to when you have one.
3
Oct 15 2025
Pieces Of The Sky
Emmylou Harris
I’d like to know why this album stands out above any of the other thousands of country albums out there?
It sounds (to a non-country fan) very stereotypical for the scene. It’s getting a 3 from me because it’s technically well done. But as far as the songs, etc, are concerned they could be any country songs as they all sound pretty much the same tempo and twiddly chords. I don’t think I’ll be listening to any more Emmylou Harris unless she somehow gets another album on this list.
3
Oct 16 2025
Microshift
Hookworms
I had never heard of Hookworms until this album suggestion. Whilst I like it, and have now listened to the rest of their catalogue, I’m not sure why they are on a 1001 best album list. It’s enjoyable certainly, but there are better examples of their genre out there. Still, guess I’m glad they were on the list otherwise I wouldn’t have heard of them. Better than some of the other albums that have been featured, and certainly a nice bit of fresh air after the recent 60’s/70’s offerings.
4
Oct 17 2025
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Doesn’t this album just make you want to rip your panties off and throw them at the stereo?
Well, no, me neither. It’s odd to think that Elvis, and his thrusting gyrating “dance” got so many people all is a tizz. But Elvis was instrumental in breaking the musical mode and bringing rock and roll to the masses. Helping to give the band hole music industry a jumpstart into a more modern age.
This, his debut album at 21, is packed full of hits - the whole album was released as singles in the US - and spent 10 weeks at #1 in the US. It’s a pleasant listen and doesn’t make me want to dive for the off switch (or fling undergarments) towards the stereo. Not someone I’d listen to a lot, but wouldn’t switch radio stations if he came on.
3
Oct 20 2025
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were one of those bands I loved as a teen. I had lyrics to some of their songs pinned on my desk cork board. I watched the Becoming Led Zeppelin documentary earlier in the year and recommend it to any fans out there. This album certainly has a few classic tracks on, but is not their best album in my mind. Tracks such as Whole Lotta Love are fantastic, but the overall album probably lands as a 3.
3
Oct 21 2025
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
I like PJ Harvey, and have seen her live atleast a couple of times. This album, whilst still a good album, is not my favourite of hers. Despite including “This Is Love” which is on my favourites list, “Stories From The City…” ranks behind her “To Being You My Love” (1995) and “Let England Shake” (2011) as an overall album.
That’s not in the least to say it’s bad, it certainly isn’t, just that I don’t think it’s my favourite of hers.
Regardless, it was still really nice to play this through a couple of times today :)
3
Oct 22 2025
Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Not my cup of Caipirinha.
2
Oct 23 2025
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
This pretty much gave me what I wanted and expected from the title.
I used to have a few western albums (still love “Rawhide”) which is partially a throwback to the old black & white cowboy serials on TV as a kid combined with background music for the Deadland RPG.
I found this much better than the Emmylou Harris country & western album the other day.
3
Oct 24 2025
Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
Never heard of John Grant (or his previous band The Czars) but reading his Spotify bio gives me hope that I might like this - or some of his subsequent - albums. Looking forward to giving this a listen…
Well, so far this is pretty tame/medicore. Only half way through so far though.
Yeah, wasn’t keen on this. Have cleared my listening queue of the other albums of his I had initially lined up. Not someone I’d listen to again.
1
Oct 27 2025
Coat Of Many Colors
Dolly Parton
Despite my previous comments about country music I don’t mind some of it. Dolly is definitely one of the best of the genre and this album was a pleasant listen. Certainly also helped by being under 30 minutes, but it also sounds much better than some of the others that have been on this list.
3
Oct 28 2025
Either Or
Elliott Smith
I’d never heard of Elliott Smith before. I wasn’t sure what to expect but found this very dull and bland.
1
Oct 29 2025
Ragged Glory
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Probably in a minority here, but I’ve never really listened to Neil Young, and wouldn’t be able to name any of his songs off the top of my head. I obviously know the name, but his music is not the type of rock I’ve ever listened to - a little like The Rolling Stones, which the first song on this album reminded me a bit of.
God… some of this is painful (currently on Farmer John and boy is it hard on the ears)
Had to turn off the final track - was hurting me head.
As a bonus I also started to listen to his “Like a Hurricane” as The Mission covered it. I can safely say that I think the Mission version is immeasurably better in all regards.
Guess I am not a Neil Young fan.
1
Oct 30 2025
Picture Book
Simply Red
Now I know we all took the piss out of Simply Red something rotten when we were younger, but apart from the *hits* I’ve never listened to an actual album of theirs… so here goes…
Well, first song is really not my thing.
Second song is better, but I don’t like the live audience and the song isn’t really my taste.
3 & 4 less offensive to the ears. Track 5 back to being shit.
Onto the hits… they’ve grown on me over the decades. Really wasn’t keen when they first came out in the 80’s but they have either worn me down or I’ve developed a warped nostalgia for these two.
Out of the hits and tracks 8 and 9 don’t seem too bad, mind you that might just be because the start of the album was so terrible that these ones actually sound better … having just written that I’ve just hit a terrible midsection in No Direction (possibly a chorus) so have changed my mind and this track is as bad as the earlier ones.
Final track limps things passed the finishing line. On the strength of the two hits this might manage a “2” but given the lacklustre and dismal other tracks I think it might be a 1 from me. Guess I’ll find out tomorrow how I’m feeling about when I get to submit a score. Not one I’ll ever listen to again in any case.
1
Oct 31 2025
Idlewild
Everything But The Girl
The opening track is a classic but generally I’ve found EBTG fine background music but they aren’t really my thing. My favourite track of theirs is from a few years later from this album when Todd Terry remixed Missing. Overall fine.
3
Nov 03 2025
The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Really enjoyed this.
5
Nov 04 2025
Disraeli Gears
Cream
Apart from “I Feel Free” (which I annoy on this album) I don’t think I know any Cream tracks.
It definitely sounds like what I’d expect from a 60’s rock album, although is let down by some terrible tracks (the appalling Mothers Lament that shouldn’t even have graced a bad 60’s comedy album).
Turns out I do know more than one Cream track though as instantly recognised Sunshine of Your Love.
Hard one to score for me. Would I listen to this album again? Probably not. Waivering between a 2 and a 3.
3
Nov 05 2025
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard Creedence Clearwater Revival, despite knowing the name. I will admit I never knew how popular they were given they are still in the top 200 most listened too artists on Spotify.
Given the recent 60’s rock albums that have been thrown up by this site I did not have my hopes up. Thankfully I was very pleasantly surprised and enjoyed this album. Might even listen to some of their other albums at some point.
4
Nov 06 2025
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
After a few albums of @ 30 mins this one came as a bit of a shock to the system. It was quite daunting, having never listened to a Stevie Wonder album before, to be confronted with a double album running to 1 hour 45 min!
I know a sprinkling of his hits but beyond that it’s pretty much Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise which heavily samples Pastime Paradise which appears on this album.
Overall listening to this brought back memories of the 70’s and surprisingly Sesame Street for some reason?
I quite enjoyed it, but it’s not really a genre or musician that I’d go out of my way to listen to again.
3
Nov 07 2025
Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
I had fairly high hopes for this album for some reason. Possibly due to remembering Primal Scream in their early days being played at a number of clubs I frequented (Loaded and Moving on Up seemed to be everywhere) but this ended up being fairly bland background noise. Was quite disappointed as I was looking forwarded to listening to an entire album from these guys as I’m not sure I’ve listened to any of their albums since Screamadelica and can’t remember that apart from the signature tracks anymore.
2