My 1001 Albums Journey

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998 albums remaining

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1990

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Hip-hop

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Wordsmith

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5-Star Albums

1-Star Albums

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Albums

You Love More Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Nixon Lambchop	5	2.75	+2.25
Tom Tom Club Tom Tom Club	5	3.03	+1.97
Deserter's Songs Mercury Rev	5	3.03	+1.97
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds	5	3.32	+1.68
Music in Exile Songhoy Blues	5	3.33	+1.67
The Fat Of The Land The Prodigy	5	3.4	+1.6
Ellington at Newport Duke Ellington	5	3.43	+1.57
American Gothic David Ackles	4	2.49	+1.51
Ill Communication Beastie Boys	5	3.64	+1.36
Remedy Basement Jaxx	4	2.68	+1.32

You Love Less Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Band On The Run Paul McCartney and Wings	1	3.66	-2.66
Frank Amy Winehouse	1	3.45	-2.45
Aftermath The Rolling Stones	1	3.38	-2.38
Stephen Stills Stephen Stills	1	3.18	-2.18
...The Dandy Warhols Come Down The Dandy Warhols	1	3.13	-2.13
Back To Black Amy Winehouse	2	4.02	-2.02
Ten Pearl Jam	2	3.91	-1.91
Back In Black AC/DC	2	3.85	-1.85
Let It Bleed The Rolling Stones	2	3.82	-1.82
Vincebus Eruptum Blue Cheer	1	2.8	-1.8

Artists

Favorites

Artist	Albums	Average
Radiohead	3	4.33

Least Favorites

Artist	Albums	Average
The Rolling Stones	2	1.5
Amy Winehouse	2	1.5

5-Star Albums (10)

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Popular Reviews

All That You Can't Leave Behind

U2 · 1 likes

2/5

I hate this album but I'm giving it a two as it is extremely motivating (as an unsuccessful musician) this was to make music that is not so emotionally flaccid, trite and over-produced. I DO like Beautiful Day but I was also raised in a cult where genuine culture and self expression was frowned upon- so I can't tell if this is a stockholm syndrome response.

good kid, m.A.A.d city

Kendrick Lamar · 1 likes

4/5

I love his parents so much. Dominooos!

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds · 1 likes

5/5

PRAISE HIM TIL YOU'VE FORGOTTEN WHAT YOU'RE PRAISING HIM FOR! PRAISE HIM A LITTLE BIT MORE! I've always loved this album - it's got sinister dirgy Nick (Lyre of Orpheus), lovelorn world weary piano Nick (Babe You Turn Me On), slightly fey Nick with recorders (Breathless) and religious but not getting too carried away Nick with gospel choirs and fire and wrath and amazing arrangements and some amusing lyrical turns. It's got a few less interesting tracks - Fable of Brown Ape being the most notable- and there's still a lot of that swagger and arrogance of young Nick that you'll either love or hate - but overall quite joyous and silly. (High 4 rounded up to 5)

1-Star Albums (7)

All Ratings

Crosby, Stills & Nash

3/5

Very Simon and Garfunkel as noted, with a great tracks showcasing the harmonies that, I believe, they were famous for. Was a bit twee/whimsical in parts and their cover of Everybody's talking can't hold a candle to Nilsson's- but a little research showed it was released the same year so guess it was bad timing. Looking forward to abit more of the political stuff and Neil Young getting involved.

Illinois

Sufjan Stevens

4/5

Some beautiful stand out moments (Casimir Pulaski Day, and the one about the serial killer) but a bit long and sprawling. I don't know whether to feel disappointed or relieved he didn't do all the states.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

3/5

The sort of nice-guy rock n roll that reminds me of long drives with my parents in America as a kid. Knew a few tracks from the best of, but don't think there'd be many occasions I'd put this on otherwise- unless I had to drive across Arizona. Like his voice though, and the Hammond organ, and have this idea he's a "nice guy" but this might be because he was also in Travelling Wilburys. And American Girl is a banger Alternative recommendation: Ezra Furman - Day of the Dog.

Franz Ferdinand

3/5

Definitely an album of its time- and hard to separate from the swagger of similar artists (Kaiser Chiefs etc), but there's still something that's a bit playful and endearing about it (perhaps tinted by their Sparks collaboration in my mind.) Lyrically pretty insipid and not particularly inspiring musically, but best of a bad bunch I think. FFS much better. (Would give it 2.5 if I could)

Songs From The Big Chair

Tears For Fears

3/5

I was all ready to be cynical about this one as I didn't remember much about it from my last listen. But Shout got me out of bed and Everybody wants to rule the world is a banger. The rest of it seemed pretty derivative and bland though.

Horses

Patti Smith

4/5

This was way more fun and playful than I remembered. Always loved the first track but maybe now I'm not a Christian I can appreciate it way more XD. Enjoyable throughout, inspiring in places but a tad long. Would give it 4.5 if possible

The Fat Of The Land

The Prodigy

5/5

Station To Station

David Bowie

4/5

Stephen Stills

1/5

Good Old Boys

Randy Newman

2/5

I spent awhile trying to work out of Newman's satire really justifies his use of the n-word, given that he's a white 'Northerner' that spent some time in the deep South as a kid where he both witnessed racism and er, took what he wanted from some of their musical styles (eg. his rambling style). And then I remembered he's the guy who wrote that song from Toy Story and no, that words not okay coming from a white guy, certainly not anymore. We've got Beyoncé singing about the deep south now, and she does it without punching down. Rated two for good musicianship and an effort, I suppose, to try and say something meaningful rather than having a good old w*nk on a guitar, but let's all listen to Cowboy Carter now shall we?

Thriller

Michael Jackson

3/5

Goodbye And Hello

Tim Buckley

3/5

More of a high 3- excellent first half but all got a bit fey after Hallucinations. Will be interested to hear Happy Sad though which is also on the list I believe?

Graceland

Paul Simon

4/5

Can't deny I love parts of this album a lot. Really strong opening and track three is a superb mix of styles (featuring- and made by- The Gaza Sisters - I admit I had to Google that but will be checking them out imminently) I sort of lose interest as the album goes on though- Homeless is beautiful, but feel like I'm less impressed by Simon's lyrics these days - and the last few tracks just sound dated. I've never been sure how Zydeco music fits either? Leaving aside the appropriation stuff I'm giving it a 4- just cos I Know what I know makes me feel very happy

Raw Power

The Stooges

2/5

Double Nickels On The Dime

Minutemen

3/5

The White Album

Beatles

4/5

I couldn't be bothered to listen to it all again but I do enjoy it on the whole. McCartney at his most Lennonesque, George and Ringo having a go. Shame about Bungalow Bill, that song is shite

Rust Never Sleeps

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

3/5

At San Quentin

Johnny Cash

4/5

With The Beatles

Beatles

2/5

Really should have been a Chuck Berry album in here instead of this. About half of it is covers, most from black artists. It's got a few original tracks, which do stand out, and is of passing interest in understanding the (rather cringey) beginnings of the band but this isn't 1001 things you need to know about the Beatles before you die. Gonna put on the Great twenty eight immediately

Songs In The Key Of Life

Stevie Wonder

4/5

3 Feet High and Rising

De La Soul

4/5

Aftermath

The Rolling Stones

1/5

Both consistently misogynist and with moments of unbearable affectation and what seems to be a rather poor grasp of Tudor History.

Dookie

Green Day

3/5

Nice nostalgic punk pop

...The Dandy Warhols Come Down

The Dandy Warhols

1/5

Bland, banal, overlong. Shoulda been Storm in Heaven by the Verve

Signing Off

UB40

3/5

Glad I stuck this one out- would normally not be into white guys with patois accents (looking at you Gordon) but these guys were at least political about it- the last half of the album addresses racism head on. Didn't realise they started out as a bunch of kids on the dole - can imagine them getting high and having a skank and having something to say. Kinda of a shame that they ended up trotting out naff covers, but I imagine they probably don't mind.

Band On The Run

Paul McCartney and Wings

1/5

All That You Can't Leave Behind

2/5

Ten

Pearl Jam

2/5

Mainly gross

In A Silent Way

Miles Davis

4/5

A Girl Called Dusty

Dusty Springfield

4/5

American Gothic

David Ackles

4/5

Felt like a missing puzzle piece in terms of influencing people like Rufus Wainwright, John Cale, Randy Newman? First and last tracks were really quite astonishing with notes of Gershwin and Copeland and the vastness of the American "pioneer" landscape - but the middle dragged a bit, with a number of Scotch Walker-esque ballads without the latters soulful voice. A nice surprise overall.

Darkdancer

Les Rythmes Digitales

3/5

Boppy, groovy, bit too long

KIWANUKA

Michael Kiwanuka

2/5

Got half way through and felixed it. Great first track but not my thing

The Last Broadcast

Doves

2/5

This should be in 1001 white male indie bands to bore you to death. Couple of rousing tracks that sounded inspiring when I was a depressed teenager and are embarrassed now. 2 for nostalgia only

Lazer Guided Melodies

Spiritualized

4/5

In The Court Of The Crimson King

King Crimson

3/5

Oracular Spectacular

MGMT

2/5

Hipster Sparks

Mermaid Avenue

Billy Bragg

3/5

Nice Sunday music for pottering around

Music in Exile

Songhoy Blues

5/5

I'm giving this 5 because it was the first album that reminded why I did this in the first place- new to me, vibrant, exciting

The Good, The Bad & The Queen

4/5

Some nice textures and sounds from some very talented musicians. Last track was very nice.

Dirty

Sonic Youth

4/5

Great stuff- about twice as long as necessary tho

Broken English

Marianne Faithfull

2/5

Low-Life

New Order

2/5

2.5 - straight down the middle

Vincebus Eruptum

Blue Cheer

1/5

Boring psych rock

Now I Got Worry

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

3/5

Well it certainly sounds like they were having a good time. Diverting, fun, drugs.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Beatles

4/5

Really winsome and whimsical with some total bangers and excellent George Martinning

Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul

Otis Redding

5/5

Just incredible. Can only imagine what it must have been like seeing him live.

Let It Bleed

The Rolling Stones

2/5

A Shit sandwich made with extremely good bread.

Back To Black

Amy Winehouse

2/5

Pornography

The Cure

4/5

Liked this - think I didn't listen to it when I was young because the title was UNACCEPTABLE for christians. Feel like I'd have enjoyed the goth vibes more then, and overall it's a bit long and not as gopd as their later offerings- but some excellent drums and Robert Smith being Robert Smith (probably a high 3)

Oxygène

Jean-Michel Jarre

3/5

Illmatic

Nas

4/5

Rum Sodomy & The Lash

The Pogues

3/5

I nearly cried on the last one, and Dirty old town is brilliant. High 3

Young Americans

David Bowie

3/5

Low

David Bowie

3/5

Born To Run

Bruce Springsteen

3/5

A couple of great tracks and some very silly overlong Vegas-Elvis, Dylan on steroids type of american music, which alot of people love don't they?

Penance Soiree

The Icarus Line

1/5

Dreadful. I nearly liked it and can see why it fits in with the strong rock themes of this book but it's mediocre and dull and inane. Can't really believe I made it to the end.

Ill Communication

Beastie Boys

5/5

High 4, rounding up. Always forget how versatile and nuanced these guys are. And Sabotage is such a banger

More Songs About Buildings And Food

Talking Heads

4/5

Eliminator

ZZ Top

2/5

Some high class dad rock - quite fun I guess? Would have preferred Huey Lewis

Damaged

Black Flag

2/5

Music for boys, nice saxophones tho

good kid, m.A.A.d city

Kendrick Lamar

4/5

I love his parents so much. Dominooos!

Dire Straits

2/5

I've listened to it before and dont want to again. Walk of life is abit of a bop but can't remember if it's on this one. And it's annoying because it's about a guitar player but the keys are the main feature.

Blunderbuss

Jack White

2/5

My expectations were so low that I was pleasantly surprised at first - then gradually bored. Some great backing singers though and nice instruments. Better with Meg on drums though. And the reference to Bo Diddley half way through just reminded me the latter really should be in here instead of this.

Kid A

Radiohead

4/5

Frank

Amy Winehouse

1/5

Nixon

Lambchop

5/5

In Rainbows

Radiohead

4/5

Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd

3/5

Cloud Nine

The Temptations

3/5

Funkkky

Ellington at Newport

Duke Ellington

5/5

Tom Tom Club

5/5

Boosting to remind myself - reminds me of OOIOO - but yeah a bit annoying XD

Hounds Of Love

Kate Bush

4/5

Legalize It

Peter Tosh

4/5

I really liked some of the demo tracks nearer the end - there was one with amazing harmonies- not sure if they were on the original release but they really capture the energy and vibes of the jam energy.

Deserter's Songs

Mercury Rev

5/5

Mmm musical saw

Either Or

Elliott Smith

3/5

Technically brilliant, beautiful in parts - but can't listen to a lot of him in one go - soooooo sad

OK Computer

Radiohead

5/5

The Predator

Ice Cube

4/5

Innervisions

Stevie Wonder

4/5

Remedy

Basement Jaxx

4/5

Blonde On Blonde

Bob Dylan

4/5

Oh Bob, bob, bob. You do Bob Dylan very well. You get 5 stars for music that sounds like Bob Dylan- clever, nice instruments (of the Bob Dylan vein), some interesting similes in a Bob Dylan style, some danceable tracks even, for Bob Dylan.You write very well about women as aesthetic objects. You came up with a drole title for the opening track. But it's just all a bit Bob Dylan isn't it? I'm genuinely Bob of this Dylan but just don't Bob Dylan any Dylan. High Dylan due to Bob.

Neon Bible

Arcade Fire

3/5

Back In Black

AC/DC

2/5

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Various Artists

3/5

Paranoid

Black Sabbath

3/5