1001 Albums Summary

This was an interesting dive into UK synth/pop from decades past that I was never exposed to. Although the singer, Tennant, wasn't out at the time, nowadays it reads like an introspective and celebratory gay anthem. My first real deep listen to Pet Shop Boys, I feel like this was just the first surface scratch of a very deep genre and sound. That said, I did find it a bit repetitive and drawn-out at times... like, I kept waiting for him to do something a bit different, but most of the tracks just went along in a very similar vein. Almost like, once you had heard one song on the album, well, you've heard the rest of the album. Incredibly well produced and executed though, the quality is damned high.

Was already familiar with Young's work. Knew three of these songs already. Clean, well-executed album with lots of lyric creativity on Young's part. What's really fun is listening to the B-side... you can hear grungy guitar licks that seem 15 years ahead of their time. Young and Crazy Horse were always inspirations.

I wanted to like this more than I did. They know how to put out great beats and licks on this album, but I can never twig to their lyrical style. Great for those that like that sort of thing, but just not my style. I give them credit for producing a very tight and cogent album, however.

Classic Young. Everyone knows at least one or two songs off this one. Enjoyed the lesser known songs, they never got radio play compared to the singles. Definitely a big landmark for classic rock fans.

I wasn't on the bar scene in the UK in the mid-2000s, but this sure helps me visualize it! You can almost smell the spilled beer and cheap cologne. I only knew them from the "Dance Floor" single, but the rest of the album lived up to expectations. It plays as a fusion of a lot of different sounds, IMHO, but never strays too far from the central concept: smacking you in the face with smart and catchy beats while the lyrics are shouted with earnest energy. Wikipedia called it a "concept album" focused on Brit pub life, and I can't find a fault in that. A band that I wish I had appreciated more when I was younger, totally missed out on them at the time.

I tried to like this one, but I couldn't really get into it. It's a proper example of Brit prog rock from the early '70s... and I can see how it might have influenced others... but I simply didn't find it enjoyable. I think they hit a better stride 5 years later with the "Logical Song" era, frankly. They're finding their footing here, but they're also waffling about. The riffs are experimental and there's some soaring bits in there, but at no point was I wowed by it. I'm rather particular about vocalists, and I didn't look forward to the singing at any point during the album. I give it credit for effort, for the time it was produced in, but I think I've been spoiled by bands from later eras that try to do the same thing, but better.

Okay, wasn't expecting this one. But the whole album is solid, they're all cleanly delivered western ballads. Not everyone's genre, but everything on the album is tight. And these guys had some great voices, too. Separate the art from the artist if you can, though, Marty's politics were kind of extreme.

Behold the advent of jazzy yacht rock. The production quality on this album is insanely high, so as you're sipping your wine coolers on the deck of your 30-footer, there'll be nothing but high fidelity bouncing over the waves.

Simply amazing. RIP to the Gentle Genius. The album goes so much deeper than the flick it was made for.

It's cock rock. Wasn't a fan at the time, but I can acknowledge its influence.

Amazing fusion of blues and psychedelic rock. Timeless and perfect.

Another classic. Didn't know this is where "Smoke on the Water" came from, but now I do. Only heard it 1000 times...

Some decent stuff here. Not my favorite genre, but nice to be exposed to something new.

Beautiful and poignant. No one sounds like Billie. An absolute legend that everyone should listen to at least once.

Very good rocking blues album. Not a huge fan of Rod Stewart's vocals, but he's much better here than later in his career.

One of favorite albums of all time. There's not a single bad track on here. This band has always brought a fresh and unique approach to indie rock, and they're my favorite Scottish band to boot, by far. In the last 20 years, I've listened to this album dozens of times, and it never gets old. For anyone that wants a clean, well-executed and eminently listenable indie rock album, just put this on and you won't regret it.

Not my thing.

Had this album back in the day. Hasn't aged all that well.

Awesome, gorgeous music. Chapman deserves so much more mainstream recognition than she gets... oh, and that recent popular cover of "Fast Car" sucks ass compared to the original, BTW.

Another classic from my high school/college era... everyone knew this album. Amazingly groundbreaking and seminal for the genre.

I'll never be able to experience life as an African American, but that doesn't stop me from trying to learn about it. This is more than just good music, or a revolution in rap (and it's both of these, too)... it's the latest in a long line of social commentary that is intrinsic in black music. Every American should listen to this (and Kendrick's other albums) to understand where our country is today.

An album very well known by me and my generation. The singles from this were everywhere. First time listening to the whole thing, though. She's got real range and a truly unique voice. I like some of her later material better, FWIW. Interesting to learn that she was more of a pop artist for two albums before this one. I guess angst sells! Truly groundbreaking album, all told. Earworms aplenty on this one.

Huge for New Wave. Not my genre, though.

Never heard more about these guys than the name. Pleasantly surprised by the myriad influences on their sound. The wiki described it as "desert noir"? I guess so? Great music for a dusty cantina or a late night car ride in the middle of nowhere. Eminently listenable.

Another great driving album. Perfect for long stretches of lonely road. Mitchell liked traveling as inspiration for her songs... it's only proper.

Great sound production on this one. Joni's voice is in perfect form here. Not surprised at all to hear this one listed as one of the all-time greatest albums.

This album, and this band, are kind of confusing to listen to. It's "jazz rock" of the late 1960s, but what does that even mean? The jams that come along on this album sound like a church rock revival concert, a boozy Vegas bar, a honky-tonk bluesfest and honest to goodness prog rock had a bastard baby. I feel like they were aping the Doors at times, but not quite pulling it off? Other times they feel like they're ripping off Tom Jones. "Spinning Wheel" is the one track where they seem to find what they're groping around for. I'm sure some folks enjoy it, and maybe it represents what folks were experimenting with in 1968, but the fusion of sounds and instruments kept leaving me wanting. Perhaps I'm just not the audience for it. So it goes.

Interesting "supergroup". Completely missed the fact that they existed, they never got any mainstream airplay. Strange to hear Turner's voice in anything other than Arctic Monkeys, but it works. Aping a bit of Muse here. Very listenable album, full of neat twists and turns.

So, this is great if you like Steve Winwood. But I don't. I'm sure it helped to evolve the jazz-rock fusions going on in 1970, but I wasn't impressed. Perhaps there's been too much of this same genre being shoved my way by 1001 Albums lately. Perhaps it's not my genre. But if you're in the mood for some mid-range jazzy yacht rock that won't offend your abuela, here you go.

The Talking Heads are legends. This album, and their entire discography, will keep influencing music for decades to come. Brilliant, innovative, experimental, inspired and genre-defying.

Interesting album. OMD was fairly unknown to me. Decent electronica from early 1980s. They took some chances with their sound, I can respect that. Not likely to get much replay with me, though.

What can one say? Beyoncé can't be touched. I'm not a huge fan personally, but it's easy to see how she dominates the pop charts. Her voice is unique and powerful, and the jams are original and fresh every time.

I know every single note of this album. The CD lived in my player for days in college. Beyond the controversy that the band loved to court, it's an absolutely awesome, asskicking album. Still holds up almost 3 decades later. Must play at max volume.

Second time this site has given me "the Gentle Genius" of soul. I'm really growing to appreciate it, and I'm learning a lot about how Curtis Mayfield was integral to the Civil Rights movement and its aftermath. Besides the jams being solid, slickly produced and catchy as hell, social awareness and introspection runs through every moment of Mayfield's songs. It's more than just great music, it's a socially conscious lesson every time as well. A must listen for every American who cares.

Groundbreaking album, missed it back in the day. She's gotten into jazz and soul nowadays too.

Well now, spark up a doobie and love your brother. This is some good hippie rock, man. Seriously enjoyable though. They're playing around in the studio, you can tell as much... but their little experiments bear fruit. Play it when you've got some quiet comfortable hours to yourself.

Just one small piece of a legendary career. Huge album, but please don't sleep on the rest of his discography. Miles goes deep, check it ALL out. ...that said, as ever, it helps to separate the art from the artist. He wasn't a very kind soul to his partners. Ironic that he should end up making such chill music.

Another one that I know every note of. Gorillaz hit in a way that's hard to explain today.... it was the animation, sure, but it was a way for Albarn to show his chops far, far beyond what he could pull off in Blur. And it showcased his love for rap and hip-hop... Albarn has an honest love of black music and artists and pulls them in to amazing collaborations. This is true musical history here. Don't miss out. And it still fucks, 24 years later.

Neat sound. Going to digest this one at leisure.

Every album by Bowie is legendary. This one is unique, and didn't spawn as many singles... but still legendary. Every album by Bowie is a must-listen.

Who doesn't know every note of this album? The Beatles in their "final form". Though the band was disintegrating quickly, their creativity still shines through. The band is at the height of their powers right to the very end.

Interesting to hear Beck & Page together! A very eclectic and unpredictable album, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Who doesn't know "Take On Me"? Never heard the rest of the album before now, however. Great synth-pop classics.

One of the first bands I ever saw on MTV. This one brings back old, old memories. Highly enjoyable.

Neat, still digesting it tho.

Everyone knows this one! Legendary.

So cool, so chill, so hypnotic. These guys are so great.

See, musical history matters. It wasn't a bunch of animated raisins that sang it first!

Interesting and experimental. Not sure if I would recommend, however.

I own this one, and I like it. Iggy isn't for everyone, but he made this one with Bowie! Worth checking out.

This is some grungy, stripped-down rock. It's almost too basic. That said, I can see how it informed later acts tremendously. Not my favorite offering by Iggy, but highly worth the listen.

Not bad. Not groundbreaking enough that I think it belongs on this list, though.

Decent sound. A little soft, not crazy original, but pleasant enough.

Everyone knows this one. Becoming a classic at this rate. Kudos to Grohl for not giving up.

If there's a spiritual successor to Neil Young, here they are. Shame they aren't better known. Buffalo is disbanded, but Grant Lee Phillips has had a long and illustrious career on his own. Highly listenable, with dense and poignant lyricism.

Okay, not really into this sorta "noise rock", but I can see how it's an evolution of a sound that has been going on for decades. There's a straight line from the Stooges to these guys.

This man was a legend. Full stop. He deserves all the praise that comes his way. BTW, if you can't get lucky to this album, try harder!

Not bad, could take a few more listens to really appreciate it.

Monster of a classic album from a classic band. Saw them in the 90s, they kicked ass.

Somehow, I had missed Nick Drake and his entire poignant arc. Shame we lost him so early; he could have had a lasting career with his talent.

Beck is one of the most amazing and unique artists out there. He reinvents himself constantly and never disappoints. This was the sound of my college and post-college years; Beck will always bring me back to those days, quite fondly. This was his chance to push back against the backlash he got after "Mellow Gold", and he successfully defied the haters and showed he was his own artist, on his own terms. He's still changing his sound today; can't wait for what he does next.

Interesting sound, but I need to give it a couple of more listens before I feel like I can really comment on it.

Funky AF. Love it.

This is some tight electronica. Not every track landed for me, but enough did.

Seminal work by Black Sabbath.

Why is this on the list? It's extremely basic in my opinion. Nothing really grabbed me. Bit of a dud.

It's the Stones! Every album is a winner. No notes.

First time I've given this a listen. Tight as hell.

One of my favorites of all time.

Very unique sound, only knew them from their singles. Good eye opener.

Not bad. Honest straightforward rock with a dash of electronica here and there. Vocals are understated and a bit underwhelming, but the beats keep the songs rolling.

This is noise rock! More of a sonic experiment than actual music. Worth a listen just to say you tried!

Never heard of Can before. What an odd and unique experience. Experimental soundscapes aplenty.

Yee haw.

Eternal classic!

An unusual entry, but nice enough. Not innovative or genre shaking, but it gives underpinning to a lot of later country.

Fuck this guy. I don't care how good he used to be, or how you have to separate the "art from the artist". Fuck him, he's a vile piece of brain-damaged shit that doesn't deserve the slightest shred of attention any more. Cancel this cunt.

This was an amazing introduction to an entire genre that I've never heard of. Take the time to listen even though you don't know a word being said.

Neat bit of history here, you can hear how the Dead worked the crowd so well!

Know it. Like it. Upvote. Moving on.

Bowie is glorious. Never a bad album.

Absolutely seminal.