Really enjoyed this album. Without You was one of my Mum's favourite songs, so a bit of a nostalgia fest.
I was slow to get to Massive Attack in the early 90s, but when I finally got there, the mash up of genres and collaborations wowed me. In many ways, a groundbreaking album, and arguably not their best.
An album defined by one tune, a great tune at that
To paraphrase LCD Soundsystem, Daft Punk is not Playing At My House - too much repetition
I knowledge this is a classic of the genre
Not too familiar with The Replacements. Reminded me of The Stray Cats. Liked it
Lots of hip hop on 1001 so far. This felt like entry level, with a melodic background. Enjoyed it.
This album just didn't grab me
Rugby, wine, kiwifruit, Crowded House, some of the many things NZ has given the world. This is an excellent pop album.
Anthems
Not my thing, although I'll avoid the temptation to say it's a musical crime
Jazz, Niiiice
Some classic tunes
There's a limit to songs about loneliness, pine trees and broken hearts...
There aren't many great drummers who became great singer/songwriters, but Dave Grohl is one. This transition from the back of the stage with Nirvana to front stage with Foo Fighters is an impressive album. Some powerful songs.
At the more melodic end of the hip hop spectrum
I enjoyed this album, as much for the re-working of some familiar tunes as anything, and, like De La Soul, on the melodic end of the hip hop spectrum. But, now hoping for some 1001 variety
Some welcome grunge and a fantastic album to boot
The Bees is a new band for me. All a bit vanilla
I bet we'd all look good on the dance floor
Probably REM at their best
Played in the car while driving north yesterday. I enjoyed it, but Maggie not so sure!
Should be dancing in a field listening to this, really enjoyed it.
An album salvaged by one of the best pop songs ever written
All killer, no filler
I'm not sure I've listened to this entire album before. Thoroughly enjoyed it, what a magical voice she has
Enjoyed the variety and funky sounds
My knowledge of Bob Dylan is, at best, patchy. I don't think I've listened to this album in its entirety until now, and what a great album it is. I like the rootsy folk sound and melodies. I read a couple of reviews which provided some context for the heartfelt, angry lyrics.
A test of an album in the 1001 listening format for me is whether I'll make room to listen again. Kind of Blue falls into this category
NOISE
Good to hear Running Free again
Fighting for the right to party
I enjoyed listening to the Everly Brothers and hadn't realised that they first recorded Love Hurts. But as Maggie commented, its a bit samey.
Didn't manage to listen to the whole album, but what I did hear, calm melodies and interesting lyrics
I didn't get all the way through this album. What I did hear was chaotic, and a bit proggy in places
Great to hear this again, some dancing for new year's eve
The transition from The Jam at the time was tricky and some people reacted against Paul Weller and The Style Council. I wasn't one of them. Great album
Driven along by the Burundi beat, great to hear again. Oh to be a first year student
Meandering prog
A great collection of their songs and covers. I didn't know until now that it was released the day JFK was assassinated
Van the Man, master of Celtic Soul. Excellent album.
Quirky and listenable, although perhaps a relief that he didn't complete an album for all 50 States.
To quote Andy, leaves me a bit cold, but salvaged by Mr Stewart
One of Radiohead's best albums, although I cannot remember what I paid at the time.
A sad yet uplifting album with some beautiful songs, orignals and covers. It is a stunning debut made all the more poignant because the second never came.
Thoroughly enjoyed Solid Air, perfect Sunday morning listening
Enjoyed the stripped, rawness of this
Repetitive
Excellent album which demonstrates the versatility of PS
So short, I listened twice and completed my 48 year reappraisal. Great cover of You Really Got Me, and Runnin' With The Devil leads you in nicely. Apologies to Jess M from VIth Form for me not being more receptive at the time. It's not that far from punk rock after all.
A reference point for many on their music journey, but not one of mine. That said, I enjoyed the trip back to the early 70s.
You can always rely on The Lemonheads
A curate's egg. Three great songs but I can leave the reminder
First time listening to this album, and the last
Tom Petty was deemed an alternative, fresh sound in the mid 70s. These things are all relative
It remains a mystery to me that at the time, U2 became one of the biggest bands in the World and Echo and the Bunnymen didn't. Better songs, better musicians... Porcupine and War were released in the same month in 1983. Compare and contrast.
Includes a couple of great Pulp songs but not a different class
This album placed me in the inter-tidal music zone, ebbing and flowing between early 70s soft rock and mid/late 70s punk, thus between 2 and 4 stars. I finished on the latter.
Taking electronica into the mainstream
I enjoyed an upbeat Joni Mitchell
I like John Grant in relatively small doses. The songs on Queen of Denmark are cathartic and I enjoyed listening
Harmless, innocuous, safe, forgettable but saved a bit by Yellow, the tune which launched them into the musical stratosphere
I rated Court and Spark as 4 star, so this has to be 5.
Too many reminders of Snow Patrol in here
The Police past their best, but still a good album
My own personal Jesus. A moving and evocative collection of songs as he neared the end of his life. Close to perfection
Pompous stadium rock
The album showcases the joy and sorrow of The Pogues. Poignant lyrics, beautiful songs, then party anthems. And Fairytale of New York takes this into 5 star territory for me.
Dreamy melodies evoking sun, sea and surf boards. But like The Beach Boys, it becomes a bit repetitive
I got to the end and enjoyed this album more than expected, up to a point. I can see the Led Zep comparison and the lineage to Nirvana. In short though, too screamy and repetitive
Old skool punk rock. Gary Gilmore's Eyes did not feature on the original. One of the memorable punk anthems.
It's the picture of Rodney Marsh in the fireplace which firmly plants this in the 5 star category. A great debut album which I associate with the onset of parenthood. It sounds as good today.
I should say so! Britpop at its finest and Alright is one of the iconic tunes of the genre.
I broke my own rule and read some reviews before voting. The quote from Rolling Stone that "Tom Waits finds more beauty in the gutter than most people would find in the Garden of Eden" (or words to that effect) captures it.
A great pop/crossover album. Took me back to the heady days of the late 80s. The eponymous Faith is probably my favourite track.
Sweet soul sound
Melancholy songs which bring tears to the eyes
Didn't enjoy it first time and no better now. Not even saved by the Ealing connections
Not quite The Ramones
An ambitious album which works in places. XTC was an unusual band, responsible for some great songs.
New to me and it will take a few more listens
I really wanted to enjoy this album, but on first listen, it didn't fire. I will listen again.
I'm in the camp that likes Paul Simon's ventures into different musical genres. Not quite Graceland, but great songs and songwriting nevertheless.
Soul Mining sits comfortably among the defining synth-pop albums of the early 1980s, think Dare, Vienna, Speak and Spell. The (reinvented) Human League, Ultravox and Depeche Mode became huge, The The didn't. The recognition of their influence has been retrospective. Uncertain Smile and This is the Day are pop classics.
This has always been a favourite of Maggie's, indeed she owns a vinyl copy. So, this is a joint vote. There's some great songs, timeless classics. Songbird alone merits 5 stars.
Not an album I recall listening to before, so probably needs another go (so much music, so little time). However it didn't really grab me and not salvaged by the Nirvana covers in the MTV session.
Mick Ralphs passing in 2025 didn't make MC's final list in January. His influence is apparent here. An excellent album.
Large it. Throwing some great shapes.
Nice melodies which stand the test of time
Mozza remains a sharp lyricist despite his unfortunate mutterings post-Smiths. This is a great collection of songs.
I'm awarding 3 stars for Nick Heyward et al. There's nothing too serious about this album, instead enjoyable jangly pop and lightweight jazz funk. Wear your favourite shirt and yellow jumper and have a fantastic day.
Chvrches' albums never quite match their live performances IMO, although the synth-pop and loops make for enjoyable listening. Lauren Mayberry's lyrics often strike a sharp contrast to the upbeat sound.
Accessible rap sticking it to.the man
Not at their best but good nonetheless
Another great album from that seminal year, 1977
Peter Gabriel at his best, enhanced by numerous collaborations. A wonderful album.
Joyous dancing in a field music
Why does this album remind me of Paul?
Not a fan of Brian Wilson post Beach Boys. Sadly, a pale imitation
Jason Pierce always intrigues.
Working from memory, groundbreaking and inventive at the time
Set aside the Roxy Music comparisons and enjoy this album in its own right. Great to hear again after such a long time.
New to me. A pale imitation of The Who
Fab Four at their best
I didn't know this album, so tried to listen with an open mind. That closed quite quickly. Some potentially interesting collaborations even though I've never really got the Divine Comedy, but didn't work for me.
Took me to cloud nine, a couple of stand-out classics
Others cite him as a key influence, but not me
Classy lady
MC and 1001 have encouraged me to challenge various musical prejudices, Led Zeppelin being one. It must have been an explosive debut album at the time.
Juju is up there among the best punk / post-punk albums. John McGeoch's guitar shines through and is perhaps as characteristic of the band's sound as the voice of Siouxsie Sioux.
I struggled with this album and didn't complete listening. It jumps around, it lost me
A great collection of songs, far superior to the Like a Virgin era.
The album that did temporarily mark their disintegration. The high, or perhaps low, point of the Cure. A classic
Chaotic, relentless, uncompromising- love it!
I've never felt more like singing the blues when City win and United lose...go Muddy
Listened while in the car, so I was not givingthe music my full attention. What I heard was variable, a strong start which petered out. John Peel was a huge fan while at his most influential. But not really for me.
Some great songs on this album but a fair bit of filler too. It's a long album as a consequence and I found myself drifting into other thoughts.
Obviously there's a Mozza fan lurking in the 1001 editorial team. Four albums, really? This lacks the bite of You Are The Quarry and mostly feels like a pale imitation of The Smiths. That said, there are a couple of stand-out tracks, Everyday is Like Sunday and Suedehead
I feel I should have enjoyed this more than I did, perhaps another listen is required. While guitar-driven, I enjoyed the funky, afrobeat components, but it all felt a bit jumbled. File under listen again.
The last knockings of Brit Pop and it shows. This lacks the dynamism and excitement of what went before, and sounds a bit sad and rambling. Perhaps that was what was intended
My Led Zeppelin discovery continues apace. I like the contrast between the rocky first half of this album, which reinforces my preconceptions, and the folky, acoustic second half.
I a big fan of Little Simz, so four stars automatically. She played a wonderful show at EOTR in 2021 coinciding with Sometimes I Might Be Extrovert, which is a five star album. Grey Area displays her talents as a rapper with acute social observation.
Haunting and stark, stripping away the arena-rock sound to reveal raw, folk-driven storytelling. Solemn vocals and grim, honest stories of American desperation, so still relevant over four decades later, and a timely antidote to five pints of Landlord.
I owe this album for two things. First, my introduction to The National. I was slow onto the band, my discovery coming with High Violet. Second, they headlined Latitude in 2011, the year I returned to music festivals. This is a beautiful collection of songs, driven by the drums and bass of the Devendorf brothers, the guitars of the Dessner brothers, and Matt Berninger's baritone. And is there a better pop song than Bloodbuzz Ohio? Five stars for an album which is arguably not even their best.
A real mix up of sounds and rhythms and great songwriting. I like the range on show.
An album almost as old as me and one not especially familiar, despite various familiar songs. Neither had I appreciated the significance and impact of the fusion of soul and country at the time. I thoroughly enjoyed listening while varnishing the pergola in the April sunshine
Is this a joke?
I think Lorde stands above many of her singer-songwriter contemporaries. This is a great collection of pop songs, driven by heartfelt lyrics.
Inoffensive bubbly pop songs. From the Trans-Tasman rivalry perspective, not up there with the New Zealand contemporaries.
A glam rock masterpiece spanning anthemic rockers like Get It On to melancholic tunes like Cosmic Dancer. Boogie meets folk meets sleaze, an electrifying sound which inspired a generation.
This gets lost in the sea (geddit?) of late 90s jangly, indie pop and as a consequence, sounds like many other bands of the time. Captain's Table is great song but not enough to lift the album above 2 stars.
Probably the album that first cemented American R&B in British blues rock. Essentially a covers collection show-casing the guitar interplay of Keith Richards and Brian Jones. A portent of what was to come, music shaking the British establishment.
I didn't really get Michael Jackson at the time and that hasn't changed
A wonderfully chaotic collection of songs from a band falling apart at the seams. It balances jagged guitars with tender, poetic lyricis, the influence of Mick Jones being very apparent. Can't Stand Me Now is a painful duet which documents the fallout of Pete Doherty and Carl Barât, and a song I managed to squeeze into the Fielding Primary School PTA Quiz during my 11-year stint as co-quizmaster.
I was not familiar with this artist nor album which reflects my paucity of knowledge of hip hop. This quickly lost me. The intricate lyrics and sci-fi atmosphere left me cold.
OK in small doses, but over two hours... Transparency, I didn't get to the end.
I was expecting something more akin to Air, only to encounter multiple samples. All a bit incoherent but OK once I got into the groove.
This took some time, but eventually it clicked for me. It's all a bit doom and gloom, although some light does creep in. It started with one star and ended with three.
Some good songs and some not so good. The environmental theme is well-intentioned but clunky. It feels like the band was running out of steam.
Is Low a high point, probably. Not my favourite album of his, but still a work of genius.
A raw, visceral album from an angry band. The angst of Richey James is evident and the songs sound like them prophesying his subsequent disappearence.
An enjoyable blend of gospel, post-punk with touches of jazz, electronica and some slick guitar. All this, with a capella thrown in.
Even noise rock needs some simple things like structure and a touch of melody, both absent here. I checked to see if they have ever played at 2000 Trees, but seems not. They would fit well on the Cave Stage on a wet Friday afternoon. Enough said.
Anodyne stadium rock with cringeworthy lyrics. Only Beautiful Day moves it from one to two stars.
Enjoyable stuff and classic Bob Dylan, but a bit too long
Music with a heartfelt message and his famous middle finger. Protest music at its best
Arcadia meets property purchase meets swinging 60s, it wears a bit thin for me.
Sums up my relationship with jazz
A great album mixing genres and driven by Shirley Manson's slightly scary lyrics and style. It flowed against the mid-90s indie tide and great to listen again.
This is a masterpiece. Not many artists can carry an eleven-minute title track as effectively as Television. Another album from that seminal year.
Another masterpiece. No sophomore slump with this album.
I was not familiar with the album nor the film. I'll now watch the latter. Soulful and funky, a great collection of songs which obviously tell a story.
Energetic Scandi noise, high octane in smart suits.
Two albums for the price of one, displaying the incredible range of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. What a joy.
Another Curtis Mayfield album that is new to me. The combination of funky guitars, his falsetto voice and social commentary is a joy to behold. Great album artwork too.
Taking funk to outer space
Almost 25 years on and America is still corrupt.Heavy Metal + Hip Hop = Rage
Enjoyable enough but becomes repetitive
As with much of David Bowie's, this is a mixed bag. There is no stand-out track and some of it meanders. In contrast, there's the feeling of a genius at work.
Derivative and dull
The title track alone warrants 5 stars. A wonderfully melancholic and angry album, mixing acoustic and electric. Possibly Neil Young at his best
A-wop-bop-a-loo-mop-a-lop-bam-boom! The foundation of rock and roll.
Some standout tracks on a bluesy-soaked album. I gave it two bank holiday listens. Why hasn't You Can't Always Get What You Want become a football anthem in the vein of Hey Jude?
Feels like 101 other things I've listened to over the years and I'm left asking what's the point of this album? Dull proggy-like rock which does not hold my attention.
An album to stir memories of the late 1980s. It sounds as powerful today. The album was a stunning debut and Fast Car is a fabulous song. I haven't tracked Tracy Chapman since, so it was a joy to return to her eponymous work.
After two listens, I'm beginning to get it. Fairport's Cropredy Convention here we come.
A concept country album sounds ominous but I was pleasantly surprised. Thr stripped-back feel chimes with my perception of country music.
Heartbreak, glamour, romance, one of the soundtracks of the 80s produced by the man who invented the 80s.
"Teenage nostalgia, although objectively I would never play this album. As background music, it reminds me of my formative years, but it shouldn't see the light of day today"
Excellent title track, great preparation for a day in the hills.
While a very listenable album, it doesn't have the raw emotion and energy of his earlier albums.
"Shows the versatility and breadth of The Beatles' music. At this late stage of their career, it's an exemplary demonstration of their immense talent and innovation. Includes such memorable tracks as Something (the only Beatles song sung by Frank Sinatra) and Here Comes The Sun. It also includes an astonishing medley of half finished tracks which blend together brilliantly, finishing with the line the love you take is equal to the love you make, the epitome of the 60s vibe"
So, so, although Fame and Young Americans comfortably take this into 3 star territory
Never have been a great fan of The Pixies, and this hasn't altered my view.
Gloomy, miserable, the end of post-punk Cure. This much Paul and I agreed upon, however, he scored 2 stars, me 4. So we compromised on 3.
Give me Numan over Freud. I enjoyed listening to this after such a long.time. It was a ground-breaking album in the dying embers of punk, synths replacing guitars. It will never catch on. Lots of doom and introspection. Cars and Metal are the stand out tracks.
Permission not to listen.
Uplifting swing from Frankie and his big band. Great sound.
This capped a day of jazz having been at Meltdown in the afternoon for Kamasi Washington's tribute to Miles Davies, John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins.
Judas! Road music at its best.
Not a great fan of the Pixies. All a bit samey.
What a singer
