My 1001 Albums Journey

Albums Rated

3.27

Average Rating

Complete

1038 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1990s

Favorite Decade

New-wave

Favorite Genre

Top Origin

Wordsmith

Rater Style ?

5-Star Albums

1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby Girls Against Boys	5	2.66	+2.34
Dirty Sonic Youth	5	3.11	+1.89
Soul Mining The The	5	3.17	+1.83
Ritual De Lo Habitual Jane's Addiction	5	3.19	+1.81
Seventeen Seconds The Cure	5	3.38	+1.62
Different Class Pulp	5	3.42	+1.58
Madman Across The Water Elton John	5	3.59	+1.41
American Idiot Green Day	5	3.77	+1.23
The Stranger Billy Joel	5	3.86	+1.14
At Folsom Prison Johnny Cash	5	3.98	+1.02

You Love Less Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Ill Communication Beastie Boys	1	3.65	-2.65
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Ray Charles	1	3.49	-2.49
Aja Steely Dan	1	3.46	-2.46
Brilliant Corners Thelonious Monk	1	3.33	-2.33
Bongo Rock Incredible Bongo Band	1	3.26	-2.26
Vento De Maio Elis Regina	1	3.01	-2.01
The Modern Dance Pere Ubu	1	2.48	-1.48
At Mister Kelly's Sarah Vaughan	2	3.38	-1.38
Channel Orange Frank Ocean	2	3.31	-1.31
In The Wee Small Hours Frank Sinatra	2	3.28	-1.28

5-Star Albums (12)

View Album Wall

Ray Charles

1/5

Sure, old Ray can sing, but these songs are the pits and I’m not sure what I hate most out of the big band backing, the hymnal choristers or the strings.

1 likes

1-Star Albums (8)

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

All Ratings

Junkyard

The Birthday Party

1/5

Not a great start for my first album. Pretty much hated every song. A shame because I like the later Nick Cave stuff I’ve heard. Found the whole thing atonal and can’t imagine ever wanting to hear it again .

Debut

Björk

4/5

I liked this one a lot more than I thought I would, obviously my music tastes have changed a lot since I first heard some of these songs back in the 80s. The music stands up really well and I’ll definitely be putting it on my rotation for a while.

Franz Ferdinand

3/5

Not surprisingly, nothing else on the album approaches the killer track levels of Take Me Out. A few other decent songs on the album but nothing particularly memorable. Some of the songs grew on me after a second listen, but still not sure the album will make it to my permanent rotation even though the genre is right in my wheelhouse. 3.5 stars rounded down

The Stranger

Billy Joel

5/5

Happily got to review an album I once owned, back in the days of physical media. Really enjoyed listening again; there are some cracking songs but for me the standout is Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Other favourites include Only the Good Die Young and Just the Way You Are.

At Folsom Prison

Johnny Cash

5/5

A real slice of history, the Man in Black belting it out live at Folsom Prison. What a voice, what a stage presence. Some great catchy tracks, Folsom Prison Blues and Jackson (ft June Carter) the standouts. Plenty of topical jailhouse material including a few songs penned by inmates, and lots of banter from the great man.

Highway 61 Revisited

Bob Dylan

4/5

Ok the second listen grew on me and I’m starting to see what all the fuss is about.

Soul Mining

The The

5/5

Just loved this from beginning to end. Some killer bass lines and great vocals. Hints of Pulp, Human League, The Cure, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode. Definitely going into my rotation.

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby

Girls Against Boys

5/5

Never heard of this band before but just loved the album. High energy, catchy riffs, a bit of an attitude. What more can you ask for? I could imagine watching these guys live in some sweaty beer barn, pouring down a few beers and trying to look cooler than I am…

Either Or

Elliott Smith

3/5

I’m not strong either way on this one. I’d be happy to have it playing in the background at a dinner party or in a cafe but a couple of listens through had me itching to change it up a bit to anything else

Teenage Head

Flamin' Groovies

3/5

Didn’t love it, didnt hate it. Enjoyed getting a taste of 70’s classic blues I hadn’t heard before. Interesting run of cover versions towards the end, all of which were competent but none better than the original versions. I didn’t find any of the band’s own songs particularly memorable or worth putting on any of my playlists. 3.5 stars from me, rounded down.

Diamond Life

Sade

3/5

It’s smooth, it’s slick, it’s technically proficient, it’s just not for me. Would make great background music for a dinner party or focus work session but it’s just too MOR for my general listening tastes.

Back to Mystery City

Hanoi Rocks

2/5

Another ‘meh’ one for me. Some of the songs were OK and getting a bit more catchy after a second listen. If I had gone through life not hearing this album I would definitely not consider myself deprived.

Different Class

Pulp

5/5

What a glorious coincidence! A day after securing tickets to see one of my favourite bands, Pulp, when they visit Australia next year, this absolute classic pops up on my feed. I’ve been listening to it since it came out in 1995, a brilliant album full of quirky lyrics and catchy tunes. Common People is one of the all-time great songs, Disco 2000 is a banger and everything else is great too! More like this please 🙏

I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

Richard Thompson

2/5

Nope. Didn’t do it for me at all. Nope.

Dirty

Sonic Youth

5/5

It’s a big YES from me. Cracking album that gets better and better with each listen. My first exposure to Sonic Youth, definitely getting added to my rotation. Excuse me a second while I slip off and check out their back catalogue .

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Ray Charles

1/5

Sure, old Ray can sing, but these songs are the pits and I’m not sure what I hate most out of the big band backing, the hymnal choristers or the strings.

Central Reservation

Beth Orton

3/5

Beth has a nice voice and the songs were pleasant enough. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Her vocalisations didn’t upset me as much as it did other reviewers. Ok for dinner parties or as background focus music but not one for my general listening rotation.

Bongo Rock

Incredible Bongo Band

1/5

No thanks

American Idiot

Green Day

5/5

One of my favourite albums from one of my favourite bands. It starts off with three killer tracks, maybe tails off a bit in the middle but I still like the overall song mix. If you like this album, the Bullet in a Bible album contains live versions of most of these songs and is well worth a listen.

Madman Across The Water

Elton John

5/5

If it’s good enough for the cool dudes on the Almost Famous tour bus, it’s good enough for me. Enjoyed listening to this, Tiny Dancer obviously kicks things off strongly, I wasn’t familiar with many of these other songs but enjoyed listening to Elton’s voice at the height of its powers and the piano playing is terrific as you’d expect

MTV Unplugged In New York

Nirvana

5/5

Great performance from start to finish. The Bowie cover is amazing and the stripped back versions of No Apologies and Something in the Way are great. Kurt’s voice shines; it’s just so sad to think what might have been if he could have tamed his demons.

Channel Orange

Frank Ocean

2/5

Not really my genre. Didn’t find any of the songs particularly catchy. Unlikely to play again.

At Mister Kelly's

Sarah Vaughan

2/5

Not for me. Would no doubt be an experience hearing someone like this live in a jazz club but the record fell flat for me and the songs and arrangements were uninspiring

Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter

4/5

Teenager Of The Year

Frank Black

3/5

Didn't love it, didn’t hate it. Enjoyed a few of the tunes on first listen, happy to give it another listen later in the week and see if it grows on me.

Sweet Baby James

James Taylor

2/5

Meh, bland middle-of-the-road pap. And WTF was that Steamroller of Love song?

Neon Bible

Arcade Fire

4/5

I was very familiar with this album. Played it quite a lot when I first came across it. Some great songs, some so-so. Probably expected I’d give it a 5 stars when I first saw it on my feed, but this listen had me thinking it was a step below some of the 5 star albums I’ve reviewed recently. 4.5 rounded down.

Phaedra

Tangerine Dream

3/5

Definitely worth a listen. Would be a great background music track while I’m working or studying. But now I do neither I can’t imagine I’ll seek it out again.

The Queen Is Dead

The Smiths

4/5

Another album I liked, having previously had a Best Of compilation I was familiar with a few of the songs. The standout songs were Bigmouth, Boy with a Thorn in his Side and There is a Light, no surprises there, they seem like everyone’s favourites. Most of the others are pretty good, a few non memorable tracks. Mozzie’s voice is a love it or hate it type, I’m ok with it for one spin through the album and then need a rest for a while. Marr’s guitar is great as usual, not sure if it was because I was listening in the car but the guitar mix seemed very low. Good listen, would happily listen again soon.

Seventeen Seconds

The Cure

5/5

I’m a big Cure fan but haven’t listened to this entire album before. Loved it from start to finish. Very atmospheric and some great tunes.

Eliminator

ZZ Top

4/5

I thought it was a pretty good listen. Sharp Dressed Man and Gimme All Your Lovin’ the standouts. Wouldn’t be on high rotation at my place but would be happy to listen to it occasionally when the mood was right

Tago Mago

Can

3/5

I’m on the road at the moment so probably not ideal conditions for listening to this type of album. I think it would be great as a focus soundtrack during work or study, and probably also as a backdrop to a Sunday session knocking back cold ones watching the waves roll in. I could see it growing on me in a Pink Floyd DSOTM or WYWH type of way after a few listens. Sure there are a few freaky parts I could do without but in general I thought it was OK. 3.5 rounded down.

Rio

Duran Duran

4/5

Thought it stood up pretty well to be honest. I used to be into the whole new wave kinda stuff back in the day. My tastes have moved on but I enjoyed this trip down memory lane.

Joan Armatrading

4/5

I liked it. Haven’t heard any of it before but the songs are well produced and sound surprisingly modern

Ritual De Lo Habitual

Jane's Addiction

5/5

Gets a big tick from me. Wasn’t sure after the first listen, mainly Perry’s voice was annoying me. Subsequent deeper listens revealed some great musicianship and some great songs. 4.5 rounded up.

Ill Communication

Beastie Boys

1/5

Abysmal

Vento De Maio

Elis Regina

1/5

Not for me.

Heartbreaker

Ryan Adams

3/5

It has some nice songs on it. You just have to get past the dick singing them.

The Modern Dance

Pere Ubu

1/5

A couple of OK parts but not enough to salvage the rest of the shouting and dissonance

Brilliant Corners

Thelonious Monk

1/5

Further confirmation that jazz is not for me.

Aja

Steely Dan

1/5

I hated this type of music back in the day and I still can’t stand it now. It’s definitely something my bank would play as their on-hold music just to encourage me to hang up and improve their call clearance times.

Hypnotised

The Undertones

3/5

Thought it was pretty good. Definitely preferred the last few tracks to some of the earlier songs. Would happily listen to it again every note and then. 3.5 rounded down.

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Aretha Franklin

3/5

Some strong songs including the classic Respect. I can appreciate Aretha’s amazing voice and her cultural impact but ultimately the genre is not for me. Would make a nice background to a dinner party with friends but not the sort of album I’d put on for my own listening pleasure

In The Wee Small Hours

Frank Sinatra

2/5

Another one where I could appreciate the talent and the cultural significance but couldn’t wait for it to end. Not my kind of music at all, and even if it was, 16 songs with same tone and arrangement would have done my head in anyway. 2 stars, sorry Frank, I know you were a god.

Brothers

The Black Keys

4/5

I actually enjoyed this one a lot more than I was expecting. Maybe it was because my listening week has been full of dated lounge music and other so-so recordings of various genres. Anyway, I quite liked the sound of something a bit more modern.

Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)

Loretta Lynn

2/5

Gee I’m not having a good run lately, lots of one dimensional albums from icons of eras gone by and genres I don’t enjoy - Sinatra, Aretha and now Loretta. Again, sure, she has a great voice, but this style of country is just not my cup of tea.

What's Going On

Marvin Gaye

4/5

I really enjoyed this one. Marvin’s voice is unctuous. The arrangements and backing harmonies are first class. Hopefully I’ll remember to pull this one out for a dinner party sometime soon.

Vol. 4

Black Sabbath

4/5

It was better than I expected, though some parts had me thinking I’d stumbled onto the set of This is Spinal Tap. The piano ballad and the chill instrumental were unexpected. I gave it a few plays through today and liked it better each time. Has me interested to hear some of their other stuff that other reviewers have mentioned.

Physical Graffiti

Led Zeppelin

4/5

My first time listening to an entire Led Zeppelin album. I enjoyed most of it and it would definitely grow on me with a few more play throughs. Kashmir is a cracking song.

Songs In The Key Of Life

Stevie Wonder

5/5

This was a great listen. Not going to lie, I was a bit apprehensive when I saw there were 21 songs over 1 hour 44 minutes. Great production, some catchy tunes, Stevie obviously can sing and there was a nice mix of styles and tempos (unlike say the Sinatra and Loretta Lynn snoozefests I had on my listen list last week). Bravo, Stevie, I really enjoyed it.

Led Zeppelin II