1001 Albums Summary

Like it, especially the singing. Probably wouldn’t listen again. Found most of the songs too short almost like they’re over before they start.

Voice is still exceptional. Really like the album cover too. This one feels more accessible than the previous. Generally didn't grab me as much especially in the middle. Not sure if it was me or the album but not a huge fan. It definitely some nice songs but it didn't really feel like a collective piece of work, more like a compilation

Really like the range even in the first few songs. The harikrishna backing vocals in 'My Sweet Lord' are so good. Bit more country on 'Apple Scruffs' because we can't get enough. Can definitely hear the prog influence on 'Hear me Lord' which I really liked. Definitely the best of the three so far. 'Out of the Blue' is so good.

First impressions not strong, doesn’t feel like my kind of music. Don’t love his character when he’s speaking either. The duet wasn’t great. Overall I found parts I liked but not to my taste. Made me go and read about Johnny Cash and he sounds an interesting character. Second album in a row with a singular Bob Dylan song on it.

First impressions I like the voice and stripped back nature. More country! 'Atlantic City' would go off in freemount. Bit dreary and sad not what I needed Monday morning. Feels like a pastiche not a fan. Glad when it was over

First impressions not strong, what on earth is this? Bunny Jacksons music. It's like pop tunes but 'rock'. Instrumentation is just bland. Beatles cover is so random doesn't fit with anything before it.

Enjoy the variety here. Some good songs and interesting instrumentation. Not my usual taste but it’s very listenable. The guitar playing on ‘The only living boy in New York’ is so good. The live song is a bit random.

Not my style. Jangly songs about nonsense. Feels really low risk. Honky Tonk is a descriptive title that’s about the highest compliment I can give it.

Found some of the patterns challenging but that could be because I’m tired. Really like the variety of instruments across the record. The double bass section on ‘Ba-Lue Bolivar…’ is really good.

Pleasantly surprised by the variety here, given I only knew the title track previously. Clearly a more intelligent record than that indie banger would have you believe in the disco. 'Lost in the Supermarket' is so good. Can't believe this is 1979, definitely blurs the line between punk and post-punk. 'Lover's Rock' I really like. Wall to wall bangers.

Don’t love the vocals on ‘Lorelei’ but I really liked the ambient structure of ‘Beatrix’. Generally really like this, feels way ahead of its time.

Joni Mitchell is one of those names that I’m aware of but couldn’t name a thing about them. This was an interesting listen, clearly an amazing voice but found it quite sing-song. Feel like this album sums up the whole process, a name I’ve heard of but not a style I would listen to normally. Clearly a great talent and sounds much later than 1974 but not for me. Last track was a bit random.

Really enjoyed this, felt like a journey all the way through. Lots of different textures and variety of sounds. The James Bond theme was funny. Aware of David Holmes through Mary Anne but it was good to hear one of his albums.

I really tried to come at this with an open mind because I know I’ve got preconceptions about Gorillaz and I wanted to give this a fair hearing, but it’s just not for me. I found it to be full of half thought out experiments and wide leaps in styles. It bored me towards the end, just another plodding hip hop beat and some random vocal. Not for me and I struggle to see the mass appeal.

This was really interesting, can’t think of anything quite like this. Feels like such a hybrid of so many different styles and so ahead of its time. Never heard of war at all. Big thumbs up from me. Interesting ideas across the board, makes me glad we're doing this project

Pleasantly surprised to see this come up, the only album I’ve heard before so far. Simultaneously a cinematic mood piece and a shot in the arm of energy at a tight 35 minutes. Cleverly done think this still stands up. Nice to be reminded of how good this is.

I enjoyed the vastness of this, felt like the album cover captured that feeling well. Definitely in my wheelhouse but for some reason I don't feel like it grabbed me entirely. Maybe needs a second listen to appreciate fully. 3.5

ahaha what on earth is this. The second track with the rap is so bad I can't believe some of the shit this book turns up with sometimes. The vocals are just pure cringe. An album where I can't really picture a target audience, who actually likes this? Think the sabbath cover really sums this up, like it’s just a terrible pastiche. All the trappings of heavy music without any of the edge.

Interesting ideas but fairly flat for me. Feels like sketches and a bit disjointed. Reasonably listenable but not much going on below the surface. Maybe I just don't like prog as much as I thought I did.

Liked this a lot, probably more than I expected to. His singing is great and the lyrics are very interesting. This is one where I see the appeal and understand the inclusion here.

New to me. Enjoyed the quieter songs on this and think she’s a great singer but some of the more upbeat ones are overdone and felt a bit corny.

Bang up my street this, really enjoyed it. Heavy stuff but still musically minded. I would describe it as Britain's answer to Sonic Youth, very impressed. Definitely knew the name but didn't expect it to sound like this.

First case of a band I have heard before but an album I haven't. Think the double album format here gives this enough scope to be interesting, but I don't think it hits everyhwere. There were songs I like and others I liked less. An interesting listen in the canon of albums we've heard so far in this project. Doesn't stand up to Led Zepplin I or IV in my view.

This was a fun listen. Definitely some bangers on here but I didn’t feel particularly strong feelings. Excellent pop record but maybe lacks some substance

Had more fun with this than I expected. Some decent songs here. Boygenius for Woodstock Dads.

Yeah this is great, just feels alive. Enjoyed every track on it. Psycho Killer I've heard before like everyone else but otherwise all new to me. I would listen again.

Proper MPF record, really like it. Just complete energy. So different to London Calling which I think really shows the variety in the Punk movement in 1979 when it's easy to pidgeonhole the sound. The hard panning was interesting not sure I'm a fan of that really. Plan 9 Channel 7 is a great song regardless.

I only know Paper Planes and had some idea that M.I.A. was a one hit wonder but this is a proper record. Very ahead of it's time for 2005. However I think it lacks some maturity and it felt like once it got 'the idea' down it seemed to repeat quite a lot.

Some fun dubbing here which I didn’t expect. I liked this, probably more than a bridge over troubled water. Mrs Robinson I’m overexposed to. 3.5

Exceptional record, every song great. All unique but along the same theme, feels really cohesive without being dull. Worthy of the hype

There’s this road of tat shops in Great Yarmouth and one of them is a CD shop that used to have a huge Labrador asleep outside. It was an open shop front and it would either have an Irish comedian playing on the speakers or, as far as I can tell, this album on repeat. This is the first year I’ve not been exposed to this in ~20 but I’m confident this is still the case. Still not as cringe as some of the country we’ve had so far.

Interesting to hear a whole Queen record, but not my thing really. Feels overegged across the board. Just dramatics for the sake of it. Feels really private school in a way I can't put my finger on. Wasn't expecting Bo Rap when it came in the running order

Starting to become obvious that this list is written by a man of a certain age. The dramatic operatic singing is just a bit much for me this morning.

This was alright but it's just not my thing. I wouldn't be offended by it if it was on but I wouldn't listen to it voluntarily

This was like water torture. Felt like it would never end. It's so sickly sweet and vaguely 'emotional' for an hour. So 2002 dinner party. Like bad library music from a second-rate film

Some big tunes on here, 'You Can't Stop the Prophet' is heavy. Never heard of this before but I'm a fan. Pep beats type beat.

I think this has aged quite poorly compared to other records in this era and in this orbit. It's quite melodramatic and overblown in parts, but still has parts that are interesting and straightforwardly entertaining pop songs. It uses its maximalist ideas just to deliver straightforward musical tropes rather than do anything particularly interesting

Who remembers when Drake sampled Lauryn Hill and brought her long lost magic to a whole new generation? That was so original and generous of him and without that kind of exposure maybe this album would've been lost to time.

Tough listen this one. The vocal is so irritating and the lyrics so cringeworthy. Some of the instrumentation was interesting but most of it just so plodding.

A teenage classic. Very much to the point, zero filler across the running time. Struggled to understand the appeal a bit when I was younger but makes complete sense now.

Really struggled with this one, some of the lyrics are so cringe. There's something about the way the vocal is processed that I just find so flat, like it's dubbed over a whole band that was recorded separately for library music. Car Seat Headrest 10 years prior without any feeling

Somehow never listened to this in full. Doing this project so far has made me really appreciate how forward looking this album is in terms of what else was available in 1973 and prior. Sets the standard for 'thinking' band music, easy to see how ideas pioneered here are prevalent across popular music. However, I don't think it's as accomplished as Wish You Were Here or Animals.

Very confused when Phil started speaking in the last track. Not my thing but interesting to hear lots of supposedly different groups all with the same sound created by one man.

All time classic, I've loved this since I was 16. A real gateway record I think away from the 3 minute pop song into more experimental interesting stuff. 50 years ago is mental

Really like this, can't believe it's 30 years old. Great record, so funny and clever and interesting. Some interesting experiments with instrumentation too.

Found loads of depth here, enjoyed it as much as the other Cohen record we’ve listened to. Plenty of interesting stories.

Really enjoyed this, what a talent. Think there's some genius in the running order here, placing the only big hit second and going straight into an accordion accompaniment next is risky but the audience is carried along. An inspiration.

Not for me at all this, just feel like it over does everything for pure cringeworthy effect. Hope we don’t get any more.

By the time I got to 'Frankie's First Affair' I couldn't believe there was another sax solo. Some undeniable classics here, all round great album but the opening four tracks just need some variation for me. 3.5

This was nice, plenty of fun while retaining some edge. I would listen again, but not my favourite stuff. Clearly pioneering in psych rock and way ahead of its time.

Really like the artwork of this. Feels like pure energy. I've been well exposed to James Brown via Alan Freeman's Story of Pop and I'm a fan. This is unfortunately a bit too short and difficult to get your teeth in to. Feels like a missed opportunity.

I enjoyed this, but maybe a bit too dubby at times. Definitely feels of that trip-hop adjacent era of British music in the 90s, I would listen again and expect to like it more second time around.

Proper Friday record. This was great fun, my smile was like building every song. 'Taj Mahal' is just a great pop tune all in. Very tight, lots of points of difference, feels way ahead of its time and influential on lots of other music I like.

I know Sultans of Swing, but I didn't really expect the rest of the album to sound like this based on that. I thought it would be more expansive with long instrumentals, but at least the first half is closer to a standard pop record. Didn't make much of an impression on me really. I found more depth in the second half, a definite improvement.

Enjoyed this a lot. Lots of different rhythms and noises and stuff. Fun record. Can see how this did well at the time.

Didn't really enjoy this. Found it plodding and dull. Sub-Bob Dylan easy listening mass market fodder.

A Grand Don't Come For Free

Proper cringe stuff. The first two tracks started alright but after that it was a tough listen. Maybe 'I'll Wait' was alright too but it was thin pickings. Glad it was only half an hour

The second artist on this list I've seen live. Nile Rodgers' imperial phase on show here, some of his best work and some of the best pop music ever made. Reminds me of midweek nights out at uni. I would play 'Lost in Music' in the dance today, a proper club record. However I've always struggled with 'We Are Family', feels too much like a novelty song and I can't really put my finger on why.

So weird hearing a gated snare on a country record, it just jars and it's all I can think about listening to 'What I Don't Know'. It gives it this propelling big stage sound that it just doesn't need, like the rhythm section has been ripped from a different album. Not my thing, felt like it would never end.

This is great. Just pure joy. What a pop record should be. Very much sleek car showroom dance pop but executed perfectly. I wonder if I was around for this release I would've felt the same about it as I do about Brat, in that it takes all the stylings of dance music and polishes it down to pop sensibility, but unlike Brat I don't feel any personal sense of loss attached to this because I can't even imagine nightlife in 1998. I think repurposing club culture in a buoyant market is a different act to the stagnation and neglect of 2024.

This is an album I could appreciate, but I didn’t really enjoy it. It was nice to hear something more experimental on this list, but it did just end up feeling like vocal exercises. I feel like it was more of a me issue being unable to appreciate it rather than a real critique of the record.

This is an album I enjoyed. Atmospherically great while still being lyrically interesting and keeps things interesting. I think you could play this in any situation and it would go down well. Something Matt Goss would wax lyrical about.

Big fan of this, thought it was great. Loads of great tunes, funny and interesting lyrics and feels like a tight 45 minutes. I liked the mix of full band and acoustic songs too.

This is good, definitely up my street. Enjoyed the musical variety and the interesting lyrics. Fairly atypical stuff I think, 'Down In The Sewer' is an odyssey that goes all over the place in a good way. I would listen again.

Took me a minute but I really liked this. One to have on and drift in an out of for me, a bit like a set that’s just happening in your ears. There were moments where I found myself singing along spontaneously which I was really surprised at. The only Davis I know is ‘In A Silent Way’ and this is almost its sonic opposite which I found impressive. Halfway through ‘Sanctuary’ the whole thing felt like such an achievement and I was won over. Sort of loved the expansiveness by the end. Worth the time invested.

I liked this more than the other rem album we’ve had on this, but still lacked some edge as a post-punk record for me. Some interesting songs on here but I nodded off in the second half.

Just felt a bit bored by this, didn’t do much interesting. Washed over me without much impact and wouldn’t listen again.

Found this all a bit overblown and melodramatic. Not particularly interesting to my ears but there was the occasional song I liked. Felt like the scope to be more interesting. 2.5

This was alright, a reasonably enjoyable listen. Maybe lacked some edge but I found it inoffensive with some decent songs. Nice to have on in the background.

This was up my street, but I found it a bit hit and miss. Some songs I thought were great but others didn't really land. Feels like potential that's just not quite refined yet. 3.5

I was largely indifferent to this, it mostly just washed over me. Mostly just sing-song stuff that didn’t do much for me, until the last few songs which were a bit more different and interesting.

Hard to do much better than this. A flawless record by someone at the peak of their powers. A commitment due to its length but one worth making.

This was fun, all weird and dotty. I enjoyed it, but probably not enough substance to get me to listen again. Just a few strange tunes.

Didn't enjoy this. I've never been a fan really, Dexys has always sounded like cosplay folk-pop to me I could never really buy into it. Rowland's voice goes straight through me. If you see me singing along to 'Come On Eileen' at a wedding it is through gritted teeth. I didn't listen to the bonus tracks.

Some of these have not aged particularly well. Feels like a strange inclusion to this list, not sure what merits it. Uneven in terms of quality, just feels like a vehicle for the singles. Maybe the last track rescues it a bit, each song just seems to try on a different style. Didn't expect much and it lived up to that.

I really liked this, but I didn't find it as completely groundbreaking as some other Bowie. I would recommend it to a friend

Yeah so good, such an amazing voice. Some songs I knew and others I didn't, I liked it on the whole but it felt a little stretched at an hours' length.

Didn't find this sonically interesting, would probably give this a miss. I have heard Love's solo work prior to this and I didn't enjoy that either, so I'm not surprised this wasn't for me.

Enjoyed this, but I found it became a bit repetitive towards the end. Maybe that's the point but it didn't really make for an effective album for me. I probably wouldn't listen again.

I'm aware this record is a rap classic, but it didn't grab me particularly. I found it enjoyable but nothing stronger than that. I wonder if it's a case of being unable to appreciate how impactful this album is. The lyrics I do remember are good, so maybe I just didn't pay enough attention.

I liked this more than I expected from the album cover/year/first track. Nice little songs and slightly weirder drumless tracks which were right up my street. Lyricism is good. Pleasantly surprised

Disliked this less than the other Iron Maiden album we've had so far. There were points where I could hear prog rock influences which I think makes sense given how dramatic and overblown it gets to in the later record. Probably still not for me because it lacks any real edge to my ear but still interesting.

Tough listen this. Just find it intensely annoying. The commercial-friendly face of punk. Everything punk isn't in my book

Enjoyed this, especially the slower stuff. Probably didn’t tip the dial enough to make come back to it. What a great voice. 3.5

Cant see the merit in this even if I did like the genre. Tough listen. Yet to enjoy a country album on here

Not sure about the hard panning on 'California Stars', found it a bit distracting. Why does everything rhyme so much?

This was fine, not really my kind of thing. I could enjoy the songs and they were inoffensive but they weren’t anything exciting to my ears.

I know the famous one with Nico, so really wasn't expecting this. There was a couple of standout moments but it was slightly to folksy for me to be able to enjoy it as a complete project. I did really like 'Pale Blue Eyes' though.

I've always liked this record, and it does have some bangers. I feel a bit jaded by it today, which might be a result of circumstance and general overexposure. I think it's probably still the best Oasis record.

Actually really liked this, it was a nice surprise. Never heard of the album or the artist, but glad it was thrown up in this process. Such an interesting collection of sounds, hoping there's more by this guy in the list.

Tough listen this one, just cringey American stuff. Doesn't do anything interesting as far as I can tell. Glad when it was over.

Enjoyed this, such an amazing voice. Pretty much all of the songs were new to me which I liked. I would listen again, glad it came up

Nice little white reggae number on 'Jamaica Jerk-Off', wasn't expecting that.

I've always felt conflicted about this record, I could never see the grand claims it gets as his best work etc. I find some of it just over indulgent and the maximalism just isn't for me. However, there are some undeniably excellent tunes here ('All Of The Lights', 'Lost In The World') when the focus is tighter and I think they will always stand up.

Found that this has dated quite poorly, feels very of its time. 'Unfinished Sympathy' is an obvious classic but there are some on here that just feel tired and old. Maybe you had to be there.

Not sure about the slurs on 'Money For Nothing' that doesn't really sit well with me. Quite liked the first track but then it went downhill into overblown stadium rock which isn't really for me. Once it's calmed down from that and the advert pop rock it does improve and there are some songs I like here.

This really feels like the origins of pop rap, and I can't say I was a fan. Like the first — and probably best — attempt a label had at creating a mass market product from underground rap culture. I'm sure it changed the game but it's not really to my taste.

This is alright, but a bit more one-note than the other punk records we've listened to. That's fine, and the runtime helps as it doesn't last forever, but it does just feel like the same song on a loop.

Lo-fi beats to chill and study to. It was alright, didn't grab me particularly. Never heard of them before, but I wouldn't mind listening to another if it came up. Not particularly moved.

In the Czech Republic the beginning of [Fly Or Die] is used for a show called ,,Prostřeno", which is based on UK show [sic] called ,,Come Dine With Me". I think this YouTube comment captures something about this album, very much radio friendly pop music with the stylings of something supposedly 'edgier', which makes it prime fodder for TV. The electric guitar is very much of its time it just sounds cringe today. There are points such as 'Drill Sergeant' where it tries to say something 'political' but it's such a blunt tool it comes across as entirely one dimensional.

This was so gruelling it actually affected my men’s mental health. This just feels like it exists for the sake of it, most of it just sounds like the first draft of a song that someone has written down and said ‘that will do’. So much ukulele. Inevitably some of the ideas are alright here but you’ve got to wade through so much rubbish it renders the whole thing unlistenable.

Just not my thing at all. Music for playing loud in suburban America in a bedroom to annoy Mom. Can't really relate to it sonically or lyrically. Music for kids and adults who wish they were still children.

Enjoyed this a lot more than the previous Hole record we've had on here. Powerful lyricism and a sense of raw power which I found missing on the other album. Highlights for me include 'Asking for It' and 'Doll Parts'.

Very much Melody Nelson based this one. Think I'm a fan cos it's a bit weird. Just read the Wikipedia and it's about falling in love with a 15 year old which is not ideal.

I really liked this, a great record. I've heard Dog Man Star before but never this so I'm glad it came up. Definitely the more interesting end of British album rock in the 90s.

Really like 'On Some Faraway Beach', felt emotional almost. Bit of a mix this album, feel like the enjoyment varies a fair bit form one song to the next. Lacks a bit of cohesion maybe.

Feels like the whole Girls soundtrack basically. A bit too wishy-washy for my taste.

Really enjoyed the range and scope of this. Big fan of the first Black Sabbath record, but I think this might have become my new favourite. Favourites were 'Changes' and 'FX'.

This has a lot more variety than the other Public Enemy album we've had, and in my view feels much more accomplished. I enjoyed it as a record, and would probably listen again but it's not really my style of hip-hop. The metal track on the end is so random no idea why that's there.

First record we've had that I actually own. Can really visualise Bono and 'The Edge' just jamming figuring this out solemn faces earnestness. Using any surface they can find as drums in the making-of DVD extra montage. Eye contact and a smile because they know they've really got something here.

Just really struggle with the vocal here. Maybe it's just too intense for me I find a bit like listening to a child cry. Almost too emotional that I can't enjoy it as art. Think it's definitely a me issue rather than a Bjork issue.

Just not my flavour of jazz this at all. Can't really deal with the lounge sing-song stuff, even if it is a great voice.

I liked this, but I didn't love it desperately. It went on a decent journey and enjoyed most of the songs, but there was something missing to make it great I couldn't quite put my finger on. It's a great title though.

Pretty good this, I like it. Feels ahead of its time. Does seem to lose the plot a bit in the second half and go all over the place, which I didn't enjoy as much.

Quite surprised about how up and down the quality is here, given the long-standing reputation it has. The McCartney feature is a particular highlight for its strangeness. Some of the best disco pop ever written but also some duds.

This was fun, enjoyed it on the whole. Probably got the idea after a bit and it wasn’t really saying much more interesting after a while

Enjoyed this, but not as much as I’ve enjoyed other Bob Dylan previously. Some of the wailing was a bit of a tough listen. Might just be tired listening to this on a Sunday night but the country tinge is not to my taste really.

Always enjoyed Kraftwerk, this one I know some of them but not the record as a whole. Always pleasantly surprised at the level emotion there, that isn't always apparent to begin with.

What a strange little record. I wasn't sure at first, but then halfway through I was completely taken by it. Think the vocal takes a bit of getting used to but worth it.

Just so French it's untrue.

This is so grand and in my view overdone. Far too much going on, too many ideas and incoherence. Bizarre ending, just not even that many good songs here. A disappointment compared to earlier stuff

Just not my thing. Trying so hard to be cool and I really don't think it carries it off at all. Hope we don't get another

Quite surprised how sad this one was. Had the grand stadium rock I was expecting but also plenty of sadder stuff which was interesting. Wasn't really a fan overall.

Pleasantly surprised by this, as I absolutely detest 'Love Shack'. Had that post-punk rawness and oddness that I look for. Would listen again.

The bard of Barking having a proper knees up on this one. I actually liked it more than I expected, sometimes I can find this stuff a bit corny. Maybe the difference is that Bragg is actually a good lyricist. The second disc meaning I hear it all twice probably helps too.

This was alright, didn't make a massive impression on me. I appreciated the point of the album but I didn't feel particularly moved by it sonically or lyrically.

This was alright, didn’t love it in its entirety. Expressed its ideas successfully for the most part but I don’t think it was always sonically that interesting to listen to. Definitely not as good as their other work I’d say.

I really hated this, one of those albums from this list that I’m wondering why my mood is actually getting worse and then I realise it’s the record. Just the most grating voice and pathetically simple pop structures with baroque window dressing that become so annoying. Went on forever as well.

This was alright, didn't make a massive impression on me. Just not my thing really and that's fine.

Alabama is cool actually and not racist and Neil Young went there once and Lynrd Skynyrd etc. etc.

This was alright, didn't love it or hate it really. Some decent songs but not really my thing. Wouldn't listen again.

This just feels tired and a bit stale to be honest. I found it's energy to be very up and down, and it was missing a bit of flow. I found it listenable I've disliked albums more on here, which isn't saying much.

A favourite record of mine, it was great to see it come up. Still stands up as completely forward looking and innovative.

Just don't think this is actually any good. Half formed ideas that don't sit right together, an album that just peters out to the end and it's barely 35 minutes long at that. Trading on past glories.

Can definitely hear how influential this is, I was pleasantly surprised. Probably a bit too sing-song for me to give it a higher mark but I did enjoy most of it.

Liked this more than I thought I would. Enjoyed the depth of feeling and the emotional weigh, but it still felt very accessible. 3.5

Imagine all the people, but not Paul. Paul can do one

This was alright, probably a good record if you like this kind of thing. Seems to try and bridge the gap between prog rock and country, neither of which have really been landing with me in this list so far. Felt a bit up and down in terms of my enjoyment, some songs definitely better than others. 2.5

I appreciate the attempt to do something different here, but it’s not my thing. I didn’t enjoy the singing or the instrumentation here, but I’m glad I now know this exists. Weirdly timeless.

This was alright but it's just not my thing. Felt fairly impassive to it on the whole

This was tough, not my thing at all. found it gruelling to listen to. I'm sure this is someone's cup of tea somewhere.

I think Apple has something interesting to say here but this just doesn’t work for me musically. The quantity of laid back lounge music just isn’t my thing, and I didn’t enjoy this as much as I should when I listen to the lyrics and focus on her voice.

The Killers have written more bangers than I thought. Previously, I'd attributed some of these songs to a nebulous indie band that was just a blur of all the different bands of this era, and I think The Killers are a kind of victim of this era in guitar-led music where there was very little originality. Without a comprehensive review it's really hard to say who is the originator and who are the imitations, but undeniably there are some great songs here. 'Glamourous Indie Rock & Roll' is a really strange closing number though.

Finally a bit of fun on here. Enjoyed this, some interesting meanings as well as some fun. Very danceable.

I first tried listening to this on a train where I felt profoundly travel sick, so that wasn't the best start. I can't really get into the big bombastic tunes here but the slower, quieter ones are definitely interesting. 2.5, wouldn't listen again

Feel conflicted on this, really like it's attempt to do something interesting and brave but it just is a difficult listen. Feels harsh to judge it on just one impression when there's lots of depth here. I appreciate doing something different but an album this challenging probably isn't suited to this bulk approach of blasting through the entirety of postwar popular music.

This was great, really enjoyed it. So much emotion and joy but also sadness. A really excellent soul record. The Windmills of Your Mind was a particular highlight.

I used to really like this album, but on this listen it didn't make anywhere near as much impact as I remember. I did like the blending of styles and think it creates something bigger than the sum of its parts, but still left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.

This was alright, proper happy clappy sit round the campfire stuff. Not my usual thing but alright for a 9am start

Liked this, had a bit of edge. Particularly enjoyed the Beatles cover. Hope there's more by these to come.

I've never really understood the daft punk hype previously, but enjoyed this record. Lots of great tunes here that definitely live up to the billing. However, there were points where I thought there was just like filler beat tracks, and this could've been cut down to a single disc that was really tight.

Really like this, loads of interesting ideas and textures. My kind of jazz.

I reckon I've not listened to this record in seven years, but I still knew almost every word. The Smiths' discography forms such a significant part of my teenage years, and this made me want to revisit it wholesale. This is regarded as the best Smiths record by true heads, but I always found it the most challenging. I can't really fault it today.

Felt mixed about this, the first half didn't do much interesting and I definitely preferred the second half with its beat tracks and slightly more off kilter songs. Still not convinced by the group really.

This is not for me, like the previous record from this band I find it twee and a bit self-serious. However, I can see how this was forward looking in 1999. It really feels like an album that can only be made in that neoliberal heyday when maybe everything will be fine after all. It needs that kind of environment to write 'whimsical' lyrics in a pseudo-psychedelic style without really having anything to rebel against

I like the concept but didn't particularly enjoy the execution here. Found it all a bit happy-clappy and lacked any edge. Maybe it is there below a surface-level listen.

This was alright, just not really my thing. I can appreciate the excellent voice and showmanship.

It's just all so earnest. I'm not enjoying the U2 we're getting on this list at all.

Not really sure how I feel about this, don't think I gave it a proper hearing. There were definitely points where I thought it was doing something interesting, but also times where I found it a bit annoying and sing-song.

Really liked this, so much depth and different ideas. I've listened before years ago so it was nice to be reminded how good it is.

Really liked this, feels way ahead of its time. I think 'Bloodsport (Rough Mix)' is a great example of this album in a microcosm, loads of funk in the bassline with bite and a bit of stadium campness to boot. It's got it all and feels very influential.

This was alright, I'd say I enjoyed it but it just flew by. Not much memorable going off here for me. 2.5

This is described in quite grand terms on Apple Music, but I didn't find this reflected in the music really. It came across to me as a fairly typical album of the era that didn't make a massive impression on me, but it was definitely enjoyable as background music.

I have tried to listen to this once before years ago as I was intrigued by the concept. I remember finding it quite challenging as I'm fairly unexposed to folk and folk-adjacent music. I enjoyed it this time round and found lots to like with it. I think it successfully explores its themes with both the lyrics and instrumentation, and avoids cliche.

All the people who have decided country is fashionable all of a sudden because Spotify has pushed them some acoustic guitar pop songs should have to sit through the dross that are the country albums on this list to see what they're really signing up to. Plumbs a new low every time.

Out of line with my usual listening, so didn't really enjoy this. Just strange and not in an enjoyable way.

Yeah an incredible record, so atmospheric and moving. I have listened a couple times before but it was to re-engage properly. Loved it but I still think Kid A reigns supreme.

This was alright, fairly interesting listening. I wasn't completely blown away but I enjoyed it all the same. Never heard of the guy

You tell em queen don't put up with his BS you don't need no scrub

Didn't make much of an impression on me this one, and I'm writing this review a week later so I remember even less of it. Not inclined to try it again.

Really liked this, glad it came up. Loads of interesting ideas, works quite well as a collage. Definitely stuff I could play on radio if the mood was right.

This was fine, it's just not really my thing. I can see why people like it but I find it a bit too much 'singing'? Like really singing, singing to make the sound come out of your mouth. Trying to make people dance through the sheer power of your singing. Not really my kind of pop music.

Really liked this, thought it was great. Glad I was exposed to a full Franklin record because I would have never listened to one otherwise.

Found this a bit confused, just too many ideas for me really. Maybe it's just not the album for a heatwave

Crazy how good this is from someone 20 years old. Really sets the standard for this like 90s R&B stuff. Hard to fault.

Yeah this is great, just straight bangers. Loved it, great album to come back to after a week off. Can't really imagine a young Stevie Wonder though, like to me he's always been the same age.

Pleasantly surprised by this, felt like an interesting mix between grunge and trip-hop. Probably wouldn't listen again but enjoyed it more than I expected to.

I've listened to this before and I really like it, it's a great collection of stories that stand up as tunes as well. Maybe Dylan at his best?

This was great actually, something a bit different to the usual rap of this era. Still loads of bling and chrome wheels but a bit of vulnerability too. Had everything, maybe not aged into an all time classic though as it still sounds of its time.

Wasn’t looking forward to this after the first 10 seconds, but I warmed up to it eventually. It bounced along easy enough and some of the instrumentation was fun. I enjoyed the self-referential part about steely Dan t shirts.

Curious record, I enjoyed the melancholy and mood of this but wasn't completely blown away by it. Unlikely to listen again, and doesn't really stack up against her work with the Velvet Underground.

Really loved this, thought it was excellent. Not something I'd heard before but bang up my street. Planning to listen again.

This was really good, I've never listened to it in full but I have listened to parts of it for a long time. Enjoyed the experimentation and different directions that still managed to feel cohesive, but it's maybe a few tracks too long.

So good, I really like the split structure of this and 'Low', I think it makes a really interesting record. One of those albums that there isn't much to say. Lives up to the billing.

Really liked this, some great pop tunes on here. I’m a fan of their work but hadn’t heard this in full before so it was nice to have the opportunity. Could be a little tighter to get full marks

If I found this in a bargain bin and took it home I’d be pleased with my find, but I don’t really understand why it’s on here. The kind of album it would be useful to have to book for so you could understand why it’s been included.

A timely appearance for this album as we're only a few weeks away from the Galway Festival. Not really my sound overall but that's because I'm just tortured by plastic Irish pub singers but I did like this. Contains my favourite Christmas song but it does feel a bit out of place here at track 4. I can see why it's easily the most well known song from this band.

Wow there are some great songs here, I hope whoever wrote them received the credit and recognition they deserve. I would hate to think they are still performing regularly at an advanced age, on a one man propaganda mission to demonstrate they are one of the greatest songwriters of all time who believes they are entirely unappreciated by the public. Very much Roy of the Rovers for the disco generation.

Really wanted to like this but ended up finding it a bit annoying in parts. Felt like I was listening to the same song on repeat, a song I did enjoy but I'm not really use why it's an hour long. Maybe the language barrier is part of my issue. Wouldn't listen again.

Yeah this is great, some all time bangers here. Never listened in full so glad it came up. However a mildly hot take would be that some of it might've aged poorly? Specifically 'Diesel Power', that stood out to me as not ageing particularly well.

First impressions this opens really strongly. One of the great opening tracks of albums I've never heard of we've had on here so far. Then settled into some instrumental jazz which I did not expect at all. All sorts in here and it still works together. Blown away by how good this was.

Enjoyed this, didn't realise how good the guitar would be. Probably listen again on a Sunday morning.

Just cuts you open this record, so much emotion handled so well. Just wanted to sit with it forever. Think it's my favourite record we've had on here so far. Maybe the best gig I've ever been to.

Hard to comprehend now how radical the production was on this at the time, but I don't think it really stands up as well now. Obvious issues notwithstanding, it feels a bit dated and of its time to me. Still some songs here that are standout, but it feels uneven now.

This must've sounded like the future when it came out. I enjoyed it, but it's runtime feels excessive to me. I didn't need the 'Share the Fall' reprise and I would've liked more variation in the instrumentals. Feels like it sets the template for the form and has smoothed off the rough edges of jungle, probably for the worse. There is some good tracks in here, but the sheer volume of music makes you feel like you can't distinguish between songs you like and ones you're just tolerating. I Don't think it really holds a candle to Logical Progression by LTJ Bukem for me in this space of more 'intelligent', lounge-style drum and bass.

This sort of proto pop punk isn't really my speed, but this was fine really. I was less offended than I usually am by this stuff. Just fine.

My heart sank when I saw it was these lads again. I just don’t get it, it doesn’t appeal to me and I can’t understand why I’ve had to listen to three albums of it. Hopefully this is the last one.

Enjoyed this, it was nice and chill. Felt a more juvenile work than the previous Marley record we had, with more stripped back production. Loads more depth than I expected.

Felt conflicted about this, I found it quite melodramatic and overblown for the most part, but it then started to interest me a bit towards the end with 'Pick Up If You're There'. Won't listen again but I probably wouldn't have listened ever if it wasn't on this list.

Turns out I'm a a Leonard Cohen fan these days. All the records we've had here have been so good. this one felt a bit like Nick Cave, completely different mood and style to the others we've had. Loved the atmosphere.

This was alright, I'm aware he's not a particularly nice guy though. Some songs I liked, others I was less interested in.

Just not my thing, found it a bit cringey and melodramatic.

This was good, enjoyed it but didn't outright love it. I think they're an important band in British music history but it's just not a sound I reach for really.

This just wasn't good, didn't enjoy it at all. Like proper cringeworthy stuff.

I've always been suspicious of this guy, he appears as the acceptable face of dance music and listening to this album in full hasn't changed my opinion. It just feels like commercial friendly radio stuff. I found the incessant hooks tiresome and uninteresting. Far too much going on that sums up to nothing.

There's a great Ian Penman essay on Brian Wilson which is how I think of this unusual, troubled man. Undoubtedly some great songs here, and a whole range of moods and experiences but musically this isn't really my thing. I can still appreciate the artistry and devotion of a complex artist.

Really liked this, so much to it. Unusual that I enjoy an American band this much. Would listen again.