1001 Albums Summary

I've never been the biggest Michael Jackson fan so take that into consideration with this review. This album did nothing to win me over to MJ's side. It did, however, reaffirm my complete and sincere love and respect for Quincy Jones. Goodness, what that man gave for music is immeasurable! All (possibly valid) criticism of MJ aside, the production of this album is top tier. The mix, the deceptively complex arrangements, the studio performances are all top rate. That and the musicians who appear on this album are all amazing. I was pleasantly surprised by several guests that appear. (Steve Stevens, Dan Huff, Siedah Garrett, Jimmy Smith!, most of Toto, so many more) They alone were worth the listen.

Another band that never resonated with me. Sure I've always respected their place in rock music, in fact they were the band that I first understood to be "alternative" music. (Although back then it was "college rock") At this point deep into the 21st century with your streaming and lack of physical media it's easy to forget how huge a band like R.E.M. was. Name any of the biggest pop stars out there today, R.E.M. was just as big, maybe even bigger. I'd say their popularity was due in part to albums like Automatic For The People. It seems to appeal to the hardcore fan as well as a newer (at the time) fan. Overall I liked the album more than I expected. Some nice production. I was pleasantly surprised to read that John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin, Them Crooked Vultures) arranged the strings. That kind of thing always lends credibility for me. It didn't gain a new fan but it certainly earned a bit of respect.

Objectively, this is a brilliant solo piano concert. One that has made it to the highest level of jazz composition and improvisation. It has and should be poured over, analyzed and scrutinized for its subtleties and musical explorations. But I think I'm too lowbrow for this because it didn't do much for me. I mean, it's an HOUR of solo piano, ffs!

I've had a passing familiarity with this album. However most that I know of this album has been "filtered" through The Flaming Lips. In 2002 The Flaming Lips opened for Beck as well as being his backing band for this album's tour. (I was WAY into the Lips in 02) With this your collaboration came the promotions as well. So I've listened to a Beck-Lips radio performance of Sea Change (which also contains Beck covering Do You Realize?) from KCRW far more than the proper album. So when this album came up it gave me an opportunity to hear it with fresh ears. I think consuming this album the way I did, with radio performances and the live setting which I saw that tour, skewed my perception of the material. When I only heard the KCRW show I was hearing two groups enthusiastic about the music and upcoming shows. When I saw the groups live, it was a concert setting so it was fun and upbeat. So I think I was mislead, or probably mislead myself, into a sunnier opinion about Sea Change. This was a fresh listen so I finally got how quiet and melancholy it is. I was really unaware of the background (written after a breakup apparently) so that added to the vibe as well. This wasn't the "pop" Beck of Odelay or Midnight Vultures. This was "sad" Beck. It felt like more polished folk-pop. Like a Laurel Canyon songwriter. It's actually quite lovely. It's a vibe album as much as anything; an album for introspection on a quiet afternoon. I should mention (because I'm into these things) that the personnel is incredibly impressive too. (Roger Joseph Manning Jr and Jason Faulkner of Jellyfish and Smokey Hormel always get my attention. Dudes are awesome)

They broke up after this!? What the fuck? This is a really good album. Quite frankly it feels like a perfect representation of the state of UK pop music in the late 60s. There's some lush arrangements in here, especially vocals. Seems like a common story in rock history; band creates a masterpiece, album does nothing, band breaks up, album becomes an all timer. The Wiki says Al Kooper heard three potential singles when he pushed this album on CBS. Although Butcher's Tale is an interesting choice for a single. It says the label chose it for America's anti Vietnam vibe at the time. (Ferengi rule of acquisition #34: war is good for business) Time Of The Season was clearly the better choice.

*sigh* This guy. This is not my kinda guy. I'll give the album the appropriate rating since it's genuinely brilliant. But I can't with this dude. Only thing I'll say: Ye get your life together you fucking psychopath.

I enjoyed this far more than I expected. I've never been into this group; you could've called me a certified hater. But this album made me believe. They still have a few songs (not on this disc) that I think are shit and (apparently) John Phillips is a trash ass human, but the man can arrange some vocals. That's the strength of these tracks, both the originals and the covers (this was a time when groups covered their contemporaries, like the Lennon - McCartney or the Leiber and Stoller that appear here) benefit from John Phillips's arrangements as well as The Wrecking Crew usual brilliant performance. My one beef is the mix. The various instruments and vocals exclusively in the left or right channel is jarring to my ears. I suppose that was the audio aesthetic of the era.

This is one of Bob Dylan's biggest and best albums. Many people far smarter than I have dissected it beyond recognition. There's no way I, a passive fan, can offer any new insight into this album. So I'm not going to try. It's just a really good album. My advice is to read up on it. It's an interesting story.

As usual I can't offer any new insight on this artist and his music. The man was one of the architects of rock music. An absolute legend. The one thing that struck me listening to this is how smooth and laid back he made rock n roll. Rock in a slow groove. Pretty sure some of these tracks will make it to a regular playlist for me.

Full disclosure: I've never heard of this guy so take my comments with the acknowledgement of my ignorance as this is way out of my music comfort zone. It isn't something I'd run into growing up in the Midwest outside of Yellow Springs (look it up). Hell, to us Lynyrd Skynyrd was exotic. So I don't know this guy but I do know music (at least a little) and I know my own ears. This album was a pleasant listen and actually quite easy to digest. There's good compositions and interesting instruments and even though I don't speak Senegalese you can tell his voice is unique and authentic. After I read up on the man I realized I've seen/heard a couple things like his voice in Black Panther and that big multi star UK cover of God Only Knows, so there's that. The last song felt a little different than the rest due in part to a "rocking" guitar solo. It kinda feels out of place but it also doesn't when you consider it was released in 1992, so the rock solo tracks. Overall it's a really good album, I'm glad it came up in the queue. That's all.

This is an album that requires some context because on the face of it it's just a standard rock act. But it's easy to understand how this would have been a heavy rock mind fuck in 1967. This was loud, brash and in your face. At the time. This was the time when people were calling Clapton God. That is until Jimi Hendrix rolled into town. It's a good album, maybe even great. But in the years since we've found Clapton and Ginger Baker to be collosal douchebags and also there's a million guitarists and drummers out there who could smoke these two. (Jack Bruce always seemed pretty cool though) In 1967, this was a landmark. In 2025 it's an afterthought.

I have nothing to add to the Paul McCartney conversation. I always liked each Beatle as a personality but I've also been the oddball in that the Beatles music never resonated with me. Because of that I usually excuse myself from all Beatles discussions. This album seems like standard McCartney, which isn't too bad. But this is also one of those 70s albums that make me wonder what the four of them would have made if they hadn't broken up.

Yeah, I got nothing.

I get it, I suppose. It's good for a party. It's catchy It's danceable. That's all.

Finally pulled an album I'm familiar with. This concept album is as heartbreaking as it is beautiful. Just song after song of quiet, heartfelt emotions that illustrate a sad tale. Sparse arrangements, but they feel so deep and rich. Standouts for me are the classic Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain and Remember Me. Remember Me feels like it walks right to the edge of Texas swing but doesn't quite step over. The older I get the more I appreciate Willie the lyricist.

Only vaguely familiar with this album so I was able to hear it with fresh ears. I'll keep it short: this album was fucking fantastic.

I liked this far more than I expected. I expected something more, I don't know, shallow? Plastic? Manufactured? It felt like natural, organic songwriting versus artificial pop. (Not that his other stuff is artificial pop, I just don't know much of his material) I was actually a little disappointed in Angel, which is apparently his big hit. Just felt like generic anthem pop/rock. (Full disclosure: I gave this more of a listen than originally planned because this gorgeous, incredibly cool woman said she loved this album when she was younger. Honestly that's good enough for me. Yeah, she's that amazing) Update: Okay so that lady is not so amazing and she kinda sucks actually. So now I don't give a shit. Now my biased opinion is that this album is garbage.

I liked it. I don't have much insight here. But I do think about it in comparison to other punk releases in the early 80s. To me X shows the diversity of style that lies hidden within the punk genre. This album in particular does exactly that well.

Personally this album hit different. It hits different because of the place it holds in my life as a child and because of my life at the time this album was suggested. It looms large in my childhood because there are radio hits here. Hits I always heard on what would become classic rock radio. But this is a full decade before they became an Mtv staple. Small point of comparison: there's an in studio performance of La Grange on the Howard Stern Show that you can find on YouTube. It's about the most badass thing I've ever seen. One thing that stood out was Frank Beard's drumming and how he plays the snare rim at the beginning. This is a swinging blues jam by nature. But Frank Beard REALLY swings on this track. It's one of those moments where you understand every member's contribution to the band. In early '24 I saw The Jim Irsay Band at the Shrine Auditorium in LA. Billy Gibbons was one of the featured guests of the All Star band. The drummer sitting in the band was none other than the legend Kenny Aronoff. The man is a percussion monster! An absolute god of modern drummers for hire. Somehow (?) he just didn't have that same swing as Frank Beard. Somehow, this drummer extraordinaire just couldn't quite get that same feel as OG ZZ Top. Don't get me wrong. He was in the pocket. He was just wearing a different pair of pants. My point is that the band's songwriting on this album (mostly Gibbons and Hill, but Beard on a few tracks as well) is so fucking strong and it shows. This band could bring it without gimmicks; without the (literal) fuzzy guitars, video vixens and tricked out hot rods. They had hooks and vibe all over this disc. The performances from every member were first rate. Very much worth the time to re listen. Probably doesn't deserve 5 stars but I also don't have any arguments against 5 stars

This album came out at a time when I didn't care about country and folk music. Not that I'm its biggest advocate these days, but I appreciate the genre more and more. This is to say that I wouldn't have given this album any attention upon release. But I'm older and hopefully wiser and I'm in a far better place to be introduced to this. Over the years I've come to appreciate each one of these ladies more and more for their immense musical talents. Dolly and Linda in particular. Dolly is quite an underrated guitarist and Linda has, had, a voice powerful enough to shatter steel but tone and technique pure enough to make angels envious. But add Emmylou Harris to the mix? Wow. Stunning vocals. This album's songs didn't resonate with me. However I have to recognize the massive talent on this record; the production features some serious heavyweight musicians. But the talent is the three women and their harmonizing. Simply gorgeous vocals. Worth the listen and high rating. These three need something like a statue or holiday named in their honor. American treasures, the lot of them.

Honestly I'm rating this high for the fact that the guy did it all. Like, everything. All vocals, all instruments. This was a one man operation. I'm sure there were engineers and technicians involved, but this is a Steve Winwood joint. That's it. The songwriting is strong, if not a little dated. But I think it and a lot of Winwood solo stuff holds up to classic pop/rock standards. I can see a track or two (not much more) landing on a playlist or two.

Once again, I have nothing to add. It's a great album. Becker and Fagen are brilliant writers. To me it's especially evident by how many tracks they AREN'T on. Like, Fagen is on all of them but a couple are vocals only. And Walter Becker doesn't even play on Peg!? There's so much going on with this album both behind the scenes and with the final product. It's worth the exploration.

I've only heard a couple things from this group before hearing this album. But I'm kinda familiar with the genre so I'm sure I would know my reaction when it was released: 1992: meh... I'm not into this. 1996: yeah I kinda like this! 1999: dude I'm SO into this! (Ten years + of no listening) 2000something: yeah I remember loving this! So on and so forth until today. But I actually don't know the record. So now my thoughts are: ......it was okay.

This is simply garage rock. Just raw and unrefined, like rock is supposed to be. Definitely 5 stars.

Gotdam this is a fucking brilliant album! I think it's fair to say that Purple Rain is Prince's most popular album if not his most well known. It's the culmination of all his previous albums and the benchmark for all that followed. Every song slaps but When Doves Cry will never not fascinate me. It's 99% percussion and vocals! A few well placed keyboards and a bitchin' guitar solo and you have the most unlikely classic. Prince always held a unique position in popular music. The guy dressed like Liberace, played guitar like Eddie Van Halen, had the energy and soul of James Brown, had the songwriting talent of Berlin or Bacharach or Dylan or Quincy Jones or any of the greats and, according to Charlie Murphy, a crazy good jump shot. We had seen nothing like him before and I don't know if we'll see that kind of talent again. Purple Rain had it all. Rock, soul, pop, R & B. Definitely a 5 star album.

Of all the albums on this list, Ryan Adams Gold is one of them. For some reason. Apologies to Mr. Adams, you're a fine writer. I just didn't find much to latch onto. Is it me? It's probably just me.

I don't know what to do with this album. I've never heard of these guys. I was 12 when it came out so I have no context for them. I just know that 12 year old me would've hated this. Indifference at best. I'm sure it's a great example of the band and genre. It's just not something I havw experience with. To me this is poppy, gothy bullshit. (Bullshit might be too strong. But I don't know what else to use)

I've heard this album a million times. But not for years and not with a critical ear. As always, there's interesting history behind this record. First one after the death of Bon Scott, the first with new singer Brian Johnson. It had to do something big. It was make or break time. They fucking delivered. Angus and Malcolm are certified riff kings. But I didn't realize they were such hook writers. Were they always this way with Bon Scott? Yes? Sort of? I don't know. It's just that everything not only kicks ass, but it's fucking CATCHY too! There are so many song hooks! There's so much energy! I always thought it was just a kickass AC/DC album. Now I consider it a rock masterpiece.

This is one of those "let's get this one out of the way" albums that come up here. It's because this is an album that's been played to death in my life. I'm so on the fence about The Who. Daltry and Townshend are proper fucking boomer douchebags. Keith Moon, while great in his own right, is pretty overrated in the British rock drummer department. It was his over the top personality and above average drumming and John Entwistle that elevated his work. I understand that's a bitter pill to swallow but the guy would get smoked by anyone but Ringo Starr. John Entwistle is the one member that deserves all the praise he gets. He was easily the best musician in the band as well as one of rock's greatest bassists. My other issue is that I recently had a discussion about The Who's Tommy. The discussion resulted in (fully biased and subjective) the conclusion that it sucks. (Again, that's just me) However I also don't trust the opinion of the other person in said discussion. She sucks and listens to trash anyway. So after all that I admit this is a good album. It has the best writing and performances of the band's catalog. I still think they kinda suck but I'll rate this album high because it deserves it.

I was 7 years old when Elvis Presley died. At that point I was vaguely aware of Elvis Costello. Like, I had heard his name but that's it. But to my underdeveloped brain I just heard Elvis. So when the King died, I thought "well there's still that other Elvis. He can take over" as if it really was a title. Maybe they chose another Elvis like choosing a new Pope. But I think I heard a little Elvis Costello at the time and thought "that's not Blue Suede Shoes!" I wish I had had more exposure to rock like this in the late 70s. But that would have been an uphill battle. I come from the Midwest, classic rock country! And country. Elvis Costello wore glasses , dressed like a nerd and there were no guitar solos. I get nostalgic for the 70s often however this was way off my radar. This gives me nostalgia for a part of the 1970s that I never knew. I've only explored Costello's catalog in the last 10 years or so. The front to back listen was really rewarding. This guy has the catchiest writing, especially for the late 70s. I can understand its heavy influence on alt rock. Y'know I wrote all of that just to say that this was a fucking great album.

You know when I started this thing I figured I would get some amazing records. I thought I would get some long forgotten gem from the 60s or 70s that some DJ sampled in the 90s. Or perhaps a lost classic country artist with a tragic tale. Sadly, no. They're giving me shit like this and Kanye West and Ryan Adams. I sincerely mean no offense to those artists, but in 100+ years of recorded music I expect more essential listening than something from 12 years ago. These have all been good albums, just not ones that I needed to hear before I die. So, Hot Chip. This is not my thing. I'm sure it's a good album for people who are into this kind of music. I'm not. Not really. I dunno, maybe I am and I just didn't like this album. Bottom line, it's fine. Just not for me.

I dig Blur. I think they're a really good band. Not a favorite, but they still good. When it comes down to the classic Blur vs Oasis debate, I'm always going to be Team Blur. They're superior in every way to Oasis. (Fuck you, fight me.) Parklife - This album was good. I don't feel it was their best, although I don't know enough of their catalog to honestly make that statement. It just didn't hit me like some of their other stuff has. Good album regardless. (I'm keeping this one short. I have other things to say but I'm not interested in writing it out)

This is one of those albums that make me think the folks over there at 1K1 Albums You Have To Hear Inc. are pulling a fast one on us listeners. Not only do I think this album doesn't need to be on this list, I don't even think this is Megadeth's best album. (The fact that it was nominated for a Grammy just shows you how corrupt that system is. But I digress) I used to love this band. Now I don't. I don't know what happened, but I'm sure it happened sometime around Rust In Peace.

I don't know.... Wikipedia says this was fairly popular when it was released. 1K1 Albums You Have To Hear Inc. says I had to hear it. But I just found it tedious. Songwriting is interesting, just not that interesting. Wiki claims 10cc is an art rock band. To me art rock is just a creepier cousin of musicals. This is a good example.

Meh...I mean, it's a great album. I just don't feel like digging that deep into it.

I think I like this more than Automatic For The People, which has already been served and reviewed here. However I care less.

Let's keep in mind that art is subjective. Van Morrison grinds my gears. Collosal douchebag, makes music you hear at Starbucks. The only good thing about this album is that we're not subjected to Brown Eyed Girl for the millionth time.

Lots of interesting compositions and melodies. Nice coincidence for me that the first track is Coyote as I've been fixated with that song since I saw her play it with The Band in the old Scorsese doc The Last Waltz. Fucking great song. Great musicians on the album too. An exceptional job from all involved.

This album is all over the place. I mean that in a good way. With a name like Funkadelic you'd think it would lean heavily into the funk, which it does. But Funkadelic is so much more on this album. They're also straight, proper rock band. It borders on Black Sabbath heavy at times and it's awesome. This is the kind of album I expect from 1K1 Albums You Have To Hear Inc. It's groundbreaking and innovative. Performances, compositions and production all first rate.

I don't have much to say here. This kind of music has limited appeal to me. However this album is quite good. It's interesting enough to keep my attention. And while this music can get a bit repetitive, this album doesn't become monotonous.

It's fucking great. It's snotty and sneering. It's raw and brash. It's smug and loud. Most of the tracks are incredibly short and fast. Like punk should be. It's a proper punk album by a proper punk band.

This was not too bad. I don't want a steady diet of it but this kind of music works great dropped into my mixes. Would revisit.

It's.....long. I mean, I get it it's a double album. But damn! 2 hours 14 minutes! However the good thing is that it's a fantastic double record. They could've released it as solo albums or pared it down to a single disc and frankly either way we would have gotten a full, cohesive project. But then you'd need to cut out something. You'd be missing a lot. Honestly you'd be missing too much. You need the whole thing. Did these guys know that they were making an all timer? Was this just another project? How easily do these songs pour out of these musicians? There's just a lot going on. I'm a few dozen into my 1K1 Albums project and outside of a couple punk discs and my one Dylan album, this is one of the first ones that truly belong in the list.

I had no idea what to expect and I wasn't disappointed. This was way ahead of its time. I expect something like this from Negativland or a trip hop DJ in the mid to late 90s, not 1983 This thing is all over the map. It's pop, it's hip hop, it's world music.... it's brilliant. I can't believe it fell under my radar for so long. Honestly Duck Rock is the kind album I want to be introduced to with this 1K1 Albums project. This one's a winner.

Standard 60s sort of garage rock with a Revolutionary War schtick. Good, but nothing actually revolutionary.

Paul Simon's work has never resonated with me. I have no idea why. Clearly the man has talent being considered one of pop's greatest composers. But he does very little for me. That being said, this album is fucking great! Beautiful and personal, it deserves the praise.

I've got three words for you: Eddie. Van. Halen. I'll give you two more: Quincy. Jones. End of notes

Great album. Very dreamy and chill. A little too chill, if you asked me. I'm on to you, Beach House!

Oh how I hate Christmas music. Hate might be too strong, but I tire easily of constant Christmas songs. (I say just drop Christmas music every 3rd or 5th song on your regular playlist. Binging on nothing but carols is pure torture. Just no!) Okay, Christmas hate rant over. This album is brilliant. The arrangements, the vocalists (I'm partial to Darlene Love), THE WRECKING CREW! Everything about this disc is great. I would definitely drop any one of these tracks into my playlist. No earlier than December 15th.

Really? It's good but, no. Off this list with you.

Full on subjective review: turns out Perry Farrell is a shitbox of a person. I still like Dave Navarro, but dude looks like he loves the smell of his own farts. The other two? Other than being brilliant musicians, I know very little. I like it that way. But this an absolute game changer of an album, a masterpiece on every level. I'm certainly biased due to my age when this was released. But for me this album was a bridge from hair to alternative rock. JA was Los Angeles and loud guitars. But this was when hair still ruled in rock. JA was rock and guitar solos, but it was weird. It was heavy but it was more melodic and less cock rock. Several songs are larger in scale with slow building crescendos. Great tension and release songs. Great example of the alt rock explosion that was to follow.

I'm honestly surprised by how much I liked this album. I was ready to "pffft! Next!" with this album but it's weird enough to get my attention. I believe I liked it because of how much it made me think of Ween. (Of course I say the same thing when I listen to Prince so......) Whatever it is, I think it's good.

I dunno, I just love Nick Drake's music. This is no exception. No notes.

I somehow missed rating this. Surprisingly good late career Dylan.

Brilliant. A masterpiece. Respectfully, still didn't make me a fan.

This is a properly good electronic album. A good example of the genre. But to include it as one you must hear before dying is ludicrous. Off this list with thee.

I'm utterly indifferent to Depeche Mode but I'm familiar with a few of these songs. A fine album, nothing to get crazy over. Does it deserve to be on this list? I don't know. But it deserves it more than some of the other trash this app is feeding me.

I don't know enough about this artist/band to give a properly informed review. However I believe that it's quite good and deserves a deeper dive.

Classic folk/blues in that Woody Guthrie-Pete Seeger style. Great traditional American tunes.

I'll heap praise onto this album as it is deserved. In my humble opinion, this lady is THE superstar of the 21st century. Multi talented, in a classic way. Think Sammy Davis Jr, or Sinatra or Streisand. People that were exceptional musicians but were also exceptional at other things. She is a true renaissance artist: acting, music, fashion, design.

I dunno I don't have much to say about this. However I will say that Sly Stone was some kind of underrated genius. This album is a good example.

I don't need to go into detail but this is a fucking masterpiece. Maybe I'll edit it some other time. It's brilliant.

It's just brilliant. It's like Coltrane is wrestling with every question of spirituality he's ever had. I'm sure a robust drug habit helped too. (He had been clean for quite a while by this album. But still, that shit will probably make you question everything)

Brilliant. A masterpiece. Respectfully, still didn't make me a fan.

Just a brilliant piece of work. Phife Dawg is still the most underrated mc.

What can I say? Love Springsteen! Brilliant artist. But this is my least favorite album from him. I understand its importance, but this is one from his catalog that could be left off the list.

This seems like the commercial progression of this group to becoming full on pop superstars. In my uneducated opinion, this album doesn't hold up to the rest of the catalog but still fits in. It was all part of their evolution.

Great album, beautiful piece of work. That being said, get thee off this list. Nothing groundbreaking.

There need to be a different list titled 1001 Albums That Are Good But It's Fine If You Never Hear Them. Queen Of Denmark by John Grant would be a charter member.