1001 Albums Summary

Typical(ish) Prince album: couple of absolutely brilliant bangers, a few well crafted interesting listens, a couple of pure Prince filth and a few that sound a bit like Flight of the Conchords

I want to give this 3.5, would have been a 4 if they'd limited the lo-fi / mic distortion sound a little..... Groundbreaking album spanning three genres, supported at the time by amazing videos and visuals (Sabotage remains a classic). The tour that followed this was a 10 out of 5 with 4 sets across 3 stages - Mixmaster Mike DJ set, Hip-Hop set, Punk set and Lounge Band instrumentals. Loads of bands and albums are still influenced by Ill Communication.

Wanted to give 4.5, whats not to like? Its short enough to listen through a few times, got some classic tracks that most people will have heard of along with album tracks that are also great. Few fillers, at 37mins its hard to fit them in. Also, the lyric "I have squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles such are promises" is genius.

I usually don't mind some american grunge style music but this one was a bit too 'chuggy'. I can appreciate why people would think its a good album but its not for me. Picked up bits of RATM type guitar riffs but blended with something that reminded me of Tenacious D....... which i found a bit unsettling....

Quite enjoyed listening to this but not sure i'd have it on any sort of rotation. Particularly dark in parts, like lots of country music, off-set by some slide guitar so you come out of the other side feeling a bit confused. The message i'm taking from this album is don't p*** off a country singer.....

The kind of album I'd listen to when I'm doing the cleaning - but I say this in a good way. I don't think I'd pick out any tracks that I'd blast out again and again but its beautifully composed and arranged. Bit of a Queen feel to some tracks, which I quite like.

Fully deserved 5. One of the most influential albums of the 80s, without this there would be no 'alternative' music category and no Smell's Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. Loads of others influenced by the Pixies in general but this album in particular. So many stand out tracks, if you're not giving this a 5 we need to have words.......

I like U2 but I'm more of a post Rattle and Hum fan than some of their earlier stuff. Obviously there are a couple of amazing tracks on this album but also a lot of filler "lets-get-the-edge-to-switch-on-all-his-guitar-effects" type tunes. I do hope "Rattle and Hum" and "Achtung Baby" come up as future listens as this pop-style version of U2 is much more listenable. Before they started pushing unwanted music onto peoples phones etc......

Was fine but not something I'd go back to. Bob Dylan without the catchy tunes - fast fingerpicking will only get you so far......

I have to give this a 5 as I prefer it to Doolittle and gave Doolittle a 5...... Such a great album, anyone who can sing about scuba diving and make it this beautiful deserves tonnes of praise. Arguably more accessible than Doolittle but still with some experimental tracks pushing the boundaries a bit. Its peak Pixies.

Good study music and, if it was on Amazon Music, would certainly replace some of the albums I currently have on rotation when I need to do focussed work. Other than that though I'm not really putting this on, nothing stand out for me, I much prefer a bit of Roni Size, DJ Hype or Micky Finn...

Another good case for singles / best of being preferable to some albums. This Is Love is an outstanding track in a sea of fairly dirgy fillers. Maybe I wasn't in the mood or i'm just not cool enough for it all but i'm not sure i'll be giving it another listen.

Another album with 2 / 3/ 4 stand-out tracks followed by some pretty generic 60s guitar jingle-jangles. Impossible not to like the Beatles but they were still honing their craft at this stage. Good background music....

Picture the scene - you're the best female poet in a generation but you're also a recording artist and you've used all your best tunes on your first couple of albums. What do you do? You do Verspertine. I appreciate the art but lets be honest - if Prince f***ed about like this we'd be giving him a 1. Only sitch i can imagine listening to it again is if i mistakenly go to a Hunter S Thompson party and need something to get me through the afters.....

Enjoyed it, different sometimes lo-fi(?) beats, Little Simz has a good flow. Tracks not as in your face as "Might Bang Might Not" but overall decent album.

Great album, owned it since it came our and only realised yesterday that the cover is a school desk, you live and learn. Nice blend of R&B and some proper hip-hop tracks. Fair few singles worthy as well, definitely did the best out of the Fugees with her solo stuff.....

Come on now, tuning up for 45 mins does not make for a good album. I'm not a jazz fan, i tried, i'm still not a jazz fan. Actually overran by 40mins into a random jazz playlist and couldnt tell. Had to relisten to the last 2 tracks to make sure I gave a proper review, which was annoying.

Hard not to get caught up in nostalgia with this one, my first proper hip-hop album. Sounds very raw now with some dubious lyrics but still has some great tracks.

Had no expectations for this album but really enjoyed it actually.

Some great lyrics mostly let down by generic music. A few stand out tracks but this could have been so much better with a different producer.....

Fine. Actuakly a bit boring.

I really enjoyed this but can't quite put my finger on why. Probably as i'd never heard of the band and had no expectations. I don't really know how i'd describe their music, maybe psychedelic folk?!?!

Impossible not to imagine being on holiday when listening to this album. Or being in an episode of Narcos. No specific tracks id come back to but the album has a classy vibe that i like.

Spoonman and Black Hole Sun to one side this is as generic as it comes.

Another album with a handful of good tracks and quite a bit of filler.

Hey Copilot - write me a 60s / 70s style guitar based album, don't make the tracks too memorable though....

As far as christmas albums go this is a fairly cool one....

We all know Son of a Preacher Man is a tune and fully expected that to be the peak song on this album. Didn't expect the rest of the album to drop off so much though.....

Some good moments on this album and very good production - they clearly got a 72 track mixer for xmas.

Enjoyed the covers at the back end of the album, also liked a few tracks that sound like Kings of Leon before they disappeared up their own arses...

This album is around 38mins too long....

Is this meant to be a joke or some sort of parody??

Iconic, classic, era defining. We don't talk about the backwards version of Waterfall, this is a stone cold 5 album.

I really wish these musicians would commit to tuning up before recording an album rather than during it. Same for practicing their scales......

Standard NYE background music with bits of over exsessive noodling from Nile Rodgers.

Typical of an artist like Bowie - some absolutely great tracks along with some slightly stranger, more experimental ones. Enough classics to make this a 3.5 but as thats not an option i need to downgrade it.

Appreciate that some of the tracks are not immediately accessible but this is one hell of an album. Listened to it for the first time on headphones as theres so much going on, very good production value. Also a few bangers thrown into the mix, its a classic.

Bit disappointing but this was the last of the pre-LSD era Beatles albums. A few good tracks with the usual fillers, Revolver came next and with it all their experimental creativity.

Not a huge fan of the band but have to admit this album has got a few great tracks from them. Can't be an accident so have to give this one a 3 at least.

In the right circumstances this album is phenomenal. For instance, if you want to make the weekend seem longer, just stick this album on. Album length is officially 1hr 11mins but it feels more like 4 or 5 hrs.......

Don't mind a bit of skate punk and in fact recognise one of these tracks from an early 90s skate video. I get that its not for everyone and part of my rating is probably down to nostalgia....

Back in the day I paid about £20 for this piece of s*** on CD (american import) just because I liked Timberland and the single "The Rain". Not that i'm in any way bitter about it....... and I didn't learn any lessons from it either.

Creative and charming at its best, but a bit hit-and-miss for me. When it works it’s warm and catchy but some tracks wander too far into experimental, self-indulgent territory. Interesting and memorable, just not something I was into all the way through.

Its fine, Mumford and Sons without the banjo, good background music at a summer BBQ that runs from a blazing afternoon into the night....

I remember one of my friends showing me Megadeth riffs on the guitar. Wow. So complex, crazy progressions and hugely difficult to play, really incredible to watch someone running through parts of these tunes live. Made me appreciate the work that goes into some of this kind of music, really talented musicians. But this album is, unfortunately, shit.

Like many things from the 70s you wouldn't get away with this nowadays. A couple of ok tunes but otherwise very generic with fairly shoddy vocals.

Weird journey of an album. Obviously miles too long but seems like this is because its actually two or three albums rolled into one. Didn't like the start but it morphed into something more psychedelic towards the end and I quite liked some of the tracks.

My favourite Nirvana album, if we're not counting Unplugged in New York as a proper album.....

Wasn't into it at the start, about halfway through I was convinced I was listening to a Paolo Nutini album and started enjoying it for some reason. Would like to give a 2.5 but rounded up to a 3 as the back end of the album perked me up!

I didnt hate this, but some of the best songs were the covers.

No.

Fun album of shanty and folky pub song type tunes.

Seriously though, this is what you get when you let musicians do whatever they want.

I appreciate the craft but i'm not fully into the tunes on this album. Don't dislike it as such but its not my fav work from Kendrick.

Why tho?

Almost entirely unmemorable but also inoffensive.

Even Yes know that they're taking the piss with a track that's almost 19mins long.....

Seems like my memory of this album is a little clouded by some great singles (and music videos). On the whole it left me feeling a little meh....

I can see why people like this album. But, whilst theres nothing specific i dislike about it, im just not a particular fan.

Incidental tracks from Virgin River / Gilmore Girls where the characters contemplate lost loves or deep introspection around their feelings etc. etc. etc.

No need for this album to be so wild. So many better Captain Beefheart albums where they at least mix in some actual tunes with the experimental stuff.....

Fine as background music to some sort of Route 66 type American roadtrip....

Enjoyed it but probably won't go back to it.

Whilst its true that Pink Floyd were a better band with Syd Barrett as a member, on his own the songs lack a bit of the structure that the rest of the band brought. Nothing offensive here, I once heard that he used to dab LSD on light switches in his house when he had visitors, and having listened to this album I can believe thats true.......

Meh.

Album development / concept conversation went something like this: Hair dude = "The year is 2399, i've got Garage Band and have uploaded 500 synth loops and 200 drum beats" Hat dude = "Yes, set off a minimum of 50% of these loops / beats for every single track on the album" Hair dude = "Are you sure? Some of them don't go together, in fact they really clash" Hat dude = "Yeah set them off anyway, make sure you do this on the very first track as well, i want it to sound like we've dropped an electric drum kit down the stairs, get people into the groove" Hair dude = "What above vocals? I've got some melodies and harmony parts worked out...." Hat dude = "Sounds good but I think we just sing it like we're alien invaders, lets very our pitch every 10 seconds regardless of the tune" Hair dude = "Awesome" ........presses record

Another review probably clouded by nostalgia as I went to see them tour this album at the Hacienda in Manchester in 1995. My mate fell asleep on a speaker (in was a 10k sound system as well...) but I stayed awake to appreciate the mix of indie anthems and slightly more punky pop tunes. Gaz Coombs was only 19 at the time.....

Somewhat appropriately I was driving down the middle of the road as I was listening to this album. A few decent tracks but somewhere on a venn diagram between rockabilly, blues and country is not somewhere I particularly want to be.....

I was prepared not to like this but it actually has some tunes! Recognised a couple from old GTA soundtracks, Bat Macumba is definitely off an advert or something as well. Turns out Brazilian fuzzed up psychedelia is quite enjoyable.

Solid, easy listening, no major stand-outs, no huge misses.

More accessible than Bjork's solo stuff but maybe not as catchy?!?

Great way to spend a Friday afternoon. Its no Mezzanine but its still quality

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst - that's how i approached this album. Actually not as bad as expected, Jump is an obvious highlight, some really shady lyrics here though that reduced the star count significantly.....

Magnificent, what a treat listening to this on a sunny walk in the early evening. Semi-psychedelic in some parts, banging indie anthems in others, very well crafted, what's not to like?

If I wasn't working i'd have probably fallen asleep when listening to this. Best bits were the tracks with bits of outtakes.

Great song writing let down a bit by mediocre tunes. You can see the impact Ronson made when they joined up on Back to Black,

Standard reggae fare, great to nod along too etc etc.

Sub 30 mins should mean an automatic 2 star rating as a baseline. Turns out there are also some quite good tunes on this album.

Actually really good music to work to, not sure i'd enjoy it in other circumstances but in this context its great.

Its a good 90's pop punk album, only spoiled by the number of tunes that blatantly ripped off other artists. Mind you, there's nothing new in art except talent.......

Perfectly fine, a good listen with nothing much to complain about. Some interesting lyrics on some of the tracks mean I might have to relisten to this one at some point....

Designed to be listened to as an album, really well crafted soundscapes and a nice call-back to Wish You Were Here at the end. Not one you can particularly bang on for a quick listen but I'd say its worth the time investment.

I enjoyed this more than Dusty in Memphis but clocked a few cover versions so i looked it up..... Turns out that of the 12 tracks on the original version of this album 11 are covers!!

Trying a bit too hard with this album, appreciate the arrangement and the band are super tight but feels like its lacking any soul.....

I'm sorry, but no.

ANGER is what i felt 5 mins into this "album", incoherent scales and an 18+ minute live opening track are not a good way to draw me in. It did get better though i must admit, hints of Pink Floyd in the later tracks. Still, I'm convinced some of the albums on this list are some sort of social experiment, we'll see the results soon enough.....

Pretty standard but solid Stones album. A few good standout songs, few that sound like they started jamming on something and thought they'd just go with it....

I'm a Velvet Underground fan, but theres no need for the final track on this album, NO NEED.

Didn't know what to expect from this one. I'm not sure I could recall any particular tracks as stand-out or equally any that were particularly bad. Middle of the road I guess.....

This is what people in the 80s thought music would be like in the future, like in the year 2099. Its the type of music that would be played in a club scene in the film Robocop or Bladerunner or something. I can't stress enough that this is not a bad thing, I'm totally here for it. (also went to watch them on an NME tour with Campag Velocet and Coldplay back in the day and they were awesome)

Not all bad but not the ABBA album i was expecting, or hoping for....

So its still good, it just has a few more fillers than i remember..... But when they're good they're really really good. (wanted to give a 3.5 but downgraded for consistency)

Enjoyed it, was really surprised at how different the start and finish of the album are

Not terrible but its not christmas and this feels weirdly christmassy......

Enjoyed it in parts, prefer Dirty as a more rounded album and maybe more accessible than this one. Wanted to give 2.5 to this one.

Strong start to this album, then the tunes fall away a bit in my opinion...

I thought this was pretty good as far as it goes. The third Kinks album i think we've had as part of this process. Very much needs to be listened to as an album, if i'd have dropped in part way through i'd have scored it way lower.

I knew a lot more of these tunes than I thought I did!

Ginger Baker was at the peak of his powers in Cream, specifically on the album Disraeli Gears, not the 15+ min drum solo on this album. I did enjoy some of it though......

Has to be a 5 star. Era defining tunes, iconic vocals, established a new music genre(?), uber political lyrics. Lets not forget how controversial the album cover is as well. Still as relevant today.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't is how the saying goes, I think i'm in the "don't" camp. Although I do like Smash it Up and some other tracks on alternative Damned albums....

Lots of covers, lots of fodder for hip-hop samples, good background / elevator music but how come they didn't seem to know how to end a song properly??

Bit too long and a few too many experimental tracks that don't quite hit the mark, they're the only things stopping this being a five star. It did however remind me of the masterpiece that is The Grey Album, a Dangermouse remix of the White Album and Jay-Z's Black Album......

Liked it, didn't love it.

I don't think i'm a new wave / synth pop fan and this album didn't convert me.

If this album was a meal it would be a bowl of undressed lettuce and cucumber with a side of boiled cauliflower and some lukewarm water to drink.

Fine as background fodder, bit too long and the guitar solo on the final track was pure overindulgence

Is any other rating an option? I mean it is a bit pretentious in parts but we'll forgive it......

Funkadelic

I was better than I thought it was going to be, plus Biggie popped up at one point which gives this an extra half a star.....

Uber strong start that goes gradually downhill before rallying a little at the end. 3.5 stars really.....

I'm afraid the best Prince album remains "The Best of Prince".......

Nothing to incredibly deep or inspiring but fine tunes to play in the background of a spring / summer gathering.

I can appreciate this is well put together, musically complex and nicely arranged etc. etc. but i just found it a bit....boring

Standard 90's hip-hop album, bought it back in the day after hearing "Come Clean" on a pirate radio station. As per many albums of the time I paid c£20 (£43.28 it todays money, apparently) on American import only to find THERE WERE LITERALLY 2 GOOD TRACKS NOT THAT I AM BITTER ABOUT THIS. Also I'd argue "Wrath of the Math" is better. The album selector is definitely, as Jeru would say, playing himself.......

Not hating it, not feeling it

Spare me....

Torn with this one. Obviously its an iconic album but the artwork more so than the track list. In my opinion Substance is a much better album..... there I said it.

I think I missed something with this album, someone will have to update me.....

No reasonable person would classify the content of this album as "songs". But it was an experience and I might have enjoyed some of it.....

Don't mind the xx at all but I struggle to get fully into them. That said this album is perfectly fine, want to give 3.5 but downgraded slightly...

Its good, I prefer Little Creatures but nothing really beats the live version of Stop Making Sense with the ever growing suit jacket...... Crazy and creative in equal measure.

Excellent, genius work, actually a 6 even in a 5 star rating system. This is the start of Dylan wandering into more surreal lyrics as well as p*ssing off the folk crowd with a full album side of electric guitar tunes with backing band. Kept it fresh by not rehearsing the tunes before recording them and just explaining different parts to the band before cracking on. A few of the outtakes are amazing tracks in their own right. Nightmare to work with, a treat to listen to.

Another average Bowie album with a couple of great tracks and some very competent (but less thrilling) others. He certainly churned them out.....

Didn't realise they did so much crazy sh*t to be honest.

Its alright, the name carries a lot of weight but it does sound a bit like they wander off into unplanned jams and vocal safari's where Rob Plant just says the same word over and over again with varying degrees of passion. Kashmir though, is fire.

Much better effort from the lads on this one, well done. Weirdly feels like I've never heard the end of Stairway to Heaven, how can this be?? Feels like a different tune, anyway, solid album.

The original afterparty album for my generation, my score is therefore hugely influenced by nostalgia but I really don't care.

Yeah bit croony for me all this big band business, thought it was all a bit pedestrian until i clocked the lyrics in Next..... Actually after that there are a few other tracks where the dark / troubled (almost psychedelic on occasion) lyrics completely mismatch the music. I'd have breezed through giving this a 2 if i'd not noticed but actually this probably deserves a 4. My advice is to get Dre in next time and sort out the tunes because lyrically this is <chefs kiss>

It sounds like what people in the 90s thought the music of the future would sound like. It wasn't for me.

Bit pedestrian but nothing wrong with a little B.B.

Dawsons Creek can keep this one, its not for me.....

Remember loving this album when it came out but think I've moved on somehow. Two Weeks is a masterpiece still.

Such a strong start followed by a slow, gentle decline into pleasant but forgettable background music

Enjoyed it, got some good tracks on here. Not a massive fan of bands reworking their best tunes live to keep them "fresh" but what can you do...

Easy listening but not in the traditional sense. Sometimes its good to have something thats not hugely challenging, that said theres definitely a unique style to this album that i've not really heard before, and i kind of dig it.

I quite enjoyed this, few covers mixed in livened things up a little

Too country for me, I don't have enough spurs / chaps / stetsons for this album

The Frog Chorus would have improved this album. I'll stop there.

Not great, not terrible, plenty of Mark Knopfler noodles if you like that sort of thing....

Peak 80's fodder, and as a consequence, like similar albums from the time, its 95% sh*t.

I actually didn't mind this. I'm not sure why, nothing really stood out. Got better towards the end as well...

Riffs over lyrics, stereotypical but still enjoyable

I'm sorry about this rating, its for all the wrong reasons.

Drifted through this album without being particularly wowed, or dismayed.

Too much angst for me, maybe listening to it in the morning was a bad idea...

Amazing blend of both Country and Western. I don't think the cowboy life is for me though...

You know what, this was alright.

Really enjoyed this and i'm not sure why as there are so many red flags and things i normally don't like!

Big Jack White fan, summary of this is good but not great.

Final few tunes and first few tunes feel like completely different albums.

I believe Slint disappeared up their own arses at some point back in 2014, ah well nevermind.....

Passed the time on a long car journey, wouldnt go back to it though...

Horses for courses, and on particular courses this is a 5. However, on a day to day basis its a 3.5 (but im upgrading)

Widely touted as the best Bowie album, i think i agree. Queen Bitch is my favourite Bowie song as well, Ronsons driving guitars over whats basically a love letter to Lou Reed. Epic.

Better with Paul M livening up some of the more dreary tunes

Mad faux live sound to one side this is still strong.

Really great songwriting for the most part

More funk than i was expecting but still a bit meh

Surprisingly I liked this at the start, strong opening. But it quite quickly, and unfortunately, slips into exactly what i was expecting.....

Fairly middle of the road stuff

Love this band, strong album, campfire friendly cover fodder but still.....

Great background music for working to. Always been a fan of Organ Donor, choon as they say.....

Futuristic riffs clearly influenced Angine de Poitrine, nice album.

Too long, not enough bangers

Inoffensive jolliness

Ironically its a No from me

Some many things to love about this, not least the audience interaction. Iconic album.

One of my favourite lyrics of all time: ​ Oh, the snot has caked against my pants It has turned into crystal There's a bluebird sitting on a branch I guess I'll take my pistol Genius = Arthur Lee

Its good, a typically strong start that just kind of falls away into introspective misery and basically moaning about stuff. Its very tuneful moaning but they really do need to cheer up a bit, things could be worse Brett....

An inoffensive way to pass the time, if not particularly thrilling. Was caught offguard by the random 9m and 6m tracks towards the end of the album.

Underwhelmed by this one, not a bad album by any means though....

Not bad, made me realise how great the Legend version of No Woman No Cry is

Violent Femmes vibes at the back end of this album. Really enjoyed it, relistening currently which is a good endorsement i feel

Boring really. Loads of better Stevie albums

Not usually my kind of thing but quite enjoyed it.

Enjoyed this a lot more by listening to the full album as opposed to picking out individual tracks. Shake Your Rump remains a highlight but there are stronger Beasties albums

Wanted to be Jim Morrison in my late teens so hold this album dear. Feels quite raw in parts and then hugely produced in others. Not my favourite Doors album but still some good tracks.

Elevator / hotel lobby fodder. Thats not to say i didnt enjoy some of it....

Solid album, if its good enough for Basement Jaxx to steal samples from then its good enough for me

Nah. Better as the acoustic prunes...

Certified banger. 4.5 stars really but had to upgrade it due to that Friday feeling.

Enjoyed this.

You know what, despite being basically a set of edgy tunes that could be played in a nightclub scene in Blade / Saw etc. i actually enjoyed this. Unsettling though.

Soundtrack to a tonne of 90s skate videos, enjoyed the nostalgia.