1001 Albums Summary

Album #1: Tigermilk - Belle and Sebastian. Genre (according to Wikipedia): Indie pop, chamber pop Singles?: No. Have you heard any songs from this album or group before? No. Thoughts?: Right now, the album sounds like songs I’d hear in a coffee shop. Not that it’s a bad thing, it’s a relaxing experience. I love the chamber pop influences, I think that’s contributing to its “coffee shop” sound. This album may not have the staying power of other albums, but it is decent enough background music. As for the lyrics, they’re pretty good, but again, the vocals are buried within the mix and this becomes coffee shop music. Favorite songs: The State I Am In, Electronic Renaissance As a writer, what can you use this music for when honing your craft?: I could potentially use the album for rainy days, based on the titular Apple Music playlist. Also, because of its laidback indie pop status, I could use it for specific scenes, particularly ones inside coffee shops (see a theme here?). File correlations: Files #007-009: Tallis Tales, Silvercrest Services (depends on the scenes), Force Devils (Mainly Brent and Bianca focused).

Album #2: Amnesiac - Radiohead Genre (according to Wikipedia): Alternative rock, electronica, experimental rock, post-rock Singles?: Pyramid Song, Knives Out Have you heard any songs from this album or group before?: Yes. Radiohead is one of my favorite bands of all time. I have heard several songs off this album, but never in a full chronological order. Thoughts?: I may be biased for Radiohead, considering one of my favorite albums was Kid A, but I love their overall sound and versatility with their music. Some of these songs, namely “Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors” hurt my ears, but I’m sure I can handle the sound with repeated listens. Favorite songs: Pyramid Song, You and Whose Army?, I Might Be Wrong, Knives Out, Morning Bell/Amnesiac, Life in a Glasshouse As a writer, what can you use this music for when honing your craft?: The uncertain anxious nature of the album can help me with certain scenes that are inspections of human psyche. For example, meltdowns. The more experimental sides inspire me to explore more about mythology and other sorts of art forms, much like Radiohead did with this album and Kid A. File correlations: Experimental: File #004 - C*O*M*A*T*O*S*E. Anxious, conventional: File #007 - Tallis Tales.

Album #3: Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul Genre (according to Wikipedia): Soul, R&B, blues, rock, Southern soul Singles?: Respect, I’ve Been Loving You Too Long, Shake, Satisfaction Have you heard any songs from this album or artist before?: Yes. I’ve fully listened to this album once before. I know Redding’s songs “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”, “Try a Little Tenderness”, “These Arms of Mine”, and “That’s How Strong My Love Is” too. Thoughts?: I love soul music. I find it to be a relaxing genre. It’s mainly because of the accompanying arrangements that support the vocalist. The vocalists’ efforts, usually, are smooth and complement the music beautifully. This album is a fine example. The way Otis Redding sings is passionate and fits each song he sings. Plus, these songs can either be soothing enough to fall asleep or wake up to, or energetic enough to wake you up to (see a theme?) and get you in a good mood. Favorite songs: Respect, Change Gonna Come, I’ve Been Loving You Too Long, Wonderful World, Rock Me Baby, Satisfaction (I Can’t Get No) As a writer, what can you use this music for when honing your craft?: This is perfect for scenes involving mornings or calmer scenes. I’ve gotta be careful about how to use it though. The more I listen, the more the interpretation could switch to something involving romance. It’s not like that’s a bad thing though. File correlations: File #002: Heaven’s Helpers or File #003: American Peas.

Album #4: Band on the Run - Paul McCartney and Wings Genre (according to Wikipedia): Rock, pop rock Singles?: Mrs. Vandebilt, Jet, Band on the Run Have you heard any songs from this album or group/artist before?: Not with Wings, but yes with Paul McCartney. Of course I’ve heard a lot, perhaps all, of his stuff with the Beatles, and the two collaborations he did with Michael Jackson. I have also listened to his album McCartney, his song “Coming Up”, and his duet with Stevie Wonder “Ebony and Ivory”. Thoughts?: True classic rock right here. I remember listening to music similar to this all the time with my mom. She always played a classic rock station, 98.5 KFOX, the South Bay’s classic rock. It’s how I got my music taste today. Anyways, despite the tough conditions, one of the best things about Paul McCartney is his ability to make great music within said conditions. He and his wife are great songwriters, and I can understand why this album has been a critical darling. I love the sound of this rock, it sounds authentic, true, real. Maybe it’s cliche of me, rockist even, but I love this type of music, and I wish more people listened to it instead of the manufactured stuff from the music industry today. In a way, it sounds a lot like The Beatles (especially Jet). Favorite songs: Side One, Mamunia, No Words, Helen Wheels, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five As a writer, what can you use this music for when honing your craft?: I wouldn’t use this to hone my craft, I like to use different kinds of music for this. This won’t do but I love listening! File correlations: If I had to say something, File #003: American Peas.

Album #5: Achtung Baby - U2 Genre (according to Wikipedia): Alternative rock Singles?: The Fly, Mysterious Ways, One, Even Better than the Real Thing, Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses Have you heard any songs from this album or group before?: I’ve heard One before. I’ve also heard a bunch of tracks like Sunday Bloody Sunday, Pride (In the Name of Love), the first three songs off of The Joshua Tree, and Beautiful Day. Also, The Wanderer, which features Johnny Cash. Thoughts?: With this album being called one of the greatest of all time on Wikipedia, I have high expectations. So far, the music is very moody, which is good, because if the music makes you feel something, that’s great. The lyrics aren’t sticking out to me yet, aside from One. The album was underwhelming, I don’t remember a lot of the tracks. Maybe I shouldn’t have set expectations for it. Favorite songs: One, The Fly, Acrobat As a writer, what can you use this music for when honing your craft?: I would use this music mainly for science fiction projects. I don’t know how exactly it reminds me of sci-fi. Maybe it’s because of the industrial influences. File correlation: File #008: Silvercrest Services

Album #6: What’s Going On - Marvin Gaye Genre (according to Wikipedia): Soul, progressive soul, psychedelic soul, R&B Singles?: What’s Going On, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler), Save the Children Have you heard any songs from this album or group before?: I’ve listened to this album twice before. I love it. I can’t wait to hear it again. I have also heard other Marvin Gaye songs like I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, and It Takes Two. Thoughts?: I love this album so much!! I was elated when I got the opportunity to listen to this album for a third time. The story behind it is inspiring, and its messages are timeless and important, especially in today’s day and age. Everybody needs to listen to this album at least one time. His voice is perfect for the album, soft, reserved. The album reminds me of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and his philosophy about the world. “There’s one thing that evil cannot stand, and that is forgiveness.” - Fred Rogers, quoting his professor. Favorite songs: All of it!! As a writer, what can you use this music for when honing your craft?: I would use its messages to inspire works filled with social commentary. File correlations: Possibly File #004: C*O*M*A*T*O*S*E

Album #7 - A Girl Called Dusty - Dusty Springfield Genre (according to Wikipedia): Pop Singles?: No. Have you heard any songs from this album or artist before?: I have listened to this album once before. I have also listened to Dusty in Memphis before too. Thoughts?: Most, if not all, of these songs are covers done by other artists. With that in mind, I’m unsure as to why this album is on the list. Perhaps a listen will answer my questions. The arrangements are nice and her voice is lovely. She has the range and the pipes. I’m struggling to understand what makes this album worthy on the list. Maybe because of Springfield’s impact? I still don’t understand what makes this album a part of the list. Very underwhelming. Favorite songs: Wishin’ and Hopin’ As a writer, what can you use this music for when honing your craft?: Vintage oldies scenes, I suppose. File correlations: File #002: Heaven’s Helpers. Sparingly.

Album #8: Germfree Adolescents - X-Ray Spex Genre (according to Wikipedia): Punk rock, new wave Singles?: No. Have you heard any songs from this album or group before?: No. Thoughts?: I love classic punk rock, and I think this album, so far, is the genesis of ska! I think Poly Styrene’s writing is the best part of it though, since most punk rock sounds very similar. She reminds me of a lot of future (at the time) punk or indie bands like The Replacements or The Smiths. Mainly with bite and wit about societal issues, or any topics. Favorite songs?: Art-I-Ficial, Obsessed with You, Let’s Submerge, I Can’t Do Anything, Identity, Genetic Engineering, I Live Off You, I Am a Poseur, Plastic Bag, The Day the World Turned Day-Glo As a writer, what can you use this music for when honing your craft?: Because of reading about its influence on feminine punk and the riot grrrl movement, I wouldn’t be surprised if I did stories about those types of movements with this music in the background. File correlations: #007: Tallis Tales, or #009: Force Devils

Album #9: Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes Genre (according to Wikipedia): Folk punk, post-punk, college rock, alternative rock Singles?: Gone Daddy Gone Have you heard any songs from this album or group before?: Only “Blister in the Sun.” Thoughts?: I’ve never heard music like this before. It’s always interesting to listen to new genres, especially with a genre like folk punk. Gano writes quite the lyrics, I’m impressed at how he was eighteen when he wrote the lyrics. Unfortunately, besides some of the lyrics, I fear I may not be able to get into this genre of music. Maybe it’s not my style. My opinion is changing with each subsequent song. In the end, this genre is interesting, but I have mixed feelings about how this album sounds, that’s all. The later songs changed my initial opinion. Favorite songs: Blister in the Sun, Add It Up*, Confessions, Promise, Gone Daddy Gone, Good Feeling As a writer, what can you use this music for to hone your craft?: If I had to, some scenes at a college. Only select songs however. No file correlations.

Album #10: Tom Tom Club Genre (according to Wikipedia): Funk Singles?: Wordy Rappinghood, Genius of Love, On, On, On, On…/L'éléphant, Under the Boardwalk Have you listened to this album or this group before?: Only Genius of Love. Thoughts?: I love how funky this album is! I love Talking Heads, and this feels like a groovier, funkier version of the songs on Remain in Light. I’m loving this album so far! This is probably gonna be one of my absolute favorites! Favorite songs: All of it!! As a writer, what can you use this album for when honing your craft?: Definitely for bizarre or surreal scenes. It just sounds quirky. File correlations: File #004: C*O*M*A*T*O*S*E

Album #11: Dirt - Alice in Chains Genre (according to Wikipedia): Grunge, alternative metal, heavy metal, hard rock Singles?: Would?, Them Bones, Angry Chair, Rooster, Down in a Hole Have you listened to this album or anything by this group before?: I have listened to this album once before. I have also heard “Man in a Box” and “Get Born Again”. Thoughts?: This is one of my mom’s favorite bands. I enjoy Rooster and Down in a Hole, and I have listened to this album. I like the concept, despite it being depressing. What an intro to start the album. I like depressing music, but I feel like because I’m a sensitive individual, certain music is overwhelming (like hip-hop or specific rock). I’m nervous about the listening experience here. Maybe it’s pretentious of me to say. Favorite songs: Them Bones, Dam That River, Down in a Hole, Sickman, Rooster, Junkhead*, God Smack, Angry Chair As a writer, what can you use this album for to hone your craft?: Darker, depressing scenes deserve this type of music for inspiration. But I’d sit and listen many times first. I don’t want to be insensitive. File correlations: File #009: Force Devils (certain scenes)

Album #12: Paul’s Boutique - Beastie Boys Genre (according to Wikipedia): Hip-hop, sampledelia Singles?: Hey Ladies, Shadrach Have you heard any songs from this album or group before?: I have heard this album once before. Thoughts?: I like the production a lot, I’m a big fan of sampledelia, but I’m not a fan of the lyrics so much. I’m sorry if I am a disappointment for not liking hip-hop too much, especially with the lyrics. Sometimes I wonder if I need to just bite my tongue and deal with it. Anyways, I love hip-hop productions. The delivery doesn’t bother me, I just feel like rapping is more like poetry than a type of live singing. It could just be me though. Favorite songs: Shake Your Rump, Egg Man, Hey Ladies, Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun* As a writer, what would you use this album for honing your craft?: If I had to, the sampledelia would inspire me to write city types of scenes. Scenes in cities. No file correlations.

Album #13: Deep Purple In Rock Genre (according to Wikipedia): Hard rock, heavy metal Singles?: Speed King Have you listened to anything from this album or group before?: I’ve listened to this album once before, alongside Machine Head and Live in Japan. Thoughts?: I love proto-hard rock. It shaped classic rock into how it is today by bringing in the distortion and the effort to push into new territory. Child in Time is my all time favorite Deep Purple song. I love the ambitions of this group though, plus their virtuosity on the instruments! Favorite songs: All of it!! As a writer, what can you use this music for to hone your craft?: Not for writing, but for building landscapes. I envision stuff in the desert. No file correlations.

Album #14: Third - Portishead Genre (according to Wikipedia): Experimental rock, electronica, psychedelic rock, surf rock Singles?: Machine Gun, The Rip, Magic Doors Have you listened to this album or group before?: I have only heard the song ‘Glory Box’. Thoughts?: So far, I love how different this sounds compared to usual trip hop offerings. I think Portishead does a great job at using various genres along with their comfort zone. Even if it may not be their usual, it’s still nice to see maturation on all sides. Favorite songs: Silence, Hunter, Nylon Smile, The Rip, We Carry On, Deep Water, Threads As a writer, what can you use this album for when honing your craft?: Probably some uneasy scenes. With lots of tension, industrial scenes maybe. City scenes. File correlations: File #008: Silvercrest Services

Album #15: I Should Coco - Supergrass Genre (according to Wikipedia): Punk rock, Britpop, alternative rock, pop-punk Singles?: Caught by the Fuzz, Mansize Rooster, Lose It, Lenny, Alright Have you listened to this album or group before?: Only “Alright”. Thoughts?: So far, the album has witty lyrics! I love the wry humor in them! Honestly, the album isn’t wowing me so far. I don’t know why, maybe I’m not so much into it. Favorite songs: Mansize Rooster, Alright, Strange Ones*, We’re Not Supposed To, Time to Go As a writer, what can you use this album for when honing your craft?: I can’t think of anything specific, but montages of morning scenes would be best. File correlations: File #009: Force Devils

Album #16: Live at the Harlem Square Club - Sam Cooke Genre (according to Wikipedia): Soul, R&B No singles. Have you listened to this album and singer before?: Yes, once before. I also know several Sam Cooke songs. Thoughts?: First live album! I love Sam Cooke’s interactions with the audience and his performance! It sounds like he’s having a lot of fun and he feels right at home. I don’t know why the album wasn’t initially released, but it should’ve been! Favorite songs: All of it!! What scene does this album paint?: A late night jazz club, obviously, but also late nights with a loved one full of dancing and intimate moments. File correlations: File #002: Heaven’s Helpers

Album #17: The Doors Genre (according to Wikipedia): Psychedelic rock, art rock, psychedelia Singles: Break On Through (To The Other Side), Light My Fire Have you listened to this album or group before?: I have listened to this album once before. Thoughts?: I love the Doors!! Their music is quite intellectual to me and Jim Morrison is a talented frontman. The whole album is disconcerting, but in an intriguing way. The End is one of the most epic and haunting pieces ever made!! Favorite songs: All of it!! What scene does this album paint?: A sort of hallucinatory trip. With lots of mysticism. And mythological references. Greek especially. File correlations: File #5: C*O*M*A*T*O*S*E

Album #18: Elvis Is Back! - Elvis Presley Genre (according to Wikipedia): Rock and roll, pop, R&B, blues, rock Singles: Such a Night, The Girl of My Best Friend Have you listened?: Once before. I love Elvis. Thoughts?: I love Elvis Presley, but this doesn’t sound like an album that belongs on this list. I consider him more of a singles artist than an album artist. He has a rich voice and is one of the greatest entertainers of all time, but this isn’t a great album. Favorite songs: Fever What scene does this album paint?: It’s unfortunately so forgettable that I’m unable to paint a visual picture. No file correlations.