1001 Albums Summary

GOING IN: Hopeful FAMILIARITY: Know a song or two SKIP RATE: No skips (played straight through) REPLY VALUE: I’ll play it again DISCOVERY CURVE: Liked it straight away, surprisingly ALBUM ARC: Consistent throughout VERDICT: Liked it more than expected FAVOURITE TRACK: Hard to Explain Good solid 3/5

GOING IN: Neutral - I liked some of their stuff FAMILIARITY: Know a song or two SKIP RATE: Light skipper (1-2 tracks) REPLY VALUE: One and done DISCOVERY CURVE: Never clicked ALBUM ARC: Weak start, side B is better VERDICT: Bit underwhelming FAVOURITE TRACK: Cemetry Gates

GOING IN: Very excited indeed LISTENED WHILE: Lying on sofa, headphones on at 5am, doing a sudoku FAMILIARITY: Know the name SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Deffo play again DISCOVERY CURVE: Got it by the end ALBUM ARC: Warmed up nicely VERDICT: Better than expected BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble FAVOURITE TRACK: Hit It and Quit It ALBUM RATING: 4

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: Morning on the treadmill FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it DISCOVERY CURVE: Got it by the end ALBUM ARC: Warmed up nicely VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation FAVOURITE TRACK: ...Duh! ALBUM RATING: 3

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: with my morning cuppa FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Got it by the end ALBUM ARC: Solid all the way VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble FAVOURITE TRACK: Can't Buy Me Love My Rating: 3

GOING IN: Quite hopeful LISTENED WHILE: Saturday morning, pottering about FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it DISCOVERY CURVE: Still waiting VERDICT: Bit disappointing BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely / Motionless appreciation FAVOURITE TRACK: none My Rating: 2

GOING IN: Quite hopeful LISTENED WHILE: Having a bath FAMILIARITY: New to me SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Deffo play again DISCOVERY CURVE: Loved it straight away ALBUM ARC: Strong start, tailed off VERDICT: Better than expected BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 3.5 Sound of a heartbroken man, sitting at a bar, crying into his whisky.

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: While working FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Still waiting ALBUM ARC: Solid all the way VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation FAVOURITE TRACK: -- My Rating: 2 APPRECIATE: Beats. The brutal honesty and vulnerability of his lyrics about gang life and growing up poor. Some lyrics I applaud, and the way he delivered them was another level. PROBLEMATIC: The graphic depictions of violence, drug dealing, and casual misogyny. Sean Combs.

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: Walking the dog, am. FAMILIARITY: New to me SKIP RATE: Skipped half of it REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation My Rating: 1 Very tame "punk"

GOING IN: Dreading it properly LISTENED WHILE: lounging FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened ALBUM ARC: Dunno, gave up VERDICT: Waste of my time BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 0

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: With a cuppa FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Bit disappointing BODY'S VERDICT: Full wiggle FAVOURITE TRACK: I Can't Stand the Rain My Rating: 2 The album was ruined by cheesy 80s musicians/production. The 80s ruined everyone. Fucking synthesisers. I'd love to hear someone take Tina's vocals and put them on something more suitable.

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: Making the dinner FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Better than expected BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble FAVOURITE TRACK: Embryonic Journey & White Rabbit My Rating: 4 Wish Grace Slick sang on all the songs.

GOING IN: Very excited indeed LISTENED WHILE: Relaxing with a wine FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it DISCOVERY CURVE: Needed another go ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Bit disappointing BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation FAVOURITE TRACK: Wrote For Luck My Rating: 3 I'm going to try this again. I think it's a slow grower, and I need another environment/situation to enjoy it.

GOING IN: Very excited indeed LISTENED WHILE: Sunday sofa surfing FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Off to buy it now DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Better than expected BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 5

GOING IN: Not fussed really LISTENED WHILE: on the train FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened ALBUM ARC: Peaked mid-way VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 2

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: walking the dog FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Slow burner this one ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation FAVOURITE TRACK: We've Only Just Begun My Rating: 2 Incredible voice, but I would rather listen to the greatest hits album.

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: walking the dog FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 2.5 Not my thing but not unlistenable.

GOING IN: Very excited indeed LISTENED WHILE: Drinking an Old Fashioned in front of the fire FAMILIARITY: Part of my life this one SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Deffo play again DISCOVERY CURVE: Loved it straight away ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Absolutely brilliant BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation FAVOURITE TRACK: Very hard to choose!!!... Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) My Rating: 5

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: Driving FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Better than expected BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 3

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: chillin' at home FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened ALBUM ARC: Strong start, tailed off VERDICT: Bit disappointing BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 2 Iconic album cover. Unfortunately, the album sucked.

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: chillin' at home FAMILIARITY: Listened to it many times SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely ALBUM ARC: Strong start, tailed off VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 3

GOING IN: Quite hopeful LISTENED WHILE: doing some work FAMILIARITY: New to me SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Bit disappointing BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 1 Yet another reminder that 'classic' often just means 'made for and by a specific type of person who got to write the rules

GOING IN: Very excited indeed LISTENED WHILE: Chillin at home FAMILIARITY: Listened to it many times SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Deffo play again DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Absolutely brilliant BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 4.5

GOING IN: Dreading it properly LISTENED WHILE: walking the dog FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened VERDICT: Waste of my time BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode My Rating: 0.5 I'm losing faith in this project...fast.

GOING IN: Quite hopeful LISTENED WHILE: having breakfast FAMILIARITY: New to me SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it DISCOVERY CURVE: Needed another go ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation My Rating: 2.5 Needs another listen.

GOING IN: Not fussed really LISTENED WHILE: With a cuppa FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent VERDICT: Fair enough BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation FAVOURITE TRACK: --- My Rating: 2 Can't believe there are more Smiths AND Morrissey albums in this list that I must listen to before I die. Ugh! I gave this a two because it wasn't as bad as the last one.

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: Cleaning house FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened ALBUM ARC: All over the place VERDICT: Bit disappointing BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode FAVOURITE TRACK: My Rating: 1 Cultural apropriation. Repetative. Ugh. So many things. This hasn't aged well at all. I listened to this while cleaning the house and felt like I was in an advert for a cleaning product or a kitchen appliance.

GOING IN: No strong feelings LISTENED WHILE: taking down xmas decorations FAMILIARITY: New to me SKIP RATE: Played it straight through REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely ALBUM ARC: Ended better than it started VERDICT: Better than expected BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble FAVOURITE TRACK: Typical Girls My Rating: 3 Not bad, not great either, but better than I was expecting. If someone else had this playing, I would happily nod along in appreciation.