1001 Albums Summary

Wonderful songs by George and Ira Gershwin, with an equally wonderful performance by Ella Fitzgerald. At over 3 hours, it certainly is longer than a traditional LP, but its length is warranted by its being a songbook. Standout tracks on each disc, but I'd be lying if I said that there were no forgettable tunes. That being said, the variety here ensures there are no real periods of dullness. I love the artwork on the sleeve too; it reminds me of the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg. Fitzgerald? New York?

Of course, I've listened to this before. This is possibly the tightest, smoothest 35-minute album of all time. Packed with unforgettable tunes and powerful messages, this masterpiece of production is Gaye at his most memorable. Why is he so confused, though? What's going on?

Jimi Hendrix is an absolute beast here, not only on the guitar but also as a producer. Each track offers something unique, and I can only imagine how mindblowing this must've been to listen to in 1968. Favourite tracks - Crosstown Traffic Come On (Let The Good Times Roll) Gypsy Eyes Still Raining, Still Dreaming All Along The Watchtower Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

I imagine people cite the lyrics of this album as one of its main strengths. They're distinctly American and must really resonate with people over there. They don't do much for me though, neither do Springsteen's vocals, and the actual music itself is pretty plain. Not bad, nice enough, but it's not for me. Maybe it will grow on me? Favourite Tracks - Adam Raised a Cain Something in the Night Prove It All Night

An Era-Defining Album. Side A is undoubtedly better than Side B, but there are no duff tracks at all. Favourite Tracks - Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine Smile Like You Mean It Somebody Told Me On Top Change Your Mind

Very Soul. Very Funk. Very Bowie. And with John Lennon appearing on multiple tracks for backing vocals and backing guitar, what more could you ask for? Favourite tracks - Young Americans Win Fascination Right Can You Hear Me Fame

Nick Cave definitely had a very clear vision of how he wanted this album to sound and flow. I think he's executed it well with some great tracks and interesting lyrics. Does go on a bit, though. Favourite tracks - Get Ready for Love There She Goes, My Beautiful World Nature Boy Let The Bells Ring The Lyre Of Opheus Babe, You Turn Me On Easy Money Supernaturally

I'd never heard of The Divine Comedy before but thought this was rather good. Very corny but lots of good tunes with a great sound. I immediately recognised Songs of Love from Father Ted and turns out this guy wrote My Lovely Horse too! If that was on the album I would've immediately given it a 5. Favourite Tracks - Something for the Weekend Songs of Love A Women of the World Through A Long & Sleepless Night Theme From Casanova

I'd never given this album the attention it deserves. Ian Curtis transformed his suffering into something hauntingly beautiful. It's a real shame we only got two albums from him. Favourite Tracks - Isolation Colony A Means to an End Heart and Soul Twenty Four Hours The Eternal Decades

I like ABBA; their hits are great, but I wouldn't think to put on a full-length album of theirs other than Voulez-Vous. Favourite Tracks - Dancing Queen Money, Money, Money That's Me Fernando

I think I've been pretty generous with my reviews up until now. But this was dreadful. I will not be listening to it again in a hurry.

I think the '80s production is doing a lot to carry songs without much of a tune. The vocals aren't impressing me too much either. Perhaps it's a little reductive to say, but if I want music like this but much better, I'm listening to Michael Jackson or Prince. Favourite tracks - Wishing Well I'll Never Turn My Back on You (Father's Words) Dance Little Sister

You can't go wrong with Queen. Great performances, great production, and great tunes. Favourite Tracks - Brighton Rock Flick Of The Wrist Killer Queen Stone Cold Crazy Misfire Bring Back That Leroy Brown

Judging from the title and the cover, I was expecting something very metal. Instead, this was a full-on rock opera with lots of ballads. Not bad by any means but I feel similarly about this as I did with Bruce Springsteen's Darkness On The Edge Of Town - just not really my thing. Favourite Tracks - Bat Out Of Hell Heaven Can Wait All Revved Up and No Place to Go

I have to confess that I had never listened to a full length Prince album until now. But I think this demonstrates his being pop royalty - not only by name, but by nature too. Great tunes, great performances, great production Favourite tracks - Sign O’ The Times Play In The Sunshine The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker Slow Love Hot Thing U Got The Look It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night Adore

I almost don’t think of this as a Christmas album. I listen to it all-year-round, it’s that good. Favourite tracks - White Christmas Frosty The Snowman Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Sleigh Ride A Marshmallow World Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Winter Wonderland Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) Here Comes Santa Claus

The White Stripes is one of those bands I hear talked about overwhelmingly positively, but I’m not really familiar with anything by them other than Seven Nation Army. I liked this album though - a great sound with some standout tracks. But overall, the songwriting didn’t impress me enough to be as positive about this band as everyone else seems to be. Favourite Tracks - Fell In Love With A Girl The Union Forever The Same Boy You’ve Always Known We’re Going To Be Friends Offend In Every Way I Think I Smell A Rat Aluminum

What's a saxophone, and who's Johnny Hodges? Favourite Tracks - Black and Tan Fantasy Tea for Two Take the "A" Train Pt. I-Festival Junction Pt. II-Blues to Be There Pt. III-Newport Up Day In, Day Out Diminuendo In Blue

One of my absolute favourites. This just fills you with every emotion you’re capable of feeling—such beautiful music. Favourite tracks - Literally all of them

I had real fun listening to this. You can really feel the synergy between the MCs, who work amazingly well together to deliver some really comedic stuff. And with great backing tracks, coupled with what I imagine was really innovative sampling for the time, it's safe to say that my rump was shook. Favourite Tracks - Shake Your Rump Egg Man 3-Minute Rule Hey Ladies Car Thief B-Boy Bouillabaisse

I had never heard of this band before. Perhaps they aren't discussed so much simply because they aren't very good. I was unimpressed by the songwriting, the vocals, and I honestly thought the production sounded muddy and unbalanced throughout most of the album. That being said, it wasn't entirely detestable, and a couple of tracks were done fairly well. Favourite tracks - It Goes On All of This and Nothing She Is Mine

I'm not an Eagles fan by any measure. In fact, I suppose I've been conditioned to dislike them through conversations I've had with friends and family. That being said, I tried to go into this with as open a mind as I possibly could have. I didn't like it. The Eagles just ooze easy listening without much actual substance. And although this album undoubtedly deserves a spot on this list simply because of its astonishing commercial success, it's not something I will ever put on the stereo myself. Favourite Tracks - New Kid In Town Life In The Fast Lane

This was my first experience listening to Leonard Cohen, and I must say, I've never encountered anything like it before. It feels more like poetry set to music. However, the prominent religious themes don't do too much for me, and while the music itself isn't bad, it's something I'd need to be in a very particular mood for to enjoy Favourite Tracks - On the Level Leaving the Table Traveling Light

My first experience with Pixies was in 2022, thanks to an unexpected phone call. A mate of mine was standing outside a concert venue when someone ahead of him in the queue handed him a free ticket, saying they had to leave. He called me to see if I wanted to join him. It was a Pixies gig, and although I didn’t know much of their music, I’m never one to turn down the opportunity to go to a free show. I listened to Doolittle on the way there, thought it was great, and the gig itself was incredible. I’ll always have a soft spot for this album because of that night, but even setting sentiment aside, this is essential alt-rock listening. It's full of great tunes, and you can really hear its impact on bands like Nirvana, who went on to shape the sound of the '90s. Favourite Tracks - Debaser Wave Of Mutilation I Bleed Here Comes Your Man Monkey Gone To Heaven La La Love You Hey Gouge Away

I've always preferred East Coast rap over West Coast, and this is an absolute classic demonstrating why East Coast rap is often so good. With great rhymes carrying heavy themes, excellent production, and some outstanding backing beats, this is truly essential hip-hop listening. Favourite Tracks - N.Y. State of Mind The World Is Yours One Love (feat. Q-Tip) Represent It Ain't Hard To Tell

Biggie is a rap legend and many tracks on this album such as Juicy and Big Poppa demonstrate that fact. But like Biggie, this album struggles under its own weight. I thought it was too long and some of the skits were unpleasant. I will definitely return to many of the tracks from this album but it's unlikely I will listen to the whole thing in one sitting again anytime soon. Favourite Tracks - Gimme the Loot Machine Gun Funk One More Chance Juicy Everyday Struggle Big Poppa Suicidal Thoughts