1001 Albums Summary

It's ...a pop Christmas album.

Great musicianship, groove, and vibe. Funky musicians make funky music. Each song is unique but the record is still cohesive.

I have always loved Thin Lizzy dueling guitar solos, and this record doesn't disappoint in that respect. 🎸🎸 The guitar jams get 10/10. This band was at its best when Brian Robertson was in it. Thin Lizzy is rad. Live recordings, however, are not always rad. Drums sound thin and far away on many tracks. The drum solo on Sha-La-La sounds like he is inside a tube. Phil's mic on Are You Ready sounds like garbage. And the overall recording quality varies from track to track. I'm not sure anyone enjoys listening to crowds that are not clapping in time. The dubbed-in crowd cheers are unnecessarily loud.

I'll take a little Motown any day. Is Puzzle People on this list? I like that one more than this one.

As much as I tried, I could not find one song I want to hear again.

This thing is brilliant. Orange!

Why is this here? There are already four other The Who records on this list ...

There is so much joy emanating from this record.

John McLaughlin is an otherworldly guitar player (someone neglected to include Mahavishnu Orchestra on this list...). Bass clarinet is a super cool choice for the ensemble. This is a weird, experimental trance fusion jam session.

11 minute I Heard It Through The Grapevine jam 🔥

He danced himself out the womb, ya hear?

Cover Me has some nice blues guitar. Other than that there's not much here that's for me.

This is an avante garde industrial art installation. Interesting textures, harsh sounds, hypnotic thuds, bare vocals, unsettling vibes. I hear the foundations of so much industrial music in this noise. Pretty neat.

I never much liked Karma Chameleon. Still don't. But there are a couple good songs on this record. Not really a fan of ballads either. Shout out to Helen Terry on vocals.

Hell yeah.

🎶 Bring on something else, I couldn't stand another hour of Sting's voice 🎶

60s, with some added 60s and then a sprinkle of 60s on top.

Not everything on here has aged well. It is quite the time capsule. Express Yourself is still 🔥 tho

Martina ❤️ Alison Goldfrapp ❤️ Tricky ❤️ Trip hop ❤️

Marching bands would have fun with many of these tracks. Not totally sure why an album of covers on bongo would be on this list, beyond the Apache breakbeat. But here it is.

This is pretty great

This record makes me want to do zoomies around the house.

Meh

Good shit.

I listened to this when it first came out, but not much since then. Listening to it now, I expected to have more nostalgia than I did. Instead I was just bored. I think their other early record is better than this one.

Why this one? This is not really a John Lee Hooker record. It's a bunch of other stars playing a collab. Sure, it charted. I'm very glad he got commercial success with it. That shouldn't be why this was chosen over his previous 40+ years of output. Pick any of his records from the 1960s.

Never heard anything from this band before. Sounds like Duran Duran. It's alright. Fretless is always nice. Alien is the track I like best, bass and drum parts in particular.

I love this album so very much

Tony Thompson 😎 Bernard Edwards 😎 This group was a friggin supergroup of musicians. Also, the production on this album is top drawer, as is everything Nile Rodgers touches. The people in this group were far, far more influential, across multiple genres, than maybe some people realize.

I mean, it's a well-crafted pop record, executed by talented people. There is a lot more creativity here than in most of the chart-topping pop out there right now. With that being said, this is not really my jam.

Step right up.

Like a warm embrace

Moog bass is friggin rad

I did not need to listen to this before I die.

This record is kind of all over the place. There is a lot of interesting instrumentation in here, but I didn't always dig what they did with it. Girls & Boys and London Loves are the songs I like best.

I had never heard of this band. Now I have. The Funny Bird is my pick from this album

Dub-y and chill. Such an early 90s feel. Carnt Sleep, Girl VII, Spring are the songs I like best.

This band is off the charts excellent. Groove 🔥 Harmony 🔥 Pocket 🔥 Arrangement 🔥

Let's try and unsee this album cover Of all the britpop this list has force fed me of late, this one I think I prefer best. Sofa (Of My Lethargy) is my pick from this one. I hear Beatles and Traffic influences in it.

I definitely think these guys listened to Bob Mould. I mean, this is a very good record, in spite of the cover. But I think I would have liked it more 25 years ago. This list has given me a whole bunch of fuzzy 90s britpop and alt rock all grouped together, and I am realizing that a lot of it just doesn't do much for me right now.

At different moments this reminded me of Bruce Springsteen, Gin Blossoms, and Counting Crows. Ugh. I mean, this sounds like a random band you might find at an open mic night in a medium-sized town in California. I didn't know that was the criteria for this list.

This is many things.

More fuzzed 90s UK indie. 7 of the last 10 albums fed to me in this list have been fuzzed 90s indie. I'm ready for something else, if the random album generator is listening.

I ❤️ Stax Records

The piano steals the show on this one

I love the way the drums sound, and the bass is hypnotic goodness

This band has always sounded excessively dramatic to me.

Willie Colón died today. I'm going to interpret this selection as a purposeful tribute, not a coincidence.

I'm not sure I've ever listened to Nick Cave before. I didn't mind it, but I'm not sure I'd seek out other records. There She Goes My Beautiful World is a 🔥song tho. I also liked O Children

Classic. Penalty point deduction for reviving Aerosmith's career.

Not my favorite tenor sound...and oh my that spittle buzz. That's very distracting. Not what I expected when clicking on a jazz record from 1986. Sounds more 1950s, in both vibe and recording quality. I've been obsessed of late with Paquito D'Rivera Live at Keystone Korner (1982). This is not that. I really can't get past the sustained, spittle-infused notes.

Didn't hate it, but also definitely didn't like it

The Chain is a 5. Rest of album is 3 for me.

I fully understand why this album is on this list, and how important it was. I also don't want to listen to it again.

David Lee Roth is a weird alien, but this album is very good. EVH is EVH. Also, I feel like DLR is channeling Burton Cummings a bit in Little Dreamer. I want to give a point deduction for spawning a decade of bullshit hair metal, but I won't.

His voice is easy on the ears

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Side 2 was really cool At various points on the album I was reminded of Roxy Music, Iggy Pop, Kraftwerk, Dead Can Dance, and XTC.

I have always loved The Mamas and the Papas. Mama Cass can sing me anything she wants. Oddly enough, my two favorite M&P songs are not on this album. Wtf is with The Mama's and the Papa's tho. Good god. I can barely bring myself to type it.

My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori. -Wilfred Owen

Now, this album has 13 songs. Spotify states 13 songs. But only 9 appear. I did find the DK cover on another EP (which was awesome btw). I liked this album. Definite Gil Scott-Heron vibes. This is from 1992. Is the message relevant today? Very much so.

Steve Gadd is my absolute friggin' favorite. This record is full of legends. Chuck Rainey! Bernard Purdie! Larry Carlton! Victor Feldman, Wayne Shorter, Joe Sample, and on. Peg, this is one of the best sounding records ever. Headphones recommended. I can listen to the drum solo on Aja forever. Peg.

Not really my thing

This is alright, but JR is a wanker. I feel like I might like it more if it wasn't him doing it

The lyrics leave something to be desired. The singing is great.

That sound. Is that the jug? Uh, that is.... unceasing...incessant...relentless...constant... excessive. If I try to imagine this without the incessant vocalized bleepy bloops, it's 60s garage rock. Not really for me. With the jug, I definitely don't want to hear again.

Das spiel ist aus

For whatever reason, the sensation I have while listening to this is that I am standing in a very long, slowly moving queue.

This is really good.

This is just a really excellent record by a really excellent voice.

For a few songs, I enjoyed the music and vocals. Lyrics not my favorite.

I can very clearly remember listening to this record when it first came out, and loving how weird and different and exciting it was. And then having Del on tracks was like a bonus prize.

I love Traffic all day every day

So, I mean, this album is fine, it's listenable. But I'm not sure why it is on this list. It is one popular late 90s alternate album, in a sea of popular late 90s alternative albums. Oh, that's right, by rule all 90s britpop is on the list.

I mean, the mid 2000s were not completely devoid of quality music, but.... You didn't miss much if you slept through it.

I liked a couple songs, for sure. But I'm not sure how often I'd come back to this, overall.

Bizarre album name, but this was really interesting. Some pretty wild jams. I hear a lot of Dream Theater on LTIA pt II. Can definitely see that this influenced them.

We are all citizens of the universe and the party on the Mothership is for everyone.

I really like Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper. I had no idea they played on this record. This one is more listenable than the first Dylan album we got. I generally do not like narrative songs, and some of his stories were...long.

This sounds both familiar and off-putting, like a musical uncanny valley. Really interesting experience, glad I listened to it

I enjoyed this.

I bought this record when it came out. Still like it.

I, for whatever reason, never got into this band at all. I don't think I can name one song by them, even though I've been aware of them basically my entire life. Upon listening, I like a lot of things about the music (I hear pleasant hints of Fugazi), but I don't think I like either vocalist.

No, thank you.

Freddie is one of one. He had an exceptional, otherworldly vocal talent. Listening to him sing is always a special experience. Brian May is one of the best. This band put out a super unique, highly creative body of work. I never complain when a Queen song comes on the radio. With all that being said, I've never gone and put on Queen on my own. I've never owned any Queen records. I can't articulate any reason why I'm not more into them. I don't mind them at all. And that's about it.

Never heard of this artist. I actually....didn't mind some of this. Cornbread Moon was alright. Steel guitar throughout was good. But I did mind a lot of this. I don't think I'd every seek it out to listen to it again. But if I was forced to choose between this or /insert other country album/, I'd choose this. Some of this sounds like it came out in 1989, not 1977. Like...Lyle Lovett or something. Also, I dunno what honky tonk is, and I don't think I need songs about it.

I love Stan Getz, I love Jobim, I love bossa nova. If this had Chega de Saudade on it, it would be perfect.

I did not expect to like this as much as I did. This is amazing. What a sonic treat. This might be Björk vocals at their most beautiful. I had no idea Mike Patton appeared on a Björk album. But I am not at all surprised it's as part of an ensemble of vocal magicians doing weird and interesting things. This is another album that I think requires headphones for the full experience. Every sensory receptor in your ear holes will be stimulated.

Lyrically this alternates between goofy, dude lyrics, cats, and more serious subjects, all against complex meter and jazz chords. And inside a sleepy haze of weed. I don't know what else sounds like Thundercat. I mean, this has a jazz song about DBZ.

For almost 40 years now, I've yet to hear something from this band I don't like. Hairshirt is to Green what Nightswimming is to Automatic For The People.

Precious is one of my favorite songs. I saw Chrissie Hynde in concert. There were some extremely obnoxious people behind us that yapped loudly over the whole show, as they weren't actually interested in the concert. But in between every song they would screech "BRASS IN POCKET!!!! BRASS IN POCKET!!!!" Because clearly that was the only Pretenders song they knew, and the only thing they came to hear. Well guess what. They never played Brass In Pocket. For the encore they played the song I wanted to hear, because I'm precious. Fuck Off.

There is so much 90s alternative on this list. I feel like I listened to plenty of alt/indie/lo-fi/etc in the 90s, like everyone else. But there are so many alt rock bands on this list that, as best I can tell, I've never heard. Like this band. Does that mean it's not memorable? Unfair has moments that remind me of Heroin by Velvet Underground. The spacey garage version of Take Five was a strange detour inserted into the middle of the rest of this.

Love the sludgy, driving bass to back her raw energy. This I dig a lot. Also, cellos are always great.

Music for dudes, bros, and dudebros.

Kate Bush is special

Things I don't like: the album title, the whole concept of the main character, porn sound bites, most of the weird lyrics, juvenile humor Things I like: how it sounds, his flow, some of the weird lyrics, Dan the Automator If I listen to this purely sonically, and pretend I don't understand words, I like it. But the lyrics are indeed there. Also, I absolutely refuse to listen to a song (by a dude) called 'A Visit to the Gynecologist' ...

The OG Chicago Blues Man. This is a party I wish I was at. The blues just make me feel better.

This album changed my world when it came out

There are ...five Radiohead albums I like more than this one. Oh, and those other five also made this list. Do I like this record? Yep. Does it need to be here and take a slot that could be filled by an artist that should have been but wasn't represented on the list? Maybe not.

This one was better than the other one

This is 100% fire 🔥 Is there any Chicago House in this list? Frankie Knuckles? Larry Heard? No? Can't have this without that.

This whole thing about multiple, competing mixes of this album is very weird. I'm just sticking with the Iggy mix. They both have their problems. Oh! There's a celesta in this garage. Yep, I can see that this guitar sound influenced every punk guitar that came next.

One of the greatest slide guitar players ever. Full stop. She damn sure belongs on this list. I would have picked Give It Up from 1971. Or maybe Songs from the Rainbow Room 1972. Her version of Angel From Montgomery is an absolutely perfect song. From this album, The Road's My Middle Name is my pick. I've seen her live four times. Excellent every time. Wait...is she the artist I've seen live the most? Maybe? Hmm, that never occurred to me until right now.

Is What's Going On the greatest album ever recorded? Yes, yes it is. Is What's Going On the greatest song ever recorded? Yes, yes it is. This is one of those albums where I am extremely frustrated I have to wait an entire day to give it its five stars. I have compiled 'desert island' album lists for 25+ years now (because lists of music are the best kind of lists), and this album has always been and will always be on my lists.

This sounds like pub karaoke jigs and anthems in detuned slow motion, and everyone is deep into their pints.

Man this hit me just right today

When I saw this, I let out an audible ugh. 1996 me became very tired of Odelay, and I do not care to hear about two turntables and a microphone ever again. Oh....Odelay is on this list too. Ugh. Anyways. This album surprised me. I only really liked one song (Paper Tiger), but overall I was not immediately irritated like I expected to be. There were a few other songs where I liked bits and pieces, but I realized I just don't really like his singing style. The production on this album is quite good, though.

Britain's favorite folk singer, I guess. I feel like, for music like this, being of the time and place is an important part of the musical experience. But in terms of flavors of protest music, I prefer other flavors over the folky stuff. I get why it's here, but I don't want to listen to it again.

'78-'83 is the Elvis Costello era I like. What's interesting tho is each album from this period is a mixed bag. Some great songs, some meh songs. There was a Best Of put out in 1985. That thing I played to death when I was a kid. My fav Elvis Costello songs are not on this record. The goodies from this one: The Beat, Pump It Up, Chelsea, Radio Radio, Lipstick Vogue, You Belong to Me

Dolly is a treasure. Not sure how often I'd revisit this record, but it was absolutely a delightful listen. Dolly sings and she restores your faith in humanity, if even for a few moments. Songs from this one: Early Morning Breeze, Coat of Many Colors, My Blue Tears

I think I almost liked some things.

This is tasty. Side 2 is a vibe.

This album is....strange.

Neil Young definitely listened to Bert Jansch

I liked her voice. And that's the end of the list of things I liked. So, she's recorded a 1988 album of Kurt Weill songs. Those are well done, and are performed truer to the original compositions than the weird one on this album.

I adore Ella. My earliest memories of Ella are Ella singing Gershwin. We had the shorter version of this in my house as a kid, and I still have it. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I do not mind listening to Ella for 3 hours. I would routinely listen to this and the Cole Porter songbooks on my drives between home and college. I've actually wanted to own Ella's Complete American Songbook for a long time. Some day I'll get there.

The first half I like a lot, the second half was ok.

I did not find this particularly interesting.

That first track is a force. I think I like the other King Crimson one we got better.

I've always like Original, but for some reason I never listened to the rest of this album. Now I have. I do think this list has way too much 90s Britpop. But I do not think this list has too much UK electronic.

Chris Squire is all-time 🔥 This thing is a wild masterpiece. Also, Heart of the Sunrise is the best Yes song.

Sometimes the vocals reminded me of Lou Reed, sometimes of Tom Verlaine. Sometimes the songs reminded me of The Cure, sometimes of Death Cab. But I don't think I liked this as much as any of the above. It was kinda sluggish, like that Wilco album.

Now on my list to find on vinyl... I think most people know the title track, but Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock is an absolute banger.

I don't recall ever being into Elvis, or really knowing anyone that was into Elvis.

This has moments where it sounds a bit like Kid A. But like, Kid A inside a weird, foggy, bizarro theme park dream. I don't really know what is going on. It is strange, it is compelling, but on the whole I don't think I liked it.

More M.I.A.? Well, she's getting a lot of attention for all the wrong reasons these days. Anyways, I think this one was better than the other one.

11-year-old me was obsessed with Sabotage when this came out. 43-year-old me also digs the shout out to Jimmy Smith. There's a lot to like on this record. I had no idea they made songs like Sabrosa, Futterman's Rule, or Eugene's Lament.

I guess I'll repeat what I said about the last one. I love Stan Getz, I love bossa nova.

The handful of parts I liked involved the pedal steel guitar and no vocals. And sometimes the mandolin. This was getting 2 stars, until I got to Hot Burrito #1.

Well, that's two of 6. And probably the most listenable two of the six.

Love Me Till the Sun Shines and Waterloo Sunset were alright. Technology of the era produced Pet Sounds. So I don't know what the reason is for the way this album sounds.

This is the best Beatles album. The end. I cannot tell you how excited I was when I got this for Christmas when I was 15. It was the 30th anniversary limited edition. I don't care about the other Beatles records nearly as much as this one. Oh. I just realized it's now almost the 30th anniversary of me getting the 30th anniversary edition.... But I still have it ☺️

Ah, yes, the sound of 2000. Overproduced, cheezy, unimaginative, and blindingly glossy pop made by gross men hypersexualizing teenage girls. If I found a man in possession of pictures from that photo shoot I'd call the police. And yet it's an album cover. This doesn't have Toxic on it, and that is the one Britney song I will listen to without complaint. Britney has every right to be on this list, but my god was this excruciating on multiple levels.

Is this our first easy listening selection? A lot of these songs sound like show tunes, or maybe a Vegas casino stage. Jacques Brel lyrics are very strange. Very, very strange, and very (male) '60s. Not really a genre for me, or an album I will ever revisit. But this was definitely an interesting experience. It was so incongruous, the dramatic vocals and orchestration contrasted with lyrics about girls, ass, piss, being naked in a towel, polka dot underwear, and STIs.

Well, I've been on a jazz-funk and soul-jazz bender for a bit now, so this is a welcome introduction. There are some stellar musicians in this ensemble. My goodness this thing smokes.

Well, this takes me back to junior high.

It's too late to stop now.

This definitely reminded me of DJ Krush in parts. I liked it, but I felt like a number of the tracks were missing one final ingredient to make them great. I also thought the movie sound bites were a little overdone. Tracks I liked best were Labels and Shadowboxin' (❤️ Method Man)

If you were a kid in the 80s, that music video was etched in your mind. It was and is extraordinary. That alone puts this album here. The rest of this album was ok, but not always as interesting.