1001 Albums Summary

What an absolutely delightful album to start my day with. I think I’ll be coming back to this one on the regular!

The thing with Metallica is, is that they’re clearly very good at what they do but it all starts to sound same-y after the first three songs.

THAT’S Chic

Mi piace! I would like to return to this with my full attention.

Choose your fighter: a) haunting b) beautiful c) hauntingly beautiful d) beautifully haunting —— The answer is e) all the above, and I think this album will stay with me for a while. It’s also the perfect accompaniment to the book I’m reading currently, so in a weird way I’m glad I didn’t listen to this when it was first generated.

This was fun!

I love the penguins!! I thought this was such a lovely album - the switch up at In a Sydney Motel really got me. I loved the general discordance across the record. Think it would make a great meditation piece. 4 stars!

Is this one of the all-time great album openers? I came to Dylan late in life so I certainly don’t have the depth of knowledge to know where this sits in the Bob Dylan canon, but prior to listening to this album in full, “Like a Rolling Stone” was always up there for me (I love baying “diiiiiiiin’t youuuuuu when the occasion calls for it) and I’ve always appreciated the haunting of “Ballad of a Thin Man”. Having now listened to this front to back like 5 times in the last 24 hours, it’s “Desolation Row” that really sticks with me. I haven’t worked out what a 5-star album means for me just yet, so this is getting a 4!

Big Day Out mentioned!! My rap/hip-hop education really started in 2015 when I was tasked with putting together a History-of-Hip-Hop event for the USSC. Julian lovingly pulled together a playlist for the event (which never got used because DJ TJA was on the decks all night) and I still listen to that playlist almost weekly to this day. “What’s Golden” is like a top 5 song off that playlist for me, so I was stoked to see this album pop up yesterday. It’s by far the best track on the album and while I enjoyed listening to it in situ, “Concrete Jungle” being the first autoplay track after the album finished cemented for me that I didn’t really love it on the whole.

This was really in one ear, out the other for me. Can appreciate it for what it is but it’s really not my jam.

I love accents in music!! I loved how cheeky this album was, it was a good laff (Nina, in the Cortina, couldn’t be more obscener??? That’s some writing for the ages). I definitely gravitated towards the first half over the second - Ian kinda lost me around “Blockheads”; the more yell-y stuff annoyed me, though am willing to admit I’m listening to this poolside and the yelling+layered sounds is just not the mood I’m in. There were elements here that I love elsewhere - some Elton-style piano runs, our-house-in-the-middle-of-our-street vibes, and again accents!! Probably won’t return to this album anytime soon but I didn’t hate it!

The Isley Brothers suffered here for having covered two of my all-time fave songs (Summer Breeze and Listen to the Music). I just wanted to be listening to the versions I know and love. There’s a lot to like here though, “Don’t let me be lonely tonight” gave me big Macy Gray vibes and “If you were there” will definitely be making it onto my Sunday morning playlist. Also, learning it’s pronouncing “Eyes-ley” and not “Izz-ley” has left me shook.

Can’t say that much of this album really stuck with me on the first few go-arounds. “Angels of Deception” was the song that cut through and I generally like the sound of the album. I think I would have more fun once I know the lyrics! I’m re-listening as I write this and the outro to “Heartland” has really stood out but that might be the Venezuela of it all. I think I’ll be revisiting this one in weeks to come!

This is my first exposure to The Byrds (forgive me) and this is not at all what I thought The Byrds’ sound was? I’m assuming Sweetheart of the Rodeo was somewhat of a departure for them (especially thanks to the bonus theatrical track of a woman insisting that this WAS indeed The Byrds). On the whole, this album was a little too country for me. I did enjoy the liberal use of the banjo and the fiddle throughout (I’m not anti-country!!!). “You Don’t Miss Your Water” and “Blue Canadian Rockies” have broken through for me but not my fave album of this journey!

I really liked this! Much more my speed but also outside of my wheelhouse, insofar as I probably wouldn’t have found this album on my own. The first track was the only one to download/save offline before I got on the plane to Saigon so I have a particular affinity to “You ain’t the problem” because I listened to it on repeat (and also because it’s a fun track!!). KIWANUKA in its totality really felt like AN ALBUM to me. I love the highs and lows and the change of pace throughout, I felt like I went on a journey. “Hero” is the other highlight for me at this point, but I can certainly see this album making it into my rotation. 4 🌟!

Finally, an album I was already familiar with! I went through a brief phase last year where I mainlined “Stardust”, so it was nice to listen to the album in its entirety. Unsure if this is common knowledge but I was a diehard Michael Bublé fan as a teen (and still have quite a fondness for him to this day!) so that was my baseline for a lot of these songs. I think this is such a beautiful album, excellently curated. Willie Nelson just so perfectly encapsulates the yearning and longing that often comes with being in love (requited or otherwise). “Georgia on my mind” is a forever fave and he knocks it out of the park. This album well and truly had me in my feels and that’s how you know it’s a goodie.

I thought this was such a beautiful album and goes to show that you don’t need to understand what’s being said to be moved, and as someone whose primary experience with music tends to be through the lyrics it was a good reminder. I’m always moved by people who sing in their native language too, so I particularly enjoyed this album! I was surprised/intrigued by how much the first 3ish tracks sounded like Balkan folk music to me and I think “Gidelam” was my fave! Had me grooving in the streets (I love percussion!!)

Divorced dad rock and not the good kind.

Praise be to my lord and saviour, Jack Antonoff. - This is one hell of a sophomore album and I’d go out on a limb to say that it’s the best the Lorde has been. Melodrama has been in high-rotation for me since its release; Lorde has such a knack for capturing the very essence of youth in her writing and Antonoff’s layered synths over the piano melodies really bring to life the tumult that she was writing about here. Obviously I have a deep nostalgia for this time in my life but the likes of “Supercut” have taken on new meaning and still hit me deep in the chest as a spritely 31-year-old. 10/10 no notes (also the album artwork?? Incredible).

Oof, that was a rough opening track. None of this album stood out to me but it was a-okay background noise!

Despite growing up on Tumblr, I’m pretty sure this was my first time listening to Arcade Fire. This album was very 2010… mostly inoffensive to my sensibilities but not one I would return to anytime soon. I think I preferred the back half (“Month of May” onwards)

Hell yeah. This album was so much fun! I secretly love a live album (I feel like they are controversial? But I want to FEEL like I’m THERE). Excellent poolside listening and I was really surprised that the drum solo was my fave track.

I’m really enjoying this whole endeavour, vis-a-vis getting to listen to long-time favourite tracks in situ on the albums they live on. I grew up in a very 80s household so I am no stranger to Duran Duran, meaning that this album was just a good time! “Hungry Like The Wolf” is just such a banger.

I listened to this on a flight and it was great plane music. I also did fall asleep on said flight, but it was the kind of sleep where you’re still kind of conscious of your surroundings, which meant that this album was very present during my nap - that kind of cut-through deserves recognition. Listening again this morning, I think it’s definitely an album that will sneak into the rotation. I’m giving this 3 stars but know it’s really a 3.5 🤩

W-E-F-U-N-K ! “Give Up The Funk” is one of those earworms that can force itself from my lips at any given point and again, I really enjoyed hearing it as part of the broader album. I loved the alien-radio concept that carried through and am just so impressed by how clearly I can hear each individual instrument? Everything works in perfect harmony but everything also gets its moment to shine? I love funk and I love THIS funk in particular. 5 stars!!

Ooooh that opening guitar really got me but it just wasn’t really enough for me to properly absorb it all (though admittedly I was probably too distracted on the whole). Relistening to bits and pieces this morning, it’s fine!

This album was such a lovely slice of a very specific 80s sound, and I enjoyed it thusly!

This album made me want to bust out the Guitar Hero. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to Iron Maiden but I was pleasantly surprised. I probably won’t reach for it but will be happy to listen again

What do you want me to say? CCR forever and this isn’t even their best album. “Tombstone Shadow” is the winner for me this time around, because it made me feel like I was alive again and not just a sad sack of bones ravaged by gastro. Thank you John Fogerty 🙏

It’s funny, I almost find it harder to provide meaningful insight to albums I already know and love, and I know and love A Girl Called Dusty!! Just makes me want to rewatch Mad Men (again)

Unfortunately I think Living Colour are suffering here for the number of 80s/rock/80s rock we’ve had recently. I found that this album just kinda sounded like all the others and I was tuning out. I did enjoy the sprinkling of hip-hop in “Funny Vibe” and I definitely preferred the back half of the album - “Glamour Boys” was fun! Don’t think I’ll be returning to this one :(

I enjoyed this Thompson + Thompson venture. I found the album to be haunting at times and felt that it captured the English dreariness quite well. I certainly preferred the Linda-heavy tracks and there are some all-time lyrics here (‘cause I love taking money off a snob like you). Doubt this one will make it into the rotation but I’m very glad to have heard it.

I was surprised to learn this album came out in 1995 because in my mind it was very 2002? Anyway, Garbage is an excellent album and we need more angry girl rock; I was delighted to get to listen to this album in full.

I had a much kinder initial review but I just didn’t like this and I’m not going to pretend that I understood why this album is on the list.

I love Björk for all the weird and wonderful things that she is and for inspiring one of the greatest ever Snatch Game performances. This album isn’t something I’d ever reach for but I appreciate how it pushes my understanding of what music can be.

Great stuff. Even if the rest of the album sucked Baba O’Reilly is enough to pull it over the line.

What a lovely album to start the day with. I especially loved the harmonies on “How Long?”

¡Mucho gusto! This album is such a great example of why this exercise is so fun - I never would have found Tito Puente on my own but I had such a good time listening to this album. It made me want to dance around and be somewhere tropical, in a big skirt, with a drink in hand. I definitely preferred the front half of the album but I would gladly return, especially as dinner party music.

I don’t know if this is common knowledge but I loooooove reggae. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that if I primarily listen to Bob Marley (and the Wailers! Of which Tosh is one!) but I do. This was great listening for the portion of the train ride between Sutherland and Thirroul where there is zero phone reception and I’m expecting that the Ketchy Shuby instrumental will be in high rotation as accompaniment to my reading habits.

What’s not to love here? I’ve always been a fan of The Offspring and I’m particularly partial to all the whoaaaaa yeahhhh yeahhhhh ohhhhhs, of which there are plenty on this album. The back end is home to a few of my fave tracks (Come Out and Play, Self Esteem). Long live the 90s!!

I’d never listened to Sigur Rós before; they simply existed as a pop culture reference in my brain. I really enjoyed the listening experience! There’s so much ambience and there’s a real richness to the sound. The swelling crescendos and the layering of instruments and vocals really scratched a certain part of my brain. Many of the tracks give me big Rock Eisteddfod vibes/mems (complimentary)

Stupid and I loved every second of it.

What I love about Radiohead is how the instrumentals so effectively reflect the mood of the lyrics and Yorke’s voice. It creates such a depth to the music that enables it to Really Take You There. This album is a great example of that and I enjoyed being in my feels for an hour. Pyramid Song/Life in a Glasshouse were highlights for me and I loved the switch up at Knives Out; it served to pull me back into the album when my brain started to wander.

Just lovely 😌

A by-product of having young parents is that I came to know The Beatles really late in life. That meant that, before there was “The Beatles”, there was George Harrison, and what more could a girl want? This album is unencumbered by the John-Paul-Ringo of it all and is just such a good time!! My Sweet Lord is an all-time great, one that lives deep in my heart, but even putting that aside there’s so much greatness here (I keep going back to What is Life, If Not for You, and the title track). Sure, 2 hours is an incredibly long run time, but as a Tortured Poets fiend, who am I to judge?

It’s hard to believe this isn’t a greatest hits album, when it’s home to so many Great Hits. I’ll admit I’ve never listened to the album in full prior to this exercise and what a fool have I been! I’m almost lost for words for how beautiful this album is. Cracker of an opener and then Carole just hits you with sucker punch after sucker punch. There’s so much love and longing in the lyrics and the music matches perfectly. The Gilmore Girls theme song isn’t even the closest to being the best track and I still get the goosebumps every time I hear it!! Long live the (Carole) King! —— I’m back again the next day and holy hell this album just gets better with every listen.

Surely I don’t need to justify my rating, but just in case, my reasons are as follows: 1. Bennie and The Jets 2. Candle in the Wind 3. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 4. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)

Loverboy: Hits of 1975 ——— Definitional easy listening; completely inoffensive to the senses but too much sameness as the record went on. I really did love Lover Boy Supreme though and it’s probably the breakthrough track for me.

Woah-oh-oh-oh he’s a working class man —— Another all-time great album. A little hard to get past all the “little girl” references these days, but I’m willing to overlook this time around. Also can’t believe I’ve spent my whole life loving “Cover Me” and never once realising it was The Boss.

Yay! The Police! The hits really hit, and on the whole I liked how there was sonic cohesion throughout without getting caught in the samey-sameness. Other than that though, not a whole lot to write home about.

Breaking news: woman with American Studies degree loves Americana. In other news: water is wet. I fear I’m going to be in enemy territory here but I really love this album, in no small part thanks to the opening three-track run that has deeply shaped me. Look I get it, you either love or hate Hotel California but I think it does exactly what it needs to do, which is create a creepy atmosphere that really takes hold of 6-year-old Emily, trapped in the car in the wee hours of the morning, en route to Melbourne. It perfectly establishes the exploration of American excess and American decay that is the rest of the album. New Kid in Town hits me right in the chest every single time I hear it. There’s just !something! about the timbre of “Johnny-come-lately / the new kid in town / will she still love you / when you’re not around?” that makes me want to cry. And Life in the Fast Lane is maybe some of the most fun I’ve had with a song. It’s so sexy!!! Brutally handsome? Terminally pretty?? Good in bed!!! I could listen to it on repeat for hours and never get bored. The opening run is enough for me to give this album five stars but I genuinely did enjoy the rest of it, even Wasted Time (Reprise), which really felt like a movie score just snuck in there for the hell of it.

Sonically, I liked this but not enough to go back to try and decipher the lyrics.

There’s something to be said about having a /style/ or a /sound/ but this all just sounded like a Toy Story soundtrack. Don’t get me wrong! Randy Newman is hugely important to music and film history and I value his place in the canon, but when it comes to an album the sameness is not what I want out of my listening experience. —- SO interesting that the autoplay at the end of this album was Richard and Linda Thomason’s The Border, a fave from earlier in this journey 😌

Gee, they really dragged my ass with A Rose for Emily, on Valentine’s Day no less. Apart from that, I really liked this album! Could’ve blown me over with a feather when I got to Time of the Season - a song I’ve looooved for a long time but just never knew who sang it. Turns out I’ve been a fan of The Zombies without even knowing it (as evidenced by She’s Not There coming on shortly thereafter). I love the little bit of psychedelia that permeates this album and the swelling orchestrals/harmonies are very up my alley. I’ll be coming back to this one for sure.

As far as MJ albums go… this just felt a little nothing to write home about? Which feels CRAZY when almost half of the track list comprises MJ songs I couldn’t live without (Don’t Stop…, Rock with You, Off the Wall, She’s Out of My Life), and yet. I think I was a little bored!

Yeah, cool. Big fan. I found the back third, from Broken Heart onwards, to be quite affecting.

I’m surprised by how much I didn’t like this, and for reasons I’ve liked other albums! I couldn’t handle the immersive atmosphere of it all. The baby crying, the dinging in Hey You that made me think I’d set off my smoke alarm, the intro to Is There Anybody Out There?, all too much for me in this moment. Objectively, I can see how all of those (amongst others!) makes this a generational album; alas it just made me anxious and was not a pleasant listening experience! Another Brick in The Wall Pt. 2 (and Comfortably Numb!) brings this up to a 3 ⭐️

Sorry to Kelela but this album just didn’t hold my attention. Maybe because it didn’t lean all the way into the slow jam of it all?

I CAAAAAAN’T LIIIIIIIVE IF LIVINGISWITHOUTYOUUUUUU!!!! I really bloody love Harry Nilsson and I really needed this album today. 5 stars, no notes.

You don’t /really/ need me to explain this, do you? The Bang a Gong cover was a nice treat 😌

Holy shit. Stripping away the context of Bowie’s death in the immediate aftermath of Blackstar’s release (things have never been the same), this is still an incredibly heart-wrenching album filled with one man’s reckoning with his mortality and a life lived in the clutches of fame. I was really taken by how much this album is distinctly Bowie, whilst also being perhaps his most experimental work. To be able to strike that balance so late into your career is a feat, and one perhaps only Bowie could achieve.

Phenomenal stuff.

After all these years I still don’t know what a karma chameleon is.

Wow turns out I really internalised the “oh you’re wearing a Ramones t-shirt? Name five of their songs” discourse of the early 2010s because tell me why I thought I’d never listened to the Ramones, when I indeed know and love the Ramones?? Anyway, great album that had me banging my head on my otherwise bleak walk home. I’m flying against my fear that I’ve given too many 5 star ratings lately, but this is a 5 star album!

The more I listened to this the more I hated it. I couldn’t get behind the affect of the lead singer’s voice, every song sounded the same and not in a “sonically cohesive” way, and The Thrills somehow managed to make me hate the greatest instrument of all time (the tambourine). In theory this should’ve been right up my alley, if only for its wistful dreaming of the Californian coast but why you would choose to listen to this album over anything else is beyond me.

This is giving live albums a bad rap

Everything except for the title track just washed over me.

I often forget that this is Green Day’s SEVENTH studio album but god is it a good one. I’m partial to a concept album but a concept album done WELL is something else. I know this album is steeped in deep nostalgia for me but I’m pretty sure it’s not clouding my judgement here. This is a 5-star-er, if only because it taught me that I can be loud and defiant and angry. I really enjoyed returning to American Idiot and will be glad to do so again.

Inoffensive, but that’s not really what I want when it comes to music.

I’ve only ever known Frank Zappa as the aesthetic inspiration for Peggy’s boyfriend Abe in the later seasons of Mad Men, but man I loved this! It was groovy! It was funky! It made me feel like I was plonked into the middle of The Nice Guys (one of my all time fave movies!!). Gimme more!

Another perfect morning album! Home is Where the Music Is is such a well-balanced album; it’s sweet, it’s funky, it switches up at the right moment to hold your attention… what more could you want? There was something so delightful about making my coffee this morning with this album floating through my apartment. I think I’ll be coming back to this one!!

Please don’t ask me to form a coherent opinion of this album, it was fine if I didn’t listen to the lyrics too closely?

Great background music. Unsure where or why the Jamaican accent from in Listen to the Lion.

On Harry Styles release weekend? I have better things to be listening to. (I’m starting to think that live albums shouldn’t be included in this exercise 🤔)

They hit flow state with Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ and it kept climbing to Method Man. I couldn’t really stomach all the in between bits, but they’re not for me so 🤷‍♀️

This is getting 2 stars because it wasn’t enough to pull me away from Mr Styles (sorry not sorry maybe actually sorry)

Great stuff.

Looovely. It’s not my fave Beatles album but there are some faves on here, and that’s good enough for me.

Darling, go home! Your husband is DEAD.

Yeah, cool, loved this album. It captures a particular 90s sound, one that I sometimes forget existed! Surprisingly atmospheric and definitely one that was made for the headphones. I’ll be coming back to Connected for sure!

While quintessential, it’s not my fave RHCP album, but I do have to say that “Under the Bridge” still goes OFF.

I’ve always known that Ravi is The Sitar Guy but my actual knowledge of his work started there and ended with him being Norah Jones’ dad. I really enjoyed this album, mostly because I felt I really learned something! It’s clear to me why Ravi is The Sitar Guy and this album found me at the right time to really appreciate it! 4 stars!

Not enough funk!

I’m a basic bitch whose favourite song on this album is Cecilia. I don’t think the sound mixing on this has been optimised for streaming/headphones because it was so soft even with my volume turned all the way up and it really got in the way of the listening experience for me. I’d hazard that my rating might be higher if I’d listened via another medium.

Fun!

We all know by now that I love a concept album and my oh my has Adamson executed on his idea here. An excellent listen for my moody morning commute.

This is the kind of album I never would’ve found on my own and am glad to have heard it. I’m sure there are many comparisons others could make but for me, this album was really quite unique. I loved the moments where her accent really poked through and Eulogy to Lenny Bruce was really something (for me, in particular, a graduate of AMST2606: Stand Up USA)

I own three copies of this album on vinyl.

Sorry PJ, this just wasn’t for me.

This is some Cool Shit™️

I thought the guitars were sexy and I love Ozzy’s vocals.

4 x 10+ min songs? Hell yeah. Equal parts fun and funky, smooth and sexy, and just a touch of silly. The first three were more my speed but I’ll be coming back to Hot Buttered Soul for sure.

It’s Ella doing the Songbook - what more could you want?? And yet - it’s not my fave Ella album but I’m giving it 5🌟 just in case it doesn’t come up!!

Fine, upscale cocktail bar music. Nothing here to hold my interest.

I love Pulp! I think I’m a Man was my fave.

I would like to state from the outset that I simply haven’t had enough to time to truly appreciate this album, but that I am looking forward to coming back again and again. 69 Love Songs really made me reconsider my definition of “love songs” because to me, this was like 56 (rough estimation) break-up songs, which are obviously full of love and yearning, but exist in a separate category for me. It was also oodles of fun and full of whimsy, which we need more of, and I’m also glad to have listened to this album in a stable emotional state because I just /know/ some of these lyrics would have destroyed a different version of myself. I love how they experimented with genre and tone throughout the record. There was no sameness that has plagued some of the other long albums we’ve had and really felt like they were trying to challenge themselves with creating love songs across the musical spectrum. Faves in no particular order (or, the order in which they appear on the album): - A Chicken… - Reno Dakota 🌟 - Luckiest Guy… 🌟 (also takes my fave lyric for “I’m the luckiest guy on the Lower East Side, ‘cause I’ve got wheels and you want to go for a ride”) - I think I need a new heart - (Crazy for you)… - Promises of Eternity - Papa was a rodeo - Queen of Savages - I love you I can’t… - The Night you can’t… - For we are the kings… This is a narrow 4.5 rounded up and I’m looking forward to this album becoming a mainstay

Good stuff. 3.5 rounded up for the da-da, da-da, das in Howlin’ For You.

I think I liked this!

Mi piace abbastanza!

I think if I had listened to the lyrics more closely, this would have resonated more but alas, not to be this time around

I wasn’t cool enough to listen to CHVRCHES back in the day, so this was really my first exposure to them. Objectively, I can get behind this album, but on a purely subjective basis I don’t like the way the music makes me feel (electronica/adjacent always has a weird physical effect on me; I cannot listen to Flume for this exact reason). The stretch from Tether to Recover was my fave

Not my fave Bowie but still a good time!

I love Tears for Fears!!! This sound is just so quintessentially 80s to me and I never want to part with it. The hits really hit, and the transition between Broken and Head Over Heels/Broken is just SO GOOD. I did immediately follow it up with In Love Again by the Rogue Traders, which perfectly samples Head Over Heels, and I recommend you do the same! This is a begrudging 4 stars because they did lose my interest at Mothers Talk - I Believe

A bit meh, hey?

4 stars for Cars alone (but also because Gary Numan was really out there doing his own thing; and it works)

In 2022, I was sad and lonely in Rome, and in a desperate bid at connection I followed someone’s recommendation to see a video exhibition at some random gallery. I remember it was a public holiday so I got in for free but I was completely perplexed as to why anyone would recommend it, because /nothing/ was getting through to me, so in addition to being sad and lonely, I was now frustrated and a little mad. But then I wandered into the back of the gallery, and there was this massive projection of what could only be described as a German Expressionist film noir video game? And folks I cannot explain why but THAT was the installation that hit me, and this album would have been the perfect accompaniment to it. So yeah wow I loved this? Like all power to ya fellas, I’ve got no idea what’s going on but it made me feel something and that’s enough for some stars! I did NOT like the moment in Abstieg and Zerfall where the voice came through exclusively in my left headphone and made me jump out of my skin thinking that some man had randomly appeared in my apartment but on the whole this was a real experience and honestly, we’ve listened to much worse.

I feel like Meat Loaf gets a bad rap but this album fkn slaps?

Bored me to tears

3 stars for Angels and Let Me Entertain You, five star songs on a pretty meh album

Lovely background music to our car ride home. Definitely not The Kinks I know and love!

They were really onto something here.

Incredibly difficult to rate an ABBA album, when my favourite way to listen to ABBA is through the “No, THIS is ABBA” playlist but holy dooley Arrival is stacked (though I bet I’d say that about every ABBA album). I don’t care that my review is clouded by my deep love for the band, this is a 5-stars.

I would like the record to show that I am one and a half songs in and I LOVE this album. - Update, I really LOVE this album. It was fun. It was funky! I love how it really encapsulated the best of the late sixties; a little psychedelic, a little let’s-borrow-sounds-from-around-the-world, easy enough to sing along to and very easy to just vibe out to! Into the rotation you go, De Capo!

I think this was my first time properly listening to The Smiths, and I can see why people like them! This album just didn’t really hold my attention, especially telling on a wfh day with minimal distractions.

Yeah wow. As a big fan of Woody Guthrie, I found this to be a really touching way to honour his work. Additionally, I just loved the sound of the album. Way over Yonder in the Minor Key was far and away my favourite (mayhaps because it felt the most traditionally folky to me) but Natalie Merchant’s vocals were the highlight for me.

The Kings of Leon before they were THE Kings of Leon. I enjoyed this enough, The Bucket far and away my fave (you’ll kick the bucket and I’ll swing my legs is one hell of a line)

No notes

Conceptually, this album gets big ups from me. Unfortunately, the execution fell a bit flat (a lot of it sounded like phone hold music??). The best part of this album is far and away Sawhney’s ability to meld genre and seamlessly incorporate distinctly Indian sounds throughout. Standouts for me were Homelands and Nadia, and the title track really was something. I’m glad to have listened to it but I won’t be coming back anytime soon.

I literally fell asleep while listening to this (is that my fault or the album’s fault: unclear).

Nothing to write home about

4 stars subject to revision at my own leisure.

Spiritually Aussie Pub Rock (this version of Hard to Handle is one of my all time faves and if you had asked me who sang it, I would’ve said Dragon or The Choirboys or something of the kind). In my heart this is a 4, for Hard to Handle but it’s really a 3.

Okay so please be gentle with me but I’ve never listened to Sufjan Stevens before! I’ve just taken myself on a lovely hour and a half walk to try and give this album the focus it deserves. Some thoughts: - the opening run of tracks really sounds like my friends from the Penguin Cafe! - I’m obsessed with the track titles - listening to this album outside was the right choice - The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts is probably my fave - I can’t possibly rate this on one listen But I will and I’m giving it a 4. I know that with time and greater comprehension of the lyrics, and a chance to dive into the symbolism Illinois will be a 5-star but this is simply my truth.

Yeah so this is maybe the greatest album of all, right? It certainly has to be in the top 3? Absolutely insane that this is Stevie’s EIGHTEENTH studio album, but what makes it great is that it feels like one that he had to make (and by all accounts he was ready to pack things up? ((but that $220m was too good to pass up?))). It’s full of joy and anger and soul, and it all feels like it comes straight from the heart. Sonically, it’s expansive and groovy and you can hear its legacy so clearly. I preferred Disc 1 but I really don’t think that matters here. Stevie summed up this album so perfectly with one line; “isn’t she lovely, made from love?”

Great background music, slightly sinister, which I kinda like! Hated the tease of Vibraphonissimo like please just let the song climax and be over.

One of my fave essays that I wrote back in my prime ended with the quote “there is pow’r, there is pow’r in a union” so I was positively delighted to hear that resoundingly on this album and then subsequently crushed when I found out the song has absolutely zero link to the 1913 song I had quoted. My first exposure to Billy Bragg has been through this exercise and we’re 2/2. I really loved this album! The subject matter resonates (and is seemingly timeless) and we all know I love an accent! At time of writing this review I’m angling for a 4 ⭐️ but we’ll see what I end up giving it.

You know, I always wonder what would’ve become of Nirvana if Cobain had lived on. Sonically, I think this gives us a hint and it’s a bummer that we didn’t get to find out. Generally, this isn’t really a sound I gravitate towards (the hits hit, but it’s not something I go out of my way to listen to) and for that this’ll get a three, even if objectively I could’ve rated higher. Heart-shaped Box, Pennyroyal Tea, and All Apologies were winners for me.

For those of you who can remember anything of the Miss Peaches trivia night, the title track featured in the music round (theme: song titles with America/n in the title). At the time it was my first exposure to the song and these days it’s one of my all-time fave Bowie tracks, so I was very happy to listen to it (over and over, if I’m really honest). The Across the Universe cover was a nice touch too, there’s just not a whole lot else that grabbed me here.

This is what NYC sounds like in my mind.

3 stars for Sharp Dressed Man. I could take or leave the rest.

I’ll admit, the first two listen throughs I just wanted to be listening to Harvest, but on my third go round something just CLICKED (it was Southern Man) and it all made sense why this album is on this list. It is however, not Harvest, so I’m giving it a respectable 4 ⭐️

I’m here for Bobby McGee

Straight out the gate: great name for an album and maybe an even cooler band name. Unfortunately, the rest of it didn’t really land. Mayhaps it suffers for how much I love Kollaps? I don’t know! It just wasn’t enough for me.

Wild wild horses, couldn’t drag me away (from this album)

Unfortunately, he really is great at his craft.

We all know this is very much my speed. Not my fave Bob Marley but was delightful for my morning walk (Stir It Up is #1 for me)

I don’t know where this sits in the canon of The White Stripes but it’s not my fave but also it’s very The White Stripes and thusly, fine!

Big thumbs up from me (really freaking love The Murder Mystery)

This album really moved me. I think it’s the sonic melancholy, but I really liked it. I know it was a throwaway line at the very beginning of the album but the idea of God once being young made me weirdly emotional.

Now, this is what I assumed The Byrds would sound like.

Man knows how to write a song, what can I say.

Look, I’ll be frank. Any Otis Redding album is going to get a 5 from me, he’s just one of those artists that live deep in my heart. I did however briefly consider 4 🌟 because Respect never should’ve been from a male POV but I’ve gotta be thankful for its existence and that it made its way into the correct hands. P.S how great to encounter another version of “You Don’t Miss Your Water”, a stand out track from an earlier album in the journey!

One for the “yeah boiiiiiiii” enthusiasts. It’s not my fave Public Enemy album but it’s still good! You can hear how their sound is very much in conversation with the likes of The Beastie Boys and NWA. A 3.5 rounded up I think!

Same as it ever was (5 stars)!

Like I understand why he’s considered one of the best, I just didn’t connect with this at all

Another one that just washed over me unfortunately.

Yep, just lovely! Very happy to have this on repeat floating through my apartment

How am I meant to rate the album that is home to Bohemian Rhapsody, this feels like a trap. The thing is, Bohemian Rhapsody, Love of My Life, and You’re My Best Friend are just SO good and I feel like I gotta reward that even if the rest of the album was much of a muchness. I think this is a begrudging 5.

This album really grew on me as I listened through. There’s so much youthful verve! It’s funny, I’d never describe myself as a punk fan but I truly do enjoy it every time I listen to it. It’s such a distinct genre and I feel like it executes on the brief every time. I’m looking forward to revisiting this album and connecting with the lyrics; I feel like it’d really bring the whole thing to life.

She IS so unusual and I love it.

Not enough Warren G.

Fun! But not entirely memorable.

I had fun but every song on this album is like 56 seconds too long (except for Buffalo Stance, I love Buffalo Stance)

All that to not hear Wide Open Road smh

Yeah, wow. I loved this on the whole but fuck me, Wish You Were Here (the song) is just that good.

This album made me nostalgic for a time in my life that I’m not quite sure I actually lived through.

I don’t know what you want me to say, the title track to this album is just always going to be That Good and is always going to have me rocking out and also in my feels. I reckon I listened to the whole album 4 or 5 times and it really grew on me. I think the first five tracks are such a beautiful run. Everyone Loves Me, Baby injected a bit of much needed fun and levity; and my beloved Mad Men made a return in Babylon! It’s featured as a perfect closer to an episode and I never knew that it existed outside of the bounds of the show (it’s performed at a bohemian open mic at a speakeasy). Anyway, all of this to say, I actually don’t think I can give it less than a 5 because I really enjoyed my 24 hours here!

Completely fine background noise but did not Fuel My Fire in any way.

I need to spend more time with this album to really appreciate it for what it is, but even so this is an easy 5

I love how this really just was Jack a’ramblin’

Instant 5 star. I listen to this album in some shape or form, no exaggeration, at least twice a week. I don’t think anyone needs my musings as I’m sure it’s all been said before. Long live Rumours!!!

Hell yeah my dudes, go off

Feminist women love Eminem but some of this shit was really hard to stomach (and I get it!! That’s the point!! But I’m still not sure that it makes okay or worth my time). The thing with Eminem is that he really just is that good at what he does. The highs are really high (to the point where I stopped halfway through this album to go and listen to Curtain Call). One of the things I love most about Eminem is the way he seamlessly integrates pop culture into his music and I deeply enjoyed all the many references throughout. I think this album is best when Eminem is reckoning with the perceptions and ideas of who he is (Who Knew, Stan, The Way I Am). I want to give this a 3 but Stan and The Real Slim Shady deserve more than that

What do you mean “all my life I want money and power” wasn’t written for the Bad Blood remix?

Me: this is very Talking Heads in vibes Me: (reads wiki) Me: I love being correct Great time, if too long. 4 stars for giving us one of the best sampled songs in the world, Genius of Love.

Perfectly fine background noise

In no way do I mean that this album sounds dated, but I was taken by how emblematic it is of a very particular early-mid 2000s sound. Though at 2001, I guess they were at the forefront of creating said sound. Last Nite still doing numbers in my house after all this time.

Chapman’s voice truly just yanks on my heartstrings every single time.