#1/1001🇺🇸
My first album on this project and so good to start with something out of ny normal listening habits. A wonderful slice of Big Band, Swing, Jazz - not really sure on the correct way to label the genre.
So evocative of sitting in a smokey bar drinking bourbon in the 1950s.
#2/1001 🇺🇸
and a Beatles album already.
This is great fun, packed with 2 1/2 minute pop songs. Its obviously part of their evolution but I'm (maybe unfairly) comparing it with their later more experimental records, so its getting 3 stars.
Can't buy me Love and And I Love Her are the stand out tracks for me.
#3/1001🇬🇧
Listened to this loads when it came out but its been a long time since i heard it in full.
Its been a blast hearing it again, in particular through headphones out walking in the snow this morning.
I'm giving it a solid 4, but will i come back to it again any time soon? Probably not.
Best songs Idioteque and National Anthem.
#4/1001🇺🇸
Mixed feelings on this having only heard the title track before. The hip-hop / electro tunes are more interesting for me, but i'm not so keen on the 2 more soulful ones on side two.
Its an important document of the evolution of music in the early 80s and deserves its place on this list, but doesnt feel like something i need to come back to again and again.
#5/1001 🇬🇧👨🎤
Bowie's Soul album. A re-invention coming off the back of his Glam rock phase.
The beauty of this album is mostly in the band and singers assembled. I love that a young Luther Vandross is one of the backing singers.
The breathless title track and Fame are brilliant. Track 2 - Win is a standout for me too, but i'm not so keen on the cover of Across the Universe.
It's not my favourite Bowie album by a long stretch but there is a lot to love about it.
#6/1001 🇺🇸🏴
Takes me back to my last day of 6th form, buying a very ltd edition copy of Vow. It was a hideous sounding press in a cool metal sleeve. I collected all the other singles too, in equally cool sleeves but got a bit bored of the album and gave it away to a girl that i fancied.
Relistening, the singles sound great still, Shirley's vocals are superb and the production is on point. So, i guess it maybe just seems a bit false and contrived. Is that because i pinned too much on NME or Melody Maker reviews at the time?
Garbage always reminded me of more poppy version of Curve, who i absolutely loved, although i doubt that we'll see them on this list.
I'm going for a very solid 3 stars here. Enjoyed relistening twice today but not likely to rush back.
Best tracks for me are Milk, Only Happy When It Rains and Stupid Girl.
#7/1001🇺🇸
The first artist that was entirely new to me but i did know quite a few of the tracks from later artists like Nick Cave, Jonny Cash and Nirvana.
At the first track, i thought how am i going to get through this one? I found the brother with the higher end vocals a bit grating. I persevered and found it quite enjoyable, i've often found this with bluegrass records - enjoyable to listen to in the moment but not to go back to again and again.
Its essentially a collection of traditional folk songs from the darker end of things, murder ballads and tragic tales and so the brothers didn't write much of it. The version that i listened to had some extra tracks included Satan Lied To Me which i loved but isn't on the original record.
Its worth reading up on the history of the brothers, especially Ira - a real tortured soul.
Best tracks: In the Pines, Mary of the Wild Moor, Alabama.
#8/1001🇺🇸
In 1994 when this album came out i was concerned more with the American "alternative" music scene and drifting towards electro, house, drum & bass etc. I have to say that the hip-hop thing largely passed me by.
Hearing it now now with a greater appreciation for the genre its easy to see why this wins its plaudits. The production is gritty and raw with some nice melodies and jazz breaks behind the vocals. Lyricaly this is really strong stuff and very much paints a picture of growing up in NY at the time.
I loved it and will be back for another listen.
Best tracks: Halftime, NY State of Mind, The World is Yours.
#9/1001 🇺🇸
Released in 1965 this would be one of the earliest "psych" records and you can hear it's influence right through the last 60 years.
It has a raw garage flavour - its great to hear the band wigging out and Roky Erikson, the singer screaming his lungs out - reminds me a bit of Robert Plant.
There a few great tracks on here like You're gonna miss me and Splash 1. I was also familiar with Reverberation - it was covered by Jesus and Mary Chain.
The big but for me however is the bloody annoying vocal sound which appears on most tracks(* Edit wikipedia tells me this is an electric jug.. why did i then go down the rabbit hole of electric jug playing). I guess it was fun holed up in a studio on LSD but it just grates by the 3rd time you hear it.
Influential 5/5
Songs 3/5
Jug 1/5
10#1001 🇬🇧
Already on to my second Radiohead album of this project. I saw them touring their first album supporting Kingmaker and also reviewed their first album Pablo Honey for our college magazine - i remember giving it 6/10 and saying that whilst it was a bit of a duffer they might go on and be as big as U2 or The Pixies.
Fast forward and they released this massive album. I listened to it to death at the time, but that has faded over time so it's been great to revisit it - i've gone through it 3 times today.
Its a big fat 4, only because i've made a vow only to give 5s to those albums that blow my minds on a first listen or ones that stand the test of time and continue be my favourites.
Best Tracks: Black Star, Just, High and Dry.
#11/1001🇮🇳
Simply stunning, especially the first and last tracks. I was aware of Shankar before but never listened to him in his own right.
His descriptions prior to each piece seem a little unusual, possibly to be seen as dumbing down or novelty value but i dont mind them.
#12/1001🇬🇧
Doing this project might be the thing that really gets me into the Kinks, but probably not this album. Its well crafted, but the whole concept album thing annoys me a bit and i can never really get into them.
I see this as a snapshot of Britain in the 60s still coming out of the shadow of WWII and the daily personal struggles of normal people living alongside commercial regeneration and pop culture.
Best tracks: Victoria, Mr Churchill Says, Arthur.
1 point deducted for the Kazoo in She's Bought a Hat...
#13/1001 🇺🇸
No.13 Baby and i've hit my first 5 star album. This band meant the world to me in my teenage years and whilst Surfer Rosa wasn't the first album that i heard it quickly became my favourite.
It contains perfect pop nuggets in Gigantic and Where is My Mind contrasted the all out assault of the first four tracks. Kim Deal's sacharine vocals are the perfect contrast to the Black Francis' primal scream.
Then there is the production, with Steve Albini overseeing the recording this album has a more raw live sounding feel than any of their other albums. His name crops up so many more times with my favourite artists like PJ Harvey, Nirvana, Low, Wedding Present.
Best tracks: Vamos, Bone Machine, Cactus, Gigantic.
#14/1001 🇺🇸🇩🇪🏴🍌
My second 5* rating coming hot off the heels of Surfer Rosa which was of course heavily influenced by the Velvets.
I picked this up as one of those albums you had to own in my teenage years and didn't get it instantly but after a few listens it soon became a big favourite.
I've had a deeper dive into into the VU and Lou Reed back catalogue in recent years but this album will always stand out.
The inclusion of Nico on the record and her ice cold delivery is masterful whilst Lou Reed's lyrics wonderfuly describe the NYC's underbelly.
Best tracks: Waiting For The Man, Heroin, Femme Fatale
#15/1001 🇺🇸
Sorry, its just not for me. The experimental psychadelic stuff just grates on me. I've comitted to no skipping and listening to every note of these albums but under normal circumstances i would have ditched it by track 3. In fact i wouldn't even play it due to its silly title.
Best track: Life Has Just Begun.
#16/1001 🇬🇧
I have this on CD but nothing to play it on. Went to the stream but as others have commented, its not the correct tracklisting.
I loved it at the time and really enjoyed going back to this period. Saw some great DnB DJs in the mid 90s including Bukem, Peshay, Photek and Goldie.
Best track from memory of the original: Demons Theme.
#17/1001 🇬🇧👨🎤
I bought a vinyl copy of this the day i got the 1001 book.
A brave and bold move for Bowie after the more commercial outings, filling the second side with instrumental tracks which is what i love most about it. Bowies Saxophone and Brian Eno's synths build an amazingly atmospheric suite of songs.
This is right up in my top 5 Bowie albums. I dont have a favoirite. Its impossibke to pick.
Best tracks: Warszawa, Subterraneans, Be My Wife.
#18/1001🇺🇸🦇
When this flashed up this morning, i though "here we go... my first 1 star rating."
We listened to the album a lot at house parties in my teenage years but its over 30 years since i've heard it. I pressed play with some trepidation but have to say the first 2 tracks sounded amazing but by the time i reached "all revved up.." i was starting to lose the will tonlive.
Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad isnt a bad song, just on the right side of schmaltzy. Paradise by the Dashboard light is just too much though - i've always detested even more after seeing a couple sing it (heavily rehearsed) at a pub in Ramsbottom.
This is undoubtedly my lowest point in this project so far. I hope it generates some fast dirty Punk Rock for me next.
Best bit... when i realised i had reached the end.
#19/1001 🇨🇦🟦
Love this album. Its been a few years since i last heard it. Not an easy listen, its brutal in its simplicity and honesty. Heartbreaking lyrics, delivered with such fragility.
Best tracks: Blue, River, A Case Of You.
#20/1001 🇨🇦🖤
Marvelous stuff. I bought this on reputation as a teenager and loved it. His poetry of love and heartbreak made a big impression on me at the time.
It still sounds magnificent now with its simple instrumental backing.
Best tracks: Suzanne, So Long Marianne, Teachers.
#21/1001 🇺🇸🚘
Woweee. I didn't know anything about The Cars before i heard this but its blown me away. When i started out on this, I promised myself there would only be a handful of 5 star albums and i definitely wouldnt just dish them out to anything i didn't already love but this is damn near close.
#22/1001 🇺🇸💩
Misoginistic, narcistic and delibarately uncommercial. Not a lot to enjoy here.
Best track: Hold my Liquor. I won't be sad if i never hear it again.
#23/1001🇩🇪🤖
Listened to this through 3 times before 9am today. An absolute masterpiece of early electronica.
The title track is magnificent and there is not a bad track on the album. Hall of Mirrors is wonderfully moody and dark.
I know that Kraftwerk divide opinions. Seeing them live for the first time at Rock Werchter 2005 is still one of the best shows i've ever seen, whilst my wife will tell you that the time i took her to see them at Blue Dot was one of the worst she has ever seen.
Best tracks: Trans Europe Express, Hall of Mirrors, Endless Endless.
24/1001 🇬🇧👨🎤
24 albums in and this is my 3rd Bowie record already. This is really going to take some beating.
For me, 5 Years is one of the best ever album openers and one of my favourite Bowie vocals.
Moonage Daydream is Mick Ronson at his best and Starman is just an iconic song.
The last 3 tracks are absolute perfection too. There is simply nothing throwaway here. Outstanding.
Best Tracks: Moonage Daydream, 5 Years, Sufragette City.
#25/1001 🇬🇧
Robert Wyatt's version of Shipbuilding is one of the saddest, most beautiful tracks i've heard but saddly this album doesn't live up to this standard.
I'm setting aside the backstory and the fact that its remarkable that he even made this album. I just find the experimental nature tedious and silly. There is something great in there but i find it hard to see past the wibbling and replaying tracks backwards.
I've never taken acid, maybe I'd feel different if i had.
Sorry Robert.
Best track. Alifib.
Note: listening to this on the day my best friend from 6th form died. Maybe i need to try it again when i'm more in the mood.
#26/1001 🇺🇸
Its a long time since i've listened to this and its been a blast hearing it again. I didn't realise that it was an EP and the copied cassette that i had was more a compilation.
The band obviously share a lot of DNA with Nirvana and the influence of Black Flag and The Stooges can also be heard. I've always loved Mark Arm's vocal style (and his name too).
I used to enjoy throwing myself around to Touch Me I'm Sick, but thats not strictly on the original record. Need is a great tune and i love the complete wig-out that is In 'n' Out Of Grace.
Best Tracks: Need, In 'n' Out Of Grace.
#27/1001🇺🇸
I have a theory that the best albums were made in the year that you were born and the year that you turned 16. In my case this is 1977 and 1993 and Siamese Dream is one amongst those albums.
It still sounds amazing today and i was fortunate enough to see them play about half the songs from this album live in Halifax last year.
Whilst it was produced by Butch Vig and plays upon the same loud-quiet-loud dynamic as Nevermind, this is a more ambitious record and i feel that it has aged better. Don't get me wrong Nevermind will always get 5 stars from me too but this is the album that i'm more likely to pick out and listen to.
Best tracks: Mayonaise, Today, Disarm, Cherub Rock.
#28/1001 🇬🇧
My first (and second) listen to this album. Sadly not as good as i hope it might be, nothing lives up to what is possibly the perfect pop song with a dark undertone- There She Goes.
Best tracks: There She Goes
* I actually prefered the bonus tracks All By Myself and Over to most of the album tracks.
#29/1001 🇺🇸
Another album that i have never heard before save for the absolute classic Give Up The Funk.
The influence of this record and the key members Clinton, Worrall and Collins is immesurable. I'm sure that all of them will appear again on this list as producers, musicians or guests with other artists.
It's an album very much of its time, fried on acid, heavy funk and highly camp, but has been heavily immitated and sampled by other artists.
Best tracks: Give Up The Funk, Mothersil Connection.
#30/1001 🇺🇸
I felt a bit sorry for Lenny back in the day. He was the target of much ridicule from the comedy columnist Mr Agreeable in the Melody Maker. Having said this, i'd never listened to this album.
It's not that it's bad musicianship, he has a great voice and he's extremely handsome. Some of the lyrics are dreadful and i don't care for any of the tracks.
If it was background music in a shop or bar, I wouldnt run out holding my ears. I don't want to hear it voountarily again howeve.
Best track: Meh.
#31/1001 🇺🇸
I've streamed this today whilst driving in what i think is the original format. My copy of this is actually 2 records (part 1&2) which were sold separately. I always wondered what the story was as they were missing the infamous artwork and i've finally taken the time to read up on this.
Whichever way, this is a stunning record with 3 musicians right at the top of their game.
For me there a couple of tracks that i can live without: ...And the God's Made Love - a short opener and Little Miss Strange - where Noel Redding takes over vocal duties - this just feels lightweight to me.
Crosstown Traffic is just sublime and the 15 minute long Voodoo Chile is mindblowing. The best is saved until last however with All Along The Watchtower (i love the Dylan original, but this blows it out of the water) and the (Slight Return) to Voodoo Chile.
I'm so close to a 5 here.
Best tracks: Voodoo Chile x2, All Along The Watchtower, Crosstown Traffic, 1983.
#32/1001 🇮🇸
Bjork's break up album is never an easy listen lyrically. Its her in the darkest place of all her albums. Musically it combines sparse electronic beats with haunting strings to great effect, most notably on Black Lake.
Bjork is undoubtedly one of my favourite musicians and has the ability to make me laugh and cry with her deeply personal lyrics. I was intrigued and blown away the first time i heard the Sugarcubes on late night tv, then totally hooked from the first time i caught Human Behaviour on MTV.
I get that she divides opinion - just read the other reviews here, but life would be boring if music never evolved or stepped outside its lanes.
Best tracks: Black Lake, Stonemilker, Atom Dance
#33/1001 🇬🇧
I knew nothing of the background before listening to this record and had to read up more after hearing the first track with its use of Jew and N*****. It sounded obvious to me as satirical but will every listener at the time seen this.
Musically, its an easy listen fusing blues and country with Newman's laid back vocal style. This sits in contrast to the biting lyrics.
Best tracks: Guilty, Louisiana 1927, Rednecks.
* Check out John Belushi's version of Guilty with The Blues Brothers Band.
#34/1001 🇺🇸
Marvelous stuff. Really enjoyed listening to this, whilst knowing a few tracks it was great to discover others that i hadnt heard before.
Only a short album - i've listened to it 4 times before and nothing has grated or caused me to skip. Scarborough Fair is just stunning and Homeward Bound is the best song ever written on a railway platform. The more rocky tracks also suprised me.
Best Tracks: Scarborough Fair, Homeward Bound, A Simple Desultory Phillipic.
#35/1001🇬🇧
I know XTC as more of a punk band and the style of this album has suprised me. Having said this i've listened to it twice today and its not that memorable.
I enjoyed Grass and The Meeting Place but there is nothing really to bring me back to listen more.
Best Tracks: Grass, The Meeting Place.
#36/1001 🇬🇧
I'm sitting here listening and wondering why the teenage metalhead me never got into Sabbath. I know them by ear but have never listened to their albums in full.
Could be because they didnt seem that cool due to the cartoon character that Ozzy had become. I didn't think that i liked his vocals but they do sit well here, offering a slightly unhinged paranoia on top of some magnificent guitar work and a solid rhythm section.
Best Tracks: Supernaut, Snowblind, Laguna Sunrise.
#37/1001 🇺🇸
It's hard to believe a band could appear on the scene so fully formed with album that still stands the test of time now.
Hearing this at 12 yrs old shone a light on so much musically for me. Ok it could have been the swearing and the recording of Axl having sex with a groupie in Rocket Queen. Listening now there is a lot that doesnt sit right in some of the mysoginistic lyrics but there are some amazing songs here.
Best tracks: Its So Easy, Mr Brownstone, Welcome to the Jungle.
#38/1001🇺🇸💚
I have to say that R.E.M are my favourite group of all time and when i'm not doing this project i've been known to listen ti their whole discography from start to finish.
Green is not one of those records that ever lands in my top 5. Its the sound of a band who weren't underground anymore, but hadn't gone stratospheric yet.
It contains two of my favourite R.E.M tracks in You Are The Everything and World Leader Pretend. Stand sitting between them always grates on me and just doesnt work - so thats really why its getting a 4* rating.
Best Tracks: World Leader Pretend, You Are The Everything, Untitled.
#39/1001 🇬🇧
First listen to this album, although i have heard later stuff and seen them live in a tiny venue in my hometown on their reunion tour - they were brilliant.
This seems an album ahead of its time, setting the template for the likes of Ministry, Faith No More and NIN. Heavy distorted guitars, pounding drums and bass overlaid with doomy vocals.
The band self produced this record and its no suprise to see the careers that Youth and Jaz Coleman went on to have although the music would be diverse and in stark contrast to the bleaker industrial sounds here.
Loved this - not my normal saturday morning with a cup of coffee listen.
Best tracks: Wardance, Complications.
#40/1001 🇺🇸
What an absolute belter of an album. I'm rating albums musically, but this also has an iconic cover too.
Where to start? Side one is pretty much perfect, the first 2 tracks are fast and furious, then we've got a Picture This - lyrically brilliant, an unsettling love letter. Fade Away... gives old movie nostalgia and Pretty Baby is perfect pop. I know but i don't know has a heavy hypnotic riff and whilst its not one of their best known tracks i think its a belter.
Moving on to side 2 we have paranoia and dread in the brilliant 11.59. Sunday Girl is power pop and Heart of Glass absorbs the disco influence of the time. Just Go Away is another big favourite of mine too.
This album really catches the band at a pivotal moment in their career, moving from punkers to mainstream power pop. I love Debbie Harry's vocals on this record - ranging from a gravelly growl to ethereal cool.
Best tracks: Picture This, Fade Away And Radiate, Heart of Glass, Just Go Away, Hanging On The Telephone, 11.59. I mean pretty much the whole album.
#41/1001🇺🇸
60s California - what a time to be alive. Monday, Monday was the perfect start to my Monday morning.
California Dreamin' is one of the most perfect songs ever written: the lyrics, the harmonies and the flute solo!! I'll never tire of hearing it.
I enjoyed the cover of Spanish Harlem too and the rest of the album just breezed by nicely. A perfect document of its time, there is a lot to enjoy here and i feel a bit mean just giving it a 3 but the review is for the album. Not just one track.
Best Tracks: California Dreamin' on repeat.
#42/1001 🇺🇸
An enjoyable listen with some great songs. He is a real storyteller and i can see why this album is loved.
One thing that really struck me when listening to Father and Son is that it could Eugene Levy's character in American Pie talking to Jim.
Anyway, a pleasant enough listen but i won't come back to it so its getting a 3.
Best Tracks: the ones that i already knew.
#43/1001 🇵🇰
Well this is a coincence. We went to the cinema last night to see the Jeff Buckley documentary (five stars by the way) and one of the scenes that moved me most was when Jeff met NFAK.
Neither could understand each others language, then Jeff sang one NFAKs songs to him and the 2 just bonded.
I've listened to quite a bit of Kahn's music before, largely due to following a rabbit hole after a collaboration with Eddie Vedder which just blew me away. Some of it, i find not to my taste - he recorded over 100 albums by all accounts. This one i love however - by all accounts its 2 albums (Love AND Devotion) on the spotify streaming link.
He has the most incredible voice and i love this record musically too. I'm certainly going to come back to it again.
Best tracks:
Love: Halka Halka Saroor
Devotion: Haq Ali Ali Haq, Mast Nazroon Se Allah Bachae.
#44/1001 🇺🇸💀🥼👽
Musically i love this. Less keen on the subject matter but i guess that this was the 90s (no excuse - it's just silly). It's better when he's not talking about medical procedures.
Best tracks: 3000, Bear Witness
#45/1001🇺🇸
An ambitious, sprawling record, which i've been guilty of not listening to in full before - this is a shame because some of the better tracks do fall towards the end.
Best tracks: Momma, How Much A Dollar Cost, The Blacker The Berry, Mortal Man.
#46/1001 🇺🇸
More 60s Psych. This is definitely one of the better albums from this age and has more of folk and blues feel.
2 songs in and i thought this was going to be a 5 but it fell away a little bit. The Grace Slick vocal / composition tracks are undoubtedly the stand outs. White Rabbit and Somebody to Love are just majestic. Having said that i really liked Comin' Back To Me too.
Best tracks: Somebody to Love, Comin' Back to Me, White Rabbit, She Has FUnny Cars.
Ps Silliest album title so far.
#47/1001 🇬🇧
What a good record. Mixing a gritty guitar sound with some nice synths and even a bit of a reggae bounce to the last track. I've never heard this album before, and i've enjoyed it immensely.
Lyrically its not an easy listen and 'Lucy Jordan' is one of the saddest tracks that i've heard in a while. I enjoyed the lyrics and delivery of Guilt too.
There is wonderful version of Lennon's Working Class Hero and also a powerful cover of Sister Morphine in the bonus tracks.
The final track was brilliant but was not one that i'd play for my mother inlaw!
Much is made of Faithful's vocals, damaged by years of excess but for me they really make this record.
Best Tracks: The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan, Guilt, Why'd Ya Do It?
#48/1001 🇬🇧👨🎤
Controversial statement judging by some of the other reviews on here, but this is one of my favourite Bowie albums. I love the way that it arrived, fully formed, no hype just Where Are We Now? as a preview track.
For an artist who found influence in other genres, this plays as a much more straightforward rock record. There are some blistering tunes here and other more poingant moments - looking back on his life in Berlin, for example.
Best Tracks: Where Are We Now?, The Stars (Are Out Tonight), You Will Set The World On Fire,
#49/1001 🇬🇧🇮🇳🐺
Although i heard the singles at the time, this was my first listen in full. Blending Indie Rock, Hip Hop Beats and Punjabi music was something that really stood out at the time and i think that my impression of them was that they were a bit of a novelty act on the basis of the remix of the Brimful of Asha track.
As ubiqitous as that track was back then, hearing the original here without the whistles and bells is really fresh.
There is a lot of variation on here including collabs with Paula Frazer (Tarnation) and Allen Ginsberg. The cover of Norweigen Wood is fab too but then i'm just a sucker for that song.
I'm a bit cross that i didn't spend more time on these guys in the 90s, they were definitely doing something more interesting than the likes of Oasis. I'll certainly come back to listen again.
Best Tracks: Sleep on the Left Side, Brimful of Asha, We're in your Corner, Good to be on the Road Back Home.
#50/1001 🇬🇧
Famously, the first CD to sell 1 million copies. I didn't buy one, but had a taped copy and i can't say that i remember many of the tracks here.
Money For Nothing is obviously the big hit here and whilst its a song of epic proportions, it doesn't speak to me on any level. Walk of Life has always grated on me too.
The songs that i enjoyed most were the more low key numbers like The Mans Too Strong and Brothers In Arms.
I can see why it was the spearhead for CD quality sound whilst i've been playing it through my speakers, but i think that there is just a bit too much in the production to distract me from what is good in there, for example: Ride Across The River and the Bass wankery in One World.
Best Tracks: Brothers in Arms, The Mans Too Strong.
#51/1001 🇺🇸
When i started this project, i vowed to to listen to every track from every album. This is the closest thing that has pushed me to skipping.
First of all metal is a genre that i have a lot of time for, secondly i've seen Korn live - from a distance at a festival. This however is a tough listen. Who the hell do these man babies think they are? Childish, misoginistic, homophobic lyrics abound over a soundtrack which could actually be worse.
My biggest compliment would be that they are musically proficent. But then there is all the giberish babbling - the singer trying to imply that he is insane perhaps.
The absolute nadir is bringing Fred Durst in to trade insults in a rap battle about incest.
Best Tracks: 💩
Worst Track: All In The Family.
#52/1001 🇺🇸
Always enjoyed Paul Simon's music, but this album is new to me. It doesnt stand out as an out and out classic, but its a step away from the folkier sound of his work with Garfunkle and moving in a more experimental route.
I'll come back for another listen.
Best Tracks: Duncan, Paranoia Blues, Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard.
#54/1001 🇬🇧
I generally like Elvis Costello and Armed Forces holds a special place in my heart - right place and right time. This album never hit my radar at the time, maybe thats why i feel a bit indifferent about it.
Its's another one of those records that is well made but doesn't bring anything really fresh to the table. Maybe it needs another listen.
Best tracks: All The Rage, London's Brilliant Parade, Kinder Murder.
#54/1001 🇬🇧
Never listened to this before, but have been to my fair share of gigs at Leeds Uni Refectory and seen the Blue Plaque. Its not a venue that i really care for but i'll try not to let that affect my review.
There is no doubting the raw power of a band at the top of their game, but 3 of the the tracks here are cover versions. It could be argued that the 2 tracks on side 2 are overlong, but i guess representative of a live set. I've never liked the lyrics of Substitute so its the cover version that appeal more to me.
The extended version perhaps is more complete than this which seems like a snapshot.
Best tracks: Young Man Blues, Shakin All Over.
#55/1001 🇬🇧🇮🇪
I was starting to feel a bit down about this after a week of mediocre albums and one downright awful one, but The Pogues are of course my saviour.
So good to hear this record which i have spun so many times in the past. I love the way they fuse punk with traditional Irish sounds, and this record takes on other influences - from the all out riot that is Fiesta to the mournful Streets of Sorrow, this is packed with brilliant tunes.
Best Tracks: Thousands are Sailing, Streets of Sorrow, Turkish Song of the Dammed, Faiytale of New York, The Broad Majestic Shannon.
#56/1001 🇬🇧
My 2nd Who record in 3.
Starts off with the brilliant Baba O'Reilly but goes downhill, by the time you reach My Wife i'm a bit bored. Things pick up towards the end of side 2 with the other 2 singles really shining out here.
The overall theme of the record seems to be a chauvanistic tale of a man who gets a "bargain" wife, then goes out on a 3 day bender, his wife leaves him and now he's remorseful for her dumping him.
Best tracks: Baba O Reilly, Won't Get Fooled Again.
#57/1001 🇺🇸
I'll file this under challenging listens. USSA is the first track in this project to upset my dog. Then The O-Men upset me.
It wasn't as unlistenable as i feared it might be. Having read the chapter about them in Michael Azzerad's This band could be your life, i wasn't inspired to search out their music, but this wasn't all bad. I never realised that the intro to Satan by Orbital was sampled from here either - a nice suprise.
I'm not sure that this would be on here if Kurt Cobain hadn't championed them.
Best tracks: Human Cannonball, Sweat Loaf.
#58/1001 🇬🇧
1995 was an incredible time for new music and i remember being hooked on this right after hearing it in my final year of college. It became the soundtrack of summer - a time without worries or cares.
The album shares its closest DNA with Massive Attack - Tricky Kid was a long term collaborator. It's built up on layers of samples, slowed down bass lines and gritty textured beats. Tricky's gravelly spoken lyrics are overlaid with Martina Topley-Birds more seductive vocals, sometimes simply repeating back to him and sometimes providing the melodies.
Alison Goldfrapp also lends vocals to Pumpkin.
The first side of the record is practically perfect and the thrashy cover of Black Steel shouldn't sit right with the other more laid back tracks here, but it just serves to blow off some tension at just the right time.
Best Tracks: Overcome, Black Steel, Hell Is Round The Corner, Aftermath.
#59/1001 🇺🇸
I wasn't aware of Sarah Vaughan prior to this, but its a really enjoyable record. I think its beautifuly recorded (imperfections and all) and her voice is so amazing. I kind of like how they left in the bits where she forgot the words. I'll look out for more of her work.
Best Tracks: Stairway to the Stars, Willow Weep For Me.
#60/1001 🇺🇸
With just 6 tracks to go at, this is by no means a short album as it features 2 sprawling tracks, clocking in over 10 mins each.
I'm familiar with Buckley's work - Song to the Siren being one of the finest tracks ever comitted to vinyl - but i've not listened to this before.
The influence to future artists is obvious here and i can hear glimpses of Beth Orton, Stone Roses and Ben Howard in Buzzin Fly alone.
Love from Room 109 is beautifully sad with haunting vocals over a more sparse instrumental track that blends multiple genres.
I found Gypsy Woman a little challenging first time out, but his range of vocals is incredible and it gets under your skin.
Dream Letter sounds like it was written to Jeff, who he sadly had no relationship with and Sing A Song For You is as close as this record comes to a conventional 3 minute pop track.
Edit: I really enjoyed this and was suprised to see all the haters here.
Best Tracks: Buzzin Fly, Love From Room 109, Strange Feelin.
#61/1001 🇬🇧
A tremendous album. I listened to this loads back in the day. Musically, it plays like a film score with Allison Goldfrapp's ethereal vocals over the top.
Its getting a 4 but i feel it was bettered with their later albums.
Best tracks: Lovely Head, Human, Pilots, Utopia.
#62/1001 🇬🇧
First time i've listened to the album intentionally, but i think at least half of the tracks were released as singles and where did that Cure cover come from?
Her vocal and songwriting talent isn't in doubt, but overall its just a bit bland isnt it. If one of these tracks comes on the radio i'm not going to turn the volume up, i'm more likely to skip to another channel.
It's not a 1⭐️, but then there is nothing here that merits 5⭐️s either. It sold bucketloads and will resonate with folks where it was present at a particular time in their lives.
I'm going to use Blood on the Tracks and Rumours as the barometer for "Breakup Albums" here and both are 5⭐️. This a 3⭐️ at best. Absolutely middle of the road.
Best tracks: Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain.
#63/1001 🇬🇧
This is the start of a run of 4 albums in 5 years by the Stones that form my favourite period of their work. Its a return to the blues sound of their earlier work but with country and soul finding its way in.
The standout tracks are of course Sympathy for the Devil and Street Fighting Man. Stray Cat Blues is a sleazy blues sound with equally sleazy lyrics lusting over a 15 yr old girl. I think the slower No Expectations with its slide guitar is possibly the track that i've most enjoyed re-visiting here.
Best Tracks: No Expectations, Sympathy for the Devil, Street Fighting Man, Stray Cat Blues.
#64/1001 🏴
This is an intriguing one. I was expecting something more Avant Garde from Cale. I love the Velvet Underground and have found some of his solo work challenging, this is an unashamed lush textured pop record with some lovely acoustic guitars and strings.
I've listened this through 3 times today and think its one come back to again and again.
There is variation which keeps things interesting including a run of 3 tracks in the middle: Andalucia is a beautiful track where his slightly faltering vocal just adds to its charm. Macbeth is a stomper, then the title track verges on theatrical with its dramatic string arangement.
Best tracks: Andalucia, Paris 1919, Half Past France, Antarctica Starts Here.
#65/1001 🇨🇦
I was always a bit neutral about Rush until one record store day, one of their fans who turned up late tried to skip the queue by asking me to buy their record. I politely declined and he buggered off to pester other people.
This made me think: "wow, this band Rush must be pretty decent."
Well, i was mistaken.
Best Tracks: Well not the 20 minute long opener.
#66/1001 🇨🇦
I know every word of this album.
It was huge at the time and the songs have stood up well in my opinion. Some will hate the idea of it being here but i'd rather listen to it than the 20 minute long twoddle Rush track that i got yesterday.
Best Tracks: Head over Feet, You Oughta Know, Ironic.
#67/1001 🇺🇸🐼
Nah this is not for me. There is a bit too much going on here for my liking. I don't entirely dislike Psychedelic music but i do often find it quite irritating. The thing that bugged me the most here was all the speeding up and slowing down mid song. The last track in particular was awful.
Best track: My Girls.
#68/1001 🇬🇧🦖🎩
I had a real deep dive into TRex a few years, specifically the earlier unabreviated version which i prefer to the glam rock phase. This album didnt ever hit my radar but i did find it really enjoyable.
I love Bolans vocals and Tony Visconti's production elevates the sound with strings - there is some lovely dark Cello in there i think.
Best Tracks: Metal Guru, Buick Mackane, The Slider, Ballrooms of Mars.
