1001 Albums Summary

I have to give this album a high rating, because it was one of the most listened to albums throughout my middle teens, and I still enjoy listening to it now. Yes the lyrics are misogynistic and yes some of the tracks have been overplayed, but Sweet Child O Mine has one of the best ever guitar solos that I never tire of hearing. I listen to music to feel something and listening to this I feel nostalgia and amusement (particularly at some of the lyrics). It’s classic 80’s metal, but musically interesting too, with some interesting key and time signature changes - i.e it's not all one tone throughout. So many great tracks that I get excited to hear the open bars of. It’s true I have had a long break from listening to it but yeah I’m more than happy to listen again and enjoy it.

Super short, listened twice. Properly listening (rather than having this on as background), I enjoyed the back half of the album more than the first half - Blue Monday was the first that particularly stood out, immediately followed by So Long (great ‘space’ in the track and able to hear the individual performances) and skipping forward to Going Home - a track that might persuade me that the saxophone is an ok instrument after all. I’m not sure what’s gonna get a 5 ranking in my list (this is only my second listen out of 1001) but this is a really high 4.

Liked the opening track 21st century schizoid man immediately, and soon realised that this was not an album you can put on in the background, but demands to be listened to. My interest piqued and waned throughout, but definitely an album I’d want to spend more time with to appreciate more fully. I’d expect to skip to the end of moonchild more often than not though. 3 for now.

One of my favourite bands, and one of my favourite ever tracks - ‘Since I’ve been loving you’ is one of my Desert Island Disks. Not my favourite Led Zep album though, so I can’t give it a 5. Not sure what will ever get a 5… Total 10 tracks Fave track = #3

Oh yeah. This really is a list of excellent albums. Radiohead are a bit of a marmite band, but I like marmite and I like Radiohead. There are other Radiohead albums that are more accessible than this, but I find it enjoyable to listen to without being demanding or taxing. I enjoy it for its variety and unusualness, with regular anchor points of tracks with groove and interesting layered musicality. It’s the first album generated for me by 1001 albums that sounds very much like a single piece of work, even if all the tracks aren’t literally linked into one ‘flow’. So for that reason it will score the highest so far. I’m not taken to heaven by it so still not a 5, but a close 4.5 and knocking on the door. If I listened to it some more and got to know all the tracks inside out I reckon it could become a 5. There is a lot of chat in reviews about Radiohead not being the first or only or best band that does experimental stuff that sounds like this, but that just makes me want to look out those bands/artists, whilst still appreciating this. 11 tracks total Fave track # 3 And others: 1 (Everything in its right place) 3 (The National Anthem) 6 (Optimistic - great groove, drum fills) (Morning Bell - Some, nice ambient cyclical offbeat rhythm)

Rolling Stones are a ubiquitous band and so I expected that I’d be familiar with almost all of these tracks, but, having never before chosen to listen to any Stones albums top to bottom before, outside the opening track ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ I hadn’t heard any before. Great stereo mix in headphones, maybe a remastered album as sound has really nice depth for a record produced in 1968. The ‘liveness’ of the band really comes through in the recording, a sense of play and improvisation in the moment, and you can tune in to each of the performances and pick out piano, guitar, bass, drum lines and hear the personalities iof the musicians in the band . I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Jagger’s vocals as much as I did. I listened to the first three tracks with keen interest, but then realised that I’d let it recede into the background while I got on with my morning. I listened several times more and each time the same thing happened - I’d listen closely for bit and then just let it fall back and play through. For that reason, I’ll give theis one a 3. I’ll definitely look out more Rolling Stones, but more to expand my knowledge of this culturally significant band, than by being set on fire by it. Total tracks 10 Fave track #3? Flagged: opening trax

A local band to my home city, Supergrass’s commercial success was a big deal locally. I don’t remember owning this album though so surprised I know lots of the tracks on it. Maybe they were all chart hits or a regular playlist in the student union bar. Either way… Fun to hear it again, and liked it a lot. A bit of a mental energy (smashy) but that’s part of the appeal and maybe what dates it to the mid 90’s? Cos I got this album on a Friday I could listen several times over the weekend. I would say I think the first half of the album is really strong but find the second half/third has less of an infectious energy. 3.5 13 tracks Favourite track #1? Others? Strange Ones, Lenny, Fuzz one

Not heard this album before and like a lot of reviewers have said, wasn’t aware of Joplin’s pre solo career, but think this is great. Every track fab. Particularly like the slow blues-y numbers, great boomy, lazy bass lines and grumbling guitar, matching Joplin’s expressive vocals. Will defo listen to this a lot more and look out other albums too. Never sure when finding albums on Spotify if they are as originally released, it anniversary albums with bonus tracks - which always kind of disrupts how the original album was designed to be heard. assumed last 2 live tracks are addition, actually looong at the 1001 book, the albums originally finished at track 9. Still waiting for the magic album to trip over to a 5. Very close to this one. Number tracks: 11 (originally 7) Fave track: # 7 Ball and Chain

I was pleased to have received this album have been developing an ear for Nick Cave’s music over the past few years. My tending is towards earlier stuff. Listening notes on opening tracks… I like the gentle nature of the ambient sounds of what I’ve hear so far. Some of it sounds a bit mimble-y, (I know what I mean by that - kind of misplaced or unrefined movement/progression of the ambient melodies). But certainly feel that this is a musical ‘experience’ that I’m being guided through by, held by Cave’s poetic voice as a kind of ‘narrator’ or master of ceremonies. Having got to the end this is really tricky to ‘rate’ as it doesn’t really compare to anything else I’ve been given to date, being more of a sonic/musical piece of work that an album of songs. On first listen I’m absorbing the music rather than really comprehending all of the lyrics. I’m struck by the vibrations created by what I’m hearing, even listening through headphones I feel the music resonating in my chest and solar plexus. Maybe it’s my imagination. I’m recently bereaved myself but today not feeling grief so much in this, but a kind of - immersion. I can see why this has been held up as a really significant album and listening to it has made me question my rating system. I think that after a few more listens this could be a significant album for me too. I have to stay true to my own system though and so right now, on the basis that there are things I really like but some stuff I haven’t tuned into yet, give this a 3.5- 4. Oh I really like this album art. It sounds pretty much like that to me. Number tracks: 11 (across 2 disks) Favourite track: probably #9 Ghosteen Disk 2 in its entirety - Ghosteen, Fireflies and Hollywood.

I put off listening to this today because I have shit to do and it looked like it might be noisy/angry. I must listen to stuff that is noisier and angrier as this felt quite contained/compressed really. More tuneful than I was expecting. Am I disappointed? I think maybe I am. Maybe that's why I'm not being very generous in my listening notes. Or maybe the stupid dumb fuck motherfucker is rubbing off on me and I want to tell them to go fuck themselves cos I've got shit to do and limited patience for their limited patience. Here's a mirror. Let's smash it. I think if I was in a more carefree mood I'd be vibing a bit more off on the angsty energy. I usually find this kind of stuff really funny. Trying to work out why it's in the 1001 list - is it about making punk more accessible to mainstream? Channelling Nirvana? What did they do with the music from those that went before them? [Shrugs] Went through a kind of bell curve listening to this. Amongst what is clearly some irritation as I listen to the first 2-3 tracks I write down "Some of the higher energy songs are super short, like they run out of energy really quickly. Nitro Youth Energy clearly doesn't last long. Production sounds like bands I listened to in low ceiling'd sweaty venues." Somewhere in the middle I realise that I am finding some of it funny and my grumpiness is wearing off. Either I had, or it had warmed up by Genocide and feeling a bit more generous and listening with a more tuned in ear. Are they singing 'Donkey Kong'??? Oh no, it's 'Dog Eat Dog'. hahaha. I decide I like the narrator. It's kind of funny and telling a story about the band not taking itself overly seriously. Then start going down the other side of the curve and thinking "Izzalright but a bit samey. Oh I think they noticed, as here comes some ska." And then there's a bunch of other songs that sound the same again. Album filler. Trying to pick out what I'll put down what my fave track is and I can't tell what the singles were. Is that telling me something? 2.5 stars. It's not shit, I'd give it another go in a better mood. I've given better (and more accomplished stuff) a 3 though. Total no. tracks: 14 Fave track 3: Bad Habit. Others: [I'll have to listen to it a few more times to see if anything actually stands out] Genocide seems first to switch my listening ears on. Like something interesting going on. It'll be a Long Time. Had some changes in time sig slowing down and speeding up. Twice through: Bad Habit maybe. Interesting space around the bass line and some variation in the track.

Tom a while to tune into this. Surf’s up sounds like the Beach Boys I’d expect to hear. Great doubling of bass in the Piano bass in the outro. Getting under the skin of that made the second listen through more enjoyable. ‘life of a tree’ stood out in ith listens through. The organ maybe? Probably won’t revist this album. 3. Total no. Tracks 10 Fave track 8(A day in the life of a tree)

Hmm U2. A band I've actively tried to develop an interest in, due to their reputation as one of the 'big ones'. I've even bought albums, but it just hasn't stuck. Three of the tracks on Achtung Baby are recognisable hits. I skipped over the radio regular 'One', but enjoyed being reminded of 'Mysterious Ways'. Generally my feeling when listening is that U2 write more interesting tracks than I remember, but I don't experience any 'oh goodie! this one is great!' excitement. Just a bit... meh. Opening of 'The Fly' with darker tones is more like the kind of thing that floats my boat, but it is the 12/8 rhythms of 'Acrobat' that I'll pin my 'best track of the album' on. Total no. tracks 12 Fave track #11 Acrobat Others? The Fly. Zoo Station (both for their openers).

Pleased to get this today. This is the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album that I seek out to listen to. I enjoy the upbeat energy of the songs (on Disk 1 particularly), and the sense of humour in the poetry. Great album. 1001 albums still hasn't given me a title to tip over into 5/5 but really like this. 4.5 Total number of tracks: 17 Fave Track: #3 Hiding All Away Others: 1: Get Ready for Love, 5: There She Goes, My Beautiful World, 7: Abbatoir Blues. 10: The Lyre of Orpheus. 14: Supernaturally.

No thanks. Quite surprised this is on the list, so trying to listen closely to figure out why. Half way through want to bail. Would prefer to read the lyrics than listen to the arrangements. The singers voice is nice and the musical performances are generally good - say if the band was playing in a small venue that I happened to be in I’d have a listen and watch them… for a bit… Too much reverb for me. Really really don’t like the sax on this. I think that if hell existed it would have 80’s pop sax solos playing all the time. And the synth. (Reliably informed sounds like these come out of a Yamaha DX7). Don’t like. 2 Number tracks 12 Fave track (least un favourite):5 Oxford street - but just give me the lyrics.

Packed full of hits, creative sounds and storytelling. There’s been a ton of stuff written about The Beatles by people much cleverer than me so I won't attempt to break down the album beyond my own experiences of listening to it. Listening to albums presented by the 1001 list encourages me to listen more closely/deeply to stuff I thought I already knew, but discovering new depths and sounds i hadn’t heard before. Love the fuzzy bass in ‘Think for yourself’, and it's this song that stands out to me after multiple listens. Every track is great but I am still waiting for the sublime/transdermal album for the 5th star. 4.75!!! Total number tracks 14 Fave track # Think for yourself Others: err nearly all of them!

Woah! Really liked this straight away. Love the groove. Yeah it's an album of two halves, half is pretty accessible funky, improvisational rock, and half is pretty experimental. It's cool though. I haven't got proper time to spend with it before the next album drops tomorrow (shame not to get this on a Friday), but I'm willing to switch the TV off, switch social media off, put my headphones on and immerse myself into something a bit weird and 'actively deeply listen' to something rather than have it on in the background. Having only listened a couple of time today, fave track so far is probably the most accessible one: Halleluhwah. But I'd like to go back to this and see if anything else captures my ears on a few more go rounds. It's a solid 4. Total number tracks: 7 Fave Track #4 Halleluhwah Others? Opening track 'Paperhouse' also cool.

Easy listen for a Friday. The big hits 'Imagine' and 'Jealous Guy' are of course familiar, being so woven into the fabric of pop culture, but other tracks are much more interesting to me. Particularly like the depth of the arrangements on some of the tracks rather than the song writing particularly. The diss track 'How Do You Sleep?' stands out on today's merry-go-round. The mix with the bass right in the front and the vocal a little bit back in the mix. Funky drums - the offbeat in the chorus, with the guitar doubling the bass line. Cool pace. Cool orchestration. I like the really clean guitar and keys solos too. Other stand out tracks... 5: I don't wanna be a soldier mama - has a similar vibe here, which comes to the fore a few listens through. A bit brisker pace, but still the washy sounds of piano and rhythm guitar right in the back and funky drum and awesome bass line. It even has sax that's ok. Happy to skip over 10 'Oh Yoko!'. 4 has become my 'yeah' number. Total tracks 10 Fave track: #8 How Do You Sleep? Others: 5: I don't want to be a soldier mama. 4: It's so hard.

Was a bit disappointed to open to this one today, having been given some really cool and unusual things recently. It think I kind of expected there to be some of the 'Greatest Hits' on it, but... Opening track "Procession" does some really cool things in the guitar, and 'Father to Son' is a surprising thing, that of course sounds like Queen, but much darker/rockier musically than I expected. Shades of Led Zep, which is a band I like, so.. that's cool. I kind of hoped to continue to be surprised by the album, but zoned out a bit as it played on, wondering if that's because, whilst there is light and shade/listening interest in each of the tracks themselves, there isn't much variation across the album as a whole, and starts to feel like 'noise'. Maybe I'm being unfair. Listening again. [Edit: 'The Loser in The End' stands out as piquing my interest again, slower pace, kind of track I usually flag cos of the groove. - Sounds like it would be the last track on side 1 before the album shifts into prog rock mode]. You can certainly hear the influence of this album on charting rock/pop artists of the 2000's. It'll be a 3 from me today, as not feeling over generous. But interesting listen. Number tracks: 11 Fave track #: 1? Procession 2? Father and Son Others? The Loser in the end.

What? Why? I don't mind a challenging listen, but this album is so lacking in anything to hang your hat on. Meh and meh. There were hit singles off this? Oh yeah, I kind of recognise On Hold. I don't like it. I'm very tempted not to finish this album, which means it has to be a 1. Number of tracks: 10 Fave track: Errr... Least unfavourite track =

Struggled with this one. I get that without the building blocks of this kind of synth pop you wouldn't have other more interesting artists picking up new technologies and going somewhere else with it. But this is definitely a genre of music that grates for me. Why? There is nowhere to hide in the simplicity of the song writing and arrangements, lack of any sense of depth or anything transcendent. I suppose the 'ordinariness' of it is part of the point, but I struggle with the lack of... spirit?? It's so grey. And not ironically grey. Maybe my ears got used to it, as I think the second half of the album is more interesting to listen to than the first, but it certainly not one that I will go back to. Not as bad as yesterday's album, so it's a 2. Total number of tracks: 10 'Fave' Track: Urg. Ok so the one I found most interesting was #7 'I am the law'. I'll dance at an 80's disco to #10 'Don't You Want Me'.

Really enjoyed this album. Obviously knew the massive hits - 2: Le Freak or track one on b side 5: I Want Your Love (5: Happy man also/ ace) but the indulgence of At last I'm free is totally delicious… the way the track fades out and leaves the piano on its own… no one wanted to stop or leave the studio. What a bass line too.

It was ok

Have only got to know War recently, only previously being aware of Low Rider and not really sought them out. Ohhhh how amazing to be able trace backward to so many fantastic recordings. This is my first date with The World is a Ghetto, and had a great time with it over many plays. So rich. So soulful. So funky. Stand out track are 1: Cisco Kid - for it's funky groove and the percussion on... everything. I can't help myself but move to it. 4: Four Cornered Room. Deep, deep, soulful sounds, with a lyric and slow, rolling rhythm that are a match made in heaven. 5: The World is a Ghetto (title track). I hear influences from this funky soul in some of my favourite contemporary blues/rock bands. 4.5 So good. Number tracks: 6 Fave track # 4: Four Cornered Room Others (already listed above) Date: 09/02/26

Wasn’t in the right headspace for this when i first out it on. There is A LOT in here to digest in first listen ultimately in a really good way! I also caught the Lennon/McCartney blend that other reviewers mention, a creative playfulness and interesting orchestration. How can ‘Ken Lee’ and ‘Coconut’ come from the same artist? Haven’t got my ears around it enough to choose a fave track yet but early contenders are: Coconut, Down, Old Forgotten Soldier. Was a 3 but rose to a 4 having listened a few times round and getting to know it a bit better. Number of tracks: 16 Fave track: Others: 10/02/26

Thought this was fun. Like the energy. Amused by the rendition of ‘I got you babe’ and strains of linked Beach Boys at times. Had an immediate connection with it, simples but interesting. Would listen again. ‘let’s Go!’ 4 Number of tracks: 9 Fave track: 4, Master Race Rock 11/2/26

Not a Bowie fan, so haven't really followed his career (post 'Major Tom' era) or heard this album before. First few sounds from track 1 I knew it was going to be an interesting ride; real depth in the mix, like 3D over 2D, or seeing something in colour versus in black and white. Unusual rhythms in the opening percussion, teasing the trip-hop/electronic layers alongside live drums, jazz fusion. Cool. I'm not a fan of Bowie's 'wobbly' vocal, which is present in the kind of psalm like versus of the opening track 'Blackstar', but thankfully not as noticeable in the latter tracks - maybe I was just tuned into the more instrumental aspects of the album on this listen. I think this 1001 list is testing my prior commitment to a dislike of saxaphones. It turns out it's not all saxaphones, and there is tolerable sax, and even some sax I quite like. This is bordering on tolerable plus. Also made the false assumption that, being a legacy album, this would be reeeaaallly long through fear of missing anything out, but it's a good and manageable 40 minutes, particularly when there is so much to listen to (it's not easy at times) and may otherwise be fatiguing. Feel it gets really good in the middle. Thought 'Sue (Or In a Season of Crime)' would be my favourite, before the groove in 'Girl Loves Me' blows it out of the water. Yeah. Lots of good tracks on here, will definitely be spending more time with it. Don't like everything equally, therefore it's gonna be a 4. Total number of tracks: 7 Fave track: 4: Girl Loves Me. Others: 2: Sue (Or in a Season of Crime). 1: Blackstar 12/02/26

This band sits at a cross section of genres which looks like it would be right in my wheelhouse, but the album itself sits around a 3 for me - a few songs I actively like, a few (Teach Your Children, Our House) that I'm not really that keen on - over exposure through Building Society ads, and the handful of others are just... meh. A bit repetative. I probably wouldn't choose to put this on again, hence the 3. Highlights for me are the opening track: 1: Carry On, 3: Almost Cut My Hair and 6: Deja Vu - the compositional structure of which had a go at describing the feeling of Deja Vu musically. Total number of tracks: 10 Fave Track: 3: Almost Cut My Hair 13/02/26

4 Listened to this album a lot. Always go back to I want you so bad. I love it and despite it being 7:47 long, I don’t want it to end. Number tracks:17 Fave track: 6: I want you (She’s so heavy) Others: 8: Because 16/02/26

Listening to this album going round and round while working this morning. The fact that I *can* listen while working means one of two things, I'm so in flow with what I'm doing that the music doesn't cut through, or much more likely, the music is 'inoffensive'. I.e. isn't demanding my attention. The track that cuts through most is 'It's all All Over Now', it being familiarly made famous by the Rolling Stones. I enjoyed this rendition and was distracted momentarially to check who recorded it first. Interesting that Rod Stewart's raspy voice can be so nuanced - capable of producing strained screams and tender storytelling. He does convey lyrics and not just sing along. The album is a comforting 3, might listen again, but not lighting any fires for me. Total number of tracks: 9 (surprised it's that long - I must be immersed in my work after all). Fave track: err...It's All Over Now, or Only A Hobo 17/02/26

Haven’t had time to listen to this properly so briefly catching up. About half way through track 7 and get the measure if it. It’s ok. Not really my thing. Will persevere but I don’t imagine becoming a mega fan. I can imagine collecting albums as a teenager tho.

Coincidently have been digging out Cocteau Twins albums recently at the request of the teen in our family, tracing back the influences of her favourite band. Despite not knowing the band at all, this is a familiar sound and clearly an influence on one of my fave bands id the 1990’s ‘All About Eve’. I think the Cocteau Teins will be listened too now more input household, but probably not by me. 3. I can take it or leave it Not going to choose a fave track today. 20/02/23

I was starting to think that listening to so much music was having the effect that everything sounded the same and nothing was cutting through. Then this album turned up. I like funk. It wakes up something in me, switches on my ears at the same time as makes my muscles twitch and bones sway. Loads of space in this mix. (Head phones). Backing singers whisper in my ears as pianist somewhere back in the corner there and saxophonist under a street light somewhere. I’m finding the washy chords in the keys a bit distracting. Sometimes feels like two albums playing at once. Nice though 4 because it was a relief to be reminded I do actually like music (lots of albums last week we’re ‘meh’) and I would listen to this again and seek out other recordings by the band. Number tracks: 7 Fave track:4: Supergroovalisticproifunkstication (The Bumps Bump). Short list: P-Funk (wants to get Funked Up), Handcffs.

Enjoyed this more than i thought I would. Lots of interesting sounds and beats. As an album though it’s not as sophisticated as other similar dance/electronic music from the genre - it feels like a collection of tracks rather than a complete experience. And some tracks themselves are interestingly eclectic but again, don’t always feel like being 'carried through' a track - some of the samples jar a bit. The extract in the 1001 book I have says that (some) fans would trawl the sleeve notes for clues of where original samples came from and trace back to source material. That's immediately what I want to do. The drums on 'The Weekend Starts Here' sounds like the beat from Led Zep's When the Levee Breaks, but not so. Samples from Idris Muhammad, Black Sabbath, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Grateful Dead, Sweet Salvation, I have already spent more time with those original recordings than I have with this album this morning. Could be a bit addictive. So… what to do what to do… this is a grower, and maybe could be more influential for me to finding other stuff in Norman Cook's record collection that I like more than Fat Boy Slim's djing. Not yet a 4. not a 3 either. 3.5. Number tracks: 10 Fave track: 3: The Weekend Starts Here Others: Punk to funk. 24/02/26

Such a breath of fabulous wonderful (more superlatives) air. I think this might tip me over to giving my first 5 star album rating. Don’t know why it’s taken me so long to actual commit to giving anyone a 5 star review. Hard to please probably, always find a reason why something isn’t perfect and worthy of that last 'ding'. But this is great, opens with ‘Respect’ so can crack on with the rest of the tracks off the back of her biggest hit. My fave track in the album is the title track 3: I Never Loved Man (The way I love you). Sooo rich and delicious. Had to double check that ‘Baby Baby,Baby’ ‘Dr Feelgood’ weren’t the same track not paying attention to the lyrics and the vibe/key/pace/sound is really similar. Same bass line, piana. Does the lack of perfection lose a star. Naahhhh. Shame I’m listening to the reissued version as don’t need a repeat of the tracks at the end, remastered or not. Total number tracks 14 Original release 11 fave track number: 3 (title track) 25/02/26