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

I don't really have anything to say. S'ok. Glimmers of more than ok at times. Promising opening. Have listened a few times. It's perfectly acceptable example of the genre. 3 Total number tracks: 12 Fave Track: 6: N.Y Others: 26/02/26

Interesting to read the reviews of this album on here. I also feel that Elvis's voice on this come-back album is often somewhat hidden by cavernous reverb, when the band seems really dry and tight in comparison. There is some real sacharine on here but I appreciate in its own way. Like other reviewers have said, this is the Elvis come back era, on the cusp of the Las Vegas residencies and I'm attracted to the glamour/glitter that comes across in this recording. The fade in and out of 'Suspicious Minds' particularly nods to extended stage versions of the track, takes me there sitting at a caberet table with a cocktail. 'In the ghetto' never been a fave of mine, and some of the more country style tracks not really for me, but enjoyed this album as a whole. I have listened several times over the last few days, and it's true some days it plays better than others, but isn't that the same for everything? My average 'would definitely listen again' 4 stars. Number of tracks: 16 Fave track: 7 Power of My Love Others: Wearin' That Loved On Look. Suspicious Minds. 27/02/26

So much variety and creativity in one 34 minute album. Highlights: Tax Man. Eleanor Rigby lyrics (wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door). Got to Get You Into My Life. Tomorrow Never Knows. Nostalgia of: Yellow Submarine and school choir doing flat energy version of 'Here, There and Everywhere', because... well its the Beatles int it, and it's got a nice tune... It's a great album but 4 from me today. 4 Number tracks: 14 Fave track: Others listed above. 02/03/26

Oh I really enjoyed this. How have I not heard this before? Fun, theatrical, musically interesting... all good ingredients. Plus proper track to track albums that feel like one whole piece of work rather than a collection of songs is always high scoring for me. The opener 'Hello Hooray' lays out the stall of the show to come. I smiled and giggled through the tongue in cheek storytelling that doesn't take itself too seriously, but the music is accomplished and tight - some delicious chord progressions, use of orchestration to create a really big sound. Brill. Having been warmed up by the opening track I'm not that bothered about 'Raped and Freezin', despite the fun outro. Elected brings it back home with a fab back half of the song, grand chord progression and some triumphant brass. Into the title track 'Billion Dollar Babies' is great too. Middle part of the album less memorable on the few listens I've given this disk, but Sick Things grabs my attention again. Love its pace. A bit silly, dark, deep bass, toms, brass, satisfying chord progressions. Yeah. Dead Thing is shock rock hilarity. Bit sick, but funny. Would definitely listen again. Close to a 5* album for me. Might just hit that final star today. Number tracks 10 Fave track: 8: Sick Things Others: Noted above. 3/3/26

I thought I was going to really dislike this one. Not my era. I didn't hate it. Some of it is growing on me on several listens. Just doesn't hit me between the eyes. Some of the tracks also just sound 'off' - like right brain and left brain doesn't know what's going on in the middle. Maybe that's the point. Boppy pop in one ear and ''waaahh' high reverb off key poetry in the other. Some bands you can hear the 'band' in the recordings - i.e. playing together, despite likelihood that most lay individual tracks turn by turn. I feel Morrissey's isolation in a recording booth on this. Particularly on 'What She Said'. Can't choose a fave track yet. I like Meat Is Murder musically but the lyrics (sick face). It's a 2.5 for 'meh'. Probably wouldn't put it on again for pleasure, more like to test it out in a month's time and see how I feel about it then, having rammed it several times into my ears today. Total number tracks: 9 Fave Track: ? Short list: 1: The Headmaster Ritual, 4: What She Said 7: Well I... oh got bored. One of them has some rain on it? I liked that.

This is exactly the kind of commercial music I avoid. Yet I did my best to approach this album with an open heart/mind and willed it to change my mind. I really tried. I'm not a quiet listener. I talk about what I am hearing. And I did a lot of 'fuck no' complaining through this. I can't even work out why I had such a negative reaction to it. It's clearly musically accomplished, tight band, big sound. Just feels like fancy dress to me. I'm still gritting my teeth and listening because I promised I would listen to all these albums from top to bottom but it is making me feel sad/uncomfortable. AND ITS SOOOOO LOOOOONG. It has to be a 1. Sorry Xtina. Glad that so many people buy your albums that I don't have to feel guilty that I don't like it. Total number of tracks 20 !!! 'Fave' track: Make Over. Others: No. 05/03/26

Just what I needed this morning. Gentle, warm, beautiful. Number tracks 10 Fave track 2: river man 09/03/26

This feels a bit like a Time Machine. It’s kitschy easy listening which sometimes can be fun but other times just a bit much. This is a bit much - well, too much - it goes on and on. Trying to think when I would ever play this outside of today. Some kind of 60’s themed cocktail party? Whilst I’m dusting or cooking my husband a roast dinner to have on the dining room table when he gets back from work? Hmm. Dunno. Somewhere between 1-3. I had to abandon it in the end for just getting on my nerves so… 1 Number of tracks 17 Fave track… err 10/3/26

Tried. No.

The kind of album I expect from this book. Not spent much time listening to Jefferson Airplane before, but know some of the hits. Steady mid ground for me. Nice to hear. 3 Number tracks Fave track Others 12/03/26

4

Really interesting album. Lots of big sounds, loads of interest, massive depth. Some a bit poppy for me, some lyrics YAK but some are kind of funny 'Yeezy reupholstered my pussy'. Hahaha. Also made me laugh this list getting a bit self referential - 21st century schizoid man sample. Not a fan of Kanye West the man (massive understatement). But this album rates a 4 for me.

I’m love the catalyst this daily list offers to finds things out and expand my knowledge if music. Free form jazz is not a genre of music I understand but I’ve had fun getting to know this album and finding out how it was made and what it says. I can’t rank it higher than a 3 for now as I’m still learning to appreciate it, but totally get why it is in this list. Favourite movement was iv, psalm

Bit samey, (I wondered what it would sound like if you played all tracks at once) but liked it and would listen again.

Haven't been propertly connecting with these albums for a few weeks while too busy to listen properly. Did sit and properly absorb this though. Outside 'Venus in Furs' that remains cool, despite it being everywhere , tonight I gravitated towards the more experimental tracks (Black Angel Death Songs, European Son). Not really keen on the tracks with Nico. Hard one to rate on the star rating. I will listen to this again. err, 3.5 stars.

Really like this. I have to push past the synthesized orchestral sounds of track 1 - never a fan, but some great tracks on this double album. My tendency (as often is the case) is for the heavier tracks than the ballads. And maybe the second side of disk 1 is a bit wallowy for me. But peppered with great pick-me-ups. Could this be a shorter album? Maybe, but maybe would be too intense. 4 Number tracks 28 Fave track: Not really picked one yet. First to get a spotify tick was 4: Zero. But would need to listen a few times round to fix on this. Others: Lots, but on my feet and can't make a note of them.

I like techno so open to this as an 'easy' listen compared to some of the albums I've had recently that have been more demanding. Not really listened to William Orbit before. It's ok. Some nice beats, some cool sounds. Bit 'synthy' for me. (Yeah I know, it's electronic music hahah!) but I find sythesized instrument sounds (like strings for example or the fake cor anglais, or whatever that woodwind-esque instrument in Harry Flowers is) a total turn off. It's such a poor approximation of a well played 'real life' instrument that gains nothing new/additional from being brought into being synthetically. A bit like... Sweetex compared to sugar. The rest of the tea might be really grate, but you can still taste that chemical taste that taints it. So what do I think? Run around the album a few times. I like the 'pew pew pew' sounds, and modulated beats, and isn't killing my work vibe. But it's a 3 today. Pick up, put down, thanks. 3 Number tracks: 12 Fave track: Don't know if there is a fave track in here, 8: 'A Hazy Shade of Random' got a tick. I was getting into the groove of 5: 'A Touch of the Night'. 31/3/26

I was quite excited by the cover of this album, and, ha I g friends who are massive Hawkwind fans, glad to finally have some of rhe band’s music in my ears. And I think I could really like this - it’s just sooooo long and I’m the context of one album a day, it’s hard to carve out the time to properly listen. I could really get into the theatricality if it - the readings I don’t think are that overly serious, it sounds like fun play to me, and the extended improvisational nature of the live performance is indulgent but also a bit hypnotic and meditative. It would be great to have the time to properly sit with it - will come back for sure! 3 for now

Ooh no. Really don’t enjoy these 80s synth pop bands. I’m trying to work out why I don’t like it - it’s probably because it is ‘plain’ ie metered out machine led sounds with a lack of human expression. But not interesting art music either. And it’s not that it isn’t expressive - I mean there are light bits and dark bits and it’s mixed with interesting recorded sounds which I like - so if OMD stripped out the synth and the square drum machine and the 1980s singing style i’d be all in . as it is I struggle to get through this. There are glimmers of it going somewhere artistically creative - but then goes back into pop and that’s just not what does it for me. 2. I definitely will avoid.

Not really a David Bowie fan, and having had a couple of albums of his already I have a feeling there are gonna be a ‘clutch’ of them. What I like about it is the intricate rhythms, guessing a 70’s soul undertone. (For example in ‘Stay’ and ‘Station’). Still haven’t developed a taste for Bowie’s vocal and it’s the thing I like least. So the ballads are my least fave tracks (ie the last one). Plus, even though I do like a long track (when something gets into a groove) I find a lot of this a bit repetitive and boring. It’s a 3.5 for me. Fave track: #1 first half of Station. Number tracks: 6 07/04/26

The swift paced, punky tracks at the start of this album were not what I expected from the Pretenders, and it’s that edgier spirit/tone I most enjoyed. I did wonder whether it would be possible to sustain that same feel throughout the whole disk without getting repetitive, but actually tracks soon evolved into the band I kind of expected to hear - from punk through a something a bit more reggae inspired to something I more remember from the radio hits of the era. I’ve never been a fan of ‘Brass i your Pocket’ followed by another ballady track. Probably won’t listen again, so 2. Number tracks 12 07/04/26

Seemed promising in the opening. I quickly became bored with it. Liked the house band, but then Whinehouse extemporising over the top of it was wearing. Also seemed a bit ‘this and that’ lots going on without any sense of a whole. Whilst I did manage to get to the end, I didn’t enjoy it. Something about the arrangements made me move onto Bob Marley and then Massive attack. 2 16 tracks. ‘Fave’ track - err 8? I’m my bed?

Sooo goood. Number tracks 9 Fave track: 2, bus driver

Have been on a bit of an adventure of discovery in looking for a way to listen to 'The White Room', which has been fascinating. I remember some of the chart hits from KLF, and probably thought at the time it was a bit chewing gum pop, blasting out from speakers when on fast rides at the fair etc. But with my music taste becoming more varied, and being much more interested in the stories behind tracks, I come to this album with a more open ear and have enjoyed it. Definitely seek out a version of the LP on YouTube instead of constructed playlists on spotify, or the 'directors cut'. I'm with other reviewers who prefer the 'first side' than the second. Have also had fun with other 2021 releases, which I probably like more. Some of these tracks I really like, some not so much (still a bit cheesy), so on balance it's a 3.5. Number tracks - not entirely sure, 11? Fave track: 4 Last Train to Transcentral 14/04/26

Urg. Have studiously avoided listening to Robbie 'Ego much' Williams. Damn you for making me do this. OK so it sounds like/influenced by 90s indie guitar driven stuff at its peak in this era (Oasis, Supergrass etc) but with Take That calling cards. Something about his voice that grates on me - trying to identify what it is - I put it down to the fake american accent/vowel sounds in the singing style, and the excessive vibrato etc that just feels a bit like a mask. I generally glom onto bands that have a bit of a sense of humour and don't take themselves overly seriously, and Robbie Williams is clearly a 'cheeky chappy' but sames as the vocal style, it doesn't come across as totally genuine, or there is something about the production that is constraining- too 'clean', too much like a pop machine. It is what it says on the tin - life thru a lens. All shiny floor and not much dirt or static. Its not bad, I mean the songs are reasonably catchy, but I'm not going to choose to listen to Robbie Williams again any time soon. 2.5 Number tracks: 11 Fave track: Let me entertain you. 14/04/26

Yeah, good. Had not heard of this artist or album before. Liked the first track instantly, trip hop beats and swooshy string arrangements. It was a bit disappointing that this remained best track on the album for me. A lot of tracks have a really similar tone, many with very similar chord progression/melodies. I would listen again and it might be a grower.

Great to have the opportunity to listen to this album closely. been playing a game of ‘Thrash and…’ ‘Thrash and running’, ‘Thrash and looking through family photographs’ ‘Thrash and making dinner’ ‘Thrash and driving’. All provide a new way of seeing and speed of doing. The title track, Master of Puppets kinds of stands head and shoulders above the rest of the album, but others that stood out for me were Battery, Orion and Sanitraium. 4 Number tracks 8 Fave track 2 Master of puppets 20/04/26

I have actually been listening to this album a lot over the past few weeks, so it was great it popped up again. It’s almost a desert island disks episode in one album - lots of the tracks are memorisable for different reasons at different times of life. Two of the more ballad-y tracks on side two (Waiting in Vain, Turn your lights down low), are less to my taste but the rest is fab. Because of those two tracks it’s not a 5 star album but pretty close. 4.5 Number tracks: 10 fave track: exodus 21/04/26

Very surprised by this, not at all what I expected. (I didn't know what to expect really), but I spose I was thinking the Byrds sat more in the rock/blues genre, than had anything to do with country/bluegrass. The album art kind of gave that away - and reading the wiki entry, now see I'm not going mad and this 6th album was a new direction for the band. Fun to read about how it was received :) The country stuff is not really my jam, but I like the more bluegrass influenced tracks, which are kind of timeless, i.e. I wouldn't have put it at 1968. Some blues/rock tracks stand out from the slide guitar - some have echoes of early Rolling Stones. Enjoyed it. Not sure about ranking as often based on whether I would listen to this again, and not decided if I would.

Thought this was fun. No idea who Malcolm McClaren is really. Was expecting punk. Wasn't sure who was making this, but enjoyed it for what it was. I listen to world music and folk music at lot, I don't have much experience of listening to hip hop. I'm always looking for something different and unusual, and like albums that are complete piece of work, so this was a ride. Before reading about the album I might have assumed it was an exploration of cultural identity. Maybe so - perhaps not McClaren's own?! Would listen again but also seek out the (uncredited) artists as it was the world music that drew me into the record. The Boyoyo Boys Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens MD Shirinda & the Gaza Sisters Luis Kalaff y sus Alegres Dominicanos. 4

Not my favourite Radiohead albums but still a 4.

This chill album is exactly what I needed today and I listened on repeat while I did some complicated accounting. I can’t say that any tracks, apart from track 1, particularly stand out but something I will Listen to a lot. 4

Haven’t got to the end of this. Not really doing it for me. 3

Not feeling well disposed for this today. Can’t find a way in. Seems noisy with no hook. Have gone back to it a few times. Needs more listening really before I can score it higher than a 3.

Just… boring.

It’s ok. Never really listened to Suede and thought this opened with promise but couldn’t get into it. Bit noisy, a million reverb. Probably won’t choose to actively listen again so a 3

Today was is a bit confusing. I'm not convinced I actually like the album, it has an unsettling distastefulness lyrically, and is kind of comedy kitsch but not kitschy enough... IAnyway, some of the stories kind of cut through/are confronting because of a kind of carefree 'give no fucks' honesty. 7: the Frog Princess is one of those. (I carry a fear of Stoneheartedness) . 9: Through a Long and Sleepless Night, for both the words but also probably the track I liked most musically speaking. I chose 11: Dogs & Horses as favourite track on the album as it's an anthemic reminder to make the most of life. It could almost be something to carry in a breast pocket, like a picture of a Queen Anne Chair.

Enjoyed this! Opening was like hearing Zero 7’s influences before other tracks were clearly much more experimental. Will definitely listen again and get to know it better.

I'm a big RT fan, but more often listen to his solo albums or early fairport, and less the releases with Linda. I just love a) his songwriting which feels like he's doing kind of modern interpretations of old English folk songs (as Fairport did under Sandy Denny's influence), but they're all penned by him. b) his arrangements. And this album has got some really cool things going on with brass, krummhorns, Kirkpatrick's accordian/anglo concertina etc etc. All cool. But it's the pared back nature of 2: The Calvary Cross that hits me between the eyes within the opening few bars (post the widdly guitar intro). ;The simple F, Am, G chord sequence in the verse charms me like a snake. Not bothered about the chorus but I forgive it for the verse. And Pat Donaldson's bassline. Other shortlist includes: 1: When I get to the border, 5: We Sing Hallelujah, which has shades of the old carol 'Jacob's well', and 8: the Little beggar Girl, which sounds traditional, and would also be great to dance to. Strong feelings of nostaglia for the title track 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight' which was covered by one of our local folk/rock/ceilidh bands and have strong memories of hearing them playing it live as a kid in 1980's. Yeah some of the songs are bleak, but all good. Tempted to give this 5 stars, but though I live it, not quite. 4.5

Pretty obvious that this list was gonna have albums from ‘The Boss’ on it. Haven’t been looking forward to it, cos I just don’t get it. This album of homemade demos I think (without hearing the others in full yet) might be the most interesting to me - just the man and his songs without a big band. Still, not scoring higher than a 3 for now. Not boring, but not compelled to listen to it particularly.

Everyone knows Elton John, but I haven’t spent any time with any of his albumins, I haven’t even seen the biopic. Glad to get one of the early albums as I think this is the era most suited to my taste. Ofcourse Tiny Dancer is a classic, i diy d I’d already highlighted as a fave track I didn’t know any of the other tracks but really enjoyed the album, kind of hanging around in the 5 star club as a compete piece of work, although the penultimate track found a bit dull. Love the layering and orchestration, and storytelling style of the songs. Will definitely listen again so it’s a 4.

Didn’t get in with Tim Buckley. For as far as Gypsay Woman before calling time on it. It EAs the combination of vibraphone piano (sounded like an episode of the clangers) and the twangly ‘shit the fuck up’ guitar improv that wound me up… like a late night session where someone really likes the sound of their own guitar and never gives anyone any space/rest. 2.5

Listened round and round all day. Liked it straight away.

Not favourite Radiohead. Like later albums better.

Fine. Not offensive. No fires lit. 3

Yaaass. Awesome. Didn't know that Sly etc were the originators of 'Sing a Simple Song', knowing it as a lyric free Meters track. Love most of this album - not all of it - (not into the hit from the album 'Everyday People', but love the distorted talky voice box on 2: 'Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey' (almost fave track) and 7 'Sex Machine'. Great.

Came to this with an open mind but it really isn’t for me. Just a bit boring. Super produced. Bit clean. Cry me a river an interesting track. Got some corners in it. (I know what I mean, like something makes you want to listen a bit closer, zoom in, turn the corner to find out what it is. Nice layering of tracks. Yep it’s a hit so maybe there’s familiarity bias. I don’t think I’d purposefully put this on again. 2.5 feels harsh but true.

Disappointed to get this album. Yeah it was a big hit and I can appreciate why people might like it, but definitely not for me. 2

Learning more about this genre through this list. Listened once, read reviews and listened again. Enjoyed the structure of the album, connected by phone messages. Like the beats and particularly like the nells on backbeat freestyle (I think?). . 3

Really like this album. Great vibe. Makes me smile inside. Mildly tainted by it being over played at pretentious parties serving Mojitos in the late 90' early '00s. Still, if those twats aren't here while I'm listening to it, that's all good. 4

Ace. 4.5

I’ve been waiting/looking forward to some Leonard Cohen to come up, unfamiliar with more than his name, but knowing my dad was a big fan. Wasn’t quite ready for it today but still listened for much of the day and actually found it really good company. Kind of comforting some how. Fave track is the title track. 4

I’d like to hear this album without the keyboards/synth

Wasn’t sure about this. Put off listening to it, so when it was different than I expected to be, I was pleasantly surprised. Went a bit like this: Oh, ok. Cool. Don’t hate it. Quite like it Harmonies on this are nice Like the laid back, lazy drums on this Tho is is a quieter one A bit Dylan-y Oh another one like that one before And another How long is this album Quite long How much more to go Quite a lot 3

Been waiting for Sabbath to come up for ages :) Such a good album. Not the elusive 5* but very close 4.5

This has got all the stuff that I usually like (Funk, ska, metal, crazy bass lines, not taking itself too seriously) so I’m very confused why I’m struggling with it. its all the right ingredients but the oven temperature just a bit… hot? Have listened on lots of different devices but finding it hard to hear the layers and therefore can’t find a way in. Hmm… Maybe I got out of the wrong side of the bed and I should try again another day.

S'Ok. My rating system is all messed up. Kind of enjoyed this, I mean the hits are catchy. The rest receded into the background. I didn't mind listening to it, but wouldn't choose to again. Went back to Black Sabbath afterwards haha 3