1001 Albums Summary

A bit sad at the number of covers, but that is more a reflection on the times I suspect. The album was fine, but I think it would be far from my favourite even not having listened to much of the Beatles before.

Turns out adversity really does help make great music. Bangers all the way down.

I hadn't intentionally listened to any Carole King before but I can see why this was her most successful album. A lot of enduring hits. It feels really informed by The Band and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, to take nothing away from Carole.

First time listening to Alice in Chains and can't say that it did much for me. It feels like it perfectly captured a moment in time, though, and reading more about the band itself, I can see the importance of the album and how it fit in with the rest of what was emerging in the early 90s.

Really enjoyed this album. Started listening to the first track and was thinking about Midlake before then reading that they were in the studio on this which made a lot of sense. John Grant added to my rotation!

I recall a lot of discussion of Orbital as a kid and I definitely remember rave culture dominating the news. My understanding is that this dropped not long before the Criminal Justice Act came into being in the UK following the demonisation of the rave scene and put an end to the sort of unified rave culture as it existed which I think is something that should warrant significant reflection in the UK in 2026. The album itself is such a fantastic illustration of what was happening in 90s rave music and whilst I don't often consider Orbital to be the height of electronic music, their impact is undeniable and the album is such an easy listen. Each track takes its time to build and swell: each blooms as a distinct flower in the same garden. The layering is a straightforward guide to electronic music composition and I think people mistake that simplicity as being of less value, but even if you take the album out of time, there are lessons here to learn.

As much as I enjoyed what followed The Clash, I can't say that I ever really listened to them beyond the very obvious one or two tracks. Enjoyed this a little more than I thought I would (I think because it sounds a little more raw than where they went subsequently) but I think what they reflected here was better reinterpreted afterwards.

The album is a smashed collection of one person's memories and outlook. Curtis' pathos swims into the music like colours into a paint mixer. Great to think about how this fits into the wider Manchester scene. Obviously a stark warning of what is to come but undeniably important and arresting.

Good energy throughout, but RTC never quite met the promise that Reis had with Pitchfork to my mind. I am sad I missed them live as you can feel the energy on the album. Over time, though, that does wane. The mixing is pretty key to boosting that energy but is also the biggest achilles heel.

Having never really taken the time to sit down with blues music, I really enjoyed this. There is an incredible 'live' sense to the recording and I found it really easy to listen to. May just have started a little need to go and brush up on other influential blues artists!

Can't say that this was for me. Prog rock was always a pretty elusive term to me, but I guess this album helped focus some of its more traditional elements and definitely the things I always hear as criticisms. By the time I got to YYZ I was ready to put the album down; it just wasn't doing much to grab me. Lyrically I found the album dull. I read a lot that this album was the start of the decline for Rush, so I may need to go back to see what was going on earlier.

Extremely disappointed to get an album full of covers. I was really looking forward to getting stuck into the Stones as I know how influential they were.

A lot thrown at the wall on this one. When Beck hits, he hits and when he misses...well, he was trying something and usually that something was five different things at once. I feel like Ryan Dombal hit the nail on the head describing Odelay as "the world's most accomplished demo reel".

Can't say that this really stayed with me at all. Seemed less arresting than Rumours, a bit more settled perhaps?

Not much to hook me on this. I have seen and heard a lot of comments around this being 'middle of the road' and that is way more damning that I think I expected. This does nothing to make me want to pay attention, it just drifts into the background. Lyrics are extremely flaccid.

Album is pretty good overall but found it a little hard to disassociate the art from the artist on this one.

Not for me and I don't Stan for sexual predators.