Simple, loud, hard rock. There is something to be said about using the same sounds, instruments, amp settings, etc.. for a whole record. There is no dynamics, not a minor chord in site-- no band in 2026 has the balls to make a record like this. 1979 was probably a fun year.
A National Treasure: Will always be 5 stars, will always be relevant, always my most listened to vinyl record, always my favorite Bob Dylan.
Transcendent: 2nd 5 star album in a row from the random 1001 Album generator. Must be listened to on vinyl, with good headphones, or in your dad car. I wanna be stoned in a basement in 1975 to this.
Pretty good, fun and influential. 50s rock 'n roll meets 80s alternative with some punk foundation building? Woulda spun at a party in '77. Alison is a great song.
Very British: I like the Kinks. They are cool. This is up there with the best 60s folk-pop/rock that I’ve heard. I can definitely see the influence this would have had on bands like ELO and the Who. While there are no standout “hits” on the record it’s still a pleasant listen with enough going on to keep it interesting throughout. I’d buy the record. Strong 3.5
Some really cool stuff on this but often feels like a repetitive soundscape. A little bit too metalic for my taste. Alice In Chains is warranted as being one of the big 4 of grunge, but they are behind Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Nirvana still in my book.
Disclaimer: this is not at all in my genre wheelhouse so I have no thrash metal listening experience to compare this to. While I do find some of the instrumentals to have a really satisfying groove to them, especially in good headphones, but the vocals are just unbearable. I appreciate something this new to me though and found myself often head-nodding to it, oddly decent work music.
Close to peak rap. Cinematic production, energetic bars, great storytelling. You got all of Wu-Tang, Biggie, Doom, J Dilla, Ne-Yo on this thing. And back when skits and features were a given, love the Wu tang style movie clips too. Maybe just a tad bloated but I really can't complain. Love this era of hip-hop
It's cool for sure. The production is pretty sick and ahead of its time sounding-- getting some Gorillaz, Bon Iver vibes. I don't dig the vocals, which is odd considering my high tolerance for whiny and unconventional singers. Ultimately just doesn't do much for me (I'm also in a crappy mood today)
edit: adding a half star.. its a grower and might be a 4 if I was stoned.
3.5/5
The songwriting is good. The stories are great. Musically, I appreciate the haunting, beautiful sad vibe, but at other times bored. Perhaps this record asks for your full attention, which I am unable to give today, only picking some of the pieces of the puzzle. There's no doubt that the ceiling of this album is higher than I am giving it credit for, but this is my first listen.
There is a type of record, which I find difficult to rate, which I describe as a masterpiece in which I don't yet love.
This project is exposing my bi-polar relationship with rating music.
Has to be on of the most genre formative albums of all time (along with their previous debut released the same year). Nothing sounded like this before and a TON sounds like it after. And it’s banger after banger and still holds up. War Pigs— maybe of the best heavy metal song of all time— to Iron Man has to be one of the greatest 4 song runs in the genre. The psychedelic Planet Caravan, Ozzy speaking in the 3rd person, Iommi’s riffs. A masterpiece of the genre that only falls a star short in its ability to move me emotionally.
The cutting edge, experimental, psychedelic production is there but the songs are not yet miles ahead of their contemporaries. Rivals Villiage Green for most British album yet. File it under, something great in the making.
Not a lot to criticize here from Mr. Fats. “Blueberry Hill” and “Blue Monday” being the standout tracks.
We’re not breaking ground her, but more so perfecting the pre-60s R&B/Rock’n’Roll sound. It’s a fun, easy quick listen that not many people could complain about.
Feeling myself angry and resentful this morning, Chuck Ds anger and resentment comes across authentic and cathartic. Flavor flav brings some outlandish comedic relief (even if that wasn’t the intention). I don’t typically go to Public Enemy for this era and style of hip hop, but may add to the rotation after refamiliarizing myself. You still get some of that corny 80s hip hop sound that makes it sound a bit outdated and ultimately the groups importance outrides its everyday listenability (for me).
Alternate titles: Bored 2 Death, Not 4 Me.
Yes I would rather listen to Spatula or whatever.
Found a rating of this when I first started 1001 back in 2020. 1.5 Starts "Could not finish. Couldn't find anything I liked". While I couldn't help my self to stick it out again, 1.5 was harsh. Kid and Brass in my pocket are both decent songs - more like a 2
It's not my favorite chilli peppers but it might just be the best? Tons of bangers, maybe it's just been over played to death that I never seek out most of these songs.
This was a nice Saturday morning treat for an album and an artist that I have never once heard of? Why?? An English 70’s folk rock (edit: and funk) singer songwriter along the lines of Van Morrison or Tracy Chapman (if they were produced by George Clinton). Her vocal cadences(?) are so cool and interesting. The Love and Affection sample (remix?) on Richard Ashcroft's 2025 comeback single makes me assume that her influence must be large in the UK– and most likely never was mirrored in the US? Perhaps the world could use more “folk funk”.
Favorite Tracks: Down to Zero, Love and Affection
Listen: *on vinyl* making pancakes on a slow Saturday morning
This record is an autobiographical movie about fucking and hustling and rapping. It’s immersive, at times redundant, but still always a fun listen.
Ugh. Is my first reaction. There is no need for every song on this to be over 6 minutes long (and I am a jam band fan). I really dislike hating music, which is why I will rarely ever give an album a 1. And I would be surprised if I think there are any one's in this guys top 1001 albums of all time. 2.5
my review here didn't save, it said something about it being too long and meandering and annoying.
The only thing hornier than this album is it's reviews.
It’s ‘giving unc’ as the kids would say. Hate to break it to the boys, but you are in fact corny. Maybe if this came out in the late 80s like it sounds, it woulda meant something.
If a dive bar was a genre of music it'd be this (compliment)
They are doing so many different things, and doing them well. I don't think anyone believes this is a "perfect" record but that doesn't necessarily mean it can't be a 5 -- it certainly was a 5 in 1968 and it still has a good number of perfect songs that have more than withstood the test of time.
The main critique you hear of this album is about the length and the "fluff", but I think that was kind of the point. It feels like they were just trying whatever the wanted without being confined to a single concept. They been there done that. To be that's what makes this record special. If the "fluff" was released as its own album, perhaps by a different band without the monumental expectations that the Beatles have cultivated, those songs would likely be more appreciated (when not placed next to Blackbird and Dear Prudence).
Personal Favorites: Happiness is A Warm Gun, Rocky Raccoon, Helter Skelter
4.5
Pleasantly surprised in many ways by this album. A new to me band, who I am eager to check out more of their stuff. Surprised also to learn they are Northern Irishmen. Somewhere between an 80s Modern English-ish alternative and a 90s Weezer sound, Ash feels nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
