1001 Albums Summary

MW: 7.4 Fav: Feel It Least Fav: Medley: It's All Right / For Sentimental Reasons

MW: 8.4 Fav: Nightswimming Least Fav: Ignoreland

8.7 Favourite: Pusherman Least favourite: No Thing On Me

5.1 When did Bon Jovi start taking heroin? Fav: Would? Least fav: God Smack

"I made a lot of mistakes, I made a lot of mistakes, I made a lot of mistakes, I made a lot of mistakes" - Sufjan Stevens No mistakes detected. 10.0 Fav track: The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us! Least fav (longish) track: The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts

6.3 This is fine. I can imagine playing pool to this. Fav track: La Grange (HM: Sheik) Least fav track: Hot, Blue and Righteous

4.5 Fav track: The Fun Lovin' Criminal Least fav: Bombin' the L

Fav track: Eat Em Up L Chill Least fav: Illegal Search

Paul had a lot of ideas for this album. They were all bad. 2.8 Fav track: Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five Least fav: Picasso's Last Words

I've never listened to Nina Simone purposefully before this. I'm going to be controversial and say I think this is amazing. 9.2 Fav Track: Wild is the Wind Least fav: I Love Your Lovin Ways

I don't see what this represents being on the list. There are way more interesting punky albums from the mid-90s. Didn't totally hate it or anything. Fav track: On a Rope Least fav: Come See Come Saw (Is this meant to be a play on "Comme ci, comme ça"? It annoyed me either way.

I like how it doesn't include any of their big hits. A cool eclectic mix of songs that fly by, dedicated to a nostalgic version of England. I can't give it a 5* because a few songs grate on me. 8.0 Fav track: Picture Book Least fav: Starstruck

I wasn't really in the mood to listen to this today, but still amazing and slightly unhinged in places. 8.9 Fav track: Famous Blue Raincoat Least fav: Sing Another Song, Boys

I liked this a lot more than I was expecting. 6.8 Fav track: There There, My Dear Least fav: I Couldn't Help It If I Tried

Great but way too long. 7.0 Fav track: Plenty Nonsense Least fav: Live For Today

He's obviously a genius musician, but also this drags towards the end ("Saturn", "Ebony Eyes"), and about half of it is too schmaltzy and sentimental for my tastes. 7.0 Fav track: I Wish Least fav: Isn't She Lovely (sorry, just no)

This is quite good. Not really the call to action you'd expect from knowing the title track. Can do without the blues tribute tracks like Please, Please, Please and I'm A Man. 6.5 Fav track: The Kids Are Alright Least fav: Please, Please, Please

Just love the Curtis vibe. 7.5 Fav track: Hard Times Least fav: Blue Monday People

I've listened to this many times in my life, but not for a long time. Still sounds great. 9.4 Fav track: Dream Brother Least fav: Corpus Christi Carol

Falls into the unfortunate category of bands I thought were rubbish when I was growing up. Can I re-assess them with wisdom and experience? I can accept that their songs are well-crafted, but they're too polished and middle-of-the-road for me to care. 5.0 Fav track: Four Seasons in One Day Least fav: It's Only Natural (still hate this for some reason)

I like it for its sheer over-the-topness. Three Out of Five Aint Bad. 6.6 Fav track: Bat Out of Hell Least fav: For Crying Out Loud

Amazing voice but it all blends together a bit after a while. I think it would need a closer listen. Fav track: I Don't Wanna Talk About It Now

This is fine. Great musicianship, but unfortunately, this type of music has been co-opted for commercial use, and it's hard to understand in its historical context. There's a lot of jazz/blues/folk from the early 60s that I'd rather see on the list. 6.2 Fav track: Green Onions Least fav: One Who Really Loves You

8.3

I think embracing Nick Cave is largely about buying into his schtick. Listening to this, I buy into it, for a while, and then I get tired of it. Some great moments on here, but it's too much for me for a long album. 6.8 Fav song: The Curse of Milltown Least fav: O'Malley's Bar Song

I've been aware of this album's status all my adult life, but I've never sat down to listen to it... until now. I was taken aback by how disagreeable I found it. I'm not against the idea of a concept album, but nothing about this worked. Escruciating in places. Worst album I've come across so far on the project. I don't even like Pinball Wizard, I'm sorry. 1.6 Fav track: Sparks (the lack of vocals was a real treat here) Least fav: Do You Think It's Alright? (no)

Not really my kind of thing. Somehow sentimental and patronising at the same time. Some nice acoustic guitar. I'd rather be listening to Simon and Garfunkel. 5.2 Fav track: Into White Least Fav: Father and Son

There's a tendency to say prog rock is endless, purposeless noodling, but I didn't get that impression from this album at all. I thought it was tight and super inventive. I can hear the influences even in post-rock or post-hardcore 20-30 years later. Came out two years after the Who's awful Tommy that I had to sit through two days ago, and sounds light years ahead (I know light years are a measurement of distance). Fav track: The Fish Least fav: Mood for a Day

I think Psychocandy is the only JAMC I need in my life, but I enjoyed this. I thought two of the songs were "Head On" because they sound almost exactly the same, but that's on another album. 6.9 Fav track: About You Least fav: On The Wall

I'm a fan but I don't think this is consistently great. 6.8 Fav track: Never Let Me Down Again Least fav: Little 15

There are undeniably great songs here. I prefer folk Dylan, and this didn't change my mind. Side One - On the whole, I prefer the studio versions. There are some great moments (the harmonica on Mr Tambourine Man), but he sounds bored of singing the songs at times (also Mr Tambourine Man). Side Two - Again, great songs, but I don't think his rock arrangements are very interesting, and it drags. 6.7

This is brilliant. Loads of variety and inventiveness. Sunny, psychedelic... I will put it on again in the summer. Fav track: Um Girassol...

I think this is a great project. Capturing Cash's epic voice with modern production that suits his style and some cool, unexpected song choices (NIN, Depeche Mode…). When it's great, it's great. When it's not, it's still Johnny Cash singing some good songs. 7.5 Fav track: The Man Comes Around Least fav: Bridge Over Troubled Water

It's kind of impossible not to like this. Great energy. 7.2 Fav track: (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You Least fav: Body and Soul

Not very interesting. This doesn't belong on this list, given how much great music came out during this period. 4.8

I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting. Good long-form hippie guitar noodling. 7.8

Didn't engage strongly with this. I don't need great lyrics to enjoy music, but these lyrics baffle me, especially Indian Sunset. Some cool musical moments, like the guitar riff and strings on the title track. 5.5

At least it's different. I found the dissonant parts made the digestible parts hit harder. 5.9 Fav track: Feet Music

This sounds quite ahead of its time for 1991, maybe an influence on the later trip hop and downtempo scenes? But the production sounds bland and dated now, and the vocals and lyrics don't stand out. Doesn't compare well with other releases from the same era by the likes of Massive Attack or Cocteau Twins. 5.2 Fav track: Spring Least fav: She's the One

I remember when this came out. I was a big fan of Dry and (especially) Rid of Me, and I thought this was a bit commercial, bland and 'tasteful' by comparison. I think I appreciate it a bit more now, but I'm not sure if it's just because we've had a crappy run of albums on this project recently. 6.9 Fav track: This Mess We're In Least fav: This is Love (sounds like a toothless version of her earlier stuff)

I’ve got a big soft spot for these guys. It’s not a 5 because of a few throwaway tracks and Silent Night is a bit of a misfire

Very well produced. But it sounds like it was made for the dance floor. There’s not enough development in the individual tracks so the second half drags until Alive. I liked the waves on Fresh

They sound comfortable jumping on the britpop train but it’s bland. I don’t like this even as much as sneered-at landfill britpop like Shed Seven’s Maximum High. Indie disco standout is One To Another

Nice beats but I find his lyrics a bit dull despite the odd great line so it really drags for the second half. Some hooks are good (In Da Club) some are annoying (PIMP).

I think this deserves its place for its towering trip hop influence but sounds dated compared to what came after - a more muscular Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky’s debut. Lyrics and delivery are a bit trite and earnest. Some great songs though and enjoyed hearing a young, less paranoid Tricky

Some really good songs here and quite nostalgic for me. The production is a bit clean and samey so it kind of washed over me but maybe I’ve heard these songs in the background too many times.

Great at what they do and I appreciate it. But ends up being a bit too silly for me.

Really strange album, from the cover/title juxtaposition to the musical styles being all over the place. The great tracks are great and the oddities are odd enough to be fun.

I liked this better than Night at the Opera. It’s refreshing to not had the weight of their big hits. Liked the epic fantasy elements, but it lost me towards the end.

Refreshing how raw and immediate this is compared to other Beatles solo works we’ve had. Stripped down and quite dark.

It’s a fun vibe at the beginning, but it all sounds the same after a while to my untrained ears

Really well produced. It’s minimal but still has atmosphere. Just didn’t really grab me

Surprised myself how much I liked this. Really inventive and varied

Nice chill country album. Would happily drink cheap beer and play pool to this

Love the production on this: energetic, inventive, fun. The rhymes suit it perfectly. Can hear the influence on my favourite hip-hop from the following decades like Wu Tang, MF Doom… Just too much skit-ery for a full score 🥲

Not sure if this is even in my top 5 Bowie albums but I’m completely biased. When it’s good it’s transcendent, but it’s always interesting and engaging. Sons of the Silent Age is mental.

They have a cool sound but Jason Pierce’s projects bore me a bit over the course of a full album

Fantastic album. I love all the songs on the first half (especially Cloudbusting) and the second half is so imaginative and eclectic. The very 80s production adds to its charm for me.

The Pogues’ celtic punk sound is great. I listen to the previous album a fair bit but this one wore on me towards the end and I’m tired of the Christmas song (not their fault)

There are two unnecessary things on Vol. 4. The guy whispering “cocaine” in the background on Snowblind and the entire song “Changes”. Love Supernaut and Cornucopia but I don’t think this is a patch on Master of Reality.

Enjoyable hippy music

Perfectly performed old-school Nashville music that is way too predictable and one-tempo to engage with:

One of the most self-consciously “English” album. The question is do I buy into their schtick here? Mostly, yes. There are 1-2 misfires.

This is very very very very very alright. There are many moments where it starts to move in a cool and interesting direction and then reverts to a very alright big drunken festival singalong anthem chorus

Loads of cool ideas on here and really well produced. I find it too engaging for background music not engaging enough for active listening.

Very well produced and pleasant to listen to. But it feels like she hiring all the coolest collaborators and producers of the time to make something very calculated and on brand so it lacks a certain spirit.

Never listened to this guy consciously before. Totally blew me away from the start of the first track. Great vocal command, loads of great musical ideas to keep the long tracks interesting, even a flute at the big jam at the end.

After countless hours pondering the mysterious glowing red pyramid that crashed through his bedroom window from the cosmos, Gary went to the to the studio to invent the 1980s.

This album didn’t change my life but I enjoyed it a lot

I went into this thinking I’d prefer it to their overplayed later stuff but, although I still enjoyed it, I found a lot of it irritating. Especially the vocals. They did have an original sound at the time though.

Unique concept for a record and I really like the atmosphere and the banter between the tracks. It’s just kind of missing the standout tracks other TW albums have to tie it together and outstays it’s welcome a little bit.

Very good 👍

I’m very much not the target audience for this. It has its moments but sounds a bit soulless at times for a soul album. I like the talky bits.

I’ve tried to get into this guy a few times over the years. It’s in my ballpark. There’s something about his voice and the 50s rock n roll throwbackness of it. Doesn’t click. Then XTC came on Spotify shuffle after and blew this out of the water. Only 25 more Elvis Costello albums to go. It might click eventually.

Nice songs. A pleasant time capsule into 60s pop

The hits are quite nostalgic from university student union nights. Really good pop production values and it’s good at what it’s trying to do. I just don’t really like what it’s trying to do.

I love this album. Here is an essay about how it’s the most influential album of the last 50 years

Really enjoyed this. There’s a lot of variety and probably the nicest song with a child singing on it I’ve heard (which isn’t saying that much tbh)

Enjoyed it. It’s a bit shit but in a good way

When I go to the club I want to hear those club classics. Club Classics Vol. One by Soul II Soul. The dance version of Back to Life isn’t even on this album so I was a bit disappointed at the end

Lots of things to enjoy about this album. They were a bit flippant with the assigned 65 minute run time

I enjoyed this. Great, chill production. Nice to hear a young Kanye before… stuff. A little bit more preachy than my usual rap tastes but not overly so.

A classic that lives up to the hype. Probably the benchmark for the “singer-songwriter” genre. Excellent for both background listening and paying attention.

I can’t believe the same musical genius released two groundbreaking, mind-blowing albums in the year 1965. But enough about John Coltrane. In all seriousness, I respect the lyrics but the music itself just sort of plods along. 5-10 minute long songs where the backing band plays the same thing all way through. Like a Rolling Stone though 👍

Greg Dulli inventing toxic masculinity. There’s a rawness about this, an honesty about what it means to feel like a selfish, flawed person. It’s more lyrically sophisticated than self-hating grungey contemporaries like Alice In Chains. There’s some dynamic, almost funky riffs, which create a great contrast with the dark subject matter, and a few moments of beauty like in the closing track.

Very good. One of the best grunge albums, which I feel gets overlooked for various non-music reasons.

I’ve had this on rotation for five years. Beats are minimal but pack a lot of variety. She’s got a confident/arrogance in her delivery but also soul. My main complaint about rap albums so far is length and quality control, but this is great from start to finish. Maybe the best UK rap album.

I preferred the parts where it leans into more experimental/industrial than thrash metal. The track Corrosion sounded like they’d found a new weird sound. The thrash riffs/religious parody tracks get a bit formulaic after a while. Scare Crow sounds like How Soon is Now by the Smiths (in good way?)

I like AC/DC in small doses. This dose is too much.

I’ve been a bit apathetic about this over the years, but on close listening the production is outstanding, outweighing the at times slightly conservative lyrics

I kind of hated the singing on this. It sounds like they're trying a lot harder than the first album and it rubs me up the wrong way. Production really good in place, like the drums on track 1.

I used to really like this, but don't feel the same way these days. Is it missing something Funeral had? Or have I just grown apart from this band? TBC...

What the other guy said

It's like the Talking Heads crossed with Captain Beefheart. I was only familiar with their debut album. This is more less punky and that doesn't lend well to his vocals sometimes. Unhinged, slightly irritating at times, but truly original, fun and inventive.

Really cool historical snapshot of a time and place. Enjoyed it. Probably not going to put it on a lot

I think he's unique - he doesn't sound like anyone else and instantly recognisable. That said, the opener might be the most off-putting opener I've had on the list so far, and it is frequently irritating. Prefer the more punky sounding songs.

Might be my favourite psychedelic rock album. Outlandish and uncompromising, not even trying to write a hit. Also love the “Relics” compilation of contemporary singles and other stuff. Unpopular opinion: Later Pink Floyd sounds over-considered, polished and dull compared to this.

I was 17 or 18 when this came out and was no longer paying much attention to the nu-metal/post-grunge/butt-rock/pop-punk coming out of the US. Linkin Park turned nu metal (with some Nine Inch Nails influence?) into a catchy pop juggernaut that sold millions to normie music fans, and that's quite impressive in its own right. However, there seems to be a modern revisionist movement that this album is some sort of classic. It must be stopped. It's "cringe" and it's not as good as Creed.

I prefer her next album, which has more standout moments. Good nighttime vibes music though, enjoyed it

This is fine. Didn't find it super interesting or memorable.

I liked this more than I thought I would. I thought BB King was a lot smoother than this. I'd love to have seen this live. On record, it's a good late-night blues album.

Enjoyed the first half a fair bit. The second half sounds completely phoned in, and that's 30 whole minutes. I blame compact discs.

I thought the covers at the start were fine in a kitschy sort of way but the reason I'm giving it 4 stars is for the 13-minute Sagar (The Ocean), which is an absolute banger of a journey, and some other cool original/traditional arrangements in the second half. Also liked the change of style with the vocals on the final track.

I enjoyed this a lot more than Number of the Beast for some reason. It's both more proggy and more punky than the fully formed Iron Maiden we would come to know (and love, in some cases). Maybe the vocals also sound less cliched to me, being used to Bruce's over-the-top stylings on most IR tracks I've heard over the years. As my 1001 colleague said, you can hear the building blocks of Metallica here, especially on the softer parts. I'm also a big fan of the band name being the name of the album and the name of a track on the album - triple threat.

Yes

Disco for people who hate going out? It sounds very abrasive at first but I found it quite hypnotic over time. There's very little mid frequency - very low bass, very high guitars - and thankfully Mr. Rotten doesn't dominate but adds to the atmosphere. Can hear parts of this all over 2000s releases by the likes of The Rapture and LCD Soundsystem. Fav tracks: Swan Lake, Radio 4

Incredibly important album in the history of hip hop and popular music in general, bursting with originality and great ideas. Fantastic from the start up until track 8. However, I can do without much of the rest of the album, including the 12-minute-plus final track. Part of his charm is that maximalism and excess, but to me, it gets kind of irritating after 30-40 mins.

Nice slice of angsty nineties energy

I respect them for moving away from the Britpop sound. But it sounds like they copied someone else’s homework and forgot to change some of the words around.

I think I’m going to prefer later LZ albums as I didn’t love the over-the-top 12-bar blues songs. Clearly a super talented and influential band defining what rock music means. I just prefer them a bit more psychedelic/progessive. Dazed and Confused ✅

Not my favourite Bowie album. I like how it's slightly more unhinged and damaged than the previous one but also glad he changed direction after this. I like the title track, Panic In Detroit and Lady Grinning Soul. The Prettiest Star is a bit meh. Just scraping a 4.

I really like his voice and general charisma. This album is a mixed bag for me: some really good songs and some standard, listenable country music.

This is what I imagine serial killers listen to

Sounds like shit but I quite like it

I’ve listened to this a few times over the years. It’s very pretty - the harmonies, the subtle instrumentation - but it sort of blends together like a big soup. Even now I can’t remember much apart from White Winter Hymnal.

When it started I thought it's not my cup of tea but it comes into its own on the longer tracks. I hope this doesn't mean I like "jam bands" now.

One of the least essential Tom Waits albums - shouldn’t be on the list. He sounds like he’s on autopilot for some of this but would soon come out with the inspired Swordfishtrombones. Having said that, it’s still good though because it’s Tom Waits.

It's all very well done, but this type of throwback pre-Beatles pop music is not my cup of tea.

I get a lot of teenage nostalgia from this. My issue is, most of the best tracks are the ones I've heard too many times and don't care for anymore. Maybe it's a "me problem". Best song: Longview

I thought I was going to have a "separate the art from the artist" dilemma but luckily I thought some of this was quite bad, especially tracks 2 and 9. I don't understand people who think this is the best of all time and all the tracks are bangers. Can't deny Billie Jean and Beat It are good singles but this is never going to be my thing.

I'm usually not a big fan of blues rock from this era but something about the psychedelia and the vocals elevates it for me. Best: L'America, Riders on the Storm

Hugely original album that seems to be proto-punk, post-punk, and not really punk at all, all at the same time. Some amazing guitar work, especially on the title track. Not quite 5 for me because the vocals grate on me at times and a few songs on the second half are not as good .

Might be one of the most fully formed and original sounds on a debut album ever. Doesn’t even sound dated somehow.

3.5 but I’m in a generous mood

“What an album, huh? 😣” “But Captain, we’re only on track 5”

Refer to album title