1001 Albums Summary

I hadn't heard any of these songs before, but the whole album felt very familiar in that you just know when you're listening to a Bob Marley song. There were a lot of intertwining themes throughout this album (anti-capitalism, faith, anti-slavery, to name a few) and it feels powerful in that way. I'm sure in the context of 1973 some of these songs were a huge middle finger to society and they still are today. I wish I could speak more eloquently to the music production but it slaps. I read someone say it has a 'thick, smoky reggae' sound, and that is incredibly accurate. 'No More Trouble' makes me want to put on a long trench coat and walk around a black & white city. 'Concrete Jungle' has so many layers to it. On the other hand, you also have songs like 'High or Low Tide' and 'Baby We've Got A Date' which is such a lil bop - though, even in these lyrics, there is a level of uncertainty: 'Baby, we've got a date, don't you remember? Baby, baby, don't you be late (please don't forget).' There is a whole other version of this album as well - the original Jamaican version, I gotta go listen to that!

I was surprised to like this album, to be honest! I'd heard of Jack White but I think I was confusing him with a James Blunt type so was expecting more '20s something man with a guitar and a broken heart' type vibe. There is so much depth to 'Blunderbuss' - lyrically and musically. I love that you can taste the influences in the music - like Elvis in I'm Shakin'. It's also one of those albums where at first listen it's great, but it gets better and better the more you dig deeper into the sound and the meaning of the songs.

Such a solid debut album. Great beats, just the right touch of humour, and honestly just so chill. I'd want this on vinyl if it weren't for the random sex interlude. 🫠

Didn't think this was gonna be my vibe, but it was very much my vibe. I really liked it. And there is sooooo much lore behind it - the South African apartheid, the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel, his divorce from Carrie Fisher. Excited to dig into the history of the songs!

I'm not 100% about giving this album 3 stars but it just didn't stick with me as much as the other albums we've listened to so far. I love Kiwanuka's work but I felt this wasn't as strong as his other albums. I think I need more time to dig into it for the album to land with me, so this rating is purely my impression from my first two listens (whilst I was working)!

A very cohesive sound and I didn't realise this was actually their debut - it's very strong in that context. But yeah I do think a lot of the songs are similar!

I didn't realise how much I knew of this album, but I was singing along to almost every song. There's so much life in these songs, but also so much sadness and self-deprecation. Her voice is unmatched, and the arrangement of the songs is brilliant. Very close to being a 5 star for me!

Nice background noise, but I wasn't drawn to it personally!

Looooved this. Will definitely relisten and glad it subsequently brought 'Comin' Home Baby' by Mel Torme back into my life.

So many songs I recognised by other artists. Truly a great songwriter.