1001 Albums Summary

Nice relisten after many years. Never a promise is a gem.

Thankfully I read reviews before pressing play. Did not listen due to heinous lyrics.

Influences to other groups abound! Devo here, Pink Floyd there. Bowie feels, Peter Gabriel too.

Albums like this make me want half ratings. 3.5

All I knew about Hawkwind is that Sir Lemmy was in the band at one point. It would be hard rocking, for sure, and... it is! Drums are insane on this album. The cheesy lyrics are here, and I embrace them. Were they an inspiration for Spinal Tap? I hope so! Album cover apt for 70's van art and tattoos. Definite plus. Solid 4/5

This is my 188th album in this journey and I thought instead of just rating them outright, I'd add some notes like I'm describing it to someone who has never heard it before. I've only done notes on a few other albums. I own this one on vinyl and I like to listen to my daily album on vinyl if I own it, just seems right. Anyway, you don't know the B-52's debut? It's a LOT. What it is most is campy fun. It's got wacky nonsensical lyrics, cosmic music that fucking grooves! Fred, the lead singer kind of has a whiny, bitchy voice, in the best way. The lady singers wail! Kate has a soaring, smooth voice, while Cindy, who looks exactly like my middle school English teacher (don't know who is cooler) has more of a spunky vibe. The stand outs are Rock Lobster and Planet Clare. It's hard to describe this band's sound honestly.. cosmic, kitchy, funky. I don't know, but you WILL tap your toes. The unsung hero are the bass lines. They are so groovy. I'm tired now. Nighty night. 5/5

First time hearing any of his music. Absolute crap. Caught myself rolling my eyes listening to some of the lyrics. Sorry, but that Angels song sucks too.

Never heard of these guys before! Grungy, raw, lead singer's voice is so gravelly, he spits out pebbles! Obviously The Animals took inspo from these wackos. Fun covers, should have been bigger. Further reading, many big bands loved them; Nirvana, LCD Soundsystem, The Cramps, The White Stripes?!? This is why I love doing this list, finding gems like this I'm pissed that I didn't know about before. One of the few albums so far I want to go straight back to the beginning of the album and replay. WooooooAWWWWoooowww!! IS this really 1965? Crazy!

As a lower middle class kid in the 80s, I had to be picky if I bought an album, or cassette in most cases. My hard and fast rule was, does the album have 3 or more singles that I liked for me to able to spend my allowance on it. Not many albums passed this test for me at the time. This was one of few albums that passed that test. I listened to this non stop and I have no regrets. Now relistening to this many decades later, it's crazy my conservative parents let me listen to this.. lol. Good going mom/dad, you helped create the liberal you hate now. It's a fantastic album, even after almost 40 years later... Shake that bum, George!

So twee and uninspired. Trying to be The Beatles/Donovan/early Bowie? IDK and I don't care. 2 stars for not being totally hateful. Rating might go down on further listening.

If The White Stripes and Sweet had a baby it would be this album and I'm good with that! Fun stuff. Only heard the song Alright before, I'm sure from an upbeat, saccharine commercial in the aughts. Easily one of the best Brit pop albums I've never heard of on this list, and we all know there is a lot of them!

4/5 just for Buffalo Stance

3 stars just for Dear God. Love the song and video growing up. It would be a hard call between a 1 and 2 if it wasn't. The rest of the album is just there. Nothing stands out.

Bang a Gong, of course. Never listened to the whole album before. I don't know why assumed it would be more hard rocking. I like that, but I didn't know what I would get listening to this.. smooth, cool. I knew T. Rex had a following, didn't know why, getting it now. Did Rocky Horror have influence from this? Hearing it in the later songs. Esp. the song Girl. Ok, just got to Rip Off, that is what I was expecting. Great shit! Went from a mid 4 to a clear 5 on this song.

What is it about Dylan that makes me want to weep when he's really cooking? I've known his music all of my life, but how have I never heard the most poisonous, bitter, venom spitting song, that is Idiot Wind?? Reading the lyrics just saying to myself, God DAMN!! Pure poetry and a same measure of vitriol. I don't care what he says, he is obviously tearing his soon to be ex wife a new one, and cutting her to the core and himself for being such an idiot for marrying her. I wish I had some of these lines when I was telling my ex off. Really torn between 4 and 5. In the morning you will know my answer.

It's been so many years since I've listened to this boys.. I thought it might have aged poorly, but all I am is transported back to my youth and totally chuffed that I remember as many lyrics that I do. 5 beasties / 5 boys

I discovered dream pop for myself only a few years before starting this list. The song that still stands out above the rest is when Beach House's Once, Twice, Melody released. I'm sure I've been exposed to the genre before, but I feel like I have missed out for so long listening to this beautiful music. Highlights-Silver Soul, Walk in the Park, 10 mile Stereo

He's trying to say something, but I have no idea what. Kinda sleepy and bland, then at the 20 minute mark, Reverend Horton Heat snuck in a song, because it did NOT fit the rest of the album. I was going to give it a 2, but I love The Rev, so 3 it is.

Did I rate Exile on Main St a 4 yesterday and this album that I have never heard before, also a 4? Oh yes! I grew up on classic rock and can still appreciate beautiful music. One thing I have learned from this project is that I adore dream pop. I guess it's not a stretch since one of my favorite artists is Tori Amos. I can hear a lot of her soaring vocal influence in this. Ms. twigs can sing!

I've been a long time fan of Pink Floyd even after been practically traumatized as a child watching The Wall. One of the best concerts I've ever seen was right after I graduated high school, the Division Bell Tour. It was always so bizarre to me that the band had a life before the iconic albums I knew. I have heard those songs here and there and have never sought them out, because what I heard really didn't interest me. I've heard Astronomy Domine and See Emily Play before, and the later I thought was ok, See Emily Play was not in my interest at all, too twee and trying to be sweet- it wasn't my Pink Floyd. Well here I am, finally listening to what I have been avoiding all these years. Domine... oh yes, I know that song. It's Fine. I've come to think of this period now as.. a period.. a growing of the band. If Syd didn't do what Syd did, we wouldn't have the glory of all the albums after. Maybe they would be slightly different, or Gilmour would have had his own band making beautiful music, in any case, Syd wasn't mentally capable for the spotlight. That said, I still am not a fan of this album, but I hear guys working things out, growing into what they will become and for that, I'm thankful for it. 3 loopy guitar tracks out of 5

Never heard of Mr. Kuti before but.. GOD DAMN! I'll be seeking out more of his stuff pronto! If your neck isn't strutting and your butt isn't bopping to this, you have a serious case of stick up your ass!

I have wrote this whole gobbilty gook review that consisted of my journey listening to Cohen's music starting with Jeff Buckley/he's the Canadian Dylan.. blah blah blah. It's all erased. I was going to give this album a 4. It's turned to a 5 because I just learned while Cohen was alive Kris Kristofferson wanted to use the first 3 lines of Bird on a Wire on his headstone and Cohen said he'd be hurt if he doesn't. After a short jaunt on wiki, Kristofferson did just that.. Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free

#256 As a teen to young adult of the 90s.. never heard of them. That said, some nice grooves, not horrible. On a rope on a rope got me hanging on a rope So it's a light 3. 1001+ list worthy? meh.

I have a love/hate with this group, but there is no denying how powerful this album is, and it's their debut? 4.5/5, rounding up