1001 Albums Summary

Expectation: -> Neil Young 1970? No way, not my jam. After listening: -> Shocked at how much I enjoy this. Played the album ~10 times. Track ranking: Southern Dance Only love Believe Cripple Tell me Birds Gold Morning Lonesome Bring you down

Expectation: -> At least I'd heard of Neil Young. Not so here. After listening: -> Never heard this album but its influence has made it ubiquitous. If I owned a blues bar, it would be on repeat. Track ranking: Mannish Cat Bus Jealous #2 Baby Walkin Satisfied FL Girl

Expectation: -> Hopeful. Al has inspired some of my preferred modern music. That's Al, not AI. After listening: -> Ooooh so cool, so smooth. Love me some Al Green. Track ranking: Together Never Found La-La Mend Leaving Feeling Judy Old Ain't

Expectation: -> No one better when in that reggae mood. After listening: -> Some of the most popular and familiar reggae ever made is on this album. Track ranking: Birds Jammin Lights down Mystic (not cultist) Exodus One love Heathen Guilt So Much

Expectation: -> Not sure if PJ Harvey is a band or person. After listening: -> Going to take me a while to warm up to this album. No standout songs after a couple playthroughs. Track ranking: Fortune Whores A Place Said Something Float This Is Love Mess Exit One Line Kamikaze Horses Beautiful

Expectation: -> Never heard of this band, album, or probably any of their songs. After listening: -> Fantastic from start to finish. How did I miss this?!? Track ranking: Music? Concept December Alcohol Sidewinder Metal What you do Star Sign Satan Guiding Pet Don't Know

Expectation: -> Certainly heard of them but memories are fuzzy. After listening: -> Never got into VF and that's not going to change. But Blister In The Sun will always be great. Overall, 3/5 (barely). Track ranking: Blister Promise Daddy Good Feeling Kill Ugly Confessions Prove Add Kiss Please Car

Expectation: -> No expectations. After listening: -> Took a couple playthroughs to warm up to this one. Voice/vocals took some getting used to. If you're in the right setting and get into the right mind space, this is quite good. 3 pushing 4. Track ranking: What more Lilac Ask Break down Wild Love Four Why keep Either way If I Black

Expectation: -> The album cover is promising. After listening: -> The rock equivalent of B-list actors…but quite fun. Enjoyed this one. A bit Tom Petty-esque. Track ranking: Whizz Hymn Violence Cadillac Sister Boogie Memphis Ballad Mother Rose

Expectation: -> 1987 and a recognizable name has me optimistic. After listening: -> This isn't my jam. No track stood out for me so I didn't make a track ranking. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Expectation: -> More Bob. After listening: -> So so good. Polished, refined, solid production. Lacks the big timeless songs of Exodus and a bit repetitive sounding (similar intros). I need to be cooking with Marley in the background. Solid-4 Track ranking: Stir Concrete Train Baby Trouble Slave 400 Kinky Midnight

Expectation: -> A percussion album. Keeping an open mind. After listening: -> This could have unlocked a new genre for me but did not. Appreciate the music, the talent. Track ranking: Pitche Immigres Badou Taaw

Expectation: -> One of my most played albums in the early-mid 90s. 5/5 After listening: -> How does it still sound so good in 2026? My appreciation for it has only grown. Probably a top-20 all-time for me. Track ranking: Bloom Come Spirit Plain Lithium Drain Lounge Breed Polly Something Stay Pissings Endless

Expectation: -> Really looking forward to giving Radiohead a listen in 2026. After listening: -> This is not for me. Pretty sure this album was well received. Sometimes creativity and an attempt to do something different gets in the way of making good appelaing music. Track ranking: Idioteque Treefingers Optimistic Disappear Anthem Limbo Soundtrack Kid A Bell Everything Untitled

Expectation: -> This will be first full Joni Mitchell album listen for me. Long overdue. After listening: -> Much respect for her talent, songwriting, and style. I see why she is so beloved by many. For me, I prefer different styles than this, strong vocals, more energy, and songs that really stand out. This music is beautiful but often darkens the mood like a cloudy, brisk day. As she says herself in the title track, "There's comfort in melancholy." Track ranking: (skipped)

Expectation: -> I never got into Rage. Can't really explain it, as I like similar music. After listening: -> I’ve never liked Rage but like many bands in similar genre. Not once can I recall searching for one of their songs on Spotify or ever. But I recognize a lot of this album and it’s incredible. Late to the game but better late than never. 5/5 Track ranking: Killing Bombtrack Power Settle Bullet Enemy Steel Wake Freedom Township

Expectation: -> An American icon, though not someone I seek out. After listening: -> This is timeless and definitely worthy of a listen in 2026. Some all-time ear worms. Recall as a kid spontaneously humming some of these chorus sections. Track ranking: (skipped d/t time constraint)

Expectation: -> This has 4-5 potential. Guessing I will know/recognize 2-4 songs. I know the Automatic album better. After listening: -> I find Michael Stipe's voice to be comfortably nostalgic. Instantly recognizable and reminiscent of a better time. Two bangers on this album (Stand and Orange Crush). The others are very good and make for an easy full album listen. Thank you, R.E.M. Track ranking: Stand Orange Crush (The rest)