1001 Albums Summary

1 listen. Favorite track: Southern Man

1 listen. Favorite Track: Jealous-Hearted Man

Two all-timers in one tracklist. I’ve loved the title track for years, and I’m glad this gave me reason to listen to the whole thing. I love the combination of the smooth, soulful instrumentals with Al’s restrained but wonderful vocals. With so few weak or wasted moments here for me, this pushed five stars, but I just didn’t fully fall in love with enough of the other tracks. 2 listens Favorite track: The Title Track

Listened to this a couple years ago in preparation for the biopic but didn’t remember much. Enjoyed it more this time around. 1 listen.

No familiarity coming in beyond Thom Yorke. Loved those tracks and found myself enjoying the energy and style overall. Will continue to listen and give more time in the near future. 2 listens

Still pretty good, but didn’t capture me all that much or leave me feeling overly inspired to return. This might be a style I need some time to warm up to. Definitely some enjoyable moments though and woah that closer will be on repeat for weeks. 1 listen Favorite Track: Is This Music?

I think Kiss Off might haunt my nightmares… but I kinda rock with it. It’s probably not the only track that would fit that description either. I can’t imagine many situations in which I would say “You know what I want to listen to right now? That Violent Femmes record”. Appreciate the weirdness though, and some moments on the back half nearly won me back. This one always kept me guessing and usually wrong. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Promise, Good Feeling

I didn’t get to this one until late last night, but I feel that only added to the magic of Nina. It’s past time I listen to a full project from her and I’m so glad I finally did. The impact and boundary-pushing nature of what she’s doing here is immediately evident, along with it’s immortality. One of the most enjoyable moments for me when listening to music is catching a sample of a modern track I love or vice versa. Here it happened twice, with the iconic The Story of O.J. (Jay-Z), sampling Four Women, demonstrating Nina’s influence pushing all the way into the 2010’s and then, even further, one of my favorite recent The Weeknd tracks, Given Up On Me, beautifully sampling the title track just last year. This shines a lens into the lasting influence of her music, while listening to the album itself makes it clear how strongly it stands on it’s own, even today. Emotional, experimental, and brilliantly executed, this makes Nina sound like a godmother of soul itself. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Four Women, Wild is the Wind

This glam rock style hasn’t done a whole lot for me thus far. Maybe one of these projects will change that but this one wasn’t the one. 1 listen

Left a really positive first impression. The noise and punk elements created a dark intensity that I’ll be excited to return to. 1 listen Favorite Track: Schizophrenia

Similarly to Exodus, enjoyed this more on return than I did a couple of years ago. Great stuff. 1 listen Favorite Track: Stir It Up

This project was especially welcome after a couple of fantastic international releases and my first real exposure to music beyond our borders this past year. Joyful and expressive, the listening experience here is just simply a good time. So much musicality to go with passionate performances. Some of the string and drum lines are incredibly infectious, especially that melody in Pitche Mi, which was pure bliss to my ears. 1 listen Favorite Track: Pitche Mi

As well-loved a project as any that I somehow hadn’t gotten around to listening to until now. I can’t speak as much as others to it’s impact but the sound and quality of every instrument and the vocals are clearly top drawer. Incredibly energy on top of it all makes this one I’m excited to spend more time with and I expect it to only grow for me. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Breed, Come As You Are, Smells Like Teen Spirit, In Bloom

I’ve enjoyed Blue for awhile, but never explored Joni’s catalog further until now. This style speaks to me with it’s unpredictable production as a backdrop for potent lyricism only enhanced by Joni’s voice and performance. Folk music that is anything but repetitive or ever short of ideas, it feels like the work of a one-of-one creative. The standout feature might be the storytelling though, which demands return to this to grasp those stories fully and piece them together, but with Joni I imagine they come together beautifully. Exploring her emotional state through her music in the way she does, Joni does one of my favorite things in singer-songwriter music, throwing out a hook to explore more. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Song for Sharon, Title Track

Woah. I knew little about this band coming in and this was not really what I was expecting. What this was was close to the dream experience for me when doing this, finding something I wasn’t familiar with, nor particularly expecting to like, and falling in love with it. I enjoy everything about this. The energy is incredible, it’s electric and then some. The fusion of styles here sound frankensteinian in the coolest way, sounds that weren’t all put together this well before this but combine to create something epic and monstrous. The vocals are great, reminding me of the Beastie Boys and, more recently, Joey Valence. I’m not quite as into the more metal tracks but even those I enjoyed much more thaj expected. I’ve struggled to enjoy groups like Deafheaven in the past because I can’t endure the sound of the screams but I much prefer how it’s done here personally. All of this would be enough to love it and that’s without a word being spent on the power of the lyrics to go on top of it all. I’m not all that well-versed in the genre yet overall, but this may quickly become my favorite rock record of all time, as long as nothing else on this list has something to say about it. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Take the Power Back, Bombtrack, Know Your Enemy

This grew on me after encountering it a few years ago. While being a master of soul, Stevie expands his sound so much here and adds a heavy dose of funk and flare to the sweetness he was known for as a teen musician. 72 was the year he fully came into his own, with two projects where he demonstrated what he was truly capable of. I have a soft spot for artists who do it all, not only the vocals but nearly all the instrumentation themselves, as he does here. It’s fully his artistic vision and a great early release, certainly not the last we’ll be hearing from him here. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Superstition, Maybe Your Baby

My first exposure to any R.E.M. and it definitely made a good impression. Just about everything they go for here works for me in some capacity. I enjoy the folksy tracks, I enjoy the more conventional tracks, and I enjoy Stipe’s vocals and lyricism over all of it. Stand shouldn’t be allowed to be as catchy as it is. Excited to listen to more of their work. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: I Remember California, Stand, Pop Song 89

A somewhat interesting project, thought felt a bit dull in the end. I can see the moments from this that may have come to be influential, some of the vocals on earlier tracks are really fun, but the back half is nothing special and the project comes together as something not all that standout. I love a good long track, many of the best are, but We Will Fall is one of the most plodding snoozers I’ve ever heard. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: I Wanna Be Your Dog, No Fun

Pleased to see a challenging and experimental project like this one show up here. There are so many different ideas sonically that it is difficult to fully digest at first for me, but with a concept like this that feels necessary to Reznor’s purpose with this project. It feels impossible to come to a conclusion after a day as the lyrics and concept of something like this needs time and examination to see if it clicks. I could sit on the fence with this one, but overall I enjoy more here then I don’t and much of it rocks. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Mr. Self Destruct, Closer

This was well executed and I don’t have many gripes to speak of, it just didn’t interest me a whole lot and I may not return to it. 1 listen Favorite Track: Waterloo Sunset

My first exposure to early post-punk, this project had me interested at first and then lost me a bit with the lack of risks or switch-ups, which I feel it was in need of. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Dumb Waiters, Pretty In Pink

Heading in, I was only familiar with Willie through, admittedly, Beyonce. That to say I’m not particularly interested in country music generally, but I quickly came to understand why he’s loved, though, with this project. The music lets the story take the lead here, but not without some beautiful instrumental breaks and interludes that aid it. A brilliant concept constructed in a manner I’ve never seen before. With it being written around a cover surrounded by a mix of others and his own inclusions, all wonderfully executed by Willie, this is a special country album. 2 listens Favorite Track: Can I Sleep in Your Arms

A fantastic release from front to back from a group of incredibly talented musicians I look forward to hearing more of. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Country Girl, Carry On, Our House

Impressive all-around, great brit-pop, with quality production, passionate performances, and cool lyricism worth diving into further. 1 listen Favorite Track: Design for Life

Well executed, but didn’t appeal to me as much as other international albums I’ve enjoyed over the past several months. The spare instrumentation lacked much to make me come back. 1 listen Favorite Track: Tropicalia

Pretty spectacular. It was cool to learn how out there a project like this was when it was released, providing a greater appreciation than simply listening to it with contemporary ears. This is stacked, despite only being eight tracks, making it a challenge to pick favorites. A project that is difficult to poke holes in, holds up impressively, and seriously pushed for top marks. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Hallowed Be Thy Name, The Prisoner, Run to the Hills, Children of the Damned

The biggest album this world has ever seen and for good reason. Michael and Quincy executing pop at it’s finest here and the number of huge hits on this tracklist reflects that. As always, this was fun to return to. I can’t imagine what it was like around the globe when this dropped. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Beat It, Billie Jean

There were moments here I did find interesting and enjoyable, but the rougher ones just pull it down and make it a challenge to return to. The vocals are the element holding everything else back the most. The first track is downright bizarre and not in a fun way. 1 listen Favorite Track: Les enfants

This had a sweet vibe but struggled to remain engaging and intriguing as it went along. 1 listen Favorite Track: Death Sound

First Dolly album for me, not the sort of thing I typically gravitate towards but was intrigued simply because of how loved she is as a person. Many sweet moments, straightforward throughout, and rock solid as a whole. 1 listen Favorite Track: Title Track

Enjoyed most of what the band did on this record with a wide array of interesting tracks that all had their moments. Didn’t fall in love with much but it was fun anyways. Looking forward to hearing more of their material. 1 listen Favorite Track: The Warmth

An enjoyable introduction to Lenny’s music. It feels like his sound isn’t fully formed here, but I was certainly fond of what he was going for. The instrumentation and vocal inflections are engaging throughout, creating plenty of fun moments, even if some tracks drag a bit. 1 listen Favorite Track: Title Track

From what I’ve learned about Bob over the past couple of days, this may be an odd place for an introduction, but I was certainly left impressed nonetheless. I can see why many don’t appreciate his music as much in a vaccum today, as his sound is so influential it was destined to be outdone again and again. It’s clear Bob was not only willing to consistently push himself musically, but puts every ounce necessary of songwriting and lyrical focus into the songs here. It took some time to get into it but with the right artists that patience can pay off. Some of the best storytelling I’ve heard in a while will not only bring me back to this but push me to explore more of his catalogue, it’s overdue. 2 listens Favorite Track: Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream, Subterranean Homesick Blues

Here they are. In my opinion, the perfect place to start with them as their fame reached well-documented dizzying heights ahead of this release. The band begins to truly find themselves here, with Lennon and McCartney writing all the material here, elevating the results and impact. There’s a nice flow with all these short but not half-baked tracks. Not my personal favorite of theirs but still very good. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Can’t Buy Me Love, If I Fell, Title Track

This was pretty incredible. I’ve rarely ever listened to live albums, but this one was special. It’s an enjoyable listen throughout even without knowing the story, but that only enhances it. The sort of experience that reminds you that the potential music has to be something magical is more than just a cliche. 1 listen

This was fine. Not as noteworthy of a 60’s release. Not an unenjoyable listen but not pushing the envelope either. 1 listen

Took a little time but did click. This is beautiful and well-executed and on a different way in each track. From the power of the title track, to the harmonies on The Boxer, to the fun on Keep the Customer Satisfied and so much more, this is sweet. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Keep the Customer Satisfied, Title Track, The Boxer

So strange, but somehow captivating. This was fascinating in the “I can’t look away” sort of way. Hard not to relish, in a way, how much this must have scared people in it’s time. Heck, the closing track scared me a little. Despite the avant-garde nature being it’s biggest strength, there was no lack of strong conventional elements present as well. All in all, the weirdness won me over. 1 listen Favorite Track: Trouble Every Day

Another rock solid reggae release with some cool early 80’s flare. It is a bit too long for something that lacks variety sonically as much as this. Reefer Madness is an all-timer name for a track in the genre. 1 listen Favorite Track: Food For Thought

Expected to love this and I did. Excels on just about all fronts, even if some songs towards the end don’t quite match up with the rest, everything is still strong. Pushing 5 stars. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Sad But True, Enter Sandman, The Unforgiven

This wasn’t magnificent, but I like this sort of thing and found it to be catchy and enjoyable. 1 listen Favorite Track: Title Track

Moments of magic and explosives in equal measure. I’ve heard some of Santana in passing and enjoyed it, but this surpassed all my hopes. A beautiful creation here that I’m looking forward to enjoying for years to come. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Incident at Neshabur, Hope You’re Feeling Better, Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen

Solid folk rock that I found to be more interesting than not. A few highlights help to counterbalance some of the less exciting moments well enough to find myself in favor of the project. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Darkness, Darkness, Quicksand

More British Invasion. An important band who’s debut is just okay. Not super into this, the covers are pretty weak but some decent tracks in here. 1 listen

A cool, colorful experience. Definitely worthy of returning to at some point. 1 listen

Great stuff all the way around. Excellent punk but that’s far from everything, as they touch on a variety of genres and succeed at just about everything they attempt. There were some moments I couldn’t get quite as into but could see them growing on me with time. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Title Track, Lost in the Supermarket, Train in Vain, Brand New Cadillac

The final album before his tragic passing, Figure 8 is grand, bright, yet also thoughtful. All the different ideas here lyrically and production-wise create a powerful release in every way. I immediately fell in love with this one. Looking forward to hearing more of Elliott’s work, even if I know that this has a different tone to much of his previous music. Pushing a 5. 2 listens Favorite Track: Can’t Make A Sound, Son Of Sam, Junk Bond Trader, In The Lost And Found, L.A., Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud

Fun British Folk Rock that made for good listening. Lots of fun moments to enjoy on this one even if I’m not sure it’s the sort of thing I’ll come back to. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Matty Groves, Come All Ye

So groovy, so smooth, so 70’s. Wonderful stuff from a wonderful group of musicians. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Shining Star, Title Track

Some weird, inventive stuff on the first half but struggled to keep my interest all the way through. Definitely some forward-thinking instrumentation but I didn’t enjoy much of the vocals. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: If There Is Something, Re-Make/Re-Model

Influential and ahead of it’s time, being recorded all the way back in 1949 and 1950, this early work from a loved legend possesses an obvious importance. It didn’t necessarily come off as any of sort of spectacular listen today, but it was still a consistent, enjoyable experience all the same. Davis is both an important figure and true craftsman whom I’ll have mentally earmarked with anticipation for when later works of his appear on this list. 1 listen Favorite Track: Jeru

Interesting and eclectic, even if it doesn’t end up something perfectly satisfying, 1 listen Favorite Tracks: I’m Glad, Zig Zag Wanderer

Well done overall. Plenty of nice harmonies and storytelling, mostly. 1 listen

My introduction to Bowie is, what I assume, an atypical release from him, but a wonderful listen nonetheless. He uses the music beautifully to convey the struggles of this difficult period of his career and you can really hear how his circumstances at the time influenced the production and writing. Both sides of this are individually intriguing in their own right and fit together well too, with the brisk art rock tracks devolving into strange, emotional instrumentals that make this a defining experimental rock album that still holds up. One of the most interesting projects yet, for me. Could fall in love with it but it would take some time. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Sound and Vision, Speed of Life, Subterraneans, Be My Wife

Glitzy, classy, but hasn’t aged with all that much grace. Some standout moments for sure, entertaining, but just solid as a whole. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Poison Arrow, All Of My Heart, The Look Of Love, Pt.1, Tears Are Not Enough

I was looking forward to coming back to this one, a beautiful record that’s worthy of the love it gets. A heartwarming story surrounding it, beautiful sax and instrumentation, and a fun flow to it all in such a small package. It’s still my favorite jazz recording of the ones I’ve heard, though admittedly, that isn’t many. 2 listens

I don’t know much of this style and what it’s trying to imitate, but it lead to mixed results for me. Threw alot at the wall and some things stuck but it isn’t special enough as a complete project to come back to it. Some fun, high-energy moments though, which I usually can’t help but enjoy a bit at least for that. 1 listen Favorite Track: Title Track