1001 Albums Summary

Great! I don't know that there are individual songs that stand out as much as some of the hits from Morning Glory but I think I liked listening to this album straight through more than I do Morning Glory.

I haven't done a total deep dive on The Smiths, but they have long been a band that just doesn't quite do it for me. And this confirms! I did, however, listen to this on my commute during a rainy, gray morning, which seems appropriate.

I had only a passing and cursory understanding of Bjork’s persona through cultural osmosis which means I had no idea that she’s got an amazing voice. Wow!

My first major "art from the artist" kind of situation in this project. Ah well, I guess I have to be prepared for that. In all honestly, I've certainly heard the hits but there are great songs throughout and my main takeaway was a real appreciation for how much Quincy Jones had to do with the MJ rocket taking off.

Van Halen at the peak of dirtbag rock. Their final entry with David Lee Roth, one of our great Americans, "great" in the sense of exemplifying America for better and worse. Four stars in that I would listen again.

Confirming my understanding that I am not a "Rush Guy". I started watching the documentary about them a while back and bailed because I just couldn't get on board with the personalities and music. Tom Sawyer unequivocally slaps, though, and I cannot deny Limelight. I'm not a total hater. 2 stars: I get the appeal but I don't see myself listening to this album again.

Singular!

Phew, no songs about diarrhea!

I lean more towards either the creepy or beautiful ends of the spectrum when it comes to the music of Mr. Cave.

Not for me!

Songs were too long for me!

Had to catch up from the weekend on this one and I wound up listening to it on 4/20 which is terrific!

Interesting piece of stylistic transition. The Temptations are one of our great cultural institutions.

Technically this was a DNF but I had like one and a half songs left. I was admittedly in a bit of a sour mood this morning when I listened to The Rise and Fall on my morning commute. On the one hand, I can take that fact and cut Madness some slack, but on the other hand I can consider that listening to this album did nothing to alleviate / transport me from my grumpiness and instead made me more irritable. I'm always more inclined to say "this just wasn't for me" when I don't like something, and this really wasn't for me. I felt like someone tried to make an entire album of worse versions of "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite". My apologies to the band Madness and to their fans.

Hang on, they're from San Francisco???

Album I would put on if I owned and ran a bar.

I really liked this, it almost makes up for the time I got high in the baseball dugouts behind our dorm, went into the chapter room and got freaked out while everyone was watching A Trip to the Moon scored by Air.

I certainly remember MGMT hitting the scene, and I do think it has significance as a herald of music to come in the Obama era. That said, as an album it doesn't do much for me beyond the singles.

This ruled.

Someone told me Harry Nilsson was cool when I was like 22 and I don't think I got it but over time I absolutely got it. Love the whimsy and dark druggy undertones.

Should be required listening for anyone living in New York City.

A classic example of a really good band that didn't break through. The album was nice but I really question whether you have to listen to this album before you die.

I hesitated to go for 5 stars because I thought I might seem basic but folks you can't argue with this one!

Another huge gap filled for me!

How did I miss this one in 2018

Another excellent cock rock entry

What a pleasant surprise. I was dreading the possibility of other albums where there is a one hit wonder and the rest of it doesn't work for me (looking at you, Madness) but this was a nice record. I like the Iron Man cover.

This list is testing my patience with this one, I think because of the overabundance of Britpop. I am certainly no Britpop hater, but Urban Hymns suffers by comparison.

I was surprised at how much of this album worked for me. I think it is emblematic of some of the entries on this list - not necessarily the most universally palatable music but important to include as an example of what was happening in music at the time. Did not expect the anti-war commentary.

I love The Band but I can’t help but harbor suspicion when Canadian guys are so obsessed with the confederacy.