1001 Albums Summary

Have this on CD from back in high school. Notable for me in past 1994 lists. Have revisited Morning Glory more than this one in recent years. Rock n Roll Star is a strong start. I remember why this hit hard in the early 2000s when so much of my music taste was shaped by the 90s. Shakermaker is great! I forgot about this track. Gonna start a playlist of tracks that stick out from this listening journey. Live Forever brings back fun Rock Band memories. Each song here really is rollicking and infectious. What a strong debut record! At the same time, not something I would revisit top to bottom unless in a very specific context. Feels much more like something to play in the background for a 90s vibe than something to really spend time with and engage with deeply. Once you're halfway through the record, it feels a little repetitive. Cigarettes & Alcohol more annoying than I remember. Married With Children still great!

Not familiar with this as an album. Excited for some funk/soul! Scanning the track list, I definitely recognize some of the songs. Interesting to read that this was their 11th album. Strong start with That Lady. Love the guitars. Feels like it would fit the mood for summer BBQ/outdoor party. Less into a ballad like Don't Let Me Be Lonely... The vocals and musicality are so strong across the board. Even if I'm not into every song here, this is undeniably an album worthy of being on a list like this. You Walk Your Way is great! The one way this is similar to yesterday's album (Definitely Maybe) is that it feels like a vibes record.

Very excited for this one! I'm not terribly familiar with Mayfield's work at all, but I'm aware of his influence and happy to have the opportunity to dive in. Starts off with some really funky bass and guitars. His voice is phenomenal. Very cool too think about how this style has influenced modern R&B. It's also interesting how the social commentary here still feels relevant. The falsetto is really amazing on When Seasons Change. There's less musical variation on here than I would have expected. It seems some of his other work is more funky/upbeat. Definitely an album that I would revisit as whole more so than I would individual songs, but I think Billy Jack is the one I'll put on my 1001 Albums Project playlist. Very happy I discovered this!

Nice! I don't think I've ever listened to this beginning to end, though I have often had Wild Horses and Can't You Hear Me Knocking in rotation. Third entry in a row from the 1970s. Very bluesy. Can see why this is a classic, though I am partial to Let It Bleed. Wanted to give this a 4 but I think I'll reserve the 4 for other Stones records that I'm sure will pop up. This is definitely a 3.5 The Stones, for me, have some excellent songs but have never been my preferred brand of classic rock. My favorite discoveries here are Sister Morphine and Dead Flowers.

Continuing the 70s run and my streak of artists I'm familiar with. I had Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits on my iPod and listened to that a lot as a teenager. Half of this record is on there, but I've yet to do a full CCR record properly. I'm excited for this one. Moreso than the Rolling Stones, this is totally my brand of classic rock. I could listen to the instrumental bit in Ramble Tamble over and over again. This whole record feels like outdoor music festivals, driving through Vermont or upstate NY, and drinking beer in the summer. I see myself putting this on for any and all of those occasions and when I'm in the mood for blues rock vibes. I know there are other CCR records on this list and I'm curious about where my preference will ultimately land because my favorite CCR songs come from Green River, but this album is at least a 4 for me.

Another artist I'm very familiar with, but I haven't gone much deeper than the greatest hits previously. Love the opening track here. I'm surprised by the edginess of Run Charlie Run! The ballads are not to my personal taste, but I appreciate the artistry. Papa Was A Rolling Stone is epic. I am more likely to include some of the songs here on a playlist than I am to revisit this in its entirety very often. But the highlights here are really high!

Enjoyed this both less and more than I thought I would?

This is the kind of thing I'm here for. Given my interest in concept albums as a teenager, I'm surprised I never heard of this. This is probably the first album I've received that I have wanted to play again immediately after finishing it the first time. Really great vibes for sitting at my desk working. Combines a lot of things I really like -- concept album, film noir, film scoring, ambient/jazz vibes. I definitely see myself coming back to this!

From an album I never heard of yesterday to one I'm quite familiar with today. I got this on CD back in high school. I revisit a handful of these songs a decent amount, but haven't listened to the album straight through in a while. I've always enjoyed the blend of soul, jazz, and psychedelic that the Doors had in their brand of classic rock. And that organ! There are definite highlights here -- Break on Through, Light My Fire, and The End (which is my favorite track instrumentally though the ridiculous lyrics take away from the overall experience for me) -- but each song plays it's own role in propelling the album forward and nothing feels like filler. Definitely somewhere in the 4/4.5 range for me.

Most recent entry so far! I'm only familiar with Cee-Lo's hits and some of the Gnarls Barkley songs. I like the funky vibe, but wondering if this album needs to be as long as it is! I recognize I'll Be Around. I didn't realize this was Cee-Lo. A great Timbaland beat! I never realized Cee-Lo had an album that was held in enough esteem to be included in a list like this, nor that it would be this one without a real recognizable hit, but I'm not mad about it. I'm enjoying this.

I have never really gotten into PJ Harvey, so I'm glad to have the opportunity to listen to this. I had Stories from the City... on CD or my iPod years ago and remember enjoying some of it but never really going beyond that. I definitely appreciate the 90s grunge/pink style on this and her whole vibe, but I don't see myself revisiting this very often. It's interesting because I really enjoy Hole and Bikini Kill and other musicians that are of somewhat of the same ilk, but something doesn't totally click with PJ Harvey for me. The cover of Highway 61 Revisited is very cool!

Wish it leaned more into the funky disco vibes that appear here and there, but I really really enjoyed listening to this and will absolutely be revisiting it!

The most recent album I've gotten yet. I was excited to listen to this in full because I previously never really gave them a chance, despite hearing and enjoying songs like Under the Pressure and Red Eyes on Alt Nation all the time back in 2015/2016. Those songs, and many of the songs here, are enjoyable. Something just falls a little flat for me. I'm not connecting in the same way I connect to some of the music that has clearly inspired this record. All in all, a very pleasant listen.

Only knew this band for Red, Red Wine previously. A lot more to often here. A very pleasant listening experience.

Never heard of this and very intrigued. If I was rating this on the music alone, it might be a 5. Unfortunately, Callahan's talk-singing style is not for me. That being said, this is a super interesting album and I really enjoy the instrumental moments.

The White Stripes are absolutely in my top 20/25 favorite music artists of all time. In the past, I considered White Blood Cells and Elephant to be their 5-star masterpieces and this one to be in the tier below. Revisiting it now, I've changed my mind. This is the best of the albums I've received on the list so far and I think it's right up there as a White Stripes classic.

Sadly had never heard of this. Intrigued immediately by similarities to Nick Drake. Blown away by the combination of folk and jazz. My favorite discovery of this project so far! Will be putting this into rotation!

Paper Planes is a 5-star song in an interesting album that doesn't quite rise to the same levels.

Love the jazzy parts!

This was an awesome surprise! I’ve always heard of this band, but never really listen to them. When the album started, I thought this might even be a five star project and maybe on relisten it will get there for me.

Enjoy the Silence is one of the best songs of all time. Album somewhere between a 4.5/5.

Very solid rock album that is super listenable on a summer or fall drive. A couple of classics and some hidden gems!

There are 3 or 4 songs I can't resist on here, but Muse is not an album band for me.

Kinda excited that my first full-album Metallica experience will be with this. The collaboration with the symphony has me very intrigued! I am a little intimidated by how long this album is, though.

Pleasant with one or two songs I’ll revisit

Moving in Stereo is phenomenal. Already knew and enjoyed half of this album. Was great to listen to the whole thing!

The Velvet Underground made some of my favorite albums and songs ever. I’ve only dabbled in Lou Reed solo projects. This is certainly an achievement in rock opera/concept albums, with some phenomenal musical moments. For some reason, I can’t get into his voice as much on this record. And the subject matter is heavy.

My favorite discovery of the project so far and probably my number one of the 28 albums I’ve gotten to date.

I was familiar with a lot of this record and enjoyed the vibe of the whole thing . A couple of beautiful standouts.

A very cool discovery! Definitely want to hear more of this genre and this artist.

Get Free is still a banger. A couple of cool moments on here but not commenting I’ll revisit a lot. Not super exciting but not unlistenable. Homesick is a nice discovery!

This is the first record I’ve had on here (day 32) that I would say I don’t really like. The music itself is jazzy and cool, but between the skits and the lyrics, this is not for me.

I’m familiar with a number of tracks from this record because I had their singles compilation on CD, along with London Calling, when I was in high school. I like that album better, and this is a little repetitive, but still a solid listen.

Yes! Pink moon is one of my favorite albums of all time and I love every single track. I’ve heard from this album and all of Drake‘s work. For some reason, I’ve never listened to this straight through, I think I was just waiting for the right moment. Even just after the introduction, I am in love. Jazzier and more lush than Pink Moon. I love it nearly as much!

I’ve always loved the hits here and I’ve listened to the whole thing but was definitely do to revisit it. Lovely!

I had this on my iPod for years, because my brother had the CD and I burned it. I always loved the track Blinded by the Lights. Going into this, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’m really into it. The uniqueness of it alone makes it deserving of being on this list, but I actually find myself compelled by the narrative and wanting to revisit it again. Okay, I thought this was going to be a 3.5 or something, but I have wanted to listen to it over and over again. One of the weirder and cooler (re)discoveries I've made in a long time.

There’s a pretty big handful of Beck songs that I really like, and a couple of them are on this album. This is not my preferred back era, however. For some reason, I never really got into this album, so I’m curious to spend some more time with it. I definitely like the idea of what's going on here, but as a whole I don't see myself revisiting too much.

This band has never really clicked for me and, while Smoke on the Water is a classic for a reason and I do admire the live performance, this is not a record I see myself revisiting very much.

Recently discovered the record Getz/Gilberto and just learned she is Joao Gilberto's daughter. Very cool! A lovely bossa nova record. I am partial to this vibe for ambience. I'm more likely to put this on in its entirety then, say, Beck's Odelay or The Beastie Boy's Ill Communication, though those album's may have higher highs. Altogether a really great discovery for me!

I have been familiar with this album for many years, and the two tracks that I’ve always suck out our peaches and regalia and Willy the pimp. Peaches is a five star song no doubt, and Willie is also excellent, but there’s a reason the rest of the album did not resonate with me as much years ago and still doesn’t today. After such a strong opening, the record starts to feel a little bit indulging and repetitive. That being said, there are some really high moments here. Definitely a 3.5, but I'm rounding down.

This is a lot cooler than the cheesy 70s soft rock that I thought Chicago was known for. The opener, Beginnings, Poem 58, South California Purples all have some really exciting moments. Unfortunately, even the cool songs here drag on for far too long and the stuff that I don't like as much is all just a little too much.

Interesting but not for me.

I like the singer’s voice and the whole vibe is reminiscent of a lot of 80s stuff I love. But this album grates in places and drags in others. Some cool moments, but not something I think I’ll revisit in its entirety.

Not my preferred brand of classic rock and the schtick gets repetitive, but undeniably classic and irresistible in some places.

This album has only grown on me over the years. Eclectic, energetic, and irresistible.

I’m going to need more time with this one to fully comprehend and appreciate it, but undoubtedly a classic jazz record.

A high 3. I have always loved Runnin with the Devil and DLR’s voice raises Van Haven to a level above similar bands for me.

Primarily covers, pleasant enough.

Very pleasant soulful tunes!

I got really into Belle & Sebastian about 10 years ago or so, but as much as I enjoyed them there was something that didn't keep me returning to them or digging deep into all of their albums. I enjoyed this much more than I was expecting!

Love it

Not for me

Phenomenal

One of my favorite albums of all time. Made my heart flutter to see it pop up as today’s album, even though I just listened to it in its entirety last week. After some very middle-of-the-road albums the past couple weeks, I’ve been spoiled getting Miles Davis’s In A Silent Way and this one back to back!

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Definitely some nostalgia bias for the rap-rock genre based on my age. I had never listened to the whole album and while some of it is cringe-worthy, some of it is also solid. Not something I’ll revisit a lot, but a decent surprise. 2.5

I’ve always been curious about this band but this was my first time really listening. I appreciate what they’re doing, but the songs didn’t really land for me. A little too Rocky Horror for me.

I’ve always enjoyed what I’ve heard of Sonic Youth. This was my first time listening to this whole album through. I love some of the tracks and some moments on here! But there are also elements of it that don’t connect as well with me. A 3.5

One of my absolute favorite albums of all time and my number one of the 58 I’ve received here so far. From some of the greatest pop songs ever written in the first half to the dark, dreamt concept piece of the second half, this record has everything that I love about music. Brings me to another plane!

Some of the best early Beatles songs.

A wonderful discovery for me!

Absolutely lovely! A treat to revisit this!

I got very into Dylan when I was 14/15 years old. I had at least 10 of his albums on CD, but I never got around to this one. I was familiar with, and really enjoyed, Not Dark Yet and of course I knew Make You Feel My Love, so I was excited to finally listen to this whole record. I absolutely love the beautiful ballads on here but some of the more basic bluesy tracks get repetitive quickly. Right now this is a 3/3.5 and not one of my favorite Dylan records, but it may grow in my estimation over time.

Funky treat! Some really exciting moments, but a bit repetitive.

I need to spend more time with this one because on think over time it might land at a 4 or 5. Have revisited this several times now and, as I expected I'm digging it more and more.

While I haven’t loved their most recent stuff, I still consider Arcade Fire to be one of my favorite bands of all time. This one isn’t my number one, but it’s full of nostalgia for me. 4/4.5

I hadn’t listened to this in several years, but I really do love Pavement. Brought back memories of seeing them live in London in 2010! This is somewhere in the 4.5-5 range for me.

I love a bunch of these tracks, but wish the whole thing held together better. Still, a 3.5 in my book because of how much I love Don't Tell Me and What It Feels Like for A Girl

My first Nick Cave album experience. Highly compelling. Some songs I want to revisit again and again and some that didn’t land as well. Overall, though, this is a wonderful album that I’m grateful to have discovered.

A little schmaltzy, but Karen Carpenter’s voice is undeniable.

I love Led Zeppelin. There are songs on here that are new discoveries for me.

This made for one of the most interesting internet research rabbit holes of this experience so far! I genuinely love the opening track on this. I’m aware that most of the other things about the record that I appreciate have been lifted from other musicians and artists. The DJ bit gets old fast. Some cool things here that have sparked my interest in other artists, but overall it doesn’t quite feel like a cohesive piece and there are some very annoying bits too. 2.5

I like this more in theory than I do in reality. I love Gone, Daddy Gone and the closing track. I also dig what they do with acoustic instruments. But I find some of the lyrics and his voice to be grating.

I like the track Several Sins and the other elements of the album that remind me of Joy Division. I also appreciate the opportunity to hear early Nick Cave after discovering how much I love Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus. But this record is not one I’ll revisit very much, if at all. 1.5

Brilliant

Don’t tell my mom that I’m not giving this a 5…

A mixed bag, but an interesting discovery.

A joy to see this pop up today. One of my favorites. I could live inside these songs.

Absolutely stunning in some places. Best appreciated by me in smaller pieces at a time. Running through the whole thing in one sitting highlights some of the melodrama and excess, but take a song at a time there is real beauty here.

A masterpiece

I’ve been spoiled! Remain in Light, Heaven or Las Vegas, Blue, and now evermore within one week. Like many, I have at times been irritated by the Taylor Swift brand/culture. She has a few albums I don’t care for, a few that I like quite a bit, two that I absolutely love, and one that is among my favorite records of all time. This one falls into the “absolutely love” category. One of the things I love about this project is how it affects my listening patterns and how it juxtaposes certain artists. Spending time with Taylor the day after spending time with Joni has been really interesting!

Solid

Delightful!

Really enjoyable and what sets him apart from other early rock n roll for me is how much I love his voice!

Solid Air was an instant 5 for me. This one didn’t hit me quite in the same way, but I think it could get there. John Martyn is probably my greatest artist discovery of this project so far.

She has a beautiful voice. Unfortunately, none of the songs here really pop. It’s all just one note that is more grating to me than pleasant. I might give it a try another time, though.

I admire this album more than I really enjoy it. Some excellent tracks. 3.5

Excited to finally hear this. Fantastic!

I enjoyed this a lot more than the 80s Cohen album I previously encountered from the list. If I had discovered this around the time I discovered Dylan in high school, I would be more attached to it.

Really enjoyed this! 3.5

This didn’t do much for me, but maybe I’ll try it again another time.

I can agree with some of the popular opinion on recent Coldplay, but this album was a revelation in its time and is still one of my favorites.

A lovely discovery! I could see myself continuing to return to this.

A classic

Very cool discovery!

Pleasant, but didn’t leave a huge impression on first listen. Will revisit.

Some standout tracks. 3.5.

Really enjoyed this!

Really glad I had the chance to hear this! 3.5 and growing in my estimation!

Lovely classic

Not my preferred brand of hip-hop but I respect it

Very pleasant for the right mood. 3/3.5

Nothing about this really struck me. I’ll give it another shot at some point.

Great!

Had not heard of this. I was really digging the first track, but then the rest of the album didn’t live up to it. Giving this a 3 because I appreciate that it’s a different vibe from what I’ve been receiving.

Such a funky treat! Adding this one to my rotation.

Exactly the kind of record I was hoping to discover with this project!

Solid.

Really interesting and enjoyable. Will continue to revisit. 3.5

3.5

Funky!

Had only heard his song featured on Big Little Lies. This is a real treat!

Epic

Fine but a little one note for me

I remember being fascinated by the controversy around the Smack My Bitch Up music video as a kid. Not sure how much I’ll revisit this, but I definitely appreciate it.

Interesting discovery. Not something I'll revisit much, but I'm glad I've heard it.

Will need to revisit at some point, but did not resonate with me.

Middle of the road for me.

I listened to a decent amount of Elvis Costello when I was in high school and I still like some of his work. This one is not it for me, though.

I wish I liked this more, but nothing really stuck out to me on first listen.

This really grew on me throughout the day. I really enjoy the soulfulness of his voice. I also love the album cover. 3.5 and possibly increasing. Coming back to switch this to a 4. I keep returning to it! My admiration for Stephen Stills is only growing the deeper I get into this project.

I’ve always dug Golden Years. 3.5

I enjoyed Urban Hymns and this has some elements I appreciate. Overall, though, this one feels much more bloated and one-note. High 2.5/Low 3.

Not my usual style, but I enjoyed it well enough

There is a lot of album here to dig into, which is why I waited for this project to listen to this in its entirety, despite knowing and loving The Beatles’ whole catalog and proclaiming George to be my favorite for years. There are some real gems in here that I was not familiar with preciously. Like many Beatles records, it’s not all highs but the general feel makes up for that fact. I still want to spend more time with it, but it’s gotta be a 5.

Our House is fun, but this isn’t my vibe. 1.5

Fast Car is one of those songs that is so ubiquitous that you can easily take it for granted and forget that it’s a masterpiece. This is a great record.

This album doesn't include my favorite Otis tracks, but he's wonderful.

So fitting that this popped up for me today. Currently on a family trip in Vermont, just as I was in August 2003 a few months after this record came out. I have strong memories of listening to the CD here at 14 years old and again and again for so many years after. I love this band and I love this album.

Cool concept. Interesting sounds. Not my favorite of theirs by any means.

What would it be like to hear Livin on a Prayer or You Give Love a Bad Name or Wanted Dead or Alive for the first time? These songs are so ubiquitous that they feel hard to judge. The tracks on this album that I wasn’t previously familiar with range from fine to kind of annoying. I prefer Def Leppard and Van Halen. Low 3.

Paint It Black is a fantastic song. Not really into the rest of it. I think I actually prefer their debut album of covers. 2.5

Cool stuff

I might come back and give this a 5. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes is transcendent.

I had a big Elvis Costello phase when I was in high school and discovering a lot of different music. Over time, though, I started to find some of his stuff a bit repetitive and grating and I had not listened to his records in a long time. Rediscovering this album was a real treat! So many great tracks. Made me remember why I was drawn to his music in the first place.

Some tracks get a bit repetitive, but there’s some undeniable fun in here too. 3/3.5

Pleasant. Not my favorite Paul Simon.

Not bad but not my style.

Love the funk!

It’s an interesting concept piece, but not something I think I’ll revisit very much.

A low 3. I did enjoy other bands of this ilk in the 2010s, and there’s a few tracks on here I’ll revisit, but it drags so much in points that I begin to feel annoyed. Just when I thought I might rate it a 2, the closing track struck me hard, so I’m landing at the 3.

Very excited for this one because I saved my first full listen-through for this project. Such a good record!