1001 Albums Summary

I love the electronic sound, it reminds me of the TARDIS ‘vworph’ sound effect. Also pleasantly surprised by the singer. Tom Sawyer: Guessing it’s about the book, which I tried to read and got bored of. Perhaps it’s a sign to reread. In an instrumental break there was a chord progression which was so reminiscent of a bunch of other songs, so I can only assume that this song is an inspiration for others. Not many artists mix electronic sounds with electric guitar so I’m very happy that they’ve done this. As well as including drums, modern music has lost drums and it’s very upsetting. Reminds me of Massive Attack. Red Barchetta: The plucking sound at the start really hits in my heart, then the guitar coming in pads it out and makes the previously ominous sound so jolly. The voice is a clear inspiration for other lead singers. The storytelling is unique. YYZ: The guitar is so insane. My only criticism is that’s it’s a bit longer for an instrumental break, and for showing off proficiency it’s not amazing. They’re definitely masters, but I’ve been more impressed in just instrumentals opposed to whole instrumentals breaks. Limelight: There’s a really nice coherency in guitar and drums. The vocals are obviously consistent. The storytelling is very similar to Bowie - this song reminding me of ‘Moonage Daydream’ and ‘Life on Mars’ for some reason. The camera eye: Resurgence of the electronic noise. I love it, it’s so mysterious and captivating. Again, it hugely reminds me of other songs which I can’t quite put my finger on. Over 3 minutes of musical introduction is hardcore but cool. The vocals are very fast and upbeat, it’s almost as if they’re on 1.25x speed and I love it. Again, the storytelling is great, but I felt it dragged on. I felt myself not as engaged as with some of the other songs. Witch hunt: This one’s different, and I like it a lot. It’s darker, gloomier, the pedal effect on the guitar is grungey and I love it. I’m a sucker for a bit of distortion and crackle. I much prefer the darker imagery that’s part of the storytelling in this one. Vital sign: Okay, woah, whiplash from the genre change. I was thinking that it was a very coherent album which followed a storyline but the previous song threw me out of whack. There is a thread linking all the songs, but the change up in genre made it harder to keep a grasp on. I like the lyrics of this one as well, as well as the cadence. It’s up beat and peppy. The voice is so satisfying. Overall, I would say a 2/5. I can see that it’s been a huge source of inspiration but it’s nothing special. Others have done better and others will continue to do better. Inspiration/sounds like: Siouxsie and the Banshees, David Bowie, Massive Attack, Queen (parts of Radio Gaga), a lot of goth/alt-subgenre songs such as Black Cathedral

Just a Giggalo: Jazzy, reminds me of an Italian song on TikTok, vocal layering is insane. I love the saxophone and the percussion. (Nothing’s too good) for my baby: Her voice is so 50’s core - which makes sense as it’s an album from the 50’s. His voice has such a satisfying growl and there’s such a gentleness there. Bluesy. The lip: Really nice storytelling and enunciation. The cadence is reminiscent of rock and roll songs. I love the saxophone and how it mirrors a human reaction. Body and soul: Really nice trumpet (I said saxophone but my mum corrected me) break. And the gentle percussion really adds to it. This whole album reminds my mum of Fats Domino which I agree with. Oh Marie: I’ve heard this song before. Reminds me even more of that TikTok song which I’m sure will come up in this album. Basin Street Blues: Clearly inspiration of blues music. I like when he says random things and the saxophones (which I now think are trumpets) mimic it. Jump, Jive, An’ Wail: Feminism core Buona Sera: Such a soft and gentle song. Could definitely see this being played at a wedding. Night train: Aha! ‘Pennies from heaven’ is the song that’s been plaguing my mind this whole time. But, alas, this song is still lovely. A beautiful instrumental break with some piano (which has been missing from other songs) (I’ll be glad when you’re dead) you rascal you: Very jolly song for the title Banana split for my baby: Again, very jolly, it reaffirms the strong storyline the album has been following. The woman is noticeably no longer singing which is a shame. Whistle stop: Ironically, the lyrics are “bring her back to me” which mirrors the lack of a female singer. I like the actual whistling included. Be mine (little baby): A bit of an underwhelming end to the album, but it was coherent and the saxophone/trumpet was great.

Where do the children play: My mum is a huge fan of this artist and I have had two vinyls gifted to me by him so I have high expectations. I like this song a lot, the soft and folky vibe. It’s definitely an inspiration for most modern singer-songwriters. His voice is so satisfying and soft. And the lyrics are just so comforting. Hard headed woman: This whole album is currently (wow, I know only on the second song) is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, Elliott Smith, and Esha Tewari to name a few. This song, I’m loving the instrumentals and also the lyrics bc hell yeah you should be looking for a woman to put you straight. Wild world: The Beatles core. But, on a real note, this is obviously a direct inspiration for ‘It’s a Sin’ by the Pet Shop Boys bc the start of this song was basically the exact same. Sad Lisa: Ugh, this album is like the perfect amount of somber and jolly. Ugh, the refrain is like a drug. Give me more. And the piano? Ughhhh. Miles from nowhere: This is so country. Okay, over exaggeration, but I hate country and this is the extent of country that I like. But I might die tonight: I can’t tell if he’s layering his own vocals or if there’s another singer, but whatever he’s doing really works and I really like it. This song is less country and more rock (?) - progressive early not the heavy stuff - core. Longer boats: Okay, it’s back into country and I can still tolerate it. At first I didn’t like the repetitive lyrics but it clicked close to the end of the song. I wish it clicked earlier. Into white: This is like a lullaby and it’s making me very happy but at the same time sad and nostalgic for my past. On the road to find out: The guitar is so gorgeous and the backing vocals remind me of The Beatles Father and son: People have been hyping the fuck out of this one and I realise why as soon as I heard it. I’m sure you’ve heard it before. The lyrics are absolutely gut wrenching. Jesus Christ, if I wasn’t already crying, I am now. His voice suddenly takes on this wise and elderl tone which just makes me want to cry and call my grandfather. Tea for the tillerman: Oh, this one is short and sweet. Oftentimes final songs in albums don’t feel final, but this one does. It’s really nice. A nice offset after the emotional song before.

Sun it rises: I love the country, accapella, dissonant start to the song. Woah, it’s so soft and gentle, and it’s making me feel really emotional actually. The end guitar and ‘ooh’ is so haunting. The finger plucking and the minor notes really twangs at your heart and I love it. White Winter Hymnal: This is such a visual album. The lyrics paint a gorgeous story, and all the supporting instruments support that gorgeous story. This song is so warm and cosy, which makes sense as it’s about children wrapped up in the snow. I hate country, does this count as country? No, this is much more an indie folk-rock and it’s so gorgeous. Not something I’d listen to on repeat, but the chorus is so soothing and like a lullaby. His vocals are so nice and soft. Ragged Woods: As a debut, this album is revolutionary. They’ve already found their niche from the get-go. Yet, I suppose it’s easier to find their niche as it’s relatively modern (2008) so the sub-genre/niche is already well established. This song isn’t as good as the others in my opinion, the instruments are supporting the story but I guess the story isn’t my favourite story. I’m trying to figure out if the whole album is a story, but I don’t think so. I think it’s all within the same sonical and lyrical universe but not a chronological story. I really do applause the string section however. I think now, halfway through the song, it’s regained that lovely cosy feel which I’m loving. Tiger mountain peasant song: The titles certainly are a statement. Again, lovely and cosy. His voice is so gorgeous, it’s almost like he’s got a Scottish lilt but I could be very wrong. I was pleasantly surprised by the gentle vibrato (is that the right word?) at the start and throughout the song. This song is very somber, and I could see myself crying to it if I were in a more emotional state. Quiet house: I love a repeated refrain, and after such a sad song before and with this joyous music and such bitter sweet lyrics it feels both like a reward and also as a resolution to the previous song - especially with the slight dissonant piano chords. He doesn’t know why: This song felt like a goodbye, especially with the final piano bit and the voices. It didn’t awfully stand out but it was still lovely. Heard them stirring: Very sonical, obviously, there’s no lyrics. It’s good though, it tells a story exceptionally well. Your protector: The wind instruments are really poignant. I really feel it in my legs (?). It’s very nostalgic somehow. This whole album feels very nostalgic and it’s making me feel a bit upset. I do like this song, I feel a lot of things whilst listening to it. Meadowlarks: Woah, this is gorgeous. I would add this to every playlist. It’s so poignant and so emotional and has so much depth which is only supported by the guitar. Woah. Blue Ridge Mountains: This is not dissimilar to a choral song at the start and being raised in a catholic school I’m a sucker for those kind of songs. Then it goes into this gorgeous story about missing a brother at surface value. And throughout the songs there’s a background organ sound which really pleases me. The lyrics are gorgeous, how he describes the story is so vivid and I can really imagine it. Oliver James: I’m not totally convinced by this song. It was a nice farewell but not something I would count as effective as the other songs. Overall it’s more of a 3.5 but not good enough for a 4 so it’s a 3.