1001 Albums Summary

Yeah, ELO- um maybe they need to slow down on the coke? It’s just too, too much for me. But it is big and fun. Someone wanted ABBA with more variation, well here you go! And a synthesizer.

5! Oh yes this is a 5! And not because it’s well composed as an album, but just about every song is a masterpiece! I didn’t realize until this listen that Elliott actually accompanied himself on the drums - and of course he played the guitar, but his drumming is masterful! It adds so much depth, my God he was a genius. I love you Elliott. RIP.

Wow. I’m getting a lot of greats. This album is iconic. So excited to listen to it again. I actually listen to it fairly regularly. Man, it really is good. My understanding is this was done in a single take. My issue with Mingus, if it’s an issue, is that I think he’s an amazing bass player and an amazing composer, but he’s not accessible on a first listen. And as much as I love this, I don’t throw it on as much as others, and I lean to Bitches Brew type improv ultimately for “difficult listens.” 4 really 4.5

Um… no idea? That surprises me. Let’s see… Oh, I could have died without hearing this. But then I found out my husband did a talent show in junior high where he and his friends did something with We Got the Beat. He got to “play” the drummer. That’s worth 3 stars right there. And I gave ABBA 3 stars, so it’s only fair.

Yeah, it’s been awhile. Not sure I really need to hear it again, but ok. Yeah, I know I should rate this higher than 3… but I just can’t. I’m sorry. I know he’s the king and all… but there’s just so much I’d rather listen to. Boolean rating, well yes, I do suppose I needed to hear this before I died just because he’s Elvis.

Awesome. Oh no. Not awesome. Yeah another case of false expectations. I am a Damon Albarn fan. I like Gorillaz. At least some Gorillaz. But this album, which I guess I have never actually heard before is a lukewarm 3. Boolean rating: no. I could have died without hearing this.

Haven’t heard this. Looking forward to it… Wow reminds me of hearing Labi Siffre the first time. How did I never hear of this singer songwriter from the 70’s? This album is gold. Needs another listen. I mean I never, never heard it before. 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes. Very glad to have heard before I die.

This album often gets overlooked in favor of the banana album. And really I think it’s cause everyone makes such a deal of the banana album. Looking forward to it. Yeah! Very glad I listened to it. Don’t think I ever heard it as an album before. Definitely didn’t realize it was Moe Tucker doing vocals on After Hours. She’s a hero of mine. And Murder Mystery? What fun! 4 stars. I’d give it more, but… yeah I only gave Television’s Marquee Moon 4stars. I need to be consistent somehow. Boolean rating: yes, very glad I heard before I die.

No idea? Omg! I never heard any of this before! Not a bit. This is 🔥 MC5, where have you been my whole life? I just wish the production was better. Wish I had been alive to see them live. Boolean rating: oh yes! Very glad to have heard before I die

Just listened to this. Let’s see how I feel on a second listen… Wow this really slips right in. I feel like Klaxon and I are old friends. 4. Sorry they aren’t making music anymore. Boolean rating: yes! This album right here is worth listening to and an example of why this exercise is worthwhile.

No idea? Ok. I went in cold and at first I was loving it. I mean sultry voice cinematic soundscape is definitely something I can spend some time with, and I really like weird. I gave Barry Adamson 4 stars! But then the high pitched synths were given what felt like more and more weight. By the end I was ready to stab some Felt. 3 stars. Lucky stars. Had the album been longer the rating would have been lower. Boolean rating: yes, I suppose I appreciate hearing this before I die…

I like this album. Haven’t listened to it in awhile. Not sure it really belongs on this list over other albums from 2019, but ok. I really liked this album. I do. The production, Kiwanuka’s vocals. I gave this album to my mom for Christmas 2020. No denying. 4 stars. Happy to listen again. Boolean rating: yes, glad I heard it before I die.

Oh wow. Well this is an important album in my family circle. My brother and I were super impressed by Ella, without knowing how actually young she was, with her debut. Pure Heroine got so much hype, we both ended up hearing it just to see what everyone was on about. We were impressed with her song writing and atmospheric and effective rhythm and musical choices. Meanwhile my teenage nephews were becoming huge fans, as she was speaking to them, directly. When Melodrama came out, we were all there for it, across the generations. It was kind of awesome, actually. She deserves 5 stars just for that. Boolean rating: yes, absolutely

Well gosh, if this wasn’t so dang long it would be a fantastic album. Perhaps perfect. I mean even Stevie gets fatiguing after an hour and a half. And while I have always seen it as organized by the theme of his daughter’s joyful birth into the problematic world of the moment, 1975, the power of its message gets diluted by its length. Like George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, I want to give it a 5 for its accomplishment, but I find myself feeling almost upset if I try to listen to the whole album in a sitting. So 4. A very respectful 4. Boolean rating: Yes, absolutely yes, even at almost 2 hours long.

I was completely unfamiliar with this album. At first, it seemed to be in the pocket of my taste, but… idk, as it went on, I wanted it to be over. I grew tired of it. Fast/ repetitive, not enough bass. It just didn’t work into me. It stayed on the surface and made me itchy. But I kept wanting to like it. Strange experience really. 3 stars for the desire it instilled for something more. Boolean: yes, I suppose so… but can’t say I would want to again.

Um… well this is another I had high hopes for when it came up. I mean I’m familiar with XTC from their “New Wave” days, their Making Plans for Nigel days. But that was a long time ago… some 20! Years before this album. And… yeah… I get wanting to get the band back together again, make that new record for the new era, but maybe I shouldn’t have to listen to it, yeah? Because while I appreciate the desire behind this project its result is a terrible mess. It has great elements, don’t get me wrong, but mere elements an organism is not. And no matter how I slice it, I don’t want to listen to this. I just can’t give it more than a 2. Sorry, but by the time they brought in the recorder for Harvest Festival I was contemplating murder. And the they wrap up with… a triangle. Yeah. Boolean: HARD NO, why oh why is this on the list?

In college my friend adored Cocteau Twins. She had this album on cd and it was often in the background when we studied. It’s great study music. I love the people on here wondering if the production is messing up the lyrics, since it really is nonsense. I’m actually not against the voice used as a sound making instrument. That being said, just listening to this album in the foreground becomes…tiring in a special kind of way. And if I am honest, I am not sure how well it has actually aged. Idk. Cocteau Twins still appear on many playlists of mine. Mixed in. Not all alone going on and on and on. I would almost give this a 3 for how I am feeling right now. But nostalgia. Nostalgia will not allow for that. Boolean: yes, of course I am glad I listened to it, you know, again, before I die. But this one is maybe best left in the background. It’s a background 4. In the foreground… well it depends on your mood I suppose.

I have come to the conclusion that this is the best Rush album. Also, Neil Peart deserves his reputation. But I do not want to listen to Rush. Still. This album gets a 4. Musicianship goes a long way in my book. Boolean: yes, yes I am glad I heard it. Now let’s move on.

Man, this album is iconic. It’s crazy how much of it is embedded into me. I didn’t fully realize. I’m a bit torn. I almost want to give it a 5. I mean I would listen to this. I gave Rush Moving Pictures a 4 because of competence. But I would not listen to that album. I think that answers it. 5 it is. Boolean: yes absolutely, glad to hear more times before I die.

My relationship with Taylor is complicated. This album makes me feel like I have been transported into some alternate Sartrian hell where instead of being unable to escape your family you are unable to escape a perpetual Disney film. And if I am stuck in a Disney production, I would rather be there with Cristina Aguilera or Olivia Rodrigo. Even Shake it Off is done better, well, as karaoke if it has some actual bass behind it. This just… um….But then I remember that Taylor, the mover is AMAZING. My god. Who remembers she was a leading COUNTRY star before this? And where she goes from here, maybe not musically, entirely imo, but as an industry mover, well… damn. She’s unstoppable. So how do I rate that? She gets 3 for this project just for being able to do it, to completely change her entire genre mid career for most artists. And she’s just getting started here. Boolean: yes, yeah I suppose it’s important to actually hear it. Now I can say I did, you know by choice and not in pieces at a shopping center.