1001 Albums Summary

Definitely the best Zeppelin. Gotta give it a 4.

I love this album. Honestly. Actually excited to listen to it again. It’s one that is in rotation a bit. And I definitely give it a 4. Man, I want to give it a 5, but… I just can’t. I got to save my 5s for truly great albums as albums. This has a great sound, but I can’t call it composed. This 5 star system doesn’t have enough subtlety for me.

Yes. I love this album. K, so there are some amazing songs on this. It is uneven. Fame, Fame, fatal Fame It can play hideous tricks on the brain But still I'd rather be famous Than righteous or holy, any day, any day, any day But sometimes I'd feel more fulfilled Making Christmas cards with the mentally ill To all the people who don’t want to listen because they hate Morrissey, they forget that the magic of the Smiths is just as much Johnny Marr and also isn’t it great that we can hear and see art from people we don’t agree with in a free society? 4 stars

Don’t know this one! Excited actually. Don’t need to know Portuguese. This gets a 4 based on rhythm and groove alone! This, this right here is why I am engaged in this project.

Yeah, I think this is a better album than Born to Run. The Boss and I don’t always connect, but I am never sad I listened to him. 4 stars. Boolean rating: Yes, I needed to hear this before I die.

Oh, having just heard Paranoid I am excited! Yes, and after Jamiroquai a nice palate cleanser. Not as good as Paranoid. Still really good. 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes, I am glad I heard this before I died.

Haven’t heard this before I don’t think… Oh yes I have! Ha, well so I guess this was in my dad’s collection! God, this exercise is worth it for nostalgia alone! 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes! Glad I heard it as a kid so I could hear it again as an adult before I die.

So I think Now I Gotta Wet ‘Cha kinda represents the way I feel about this album overall. The samples, the music, the hooks have me. The message of violence- well it’s incredibly disturbing. Kinda like American Psycho. The novel, not the film. Reading the novel I get to sections where I can’t believe I’m still reading - but I am, I have multiple times. I think American Psycho is a brilliant novel. The title says it all. And I have to say I think this album is also pretty f*ing brilliant. Not that I want to listen to it on the regular. But glad I heard it as an album at least once. 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes, glad I heard it before I die, before they put me six feet under and I can listen no more.

Oh yes! Yes! Yes. When I was 16 my 4 years younger brother gave me a bootlegged cassette of goo. I just couldn’t get into it. He told me I therefore would never be punk rock or cool. I was bitter about sonic youth ever after. But now, years later I love them. Very very much. I do view them like late period jazz. Not to be “just thrown on” and really best listened to alone on headphones. But thank you god for music that is not immediately accessible. Boolean rating: yes! Very glad to hear many times before I die.

Don’t know this… Really lovely. This is why I’m here. 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes, very glad to hear before I die. Hopefully I can listen many more times before I shuffle off this mortal coil.

50 Cent. Well this is going to be fun… Oh, man over an hour. That right there is an issue. But it’s fun. It really is. I’d give it 4 stars, but there is no way I’m just going to throw this on - any possibility was killed by its length. So 3. But the Boolean is: yes, I actually am glad I heard this before I die.

Obviously a lot I don’t know out there that someone thinks I should hear before I die. Wow. This has to be one of the weirdest albums I’ve ever heard. I have few words… I want to give it a 4 but, it’s so schizophrenic… still, I’d listen to this any day over Norah Jones, for real. It gets 4 for clearing the musical air of her sanitized “product.” Boolean rating: yes, glad I had the opportunity to hear Barry Adamson before I die.

Gosh, I can’t say I have ever listened to an Emmylou Harris album before… So this was really interesting. I immediately wanted to give it a 4. I mean Red Dirt Girl has to be one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard. It hit me on the first listen. Her voice was beautiful and at first I thought I was happy with the production, but then… enter the drum machine and Idk, a number of other “modern” choices and as the album went into its second half, I was disappointed. 3 stars. Boolean rating: yes, I think it was good to have heard this, though as someone said in another review, late career choices for artists that are taking up space from this time period… well there was A LOT released in 2000 that is NOT on the list…

Oh good. Yeah! Delta blues! 4 stars just for the feeling. Boolean rating: yes, absolutely! ❤️

Ohhh… yes don’t think I ever actually heard this as an album, only got bootlegs and selections on mixtapes growing up. So funny this followed on from a listen to Peter Gabriel’s 1977 debut. I am assuming Peter had quite the studio budget comparatively. The experimental lofi quality of this album was so welcome after Peter’s awful mess because at least these guys KNOW WHAT they’re experimenting about. Thank you cohesion. And that bass rocks! Seriously. Maybe my adult self isn’t quite as taken with the “spooky.” But cohesive experimentation is still my thing. 4. Boolean rating: yes, very glad to hear this as an album after all these years.

Oh, so glad to find this here! Like meeting an old friend. Yeah, this one is hard for me. Haven’t listened to the full album in awhile. It doesn’t feel as “relevant” as it once did. But I was still glad to hear it all the way through, not just the “hits” that I still have on playlists. I saw a good deal of grumbling about its inclusion on the list in the other reviews. But you know, it really was of a time. I think I’m going a full 4, just for old times sake. Boolean rating: yes. It does belong here.

Ohhh yessss! Just what I needed! Yeah, have to say this classic album is a guilty pleasure. I love just about every song, but wonder if that calls into question my “taste.” But you know, f* taste! Boolean rating: YES! Not sure it’s what everyone needs, but boy is it fun.

I think this might be the first album I ever loved! I literally sat on the floor staring at the album cover when I was still in diapers! This and Teaser and the Firecat. They were indiscriminately “Firecat.” I’d scream “Firecat” and my parents would put whichever was handy on and let me have the album cover to examine. Anything Yusuf/ Cat Stevens gets a 5+ from me. Sorry, nothing “rational” about that. Purely from the heart. ❤️ Boolean rating: YES Firecat forever

Boy, thought I would like this more. Perhaps it suffered from my needing to listen to the bootleg on YouTube? I consider myself a fan of loveless. But this was… mushy. Still giving them a 3 for influence. Boolean: no, not really. I don’t think I needed to hear it before I die.

Wow. Well this one is truly weird. Actual psychedelia! I dig the objective, and parts of it are really very cool/ interesting. Some of it verges on noise torture. I can see it being VERY divisive. This definitely seems like a love or hate kind of album. I believe I fall on the love side overall. But man, this is a hard listen. I can’t say I would ever just throw this on. Unless I was wanting other people present to leave. Or maybe as a test. Could they make it through the first track or to the song group beginning with where is yesterday? Could they last to hear the reprisal of coming down at the album’s end? I mean it’s actually remarkable. 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes definitely glad I heard before I die. Not sure I can listen again, though.

This is awesome! Early Beatles suck!

Um… I had absolutely no idea about this when it came up, which can be so fun. But… this… “ Where were you when you stole my pride Did you ever get the feeling that someone died Hide away in your ivory tower And cover me in your golden shower”?!? Um… yeah so if you’re going to be crude, go all the way baby, actually be, idk, interesting? Yeah and then I found out this was his solo stepping out from a boy band. Figures. Yeah, I had to listen to Justin Timberlake’s debut too. At least JT had Timberland basically making that album for him. This is total 💩. Sorry to those who feel it. No disrespect to you, but this is total 💩. Boolean: HELL NO!

I was late to this album. Probably heard it a full decade after it came out for the first time. Loved it on the first listen. Haven’t heard it in quite awhile. Almost 25 years after its initial release, and honestly, it still rocks and I still love it. It’s easy to love for me, obviously. So that’s a 5. Boolean: yes, definitely glad I heard it once and was reminded to hear it again.

A number of these tracks are on various holiday playlists of mine. But I don’t think I have ever listened to the album. About half way in, I thought I might need a break, but I am glad I saw it through. I would never throw this on. But I loved it all. I do believe it is best kept where it is, spread out over my holidays with Fairytale of New York nestled nicely between Bing Crosby and Mariah Carey. Boolean: yes, definitely glad to have heard before I die.

No idea? Could be really fun, could be a horror show - some days I am there for the roulette, some days it makes me nervous, honestly. Feeling a little fragile today… so we’ll have to see… Um… why is this here? I mean I do like a dj compilation here and there, I like background tacks… in the background. Why is this album being given to me as a foreground listen? I wanted to give it a 3 for some interesting moments, but I am not feeling it today. 2 Boolean: no. Hell no. I did not need to hear this before my death. Maybe if I went back in time I could hear bits at a club while I was out with my “mates” but otherwise, no. NO

Revisiting albums that came out when I was a child. I remember. I remember… Man, yes! I remember loving this album as a kid. And I have to say I appreciate it more now. Boolean: yes, so glad for the return

So I don’t even need to look to know this has to be one of the lowest rated albums on this site. It made my dogs leave the room. I can say it’s good my 14 year old self was unaware of this album because there is a high likelihood that I would have put it on repeat to Guantanamo my parents. My current self is proud I made it all the way through. Yeah. An experience for sure. Now comes the hard part. I think I have to go 3. I mean I want to go 4. But it’s really pretty much unlistenable. I dig experimentation, but how did this ever make it to actual production? Anyway, cool on the crazy Germans making crazy sounds and actually getting someone to distribute it as a record that gets a REISSUE! That alone deserves a 3. Boolean: yes, heel yeah glad I went through that before I die, hope I never have to again!

Man with a name like Iron Butterfly I thought I was in for more early metal. I was looking forward to that given how pleased I was listening to Bkack Sabbath. But this is 60’s dishwater. I almost gave it a 1, but the famous 17 minute long title track is decent, so 2. But I’m not even sure this belongs on the list. Boolean: no, I can’t say I really needed to hear yet one more tired sounds of the 60’s album.

Yeah… I want to hate. I do. I strongly dislike Neil Young. I feel like I am supposed to like this the way I am supposed to like the Beatles. It bugs me. But… yeah, I have to admit it’s good. I would never listen to it if I weren’t compelled. The presence of Teach Your Children makes that a certainty. But I have to give the album a 4, none the less. Boolean: yes, I admit it was good to hear this yet AGAIN before I die.

Well I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that I thoroughly enjoyed this. I am now declaring myself a metal fan. Boy these guys didn’t age well. Neither did the beloved grunge bands of the 90’s which were more my thing at the time. Same issues, really. Still, I find I love them all for the most part, more than I did at the time, actually. Just like this. You couldn’t have caught me anywhere near anything remotely similar to Pantera in the early 90’s. But believe I will play this album again before the month is out. 4 Boolean: yes, definitely, but heroine is always a NO.

When this came out it wasn’t my favorite. I am a little surprised to see it here, but it is British so… The thing is, it’s actually grown on me. Maybe I am just nostalgic for the feeling of this time, but I found myself really getting into this album. So 4 it is. My cheerleading continues. Boolean: yes, actually very glad to hear and hear again before I die.

Yeah- I just had to listen to Joan Baez’s 1960 debut. And I said there how much I have realized I strongly dislike the “folk movement” of the 60’s. I dislike its artifice. I actually really dig alt- country and singer- songwriter, so it seems I should be in to this. But… I… am not. I actually hate it. Why? Because it’s bullshit! Well made, perhaps, with good harmonization and perhaps a mastery of its instruments. But like Bob Dylan, I- don’t- buy -it. And speaking of Bob, shouldn’t an artist be able to create a character and write music for that, persona? Yes, absolutely. It’s just when the artist wants to convince me that the persona IS the real person that I balk. And honestly, that’s how the whole “folk” thing feels to me. Like a bunch of people dressing up for the renaissance fair and never taking off their costumes. Idk. I’m sure I will have a lot more space and time to ponder this. I mean I haven’t encountered ONE of Bob’s albums yet, and there have to be… many. Too many. So… anyway, this gets a 2. I should probably give it a 3. I gave Taylor Swift a 3. But you know what- I’d listen to Taylor any day over this. So 2. Boolean: no. Really. I don’t think I need any folk movement representation. I mean maybe for knowledge. But once you’ve heard one…

More Depeche Mode. And I have just rated the Cure. I have solidly gone back to the 80’s. The new wave alternative scene that was too “soft” for me. Stuff I looked sideways at. But… I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed this. If just about every song wasn’t a tired love song by the lyrics and actually matched the musical innovation in exploring something other than the narrator’s desire to get laid I might have even considered giving it 5 stars. I have seen reviews ripping its synths and orchestration to shreds. I will simply say: I do not agree. I think this is quite masterful musically. And the vocals of Dave Gahan are fantastic. Give me that baritone any day. The supporting tenor of Martin Gore is wonderful stuff. If only they were singing about something worthwhile. 4 solid. Boolean: Yes haters this does belong here. Very glad to have heard before I die

New York I Love you- But you’re Bringing Me Down! New York’s the greatest if you get someone to pay the rent - I love James Murphy. He’s got that particularly - North American- sense of humor and irony that can be found in a band like the Violent Femmes or The Magnetic Fields- sometimes obnoxious, perhaps a bit in your face, musically astute and gleeful. I saw a review claiming the band’s use of the cow bell was not responsible. Pat Mahoney IS certainly capable of driving a cow bell and a whole percussion machine right off stage and over to my house where he can play with Daft Punk! 5 Boolean: yes, though this album never has soundtracked more than my morning workouts and I have no stories of debauchery and drug use about which to reminisce, it remains a favorite listen as the years pile up and I get closer to death.

Oh yes, I am the audience for post rock. And no Godspeed on this list, so one must make do. Man, I really like this. Don’t think I heard it before. Still lament the absence of GY!BE. I mean they’re on the supplemental list. Probably one of the earliest additions. I find other post rock lovers are as obsessive music fans as I am, and often much more “discerning.” I mean I am here for ALOT. But yes, this too. Odd synths included. It’s a solid 4. I am sure I will listen again. Boolean: yes, very glad to have heard before I die. But would like to ALSO hear MORE post rock

What an amazing gem! Somehow I have never heard of this album or of Keith Jarrett as a soloist before today! And man- this really is an amazing recording. I guess I am a prime audience for it. But yes! Thank you 1001 album generator- you keep me coming back. The good far out weighs the bad. I’ve listened to this twice already. I mean - 5 Boolean: YES so so glad I was introduced to this album before I died

Oh not sure? That makes me nervous, honestly… Man, this album took me on a ride. It opened and I thought “wow, I might have been judgy going in. Shit, this may be a 4.” Then it went on and I started to get bored and I was “no, 3, not higher than a 3.” But I had to admit the percussion was well layered. So maybe a 4…But… then I began to feel in that layering -overproduction. And by the time the dub came in I was fully convinced it was overproduced. And my rating was heading toward a 2. By the end I was solid in my 2. And fully asking the eternal question: What the f* is this- Mercury Prize Finalist -doing on the damn list? She did not even win the Mercury Prize for 2000. So even by British standards- what, what is this doing here?!? Time wasting! Boolean- NO! I did not need to hear this before I died, thank you.

Yes!!! Crazy, I bought this on CD from a dollar bin when I first went to college. For a time it soundtracked EVERYTHING I did: study, clean, cook, drive, study. I found it pretty f*ing perfect for any activity, musically complex enough that I could always get sucked in and get lost in it, but not so sonically demanding that it couldn’t be put in the background if need be. It inspired me to buy Hot Buttered Soul and Marvin Guy’s What’s Going On. These were the first albums that I can honestly say I bought ENTIRELY of my own volition with no prompting from others. I sought them out and braved the too cool gate keeper at the record store. I knew I wanted them, regardless of the sideways glance he gave me. All because of Shaft that cat who’s a bad mother… oh yeah AND I watched the film. 5 Boolean Yes! Can you dig it?

Blondie! Yeah this rocks. Maybe not perfect, but it’s 1978. I was barely alive. So no memory of it. Had to come to it later. And my appreciation has increased with time. Boolean: yes, glad to hear before I die

Oh… is that cartoon cover done by Crumb? Yeah, this is a terrible recording. And Janis sings open. If she had lived, she would have had a short career anyway, would have developed nodes, if she didn’t have them already. With the exception of Summertime, which really is haunting and done amazingly, I could leave all the rest in the 60’s. My dad had some weird thing for Janis. I don’t get it. But this is history. Boolean: yes, suppose I had to

Um… Morrissey without Marr really is pretty insufferable. And there’s four of these! FOUR. That’s ALOT of Morrissey without Marr. Not sure how I feel about it. I was going 3, but I am feeling salty.

So I do have multiple of these going. This is the second time this has come up in the last few days. I think it still gets a 4. Ginger Baker is way better without Cream Boolean: yes

Maybe it’s MTV. Maybe it’s the fact that I was basically a child when Sweet Child O’ Mine started to get played and covered and played and covered and played and covered… well, it’s happening still. But I was tempted to give this a 5. I mean, despite the fact that I thought the band as they appeared in their music videos were almost a parody of themselves when I was in middle school, this album ROCKS. If it didn’t let up at the end, I would have given it a 5. The crazy thing is, despite knowing almost every track, I don’t think I have ever listened to the album. I know my brother had it. But since I have a pussy, am not looking for pussy, and certainly not looking for dudes who look like or proclaim the sentiments of this band, it makes sense that it would take almost 40 (!) years for me to listen to it. 4 SOLID Boolean: yes, absolutely glad to have heard before I die

The 60’s vibe is quite pleasing and a perfect answer to all the psychedelia that was beginning to bring me down. 4 Boolean: yes

This is my second time listening to this. Multiple projects going. I decided to do it again. Curious how I feel about it today. Today it gets a 4! Went back and saw I gave it a 3 before. Well… this exercise is making me a Depeche Mode fan. Straight up. I actually love Music for the Masses more easily. But this honestly does show musical development and maturity worth noting. Man, when it comes up again, it might get a 5! Go Depeche Mode! Not at all appreciated by my teenage self, adult me is getting won over one listen at a time. 4 Boolean:YES, looking forward to the three user submissions if I can cross the line. Now THAT is some LOVE

Oh this’ll be fun… And it was… and painful, actually. My brother had this album when we were kids. I remember recognizing the Beastie Boys samples then. We had arguments. I remember when Eazy-e died of AIDS. I remember loving the funk, hating the life style it was promoting, even then. I still love the funk. I love the sampling. I love the wit and musical acumen. Yeah, that lifestyle kills. They knew it then. Nothing has changed. 4 Boolean: YES, even so

Well, I am not generally a fan of live albums, but THIS ONE gets a 5. I mean I gave the Van Morrison live, double album a 4! A 4. So… I play this. I do. I play it as an album. Even though it’s a live album. Because…. You know… because. Even though Kurt is high AF. This session was AWESOME. 5 Boolean: TRUE, so True

What can I say? I loved this. Way more than I thought I would actually. LA Blues is…. AWESOME. What a closer. Yeah, guess I’m the type to happily go through the fun house. 4 Boolean: True, absolutely glad to hear before I die

Um… it’s Elvis! He’s got the baritone. But… In the Ghetto and Don’t Cry Daddy are… so cringey. I mean I appreciate the sentiment, but… this whole album almost strikes me as a LasVegas parody in a film. As if it were a foreshadow of the Elvis to come. Can’t. Go. Higher. Than… 3 3 Boolean: True, I suppose, cause it’s Elvis!

Yeah yeah yeah. It’ll get a 4. I. Am. Not. A. Fan. Of. The. Double. Album. Not. A. Fan. Don’t care if it’s the Beatles. I almost want to give it a 3. But, you know… it’s… So I know before I even put the damn thing on what I will rate it. And this exercise is actually making me more and more ambiguous about the Beatles. But.. it’s THE WHITE ALBUM. And it’s chock full. Blackbird. While My Guitar. Sexie Sadie into Helter Skelter. Arghhhh. 4 Boolean: yeah, true, of course

It’s funny with albums that I have saved to my library but have no idea about before I hit play… And then it all came flooding back. Hit me like a Mack truck, actually. And you know to die by your side, well the pleasure, the privilege is mine… oh sorry wrong kitchen sink realism steeped Brit band. The thing is, the Smiths have lyricism, musical competence, and wit. The Streets want those things, and seemingly have them here and there, but rarely together all at once. I remember the first time I heard this album, probably a full decade after it came out. I really wanted to like it at the time. But as it went on, and dragged me with it, I began to have a serious sinking feeling. The weight has not lifted after another decade. I’m not sure I can even go 2. 1 Boolean: false, nope, really didn’t need to hear before I die. Not the first time, not the second.

Omg! I love this album! I forgot! I had a friend in Seattle in the mid/ late 90’s who introduced me to bootlegs of this, Spiderland by Slint, and Aphex Twin. His sister introduced me to Brown Sugar by D’Angelo. Eclectic music lovers after my own heart!❤️ I remember the first time I heard this. I thought it was “modern” 90’s parody. When I was told, no, it came out in 69 I lost it! Their cover of Do right woman is iconic. 4 Boolean: true

Oh, this should be fun… or pure torture… time will tell. Interesting. First, separating my opinion about the album from the controversy around Brian Warner is necessary. I refuse to rate an album on perceived positive or negative qualities of its creators. I love early Red Hot Chili Peppers. Even my teenage self knew that Anthony Kiedis was cringey af. Or how about Mick Jagger? Never accused of rape, just an unapologetic, debaucherous rock star whose sexual exploits are glorified. Truth be told, I have no doubt that Brian is a sick individual. But the first part of this album is… awesome. Sorry. The first thing of which I became aware was Trent Reznor’s obvious sound. At this time, 96, I really wasn’t paying much attention to NIN anymore and I certainly wasn’t giving ANY mind to Marilyn Manson. But I had loved Downward Spiral when it came out. I remember feeling like it was an ending. And it was for Trent and I for some time to come. He went his way, I went on to Radiohead, Massive Attack, the back catalog of the Pixies, and Aphex Twin. So, Antichrist Superstar: it’s really too bad these guys were doing so much heroin at this point. This album has such potential. I am sure, having listened to some interviews and placing this album in the context of time, not because of anything said directly, that this album is on the path of Trent’s Downward Spiral. He wasn’t going to bottom out until 2000, but the fraying is already evident. By the second half it really starts to feel bloated and all the potential of the concept starts to crumble. But man, that beginning… I mean in the privacy of my headphones this is a workout album par excellence. I would never subject husband or dogs to such, but… sorry, I gave The Marshall Mathers LP a 4 too. 4 Boolean: True. Sorry. But it’s true.

Yes! Ray Charles WAS a genius. Yeah. My stepfather LOVED Ray Charles. Hard to separate growing up listening to him from my evaluation of this album in particular. My husband was not impressed. But he’s not rating these, I am. 4 Boolean: True - some people were just sheltered and had musically empty childhoods

Gets a 5. Saw the 20 year anniversary tour. Dragged my husband. Now he’s a fan. Wayne Coyne, winning hearts and minds one confetti burst at a time. Her name is Yoshimi She's a black belt in karate Working for the city She has to discipline her body 'Cause she knows that it's demanding To defeat those evil machines I know she can beat them 5 Boolean: TRUE

Marvin is such a master. Really. He has a way of composing an album like few others. This is most evident on What’s Going On, of course. I do think that may be the best album, as album, of all time. Every time I listen to it I discover something new. It’s a masterpiece. This isn’t as obvious. Lacking the overt social conscience, moving with the times, apparently all we care about now is getting it on instead of addressing the issues of the Viet Nam war and the economy- which like I said, ‘it’s the times. But the thing is, there’s more here. There is still a narrative line, though less clearly developed, and a sense that Gaye is using sex and relationships to explore broader issues. I can’t help comparing him to Kendrick Lamar in this respect. For instance, looking at Kendrick’s progression from Good Kid to Mr. morale. I had never listened to this whole album before, but I was familiar with a fair sampling from it. But, as an album, it really works. Idk if I am just tuned into Marvin from listening to What’s Going On on repeat since college, but I think he’s a genius. 5 Boolean: TRUE

This album- head shake 🫨. It’s awesome. It’s… full of shit? I actually love the idea of the voice as instrument, sound maker, not word maker. Scat in jazz is a great example. And I can relish the feeling that something is just this side of intelligible. Combined with the consistent atmosphere and ethereal quality of the compositions I can fall deeply into this album’s trance. But then my husband tries to find the “lyrics” online. And shows me. And… well. I told him, if that’s what Fraser is singing it doesn’t sound ANYTHING like it. Good on her. Changing English to gibberish isn’t as easy as it looks. Part of me is aggravated by actual lyrics that I purposely can’t understand. Another part of me tells my brain to let go and “feel the music, baby.” Felling the music wins out again. 4 Boolean: absolutely true

I’m not sure I’m an Elvis Costello fan…. There are six (6) Elvis Costello albums on the list! This is just… I am speechless. His lyricism is destroyed by what I am realizing is the sheer irritation that is Declan Patrick MacManus, with or without his backing band. Every time I start to like something, I am reminded that not only do I have this album to finish, but five others waiting somewhere. 2 Boolean: False. No maybe one (1) album like other respectable artists for representation’s sake. This is just… verging on my own personal Guantanamo

This album would likely get a 5 on another day. But by the endless high pitched whaling throughout Rebel Without a Pause, I wanted to shoot someone. 4 Boolean: True

One thing the exercise is forcing me to become clear on is my feelings about the Beatles. This is clearly one of their best albums because of its consistency over its inclusion of individual songs. The songs are all top notch, examples of the song writing that made the Beatles who they were. Later albums had the revolutionary songs, per se. But later albums are inconsistent as the boys fell apart as a band. And all the seed crystals of the revolutions to come are here. WITH a coherence that I never feel on Srg.Peppers or Abbey Road. 5 Boolean: True

Kevin Abstract released a song a bit ago: Geezer. It has a refrain: he hasn’t been around that long, he’s just old for his age. Yeah. That’s how I feel about Adele listening to this album. Give me a f*ing break. You’re 25! You broke up and made the most of it with 21. Don’t want to keep hearing about it on 25. Don’t want to hear about the passing years and how old you are now when you’re still this side of 30. Even the two singles on this album feel tired. 2 - for the singles. That are decent Boolean: FALSE

I realize I really appreciate the consistency of sound and overall vision in this post Steely Dan offering. I have also been swayed to the side that it’s “safe” and leans toward boring. But still- I appreciate it. And I appreciate its optimism over the Steely Dan duo’s cynicism. I would let this soundtrack my train ride into the future… 4 Boolean: True

I vaguely remember this… Wow. I can’t actually listen to this. I mean, I DID, but, it was a horrible experience. Historically important? Yeah. But honestly I think I’d rather throw Einstürzende Neubauten on. Seriously 😳 Respect for Kraftwerk. Yet, I think they made things worse, not better. Yeah. Giving it a 2. That’s the best I can do. I want to do better for what this IS. But… yeah, no. 2 is f*ing generous. 2 Boolean: um…. True?

Omg! Killing me with Bob! Well it was going to happen. Might as well get it over with as quickly as possible… So back to back Highway 61 and Blonde on Blonde I can say, definitively imao this is the FAR superior offering. Still have serious issues with Bob. But this… starts out so well with Like a Rolling Stone. It just doesn’t maintain that height. But hey, that’s gotta be one of the greatest songs of all time- yeah? So… 4 Boolean: True

Never actually listened to this. Don’t really know what I’m in for… Disco. Groovie. Yeah. A whole album is tedious. 3 Boolean: True, but not one more time

Funny. I asked the generator gods to please not give me the 60’s… well 70 ain’t the 60’s anymore- yeah? Oh yes! The 70’s have arrived! Interesting, I have never listened to Deep Purple before. I remember having a conversation with my brother a bit ago where they came up, though. He had a whole theory about The Grateful Dead and jam bands affecting rock generally (for the worse.) He cited Deep Purple as an example where audiences were expected to be high af to properly “appreciate” them and the endless “solos and noodles” they dished out. I couldn’t really comment, had no experience myself. So, no blunts in the house, stone cold sober, and I can say definitively, this is pretty awesome. I HAD said to my brother that there was more to the “jam” than the Grateful Dead. There is a whole tradition of jazz improvisation that GD was leaning on. There is, for me, something quite electrifying about a group of musicians, well trained, who can improv off each other. Who can give each other space to solo and bring it back to the structure of the song. And if you have HARD, SWINGING drumming making that happen? Hell f*ing yeah. Ian Paice. Rock god. 🤘(discovered today really) 4 Boolean: TRUE

Um? I have no patience for this today. I see. It’s late century Aussie Indie that should be left in the crate. I’ve been hitting such a streak of such offerings. 2 I’ll try it again sometime and see if I feel better about it, because today it’s: Boolean: false

Actually looking forward to this. Another album I was late to the party on. Like Nirvana generally. It was too “mainstream.” Doesn’t mean I didn’t basically know it front to back. Like Nevermind, I couldn’t go anywhere with anyone in high school where this wasn’t playing in the foreground or background. As the years have piled up, I have found that I have returned to it periodically and regularly. I think it’s aged incredibly well. Front to back. What a debut. 5 Boolean: True

Instead of getting stuck parking cars at the restaurant at the end of the universe for what amounts to a fraction of eternity, this album makes me feel like I got stuck tending bar there. The same band plays every night and the lead singer tries to pick up the same chick in short shorts shooting pool with the urban cowboys. She never goes home with him, leaving him to try and entice her again tomorrow. 2 Boolean: False - some of dad’s (or grandpa’s) record collection needs to be left for the crate diggers

Ah- actually looking forward to this. It’s interesting, when I first became aware of this album it was probably almost a decade old already and I was certainly not a youth, definitely long past adolescence. But I loved it! Alex Turner somehow walks the line between truly annoying and properly sardonic, the lyrics are often surprising and fantastically funny, the musicianship is clean. It’s well mixed and while parts start to slog a bit, the production keeps it interesting and pulls it together. So yeah, it might not quite deserve it, but today- it’s a 5. 5 Boolean: true

Second time for this one. Gave it a 4 before. Let’s see what it is today. I was surprised by Let it Bleed. Thought that was a WAY better album than it actually was. Really that album has two mega, mega hits and a bunch of trash. I realize with the Stones I can go in initially with nostalgia, knee jerk voting. So… Oh yeah, this is definitely a 4. I’m realizing this might be their best album as album. It’s pretty f*ing consistent. Wild Horses, the extended play on Can’t You Hear, Dead Flowers (always thought this was dark humor at its best), and then ending with Moonlight Mile. Yeah, it’s almost a 5, it just leans too heavily on blues tropes to pull it through for me to go all the way to 5. I know that’s not a fault for many, but… I think they’re lazy about it. Like other artists of this generation, Bob Dylan for one, I feel that at times they think because they have a handful of blues figures in their pocket that makes up for actually composing a song. Anyway, still a really good album. 4 Boolean: TRUE

Oh, don’t know about this… that album cover might induce a seizure… I should learn by now: DON’T JUDGE AN ALBUM BY ITS COVER. I have now beheld very cool album art encasing very, double plus un- cool albums. And here we have a cover that would cause me to generally look away encasing a pretty awesome lp. Many a day, I am just looking for a good beat, and this album delivers. Perhaps not as consistently as I might desire on the b side, but hey, it’s good to get the party going. I find all the claims about how badly this has aged and how dated it is interesting. Their use of the funky bass is quite nuanced, I believe it would make a funky mf through the decades nod. 4 Boolean: true

Once, I loved this album… Always thought the album cover embryonic angel was… more than “cool.” It’s just about perfect album art. My brother made fun of me for being obsessed with an album whose lyrics I couldn’t understand. I think I did find out that Agaetis Byrjun meant “A Good Beginning.” A good beginning indeed. Yes. Time has not blunted how beautiful and moving I find this whole album, cover to cover. So very glad this exercise got me to listen to the whole again. 5 Boolean: True

The more I listen to this, the more I love it. I even love the weirdness. It all actually ties together, fart sounds included! An album that gives more the more you are willing to dig into it is always going to be… 5 Boolean: TRUE

This one is hard. The recording is awful. The concept and execution are wonderful. Johnny Cash was the real deal. The legacy edition, full concert is both tedious and full of amazing tidbits. As a live album, it’s kind of incredible as a moment in history, as a double album… well it’s too long by a good piece. June Carter talks too much. But then she’s Johnny’s wife, so…. 4 Boolean: true

Just had Ride’s Nowhere. Now this. Not sure? I realize there’s a pretty heavy British bias on this list. Which, I have decided to embrace. Not my country. But often my music. So, why not? Do realize form reading through others reviews that if the US indie from this period got equal treatment people wouldn’t be any happier. But the book’s going strong with Doves and not giving us any Modest Mouse or Built to Spill. No Microphones. No Death Cab for Cutie. No Yo La Tengo. Maybe it’s MY bias, but I would rather listen to any of the above over this. Though… I will admit: Friday’s Dust gripped me. Thought it had an oboe. Found out it was a mellotron! Pretty awesome. Yeah. I am glad I listened to this. Not sure I would recommend it to anyone or make any claims about anyone ever NEEDING to hear it. But… ok. 3 Boolean: ————-

Crazy thing going into this: I did not realize the STRONG collaborative element of David Bowie on this phase of Iggy Pop’s career. But I heard it. And I don’t like it. Sorry, but I really don’t like Bowie. I try. I try. But I think this album actually demonstrates pretty clearly what I am opposed to. The UTTER lack of bass end. The dissonance and a-harmonics all kept tidily in the midrange. I really can’t stand listening to it, as much as I might appreciate it “intellectually.” And that’s the thing. Bowie coming in and helping Iggy get clean and actually keep working is so, so beautiful. Far more beautiful than the music they created. AND I will admit that I DO like Bowie’s version of China Girl better. So how do I rate THIS album? 3 Boolean: true, yeah, it’s true even if you aren’t happy about it.

Oh. My heart just sank. Yeah. Grace Slick and Spencer Dryden make this. What there is of value. Her voice is… instantly recognizable. His drumming is often the element that keeps my interest. Like on Today. His drumming anchors the haunting modality and keeps it grounded. The album is super uneven. But… I’m not going lower than a 3. 3 Boolean: True

Honestly, Idk. I’ve been surprised often so far. I am going in with an open mind…. Wow. So I WANT to love this. But… yeah. Brits. Doing hard rock. Spinal Tap. I mean come on. I love drums and a driving bass line. And it opens so strong with Ace of Spades. But then… songs about 2 am booty calls, paeans to touring life with drunk driving, losing your hotel in the haze and super glue? And… jail bait??!!!? With ZERO irony. Um…. Sorry fellas 2 Boolean: False

No. No no no. Please, some of the detritus from the 60’s needs to be left in the crate. Yeah, I wanted to give this a 2 for its innovative recording but it’s making me unhappy. It’s short and it’s still too long. 1 Boolean: False

Second time for this one. Have to say I am impressed with the often menacing melodies embedded in the otherwise uber bubblegum poppiness of it all. I can see why they had their moment. But honestly, I think they’re better left in the crate. Someone could take some great samples from these songs. But listening to them all as a “work?” - Meh 3 Boolean: False

God. Just don’t like Neil Young with or without backing band. Not really a fan of him with friends. Really the “earnest, folksy” 60’s make me feel like I need to get good and wasted and forget about all this bullshit. 2 Boolean: Nah, False, no one really needs to listen to Neil. He’s full of shit.

Right when I begin to despair and think that I may start giving any album from the 60’s a 2 just cause I so, so sick of it all, I get this. And the Kinks remind me that humor and satirical observations in music ARE possible. 4 Boolean:TRUE

Well Bob finally broke me. I mean after so many albums, and because I have the multiple projects, many of them twice already, I was sure I would never, ever appreciate Bob. Funny, he does a call out to Neil Young on this album, the other singer songwriter from that generation that I truly can’t stand. So, imagine my surprise when he hooked me on the first track. And then I realized this was released in 97. I believe I was dragged (kicking and screaming) to a concert on this tour. I was told, “come on, it’s BOB. DYLAN.” I think I replied, “only if YOU are buying the tickets. AND bringing drugs.” So here I am almost 30 years later and… well Bob had me. Even with his rambling stories and musings on life from an empty restaurant. Damn him. 4 Boolean: True. Can’t deny the Bob

When I was 12/13 I remember listening religiously to the college radio station, often at odd hours. I got to hear quite a lot at that time I realize. I got to hear a bunch off this album beyond the immediately recognizable It’s the End of the World and The One I Love. I remember Oddfellows Local 151. I remember pondering its meaning. It’s hard to rate an album that has such a strong feeling associated with a time in life. I almost want to give it a 5, just cause. Listening again now, I now it’s very good. On its own legs. 4 Boolean: True

Wow. Haters. Well. I loved it. I only listened to THE album, though, which is too long, not the 5 hour re-release, which is… not called for. But THE album, though uneven, was a totally unexpected gem. The reason I am here. Bring on the beats. 4 Boolean: True. True. Sorry, it may be “niche,” but I think a person should have the opportunity to hear it before they die. Certainly better than The Sonics

So… the song I actually know off this album - Hot Dog - really owes more to Trent Reznor for its hook than anyone, for which he’s given songwriting credit, as another reviewer pointed out. Coming up with over 50 ways to say f* is just about what it sounds like. But the crazy thing is, Limp Bizkit DOES have musical talent. Somehow they turn that Mission Impossible theme into something far more interesting with Take a Look Around. But… yeah, they’re generally happy just being a bunch of idiots for entertainment. So… 2 Boolean: very hard to say. ———— probably false

The thing is, this is a great album. I’ve tried to find a serious flaw with it. But even that final reprise of The Stranger at the end of Everybody has a Dream is well done. For what it is, it’s a 5. 5 Boolean:True

Wow. Never thought I’d see that picture and it would evoke instant joy. This project does interesting things to a person… Yeah. Always happy to hear Lou Reed’s delivery. Is he serious? Is it all satire? And a tuba. 4 Boolean: TRUE

Yeah. At least it’s not the 60’s. No, not the 60’s! God, this album is a decade old. Crazy. Also crazy is that I know it, I remember it, I thought it was very cool 10 years ago and I was glad to be reminded today. 4 Boolean:true

Don’t know? Bring the beats. Maybe too long, but really very fun. This is definitely my jam. 4 Boolean: True - thank you British biased list

I have multiple projects going. When I first initiated them, I was mainly focused on generating as many albums on the list as quickly as possible. I mean within the limits of reasonable listening. But I tend to listen to a lot of music on any given day. And what brought me to the 1001 website in the first place was that I had gotten Spotify’s AI playlist generator to start fetching albums for me. But I was using it so much I got locked out. No where did it say there was a limit on “tokens.” Anyway, in desperation I hit the web. And lo and behold this website came up. It pretty much fit the bill, but, like I said, one a day was not enough. Almost immediately I had to decide how I was going to handle the repeats that were eventually going to be the bulk of my potential listening, if I stayed committed to this project. I reasoned that I would listen to EVERYTHING at least twice, no matter how bad. My feelings about music often change with repeated exposure. And I am different on any given day, have different pressures and life circumstances in which I am operating. Now I think I am in for listening to most everything all five times. There’s a few exceptions. But that’s not important here. I am over three months in. I have now gotten this album three times. The first time, I was surprised how much I knew it despite doubting that I had ever actually listened to it as an album. The next time I had had other Bob Marley and I had realized that ALL his albums were likely going to be 5s for me. This time I am just filled with wonder. He truly touches my heart. He sings “No Woman, No Cry” and here I am with the tears streaming down my face. What a gift. My feet is my only carriage And so I've got to push on through 5 Boolean: TRUE

Erykah Badu spoke to me as a young college student in a way that few contemporary artists did. I loved music, listened to a lot, went to shows. But none of it spoke TO me. And I don’t think Erykah would have thought of me as “her core audience” if she had met me. But if I looked up to an artist, if I ever thought about being one myself, she was my model. I loved Baduizm. My boyfriend made fun of me. My brother did too. I remember that I was totally excited about the release of this album DESPITE them. It was mine alone. No one I knew saw what I saw in her, but it didn’t matter. It’s funny listening to it again today. It’s a bit like a roller coaster. The album itself both strong and weak. And the memory of all that time ago. There are tracks I continue to love off this album. But it’s uneven. And it’s interesting that I still throw D’Angelo on regularly, but I rarely throw on Erykah. 4 Boolean: True

Syd Barrett Pink Floyd. Not my usual, been awhile. When I was a teen, this phase was considered the only “true” Pink Floyd by people I hung out with. Still, if they were playing Pink Floyd, it was Dark Side of the Moon, whatever they said. Have to say, this is an amazing ride of an album. We DID listen to this. We named one of our lab mice “Gerald” because of Bike in my 8th grade biology class. What a crazy evolution this band went through! Interstellar Overdrive is still a favorite, actually. 4 Boolean: True

Yeah! It’s THAT kinda party! I love this album. It’s too long. I don’t care. Cause right when I want to turn the dial, you have Heart Attack Man! Cause you know, it’s a man’s man’s world. Thowin his weight around, cause he can. And the instrumentals. This album is a gem. 5 Boolean: True - this one comes to the desert island

Second time for this. It goes down better the second time. The thing is, I really wish it were the disco fusion it appears to be for about two minutes in the beginning. THAT album could have had so much more potential. The one that follows really is… competent, but totally uninspiring.

Oh! I was wondering when I was getting this! Yeah. It’s a 5. I’m a late to the party Steely Dan fan, and my dad definitely was NOT a fan, but now that I am here, I’m all in. 5 Boolean: True

What is this? So I love the discovery. And the band is good. If someone told me, “hey, check this out, they’re pretty good.” I’d think, “yeah, absolutely, glad I threw that on.” But if someone told me, “hey, you HAVE to hear this before you die, instead of, idk, Spoon.” I’d say, “you’re out of your f*ing mind.” And that’s the thing. This is a good band in a WORLD of good bands. WHY are they on this list when Spoon IS NOT? I just don’t know… 3 Boolean: False

Wow. This one is hard for me. I love Ray Charles. I sorta grew up with him. My stepfather REALLY loved him. Told stories about him and all his exploits, which were numerous and very story- worthy. He’s a MASTER. The man who could make his own way in an industry of vipers, and showed the way for later artists like Prince before the boy Prince Rogers Nelson had entered the age of reason. But… I just don’t want to listen to this many songs of broken love. It’s bad enough with the Blues, but much of the blues, as a genre, focuses on being down and out, having nothing and losing the little you had. Love’s just a part of the equation. And honestly, much of country IS ACTUALLY the SAME. That’s the thing. The idea that American Country and American Blues don’t come from the same places is… laughable. But here’s the caveat. When country isn’t “tramp music” or “hobo music” and becomes the music of “proper white people,”some time during WWII, suddenly its focus seems to get squarely on romance. And here’s Ray Charles showing the way for the future of pop and RnB. So as a document, this album is pure GOLD. As an actual listen - yeah, I don’t want to. Please, don’t make me do it again… 4 - Because it’s Ray Boolean: True, it’s good for you - expand your sonic sense of history

I realize I was pretty young when this album came out. It was confusing. The singles off it: Talkin’ Bout and Fast Car both so… clear, political, and honestly sad. Chapman didn’t fit a genre well. She was black, but this wasn’t Soul or RnB. This was… folk? But, not exactly. Behind the Wall is almost a poem. It’s so well articulated. It’s an indictment. I actually bought the cd. That was rare. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve listened to this again. It’s really beautiful. I don’t know what Tracy did after this debut, but man, she didn’t need to do a thing. This is pretty perfect. 5 Boolean: True

Wow. Just had War. How much U2 is a person supposed to have all at once? Yeah. I said about War that I had to admit this was them at the top of their game. Which I realize is a funny statement in many ways, given that War is ONLY their third album. And Joshua Tree, their fifth album, is widely considered their masterpiece and a GOAT album. But… by Joshua Tree, I historically, really don’t like U2. I have made myself listen to Joshua Tree because of its status. I have not yet gotten it on the project. What’s the issue? Well, as Mr. Smith proclaims, “it’s the smell!” My 13 year old self knew, deep down, that U2 were a bunch of Stadium Rock posers. Posturing as something else. It’s the posturing that I have issues with. I ADORE Queen. But they never try to be anything but what they are. This… yeah. By 2000 I want to seriously leave U2 behind. And give this…. album a 2. 2 Boolean: False. Seriously. In 2000 SO much was released that is not on the list. Boot this tired BS and replace it with something relevant.

So I am super familiar with Heaven or Las Vegas and have listened to it over the years. It’s something I sometimes really feel, sometimes really don’t. I don’t think I have ever listened to this much earlier album, and I was kinda excited about it. But I am not feeling it today. A little bit. But not really. Usually the unintelligible vocals are part of the otherworldly trip. But on this project, the feeling that it’s a different language I just don’t understand is lacking. It seems much more what it is - an English speaker willfully not singing in any language. And it’s annoying more often than not. The music isn’t as… cohesive? I’m not sure that’s quite right, but Heaven or Las Vegas is a world unto itself. I’ve always liked listening to it as an album. It takes me on a trip. This album did not succeed in that. But it still had very lovely moments. 3 Boolean: true? Not really sure. Glad to get the background, but probably would boot it in favor of something else.

I love Kid B. The thing is, this album really does stand alone. Packt Like Sardines is a great opener. It’s darker than Everything in its Right Place. Actually, I’d argue, the WHOLE album is darker. Pyramid Song is about traveling to the afterlife. In fact, just like the title suggests, there is a sense of eerie confusion and displacement to the entirety of the album’s arc, laid bare in Morning Bells/Amnesiac with its plaintive query: Where'd you park the car? Where'd you park the car? And it’s call to: Cut the Kids in Half - a very “Solomonic” response to a broken relationship, where furniture and clothes are now found on the lawn, instead of where they ought to be. And then it closes with Like Spinning Plates, a song literally constructed forwards and backwards and forwards and backwards, and capped with … life in a Glasshouse. That finale is such a strange, alternate universe NOLA funerary march. Humphrey Lyttelton Nails the feeling of a New Orleans funeral dirge with his trumpet, managing to sound both mournful and slightly drunk. Like we’re all stumbling down the street. And then I look at the cover art again, and I think: “yes! You guys are so, SO amazing. You took songs you REJECTED for your main album and you crafted THIS MASTERPIECE.” 5 - 50 - 500 - Boolean:TRUE

Wow. I just looked at other reviews for this. I was a little surprised. Because I really like it. Beyond Pretty in Pink. I don’t think it all sounds the same. I think it has a fairly unique perspective, actually, both musically and lyrically. I almost want to give it a 5. But… it’s not honestly at a 5, but the lack of love, you know, makes me want to be more expressive. Anyway, it’s far more musically astute than Public Image and John Lydon, who as far as I can tell, was having a laugh and little else. 4 Boolean: TRUE

I really, REALLY wanted to like this. I’ve had Throwing Muses thrown at me before, though not this album, but my reaction was similar then. All the elements were there for love, but I just didn’t have the feeling. Like sitting on a date with someone you SHOULD like, all the indications are that you two would get on swimmingly, but there just isn’t any chemistry. And now you can’t wait to get out of there. 3 Boolean: true? Not too sure actually

I love this album. The more I listen to it, the deeper that love becomes. I have learned from it AND I derive pleasure from it. So it is certainly a 5. 5 Boolean: True

An album and artist with which I am very familiar. Happy to see them here. Finally, the list and I are in agreement post 2000 about what should be included. The collaborations alone make this pretty standout. I forgot about the Kendrick feature. TPAB was only a year or two old at this point. It certainly feels like a continuation. And Kenny Loggins! But the thing that always hits me about this album is its title: Drunk. In 2017 Thundercat was still parting with Mac Miller and crew. One year later Mac would be dead and Thundercat would go sober. 4 Boolean: True

Ha! Yay! So if I didn’t know and love this album for as long as I have, I know I wouldn’t be giving it a 5. But man, I LOVE this album. But it’s been in rotation for over 30 years! That’s a really long time to grow in appreciation for something that, honestly, if I heard cold for the first time, idk, a “song” like Don’t might force me into 3 territory for its sheer nosiness. But after years, when I have actually turned to that very track in moments of deep frustration? Yeah this album is a 5. Boolean: true

So I see there really is no accounting for taste. I remember the first time I heard Solid Air. I think Spotify threw it in a mix because I was going down a Nick Drake rabbit hole. I immediately stopped and found THIS album. I put it on, and man, it’s become a favorite. Something about it. My husband isn’t really a fan. And I see from other reviews others feel similarly. But… yeah, I love this album. I think it’s beautiful cover to cover. I even enjoy Martyn’s vocal delivery, which honestly would probably put me off if attempted by most others. But for me, he makes it work. AND the sax. Love the sax. 5 Boolean: True

Oh. Well it’s a 5. Shine on you crazy diamond. Crazy, just had solo Syd Barrett that was quite sad, really. That opening has to be one of the most amazing in all music that I know. Hard to say how much I love this album. It’s so beyond a 5, it’s transcendent. 5 Boolean: TRUE

Well, that album cover doesn’t recommend it. Hey man, if you can take a short story by Faulkner about an aging woman “holding onto” her dead lover, and turn it into a little ditty, that, at the very least, deserves a 3. 3 Boolean: True

I actually like this. But it’s too long. It starts to grate. But as two albums it would be a 4. 3 Boolean: True

This period of rock doesn’t get better for me the more I listen to it. It just becomes more tedious. They’re trying too hard to be “out there.” And then they hit Brave Ulysses. And yeah. I’m there. They get a 3. Because the rest is pretty sloggy. 3 Boolean: true, I mean can we ever rid ourselves of classic rock? Gotta slog through, yeah?