1001 Albums Summary

I think this is kind of a boring record to listen to casually. It washes over you and while the songs are fine nothing really grabs you unless it’s one of the certified hits. However, this sucker really comes alive on a close listen, especially after some minor substance abuse. There are so many little sounds and weirdo instruments to focus on and the harmonies really are transcendent. “You Still Don’t Believe Me” is really something else when heard through headphones. My only problem is that I can’t really get behind the lyrics. The vocals sound great but the actual lyrical content just feels lacking. It’s probably a byproduct of having only listened to it twice, and maybe more time with the album would result in my caring about what they’re saying, but for now it’s not working for me.

I have a memory of walking home from a house party at 3am while listening to this album on my iPod. It had just started to snow and the streets were empty and quiet. I remember watching the snowflakes illuminated by the streetlights and feeling like my head was absolutely full of this beautiful, sad music. I instantly fell in love with Sufjan’s calm, gentle singing overtop of the most maximalist music I think I had heard at the time. Horns and choirs, vibraphones and organs, banjos and flutes. It had everything and still manages to sound personal and intimate. I played it a lot that winter and pretty steadily over the years. Definitely one of my favourite records.

90s Radiohead is probably my favourite Radiohead. I love all the avant-art-electroncia stuff too but that rarely makes good playlist music. The 90s alt-rock stuff is very accessible and singable and fun to hear pop up on a playlist. So The Bends is maybe not the best Radiohead record but it does have the best collection of songs that I'm excited to hear elsewhere.

Kate Bush has such a cool and unique quality to her voice and her songs mirror that perfectly. The first half of this album hit immediately for me. The songs are fun and kind of weird and the synths sound incredible but I’ll need more time with the more conceptual, complex second half. One time through isn’t enough to appreciate what’s going on there. But it’s genuinely intriguing so I’ll definitely add it to my library.