1001 Albums Summary

A band I’ve always known, but I’d never listened to an album straight through. Glad I did! Van Halen I feels like the platonic form of a classic hard rock album. I totally understand why Eddie’s guitar playing became so legendary, and why bands like these had cult followings… albums like Van Halen’s are huge sensory experiences, and hearing them in concert must’ve been wild. Not the kind of music intended for earbuds.

An instant favorite! The energy of this record swept me off my feet, and at the end I found myself getting upset that I hadn’t been alive in January 1963 to go to that Miami nightclub and party. I truly felt whatever Sam Cooke wanted me to feel for those 39 minutes. Also, his band is incredible, and Sam’s gospel origins shine through in his ability to grab your heart and shake it. If I had to choose favorites, it would probably be Feel It and Sentimental Reasons (he really brings the pathos with that one in particular)

I don’t blame people who still vibe with Duran Duran, but this is just not my cup of tea. I’m not even sure it’s tea at all… more like space juice. I appreciate the attention given to lyrics on this album, and it’s technically impressive, but the production is way too much for my taste, and most of these songs should have been a minute shorter. My favorite song is definitely Rio. I think the hook and melody there are the strongest.

I love that raggedy cowboy. As with most concept albums, the concept is lost by the halfway mark, but who cares. Red Headed Stranger is a lovely little gem. My complaint is that many of the “songs” are really 90 second instrumental tracks, which are great, but unfit for my playlist-heavy lifestyle. I totally love the instruments on this though, and Willie’s sparse, tender lyrics. My favorites are Can I Sleep in Your Arms for the harmonies and that closing instrumental, Hands on the Wheel for lyrics, and Time of the Preacher Theme or the Blue Rock medley just because.