1001 Albums Summary

This is a more varied album than I thought it would be. Never been a big Springsteen fan, and this is a great album.. but its not for me. Whatever it is where some people connect with this deeply, I don't have it. I wonder if he's got any more abstract songs. These seem to be very "I did this, we saw that, then this happened" style songs.. these rarely hook me, unless I can really discern a deeper meaning. The meaning of these is right up front. I can hear a little Bowie in here though. And some Silver Bullet Band. Elvis Costello, Neil Young. I think I'd rather listen to those artists. I don't know why. The themes around the right-wing turn of the country from 75 -> 85 are clear, and I appreciate that. Not whiney or preachy. Interesting to hear the concerns from 40 years ago, and think about the current emergency. All the same themes, magnified and transformed into a killing floor. I think I give this album a 4. Its clearly great and special, and meaningful. No songs skipped. I'm glad I finally listened to it. But, not for me. I can tell it is very much for some people, though.

OH HELL YEAH. LOVE the production on this album. The lyrics are absolutely cartoonish swagger. Tight. Let Me Ride is a banger for all time. Turned the volume up on that one.. the shuffle percussion does somethin to me. The album kinda sags in the middle. I'm not sold on the skits. These songs seem aimless and not fun. It lands the outro, though. Fun sample spotting. I feel like listening to some of the Funkadelic source material. A 4 just because its not consistent. VERY high highs, no lows, about half mids.

OH HELL YEAH YOU ALREADY KNOW. I am a Steely Dan fan. The first (and debut) masterpiece, in a career of masterpieces. Nothing else like it. No skips. A pleasure to listen to with much to ponder and wonder over. 5 stars.

OH SHIT YOU ALREADY KNOW. Another Steely Dan. Another masterpiece. If I could rate it a 6 I would. Bernard Perdie. Steve Gadd. Larry Carton. Joe Sample. Chuck Rainey. Michael McDonald. Tom Scott. Wayne Shorter. Incredible arrangements. Inscrutable lyrics. Very much my shit.

A lush album. I haven't interacted with any Beck outside of radio hits. This was a surprise. I like the meager lyrics.. not descriptive really, just longing. The production and orchestration is what is pulling me in.. slight use of electronics (you can hear a lot of Air in here, I think). Fascinating use of synths, guitar, and strings. And, slide guitar.. haunting. I found all this arresting. I didn't care for Beck's vocal delivery. It just isn't for me, particularly when he is being emotive. But, I can hear how great this album is. A singular artistic piece from an artist with a strong vision. "Lost Cause" is a standout to me. A beautiful song, with appropriate vocal delivery from Beck. I like "Round The Bend" as well. Sparse AND lush. I love Nigel Godrich's production more than the material I think. It looks like it played on the album, too. 3 stars because of that. I'd rate it 3.5 if that was an option. After this album, I put on Air's Talkie Walkie.