1001 Albums Summary

Good rock album but not an all timer album at this stage for me, some great songs, 3/4 that I could happily never hear again, You're Crazy and Anything Goes sound so mid coming between Sweet Child and Rocket Queen. 7/10

Great in parts, some really moving renditions, bit front loaded, and ultimately it's pretty samey, although if you played it in the right mood, probably a higher score. 6/10

Super, good songs, arrangements production. Has aged great, main complaint is that Horses in my Dreams should have been the album closer. 9/10

One of the best solo Beatles records, every song is good. Title track, Let Me Roll It, 1985, Bluebird, Jet...all McCartney at his best, would never tire of listening to this. 10/10

Great album, although Blood on the Tracks is probably my fave Dylan record. Like A Rolling Stone is all time, some other great songs but Tombstone Blues drags a fair bit and can take or leave From a Buick which knocks it off a perfect score. 8/10

Singles are the obvious best tunes, outside of My Love, My Life, none of the album tracks really come close to matching it. Instrumental closer is very different ABBA song. Dancing Queen remains of the greatest pop songs all all time, When I Kissed The Teacher though, WTF, of it's time lyrically! 6/10

She has beautiful phrasing, coupled with unexpected and surprising melodic movements, haven't listened to this album in full before but it's great. One of my favourite singers, her 70s run is absurd good. 8/10

Singles are good, plenty of middle of the road blues elsewhere, hard to fathom the big reputation. Rubber Soul was released the same year and clears this by a fucking distance. Will probably never listen to this record again in full. 4/10

Surprisingly enjoyable to listen to, chill enough for a drum n bass record, albeit it's a bit samey, awful long album if you were going to listen in full. Preferred disc 1 to disc 2. Would listen to it again no problem but not going to put this into major rotation either. 6/10

Aged well, good balance between pop hooks and mad experimental sounds. Hangs together as a coherent album, first 4 tracks hit a peak that it can't sustain for the whole record but I don't hate any song. Brother Sport as a closer, mental track, love it. My Girls remains an all time banger, unreal. 8/10

She is technically great singer but this is completely generic pop-RnB with the worst of that early 00s, smooth production. Way too long, should be half the length, could easily cut 10 songs out of the 20, bloated beyond belief, you'd weep at the money this album probably cost to make, I was losing the will to live way before the end. Soar is some pile of self empowerment shite. Nothing interesting, no melodic surprises, no risks, completely forgettable songs. Genie in a Bottle is a million times better than anything here. Beautiful is saccharine but catchy enough tune in fairness, Impossible was ok, that's it really, Dirrty has aged like milk. 2/10

Amazing singer, has to be said. Nothing terrible here, happy to listen to it but very much of its time in terms of arrangements and orchestration, it can get repetitive to the ears, and the schmaltzy, overly sentimental style of the arrangements, starts to drain having to listen to this in its totality. If a song popped up on shuffle it would be a nice change of pace but hard to take this in one bout of active listening when you are familiar with recorded music since 1959… I'm not the target audience for this but can appreciate that this has an all time voice backed by top musicians. 4/10

First two tracks, very enjoyable. Época...what ad was this in?! Killing me. The style is South America instrumentation and melodies with trip hop beats. It's way too long for what is similar enough style from track to track but there's nothing terrible here, would throw this on while reading or cooking as ambient music no bother. Poolside bar abroad with a drink in hand would be the ideal for this. 6/10

Sounds like an album that needs to be listened to more than once, played through twice and got a lot more out of the 2nd listen, could be a grower. Less immediate than the likes of Solid Air that has some great songs on it and I am fairly familiar with. Never heard any of these songs, this has a dub style production, in places with murky vocals, singing is reverbed all over the place. Couldn't Love You More and Certain Surprise go with a more straightforward approach though. Score could rise in the future with more listening. 6/10

Some good tunes, relatively standard enough post punk rock though for me, not sure where the rep as an all time classic debut is coming from. It's fine, happy to stick this on again for a listen but it's nothing unbelievable amazing either. Brass In Pocket sticks out a mile although Up the Neck, Kid are other standouts. 6/10

Short, sharp, rocky punk. Loved the first two tracks, a generally good album, hadn't heard any of it before. 6/10

Unironically really liked this, great singing, perfectly pleasant songs, only a few 80s production quirks letting the side down really. RIP Dolly but Linda Ronstadt has the voice of an angel, unbelievable singer ❤️ 7/10

Listening to this since I'm 11 so know it like the back of my hand. Wouldn't put it on much these days but it's a landmark in hard rock/metal, some classic tracks which have crossed over into the mainstream. Sandman, Nothing Else Matters, Unforgiven, Sad but True all hold up still. Few songs which don't hit the same heights and I've never been a huge fan of the closing track but the album hangs together as a coherent end to end listen. The slicker Bob Rock production was a departure at the time but it suits the songs. Plus you can actually hear the bass on this compared to Justice. Hard to mark it down as anything bar a classic. 9/10

Good pop album, Time of the Season is one of the best tunes of the era. This Will be Our Year and Care of Cell the other high points. Lead vocals are a bit much over the course of a full album, doesn't have the difference in range and tone that would elevate it, it's a bit too posh English tbh. Nice harmonies, like an Edwardian Beach Boys. Image wise the biggest bunch of absolute nerds as well but can hardly dock them for that. 7/10

Sweet Jesus this is 80s production writ large, no mistaking when this was made and it's aged as a result. It was the biggest song from this but I'm not a fan of Pour Some Sugar, Animal is catchy as fuck in fairness. It's fine but really this is of its time and place, and designed to be super commercial for the era. If I was coked off my head looking to pull in the late 80s I'm sure this would sound amazing. Don't Shoot Shot Gun is fucking atrocious. Pure hair metal, really overdoes the gated reverb drum sound and I'm not a fan of it used in this style, drummer sounds like he is playing with one hand tied behind his back 👀 4/10

Green Light is best thing here by a good bit. Supercut and Perfect Places probably next best. Randy Marsh isn't the best singer but it's not terrible, it's generally fine but it's a bit boring, the songs run into one another. There's so little dynamics on modern pop music, you could swap the underlying backing tracks around from song to song and wouldn't notice much difference. Same production techniques, same surge stuff, all the choruses are similar. 5/10

Not much to say here, a great pop album with loads of hits that have stood the test of time backed by album tracks that stand alongside them no problem. Purple Rain is the greatest song he ever wrote and one of the best tunes of all time. 9/10

Haven't listened to this album before, nice opening track. Any listener would peg this as 90s record no problem given the production and overall sound but I liked contrast between downbeat, intimate vocals and the more dance oriented and trip hop style beats. Todd Terry didn't strike gold twice with the Wrong remix however, the Omni Trio remix of Wounded is superior. Liked this way more than I would have expected tbh. 7/10

No idea what they are singing about. Tunes sound good though. 7/10

First track is boogie woogie shit. Second track is a more organ led groove, but it's still shit. Sweet Surrender is the first song approaching decent. Nighhawkin' returns us to the mire, a bland, bar boogie. Devil Eyes somehow even worse. Last two tracks are fairly ok, but only in comparison to the rest of the album. Lyrics are uniformly wretched, big ol' hot mamas to beat the band. If this was a just a regular band playing in the corner of a bar I'd genuinely leave. On top of all this, given his naturally staggering vocal capacity and range, the choices that Buckley makes in terms of phrasing and delivery are disappointing, often too showy for it's own sake and not best serving the songs (in as much as they could be served). What a waste of a great voice. Would never listen to this crap again. 1/10

Great memories associated with this record, first 4 tracks explode out the speakers, just great stuff. First half is raw, rockets by and it's hard to dislike anything. Basically perfect for what it is. Second half of the album just slightly dips a bit on a couple of tunes and drags the score down from perfect. This is a great record and after 25 years it's aging well. 9/10

Was looking forward to this, haven't listened to it previously but know of it's reputation. Disappointing to be honest, a fine singer but mostly everything here sounds like a show tune from a musical, which isn't great because the accompanying vocal inflections get annoying quickly. Woman's Blues was great for a minute and then... She might have been hugely influential but this isn't for me and definitely wouldn't bother listening to this again, twice was enough. 3/10

Great record, the title track and Shine On are keystone 70s rock songs, the definition of classics. Have A Cigar is the only song that might be considered slightly below par here, everything else is top notch although can see how some might complain it's a bit noodly and long in parts. 9/10

It's fine, definitely not the best Springsteen album. Hits are the highlights. 80s synthy production in places really dates much of the album, isn't ideal for the type of songs he writes so hasn't held up as well as his early 80s records. Never a massive fan of Glory Days either. 5/10

What is this cod reggae nonsense to start? Small Talk is catchy enough and Absolute continues, this is fairly straight, drum machine backed, highly produced 80s pop. No need to put 85 in the title of the album, a two minute listen would peg this as exactly smack in the middle of the 80's. It's not for me. 3/10

It's.....not as bad as I expected. Had written off Yes as a prog rock abomination band along the lines of ELP, and to a certain extent this album is that...but...while full of prog rock excess, this is fairly enjoyable to listen to, I have to say. I wouldn't be the biggest fan of Jon Anderson as a singer but the style suits these songs, obviously all technically great musicians involved. A pleasant surprise as I thought this would be brutal rubbish. 6/10

Very much on the fence with Zappa, veers from "nice tune" to "what the fuck is this shit", often within the same song. Good opening track and Green Genes is also a good one. Gumbo Variations, it's just too long. This gets a bit too guitar and other instruments wanky but given that this album is nearly all instrumental that's preferable to Zappa's singing in all honesty. 5/10

Their own unique, glorious music, is this is probably their best overall collection of songs as an album. Everything hangs together beautifully, it flows as a distinct, coherent album. Ten tracks in 37 minutes, nothing overstays it's welcome on these dream pop soundscapes. What is Liz Fraser singing about? Who knows and who cares if it's incomprehensible when it sounds this beautiful and great. Peak 4AD. 10/10

Sounds good, really easy to listen to, well played and produced, nothing objectionable whatsoever. I just wish I was on holiday abroad at the poolside or beach listening to it with a cool drink in hand, best atmosphere for this I think. 6/10

The 80s hangover slick production and sound of a lot of songs on this record. Yuck. She's a good singer and slide player, hard to get mad into the songs, it's not blowing me away in any respect, fairly standard mainstream radio aimed stuff. Of it's time. 4/10

Some nice songs, well sung and performed. Homeward Bound is the highlight, great song. Cloudy and the opening track other standouts. Didn't expect a Dylan piss take, fair play. Silent Night/7 O'clock News, is just meh, it's a way to on the nose "clever" and isn't a great closer. Album certainly doesn't overstay it's welcome at 29 minutes, an enjoyable enough spin. 6/10

Firstly...what a singer. RIP Chris Cornell. The breakthrough record for Soundgarden, Fell on Black Days, Spoonman, Black Hole Sun, Day I Tried to Live, 4th of July, these are 90s rock classics, grunge but with a heavier, more classic rock approach. The record is well produced and sounds huge through the speakers, vocals, drums, guitars are perfectly in unison to suit the songs, Brendan O'Brien nailed mixing all those big 90s records he worked on. With CDs increasing album length up to 80 minute capacity and becoming the primary format of this era, in the 90s artists started to make the classic mistake that just because there is space it needs to be filled with songs regardless of whether they are up to the standard, and a few weaker tracks that could have easily been cut drag this down a bit. Still a good listen though. 7/10

Luke Haines was the sour lemon of Britpop, couldn't mistake the era this album is from, sounds exactly like how you would expect a mid 90s English indie band to. Weak enough vocally so he's an acquired taste in that respect, songs are fine but there's just not enough that stick out with a big chorus or huge hooky part that's unique and memorable. Would stick this on no problem, it's an easy and decent listen to be fair, the lyrics aren't as "smart" as they are trying to be but there's nothing absolutely terrible here either. 5/10

Standard enough rock, easy to listen to, toe tapping enough but nothing jumping out as particularly outstanding or special. The exception to that is American Girl which is a rock classic. 5/10

Probably the best record Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds put out, contrasting styles on both discs, great songwriting, lyrics and performances. Super opening track, haunting closing track and a bunch of excellent songs like Hiding It All Away in between. A record you can put on and bask in a reignited band at the top of their game. 9/10

So seismic and influential it launched a genre. Not going to be for everyone, vocals are standard enough 80s indie and some of music is inaccessible. The music ranges from the face melting riffs of Feed Me With Your Kiss, the "heartbeat" drums of the proto-Loveless All I Need, to the deeply unsettling atmosphere of No More Sorry. There are unexpected shifts and sounds throughout, will surprise those willing to dive in it's waters. This was a game changing record, but is still only a footnote to the absurd genius that Kevin Shields and co would produce next. 8/10

Good record from one of the great 60s rock voices. Backing band do their jobs, can't fault the performances. Me and Bobby McGee is a complete classic and there's some other nice tracks, album is probably stronger taken as a whole together as a few songs aren't as good taken out of this package. 6/10

Clearly one of the most impactful and influential hip hop albums of all time, personal preference for Liquid Swords as the best Wu-Tang record as it hangs together a bit better as an album taken in one sitting. Loads of great rap tracks here, Bring da Ruckus, Protect Ya Neck, Shame On A..., C.R.E.A.M, all hip hop classics. Can take or leave a couple of tracks and rap album skits always age like milk so it's not perfect IMO. 8/10

One of Neil Young's better records, good tunes, hangs together well, perfect album length at 39 minutes. Ramshackle and unpolished band performances but, like Tonight's The Night, that was the point. Title track, See the Sky, Walk On and Ambulance Blues are the highlights. 8/10

Some 90s classics in Devils Haircut, New Pollution, Jack-Ass. Was a bit revolutionary then with it's quirky mashup of country, hip hop, sampling and alternative rock but a bit of it's time at this remove, a few tracks haven't stood the test of time. 7/10

Creep is a banger. Waterfalls still a classic tune. Prince cover is unexpected but a good version. Smooth 90s RnB production throughout, Diggin' On You is the only track that sounds a bit shit production wise, but it's a bit of a drag of a song anyway. The theme of the album is we like sex, let's sing songs about sex. Skits/interludes, always a curse on an album, are uniformly terrible here also, album would be better if all 5 (!) were just jettisoned. It's ok enough if the skits weren't there. 6/10

Great rock album, packed with good tunes and performances. Loads of top tier tracks, London Calling, Rudie Can't Fail, Guns of Brixton, Lost in the Supermarket, Spanish Bombs, Revolution Rock, Train in Vain. Double album in it's day but doesn't feel like it's too long, it's still shorter than some of the bloated with filler CD albums of the 90s onwards. Couple of songs I'm not mad keen on but this is a great record. 9/10

Seven and Seven Is, She Comes in Colors, Orange Skies point the direction to come to the psychedelic rock classic Forever Changes that would come next. This isn't on that level and despite some good tunes, while the song Revelation might have been at the time with it's length and free form nature, it's just a chore to listen to and torpedoes the album. 5/10

A titanic, epic, psychedelic rock album. If you love guitar music, it's hard not to love this. Crosstown Traffic, 1983, Burning of the Midnight Lamp, classic 1960s. Even the longer jams like Voodoo Chile keep the listener engaged. Few tracks that don't hit the highest peaks but to be expected on a double album, taken in the round, it's a great listen. Little Miss Strange the only huge misstep, it's B side level but an understandable gesture to give Redding a song. Finishes strong with maybe the definitive Dylan cover version followed by an all time great album closer. 9/10

Easy enough listen, good blues rock band playing at the top of their game, plenty of groove here. Gets a bit samey for the one listen if you're not a huge fan but that's more down to the length of the record than anything else, there's a load of extended jams here. You wouldn't hear any track of this and go "this is awful", it all sounds fairly good. 6/10

I was in no mood at all for this fucking prog nonsense. Drumming was good, bonus point for Phil on that. 2/10

To be honest it just bored me and the synths sounded shit. Not of relevance to the music itself but the album cover is absolutely terrible as well. 2/10

Really good album with a few great songs on it. Stevie Wonder was really in his peak era at this time, Higher Ground, Livin For The City, He's Misstra, all bangers. 8/10

No need to worry about some crazy experimental record with AC/DC. This is straight ahead, uncomplicated, innuendo laden rock. No one is, or should be at least, coming to this looking for anything outside of what AC/DC usually provide. You want to enjoy 42 minutes of legendary rock with a one fist pumping in the air and the other holding a beer, come right in. 8/10

Had never heard, or heard of, this record. Not familiar with the artist at all, but this was a pleasant surprise and a pleasure to listen to. An album I will put in more regular rotation and will listen to again. Finding the likes of this is why I started the 1001 album challenge. 7/10

Decent post punk album although it’s a bit samey, songs like Bloodsport sound good but don’t really go anywhere. Requiem, Wardance, Primitive are the best tracks. 5/10

The consistent downbeat atmosphere, the "of it's time" production style and certainly Sim's vocals will divide, I feel they suit the songs and the aesthetic the band was going for. Although far from the first band to take electronic beats and marry them to more straightforward guitar lines and vocal melodies, it was a fresh sound when it dropped in 2009, bringing a more sparce sound and a dubstep influence. Intro genuinely might be the best thing here, great opener. An enjoyable listen still and it's a coherent piece of work in terms of track listing, length and flow. They didn't really do anything that approached this in terms of quality afterwards as a group, mostly re-treads with diminishing returns. In Colour is probably the best xx personnel related album. 7/10

Someone once said about this album, if you want popular music, here it is - all of it. Pop to rock to folk to experimental to ska to country to proto metal to big band to sentimental ballad and back again with the greatest band of all time. 10/10

Good album but while the highs of Little Wing, If 6 Was 9 and Bold as Love are self evident, this isn't as great a record as Electric Ladyland, his debut or even Band of Gypsys. 7/10

Great album, opens stong with the title track, then ups it with Golden Years, the best song here. Finishes with one of his best cover versions to close. Bowie was in the middle of a superb run of albums here. 9/10

Would have been a miracle if I liked this as I hate Bruce Dickinson's singing style, just cannot stand him, it sounds so campy and cheesy. I dislike Iron Maiden's whole shtick including their "mascot" Eddie really. Accept that they were influential, are competent musicians and an inspiration for the metal genre, have to give a mark for that but this was a complete chore to listen to, music for teenage boys that haven't touched a woman yet. Run to the hills and stay there for good please Eddie and co. 2/10

Extremely dated, outside of historical value for the evolution of hip hop or nostalgia value for whom this was a major album of their youth, it's hard to believe anyone else would put this on for entertainment or artistic value 30 years on in 2026. Girls is genuinely one of the worst things I've ever heard in my life, irredeemable rubbish. Purile lyrics that may have been shocking at the time, just sound comical at this remove and most tracks are weak in terms of vocals, hooks etc. Fight for Your Right and No Sleep are good tracks and the only reason to listen to this. They would do other records that have aged far better, this is an influential album in terms of the rock/rap mixing etc. but it's a total relic that isn't that enjoyable to listen to really. 3/10

Blue Orchid is a strong opener, album is fine but they have better records. Not sure it needs to be on this list. 6/10

I can see why people love this record, I can see why people hate this record, to me it's uneven but it's of a piece at least. Gloria, Land and the closer stand out, although Land doesn't match the amazing first minute of build up throughout. Birdland did nothing for me, boring enough. It's definitely an album that should be on this list though. 6/10

Good rock album with a ground breaking guitar player doing new sounds. Starts strong with maybe the best song, Eruption and a good Kinks cover. Not the biggest fan of Diamond Dave as a singer but he suits the good time, party vibe. Few duds but nothing absolutely abysmal either, it's easy to stick this on and listen through. Outside of EVH guitar playing, there's nothing earth shattering music wise, it's a good rock record. 6/10

An ode to crate digging that became a genuinely genre bending, ground breaking, great sounding, seminal piece of art. If it's not in my top ten albums of all time, it's definitely a top twenty pick. An amazing, amazing record that was impossible for DJ Shadow to top. 10/10

There's no way this should be on the list, it's basic and there's way better 90s or similar genre records that could take it's place. Fine for teens in the 90s, hasn't aged great. Couple of good tunes and Smash is a bit of a banger still. 4/10

Enjoyable record, with some strong tracks and performances. Didn't dislike anything, she is talented artist and I'm a fan of her other work. While this is a good album, I'm not sure this must appropriate St Vincent record to be on this list, Strange Mercy is probably her best and Masseduction is her artistic statement in album form that suits this type of list best. On a side note, she won't get the chance but Annie Clark has a great James Bond theme song in her somewhere. 7/10

Meh, it's not a great album and shouldn't be near this list. There's way better and more influential albums from the 90s than this that aren't here. The singles are ok, the Cobain written Hole album is better than the Corgan one. 3/10

I like this record, out of all the Byrds Dylan covers, My Back Pages might be the pick of the lot, a beautiful version. Nice opener and Why is a super closer to this album, but Everybody Has Been Burned is probably my favourite song here. Mind Gardens fits the time but not sure it's aged that well. Have You seen Her Face, Time Between and the Girl with No Name point to the direction that the band would take on Sweetheart. An album from a great 60s pop band. 8/10

Biggest issue is that this album is way, way, way too long. There's not enough consistent high quality tunes here for an album that has 40 tracks and is over 2 hours long. The disparity in quality between songs is a bit too glaring, and the separation of this into, essentially, two separate solo albums doesn't help the record taken as a whole. Every hip hop album is killed by interludes/skits/jokes, just shoot them into the sun, constantly wrecking the flow of albums, are funny once at best and annoying on repeat listens. Speakerboxxx is the pick of the two sides here to be honest and it's not close. Hey Ya! might be one of the few genuinely global, gigantic smash hits of it's era but there's a lot of absolute rubbish on The Love Below. OutKast have better albums but can see why this opus would be included on the list. 5/10

Remember this being on a lot of "best of" 2000 lists from back in the day but never listened to it at the time. It's fine, some really nice orchestration and horn sections over pleasant tunes. First two tracks are good. However...it's a bit of a shocker for this list, there's nothing I'd hang on this as completely exceptional, ground breaking, mad different or seminal that warrants inclusion ahead of records that aren't here. You could comfortably die without ever having heard this album. 5/10

One of the major records of the 90s Big Beat scene. Sounds exactly like you would expect, if you are a fan of this style of dance/electronic music there are some absolute bangers here, Block Rockin' Beats, the title track and Elektrobank are a powerful start. Piku, Get Up on It Like This and Lost in the K-Hole (which at least changes things up a little) could be easily jettisoned and are the weakest tracks here but the Private Psychedelic Reel closes the album strong For the album as a whole, there's not much change up in terms of the tone and tempo, this can get a bit repetitive over the course of a full hour, if someone doesn't like this type of music they will absolutely hate it but the best tracks here still stand up 30 years later once you are in the mood. Definitely warrants inclusion on this list as it reflects a genre and a specific era in music, and in a slight tangent this is a great album for listening to while running!!! 7/10

An inexplicable inclusion on this list, couldn't believe when it popped up. There is no rational reason to revisit this record, this is not a landmark album that marked a significant shift and was really influencial, it is not some super high quality album that has aged beautifully, it is not a hidden gem as it sold quite well at the time. There are a literally a thousand better raggae albums than this, it's a Scot doing reggae with a tail end of Britpop spin in places. In mitigation the first 4 tracks are fine to listen to and Your Love Gets Sweeter is pleasant enough but it's not something that sustains itself for the whole thing and this is inoffensive background music at best. No need to listen to this ever again. 3/10

Love classic Motown. Love the Temptations, although really mostly familiar with their singles output. Everyone should listen to this record if only to hear the slice of mad genius that is the Temptations version of Papa Was a Rollin' Stone, an amazing performance by the band with incredible production and arrangement by it's co-writer Norman Whitfield, this is one of the greatest songs of all time. Nothing else here comes close to that but they are great singers and it's a good, funky listen with some slower ballads including a nice cover of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Lyrically, Run Charlie Run is quite something at this remove though. 7/10

Treason is good, closing track is a bit of a trip but it's pretty average to my ears. It's not terrible but nothing hugely sticking out either, it's standard stuff for a band of their era and genre. A better album if you have the version with Reward on it but I've stuck to the original tracklisting for this. 4/10

Bossa Nova is not my musical bailiwick by any measure, can't comment on whether this an important record in that genre or worthy of inclusion on this list as I've no other real references. This is a fine singer with an easy to listen to musical accompaniment. Hard to think I'd put this on again but it sounds ok... 5/10

Of it's time but the good here is pretty good, title track, Kids Are Alright, Out in the Street, Lies. Not a fan of their version of I'm A Man on this, it's flat out bad. Weird enough one-two to finish with the lyrically questionable It's a Legal Matter and the boppy instrumental The Ox. Sounds good and it's definitely a far better listen than the Stones' Aftermath from the same year, but still miles off what the Beatles were putting out in 1965. 6/10

Superb opening two tracks really set the scene for this record, which was surprising in terms of just how much I enjoyed it. Familiar with their bigger hits but this really marked a turn to a trad Irish music sound, with sessions in Dublin and with Mike Scott recording and living in county Galway (the best place in the world btw) for a lot of this record. Good Van Morrison cover brings some music from the other side of the divide (a nod to McCartney on this as well) while The Stolen Child is lyrics from Yeats, so the influence and environment is as green as the cover. Bang on the Ear is a traditional style toe tapper and it's a great tune, although it maybe doesn't warrant quite a 9 minute length if we're nit picky about it. If you don't like Irish trad - Dunford's Fancy is pure trad session - and a more country sound then this won't be for you, I thought it was a good artefact of a man moving his band from the "Big Music" to a more traditional, Irish storyteller sound. 8/10

Superb album from a genius songwriter with a beautiful voice. The move to incorporate jazz but in an accessible and, I would say at least, really sympathetic to the songs manner, which elevates the recordings, and doesn't come across as bolted on or overly showy. Some beautiful work from Larry Carlton and Jaco Pastorius in places, Joni's songs and singing soar on the likes of Amelia, Coyote and the title track. I don't dislike anything here, this is a great and timeless album from a musical icon. 9/10

Obvious inclusion for this list but that doesn't diminish the influence or greatness. I far prefer this version of jazz to the some of the fusion abominations that were to follow, maybe that is simplistic taste but ultimately this is enjoyable and taxing for the sake of it. There isn't a track here that I don't like and stands as piece of musical artistry. It's the clichéd go to jazz album but that's for a reason as well, it's great to listen to. 10/10

A great hip hop album that tells a story of ghetto life and the pitfalls that keep people in the vicious cycle. Plenty of bangers here, Bitch Don't Kill, Money Trees, and Swimming Pools are the highlights, but this is a seminal record of it's genre and for the artist himself. Pretty funny to hear a Drake feature on this post the Not Like Us era though! 9/10

A great rock 'n' roll album, nothing much needs to be said except that it's 40 breathless minutes of rock over the 10 tracks. Nothing Bon Scott is singing about is going to have anyone ruminating on philosophical issues, this is about rocking out and getting some. Hard to fault it bar that it's just the same trick over and over, albeit excellently done. 8/10

Tbd

Really need to separate the art from the artist here, Billy Corgan is a complete narcissistic clown but the man knows his way around a rock song. This was a massive album when I was just seriously getting into music and I loved it back when it was released. The nostalgia factor has to be taken into account here as colouring a record that I rarely listen to nowadays. There are some huge 90s alternative rock songs here though, Bullet, 1979, Zero, Tonight Tonight, define an era. A broader point but the difference a great drummer makes to the sound of a band is insane, Chamberlain was killing it on the first few Pumpkins records, greatly enhances the performances captured here. The run on disc one from the start through To Forgive is basically perfect alt rock. There are some great songs on the second disc including the pick of the album in 1979 but there's also some dreadful missteps like We Only Come Out at Night, and some songs that way over stay their welcome. I could see valid perspectives from listeners that could put this at a 9 or 10/10 down to a 3 or 4/10, it's indulgent stuff no doubt over the course of 2 hours and non 90s rock fans might recoil. My 14 year old self would give this an easy 10 but it's not by any stretch a perfect album in truth, I was happy to revisit my youth for a couple of hours however. 8/10

Should this album be on the list? Absolutely. Is it something that everyone will appreciate and enjoy? Absolutely not. This is a seminal alternative rock album but it's abrasive, abstract and atonal at times. Starpower, Shadow of a Doubt, Expressway and Tom Violence are all Sonic Youth at their best. The likes of In the Kingdom are firmly in the acquired taste column, I like but if someone considered it unlistenable I'd see where they were coming from. Bubblegum is just a bizarre closer though, really off-putting vocal delivery. Sonic Youth would have better and more accessible albums to come but this could be the album best reflective of them, and it won't be for everyone. 7/10

If I had to describe this album succinctly then "forgettable" would be the single word used. Familiar with a number of these songs from back in the day, but I was never a fan of this band to be honest. It's standard enough rock, tuneful enough to listen to but nothing incredible or really interesting about it at all, there's a lot really boring, pedestrian songs here as well. That said this is about the best version of this band available given some of the more popular musical abominations that they would inflict on the ears of the world in subsequent years, but it's in no way worthy of inclusion on this list as a "must listen to" album. 3/10

Standard glam rock, well played but really I can't get past thinking I'm going to hear Noddy Holder screaming "IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!" at the end of every song. The Janis Joplin cover sticks out and the two Crazee tunes are decent, it also has a lot more joie de vivre than the dull as dishwater Kings of Leon album I had to listen to yesterday but realistically, who is listening, or even needs to listen, to this as a vital artifact of 70s rock at this stage? 4/10

Superb opening track, and the rest of this album is a solid slice of classic reggae. Tunes are good, vibes are good, album is good. 8/10