1001 Albums Summary

Solid swing album with a healthy variety of high-energy tracks and slower melodies. As is usual with this genre, I found myself gravitating the most to the latter. Fav Tracks: "The Kid from Red Bank", "Double-O" and "Fantail".

I love an album that threads a common theme and narrative within it. The way all the songs weave into the next and visualize the subject of racial inequality and Black discrimination is so visceral. Complimented by the fantastic production that explored a wide-breathe of styles. Fav Tracks: "How Much A Dollar Cost", "The Blacker The Berry" and "i".

Kind of crazy how hard this goes for a debut album. Contains the Big Three GnR songs, and really the only three hits by them that I care about. The notes Axl hits are super impressive. I found myself actually really getting into the "rhythm" of the album by the tail-end, which was more than I expected I would. Love or hate them, you cannot deny the riff in "Sweet Child O' Mine" is absolutely addicting. Fav Tracks: "Think About You", "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Anything Goes".

Relisten. This is a tough one to objectively rate since the album and, more specifically, the major hits off of it were always in the background in some way growing up. Especially since my mom and sister were such big fans. It has been a long time since I've listened to some of these songs, and I'm inclined to say they hold up pretty well. I'm kind of exhausted by a few, but that is none of the actual songs fault, and more to do with the insane amount of airplay they got in the early 2010s. I found myself really gravitating to the less talked about ones way more. Fav Tracks: "Rolling in the Deep", "I'll Be Waiting" and "Lovesong".

Relisten. I mean, what else can I say? Phenomenal? Groovy? Fucks severely? Perfect? All of the above? Fav Tracks: "Chameleon", "Watermelon Man" and "Sly".

Okkkkkk. So let's just say I understand the hype now. That may have rewired my brain. Fav Tracks: "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)", "Cloudbusting" and "Waking the Witch".

It was fine. Mostly ended up attached to the big hits I was already familiar with. The other songs didn't stand out a whole lot to me. Fav Tracks: "Photograph", "Foolin'" and "Billy's Got a Gun".

Straight vibing. Fav Tracks: "It Was A Good Day", "Dirty Mac" and "Who Got The Camera?"

Fine, but Emmylou Harris' backing vocals is what is really stealing my attention. Sorry to Gram Parsons. Fav Tracks: "Return of the Grievous Angel", "$1000 Wedding" and "In My Hour of Darkness".

Insane how these tracks transform and shift within themselves to create some really mysterious and transfixing soundscapes. Having heard this now in full, it is easy to see where all the other jazz fusion artists I've listened to over the years have been pulling from. Fav Tracks: "Bitches Brew", "Spanish Key" and "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down".

Relisten. It is crazy how fresh this still sounds. As well as the drastic improvement from the content of the previous two albums. It has been a hot minute since I last listened to them, but from my recollection it was mostly serviceable hard rock with some glam and prog leanings. Solid, but nothing that made them stand out in particular. Here, the glam sits front-and-center, with the hallmark harmonies and vaudeville sensibilities that will come to be Queen's signature sound. Fav Tracks: "Killer Queen", "Flick of the Wrist" and "Misfire".

As he ages, Bob Dylan starts to sound more and more like a roadside sage. The kind of guy that would only answer you in gruff, esoteric riddles than straight answers. This felt ok. Very blues heavy, which I enjoy but a few of the songs felt like they overstayed their welcome. I enjoy Dylan the most when his storytelling is center-stage, and only a few tunes really scratched that itch. Although, I find Bob Dylan is best perceived through the entire expanse of his discography. In that context, I might come back to this with better feelings. Fav Tracks: "Tryin' to Get to Heaven" and "Highlands".

Absolute gut-punch seeing this as the assigned album today. Well played 1001albumsgenerator. Well played. Dolly, Linda and Emmylou's voices are so beautiful and ethereal together. A melancholy delight. Fav Tracks: "Hobo's Meditation", "Wildflowers" and "Telling Me Lies".

I don't often hear "punk" albums that veer on prog. Fav Tracks: "Venus", "Marquee Moon" and "Guiding Light".

Relisten. God, it is so good. So many of my favorite songs of his all in one place. I forgot how good hearing the whole thing together is. It is so interesting to think about how controversial his "electric" tracks were when they came out. Folk music in general has changed so much, but it goes to show that the immediate discontent from fans to see their favorite artists do something different is an ongoing phenomenon. Fav Tracks: "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream", "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)".

Relisten. So nostalgic. It makes me think of summer and rainy days, so listening to this today was perfect. A very melancholic album. Most of Simon & Garfunkel's discography can be deemed melancholic, but in different ways. There is a definite old-world sentimentality to this one, even though a lot of the songs deal with subject matter pertinent to the 20th century. There is a relaxing and soothing quality emanating whereas other albums hold a more guttural sadness from my experience. Fav Tracks: "Homeward Bound", "A Poem on the Underground Wall" and "7 O'clock News / Silent Night".

Relisten. I haven't listened to this album in full since high school and yet I still remember a majority of the songs like I listened to it yesterday... Some show their age, but others still feel super fresh. "My Generation" and "The Kids Are Alright" stand out especially in this regard. Fav Tracks: "La-La-La-Lies", "The Kids Are Alright" and "The Ox".

WOW! I wasn't going into this with any strong expectations, but I ended up not just liking it, but REALLY enjoying it. I can already see myself coming back to a lot of these songs. And this is coming from someone who was previously only familiar with their one really big hit. Also the album cover and title are really great as well. Kind of nebulous to the overall content, which only piques my curiosity even more. Fav Tracks: "Chocolate Cake", "Weather With You" and "As Sure As I Am".

It started to grow on me as I kept listening. I enjoyed the instrumentation, but sometimes the vocals left a bit to be desired. I feel like the tracks I ended up gravitating the most towards were the "atypical" ones like their cover of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and that crazy experimental bonus track. More of that please! Fav Tracks: "FM", "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Liebe and Romanze - Slow Version".

Kind of mind-boggling this came out in 1973. Sounds totally fresh in its high-octane energy. Blistering and sexy. Fav Tracks: "Gimmie Danger", "Penetration" and "Shake Appeal".

Vibing. I've been wanting to listen to this album for a while. It is a crazy feeling listening for the first time to something that so clearly was the source of inspiration for other electronic, trip hop and plunderphonics artists I admire. Fav Tracks: "Changeling", "Mutual Slump" and "Napalm Brain / Scatter Brain".

Thank God for the Internet Archive. It appears that the version listed on Spotify and even on Youtube are incomplete or just flat-out inaccurate to the original lineup. If anyone is curious to actually give the compilation a proper shot as it is intended to be listened to, I'd highly recommend it. Especially when it comes to the second half where all the tracks are mixed to flow into one another seamlessly. A good technique to keep the momentum of the music moving. I'd say it was pretty good. Definitely sent me back to high school when I listened to a whole lot of House, DnB, and all variety of other electronic music. As a compilation made to highlight the artists under Bukem's label it delivers. As far as dedicated listening though I feel it kind of dragged on a bit, and not all tracks are personal standouts to me. As something to simply vibe to in the background though, it remained enjoyable. Fav Tracks: "Demon's Theme" by LTJ Bukem, "Western (Conrad remix)" by PFM and "Miles High" by DJ Trace.

Creedence Clearwater Revival just embodies "summer" to me. It is September right now, but the weather has been so nice that the vibe feels just right. Fav Tracks: "Wrote A Song For Everyone", "Bad Moon Rising" and "Lodi".

"I wanted to be a COWBOY, baby!" Fav Tracks: "They're Hanging Me Tonight", "Cool Water" and "The Master's Call".

Relisten. I remember enjoying this album on previous listens, but I REALLY enjoyed it this time. Maybe it has to do with learning that some of these songs were inspired by an unproduced screenplay. It adds a mistique to every song. Even the unrelated ones. Fav Tracks: "Tell Me Why", "Till the Morning Comes" and "Don't Let It Bring You Down".

"Highway to Hell" is an all-timer. I honestly wasn't expecting to like this so much (considering how I've felt about the dad-rock metal I previously listened to on here), but each song was really catchy and memorable. Fav Tracks: "Highway to Hell", "Touch Too Much" and "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)".

Relisten. This is pretty much the definitive rock opera in my book. Granted, there are others I personally like more (within The Who's discography at that), but as the album that shot the subgenre into the spotlight, it is really good with a powerful story teeming with metaphor. A lot of these tracks moved me significantly growing up, and still give me goosebumps to this day. Something I hadn't thought about much before until now is that the structure of this album; the storytelling and musicality, really takes to heart the "opera" aspect of it's medium. Melodies are referenced and recitied through various sections, in connection to specific characters or themes. The tracks never exist on their own, and are truly best appreciated as a cohesive whole. While the rock opera have been utilized by many musicians at this point as a form of narrative storytelling, I don't always feel like they are actually encapsulating this characteristic aspect that makes the album an "opera" as opposed to just a "narrative concept album". It goes to show just how much technical thought was put into this whole piece. The only reason this album isn't resting at 5 stars, is because Who's Next and Quadrophenia exists. Fav Tracks: "Christmas", "Pinball Wizard" and "We're Not Gonna Take It".

You can't really go wrong with Peter Gabriel. Music that really transports you somewhere else. I don't know how he comes up with the sounds he does. Would love to come back to this one while listening to all of his self titled works in order. Fav Tracks: "Start", "Games Without Frontiers" and "Not One Of Us".

I say this in the best way possible, but this sounds like Scooby Doo music. Fav Tracks: "I Was A Teenage Werewolf", "Sunglasses After Dark" and "Strychnine".

Relisten. OW fuck. This hits hard </3. Fav Tracks: "On the Beach", "Motion Pictures (For Carrie)" and "Ambulance Blues".

Relisten. Uhhhhh yeah. Album of ALL TIME. This is partially biased since I personally have such a nostalgic and emotional connection to this album (it has the priviledge of being the first CD I bought with my own money), but it also is such a powerhouse of a debut. I've listened to a lot of albums from the late 60s and nothing comes close to sounding like it. Despite the genuine issues surrounding the lack of credit to the covers displayed in the tracklisting (initially. Zep have since added credits), it's impact is undeniable. Still sounds as loud and powerful as ever. Fav Tracks: "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You", "Your Time Is Gonna Come" and "How Many More Times".

Never heard of this album or this guy before (although I am familiar with The Pixies). Very pleased though. This is the kind of fun/surferesque alternative rock I tend to enjoy. The tracklisting is on the longer side, so my attachment to the songs varies, but a lot were really catchy. Fav Tracks: "Headache", "Olé Mulholland" and "Big Red".

Powerful! I genuinely wish there was more. Fav Tracks: "Combination of the Two", "Piece of My Heart" and "Ball and Chain".

I liked this! It is the kind of feeling though that I might have to give it a relisten to fully engage with the songs. I like Liz Phair's voice and vibe a lot though, so I'll look forward to exploring her music more. Fav Tracks: "Never Said", "Divorce Song" and "Johnny Sunshine".

Ok, I think this made me understand The Cure hype. Fav Tracks: "Pictures of You", "Lovesong" and "Disintegration".

Really good! I love how melodic and catchy each song and riff is while still holding to that hard-edged "punk" factor. Fav Tracks: "Some Weird Sin", "Passenger" and "Neighborhood Threat".

I think by the halfway mark the songs really started to interest me lyrically as well as musically/production-wise. Definitely a well done album, but not one I see myself being completely invested in. Fav Tracks: "Homemade Dynamite", "Liability" and "Hard Feelings/Loveless"

Relisten. The first track doesn't age well...to put it lightly...catchy as it is. But, this is still a super solid album with a fantastic cover to boot. Fav Tracks: "Wild Horses", "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" and "Bitch".

Awesome!! Any group that can make a song with lyrics pertaining to toilets and diarrhea the funkiest and suavest thing in the world deserves more than accolades. Fav Tracks: "One Nation Under a Groove", "Into You" and "Cholly (Funk Getting Ready to Roll!)".

Really nice and relaxing, even when combined with the juxtaposition of some more melancholic tracks hinting at political and racial unrest. Overall made me feel that I should explore Bob Marley's discography more in-depth going forward. Fav Tracks: "400 Years", "Stop That Train" and "Stir It Up".

I have a mixed impression of Coldplay. In large part likely due to certain tracks of theirs being over-played extensively on the radio ("Yellow" in particular being rather irritating). That bias aside, I've always been interested in this album, primarily due to its cover which I think is also a great reflection of the sound within. There is indeed a "coldness" to their music, and I promise I don't mean that in a bad way...necessarily. It is hard to put my finger on it, but it has to do with the way their more synth-heavy tracks sound. Kind of sterile. I didn't find myself super engaged with those. It is actually the more acoustic-forward songs I found more enjoyable. Fav Tracks: "God Put a Smile upon Your Face", "Green Eyes" and "Warning Sign"

The moment the first track came on I could tell this would be good. My preference leans towards the high-octane, big band songs on the first side of the album. But the slower, more orchestral tracks were also very enjoyable. Despite the tonal shifts, they fit well together to create a cohesive piece. Fav Tracks: "Let the Good Times Roll", "Just for a Thrill" and "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'".

My opinions about Lynyrd Skynyrd politically aside, really fucking good album. Definitely one of the best that southern rock has to offer. It is physically impossible to not exhibit intense emotions when "Free Bird" comes on. From the lonesome first notes to the celebratory concluding guitar solo, it is really an impeccable rock song. Not to mention the other hits like "Tuesday's Gone" and "Simple Man". I wasn't sure if the other tracks would live up to these three, but they all were really solid and easily stood on their own. Great album. Fuck your confederate flag obsession though. Fav Tracks: "I Ain't The One", "Tuesday's Gone" and "Free Bird".

Re-listen. The Beach Boys really did invent depression music all the way back in 1971... In all seriousness, it is indeed a gut-punch of an album. While the content might feel like a shock to those only familiar with The Beach Boys traditional hits, for those more engaged with their background and evolution it doesn't come as too much of a surprise. Introspective and melancholic songs are not new for The Beach Boys, as seen in previous 60s albums like Pet Sounds and Smiley Smile. Surf's Up though does hold the distinction of bringing those themes front-and-center. All the way down to the album cover. I'm sure it stunned people back then as much as it continues to do now. I'm talking about the cover so much only because I think it speaks volumes about the music within. Not just in encapsulating the way the songs feel and sound, but how it highlights the intentional subversion of expectations. Despite their stylistic development, the Beach Boys were, and to an extent still are, perceived as a chipper surf rock/"summer of love" group. When you choose cover art like this, it is screaming at the dissonance between their initial output and their desired direction. Even down to the title "Surf's Up" (shared with the last track), which creates an association brimming with irony. It follows the trend of their first few albums having some kind of variation of "surf" in the title, harkening back to those feel-good tunes. But when paired with the visual, the exclamation turns from one of immediate action and control, to one of reconciliation and acceptance; powerlessness. Like a stone rolling on the waves of the ocean. The album is not only a direct confrontation with feelings of social, environmental and emotional upheaval, but a literal one too as the group was attempting to approach a new stylistic path with the changing times and decreasing influence of their previous band-leader Brian Wilson. The future is scary and uncertain, but you can try looking back at what was one more time before you take the leap into the dark water. Fav Tracks: "Long Promised Road", "'Til I Die" and "Surf's Up".

This album just feels like summer. I really enjoy the variety of styles approached ranging from traditional rap to more funkier melodies, as well as the more humorous songs. It comes together to create a very light-hearted album. I can definitely see where the "hippie" and psychedelic comparisons come from, I guess pertaining to the positive-leaning subject matter and the bright-colored flower visuals on the cover, but the songs sound way more influenced by funk and soul to me. The sampling of such material is fantastic as well. It really is a shame how much albums like this which utilize heavy sampling get completely thrown under the bus in the current music landscape. It is a more complicated issue than I can get into here, and I want to keep this review pertaining to the album exclusively, but sampling is such a creative form of collage expression which way too often gets painted within a lens of "laziness" or lack of creative skill when that is the opposite of a majority of sample-focused genres I've seen. It takes a lot of skill to take a track or sound and turn it into something new. Often in ways that make it completely unrecognizable. Fav Tracks: "Eye Know", "Tread Water" and "Me Myself and I".

Something surprisingly "Bruce Springsteen" about the vocal performance and lyrical content in these. That kind of surprised me since I wasn't expecting to get that impression out of Elvis Costello. Not that I had anything to compare it with. On that note, I surprised myself even more by kind of liking it. Fav Tracks: "Blame It On Cain", "Alison" and "I'm Not Angry".

Cheap Trick is a band I've always been curious about exploring more. They have a great visual "look" to them (the gimmick that none of them feel like they are from the same band is great), and their live performances appear to have a lot of good energy. It helps also that I like their hit songs. It would make sense that this album is a good place to start, considering it is the one that put them on the spotlight world-wide and therefore was their introduction to many new listeners. That is already interesting on its own since, other than Frampton Comes Alive!, I can't think of many other live albums that have had a similar level of impact. I can think of many examples of well-received live albums, but most of these came from singers and groups that already achieved popularity through at least one studio release. Especially considering the context that this album was initially intended exclusively for the group's passionate Japanese audience, the fact that it blew up to the point that the live version of "I Want You to Want Me" is exclusively played on the radio is pretty impressive. Does this album deserve its notoriety though? I would say it does! It is high-energy and infectious, although a bit short for my liking. While maybe too intimidating and ambitious for the group at the time, I feel like it would have been better a little longer. It is good to know versions exist exploring that. Side two is where the record really starts to kick off, in my opinion. Not just because it contains the group's breakthrough hits, but the energy really reaches its height. Fav Tracks: "Need Your Love", "I Want You to Want Me" and "Surrender".

The sounds that come from this album are so indescribable. All while being so unique to one another. It is genuinely difficult to single out a favorite track between all of them. Fav Tracks: "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)", "Once in a Lifetime" and "Seen and Not Seen".

A little bit different from what I expected as someone whose only exposure to Bauhaus has been "Bela Lugosi Is Dead". A lot more high-energy and distinctly 'New Wavey'. The trademark fuzzy guitar and dark themes are still there though. I personally found myself gravitating the most to the spooky and experimental songs. The bonus tracks especially stood out to me. Fav Tracks: "Of Lilies and Remains", "In Fear of Fear" and "The Man with X-Ray Eyes".

Genuinely, how have I gone this long and not heard this album AT LEAST once? The impact of the vibe on neo-soul in the 2000s and 2010s is so palpable. I feel like I am sitting in a coffee shop decked out in global village coffeehouse decor with a hot expresso by my side. Just chilling on a rainy day. The vocals and lyrics are so poignant. Highlighted all throughout with biting saxophone and seamless production. Splendid. Fav Tracks: "Stronger Than Me", "In My Bed" and "Amy Amy Amy".

A strong soul album for sure. The cover interpretations are great. Especially "Satisfaction", which Redding applies a great dose of energy to an already blistering R&B track. It's a pretty notable addition to the lineup, considering it was only released four months ago and is a "pop rock" song. It certainly breaks from Redding's soul standards, but shows he is willing to experiment in his repertoire and look ahead. Fav Tracks: "Change Gonna Come", "Down in the Valley" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction".

OK so, I was absolutely NOT expecting this to be an electronic prog-jazz style album from initial glance. The surprise wore away quickly as I got sucked into the space-age soundscape. I can absolutely see the stepping stones from this to French house by the likes of Daft Punk and even art pop acts like Animal Collective. This is the first instance so far while taking part in this generator that I've been genuinely surprised with the selection (not counting Woodface by Crowded House since I was already curious about listening to that, whereas this album was hardly on my radar). Fav Tracks: "Sexy Boy", "You Make It Easy" and "New Star in the Sky".

Very funky. Kind of like a Van Halen and Oingo Boingo lovechild abomination. A little corny in some areas (particularly "Open Letter (To a Landlord)", but still very fun. Fav Tracks: "I Want To Know", "Memories Can't Wait" and "Which Way to America".