1001 Albums Summary

Not Shrek Core. An argument could be made that this is donkey core. I don’t need to listen to Sam Cooke ever again. It’s so ubiquitous in western culture, but it’s like asking someone to fly on a wright brothers airplane: a primitive and underwhelming experience. He’s one of the best singers ever, but this was an album of the same song over and over with an out of tune guitar.

Definitely not Shrek Core. Not even close. Great album. Opening 5 tracks are incredibly strong. Great instrumentals, great flow. Peak Kanye. Only sags a little around track 7/8/9. I don’t love ‘they say’. The rest of the album is really up there.

Minor league Shrek core. With a Little Help, Lovely Rita might qualify. Long time since I last listened to this album. I think I’d relegated it to a second class of the Beatles anthology and I think maybe that still holds true. It’s not as encompassing as Abbey Road, as sonically impressive as Revolver or written as tightly as rubber soul. But it’s still hugely fantastic and of course monumentally important. I think I’d give it 4.75 stars if I could, just based on the fact that when I’m 64 through to good morning is a little ‘lite’ for my tastes. They perfect that ending trilogy on Abbey Road. But I’ll pop it up to a 5 because a 4 would be scandalous.

Not Shrek core. This came up on my page this morning, following Dolly’s passing. Astounding production and performance. One of the nicest mixes I’ve ever heard. Plush and expensive but also intimate when it counts. Those memories of you is especially astounding, with the instrumental mix being absolutely top drawer. Performance wise, I mean, it’s three of the best singers ever, so it was always going to be a smash. Song choice is totally on point and heartbreaking. I even liked the more 80s production for Telling me Lies, but the more traditional numbers are the highlights (Wildflowers, memories of you, making plans). This is an easy 5 stars.

Not Shrek Core This is vibes music and the vibe is fine, but ultimately a little repetitive and a little dare I say boring. I enjoy Pictures of You, Lovesong and Lullaby, but the rest of the album seemed pretty forgettable. I could see myself maybe growing into this album, but I can’t really muster the energy at this point in life. Maybe in another life I’d absolutely adore this record and be consumed by the atmosphere, but I really just want to listen to songs, not tone poems of really repetitive one string guitar melodies.