Album #1 of my 2nd attempt at this challenge. Considering the 1st album from my last attempt was Fred Neil's self titled, id like to think we're off to a better start than this.
The Beatles presence demands 5 stars just off name value alone, and this site seems to share the exact sentiment. I wont go that far. But its not far off in my eyes, and i dont blame anyone that does give it 5. Not my favorite Beatles record, its definitely not their most polished record. But there's far more good than bad.
My Main criticism in all honesty? The back half of this album was very uninteresting and dragged, even for a 30 minute album. Is the standard higher because they're The Beatles? Probably, but i can hardly remember anything memorable past "Cant Buy me love"
4/5
Wow..... What are the chances I get this today. 8/26/2026. Less than 24 hours after the passing of Dolly Parton.
Now admittedly, I don't care for country music that much, especially most of the stuff released today. However, the origins of the sound and songwriting within the genre that I appreciate is apparent on this album.
The first 2 songs "Coat of many colors" and "Traveling Man" was an absolutely incredible intro for this album. And the best part is that it stays emotionally touching and tells great stories throughout its lyrics. Lastly, Dolly has the voice of an angel and this album was a great listen for me.
I'll refrain from 5 stars, as I do want those to be saved for the absolute best, favorites and albums ill revisit forever. However, A Strong 4/5
Rest in Peace Dolly.
In the 1001 albums series, there are 1089 albums total across all volumes and 7 of them are Beatles albums. So with this being my 2nd Beatles album in 3 days, the universe must be telling me something.
This album goes without saying, is 1 of music's most important moments ever. It is as influential of a record to music as there may ever be, as it feels like The Beatles just took the book on how to make a good record, tore it to shreds, and decided they were going to experiment with an artsy, experimental, and storytelling as a whole. It showed that Studio rock albums can be on the same level of art as the classical music which preceded it.
Oh and dare I say, potentially the most iconic Album cover of all time? Well, there may be another Beatles album that contests that take, but this one always stuck out for me as an over the top yet firmly identifiable piece that perfectly symbolizes this album.
I could write 50 more lines about why this album is perfect, but all i'll say is, its been 60 years, and this album is still influencing and as aged even better than it has ever.
5/5
I mean.... do i really need to do a 5000 character write up about this album? It's Michael Jackson's Thriller. The King of Pop at his absolute peak in popularity and talent. He did a Song with Paul McCartney, Van Halen helped out instrumentation, Janet Jackson helped with PYT? I'm not going to write a novel or be different by giving this a 1/5. In fact anything less than a 5/5 is grounds for questioning someone's understanding of music by taste and historical significance.
5/5. Next
When i first listened to this album about 12 years ago (15 year old me decided to start seeking the good music, Nice Try Iggy Azalea!), my mind was blown and genuinely, this was one of my favorite first listens ever to this day.
The main critique is Billy's voice, or just his overbearing fingerprints on this album in general (Band was obviously a mess behind the scenes). And there's no doubt that later on it was just too much to overcome. But Their first 3 albums are 3 of the absolute best.
So as far as this one goes? All these years later, this still holds up for all the right reasons for me. Cherub Rock, Today, Disarm, Mayonnaise, Rocket, Soma are all still unskippables to this day. The depth beyond the big hits still really holds up as well, Geek USA being a prime example of that.
Most will say Mellon Collie was their best, some will even argue Gish. But to me, this was the best of the bunch. Siamese Dream has the best guitar work, the most polished and focused record, an absolute emotional roller coaster and in my opinion, the perfect pace for the average listener to appreciate.
No doubt in my mind, 5/5
(P.S, this is album 5/1089 for me, and ive gotten Thriller, 2 Beatles albums and this, does this mean im about to get some absolute bizarre records going forward? oh goodness)
I like this challenge, because its empowers me to listen to new albums and genres that I otherwise never cared to. Will i revisit this often? Probably not, but I admire the talent, and the instrumentation that went into this album. I didn't have a hard time getting through this, Ray Charles is 1 of a kind.
3/5
My exposure to this album has only been to "I feel the Earth move" "You've got a friend" and "It's too late"; arguably her 3 biggest songs. So I was pretty excited to give this album a listen proper.
Listening all the way through, I understand why those 3 songs stood out as singles comparatively to the rest of the albums, but I've gotta say, this has been a soothing pop rock record to listen to.
As far as influence, I mean. Taylor Swift has flat out said this was one of her biggest inspirations as artist. Depending on how you feel about her may swift(!) you in a different direction with regards to how you should rate this album. Well, much like Swift, Pre "Shake it Off." I truly enjoy this album.
5/5 for one of the best Female Pop Rock albums of all time.
You know what's crazy? I started this project before, and this was the very first record I got. I did not enjoy listening to it one bit and I gave it 1/5. This was about 8 months ago. The crazy thing? I legitimately can't remember a single melody, note nothing, just that I knew I didn't like it.
Now this time around, this is 8/1089. Almost like I'm being spied on.
1/5. Next
Couldn't exactly grow up in 2012-13 without hearing songs off this album could ya? Well, i mean you probably could've, but it would've been miserable. However it would be nothing compared to the snapshot that Kendrick paints about his life in Compton.
For me, this was Kendrick's most complete take at an album. Section 80 was raw, TPAB is reminiscent of someone who was the best in the world, showing it, and DAMN was good commercially (always felt it was a radio-hit baity album tbh). This Album's replayability, in my opinion is also the ultimate trump card compared to his other works. Money Trees? Maad City? Dont Kill my Vibe? Backseat Freestyle? Still elite to this day.
Overall? I mean, i hate giving out 5s like Candy, but hell if the albums keep coming in with this level of work, I Kind of have no choice..... Then again, if Fred Neil's album is any indicator, I guess this is more preferrable.
5/5
I know the big hits, pretty hard to purposely avoid them if you ever go outside or scroll the internet for an extended period of time. Dancing Queen, is undeniably has stood the test of time as a monumental banger. The rest of this album? I mean....... Yes and No?
Don't get me wrong, objectively this is a good album, unless you have a full blown hatred for ABBA or Disco (perfectly understandable), its hard to disagree. But I honestly get the vibe that this is a singles album more so than an absolutely cohesively put together album that is required listening. Dancing Queen, Fernando, Money Money Money, Knowing me Knowing you, My Love My Life? You pretty much get the gist of it with those songs alone.
Good, maybe a tad overrated, But mostly enjoyable. 3/5
Admittedly, never got into Depeche mode all too much, I only know the big hits, Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence. So I guess what better time than now yeah?
Off the bat, I will say, Depeche mode have an eeriness to them that's pretty cool. They pass as funky, yet hauntingly beautiful all at once, and this album really put that on display for me, especially in the beginning. Almost a truly cinematic feel to it.
That said, while I would love to sit here and tell you that this was a gem of an album im mad I didn't listen to until now, however, I guess my tolerance for electro-synth pop just will not allow that. I do appreciate this album overall. This album was said to have helped Depeche Mode crossover to USA, and its not hard to see why, as it was a true contrast to what pre-alternative sounded like in the late 1980s.
If there was a 3.5/5 option that would be my choice. However, contrary to 3rd grade math, I will round down on this one.
3/5.
One of the reasons I did this challenge was because I wanted to enrich myself in the genres i other wise might not. So nosediving into a jazz record is certainly in that wheelhouse.
If i had to describe this album in 1 word? Soothing. If I had to pull out a record for a relaxing night, i'd almost certainly pull this one out and put my mind at ease. Miles Davis is widely regarded as not only a pioneer, but just a flat out savant all around and this record is a shining example as to why.
Like I said earlier, never really gave this genre too much of a listen, so normally when i review a rap rock or pop record I have some sort of baseline to compare to what I deem to be good, great, elite or absolutely trash. I dont really have that here, so all I have is just my raw first listen opinion. The verdict? Well, it was great, and when i hear its regarded as the best Jazz record of all time, i get kind of discouraged knowing its all downhill from here, but i digress.
5/5.
Everyone's had mindfucks/trips in some regards yeah? PG version or much *darker* versions to each their own. Mine? Going from Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue"...... to this in consecutive days.
In that sense, it fits the 1001 albums to listen to before you die criteria, because what's the good without the bad.... or this case, the bizarre? Now, I actually am intrigued in some sense by this, Bizarre doesn't automatically mean horrible, it just means different in a weird way. And to an extent, thats exactly what this take on Jazz is, an absolutely intense and batshit insane take in what is called "Avant-garde jazz" or even Punk Jazz.
Now listen, I APPRECIATE THE TALENT, i really do. But in a 1-5 rating, which im doing, i can analyze things every which way imaginable, but the core concept is simple. How enjoyable was the album to listen to and why? This? I'm sorry, but......no, just no.
1/5 PLEASE GIVE ME AN EAR CLEANSER NEXT 1001 ALBUMS GENERATOR DOT COM PLEASE.
I've always had a rule of thumb for albums pre-1969 (the year my dad was born). If its not the British Invasion era bands, it'll most likely sound like you're in the wild wild west or it'll be super groovy. This falls under the ladder. I really did appreciate the upbeat take on Jazz. When i see that Louis Prima had an influence that ranged from Jazz, Soul and late 20th century Rock, it makes perfect sense. Music is supposed to make you feel something in a positive manner (however you subjectivy positivity within the context), and i absolutely felt entertained.
My type of Genre? meh. Appreciated? absolutely. 3/5
This album has a bit of a polarizing view on it from music fans all around. From what I gathered, this would lean more into album I wouldn't care for or relisten to. And to be honest? They were right. Good call haters.
But I will say, a lot of what turns people off about this album is subject matter and lyrics, and I don't necessarily use that as a main dismissal for an album being good or not. Is this a batshit, crazed and weird take on heartbreak, jealously and grief? Yep, certainly.
However, Bad is often just the absence of good. And that is probably the best way to describe my listening experience for this album, however it doesnt really go out of its way to be bad like other albums that deserve a 1/5 moniker. I do want to save the 1s for the absolutely deplorable albums that gave me nothing but wasted time.
2/5 as sort of a mercy killing..... unlike Dwight's murder fantasies.
The interesting thing about this book is that you'll get a good amount of 90s and early 2000s albums that the authors probably predicted would age well. This album is a perfect example. And... Well eh.
I actually didn't hate this take at 90s britpop. But overall this was too orchestra themed for my liking. It actually seems to be screaming one thing the whole time. "Where is the star power?". No disrespect to Hannon, but I just didn't feel something truly unforgettable. I remember the first time I listened to Oasis, Blur Pulp etc.
But I will say this. It stuck with me as something that was interesting as a first listen, and it wasn't hard to get through the entire album. However, most of the themes of this album, I could find better explored elsewhere, both britpop and other genres.
If I could do 2.5/5 I would. However, I imagine I will hear worse. Therefore.
3/5
The cool thing with music, is that you can often pinpoint a certain time period with a sound or album. And I don't think you can get more late 20th century, 1999 feel, than young Brittany Spears.
Pop music can often be a mixed bag, especially within the last 30 years. But the consensus for a good amount is that the quality drops in favor of quick radio hit-like songs for obvious reasons. I don't necessarily qualify this album's hit songs under that umbrella, entirely. Sure the hit songs are absolutely wretched at this point from overplay and just the overall catchiness that we either love, or love to hate. But through the lens of 1999, it absolutely deserved the mostly polarizing, yet understanding talent that Brittany possessed.
That said, the back half of this album..... kind of left a lot to be desired. Also, its pretty dated.... cant exactly see "Email my heart" get airplay on the radio now can you? That will ultimately stop it from getting a 4 or 5 for me, But the highs are pretty solid and overall was a cool listen for me.
3/5
Well, after 2 weeks of this challenge, i've gotten John Zorns "Jazz" album, Miles Davis and now this. I guess I've officially done my study of jazz and im an expert right? Heh, well at least that's all the qualifications you need on the internet, hell maybe pitchfork will hire me on those merits!
I actually remembered seeing this on Rolling stone's list on 2020, and it stuck out because i had never heard of it or listened to it, been meaning to, but now im thankful i have. This absolutely falls under the more soothing, soulful and bluesy sound of Jazz that I love to gravitate towards. While I rate Miles Davis' Kind of Blue above this, I will say, this album shines in different ways and indicates a direction that was taken to really evolve the sound and push the genre further.
I will refrain from throwing out a 5, but only barely. Four Women, Lilic Wine and That's all i ask are songs that stuck with me for its beauty.
4/5.
I dont necessarily consider myself a hip hop head, although I do have my sweet spots and old school hip hop really hits home. I have mixed reactions when other genres blend with hip hop, especially rock (give me a kid rock or limp bizkit album and you'll see). This version of hip hop is referred to as "Trip hop", and for some reason it just has not clicked for me whatsoever.
I guess the vibe of this entire album was "cool, groovy instrumentation" but overrall it didnt hit home to me as something that was awesome to listen to, nor did it rip up the book of hip hop and blow my mind. Whats really odd, is that when i saw this albums ranking on rolling stone's top 500. from 2004 to 2020, it actually went up nearly 100 spots. And to an extent, i actually understand the ideology that this album aged better with time, and maybe ill feel that way someday. But that day is not today.
2/5
I'm gonna keep it short and sweet (something this album didn't do). This album bored me to pieces. I didnt come away with anything from it, and for an project based around 1089 essential albums, i can safely file this under a non-essential album. Surely there's better wall of sound-esqe albums to listen to yeah? I know for damn sure Phil Spector produced better than this.
1/5
First off, I've gotta say. What an album cover. Second, sometimes there is beauty in rawness, and i think that would be the perfect way to describe this album. Admittedly, I've not dived into Janis Joplin's catalog, and I've gotta say, after listening to this album I'm very disappointed in myself for waiting so long. I mean, seriously, this had to have been an absolute mindfuck to listen to in year 1968, from a female vocalist.
But while I absolutely could go on for paragraphs about Janis Joplin pretty much stealing the show and putting 99.9% of female vocalists in music history to shame, there's more to this album that makes it a great listen. This is a tremendous instrumentation album all around, groovy, bluesy, and flat out fun to listen to. Piece of my Heart is getting regular plays from here on, I truly loved listening to this song.
I've been bouncing it in my head for a while... but you know what, I've gotta do it. This is a 5/5 listen for me.
One of society's biggest plague's regarding music, tv and art, is the comparison of eras through the lens of recency bias. We're so quick to throw out the classics or dismiss exactly what they accomplished because artists nowadays have a better understanding of music, art and what people like in general. Why is that? Well, probably because they have nearly 80 years worth of knowledge to learn from, something Little Richard didnt have. But lets be clear, being 1 of the best in 1957 is just as impressive as it is today (well arguably harder, especially for an African American).
This will be required listening 50-100 years from now, just as it is, 79 years after its release today. This album is as instrumental as there will ever be for laying the groundwork for what Rock and Roll can be, not just as a sound, or a performance, but a symbol (no Prince wait your turn).
There's no doubt. This is a 5/5 record with both sound and historical context in mind.
Who knew Jason Statham could make music? Looks like he's having a good time, or he's jumping in anger? Hell idk
As far as this album goes, I truly do appreciate the versatility in sounds, it is quite the rollercoaster to listen to this album end to end. I looked out for the big hits and I was entertained. However, I gotta be honest, while the production and versatility is awesome, I dont know if I ever see myself re listening to this album again.
By no means a bad album, but not for me. 3/5
I'll keep this short, something album would've done if it didnt just have an absolutely bloated 10 minute borefest at the end.
If this book is literally 1001 albums to listen to before you die..... what is gained by listening to this? I know that by the time I die that i hate it? if so mission accomplished. This did nothing for me. I understand that classics and pioneering albums for all genres should be included, and to some people this is under that umbrella. But i'll be damned, did this one just slip the cracks in terms of quality? If this book ever gets revised... i nominate this for removal.
1/5
