1001 Albums Summary

I was into The Cure in the 1980s and I think I had this one on tape. Definitely a bit gloomy atmospheric rather than some of their later, much poppier hits. Happy to hear it but apart from ‘A Forest’ it’s just not that exciting 2.4/5

Ashamed to say I’d not listened to this album in full for a long time (where are all the CD players?) but this is surely why we have the challenge- anyone hearing for the first time has got to go WOW! Track after track of original, dynamic, witty, catchy and well-observed tunes. Full of characters and experiences- coppers, bouncers, taxi drivers, chavs, ‘Top Shop Princesses’, drunken idiots and mates. References to vampires, many nights out on the pull in mighty hometown Sheffield and even Frank Spencer. Classic lines- ‘you’re not from New York City, you’re from Rotherham!’, ‘The proof that love’s not only blind but deaf’ Also the record that brought the meaning of Yorkshire word ‘mardy’ to the wider world. Still sounds fresh after 20 years. Outstanding 4.95/5

Two or three great tunes- I’ve loved ‘Norwegian Wood’ since I was very young so guessing we had this at home. Probably ground-breaking when released but quite a few slightly dull tracks that I’d now call ‘easy listening’ Ringo doing a sort of country song was hit with F though! 2.6/5

I’m familiar with Nick Drake from another record- ‘Five Leaves Left’ which, as I remember, is pretty similar to this. The music is simple but beautiful, the playing makes you wish you’d leaned to play guitar and the atmosphere is of tranquil, hippy times in the early 1970s although sadness comes through. A bit samey after a few listens though. 2.4/5

Knew the singles ‘Just the way you are’ and ‘She’s always a woman’ but not heard this album before. I wasn’t expecting to like it but was pleasantly surprised. All pretty upbeat with a kind of New York vibe. Liked the title track and the Italian Restaurant track. Second half a bit weaker but all much better than the stuff he did in the 80s. 2.6/5

All I knew about these was that lead singer is called Evan Dando and they covered Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Mrs Robinson’ (weirdly) Turns out they’re American which maybe explains that this totally misses being any good as an indie guitar-type album. A couple of okay tracks but basically dull. 0.8/5

This guy was in the Byrds in the 1960s- most famous for ‘8 miles high’ and Dylan covers a bit sort of jangly. The title track is very cool indeed and the tracks either side of it are okay but not the whole album. Maybe ground-breaking on release but only okay (ish) now overall. 1.7/5

This sounds like a late 60s jumble of loads of other music- Beatles, Beach Boys, Kinks, Pink Floyd, Small Faces… and not their good bits- just feels nondescript. 0.9/5

Great to hear this whole album again (we had it at home)- feel like my mum’s more the Springsteen fan. Plenty of lively tunes. Definitely the most poppy, mainstream ‘produced’ record he made - not sure if that’s good or bad. I think ‘Downbound train’ my favourite track. Really good but not a classic. Straight 3/5 from me.

Can’t believe this is nearly 40 years old. I knew a couple of the tracks so it was okay to hear them again. Tried hard to listen to the whole record but it’s not really my thing. Didn’t seem to be too much swearing or guns! Hugely influential and talented, but only.. 1.9/5

More 60s mysogyny from British top bands! This is when they started only doing their own tracks rather than any old blues covers so maybe still learning the art of lyric-writing. ‘Going home’ way too long! One of my favourite ever bands but they definitely got a lot better than this. I like a some of the songs but much of this doesn’t stand up so well these days. 2.4/5

Didn’t make me Smile! Just seemed like a hotch-porch of randomness. Improved very slightly on repeated listening. Was it all the bits the rest of the Beach Boys hated? 0.8/5

Listened to this in bits due to his Amazon boycott ( new fact for me). Genuinely deserves its place on the list. There are some weaker tunes but also 2 or 3 classics. 3.2/5

Lovely smooth voice and 1 or 2 good songs but feels kind of dated. 1.6/5

More enjoyable than I was expecting. This is less ‘middle of the road’ than their big hit ‘Drive’ ( pun!) but I don’t think much will stick in my head. 1.8/5

First two tunes are perfect. I feel if you love Prince this is great. Super- talented guy. Decent three from me. 3.3/5

A really unique sound, with a great vocal- very reminiscent of its time, but not dated. I like it but it didn’t grow on me with repeated listens which is what I was hoping for. 2.2/5

Proof that ‘metal’ can be great and have tunes. Bit repetitive though. Still worth a low 3 2.7/5

Really enjoyed this! Didn’t know too much about this band apart from recognising first song. There’s plenty of attitude here but also variation between the tracks. 3.2/5

It’s nice music but not uplifting or( to my ear) very interesting. All seems the same. 1.1/5

For much of this album I had no clue what was going on! However, that didn’t seem to matter- I loved the sound, the vocals, the atmosphere, the originality (even the covers were crazy) and the European-ness.Really enjoyable. Going high 3 though considered 4. 3.49/5