My first album in the 1001 albums generator, and it makes me worry about what else is to come. I’ve never listened to Rush before, I can’t say I will be again unless they feature more than once in this list. The album is only 39 minutes long but it dragged on and felt longer.
Tom Sawyer is pretty much everything I don’t like in a song - pompous seventies rock.
Barchetta is a bit better, nice guitar riff but the lyrically and musically it’s The Who from Temu.
YYZ why why me.
Limelight for the drummer I think.
The Camera Eye is back to that terrible synth sound. Now I love synths - I’ve owned numerous Roland and Yamaha synths from the 70s and 80s but this sounds like some cheesy preset from a Jupiter 4. 11 minutes, sweet lord save me. It’s got TV theme tune vibes
Witch Hunt and we’re into the tedious world of fantasy prog rock crossover but on the bright side there’s only one track left after this.
Vital Signs and I’m still not dead although would take being put out of my misery. Groovy little arpeggio on the synth, 30 years later it’ll become the sound of Stranger Things. And little hint of reggae to finish. Despite that it’s my favourite track on the album.
Going to be a 1 out 5 for me. If I was marking out of 10 I’d probably stretch to a 3.
Growing up in the 80s at the dawn of the CD player, this is one of those albums that various dads would invariably own and use to show off their new CD player. It's also released at a time when I was starting to listen to music on the radio so I'm not coming at this without prior knowledge although I don't think I've ever listened to the whole album front to back.
First track, So Far Away, is nicely accomplished at some point I'm hearing a little Steve Earle country (yes I know this predates that). But the song doesn't really go anywhere
Money for Nothing, what to say it is a stone cold banger. Is it dated of course it is, is the start a little long yes - I'm sure the single edit is probably tighter - but you can't not admire this track and the legendary guitar riff. I know the use of the f word might be problematic nowadays but it's a realistic dialog of the time so I'm ok with it here.
Again Walk Of Life is such a classic it's hard to review objectively but I'm enjoying it
Your Latest Trick is a change of pace. Sonically of it's time, with the keys and sax. Bit of a yawn.
Why Worry showcases the talented guitarwork but it's not for me - at eight and a half minutes it nearly put me to sleep.
Quite enjoyed Ride Across The River - it's got a little latin sound against an americana background that I'd later enjoy from Calexico although I could probably do without the pan pipes
The Man's Too Strong and One World pick up the pace a bit and we are into the back in the territory of Money For Nothing but perhaps without the hooks
Brothers In Arms, the title track and album closer is the real highlight of the album - not as immediate as the two earlier singles but the depth and beauty of this track is fantastic.
I can't see myself listening to this as album again, too many tracks that don't really do much and most of them go on for too long, but the 3 standout tracks elevate it to a decent mark
The first artist on my 1001 albums journey that I was very familiar with, although despite owning six Beck albums I don't own this. 13 tracks clocking in at just under 50 mintues.
The opener three tracks are great
E-Pro is classic Beck vocals and guitar sounds. Qué Onda Guero is fantastic, you can hear the Dust Brothers production, and this is a throwback to the type of tracks all over Odelay. Owes a debt to A Tribe Called Quest which is always a good thing. Girl is a great little polished harmonized pop number filtered through the twisted Beck lyrics and delivery.
After this the album starts to meander a bit, it's not without high points but it's not forcing me to listen. Missing is a laid back funky little number, probably not as strong as the opening three tracks and fades out almost as if the artist didn't quite know what to do with it. But it's still important for the pacing of the album
Black Tambourine brings back the energy with a hint of menace under the surface. Scarecrow has a nice rhythm with the classic distorted harmonica.
Overall I'd give this a 3/5 - maybe feels a little harsh but I don't immediately want to listen to it again and despite some excellent moments there's a fair bit of filler to my ears.
My only previous conscious exposure to The Cars was Drive on a childhood compilation tape. This album predates that by a good number of years. It's rougher and more edgy and I'm all good with that.
Opening track, Good Times Roll is a bit ploddy - feels like a slow motion Gary Numan track
The next two songs, My Best Friend's Girl, and, Just What I Need - are obviously big hits - I just never knew they were by The Cars. Much more enjoyable garage rock fuzz, a little Patti Smith inspired, but with a big chorus.
I'm In Touch With Your World passed me by somewhat
Don't Cha Stop and You're all I've Got Tonight are probably my favourite tracks on the album. Fuzzy rhythm guitar and a good mix of class rock harmonies and post punky vocals.
Overall the album is decent enough. I don't think it really holds a candle to other stuff released in 78 from Devo, Blondie, Patti Smith, Talking Heads etc.. but I didn't hate it. Solid 3 out of 5
Another artist I only really know by his biggest hit. Ironically for a feted guitar player one that is mostly about the lead synth sound. Short 9 track album at just over 30 minutes.
Jump is one of the definitive songs of the 1980s what else can be said - 100% certified banger. What is the rest of the album going to bring to my ears...
Panama is all lead guitar and as someone who grew up on Guns and Roses I like it. Top Jimmy however is pretty trite, reminds me of Aerosmith and that's not a compliment
The rest of the album is pretty much everything I dislike in 1980s rock - it does what it does well but I wouldn't want to listen to it again.
Hell yeah, this is it. Let’s Stay Together, the absolute best track on my 1001 albums journey so far. The rest of the album could be terrible and I’d still forgive it. Note, the rest of the album is not terrible.
A few tracks are a bit more by the numbers, La La For You , and Old Time Lovin’ do their thing but aren’t that memorable.
So You’re Leaving Me is another great track, Memphis horn section, harmonies, heartbreak - what more do you want.
I’ve Never Found A Girl is gospel tinged soulful beauty or a track.
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart is beautiful track really show casing his voice. On any other album it would be the best track.
Overall, does everything live in the shadow of the opening track? Yes, but most songs do. Reading about Al Green is pretty dark with multiple allegations of domestic abuse which does take the edge off an album of love songs
I own three QotSA records - yes the usual suspects, but I’ve never listened to their 1998 self titled debut. I was confused over exactly which version I should listen to, the 14 track 60 min release, or the 11 track 46 minute release. So I did both, unusually I actually prefered the longer version the three extra tracks improve the overall album, normally I hate special editions and bonus tracks but not this time.
The album is full of the classic queens of the Stone Age sound without perhaps the sharper hooks of their more successful follow up albums. It didn’t pain me to listen to this album 4 times in a day which is not something I can say of my earlier adventures in 1001 albums…
1950s bluegrass.
It’s a music that has more in common with the traditional Irish songs of my grandparents than the rock and roll of my parents.
While I enjoy a fair amount of alt country, and can hear the lineage, this is pretty far from anything I would normally listen to. Not being from the US country hasn’t been a big cultural touchstone in my life either.
I enjoyed the album a lot. The opener Tennessee is great and the version of In The Pines is a real highlight. Knoxville is also pretty classic, if the dark subject matter is somewhat at odds with the whimsical musical style. I’m not going to suggest I loved this album but it will encourage me to listen to a bit more of this style
1970s dad rock, a live album and a long album. There’s a sameness to this album that makes it drag, the guitar playing is clearly highly proficient but to my ears so dull. I’m a punk fan and that rails against everything that this type of music represents. Baby I Love Your Way is obviously a classic song but that’s the one highlight. Let’s not talk about the Jumpin Jack Flash cover. It was a bit of a struggle to get through this album
This is a wonderful Memphis soul album. Otis Reddings voice, Booker T and the MGs providing th music with a little bit of Issac Hayes magic.
A mixture of covers and originals, and to be honest I’m not sure in some cases which are which. Respect hits different from the Aretha version with a male voice in a way that’s slightly more uncomfortable context wise but musically it’s fantastic. The Satisfaction cover is great. Then in middle the sublime My Girl, Wonderful World and Rock Me Baby. The strongest album I’ve had so far on my 1001 journey - perhaps a slightly stingy 4/5 from me
An album of two halves. The first is more straight up rock pop songs. Beauty and the Beast is pretty by the numbers
Joe and the Lion is slightly more madcap. Heroes as the title track and one of Bowie's biggest hits doesn't really need an introduction. A great tune. The second half is more interesting starting with V-2 Schneider with it's ambient drones and sparse drums and then brass coming in and be percussively propelled along by the piano. There are some harmonies here that remind me a little Queens' radio ga gag.
Neuköln is just hauntingly beautiful, my favourite track on this album by a long way. The Secret Life of Arabia is a nice tune that closes out the album. Over Heroes is up and down but does contain some wonderful moments - as always I'm torn between two marks, if this was out of 10 I'm solid 7. I'm feeling generous today so lets go 4/5
I'm not a huge fan of live albums, but I guess it makes sense for such a hard working live band
This album is slightly odd in that it interleaves two live shows from Philadelphia and London
I'm also not a fan of 70s rock like this so it feels a bit unfair rating but...
I can hear the influence of Thin Lizzy on lots of rock artists from the last 30 years but this album doesn't do it for me.
Listened through a couple of times but I can't imagine going back to it again
It’s nice, I could probably listen to it on repeat if I wanted to chill out but it doesn’t grab me - it’s all a bit one paced.
I loved this and I’ll have to admit my heart sunk a little when I read salsa album but this is plástico fantastico!
Like yesterdays jazz record not one I’d gravitate towards but happily have it playing - I wouldn’t actively avoid it which is not something I can say about some of the 70s rock I’ve encountered so far on my 1001 albums adventure.
It’s upbeat, musically accomplished and importantly varied throughout the album. Brass sections, funky bass, great vocals,
some shouting and clapping.
Linkin Park came along a little after my formative years, which were spent listening to Faith No More, Rage against the Machine and Nirvana. At the time I lumped them in with the likes of Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach but I have zero doubt that they would have been an important band to me if I was 5 years younger. So coming back to listen to this in 2026 is interesting - the big songs like One Step Closer and In The End are rock solid bangers. With You owes a debt to Faith No More and that’s no bad thing. Is it a little one dimensional? Probably. But
Did I enjoy it, and would I happily listen again? Hell yes.
I can’t be objective about this album. It’s one of my all time favourites that I first heard as a 17 year old. I own it and about 6 cd singles from the album. It’s a perfect 10 for me. Starts strong with Drive and Try Not To Breathe. I worried having not listened for a while that Sidewinder Sleeps might not have aged well - like maybe Radio Song on Out Of Time but it’s actually great. Everybody Hurts is one the defining songs of the decade. Monty Got A Raw Deal and Ignoreland hark back to IRS era REM, the later wouldn’t be out of place on Document. Star Me Kitten is probably the weakest song on the album. The finishing straight of Man On The Moon, Nightswimming and Find a River (again listening to this now it could sit on Life’s Rich Pageant) is impeccable. I loved this album in 1992 and I still love it in 2026
