1001 Albums Summary

6 out of the 8 songs on this album are *immediately* recognizable (and total bangers). Plus, the drums on When the Levee Breaks might be the heaviest sounding drums ever put to tape. A remarkable record.

Back half much stronger than the first. Too many songs sound the same. A strong 6 / light 7, bumped up to an 8 by the presence of Me and Bobby McGee and Mercedes Benz.

I think I would really like this album if Nick Cave didn't stretch every single song 2 minutes longer than it deserves.

The key change in Man in the Mirror is one of the corniest things in all of pop music. Smooth Criminal is still a banger, though.

If based purely on influence, it's a 10/10. Took West Coast G-Funk mainstream, made Snoop Dogg a household name, set Dre up for life. But listening to the whole album in 2026? A solid 8, no better no worse.

Funeral was great. Neon Bible was okay. The Suburbs was awful. Such a disappointing trajectory from a band that started off so promising.

"By the Time I Get to Arizona" is probably the best Public Enemy song, with "Bring tha Noize" being at least in the conversation for second best. Alas, the album as a whole lacks the consistency and cohesion of Nation of Millions.

Bob Dylan is the most overrated performer of the 20th century.