1001 Albums Summary

I’m not a fan of Oasis so was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this by the end. Although front loaded by some of the most uninspiring rock music I’ve ever heard, something happens to this record halfway through Columbia and it becomes louder, more earnest and more interesting. Fav track: Slide Away

Eclectic in tone, amazing musicianship, frenetic and joyful. Favourite track: Sly

Sounds like a soft light and breeze coming through an open blind. Gentle and moving. So good I’m going to listen to it again now. Favourite track: Into the Mystic

Total genius with just the right level of madness. Somehow presages everything that has happened in rock music since. Favourite track: Helter Skelter

Epic and delicate at the same time. Beautiful.

There are moments I really like on this album, particularly where it becomes more melancholy and simple. However mostly this sounds like a musical, and I hate musicals.

A masterpiece that’s fun and repeat friendly is a rarity. So much to love on every track. Favourite track: After Hours

An insane artistic achievement to have created something that sounds so organic purely from vinyl samples with basic gear. Blends rhythm and texture seamlessly to create a sound that’s constantly interesting.

Masterful, elemental.

Every one of these songs is a dream and rendered authentically by Dolly, Linda and Emmylou. The standout is the amazing set of musicians they’ve assembled though. Favourite track: To Know Him is to Love Him

Ethereal and devastating; formed from simple parts layered to create something so atmospheric you can’t help but be consumed by it. A portal into another world. Favourite track: Pictures of You

The cosmic vibe hits better than the rock musical stuff, but any time it feels like it’s wearing thin it suddenly clicks and you get its brilliance. Iconic guitar by Gilmour. Favourite track: Comfortably Numb

An album that the Dude, Eddie and Patsy can dig. What could be better? Moments of brilliance akin to a spiritual experience are surrounded by good but unremarkable americana. Good but inconsistent.

I love the haunting tone and imagery on Nebraska. When the production is combined with the boss’ great songwriting it creates some of his best work. However it’s also the most repetitive of his albums and the great concept of the record wears thin.

Hip hop for a white woman’s 40th birthday party. But sometimes we all need that. Favourite track: What’s Golden

Sumptuous layered production that sounds like it set the template for pop soul of the 80s. More restrained than the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Wet Wet Wet and New Romantics. Some flashes of greatness for me: Favourite track: Arc of a Diver

Daft cunt. Some of the sounds have so much stonk you can taste it but the tracks are devoid of any emotion. More of a technical achievement than an artistic one.

Possibly the most accessible slice of P-Funk out there. As always however nothing else sounds like it and the combination of George Clinton and Bootsy Collins is the most expansive funk will ever sound, save for the addition of Eddie Hazel with Funkadelic. Favourite track: Handcuffs

A real surprise for me. I thought this record would bore me but I've replayed it a few times. It's just beautiful and immediately relaxes every part of your soul. Favourite track: Shoot The Moon

I like the psychedelic chav-futurist space rock gospel sound of this record but without any real substance beneath that it’s a bit of a chore. Almost as boring as The Verve.

90s rock is not the same without mudhoney. Every aspect of the grunge sound is here. Although I think their descendants finessed the recipe, the honest song writing and raw fuzz tones still hold up. Fav track: Broken Hands

This album blew my mind. The way it channels slick 80s pop/soul/blues/rock through epic and weird anthems. Utterly unique. Fav track: Infected

Chilled and accessible jazz. The sax was actually the standout for me rather than the organ. Fav track: Messy Bessie

Amazing performances on this record. Bits punk/post-punk and bits Mod. The more it sounds like Buzzcocks and less like The Who, the better. Definitely feel the influence on The Smiths. Fav track: In The Crowd

Obviously the standout here is EVH. Eruption alone makes it worth the price of entry. Inconsistent album in terms of quality but the energy is, and when it's good it's great. Fav track: Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love

An incredible voice and song writing. I can see if I gave this a few listens and came back to it, it could easily be a 5. For now though it didn't make an immediate connection with me. Fav track: Outside Myself

Pound for pound there’s more genius in the Beach Boys than the Beatles

Best rock n roll album ever made

Too boring to even sleep to