1001 Albums Summary

Definitely the best Zeppelin. Gotta give it a 4.

I love this album. Honestly. Actually excited to listen to it again. It’s one that is in rotation a bit. And I definitely give it a 4. Man, I want to give it a 5, but… I just can’t. I got to save my 5s for truly great albums as albums. This has a great sound, but I can’t call it composed. This 5 star system doesn’t have enough subtlety for me.

Yes. I love this album. K, so there are some amazing songs on this. It is uneven. Fame, Fame, fatal Fame It can play hideous tricks on the brain But still I'd rather be famous Than righteous or holy, any day, any day, any day But sometimes I'd feel more fulfilled Making Christmas cards with the mentally ill To all the people who don’t want to listen because they hate Morrissey, they forget that the magic of the Smiths is just as much Johnny Marr and also isn’t it great that we can hear and see art from people we don’t agree with in a free society? 4 stars

Don’t know this one! Excited actually. Don’t need to know Portuguese. This gets a 4 based on rhythm and groove alone! This, this right here is why I am engaged in this project.

Yeah, I think this is a better album than Born to Run. The Boss and I don’t always connect, but I am never sad I listened to him. 4 stars. Boolean rating: Yes, I needed to hear this before I die.

Oh, having just heard Paranoid I am excited! Yes, and after Jamiroquai a nice palate cleanser. Not as good as Paranoid. Still really good. 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes, I am glad I heard this before I died.

Haven’t heard this before I don’t think… Oh yes I have! Ha, well so I guess this was in my dad’s collection! God, this exercise is worth it for nostalgia alone! 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes! Glad I heard it as a kid so I could hear it again as an adult before I die.

So I think Now I Gotta Wet ‘Cha kinda represents the way I feel about this album overall. The samples, the music, the hooks have me. The message of violence- well it’s incredibly disturbing. Kinda like American Psycho. The novel, not the film. Reading the novel I get to sections where I can’t believe I’m still reading - but I am, I have multiple times. I think American Psycho is a brilliant novel. The title says it all. And I have to say I think this album is also pretty f*ing brilliant. Not that I want to listen to it on the regular. But glad I heard it as an album at least once. 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes, glad I heard it before I die, before they put me six feet under and I can listen no more.

Oh yes! Yes! Yes. When I was 16 my 4 years younger brother gave me a bootlegged cassette of goo. I just couldn’t get into it. He told me I therefore would never be punk rock or cool. I was bitter about sonic youth ever after. But now, years later I love them. Very very much. I do view them like late period jazz. Not to be “just thrown on” and really best listened to alone on headphones. But thank you god for music that is not immediately accessible. Boolean rating: yes! Very glad to hear many times before I die.

Don’t know this… Really lovely. This is why I’m here. 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes, very glad to hear before I die. Hopefully I can listen many more times before I shuffle off this mortal coil.

50 Cent. Well this is going to be fun… Oh, man over an hour. That right there is an issue. But it’s fun. It really is. I’d give it 4 stars, but there is no way I’m just going to throw this on - any possibility was killed by its length. So 3. But the Boolean is: yes, I actually am glad I heard this before I die.

Obviously a lot I don’t know out there that someone thinks I should hear before I die. Wow. This has to be one of the weirdest albums I’ve ever heard. I have few words… I want to give it a 4 but, it’s so schizophrenic… still, I’d listen to this any day over Norah Jones, for real. It gets 4 for clearing the musical air of her sanitized “product.” Boolean rating: yes, glad I had the opportunity to hear Barry Adamson before I die.

Gosh, I can’t say I have ever listened to an Emmylou Harris album before… So this was really interesting. I immediately wanted to give it a 4. I mean Red Dirt Girl has to be one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard. It hit me on the first listen. Her voice was beautiful and at first I thought I was happy with the production, but then… enter the drum machine and Idk, a number of other “modern” choices and as the album went into its second half, I was disappointed. 3 stars. Boolean rating: yes, I think it was good to have heard this, though as someone said in another review, late career choices for artists that are taking up space from this time period… well there was A LOT released in 2000 that is NOT on the list…

Oh good. Yeah! Delta blues! 4 stars just for the feeling. Boolean rating: yes, absolutely! ❤️

Ohhh… yes don’t think I ever actually heard this as an album, only got bootlegs and selections on mixtapes growing up. So funny this followed on from a listen to Peter Gabriel’s 1977 debut. I am assuming Peter had quite the studio budget comparatively. The experimental lofi quality of this album was so welcome after Peter’s awful mess because at least these guys KNOW WHAT they’re experimenting about. Thank you cohesion. And that bass rocks! Seriously. Maybe my adult self isn’t quite as taken with the “spooky.” But cohesive experimentation is still my thing. 4. Boolean rating: yes, very glad to hear this as an album after all these years.

Oh, so glad to find this here! Like meeting an old friend. Yeah, this one is hard for me. Haven’t listened to the full album in awhile. It doesn’t feel as “relevant” as it once did. But I was still glad to hear it all the way through, not just the “hits” that I still have on playlists. I saw a good deal of grumbling about its inclusion on the list in the other reviews. But you know, it really was of a time. I think I’m going a full 4, just for old times sake. Boolean rating: yes. It does belong here.

Ohhh yessss! Just what I needed! Yeah, have to say this classic album is a guilty pleasure. I love just about every song, but wonder if that calls into question my “taste.” But you know, f* taste! Boolean rating: YES! Not sure it’s what everyone needs, but boy is it fun.

I think this might be the first album I ever loved! I literally sat on the floor staring at the album cover when I was still in diapers! This and Teaser and the Firecat. They were indiscriminately “Firecat.” I’d scream “Firecat” and my parents would put whichever was handy on and let me have the album cover to examine. Anything Yusuf/ Cat Stevens gets a 5+ from me. Sorry, nothing “rational” about that. Purely from the heart. ❤️ Boolean rating: YES Firecat forever

Boy, thought I would like this more. Perhaps it suffered from my needing to listen to the bootleg on YouTube? I consider myself a fan of loveless. But this was… mushy. Still giving them a 3 for influence. Boolean: no, not really. I don’t think I needed to hear it before I die.

Wow. Well this one is truly weird. Actual psychedelia! I dig the objective, and parts of it are really very cool/ interesting. Some of it verges on noise torture. I can see it being VERY divisive. This definitely seems like a love or hate kind of album. I believe I fall on the love side overall. But man, this is a hard listen. I can’t say I would ever just throw this on. Unless I was wanting other people present to leave. Or maybe as a test. Could they make it through the first track or to the song group beginning with where is yesterday? Could they last to hear the reprisal of coming down at the album’s end? I mean it’s actually remarkable. 4 stars. Boolean rating: yes definitely glad I heard before I die. Not sure I can listen again, though.

This is awesome! Early Beatles suck!

Um… I had absolutely no idea about this when it came up, which can be so fun. But… this… “ Where were you when you stole my pride Did you ever get the feeling that someone died Hide away in your ivory tower And cover me in your golden shower”?!? Um… yeah so if you’re going to be crude, go all the way baby, actually be, idk, interesting? Yeah and then I found out this was his solo stepping out from a boy band. Figures. Yeah, I had to listen to Justin Timberlake’s debut too. At least JT had Timberland basically making that album for him. This is total 💩. Sorry to those who feel it. No disrespect to you, but this is total 💩. Boolean: HELL NO!

I was late to this album. Probably heard it a full decade after it came out for the first time. Loved it on the first listen. Haven’t heard it in quite awhile. Almost 25 years after its initial release, and honestly, it still rocks and I still love it. It’s easy to love for me, obviously. So that’s a 5. Boolean: yes, definitely glad I heard it once and was reminded to hear it again.

A number of these tracks are on various holiday playlists of mine. But I don’t think I have ever listened to the album. About half way in, I thought I might need a break, but I am glad I saw it through. I would never throw this on. But I loved it all. I do believe it is best kept where it is, spread out over my holidays with Fairytale of New York nestled nicely between Bing Crosby and Mariah Carey. Boolean: yes, definitely glad to have heard before I die.

No idea? Could be really fun, could be a horror show - some days I am there for the roulette, some days it makes me nervous, honestly. Feeling a little fragile today… so we’ll have to see… Um… why is this here? I mean I do like a dj compilation here and there, I like background tacks… in the background. Why is this album being given to me as a foreground listen? I wanted to give it a 3 for some interesting moments, but I am not feeling it today. 2 Boolean: no. Hell no. I did not need to hear this before my death. Maybe if I went back in time I could hear bits at a club while I was out with my “mates” but otherwise, no. NO

Revisiting albums that came out when I was a child. I remember. I remember… Man, yes! I remember loving this album as a kid. And I have to say I appreciate it more now. Boolean: yes, so glad for the return

So I don’t even need to look to know this has to be one of the lowest rated albums on this site. It made my dogs leave the room. I can say it’s good my 14 year old self was unaware of this album because there is a high likelihood that I would have put it on repeat to Guantanamo my parents. My current self is proud I made it all the way through. Yeah. An experience for sure. Now comes the hard part. I think I have to go 3. I mean I want to go 4. But it’s really pretty much unlistenable. I dig experimentation, but how did this ever make it to actual production? Anyway, cool on the crazy Germans making crazy sounds and actually getting someone to distribute it as a record that gets a REISSUE! That alone deserves a 3. Boolean: yes, heel yeah glad I went through that before I die, hope I never have to again!

Man with a name like Iron Butterfly I thought I was in for more early metal. I was looking forward to that given how pleased I was listening to Bkack Sabbath. But this is 60’s dishwater. I almost gave it a 1, but the famous 17 minute long title track is decent, so 2. But I’m not even sure this belongs on the list. Boolean: no, I can’t say I really needed to hear yet one more tired sounds of the 60’s album.

Yeah… I want to hate. I do. I strongly dislike Neil Young. I feel like I am supposed to like this the way I am supposed to like the Beatles. It bugs me. But… yeah, I have to admit it’s good. I would never listen to it if I weren’t compelled. The presence of Teach Your Children makes that a certainty. But I have to give the album a 4, none the less. Boolean: yes, I admit it was good to hear this yet AGAIN before I die.

Well I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that I thoroughly enjoyed this. I am now declaring myself a metal fan. Boy these guys didn’t age well. Neither did the beloved grunge bands of the 90’s which were more my thing at the time. Same issues, really. Still, I find I love them all for the most part, more than I did at the time, actually. Just like this. You couldn’t have caught me anywhere near anything remotely similar to Pantera in the early 90’s. But believe I will play this album again before the month is out. 4 Boolean: yes, definitely, but heroine is always a NO.

When this came out it wasn’t my favorite. I am a little surprised to see it here, but it is British so… The thing is, it’s actually grown on me. Maybe I am just nostalgic for the feeling of this time, but I found myself really getting into this album. So 4 it is. My cheerleading continues. Boolean: yes, actually very glad to hear and hear again before I die.

Yeah- I just had to listen to Joan Baez’s 1960 debut. And I said there how much I have realized I strongly dislike the “folk movement” of the 60’s. I dislike its artifice. I actually really dig alt- country and singer- songwriter, so it seems I should be in to this. But… I… am not. I actually hate it. Why? Because it’s bullshit! Well made, perhaps, with good harmonization and perhaps a mastery of its instruments. But like Bob Dylan, I- don’t- buy -it. And speaking of Bob, shouldn’t an artist be able to create a character and write music for that, persona? Yes, absolutely. It’s just when the artist wants to convince me that the persona IS the real person that I balk. And honestly, that’s how the whole “folk” thing feels to me. Like a bunch of people dressing up for the renaissance fair and never taking off their costumes. Idk. I’m sure I will have a lot more space and time to ponder this. I mean I haven’t encountered ONE of Bob’s albums yet, and there have to be… many. Too many. So… anyway, this gets a 2. I should probably give it a 3. I gave Taylor Swift a 3. But you know what- I’d listen to Taylor any day over this. So 2. Boolean: no. Really. I don’t think I need any folk movement representation. I mean maybe for knowledge. But once you’ve heard one…

More Depeche Mode. And I have just rated the Cure. I have solidly gone back to the 80’s. The new wave alternative scene that was too “soft” for me. Stuff I looked sideways at. But… I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed this. If just about every song wasn’t a tired love song by the lyrics and actually matched the musical innovation in exploring something other than the narrator’s desire to get laid I might have even considered giving it 5 stars. I have seen reviews ripping its synths and orchestration to shreds. I will simply say: I do not agree. I think this is quite masterful musically. And the vocals of Dave Gahan are fantastic. Give me that baritone any day. The supporting tenor of Martin Gore is wonderful stuff. If only they were singing about something worthwhile. 4 solid. Boolean: Yes haters this does belong here. Very glad to have heard before I die

New York I Love you- But you’re Bringing Me Down! New York’s the greatest if you get someone to pay the rent - I love James Murphy. He’s got that particularly - North American- sense of humor and irony that can be found in a band like the Violent Femmes or The Magnetic Fields- sometimes obnoxious, perhaps a bit in your face, musically astute and gleeful. I saw a review claiming the band’s use of the cow bell was not responsible. Pat Mahoney IS certainly capable of driving a cow bell and a whole percussion machine right off stage and over to my house where he can play with Daft Punk! 5 Boolean: yes, though this album never has soundtracked more than my morning workouts and I have no stories of debauchery and drug use about which to reminisce, it remains a favorite listen as the years pile up and I get closer to death.

Oh yes, I am the audience for post rock. And no Godspeed on this list, so one must make do. Man, I really like this. Don’t think I heard it before. Still lament the absence of GY!BE. I mean they’re on the supplemental list. Probably one of the earliest additions. I find other post rock lovers are as obsessive music fans as I am, and often much more “discerning.” I mean I am here for ALOT. But yes, this too. Odd synths included. It’s a solid 4. I am sure I will listen again. Boolean: yes, very glad to have heard before I die. But would like to ALSO hear MORE post rock

What an amazing gem! Somehow I have never heard of this album or of Keith Jarrett as a soloist before today! And man- this really is an amazing recording. I guess I am a prime audience for it. But yes! Thank you 1001 album generator- you keep me coming back. The good far out weighs the bad. I’ve listened to this twice already. I mean - 5 Boolean: YES so so glad I was introduced to this album before I died

Oh not sure? That makes me nervous, honestly… Man, this album took me on a ride. It opened and I thought “wow, I might have been judgy going in. Shit, this may be a 4.” Then it went on and I started to get bored and I was “no, 3, not higher than a 3.” But I had to admit the percussion was well layered. So maybe a 4…But… then I began to feel in that layering -overproduction. And by the time the dub came in I was fully convinced it was overproduced. And my rating was heading toward a 2. By the end I was solid in my 2. And fully asking the eternal question: What the f* is this- Mercury Prize Finalist -doing on the damn list? She did not even win the Mercury Prize for 2000. So even by British standards- what, what is this doing here?!? Time wasting! Boolean- NO! I did not need to hear this before I died, thank you.

Yes!!! Crazy, I bought this on CD from a dollar bin when I first went to college. For a time it soundtracked EVERYTHING I did: study, clean, cook, drive, study. I found it pretty f*ing perfect for any activity, musically complex enough that I could always get sucked in and get lost in it, but not so sonically demanding that it couldn’t be put in the background if need be. It inspired me to buy Hot Buttered Soul and Marvin Guy’s What’s Going On. These were the first albums that I can honestly say I bought ENTIRELY of my own volition with no prompting from others. I sought them out and braved the too cool gate keeper at the record store. I knew I wanted them, regardless of the sideways glance he gave me. All because of Shaft that cat who’s a bad mother… oh yeah AND I watched the film. 5 Boolean Yes! Can you dig it?

Blondie! Yeah this rocks. Maybe not perfect, but it’s 1978. I was barely alive. So no memory of it. Had to come to it later. And my appreciation has increased with time. Boolean: yes, glad to hear before I die

Oh… is that cartoon cover done by Crumb? Yeah, this is a terrible recording. And Janis sings open. If she had lived, she would have had a short career anyway, would have developed nodes, if she didn’t have them already. With the exception of Summertime, which really is haunting and done amazingly, I could leave all the rest in the 60’s. My dad had some weird thing for Janis. I don’t get it. But this is history. Boolean: yes, suppose I had to

Um… Morrissey without Marr really is pretty insufferable. And there’s four of these! FOUR. That’s ALOT of Morrissey without Marr. Not sure how I feel about it. I was going 3, but I am feeling salty.

So I do have multiple of these going. This is the second time this has come up in the last few days. I think it still gets a 4. Ginger Baker is way better without Cream Boolean: yes

Maybe it’s MTV. Maybe it’s the fact that I was basically a child when Sweet Child O’ Mine started to get played and covered and played and covered and played and covered… well, it’s happening still. But I was tempted to give this a 5. I mean, despite the fact that I thought the band as they appeared in their music videos were almost a parody of themselves when I was in middle school, this album ROCKS. If it didn’t let up at the end, I would have given it a 5. The crazy thing is, despite knowing almost every track, I don’t think I have ever listened to the album. I know my brother had it. But since I have a pussy, am not looking for pussy, and certainly not looking for dudes who look like or proclaim the sentiments of this band, it makes sense that it would take almost 40 (!) years for me to listen to it. 4 SOLID Boolean: yes, absolutely glad to have heard before I die

The 60’s vibe is quite pleasing and a perfect answer to all the psychedelia that was beginning to bring me down. 4 Boolean: yes