1001 Albums Summary

I listened to this album a few times prior to this growing up and more critically as part of a review club with some friends. I gave the album a 7.5 at the time noting that I thought it dragged on and that it wasn't particularly interesting. I mentioned that it wasn't an album I could see myself compelled to re-listen to. That last sentiment was true but I don't know if I agree with the other criticisms. Listening now I see why it was such a landmark album, it starts with a strong first 4 tracks that no doubt stood above the rest of the music landscape at the time. The positivity that this album is drenched in feels like a sick joke in the year 2026 but despite the dogshit dogass last 10 years, this album's joy manages to be infectious. Even songs that I might consider "filler" like "Being For The Benefit Of Mr.Kite!" manage to be sonically interesting enough to feed that little muscle in my ear that yearns for something novel. I think I'd adjust my rating to something closer to a light 8. I'm still, unfortunately, fogged by the fact that I didn't listen to this in the more limited soundscape of the time and many bands I grew up on were HUGELY inspired by this album. Final note - The ending track fucks, it's such a journey and while I'm usually a grump about tracks longer than 3 minutes, this one is well worth it.

My initial impressions is that this album feels like Talking Heads after their light had been snuffed out by Ritalin. I appreciate the mood that the band establishes with the generally forward base and spacey guitar but I couldn't help feeling like it was too repetitive, making it's short runtime feel anything but.