Tracks
- Paperhouse
- Mushroom
- Oh Yeah
- Halleluhwah
- Aumgn
- Peking O.
- Bring Me Coffee or Tea
Tago Mago is an unconventional album. The music is krautrock. There is no relation to rock in any of the songs besides the use of bass, guitar, drums and synthesizers. It's really quite an original style. It might be most closely related to jazz because it seems improvisational than anything.
The first few songs each start off resembling prog rock songs, but they eventually lose form and become very noisy and chaotic. Aumgn and Peking O. are exercises in noise and madness. What makes the music even more chaotic is the singing. The lyrics are nonsense sung in a non-sensical language. Eventually, the singing devolves into shouts and screams and other primal noises.
This is a fascinating, but trying album. The more structured songs are enjoyable to listen to, but the songs that are mainly noise can be hard to get through because they are very long. It does take a few listenings and patience to get used to this album. There is no doubt that this album should be listened to and it should definitely be on the 1001 Albums list. Like prog rock, Krautrock is not a popular style, so it's hard to say this album belongs in all serious collections, but I do highly recommend it, just to freak people out or to annoy the neighbors.
All the songs are good. The stand outs are: Paperhouse, Mushroom, Oh Yeah, Halleluhwah and Bring Me Coffee or Tea.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- The Changeling
- Love Her Madly
- Been Down So Long
- Cars Hiss by My Window
- L.A. Woman
- L'America
- Hyacinth House
- Crawling King Snake
- The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)
- Riders on the Storm
L.A. Woman is a confident album. The music is blues rock. The band gets a bass player and decides to get serious with the blues. The album is more grounded. It's not overwhelmed by Ray Manzarek's organ playing or by Jim Morrison's self-absorbed bombast.
This is a great album. The bass guitar is a welcome addition. The Doors interpret the blues well. Of course, pure blues rock has been done to death and is on the wane. So, while this album is worth listening to, it doesn't need to be on the 1001 Albums list.
All the songs are good. The stand outs are: Love Her Madly, Been Down So Long, L.A. Woman, L'America, Hyacinth House, Crawling King Snake and Riders on the Storm.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Roundabout
- Cans and Brahms (Extracts from Brahms' 4th Symphony in E Minor, Third Movement)
- We Have Heaven
- South Side of the Sky
- Five Per Cent for Nothing
- Long Distance Runaround
- The Fish (schindleria praematurus)
- Mood for a Day
- Heart of the Sunrise
Fragile is a brawny album. The music is progressive rock. The album is focused on virtuosity, speed, synchronicity and volume.
Roundabout, South Side of the Sky and Heart of the Sunrise are the meat of the album, totaling more than half the running time of the album. The remaining six songs are centered on one member of the band playing a solo. It's an interesting idea, but it pushes aside the idea of an album as a unified concept or a series of related concepts.
This is an outstanding album. The three main songs are the templates for future progressive rock bands. It's worth listening to and one prof rock album that definitely belongs in a serious album collector's collection. It also deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list, since it really carves out the territory where prog rock rules.
All the songs are good. A Day in the Life of a Tree is the odd man out. The stand outs are: Roundabout, South Side of the Sky and Heart of the Sunrise.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Don't Go Near the Water
- Long Promised Road
- Take a Load Off Your Feet
- Disney Girls (1957)
- Student Demonstration Time
- Feel Flows
- Lookin' at Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)
- A Day in the Life of a Tree
- 'Til I Die
- Surf's Up
Surf's Up is an odd album. The music is rock. It's got the Beach Boys' harmonies that everyone is familiar with. However, the songs upbeat, playful and fun as is usual with the Beach Boys. Rather, they've become socially-, politically- and ecologically-conscious. What has the world become when listening to the Beach Boys bums you out?
I like the most of the songs, but the album is all over the place. It's one thing to have something to say about everything, it's another thing to make a point. That's not what's going on with this album. Also, the Beach Boys are a little late to protests.
That's it's an anachronistic album makes it hard to see why it should be on the 1001 Albums list. It's worth listening to just to hear a glum and gloomy Beach Boys album.
All the songs are pretty good. A Day in the Life of a Tree is the odd man out. The stand outs are: Don't Go Near the Water, Long Promised Road, Take a Load Off Your Feet, Disney Girls (1957), Feel Flows and 'Till I Die.
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Tracks
- Imagine
- Crippled Inside
- Jealous Guy
- It's So Hard
- I Don't Want to Be a Soldier
- Give Me Some Truth
- Oh My Love
- How Do You Sleep?
- How?
- Oh Yoko!
Imagine is a superb album. The music is rock. This album is much more subtle and quiet compared with his debut album. Instead of coming on strong, he uses a subtle acerbic wit to make his points.
I was a little hesitant about this album, at first. Before hearing the full album, it's hard to imagine this album being anything but lopsided with Imagine and nine other songs for filler. But it's not that at all. While I think Imagine has brilliant lyrics, the other nine songs pull more than their weight.
This is an enjoyable album. It's worth listening to and it deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list. A lot of artists to come model their albums on this one.
All the songs on this album are excellent, although How Do You Sleep? is pretty nasty. The stand outs are: Imagine, Crippled Inside, Jealous Guy, I Don't Want to Be a Soldier, Give Me Some Truth, Oh My Love and Oh Yoko!.
★★★★★★★★★★
Tracks
- Brown Sugar
- Sway
- Wild Horses
- Can't You Hear Me Knocking
- You Gotta Move
- Bitch
- I Got the Blues
- Sister Morphine
- Dead Flowers
- Moonlight Mile
Sticky Fingers is a reliable album. The music is rock. The band is all business on this album. They are tight and efficient. Keith Richards puts in a great performance.
This is a really good album and is certainly worth listening to. However, I don't think it needs to be on the 1001 Albums list.
All the songs on this album are good. The stand outs are: Brown Sugar, Sway, Wild Horses, Can't You Hear Me Knocking and Bitch.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Statesboro Blues
- Done Somebody Wrong
- Stormy Monday
- You Don't Love Me
- Hot 'Lanta
- In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
- Whipping Post
At Fillmore East is a fine album, mostly. The music is blues rock. This live album features the Allman Brothers doing what they do best—jamming. For most of the songs, the rhythm section lays down a groove for guitarists, Duane Allman and Dickey Betts, to solo over. Greg Allman on organ gets to solo now and then, too.
This album is really, really good. Long jams are a lot of fun to listen to if they are done right, that is they aren't repetitive and dull. This album is worth listening to and deserves a spot in any serious collection. It should be on the 1001 Albums list.
All the songs on this album are excellent. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed and Whipping Post are remarkable jams.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Theme from Shaft
- Bumpy's Lament
- Walk from Regio's
- Ellie's Love Theme
- Shaft's Cab Ride
- Cafe Regio's
- Early Sunday Morning
- Be Yourself
- A Friend's Place
- Soulsville
- No Name Bar
- Bumpy's Blues
- Shaft Strikes Again
- Do Your Thing
- The End Theme
Shaft is a forgettable album, mostly. The music is soul. This is a soundtrack album filled with filler. No matter how good the band is, they're still performing uninteresting, uninspired and pointless music.
This is not an album that I would willingly choose to listen to. There are some good moments on this album, but even if they were to counterbalance the filler, it wouldn't become a proper album. As far as soundtracks go, it's quite good, but to judge it as a soundtrack is not one of the criteria. Therefore, I don't recommend this unless soundtracks are your thing. I certainly don't think this belongs on the 1001 Albums list.
There are some good songs on this album. The stand outs are: Theme from Shaft, Be Yourself, Soulsville and Do Your Thing.
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Tracks
- I Feel the Earth Move
- So Far Away
- It's Too Late
- Home Again
- Beautiful
- Way Over Yonder
- You've Got a Friend
- Where You Lead
- Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
- Smackwater Jack
- Tapestry
- (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Tapestry is a saccharine album. The music is folk pop, whatever that means. Carole King's singing is the main feature of this album. Her voice isn't sexy or very pretty and there it doesn't convey strong emotion, but whatever it lacks is made up in power. The music itself is fine and doesn't get in the way of King's singing. James Taylor and Joni Mitchell do a great job on background vocals on Will You Love Me Tomorrow?.
When I listen to this album, I get the, most likely mistaken, impression that this album is a document of the youth of the late sixties growing up and moving from college to real life. Regardless, it is an album that deals primarily with relationships and in a mature way. It's a more down to earth album than other singer/songwriters are coming up with.
This is a good album, but it's not my cup of tea. It's worth listening to and it's probably deserving of being on the 1001 Albums list. Unfortunately, decent albums like this were responsible for paving the road to adult-oriented music hell.
Most of the songs are good. I think the stand outs are: I Feel the Earth Move, So Far Away, It's Too Late, Beautiful, Trafalgar, Will You Love Me Tomorrow?, Tapestry and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Baba O'Riley
- Bargain
- Love Ain't for Keeping
- My Wife
- The Song Is Over
- Getting in Tune
- Going Mobile
- Behind Blue Eyes
- Won't Get Fooled Again
Who's Next is a balanced album. The music is rock. The band sounds really confident. They play and sing with strong intent. Nothing is witheld. Everything is in balance to. Drums, guitar, keyboards, bass and vocals all can be heard clearly.
I don't always focus on lyrics because half the time I can't figure out what is being said and then when I can understand I have no idea what it means. This album is different. Everything is clear as day and quite sensible. The lyrics appeal perfectly to the Who's audience: young working class men. And they neither condescend to them nor make light of their troubles.
I think this is one of the few rock albums that gets the music, the lyrics and the energy right. It's a fun and witty and makes you want to tap your foot or pump your fist in the air. I don't think this is a groundbreaking album, but finally someone got the formula right. This is the best rock album up to now and I'll go out on a limb to say no rock album will top it.
Every song on this album is fantastic.
★★★★★★★★★★
Tracks
- How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?
- Israel
- The Greatest Man in the World
- It's Just the Way
- Remembering
- Somebody Stop the Music
- Trafalgar
- Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself
- When Do I
- Dearest
- Lion in Winter
- Walking Back to Waterloo
Trafalgar is a grand album. The music is pop and rock. It has a large, sweeping sound which doesn't diminish or overshadow the vocals of the Brothers Gibb. The singing is melodic, powerful, grave and expansive. They really know how to carry a tune and their melodies are pleasant.
Despite the quality of the album, it never becomes as grand and epic as it wants to become. I felt the material could have been more inspiring. The songs, too, suffer from superficial lyrics. I also think most songs were never able to develop to their fullest potential, except for Lion in Winter.
I really like the album even though adult oriented pop music isn't my cup of tea. I do think the Bee Gees are far superior to other singer/songwriter pop artists. In fact, the worst of the Bee Gees is much better than the best of the other artists. So, I do think this album should be on the 1001 Albums list since it's a far better representative of what adult-oriented pop music can be.
Most of the songs are good. I think the stand outs are: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?, Israel, The Greatest Man in the World, It's Just the Way, Trafalgar, Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself, Lion in Winter and Walking Back to Waterloo.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Yours Is No Disgrace
- The Clap
- Starship Trooper
- I've Seen All Good People
- A Venture
- Perpetual Change
The Yes Album is an intense album. The music is progressive rock. It's a busy mix of bass, guitar, drums and keyboards with each musician doing his utmost to make the most of his instrument.
The music on most of the songs have a grand, epic-scale quality to them. The songs are long, the music is loud and full, the music is constantly being played at breakneck speed and in kind of lock step.
The music has an jaw-dropping quality at first, but it fails to deliver after listening a few more times. By then, it feels like an exercise in self-indulgence. The lyrics are vague and puzzling.
The album is uneven. There are three epic sounding prog rock songs and then some lighter hard rock songs. The two kinds just don't mix well.
I like the album, but less so than when I first heard it long ago. I think it's worth listening to mainly because it's one of the first definitive prog rock albums. Thus, it should be on the 1001 Albums list.
Most of the songs are good. I think the stand outs are: Yours Is No Disgrace, Starship Trooper and I've Seen All Good People.
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Tracks
- What's Going On
- What's Happening Brother
- Flyin' High (In the Friendly Sky)
- Save the Children
- God Is Love
- Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
- Right On
- Wholy Holy
- Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
What's Going On is a passionate album. The music is soul. It's a combination of bass, congas, strings, vocals. The music doesn't seem to have much structure. The bass moves the music from one place to another and Marvin Gaye's vocals follow along.
It's disappointing that the 1001 Albums list isn't listed chronologically within each year. Sly and the Family Stone's There's a Riot Goin' On is listed before What's Going On, but the latter was released before the former. In fact, Sly had another name in mind for Riot, but he renamed the album as a response to What's Going On.
It's disappointing because the bass style is similar and mentioning the style as first and attributing to Sly makes sense in context in the context of the list, but it makes little sense historically.
Besides the music, which is really good, the songs are significant for the message in the lyrics. There are songs about the Viet Nam war, poverty, unemployment, the environment, children, drug abuse, the haves and have nots and religion. There's hope in these songs, but there's frustration, anger and bewilderment. It's just as relevant today as it was in 1971.
I think this album is fantastic. It's definitely one of the best I've ever heard. It is definitely a different kind of soul—a more socially aware soul. The music is just as energetic, but it's more conservative. This album is worth listening to and I think any serious collector would be hard pressed not to include it in his collection. It certainly also deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list.
All of the songs are excellent. The stand outs for me are: What's Going On, What's Happening Brother, Save the Children, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Right On and Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler).
★★★★★★★★★★
Tracks
- Luv N' Haight
- Just Like A Baby
- Poet
- Family Affair
- Africa Talks To You "The Asphalt Jungle"
- There's A Riot Goin' On
- Brave & Strong
- (You Caught Me) Smilin'
- Time
- Spaced Cowboy
- Runnin' Away
- Thank You For Talkin' To Me Africa
There's a Riot Goin' On is a feel-good album. The music is funk and soul. The vocals are sexy, especially the use of falsetto which is featured quite prominently. The rhythm section is outstanding. The grooves aren't complex, but they are sexy, too. What differentiates this funk from funk from the sixties is how the bass guitar is used. It's bouncy, less deep-sounding and is allowed to explore beyond the groove.
This album isn't as easily accessible as Stand!. Stand! was chock full of catchy hits. This album has a couple catchy songs, but the rest are free-flowing explorations in funk.
I didn't like this album much until I listened to it several times and now I've been won over. It has a casual, cool attitude that makes it fun to listen to. I think it's worth listening to and I think it deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list. This isn't a completely new style, but it sounds fresh and new, especially the bass.
All of the songs are good. The stand outs for me are: Luv N' Haight, Family Affair, Africa Talks To You "The Asphalt Jungle", Brave & Strong, Spaced Cowboy and Thank You For Talkin' To Me Africa.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Music Is Love
- Cowboy Movie
- Tamalpais High (At About 3)
- Laughing
- What Are Their Names
- Traction in the Rain
- Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves)
- Orleans
- I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here
If I Could Only Remember My Name is a weird album. The music is psychedelic folk rock. Crosby gets assistance from Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash & Neil Young.
The music is well done as it should be with so many talented musicians. There's a unsettling tone running through the songs. Music Is Love is positive and hopeful, but Cowboy Movie is creepy and What Are Their Names is brooding.
I've often thought that David Crosby wrote strange songs when he was with The Byrds. And I think this album demonstrates that he does and that he is somewhat dour. His songs are interesting, just dark.
I like this album a lot. I think it's worth listening to, but folk rock and psychedelic rock have been done to death. This album is not a rebirth; rather, it's a last gasp. Thus, there's no need to include this on the 1001 Albums list.
All of the songs are good. The stand outs for me are: Music Is Love, Cowboy Movie, What Are Their Names and Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves)
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Tracks
- Aqualung
- Cross-Eyed Mary
- Cheap Day Return
- Mother Goose
- Wond'ring Aloud
- Up to Me
- My God
- Hymn 43
- Slipstream
- Locomotive Breath
- Wind-Up
Aqualung is a thought-provoking album. The music is progressive rock. It's a mix of aggressive riff-based songs and beautiful, contemplative melodies. The flute plays a main role in many of the songs which seems to be a first for a rock album.
The lyrics are interesting. They seem to be a mix of social and religious commentary. Some seem to be honest and forthright, others scathing, vicious and snide. I don't find the lyrics to be very deep, but I really like the mental imagery they paint when I'm listening.
This is a really good album. It's actually one of my favorites, but I has trouble being cohesive. The first half of the album seems to be somewhat linked thematically and the second half is as well. There have been claims that this album is a concept album. Ian Anderson denies that it is. I never even considered it to be one.
I think it's an album worth listening to. I'm mixed about it being on the 1001 Albums list. It's listed as a progressive rock album. I disagree with that designation. I think it's nothing more than hard rock. But, if it were actually a progressive rock album, then it should be on the list.
All of the songs are good and there are a ton of stand outs: Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary, Mother Goose, Up to Me, My God, Hymn 43 and Locomotive Breath.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Terrapin
- No Good Trying
- Love You
- No Man's Land
- Dark Globe
- Here I Go
- Octopus
- Golden Hair
- Long Gone
- She Took a Long Cold Look
- Feel
- If It's In You
- Late Night
The Madcap Laughs is a claustrophobic album. The music is psychedelic folk. While the music is psychedelic, it's very stark and low-key compared to the psychedelic rock of 1967 and 1968.
There's an underlying tension on this album, especially on the second half. It's as if something is going to snap and all hell is going to break loose. When Syd Barrett speaks between takes on a song or two at the end, he sounds stressed.
This album is an acquired taste. There was a feeling that something was not quite right. The first time listening, the first couple songs were quite jarring and discomforting. After listening several times, I am used to it, but it's still unsettling.
I find this album intriguing. It's not the kind of album that will or should end up in regular rotation. Instead, it's an album to listen to when you're not feeling quite right. I think it's worth listening to, but not quite sure it should be on the 1001 Albums list. It's psychedelic music. In that sense, there's not much new to this album.
I also suspect there's always been a buzz about Syd Barrett because of his breakdown because of the popularity of Pink Floyd, and their references to him, after his departure. That is, if Pink Floyd had never amounted to anything, this album would be forgotten. And that is probably why we still talk about Syd Barrett.
The songs are good. I'm not sure if there are many stand outs since they all sound remarkably similar. But here are some notable ones: Terrapin, No Good Trying, Octopus, Golden Hair, Long Gone and If It's In You.
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Tracks
- Singing Winds, Crying Beasts
- Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
- Oye Como Va
- Incident at Neshabur
- Se a Cabo
- Mother's Daughter
- Samba Pa Ti
- Hope You're Feeling Better
- El Nicoya
Abraxas is an energetic album. The music is a Latin-influenced rock. Three of the songs are instrumentals and there are quite a few extended sections on the remainder of the songs. Suffice it to say, it's a guitar-oriented album and the band likes to jam. Carlos Santana seems like a good guitarist, but he doesn't seem to be doing anything that hasn't been heard before; he just sounds different.
While I think the music is good and I enjoy listening to the band jam, the album doesn't excite me very much. I think the songs lack cohesion. The Latin style is an effective bond at first, but it's not enough after listening to the album several times.
I like this album; rather I like the songs on it, and it's because of the songs that I think it's worth listening to. The album should be on the 1001 Albums list, though, because it does a pretty good job incorporating a Latin style into rock music which is something new.
The songs are quite good. The following are the ones I really enjoyed: Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen, Oye Como Va, Se a Cabo, Mother's Daughter, Samba Pa Ti and Hope You're Feeling Better.
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Tracks
- The Lovely Linda
- That Would Be Something
- Valentine Day
- Every Night
- Hot as Sun/Glasses
- Junk
- Man We Was Lonely
- Oo You
- Momma Miss America
- Teddy Boy
- Singalong Junk
- Maybe I'm Amazed
- Kreen-Akrore
McCartney is an incomplete album. The music is pop. McCartney put together this album all by himself with a little help from his wife, Linda.
Let's be honest. The only reason this album, as it is, ever saw the light of day is because Paul McCartney is who he is. That's not to say it's a terrible album because it isn't. In fact, most of the songs are catchy, melodic and fun. However, they are merely fragments of songs, not complete songs. The experimental style label is just a cop out.
Now McCartney is almost able to pull it off not just because he was a Beatle, but because he has great charisma. He is a warm and welcoming kind of musician who has a knack for writing great tunes. So, the desire to suspend disbelief and think this is a complete is strong.
But reality must intrude and admit this is album is far from finished. It has the potential to be a really great album. Paul should've waited. He should have completed these songs and he should've got some other musicians help him make it. Why he didn't is confusing.
This album is worth listening to just to hear its potential. But it has no business being on any top albums list since it's not album in an artistic sense.
There are a couple of actual songs on this album and they are truly real stand outs. They are: That Would Be Something and Maybe I'm Amazed.
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Tracks
- Sweet Baby James
- Lo and Behold
- Sunny Skies
- Steamroller
- Country Road
- Oh! Susanna
- Fire and Rain
- Blossom
- Anywhere Like Heaven
- Oh Baby, Don't You Loose Your Lip on Me
- Suite for 20 G
Sweet Baby James is a soothing album. The music is folk, country and rock. James Taylor sings well and the music sounds good, but it all soothes in the sense that it dulls the senses.
Listening to this album is like sitting in warm water. It may be comfortable, but it doesn't get your blood flowing like sitting in really hot or cold water. So, while I can tolerate the music and not be offended, that's the problem. This music doesn't challenge or incite or provoke or inspire. Must music do that? Great music should.
I don't think this album is necessarily worth listening to, although it's probably a better example of the vapid, superficial and egocentric feel-good music that is becoming popular and that both Simon and Garfunkel and Cat Stevens have recently been doing. It should be that I don't think this album should be on the 1001 Albums list.
The songs sound fine. The ones I thought were better than others were: Steamroller, Country Road and Fire and Rain.
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Tracks
- Down on the Street
- Loose
- T.V. Eye
- Dirt
- 1970
- Fun House
- L.A. Blues
Fun House is a ferocious album. The music is hard rock. The drums create a loud, repetitive and pulsating sound while the bass creates a meandering groove. The guitar wails away on top of it all, while Iggy Pop growls, screams, howls and coughs.
This is an amazing album—one of the best I've ever heard. It's loud, aggressive and relentless and sounds great. (The problem with many proto-punk albums is the sound quality is poor. That's not the case here.)
The opening song is really intense and sets the tone for the rest of the album. Each subsequent song latches on the intensity of the previous one and never lets go. Listening to this album is quite an experience.
I'm quite surprised this album isn't more popular. Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple are known for their power. This album matches anything those three bands were doing at the time and takes it a step further. While those bands were always very conservative in their style and expression, this album is nothing but unbridled aggression and testosterone. I guess why they are considered proto-punk.
This album is definitely worth listening to and it's a must-have for serious collectors. It also certainly deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list. It's certainly an eye-opening preview of punk music.
All the songs are impressive. The ones I really liked are: Down on the Street, Loose, T.V. Eye, Dirt, 1970, Fun House and L. A. Blues. Yeah, that's right, that's all of them.
★★★★★★★★★★
