1000 Greatest Albums of all Time

 899 John Prine - John Prine (1971) Studio album - Country Folk About the Act: John Prine may be the most famous country singer I had never heard of. He was from Illinois, and his career as a singer, guitarist and songwriter stretched from 1969 until he died, in 2020, of Covid. He was "discovered" while singing as a club performer in the Chicago Folk revival by Kris Kristofferson, and his first album, John Prine, launched him into a distinguished career spanning 50 years and 18 albums. About the Album: This was Prine's first album, which catapulted him into the public eye. It was mostly recorded with people who had worked backing Elvis, and produced by legendary producer Arif Mardin. My History with this Album: None Review: So, Country is one of the major areas where I feel outside my comfort zone in these reviews. Some of the previous country albums I have reviewed dod not go down well with me. This one did. So, firstly, to be fair, it's a mixture of styles including...

 900 The Residents - The Third Reich 'n' Roll (1976) Home-recorded studio album  - Avant Garde About the Act: "The Residents are an American art collective best known for their avant-garde music and multimedia works". So says Wikipedia.  A group of high school friends in Shreveport Louisiana started making amateur home recordings in 1965. In 1966 they decided to travel to San Francisco to join the budding hippie movement. However, their truck broke down in San Mateo, California, so they decided to stay there. They named themselves "The Residents" after a rejection slip sent to them by Warner Bros. Over the years they have made many avant garde art works of varying strangeness, including releasing around 50 albums. Who they are is a secret, they don't give interviews, and at times their work has been deliberately provocative. About the Album: This is maybe the second album released by the band, depending on how you count them. It consists of a "mash-...

 901 EPMD - Strictly Business (1988) Studio Album - Hip Hop About the Act: EPMD are and were a Hip-Hop duo from New York. They are Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, and they perform under the names Double E and PMD. The act name is a combination of their initials.  They existed as an act from 1987-1992, 1997-1999 and 2006-present. Their personal relationship has not always been a bed of roses.  They are considered to be an influential act, and one of the most important underground hip hop acts of the late 80s. About the Album: This was their first album. It didn't chart highly but it sold solidly. My History with this Album: None Review: So once again I'm having to look up the history of rap to contextualise this album. I had some experience of rap that emerged in the mid 80s, what I understand is called "old school" (or it could be "old skool"). This is (apparently) "golden age", which came next. The rhythms and rapping style are sufficiently like t...

 902 The House Of Love - The House Of Love (1988) Studio Album - Indie Rock About the Act: The House of Love are an English alternative rock band from London. Their active years have been 1986-1993, 2003-present. They have had 6 studio albums, and apart from quoting from Wikipedia, I have nothing else to say about them. About the Album: This was their first album, I think, because there are three eponymous albums by the band. I am reasonably sure that the one that is meant to be on this list is this one. I have just realised that I have listened 2.5 times to the wrong album. Back to the headphones. So I have now listened to the right album. OK, time to get on with the review. My History with this Album: None, but I did listen to their 1990 album called "House of Love", more than twice before I realised my mistake. Review: 1988, a little early for Britpop, but there was an underground indie kind of scene happening. This reminds me of some 1980s rock, The Adventures, U2, Th...

 903 Destiny's Child - The Writing's On The Wall (1999) Studio Album - Pop R&B About the Act: Destiny's Child were an American R&B/pop girl group from Houston, Texas. In 1990, they were formed as Girl's Tyme, There wee 6 of them, including Beyonce Knowles, their sometimes front-woman and their most successful as a solo artist, and Kelly Rowland who I think, made it to the end. They competed in a TV talent show, Star Search, but lost. Over the next few years they tried different names, Something Fresh, CLiche, the DOlls and Destiny, before becoming Destiny's Child in 1996, by which time Beyonce's father Matthew was their manager. Two albums in, they hit the big time, lost two of their then four members and gained a couple of others. They soon settled on being a threesome with Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle Williams, a new arrival. Five albums in, having sold many, many copies, and being one of the world's biggest R&B pop acts, in 2006 they disbanded ...

 904 King Crimson - Discipline (1981) Studio Album - Progressive Rock About the Act: King Crimson were/are a Progressive Rock band from England. They started ahead of the curve in 1968, and many people claim they actually kicked the whole thing off with their first album, "In The Court of the Crimson King." To say they have been influential in the genre is a bit of an understatement. They have been active in short bursts over the years, and with various line-ups, but guitarist Robert Fripp has been the central driving force throughout. They have constantly reinvented themselves over the years, and pushed the boundaries of music in interesting and challenging ways, also challenging the concept of what it means to be a band. For a while they were a loose collaboration of sub-groups (called ProjeKcts) and they currently have a three-drumkit frontline. While you can definitely hear the influence of other bands and of particular genres and musical styles in their music, then have ...

 905 Kiss - Dressed to Kill (1975) Studio Album - Hard Rock About the Act: Kiss are an American glam/shock/heavy rock/metal band from New York. They have been in existence since 1973 and are responsible for 20 or more studio albums (depending on how you count them). They have had a pretty stable line-up. They are best known for wearing bizarre black-and-white face paint, and glam metal costumes, and for the length of the lead singer, Gene Simmons' tongue. Oh and they have had several hit singles, quite a few hit albums and have sold lots and lots of records. They are generally thought of as being a shock rock band, as the sort of band that you listened to if you were a bit of a rebel. About the Album: This was the band's third album. It was produced by the president of the record label, because they (the label) couldn't afford to pay a proper producer. My History with this Album: None Review: Everybody needs there to be artists, writers, musicians or performers of some kind...

 906 Los Lobos - How Will the Wolf Survive (1984) Studio Album - Chicano Rock About the Act: Los Lobos are described by Wikipedia as "Chicano rock/roots rock/Latin rock/Tex-Mex/country rock/Americana/heartland rock/cowpunk". Although they are from East L.A., they are all of Mexican origin, and this is reflected in their music. They has a huge hit with "La Bamba", but that really isn't that typical of their music. Los Lobos means "The Wolves" They have existed since 1973 and have had some membership changes. They have had 16 albums. I would say they are really not that well-known outside their one hit. About the Album: This was the band's second album, their breakthrough to mild success. The title is  reference to a National Geographic article entitled "Where Can the Wolf Survive", and also a reference to the band name of The Wolves. My History with this Album: None Review: This album is musically mixed, and reminds me of Zydeco music, mos...

 907 Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet (1986) Studio Album - Heavy Rock About the Act: Bon Jovi are an American Hard Rock band from New Jersey, founded in 1983 and still going. Jon Bon Jovi is the singer and driving force behind the band. In all the years they have been active, they have only lost two members, one of which is their long-time guitarist Ritchie Sambora, who left in 2013. They are well-known for being a significant arena rock act of the 80s, and in particular for their smash album Slippery When Wet. Before forming the band, Jon Bon Jovi did various things, including being a women's shoe salesman, being in various local bands, and singing on the track "R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas". The band were not very enthusiastic about the band name, which was chosen to be similar to Van Halen, but is stuck, and they got successful, so couldn't change it. About the Album: It was a huge hit worldwide. It was the third album by the band, and designed to be deliberate...

 908 Frank Sinatra - September Of My Years (1965) Studio Album - Vocal Jazz About the Act: Frank Sinatra, sometimes known as "Old Blue Eyes" was an American singer of Italian-American descent and of huge success.  He is mostly associated with being a "crooner" in that his singing is a smooth jazz vocal style, with swing music, with many film roles, and with knowing influential people, including politicians, but allegedly also including Mafioso. His career spans from 1946 to 1998 when he died. In that time he released around 60 studio albums, and goodness knows how many compilations. He has been one of the most successful singers ever and reputedly one of the most influential American men of the 20th century. About the Album: This album was released when Sinatra was about to turn 50, and came when he was having a resurgence in interest in his music. He released 3 albums in that year. My History with this Album: None, directly. I know the song "It Was a Very Good...

 909 Marvin Gaye - Here, My Dear (1978) Studio Album - Soul About the Act: Marvin Gaye was the son of a rather unpleasant Pentecostal minister, also called Marvin, who beat him, and had him sing in church from an early age. He obviously had singing talent and his mother encouraged him into a musical career. He started in 1957 in a vocal quartet called the Marquees, who then became Harvey and the New Moonglows, who worked as session singers until 1960. MArvin then worked as a session musician for a while, mostly on drums, it would seem. After Gaye had performed at the house of Berry Gordy, president of Motown, Berry bought Gaye's contract from Tri-Phi records and signed him to subsidiary Tamla. In a couple of years he started to have success as a singer. He recorded 17 solo albums, and a further 6 collaborate albums with singers Mary Wells, Kim Weston, Tammi Terell and Diana Ross, in turn. He married Berry Gordi's older sister Anna in 1963. In 1966 Denise Gordy, Anna's niece...

 910 David Bowie - David Bowie (1967) Studio Album - Pop Rock About the Act: David Bowie was a British Pop/Rock star from Bromley in Kent. He first started to come to prominence in the late 60s/early 70s, and was musically active up until his death in 2016.  Bowie was noted for his ever-shifting style, and constant reinvention of himself musically and adopting a variety of public personas. His popularity waxed and waned over his career, as the styles and personas he experimented with were more or less attractive. Some might accuse him of style over substance, but it is more true to say that the style was the substance. He released 27 studio albums, including two credited to the band Tin Machine.  He also had a career as an actor, and was an active artist and art collector. As one of the world's pop megastars, his history, public and private life have been endlessly picked over. About the Album: Before David Bowie hit success with Space Oddity, he released this album. Many...

 911 Goldfrapp - Black Cherry (2003) Studio album - Electronic About the Act: Goldfrapp are a British electronic music duo comprising Will Gregory and Alison Goldfrapp. They have produced seven studio albums, and have had moderate success. That all seems very clinical, so for added flavour I will add that Alison Goldfrapp is exactly one year younger than I am - we share a birthday. About the Album: This was the second album from Goldfrapp. My History with this Album: I have a digital copy but I don't think I ever listened to it properly Review: There are two really important elements to this album, the music, and Alison Goldfrapp's voice. There are really two types of track on this album, dirty discopop and floaty electronic ballads. The dirty discopop tracks use phat beats (yes I use the word "phat", get over it) that remind me of similar stuff by Kylie, and Bjork, and Scissor Sisters, and "I feel love" by Donna Summer, and even Muse at times. The beats are...

 912 My Morning Jacket - Z (2005) Studio album - Indie Rock About the Act: My Morning Jacket are and American band from Kentucky, who have ben in existence since 1998. They are described as having a sound which is rooted in rock and country but is often experimental and psychedelic. They have created eight studio albums so far. About the Album: This was the band's fourth album, and their breakthrough to success. It is described as being spacier and more polished than previous releases. My History with this Album: None whatsoever. Review: I am finding it hard to know what to make of this album. As I write this I have it on again, my third listen. Maybe I'm starting to "get" it. I don't know how to pigeonhole it, genre-wise, although I guess it has some things in common with some "alt rock" I have listened to. The word psychedelic is used in conjunction with it at times, and "space rock" but I'm not entirely convinced by either label. So they...

 913 Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection (1970) Studio Album - Pop Rock About the Act: Sir Elton John was born Reg Dwight in 1947, and since 1967 has had one of the most successful musical careers in the world. He has released over 30 albums, sold over 300 million records, and recorded the best-selling UK and US single ever with "Candle in the wind 1997." He is a friend to royals and founder of the Elton John AIDS foundation. The songs he sings (mostly) are famously co-written by Bernie Taupin, who writes the lyrics. About the Album: This was his third studio album, and is generally classified as a concept album, of western/country songs. It got to No. 2 in the UK and No. 5 in the USA My History with this Album: A few years ago, realising that I had mostly neglected Elton John in my istening, I acquired a collection of his albums, including this one. I must have listened to it once, but I don't particularly remember it. Review: It's 1970, and we are on the cusp of the ...

 914b The Cranberries - No Need to Argue (1994) Studio album - Rock About the Act: The Cranberries were an Irish Pop Rock band from 1989-2003, and again from 2009-2019. They are sometimes billed as Alternative Rock. They were fronted by Dolores O'Riordan, who sang and wrote most of the lyrics. They released 8 albums, and disbanded  after Dolores died. About the Album: This was their second album. My History with this Album: None, although I know the song "Zombie", and I think I recognise the song "Daffodil Lament". Review: Somehow this got listed in my list as "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?/No Need to Argue", and I had assumed that this was because they had been released as a double album package.  I have not found any such release, so you are going to get a twofer for number 914. Having just reviewed their first album, then, it seems obvious to do comparisons. This album is generally darker and more serious. It starts with a couple ...