1000 Greatest Albums of all Time

 604 Al Green - I’m Still in Love With You (1972) Studio Album - Soul <Album Picture> About the Act: Al Green is an American Soul singer, who started his career in 1955 and is still going. That's an impressive career length.  His personal life looks a bit like a roller-coaster at times. In the late 70s, after some bad incidents, he turned to Gospel and became a Pastor. Later, he came back to secular music. He has sold a large number of soul records, with a style that is reminiscent of early Motown soul. About the Album: This was Al's fifth studio album and it sold pretty well. My History with this Album: None Review: So this is the third Al Green album in this list, and my reactions to the first two were quite different. The first one, I loved, apparently, I gave it 8/10. The second, which was not long ago, I gave 6/10 and I took great exception to the drum production, which was tinny. I have listen to this once, on my laptop speakers, and although I thought the pro...

 605 Screaming Trees - Dust (1996) Studio Album - Rock About the Act: Screaming Trees, what a great name for a band. I can just see those trees, screaming away, in Ellensburg, Washington USA, where the band was formed. They started screaming in 1984, but got it out of their system by 2000, after screaming out 8 studio albums. These trees were, of course, rooted to the spot, so consequently there has been little in the way of changing trees. I mean their membership was pretty stable. They are known as one of the pioneers of Grunge. About the Album: This was their last album, and represented a softening of their sound to incorporate folk and blues. My History with this Album: None whatsoever. Review: A common pattern for me when reviewing an album is to listen once, read up on the act and the album and listen again. That's what happened with this album. I have it on again now as I write. When I read up, I was mildly surprised that this band are considered to be a Grunge band. Th...

 606 Slayer - Reign In Blood (1986) Studio Album - Thrash Metal About the Act: Slayer were a thrash metal band from California, who were formed in 1980. They were one of the "big four" of thrash - the others being Megadeth, Metallica and Anthrax. After 12 studio albums they called it a day in 2019.  About the Album: Apparently, this is widely regarded as one of the seminal albums of Thrash/Speed metal. Metalheads love it, metal critics love it, even some critics who are not particularly metalheads love it. My History with this Album: None Review: This has been described as one of the heaviest albums of all time. It has also been described as ground-breaking, especially in the quality of the production for a thrash metal album. A quick read around about the album clearly demonstrates its influence. I'm keen to give it respect as a result. I'm not a stranger to metal, but far from an expert. I can say that I think it is early, in its stylistic stance, compared to when t...

 607 Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever (1989) Studio album - Rock About the Act: Tom Petty was an American song-writer, singer, musician and actor. He had musical success in three modes: 1. as the frontman for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 2. As part of the supergroup The Travelling Wilburys alongside Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan and George Harrison. 3. As a solo artist. First album: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976) Last Album before he died in 2017: 2 by Mudcrutch. Total albums: about 25. About the Album: This was his first solo album. It was co-written and co-produced by Jeff Lynne of ELO fame. Musicians include most of the Heartbreakers and all of the Wilburys.  My History with this Album: None Review: There are three songs on this album I pre-knew: I Won't Back Down, Free Falling and Runnin' Down a Dream. They got radio play, and still do. In fact I would categorise this album's musical style as "radio-friendly rock". It's mid-paced, not too heavy,...

 608 X - Los Angeles (1980) Studio Album - Punk About the Act: X are a band from LA, formed in 1977. They have not been commercially successful but are regarded as influential in several genres, the main one being Punk. They have had 8 studio albums. About the Album: This was their first album. My History with this Album: None Review: Actually, it's not at all bad. So, as I explore the world of critically-acclaimed music, I am reading up on what I review, and my understanding of pop/rock history is improving. This comes under the category of American Punk. The American Punk scene seems to have been somewhat dominated by The Ramones, and I have not yet heard a Ramones album I was particularly impressed with. One thing I have picked up, though, is that American Punk had this relationship with Rockabilly that UK Punk didn't have so much. Apart from Ten Pole Tudor, that is. Rockabilly - well really you can think Rock and Roll, of the Elvis, Gerry Lee Lewis, and Eddie Cochran variet...

 609 Deep Purple - Deep Purple in Rock (1970) Studio Album - Heavy Rock About the Act: Deep Purple are a British Heavy Rock band. They were formed in 1968 and spent a few years being psychedelic. They then changed some members, turned into a rock band, had success, changed some more members, broke up for a few years, and then got back together, having more line-up changes and are still going, the only one of the original member being Ian Paice on Drums. They are credited with being one of the formative bands of heavy metal, the "Unholy Trinity" of them, Led Zep and Black Sabbath. About the Album: This was the band's fourth album, although in some ways it was their fifth. The first three albums were psychedelic rock, which had gone down well in the USA but not got them a following in the UK. Three of the members (Jon Lord, Ian Paice and Ritchie Blackmore)wanted to move on to a more heavy rock sound, and conspired to change the singer and bassist to Ian Gillan and Roger Glo...

 610 Grateful Dead - Anthem of the Sun (1968) Live/studio hybrid - Psychedelic Rock About the Act: The Grateful Dead, an Psychedelic band from San Fran, started a 30-year career in 1965, born out of a "jug band" that went electric. They quickly became a central part of the hippie scene, and were instrumental in forging the musical pathways for the others. They were known for blending many different musical styles, and for improvisation, and for the quality of their live shows, and for their dedicated fans of "deadheads". Their line-up was pretty stable and they produced a lot of albums. About the Album: This was the band's second album, and one of the most experimental albums of its time. The band tried recording in several different albums, and started recording their live gigs also. At some point, they started to edit bits of things together from different recordings, sometimes in the same track, sometimes even at the same time.  My History with this Album: No...

 611 The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan (2005) Studio album - Garage Rock About the Act: Jack and Meg White were known as the White Stripes, and American rock duo. At first they perpetuated the idea that they were brother and sister, when in fact they were a married couple, then a divorced couple. Their music was generally categorised as Garage Rock, due to its simplicity. They used a strict aesthetic of the colours red, white and black, and are best known for the single "Seven Nation Army". About the Album: This was their fifth album.  My History with this Album: None  Review: The White Stripes continue to baffle me. At one level this is a badly-recorded and amateurish album. At another level it has a certain something, a freshness and clarity that you don't get on many records. It is forthright and to the point. Musically, it is more diverse than other White Stripes albums I have heard, leaving aside their normal electric guitar and drums combo for lots of thi...

 612 Al Green - Call Me (1973) Studio Album - Soul About the Act: Al Green is an American Soul singer, who started his career in 1955 and is still going. That's an impressive career length.  His personal life looks a bit like a roller-coaster at times. In the late 70s, after some bad incidents, he turned to Gospel and became a Pastor. Later, he came back to secular music. He has sold a large number of soul records, with a style that is reminiscent of early Motown soul. About the Album: This was his sixth album, and some think his best. It is hailed as a classic of soul. My History with this Album: None Review: The drums are tinny! It seems like a little thing, but for some reason I couldn't get past the fact that the whole album has the same production on the drums and it sounds like they were a cheap plastic child's set, or in fact some plastic buckets. Maybe I'm in a petty mood. The rest of it? Well it's soul. It reminded me wholeheartedly of "let's stay ...

 613 The Bluetones - Expecting To Fly (1996) Studio Album - Britpop About the Act: London-based Britpop band The Bluetones existed from 1993-2011, and then from 2015 onwards. They had some success in the 90s, but less so after interest in Britpop waned. They have had 6 studio albums, and a pretty stable line-up. About the Album: This was their first album, and gained critical success. My History with this Album: None. Review: Doing these reviews is challenging me in so many interesting ways. On this occasion it is once again forcing me to be introspective about my enjoyment, or lack of at times, music. I feel like there have been several things that I have dismissed on the grounds that they were washy-guitar-based-rock, particularly from the 90s. Once again we have that sort of thing, but on this occasion I enjoyed it. Is it just coincidence, or the mood I'm in or does this album have qualities that some of the others didn't - or that I didn't spot? Unfortunately, right now...

 614 Bob Dylan and the Band - The Basement Tapes (1975) Studio/Compilation album - Americana About the Act: Bob Dylan is a singer/songwriter/artist who is one of the most influential and successful songwriters in the world ever. He has had an enormous cultural impact, especially in his native America. He started in 1961 as a folk singer coming out of the beat generation, and annoyed a lot of his fans when he embraced electric instruments in 1965/6. He toured and recorded with his band "The Band". He explored country music in the early 70s, became a Born-Again Christian in the late 70s and produced several Christian-related albums. His career has meandered a bit since then but he is still active. About the Album: This was an unintentional album. In 1966, Bob Dylan had a motorcycle accident, which took him out of action for a while, particularly he couldn't go on tour (a load of dates had to be cancelled). He spent quite a bit of 1967 holed up, and making fairly casual reco...

 615 Ramones - End of the Century (1980) Studio Album - Punk About the Act: The Ramones were an American punk band that existed from 1974 to 1996. They were one of the most influential punk bands in the New York punk scene in the late 70s. They have been recognised in many lists as being of the most significant rock bands, well, ever.   Unlike other punk bands who's style often included colourful dyed hair, the Ramones adopted long hair and leather jackets as a kind of uniform. Also, all members of the band adopted stage names with the surname "Ramone" even though they were not related. The "classic" line-up was Dee Dee Ramone, Joey Ramone, Tommy Ramone and Johnny Ramone, all of whom are now dead.   Their music was categorised by fast beats, raw, simple rock and short, abrupt songs. Later, they diversified into more poppy music. About the Album: This was their sixth album, and was produced by Phil Spector. There seem to be many contradictory stories about the al...

 616 The Cribs - The New Fellas (2005) Studio album - Garage About the Act: The Cribs are three brothers called Jarman, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire. They formed in 2001, became successful, and are still going. For three years from 2008, they were joined by one Johnny Marr, formerly guitarist for The Smiths. That seems quite bizarre. About the Album: This was their second album, produced by Edwyn Collins of Orange Juice, who is also one of the many ex-members of Aztec Camera. On of the tracks (Haunted) was recorded on Scarborough Beach. The information I have doesn't say which one, but I have been on both. There are not many albums for which I can say I have been where some of it was recorded. My History with this Album: None Review: I have listened through this album twice. This is quite a common number for me when reviewing an album. There are some albums I only listen through once, for example albums I really dislike, albums I love and know well, and long compilation albu...

 617 Aztec Camera - High Land- Hard Rain (1983) Studio Album - Pop About the Act: Aztec Camera were a Scottish band from East Kilbride. Thy existed between 1980 and 1995, in which time their frontman, Roddy Frame was the only constant member. I have counted 40 other musicians on the Wikipedia page, which is a crazy turnover! They created six studio albums. About the Album: This was their first studio album, and gained quit a lot of attention and sales. My History with this Album: None Review: For most genres of music I seem to have a list of band and act names that I associate with it. For 80s pop, one of those names is Aztec Camera, alongside Spandau Ballet and Deacon Blue. Roddy's voice, to me, is almost indistinguishable from those others, it is possessed of a particular 80s pop quality. The music is pop, with maybe a particular emphasis on acoustic guitars, and some jazz chords. In other senses, but especially the drums, the sounds of the 80s ring out loud and clear here. Is it...

 618 King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black (1974) Hybrid Live/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 ...

 619 Klaxons - Myths Of The Near Future (2007) Studio Album - New Rave About the Act: Klaxons were a band from London, who jokingly claimed their music was "New Rave" and the label stuck. They formed in 2005, made three albums and quit in 2015. About the Album: This was their first album. My History with this Album: None Review: I like it, quite a bit. There is a thickness and depth to the music that I like, kind of gritty but warm at the same time. Some tracks sound like a mixture of the heavier end of Indie (Franz Ferdinand, earlier Radiohead) and some rave sounds from the 90s, and some just sound like the heavier Indie. It's kind of a mixture of electronic sounds and rock. Everything sounds a bit overdriven, and slightly fast so that it has a hurried, urgent, slightly chaotic sound. There's a particular vocal sound that comes from mostly having two voices singing in octaves. I guess what I haven't added into the mix there is that sometimes it has a somewhat pun...

 620 Snoop Doggy Dogg - Doggystyle (1993) Studio Album - Rap About the Act: Snoop Dogg, who at the time went by Snoop Doggy Dog is a west coast rapper, record producer, business-man actor and all of those sorts of things that seem to go together for successful rap artists. He has sold an incredible number of records, appeared in many films and tv shows and even a stage play. He is credited with being one of the founders of G-Funk, a west coast laid-back sub-genre of Gansgta Rap. At various times in his life he has had times in jail and brushes with the law (mostly connected with cannabis and occasionally other drugs), professed support for politicians, got behind the vegan movement, declared himself to be in The Nation of Islam, a Rastafarian and a Born Again Christian. He has also claimed to have worked as a pimp. About the Album: This was Snoop's first album, which was largely produced by the legendary Dr Dre. Snoop appeared heavily on Dr Dre's influential album The Chronic,...

 621 Blondie - Blondie (1976) Studio Album - New Wave About the Act: Blondie are and were a New Wave band from New York City. They were formed in 1974, released their first album in 1976, had loads of success, particularly in the UK and Australia (they were considered a bit of an underground band in the US). They released 5 more albums before disbanding in 1982. For a while, their front-person and singer Debbie Harry, had a solo career, with mixed success. In 1999 they reformed and had a major hit with the single Maria. They have squeezed out four more studio albums and are still going. They were and are an iconic band, sitting on the poppy side of punk they brought some of the energy and attitude from punk into the mainstream. At times they sound like a rocked-up version of 1960s Girl Group music, but are actually quite varied in sound. Debbie Harry's voice is very recognisable, and the backing has a somewhat unusual use of rock organ. About the Album: This was their first album. ...