Trollheart takes on "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die"

[Trollheart]

All right, I tried doing this way way back in what some might call my heyday (I know everyone was saying to me, "Hey TH, are you fucking nuts?" anyway) and I predictably got hardly anywhere with it. I'd like to give it another try. For the craic, loike.

Although technically this should be (and was) a journal, I want to do it out here (ooer!) because I think the chances are that more people will see it, and hopefully either just read, shake their heads and say "Hello? Yes. Yes I'm afraid it's time. Could you try to come around the back please? We don't want property values plummeting. Thanks. I know, it's sad, but we all knew this day would come" or perhaps even join in. Either way, I'm gonna give it my second, or possibly third-best shot.

This is the list, for those who don't know:
http://rateyourmusic.com/list/rtfm/1001_albums_you_must_hear_before_you_die___chronological/11/

Before they dragged me away screaming "NO! I only have 993 albums left to go! Get off me! Where are you taking me?" I did get through a few reviews, so for continuity's sake, and to at least get a few of them in here, I'll paste those in here. I doubt there were many. A word on reviews: I don't think anyone is expecting detailed synopses of these albums. Firstly, if they're in this list they're something less than obscure, and secondly there are over a thousand of them, so even if I manage my goal of listening to one a day (which is in no way certain) I could not afford to do long-winded reviews, or else what little black is left in my hair would be long turned to grey by the time I was finished. I have no illusions that even doing things this way, this will be anything other than an undertaking that spans several years, depending on how often I manage to listen to the albums, given all the other work I have to do. But to ensure it doesn't take the rest of my life, I will be strictly restricting myself to a maximum of three lines per album. There'll also be a short (very short) introduction to the album and/or artist, which will be separate from the three-line review. Any albums I already know will just be noted and then I'll move on. I will also be forsaking my usual oracle, so if I don't know a scooby about an artist, that's all you'll get, a shrug and a "what do you want from me? Fuck off and leave me alone." If I started researching this would take longer, and again I say, these are all supposed to be albums you should know, so if you don't, that's your funeral, pun definitely intended.

In addition, I'll be awarding each album a rating (even those I've already heard) which will be strictly based on what I alone thought of the album, not its place in music history, its essential worth or its legacy. This is all based on my opinion, so even if say a Dean Martin or Bob Marley record is considered a classic and indispensable and one of those you should hear before you die, if I hate it or it doesn't impress me it will be rated accordingly. No slight or insult is intended as ever, and my rating system will follow usual format of 1 to 5, 5 being a total classic you have to hear and that I love, 1 being a turd on vinyl. To add a little humour and tie in to the theme, the ratings will all be represented by tombstones (geddit?)...

Feel free as ever to chime in. I know our Suburban Placeholder did this on an external blog once upon a time. Whether I'll get as far as he did is a matter of conjecture, but I think it stands to reason and is an unalterable fact that I'm better madder than him, so I expect to do all right. Naturally, I'm imposing no time limit on this, and may, in later years, be the terror of whatever cheap nursing home I land in, screaming "Gerraway! I don't CARE if they're all dead and there's an asteroid heading for the Earth! I said I was gonna finish this thing, and by gum that's jest what I aim to do!" Yes, for some reason I see my future self will regress to the speech patterns of a grizzled 1890s prospector. Oh well.

Oh, and finally: don't be bleating at me that such an album shouldn't be on the list. Talk to the hand. Or, rather, Robert Christgau, who compiled the list, I think. Or the Illuminati. Whoever. The list is not made by me, but it's the one I got to follow, so don't shoot the messenger, especially if he's delivering your dinner. Not a good move. Who wants hot lead in their pizza?

Before I get going, I'd like to use this as the theme for this thread, posted in the original one by one of the most sarcastic and funny members on Music Banter, here on SCD under a different username. You know who you are. It sums the whole idea up perfectly.

This thread is like watching my Grandad go through my record collection, and he's been dead since 1986.

[Trollheart]

So the first ones will be in order, after that, it's whatever comes out of the hat. Which reminds me, I gotta buy a hat. Maybe I can borrow Jack White's one? Ya think?

Yeah, you'd think I'd have to be insane (still not proven either way) to do this, but then what sort of a lunatic would then embark on yet ANOTHER project with a scope almost as vast?

Stay tuned, and get the strait-jacket ready!
Meanwhile, let's get going with....

1001

Album title: Get Behind Me Satan
Artist: The White Stripes
Year: 2005
Nationality: English
Genre: Hard Rock/Blues
Chronology: Fifth album
Have I heard of this artist before? Yes
Have I heard anything by this artist before? Yes, Elephant
Tracklisting: Blue Orchid/The Nurse/My Doorbell/Forever for Her (Is Over for Me)/Little Ghost/The Denial Twist/White Moon/Instinct Blues/Passive Manipulation/Take, Take, Take/As Ugly As I Seem/Red Rain/I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)
Introduction: The only thing I've heard from The White Stripes is Elephant, and while it was a good rock album I've yet to understand the reason for the almost godlike status Jack White gets in most quarters. Sure, he's a great guitarist, composer and singer, and his wife is a great drummer, but aren't a lot of other bands too? I can't quite make out what's apparently so special about this husband-and-wife duo, but maybe this will help me see.
Comments: When this started I didn't like the stripped-down, non-rock format of the album (although I have only heard the one other WS recording), but as it went on I got into it and songs like "Forever for Her", "Little Ghost" and "White Moon" made more of an impression on me. It's still not really my sort of thing; I still don't quite get it, but I can certainly see that Jack White and his wife are talented and versatile. It's a very good album, but I doubt this would be among a list of albums I advised anyone to make sure they heard before they died.
Favourite track(s): Forever for Her (Is Over for Me)/Little Ghost/White Moon/Passive Manipulation/As Ugly As I Seem/I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)
Least favourite track(s): The Nurse/My Doorbell/Take, Take, Take/Blue Orchid
My impression: Good, solid album. Well-written, well-composed and a little different.
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? Meh
Rating:

[Trollheart]

1000

Album title: Guero
Artist:  Beck
Year:  2005
Nationality: American
Genre: Alternative Rock/ Anti-Folk (?)/Beck
Chronology: Ninth album
Have I heard of this artist before? Yes
Have I heard anything by this artist before? No
Tracklisting: E-pro/Qué Onda Guero/Girl/Missing/Black Tambourine/Earthquake Weather/ Hell Yes/Scarecrow/Broken Drum/Go it Alone/Farewell Ride/Rental Car/Emergency Exit
Introduction: Next up we have Beck, of whom I know nothing beyond his guest slot on Futurama...
Comments: This album features a lot of what I would call Latin influences, folk music, hip-hop and lo-fi indie-style music. I don't know if I like it but I sure don't hate it, and it evokes a certain party atmosphere from the start, so that can't be bad. I'd be prepared to listen to more of this.
Favourite track(s): E-pro/Girl/Missing/Farewell Ride/Broken Drum
Least favourite track(s): Nothing really
My impression: Decent album and for my first introduction to Beck's music not at all bad. May check more of this out. (note: I never did)
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? Meh
Rating:

[Trollheart]

999

Album title: Arular
Artist: M.I.A
Year: 2005
Nationality: English
Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop/Urban
Chronology: Debut album
Have I heard of this artist before? No
Tracklisting: Banana Skit/Pull Up the People/Bucky Done Gun/Fire Fire/Freedom Skit/ Amazon/Bingo/Hombre/One for the Head Skit/10 Dollar/Sunshowers/Galang/MIA
Introduction: And so we come to the first of the albums I would probably rather not listen to, ie a hip-hop album*. But everything here must be listened to, even if criticised to hell, so let's hit it.
Comments: Totally not my thing. Sort of jungle/world music mixed with hip-hop, and while it's done well I guess, it just makes no impression on me whatsoever and I'm just waiting for it to be over so I can move on. Almost like children's nursery rhymes in places; never will get this sort of music*.
Favourite track(s): Nothing
Least favourite track(s): Everything
My impression: If all hip-hop were like this I would listen to none*. Not that I do, but I intend to give it something of a chance* (I'm sure there are plenty more hip-hop albums in this list) and just hope this isn't typical of the genre.
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? No
Rating:

[Trollheart]

998

Album title: Aha Shake Heartbreak
Artist:  Kings of Leon
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Genre: Rock
Chronology: Second album
Have I heard of this artist before? Yes
Have I heard anything by this artist before? Because of the Times, Only for the Night
Tracklisting: Slow Night/So Long/King of the Rodeo/Taper Jean Girl/Pistol of Fire/ Milk/The Bucket/Soft/Razz/Day Old Blues/Four Kicks/Velvet Snow/Rememo/Where Nobody Knows
Introduction: When I listened to Kings of Leon the last two times I was amazed at how bad, to me, their singer was. I certainly didn't like their music and unless this is very different from those two albums listed above I doubt I'll change my mind anytime soon.
Comments: Yeah, as expected. When I don't like a singer it's very hard for me to get into the band, but occasionally I will try, if they seem worth it. These guys don't impress me that way.
Favourite track(s): The Bucket, Rememo
Least favourite track(s): Everything else really.
My impression: Just bored really. Nothing special.
Am I glad I heard this artist before I died? Absolutely not
Rating:

[Trollheart]

997

Album title: Hot Fuss
Artist:  The Killers
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Genre: Rock
Chronology: Debut album
Have I heard of this artist before? Yes
Have I heard anything by this artist before? This album
Tracklisting: Jenny Was a Friend of Mine/Mr. Brightside/Smile Like You Mean It/Someone Told Me/All These Things That I've Done/Andy, You're a Star/On Top/Change Your Mind/Believe Me Natalie/Midnight Show/Everything Will Be Alright
Introduction: When I first heard "All These Things That I've Done", I knew I'd be a fan of this band. Shows what I know: since hearing that it has become clear to me that, for me anyway, it's a one-song wonder. I haven't liked anything else that they've done, at least anything else I've heard.
Comments: And so this album was rather a disappointment for me. Though not that much, as I have, as I mention above, already reviewed it, so I knew what to expect. A good start but it petered out into nothing much in my opinion.
Favourite Track(s): All These Things That I've Done/Mr. Brightside/Someone Told Me
Least favourite track(s): Everything else
My impression: A lot of fuss about nothing.
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? I already had done, and no.
Rating:

[Trollheart]

996

Album title: Who killed ... The Zutons?
Artist:  The Zutons
Year: 2004
Nationality: English
Genre: Rock
Chronology: Debut album
Have I heard of this artist before? No
Tracklisting: Zuton Fever/Pressure Point/You Will You Won't/Confusion/Havana Gang Brawl/Railroad/Long Time Coming/Nightmare Part II/Not a Lot to Do/Remember Me/Dirty Dancehall/ Moons and Horror Shows
Introduction: Who the fuck are the Zutons? I can tell you nada.
Comments: I was a lot more impressed with this album than I had expected to be. Fresh, at times straight-ahead at times quirky rock that makes you want to move, plus the Country influences thrown in from time to time makes this something of an addictive experience. A fine debut.
Favourite track(s): You Will You Won't/Confusion/Havana Gang Brawl/Remember Me/Moons and Horror Shows
Least favourite track(s): n/a
My impression: A pleasant surprise. Don't know if I'd become a fan, but I'd listen to more from these guys.
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? Yes
Rating:

[Trollheart]

995

Album title: Want Two
Artist:  Rufus Wainwright
Year: 2004
Nationality: American/Canadian (?)
Genre: Singer/Songwriter/Folk/Blues
Chronology: Fourth album
Have I heard of this artist before? Yes
Have I heard anything by this artist before? I think he does a version of Cohen's "Hallelujah"? I've heard that.
Tracklisting: Agnes dei/The One You love/ Peach Trees/ Little Sister/ The Art Teacher/ Hometown Waltz/ This Love Affair/ Gay Messiah/ Memphis Skyline/ Waiting For a Dream/ Crumb By Crumb/ Old Whore's Diet
Introduction: There is nothing I can say as I know nothing about this man. I tell you what though, I'm damn impressed by the opening track!
Comments: Not quite so much by the tracks after though. Shot his load too soon? This guy has a really nice voice, but the songs are pretty varied so it's hard to form a proper opinion on one listen. Some are what I think you could term "showtunes", some are like folk music and some are kind of cinematic. I'm reminded of ELO meeting Divine Comedy and then bumping into Josh Groban. If you don't know who any of those people are, shame on you. I have a kind of love/hate relationship with singer-songwriters: many of them seem to use the opportunity just to whine about how bad their life apparently is, or was, and sometimes Rufus edges this way, but I think I like his music on balance. Mostly.**
Favourite track(s): Agnes Dei/ Peach Trees/ The Art Teacher/ Hometown Waltz/ This Love Affair/ Waiting For a Dream/ Old Whore's Diet
Least favourite track(s): The One You Love/ Little Sister/ Gay Messiah
My impression: Decent enough; some very good songs but I doubt I'd be actively seeking out his music having heard this album.
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? Kind of, yes, on balance.
Rating:

** I realise that's more than three lines. As a friend of mine used to say, suck it.

[Trollheart]

994

Album title: A Grand Don't Come For Free
Artist:  The Streets
Year: 2004
Nationality: British
Genre: Rap/Hip-hop
Chronology: Second album
Have I heard of this artist before? No
Tracklisting: It Was Supposed to Be So Easy/Could Well Be In/Not Addicted/Blinded By the Lights/Wouldn't Have it Any Other Way/Get Out of My House/Fit But You Know it/Such a Twat/What Is He Thinking/Dry Your Eyes/Empty Cans
Introduction: Dear God no! Save me! A rap opera! What have I done to deserve this??
Comments: Two of my least favourite art forms together in one package: rap and opera. Oh lucky me! Well, in fairness, my dislike of opera mostly stems from the fact that it's a story you have to follow but is almost always in a foreign language, and that won't be the case here. Surprisingly it's refreshingly different, at least the first track. Like the brass accompaniment (usually piano innit?) and the cockney accents give the whole thing a different feel. I can relate to most of this, unlike the American gangsta rap and so on. Quite surprised at how good this is; not at all abrasive as I (assume) much hip-hop to be, not in your face, quite relaxed with a sort of endearing thread of despair going through it. Yeah, I amaze myself by admitting I really like this.
Favourite track(s): It Was Supposed to Be So Easy/Could Well Be In/Blinded By the Lights/Fit But You Know it/What Is He Thinking/Dry Your Eyes/Empty Cans
Least favourite track(s): Get Out of My House
My impression: Truly a revelation. I had no idea I'd like this and I really do. A real mix of orchestral, opera and hip-hop with a real earthy poetry. Superb.
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? Very much so, yes.
Rating:

[Trollheart]

Right, it seems I got further down the list than I had expected. I'll do the rest tomorrow, but that's enough for now.

[Trollheart]

993

Album title: They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Artist:  Liars
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Genre: Noise rock/Experimental
Chronology: Second album
Have I heard of this artist before? No
Tracklisting: Broken witch/ Steam rose from the lifeless cloak/ There's always room on the broom/ If you're a wizard then why do you wear glasses?/ We fenced other gardens with the bones of our own/ They don't want your corn, they want your kids/ Read the book that wrote itself/ Hold hands and it will happen anyway/ They took 14 for the rest of our lives/ Flow my tears the spider said
Introduction: "Noise rock"? Oh crap! Save me, Jebus!
Comments: Apparently a concept album based on witchcraft or something, but I don't get it. Just not my kind of music. Can't even comment on it. Weird. Noise rock, huh? Um, yeah.
Favourite track(s): n/a
Least favourite track(s): n/a
My impression: Huh??
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? Oh god no. I could have died happily without even knowing of its existence!
Rating:

[Trollheart]

992

Album title: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Artist:  TV On The Radio
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Genre: Avant-pop/Darkwave/Experimental/Post-punk
Chronology: Debut album
Have I heard of this artist before? Yes
Have I heard anything by this artist before? Yes but I can't remember what.
Tracklisting: The Wrong Way/ Staring at the Sun/ Dreams/ King Eternal/ Ambulance/ Poppy/ Don't Love You/ Bomb Yourself/ Wear You Out
Introduction: I again have nothing to say. Have vaguely heard their name mentioned but know nothing about them.  No: less than nothing.
Comments: The vocal style is a little offputting, but as it goes on this album gets better. Actually, I take that back. After becoming interesting for a few tracks it's now boring me. Very much a sense of David Bowie about it as well as Scissor Sisters. Interesting to see that the Thin White Duke did contribute to one of their recordings.
Favourite track(s): Dreams/ Don't Love You
Least favourite track(s): Everything else really
My impression: Nothing much more than meh really.
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? No
Rating:

[Trollheart]

991

Album title: Cee-Lo Green... is the Soul Machine
Artist:  Cee-Lo Green
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Genre: Neo-soul/Hip-hop
Chronology: Second album
Have I heard of this artist before? Yes
Have I heard anything by this artist before? No
Tracklisting: Intro/ Soul Machine/ The Art of Noise/ Living Again/ I'll Be Around/ The One/ My Kind of People/ Childz Play/ I Am Selling Soul/ All Day Love Affair/ Evening Newz/ Scrap Metal/ Glockapella/ When We Were Friends/ Sometimes/ Let's Stay Together/ Die Trying/ What Don't You Do?[/i]
Introduction: After my surprisingly pleasant experience with The Streets, I'm ready to give Mr. Green a chance...
Comments: Wiki says this is "hardcore hip-hop", but I hear more soul, like seventies soul, brother! Lots of brass, upbeat piano, little in the way of questionable lyrics, no anger or much in the way of boasting despite the title of the album. Well actually there is a little.  I'm not a fan of it though I don't hate it. It was better than I had been expecting. Some tracks I definitely enjoyed but on balance it doesn't do too much for me, and I can't see myself listening to it, or anything else by him, again. Interesting and entertaining.
Favourite track(s): Soul Machine/ The Art of Noise/ I Am Selling Soul/ Scrap Metal/ Glockapella/ Sometimes/ Let's Stay Together/ Die Trying
Least favourite track(s): I'll Be Around/ Childz Play
My impression: Sort of meh really again. Well no, it was okay, but again I wouldn't be actively seeking out his music.
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? Sort of. It was interesting to hear it at least. Now I know what he sounds like and it was different to what I had expected.
Rating:

[Trollheart]

990

Album title: The College Dropout
Artiste:  Kanye West
Year: 2004
Nationality: American
Genre: Hip-hop
Chronology: Debut album
Have I heard of this artist before? Yes
Have I heard anything by this artist before? No
Tracklisting: Intro/We Don't Care/Graduation Day/ All Falls Down/ I'll Fly Away/Spaceship/Jesus Walks/Never Let Me Down/ Get 'em High/ Workout Plan/ The New Workout Plan/ Slow Jamz/ Breathe In Breathe Out/ School Spirit (Skit 1)/ School Spirit/ School Spirit (Skit 2)/ Lil' Jimmy/ Two Words/ Through the Wire/ Family Business/ Last Call
Introduction: One of the high-profile rappers, it'll come as no surprise to anyone that I have never even heard one of his songs.
Comments: Nice soul vibe to the album, good backing vocals and it's not the "hard" hip-hop that I keep expecting. So far, though it's never really music I'd expect or intend to be into, my adventures in hip-hop (MIA excepted) have not been as harrowing as I had expected. The music here is pretty good but with 21 tracks there's a lot to get through. Thankfully many of these are short spoken intros or bridging tracks. It's actually not too bad surprisingly. I like his sense of humour, though whether he's serious about encouraging people not to go to college, or is just taking a swipe at people who avoid getting into the real world by over-attendance at same, is unclear. The music is pretty good and there's no questioning his skill as a rapper. Pretty enjoyable, although some tracks didn't do it for me. Still, with so many, I'm surprised it went as fast and as painlessly as it did.
Favourite track(s): We Don't Care/ I'll Fly Away/ Spaceship/ Never Let Me Down/ School Spirit/ Through the Wire/ Last Call/ Family Business
Least favourite track(s): Workout Plan/ The New Workout Plan/ Slow Jamz
My impression: A lot better than I had expected. I quite enjoyed it. Someone help that man up off the floor!
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? You know, I am. It's changed my mind, slightly, about rap and hip-hop. (Creaking sound as Trollheart's rusty mind screeches open...)
Rating:

[Trollheart]

989

Album title: The Libertines
Artiste:  The Libertines
Year: 2004
Nationality:  British
Genre Garage Rock
Chronology: Second album
Have I heard of this artist before? Vaguely, although that might also be something to do with the French Revolution?
Have I heard anything by this artist before? No
Tracklisting: Can't stand me now, Last post on the bugle, Don't be shy, The man who would be king, The music when the lights go out, Narcissist, The ha ha wall, Arbeit macht frei, Campaign of hate, What Katie did, Tomblands, The saga, Road to ruin, What became of the Likely Lads?
Comments: Decent enough rock album, good guitar work but nothing particularly grabs me till we get to "The man who would be king", which really reminds me of It's Immaterial's "Driving away from home". Odd. Touches of Knopfleresque guitar here too. The next one puts me in mind of something off The Final Cut, very Waters in the opening parts. Good song. This album seems to alternate between quite decent rock and then some energetic and frenetic almost punk. Then "What Katie did" recalls the Brotherhood of Man, lord save us! Eclectic certainly.
Favourite track(s): The man who would be king, Music when the lights go out, Road to ruin
Least favourite track(s): Arbeit macht frei, Narcissist
My impression: Decent enough. Something I could see myself perhaps getting into had I a few more listens. Not bad at all.
Am I glad I heard this album before I died? Yeah it's okay, but I could have died without having heard it...
Rating: