About
This site works through 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die — one record at a time, in the order the book lists them — and writes down what each one is actually like to listen to.
The idea
The list, edited by Robert Dimery and revised over several editions since 2005, is the sort of book most people flick through, agree with about a third of, and put back on the shelf. Treating it as a project instead is more interesting: start at number one, play the record properly, and write something honest about it before moving on.
So far that runs to 212 albums across 151 artists, from Frank Sinatra at number one onwards. You can browse them in list order, go by artist, or search for something specific.
What the write-ups are like
They are opinions, not scholarship. Some of these records deserve their reputation, some really do not, and a few are far better than their place on the list suggests. The point is to say which is which, and why, rather than to restate what a canon already says. Where a record needs context to make sense, the context is there; where it does not, the piece is short.
Alongside the reviews there are notes and essays — progress reports, arguments with the list itself, and detours into records that are not on it.
Independence
This site is published by Centraserve Ltd. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the publishers of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, nor to any record label, artist or streaming service. Nothing here is sponsored, and no one pays to be included or excluded.
Album cover images are reproduced at small size to identify the records under discussion.
Getting in touch
Corrections, disagreements and suggestions are all welcome — the contact page is the place for them. If you believe something here infringes your rights, please say so through that form and it will be dealt with promptly.