BOOK REVIEW: 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery

Shane | 2 January 2014

BOOK REVIEW: 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery
Murdoch Books
December 2013
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
9/10

In an age where both The Album and The Book are rapidly becoming endangered species, this hefty tome may seem as relevant at the Encyclopedia Brittanica, or curly-wire-fixed telephones, but it stands as a wonderful reminder of the days when a record was a wonderful listening experience from start to finish.

Today’s disposable culture means that a lot of people miss the point – they want instant gratification rather than having a relationship of any substance, whether it be sex, love, music, or the visual arts.

Listening to an album – an album that takes repeated listens to divulge all of it’s beauty and bounty – versus downloading an autotuned pop song for a couple of listens before deleting it, is akin to the difference between an anonymous blowjob from a stranger and the joy of a late night love-making session with someone you’ve been getting to know. Incomparable.

The 1001 albums herein cover all manner of genres, and date as far back as Frank Sinatra’s 1955 In The Wee Small Hours and as recent as David Bowie’s startling return to form with The Next Day. There are classics a-plenty, many of which will feature in your collection already, as well as many hidden gems and forgotten pleasures to rediscover, whether your tastes extend to Metallica, Suzanne Vega, Public Enemy, Rod Stewart, The Temptations, Miles Davis, Sister Sledge, AC/DC, Teenage Fanclub, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Echo & The Bunnymen or Adele.