My Coda

 It felt like I should have a separate conclusion post, rather than dumping everything into the White Stripes review. Meg and Jack White deserve our full attention, after all.

I have been working on this project for nine years. I actually started it with a friend of mine, and we would both write our thoughts on the albums in each post (hence the "we" part of "wegottherhythm"). She's probably forgotten all about it by now. However, Brie, if this project ever crosses your mind, and you happen to check in here, I want you to know that I am sorry our friendship ended. I hope you are happy and healthy, and I would always love to hear from you.

2020 has been a difficult year, to put it mildly. When everything was shutting down in March, I decided that I wasn't going to waste this time I was given, even if I was stuck in my apartment. I chose to fill my days and nights with music, and accomplish a task I set out to complete all those years ago.  This enabled me to dance through my feelings of loneliness and helplessness, and hear those same feelings expressed in beautiful ways. I am grateful to every artist on this List (yes even the metal bands) for giving me that gift.

Of course, not everybody has cheered me on along the way. That's okay. This blog was always meant to be more of a diary than a forum for discussion. I've created a personal reference guide, and have labeled all post by rating, so I'll always be able to revisit and rediscover favorites. The negative feedback is just noise, and this List has taught me to tune out bad music.

Thank you to everybody has followed my journey. I won't be making any more updates, but I'll keep the blog up and check in with comments. I love to hear from you, and I would love to read about your other passion projects.

Oh, and if you enjoyed witnessing my obsession with this List, you might want to check out my 1001 book blog and my 1001 movie blog. 

With love,

Amanda

1001. Get Behind Me Satan

Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
2005

Tracks
1. Blue Orchid
2. The Nurse
3. My Doorbell
4. Forever For Her (Is Over For Me)
5. Little Ghost
6. The Denial Twist
7. White Moon
8. Instinct Blues
9. Passive Manipulation
10. Take, Take, Take
11. As Ugly As I Seem
12. Red Rain
13. I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)

1001! I did it!! I'll write a follow up post after this to wrap things up, but wow. It's a bit hard to concentrate on the album at hand!

But I am going to try anyway, because it's The White Stripes. This isn't the best White Stripes album on the List. Both White Blood Cells and Elephant are better. Still, it contains their unique sound that is always compelling, and they aren't afraid to experiment here.

I just read an article that compared the Meg White/Jack White relationship to a comedy duo. Jack White is the funny guy, always pushing the limits, and Meg White is the straight man, pulling him back in again. I think that is a hella accurate comparison, and it makes for a fascinating dynamic. I'll try to keep that in mind when I dress up like Meg tomorrow for Halloween.

You'll hear from me again soon...

RATING: 4/5

1000. Guero

Guero
Beck
2005

Tracks
1. E-Pro
2. Que' Onda Guero
3. Girl
4. Missing
5. Black Tambourine
6. Earthquake Weather
7. Hell Yes
8. Broken Drum
9. Scarecrow
10. Go It Alone
11. Farewell Ride
12. Rental Car
13. Emergency Exit

Oh my god, 1000 albums! I can't believe I have written 1000 entries about music. I guess I will wait to digest that until the next entry.

This isn't the greatest Beck album, but it was still pretty good. This was likely included by the Listmakers because Beck is a pretty safe choice, and they were struggling at the end to identify the albums that will have staying power. Guero is perfectly listenable, due in large part to the creative use of sampling.

But it doesn't have the distinction of Odelay, and doesn't leave the strongest impression. Probably removed in later editions.

RATING: 3/5

999. Arular

Arular 
M.I.A.
2005

Tracks
1. Banana Skit
2. Pull Up The People
3. Bucky Done Gun
4. Sunshowers
5. Fire, Fire
6. Dash The Curry Skit
7. Amazon
8. Bingo
9. Hombre
10. One For The Head Skit
11. 10 Dollar
12. U.R.A.Q.T.
13. Galang

I anticipate enjoying Beck and the White Stripes, so this might be our last shaky entry on the List.

M.I.A. is doing some interesting things here, none of which suit my personal tastes. She adds world music to her hip hop, often imbuing the music with political awareness which is something dance music often lacks. I actually found such short tracks hard to get into. As soon as I found my footing, the song would end.

Still, at least she is doing something different with hip hop. 

RATING: 2/5

998. Aha Shake Heartbreak

Aha Shake Heartbreak
Kings of Leon
2004

Tracks
1. Slow Night, So Long
2. King Of The Rodeo
3. Taper Jean Girl
4. Pistol Of Fire
5. Milk
6. The Bucket
7. Soft
8. Razz
9. Day Old Blues
10. Four Kicks
11. Velvet Snow
12. Rememo

Kings of Leon are back, and this time it's even less personal. I feel like their music lacks intimacy or innovation. I enjoyed their previous entry on the List, but I don't think they needed another one.

The Listmakers probably panicked toward the end here, and I would guess that these last few entries have all been replaced by other entries in subsequent editions. That's not to say they are bad albums, but they are bit repetitive and showcase artists who have already been represented with superior albums.

Such is the case with the Kings of Leon, who don't really grow or do anything different from their previous album. Listenable music, but one album from this band was probably sufficient.

RATING: 3/5

997. Hot Fuss

Hot Fuss
The Killers
2004

Tracks
1. Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine
2. Mr Brightside
3. Smile Like You Mean It
4. Somebody Told Me
5. All These Things That I’ve Done
6. Andy You’re A Star
7. On Top
8. Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll
9. Believe Me Natalie
10. Midnight Show
11. Everything Will Be Alright

Is there a person on this planet who doesn't enjoy "Mr. Brightside"? That has to be one of the biggest crowd-pleaser songs, along with "Sweet Caroline."

I like the Killers because they are reminiscent of The Cure, and they don't have the pretensions that some of the other bands on this List possess. They just want to make fun and danceable music, and they manage it perfectly here.

"Mr. Brightside" isn't the only great single on this album. "Somebody Told Me" and "Jenny Was A Friend of Mine" are also really good, and the synth work here was a fun throwback. Hopefully not the last five star album on this List, but if it is, it's a worthy finale.

RATING: 5/5

996. Who Killed...The Zutons?

Who Killed...The Zutons?
The Zutons
2004

Tracks
1. Zuton Fever
2. Pressure Point
3. You Will You Won't
4. Confusion
5. Havana Gang Brawl
6. Railroad
7. Long Time Coming
8. Nightmare Part II
9. Not A Lot To Do
10. Remember Me
11. Dirty Dancehall
12. Moons And Horror Shows

Here we have a band try to imitate The Coral, which is actually perfect for me, because I quite like The Coral.

Of course, that means this album doesn't win many points in the originality department. But they do produce some catchy songs and it's pretty entertaining to listen to throughout.

Only five more albums to go...I would be even more excited right now if a cat wasn't currently digging her claws into my legs, but such is the price of love.

RATING: 2/5