Monday 1 February 2016

Listening Project 2016

This year, I'm not doing Reading Project. Not because I don't have too many unread books (I do), but because I didn't succeed last year, and also because shelf space is currently less of an issue due to ebooks.

However...

A couple of recent conversations reminded me of just how ignorant I am about music. I like music, don't get me wrong, but in the same way I like films: I sometimes watch them, but I don't recognise most actors, let alone directors, and I don't always remember very much.

From what I remember, this stems from two things, but primarily from practicality. While I was at school, I commuted about eight miles by train, so I listened to a fair bit of music on my little radio (this was before MP3 players) or occasionally to CDs on a walkman. However, reception wasn't so great. You'd meet new music at school because people talked about it and you heard new things at parties and so on.

At university I was both busy and insomniac, and reception wasn't great, but I still listened to stuff. Radio announcers and adverts seemed increasingly annoying though, so I tended more and more towards CDs. This meant listening to stuff I already owned, except on the rare occasions someone lent me a CD (which is how I got into Belle and Sebastian, for example). My parents are into classical, big band and rock mostly, so at home that's what we'd tend to have on, or factual programming, rather than music.

I also realised that I can't listen to music, other than instrumentals, while working. Words dig into my brain and distract me despite my best efforts. The same applies while reading, so although in theory I had a lot of time to listen to music, in practice most of it wasn't available for music-listening. And when I was in my room with music-playing equipment, I was usually working, reading or trying (often ineffectually) to sleep. My university days weren't particularly full of parties, I was mostly preoccupied with juggling three subjects, too many hobbies and health, and I deeply dislike clubbing. So... not so much in the music line.

Then I got my first job, in Wales. Reception was appalling and despite my best efforts it wasn't really feasible. My next job landed me in a house whose reception was nuked by a nearby factory. There was no point turning a radio on unless you wanted white noise to shut out distractions, although I did eventually get a digital radio.

At the same time, I'd discovered podcasts, and started downloading programmes rather than being tied to the radio (this was before fast internet was a given; all this streaming and listen-again stuff wasn't an option). Now I could transfer programmes, and music, to an MP3 player and just listen to things I wanted, without the frustrating babble of hosts and adverts.

So basically, I stopped hearing new music because it was hard to listen to the radio at all, and fell back on existing CDs and easily-downloadable podcasts. I mostly listen to podcasts these days, but listen to music when I can't concentrate or sometimes when running - though it needs to be the right kind of music.

Anyway, I want to do something about it, and I've decided to attempt a sort of Listening Project. I will start in 2000, and listen* to every UK Number 1 album from 2000 to 2015.

* providing I can get hold of them without spending money, because I'm not buying a few hundred CDs or a few thousand MP3s, thanks.

Rules of Listening Project

These are the participants:

ArtistAlbumReached number one
Shania TwainCome On Over05-Dec-99
TravisThe Man Who09-Jan-00
GabrielleRise13-Feb-00
OasisStanding on the Shoulder of Giants05-Mar-00
TravisThe Man Who12-Mar-00
SantanaSupernatural26-Mar-00
MobyPlay09-Apr-00
Tom JonesReload14-May-00
Whitney HoustonWhitney: The Greatest Hits21-May-00
Bon JoviCrush04-Jun-00
Tom JonesReload11-Jun-00
S Club 7718-Jun-00
EminemThe Marshall Mathers LP25-Jun-00
Richard AshcroftAlone with Everybody02-Jul-00
EminemThe Marshall Mathers LP09-Jul-00
ColdplayParachutes16-Jul-00
The CorrsIn Blue23-Jul-00
Ronan KeatingRonan06-Aug-00
Craig DavidBorn to Do It20-Aug-00
Robbie WilliamsSing When You're Winning03-Sep-00
MadonnaMusic24-Sep-00
RadioheadKid A08-Oct-00
All SaintsSaints & Sinners22-Oct-00
TexasThe Greatest Hits29-Oct-00
U2All That You Can't Leave Behind05-Nov-00
WestlifeCoast to Coast12-Nov-00
The Beatles119-Nov-00
TexasThe Greatest Hits21-Jan-01
Limp BizkitChocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water28-Jan-01
DidoNo Angel04-Feb-01
Eva CassidySongbird18-Mar-01
Hear'SayPopstars01-Apr-01
StereophonicsJust Enough Education to Perform15-Apr-01
AshFree All Angels29-Apr-01
Destiny's ChildSurvivor06-May-01
R.E.M.Reveal20-May-01
ShaggyHot Shot03-Jun-01
RadioheadAmnesiac10-Jun-01
TravisThe Invisible Band17-Jun-01
Usher870115-Jul-01
Destiny's ChildSurvivor22-Jul-01
David GrayWhite Ladder05-Aug-01
Atomic KittenRight Now12-Aug-01
David GrayWhite Ladder19-Aug-01
StaindBreak the Cycle26-Aug-01
SlipknotIowa02-Sep-01
JamiroquaiA Funk Odyssey09-Sep-01
Macy GrayThe Id23-Sep-01
DidoNo Angel30-Sep-01
Kylie MinogueFever07-Oct-01
StepsGold: Greatest Hits21-Oct-01
Michael JacksonInvincible04-Nov-01
StepsGold: Greatest Hits11-Nov-01
WestlifeWorld of Our Own18-Nov-01
Robbie WilliamsSwing When You're Winning25-Nov-01
StereophonicsJust Enough Education to Perform13-Jan-02
The Chemical BrothersCome with Us03-Feb-02
Enrique IglesiasEscape10-Feb-02
Sting & The PoliceThe Very Best of Sting & The Police24-Feb-02
Barbra StreisandThe Essential Barbra Streisand10-Mar-02
NickelbackSilver Side Up17-Mar-02
Céline DionA New Day Has Come31-Mar-02
BlueAll Rise28-Apr-02
DovesThe Last Broadcast05-May-02
Moby1819-May-02
Ronan KeatingDestination26-May-02
EminemThe Eminem Show02-Jun-02
OasisHeathen Chemistry07-Jul-02
Red Hot Chili PeppersBy the Way14-Jul-02
Bruce SpringsteenThe Rising04-Aug-02
Red Hot Chili PeppersBy the Way11-Aug-02
Eva CassidyImagine25-Aug-02
ColdplayA Rush of Blood to the Head01-Sep-02
Atomic KittenFeels So Good15-Sep-02
Paul WellerIllumination22-Sep-02
Elvis PresleyELV1S29-Sep-02
Will YoungFrom Now On13-Oct-02
Foo FightersOne by One27-Oct-02
David GrayA New Day at Midnight03-Nov-02
BlueOne Love10-Nov-02
WestlifeUnbreakable: The Greatest Hits Volume 117-Nov-02
Robbie WilliamsEscapology24-Nov-02
Avril LavigneLet Go05-Jan-03
Justin TimberlakeJustified26-Jan-03
Kelly RowlandSimply Deep09-Feb-03
Massive Attack100th Window16-Feb-03
Justin TimberlakeJustified23-Feb-03
Norah JonesCome Away with Me02-Mar-03
Linkin ParkMeteora30-Mar-03
The White StripesElephant06-Apr-03
ColdplayA Rush of Blood to the Head20-Apr-03
MadonnaAmerican Life27-Apr-03
Justin TimberlakeJustified04-May-03
BlurThink Tank11-May-03
Justin TimberlakeJustified18-May-03
StereophonicsYou Gotta Go There to Come Back08-Jun-03
RadioheadHail to the Thief15-Jun-03
EvanescenceFallen22-Jun-03
BeyoncéDangerously in Love29-Jun-03
The CoralMagic and Medicine03-Aug-03
Robbie WilliamsEscapology10-Aug-03
Eva CassidyAmerican Tune17-Aug-03
The DarknessPermission to Land31-Aug-03
MuseAbsolution28-Sep-03
DidoLife for Rent05-Oct-03
R.E.M.In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–200302-Nov-03
BlueGuilty09-Nov-03
DidoLife for Rent16-Nov-03
Michael JacksonNumber Ones23-Nov-03
WestlifeTurnaround30-Nov-03
Will YoungFriday's Child07-Dec-03
DidoLife for Rent21-Dec-03
Will YoungFriday's Child04-Jan-04
DidoLife for Rent11-Jan-04
Katie MeluaCall Off the Search25-Jan-04
Norah JonesFeels like Home15-Feb-04
Katie MeluaCall Off the Search29-Feb-04
George MichaelPatience21-Mar-04
UsherConfessions28-Mar-04
AnastaciaAnastacia04-Apr-04
Guns N' RosesGreatest Hits18-Apr-04
D12D12 World02-May-04
Guns N' RosesGreatest Hits09-May-04
KeaneHopes and Fears16-May-04
Avril LavigneUnder My Skin30-May-04
KeaneHopes and Fears06-Jun-04
FaithlessNo Roots13-Jun-04
KeaneHopes and Fears20-Jun-04
The StreetsA Grand Don't Come for Free27-Jun-04
Scissor SistersScissor Sisters04-Jul-04
McFlyRoom on the 3rd Floor11-Jul-04
Scissor SistersScissor Sisters18-Jul-04
The StreetsA Grand Don't Come for Free25-Jul-04
Red Hot Chili PeppersLive in Hyde Park01-Aug-04
AnastaciaAnastacia15-Aug-04
Maroon 5Songs About Jane22-Aug-04
The ProdigyAlways Outnumbered, Never Outgunned29-Aug-04
The LibertinesThe Libertines05-Sep-04
Natasha BedingfieldUnwritten12-Sep-04
EmbraceOut of Nothing19-Sep-04
Green DayAmerican Idiot26-Sep-04
Joss StoneMind Body & Soul03-Oct-04
R.E.M.Around the Sun10-Oct-04
Ronan Keating10 Years of Hits17-Oct-04
Robbie WilliamsGreatest Hits24-Oct-04
Il DivoIl Divo07-Nov-04
EminemEncore14-Nov-04
U2How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb28-Nov-04
Robbie WilliamsGreatest Hits19-Dec-04
Green DayAmerican Idiot02-Jan-05
Scissor SistersScissor Sisters09-Jan-05
The KillersHot Fuss16-Jan-05
The Chemical BrothersPush the Button30-Jan-05
AthleteTourist06-Feb-05
KeaneHopes and Fears13-Feb-05
Scissor SistersScissor Sisters20-Feb-05
DovesSome Cities27-Feb-05
G4G406-Mar-05
50 CentThe Massacre13-Mar-05
StereophonicsLanguage. Sex. Violence. Other?20-Mar-05
Tony ChristieDefinitive Collection27-Mar-05
Natalie ImbrugliaCounting Down the Days10-Apr-05
Basement JaxxBasement Jaxx: The Singles17-Apr-05
AkonTrouble24-Apr-05
Bruce SpringsteenDevils & Dust01-May-05
AkonTrouble08-May-05
Steve BrooksteinHeart and Soul15-May-05
FaithlessForever Faithless – The Greatest Hits22-May-05
GorillazDemon Days29-May-05
OasisDon't Believe the Truth05-Jun-05
ColdplayX&Y12-Jun-05
James BluntBack to Bedlam double-dagger10-Jul-05
McFlyWonderland04-Sep-05
James BluntBack to Bedlam double-dagger11-Sep-05
David GrayLife in Slow Motion18-Sep-05
Katie MeluaPiece by Piece02-Oct-05
Franz FerdinandYou Could Have It So Much Better09-Oct-05
SugababesTaller in More Ways16-Oct-05
The ProdigyTheir Law: The Singles 1990–200523-Oct-05
Robbie WilliamsIntensive Care30-Oct-05
WestlifeFace to Face06-Nov-05
Il DivoAncora13-Nov-05
MadonnaConfessions on a Dance Floor20-Nov-05
EminemCurtain Call: The Hits04-Dec-05
The StrokesFirst Impressions of Earth08-Jan-06
James BluntBack to Bedlam double-dagger15-Jan-06
Hard-FiStars of CCTV22-Jan-06
Arctic MonkeysWhatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not29-Jan-06
Jack JohnsonIn Between Dreams26-Feb-06
Corinne Bailey RaeCorinne Bailey Rae05-Mar-06
David GilmourOn an Island12-Mar-06
Corinne Bailey RaeCorinne Bailey Rae19-Mar-06
Journey SouthJourney South26-Mar-06
EmbraceThis New Day02-Apr-06
MorrisseyRingleader of the Tormentors09-Apr-06
The StreetsThe Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living16-Apr-06
Shayne WardShayne Ward23-Apr-06
Gnarls BarkleySt. Elsewhere30-Apr-06
Snow PatrolEyes Open07-May-06
Red Hot Chili PeppersStadium Arcadium14-May-06
OrsonBright Idea04-Jun-06
Sandi ThomSmile... It Confuses People11-Jun-06
KeaneUnder the Iron Sea18-Jun-06
LostprophetsLiberation Transmission02-Jul-06
MuseBlack Holes and Revelations09-Jul-06
RazorlightRazorlight23-Jul-06
James MorrisonUndiscovered06-Aug-06
Christina AguileraBack to Basics20-Aug-06
Snow PatrolEyes Open27-Aug-06
KasabianEmpire03-Sep-06
Snow PatrolEyes Open10-Sep-06
Justin TimberlakeFutureSex/LoveSounds17-Sep-06
Scissor SistersTa-Dah24-Sep-06
The KillersSam's Town08-Oct-06
Robbie WilliamsRudebox29-Oct-06
Girls AloudThe Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits05-Nov-06
JamiroquaiHigh Times: Singles 1992–200612-Nov-06
George MichaelTwenty Five19-Nov-06
WestlifeThe Love Album26-Nov-06
Take ThatBeautiful World03-Dec-06
Amy WinehouseBack to Black14-Jan-07
The ViewHats Off to the Buskers28-Jan-07
Norah JonesNot Too Late04-Feb-07
MikaLife in Cartoon Motion11-Feb-07
Amy WinehouseBack to Black25-Feb-07
Kaiser ChiefsYours Truly, Angry Mob04-Mar-07
Ray QuinnDoing It My Way18-Mar-07
Take ThatBeautiful World25-Mar-07
Kings of LeonBecause of the Times08-Apr-07
Avril LavigneThe Best Damn Thing22-Apr-07
Arctic MonkeysFavourite Worst Nightmare29-Apr-07
Linkin ParkMinutes to Midnight20-May-07
Maroon 5It Won't Be Soon Before Long27-May-07
RihannaGood Girl Gone Bad10-Jun-07
Traveling WilburysThe Traveling Wilburys Collection17-Jun-07
The White StripesIcky Thump24-Jun-07
EditorsAn End Has a Start01-Jul-07
The Chemical BrothersWe Are the Night08-Jul-07
The EnemyWe'll Live and Die in These Towns15-Jul-07
Paul PottsOne Chance22-Jul-07
Kate NashMade of Bricks12-Aug-07
Elvis PresleyThe King19-Aug-07
Newton FaulknerHand Built by Robots26-Aug-07
Hard-FiOnce Upon a Time in the West09-Sep-07
Kanye WestGraduation16-Sep-07
James BluntAll the Lost Souls23-Sep-07
Foo FightersEchoes, Silence, Patience & Grace30-Sep-07
Bruce SpringsteenMagic07-Oct-07
SugababesChange14-Oct-07
StereophonicsPull the Pin21-Oct-07
The HoosiersThe Trick to Life28-Oct-07
EaglesLong Road out of Eden04-Nov-07
WestlifeBack Home11-Nov-07
Leona LewisSpirit18-Nov-07
RadioheadIn Rainbows06-Jan-08
Amy MacdonaldThis Is the Life13-Jan-08
Scouting for GirlsScouting for Girls20-Jan-08
Adele1903-Feb-08
Jack JohnsonSleep Through the Static10-Feb-08
The FeelingJoin with Us24-Feb-08
Amy WinehouseBack to Black – The Deluxe Edition02-Mar-08
DuffyRockferry09-Mar-08
R.E.M.Accelerate06-Apr-08
DuffyRockferry13-Apr-08
The KooksKonk20-Apr-08
The Last Shadow PuppetsThe Age of the Understatement27-Apr-08
MadonnaHard Candy04-May-08
ScooterJumping All Over the World11-May-08
Neil DiamondHome Before Dark18-May-08
The Ting TingsWe Started Nothing25-May-08
UsherHere I Stand01-Jun-08
Paul Weller22 Dreams08-Jun-08
ColdplayViva la Vida or Death and All His Friends15-Jun-08
BasshunterNow You're Gone – The Album20-Jul-08
ColdplayViva la Vida or Death and All His Friends27-Jul-08
ABBAGold: Greatest Hits03-Aug-08
The ScriptThe Script17-Aug-08
The VerveForth31-Aug-08
MetallicaDeath Magnetic14-Sep-08
Kings of LeonOnly by the Night28-Sep-08
OasisDig Out Your Soul12-Oct-08
KeanePerfect Symmetry19-Oct-08
AC/DCBlack Ice26-Oct-08
PinkFunhouse02-Nov-08
Girls AloudOut of Control09-Nov-08
Il DivoThe Promise16-Nov-08
Leona LewisSpirit23-Nov-08
The KillersDay & Age30-Nov-08
Take ThatThe Circus07-Dec-08
Kings of LeonOnly by the Night11-Jan-09
The ScriptThe Script18-Jan-09
White LiesTo Lose My Life...25-Jan-09
Bruce SpringsteenWorking on a Dream01-Feb-09
Lily AllenIt's Not Me, It's You15-Feb-09
Kings of LeonOnly by the Night22-Feb-09
The ProdigyInvaders Must Die01-Mar-09
U2No Line on the Horizon08-Mar-09
Ronan KeatingSongs for My Mother22-Mar-09
Lady GagaThe Fame05-Apr-09
Bob DylanTogether Through Life03-May-09
Green Day21st Century Breakdown17-May-09
EminemRelapse24-May-09
Paolo NutiniSunny Side Up07-Jun-09
KasabianWest Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum14-Jun-09
Michael JacksonNumber Ones28-Jun-09
Michael JacksonThe Essential Michael Jackson05-Jul-09
Calvin HarrisReady for the Weekend23-Aug-09
Arctic MonkeysHumbug30-Aug-09
Vera LynnWe'll Meet Again: The Very Best of Vera Lynn13-Sep-09
MuseThe Resistance20-Sep-09
MadonnaCelebration27-Sep-09
ParamoreBrand New Eyes04-Oct-09
Barbra StreisandLove Is the Answer11-Oct-09
EditorsIn This Light and on This Evening18-Oct-09
Alexandra BurkeOvercome25-Oct-09
Cheryl Cole3 Words01-Nov-09
JLSJLS15-Nov-09
Leona LewisEcho22-Nov-09
Susan BoyleI Dreamed a Dream dagger29-Nov-09
Michael BubléCrazy Love27-Dec-09
Paolo NutiniSunny Side Up03-Jan-10
Florence and the MachineLungs17-Jan-10
Paolo NutiniSunny Side Up31-Jan-10
Alicia KeysThe Element of Freedom07-Feb-10
Glee CastGlee: The Music, Volume 121-Feb-10
Lady GagaThe Fame28-Feb-10
Ellie GouldingLights07-Mar-10
BoyzoneBrother14-Mar-10
Lady GagaThe Fame21-Mar-10
BoyzoneBrother28-Mar-10
Lady GagaThe Fame11-Apr-10
Plan BThe Defamation of Strickland Banks18-Apr-10
AC/DCIron Man 225-Apr-10
Plan BThe Defamation of Strickland Banks02-May-10
Diana VickersSongs from the Tainted Cherry Tree09-May-10
KeaneNight Train16-May-10
The Rolling StonesExile on Main St.23-May-10
PendulumImmersion30-May-10
Jack JohnsonTo the Sea06-Jun-10
Christina AguileraBionic13-Jun-10
OasisTime Flies... 1994–200920-Jun-10
EminemRecovery27-Jun-10
Kylie MinogueAphrodite11-Jul-10
EminemRecovery18-Jul-10
Arcade FireThe Suburbs08-Aug-10
EminemRecovery15-Aug-10
Iron MaidenThe Final Frontier22-Aug-10
EminemRecovery29-Aug-10
Katy PerryTeenage Dream05-Sep-10
Brandon FlowersFlamingo12-Sep-10
The ScriptScience & Faith19-Sep-10
Phil CollinsGoing Back26-Sep-10
The ScriptScience & Faith03-Oct-10
Tinie TempahDisc-Overy10-Oct-10
Robbie WilliamsIn and Out of Consciousness:17-Oct-10
Kings of LeonCome Around Sundown24-Oct-10
Cheryl ColeMessy Little Raindrops07-Nov-10
Susan BoyleThe Gift14-Nov-10
Take ThatProgress dagger21-Nov-10
RihannaLoud02-Jan-11
Bruno MarsDoo-Wops & Hooligans23-Jan-11
Adele21 dagger30-Jan-11
Foo FightersWasting Light17-Apr-11
Adele21 dagger24-Apr-11
Lady GagaBorn This Way29-May-11
Arctic MonkeysSuck It and See12-Jun-11
Take ThatProgress19-Jun-11
Lady GagaBorn This Way26-Jun-11
Beyoncé403-Jul-11
Adele21 dagger17-Jul-11
Amy WinehouseBack to Black31-Jul-11
NeroWelcome Reality21-Aug-11
Will YoungEchoes28-Aug-11
Red Hot Chili PeppersI'm with You04-Sep-11
ExamplePlaying in the Shadows11-Sep-11
Ed Sheeran+18-Sep-11
KasabianVelociraptor!25-Sep-11
James MorrisonThe Awakening02-Oct-11
StepsThe Ultimate Collection16-Oct-11
Noel Gallagher's High Flying BirdsNoel Gallagher's High Flying Birds23-Oct-11
ColdplayMylo Xyloto30-Oct-11
Florence and the MachineCeremonials06-Nov-11
Susan BoyleSomeone to Watch Over Me13-Nov-11
Michael BubléChristmas20-Nov-11
RihannaTalk That Talk27-Nov-11
Olly MursIn Case You Didn't Know04-Dec-11
Amy WinehouseLioness: Hidden Treasures11-Dec-11
Michael BubléChristmas18-Dec-11
Ed Sheeran+01-Jan-12
Adele2108-Jan-12
Bruno MarsDoo-Wops & Hooligans15-Jan-12
Adele2122-Jan-12
Ed Sheeran+29-Jan-12
Lana Del ReyBorn to Die05-Feb-12
Emeli SandéOur Version of Events dagger19-Feb-12
Adele2126-Feb-12
Emeli SandéOur Version of Events dagger04-Mar-12
Bruce SpringsteenWrecking Ball11-Mar-12
Military WivesIn My Dreams18-Mar-12
Paul WellerSonik Kicks25-Mar-12
MadonnaMDNA01-Apr-12
Nicki MinajPink Friday: Roman Reloaded08-Apr-12
Adele2115-Apr-12
Jack WhiteBlunderbuss29-Apr-12
Marina and the DiamondsElectra Heart06-May-12
KeaneStrangeland13-May-12
Emeli SandéOur Version of Events dagger27-May-12
Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth BandSing03-Jun-12
Justin BieberBelieve24-Jun-12
Linkin ParkLiving Things01-Jul-12
Chris BrownFortune08-Jul-12
Newton FaulknerWrite It On Your Skin15-Jul-12
Elton John vs. PnauGood Morning to the Night22-Jul-12
Plan BIll Manors29-Jul-12
Conor MaynardContrast05-Aug-12
RihannaTalk That Talk12-Aug-12
Emeli SandéOur Version of Events dagger19-Aug-12
Rita OraOra02-Sep-12
The VaccinesCome of Age09-Sep-12
The xxCoexist16-Sep-12
The KillersBattle Born23-Sep-12
Mumford & SonsBabel30-Sep-12
MuseThe 2nd Law07-Oct-12
Mumford & SonsBabel14-Oct-12
Jake BuggJake Bugg21-Oct-12
Taylor SwiftRed28-Oct-12
Calvin Harris18 Months04-Nov-12
Robbie WilliamsTake the Crown11-Nov-12
One DirectionTake Me Home18-Nov-12
RihannaUnapologetic25-Nov-12
Olly MursRight Place Right Time02-Dec-12
Bruno MarsUnorthodox Jukebox16-Dec-12
Emeli SandéOur Version of Events dagger23-Dec-12
Calvin Harris18 Months06-Jan-13
Emeli SandéOur Version of Events13-Jan-13
Motion Picture Cast RecordingLes Misérables20-Jan-13
Biffy ClyroOpposites03-Feb-13
Motion Picture Cast RecordingLes Misérables10-Feb-13
Emeli SandéOur Version of Events24-Feb-13
BastilleBad Blood10-Mar-13
David BowieThe Next Day17-Mar-13
Justin TimberlakeThe 20/20 Experience24-Mar-13
ParamoreParamore14-Apr-13
Michael BubléTo Be Loved21-Apr-13
RudimentalHome05-May-13
Caro EmeraldThe Shocking Miss Emerald12-May-13
Rod StewartTime19-May-13
Daft PunkRandom Access Memories26-May-13
DisclosureSettle09-Jun-13
Black Sabbath1316-Jun-13
Kanye WestYeezus23-Jun-13
Tom OdellLong Way Down30-Jun-13
Mumford & SonsBabel07-Jul-13
Jay-ZMagna Carta... Holy Grail14-Jul-13
Robin ThickeBlurred Lines21-Jul-13
Jahméne DouglasLove Never Fails28-Jul-13
Richard & AdamThe Impossible Dream04-Aug-13
Avenged SevenfoldHail to the King01-Sep-13
The 1975The 197508-Sep-13
Arctic MonkeysAM15-Sep-13
Kings of LeonMechanical Bull29-Sep-13
HaimDays Are Gone06-Oct-13
Miley CyrusBangerz13-Oct-13
John NewmanTribute20-Oct-13
Katy PerryPrism27-Oct-13
Arcade FireReflektor03-Nov-13
EminemThe Marshall Mathers LP 210-Nov-13
Lady GagaArtpop17-Nov-13
Robbie WilliamsSwings Both Ways24-Nov-13
One DirectionMidnight Memories dagger01-Dec-13
Robbie WilliamsSwings Both Ways15-Dec-13
Ellie GouldingHalcyon05-Jan-14
Bruce SpringsteenHigh Hopes19-Jan-14
Ellie GouldingHalcyon26-Jan-14
You Me at SixCavalier Youth02-Feb-14
Bombay Bicycle ClubSo Long, See You Tomorrow09-Feb-14
Katy BLittle Red16-Feb-14
BastilleBad Blood23-Feb-14
Pharrell WilliamsG I R L09-Mar-14
ElbowThe Take Off and Landing of Everything16-Mar-14
George MichaelSymphonica23-Mar-14
Sam BaileyThe Power of Love30-Mar-14
Kaiser ChiefsEducation, Education, Education & War06-Apr-14
Paolo NutiniCaustic Love20-Apr-14
Lily AllenSheezus11-May-14
Michael JacksonXscape18-May-14
ColdplayGhost Stories25-May-14
Sam SmithIn the Lonely Hour01-Jun-14
Kasabian48:13:0015-Jun-14
Lana Del ReyUltraviolence22-Jun-14
Ed Sheeranx dagger29-Jun-14
CollabroStars24-Aug-14
Royal BloodRoyal Blood31-Aug-14
Sam SmithIn the Lonely Hour07-Sep-14
The ScriptNo Sound Without Silence21-Sep-14
alt-JThis Is All Yours28-Sep-14
George EzraWanted on Voyage05-Oct-14
Ella HendersonChapter One19-Oct-14
Ben HowardI Forget Where We Were26-Oct-14
Taylor Swift198902-Nov-14
Ed Sheeranx dagger09-Nov-14
Pink FloydThe Endless River16-Nov-14
One DirectionFour23-Nov-14
Olly MursNever Been Better30-Nov-14
Take ThatIII07-Dec-14
Ed Sheeranx dagger14-Dec-14
George EzraWanted on Voyage04-Jan-15
Sam SmithIn the Lonely Hour11-Jan-15
George EzraWanted on Voyage18-Jan-15
Mark RonsonUptown Special25-Jan-15
Meghan TrainorTitle01-Feb-15
Bob DylanShadows in the Night08-Feb-15
Sam SmithIn the Lonely Hour15-Feb-15
Imagine DragonsSmoke + Mirrors22-Feb-15
Sam SmithIn the Lonely Hour01-Mar-15
Noel Gallagher's High Flying BirdsChasing Yesterday08-Mar-15
Sam SmithIn the Lonely Hour15-Mar-15
Kendrick LamarTo Pimp a Butterfly22-Mar-15
James BayChaos and the Calm29-Mar-15
The ProdigyThe Day Is My Enemy05-Apr-15
All Time LowFuture Hearts12-Apr-15
Paul SimonThe Ultimate Collection19-Apr-15
Josh GrobanStages26-Apr-15
BlurThe Magic Whip03-May-15
Mumford & SonsWilder Mind10-May-15
Brandon FlowersThe Desired Effect24-May-15
Will Young85% Proof31-May-15
Florence + the MachineHow Big, How Blue, How Beautiful07-Jun-15
MuseDrones14-Jun-15
Florence + the MachineHow Big, How Blue, How Beautiful28-Jun-15
Lionel RichieThe Definitive Collection05-Jul-15
Ed Sheeranx10-Jul-15
Years & YearsCommunion17-Jul-15
The Chemical BrothersBorn in the Echoes31-Jul-15
The MaccabeesMarks to Prove It07-Aug-15
Dr. DreCompton14-Aug-15
Cilla BlackThe Very Best of Cilla Black21-Aug-15
Jess GlynneI Cry When I Laugh28-Aug-15
The WeekndBeauty Behind the Madness04-Sep-15
Iron MaidenThe Book of Souls11-Sep-15
StereophonicsKeep the Village Alive18-Sep-15
David GilmourRattle That Lock25-Sep-15
DisclosureCaracal02-Oct-15
RudimentalWe the Generation09-Oct-15
FaithlessFaithless 2.016-Oct-15
Jamie LawsonJamie Lawson23-Oct-15
5 Seconds of SummerSounds Good Feels Good30-Oct-15
Elvis PresleyIf I Can Dream06-Nov-15
One DirectionMade in the A.M.20-Nov-15
Adele25 dagger27-Nov-15
David BowieBlackstar15-Jan-16
David BowieBest of Bowie05-Feb-16
ColdplayA Head Full of Dreams12-Feb-16
Adele2519-Feb-16
The 1975I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It04-Mar-16
Adele2511-Mar-16
ZAYNMind of Mine07-Apr-16
The Last Shadow PuppetsEverything You've Come to Expect14-Apr-16
The LumineersCleopatra21-Apr-16
PJ HarveyThe Hope Six Demolition Project28-Apr-16
BeyoncéLemonade05-May-16
DrakeViews12-May-16
RadioheadA Moon Shaped Pool19-May-16
DrakeViews26-May-16
  1. Each album should be listened to in order (but not repeatedly, in case of returns to No 1.)
  2. Each album should be listened to completely
  3. Songs I really don't like can be cut short early
  4. Songs I can't get hold of are disqualified
  5. Songs I can't get hold of without paying are disqualified
  6. Songs that are actually offensive are disqualified
  7. Bands that are actually offensive are disqualified

Additional rules

  • Friends and well-wishers (heck, enemies) are welcome to recommend albums that are not UK No. 1 Hits for my listening.
  • Recommendations are not guaranteed a place in the Listening Project 2016
  • Friends and well-wishers are warned that I might completely hate your music
  • Enemies are warned that I might love your music
  • Albums submitted by friends should have lyrics available somewhere to satisfy my curiosity
  • There are (of course) no language limits on friend-albums, although languages that I understand at least a little bit would be preferable to appreciate the music

This list is horrifically anglophonic. If I can find lists of No 1 Hit Albums for the UK's minority languages, I'll consider incorporating those too.

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