Journey Complete!
Finisher #354 to complete the list
1092
Albums Rated
2.59
Average Rating
100%
Complete
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Perfectionist
Rater Style ?
13
5-Star Albums
88
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Locust Abortion Technician
Butthole Surfers
|
4 | 2.38 | +1.62 |
|
...And Justice For All
Metallica
|
5 | 3.43 | +1.57 |
|
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
|
5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
|
Fear and Whiskey
Mekons
|
4 | 2.6 | +1.4 |
|
A Grand Don't Come For Free
The Streets
|
4 | 2.67 | +1.33 |
|
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
|
5 | 3.68 | +1.32 |
|
Master Of Puppets
Metallica
|
5 | 3.73 | +1.27 |
|
Peggy Suicide
Julian Cope
|
4 | 2.77 | +1.23 |
|
Dookie
Green Day
|
5 | 3.79 | +1.21 |
|
Metallica
Metallica
|
5 | 3.79 | +1.21 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
Stankonia
OutKast
|
1 | 3.55 | -2.55 |
|
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
|
1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
|
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
|
1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
|
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
|
1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
|
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
|
1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
|
Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
Debut
Björk
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
|
1 | 3.36 | -2.36 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Metallica | 4 | 4.75 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.67 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Björk | 4 | 1 |
| Leonard Cohen | 5 | 1.6 |
| Tim Buckley | 3 | 1.33 |
| Scott Walker | 2 | 1 |
| OutKast | 2 | 1 |
| Radiohead | 6 | 2 |
| Kraftwerk | 3 | 1.67 |
| The Byrds | 5 | 2 |
| Super Furry Animals | 2 | 1.5 |
| Portishead | 2 | 1.5 |
| Todd Rundgren | 2 | 1.5 |
| John Martyn | 2 | 1.5 |
| Robert Wyatt | 2 | 1.5 |
| Belle & Sebastian | 2 | 1.5 |
| Primal Scream | 2 | 1.5 |
| Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band | 2 | 1.5 |
| Rufus Wainwright | 2 | 1.5 |
| Emerson, Lake & Palmer | 2 | 1.5 |
| Barry Adamson | 2 | 1.5 |
| TV On The Radio | 2 | 1.5 |
| Orbital | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Prodigy | 2 | 1.5 |
| Randy Newman | 2 | 1.5 |
| U2 | 4 | 2 |
| Sonic Youth | 5 | 2.2 |
| Nick Drake | 3 | 2 |
| Roxy Music | 3 | 2 |
| Public Enemy | 3 | 2 |
| Beck | 3 | 2 |
| Madonna | 3 | 2 |
| Kings of Leon | 3 | 2 |
| Steely Dan | 4 | 2.25 |
| Joni Mitchell | 4 | 2.25 |
| Miles Davis | 4 | 2.25 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Brian Eno | 1, 1, 4, 3, 3 |
5-Star Albums (13)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Black Keys
2/5
No didn't like that. It's exactly the sort of unimaginative indie/garage rock that winds me up...
9 likes
Norah Jones
2/5
Shame this came so soon after Coldplay. Another musical blancmange of nothingness... Again it gets a 2 because it wasn't bad enough for a 1 but this just goes to demonstrate the futility of rating things on a five star scale.
6 likes
The B-52's
3/5
Maybe its me, maybe its the music but I seem to be in a bit of a 3-star rut. This was fun but I wouldn't be hankering for more...
3 likes
1-Star Albums (88)
All Ratings
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
Quite bland. Like a Sunday afternoon at home.
Van Morrison
4/5
Enjoyable.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Already own this. Its a strong album although I think it does dip toward the middle/end.
Otis Redding
4/5
Enjoyable. The start of the album is excellent and I think the tail-end (signified by 'Can't Get No Satisfaction') wanes enough to lose a star.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Not really my thing. Quite dreary.
Boston
3/5
Classic rock. Whats not to like?
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Wasn't too keen to start but it grew on me.
Fred Neil
2/5
Didn't like it. Drony.
Talk Talk
2/5
Another one that grew on me. Massively 80's. I Don't Believe in You and Give It Up were good.
Deep Purple
3/5
Good start but a little bit noodly toward the end. Live albums tend to disappoint.
John Grant
3/5
Eclectic but quite enjoyable.
The Verve
3/5
Vervey. Nice enough.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
Never even crossed my radar before but liked it. The fact Jah Wobble used to work for LU is also cool.
The Coral
2/5
Part of that mid-00's indie rock that I really don't like I'm afraid.
The Zombies
3/5
Very evocative and almost a 60's parody. Grew on me at first and then grew tiresome.
The Byrds
2/5
Not for me. Far too self-indulgent toward the end.
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Very enjoyable.
Arcade Fire
3/5
In the desert that was the noughties, this wasn't terrible.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Nothing there to interest me really.
John Prine
3/5
Yeah it was OK. Fairly generic country.
Santana
2/5
Slightly disappointing. Was expecting more.
Tom Waits
4/5
A tough one to rate. Not my favourite Tom Waits album but good enough for a low 4 I think.
Nirvana
5/5
Not much to say. Its a cultural touch stone.
Brian Eno
1/5
No. Maybe I wasn't paying attention but sounded like someone trying to tune a radio.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Tough one. Didn't dislike it but don't think I'd listen to it again so...
Joan Baez
1/5
The songs were OK but it sounds like it was being sung by a strangled cat.
David Gray
2/5
Hard to see past how it was mocked and parodied. Bland but inoffensive.
Deep Purple
4/5
The Replacements
4/5
Excellent.
Steely Dan
3/5
Alright. Not overly memorable.
The Smiths
4/5
A lowish 4 I think.
Super Furry Animals
1/5
Didn't like but I think my expectations were confused with 'Supergrass' so was expecting upbeat pop rather than dirty stuff. Overly harsh rating...
Ray Charles
3/5
Whats not to like. Standard.
The Pretty Things
2/5
The concept was better than the execution. Feel a bit mean to only give it two stars as I felt like they reached for the stars but frankly I wouldn't rush to listen again.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Enjoyed it. I think it just missed a four stars by a smidge for no quantifiable reason.
James Brown
4/5
Enjoyable. Don't want to feel too stingy so will give it a 4 for 'Lost Someone' alone.
The The
4/5
Strange that I enjoyed it more than I expected. Particularly the slightly cheesy 80s stuff :)
The Young Rascals
3/5
Enjoyed it. Struggled with the rating - there are a couple of bangers but also some filler. A high 3 I think (I've been too generous this week).
Portishead
2/5
I get there was an ambient vibe but not really my bag.
Deep Purple
3/5
Steely Dan
2/5
It was quite nice but did nothing to grab me.
Franz Ferdinand
2/5
Apart from a couple of standout tracks, it didn't grab my attention.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
Had promise but for me didn't deliver.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
No didn't like this one either. Sounded like the soundtrack to a rubbish 90s film.
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Better than expected. A few classics but tails off a little.
The xx
4/5
Enjoyed it a lot. It may just have been a case of capturing my mood perfectly as a lay in bed feeling under the weather.
Air
1/5
I usually don't mind Air (I own Moon Safari) but I found this tedious. Maybe it helps to see the film...
The Kinks
3/5
Grew on me over the course of the day.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Found it really hard to rate due to the ubiquity of some of the songs in popular culture.
The Specials
4/5
Excellent. Maybe could've been 5 stars but just missed out.
The Beach Boys
4/5
On the whole very enjoyable although I thought the quality between songs was varied.
Joy Division
2/5
Possibly not in the right mood for it today but it didn't grab me in anyway.
Shack
3/5
Strangely never heard of this band before. Quite good...
The Go-Go's
3/5
Good.
3/5
Dylan live - not sure about that.
Jeff Buckley
3/5
Fine.
Jethro Tull
4/5
Tough one. I'll give it a four just to separate it from some of the threes but probably not as good as some of the fours!
Jane's Addiction
2/5
Meh... not a big fan really. Shocking!
Scott Walker
1/5
What was that?!
Parliament
4/5
Whats not to like?!
Ash
4/5
Very evocative. A few absolute classics and a fair bit of filler as well.
New York Dolls
4/5
Another great album. I feel like I'm being very generous recently but its been a good run.
R.E.M.
3/5
Some excellent songs that define an era but probably not something on the whole I'd go back to. Although I may just be being unfair due to my recent run of fours.
Laura Nyro
2/5
Felt like it should and could have been better than it was.
The Verve
2/5
Couple of good songs but nothing special. Probably a little harsh on the rating.
Nick Drake
2/5
I've never got on with Nick Drake. Too droney.
Suede
3/5
Not that keen to start with but it did grow on me. A couple of really good tracks towards the end.
R.E.M.
2/5
Bit harsh perhaps but it wasn't as good as Automatic for the People so...
The Soft Boys
4/5
Liked this. Took a couple of listens and the 'extended' version isn't worth the hassle.
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
Fairly uninspiring jazz. Sunday afternoon BBC mystery soundtrack.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Meh. It was fine but I'm starting to expect more than that...
Queen
3/5
Enjoyed it. It was fun.
The Kinks
3/5
Yeah fine. Easy listening but nothing special.
George Michael
2/5
Never really liked it. 2 stars because it isn't unlistenable.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Tails off but four stars just for the first six or so songs on disk 1.
The Streets
4/5
I liked it actually. A few good tracks but the album works well together as a narrative.
David Crosby
1/5
Oh, no.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
2/5
Meh.
Pixies
3/5
Fine. Nothing really stood out though.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Easy listening but didn't grab me.
Van Morrison
4/5
A classic.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
I'm being perhaps a little provocative but...
Mott The Hoople
3/5
It was OK. Nothing special but strung along.
Black Flag
3/5
A few classics but the sort of macho-Americano punk is not my favourite.
The Waterboys
3/5
Was alright. Liked Fisherman's Blues....
Kraftwerk
2/5
Its OK as ambient music but I cannot really remember a thing about it.
David Bowie
3/5
Some great songs but not a great album.
Jane Weaver
1/5
Gillian Welch
1/5
Probably a bit harsh but it grated on me whilst I was trying to concentrate.
Nirvana
4/5
Good stuff.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Better.
Grateful Dead
3/5
Easy listening. Nothing to take offence too.
Blur
4/5
More of an Oasis person in the 90s but I liked this. It was a bit more varied.
Weather Report
3/5
Yeah pretty good as far as the jazz stuff we've had so far goes.
Pixies
3/5
Ok. Not enough for 4 stars I don't think.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Sounded like Meatloaf. Not as good.
Hawkwind
3/5
Probably not a far go because I was away from home. Seemed OK in what I heard.
Mekons
4/5
Yeah liked that. Four stars possibly just because it's new to me.
Beth Orton
2/5
Bit warbly.
David Bowie
3/5
Just like the other Bowie album. Some great songs but otherwise nothing astonishing.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Too dreary.
2/5
Unremitting. I didn't mind it when I was concentrating/working but not the kind of thing I'd put on a lazy Summer evening.
The Stooges
3/5
Yeah OK.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Not really my thing but I can see why people like it.
Radiohead
2/5
I think I would like it more on repeated listens but not really grabbing me.
Elis Regina
3/5
Pleasant. I don't think I would listen again though...
PJ Harvey
3/5
I remember a huge buzz about this at the time and I was non-plussed at the time. Still am really... its fine...
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I mean its not terrible but I just cannot be bothered with it. Its silly.
Can
2/5
Unremarkable.
Blue Cheer
3/5
Fine.
Arrested Development
3/5
Good whilst its on but I probably wouldn't be in a rush to listen again.
The B-52's
3/5
Maybe its me, maybe its the music but I seem to be in a bit of a 3-star rut. This was fun but I wouldn't be hankering for more...
Justice
3/5
Finally something a bit different. Still only gets three stars but...
Brian Eno
1/5
Eurgh!
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Struggled to actually listen to the album through the links. Not sure if that was just me...
Peter Tosh
4/5
I thought it was a solid 3 but then I was looking through for special mentions and more than half the songs - so I guess a 4 then...
Foo Fighters
4/5
Needs to be listened to loudly. Good stuff.
Michael Jackson
3/5
I expected more but it was OK. Good for dancing.
The Black Crowes
3/5
I expected more. It was just fairly inoffensive dad-rock in the end.
Lou Reed
3/5
Enjoyed it. Good background music.
Green Day
5/5
I think one of the two most formative albums of my youth.
Serge Gainsbourg
3/5
Hilariously French. I did enjoy listening to it but not sure if musically or for the fun. As such I'm not sure I can give it three stars because would it become grating over time....?
Radiohead
2/5
Maybe its because it was the day of the England semi-final but I wasn't really feeling this today.
David Bowie
3/5
Fine.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Classic.
Roxy Music
2/5
Probably wasn't really in the mood. It wasn't bad but also had no interest...
Aerosmith
2/5
Liked it less than I thought I would. I guess I was right all those years...
Deerhunter
2/5
It was OK. I thought at times it was a 2.5-er. As I've been grumpy this week I may as well keep that going.
Nick Drake
2/5
Not for me. Droany and always on these lists.
The Cure
4/5
Really liked it. It's a really high 3. Maybe a 3.9. Ah fine I'll give it a 4.
Liz Phair
4/5
Really good. Not something you listened to song by song or very often.
Jefferson Airplane
2/5
Its times like this that I'd changed my rating system earlier. So this is just OK which is now going to be 2 stars from here on...
4/5
Definitely the best of the Bowie albums we've had so far.
Steve Earle
4/5
Loved it. Just what I needed.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Probably the best jazz so far.
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
Funny when an album happens to hit your own mood.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
Was alright. Not really my cup of tea. Nice to hear the Father Ted theme-tune though.
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Was a little disappointed if I'm honest.
Gene Clark
2/5
Nothing remarkable.
Shuggie Otis
2/5
Quite enjoyable but forgettable.
Gary Numan
1/5
Was fine while I was working but not sure I could distinguish one song from another.
3/5
Yeah ok. Raucous.
Madness
3/5
Liked it. Thought I'd like it more tbh.
New Order
2/5
Fairly standard 80s pop.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
3/5
Yeah ok. Enjoyable even.
Jean-Michel Jarre
2/5
Not really my thing. Although it wasn't unpleasant enough for one star.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Enjoyed it. Was better in the evening than the day time.
Sabu
3/5
Liked it but its not the same when you are sat at a desk working as opposed to up and dancing.
The Stooges
4/5
Very good.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Cannot complain
Pavement
3/5
Maybe slightly unfairly for an album I know and enjoy but I don't feel well so...
Daft Punk
3/5
Quite disappointing actually. Obviously the hits are great but there was a lot more filler than I'd been expecting.
Frank Zappa
2/5
I quite often like Frank Zappa but this passed me by a bit if I'm honest.
Fugazi
3/5
Some cracking songs but I think whilst the album was influential and all that, its not as 'good' as I'd like. A high 3 in the end.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
2/5
Boring.
Cream
3/5
Fine. More filler than I remembered and the good songs are definitely overplayed.
Motörhead
4/5
Another tough one. Sneaks a low 4.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
I think a bit like Disraeli Gears the good songs are overplayed and there is a lot of filler in between. Also marked down because it was quite hard to find and listen to.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Quite liked it. Although more on first listen. Got a bit samey on subsequent play-throughs.
Sinead O'Connor
2/5
Grew on me but...
Van Halen
4/5
A bit too fiddly for a day to day listen but undeniable classics.
The Pogues
4/5
Good stuff.
Bad Brains
4/5
This really grew on me. I'll give it a low 4, I think. It was a 3 until late last night.
Wild Beasts
2/5
It was OK but I wouldn't listen again apart from that All the Kings Men song.
Ice Cube
2/5
Meh. Probably wouldn't bother again.
Sigur Rós
1/5
Perhaps it was just because of the weekend just gone but this was a dirge.
M.I.A.
2/5
Not a big fan. The odd song was OK.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Lots of good songs but for some reason I wasn't captivated by it.
The Young Gods
1/5
Not sure there were any redeeming factors particularly.
Badly Drawn Boy
2/5
Unremarkable.
Van Morrison
4/5
Great.
Alanis Morissette
2/5
It was OK. Of its time and I'm not sure its aged well...
k.d. lang
2/5
Nothing like what I was expecting. It was alright but I don't think I'd listen again.
Todd Rundgren
2/5
Very meh. Why is it that people who think they've had some kind of psychedelic break through all end up playing the same music.... Doesn't seem very original.
The Beach Boys
3/5
I know its a classic but I didn't really connect with it.
Yes
3/5
Pleasant.
Todd Rundgren
1/5
This guy again. Probably not as bad as his drugs are so interesting album but not good either.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
This was good. Probably just misses out on a 4 though.
Tom Waits
3/5
Good stuff. I personally prefer his older stuff most of which would be a 4 so it only gets a 3 on this occasion.
The Jam
4/5
A bit of a dip in the middle but sandwiched by classics.
Iggy Pop
2/5
Underwhelmed. Considering it was Iggy Pop I was expecting something more... interesting?
David Holmes
2/5
Not for me this.
Pretenders
4/5
This was a good one. I definitely heard lots of bands that had been influenced from this...
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
Enjoyed it more than I thought I would actually.
Wire
4/5
Grew on me over the weekend.
David Bowie
3/5
Again slightly underwhelmed by Bowie. The hits are good though.
The Specials
4/5
Some fantasic songs. Some throwaways. I feel like I've lost the grasp of my own scoring system....
Ravi Shankar
2/5
Quite enjoyable as background music. The lecture would then come on every now and again which was a bit jarring.
Jeru The Damaja
2/5
It was OK for what it was. Not really my thing but I didn't actively hate it.
Queen
3/5
OK.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Pretty standard country really.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
2/5
I appreciate the sentiment but a bit samey.
The Sonics
2/5
It was alright but considering most of the songs were covers, I feel like it's cheating.
Sleater-Kinney
4/5
Enjoyed it. Band I'd never heard before -- One More Hour is a great tune.
Public Enemy
2/5
Not really doing it for me. The 'She Watches Channel Zero' is a banger though.
Aerosmith
3/5
Ok. Quite samey...
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Yes its good. But it is slightly overblown and the quality does drop off...
Bob Dylan
5/5
Probably my favourite Dylan album (of the ones I've bothered to listen to). A high four but will even stretch it to a 5 just because I don't do that very often.
New Order
2/5
Bit of a come-down from the last two albums.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Excellent. Preferred Blood on the Tracks though.
Duran Duran
2/5
Obviously the hits are part of popular culture so they stood out. Otherwise quite samey.
Small Faces
2/5
Simply passed me by.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Tried to think of something clever to say but...
Terence Trent D'Arby
2/5
There was some decent songs but didn't grab me.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
I'm sure we've had this before. Anyway I was expecting to like it more than I did...
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
Another formative album. It still holds up and I think even coming to it new it would be highly rated.
Lorde
4/5
Maybe a bit of its time, not sure how it'll date but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Mudhoney
3/5
It was OK. Didn't do enough to make me that interested in hearing more but I enjoyed it whilst it was on.
The Adverts
4/5
A couple of real earworms in there.
Talking Heads
3/5
It was OK. Not really into this sort of stuff usually. Was heading for two stars but I spent most of Sunday singing Psycho Killer so I'm going to say its sneaked a three.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Alright.
2/5
Not for me really.
Kanye West
2/5
Hardest album to rate yet.
Immediate reaction was not good. 1 star.
But it grew on me after a couple of listens. 2 stars.
A couple more listens and I was noticing some over-arching narratives and 3 stars.
I had to come back to it later in the day as it was nagging at me. Could it get even more stars?
No. On a refreshed listen I was back toward my initial reaction.
Best be done with it and give it a 2 but I feel like it may pull me back in....
Highlights: Hold My Liquor and Bound2
Steely Dan
2/5
Nothing to it really.
Eminem
3/5
Bit dated and cringy with some of the references. Nevertheless it was undeniably funny at times and some good rhymes and beats.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Still not really doing anything for me. Songs like Under My Thumb are OK on the other hand, Lady Jane....
Middling rating.
Ice Cube
3/5
Enjoyable in parts.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Bit torn on this one. I think I was expecting it to be better than it was so was maybe a bit down on it. It wasn't as good as Peter Tosh's album but it was good. Recency bias, it was better than the last couple so I'll give it a low 4.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Was OK. Was probably expecting a bit more. Scrapes a three.
Thelonious Monk
2/5
Not in the mood for this today.
Mike Oldfield
3/5
Liked it. Which was a surprise to me
Ryan Adams
3/5
Wasn't expecting to like it but it was good in a sub-TVZ/Dylan type way. A bit too droney for 4 stars but close.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Strange one. Very 80's revival. Liked the electro-sounding stuff like American Dream, Black Screen and some of the rest passed me by.
Hookworms
2/5
It was OK. Didn't really stick with me. Too polished and produced, could've done with stripping back a bit.
Erykah Badu
2/5
Not really my thing.
Jeff Beck
3/5
Enjoyable for what it was.
The Avalanches
2/5
Oh no. Didn't like that... if I'd paid more attention it may have dropped to a 1 star.
Blur
3/5
Some classics but also more filler than I was expecting.
Highlights were Parklife and Magic America.
Pentangle
2/5
That was weird. Didn't hate it though.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
A rare example of an album actually getting worse the more I listened. Became too repetitive after a while...
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
Objectively good. Won't listen again.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
I expected better. Its no Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac.
The Stone Roses
4/5
Excellent. I think there are some stone-cold classics on this album. An easy 4.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Fantastic of course and probably more consistent than some other albums.
The Who
2/5
Too much yakking and not enough playing.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Fairly bog standard stuff. Modern Man stood out everytime it came around though.
The Only Ones
3/5
Well there was one stand out song obviously. Otherwise it was fine without being great.
Massive Attack
2/5
A bit like the previous album. One famous song. I didn't think there was anything else here of note...
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Enjoyed it. Quite samey though I'm not sure I could listen to it over and over without getting tired of the formula. Even two playthroughs was enough for me to 'get it'.
The Roots
2/5
I think I got my hopes up and was expecting more.
2/5
It did actually grow on me a little bit and there were one or two good songs but I think I expected better.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Perhaps controversial but I was feeling awful after my booster and just wasn't in the mood.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Much more suitable fory beleaguered soul.
Deee-Lite
2/5
Not really my scene.
Various Artists
3/5
Didn't sound any different from the 'standard' Christmas stuff.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
I like it when it's not too self-indulgent. A stripped down version would score higher.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Started off quite well as something a bit different. Did drag though.
The Cure
3/5
Moody and atmospheric but unlikely to choose to listen on any given day.
The Undertones
4/5
Snuck in as a four.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Very similar to Run DMC. Some good songs and it's nice to have something different but gets very samey.
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Enjoyed it a lot more than I imagined. A bit samey toward the end though and I think may not age well - the breathy female singer of today
Waylon Jennings
2/5
Recency bias. There was nothing wrong with it but it wasn't as good as the previous day.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
Hmmm... sneaks a low four. Mainly so as to not mess up my genre ratings!
No really, obviously there are one or two classic songs in there but generally I find GnR quite parodic and tiresome.
Sepultura
3/5
There are some good songs but I wasn't that in to it as a whole.
Funkadelic
4/5
If just for Maggot Brain itself..
Fela Kuti
2/5
Hmm... I like Fela Kuti but I do not like live albums.
Beatles
3/5
Struggled to rate as always with albums like this. I've never heard this album before and yet knew the majority of the songs... on the whole, I enjoyed it. Somewhere between 3-4 stars for me but as we can't do half stars I'll go for 3. Stripped down a bit and it'd be a 4.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
One or two tracks that I've become ingrained to but otherwise not my thing particularly.
Brian Eno
4/5
My heart dropped when I saw it was Eno again after the Music for Airports debacle. But I was pleasantly suprised and my heart soared on the 'Here Come the Warm Jets' title track. Its a solid 3 but I'll give it a 4 for that alone.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Probably a little disappointing. But Heaven is 10 Zillion Years Away was great.
Harry Nilsson
3/5
Suprisingly OK. I wasn't looking forward to it when I saw it but actually enjoyed it.
Kate Bush
3/5
Was looking forward to this but a little bit disappointed. Quite a lot of filler in amongst the good ones.
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
Actually quite enjoyed it. Very good as background working music. I'm unlikely to ever to remember to listen again though.
SAULT
3/5
It was fine background music. Once again I feel like I need to adjust my ratings otherwise everything gets a 3.
Hole
4/5
Solid 4. It does tail off a bit but its a blistering first few songs.
The Yardbirds
2/5
It was OK. Nothing special, quite disappointed really. Also what is it with these like 30 track albums with 3-4 versions of the same song?
The Jam
3/5
It was OK, I was expecting more.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
It was pleasant without being remarkable.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
It was quite good. Again nothing remarkable.
David Bowie
3/5
Quite good as background music and a departure from what I would usually expect. Nothing particularly standout though.
The Lemonheads
2/5
Bit disappointing. Felt like it was a bit sub-Wildhearts rock. Not much too it.
Beatles
3/5
Enjoyed it.
Miles Davis
2/5
Nice background music but I think there are better Miles Davis albums.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Not the best reggae album we've had.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Didn't care for it at all. I think I cannot give it one star because it wasn't ear-clutching terrible....
Coldplay
2/5
Was quite interested to listen having always passed on Coldplay as bland. Maybe its expectancy bias but it really was nothing... I didn't hate it so its better than a one I suppose.
Norah Jones
2/5
Shame this came so soon after Coldplay. Another musical blancmange of nothingness... Again it gets a 2 because it wasn't bad enough for a 1 but this just goes to demonstrate the futility of rating things on a five star scale.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Enjoyed it. Probably didn't get it the attention it deserved. Solid.
Eels
2/5
Nothing here for me to grab on to. Nothing stands out. Dull.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Perhaps slightly over-rated but really enjoyed the first half of the album.
Ray Charles
2/5
I have this album so obviously thought it was alright before. This time it rubbed me up the wrong way although I think that was because I was having a bit of a day and needed something with more pep....
Suede
3/5
Enjoyed this. Probably didn't give it the attention in deserved but was good.
David Bowie
3/5
Pretty good.
Pulp
2/5
Meh. I didn't like it a first although it did grow on me a little.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
Enjoyed it. Like being back in Cuba.
Funkadelic
3/5
OK. I preferred the other album so this is a low 3.
Missy Elliott
2/5
Not really my cup of tea. I liked the odd tune here or there but otherwise it was a bit of a trek...
Beastie Boys
2/5
Much like the Missy Elliot album really. Some good songs but also a lot of filler. Much of the songs merged into one.
Prince
2/5
Not my idea of a good time either I'm afraid. One or two decent song but otherwise didn't appeal. I presume there will be other Prince albums and I expect those to be better...
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Pretty good. Nice background music with a bit of a vibe.
Bad Company
3/5
Classic Dad rock. Enjoyable for what it was...
Pink Floyd
4/5
Very good.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
A very tough 3. No reason it shouldn't be a four except for recency bias.
The Byrds
3/5
It was just OK. Probably a low three. Tambourine Man is a classic but that standard was not maintained.
The Stooges
3/5
The sleazy indie stuff was OK. Less keen on the experimental stuff in the middle...
Eurythmics
2/5
Not sure about that. A bit to "bop be bop" 80s for me.
Pere Ubu
3/5
Suprisingly good. Never heard of them before but it was well advanced for its time.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Good stuff.
Carpenters
3/5
Another album that was hard to rate due to having heard most songs before in different contexts (adverts etc). I guess it was OK but no more. A low 3.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Not a big fan. Grating.
Arctic Monkeys
2/5
It was fine. Like the Springsteen one (Nebraska) before, it was OK on first listen but then became very samey/grating on subsequent listens. So as per Nebraska it gets knocked down from a 3 to a 2 on grounds of pettiness.
Louis Prima
3/5
Enjoyed that and happily listened to it all day. Not sure I'd ever think to listen again mind...
Fiona Apple
2/5
Not a fan. This veers worryingly close to 1 star territory.
Slipknot
3/5
Hard to rate. I enjoyed it and Psychosocial is an absolute banger but not their best and whilst I feel I do need to rep for the metal in the list, its not quite a 4.
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
Didn't really make any impact on me. I think it was quite groovy in places...
The Kinks
2/5
Disappointing. There were a couple of songs I enjoyed.
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
Listened to it in the morning and it had no impact on me. Worked much better in the evening with the lights down low I thought. Still though...
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Now then... this was good. Best album for a while... a high 3.
Violent Femmes
3/5
Was quite looking forward to this but disappointed. Beyond Blister in the Sun there wasn't really anything to get my teeth into. A low 3 would probably be a 2 on another day.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Well I thought I'd not like it because not a big fan of his voice but actually it wasn't too bad. Some hits and some misses but enjoyable enough overall.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Enjoyed it. Blue Skies was a treat.
Aretha Franklin
2/5
I appreciate the musicality but it didn't really interest me.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
I did like it. I also felt like it needed to be concentrated on which I didn't do. Or maybe I was expecting more from it... not sure.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Classic.
Cheap Trick
3/5
Like Cheap Trick but I don't think the 'liveness' added anything.
Lauryn Hill
2/5
It didn't help that I wasn't feeling very well but not really my thing.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
I mean the music was fine... good even. Maybe I'd like it more if I'd watched the film but it didn't really seem to be a cohesive thing.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
I mean there are some classic songs on there but it did seem a little 'twee' (?) perhaps. Strange. I enjoyed it but would I be rushing back for more - probably not.
Germs
3/5
Good.
2Pac
4/5
Surprisingly good. Maybe it was just pre holiday excitement ...
Living Colour
3/5
Yeah fine. A bit samey after a while but fairly pleasant.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Really enjoyed the first few songs and thought we may be on course for an unexpected four stars. The quality dropped off quite a bit so I think a three is probably fair ...
John Martyn
1/5
Probably heading for a boring 2 stars until 'Certain Surprise' which was excruciating.
Bebel Gilberto
2/5
Not sure I actually found the album. But listened to a variety of songs.
David Bowie
2/5
Once again disappointed by Bowie. It may have grown on me with more listens
OutKast
1/5
Possibly a little unfair but I just couldn't get into it at all. And found it actively annoying.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
I feel like I should've liked this more than I did. Perhaps I didn't give it enough attention what with my first day back at work for a week and a bit.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Undeniably a great singer with some decent songs.
The Strokes
3/5
Better than I remembered at the time. Not something I'd listen to but I was dreading listening and it wasn't that bad.
Little Richard
3/5
Very enjoyable.
Cypress Hill
2/5
It was fairly meh. Almost a parody of Cypress Hill... (I appreciate how silly that sounds).
Dire Straits
4/5
Enjoyable but underwhelming. Sultans is probably enough to make this a 4 though.
The Teardrop Explodes
2/5
Didn't get much from it. I think it was very 80s and maybe I didn't give it the time it deserved.
Spiritualized
3/5
It was OK... Worked well as background music for working. I don't think I'd listen for pleasure...
Lou Reed
3/5
There are some great songs on this album. But also some nonsense songs in between.
Probably would be a 4 in a certain mood but I'll go for 3.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Enjoyable. Particularly like the first song (Chan Chan).
It does get a bit samey after a while though...
Miles Davis
3/5
It was OK. I could only find the 'Legacy Edition' of the album which was like two hours long. There was only so much that I could take but certainly the original stuff was good for working to.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
I thought it was OK. Quite chilled and easy-listening.
I believe its a concept album which I didn't pick up with just casual listen - maybe if I followed the story it'd be a three.
Tom Waits
3/5
I love 70s Tom Waits. Less enamoured with later stuff.
Taylor Swift
3/5
Surprisingly enjoyable to start with but does become very samey and whiney as it progresses.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Probably better than the previous Sonic Youth album we had but still didn't really grab me.
Boards of Canada
1/5
No thanks.
DJ Shadow
1/5
Probably a little harsh but I wasn't in to it today.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Absolutely fine. Just as you would expect really some inoffensive soft Americana rock.
Wilco
2/5
Didn't really interest me. Meant to go back and listen again over the weekend but forgot which speaks volumes...
Talking Heads
3/5
Like Bowie, another album that I think I should like more than I do. But it was fine.
Billy Bragg
4/5
Enjoyable. Faded toward the end of the album but the first disc was excellent.
4/5
A classic. I think if it was a tighter 8-track album it could be a five.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
It was fine. Not sure that it had that much of an impact so going for a 2. Not to say I didn't like it though...
The Police
2/5
I didn't like this.
Kanye West
2/5
The odd song was quite catchy but not a huge fan.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
Probably slightly buoyed by a poor run recently. This was enjoyable enough.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Quite enjoyed it. Found it quite soothing...
The Slits
3/5
It grew on me over the course of the day. But I definitely wanted to like it more than I actually did.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Like the ones before it. Perfectly fine.
Talking Heads
3/5
It was OK. Think it was better than the previous one.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
Not really.
The Black Keys
2/5
No didn't like that. It's exactly the sort of unimaginative indie/garage rock that winds me up...
Björk
1/5
Didn't like this at all
Eric Clapton
3/5
It was OK, fairly bog standard bluesy rock.
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
Really enjoyed it. Good drunk music. A relatively rare recent four.
Morrissey
3/5
Enjoyed it. Probably not quite enough to get a 4 but its a high 3 for sure.
Megadeth
4/5
Struggled to rate this. Its pretty cheesy metal but it was fun!
Squeeze a sympathy 4.
Soundgarden
4/5
Go on then. A Friday feeling 4.
Feels a little dated to be honest but hit me OK.
George Michael
2/5
Wasn't looking forward to this one but actually probably better than I was expecting.
Def Leppard
4/5
Another fun one. A little bit silly but unarguably fun.
The Cramps
3/5
Thought I'd like this more than I did considering the Misfits are one of my favourite bands of all time.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
I'd always written off the MSPs because of those horrible nasally dirges for which I knew them for but this was actually very good.
The Byrds
2/5
It was just OK. A bit too floaty for me...
N.W.A.
2/5
Bits of it were OK (If it ain't ruff for example) but on the whole not really doing anything for me and I think probably aged quite badly in terms of the misogyny etc.
Robert Wyatt
1/5
Its not often I give a one-star and this may not have be worthy of a one but it wasn't good. The music was OKish but the singing....
PJ Harvey
4/5
This was excellent. A little suprised as I've listened to PJ Harvey before and never been that fussed but this was very sparse and arresting. "Water" is right up my street...
UB40
2/5
A little dour (which I understand is the story around the music). I'd expected better...
Neil Young
3/5
I think it was fine. A bit like the Springsteen albums you know exactly what you are going to get. Not really sure how you would distinguish between them enough for some to get into the list and others not.
Screaming Trees
3/5
It was pretty good but I bit mid-90s alt rock for me.
3/5
This is actually the one Yes album I owned. Maybe I wasn't in the mood but it was fine without being any more than that... I think probably its one of those lie in a darkened rooms prog albums.
Paul Simon
4/5
Probably slightly overrated. I think its quite of its time. But 'You Can Call Me Al' is a classic so...
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
Enjoyed this. Didn't find it too psychedelic and more rockabilly. No more than that though.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
This was great.
The Cure
3/5
Like the previous Cure album. I quite like the effect and the aura but I couldn't pick out a single song... weird.
Rahul Dev Burman
2/5
Not that keen. I don't know if it'd help to have seen the film... I think soundtracks are probably best when they remind you invoke emotions in you combined with the memory of watching the film.
Wilco
3/5
Started off slowly but I was enjoying it by the end.
King Crimson
4/5
I do like this album and I've got quite into it before.
I think it didn't particularly grab me this time around but I think its one of those that you have to pay attention to. For memories of better listens in the past I'll give it a 4.
Gorillaz
2/5
Obviously remember the hits. Didn't particularly like them at the time or now and the rest didn't sway me.
Incredible Bongo Band
2/5
Ok as background music but not rushing to relisten.
Bobby Womack
3/5
Enjoyed that. Loving the slap bass...
Just a three I think but a high one.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
2/5
Not a big fan.
CHIC
3/5
Yeah It was OK.
The Who
4/5
A straightforward 4. Potentially it could be more really...
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
An album of highs and lows. Less keen on the hippyish stuff but songs like there were also some great songs in there. Not sure how to rate really...
John Coltrane
2/5
Wasn't feeling this today. Didn't particularly suit my mood.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Better.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
One of those that I enjoyed whilst it was on but realistically will never listen to again.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
OK. I've tried a few times with this album. Its fine but no more for me.
Solomon Burke
2/5
It was fine, nice to listen to. Nothing exciting though for me.
Nirvana
5/5
I think its probably a 5.
Not something I would listen to that often but hits the spot.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
She's got a decent voice but otherwise forgettable.
Brian Eno
3/5
I found out later in the afternoon having listened to this album all day that my computer had some audio issues leading to cracking, popping, etc. It probably says a fair bit about what I think of Eno that I thought this was deliberate.
Despite that I persisted so it must have been OK.
Judas Priest
4/5
Just what I needed today.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Enjoyable but I do prefer the earlier stuff.
Bee Gees
2/5
Well that was odd.
Not at all what I was expecting and at first I didn't like it but then it grew on me. Although more because I found it funny than anything else which I doubt they were going for....
Marty Robbins
4/5
Loved it!
All quite samey but found myself singing along and enjoyed listening.
Yes
3/5
It was aight....
Tears For Fears
3/5
Couple of anthemic songs and the rest was fine.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Standard Bruce stuff. The odd good singalong track, the odd cringey track, the rest standard Dadrock.
David Bowie
3/5
Probably my favourite of the Bowie albums we've had so far. Enjoyed it.
Beck
2/5
Not keen.
Brian Eno
3/5
This was hit and miss. Like some of the more ambitious numbers...
Gang Starr
2/5
Didn't really listen as I normally would so perhaps a little unfair. But what I did hear was underwhelming...
Massive Attack
2/5
Uninspiring.
Ride
2/5
Again not really for me. I think you have to be in the right mood for this shoe-gazey type stuff and it just didn't hit me today.
Elastica
2/5
It got better with more listens and there were a couple of songs towards the end (Vaseline and ?) that were pretty good. Otherwise another disappointing one.
Steve Winwood
3/5
Yeah it was alright. Something to listen to at least. Nothing particularly stood out but it was pleasant enough.
The Killers
4/5
Stone cold classic.
Manu Chao
3/5
Initially wasn't that impressed but went to bed singing one of the songs.
Mj Cole
1/5
Not really my thing. I'm going to be a little bit harsh and give it a 1 just because I don't do that very often.
The Gun Club
3/5
Had high hopes after the first couple of songs. Wasn't bad but didn't meet expectations.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Enjoyed it. Not my favourite by them but good enough.
The Who
3/5
Despite being iconic I thought it was fairly middling...
Belle & Sebastian
1/5
Not keen.
Röyksopp
1/5
Nope.
Hole
3/5
Good. Although I preferred Celebrity Skin.
Radiohead
2/5
Dreary. But appreciate there is some atmosphere to it.
Femi Kuti
3/5
It was OK.
Joy Division
3/5
Tough one. I think its better than a 3 but not quite a 4.
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
Quite generic. Had no strong opinions either way.
3/5
It was nice. I enjoyed it without being blown away.
Donald Fagen
3/5
Not great but something a bit different.
The Smiths
4/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Strange one to rate. Its better than some albums that I've given this score to but I'm rating it in relation to other Nick Cave albums and I don't think its his best...
The Auteurs
2/5
It was passable. Perhaps would usually get a three but recency bias knocks that down to a 2.
FKA twigs
2/5
Didn't like it at first but it did grow on me. It was quite good for zoning out and working to.
Patti Smith
4/5
Really enjoyed this. a high 3 or low 4. Probably wouldn't be a 4 usually but feeling generous.
Eagles
2/5
Disappointing.
Tina Turner
2/5
Painfully 80s.
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Good.
Traffic
2/5
Disappointing.
Adele
2/5
It was fine. Soundtrack to a boring rom-com. Very same after a while.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
Was hoping for better. It was OK.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Liked it. Probably not as much as I was expecting though.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Much better than I thought as I was dreading it.
Billie Holiday
3/5
Pleasant. I feel like if I was sitting in a smoky whiskey bar I would've been more into it...
Iron Maiden
4/5
Loved this. Not sure I'd heard it before.
Primal Scream
2/5
A couple of good songs but not a fan on the whole.
Roxy Music
2/5
Meh.
Rod Stewart
2/5
No thanks. Could've been a 1 but I think its more for some lingering dislike of Rod Stewarts voice than anything so a low 2.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
A grower for sure. Wasn't that interested early on the day but it did sweep over me and I was quite enjoying it by the end. An optimistic 3.
Simple Minds
3/5
Enjoyable in an 80s way.
Supertramp
2/5
Underwhelming
Amy Winehouse
2/5
Wasn't particularly fussed. Despite being a debut and therefore obviously not the case it was a bit like an Amy Winehouse parody...
Sepultura
3/5
OK. A bit samey. I remember some of the songs very well and the rest is a bit filler.
The Electric Prunes
2/5
Wasn't really able to get a good read on this. It sort of sounded OK but never clicked.
Fairport Convention
2/5
Liked some of it (Matty Groves), some was not so good.
Don McLean
2/5
Dreary.
Beatles
3/5
Quite liked it. Of the songs I'd not heard before I think 'Any Time at All' was the standout.
Stan Getz
2/5
Quite dull.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
It was OK. I think there are better Marvin Gaye albums.
Willie Nelson
2/5
I don't mind some country but this was a bit too schlocky for me.
Common
2/5
Extremely underwhelming.
Pulp
2/5
Disappointing.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
I'm sure I've listened before and quite liked but today with the kids in the car, I was less interested.
Big Star
1/5
Not a fan.
Mike Ladd
2/5
Not great but was half asleep.
Beatles
3/5
Expected better.
Buffalo Springfield
2/5
Pretty dull.
Neil Young
3/5
Fine. Standard Neil Young stuff really. Enjoyable for a while and then gets a bit samey/grating.
The Fall
3/5
Not entirely sure what to make of it. I think it was good.
Brian Wilson
3/5
Fine.
Michael Jackson
3/5
Some bangers but not sure the whole album held together that well.
Supergrass
3/5
Alright. I liked 'Caught by the Fuzz'
Ute Lemper
2/5
Well that was weird. Initially didn't like it but played louder it did grow on me. Bit Bond-themey...
Christine and the Queens
3/5
Quite good actually.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
1/5
I always see this album recommended and have listened so many times but I really don't like it. It's probably a 2 normally but for the annoyance factor I'm going 1.
Miles Davis
2/5
Not sure I gave it a fair whack but was a bit inpenetrable.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Perfectly cromulent but not his best in my opinion.
Syd Barrett
2/5
A bit disappointed to be honest. A bit dull....
Kraftwerk
1/5
Oh I cannot be doing with that.
Curtis Mayfield
2/5
Mediocre.
3/5
Pleasant enough. As with all the Beatles albums I've listened to there are some good songs that are rightly iconic but also some clangers.
Van Halen
3/5
Not as good as I was hoping it was going to be. But passable.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Good. Not their best.
Fairport Convention
3/5
Quite liked this one.
Metallica
4/5
Great. I think whilst it was an interesting thing to do (metal band and symphony orchestra) and works really well for some songs, it can become overblown on others.
T. Rex
3/5
Liked it although it did get a bit samey. Also got distracted by the fact each song seemed to just be two random words thrown together -- "Baby Boomerang", "Spaceball Ricochet", "Telegram Sam", "Chariot Choogle" etc.
The La's
3/5
It was fine I suppose.
The Fall
3/5
I quite liked that. Got a bit samey after a while though.
Made me re-evaluate the previous days album which should've been a 2.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Very good. Somewhere between a 3 and a 4 in reality.
LL Cool J
2/5
It did grow on me a little bit from initially disliking it, but still won't be a repeater for me.
The Who
4/5
Impressive. I liked the wide range of songs.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Probably a bit harshly only giving it a 3 but I didn't really vibe with it yesterday.
Depeche Mode
2/5
Not really my thing. It wasn't awful but it did grate a little. Some of it was OK though.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Enjoyed this very much. Battered Old Bird is an excellent tune.
Public Enemy
2/5
OKish.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Wasn't a big fan.
Radiohead
1/5
Sorry I know they are musical geniuses and I'm a philistine but its nails on a chalkboard stuff for me.
Probably should be a 2 but I'm exaggerating for effect.
Ghostface Killah
2/5
It was OK.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Its a low 3 from me. Almost creeping in to 2 terroritory but saved by one or two good songs.
Le Tigre
3/5
Quite liked it actually. Started well...
Drifted a bit so only a 3.
The White Stripes
4/5
Spacebar.is.not.working!
Enjoyed.bits.of.this.album.a.lot.but.there.were.also.a.couple.of.stinkers.
I'll.be.generous...
The Cardigans
1/5
No didn't like this one. Too warbly...
Turbonegro
3/5
Fairly meh.
Bee Gees
2/5
Not sure what I was expecting but I don't think it was this... It was fine but unspectacular.
The Monks
3/5
Odd one. Quite liked it but not massively...
The Stranglers
3/5
Ok
Linkin Park
4/5
Bit dated but a classic.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
Good. Bit samey perhaps.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Dreary.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Oh no thanks.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Standard.
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
I liked it. I wish I'd like NIN more than I do...
A Warm Place is an absolute peach though and almost worth a four for that alone.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Barely registered.
Minutemen
3/5
Not bad but a bit samey after a while. I'm not sure anyone needs a triple album!
Roxy Music
2/5
Disappointed. Not what I was expecting and a bit of a mish-mash.
Herbie Hancock
2/5
It was alright. Elevator music really....
The Doors
3/5
Wasn't expecting to like it but it was probably better than expected.
Sister Sledge
2/5
Was alright. Funky but a bit samey after a while.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Was a bit of fun.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Enjoyed it less than DMC so 2 stars.
Coldplay
2/5
Some decentish songs but the majority tended toward whiney.
Sonic Youth
3/5
We've had a few Sonic Youth albums. Thought this was the best of them...
Scott Walker
1/5
It was so unremarkable that I'm going to give it a 1. This usually means I hated it - I didn't but also I can't give it a 2.
Sugar
3/5
Yeah that was fun. Not sure how I've never heard of them before.
I think if I kept listening to the album it could become a 4-er but I'll stick with a high 3 for now.
Stevie Wonder
2/5
Meh. Not as good as yesterday's
Miriam Makeba
2/5
Another one that I found hard to actually track down as a full album but got the general gist. It was fine but I wouldn't go out of my way...
Fugees
3/5
Struggled to find this album which was strange. I've given it a 3 which is probably higher than expected due to recency bias.
GZA
2/5
I quite liked it to start with but that when I thought it was going to be a story about some samurais... if it was - I couldn't follow it.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Boring.
Minor Threat
3/5
Love Minor Threat as an idea but it doesn't always live up to it. I may revise this upwards yet...
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
Enjoyed this. There were a couple of really good songs.
Billy Joel
2/5
It was fine I think. Two stars purely due to recency bias.
Frank Black
3/5
Alright.
ABBA
3/5
Enjoyable. Some lesser heard Abba.
KISS
3/5
Sits somewhere between a 3-4. Some classics for sure... but also some skips.
Ramones
4/5
Good stuff. Got a few songs stuck in my head over the weekend.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Actually I thought some of it was cringeworthly overly sentimental but it was the album that got me into JC so...
OutKast
1/5
Did not like. I think probably the first bit was OK but the second half of the album is horrible.
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
Didn't really move me in any way.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Liked this. Very danceable.
Dr. Dre
2/5
The odd good song but mostly the usual misogynistic stuff...
Hugh Masekela
2/5
It was quite nice as background music - nothing more.
The National
3/5
A 2.5 album if there ever was one...
The Clash
5/5
Top class.
Jacques Brel
2/5
Not good. But I found it funny - in its French ridiculousness, so got at least some enjoyment from it.
The White Stripes
2/5
At first I thought it was OK but that blooming cymbal just kept being smashed and it gave me a headache.
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
Meh... it was fine. Background music, nothing jumped out at me at all.
Pink Floyd
2/5
I liked bits of it but songs like The Gnome were just silly.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
One of those albums ruined by being too popular. The good songs are all massively overplayed and the not so good songs are not so good.
Kate Bush
3/5
Was OK.
3/5
Neu!
3/5
Enjoyed this. Great music to work to...
Solange
2/5
Read the blurb and was suprised that this was so highly rated. I thought it was fairly bog-standard.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Listened to this during quite a stressful morning and found that with all the spoken word it was too much... only an after work re listen I thought it was fine.
The Last Shadow Puppets
2/5
Underwhelmed.
The Who
2/5
Didn't enjoy the concept so found it more annoying than anything.
Nina Simone
3/5
Wasn't mad about it but then had it on when I was cooking and it was very nice.
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
Liked this. Although again I couldn't listen to it easily whilst working/concentrating. It demanded my attention.
Kid Rock
2/5
It was fine for what it was but I sort of feel like any Kid Rock album is a bit of a parody of itself.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
Meh. As usual, quite cringey.
Miles Davis
2/5
One of those that was hard to find and I wasn't in the mood for.
The Pogues
4/5
It does get a bit samey after a while but good enough for a 4 star rating I think.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Yep liked this. I'm not sure it is the best AFT but it was not one I'd heard before and I like it. I'm going to give it a 3 but I may listen to it more and revise that....
Moby
2/5
Quite liked it to start with -- although how much of that was nostalgia I'm not sure. But it really tailed off toward the end...
The Beach Boys
3/5
Good stuff but too short (and overlength 'talky' track) to be a classic.
MGMT
4/5
Tough one this. It felt good listening on a Friday afternoon, less so on a rainy Monday morning. Torn between 3 and 4...
ZZ Top
3/5
A high 3 I think. Its fun to listen to for sure but I don't think it stands out above any other 80s rock.
Lightning Bolt
2/5
It was OK. There were some songs like 'Two Towers' which I ejoyed but a lot of the tracks wee quite repetitive in parts.
Beatles
3/5
Yeah fine.
a-ha
3/5
Was ok but peaked at song 1.
Missy Elliott
2/5
The Human League
2/5
Not for me. Gets an extra point for 'Don't You Want Me'
Baaba Maal
3/5
Pleasant but unremarkable.
Culture Club
3/5
Better than expected. Obviously Karma Chamaleon is a banger but enjoyed some of the others as well.
XTC
3/5
Yeah it was fine.
Metallica
5/5
It has its issues but great nevertheless.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
It was OK. It didn't connect with me as I was expecting it to.
3/5
I tried to be objective and yet still guffawed when the singing started on the first song... at first listen I thought it was OK and it was getting worse and worse as it went on/subsequent listens so I got my losses...
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Very pleasant. Although I have to say that I was expecting to like it more.
The Birthday Party
1/5
Didn't work for me.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Fine but unremarkable.
John Martyn
2/5
Probably could've done with more listens. If I get a chance I'll revisit.
Tangerine Dream
3/5
Enjoyable as good background music for working/reading. A three for now but I may come back to it....
Kanye West
3/5
Actually liked this one. May have been got a four if it wasn't for some of the silly stuff.
Skepta
2/5
Not a big fan.
Booker T. & The MG's
2/5
It started OK but got old fast...
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Meh. Like the previous Rolling Stones album, it doesn't do anything for me.
Aerosmith
3/5
Meh. Disappointed and expected more. Give it a three.
ZZ Top
3/5
A lot of Dad rock recently... this was of a piece.
Air
3/5
Heard this a lot at the time and for me it doesn't really hold up. About a 2.5...
The Temptations
2/5
It was fine but I expected better.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Not great. Verged on giving it a 1 but a little unfair. Just a low two...
Björk
1/5
Nails on a blackboard....
Method Man
1/5
I'm on a 1 star review roll so sorry Method Man.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Fine if a bit bland. Ended a bad run so probably more relief than anything.
Dead Kennedys
3/5
Public Enemy
2/5
Didn't get a great chance to listen to this. Superficial impression only was that I could easily pass on it.
The Monkees
2/5
Pretty staid. Nothing much to get into.
The Incredible String Band
1/5
Awful. Not good music for cycling the Belgian countryside.
Björk
1/5
Still not for me.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
Not good cycling music.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
It was alright. Possibly could've got a slightly better mark if I'd had more time with it.
Beatles
3/5
Quite enjoyed this one.
Lucinda Williams
3/5
Quite nice.
Venom
3/5
This was OK. Massively let down by the sound quality I think...
Sam Cooke
3/5
I like Sam Cooke but still not a fan of live albums.
Destiny's Child
2/5
Well the first couple of tunes reminded me of my Arena days. Not a big fan of the rest though...
Raekwon
2/5
Meh. Didn't hate it but not something that appeals particularly either.
Dizzee Rascal
1/5
Not a big fan. There was the odd song toward the end that was interesting.
Dusty Springfield
2/5
It was fine. Seems to just be good looking girl sings some elses songs...
Oasis
4/5
Possibly not as good as I'd remembered but still some absolute bangers and a good summer album.
Genesis
3/5
Enjoyable.
The Cars
4/5
Sneaks a 4. The first three songs are classics but it does tail off a bit.
Mariah Carey
2/5
Despite how huge Mariah was and (I read the Wiki) supposedly how influential this album was... this was just - nothing.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Almost by default.
Gotan Project
1/5
Dull but I didn't get a great chance to listen so it may be unfair.
Ozomatli
3/5
One of those albums where I couldn't seem to find the whole thing. Quite enjoyed what I could though...
George Jones
3/5
Fine. Possibly a bit morose
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
It was OK at first... can see this song in a snarky Indie rom-com etc... about 8 songs in I thought it was fine if a bit samey... how long left on this album.... another 61 songs! All basically the same!
Musically not too bad but just why does this exist? Its not some amazing concept or a musical journey just an exercise in self-indulgence. Take the best 10 songs and you have a middle of the road album... I didn't need 7x that amount.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Very good. Not sure at this stage I could tell different Elvis albums apart though.
Roni Size
1/5
Only listened once but it didnt go down well.
The Boo Radleys
2/5
It was OK but nothing jumped out at me as remotely interesting either.
Donovan
2/5
Couple of bangers but most of it was a bit dull.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
The odd really good song but quite a lot of dross I thought. Was disappointing...
Neil Young
3/5
I think you're either in the mood or not. Not sure I was but musically fine.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
Really liked the first bits of the album. Not so sure about the spate of covers in the middle and then it peetered out a little bit.... solid 3 for the first 5-6 songs though
Death In Vegas
2/5
It was OK but nothing grabbed me particularly.
Janet Jackson
3/5
Didn't expect to like it so quite surprised that I did enjoy it.
Rush
3/5
Hard to rate. I did enjoy it quite a bit but it is also overblown and a bit much. It is the only Rush album I own though which must mean something... a high 3.
Goldfrapp
3/5
Wasn't expecting to like this either but actually it was very pleasant.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
I was pleasantly surprised by the previous MSP album. This was more like I remembered from the time...
Frank Sinatra
3/5
I'm not a big fan of this type of thing but there isn't anything about it that is hard to listen to. Every song is the same but it passes the time.
Elton John
4/5
Some classic on here that elevate it to a 4. Even though there is also quite a few duds...
Madonna
2/5
Bits of this album veered dangerously close to a 1. But in the end I'm going to show some mercy and go for a 2. Don't push me to listen to it again though.
Dire Straits
4/5
Luckily it has three fantastic songs because some of the others were not as good as I remembered.
Kings of Leon
2/5
Was expecting much more.
The Saints
3/5
Enjoyed it. Will probably listen again and it may climb the rankings.
JAY Z
2/5
It was alright.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
It was OK. Quite funky.
Eminem
3/5
Nostalgic. Fresh but dated. Some classics but lots of filler. A high 3.
Beck
3/5
It grew on me.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Good.
Beyoncé
3/5
A mixed bag. I really enjoyed some songs (much more than expected) but didn't like others equally. Low expectations, slightly surpassed.
Meat Puppets
3/5
Enjoyed it. If I listened longer it may go up but a standard 3 is fine for now.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
It was kind of bland.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
One of those albums that sits on three stars because it was good but not good enough for four.
The Crusaders
2/5
Well I liked the song but this felt more like a single than an album so I'll have to mark it down for that.
Kate Bush
4/5
This was a real three and a halfer of an album. I'll have to give it a four based on the other threes I've given...
Anita Baker
2/5
Only had a quick listen but nothing pulled me back for another go.
Def Leppard
4/5
Solid.
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
Didn't listen too much but didn't grab me.
Incubus
3/5
Solid.
De La Soul
2/5
Have to say this didn't do it for me which I was surprised by.
Pearl Jam
3/5
Blasphemous but only a 3 for me. I know, I know but there is just something about it which doesn't grab me as it should.
Supergrass
3/5
It wasalright
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Didn't really listen as I'd have liked. But from what I heard it wasn't up too much.
TLC
2/5
Wasn't keen at all.
White Denim
3/5
It was alright but I cannot now remember a single thing about it. Probably should be a 2 but recency bias means I have to give it a 3.
Haircut 100
3/5
A bit like the day before it kind of swept over me and left no lasting impression.
Nas
2/5
Heard this album recommended a lot but was underwhelmed.
Dirty Projectors
1/5
Probably didn't give it a fair crack of the whip but didn't like what I heard.
Talking Heads
2/5
It was OK.
Jack White
3/5
Not bad.
Can
2/5
I must admit that I was quite busy so didn't get a huge amount of time to listen. It was OK -- a bit repetitive but inoffensive background noise.
Julian Cope
4/5
I wasn't sure at first... I'll be honest I'm still not sure but I do want to listen to it again so that must be a good sign.
fIREHOSE
2/5
Maybe not a proper listen but I wasn't enamoured with what I heard.
The Associates
2/5
Unremarkable.
Guided By Voices
3/5
I liked some of this but that song with the snoring was almost enough for me to turn it off.
Tito Puente
2/5
Hmm... kind of nice background/elevator music but I don't think I'd sit down and listen to it.
Tortoise
3/5
Also background music that I quite enjoyed but not a huge amount.
Sade
2/5
More nice background music. A bit samey throughout.
Kings of Leon
2/5
Meh. Some of it was Ok but quite samey.
The Fall
3/5
Interesting. Definitely left me wanting to listen more...
Steely Dan
2/5
Major I'm getting jaded. It was another album that was just fine... I'm sure I could have lived my life without listening to it but I didn't hate it either.
Queen
4/5
Well thats more like it.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Was alright.
Sparks
3/5
Not sure how I felt about this if I'm honest. I think it was OK.
Ananda Shankar
2/5
Didn't mind some of it but the covers of 'Western' songs were a bit shonky.
Magazine
3/5
Enjoyed that. Probably just under a 4 star though...
The Temptations
2/5
It was OK until 'First time ever I saw your face'. Probably ruined by the Inbetweeners but also ruined for me.
Joe Ely
2/5
Fairly bog standard country.
Charles Mingus
2/5
Sounded nice sat on a verandah in France but would've been tiresome otherwise.
Stereo MC's
3/5
Fun.
Chicago
3/5
I think I would probably like it more if I listened again so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.
808 State
1/5
Nah, cannot be doing with that. Admittedly was listening to it whilst stuck on a plane on a runway but I don't think that was the only reason for not enjoying it.
John Lennon
2/5
Probably ruined by overplaying but Imagine is insufferable. The others are not great either...
Barry Adamson
1/5
It was a bad day to have an album like this and listen with the kids. Was not received well...
Beastie Boys
2/5
Not overly fussed. Considering how much I heard the Beastie Boys through the wall growing up I was expecting at least some sort of nostalgia or something...
Afrika Bambaataa
2/5
It was alright.
Butthole Surfers
4/5
Grew on me over the course of the day to the point where listening almost became addictive.
The xx
3/5
Yeah, very 'nice'. Calming and that...
Ministry
2/5
Seemed quite generic. Not sure there was much to get enthused by. The odd good riff here and there.
The Go-Betweens
2/5
Very bland. Not sure I 'needed' to listen to this one.
Lenny Kravitz
2/5
Little bit disappointed.
The Pharcyde
3/5
Not bad as far as the genre goes. Sounded a bit like ICP.
The White Stripes
2/5
Meh... I thought this was a bit overblown.
Grizzly Bear
2/5
Way too uninspiring for a Monday morning. I didn't actively hate it but there was nothing there... a very low 2 I suppose.
The War On Drugs
4/5
Ah... the summer of 2014.
New house, watching the World Cup (including that 7-1 game) projected on to the wall, BBQs every night. All soundtracked by this album....
Nostalgically it would be 5/5 but musically I'm going to take it down a notch because listening on a drizzly September morning 9 years later when things are 'not quite' so rosy it doesn't hit in quite the same way...
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Nice but dull.
Grateful Dead
2/5
I mean... it was fine. Better than silence but not something I'd seek out.
Faust
2/5
One of the best things about this is when you get an album you've never heard by a band, you've never heard so there are no pre-conceptions.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed by this offering.
The Zutons
3/5
Bit of fun. Those first four or so songs were like going back in a time machine.
3/5
Quite liked this.
Bauhaus
2/5
It was alright but I'd take it or leave it if I'm honest.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Yeah was alright.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
This was nice background music.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
Not great. Bit rambly...
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
4/5
I enjoyed this one a lot. No one is more surprised than me.
PJ Harvey
3/5
Underworld
1/5
Ugh no.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
Thought it was OK at first but it got a bit tiresome.
Simply Red
2/5
Fine. Boring but not objectionable.
Billy Bragg
3/5
Enjoyed it. Although I think could have lost a few songs..
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
2/5
Bit warbly and meandering....
Klaxons
2/5
Bit dull really.
Rufus Wainwright
1/5
Didn't like this.
Devendra Banhart
1/5
Possibly because we had two awfully warbly singer-songwriters albums in a row this got short shrift.
Fever Ray
2/5
Not my thing but interesting at least.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
The Super Deluxe edition was almost four hours... maybe I could have dealt with it for 20 minutes...
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Now this was fun. Tooting Bec Wreck was a tune!
Girls Against Boys
2/5
It was OK. The odd song was enjoyable but otherwise a bit generic.
Mylo
2/5
Definitely got harsher over the years. This was fine and would previously been a 3 but I'm never going to listen to it again so 2.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Was OK. Nothing more.
Richard Hawley
2/5
A bit dreary.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
2/5
Well this was odd. Jumped around all over the place and didn't quite settle into a rhythm. Admired the hutzpah but it didn't make me want to listen again...
Red Snapper
1/5
Not really my cup of tea.
Beach House
2/5
I remember all the rage for this when it came out... its pleasant for sure but not much more than that. Perhaps a little harsh....
Pavement
3/5
Not my favourite Pavement album but I think thats because its not the one I owned as a child.
Justin Timberlake
1/5
No, just no.
Over-produced, cynical stuff. Nostalgia for my old clubbing days almost made me give it a 2 but no....
The Smiths
3/5
Maybe a bit unfairly, I don't think its as good as either of the other Smiths albums on the list so (so far) so I'll give it a 3.
The Dictators
4/5
Enjoyed this! It was pretty silly and I think having two covers on a debut album is a bit suspect but - still liked it!
Basement Jaxx
2/5
Not for me.
Really I should give it a 1 but I've nudged it up to a two just for the clubbing nostalgia.
TV On The Radio
2/5
A little bland.
David Ackles
2/5
Another bit dreary album. Maybe its the weather or maybe we've just had a bad run.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Didn't want to like it but was brilliant.
Radiohead
3/5
Not bad.
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
I thought this was quite interesting and enjoyed it.
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
It was alright actually.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
It was alright. Bit samey.
Duke Ellington
2/5
Nice enough but too long and too live.
3/5
Enjoyable. I think if there wasn't a slight dip in the middle, this could've got 4.
American Music Club
2/5
Struggled to find the album but what I heard was underwhelming.
Scissor Sisters
1/5
No thanks.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Its somewhere between a 4 and a 5 for me.
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
I thought this was fantastic and it really burrowed its way into my head.
Great, rainy day music.
Television
4/5
A slightly generous 4 for a good week.
3/5
Genuinely almost impossible to rate.
On the one-hand, I was a teenager in the nu-metal period and this will always have a place in my heart for blaring it loudly from Ross's car whilst driving around the Swan Centre. Plus they are great fun live.
Whilst I can freely admit that it is isn't actually any good - musically/lyrically/whatever. And I was never in to them as a teenager anyway.
I'll go for a 3 but could easily be a 2 (or a 4 if I was feeling nostalgic).
Orbital
1/5
No thanks.
Orange Juice
2/5
The title song was good but the rest was a meh.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
It was... OK. It sort of washed over me rather than interested me. But maybe thats a good thing sometimes...
Taylor Swift
2/5
The first time I'd knowingly listened to Taylor Swift (apart from that trouble song with the goat) and I must admit to being disappointed.
Nice enough but like a John Lewis Christmas advert playlist.
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Nanci Griffith
2/5
A bit whingy.
Faith No More
2/5
Blasphemous as it is... FNM never did it for me.
Thundercat
2/5
This looked interesting and different. But wasn't really..
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
Well that was ridiculous. But in a fun way.
Silver Jews
2/5
Uninspiring...
Dusty Springfield
2/5
Not overwhelmed.
King Crimson
2/5
It was Ok but a bit all of the place.
Pere Ubu
2/5
Thought it was OK to start with but bored by the end.
Burning Spear
3/5
Slightly incongruous listening in the frozen wilderness of Finland but I liked what I heard
Spacemen 3
1/5
Not a hit with the family.
The Band
3/5
Generic dad rock.
Doves
2/5
Appreciated it a bit more having read the notes of where it came from etc but still just not my thing.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
Another dull one.
Kelela
3/5
This was alright actually.
Barry Adamson
2/5
Interesting enough. Not great though.
The Style Council
2/5
Not great.
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
It was alright... better than I was expecting.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Just left no impression at all....
The Charlatans
3/5
Of its time but a few classics on there.
Leonard Cohen
1/5
Excruciating.
Van Morrison
3/5
Nice bit of background music...
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
Yeah, fine.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
It was alright. Very middle of the road.
The Residents
2/5
Didn't hate it.
Travis
1/5
Didn't like this at all. Undoubtedly a bit harsh but Travis were very lucky that Coldplay became the butt of the jokes...
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
Uninspiring.
Lambchop
2/5
It was OK. Bit like a more boring Pavement album.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Obviously Superstition is the stand out track; the rest is not great. But Superstition though...
Peter Frampton
3/5
Alice Cooper
3/5
Enjoyed it on the whole.
Stan Getz
2/5
Good background music.
50 Cent
3/5
As far as this stuff goes, I quite liked this.
Motörhead
3/5
Would have been better if it wasn't a live album.
Saint Etienne
2/5
Not for me.
LTJ Bukem
1/5
No definitely not.
The Dandy Warhols
2/5
Quite generic I thought. Not terrible.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Just like every other Pet Shop Boys songs... its fine but doesn't really appeal to me.
Michael Jackson
4/5
It got the kids dancing whilst emptying the dishwasher which has got to be a good thing...
The Beta Band
2/5
Not interested.
Dr. John
2/5
Liked bits of it. But I don't think I'd seek it out.
Suzanne Vega
3/5
It was fine. I was hoping for more.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Just sneaks in at a 4. It was a 3 for most of the day.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Not his best in my opinion.
Sarah Vaughan
2/5
Nice enough.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
2/5
Disappointing.
Snoop Dogg
2/5
Disappointing really.
Neil Young
3/5
About as middle of the road as it gets.
Dr. Octagon
2/5
Better than some. Didn't really stick for me though...
Paul McCartney
3/5
Soft Cell
2/5
One banger and the rest was a bit meh. Half term so it was only half a listen really
Paul Simon
3/5
Liked it. Not enough to come back but it was easy listening.
Heaven 17
2/5
Nothing here for me.
The Icarus Line
3/5
Very much in my wheelhouse but was never that bothered about them at the time. Still its good but nothing special...
Stereolab
1/5
Maybe a slightly harsh rating but it bounced off me completely.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
It was fine. A bit dull and not as good as some of their other albums we've had.
The Bees
2/5
Quite dull.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
I'll give it a four. It didn't really chime with me yesterday (probably because there are about 10 versions of the same song on the Deluxe version of the album I was listening to) but its undoubtedly a good listen.
Napalm Death
2/5
I've seen and enjoyed Napalm Death live. They are great fun.
I don't think this comes across here... its fine as background music but nothing particularly jumped out.
Iron Butterfly
2/5
Digital Underground
2/5
It was OK I think. Quite nineties.
3/5
Quite liked this.
System Of A Down
3/5
In my wheelhouse for sure but never one of my favourites.
Dion
3/5
This was OK actually. A bit bland but there were bits that were enjoyable.
Garbage
3/5
T. Rex
3/5
It was good. Although the more I listened the more samey it became...
Scritti Politti
2/5
I mean it was quite of its time I think. I thought I'd accidentally put one song on to play over and over...
William Orbit
2/5
Throwing Muses
3/5
Pretty good.
Metallica
5/5
Not my favourite Metallica album but probably the most important for getting me into Metallica and metal in general. I read the other reviews with amusement...
Hot Chip
2/5
A bit distracted in the office but didn't grab me.
Ian Dury
3/5
Enjoyed this. Who knows it may have become a 4 with more listens... but a solid 3.
Morrissey
3/5
Bit cringey at times but fine.
Elliott Smith
2/5
No, not for me. Dull.
Korn
2/5
I'm usually up for defending nu-metal but never quite got Korn. Extra star just for nostalgia but not great...
Ryan Adams
2/5
It was OK. Sounded like songs from every rom-com movie ever made.
Queen Latifah
2/5
It was alright but quite forgettable.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
Nice enough. I can certainly understand the appeal but not really my mood today.
Adele
3/5
'salright.
The Doors
2/5
Meat Loaf
4/5
Yeah go on then....
Slint
2/5
For some reason I've listened to this album a lot due to various recommendations. Never does it for me...
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
Enjoyed it in small does but found it easy to tune out.
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
That was different. It's not going on regular rotation but was fun while it lasted.
Johnny Cash
3/5
Cornershop
3/5
Its OK. Quite unique.
Muddy Waters
3/5
MC Solaar
2/5
There were elements of the songs I enjoyed.
Jungle Brothers
2/5
Bog standard.
Doves
2/5
Tori Amos
2/5
Seemed OK. Like an off brand Kate Bush.
John Lee Hooker
3/5
Gene Clark
2/5
Depeche Mode
2/5
One or two good tracks, otherwise too 80s.
Stephen Stills
2/5
The Clash
4/5
Solid 4.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Django Django
2/5
Background music on podcasts.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Pretty pretty pretty good.
Stephen Stills
2/5
Anthrax
4/5
Turn between a 3 and a 4 for this one. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and go for a 4... liked the start of the album but felt it drifted a little and some of the songs are too long.
Buck Owens
2/5
Straight off the back of Anthrax it was a bit of a shock to the system.
Bill Callahan
2/5
Holger Czukay
3/5
Liked the idea of something I'd completely never heard before. Didn't particularly like the music but extra points for originality.
Carole King
3/5
It was OK.
R.E.M.
3/5
Solid.
Nico
2/5
When I stopped to listen to it I wasn't a fan but I did like the way it sort of washed over me when I wasn't paying attention.
Mudhoney
3/5
Again, solid.
Fiona Apple
2/5
Really liked bits, had a haunting quality. But less keen on other bits.... Just missed the 3 for me.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Elvis Presley
3/5
All merged into one but enjoyable.
AC/DC
4/5
A low 4 just for fun.
Madonna
1/5
When this popped up, I remembered how much I hated that Ray of Light song and was fully prepared to hate the album. As it was I didn't hate it, just disliked it and was prepared to give it 2 stars. Then 'Little Star' came on and I thought - nah, 1 star.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
It was 'nice'. Very old-fashioned and a bit dull. I'll take the Nazareth version of Love Hurts as well please.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Yep, enjoyed it.
The Libertines
4/5
I'm torn between a high 3 or a low 4.
I'll go 3 but ... fine a 4.
Khaled
3/5
I quite enjoyed it! It was fun.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
Some of it I liked but also lost patience at times.
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
Too hard to find and listen to.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
I was disappointed. Expected more...
Cat Stevens
3/5
Radiohead
2/5
Nick Drake
2/5
Boring.
Big Star
3/5
Marginally OK.
Skunk Anansie
3/5
Surprisingly good.
Big Black
1/5
Quick listen on a day when I could barely function.
The Doors
3/5
Was better than expected
Gang Of Four
3/5
Yep, like it. Bit samey after a bit but some really good songs in there.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1/5
The Hives
4/5
Very good, prefer the older/punkier second half of the album (AKA IDIOT, Outsmarted).
Finley Quaye
2/5
Good start but got a bit grating over the course of the album. OK in small doses perhaps...
Soul II Soul
2/5
Well this took me back...
2/5
It was alright but didn't excite.
Paul Simon
3/5
Yeah was nice.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
Realistically not something I'm going to listen to again but it was fine for background music and therefore a 2.
CHIC
2/5
I rarely seem to give anything but a 2 anymore. This seems to have become the standard for 'It didn't hurt my ears but I will never listen again (out of choice)'
The Darkness
4/5
Great fun.
Robbie Williams
1/5
Found this grating...
I know there are some 'classic' pop songs of the era on the album but overall it was bad.
The Allman Brothers Band
1/5
A live album where the first song is a worse cover.... amazed I kept going after that...
D'Angelo
2/5
Found this quite generic..
Soft Machine
1/5
I didn't need this today...
Janis Joplin
3/5
Wasn't overly fussed but gave it another listen later and it grew on me. Although I do think that the Mercedes Benz songs is one of the worst things ever (ironic as it may be).
Wu-Tang Clan
1/5
Not a fan.
The Triffids
2/5
Perfectly cromulent 80s pop-rock.
Christina Aguilera
1/5
It wasn't a 1 in the sense that I found it hard to listen to... but it was pretty awful.
Traffic
2/5
Quite dull Dad rock, which even as a quite dull Dad was quite boring.
Metallica
5/5
Yeah I mean its the best metal album of all time.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Björk
1/5
Give me nails on a chalkboard next time...
Coldcut
2/5
It was sort of OK. I liked bits of it and I liked that it was very different from one song to the next...
Calexico
2/5
Wasn't keen first time around but it did grow on me. Probably just a 2 for now but with a few more listens - who knows?
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Good.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
Yeah was quite fun.
The Prodigy
2/5
Odd one where the more I listened the less I liked it.
It started OK (Beautiful Day has been used in enough football montages that I quite enjoyed it) but by the time we were on to New York and Grace I was unable to continue listening...
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
It was OK as it went.
X-Ray Spex
3/5
The Thrills
1/5
Zzzzzzzzzz
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Decent.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
I know that I'm meant to like Jane's Addiction but I've never really been on board. It was alright.
Kraftwerk
2/5
I'm glad this appeals to some because its good that there is music that is different out there. Doesn't appeal to me though.
Sex Pistols
5/5
Thought it may be dated but actually held up really well. Really enjoyed it yesterday and then thought I'd give it another go today expecting to give it a 4. Its a sort of 4.5 but I'll be generous.
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
Bit 80s but OK.
Slayer
3/5
Found this one quite difficult to rate. Definitely have to be in the right mood but the beginning of the album is good... it does drag a little. Its probably somewhere between a 3 and a 4.
Alice Cooper
3/5
Fairly standard rock fare.
Morrissey
3/5
It was OK.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Dull, but harmless.
Japan
2/5
Meh.
Marilyn Manson
3/5
It does scream try-hard but I enjoyed it.
Tom Waits
3/5
Genesis
2/5
Pretty much forgot to listen to this because I was watching the Olympics all day.
Paul Weller
3/5
It was fine. I enjoyed it when I listened but also tuned out fairly regularly.
The Police
3/5
I enjoyed the hits and 'On Any Other Day'... there was some not great ones in there as well but it passed the time.
Shivkumar Sharma
2/5
Pleasant and all but I'm not likely to come back to it.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I'm sure this will be a divisive album. I found bits of it a bit awkward, bits of it very nice. Not my favourite NC...
k.d. lang
3/5
It was fine. In terms of recency bias, it was probably about the same as NC so
Richard Thompson
4/5
Enjoyed this very much.
Tricky
3/5
Thought this was alright.
Elvis Costello
3/5
Love
2/5
Megadeth
3/5
The KLF
2/5
Bits of it I liked. Suited the Europop environment I'm in.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Quite dull.
Mid.
Leftfield
1/5
Not really for me.
Madonna
3/5
Like a Prayer is a banger but the rest is pretty mid. But Like a Prayer is good enough...
3/5
Atmospheric.
Slipknot
3/5
Randy Newman
1/5
Something about Randy Newman singing 'You Can Leave Your Hat On' made me feel queasy.
N.E.R.D
2/5
Meh.
Drive Like Jehu
3/5
Janelle Monáe
2/5
Bit of an odd album. Liked bits of it but it didn't really hang together that well and I don't think I'd go back to it...
Buzzcocks
3/5
Good. Didn't get to spend much time with it..
CHVRCHES
4/5
First album for a couple of weeks that I've actually had the time to listen to properly so maybe slightly over-rated but I enjoyed it.
Elvis Costello
2/5
I think Ive preferred other EC albums.
Happy Mondays
3/5
SZA
2/5
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Preferred this slightly to the previous Cohen effort. Bit more atmospheric.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1/5
Not in the mood today.
Orbital
2/5
Not my cup of tea but it was OK to listen to in the office.
Moby Grape
3/5
Good from what I heard.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
Only really heard snippets in between working. It was fine.
Gram Parsons
3/5
Enjoyable old style country.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Fine
Morrissey
3/5
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
Peaks and troughs but good.
Bert Jansch
2/5
Glad to hear something different but a bit dull with the best will in the world.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
Beck
1/5
No.
AC/DC
4/5
Some classics here.
The Vines
3/5
Fine. Fairly standard indie rock stuff...
Prefab Sprout
2/5
Alright. A bit 80's and a bit samey...
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Very nice. Calming.
Goldie
2/5
I have listened to and enjoyed this before a lot. Usually when under the influence...
In the cold neon light of the office on a Thursday morning - not sure it had the same impact.
Elton John
3/5
Not mind-blowing. Tiny Dancer is a classic and the rest is forgettable but comforting.
Pink Floyd
4/5
Childhood nostalgia probably plays a part here. There were quite large segments that seemed bloated and unnecessary but when it hits...
The Offspring
4/5
Love it.
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
Quite good. I think it would grow on me if I kept listening. It sounded very early 90s like a chill Fun Lovin Criminals vibe.
2/5
Disappointedly bog standard.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Nice but dull.
Pixies
3/5
Good stuff. A solid 3.5 with a couple of 4 album worthy songs.
Giant Sand
2/5
Quite dull. Very whiny.
The Modern Lovers
3/5
Decent but unspectacular.
Leonard Cohen
1/5
I mean... can't sing, raspy old man songs....
The Damned
3/5
Enjoyed it. Not sure it was enough for a 4 though.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
Very good. Although not quite a 4 it wasn't far off.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
Really good to start with. Tails off a bit and live album....
The Undertones
4/5
Its been a run of good albums that are probably 3-4 stars and I've given each the lower rating so this time I may have slightly over-rated.
Aphex Twin
2/5
Not my thing really. OK for background music whilst working.
The Cult
3/5
Could listen all day but it was very generic.
Tom Tom Club
2/5
Bits of it were OK but not great.
Fleet Foxes
1/5
Snore fest!
2/5
Very 80s but OK.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Love the story. Maybe the album doesn't live up to the hype... its nice background music though.
10cc
2/5
Almost sounded like a parody
TV On The Radio
1/5
No thanks. I liked the atmosphere but not much else.
Animal Collective
2/5
Two in a row that would probably average 1.5 each.
Little Simz
3/5
Maybe its the Britishness of it but this was more appealing than most of the rap albums we've had.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Enjoyed certain tracks but there was nothing for me to grab on to.
Mercury Rev
2/5
The Youngbloods
2/5
Started off Ok but quite dull.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Enjoyed it but its a bit one-note.
John Cale
2/5
It was fine. Bit dull perhaps.
Tim Buckley
1/5
Not really anything to recommend.
The Shamen
2/5
OK if you like that sort of thing.
Kings of Leon
2/5
Despite the fact it quickly became cool to hate KOL; I cannot deny that there was a zing of nostalgia to this and I thought it was OK.
Johnny Cash
2/5
OK. But falls foul of the typical live album issues.
Ray Price
2/5
It was OK but nothing stood out.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Liked this a lot. May be a slight overrating but it evens out with the previous Gabriel outing.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
2/5
Time hasn't been kind. It may have been interesting in its day but just sends like a novelty, generic 50s diner music.
The 13th Floor Elevators
2/5
Just had no impact on me at all.
Common
2/5
Decent.
Goldfrapp
1/5
Hardly noticed it but was relieved when YouTube Music went on to auto-play and something else came on so...
The Rolling Stones
2/5
I mean, obviously some good songs here but not sure how much credit the Rolling Stones get for that....
John Lennon
3/5
Not bad.
Frank Ocean
2/5
OK. Quite dull.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Quite liked bits of it where it wasn't too Bjork-y.
Laibach
2/5
I mean this was wild. From the Monty Python style album-art onwards. Enjoyable in some sense but also hearing a gruff Slovenian belching out Queen was just odd.
Prince
3/5
It was fine. Little Red Corvette is a banger, the rest OK. Gets a little much after a while.
1/5
No thanks.
The Blue Nile
2/5
Dull.
Killing Joke
3/5
Liked it.
Rush
3/5
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
The Louvin Brothers
2/5
Fell on the wrong side of novelty for me.
Maxwell
2/5
Liked it to start with but got old quickly.
Prince
3/5
Couple of good songs, a lot of 'Prince'.
4/5
Solid. Maybe the exception to the rule re: live albums.
Slade
3/5
Good. Probably sounds cheesy now.
Blondie
4/5
U2
2/5
Definitely overblown but not awful/
Suicide
3/5
Interesting.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Enjoyed this. May have even gone higher if I was at home.
Koffi Olomide
3/5
Thought this was really good. I enjoyed it probably a 4 but also not sure I would ever choose to listen to it (or remember).
The Divine Comedy
2/5
Bit dull.
Circle Jerks
3/5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
U2
2/5
Not good.
Dolly Parton
1/5
Fell just the wrong side of annoying Country for me.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
2/5
Q-Tip
2/5
Seemed entirely generic to me.
R.E.M.
2/5
Fairly generic rock. Nothing stood out.
Primal Scream
1/5
Not sure what this was all about. Didn't sound much like Primal Scream that I know...
The Isley Brothers
3/5
Good but I don't need the same three songs over and over.
B.B. King
3/5
Dagmar Krause
2/5
Interesting. Not something I'd listen to but glad it crossed my path.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Bon Jovi
3/5
Cheesy but undeniably fun.
James Taylor
2/5
Sisters Of Mercy
2/5
It was OK. Enjoyed bits of it...
ABBA
3/5
Bit like Queen, Abba are definitely a 'Greatest Hits' band.
The Prodigy
1/5
Not for me.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Fine. Middle of the road stuff.
Fats Domino
3/5
Hard to argue with this.
Love
2/5
Bit dull.
Jurassic 5
3/5
Enjoyed it.
The Beta Band
2/5
Kind of nothing.
Jamiroquai
2/5
OK at times but also grating at others. Its probably a 2.5.
Britney Spears
2/5
I mean... its a bog-standard pop record with a couple (or at least one) standout song.
Randy Newman
2/5
One or two songs that I quite liked but he just doesn't do it for me.
Ice T
3/5
Quite liked the introduction of Body Count. The rest was OK too.
George Harrison
3/5
Bit overblown but fine-ish.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Scar Tissue and Otherside instantly transport me back to the age of 17-18, skiving off college and playing Darts and Pool in the Grantham Arms. Possibly more than any other songs, it hits me with a wave of nostalgia - happiness for the times we shared and sadness for friends lost. It could make me cry if I stopped to think about it.
Musically its pretty meh and really tails off but 3 stars just for the memories.
Crowded House
2/5
It was fine. Bog standard MOR stuff. Fall At Your Feet remains a good song but I was a little disappointed with ..Weather...
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
Probably a generous 2.
The Band
3/5
I quite enjoyed this.
Joanna Newsom
1/5
I think this was a bit of a screeching reverse from the previous album that I just couldn't get on board.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
Enjoyed this a lot and will definitely listen again. It may well become a 4.
Cee Lo Green
1/5
Maybe I just had a bad morning but I just couldn't with the voice...
Machito
2/5
Ms. Dynamite
2/5
Meh. I do find all this early 00's RnB/hip-hop quite dull.
The Byrds
1/5
Didn't think much of this. I think I was expecting something different from the Byrds not this.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
It was better than expected.
Iggy Pop
3/5
Top level 3. Lust for Life is OK, Passenger is a stone cold classic.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Not bad.
Elbow
2/5
Veers close to a 1.
That 'One Day Like This' is the very definition of a song that I hate because it has been so over-played.
Sebadoh
2/5
Started.off Ok but got tiresome.
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
Nonsense.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Al Green
3/5
Objectively a decent album. Bit dull and I wouldn't be in a rush to listen again but not offensive in anyway. I'll give it 3 stars.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
It was OK but I'd hoped for more.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Much like the Al Green album, objectively nice to listen to. But I probably won't.
The Byrds
2/5
Very bland.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Very soothing on a busy day. Not necessarily my thing but hit the spot.
M.I.A.
2/5
It was middling.
The United States Of America
1/5
Pretty dire.
Fishbone
3/5
Tim Buckley
1/5
No matter how many times 'the Buckleys' are lauded and I give it a go... its just not for me.
Portishead
1/5
Eagles
2/5
Hard to find to listen to so may not have got a fair shake.
Merle Haggard
2/5
Standard country stuff.
Talvin Singh
1/5
Not great. Became tiresome very quickly.
Alice In Chains
2/5
I know that I should like this more but sorry I don't.
The Mars Volta
4/5
Solid.
Aimee Mann
3/5
Green Day
4/5
The first time I've listened to this for many years. I distinctly remember listening to it whilst working in Bristol and having to get the commute by bus... but as everyone else caught on it was so overplayed at the time that even now I will still skip tracks from this album when they come up.
It also marked my departure from Green Day really... although I saw the tour show - I've not since bought a Green Day album or seen them live.
However, listening to it all the way through for the first time since it came out I thought it was great. Amazed really that the Green Day of 'Dominated Love Slave' went on to create a concept album that got turned into a stage show etc.... excellent.
Pantera
4/5
A very timely album. Having listened to a lot of Pantera recently and seen them live for the first time ever.
Os Mutantes
2/5
OK. But not as exciting as I'd hoped.
The The
2/5
A bit too 80s.
Tom Waits
2/5
I'm more of a fan of early Tom Waits tbh.
Spiritualized
2/5
Not for me.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
Never heard of this but it was OK.