How was I previously unaware of LaBelle, and how was this not on the main list? This is a brilliant and influential pop soul record from 1974, but sounds like it could have been recorded in the 2000s. It contains the original (and best) recording of Lady Marmalade, and it really doesn't sound all that different to the 1998 All Saints and 2001 Moulin Rouge! A perfect illustration of how ahead of it's time and influential it must have been. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: Lady Marmalade Date listened: 09/09/24

The user generated album list has been far more enlightening and thought provoking than I had imagined. This album is the perfect example. My initial reaction is that this is absolutely awful, and it is impossible to see how anyone could possibly like it. But lots and lots of people do, and someone clearly thinks it's brilliant. Knowing that of all the albums that have ever been recorded, this has been picked by a person who has spent the last 3+ years doing the same thing I have somehow makes it harder to dismiss the album just as 'bad'. Instead it makes me think about how different people appreciate music. What could it be about this album that people respect or enjoy, and why don't I like it? The musicianship seems to be good, the songs complex and the bass slaps, so perhaps musicians would appreciate it on a technical level. I have no musical talent, so just don't hear the technical things in songs that musical people might do. Also, while it's not my humour it is going for funny, and must hit with some people. Overall, though, I think the crux of the issue is that I tend to respond to records that make me feel something, or have something to say about society, the world, or the human condition that I can relate to. This is pure fantasy escapism, which just isn't my thing, but is loved my many others. Overall, although I hated it, I'm glad I've heard it. Thanks for the selector for the pick. May I never hear a Primus album ever again. Rating: 1 Playlist track: Jerry Was a Race Car Driver Date listened: 04/08/24

I love 'Illinois' from the main list. This is excellent too. A lot more sparse and mellow than 'Illinois', with intensely personal (rather than fantastical) themes, this tells raw and specific stories of Stevens' complex relationship with his mother, who Stevens saw only intermittently through her life. It's focus is his grief at her death, and the self-destructive behaviours (mirroring his mother's) that Stevens' grief inspired. Not an easy or comfortable listen, the record takes several listens to reveal its dark beauty. It hits peak sadness on 'Fourth of July', which closes Side 1 and recites a deathbed conversation between Stevens and his mother, tenderly revealing unconditional love and forgiveness. The way the album describes thoughts, ideas, emotions, and events without directly speaking of them is a work of poetic genius and elevates Stevens' songwriting. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: Should Have Known Better Date listened: 29/07/24

An eclectic, complex, Latin American rock, pop, jazz, folk album. An hour long, but plenty of twists and turns to keep it high energy and interesting. Not something I would have listened to without this list, but I really enjoyed it and would absolutely revisit. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: La ingrata Date listened: 08/08/24

Phish appear to be proficient musicians, and the crowd seemed to be enjoying the performances, but this did nothing for me. Lots of long, meandering jams as intros and outros to not very memorable songs. As an example, 4 minutes into 'You Enjoy Myself' I was starting to get bored of the track, only to discover it had another 17 minutes left to run. Fair play if you enjoy the musicianship, but as a musically-challenged person with things to do, this was not for me. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Bouncing Around the Room Date listened: 23/07/24

Before getting stuck in to the user generated albums, I am going to define the scoring criteria I will use. In applying it, I'll be guided mainly by gut reaction. I might factor in some context on occasion, but largely it will just be how much I like the album and the the degree to which it connects with me. 5-MASTERPIECE (4.5-exceptional) 4-GREAT (3.5-very good) 3-GOOD (2.5-average) 2-POOR (1.5 very poor) 1-BAD (0.5 awful) I Need to Start a Garden, by Haley Heynderickx A cool singer songwriter album. Minimal modern folky instrumentation, an emotive, sad and dreamy vocal with intriguing lyrics. Slightly reminiscent of Joni Mitchell and really quite lovely. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Oom Sha La La Date listened: 16/07/24

Gentle and proggy. Meandering and intricate, but accessible and engaging. I really liked this. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Flight of the Ibis Date listened: 17/07/24

A miserablist gungey indie concept album album about a relationship going wrong. Objectively quite good but didn't really grab me. Rating: 3 Playlist track: Penetration Date listened: 18/07/24

Ska punk plus a wide mix of genres, it's not really my thing but has good energy and some catchy melodies and hooks. Ahead of it's time in 1996 and possibly paving the way for the rock/rap crossover of the early 00s? Like many records or the CD era, it's about 20 mins too long, but that's forgiveable. It's really sad that the singer didn't live to see the release and huge success of this album. Rating: 3 Playlist track: What I Got Date listened: 19/07/24

This was a challenge. It will be some people's favourite album, which I respect, but I personally couldn't get anything out of it and am not sure that most of it is even music. Rating: 1 Playlist track: It's Okay to Cry Date listened: 20/07/24

Queen + Beach Boys + Beatles x 1990s = Jellyfish. To be fair, it's a very listenable equation with lovely pop melodies and harmonies. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Sabrina, Paste and Plato Date listened: 21/07/24

This is one of the funniest albums I've ever heard. It stops just short of being a parody, but the band must have known what they were doing with the stupid lyrics and vampiric tone of the vocals. Overall, the kitsch Halloween 'spoooooooky and ghoooooouulish' vibe (mwah ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaa) is quite fun and the music is pretty accessible. It's a bit long and very, very silly. Although I basically had a fun time listening to it, it's really not very good. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Set Me on Fire Date listened: 22/07/24

Phish appear to be proficient musicians, and the crowd seemed to be enjoying the performances, but this did nothing for me. Lots of long, meandering jams as intros and outros to not very memorable songs. As an example, 4 minutes into 'You Enjoy Myself' I was starting to get bored of the track, only to discover it had another 17 minutes left to run. Fair play if you enjoy the musicianship, but as a musically-challenged person with things to do, this was not for me. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Bouncing Around the Room Date listened: 23/07/24

Early 90s west coast punk. Energetic, catchy and pre-dates the more annoying tendencies of the genre. Rating: 3 Playlist track: American Jesus Date listened: 24/07/24

I love 'Illinois' from the main list. This is excellent too. A lot more sparse and mellow than 'Illinois', with intensely personal (rather than fantastical) themes, this tells raw and specific stories of Stevens' complex relationship with his mother, who Stevens saw only intermittently through her life. It's focus is his grief at her death, and the self-destructive behaviours (mirroring his mother's) that Stevens' grief inspired. Not an easy or comfortable listen, the record takes several listens to reveal its dark beauty. It hits peak sadness on 'Fourth of July', which closes Side 1 and recites a deathbed conversation between Stevens and his mother, tenderly revealing unconditional love and forgiveness. The way the album describes thoughts, ideas, emotions, and events without directly speaking of them is a work of poetic genius and elevates Stevens' songwriting. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: Should Have Known Better Date listened: 29/07/24

This probably suffered from being generated a day after Sufjan Stevens' 'Carrie and Lowell'. Whilst it's fine for what it is, it appears to lack the poetry or authenticity that might engage me more and encourage me to listen again or to find out more about it. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Somewhere Far Away From Home Date listened: 30/07/24

It's a rare treat to find an album with a twist. Up to five minutes into the fourth track, 'The Sound of War', this is a really nice straight singer songwriter album. Then the listener is hit by a three minute sound collage, followed by the ambient spoken word title track. It stays brilliantly weird from there. Atmospheric soundscapes form the basis or context of the remaining songs and enhance the emotional heft of the record, making a fascinating and affecting listen. The sounds wash over the listener, bringing them into the album's world. A triumph of ambition, creativeness and sequencing. I can only see the record getting even more interesting with further listens. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: Noone Believes in Love Anymore Date listened: 30/07/24

Very much not the GOAT. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Mouth Breather Date listened: 28/07/24

Post-punk, about 30 years after post-punk. Does that make it post-post-punk? Rating: 2 Playlist track: Husbands Date listened: 29/07/24

On dirait Bondé Maison francais. C'est bien! Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Rêver mieux Date listened: 01/08/24

Disco funk jazz. Yeah! Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Runaway Date listened: 02/08/24

I feel like I must be missing something, but I just don't get it. I also found the Mothers of Invention records to be amongst my least favourite on the main list. Like those, this just comes across to me as someone trying too hard to be deliberately zany. Always a joke that just isn't funny. Sorry, Frank. It's not you, it's me. Rating: 1 Playlist track: Uncle Remus Date listened: 02/08/24

A 2010s classic. A synthy psychedelic pop rock album with a MONSTER opening track and a handful of other bangers. The theme of relationship breakup runs throughout and the lyrics are pretty on-the-nose for the most part. The record gets enjoyably weird in places, especially on 'Past Life' which includes a distorted spoken word story and a layered, ethereal chorus. It's very Flaming Lipsy, which is perhaps why I like it. Geat album, excellent pick. Rating: 4 Playlist track: Let It Happen Date listened: 03/08/24

The user generated album list has been far more enlightening and thought provoking than I had imagined. This album is the perfect example. My initial reaction is that this is absolutely awful, and it is impossible to see how anyone could possibly like it. But lots and lots of people do, and someone clearly thinks it's brilliant. Knowing that of all the albums that have ever been recorded, this has been picked by a person who has spent the last 3+ years doing the same thing I have somehow makes it harder to dismiss the album just as 'bad'. Instead it makes me think about how different people appreciate music. What could it be about this album that people respect or enjoy, and why don't I like it? The musicianship seems to be good, the songs complex and the bass slaps, so perhaps musicians would appreciate it on a technical level. I have no musical talent, so just don't hear the technical things in songs that musical people might do. Also, while it's not my humour it is going for funny, and must hit with some people. Overall, though, I think the crux of the issue is that I tend to respond to records that make me feel something, or have something to say about society, the world, or the human condition that I can relate to. This is pure fantasy escapism, which just isn't my thing, but is loved my many others. Overall, although I hated it, I'm glad I've heard it. Thanks for the selector for the pick. May I never hear a Primus album ever again. Rating: 1 Playlist track: Jerry Was a Race Car Driver Date listened: 04/08/24

Quintessentially British tales of life and society. Some really excellent songs. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Don't Marry Her Date listened: 05/08/24

Objectively quite good, but not a record or band I have been able to feel a connection with. Rating: 3 Playlist track: Helicopter Date listened: 06/08/24

Innovative synth pop with crashing drums and Russ Mael's powerful falsetto. The sound of Queen covering the Pet Shop Boys. Typically idiosyncratic, heaps of fun and well ahead of it's time in 1979. Rating: 5 Playlist track: The Number One Song In Heaven Date listened: 07/08/24

An eclectic, complex, Latin American rock, pop, jazz, folk album. An hour long, but plenty of twists and turns to keep it high energy and interesting. Not something I would have listened to without this list, but I really enjoyed it and would absolutely revisit. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: La ingrata Date listened: 08/08/24

An extremely nautical album, with loads of slightly odd things going on. Amongst the weirdness there are moments of genuine beauty, not least the strings and soaring vocals on the opening track. One can't help but respect the creativity and commitment to the concept. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: A Salty Dog Date listened: 09/08/24

This record only really does one thing, to the extent that songs are pretty difficult to distinguish from one another. The one thing is quite pleasant and accessible 2010s/20s rock music, so is not unenjoyable. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Robot Stop Date listened: 10/08/24

Initially I had a positive reaction to this. A tight live band playing rock 'n' roll music is pretty easy to enjoy. Whilst I'm sure this is a good example of Bruce and the E-Street band at the height of their live power, there is just so much of it. Two hours of mid-tempo rockers, which have a point of view but don't really speak to me, sung competently but with very limited range just got way, way too much by the half way point. The brass freak outs also get really grating after you've heard the first five. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Born to Run Date listened: 11/08/24 to 15/08/24

I'm not sure I "liked" this, or if it's "good", but I certainly enjoyed it as an hour of well produced, eclectic, early 2000s electronic pop. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Astounded Date listened: 20/08/24

Korn's debut album and a better record than their album on the main list. A good pick 👍. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Blind Date listened: 20/08/24

A very enjoyable and incredibly pleasant 2010s indie folk album. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Cleopatera Date listened: 20/08/24

Dark, broody, pagan, scandi vibes. Like walking through a misty forest at dusk, with woodland elves lurking. Super cool. Rating: 4 Playlist track: Herr Holkin Date listened: 21/08/24

A little ray of bouncy Iberian sunshine and good times. Great fun! Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Visite nuestro bar Date listened: 22/08/24

80s hair metal lives on down under. This is nothing particularly special but was a fun listen. The run of enjoyable albums continues. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Game of Fools Date listened: 22/08/24

Blink 182's attempt to be mature and deep. It's ok, with a few nice highlights, but in the main it doesn't really suit them. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: I Miss You Date listened: 22/08/24

This brings my run of fun/enjoyable albums crashing to an end. A concept album about hitchhiking in a dream. It's a load of old bollards. Rating: 1 Playlist track: 5:01AM (The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking) Date listened: 22/08/24

Lay this slab of soulful southern rock on me. Reminiscent of early St. Paul and the Broken Bones. I like it. Rating: 4 Playlist track: Goodbye Carolina Date listened: 23/08/24

I was a little old for this when it came out, but enjoyed catching up today. Emo rock or punk pop aren't really my thing, but this is decent. Apparently it's a concept album. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Welcome to the Black Parade Date listened: 28/08/24

A nice easy listening 80s-esque electro pop album. Nice songs and stories. A very pleasant 40 minutes. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Stranger's Kiss Date listened: 28/08/24

The highest rated user generated album. I really, really tried to get into this. I listened a few times, I waited for and listened to the '1001 Album Complaints' episode in order to learn about the album's context and why it's considered a classic. After all that, I still have very little to say about it. It's good and it's quite melodic, but I just don't get any feels. Perhaps if I had been at High School in America in the 90s I'd have nostalgia, but without personal context, it just seems 'fine'. Rating: 3 Playlist track: Buddy Holly Date listened: 03/10/24

18 short and quirky guitar pop songs. Individually each song is at worst amusing, but together it's a bit much (even though at 47 minutes then album is a 'good length'). Rating: 3 Playlist track: Old Pine Box Date listened: 29/08/24

Mild 1960s psychedelia. Meh. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Flames Date listened: 29/08/24

I quite enjoyed this hip hop album. Like many of the genre, I'm not a fan of the skits. The music is eclectic and cool, though, and the skits can be skipped. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: High Date listened: 29/08/24

A super-energetic Hispanic rock album. Bouncy, buoyant, brilliant fun. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Pachuco Date listened: 03/09/24

As a child, there was a family of massive Status Quo fans that lived around the corner from us. Being mean school kids in the 1990s the Quo loving brother and sister were teased for having musical tastes outside of the boy band, and girl band norm. Really the joke was on us, as they experienced rock'n'roll shows at a young age, which must have been really exciting. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Don't Waste My Time Date listened: 03/09/24

Catchy, well written songs, but I feel like I've heard enough new wave albums to last me a lifetime. -0.5 for referring to U.F.Os and 'youfohs' like my Dad. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Local Girls Date listened: 03/09/24

Indie folk rock. Heavier than some of its mid 2000s contemporaries. I really like it. Funeral Dress, the song, is just Teenage Kicks, isn't it? Rating: 4 Playlist track: Airborne Date listened: 04/09/24

Dub reggae. The first half much stronger than the second. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Zion's Blood Date listened: 04/09/24

Dark and unsettling. It probably has artistic merit, but I hated listening to it. The couple of orchestral instrumental pieces are the only tolerable tracks. Rating: 1 Playlist track: The Overture from Pigdom Come Date listened: 04/09/24

Extremely lo-fi garage rock. I know it's not supposed to be pleasant to listen, but I had a bad time and not really in an interesting or thought provoking way, unfortunately. Rating: 1 Playlist track: Squealer Date listened: 04/09/24

Atmospheric post rock. Three 20-odd minute tracks that meander through your soul. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: The Dead Flag Blues Date listened: 04/09/24

Another B-52s album, which is pretty similar to the other one on the list, in all honesty. However, I liked the previous one and I like this too. It is maybe a little more melodic and a little less ferocious. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Private Idaho Date listened: 04/09/24

Spanish spoken word proggy rock. Niche. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Rojitas Date listened: 05/09/24

Oh, yay! A live album from a no-mark punk band, recorded more than 30 years after the genre ceased to be relevant. What an inspired pick!* A calculated attempt to be exciting and edgy that achieves the polar opposite. Musically, despite the try-hard energy, this just sounds tired and out-of-date. And that's before you even get to the vocals, which are an embarrassing parody of Johnny Rotten. Both annoying and dismally boring all at once (let's call it bornoying), this is an objectively awful record with no redeeming features. An utterly pointless waste of an hour of my life. Rating: 0 Playlist track: Toe Cutter Thumb Buster Date listened: 06/09/24 *By the way, I was being sarcastic.

Gentle instrumental electronic krautrock that gives off a great sense of movement. Sounds like a 90s computer game. Rating: 3 Playlist track: HeiBe Lippen Date listened: 09/09/24

Other than having a mix of Japanese and English language vocals I couldn't find anything interesting about this generic, mid paced, samey, pop album. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: COLORS Date listened: 09/09/24

How was I previously unaware of LaBelle, and how was this not on the main list? This is a brilliant and influential pop soul record from 1974, but sounds like it could have been recorded in the 2000s. It contains the original (and best) recording of Lady Marmalade, and it really doesn't sound all that different to the 1998 All Saints and 2001 Moulin Rouge! A perfect illustration of how ahead of it's time and influential it must have been. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: Lady Marmalade Date listened: 09/09/24

Chilled out electronic indie music. It's super dreamy and relaxing, but occasionally an intriguing lyric or piece of instrumentation pulls your consciousness in. I'd never heard this record before but have just listened on loop three times. A lovely vibe. I really like it. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: Sleeping In Date listened: 10/09/24

French death metal with operatic singing and accordions. Interesting but largely unlistenable. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Cheval Date listened: 12/09/24

The final third of this album is possibly the most I have enjoyed a hip hop album. A really great, cool, relaxed handful of tracks that showcases the tone and timbre of the vocals, which are lovely. It's a shame that the preceding 12 or 13 tracks are not up to the same standard or as well suited to the vocal style. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Pink Toes Date listened: 12/09/24

Another theatrical hip hop album. This one is characterised by an Avalanches style mix of samples forming sound collages evocative of a classic superhero movie. It was good, but wore a little thin by the end. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Rhinestone Cowboy Date listened: 19/09/24

It's a ballsy move for a MOR soft rock album to have an opening track titled 'Suspicious Minds'. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Who Listens to the Radio Date listened: 19/09/24

Apparently a concept album telling the story of a man that willingly checks in to a post-war mental hospital. Probably is. No reason to disbelieve Wikipedia. To me it sounded like a cross between the soundtrack to a spaghetti western and the 2021 Eurovision entry of a former Soviet nation. There's something unsettling about the album cover, but in a really naff way. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: KGB Date listened: 18/09/24

A folky rock opera with three different vocalists, each playing a different character. I enjoyed listening and would like to revisit to pay more attention to the story. Rating: 4 Playlist track: The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned) Date listened: 20/09/24

For an album considered by many to be one of the list's GLARING OMISSIONS, I was a little underwhelmed. It's a lo-fi indie album, and I thought it was fine. No, I thought it was good. But I was expecting BIG things and it just didn't really grab me. Rating: 3 Playlist track: Neutral Milk Hotel Date listened: 20/09/24

"Modern" music (6 years old is super modern to me). Really nice, cool, listenable. Reminiscent of Tame Impala. A Welsh indie band. Very enjoyable. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: Jerry Date listened: 23/09/24

Recorded between 1925 and 1930, these tracks are almost 100 years old. The crackle of the recordings give away their age and enhance the atmosphere created by the sad trumpet. The perfect accompaniment to a rainy day in the office, looking out at water pooling on the flat, asphalt roof. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Weary Blues Date listened: 23/09/24

An eclectic mix of backing tracks, which are quite cool and rock quite hard in places. It's largely ruined, though, by the irritating rapping and dullard lyrics about what a top chap Kano believes himself to be and the excellent qualities he considers that he has. Rating: 2 Playlist track: I Don't Know Why Date listened: 23/09/24

This album is BLOATED. Every song is between 5 and 9 minutes long. It includes pan pies. The Augustus Gloop of country rock. It's just too much. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Don't Drink the Water Date listened: 23/09/24

A 37 minute visit to a wonderland of boogie. Rating: 4 Playlist track: Boogie Wonderland Date listened: 24/09/24

If it was an instrumental it would be a really good post-punk record, but I just can't get past the vocal. Blur (confidence is a preference for the habitual voyeur of what is known as...) x Partridge (ders more to Oireland, dan dis) = This record. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Too Real Date listened: 25/09/24

The second best indie rock album called Phantom Power. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Bobcaygeon Date listened: 25/09/24

Pleasant indie singer songwriter fare. But of a chilled Jack Johnson vibe in places. Rating: 3 Playlist track: The Heart of Life Date listened: 26/09/24

Another nice, chilled, indie folk album. This stands out a bit from the crowd in it's niceness. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: I And Love And You Date listened: 26/09/24

It may be partly due to outside factors, but I thought that beyond the first two tracks of this 2014 jazz funk album it was self indulgent twaddle. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Shofukan Date listened: 27/09/24

Lo-fi folksy singer songwriter album. Not for me. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Queen Elvis Date listened: 01/10/24

A lot heavier on atmosphere and lighter on heavy than I would have anticipated. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Forty Six & 2 Date listened: 01/10/24

To adapt the John Lennon quote: avant-garde is German for bullsh*t. Rating: 1 Playlist track: Archangels Thunderbird Date listened: 01/10/24

An artist and album I wasn't familiar with, and the album cover didn't leave me optimistic that I'd enjoy it. However, this was a pleasant surprise. Really good 80s rock, without too much of the cheesiness. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: The Stroke Date listened: 02/10/24

Well made 80s pop. Nice voice. Rating: 3 Playlist track: Foolish Beat Date listened: 04/10/24

2017 post punk with gloomy vocals. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Caitriona Date listened: 04/10/24

Only 19/48 minutes of this album is available on Spotify. This is about as much as I need to hear to make a judgement that this is perfectly adequate rock music. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Dream All Day Date listened: 04/10/24

Fair play to Arctic Monkeys for radically changing their sound. With the lounge music stylings and lyrics such as "quantitative easing" it is difficult to avoid an impression that Alex Turner is doing a parody of his own voice. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino Date listened: 05/10/24

Quirky, tongue in cheek singer songwriter album. Kinda funny in places, but the overriding feeling was one of naffness. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Emily Date listened: 07/10/24

I remember seeing Switchfoot perform 'Dare You to Move' at a TV chat show recording. Jamie Lee Curtis was a guest. Even that nothing of an anecdote is far more interesting than this album. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Dare You to Move Date listened: 07/10/24

Nope. Not for me. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Satellite Business 2.0 Date listened: 08/10/24

A lovely, weird, creative, sad bunch of harmonies and ambient music fed through an electronic filter. This is great and came at just the right time to feel sad to. Rating: 5 Playlist track: 666 ʇ Date listened: 09/10/24

80s rock. It hasn't aged well. Not much in the way of memorable hooks or melodies, and the guitar tone sounds really thin. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Need You Tonight Date listened: 10/10/24

Wow, what an album cover! Rob has a bold look and that mix of fonts is quite something. As for the record, it is very classic, soft classic rock. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Date listened: 11/10/24

Decent 80s pop. Wouldn't It Be Good is a banger. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Wouldn't It Be Good Date listened: 14/10/24

Big overwrought indie rock. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Wouldn't It Be Good Date listened: 16/10/24

There is nothing even remotely interesting about this dull and generally quite bad electronic indie album. It's absolute paste. Rating: 1 Playlist track: Look at the Sky Date listened: 16/10/24

A perfect ambient classical evocation of the Icelandic landscape. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Ég Heyrði Allt Án Þess Að Hlusta Date listened: 16/10/24

Idiosyncratic, eclectic indie pop. I thought I'd like this more than I did. Mildly disappointed. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Cousins Date listened: 16/10/24

A Swedish folk duo comprising two sisters. Really lovely, atmospheric, evocative, contemplative story telling, with a slightly sad vibe and great harmonies. Very scandi. My first reaction is I really, really, like it. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: Emmylou Date listened: 16/09/24

It's interesting to hear an album by one of the biggest artists on the planets and get a feeling of what the kids are currently down with. It's much weirder and more arty than I'd imagined, but something about it is still quite bland. Very of it's time and difficult to see anything beyond Blinding Lights being remembered in 10 years time, but as a fully fledged old guy, I don't think I'm supposed to get it. Blinding Lights has over 4 billion streams on Spotify. Crazy numbers. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Blinding Lights Date listened: 29/09/24

I sometimes don't mind a lo-fi album, but this just sounds super sludgy and badly recorded. It's like listening to Dinosaur Jr. through a potato. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Stars Date listened: 29/09/24

Short and quiet. Very 2021. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Stay Alive Date listened: 29/09/24

A mish mash of genres and styles, perhaps designed to be consumed in 30 seconds bursts on Tic Toc. 10 tracks and been and gone in 27 minutes. Excellent for the attention spanily challenged. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Hollywood Baby Date listened: 30/09/24

Without doubt the best Belgian electronica album I've heard to date. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Moules Frites Date listened: 31/09/24

Super lo-fi. Recorded by one man and a boom box. It works really well for the quirky yarns. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton Date listened: 31/09/24

Good to have dub reggae represented. Pleasant to have on in the background. Rating: 3 Playlist track: King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown Date listened: 31/09/24

I find most country music a bit lame in general, and this is particularly weak. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Makin' Music for Money Date listened: 04/11/24

Quite nice indie Rating: 3 Playlist track: A Lack of Color Date listened: 04/11/24

Ambient meditatvie relaxation music. Not a patch on the Om nommy nom song. Rating: 1 Playlist track: Pop1 Date listened: 04/11/24

A fusion of Australian aboriginal traditional with classical orchestral. Interesting and relaxing. Rating: 3 Playlist track:Waak (Crow) in E-Flat Major Date listened: 04/11/24

A Springsteen rock vibe early on evolves into slower, string-laden songs as the album progresses. The journey through the album as it becomes increasingly introspective and lush helps it hold the attention and justifies it's length, making it an unexpected treat. Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: Let Me Down Easy Date listened: 08/11/24

Shouty vocals over fairly heavy but a bit poppy music. Not for me. Rating: 1.5 Playlist track: Accidents Date listened: 08/11/24

I'm not really sure what this is, which isn't always a bad thing, but on this occasion I didn't like it much. Ambienty, poppy nothingness. Rating: 2 Playlist track: Running Up That Hill Date listened: 11/11/24

Unusual, odd, and atmospheric, although also a bit Scatman John in places. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Rob The Prez-O,-Dent Date listened: 14/11/24

Super chilled Canadian indie with electro elements. Like a more ambient Generation Z St Etienne. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Oncle Jazz Date listened: 14/11/24

Prog usually leaves me cold, but despite being be big, dramatic and theatrical, this has undeniable heart. It connects, builds and it soars. Thanks for the recommendation! Rating: 4.5 Playlist track: Hand Cannot Erase Date listened: 15/11/24

The musical equivalent of American Pie 3. Purile, unfunny, and objectively bad. Also, totally lacking in edge. Just so, so predictable and dull. Rating: 1 Playlist track: All the Small Things Date listened: 16/11/24