236
Albums Rated
2.96
Average Rating
22%
Complete
853 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1990s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
25
5-Star Albums
19
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yeezus | 5 | 2.77 | +2.23 |
| Tago Mago | 5 | 2.79 | +2.21 |
| Vulgar Display Of Power | 5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
| Music For The Jilted Generation | 5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
| Time Out Of Mind | 5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
| Closer | 5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
| Rust In Peace | 5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
| The Downward Spiral | 5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
| Sound of Silver | 5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
| Machine Head | 5 | 3.59 | +1.41 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Idiot | 1 | 3.77 | -2.77 |
| Sheer Heart Attack | 1 | 3.65 | -2.65 |
| Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs | 1 | 3.33 | -2.33 |
| Chirping Crickets | 1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
| Elastica | 1 | 3.21 | -2.21 |
| Too Rye Ay | 1 | 3.12 | -2.12 |
| Close To You | 1 | 3.11 | -2.11 |
| Another Music In A Different Kitchen | 1 | 3.09 | -2.09 |
| Legalize It | 1 | 3.07 | -2.07 |
| Hypnotised | 1 | 3.06 | -2.06 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.33 |
| Beatles | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Green Day | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (25)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Steely Dan
2/5
I never got the fuss over this album, or indeed Steely Dan in general. I don’t know what this is or who it’s for. The whole thing feels like after dinner entertainment at an all-inclusive holiday resort - it’s not the worst evening you’ve ever had, but if you’re being totally honest with yourself you’d rather be somewhere else.
77 likes
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
An album that suffers under it own sheer size. Much like Biggie probably did
39 likes
The Cure
5/5
When I was a kid my older sister was a goth. She loved The Cure (and she really loved Robert Smith). I was into rock music; AC/DC, Motley Crue, Def Leppard and other bands of that ilk. As far as I was concerned Rock was cool, Goths were ridiculous and my ears were to remain closed to The Cure.
Since then this band remained elusive to me. That is until earlier this year when I listened to Seventeen Seconds for the very first time. I immediately seen the error of my ways and began exploring more of The Cure.
As a lifelong the Cure fan of approximately six months now Disintegration has already become one of my favourite albums. It’s a mesmerising album, seductive and atmospheric this is the band at the peak of their powers delivering a gorgeous, an epic laden album.
36 likes
Mekons
2/5
Occasionally threatens to be really good. But sadly never materialises. Most sounds like a band failing to be interesting but succeeding at being annoying
18 likes
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
An album that delivered one of the biggest hit singles of the 2000s (the me out) and still managed to live up to expectations. Michael and The Dark of the Matinee were also big singles and great tracks but I had forgotten the strength in depth of the whole album. The brilliant opener Jacqueline, Auf Achse, This fire and the final track 40’ the album rarely misses a beat from start to finish. A great pop rock album that still sounds great today.
18 likes
1-Star Albums (19)
All Ratings
Foo Fighters
2/5
Good in parts and a pretty easy listen from start to finish. But overall a bit bland and mostly forgettable.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Occasionally grating, consistently interesting, constantly evolving, mostly lovely and overall a very enjoyable album.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Pure joy in music form. But even I would have cut the drum solo from the record
Bob Dylan
5/5
Song writing of the highest standard, brilliant from start to finish. A beautiful and immersive album.
The Byrds
3/5
Really interesting with lots of lovely moments and a couple of standout tracks
Buzzcocks
1/5
44 minutes of utter bollocks
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
Actually really good
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
A frustrating album. Structured ina. Way that doesn’t allow it to flow or really catch fire. Could have been a 4, probably should have been a 2, but I’m gonna go with a 3 based on the strength of the better tracks
Method Man
3/5
Mehthod man
Neil Young
2/5
Struggling to understand this album’s standing, why it’s held in such high regard. Poor in the most part with only a few redeeming moments
Johnny Cash
4/5
One of the most iconic live albums and for good reason. Cash on top form.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
Great fun, loads of lovely dirty guitar. A very cool album but doesn’t draw you back for repeat listens
Happy Mondays
2/5
Quite like them as a band, don’t mind this as an album, but lacks bangers and unlikely to revisit
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
Flawless
Fats Domino
2/5
Is this a best of? Fats Domino an important figure in rock and roll and listening to this was enjoyable, but only to a point and I say with a great deal of certainty that I will never revisit his album.
AC/DC
5/5
Bon Scott’s last album. The end of an era the last AC/DC album that still felt a little bit raw before they came back with the monster that was Black in Black. Crunching riffs, great solos, childish innuendo, unforgettable choruses and a relentless rhythm section that makes you nod your head and stomp your feet. Rock and Roll perfection.
Shivkumar Sharma
2/5
Appreciated more than enjoyed. Wont revisit.
The Beach Boys
3/5
It’s just brilliant in places. Will still come back to this but will probably skip too many tracks to warrant more than a 3/5
Cheap Trick
2/5
Only a few redeeming enjoyable moments saved this from a 1/5
Randy Newman
1/5
I wanted to get into this but I just couldn’t. Insufferably dull.
Elbow
3/5
There is nothing bad about this album, there just isn’t enough great tracks on it. For the most part it’s um, pleasant
Coldplay
2/5
Like they set out to write the soundtrack to a series of DIY SOS. Which is fine, I guess, after all DIY SOS is a very popular show. I just find the album so dull and one paced and I struggled to differentiate between most of the songs. It’s not without its highlights (God put a smile upon your face for example) so was torn between a 2 and a 3 but I just cannot see me ever choosing to put this album on again so it’s gotta be a 2 for me.
The Undertones
1/5
Oh piss off and grow up
Nirvana
4/5
One of my favourite bands from my early teenage years and synonymous with the 90s as a whole.
Bleach is still for me Nirvana’s best work, everyone knows Nevermind had the songs that made them famous, however Unplugged is perhaps the album that most people associate with this band. Those people are, of course, dickheads, but nonetheless this is still without doubt a great album and deserving of a place on any list of albums to hear before you die (Perhaps prophetically Kurt recorded it just months before he himself died in a tragic accident with a shotgun).
Yes you could argue that they played it a bit safe with the set list - choosing to pad it out with covers rather than rework their own catalogue into acoustic numbers. I mean should the fact that 42% of this album is covers detract from its overall esteem? No, not when they are executed so brilliantly. Indeed the album really catches fire from Plateau onwards, 4 of those last 5 songs are covers which begs the question, could Nirvana have established themselves as the greatest covers band of all time had they not wasted their time on vanity projects such as In Utero? We will never know. What I do know is 27 years on this still gives me goosebumps and really is quite brilliant. But I can’t pretend there are not sections of this album that drag and as such I can’t quite bring myself to give it full marks, as much as I wanted to. 4/5
Talking Heads
4/5
A compelling album, complex and at times challenging listen. Let’s going on and lots to enjoy and demands further listens.
Primal Scream
3/5
Some killer, some filler. The album loses its way a little and just kind of fritters off. Nearly a 4, but I gotta go with 3
R.E.M.
3/5
Perfectly fine. Some good tracks on here, I didn’t dislike any of it. But this band generally really do nothing for me. I just can’t get excited by this album.
Mike Oldfield
3/5
An album that I have fond memories of, but listening now I can only appreciate more than enjoy.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Really enjoyable, lovely songwriting and arrangements, will definitely revisit. But only one or two standouts on here - lacks belters for me.
Finley Quaye
3/5
I wanted to give it a 4 as there are some absolute belters on this, but the weaker tracks are pretty awful. There was no need for this album to have 13 songs on it. Bloated with filler.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
A stunning album in the most part, some of the tracks are songwriting perfection. Just beautiful. Would have went to 5 if it wasn’t for a bit of a lull and a couple of tracks that I found irritating.
Television
4/5
Well it turns out I have greatly underestimated Television. An album caught in a time where you can hear the bands they influenced as much as the bands by which they were influenced themselves. So much going on here and the album doesn’t have any weak moments. Added to library and will explore more.
The Kinks
2/5
What am I missing?
Really disappointing, was expecting more. Released the same year the Beatles released Revolver this sounds like an album made by children. Waterloo Sunset is the only really strong song. Everything else sounds like a collection of bad Beatles throwaways.
Roxy Music
3/5
Enjoyable and interesting. Excellent in parts but a bit grating in others. A pretty solid 3 for me
The Clash
2/5
Not what I was expecting, and I reckon if I spent more time with this album it I would get more from it - but realistically I won’t do that as even getting through one full listen turned into an absolute chore
Cat Stevens
3/5
Really enjoyed it, will revisit
Megadeth
5/5
Megadeth’s at their very best and quite possibly the pinnacle of thrash metal itself
Give me Alchemy, give me Wizardry
Give me Sorcery, Thermatology
Electricity, magic if you please
Master all of these, bring him to his knees
I master five magics
I give this five stars
Laura Nyro
2/5
I don’t hate it, but I really just can’t get into this
The Sonics
2/5
The singer can really scream, the guitarist doesn’t so much play his instrument as he attacks it, and they’ve got a great sound. They had a hit single in the Northwest and rushed out an album of Rock and Roll covers to try and capitalise. And apparently I need to listen to it before I die. Ok. Good covers, lads.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
I know nothing about reggae but this is a lovely album that transcends the genre (probably, I dunno). Some fantastic songs on this.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
A solid album, great guitar playing and a great sound but really lacks standout tracks
The Stooges
4/5
A more appropriate album could hardly have been chosen. It feels like a force of nature caught on tape.
N.W.A.
4/5
An explosive, breathtaking and game changing album. The opening title track is as good as it gets but the album suffers from the weight of expectation created by those early tracks. It’s a lengthy record and each track seems a little worse than the one before it and by about the halfway more the songs are starting to feel a little bit tired, as if they have run out of ideas or things to say. For that reason it doesn’t get full marks for me, but still an incredible album that out gangsta rap on the map.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
I only listened to it once, and to be honest I’ve no idea what was going on. He’s to listen to in parts but some really enjoyable aspects to it to. I didn’t hate it, and I’m going to go back and give it a bit more time so I guess that’s a (generous/benefit of the doubt) 3/5 in my book.
David Bowie
2/5
On the whole I just find the whole album utterly tedious and most of the songs irritating. Opening track is ok, as is Stay, but I mean this relative to the other songs rather than being songs I want to go back to. This just isn’t for me. I feel 2 is harsh but I will never put this album on again and thems the rules
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
A really strong album with some great songs but a bit too lengthy for my liking with too many tracks I’d happy skip for any higher than a 3
Deerhunter
3/5
Really enjoyable, striped back pop album full of lovely and poignant songs that can just wash over you if you’re in the mood to listen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Dark, funny, aggressive, pretty. An accomplished and spellbinding album. Enjoyed every minute of it.
a-ha
3/5
A combination of bangers and boredom, mincing and melancholy. It’s just about fun enough to save itself from a 2/5
The White Stripes
5/5
From the iconic opening baseline of “Seven Nation Army” through to the lighthearted closer “Its true that we love one another”, Elephant is an explosive mixture of ferocity and subtlety. Meg’s under appreciated drumming is minimal but integral to the alchemy, constantly and relentlessly driving the record forward. “Black Math” is frenetic from start to finish with its blistering solo leaving you breathless. “You’ve got her in your pocket” is an example of Jack’s great song writing, “Little Acorns” too an example of his inventiveness. His lyrics are clever, at times dark and humorous, standing out in particular against the menacing, rumbling bass on “it’s a cold, cold night”.
The electrifying “girl, you’ve got no faith in medicine” is everything a garage rock song should be, punchy and instantly gratifying, whereas on the the blues epic “ball and biscuit” Jack White teases and toys with us, showcasing his guitar playing prowess in the most aggressive fashion imaginable.
In the early 2000s You simply couldn’t escape The White Stripes. The question is, why would you have wanted to?
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
A mixture of metal and melancholy. One aspect I enjoyed, the other just not my cup of tea.
Miles Davis
3/5
Didn’t strike me in the way some of his other albums have, but will go back to it again
Tricky
4/5
Still sounds fresh nearly 30 years later. Inventive and powerful, great drum rhythms and use of samples throughout and the vocal combination work so well, playful and sinister. A fantastic album.
Kate Bush
2/5
It’s broadly fine, but bar the odd moment or two I found it pretty tedious and unremarkable. Can’t see myself going back to it for another listen so it’s a 2/5 for me.
Van Halen
4/5
The songs still sound fantastic, some brilliant tracks on here and no filler. Some of really creative songwriting and playing and technically amazing too. Also in Jump has one of the all time classic 80s rock songs. Great album.
The Band
4/5
The band were already clearly very accomplished musicians before releasing their debut album, but here they really established themselves as a a proper a proper band/songwriters in their own right. At time is fells like their just having fun, jamming and playing about with different instruments and vocal styles, but also some incredible songs on here such as the weight. A great album.
Basement Jaxx
2/5
An album and a sound that hasn’t aged well. There are a couple of good tracks on here but it’s far too long, most of it is tedious and the whole album sounds tired and dated now
Justice
4/5
An easy 4. Superb stuff.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Not Hendrix’s strongest album, certainly the albums either side of this one are stronger overall. Like all Hendrix albums it lacks a little cohesion and is thematically/lyrically a bit silly. Nonetheless the Hendrix, Redding, Mitchell trio again here show their creative and technical prowess and Axis is more than deserving of its place on this list. Spanish Castle Magic is a raw and exciting psychedelic rock song and stands up against the likes of Purple Haze, Foxey Lady and Voodoo Chile, but it’s the softer side of this album where it really shines; Little Wing is just gorgeous, Castles in the Sand is breathtaking - two great examples of the genius of this man. The greatest ever.
Carpenters
1/5
Sickly sweet twee bullshit. This album lasts 2340 seconds and for ever single one of those seconds I wanted to switch this off. Devoid of any redeeming qualities. Wank.
Anita Baker
1/5
Fucking dreadful. Hated all of it.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Sister is not with out its moments - white cross for example- but in general the whole album sound like the noise the instrument continues to make once a band have dropped them on the floor and walked offstage. The effort Sonic Youth put into playing badly is almost admirable, and I see what they’re doing with the whole bleak, disenchanted thing, but it’s just not for me. All the best though.
Fiona Apple
4/5
Spoken word poetry bullshit. But, in a good way. A great songwriter with a great voice who has carved out her own sound and style. How d’ya like them apples?!
Elastica
1/5
Brit pop itself as a genre is pretty weak and this is a piss poor example. Not entirely without merit, but very nearly. It’s guitar music for people who don’t like guitars.
Pulp
4/5
A gorgeous and clever album that allows Pulp to transcend the Brit pop genre and cement Cocker’s status as a bit of a genius
The Rolling Stones
5/5
My favourite Stones album. This is a Swaggering, bluesy rock and roll. And a staggeringly good one at that. A special album.
The Soft Boys
4/5
Definitely coming back
David Crosby
4/5
I listened to this 4 times yesterday, but this just misses out on 5 stars. A fantastic album that I enjoyed immensely. It has an effortless flow and beautiful songs.
Orange Juice
2/5
If this album actually were a glass of Orange Juice it would be the cheap stuff made from concentrate. Lacks real substance and ultimately not satisfying
The Crusaders
2/5
It’s fine. It’s quite nice. I get the “it’s elevator music” argument but I had this on while working and didn’t feel this need to turn it off, I even enjoyed it a little - so I guess that makes it good elevator music. Won’t seek it out again though.
A cracking wee album, focused and tight. The guitars sounds fantastic, Rods voice is, we’ll Rods voice and some really good songs on here. Not sure there are any really ‘great’ tracks and couple of duds on here too so it s 3 for me
Solange
2/5
Sounds great but we’re are the songs? Didn’t hate it but immediately forgot it. Fur coat no knickers
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Somehow they make a striped back garage sound seems fat and juicy, this album still sounds great nearly 20 years on. Powerful drumming and great guitar hooks but it’s Karen O’s incredible vocals that really stand out. More importantly this album has some really great songs on it. The song sequencing irritates me and ruins the flow and overall impact of the album a little. But still a cracking wee album
Ray Charles
3/5
An easy listen, enjoyed from start to finish and would definitely put it on again for another listen
Joy Division
5/5
Post punk perfection. While maybe a little more sprawling, less focused than its predecessor, it does not suffer at all because of it. The album is flawless even before we reach decade. A special album.
The Roots
3/5
A bit long and runs out of steam towards the end a little, but overall a really enjoyable album with a great flow. Hip Hop for grown ups.
The Boo Radleys
2/5
Pretty terrible. Bland and bloated. But a couple of decent tracks and fleeting moments of enjoyment save this from one star
Deep Purple
3/5
Silly, over the top, self-indulgent stadium rock. In other words everything a Deep Purple live album should be. Love it.
Astrud Gilberto
1/5
Absolute bollocks
Kraftwerk
3/5
Listening today it’s all just a wee bit flat and tedious. That might appear sacrilegious but it doesn’t change my respect and appreciation for the importance of this album.
The Cramps
1/5
Sounded like the exact same song 13 times. And unfortunately that song of fucking shit. No album you fee this much of a chore
Amy Winehouse
2/5
A couple of decent songs, but even those are songs I’m already sick of listening to. Good voice, but not for me
Tori Amos
2/5
Probably deserves higher score as it’s genuinely very impressive in parts, couple of great tracks and overall a lot darker than I expected. But I won’t revisit so it has to be a 2
Lou Reed
2/5
My overriding feeling listening to this album is disappointment. A couple of classics songs on here which needs to be acknowledged but even these failed to get me excited. A pretty unremarkable album which did nothing for me.
Peter Tosh
1/5
Criminalise this
Erykah Badu
2/5
So very very long. Sadly it turns the listen into a chore and while I didn’t necessarily dislike the album, there was very little on there that would make me go back for for 2nd listen
Jorge Ben Jor
2/5
Ok lads we’re up to 1000 albums. We just need one more and we’re done
We got a foreign language album in there yet?
Nope? You know of one?
My cousin Anthony knows a guy. He’s like Mexican or Puerto Rican or some shit.
Ok I think we got our book.
Syd Barrett
1/5
Turns out Syd wasn’t as mental as the guy who decided to give him a solo album. A tedious mess of an album.
Tom Waits
2/5
I grew tired of his voice more quickly that I expected. By the end the whole album felt like some awful parody. Won’t go back
The Temptations
3/5
An album that ultimately promises more with those early track. After this it just kind of meanders to and end but still, a great way to start your day
Suzanne Vega
2/5
Starts really badly, improves as it goes on and actually really quite enjoyable in parts.
Van Morrison
5/5
A gorgeous album that doesn’t put a foot wrong. A classic
Nina Simone
4/5
Her voice grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go until she’s finished saying what she needs to say. And what she has to say is overwhelming. A beautiful album, heartbreaking and wonderful.
The Pogues
4/5
A little patchy but great verse and musicianship and overall a great listen. The energy on this record is incredible. Fantastic arrangements set against Shane MacGowan’s unique vocals. Hairs on end stuff.
Happy Mondays
3/5
An easy 3. Great fun if you're in the mood for it. Some bangers
Chicago
4/5
A heady cocktail of fuzzy overdrive rock and roll mixed with jazz style arrangements. The album takes a little time to catch fire but when it does it goes off like an explosion. Screeching guitars, brass and woodwind set against brilliant drums is a memorable experience and one that passes remarkably quickly for a double album. Will definitely revisit.
Talvin Singh
2/5
Loads going on here, most of which I didn’t like. The album is tedious and gets progressively worse from start to finish. I wouldn’t say I hate it, but I certainly didn’t enjoy my listen and wouldn’t go back.
Green Day
1/5
Ok guys. I’ve decided our next album is going to be a concept album!
Oh wow that’s great Billy Joe. What’s the concept?
A punk rock.....wait for it....OPERA!
Amazing! Does that mean you’re gonna write punk songs again?
Hahahaha of course not Tré Cool don’t be très dumb. No it means I’m going to base all of the songs around a few different characters.
Do you think you’re capable of writing like that?
Oh yeah definitely. See there’s this one character called St. Jimmy so I just call the song ‘St. Jimmy’ and write lines lines like “St. Jimmy that’s my name and don’t wear it out”
Ok but that sounds awful Billy Joe.
It is Tré Cool. It is.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
This album is mental. So is Skip apparently. Most of this is pretty poor and Lawrence of Euphoria is a genuine contender for the worst song I’ve ever heard. But also quite a few songs on here I really liked so he gets a 2
Supertramp
3/5
I’ve never been left so confused by an album. So many different sounds and styles. The album starts well enough and finishing strongly too. Somewhere in the middle it gets incredibly irritating and I feel I’m at a Broadway show that I’ve been dragged along to again my will. But the album is just interesting enough to make me want to go back and give it another listen.
Emmylou Harris
2/5
I didn’t hate it, but found it tedious and honestly indistinguishable from 99% of female vocal country music. Won’t revisit
Beth Orton
3/5
What an incredible voice, and a beautiful album. Some really brilliant tracks on this. I would happily dip my toe into this again
Van Halen
4/5
While the band had yet to peak, their debut perfectly captures everything Val Halen are about. It’s not contrived or pretentious it’s just a lot of fun. Van Halen really sounded unlike anything that came before it, and while it might be a bit more hit and miss than say 1984 is still an incredible rock album. Runnin with the Devil and Ain’t talkin bout Love are as good as anything the band produced and there probably wasnt an aspiring young guitarist alive that wouldn’t have sold their soul to be able to play Eruption.
Minor Threat
1/5
Not for me. Escapes a single star rating, probably because it’s so short it was over before I got a chance to truly hate it
Common
2/5
It’s fine, it didn’t dislike it but it just really forgettable. The Kanye verses are probably the highlights and sadly there aren’t enough of them. There wasn’t single outstanding track. I mean, where are the hooks?
Depeche Mode
5/5
Simply stunning. A perfect pop album. Obviously some standout tracks, Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence are absolute classics among others, but there a no weak tracks on this album.
Sigur Rós
4/5
A vast and gorgeous record. Incredible arrangements and soundscapes. Some album can take your somewhere and bring you back. Others can transport you somewhere and just leave to there for a while. This is the latter. Lovely.
Röyksopp
3/5
An enjoyable album that flows nicely between early 2000s house and chill out. The big singles off the album haven’t aged particularly well as I find them somewhat irritating, but there is so much more to this album that that.
The Strokes
3/5
A very tight and tidy wee album. The Strokes know how to keep it simple and just write good songs. I always likes the band but they never made a big impression on me first time around and re-listening to this album now I pretty much still feel same way. I don’t dislike any of it, but I don’t love it. Cool band though.
The Style Council
2/5
Actually quite enjoyed decent chunks of this album, but I found it confusing, to many clashes on theme and style and no intention of revising
Stan Getz
2/5
Painfully dull, but tolerable for the 35mins or so this record lasts
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
A brilliant album from start to finish. Wonderful songwriting and musicianship.
Richard Hawley
3/5
A lovely album, nice songs and sounds fantastic
Barry Adamson
3/5
A really different and interesting album. I feel like I would get a lot from from this album with more listens. Would definitely revisit
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Where to even begin. Subsequent albums were more varied, sprawling, more grandiose but this was the album that changed rock music forever.
John Bonham and John Paul Jones combine to create the greatest rhythm section of all time and are the driving force behind Guitar virtuoso Jimi Page and the Inimitable Robert Plant. This is never more evident than on tracks like ‘Babe I’m gonna leave you’ and of course the spectacular, iconic Dazed and Confused. A song that is as much a part of hard rock culture as anything that came before it or has came since thanks to its foreboding baseline giving way to Bonham’s crashing drumming and Page’s shredding guitar work.
But there are too many other great tracks on this album to list them all. From the psychedelic and pretty ‘your time is gonna come’ the folk sounds of ‘Black mountain side’, the bluesy chorus driven ‘good times bad times’ and the straight up rock and roll of ‘Communication breakdown’ the band show their diversity and technicality in spades here.
The album closes with ‘how many more times’. This song is often overlooked by Zeppelin fans but for me it captures everything that early Led Zeppelin we’re about. John Paul Jones’ wonderful bass line sweeps you along before Bonham’s drumming and the gorgeous overdrive tones of Page’s Les Paul arriving soon after. The breakdown let’s you catch your breath briefly before the band collectively take you to a crescendo where Bonham’s spectacular drumming, playing with such power and precision - yet still managing to swing a little - steals the show once more. All
That’s left of for Plant to show us why he was the most iconic rock frontman of his generation, perhaps of all time, and he surly obliges. A sensational album.
Beatles
5/5
An album as inventive as it is accomplished. It’s hard to imagine a song more perfect than Eleanor Rigby, or more timeless than Tomorrow never knows. Countless bands imitated The Beatles sound, but none could replicate their songwriting.
Grizzly Bear
3/5
Enjoyable and worthy of a revisit
Elvis Presley
3/5
Finishes strongly, last grip of songs really good, most notably in the ghetto and suspicious minds. Up to that point however it’s mostly forgettable, the songs all too similar with few highlights
Dexys Midnight Runners
1/5
Pack of dickheads
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
Really enjoyed and hard to believe it’s almost 50 years old. Would def revisit
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
An enjoyable and easy listen. A great band who knew how to write a hit, but overall this album isn’t as strong as I expected bar a couple of tracks that really stood out, in particular the epic closer Keep on Chooglin’. Will come back to this but most like to visit individual tracks rather than the album as a whole.
Judas Priest
3/5
A landmark album that did much to change what heavy metal was and helped paved the way for other bands and the popularity of heavy metal itself in the 80s. Not a band I listen to very often and understandably sounding a bit dated, but Robs vocals are incredible, the dualing lead guitars are brilliant but not afraid to feature catchy rhythms also. The album boasts some excellent, memorable tracks, is still fun and still worth a listen.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
An album that delivered one of the biggest hit singles of the 2000s (the me out) and still managed to live up to expectations. Michael and The Dark of the Matinee were also big singles and great tracks but I had forgotten the strength in depth of the whole album. The brilliant opener Jacqueline, Auf Achse, This fire and the final track 40’ the album rarely misses a beat from start to finish. A great pop rock album that still sounds great today.
Kraftwerk
2/5
The title track is tediously long. The other tracks are fairly incoherent. It’s hard to shit on an album that is universally considered so important and influential. But while I recognise the significance of this album 50 years ago, I would never stick this on to enjoy today.
Prefab Sprout
2/5
Passable pop
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Surprisingly different to what I imagined. Fantastic voice and some great songs, even managing to pull off a cover of Working Class Hero. Will def revisit
The Byrds
3/5
A really enjoyable and at times interesting (if unspectacular) listen.
The Beach Boys
3/5
Like other Beach Boys albums I struggle to understand why it is quite so highly regarded. There are some really strong tracks on here without doubt but there are others I’ll want to skip. Overall a good album that I can enjoy and appreciate but not an album that I can love.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
It finishes strongly but ultimately the title track sets expectations that aren’t met. Nonetheless it’s a beautiful and heartbreaking piece of work.
Madonna
3/5
A really good pop album but after the opening few tracks (like a prayer and express yourself are absolute classics and the Prince collab really good) it feels a bit like mostly filler and one good ballad. Still enjoyable though.
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
Really enjoyed this, lacked standout tracks perhaps but they’ve a good sound and an interesting style and lyrics.
The La's
2/5
It’s fine. It’s like a mediocre 60s pop album that was released in the early 90s (which again, is fine) and because of that somehow considered really important. Enjoyable enough tho, but won’t revisit.
Nirvana
4/5
As a massive ‘fuck you’ to the music industry the is an unapologetically brutal album and a brilliant one at that. When I’m Utero came out I struggled to love it it in the way I did their two previous albums and only really appreciated as I got a bit older. Personally I still don’t rate as highly as Nevermind nor does it hold a place in my heart in the way that Bleach does. It’s lacks a bit of the rawness of their debut and - couple of obvious exceptions aside - lacks the overall strength of songs of Nevermind- but still an amazing album
Aerosmith
4/5
An unashamedly, swaggering bluesy hard rock album. Steven Tyler’s staggering vocals and Joe Perry’s beautiful tones and licks combine brilliantly (making a strong case as the new Jagger and Richards) but it’s also an album of simply brilliant rock songs. Bruce Fairbairn’s production manages to make everything sounds amazing and every instrument (including Steve’s voice) shine at once. There is nothing new on here, it’s just executed perfectly.
Soundgarden
4/5
A sprawling, adventurous rock album full of hooks and luscious riffs. It sounds rich and gorgeous and Chris Cornell soars above it all with his incredible vocals. The brilliant, inescapable Black Hole Sun showed a new side of Soundgarden and Spoonman a fans favourite in their live sets but these are far from the only standout moments on the album. Yes it’s long, but it’s an effortless listen and always enjoyable.
Garbage
2/5
A pretty polished pop album with a couple of decent songs on there. However on the whole I found myself very bored while listening
Quicksilver Messenger Service
4/5
Half the album sounds like an improvised jam session and I am absolutely on board with that. A joyous treat of psychedelic rock and amazing guitar work. Will definitely stay in rotation for me.
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
Interesting and at times really enjoyable. Quite grating at other times tho and the album feel quite long and tedious overall. I can hear this albums influence on other bands I like but won’t revisit
The Pharcyde
3/5
Great early 90s hip hop, lots of nice hooks and a great flow. No filler - a rarity for the genre imo
Shuggie Otis
3/5
A really interesting and varied album. Some great tracks on here and will definitely go back to it
Goldfrapp
2/5
I have absolutely no idea when anyone would choose to listen to this
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Some absolute classics on here and overall a really enjoyable listen. Great 60s psychedelic rock.
Spiritualized
3/5
As an album closer, Cop shoot Cop is show-stoppingly brilliant. The rest of the album however is mostly just ok and quite dull/tedious in places. there are a couple of exceptions throughout such as Come Together and Electricity and as a whole it’s undoubtedly an enjoyable listen, but I still don’t get the hype around this album.
Depeche Mode
3/5
Some obvious highlights on here - such as the opener- this is an album that is brilliant in places but a bit patchy overall. Apparently the album title was meant to be ironic, ironically the irony is that this was indeed the album that hinted at the stadiums Depeche Mode would soon be filling.
4/5
A concert (and an album) of two halves. The first half, the extended acoustic set, is a fantastic collection of Dylan numbers brilliantly executed and is a really enjoyable listen. But it’s the second part of the set where it really catches fire and feels, quite literally, electric. Superb.
The Incredible String Band
1/5
The most one star of all the one stars. Possibly, nae probably the worst thing I’ve ever heard.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
Thoroughly irritating throughout m, the vocals are everything I hate. Probably only saved from a 1 because we get this album straight after the hangman’s daughter it’s comparably fucking brilliant
Talking Heads
3/5
Brilliant in places but a bit hit and miss. Still a very interesting and enjoyable listen overall.
Beatles
5/5
Yes it’s long and yes it suffers from that thing all double albums suffer from in that its maybe bloated in places. And yes it takes a great deal of willpower to not skip past Revolution 9.
However the fact of the matter is there are simply to many brilliant tracks here to list. A staggering, unrivalled collection of songs in one place.
On the White album The Beatles are having fun, and they want you to have fun too.
Saint Etienne
3/5
A lovely chilled vibe, perfect for a sunny Sunday morning. Would revisit
Steve Winwood
2/5
It’s fine, it’s nice, but it’s not my cup of tea. Nothing on the album particularly stood out to me and I have no intention of revisiting
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
There is nothing particularly special or memorable about this, but there’s not much wrong with it either. A very enjoyable listen that I would happily return to
Love
2/5
A real letdown after a promising opening track. Occasionally enjoyable but on the whole really poor
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Much of this album feels like a bit of a chore, the blame for which I place firmly at the feet of Perry Farrell’s grating vocals. Thankfully there is enough on here to counteract that, Dave Navarro’s guitar is great throughout and Three Days in particular the standout moment on the album.
Dire Straits
4/5
Money for Nothin has a guitar riff for the ages and is an absolute classic, and the title track is a masterpiece. The standout tracks on this are incredible, but the album as a whole is a thing of beauty. As smooth and atmospheric as anything you’ll hear, a really rewarding listen if you let yourself go with it.
The Doors
3/5
By his final album Jim Morrison is sounding weathered and this album is all the better for it. The Door have went for a pure blues album - including a more than decent Johnny Lee Hooker cover - and to be honest it doesn’t always work. LA woman and Riders of the Storm are epic, incredible songs, the later in particular still capable or raising the hairs on the back of my neck with every listen. But on the whole this is a bit patchy and not a good as their debut. An album with great songs, but not a great album.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
It’s the blues with an absolutely kick ass singer and the guitars turned up loud. Decent recipe for an album
Jimmy Smith
2/5
Enjoyable listen but dragged a bit
Bob Dylan
4/5
A near flawless album, this is Dylan stripped back, raw and intimate. Tangled up in Blue, Idiot Wind and shelter from the storm among the highlights, but I must admit I don’t love this album the way I do bringing it all back home or Highway 61. Just misses out on 5 stars
Frank Zappa
3/5
A joyous dose of jazz-rock fusion. Half the album is lengthy, indulgent jams and it’s superb - Willie the pimp the pick of the bunch
Pink Floyd
5/5
A simply stunning album. Epic
The Prodigy
4/5
Some of the tracks on this album have not ages well. Others are ageless. Still brilliant
Beach House
3/5
An effortless listen. Not the most memorable of albums, but really enjoyable when you’re in the right frame of mind for it.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Promising start, enjoyable in moments, but overall pretty turgid stuff with an incredibly grating vocal style
MGMT
3/5
I actually find the big tracks off this really fucking irritating (and bizarrely similar)
This aside there was still plenty on this that I really enjoyed. Quite cool for the most part.
Jacques Brel
1/5
Struggled to listen from start to finish. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for this when I listened to it, but honestly I really question to inclusion of an album like this on this list. I suspect some hipster was feeling very please with themselves when they put forward this one.
Kate Bush
2/5
Really promising start that quickly gives way to more tedium. I just don’t get the fuss about Kate Bush. This bored me immensely
Beck
3/5
Not sure what to make of this, quite a difficult album. You really need to be in the mood for this, much more melancholy than I was expecting and drags a bit at times but there is a lot to enjoy too and I would revisit. Paper Tiger the pick of the bunch for me - superb track - but some other very good tracks on here too.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Much better that the other Siouxsie album we listened to. Really interesting, vocals more palatable and actually pretty enjoyable from start to finish. Would revisit this
Deep Purple
5/5
One of the most iconic rock albums of all time, and rightly so given that it contain the definitive guitar riff. But there is a lot more to Machine Head than just Smoke on the Water. The whole album is a master class of technicality and versatility. Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord combine spectacularly throughout with their relentless solos and catch riffs and Ian Gillan is on top form also. Highway Star, Pictures of Home, Lazy, Space Truckin are all classics - making this a classic album in the truest sense.
Beatles
3/5
Not the era of The Beatles that I live, or ever really listen to, to be perfectly honest but you cannot deny that this a a great pop record. There are about four songs on this album alone that most bands of that era would have killed to write
5/5
Hard to think of an album with a stronger opening three songs. This album turned U2 into global superstars and rightly so. It’s not just the anthemic Where the Streets have no name, Still haven’t found what I’m looking for or With or without you that make this such a good album, it is consistently excellent all the way through. Blues and Country influences add light and shade throughout as U2 tap into their American influences and the result is a near flawless record with some epic track that have more than stood the test of time.
The Stooges
4/5
It’s over in a blur. A flurry of raw aggressive playing and screeching vocals. If this is what the Stooges sounded like on record I can’t imagine what it would have been like to see them play live.
George Michael
2/5
Everything that follows the title track is a massive disappointment. A few fleeting moments here and there but on the whole genuinely surprised at how dull and flat this album was
Black Sabbath
5/5
Probably the most influential metal album of them all, and arguably the greatest collection of metal songs on a single record.
War Pigs, Paranoid, Iron man and that’s just the opening three tracks. More focused and cohesive than its predecessor Toni Iommi’s ability to write a riff is unrivalled and Ozzy’s vocals are so simple but so incredibly effective, while the inimitable Bill Ward and Geezer Butler show why they are as under-appreciated as they are accomplished.
Underworld
4/5
Less dance floor fillers than Dubnobass but a much more diverse album with a great flow. From big breakbeats to slide guitar, drum ‘n’ bass and even a gentle psychedelic vibe, there is so much to admire and appreciate on this ambitious album. A long but effortless listen.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Yeah it fine, it’s fun. Won’t actively seek it out again but I would listen again
Led Zeppelin
5/5
It’s Led Zeppelin II 🤷🏻♂️
Green Day
2/5
Tedious and silly. It’s just dull with very few moments of real quality. You can get over his voice or you can’t. And I can’t. But hey at least this was before they disappeared up their own asses
Pink Floyd
4/5
An incredibly adventurous undertaking, that fact that Pink Floyd pull this off says more about the creative talents of the band than maybe any of their other albums. Yes it’s long - and yes a lot of the songs don’t work in isolation - but they aren’t supposed to. This album is supposed to be like going to see a show, they are telling a story and do so with great skill. That said, some of their best songs still live within this album.
FKA twigs
2/5
Just another 40mins of overproduced breathy vocals and nice wee clicks and noises here and there. Ever track indistinguishable from the one before and overall I’m left feeling nothing.
The Prodigy
5/5
An extraordinary album that was both brilliantly original yet completely of its time. Timeless in many ways this album did more to change the landscape of dance music and bring it to a wider audience than any other.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
2/5
Loads of fun it’s time, but really quite dull at times also. I’d never heard this album in full before. Until now I’d only ever heard the singles and to be honest,I got very little from this album beyond those.
Massive Attack
2/5
Very dull, nothing stands out to me and then they stick a live version of a dreadful cover on the end
Mekons
2/5
Occasionally threatens to be really good. But sadly never materialises. Most sounds like a band failing to be interesting but succeeding at being annoying
The Fall
3/5
Great fun, really interesting and I would definitely revisit.
M.I.A.
2/5
There are two, maybe three good tracks on this; 20 Dollar, Paper Planes and Come Around. The rest is bollocks.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Passable 60s psychedelic rock, stylistically clearly based on the British band invasion but this is mostly forgettable and occasionally dreadful. The Wolf of Velvet Fortune is a rare diamond in the rough.
The Cure
5/5
When I was a kid my older sister was a goth. She loved The Cure (and she really loved Robert Smith). I was into rock music; AC/DC, Motley Crue, Def Leppard and other bands of that ilk. As far as I was concerned Rock was cool, Goths were ridiculous and my ears were to remain closed to The Cure.
Since then this band remained elusive to me. That is until earlier this year when I listened to Seventeen Seconds for the very first time. I immediately seen the error of my ways and began exploring more of The Cure.
As a lifelong the Cure fan of approximately six months now Disintegration has already become one of my favourite albums. It’s a mesmerising album, seductive and atmospheric this is the band at the peak of their powers delivering a gorgeous, an epic laden album.
New Order
3/5
An album that just kind of ticks along without ever really exciting the listener or delivering anything memorable
Kanye West
3/5
An album that flirts with greatness before losing its way about midway through. Some of the earlier tracks are outstanding (all fall down, spaceship, Jesus Walks) but after this it’s good only in moments and the flow is broken up with those dreadful skits. The last song has no place on any album either, makes wonder how many times the listener would want to hear that same story. Baffling.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
1/5
Generic 50’s bollocks.
Nick Drake
4/5
A wonderful surprise of an album. An artist whom I knew nothing of, Nick Drake has really won me over here. It’s just full of lovely arrangements. The bass is strong and purposeful, the strings and wind in particular are gorgeous and there are even congas in places (Three Hours and the delightful Cello Song probably being the two standout tracks on the album) adding to the record’s overall texture. Drake’s vocals too are soft and warm and weary, helping to pull everything together and make it all work perfectly.
Kanye West
5/5
Kaynye at the peak of his powers. A force of nature.
Death In Vegas
4/5
Electronic with soul. It’s dance music for grown ups
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
The return of Frusciante meant the return of RHCP period. It’s easy to forget that by 1999 they had become a somewhat forgotten band. In Californication however they delivered an absolute monster of an album - the chemistry was back and the band were reborn. The singles were massive; Scar Tissue, Californication, Otherside and Around the world were all huge. But it’s when you get past the big hits where the real joy of this album lies. There is still lots of old school raw RHCP funk but blended increasingly with the more mellow, melodic side of the band (for me this is where more of the stronger tracks on the album lie). Keidis’ vocals are his strongest yet, Flea and Smith are an absolute force of a rhythm section and Frusciante sprinkles the magic on top.
TV On The Radio
4/5
A band I never heard of, an album of songs I didn’t recognise. What a treat this was. So much going on, interest, varied, fun. Definitely one I will keep coming back to
Marty Robbins
1/5
That’s the Western album box checked then
Jamiroquai
2/5
Some of the instrumental sections are quite lovely. The lengthy Revolution 1993 is the high point of the record, there is little else on here that come close to it though. Enjoyable in parts but wouldn’t revisit.
The Avalanches
2/5
60mins of tedious samples and scratching. It’s exhausting
Can
5/5
An incredible album. Mind blowing stuff.
Lou Reed
2/5
While don’t necessarily dislike much of this album, there s also very little of it that caught my attention. You probably really need to be in the right frame of mind to listen to this and maybe I wasn’t - but overall I found it dull, tedious and I’m very unlikely to revisit
Tim Buckley
3/5
An enjoyable listen, a much more interesting album than I expected. would revisit
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
Quite simply one of the greatest albums ever recorded. Masterpiece
Harry Nilsson
3/5
I didn’t particularly enjoy the album as a whole, but just enough really good songs on here to warrant a 3 for me (early in the morning, Coconut, jump into the fire) even though I can’t see myself coming back
Pantera
5/5
A brutal assault of an album, Pantera’s vulgar display of Power was exactly that. Building on Cowboy’s heavy guitar tone their follow up took things to a whole new level. Quite simply Pantera sounded like nobody else and with this album they took the crown of the heaviest metal band on the planet. Phil Anselmo’s unmistakable growling vocals and Dimebag’s incredible, truly unique guitar sound compliment each other perfectly - supported brilliantly by the pummelling rhythm section of Rex and Vinnie Paul. Mouth for War, Walk, Fucking Hostile, This Love, By Demons be Driven, Hollow are just a few of the highlights on this incredible album.
David Bowie
2/5
Every aspect of this album grates on me. Heroes is an excellent track but the only track on the album worth mentioning. The album feels disjointed and despite being a remastered version, it actually sounds terrible. Its just not for me.
JAY Z
3/5
I had always considered this to be one of my favourite rap albums but had not listened to this in a long time. It still sounds great today but listening now from start to finish it also feels to long and too many tracks I’d skip past. Some cracking individual tracks on here though
Björk
3/5
An enjoyable listen but won’t hurry back
Raekwon
3/5
Competent and pretty enjoyable on the whole. But also unremarkable. Too long and samey and full of ridiculous skits
Dire Straits
3/5
A lovely listen full of gorgeous guitar tones and a couple of really great tracks in there
Alice Cooper
2/5
Despite a couple of standout tracks it’s a fairly forgettable affair overall. I feel
Like this just hasn’t aged very and no longer packs the punch it once might have done. Can’t see myself going back.
Nirvana
5/5
The album that changed the face of music. Can barely think of a more significant album in the past 50 years and it still sounds incredible when listening today. A masterpiece
Napalm Death
2/5
I got some enjoyment from this in fleeting moments, mainly the occasional decent guitar riff or baseline. But is all a bit of a mess really. Even the guitar sound is annoyingly fuzzy and the drumming is frenetic to the point of losing any sense of rhythm or purpose. I much of it is borderline unlistenable - but I guess that’s the point
Emmylou Harris
2/5
Beautiful voice, some really strong tracks. But realistically won’t revisit
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
a fantastic album from start to finish.l and an album this is pretty close to being perfect. Just brilliantly crafted songs. I can’t see there there being a time when I don’t keep coming back to this.
Os Mutantes
1/5
Totally bollocks
Bob Dylan
3/5
Stunning in parts, tedious in others. Like a lot of Dylan album this is a mix of Dylan I like and Dylan I tolerate. Some incredible tracks on here though, Masters of War in particular the highlight for me.
The Sabres Of Paradise
3/5
A real surprise of an album, enjoyed this from start to finish and really superb in parts. Will definitely revisit
Neil Young
4/5
A wonderful album. Timeless
Nick Drake
3/5
Really enjoyed it and would revisit
Queen
1/5
Unbearable
Yes
2/5
On the whole pretty irritating, and I’m not a far of the vocal style. Starship Trooper is by far and away the best track on the album and the other tracks are all pretty poor by comparison. Also it really annoys me when a band includes a live track on a studio album. Won’t revisit
Prince
3/5
A couple of absolute incredible tracks aside much of this album I struggle with and, frankly, don’t enjoy. Typical Prince imho
The Youngbloods
2/5
The opening track promised so much, the rest of the album delivered so little. Impressed by their ability and range as musicians but I won’t be revisiting
Steely Dan
2/5
I never got the fuss over this album, or indeed Steely Dan in general. I don’t know what this is or who it’s for. The whole thing feels like after dinner entertainment at an all-inclusive holiday resort - it’s not the worst evening you’ve ever had, but if you’re being totally honest with yourself you’d rather be somewhere else.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
Sounds very dated not and some frankly dreadful tracks on here (dreamin, you are) but you can’t deny the significance of this album or indeed it’s brilliance in parts also. The message is an absolute classic
Violent Femmes
4/5
An album that very much took me by surprise. Given the genre/my limited knowledge of the band I really didn’t expect to like this but it won me over and after my first listen I immediately went back for more. Great sound, great songs, great album.
Pixies
4/5
A band that somehow passed me by, listening this has made me want to explore more of their catalogue. Clearly hugely influential on band like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and half the 90s by the sounds of it. Brilliant stuff.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
An album that suffers under it own sheer size. Much like Biggie probably did
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
I hated - and I really do mean HATED - so much of this. Yet it avoids a one star review because it was also really interesting, intriguing, impressive and even enjoyable in parts. A bizarre album
Femi Kuti
3/5
Enjoyable listen of not a bit repetitive. Drags on a bit but I would revisit if in the mood
The Police
2/5
Some of this is really hateful yes, but some really good tracks on here also. Also legit cannot believe there is a track on this about dinosaurs and I can’t decide if I should reward for this or penalise. Realistically I won’t revisit
Venom
3/5
It’s a little bit silly (ok it’s very silly) and objectively the songs are not very good and the whole thing sounds like it was recorded in their bathroom. But as massive fan of 80s thrash metal I cannot ignore the influence this album had on that genre. And it’s fun too.
Talking Heads
3/5
End and flows nicely, some great tracks on this and some average one but overall a really good record that I would revisit
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Big beat bombast, sirens and guitars - what’s not to love? Great hooks and lovely soundscapes the album has a good flow and delivers a few bangers as well. Still sounds great today but probably hints at the greatness this band will go on to achieve rather than delivering greatness itself.