809
Albums Rated
2.91
Average Rating
74%
Complete
280 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Singer-songwriter
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Perfectionist
Rater Style ?
17
5-Star Albums
16
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
|
5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
|
Closer
Joy Division
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
|
5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
|
Countdown To Ecstasy
Steely Dan
|
5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
|
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
|
5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
|
Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
|
5 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
|
Odessey And Oracle
The Zombies
|
5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
|
Third
Soft Machine
|
4 | 2.43 | +1.57 |
|
Aja
Steely Dan
|
5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
|
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
|
5 | 3.63 | +1.37 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
|
1 | 3.83 | -2.83 |
|
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
|
1 | 3.49 | -2.49 |
|
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
|
2 | 4.21 | -2.21 |
|
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
|
1 | 3.17 | -2.17 |
|
The Wall
Pink Floyd
|
2 | 4.14 | -2.14 |
|
Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
|
1 | 3.11 | -2.11 |
|
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
|
2 | 4.1 | -2.1 |
|
Electric
The Cult
|
1 | 3.02 | -2.02 |
|
Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
|
1 | 2.94 | -1.94 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Steely Dan | 4 | 5 |
| Beatles | 7 | 4 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Eminem | 2 | 1 |
| The Smashing Pumpkins | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Paul Simon | 5, 2 |
| PJ Harvey | 1, 2, 4 |
5-Star Albums (17)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
The sound engineer must have misheard the distortion setting. Everything is mixed so oddly - maybe that's the thing. So what would be the better elements are lost. This is probably dynamic in a live setting with a full stack of amps and the band really getting into foot tapping mode.
Overall it's cack.
4 likes
Joy Division
5/5
I bought this album a day or so after its release. I was aware of the hype around the band and had been impressed by their performances on the radio. But this, this was on another level. A jagged soundscape along a narrow and foreboding route, punctuated with moments of sheer beauty. Altogether way more than the sum of its parts.
3 likes
Hanoi Rocks
2/5
Wondering how this got onto the list. The band was known but never really suggested anything original. For this album the band doesn't seem to know whether it should be rock, not powerful enough or pop, lacking memorable catchy tunes. So it fails on both.
1 likes
Nirvana
2/5
Not much going for this. A live set on a TV show. No great shakes. But an event happens and it gets elevated to some crazy status the performance does not merit. The unplugged moniker is simply for the franchise, it is merely the band pared down. Some songs work most do not.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (16)
All Ratings
Joy Division
4/5
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Cinemascope at 33rpm.
Cheap Trick
3/5
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Tom Waits
3/5
What a first selection - a double 'live' album. Not really been drawn to TW and previous listening has been cursory, despite my old school mate Rob talking him up big time. Paying a little more attention here there is some neat word play and comedy. You get used to the voice but it was a stretch here.
David Bowie
3/5
A few great songs, including my favourite from Bowie, the album's closer. Bought this one rather than it's predecessor on the strength of the two singles.
Morrissey
3/5
The Beach Boys
3/5
Familiar with the singles but not previously aware of the album. More immediately accessible than the 'masterpiece'. Preferred the less bouncy second side.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Not heard of ES before. He was clearly a fine songwriter. Couldn't really get into this.
Maxwell
2/5
The groove is too deep for me.
Merle Haggard
3/5
10cc
4/5
Too clever - maybe. But this album is great fun. Playful lyrics, good harmonies and bold chunky guitars.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Too clever - not half pop pickers. It has been many years since I last listened to this album. Feisty when I bought it; it's Elvis!, but just OK now.
PJ Harvey
1/5
Just after half way something akin to a tune emerged. Otherwise it felt like we had wandered into a forge. May well be better live.
The Doors
4/5
Most enjoyable. Was aware of the well known songs but had not listened to the whole album before. It hangs together pretty well, so much so that I let it run through a second time.
Beatles
3/5
Prince
3/5
When he's on it he's really on it and on it he is on several here.
John Coltrane
2/5
The Verve
3/5
ABBA
3/5
Of course only familiar with the singles so this was something of surprise. Strong songwriting and production as expected but little that stood out. At times it teetered on musical theatre.
The Doors
3/5
Opening so soon after another of their creations this doesn't pack the punch it once may have.
Cypress Hill
2/5
It's bouncy, OK, but otherwise not to my taste
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Wired and wonderful at times with some exquisite cameos. Studious returns for further listening may discover more.
R.E.M.
3/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
The Damned
3/5
Better than I was expecting.
Eels
3/5
The Stranglers
3/5
Odd band, plenty of misses. Preferred to see them live and this album does capture some of this.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Nas
2/5
Ouch! Too spikey for me.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
2/5
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Nick Drake
4/5
I listened to all of his albums recently and this is one I have in my collection. Great song writing. Maybe the strings are a little overdone. Given recent events the forecast is promising.
The Pogues
3/5
Elvis Presley
3/5
Mylo
2/5
The title says it all. Inoffensive at the outset and then became frankly insidious.
The Mamas & The Papas
2/5
Dated. More than pleasant by pretty samey most of the way, enlivened by the singles.
Brian Eno
3/5
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Tinklelicious!
3/5
Probably better live.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Something of a surprise. I was expecting to have to bail but it kept me interested.
Nina Simone
4/5
The Sonics
2/5
Marks for influencing, marks for own compositions but otherwise messy.
The White Stripes
3/5
Apart from the opener, not familiar with this band. A mixed bag really.
Elbow
3/5
B.B. King
3/5
George Michael
3/5
Steely Dan
5/5
Marvellously varied. Super strong song writing.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
Madonna
3/5
George Michael
3/5
I did and it was just middling.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Great songs superbly delivered, expertly produced and enlivened by splendid cameos.
3/5
Some good songs here but appears less cohesive as a concept than when I first heard it a multitude of 5 years ago.
Love
3/5
Decent enough sandwich. Bright start and end but a little stodgy in the middle.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
More than solid side one with side two a little uneven.
Pixies
3/5
Liked this. Better than I expected.
Dwight Yoakam
1/5
Simply grating. Any subtlety in here passed me by.
Morrissey
2/5
Led Zeppelin
2/5
The elements are all there but not fully connected.
Robbie Williams
2/5
A curiosity here, trying to work out whether he wants to be the lead singer in a band or a solo artist. The band bits work week. The singles are overblown.
Don McLean
3/5
Fine collection of songs overwhelmed by the title track.
Little Richard
2/5
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Lovely album well crafted with fine arrangements to compliment the voice.
Nightmares On Wax
1/5
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Delightful.
Simply Red
4/5
This was way better than I expected. I knew the singles but the album was punchy with a very strong groove capped by a fine ,fine singer.
Talking Heads
3/5
The Clash
3/5
Definitely of its time. The cover song is the best on the album.
Beastie Boys
2/5
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Difficult to understand how this made the list. It is too long to be consistent. It works as a record as each side has songs of a similar style. The singles are magnificent and the album shows off his song writing ability and musicianship.
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
The sound engineer must have misheard the distortion setting. Everything is mixed so oddly - maybe that's the thing. So what would be the better elements are lost. This is probably dynamic in a live setting with a full stack of amps and the band really getting into foot tapping mode.
Overall it's cack.
Jeff Buckley
3/5
This was a rather hit and miss. The less shouty ones were better.
Tina Turner
2/5
Some interesting arrangements for the covers which amply showcase the vocal talents. But something just isn't there. Maybe it is that it sounds of the time or that there were plenty of guest producers.
3/5
This album should not be on the list. It has been included for apparent historical significance. Plus it was released more than 30 years after the actual event.
As to the content it is solid early Dylan showcasing his songwriting of that period. With it being live there is an opportunity to vary the delivery which is at best funny but more often irritating. The electric side is variable and now sounds a little limited. There are some songs where his vocal style works with a band.
Pearl Jam
3/5
Had not heard this album by the band. The usual hallmarks of the band are there, but maybe not as refined as their later work.
The Byrds
3/5
The Human League
4/5
Madness
2/5
More depth than the singles but ,while sort of interesting , just doesn't stack up against the house of fun.
Neil Young
3/5
Pleasantly surprised. Consistent throughout.
The Temptations
3/5
The Smiths
4/5
Arcade Fire
4/5
Had heard one of the tracks before. Sits well within the album which is strong and consistent.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
This bounces along in the usual style. No stand out.
Dennis Wilson
4/5
Look what happens when unencumbered. A strong set of songs.
The Who
4/5
Strong stuff here. The two well known epics backed up by some interesting songs which show of the versitility of the band.
Kate Bush
4/5
This was the first time listening the album which is consistently strong collection of songs. The range is there, the intricacies but it is missing something.
The xx
3/5
Solid start but didn't really progress.
The Go-Betweens
3/5
Jingle jangle stuff. Mildy entertaining. Some nifty riffs.
Tom Waits
3/5
Moby Grape
3/5
Pretty good mix of songs. Neat guitar interplay. Similar to other bands around at the time but probably a touch off centre to have become very popular.
Cornershop
3/5
Coming to this only having heard single it turned out to be varied, maybe overly so. There are several goods songs, the country fusion stands out, but a few that went over the edge making it disjointed.
Otis Redding
3/5
Solid but not sensational.
The Beach Boys
3/5
Steering a long way from the beach here into much deeper water. An interesting move that results in a lyrical win though not always a musical one.
Erykah Badu
2/5
Didn't pick up on anything here. It just seemed to get into a groove and become stuck there.
Deep Purple
3/5
This is very in your face. Some fine guitar work. Maybe the model for shrieky vocals which are probably more suited to a live show than a record.
Joy Division
5/5
I bought this album a day or so after its release. I was aware of the hype around the band and had been impressed by their performances on the radio. But this, this was on another level. A jagged soundscape along a narrow and foreboding route, punctuated with moments of sheer beauty. Altogether way more than the sum of its parts.
Aimee Mann
3/5
Middling, it bobbed along merrily. Would listen again.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
The familiarity of the singles probably keeps them fresh. The general sound of the album and how different it was at the time soon got passed by. Others took it on developed it much further.
Aerosmith
2/5
Didn't enjoy this. Some good guitar but otherwise nah.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Herbie Hancock
3/5
Solid but just not able to get deep enough into its groove.
Neil Young
3/5
Uncomfortably dark. The band did extremely well to hook into the mood.
Burning Spear
3/5
Fela Kuti
3/5
Punchy, lively and quite addictive. Given the subject of the album there is only so much railing that can be effective, hence the short running time.
Ananda Shankar
3/5
Something of a messy mix here. The covers are quirky. The longer tracks verge on the rambling. Probably best suited to having on in the background.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Didn't think the music worked with his presentation style. Lyrically rich with many opportunities for others to cover.
Scott Walker
3/5
Some good songs, a few quirky arrangements.
Eminem
1/5
You say this to me in an affected accent.
You say this to me in front of the tired basketball beat.
You say this to me with lots of spikey works
You go on and on.
But I don't want listen any more.
The Kinks
3/5
Good collection of songs unfortunately firmly stuck in their time.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Liked this.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
A more than solid album with good songs, great guitars and a decent mix.
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
Fine stuff. Had not heard a great deal from this band so pleasantly surprised.
Massive Attack
3/5
There is a groove but with little variation. Samey. Heard it all before. Never really gets going.
fIREHOSE
3/5
Iggy Pop
2/5
Messy as might be expected but very little of interest.
The Cure
4/5
The sound is set out early and they run with it all the way. Hypnotic stuff.
Ice Cube
1/5
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
A band far better live. This is a mixed set of songs with some fine bluesy rock in there.
Kate Bush
4/5
A fine example of how to make the most of the medium, produce two contrasting suites. The flow of side one is a little lost through the familiarity of the singles, one of which is her finest. The second side is altogether different but still captivating.
Les Rythmes Digitales
3/5
Well it hits its mark and keeps going.
Miles Davis
3/5
Some fine compositions, great musicianship. Perfectly digestible.
Lorde
3/5
Liked this. Some strong songs others not so. Not the strongest of singers.
Neu!
3/5
First time listening to this band. An album of its geography and time, but still works today. A good example of how to use the medium with two contrasting 'suites', with the soothing soundscape of the first setting up the more clattering second.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
A long time since I last heard this album all the way through. The song writing is strong and there is a degree of experimentation in the music. Overall an impressive piece of work.
Michael Jackson
3/5
Difficult to know whether this part of a greatest hits album with so many singles on it. Had not listened to the full abum before and it suffers from being swamped by the singles. An edgier approach still with very strong production.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
This is a fine album more immediately accessible than others of his on the list. Great songs, good playing.
Alice In Chains
3/5
Not as in your face as I expected. Some reasonable stuff but plenty of rather gnawing industrial stuff.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
4/5
This was an unexpected joy. Plenty of variation across the piece. Rhythm for the dancing.
Femi Kuti
3/5
Expansive and lively with little variation.
Aerosmith
2/5
Wasn't able to get into this.
Sex Pistols
4/5
A strident set of songs well delivered and probably much improved by the production crew. They still stand up today although the lyrics seem a little tame.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
This is the album they became ELO rather than the Electric Light Orchestra. The voyage from pioneers to settlers was complete. The craft is evident with some great songs.
Paul Simon
5/5
Marvellously intelligent.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
The Gun Club
3/5
The Verve
4/5
Pretty good mix of strong songs.
Iggy Pop
3/5
This turned out to be better than expected. Knew the singles of course but there are others on the album that are better.
Fats Domino
3/5
Pioneering stuff. Clean production. More varied than the songs popular on the radio would suugest.
Elton John
4/5
It has to be nearly forty years since I listened to the whole album. I remember the anticipation of its release in that it would be a double and whether it could hold the attention all the way through. Listening after such an interval it is striking how varied the music is given the way the two songwriters collaborate. There are some standout tracks, the opener is one of the finest of any album. The closer is pretty good too.
3/5
Very much of its time but nevertheless a pretty good commentary. Enjoyable but unlikely to get many visits.
Elton John
3/5
A mood is set early on and doesn't stray far. Good song writing and fine singing. It follows a popular path of the time but lacks the musical spark that would raise the score. That spark would turn out to be only a few months away.
Coldplay
3/5
The Pharcyde
3/5
Big on the beaty. Witty with the wordy. More tolerable than others in this genre but unlikely to revisit.
The Stooges
3/5
Very hit and miss.
Ramones
3/5
Is it pacing, a lack of stamina or simply a ride on the underground having to stop every couple of minutes. Urgent, ballsy and maybe re-breaking the ground but it can't be taken seriously. It's rock and roll after all.
Sister Sledge
3/5
Quality factory output but not particularly inspiring.
4/5
What an assortment of songs. Some showing great use of the technology available and others very simple.
2/5
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
Woefully disjointed. Either make it a live album or a properly structured studio one. Very much of its time.
Eagles
3/5
A fine collection of songs although many are of their time. The familiarity of the singles provides them with a longevity, plus they are also significantly better than many of the others.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Goodness me this was good. Not heard anything by the band before other than the hype, which on this evidence is more than justified. The energy, the urgency, the songs, the drumming, the riffs, the baselines and lyrics make for a very large sum of the parts.
Beatles
3/5
A pretty patchy collection of songs. Many timeless but a few showing their age.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
2/5
A rather drawn out prospectus some of which resonates today. Not really a style that lends itself to repeated listening.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Solid
UB40
4/5
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Dusty Springfield
4/5
This is a set of songs carefully selected to highlight the singing talent. The production is excellent and it delivers. It warrants a complete listen each time rather than picking out individual tracks.
Sonic Youth
2/5
On the face of it this is just dissonant noise and comes across as messy. I suspect repeated listening would uncover something deeper. Unlikely to go there.
Sleater-Kinney
2/5
Their influences are clear but there is a lack of identity. For the most part this is just messy but fleetingly there is a glimmer of cohesion.
Various Artists
3/5
Seasonal entertainment.
Pentangle
3/5
This was something of a surprise. Slightly closer to the folky edge than I imagined. Good voices and some smart instrumentation.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Seriously strong songwriting let down by dull delivery.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Kraftwerk
2/5
Pioneering it may have been but it doesn't really stand up today. Repetition underpins this type of music and it comes down to length and the motifs. In both case this album fails.
The Replacements
3/5
Running through a whole range of styles. Plenty of nods to their influences. Some strong songs but others irritating.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
The album floats along merrily with a few ripples but it never really p p p p picks-up.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
A solid album with a few excellent songs hinting at something more promising.
The Soft Boys
3/5
A compendium of influences. Entertaining.
The Black Crowes
3/5
This is a pretty good consistent album of it genre. There is no outstanding track. In a live setting this would be feel stronger.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Not heard anything by this artist so this album was as surprise. An excellent set of songs from an anguished soul.
Goldfrapp
3/5
Another artist new to me. Enjoyable and clear echoes of others.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Glorious
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Supergrass
3/5
A lot more varied and interesting that the early tracks would suggest. A healthy lack of seriousness and a focus on having fun.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Less abstract than earlier work but the strong cohesion between voice and drums is still there.
John Prine
3/5
The lyrics are the highlight here.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Soundgarden
2/5
Strong vocals
Genesis
4/5
Plenty of over complication as is the want of this style from the period. Never took to Genesis in either format, despite having a great singer, drummer and guitar player. Wasn't taken with the album when I heard it about the time it came out. That has not changed. However it is a good piece of work. The three elements I picked out are prominent here and provide the better moments. The guitar fills are wonderful. It is maybe too clever but somewhat dull.
Rod Stewart
3/5
This sounds rather dated. The popular songs stand up due to there familiarity. Live this would be pretty good.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Great voice, good mix of songs although some of the arrangements were odd.
The Mars Volta
2/5
This was pretty inflated and incoherent but it didn't pop. Difficult to see a reason to revisit.
TV On The Radio
2/5
Couldn't get into this. Little stood out.
3/5
Not heard the album all the way through. Familiar with the singles. Overall a solid album, maybe.
The Stooges
3/5
Quite a mixture of styles here with clear influences of others around at the time.
Prince
3/5
Some of the tracks are maybe stretched a little. The collection is hit and miss but they have something about them.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Starts exceptionally strongly such that the rest simply of the album doesn't maintain. Nevertheless there is much to enjoy, the playing is more than solid, the vocals are variable.
The Band
4/5
Having only heard the weight previously the rest of the album was something of a surprise. Good songs and fine musicianship.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Simple but engaging storytelling.
T. Rex
3/5
I remember listening to Telegram Sam in a booth at the local record store. Odd really as I was always going to buy the record. So there was much anticipation of this album a few months later. Bought on the day of release and listened to over and over. It was great, couldn't be anything else. Now decades later listening to the whole album in one session it doesn't have the same resonance. The singles and a few other tracks, title song included are still great. What I did pick up are traces of the pre Electric Warrior band in some of the songs, Chariot Choogle, Spaceball Ricochet. The production certainly added polish. While it may no longer be a regular listen it is good to reminisce and the lyrics are still playful and silly plus there is some chunky guitar work.
The Dictators
2/5
Brash and uninspiring. Live this may well be entertaining.
Beatles
4/5
Plenty of songs, loads of variety. Some real oddities but enough very good songs. Overall rather sprawling but it is a double album so offers room for experimentation.
The Byrds
4/5
A solid offering, again highlighting their folky style of rock. Good guitars and harmonies against some strong songwriting.
Bon Jovi
2/5
Oh dear. The singles suggest more than the album delivers. Formulaic nonsense.
Fishbone
4/5
Had not heard anything by this band before and what a surprise this album is. A fair few changes across the tracks all for the good.
Roxy Music
3/5
Some pretty inventive stuff here. The musicianship is very strong. The quirky voice works most of the time but can be way off. More than this I can't say.
Beck
3/5
Not overly taken with this. It maybe a couple of tracks too long. There is some promise of change with repeated plays.
Gang Of Four
3/5
Nirvana
2/5
Could only accommodate Dumb on this album and I would be so very if I were to revisit.
Gillian Welch
3/5
There is enough here to warrant further listening. It is certainly an album for a mood.
Roni Size
3/5
Jiggly but it's all on cruise control. Choose one for a short journey or both for the longer trips.
Chicago
3/5
Solid
3/5
Neither here nor there. Rather varied although there are some strong elements. The singer is not particularly strong but it does sometimes work. more often being almost mixed out.
Alanis Morissette
2/5
Familiar with a couple of tracks so expecting more of the same. Unfortunately this wasn't delivered. Somewhat ranting in places which diminished the lyrics.
Frank Black
3/5
Some nice guitars but overall sprawling and messy.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Not overly adventurous but engaging if maybe a tad too long. It is easy to get hooked on the rhythms.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
This was odd. As the tracks were playing through more and more sounded familiar so maybe the album is in the collection. Definitely possible as a lot of early Elvis was bought. A quick check and it cannot be found - seemingly has been removed from the building. There are plenty of his trademarks, the barbed lyrics, the sometimes snarly vocals. There does appear to be a shift away from the more poppy stuff. The quality is there but maybe not as accessible as earlier work.
Doves
2/5
Not much to take away from this one. A lot of pounding and scratching.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Hole
3/5
This album, although uneven, was something of a surprise. More melodic than expected making it accessible.
Eagles
3/5
A good collection of songs, fine harmonies, nice and easy does it.
Primal Scream
3/5
Starts and end well but not so good in the middle.
Green Day
4/5
This was good but couldn't get into it. Rhythmically strong and some neat structures but it seemed rather dated.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Prince
3/5
Randy Newman
3/5
Plenty of good songs but just wasn't taken with the delivery. Maybe better covered by others. As a collection is was a little unrelenting.
Thundercat
2/5
.
Miles Davis
4/5
Float, float on. Pretty impressive construction here and some neat transitions.
ABBA
4/5
It is only through this generator that I get to listen to an ABBA album in full. So to hear the massive singles surrounding by songs not previously heard was odd. It will take a few listens for those other songs to not be swamped by the familiar ones. Quality song structure, harmonies and production as expected.
Thelonious Monk
2/5
Bob Dylan
3/5
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
Van Morrison
5/5
A goto sunday morning album. The way the songs hold together is spectacular. There are places where it feels that it could unravel but beautifully manages keeps it together.
Funkadelic
2/5
I've been funked senseless after listening to this. What do you want to know?
Solomon Burke
3/5
The The
3/5
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
A splendid album with quality songs and excellent arrangements. The singing works but is a grating on the odd occasion. And really it's just fun and who would not jump in and sing along with their mates.
Pixies
3/5
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
Played over and over on its release. An amusing and varied album with some fine harmonies and solid writing. Listening again after many years it still sounds fine but is not quite there for a full house.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
4/5
Simply a great pop album. Clever, sometimes too much, cheesey, fun, tongue in cheek, sumptuous arrangements, superb production and guaranteed to get you out of your chair.
Yes
3/5
Pompous, overblown and very much of the time. Nevertheless it is a good set of songs and the musicianship is strong.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Talking Heads
4/5
Still as good as it ever was.
The Saints
3/5
Starts off suggesting a variation then seems to revert to the norm. Solid with some punchy lyrics.
Neil Young
4/5
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
John Grant
3/5
Almost arresting to begin with but then falls into a slumber that is not released. Good to have in the background with occasional diversion when a quirky lyric pops out.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Air
3/5
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Quite a mix here which makes things interesting.
Ash
3/5
It could have been a 1977 album but the production is better and there are plenty of twiddly bits thrown in.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Bob Dylan
3/5
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
A soundtrack to a film that you know but can't remember. A splendid mix.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Rush
3/5
Michael Jackson
4/5
TLC
2/5
The Strokes
3/5
After a slow start this just bounded along and was quietly infectious.
The Yardbirds
3/5
Tolerable. Such a wild collection of styles. Some neat guitar and bouncy bass lines.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Good songs but the delivery doesn't make the most of them.
The Who
2/5
A live album but let's cherry pick the tracks. Then after reviewer acclaim bung on a few more tracks to give punters better value for money. The album highlights the poor sound systems in operation at the time. Why pick out a student venue to showcase the band? Overall one wholly messy album which does not put the band in a good light, compared to their studio output which was much more creative. It probably sounded good at the concert itself.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
The Jam
3/5
With plenty of nods to their influences this is a punchy collection. The ideas are sound but the lyrics should have had a touch more crafting.
Dirty Projectors
4/5
Well this was a splendid surprise. Had not heard of the band before. The album contains plenty of thrills. The harmonies complement the lead so well. Plus the album manages to extend time. It appeared much longer than reported timing. Maybe those odd time signatures did the trick.
a-ha
3/5
Black Sabbath
4/5
Mudhoney
2/5
It had its moments which were swamped by plenty of turgid grunking.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Pleasantly surprised.
Gotan Project
3/5
This rolls along merrily like a peleton on the long straight roads of a flat stage in the TDF.
Billy Bragg
2/5
Pleasant collaboration.
Pink Floyd
2/5
Not sure what it is but never taken to the band. Overly long. All in all ..............
Madonna
3/5
Like a good collection of songs should be.
Air
3/5
The Modern Lovers
3/5
Some the album still sounds jolly.
Cream
3/5
John Lennon
4/5
A varied manifesto that delivers almost all expectations.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Deep Purple
3/5
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Nirvana
2/5
Not much going for this. A live set on a TV show. No great shakes. But an event happens and it gets elevated to some crazy status the performance does not merit. The unplugged moniker is simply for the franchise, it is merely the band pared down. Some songs work most do not.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Kraftwerk
3/5
Satisfyingly steady. Not the experience it once was, much like driving along a motorway.
The Icarus Line
2/5
Not heard of this band before so could be interesting. Unfortunately it wasn't. Rather messy, not distinct and repetitive.
Goldfrapp
3/5
CHIC
3/5
Joan Baez
3/5
Sparse but clear arrangements of traditional songs. Stands up well today. Sometimes her voice gets a little shrill but otherwise good to have in the background.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Grateful Dead
3/5
This is a pretty good collection of songs let down by poor production. Lacking oomph in places.
Carole King
4/5
Seriously good song writing. Not something for constant play but ideal for an occasion.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
The Clash
4/5
Had not heard this all the way through before. Seriously good. The first album is stronger than the second. This is an excellent collection of varied songs by a band forging a path to set themselves far apart from others at the time.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
One of those albums that when it is on it's fantastic and when it is not it's cacophonous nonsense.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Suicide
1/5
Rasping, discordant and brutal so a very limited outlet.
N.W.A.
2/5
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Louis Prima
3/5
Bouncy and fun. Great to get things swinging.
The Isley Brothers
3/5
Nick Drake
4/5
Sparse, personal and dextrous.
U2
4/5
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
The Smiths
4/5
Really.
R.E.M.
3/5
The Undertones
3/5
Carpenters
4/5
Quite a mix of songs with interesting arrangements. Sometimes the harmonies are too cloying. Above all it's the voice that elevates.
Parliament
2/5
The Police
3/5
With this album they decided to move themselves along. The singles are strong the other a mixture, many solid a couple naff.
Rush
4/5
Had heard the chatter about this band but not heard anything of their output. Rather different to the chatter but a solid uplift on progressive rock.
Goldie
2/5
Endless loopy pap.
Frank Zappa
3/5
Wild and inventive with some splendid passages.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Tori Amos
3/5
Have heard smattering of her work but not listened to an album all the way through. This is not an immediate pick-up and suspect that further plays would be needed to appreciate the talent.
Sarah Vaughan
2/5
The mood is set and underpinned by the vocals but it doesn't stray from safety.
The National
3/5
This is a fine album that sets it stall out from the start and just continues unwaveringly without much deviation. It suits a mood but doesn't achieve lift off.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
An apt title. If you know the PSB you know what you'll get and this album simply reinforces. Their expansive and sweeping soundscape is augmented with many more twiddly bits. It is strong fare but nothing really stands out. Still guaranteed to get you onto the dance floor.
Elvis Costello
3/5
It sounded so good in black and white. No longer as on the mark as it was when purchased on the day of release.
Jurassic 5
2/5
John Martyn
4/5
A very long time since I last heard this. Of the time but remains a fine collection.
Badly Drawn Boy
2/5
Couldn't get into this. Swirling around with different styles but nothing arresting.
The Lemonheads
2/5
This motored along nicely but didn't take any off road turns.
Black Flag
2/5
This is an unrelenting and angry collection where this listener can seriously empathize with the title.
The Prodigy
2/5
The Who
3/5
This is a strong selection of songs. The concept nature may have seemed a good idea, and there was plenty of innovation at that time, but the commercials become distracting on repeated plays. If only they weren't built into the track, modern technology would have enabled a playlist without them for the better.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
It's Springsteen. It's bombastic. It suits a calling but isn't as strong as his earlier work.
New York Dolls
2/5
The Divine Comedy
3/5
4/5
See it, sing it, all sorted in under half and hour. Quality.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
The Zombies
5/5
Having been taken by the band Argent and being aware of the hits of the Zombies I came by this album as it was bundled as a double with their greatest hits. What a bargain! The album soon became a mainstay on the turntable. It is simple a superb collection of varied songs. Yes its genesis of its time but it does appear to span the generations. Exemplified by their short, but stunning, tour of the album 40 years after its release.
The La's
3/5
Randy Newman
4/5
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
This is a package to be commended. A more than fine example of where the music delivers to album cover. It is an interesting mix of songs that are well produced. The vocals vary but are punchy, gritty and strident throughout.
Blur
3/5
So varied. There's humour. Many good, a few so so and a couple naff. Have never taken to the singer so their work only warrants infrequent visits.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Talvin Singh
2/5
A melding of styles that didn't work for me. Even as a background it didn't disturb.
The Avalanches
2/5
Didn't know what to expect knowing nothing about the group. The album turned out to be disappointing, repetitive and ultimately irritating.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Had heard the name but not any of their contributions. It may take repeated listens to unpick the layers but on the first run through it set sail and steered a pleasing course. The vocals were infectious supported by strong production. The songs has enough variation with some decent lyrics.
Screaming Trees
2/5
This was variable but just about passable.
The Louvin Brothers
2/5
Crikey this was weird. Deeply dark with jingly jangly bouzouki sounding backing.
Barry Adamson
3/5
DJ Shadow
2/5
Elvis Presley
3/5
The song pickers for this album certainly wanted to share the royalties around. A different writer for each one. Does this make for a strong coherent album. Probably not a consideration at the time. What we get is a fine showcase of Elvis' range supported by quality musicians. Enjoyable but not essential.
Gene Clark
3/5
The Rolling Stones
3/5
The Pogues
3/5
A soundtrack to an evening out sliding from pub to pub. The musical variety and tone is disturbingly funny in parts.
Charles Mingus
3/5
You need to be in a particular mindset to get into this immediately. Some passages are just too jagged. Of all the tracks, it was D and its extension to E and F that stood out.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Baaba Maal
2/5
This was the least accessible of this style. The higher points are where it picks up and stays with a constant rhythm. Those with many changes were off putting.
Keith Jarrett
5/5
Finally a reason to include a live album in this series. While all live albums capture a short period in time this one stands out. The pieces didn't exist prior to the concert and, for this, has merit alone. But the compositions, the flow, the interactions are bold and tantalisingly engaging. The early thought that this might be suited as a background accompaniment so dissolved and it became engrossing. For a first listen for a hitherto unknown (to me ) artist this is something.
Bob Dylan
5/5
The first Dylan album I bought, after hearing Lily Rosemary and the Jack Of hearts on the radio. Prior to this I knew of the singles and generally preferred covers of his songs. Listening to a complete album, this album, changed my view of him. The song that got me to buy the album is not the best one but it sits nicely in this stellar collection. It is a masterful display of storytelling through song with an elevated vocal performance reflecting the theme running through the album.
David Bowie
3/5
Struggled with this. Some good passages but a few that were hard to get into on a first listen.
Radiohead
3/5
Throwing Muses
3/5
Queen
3/5
David Bowie
4/5
Duran Duran
3/5
After the promise of the first album they went full Supermarionation with this one. The overblown videos were an unedifying distraction. In the context of the album the singles work well but the whole is not fulfilling due in part to the limitations of the singer.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
Strong mid 60's fayre. There is no distinctive sound to define the band. Much a case of sounds like this band, no its that band. I suppose get this and save yourself buying others thinking you have an album by those other bands.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
The Who
2/5
This seems too focused as a one man obsession and while the band motifs can be heard it just doesn't come across as coherent. There are interesting ideas but the very good bits are well scattered.
Animal Collective
2/5
All for recycling but maybe they should have picked a better base layer. One going forward the other in reverse. Nevertheless there is plenty going on.
X-Ray Spex
3/5
The sax added an interesting twist to a solid album. The vocalist is the star here.
Lauryn Hill
2/5
Everything But The Girl
3/5
More range and variety than their other works. That is not necessarily a good thing. TT's vocals still shine and this elevates it a notch. The earnest themes still permeate. Pleasant enough but not Eden.
The Kinks
3/5
Queen
3/5
All the motifs are there but despite the biguns it just doesn't hit the mark consistently.
Dire Straits
4/5
It must be over 30 years since I last heard the album. It was purchased shortly after seeing the band live. Played often just to marvel as the guitar playing. While that is still plainly evident the album as a whole now feels somewhat underpowered.
Queen Latifah
3/5
A right royal scam.
Le Tigre
2/5
Blur
3/5
An inventive mix of songs, mostly ok with a couple excellent.
Steely Dan
5/5
Maybe not their best but my favourite. Almost never off the turntable until Pretzel Logic came along. The hallmarks of the 'band' are all in this collection.
I never got a t-shirt.
SAULT
3/5
Bold, imaginative and provocative but ultimately is too repetitive and defeats its own message.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Have found BS to be very miss and sometimes hit. This is a very heavy collection which kept me interested featuring strong guitar work and an almost tolerable Ozzie.
The B-52's
3/5
Nothing earth shattering here but a crazy and oblique view. Solidly entertaining and just the right preparation for a night out.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Something of a change and at times not clear that it was Springsteen. Then his trademark style pops up for reassurance. A themed collection that is ok but lacks the impact of earlier work.
MC Solaar
3/5
The Byrds
2/5
The jingle got well and truly jangled here. Have heard a couple of the tracks before on their best of where they slotted in nicely. A few steps on the trajectory got missed to reach this point and it doesn't work.
PJ Harvey
2/5
Raw and maybe angry. May have worked with less brash instrumentation letting the words work. The tolerable parts are fleeting.
Public Enemy
3/5
The Smiths
4/5
Strong album with call outs to bass and guitar. Punchy and flowing only to be deflated by the final track.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Tears For Fears
4/5
This album is a significant upgrade in all aspects and the view from the plateau must have been a fine one. Still prefer their first album, not as good but sprinkled with freshness.
Duke Ellington
4/5
Fugees
3/5
The tracks that moved away from the closet of the genre pushed this up a notch.
50 Cent
2/5
Arrested Development
3/5
A more interesting collection than expected. More variation compared to the genre which was refreshing.
Willie Nelson
3/5
And why not go against type. An imaginative set of covers with some fine arrangements. As a collection it doesn't do it for me but there are a couple that are very good.
PJ Harvey
4/5
Had no idea what to expect knowing nothing about the artist, so pleasantly surprised by this collection. Certainly worth seeking out further works.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Something of a rag bag collection. Not sure why this would make the list as it is way short of his later work. Not overly keen on his vocal style but it is more tolerable as a sol artist than when part of Genesis.
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
This improved on second listening. The standout tracks are those written by the heavyweight members. Others are passable but not of the same standard.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Guns N' Roses
3/5
The Cure
3/5
The curing was in its early stages on this album. Much better was to come. Apart from the singles which work as stand alone tracks this really is just a soundtrack to a film that didn't get commissioned.
Thin Lizzy
2/5
This is an odd choice, the only album on the list by this band is a live recording, or rather a series of recorded concerts. If the original songs are not good enough to make the list how do live versions make them better.
Thin Lizzy were a very good band, they found their sweet spot with the twin leads but it was all down to the charisma of Phil Lynott. This collection showcases how good they could be live. It would have been better to just record one concert and tinker with that rather than tinker with several - or better still leave it raw as concert goers experienced it.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
A film score and it shows. It is pretty laid back which is weird given the film it is supporting. The title track is the standout providing the memorable hook - Stick any single syllable to the end of the Who is the .....
Circle Jerks
2/5
Woefully irresponsible. Passing between 90 second wham bam totally unprotected. The album came 25 years early being ideal for social media where a collection of partially formed ideas are pushed out for a vote. The popular ones developed into complete songs and the rest simply shredded.
Kate Bush
4/5
CHIC
3/5
Solid funk. The musicianship can't be faulted. A few stand out tracks - the singles. Some songs stretched out so far they fell flat.
Culture Club
3/5
Entertaining solid pop band fronted by a good singer. The songs are mixed, some bouncy, many fun and few with a distorted view.
Aerosmith
3/5
No bubbles here. The staple for this band was in abundance but there are signs of being conflicted with the closers on each side. Very much out of step with the rest.
Green Day
3/5
This moves on at a pace with a decent rhythm section. It is standard stuff with no real invention but it is well done. The singer is not strong and someone better might elevate the experience.
John Lee Hooker
3/5
Django Django
3/5
Not heard anything by this band previously. Entertaining with a gentle flow although parts sounded like something from a decade earlier.
Kraftwerk
3/5
A model of sonic steadiness.
Turbonegro
2/5
SZA
3/5
Missy Elliott
3/5
I struggle with this genre of music finding it repetitive and with a limited horizon. This album follows the pattern but the artist has something about her that sets it apart. It was palatable and entertaining.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
This turned out to be quiet varied, passable for the most part. Some of the vocals were poor.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Every so often the generator throws up an offering that is blindsiding. This is one of those. No previous knowledge of the artist. The output was totally unexpected and magnificently entertaining. Gloriously time shifting, could be a 60's album, then again it might be 70's and then with a swing upliftingly contemporary. A joy!
The Young Gods
2/5
After the lure of the band name and album title the disappointment of the actual music. Raucous, a mis-melding of styles and lacking grace.
Spacemen 3
3/5
Once all the live and remix extras were ignored and down to the original nine tracks this was ok. The quieter stretchy tracks worked best.
Jeff Beck
3/5
A pretty mixed bag of tracks. Some very good songs others just background. Nevertheless the talent is there and there are some great riffs. Probably stunning live.
Ghostface Killah
2/5
Able to tolerate this more than others of the genre. The scats are naff.
Nirvana
3/5
This may improve through familiarity but I' don't think I can be bothered. There are some good songs, and some raucous nonsense.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Brian Eno
3/5
A solid road trip album, offering a jumbled alternative to the radio. A two for the price of one, the imagination of the musician combining with the sparkle of the vocalist.
Hanoi Rocks
2/5
Wondering how this got onto the list. The band was known but never really suggested anything original. For this album the band doesn't seem to know whether it should be rock, not powerful enough or pop, lacking memorable catchy tunes. So it fails on both.
Steely Dan
5/5
This is the album where Steely Dan reached the peak of musical evolution. From this point on the quality would ebb a little but nothing would standout or be new. This is a masterclass in musicianship, song structure and technical achievement.
Faust
4/5
Having been lured in to purchase the Faust Tapes which turned out to be so weird it put me off checking out their other albums. Quite the opposite of what virgin had intended with their offer. As with a number of bands Faust popped up on John Peel a few times with the offering there much more palatable.
This album still has the weird multilingual stuff on it and encouragingly many of the songs have structure. Each side is well balanced giving the album a positive feel throughout.
Ian Dury
4/5
A jolly romp. Aside from the fun and often clever lyrics there are some fine songs. These overcome some of the failings of the vocals. It takes the writer to realise their imagination. If you saw the band live you would understand.
Common
2/5
This album just flowed along not sparking anything
arresting along the way.
The Jam
3/5
A mark of a band becoming more assured. They sound much tighter on this album and the rhythm section is on point. Plus there is some spikey guitar playing. The songs are strong but again there is the feeling that Weller should have spent a little more time on refining the lyrics . That's entertainment is a couple of lines away from being superb.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
Unrelenting, strident and rough but not enough to make it standout.
Cee Lo Green
2/5
If he is the soul machine, why the need for so many collaborations? It is the solo stuff that works best where there are some fine songs. The whole album lacks coherence and consistency which may be due to having no single producer.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Snarling and biting lyrics against a backdrop of sometimes sprawling noise. Not an enjoyable listen.
MGMT
2/5
Small Faces
2/5
Entertaining if a little dated. Doubt that side two would hold up on repeated plays.
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
Eurythmics
2/5
This sounded fresh on its release. The range of AL a joy and the twiddly parts from DS uplifting. Other than the singles which are baked in, this simply does not stand up today.
The Prodigy
2/5
The Associates
3/5
A little too much fiddling here, such was the thing in the early electro pop. The singer providing moments of joy but more often annoying. It does sound dated but when it hits the mark it is fun and stands up today.
3/5
Most unexpected. It started with an infectious rhythm and kept is going continuously seamlessly drifting between instrumental and vocals.
3/5
An album of twists, for a time it could have you running off the edge and every now and them jumping off and gliding on a breeze. A lot of effort went in to produce it and small things are found on every listen but you wish that when they let rip they go for it big time. I didn't really feel that.
Paul Weller
2/5
Well produced, good songs and band but its the vocals. After the Jam Weller's voice didn't really fit the genres he moved into. But it is his project and he needed to be the frontman. Covers by other artists may well elevate some of the songs.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
A whirlwind in the right light and temperature. A nightmare with the wrong elements.
The Youngbloods
2/5
Well the album cover suggested one genre and the music delivered an interesting mix of several. Perfectly cemented in time and place. It flowed along pleasantly with nothing outstanding.
Dolly Parton
3/5
This was jolly. A pretty good collaboration that throws up some fine songs.
Simple Minds
3/5
Not the experience is was when the album was released. The band had settled on a sound that would drive towards their single known song (not on this album). The singles are good, some of the extended songs work within the context of the album. But it does sound dated. All that glitters is not gold.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
Couldn't get into this. Rushed and raucous. Towards the close a hint of something calmer but it didn't last.
Donald Fagen
3/5
Lapped up on release due to absence of new Steely Dan material. Thought it was good at the time but listening again nigh on 40 years later there aren't enough strong tracks. Strong musicianship and well produced as to be expected but lacking an additional critical ear to make it great.
Fairport Convention
4/5
This was a treat. Much more variety than expected. Some fine arrangements, great vocals and interesting guitar.
Supergrass
2/5
There is a lot of variety on the album. Good songwriting . But just couldn't get into it.
Klaxons
3/5
Solid fayre that seemed interesting at first but seemed to stretch the theme a little too much.
Television
4/5
An album that is built around the fulcrum of the title track. There is no getting away that is stands head and shoulders above all the others. But most of them are startlingly strong as well. While the vocals may become a little whiney over time the guitar playing and rhythm section more than overcome this. There are scintillating recurring guitar motifs sprinkled across the tracks. An extraordinary rock album that teased us lyrically and musically.
T. Rex
4/5
The poster that came with the album was on the wall for some time. A super fine collections of songs many of which stand up today, some down to familiarity. Plenty of positive and bouncy tunes elevated by the clever well crafted production.
Van Morrison
3/5
It's Van. It's has all his hallmarks. It;s pretty solid. It's live so a little out of place on this list.
The Only Ones
2/5
Didn't do a lot for me. Pretty variable fayre. Sounds of its time.
Steely Dan
5/5
Other than the vocalist who would have thought that this was SD. Very little of what came before or after is imprinted on this album. Save of course the striking songwriting.
It took a while to get into the album on release following on from Countdown which remains my favourite of theirs. This is a better album.
David Holmes
2/5
A laconic stroll in search of some action that didn't materialise.
Dead Kennedys
3/5
A post punk vision in the singles so much better than the almost routine rest. Sarky, amusing but weird from the 40 years on perspective.
Stephen Stills
3/5
A lot more varied than expected. Good songs nicely produced with some deft contributions from various glitterati.
Terence Trent D'Arby
2/5
Pink Floyd
3/5
The polish and vision had yet to become ingrained so an album of experimentation, wit and some decent songs.
Travis
3/5
This is the sort of album that is likely to improve on repeated plays. On the first pass, however, it felt like a steady walk along even ground with few discernible landmark until late on elevation added some interest.
Kings of Leon
2/5
There are short passages that are pretty cool but for the most part it was not interesting. And the vocals well .....
Def Leppard
2/5
Little to ignite interest here. Standard rock album of the period. Awful vocals. There are rare guitar thrills though.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
A pleasant listen. Can't say there was anything outstanding but a good collections of songs providing more exposure to the genre.
Billie Holiday
2/5
There is a soulful voice. There are expansive arrangements. It just feels flat. An individual song might feel arresting on the radio but as a collection each just melds into the next.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
This is a hard listen. Finely structured songs. But as with most of his output it is difficult to warm to his delivery.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
Aptly named. An interesting collection of songs likely to grow on replay.
Kings of Leon
3/5
Crikey another on the list from this band coming only a few days since the last one. This work is later in their career and there had been a change, for the better. A stronger collection of songs that seemed focused on a wider appeal. Maybe this made it more accessible.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
The songs fit the voice which channels the person. Somewhat depressing on the face of it but pretty powerful nevertheless. Whether the style was planned or arose during the sessions it clearly works. The production warrants a strong assist here. Overall a fine album.
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
And then the doorbell rang and the trance was broken. Got just about half way. Quite a scatterbrain collection. This is car journey stuff at best where one needs something light heading up the motorway. As it is so long one might even create a playlist from it picking a select bunch of tunes. That seems the best option for repeated plays.
Yes
3/5
Never been able to listened to a Yes album repeatedly. This one follows the pattern of the other I've heard. I even owned one at some point but it is not easy to skip tracks on vinyl. Anyway this is OK, yes the musicianship is excellent, yes there are some enlightening guitar passages and glorious harmonies but it feels disjointed.
The Fall
2/5
It is recognisable as The Fall through the vocals and drumming but the thrill of their raw early work is not there.
Richard Hawley
3/5
An enjoyable offering with fine songs well delivered with neat arrangements. It all went sideways towards the end with an alternative style. Nothing really wrong with it but felt odd. Some songs are ripe for covering.
Boards of Canada
3/5
Musical foraging. Sometimes it can be warming and on others upset ones tummy. Here it is mostly the former.
Eric Clapton
2/5
This got a lot of radio time on its release as the 'hero' had been away for a while. Seemed OK at the time but almost 50 years on it is so underwhelming. The guitar prowess is held back, only rarely surfacing. Having been in bands full of monster egos their output was often stellar. Being the primary ego the play offs clearly absent the quality is simply not there.
The Adverts
3/5
True to the name this is a fun filler between the main event, whatever that may be. Of its time, but raucous seems to fair reasonably well.
Björk
3/5
Expect the unexpected from Bjork. This is an ambitious work that is not overly successful. There are passages that are grating and other spellbinding. Difficult to know when this would get played.
Alice Cooper
3/5
This was fun. More diverse than expected, only knowing the album that followed this one. Holds up well.
Neil Young
4/5
There are some seriously strong songs on this album. A pretty pared back production. Not keen on his vocals but they do work well on the biting social commentaries and the harmonies.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
More mature and modern? Her work has certainly been grown up and clearly reflected in the songs here. The style is contemporary with a nag that some songs feel overproduced. It sits well with her earlier work.
Soft Machine
4/5
Get the sextant out and plot a course to the edge of your mind. After a start where is seems there was some frantic twiddling of knobs before the correct settings were found it hit a stride. A discordant quartet on offer with many ebbs and flows plus a smattering of wit. Give it a go there is plenty to discover.
Stereo MC's
3/5
Portishead
4/5
Apart from knowing where Portishead is in the UK and a memory of being stuck on the M5 for 6 hours staring at the exit sign to there, the band is a mystery. Happily this interaction was more positive. Although a little samey the mix is strong and engaging. The vocals fit the style beautifully. Some of the frills seemed an unnecessary embellishment. Or maybe likened to things that distract ones attention from the monotony of being stationary in traffic,
Hawkwind
3/5
Well this was journey! Unlike a recent offering in this list where the frills seemed superfluous, here they are important and compliment the driving rhythms. Of course it is overlong and one wonders whether anyone was still awake at the end of the concert. A tone is set and it continues it unrelenting mission save for the short spoke and somewhat ridiculous interludes. Just the thing for a long trip on the motorway.
Justin Timberlake
3/5
It's not Bad and then neither is it a Thriller.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Strong start with the singles. and backed up with a pretty decent set of songs. A couple are well below par but overall enjoyable.
Wire
3/5
No dilly dally here. It moves at a relentless pass. A refined rawness.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
This follows the other EC albums on this list, pretty good songs with a lyrical barb, which don't pack the punch they once did. Having bought the previous and following albums to this one it was the singles that had me shying away from purchasing this. Listening all these years later that has not changed.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
So very different. Not my cup of tea. Each song seemed to be a ramble.
Manu Chao
3/5
This was fun and rather unexpected. It wasn't until the last few songs that you can appreciate the journey. What seems to be an obvious underpinning rhythm cleverly evolves as the tracks go by, almost like a walk through a city with different cultures. While there is nothing startling it is infectious and calming.
The Darkness
3/5
Rather jolly. No real duds but no standouts either.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
This is a soundtrack to something... Bleak, haunting and stretched to the limit.
The Stone Roses
5/5
Bought this on a deal while browsing in a superstore on Oxford Street, on cassette, having no knowledge of the band. This was some years after its release, around the time another band from manchester were becoming super popular. The album had glowing reviews.
Well what a revelation. A super collection of songs bookend by two stunners. Everything just works, a testament to their readiness and the production team.
3/5
This started brightly and was something counter to expectations. However as it moved on it got stuck in a groove and failed to shift out of it.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Some things need to be set aside to focus on what makes this standout. It is the songs. The voice is hit and miss, the production isn't forensic enough.
2Pac
2/5
A dysfunctional strut. Solid beat which soon becomes monotonous. Cross the street to avoid.
Killing Joke
3/5
Little light in this industrial powerhouse. Somewhat cludgey in places although there are some subtler moments.
Doves
3/5
One likely to improve with repeated plays.
Hookworms
3/5
Lou Reed
4/5
What a challenging narrative. Not a great listen altogether but a bold concept. There a number of fine musical moments along with a few dirge-like passages. One or two songs work outside of the concept and could be listened stand-alone.
The Birthday Party
1/5
Closest match ///birthday.party.unheard
Just imagine if there were such a spot you could cry alone after having heard this utter excruciating nonsense.
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
Plenty of depth and repetition as goes with the genre at the time. Fine to have it sweep around but not something to seek out.
Jane Weaver
3/5
Bee Gees
3/5
Still in their chameleon phase. Nothing overly wrong with that but there is no real sense of what. There are some good songs often let down by overblown orchestration. What works in one song doesn't necessarily work in another. The harmonies, as to be expected, are more than fine. Overall OK if a little monotone.
Stephen Stills
4/5
This was something of a surprise. Through the course of the album there are jumps between styles, although underpinned by the soft rock that had framed earlier work. Although a solo effort it clearly benefits from the collection of musicians assembled. It probably works better through streaming without interruptions than it would as a physical double album.
Roxy Music
4/5
There is plenty to admire in the collection. Every member gets a fair shot to shine. Less experimental than earlier work with probably more control to create a consistent sound, albeit one with many levels.
Leftfield
3/5
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
It is a Hendrix album so there is pretty good stuff, moderate stuff and stuffless stuff. Again there is evidence of a good songwriter as witness by other artists making covers. In general there aren't enough of them. The guitar work makes up for some of the limitation but that can only go so far. Live is would have been stuffing great as the dodgy soundsystems of the time time would have compensated for the limited vocals.
Teenage Fanclub
2/5
Couldn't get into this at all.
Dion
3/5
Leaving aside the upturned crusts of the first and last tracks the filling was a surprise. Very much of the americana of the time. Good that the production did overpower the songs. Pleasant but not overly memorable.
Napalm Death
1/5
They got the title correct, best song on the album, albeit on a very low bar. In general a nightmare akin to turning the dial on the radio in search of something lighter only to find the apocalypse in motion with this as the pervasive broadcast.
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
very middle of the road
3/5
Interesting to go with a live album for debut - cost? Sounds remarkably polished production wise for a live album from that time. So not as raw as one might think and lyrically offering a limited vision. Certainly powerful aggressive rock.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
This seems like the band took an opportunity to wander in the enormous shadow of the monster. Overall it is solid but uneven where the step away from the formula did not work. The trademarks are there but not in abundance.
R.E.M.
3/5
This will be a grower. It seems to be the way with this band. The singles have an immediate connection. There are none that standout but it is solid fayre throughout.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
It is occasional music. Difficult to know what that occasion might be. One is set aside from ones travails while this is playing.
Pere Ubu
3/5
Nothing exceptional here. Maybe weird for the time but there have always been artists that have an alternate vision. An eclectic mix with the better songs having none or muted vocals.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
A pretty neat concept well executed. There is is some guff on the journey particularly at the start and we are taken though a sampler of all that southern rock has to offer. All that rough and all that shines can be found.
Orbital
2/5
All I got from this was an image of a bunny bashing a set of drums and wishing I has bought the cheap brand.
Cat Stevens
4/5
A consistently strong collection. The songwriting is excellent. The production let the songs breathe which serves it well over 50 years on.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
A rather wild mix of styles mostly underpinned by their core. As usual the vocals vary from tight fit to a little baggy. Plenty of strong performances by the band and their guests.
Stan Getz
3/5
3/5
Rather jolly although a little dated.
Talking Heads
3/5
Can
4/5
This didn't match my memory of the band. More avant garde and experimental. Well this was a surprise a coherent multi layered journey built around infectious rhythms.
The Beta Band
4/5
Not heard of the band prior to this dropping. Well what a fun mix. Nothing truly original but some sparkling songs across many rock genres. Definitely one for the road.
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
Couldn't get into this at all. Had the background feel to it. There were short passages, the solos, that were almost arresting.
Billy Bragg
4/5
Ah the busker in your living room. Its all good fun despite some of the earnest political stuff. There are some nifty hooks and one liners. Mixed in are some love songs and the off kilter vocal and delivery make it quite compelling.
Talk Talk
2/5
A definite shift from their initial poppy work. The tighter constraints of that are forsaken for a number of earnest rambling extensions. The fun and froth now gone. Not an enjoyable experience.
k.d. lang
3/5
Only knew of the artist through the collaborations so this was something new. And something of a surprise. An enjoyable collection of songs, well crafted with some catchy.
David Bowie
3/5
The invention that stands out in his work is there but not at previous levels. This is an uneven work but contains enough recognisable elements that permeate the songs to maintain an interest.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
The lush arrangements certainly heighten the emotional drawer. Could it be more powerful pared down just vocal an light instrumentation. The presentation is on the cusp of holding one's attention and being soppy. A strong set of songs.
The Boo Radleys
3/5
This travelled along many paths, some were sunlit most were foggy.
Brian Eno
4/5
It is a testament to the vision of the man getting a collection of fine musicians with little connection to produce such a varied selection of songs. At times thrilling and others a little discordant. But it works. Almost steeped in its time but given the variety and production standards it works today.
Death In Vegas
2/5
This just sauntered along lacking any inspiration and depth.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
When you own the album on cassette you can't cherry pick the tracks. This means you listen to all of them and over time appreciate the nuances of each one. As a collection probably their best work. Individual tracks elsewhere may well be better.
The Libertines
3/5
This rattled along with some aplomb. Some nifty bouncy stuff easy to access. Overall entertaining and fun.
The Cars
3/5
Pretty fine fayre. Plenty of hooks to grab the attention. Varied enough with enough depth to elevate above pure pop and keep the interest until the closing track.
Shack
4/5
This was a surprise. Knew nothing about the band. A collection of well crafted songs with good harmonies.
Supertramp
3/5
This flows along innocently and fits nicely in its genre. There is little to get excited about. The song structures can be somewhat complicated.
Peter Frampton
2/5
All about the guitar I'm afraid. Beyond this there is little else to warrant any attention.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Years since I heard this. The album is pretty varied in styles and themes with all the Stevie trademarks. Sounds a little dated on some track, early synthesizer stuff seems prevalent of this.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Ministry
2/5
Beyond the pail for my liking. Crash Bang but little wallop.
Deerhunter
3/5
Not heard of the band. Pretty varied. Generally middling.
The Shamen
1/5
In the cold light of the listen at home while you work it takes a lot for this genre to break out and be moving without chemical assistance. This just doesn't have it. Were it a CD it would have been shredded.
Tangerine Dream
4/5
A repetitive swirling adventure that sometimes drifts to something darker. The title track certainly tells a strong story.
2/5
It's inventive, laden with humour but the band turned it up one notch beyond and it ended up a mess.
The Pretty Things
3/5
Leonard Cohen
4/5
The Temptations
4/5
Enjoyed this. Something of a departure from the singles which is what an album should attempt to offer.
Saint Etienne
3/5
The fillers were fluffy and light but doubt they work on repeated listening. An album of mixed styles that is jolly in places, feisty in others and mundane elsewhere.
The White Stripes
3/5
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
It's great to hear the many of the tracks on the radio as one offs and interesting to see how the album is basically singles. It just feels so underpowered today. There is no doubt about the significance of the artist and that alone raises the rating.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Iron Butterfly
2/5
Sub-standard doors off their hinges. Probably a blast live.
Serge Gainsbourg
4/5
A bold concept somewhat spoiled by the delivery. The vocals require emotion to convey the story when the language is not familiar and that simply isn't there. Possibly on repeated listens, subtle twists may well be found. Nevertheless the music is more than solid and often a quirky take on what was popular at the time.
Ozomatli
2/5
A varied collection in style and quality.
Bad Brains
2/5
The Band
3/5
Sepultura
2/5
Awful angular sounds but somewhat compelling.
Traffic
3/5
The competing styles made for an entertaining album. Nothing startling but kept the attention.
808 State
2/5
Plenty of repetitive diddle diddle but devoid of emotion.
Van Morrison
3/5
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Pleasant enough floating by in the background. Little movement away from the core.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Madonna
2/5
Although many of the U2 hallmarks are in evidence there are few that standout. A pretty good album overall but not going to displace their early work.
The Undertones
3/5
The Hives
3/5
Could it be that this album is on the list just for the challenge of the title? Leaving aside the squashing of two albums to get this one does the music hold up. There is nothing groundbreaking here. A more controlled version of the genre fitting into its time frame. It is raucous, somewhat unrelenting but OK.
The Cardigans
3/5
Having only known the singles the expansion to an album was refreshing. String solid pop music.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Oooh eer! This sets a cool mood and runs with it. So much classier than others of this genre.
Blondie
4/5
The mark of a great pop album where almost all of the tracks could be singles, and the record company had a good go at this. Credit to the producer for keeping the songs tight and getting a consistently high vocal performance from DH.
Mariah Carey
2/5
Pretenders
4/5
It has been sometime since I last heard the album. The singles drift through now and them. When the album was released almost everywhere you went someone had a copy or it was playing at a party. It certainly caught a wave. Forty years on it still resonates as a fine album, maybe no longer a great one.
Björk
4/5
Bought this album on spec as someone I knew kept banging on about the Sugarcubes. What an impression it made. Plugged into a emerging trend and flipped it. Still sound bright today.
The Specials
2/5
A fair bit going on in these songs but lacking in any sort of oomph.
Fiona Apple
2/5
Lyrics may be one thing but the overall feel is a collection of songs with a somewhat disinterested delivery.
Little Simz
2/5
A slight shift from the usual for this genre with passages that were tolerable.
Suzanne Vega
3/5
Wilco
3/5
New Order
3/5
After a truly awful opening this improved considerably. Plenty of the hallmarks of the band in evidence.
Joanna Newsom
2/5
King Crimson
2/5
There are passages when things are not so glacial but overall it is a struggle to get into this, certainly without many plays. More often familiarity brings out the nuances and it become acceptable. The question being does one want to go on that journey. There is plenty in there whether it is that innovative, not sure.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
Germs
2/5
Surrounded by bottles of Domestos we survived this onslaught. Grinding raucous nonsense with rare moments of almost a tune. Bizarrely the final track fractured and off the wall that it is turned out to be the most interesting.
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
Wildly inconsistent musically and woeful lyrically.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
It sounds rather dated and somewhat low-fi for modern tastes but this is a collection of high quality songs with an almost exemplary delivery.
Talking Heads
2/5
This is where the inventive and clever collection collapses in on itself only surfacing for the one gem we all know. Not helped by the dense production.
Johnny Cash
3/5
The concept is a bold one and it teeters on the edge of acceptability for this list. But it is still a live album regardless of the location. Nonetheless this is more than fine example of the artist as a musician and a performer. It is clear that the audience are in thrall and it is down to the man.
The Incredible String Band
2/5
Fugazi
3/5
A case of don't judge by the first few seconds. As it went along the oh no another of this type gave way to this has something about it. More structure and a subtleness of power.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Ponderous musings.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Multi-dementional. A soundtrack to an evening in Wetherspoons. Glorious
Pulp
3/5
This could be a grower. Nothing sensational but enough to pique the interest. But every class is different.
The Triffids
3/5
As requested by the final song, I will and be brief. It was good.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
Mildly impressed by this. The usual MO for this genre playing out but instead of becoming bored there was something about the collection. Maybe the odd placement of the samples. The seemingly less preachy outlook. Edging towards the hinterland of cool.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Rahul Dev Burman
3/5
This was a right old mish mash of styles. Jolly enough and accessible.
The Everly Brothers
3/5
Exquisite pop music, clean, functional, easily digestible and almost disposable. Except the really good stuff lingers.
Can
4/5
It does go on a bit and there are some weird passages but it does motor along with purpose.
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Samey Samey Weak Weak.
The Doors
3/5
Jane's Addiction
2/5
The xx
3/5
Mild and unobtrusive.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Gene Clark
3/5
An enjoyable collection of songs pretty well delivered. Fifty plus years on it now seems underwhelming.
Iron Maiden
2/5
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Why didn't they make this a live album. It appears to be how it has been structured. The solo performances are excellent but seem out of place. This is a great band but they demonstrate it rarely here. When it works it really does.
Q-Tip
3/5
Very Scalextrix.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
And this is the problem with live albums on the list and particularly with this artist. The music is driving and well recorded but the showmanship which must have been a key part of the performance just does not come across.
Motörhead
2/5
Roxy Music
3/5
A good marker as an introduction to the band. Far too experimental to really be on the list. In that sense it might be good to hear once. Their later albums have stronger songs and more of a sense of a band. Here someone spent too much time on the knobs.
Crowded House
3/5
Brian Wilson
4/5
This is a weird one. It definitely warrants being on the list. Recorded in the current century but can't break out of the previous one. It is so not of its time. Has all that one would expect of the artist, great songs, exquisite harmonies and inventive arrangements.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Elvis Presley
2/5
Sparks
4/5
What a sparking collection of songs. Bought the album after the singles had run through and heard a few other tracks on the radio. Thought it very good at time but have appreciated it more over the years and with it being presented as the latest in the list it is one of the few to get a back to back play. There is plenty to digest.
The Young Rascals
3/5
Brian Eno
4/5
Ambling. Ambient and Ambivalent.
Fever Ray
3/5
Massive Attack
2/5
Frank Ocean
3/5
Haircut 100
3/5
Pleasant fun pop although rather dated.
Sade
3/5
A good set of songs, well produced and performed but lacking any edge.
Adele
3/5
No doubting the voice but it lack subtlety. It seems to get to shouty and stay there. The producers certainly got a performance but they didn't get spine tingling songs.
Underworld
3/5
Big Star
3/5
Something of a surprise. The slower tracks much better than the rock ones.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Disappointing. Some strong songs but mostly uninspiring and samey.
John Martyn
4/5
There's a definite shift from other work by this artist. This will be a grower with familiarity. On a first play the second side much stronger than the side one. The mix is odd at times but given there is experimentation going on it works. The guitar work is great.
The Coral
3/5
A right old 60s mix with noughties production. Neat
CHVRCHES
3/5
The Flying Burrito Brothers
3/5
There's some good stuff on the album but it's soooo slow.
Morrissey
3/5
5/5
Avalon,Nirvana, They went there and milked it. But this is their peak. Everything coalesced on this album. And thereafter we were left with just the rattle and hum.
Janis Joplin
2/5
Fine voice if a tad boisterous at times. Probably good in a bar with the atmosphere. Comes across as lacking depth.
The Vines
2/5
OutKast
2/5
Eminem
1/5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
Fiona Apple
3/5
Tom Waits
3/5
The Specials
3/5
King Crimson
3/5
Alice Cooper
4/5
In a period when the personas became marketed as ever more extreme it clearly worked and AC became very popular in the UK. A well played album at the time in the circle of friends. It captured a teenager's rebelliousness thoughts even if they had no intention of going there. A liberal scattering of some proper sing-along pop songs that still work well belted out today.
Bauhaus
2/5
Not a grim as I thought. Production seemed a little muddy. Lacking the vocal distinction of some contemporaries.
3/5
Not easy to get into this. The early tracks were an ache. Switched to headphones and the sax separation became clear and is pretty bold. The later tracks are more accessible.
Beatles
5/5
I'm at home listening and Everything seems to be right.
Van Halen
3/5
I get this as a fun party night out with its semi-live feel but as a serious album it is clearly lacking. Virtuoso guitar is one thing but it needs context and subtlety. Ideal for air guitar and head nodding with one's mates.
Destiny's Child
2/5
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
Devendra Banhart
3/5
A modern day Wielder of Words but without the bongos.
The KLF
2/5
There are other better white rooms. This passed me by when it came out and today it seems rather dated and joyless.
Red Snapper
2/5
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Odd choice to be on the list. Maybe to compare their debut offering with that of the Beatles. It loses hands down. A solid demonstration of their ability as musicians, especially Charlie, on a set of covers
Tim Buckley
4/5
Peter Tosh
3/5
Violent Femmes
3/5
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
Two days running with this genre and more accessible than the previous one. There is a noticeable difference until the last track pooped it right back to type.
Digital Underground
2/5
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
More wordy wrapping hood. Entertaining at times. Dreary for the most part.
Nico
3/5
Motörhead
2/5
No need to stroke the chin or check the stereo separation. This is high octane no nonsense in your face drivel. It's engaging because of the front man.
Scissor Sisters
2/5
The Jesus And Mary Chain
1/5
Any song seems to be squashed by the distortion. It's so distracting and ultimately annoying.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Very little of this works. A lot of intricate twiddling and sweeping nut coherent songs are not the result. Even the toe taping final tracks suffers from some discordant tinkering. Couldn't get into the band at the time and now sounds insufferably indulgent.
Christine and the Queens
3/5
Started with the English version which was not particularly engaging. Then switched to the french where the songs had a different feel, probably not understanding the lyrics,. The performance came across as more invested. Although the sound seemed to hark back to the eighties the production is more modern and suggests that it will still sound OK in thirty years time. Catchy enough for replay.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Radiohead
3/5
This, like much of their output, is not immediately accessible. There is plenty in there but I doubt that I want to invest the time to unlock the mysteries. Middling as it will stand, not rubbish but also far from outstanding.
Solange
2/5
Rhythm may be a dancer but not on this tiresome offering. It so slow and samey. The seat is ideal for this, clap to the left, clap to the right, so suited to a morning tv show exercise routine. It is well produced.
Machito
4/5
This was nice.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
There is nothing really wrong with this collection, but then there is little to get you out of your seat. But then maybe this is the point and there were a decade ahead of when their audience would slow down. These are a shuffle, ideal for a slumber. A long way from their bouncy disco pure pop.
U2
4/5
Method Man
2/5
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
A sprawling mess but with nuggets of glory. The crazy stuff is fun but doesn't warrant repeated play. The shorter tracks are inconsistent. Some are very good. It does sound a little dated. There's no doubting the album's influence.
Britney Spears
2/5
It's pure pop. It's dense. It's dated.
System Of A Down
3/5
Something of an eye opener. Raucous indeed but with fun on the side.
Depeche Mode
3/5
The songwriting keeps the interest here. Less catchy that some of their other work. As a collection it works pretty well.
David Crosby
3/5
Sumptuously slow. Gripped by its time.
Richard Thompson
5/5
This is an album I had on cassette having taped it from a friend. Those were the days when the budget limited what could be bought and there would be an agreement on which album to buy and those to copy. Having seen them tour the album it was played for some time until the inevitable happened and he tape twisted that no end of pencil twiddling could repair.
Many many years late fate intervened and when out geocaching one day the CD of the album was found in a geocache and duly swapped with something of dubious quality. Despite being in a container exposed to the elements the album was listened to in the car on the way home. It has been a staple ever since.
A more than fine example of stretched english folk with strong songwriting, sparkling harmonies plus some scalding guitar.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Only know of the band through the hits. This album demonstrates a breath beyond them. Nothing exceptional but grooves along with infection.
3/5
Good that there seems to be a theme running and is stays just this side of the edge. Plenty of other experimental stuff to select to fit the title of the list. Hear it once and move on. Well it's done.
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Musically strong, vocally variable.
Spiritualized
2/5
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
This is probably worthy of its place on the list simply due to the marketing. Quite a feat to have a debut album as a double containing a smattering of covers. The running order is well put together. The title track established the path well and probably represents a signature for the band. The monster singles are in their shortened form when almost everywhere you went at the time you heard one of the many extended mixes. Marketing again. The covers are faithful but work within the concept.
Immense fun at the time. Now merely a time capsule.
Gary Numan
2/5
Suede
3/5
LTJ Bukem
2/5
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Sinister and irritating.
Santana
3/5
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Sebadoh
3/5
The Velvet Underground
3/5
This seemed so restrained, pleasant even until the penultimate track when normal VU appeared restored.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
XTC
3/5
Very English, sounding like a 60's concept album with a prelude to the 90's Brit sound. And all wrapped up in 80's production. Solid.
Liz Phair
2/5
This is rather uneven. The songwriting is good. It all falls down in the vocals. These are her songs but the delivery is uninspiring. The vocals need to be on point and perfectly pitched or where limited be distinctive so that you think, yeah I get it. Both are absence here.
Giant Sand
3/5
Although this fell away at the end the collection is pretty cool.
Korn
1/5
Frightful.
George Harrison
4/5
Hard to imagine repeated listens to the entire album. A playlist feature helps to build something digestible. And there is more than enough fine things here. For the most part the songwriting is strong. The musicianship can't be faulted. Maybe at times the production is not well defined.
Paul McCartney
4/5
Soul II Soul
2/5
Khaled
2/5
Quite a groove. Moved along nicely but keeps going and starts to overstay its welcome. Ideal for dipping.
The Killers
2/5
Anita Baker
2/5
Fine voice. Stylistically vapid.
The Cult
1/5
Oh my this was excruciating. Any subtlety was lost on me.
Oasis
3/5
Neither Meh or Wow. Solid rock and roll.
Al Green
3/5
Bad Company
3/5
The Byrds
4/5
Funkadelic
3/5
Pink Floyd
3/5
Never been able to get into PF. Nothing really wrong with the music. It just lacks something. No doubting the vision. This just sounds like it could be a soundtrack to Shoestring.
Primal Scream
2/5
A case of ADS here. So much switching it felt like tuning a radio to find a song you like and then getting bored with it and fiddling again. Moments of joy are few.
Bert Jansch
4/5
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
Pretty vanilla, meanders pleasantly until the last track which is awful.
The Streets
2/5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
The Fall
3/5
As a rear view mirror sentiment the title may have mileage but not for the band on this album. The hallmarks are there but signs of wilting beginning to show.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Bobby Womack
3/5
N.E.R.D
3/5
No idea what to expect having no knowledge of the band. A quirky kind of offering. Hard to get into but almost something of everything.
Public Enemy
2/5
LL Cool J
3/5
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
Pulp
2/5
Mercury Rev
3/5
A lot of hype around this album which prompted a buy. It has a strong collection of songs, some excellent but there's a nag that it is missing something that would make it worthy for this list.
Jazmine Sullivan
3/5
Hard to imagine picking this up without it being in the list. Formulaic in the music, the slanted themes became rather tiresome even though were were some lighter moments. The set-ups really only work the first time through. Not the slickest in the way of production.
Depeche Mode
3/5
Beatles
5/5
Portishead
3/5
Big Star
4/5
Enjoyed this. A little dated but fine songs, plenty of variation with strong harmonies.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
Undoubtedly novel to western tastes at the time. Now this music is infused in the culture across the UK. Exemplary playing but overall not earth shattering.
Jamiroquai
2/5
It goes on and on and becomes tedious. There are some neat parts, probably best tucked away on a random playlist.
The Teardrop Explodes
2/5
The poppy parts were jolly, the rest jolly awful.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Fine album with a good mix of the experimental and more poppy sounds. More accessible than Genesis.
TV On The Radio
2/5
Ray Price
3/5
A lot of variation in this collection with more than a few similarities to other singers around at the time. Doubt it an influential piece of work but enjoyably spirited. Suited to a mood.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
Double album was too much to digest in one go. Couldn't identify a link between the two so probably didn't miss anything. The songs were surprisingly varied and entertaining. Probably be able to extract chunks to get a digestible playlist.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Heaven 17
2/5
Oh for schisms! Without this one this is what we could have expected from the Human League. At the time it was a more agit prop funky synth compared to the pure pop of HL. It was fun and good for dancing.
Now it sounds so dated and rather immature.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Fine voice, neat arrangements but somewhat dated.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Owned this album at some point. Never got into it and gave it away when someone rummaging through my record collection when gooey over Peter Gabriel.
D'Angelo
2/5
Foo Fighters
3/5
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
Laura Nyro
3/5
Beth Orton
3/5
Os Mutantes
3/5
Every now and then the list throws up something off the wall and while not earth shattering warrants being on it. On one level it seems another psychedelia entry but as with the genre it has a latin twist. Fun and frighteningly listenable.
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Undoubtedly would be a grower, the repetitive rhythms and TTs voice almost guarantee this. However it feels less inventive than their earlier work.
Van Halen
2/5
Metallica
3/5
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
This album is like walking into a pub where there is a fight in progress and you think we'll go to the quiet one down the road for a game of dominoes.
Prefab Sprout
3/5
Fred Neil
3/5
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Always though the captain was weird and steered clear. On this offering if weird is wandering off the conventional path with neat and clever fillers, then count me in. There is so much in these songs and the flow works really well.
Lou Reed
3/5
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
Started promisingly then fell away with plenty of tiresome language that was off putting. More moderation might have been better served.
Mike Oldfield
3/5
Mekons
2/5
A gruesome mish-mash styles that seemed limited. Mostly tuneless.
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
What a potent concoction. Strident and loud throughout. Impressive in its own way.
Patti Smith
4/5
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Slade
2/5
Röyksopp
3/5
Antony and the Johnsons
3/5
Suede
2/5
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Poor Greg Lake sandwiched between two towering overactors. Yes it is accomplished and dextrous but boy is it tedious. There is some joy, the jolly and bop-along final track.
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
If enough this are hit then at some point it will resonate. Stuck with this through gritted teeth with some reward. As the tracks went on the very angular noise gave way to something more palatable. Nevertheless not something to revisit.
KISS
2/5
Beatles
4/5
A wild collection so varied in styles. Musically strong benefiting from stellar production. Not one for regular listening.
The Zutons
2/5
Crisp, inoffensive and poppy but not particularly memorable.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Meat Puppets
3/5
Setting aside the shouty parts this evolved into an entertaining journey. The softer vocals worked best and the guitar is sparkling throughout.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Harry Nilsson
3/5
Pavement
2/5
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Bass, Bass and more Bass. It is a sprawling mess.
Janelle Monáe
4/5
Well this was a sparkling offering, varied and driven by strong songwriting and musicianship. This is where the list works. Had no knowledge of the artist prior to this.
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
Justice
2/5
Started ok then became progressively more annoying.
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
Sounds of its time and it is easy to mistake for other contemporaries. This is no bad thing. It is fine and good to return to every so often.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
Given that some of the songs are almost standards there was familiarity. Always found something in the voice of DCT which works across a mix of musical styles. A pretty good album that still sounds fine today.
A strong current running through the album, music, lyrics and guitars. The two vocalists doesn't really work. It was unfortunate that RL was in the same band as RS with his distinct and powerful delivery, as he was a fine singer.
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
It seemed to have something which evaporated to nothing. Pick one play then OK. Anymore it is just a tad repetetive.
The Go-Go's
3/5
A consistent set of jolly songs ideal for a party. Nothing groundbreaking.
David Bowie
4/5
Snoop Dogg
2/5
This follows the usual MO for this genre where it has some semi-infectious grooves which are swamped by tedious interludes.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
Ever so dandy. Poptastic of its age. Same relentless beat through with lyrics replete with silliness. Limited vocals. Turn up the volume and get prancing.
The Kinks
3/5
AC/DC
2/5
Relentless which becomes tiresome. Like the chunky guitar. Dislike the vocals. Little to redeem. Saw them live early in their career, really much of a muchness.
Mudhoney
2/5
Unrefined filthy nonsense. You either run with it or away from it.
Orange Juice
2/5
This is stuck in its time. It is not without its merit with some swings through styles. The variation is its failing. There is little to identify the band.
Taylor Swift
3/5
Undoubtedly a slow burner. Had heard the album before and thought it was ok. With repeated listens the layers are uncovered. What seemed rather bland and repetitive does have depth. The writing is strong, the singing less so.
Elvis Costello
2/5
Couldn't get into this. Similar to some of the earlier work but lacking hooks and humour. With the style of delivery this comes overs as shouty and often repetitive.
The Smashing Pumpkins
2/5
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Not heard anything by the band. Solid offering.
John Lennon
2/5
Although there are some fine songs it is a very dour collection lacking in memorable hooks. Unlikely to get a full airing with just cherry picking a few for a list.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
Quite the collection. The theatrical stuff is out there and digestible is small chunks. On the other hand the more conventional is enjoyable if tied to its time. Did see them in their hey day and it was a riot.
The Police
3/5
The first album had some good pop songs. This one has one monster and overall the writing and performances are better. Owned the album sometime ago and this first full through listen for a couple of decades. It still sounds fine but not as impactful as it may have once sounded. The band is tight with all three contributing sterling stuff. One of the weaker areas are the vocals.
The Bees
2/5
Christina Aguilera
3/5
This was too long. A lot of effort went in to the production and selection of songs with mixed results. CA had a strong voice, although it didn't feel stretched and kept on the same side. No song had a spine tingling moment. No doubt the voice could deliver this. There was certainly scope for this in a album, especially over an hour in length. In small chunks, singles, this is more than fine.
Marty Robbins
3/5
It shows that when things are kept simple they can still feel fresh for a long time. Nicely woven stories telegraphed in the title of the album.
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
Bizarrely this sounds quite novel for today but it does test the patience. The same vocal style, deliberate I know, over various musical motifs, twiddle or crash bang.
Kelela
2/5
The Who
3/5
This is a pretty mixed offering but just about worthy of being on the list. Other than the singles which get played would never have known that their early work was varied. On a number songs, the covers in particular you wouldn't know that it was The Who.
The The
3/5
The Smashing Pumpkins
1/5
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
Wickedly silly but lacking lengthy meaningful musical sections. Difficult to imagine when this would ever get played.
Fairport Convention
4/5
What a sparkling example of English folk/rock. Striking vocals and bristling musicianship.
Taylor Swift
3/5
Pink Floyd
4/5
Beaten into submission over the years to recognise it as an important album. Not been keen on the band. Saw the band tour the album and it was something of a bore. It just didn't seem to work in a massive space. However it seemed to be on constant play on late night french radio and through that began to appreciate the depth.
The Blue Nile
4/5
Norah Jones
3/5
The Auteurs
3/5
Koffi Olomide
2/5
This definitely outstays its welcome. After a few songs the pattern is well established but doesn't stretch to any interesting which the length of the songs would suggest. Pleasant enough in small doses.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
Paul Simon
2/5
Elis Regina
4/5
The Byrds
3/5