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Fri Apr 02 2021
Nighthawks At The Diner
Tom Waits
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.
3
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Mon Apr 05 2021
Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
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.
3
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Wed Apr 07 2021
The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
Familiar with the singles but not previously aware of the album. More immediately accessible than the 'masterpiece'. Preferred the less bouncy second side.
3
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Thu Apr 08 2021
Either Or
Elliott Smith
Not heard of ES before. He was clearly a fine songwriter. Couldn't really get into this.
2
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Fri Apr 09 2021
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
Maxwell
The groove is too deep for me.
2
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Mon Apr 12 2021
I’m a Lonesome Fugitive
Merle Haggard
3
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Tue Apr 13 2021
Sheet Music
10cc
Too clever - maybe. But this album is great fun. Playful lyrics, good harmonies and bold chunky guitars.
4
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Wed Apr 14 2021
Armed Forces
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
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.
3
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Thu Apr 15 2021
Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
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.
1
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Fri Apr 16 2021
L.A. Woman
The Doors
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.
4
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Mon Apr 19 2021
With The Beatles
Beatles
3
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Tue Apr 20 2021
Purple Rain
Prince
When he's on it he's really on it and on it he is on several here.
3
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Wed Apr 21 2021
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
2
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Fri Apr 23 2021
The Visitors
ABBA
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.
3
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Mon Apr 26 2021
The Doors
The Doors
Opening so soon after another of their creations this doesn't pack the punch it once may have.
3
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Tue Apr 27 2021
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
It's bouncy, OK, but otherwise not to my taste
2
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Wed Apr 28 2021
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
Wired and wonderful at times with some exquisite cameos. Studious returns for further listening may discover more.
3
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Thu Apr 29 2021
Murmur
R.E.M.
3
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Fri Apr 30 2021
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4
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Mon May 03 2021
Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
Better than I was expecting.
3
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Wed May 05 2021
Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
Odd band, plenty of misses. Preferred to see them live and this album does capture some of this.
3
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Thu May 06 2021
Too Rye Ay
Dexys Midnight Runners
3
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Fri May 07 2021
Illmatic
Nas
Ouch! Too spikey for me.
2
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Mon May 10 2021
Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
2
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Tue May 11 2021
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
3
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Thu May 13 2021
Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
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.
4
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Tue May 18 2021
Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
The title says it all. Inoffensive at the outset and then became frankly insidious.
2
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Wed May 19 2021
If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
Dated. More than pleasant by pretty samey most of the way, enlivened by the singles.
2
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Fri May 21 2021
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
Tinklelicious!
3
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Mon May 24 2021
Wild Gift
X
Probably better live.
3
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Tue May 25 2021
The Atomic Mr Basie
Count Basie & His Orchestra
Something of a surprise. I was expecting to have to bail but it kept me interested.
3
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Thu May 27 2021
Here Are the Sonics
The Sonics
Marks for influencing, marks for own compositions but otherwise messy.
2
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Fri May 28 2021
Elephant
The White Stripes
Apart from the opener, not familiar with this band. A mixed bag really.
3
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Mon Jun 07 2021
Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
Marvellously varied. Super strong song writing.
5
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Wed Jun 09 2021
Ray Of Light
Madonna
3
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Thu Jun 10 2021
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
George Michael
I did and it was just middling.
3
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Fri Jun 11 2021
Thriller
Michael Jackson
Great songs superbly delivered, expertly produced and enlivened by splendid cameos.
4
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Mon Jun 14 2021
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
Some good songs here but appears less cohesive as a concept than when I first heard it a multitude of 5 years ago.
3
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Tue Jun 15 2021
Forever Changes
Love
Decent enough sandwich. Bright start and end but a little stodgy in the middle.
3
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Wed Jun 16 2021
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
More than solid side one with side two a little uneven.
3
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Thu Jun 17 2021
Bossanova
Pixies
Liked this. Better than I expected.
3
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Fri Jun 18 2021
Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room
Dwight Yoakam
Simply grating. Any subtlety in here passed me by.
1
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Mon Jun 21 2021
Your Arsenal
Morrissey
2
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Wed Jun 23 2021
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
The elements are all there but not fully connected.
2
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Thu Jun 24 2021
Life Thru A Lens
Robbie Williams
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.
2
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Fri Jun 25 2021
American Pie
Don McLean
Fine collection of songs overwhelmed by the title track.
3
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Thu Jul 01 2021
Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
1
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Fri Jul 02 2021
Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
Delightful.
3
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Tue Jul 06 2021
Picture Book
Simply Red
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.
4
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Fri Jul 09 2021
The Clash
The Clash
Definitely of its time. The cover song is the best on the album.
3
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Tue Jul 13 2021
Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
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.
3
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Fri Jul 16 2021
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
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.
1
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Mon Jul 19 2021
Grace
Jeff Buckley
This was a rather hit and miss. The less shouty ones were better.
3
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Wed Jul 21 2021
Private Dancer
Tina Turner
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.
2
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Thu Jul 22 2021
Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)
Bob Dylan
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.
3
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Fri Jul 23 2021
Ten
Pearl Jam
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.
3
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Thu Jul 29 2021
Dare!
The Human League
4
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Tue Aug 03 2021
On The Beach
Neil Young
Pleasantly surprised. Consistent throughout.
3
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Thu Aug 05 2021
All Directions
The Temptations
3
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Mon Aug 09 2021
Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
4
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Tue Aug 10 2021
Funeral
Arcade Fire
Had heard one of the tracks before. Sits well within the album which is strong and consistent.
4
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Wed Aug 11 2021
The Sun Rises In The East
Jeru The Damaja
This bounces along in the usual style. No stand out.
3
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Thu Aug 12 2021
Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson
Look what happens when unencumbered. A strong set of songs.
4
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Fri Aug 13 2021
Who's Next
The Who
Strong stuff here. The two well known epics backed up by some interesting songs which show of the versitility of the band.
4
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Tue Aug 17 2021
The Sensual World
Kate Bush
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.
4
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Wed Aug 18 2021
xx
The xx
Solid start but didn't really progress.
3
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Thu Aug 19 2021
16 Lovers Lane
The Go-Betweens
Jingle jangle stuff. Mildy entertaining. Some nifty riffs.
3
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Mon Aug 23 2021
Moby Grape
Moby Grape
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.
3
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Tue Aug 24 2021
When I Was Born For The 7th Time
Cornershop
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.
3
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Wed Aug 25 2021
Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
Solid but not sensational.
3
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Thu Aug 26 2021
Surf's Up
The Beach Boys
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.
3
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Fri Aug 27 2021
Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu
Didn't pick up on anything here. It just seemed to get into a groove and become stuck there.
2
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Mon Aug 30 2021
Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
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.
3
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Tue Aug 31 2021
Closer
Joy Division
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.
5
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Thu Sep 02 2021
Whatever
Aimee Mann
Middling, it bobbed along merrily. Would listen again.
3
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Mon Sep 06 2021
Architecture And Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
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.
2
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Tue Sep 07 2021
Rocks
Aerosmith
Didn't enjoy this. Some good guitar but otherwise nah.
2
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Wed Sep 08 2021
There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
3
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Thu Sep 09 2021
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Solid but just not able to get deep enough into its groove.
3
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Fri Sep 10 2021
Tonight's The Night
Neil Young
Uncomfortably dark. The band did extremely well to hook into the mood.
3
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Mon Sep 13 2021
Marcus Garvey
Burning Spear
3
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Tue Sep 14 2021
Zombie
Fela Kuti
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.
3
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Wed Sep 15 2021
Ananda Shankar
Ananda Shankar
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.
3
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Thu Sep 16 2021
I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen
Didn't think the music worked with his presentation style. Lyrically rich with many opportunities for others to cover.
2
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Fri Sep 17 2021
Scott 4
Scott Walker
Some good songs, a few quirky arrangements.
3
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Mon Sep 20 2021
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
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.
1
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Wed Sep 22 2021
Face to Face
The Kinks
Good collection of songs unfortunately firmly stuck in their time.
3
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Thu Sep 23 2021
E.V.O.L.
Sonic Youth
Liked this.
3
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Fri Sep 24 2021
(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
A more than solid album with good songs, great guitars and a decent mix.
4
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Mon Sep 27 2021
Everything Must Go
Manic Street Preachers
Fine stuff. Had not heard a great deal from this band so pleasantly surprised.
4
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Tue Sep 28 2021
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
There is a groove but with little variation. Samey. Heard it all before. Never really gets going.
3
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Wed Sep 29 2021
Fromohio
fIREHOSE
3
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Fri Oct 01 2021
The Idiot
Iggy Pop
Messy as might be expected but very little of interest.
2
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Mon Oct 04 2021
Disintegration
The Cure
The sound is set out early and they run with it all the way. Hypnotic stuff.
4
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Wed Oct 06 2021
Teenage Head
Flamin' Groovies
A band far better live. This is a mixed set of songs with some fine bluesy rock in there.
3
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Thu Oct 07 2021
Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
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.
4
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Fri Oct 08 2021
Darkdancer
Les Rythmes Digitales
Well it hits its mark and keeps going.
3
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Mon Oct 11 2021
Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
Some fine compositions, great musicianship. Perfectly digestible.
3
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Tue Oct 12 2021
Melodrama
Lorde
Liked this. Some strong songs others not so. Not the strongest of singers.
3
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Wed Oct 13 2021
NEU! 75
Neu!
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.
3
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Thu Oct 14 2021
Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
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.
4
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Fri Oct 15 2021
Bad
Michael Jackson
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.
3
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Thu Oct 21 2021
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
This is a fine album more immediately accessible than others of his on the list. Great songs, good playing.
4
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Fri Oct 22 2021
Dirt
Alice In Chains
Not as in your face as I expected. Some reasonable stuff but plenty of rather gnawing industrial stuff.
3
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Mon Oct 25 2021
Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
This was an unexpected joy. Plenty of variation across the piece. Rhythm for the dancing.
4
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Tue Oct 26 2021
Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti
Expansive and lively with little variation.
3
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Wed Oct 27 2021
Pump
Aerosmith
Wasn't able to get into this.
2
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Fri Oct 29 2021
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
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.
4
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Mon Nov 01 2021
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
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.
4
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Tue Nov 02 2021
Graceland
Paul Simon
Marvellously intelligent.
5
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Wed Nov 03 2021
Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
3
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Thu Nov 04 2021
Fire Of Love
The Gun Club
3
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Mon Nov 08 2021
Urban Hymns
The Verve
Pretty good mix of strong songs.
4
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Tue Nov 09 2021
Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
This turned out to be better than expected. Knew the singles of course but there are others on the album that are better.
3
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Wed Nov 10 2021
This Is Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Pioneering stuff. Clean production. More varied than the songs popular on the radio would suugest.
3
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Thu Nov 11 2021
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
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.
4
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Mon Nov 15 2021
Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
Very much of its time but nevertheless a pretty good commentary. Enjoyable but unlikely to get many visits.
3
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Tue Nov 16 2021
Madman Across The Water
Elton John
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.
3
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Tue Nov 23 2021
Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
Big on the beaty. Witty with the wordy. More tolerable than others in this genre but unlikely to revisit.
3
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Wed Nov 24 2021
Raw Power
The Stooges
Very hit and miss.
3
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Thu Nov 25 2021
Ramones
Ramones
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.
3
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Fri Nov 26 2021
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
Quality factory output but not particularly inspiring.
3
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Mon Nov 29 2021
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
What an assortment of songs. Some showing great use of the technology available and others very simple.
4
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Mon Dec 06 2021
Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
Woefully disjointed. Either make it a live album or a properly structured studio one. Very much of its time.
3
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Tue Dec 07 2021
Hotel California
Eagles
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.
3
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Wed Dec 08 2021
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
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.
4
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Thu Dec 09 2021
Rubber Soul
Beatles
A pretty patchy collection of songs. Many timeless but a few showing their age.
3
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Fri Dec 10 2021
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
A rather drawn out prospectus some of which resonates today. Not really a style that lends itself to repeated listening.
2
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Mon Dec 13 2021
Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Solid
3
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Thu Dec 16 2021
Signing Off
UB40
4
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Mon Dec 20 2021
Actually
Pet Shop Boys
3
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Wed Dec 22 2021
Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
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.
4
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Thu Dec 23 2021
Sister
Sonic Youth
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.
2
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Fri Dec 24 2021
Dig Me Out
Sleater-Kinney
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.
2
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Mon Dec 27 2021
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
Seasonal entertainment.
3
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Wed Jan 05 2022
Basket of Light
Pentangle
This was something of a surprise. Slightly closer to the folky edge than I imagined. Good voices and some smart instrumentation.
3
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Thu Jan 06 2022
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Seriously strong songwriting let down by dull delivery.
4
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Fri Jan 07 2022
It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3
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Mon Jan 10 2022
Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk
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.
2
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Tue Jan 11 2022
Let It Be
The Replacements
Running through a whole range of styles. Plenty of nods to their influences. Some strong songs but others irritating.
3
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Wed Jan 12 2022
Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
The album floats along merrily with a few ripples but it never really p p p p picks-up.
3
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Thu Jan 13 2022
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
A solid album with a few excellent songs hinting at something more promising.
3
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Fri Jan 14 2022
Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
A compendium of influences. Entertaining.
3
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Mon Jan 17 2022
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
This is a pretty good consistent album of it genre. There is no outstanding track. In a live setting this would be feel stronger.
3
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Tue Jan 18 2022
Figure 8
Elliott Smith
Not heard anything by this artist so this album was as surprise. An excellent set of songs from an anguished soul.
4
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Wed Jan 19 2022
Felt Mountain
Goldfrapp
Another artist new to me. Enjoyable and clear echoes of others.
3
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Thu Jan 20 2022
Treasure
Cocteau Twins
Glorious
4
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Fri Jan 21 2022
Ragged Glory
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3
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Mon Jan 24 2022
I Should Coco
Supergrass
A lot more varied and interesting that the early tracks would suggest. A healthy lack of seriousness and a focus on having fun.
3
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Tue Jan 25 2022
Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
Less abstract than earlier work but the strong cohesion between voice and drums is still there.
4
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Wed Jan 26 2022
John Prine
John Prine
The lyrics are the highlight here.
3
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Thu Jan 27 2022
Rings Around The World
Super Furry Animals
2
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Fri Jan 28 2022
Superunknown
Soundgarden
Strong vocals
2
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Tue Feb 01 2022
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
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.
4
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Wed Feb 02 2022
Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
This sounds rather dated. The popular songs stand up due to there familiarity. Live this would be pretty good.
3
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Fri Feb 04 2022
A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
Great voice, good mix of songs although some of the arrangements were odd.
3
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Mon Feb 07 2022
Deloused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta
This was pretty inflated and incoherent but it didn't pop. Difficult to see a reason to revisit.
2
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Tue Feb 08 2022
Dear Science
TV On The Radio
Couldn't get into this. Little stood out.
2
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Wed Feb 09 2022
(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
Not heard the album all the way through. Familiar with the singles. Overall a solid album, maybe.
3
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Mon Feb 14 2022
The Stooges
The Stooges
Quite a mixture of styles here with clear influences of others around at the time.
3
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Wed Feb 16 2022
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
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.
3
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Thu Feb 17 2022
Music From Big Pink
The Band
Having only heard the weight previously the rest of the album was something of a surprise. Good songs and fine musicianship.
4
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Mon Feb 21 2022
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Simple but engaging storytelling.
3
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Tue Feb 22 2022
The Slider
T. Rex
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.
3
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Wed Feb 23 2022
Go Girl Crazy
The Dictators
Brash and uninspiring. Live this may well be entertaining.
2
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Thu Feb 24 2022
The White Album
Beatles
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.
4
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Fri Feb 25 2022
Fifth Dimension
The Byrds
A solid offering, again highlighting their folky style of rock. Good guitars and harmonies against some strong songwriting.
4
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Mon Feb 28 2022
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Oh dear. The singles suggest more than the album delivers. Formulaic nonsense.
2
View Album
Wed Mar 02 2022
Truth And Soul
Fishbone
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.
4
View Album
Thu Mar 03 2022
For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
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.
3
View Album
Fri Mar 04 2022
Sea Change
Beck
Not overly taken with this. It maybe a couple of tracks too long. There is some promise of change with repeated plays.
3
View Album
Mon Mar 07 2022
Entertainment
Gang Of Four
3
View Album
Tue Mar 08 2022
In Utero
Nirvana
Could only accommodate Dumb on this album and I would be so very if I were to revisit.
2
View Album
Wed Mar 09 2022
Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
There is enough here to warrant further listening. It is certainly an album for a mood.
3
View Album
Thu Mar 10 2022
New Forms
Roni Size
Jiggly but it's all on cruise control. Choose one for a short journey or both for the longer trips.
3
View Album
Fri Mar 11 2022
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago
Solid
3
View Album
Mon Mar 14 2022
Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
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.
3
View Album
Tue Mar 15 2022
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
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.
2
View Album
Wed Mar 16 2022
Teenager Of The Year
Frank Black
Some nice guitars but overall sprawling and messy.
3
View Album
Wed Mar 23 2022
Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal
Not overly adventurous but engaging if maybe a tad too long. It is easy to get hooked on the rhythms.
3
View Album
Thu Mar 24 2022
Imperial Bedroom
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
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.
3
View Album
Fri Mar 25 2022
The Last Broadcast
Doves
Not much to take away from this one. A lot of pounding and scratching.
2
View Album
Mon Mar 28 2022
Exit Planet Dust
The Chemical Brothers
2
View Album
Thu Mar 31 2022
Live Through This
Hole
This album, although uneven, was something of a surprise. More melodic than expected making it accessible.
3
View Album
Fri Apr 01 2022
Eagles
Eagles
A good collection of songs, fine harmonies, nice and easy does it.
3
View Album
Mon Apr 04 2022
Screamadelica
Primal Scream
Starts and end well but not so good in the middle.
3
View Album
Tue Apr 05 2022
American Idiot
Green Day
This was good but couldn't get into it. Rhythmically strong and some neat structures but it seemed rather dated.
4
View Album
Wed Apr 06 2022
There's A Riot Goin' On
Sly & The Family Stone
4
View Album
Thu Apr 07 2022
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
3
View Album
Fri Apr 08 2022
Sail Away
Randy Newman
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.
3
View Album
Mon Apr 11 2022
Drunk
Thundercat
.
2
View Album
Tue Apr 12 2022
In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
Float, float on. Pretty impressive construction here and some neat transitions.
4
View Album
Wed Apr 13 2022
Arrival
ABBA
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.
4
View Album
Fri Apr 15 2022
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
2
View Album
Mon Apr 18 2022
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
3
View Album
Tue Apr 19 2022
Winter In America
Gil Scott-Heron
3
View Album
Fri Apr 22 2022
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
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.
5
View Album
Mon Apr 25 2022
Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
I've been funked senseless after listening to this. What do you want to know?
2
View Album
Tue Apr 26 2022
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
3
View Album
Wed Apr 27 2022
Soul Mining
The The
3
View Album
Thu Apr 28 2022
Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
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.
4
View Album
Fri Apr 29 2022
Doolittle
Pixies
3
View Album
Wed May 04 2022
Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
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.
4
View Album
Thu May 05 2022
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2
View Album
Fri May 06 2022
The Lexicon Of Love
ABC
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.
4
View Album
Mon May 09 2022
Fragile
Yes
Pompous, overblown and very much of the time. Nevertheless it is a good set of songs and the musicianship is strong.
3
View Album
Tue May 10 2022
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3
View Album
Wed May 11 2022
Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
Still as good as it ever was.
4
View Album
Fri May 13 2022
Eternally Yours
The Saints
Starts off suggesting a variation then seems to revert to the norm. Solid with some punchy lyrics.
3
View Album
Mon May 16 2022
Harvest
Neil Young
4
View Album
Tue May 17 2022
The Message
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3
View Album
Thu May 19 2022
Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
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.
3
View Album
Fri May 20 2022
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra
3
View Album
Mon May 23 2022
Virgin Suicides
Air
3
View Album
Tue May 24 2022
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
Quite a mix here which makes things interesting.
4
View Album
Wed May 25 2022
1977
Ash
It could have been a 1977 album but the production is better and there are plenty of twiddly bits thrown in.
3
View Album
Thu May 26 2022
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
3
View Album
Tue May 31 2022
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
3
View Album
Wed Jun 01 2022
The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
A soundtrack to a film that you know but can't remember. A splendid mix.
4
View Album
Thu Jun 02 2022
Hejira
Joni Mitchell
3
View Album
Fri Jun 03 2022
2112
Rush
3
View Album
Tue Jun 07 2022
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
4
View Album
Thu Jun 09 2022
Crazysexycool
TLC
2
View Album
Fri Jun 10 2022
Is This It
The Strokes
After a slow start this just bounded along and was quietly infectious.
3
View Album
Mon Jun 13 2022
Roger the Engineer
The Yardbirds
Tolerable. Such a wild collection of styles. Some neat guitar and bouncy bass lines.
3
View Album
Tue Jun 14 2022
Songs From A Room
Leonard Cohen
Good songs but the delivery doesn't make the most of them.
3
View Album
Wed Jun 15 2022
Live At Leeds
The Who
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.
2
View Album
Thu Jun 16 2022
Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3
View Album
Fri Jun 17 2022
All Mod Cons
The Jam
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.
3
View Album
Fri Jun 24 2022
Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors
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.
4
View Album
Mon Jun 27 2022
Hunting High And Low
a-ha
3
View Album
Tue Jun 28 2022
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
4
View Album
Wed Jun 29 2022
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
Mudhoney
It had its moments which were swamped by plenty of turgid grunking.
2
View Album
Thu Jun 30 2022
Bummed
Happy Mondays
Pleasantly surprised.
3
View Album
Fri Jul 01 2022
La Revancha Del Tango
Gotan Project
This rolls along merrily like a peleton on the long straight roads of a flat stage in the TDF.
3
View Album
Tue Jul 05 2022
Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
Pleasant collaboration.
2
View Album
Fri Jul 08 2022
Like A Prayer
Madonna
Like a good collection of songs should be.
3
View Album
Mon Jul 11 2022
Moon Safari
Air
3
View Album
Tue Jul 12 2022
The Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers
Some the album still sounds jolly.
3
View Album
Fri Jul 15 2022
Disraeli Gears
Cream
3
View Album
Mon Jul 18 2022
Imagine
John Lennon
A varied manifesto that delivers almost all expectations.
4
View Album
Tue Jul 19 2022
american dream
LCD Soundsystem
3
View Album
Thu Jul 21 2022
Machine Head
Deep Purple
3
View Album
Fri Jul 22 2022
The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
3
View Album
Mon Jul 25 2022
MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
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.
2
View Album
Tue Jul 26 2022
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
3
View Album
Wed Jul 27 2022
Autobahn
Kraftwerk
Satisfyingly steady. Not the experience it once was, much like driving along a motorway.
3
View Album
Fri Jul 29 2022
Penance Soiree
The Icarus Line
Not heard of this band before so could be interesting. Unfortunately it wasn't. Rather messy, not distinct and repetitive.
2
View Album
Mon Aug 01 2022
Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp
3
View Album
Tue Aug 02 2022
Risque
CHIC
3
View Album
Thu Aug 04 2022
Joan Baez
Joan Baez
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.
3
View Album
Fri Aug 05 2022
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
4
View Album
Tue Aug 09 2022
Frank
Amy Winehouse
3
View Album
Wed Aug 10 2022
American Beauty
Grateful Dead
This is a pretty good collection of songs let down by poor production. Lacking oomph in places.
3
View Album
Thu Aug 11 2022
Tapestry
Carole King
Seriously good song writing. Not something for constant play but ideal for an occasion.
4
View Album
Fri Aug 12 2022
Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
3
View Album
Mon Aug 15 2022
London Calling
The Clash
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.
4
View Album
Tue Aug 16 2022
The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground
One of those albums that when it is on it's fantastic and when it is not it's cacophonous nonsense.
3
View Album
Thu Aug 18 2022
Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3
View Album
Fri Aug 26 2022
Suicide
Suicide
Rasping, discordant and brutal so a very limited outlet.
1
View Album
Wed Aug 31 2022
Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
4
View Album
Thu Sep 01 2022
The Wildest!
Louis Prima
Bouncy and fun. Great to get things swinging.
3
View Album
Fri Sep 02 2022
3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
3
View Album
Mon Sep 05 2022
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Sparse, personal and dextrous.
4
View Album
Tue Sep 06 2022
Achtung Baby
U2
4
View Album
Fri Sep 09 2022
Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
4
View Album
Mon Sep 12 2022
The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
Really.
4
View Album
Wed Sep 14 2022
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
3
View Album
Thu Sep 15 2022
Hypnotised
The Undertones
3
View Album
Fri Sep 16 2022
Close To You
Carpenters
Quite a mix of songs with interesting arrangements. Sometimes the harmonies are too cloying. Above all it's the voice that elevates.
4
View Album
Mon Sep 19 2022
Mothership Connection
Parliament
2
View Album
Tue Sep 20 2022
Synchronicity
The Police
With this album they decided to move themselves along. The singles are strong the other a mixture, many solid a couple naff.
3
View Album
Thu Sep 22 2022
Moving Pictures
Rush
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.
4
View Album
Fri Sep 23 2022
Timeless
Goldie
Endless loopy pap.
2
View Album
Mon Sep 26 2022
Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
Wild and inventive with some splendid passages.
3
View Album
Tue Sep 27 2022
Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3
View Album
Thu Sep 29 2022
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
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.
3
View Album
Mon Oct 03 2022
At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
The mood is set and underpinned by the vocals but it doesn't stray from safety.
2
View Album
Tue Oct 04 2022
High Violet
The National
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.
3
View Album
Thu Oct 06 2022
Very
Pet Shop Boys
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.
3
View Album
Fri Oct 07 2022
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
It sounded so good in black and white. No longer as on the mark as it was when purchased on the day of release.
3
View Album
Wed Oct 12 2022
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
2
View Album
Thu Oct 13 2022
Solid Air
John Martyn
A very long time since I last heard this. Of the time but remains a fine collection.
4
View Album
Mon Oct 17 2022
The Hour Of Bewilderbeast
Badly Drawn Boy
Couldn't get into this. Swirling around with different styles but nothing arresting.
2
View Album
Tue Oct 18 2022
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
This motored along nicely but didn't take any off road turns.
2
View Album
Wed Oct 19 2022
Damaged
Black Flag
This is an unrelenting and angry collection where this listener can seriously empathize with the title.
2
View Album
Fri Oct 21 2022
The Who Sell Out
The Who
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.
3
View Album
Mon Oct 24 2022
Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
It's Springsteen. It's bombastic. It suits a calling but isn't as strong as his earlier work.
3
View Album
Tue Oct 25 2022
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
2
View Album
Wed Oct 26 2022
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
3
View Album
Thu Oct 27 2022
Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
See it, sing it, all sorted in under half and hour. Quality.
4
View Album
Fri Oct 28 2022
Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3
View Album
Tue Nov 01 2022
Odessey And Oracle
The Zombies
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.
5
View Album
Wed Nov 02 2022
The La's
The La's
3
View Album
Fri Nov 04 2022
Broken English
Marianne Faithfull
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.
4
View Album
Mon Nov 07 2022
Parklife
Blur
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.
3
View Album
Tue Nov 08 2022
Exodus
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3
View Album
Thu Nov 10 2022
OK
Talvin Singh
A melding of styles that didn't work for me. Even as a background it didn't disturb.
2
View Album
Fri Nov 11 2022
Since I Left You
The Avalanches
Didn't know what to expect knowing nothing about the group. The album turned out to be disappointing, repetitive and ultimately irritating.
2
View Album
Mon Nov 14 2022
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
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.
3
View Album
Tue Nov 15 2022
Dust
Screaming Trees
This was variable but just about passable.
2
View Album
Wed Nov 16 2022
Tragic Songs of Life
The Louvin Brothers
Crikey this was weird. Deeply dark with jingly jangly bouzouki sounding backing.
2
View Album
Mon Nov 21 2022
Oedipus Schmoedipus
Barry Adamson
3
View Album
Tue Nov 22 2022
Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
2
View Album
Wed Nov 23 2022
Elvis Is Back
Elvis Presley
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.
3
View Album
Fri Nov 25 2022
No Other
Gene Clark
3
View Album
Mon Nov 28 2022
Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
3
View Album
Tue Nov 29 2022
Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
A soundtrack to an evening out sliding from pub to pub. The musical variety and tone is disturbingly funny in parts.
3
View Album
Wed Nov 30 2022
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
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.
3
View Album
Thu Dec 01 2022
Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
4
View Album
Fri Dec 02 2022
Lam Toro
Baaba Maal
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.
2
View Album
Mon Dec 05 2022
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
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.
5
View Album
Tue Dec 06 2022
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
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.
5
View Album
Wed Dec 07 2022
Blackstar
David Bowie
Struggled with this. Some good passages but a few that were hard to get into on a first listen.
3
View Album
Thu Dec 08 2022
OK Computer
Radiohead
3
View Album
Fri Dec 09 2022
Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses
3
View Album
Mon Dec 12 2022
Queen II
Queen
3
View Album
Mon Dec 19 2022
Rio
Duran Duran
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.
3
View Album
Wed Dec 21 2022
Midnight Ride
Paul Revere & The Raiders
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.
3
View Album
Thu Dec 22 2022
Want Two
Rufus Wainwright
3
View Album
Fri Dec 23 2022
Tommy
The Who
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.
2
View Album
Wed Dec 28 2022
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective
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.
2
View Album
Mon Jan 09 2023
Germfree Adolescents
X-Ray Spex
The sax added an interesting twist to a solid album. The vocalist is the star here.
3
View Album
Tue Jan 10 2023
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
2
View Album
Wed Jan 11 2023
Idlewild
Everything But The Girl
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.
3
View Album
Thu Jan 12 2023
Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks
3
View Album
Mon Jan 16 2023
A Night At The Opera
Queen
All the motifs are there but despite the biguns it just doesn't hit the mark consistently.
3
View Album
Wed Jan 18 2023
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
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.
4
View Album
Thu Jan 19 2023
All Hail the Queen
Queen Latifah
A right royal scam.
3
View Album
Fri Jan 20 2023
Le Tigre
Le Tigre
2
View Album
Mon Jan 23 2023
Blur
Blur
An inventive mix of songs, mostly ok with a couple excellent.
3
View Album
Thu Jan 26 2023
Countdown To Ecstasy
Steely Dan
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.
5
View Album
Fri Jan 27 2023
Untitled (Black Is)
SAULT
Bold, imaginative and provocative but ultimately is too repetitive and defeats its own message.
3
View Album
Mon Jan 30 2023
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
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.
3
View Album
Tue Jan 31 2023
B-52's
The B-52's
Nothing earth shattering here but a crazy and oblique view. Solidly entertaining and just the right preparation for a night out.
3
View Album
Wed Feb 01 2023
The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
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.
3
View Album
Tue Feb 07 2023
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo
MC Solaar
3
View Album
Wed Feb 08 2023
Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
The Byrds
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.
2
View Album
Thu Feb 09 2023
Dry
PJ Harvey
Raw and maybe angry. May have worked with less brash instrumentation letting the words work. The tolerable parts are fleeting.
2
View Album
Fri Feb 10 2023
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
3
View Album
Tue Feb 14 2023
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
Strong album with call outs to bass and guitar. Punchy and flowing only to be deflated by the final track.
4
View Album
Wed Feb 15 2023
Pieces Of The Sky
Emmylou Harris
3
View Album
Mon Feb 20 2023
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
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.
4
View Album
Tue Feb 21 2023
Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
4
View Album
Wed Feb 22 2023
The Score
Fugees
The tracks that moved away from the closet of the genre pushed this up a notch.
3
View Album
Thu Feb 23 2023
Get Rich Or Die Tryin'
50 Cent
2
View Album
Mon Feb 27 2023
3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
A more interesting collection than expected. More variation compared to the genre which was refreshing.
3
View Album
Mon Mar 06 2023
Stardust
Willie Nelson
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.
3
View Album
Tue Mar 07 2023
Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
Had no idea what to expect knowing nothing about the artist, so pleasantly surprised by this collection. Certainly worth seeking out further works.
4
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Wed Mar 08 2023
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
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.
2
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Thu Mar 09 2023
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
3
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Mon Mar 13 2023
Buffalo Springfield Again
Buffalo Springfield
This improved on second listening. The standout tracks are those written by the heavyweight members. Others are passable but not of the same standard.
3
View Album
Tue Mar 14 2023
Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
3
View Album
Wed Mar 15 2023
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
3
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Mon Mar 20 2023
Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
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.
3
View Album
Tue Mar 21 2023
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
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.
2
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Wed Mar 22 2023
Shaft
Isaac Hayes
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 .....
2
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Thu Mar 23 2023
Group Sex
Circle Jerks
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.
2
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Fri Mar 24 2023
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
4
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Wed Mar 29 2023
C'est Chic
CHIC
Solid funk. The musicianship can't be faulted. A few stand out tracks - the singles. Some songs stretched out so far they fell flat.
3
View Album
Thu Mar 30 2023
Colour By Numbers
Culture Club
Entertaining solid pop band fronted by a good singer. The songs are mixed, some bouncy, many fun and few with a distorted view.
3
View Album
Mon Apr 03 2023
Toys In The Attic
Aerosmith
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.
3
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Tue Apr 04 2023
Dookie
Green Day
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.
3
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Wed Apr 05 2023
The Healer
John Lee Hooker
3
View Album
Thu Apr 06 2023
Django Django
Django Django
Not heard anything by this band previously. Entertaining with a gentle flow although parts sounded like something from a decade earlier.
3
View Album
Mon Apr 10 2023
The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
A model of sonic steadiness.
3
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Thu Apr 13 2023
Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
2
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Fri Apr 14 2023
Ctrl
SZA
3
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Tue Apr 25 2023
Under Construction
Missy Elliott
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.
3
View Album
Wed Apr 26 2023
Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
This turned out to be quiet varied, passable for the most part. Some of the vocals were poor.
2
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Thu Apr 27 2023
KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
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!
4
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Fri Apr 28 2023
L'Eau Rouge
The Young Gods
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.
2
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Mon May 01 2023
Playing With Fire
Spacemen 3
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.
3
View Album
Thu May 04 2023
Truth
Jeff Beck
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.
3
View Album
Tue May 09 2023
Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
Able to tolerate this more than others of the genre. The scats are naff.
2
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Wed May 10 2023
Nevermind
Nirvana
This may improve through familiarity but I' don't think I can be bothered. There are some good songs, and some raucous nonsense.
3
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Wed May 24 2023
Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
3
View Album
Thu May 25 2023
My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts
Brian Eno
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.
3
View Album
Tue May 30 2023
Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
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.
2
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Thu Jun 01 2023
Aja
Steely Dan
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.
5
View Album
Fri Jun 02 2023
Faust IV
Faust
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.
4
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Mon Jun 05 2023
New Boots And Panties
Ian Dury
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.
4
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Tue Jun 06 2023
Be
Common
This album just flowed along not sparking anything
arresting along the way.
2
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Wed Jun 14 2023
Sound Affects
The Jam
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.
3
View Album
Thu Jun 15 2023
You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
Unrelenting, strident and rough but not enough to make it standout.
2
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Fri Jun 16 2023
Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine
Cee Lo Green
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.
2
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Mon Jun 19 2023
Public Image: First Issue
Public Image Ltd.
Snarling and biting lyrics against a backdrop of sometimes sprawling noise. Not an enjoyable listen.
2
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Tue Jun 20 2023
Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
2
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Wed Jun 21 2023
Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Small Faces
Entertaining if a little dated. Doubt that side two would hold up on repeated plays.
2
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Mon Jun 26 2023
Nick Of Time
Bonnie Raitt
3
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Tue Jun 27 2023
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Eurythmics
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.
2
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Thu Jun 29 2023
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
2
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Fri Jun 30 2023
Sulk
The Associates
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
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Mon Jul 03 2023
São Paulo Confessions
Suba
Most unexpected. It started with an infectious rhythm and kept is going continuously seamlessly drifting between instrumental and vocals.
3
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Wed Jul 12 2023
Close To The Edge
Yes
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.
3
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Thu Jul 13 2023
Wild Wood
Paul Weller
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.
2
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Fri Jul 14 2023
White Light / White Heat
The Velvet Underground
A whirlwind in the right light and temperature. A nightmare with the wrong elements.
4
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Mon Jul 17 2023
Elephant Mountain
The Youngbloods
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.
2
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Tue Jul 18 2023
Trio
Dolly Parton
This was jolly. A pretty good collaboration that throws up some fine songs.
3
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Mon Aug 07 2023
New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
Simple Minds
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.
3
View Album
Tue Aug 08 2023
Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
Couldn't get into this. Rushed and raucous. Towards the close a hint of something calmer but it didn't last.
2
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Fri Aug 11 2023
The Nightfly
Donald Fagen
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.
3
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Mon Aug 14 2023
Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
This was a treat. Much more variety than expected. Some fine arrangements, great vocals and interesting guitar.
4
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Wed Aug 16 2023
Myths Of The Near Future
Klaxons
Solid fayre that seemed interesting at first but seemed to stretch the theme a little too much.
3
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Fri Aug 18 2023
Marquee Moon
Television
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.
4
View Album
Fri Oct 20 2023
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
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.
4
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Mon Oct 23 2023
It's Too Late to Stop Now
Van Morrison
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.
3
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Tue Oct 24 2023
The Only Ones
The Only Ones
Didn't do a lot for me. Pretty variable fayre. Sounds of its time.
2
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Thu Oct 26 2023
Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
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.
5
View Album
Wed Nov 08 2023
Let's Get Killed
David Holmes
A laconic stroll in search of some action that didn't materialise.
2
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Thu Nov 09 2023
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Dead Kennedys
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.
3
View Album
Fri Nov 10 2023
Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills
A lot more varied than expected. Good songs nicely produced with some deft contributions from various glitterati.
3
View Album
Mon Nov 13 2023
Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby
2
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Tue Nov 14 2023
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
Pink Floyd
The polish and vision had yet to become ingrained so an album of experimentation, wit and some decent songs.
3
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Wed Nov 15 2023
The Man Who
Travis
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.
3
View Album
Thu Nov 16 2023
Youth And Young Manhood
Kings of Leon
There are short passages that are pretty cool but for the most part it was not interesting. And the vocals well .....
2
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Fri Nov 17 2023
Pyromania
Def Leppard
Little to ignite interest here. Standard rock album of the period. Awful vocals. There are rare guitar thrills though.
2
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Mon Nov 20 2023
Honky Tonk Heroes
Waylon Jennings
A pleasant listen. Can't say there was anything outstanding but a good collections of songs providing more exposure to the genre.
3
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Tue Nov 21 2023
Lady In Satin
Billie Holiday
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.
2
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Wed Nov 22 2023
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
This is a hard listen. Finely structured songs. But as with most of his output it is difficult to warm to his delivery.
3
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Thu Nov 23 2023
Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Aptly named. An interesting collection of songs likely to grow on replay.
3
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Fri Nov 24 2023
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon
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.
3
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Mon Nov 27 2023
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
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.
4
View Album
Tue Nov 28 2023
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
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.
2
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Wed Nov 29 2023
The Yes Album
Yes
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.
3
View Album
Thu Nov 30 2023
The Infotainment Scan
The Fall
It is recognisable as The Fall through the vocals and drumming but the thrill of their raw early work is not there.
2