I don’t greatly dislike this. I just have no interest in ever listening to it again. I can see what it’s reaching for, a sort of Cure/Smiths thing meets psych rock and at times I found myself nodding appreciatively at the guitar breaks. But I’m amazed this had stood the test of time, it’s so uninteresting to me. Sometimes this list feels like things are included just because they were really popular at the time, but does anyone actually still listen to this album??

What a performer. I remember hearing how JB would be furious if he heard any member of the band slip out of time or play a bum note. It’s tight as all hell and funky as a washerman’s dishcloth. If the mix was a little better we could appreciate it in all glory, but the scratchy, tinny sound, backed by the screaming fans really takes me back to those sweaty, heady early 60’s club nights. Much fun.

Far be it from me to come barging back in here and start throwing my weight around but this is so good. I've always thought Cat Stevens has some good tracks but existed all on one level, a sort of airy fairy very light folk sound. I've had him all wrong, this album is really really good. When Wide World came on I was pleased to hear this was a Cat song, but Sad Lisa really got me listening. From then on there are regular gut punches and tear jerks. It's got a rich, full sound and his voice has a wonderful quality that can jump from lightness to great depth at the spin of a wheel.

Absolute mastery of the piano and the audience. They are absolutely gagging for it and they get every bit of it and more. God it would be so great to be there. For what this is and for this perfect moment in time, for me it’s perfect. Turns out it was actually recorded in a studio, not in a real jazz club, which makes a helluva lotta sense as to why it sounds so liquid smoooth. This album has everything I love about TW within, the bukowski style turn of phrase storytelling and the soaring vocal melodies that bring a tear to my eye.

It’s dark AF but I find myself regularly chuckling/sniggering/snickering to his rhymes. An individual style, totally blew my brains when it first came out and scared the bajingo out of me. I think I’m still a bit scared actually. God, I’m scared of Eminem. I’m scared of what he’ll do to me when he reads this. He’ll tear it apart and then he’ll mime blowing my brains out and I’ll start crying and quivering at his feet and he won’t care one jot.

Expected I was going to like this more than I did. Love Nico’s voice. The tracks didn’t ‘go anywhere’ enough for me.

Super fun. Sexy. Sassy. Pumping guitar solos. Some weaker tracks in there let’s it down but it sure passes the time eh???

What a performer. I remember hearing how JB would be furious if he heard any member of the band slip out of time or play a bum note. It’s tight as all hell and funky as a washerman’s dishcloth. If the mix was a little better we could appreciate it in all glory, but the scratchy, tinny sound, backed by the screaming fans really takes me back to those sweaty, heady early 60’s club nights. Much fun.

Only remembered to listen at the last minute. Fell asleep pretty quick

This is so good. Never heard before and I shall be keeping it close to hand from now on. Would rather give it 4.5 but 4 it is.

Love it start to finish. Timeless. Contains all life itself.

A unique sound. Always immediately recognisable. Melancholic and uplifting all at once. Do the song titles imbue the tracks with more poignancy? Yeup. More than deserved? Noup. Love it.

Have only listened to boatman’s call and ghosteen before and love both. This is a different kettle of cocoa altogether. Much more elecky guitar and rocky riffs. Some beautiful raw emotion in there. I will want to listen to this more as some tracks really caught me. Very fine indeed

No great issues with this but, for me, the pogues require a certain state of mind to be enjoyed and I was not in it yesterday. Saying that, wild cats of Kilkenny is really enjoyable yet strangely haunting all at once. Which was in fact perfect for my state of mind yesterday. What came first? The chicken (me)? Or the chicken’s state of mind?

Enjoyed this a lot. Not the sort of thing I’d usually turn to and I thought I had it’s number after a couple of tracks but it continually surprised and delighted. Here for it. Will go again. More power to you girl.

At times put me in mind of a really shit Bob Dylan cover band. Not actually that averse to this and it was pleasant enough to listen to but I’d say this is the sort of folk that gives folk a bad name. I’d have given it 3 if it weren’t for the unforgivable stand by me cover.

When I saw the title I got excited as it put me in mind of the brilliantly catchy fairport convention track. Sadly it’s not nearly as fun as that but I enjoyed this well enough. Won’t go back to it. Only 35 mins though so that’s a real bonus.

Oh hey! Some Bob Dylan. Maybe I’ll listen to this and reeeeally like Bob Dylan now! This is my way in. Idiot wind, that’s a great track. I know that one. Okay let’s go!! Oh yeah, it’s Bob Dylan...right, yeah, no, I’ve actually listened to him before. Quite a lot actually. Yeah it’s pretty good isn’t it. Nice one. I’ll probably just leave it there though.

Have been a fan of Them Changes in recent years and the prospect of this excited me. Have done some background listening and it hasn't inspired me to delve deeper into their work. Got some nice squelchy sounds running through it though, I could really squish about to some of these on a 'dance floor.' I guess that would have to be at a wedding, as that's where I get most of my dancing seen to these days. Really looking forward to the next wedding where the local DJ spins out some TC so I can splosh about to my heart's content on the slickly greased floor of the local municipal building.

For whatever reason, I wanted to dislike this. I think I wanted to unleash a low score on some unwitting long forgotten band. Just to feel like I have some agency with this thing. Like I have some control over myself and my opinions. Sadly, not the case. I found this inoffensive. I didn’t particularly dig it but I quite enjoyed some of the vocal lines and airy guitar riffs. We doing this again guys? Another 3? Yeah why not.

I was under the impression I was really into Beastie Boys so I went in with expectations high. Disappointed with the rhymes, disappointed with the rhythms. This ain’t the hip hop I’m gonna turn to in the future.

Sweet baby James. Some of your lyrics really ground my gears man. Yeah you had some nice twinkly twanky riffs but, bro, I just could not get on board. And for that reason I’m out.

What a journey! Some very exciting moments in here and I could listen to her voice any day of the week. She’s a master of playfulness and does things on this record that I wouldn’t have dreamed of. I’m tempted to give it a 4 because it’s such a breath of fresh air but it’s not my particular brand of vodka so I won’t. Really wonderful though.

This album took a mad turn that I did not expect and I absolutely loved it. I really thought I had my head around what was going on. David flicks a switch and I’m floundering and all the happier for it. After the few songs instrumental interlude, The Secret Life of Arabia (what the hell is that??) sounds so punchy. The bass is luscious. So much prowess and confidence. And THEN, the song just fades out. All too quickly. As if it’s the most normal thing in the world. As if he hasn’t just blown my world apart. Why does it fade out like that??! I didn’t enjoy the first half of the album enough to give it a 5 but it’s great. I’ll state for the record that that Rise and Fall of Ziggy and Young Americans are stone cold 5ers for my money.

It’s dark AF but I find myself regularly chuckling/sniggering/snickering to his rhymes. An individual style, totally blew my brains when it first came out and scared the bajingo out of me. I think I’m still a bit scared actually. God, I’m scared of Eminem. I’m scared of what he’ll do to me when he reads this. He’ll tear it apart and then he’ll mime blowing my brains out and I’ll start crying and quivering at his feet and he won’t care one jot.

I used to rather like Deep Purple as a lad. So I do have some residual fondness for them hanging around. On this occasion I struggled to muster up the strength to get past a couple of songs. I would’ve been on board had it been a more concise studio album. (Why do I think that album should have an N on the end??) I guess some bands really live and breathe the live show and this is true enough for....ah who am I kidding, I didn’t listen to it.

I was excited about this. Had it on in the background on a couple of occasions so didn’t give it its full deserved listen but I enjoyed what I heard. Though his rapping didn’t get me up off my seat at any point if ya know what I mean.

I like Springsteen but I don’t think I could eat a WHOLE one if you know what I mean. Never heard this album before and I don’t imagine I’ll go back to it. I enjoyed Mary’s Place. He has that uncanny ability to feel like he’s capturing the nostalgia of a nation whilst pushing everyone forward to change. Is that a bit much to suggest? Well, I enjoyed spending a bit of time in his company but on the whole was disappointed.

Mesmerising. Experimental. Not as immediately accessible as Kind of Blue to my ears but he takes you on a journey and spits you out feeling renewed. All in the space of 30 mins or so. This one’s staying on the list. The future may come back and tell you it’s a 5.

Nick of Time. What a song. I also like I can’t make you love me but it’s on another album. As far as I’m concerned I’m very excited to delve deeper.

I’ve heard the Beatles. I don’t need another one.

I resented having to listen to another queen album when there’s so much else out there in this wondrous world of music. It just got better and better though. Inventive songwriting, completely individual. You’re my best friend and Prophets song are absolute greats. It’s not their fault that Bohemian Rhapsody is so seared into our minds that we fail to remember what a ridiculously good piece of work it is. And why should we?! Nice to take a cold look at it though. It’s good. What’s the point of god save the queen here? Anyone? Is it an ode to Brian may doing it on top of the of the palace or wherever it was. Either way, I’m tempted to knock off a star for its inclusion. I won’t though.

Velvet underground with Nico was the first album I listened to on this journey and I remember being distinctly disappointed. I’m happy to announce this has completely changed my mind about the VU (Velvet Underground). I really liked this album. True to their name. Sounds like velvet. Sounds like underground. I delighted in Murder Mystery and pale blue eyes. It’s gonna stay in my thoughts for a long time. Turns out Nico was the problem huh??? But I love Nico.

I just couldn’t get on board with this. As it started I thought, “oh this has a deliciously 80s synth sound to it” but as it moved along at a snails pace there was nothing more to whet the appetite. The chorus hooks, regularly displaying that dissonant held note that is so unpleasant to the ears. This album is just so 80s. And I mean that pejoratively.

This grew and grew on me. A real smorgasbord of sound. Not quite enough to fully hook me in but I’ll give it another look for sure.

I thought the first track was relatively promising, a genre unlike anything we’ve tackled so far. Relatively ambient, soothing. Though as the thing progressed I wondered what place this music has in the world. Strangely clubby but too slow for the club. The naffo electric snares did it for me. I’ll go elsewhere for my ambience thank you. And that elsewhere is the kingdom of Japan where their single greatest export is AMBIENCE.

Actually never really listened to this when it came out. Turns out it’s full of great tunes that I recognise and have endured through the ages. Yep. I’m well into it.

There was a time when I would have been well into this and lapped it up. Maybe I’m being a bit too quick to brush over it as the same old emo-punk that I’ve heard a zillion times before. But that’s what I’m gonna do and if I wanna listen to some emo I’ll sniff around elsewhere. Out the back by the bins...I think there’s an old blink 182 greatest hits out there. I’ll stick that on if I have to.

Liquid smooth. Some real low stakes stuff from Marvin here. Takes care of his business at walking pace. At once admirable but just didn’t get me up outta my seat. Doesn’t hit the lofty heights of What’s Going On for my milky dollar. This album probably deserves a more thoughtful response. What can I say? 1001albums, you’ve created a monster. And that monster is me.

I started off really enjoying this, it was heading for a 5 but as it moved along I fell out of love with it. I loved the energy of it but there was just a bit too much going on in this party for me to focus in on one thing. Much like the brave lions’ midfield trying to cope with the dominant azzuri in the centre of the park, I just couldn’t keep up and the thing passed me by.

Absolute mastery of the piano and the audience. They are absolutely gagging for it and they get every bit of it and more. God it would be so great to be there. For what this is and for this perfect moment in time, for me it’s perfect. Turns out it was actually recorded in a studio, not in a real jazz club, which makes a helluva lotta sense as to why it sounds so liquid smoooth. This album has everything I love about TW within, the bukowski style turn of phrase storytelling and the soaring vocal melodies that bring a tear to my eye.

Not for ne

I was looking forward to this. I have no idea when it was made and I don’t intend on doing the most basic thing and looking up the year but the 80’s style sax and overall sound doesn’t sit with me. I get it, jazz is free and exciting and can take you places you’d never expect but i can’t find any structure in this at all. Nothing to hang my hat/coat on.

Well this was very enjoyable. Having had a good old go at this album when it first popped, I still recalled parts of it and Marz in particular was stuck in my head for hours later. There's a real darkness in his music that means it isn't for everyday consumption but theres soul and there's hooks and there's fun and there's a little nudge at the man and there's a not-an-insignificant splodge of honey-like vocal melodies. Haunting and beautiful. Thanks MATE!!!

This is one of those occasions where I'm feeling like, "Do I reeeeeeally have to explain why Kate Bush is good?" I guess it's high time I got my thinking cap around the thing. It's a completely individual sound, the only bands that sound like her are the ones that have tried and failed to mimic. It gets into your guts and wriggles them around, gives your small intestine a quick shuffle, double checks you haven't got appendicitis (You have and it deals with it with minimum fuss) and it completely empties your bowels. And whilst all this gut shuffling is taking place, you're struggling to go about your day without laughing or crying. Saying all that, this album has a slightly disappointing 'back 9' and doesn't deliver on the promise of everything up to waking the witch. It's hot stuff though.

Okay okay. Full dicksclosure, I listened to MOST of this but as we’re now off for the weekend I’m gonna post a review now. This didn’t grab me as much as I hoped. I was greatly enjoying the lyricisms and the ideas behind the songs but the music didn’t get me jinking and janking in the way I NEEDED as I prepared my eggs. Rap and hip hop is inherently quite repetitive and I guess I just needed something more dynamic at this time of the morning. Hey, I’ll come back to it at some point.

I don’t greatly dislike this. I just have no interest in ever listening to it again. I can see what it’s reaching for, a sort of Cure/Smiths thing meets psych rock and at times I found myself nodding appreciatively at the guitar breaks. But I’m amazed this had stood the test of time, it’s so uninteresting to me. Sometimes this list feels like things are included just because they were really popular at the time, but does anyone actually still listen to this album??

I just don’t have the stomach for this right now. I got through the first tubular bells track. Okay Mike I get it, but honestly, what the fuck is this??

I definitely really liked this when I was much younger but barely remember most of the tracks. Compared to American Idiot for example I see this as a pretty restrained and tight Green Day album. Much less offensive to the ears than I was expecting. No that’s doing it a disservice. There’s some cracking songs on here and If this was still my bag then I’d be all over this, preaching the good word. Really rather enjoyed it

Well. As much as I wanted to resist this, it’s a work of absolute magic. Honing everything that was brilliant about Slim Shady and creating this perfect synergy of story, song, and emotion. He’s smart as hell and he scares the living jingo out of me (have I mentioned that yet?). I enjoyed it when it came out but I don’t revisit it very much (aside from Stan) and I don’t think I will much in the future. Just not my particular brand of vodka.

This really faded into the background. Seemingly some pretty serviceable bluesy rock. Well done fellas. Go smoke a fat one. I’ve got my day to be getting in with.

If you refer to my Heroes review you’ll note my assertion that Young Americans is one of my fave Bowie albums. So now you’re thinking, ‘alright big shot, pull down your kecks and swing it for us.’ The real charm of this is the whole thing is so damned fun. It all feels like a big old celebration. There are some beautiful soul like backing vocals across the whole thing. It’s hella 80s but doesn’t feel stuck in the time or formulaic. I’ve gotta be in a certain mood to stick this on so it doesn’t make a 5 as I believe 5s must transcend moods.

A slightly darker and huskier Tom than I’d choose to spend time with. Though the ‘back 9’ is an absolute joy.

You happy now?

This is roughly up my alley. A nice air to it. Rather enjoyed it actually. Could certainly listen to it again. Almost certainly won’t. Slap a big ol 3 sticker on it and let someone else walk it home.

Yep, songwriting chops are evident. Something about the sound just winds ms up a bit. Not quite the tempo I’m running in today.

I really love this album. It feels like a love letter to a fading world. (A world wherein a man can innocently abuse many many women perhaps?!) The last light of a dying moon perhaps. The steady movement of La Cienga Just Smiled always produces a wistful tear. I’m not too au fait with his whole back catalogue but this record has it all for me. He’s a real wrongun and by all accounts is desperately scrabbling around for his marbles of late. I do love Phoebe dearly and don’t want to give the boy more airtime than he deserves though I trust the vacuum of cabbage ears shall allow this tree to fall in utter silence.

Gosh darn it I'm gonna slap a four on it and be done with it. I'll be honest I had low low expectations here. Never had any interest in listening to these bozos, but it turns out there's nothing bozoic about it. The instrumental tracks of Planet Caravan and Rat Salad (lovely name) are really enjoyable (barring the awfully long drum solo in Rat Salad (lovely name)). As much as it makes me cringe slightly hearing the guitar riffs to Paranoid and Iron Man, on this occasion I feel like applauding them for writing something so catchy and simple. Really enjoyed a lot of the more intricate guitar, especially on War Pigs. I guess I feel like it's pretty intriguing stuff but I wouldn't have it on my living room wall ya know.

I was well into this when it first started. Though after a while it all generally faded into oneness. I'd struggle to pick out specific moments for you. I was taking care of a leeeeetle bit of work when it was on so I get the impression you gottsta listen to whatever the hell they're trying to say but I just couldn't stomach the attention for it. Would listen again. Let's be honest, this has got FOUR written all over it but let's slap a 3 on it and be done with it.

Sexy choir boy J-Bux absolutely tears me apart every time I listen to this. So much variation in style but it feels all part of the whole. It's a strange album in that respect, a mix of covers and J-buck originals and jumps around from song to song leaving you wondering what the ef heck style is this. The covers are probably the most effective with the exception of Lover You Should've Come Over, which never fails to delight from the light accordion opening to the wailing, screaming finish. Hallelujah is heinously overplayed but it's an absolute marvel what he did with Leonard's soulful but shlucky (dare I say it?!) original. It's a wonder of the modern world. Lilac wine and Corpus Christi carol are beautiful wisps of magic floating into your ear canals from another universe. It's an album unlike any other I know. The highs are so high in this that it makes up for the last couple of songs that don't match the standard in the rest of it. It's been a delight listening again.

Never listened to a whole album. Liked it. Need to listen again

This is one of those situations where I thought, 'oh hey cool I've never listened to these guys before, bring it on baby boys.' But as it turned out I strongly recognised many of the tracks and it got me smacking my lips and tapping my club foot. Just not my particular variety of sherry if we're all honest with each other.

I was well in to this about 15 years ago and it popped in to my head a good few times when I was putting together my 101. All I can say is I'm glad it didn't make the cut. I do not enjoy it as much anymore. Oh yeah they are having a lot of fun and more power to them for writing the guitar riff to back in black. An absolute masterpiece that. But the rest of it is pretty drossy.

some nice moments in here. Got bored after 4 tracks

Inventive sampling. There's always something going on. This is a party I want to be at. Really enjoyed it. It's going to stick around

Naaaaa

I’ve tried to get into this album many times before. Some real nice tracks in there but it just doesn’t punch into me in the way so many claim it should. Let this be the last time I ever attempt to like Primal Scream. Heard it here first world.

Maybe it’s just that I didn’t recognise any of the songs. I just felt that it’s all very Queen-y but not as good as their more popular tracks. I heard nothing different here. Hey, it’s all good fun but on this occasion I was left pretty cold.

Not as fun as the Daft Punk I'm used to. Doesn't sound as clean and precise as I expect from these lads. Won't come back to it.

The Beatles are far more experimental than I'd ever known. I love that, you never know what you're gonna get from each new track. Some really delightful turns in here. Everything coming in at 3 mins or under so if you don't like it you've got something new to taste very soon. It's an experimental tasting menu and as always there's a bit too much celeriac puree in everything. By that I mean I feel there are more misses than hits in here. Real good fun though. Absolute nutters these guys.

I don't want to be all "It's nice but I wouldn't want it on my bedroom wall about this" but that's how I'm feeling. It's not particularly unpleasant, I just can't think of any circumstance where I'd want to listen to this and I certainly do not want it on my bedroom wall. There's no progression or movement aside from the endless jogging on the spot feeling it gives you.

I can honestly say I've never actively listened to the rolling stones before. A couple of songs in I'd made my mind up that it just wasn't grabbing me but it did throw delicious surprises out. Lighter and more fun than I'd expected. It made for nice listening if a little samey on a first listen. The vocal tracks didn't grab me enough to make a lasting impression but I enjoyed it well enough.

Silky smooth voice. Soaring instrumentals. I have a very specific love of Ray Charles that is entirely cultivated from the film soundtrack. This doesn't have most of my faves on it, but it's a good place for me to start delving deeper. Some wonderful moments in here. You won't let me go and Am I Blue really got me weeping invisible but very real tears.

Enjoyed this much more than i expected I would. Captivated by the stories of Maggie's Farm and 115th Dream. Some nice gentle moments in Love Minus Zero and Gates of Eden. Evoked far more emotion in me than I've found with bobby d before. I'd slap a 3.5 on it if I could, but I'll round up on this occasion

Talk about a bresh of freath air! This is very jazzzz. She's got a lovely voice and it has the feel of comfortable leather and polished walnut, but despite a few punchy tracks it failed to grab me by the lapels and shake me out of my stupor. Could probably be a few songs shorter to keep it sweeter. Though this is sounding a bit negative for something I actually really rather liked.

Far be it from me to come barging back in here and start throwing my weight around but this is so good. I've always thought Cat Stevens has some good tracks but existed all on one level, a sort of airy fairy very light folk sound. I've had him all wrong, this album is really really good. When Wide World came on I was pleased to hear this was a Cat song, but Sad Lisa really got me listening. From then on there are regular gut punches and tear jerks. It's got a rich, full sound and his voice has a wonderful quality that can jump from lightness to great depth at the spin of a wheel.

This just doesn't cut the mustard for me anymore. Don't get me wrong, Common People and Disco 2000 are two of the greatest songs ever but the rest of the album just doesn't grab me in the same way it used to. It all feels very comfortable and on one level in the way that those two epic singles aren't. I don't particularly enjoy Jarvis' voice too. Nothing I can exactly lay my finger on. It just lightly grates at times. Though this album had a special place in my heart for a few years so it well warrants my attention