Aug 31 2021
View Album
The Joshua Tree
U2
I'm not a great U2 fan, but it was nice to listen to this album again, after so many years. It also reminded me of how excellent the first four songs are. The rest of the song did not capture me as much, but overall a very good album.
4
Sep 01 2021
View Album
Me Against The World
2Pac
Did not enjoy this album at all. I guess the primary quality is in the lyrical content (especially with 2pac's backstory in mind), but the music just does not appeal to me enough.
1
Sep 02 2021
View Album
Rattlesnakes
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Never heard of them. Seemed to be a decent rock album initially, but I got more and more annoyed by the vocals as the music progressed. Will not listen to this again.
2
Sep 03 2021
View Album
Eagles
Eagles
Early Eagles, I guess. Turned it off after about 4 songs. All sounds a bit dated, and not in a good way.
2
Sep 06 2021
View Album
Close To The Edge
Yes
Not in the mood for this kind of prog rock, gets on my nerves very quickly. There might be other Yes albums that I prefer, though.
2
Sep 07 2021
View Album
Here Come The Warm Jets
Brian Eno
Enjoyed that a lot more than I though I would. Very creative.
4
Sep 08 2021
View Album
Idlewild
Everything But The Girl
Only had time to listen to the first half. Pleasant vocals, pretty good songs. Not blown away by it, but decent enough.
3
Sep 09 2021
View Album
The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
I did not like this at all. Had to turn it off after a few songs. Very annoying vocals.
1
Sep 10 2021
View Album
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
After a few songs my impression is that the songs and the music are very good, but I can't get used to Dylan's singing style.
3
Sep 11 2021
View Album
The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
Sounds okay, but for me this music requires a certain mood to really appreciate it.
3
Sep 12 2021
View Album
Young Americans
David Bowie
Soul/Funk/R&B Bowie style. Great album, from start to finish. Fascination and Fame funky favourites.
5
Sep 13 2021
View Album
From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
Sounds pretty good, but yet again I was not in the right mood for this, having discovered a new progressive death metal band on the same day...
4
Sep 14 2021
View Album
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
I'm sure I would have enjoyed this much more 20 or so years ago, but now it got on my nerves very quickly.
2
Sep 15 2021
View Album
Risque
CHIC
Did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would.
2
Sep 16 2021
View Album
The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
Interesting industrial music. Enjoyed it for large parts, but felt let down by the vocals and lyrics.
3
Sep 17 2021
View Album
Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
Love this sound. Beautiful voice, but has a little too much vibrato at times.
4
Sep 18 2021
View Album
Abraxas
Santana
Every time I am about to listen to some Santana, I expect to like it, but end up disappointed. I do like this kind of jazz-rock with strong latin influence, but I keep feeling that something is missing.
2
Sep 19 2021
View Album
Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
Wonderful album. It was nice to listen to it again, and it was as beautiful as I remembered it to be.
5
Sep 20 2021
View Album
The White Album
Beatles
This was a chore for me to get through, to be honest, There are definitely a few good songs to enjoy, but way too many silly or boring ones. For me, Blackbird is by far the best song.
3
Sep 21 2021
View Album
Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
Heart-wrenchingly beautiful.
5
Sep 22 2021
View Album
Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
Thoroughly enjoyed this album, though it did make me a little thirsty.
4
Sep 23 2021
View Album
Debut
Björk
Brilliant debut album. Unique voice, great production and arrangement, good songs throughout, lots of variation. Loved it.
5
Sep 24 2021
View Album
Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers
This will probably work well at a rave or during a work-out, but for a pure listening experience it was too repetitive and not captivating enough. When I first listened to this album, soon after it was released, I did remember it to be much less interesting than the debut Exit Planet Dust.
3
Sep 25 2021
View Album
Melodrama
Lorde
Had to turn it off after a few songs. Did not like the voice, and found the music boring if not irritating. Not for me.
1
Sep 26 2021
View Album
In Utero
Nirvana
This album did not really grab me, despite a few good moments.
3
Sep 27 2021
View Album
White Light / White Heat
The Velvet Underground
Poor Waldo ...
5
Sep 28 2021
View Album
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
Not my favourite Bowie album, but still very solid. "Life on Mars?" is one of my all time favourite David Bowie songs and stands out on this album. The other songs did not grab me as much, although after a few listens there were a couple that started to grow on me.
4
Sep 29 2021
View Album
Rubber Soul
Beatles
An okay album, but not particularly exciting. Simple songs, some of them catchy.
3
Sep 30 2021
View Album
Go Girl Crazy
The Dictators
Dirty, straightforward, punk rock. The music had a certain energy and intensity, but ultimately I found the songs quite boring.
2
Oct 01 2021
View Album
Solid Air
John Martyn
Initially thought this was a bit pedestrian, but as the songs progressed, I got more into it. On the second listen, I could appreciate the musicianship more (especially the jazzy elements), even got used to the voice and really enjoyed the album overall.
4
Oct 02 2021
View Album
Actually
Pet Shop Boys
It's a sin indeed. 10 seconds in I already felt the urge to turn it off. Came out of it with only two half-decent songs, salvaging a second star.
2
Oct 03 2021
View Album
Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
Familiar Led Zeppelin sound, but also a bit of experimentation on this album. Not perfect, but lots to like, with Since I've been Loving You and Tangerine as particular highlights.
4
Oct 04 2021
View Album
Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
A few good songs here and there, but otherwise utterly boring.
2
Oct 05 2021
View Album
First Band On The Moon
The Cardigans
Not doing much for me. Solid band, but mostly uninteresting songs.
3
Oct 06 2021
View Album
Face to Face
The Kinks
Very enjoyable album, solid from start to finish.
4
Oct 07 2021
View Album
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
That was pretty awful. Not for me, anyway.
1
Oct 08 2021
View Album
Fear Of Music
Talking Heads
David Byrne. Genius.
5
Oct 09 2021
View Album
Odelay
Beck
Interesting in parts, but overall a rather chaotic album that did not really grab me.
3
Oct 10 2021
View Album
Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Wonderful album from start to finish.
5
Oct 11 2021
View Album
Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
Played this album a lot back in the early nineties, and it turns out it still sounds amazing today.
5
Oct 12 2021
View Album
Screamadelica
Primal Scream
No, this did not work for me at all. Thanks to Andrew Weatherall's input it has some good moments, but that does not make up for the rest. Particularly disliked the rather whining vocals which ruined many of the songs.
2
Oct 13 2021
View Album
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Very good album. Interesting melodies with beautiful vocal harmonies, though I'm not a huge fan of the high falsetto vocals.
4
Oct 14 2021
View Album
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
Excellent synth pop album. A more accessible, but still very interesting, successor to their debut The Hurting.
5
Oct 15 2021
View Album
Everything Must Go
Manic Street Preachers
Enjoyed this album more than when it came out. A really solid selection of rock/pop songs.
4
Oct 16 2021
View Album
Metallica
Metallica
This was my first proper introduction to Metallica (yes, I was late to the party) and really liked it at the time. Listening to it again after who knows how many years was a disappointment initially. However, around the half-way point I started to get more into it, and upon a second listen I was really enjoying it. It is not Master of Puppets of course, but nevertheless a well-produced album with solid songs that are compact and catchy.
5
Oct 17 2021
View Album
Manassas
Stephen Stills
Adequate blues/folk/country album. Rating might have gone up to 4 upon repeat listens, but for now it is just okay, so 3 stars.
3
Oct 18 2021
View Album
Parklife
Blur
Has its moments, but overall this album did not convince me. Nice try, though.
3
Oct 19 2021
View Album
Rio
Duran Duran
Decent 80s pop, but not much more than that. It has been a minute since I last listened to Duran Duran, but I did recognise some of the singles. The other songs seem rather forgettable.
3
Oct 20 2021
View Album
Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
There aren't enough stars in the sky to give this album the recognition it deserves. I love the raw emotion that the music breathes, the live feel of Albini's production, the occasional odd time signatures, and of course Polly Jean Harvey's impressive vocal performance.
5
Oct 21 2021
View Album
Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
Great album by a great band. Funky, groovy, and psychedelic. The opener and title track is an incredible piece of music, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Beforehand, I worried that this and maybe one or two other songs would dominate the record, the rest being mediocre fillers, but I have to say all songs were of top quality. If I would have to point out any issue, I'd say they could have left out some of the silliness; better leave that sort of thing to Zappa.
5
Oct 22 2021
View Album
Modern Kosmology
Jane Weaver
Had never heard of this artist before, but quite liked it. Dreamy synth pop that reminded me of Stereolab.
4
Oct 23 2021
View Album
xx
The xx
Apart from the intro song, I did not remember this album as well as I thought I would, and it did take a little while to get used to the sound again. In the end, I did enjoy it as much as back in 2009. I love the low-key but soulful performance of both vocalists, accompanied by the minimalistic electric guitar melodies and similarly sparse atmospheric electronic elements. Great album.
5
Oct 24 2021
View Album
A Walk Across The Rooftops
The Blue Nile
Was not familiar with this band, but I did recognise the single Tinseltown in the Rain. Pretty good, but did not capture me enough for a top tier rating.
4
Oct 25 2021
View Album
The Hour Of Bewilderbeast
Badly Drawn Boy
This did nothing for me. Some parts were not too bad, but way too many songs were just boring.
2
Oct 26 2021
View Album
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
I am more inclined towards basil and cilantro, but still, this was a very good album with beautiful songs. The right kind of gentle, pleasant music. And because I'm feeling groovyyyy I'll give it 5 stars.
5
Oct 27 2021
View Album
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
As a kid I was a massive fan of Michael Jackson during the Thriller period, and also listened to the successor Bad quite a lot, but never gave the predecessor and break-through album Off the Wall too much attention, except maybe for the amazing opening track. Upon this revisit, I really appreciated the overall production (Quincy Jones) and execution of the songs. There are some really good, catchy, songs on here (e.g., the opening track, the title song, and I Can't Help It), but also several songs that are less captivating (e.g. Girlfriend and It's the Falling in Love). In my opinion, Thriller is still a significant step up from this album, so I'll leave it at 4 stars.
4
Oct 28 2021
View Album
Vento De Maio
Elis Regina
I thought I had never heard of this, even after listening to a couple of songs. However, later I realised Elis Regina performed the world famous duet Aguas de Marco with Antonio Carlos Jobim. It is the opener of the album Elis & Tom from 1974, which is so much better than this compilation. Very strange to include it in the list.
2
Oct 29 2021
View Album
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
Still can't stand his voice. This was unlistenable for me this time around.
1
Oct 30 2021
View Album
Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
Overall, this album sounded decent, but the music felt a little too bland for my taste.
3
Oct 31 2021
View Album
Night Life
Ray Price
It is as if Hank Williams had a lobotomy.
2
Nov 01 2021
View Album
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
Standard Rodgers/Edwards disco. Heard this play on the radio way too many times.
2
Nov 02 2021
View Album
Marquee Moon
Television
The band sounded pretty good, but the vocals totally ruined it for me.
2
Nov 03 2021
View Album
OK Computer
Radiohead
Not my favourite Radiohead album, but this record sounds pretty much flawless and has some brilliant songs, so I'm left with no choice but to give this full marks.
5
Nov 04 2021
View Album
Coles Corner
Richard Hawley
Melancholic, dreamy, smooth, and a tad boring to be honest. Seems influenced by singers like Elvis and Johnny Cash.
3
Nov 05 2021
View Album
Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Don't mind listening to some salsa every now and again, and they've added some creative elements to it on this album, but overall it just did not grab me. It was just ok. Just.
3
Nov 06 2021
View Album
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
That feeling of nineties nostalgia. Brilliant album from start to finish.
5
Nov 07 2021
View Album
Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
Being the jazz-rock classic that it is, Hot Rats was the album that got me into Zappa. Peaches en Regalia has always been one of my favourite tracks, but perhaps I have been ignoring the other songs too often, because this time around I noticed some pretty amazing stuff across the whole album. Zappa has such a unique guitar playing style, and stands out when it come to composition and arrangement. The wild improvisations in the longer tracks do not always work perfectly, but the excellent musicianship and the energy and excitement that the album breathes makes it easy to get past the iffier parts.
5
Nov 08 2021
View Album
Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
No, this is not doing it for me. Wouldn't mind having it playing in the background, but it sounds lethargic at times and overall leaves me cold.
3
Nov 09 2021
View Album
Cross
Justice
Sounds like Daft Punk. Not bad, but I prefer Daft Punk.
3
Nov 10 2021
View Album
A Grand Don't Come For Free
The Streets
It's been a while since I listened to this album, but I'm falling in love with it all over again. Great beats and electronics, rap/spoken word with a nice flow, entertaining lyrics, and sometimes it gets quite moving. Really enjoyed this from start to finish.
5
Nov 11 2021
View Album
Duck Rock
Malcolm McLaren
Have to confess, I only had time for a quick skimming thru this album. I liked the African music bits, but the DJ nonsense and 80s hiphop bits sounded really dated, and overall it just felt like one big mess.
2
Nov 12 2021
View Album
Infected
The The
I was somewhat familiar with The The, but didn't know this album. It sounds okay, but as with the other albums I am struggling to really enjoy it.
3
Nov 13 2021
View Album
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
Hated this album with a passion, though Snoop Dogg's contributions lifted my mood somewhat. Can't get past those gangsta rap subculture vibes, youknowwhatimsayin?
1
Nov 14 2021
View Album
A Wizard, A True Star
Todd Rundgren
Very seventies sounding. Not bad, but it didn't particularly grab me either.
3
Nov 15 2021
View Album
Morrison Hotel
The Doors
Very bluesy. Sounded okay, but not as adventurous as some of their other albums.
3
Nov 16 2021
View Album
Kenya
Machito
First album from the '50s. Lively and fun African/Latin jazz album that reminded me of '50s movies like Orson Welles' Touch of Evil and Hitchcock's Rear Window. The more jazzy parts reminded me of some of Charlie Parker's work. Best enjoyed on a hot summer night, but even on this cold November evening it lightened my mood.
4
Nov 17 2021
View Album
Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
Similar experience as with the earlier Screamadelica. Annoying vocals, music mostly quite boring. Waste of time for me.
2
Nov 18 2021
View Album
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Great blend of folk, country, and rock. Young's vocals are not the greatest, but they have character and work well within the vocal harmonies. The excellent guitar work, supported by a strong rhythm section, really draws you in and makes this album a pleasant experience overall.
5
Nov 19 2021
View Album
Dookie
Green Day
Very, very mainstream punk pop. Decent sounding band, but ultimately I am finding their music rather boring.
2
Nov 20 2021
View Album
Pump
Aerosmith
Mainstream rock. Boring.
2
Nov 21 2021
View Album
Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
Rather conventional jazz that you can play in the background, but nothing special.
2
Nov 22 2021
View Album
Music Has The Right To Children
Boards of Canada
Some brilliant tracks on this album, but also some weaker ones that did not work as well for me, especially in the second half. Overall very good electronic music.
4
Nov 23 2021
View Album
A Seat at the Table
Solange
Starts off promising, but I kind of lost interest after 2 or 3 songs. Not a bad R&B album by any means, but it never really grabbed me.
3
Nov 24 2021
View Album
Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
When it comes to soul music, this is as good as it gets. For some reason My Girl sounded particularly good, and it was interesting to hear Redding's version of Wonderful World, a song obviously made famous by the great Sam Cooke. A superb album that made my day.
5
Nov 25 2021
View Album
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Beautiful voice that reminds me of Sarah Vaughn, especially in the ballads. The album offers a variety of songs that sound okay overall, but aren't particularly overwhelming either.
3
Nov 26 2021
View Album
Orbital 2
Orbital
There are signs of the genius of Orbital on this early '90s album, but the sound feels rather outdated and the melodies are too repetitive to really enjoy this. The looping trickery on the opening and closing tracks was interesting, though.
3
Nov 27 2021
View Album
Faith
George Michael
I knew many of the songs on this album, just from listening to the radio in the '80s. Not really my thing, but it is all very well done.
3
Nov 28 2021
View Album
Groovin'
The Young Rascals
This seemed completely unknown to me, until I heard the title song. Very enjoyable record.
4
Nov 29 2021
View Album
Elastica
Elastica
Nope, didn't work for me.
2
Nov 30 2021
View Album
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
One of the key jazz fusion albums of the early '70s.
Love the funky and groovy sound, though I slightly prefer Hancock's older work with albums like Empyrean Isles and Maiden Voyage.
5
Dec 01 2021
View Album
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
Yet another one of those albums where the vocals ruin the music. Morrissey can barely stay in tune at times, and the vocal melodies overall are irritatingly repetitive. It is quite strange that this album is on the list, because their next album, The Queen is Dead, sounds so much better. When I listened to it again, I found the difference in quality quite remarkable.
2
Dec 02 2021
View Album
The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Pretty good album with beautifully arranged ballads to dream away on. Cave's vocals are living dangerously at times when he is reaching for the higher notes, but there is a vulnerability and emotion in his performance that I can appreciate.
4
Dec 03 2021
View Album
evermore
Taylor Swift
Very unremarkable.
2
Dec 04 2021
View Album
Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
Going into this, I thought Aladdin Sane was my favourite Bowie album, but upon listening to it again I realised that must have been mainly because of Time. Overall, I thought the album sounded rather harsh and had a bit too much dissonance for my taste. However, Time and Lady Grinning Soul are still two amazing songs that compelled me to lift my rating from 3 to 4 stars. Maybe I'll enjoy this album more on another day.
4
Dec 05 2021
View Album
Guitar Town
Steve Earle
Solid alt country rock album. Not a huge fan of Earle's vocals, but it has the heart and intensity required for this kind of music.
4
Dec 06 2021
View Album
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
I was surprised I didn't know any of these songs, but it was a very pleasant sounding, light-footed album. The album employs a variety of genres including folk rock and blues, and opening with an ska-inflected song that immediately puts you in the right mood.
4
Dec 07 2021
View Album
Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai
Sounds like this could be a decent Stevie Wonder tribute band, but instead we get this rather middle-of-the-road soul/funk/disco album filled with weak songs. There is no didgeridoo in the world that can mask that.
2
Dec 08 2021
View Album
The Stooges
The Stooges
Did not care much for this album, although I still like the song I Wanna Be Your Dog. It had more psychedelic elements than I expected, reminding me of the Doors in some parts. The music just didn't engage me enough, and therefore felt quite dragging and repetitive.
3
Dec 09 2021
View Album
Tapestry
Carole King
Very difficult to find anything wrong with this album.
5
Dec 10 2021
View Album
...And Justice For All
Metallica
This was always my favourite Metallica album, but I really did not enjoy it as much this time around. The somewhat unusual production bothered me on this occasion: hardly any bass, and very harsh sounding drums. To Live is to Die is still the stand-out song for me.
4
Dec 11 2021
View Album
More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
Another brilliant Talking Heads album.
5
Dec 12 2021
View Album
american dream
LCD Soundsystem
Sounded okay initially, though nothing really stood out. I remember some songs from their previous albums that resonated a lot more with me. I enjoyed it more when I listened a second time, realising that some songs sounded a lot like Talking Heads. Similar types of grooves, but more synth/electronics.
4
Dec 13 2021
View Album
Fred Neil
Fred Neil
Never heard of this artist, but recognised the song Everybody's Talkin'. Laid-back folk/country/blues you can play in the background, but it did not exactly make a lasting impression.
3
Dec 14 2021
View Album
Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
Still love this album. The beats, the bass, the samples, the soul. Especially noticed the sample from Bjork's Possibly Maybe on Mutual Slump, which made me very happy.
5
Dec 15 2021
View Album
Fever Ray
Fever Ray
Pretty good album. A bit slower-paced and atmospheric than The Knife, I'd say, but still very enjoyable. Having watched the TV series Vikings, I was of course very familiar with the opening song.
4
Dec 16 2021
View Album
Murmur
R.E.M.
Interesting to hear an early REM album from the eighties. The music was okay, but did not blow me away either.
3
Dec 17 2021
View Album
Entertainment
Gang Of Four
Tight, tight, thight!!! Not entirely my cup of tea, but I can appreciate the creativity and energy.
4
Dec 18 2021
View Album
Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
Still no fan of Dylan's singing, but at least this album did not irritate me as much as some of his other (later) work we have been treated with on this list.
3
Dec 19 2021
View Album
Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
Somehow I never checked out Jah Wobble's work back in the nineties, so I was unfamiliar with this album. It serves up an interesting melange of different musical styles. Not everything works, and some of the electronic elements sound a bit dated, but overall I enjoyed listening to it.
4
Dec 20 2021
View Album
I Am a Bird Now
Antony and the Johnsons
16 years later and this album still leaves me speechless. I have no speech. I am without speech.
5
Dec 21 2021
View Album
Either Or
Elliott Smith
Wasn't particularly overwhelmed by this, but it was okay. The songs were catchy and pleasant to listen to.
3
Dec 22 2021
View Album
LP1
FKA twigs
A truly mesmerising album that combines a beautiful soulful voice with unique electronic music.
5
Dec 23 2021
View Album
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
It was an improvement on the Slim Shady LP with some good moments, but still disliked most of it.
2
Dec 24 2021
View Album
Colour By Numbers
Culture Club
Radio music from the '80s. Competent, but uninteresting album.
2
Dec 25 2021
View Album
This Is Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Some good old-fashioned rock & roll. Enjoyed the first couple of songs, but then it got a little repetitive.
3
Dec 26 2021
View Album
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
The odds of getting this particular album on Xmas Day... Usually I don't mind a bit of Phil Spector, but this Santa Claus rubbish was just too cringeworthy.
1
Dec 27 2021
View Album
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
Strong reject.
1
Dec 28 2021
View Album
Chirping Crickets
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
Decent album with a couple of great songs. That'll Be the Day definitely my favourite.
4
Dec 29 2021
View Album
Chris
Christine and the Queens
Cleary influenced by Michael Jackson, especially on first few songs. I thought the vocals were very good, and the production was decent, if somewhat cold and dry. But ultimately, the songs didn't grip me enough to want to listen to this again.
3
Dec 30 2021
View Album
The La's
The La's
I only knew the La's from the song There She Goes. The album sounded okay, but will probably not listen again.
3
Dec 31 2021
View Album
Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
One of the worst albums on the list so far.
1
Jan 01 2022
View Album
L.A. Woman
The Doors
Frankly, I was not really in the mood for some Doors beforehand, but certainly on the second listen I quite enjoyed this album. Like Morrison Hotel, it sounds very bluesy, but the songs on this album were a lot more interesting, and the closing track Riders on the Storm is one of my favourite Doors songs.
5
Jan 02 2022
View Album
Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
Billy Bragg
Presumably this is mostly lyrics oriented and political, which is not really my thing. Musically it is fairly uninteresting, although I like the vocal + electric guitar combination on some of the songs.
2
Jan 03 2022
View Album
Group Sex
Circle Jerks
Shouty punk. Thankfully the album was short.
2
Jan 04 2022
View Album
Master Of Puppets
Metallica
Arguably Metallica's best album in my memory, but when I listened to it today, I did not enjoy it as much. The first tracks, and especially the title song, are brilliant, but about halfway in I got a little bored with the sound, especially the wild guitar solos, which nowadays sound quite old-fashioned.
4
Jan 05 2022
View Album
Your Arsenal
Morrissey
I'm finding Morrissey's singing still quite annoying, but this album didn't sound all too bad.
3
Jan 06 2022
View Album
Kenza
Khaled
I only remember the hit song Didi from his debut album Khaled (1992). It was a chore to get through this album, I'm afraid. It can be refreshing to hear one song in this Arabic/Western crossover style, but a whole album of this is indigestible to me.
1
Jan 07 2022
View Album
The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
I don't really like to see compilations on this list, but anything by Ella Fitzgerald is always welcome. One of the most pleasant and crystal clear voices of all time. This 45 minutes of heavenly music makes me want to seek out the complete Gershwin songbook.
5
Jan 08 2022
View Album
Here, My Dear
Marvin Gaye
Overall, this album (and Marvin Gaye's music in general) sounds a bit too sleazy for my taste. I did enjoy the more funky tracks, though.
3
Jan 09 2022
View Album
Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are a huge band of course, and I like most of their music, but to say I'm a fan would be an exaggeration. However, I thought the band sounded really good on this album, supported by an array of great musicians. I particularly liked the soul/gospel accents (brass, backing vocals), elevating the blues/rock tunes. During the first listen the album felt quite long: into the second half my attention was starting to fade and I even got slightly irritated by Jagger's vocals toward the end. However, the second time around this was no longer an issue and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
5
Jan 10 2022
View Album
I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen
It is an interesting sound that Cohen is going for on this album, but it does not appeal to me very much.
3
Jan 11 2022
View Album
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
Very familiar glamrock sound, having heard the song Get In On (too) many times on the radio. Will avoid listening to this album ever again if I can help it.
2
Jan 12 2022
View Album
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
Definitely an album you have to spend more time with to really appreciate. Multiple listening sessions and reading about the background of the songs bring the album to life. I'm now listening to it for the 3rd time and loving it as never before, in all its weirdness.
5
Jan 13 2022
View Album
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
Live album. Pretty decent blues rock, but I found the endless guitar solos and improvisations rather tedious.
3
Jan 14 2022
View Album
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
Pretty good live album with Jarrett playing solo piano, though I think I prefer the piano trio stuff. In this live setting, the involuntary humming and half-singing along with the melodies that we know from Jarrett was less of a distraction than I expected it to be.
4
Jan 15 2022
View Album
Zombie
Fela Kuti
Loving the afro beat grooves, but not too crazy about the song melodies and the solo work. I have heard better from Fela Kuti.
3
Jan 16 2022
View Album
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
I remember some of the singles from their second album and quite liked those, but for some reason never checked out their debut. Glad we got it on the list, because I very much enjoyed it.
5
Jan 17 2022
View Album
MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
More enjoyable than I expected.
4
Jan 18 2022
View Album
The Slider
T. Rex
Last week we got Electric Warrior, now we get its successor The Slider. I can't decide which one I dislike the most.
2
Jan 19 2022
View Album
Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes
Wacky psychedelic Latin album. At first listen, I thought it was all over the place and I did not like it and was glad when it was over. At second listen, I still thought it was all over the place, but I enjoyed it a lot more and at times could not suppress a stupid smile appearing on my face. I'm confused.
4
Jan 20 2022
View Album
Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
Of course I had heard of Joan Armatrading as a singer-songwriter, but never checked out her music. The band on this album sounds very good, but Armatrading's singing does not appeal to me very much. The only song that stood out for me was Like Fire.
3
Jan 21 2022
View Album
Melody A.M.
Röyksopp
This was pretty good. There are similar albums that I would give 5 stars without hesitation, but this one is just a little bit too loungy for me to give it full marks.
4
Jan 22 2022
View Album
Imagine
John Lennon
Overall, an enjoyable album with some pretty good songs, including the well-known Imagine and Jealous Guy.
4
Jan 23 2022
View Album
Fuzzy Logic
Super Furry Animals
They were trying very hard to make the songs sound interesting on this album. It was a good effort that brought back memories from the mid 90s, but none of the songs really gelled with me, so in the end the album left me underwhelmed.
3
Jan 24 2022
View Album
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
I bought this album many years ago, and although I love the title track and maybe a few other songs, I can't seem to get along with it. I think it might be Prince's slightly creepy sleazy vocals, but I'm not sure.
3
Jan 25 2022
View Album
The Cars
The Cars
Into the first minutes of this album I thought it was going to be quite boring, but after a while I noticed it was rocking away quite nicely. Not mind-blowing by any means, but just a very solid album.
4
Jan 26 2022
View Album
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
Another album that sounds pretty good, but doesn't really blow me away either.
4
Jan 27 2022
View Album
At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
One of the greatest voices in jazz, accompanied in a tasteful, low-key, style by an excellent piano trio. This was a wonderful live recording of the album, which transported me to the actual jazz club in Chicago. The improv moments toward the end of Willow Weep for Me and the nod to Ella Fitzgerald in the final song were quite amusing. It was also nice to hear another interpretation of Thou Swell, which I only knew in Betty Carter's fast version (and which, to be fair, I still prefer).
5
Jan 28 2022
View Album
Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
Mixed bag for me, this. Very good guitar work throughout, but the vocals are putting me off. In the more melodic songs the harmonies sound quite dated, and I'm just not digging the loose style of the lead vocal in general. In summary, it just falls short of 4 stars.
3
Jan 29 2022
View Album
The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
After the first listen I thought it sounded interesting. There was a lot going on in the musical arrangement, so worth another listen. During the second listen I realised how sleep-inducing and cringingly pretentious it really was. I understand many others will like this a lot, but I'm just not buying it.
2
Jan 30 2022
View Album
Hypnotised
The Undertones
This was a straightforward but fun punk rock album that could grow on me even more with repeated listens.
4
Jan 31 2022
View Album
3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
Of course I've heard of this group, but I am not super familiar with their music. It sounds like they know how to play, but this album just doesn't work for me. It all sounds too restless, too busy. So unfortunately, 3 stars is the best I can do.
3
Feb 01 2022
View Album
Tigermilk
Belle & Sebastian
Pleasant sounding, very melodic indie album. The gentle vocals remind me of John Cale's singing, but at times they sound a bit too weak for my taste.
4
Feb 02 2022
View Album
This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
The album sounded fresh at first, but after a few songs I already started getting a little bored. Tight band, good vocals, but I stopped being engaged after a while.
3
Feb 03 2022
View Album
25
Adele
Vocal acrobatics, but not in a good way. What a waste.
1
Feb 04 2022
View Album
Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
Yeah, this is just great, there is no denying it. They sure got that southern blues sound down on this album. I still prefer Robert Johnson's original version of Love in Vain, though.
5
Feb 05 2022
View Album
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
Pleasantly surprised by this album. Had to get used to the rapping style and sample use at first, but certainly during the second listen I started to really enjoy it. Probably also worth checking out the lyrics more closely.
4
Feb 06 2022
View Album
Ray Of Light
Madonna
Well-produced techno/dance pop album from Madonna. It has some good songs, but for me, this sounds a bit too subdued overall and at times somewhat uninspired.
3
Feb 07 2022
View Album
Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
Very nice jazz album. Not blown away enough to give it 5 stars, but the overall sound of the ensemble is very good and there are some great moments, for example when the funky electric piano kicks in.
4
Feb 08 2022
View Album
Back In Black
AC/DC
Every now and again I like to rock out on a couple of catchy AC/DC songs, but an entire album? No, thanks.
3
Feb 09 2022
View Album
Bright Flight
Silver Jews
1
Feb 10 2022
View Album
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
4
Feb 11 2022
View Album
No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)
Motörhead
I was familiar with the overall sound of Motorhead and of course their best known song Ace of Spades, but never checked out their regular albums. But then again, perhaps their music is best enjoyed live (or at least through a well produced live album).
4
Feb 12 2022
View Album
Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5
Feb 13 2022
View Album
Bitches Brew
Miles Davis
Finally we get a Miles Davis album! Due to its experimental nature and heavy improvisation Bitches Brew is not for everyone, and I am not always in the mood for it either, but it has this raw intensity and grooviness that can make listening to it an exhilarating experience. Definitely one of the most important albums in jazz history.
5
Feb 14 2022
View Album
Cloud Nine
The Temptations
3
Feb 15 2022
View Album
Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu
Given its length, some of the good, but not great songs could have been left out. Nevertheless, the overall vibe of the album and the many great songs made me give it 5 stars.
5
Feb 16 2022
View Album
Ingenue
k.d. lang
Pleasant vocals and good sound overall, but something is lacking.
3
Feb 17 2022
View Album
Rust In Peace
Megadeth
4
Feb 18 2022
View Album
Funeral
Arcade Fire
4
Feb 19 2022
View Album
Harvest
Neil Young
Brilliant album from start to finish.
5
Feb 20 2022
View Album
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
Well, this probably went over my head. The better passages reminded me of the Taxi Driver soundtrack, but otherwise I found this pretty much unlistenable.
2
Feb 22 2022
View Album
Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
The singles still sound pretty good, but I did not really vibe with the album overall.
3
Feb 23 2022
View Album
Basket of Light
Pentangle
Great album with stellar musicianship. Not sure why there are three versions of Sally Go Round the Roses, though.
5
Feb 24 2022
View Album
In Rainbows
Radiohead
4
Feb 25 2022
View Album
The Sun Rises In The East
Jeru The Damaja
4
Feb 26 2022
View Album
Stankonia
OutKast
Very good album, with a couple of great songs that I've had on repeat when it came out. However, having listened to the album again, there are just a few too many songs I don't care much for. Just short of 5 stars for me.
4
Feb 27 2022
View Album
Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
Fascinating album, especially when reading how this early electronic music was put together. There are several great passages, but at times I missed a bit of tension and structure. Maybe I need to listen to it more often, but Jarre's Oxygene, which came out only a few years later, was much more compelling/memorable.
4
Feb 28 2022
View Album
Tidal
Fiona Apple
Awful vocals.
1
Mar 01 2022
View Album
Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
3
Mar 02 2022
View Album
Vespertine
Björk
Top tier Bjork album for me, along with Debut and Homogenic.
5
Mar 03 2022
View Album
Sincere
Mj Cole
Rather boring dance muzak.
2
Mar 04 2022
View Album
Step In The Arena
Gang Starr
Never took the time to check out Gang Starr, but this was a pleasant surprise. It's hit and miss for me with hiphop and rap, but this hit me for sure. Smooth and groovy, just the way I like it.
5
Mar 05 2022
View Album
Madman Across The Water
Elton John
4
Mar 06 2022
View Album
In It For The Money
Supergrass
3
Mar 07 2022
View Album
The Renaissance
Q-Tip
Wow, this was good. Best rap/hiphop album so far on the list. I only knew Q-Tip by way of A Tribe Called Quest, but having heard this, I should definitely check out his other solo albums as well.
5
Mar 08 2022
View Album
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
I don't listen to this kind of music as much as I used to, but I was happy to hear some King Crimson again after many years. Great album.
5
Mar 09 2022
View Album
A Date With The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
4
Mar 10 2022
View Album
Sister
Sonic Youth
4
Mar 11 2022
View Album
Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
4
Mar 12 2022
View Album
Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
2
Mar 13 2022
View Album
Trafalgar
Bee Gees
1
Mar 14 2022
View Album
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
1
Mar 15 2022
View Album
Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
5
Mar 16 2022
View Album
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
Great live album, very entertaining. What worked really well was the rawness of the recording, showing the engagement of the audience and Cash' personality as a performer, and including mundane announcements by the prison management that had nothing to do with the concert itself.
5
Mar 18 2022
View Album
Sex Packets
Digital Underground
2
Mar 19 2022
View Album
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
Brilliant album from start to finish. I can even appreciate Tucker's slightly-out-of-tune singing.
5
Mar 20 2022
View Album
Post Orgasmic Chill
Skunk Anansie
3
Mar 21 2022
View Album
The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
It took a few listens to feel the vibe again, but certainly when switching to the German version I could confirm this is still a great album.
5
Mar 22 2022
View Album
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
3
Mar 23 2022
View Album
Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
Pretty good album, appealed to me much more than the stooges debut we had earlier on this list. I think I would have liked it even more if this had been a Bowie album.
4
Mar 24 2022
View Album
For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
1973 was a good year, wasn't it?
5
Mar 25 2022
View Album
Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
5
Mar 26 2022
View Album
One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
Pretty good, though I did not like it as much as Maggot Brain. The presence of a live version of Maggot Brain as a bonus track on this album made this even more evident.
4
Mar 27 2022
View Album
Dog Man Star
Suede
3
Mar 28 2022
View Album
Lazer Guided Melodies
Spiritualized
2
Mar 29 2022
View Album
(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
2
Mar 30 2022
View Album
Gasoline Alley
Rod Stewart
4
Mar 31 2022
View Album
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
It does not blow me away like it did in the early naughties, but the album still sounds great throughout, so I'll be generous and give it 5 stars.
5
Apr 01 2022
View Album
Haunted Dancehall
The Sabres Of Paradise
Some very good songs on this record, especially the Ballad of Nicky McGuire and the closing title song, but also a few tracks that I found quite repetitive and uninteresting (Wilmot for example). So overall a good album, but not as good as I remembered it to be.
4
Apr 03 2022
View Album
A Short Album About Love
The Divine Comedy
Very good album, but this musical style does not appeal to me enough to give it 5 stars, so 4 stars it is.
4
Apr 04 2022
View Album
Dance Mania
Tito Puente
4
Apr 05 2022
View Album
Clube Da Esquina
Milton Nascimento
2
Apr 06 2022
View Album
Calenture
The Triffids
2
Apr 07 2022
View Album
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Stripped down but upbeat (punk) rock. The band sounds okay, but I'm finding the lead vocals quite irritating.
2
Apr 08 2022
View Album
Frampton Comes Alive
Peter Frampton
4
Apr 09 2022
View Album
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
Great live album, sounded more bluesy than I expected. Maybe a bit too much mocking about with all the solos and psychedelic jamming. Enjoyed it nevertheless.
4
Apr 10 2022
View Album
Brown Sugar
D'Angelo
I remember the title song and still like it, but otherwise this is a pretty unremarkable album for me.
3
Apr 11 2022
View Album
Pearl
Janis Joplin
4
Apr 12 2022
View Album
461 Ocean Boulevard
Eric Clapton
Excellent album. Laidback, groovy, nice flow of the songs. Love this version of 'I shot the Sheriff'.
5
Apr 13 2022
View Album
If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
Nice album, if the sound is a little dated. Several very good songs with great harmony singing, but also some songs where I started losing interest. Low end four stars.
4
Apr 14 2022
View Album
Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
Still a great album. Time to Pretend and Electric Feel are my favourite tracks.
5
Apr 15 2022
View Album
Walking Wounded
Everything But The Girl
Sounds okay, but nothing too special.
3
Apr 16 2022
View Album
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
4
Apr 17 2022
View Album
The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
Even though this does not have the wow factor that most of my 5 star albums have, the album as a whole has such a nice flow to it. It has a very clear jazz influence, sounds funky with very cool bass lines, and the delivery of the lyrics is flawless.
5
Apr 18 2022
View Album
1999
Prince
Still hard for me to get into Prince.
3
Apr 19 2022
View Album
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Enjoyable listen, though I did not fully catch the vibe.
It felt a little repetitive at times.
4
Apr 20 2022
View Album
Roxy Music
Roxy Music
An interesting album that is over the place, but also offers a glimpse of the brilliance that was to come in subsequent albums.
4
Apr 21 2022
View Album
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
Entertaining rock n roll live album. Jer-ry, Jer-ry!
4
May 21 2022
View Album
Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
I was struggling with the vocals at times, but the guitar tones are great. Strong album.
4
May 22 2022
View Album
Moving Pictures
Rush
I expected to be able to give this 4 stars, but when listening to it again, I quickly got irritated by the music, not to mention the high-pitched vocals. I think I might actually prefer the earlier albums.
2
May 23 2022
View Album
Future Days
Can
Magical album. Loved the drumming on this.
5
May 24 2022
View Album
Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks
Another solid album from The Kinks. Very, very close to 5 stars for me.
4
May 25 2022
View Album
Elephant Mountain
The Youngbloods
Album started off okay, but then descends into what seemed to me like a practice session with no clear focus.
3
May 26 2022
View Album
The Pleasure Principle
Gary Numan
3
May 27 2022
View Album
Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts
The Adverts
3
May 28 2022
View Album
The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground
5
May 29 2022
View Album
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Megadeth
I might enjoy this more on a different occasion, but good grief, this album annoyed the hell out of me this time around. A very generous 2 stars.
2
May 30 2022
View Album
Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Damon Albarn is an interesting artist that tries new things all the time, but this album did not work for me.
2
May 31 2022
View Album
The Specials
The Specials
Enjoyable album, but not all songs are sufficiently gripping for full marks.
4
Jun 01 2022
View Album
Locust Abortion Technician
Butthole Surfers
Listening to this was a bit like watching the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It was deeply unsettling and very unpleasant at times, but I did not hate it like some of the utterly boring albums on this list where you want to skip through the songs as quickly as possible.
2
Jun 02 2022
View Album
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
I had a vague memory this was supposed to be good, but I didn't like the album recording at all. To jog my memory I watched bits of her live performance at Woodstock '99 on youtube and that sounded so much better. Since we are reviewing the album and not any live versions, I can only give this 2 stars.
2
Jun 03 2022
View Album
D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
Went into this with low expectations, but it turned out to be quite an interesting album. Experimental and unsettling at times, but it kept me intrigued.
4
Jun 04 2022
View Album
All Mod Cons
The Jam
Solid album, but maybe a little too straightforward for me to give 5 stars.
4
Jun 05 2022
View Album
Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
No matter how many Dylan albums you throw at me, I don't think I'll ever like one. On this album, only with Not Dark Yet and Can't Wait I could get past Dylan's annoying vocals and appreciate the sound of the band.
2
Jun 06 2022
View Album
Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
Everything about this album is pure class.
5
Jun 07 2022
View Album
Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy
Yep, still love it.
5
Jun 08 2022
View Album
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Still the same response as when it was first released. It sounded okay, with some nice guitar work, but ultimately it did not really feel that special to me.
3
Jun 09 2022
View Album
Done By The Forces Of Nature
Jungle Brothers
2
Jun 10 2022
View Album
Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
I expected just a decent album, based on a vague memory of listening to this band before, but it turned out to be much better than I expected.
5
Jun 11 2022
View Album
London Calling
The Clash
It sounded okay, but I expected more from this supposedly classic album.
3
Jun 12 2022
View Album
1989
Taylor Swift
Starts of surprisingly well. Good production, catchy tunes. But after a while, the songs start to look like each other and I start losing interest. Preferred it over Evermore.
3
Jun 13 2022
View Album
NEU! 75
Neu!
Vaguely remembering the first albums by NEU, this initially felt quite underwhelming. It felt quite repetitive and I could not get into a nice groove. However, as the songs passed by, things started to settle, and I found the second listen much more enjoyable. As I am still struggling with some of the songs, I have ended up with 4 stars.
4
Jun 14 2022
View Album
Live At The Regal
B.B. King
Excellent recording, very powerful live performance by B.B. King and his band.
5
Jun 16 2022
View Album
Faust IV
Faust
Sounds okay, but doesn't really grip me. Too repetitive in some songs and all over the place in others. I think I prefer what NEU! and CAN are doing in this genre.
3
Jun 17 2022
View Album
Abbey Road
Beatles
Okay, I guess.
3
Jun 18 2022
View Album
All Directions
The Temptations
Every fish has bowl, every shoe has a sole. Brilliant.
5
Jun 19 2022
View Album
Olympia 64
Jacques Brel
Chansons, sung with great enthusiasm. Le Plat Pays is still a classic, of course. Not the kind of music I regularly listen to, but it was a nice change.
3
Jun 21 2022
View Album
The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
So much better than Meat is Murder. Was edging towards 4 stars, but a second listen made me realise this deserves full marks.
5
Jun 25 2022
View Album
Dry
PJ Harvey
Even better than I remembered. Love the odd time signatures, love the live feel, love PJ's vocals. Everything.
5
Jun 26 2022
View Album
Moon Safari
Air
Background music with some highlights here and there, but not enough to make me want to actively listen to this again.
3
Jun 27 2022
View Album
Goo
Sonic Youth
4
Jun 28 2022
View Album
Bossanova
Pixies
Still very good throughout.
5
Jun 29 2022
View Album
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
All I can say after this, is: "Wat kon Seedorf nou gebeuren toen hij van elf meter schoot? Er is leven, er is leven na de dood."
5
Jun 30 2022
View Album
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
Excellent. More and more I'm starting to realise how important the drumming is on these Stones albums.
5
Jul 01 2022
View Album
Dare!
The Human League
80's nostalgia. brilliant.
5
Jul 02 2022
View Album
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
Curtis' not quite hitting the high notes is a little annoying for me, but I nevertheless enjoyed the hell out of this album.
5
Jul 03 2022
View Album
Pretenders
Pretenders
Without Brass in Pocket this would be only 2 stars for me.
3
Jul 04 2022
View Album
Fire Of Love
The Gun Club
Pretty much unlistenable with these vocals.
2
Jul 05 2022
View Album
Modern Life Is Rubbish
Blur
Very tempting to make a cheap joke referring to the album title, but I really don't care much for this record.
2
Jul 06 2022
View Album
Oar
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
Ha ha, very funny. Now can you please remove it from the list again. I feel sorry for those who would still have to endure it.
1
Jul 07 2022
View Album
Make Yourself
Incubus
I really liked their album S.C.I.E.N.C.E, but everything else I've heard from them so far has been underwhelming for me. Clearly talented musicians, but it sounds too clean for me, and the songs are not compelling enough.
2
Jul 08 2022
View Album
One World
John Martyn
3
Jul 09 2022
View Album
Document
R.E.M.
Very decent album that exceeded my expectations.
4
Jul 10 2022
View Album
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
Slightly prefer predecessors Talking Book and Innervisions, which I felt had a bit more energy to them, but this was still a very good album.
5
Jul 12 2022
View Album
The Who Sell Out
The Who
I Can See For Miles was by far my favourite track on this album. Overall, however, I found most songs a bit boring, and it all just sounded too dated for me.
3
Jul 14 2022
View Album
The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
Spinal tap vibes, ha, ha!
4
Jul 16 2022
View Album
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
Firth of Fifth has to be one of the best prog rock songs of all time. Now listening to the entire album for the first time in quite a while, I can confirm again it is brilliant from start to finish.
5
Jul 18 2022
View Album
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
1
Jul 19 2022
View Album
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
5
Jul 21 2022
View Album
Public Image: First Issue
Public Image Ltd.
Words fail me.
1
Jul 22 2022
View Album
Before And After Science
Brian Eno
Another excellent album from Brian Eno. The mix of upbeat songs and more atmospheric tracks, tied together by the tasteful and unique arrangements and rhythms, makes listening to this album a very enjoyable experience throughout.
5
Jul 23 2022
View Album
Purple Rain
Prince
Prince' music has never really appealed to me, with a few exceptions. This album also has a couple of good songs, including When Doves Cry and the title song, but as a whole, I'm still not really digging it.
3
Jul 25 2022
View Album
Odessey And Oracle
The Zombies
Beautiful dreamy melodies.
4
Jul 26 2022
View Album
The Wall
Pink Floyd
5
Jul 27 2022
View Album
Blood And Chocolate
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3
Jul 28 2022
View Album
Highway to Hell
AC/DC
That one song they are doing over and over again does sound pretty good.
3
Jul 29 2022
View Album
Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Love me some reggae with this warm weather. I was more familiar with other versions of Lively Up Yourself and No Woman No Cry, so I needed some adjusting, but with the second listen I was all in for the entire album.
5
Jul 31 2022
View Album
Like A Prayer
Madonna
A decent pop album with a couple of good songs, but no more than that. Actually found the vocals to be rather weak on this.
3
Aug 02 2022
View Album
The Doors
The Doors
4
Aug 03 2022
View Album
Close To You
Carpenters
Too boring to give it more than three stars.
3
Aug 04 2022
View Album
Foxbase Alpha
Saint Etienne
No, not for me.
2
Aug 05 2022
View Album
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Loved the overall vibe of this. Sultans of Swing is one of my most played songs of all time. And yet, there were not enough stand out songs for me to give this five stars. I think I'll be able to rate some of the later albums higher, if they are on the list.
4
Aug 06 2022
View Album
Coat Of Many Colors
Dolly Parton
5
Aug 07 2022
View Album
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
3
Aug 08 2022
View Album
Black Monk Time
The Monks
Some good guitar work here and there, but otherwise I found this to be too jarring and crude, and not offering anything interesting musically.
2
Aug 09 2022
View Album
A Night At The Opera
Queen
Some great songs on this album, but also a few just okay ones. The closer sealed it for me. Only four stars.
4
Aug 10 2022
View Album
Boy In Da Corner
Dizzee Rascal
4
Aug 11 2022
View Album
Berlin
Lou Reed
Still a very impressive album.
5
Aug 13 2022
View Album
Since I Left You
The Avalanches
This was really good. Nice grooves, creative sampling. Reminded me of both Daft Punk and DJ Shadow, but it still had its own sound.
5
Aug 14 2022
View Album
Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
2
Aug 15 2022
View Album
White Ladder
David Gray
A decent, but mostly uneventful album.
3
Aug 16 2022
View Album
Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
Good instrumentals, but rapping too shouty.
2
Aug 17 2022
View Album
Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
A bit of a mixed bag for me, this. I quite like the more folky songs, but would appreciate it much more in a live setting.
3
Aug 18 2022
View Album
Suede
Suede
Pretty decent britpop, but Anderson's over-the-top vocal breaking gets on my nerves after a while.
4
Aug 19 2022
View Album
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
This was always my go-to REM album, so if any of their works will get a top rating from me, it is this one. Not all songs are equally impressive, but overall, this is still a very good album.
5
Aug 21 2022
View Album
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Undeniable quality.
5
Aug 22 2022
View Album
Celebrity Skin
Hole
Pleasantly surprised by this. Catchy melodic grunge-rock. Interestingly, the vocal delivery in the slower songs reminded me of Lucinda Williams.
5
Aug 23 2022
View Album
The Lexicon Of Love
ABC
Wow, that was quite the surge of primary school nostalgia, and I probably even did not like this kind of music at the time.
5
Aug 25 2022
View Album
Let Love Rule
Lenny Kravitz
4
Aug 26 2022
View Album
Eternally Yours
The Saints
Consistently bad throughout.
1
Aug 28 2022
View Album
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
Better than expected. Fools Gold is still by far my favourite song from them, but there were some other pretty good tracks as well.
4
Aug 29 2022
View Album
Dr. Octagonecologyst
Dr. Octagon
Some cool beats here and there, but overall, this didn't do anything for me.
2
Sep 02 2022
View Album
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
Very good, with Starman and the title song as the main highlights. Not my favourite Bowie album, though.
4
Sep 05 2022
View Album
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
Sounded okay, but there was nothing special about it. Very unlikely that I'll be listening to this again.
3
Sep 06 2022
View Album
Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
Slightly more accessible than Nothing's Shocking, but still a very engaging album.
4
Sep 07 2022
View Album
Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
5
Sep 11 2022
View Album
Sheet Music
10cc
Not sure what they were trying to do with this one, though I appreciate the attempt.
3
Sep 12 2022
View Album
Red Dirt Girl
Emmylou Harris
Decent album. I like this kind of warm, authentic sound, but it is not special or overwhelming enough for a five star rating.
4
Sep 13 2022
View Album
A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
Some nice songs on this album, but otherwise I feel pretty indifferent to it. Just okay, I guess.
3
Sep 14 2022
View Album
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
There are several Joni Mitchell albums I would prefer over this one, but The Hissing of Summer Lawns is still very, very good. The overall atmosphere is just very pleasant, and I like the jazziness that will be further developed on Hejira and Don Juan, probably my favourite albums from her.
5
Sep 15 2022
View Album
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago
It's all over the place, but still an interesting blend of rock, soul, jazz and psychedelica.
4
Sep 16 2022
View Album
Arise
Sepultura
One of the albums that got me into metal. Still very good, but a little too much polka for my taste.
4
Sep 17 2022
View Album
Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
Happy 45th birthday, 77!
5
Sep 19 2022
View Album
Exodus
Bob Marley & The Wailers
This sounded even better than I remembered. Solid reggae album that exceeds its genre.
5
Sep 20 2022
View Album
Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
Ouch, that was quite painful to listen to. Pretty sure there are much better albums from Simone out there.
2
Sep 21 2022
View Album
The Man Who
Travis
zzzzz...
2
Sep 22 2022
View Album
Ten
Pearl Jam
Surprisingly, this took me two listens to get back into, but I can now confidently give this top marks. This and Alice in Chains' Dirt are my two favourite 90s grunge albums.
5
Sep 23 2022
View Album
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
A pretty much flawless masterpiece.
5
Sep 24 2022
View Album
Elephant
The White Stripes
This was my entry album to the White Stripes, and I loved it at the time. Still a good album today, but for me the wow factor has faded a bit.
4
Sep 25 2022
View Album
Very
Pet Shop Boys
It is quite possible that there are some decent songs on this album, but I simply could not get past the terrible overall sound and production to find out. Strong dislike.
1
Sep 27 2022
View Album
Let It Be
The Replacements
Solid punk rock album.
4
Sep 28 2022
View Album
Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
Tough one to rate, this album. Overall, I quite liked this record, though nothing really stood out after two listens. It also took some readjusting to the 80s production style, with the pretty harsh drum machine and synth sounds, but it did sound funky in the right places, and the slower parts were done tastefully. So it may have sounded a little dated listening to this in 2022, but it kind of worked for me.
4
Sep 29 2022
View Album
Second Toughest In The Infants
Underworld
One of the best electronic music albums of all time.
5
Sep 30 2022
View Album
Black Metal
Venom
It's not even black metal. What we get instead is absolute trash.
1
Oct 01 2022
View Album
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
5
Oct 03 2022
View Album
Floodland
Sisters Of Mercy
Solid album. I quite like the dark gloomy sound, but not enough to prevent my attention from dropping off from time to time. In these moments, it gets too repetitive and things like the rather harsh drums get a little annoying. I think I liked this better when I listened to it back in the nineties.
4
Oct 05 2022
View Album
Safe As Milk
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4
Oct 10 2022
View Album
Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp
I thought this was quite pleasant sounding upon the first listen, but in the second round it already started to feel a bit empty.
3
Oct 11 2022
View Album
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
Really good album, didn't know this one yet. Familiar sound, but also some surprising elements, making the album very interesting.
5
Oct 12 2022
View Album
Ctrl
SZA
Never heard of this R&B artist. The vocals were solid, but the songs and overall production simply didn't work for me.
2
Oct 13 2022
View Album
Homework
Daft Punk
During my first listen the songs initially felt a bit too repetitive, but I started getting more into it when Around the World kicked in, and of course the Indo Silver Club is probably still my favourite Daft Punk track. With the second listen I was into it from the start and enjoyed it throughout. A love letter to techno/house/disco.
5
Oct 14 2022
View Album
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
Lovely soul album. Although I prefer Otis Redding, who's delivery has more of a bite to it, this was still great to listen to.
5
Oct 15 2022
View Album
Machine Head
Deep Purple
Solid.
4
Oct 16 2022
View Album
The College Dropout
Kanye West
Some very good music, but ruined by the main man.
2
Oct 17 2022
View Album
Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
3
Oct 18 2022
View Album
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
3
Oct 19 2022
View Album
You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
As on Bug, the vocals were quite irritating, but possibly contrary to Bug, I didn't care much for the songs and instrumentation on this either.
2
Oct 20 2022
View Album
The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
This was a new artist for me. The album sounded pretty good, with lots of variation and influences, but with many of the songs I felt I heard something like this before. A bit like a tribute band, but paying tribute to many different artists. A respectable effort, but just short of 4 stars for me.
3
Oct 21 2022
View Album
São Paulo Confessions
Suba
That was some weird latin lounge. Not entirely convinced by it, but there are some interesting musical ideas in there and I could vibe with the overall latin sound. I'll be generous and give this a 3.
3
Oct 22 2022
View Album
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
4
Oct 23 2022
View Album
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Radio-friendly hard rock. It is what it is.
2
Oct 24 2022
View Album
B-52's
The B-52's
I'm sure they had a lot of fun making this, but that does not mean that I did when I listened to it. The band sounds tight with very nice guitar work, but the vocal duo are a bit irritating and the songs don't really work for me.
3
Oct 25 2022
View Album
The Poet
Bobby Womack
Acceptable background music at best.
2
Oct 26 2022
View Album
A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
"Zeg maar niets meer..." Some great songs from the likes of Burt Bacharach and Ray Charles, but I'm still not particularly impressed by Dusty Springfield's voice. It was just okay.
3
Oct 27 2022
View Album
Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
Once again it's the vocals that ruin it for me. Otherwise, it sounded okay.
2
Oct 28 2022
View Album
All Hail the Queen
Queen Latifah
Has some cool beats and raps, but overall quite disappointing.
2
Oct 29 2022
View Album
Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
For some reason, I never really checked out this band, but this is a pretty good album. The energy it oozes reminds me a bit of Turnstile, who must have been strongly influenced by this band.
4
Oct 30 2022
View Album
Quiet Life
Japan
Pretty good album, though not all songs work for me. The opening title track is great, but I do not like the Velvet Underground cover, for example. As far as I remember, I found Gentlemen Take Polaroids much more impressive.
4
Oct 31 2022
View Album
When I Was Born For The 7th Time
Cornershop
Interesting mix of hip-hop, indian music, and western pop. I immediately recognised the hit Brimful of Asha when I heard it, but did not realise it was from Cornershop. Not bad.
3
Nov 02 2022
View Album
New Forms
Roni Size
Excellent drum & bass album. It felt rather repetitive at first, but I got into it once the more familiar tracks kicked in, and on the second listen it all fell into place nicely.
5
Nov 03 2022
View Album
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
I don't remember listening to any other songs than the first two tracks, which I believe were singles. Overall, I thought this was a pretty decent singer-songwriter album. I enjoyed her pleasant deep voice and delivery, as well as the tasteful musical accompaniment. However, some of the songs were maybe a little too simple to completely win me over.
4
Nov 04 2022
View Album
Sail Away
Randy Newman
The lyrics are worth checking out, but musically it does not engage me.
3
Nov 05 2022
View Album
The Healer
John Lee Hooker
This was a major comeback for the 72 year old blues legend, during a time I was very much into blues music myself. My obsession with the blues has faded a lot over the years, but after a few listens I can still appreciate the album today. Most of the songs have a very stripped down setting, which I have always preferred when it comes to this genre. The recording sounds very crisp as well, and there are several interesting guest appearances to check out.
4
Nov 06 2022
View Album
Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Top notch.
5
Nov 07 2022
View Album
Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti
Very energetic afrobeat music which I enjoyed for the most part, but at some point I started to lose interest. I also thought the lyrics were a little on the nose, and therefore distracting from the music.
3
Nov 08 2022
View Album
Achtung Baby
U2
Back then I wanted to like this album, but just could not get into it. Today I am still struggling to enjoy it.
Yes, there is some good guitar work from The Edge (the main riff on Mysterious Ways, and also Acrobat springs to mind), but the majority of the songs themselves are not compelling enough for me, and at times Bono's vocal delivery even starts to irritate me a little.
3
Nov 09 2022
View Album
The Sounds Of India
Ravi Shankar
I was familiar with this kind of music through well-known collaborations between Indian and western artists, in particular John McLaughlin (Shakti), but I was not familiar with this particular record. Shankar's explanations of the different musical elements are interesting, but it would take more listening and explanation to fully understand it all. However, following the master's advice by listening with an "open and relaxed mind", I was able to enjoy and appreciate this album.
4
Nov 10 2022
View Album
Private Dancer
Tina Turner
The musical arrangements sound a bit sterile and dated, but the quality of the songs and Turner's outstanding vocal performance make this a solid 80's pop album.
4
Nov 11 2022
View Album
Rocks
Aerosmith
Solid as a rock.
4
Nov 12 2022
View Album
Different Class
Pulp
3
Nov 13 2022
View Album
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
Overall not as impressive as Bookends and Parsley, Sage ..., but still a wonderful album.
5
Nov 14 2022
View Album
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
Magnificent album from the Queen of Soul.
5
Nov 15 2022
View Album
Music For The Jilted Generation
The Prodigy
I was a big fan of this album back in the 90s, and today it still sounds awesome. The first few tracks may seem a bit slow and repetitive, but it builds up to the first real high with Full Trottle. This continues with until Heat, where we take a bit of a breather, but halfway that song things blow up again and after One Love we enter the 'narcotic suite', the three tracks that finish off the album. My mind is glowing.
5
Nov 16 2022
View Album
Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors
What on earth was this?
1
Nov 17 2022
View Album
Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
Just two rappers and electronic percussion. Very dry and staccato, but quite fun to listen to.
4
Nov 18 2022
View Album
Thriller
Michael Jackson
The first LP I ever bought, and still one of my favourite albums of all time. Pop music executed and produced to perfection.
5
Nov 19 2022
View Album
Low
David Bowie
Probably my favourite Bowie album. Sadly the version on streaming does not include Some Are, which was always my favourite track on the CD version I have.
5
Nov 20 2022
View Album
The Blueprint
JAY Z
The production was pretty good, and Renegade was a good track, with special thanks to Eminem. Everything else was just annoying.
2
Nov 21 2022
View Album
Life Thru A Lens
Robbie Williams
1
Nov 22 2022
View Album
The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
Up there with Funeral. Solid album.
4
Nov 23 2022
View Album
En-Tact
The Shamen
It has some good passages of nice grooves and interesting beats, but overall it lacked the energy to keep me engaged.
3
Nov 24 2022
View Album
Peggy Suicide
Julian Cope
Not a single song on this worked for me. Tediously boring.
1
Nov 25 2022
View Album
Atomizer
Big Black
Really good album. I liked the aggressive guitar sounds, fast-paced drumming and overall production. Maybe a little bit too one-dimensional to give it full marks, though.
4
Nov 26 2022
View Album
The Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers
The music was not terrible, but I couldn't stand the vocals.
1
Nov 27 2022
View Album
Queen II
Queen
Not bad, but to me it feels like they are still trying to find their balance on this album. I hear many ideas that return on later albums in a much better way.
3
Nov 28 2022
View Album
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
Last year Pitchfork 'rescored' this album from 5.4 to 8.4. Better late than never, I suppose. Excellent album throughout.
5
Nov 29 2022
View Album
Closer
Joy Division
Great album with a very haunting sound, and the drumming in particular is quite interesting. Heart and Soul and Twenty Four Hours are my favourite tracks on this.
5
Nov 30 2022
View Album
Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
Good blues rock sound, but ultimately an uneventful listening experience for me.
3
Dec 01 2022
View Album
Palo Congo
Sabu
A bit of a mess, this, but I did not hate it. The later album Sabu's Jazz Espagnole is much more digestible and looks to have been produced with more care.
2
Dec 02 2022
View Album
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
When this album came out, I was disappointed and thought it was much weaker than Music for the Jilted Generation. After listening today I still feel the same. There are a few great tracks on this, but overall, the tone doesn't feel quite right.
3
Dec 03 2022
View Album
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
I'm glad I granted this a second listen. At first, it sounded a bit too mainstream to me, but half-way in I started to get into it more. With the second listen, the great musicianship come through, especially the bass and drums (that snare...). I think I still prefer Blood Sugar Sex Magic, but this album turned out to be very, very good.
5
Dec 04 2022
View Album
The Only Ones
The Only Ones
Really good band, okay songs, but very off-putting vocals, unfortunately.
4
Dec 05 2022
View Album
Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
Sits in between Queen II and Night at the Opera, both chronologically and qualitatively. Killer Queen is an amazing song, and there are a few other gems, but overall it still feels a bit uneven.
4
Dec 06 2022
View Album
Grace
Jeff Buckley
This is an excellent album. Great songs, great music, vocals a bit on the edge for me, but very soulful and expressive, and the best rendition of Hallelujah that I have heard.
5
Dec 10 2022
View Album
Station To Station
David Bowie
Apart from the closer, the superb cover of Wild is the Wind, I did not care much for this on a first listen (similar to my experience many years ago). However, the second listen was much more enjoyable, and who knows what subsequent listens will bring. Again I find myself awarding four stars to a Bowie album; only Young Americans and Low got five stars.
4
Dec 12 2022
View Album
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
At its most palpable moments, this reminds me of Cocteau Twins. Otherwise, it is mostly simple and repetitive songs with a thick layer of noise and distorted guitar sounds on top. This does give the music an interesting dreamy quality, but it is not enough for me to stay engaged for the entire album.
3
Dec 14 2022
View Album
American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
Nice minimal renditions of good songs by the old master himself. Probably not the best of the American Recording series, but still worth listening to.
4
Dec 15 2022
View Album
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
Nice palate cleanser in between all the pop and rock music. Smooth piano playing by Evans, but don't care much for the bass solos.
3
Dec 16 2022
View Album
Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
1
Dec 17 2022
View Album
Sound Affects
The Jam
Again a solid album from the Jam. No complaints, really, but it just isn't entirely my jam (boom-tisch) for a 5 star rating.
4
Dec 18 2022
View Album
Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
Whiny mainstream rock. Paradise by the Dashboard Light is a good song, but hardly makes up for the rest, especially when hearing it for the gazillionth time.
2
Dec 19 2022
View Album
Bubble And Scrape
Sebadoh
Not for me.
2
Dec 20 2022
View Album
Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
5
Dec 21 2022
View Album
Rejoicing In The Hands
Devendra Banhart
Not bad. I liked the acoustic guitar playing very much, as well as the minimal additional instrumentation. Banhart's vocals are interesting, but I can't say I am really enjoying them.
3
Dec 22 2022
View Album
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
In my blues period many years ago Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out was one of my favourites. Jimi Hendrix' Little Wing is another brilliant song, but not in this version, I'm afraid. Layla is probably the best known song, and rightfully so. I also recognised the soul classic It's too late, but again I was not sure if I liked this version and definitely prefer Chuck Willis' original version from the late '50s. Anyway, the album was generally okay, but I only really liked a handful of songs.
3
Dec 23 2022
View Album
Scream, Dracula, Scream
Rocket From The Crypt
Energetic rock, but nothing special.
3
Dec 24 2022
View Album
Ragged Glory
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
The one song that characterised this album was Over and Over: it went On and On. I liked Young's unique guitar work, but it could barely compensate for an otherwise rather underwhelming set of often dragging and unimaginative songs. I guess the closing track saves it from dropping below 3 stars.
3
Dec 25 2022
View Album
Crazysexycool
TLC
2
Dec 26 2022
View Album
Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
Good southern rock sound, but wasn't convinced by the vocal performances.
3
Dec 27 2022
View Album
Pornography
The Cure
Very dark sounding, repetitive, and bleak.
4
Dec 28 2022
View Album
Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
Terrific album. Child in Time is such an awesome song, no matter how often I hear it. Wait-for-the-ricochet...
5
Dec 29 2022
View Album
Drunk
Thundercat
I was only familiar with some of the contributors on this album, drummer Louis Cole in particular, but not with Thundercat himself. Very interesting jazzy R&B melodies. Still a little bit on the fence with this one, though.
3
Dec 30 2022
View Album
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo
Devo
This sounded pretty energetic and original, but, although I do like the occasional weird song, there was just too much silliness on this album to really enjoy it.
3
Dec 31 2022
View Album
Revolver
Beatles
A nice collection of good songs, though some of them are a bit too fluffy and/or silly for my taste.
4
Jan 01 2023
View Album
Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
I guess this requires a certain mood, perhaps on a hot summer evening when you want to chill with this playing in the background. Now it just sounded very slow, repetitive and devoid of any excitement.
2
Jan 02 2023
View Album
Protection
Massive Attack
This was my gateway album into Massive Attack. At the time it was especially the two tracks featuring Tracey Thorn that I kept playing. Although it may not be my favourite from them anymore, this is still a great album.
5
Jan 03 2023
View Album
Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
Great rock album with some of Hendrix' best songs and the iconic cover of Dylan's All Along the Watchtower. The mixing is quite adventurous and raw, which I did not initially appreciate, but with the second listen this was no longer an issue for me.
5
Jan 04 2023
View Album
Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
Interesting synth pop album. Most of the songs are just okay, but my favourite track by far was the highly Kraftwerkian I'm Your Money, and I loved the weird arpeggiated synths on Geisha Boys and Temple Girls.
4
Jan 05 2023
View Album
Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
Very good live album: good recording, lively atmosphere, solid band, energetic vocal performance. The lyrics are a bit annoying.
4
Jan 06 2023
View Album
British Steel
Judas Priest
Solid (hard) rock album, but too mainstream for me to really enjoy it.
3
Jan 07 2023
View Album
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
Finally a Beatles album that I can get fully behind.
5
Jan 08 2023
View Album
Amnesiac
Radiohead
This is the Radiohead album that won me over. Probably still my favourite, along with Kid A.
5
Jan 09 2023
View Album
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Another collection of wonderful, beautifully performed songs.
5
Jan 10 2023
View Album
Truth
Jeff Beck
I didn't care much for this one, I'm afraid. The excellence of the musicians is obvious, but the album seems like a random selection of songs written by others that doesn't work as a whole.
3
Jan 11 2023
View Album
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Pretty decent album, but the singing is a bit iffy in places and none of the songs really grabbed me.
3
Jan 12 2023
View Album
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
Great album, but there are some passages that drag on way to long, and I could have done without the spoken word intro to By the Time I Get to Phoenix.
4
Jan 15 2023
View Album
Autobahn
Kraftwerk
Normally this is not my preferred choice when I want to listen to some Kraftwerk, but I was pleasantly surprised when hearing Autobahn again. It was strangely emotive, even.
5
Jan 18 2023
View Album
Dirty
Sonic Youth
This was always my favourite Sonic Youth album, and it still sounds great today.
5
Jan 19 2023
View Album
Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
My best experience in the past with this band was Hyaena, and I even about that album I had mixed feelings. However, Juju today has turned out to be an excellent album and my new favourite. I particularly liked Siouxsie's powerful vocal delivery, the galloping rhythms, and the dark guitar sounds. Everything just worked for me on this album, and makes me want to check out their back catalogue again.
5
Jan 20 2023
View Album
Hysteria
Def Leppard
This has been one of the biggest surprises for me on the list so far. Listening to this, I was overwhelmed by a wave of eighties nostalgia, enjoying the combination of hard rock and pop, of which I am usually not a fan. But I think it was especially the songwriting that won me over so emphatically. Today has been a good day.
5
Jan 21 2023
View Album
Moondance
Van Morrison
Really good album, but Van Morrison's singing is what prevents me from giving full marks.
4
Jan 23 2023
View Album
Paris 1919
John Cale
Very nice collection of beautiful songs. Cale's singing is a bit wobbly at times, but in this case I can live with that.
5
Jan 24 2023
View Album
That's The Way Of The World
Earth, Wind & Fire
Overall an enjoyable album, with many highs but also some lows, especially in the high pitched vocal department.
4
Jan 25 2023
View Album
The Score
Fugees
It has some good moments, and Lauryn Hill is an excellent singer, but I was not enjoying the overall vibe of this album and wanted to skip many of the tracks.
2
Jan 26 2023
View Album
To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
Good music and production, but I just find the rapping very irritating.
2
Jan 27 2023
View Album
Third
Portishead
I was not overly enthusiastic about this album at the time, but after a few listens today I was very impressed. Machine Gun is still my favourite song.
5
Jan 28 2023
View Album
Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
Pretty good, but one of my less favourite PJ Harvey albums. I respect it for its unique sound and intention to be different from previous work, but the songs don't appeal to me as much. Only In the Dark Places hit the right spot for me.
4
Jan 30 2023
View Album
Horses
Patti Smith
4
Feb 01 2023
View Album
Garbage
Garbage
4
Feb 02 2023
View Album
Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
Very nice background music.
4
Feb 03 2023
View Album
Being There
Wilco
The first few tracks sound quite decent, but then it gets boring quite quickly. Sitting through a double album of this was therefore not particularly enjoyable.
2
Feb 04 2023
View Album
Teen Dream
Beach House
2
Feb 06 2023
View Album
Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby
5
Feb 08 2023
View Album
Pictures At An Exhibition
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
I guess you had to be there to enjoy this. You can hear these guys had played music before, but this never really got going for me. Prog rock doing its worst.
2
Feb 10 2023
View Album
Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
4
Feb 11 2023
View Album
Country Life
Roxy Music
4
Feb 12 2023
View Album
The Band
The Band
Wasn't really in the mood for this, but I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, based on previous experience.
4
Feb 15 2023
View Album
Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
5
Feb 16 2023
View Album
Now I Got Worry
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
There is undeniable evidence on this record that they can play, but the songs and album as a whole are way too chaotic for me to enjoy it.
2
Feb 17 2023
View Album
Teenager Of The Year
Frank Black
Did not hate it, but none of the (22!) songs really appealed to me.
3
Feb 18 2023
View Album
Ramones
Ramones
Funny for a couple of songs, but then gets tedious very quickly.
2
Feb 19 2023
View Album
Strange Cargo III
William Orbit
Too boring.
2
Feb 22 2023
View Album
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
Very mixed feelings about this artist. Great voice, great piano playing, but the songs somehow make me feel somewhat uncomfortable.
4
Feb 25 2023
View Album
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Starts off really well with the opener, then is okay for a while, though quite repetitive, but around the halfway point any chance for a good rating is gone. In my memory, Songs for the Deaf is much better, but maybe my taste has changed.
3
Feb 26 2023
View Album
All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
Sounded okay, but would not seek it out. The heavier bits reminded me of Sepultura.
3
Feb 27 2023
View Album
Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
Sounded good, but maybe a bit too polished.
4
Feb 28 2023
View Album
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
I maintain that I'm not a fan of the Rolling Stones, but I keep giving 5 stars to their albums. Not sure what is going on there.
5
Mar 01 2023
View Album
Let's Get Killed
David Holmes
Overall a solid album, but too little highlights for a top rating.
4
Mar 02 2023
View Album
Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk
Classic Kraftwerk. Didn't grab me as much as Autobahn, though; it felt a bit too repetitive.
4
Mar 03 2023
View Album
Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
This some kind of joke? FAIL
1
Mar 04 2023
View Album
Dummy
Portishead
Excellent album from start to finish.
5
Mar 05 2023
View Album
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
I can see the appeal of this album to some, but it is not for me.
2
Mar 07 2023
View Album
Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Aphex Twin
Great album. Very chill and relaxing, but also has the grooves to keep it interesting.
5
Mar 08 2023
View Album
Heartattack And Vine
Tom Waits
Wasn't really in the mood for this, but it sounded pretty good.
4
Mar 09 2023
View Album
Isn't Anything
My Bloody Valentine
Pretty good noise rock album. Especially in the second half it get a bit too noisy and dissonant for me, and there are a few song with pretty awful vocals. I slightly preferred this over Loveless, so I'll give four stars.
4
Mar 10 2023
View Album
16 Lovers Lane
The Go-Betweens
Did not hate this, but found it quite unremarkable.
3
Mar 11 2023
View Album
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
Has some moments where the band rocks properly, but the songs overall are quite boring. On top of that, the vocals are too annoying for me to give this more than two stars.
2
Mar 12 2023
View Album
Penance Soiree
The Icarus Line
Terrible from start to finish. No redeeming qualities whatsoever.
1
Mar 13 2023
View Album
Low-Life
New Order
I'm running out of adjectives to describe bad vocals; have I tried 'atrocious' yet? I remember liking Power, Corruption & Lies, but maybe it was just one or two songs that I enjoyed, or maybe there was less singing.
2
Mar 14 2023
View Album
Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
The album could have done without the first track, and I found the fade out on Little Wing a bit annoying, especially since it is my favourite song, but otherwise this was just great.
5
Mar 15 2023
View Album
Welcome To The Pleasuredome
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Nice to hear the hits again, but this album was all over the place. Takes too long to get started, and once it has, it quickly breaks the flow by songs that seem out of place (the Born to Run cover for example). The Power of Love still sounded great, though.
2
Mar 16 2023
View Album
Kala
M.I.A.
Never heard of M.I.A. before, but this was a pleasant surprise. Totally vibed with it.
5
Mar 17 2023
View Album
Crocodiles
Echo And The Bunnymen
Solid album, I liked it. Probably deserves more listens than the two I gave it, but I can't see my rating go beyond four stars.
4
Mar 18 2023
View Album
Remain In Light
Talking Heads
My favourite Talking Heads album. It is all about the rhythms and musical arrangement, keeping other aspects like the chord progressions and song structure simple. Catch the groove, or you're lost.
5
Mar 19 2023
View Album
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly
Glad this was a short one. The music sounded okay-ish, but also extremely outdated. However, what really ruined it for me were the incredibly stupid lyrics.
2
Mar 20 2023
View Album
Blur
Blur
I quite liked this album, finding it much better than Modern Life is Rubbish and Park Life we were served before.
4
Mar 22 2023
View Album
Ambient 1/Music For Airports
Brian Eno
Puts you in a calm, meditative, mood. Never tried it at an actual airport, funny enough.
5
Mar 23 2023
View Album
Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Very interesting album. Always down for some fender rhodes and violin. Some parts reminded me of a very soft Mahavishnu Orchestra. Overall, the album did feel a bit uneven, and my attention started to wear off a little toward the end. I'm curious about their other albums.
4
Mar 24 2023
View Album
Spiderland
Slint
I think I would have preferred this if it was instrumental only, but still, this was very good. Vibrant recording, especially the drums sound very crisp. Low end five stars.
5
Mar 25 2023
View Album
Technique
New Order
Boring at best, weak and outdated for the most part.
2
Mar 28 2023
View Album
3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
It was great fun listening to this album, with all the creative beats and use of samples. Recognised Steely Dan's Peg of course, and there was also a sample I recognised from Portishead, who used it in their song Wandering Star. Despite the overall pleasant vibes, there were also quite few moments that were a bit meh, or a bit too silly. The hit "Me myself and I" is still by far their best song.
4
Mar 31 2023
View Album
Our Aim Is To Satisfy
Red Snapper
Cool beats throughout, and some great highlights at the very end, but quite a few of the songs miss a bit of spark for me.
4
Apr 01 2023
View Album
There's A Riot Goin' On
Sly & The Family Stone
Classic album of course, and I did enjoy it, but overall, the songs felt a bit directionless. Running Away and Thank You for Talkin' to me, Africa were my favourite tracks by far.
4
Apr 02 2023
View Album
Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Stereolab
Still an amazing album. The odd meter tracks Percolator and Motoroller Scalatron are my favourites.
5
Apr 05 2023
View Album
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
This sounded even better than I remember.
5
Apr 06 2023
View Album
Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Hüsker Dü
Come on, Huesker Due, you have to try harder to get a one star rating from me. Got very close, though.
2
Apr 07 2023
View Album
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
4
Apr 08 2023
View Album
Tonight's The Night
Neil Young
Excellent album, excellent recording. It feels like you are in the room with them performing the music.
5
Apr 09 2023
View Album
Stardust
Willie Nelson
I was rather disappointed by this album, it sounded lacklustre to me.
2
Apr 10 2023
View Album
Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
My favourite Kinks album so far. Cheered me right up.
5
Apr 11 2023
View Album
Elvis Is Back
Elvis Presley
Really enjoyed this album, especially the doo-wop elements made it work for me.
5
Apr 12 2023
View Album
Maxinquaye
Tricky
I had high expectations of this album, but this was mostly based on a few really good songs that I kept playing. Listening again to the album as a whole, my impression is that the first 5 tracks and the final track are very good, but the rest of the songs feel less compelling. In short, a very good triphop album, but definitely not my favourite, for which Portishead and Massive Attack would have to battle it out.
4
Apr 15 2023
View Album
Traffic
Traffic
For some reason never checked out this band, but this album sounded great. Good mix of rock, funk, and folk, and even some progressive rock that reminded me of early Genesis (especially on No Time to Live).
5
Apr 16 2023
View Album
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
Absolutely flawless. Top-notch americana.
5
Apr 17 2023
View Album
Two Dancers
Wild Beasts
Did not like this at all. The crazy vocal style was a major factor, of course, but also the songs overall felt rather pretentious to me.
2
Apr 18 2023
View Album
Daydream Nation
Sonic Youth
This album has some extraordinary guitar playing scattered throughout and the band sounds great overall. However, in contrast to some of their other albums none of the songs really appeal to me, sometimes because the vocals are slightly annoying, sometimes because the rhythms are too simple and monotonous. A double album then feels very long indeed.
4
Apr 19 2023
View Album
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
Fun 80's pop album. Was only familiar with the singles; Time After Time is such a great song still.
4
Apr 20 2023
View Album
Blue
Joni Mitchell
Amazing album. My favourite song is still All I Want. My least favourite is the title song, where the high-pitched high-vibrato singing is getting on my nerves a little, though less so than in the past.
5
Apr 21 2023
View Album
On The Beach
Neil Young
Very enjoyable album overall, but no killer songs that give Harvest and Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere their fifth star.
4
Apr 22 2023
View Album
The Clash
The Clash
The straightforward rock&roll with shouty vocals are not really my thing, but this was quite well done.
4
Apr 23 2023
View Album
Konnichiwa
Skepta
I was set on giving this only 2 stars after the first listen, but I got into it a lot more in the second round. Toward the end the songs were less engaging, and then that grime rhythm that is all over this album got a little boring.
4
Apr 24 2023
View Album
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
Very nice songs with beautiful melodies, but I'm struggling with the vocal performance, as I was with Tigermilk. Okay, it has a fragility that matches the music, but there are passages where I am cringing at the singing.
4
Apr 25 2023
View Album
Broken English
Marianne Faithfull
Never really checked Faithfull's discography, though I think I heard Before the Poison (2005) at some point. This one took a few listens to get into, especially her voice being a bit out there, but in the end I quite enjoyed it. Interesting Lennon cover.
4
Apr 26 2023
View Album
The Next Day
David Bowie
This was a completely new album for me. Not bad, but quite unremarkable for Bowie's standards. Some stand-out tracks for me were Love Is Lost, Where Are We Now, and Set The World On Fire.
3
May 24 2023
View Album
At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
Great live album, writing blues history. It gradually builds up toward I've Got My Mojo Working when Waters fires on all cylinders, followed by Otis Spann wrapping things up with a slow blues, arguably the best song on the record.
5
May 25 2023
View Album
E.V.O.L.
Sonic Youth
Solid album with lots of interesting ideas, but it did not resonate with me enough for full marks.
4
May 26 2023
View Album
Armed Forces
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Sounded okay, but no real stand-outs, apart from maybe the single Oliver's Army, and Costello's voice got a bit irritating after a while.
3
May 27 2023
View Album
Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
Can't get enough of this album. Beautiful dreamy music, interesting vocal harmonies, great songs throughout.
5
May 28 2023
View Album
Blackstar
David Bowie
Bowie's farewell album. I hope he's had a safe journey back to the far away galaxy he came from.
5
May 30 2023
View Album
Meat Puppets II
Meat Puppets
All over the place. Terrible vocals. Here and there some interesting guitar work, but it might as well have been a fluke.
2
May 31 2023
View Album
Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine
Cee Lo Green
A pleasant surprise, this one. Upbeat, funky, soulful, consistently enjoyable.
4
Jun 01 2023
View Album
Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
Starts off quite well with good songs and the bass and organ particularly standing out, but the album gets a little boring after the halfway point.
3
Jun 02 2023
View Album
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Great rock & roll album. Simple but effective.
4
Jun 03 2023
View Album
Beautiful Freak
Eels
This sounded okay, I guess, but not an album I'll likely to put on again.
3
Jun 05 2023
View Album
Tuesday Night Music Club
Sheryl Crow
Sounded okay. Clearly influenced by Lucinda Williams, but the songs are much less interesting.
3
Jun 14 2023
View Album
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
Funeral was good, but Neon Bible was, and still is, my favourite Arcade Fire album.
5
Jun 15 2023
View Album
Picture Book
Simply Red
Solid performances, liked the jazzy bits. Overall a decent album, but nothing special.
3
Jun 16 2023
View Album
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
I listened to this album several times in the past, but it never really resonated with me. This time was no different. It is not terrible, but mostly quite boring, apart from one or two tracks.
2
Jun 19 2023
View Album
L'Eau Rouge
The Young Gods
Extremely off-putting. These guys are begging for a 1 star review. Here you go.
1
Jun 20 2023
View Album
Grievous Angel
Gram Parsons
Decent country album, but a bit too conventional for me. Some of the songs are beautiful, Emmylou Harris provides excellent backing vocals, but there are also songs where I get slightly off-putting hillbilly vibes.
3
Jun 21 2023
View Album
Pieces Of The Sky
Emmylou Harris
Wonderful country/bluegrass album. Great songs, great voice.
5
Jun 22 2023
View Album
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
There were some songs on this album that sounded familiar, but I never properly checked out Linkin Park, assuming it would be one of the many bad examples of nu-metal. I quite like the heavy, groovy, and bouncy riffs and screamy vocals on this album, and the songs are catchy. What ruins the album for me, however, is the bad rapping. There are bands in this and related genres that do this much better in my opinion. So, where I thought beforehand that with some luck I could give this four stars, I ended up with only two.
2
Jun 24 2023
View Album
Bad
Michael Jackson
After the masterpiece Thriller, I kind of lost interest in Michael Jackson, but a friend insisted I should check out Bad. It was indeed a strong successor to Thriller, but I could feel this was the last album I would give serious attention. It was nice to give this another few listens after all those years: it has good songs throughout, and is well-produced of course, though maybe a bit too clean. The mannerisms in Jackson's vocal performance felt slightly more irritating than on Thriller, particularly in slower songs like "I can't stop loving you" and "Man in the Mirror". I can see many people give this 5 stars, but I'll leave it at 4.
4
Jun 27 2023
View Album
Nixon
Lambchop
Very pleasant sounding album. Some songs sound a bit too similar to keep me fully engaged the entire time, but overall this is pretty good.
4
Jun 29 2023
View Album
I Against I
Bad Brains
Not really digging the vocals, but the band sounds sick.
4
Jul 01 2023
View Album
Deloused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta
In the past I focused only on a few songs (the opener and Drunkship of Lanterns in particular), but listening to the album in its entirety again makes me realise it is great from start to finish. The overall sound and dynamics just blow me away.
5
Jul 02 2023
View Album
Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
Back to Life was and is still a good song, and is the only reason I'm not giving this a one star rating.
2
Jul 03 2023
View Album
Virgin Suicides
Air
I enjoyed this a lot more than Moon Safari. It creates a special mood that makes me want to watch the movie again.
4
Jul 06 2023
View Album
Aja
Steely Dan
Absolutely flawless. Great songs, excellent musicianship, pristine production, beautiful album cover, Wayne Shorter on the title track, Michael McDonald on Peg, just wonderful.
5
Jul 07 2023
View Album
The Visitors
ABBA
Depressing lifeless synth pop.
2
Jul 08 2023
View Album
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
Heard the name before, but never checked out their music. This actually was a pretty good album with strong, well executed songs. Very enjoyable.
4
Jul 09 2023
View Album
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Eurythmics
Decent album, with of course the title track standing out on a first listen. Got a bit better overall during the second listen, but still a bit too flat in places for full marks.
4
Jul 10 2023
View Album
Live At The Witch Trials
The Fall
Not really my thing. Annoying vocalist, repetitive songs.
2
Jul 11 2023
View Album
Chemtrails Over The Country Club
Lana Del Rey
Surprised to get an album this recent. Anyway, I gave it a listen and found it quite boring.
2
Jul 12 2023
View Album
The Real Thing
Faith No More
Can't stand Patton's clean vocals on this. The Sabbath cover is great, and there are some other decent songs, but it's not enough to enjoy this even a little bit.
2
Jul 13 2023
View Album
Gold
Ryan Adams
Solid Americana album, though maybe a bit long. In my memory Heartbreaker was better than this one, but I would have to listen to it again to confirm that. Presumably it will be on the list as well.
4
Jul 15 2023
View Album
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
Jazzy and groovy hiphop. Very enjoyable all the way through.
5
Jul 16 2023
View Album
Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room
Dwight Yoakam
With a robotic sounding rhythm section, mediocre songs and pretty uninspired singing, listening to this album was near unbearable. My spirits were somewhat lifted by the occasional accordion playing from Flaco Jimenez and the fiddle flourishes and sprinkles of steel guitar, but these moments were rare. One or two stars, it doesn't really matter. Okay, let's be generous today.
2
Jul 17 2023
View Album
The Nightfly
Donald Fagen
Pretty good album with that very clear Donald Fagen style we know so well from Steely Dan. The songs are all solid, but to me they are not as impressive as most SD songs are, and I really don't like the Ruby Baby cover.
4
Jul 18 2023
View Album
Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
Classic electronic music album that still sounds magnificent today, 47 years on.
5
Jul 20 2023
View Album
Fly Or Die
N.E.R.D
This was a rather interesting album, from a group I was not very familiar with (apart from Pharrell's Get Lucky with Daft Punk of course). At first listen I thought the songs were catchy but also a bit weird melodically; it didn't quite work for me. The second listen was much more enjoyable, so I went from 2 to 4 stars in the end.
4
Jul 21 2023
View Album
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Pretty sure I heard this album in the past, but only recognised California Uber Alles. Clear Public Enemy influence, but musically not as interesting and seems to primarily focus on the political messaging.
3
Jul 22 2023
View Album
Roger the Engineer
The Yardbirds
The overall psychedelic rock sound feels a bit dated, but I liked the energy and great guitar work on this album.
4
Jul 23 2023
View Album
My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts
Brian Eno
Fantastic Byrne/Eno collaboration.
5
Jul 24 2023
View Album
Justified
Justin Timberlake
I went into this with very low expectations and came out of it with expectations confirmed, but also frustrated, because behind Timberlake's rather irritating delivery there was some pretty good music here and there, especially when things got funky.
1
Jul 25 2023
View Album
Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
This was an astonishing album and impossible to rate, really. Chaotic, abrasive, poetic, alienating, surreal, bluesy, atonal, polyrhythmic, dissonant, ..., fast and bulbous.
4
Jul 26 2023
View Album
Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
Overall, I liked this album quite a bit. Grant has a very nice voice, combining well with the dreamy music and production. Most of the songs are strong and fit well together, but some of the later tracks change the overall tone of the album and perhaps could have been left out. Also, the lyrics feel rather clunky to me, though that might be a deliberate style of the artist.
4
Jul 27 2023
View Album
A Little Deeper
Ms. Dynamite
Annoying vocal style, boring music, weak lyrics, what more do you want?
1
Jul 28 2023
View Album
In The Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra
Very relaxing and smooth album; excellent performance from Sinatra.
4
Jul 29 2023
View Album
Supa Dupa Fly
Missy Elliott
Great beats, creative lyrics, good mix of clean singing and rapping. One of the better R&B/rap albums we've had so far.
4
Jul 30 2023
View Album
Parallel Lines
Blondie
This was a nice album with catchy upbeat tunes, though maybe a bit too conventional for me. Heart of Glass was my favourite track by far.
4
Jul 31 2023
View Album
We're Only In It For The Money
The Mothers Of Invention
Not my favourite Zappa album, but still interesting enough for a positive rating. The emphasis here seems to be on the satire and playful experimentation, where other albums are more coherent and have moments of profound musical brilliance.
4
Aug 01 2023
View Album
Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
Surprisingly good. I expected another shouty one-dimensional punk album, but this was great fun. Very energetic but also melodically strong.
4
Aug 02 2023
View Album
Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
On a first listen I was not overly impressed, but with the second listen I was more in the mood and loved it. Together with Physical Graffiti my two favourite Zeppelin albums so far.
5
Aug 03 2023
View Album
Life's Too Good
The Sugarcubes
Mildly entertaining.
3
Aug 04 2023
View Album
Follow The Leader
Korn
I thought this was going to be a 2-3 star album for me, similar to Slipknot or Linkin Park, but it turned out to be truly awful.
1
Aug 05 2023
View Album
Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
Wonderful album. Beautiful songs, perfectly executed and produced. My only issue is that Jones' vocals have not really won me over.
4
Aug 06 2023
View Album
Under Construction
Missy Elliott
Another strong album from Missy Elliott, having recently checked out her debut Supa Dupa Fly. I'm really liking her voice, whether she is singing, rapping, or just speaking. Maybe there are a few more songs on this one that are less compelling, but it is still worthy of a solid 4 star rating from me.
4
Aug 07 2023
View Album
Marcus Garvey
Burning Spear
Top class reggae album.
5
Aug 08 2023
View Album
Slayed?
Slade
Catchy but simple rock & roll songs on this album. I thought the second half of the album was much better, but then realised these were bonus tracks.
3
Aug 09 2023
View Album
Disintegration
The Cure
"Disintegration is the best album ever!" (Kyle Broflovski, 1998). I would go as far as that, but it is definitely out there.
5
Aug 10 2023
View Album
Play
Moby
Very good album, but could have done without a couple of the weaker songs to make it more palatable.
4
Aug 11 2023
View Album
The Undertones
The Undertones
Decent album, but not as good as Hypnotised.
3
Aug 12 2023
View Album
The Notorious Byrd Brothers
The Byrds
Did not care much for this slightly annoying hippie music.
2
Aug 13 2023
View Album
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
5
Aug 14 2023
View Album
Arular
M.I.A.
I enjoyed her second album Kala a bit more, but this debut was already pretty good. The songs are maybe a bit weaker, but the tasty beats make up for it.
4
Aug 17 2023
View Album
In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
I have a slight preference for Bitches Brew that came out less than a year later, but this is nevertheless another great Miles Davis album.
5
Aug 18 2023
View Album
Winter In America
Gil Scott-Heron
Beautifully soulful music, especially Brian Jackson's piano work is excellent, but I was not entirely convinced by Scott-Heron's singing on this album. It's somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me; I'll round it down to 3.
3
Aug 19 2023
View Album
Histoire De Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
Some good music, but I'm getting very creepy vibes.
2
Aug 22 2023
View Album
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
Many familiar songs, but never really checked out this album as a whole. I haven't listened to Violator in a while, but this seems just as good. Getting strong Kraftwerk vibes.
5
Aug 23 2023
View Album
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The Smashing Pumpkins
Siamese Dream still edges it for me, but this was a very strong follow-up album.
5
Aug 24 2023
View Album
Hms Fable
Shack
The overall sound is not bad, but the songs are very weak and boring, and there are moments where the singing is rather grating.
2
Aug 25 2023
View Album
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
Apocalypse 91 was always my favourite Public Enemy album, jam-packed with nothing but killer songs. Listening to Fear of a Black Planet, I wasn't as impressed initially, but the more I listen to it, the more I'm enjoying it. Maybe it is not as compact, and arguably has fewer memorable songs, but the overall quality is undeniable.
5
Aug 27 2023
View Album
Eliminator
ZZ Top
Simple rock tunes, completely produced to death. Very dated, very boring.
2
Aug 28 2023
View Album
Freak Out!
The Mothers Of Invention
The Mothers taking on various genres and musical influences in their typical tongue-in-cheek kind of way. I might not always be in the mood for this, but the music was pretty good. Toward the end it is becoming crazier and crazier, which I happily went along with until maybe 5mins before the end.
4
Aug 30 2023
View Album
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
A few seconds in and you already know this is going to be a five star album.
5
Aug 31 2023
View Album
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Nope, this album is still not doing much for me. Solsbury Hill is a good song, of course, but that's about it.
3
Sep 01 2023
View Album
It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Very good. Edging towards five star territory, but I'm not loving the vocals enough for a top rating.
4
Sep 02 2023
View Album
Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
Poor man's Daft Punk? Maybe a little, but I still enjoyed listening to it.
4
Sep 03 2023
View Album
Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
Eighties pop with sophisticated melodies and chord progressions. I thought I preferred the debut Swoon, but now I'm not so sure anymore. Loved it.
5
Sep 04 2023
View Album
New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
Simple Minds
Promised You a Miracle is still a great song, of course, but I was not too familiar with the rest of the songs going into this. Overall, I thought this was quite good. I didn't realise how bass-heavy this was; together with the vocals the music occasionally reminded me of David Sylvian/Japan. My only two issues are the rather muffled production and the lack of punchiness of the songs. At times the music felt a little pedestrian and my mind started to wander.
4
Sep 07 2023
View Album
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
Great jazz album, a true classic. Earlier albums like Giant Steps are perhaps a bit more accessible, but this is an amazing listening experience if you give it the attention it deserves. I was also reminded how excellent the recording is.
5
Sep 08 2023
View Album
Alien Lanes
Guided By Voices
A mish-mash of half-baked or even half-finished demos, does that count as an album? No. And saying it was deliberate makes it even worse. One additional star for some good Beatles-esque melodies and some of the guitar work, but this is hard to enjoy amidst all the chaotic noise.
2
Sep 10 2023
View Album
Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
This was just great. No further comments.
5
Sep 13 2023
View Album
Felt Mountain
Goldfrapp
Goldfrapp is an excellent singer and I like the tone of her voice, but the songs on this album did not really grab me.
3
Sep 14 2023
View Album
More Specials
The Specials
No more Specials, please.
2
Sep 15 2023
View Album
Millions Now Living Will Never Die
Tortoise
I hadn't listened to any Tortoise in a long while, but this is still a great album. They have this unique sound that I absolutely love.
5
Sep 17 2023
View Album
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
Especially during the Use Your Illusion period I liked this band a lot more than I do today. I can still appreciate the musicianship and energy, but it is not really my thing and Axl Rose's voice can get quite annoying after a while.
3
Sep 18 2023
View Album
The Scream
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Pretty good, but a bit too much dissonance and sharp edges for me. In my memory I preferred Hyena, but haven't listened to that in a long while.
4
Sep 19 2023
View Album
Moss Side Story
Barry Adamson
So weird. I was going to argue that this soundtrack album does not hold up on its own, without the movie, but that movie does not even exist! It is not terrible, but I will not listen to it again.
2
Sep 21 2023
View Album
Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal
In general, I quite like the sound of music from West African countries like Senegal and Mali, and this album is no exception. However, I did not enjoy it as much as I hoped, because the music was a little too repetitive and the vocals got a bit annoying at times.
3
Sep 22 2023
View Album
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
Another great Public Enemy album, completing the three key works in their discography, along with Fear of a Black Planet and Apocalypse 91.
5
Sep 27 2023
View Album
Chore of Enchantment
Giant Sand
I think I listened to Gian Sand before, but don't remember which album; pretty sure it was not this one. This sounded pretty good, but I did not particularly like the vocals.
3
Sep 28 2023
View Album
Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
I had a little bit more trouble getting into this one than Unhalfbricking, but it was still very good.
4
Sep 29 2023
View Album
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
Very good album throughout, without any of the tracks standing out; just a constant flow of very strong tracks. Reminded me occasionally of Queen and in other places of the Beatles.
5
Sep 30 2023
View Album
Vulnicura
Björk
For some reason, I lost track of Bjork's endeavours after Vespertine, but I'm glad we got this one to check out. The sweeping production has echoes of Homogenic, which I like very much, and the songs are all engaging. Terrific album.
5
Oct 04 2023
View Album
What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
This may be considered a super classic album, but I really did not like this at all. Man, the endless whining on these songs, seriously ...
2
Oct 06 2023
View Album
Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
Has some good moments with nice beats and flowing rap, but overall, this was a mostly annoying and too long gangsta rap album.
2
Oct 07 2023
View Album
Youth And Young Manhood
Kings of Leon
Overall, I liked this collection of very catchy upbeat southern rock tunes. There are one or two less compelling songs, though, and the vocals are getting a little too screamy in some places.
4
Oct 10 2023
View Album
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
Five stars awarded without any hesitation whatsoever.
5
Oct 11 2023
View Album
They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Liars
Initially, this album sounded quite interesting, but it got a little on my nerves during the second listen. Experimentation for experimentation's sake and very little musical enjoyment.
2
Oct 12 2023
View Album
Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Bill Callahan
This could have been a solid 4 star album, were it not for the occasionally cringing style of singing. There are definitely some pretty good moments, and I quite like the sound of the band and overall arrangement, but often I got the feeling that music and lyrics had been written completely independently and everything was forced together afterwards. It's ti ... hi hi hi hime... to put God a-way (repeated endlessly).
3
Oct 13 2023
View Album
All That You Can't Leave Behind
U2
Very boring.
2
Oct 14 2023
View Album
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
Could not get through this fast enough. Terrible.
1
Oct 15 2023
View Album
Violator
Depeche Mode
Outstanding album. Strong vocals, catchy songs, great production.
5
Oct 16 2023
View Album
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
Pink Floyd
Still an interesting album, but not one I would put on repeat or often return to. Interstellar Overdrive is a bit too much psychedelic craziness for me. Bike is still my favourite song.
3
Oct 17 2023
View Album
Trio
Dolly Parton
Three excellent singers, of course, harmonising beautifully. However, I wasn't too impressed by the selection of songs. The first 3 or 4 tracks made for a slow start of the album, after which things start picking up. Telling me Lies and Those Memories of You save the album for me.
3
Nov 28 2023
View Album
Opus Dei
Laibach
I was first introduced to this band when they released Kapital, an album that I quite liked and have listened to many times since. The rest of their discovery has always been a bit of a mixed bag for me, but I might have found a new favourite with Opus Dei. The two versions of Life Is Life were familiar of course, as well as a couple of other songs, but this sounded very impressive overall.
5
Nov 29 2023
View Album
GREY Area
Little Simz
Not bad, but the rhythm of the rapping gets a bit repetitive and I'm not sure if the lyrics make up for that in any way. The beats and overall production are pretty good. The early collab tracks break the flow of the album somewhat, despite the variation they bring. In short, some pros, some cons, just okay.
3
Dec 01 2023
View Album
So
Peter Gabriel
Slick, solid, 80s pop. Some great songs like Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, and In Your Eyes, but hard to really connect with most of the other tracks.
4
Dec 05 2023
View Album
Real Life
Magazine
This is pretty good for what it is, but it is not really a style that appeals to me very much, and especially the expressive but ugly vocals put me off.
3
Dec 07 2023
View Album
1984
Van Halen
Very entertaining album. After one listen, I was considering to give it five stars, but with the second listen there were a few songs where I was less engaged.
4
Dec 13 2023
View Album
BEYONCÉ
Beyoncé
The album started off okay, and kept me interested for a few songs in anticipation of some really good tracks, but as the album went on I slowly realised there was not going to be a single track on this that I would actually like. Clearly a talented singer, and the production sounds like someone put in some effort, but the songs simply don't work for me.
2
Dec 14 2023
View Album
Ace of Spades
Motörhead
Yeah, this rocks hard. Love it.
5
Dec 16 2023
View Album
Mott
Mott The Hoople
Never heard of this band before, but this was pretty decent. The more glamrocky songs were less appealing to me, and Violence sounded terrible, but there were several great songs to make up for it.
4
Dec 17 2023
View Album
Larks' Tongues In Aspic
King Crimson
Having listened to this, Epitaph is still the only King Crimson album that I dig. Larks' Tongues in Aspic has too many irritating elements that are so typical of prog rock for me to enjoy it. Book of Saturday and Easy Money are decent songs, though.
2
Dec 18 2023
View Album
Raw Like Sushi
Neneh Cherry
Fun album. Buffalo Stance and Manchild are still standouts for me, but the rest of the songs are pretty solid too.
4
Dec 21 2023
View Album
Synchronicity
The Police
Solid album, except for Mother. What on earth were they thinking including that song?
4
Dec 23 2023
View Album
m b v
My Bloody Valentine
My least favourite MBV album. It has its moments, but mostly it is just noise that gets irritating very quickly.
2
Dec 24 2023
View Album
Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
Some really good songs, but also some quirky ones which I wasn't a fan of.
4
Dec 25 2023
View Album
Scum
Napalm Death
So this is THE grindcore classic. Good to know.
1
Jan 01 2024
View Album
Superunknown
Soundgarden
Classic grunge album, with Black Hole Sun still one of the best rock songs of all time. It is solid throughout, but many of the songs miss a certain something for me to give this 5 stars.
4
Jan 04 2024
View Album
I See A Darkness
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
I guess the voice is not for everyone, but if you don't mind it too much, you'll find the songs on this album are just great.
5
Jan 05 2024
View Album
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
Mudhoney
Another good album from Mudhoney, after checking out Superfuzz Bigmuff a short while ago. Still don't like the vocals enough for 5 stars, and the beginning of Don't Fade IV is extremely annoying, but overall I enjoyed it quite a bit.
4
Jan 14 2024
View Album
Vivid
Living Colour
Very enjoyable album. Lots of different influences, but I like them best when it gets funky and heavy.
4
Jan 17 2024
View Album
Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
I had forgotten how good this album is.
5
Jan 20 2024
View Album
Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
Old school rap with a bit of a rock twist. Sounded okay, but I prefer the self-titled debut.
3
Jan 21 2024
View Album
(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Solid album with a good sound and a couple of outstanding songs.
4
Jan 22 2024
View Album
Superfuzz Bigmuff
Mudhoney
Although normally I would not like this vocal style, and the songs initially did not seem that special, I really liked the raw energy of the music, and the songs were catchy enough to enjoy this overall.
4
Jan 29 2024
View Album
Diamond Life
Sade
I expected to enjoy this more than I did. Smooth sounding with decent melodies, but ultimately a little too boring for my taste.
3
Jan 31 2024
View Album
2112
Rush
Classic progrock album.
5
Feb 04 2024
View Album
Henry's Dream
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
It took two listens, but I can confirm this is still a great album.
5
Feb 06 2024
View Album
Fever To Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Similar to It's Blitz!", I liked this album quite a bit, but still not entirely on board with the vocals.
4
Feb 13 2024
View Album
Want Two
Rufus Wainwright
Pretty good voice; I remember him featuring on Antony & The Johnsons' album I am a Bird Now. Not sure what to make of the songs on this album, however. A bit too theater/musical-like for me, I guess.
3
Feb 15 2024
View Album
Countdown To Ecstasy
Steely Dan
Not a Steely Dan album I listen to very often, but this is still top notch musicality. Such clever song-writing.
5
Feb 20 2024
View Album
Snivilisation
Orbital
Fantastic album, arguably Orbital's best work.
5
Feb 22 2024
View Album
Boston
Boston
The classic opener More Than a Feeling is of course a great song, but the rest of the album sounds very middle of the road to me.
3
Feb 24 2024
View Album
The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
This was a great album, jam-packed with great songs, executed brilliantly by great musicians.
5
Feb 28 2024
View Album
Want One
Rufus Wainwright
I liked this a lot more than Want Two.
4
Mar 05 2024
View Album
Nevermind
Nirvana
Classic album, of course, and I agree it is great, up to a point. Every time I listen to this album, I really enjoy the first half of the songs, but then around track 7 I'm starting to feel a little tedium. The songs are still very catchy, but musically also feel similar to some of the earlier ones, and I don't love the overall sound enough to be okay with that.
4
Mar 08 2024
View Album
Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Sounded okay, but at times a bit repetitive, and reminding me of other bands I would prefer to listen to.
3
Mar 14 2024
View Album
Cafe Bleu
The Style Council
The jazzy pop songs in the first half of the album sound okay to me, but then the band take a complete left turn with some awful hiphop/funk in A Gospel and Strength of Your Nature. The rest of the songs don't offer much improvement; especially the vocal delivery is pretty dodgy at times.
2
Mar 20 2024
View Album
Arc Of A Diver
Steve Winwood
I thought I might like this one, but no. The songs were quite boring, and especially the vocals sounded surprisingly weak.
2
Mar 25 2024
View Album
The United States Of America
The United States Of America
A pleasant surprise, with The Garden of Earthly Delights as an absolute highlight. There were a few moments where the psychedelics sounded a bit too jarring for me, but overall a very strong album.
4
Mar 27 2024
View Album
Roots
Sepultura
I remember quite liking Chaos AD, but losing interest in Sepultura when Roots was released. After a few listens, I still have my doubts about the quality of the songs on this album. The vocals also seem more annoying than on previous albums; I don't mind harsh vocals, but Cavalera's technique sounds very forced and unhealthy. The album is okay when in you are in an energetic mood, but in general, I would not return to it often, except maybe for a few songs.
3
Mar 30 2024
View Album
Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water
Limp Bizkit
I expected this album to nothing but annoy me, but man, does it groove. Toward the end it did get increasingly annoying, but overall this was pretty good.
4
Mar 31 2024
View Album
Van Halen
Van Halen
Classic hard rock album. Catchy songs, charismatic vocal performance, guitar skills. What's not to like?
5
Apr 07 2024
View Album
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple
Having listened to this album, I might have been a little too harsh on the debut album Tidal. I still think the vocals on that album sound a bit off, but I can appreciate the music much more now. Fetch The Bolt Cutters is a much more interesting album, though, even if it is not entirely my cup of tea.
3
Apr 08 2024
View Album
Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
The title song is a classic of course, but I prefer them when they are fronted by Otis or some other star.
3
Apr 09 2024
View Album
Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
Listening to this after many years I was a bit disappointed initially, but upon a second listen I could appreciate it again. I think a solid four stars is in order here.
4
Apr 11 2024
View Album
Aha Shake Heartbreak
Kings of Leon
Still liking the energy and southern twang, but some of the songs fall a little short to deserve full marks.
4
Apr 14 2024
View Album
Permission to Land
The Darkness
Juuuu-stin Hawkins rides again, ..., agaaain.
Straight-up middle of the road rock, but I rather enjoyed it.
4
Apr 15 2024
View Album
Mothership Connection
Parliament
I'm always up for some funk music, but this was a little disappointing. The songs don't really get going for me. Decent, but I expected more.
3
Apr 20 2024
View Album
System Of A Down
System Of A Down
I usually turn to Toxicity for some System of a Down, but this debut is already pretty good.
4
Apr 21 2024
View Album
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
Maybe I was not in the mood for Zeppelin, but this one felt a little uneven, and I got slightly irritated by Plant's singing. I'd say my least favourite LZ album so far, but the band still sounded solid of course.
4
Apr 24 2024
View Album
Tom Tom Club
Tom Tom Club
I can get on board with the grooves on several of the songs, but sometimes the music is too repetitive and the vocal parts a bit too goofy. Low end four stars.
4
Apr 25 2024
View Album
Green
R.E.M.
This album was okay, but the songs all sounded quite similar to me. I keep hearing 'Losing my Religion' in many of the songs, but I guess this is just the Michael Stipe signature song-writing style.
3
Apr 26 2024
View Album
21
Adele
After having to endure '25' a while ago, I feared the worst for this album, but the opener Rolling in the Deep got me interested. The album's blues, soul, and country influences are in its favour, but in the end, the only song other than the opener that I enjoyed was He Won't Go. The rest of the songs were either boring ballads or were ruined by the Adele's vocal performance. Anyway, not as bad as 25, but ultimately again not an album I'll be returning to.
2
May 01 2024
View Album
White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
Another solid album from The White Stripes.
4
May 05 2024
View Album
The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
Great album, filled with sophisticated yet catchy pop songs.
5
May 13 2024
View Album
Signing Off
UB40
Solid reggae/dub album. Very pleasant sounding, suitable for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
4
May 14 2024
View Album
Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
I remember quite liking this album, especially Supermassive Black Hole, but I probably heard it in its entirety only once or twice. It is still pretty solid throughout, though occasionally a bit too much over the top with the vocals.
4
May 18 2024
View Album
The Bones Of What You Believe
CHVRCHES
Beats me why this is on the list. The overall sound of the band is not that bad, but the vocals are quite annoying and the songs are extremely formulaic.
1
May 19 2024
View Album
Dear Science
TV On The Radio
Decent album. No songs that made a big impact on me, but overall quite enjoyable.
4
May 25 2024
View Album
Nick Of Time
Bonnie Raitt
Very much an '80s studio album; DX7 sounds, fade-outs, the whole shebang. Flawless, but also a little boring. Only the blues at the very end made it a bit more lively.
3
May 31 2024
View Album
Among The Living
Anthrax
Wow, that was an amazing album. For some reason I always ignored them, but this was a great listen.
5
Jun 01 2024
View Album
Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
Not my favourite miles davis album, but still an absolute jazz classic of course. A masterclass in melody and harmony.
5
Jun 02 2024
View Album
Hot Shots II
The Beta Band
No, I did not like this at all. For the most part, I think it was the vocals that put me off, but the music itself did not do much for me either.
2
Jun 05 2024
View Album
Parachutes
Coldplay
Still a strong album, though I didn't care much for the last couple of songs, and at times the vocals got a little annoying.
4
Jun 06 2024
View Album
In Our Heads
Hot Chip
For some reason I lost interest in Hot Chip after One Life Stand, but In Our Heads really good as well. It took a few listens, but even the songs I wasn't sure about initially turned out to be pretty strong.
5
Jun 13 2024
View Album
Kid A
Radiohead
A bit less accessible than Amnesiac, I suppose, but very good nevertheless. Idioteque is still one of my favourite Radiohead tracks.
5
Jun 14 2024
View Album
Exit Planet Dust
The Chemical Brothers
I used to like this album a lot, and beforehand I expected to give it a straightforward 5 stars, but after re-listening I'm not so sure. The first two tracks feel like a long dj set without much variation, but then a passage kicks in that still hits hard with four tracks of great beats. The last tracks of the album feel a bit more like songs, with some vocal parts and stuff. I'll settle for four stars.
4
Jun 19 2024
View Album
Kings Of The Wild Frontier
Adam & The Ants
I remember being a fan of Adam & The Ants as a kid, but that was just based on singles like Prince Charming and Stand and Deliver. Kings of the Wild Frontier has that same unique sound I was already familiar with, but perhaps the songs are a little less catchy.
3
Jun 20 2024
View Album
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd at their best. Great album.
5
Jun 21 2024
View Album
Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
As expected, this is one of the best albums I've rated so far (after 670 ratings), if not the best.
5
Jul 01 2024
View Album
The Bends
Radiohead
Apart from the singles, I was not very familiar with this album, so it took a few listens to come to a verdict. In the end, I thought it was very strong throughout, really oozing that nineties alternative rock feeling. So, even though I probably still prefer the more adventurous releases after it, I think it just about deserves the full 5 stars for me.
5
Jul 02 2024
View Album
Graceland
Paul Simon
Still a hugely entertaining album. Lots of musical variation, tied together by Paul Simon's unique vocal delivery and lyricism.
5
Jul 07 2024
View Album
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
A very good album which I would have given five stars, were it not for the moments of ugly, abrasive harsh noise. I like Albini's raw production (which I have praised on other albums on this list), but this was a bit too much to fully enjoy the album.
4
Jul 09 2024
View Album
Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
Get Innocuous is amazing and by far the best track on the record. The rest of the album is just okay.
4
Jul 11 2024
View Album
I See You
The xx
I was not as impressed as the debut, but I still liked the vibe of this album.
4
Jul 14 2024
View Album
War
U2
Strong album. New Year's Day is probably my favourite song.
4
Jul 17 2024
View Album
The Idiot
Iggy Pop
Strong David Bowie and Lou Reed vibes on this one. Interesting album.
4
Jul 18 2024
View Album
Doolittle
Pixies
There were some amazing songs on Surfer Rosa, but I wasn't fully on board production wise. Listening to Doolittle, this was no longer an issue, and the songs were still great. Overall, a more enjoyable experience, so I give this an additional fifth star.
5
Jul 19 2024
View Album
Reign In Blood
Slayer
Lovely.
5
Jul 20 2024
View Album
James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
I love the music of James Brown and I'm sure this was a legendary concert, but I did not enjoy listening to this recording. There are much better versions of the songs they were playing.
2
Jul 25 2024
View Album
Toys In The Attic
Aerosmith
Decent rock album, but Rocks impressed me more.
3
Jul 27 2024
View Album
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Not bad. Occasional signs of the greatness that is to come in later albums.
3
Jul 29 2024
View Album
This Is Hardcore
Pulp
I'm not a huge fan of Brit pop, but for some reason that I haven't been able to figure out yet, I really liked this album. I probably should revisit Different Class now, which I only gave three stars.
5
Jul 30 2024
View Album
Ocean Rain
Echo And The Bunnymen
Very good album, but not enough five star moments for a five star rating overall.
4
Jul 31 2024
View Album
Electric
The Cult
Tightly produced, straight up rock album. Well made, but not for me.
3
Aug 01 2024
View Album
Legalize It
Peter Tosh
Classic reggae. Really good.
5
Aug 11 2024
View Album
Dub Housing
Pere Ubu
Interesting punk rock album. Quite inaccessible at first, with lots of dissonance and weird sounds, but gets better with repeat listening.
4
Aug 16 2024
View Album
American Beauty
Grateful Dead
Hmm, not entirely sure what to make of this. Instrumentally quite decent, vocally very iffy in places, and the songs mostly okay-ish. There is one truly enjoyable gem in 'Attics of My Life', and one truly awful howler in 'Candyman'. With some reluctance I'll give it three stars.
3
Aug 17 2024
View Album
Disraeli Gears
Cream
Solid, if sounding slightly dated, blues/psychedelic rock album.
4
Aug 18 2024
View Album
Pyromania
Def Leppard
Very strong album, though it did not impress me as much as Hysteria.
4
Aug 19 2024
View Album
The Modern Dance
Pere Ubu
This album did not capture me as much as Dub Housing.
3
Aug 21 2024
View Album
Talking Timbuktu
Ali Farka Touré
In general, I quite like the sound of this kind of music, and Ry Cooder's guitar contributions on this album work quite well. It did feel a little too repetitive on the first listen, but my mind was calmer when I played it for a second time and I found it perfectly relaxing.
5
Aug 22 2024
View Album
Vulgar Display Of Power
Pantera
Classic groove metal. Not crazy about the vocals, and some of the songs go on for too long, but love the drumming and riffage.
4
Aug 23 2024
View Album
Beach Samba
Astrud Gilberto
This was quite weird collection of songs, none of which really worked for me. The samba/bossanova tunes were okay to listen to, but Gilberto's vocals are not convincing enough to enjoy the album overall.
2
Aug 28 2024
View Album
Kollaps
Einstürzende Neubauten
Experimental, industrial, repetitive, ..., interesting!
I remember listening to much more accessible work from them in the past, but this was still worth a few listens.
4
Aug 29 2024
View Album
Gentlemen
The Afghan Whigs
Intense alternative guitar rock. Very impressive.
5
Aug 30 2024
View Album
Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
Really enjoyed this album. Of course I was familiar with most of the songs, but this was very good from start to finish.
5
Aug 31 2024
View Album
Transformer
Lou Reed
Solid album, though I still much prefer Berlin. Songs like Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, and Satellite of Love are great of course, but several of the other songs are just a little too silly for me.
4
Sep 01 2024
View Album
The Coral
The Coral
They sound like a talented band, but despite their best efforts to create an entertainingly eclectic album, I found myself bored throughout.
2
Sep 02 2024
View Album
Hejira
Joni Mitchell
Without this album I probably would not have invested as much time checking out Joni Mitchell's discography as I have done, starting with her continuation on the more jazzy path with Don Juan's Reckless Daughter. Especially Larry Carlton and Jaco Pastorius give Hejira a unique sound that combines so well with Mitchell's songwriting and vocal performance. And then on top of that you have Amelia, probably my favourite Joni Mitchell song ever. Top end five stars for me.
5
Sep 08 2024
View Album
Damaged
Black Flag
This had a good energy to it, and Rollins' intense vocals contributed to that, but musically there wasn't enough to really pull me in.
3
Sep 09 2024
View Album
Metal Box
Public Image Ltd.
An interesting album with some nice grooves, but too much atonality and ugly vocal parts to return to it any time soon. Here and there it reminds me of Joy Division, which I much rather listen to.
3
Sep 12 2024
View Album
Cupid & Psyche 85
Scritti Politti
Absolute was a nice trip down memory lane, but other than that, this was not enjoyable at all. Eighties pop at its worst.
2
Sep 14 2024
View Album
Yeezus
Kanye West
Absolutely terrible.
1
Sep 15 2024
View Album
Untitled (Black Is)
SAULT
A bit surprising to see such a recent album on the list. Anyway, I remember being quite impressed by this album, and I still like the sound of it today. However, the lyrics are quite cringy, especially the spoken word bits in between some of the songs.
4
Sep 16 2024
View Album
Repeater
Fugazi
I had heard of this band, but never got around checking them out. I'm very glad this album appeared on the list, because I love it. The occasionally shouty vocals are not usually something I'm particularly drawn to, but somehow it worked very well with the amazing sound of the band. Will definitely check out their other albums now.
5
Sep 21 2024
View Album
Architecture And Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
This sounded okay. Interesting synth work, but I could only really vibe with Souvenir, Maid of Orleans, Sacred Heart, and especially Romance of the Telescope.
4
Sep 22 2024
View Album
Heartbreaker
Ryan Adams
Excellent Americana album. Great contributions from Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris, and others.
5
Sep 24 2024
View Album
The Sensual World
Kate Bush
Perhaps not as special as The Dreaming and Hounds of Love, but still a very beautiful album. The Trio Bulgarka sounds amazing, especially on my favourite track Deeper Understanding.
5
Sep 25 2024
View Album
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
I think I enjoyed this more when it came out, but it is still a pretty decent album. Nature Springs is by far my favourite track, featuring Tony Allen's afrobeat drumming style.
4
Sep 28 2024
View Album
KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)
Ministry
Too abrasive and busy for me.
2
Oct 12 2024
View Album
Tago Mago
Can
Most of the tracks were really good, but I did not care much for the very experimental Aumgn and Peking O.
4
Oct 18 2024
View Album
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
Classic Sabbath.
5
Oct 23 2024
View Album
Heavy Weather
Weather Report
Not my favourite Weather Report album, but still very good of course. Zawinul and Shorter were total geniuses.
5
Nov 02 2024
View Album
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Jimi Hendrix vibes. Great album.
5
Nov 09 2024
View Album
The World is a Ghetto
War
Never heard of this band, but this was pretty good. I liked the overall soul/funk/jazz sound of the album, but the songs were not always as engaging as I would have liked them to be.
4
Nov 12 2024
View Album
Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
Possibly my least favourite Steely Dan album, but still very good, of course.
5
Nov 19 2024
View Album
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
It is already quite promising to me when an album starts with the bass line from Billy Cobham's Stratus, and then doubles up with a Mahavishnu Orchestra sample on the second track. And the rest of the album does not disappoint. Classic trip hop, with Unfinished Sympathy as the highlight.
5