The Specials
The SpecialsAbsolutely magnificent album. Had the pleasure of seeing the Specials live in 1979 at Loughborough uni on the Two Tone tour with The Selecter and Dexy's. One of the best gigs of my life.
Absolutely magnificent album. Had the pleasure of seeing the Specials live in 1979 at Loughborough uni on the Two Tone tour with The Selecter and Dexy's. One of the best gigs of my life.
First saw this band on 3rd September 1977 supporting the Stranglers at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on the first date of the 'No More Heroes' Tour. Was impressed then, and grew to love this band.. What a great devut album, although their masterpiece in my opinion is 'Even Serpents Shine'.
Hated this stuff when I was young and music was my everything. Time has not dimmed my dislike.
Pistols started the UK punk movement. A seminal album, though probably not the finest (imo) debut album in the genre. Given the chaos that surrounded the band, the recording and the record company shambles it is an excellent effort.
Not bad, not great.
Very much a departure from their previous work. Need to listen again
Will listen again. Nothing special.
Powerful driving rhythms, Johnson voice unique. Not usually my genre, but I have a soft spot for this album. Saw them alongside the Who, Stranglers, Nils Lofgren at old Wembley Stadium in 1980
Absolutely seminal 90s album. Important piece of art
Pistols started the UK punk movement. A seminal album, though probably not the finest (imo) debut album in the genre. Given the chaos that surrounded the band, the recording and the record company shambles it is an excellent effort.
Disgraceful that I have never listened to this album before. Sounds very '80s. No doubt that this was and is a significant album, but it is too late for me to truly enjoy it.
Not my thang
OK. Nothing out of the ordinary
Absolutely magnificent album. Had the pleasure of seeing the Specials live in 1979 at Loughborough uni on the Two Tone tour with The Selecter and Dexy's. One of the best gigs of my life.
Takes me back. Really great album. Kevin Rowland remains sadly unappreciated. Prefer the Young Soul Rebel era version of Dexy's. No matter.
The first really great Punk album. Urgent and thrilling.
Nice album. Showcases the voice of Ella
Classic album of the Britpop era. Vacillating on how many stars to give it. Although iconic, there were better bands and albums of that era imo. Saw them at Knebworth 1996, although The Prodigy blew them off the stage.
Great Voice. Drives the album completely. Not really my thing. though
influential this may be, but can not listen for pleasure
Urgent, Thrilling, so of its time, esp. some of the misogynistic lyrics
Quite powerful, but prob won't listen again
Seminal album.
Extra special Scots band featuring a very young Bobby G.
First ever listening. I like it a lot. There's a bit of the Clash there, and other inflluences too, but they do their own thing.
Welsh wonders. Sadly missed.
Steve Winwood. Great voice. Will give this another go sometime.
I have got a slightly irrational love for this album. Takes me back to my teens. Trite lyrics and iresistably poppy tunes not usual my bag at all, but this is a great mood uplifter. Love it still though not played for years.
First ever listen. Surprised at how lyrical it is. Not as hard and dark as I thought it would be.
Pretty Damn fine album, but eclipsed by their first. 'The End' is one of my all time favourite tracks. Visited my old school friends at Keele Uni in I think 1979 and they had that track playing on repeat all night. Imprinted...
Sublime. Sadly under-appreciated during his life.
Always loved Peaches En Regalia but not familiar with the rest of the album
Not bad, not great.
Delicate, twee maybe, but some great songwriting, and unique delivery
Classic wandering Van album. In a lot of people's top ever albums. I like, but don't love and prefer other albums from '70s/'80s
Contains one of my favourite songs of all time - 'Streets of Your Town'. Unfortunately the rest of the album doesn't quite match up.
Not for me.
Over played this at the time, and with that and the number of commercials it supported have got over-tired of it.
Beautiful voice and tone.
Absolutely classic debut album from the Banshees. What punk was all about.
First ever listen. Definitely back for more.
Never listed to a TS album before. Will give another go. Some decent collaborators
Will pobably not be be back for further listens
The scope and range are very impressive. Special album. I love this app. Has shown me some excellent music I would never have gone near otherwise.
Great album, but not their finest hour. Very good precursor but Yoshimi is their finest.
Have never understood the great fuss about the Beach Boys, and there is certainly no comparison with 'The Beatles'
Out there kinda shit. Too much for me. Probably great live, but not a comfortable listen sitting in your armchair.
Unique sound. What a talent, the fusion of styles outstanding.
A unique voice.
Some cracking tunes on this album. Also some meh, reflecting my final rating...
Doesn't hit the heights of Psychocandy for me.
Magnificent! Bowie in his '70s pomp.
Some classic songs on here, delivered in Sinatra's classic voice and mode.
Needs more listens before rating properly
Classic live album from The 'Oo. Thrilling stuff
Never listened before. Lovely voice.
OK...
Not for me.
Not a fan. Breaking the Law is OK.
Grew up on this album.
Very upbeat. Mambo.
Never heard all of the tracks on this album before. It's excellent.
My Dad's era and musical style. Can't remember him mentioning him though.
Much more MOR than I expected.
Not the best album from EBTG. I have fond memories of their early albums, especially Eden. Bedsit music from the time when I was living in one.
Nah
Not such a fan of most Country Music, but the lyrics to this album are great. Dolly has always been a great human being as well.
Not bad at all.
Some great Dylan classics on this LP
Great voice, great attitude. Pretty much kick started rock and roll into life
No killer tunes on this one.
Smoky and lovely voice
Lots of misogyny in their despite what he claims. Like the minimal backing music,
Absolute pile of pony
One of Richard D James's more melodic affairs. Like it a lot...
Really enjoyed that.
Maybe not as good as Back in Black, but it's a good 'un.
Classy album.
Never liked Country when it sounded like this.
Dirgey
The start of something very special.
Inimitable.
OK...
Not herd before. Not too shabby
Songs for my wife to be. Fabulous album full of memory.
Some surprising tracks in there - e,g, Run Charlie Run.
A few duds on this one, but there are obviously some absolute stand outs.
Not my thing.
Perfectly acceptable light reggae
Not heard this album before - very familiar with the later stuff. Will definitely be listening again.
First listen. Needs more analysis...
Cool lounge album from the 80s.
Decent music, very irritating singing style
Cannot find on Spotify
Much more down beat than the first album, and not a patch, partly because of this.
Great album. Really like the arrangements and instrumentation used on the songs
I did really like this album, especially the 'A' side. The re-mastering seems to have diminished it a lot.
Cat Stevens - under-rated. Retired far too soon.
Very good Yes album, 3rd only in my eyes to 'The Yes Album' and 'Relayer'
Such an amazing voice. Cruel waste of talent.
Some good stuff, some not so good
Some great music, more than slightly ruined by Anderson's whining.
Pedestrian stuff. How this mob get compared to Nirvana in any meaningful way is beyond me
Needs more listening...
Featuring the great voice of Dusty, and the songwriting skills of Bacharach/David
Totally unfamiliar with the Mekons. Hard to get an accurate impression after one listen
Heavy, driving, hard, too much for these old ears
Peerless. From the album cover design and artwork onwards, a masterpiece showing Zep at their best.
Not the absolute best Van effort, but high quality nonetheless from the old curmudgeon
Such an exciting album. Charismatic, great lyrics, absolutely brilliant take on their times.
Unfortunately for me, these songs all seemed to merge into one.
Not my thing at all. Rubbish
Cool music
I recognise the power and the uniqueness of this band, but it really is a godawful racket.
Inimitable raspy voice, powerful songs.
Different from erlier Smiths album. No worse for that though!
Smooth. How can a guy who takes so much from Black music have such despicable views.
Joyous. I love it.
Pretty revolutionary at the time. Saw them at Knebworth supporting Genesis of all bands. They certainly stood out with their white boiler suits and orange hats.
Better, and with more variety than expected. I had onlt heard School's Out before and remember it from it being released when I was a young teen
Brilliant concept, well helmed...
Not heard this REM album apart from the singles. Not their best, by their high standards, but still good
Pedestrian, unfortunately
Sound very muchof its era, but nevertheless still stands up well.
Not a rap aficionado, but I recognise the excellence of the lyrical content.
Some excellent tracks on this. Faded away towards the end.
Not a bad opener.
Forever classy. One of the best albums of the '80s
Simply sublime. Probably my favourite Nirvana set.
Not a jazzer, but I can dig this man.
The End - one of the best tracks of all time. Brillint album all told.
Lightweight, poppy, not stood the test of time. Was very enamoured of this record as an 18 year old mind.
Plainly, this is way outside of my normal quite eclectic musical boundary. Life's too short unfortunately.
Was gong to be 3, until the interminable Ginger Baker drum solo kicked in.
A lot more downbeat to the Beck stuff I am used to and it suffers for me because of that. Can see why he named the album so.
Just sublime. Such a great album. Music excellent and Liz Fraser's voice and part-nonsense lyrics just so evocative of the best of the 80s.
...and she was only 19!
Old gravel voice. Not the usual poor selection of material from Rod.
Not heard this before, and really like the reggae flute element!
What can you say! It's Aretha.
Ok-ish
Not bad, not electrifying
Yep, he surely laughed. Psychedelic beyond all other psychedelic
Makes a more than pleasant change for Gangsta Rap lyrics. Nice.
Never have liked Suicide. Not changed my opinion
I prefer the San Quentin album. Still a good 'un
Classic album from the '80s. Loved this at the time, still do. Has some f the 80s dated feel, but fares a lot better than most.
Some beautiful songs. Truly a classic
boring, dull, uninteresting. Need I go on.
Bit meh
Not heard before. Excellent. Brazilian to its core, but with influences from the US and UK.
Brought South African Rhythms to my ears. Classic album.
Terrible version of All Tomorrow's parties. Never have liked Kahn's fretless bass playing. Sylvian's voice is very wearing over the course of a whole album. Not really stood the test of time
Classic!
Raw and heavy. Obviously its influences down the years have been massive.
Beautiful and angry voice of her times
Great melodies, driving beat, juvenile lyrics. What's not to love
Return to miserabilist form after a few years from 'Faith'
Still my favourite live album of all time. Saw them at 'Empire Pool' Wembley on this tour.
The Man could no wrong in the Sixties. Sensational stuff.
Some absolute and nostalgic classics on this seminal album
This style of Country has never been, and never will be for me.
Beautiful, almost formless, but somehow less than the sum of its parts
80s tribute act to the 70s. Yawn...
Just sublime piece of West Coast Rock - and the lyrics...
Was looking forward to this, having not heard much Beastie Boys stuff down the years. I loved Intergalactic, but nothing on this album matched up to that at all.
Underwhelming. Maybe would have enjoyed it at the time but never heard their stuff until now. Gone Daddy Gone is the exception.. Brilliant track and use of glock
I like this, and will definitely listen again
Not at all pleasant...
Not as good as his earlier albums imo
Entirely OK.
To my shame I have never come across Milton N. before. Infectious in parts, haunting in others.
Showing it age.
So influential, masters of the '70s
Unique voice and phrasing, nonsense lyyrics, (but who cares). Beautiful and lush.
Like the futuristic sound. Another artist I have never come across before.
Curious mix of 80s style synths with a modern sensibility. I like it, a lot even on first listen.
Not heard this before and impressed by it.
Never really heard why Bruce got so much adulation, but everyone to his own. His heart is in the right place though
Some cracking tunes on this album, thought it is not up there with their best (Setting Sons onwards) due to a couple of duds. Top tunes - A-Bomb, and Down in the Tube Station. Great cover of David Watts too.
Haunting...
Such an influential album. Guitars are spectacular
Stone cold classic.
Easy going, great samples, a pure pleasure
I just love Todd Rundgren. Why has he not been in my life before this year..
Better than I expected. I mostly avoid US punk.
Nah.
Some great collaborations with Uncle John. What a man, singer and guitarist he was. Particularly love the Santana collab.
So so....
Not my favourite NO album. Vocals are thin. Missing Curtis more than ever.
I am sure that if you are a jazzer, this is fantastic, but it is too dense for my shallow tastes..
Each to his own, but this is shockingly awful to me.
Good effort Bill and Wilco and Natalie.
Such a special record. Cash's world weary voice is ideal for this selection. What an epitaph for the master
Not convinced
Some tracks way overblown. Disappointing
Neglected and ignored in his life time, rightly lauded since. Masterpiece of yearning and melancholy.
Feels totally unnecessary. Just aping UK punk. Rubbish
Almost Out Scott Walker's Scott Walker. Droll voice, lyrics and tunes. Classsic 90s album
Good album, but not really floating the old ketch at the minute. Must listen with more intensity.
Odd, but great. Nice one Karin.
Simply thrilling. So much better than most other Heavy Rock.
Enjoyed this far more than I expected. Quite varied. My fave - 'Of Course'
I am old, so I always prefer earlier New Order albums.
Have never though of Madness as an album band. Rightly so it turns out. Bit samey, but the homespun Landun lyrics are a treat.
Like Winwood's vice. Sounds very much of its time.
Generally a very good album, but occasionally loses its way with some songs that should have been omitted or pruned in length.
Driving beat, classic tunes, plenty of samey fillers
Great, but slightly mad.
I came to this album late - let's say 30 years... Classic of the UK '80s.
Absolutely brilliant album. For me, the album of the decade. So innovative, so painstaking in its approach. So many imitators (Avalanches etc.)
Some great songs on this album. Would have loved to have seen them in their pomp.
Need to listen more to get the full benefit. Can tell it is going to be a good 'un.
Sounds like a mix of the Cocteau Twins and Kate Bush. No worse for that.
Superb chill out album.
Some good and powerful songs, but soon gets very samey
One of Bowie's better later works. Getting back on track after a frankly dismal couple of decades.
One of, if not the best, album of Steely Dan.
Gorgeous voice. Timeless songs. Why have I not heard this before. I always thought Ingenue was her first..
Pretty Dark...
Almost indistinguishable from Steely Dan in musical terms.
Classic from my bedsit days. Just great songs for the position in life I was in at that time
What a great songwriter. Some of the arrangements a little clunky to these modern ears, but almost flawless otherwise
A Throwback, but modern also. Nice voice, colossal playing, but not differential enough between tracks to make it great.
Couple of crackers in there, but overall somewhat disappointed
Urgent, angry, relentless beats, powerful lyrics. Exceptional
Glorious voice... but you knew that
Entirely unexceptional. Not really my thing
Sounds like it could have been written and performed by a British punk band. I like it.
Obviously, some classics, but I much prefer Jonathan Richman's later, more naive work.s
Big soft spot for 10cc. Some clever lyrics and beautiful melodies.
Angry, of its time, although to be fair of our time also if not for the misogyny etc...
Not such a fanboy of this album... Maybe my least favourite
Super special album. Saw then at Ally Pally shortly after this album was released. Great gig...
Definitely worth more listens. Having to give it a 3 for now.
Not varied enough to hold my long term interest I am afraid
Spiky guitars, nice bass from Tina Weymouth, spoiled by the irritating voice of David Byrne
Forgotten that the Sabs did such good stuff. Nearly a 4 star.
Giving it her all as always, a wonderful debut album.
Disappointed
Nope
Warm voice, spectacular guitar, the other 2 aren't half bad either.
Surprisingly (to me), they re not a one trick pony. Some very good stuff. I am converted. Favourite track on first listen - 'Listen'!
The Who go psychedelic! Weird and wonderful.
Not come across this duo before now. First listen - really like the sensibility, the vocals, the simplicity. Will definitely put this on rotation.
Got better as the album wore on, but I will give it a miss
Almost perfection.
Pretty good.
Just such an immense album from my youth.
Pretty revolutionary in its day.
Distinctly average. Never saw the great fuss over this band and album.
I like this a lot. Definitely on the play list for the future.
I don't know what it is about Springsteen. His heart is in the right place and the lyrics are very good. I just find the music overblown/overwrought. Not for me.
Chameleon like Bowie had changed once more. Spectacularly good.
Aggressive, outraged (and rightly so), elements of misogyny. The usual...
OK, but did not set my world alight
Beautiful album. Absolute classic.
Not really heard much from Wilco. Enjoying it. Another play required to cement my enjoyment.
Electric voice. Great stuff.
Superior stuff. Anything with Jansch/Renbourn would be!
Absolute stone cold classic songs The Passenger and Lust for Life on this one. Strangely, given my love for Punk/New Wave and late 70's Bowie I had not listened to this complete album before. Eejit.
Not too bad as far as Bruce Springsteen goes
Not bad, better than I thought it would be. Some good songs on this album.
Probably the 'least best' of Bowie's mid- to late-70s albums, but still far ahead of most other artists of the time.
I am sure this has an audience who appreciate it, but it's not for me.
There is some great stuff on here , instance 'Hey Ya!', one of the all time great pop songs, but there is also some execrable crap, e.g 'Where are my panties', 'Roses'. A curate's egg
OK. No expert in Afrobeat.
What a songwriter he was. Great stuff
Superb voice, some absolutely fabulous tunes too
Totally missed this band down the decades. Reminds me (a little bit) of Gang of Four who I love. Vrey giid indeed.
Fey, but consistently brilliant. So close to getting 5 stars
Th unique voice of Nico. Highly distinctive. Probably not the best of her work
Almost where it all started.
Relentless. Driving beats, gruff voice of Lemmy. From the initial chords, could be no other band. What a gret live album.
Folk, even with the great Richard Thompson is not cutting it for me right now. Catch me in a few month's time and I might have a different opinion on this album..
Played this to death on cassette as an Inbetweener in the mid 70s (way before I had seen 'The Exorcist'). Glad to re-listen now, though it is interminable. Rated for the nostalgia...
Love the innovative use of the electric jug. Less convinced by Roky's voice.
Interesting, but not varied enough to keep my attention
A very good album, but it doesn't quite reach the heights.
What an album. I discovered the Smiths just after I started my first job after uni. Still sticks in my mind
Not aged well - at all. Tarkus - the track is the best by dar.
Highlight of MJ's career in all probability.
Absolutely defining album of the '90s
Can appreciate the sentiments, but Country is not really my thing
The Genesis of Robyn Hitchcock's career, but he went on to much greater things than this.
Not heard this one, but sounds like it could be one of his best after his first 3 albums, which were all stunning.
Simply one of the top albums ever released Knocks nearly all other West Coast stuff for an enormous six.
New band to me. Quite like it, but not enough to rate highly, or to be honest, listen to it again.
Really like the cinematic feel of this. Could grow to love it.
Guitar by McGeoch out of this world. What a fantastic album. Siouxsie really finds her voice on this one.
Classic post punk power pop from the mancs
Psych with a but of proto heavy metal thrown in.
Got time for a lot of Americana, but this leaves me mostly cold.
To be fair to the band, I started off thinking it was utter juvenile trash. however, by the end I was battered into (almost) submission. Quite like the nod to rap, but unfortunately, overall it is not for me.
Starts off so Stones-Y - with an edge. One of the precursors to punk. Jet Boy - a stone cold classic.
Not quite as revolutionary as I expected. Probably too late for me to listen to regularly. My tastes have moved on.
Nice! Grrrreat!
Fucking nuts, tho' to be fair, didn't expect anything else. Plenty of method in the nuttiness, but not very listenable to. It's a no from me.
Ultra modern. Will need a few more listens to decide properly. *** will be a place holder
Impassioned, passionate, heartfelt. Really pleased to hear this. Always considered Wainwright to over-wring his songs to death, but to hear them in a collection gives them so much power.
I recognise the significance of this record. However, the legacy edition is too long for me. I prefer the brevity and concentration of the non-legacy.
First saw this band on 3rd September 1977 supporting the Stranglers at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on the first date of the 'No More Heroes' Tour. Was impressed then, and grew to love this band.. What a great devut album, although their masterpiece in my opinion is 'Even Serpents Shine'.
Love the discordancy, the beats, the eerie atmosphere. Roybgiv is a track of stunning beauty.
Right up my street. Never heard before. Will definitely be on the replay list
Like this a lot. Warrants more listens
Not as bad as I thought it would be. Not too bad Kinks cover.
Very good indded - even on first listen.
This really isn't my thing at all. Never has been, never will be. I had to have a rest from listening to it half way through to give my ears a rest. Bit of soothing Dizzy Gillespie instead - and I don't really do jazz.
Great album, but albums were not primarily where the Undertones were at imo. Peerless with the 3 minute 45rpm, with Teenage Kicks being in my all time top ten singles. On this album we have two absolute classics - My Perfect Cousin and Wednesday Week
OK, but well past his best period by this point.
Superlative masterpiece. Soundtrack to my mid-teens
Driving rhythms, but just not my thing
I can see what the fuss is about now. Lovely voice. Ditto songs. I can hear the ghost of Johnny Cash in a few.
Nope, not for me.
Surprisingly good. My sister always loved this band whilst I have consistently ignored them! Will listen more.
Yet another band I have not come across before. For some reason I thought it would be 60s psychedelia. Definitely od the 80s, but that's not a problem. Like it a lot.
Obviously some absolute classics there, but there is definitely some filler.
I am definitely not the audience for this. Obviously can appreciate it, but there you go.
Helped define an era in the UK. They burnt brightly, but unfortunately it didn't last.
Love this. Always a fan of Bossa Nova, this spare electronic accompaniment is sublime.
EBTG venture into Drum & Bass and Trip hop. OK, but far from their best work.
Never got why this was so popular. Terrible version of Jumping Jack Flash is probably the lowlight
Not for me
Was really looking forward to listening to this album, but was quite underwhelmed.
Powerful, primeval and other p words
Candy flossy, and pretty much all that I hated about early 80s British music. Aged better than I thought. Now like the choppy guitars, not so much the bass (V. 80s). Songs diminish in quality as the album progresses. Heyward has a good voice. Gone up in my estimation. Effing dreadful name for a band.
Let the band swing. Love it.
Pretty damn revolutionary in its day. Still sounds brilliantly fresh today.
Like this a lot. Upbeat, just great.
Not my thing. Too poppy.
Some classic songs on this, a debut album. Classy as well as classic. Great stuff
To my shame, this is the first time I have actually listed to the Dead. I have always been put off by the thought that they were absolutely shambolic, and unlistenable to. More than pleasantly surprised.
Murphy's vocals good, music good too.
It's Stevie W!
The only Elton John album that I have ever had time for. Stand out.
Nice bit of jazz. Never really been my thing, but will definitely listen again
I have had this album since the early 70s but only ever really played side 4. Seen no reason to change that now.
One of his best!
Gotta love Jamiroquai, even if this is basically a Stevie W Ripoff in so many ways.
Just too difficult for poor old me to get to grips with.
Some good stuff in there, but samey after a while.
Contrasting guitars, Verlaine's keening voice. Stunning title track. Absolutely classic New Wave album.
One of Elvis's best albums, before he got older and turned to the bad.
Sometimes her voice is a little overwrought for my tastes. Classy album however, with some great stuff including the collabs with BEF.
So so...
Finally, some Country I enjoy. Great stuff!
Pleasant new Agey background music
He has a beautiful voice. However, others have done these songs better imo.
Zep in their pomp. Spectacular album, and one of my all time favourites.
This was the last of their truly great albums.
Superlative early Cure album.
Ok ish. Not my thing.
Some revolutionary stuff here.
Some great songs, but as usual Madonna's voice is somewhat lacking
Nice voice, and backing music. Usual misogynistic lyrics despite some attempts to go the other way.
A lovely bit of British whimsy.
Typical Chilis. Propulsive bass by Flea driving the songs. Choppy guitar.
Not heard this one. Cool and jazzy underpinning to Joni. Like it a lot on first listen. Going to be a favourite.
A Worthy successor to Lynyrd Skynrd! With better attitudes! Nice.
So old fashioned, but so modern too. Love this.
Fast, hard and frenetic. Mostly rock & roll standards leavened with some originals. Revolutionary in its time, subsequently influential
Not my thing AT ALL! Never has been, never will. Bombastic, bollocky, bollox. Krappy and Krummy Kobblers.
Some nostalgia there. Unexpectedly, still stands up very well.
Freebird - one of the all time great tracks, backed with some ok stuff, bit nothing thrilling enough to make me listen again.
Hated this stuff when I was young and music was my everything. Time has not dimmed my dislike.
Doesn't quite hit the heights of their other late albums, but that's a quibble...
Some great tunes. Probably their best album.
Love the guitar sound. Never even heard of this band. Intrigued.
Frantically trying to ignore M's dodgy political stance and pronouncements to concentrate on the (very good) lyrics and music. Where did he go wrong?
The first 'proper' album that I ever bought. Absolute stone cold classic and in the top 3 of all Yes releases in my opinion along with Yessongs and controversially for many, Relayer. Steve Howe's guitar playing - superb. Chris Squire's bass likewise. Just also love Tony Kaye's keys as well. Again, in my opinion the best keyboard player they ever had, which says a lot given that Wakeman and Moraz are extra special too. Nothing sweeter than Anderson's voice, and this is when Yes lyrics were still mainly of this planet. Mustn't forget Bruford too, a top quality drummer.
Cinematic, reminiscent of John Barry, Death in Vegas , David Holmes,(maybe t'other way round for the latter 2) in parts. Was always a big fan of Magazine, and his collabs have always been great. Top notch
What a brilliant album. Stevie Wonder - so influential. What a talent.
Worth another listen for sure.
Absolutely riveting voice.
Not heard this in full before, but it is so obviously part of the Bowie/Eno/Iggy 1970s nexus (even though Eno wa NOT involved in this one). Carlos Alomar's unmistakable guitar style in there too,
Nope
Just their shambolic best. Love this
Poor. Not humorous, just not anything.
Not for me.
Can do without this in my life, although the songs and music got better over the length of the album.
Usual caveats on his stance on many things, but... pretty damn good album
Reminds me a little of Ct Stevens who was writing and recording at the same time. Maybe the other way round!
Anthem for a UK generation (not mine unfortunately) appears on this excellent album.
Heard of, without hearing this band (knowingly). Excellent on first listen.
Great fun. Not heard most of these tracks before. Such a contrast to all the misogynistic shite coming out of hip hop/rap at the time. Up there with De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest.
I am afraid this leaves me quite cold. The groaning guitars, the strangled vocals, the over-intrusive drums and the over-long guitar solos just does nothing for me.
Never been that conviced about this concept album from Genesis. Much preferred most other Genesis albums from the '70s, both before and after this one.
Like this one.
Pretty damn sublime. Rodgers and Edwards sprinkling their magic dust. And to think back in the day I dismissed disco out of hand.
Good without being excellent
Really liked a couple of tracks, Suspicious Minds, and In The Ghetto, but mostly a bit meh.
Definitely worth more investigation.
One of the best artists composing and performing from the UK in the last 30 years. This is a stand out album, up their with her best, and hence one of the greatest albums
Dullsville, USA
Very 80s. Not as bad as I remember, but no classic
What an album, what a band. Loved their stage shows in this era. Some truly brilliant songs. Stand out - Yoshimi (of course), Do You Realize??
Bob Dylanesque
Surprisingly pedestrian. Punk required to sweep this sort of stuff away
Nice voice, unexceptional songs. Country has never been a favourite genre. This one won't make my exception list
Very samey, sounds like a petulant bunch of adolescents. Not really enjoying over much
Man, this was a true eye opener. Loved it on even first ever listen. Going to hit the 5 stars
Absolutely massive fan of this album when it was first released. It has palled somewhat over the years, so just fails to get the full 5 stars.
Such a recognisable voice. Brilliant songs
For me, the pinnacle of his late 70s albums. The two contrasting sides of this LP totally drew me in. Probably still mty favourite of all Bowie's albums
Like this by this pioneering crew. The mix with the rock elements is surprising for the time and it works. It's like that is obviously the stan out.
Another totally new experience. Definitely going to be a grower. Provisional 4
Just love this album. Key record for 90s Britain.
Yet another band I have not come across before. Instinctively like it. Great driving beat on most tracks leavened with stuff like 'New Intro'.
Not the best example of the Cure's work. Never less than interesting however
I am not the greatest fan of Heavy rock/metal (except Led Zep of course). However I do have a massive soft spot for AC/DC and Motorhead, and this is is ane axcellent album from the definitive version of the band.
Tuneful, camp, vaudevillian, better than I remembered, but on the whole, not my thing. Wasn't at the time, won't ever be. Standout - 'You're my best friend'. I am so so bored with Bohemian Rhapsody.
Ca see the influences it had on many other band that I admire, so it's a yes from me
Way more sophisticated than I thought it was going to be. Nice job Sabs.
Unique voice, but I just can't get over the feeling that he is putting this all on. So cannot wholeheartedly enjoy this
Like the waterfall like backing on a couple of tracks.
Some cracking tunes on this album powered by McCulloch's strong voice. Spent a whole summer (1981?) listening to a 1+1 cassette with this backing U2's Boy.
Simply has an extraordinary voice. Let down by some of the material, but so absolute crackers in there too, including of course the singles.
Classic of its era. The blockheads were such a tight band too. Norma Watt-Roy is just a spectacular bassist.
Tried to give this the benefit of the doubt, but nah, not for me, but then why would it be.
Classic jangly guitars from the fannies of Bellshill, a place close to my heart
Oh Gawd I'd forgotten about the never-ending drum solo in 'The Mule'. Why, oh Why. Plenty better 70s live albums than this, including by Deep Purple! Still, Gillan's voice is mostly great, and Jon Lord's keyboards and of course Ritchie's guitar and licks are legendary.
Pas mal.
I bought this album in the 1970s, but it never got a lot of play. At the time I was shifting my musical mindset from prog to punk/new wave, and this was too associated with the 'old'. On revisiting, it is decent without bein spectaculsr.
Samey, no melodies or tunes to peak of. Not for me.
The only Doors album I have not heard before. Not sure how it passed me by. It is just as good as most others. Morrison's voice excellent, the band tight and strong. Love it.
Elvis's first, and one of his best. Some classic songs - Alison being one of my faves
Just groovy man
V good
My preferred Lemonheads album is ' car, button, cloth', but this one a close second
Not for me. Just too much
Some great stuff on this album
First of his classic albums. Love it
The Incomparable Sandy Denny...
One of, if not the very, finest Welsh bands ever, duking it out with the Manics. Such a great body of work.
Classic album from the mid '90s. Block Rocking beats... ..to make a chemical analogy
Brilliant, nothing else to say abut it.
Much better than I thought it would be. Grace Slick has a great voice. I caught Jefferson Starship as they became, without Slick who had just been kicked out. This was at Knebworth 1978 supporting Genesis. They were terrible.
The first completely self-penned album. Excellent throughout.
'Classic' country. I can appreciate the musicality and the musicianship but this just leaves me cold.
MM, dodgy geezer, but had vision and a magpie like ability to capture and cannibalise the zeitgeist to thoroughly mix metaphors. Not heard this album all the way through before, but Buffalo Gals and Double Dutch have always been up there as two of my favourite tracks of all time. The Japanese inflected Obatala is a lovely start. Elements of hip hop, Country, Southern African music abound. Great stuff
This is just excellent. Just love the Hammond organ on this. Got to be one of my favourite jazz albums of all time. A Blue note classic
Sorry, too much of a pleb to really enjoy this.
Never come across even the name of this band before, so was totally unprepared for it. On first listen, really enjoyed the music and will come back to it. 3 stars is really only a place holder. Needs to be listened to more.
All that pent up frustration came out in this great album. Nice one George.
Just love the driving nature of the beat. One of my favourite artists of the '10s
Art, brilliant, cool, delicate, exposing, fresh, great, heartfelt, icy, juicy, krazy, loopy, magnificent, noteworthy, opinionated, quiet, respected, strange, treasured, umbilical, vesperteeny, wise, xtc, yearning, zestful
Absolute cacophony. No enjoyment here.
Probably my favourite U2 album. Some great tracks.
Surprisingly good. Enjoyed it
Birthday the standout. Nothing can beat Bjork's voval gymnastics and the way she attacks teach track
Very average indeed
One of the best albums ever made. Marvtastic
Not for me.
Sandy Denny. Such a gorgeous voice. She died way too young.
Can really appreciate this album and it' s place in the Rock canon. Not heard before, but I immediately like it. Something Arthur Lee like in it's vocal quality. Intricate guitar work. going to hit this with a straight 4. The title song is far too long however. Who needs a drum solo on a non-live album...
Thoughtful, intelligent. These guys are a class above. Brilliant variety.
Was all over this album when it was first released. Classic of its kind, but I would put any contemporary Isao Tomita album above this. Still very good though
Not for me, too hard and heavy
Gosh, I'd forgotten how many great pop tunes from my childhood emanated from this group. Some great stuff.
Stunning album.
Perfectly adequate AOR.
This one did not immediately hit me so I can only give it a 3 stars on first lesson though I will listen further.
OK, was expecting something spectacular
Short, but very sweet, what a performer/performance!
God, Weller has got boring in middle and old age. Come back the Jam and The Style Council.
Every girl and woman of my acquaintance had a copy of this album in the 70s. What's not to like.
First track so reminded me of X-Ray Spex which is no bad thing.
Pretty pedestrian rock and roll. I bought a vinyl copy in the '70s after seeing TP live supporting Genesis at Knebworth in 1978, but it didn't get many outings. I was sadly disappointed.
Some great tracks in their - Onie for instance.
Not my thing.
Never a massive fan of the Stones, particularly this period
Stupendous album, sinister, electric, everything that made the Manics great at that time. How I wished that I got to see them in those days.
Better than I remember. Doomy lyrics and vocals but surprisingly tuneful, Dominion - excellent.
Massive soft spot for this one. Brought back a particular time in my life.
What a great album. Not an aficionado of Can, maybe I should dig deeper. Can hear elements of Zappa in this.
Taxi!
Never quite got Muse
Seminal album of the '90s
Like this! Esp the tracks for the soundtrack from 'Here we go round the mulberry bush!
Magnificent!
Such an excellent album. Soundtrack to our growing up families lives
Got a late appreciation of this guy after 'Down in the Hole' themed 'The Wire'.
Bang average meat and potatoes fare.
Have always been put off the Beastie Boys by the diabolical whiny, yelpy vocals. Sampling, song writing and lyrics are top drawer though.
Going to need more listens to get a definitive impression
Couple of fillers in there but an unexpected and pleasant surprise. Time has treated Duran Duran relatively well in comparison with some of their peers who to me sound wholly of their time.
Exhausting Listen
A couple of standout tracks esp. 'Maybe I'm Amazed', but not a patch on what had gone before, or indeed what came after in the mid 1970s
The Bottles is one great track. Got to love Gil and his poetry AND mellifluous voice
Such catchy tunes. Love this.
Very special album. Beth Gibbon's vocals exceptional. Love this.
Some old classics in there. Not so sure about the Re-Mastering.
Such a classic
Great sounds from my youth, particularly Fascist Groove Thang
Started promisingly, but soon went way out there.
Just misses out on a 5 star rating cos it just kinds of makes you a little fed up with the relentless sameness after a while.
Floyd well past their best by the time this album came out.
Came very late in life to early Scott WAlker, and then there was a period when I listened to little else. The four first Scott albums are stunning and this one is possibly the finest.
Convincing voice. Like this a lot
Quite dull and boring. Very samey. Would be much better as just an instrumental
Absolutely exhausting. My ears are burning. It's a no from me.
I was not at all looking forward to listening to this. No, not at all. But I ended up really quite liking it. Tuneful in its way. A clear voice and a message.
Npot as bad as I thought it would be.
Wide screen filmicification. Beautifully done
So close to 5 stars. Just such an excellent Dance album with so much variety.
Very good, much better than I thought it was going to be. Avoided this kind of music from the late 70s onwards
Sharp, spiky, era defining.
Some good stuff on here, but ultimately a little dull.
Really quite like this, but not enough to put it on my 'listen again' list
Intricate guitar work. World music classic
Another great World Music sound, with the peerless Ry Cooder backing Alli up.
Legendarily difficult album. Too difficult for my small and non-drug addled brain. Can just about appreciate its out-thereness and that's about it.
Discordant, not for listening for pleasure, fantastically packaged, not for everyone but the combination of Wobble, Levene and Lydon is quite special.
Better than I expected/remembered. George's tone is mellifluous and the backing singers are excellent. Suffers from 80s bass/keyboards and production however.
Not quite go the power, passion and absolute intensity of Quadrophenia, but still fantastic. Also can't unhear the soundtrack versions of songs by the Acid Queen and Elton.
Got to admit that I have never heard this before. Instant classic with me. Love it to bits.
The outstanding creation of late period Bad Seeds. Just stands out from most other things of this decade.
One of his best, and revolutionary for the time.
Used to like the Doves a lot, maybe too much. Although the tuneage is still great, the vocalist grates my ears these days.
My sister's favourite band back in the day. Just a little dull for me.
Stupendous album from a band who were still teenagers when it was released. Just an instant classic.
Not my bag, baby. Heard worse though
Quite exhausting to listen to. Not getting it at all. On track 5 and I am knackered. No sign of any tunes yet. Now giving me a headache. Will not be listening to this again. This one's for the kids. My brain is not wired for this.
She has such a beautiful, powerful voice. What a great debut album.
Well, I am sure if I spent some serious time re-listing to this I would get a lot out of it, but life is too short.
Good, but without any way being spectacular.
Purtty damn fahn
Too much like hard work
Early Big Beat album. Enjoyed it at the time especially the collab with Beth Orton
Some great stuff on this, but oh my word it is just too exhausting. 33 would have been too much for one album.
This is just such a gorgeous thing. Even today, almost 25 years since I first heard it, 'Sweetest Decline' and 'Central Reservation' can still send shivers down my back and move me to tears
First time listener. Excellent!
Short and sweet debut.
Some great tunes. Ultimately her voice is wearing. Some dodgy lyrics (reflecting her age and maturity I guess). Still, v. enjoyable as a whole
Was dreading this, but it was so much better than I thought it would be. Psychedelia tinged. Falsetto kepy well under control.
Never heard this guy. Just one word. Fantastic.
Superlative Dylan
Gotta love a bit of the junglist stuff. Loved D'n'B in the 90s
Big Beat at its best. Cracking
Never really got The Waterboys. Ponderous and pedestrian stuff
Not m cuppa char, not at all
Brill
Such a great album. Stir it Up is my all time favourite Marley track. This album shaded by their later work, but brilliant nonetheless
Mellow jazz influenced D'n'B. Cool.
One of those classic albums during Bowie's incredible run which basically lasted the whole of the '70s. Peerless
Prefer his ambient stuff tbh
Well, had never heard of this guy and didn't even know he wrote Everybody's Talkin'. What a find. Thanks 1001 albums. Fine guitarist, great songwriter.
Not quite as good as The Royal Scam and Pretzel Logic, but still mighty fine
Classic
Not really my thing...
Superlative.
I have heard much worse in this genre, not that it's my thing.
A real find. Like this a lot.
Not designed for me, and it is so
Fabulous. So eclectic.
Mick Head is one of the greatest (unappreciated) songwriters from Britain in the last 30 years.
Not my usual thing, but better than the average
Not bad for a Stones/Zep hybrid...
What's no to like!
Like the hard rock beats, not so much the misogynistic lyrics
Cath's Clown of course. Topp tune.
Revolutionary at the time
Quintissentially English. The essence of the 60s
Only just shy of 5 stars. Great find
Shockingly awful
Not really my thing, but better than I thought it would be. Liked the rap element
Simply superb. Derry's finest
Just totally fatigued with the macho, misogynist selection of rap stuff presented to me. Not cool
k
What a special talent
Curates egg...
Such a fantastic voice, such a waste.
God, there's not much to like about this. Vocals are horrible, so are the wailing guitars and the keyboard elements are sooooooo dated. Lyrics not much cop either. Naff
Not quite at their absolute best yet, but a significant step up from Led Zep 1
Just excellent.
90s classic Norman
Downbeat. Not so good as the early stuff
Rare find. My only critique is that they should have broken this down into 2 albums. Just too much to take in easily
So close to a 5 star. The contrast with the keening vocals of Rowlands with the upbeat backing of the band is astonishingly good. Love this album
surprisingly more than OK.
Sublime
Where it started...
Some great ideas in there...
Impressive
What a fantastic band the Who were. Moon is just fantastic on this. Similar for Townshend's guitar. Daltrey on top form and weaving his magic, The Ox.
Never quite saw why they were so lauded.
Very up (of course). Some of it felt a little old-fashioned - particularly the keys, but overall a great experience.
Love it.
Sublime
I divorced my opinions on the man from his music on this album.
Fabulously sleazy.
Very good indeed on first ever listen. Did this band ever cross the pond?