523
Albums Rated
3
Average Rating
48%
Complete
566 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
55
5-Star Albums
43
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rapture
Anita Baker
|
5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
|
I See A Darkness
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
The Trinity Session
Cowboy Junkies
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
Hejira
Joni Mitchell
|
5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
|
Vespertine
Björk
|
5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
|
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
The Real Thing
Faith No More
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Wall
Pink Floyd
|
1 | 4.14 | -3.14 |
|
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
|
1 | 4.02 | -3.02 |
|
Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
|
1 | 3.74 | -2.74 |
|
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
|
1 | 3.7 | -2.7 |
|
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
|
1 | 3.6 | -2.6 |
|
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
|
1 | 3.58 | -2.58 |
|
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
|
1 | 3.5 | -2.5 |
|
Play
Moby
|
1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
|
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Parklife
Blur
|
1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 5 |
| Sonic Youth | 4 | 4.5 |
| The Smiths | 3 | 4.67 |
| Steely Dan | 3 | 4.67 |
| Pavement | 2 | 5 |
| Michael Jackson | 2 | 5 |
| Joni Mitchell | 2 | 5 |
| Aretha Franklin | 2 | 5 |
| Belle & Sebastian | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | 2 | 1 |
| The Who | 4 | 1.75 |
| Megadeth | 2 | 1.5 |
| Blur | 2 | 1.5 |
| Madonna | 2 | 1.5 |
| Roxy Music | 3 | 2 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 4 | 2.25 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Pink Floyd | 2, 1, 4, 5 |
| Deep Purple | 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (55)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Adele
2/5
More Adele. She can sing, but I'm not engaged. Whatever the reviewers who describe her voice as enigmatic or magical can hear, I definitely do not. I hear a stage-school show-singer belting uninteresting ballads in a mid-Atlantic yowl. Millions disagree with me, but I'm ok with that.
19 likes
Christina Aguilera
1/5
Tried to listen with no prejudice. Disc one is fairly painful; unchallenging dusty beats with Xtina moaning over the top. Disappointed to find out most of it was produced by DJ Premier. 'Thank You' was frankly embarrassing, as was the section naming famous musicians. Saying "Billie Holiday" out loud doesn't musically align you with your hero, it just reminds me that I could be listening to something better than this. The songs on disc two weren't all that, but were a far better use of her voice.
16 likes
Circle Jerks
4/5
Excellent hardcore punk record. Stupid, bratty, loud. What more do you want?
16 likes
The Avalanches
1/5
Oh dear. I hate repeated vocal samples. Frontier Psychiatrist used to make me want to break my radio. This might hurt... First album I can't actually listen to. So annoying. Good loops, but that horse sample and the same word 1,000 times just sounds moronic.
9 likes
Pink Floyd
1/5
The downward slope after Dark Side Of The Moon was steep. Indulgent and inappropriate, I fail to see how anyone could identify with this album. Definitely not worth the time.
9 likes
1-Star Albums (43)
All Ratings
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Don't love the voice. Drums and bass are amazing though.
Thelonious Monk
4/5
Great Monk album. Not totally sure I love Monk. Ended up reading more about Pannonica than much else. I need to run through the lead sheet on Brilliant Corners because I don't understand it as a composition.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Title track sounds like a Bond theme. Pretty overblown. Could do without the strings and the harp. Memorable songs, but with the orchestrations and earnestness of the voice, I don't plan to listen again.
Pavement
5/5
Know it, love it. Easy listening day for me!
Buffalo Springfield
2/5
Bit of a dirge compared to their first album. Don't think I'll be returning.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
I was waiting for this to show up. It was only a matter of time, but I expected it would take more than a week. It's fine, it's swirly, atmospheric. It's got a few great pop tunes on it, but I can't say I listen to it often for fun. I probably don't do enough drugs.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
Good rapping, not great subject matter, kinda dull beats, too much sex.
Rush
2/5
Not for me. I guess I'll have to face some more Rush before this project is over. While bits of it are fine and some great bass and drum sections, that voice is grating and I prefer less insane song structures.
OutKast
3/5
Good album obscured by really painful skits. The rise of Spotify should at least mean the death of the Chumbawumba effect and the skit.
Nirvana
5/5
Prefer the way the other two albums sound, but still an awesome album.
John Lennon
3/5
Hard work. Sounds like it was recorded behind a mattress.
Peter Frampton
2/5
It's a live album... beyond the talky guitar thing there's no much remarkable here. I'm going to check out the studio albums next though.
Beach House
2/5
Not grabbing me. Sounds like advert music.
The Byrds
3/5
Classic jangle pop. Interesting to hear the whole album. But not sure I'll be returning to it.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Birthday is really the stand out hit. I think I need to live with the album for a bit longer to get a feel for any of the other tracks.
N.W.A.
4/5
Definitely front loaded, but what an opening!
Duran Duran
3/5
Good, glossy 80s pop. Don't think I'll be putting it back on any time soon though. The singles are definitely the stand out tracks.
Johnny Cash
4/5
I like the upbeat songs. The slower ones like I Still Miss Someone sound like he's singing hymns to me. Fun album.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
OMG, this album used to mean so much to me. I've already played it to death, but here we go.
Sigur Rós
4/5
I'm doing ok at this game. Listened this album to death back in the day too. It's still dreamy, it's still good, but sounds a little bit old to me.
The Avalanches
1/5
Oh dear. I hate repeated vocal samples. Frontier Psychiatrist used to make me want to break my radio. This might hurt... First album I can't actually listen to. So annoying. Good loops, but that horse sample and the same word 1,000 times just sounds moronic.
Radiohead
4/5
This is a nice palate cleanser after The Avalanches. God I hate that record.
I've got too many memories connected to this album to be truly objective, but it's a great 90s rock record. I will always love Just, but some of the maudlin numbers aren't all that great - high and dry / fake plastic trees.
Mike Oldfield
1/5
Folk prog? This really isn't for me.
3/5
Anthemic stadium rock. Sounds like contemporary worship music, although that's not U2's fault. Very front-loaded album. Split up the hits, kids!
Megadeth
1/5
This man likes... ellipses. Great technical playing, I really don't enjoy the vocals though.
Led Zeppelin
2/5
Safe to say, I'm not a fan.
Beatles
4/5
Not their best, but some great songs on here. And then there's Run For Your Life.
Carpenters
2/5
I like the hits, but over a whole album the style is just too cheesy.
a-ha
2/5
Singles stand out, but after a few listens, I didn't feel much for this one.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
Totally ok album, listened to it a lot when I was a kid. Didn't find it to be as good as I remember. Maybe I'm in a bad mood. I'll put it on again when I'm happier!
U2
2/5
Enjoyed this album more than Joshua Tree. I still don't get anyone being excited about U2. Maybe they have so many imitators that this sound just feels bland now.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Poppy, moody, fun, dense. A great album.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
Noisy but fun. Must have been an exciting live gig, but I think the drumming is a bit too much for this to ever be a favourite album of mine. Although I definitely enjoy the parts more than the whole.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
Interesting to read about, preferable to overproduced country rock, but still not all that compelling to me. Worked fine in the background like bar music.
ABBA
3/5
Interesting to listen to the hits in the context of an album, but the singles are what this is really about. Fun, great pop singles, but not a great album.
Ray Charles
4/5
Don't enjoy the string and choral arrangements, but his voice and piano and stunning.
Beatles
4/5
Grew up with this album so no chore here. Wildly uneven, starts with a piss take, ends with a piss take. Not sure even the Beatles wanted us to take this album seriously. Lots to enjoy, lots of fast forward.
Anthrax
3/5
I like the sound of it but wasn't in the mood for thrash today. I'll have to return to it.
Björk
4/5
Know it. Love it. Nice to listen to it twice yesterday!
Willie Nelson
3/5
Enjoyed the simplicity of it all. Kinda the opposite of the Ray Charles Modern Sounds in Country from 16 years previous.
Shuggie Otis
1/5
I should love this, however, found it kinda underwhelming and forgettable. Maybe it's a summer album.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
Lovely album that my dad used to enjoy. Listening to now it's patchy, but great harmonies and good songs. Can't really knock it.
Bonnie Raitt
1/5
A bit bland for my tastes, despite me usually liking well played AOR. I checked out a few of her earlier albums and it just sounds like this album sanded off all Raitt's rough edges. Too smoooooth.
The Smiths
4/5
Love it. Not a consistent album by any means but up there for me.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Dylan is Dylan. Hard to get excited about. Rambling, occasionally touching, pretty messy.
Thundercat
4/5
Previously heard Them Changes but never listened to the full album. My mistake. This is fun!
Fats Domino
3/5
Great stuff. Not really an album, but a load of enjoyable hits.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
Enjoyable in an "of its time" kinda way. Don't think it's one I'd return to though.
Digital Underground
2/5
Not terrible, but not amazing. I can understand people loving this, but I think you had to be there at the time.
Barry Adamson
1/5
Strange mix of songs. I'm also mortified that a bass player would try to make a bass sound like it. It sounds like General Midi on Miles(tones). Jarvis, while a national treasure is a creepy man. I don't like him ejaculating out of my headphones.
Lou Reed
4/5
Fela Kuti
3/5
Exciting music, but every time the chants start I start looking at how long the song has left.
Orange Juice
4/5
Love it. Jangly, weird, inconsistent!
The Auteurs
2/5
Want to like this album more than I do because of Auteurs history as Britpop outsiders. However I hate Luke Haines' voice so don't think I'll ever listen to this again. Also, every song sounds like an acoustic guitar demo that's had other instruments thrown at it. The album could sound a lot better than it does.
Circle Jerks
4/5
Excellent hardcore punk record. Stupid, bratty, loud. What more do you want?
Air
4/5
Ah, the sound of 1998 sophistication, familiar from every coffee shop, dinner party and dorm room that wanted to class itself up a bit. I think I prefer the Beth Hirsch vocal tracks to anything else on here. "Le soleil est près de moi" from the Premiers Symptômes EP really should have been included too. 4 stars for nostalgia.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Great soundtrack. I don't think I've listened to it beyond the Theme. Some of it sounds like it could have come from yesterday's Moon Safari.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
Seminal. Must admit I was very surprised to hear the non-rap tracks on this album but The Message is still amazing. Not sure I'd come back to listen to the whole thing as an album though so 4.5 I guess.
Donald Fagen
4/5
I love this album, but it is definitely not something you have to hear before you die. Super smooth.
Brian Eno
3/5
Weird. Kinda good, kinda bad. Think this one needs to sink in a bit more before I decide whether I actually like it or not. For now it's a 3 star for me.
The Cure
3/5
Not their best album, but it has some great songs on it. Seems to be half way between new wave Cure and goth Cure so it's an interesting transitional record, but not essential.
Miles Davis
3/5
This always sounded like a brass band playing jazz to me. Listening to it repeatedly didn't change my mind. I think it's the french horn, it just doesn't belong. Sounds like it could break out into the theme from Johnny Briggs any second. More reeds please. Yes it's seminal and everything that Miles Davis did needs to be listened to, but not a great album for me.
Finley Quaye
3/5
Ah, more like it, some traditional Scottish music. It's the sound of late 90s sophistication again. Nice enough lite reggae with a sprinkling of trip hop. Inoffensive.
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
Enjoyed this. Never thought of Faithfull as musician. Shame on me. The synths are clearly bolt on, but they do succeed in modernizing it. I'm sure I've heard a cover of the title song somewhere too.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Loads of hits, could do without the interludes. Great album.
Various Artists
3/5
Good rambunctious xmas music. Shame about Phil.
Todd Rundgren
2/5
Enjoyable, middle-of-the-road 70s rock. Not planning to listen to it ever again though. This probably could have been edited down into a really good album, but as a double there's a lot here that's not essential. The awful cover of Money and the smug studio recording gag detract from the good tracks.
Cream
2/5
Great hits, great sleeve, the rest of the album, less so. Ever since I heard the Ella version of Sunshine the original has seemed underwhelming.
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Not sure if this is because I'm listening on Christmas week, but it sounds like another Christmas record to me. Nice ballads, sensitively arranged and beautifully sung (apart from One More Dance). Probably not something I'll ever return to, but I enjoyed it.
The Offspring
2/5
I never got on with Offspring although I should have been target demo. I remember being aggrieved that they called themselves punk when they sounded nothing like the Sex Pistols. Besides this, I still don't really enjoy the sound. Next.
AC/DC
3/5
Fun rock album, nothing beyond the title song stood out to me. Enjoyable but not revelatory
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
Opens strong, then drops off heavily. I don't get the cult of personality around Karen O and don't like the sound of her voice: enunciate more, yelp less.
Lightning Bolt
4/5
This is bracing for a Tuesday morning. Crazy, inane, frenetic. Not an album I'd ever put on for fun, but a wild ride. I still bear the scars from seeing these guys at All Tomorrow's Parties festival. Not counting the time security made the crowd sit down; those guys are real killjoys.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Never listened to a whole PSBs album before. Enjoyed the first half more than the second. I'm pretty sure that Being Boring is a New Order song in disguise. Altogether the album is a bit of a downer. Also, I know they like retro synths, but stop it with the Orchestra Hit, it doesn't improve any song.
3/5
I want to like DEVO; new wave sounds, angular guitars and synths, arty and strange aesthetic, willfully esoteric, but I think I can only deal with half of these songs. As usual, I'm put off by the bleated vocals, a style I can never get behind. As usual, the hits work for me, the rest, less so.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Great, stomping blues record. Wish the bass had been better recorded, but that's just me I guess. Watching the video footage from this show on YouTube really made the music come alive for me too.
Radiohead
4/5
Know this album well, love the bass line on Nude. Is it a 5 star? By Radiohead's high bar, I don't think it is. Videotape is a bummer of a closing song.
Stereolab
1/5
Always found Stereolab rather sterile sounding and unsurprisingly, this album didn't move me particularly. I sort of like the sounds they use and the voices, but the repetitive krautrock-y bits get annoying. For me, this is background music at best.
Little Simz
3/5
Good album, enjoyed the production and the bass on first couple of tracks especially. Little Simz is clearly a good rapper, but that London accent starts to grate on me after a while (such Northern bias from me).
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
The second disc is like a headache, but the first disc was mostly fine. Not my favourite music in the world, but listenable. I don't think I can get away from the feeling that it's a novelty record.
Oasis
3/5
Mixed feelings. Some hits on here, a LOAD of nostalgia as a Manchester lad, but it's not a great album to listen through. The production is just so aggressive that the snare rattles my teeth, also the plodding tempos are tiring. Columbia was a nice surprise though. I don't think I've knowingly heard that before. Good for what it is, but not a killer.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Not into the ballady ballads. But the upbeat funky ones are the best.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
've heard HOLV before, but never listened to a full album. I enjoyed the music, so this all comes down to the vocal, when it works, it's great, but when it doesn't it's annoying and some of the tunes were downright corny. Ultimately, this album just made me want to listen to the Sundays and understand the lyrics.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Love the angry horn parts: a little sloppy, but SO enthusiastic. Their cover of The Horse from the b-sides disc is great! As usual, the voice gets on my nerves. This 1001 albums process is making me realize I mainly dislike bands because of vocal styling. This sounds like Bryan Ferry gone wrong.
The Incredible String Band
1/5
Worst album on this list so far. I listened through once, never again. I didn't enjoy the parts where they sang gibberish and played a tin whistle out of tune in the background. So all of it. Interestingly, I listened to the first album by ISB and they CAN sing and play so presumably this album was a conscious decision to be microtonal. However, on this one, I'm sure I could hear the singer getting surprised by how out of tune he was. Strange.
The Youngbloods
2/5
Pretty bland really. Ran it in the background a few times over the weekend and nothing grabbed me. Not offensive, not remarkable.
Blur
1/5
I have an instinctive dislike of this record since I was in the North during the Britpop Wars. The singles are fun, although Boys and Girls is impossible to sing along to. Parklife has become so much part of culture that it's hardly a song anymore. On this album, Blur don't really seem to know what they want to be, beyond the novelty singles and the cod chanson it's all a bit forgettable. And don't get me started on the bleated mockney vocals. Ultimately, Mogwai put it best: Blur are shite.
John Coltrane
5/5
Amazing album, fantastic playing, great sound. Still amused by how underwhelmed the singing is after such sparkling music. They sound like they're high schoolers being made to recite something. But hey, it's honest, it's pure, it's amazing.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
4/5
I really enjoyed this. I know nothing about Salsa. I'll have to learn more. Interesting reading about Mack The Knife in various translations too.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
Already done this one: "Good rapping, not great subject matter, kinda dull beats, too much sex."
The White Stripes
2/5
This automatically loses points because there's no bass. It's fine. It sounds like a bar band. I don't really get the hype that surrounded them. Listened through without prejudice and Hotel Yorba is still very annoying.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
All over the place album that I wanted to like more than I actually did. 'Tightrope' is a fantastic song and 'Neon Valley Street' is great, but some of this seems to devolve into show tunes. The concept didn't really win me over and there are absolutely horrible guitar solos throughout.
Pink Floyd
2/5
Didn't move me. Listened through a few times and was mostly annoyed by the twee novelty songs. Bikes, gnomes, meh. Interstellar Overdrive has a nice riff, but it just doesn't go anywhere. Not a particularly auspicious debut even though I like the Wind In The Willows reference.
William Orbit
1/5
I suspect this album will not be included in future editions of this list. Super-bland 90s background music. Reverb-drenched synth pads, dub bass lines, people mumbling about stuff. Instantly forgettable.
This is the soundtrack to the part of the film where the protagonist and the love interest go to a house party, accidently get high and sit on the roof talking about their feelings.
Jazmine Sullivan
4/5
I had never heard of this artist. Ok, it's not my usual style, but someone from Philly making waves should have at least been on my radar. Enjoyed the music and the vocals, some of the narration felt like I was eavesdropping a conversation I wasn't meant to be. But nevertheless, really interesting album.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Great opener. Dylan's voice is off-putting, but we all know that going in. Some of the blues numbers seemed a bit aimless. Didn't really massively stand out for me. Obviously this album is the home of Mr Tamborine Man but I don't think his version is particularly any better than the Byrds. Maybe I'll have to return to this in the summer.
Radiohead
5/5
The transitional record after the transitional record. A few self indulgent moments but generally awesome.
Travis
1/5
What the hell is this doing on the list? This is not a good album. Radio friendly Radiohead at best, simpering at worst. This one needs to get revised out.
Moby
1/5
Oh god, another stinker.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
Great folk rock album with lovely close harmony work.
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
Classic songs, great voice. The verses on these things are just terrible though! The verse on S'Wonderful made my entire body cringe.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
I'd got it in my head that that was a Phil Spector production and was always put off by how reverb soaked the title track was. Turns out Simon just wanted to sound like this. Listening to it through, I realize that I like a load of this album, just none of the Spector-inspired, echo chamber stuff. Still, it's no Bookends, but it's got great music on it. This is definitely in 3.5 territory, but I'll bump it down based on me probably not coming back to it any time soon.
The Slits
3/5
Interesting more than good. The non-album Heard It Through The Grapevine cover is definitely where this band's sound best comes together, although that could just be down to my familiarity with the track. I think I need to live with this one for longer, but right now it's a 3.
Taylor Swift
3/5
This is the sound of Lyft rides to me. Well made pop songs. Doesn't really move me, but I can't say it's bad.
James Taylor
3/5
I like his voice and the tunes are all hummable. Frankly a little forgettable though. I dug into his wiki bio and it makes sense of the James Taylor hate that I'd previously only been slightly aware of. Lots of great breaks from friends and a wealthy family that can sweep in and fix everything at the drop of a hat but he still manages to find himself strung out on heroin and homeless. Inoffensive, gentle 70s tunes.
The Go-Go's
3/5
The live versions on the reissue are way more fun than the studio ones. Totally acceptable post-punk that didn't blow me away but was fun to listen to.
Cypress Hill
4/5
Had this as a kid. Still lyrically dubious, but I still enjoy the samples, Pigs is a great sample choice. Listening now, I'm getting a lot of Shock G in the vocals - someone I'd never heard of back then, so definitely of its time. Enjoyed the nostalgia trip.
Mj Cole
2/5
Perfectly serviceable 2-step garage background music. Not particularly remarkable or worth a place on this list, more suited to a 2000s wine bar that was trying to be hip. Full disclosure: I didn't feel like I needed to listen to disc two. If something amazing happened on that, please can someone let me know?
Justice
2/5
Daft Punk's brattier younger brother. DANCE is great, not really a fan of the rest of the album. Step away from the compression, kids. Every beat doesn't need to hurt.
The Birthday Party
2/5
Something about Cave is unappealing. Not sure why I don't get his schtick but I don't. Interesting to hear this though as I've never consciously looked up any Birthday Party before. Basically, I'm hearing some sloppy garage rock that doesn't really match my mood today. Also, that cover art is repulsive. Maybe I need to return to this album sometime that I feel angry or at least angsty.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
Loved this album as a kid. Still works today. A bit angsty for my tastes now really, but the nostalgia carries it through. Interesting to hear the demo versions of the tracks on the anniversary edition. Pretty much note-for-note the same with worse vocal processing. Great to see they arrived pretty much fully formed.
Supertramp
2/5
Played it through a few times and it didn't grip me. Seemed a bit ponderous. However, I like Steely Dan, so I probably owe it a few more plays though. Sounded nice and 70s, but I also felt disengaged from the music and the lyrics. Also, why does every song need a piano ballad section?
SAULT
4/5
SAULT are making some great records. Love the retro feel they manage to have while still sounding modern. Possibly too long, but putting out three albums in a year would have been ridiculous does make it feel a little more like a mixtape than an album to my ears though. I generally prefer the more 'up' first half to the second, but it's all good.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
Ah, Eric. Another chance to separate the man from the music. Better blues that I expected to be honest, but still rather generic sounding. Reading the wiki entry, that might be because it was a huge influence on all blues rock that came afterwards. I doubt I'll play this record again.
Can
3/5
Interesting. Not great. Can (and krautrock generally) is always on my "need to check out" category but then I do and I'm underwhelmed. I think I just need to accept that I like 3 minute pop songs and there's nothing wrong with that.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Somewhere between Amos and Alanis. Doesn't sound particularly dated for a 1996 album. Totally ok, but totally didn't grab me.
Neil Young
2/5
Bit ploddy and self indulgent. Not a Young album I'll be rushing to return to.
Eurythmics
2/5
Weirdly bland. I expected there would be other songs I enjoyed on this, but I really didn't. I love the sound of her voice, but the music doesn't live up to it beyond the obvious single.
Ananda Shankar
4/5
I enjoyed this. Having a Moog as a foil to the sitar made it more interesting than the standard 60s trope of adding sitar to a guitar line up. I even enjoyed the covers! The extended drone of 'Sagar (The Ocean)' was the only down track for me.
Pink Floyd
1/5
The downward slope after Dark Side Of The Moon was steep. Indulgent and inappropriate, I fail to see how anyone could identify with this album. Definitely not worth the time.
Fleet Foxes
2/5
I mean, I love reverb as much as the next man, but there's sometimes too much of a good thing.
Grizzly Bear
2/5
Was ok. Not my favorite album. Bit mathy, bit folky, bit whispery. Not going to rush back to it.
Adele
2/5
Average singer Adele returns with some more radio songs. This set is a little less show-tuney, a bit more The Knife lite. Not for me.
2/5
I'm getting late period U2 vibes off this album. I mean, it's ok, but mostly it's super conventional dad-rock. And Thom Yorke singing "all day I dream of making love to you" is just creepy.
Burning Spear
3/5
Enjoyable roots reggae. Would have liked to have heard the original mix but a cursory search didn't find it. Biggest surprise for me from the Wiki page was the Burning Spear is a man rather than a group.
Pixies
5/5
Amazing album. Quiet / loud / quiet perfected. Have listened to this many times before and will continue to listen in the future.
OutKast
3/5
Already done this one: "Good album obscured by really painful skits. The rise of Spotify should at least mean the death of the Chumbawumba effect and the skit."
Elton John
3/5
Too long (as all double albums are) and a little bland in places, but some amazing tunes on here. I could also live my life without hearing another string orchestra backing - musical space makes things interesting.
2Pac
2/5
Found the production a bit meh and those drums just scream 90s! Not really a fun listen. I clearly don't see why everyone else finds him so special. Not actively bad, but definitely not for me.
Megadeth
2/5
Great technical playing, dubious singing and dumb lyrics. Fine as mindless rock, not an amazing album.
Living Colour
4/5
Younger me really should have bought this album when I loved Faith No More and Extreme and all those bands. I can appreciate it now, but I think it would have blown my tiny mind back then.
Pavement
5/5
Amazing Record. Pavement is getting all 5s from me!
Drive-By Truckers
2/5
Not my thing. I'm sure I've enjoyed DBT before but too much Skynard for me. Both lyrically and musically. As a Brit, this was never going to change my opinion of the South.
New York Dolls
3/5
It's not a great album is it? Very influential, but not one that I'm going to go back to and listen to regularly. I wish I could hear more of the guitars and less of the piano generally. Maybe I should look up some live shows.
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
I thought Loveless was their debut. This just sounds like a band wanting to be Sonic Youth. Very strange. Didn't much enjoy it and I doubt I'd be returning to it. Also, wonder if this record would be in this list if Loveless hadn't happened.
Pearl Jam
4/5
Loved this as a kid. Now it sounds rather overwrought and overproduced. I tried listening to the "redux" mix instead, but it was also dated, just in a different way. Back to the original murky mix and got through it. Enjoyable trip down memory lane. Don't think I'd have liked it as much if I was coming to it fresh, but because of my history with it, this album gets a glowing 4 stars.
The Flaming Lips
1/5
Can't quite work out why I don't like Flaming Lips, but I think it mostly comes down to the singer. He has a creepy uncle vibe that makes me uncomfortable, also, whiny vocals never work for me. Soft Bulletin overcame Coyne with some great songs and solid production. However, this one manages to hit my no switches early. Also, knowing we're building to the ploddingly theatrical single 'Do You Realize?' makes me dread the start of each new song. I listened through this thing once. Never again!
Dr. Dre
4/5
An album totally of its time. Love the sound, synths and swampy bass lines. I'm going to have to listen through to the samples list. The lyrics could have used a second pass, but here we are. These men really, really, really like talking about dick sucking.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Perfectly fine, great single in Son Of A Preacher Man, not really amazing for me beyond that.
The Who
3/5
Way better than I was expecting. I consider "My Generation" to be one of the worst songs ever. Thankfully this sounded nothing like My Generation. For a short album though, this really starts to drag towards the end. At least "Won't Fooled Again" picks up the tempo before it's over.
Adele
2/5
More Adele. She can sing, but I'm not engaged. Whatever the reviewers who describe her voice as enigmatic or magical can hear, I definitely do not. I hear a stage-school show-singer belting uninteresting ballads in a mid-Atlantic yowl. Millions disagree with me, but I'm ok with that.
Pixies
3/5
Not as good as the first two. Still good, but just not quite there. Can't put my finger on why, maybe it's the songwriting, maybe it's the production. Seems much more of its time than Doolittle or Surfer Rosa.
David Bowie
4/5
Great album. Bit up and down, but the hits make it worthwhile.
PJ Harvey
4/5
I much prefer this to "Songs from The City...". More raw and impassioned. I feel like it's an album I'd have to live with for longer than a day to really enjoy, but I played it through three times and enjoyed it.
Thelonious Monk
4/5
Already had this one to rate - I think it was my second album. Third duplicate now since I joined a group, does that mean I have to listen to 1004 albums before I die?
Previous review: Great Monk album. Not totally sure I love Monk. Ended up reading more about Pannonica than much else. I need to run through the lead sheet on Brilliant Corners because I don't understand it as a composition.
Goldfrapp
4/5
I liked this album when it came out despite it being a bit left-field compared to previous Goldfrapp records. Listening now, I still enjoy the high pop elements but occasionally it does swoop into bland territory, albeit perfectly fine and well produced musical wallpaper. Happiness and A&E are great songs.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
The singles are fun but dated. As a whole this album is pretty much unlistenable though. It makes the Avalanches sound complex and meaningful. In Heaven? Smh. It's a shame because some of his sample choices are fantastic but there's a lot of filler. In a Spotify world, I wonder whether this album would ever happen.
Primal Scream
2/5
Feels like a practice run for XTRMNTR. The Vanishing Point movie connection is more exciting in prospect than in reality. Like all Primal Scream records, it's better when Bobby isn't singing.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Another pre-group joining repeat. Here's my original comment:
"Title track sounds like a Bond theme. Pretty overblown. Could do without the strings and the harp. Memorable songs, but with the orchestrations and earnestness of the voice, I don't plan to listen again."
Arcade Fire
2/5
Overblown
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
5/5
All the hits! A little formulaic and not as much fun as the live recordings, but great a great record.
Nas
4/5
Some lovely production here. Not listened to this album through before beyond the singles so it was a good day.
Lorde
2/5
Sounds like a mix between taxi music and Christian music. Listened twice, can't remember a single tune. Not strong.
The Temptations
5/5
Weird version of Grapevine but still interesting. Amazing playing and great vocals. Can anyone in the world dislike classic rnb?
Wild Beasts
1/5
Is there a version of this album without the singer? Because he is killing this record, like in the stamping on way, not the good way. I pity the other musicians. This banded existed from 2002 to 2017. Imagine hearing this regularly for 15 years.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Fun album, the accent sounds like George Formby at times, but generally a good guitar pop record with loads of fun lyrics and great riffs. Wasn't life changing for me personally, but there's nothing to complain about.
Television
4/5
I was sure I'd listened through this record loads of times, but I have no recollection of Torn Curtain, so maybe I didn't. I've definitely heard the title track and See No Evil countless times. But yeh, great album, influential sound, bit too proggy at times, but I can live with that.
Ash
3/5
Fun rock album, entirely non-essential though. No idea why it's on this list. 3.5
Funkadelic
3/5
Enjoyable listen, but not much stuck out other than the title track. Need to listen to much more Funkadelic and Parliament though. That's clear.
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
Didn't really blow me away and I didn't enjoy the Elvis impersonation. Also amused by the Rickenbacker in the case an the album artwork. Well done, you made a purchase. Do you want to actually hold that heavy instrument? No? Didn't think so.
The Band
3/5
Solid Band album. No surprises.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Love the man, love his improvisations, put up with his strange howling. However, I much prefer his trio settings. I know everyone loves this record, but I find it a bit ponderous.
Soft Cell
3/5
Cheesy but fun. I wasn't really expecting anything else. I get occasional The Cure vibes from it, which was surprising. Love the bassline on Chips On My Shoulder. Obviously, Tainted Love is head and shoulders better than anything else here, but the whole album isn't as bad as I had feared it might be.
Queen Latifah
3/5
Totally fine Golden Age hip-hop, I recognized a lot of the samples but not a lot of the tunes. Enjoyed listening, but don't think I'll be returning any time soon.
Donovan
3/5
Liked the rock songs, didn't like the folk songs. Not a huge fan of his voice if I'm honest. Celeste was the only fun song I didn't know already.
Femi Kuti
3/5
Keeping close to his father's model. Great playing. The production had a bit too much 90s sheen, but it did mean that everything stood out clearly. I always appreciate a prominent bass!
Suede
3/5
Listened to it a lot in the past, but not for many years. This re-listen has been revelatory in that I now wish I could hear a version of this album without the singer sounding like he's in a cave or the unnecessary organ. Maybe having zero breathing space matches the album thematically, but it all seems too much. This time I around I think I enjoyed it for the nostalgia more than anything. Also, I don't think I realized what a horrible Bowie impression Anderson was doing. We live, we learn.
LL Cool J
4/5
Fun 90s hiphop. Some good beats, some good rhymes, some total cheese, but it's all good.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
Pretty much every other song started and I thought "isn't this Free Bird?" It was ok. Nice, chunky, warmly produced Southern rock. Hearing some Stones, hearing the influence on Black Crowes and Primal Scream. Probably going to have to listen a load more times for it to really embed and I'm not sure I'm going to do that.
Love
3/5
Glad I read the wiki as I never really understood this album name before. To be honest, I quite liked it. Didn't really lean too heavy in the psych and stayed on the right side of folksy for my tastes. I only really knew the first track before because I was in a band where our singer wrote a song that totally ripped off the chorus.
Public Enemy
4/5
Everything you'd want in a Public Enemy record. I didn't listen to this at the time, crazy to think it came out the same year as Nevermind. I knew the Anthrax track from back in the day but that's all. Some of the beats are a bit one-note, but the righteous indignation in the lyrics is palpable.
The Pharcyde
3/5
The live drums and piano always appealed to me back when this came out. They do make it feel very different to a lot of the sample-led rap records that have come my way on this service recently. Some of the rapping is a bit goofy, but I think that's deliberate. Comedy songs always suffer on repeated listen, so Yo Mama just seems a bit knuckleheaded. 3.5 I guess.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
Been putting this one off for a few days now because I knew I wasn't in the mood for country music. Finally pressed play. I'm finding it mostly inoffensive. Not much of a compliment, I know. It's not particularly bad, but it's not stirring anything in me either.
John Martyn
4/5
Love this album. Mood, feel, sound, all great. A few songs are auto skips for me though so not a 5 star record. The good bits are still great though.
Sleater-Kinney
4/5
Super fun. This album is the reason I need to do this. I've never got around to listening to a full Sleater-Kinney album despite knowing they informed a load of music I like. Some of that uncontrolled vibrato in the vocal annoys me and a love a heavy bass, which is inevitably not ever going to feature in an early SK record. Still, enjoyed and will return.
Roxy Music
3/5
I have no idea who the target audience for this music is. A bit more proggy that I was expecting and I liked the off balance bass work on Sea Breezes and obviously I'm happy that this is the version of the album with Virginia Plain on it. However, The Bob just makes me wonder who they were writing for. There ain't no faded glamour in that track. Ferry just about stays on the right side of bleating, so that was ok. Generally weird.
Dire Straits
1/5
So I like smooth music, and I have a plenty of time for 80s/90s cheese, but really this album was too much. I'll run it through again tomorrow to make sure, but I cannot understand why this was so popular. Bland, bland, some unnecessary gay slurs, bland, bland, bland.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Excellent album. Whatever you think of Jackson the man in his later years, this album and Thriller are fantastic pop records.
ABBA
2/5
An Abba album with no songs that are burned into my brain from radio overplay?! That was a surprise. I found it to be a bit show-tuney in parts. Not my cup of tea, despite being clearly well written, performed and recorded. Didn't move me at all.
Aimee Mann
3/5
I liked this. Knew the name, never listened to her albums. Despite being a little overproduced I liked most of the songs. Worth a repeat listen.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Pleasantly surprised by this. I was bracing myself for Bruce Dickinson's cod operatic high notes. I didn't know Maiden's first two albums had a different vocalist. Muddy production, but a fun metal album. Good riffs, dubious lyrics, parent offending cover art. What more do you need?
Sonic Youth
5/5
Great album. Ice Cube is woefully underused, but apart from that. All good!
The Smiths
5/5
Hello old friend. I much prefer Meat Is Murder, but I'll accept this on the list! Too short and a couple of throwaway numbers on this, but that's always been the Smiths style. Great album.
Ice T
2/5
Ice T generally seems like a reasonable guy but I don't think I've ever knowingly listened to his records. I hoped I'd like this, but I found the beats dull and the lyrics a bit dumb. I'll give it another go when I'm in more of an old school hip hop mood, but overall it was generally underwhelming.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Production is a bit syrupy in places, but you can't knock the hits.
Prince
2/5
Another album I figured would come up on this and I was looking forward to actually spending some time with it. However, beyond 'When Doves Cry', I didn't really enjoy it. It felt really oddly produced, even on the 2015 remaster. The high percussion is in your face and the vocals are set way back. Maybe I'll prefer his earlier stuff.
The Beach Boys
3/5
The album before Pet Sounds. A few experimental bits and bobs, and a strange non-track at the end. Great harmonies and some pop hits, but could have done with fewer ballads.
System Of A Down
4/5
Teen me would have loved this and had it on heavy rotation with Faith No More's 'Angel Dust'. It's a bit thrashy for my current self and I can't think of a time I'd ever play it outside of this but it was a fun listen.
Randy Newman
2/5
He's a good song writer, but this collection didn't hang together for me. Also, why the strings? They don't add anything. I love sarcasm as much as the next man, but does every line need to be dripping?
This album got me thinking about who could be a Randy Newman fan. I'm fine hearing any of his songs, but who in 1972 ran out to buy this album and played it until it wore out? Wiki suggests that Brian Wilson did, but maybe he's the only one.
The The
2/5
Reminds me of Bobby Conn weirdly. Obviously this came first. Not totally inspired by it, but I'll give it a few goes. I am more interested in the idea of the records with Johnny Marr on them, but this is a start I suppose. Right now it's a 2 star, but I guess it could improve on repeated listens.
The Cure
5/5
The Cure's best album. Straight in at 5!
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Fun Beatles-y pop.
Hüsker Dü
2/5
Something about the voice and the sound is basic about Husker Du. It's good, bog standard alt rock, but I've heard and got bored of so many copycats that this sound is dull. Sorry Bob, not into it.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Outside of 'Sympathy For The Devil' and 'Street Fighting Man' it's all a bit country blues over here. Sort of wish 'Sympathy' was the final song on the album but hey clearly couldn't resist the first words of the record being "Please allow me to introduce myself". 'Jigsaw Puzzle' and 'Salt of the Earth' hit second tier and less said about 'Stray Cat Blues' the better. I guess four good songs means four stars.
Supergrass
3/5
Liked it - updated glam with heavy fuzz bass and straining vocals. Always liked the sound of Supergrass when I heard them on the radio, but never bought an album. It was an ok listen but don't think I learned anything beyond the singles I already knew. That last song is also a travesty. This album also loses a point for the bass player's technique on the cover, does he think he's playing a ukulele? Where are his elbows? What's that fingering? Is it even going to be audible with his right hand that far up the finger board?
Red Hot Chili Peppers
1/5
I have no interest in hearing Anthony Kiedis clumsily rap about what gets him hard for even one minute, let alone 73. The singles are fine, but the album drags. Not for me. One for the Cali kids.
King Crimson
1/5
Not for me. Open was ok, flutes throughout less so.
Anita Baker
5/5
Sweet, sweet smooth 80s R&B. Love this stuff. Best tracks are the ones with Freddie Washington on bass. That guy grooves. Saddened to read that Don Myrick, who was in the original Earth, Wind & Fire horn section and the sax soloist on 'You Bring Me Joy' was murdered by a police officer who mistook his lighter for a weapon. In better news, I read that Anita Baker has regained the rights to her music so fingers crossed all her records will be available for streaming soon.
R.E.M.
3/5
Know this album well as it was unavoidable when it came out. It's all a bit bleak and maudlin and I never liked Stipe's vocal stylings or the organ drones. The slower, quieter stuff bores me to tears and 'Star Me Kitten' is beyond creepy. However, the up tunes make it almost worthwhile.
CHIC
4/5
Was pretty psyched when this came up, but wasn't as much fun as I'd hoped. 'At Last I Am Free' twigged my repetition bone and it was a real struggle getting to minute 7. IMHO CHIC is best without the syrup.
Frank Zappa
3/5
Dense jazz fusion and a rock blues track. Has some great moments and love the groove on 'Little Umbrellas'. Nice to appreciate Zappa without having to ignore odd things said in silly voices. Not sure ever going to get repeat listens from me, but appreciated it.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Ha, Born To Run on 4th July. Nice work 1001 gang. Never been a Boss fan so I think this might actually be the first time I've listened through. More Meatloafy histrionics than I'd expected. The whole thing is comfortingly familiar and unchallenging. Played it through a few times, don't think I'll be returning in a hurry.
Björk
5/5
Love this album. Instant 5 stars.
Jane Weaver
2/5
I've liked her earlier music, but this album just sounds like she wants to be Barbara Morgenstern. I think I'd rather just listen to Barbara Morgenstern. Too much krautrock.
Stan Getz
5/5
Sadly this arrived on a rainy day, not the best weather for Jazz Samba, but still great playing. Smooth and mellow to a fault.
Queen
2/5
Some times the guitar sounds amazing, some of the vocals are fantastic however, most of the songs on this album are pretty are poor. Greatest Hits autoplayed after this album and made me realize how much better their song writing could be.
The Police
2/5
Police are a strange band, I just don't understand how they were the "biggest band in the world" at one stage. But hey, I don't understand how One Direction were either. This album has that 80s electric coldness to it that I sometimes enjoy. Maybe it's my negative feelings towards Sting, but here it felt dry and smug. I feel I say this on every album, the hits are great, but there's a lot of filler. Also, Mother should never have been committed to tape.
Pentangle
3/5
Interesting interplay between the instruments but didn't really grab me. Listened through three or four times and those additional versions of 'Sally Go Round The Roses' don't add much. Fine, but didn't blow me away. Much preferred the less folky songs.
Tangerine Dream
1/5
Mum! I got a new synth! Listen to all the noises it can make!
Kraftwerk
2/5
I was expecting techno. Kraftwerk are a blank spot in my music knowledge really beyond 'The Model'. More folky than I expected, but not really lighting my fire.
Erykah Badu
3/5
Weirdly ponderous. The repeat of 'On & On' and all the segues just make it feel like it's not got any contained songs, despite this clearly not being the case. Flawless playing, great feel but overall not grabbing me.
Taylor Swift
2/5
How does one manage to sing placidly while fantasizing a murder? More fine radio pop that didn't move me an inch. Don't think I'm ever going to become a Swifty.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Not the Steely Dan / Dylan collab I was hoping for. I can see why Dylan purists wouldn't be fans, but I like the texture of all the backing players. It's obviously too long and would take more than a day to really get into, but I'm inclined to play this record again on a road trip or something.
Radiohead
2/5
Better than I recall, but I just can shake that "Kid A offcuts" feel. Also, knowing what happened next, it looks like a lazy way to complete their EMI contract.
Sure, 'Sardines', 'Pyramid Song' and 'Knives Out' are good songs, but everything else is throwaway, apologies to the late Humph. The world didn't a second version of Morning Bell.
Os Mutantes
2/5
Couldn't get into this, despite knowing the Bees cover of "A Minha Menina". I think this is something I'd really need to be in the mood for to listen again. I see that it's interesting, but I didn't enjoy my playthrough.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Listened to this loads as a six-former with a stoner who friend decided to get into vinyl and liked the big shiny gold sleeve. Great album, loads of good songs and I love the bass. Listening to it now on headphones, there's so much more going on musically than I realized and some fantastic subtle lead guitar playing. Reading the Wikipedia notes about it being a rock album with a reggae veneer was interesting. I totally see that on the middle eight on 'Waiting in Vain' and 'Turn Your Lights Down Low' could be a Clapton song (with better vocals).
Jamiroquai
3/5
Sweet 70s funk repackaged for the 90s kids with vocals from a Stevie Wonder impersonator. The overwrought sloganeering combined with tone-deaf appropriation doesn't hold up well. Also the inclusion of a didgeridoo doesn't make this "world-music inspired", just annoying. Cynicism aside, musically, I love the band's influences as much as they clearly do and they do groove. 3.5 rounded down because Jay Kay is pretty repulsive.
Motörhead
3/5
Starts hard and never gives up. After about three songs I started to wonder what it would be like to be Lemmy. Everything fast and loud and always vocally straining like your trousers are too tight. By the end of the album all the intensity got a bit tiring. Title track is awesome, everything else here tries to do the same thing and largely misses.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
Great songs and guitar tone. Willfully sloppy in places but I can't get behind the Lou section at the end. Obviously improved by the inclusion of the 'Just Like Heaven' cover.
Prefab Sprout
5/5
Love this album. Only low point for me is the opener 'Faron Young'! I guess it's more in that Smiths 80s rockabilly style and the structure and lyrics are pretty straightforward so that's why they made it a single.
Richard Hawley
2/5
Too retro for me. It plodded along nicely, but nothing to make me return.
The Who
1/5
Sorry, was that 5 skits and novelty songs before the first actual song? How many times must they have listened to that Heinz shit in the recording, mixing and mastering process and still thought it was worth committing to vinyl? 'I Can See For Miles' is a good song, but having to slog through a crap handjob song and a crap body odor song to get there is not worth it.
Jurassic 5
4/5
Not as good as Quality Control, but more of the same. Good beats, good rhymes, nice Kool Keith spot. No idea why I didn't buy this album in 2002 so I'm glad I got to go back to it today.
OutKast
2/5
Two hours? Nah, not into it. Can't exactly put my finger on why I don't like OutKast but there seems something grubby about them. Probably that "shit don't stank" line on 'Roses'. Grubby. The flow is great when it happens, but the beats feel cheesy and overproduced and the choruses miss more often than hit. I need to listen to their earliest stuff and see if that moves me. But this was a big wad of no for me. And don't get me started on that steamroller beat over 'My Favorite Things'. Maybe it's the drums I dislike most actually. Whatever, not a great experience.
U2 in their legacy band phase. You can't even like this album ironically. I mean, it's fine, but kind of dull. The only redeeming feature, is that 'Beautiful Day' was used as interstitial music for televised football games in England for about 5 years and so it stirs some excitement in me. Albeit excitement for football, not U2.
Missy Elliott
4/5
Won't hit my regular listen rotation because the beats are deliberately jarring and it makes my anxiety brain twitch, but it's great.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
1/5
Why are you doing this to me on a Monday? Isn't Monday bad enough already without Chili Peppers. I'd watched a doc about Woodstock II on Sunday too, so my already negative feelings about RHCP are at an all time low. The bass is ok on 'Scar Tissue', most of the rest of the time, Flea plays too much. Kiedis should not be allowed anywhere near a microphone. Sample lyric: "Ding ding, deng dong, deng ding."
Brian Wilson
4/5
Stuck it on repeat all day and listened to the original sessions and Smiley Smile. I like the grandiose scope of the project but don't feel like it achieved what it set out to do at all. The modules seemed to break up the quality rather than add texture. For me, part of the joy of the forms that he's working in is their simplicity so this treatment just feels fussy. Great orchestration and 'Good Vibrations' is near perfect. These recordings sound every bit as rich and warm as the originals to my ears despite the presence of no original Beach Boys beyond Brian, so this version to me is a success. Finally, if you're trying to stake a claim as a genius, move away from the siren whistle.
Leftfield
2/5
Dinner party house. I was surprised how much of this I actually remember, it must have been playing in shops constantly in the late 90s. Mostly, the album sleeve reminds me of the Columbia Record Club ads in Select Magazine. For me 'Open Up' is the only track with much value here. Everything else just happens. Just sounds like generic video game music now.
Air
2/5
I really ought to watch this film. 'Playground Love' is a great song and I had the CD single. The rest of this album is superfluous.
The Doors
3/5
Never been a fan, possibly the lack of a formal bassist. It's fine, overly repetitive in places and corny bar music in others. Separated from Apocalypses Now, 'The End' is a boring drone, 'Light My Fire' and 'Break On Through' still stand up though.
Beach House
3/5
Fine background music. Inessential.
Morrissey
4/5
Not the best Morrissey solo album, but it's certainly good and only 6 months after the demise of the Smiths! Not sure why they keep fiddling with the order and the typeface, but it still holds up.
The Smiths
5/5
Yesterday, Viva Hate, today my favourite Smiths album. Title track is a dirge but everything else is sparkling and wonderful. Favourite song: Nowhere Fast. Really should learn how to play it.
Joy Division
4/5
After track one, the first half is really hard work. Dour drudge after dour drudge. The live versions of all these tracks are far more compelling so I get why the band were pissed off when they heard it. As a Manc and a post-punk fan this should be an instant five stars, but I have to be honest and say it's not quite there. Atmospheric, miserable, almost amazing.
Queen
3/5
Overblown and silly, but seems to be knowingly so. Still more likely to put on 'Greatest Hits' than any single Queen album if I ever listen to them. As an album experience a Night At The Opera is patchy and all over the place despite the obvious talent and hits.
Herbie Hancock
5/5
I love Herbie Hancock. Amazing groove, amazing artwork. 5 stars!
Wilco
3/5
Didn't need to be a double album at all, there are only about three songs on disc two as good as the songs on disc one. After slogging through that to find the closing track is a with a forgettable, cough-ridden bar-room blues with a false ending is deeply unrewarding. The best songs are great, but as an album, meh.
The B-52's
4/5
Goofy, party music. I'm sure I've heard most of this record on the radio or at parties. I didn't really love it as an album, but the songs are all fun.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Fantastic album, know it very well. I own the UK version, so hearing it in the US order was slightly disconcerting. Nice listening to it intently on headphones too.
Talking Heads
3/5
Starts strong, but the repetition wore me down by the end of the album. The outtake cuts at the end were especially tedious. One of these bands that I should absolutely love, but I'm on the edge about 'em.
Tom Waits
4/5
I thought I loved this album, but there are more syrupy ballads than I remember! The gruff bluesy stuff is all great though.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Enjoyed it. A bit too old school for my regular listening playlist, but good beats and rhymes.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
For some reason, I've amalgamated Tangerine Dream, Teardrop Explodes and Flock of Seagulls into one band. Flock of Exploding Tangerines? Sounds like an Orange Juice tribute band. Anyway, one of the reviews said "cheery Joy Division" and I sort of get that. I know more solo Julian Cope than any TE so I kind of enjoyed this although expected 'World Shut Your Mouth' to be the next track after every track. Enjoyed the bass, 80s production and general properties. Still don't understand the line about Rafferty. All in all, pretty good, but not amazing. 3.5 rounded down.
Carole King
5/5
I'm a sucker for this 70s Laurel Canyon sound. So warm, so smooth. Only lowpoint for me is the title track. Also, 'Way Over Yonder' seems reductive. Even so. Great stuff.
The Cure
4/5
Smith doubling down on the Joy Division legacy. I hear so many parallels. There are about three great songs on this and the rest is a slog. Not my favourite Cure record by a long stretch, but it's not actually bad. Just hard work. 3.5 rounded up I guess.
Eagles
3/5
Despite overplay, the title track is obviously great. 'Life In The Fast Lane' is also stand out, but the rest of the album pretty much limps along. I was expecting there to be a bit more depth, but no, not a standout album.
Drive Like Jehu
4/5
Fun post punk.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
1/5
Awful jam band stuff. No need for it to be on this list. Definition of inessential.
Sex Pistols
4/5
God Save The Queen on the day she dies? Wow, that's an eerie coincidence. While super influential, it's not a good album. I doubt think I'll be playing the whole thing through again any time soon.
Roxy Music
1/5
Cabaret music with a ponderous singer. Maybe you had to be there.
David Bowie
4/5
This album is totally overshadowed by Bowie's death. Impossible to listen to in a vacuum without noticing every lyric about posterity. I like the idea of a jazz band playing rock, but I think I'd rather listen to The Bad Plus or Happy Apple. Nowhere near as innovative as the critics seem to think. It's not terrible though. 3.5 rounded up for Bowie nostalgia.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Already ranked before I joined my group. 'Birthday' is really the stand out hit. Despite repeated listens and loving some of the song titles, I'm still nonplused.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Noisy, but poppy. Great record.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Where the pace picks up above coffeeshop mumble and strum, there's some nice music on here, but overall didn't change my world.
Public Enemy
4/5
Awesome and angry. Flavor Flav is like salt though, essential in small amounts but when he overdoes it everything goes to shit.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Can't believe this band has more than one album on the list. This album is far better than It's Blitz but still suffers from the same problem - you either think Karen O is a one person wrecking ball, or the wreck who turns up at karaoke and tries to sing blues songs as if they were punk. I fall into the latter camp.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Good background music, probably good driving music. Didn't massively grab me in three listens but totally fine and listenable.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
'Television...' is amazing. Fun album, lots of angles without the anger of a Public Enemy or a RATM.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Generally like both artists but this combination didn't work for me.
Patti Smith
1/5
Listened to it a few times in the past and a relisten today confirmed that this album is not for me. Most songs are too long and however much of a poet Smith is, I just hear moaning.
Steely Dan
5/5
Great record!
Slipknot
3/5
Probably would have enjoyed this a lot more as a kid. Feels unnecessarily angsty to me now! Unlikely to return any time soon, but great playing.
Roxy Music
2/5
This album hasn't changed any of my feelings about Roxy Music, slightly kookie art school cabaret music with wobbly, bleated vocals. Not absolutely awful, but not for me.
1/5
Embarrassing. Did they think they were cool for sampling the Eagles?
Nick Drake
4/5
I need to listen to this a ton more to really appreciate it but it's clearly great. Love the voice, the songs, the instrumentation.
ZZ Top
4/5
Enjoyable riffs and everything sounds great. Hooker should have won that court case for plagiarism on 'La Grange' though. Good background bar music, not sure I'll return much to it at home.
DJ Shadow
4/5
I absolutely LOVED this record when it came out. It was mind-blowing. However, either my tastes have changed or the musical world has caught up with DJ Shadow because it felt a bit pedestrian. Strange. Still going to give it 4 for old time's sake, but if I was listening now, I think it might be a low 3.
Dion
1/5
There could be some good songs under here but this sounds terrible.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Gotta go full grandad on this one and say "that's not music". Trent Reznor clearly owes the man a pint but nothing sounds finished here. The few atmospheric parts were totally acceptable but the hitting a railing with a stick and shouting in German parts were unbearable. Next!
Linkin Park
1/5
Slightly better than Limp Bizkit, much worse than everything else. Inessential.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Better than the other Elliott Smith that came up on this list. Still not really setting my world on fire, but certainly one I can return to when I'm in a Phoebe Bridges mood.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
I really like the way it sounds all boom bap and double bass samples, but it didn't really grip me. Maybe needs to be on rotation for a while. I could do with more hooks.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
I think I prefer Tom Waits review of this album to the actual album itself: "... you put this record on after dinner and by the last song you are exactly where you want to be."
Sinatra sounds great, but the continual maudlin songs and saccharine strings get a bit much if you're giving it a concentrated listen. The small band on 'Can't We Be Friends?' really feels like a relief!
Queen
2/5
Bit more balls to this one than some of the other Queen records on this list. Still not terribly exciting though.
Eminem
2/5
The "I'm not a very nice person" schtick wears thin after about 3 minutes so this album gets tiring fast. Good production, good rapping ability, boring as hell 'shocking' lyrics. Ho hum.
Hole
3/5
I was never a fan of why Courtney Love sings. However, there's a few tunes I really enjoyed on this one so I tried my best to overlook it! Decent record, not essential, but not unenjoyable.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Amazing record! Shame it's no longer on Spotify, but still great.
The United States Of America
3/5
Love the cover art. First track was a disaster but much better after that. The sort of psych I can deal with.
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
Everybody digs Bill Evans
The Who
2/5
Reasonable rock band with a very good drummer. The expanded version drags like hell. The original LP lineup is better, but no one needs a 15 minute version of 'My Generation'
Peter Gabriel
2/5
All over the place and not particularly compelling beyond 'Solsbury Hill'. Is he trying to be a one man Queen? Why is there an orchestral disco number? What's with the Randy Newman style songs? Varied, curious, but far from great.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Simon is great when he's at his best. However, a throwaway Dylan impression, and two trad songs on a 28 minute record is a pretty disappointing return. 'Homeward Bound' is a great train song though and some of the harmonies are damn lovely so I guess it's a high three.
Alanis Morissette
2/5
Can see why everyone loved it at the time, but the production is horrible and her voice really grates. Extra point for nostalgia.
Buzzcocks
3/5
I generally like Buzzcocks, but the songs on this album didn't really do it for me. The extended version with the singles on makes it 100% better.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
The horns are so good, why add strings? More of the same from their debut. I like the idea of Dexys more than the music, but it's all fun and enthusiastic. I guess it's a 3.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Amazing!
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
Pretty dour. Was interesting to hear what they used to sound like, but don't think I'll be returning soon.
Talk Talk
3/5
Apparently Talk Talk invented trip hop in 1986, but no one noticed until DJ Shadow ten years later. Like the sparseness and the jazz elements, and 'Life's What You Make It' is wonderful, but doesn't really feel great as an album. Might have to put a bit more time into it myself, but right now it's a high 3.
10cc
2/5
'Worst Band In The World' is fun but not much else here is. I should like this album because I'm a Steely Dan fan and it's playing in vaguely the same field. However, it just doesn't do it for me.
The Who
1/5
Generally hate The Who, so approached with extreme prejudice. As expected, Tommy is over-blown, over-long and not particularly interesting. Hopefully this is the last Who album on this list.
Beatles
4/5
Pop pop pop! Not deep or clever, but lots of fun to sing along to.
The Dictators
3/5
Probably a lot more interested at the time of its release, now it's just a throwaway rock album. Points for curiosity but I've not become a converted Dictators fan.
2/5
First half of this album was really good. Totally surprising. Then the horrible piano interlude happens and it turns into the Blur I hate. Oh well, half a fun experience.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
Noodley, interesting in parts. Fun instrumentation. But generally didn't really grab me.
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
Love this album. Instant 5!
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
Radio friendly pop/country. Was technically fine, but I'm not planning to listen again.
Tortoise
3/5
Prefer their later albums that have a bit more oomph. Not a bad listen though.
Serge Gainsbourg
3/5
Groovy. I've heard most of this from other sources (and I'm sure I've played it through at least once). Not unlike acolyte Jarvis Cocker, I don't enjoy a creepy man whispering in my headphones. 4 stars for music and influence, minus 1 star for Serge.
Jethro Tull
3/5
Saw the name and feared prog-folk. There's certainly parts of that, but there's more rock groove than I expected. As expected there was too much flute, and I doubt I'll be listening again any time soon, but not terrible.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Intro to Cornucopia is everything. The rest of the album is a bit up and down. I don't really care for the instrumentals, 'FX' is entirely pointless and 'Changes' is just mawkish.
Kate Bush
4/5
The second half goes wayward. 5 stars for the first half, 3 for the second.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Already reviewed: "I was waiting for this to show up. It was only a matter of time, but I expected it would take more than a week. It's fine, it's swirly, atmospheric. It's got a few great pop tunes on it, but I can't say I listen to it often for fun. I probably don't do enough drugs."
Kanye West
2/5
For all of his production skills, Kayne is not a good singer or rapper. Unfortunately he's also not an actor or comedian either so the skits on this are so cringey.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Fantastic album regardless of MJs later life choices. Always thought the enunciation on the song 'Thriller' was weird though. Sounds like he's singing "driller". Either way, great songs, even the terrible McCartney one.
Green Day
2/5
When this came out, I had a big chip on my shoulder that it was not punk. It was not Sex Pistols, it was not shocking. Listening to it now I care less about that, it's fine. This album has some decent pop punk tunes but probably be about 3 songs shorter. When it finished, Nirvana came up on Spotify auto play and the comparison was stark. Green Day are soulless in comparison - even to overproduced Nevermind Nirvana.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Fun. The singles are amazing, the rest of the album a bit less. Gets a bit samey until the novelty track which drops the volume and then the final track wakes you up again.
The Young Rascals
3/5
Strange album, a few solid R&B tracks, a bit of 60s mod, a bit of housewives choice crooning. Don't think I'll be returning, but 'A Girl Like You' will fit fine on a Psych Northern Soul playlist (if such a thing exists).
The Black Keys
2/5
Was ok, irked by the constant references to them being a duo when there's usually at least four instruments being played on each track. Didn't particularly rock me or move me. Hoped for more.
Lou Reed
2/5
90% bummer, more interesting than good. 'Sad Song' shows at least it's self aware. Exciting moments, far too much bleak mumbling and kid screaming.
Prince
2/5
I really want to like Prince and I'm happy he's enjoying himself being a megalomanic sex-dwarf on this record, but I just don't buy it. By turns it's too sentimental, too crude, too cheesy. I'll stick with the singles.
Marvin Gaye
2/5
Long way off his best, but there's some fun stuff here. Also, the song that appears to be the inspiration for Jamiroquoi's second album. Don't think I'll be heading back soon.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Too busy, too long. Not my favorite Stones record by a long margin
D'Angelo
3/5
Smooth and sexy. Not sure I'd play it with my mum in the house and some of the album teeters into cheesy territory. But generally loads of fun.
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Relentless album that just keeps on coming at you. The beats are a threadbare in parts, but it's all about the rapping. Great record.
3/5
This should be right up my street, but I didn't much like it. Might take more listens, but I think there's something about the singer that I'm not going for. Definitely good, but not great.
Elbow
3/5
'Grounds for Divorce' and 'One Day Like This' are great but I'm not sure they're enough to carry the album. One night at Big Hands in Manchester a guitarist from The Fall came up to me while I was stood at the bar and talked at me for about 5 minutes before saying "You're not Guy Garvey are you?" I told him that I wasn't and that I didn't look like Guy Garvey. He walked away.
Amy Winehouse
1/5
Stage school kid sings soul. Not much to see here. Not sure why the world went crazy about her. Dap Kings records are much better.
The Mars Volta
2/5
A proggy rock album. I imagine I would have liked this in my late teens. Now I don't really feel it. I played it through yesterday, listening to it again this morning, nothing is striking me as memorable.
Eels
2/5
This album is such a bummer. Every tempo is set to depression. Kinda like a tedious version of Sparklehorse. Enjoyed a few songs, but overall not a record I'll be returning to.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Love this record.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
This was lovely. A great listen!
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Soft rock with a few nods to the Beatles and the Hendrix. Played it a couple of times, didn't particularly stand out. Not terrible, not great.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Better than some of the others and a great opener. Still not really the most amazing rock band in the world to my ears.
John Lee Hooker
3/5
Smoooooooth. John Lee Hooker is obviously fantastic, but don't really like the modern leanings or the collaborations. That opener killed the album for me. Five stars for JHL, minus 2 for Santana.
The Pogues
3/5
I respect what they do, seems exciting and would be fun to watch. But on record, I got quickly bored of fiddle and pipes. Turned into theme pub background music for me.
Nick Drake
4/5
Moody boy music. It's lovely though.
Goldie
2/5
The single CD version of this album is better than the 2 hour beast that is linked here, but it's still over long and a bit underdeveloped. Inner City Life is good and moody, but the rest is just 90s background muzak.
Little Richard
5/5
Fantastic. Love this stuff!
Bob Dylan
3/5
Great when it works ('Stuck Inside of Mobile', 'Sad-Eyed Lady'). Terrible when it doesn't ('Rainy Day Women', 'Leopard-Print'). A solid 2.5
Funkadelic
3/5
Solid funk rock album. Good grooves here, but both the long bookend tracks are a bit too much psyche for me. Not terrible, but not amazing.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Does he actually fully hit a single note on 'The Rover'? Wasn't super happy to see a Zeppelin double record to show up, but here we are.
Also disappointed that the only word you can spell out downwards on the sleeve is PIG. I guess it'll have to do.
Brian Eno
1/5
Horrible. Why would anyone want to listen to this? Twitchy loops and repeated vocal samples. Sounds like a panic attack. Ew.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
Fun 60s pop. Enjoyed it but doubt it'll hit my regular rotation.
Ute Lemper
1/5
When you see a Decca label on a pop record you know you're in for trouble. Sort of styled like it's show tunes for mum's but not sure what mum would want to hear this. Awful.
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
As great as LCD are and as much as I like James Murphy, this album didn't do it for me. It's just as derivative as the previous albums, but somehow not as good. Also, a few of those high notes smell like Bono, watch yourself James!
Foo Fighters
3/5
While I loved Nirvana, I never really got into Foo Fighters. The hits are fun, but I've never really sat with the albums. This one was totally ok, not amazing, but fine. Glad Dave got out of his funk. Later material seems much better.
Happy Mondays
5/5
A gobby smartarse yelling over Balearic fusion with a heavy dose of studio gloss. It shouldn't work, but it does. Loads of fun, catchy tunes and memorable lyrics. Favourite song: 'Dennis and Lois'.
4/5
Raucous. Not something I'd listen to regularly, but undeniably exciting.
50 Cent
2/5
Uninspiring.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Best of the Hendrix studio albums in my opinion. A solid 5 star record.
Iggy Pop
4/5
Obviously know the hits on here, but hadn't heard the whole album. 'Sixteen' is awesome, Happy Mondays 8 years before the Happy Mondays. It all gets a bit flabby around the middle of the album and then 'Neighborhood Threat' hits. Ace.
The Charlatans
2/5
It's alright, Charlatans were always the least interesting band of the Madchester scene. Didn't listen to this whole album when it came out but I remember that 'North Country Boy' was played too often on the radio and it got annoying quick. Tim Burgess seems like a nice man from his Twitter presence but his singing voice is perhaps even more annoying than Ian Brown and to read that he based his delivery on Wu-Tang is laughable. The only nod to hip-hop I heard was a few apologetic record scratches.
Beck
3/5
Beck does Nick Drake. Nice enough and 'Lost Cause' is a super pretty song but not a hugely remarkable album.
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
Andy Weatherall made some amazing music in his life. Unfortunately this does not include Haunted Dancehall by The Sabres of Paradise. This sounds like a 90s record shop, ambient-ish dub-ish. Nothing really happens, no atmosphere is created. Indulgent.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Love this album (ignoring the Art Garfunkel field recording experiment). Was in constant rotation on my parent's car tape player when I was a kid.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
'Killing Moon' is amazing and stand out. The rest of the album, less so. A little more diverse than I expected but still very English new wave.
Cheap Trick
2/5
Live hard rock album. Sounds muddy. Probably fun if you were there. Some very cheesy programming decisions on the first and last tracks. Mostly made me want to listen to Beastie Boys.
Nanci Griffith
2/5
A fine MOR country album. Nicely played, every song seems to be about prostitution. While not actively bad, nothing about this album particularly held my attention.
Tim Buckley
2/5
I feel like I've already listened to every Nick Drake and Tim Buckley record so when another pops up I'm always surprised. Not a huge fan of the psyche elements on this one, felt a bit carny. Not the first Buckley record I'd reach for.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Nice riffs, generally find Bruce's cod operatic notes unpleasant. Doubt I'll be returning to this any time soon.
Paul Weller
3/5
Weller always seems like an arsehole, but this album grooves along nicely. A little bland in places, but generally gives off the vibe of adult dinner party. Unchallenging.
Portishead
5/5
Great album, loved it when it came out. Like all trip-hop I've revisited while doing this, not sure it stands up so well today. That snare on 'Mysterons' is abrasive and dates it somewhat. 'Roads' is still lovely though. Also, nice that b-side 'It's A Fire' has been included in the album - good wonky chords.
Machito
4/5
Fun album. Amused to learn that Machito is the maraca player. I'm sure there's skill to maraca playing, but I feel it's a fairly entry level percussion instrument. One step above the triangle maybe. Percussion snobbery aside, this is great orchestra with excellent soloists and tight arrangements. Nice to finally hear 'Tin Tin Deo' after seeing it countless times in the Real Book. Also, an early Mingus tune and a Machito original that sounds suspiciously like 'Have You Met Miss Jones'.
Miles Davis
5/5
Moody and fantastic
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I prefer Stevie Wonder grooves to ballads so this album isn't up there with the best for me. Still great musically, but slimmer pickings in terms of the music I enjoy the most.
Van Halen
2/5
Probably innovative at the time, super passe now. At least the 'best guitar solo of all time' is mercifully short. Does it even have a structure? Or is he just doing technically interesting things?
Prince
3/5
The songs that aren't too sparse and that don't have awful lyrics ("And a side order of ham") are ok. Still feel like I want to like Prince more than I ever will. Bonus point for generating the sample that led 'Late Night, Maudlin Street'.
Billy Bragg
2/5
Strange. I respect Billy Bragg and I like a few Wilco albums, but this collab just annoyed me. That opener is painful. Not a fun listen :(
Steely Dan
4/5
Generally enjoy The Dan but this isn't their best album. While I am happy to play jazz blues for days, opening an album with one in 1973 seems a little played. Actually, I think side two is far better than side one. Either way, a good solid 4 stars.
Bob Dylan
3/5
While seems churlish to do down a record that starts with 'Like A Rolling Stone', I feel like the rest of this album all blurs into one. The whine gets tiring.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Show tunes sung badly over Casio beats? Maybe that's too cynical. Didn't much enjoy it beyond the singles though.
Depeche Mode
2/5
Was ok, but didn't stand out to me as much as some other DM.
Simply Red
2/5
Perfectly acceptable 80s smooth rnb. Not amazing, Hucknall's voice feels a bit weak, and the backings a bit too synthetic. Was amused when the accents show on the shout chorus on 'Heaven'. Minus one because the singer is a United fan and fairly grim piece of work. Google "hucknall apology guardian" if you need evidence on that last point.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
Two good songs and a lot of filler. Strange one. Not really an album, more an extended EP.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Enjoyable album, although Chooglin' got a bit repetitive. I guess that's the point.
Green Day
2/5
Clearly a band trying to outgrow one-note punk, but the only good songs on this are the one-note punk songs. And what's with the voice?
Stephen Stills
3/5
'Colorado' is a very nice song. The rest of the album is fine, but way too long. Those Moog interludes can take a dive too. I love the sound of they way they used to record drums in the early 70s. The drumming sounds amazing throughout. Doubt I'd every listen to this as an album again though. I guess that evens out to a three.
Massive Attack
4/5
Bordering on cheesy but generally great in an early 90s way. Tracey Thorn is the secret weapon here. Her voice fits the mood perfectly. Contrary to every other reviewer, I think the 'Light My Fire' cover is kinda fun, albeit in the style of a drunk guy at karaoke.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Bar music. Not sure why he does strange accents half the time. Curious.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
I don't know what it is about pervy, charismatic, tall, thin men, but I'm not a fan. Even if I was, this is not the strongest set of Cave songs. Too many dirges, too much meh.
Peter Frampton
2/5
Re-review from before I joined a group "It's a live album... beyond the talky guitar thing there's no much remarkable here. I'm going to check out the studio albums next though."
The Verve
2/5
Plodding radio-friendly Britrock. This was inescapable in England when it was released. Really could do with fewer vocal ad lib outros. Not strong.
Faust
3/5
The opening track sounds like hearing an open mic at the Irish Club through the wall, 11 min of quarter note bass fifths. Overall, interesting but not enjoyable. I don't think I'll ever enjoy Krautrock, but I guess I'll keep on trying.
4/5
Never owned this album, but I know every song. Hard to rate as a thing. Good songs, personally I'm never going to put it on, but I'm going to constantly hear these songs whether I want to or not. Marginally more listenable than the first album since there's less loudness insanity and a hint more subtlety. Derivative, but fun.
Billie Holiday
2/5
Not a great album. Billie Holiday is a fantastic singer but syrupy arrangements and her later-life, cracking voice doesn't work on this disc. Those additional unfinished takes do her no favours either. Made me go back and listen to the Columbia collections. Much more enjoyable.
Pink Floyd
4/5
When I was younger I thought this was the best Floyd album, but now I think I can admit that Dark Side Of The Moon is better. Even so, it's about as good as Pink Floyd is ever going to get. Moody, maudlin, angry at the world, but still compelling.
Elvis Costello
5/5
So many hits! Obviously not as exciting as the next album, but the live bands playing the material from the first two albums is my Elvis jam. A little one note, but that's part of the charm. Great record.
Sepultura
4/5
Today I learned that Chaos AD wasn't their first album. This band always excited me as a kid but I didn't really spend too much time with them beyond Refuse/Resist. Still enjoyable.
TV On The Radio
3/5
Feels like a bedroom album done by one guy rather than a band. I need to look up some live shows on YouTube. It is fine, but didn't blow my mind. Three and a half probably.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Couple of great songs, a couple of stinkers. This album is more notable for the cover art than the music. A strong opener and closer help it, but 'You Gotta Move' and 'Sister Morphine' are low points.
Solange
3/5
Expected to like this more but her whisper singing gets annoying over the course of the record.
Big Black
3/5
Sticking this out mainly because I love Shellac, but the album opener is horrible in every way. When you can hear it, the bass sound is amazing and I'm into the limitations of the drum machine. This would have probably been my favourite album in the world if I'd heard it when I was 14.
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
Fun, messy, indie album with a few amazing songs on it. Up the Fannies!
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Enjoyed it. Still think Siouxsie is a singles band and obviously this isn't all the hits, but still great.
Mudhoney
2/5
This should be right up my alley, but I find the songs indistinct and it sounds awful. Ho hum.
Queens of the Stone Age
2/5
It's ok, pretty noodley. Sounds like Foo Fighters. Don't think I'll be returning.
Rod Stewart
2/5
Despite him being deeply uncool, I actually quite like Sir Rod's voice and swagger. This collection is terribly dull though. Definitely won't be returning.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Nothing amazing, but fun. Some of the ballads drag and some of the up tempo numbers seem to recommend domestic violence. Hey, it was a different time. Don't think it'll be on heavy rotation, but I don't think I've ever listened to a full Elvis album before.
Joy Division
3/5
Closer on a Monday morning? Are you trying to thin the heard? Murky, moody, generally not as good as Unknown Pleasures. I imagine that album three with 'Dead Souls', 'Ceremony' and 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' on it would be a stormer, but this one is a downer.
MGMT
3/5
Three good songs and a lot of filler. The sound of getting ready to go out in 2009. Bring me my multicolored headband.
Kanye West
2/5
Some interesting beats, some terrible lyrics with even worse delivery. The chorus on 'Hold My Liquor' is one of the most embarrassing things I've heard. If Ye actually was a genius, he'd get someone else to do the rapping.
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
Uncontrolled warbling is my least favourite style of singing - it's like having a goat in my headphones. At least this album is short. Pretty songs, shame about the voice.
Electric Light Orchestra
2/5
Not for me. A very long album with 'Mr. Blue Sky' on it. While not actively terrible, syrupy and overblown.
Metallica
3/5
Had this when it came out. It's a decent pop-metal album. Mostly amused remembering that a high school friend misheard 'Sad But True' as "Sex Patrol". More likely to listen to Master of Puppets if I'm in a 'Tallica mood tbh.
Gary Numan
3/5
Fun electro, interesting sounds, influential, but sort of dull.
The White Stripes
2/5
'Seven Nation Army' and 13 others. White Stripes lack of bass always annoyed me, amusing that their biggest hit has a a fake bass on it. Bass is best, why doesn't everyone know this yet?
Bon Jovi
4/5
Nothing challenging here, (apart from the high note on the chorus of 'Livin On A Prayer' after the key change), but it's a perfectly serviceable 80s rock album. I listened to this a lot as a teen, but have no recollection of about three songs on the second half!
The Byrds
3/5
Seems to be transitional, some stuff works, some stuff is miles off. The Dylan cover is the best thing here.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Great collection with lovely arrangements. Not the cool response, but I think I prefer this to Wee Small Hours.
Madonna
1/5
'Music' was an ok single, but there's nothing much else going for this. 'Nobody's Perfect' is very poor indeed.
Gang Of Four
5/5
Great record from my birth year!
Tracy Chapman
4/5
I have listened to this album a lot, but not recently. In the intervening time I listened to a lot of Joni Mitchell and I see a lot of influence this time around. Still great, solid lyrics, singing, emotion with occasional slips into muzak. Harrowing, but enjoyable to revisit.
Madness
2/5
Always found this band a little creepy. Their skinhead fans and the guy in blackface on the cover double down on that. Not for me.
Spacemen 3
2/5
Very dull. Not for me.
Meat Loaf
2/5
Bizarre hard rock show tunes. Got some fun moments, but also a lot of cheese.
Tom Waits
5/5
Love Tom Waits.
The Clash
3/5
It's alright, occasionally thought I was listening to Buzzcocks. The vocal impression of an echo chamber at the end of 'Police and Thieves' amused me.
Jungle Brothers
4/5
Interesting to check out. I knew the name but had never listened. I think I'll always prefer De La, but glad I heard this.
Massive Attack
4/5
Oh so moody. 'Unfinished Sympathy' is the real head turner, but there's good samples throughout. The rapping is the weak part imho but it's fairly understated, so I'm ok with that.
Madonna
2/5
A William Orbit album with Madonna guesting. She sounds like she's having fun on the title track. The rest, less so.
Gotan Project
1/5
The fairly bland adventures of a man with an accordion and a man with a laptop. Leave it in the hotel lobby lads.
Röyksopp
2/5
I like the Oye tracks, 'Remind Me' is great. Rest of it just bleeps along. Downtempo music like used to be interesting for me, but I lost interest somewhere along the line and I now find this sort of thing a slog.
The Stooges
4/5
Messy, fun rock
Randy Newman
3/5
That's a bold start right there. I like the sounds of his songs - interesting chords, plaintiff singing, but something about it doesn't make me want to return to it.
Yes
3/5
Way more fun than I was expecting. Sounds like the drummer and the bassist are having a great time. Groovy psyche rock with only a whiff of the pretention I thought I was going to get. That said, the cover of 'America' was pretty dumb, drop the singing and it's an unrecognizable instrumental!
The Band
3/5
'The Weight' is awesome. The rest is pretty forgettable. Not actually bad, but fairly generic.
Jacques Brel
2/5
I feel like I lose an awful lot by not understanding the lyrics. Totally fine cabaret music, does not move me at all.
The Undertones
5/5
Fun pop-punk from back in the day. This is how it's done, Green Day!
John Martyn
2/5
Solid Air this ain't. Smooth folk with a hint of funk works better for me that smooth funk with a hint of folk. Never again.
Blondie
3/5
Got some great songs, but also a load that sound like filler from 50s themed musical. I'm sure it would have made sense in CBGBs, but feels sterile on record.
Dizzee Rascal
1/5
I hate the London rap accent so much. Also these beats are so horribly cheap sounding. Really monotonous. I want to support UK hip hop, but not this.
Metallica
2/5
Chug, chug, chug-chug, chug. This album didn't move me when I was a metal fan. It's no Master Of Puppets. Fine for what it is, but too long and a bit too dull.
Buck Owens
3/5
A little too country for my tastes, but nice enough. Doubt I'll be returning.
Willie Nelson
4/5
Bit repetitive, but I think that's the point. I like the sparse sound. Feels more authentic than Nashville country to me. Doubt I'll ever listen to it again, but was fine for a few plays through on a summer afternoon.
King Crimson
3/5
The suite is a bit all over the place. Feels like there's no connection or theme. Not particularly essential imho. Nice drumming throughout though.
Mike Ladd
4/5
Love all the blips and the esoteric subject matter. Gets a little annoying in places with repetition and strange affectations, but mostly a really interesting listen. Ladd's Gun Hill Road really improves on the formula, but this album is still worth spending time with.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
More messy joy.
Klaxons
1/5
Entirely inessential. I love fuzz bass as much as the next man, but beyond Golden Skans, this album doesn't stand up. Very derivative.
Talvin Singh
2/5
Less flute and less 2000s production and I might have got on with this. Sadly it was a chore.
John Lennon
3/5
Already reviewed "Hard work. Sounds like it was recorded behind a mattress."
The Fall
4/5
Don't think this is an amazing Fall album, but it's got a few hits on it.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Era defining production and genre jumping. Owes credit to Lionel Richie, Sting and Talking Heads. 'Don't Give Up' is still lovely though.
Nirvana
5/5
The advanced press on this was that it was no Nevermind so I wasn't exactly looking forward to it when I asked my brother for it for my birthday. However, I put it on and I was hooked from the opening JANG! Great stuff. The rumbly bass bits are even more rumbly. The angst is real. Love it.
R.E.M.
3/5
Oop, someone bought a mandolin.
Public Enemy
2/5
Chuck D is so compelling when he's rapping, shame about everything else. The wall of noise is too noisy, Flav's enthusiasm isn't matched by skill. Best track for me is Hollywood since it's not just the two of them.
Sonic Youth
5/5
Great, messy, iconic.
Soul II Soul
2/5
Two amazing songs and a lot of filler. I think I would have felt cheated if I'd bought this at the time. This format doesn't really work for singles bands.
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
I'm not completely comfortable calling myself a B&S fan, but I love the first 4 albums so it's an instant 5 star for me.
Bill Callahan
4/5
Prefer his previous album, but this is still great. Does every singer songwriter post 1990 have a "Nick Drake" phase?
Sonic Youth
4/5
Slightly more refined, messy fun!
Richard Thompson
4/5
Enjoyable 70s folk rock.
Pretenders
4/5
Interesting to listen to the full album. Sounds more modern than the release date so must have been influential! Good to get some context for the singles.
Wilco
5/5
Loved this when it came out. Stands up now.
Gram Parsons
2/5
Listened through a few times. Didn't move me. The live track in the middle seemed like a strange choice. Generic middle of the road country.
Nirvana
3/5
Don't think this format adds much to the previously released material, but the broken yowling on 'Where Did You Sleep' almost makes up for an otherwise redundant release.
Fever Ray
2/5
Couldn't get into the voices.
Fishbone
3/5
I had it in my head that Fishbone was funk rock so the ska came as a surprise. While the playing is fantastic - especially the bass, the tunes didn't really grab me.
Afrika Bambaataa
1/5
Electro gets boring so fast. While I appreciate it was groundbreaking, it's not a listen for now. Combine this with ongoing revelations about Bambaataa and it's a very unappealing listen.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
Sounds like a jam band having fun. Probably more exciting to play than to listen to. Needs bass.
Talking Heads
2/5
Not great. Most of it sounds like Roxy Music. A guy with a bleaty voice, trying to croon.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Pretty good, if you don't listen to the lyrics.
The Only Ones
2/5
One hit and some others. Hate the vocal style.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
Totally decent, but no way essential. Enjoyable listen though.
Hookworms
1/5
Entirely inessential. A Can impersonation some guys from Leeds with an alleged history of abuse. No thanks.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Far longer than I remembered but still great!
Ministry
2/5
Enjoyed the speed metal and thrash bits, didn't enjoy the repetitious vocal samples. All the one-chord jam songs with fade outs made this album seem unfinished. Also, next to NIN's Wish from the same year Psalm 69 is fairly primitive.
Blue Cheer
2/5
Interesting, but not great.
TV On The Radio
2/5
The high vocals on TVOTR always sound like muppets singing to me. This album didn't change my mind.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Monumental, smooth prog. What's not to like?
Steely Dan
5/5
Despite all the ribbing, it's still excellent!
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
I prefer this band when he's not singing, his mumbling doesn't add much to the mix either. All the tunes were reminiscent of other things. I was pretty sure I was listening to a pastiche of 'Werewolves of London' at one point.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
5/5
Great album, I almost drove off a road in the snow while listening to this. The other four people in the car suggested maybe we should have no music on for a while. Why is it not on Spotify? Anyway, great stuff.
Neu!
3/5
Interesting, not amazing. Had seen the cover before and expected more straight ahead krautrock rather than the folkier stuff it opened with.
Bauhaus
3/5
Not as dark and gothy as I'd expected. Definitely didn't expect any disco beats. I feel like I should listen to it again sometime, but for now it's a solid 3.
The Crusaders
3/5
Inessential album with a great single on it. Again, the strings add nothing!
Cornershop
2/5
Lots of two chord stoner jams. The FBS remix of 'Brim Full of Asha' obliterates the album version. I like the singer's voice, but the whole album just isn't adventurous enough to hold my interest.
Crowded House
3/5
Totally pleasant pop rock. Knew the singles from repeated radio play, the album tracks weren't a revelation.
k.d. lang
3/5
Turns out I know nothing about k.d. lang. I expected 'Constant Craving', but this is very different. Great singing, lush production, entirely forgettable.
Ignoring what Rod became, I do love the swagger on The Faces records. Unchallenging blues rock, perhaps, but enjoyable.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Super fun.
Minor Threat
4/5
Worthy.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Should be my thing, but I don't like his voice and the songs are a bit dull. Doesn't grab me like Chameleons or Cure. Don't think I'll ever be a fan.
PJ Harvey
2/5
Interesting, but not good. For an album about war, the singing is fairly bloodless. PJ Harvey can do bold, and so the title and title track felt like she was taking the piss. The Bjork comparisons aren't out of place either - the vocals on 'England' sound like Harvey is trying on both Bjork's writing and phasing. Also, out of tune, endlessly repeated samples will never fail to get on my nerves.
The Jam
4/5
This album really peaks around the middle. Fun.
Def Leppard
2/5
I always had an authenticity issue with Def Leppard, a Sheffield band presenting as Yankee hair metal. Listening to their earlier albums, I don't mind them pretending to be AC/DC as much as this. Disposable pop rock.
MC Solaar
4/5
The Golden Age of hip hop in France sounded pretty chill. I like the beats, pretty subtle and cool without getting cheesy. Only track that didn't work for me was 'Ragga Jam', that guest spot hurt.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
Loved this as a kid. Straightforward hard rock with a ton of hits. Nothing groundbreaking, but great at what it does.
Robbie Williams
2/5
Boy band bad boy does Britpop plus 'Angels'. Definition of inessential. 'Let Me Entertain You' owes Bon Jovi a writing credit.
LTJ Bukem
2/5
Strange that the Spotify version was an entirely different collection of songs. Found someone who had mixed the original tracks together on Soundcloud. Pretty standard mid-1990, moody, background, dance music. Not really compelling. An MC might have helped. Far too long.
Cowboy Junkies
5/5
I used to listen to this to go to sleep for years when I was younger. Never not a 5 star!
Giant Sand
4/5
Good lo-fi alt.country album. Didn't realize it had been re-released with a new cover. Also didn't realise that was a Juliana Hatfield backing vocal. Not heard it for years to it was nice to re-listen.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
More convincing than the previous album I'd listened to in this list - Treasure. The oddity of the lyrics doesn't stand out as much here. Probably helps that I've been listening to a lot of shoegaze recently, but this gets a four.
Minutemen
4/5
Far too long, but pretty enjoyable. I think I would have preferred it slightly more if the twang on the bass was turned down.
Al Green
5/5
Awesome record.
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Fine, but underwhelming - really didn't enjoy the Joni Mitchell cover at the end.
Doves
3/5
Decent Manc album, not sure it's essential. 'Catch The Sun' is still awesome but 'Firesuite' is sounding a bit dated now. At this rate I'm going to be reviewing I Am Kloot records.
The Waterboys
3/5
Reasonable folk rock. Could have done without the last two tracks and didn't bother with the bonus disc material. Surprised that I didn't know any of the songs since they're so radio friendly. Probably won't listen again.
Ryan Adams
2/5
Starts well, gets dull. Welch and Rawlings are great people to have around as backup but they seem wasted on this project
Billy Bragg
4/5
Enjoyed this. Although Marr was wasted on his tracks! Like an angry, young Alan Bennett with a guitar.
Lambchop
3/5
Plodded away nicely but generally didn't move me. Like a less interesting Giant Sand.
Christina Aguilera
1/5
Tried to listen with no prejudice. Disc one is fairly painful; unchallenging dusty beats with Xtina moaning over the top. Disappointed to find out most of it was produced by DJ Premier. 'Thank You' was frankly embarrassing, as was the section naming famous musicians. Saying "Billie Holiday" out loud doesn't musically align you with your hero, it just reminds me that I could be listening to something better than this. The songs on disc two weren't all that, but were a far better use of her voice.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
I think you had to be there at the time. Doesn't really stand up as an album now outside of the obvious hits.
Suzanne Vega
4/5
Starting with a spoken word coffee shop piece was a bold move. I love her voice when she's singing though. Dated arrangements and too many songs about knights/queens notwithstanding, it's a fun album.
KISS
2/5
Mercifully short. I tried to listen without prejudice - it helps not seeing their costumes while listening, but still not strong. Identikit rock.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Knew the singles, good to listen to the whole album. 'Sex Machine' gets self indulgent, but everything else is awesome.
Gene Clark
1/5
Provinence be damned, this is a dull record.
Elvis Presley
2/5
Compared to early Elvis or even the comeback special this record has no balls. Tunes for the pop chart. He sounds like Cher.
Deep Purple
2/5
Yeah, no. Live albums are generally for fans. Not being a fan of Deep Purple anyway, this was hard going. 13 minutes into 'Space Truckin', the noodling started to actually annoy me. Then I looked up the original play list of the LP and realized I didn't have to listen to any more songs after this one ended. If the best thing about an album is it finishing, it's not a great album.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
The extended side A was more fun that I expected. Absolute nonsense of course, but it moved along nicely. Second half probably should be avoided.
3/5
As a proud Manc, I resent that they didn't take the opportunity to correct the title of this bootleg. As usual with Dylan, great songs, terrible singing, playing a harmonica like it's an inhaler. Didn't really have a problem with either the acoustic or the electric portions of this album. Don't think any of the recordings improve on the studio versions.
T. Rex
5/5
Love the sound, great album.
George Michael
3/5
It's a real downhill after the title track. Fine voice, daddy fixation, sort of bland arrangements. Was hoping to enjoy this more than I did.
Red Snapper
2/5
I'd enjoyed their earlier stuff but the addition of repeated vocal samples makes this a really annoying listen. Not fun
Miles Davis
3/5
Understand that Miles Davis trying to get down with the psyche rock kids was revolutionary, but as a listen this album feels entirely directionless. There's that one point where the bass and the drums sync up into something resembling a conventional groove, but the rest just potters along until it's done. Always worth a re-listen once in a while, but not the genius it's often hailed to be.
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Will probably never listen again, but it's fine for what it is.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Happy rock n roll. Actually a little more rockin than I was expecting.
Culture Club
3/5
Am I the only person that thinks George Michael and Boy George are the same person with different wardrobes? Fine 80s approximation of soul. Nothing astounding.
Ride
3/5
Going to see this lot next month. Didn't expect that they would be on the reunion list. Enjoyed the album enough but nothing as 'blow you away' as JAMC. Maybe I'll revisit this after the show.
Deep Purple
5/5
Surprisingly enjoyed this loads - hard rock from the first beat. Well, all apart from 'Child In Time' which is just a dirgey psyche out that would be fine on a 60s horror soundtrack, but doesn't work here. Shame it makes up a quarter of the album's run time. However, without it, that's a tight 30 minute record of rock joy.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Sounds pretty dated. Fine I guess. My personal bugbear of repeated vocal samples feature heavily so I'm never going to love this. Reminds me of indie clubs trying to be edgy.
David Bowie
2/5
Seriously front loaded, the second half instrumentals are weak. Like the soundtrack to a bad horror movie. I'd have been pretty disappointed if I'd bought the vinyl when it came out. 5 stars for side one, 2 stars for side two.
Fairport Convention
4/5
Enjoyed the groovy bits and obviously 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes' is a masterpiece.
Jack White
2/5
Tried to listen without prejudice, but it's hard. His voice is horrible and he seems like the worst guitar hipster in the world. At least this album has some bass on it. Still not for me.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1/5
Horrible.
Faith No More
5/5
Loved this as a kid. Always going to rank it highly, despite 'Woodpecker' being about 4 minutes too long and wishing they'd included 'Cowboy Song' on the actual record. The deluxe version is pretty comical, those live versions add so little.
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
Really enjoyed this as relaxing background music. Never heard any Toure before so super interesting. The blues leaning made it more approachable for me than other Mali music I've heard before.
Stephen Stills
3/5
You know what you're getting with Stills. This is more of the same. Plus a bit of syrup.
Emmylou Harris
2/5
Those beats? It was a bad time in production. Not a fun listen.
The Fall
4/5
Not their best for me, but more of the good old stuff.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Lovely, croaky old Johnny. No interest in listening to this regularly, but it's clearly very good.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Not amazing, the end half of the album just sounds like a mess to me. Sludgy krautrock isn't my bag.