Journey Complete!
Finisher # to complete the list
View User Albums Summary827
Albums Rated
3.35
Average Rating
76%
Complete
Rating Distribution
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Taste Profile
1960s
Favorite Decade
Psychedelic-rock
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
168
5-Star Albums
62
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
|
5 | 2.39 | +2.61 |
|
Black Metal
Venom
|
5 | 2.46 | +2.54 |
|
Welcome to the Afterfuture
Mike Ladd
|
5 | 2.56 | +2.44 |
|
Shalimar
Rahul Dev Burman
|
5 | 2.65 | +2.35 |
|
Cut
The Slits
|
5 | 2.71 | +2.29 |
|
Triangle
The Beau Brummels
|
5 | 2.71 | +2.29 |
|
Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes
|
5 | 2.73 | +2.27 |
|
Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
|
5 | 2.74 | +2.26 |
|
Group Sex
Circle Jerks
|
5 | 2.75 | +2.25 |
|
Rejoicing In The Hands
Devendra Banhart
|
5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
|
1 | 4 | -3 |
|
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
|
1 | 3.72 | -2.72 |
|
21
Adele
|
1 | 3.69 | -2.69 |
|
The Joshua Tree
U2
|
1 | 3.67 | -2.67 |
|
Machine Head
Deep Purple
|
1 | 3.59 | -2.59 |
|
Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
|
1 | 3.51 | -2.51 |
|
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
|
1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
|
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
|
1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
|
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
|
1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
|
Diamond Life
Sade
|
1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 7 | 4.71 |
| The Who | 4 | 5 |
| Nick Drake | 3 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 5 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 5 |
| The Rolling Stones | 6 | 4.33 |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 4.67 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 4.67 |
| Roxy Music | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Velvet Underground | 3 | 4.67 |
| Paul Simon | 2 | 5 |
| Muddy Waters | 2 | 5 |
| Oasis | 2 | 5 |
| Eminem | 2 | 5 |
| Fairport Convention | 2 | 5 |
| XTC | 2 | 5 |
| Goldfrapp | 2 | 5 |
| Supergrass | 2 | 5 |
| The Clash | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.25 |
| The Kinks | 4 | 4.25 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Stooges | 3 | 4.33 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 3 | 4.33 |
| Kate Bush | 3 | 4.33 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 3 | 4.33 |
| David Bowie | 5 | 4 |
| The Byrds | 5 | 4 |
| Bob Dylan | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| U2 | 3 | 1.33 |
| Adele | 2 | 1 |
| Leonard Cohen | 3 | 1.67 |
| Kanye West | 3 | 1.67 |
| Coldplay | 2 | 1.5 |
| Orbital | 2 | 1.5 |
| Traffic | 2 | 1.5 |
| Deep Purple | 2 | 1.5 |
| Dire Straits | 2 | 1.5 |
| Big Star | 2 | 1.5 |
| M.I.A. | 2 | 1.5 |
| Sepultura | 2 | 1.5 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 5 | 2.2 |
| Brian Eno | 3 | 2 |
| Björk | 4 | 2.25 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Fleetwood Mac | 2, 5 |
| Siouxsie And The Banshees | 5, 2 |
| Wilco | 1, 4 |
| Radiohead | 1, 5, 4, 5, 4 |
| Black Sabbath | 2, 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (168)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
1/5
U2 seem to be the band everyone loves to hate, mainly due to Bono. I never really felt that is particularly fair but I've never really previously found a good reason to ignore this viewpoint either.
A further listen today hasn't changed this. I tried to be open minded and enjoy it, but I just cringed. Bono over-sings every line like a 3 years old who hasn't got his or her own way.
Some people are just born to be really annoying and you can't quite pinpoint exactly why. With regret Bono, that's you.
16 likes
Radiohead
1/5
It kind of bugs me. The guy is probably a millionaire and adored by his fans yet he's still moaning like a bitch. And I can't make out any of the words. To me it just sounds like a whinge for the sake of it. Absolute twaddle.
15 likes
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
What a wonderful album, it has so many of Throbbing Gristles biggest hits like 'Hit By A Rock', 'Valley of the Shadow of Death', 'AB/7A' and the all time classic 'Death Threats'. They made such sweet sounds back in the 70's, you have to wonder how many babies were conceived listening to this timeless album.
Everything about it is wonderful; the classic songwriting of Genesis P-Orridge and Cosey Fanni Tutti, the gorgeous vocal harmonies, the immaculate string arrangements, the sparkling production. I could go on and on.
No seriously, this was terrible. It was like being sat in a dentist chair having all my teeth pulled out without anesthetic. How the F**k does this qualify as music??? There's nothing clever or ground breaking or artistic about it. It's just a pile of garbage. Stop wasting my f**king time with this nonsense!!!!!!
15 likes
Solomon Burke
5/5
Wow what a voice, smooth and silky one minute, rough and ready the next. I loved the punchy mono sound (would love to listen to this on vinyl). The songs are simple and the backing is fairly sparse yet full sounding; the typical 'dry' Atlantic sound, which I love.
Back in their copycat days the Rolling Stones covered two tracks from this album (Cry to Me and If You Need Me) so you can see how influential it was. It's a bit old fashioned sounding, but who gives a damn when it sounds this good. Not much to fault, so it's easily a 5 star for me.
12 likes
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
On the plus side, Smokers Delight does have a nice chilled vibe that serves well as background music. But as an album to listen to attentively it is a bit boring and repetitive. Don't get me wrong, repetition can be used to good effect. Problem is there is no organic sounds; there is no real emotion. Like a lot of modern music it's loop based, sequenced, time stretched, processed etc (even the "solos"). There's no art to it - a computer could have been programmed to make it.
11 likes
4-Star Albums (223)
1-Star Albums (62)
All Ratings
OutKast
4/5
Although it is a bit long at 75 minutes, it is a fresh sounding mix of rap and funky-rock with elements of jazz, blues and soul thrown in for good measure.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Smooth, slow, and soulful (as you would expect) doesn't sound like a particular exciting combination. Thankfully Curtis remembered to order some funk to liven it up. There are plenty of chilled vibes, in a good way.
The White Stripes
4/5
As you'd expect, there's loads of energy in this, vis a vis pounding drums, distorted guitar mayhem and in-yer-face vocals. But there are some more playful movements for contrast.
T. Rex
4/5
It's interesting how Bolan and Tyrannosaurus Rex morphed from the mystical folk of their earlier incarnation into a highly successful 70's glam rock band. What they did retain was his natural playfulness, warbling vocal and ability to write catchy pop music with decent lyrics, and it shows.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
There is a little bit of cool funk, rap and soul mixed in with some moments of cheesiness that could be a Zappa style send up. It's a great listen.
The Smiths
3/5
There is something wrong about the title, so I had to stop and think awhile. Then it occurred to me:- the description is factually incorrect. Murder is an action (verb), whereas meat is a product (noun), so you can't compare the two together. Therefore a more realistic description would be "meat is a dead animal". Or to flip it around, killing is murder. But I guess that header doesn't have quite the same impact.
Nice guitar sounds though.
David Bowie
4/5
Here's a question - does the medium of how you listen to an album change your experience of it? ( and by extension, your level of enjoyment). I don't necessarily mean the sound quality of the medium : I just mean your experience in the sense of commitment.
For example, when you play a record (or a CD for that matter), you are playing "my" copy, whereas streaming your playing "a" copy; sort of "borrowing it" - so there's perhaps less of an obligation to enjoy it (or even play it all the way through).
Anyway that preamble has some context. I recently inherited a bunch of LPs from my late uncle, and Low was one of them. After I cleaned it up, I played it, loved the sound and the gothic texture of the synths and thought it was fabulous record. It transported.e somewhere else. A great experience was had listening on headphones and looking at the artwork. It felt personal.
Fast forward a few months and I played the same album via streaming for this review and I didn't feel the same connection. Maybe there's something impersonal about streaming, playing a track that's had X million plays, which is very much a communal thing. Maybe I'm a hopeless romantic with..y love of vinyl.
Anyway, it's certainly food for thought for those who care about such things.
David Bowie
4/5
Having just played Low, thought I'd play part 2 of the so called "Berlin Trilogy". Obviously the title track is the standout, commercial track but there is plenty to enjoy in the deeper cuts. Bowie was indeed a fascinating artist in every sense of the word.
Milton Nascimento
5/5
This has to be one of the best unknown albums on this list. It's a double albums that needs to be a double and is not padded out by filler. I love the genre hopping between folk, psychedelia, exotica and even baroque pop. Superb in every department more people need to hear albums like this.
The Band
5/5
I first bought this when I was 19 or 20 off the back of Colin Larkin's 1000 best albums by and hated it. Found it really slow and boring. Unsurprisingly given I was into sixties psych, garage and pop at the time. It's fair to say my taste has evolved since as a few listens over time has shown this to be a corker of an album that brims with warmth and mighty fine musicianship. Best tracks are 'Across the Great Divide', 'Rag Mamma Rag' and 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down' (the opening 3 numbers). All in all, superb Americana.
Prince
4/5
I've heard a lot about Prince but until now have never actually heard an album. I'm not even sure what songs he has. This particular album is definitely of its time and for me that's not necessarily a bad thing. The production is dense and there's a lot going on. I quite enjoyed his singing (he's very charismatic) even if the lyrics are mostly trite.
The Smiths
3/5
Tell you what, Morrissey should have been a fortune teller. He foresaw the queen's death. Mind you, that's treason- it's a good job he wasn't born 500 years ago or his head would be on a spike by now. And I bet even that wouldn't be enough to stop his whining.
Joking aside, it's not a bad album but not a particularly good one either.
Coldplay
1/5
It's great snoozic (if that's not a word, then it should be). I did enjoy one of their songs once (the one about Roman Calvary singing) but that's not on here sadly.
The B-52's
5/5
You can tell from the dayglow cover that this is a bit of a daft album and I love it for that reason. There's so much humour, energy and excitement and it sounds so fresh. The music is groovy, the sounds are zany and the singing is carefree. Unlike a lot of punk and new wave it sounds childish (in a good way), sunny but also a bit spooky all at the same time (love the organ sounds). Fab stuff.
Scott Walker
4/5
I like this a lot. It's very brooding and European sounding, like a soundtrack to an imaginary film. His voice takes a bit of getting used to (you might say it's an acquired taste).
Nick Drake
5/5
There is something otherworldly about Nick Drake's. His lyrics never truly make sense but you know what he is saying. It's fair to say he created moods and that is what tells the story. One of the most creative acoustic guitar players even though he never shows off. Loads of great songs here, the best ones for me are "Three Hours", "Cello Song", "Saturday Sun" and "River Man".
Donovan
5/5
It's a bit dated listening to this Whimsical album in the 21st century but that's part of its charm. The UK edition of the album gets the edge by virtue of having more tracks. Donovan was one of the foremost and influential exponents of the UK hippy music scene. The album has elements of pop, folk, jazz and chamber arrangements. There's lots of sitar n spice moments throughout (Three Kingfishers, Ferris Wheel, Guinevere) but there's also some groovy tracks like the title track, Season of the Witch and The Fat Angel. Most impressive is the baroque arrangements on several tracks and the hazy shimmering vibe of Celeste. Best enjoyed on a glorious summer afternoon with a couple of beers and a smoke!
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Mellow reggae that's well produced. Loved the bass guitar sound. If I'm honest, it was a little sterile and boring to listen to.
Cat Stevens
2/5
I should like this but something about it just doesn't work. It's too nice perhaps?
R.E.M.
2/5
Dull folk rock that lacks songwriting flair and arrangement craftsmanship. Stick to the Byrd's.
Rage Against The Machine
1/5
I just want to make it absolutely clear I have no problems with rage. And I fuckin love machines. I mean rage is perfectly normal. Natural even. And machines god bless em. You just wanna stroke there robot heads and day there there. It's not their fault they were made that way. They are a victim in all this and anybody who suggests otherwise is completely and utterly missing the point. And briefly returning to the gallant subject of rage. It's bold. It's beautiful. It's the past. It's the future. It's now. Oh and by the way this album sucks ass. Which makes it sound better than it is. No man, I mean it really sucks. More than a three year old licking a great big lollipop. More than a vacuum cleaner. More than a new born baby
More than Larry the fuckin lamb who's just been born into this strange but beautiful world. Before I finish this review just ask yourself why? Then as who? Then ask what? Then ask where? Then ask how? And last but definitely not least ask where? Only then can you truly understand the way of the ninja. Only then can find peace within. Only then can you listen to this album and realise what complete piece of arse wank it really is.
The Youngbloods
5/5
Played my vinyl copy over the weekend and I really dug the laid back jazzy vibe. The folky 'Darkness, Darkness' is the standout track, but there's plenty of other highlights like 'Smug' (spitting image of classic Byrds), 'Sunlight', 'Quicksand' and the closing 'Ride the Wind'. It's generally low key, perfect for a chilled Sunday evening.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Probably the nearest the Beach Boys came to making a truly psychedelic album, this is simply masterful. The lyrics are more thoughtful than previously expected and cover some ecological and political themes. The usual vocal harmonies are there of course, plus there are some interesting musical textures. It's disappointing that no Dennis Wilson tracks were included as his songs were to the highlights on the previous Sunflower album. The mood is generally quite mellow with the raucous 'Student Demonstration Time' placed at the end of side one to wake you up after the gently nostalgic 'Disney Girls'. Highlights include 'Don't Go Near The Water', 'Feel Flows', 'Til I Die and the masterful title track. I also have soft spot for the humorous 'Take Good Care of Your Feet'.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Whimsical, strange, trippy this is British psychedelia at its very best. Sadly Syd with never hit the same highs on his two solo albums.
OutKast
3/5
A solid funky party album. Some cool sounds and grooves. Stand out tracks for me are "Bowtie", "Hey Ya!", "Dracula's Wedding" and the jazzy cover of "My Favourite Things". The biggest problem for me is the length of the album. It felt a bit of a chore to listen to it all and I feel it could have been trimmed into a solid 80 or 90 minute double. I'm torn between 3 and 4. If I could make my own compilation it would be a 4, but based on what's presented it's a 3
The Beach Boys
4/5
The original vinyl album was arranged so that side one was uptempo and side two had ballads, which is quite nice if you are only in the mood for one or the other. It's short (under 30 mins) and definitely music of its time. The uptempo songs are catchy, "Do you wanna dance" is especially powerful, amazing. The ballads are emotional but maybe a touch to twee overal. This has the original non hit version of "Help me Ronda", which has some cool harmonica licks. I do hate the last track of speech, utterly pointless filler. It's hard to choose stand out tracks as I kind of like them all, special mention goes to the jazzy "In the back of my mind" which has an orchestral backing similar to several Pet Sounds tracks. Not quite a classic but nonetheless a very good album.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
There's a lot to enjoy on this album if you allow yourself. Favourite tracks are "Homeward bound", "Feeling groovy", "Patterns" and "A simple desultory". A really good album.
Beastie Boys
2/5
I like that this project makes you listen to music you wouldn't normally listen to. So I understand that this album is basically constructed from samples which is cool and quite clever. I like to that it's fun and would probably appreciate it at a house party or something of that ilk. I'm not really keen on rap, like don't get me wrong it's ok for a song or two. Would I choose to listen again? Probably not, sorry.
Nico
1/5
Baroque folk/ chamber pop is a genre I normally quite like, but thanks to Nico's awful singing, this is frankly terrible. I don't understand why it is on the list. There are far better albums in this vein (Judy Collins' Wildflowers being one that springs to mind). I can only assume it's here due to Velvet Underground connections). I can imagine her vocals being used on a comedy German album, that might actually work!
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I love the Stones and this is album I have tried to like more than I actually do. I always end up wishing I was listening to one of their sixties albums with Brian Jones. I don't care much for Wild Horses and Brown Sugar is as bit overrated. I do really like Dead Flowers and Moonlight Mile is awesome. Plus Bitch totally rocks and the latin jam on Can you hear the music is cool. It's not a bad album just not as good as it's reputation suggests. 7/10 so I rounded up to 4 stars
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Aretha Franklin was obviously an amazing singer with a very powerful voice, but I do feel that the melody is lost at times. I like the uptempo songs but some of the slower numbers did not really resonate with me. Instrumentally there is a focus on the bass lines which are very groovy. I listened on headphones and I liked the stereo separation but I reckon I would have enjoyed it more played loud on a hi-fi!
Paul Simon
5/5
Superb. All the elements are finally balanced between commercial and experimental. This is an album that rewards you from the first listen. An absolute timeless classic that still sounds fresh 35 years later.
Beatles
4/5
I prefer to side one of the album and the opening two tracks of side two (Here comes the sun and Because). Not that fussed about the song suite thereafter, it's just a bit fluff with no substance. This is the best recorded Beatles album, the production is really crisp. It gets slated, but I actually really like Maxwell's Silver Hammer! Other highlights are Come Together and Something. As s you would expect from The Beatles, it's a really good album.
Screaming Trees
4/5
I had never heard of this band beforehand, but I really enjoyed this. A great mixture of psychedelic rock and Indian instrumentation. Really strong production. Shame they didn't keep going.
The Slits
5/5
Firstly, I wouldn't call this punk, it's a reggae album to my ears. Secondly, this is a masterpiece in uncanny irrelevance. It's just so FUN to listen to. I love the layered vocals
They can't really sing, at least not in the traditional sense. But it doesn't matter. They make it work. And I love the way the bass, guitar and percussion make such a tight groove. The music is quite exotic sounding. A wonderful discovery!
Johnny Cash
4/5
Gotta love that voice, the Johnny Cash drawl. He was a great story teller and this live album does just that. It bit samey, heck he even plays the title song more than once. The album rolls along with Cash in good humour. Yeah I enjoyed listening to this one.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Some good stuff on here like Mother's Little Helper, Lady Jane, Under My Thumb, I Am Waiting, High and Dry, Flight 505. There's a bit of dross as well mind, especially the long boring jam Going Home. I prefer their two 1967 albums 'Between The Buttons' and 'Their Satanic Majesty's Request', which are similar but better.
Nirvana
5/5
Fleetwood Mac
2/5
I struggled to enjoy anything on this album. Was all just a bit to MOR, and quite frankly, boring. Dull lyrics, dull music. It's not terrible but it neither makes me want to dance or sit and listen. One to skip.
Cock rock at its worst (or best if you like that sort of thing). Hard to believe this was 3/4 of the the Small Faces. WTF happened? Oh yeah, cocaine became the drug of choice instead!! I think I would rather listen to Nico over this. Then again......
Sam Cooke
4/5
A much more raucous album with some extended versions of familiar classics. Cooke is very lively and gets the crowd involved. A thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable live set.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
So one tracks like 'Hero' and 'Rolling' have menacing taut groove and some interesting instrumental sounds. In fact, the whole album has a late sixties prog/psychedelic rock feel, with some lysergic sounds and a spacey use of reverb on tracks like 'Piano Joint' and 'Final Days'. The highs are really good but several tracks meander or are just interludes, which takes the album down a notch. That said it's a very satisfying album and potentially one that will grow with each listen.
Devendra Banhart
5/5
This is a lovely album of sparse eastern tinged folk music. Lyrics are poetic and sung in a light and personal manner, but with enough tension to keep me interested. In many ways, this reminds me of Marc Bolan's music in the late sixties with Tyrannosaurus Rex. The album is utterly charming and highly recommended.
Bruce Springsteen
1/5
Possible explanations for Springsteen's vocal technique: 1 He was having some dentistry work completed literally at the same time as recording the vocals 2 He had a vindaloo curry the night before and was really suffering the after effects of said spicy curry 3 He was doing some charity work and was heavily influenced by patrons of said charity 4 It was a private joke on us 5 A bet 6 The 'Boss' has had permanent laryngitis since 1974 7 Too many drugs 8 Springsteen is actually an alien 👽 from the planet gogajoojoo
The truth is out there somewhere!! P.s. Please don't make me listen to any more Springsteen albums. I promise I'll be good!
Jazmine Sullivan
1/5
I was going to attempt to write a humorous review to compensate for the basic fact that I just don't get this kind of music. Then I just thought I'll just tell it like it is : I just don't like it. At all. Sorry. Xx
Various Artists
5/5
This is s perennial favourite of mine, the Cd comes out every Christmas and gets played a good few times. I'm always disappointed when I hear Phil Spector speak on the Silent Night cos I know the album is almost over. Wish it had been a double album! There's no duffers on here, every song is a cracker (pun intended, sorry) that you will hear on the radio during the festive season.
Muddy Waters
5/5
Blues pretty much as good as gets. All the standards are on here. It's impossible to underestimate how important artists like Muddy Waters were in the development of rock and roll, especially in Britain.
Venom
5/5
On paper I should have hated this but (never thought I'd say this) thought it was amazing. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it in an ironic (School of Rock/Spinal Tap) way. But it made me smile, it made me bop, it kept me entertained) and it plain rocks. Teacher's Pet especially made me laugh. In a good way
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
A nice relaxing jazz album with a nice late night smokey feel. Sarah Vaughan has a voice very similar to the more well known Ella Fitzgerald. It's a very pleasant album, that's well sung and performed but lacking the gusto to make it a true classic. Had to seek out the mono version because I'm the stereo was full of dropouts.
Cornershop
3/5
A fusion of eastern sounds, hip hop and pop/rock. Could have been a monster but it lacks truly great songs and arrangements. Also the singer is average. The highlights come early on (Brimful of Asha & especially Sleep on the Left side), after that it just gets a bit monotonous as the length of the tracks outlive their admittedly good hooks. Not a complete failure as it would possibly work better in a party rather than listening with close attention.
The Band
3/5
This album is a critics favourite and was very popular amongst musicians in the late sixties due to the no frills approach and tight musicianship. I personally find it just ok as it tends to meander and the vocals are a bit winey. There are several really strong tracks notably the classic "The Weight".
Tricky
4/5
Some interesting sounds and beats. The music and lyrics depict seemingly real life scenarios of inner city youth alienation and narcotics etc. I enjoyed the moods created on tracks like Pumpkin, which have a spooky rather unsettling feel. Not bad and probably an album that could grow on me.
The Stooges
4/5
Picking up the mantle from bands like the stones and the velvet underground, the Stooges had a decadent seedy sound and unrepentant energy, and this album is no exception. Sounding like countless be garage bands from the sixties, the album title neatly sums up what's on offer. The guitar work is spectacular throughout.
Gil Scott-Heron
1/5
Dull, aimless jazz music. There may have been a message in there somewhere, but I missed it when I fell asleep. Vocals weren't particular interesting either.
Beatles
4/5
It's probably my least favourite Beatles album and a further listen today hasn't changed that view. Sure there are some good tracks but there's something about it that doesn't resonate, hence it rarely gets played. Actually the song I most enjoyed was 'Don't bother me' (George Harrison's first song) which has a moody breezy feel. I think it's because it's not a major/minor song (looked it up and it's verse is E Dorian mode) plus some Latin percussion. Overall I would call this the Beatles soul album and there's a clear Motown influence, especially in the John Lennon sung tracks. I also like the inspired acoustic performance of the standard 'Til there was you' plus 'All my loving' sounds like a #1, had it been released as a single. 3 seems a bit harsh for the stuff I do like, so given it a 4.
The Doors
3/5
I'm not sure how well the doors music works on a stereo system. I do have the nigling feeling they were an excellent live band and by contrast their studio recordings often seem a bit, well flat. There are some great tracks on this album like the spacey 'Indian Summer', the groovy 'Peace Frog' and psychedelic tracks like 'Waiting For The Sun' and 'Blue Sunday'. I also really like the rolling groove of 'Land Ho!,' which is probably my favourite on the album. Less successful are the straightforward blues rock tracks like 'Roadhouse Blues' and some of the lyrics make nice poetry but don't really work in a song.
James Brown
5/5
Brown was a tremendous performer, had a great back up band and interacted really well with the audience. Obviously what's missing here is the visual aspect, as seeing James Brown go nuts on stage must have an awesome sight. I wonder how many parties have been graced by this fab LP?!
Ministry
2/5
Proper mosh pit music. Reminds me of being in Metros, Cardiff. It's not the sort of music I would choose to listen to at home, but played loud in a night club, it's intensity comes across. I hate this style of style of singing and I can't really understand what he is saying. I'm guessing the songs are not about nice things like visiting Grandma or eating ice cream! Production is good mind.
Sonic Youth
2/5
I don't mind guitars being used to make noise and in the right context, when made by a skilled musician, it can really enhance a song. My problem with this album is they don't appear to have the basic requirements; they don't know how to write a song, can't really sing and the lyrics are trite. Kind of reminds me of when I first got an electric guitar, reverb unit and a tascam 4 track and would make lots of weird noise because it was fun to do. But every now and again my dad would come in and tell me to f-ing shut up with that bloody racket (he didn't actually swear, but I could see that's what he was thinking). Now in my forties, I think I can finally see where he was coming from.
Nirvana
5/5
This is probably my favourite live album by any act. There's a lovely relaxed vibe throughout, I almost feel like the band are playing in my living room! In the video the flowers are a neat touch (makes me think of the sixties). On the recording Cobain is in good voice, charismatic and in good humour throughout. It's obviously Nirvana is his band. There's a great selection of originals and covers. There's some fabulous arrangements and instrumentation (the accordion on Jesus Doesn't Want Me and Cello on lots of tracks). It's hard to pick stand out tracks as they're all great, but I love the Meat Puppets tracks and All Apologies followed by a rousing finale of Where Did You Sleep Last Night is a cracking end to the album. It genuinely saddens me that months later Cobain was dead.
Beatles
5/5
Possibly the best early Beatles be album, 13 originals with plenty of brash Lennon rockers and a few mellow McCartney ballads. If you don't dig this album then you probably don't dig the Beatles, man. Personal favourites are the title track, And I Love Her, Things We Said Today, You Can't Do That and I'll Be Back. Cracking stuff.
The Prodigy
5/5
Singles like Firestarter and Breathe evoke really pleasant memories of 1997 and being a teenager etc etc. But beyond the nostalgia, this is a really good album. Techno and electronics are not a genre I would normally listen to, but messrs Howlett, Flint and Maxim recorded some timeless music. Catchy tunes, great vocals superb production and arrangements plenty of gusto. Love it. Also, hadn't played this in ages, so was nice to hear it again!
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
An interesting fusion of the exotic sounds of North West Africa, blues and folk. Not speaking the local dialect means I obviously don't have any clue what the songs are about, which means I focused on the sounds, the grooves and the feel of the music. There are some non western scales, which gives the songs an exotic edge. Overall not bad, but I wasn't blown away in the same way the first time I heard music by John Berberian or my beloved album by The Gurus.
Aphex Twin
4/5
A very listenable ambient album featuring lengthy spacey hypnotic grooves. It's psychedelic without being weird.I can imagine this working well as film music, running music, background music and naturally it would be great music to listen to with certain substances.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
The singles Take Me Out and The Dark of the Matinee were staples in pubs and clubs when i was in university back in the early to mid 2000's (showing my age a bit here) so listening to this album is a bit of a nostalgia trip. Generally speaking the music is pleasant high octane guitar pop/rock. Overall it's lively and enjoyable enough but it's nothing special or particularly distinctive either.
Sade
1/5
If you like the sound of Casio keyboard and drum sounds together with alto saxophone solos and a smooth vocal then this album is for you. I've seen this described as sounding like elevator music and that's probably about right. It amazes me people actually bought this (I'm pretty sure my sister had this in her cd collection). Why, is beyond me. I guess smash hits or just 17 gave it a rave review? And I suppose the cover is quite cool in an art noir kind of way. Um, yeah, not really my bag. Is that 1000 words yet?
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Amy Winehouse had a great voice, the songs have some interesting lyrics but the music gets a little samey. It's probably an album that would grow on me with more listens. Surprisingly jazzy in places.
Simple Minds
3/5
The video for Promised You A Miracle shows the band playing guitar, bass and drums but I swear I can't hear any of those instruments. And that's part of my problem with this album, everything is synthesized. It really dates it. Sure, it's listenable enough and I suppose it's quite cool in a retro kind of way. Singer sounds like countless other singers from the same period. Some of the keyboard sounds do remind me of something or other, so I think there is a bit of 80s nostalgia that is appealing. Sounds strange, but I honestly don't know if I liked it or not.
Suicide
4/5
Entrancing distorted punk/garage rock with a stimulating sound. It's a bit repetitive but the band make it work. The vocals have been processed with a reverb/effect that makes the vibe almost psychedelic. You can imagine these tracks being played at a decadent house party or an indie/alternative rock club. Great album, I enjoyed it more than I expected.
Orbital
2/5
Not really be my cup of tea
The Stooges
5/5
Cracking driving garage rock album with some sublime guitar. There's a lot of craftmanship in the playing. Highly recommended.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
A sublime soundtrack with plenty of funky grooves, Latin hand percussion, cinematic strings, funky guitar (and bass) and swirling arrangements; the works. Loads of great tracks like 'Pusherman', 'Freddie's Dead', 'Eddie You Show Know Better', 'No Thing on Me' and 'Superfly'. I wasn't born in the early 70's but gee I felt like I was transported to that time listening to the album. Not to mention the icing on the cake; Curtis Mayfield's unique vocal sound. Superb in all departments. Now I need to go and watch the movie!
Funkadelic
4/5
An enjoyable funk album with some of the better elements of disco music. I like that the overall vibe is lightweight and even a bit humourous, with an emphasis on FUN (perhaps even tongue in cheek). I loved things like the doowop backing vocals on Groove allegiance and the song titles themselves. Overall I felt like I was listening to an album length version of Sly & Family Stone 'Dance to the Music', which is a good thing!
Marty Robbins
3/5
The 12 tracks on this album certainly sound like authentic "cowboy songs" in terms of there arrangements (Solo singer with a small choir of male harmonies, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass and mandolin). Indeed, in 2017, Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant." It's very much a lyrical and storytelling album, usually with a fatalistic ending for the protagonist. Is very much music of it's time, so it's hard to imagine this album gaining an audience from today's generation. Lacking any real variety, the album does get a bit samey and the laid back nature works for and against it. It's a shame there is nothing with excitement like 'Rawhide'. Stand out tracks: the two singles 'El Paso' and 'Big Iron'.
CHIC
2/5
Creamy disco-funk. Nile Rodgers is a bit of a celeb these days so had high hopes. Sure the guitar playing was top notch and there were a few good tracks (notably a #1 US single 'Le Freak') but a lot of it was rather meandering and/or forgettable.
Tina Turner
3/5
Songs like 'What's Love Got to Do With It' are familiar on a very eighties sounding album (guitars, effects, production, keyboards, tempo are all in that mold). Tina Turner is in very good voice and the songs are catchy. It's very much a rock orientated album rather than soul which I like. I probably enjoyed it more than I care to admit, mainly due to Turner's vocals but ultimately I probably wouldn't choose to listen to it again. I might go and listen to 'River Deep Mountain High' now though!
The Cure
5/5
This album was an unexpected pleasure. The tracks all have an eerie, menacing and foreboding atmosphere. I would describe it as ambient, industrial, psychedelic and relentless. It's another good example where repetition is used to good effect. Great music doesn't have to be pretty and this dark gothic sounding album is the proof. Fabulous from start to finish.
Koffi Olomide
3/5
Never heard of this chap before but he's been making recordings since 1983 and I counted 29 albums on wikipedia.
The music on Haut De Gamme is pleasant and unassuming, the polyrhythmic grooves provide an upbeat platform for Olomide to sing over. Meanwhile there is usually some exotic sounding instrument playing a cheery motif as a counter melody.
As with a lot of what is classified "world music" it's sung in the local dialect, meaning you have no idea what the songs are about, so you concentrate on the mood of the music, which is joyous and feels a little bit spiritual. The vibe is relaxed and lacking bite so it does occasionally veer into lounge territory. Of course, whether that's good or bad depends on the listener.
On the whole it is quite an enjoyable lightweight album and I relish the thought of seeing/hearing this performed in a live setting at an outdoor festival (with a beer or three) in the middle of summer instead of a cold winter's day in February (with a cuppa tea)!
Terrible cover art mind.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
I found this to be a really interesting album. The first track had some cool jazzy chord changes. Then things perked up with Boogie Reggae Woman, went trippy (and a bit creepy) with Creepin'. Like all great artists, the more you get into Stevie Wonder's world, the more you start to enjoy his music. You have to let yourself in.
Lambchop
2/5
It was alright for background music with dinner. Nothing special though.
Lorde
5/5
Music that is hard to categorise. It's very slickly produced and sounds cinematic and gothic with industrial grainy textures. Probably not as dark and it's certainly less sparse than the first Lorde album. There is lots of drama and the results are fascinating.
1/5
U2 seem to be the band everyone loves to hate, mainly due to Bono. I never really felt that is particularly fair but I've never really previously found a good reason to ignore this viewpoint either.
A further listen today hasn't changed this. I tried to be open minded and enjoy it, but I just cringed. Bono over-sings every line like a 3 years old who hasn't got his or her own way.
Some people are just born to be really annoying and you can't quite pinpoint exactly why. With regret Bono, that's you.
Motörhead
3/5
A solid rock album with plenty of gusto. However there's not much variety (several songs sound very similar to the classic Ace Of Spades. I do like Lemmy's vocals mind: I would highly recommend his first album with a Sam Gopal. That is an album worth seeking out.
2/5
I loved the awesome guitar sound (and playing) plus the driving up-tempo arrangements made some great music but I hated some of the singing, the female was particularly grating. Score is in the middle somewhere but I feel can't rate it 3 because I have enjoyed other 3/5 albums so much more than this.
Tracy Chapman
2/5
I have heard a lot of people rave about Tracy Chapman and this album in particular. Chapman is a decent singer, but apart from the opening track, I found it rather dull listening. It's obviously meant to be one of those profound singer-songwriter albums, but to my ears it comes across as a bit self indulgent. It's not bad but it lacks any real excitement.
The Pogues
4/5
A very lively album with some banging tunes and enough variety to keep me interested. Shane McGowan may not be the best singer but he brings lots of passion and gets into character. I especially enjoyed the exotic numbers like Turkish Song Of To The Dammed and Thousands are Sailing. Cool album cover by the way.
The Who
5/5
The best moments for me come with the Who's special brand of pop/rock in tracks like 'The Acid Queen', 'I'm Free' and the absolute classic 'Pinball Wizard'. There's also a few daft moments from Keith Moon, like 'Tommy's Holiday Camp' and 'Uncle Ernie' (albeit with a sinister story). The rest is powerful rock music that's well played and sung. Like most double albums, it does sag in places, still this is a knockout classic album.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I've mixed feelings about this album. At it's best (like on the title track) it blew me away, a really trippy cocktail of great lyrics, vocals and a sonic landscape that is as eerie as the video. But the long gaps plus some awful singing elsewhere on the album really brings it down. I can't fault PJ Harvey's individuality and vision though. Her music is often fascinating.
Tortoise
1/5
Zzzzzzzz
SZA
2/5
Typical modern music really, good production, soulful vocals, crap lyrics. Not much songwriting craft going on either.
The Stone Roses
5/5
Definitely a contender for one of the best debut albums, this is a classic that deserves its status. The vocals are mellow but never boring, the guitars jangle with bite, the bass throbs and the drums drive. There's some nice psychedelic touches but it always remains accessible. It's groovy enough to dance to and they remembered to bring some decent tunes along. Yep, this is a corker of an LP.
John Martyn
3/5
A mixed bag of smokey late night jazz, sprightly folk and several experimental tracks that use an echoplex unit. It's a decent album, with some vocals that sound like Martyn was inebriated (or trying to sound drunk) like on the title track. I like the straightforward forward folk/country songs the best (May You Never and Over The Hill). This is John Martyn's best known album, but I prefer some of the earlier ones he recorded with his then wife Beverly. This one sounds a little disjointed.
Korn
2/5
It was ok, not my cup of tea. I used to hear a lot of this sort of music in Metros. It's ok to mosh to when you're out with your mates in a club, but at home it's actually not that interesting.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
A very pleasant album with rolling grooves and plenty of nifty guitar work. The songs are a bit repetitive which mostly works but now and again the songs outstay their welcome. As I've said before, one of the problems of non-English singing I have no idea what the songs are about. On the whole though, was a really enjoyable album.
Ice Cube
3/5
A man with a message, although it's a mixed one. Is he being ironic or a hypocrite? Who knows. The whole stick it to the (white) man/break down the system gets a bit tiresome after a while. The music is OK and he's a decent rapper so I'm gonna stick my vote on the fence in the middle cos the jury is out. Hope that's OK with you IC?
Green Day
4/5
A very lively punk/pop/thrash album, it does have it's moments and loads of energy. On the downside, it does get a bit samey - it could probably go with a track or two that experiment a bit. There's a few classics here (Basket Case, Long View and Welcome To Paradise) that are instantly recognizable. Music is probably a 7/10 but I do like the LP cover art so I've bumped it up to a 4 star.
Queen
4/5
Queen are instantly recognizable thanks to Brian May's unique guitar sound and Freddie Mercury's amazing distinctive vocals. It's quite a playful (operatic) album but occasionally it veers into self indulgence. At it's best it's simply breathtaking (Bohemian Rhapsody, You're My Best Friend) but some of it is rather mediocre.
The Modern Lovers
2/5
Instrumentally the group are good and they make some nifty grooves. The problem for me is the vocals are not that interesting, semi spoken but no passion.
Roxy Music
5/5
This was an unexpected delight. In many ways, it sounds like a seedy alternative to Dark Side Of The Moon. There's some decent songwriting, plenty of analogue electronic sounds with some complex arrangements and plenty of experimentation. It's albums like this that remind us why Prog-Rock was so popular in the early to mid 1970s.
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
On the plus side, Smokers Delight does have a nice chilled vibe that serves well as background music. But as an album to listen to attentively it is a bit boring and repetitive. Don't get me wrong, repetition can be used to good effect. Problem is there is no organic sounds; there is no real emotion. Like a lot of modern music it's loop based, sequenced, time stretched, processed etc (even the "solos"). There's no art to it - a computer could have been programmed to make it.
Beatles
5/5
It's an interesting transitional album that shows the Beatles beginning to experiment in the studio with sounds like the sitar on Norwegian Wood. It's quite a groovy album on one hand but also quite folly elsewhere and generally there's a feeling of space thanks to the production. It's not perfect, but it is near the top of the pile for best album by the Beatles.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
There was plenty of energy, some decent songwriting, catchy arrangements and great vocals.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
4/5
Raw garage-rock, sounded a lot like The Stooges and bands of that ilk. Really lively and exciting sounds, plenty of punk attitude and cool guitar and I like his singing style. I would love to mosh to tracks like 'Wail' in a club. Some of the experimental tracks are interesting but unnecessary and make the album a bit too long. On the whole though, some great stuff, I really enjoyed it.
Alice In Chains
3/5
Some good guitar playing but it also felt a bit detached from the songs themselves, which mostly feature unexceptional lyrics and so-so melodies. Decent production but the tracks do tend to plod in places.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
There's loads of in depth review so I'll keep this brief. There are some great songs, production and vocals. Loads of instantly recognisable tracks. This is truly great album and 5 star rating well deserved.
Bad Company
3/5
On the plus side the vocals are decent and there's some good guitar playing. On the downside the songs are dull, the arrangements plod and it's basically generic blues-rock. It's not bad but it's not particularly exciting to listen to either (they probably sounded good live).
The Rolling Stones
5/5
The last album to feature a significant contribution from Brian Jones, it's also one of their best. It has the classic stones sound mixed with some interesting experiments, some memorable songs and a great production. Everyone knows tracks like 'Sympathy For The Devil' and 'Street Fighting Man' but I equally love genre experiments like the lengthy Dylan-ish 'Jigsaw Puzzle' and folky 'Factory Girl' (featuring an unusual fiddle and mandolin arrangement). Some of the lyrics are a bit, ahem, risque ("parachute woman land on me tonight"). The Stones became a lot less experimental and a lot more generic after this album, which is a shame.
Black Sabbath
2/5
50 years ago, in the right environment and with the right substances I can imagine this would be quite a cool album to listen to. Listening today, sober and eating my lunch it's a bit, well boring. The main problem for me is songs are just riffs and guitar solos, the tracks are a bit slow and not particularly groovy. I struggled to find one track that I enjoyed.
Funkadelic
3/5
It's an adventurous album with some cool sounds. Some of the tracks are sublime funk, others are just annoying and drag on and on.
Lucinda Williams
1/5
The album title itself sums up the level of creativity going on here. I mean why not call it "Apple falling From An Apple Tree" or "Christian Reads the Bible" or "Airplane Lands on a Runway".
To be fair it's not terrible, but it did feel like terminal tedium to listen to the whole thing. Especially listening to it in the context of 1001 albums. Next!
Aretha Franklin
3/5
Yep Aretha had an amazing voice as evidenced on this collection. However it's one of those albums I own that doesn't quite hit the spot, so I rarely play it. I think it's maybe just a little too straightforward whereas my tastes are for something more exotic, zany and unusual. So maybe the problem is me, not the record.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Putting this album on is like instant sunshine. Great songs (pretty much every song is a winner) are married with a funky backing (love the synth/keyboard sound), immaculate arrangements topped with Stevie Wonder's creamy sublime vocals.
Air
4/5
Some haunting beautiful mellow music which at times reminded me of Pink Floyd (the general sound of the album is particularly reminiscent of A Saucerful Of Secrets). It's all very film noir, which is appropriate given that it's a soundtrack for a film. In the nicest possible way, this is great background music for a dinner party.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Quite a moving, reflective set of covers sung by Johnny Cash's in his distinctive voice. He was an old man with not much time left when the record was made and this is apparent in the choice of material. It's stark but never depressing. Cash never has the greatest voice even in his prime but his personality, charm and delivery win the day.
One observation, Cash always had quite an old sounding voice, so he doesn't actually sound much different from his 60's heyday.
Minor quibble about the mastering, which sounds way over compressed, a common complaint from early 2000's recordings.
The Hives
2/5
So-so garage rock. It was OK for a couple of songs but they are very samey and the "singing" gave me a headache after a while. Hate to Say I Told You So was a classic but not much else here is particularly interesting.
Overall, I was disappointed. There's much better loud rock music to listen to elsewhere, so I'm not really sure why this here. Also, according to Wikipedia this is a compilation!
AC/DC
3/5
Alright?
5/5
A monumental release from the one of the biggest bands of the 90s and 00s, there is an undeniable quality in Noel Gallagher's songwriting and he was fortunate to find a large audience willing to listen.
I hadn't heard this for a while, but it's an album that instantly brings back so many good memories from my teen years, so there is a nostalgia element here. I suppose that's one of the great things about music.
Loads of great songs here: 'Wonderwall', 'Don't Look Back In Anger', 'Some Might Say' and the absolute timeless 'Champagne Supernova'.
PS. Geez, just realized this album really almost 30 years old!
The Auteurs
5/5
This is a great discovery. It's an interesting varied album. Vocally it's quite mellow and reminds me of The Monkees contrasted with some power pop (love the guitar sound). Some of the songs are quite moody ('Show Girl', Bailed Out') whereas others have a whimsical late sixties baroque-pop feel ('Junk Shop Clothes', 'Starstruck', 'Housebreaker', 'Valet Parking') with some musical colour from instruments like harpsichord, strings, celeste, piano, mouth harp. Others like 'How Can I Be Strong' have a heavier psychedelic edge. The lyrics are probably the weakest element but there's some nice melodies and arrangements to compensate. It's a bit of a quirky left field album ("critics favorite") and quite tellingly I was the only one in my group to give it a high rating. All in all, this is a very enjoyable album to play on spring afternoon, so I will definitely play it again when the weather is nicer than today!
Lou Reed
3/5
It was similar to Transformer with it's use of orchestra/piano/genre hopping but the songs are nowhere near as memorable. It was pleasant to listen to and I like Lou Reed's voice (he's not a great singer but knows his limit and how to make it an effective instrument). Not bad.
Leonard Cohen
1/5
Awful. I can't stand his voice - it's just boring boring boring to listen to. The lyrics might be good but his voice grates too much for me to try and appreciate whatever he is droning on about. My mother in law will be disappointed as he is (was) one of her favorite singers. Sorry mum!
Genesis
4/5
I quite enjoyed this. The long song suites work well, sounding magical and whimsical one minute before rocking out the next. Peter Gabriel had a great voice back then. It's a very theatrical album with a heady mix of organic sounds like flute and piano and various synthesizers, typical of 1973.
Parliament
4/5
This is great party music (as funk always is) with a cosmic futuristic sound. It's a loose jazzy concept album that doesn't take itself too seriously. All in all a pretty solid album with nothing sticking out as being particularly memorable or bad.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I really struggle to enjoy Led Zeppelin. They're obviously superb musicians but I don't really like Robert Plant's vocals and I find some of the slow blues numbers are a little bit boring. I like their folky side more; 'Black Mountainside is an enjoyable acoustic raga track but it's a short side trip rather than a main event. Thankfully this element is more prominent on later albums. The quality of the band playing together is undeniable but my 3/5 rating is probably more out of respect than enjoyment factor.
Randy Newman
3/5
Instrumentally this has a deep south laid back roots based sound which wouldn't sound out of place in a diner or roadhouse in the USA. Vocally Newman is limited but he's a decent songwriter and his persona comes across. He clearly has a lot to say but his slurry singing style often makes the sardonic lyrics (on things like poverty, slavery and racism) incomprehensible. But with an explanation, the songs are thought provoking.
Garbage
5/5
Stimulating and moody at the same time, this is captivating indie/pop/rock with good vocals from Shirley Manson, brazen lyrics, some interesting sound effects, backwards guitar (plus some odd pauses in the middle a song).
Tracks like 'As Heaven is Wide', 'A Stroke of Luck' and 'Dog New Tricks' have a woozy, discordant psychedelic edge and these are the more satisfying tracks. 'Stupid Girl' is the monster hit that any 90's teen will recognize.
All in all, it's a worthwhile effort that neatly sums up all that was good about guitar based alternative/rock in the mid nineties.
The Byrds
5/5
What a great debut album with an electrifying distinctive original sound mainly due to Roger McGuin's chiming 12 string Rickenbacker. The songwriting is obviously bolstered by four Dylan covers, but they sit nicely alongside the originals and the other covers. It's a mature album with themes like Welsh mining disasters (the majestic 'Bells of Rhymney') and oppression (Dylan's 'Chimes of Freedom'). There's plenty of lovely west coast vocal harmonies but they never sound sappy. Other highlights include the title track, 'All I Really Want To Do' (even better on the mono 45 mix), 'I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better' and the Bo Didley beat on 'Don't Doubt Yourself Babe'. They even make the standard 'We'll Meet Again' fit their jangly sound. The songs all benefit from Terry Melcher's crystalline production. And how cool is the fisheye lense cover art.
ZZ Top
3/5
Gruff vocals, plenty of screaming guitar solos but a little bit samey and not really my cuppa tea. But to be fair, it was ok rock music.
Iggy Pop
3/5
The Idiot is an avant-garde album similar to David Bowie's records of the same era. So it comes as no surprise to learn that Bowie also appears as co-songwriter and musician. It's not a pretty album to listen to and at times it feels more like an experiment in making noise than making music. It's a hard to judge its merit as you have to take it on it's own terms which was presumably to make some wacked out sounds.
Liz Phair
4/5
Musically, this is interesting, being a sassy mixture of up-tempo guitar based alternative pop/rock and mellow(ish) acoustic folk-rock. Her muttering vocal style sounds better on the mellower acoustic numbers like the short 'Glory', bluesy 'Soap Star Joe', folky 'Explain It To Me', experimental/avant-garde on 'Canary' and personal on ''Shatter'. To begin with I wasn't sure, at times her offhand delivery makes her sound a little off key (like the line "I wanna boyfriend" on 'Fuck and Run') but it's quite an arty & personal alternative styled album. My emotions ranged from finding her annoying early on to feeling a little sorry for her towards the end. Probably a few too many songs though.
Eagles
3/5
There's a lot to commend about this fine album, featuring some timeless music that's well played, well sung and tastefully produced. One thing that sticks out is how heavily influenced they were by The Beach Boys vocal harmonies. The lead guitar parts are also notable. The main complaint for me is the lyrics which are a bit pedestrian, but it's a non issue if you're happy just to tap along with the rolling grooves.
Judas Priest
5/5
A really lively enjoyable thrash/metal album that features some amazing guitar playing by Glenn Tipton.
What really struck me is how polished and tight the arrangements are and they really know how to build a song up to a climax. Rob Halford on vocals has a great range, sings in a number of styles and knows how to use his voice as effective instrument. I would sooner listen to him over someone like Robert Plant!
The production is crisp and bold, there's a few neat effects here and there and the guitar solos are tasteful (i.e. they don't ramble). There's not much to fault on this album, which was an unexpected pleasure and is going on my discovery list. Cool cover artwork as well.
Great stuff.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Enjoyable funky Jazz which at times was reminiscent of the New Orleans vibe. Was great to listen to preparing dinner but not sure I would sit down and listen to it. Original vinyl was just two long tracks so I'm glad that there was a couple of bonus tracks.
Dirty Projectors
1/5
It's just a horrible mess of crap songs, badly played, badly sung. it was basically unlistenable. To call this hipster pop is an insult to hipster pop.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
First off, the good points; Amazing cover art and some interesting musical arrangements with plenty of variation. The bad points; Wainwright's voice is really dour (sounds a lot like Thom Yorke) who sadly makes some ok music sound dull. There's also much better chamber pop available than this.
Elvis Presley
3/5
With a large backing band that includes horns and a choir of harmony vocals, Elvis runs through some so-so material. It's not bad but the problem for me is this is this is the start of the Vegas period beloved of Elvis impersonators. I really like Elvis but his earlier material (especially his vocals) are so much sweeter, grittier and basically better than anything here.
Van Halen
2/5
First track (Running With The Devil) was amazing, with some tasteful melodic solos and insistent harmony vocals. Thought I was in for a treat. Sadly that hope quickly evaporated with the second track, one and and a half minutes if guitar wankathon. Yeah it was Ok in places, but mostly just meh.
Steely Dan
2/5
Some pleasant vocals and musical arrangements with excellent vocal harmonies. The main issue for me is the songwriting; all the songs have a similar lightweight vibe, no tension, just really sterile music. The stand out track is the playful cover 'East Street Louis Toodle-Oo' and this just serves to reinforce that the songwriting is not up to much. End result; pretty wallpaper hiding a plain white wall.
Traffic
2/5
Dull jazz-rock. Seriously, why choose this insipid Traffic album to listen to before I die?
The first album (Mr Fantasy) may have all the trappings of the psychedelic era, but is so much more varied, interesting and fun to listen to. That album (along with singles like Paper Sun and Hole In My Shoe) is recommended listening!
This one is just meandering and a bit tedious. Two stars because there were a few moments of inspired instrumental interplay. Otherwise, it's a bit crap really.
Pantera
1/5
I hate this style of singing, so it was pretty much unlistenable for me.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
There's not much to fault on this well produced funky album which has great songs, excellent lead vocals and plenty of energy. Instrumentally, the group is on fire, creating some awesome grooves.
I like that they experimented with sounds like backwards guitar on 'Give It Away', mellotron on 'Breaking The Girl, If You Have To Ask' and 'Sir Psycho Sexy' (also featuring marimba) plus Flea plays Trumpet on trumpet on 'Apache Rose Peacock'.
They're not afraid to mellow the mood, like on 'I Could Have Lived' and of course there's familiar singles like 'Under The Bridge' and 'Suck My Kiss'. Unlike a lot of double albums, it doesn't feel like they beefed it up with filler.
This was a really enjoyable and accessible album. A classic.
Yes
3/5
Instrumentally, Yes are a fine group and this is displayed on the album via lengthy suites, featuring plenty of guitar and keyboard interplay. Vocally, they're a bit iffy, there's some nice harmonies, but I feel they lack a strong lead singer for the material. Jon Anderson sounds like he would be better off singing in a pop group.
I quite enjoyed 'Your Move', which is the first part of 'I've Seen All Good People' plus the solo Portuguese guitar instrumental 'Clap' (recorded live) displays the technical prowess of guitarist Steve Howe.
Overall it's well above average, but there are better prog albums. That is quite a cool album cover though.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
With Harry Nilsson looking mellow in a dressing robe, there's clue on the cover that this going to be a laid back idiosyncratic stoner record.
For me Nilsson is a bit underrated as an artist and a singer. He wrote some decent songs and I absolutely love his voice. He had such a large vocal range (as on the Grammy winning 'Without You') and could cover pretty much anything and make it his own (as on 'Let The Good Times Roll'). I love the stoned playfulness of tracks he did write, like 'Coconut' and 'Gotta Get Up'.
Not my favourite Nilsson album (that would be Ariel Ballet), but to it is a very good one.
Beyoncé
2/5
Beyonce is an amazing singer but I can't really say I enjoyed listening to this album. It's clear from the credits a lot of work went into the production. There are some genres of music that just don't resonate with me and I'm probably not the target market anyway. To me it's feels a bit like music for Barbie and Ken. A bit plastic, ya know? Doesn't necessarily mean it's bad music, it's just not my "cup of tea".
Hüsker Dü
3/5
Good energy in the music, but it was very samey and hard to tell one track from another.
Also a word of advice; on double albums you're meant to branch out and experiment, genre hop. Nope, none of that going on here. The backing vocals on several tracks added a little depth and to be fair there was some good guitar playing.
But overall (to my ears) this is another unexceptional album on this list. 2.5 rounded up
Joni Mitchell
2/5
I don't particularly like her voice but she is a great songwriter.
The Waterboys
3/5
dips into mid tempo country on 'Killing My Heart' (sounding like Barry Walsh!), lilting Irish folk on 'Carolan's Welcome', jig music on 'When Will We Be Married'. I especially enjoyed the title track 'Fisherman's Blues' (featuring great vocals tin whistle, fiddle, mandolin etc)) and this was the standout. Overall, not bad if inconsistent.
Guns N' Roses
3/5
Great vocals, great guitar playing, great production but overall only ok-ish songs. The well known singles 'Welcome to the Jungle', 'Paradise City' and 'Sweet Child O' Mine' are easily the standout tracks.
Iron Butterfly
4/5
Flat production means a lot of this plods along. There were some interesting tracks like the trippy 'My Mirage', fuzzy pop-psych on 'Termination'. The title track takes up half the album and thankfully this is a good one, but it is overlong. In the right environment (on campus in a smoke filled room back in '68) I imagine this was quite a cool stoner album. I've rated it in that context.
Cypress Hill
5/5
Man, that hit the spot. Some amazing beats, loved the deep bass sound, the party atmosphere. Hip hop is not my genre at all but thought it was irresistible. Music is weird like that.
This is what this project is all about, finding cool stuff you wouldn't normally listen to. This is likely to become my go-to party album. Loads of great tracks but I especially enjoyed 'Light Another'.
2/5
Only two tracks really stick out for me, the timeless 'Starman' and 'Suffragette City'. The rest is ok-ish but sometimes the arrangements plod or outstay their welcome. I own this on CD and rarely play it and a listen today has sadly reminded me why.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
This is an intriguing listen, it's a quirky left field fun upbeat album with seemingly the kitchen sink thrown into the production. I really enjoyed these aspects. What let's it down is the lead vocals which sits uneasily with the music. It was still quite enjoyable though.
Supertramp
4/5
This was quite an charming album featuring thought provoking lyrics, expansive arrangements and complex time signatures. It's a record to play in the evening when you want to drift off somewhere.
I enjoyed the 70s prog keyboard sounds and the way the bass lines add to suspense and the feeling of space. There's lots of drama and theatrical performance (the lead singer has a good vocal range).
The best tracks are the quirky numbers 'The Logical Song' and 'Dreamer', but oddly these shorter uptempo pop songs almost seem out of step with the rest of the album. Overall, it's enjoyable if you listen closely and give each track a chance to unfold. And the cover is quite fitting for the spacey sounds within.
Massive Attack
4/5
This album has been on my “to do (listen)” list for a long time and never got round to it until now. And it’s a good ‘un.
I love the groovy deep bass and the exotic sounds (or possibly samples) that pop up. There's a nice mixture of singing and rapping and I especially enjoyed Shara Nelson’s soulful vocals. There’s plenty of variety and the diverse nature is one of the strong points. ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ is a classic anthem from the early nineties.
It wasn’t quite a 5 star album (based on one listen) but I wonder if I just need a few more listens to fully appreciate it’s magnitude.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Never heard a Nick Cave album before but I enjoyed the fusion of raucous and menacing instrumental backing mixed with gospel tinged backing vocals. He's not the greatest singer but he knows his range and his gruff style suits the shady material on this dense, well produced album. Lyrics are forebodingly romantic. The music on the latter disc is a much more subtle, mellow affair. All in all, it's a solid double album of two sides and a very enjoyable record.
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
I think out of all the ex-beatles McCartney struggled the most. It's plain to see on this album he needed someone like Lennon to balance his sugary personality.
This album is well produced, well sung, well played but it falls flat. It's like he's trying too hard to be clever but with no message. The album really does need something more bitter, more sardonic thrown into the mix.
4 for the effort and a few decent tracks but 2 for the end result.
Hole
3/5
Brash guitar based indie/power pop. Lyrically it is an interesting concept although at times I felt I was listening to the soundtrack for Baywatch! I enjoyed the title track the most because at 2:42 this was straight to the point. Some of the other tracks outstay their welcome. The dense production is typical of nines guitar based rock.
Solomon Burke
5/5
Wow what a voice, smooth and silky one minute, rough and ready the next. I loved the punchy mono sound (would love to listen to this on vinyl). The songs are simple and the backing is fairly sparse yet full sounding; the typical 'dry' Atlantic sound, which I love.
Back in their copycat days the Rolling Stones covered two tracks from this album (Cry to Me and If You Need Me) so you can see how influential it was. It's a bit old fashioned sounding, but who gives a damn when it sounds this good. Not much to fault, so it's easily a 5 star for me.
Raekwon
1/5
It sounds like they were learning how to use the recording equipment as they were recording and decided to release the results. It also sounds like the recording sessions didn't go so well as there was a lot of swearing and anger captured. It also sounds like the kid brother was messing around on the keyboards. I think this pissed big brother off because there was lots of ranting. But kid brother kept on playing. And they kept on recording. And they kept on swearing. And so on.
Meanwhile, just outside the studio, the Russian's have invaded so there is the occasional sound of gunfire and the rumble of tanks in the background. As a result the city has just began a lockdown, so the hero's in our story are trapped. Giving the perfect excuse to keep recording. They might well be annoying the neighbours. But then so are the Russians. But who is going to complain when the have AK-47s, a MIG and T72s and you have a super soaker filled with yesterday's bathwater, a gone off scone (aka a rock cake) and a six pack (of eggs). Finally the Russians gave reached the studio door. There's chaos, there's smoke, there's pandemonium but thankfully the end of the recording session is in sight.
Following this there's lots of people on there knees, pleading. "Please, take anything, take our lives but please don't steal the tapes for our masterpiece".
There's good shit and there's bad shit. Then there's the kind of shit you want to not step on and walk around it. There is also the kind of shit you just need to flush down the the toilet because it smells like .....shit. There's shit and then there's shit. Oh and my train has just pulled in to it's final destination. Have a nice day y'all.
Cyndi Lauper
2/5
I don't really like her screechy voice and the production is a bit overbearing on some of the tracks. Couple of recognisable hits (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time) and these are the best numbers, but even they're nothing special. It's all a bit meh really.
The Fall
2/5
It's the sort of music that sounds great live with plenty of volume but doesn't translate well into a listenable studio album. Songs are a bit repetitive and I find myself being bored before the end of each track.
Bob Dylan
5/5
It's amazing to look at the track listing and recognize how many are familiar; 'Subterranean Homesick Blues', 'She Belongs to Me', 'Maggie's Farm', 'Love Minus Zero', 'Mr. Tambourine Man' and 'It's All Over Now, Baby Blue'. The great thing is a lot of these songs are quite simple musically, just a few chords, but the vocal delivery is astounding; Dylan is an underrated singer. It must have been quite a revelation back in 1965 to hear him "go electric". From a modern point of view, you have to wonder what all the fuss was about.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
I've heard of this group and they pop up a lot on recommended indie lists but this was my first listen to their recordings. I really enjoyed the mellow vocals (but couldn't really make out the words). The music, however, was very noisy and production a little overbearing. Not really sure I can say I enjoyed it but it was certainly an unusual album.
Al Green
4/5
A really smooth, breezy, yet groovy soul album. 'Lets Stay Together' is instantly recognizable, 'La La For You' has some nice chord changes but a lot of the songs are fairly average.
I like the production which is quite bottom heavy (at times you can barely hear the guitars) focusing on the mellow grooves and brass.
Of course Green's vocals are superb throughout, bumping up the overall quality a notch or two. It's likeable and l can totally appreciate it's classic album status.
Jeff Beck
2/5
Some of the music was really good, I quite enjoyed the psych/prog crossover. The blues numbers were boring. But the main problem is Rod Stewart, jeez I hate his singing. Tuneless shouting.
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
There's lots to enjoy on this album; a mixture of vocal styles, swirling keyboards, stabbing brass, funky bass lines, Latin drum rhythms and psychedelic effects. I love the extended nature of some of the tracks and there's a few familiar hits present ('Stand', 'I Want To Take You Higher' and the absolute classic 'Everyday People'. Other highlights include the summery vibe of 'Somebody's Watching You' and the groovy 'Sing A Simple Song'. All in all, it's a very accessible (and danceable) counter culture record. Groovy baby!
Fugees
3/5
The album cover looks like a scene from a Quentin Tarantino or Martin Scorsese movie. Very cool! Music was OK.
DJ Shadow
3/5
This is an album that's hard to judge and I'll tell you why.
When I did my Music Technology Degree, the first essay we were asked to do was answer the question 'What is Music?'. Naturally, everybody's essay was very different and based on their own personal viewpoint - WHAT QUALIFIES AS MUSIC TO THEM?
And this is where albums like this might particularly cause disagreement or even confusion, because there is no set criteria on which to judge it.
It's interesting to point this out because there's no songs here; it's an album of beats, samples, spoken word, musical phrases, licks.
As there's no songs, I didn't have any emotive response like a 'pop' song as there's not really any modulation or harmony development; melodies are repeated refrains. But it's clear that creating a "song" was not the intention of the producer anyway.
The rhythm and feel is pretty much everything (although the sounds on offer are pretty cool as well).
Ultimate question though: was it fun to listen to? Yes and no.
Ice T
2/5
Sorry to say this had a "frosty" reception in Casa Da Watts household.
Ps: sorry about the crap dad joke pun above. Not funny. Just couldn't help myself.
Billy Bragg
4/5
Very pleasant listening, I enjoyed the laid back vibe and the instrumental interplay with the band. This is one of the better roots based Americana influenced albums I've heard on this list.
David Bowie
5/5
This experimental (yet accessible) record is more like the type of Bowie music enjoy.
There's lots of variety with up-tempo rock and roll tracks like 'Watch That Man', spooky numbers like 'Aladdin Sane' (with an extended instrumental free jazz coda of piano and sax), mellow mid tempo pop like 'Drive-In Saturday' and 'Panic In Detroit' features exotic percussion. Every track is a winner for different reasons (love the diversity), Bowie sings well, the production is ragged and dense, yet it's sounds crisp and clear.
I'm not familiar with his whole catalogue, but this rock/pop record is one of his best I have heard so far, in short a timeless classic
The Kinks
5/5
My eyes lit up when this appeared. It's from the mid sixties, when Ray Davies was at the peak of his songwriting, with whimsical ditties, stories of various characters loaded with period charm. Song titles like 'Afternoon Tea', 'End of the Season' and 'Lazy Old Sun' tells you this is a very British sounding album. The production is understated and typical of a 1967 UK Act with hints of vaudeville, psychedelia and a vast array musical instruments. It's an organic sounding record with
lots of standout tracks like the insistent 'David Watts', Dylan-ish 'Death of a Clown', the striking 'Two Sisters' (featuring a harpsichord), the slightly humorous Cossack rhythm of 'Harry Rag' (rhyming slang in England for fag, as in cigarettes) before ending with the timeless 'Waterloo Sunset'.
Fans of 'You Really Got Me' etc may possibly hate this but I love it.
Black Sabbath
2/5
You can tell by the blatant lyrics that drugs and hedonism heavily influenced the proceedings, which is not always a good thing. There's a bit of a lack of craft just riffs, that quickly get tiresome. There is a change of pace on the piano led ballad 'Changes' (with some interesting mellotron) but even that's nothing special.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
The has got everything; Drama, soul, anguish, hope and despair. The production is crystalline, the song writing inspired and the uplifting music nicely compliments her fabulous vocal. Her vocal style inspired and influenced a whole generation (so many have tried to emulate her). In short, this is timeless classic. It’s a crying shame there was no follow up album……
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
What a wonderful album, it has so many of Throbbing Gristles biggest hits like 'Hit By A Rock', 'Valley of the Shadow of Death', 'AB/7A' and the all time classic 'Death Threats'. They made such sweet sounds back in the 70's, you have to wonder how many babies were conceived listening to this timeless album.
Everything about it is wonderful; the classic songwriting of Genesis P-Orridge and Cosey Fanni Tutti, the gorgeous vocal harmonies, the immaculate string arrangements, the sparkling production. I could go on and on.
No seriously, this was terrible. It was like being sat in a dentist chair having all my teeth pulled out without anesthetic. How the F**k does this qualify as music??? There's nothing clever or ground breaking or artistic about it. It's just a pile of garbage. Stop wasting my f**king time with this nonsense!!!!!!
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
To be fair, this was alright (this coming from someone who thinks Springsteen is one of the most overrated artists of all time). The vocals are tolerable and he creates a moody introspective atmosphere via some Americana influenced songs with a simple acoustic guitar and harmonica backing. Yet somehow it also sounds a bit forced, like he's putting it on. Anyway, I gave it a chance, played it through and didn't hate it like the last Springsteen album I listened to.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Usual winey vocal from Neil Young on an average set of songs with an Ok backing. Wasn't particularly impressed but it wasn't bad either.
Steely Dan
3/5
Vocals, instrumental sounds and grooves typical of AM radio soft rock in the early 70s, pleasant but not that exciting either. Steely Dan are apparently a critics favorite, supposedly for their opaque lyrics and songwriting but to me, they seem bland. On the plus side, there are a few nifty guitar solos scattered throughout and the production is polished.
But lets put it this way, I'd sooner listen to 'Do It Again' by the Beach Boys instead of 'Do It Again' by Steely Dan.
Ananda Shankar
5/5
Being a huge fan of sixties psychedelia, I was already familiar with this and it's right up my street. It's a wonderful fusion of eastern and western (rock) instrumentation. It's trippy, mystical, euphoric, groovy and exotic. There's plenty of cool kaleidoscopic effects and far out shifting sounds. The mix of longer and shorter tracks works well and of course Shankar's sitar playing is exquisite. Also it sounds sincere, not some cheap flower power exploitation cash in.
PS There's a cool series of compilations called 'Psychedelic Sitar Headswirlers' that is well worth checking out. Love and peace man.
The Byrds
3/5
With new member Gram Parsons, The Byrds went into a much more traditional country direction with mixed results. It's quite a plain but sweet sounding mellow record with addition of instruments like banjo and fiddle on 'I Am A Pilgrim', steel guitar on 'The Christian Life' and 'You Ain't Going Nowhere' and others whuilst the up-tempo 'Pretty Boy Floyd' is firmly in the bluegrass mold, driven by banjo and mandolin. The usual vocal harmonies are present and correct. It's not a bad album but sadly I can't say there are many highlights compared with the previous 5 Byrds albums.
The main problem: I don't think there was anybody in the band strong (or distinctive) enough on lead vocals to compete with Country greats like say Dolly Parton or Jim Reeves.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Mixed feelings about the album. 'Theresa's Sound-World' was a really enjoyable track as it had a bit of craftmanship in the arrangement which meant it had some dynamics, contrast and a decent melody (and vocal). Another decent track for similar reasons was the creepy sounding 'Shoot'. I
do like bands who experiment with guitar sounds but some of the tracks were just guitar noises with annoying vocals which made me want to skip to the next track.
It's interesting to compare this directly to the Nirvana Nevermind album recorded at roughly the same time; both had the same production team of Butch Vig and Andy Wallace and sound similar but the Nevermind album is so much more interesting and listenable (to my ears).
Thundercat
3/5
Quite an interesting album, it was a bit quirky, a bit odd, a bit jazzy. The singing was falsetto style, so again quite unusual. It was pleasant to listen to, certainly a bit different but I dunno was missing something. It felt a bit like a curry without the garlic.
Public Enemy
4/5
I'm no rap fan but I can appreciate the cool beats & grooves as well as the cultural significance of the album. Actually, it was quite an enjoyable listen at times.
U2
1/5
It opened quite promisingly, 'Zoo Station' had a good drum sound and interesting processed vocal and 'Even Better Than The Real Thing' sounded fairly psychedelic with it's wash of guitars and keyboards.
I've never really been a fan of 'One' (it's just too corny) and the record never really regained my interest after this. There were some euphoric sounds but the lyrics are just trite and the music tries hard to be exciting but ends up sounding fatigued. By 'So Cruel' I'd had enough of Bono's voice and off it went.
So there we go, I tried to endure a whole U2 album but failed. I won't lose any sleep over it. x
Talking Heads
3/5
The music was really enjoyable quirky funk but the singing was an acquired taste (being generous). 2.5
R.E.M.
3/5
The music is quite good and I can see why people might like it if they want something melancholic.
My main issues are (1) I don't really like Stipe's vocal and (2) the lyrics don't really inspire me to want to keep listening. For an introspective album the words don't add much value.
TV On The Radio
3/5
Was quite varied and interesting at times. Good but not great.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
It's that rare beast, an album on this list I have never heard of but is deserving it's place. Everything is great: the production, songwriting, vocals and a variety of different musical styles that compliment each other. Favourites were 'Sir Greendown,' 'Oh Maker', 'Come Alive' and 'Mushroom and Roses'.
Ian Dury
4/5
Saw a documentary on the late Ian Duty and listened to this album. He's a bit of a geezer with a strong personality and a humorous storyteller; this all comes across on the album. He didn't have the greatest voice but on the material herein it works really well. There's a mixture of styles; funk, pub rock, disco and even a dash of vaudeville camaraderie. A fun and likeable album if you're in the right mood
Billy Bragg
2/5
Once again on this list is a selection of songs with some not great vocals. Would possibly get away with it at an open mic but as a recording it's not a good listen.
Antony and the Johnsons
1/5
The kind of self indulgent warbling that apparently qualifies as music. I initially thought his voice was interesting but by the third track it just grated on me. And the songwriting is really dull. Boring and annoying is not a good combination. At 35 minutes it was 25 minutes too long.
The Kinks
5/5
It probably does sound a little dated nowadays but this is one of my favourite albums. It's chock full of well crafted songs with plenty of variety yet it holds together really well. I love the punchy production which makes it a little less whimsical than the preceding 'Something Else' album.
The lyrics tell imaginary tales from a Ray Davies fantasy land. Diverse fables and characters about childhood, old school friends, old photographs, wicked witches, the pleasures of idleness, god, prostitutes, 1984, cartoon characters, village fetes. To top it off there's some fabulous vocals and instrumental arrangements.
Personal favorites include 'Do You Remember Walter', 'Picture Book', 'Phenomenal Cat' and 'Monica' but pretty much every track is a winner. The only (minor) quibble is the lack of a well know "classic" - it's a shame 'Days' was not on the UK edition.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Pleasant, melodic and lightweight. It's generally quite a floaty album with a laid back, late sixties floaty west coast vibe. Some tracks have a bit more urgency (like 'Me and The Major'). I hate to label it easy listening, but that's essentially what it is.
It's quite good if you can get past the fey vocals and you're in the right mood but truth be told I have far better LPs of this ilk from the late sixties.
2/5
Sounding like a cross between Coldplay, U2 and Radiohead with "anthems" for the noughties generation this is generally as dull and insipid as you would expect, although to be fair "Supermassive Black Hole" is quite a sinister sounding track with a catchy chorus.
Lenny Kravitz
5/5
From the outset this was a really enjoyable collection of songs with shades of hippie rock, psychedelia, soul and funk. Kravitz is quite obviously a massive fan of late sixties psychedelic rock and this is apparent in the music styles and especially his lyrics; whilst cliched they never jar.
He sings enthusiastically throughout and the music has plenty of breathing space. There's a few nice touches like the processed vocal effect on 'Freedom Train' and strings on 'Fear'.
Great stuff.
Manic Street Preachers
5/5
Featuring some nifty lead guitar work and diverse rhythm techniques/sounds, interesting arrangements, catchy pop melodies this is a highly accessible pop/rock album. The political and social commentary lyrics add some depth beyond the usual boy/girl crap that most pop songs are about.
It's well played, well sung and pretty much every track sounds like a potential single, this is a fabulous album.
Cheap Trick
2/5
It's quite a weird experience to listen to an album where the fans are screaming in adulation for a band they clearly love and I'm sat there wondering what all the fuss is about.
The music itself; on the plus side they have plenty of energy. On the downside; it's all a bit samey. It's just bland generic riff rock to these ears. Maybe you had to be there.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
It's quite a nice mellow listen with some jolly orchestral arrangements if you're in the right mood. Sinatra's vocal is fairly smooth, as you'd expect, throughout.
I do think Sinatra is a bit overrated mind: he's the most well known of the "crooners", however Sammy Davis Jnr, Dean Martin and Perry Como all had a bit more nonchalance swing in their vocal style, a bit of oomph, whereas Sinatra often sounds a bit forced. Also, this sort of music is probably best enjoyed on various artist compilations.
Frank Black
3/5
There was some interesting lyrics and some good guitar, plus a lot of the songs were short. It's not bad, but I'm not really a fan of punk so I can't say I particularly enjoyed it that much.
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
Not really a fan of blues-rock (or Eric Clapton for that matter) so I found a lot of it dull and overlong, the sound is over-compressed so there's some distortion when the band gets going. I assume this is the remastering as it's horrible digital distortion not sweet analogue warmth.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Vocally Dylan was not that great by this stage, so as an advertisement for an anti-smoking campaign it works surprisingly well. As an album to listen to for pleasure, less so. If you took the Bob Dylan name off, would you honestly give this album the time of day?
That said, the musical arrangements are actually quite good with plenty of variety. And of course Dylan's intriguing lyrics have something important to say.
The Byrds
4/5
At it's best, the songs are short and insanely catchy ("So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" , "Have You Seen Her Face", "C.T.A.-102" and "Renaissance Fair") all feature strong lead vocals, the usual 12 string guitar sound and rich vocal harmonies, with special praise going to Chris Hillman's melodic bass lines.
Sadly there is a low point; David Crosby's vocal on "Mind Gardens" is horribly off key, and at 3.28 it's the longest track. So this 29 minute album really suffers as a result. It's a shame because some of the CD bonus tracks would have been available.
The Avalanches
1/5
I suppose it's quite clever at times, if you're into music created by samples etc. But for the most part it's just a horrible mess; annoying music made by people with no talent and even more crucially, no soul.
Slipknot
1/5
If I was in a situation where I was trying to psych myself up for a physical fight, or commit murder, this is the sort of music I'd choose to play. But otherwise, it's just a horrible, nasty noise and by track two I'd had enough already. Cool cover artwork mind you.
Taylor Swift
1/5
Music for the I-Phone-y generation.
Featuring self-obsessed lyrics that sound like they were written on the back a fag packet by a 14 year old kid during detention, chewing gum vocals married to robotic synthesized music, this is about as tedious as expected. It is catchy pop music mind, so I suppose it's no surprise it's a big selling album.
But after several sessions of therapy, I think I'm at peace following the ordeal of listening to it.
4/5
An enjoyable 28 minute album with the usual country instrumentation (steel guitar, honky-tonk piano, stand up bass). The main attraction though is Loretta Lynn's sweetly robust vocals. The format of an up-tempo track followed by a ballad works really well, mainly because Lynn handles both with equal aplomb.
Amongst the other progressive sounds pop sounds of 1967 (Jimi Hendrix, The Doors etc) this probably sounded a bit dated even then, but on it's own term it's a lovely, charming record. I may well be a closet country music fan!
Roxy Music
5/5
Quite an interesting listen at times, bridging the gap between Pop and Prog
The highlights include the tender but odd 'Bitter Sweet', 'Three and Nine' with interesting chord changes and spooky backing, 'Out of The Blue' which interchanges uptempo rock and trippy instrumental interludes whilst 'Triptych' almost sounds medieval at times. All in all, it's a very weird but enjoyable album, probably best sampled with a beer or three.
Shame about the awful cover because it actually has put me off listening to this fab record. A Roger Dean designed cover would have been much more apt.
Deep Purple
1/5
More dull riff rock (sigh). It plods along, perks up for solo and then it's back to plodding along for the rest of the song and repeat.
SAULT
4/5
It's well intended and funky and I enjoyed the sparseness of the arrangements that dip into R&B, world, jazz and gospel with chilled vocals. Lyrically, they keep the message simple but it works for and against; they words are at odds with the sensual, feel good nature of the music. If you're wanting to change the world (which I assume they do with political agenda) and you want to be heard, then you need to SAY IT LOUDLY. That said, as a listening experience, it's actually quite a pleasant album. Maybe they should have stuck lyrics on about yoga or meditation?
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Experimental guitar based indie/rock.
"Your Still In A Dream" and "Feed Me With Your Kiss" are high octane rockers with nifty harmonies, "Cupid Come" has a garage/psych feel, "Lose My Breath" is mellow (but spooky) whilst "No More Sorry" utilizes a mélange of backwards guitars.
I can understand why this is classified Shoegaze as it does have the key elements (guitar noise, melodic vocals, minor key songs) of that genre. And there's some great song titles.
Moby
4/5
The best bits are the sampled vocals, and there's some cool textures and beats on display. However, like a lot of dance music, it's repetitive nature works for and against it. Some tracks outstay their welcome.
Each track does have at least one really good hook, so it's perfect fodder for TV commercials, and Moby's instincts proved very lucrative for financial gain. But I can't shake off the feeling that it's a cash in album which make you question the artist integrity.
With that said, kudos to Moby for making this well produced spiritual sounding record and there's enough decent tracks like 'Porcelain' and 'South Side' to warrant it's classic status.
The Police
3/5
Sometimes you need the right weather to fully appreciate an album. So with the sweltering heat today, I really dug the tropical feel of some of the tracks.
There's a few interesting instrumental sounds, it's well produced, has plenty of catchy melodies (with Stings usual excellent vocals) and the lyrics are perfectly fine for a pop/rock album.
Side one is good apart from the odd sounding 'Mother', which felt out of place and sounds more like a B-side. Side two is a bit too soporific though and the songs tend to drag.
So overall, good but not great.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Can't believe it's 16 year since this was released. Where has the time gone.
At the time I remember all the hype. It was (and still is) a very good album, obviously cherished by hardcore fans.
One slight criticism, it probably is a bit one dimensional, whereas their later albums added some variety.
Elvis Costello
4/5
It's a fresh sounding album chock full of well crafted pop songs with catchy musical hooks. I struggled to hear a lot of the lyrics but there are some great song titles. Probably a little bit too long (or maybe a tad too many songs) but the quality remains high and the production has warmth and a bit of bite. It was well worth a listen (and close to getting 5)
Anita Baker
1/5
Music for divorced housewives who were born in about 1953, bored of their Cliff Richard and The Shadows LPs and wanting to listen to something feminine, contemporary and hip (but not too much).
In other words, complete & utter mush. Even her admittedly soulful vocals cannot rescue it. I had to press the stop button before the end of track 2. 🤮
Prince
4/5
Ahem, yes indeed. Listening to a Prince album like this is never a boring experience. It's got some damn funky grooves that probably need to be heard on the dancefloor in a sweaty night club at high volume to be fully appreciated. At home, at a moderate volume, it's still very listenable pop music.
I'm liking 80's music a lot more now than I did years ago. And I wonder how many people heard the song '1999' during the millennium new years eve celebrations?
Foo Fighters
4/5
I wasn't aware that this was basically a Dave Grohl solo project. Making music by himself and then trying to pass it off as a made up band, sounds like someone else I know, ha-ha.
Anyway, this is a great album. The Nirvana comparisons are inevitable but this has got a carefree charm of it's own, especially on the jazzy "For All The Cows". Other highlights include the lead single "This is a Call" and "Floaty".
Nirvana
5/5
I have mixed views on this album. It's purposely a lot more experimental than Nevermind, and initially this turned me off it. But listening to it now, the catchy melodies are there but they're mixed in with distortion and dissonance. In many ways I think of Nirvana in the same way as Nick Drake who also made only 3 nearly perfect albums that were equally diverse in their respective genre.
So despite some initial misgivings, this is as essential as the other Nirvana albums. And I love the line 'teenage angst has paid off well now I'm bored and old'.
The Prodigy
3/5
Like most dance/techno music, listening to it at a moderate volume, sober, and on my lunch break isn't the same experience as being in a club on certain substances. It's undeniably a very good rave album (which isn't a genre I would normally choose to play). But for me it lacks the musical hooks (and Keith Flint's vocals) that made 'Fat Of The Land' one of my favorite 90's albums. I wanted to enjoy it more than I actually did.
Bobby Womack
5/5
First off, what a really cool album cover, amazing. And thankfully, the quality of the music is equally top notch. Soulful lead vocals, gospel influenced backing vocals, lovely smooth production, tasteful arrangements. It's hard to pick stand out tracks as every one is a winner thanks to the funky backing, it never drags. A joyous, wonderful record from start to finish.
Super Furry Animals
4/5
It's a bit wacky, a bit poppy, a bit retro and a bit futuristic. A solid debut.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
It's not my favourite Hendrix album but it probably is his definitive musical statement. He uses the recording studio and a whole cast of supporting musicians (and backing vocalists) in addition to his regular band to paint his vision, a trippy kaleidoscopic soundscape, mixing jazz, pop, rock and psychedelia to great effect.
It's not perfect mind you. Like most double albums it does sag a bit in places, especially on the longer jam tracks. But there are so many classic tracks, it's easy to overlook these flaws. All Along the Watchtower, Crosstown Traffic, Vodoo Chile, Gypsy Eyes are among the many highlights. It also contains my favourite Hendrix track, the majestic Burning of the Midnight Lamp, which still sends shivers up my spine.
Whilst today he is mostly remembered as a rock guitarist there was a spirit (especially in his lyrics) that aligns him closer to the psychedelic movement.
By all accounts Hendrix was a very modest, charming and lovely person; it's tragic there were only 3 proper studio albums during his lifetime.
Kid Rock
3/5
I quite enjoyed tracks like "I Am The Bulldog" and the title track. But I equally disliked a lot of it as well. It's fusion of genres made strange listening at times.
Talk Talk
3/5
I'm confused, the album is called 'The Colour Of Spring' but the cover looks autumnal. Likewise, traditionally spring is light and airy, yet the music is dark and foreboding.
The music is quite good, creating a moody soundscape which sounds both organic and synthetic. I especially enjoyed "April 5th", which has mellow vocals and a great organ sound.
On the downside, I struggled to understand any of the lyrics and overall, although it tries hard, something didn't quite gel for me.
Massive Attack
4/5
Overall a good album, my views very similar to the previous one I listened to
Serge Gainsbourg
4/5
The music is strangely compelling.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
5/5
Absolutely stunning. Featuring some trippy guitar sounds, pounding TomTom drums, exotic scales and melodies topped off by some powerful vocals (reminiscent of Grace Slick from Jefferson Airplane). A decade earlier this would have been called psychedelic or raga rock and it's better than a lot of the albums from that era. I'm stunned (I'll be seeking a vinyl copy of this!)
Adele
1/5
Music to accompany junk TV shows like The X Factor. The pathos is laughibly juvenile. It's no surprise that Heart FM plays this sort of music when a notable public figure passed away.
The Smiths
2/5
It's just all a bit boring tbh. After listening to this I went and played Family Entertainment (1969). Now that's proper music.
Pearl Jam
4/5
I've referred to my other half for judgment and she reliability informs me it's a cracker that reminds her of her teenage years.
The Incredible String Band
4/5
A difficult album to judge. As a pop/rock/dance album it's utter shite. I doubt even folk fans would rate it. But there are moments of sheer originality in the songwriting and performance that makes it a worthwhile listen (if you're into something a bit strange). In particular I enjoyed the opening Koeddi there and the sublime witches hat.
Gorillaz
4/5
A nice blend of styles. I like the easy going nature, it's great music for the summer.
Patti Smith
4/5
It's great how most of the tracks start quiet and build up, plus there's plenty of punk attitude in the vocals. A decent album that probably needs a few listens to be truly appreciated.
Kate Bush
3/5
It's great that Kate Bush tries to be different and quirky. The music sounds very theatrical (it often feels like a musical or a Broadway production).
But if I'm brutally honest l, not sure I actually enjoyed it. Maybe I just need to give it a few more listens.
Dr. John
5/5
Wonderfully spooky (the cover artwork is perfect) the music is weird yet accessible. It's got an exotic New Orleans vibe through a psychedelic lense. And Dr John's snake-like vocals are the icing on a highly spiced cake.
Absolutely love this, it's rare to find an album where every track is a winner, so it's easily one of my all time favourites.
Grateful Dead
4/5
The most striking element is the vocal harmonies. The music is a nice mixture of country, folk and rock making it a very pleasant listen. Most Dead albums feature long jams whereas this is a lot more song based.
Rush
2/5
Not really my cup of tea
Robbie Williams
3/5
There's a few really strong tracks like 'Old before I die' and 'Lazy Days', crowd pleasers like 'Let me entertain you' (which I quite like) and 'Angels' (which I hate). So a mixed bag overall but on the whole not bad.
Johnny Cash
3/5
The music is OK but do we really need another live prison album from Johnny Cash on this list?
The Kinks
4/5
The Kinks had a run of classic albums in the mid to late sixties with common themes of satire, nostalgia, wit and great observational storytelling. Musically diverse, with elements of beat, art rock, music hall and baroque they were highly influencial.
'Sunny Afternoon' is easily the best track here but there's plenty of other highlights like 'Fancy', 'Little Miss Queen of Darkness', 'Holiday in Waikiki' and 'Rainy Day In June' . But there is some filler as well, so it's a notch below Something Else and Village Green.
Dennis Wilson
4/5
This is quite a departure from the Beach Boys sound. Dennis Wilson was a great songwriter; after Brian Wilson, his songs have the best reputation amongst fans.
But by 1977 his voice was reduced to a rasp, which is a real shame as he previously had a decent singing voice. Compare the vocals on this album to tracks like Little Bird or Be Still from a decade earlier, the difference is astonishing.
But taken on its own terms, this is a good album with a mature sound, and it's certainly got a lot of soul and emotion.
Kanye West
1/5
It amazes me how many people it took to write a bunch of crap songs. And the guy is an a total dick.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Easily one of the best albums of all time, I love the spacey music and lyrics that penetrate as much now as they did then. The production, arrangements and singing is faultless. And it avoids self indulgence normally present on prog-rock albums.
Love
3/5
An interesting first side with some exotic colour added via flute and harpsichord but it's let down by the indulgent jam taking up the whole of side two. A wasted opportunity.
The Last Shadow Puppets
5/5
Have this on vinyl and it's a great listen - very cinematic production with some great vocals.
Destiny's Child
2/5
Wooooo (shivers)
Billie Holiday
3/5
Great voice, I don't even mind the orchestra. But it did seem like she sang the same song 12 times.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Pleasant chilled listening, I can see why his music is rated.
Elvis Costello
4/5
It's a really solid album with plenty of pop appeal.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
It's so strange that Buddy Holly is considered a rock n roll icon, I mean just look at the cover. I think my teddy bear looks more menacing. But that voice is so distinctive, so original and so natural sounding.
The other thing is this was in the days when music was recorded live (probably over a couple of sessions) with minimum fuss. It's a good snapshot of a particular time and place. Music before technology and the media etc took over.
One surprise for me was Buddy Holly only co-wrote 5 songs, considering his reputation as a songwriter.
All the above said, it probably isn't that great an album as a whole and a Buddy Holly compilation would be a far better listening experience.
Laura Nyro
3/5
I bought this on CD years ago after reading a rave review about it. But I've never really got into it because it never really settles and I suppose that restlessness is the attraction.
Nyro is a confident singer and her buoyant personality comes across. Some of the songs are really good hence there were covers by a number of artists.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
Ya know what, I like most music. It's only if it annoys me that I tend to actually dislike a particular song or artist. And this album definitely annoyed me. 2 stars because it wasn't actually terrible. Just annoying.
Janet Jackson
1/5
Is it just me being a grumpy middle aged man or is this utterly annoying?! The kind of music that quite rightly gave the 80s a bad name.
Neil Young
3/5
The music is good but not keen on Neil Young's voice. It's a bit whiney
Deep Purple
2/5
Hmm🥱
Keith Jarrett
2/5
Mostly it seemed like aimless doodling. I just didn't feel entertained. Maybe you had to be there?
The Killers
2/5
Never really got into The Killers and a close listen hasn't changed this
The Sonics
4/5
First heard this group on the Nuggets compilation as a teen, and being a teenager I loved the raw sound. This album is more of the same but it could probably do with a little bit of variation. Still a great album though (must be played really LOUD to be fully appreciated!!)
Aerosmith
3/5
Objectively speaking this is classic rock music and if I was in a bar having a beer it would be reasonably enjoyable to hear a few tracks from this album. At home, the music is a bit nondescript to my ears.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Not really a fan of his voice
Elvis Presley
3/5
He may have been the king of rock n roll but his albums tend to be one or two hits, a few interesting side steps or variations on a theme and then filler that would only really satisfy die hard fans, and this is no exception. Don't get me wrong, I love Elvis' voice but his music is best sampled on compilations.
The Who
5/5
I would say this is the freshest sounding who album as some of the later ones get bogged down in 'concepts'. On display here is a group with a tough, meaty sound, some great songs and loads of energy. Obviously the title track is the most well known but equally great are the opening 'Out in the Street', and 'The Kids Are Alright'. Also noteworthy is 'A Legal Matter' (a song about divorce was highly unusual for a pop song in 1965) and the powerful crunchy instrumental 'The Ox'. Great stuff.
Crowded House
4/5
On the plus side is the solid production, decent vocals and a few strong songs. Overall it's alright but it's also a bit overrated to these ears
Culture Club
2/5
Some good vocals but it's also typical fluff pop that's just a bit too staid for my taste
Dire Straits
2/5
I've often pondered why some music is labelled MOR. Whilst this album was playing I had visions of the band literally being stuck in the middle of the road, with lots of motorists driving either side not letting them cross. But sometimes you gotta be brave and take a chance, have some faith that the audience will go with you. Alas, it wasn't to be, and 30 years later the band is still stuck in the Middle -of - the - Road. Just waiting. And waiting.
Sheryl Crow
2/5
Her vocals are tediously annoying. I can't put my finger on why, but I just don't like it.
The Zombies
5/5
A lovely wistful album which really hits the spot in the right environment. Sure it's quite melancholic (dare I say gauche) at times but that's just part of its charm. Personal favourites for this cherished LP are 'Hung Up On A Dream', 'Changes', 'Brief Candles' and of course 'Time of the Season'.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
From the very beginning the Stones had a raw and decadent sound, the crude production adds rather subtracts. Sure it relies heavily on covers but that's just a reflection of those times. Easily the best of their early albums.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
In many ways this even more experimental than the banana album. However the songs are a notch below and some of the singing by Cale is a bit off. Still, it's an enjoyable album and a reminder as to why the Velvet Underground stood out from many of their contemporaries.
Bob Dylan
5/5
The raw early sound has been replaced by a more mature and refined delivery, supported by a full band (some excellent session musicians). The songs on this double album are among his best and Dylan is as wry as ever. At times, it quite a mellow listen. An instant classic.
Eminem
5/5
Sublime storytelling married to some groovy beats and chilling melodies, topped off by Eminem's insistent and emotional delivery, this is a classic.
John Coltrane
5/5
Played it over the weekend + don't really have much to say other than it was highly enjoyable jazz. No complaints from me so max points from yours truly.
5/5
It was this (and it's sister album Magical Mystery Tour) that turned me onto psychedelic music in my mid teens. Overfamliarty has probably killed some of that initial joy, but it is still an amazing listen all these years later. The wit, variety, musical invention and production has rarely been equaled.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
The sound of peanut butter on wax, this is sickly sweet stuff best enjoyed in small doses.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
It's the perfect accompaniment to a bottle of scotch and 20 Gauloise roundabout midnight, either alone or with some company. Smooth.
Syd Barrett
3/5
The album title kind of sums up, so you don't expect to hear Steps or Kylie & Jason. But the guy does have an undeniable knack of writing catchy pop melodies, even if his vocal is a bit iffy at times. The biggest problem to my mind is the album sounds cobbled together, as if Barrett was only half-hearted when recording it. It's quite telling he only made one further album before vanishing into obscurity.
Radiohead
1/5
It kind of bugs me. The guy is probably a millionaire and adored by his fans yet he's still moaning like a bitch. And I can't make out any of the words. To me it just sounds like a whinge for the sake of it. Absolute twaddle.
The Byrds
5/5
Featuring their trademark of lovely harmony vocals, jangly guitars and melodic songs, there's also some disorienting psychedelic touches, synthethsizers and sound effects. As per the previous albums, it's quite a short album, but a heck of a lot happens in under 30 minutes. It's production is shimmering and the mood is generally quite hazy. It's a fab LP to drift away on a lovely summer afternoon.
Moby Grape
5/5
This not just the best LP to come from the SF scene, it's hands down one of the best records of all time. It's full of great songs, solid vocal harmonies, concise guitar solos plus a nice variety of styles. It's hard to pick favourites because it's one great song after another, but stand outs include 'Hey Grandma', 'Omaha', 'Changes' and 'Sitting By A Window'.
KISS
2/5
Obviously the band don't take themselves too serious and they had a huge following. Taken for what it is, I suppose it's ok. But I can honestly say I would never choose to play anything from this album.
The Doors
4/5
The second best Doors LP, this was a chilling return to form. Sadly Morrison popped his clogs weeks before the album's release so 'Riders On The Storm' ended up sounding like an erie finale.
Elastica
5/5
Stylish high octane rock/pop, wow this blew me away. Superb in every department, this is a great discovery
Scritti Politti
1/5
The wife said, it's a bit 80s, and it's hard to disagree. It's just a bit naff. Next!
Rush
2/5
Can't fault the ambition but sadly they fail to live up to their own grandiose expectations.
Bon Jovi
1/5
With some artists it's important to remember the 5 Ds : Dodge, duck, dive, dip and ..... dodge. Whatever it takes to avoid a crap album. Just be careful that you don't slip though (cue drum roll) boom
Rod Stewart
2/5
I just can't get past the geezers vocals.
Django Django
5/5
Some cool sounds, really enjoyed this. The vocals in particular were richly melodic like some of the best sixties bands. Will definitely listen again
Michael Jackson
4/5
It's very well produced (production mainly by the great Quincy Jones) and all the vocals are fantastic, but it also gets a little bit samey.
It's great music for the dancefloor but not quite so great for a listening experience. Also I was quite surprised to learn that MJ only wrote 3 out of 10 tracks.
3.5 rounded up to 4
Elis Regina
3/5
Quite a strange little record, at times the music sounds like early seventies prog rock a la Genesis in their more whimsical moments.
Regina was from Brazil and it's sung in her native tongue (Portuguese) so I have no clue what the songs are about.
I enjoyed 'Tiro Ao Alvaro', which was one of the more traditional upbeat samba numbers.
The Cramps
3/5
Authentic sounding garage rock with plenty of reverb. Not bad.
Gotan Project
4/5
Played this a couple of times over the weekend and it was great background/dinner music.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
I have a few Latin lounge albums with a similar vein (Astrud Gilberto, João Gilberto and Wanda Da Sah) but they are all miles better than this. The reason: the vocals on all the above are so much sweeter and match the cool breezy candle lit summer evening vibe so much more than Sinatra, who sounds a little forced. The music by Jobim is swell.
Tom Tom Club
2/5
The album cover is amazing and I had high hopes for this.
The zany approach is laudable but they lack the required craftmanship to make this any more than a curio. Some of he songs went on too long and I found a lot of it rather repetitive and boring.
The Blue Nile
1/5
Dull generic 80s pop with a lead vocalist that struggles to generate anything that compels me to continue listening. Dire 🥱
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
ACHTUNG! SCHNITZEL!
I was going to give it 1 star but I don't want any trouble from these guys. It sounds like they have the best torture chamber in Europe, possibly in the world 🌎.Therefore I think I'll play it safe and give it 5.
Only kidding. It's unlistenable twaddle.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
Cool, kitsch and swinging big band jazz, with plenty of energy at times. Perfect dinner party foda and quite enjoyable for close listening as well.
Tears For Fears
3/5
Having recently spent the best part of a week on Holiday with their greatest hits CD on constant rotation in the car (and absolutely loving it), I was looking forward to this.
But sadly it was a letdown, with only the singles standing out. Half the album is amazing, the other half is really bland and mediocre (the ballads). A real shame. A few of the bonus tracks were actually quite good.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
This was enjoyable enough
Madonna
2/5
I really enjoyed Beautiful Stranger which came out around the same time as this album so was looking forward to this.
But all the blips and bleeps can't hide the fact she hasn't really got anything to say that's worth hearing.
Maybe I just expected too much.
Miles Davis
3/5
A bold double album which pushes the boundaries on every level. As an artistic statement, it's reasonably successful; as a musical experience it's a bit more dubious and not very enjoyable unless you're into weirdness for the sake of it. Cool cover art.
Ps it's a shame this list doesn't have some of the cool British Jazz LPs from the same period. Something like Hum Dono by Joe Harriot/Amancio D'Silva which is far more successful in terms of creating exotic jazz whilst retaining listenability.
Jane's Addiction
2/5
The music was great but the singer has a really annoying voice.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Can't fault RHCP, some great tunes, plenty of funk and swagger and an instantly recognizable singer. Plus there's the nostalgia element, this really takes me back to a time and a place.
Julian Cope
3/5
It's obviously some kind of neo-psychedelia, with some weirdness and experimentation. But I'm not sure I really like his singing plus it does meander. 3.5
CHIC
3/5
So the grooves on the album are funky and the musicianship is tight and silky smooth
But for me, it lacks depth and I occasionally found myself waiting for some of the long tracks to finish.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Gimme Shelter is hands down one of the best tracks by anyone, ever. It's so powerful, it send chills down my spine.
The rest is ..... Mostly just ok. I wonder if that first track is so good that it makes the rest of the record seem like a letdown by comparison.
Midnight Rambler is good but drags on too long. The
title track is decent, as is the introduction to Monkey Man.
I've said it before, the stones lost their magic without Brian Jones, and became some kind of self-mitholising cliche.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
We'll crafted music made with a sincerity that is rare in pop. Odd, but in a good way
The Who
5/5
Whilst Sell Out is the best Who album in the "pop" field, this is their best "rock" album. Roger Daltry provided some of his most powerful vocal performances (heck the whole band do) on an album chock full of great songs with meaningful lyrics that are in turns witty, spiritual and philosophical, without ever sounding pretentious. Stand outs are the ones you'll find on any good Who Compilation: 'Won't Get Fooled Again', 'Baba O'Reilly' and 'Behind Blue Eyes'.
Roxy Music
4/5
I think Roxy Music are one of the few prog/art rock bands that stand out from their contemporaries. I really like their oddball pop/rock sound
Big Star
2/5
Noisy shit kinda like a Boeing 737-800 flying over my house: I just don't notice anymore
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Kinda like swimming with dolphins when you can't actually swim. Music to die to
The Black Keys
2/5
Shallow. Souless. Typical.
George Michael
3/5
I'm intrigued by the cover artwork. Does GM have a BO problem? Or does his music just stink? (Ha-ha). The jury is out (buying some air freshener)
Blood, Sweat & Tears
2/5
The vocals are decent but the songwriting is uninspired whilst the music is dull jazz rock. I'd rather play some Brian Auger.
Marilyn Manson
4/5
I enjoyed this rather more than I expected. It's got great production (sounded awesome on earphones), some interesting instrumental passages and the singing is quite interesting, with some cool effects scattered throughout. Weirdly it sounds angry and menacingly camp at the same time (The Beautiful People)!
Britney Spears
1/5
🤣😬😖
Wilco
1/5
Bravo oscar romeo india november golf.
Dull and devoid of any charisma whatsoever, mainly due to monotone vocals. I think a morgue has more personality.
Ghostface Killah
2/5
I was going to have a really long rant but I'll keep it short and polite by just saying I really detest this "in your face" attitude and culture. I can appreciate some of the finer musical moments and beats, but seriously, just fucking grow up.
Billy Joel
4/5
Sounding like a cross between Paul McCartney and Elton John, he does his best to sound like he's from good old Blighty. The uptempo material works best with "Moving Out", "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" and "The Stranger" being the highlights. Not so keen on the ballads and smoochy sax is a sound I absolutely loath. Otherwise it's not a not too bad set of well produced songs.
Traffic
1/5
I love lately sixties music but this is dull and at times embarrassing. It really bugs me that these selctions come from the fucking BBC history of rock or some bullshit like that.
Anyway, any of the below (not on this list) from roughly the same period are far superior or just a damn sight more interesting from the UK underground.
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Caravan (both self titled), East of Eden (Mercator Projected).
The Zutons
4/5
A fab album from a fab band from a fab city. They don't make 'em like this anymore
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I appreciate the music and lyrics but I've never been a fan of his vocals which makes it difficult for me to enjoy.
Mike Ladd
5/5
Now and again something a bit different comes along and this is one of those occurrences. I loved the industrial dark sounds mixed in with moments of beauty: a great combination. A cracking album by my reckoning.
New Order
2/5
Something doesn't quite gel, is it just me, or is the vocalist singing off key? The music is marginally better. The sort of thing that gave 80s music a bad name.
Madness
4/5
A solid listen with all the expected nuttiness nestled comfortably alongside some social commentary songs that wouldn't be out of place on a Blur or Kinks album.
Robert Wyatt
5/5
I always appreciate it when someone English sings with an English accent rather than the faux-American accent which most singers tend to emulate. Musically, this is superb, kaleidoscopic keyboards interweave to create a chilling, spooky atmosphere. Wyatt sings the poetic lyrics (sometimes wordless) and rich melodies in a lovely falsetto, and like a lot of "weird" music, at times it's almost childlike. Genuinely fascinating from start to finish.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
I prefer jazz with a bit more groove, the sort with a mean baseline, or a swirling Hammond workout a bit of seediness or a touch of exotica. This is a bit more tame, it's not bad by any means, there are some great performances but it's just not my bag.
ZZ Top
4/5
Southern fried boogie blues rock served with a side of swaggering panache. Ultimate Americana
Bruce Springsteen
1/5
Little Simz
5/5
A really fresh sounding album that stands out from the crowd, featuring a tasty blend of rap, jazz and rock. I particularly enjoyed the fuzz bass, distorted vocals, creepy keyboards and flute on the opening 'Offence'. What an amazing drum sound!
Throwing Muses
4/5
Hi octane, edgy indie/rock, featuring some jagged guitar sounds and riffs, a dark foreboding atmosphere plus a decent singer. Nothing really sticks out as a classic song but there's nothing bad on here either. On the whole, very enjoyable.
Pixies
4/5
Shame on me but this is my first encounter with the pixies music. And they don't disappoint - love the guitars, vocals and the general edginess of their sound. Great stuff
The Black Crowes
3/5
Obviously a southern boogie blues bar rock band who wanna be the Stones, but don't quite make it, mainly because the singer doesn't quite have the necessary authority. It's ok but I would sooner listen to Free, Lynyrd Skynyrd or the actual Stones.
Gene Clark
4/5
Have seen this described as country-soul and that sounds like a fair description. The lyrics are existential , the vibe is laid-back and the music is stoner like and very listenable. I'm not entirely convinced by Clarks' vocals but they don't jar. I did like the title track, which was a bit more adventurous, featuring a treated vocal and a wash of synths and occasional Latin percussion.
The Cult
3/5
Mid tempo riff-rock, with some nifty guitar solos and a gruff sounding vocalist. It's all a tad to mainstream sounding for a band that named themselves "The Cult". Also I couldn't really hear much of the words but I'm pretty sure I haven't missed anything that important.
Coldplay
2/5
As I listened to their anthemic songs, I couldn't stop myself from holding a candle in the air and feel the pain of their muse.
Morrissey
4/5
Despite all the controversy around Morrissey's views, there is some fine music on this album. The backing band impressed me.
Fairport Convention
5/5
To these ears it's more rock than folk, albeit raga rock. Sandy Denny had the perfect voice for this sort of material, being a little bit husky with the right amount of shrill. I love the sound of Dave Swarbrick's violin interchanging with Thompson's lead guitar. Folk music is a lot more dark than its given credit for ("Matty Groves" and "The Deserter").The only misstep is the diddly jig Medley: it just doesn't belong on an album like this.
PS I have to admit that I didn't really like this (get this?) on first listen, but multiple listens through the years revealed a truly rewarding album. Great stuff.
Radiohead
5/5
Generally speaking, I am not really a fan of Radiohead. But with this release they put together a cohesive and engaging set of songs (about alienation, I think) that is a strong contender for one of the best albums ever made. The songwriting, the production, the vocals, the instrumental arrangements, it's all top draw stuff.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
I'm torn with Joni Mitchell because she is a great artist, writes some amazing tunes with beautiful poetical (and witty) lyrics and does possess a very unique and distinctive voice. But the voice is the issue for me, I find the tone a bit too shrill for my liking. None-the-less, this is a great, timeless record that I can appreciate, if not entirely enjoy.
Khaled
4/5
A solid album from Algeria, featuring melodies (and instrumentation) of North Africa and the middle East fused with modern production, giving it a vibrant pop sheen. The cover of Imagine is a bit out of place, mind you.
Ravi Shankar
4/5
As an avid 60s psych music fan, I love the sound of a sitar and Indian instrumentation but if truth be told (and no disrespect to the master himself), this works better as background music.
I had to dig out my 'Electric Psychedelic Sitar Headswirlers' boxset afterwards. Now that is an amazing listen!
Bee Gees
2/5
I quite enjoyed the 3 albums preceding this, but here they take the morbid melancholy to extreme lengths in every possible way, which makes the final listening experience of this double album a bit of an uphill trek.
The xx
2/5
The music is cinematic with smooth ambient dreamscapes, which is ok. The lyrics are sensual but incomprehensible and a bit jarring as a result. Basically, to me it's lazy songwriting.
Merle Haggard
1/5
It's saccharine vibe makes it all a bit of a drag to listen to
Super Furry Animals
5/5
This was intended to be an expansive epic and that comes across in the final album. It has cinematic production values and plenty of variety in the musical content. The melodies are catchy, the vocals are bouncy (loads of great harmonies) and the arrangements are dense. They don't take themselves too seriously either. Thoroughly enjoyable pop.
Madonna
2/5
I've never understood Madonna's MASSIVE popularity - her melodies are generally vapid and unmemorable, the lyrics are pretty banal and above all, above all else, she is a really average undistinctive singer. OK, so admittedly the production is strong (as are the grooves) but these positives don't overcome the vast array of negatives that basically makes it naff music.
Don't take my word for it though, check out your local charity shop!
Kings of Leon
3/5
It's mostly upbeat and I enjoyed the freshness of the album, just the sound of a indie-rock band playing together really well and kudos for that. However nothing really sticks out as being particularly interesting, memorable or innovative apart from maybe the short "Slow Night, So Long" with it's laidback Latin groove. Not bad but not great either. 3.5
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Featuring up front production, some decent songs and Gabriel's powerful slightly raspy vocals, this is a solid album. The tracks are a bit overlong though.
Deee-Lite
3/5
'Groove is in the Heart' is an instantly recognizable floor filler and with its killer groove, unforgettable melody and insistent bass line, is easily the albums highlight : absolute sunshine! Alas, the rest of the album is disappointing by comparison, but it's not terrible either. Great album cover though.
The Libertines
3/5
The first couple of songs were excellent punk rockers showcasing a very tight band. Sadly this wasn't maintained and I found some of the vocals a bit of putting
Genesis
4/5
According to Wikipedia, "The band decided to produce a double album before they had agreed on its contents or direction", which set alarm bells ringing. That said, the arrangements, production and vocal/instrumental performances are strong but the songs aren't particularly memorable. There are a few pleasant tracks like the pretty sounding 'Cuckoo Cocoon' but ultimately all gets bogged down in the concept. It probably is a masterpiece of something or other but it needs multiple listens to scratch below the surface.
Hawkwind
2/5
There were one or two moments where things perked up, but for the most part it felt like an overlong jam session. A lot of editing would be needed to make this more palatable.
Guided By Voices
4/5
It's a bit different, 28 songs in 45 minutes (give or take), recorded on a 4 track machine. Personally I would have preferred less songs, e.g. cut all the tracks under 1.30, which would be a more palatable 16 tracks. But there are some interesting ideas of mostly catchy garage rock. At times it reminds me of early Nirvana and bands of that ilk.
Brian Wilson
5/5
Brian Wilson's (and the Beach Boys for that matter) most adventurous project is a fascinating complex patchwork. A song cycle comprising of voices, instruments, tin pan alley, art-rock and theater. Whereas Pet Sounds was all about emotions and feelings of the heart, these are songs for the head with cryptic lyrics, displaying strong influences from early-mid 20th century Americana, along the lines of Gershwin etc.
The Beach Boys finally released Smile in 2011, and that version just about gets the edge, but this is still excellent and at times, the music is breath-taking.
Hookworms
5/5
A cool blend of psychedelic space rock and electronics with good vocals and a propulsive groove. Love the organ, sounds very retro in a good way. Highly enjoyable.
Paul Simon
5/5
I really enjoyed listening to this. It features a variety of styles, conversational lyrics, crisp production and of course Simon is a fab singer with a distinctive voice. The songwriting is consistently high but probably not as memorable as S&GS finest work (or maybe I just need to get more familiar). Top marks from me.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
I tried to enjoy it but the mixture of 80s production and C&W makes the record sound like the aural equivalent of a packet of wotsits - a little to cheesy for my palate.
Paul Weller
3/5
Willie Nelson
3/5
Taken for what it is, this soporific, inoffensive and slightly downbeat collection of songs work best (as the cover art suggests) in the twilight hours. It is a bit MOR at times, but I won't hold that against the record, because that's pretty much the target audience.
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
It's one of those spacey records that unfolds, twists, evolves, enveloping our senses through a never ending passage of time. It attempts to take you to another dimension, but I'm not sure that I quite made it. Perhaps the destination was just a mirage. Where the end is the beginning, and the beginning is the end.
Or maybe I'm talking complete and utter rubbish!
k.d. lang
3/5
Although this well produced, smooth jazz pop album features solid vocals, it didn't quite hit the spot. It's very good, just not my cup of tea
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
A mighty rocking and rolling romp, featuring vocals delivered with grit and gusto, and a cool beefy backing band. Although they've got a swampy southern sound, CCR were actually from California, Cajun rock at it's finest.
Mike Oldfield
4/5
Wonderfully spooky and organic acid folk. It's delightfully hypnotic and at times, almost therapeutic.
Dion
3/5
I enjoyed the music, which reminds me of late seventies period Beach Boys. Vocally, I'm not so convinced. Dion sounded great on those early sixties records like 'The Wanderer' and 'Runaround Sue', but here he sounds a bit forced, like he's being forced to slow the tempo
The Verve
3/5
This album has got a lot more spunk and energy than Urban Hymns. The music is quite psychedelic (I quite enjoyed the trippy sounding 'On Your Own' and 'So It Goes') but for the most part this is fairly standard downer indie rock and the lyrics don't really add any value.
Yes
3/5
On the one hand, I can appreciate the complex arrangements, musicianship augmenting some commercially acceptable melodies. 'Roundabout' for example is a decent track with various catchy vocal and instrumental melodies. On the other hand, it does tend to meander (like a lot of prog-rock) and some of it is a bit lifeless. It's pleasant but unavoidable is the fact a lot of this sort of music is rather dated to modern listeners.
Norah Jones
3/5
Soft breathy vocals married with a rich jazzy acoustic backing band featuring tinkling piano, zingy guitar, brushed drums and stand up bass. It's relaxed atmosphere makes it perfect coffee n chat music (or possibly late night romantic coziness on the sofa).
Eminem
5/5
I'm not a rap fan normally but I do like Eminem: great story telling, amazing wordplay, catchy music. The delivery is humorous, powerful and thought provoking. A great album from a great artist
King Crimson
5/5
Housed in a striking sleeve, this iconic album is one of prog-rocks definitive statements. There's lots to enjoy, whether it's the bombastic fuzz laden '21st Century Schizoid Man', melancholic 'I Talk to the Wind' (featuring some lovely flute) or the epic 'Epitaph'. Like a lot of prog-rock, there are a few tedious moments here and there, but that's just the nature of the beast. Pop fans will probably hate this bold and adventurous record.
Elton John
4/5
A cinematic, nostalgic and grandiose set of songs, superbly sung at the peak of his mid seventies popularity. It features strong production (by Gus Dudgeon) and there's lots of his all time classics: "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Bennie and the Jets" plus the original "Candle in the Wind". There's a few missteps, but this is rightly regarded a classic.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Harris has a great voice and it's a perfectly fine album but not a very distinctive one and it suffers from too many slow numbers.
UB40
4/5
It's reggae, but with a hazy, jazzy twist making it perfect fodder for a summer afternoon. The dark undertones from the political commentary add rather than subtract, and I like the otherworldly feeling created by the sparse arrangements.
Björk
1/5
The industrial sounds of the music is ok, not brilliant, but palatable. The lyrics try to be deep but combined with the melody and vocal, just jar. Her vocals though are really off-putting by and the main problem, sounding really forced and contrived. Final verdict: an awful mess.
Portishead
5/5
Oh man, this is great music. It's spooky and captivating to be considered art but it's also chilled enough to be lounge or dinner party music, like a James Bond theme or something. Every track is a bit different but they also have a collective consistency, which is quite an achievement. Beth Gibbons vocals are awesome, sounding sexy and vulnerable at the same time. And I love the occasional sound effects / samples. Magnificent.
Animal Collective
5/5
I rather enjoyed this collection of upbeat psychedelic pop, which is full of ambition, euphoria, electronic noises, catchy tunes, vibrant vocals, the works. Its kitchen sink production might put some people off but I like it. Sod it, I'm giving it a 5 :)
Mudhoney
5/5
Sounding very similar to Bleach era Nirvana, this is a propulsive album full of passionate back of the throat vocals, distorted fuzzy guitars, throbbing bass lines and machine gun drums. That late 80s early 90s grunge scene was an awesome period in rock and this is a perfect example.
The Charlatans
3/5
They strive to build things up with a groove but I kinda just wish they got to the point a bit quicker. It's decent britpop, but I dunno, it's missing that edginess that the big guns had in their records.
Talking Heads
4/5
Funky upbeat pop/rock with surprisingly tropical feel good rhythms that's well crafted and has plenty of hooks.
Duke Ellington
3/5
A very pleasant listen although I'm not sure it stands up to active listening
Boards of Canada
2/5
A friend once recommended this band/album and raved about it, but I failed to see what all the fuss was about - still don't
The Velvet Underground
5/5
I love that each VU album was very different from the previous one. This is the quiet one, it's chilled but also a bit spooky, and sounds great on the early hours of the morning. Absolutely love it
Rod Stewart
3/5
A bit bland. Never really cared that much for his vocal style. It's not a bad record but it's not a particularly good one either.
Brian Eno
1/5
Yeah I get it. He's made a weird experimental album and we're meant to ignore the vocals because it's music made in the name of art. I just can't sorry. All the processing in the world can't hide poor 'singing'
2Pac
2/5
Aw bless. He just needed a teddy bear to cuddle and cheer him up.... and maybe someone to tickle his tummy .... or perhaps a nice cup of Coco..... or even a nice relaxing bath full of bubbles.
Pixies
3/5
I've obviously heard of the pixies but never actually heard their music until now. The music is really good, punk/thrash metal/whatever you want to call it. But the vocals are a real letdown, just not really adding anything. Disappointing.
Mariah Carey
1/5
At one time, yodelling was very popular for some reason. Ditto with dramatical Divas singing musical scales in a high pitched voice. It might be impressive to certain people, it might take a lot of practice, but that doesn't necessarily translate into listenable. Nice sexy cover art though.
Laibach
4/5
Music that is hard to categorise. So it's obviously a bit of a send up like Spinal Tap, very eurotrash and a bit nuts. I'm not sure how good it actually is, but it is very different from the norm and it made me smile and laugh (in a good way).
John Lennon
2/5
I love The Beatles (especially JL) but this is dull. If its primary objective was raw naked primal scream honesty, it's not angry enough. It lacks emotional depth to be melancholic. And the lyrics lack any sense of wit or poetical flair. He just sounds like a sardonic, bored, reclusive and uninspired pop star.
Common
3/5
There are some interesting musical moments and sonically it's well produced. It's a very lyrical message type album but overall it's not really my bag. But it deserves a place on the list and I was glad to give it a listen
k.d. lang
4/5
Very pleasant listening with some great vocals. The upbeat Sugar Moon was a standout
Iron Maiden
2/5
Fairly bog standard heavy metal, I can't say I was particularly enthralled and nothing stood out, good or bad. It bit meh really.
Alice Cooper
4/5
I quite enjoyed the blend of garage rock, comedy and showmanship. Plus there was some unusual sounds scattered throughout. Not that keen on the vocals but can't fault the attempt to try and make a record that sounds fun, quirky and odd
The Sugarcubes
2/5
I feel that products containing Bjork need a Bjork warning sticker.
The Lemonheads
5/5
I quite enjoyed this album full of (generally) upbeat jangly pop/rock. Nothing too heavy or serious, the vocalist sounds like a mellow Kurt Cobain and the production is crisp (great drum sound). It floated my boat, so top marks from me.
Muddy Waters
5/5
The thing I love about the original blues generation is how effortlessly cool they sound and look. Some amazing playing by Waters (and the backing band) and vocally he's full of confidence. Great stuff
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
It's a highly regarded album, (In 2008, writer Bob Gendron published a critical and scholarly exploration of Gentlemen) but I dunno, I just couldn't get excited by it. Maybe it's a lyrical album, but I'm sure I care enough to explore further. Good guitar sounds, mind you
The Stranglers
5/5
It's punk but there's more sophistication than most.
Opener 'Sometimes' sounds a bit like The Doors 'Love Her Madly' (especially the keyboards). 'Goodbye Tolouse' is in waltz time (3/4) and closes with a barrage of sound effects. 'London Lady' has some hilariously risque lyrics and an awesome guitar solo. 'Princess of the Streets' and 'Down in the Sewer' both sound like a lunatic asylum crossed with a fairground ghost train ride. And 'Peaches' and 'Get A Grip' are familiar classic (and nutty) singles.
I absolutely love this band's sense of wit, irony, satire and the absurd; only a corpse would fail chuckle at the goon-like humor. Debuts don't get much better than this zany album.
Metallica
2/5
The main issues for me is the lack of bottom end making the mix tinny and the nagging feeling that I'm listening to what I can only describe as corporate rock. The band are rich pickings for a Simpsons episode. Now where's my custom made Metallica air guitar 🎸..........
3/5
I love the Kinks and at his best, Ray Davies is as good a songwriter as Lennon/McCartney. But this is an album I have always struggled to enjoy. Sure it does contain at least two undisputed Kinks classics (Victoria and Shangri-la) and both are outstanding. Driving is also catchy but much of the remaining material is lyrically mundane. The music is an interesting period piece, with brass and harpsichords mingling with rock. It's not terrible and some even rate it above TVGPS, but I personally wouldn't select this as a starting point for the Kinks. Ps the non-album King Kong single is another outstanding example of Davies' songwriting.
Björk
3/5
It's interesting musically speaking but still struggling with her vocals
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Great vocals and a muscular backing with a fantastic fusion of rockabilly, soul and funk (aka swamp rock). 'Proud Mary's is an instantly recognisable classic. The two lenghthy tracks outstay there welcome a bit. Cool cover art.
Incredible Bongo Band
5/5
The sort of groovy music that you'll hear at a retro club all nighter, mixed in with psych, freakbeat, ska and soul etc. Yeah maybe it's a bit kitsch, but I love it for just that reason. Fab stuff
Girls Against Boys
3/5
While I quite enjoyed the dark sonic soundscape and the from the bottom of the well vocals (eg the production), I didn't think that much of the actual songs or singing.
Ryan Adams
3/5
I enjoyed parts of this record rather more than I anticipated. The opener 'New York' is recognisable (and catchy) and a few tracks like 'Answering Bell's and 'Tina Toledo Street Walking Blues' are highlights. The standout for me was the sprightly 'Gonna Make You Love Me', which is superb in all departments. What lets the album down is the slower numbers, which are ponderously dull and sadly this accounts for about half the album (although it feels more).
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
This set of neo-psychedelic garage rock had some good moments but nothing really stood out
Jack White
3/5
The start was pretty unexceptional riff-rock but things picked up with nuggets like the acoustic 'Love Interruption' and 'Blunderbuss', respectively featuring a lovely clarinet and string arrangement. Plus 'Hypocritical Kiss' has a pleasant easy going country vibe. On the whole, it's an interesting, if rather inconsistent, listen.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5/5
It's an album that sounds familiar (60s garage rock anyone?) whilst also sounding fresh, thanks to the vibrant production and brash performances, with plenty of foot stomping noise. No idea what she's singing about half the time but that's part of the appeal. Love the energy.
Dolly Parton
2/5
Based on the cover artwork, my initial thought was WTF, is this a soundtrack for a naff US sitcom?!? As for the music itself; on the one hand I admired the vocal harmonies of these three talented ladies, but actual enjoyment was zilch. Way too corny
Deerhunter
5/5
I rather enjoyed this collection of tracks - sounds like white album period Beatles, where catchy pop melodies mingle with dark soundscapes and post psychedelia. Well worth a listen.
Fugazi
4/5
Loud, exciting and exhilarating. It's the perfect music to accompany an action scene in a movie or hang out at the local skateboard park.
Skepta
3/5
Judging by the long gestation period and the number of producers, there is a case that this album may have suffered from being over-produced. It's a reasonably decent album but again, not really my bag
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
I really like that this is a short album (31 minutes) of snappy songs. There's plenty of musical hooks and excitement, the production is crisp. Ok maybe the songwriting is fairly basic, but Petty does sing them well. My main criticism is the snare drum, which sounds like a drum machine, probably not helped by it being so loud in the mix. On the upside, at least the groove is tight.
The Go-Betweens
2/5
It's a decent effort of jangly acoustic pop, but what lets it down is the soupy sound. There's way too much reverb on every track, and the songs really drag as a result. If there was ever a remixed version with a drier production, I would probably rate it higher.
Prince
3/5
There's some good ideas and experiments, and lyrically Prince is a great story teller, but a lot of it falls flat without leaving much impression.
The Magnetic Fields
4/5
I had to do a double take - 69 tracks - yep, count them, 69 tracks! Naturally, listening to a project of that magnitude is a big investment of time for me as a listener.
Anyway I did sample the tracks, and the final verdict is this is a fairly decent collection of indie-folk tracks. The music and lyrics are playful and quirky, but the main lead vocalist is probably a bit to dour to successfully carry the project (the other vocalists brought much needed relief). For the sheer effort of writing and recording 69 songs I would feel a bit mean giving anything less than 4 stars, even though my actual enjoyment was mixed.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
One of a handful of albums from the 70s that's beyond criticism, and for good reason, as every track is a winner. It's quite a diverse affair going from heavy rock to mystical folk. I personally prefer the folky stuff, especially 'The Battle of Evermore' (featuring Sandy Denny) but I equally love the bombastic 'When The Levee Breaks'. A true classic.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I've tried and tried but I just can't get beyond his dour vocals. And let's be honest, there's sod all melody (every song sounds the same). I don't even rate his lyrics that much either, too much of a reliance on clichés (the rain etc). One of the most overrated acts. The one notable thing is the understated shimmering music, now that is actually good.
I've said it before and I'll say it again; this list has some pretty poor choices, overlooking recordings by lesser known artists (and some major ones) that deserve more recognition. Anyway, rant over.
Slayer
3/5
It's very well played/produced and these guys are all very talented but it's probably not my cuppa tea.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1/5
Prog rock is a funny game. At the time, it was sincerely meant to be forward thinking and futuristic, challenging the conventions of the day etc blah blah. But 50 years on, it sounds more dated than a lot of the music that came before it.
Here of course, much of the material is covers, and the band has reamaginged it into something arry. It's tempting to rate it higher because it's trying to be different but the brutal truth is it's just a load of rubbish. Just think of all the enjoyable music that you could be listening to instead?!
Miles Davis
5/5
Timeless smouldering jazz with excellent solos from all concerned. It's not the most exciting jazz on offer (one of the contemporary reviews called it sluggish) but it is the perfect accompaniment to a late night/early morning Scotch on the rocks, a fine cigar and good company. This is probably the most famous album by the most famous jazz musician and its status is well deserved. The iconic cover artwork is also amazing.
Can
5/5
I'm not sure why (probably my own silly prejudices) but I expected a really dark sounding album with industrial textures. But it was actually a very breezy album with a tropical feel. There's only 3 lengthy tracks and a shorter one called 'Moonshake'. Although the tracks have a repetitive nature, there's enough movement and variations to keep me engaged.
It's jazz/soundtrack/floyd vibe is very cool and although it was recorded in1973, it sounds modern. This would be a perfect album to listen to sunbathing on the beach, and it probably explains why the Germans always look so relaxed :)
Miriam Makeba
4/5
She's got a lovely, powerful voice and there's an interesting fusion going on with the various musical styles (African rhythms married to jazz and gospel) so it's got a tropical exotica vibe. It's mostly excellent but there's one or two iffy moments as well.
Kanye West
1/5
The epitome of all that is wrong with the music industry and by extent society. Or lets put it another way, give a knob head a microphone and an opportunity and see what happens.
Talking Heads
3/5
The instrumental backing is funky and the band are very tight plus the production is crisp and lively. Not that keen on the vocals though.
5/5
It's a playful album with plenty of musicality, being chock full of nifty chord changes, complex arrangements (with plenty of orchestrations) and superb vocal harmonies. I really like the song titles as well. It benefits from a modern crisp production and this sounds like the sort of music the Beach Boys could've made in the nineties or noughties if they could have been bothered. In fact, I think secretly Andy Partridge would like to join the Beach Boys. XTC made some highly esoteric music but probably were just a bit to odd to ever break the mainstream in a big way, despite the obvious quality of their catchy songs (my own personal favorite being the autumnal Skylarking).
Circle Jerks
5/5
Wowzers that woke me up!
I absolutely loved this, the raw/live/dry sound, the short songs, the speed, the energy, angry vocals, tight musicianship, no messing lyrics, fuzzy guitar solos, cool cover artwork. 100% punk. Superb in all departments. Yep, that's me converted, gonna go and get a nose ring, spike my hair and dye it green, smoke a pack of fags and smash a few things up. Yeah!!
PS - I dunno why, but they sound more British than American
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
There is plenty of drama going on with this album and a decent amount of variation, musically speaking. It had a coherence of sound which I liked. Plenty of decent songs as well with Nocturnal Me, YoYo Man, Killing Moon, My Kingdom and Ocean Rain being the standouts.
Slade
5/5
I'll be the first to admit the lyrics are a bit trite, but that sound of Noddy Holder's highly distinctive vocals, fuzzed up guitars and pounding drums, oh man that sound is freaking awesum. I wish there was a contemporary band with this sort of ballsy rock.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
I really liked the build up for each track, creating tension which is sometimes released vi a big chorus, other times it just keeps going with a hypnotic, atmospheric groove. It's great dance music, but it's also great background music as well.
John Cale
3/5
The music, a mix of folky orchestral art rock is very good, as are the catchy songs. Cale, unfortunately, is not the most gifted of singers, so the end result is a little amateur sounding, but still enjoyable enough.
Adele
1/5
It's funny reading all the accolades about the album on Wikipedia. Best selling this, best selling that, blah blah blah. They all seem to miss the fact that it's self indulgent mush of boring songs written by dull people with no sense of wit or craftsmanship. I will admit Adele has a good voice but it's wasted on this bathetic set of songs, perfectly posed and postured for the post x factor generation.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
First the good; nifty bass lines and cool danceable grooves, an uneasy and unsettling atmosphere.
Next the bad; the tracks are overlong and there's no real sense of purpose and the songs just don't go anywhere; I was bored listening to it and couldn't wait for each track to end.
Last the ugly; the vocals are terrible and I couldn't hear any of the lyrics.
I'm not sure what they were trying to achieve with this. It just felt like an irksome itch that was really rather irritating. End result a failed experiment that maybe should have stayed in the can (pun intended).
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Comparisons to Fleetwood Mac seem inevitable as they share the same rolling dance grooves underpinned by acoustic and electric sounds. The songs suit her limited vocals (certainly more than her folky sixties records) and the dark shady tones replicate the cover artwork. It's a decent effort and is well worth a listen but lacks the class of the better known contemporary new wave albums.
Justin Timberlake
3/5
OK, so hear me out (ha-ha)...
Taken for what it is, it's OK-ish RnB / funky pop crossover, with charismatic vocals from Timberlake and immaculate production.
On the downside, the lyrics are dreadfully cheesy (prbably by design to appeal to teenage girls), and it's probably a bit overlong for a debut album, but I suppose fans of NSYNC were chuffed to get 60+ minutes of playing time. Most people would have preferred it if the running time was cut by half.
But I didn't hate it, the vibe is positive and Timberlake is likeable so the results are middling.
Brian Eno
2/5
It's primarily revered for pioneering use of samples, which incorporates music and speech from around the globe and the cinematic production.
Fair enough.
But the reality is, this is a hodge podge of ideas thrown together with no semblance of cohesion or central purpose.
Art for art sake could be the argument for it. Again fair enough.
But if it doesn't motivate or move me to dance or cry or laugh or anything, then what is the point?
Maybe it's a new genre - Robot Pop
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
The music is okay but I didn't like the singing.
MC Solaar
4/5
Very cool vibe throughout
Eric Clapton
2/5
Cocaine rock at it's finest. Great guitar playing but it's also mind numbingly dull.
The Pretty Things
5/5
It comes from a time and a place (sixties London) that is almost alien these days: the clothes, the music, the fashion etc etc. It doesn't have the immediate impact of anything like punk or indie or rap or hip hop.
But there is magic in the grooves of this well crafted record that become apparent after a few spins. The clever musical interludes, creamy vocal harmonies, groovy prominent bass lines, euphoric strings, strident guitars and sympathetic arrangements featuring plenty of sitar n spice add plenty of colour.
It's obviously heavily indebted to contemporary bands like the Beatles and even The Jimi Hendrix Experience, but it does have a more theatrical approach.
I would add I'm not bothered about the story/concept, I just kick back and dig those sounds. Stand out tracks include 'SF Sorrow Is Born', 'She Says Good Morning', 'Balloon Burning', 'Baron Saturday'.
Anyway it's a corker of an album that still sounds fresh and is one of my favourites.
The Monkees
4/5
People make comparisons to The Beatles, probably because both bands had daft/ funny personas. But the Monkees are a different kettle of fish: the members had to audition to join the TV Show (and therefore the band) and then learn their lines for the weekly TV Show, where they pretended to be a band. The music was then written and recorded by professionals, to which the Monkees added vocals in the studio and mimed the vocals and playing their instruments on the TV show. For some reason this caused a big fuss in the media when the truth came out.The Monkees, of course, gradually won autonomy to write their own songs, play their instruments and generally have more say in their records.
So my point of the aforementioned amble is this; if this sounds like a rush job of hastily recorded songs for a semi fictional band performing kitsch TV entertainment type songs in various musical styles then that's because it is precisely that. On that basis, it's a not so terrible record that is entertaining and occasionally brilliant. And Micky Dolentz is a bloody fantastic distinctive singer, one of my favourites, thinking about it. I wonder how many other bands can say their drummer is the best singer.
It's carefree sunny music which in today's Uber cynical urban jungle it sounds almost laughable but if I step out of that world view, actually it's um, unpretentious entertainment and a form of escapism. I find this element quite appealing.
The Monkees nowadays are held in more esteem by critics than they were in their heyday. I suspect a compilation of their best (later) material would be a better listening experience for a modern audience than any one album, including this one.
Pulp
5/5
It's from the Brit Pop era, but being led by an ironic crooner styled frontman in Jarvis Cocker, they always stood out a little.
I love the storytelling, the wit and sense of provocative drama, the dark seediness and sexual fantasy, the little details of people's lives, the ironic posing and vocal phrasing. And musically, they sure know how to build the songs up from a simple riff to a euphoric climax. They also manage to be funny and touching at the same time, mainly because there is a sense of empathy for the characters in the songs.
30 years on this clever album still sounds amazing and it's another contender for best ever album on this list.
Def Leppard
2/5
Bit sick of boring 80s heavy metal. Not much more to say
Soft Cell
3/5
The album is mainly notable for the (slightly) risque lyrics and song titles and it's extensive use of synths. I tend to appreciate 80s synch pop a bit more than I did growing up, especially when I see old top of the pops episodes, so maybe there is some nostalgia.
Fred Neil
4/5
It's an understated record that's so horizontal you could easily doze off listening to it. That said, I do like its stoner folk/country vibe; it's the kind of record we would play in the afternoon in University after a few beers in the Students Union (or perhaps even the early hours) with a bifta or two. 'The Dolphins' and 'Everybody's Talking' are the highlights but the whole album is very listenable.
David Crosby
5/5
An album of pictures in sound and moods. Opener 'Music is love' sounds like a stoned campfire sing along; 'Cowboy Movie' sounds like I'm wandering through the desert with a thirst; 'Tamalpais High' could be incidental music to a cool cult 70s movie. Meanwhile the gorgeous sun- kissed 'Laughing' sounds like the Byrds at their best while the jam 'What are their names' has some fine instrumental noodling. Then there's the stacked heavenly harmonies of 'Orleans', which are simply stunning. And surprisingly, given the background (the recent death of his girlfriend) this is an uplifting rather than a depressing listening experience: mystical and beautiful, if a bit disjointed.
Little Richard
5/5
I'll be the first to admit all these tracks are variations on a theme but what a voice and what a sound. It's probably best enjoyed at a party where everyone is moving and grooving (or in the background when I'm making a meal at the weekend) rather than active or attentive listening, where the saminess is likely to grate.
Rufus Wainwright
4/5
It's a very musical album, full of songs that sound like they were written by professionals (think tin pan alley) rather than being self written by a pop artist, with a full orchestral score to match. You might say this is pop meets Broadway. It makes for a pleasant listening experience, I quite enjoyed hearing this on the train coming home from work with my tired eyes closed. Another reviewer mentioned a similarity to Nilsson, and musically speaking, I would agree.
The Who
5/5
The novel idea of linking the tracks on side one with jingles is jolly good, as it gives the tracks a sense of being played on the radio in 1960's London. Sure, it's perhaps a little kitsch, but it works and gives the record an identity of it's own.
Except for one or two tracks, anyone expecting to hear the classic Who sound isn't going to find it here. However, fans of psychedelic pop (or 60s pop in general) are in for a teatime treat. Songs like 'Tattoo', 'Our Love Was', ' I Can't Reach You' and the calypso flavored 'Mary-Anne With The Shaky Hand' are all highly melodic and beautifully crafted compositions with enough rock influence to avoid whimsy. John Entwhistle's 'Silas Stingy' is a menacingly creepy follow up to 'Boris the Spider' and the organ led 'Relax' is a nod to Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd.
Of course the best known track is the killer 'I Can See For Miles' but for me the highlight is the simple, jazzy 'Sunrise', which is one of the loveliest records you'll ever hear. This may not be their best album, but as it's less bogged down in concepts and a fun album to hear with plenty of drama in the storytelling, it is my favorite Who album. Maybe i'm just a big kid at heart!
Richard Hawley
5/5
Hey mate, can you pass me the sick bucket...bleuhh.....
On the surface, this is horrible schmaltzy MOR record with a cabaret style crooner wooing middle aged ladies.
But as I listened more, I realised Hawley actually has a lovely, warm understated voice that is totally sincere. The combination of bittersweet songs and that achingly sad voice showcases emotional music of depth. It's melancholic, but there always that lingering feeling of hope hiding somewhere in the shadows. This is beautiful, sad, warm, moving music.
Big Star
1/5
Track one; OK-ish rock backing with awful vocals. Track two; the same. Didn't go any further. I remember various critics in music books raving about them, which is really puzzling. Cult band, my arse!
Giant Sand
2/5
Until the vocals started, this was actually quite interesting. Then the vocals came in and everything came crashing down. Seriously, how do some of these albums get signed with such shit singers.
Gram Parsons
3/5
It's one of the better country outings on this list
The La's
4/5
There's some classic indie-retro styled tunes on this album. The strangely compelling vocals sound a lot like Cast, so it's no surprise this band has Cast frontman John Power. Oddly, the one song I'm not that keen on is the well known 'There She Goes'.
R.E.M.
2/5
I've never really liked the lead singer's voice of this group. Still don't. Just bland pop from another vastly overrated band.
Waylon Jennings
2/5
Was listening to Nancy and Lee again over the weekend. Wow that is a distinctive beautifully crafted album.
This is just generic country.
Tim Buckley
4/5
Tim Buckley has a great, distinctive and unusual voice that uses a lot of technique and may not be everyone's cup of tea. Personally I love it, I always remember being gobsmacked when I heard a track called 'I Never Asked To Be Your Mountain' on a comp a friend did for me years ago.
Although much of his music has a jazz-folk tinge, this particular album has a much more dirty funk rock sound, with risque lyrics. He's uncompromising, which often veers into sheer self indulgence but to a degree it is expected, given his particular brand of art-rock. It's not his best album, but it is a very good one.
Fiona Apple
4/5
Great voice, great lyrics and some cool instrumental endings. Pretty solid album
The Bees
4/5
It's a pleasant laid back listen from a band that wears their influences on their sleeve. If there is once criticism, it feels a bit bitty, like they are pulling in too many directions, but nonetheless, it's an enjoyable listen.
Coldcut
4/5
It's innovative primarily in it's eclectic use of cut and paste samples and things really get cooking when it features one of several guest singers. There's an array of sounds and beats which amount to a cool listening experience with plenty of variety, with an emphasis on fun.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
I was hooked from the first few moments.
I love the way the singing is half sung/half spoken over a musical backdrop that is intense, moody, cinematic, gripping, chilling and spooky. The storytelling, the lyrics are so descriptive, I feel like I am there, watching the events unfold.
Out of every artist on this list (apart from the ones I already knew quite well) I have found Nick Cave to be the most consistently fascinating.
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
Nice sounds
3/5
I'd be the first to admit this is not something I would normally choose to listen to. But it's music that would get me "moshing", so from that perspective, it is reasonably enjoyable.
Kanye West
3/5
I like the album title and it's well produced but it's also not really my bag
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
80s glam rock shenanigans l. For what it is, it's not too bad. Awful cover art, mind you
Joni Mitchell
4/5
It's a loose jazzy record with plenty of experimental sounds. It's less immediately accessible than her previous albums but the shifting, kaleidoscope of sounds make this an artistic triumph
The Temptations
4/5
The Temptations, as good as they are, always felt like a conglomerate rather than an actual band. Check out the past members section on Wikipedia. Vocally they are as great as ever and at this stage their music was super funky. But there's a nagging feeling that they are a showbiz type band desperately trying to keep up with the times.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
3/5
A blend of country, soul and gospel sounds great on paper but the music is so nuanced, it's close to falling over itself. The vocals are sweetly sung and the pedal steel weeps as you'd expect but at times the soupy sound is grating and rather cloying. The overall feeling is you have to be in the right mood to fully appreciate and overcome it's melancholic tendancy.
Pink Floyd
3/5
The follow up to TDSOTM always felt like a bit of a letdown. The Floyd are masters of the slow build up but I do wish they would just play the damn song sometimes. There are plenty of cool synthesized sounds and the songs (all 4 of them!) are pretty good, but the atmosphere is curiously cold and sterile rather than momentous or trippy.
Gene Clark
4/5
The Dylan-esque songwriting is quietly captivating on record that is full of warmth and depth. It's lack of hooks and energy may be off-putting and the production is sparse but this album showcases superb vocals and musical arrangements that gives each song a little bit of flavour (but not too much).
Randy Newman
5/5
The most interesting thing about this album is the lyrics, which cover a broad range of subjects like the slave trade, U.S. foreign policy and religion. Newman sings the songs with a semi-spoken delivery in his usual sweetly sardonic voice and the brass and strings sound like a Broadway musical. It's fascinating stuff but it's appeal is limited.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Listening to the music and looking at the cover art, I kept thinking one word: "iconic".
Elvis was a terrific singer and made some terrific singles but I don't think the same quality is apparent on his albums.
4 stars, mainly for the cultural impact and influence that is ongoing even to this day
Mercury Rev
4/5
I read a rave review of this album when it came out and bought it. The music is very good "baroque n' roll", featuring a hypnotic quality that is beautiful and mesmerizing without succumbing to schmaltz or melancholy. The singer has a bit of a weedy voice, but it works with the material as it portrays a certain vulnerability.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Personally, I'm not that keen on the overblown title track, though I do recognize it's greatness, with the mood being similar to The Beatles 'Let It Be'. There's plenty of goodies scattered throughout the record, like the bossa groove of 'So Long Frank Lloyd Wright' the sleepy 'The Only Living Boy In New York' and the bouncy 'Cecelia'. The country numbers are less successful and the two best cuts are the anthemic 'The Boxer and the exotic sounding 'El Condor'.
Overall though, I probably prefer the 'dry' sound of the previous Bookends album.
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
Average stoner garage/indie rock. It felt like an eternity waiting for the vocals to kick in. This approach might be good live but it doesn't really work on record.
Metallica
3/5
'Enter Sandman' is a blast, the rest is ok. Plenty of people in the world seem to love Metallica. I'm not that fussed about it.
2/5
I liked the song titles and it sounds like they had a blast making the record. I just wish they worked all that experimentation and industrial noise into some proper songs. But as it is, it's virtually unlistenable.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
The band play well and there are some fine guitar solos (as you would expect) from Clapton. But the singer is, let's be honest, pretty average. He tries hard but there's no authority in his voice and he really struggles to hit the high notes. I do like a few tracks like 'Parchment Farm' and 'Another Man's.
The Strokes
3/5
Reminds me of Barfly circa 2002. It's a good album but it does lack variety and I can't say I'm particularly inspired to play it again.
The Vines
4/5
The Nirvana comparison is a bit of a misnomer. Yes, some of the vocals are 'shouty' and some instrumental bits occasionally sound grungy, but generally the tracks are just not as dark as Nirvana and the lyrics are simplistic & nowhere near as literate or playful as Cobain's.
Anyway, this is a decent grungy indie pop record, with strong production, plenty of fuzz guitars and likeable vocals.
Wilco
4/5
Pleasant folk/country with mellow vibes and some interesting turns. It's an album to get lost in one hazy afternoon.
Chicago
2/5
Naff overlong, overcooked cocktail jazz-rock that sounds like it was made for a naff TV programme where people clap long to the wrong beat.
Shack
1/5
Yikes that was pretty awful. They can't really sing and overcompensate with dense musical arrangements that don't really work. I agree with several other reviews - what's it doing on this list?!?
Ryan Adams
2/5
A bit meh. After listening to Gold, did we really need another Ryan Adams album.
Doves
4/5
It's great how they build the songs up with hypnotic, anthemic grooves featuring plenty of harmony vocals and dense musical arrangements. There's also a cool blend of jangly guitar arpeggios and spacey electronica. The tracks are lengthy, so I just let the sounds wash over me and drift away.
The highlight is N.Y. with some nifty chord changes and instrumental break. However, the spacey tracks (and melodies) are a bit samey, and the vocals are a bit bland (winey?). And at 54 minutes, it's a bit too long. Despite these flaws, it's a decent album.
Mott The Hoople
2/5
Fine for a couple of good singles but 50 years later it's hard to see why this album is recommended listening
JAY Z
2/5
Jay Zzzzz ..... How appropriate!
George Jones
2/5
Pleasant country, his voice is nice enough but it's not exactly essential listening.
Pentangle
3/5
This is a warm sounding acoustic folk music with a jazzy tinge and some influences of the late sixties, like the sitar on 'Once I had a sweetheart'. Jacqui McShee has a lovely voice (if occasionally a bit too shrill for my liking). But the traditional manner in which she and Bert Jansch sings might not be everyone's cup of tea. Nonetheless, Pentangle had a cool instrumental blend that I like.
Public Enemy
4/5
Creative, cultural, bold and in yer face with some cool grooves to maximise its appeal, this is indeed a seminal album.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
I was put off by the 80s drum machine and the massive amounts of reverb on everything. Shame cos the songs actually sounded ok.
Blue Cheer
2/5
Rough and ready ponderous blues rock from an overrated pub band.
Megadeth
5/5
The tight musicianship, superb guitar shredding combined with a vocalist (and lyrics) that don't take themselves too seriously add up to a highly enjoyable album. I'm no heavy metal fan, but good music is good music, plain and simple innit.
Stereo MC's
3/5
The music has some tasty grooves (especially those bass lines) but the singer is really undistinguished. With a better lead vocalist this could have been a banger of an album.
Goldfrapp
5/5
Just like the accompanying video, the music ebbs and flows, dappled in sunshine and shadow. It's warm, evocative, tender and moving. The wispy vocals, hazy production and shimmering arrangements sparkle. A flawless, perfectly gorgeous album. This is now on my vinyl want list!
Sonic Youth
2/5
Just can't seem to get into Sonic Youth - I just find their records quite boring
Dire Straits
1/5
If I lived in a house in the country with a sports car or two in the driveway (with personalised number plates, naturally) a stable with the obligatory pony or horse, two daughters called Beatrice and Camilla, I would say this is frolockingly superdupery scrummily good rock and roll. Alas, I don't and it's not, therefore I feel rather fortunate.
Oasis
5/5
Man, watching the band play in the videos takes me back to the mid nineties, gawd everyone looks so young. I kinda tolerated the swagger back then, it seemed to work. Doesn't have the same appeal from middle aged men. Fooking good music from are kids
Queen
4/5
A bit like Abba, Queen made an unbroken string of consistently fabulous singles, full of clever musical hooks and superb vocals. However, their albums tend to be patchy affairs, featuring a few singles, a few could be singles, some interesting experiments and a fair bit of deja vu. But to be fair, they are never boring and there is plenty of flair in the arrangements, production and superb guitar and vocals harmonies throughout. The highlight is easily 'Killer Queen' but I also enjoyed 'Tenement Funster'
The Beta Band
4/5
I like their vocals and there are some great instrumental sounds and a fair bit of experimenting. A decent album, probably needs a few listens to be fully appreciated
James Taylor
3/5
One of those classic early folky 70s albums with a hazy blue tinge (Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel). It's all very pleasant but I prefer the darker, deeper singer songwriters of the period. Oh and be sure to check out Two Lane Blacktop😎
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
All the ingredients are there for a decent garage rock influenced indie album, but the songs lack any real arrangement flair to make it a solid recommendation.
Ella Fitzgerald
2/5
It's perfectly fine background music but as an active listening experience, it's a bit dull and dreary, even just 40 minutes of it, let alone 3 hours.
Dolly Parton
4/5
Featuring her powerful authentic southern accent voice, some decent storytelling and understated instrumentation, I quite enjoyed this country romp.
Stephen Stills
4/5
At it's best this is sublime, but for much of it, Stills tries to hard to sound gritty black man. Stills sounds best in his relaxed voice. The standouts are the groovy numbers like 'Cherokee' and 'Old Times Good Times' (featuring the last solo recorded by Hendrix before his death). The closing 'We are not helpless' is a suitably dramatic climax.
Manu Chao
5/5
The songs, firmly in the minor key mode category, are underpinned by acoustic instruments, giving the tracks an exotic edge. Meanwhile the vocals and arrangements are upbeat and groovy, making the album stylish and very listenable fusion style, sunny pop music. The tracks don't outstay their welcome either. Superb all round.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Nifty industrial experimental pop, with some exotic touches and fantastic vocals. Great stuff.
Tom Waits
2/5
Functional, smokey late night jazz. It's not terrible, but there's not much in the way of melody from gravel voiced Waits and there's a sense of 'you had to be there' to the proceedings. In fact, he'd probably get booed off the stage after a couple of tracks. He just ain't that interesting.
Beck
3/5
Sounds like humorless (and therefore less successful) version of Gorillaz, mainly because the songs just ain't that fun or even interesting.
MGMT
5/5
Sounding like a modern take on the fab 60s band The Electric Prunes, this amazing album starts strong with the upbeat, anthem-pop of 'Time to Pretend' followed by the quirky 'Weekend Wars', featuring some nifty chord changes and jangly guitar. 'The Youth' is spooky with more awesome chord changes, trippy sounds like organ, treated vocal and sound effects [the organ especially reminds me of Saucer Full of Secrets era Pink Floyd actually]. 'Kids' is instantly familiar with its killer keyboard riff and '4th Dimensional Transition' is more exotic, edgy pop-psych and 'Future Reflections' brings things to close with a spacey climax.
On the downside, 'Pieces of What' could have benefited from a another take on the vocals.
Nevertheless, this is a very cool sounding neo-psychedelic record, chock full of oddball yet catchy songs, exuberant vocals and experimental spacey electronic effects.
Another one to add to my vinyl wants list!
System Of A Down
3/5
I'm not really into metal, but I can appreciate what they do, which they do with considerable aplomb
Kings of Leon
2/5
I always found 'Sex is on fire' rather irksome and the rest of the album doesn't do much for me either. And labelling the music indie-rock is a misnomer, as it was released on a major label. (RCA).
Supergrass
5/5
It's got the exuberance of the best sixties music with the energy of seventies punk, a little bit of goofiness, cool vocal harmonies, catchy songs, Buzzsaw guitars, plenty of flair in the arrangements all neatly topped of by Gaz Coombes distinctive vocals. The second half of the album is more mellow and sophisticated but equally brilliant. Every song is enjoyable, so for my money this is one of the best albums by one of the best britpop groups. As good as this is, their next album was even better. Love the 'grass
The Streets
2/5
It's notable mainly for it's concept, telling the mundane story, which is probably an accurate account of inner city Britain, with each song recalling an event, much like a chapter in a novel. Unfortunately, the record just plain doesn't work, mainly because of the really annoying vocals/rap/singing clashing with the ok-ish musical segments.
One of the pitfalls of technology is its accessibility, which means any old plonk can come along and record a record in their flat, regardless of actual musical/vocal ability. The net result being a dire release such as this, which bafflingly, people actually bought.
An extra star for the vision and ambition, sadly not realised in the end product.
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
Noisy music is weird, some groups pull it off but others don't really hold much interest. This is a bit more of the latter. I didn't really like it.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
4/5
It's a nice combination of rap and rock/pop (amongst other things) with a really cool vibe throughout. Nothing too serious and it's fun to hear this. I've got a soft spot for these mid nineties albums. They don't sound dated, but they do sound different (and generally better) compared to most stuff released nowadays.
The Stooges
4/5
Super relentless garage rock with some darker edges.
The Dictators
2/5
They remind me of Bruce Springsteen singing Santa Clause is Coming to Town: there appears to be no serious intention to sing the songs in key or take themselves too seriously. Unfortunately, like Springsteen's attempt, it falls flat on its face, without leaving much impression.
Stereolab
3/5
Opener 'Metronomic Underground' stared well but dragged on without much interest, 'Cybele's Reverie' is a good song and arrangement spoiled by an awful lead vocal, 'Percolator' is snappy and upbeat pop with a cool bass line and 'Les Yper Sound' is groovy electronica. All in all, it's a decent album of electronica pop, with some good ideas, I need of bit more arrangement flair and better lead vocals.
Carpenters
3/5
As much as you can't really criticise punk for sounding loud and aggressive, you can't really criticise The Carpenters for sounding sacharine and sickly sweet: it just is what it is.
And Karen Carpenter possess a lovely, highly distinctive voice. It's good that records like this have made the list, just for sheer variety. I'd say the Carpenters would be Marge Simpson's favourite artist (and probably one my mum's favourite as well). Delicate and rather sweet music for delicate and rather sweet people.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Fair play, watching Springsteen give everything he's got on the vocal for the title track is very powerful and moving. There's an eloquence of simplicity and directness in the lyrics and music, but he can be deceptively wry. And while the synths and big drum sound are firmly locked in the 80's, forty years on, there's an element of nostalgia. I didn't used to think much of Springsteen, but digging below the surface, his music is growing on me.
Pretenders
3/5
Fairly melodic punk/new wave sounds with good vocals, some cool guitar sounds, a propulsive beat, but not much stands out in the songwriting stakes. The Kinks 'Stop Your Sobbing' seems an odd choice of cover, but it does share a radio friendly listenability with the rest of the album.
Dr. Octagon
4/5
Some quirky black humour which is certainly entertaining in the beginning, but it palls by the end. The album's focus point is the quite surreal lyrics but I struggled to hear a lot of them. Dr Octagon uses lots of horror-esque sound effects and displays great imagination with creating pictures in sound. But ultimately the lack of melody/singing meant the album feels incomplete or lacking in some way. A bit like a curry without garlic. I think I'll stick to the other voodoo doctor Dr John
Pere Ubu
2/5
Obviously intentionally discordant and weird, which I'm fine with. But the grating off-key vocals are really off-putting, so whilst it's not necessarily unlistenable, it's not a record that gave me any pleasure or enjoyment to listen to.
Paul McCartney
4/5
After 7 or 8 years of (mainly) polished gems with the Beatles, the low key nature of the record initially baffled fans and critics. But the half finished snippets of songs/instrumentals are part of the appeal - it's got the same feel as some of the quietly charming tracks (Blackbird, I Will etc) on The White Album. Also, given his reputation for being outwardly extrovert, it's interesting that this is the first truly solo album (aside from some harmonies from his wife) from an ex-Beatle. Although he was apparently quite depressed at the time, it's a wholesome, homespun record full of analogue warmth, and a testament to McCartney's character.
Everything But The Girl
4/5
A very chilled listen, thanks to Tracey Thorn's haunting, ethereal jazz- inspired vocals set against trip hop beats and keyboard pads, strings and bleeps. The best tracks for me are 'The Heart Remains A Child', 'Flipside' and 'Mirrorball'; it's probably no coincidence that these feature acoustic guitars, have a slightly faster tempo and generally stick out as an experiment (which i like). I don't think EBTG have ever made a completely perfect album, not that the music is ever bad, it's just that they cover all the bases, meaning most people find something they enjoy. A review on Wikipedia mentioned EBTG being national treasures, and they might be right.
John Lee Hooker
2/5
You can call me a purist or a music snob or whatever, but I'm really not a fan of albums where practically every track is feat. another artist, especially when they "feature" 80s production values and especially (X2) when other original (brilliant) recordings by the artist are overlooked.
To be fair, as a sort of tribute album, it's ok and John Lee Hooker sounds great, but there's a nagging feeling he's just going through the motions and taking the pay check (after filming the rather lame video "featuring" Bonnie Rait). Maybe it's just me, but I always thought the blues was supposed to be about authenticity and complaining about how shit everything is.
Ps this won a Grammy, which perfectly summed up the future of the music industry, then and now.
Supergrass
5/5
You can tell from the cover art that, although the self-mocking humour and wit is still there, they've moved on a bit. It's now underpinned by some darker shades, which I like .
This is one of those albums where although I love pretty much everything here, some of the lesser known tracks have a depth that I only truly fully appreciate years later.
Anyway, the unusual sound experiments are what make this album so damn good. Like the way an ominous diminished chord (played on a spooky Hammond organ) slowly builds up the opening title track before dawn explodes into vibrant daylight, that's inspired; or the haunting theremin solo on 'Richard III'; the spacey extended Moroccan jam on the tag of 'The Sun Hits The Sky'; the rolling piano and reflective instrumental passages of 'Hollow Little Reign'; or the crazy oompah percussion and freaking awesome acoustic guitar solo on the closing 'Sometimes I Make You Sad'.
But ultimately the record retains the Supergrass trademark of economical catchy songwriting, soulful lead vocals, zany high harmonies, tight musicianship, dense guitars and well crafted arrangements. For me, this cracking album is their magnum opus.
Sebadoh
3/5
I like the experimental nature (they are definitely not going for a slick hit record) and the album has got tons of ideas and personality, but often these elements just clash, rather than compliment each other.
Some tracks are top notch, like the menacing 'Happily Divided', propulsive 'Sacred Attention', the catchy pop of 'Bouquet For a Siren' and the extended 'Homemade'. But all too often they sound like an amateur band that forgot to check their guitars are tuned or play in the same key or agree on a tempo. It's deliberate, but it detracts rather than adds any value. I don't get it, don't they want to display themselves at their best, as they're obviously capable.
I'm on the fence how much I actually enjoyed it; I certainly need to be in the right mood.
The Verve
3/5
There are some interesting instrumental moments scattered here and there but I struggle with the dour, dreary vocals. If they gave Ashcroft the boot and got a decent singer with some personality, this could have been much more palatable, albeit lethargic, neo-psychedelia. Great band name and cover artwork though.
Mylo
1/5
A DJ, who's only album is built around his love of 70s and 80s soft rock. 'Nuff said.
TLC
2/5
Not my bag
Lightning Bolt
1/5
I struggled to enjoy any of this and I don't hear much art either. Expression, maybe, but the fact remains it's a horrid, wretched album. Possibly the worst thing on this list (so far).
Sparks
4/5
I was surprised to discover that Sparks are from the U.S., their sound, image and sense of irony is so British or European. Ron Mael has a delightful falsetto - I love singers who simultaneously sound like a man and woman - and the songs are pretty catchy.
Musically, they have a great sense of stylish showmanship, playing in-yer-face operatic rock with plenty of changes, intervals and unusual songs/lyrics/subjects.
Sparks are quite a fascinating combination of weird and accessible, best demonstated in 'This Town Ain't Big Enough'. My only reservation is their bombastic, schizophrenic nature gets a bit much by the end of the record - it could do with a couple of songs where they keep things sparse or relatively straightforward.
Stan Getz
5/5
So laid back, this sort of music is almost horizontal, and it's none the worse for it. It does have a place, and that place for me would be having a smooth coffee and a fine cigarette in the Algarve or maybe a chilled, breezy coffee on the cote d'azure. Otherwise, in my imagination, I'm sipping a martini on the set of a 60s Bond Movie or perhaps a club where all the cool cats hang out.
The Icarus Line
2/5
The compilers sure do like their noise rock. I don't hear much in the way of interest, let alone essential listening.
The xx
3/5
I imagine the CD being blindfolded and placed against the wall. Ready..... Aim ..... FIRE!!
Mickey Mouse": "Right, who's next, Coldplay?"
Goofy "Say, wasn't dere (sic) last album ok."
Mickey: "Ed Sheeran then?"
Donald Duck "Mutter, mutter ..."
The music is pleasant enough indie electonica, with a low key vibe, quasi deep lyrics and so-so vocals. Something doesn't quite work for me, but it's ok.
The Residents
4/5
It's a bit like Willy Wonka on LSD or something. There's definitely a goofy, slightly spooky, Saturday morning cartoon vibe, and ya know what, it's actually quite a giggle. The Constantinople video is as mad as a hatter and my two six year old boys found it hilarious. I do quite enjoy music that is different or strange or spooky. What takes this to another level is how it's so consistently weird and unconventional. But I can totally understand why most people would hate this and even I would need to be in the right mood.
Jurassic 5
5/5
There's a plethora of sounds on this funky, cinematic hip hop album, which is refreshingly full of positive vibes.
Amongst the grooves there's some soul in the sung parts of 'Freedom', jazzy flute on 'If Only You Knew', audio verite on 'React' (and others), trippy electronica on 'Remember His Name, jazzy organ and sax on 'What's Golden', creepy strings (or possibly mellotron) on 'Thin Line'.
The lyrics are full of wit and strike a fine line between being fun and meaningful. All in all, this is a highly accessible, creative, spellbinding record that is a joy to listen to from start to finish.
Frank Ocean
2/5
Frustratingly, there's some good things on the album. Ocean has a decent falsetto, the music has some pleasant dreamy sonic textures and I quite like the sound effects.
On the downside, it's a bit disjointed and the songs are repetitively simplistic, incomplete or don't really go anywhere. For example, 'Fertilizer', sounded quite interesting, but tuned out to be snippet of an incomplete song.
The vocals are another problem. In the lower range, his voice is rather lame. And sometimes he uses a speaking "response" (like on 'Sierra Leone'), which is really jarringly cheesy.
It's s a good example of an artist who has good intentions, but uses the studio to masquerade half baked, lazy songwriting (or possibly just lacks the ability).
Björk
3/5
The moody and tense music is good and Bjork certainly brings plenty of drama to the table. It's quite left field unconventional although there's a club friendly sensibility. There's some interesting song titles, although I'll be damned if I can hear her lyrics. The jury is also still hung over how good her vocals are; I personally find her singing style grates to the point it's tediously annoying.
Green Day
4/5
It's another great album from Green Day, with their usual catchy songs, power pop guitar, some acoustic numbers and a likeable singer. This time around they've got a political concept and a couple of long song suites. Enjoyable stuff.
Brian Eno
3/5
A tricky album to rate, I didn't exactly hate it and I didn't exactly love it. Half marks then.
The Mars Volta
1/5
One thing that really annoys me (and I mean really annoys me) with modern music is how they sing in a manner under a sludge of sound that I can barely make out any of the words. If I can't hear the lyrics, then what's the f-ing point of the song. So instant relegation to 1 from me.
Ps music actually quite decent guitar rock
The Rolling Stones
5/5
When you look at the individual tracks, there's not much that is amazing but collectively they seemlessly work together making it greater than the sum of its parts. The music is very much like taking a drive through ultimate America with elements of rock, country, blues and gospel.
I like the rolling groove, the murky, swampy sound and Jagger's voice being slightly under rather than on top of the mic. The other noticeable thing is how on the last few tracks the album builds up to a euphoric climax that almost feels spiritual. It's by no means a perfect album and I don't play it often but it is one that I consistently enjoy when I do.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
Some classic grunge from one of the better grunge period bands. It's got great production, vocals and guitar tones and plenty of musical hooks. I liked it a lot. I'm more into grunge than I realised.
Spiritualized
4/5
Another great album from the class of 97
Napalm Death
1/5
Oh boy, more noise. It's a bit different, I'll say that. You know things are bad when you look forward to the silence between tracks. I'm pretty sure I didn't need to hear this before I reach the pearly gates.
Fishbone
3/5
Eclectic, happy music. Identity seems to be an issue but I'd rather that than everything sounding the same. After all, variety is the spice of life, a cliche perhaps, but nonetheless true.
Sonic Youth
3/5
An extra star for a great band name and album title but sadly their music is a bit of a letdown, almost a bit of a bore. Their reputation exceeds the actual music.
Radiohead
4/5
I was disappointed when it came out as the follow up to the majestic OK Computer. Lacking songwriting flair and instantly accessible melodies in favour of unweildly experimentation, it just didn't appeal to me. I still struggle to wholly enjoy it but I can appreciate the band were striving to do something different, and this is commendable.
The United States Of America
4/5
There are flashes of brilliance scattered here and there but there's also a fair amount of self indulgence, guaranteed to annoy most listeners. It was pioneering in 1968, but today it's hippy vibe a bit of a relic of a bygone era. I quite like it, but it's appeal is limited.
I do wonder if 'Silver Apples' (also 1968) would have more appeal, with it's electronic techno dance vibes.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
The songs and narrative are reasonably amusing southern fried rockabilly. The main issue for me is the album length, which makes it feel like a bit of a slog to get through. The cover artwork is pretty awesome.
The Beau Brummels
5/5
A lovely album that's full of great playing, well crafted beautiful baroque style arrangements and featuring a sunny carefree vibe, perfectly encapsulating those halcyon days of the late sixties.
There's plenty of highlights to pick from, like to the hypnotic 'Painter of Women' and 'The Keeper of Time', jazzy 'Nine Pound Hammer', the gorgeously atmospheric waltz 'Magic Hollow's, euphotic 'Triangle' and the trippy middle eastern exotica of 'The Wolf of Velvet Fortune'. The only mistep is the (thankfully brief) sing along chorus of the closing 'Old Kentucky Home'.
Ps the mono mix featured on the 50th anniversary vinyl version sounds superb, especially on headphones. As the back cover states, a truly exceptional album.
Doves
3/5
The Clash
5/5
Yeah this a damn fine album innit. So much energy, still sounds fresh almost 50 years later.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Cool old skool beats, yo in for a treat, yeah awesome man, this music sweet.
(ahem)
sorry, couldn't resist ....
Yeah, maybe leave the rhymes to the pros LOL
Orbital
1/5
Very typical techno, call me a snob but I don't hear much musicality going on. It's a pretty awful listening experience actually, especially in the cold light of day. Maybe you had to "be there" in every sense.
Jethro Tull
3/5
I quite like the flute but the material is a bit patchy, ranging from inspired to insipid.
Bob Dylan
5/5
It's a very simple and direct album in the folk tradition, featuring just Dylan's nasal vocals, competent acoustic guitar and occasional harmonica interludes. But already Dylan demonstrates his masterful songwriting with a bunch of songs that are poetic, witty, clever, wry and emotional.
Most impressively, a whole album of self penned songs was a rarity in 1963. So many of these songs are instantly recognisable and have been covered:-
"Blowin' in the Wind", "Girl from the North Country", "Masters of War", "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall" and "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right".
Dylan's vocal delivery might be an acquired taste but make no mistake, he's a damn fine singer in his idiom.
Grizzly Bear
4/5
Clearly this a lot of love and care went into the making of this album, with plenty of rococo finery in the elaborate ornate arrangements. It does have the hallmark of a film soundtrack which means it can stray into sounding like background music. I think it lacks bite to make it truly great. But it is a very pleasant record.
Ray Price
3/5
Pretty average country music. It's OK, but in 1963 artist like Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Beach Boys were the sound of the future, by comparison, even then, this must have sounded old fashioned and passee.
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
I like Jeff Lynne's vocals and there's some good songs on the album but I'm damned if I can hear them properly underneath the dense shiny production. It's like they're trying too hard to impress. Much like the cover artwork, there's something a bit sterile that puts me off ELO.
Think I'll stick with my Idle Race LP's.....
Daft Punk
3/5
It's another overlong and repetitive album which, in terms of essential listening to the general listener, a couple of tracks would be sufficient. It's not a particularly bad album but it's also not that interesting.
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
Being a big 60s psych fan, I (naturally) love this record, being one of the many classics from '67. It's called acid rock which is typically groovy rock with a little bit of folk-rock, a few acoustic numbers, plenty of vocal harmonies and an echoey production.
Faves include the dreamy 'How Do You Feel', groovy 'Somebody to Love', zaney ' 'Plastic Fantastic Lover' and moody DCBA'. But the album 's highlight is easily the bolero flavoured (and trippy) 'White Rabbit'. It's such a powerful track which till sends shivers up my spine.
Ps - the original album is just the first 11 tracks (ending with Plastic Fantastic Lover), the bonus tracks are alright but they lesten the impact.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
Light hearted pop that is fun and perfect for the dance floor
Ray Charles
3/5
Obviously the man had a truly amazing voice. This album is very much a sign of the times, it's well performed but also a bit MOR and not exactly ground breaking. Truth be told, if you listened to just one Ray Charles album, you would be better off listening to a greatest hits comp. And the same would apply to pretty much any hit parade artist from the 50s and early 60s.
The Only Ones
5/5
Quite a fascinating album, alternating between slower and up tempo tracks, with decent left field songwriting and a band that plays really well together (the musicianship is superb). You could argue the singing is the weak link, but I think his voice has charm and personality, sounding a bit like a combination of Lou Reed and Al Stewart. It's not an out and out 5 star record but it is different. And like say the Stranglers or Velvet Underground, it's the sort of oddball music that appeals to me.
Blondie
5/5
A timeless classic.
Stephen Stills
4/5
An enjoyable exercise in roots music via a double LP, with beefy backing from the band and gusty vocals.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Smooth radio friendly funk/jazz/soul. A few tracks hit the spot and there's some nice exotic touches here and there but the ballads are a bit too MOR for my taste
Todd Rundgren
2/5
There's one or two decent tracks scattered throughout but on the the material struggled to keep me interested for the whole double album. The sound has an almost demo like quality, so weirdly it feels like a bootleg. The main issue though is the knowledge that there's far better examples of this genre. On the whole, it's a disappointment.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
I think the cover art and the album title are quite brilliant.
As for the music, it's certainly commendable for it's epic production, featuring some brilliantly sweeping arrangements and tight musicianship.
It's a very long album (double CD, triple vinyl), so you could say it's a sprawling affair. I think one issue is Billy Corgan's vocals, while perfectly acceptable, struggle to carry it for the full two hours of music. Ya know, if you directly compare this to 'The White Album' (which isn't that much shorter), The Beatles had 4 vocalists and a lot more variation in singing styles and moods. By song 5 on The Smashing Pumpkins, I had a head ache coming on.
Final analysis, probably really a 2, but 2 feels a bit mean so I bumped it up to 3.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
4/5
It's got a reputation as a classic 60s obscurity. It's strangely compelling music with a wasted/anything goes vibe. It appears to be commenting on the end of the sixties dream via a personal stamp that is at times humorous, romantic, whimsical and weird. But the material is uneven and I would say it's half a great album. But 4 stars given because it is so strangely compelling - plus I have an affection for outsider music.
TV On The Radio
2/5
Some cool sounds, chiefly utilizing repetition and distorted textures to achieve a chilling atmosphere. It is a very well produced album, and to begin with it's quite good, but the vocals sound like an afterthought, the songs themselves aren't great and for a whole album, it wears rather thin. After reading some of the rave reviews it was, well, disappointing.
The Jam
5/5
A fantastic album by a fantastic band. So many great tracks;
'Monday' sounds like a classic mid sixties mod/psych record (with harpsichord a fab bass line, and harmonies), and vocally Weller sounds like David Bowie, 'But I'm Different Now' sounds like The Action or The Creation, 'Start' nicks the bass riff from The Beatles 'Taxman', 'That's Entertainment' is one of the best songs by anyone, ever (so catchy and weirdly moody).
Meanwhile over on side two 'Dream Time' has a cool trippy intro, 'Man in the Corner Shop' and 'Music For The Last Couple' are more sixties influenced pop (the latter with cool ska rhythm instrumental breaks) 'Boy About Time' has a nagging where have I heard this before melody.
I might have mentioned the mid sixties influences once or twice, but it's true, you can he tell Weller is nuts for the mid sixties British mod/psych/freakbeat crossover period.
Great stuff.
Wild Beasts
4/5
Spooky and ambient, it's perfect movie soundtrack fodder. The biggest surprise though is THAT voice, which I quite like but I can totally understand that for a lot (most?) people it would be off-putting.
But anyway, the music is well arranged, the vocals are highly melodic and the album is a rewarding and interesting listen.
ABBA
4/5
Abba albums can be a bit iffy with a fair amount of mush, especially on the ballads, but their singles are amongst the most well crafted pop music ever produced. An honest appraisal would be (in terms essential listening) to play Abba Gold for the major hits and More Abba Gold for a few lesser known gems.
M.I.A.
1/5
K.I.A.
Reminds me of being sat on a bus where some obnoxious teens are playing their crappy music through their phone.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
Hip hop with social commentary on inner city living, the culture, gang hostility, violence, peer pressure, drugs, sex, individual fears and vulnerability.
I don't mind gritty realism but I didn't get any pleasure listening to it. But I'm not exactly the target demographic anyway. Also hasn't this concept been explored enough already?
Santana
4/5
Tight musicianship in what is essentially a jam session for Carlos Santana to show us his dexterous, breezy guitar playing.
Interestingly, whereas most bands have 'instrumental breaks', Santana have 'vocal' breaks.
Although it's full of Latin rhythms with congas etc, it definitely falls under the rock rather than world music category. It's great music to drift away.
Erykah Badu
4/5
Some cool Latin rhythms mixed with trippy vocals and groovy bass lines and flashes of exotica. It was an enjoyable listen.
Shivkumar Sharma
5/5
One of the great things about the late sixties was how the exotic sounds of Asia and North Africa found there way into western pop music. This was especially true here in the UK on records by artists as diverse as The Beatles, The Incredible String Band, Traffic and The Rolling Stones.
Anyway, this charming, fragrant record is full of exotic innocence - the kind of music best enjoyed with incense, a cup of chai and an open mind.
Ps -as already pointed out, the version on Spotify is a terrible cash in - the original is on YouTube, complete with vinyl clicks and pops.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Yeah this is one of those seminal albums that I absolutely love - dark, decadent, seedy, intense, humourous, poetic and streetwise yet at the same time there are moments of sheer beauty and euphoria.
It's interesting to note that in 1966-67 (when the sixties decade was at its peak) practically everyone else was singing, in some shape or form, about a colourful utopia/new horizon or a counter culture revolution. Meanwhile, the Velvets were singing Lou Reed's songs that had an urban
gritty realism.
The lyrics are superb: they tell a story but sound wonderfully poetic. I've always loved the line "watch out, the world's behind you" in the opening 'Sunday Morning', which perfectly encapsulates the bleary-eyed feeling of the day after the night before.
For an underground band the songs are surprisingly catchy, while the murky production and raw sound enhance the experimentation drones, distortion and fuzzy edges.
Like most truly great works, it hasn't been overcooked, has a live + semi improvised sound and the band sound like they are thrilled to be making a record.
And of course the cover artwork is instantly recognisable and iconic, although I can't quite remember who designed it (ho-ho).
Brilliant from start to finish, it's still one of my favourites.
Alice Cooper
4/5
An enjoyable listen, plenty of theatrics, twists and variety but it also rocks
Pere Ubu
3/5
I've got an idea, lets form a band and wilfully make the most ugly, unappealing music. Bob on lead bagpipes, Dave on acoustic pots and pans, Rick on electric toothbrush and John on another planet.
I'm not sure how much I actually enjoyed this experiment but kudos for the attempt at breaking the mold.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
There is definitely some nostalgia seeping through hearing the big singles from this album, as they were typically played everywhere back in the late nineties/early noughties. Objectively, it's OK but it's quite repetitive and it's not really an album I would choose to hear.
3/5
Noisy, raw and energetic but I'd have to be in the right mood to enjoy it.
The Associates
1/5
When I think of the albums that could've/should've been on this list and I hear this cringe inducing shite, I'm thinking the compilers should be locked in a room with this on repeat play for eternity. Maybe they will then learn the error of their ways.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
The Cure
4/5
The Thrills
3/5
I remember this being quite popular when I was in Uni (one of my uni housemates had the CD). It's OK, mainly because it's got a jangly retro style. There's a couple of decent singles I would happily stick on playlist but it's not particularly exciting as a whole album.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
They had a great vocal sound, really full and punchy harmonies combined with some decent (mainly) upbeat songs that makes this kind of music joyous and uplifting. You could say their sound is comparable to the Beach Boys, who also used the wrecking crew, but a bit more folky and possibly a bit more groovy.
I saw one review describing them - positively - as scooby doo music and to be honest you could say that about a lot of the mid sixties pop groups, especially in the US. The saturated sound and dense production is pretty cool to these ears.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
5/5
Sounding like the bastard offspring of delta blues, this beautifully strange album combines RnB, doo-wop, country and psychedelic rock to mesmerising effect.
What sticks out is how tight and disciplined the band play and how little improvisation there is. Basically it's quite a radio friendly record (the songs mostly just over 2 minutes) although I doubt Don Van Vliet's gruff voice had too many DJs spinning these tracks on AM radio back in 1967.
The Captain's voice is, of course, terrific. The mood is generally playful and there's plenty of highlights. My personal faves are 'Abba Zabba', 'Yellow Brick Road', 'Zig Zag Wanderer' and 'Autumn's Child's. But there's no duff tracks and for my money, this is one of the best, most consistent records of the decade.
Nick Drake
5/5
After the autumnal Chamber-Folk of Five Leaves Left, and the more upbeat Folk-Jazz of Bryter Later, Drake recorded this, his third and final album.
Whereas the previous two albums had full arrangements, Pink Moon is chillingly sparse. Just his beautifully fragile voice, nimble acoustic guitar playing and 11 (mainly) brief songs.
It's the sort of record best played alone, in the dark, at some ungodly hour like 3am. The mood is stark, surreal and sombre, sparingly beautiful and perfectly captures a 'dark night of the soul', where ghouls lurk in the shadows of yesterday.
The lyrics are as cryptic as ever but to be honest, if they were more cogent, they probably wouldn't work. As they are, inspired by 19th century poets, they're perfect: deep, vague, reflective, economical and seamlessly poetic. He typically uses nature and objects to form a coded message that's prevelant in all his work. His previous two albums ended with titles referencing days of the week ('Saturday Sun' and 'Sunday') so the moon of 'Pink Moon' may well be a reference to Monday, which gives weight to this being the third album in a trilogy.
His incredible guitar playing is crisp, clear and concise, utilises alternate tunings, deploying trance like rhythm patterns, often alternating these within the same song. With no other instruments, it's much more apparent what a gifted player he was.
Meanwhile Drake's delicate vocal delivery hovers like woven honey (detached from time, usually behind the beat) in a manner that's quietly assured yet hauntingly so, wearily resigned but never morbid. His voice, guitar, words and melody work together to create an atmosphere that is intense and personal. He's got a message yet all the while he hides from you ('Things Behind The Sun').
It's a perfect, timeless record that's ultimately born of hope, albeit shrouded in darkness. When the final track ('From the Morning') comes on, I swear I can visualise the sun rising and the sound of birdsong. The soul newly reborn, the trials and tribulations of yesterday washed away, and with it a fresh day of new hope and light:- "and now rise, and we are everywhere".
Coincidentally, this album came up for review on the first of January.
Anyway, the whole 28 minutes is consistently and brilliantly captivating. Personal faves are 'Road', 'Which Will', 'Things Behind The Sun', 'Parasite', and the aforementioned 'From The Morning'.
And to cap it all off, the surreal, dreamlike cover artwork is perfect to stare at while the turntable spins and reveals the rewarding textures within this uncanny record.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
It's a decent punk pop effort with some catchy tunes and political lyrics, often with a sense of irony. It's partly successful but I'm not sure that dark edgy lyrics married to peppy melodies is entirety convincing. But the pop influences shine through and win the day. 'Olivers Army' is instantly familiar.
Morrissey
3/5
Listening to this, I kept thinking droll. Droll music, droll lyrics, droll voice. Essentially, Morrissey is a crooner, cast in the same way as someone like Scott Walker or even David Bowie (in his lower vocal range),
The lyrics are a focal point and they are certainly interesting, unusual even. I don't think the ballads stand up as well as the more up tempo tracks.
I wasn't blown away but it's a listenable album.
The Psychedelic Furs
4/5
I quite enjoyed the hypnotic moody edge on this but there is also a pop shine with some interesting sounds like saxes. Although the early eighties had the crossover new wave period, this feels like it belongs in the eighties. On the whole, this was reasonably enjoyable.
4/5
Quite a quirky album with some cool songs and a dry delivery. Enjoyable
The 13th Floor Elevators
4/5
This is one of the better examples of garage rock from the mid sixties. The songs are generally quite short and upbeat, full of catchy songs, twangy surf guitar riffs, snotty vocals.
The production, by modern standards at least, is raw and echoey making the overall sound a bit muffled and muddy, but I don't mind this. The electric jug is a peculiar addition, but tends to make every track sound similar. There are more "out there" albums but this is a good example of the garage/psych crossover period in '66.
On the whole, it's a decent, influential album but to these ears, it's a notch below the first two albums by The The Electric Prunes, mainly because this lacks the variety of these.
Buffalo Springfield
5/5
All three albums from this talented 'supergroup' have a few outstanding tracks, but this is their most consistent.
I'm not the biggest fan of Neil Young's winey vocal style but the material here suits his vocal style and his contributions, like the biting rock of 'Mr. Soul' and the lovely orchestrated 'Expecting To Fly' are amongst the highlights of this album (and his whole career for that matter).
Meanwhile Steve Stills contributes the tender, jazzy 'Everydays' and some nifty rock/pop via 'Rock & Roll Woman', while Richie Furay chips in with some pleasant country rock on 'A Child's Claim To Fame'.
What's most striking, given the release date, is how little of this record can be called psychedelic, although there is plenty of arrangement flair and experimentation, especially on the epic closing track 'Broken Arrow'. As a result of this and the variety of moods and styles that compliment each other, it's an album that has aged well.
The mono mix I listened to (on a vinyl reissue from about 2017) has a much more punchy crisp sound than the stereo mix on the CD, which sounds a bit limp. So mono is my preferred way to hear this great album.
Miles Davis
4/5
Space age jazz, or perhaps just call it music. At times it is almost like a sound track. It sounds very late sixties and I like that - It could easily be incidental music for something like Mission Impossible. And this album is certainly more accessible than the following Bitches Brew.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
It's a perfect dance/pop album with great vocals. The production is top notch but all maybe just to shiney and perfect, so quite quickly it becomes a bit sterile and samey. So maybe it's not so perfect after all.
Radiohead
5/5
I really enjoyed this. The beats are snappy and groovy, the guitar is a bit jazzy on some tracks and driving on others, the vocals are mellow and passionate, the bass is prominent, melodic and rich, and the arrangements feels like they go somewhere, build up nicely with some cool electronic soundscapes on the way.
They're as experimental and spacey as ever, but lacking the indulgence of the preceding albums. A mighty fine return to form; I would say it's on a par with the majestic OK Computer from a decade earlier.
Superb stuff, (and the cover artwork works nicely with the music).
Fats Domino
5/5
Impressively for the era, Fats Domino is listed as the songwriter for 10 of the 12 tracks on the original album.
The man had a freaking awesome voice, full of warmth and character without barely breaking a sweat.
The music is cool New Orleans styled RnB with a nice pop sheen and the album features a number of familiar tunes.
Sure it is a bit samey, but the album is short and when it's this good, who cares.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
I really liked the warmth of the sound on this homespun record.
Made me wanna go back home for some of ma's jerk chicken, cornbread and apple pie. And then go hunting with pa. F#@k yeah!
Air
5/5
Some super sexy film noir. Those bass lines are incredible.
Le Tigre
3/5
I love the punk attitude, the sixties influences, the production and the fuzz guitar riffs. Less successful are the vocals and the single riff trick gets a bit monotonous and ultimately it started to get boring.
Bert Jansch
4/5
Simply produced (recorded in a friend's kitchen) this record sums up all that was good about the early/mid sixties folk scene. Bert Jansch was a mighty fine guitar player and his beautiful playing is the main attraction.
The songs are mostly self written, no doubt inspired by Bob Dylan, have depth in the lyrics. His voice is pleasant but not exceptional.
But it is a very good album worthy of inclusion in this list.
Neil Young
3/5
A day at the beach with Neil Young looks like a jolly affair......
His voice is as whiney as ever so a whole album is a bit of a struggle. There's flashes of brilliance but mostly it's just not my cup of tea.
Badly Drawn Boy
5/5
It's a strange mixture of quirky pop psych and slightly melancholic acid folk and it reminds me of bands like Super Fury Animals and Gorkys Zygotic Mynci. It's not at all very mainstream and probably just a bit too odd for most people but it is a very musical album. It's got some arrangement flair, likeable vocals, witty lyrics and all in all, it's quite a charming listen.
It's not perfect but the fact that it strives to be a record that isn't the usual rock or rap or punk or hip hop or country has my full admiration.
Minor Threat
3/5
Well according to Wikipedia this is an EP, which sounds about right as it's only about 20 minutes. It's certainly in yet face.
Kings of Leon
3/5
It all feels a bit clichéd and samey to me and I'm not that keen on the singer's vocals but it's ok.
Tim Buckley
3/5
It's ok if you like melancholic meandering jazz-folk but if you don't it kind of sucks. I'm on the fence and I'd certainly have to be in the right mood. I think I prefer Blue Afternoon, which as a more hazy feel.
Mudhoney
4/5
All the usual sounds associated with grunge are here, present and correct. It's a pretty solid listen for fans of fuzz-buzz pop/rock with a twist.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Music for the masses has to appeal to the lowest common denominator, which generally speaking, means it has to be pretty dumb. Outwardly it appears to have a big heart but inside it's callow and insincere. The net result is some corny music. But maybe I'm just a bit of a music snob. Oh well....
Donald Fagen
1/5
WTAF.
Bouncy jazz pop made on a Casio keyboard with the drums supplied by the same crappy keyboard. Meanwhile the singer is reciting the weekly shopping list with a voice that sounds like he's crooning to a bunch of coffin dodgers on a geriatric cruise round the Mediterranean.
Why, oh why would anyone think this is a good idea?!? And why would anyone then (quite cruelly) follow this up by suggesting it's an album I must go hear before I die. Unless it's a "hey mate, listen to this shit album and have a real good laugh at it".
Honestly. The only thing worth doing with this is gathering every single last copy (CD, cassette and vinyl) in the trash, before sending it into outer space and hope that the rocket explodes en route (with a certain POTUS on board as a added bonus).
Absolutely dismal, almost hilariously so.
Ps sorry for this not-so-passive aggressive rant, but I'm really enraged : This morning, walking to school, saw this bloke casually drop some litter on the ground. Meanwhile his kids are chomping on their breakfast, this being a highly nutritious packet of quavers. Seriously, what is wrong with people?
King Crimson
3/5
(Teacher): Fripp! Pay attention in class. And stop that doodling.
(Fripp): But sir, this doodling, as you call it, will one day make me rich and famous. And earn me a spot in 1001 albums.
(Teacher): Good heavens above, don't be so absurd boy! 1001 albums is for REAL artists and REAL music! Beethoven, Chopin, Val Doonican that sort of thing. Eh what!
(Fripp): I'm pretty sure it's about rock n roll sir
(Teacher): Less of the back chat Fripp! Rock and roll is absolute claptrap. Anyway, one should think about getting a real job, like a plumber, or an accountant or a teacher. And for heaven's sake, get a haircut cut boy!
(Fripp): (mawkishly) yes sir
(Teacher): Mind you, that thing does make some rather groovy sounds! Where does one purchase this?
(Fripp): Um, maybe Woolworths, sir .... It's well worth it.
(Teacher): (Jollyumptiously)Yes, indeed. Rather indeed!!
Snoop Dogg
3/5
It's a really good album apart from the cringe inducing lyrics
Goldfrapp
5/5
Gorgeous tripoticca that's moody, melancholic, menacing, captivating, weird and unsettling: perfect foda for a Quentin Tarantino movie. I enjoyed this a lot.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
It's certainly full of atmospheric textures with all the woozy sounds floating in and out. But the songs aren't particularly memorable (and don't go anywhere) and the vocals are dull and lifeless. Once again, you have to question is this really in the top tier of all the albums ever made?
Germs
2/5
Sounds like yer local pub band, pretty exciting in person but a bit meh on record
Beatles
5/5
I love the way the daft songs (Piggies, Rocky Raccoon, I'm So Tired) are sinister or have a sinister subject matter; the way it lacks the psychedelia of yesteryear but still sounds weird as fuck (maybe more so); it's sheer variety of music and genres; that it's a generous double album; the tales of the stormy atmosphere at some of the sessions; the mix of loud and quiet songs; the mix of silliness and seriousness; that it's a bunch of songs that sounds like it was recorded by grown ups. And I love the way it ends with a sinister nursery rhyme (Cry Baby Cry) followed by musique concrete (Revolution #9) followed by a lullaby (Goodnight); the abrasive Revolution makes the lullaby Goodnight all the more lovely.
Revolver might be the best Beatles album on a song per song basis, but this is my favourite and my desert island Beatles choice. It's so different to anything else on so many levels and I never get sick of it. Single album? Pah, should have made it a triple and added some of the outtakes!
Lou Reed
5/5
It's quite a departure from his music with The Velvet Underground, retaining the decadence but everything is a bit more camp, perhaps due to the input of producer David Bowie. The songs have a pop sheen which gave Lou Reed the much needed hit song and album to reignite his career.
It has enough oddness to satisfy most fans of The Velvets, though you have to like music hall to get through tracks like 'Goodnight Ladies' and 'New York Telephone Conversation'.
But on the whole it is a very entertaining and accessible album with a well deserved reputation featuring catchy as hell goodies like 'Perfect Day', 'Vicious', 'Satellite of Love', 'Walk on the Wild Side' etc.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
A demented, surreal, often humorous mixture of music, effects, and spoken word that apparently takes multiple (6 or 7) listens to assimilate. It's well known that The Simpsons creator Matt Groening first heard it , hated it but persisted and changed his view and so it became one of his favourite records.
I do agree it's (probably) an uncanny arty masterpiece with meaning hidden in its deep depths. But to get to that viewpoint would take a lot more time and patience than most people can reasonably spare. Depending on that investment, it may well be amongst the best or worst records you'll ever hear.
Not to get too philosophical but one of life's valuable lessons is that if you swim through a sewer, the wine waiting for you at the other end tastes all the more sweeter. Or to put it another way, if life was always perfectly 'nice', we would get bored. We need challenges and to experience pain as much as joy to avoid stagnation and boredom (note to Putin; that doesn't mean you go and start a war with your neighbour).
Anyway, I can see why people hate this, I can also see why people like this.
And while I can't say I fully enjoyed it, I did enjoy the concept, the general weirdness and some of the music is actually quite brilliant.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
The issue with soundtracks is they include incidental music, which is fine in the context of the movie but less so on record. Fifty years on, it has a nice retro feel and it's a perfectly pleasant soundtrack but lacks that something to elevate it any more than this.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
You probably had to be there to fully enjoy this to the max
Queen Latifah
3/5
It was ok but rap isn't really my bag
Janis Joplin
4/5
It's a decent mixture of blues, soul and rock with Janis Joplin on top form vocally.
CHVRCHES
2/5
Overlong, formulaic indie synth pop, typically overproduced to squeeze any hint of organic feeling. The music has the typical modern approach 'anthemic' feel (I blame Coldplay) while the lyrics lack wit, charm or storytelling. Yup, this definitely meets 1001 albums strict criteria on how to get selected.
Pavement
2/5
Each track started really positively with driving guitars and a nice clean production. And then the vocals entered - yikes!
No offence but if someone recommends an album or a band, I would expect the vocals to be at least competent.
Great drum sound, mind you.
Grateful Dead
3/5
I can imagine this being in people's record collection. As you flick through deciding what to play next. Ooh, The Grateful Dead live, shall I play this? Um..... nah.
I know The Dead are renowned for their live albums but I prefer their late sixties studio albums. This is listenable with some great playing but a bit boring.
Suzanne Vega
4/5
I enjoyed her singing style, the songs (and lyrics) are good in a mildly eccentric way and the music has a cool bohemian jazz-folk vibe. The issue for me is the shiny 80s pop production and reverb when this sort of music really needs a warm earthy sound. But even so, this is a nifty, idiosyncratic album.
Japan
3/5
An album that reflects the general change of music towards synths. Some decent pop tunes and vocals are good. Not bad but also not really my bag
Gillian Welch
3/5
It's pleasant enough but it's not particularly distinctive or exciting, so again have to question it's inclusion in the context of 1001 essential albums.
Kelela
2/5
If I was just sweet 16, putting my makeup on and playing some cool tunes in the background I'd probably enjoy this. Alas, I'm just a middle aged dude putting my makeup on, hence I enjoyed it less. To be fair, it's ok for what it is, it's just, well stereotypically predictable.
Red Snapper
2/5
It was such a monumental release that they didn't release another album for 11 years on a different record label. Sounds bitchy but just stating the facts.
The music tries to be mysterious and funky but ends up being dull and repetitive, coming off like a third rate Massive Attack.
Digital Underground
3/5
I was quite tickled by the humourous tongue in cheek slant.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
Great voice and booty shaking music, not really my thing but it's ok
R.E.M.
4/5
I was ready to trash this but was pleasantly surprised by it's upbeat, major key pop rock approach, being chock full of catchy songs, great harmony and some unusual instrumental sounds back vocals and some unusual instruments like mandolin, accordion and cello. The band apparently had a slightly cynical approach to writing pop songs that don't sound like REM but this is the best album I've heard from them.
Death In Vegas
2/5
It sounds like they had loads of fun playing with oscillating electronic sounds but none of the tracks go anywhere. The music just plods along with no element of surprise and ultimately it's just a bit of a bore.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
I really liked the JuJu album but I didn't care much for this. The vocals were annoying in places and the tracks were tedious in the build up.
Joanna Newsom
1/5
There's something about certain modern singers over the past 20 years where they do this weird accent/pronunciation thing where they curl their voice to make them sound like - well, an annoying child. JN does this and it is an instant turn off.
Can
4/5
Tago Mago is a a mildly frustrating listen. The combination combination of rock, funk, avant-garde and tape loop experimentation makes for an interesting and quite an accessible listen on the first record but the demented scale has a sharp rise on the second record. They have quite a mesmerizing, trippy sound and it's clear they weren't going for top 40 singles chart and I rated the album on this basis.
Pink Floyd
4/5
This is the album where they gained massive popularity and lost their underground edge. The songs are more ordinary, lacking the tense suspense for which they are renowned. It's OK, but it's far less impressive than TDSOTM etc
Tangerine Dream
5/5
I sat and listened in a trance like state, mesmerized by the wayfaring, mysterious, alluring and hypnotic music. The oscillating, serpentine, space-age keyboard sounds are fascinatingly beguiling, sounding futuristic and antiquated at the same time. Put simply, it's a delight that takes me to another time and another place.
Minutemen
4/5
Saw the cover and title and I was anticipating more country - which (thankfully) it wasn't. Instead it was an album of well recorded funky rock, with tight musicianship, a live in the studio approach. It's very well produced, in particular it sounds great on earphones and all the players are excellent musicians. The main issue: the songs are too short - usually after a cool guitar solo - when I wanted the song to keep going. It's an unusual complaint I know but it's frustrating with players of this calibre.
The White Stripes
3/5
It's a decent effort from the most confused couple in rock, with some colour and variety added from piano plus a little exotica from the marimba. Not sure I would call the result anywhere near outstanding though.
The Monks
4/5
Classic 60s garage rock rivalled only by The Sonics in terms of hard edged proto punk playing rock n roll with the VU permanently hitting red. Great stuff
Underworld
3/5
It's a good sample of the techno dance music scene in the UK in 1996. It's OK and I can appreciate it's inclusion due to the cultural impact but it's not really my thing.
The War On Drugs
4/5
Pleasant dreamy trippycana - it's an album for a lazy weekend
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
I like the clutter free arrangements (and production) that allow the sparkling performances to shine through. You know it's a Keeper when the album features, count em, 5 singles. Top notch vocals, superb guitar playing and a tight, muscular rhythm section.
If there's one criticism, it tends to be a bit samey (as does the whole CCR catalogue), but they did produce consistently good, maybe the best, swamp rock.
Jacques Brel
3/5
Brel certainly has an emotional delivery but there's also some humour. Can see the influence he had on Scott Walker
The National
2/5
It's all a bit dull and dreary and a bit of a slog to get through.
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
It was nice to hear something a bit different, with touches of exotica, jazz and classical music. It's pleasant and easy on the ear but I can't really say it was exceptional.
Buzzcocks
3/5
The music is fine with all the usual punk rock ingredients. The vocals are a bit off though - this kind of punk energy needs more attack - more aggressive, more gritty and more snarly whereas the delivery on this sounds limp (to these ears).
Beastie Boys
3/5
It's ultimate party music, so full of energy and enthusiasm. As a listening experience, objectively speaking, it's a bit too much in yer face.
The Pharcyde
5/5
The sunshine is out and I'm boppin along getting my tummy ticked by these old skool beats. Great stuff
Soul II Soul
3/5
It's alright but can't say it was particularly exciting
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
5/5
It's a joyous, uplifting listening experience, superbly sung and full of beauty. It's a bit repetitive for a whole album but fabulous nonetheless.
M.I.A.
2/5
The experimental nature of the album and stereo effects are laudable, but the listenability of the final product is questionable. The vocals are just plain annoying.
Miles Davis
4/5
Some very listenable jazz. It's early period Davis, so it lacks the experimentation of his later albums.
The Doors
5/5
This is one of my favourite albums that I had the joy of discovering when I was in my mid teens. Along with the Velvet Underground album, it's one of the best debut albums from a major artist released in 1967. It truly stands the test of time and still sounds amazing all these years later. This is a desert island disc contender.
Os Mutantes
5/5
There's a bit of everything thrown into this very cool album which any self respecting sixties pop psych aficionado will be aware of.
Ray Charles
3/5
Great voice (of course) but typical of the period, it's a fairly average album.
Don McLean
4/5
I think it's a fair statement to say this album is primarily selected on the strength of it's well known title track and to a lesser extent, Vincent. It's a well recorded album, full of nuance and dynamics, but I think it takes a few listens to fully appreciate the nostalgia element.
Queen
4/5
All the hallmarks of the queen sound are present and correct, albeit in an earlier prototype. It's a well crafted prog rock album with plenty of pomp, drama and flair you expect to love/hate from this genre.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Elvis experiments with mixed results. Enough of the Costello now! Thanks
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Led Zeppelin have an obvious quality as musicians and Robert Plant has a fantastic voice. Yet somehow they have never really resonated with me and the slower blues rock tracks are overlong and a bit of a bore. I sold my vinyl copy a few years back and lets just say I have no regrets.
Holger Czukay
4/5
Enjoyable wackiness
Astrud Gilberto
4/5
Lightweight, cool, chilled vibes perfectly pleasant for summer vacations
Boston
3/5
Perfectly crafted pop/rock. Maybe just a bit too perfect though.
Joan Baez
3/5
Beautifully haunting folk music but her voice is also a little grating at times. I want to enjoy it more than I do.
The Police
4/5
It's a polished album with immaculate production, decent songs, good vocals, cod reggae rhythms and a new wave sensibility. All in all, it's an enjoyable listening experience.
The Mothers Of Invention
4/5
I'll admit it's a mixed bag but I do love Zappa and Co's satirical take on society and it's a whole lot of fun when I'm in the right mood. Shame there's no Fugs on this list
Motörhead
4/5
To be honest Lemmy isn't much of a singer but his growling voice is perfect for this kind of intense rock music. It's a bit samey (a lot of the tracks sound like the title track) but it's also very listenable.
The Triffids
1/5
Absolutely awful, dreadful vocals with every instrument (such as cheapo Casio keyboards) swamped in shiney 80s reverb. Somebody is having a laugh at our expense including shite like this
Led Zeppelin
2/5
I'm in the minority but I find the majority of Led Zeppelin records to be a bit of a bore. Yeah they can play/sing well but they play dull riff rock by numbers and occasionally come up with a decent track like Kashmir.
N.W.A.
1/5
I don't know. I'm not really sure how I am suppose to relate to a group that calls themselves 'Niggaz Wit Atitudes' being a white Welshman from sunny Cardiff.
My Bampy used to have a saying which I won't repeat here. I'm not saying he was right but sometimes I don't think he was wrong either.
Ultimately though, regardless of race I just can't abide music that glorifies being a complete dickhead. As Sgt Harper once said in Sharpe, it's no sin to be born in the gutter but it's a terrible thing to want to stay there.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
It tries hard via the kitchen sink production but ends up being rather trying instead. The vocals are dour, the melodies are all very insipid and samey, while the orchestration is often overwrought and just swamps it all. There's also plenty of rather dubious lyrics. Disappointing, as some of their singles from the 90s are quite good.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
It's great to hear an album from Dusty Springfield with that Atlantic sound. It's a lovely soulful record and of course her sweet yet husky toned voice is superb throughout.
Maxwell
3/5
Smooth funky soul pop that's well produced and well sung but it's not really my bag either
Nick Drake
5/5
This feels like Nick Drake's summer album with instrumentation that enhance the bucolic, pastoral setting of the material.
It's not perfect (Poor Boy outstays its welcome and the title track is almost elevator music) but it is his most consistent, with fine contributions from the likes of John Cale and Richard Thompson etc.
There's loads of goodies like the short 'Introduction', breezy 'At the Chime of a City Clock', shimmering 'Hazey Jane 1' and mesmerising 'Fly' and the bittersweet finale 'Sunday'. It's a lovely, warm and moving happy/sad kind of record.
Meat Puppets
3/5
Obviously a big influence on the alternative rock scene, it's a mixed bag but does feature a bunch of catchy songs
Caetano Veloso
5/5
An enjoyable listen, mainly because along with the unusual exotic instrumental sounds of the psychedelic era it also maintains a cool Latin grove throughout. An excellent companion with the first Os Mutants album. I really dig those Tropicalia 60s bands.
Silver Jews
3/5
Indie country anyone? No, me neither.
Blur
3/5
It's starts well but those two opening tracks also highlight the problem with the album - each song is essentially a simple riff that often doesn't really go anywhere. There's plenty of experimental sounds but they don't really add much value. I'm sorry to say I was a bit bored by the end of it all.
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
I don't know. There's something about the opening statement that is well intended. Yet from there on in, I can't shake the feeling that there a wee bit of pretentiousness going on. But there are some nice musical moments scattered throughout.
Sex Pistols
5/5
For context, on British TV at the time were the likes of Dad's Army, Fawlty Towers and Porridge, so imagine the impact (disgust) this had on the Great British public over the age of 21, in the year of the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Sure bands like Slade had a similar sound and energy, but this took it to another level and Punk Rock into the mainstream.
I love the spunk of it all, from the gritty guitar sounds to the insistent driving beat and the yob-like vocals and general no-nonsense approach.
Almost 50 years on and it still sounds fresh, being a consistently superb album and it well deserves it's iconic status.
PJ Harvey
4/5
Great vocals, interesting songs on another solid album. She's one of those artists that's consistently good and her music is well worth a listen.
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
The producer: gee this is a really tight awesome band but the singer can't really sing. No worries, we'll stick the vocals low in the mix, compress the sound and no-one will know any different.
Weirdly energetic and boringly unengaging at the same time.
Cee Lo Green
1/5
I'm not really sure that you could call this soul music. I know what you could call it, but it ain't soul. The sort of thing that makes you cringe.
Ute Lemper
2/5
The singer is a bit like when you're at a family gathering and someone sings. They have a good reputation and for a bit they're quite impressive. But, you don't really like it and at the end of the song you politely clap along with everyone else. But ultimately you're glad it's over. Until, the crowd asks for an encore so you head to the kitchen for a drink and close the door behind you
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
It was just all a bit nondescript. Not terrible but not that interesting either
Thin Lizzy
4/5
It's a decent live album and the extra album allowed fans the experience of a full Thin Lizzy concert. I wasn't blown away but it is consistently good.
Primal Scream
2/5
I didn't think much of this. Yeah it's got some funky bass lines but the singing is poor and once again technology and sound effects try to hide the lack of songwriting ability. Based on their reputation, I was expecting so much more.
Sepultura
1/5
It was quite funny at first, in a Spinal Tap sort of way. But the entertainment value was short lived. Beyond redemption, in every way. But I suppose that was the intention.
Scott Walker
3/5
It's very much a cinematic and stage show type album with crooner style vocals. I enjoyed the opening, familiar 'Jackie', mainly because of its upbeat tempo and unusual rhythm. The rest of the album, whilst ok, is just that. Put it this way, most people probably only need to listen to one Scott Walker album and that would be Scott 4.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
It's ok as a sort of alternative country album but a bit overlong if you're not into the bluegrass style
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
Fairly typical dance-pop from the period, nothing particularly remarkable to distinguish it from countless acts doing the same thing. It tries to be fun but it sounds forced.
Missy Elliott
1/5
It's just annoying doodling from the outset. Not for me, thanks.
Cream
4/5
Housed in a striking psychedelic sleeve, this is one of the iconic releases of 1967. It's a mixed bag of the sublime and the ridiculous (typical of the era) but the better tracks like World of Pain, Dance the Night Away, SWLABR, Tales of Brave Ulysses, Strange Brew and Sunshine of Your Love stand the test of time but still pass the electric lemonade acid test.
It's a solid album, but probably a notch below 1967 albums by Hendrix, The Beatles, The Doors and Velvet Underground.
Metallica
3/5
It's an interesting experiment which works best when the band aren't rocking out, but the bombast is a bit much, especially given the album's length.
Radiohead
4/5
It's a solid indie art rock album at the more dreamy (and mopey) end of the spectrum. There are flashes of brilliance but, as with most music by this band, it is difficult to judge how sincere the melancholy is. Are they just knowingly pulling on the heart strings? But the talent is undeniable.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
4/5
A decent stab at experimental synth pop with plenty of atmosphere, proving there was great progressive music around in the 80s.
Aerosmith
1/5
To be fair the album is very well produced and sounds great.
Too bad the material is a bit, em, bland.
And worse still, the things I've read about the singer are despicable, sinking this straight to the bottom of the ocean, never to be seen again.
The Mothers Of Invention
5/5
Loaded with satire and with tongues planted firmly in cheeks, this is an absolute gas from start to finish.
It's mainly doo-wop, frat and garage rock but along the way there is plenty of experimentation and imagination with social commentary on tracks like the genuinely frightening 'Who are the Brain Police' and quick fire lyrics on 'Trouble Everyday'. It's not a perfect album but it is highly listenable and surprisingly commercial.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
Off key half spoken vocals, stream of the conscious lyrics set to moody music that doesn't really go anywhere. It's not the worst thing on this list but it does come across as lazy and couldn't be arsed and ultimately a bit of a waste of recording tape really.
Bee Gees
3/5
Somehow you know from the album cover and title it was going to be a disappointment; it doesn't exactly scream winning formula.
As it is, it's fairly predictable soft pop rock with saccharine overblown arrangements scattered amongst some finely crafted pop music. It's not terrible but I can think of dozens of much better (or certainly more notable) albums from the same period by lesser known acts. Stick to the singles lads.
Simply Red
3/5
Cheesy as hell but Hucknall is undeniably a great songer
The Beach Boys
5/5
Rather spookily, this came up for review the day after Brian Wilson passed away. With The Beach Boys being one of my favourite bands, I felt a more heartfelt, conversational review was needed as a tribute.
Obviously, this is one of those albums that has loads of accolades and is considered to be a timeless 'classic'. But there's a fair amount of people who don’t like the more mawkish elements etc. So here are a some of my thoughts.
1. I can see why some may not like it, or get it. It’s not directly linked to any lifestyle, culture or political movement, the lyrics aren’t particularly clever or enlightening, it’s crap to dance to, it‘s too feminine (or un-masculine) to be considered a rock album and it’s a bit too personal, weird even, to be a true pop album. At times the arrangements can be as sickly sweet as syrup, combined with melancholy it can come across as being gauche, naive and almost childlike (years later Brian recorded an unreleased album called adult/child).
2. BUT, oh well, oh my, oh gosh, oh gee, this is a gorgeous album to escape to, via its reverb drenched and dreamy, exotic landscapes. A place where sleepy woodwinds integrate with pounding kettle drums. Where insistent arpeggios of multiple guitars chime sweetly in the background. Dense layers of music that somehow sound 'green' like the cover, which make me picture inland Hawaii.
3. The lyrics (written Tony Asher, apparently an advertising agent) aren’t particularly poetic but their simplicity really does convey meaning in each song. The lack of pretense perfectly complements each individual track; like the sense of loneliness in ‘That’s Not Me’, the heartfelt romanticism of ‘Don’t Talk’, the sense of eternal mystery in ‘I Know There’s An Answer’ or the loss of innocence in the closing ‘Caroline No’.
4. The musical arrangements are outstanding; the counterpoint harmony, the combination of instruments that blend into a “wall of sound”; the prominent, jazzy, melodic bass lines (acoustic and electric); the dynamic changes in sound and tempo, from a full blown orchestra to a simple clarinet line, or the Theremin wailing at the end of ‘I Just wasn’t Made For These Times’, the French Horn introduction on ‘God Only Knows’, the incredible use of various percussion. I could go on.
5. The melodies and vocals are so passionately sung, soulful, uplifting, melancholic and at times, the harmony and backing vocals breathtakingly complex (and more sparsely utilised than previous albums).
6. It is an evocative, emotional record that you have to actively listen to. You have to allow yourself to be drawn into fantasy and the exotic landscapes of it's creator.
Anyway, it’s status as a top tier album in the history of pop music is well deserved, and ultimately (apart from Smile) probably the only bona fide Beach Boys album to be considered a classic i.e. find mass appeal, commercial success and near universal praise.
NB - For me (and many fans of their middle period), Pet Sounds was the start of a fantastic run of albums going from 1966 up to 1973: Pet Sounds, Smile / Smiley Smile, Wild Honey, Friends, 20/20, Sunflower, Surfs Up, So Tough and Holland (oh and not forgetting the formidable AM rock of their 1973 live double album).
Increasingly, there albums were more of a group effort, but each of these incredibly diverse records are equally superb in their own homespun, unassuming way. On there own terms, these delightful records add up to the most underrated cannon of works in pop music (says me).
R.I.P. Mr Wilson, you will be missed.
Ps it transpired the BBC selection today wasn't random (!) but all the above still stands.
Primal Scream
4/5
I love the grooves, the sounds and the production of this album is phenomenal. I'm not so keen on the lead vocalist - he sounds a bit off key at times. And being a hybrid dance album, the tracks tend to be repetitive and overlong. There's a sense that you had to be there to really appreciate it. But all the gripes aside, it is a good album.
Tom Waits
4/5
Some great voodoo sounds, kinda Captain Beefheart meets Dr John. Highly enjoyable.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
The singer is good, the material is average, the production is smooth making for a chilled, pleasant but ultimately dull listening experience.
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
It's very pretty sounding, homestead, country pop dappled in sunshine. It's very pleasant to listen to but the melodies are samey, so ultimately it works best as generic background music.
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Lovely sounds but it's all a bit generic and plastic sounding plus you have to be in right mood
50 Cent
1/5
Lets just say this met and somewhat exceeded my expectations.
Dr. Dre
2/5
I enjoyed (tolerated?) this a bit more than the the rap album we had yesterday. Offensive? Nah, it all seems rather silly to me.
Pavement
4/5
A decent collection of appealing indie rock
Duran Duran
4/5
Uptempo funky pop with 80s production values, catchy songs, good vocals. All in all, this was actually highly listenable and a pleasure to hear.
10cc
4/5
Quirky, stoned music hall sillynes in an art pop/rock setting is quite a niche market that sounds quite antiquated from a 21st century perspective. I have a penchant for odd music (like the Bonzo's) so I quite enjoyed it.
It's got high production values (the vocals harmonies are particularly strong) with plenty of experimentation but it doesn't always entirely work. There's so much going on, sometimes there's too much to take in. Like most music with humour, you certainly have to be in the right mood.
But ultimately it's worth a listen simply because it's not punk/indie or rap/hip hop or country and taken on its own terms, it's reasonably entertaining music.
Dinosaur Jr.
1/5
I don't get it. The compilers have recommended an album full of terrible off key singing. Even irony needs a certain amount of listenabilty. Or am I missing something?
PJ Harvey
4/5
Another high quality release from PJ Harvey with her usual vocals of raw emotion, songs full of passion and fury, intense lyrics, blitzkrieg guitars all wrapped up un-neatly in a grunge style Steve Albini production.
Sonic Youth
2/5
I've now heard a fair few Sonic Youth albums of the back of the list and none of them have impressed me. An overrated band.
Small Faces
5/5
It's quite an adventurous and typical late sixties album, full of quirky, stoned humour. The songs are catchy knees up mother acid, often done for affect in a singalong cockney style with great vocals by Steve Marriott (one of the great white soul singers of the era) and groovy instrumental work from the band.
The actual songs are sometimes frustratingly short, with large chunks of lengthy instrumental passages. On side two the narration (by Stanley Unwin) is nice on the first listen, but rather irksome on repeated plays - there is a nagging feeling that you just want the band to get on with playing the tunes.
It's not perfect, but it is a great artefact from the era and taken on its own terms a bit of a classic. And the round tobacco tin cover is inspired.
Steely Dan
2/5
The thing with Steely Dan is, all their music is competently made by intelligent people who understand music. It's full of pop hooks and some pretty dazzling performances.
But here's to the thing; I don't get any emotional response. It's like it's been moulded to perfection, with every nuance, every note played and processed until it's just so. The outcome; music which plods along ina sterile carefree jazz-bop-pop vibe drowning in its own smarmy, pointless existence.
It's not terrible music but somehow it is a terrible listening experience.
The Coral
4/5
Ah, yes I remember this coming out when I was in university. They were the critics darling and 'Dreaming of You' was a record constantly played in Barfly.
Beyond that sentimental nostalgia, this is an incredibly diverse record, which for the most part, is deserving of the hype.
They went for the kitchen sink approach, with literally all their influences chucked into the mix. So it's got a bit of everything from garage to psych to folk rock and exotica and you can a touch of Barrett era Floyd, Doors, Beatles, Madness and Gorkys.
Listening now, it's still a good listen but I'm not totally convinced by the vocals. But there is much to enjoy on this charming, effervescent record.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Sparse, intimate and moody, this album brings out the best and worst aspects of Nick Cave - he's a great songwriter/storyteller but as a vocalists he is limited. He's at his best when he gets into mcarbe character mode, sadly there's less of this on the album.
Slipknot
3/5
It's not my usual cuppa tea, that's for sure, but I do appreciate the skills required to sound like they do (especially with the vocals). And part of the fun is to hear music I wouldn't normally choose.
Come on boys, lets make some NOISE!!! And why not...
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
I saw a review that said it sounds a bit like Beck without the weirdnesses, Fun Lovin' Criminals without the cringe and Beastie Boys without the boyish aggression. That sounds about right but it also means it lacks a bit of personality.
D'Angelo
3/5
I think its smoothness is fine for certain "romantic" situations. And I can see the female of our species enjoying this more than their male counterparts. Nice vocals but it does get a bit samey. In any event, about 10 minutes should be enough. Can put some proper music on then.....
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Standard NY. I don't mind his voice for a couple of tracks but it's a bit whiney for a whole album.
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
There's a lovely low key intimacy present, like a bard or a sage telling you a secret fable in a hushed voice over a gentle acoustic backing.
Comparisons to Donovan and Nick Drake seem inevitable but Stuart Murdoch's voice and tone reminds me of Peter Daltry, from the 60s UK psych band Kaleidoscope.
Although it's fairly twee and whimsical music the lyrics are often darkly poetic and that is a nice contrast. And there's a vibrant splash of colour added via trumpet, violin and cello.
All in all this is well crafted music right up my avenue.
808 State
3/5
It’s OK dance music but I think you had to be there. There is some brilliant programming and some cool sounds but being electronica (a genre I don't really listen to) it lacks organic elements required when listening outside of the late 80s/early 90s context.
It's fair to say that I am not a fan and being objective, I can appreciate the message of each track but the delivery just sounds painfully forced. I struggle to finish U2 albums.
Buck Owens
3/5
It's got the hallmarks of C&W, with decent conversational lyrics that tell a story, pedal steel, twangy telecaster guitar sounds and a bopping rhythm section (on the uptempo tracks).
The impressive opening title track sounds like it could have been on Beatles For Sale, mainly due to the tandem parallel vocals. And it's notable The Beatles covered a Buck Owens number (Act Naturally) on Help, so he was quite influential.
The rest of the album isn't quite so impressive, but the vocals are consistently superb, obviously in the southern rockabilly tradition.
On the downside the 1-2-1-2 rhythm can sound a bit corny and the slower numbers aren't quite so interesting, but on the whole it's a listenable 27 minute album, if you don't mind this sort of thing.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Fierce acid blues rock, featuring ear piercing guitar solos and Janis Joplin's immortal vocals in turns soulful and screeching.
It's a lively, loud album (even louder and lively on the live tracks) but there are some subtle shades for contrast. It does rock but tends to meander, meaning you have to be in a lysergic stoner mood to fully appreciate. The best tracks are 'Summertime' and 'Piece of my Heart' and the cover artwork is pretty awesome.
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
Very similar to the follow up album Prophesy, on that it's a genre fusion exercise with some kind of quasi philosophy lecture. For the most part it successfully bridges these, although it's perhaps a little on the preachy side.
The Fall
3/5
Apparently recorded in one day, this is certainly as energetic and raw as you would expect. The lyrics are a talking point. It's good to hear challenging music like this but I am on the fence in terms of actual enjoyment.
Black Sabbath
5/5
I will admit my rating is tainted by Ozzy passing away but still, it is a bloody great doom laden rock album. Being a fan of psychedelia, 'Planet Caravan's is the most appealing track.
Peter Frampton
3/5
This epitomises classic Dad Rock. It's not terrible but it does sound quite dull at times. I think I prefer his stuff with The Herd from the late sixties.
The Temptations
4/5
You can definitely hear the Sly and tHe family stone influence and it gave this talented vocal group a new lease of life. There's some really cool floor fillers on this album
Fever Ray
5/5
I really enjoyed the dark industrial electronica of this. Creepy, snakey vocals that sound like they were recorded in the dark with a torch. The production throughout is superb (especially on earphones, as I do most of my listening these days). It's a good example of an artist using the advantages of a modern cinematic production to maximum effect. I'm impressed.
The Clash
5/5
This iconic and timeless record is one of those albums that rightly appears near the top of the pile on these lists. It's a cool blend of instantly likeable punk and new wave styles, full of energy and passion yet thoughtful enough to resonate deeper meaning. Superb in all departments and housed in a memorable cover, this is a true classic.
David Bowie
5/5
It's an experimental, varied album with crisp, clear production touching on music hall (Fill Your Heart), acid folk (Andy Warhol), mellow country-ish rock (Song For Bob Dylan) amongst others. I like that acoustic guitars frame most of tracks and it's interesting how Bowie utilised different styles into a coherent, satisfying whole.There are of course the perennial classics (Changes, Life on Mars, Oh You Pretty Things) but pretty much every track is a winner on this turntable favourite, and probably my favourite Bowie album.
The Teardrop Explodes
2/5
They try hard but mostly fail, mainly because it's full of dull, poorly sung, repetitive melodies. The music is ok but they need to sort the vocals out.
2/5
I think it is fair to say you had to be there. This seems more notable for it's historical content than the actual listenabilty if the music. I like Dylan but I have to admit, I was a bit bored.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Superbly arranged, performed and sung, Stevie Wonder gives a lesson in how to create a double album that sounds effortlessly brilliant. Sure he veers into MOR, but there's some cool experimenting as well; Pastime Paradise fuses Latin rhythms with strings, synths and gospel backing vocals while Summer Soft has a breezy cocktail jazz vibe. Not content with a double record, he even slipped in an EP featuring Ebony Eyes. Total legend, still sounding great in 2025
The Saints
4/5
Lots of energy, skilled musicianship and some occasional horns, thought this was a fun listen
Blur
4/5
It's one of the classic albums from that whole britpop era, featuring some of the best Blur tracks. Not everything is great but it is a very solid listen.
Rahul Dev Burman
5/5
I had my tummy tickled listening to this one. Sure it's a bit kitsch and dated, but that's precisely what I enjoyed about it. There's something about the technology of the recording that sounds wonderfully vibrant and technicolour. The light-hearted, almost naive, playful charm of the vocals are on the right side of goofy and the music is surprisingly funky at times. Music from Mars man, music from Mars.
Fairport Convention
5/5
It's broadly folk music, but there is a nice variety of styles, including Cajun rock, ballads and raga rock. There's a casual excellence throughout, with Sandy Denny on top form vocally, the musicianship tight (especially Richard Thompson on lead guitar - such an underated talent) and the production full of organic warmth. Critics bang on about the band, but for my money, this is a far more rewarding listen. Amazingly this prolific band issued albums in 1969.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
Nope
Soft Machine
3/5
Not really sure if this stretches the boundaries or is a load of bollox. Wil ironically play it safe with the score
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
It's good but the block harmonies make all the songs sound the same. I also wish they followed Graham Nash's pop instincts a bit more as Marrakesh Express is easily the best thing on here
The KLF
4/5
Head spinning, dizzying stuff
4/5
An early Britpop classic
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
Dull by numbers rock
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Dave Marsh wrote a fantastic essay for the CD reissue that neatly sums up why this explosive album may the most important debut album in the history of rock.
Suffice to say this is an extraordinary album by an extraordinary artist. Hendrix is the star, but Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding perfectly compliment him
It's an amazing, exciting and brash wash of sounds in full technicolour that still sounds fresh over 50 years later. Arguments will forever ensue over whether the original vinyl UK or US version is the superior version. But either version would be in my all time top ten albums.
Truly superb.
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
Heavy, abrasive, fuzzy and moody music which serves its purpose and no doubt helped a great number of young people in their formulative years. There's some fantastic indie-rock on display if you're in the right frame of mind.
Jimmy Smith
4/5
Some awesome Hammond organ workouts with swinging, jazzy rhythm and blues. Recorded quickly in a single day, this helps the music to retain a freshness and vitality. It's not a monumental album, but it is a very good example of the genre. Terrible LP cover mind you
Bill Callahan
4/5
It's a very lyrical album with the vocal melody mostly supplied via a sleepy monologue. Most of the appeal otherwise comes from the rococo finery of the ornamental instrumental passages. It it has the feel of a slow burning movie with little or no dialogue. Where the only spoken bits are the thoughts of the protagonist. Taken on its own terms, it's a pleasant listen, as long you don't doze off (I mean this in the nicest possible way).
Van Morrison
4/5
I quite enjoyed the cocktail jazz/soul vibe (with folky overtones). I'm not the biggest fan of his voice but it instantly recognisable and distinctive, plus it does suit this kind of material. The songs are catchy so on the whole this is great album.
The Darkness
3/5
It's got all the expected tongue in cheek/cliche/irony from Justin & Co. It's pretty good for what it is, but the one mega single was probably the reason for it being here. 2.5 rounded up to 3
XTC
5/5
It's my kind of music, being full of catchy pop songs mixed with experimentation, sound effects , studio/production tricks and plenty of colour/spice spice in the sounds. The music arrangements are top notch as are the vocal harmonies and the lyrics are evocative, often humourous.
There's a bit of late summer/autumnal vibe throughout. And even though I didn't hear it as a kid in the 80s, I have this strange feeling of 80s nostalgia listening to it.
I think it's a brilliant, evocative record although Andy Partridge's vocals are an acquired taste, I find it quite appealing.
Jane Weaver
4/5
Really interesting and different. I kind of wonder if this project should have been 1001 albums by completely unknown/obscure artists.
Bauhaus
4/5
Dark gothic industrial songs that are strangely compelling. Vocalist either reminds me of what continental Europeans often sound like.
Nina Simone
5/5
That voice, that voice. Oh so rich, so expressive and so emotive. It's a lovely timbre where, if you didn't know beforehand, could be male or female (Chris Montez is similar in that respect, but in a higher register).
Anyway, Simone had the perfect voice for this kind of (mostly melancholic) jazz/blues. I'd previously heard a couple of her albums that are equally great, so you could probably pick any of her sixties albums and have a similar enjoyment.
The quality of the actual recording itself makes the album sound older than it's mid sixties recording date and this increases the intimate, live, old timey feeling throughout.
Although obviously a highly respected and much loved artist, it's peculiar she doesn't have a higher standing in the history of popular music.
Hot Chip
3/5
The sort of music you might enjoy chilling at the pool or on the beach on holiday
David Holmes
3/5
Interesting array of sounds with the expected grooves and monologues but a bit monotonous, repetitive and ultimately I was bored. It's not terrible and I do appreciate what it tries to achieve (plus it's not really my bag).
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
I've read that this was one of the first albums to be recorded on 16 track and it shows because the production is outstanding and the dynamics really add a sense of the majestic. It's a full sounding album but thanks to the arrangements, it's never overwrought.
The duos vocals were the main strength and this contains some of their best songs ('America', 'Mrs Robinson', 'Hazy Shade Of Winter', 'At The Zoo' - that closing trio of songs is awesome, pretty much unbeatable).
That said, there is also a nagging feeling that they didn't have quite enough material to fill the album (Voices Of Old People).
But I do like it a lot and probably play it more than Bridge Over Troubled Water nowadays, so it's just about 5 stars from me.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
It's basically a jam session with the usual doodling on guitar as countless bands did back in the late sixties. It's ok but hardly what I would call essential listening. Maybe you had to be there?
The Soft Boys
3/5
Pretty decent, catchy high octane rock/pop.
Ramones
4/5
Pretty much delivered on what I expected, like a lot of music, it's classic status is relevant to the impact in the era it was made. It's good but it doesn't quite live up to it's lofty status.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Yeah, it's alright for a touch of mildly exotic music but it's a bit too clinical sounding for my liking. At times, the repetitiveness makes the band sound like they are almost sleepwalking.
I prefer the more organic, rich, exciting sounding records by the likes of Cymande and John Berberian etc.
The Human League
3/5
I don't particularly like it but what amazes me is how much music (as in top ten pop music) had changed, mutated and progressed from 10 years earlier, and that is to be commended.
Baaba Maal
4/5
Nice, in turns it's mystical & mysterious and upbeat & groovy. Baaba Maal is a powerful vocalist and sounds sincere. I haven't the foggiest notion what he is singing, but I kind of like it that way.
The Byrds
3/5
It's a decent folk rock album with some neat touches of psychedelic influences here and there. Side one is really strong but side two is a letdown (despite opening with 8 Miles High) with 2 instrumentals and a typical cover of Hey Joe. Overall, half a great album.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Another cracking album by Hendrix and Co (his second album of 1967). It's a bit more varied, with some mellow tracks and a popsike contribution from Noel Redding, but there's still plenty of experimentation, and of course the usual masterful guitar playing from Hendrix.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Beach House
4/5
It's certainly hypnotic and a lovely sounding record, yet somehow it's also a bit detached. I felt motionless, like a rock, slowly eroding away, but immune to my surroundings. I've no clue what he was singing about, but it sounded very serious.
Haircut 100
2/5
Did you ever put a record on the turntable at the wrong speed, listen for a minute because it sounds kinda funny and interesting, but then after about 1 minute lose interest. That situation pretty much sums up this.
Joe Ely
3/5
It's pleasant enough, maybe it's essential for country fans, but it sounds fairly generic to these ears.
LTJ Bukem
3/5
I probably lack genre knowledge to properly review the merit but I thought it was ok (if a bit too long as an individual album)
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Fresh n' breezy sounds with a touch of soul, it's very easy on the palate. Good stuff
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Repetitive and samey. I don't like the singer's voice either. Got a 2 as I try to save a 1 for the really bad stuff.
Calexico
5/5
Yeah man, that hit the spot. Some great songs full of atmosphere, some nifty precise acoustic based arrangements, a touch of the exotic and likeable understated vocals. Now and again a superb album like this comes along and reminds me why I am doing this project.
Megadeth
4/5
Obviously some cool guitar playing, not really a metal fan but for some reason I don't mind Megadeath
AC/DC
3/5
Yeah it's a slab of classic rock etc etc, but I can take or leave it
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
4/5
Decent album
Morrissey
3/5
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
Difficult to get past the dreadful 80s production on this one.
Leftfield
5/5
It's another one of those iconic albums that falls under the genuine classic album category. The reason is simple: it's well crafted, highly listenable, timeless music.
The Electric Prunes
5/5
At its best, the trippy use of sound effects, reverb and awesome guitar sounds, urgent propulsive rhythms and snotty vocals combine to make this a groovy, highly listenable album. Individually, this is more interesting than a lot of the mid sixties albums by more well known American psychedelic groups like The Grateful Dead, The Byrds etc.
Although they've got a signature "raw" sound, they're not afraid to mix it up with some mellow jazzy ballads ('Onie', 'About a Quarter to Nine') or even a Greek/Cossack/middle eastern flavour ('Sold to the Highest Bidder'). The singles 'I Had to Much to Dream Last Night', 'Get Me to the World On Time' are both awesome highlights, with a powerful urgency that hook the listener. They would be floor fillers at any respectable retro themed rave-up.
Nothing outstays it welcome and even the novelty 'Tunerville Trolley' and baroque/tudor flavoured period piece 'The King is in the Counting House' exude a certain period charm (a bit like the Rolling Stones 'Lady Jane' and 'Something Happened to me Yesterday'). In fact, it comes as no surprise that the Stones Aftermath/Between the Buttons era recordings sound similar; both groups were produced/engineered by Dave Hassinger and recorded in Los Angeles.
For my money, this is one of the finest albums from 1967 and the dark LP cover portrays a cool moodiness. Fabulous stuff, love it 😎
The Undertones
4/5
Loads of energy and full of short songs. Great stuff
Steve Winwood
2/5
Great voice wasted on this plodding release
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
I know they mean well, but it comes across as being a little too contrived, self conscious and precious for my liking. But there is undeniable talent on display for those who are seeking calming non secular spirituality.
Fleet Foxes
2/5
There was a lot of hype about this band back in 2008 but I always thought they were a bit overrated. Not that keen on the singing so I still struggle. I do like their acoustic based sound but it's not particularly interesting.
Country Joe & The Fish
4/5
Likeable psychedelic rock with playful irony, cool sounds and a nice mixture of shorter songs and longer jams. It's not on this album, but I really like their 'I feel like I'm a fixin' to die rag'.
Björk
2/5
I don't mind weirdo music but I do struggle with her voice. Imagine a duet between Bjork and Yoko Ono ....... Yikes!
Van Morrison
3/5
Pretty much what you would expect from a live Van Morrison album. There's no doubting his ability as a great singer and the instrumental backing is equally fine.
Heaven 17
2/5
It's a curious cover, looking like the front of a Readers Digest novel (or something of that ilk). It's just so very misplaced for a pop record. It screams "Don't buy me, I'm so uncool, go spend your money elsewhere".
The music? - oh yeah - that's equally naff, being second rate electro pop.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
Some classic mid nineties pop/rock featuring her well known songs. It's pretty catchy stuff.
Fiona Apple
4/5
It's adventurous, that's for sure. As with most music of this ilk, you have to be in the right mood and allow multiple listens to fully appreciate it. But I like that it is different and as an artistic statement it's mostly successful. As a side note, it interesting that Fiona Apple has only released 5 albums, with the gap increasing each time. Next album should be out in 2032!
Sepultura
2/5
The Brazilian equivalent of what passes for metal at Eurovision (usually by the Scandinavians). Actually found myself smiling because of the vocals
5/5
It's Spirit's best album featuring a bunch of great songs performed with zesty confidence by a bunch of great musicians. Musically it's similar to their previous albums with folk, jazz and psychedelic rock influences. The production is notably strong, the crispness really shines through on tracks like 'Nature's Way', 'Animal Zoo' , 'Space Child' and Morning Will Come'. I also like the way the longer songs break off on a tangent with some superb lead guitar. It's one of the more satisfying efforts from the West Coast rock scene.
Tim Buckley
5/5
Tim Buckley had an amazing voice with a fantastic range. This is his second album, which is so very 1967; he comes across as the wandering minstrel (which is fine by me) but it does date it. I think it's more accessible than say The Incredible String Band, which shares the same innocent charm and mystical exotica. It's certainly one to play with Joss sticks, beads and a kaftan on a hazy afternoon and it's appeal is best served in tandem with all that camaraderie.
Robert Wyatt
4/5
It's unconventional and experimental, the sort of album I quite like just because of this.
Peter Tosh
3/5
It probably sounds amazing if you are in the right "mood". It is good, great even, but also a bit samey.
Metallica
2/5
To these ears it's fairly generic, repetitive, boring rock music.
New Order
4/5
The force is strong with this one. Play this again I probably will not.
Soundgarden
4/5
I liked this a lot more than I expected. Great production with lots of dynamics and depth, some interesting guitar tones/effects, evasive lyrics and Chris Cornell had a great rock/pop voice.
Neil Young
2/5
Has NY paid these guys to get so many albums nominated?
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
When you think about it, the concept of a live album is largely pointless, especially with non-fans. There's no way of recreating the feeling of being at a gig where the music is playing through a large PA system and the feeling of spontaneity. Sure, a modern hi-fi can go really loud, but that would seriously piss the neighbours off. And most live albums are touched up or overdubbed prior to release.
The other point is, unless the band is grass roots level, you would probably only go if you already know a few of their songs.
This is a long way of saying they sound like a great live band, the music here is perfectly fine (some great guitar playing) but with no previous connection to any of the material or the band, I don't much care for it either.
David Ackles
2/5
I have visions of a Viking funeral, with the boat going up in flames as it vanishes into the horizon.
It's not a complete disaster (it is not irritating or grating) but it didn't move me emotionally. Makes me wonder if this is music for a science boff who just wants the fact of the matter, with not even a whiff of human emotion or empathy.
Shame, because this guy wrote The Road to Cairo, as covered by Julie Driscoll Brian Auger & The Trinity. Now that is a banger!
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
It's a pretty decent neo psychedelic pop/rock album with dark overtones. I do love their album covers
Kate Bush
5/5
Like all great original artists, it takes a little while to get into their world. But when it clicks, you realise what a superb raw talent some individuals have. Kate Bush's best music always seems to have a touch of magic, mystistim and exotica with rich classical overtones. Truly spellbinding.
Beth Orton
4/5
Nice voice and I like the indie folk rock sound.
Carole King
4/5
Whilst it's very pleasant, Tapestry is another of those records that I want to enjoy more than I actually do. But the timeless quality is present throughout and I do like Carole King's soulful vocals much more than say Joni Mitchell.
Dizzee Rascal
4/5
Some truly original music full of clockwork synths, bangin' beats and infectious storytelling. If I had one criticism, it's all a bit overwhelming, like it's too much to take in. Take a breath mate!
Steve Earle
2/5
The Good: the lead guitar and the organ sounds were nice and the vocals were fine, if unexceptional.
The Bad: A sense of deja vu. I'm sure I have heard this album at least 5 times already on this list.
The Ugly: The awful 80s production (especially the heavily reverberated drums). It plain doesn't suit Country music.
Anyway, it difficult to see what makes this a stand out country album as there is nothing unique or innovative about it.
I'm off to toytown for some pop psych....
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Being full on prog rock, it kind of is what it is, and I accept that. What it lacks in accessibility for the casual listener it makes up for in virtuosity for the discerning listener. I'm kind of on the fence about how "good" it actually is (the lyrics are a bit jarring to say the least) but it is good to hear different music. But in summary, I wouldn't choose to play this again.
Beatles
5/5
It's probably the best Beatles album with futuristic sounds (for 1966), plenty of variety and experimentation. In the songwriting stakes, it's a cut above Sgt Pepper and Abbey Road. Loads of highlights including Eleanor Rigby, Love You To, Taxman, I'm Only Sleeping, Yellow Submarine and the truly remarkable Tomorrow Never Knows. It's astonishing how much they had mutated since their debut in 1962, a mere four years earlier, yet still recognisable as "Beatles Music".
Kate Bush
5/5
I love how Kate Bush's music is so esoteric, so sensual and so carefree, she has the soul of a child and it shows in her music. The mood is dreamily light-hearted, cinematic and utterly captivating. This is intelligent pop music at its finest and I'm so glad it found appeal with the masses.
Van Morrison
2/5
Yeah I get it: It's semi improvised, free form pop became a incidental classic etc blah blah.
But seriously folks, it's boring, meandering and his voice is annoying. A young man in his 20s sounding like a grumpy old man, harping onabout fuck knows what.
Critics favourite, my arse.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Another "critics favourite", you need a degree in noisology to fully appreciate this "gem".
Arrested Development
4/5
Fresh sounding and vibrant sounds where rap/ hip hop meets poppy funk with a spiritual yearning. It's a nice (in every sense of nice) alternative to gangsta rap/hip hop and the basic outlook is a positive one and this shines through.
Morrissey
3/5
It's not bad, but I didn't really connect either.