977
Albums Rated
3.22
Average Rating
90%
Complete
112 albums remaining
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1970s
Favorite Decade
Post-punk
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UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
171
5-Star Albums
63
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
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Ratings by genre
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Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dub Housing | 5 | 2.36 | +2.64 |
| Don't Stand Me Down | 5 | 2.61 | +2.39 |
| Bitte Orca | 5 | 2.69 | +2.31 |
| The Infotainment Scan | 5 | 2.72 | +2.28 |
| Atomizer | 5 | 2.72 | +2.28 |
| The Infotainment Scan | 5 | 2.72 | +2.28 |
| White Light / White Heat | 5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
| Lazer Guided Melodies | 5 | 2.92 | +2.08 |
| Very | 5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
| 16 Lovers Lane | 5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back To Black | 1 | 4.02 | -3.02 |
| In Rainbows | 1 | 3.84 | -2.84 |
| In Rainbows | 1 | 3.84 | -2.84 |
| Bad | 1 | 3.8 | -2.8 |
| Metallica | 1 | 3.79 | -2.79 |
| Kid A | 1 | 3.71 | -2.71 |
| Catch A Fire | 1 | 3.64 | -2.64 |
| Natty Dread | 1 | 3.58 | -2.58 |
| The Wildest! | 1 | 3.54 | -2.54 |
| Gorillaz | 1 | 3.53 | -2.53 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 9 | 4.89 |
| David Bowie | 9 | 4.67 |
| Bob Dylan | 10 | 4.5 |
| Fleetwood Mac | 4 | 5 |
| The Velvet Underground | 4 | 5 |
| Joni Mitchell | 4 | 5 |
| Public Enemy | 5 | 4.8 |
| The Smiths | 5 | 4.6 |
| R.E.M. | 4 | 4.75 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 3 | 5 |
| Dexys Midnight Runners | 3 | 5 |
| Fairport Convention | 3 | 5 |
| Pixies | 3 | 5 |
| Lou Reed | 3 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.5 |
| Johnny Cash | 4 | 4.5 |
| Leonard Cohen | 7 | 4.14 |
| The Kinks | 7 | 4.14 |
| Tracy Chapman | 2 | 5 |
| Ride | 2 | 5 |
| Duran Duran | 2 | 5 |
| The Modern Lovers | 2 | 5 |
| Sigur Rós | 2 | 5 |
| Pavement | 2 | 5 |
| Sonic Youth | 6 | 4.17 |
| Marvin Gaye | 5 | 4.2 |
| The Stooges | 5 | 4.2 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.25 |
| Iggy Pop | 3 | 4.33 |
| King Crimson | 3 | 4.33 |
| Billy Bragg | 3 | 4.33 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 4.33 |
| Massive Attack | 3 | 4.33 |
| Kraftwerk | 3 | 4.33 |
| Roxy Music | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Rolling Stones | 8 | 3.88 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 8 | 1.63 |
| Metallica | 5 | 1.6 |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 1.33 |
| Beyoncé | 2 | 1 |
| Cypress Hill | 2 | 1 |
| Quicksilver Messenger Service | 2 | 1 |
| Elastica | 2 | 1 |
| The Incredible String Band | 2 | 1 |
| Lenny Kravitz | 2 | 1 |
| Amy Winehouse | 2 | 1 |
| Ryan Adams | 2 | 1 |
| Jane's Addiction | 2 | 1 |
| Yeah Yeah Yeahs | 3 | 1.67 |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 3 | 1.67 |
| The Magnetic Fields | 2 | 1.5 |
| Aerosmith | 2 | 1.5 |
| Doves | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Jesus And Mary Chain | 3 | 2 |
| Eagles | 3 | 2 |
| Todd Rundgren | 3 | 2 |
| Elliott Smith | 3 | 2 |
| Björk | 3 | 2 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Gene Clark | 5, 2, 5 |
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | 4, 4, 1 |
| The Who | 4, 2, 2, 2, 5 |
| Wilco | 2, 1, 4 |
| Willie Nelson | 4, 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (171)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Beach Boys
1/5
Pretty terrible. "Oh but the harmonies" - yes, what about the songs? Creepy vaguely misognyist crap sung as nursery rhymes by castrati. And, hey, harpsichords! Shite
20 likes
Dagmar Krause
2/5
From what I could dig out on YouTube, this is very Brecht/Weill, sounds like Lotte Leyna. I'm not much of a fan of this style, and my kids *DESPISE* it! Guaranteed to drive them to the edge of sanity. The English lyrics are quite clunky and remind me of polemic from a Socialist Worker article. As the great Molly Ivins said about Pat Buchanan's speech at the 1992 Republican convention, "probably sounded better in the original German"
16 likes
The Associates
3/5
if this album was consistent it would be up there with some of the best of the '80s. Sadly, it's all over the place but the high points are incredible. Is there a more exciting intro to a pop record than the jangle piano on Party Fears Two? A more entertaining vocal performance than on Club Country? Why aren't bands ambitious like this any more? Refrigeration keeps you young, I'm told
16 likes
Dexys Midnight Runners
5/5
I used to love this album. I still do, but I used to also. My favorite of Dexy's classic trio and that's saying something.
"This Is What She's Like": 12 minutes of rambling conversation and interjection with Kevin steadfastly refusing to answer the question, yet answering it perfectly. Why was this not a giant hit in 1985? Feargal Sharkey was more concise, I guess
"Knowledge Of Beauty" (the better title, btw): building to "... if I need strength to take bad on..." is Rowlands best vocal performance in my opinion, stupendous. Almost rivaled here by the latter part of "The Waltz"
"One Of Those Things": Fuck Kid Rock, this is how you rip off Warren Zevon
"Reminisce Pt II": Lola is by far the better choice
Any record where "Well, you know how the English upper classes are thick and ignorant" is sung as a lilting air deserves a solid 5*. A misunderstood masterpiece
15 likes
The Hives
3/5
my kids (who have never heard of this band and are unusually amenable to garage rock) think this is really good. I (who heard it 20+ years ago, and much of what it steals from decades before), do not. I record here the average
14 likes
1-Star Albums (63)
All Ratings
The Smiths
4/5
Sufjan Stevens
3/5
a few good tunes and lots of meandering, like his other work
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
ponderous but rudimentary
4/5
Their best collection of tunes
The Stranglers
4/5
Pretty good, singles are classics
Miles Davis
4/5
Interesting, can hear some Krautrock origins in the fusion arrangements
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
A few stone-cold classics, lots of filler
Prefab Sprout
3/5
Side 1 full of classic tunes, Side 2 cheesy and boring as hell
Van Halen
3/5
Exactly as expected
Elvis Costello
3/5
Sounds like a 70s or 80s Elvis Costello album, not as weird or precious as feared. It's OK
The Jam
3/5
Not bad, not as good as Sound Affects
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Really good and doesn't overstay its welcome
Bob Dylan
4/5
Not Dark Yet is an all time classic, rest is good but the blues/roots stuff gets weary
The Fall
3/5
Like most Fall albums it gets a bit samey but still sounds great
Iggy Pop
4/5
Pretty great, didn't realize how much of this was written by Bowie.
The Waterboys
3/5
Tuneful but a bit of a cliche
Rush
4/5
great set of tunes
The Smashing Pumpkins
2/5
the well known tracks are surrounded by interminably overlong prog/grunge noise. starts well
Beyoncé
1/5
vapid drivel, some of the worst music in a long time
Emmylou Harris
3/5
It's pretty good as modern country goes. Not up to the '70s standard though
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
the constituent parts are fun but the album itself is dull as hell. sounds like it was more fun to make than to listen to. De La Soul did it much better
Hole
3/5
Starts well, goes downhill. Not as good as Live Through This
Drive Like Jehu
4/5
Pretty good, like a more melodic At The Drive-In
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Really good, surprisingly! No Sweet Home Alabama or That Smell thankfully
Ray Charles
3/5
great voice, songs and arrangements very much of its time
Prince
4/5
Fantastic, no notes
Rod Stewart
2/5
Maggie May plus wallpaper. Songs are fairly long for no apparent reason
Queen Latifah
3/5
Very enjoyable, from a weirdly innocent period in time
Stevie Wonder
3/5
decent, but sounds like Innervisons b-sides in comparison
Radiohead
1/5
I really tried to give this a listen with an open mind, honestly I did. Unfortunately it's the same unfinished-sounding noodly background music with whining on top that I've come to expect from these Emperor's New Clothes incarnate. Horrible
SAULT
1/5
Just terrible. Would have sounded derivative in 1996, now just puzzling why anyone would make something so dull. Couldn't even finish it
Eagles
2/5
The famous songs are the good ones. Last song is truly awful. Polar opposite of Rumors - here the bad reputation is well-deserved
Jeff Buckley
3/5
It's OK. I didn't understand the fuss when it came out, still don't. Not as good as his dad, much better than copycat whiners such as Radiohead. John Cale doesn't get the credit he should for the OG arrangement of Hallelujah but I doubt he cares.
Pet Shop Boys
5/5
Was very excited to buy this when it came out - did not disappoint, ribbed plastic box, secret bonus track and all! Still sounds fabulous today, all killer no filler. Great to hear it again
Heaven 17
4/5
Better than I remembered from when I owned this a long time past. Odd to think this was radio-friendly pop music 40 years ago!
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
The sound of mid-90's British mediocrity. At least this one doesn't have the (or any?) awful Noel Gallagher Beatles rip-off atrocity. Still rings with the banshee wail of Beth Orton unfortunately. She must curse Dido frequently, wishing she hadn't hitched her frail wagon to these losers.
The Temptations
3/5
great to hear some of the origins of psychedelic soul
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Some classics, pretty misogynistic in places!
PJ Harvey
4/5
Didn't like it when it came out, and it's still a disappointment after the first album but sounds great today. Glad to hear it again
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
banger after banger, incredible!
The Velvet Underground
5/5
incredible album, especially good to hear those tracks sequenced again
Ray Charles
2/5
I'm sure this is good quality but I really don't like this style of music!
Anita Baker
3/5
Great voice, probably heard this a thousand times when it came out in the background. Very 80s!
Elton John
5/5
Incredible run of songs throughout, *almost* as good as Tumbleweed Connection
Todd Rundgren
2/5
I can see how this was very influential, however none of the component parts are that much fun to listen to. I've had this album for years and didn't recognize any of it. More Sufjan Stevens than Badly Drawn Boy unfortunately
Blur
4/5
The sound of summer 1994, very proud I had a pre-release tape of this! Evocative of OJ's white Bronco and the Romanian football team. Would be a 5 from Badhead alone but the dreadful title track drags it down a bit
Grateful Dead
2/5
just dull, sounds like a bar band playing CSNY but forgetting how the melodies work
Frank Sinatra
2/5
bossa-nova standards, not thrilling
Marvin Gaye
4/5
really good, up with his best and the rare "concept" album that isn't embarrassing in parts despite the content
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
So many great tunes, would have been incredible to be around at that point with classic songs being dished out daily. Most of this would be on a Greatest Hits
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Somebody to Love is great, of course. The rest is not very distinctive
Norah Jones
3/5
I really wanted to like this, unfortunately the well-known ones are both the best and the template for the rest. Disappointing as an album
Ice Cube
3/5
very listenable but nowhere near as creative as Dr Dre or others of the same period
Randy Newman
2/5
just boring, really poor effort and awful vocals
The United States Of America
3/5
never heard of this before, obviously very influential from Revolution 9 to Broadcast and The American Analog Set. interesting
Living Colour
3/5
tuneful but not very memorable, like much in 1988
The Stooges
3/5
Does exactly what it says on the tin
Solomon Burke
3/5
lots of belters, not quite as many bangers. great sound though!
Robert Wyatt
2/5
very experimental and, unfortunately, quite unpleasant to listen to
Slayer
3/5
hasn't aged well, used to sound menacing when I was 13 now just sounds silly. tuneful enough but not essential
CHIC
4/5
Great stuff, some of their best tunes
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
more interesting than I predicted, not as good as their later work
King Crimson
5/5
Godlike
Justice
2/5
pretty boring, if Daft Punk made a video game soundtrack but not in a good way
The Go-Betweens
5/5
loved it then love it now, so lucky to see F&M perform most of this live. Just excellent, so many good memories soundtracked by this
Cypress Hill
1/5
juvenile and irritating
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
couldn't listen to it on Spotify but what I remember is the last great NY record until the 90s
Bebel Gilberto
2/5
pleasant enough
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
better than Darklands, still the most over-rated band of their era
Led Zeppelin
4/5
great
Miles Davis
3/5
glad I got to hear it, probably won't listen to it again anytime soon
The Zombies
3/5
melodic 60s pleasantries, better than their spelling at least
Foo Fighters
2/5
Incredibly dull, 3rd-rate late-era REM b-sides sung by someone with a voice better suited to silent movies. I get Dave Grohl is a "great guy" but this music is terrible and their popularity is so perplexing. Most songs would be rejected by a high school garage band - but this is not even awful enough to be distinguished as a one star album. Go away
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Love it, a brilliant album from a pretty uninteresting time in music if a more hopeful one politicly. Listened to it constantly back then, still play it occasionally and am always blown away by the great tunes
Dexys Midnight Runners
5/5
a real ringer on this list for me, just love it. Unique, incredible tunes, a medley to rival Abbey Road and one of the biggest hits of the '80s tossed on at the end. What's not to love?
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
Another one I've had for years but barely recognize, with good reason. "Maps" apart, very meh. An odd period, a lot of derivative noise being showered with plaudits, this included.
Michael Jackson
3/5
used to love this, now hard to listen to given the weirdness and perversion following. Far better than Gary Gliiter in a musical sense, but rating adjusted accordingly for similar behaviors
Guns N' Roses
4/5
timeless, does anyone not like this?
Billy Bragg
3/5
A grower, initially the Wilco-led songs are easier to get into but Billy's ones stand out and make the whole thing very enjoyable
The Byrds
3/5
Great guitar sound, but inessential. Stick to the Greatest Hits
AC/DC
4/5
great to hear this again, didn't know it was the 2nd highest selling album ever, but why not?
James Brown
2/5
Nice to hear some James Brown that aren't the same old overplayed cliche tunes. Still not very interesting however
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
interminable and indistinguishable elementary garage rock. Each track is somehow less interesting and more sophomoric than the previous. How this guy continues to have a career amazes me. Perhaps people think he's "cool", but surely not "talented"?
John Lee Hooker
3/5
pleasant and well-produced but not very exciting
Joan Armatrading
3/5
nice album from an often forgotten 70s talent. Probably stick to the Greatest Hits though
Alice Cooper
2/5
So puzzling why anyone thought this was "edgy", more like musical theater than "rock'n'roll" and not in an entertaining Meat Loaf way. Self-satisfied and boring, but not bad enough for a 1*
Blur
3/5
remember being underwhelmed by this when it came out despite the great single and awfulness of the prior album. Also, Pavement being upset they were ripped off somehow? Hasn't improved with age, Beetlebum is great, rest meh
The Who
4/5
never understood why The Who are held up as one of the all-time greats. This album makes a good case, however. Enjoyed it a lot, to my surprise!
Ride
5/5
bought it when it came out based on hype alone and love it to this day. really really awesome debut, shame they never matched it. Great live band too
The Young Rascals
4/5
Really good! Great voice, great sound and lots of great tunes. Even my kids like it (although it does sound like an Italian restaurant in places)
Joy Division
3/5
controversial perhaps, but I think this album is hugely over-rated; it sounds like nothing else and has an essential influence on modern studio techniques but doesn't really have many tunes. Joy Division were a great singles band!
Santana
3/5
the ones you know are decent, rest meh/noise
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
weird to think of a time before these songs existed. their first really good album with numerous classics, and a sample of news from the era that sounds like a relic of a better time in comparison to now
Nanci Griffith
4/5
really liked it, great to hear some real country music not the cheesy soft-rock trucks guns n'Applebees travesty it has become. Will check out more of her stuff
Leonard Cohen
4/5
like the dark twin of I'm Your Man, or the cousin of Blackstar. First song is incredible, and the rest keep up the doom perfectly. What a terrible year 2016 was
The Kinks
5/5
love it, listen to it frequently, not a bad song on it and many top tunes including two or three of their best. wonderful album
Thin Lizzy
3/5
sounds good for a live album, a bit too long and too many blues jams
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
really goid, a breath of fresh air when it came out in the heyday of Britpop. seemed to be played everywhere at the time, listening to it now brings back good memories of London bars and restaurants in the late '90s. thoroughly enjoyable
The Who
2/5
closer to what I expected from The Who, not great apart from I Can See For Miles. why the enthusiasm for this?
Joan Baez
2/5
very much of its time, folk standards sung with her distinctive voice. not my thing
Duran Duran
5/5
my favorite band as a kid, my Roxy Music! lots of bangers on here, live version of The Chauffeur pips it but otherwise pretty awesome for a "boy band"
The Beach Boys
1/5
Pretty terrible. "Oh but the harmonies" - yes, what about the songs? Creepy vaguely misognyist crap sung as nursery rhymes by castrati. And, hey, harpsichords! Shite
Afrika Bambaataa
2/5
Probably groundbreaking at the time, but now sounds like less than the sum of its parts. It's OK
Fairport Convention
5/5
Wonderful album, containing one of the greatest songs ever written. Incredible sound, amazing voice - just a classic!
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Very entertaining, really captures the mood of the performance. Not my style but excellent nonetheless
The Cars
4/5
for me, The Cars are probably the definition of a Greatest Hits band, classic singles but the sound is so characteristic that the album tracks become a bit samey. Probably unfair on this album as it's their debut and 2/3 of the tracks are played to death on the radio but there you go. Great album, buy the Greatest Hits!
Taylor Swift
4/5
My kids played this to death, with no objections from me. As good as, or better than, the pop albums from my youth e.g. Madonna, Nik Kershaw. WIldest Dreams in particular is a banger
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
I was dreading this and it lived down to my prejudice. I love The Charm of the Highway Strip and Get Lost, but you can't even cut the highlights of this down to a single album that would be of remotely similar quality. The definition of indulgence, and a real puzzle who has the time for this
D'Angelo
3/5
A usually reliable friend was very excited about this at the time, describing it as a Marvin Gaye-level work of genius. It's not that good, but it is both tuneful and interesting which is high praise for '90s R&B.
James Taylor
4/5
Grew up on this, the greatest hit songs are timeless, the rest are a bit weak but a 4 nonetheless.
Tito Puente
4/5
Pretty much as expected but lots of fun. Puente is the classic sound of Latin jazz
Isaac Hayes
4/5
So good, long grooves that never get boring. Perfect for an extended workout
Hugh Masekela
3/5
pleasant jazz, my kids think it sounds like a Peanuts soundtrack
Flamin' Groovies
4/5
Thoroughly enjoyable rootsy/country-tinged RnR. Contemporary comparisons to Sticky Fingers are very apposite. Liked it a lot! bonus tracks are uniformly poor however
Arrested Development
3/5
thought this was very mediocre when it came out, hasn't really aged any better. Good samples and singles, not enough for an hour's runtime
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Pretty good, schmitty good. Segall Smeagol is also worth a listen
5/5
This was my favorite album before I even knew who the Beatles were (mainly for the music hall stuff!). Didn't last, but still an amazing record
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Glad I heard this, knew Trouble Every Day which is excellent. The rest is like an off-kilter Byrds album mixed with Buddy Holly or something. Probably won't listen in full again anytime soon
Todd Rundgren
2/5
Well, this is the 2nd Todd Rundgren album on here, and like the first its a VERY long and VERY self-indulgent mess with supposed "funny" parts and very few tunes. General rule: if someone writes, produces and plays pretty much everything on a very long album, it's likely to be mostly poor as there is zero quality control. Between all of this and the other one there could have been a decent EP, nothing more.
The The
3/5
I remember being disappointed by this before, and it hasn't really improved with time. Three *classic* songs but the rest is pretty thin. Matt Johnson seems a good bloke and has written many great tunes over a long career but this album isn't the best.
Supergrass
4/5
Another one I loved at the time but hadn't heard in ages. What a great album full of bangers, thrilled to have seen them play most of this in a fairly-empty Mercury Lounge back at CMJ in 1995 (and gigged with them when they were The Jennifers even earlier). Top notch, and they made some other good albums but I don't think they were quite this exciting again
Aretha Franklin
4/5
What can I say? Incredible this was an actual album and not a best-of. What a time to be alive
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Pretty much as expected, pleasant country tunes very much of their time and distinctive close harmonies but didn't really hold my attention until the songs about marrying their dead brother's cheating wife and the next one about murdering their fiancee for no apparent reason. Probably worth a second listen!
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
The most interesting big band music I've ever heard - way ahead of its time, really good! Exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for when I signed up
The Modern Lovers
5/5
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... love this, absolute genius! Even though this isn't really an "album" it's incredibly influential. Straight line from the VU to this to everything great in the indie world.
Beatles
5/5
What is there to say? Probably their best album, so good that it contains their worst song by far (yes, worse even than the throwaway stuff on the White Album and Let It Be) yet still is unimpeachably excellent and ground-breaking. Sensational
Primal Scream
4/5
Bought this the week it came out, haven't heard it in ages but still know every note! Era-defining stuff, but docked a point for the bloated version of Come Together, which so disappointed me on first hearing that it wasn't the (much better) single version. Can't find the title track (from the Dixie Narco EP) streaming anywhere, would have made a good substitute.
Beatles
5/5
Two days in a row where the worst song on the album is called "Come Together"! This one redeems itself almost immediately with "Something" and keeps the high quality going until The End. 3 Beatles albums in the past 2 weeks, what's to say apart from marvel in their diverse excellence. You forget how good they were
Fishbone
2/5
Pretty horrible, hated most of this. Constipated metal funk, evidently the inspiration for many dreadful bands that followed. Obviously good musicians so just scrapes a 2. Boo
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
I guess this record represents the transition from old to new country music, the point where it became bland soft rock slush. The lyrics are not as cringeworthy as contemporary efforts, but the music is very cheesy and over-produced. The late '80s were a pretty lean period for interesting mainstream music, evidently.
Massive Attack
5/5
so good, brings back many vague memories of when it came out! Both Tricky and Tracey Thorn are incredible here, such a great set of tunes throughout. I think it's their best by far
Johnny Cash
4/5
the songs on III are better and Hurt is way over-played, but this is still pretty awesome
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
I'm On Fire and Dancing In The Dark aside, this is pretty rubbish and sounds like it could have been generated by an AI after hearing Born To Run. Not good
Gene Clark
5/5
Another ringer for me, love this album. The absolute classic indulgent '70s coke rock album (meant as a huge compliment). All songs are great, and the 4 song sequence starting with the title track beats anything on Rumours or Tusk and shoves the Eagles into a pit of shit
Wild Beasts
2/5
Disappointing. Sounds a bit like reheated early Suede, but the theatrical (histrionic) vocals get annoying pretty fast and there isn't much going on elsewhere in the music that is very interesting. Nah
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Another long-time favorite. Almost loses a point for "Jazz Police" but the rest is so good I can't be mean. Incredible that so many cheesy elements work so well together. The Cohen album I listen to the most
The Cure
4/5
I have never heard this in full before, despite knowing the highlights from their Mixed Up versions. I was really into The Cure at a young age (before this!) and the late '80s/early 90's stuff passed me by. Sounds fantastic as a whole, would probably have been into it in a big way at the time if I was paying attention!
Finley Quaye
2/5
Really hated this at the time, background music for hipster students trying for street cred. Now the highlights sound a bit like TV on the Radio (a compliment) but the whole thing is pretty weak and inessential. Shouldn't be on this list, poor effort
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Just scrapes a 4. Two classics, not sure I'm convinced by the rest very much (perhaps the singing, maybe because it sounds like a dry run for Bat Out Hell in parts)
Peter Gabriel
3/5
3 good/great songs, lots of weird and meandering ones. Sounds like Genesis produced by Bob Ezrin, accurately enough
The Smiths
5/5
perfect timing, perfect album!
Beatles
5/5
The Beatles album I play the most, for some reason. Lots of great songs, some casual misogyny, would have sounded like nothing else when it came out. Their first great one from start to finish(ish)
The Stooges
5/5
My favorite Stooges album. Perfect mix of melody, noise and sleaze. How many great (esp. debut) albums has John Cale produced over the years?!
4/5
A few classics but a not as magnificent as Village Green. Probably unfair as it's great but just not perfect
Ice Cube
4/5
Really good, much better than AmeriKKKa's... Still sounds urgent, burning white hot from the LA riots and events beforehand. Not much seems to have improved in 30 years
Public Enemy
5/5
Such a great sounding album! Old git here, but this is how rap music should be produced. Still sounds dangerous and abrasive, and sad how the "controversial" stuff like the call-in sampled on Incident At 66.6 FM resembles the golden age of radio compared to the shit nowadays on Fox News etc. Fight The Power pushes this to a 5 easily
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Take Five I knew, the rest are similarly excellent. Great alto sax tone, groovy album!
Boston
4/5
everyone knows all of this, debut packed with bangers
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Such a disappointment after NFR. All the songs are at the same tempo, and sound like overproduced mush. Unnecessary Joni Mitchell cover only highlights the difference in songwriting quality. Shame, barely scrapes a 3
Venom
2/5
Pretty silly, schoolboy stuff. Some of the music sounds like proto-shoegaze; "Buried Alive" could be a comedian reading a Hammer Horror script over early Ride. Other parts sound like Motorhead taking the piss out of a community theater production of Rosemary's Baby. Essential, eh?
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Easy 5 even with the awful last track (I since discovered that is not by Joni at all!). Her voice sounds "softest" here compared to the other '70s classics although the songs are far from "pop". Great album
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
It's a decent sounding Neil Young album but nothing too spectacular. One song sounds a lot like "My Back Pages". Still available on Amazon Music!
5/5
timeless, know every note
Miles Davis
5/5
Needs no comment, the apex of jazz in my limited opinion!
The Cure
3/5
All the songs sound the same, but it's a great song! "Charlotte Sometimes" and "The Hanging Garden" are probably the best examples, both on the singles collection.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Didn't get the love for this at the time, and still think it's a poor effort. Not really "fun" rap like Sugarhill Gang etc. earlier, and pretty weak compared to Public Enemy or even LL Cool J. Boring beats and one-note shouty rhymes, like the similarly overhyped Beastie Boys. Walk This Way is definitive, but only because the original is terrible. Barely scrapes a 3 for historical purposes
Cyndi Lauper
2/5
decent '80s pop album with all the hits, and?
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
More solid overall than Born to Run with sharper tunes. Pretty good
Spiritualized
5/5
loved this when it came out, still have the version with 4 conjoined song suites. The influences seem pretty obvious now and the middle sags a bit, but still an absolute wonder.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Sounds really basic and uninspired - never understood why this guy got any attention. So many superior examples of this type of music are out there, your local bar singer-songwriter can probably do it better. Quite brief, at least
Steely Dan
2/5
The first Steely Dan album I've listened to in full. Sounds like a collection of '70s TV themes. Peg is fun but better when sampled by De La Soul. Seems a bit directionless
Dusty Springfield
2/5
great voice, songs are not worthy of it
Deep Purple
4/5
requires no explanation, perfect if that's what you're in the mood for
Quicksilver Messenger Service
1/5
truly dreadful. First song is one verse of a Bo Diddley song then 20 minutes of uninspired blues noodling. And that's the highlight! Each track gets steadily worse, with awful hippy grunting on top of amateur guitar riffing. 2nd to last track is literally 13 minutes where nothing happens at all, but even this is preferable to the final track which is as brief as it is awful. might be one of the worst albums I have ever endured.
Wilco
2/5
I like some later Wilco albums but this is very basic and uninspired. Some really bad country tinged stuff towards the end that is bar band quality. No need for a double album at all
Chicago
3/5
Not what I expected, being only vaguely-aware of their yacht rock radio songs. Funky, bluesy and psychedelic, like a much-better Small Faces. Lots of this is indulgent jamming, but the good parts are excellent
Pixies
5/5
my favorite Pixies album. The production might be a bit polished for some but the songs are really great (and Gil Norton rules anyway). Fantastic
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
incredible debut; best bits on the Greatest Hits
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
About 60% great songs, 40% constipated funk workouts with terrible vocals, so pretty promising as a RHCP album goes. Many of these tracks are played to death on the radio, but with good reason. Overall, decent result
R.E.M.
5/5
Another one I bought (on the day of release?), 30 years ago now! Was never my favorite REM album, although stuff like Sidewinder and Everybody Hurts has aged fine and was loved at the time despite being viewed as a bit "commercial/embarrassing" in retrospect sometimes. This is all really excellent throughout. Didn't know how good we had it.
Blondie
4/5
incredible singles make this a top notch album. my usual comment re: Greatest Hits applies
The Isley Brothers
4/5
Really good, can hold its own with Innervisions
King Crimson
3/5
prog noodling outweighs good tunes
Public Enemy
5/5
Just incredible - sound, beats, production, lyrics. So many of their best tracks on this (and, by definition, some of the best of rap all-time). Samples from Isaac Hayes to Slayer, fantastic noise - never beaten
Nirvana
3/5
I had an advance tape of this in summer '93 and could only get through it once. Sounds great but the songs aren't really there, and so much whining about being a successful rock star. If only Albini had "recorded" Nevermind..
Queen
3/5
Starting to sound like the classic Queen. Killer Queen is great, of course, and you can hear the origins of Bohemian Rhapsody in Flick of the Wrist/Lily of the Valley. The rest is OK
Leonard Cohen
3/5
hadn't heard this album before, and unfortunately with good reason. Best bits are on Greatest Hits, rest is unremarkable. I love me some Lenny but not this so much
Turbonegro
2/5
sounds like untalented teenagers playing The Hives (if that's not tautologous). If you love sub-South Park childish swearing and rudimentary rock tunes this is the album for you
Elis Regina
2/5
Fairly anonymous light funk/jazz, but in Portuguese. Meh
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
was excited to hear this, unfortunately it's nothing special. Sounds unfinished in parts, as the mix goes in and out. Shame, I really try to like MBV as Kevin Shields is such a good dude, but they always disappoint me somewhat
Johnny Cash
5/5
Really entertaining - one of the best live album atmospheres I've heard captured on record. Started off thinking it might make a interesting listen but nothing more and ended up being the fastest I've bought an album from this list. Great stuff
Tricky
2/5
Totally non-plussed by the hysterical plaudits afforded to this at the time. Sounds like a half-arsed mishmash of key elements already used by Massive Attack and Portishead, with some incongruous Public Enemy to make it sound "hard". Another favorite of student posers angling for street cred by proxy, like the (worse) Finley Quaye. Also responsible for the growth of modern "British hip-hop", perhaps the worst genre in music. Meh for the album and boo for its legacy
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Packed with incredible tunes, all on the Greatest Hits.
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
Gets a 3 from the 3 middle tracks alone - the rest is generously characterized as "experimental". Very creative perhaps but a half-finished sketch of the much better Metal Box to follow
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Bit close to home this one (my sister's giggles open the first track); my least favorite of the three I was involved with by a long way. I encourage people to check out Liberation and (especially) Promenade, which are excellent
The Yardbirds
2/5
Really poor, cover art is probably higher quality than the music. The musicians involved might have gone on to much better things, but this seems to the equivalent of viewing the work of a kindergarten student.
The Verve
4/5
Didn't listen to this very much when it came out but it's aged well and is packed with great tunes. A bit bloated perhaps, but some of their finest melodies are on here. Anyone who likes this should check out the first two albums which are peerless for their time. Great stuff!
Bob Dylan
4/5
Not my default Dylan album to listen to, with Desire or the classic 60s ones more typical. There are lots of great tunes on here but it's a bit less varied than his other great records. I get the praise, but there are better ones!
Beth Orton
2/5
Dull. I even listened to this in a hipster coffee shop and felt nothing
Nine Inch Nails
2/5
Boring, juvenile and quite irritating
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
I guess this was the o.g. but it's still dull white blues. Better than the Yardbirds at least
Bob Dylan
5/5
Wow, one of the best albums of this period. Must have sounded like nothing else at the time. The Rubber Soul to Highway 61's Revolver. Great from start to finish
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
4/5
Had not heard this before but really loved it, perfect for cheering you up if you're in an odd mood. The vibe reminded me of the first Sigur Ros album, although this obviously pre-dates it, and is not hugely similar musically . 4 stars now, will probably become a firm favorite over time.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Kind-of what I expected, virtuoso and very energetic organ, bass and drumming, with ponderous vocals on top. Didn't like it as much as I thought I would, especially with the two terrible pub-rock numbers and unexpected shout-out to the Holocaust. Probably won't listen again
Steely Dan
4/5
much better than Aja in that it has some interesting songs with good melodies, and invents Thin Lizzy along the way. Still quite bland and cheesy but also very enjoyable
OutKast
3/5
The good bits are enjoyable but there is SO MUCH stuff on here it's hard to keep any attention focused. Way too many "interludes" as was the interminable fashion at the time.The Love Below is a bit more varied, Speakerboxxx is better average quality. Stick to the singles probably
John Prine
4/5
Good tunes, biting and funny lyrics. Glad I heard it
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
Reeks of insufferable UK lad trendiness, probably the result of a spoiled suburban brat trying to copy '80s electro tunes on his expensive Korg keyboard. Has a few good spots but mostly boring and annoying. Not sure why this is essential, if you wanted to memorialize what a Lanhdahn wanker was listening to in the late '90s we've already had Finley Quaye and Tricky.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Some of the Stones' best stuff on here. *Almost* justifies the double album but a few early-on bluesy tracks that go nowhere could have been left off. However, Rocks Off, Sweet Virginia, Tumbling Dice, Happy, Torn and Frayed, Shine A Light etc. are easily worth the 5* rating. Hugely influential (looking at you, mid-90's Charlatans and Primal Scream) and lots of fun.
Elastica
1/5
Godawful rip off of Wire, Buzzcocks and The Stranglers (and contemporary Blur in a Hole/Nirvana sense). Becomes steadily worse as it goes on. Totally creatively bankrupt, so disappointing to see this come up on the list. Utter shite
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Incredible sound and great songs to match. The definitive psychedelic Hendrix album
Radiohead
2/5
Didn't hate this as much as In Rainbows, as there were occasional hints of a tune behind the noodling. Still has that awful whine going on - surely no-one can enjoy the "singing" attempted here? And there are far better examples of drone/electronica/experimental music since the late '60s. Highly over-rated crap as ever!
The Fall
5/5
the only Fall album I owned when it came out. contains my favorite Fall song, Paranoia Man, and so many other great tunes. hard to say what's their best but this is up there
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Not what I was expecting, sounds quite modern and perhaps inspired some indie singer songwriters like Phosphorescent and Kings of Convenience that aren't obviously "world music" adjacent. Pretty good
Beastie Boys
3/5
pretty fun as the samples it's made from are unbeatable. the one note whine, whine, whine whine (together) SHOUT delivery is tedious as ever but can mostly be ignored. shame there isn't a vocal-free version
Sam Cooke
4/5
Great sounding record, as good as a greatest hits if it only had What A Wonderful World!
Green Day
3/5
A bit unexciting considering how "influential" it was, not bad tunes though
Bob Dylan
5/5
How can a 21yo write "It's A Hard Rain.."? And include 4-5 other all time classics on one album? Even the longer/less tuneful ones are very entertaining. Just incredible
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
Great concept but the music is too RHCP-adjacent to be truly classic. Always good to hear the best Xmas #1, sets the mood for the season
Ramones
3/5
first three songs are great and set the template for EVERYTHING else, of course. one of those bands for which you appreciate the influence but don't really want to hear again
The Jam
5/5
The best Jam album. Great from start to finish.
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Pleasant but the songs aren't strong enough really to deserve Tracey Thorn's lovely voice - the best one on here by far is a cover. Sounds a bit like later Aztec Camera in parts
Sonic Youth
4/5
One of the best albums of this era - still sounds exciting and not crazily overplayed unlike some others
Kraftwerk
5/5
Is this their best album? Probably first among equals anyway, just fantastic. My kids hate it, such philistines
Various Artists
3/5
I guess you have to grudgingly admire the craft despite me preferring instead to hear a collection of TV themes and/or advertising jingles at least for variety at this point. Please never again...
Lauryn Hill
4/5
captures a point in time perfectly, unique and lots of fun althogh a bit overlong. again, we didn't know how
good we had it.. for some reason this album sounds like the pre-9/11 world more than any other and I love it for that and everything else
Ghostface Killah
3/5
music is pretty good, quite psychedelic in places and with fun samples. Vocals are unfortunately really cartoonish so overall it's not really for me. Who gives a fuck about Tony Stark?
Soft Cell
4/5
Three of the best synth tunes of the '80s on this, add Torch and you've got a best of. Would happily never hear Tainted Love again if offered, but hey... Rest is OK if a bit simple
The Kinks
3/5
clearly the transition point between beat rockers and multi-instrumental whimsy, hints at the great stuff yet to come but not essential
fIREHOSE
1/5
not what I expected, and much worse than I could have guessed. just dreadful, who likes this shit?
Radiohead
2/5
not more Radiohead.. this is just one dull indie tune after another, although the shitty whine vocals suit these better perhaps e.g. Bones than their try-hard wanna be avant garde later crap
Deerhunter
2/5
pretty generic indie sounds of its era, nothing too exciting and not much different from Monomania (which is better). not sure why these people are considered "influential?
Gene Clark
2/5
Heard this before, hoping it would be of similar quality to "No Other". Unfortunately more like a 2nd-rate Dylan album. Starting to doubt the compiler of this list's definition of "essential"..
TV On The Radio
5/5
To my ears one of the best albums this century. Could be a Prince/Bowie collaboration at the height of their powers, and I don't say that lightly. I know every note and it's all fantastic
The Sugarcubes
3/5
decent if a bit unmemorable '80s indie with those crazy vocals on top. Birthday is great rest is meh
Tom Waits
3/5
It's OK but I much prefer his barfly period to the Beefheart one. The songs aren't really that much fun to listen to, and it's not as clever as it thinks it is, a bit one-note in theme and sound. Contrast to e.g. Closing Time which is up there with the best ever
Metallica
2/5
I guess this is technically impressive but the style leaves me cold, and it all sounds a bit silly and pretty fucking irritating. The band seem like dickheads, to make it even less attractive
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Incredible collection of songs, how did they crank out so many monsters so quickly? Banger after banger, with all the greats included on Chronicle Vol 1.
Nick Drake
4/5
lovely stuff, too few Nick Drake songs exist and some of the most beautiful are on here
Billy Bragg
5/5
Loved this as an 11yo, due to Smash Hits regularly featuring the Bard of Barking for some reason! Exactly the musician we needed in the Thatcher years, and I for one think his voice is perfect for the material. Shirley!
Willie Nelson
4/5
Melancholy country ballads, a classic sound with the godlike Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain as the ultimate example
Lou Reed
5/5
Drags itself over the 5* line, as half of the songs are fabulous and Bowie has never produced a clunker. Hangin' Round is my favorite, somehow, and the whole thing is kinda the evil twin of Hunky Dory
Bob Marley & The Wailers
1/5
I really don't like (this?) reggae. Sounds like simplistic (and stupid) children's music, and endlessly derivative of the same ingredients. I don't like Marley's voice, or the horrible backing singing, or the pidgin lyrics. Just fucking sucks
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Another banger all the way through just like Lady Soul
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Great goth-pop album, would have loved this when I was younger. Spellbound is the highlight
Sigur Rós
5/5
Incredible, used to listen to this while working through the night, perfect soundtrack. I can replay every note and phonetic vocal in my head. Just so good, Olsen Olsen in particular is untouchable
Deep Purple
3/5
grungy blues/metal that probably sounded great at the time, highlight is the awesome psychedelic Child In Time which is as good as anything else they've done
10cc
2/5
I've always kinda hated 10cc, and this is a good example of why. Weak tunes that have lots of different (but pointless) sections, crappy schoolboy "funny" lyrics delivered as if they were written by Noel Coward or something, all with jokey, vaguely-racist overtones. They are the anti-ELO; trying so hard to be clever and virtuosic but ending up cheesy, awkward and boring as shit. As if Noel Edmonds and Dave Lee Travis formed a band. Pretty fucking irritating, saved from a 1* due to their Strawberry Studios legacy. I fear this list will have more albums from these losers
Metallica
2/5
I hate Metallica. Their earlier albums were irritating, this is just boring one-note ponderous tedium. The singer sucks, the lyrics are amateur schoolboy crap, and the production sounds better with the '90s Phil Collins material it was developed for. Please no more from these shitheads
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
Mostly aimless jazz noodling, not great apart from The Bottle and some Watergate ranting later on. On Amazon Music if you're looking for it
Radiohead
1/5
The OG Emperor's New Clothes bullshit. Initially sounded better than I remembered, but sure enough the tuneless whining began in earnest. Just dreadful and so derivative, e.g. forgot about the pointless glissando piano on the last track obviously stolen from Mercury Rev. I bet there's another 2 or 3 turds from these fuckers left on this list for me to endure. Ughh...
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Lots going on here, much of it great. Contains my favorite FM song "Sara" and many weird and wonderful others. Works hard for that 5*
The Who
2/5
Sounds pretty good for a live album; it's still The Who though so the songs aren't up to much and are pretty long without much of interest happening
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
Arctic Monkeys cover Belle & Sebastian ca. 2005. Unmemorable
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
so many incredible sounding tunes on here, sags a bit but well worth 5
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
sounds pretty much as expected, generic samba/western crossover, not bad and an inspiration to Rod Stewart and others
Jethro Tull
4/5
Much better than the widespread scorn from '90s music press would suggest. Beats Metallica any day and inspired me to check out their other work. Some of this is a bit pervy, and it's not clear if it's pro- or anti-pervert, but hey, '70s lyrics..
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Harrowing and quite beautiful in places, parts reminiscent of Tom Waits and Sigur Ros. Tough but enjoyable over all
Paul Simon
5/5
My favorite album when I was 12, even got to see the tour at the Royal Albert Hall, anti-apartheid protesters and all! Still love it to death
The Incredible String Band
1/5
Dreadful - twee folky background tunes with weird noises on top. The sound quality is awful, the singer is terrible and the songs go on forever without mercy. A shame as I probably like much of what this inspired - perhaps this is The Velvet Underground and Nico for folkies, but regardless it's one of the worst things I've ever heard.
The Prodigy
4/5
A total design classic. Heard it everywhere non stop through about 2002, and very lucky to stumble across them at their peak in a field in Portugal around June '96. Bangin'
Yes
3/5
sounds like pretty basic rock with extra steps. not as much fun as eg Jethro Tull or Queen but OK
Lenny Kravitz
1/5
I remember this guy being forced down the record-buying public's throat back in the late '80s, and was very confused as to why anyone wanted a 3rd-rate Prince/Hendrix/Stevie wedding singer/elementary school lyricist. Music for people who hate music. I've done greater crowd-pleasing farts than "Freedom Train" or "Fear". "Be" and the subsequent tracks are almost crimes against humanity. Obviously a dumb rich kid who just needed a hard slap at the appropriate moment; unfortunately we're stuck with the consequences of bad parenting. I hesitate to give this a 1* as it distinguishes it from just another boring effort, but this is *passively terrible* (compared to e.g. Radiohead which are more interesting through being actively awful) and I wish it never existed. Fuck off Lenny
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Fucking great, the best of American punk by far. Crazy I got to live in CA more than 30 years later, and Jerry Brown was still governor! Luckily the suede/denim secret police had been abolished by that period
Kanye West
2/5
went into this with an open mind but, Christ, this is terrible. bland smug irritating juvenalia. I guess this confirms my prejudice about post-2000 pop music, hip hop in particular. consumerist trash composed by a tedious dickhead, the aural equivalent of his ex-wife
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
the Young tracks are great (all on Decade), the Stills tracks are OK and the rest is pretty poor especially the James Brown pastiche one. weird to think of a period when Neil Young wasn't established, he must have really stood out as the talented one here
Genesis
4/5
Prog Monday continues (Tull, Yes and now Genesis)! My uncle used to play this when I was a kid, so I have fond memories. First half is really great, if totally up its own arse. Battle of Epping Forest is pretty stupid and knocks it down a point.
Slade
3/5
better than expected but still pretty generic meat'n'potatoes stompers from the glam rock AC/DC. bonus tracks are terrible
Arcade Fire
4/5
Really liked this when it came out, perhaps because I saw them live many times with various indie luminaries of the age (The National! The Killers! Wolf Parade! Modest Mouse!). It's still pretty good although parts are a bit over-earnest and awkward.
The Smiths
5/5
gotta give this top marks despite Moz's worst instincts, esp. as Andy Rourke puts in such sterling work to define their best set of tunes
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
More solid overall than Born to Run with sharper tunes. Pretty good
Al Green
3/5
Contains the title track, a Bee Gees song, and seven others in very similar vein. Great voice, obvs., but as a wise man once said "stick to the Greatest Hits"
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Packed with incredible tunes, all on the Greatest Hits.
Korn
1/5
Really terrible. Starts out as generic boring whine/grunt schoolboy nonsense, then Fred fucking Durst shows up and it goes rapidly down a puerile hill to sub-1* quality. Makes sense they are from Bakersfield, this dross is the perfect sonic analogue of that shithole.
Boston
4/5
everyone knows all of this, debut packed with bangers
Elliott Smith
2/5
Very poor, extremely wussy effort. He puts as much effort into songwriting as I do into these reviews. Part-way through there are a couple of maybe "diss tracks" that are so weak they make you want to kick sand in his face yourself. Get it together dude, you're shit but who cares?
Jeff Beck
2/5
Ever wondered what the first Led Zeppelin album would sound like if they forgot to write any decent songs and got Rod Stewart to sing them instead? Me neither. At least there's a comedy version of Greensleeves on here for light relief.
Jacques Brel
4/5
If you're looking for melodramatic ditties belted out in French, there is no better option. Such a great voice and incredible theatrical delivery! Knew a few of these from much inferior cover versions in English. Excellent in small doses, great recommendation. Like a number of Gallic cultural high points he was, of course, actually Belgian.
Queen
3/5
Starting to sound like the classic Queen. Killer Queen is great, of course, and you can hear the origins of Bohemian Rhapsody in Flick of the Wrist/Lily of the Valley. The rest is OK
Eagles
2/5
The famous songs are the good ones. Last song is truly awful. Polar opposite of Rumors - here the bad reputation is well-deserved
Nina Simone
5/5
Amazing collection of songs on here. Bowie's version of the title track will never be beaten but it's great to hear where he got the whole thing from. Contrast with Break Down And Let It All Out which is as good as any Motown song of the era. Just excellent
Blondie
4/5
incredible singles make this a top notch album. my usual comment re: Greatest Hits applies
Miriam Makeba
3/5
good voice nice tunes not hugely memorable
Nitin Sawhney
1/5
this is pretty terrible, boring Casio keyboard drum'n'bass with rote Indian thematic touches and a dash of pretentious samples thrown in for bad measure. down with the worst of pseudo-trendy UK music ca. 2000, dull dull dull
Turbonegro
2/5
sounds like untalented teenagers playing The Hives (if that's not tautologous). If you love sub-South Park childish swearing and rudimentary rock tunes this is the album for you
James Brown
2/5
Nice to hear some James Brown that aren't the same old overplayed cliche tunes. Still not very interesting however
Talking Heads
3/5
Textbook debut album - the pieces are there but not yet aligned, the songs are callow and not fully formed. Singles are great, the rest are a work in progress and pretty interchangeable. Amazing how much better they got so quickly
Missy Elliott
3/5
A time capsule from the late '90s. Quite enjoyable but not very memorable.
Beatles
5/5
The Beatles album I play the most, for some reason. Lots of great songs, some casual misogyny, would have sounded like nothing else when it came out. Their first great one from start to finish(ish)
The Fall
3/5
Didn't enjoy this as much as I had hoped. Knew all the highlights already (which are great), the rest sounded like, well, The Fall. As the man said: "always different, always the same". Maybe I'm just not in a Fall mood today.
Booker T. & The MG's
2/5
might be an interesting historical document, but was it really essential that I hear a Hammond organ noodling its way aimlessly around an Acker Bilk tune? doesn't even have the cricket theme on this one. hence, 2 stars given although perhaps a bit stingy
Janelle Monáe
4/5
I regarded the hour-plus runtime with a heavy sigh, but this went by very quickly and was highly enjoyable! So many different sounds and styles in here, including unexpected dalliances with folk music and showtunes, with the occasional bad English accent for some reason. Hints of Outkast and Prince keep it poppy. Not the kind of record I expected to be made these days, will check out her other work
Fela Kuti
2/5
can there be *too much* drumming, despite the quality of said percussion? the evidence presented here points to a solid "yes". another stingy 2*
Le Tigre
3/5
forgot I owned this, I guess I liked it when it came out. kinda punky and fun but sounds a bit like a kids daycare chorus
Lorde
1/5
"Dad, can we have Taylor Swift please please please?"
"No, we have Taylor Swift at home"
Taylor Swift at home: Lorde
Couldn't wait for this to finish, not a single tune to be found on it. Antonoff production style is much better on my girl Lana's efforts, which also generously include melodies. Utter dogshit
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Some of the Stones' best stuff on here. *Almost* justifies the double album but a few early-on bluesy tracks that go nowhere could have been left off. However, Rocks Off, Sweet Virginia, Tumbling Dice, Happy, Torn and Frayed, Shine A Light etc. are easily worth the 5* rating. Hugely influential (looking at you, mid-90's Charlatans and Primal Scream) and lots of fun.
Aerosmith
2/5
Tedious pervert Steven Tyler's screeching is one of the worst sounds in music. These songs are worse than horrible, they are deathly dull. Fuck Aerosmith
The Flaming Lips
4/5
didn't like this as much as I did when it came out; still features three absolute bangers with "What Is The Light" as the highlight. really went off The Lips when I saw them live about 10 years later and Coyne was such a screeching preening dickhead, more interested in wandering around the audience in a fucking plastic bubble than singing anything approaching a tuneful vocal. left after 15 minutes and have hardly listened to them since
Bob Dylan
5/5
Wow, one of the best albums of this period. Must have sounded like nothing else at the time. The Rubber Soul to Highway 61's Revolver. Great from start to finish
Cheap Trick
2/5
Not sure why this album exists - Cheap Trick have about 3 good songs (1 on this), pretty basic rock fare with no significant enhancements discernible in the live delivery captured here, the record itself wasn't supposed to be released in the US in the first place, and it wasn't even recorded at Budokan! The record-buying public are weird..
The Velvet Underground
5/5
incredible album, especially good to hear those tracks sequenced again
Joni Mitchell
5/5
What is there to say? Easily one of my favorite albums at any point in my life, and if I don't listen to it that much any more it's only because I can play the whole thing in my mind without effort. Contains, in my opinion, three of the finest songs ever written in "Carey", "The Last Time I Saw Richard" and, of course, "A Case Of You", and when the worst song on this by far is the global standard "River" you can't really nitpick. Despite that, I'm not even sure this is her greatest work - such an incredible talent!
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I seem to prefer Elvis Costello in small chunks, the albums never hold my full attention. His voice is far more idiosyncratic than Dylan's ever was, and the songs can be a bit unimaginative. Nonetheless, there are a good few bangers on here; a stingy 3*
Gary Numan
4/5
really enjoyable *mood* on this album, like Replicants it's all the same tune but it's a great tune
Orbital
3/5
this takes me back, playing in the room of every cool kid in college in the early days before we all figured out that nobody among us was really cool at all. Typical Orbital, ravey but pleasant and melodic without being too challenging, not bad really although the vocal samples are pretty annoying in places
Beastie Boys
3/5
pretty fun as the samples it's made from are unbeatable. the one note whine, whine, whine whine (together) SHOUT delivery is tedious as ever but can mostly be ignored. shame there isn't a vocal-free version
Paul Weller
2/5
Obviously this list was put together by a Brit, because what the fuck? Musically, equivalent to featuring Hootie and the Blowfish or Blues Traveler on the list, and equally inessential. I remember playing the first Weller solo album to a lifelong Jam fan, and he remarked it was as bad as finding out Hendrix was really Eric Clapton in blackface and a wig all along. This one isn't quite as bad, just boring - and being from the '90s CD era, chugs along forever without any quality control. I bet there's more of these on the list, yuk.. hopefully no Stereophonics or Shed 7
Nick Drake
4/5
lovely stuff, too few Nick Drake songs exist and some of the most beautiful are on here
Radiohead
2/5
not more Radiohead.. this is just one dull indie tune after another, although the shitty whine vocals suit these better perhaps e.g. Bones than their try-hard wanna be avant garde later crap
Afrika Bambaataa
2/5
Probably groundbreaking at the time, but now sounds like less than the sum of its parts. It's OK
Rush
4/5
great set of tunes
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
Have to admit, I really liked this when it came out - the sound of Euro '96 and associated bad decisions! It's still pretty great although some of the lyrics and the Transatlantic/Welsh vocals can be a bit cheesy. Lots of heart-on-sleeve bangers on here if you like that kind of thing, especially Kevin Carter, Australia, Further Away and the last one. 4 (real)
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Difficult to evaluate in the proper context, as it sounds *so much* like the music it inspired afterwards. Unique (at the time) production and guitar work (the first of their two outstanding guitarists), basically invented goth and post-punk. A generous 4 for its huge influence
Billy Joel
2/5
Aha - several of my friends' dads had this record when I was little (I thought the cover was creepy), but I have never listened to it before as far as I know. Goes off a cliff quite quickly, most of the songs are pretty terrible with lyrics so bad they could be performance art. Sesame Street parodies Paul Simon, perhaps. Movin' Out is great though
3/5
I guess this counts as a legendary bootleg of a historic concert, and that's great, but even to a dogged Dylan fan who enjoys their share of live albums (the Rolling Thunder Revue ones are fabulous, as is the gloriously weird At Budokan) this is hard work without the visuals, especially as the all-important "heckles" bizzarely aren't obvious on this version. That Thin, Wild Mercury Sound really was lightning in a bottle..
Amy Winehouse
1/5
More Brit bias evident here. Who cares about this trash? No tunes and an irritating voice, try-hard wannabe '60s lounge singer doomed to sound like a bad parody. I put on Neil Young's "Trans" as a palate cleanser after enduring this, a flawed flash of originality that has infinitely greater claim to be on this list. Ho hum
The Rolling Stones
5/5
The one Stones album I really consider essential, if not actually my favorite. The first half is perfectly sleazy, with Country Honk and the title track especially cementing my case for the Stones as the ultimate dive bar band. You Got The Silver is the purest distillation of their sound at the time (even with Keef doing the singing) and it's book-ended by a pair of classics. Excellent stuff
Fairport Convention
5/5
Love this, I sometimes think there is no better sound in popular music than Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson together. Fairport basically invented the modern folk genre on this record (for better or worse!), their third of 1969 (and they're all great!), and it's highly entertaining throughout. So many classics on here, esp. Matty Groves which is fucking savage. I could play this all day long. A good week so far!
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
I was fascinated by FGTH as a 9yo; they seemed very naughty and had a ubiquitous media presence - "cool" t-shirts, a weird video game and two raucous videos (Relax and Two Tribes) that hinted of worlds I knew nothing about. The singles were perfect, Holly Johnson's vocals just right for Trevor Horn's never better high-NRG production. This album didn't quite match up to that excitement, although the title track in particular is still great 40 years later. I don't mind the covers as much as others did at the time; indeed, War, Ferry Cross the Mersey and Born To Run (especially) are my go-to versions as they work better in these slightly sped-up and cheeky takes. The rest is not very good, and the single version of Two Tribes remains much better than the one on here. Regardless, a nostalgic 4 for one of the most entertaining bands of the '80s
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Some classics, pretty misogynistic in places!
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
Arctic Monkeys cover Belle & Sebastian ca. 2005. Unmemorable
3/5
I've always thought this was a bit shit, having endured the Champagne Supernonsense herein since its pre-release tape. Asinine pub rock lad anthems with leaden production, the template for the rest of their sorry existence. So many stolen riffs and melodies make this a veritable Paul's Boutique of dad rock. 3* grudgingly awarded due to the presence of their last great tune Some Might Say, which is the only track on here to feature the original drummer. Perhaps he was the one with the talent all along?
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
interminable and indistinguishable elementary garage rock. Each track is somehow less interesting and more sophomoric than the previous. How this guy continues to have a career amazes me. Perhaps people think he's "cool", but surely not "talented"?
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Another banger all the way through just like Lady Soul
Elvis Costello
3/5
Living up to my usual tropes re: Elvis Costello, debut albums and Greatest Hits. The tracks from here included on Girls, Girls, Girls are wonderful, the rest very meh particularly those that take a dead end into pop country and rockabilly. Keep trying Elvis!
David Bowie
5/5
Yay! A great one for the weekend. Sometimes my favorite Bowie album (although you'll probably read that again), just a collection of great-sounding and perfectly-constructed songs. Loud, sharp and virtuoso band keep it tight and, frankly, thrilling with Mike Garson's work on here just incredible (check out King Crimson's Cat Food for something in the same ballpark). Drive-in Saturday could be my favorite tune if you had a gun to my head, and even the Rolling Stones cover deserves its place. Love it love it love it! Best album cover ever also to boot?
PS nerd observation: this was the only RYKO remaster in the '90s not to include any bonus tracks, I think. Perhaps they couldn't find anything to add to the perfection already present
Little Simz
4/5
Now here's a surprise, a British hip-hop album that isn't mortifyingly-awful. Fresh, tuneful and inventive, I enjoyed this quite a lot. Her flow is really good and the usually-embarrassing parochialisms aren't too clumsy here. Dragged down a bit as the obvious American slurs still sound a bit silly (think: reverse Dick van Dyke in Mary Poppins), but overall pretty good and pleasantly concise.
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
sounds pretty much as expected, generic samba/western crossover, not bad and an inspiration to Rod Stewart and others
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Haven't heard this in ages, from an excitable period in my life when classic albums were released almost daily, it seemed. So good, beautiful production with vocals that are both more relaxed and more assured compared to their earlier stuff, and tunes that are almost poppy. Never quite as good again, captured here perfectly. As someone once said, this makes Kate Bush sound like heavy metal, and it's a good trick. Lovely.
Joan Armatrading
3/5
nice album from an often forgotten 70s talent. Probably stick to the Greatest Hits though
The Doors
3/5
I find The Doors are like Marmite: some people love 'em, some people despise them instinctively. Me, I think they've got some great tunes on occasion. Pretty good album, love me some Peace Frog. Could happily never hear Roadhouse Blues again. Mainly reminds me of trying to get off with hippy chicks at the Whirl-y-gig, while 15 and wearing tie-dyed shirts from Kensington Market. Good times
The Temptations
2/5
Of all the classic Motown bands I find The Temptations to be the hardest work. Maybe it's because they're not as distinctive as the others, and have interchangeable members? This is fine but not nearly as interesting as Cloud Nine or e.g. Sly and the Family Stone, and quite slow and unexciting with it
Talking Heads
3/5
Getting better, the sound is in place but the songs are still a bit off. Take Me To The River is the definitive version. Stingy 3*
Pearl Jam
3/5
never really sat down and listened to this before although it was on in the background constantly through 1992 it seemed. Alive and Black carry this through the 3* barrier, the rest sounds like Guns'n'Roses playing Neil Young at times (appropriately enough). I think they got better, I remember quite liking the avocado one
The Associates
3/5
if this album was consistent it would be up there with some of the best of the '80s. Sadly, it's all over the place but the high points are incredible. Is there a more exciting intro to a pop record than the jangle piano on Party Fears Two? A more entertaining vocal performance than on Club Country? Why aren't bands ambitious like this any more? Refrigeration keeps you young, I'm told
The Doors
4/5
Discovered that I own this, and "Waiting For The Sun"; I guess I am a secret Doors fan unbeknownst even to myself. Gotta agree this is a high quality debut and admit I am quite fond of the organ. Docked a point for that godawful Brecht/Weill number. Highlight is (most of) The End which was used so perfectly in Apocalypse Now that I play the opening bars in my mind whenever I see a cluster of palm trees, excitedly waiting for the napalm. Quite a burden if you lived in SoCal. The horror, the horror
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
I used to really like "Layla" (the guitar melody catching my imagination as a kid, and the piano coda revealing itself as the really good bit over time). Not so much any more - gotta grimly appreciate how ol' racisthand ensures the sole highlight of this album now sounds terrible by mere association with the other crap on it. Tedious white blues, southern fried guitar wankery and horrible bloat make for an unpleasant mix. Shite
PS do you think Hendrix got an advance tape? "Little Wing" on here could certainly make me vomit in my sleep
GZA
3/5
This sounds really good in the background but the individual tracks don't have much for me that stands out. And again with the Tony Stark references - grow up dudes
Deerhunter
2/5
pretty generic indie sounds of its era, nothing too exciting and not much different from Monomania (which is better). not sure why these people are considered "influential?
Franz Ferdinand
2/5
From a deathly dull period in music when tired old men re-discovered Gang of Four, Wire and other post-punk luminaries, put on tight trousers and had wild success for no apparent reason. As you can probably tell, I do not like this and am perplexed by its popularity. Kapranos reminds me of a low-resolution Jarvis facsimile, a sinister middle-ager fronting a band 10 years older than their peers, who never gave up and got a real job. Not worth a 1* as it's all pretty harmless, acceptably short, but also quite rubbish.
Dire Straits
3/5
The sound of summer '85 in my dad's new Renault 25 (the car that actually spoke to you, kinda like KITT!). Really used to love this - those cool animated guys in the Money For Nothing video, the hilarious sports accidents in the Walk of Life video, the video for the title track that was like the A-ha one but not really, and the generally agreeable other songs that played while I waited for the ones I liked to come back on. What a great summer! Discovered shortly afterwards this was actually Terrible Corporate Boring Wallpaper Music, realized I should hate it, and never listened to it again. Today, I still skew towards the latter but appreciate the craft, at least. Money For Nothing really sucks though, fucking Sting
Bob Marley & The Wailers
1/5
Didn't hate this as much as the other one. Still sounds juvenile and boring as hell. Never want to hear it, or anything like it, again
Silver Jews
3/5
Have never really listened to the post-Natural Bridge era of Silver Jews, as there are only so many hours available in one lifetime. Part of a subgenre I skillfully christen "depressed baritone country-adjacent indie warbling", also inhabited by other talented and prodigious practitioners such as Will Oldham and Bill Callahan. When they're on their game, they can be transcendent; when they're not, it's never bad but also not very memorable. This falls into the latter camp. If you like this at all, please check out Purple Mountains, sadly David Berman's ultimate masterpiece, an easy 5*. This one - a generous 3
Billy Bragg
5/5
Loved this as an 11yo, due to Smash Hits regularly featuring the Bard of Barking for some reason! Exactly the musician we needed in the Thatcher years, and I for one think his voice is perfect for the material. Shirley!
Eric Clapton
2/5
Was obviously thrilled to get this, seeing as it combines two of my recent passions: Eric Clapton and Bob Marley. Surprisingly, this sounds more like the latter; no endless solos here but also very little else. So laid back it's subterranean, perhaps this is the prototype for every beach shack band I've encountered from Waikiki to Calangute. White dad jam musician heaven. Not great
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Hard to criticize this in context, as it's high quality stuff. If ever I want to listen to prime Sinatra I know where to go. However, you can see why the advent of rock'n'roll was so exciting in the late '50s. My youngest, with no prompting from me, opined that this was "boring music for dads; just because he's a good singer doesn't make it a good song" following up with "jazz is badz". He then requested some Ty Segall. I guess that when Sinatra sings, against Nelson Riddle strings, the youth really do wish he would take a vacation. Unpick that Mark!
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
About 60% great songs, 40% constipated funk workouts with terrible vocals, so pretty promising as a RHCP album goes. Many of these tracks are played to death on the radio, but with good reason. Overall, decent result
The Vines
2/5
Wasn't as bad as I feared, mainly because it's quite short. Sounds like a high school band playing their favorite '90s tunes in the local scout hut. Fair enough, I suppose, but I've seen friends in bands with much more talent and originality have no success, so it seems a bit unfair that something so elementary and derivative can make this bunch of drongos quite rich.
Tom Waits
4/5
Chronologically, the last Tom Waits album I own. Right on the precipice before he chose atmosphere over tunes, there's plenty to love here although you can feel the van Vliet starting to poke through.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Liked this a bit better than Raising Hell, probably because it sounds more "electro" and closer to Sugarhill stuff. Funny to think this was "hardcore rap" once upon a time, quite dull overall from a modern perspective
Iron Butterfly
4/5
top drawer psychedelic workouts plus a contender for the baddest riff of all time, and inspiration for my favorite Simpsons gag. This is some good rock and/or roll!
CHVRCHES
2/5
Recognized this from LA hipster radio about a decade ago. "Morning Becomes Eclectic", yeah buddy if you consider Tikka Masala "spicy". The good bits sound like a dry run for Taylor Swift, and those are few and far between.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
So many great tunes, would have been incredible to be around at that point with classic songs being dished out daily. Most of this would be on a Greatest Hits
Björk
2/5
I used to REALLY hate this, now I just find it mildly annoying. You can call that personal growth. A couple of minor tunes, lots of irritating half-arsed trip hop and dumb *look at me* pixie vocals. "Play Dead" is the good one, and it's not even on the original release. I remain convinced she's basically a con-artist, preying on idiot male music journalists with her well-practiced faux-ingenue Icelandic affect. Poor, but not worth an aneurysm.
KISS
2/5
Easy to make fun of, and with good reason. Opener "Detroit Rock City" is clearly the template for Spinal Tap's (much better) "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight". Rest of it sounds like typical Alice Cooper musical theater. Indeed, I'm starting to spot the easy cliches in the Ezrin production style - hopefully Berlin isn't ruined for me.
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
One of those albums where every song has been my favorite at some point. I remember how magical it seemed hearing this quite early on before anyone really knew who they were, like stumbling upon a forgotten classic from another time. I don't think they made another record nearly as good, although they all have their moments. This one is perfect.
Mark - tell me how wrong I am!
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
My Daisy Age disappointment continues. This is better than their debut but still pretty unmemorable. You probably had to be there, and I wasn't
The Temptations
3/5
great to hear some of the origins of psychedelic soul
Common
3/5
Knew some of this from pop radio - quite jazzy and tuneful, although more of a vibe than full of bangers; closer to Maxwell than the Wu-Tang. Wasn't quite feeling it at the beginning, but it won me over. Pretty good! Docked a point as some lyrics have not aged well at all..
Fishbone
2/5
Pretty horrible, hated most of this. Constipated metal funk, evidently the inspiration for many dreadful bands that followed. Obviously good musicians so just scrapes a 2. Boo
Hookworms
2/5
Embarrassed to admit, I actually own this - bought on the strength of a live session at the time. Sounded quite good on the radio, couldn't really make out the sad boy lyrics. They were really lauded when this came out and then totally disappeared - *looks up why* - aha, makes sense! About as good as a mediocre Charlatans album
Pulp
5/5
With the list so heavily Brit-biased, I can at least get on board with this one. Finest Britpop-era band by a country mile, and a great album that has kept its thrills over the decades. Common People is such a brilliant song, never stops building momentum. Can still recall the fun of hearing this album for the first time at college, interchangeable sleeve photos and all. I Spy, Disco 2000, Live Bed Show; friends all seeming quite into the mild perviness within, heady times. The year 2000 was a long way away! Funnily enough, I'd seen Pulp live a few times several years prior and thought nothing much of them. Caught them once or twice again in this period and they were majestic. Still think His'n'Hers is even better tho'
Guns N' Roses
4/5
timeless, does anyone not like this?
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
The genesis of my Elvis Costello experience: teenager hears Oliver's Army on the radio (they used to play this on the radio, without any bleeps!), hooked in by the piano flourishes goes and gets this album out from the local library (on cassette!), is really excited by the first track but then swiftly learns the universal lesson: (say it with me) - The Good Bits Are On Girls, Girls, Girls.
Rounded up, as the good bits on this are pretty great
Robert Wyatt
2/5
very experimental and, unfortunately, quite unpleasant to listen to
Emmylou Harris
3/5
My favorite voice in country music, just exquisite. I know her work with others more than her own albums, so this was a welcome find. Some beautiful songs esp. Boulder To Birmingham and the Beatles cover. No doubt the wonderful Dylan album "Desire" is on this list, but if not it's a required listen if you love her voice as much as I do.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Never heard of this guy, but I did know the title track. Cool swing/jazz vibe but tunes go on way too long. Probably taught Booker T and his MGs a thing or two, and quite a few soul groups as well
Miles Davis
3/5
glad I got to hear it, probably won't listen to it again anytime soon
Mott The Hoople
4/5
Mott the Hoople are a weird one - started life as a meat'n'potatoes rock band much like early Slade, then got lucky at the last minute with a Bowie song, glammed it up and never looked back (for a while). Ian Hunter can't really sing, but his voice sounds great in context. Weirdly self-mythologizing, about of half of their big glam songs seem to be tales of hardship in their workhorse period, as if they were folk heroes returning from a foreign war or something. Obviously, stick to the Greatest Hits, but fully 50% of this album is on there. Have a 4 for the greatest hits (check out Roll Away The Stone, my favorite glam song, Bowie included) and for the fabulous album cover!
The Hives
3/5
my kids (who have never heard of this band and are unusually amenable to garage rock) think this is really good. I (who heard it 20+ years ago, and much of what it steals from decades before), do not. I record here the average
Hole
3/5
Starts well, goes downhill. Not as good as Live Through This
Led Zeppelin
5/5
One of the first albums I bought on CD, essentially because I got "Hammer of the Gods" out of the library one summer and was obsessed with the band despite having never really heard them (!). Luckily, this was an excellent choice. Goddam, what a record - the sound, the songs, the atmosphere all incredible. "Friends", "Since I've Been Loving You", "Gallows Pole", "Tangerine" - can play all of this in my head from memory despite having not heard it for 30 years. Is it my favorite? Probably. Is it their best? Probably, although there are a few contenders. Just fucking great, so happy to spend time with it in full again. Could only be better if it included "Hey, Hey, What Can I Do?" but that's what playlists are for
R.E.M.
5/5
Another one I have committed to memory, with my REM phase following my Led Zep phase, appropriately enough - although I do still listen to this on occasion. As a youngster, I was amazed by the jangly sound and the clever melodies, and "Laughing" is still probably my favorite song of this style from anyone. So good, it seemed to me that REM were not of this planet, and they cast me firmly into the depths of the indieworld. I have never investigated the lyrics, so this album remains mostly a phonetic collage (probably for the better). Can't believe I never saw them live, stupidly giving away tickets to the Hollywood Bowl at the twilight of their career. Moron
Q-Tip
2/5
It seems that I really don't like Q-Tip's music (3rd record on here including the Tribe Called Quest ones) - it's kinda boring and his voice is annoying. I was surprised to see the date on this one - the guests and the style sound very late '90s, consistent with the general tedium characteristic of that era. Not a winner
Alice In Chains
3/5
One of those grunge bands I never bothered listening to at the time, assuming they sounded like Soundgarden, maybe with some Guns'n'Roses and/or Metallica thrown in. How right I was! Turned out I did know the last track, thinking it was Soundgarden anyway. I don't hate this, as it's fairly melodic, but it's basically *grunt* *bass thump* *wibbly guitar* *heroin* for an hour
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Eh, shouldn't really be on here, it's closer to a collection of demos than a great album. I grabbed a bootleg of this after playing "If You're Feeling Sinister" to death, and was sorely disappointed. Such an awful cover photo too. Probably ruined them for Mark now, thanks a lot..
Marvin Gaye
5/5
I've thought highly of this for a good while although don't really listen to it that much. Reading its back story, and that of Marvin Gaye in general, surprised me how radical this album actually was. Of course, it also contains some great tunes. A bit preachy but can't really ding it for that. And, what a piece of shit David Ruffin was! Full marks here
The Rolling Stones
3/5
the only "classic period " Stones record I have never owned. Mostly filler, to me this album has a far higher miss/hit ratio than "Exile". Hot Rocks has the essentials. Sorry, Brian
Tito Puente
4/5
Pretty much as expected but lots of fun. Puente is the classic sound of Latin jazz
Elton John
3/5
Love me some classic Elton but this doesn't really make the cut. First two are great, rest is typical '70s Reg - clumsy but oddly endearing lyrics and some pleasant tunes. Broken record on this topic, but Tumbleweed Connection is the forgotten masterpiece!
The Byrds
3/5
One of those "classics" I've never spent any time with. A few songs are decent but it mainly sounds like parody and gets quite irritating. Gram Parson's solo records are a bit better, probably due to Emmylou Harris. Generous 3
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Really? Karaoke R&B covers, would have preferred the opportunity to hear literally *anything* else instead. Not mean spirited enough to give a 1* as the efforts are technically OK and I like the cover photo, but damn close. No more completist crap please
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Love all of this ("The Murder Mystery" included), probably the VU album I listen to most (sorry, John and/or Mark). I could play "What Goes On" on repeat ad infinitum, love that proto-Motorik drone groove (see also "Foggy Notion" elsewhere). Just so good
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
Not bad, more varied than I would have guessed due to the two somewhat incongruous soul numbers in the middle, one of which is either a weird love song to Stevie Wonder or a Rutles-level sarcastic parody. The highlights you know and can be found on any Sugarhill compliation.
Curtis Mayfield
2/5
So In Love and Hard Times are pretty good, rest movin' on down
The Sugarcubes
3/5
decent if a bit unmemorable '80s indie with those crazy vocals on top. Birthday is great rest is meh
Pretenders
2/5
I've always found Hynde's vocal style quite irritating, and their debut doesn't have much in the way of tunes to redeem this, many tracks seemingly an exercise in attitude over content. Best song on here is by The Kinks, one my kids know all too well. They got better, but this is not great.
Gorillaz
1/5
I expected the worst, but: fuck me, this is *terrible*
Blur
4/5
The sound of summer 1994, very proud I had a pre-release tape of this! Evocative of OJ's white Bronco and the Romanian football team. Would be a 5 from Badhead alone but the dreadful title track drags it down a bit
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
better than Darklands, still the most over-rated band of their era
Deep Purple
3/5
grungy blues/metal that probably sounded great at the time, highlight is the awesome psychedelic Child In Time which is as good as anything else they've done
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
this is weirder than expected, some punky dissonance and samples of codgers rambling accompanying the usual folky stuff. Y'all know the good bits backwards, esp. A Hazy Shade of Winter which is a total banger as good as the Bangles version. Generous 4
The White Stripes
3/5
Was about to start rambling about how disappointed I was when I bought this excitedly on the day of release in 2003, then realized this is actually the *next* one in the series of diminishing returns after White Blood Cells. You know the formula, this one has a country flavor on top of the blues/rock backbone. It's fine
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
A real blast from the past, if rather incongruous here. I'm probably in the minority having heard this quite a lot when it came out, very popular with the early '90s Camberwell indie squatter set. When it's good, it's pretty great - Sinead's vocals over Wobble's signature bass rumbling. Mostly, it's OK, but always interesting. Check out the original "Becoming More Like God" if you can find it, probably his solo best. 3 for the highlights and because Wardle is the very definition of "Diamond Geezer"
The Band
4/5
I've tried to get into this album before, but found it as cheesy as the Calico Saloon at Knott's Berry Farm (and I say that as the world's greatest fan of Tumbleweed Connection which is, shall we say, "inspired" by this record quite obviously). It's also probably shoulders some blame for the glorification of confederate losers in popular culture - I don't want to hear any song about the Civil War that isn't titled "Glory To Tecumseh Sherman" or "You Lost, You Racist Cunts"; repeat after me: THE SOUTH WILL NEVER RISE AGAIN! Nevertheless, this won me over eventually, good tunes, great musicians, yadda yadda. Grudgeful 4*
Marvin Gaye
4/5
really good, up with his best and the rare "concept" album that isn't embarrassing in parts despite the content
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
A few stone-cold classics, lots of filler
The Go-Go's
2/5
Fun and spunky new wave pop songs. Can't justify more than 2* considering what I just gave Hendrix, and I prefer Fun Boy Three's take and Belinda's big solo hits
The Modern Lovers
5/5
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... love this, absolute genius! Even though this isn't really an "album" it's incredibly influential. Straight line from the VU to this to everything great in the indie world.
Bill Callahan
5/5
Was quite excited to get this, as I am a strong casual fan and have not heard this in full. Some of his loveliest work on here, I think, and I'll probably add it to the collection. Jim Cain is exquisite, Eid Ma Clack Shaw poignantly funny, Faith/Void masterful. 2 listens, purchased and 5*
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Really good and doesn't overstay its welcome
Led Zeppelin
4/5
great
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
The end of his great '70s rock/folk/country era, some lovely tunes on this, both acoustic and rockers, and a few silly ones too (Pocahontas, wtf). On Amazon Music if you're looking for it
Michael Jackson
1/5
Ugh.. I was highly suspicious of this as a 12yo when it came out, there was clearly something wrong with him, the music was cheesy and the whole energy was very "off". Really lame style, so far from the intended "tough" look, it all seemed very embarrassing, and made me wonder why nobody told him that it sucked.
All of the songs on here (maybe not Smooth Criminal; EDIT - yes this is still crap) are lightweight, over-produced '80s fluff with trite lyrics, glib instrumentation, and those histrionic squeaky sham-wow vocals on top. I was a big fan of Thriller (at the time) and the drop in quality to this dross was immense.
My mum's awful second husband chose The Way You Make Me Feel as their wedding dance, in doing so trying to emulate the super-crass video. I cringe to this day
Later on, as documented in Leaving Neverland, it became clear that Michael committed to his supposed fiddling activities in earnest during this period (Bad world tour). The music sounds so much worse in this context. Note, *Finding Neverland* is a different beast
Another random anecdote: I have actually seen Michael Jackson in the "flesh"! I'm proud to say I was in the room when Jarvis stormed the stage to interrupt his Earth Song atrocity at the '96 Brit awards. Quite a weird one that. I also happened to be at UCLA on the day he died there. Sorry Jacko, I'm bad luck for ya'
Just terrible, well-deserving of the 1* on offer
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
I'm On Fire and Dancing In The Dark aside, this is pretty rubbish and sounds like it could have been generated by an AI after hearing Born To Run. Not good
Oasis
5/5
Now here's one I can't be cynical about. Just fantastic, balls-to-the-wall exuberance captured as lightning in a bottle. I was on tour with them the week this came out (N Ireland), having never really heard much before. Was blown away how great and *loud* they were at the soundcheck; first up "Cigarettes And Alcohol" which, initially, I thought (genuinely) was a cover of "Get It On". Next: "Slide Away", instantly and forever my favorite Oasis song, as if Verve and The Stone Roses headbutted to make something even better. And they were *hilarious* together, for that brief period before they completely hated each other. Incredible moment in time; this album is excellent, more than good enough to ignore all the rest of their history.
Green Day
3/5
A bit unexciting considering how "influential" it was, not bad tunes though
Joy Division
3/5
controversial perhaps, but I think this album is hugely over-rated; it sounds like nothing else and has an essential influence on modern studio techniques but doesn't really have many tunes. Joy Division were a great singles band!
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Glad I heard this, knew Trouble Every Day which is excellent. The rest is like an off-kilter Byrds album mixed with Buddy Holly or something. Probably won't listen in full again anytime soon
Slint
5/5
what a treat, haven't heard this in ages. a classic of the '90s, I was surprised to see it came out in 1991, seemed much more recent, probably a reflection of its later influence. The guitars and drums tie together so intricately, this is basically the indie Marquee Moon. Breadcrumb Trail and Washer are highlights but it's all incredible. The former reminds me of Galaxie 500 at their best (mild praise but accurate). I believe Mark likes this too
Traffic
2/5
sorry, hate this white blues/fake soul tedium. could be any generic old dude wedding band. Joe Cocker sings it better. would rather listen to LA Traffic
Keith Jarrett
4/5
Quite a dramatic backstory to this helps the music come alive beyond what you hear initially. I was going to make a crass analogy with my history of Doordash breakfast orders, but Jarrett's performance is too good for that. Embraces the best of both "jazz" and "classical", and makes me imagine catching this live would have been the '70s equivalent of seeing Liszt at his peak, man. Listening to this at a high school football game, where nothing happens repeatedly, may have enhanced my appreciation somewhat; think less, but see it grow. Another one that makes me glad I'm doing this project, good stuff. If you're interested, the burrito I salvaged was pretty great too.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
I think Young outshines everyone here a bit too much, his contributions make the rest sound a little cheesy. You know all the good ones, slightly stingy 3*
Miles Davis
2/5
Yawn, a bunch of arbitrary be-bop jazz tootling over those cliched up'n'down double bass scales and ride cymbal/snare brush-heavy jazz drumming. Nice. Yes, he's a great trumpeter, perhaps some Purcell or military marches might make for better material. Not cool.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
was excited to hear this, unfortunately it's nothing special. Sounds unfinished in parts, as the mix goes in and out. Shame, I really try to like MBV as Kevin Shields is such a good dude, but they always disappoint me somewhat
The Darkness
1/5
Hello The Darkness, my old friends!
A joke of similar quality to this joke of an album. I vaguely remember the dismal state of UK music at the time this came out, when 3rd-rate karaoke AC/DC seemed like a breath of fresh air. Can you imagine?!
It's all probably genuine and heartfelt, like a college talent show Queen covers band. Doesn't mean I have to sit through it. A mean 1* for wasting my time. Looking forward to Right Said Fred next, or The Shirehorses
Otis Redding
4/5
I'm usually a bit underwhelmed by these kinds of albums, featuring a few classics embedded amongst a series of inessential cover versions. However, this one is a clear exception, many outstanding tracks of which a few are actually the originals (e.g., Respect!). "..Too Long" is the highlight with its all-time-great vocal, but it's all good. I will, of course, recommend the Greatest Hits but only because *all* of those hits are fabulous. Imagine if he'd lived?!
Parliament
3/5
Another one I'd never get around to listening to if it weren't for this website. Really enjoyable when it was on, managed to get a lot of work done! Not sure I'd choose to listen again, but it's good I can identify some Dr Dre samples from their origins. Creative and fun if not particularly indelible.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
The first Nick Cave album I ever heard, back when it came out. Didn't get what the fuss was about, 30 years later it still sounds like a 2nd tier album. Hopefully we get much better ones later in this list (Let Love In in particular) as he's pretty great when on form. Makes a decent cuppa too
David Bowie
4/5
When I first heard the title track on the radio I was stunned - excited for a new Bowie album for the first time since Outside 20 years ago (then)! And so it is, with new ones always viewed as "his best since..", this one was easily the most *interesting* since Lodger. Its (almost immediate) poignancy adds to the mystery. What an unbelievable talent, what a legacy
Wilco
1/5
I like some later Wilco albums but this is very basic and uninspired. Some really bad country tinged stuff towards the end that is bar band quality. No need for a double album at all
EDIT: I try not to change the reviews second time around, but felt this was worth re-evaluating. It is, uniformly, *awful*. By the time "Sunken Treasure" rolled up I figured we were at the "bad country tinged stuff" alluded to above, but no - still about 10 more songs of tedium to go, each progressively worse. Lyrics so poor, did they even get a spellcheck? Such a slog, it seems unfair to lump this in with other tedious but at least conscious 2* efforts such as John Spencer. Hence, a well-deserved downgrade cast upon this overfilled bucket of shit
Ramones
3/5
first three (EDIT: four) songs are great and set the template for EVERYTHING else, of course. one of those bands for which you appreciate the influence but don't really want to hear again
Tears For Fears
4/5
Oh yeah - probably the first album I really appreciated as a whole, as opposed to being a few songs I liked co-mingled with boring ones I tolerated and/or fast-forwarded. Being made from wall-to-wall 4 min+ bangers that flow into each other probably helped. Not quite as good as I remember, unsure about the proggy/proto-Enigma last track, but a nostalgic 4* nonetheless. Those haircuts!
Quicksilver Messenger Service
1/5
truly dreadful. First song is one verse of a Bo Diddley song then 20 minutes of uninspired blues noodling. And that's the highlight! Each track gets steadily worse, with awful hippy grunting on top of amateur guitar riffing. 2nd to last track is literally 13 minutes where nothing happens at all, but even this is preferable to the final track which is as brief as it is awful. might be one of the worst albums I have ever endured.
Kings of Leon
2/5
Went into this with no expectations. Emerged with no opinions. The Lynyrd Skynyrd Coldplay variant? About as much effort as I can muster
Mekons
3/5
Another thing I enjoy about this website is you get reminded of old favorites you have forgotten about over the years. I used to love "Mekons Rock'n'Roll" but haven't thought much about them since the early '90s. Never heard this one before, it's enjoyably quirky and characteristic of its time, setting out their distinctive indie-folk/country sound. Good stuff but I prefer the Sally Timms era where it's a bit more polished. Off to listen to "Ghosts of American Astronauts" now...
Sonic Youth
5/5
I would typically vouch for this being one of the best of its era, although upon playing my copy today I was embarrassed to discover loud CD skipping noises in the middle of "Teen Age Riot"; evidently I haven't chosen to listen to this recording in over twenty years since the mp3 was first created. Shame on me.. So, basically I'm approaching Daydream Nation fresh and, frankly, it is fantastic. All the songwriters have their distinctive flavors and the result is unique (for the time) and genre-defining (for the rest of their peers). So much I love in later work (e.g., Pavement) can be found here for the first time, full of great tunes and great noise. Kim Gordon's book deservedly ruined Thurston Moore for me, but even that only knocks this classic down to 4.9* And, don't worry - I ripped another copy of "TAR" for the future
U2
4/5
"Rattle and Hum" was a big heartfelt favorite in the ol' parent's Volvo, so I was a bit confused when this came out to follow - why now the irony and insincerity? Seemed very artificial. I genuinely liked this as a "good U2 album" without any excuses and it still stands up pretty well; ubiquitous singles that are probably forgotten now still bang quite hard. "So Cruel" was even my favorite song for a while, for reasons lost to antiquity probably involving being sad I didn't get to snog a particular girl. Yikes! I saw them at Wembley stadium on the subsequent Zooropa tour (nb: better album overall), and it was a phenomenal spectacle - PJ Harvey, flying cars and giant video screens, and the first public sighting of Salman Rushdie since the fatwa. The '90s, man
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Such a disappointment after NFR. All the songs are at the same tempo, and sound like overproduced mush. Unnecessary Joni Mitchell cover only highlights the difference in songwriting quality. Shame, barely scrapes a 3.
Dagmar Krause
2/5
From what I could dig out on YouTube, this is very Brecht/Weill, sounds like Lotte Leyna. I'm not much of a fan of this style, and my kids *DESPISE* it! Guaranteed to drive them to the edge of sanity. The English lyrics are quite clunky and remind me of polemic from a Socialist Worker article. As the great Molly Ivins said about Pat Buchanan's speech at the 1992 Republican convention, "probably sounded better in the original German"
Laura Nyro
2/5
forgotten '70s singer-songwriters are usually my weak spot, but this didn't do much for me other than Stoned Soul Picnic, which I knew already. I'll save a higher rating for the inevitable Tapestry
The Cars
4/5
for me, The Cars are probably the definition of a Greatest Hits band, classic singles but the sound is so characteristic that the album tracks become a bit samey. Probably unfair on this album as it's their debut and 2/3 of the tracks are played to death on the radio but there you go. Great album, buy the Greatest Hits!
Dusty Springfield
2/5
great voice, songs are not worthy of it
Ryan Adams
1/5
I can't be bothered to compose a full review, so here are my notes:
familiar and anonymous
jack and diane on repeat for an hour
cannot sing, awful voice
would be a relief to hear summer of 69
[flips coin disinterestedly]: 1
Isaac Hayes
3/5
This was very entertaining, if not very engaging outside of the vocal tracks. Never seen the movie but I bet it's lots of fun! Love me some Isaac Hayes in general. RIP Richard Roundtree
Dexys Midnight Runners
5/5
I used to love this album. I still do, but I used to also. My favorite of Dexy's classic trio and that's saying something.
"This Is What She's Like": 12 minutes of rambling conversation and interjection with Kevin steadfastly refusing to answer the question, yet answering it perfectly. Why was this not a giant hit in 1985? Feargal Sharkey was more concise, I guess
"Knowledge Of Beauty" (the better title, btw): building to "... if I need strength to take bad on..." is Rowlands best vocal performance in my opinion, stupendous. Almost rivaled here by the latter part of "The Waltz"
"One Of Those Things": Fuck Kid Rock, this is how you rip off Warren Zevon
"Reminisce Pt II": Lola is by far the better choice
Any record where "Well, you know how the English upper classes are thick and ignorant" is sung as a lilting air deserves a solid 5*. A misunderstood masterpiece
Sex Pistols
5/5
I really don't listen to this enough. I was too young to experience it in person but the story is incredible and, most importantly, it SOUNDS FUCKING GREAT, packed with tune after fucking tune. The songs are (almost) all bangers - Bodies is shocking and abrasive even 45+ years later, and I can only, gleefully, imagine how God Save The Queen and Pretty Vacant sounded at the time. All monster riffs and amazing vocals. The title, the image and the contents still give a mild frisson; it's a bit weird (and disappointing) to be considered "classic rock" these days. I know the MC5 and others did it first, but this was executed perfectly. McLaren chose the ingredients masterfully; this could have been Sigue Sigue Sputnik or, I dunno, Gay Dad but is, instead, timeless like Elvis and The Beatles. Steve Jones and John Lydon are absolute giants (and both their books are well worth a read). Play it again!
PS - listened to the "Spunk" demo bootleg in addition - it's not anywhere close to "superior" to these versions, don't waste your time; Chris Thomas knew what he was doing.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Love it, a brilliant album from a pretty uninteresting time in music, if a more hopeful one politically. Listened to it constantly back then, still play it occasionally and am always blown away by the great tunes
Massive Attack
3/5
Approached this with a weary sigh, but was pleasantly surprised. Much more interesting than I rememeber, I guess it lost some impact through being overplayed in every dark bar and/or teenage afterparty in the mid-'90s. Not bad at all but hardly thrilling
k.d. lang
2/5
More '90s background music! Never actively listened to this despite it all being extremely familiar 30 years later. Interchangeable with Annie Lennox's Diva for the same reason; depends on which department store you happened to be in at the time. Constant Craving isn't bad, Miss Chatelaine quite irritating, rest averages a solid *meh*
Pavement
5/5
Oooh what a joy to listen to this all day! Have loved Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain since I first bought the CD in a basement store on St Marks Place in summer '94 (god, I must have been insufferable). Crystallizes everything I want in guitar music, riffs a go-go, oblique but clever, accessible lyrics, half-arsed chaotic delivery that is really well practiced, a dash of Buddy Holly and Dave Brubeck, screaming "career/Korea" and slagging off the Smashing Pumpkins. This review cannot do the album justice. Gold Soundz. Elevate Me Later. Unfair. Fillmore Jive. The whole thing from beginning to end. My favorite album from my favorite band? Sometimes. Start it over and this time try!
The Police
3/5
Spiky and quirky new-wave elements reggaefied through the nascent trustafarian vocals of everyone's favorite tantric prick. A friend in college used to try to convince me this was a masterpiece - it's certainly enjoyably weird, not derivative at all, and probably their most interesting album as the tension between post-punk, reggae and sophisticated '80s pop is the tightest here. But.... Greatest Hits, if you must. It's fucking Sting after all
Neil Young
4/5
Lots of pretty acoustic numbers on here. Is it Neil's least rocking album? Mostly deserves its reputation, but I listen to this one the least of all his classic period. Docked a point as the reach of his voice exceeds its grasp a bit on occasion.
Paul Simon
5/5
My favorite album when I was 12, even got to see the tour at the Royal Albert Hall, anti-apartheid protesters and all! Still love it to death
The Cure
3/5
The first album I ever bought was Standing On A Beach, so I'm an OG Greatest Hits appreciator of The Cure. Highlights of this are on that, of course. I wonder if the remaster of the album made the sound deliberately "doomier" as these songs are much "brighter" on the collection. Regardless, a classic of goth, not much happening on the surface but a generous 3*
Stephen Stills
2/5
A timely companion to After The Gold Rush earlier in the week. Went into this with low expectations, as I have thought Love The One You're With to be a weird and terrible song since I saw Bucks Fizz perform it at Thorpe Park randomly over 35 years ago (disappointingly instead of their current hit at the time which was a real banger, even without any ripped skirts). But I digress: LTOYW is awful here too, the rest isn't as bad although run-of-the-mill, '70s singer/songwriter stuff. Go Back Home is pretty good. Stills seems to be the least interesting of the CSNY set, but I've heard worse solo albums. Yawn
Radiohead
2/5
Didn't hate this as much as In Rainbows or Kid A, as there were occasional hints of a tune behind the noodling. Still has that awful whine going on - surely no-one can enjoy the "singing" attempted here? And there are far better examples of drone/electronica/experimental music since the late '60s. Highly over-rated crap as ever!
Portishead
5/5
Another favorite from my time as a music biz hanger-on in the early '90s. Go! Discs goes trendy; I attended the "world premiere" of the associated (and pointless) To Kill A Dead Man at the Prince Charles Cinema, oh so glamorous!
One of the first of its kind, still sounds fresh and arresting, don't blame this for the subsequent trip-hop tedium. Made any spotty, nervous student oik feel instantly sophisticated. Great voice, clever samples including the first (?) use of the soon-to-be-ubiquitous Isaac Hayes motif on the fabulous Glory Box. Mysterons, Sour Times, Roads, not a dud here even if some tracks are less instantly memorable
Nostalgic 5*
Scott Walker
3/5
Enjoyed this a lot more than expected; prejudiced mainly because this album (and Walker in general) are oft-cited by some of the most pretentious folk I've encountered (not you, Mark!). Starts off quite dodgy, The Seventh Seal reading like a 6th form art piece, with a depth of analysis matched only by my glancing half-heartedly at the Bergman film in the background two decades ago. It gets better, and by The Old Man's Back Again his voice and his craft had won me over. Not sure I'm up for re-evaluating Tilt, but Scott 4 was fun for 30-(quite) odd minutes.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Man, this was obscure even for me! Deservedly so it seems, jangly psychedelia with a sub-Dylan vocal. A few styles attempted on this album, none of them well. "It Won't Get Better", should have believed them. Back to the footnotes, dandies!
Wilco
4/5
The first Wilco album I heard, and the reason why I expect the others to be so much better than they actually are. This is really good, a lovely set of songs enhanced by electronic fiddling and distortion. Kamera, War on War, Jesus etc, are all great, and the eponymous numbers station broadcast integrated into Poor Places is a stark and haunting climax. I can even tolerate Heavy Metal Drummer this time around. Happy to spend the day with one of the more interesting indie albums of the 2000's once again.
Beatles
5/5
What is there to say? Probably their best album, so good that it contains their worst song by far (yes, worse even than the throwaway stuff on the White Album and Let It Be) yet still is unimpeachably excellent and ground-breaking. Sensational
Willie Nelson
2/5
I'm not old enough/gainfully employed managing a wine bar enough to appreciate albums of American standards. Nice voice Willie, save it for your own material. Having lived in Atlanta, the last thing I want on my mind is Georgia (tied with a brain tumor)
Queens of the Stone Age
2/5
more interesting than I predicted, not as good as their later work
[edit - downgraded on a second listen, dull and sludgy]
Giant Sand
2/5
Another new one to me. First thought was it sounded a bit like Lambchop or Calexico without the energy. Second thought was that I hope Mark doesn't lump Smog/Bill Callahan in with this, as they are superficially-similar but Giant Sand appear not to be half as clever, inventive or elegant. Not horrible, but too long and gave me a mild headache.
Scritti Politti
4/5
I will admit upfront, I am quite fond of Scritti Politti by way of osmosis - my neighbour had their pictures on the wall. cut from Smash Hits, and they were fairly regular contributors to my beloved Now! compilations and similar. To those who think this sounds dated and cheesy, I can assure you it sounded that way *at the time*! I think Green et al. deliberately took the '80s sound to its extreme, creating a fey vocal and production style that made contemporary Prefab Sprout sound like Motorhead in comparison. They had quite a varied history - starting out quirkier and more abrasive than fellow post-punkers like Gang of Four and Wire (yes, really), then turning to pop (original version of Madness' "Sweetest Girl", followed by two uber-shiny hit albums including this one) and later working with Shabba Ranks and Mos Def (yes, really!).
I doubt Provision is on this list, but from it you should check out "Oh, Patti", the apotheosis of this sound also featuring Miles Davis (again, yes really!).
Love it or hate it, you have to admit that at least "Perfect Way" and "Wood Beez" are great pop tunes (the latter produced by the arranger of the original Aretha number referenced; once again: yes, really!).
Maybe Dirty Projectors are the closest modern equivalent, similarly skilled in pop music and production style from a warmly-academic perspective.
Generous 4, loved hearing it again
Common
2/5
Some good parts but a bit too smooth and "Kanye-pop" for my tastes. I've said it before, but the rap I like is either angry and fast, or built virtuosically from Funkadelic samples. Common sounds too much like a lifestyle brand to keep my interest, sorry.
R.E.M.
4/5
Don't listen to this as much as some other REM albums, perhaps because I have to be on alert to skip "Stand". Has a few of my favorites esp. "You Are The Everything" and "Orange Crush". A bit more mainstream than earlier ones, as is well-documented, but Green is really quite inventive for the late '80s. Good arrangements, indeed. Not enough for full marks, but solid.
Circle Jerks
2/5
Started off sounding like every kid's cartoon cliched older brother bad punk garage band. However, this ersatz Löded Diper rapidly evolved into something more like The Damned (indeed, I was humming "Love Song" to most of the tracks), and was quite enjoyable by the end.
Can't give it more than a 2, but that's kind-of a compliment.
Lasts about as long as it should. Highlights: "Live Fast Die Young" and, of course, "World Up My Ass"
The Beta Band
2/5
A real snooze-fest. Like many aspiring hipsters I grabbed a copy of The 3 EPs on the back of music paper hype, and was sorely disappointed apart from about 3 tracks. Looks like their later career followed a similar pattern. Steve Mason's voice gets pretty annoying with so little going on behind it.
Nevertheless, I am glad we got this as it clears up a Mandela Effect for me: I remember a decent tune that sampled "Daydream" around 2001, much better than "Squares" on here but I've never cared enough to dig further. Turns out it was I Monster's "Daydream In Blue", and is far superior! Furthermore, the ubiquitous "Ike's Rap II" sample underpinning seemingly half of contemporary music was originally inspired by the Wallace Collection original. Fun fact: the actual Wallace Collection is in Manchester Square, London - opposite the EMI building that framed the famous Beatles Red/Blue photos and hosted the stockroom from whence my 3 EPs copy was swiped. Time is a flat circle, dude
Frank Zappa
5/5
This is great, purchased on first listen. Ian Underwood's playing in particular is fantastic. Only criticism, Peaches En Regalia could have been 12 minutes longer. Wish I knew enough about Zappa to pick where to go next..
Moby
4/5
Here's a test of your pre-millennial tolerance, Mark! I played the whole thing through on a plane ride, B-sides included, and conclude that a) Moby understands his quality control pretty well and b) the Lomax/archive samples are doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. Packed with catchy bangers, of course, some of which I love to this day (Natural Blues and Run On, especially). Bit of an unsavory character in this period, by all accounts, and the album itself goes on longer than it should, but gotta give credit where it's due. Now excuse me, I've got the sudden urge to purchase an ugly French van..
Johnny Cash
5/5
Really entertaining - one of the best live album atmospheres I've heard captured on record. Started off thinking it might make a interesting listen but nothing more, and ended up being the fastest I've bought an album from this list. Great stuff
[edit: "Hot Rats" currently holds the instant classic title, but this is still 2nd]
Beatles
5/5
One of a series of classics where the worst song on the album is called "Come Together"! This one redeems itself almost immediately with "Something" and keeps the high quality going until The End. A few Beatles albums in so far, what's to say apart from marvel in their diverse excellence. You forget how good they were
[minor edits for context, and also to praise that medley, goddam!]
Arcade Fire
3/5
I probably listened to this all the way through less than twice when it came out, then placed it at the back of the digital shelf. A decade later and no hidden surprises are revealed: starts well enough, but quickly sags and never really recovers apart from the fabulous "Sprawl II", a well-executed Blondie pastiche. Shame
The Clash
4/5
I appear to know all of this despite never playing nor liking it very much in the past. The Clash always seemed a bit phony/earnest to me, kinda like an actual punk U2, so I didn't find it very exciting when I first heard them as an irritating adolescent. Gotta admit there's a lot of good songs on here, even if I do strongly prefer Mick Jones's voice. A well-earned 3.5, with a bonus round-up from inspiring my middle kid to describe the habitual reggae guitar chirp as being "like a cat coughing up a hairball".
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
I don't think I've ever sat through a full solo Macca/Wings album. This is pretty good as it goes, although it gets a bit ropey towards the end. I wish the 2nd segment of the title track was longer, it's quite intriguing and seems to exit before it gets really good. Jet is my favorite post-Beatles song from any of 'em, such a great pop tune and so weird ("Jettttt..."). Macca's lyrics across this period are quite Gilbert and Sullivan-y, perhaps because they make for neat rhymes? Even if it's nonsense it's still very enjoyable.
Diving into the history of Wings it makes sense why this album is so highly-rated in context. Can't deny it a 4, RIP Denny Laine
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Pretty good, schmitty good. Segall Smeagol is also worth a listen
Tim Buckley
3/5
heavy vibes on this one! Buzzin' Fly is timeless, much jazz/blues meandering elsewhere. Pleasant enough, but the definitive versions of these and others are on "Dream Letter Live in London"
AC/DC
4/5
great to hear this again, didn't know it was the 2nd highest selling album ever, but why not?
Hugh Masekela
3/5
pleasant jazz, my kids think it sounds like a Peanuts soundtrack
Metallica
1/5
I hate Metallica. Their earlier albums were irritating, this is just boring one-note ponderous tedium. The singer sucks, the lyrics are amateur schoolboy crap, and the production sounds better with the '80s Phil Collins material it was developed for. Please no more from these shitheads
[edit: downgraded further as the whole thing is fucking terrible. Just noticed it has the stupid Karen flag snake on the cover to warn right-thinking people away from this heap of shit]
Bob Dylan
5/5
In which 24-year old Bob invents the double album and secures his future Nobel prize in Literature. More than any other album, this is the one I wish I was born 30 years earlier to experience in real time.
Two brief anecdotes: i) I once met a Hollywood hipster who told me "Visions of Johanna" was written about his mum. Such an audacious fib, perhaps it was true?
ii) I put both "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" and "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" on a road trip mixtape once, in full, to initial objections from my fellow passengers, followed by grudging acceptance of their endless verses making a great accompaniment for the endless Mojave desert
Pro tip: start your version of Blonde on Blonde with "Positively 4th Street", then you can skip "Rainy Day Women" (Dylan's "Yellow Submarine" but worse; probably the only song of his I wish would just fucking end already) and realize the perfect album
So ahead of the game in 1966. Magnificent
The Specials
4/5
I found The Specials quite intimidating as a nipper, their pork pike hats and two tone outfits carrying a faint whiff of violence; all the bad kids in school seemed to have the checker logo on their bag. I'm not scared anymore, this is a great debut and was hugely influential on the British music that followed. I'm a big fan of Terry Hall's vocal style and can handle ska skanking much better than reggae snoozing.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Smooth and moody, I liked this a lot more than the swing/bop stuff later. Emo Frank rules. From this, I guess we can blame ol' bluey for "Trapped In The Closet", although perhaps "Diamond Dogs" evens the score?
Dr. Dre
5/5
This used to be my favorite hip hop album, cruising the mean streets of East Oxford in the passenger seat of a BMW Z3 with this blasting down the Cowley Road. It's still great through the first skit ($20 Sack Pyramid) but I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I thought I would today, and the end of the album just drags.. Made from the finest ingredients - like a good "Paul's Boutique"; Parliament, Donny Hathaway, Rudy Ray Moore. Part of the fun of this website is hearing the samples in their original settings, unexpectedly! Still well worth a 5
Talking Heads
5/5
So many interesting sounds, rhythms and melodies colliding all over this. Very clever how the first half is relentlessly upbeat, followed by the complete opposite at the end. Most of this is probably obscure to the casual fan apart from "Once In A Lifetime", which amazingly is in the bottom tier of songs here. Excellent stuff
Various Artists
3/5
I guess you have to grudgingly admire the craft, despite me preferring instead to hear a collection of TV themes and/or advertising jingles for variety at least at this point. Please never again...
[edit - got it again, thanks Mark! Merry Xmas]
David Bowie
5/5
Slightly holds the edge over Low for me, better songs and more integrated instrumentals. Fripp's guitar is dazzling, and the production sets the scene for '80s new wave. Another one you forget how good it is, especially the title track. Wow
The Cure
4/5
I have never heard this in full before, despite knowing the highlights from their Mixed Up versions. I was really into The Cure at a young age (before this!) and the late '80s/early 90's stuff passed me by. Sounds fantastic as a whole, would probably have been into it in a big way at the time if I was paying attention!
Yes
2/5
As I've commented for earlier Yes efforts, they sound like pretty basic rock music with extra steps. So it is here - I've got a lot of tolerance for prog fiddling as long as the end result is worth it, but wasn't feeling it today
Yes
3/5
sounds like pretty basic rock with extra steps. not as much fun as eg Jethro Tull or Queen but OK
[edit: aaargh!]
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Really good, surprisingly! No Sweet Home Alabama or That Smell thankfully
[edit: I know I should hate this but I really don't! Holds up well on a second visit]
Sonic Youth
4/5
One of the best albums of this era - still sounds exciting and not crazily overplayed unlike some others
[edit: did not know the origin of the cover art, hmm..; Chuck D's contribution to Kool Thing is both utterly pointless and years ahead of its time, a real trendsetter for contemporary pond life such as DJ Khaled]
Louis Prima
1/5
Energetic swing-jazz belters. Sounds like kid's party music in places, just drivel and/or terrible lyrics.
Louis Jordan with a lobotomy. Again, you can see why rock'n'roll was so exciting in the late 50's by contrast.
Pixies
5/5
Looks like we get the entire recipe for "Nevermind" this week!
Fabulous album, loved it from the first time I heard Debaser's screeching riff.
Never saw them live, stupidly
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
One from my Dad's record collection - I would gaze at the cover art but never got to playing the actual vinyl. So, good to get it here! Unfortunately pretty generic 60's blues/rock with some histrionics. Also features that weird 60's 'live but not really' anomaly. R Crumb remains the highlight
The Who
2/5
Sounds pretty good for a live album; it's still The Who though, so the songs aren't up to much and are pretty long without much of interest happening
[edit: "I Can't Explain" rocks, fair enough. Still a 2 though]
Animal Collective
1/5
Was happy to get this - I have two (unheard) Animal Collective albums in my collection (not this), and remember MPP being highly praised during a period I didn't listen to much new music.
First impression: yeah, you want to establish that electronica Beach Boys production vibe (we all know what I think about the Beach Boys, of course), wrong audience sorry!; later: sounds like Vampire Weekend and Matt and Kim (Christ!) fighting in a broom cupboard; finally: this is annoying as hell, turn it the fuck off!
At the least, I regained some hard drive space. Cruel, but deserves the 1*
PS - I quite like the Panda Bear/Sonic Boom collaboration, although it does basically follow the same listening experience outlined above
Michael Jackson
3/5
used to love this, now hard to listen to given the weirdness and perversion following. Far better than Gary Glitter in a musical sense, but rating adjusted accordingly for similar behaviors
The Bees
1/5
Drifted past aimlessly, the only moment of note being a half-arsed version of A Minha Menina. Hopefully "Os Mutantes" appears later on; The Bees certainly do not deserve distinction being on here instead. 1* for wasting my time
Metallica
2/5
I guess this is technically impressive but the style leaves me cold, and it all sounds a bit silly and pretty fucking irritating. The band seem like dickheads, to make it even less attractive
Thin Lizzy
3/5
sounds good for a live album, a bit too long and too many blues jams
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Easy 5 even with the awful last track (that I since discovered is not by Joni at all!). Her voice sounds "softest" here compared to the other '70s classics although the songs are far from "pop". Great album
Pink Floyd
5/5
Very glad to see I still have this fresh in the collection despite not playing it for nigh-on 30 years (more?). No need, even the less-famous tracks are hammered to death on US radio, and with good reason - "Welcome to the Machine" and "Have a Cigar" are both fantastic heavy prog workouts that are always welcome. Mix in the unimpeachable title track and the psych wigging flankers and you've got yourself a classic, sir. Inspired a much enjoyed all-day Floyd session here
John Grant
1/5
This guy is hyped to shit on UK radio, and I've never figured out why. The Midlake connection also piqued my interest. Unfortunately... solid 2 until the 5th track which is godawful and it only gets worse from there; a real shitshow unfurls. Good voice, sure, but the whole "quirky tortured soul" shtick only works if you have a few songs to back it up, otherwise it's just boring and embarrassing; the sub-Eagles production values don't help either (I feel similarly about Rufus Wainwright).
For a song that uses his vocal skills for good, check out "Kindling" with Elbow (believe it or not).
Re: Midlake - proves once again that Tim Smith had all the talent. His new(er) band "Harp" continue his effective Fairport simulacrum, with my approval.
John Grant is another example of "Fun Lovin' Criminals" syndrome: utter turds that can't get arrested in the US having to scrape a living in the UK assisted by inscrutably sycophantic local media
As a wiser and wittier man than I said on this website: "This is the type of wank that Mark Chapman saved us from". Amen brother
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
I love CCR - is there a situation that is not made better by a Creedence song? I could imagine being told I had brain cancer, but it not being so traumatic because "Bad Moon Rising" happened to be on the radio at the time. Which is to say: John Fogerty is an amazing songwriter and musician, and was unnaturally prolific. Banger after hit after classic, over and over. As earlier, Chronicle has what you need (lots of it, all great) and this album is a bit weaker than Cosmo's Factory, but I'll happily play it all day long.
Charles Mingus
3/5
Lots of interesting themes on here, but little of it stuck. My kids quite liked it, unusual for a jazz record - perhaps because it does sound quite "dance"-oriented, rhythmic?
2Pac
3/5
I didn't want to like this, as he seems such an insufferable prick and the themes are both juvenile and tediously serious, as opposed to e.g. Snoop/Dre where it sounds like they are at least enjoying themselves. However, you gotta admit he's a skilled rapper, has a quality production team, and it's good to hear some Lady Levi in the background on Heavy In The Game. Dear Mama is cringeworthy. 3(Pac)
The Monks
4/5
Knew some of this from Ye Nun's versions (indeed, my kids love their version of "We Do Wie Du"). As raw and simple as proto-punk can get (for better and worse), and way more interesting than contemporary shit like the Beach Boys. Well deserves it's "127th greatest album of the '60s" distinction; generous 4* for inventing a genre or two
The Pharcyde
2/5
inital impression: from the same whiny, juvenile cartoon school as Cypress Hill, if not as irritating. second round: when will this end?! I am still waiting for the great unheard hip hop classic from this list
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
a few good tunes and lots of meandering, like his other work
[edit: I spent a bit more time with this than usual over a weekend, and found it to be more complex and complete than I previously understood. Bumped up a point for quality. Jacksonville and Chicago are legit bangers, and some of the more oddly-titled ones are good fun. Could still lose about 15 mins]
Michael Jackson
4/5
Although the songs are a bit weaker than on "Thriller" later, he wasn't such a weirdo at the time so he gets the credit. A classic of disco production, with some charmingly awkward bits (Macca's song is a bit cheesy; the cockney-inspired pronunciation of "help" is bizarre).
This is one of Howard's faves I believe
2/5
pleasant but featureless. bumped up a point as it helped me sleep on a plane ride
Bob Dylan
5/5
This one is the first Dylan album I really loved, once I figured out how to appreciate the endless poetic verses as a critical part of the incredible music (if that makes sense).
Furiously fantastic from the opening snare through to the cyanide hole. I feel a bit seen by Ballad of a Thin Man, especially the 5th verse. It Takes A Lot... has to be the pinnacle of the 12 bar blues form, right? Plus, "the cops don't need you and man, they expect the same"
Dylan is always surprising, here just casually sculpting so much of contemporary music at a ridiculously young age. Just how the fuck did he do this? 6mo earlier: "..Back Home", 6 mo later: "Blonde.."
Hope Mark isn't fatigued giving 5* to every breathtakingly excellent Dylan masterpiece upon first listen? I am quite jealous!
Pere Ubu
3/5
I really wanted to like this, as I know the "hits"; unfortunately it starts with two absolute bangers and then - nothing much else happens. My eldest thinks Thomas sings like Peter Griffin. Was hoping for more Gang-of-Four-like action and less obtuse weirdness. Gotta appreciate the history, however
T. Rex
4/5
Enjoyed this a lot. Marc Bolan is the Buddy Holly of glam; early doors, not everything is bursting with ideas but he delivers a *lot* of tunes and most are pretty great. I guess this is the definitive album (maybe The Slider?) but I'm solidly in the Greatest Hits domain here; every home should have one.
Prince
3/5
I'm a bit of a Prince philistine; strongly on the Greatest Hits side of the equation (the only Prince album I have ever owned is the Batman soundtrack, which I will defend to the death). 1999 is quite fun, and helped define the sound of the era early on, but you likely get everything you need from Little Red Corvette. It's basically too long (started out as a 4* and lost a point on repeated listens)
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
incredible debut; best bits on the Greatest Hits
[edit: to explain, this is a 3* because it's so wussy. So much crying everywhere!]
Maxwell
4/5
Another one I bought at the time attempting to be cool and sophisticated, after rave reviews from a friend (see: D'Angelo). Now that I have transcended such vanities I'm glad to hear it again, plenty of good jams to be nodded along to. Gets a bit sparse at the end, but I'm not sure the intended listener(s) are supposed to be paying too much attention at that point.
*OLD MAN RANT WARNING* I scanned the lyrics and was pleased to discover not a mention of money nor a brand name to be found. If this was made today it would probably be littered with fatuous Gucci/Louis Vuitton/Dollar Tree brags (and don't come at me quoting "He's The Greatest Dancer"; that's a neat rhyme!). The '90s were so much classier
Have a 4*, Maxwell: Hang Suite>Silver Hammer
Tim Buckley
2/5
I'm a dogged singer-songwriter apologist, and even I can't defend this being here. Aimless troubadour rambling; as before, the best versions are on "Dream Letter'. Inessential
DJ Shadow
2/5
Yet another I was puzzled by when it came out. It's built entirely from samples - great, but why? Dull as ditchwater, highlight is Organ Donor but when you're relying on Bach for a tune you're pretty low on ideas. Could be entirely AI-generated these days. Rubbish
Dolly Parton
3/5
Quite fond of this, listened many times through the day. Dolly is a good singer and fine songwriter. I'll spare you the David Brent quote
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
Great concept but the music is too RHCP-adjacent to be truly classic. Always good to hear the best Xmas #1, sets the mood for the season
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
This was quite a challenge; not really my thing but has interesting flourishes dotted through the long runtime. Crassly, reminded me of a night out on Brick Lane. Veers into 1* territory at times, but I'll chalk that up to my general ignorance of the style. He can certainly sing for long periods uninterrupted! As another astute reviewer here points out, "better than Radiohead"
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Another one I've owned forever and never really listened to. In this case, a pleasant surprise! It's no more than the sum of its parts, but those parts are among my favorites. It's pretty hard to mess up a margarita given quality ingredients, and similarly if you put "The Man-Machine", "Lodger" and "Extricate" in a blender the result will taste pretty good regardless. 1 + 1 + 1 = 3
Stevie Wonder
5/5
When I bought this on CD it was from the "low price oldies" section - for context, that's equivalent in time to buying the first Kayne album today, christ! Lots of interesting synth sounds and squelchy Moog bass (all played by Stevie) decorate some excellent tunes; these are outrageously experimental given how poppy they sound. I love the funky numbers and the sappy ones equally. It's not quite Innervisions, but that's not really a criticism
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
Another one I've had for years but barely recognize, with good reason. "Maps" apart, very meh. An odd period, a lot of derivative noise being showered with plaudits, this included.
[edit: ooh there's a pointless hidden track too! JFC]
Herbie Hancock
3/5
This went a lot harder than expected. I was naively looking forward to a pleasant rendition of Watermelon Man but got the full Jazz Odyssey in its place. Entertaining, but quite a spooky accompaniment to working late into the night alone in an empty office. Weird noises and some unpredictable banging high in the mix. Not sure I'd rush to listen again in different circumstances, but I can feel the quality
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Sigh, Super Furry Animals... the creative highlight from the Stella'n'shirt'n'sneakers dregs of Britpop; a band packed full of ideas and who know their way around a tune; a band who have no concept of quality control. This album has some great moments (Juxtapozed With U especially), while also characteristically overlong and indulgent. The Spotify version is almost 4 hours long! Who the fuck needs all this "bonus" material?
I'll recommend their Best Of here - with apposite warning that is has 37 fucking tracks (90% great)!
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
Well, that was a rollercoaster! Started out as a clear 1 given the length and subject matter. First impressions - sounds more like Butthole Surfers than Skynyrd, amusingly macabre opening track!
Then: OK, more like I expected; please don't ask me to indulge George Wallace apologia - "southern culture" yadda yadda is just good ol' cynical racism, stop excusing that shit.
Next: I really don't want to hear a litany of shit concerts you went to as a high schooler, or trite southern fried thematic effluvia. They really like teasing that Sweet Home Alabama riff, eh?
Finally: Oh, this is the Skynyrd story *in media res* and I am *totally here for it*. Last track is remarkable; I played the whole thing through again immediately and appreciated it *a lot more* (ditching my oh-so-witty "2nd worst thing to happen in 2001" quip - could also have worked a plane crash angle in with a bit more effort..)
Excise the sub-Kid Rock shit in the middle and I'd give this a 4. For now: unexpectedly, 3 hours of my day I did not begrudge spending with these hicks.
Queen
4/5
Queen albums are always entertaining. This is the big one - featuring everyone's favorite song, at least for one moment in their life. Varies a bit in quality throughout, but you gotta give respect to Freddie and the gang's most accomplished effort to bring ballet to the masses.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Quite a lot of Creedence on here, deservedly. This one's a bit slighter than others, but never less than enjoyable; nice to hear some chooglin' captured in its raw form.
Ministry
2/5
Jesus Built My Hotrod was an indie disco favorite, and is good for a nostalgic blast. The rest is not my scene at all
MC Solaar
3/5
Oh how we laughed when my friend got the job to promote this album when it came out. French rap?! "Ooh la la, baguette de merde. John-E-Hallidogg, connard!" (I may have work-shopped that a bit). Turns out the joke was on us, this is pretty good, his samples are fun and his flow is smooth. I will note that "Victime de la mode" does, however, sound like Nouvelle Vague covering "Don't Believe The Hype". This album doesn't have Solaar's great one that steals the Bonnie and Clyde riff, but is a good time nonetheless.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
I wanted to like this more than I actually did (having been intrigued by the cover image since being briefly *extremely* into the Sledgehammer video when I was 10). It sounds great, and half of the songs are excellent, but the remainder are completely unmemorable. Much has been written about the drum sound developed herein; it's alright, but people - you're talking about the bedrock of Phil Collins' solo career (and, later, Metallica's hard rockin'), not the polio vaccine ffs
Dire Straits
3/5
I really enjoy Mark Knopfler's guitar playing, and even more so his production talents (Aztec Camera's "Knife" is so great). Another reviewer astutely describes this record as if Dylan's '70s backing band made a solo album (see "Slow Train Coming" and "Infidels" for the nexus of these two ideas, both really good if advanced-level Bob). Oddly sedate for a debut album, this passes the time pleasantly. Obviously, "Sultans" is welcome anytime, the rest are a bit indistinguishable from each other.
MGMT
3/5
Underwhelming, 3 pretty good, ubiquitous singles, lots of Arcade Fire-ish waffling. Mid, as they say
Jeru The Damaja
4/5
Praise be, a new-to-me hip hop album that is pretty good! I guess I just love the late 80's/'90s style. Enjoyed it a lot
Calexico
5/5
Goddam, I love this album. Bought it the day it came out after a rave Guardian review, then moved to Tucson 2 weeks later (Hume might object to the structure of that sentence). What an incredible, atmospheric soundtrack to a pivotal time in my life. Even used to eat at El Guero Canelo on occasion! Their best individual album by far, so dramatic and tuneful, vocal and instumental alike. Mariachi-indie rules.
John Lennon
5/5
Well, this was quite a surprise for a 15yo Beatles obsessive digging in my parent's record collection! Introduced me to the "difficult solo album" and instilled an inexhaustible desire to experience weird obscurities from favorite musicians. This is the best post-Beatles solo album, packed with stark and excellent songwriting. Cookie!
A masterpiece.
PS as I know every note of this backwards, I took a side quest chasing the "Yoko Ono/POB" isomer. It was... not terrible? Could be enjoyable for those into experimental music, but who find early Faust too accessible
Jurassic 5
2/5
Washed over me - good background music, nothing distinctive.
T o o l o o o o n g
The xx
3/5
Originally introduced to me by one of our silent partners here. It's not bad (certainly not in the context of the early 2010's) but you can definitely hear the youth and inexperience. Sometimes that's a good thing, but the music here is so meagre (dare I say - samey) and the vocals so poor it sounds quite amateurish overall. Unlike e.g. Young Marble Giants I don't get the impression they are doing anything new, just doing *less*. The kind of record you would love if you personally knew the people involved, but to others it sounds like a school project.
"Infinity" is pretty good though. Generous 3
Merle Haggard
3/5
Good ol' Hollywood country. Nothing too distinctive, but an extra point for the Wrecking Crew
Metallica
1/5
Oh, FUCK OFF!
If you gave me all day I couldn't come up with a concept as bad as a LIVE Metallica album coupled with HAM-FISTED orchestral stabbing that was MORE THAN TWO HOURS LONG
Andrew Lloyd-Webber scores Spinal Tap. Could only be made worse by including a Radiohead cover
Prince
4/5
I wish I enjoyed Prince's deep cuts and jams as much as his bangers. Clearly a lot of talent here, just too long for me. Not quite the weird and wonderful double album I was hoping for, although excellent in places
Deep Purple
3/5
Now, this is a proper live album. Captures the moment perfectly, sounds great, all giant sweaty arse rock classics, lots of solos and no filler.
The Doors
4/5
Is every Doors album on here? I guess I'll finally have to force myself through "The Soft Parade".. anyway - this ones good, blues-heavy, with 4-5 excellent numbers and some decent filler. I used to try to play "Riders On The Storm" on my Casio keyboard, although the descending scale in the solo was too difficult (blame the mini keys). I love the title track, it always seems on the verge of falling over but makes it through to the end with panache, kind-of preceding Pavement in spirit. Whoa, come on!
Duran Duran
5/5
my favorite band as a kid, my Roxy Music! lots of bangers on here, live version of The Chauffeur pips it but otherwise pretty awesome for a "boy band"
[edit: OK, that was a bit hyperbolic, and I originally intended to hit 4*, but when this is good it's great, and I love Duran Duran, no apologies. Mysterious and tantalizing, especially if you're 8 and catch an illicit viewing of The Chauffeur video]
Paul Simon
3/5
This is quite pleasant but outside of about 3 songs it's too timid for repeat listening. Grow a pair, dude, go "borrow" some indigenous tunes!
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
banger after banger, incredible!
[edit: It's so weird how some hairy blues bores suddenly decided to become backing for the early-'70's Dollar and, somehow, spit out a ton of all-time classics. Is there any band with remotely similar history to the two phases of Fleetwood Mac?]
Fugees
3/5
This was EVERYWHERE in 1996, so much that it sounds like wallpaper to me today. One Time. Essentially, Lauryn Hill and a pair of clowns, with variation in quality accordingly. Scrapes 3* from a fond memory of a bus ride along Ladbroke Grove with a gang of local schoolchildren singing "Killing Me Softly" perfectly, harmonies and all. Two Times.
Funkadelic
2/5
This was interesting to hear *once*; a shame as I was quite excited upon reading about it, doesn't live up to its description unfortunately
The Triffids
4/5
I'll admit upfront: I *love* The Triffids. However, I've always thought this album a bit over-produced and over-long. I didn't even transfer my CD copy to MP3 back in the day, but a few years ago I had a cheeky listen on Spotify and discovered, to my shame, most of these songs were *great*. You just have to accept that e.g. "Holy Water" is simultaneously fabulous and cheesy as hell. If you prefer it dialed back a bit, "In The Pines" has some stripped-down demos/early versions, but they all gained something from the kitchen-sink approach here. I guess McComb et al. were chasing the big hit, but didn't quite make it. No disgrace, they were on "Neighbours" after all - indelible and eternal.
Reading the reviews here - eat shit, monkeys: go sit in the corner, listen to Kid A and think about what you've said. If it's not on here already, I'm adding "Born Sandy Devotional" to the list when I'm finished to show you fuckers.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
So good, basically the folk-songwriter "Rumours" in both banger content and hurt feelings. An album with "The Boxer" that also has not one but *two* songs that are perhaps even better ("..Customer.."/"..Living Boy..") - remarkable!
Nico
3/5
By turns, both exquisite and exasperating. Rated highly for "These Days" and the other Jackson Browne-y contributions; rated 'interesting' for the VU-adjacent stuff, which have their moments.
"Ugh, this is boring and she sings so badly off key" - actual quote from a teenager whose favorite artist is Doja Cat. I worry for the youth of today
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Lots going on here, much of it great. Contains my favorite Stevie song "Sara" and many weird and wonderful others. Works hard for that 5*
The Offspring
1/5
I would avoid this kind of thing when it came out, how right I was. Boring, tuneless and juvenile; dreadful from top to bottom. Lowlights are the appaling vocals and the rhythm section - simultaneously amateur and unmusical, whilst timid and tedious. This is punk in the way LOL dolls are Simone de Beauvoir
Pet Shop Boys
5/5
Another youthful favorite, faithfully taped from the local library, from when chart music was various, eminent and fascinating. Has retained its majesty (esp. the biggies "Rent", "It's A Sin", "Heart" and the Dusty number) although the opener is a weird choice; tack on the faultless hi-NRG "Always On My Mind" cover for the VIP experience (I've awarded the ultimate Xmas #1 to RATM elsewhere, but this really deserves it instead).
Excellent soundtrack on the Walkman while reading Agatha Christie, surely a 5* qualification? Nostalgic wink also to the Carter USM cover of "Rent"; "..Fulham Broadway..", oh you wags
Van Halen
4/5
Must admit, this got an eye-roll when it showed up yesterday. Silly me - it's really good, fresh, sharp and accomplished. Van Halen's quite the guitarist, eh? On the 3/4 edge - tipped over by reports from various people who saw them when a high school band in Pasadena, apparently they were fantastic.
Doves
2/5
Approached this fully expecting to hate it, and I was not disappointed.
Another tedious UK band whose myriad plaudits are highly mysterious. I'm convinced Doves are basically a support group for failed Manchester musicians to rally around, an AA sponsor for the post-punk survivors. Dismal guitar sent wandering aimlessly around overlong dirges peppered with grating, yet puny vocals. As exciting as a wet, grey Monday morning in Macclesfield, appropriately enough. I won't distinguish it with the 1* it probably deserves.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Enjoyed listening to this, although mainly as a historical document. Love the Them cover of "Baby Please Don't Go", of course
Bob Dylan
5/5
How can a 21yo write "It's A Hard Rain.."? And include 4-5 other all-time classics on one album? Even the longer/less tuneful ones are very entertaining. Just incredible
[EDIT: Mark, I hope you appreciated "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right", the motherlode of the "pedagogic goodbye" style]
George Michael
4/5
Another one assimilated into my chromosomes (local boy done good!). A quotidian delight throughout 1987-1988, which still slaps today. I retain my pre-teen discomfort with "I Want Your Sex", and it's obvious now how much he wanted to become Prince (and more than succeeded). Lots of bangers, although a bit more of-its-time than other favorites from the era, with some lyrics well over the "creepy" borderline; also, why is he smelling his armpit on the cover? However, I'll always have a soft spot for George, and for this - subject of the peak of my (very limited) TV career.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
I've been aware of SAHB forever but have never sat down and listened to an actual album. This is quite an event, some good sleazy glam rock (The Faith Healer, The Last of the Teenage Idols) and some godawful sleazy glam rock (Gang Bang, Giddy Up A Ding Dong, Playground Bang-A-Round; may have misremembered that one).
Serious talent, clearly pioneering, but not necessarily something I want to hear often
Digital Underground
2/5
A good example of how clownish and directionless hip hop could be in the early 90's. Pervy and dull in equal measure, and so goddam long..
U2
3/5
Turns out I own this, although barely know it. The last post-punk one before they merged with Eno/UNESCO, with a sound somewhere between Echo And The Bunnymen and The Psychedelic Furs. The live "Under A Blood Red Sky" captures this era well if you're interested. New Years Day is great, much of the rest could be anyone of that period
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
1/5
Maybe it's just Monday, but I hated this. Her voice is terrible, songs sound like reheated Madonna. Go away
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
I don't listen to The Wu-Tang Clan very often, but it's always a good time when I do. Gritty, serious but also lots of fun, with quality structure and delivery. Love it (periodically!) esp. ODB's contributions
PSA: despite their claims to the contrary, Wu-Tang is not for the children. I had to turn it off 30 seconds into the daily school run
Haircut 100
2/5
You'd think I'd love this given the ingredients. However, I am already a big fan of very similar contemporaries (Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, A Certain Ratio) and find it all a bit dull, probably because Nick Heyward's voice is not very distinctive. Could Nile Rodgers have predicted he would inspire so much feyness with his Chic guitar?
I'm also resentful after being teased for a poor coiffure ca. 1983 with "Haircut 100!", a devastating playground insult, so there's that..
The Icarus Line
1/5
What is this shit? (Mark - bonus point if you get the reference; two if you explore that path instead of this fetid turd)
Did a high school band hear The Stooges 30 years too late?
Why should I suffer the consequences?
Television
5/5
I've been thinking about how to review this for a while (or "Horses", if it came up first), concerned I would go into an old man rant about how people don't make records like this anymore. I've settled on this:
Records of this quality and importance are like elements of the periodic table; once they've been discovered by the pioneers who made them, we should all be happy that Platinum exists, not sad that no-one will isolate it for the first time again.
Pretentious, moi?
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Much as a philosopher proposed for Jonathan Richman on this here website, Jeff Lynne looked at The Beatles and said "I can do that"; from time-to-time, he would succeed.
You might think I am an ELO's Greatest Hits kinda guy, and you would be correct (apart from Discovery, which I love for nostalgic reasons). This one is too much and too long (often both at once), but when it gets it right it hits hard. "Sweet Talkin' Woman" and "Mr Blue Sky" are always a pleasure, and kudos also for inventing Daft Punk. I'm too old for double albums that are not particularly varied throughout, but I probably would have loved this if I discovered it 35 years ago. I'll be kind
Slipknot
2/5
Uh, they seem committed to this at least, even if it sounds like Limp Bizkit dialed up to 11. "Eeyore" is likely the peak of this genre, while "Wait and Bleed" hints at a more vulnerable side to their craft that might have paid dividends in later work. As it is, AARGGH DEATH MOTHERFUCKER
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Another style my kids cannot abide. I've got plenty of time for Cocteau majesty in its highlights, but this was a tough sell today
Magazine
4/5
wow, knew the occasional Magazine song (and Barry Adamson's solo stuff) but never got round to an actual album before. Ticks all the boxes while also sounding fresh and surprising. Great stuff, will get into them ASAP
OutKast
3/5
The good bits are enjoyable but there is SO MUCH stuff on here it's hard to keep any attention focused. Way too many "interludes" as was the interminable style at the time. The Love Below is a bit more varied, Speakerboxxx is better average quality. Stick to the singles probably
Steely Dan
2/5
The first Steely Dan album I've listened to in full. Sounds like a collection of '70s TV themes. Peg is fun but better when sampled by De La Soul. Seems a bit directionless
Venom
2/5
Pretty silly, schoolboy stuff. Some of the music sounds like proto-shoegaze; "Buried Alive" could be a comedian reading a Hammer Horror script over early Ride. Other parts sound like Motorhead taking the piss out of a community theater production of Rosemary's Baby. Essential, eh?
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
4/5
Now this is more like it! I will always have a soft spot for the "Promenade" theme thanks to The New Statesman (hilarious, if you don't know it), the Madeleine of my staying up late on a Sunday school-night. Shameless overblown and pretentious prog indulgence gets the approval of this old B'Stard. And "Nutrocker", perfect from conception to execution; as someone observes in the reviews, how did they make it out of Newcastle alive?!
System Of A Down
4/5
Enjoyed this a lot - loud, tuneful, great vocals. Played a bunch of times today, perhaps more in the future. A bit sweary but never juvenile
The Beach Boys
2/5
Just: no.
The Beach Boys never actually sound like how the people who drink their Kool-Aid describe; it's not a magical wall-of-sound with beautiful harmonies and incredibly inventive instrumentation. It's a flat, tinny 3rd-rate Phil Spector knock-off with limited tuneage, mediocre vocals, creepy 60's incel lyrics and fucking harpsichords (please applaud).
Comparing this to Rubber Soul (yet alone *Revolver*) is just laughable
"Wouldn't It Be Nice" is the closest Earthly approximation of the soundtrack in Hell; imagine being poked in the arse by cheery demon pitchforks while something unattainably worse drivels on in the background
"Caroline, No" has a recording of a fucking train and a dog appended at the end, for no apparent reason - genius!
"Love and Mercy" (specifically, the later version) is the only Brian Wilson-related musical offering I have ever felt lived up to the infinite hype - maybe Landry had some benign influence after all?
Wake up people, this is shit. Saved from 1* by a residual fondness for Frank Black's "Hang On To Your Ego"
Willie Nelson
5/5
Melancholy country ballads, a classic sound with the godlike Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain as the ultimate example
[EDIT: was low-key looking forward to getting this again, and it did not disappoint. Bumped up to the top and purchased - his voice and the material are perfectly suited, and even though the vibrato trick is basically the same on every track it gets me EVERY TIME. Could be the only country album you ever need, just great]
Klaxons
2/5
Is this what was once called "landfill indie"? If so, it was well-named (and I say that as a mild fan of some *terrible* early 2000's bands - hi, Hard-Fi!)
Occasional hints of a tune, buried under some appalling production. Rating below puts this on par with "Pet Sounds", appropriately enough
Gillian Welch
2/5
Just drifted right past me. I'm usually pretty receptive to this kind of thing, but the melodies were too slight and the instrumentation too basic, dare I say dirge-like. Nah
The Cardigans
4/5
This was not nearly as lightweight as anticipated, quite interesting while tuneful and fun. My middle kid became an instant fan. Well worth a "best-of"! I never need to hear "Lovefool" again, of course, and "Iron Man" is a bit superfluous (perhaps they drifted into this while figuring out "Choke"). Regardless, I was going to mark this a bit harshly as it was not the total noisefest I was hoping for to honor Albini, but you can't blame some Swedes in '96. Instead, afterwards I played "Goat", which probably deserves its own place on this list
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
The most interesting big band music I've ever heard - way ahead of its time, really good!
[EDIT: Sounds like a bunch of soundtrack themes to exciting yet unmade films thrown together. "Duet", in particular is great. Extra points for the cover art. Boom]
5/5
timeless, know every note
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Oooh, yes. A member of my exclusive *good double album* club.
Really shows what a powerful creative bunch the Zep were in this period; half of it is reheated left-overs albeit from the sessions of some incredible albums. I'll eat microwaved LZIII, LZIV and Houses of the Holy dog ends all day long ("The Rover", fuck yeah). And, of course, "Kashmir", a monster riff even P. Fiddler couldn't ruin. Any more commentary feels glib, this is a massive album with some massive tunes, appropriate for the stately homes it was recorded in. '70s rock excess at its finest.
Suzanne Vega
2/5
One of a very few contemporary albums I was aware of through my Dad's record collection. I thought this was quite boring back then, and it appears my original assessment still stands. Somewhere between Joni Mitchell and Laurie Anderson, but without the boldness of either. What's on here is fine (could have sworn "Left of Center" was included?) but doesn't really stick around (cf. my Dad, who didn't make it to "Solitude Standing", a much better album I recall)
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
I quite enjoyed this, amazingly, a bit more varied and interesting (darker?) than the standard reggae cliches. Good background music for a late night data analysis, even listened to it three times. You're alright, Bob
The Smiths
5/5
[EDIT - I first got this assigned on Sep 9, 2022, which was nice]
I grew up with this album and various Smiths singles of the period - Smash Hits loved 'em and who was I to argue? Oh, the thrill of catching a bit of "Bigmouth Strikes Again" on The Chart Show (perhaps with "Sledgehammer" or "Happy Hour" in the same episode). Still my favorite album of theirs, but now I can appreciate both how great the backing work is (once again, Andy Rourke is incredible) and what a twat Morrissey was/became. So incredibly accomplished, a lot of depth behind the great tunes. Solid five, of course
David Bowie
5/5
Busy day, brief review - this is great!
Pink Floyd
4/5
Another very busy day. Love much of this esp. Lucifer Sam and Bike (from a melodic point of view) and Astronomy/Overdrive (from a tripped out one). The best psychedelic Floyd I reckon
The Incredible String Band
1/5
Dreadful - twee folky background tunes with weird noises on top. The sound quality is awful, the singer is terrible and the songs go on forever without mercy. A shame as I probably like much of what this inspired - perhaps this is "The Velvet Underground and Nico" for folkies, but regardless it's one of the worst things I've ever heard.
Laibach
3/5
I do, as it happens, appreciate melodramatic rock tropes harshly intonated at me in German (see Die Toten Hosen, and, likely, Rammstein whom I figure I would probably like although have not yet had the pleasure). So it goes here, although if I were to pick a 1985 Eurotrash one-hit-wonder as the basis of a quasi-fascist song cycle, I would have gone with Baltimora's "Tarzan Boy".
This is a bit one-note, but fun enough to pass the time. As Slovenian exports go, it's infinitely preferable to the execrable Melania Trump.
Marty Robbins
3/5
You don't hear enough "W" these days. El Paso I know, which drifts into The Wild Rover in my head if you let it. Highly enjoyable, with hints of earlier Elvis, although it can sound like a Mexican restaurant at times.
Cyndi Lauper
2/5
decent '80s pop album with all the hits, and ?
[EDIT: I do like "All Through The Night" though..]
Scott Walker
2/5
I get that he has a good voice, and that in 1967/1968 this career path was a bit unusual (Harry Styles sings Wagner?) but the MOR (plodding) production coupled with the somewhat unpleasant nature of the Brel songs in particular (and their hectoring delivery) just makes for a smarmy mess that I really have no desire to listen to, despite the alleged quality of it all. Sorry!
The Youngbloods
3/5
Never heard of The Youngbloods and was initially impressed, but overall I think their relative obscurity is probably appropriate. Some good songs, an excellent white soul voice, a bit Buffalo Springfield, and a band member called "Banana"; unfortunately too much noodling and half-finished sketches to be a great album
Pavement
5/5
A firm favorite since I happily swapped my unloved copy of "Bandwagonesque" for this raggedy sonic wonderland in early '92. One of those masterpieces where every song is the best one on the album. I remember Mark E Smith being pissed off by how much they ripped him off at the time, and you can hear it on a few tracks, but it's Slates/Hex-era Fall with better tunes so all good from my perspective (kinda like how Chicken Tikka Masala is the archetypal Indian dish despite originating in Glasgow). Weird to think it was them or Nirvana as the next great indie hopefuls on MTV. Have I mentioned before how much I like Pavement? Some days I agree with Mr. Malkmus that this is their best. Today is one of them. Tomorrow it could be "Terror Twilight".
5/5
A foundational favorite, even far into the depths of hipsterdom the following decade and beyond. It does take itself a bit seriously (e.g., "Bullet The Blue Sky", the coda of "One Tree Hill") but fair enough, the tunes are more than sufficient to carry the weight of the ego (I even made a pilgrimage up the latter while in Auckland and, of course, have visited Zabriskie Point).
Caused a spirited debate amongst my kids whether "Where The Streets Have No Name" is grammatically correct, and if "Running To Stand Still" is a stupid expression, so thanks for that Bongo.
If you like this, and you like "War", check out "The Unforgettable Fire"; it's basically the average of the two, a bit more new wave with limited Americana and Enofication, epic soundscapes that are a bit rougher around the edges. I can't hide from my unfashionable tastes on this website - yes, I really do like U2 and The Doors, let's see who crawls out of the woodwork next..
Neil Young
4/5
I used to sing along with this on my potty before I could read (along with contemporary James Taylor and John Denver albums), so you'd be wise to anticipate high marks. There are probably NY albums we'll encounter that I would have to rate 6* in comparison, so I'm throwing a 4 on par with its predecessor. As it is, good to hear again - not one I return to often, although "Harvest" itself is up there with my absolute favorite songs. He was wise to head for the ditch afterwards, but this MOR dalliance is exquisite while it lasts, if occasionally a bit overripe
Snoop Dogg
5/5
"The Chronic" part II, and just as good. The production on these early Dr Dre records is incredible; "Lodi Dodi" is a masterpiece. It all sounds like so much *fun* - you can quibble with the lyrical content and attitude all you like, but you can't tell me you didn't enjoy "For All My Niggaz & Bitches" regardless. G-funk forever
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
really good, a breath of fresh air when it came out in the heyday of Britpop. seemed to be played everywhere at the time, listening to it now brings back good memories of London bars and restaurants in the late '90s. thoroughly enjoyable
[EDIT - 5 in a row that I own, how long will this pleasant but unenlightening streak continue?]
Suede
4/5
I have a genuine fondness for this album, not particularly for the music (which can be great) but because it reminds me of some exciting teenage years. I can bore you with tales of pre-fame Suede (Ricky Gervais at the ULU! 20 people at the White Horse in Hampstead!) but I'm becoming a cliche here. Suffice to say - those early singles were *so* exhilarating, and watching some shaky pub band turn into (UK) megastars still gives me a vicarious thrill (even though no-one I worked with really achieved anything of their magnitude). The Bowie affectations are a bit tedious (esp. the, shall we say, "faux-***" (TM) posturing that attracted deserved mockery at the time) but some of the tunes are fabulous (-ly derivative) with enjoyably bitchy lyrics ("..the canine in the A-line..") and provincial delivery ("..daahn to Werthing..") that warms the cockles of this old git. Nostalgic 4*
Jeff Buckley
3/5
It's OK. I didn't understand the fuss when it came out, still don't. Not as good as his dad, much better than copycat whiners such as Radiohead. John Cale doesn't get the credit he should for the OG arrangement of Hallelujah but I doubt he cares.
Black Sabbath
5/5
An excellent choice to end my 7-day dry patch. Started off a bit underwhelmed but then I turned it up loud, and by the 2nd run-through it was clear that the opening track is a heavy prog masterpiece. After 3 listens most of the songs became familiar old favorites. What a drummer! Looks like there could be a lot of Black Sabbath in my future. Hail Satan etc
The Roots
2/5
This was a real slog. Overlong, half acerbic and irritating rap, half bland nu-soul, neither very good. Black Thought's voice and lyrics are pretty uninteresting, and the "it's a real band" conceit leaves little room for innovative (or even catchy) samples or effects. About as entertaining as a piece of dry brown toast. Saved from 1* due to an unexpected dash of one of my fey favorites in the mix
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
Admittedly, I'm not a very sophisticated jazz appreciator; however, this seemed almost featureless, with only parts of "Alice In Wonderland" eliciting a knowing stroke of the chin. Harsh 2*
Cat Stevens
3/5
Cat Stevens was also a regular on the potty training playlist, but my interest didn't make it past childhood even in a Greatest Hits style. Listening to this, I am reminded of why - songs are pretty but simple, with my overall impression on the nursery rhyme side of things. Still, "Father And Son" offers good mystical advice, "Miles From Nowhere" would make a neat cremation epitaph, and the title track is odd and majestic.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
1/5
Closer to what I expect from RHCP, here the good song/constipated funk workout with terrible vocals ratio is about 1:16 (and I'm being generous to "Under The Bridge" here). So fucking long, and every song is the same, and over 4 min for no goddam reason - how can a track listing with titles like "Funky Monks" or "Sir Psycho Sexy" (8 fucking minutes!) promise anything other than deep, existential horror? I was desperately praying (in vain) that "Naked In The Rain" was a Blue Pearl cover. Appalling
The Strokes
2/5
Oh boy - fueled by UK press hype more intense even than for Oasis, tantalizingly described as the second coming of Television, I fired up the ol'Kazaa (hooray!) and ripped this, listened to it once, and sadly agreed with its title. Has not improved with age, wtf are those vocals and that "bass guitar"? If you can't play, at least try to play something interesting! Fucking trust fund posers. Side note - at that point had anyone in the UK press even heard Television?!
Cornershop
4/5
I actually bought this with my own money when it came out, although evidently got bored of it before the time came to transfer it to mp3. Listening again - how could I have left this behind? By the 5th track - oh, right, too much Odelay-wannabe meandering to keep the interest up [note - "Butter The Soul" is fantastic]. Yet, it picks up a bit towards the end, and overall was great to hear again.
"Sleep On The Left Side" summons fond memories of Mark'n'Lard in the afternoon; "..Asha" is better here in the pre-Fatboy Slim version; "Norwegian Wood" is a diverting listen for my Yank friends (who are incredulous that a UK/Indian band would call themselves "Cornershop"; that's a prime UK/US difference right there). Might love it again until I get bored
Tim Buckley
3/5
About 1/3 of this is pretty good, quite different style from the folk minstrel material I was familiar with. I'm not fully convinced by the UrghSexBuckley on display here, but "Move With Me", "Sweet Surrender" and "Make It Right" are entertaining. Beautiful cover brings home the 3*
Happy Mondays
5/5
The Mondays sure knew how to write a hook, didn't they? I'll spare you the effusive praise for this, but will note that this album and a few of its contemporaries basically spoiled me - for a good while I naively expected every new release to be of this quality, and was usually sorely disappointed. Of course, I have no expectations at all these days, just a fond memory trying to figure out the logistics of "Bob's Yer Uncle"
Lou Reed
5/5
Drags itself over the 5* line, as half of the songs are fabulous and Bowie has never produced a clunker. Hangin' Round is my favorite, somehow, and the whole thing is kinda the evil twin of Hunky Dory
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Really captures the mood of the performance. Not my style but good nonetheless
[EDIT - downgraded 2nd time around, quite a bit blander than I remember; I guess the moral is never listen to the bonus tracks]
N.E.R.D
1/5
wtf is this? I'm offended I wasted time on this half-arsed mediocrity, what's next - Macklemore? Utterly shit, one of the very few on this list I've skipped through without finishing (and I listened to the Lenny Kravitz album in full). I've heard better Kidz Bop compilations.
Beach House
3/5
Another from my seemingly large collection of "albums from the 2000s I own but have never listened to". And it's quite good! Somewhere between Arcade Fire and Fleet Foxes, with the washed-out vocal/guitar/organ sound characteristic of that period. I bet Mark is unimpressed
2/5
"The Bends" but 10 years later. Shame, I'd never heard this and was hoping for something weirder, actual proggy and/or dramatic; just got dull indie slop with histrionic vocals.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Part virtuosic, part annoying, this confounds me every time I hear it. Love me some Kamasi Washington, and the tunes in general outweigh some pretty dumb lyrics throughout. Tupac worship baffles me, such a tedious poser. Scrapes a 4* despite all the bullshit
David Bowie
5/5
My original "favorite Bowie album" after voraciously devouring various compilations. Not a minute wasted here, his band is at the top of their game and the vocals on "Word On A Wing" and "Wild Is The Wind" are for all time. The best possible advertisement for cocaine abuse - if gawky 17yo me could have obtained sufficient quantities I would have done myself serious damage in tribute. Incredible
De La Soul
4/5
I have this pretty much memorized despite never owning it. The songs would probably vaporize without the superlative sampling they are constructed around, but that's what makes it so much fun.
Barry Adamson
4/5
Hands up who has owned this for nigh-on 30 years?
Just me then?!
Surprised to see such an obscurity here, still play it quite regularly for the vibes (literally). I really enjoy its "cinematic" style even though this has its detractors in the peanut gallery here; also features one of Nick Cave's finer tunes and the fabulous voice of Billy Mackenzie. Funny how I knew Barry Adamson from this but not Magazine until recently! Hope you all enjoyed it
Buck Owens
2/5
Bland C&W: songs are pretty basic and I don't like his voice very much. Could be a collection of second-choice selections for a Tarantino soundtrack. This Bakersfield sound is better than Korn, but not by much
Amy Winehouse
1/5
This is horrible - hate her voice and the shitty mock-60's production. I left the UK before her heyday, fortunately, so didn't quite know what to expect but got something even worse than her debut we were forced through a while ago. Mercifully brief, it appears the inspiration for this nonsense was the Artful Dodger from a borstal production of "Oliver!", which seems fitting.
5/5
A few classics but a not as magnificent as Village Green. Probably unfair as it's great but just not perfect
[EDIT - easily upgraded to a 5* at the second opportunity. Hundreds of albums into this project, you can't be quibbling over the quality of something like this. Arthur has grown to be one of my favorite Kinks songs, and Ray Davies is undisputedly a genius blending the best qualities of Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan while entirely original and fucking hard as nails. England's finest songwriter? Dave Davies is up there with its finest guitarists to boot]
Joanna Newsom
3/5
Another 2000's darling gathering dust on my flash drive. I think I forced myself through it once when it came out, did not know Albini engineered it! Surprised me how enjoyable this was today, sharp and tuneful although undeniably flighty and precious. Decent result overall; kids hate it, of course, condemned as a deranged Disney soundtrack
The Stooges
3/5
Does exactly what it says on the tin
Eminem
3/5
Ubiquitous during summer 2000, two decades later this is both embarrassingly dated and still hilariously offensive. With Dr Dre at the height of his powers and Eminem's cute rhyming schemes, phrasing and lyrical obsessions sounding fresh, there was a lot to like here despite the content (e.g. "Kill You", "Stan", "Marshall Mathers", "Kim"; love 'em or hate 'em, they're great compositions). Docked at least a point for the incessant dumb homophobia, which reduces this to a time capsule rather than another classic Dre production
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Had not heard this before, and found it to be quite a bit more enjoyable than "..Butterfly". Really immersive, with interesting effects such as the voicemails which make the whole thing "cinematic" as intended. A wild success
Depeche Mode
5/5
I picked this up in the local Our Price when it came out, lured in by the starkly evocative cover. Was not disappointed - quality '80s synth pop with quite intricate songs and the requisite amount of sinister, perhaps pervy allusions. I think it's their best, a perfect teenage bedroom record
Kanye West
3/5
I've sat through some real Kanye dreck already on this list, but surprised myself by quite enjoying this. A bit harsh and experimental but so fast moving that it's always interesting and unsettling. Can't decide if "Blood On The Leaves' is a post-modern masterpiece or self-centered travesty, which sums up what little I know of Mr West quite well. I remember Lou Reed evangelizing this, and who am I to argue?
Blood, Sweat & Tears
2/5
This was quite familiar, although not in a particularly good way. Almost as if someone decided to make a record satirizing the hoariest blues, jazz and '60s musical cliches all together at once. Not bad really in a technical sense, but not very enjoyable either. ELP without a sense of humor, in some parts
The Mars Volta
5/5
I have a soft spot for some "post-hardcore" or whatever, essentially because it often sounds like increasingly extravagant variations on "Achilles Last Stand" (a fine idea in my mind). Here is the album that sparked the interest - loud, mysterious and very catchy. Who knows what the fuck "exoskeletal junction at the railroad delayed" is supposed to mean, but I like hearing it! Generous 5* to commemorate the last album I purchased solely through fortunate exposure in a record shop (i.e., 21 years ago), and to increase the chance of its spectacular cover art appearing on our summary page. Yeah!
Radiohead
2/5
As crap and boring as "The Bends" was. Inspired by Miles Davis and Noam Chomsky in the sense this features both "musical notes" and "language words"
Those fucking vocals - STOP IT NOW. You can neither sing nor enunciate accurately you whining pissant, were you half-asleep during the recording?
I would agree with the top reviewer here, viz "Most overrated album of all time", but as my newly-minted "Contributor" colleague might respond: "I don’t know Simon, it’s no Pet Sounds"
Happily, this project has broadened my horizons somewhat such that I can now recognize how the "monster riff" from Paranoid Android was ripped from "Beck's Bolero". Proud of me, Mark?
The Stone Roses
5/5
A pure delight that still rings clear and true today. Melodies so primal I suspect the songs materialized by the invocation of a powerful ancient text.
The rare album that brings together disparate yoof cultures in total admiration (the indie wallflower, the raver, the lad, the scally who doesn't give a shit about music) - at least for my generation and geographic origin. That said, more than one US friend has been keen to show me their fine musical taste using this as their example.
I wanted so much to be *part of whatever created this* the moment I got to the end of "I Am The Resurrection". Can genuinely say that my life would be quite different if I never heard it.
My greatest motivation for doing this 1001+ album slog/enchantment is to discover *the other record* that has the same effect on me.
You'd better agree, Mark, or I'll cut your fucking hands off
2/5
Never felt the urge to actively seek out XTC; like Squeeze (who I often confuse them with), their radio songs are pleasant enough but uninspiring. Now, having been forced to seek them out today (due to this being unavailable on Spotify), my opinion remains the same. Professional sounding but dull; dorky lyrics and clumsy song structures abound
Tom Tom Club
3/5
I read somewhere that this album and the associated singles sold more copies/made more money than all of the Talking Heads work combined! It's been fun over the years hearing "Genius Of Love" re-worked repeatedly to give some substance to the current chart flavor-of-the-month. There's a 10+ minute dub version out there with ear-splittingly loud bass, a phenomenal soundtrack for a late night drive down a dark desert road.
Black Flag
2/5
So this is what Henry Rollins did when he was younger? I was surprised how "adolescent" the themes were e.g. I'm bored, don't wanna watch TV. The Coasters via The MC5. Not bad, but doesn't hold my attention
Sade
2/5
Actively avoided this throughout the '80s as I figured it did not sound much like Duran Duran. So it proved when it finally caught up with me today; apart from the ubiquitous first couple of tracks it leaves the impression of very high quality wallpaper. Smooth Operator is the exception, geographic accuracy notwithstanding
David Bowie
5/5
This has never been my favorite of the "classic" Bowie albums, although listening again it seems I'm just being picky. What's a few lesser music-hall numbers when there's "Changes", "Oh! You Pretty Things", "Life On Mars?", and the goddam genius "Bewlay Brothers" ffs? Fun to trace the evolution of "White Light, White Heat" into "Queen Bitch" and then on to "Transformer" in hindsight. It's a 5*, glad to hear it again.
Mark - if you like the more spooky/Nietzschean stuff (e.g. "Quicksand") but wished it rocked a bit harder, you'd probably like "The Man Who Sold The World", unlikely to be on here but (gun to the head) the better album
The Allman Brothers Band
1/5
*sigh*
CHIC
4/5
Great stuff, some of their best tunes
[EDIT - busy day, basic review but I did end up purchasing this]
Everything But The Girl
2/5
You can date this almost to the minute by the omnipresent mild drum'n'bass backing. Very pleasant, with all the negative connotations that invokes. Tracey Thorn rarely gets the material she deserves, although she does usually write some of it so is hardly blameless..
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
Didn't get the love for this at the time, and still think it's a poor effort. Not really "fun" rap like Sugarhill Gang etc. earlier, and pretty weak compared to Public Enemy or even LL Cool J. Boring beats and one-note shouty rhymes, like the similarly overhyped Beastie Boys. Walk This Way is definitive, but only because the original is terrible. Barely scrapes a 3 for historical purposes
[EDIT - downgraded as it's boring as shit]
Eagles
2/5
Fun fact: there is indeed a "corner" in Winslow, AZ upon which you can stand, adjacent to a mural of a girl (my Lord) in a flatbed Ford sneaking a look in your direction. You can pay to have your named inscribed into one of the bricks from which this corner is constructed. I purchased a fridge magnet.
Which is to say - this is shamelessly commercial, and quite clunky. Boomers, eh?
The Zutons
2/5
I have indeed heard buskers play on the side streets of Liverpool - can I die now?
More a jumble-sale than a landfill; videlicet Zutons are a mild improvement over Klaxons if still unmemorable
UB40
2/5
I found this album cover quite unsettling while browsing in the '80s. Finally heard the music inside, and it's alright, a bit Specials-y and not as bland as their later pop hits. Uncomplicated dub/reggae, not really my thing but I admire the militant anti-Thatcher sentiment
Public Enemy
5/5
Such a great sounding album! Old git here, but this is how rap music should be produced. Still sounds dangerous and abrasive, and sad how the "controversial" stuff like the call-in sampled on Incident At 66.6 FM resembles the golden age of radio compared to the shit nowadays on Fox News etc. Fight The Power pushes this to a 5 easily
[EDIT - Much appreciated relief from the curse of the twos. A masterpiece]
Kanye West
5/5
Picked this up on the strength of "Runaway" and a Pitchfork 10/10 (hey, it was the Obama days). Overcome by a braggadocious wall of noise, I didn't give it a second listen. But today, with hindsight: wow, this is absolutely *too much* in just the right way, and I finally understand why pre-Nazi Kanye was so highly feted. Incredible production, witty and funny lyrics (if frequently reflecting obvious insecurities), populated by a wealth of talent all throwing high quality shit at the wall. Only low point is the piss-weak warbling of Justin Vernon (dreading "For Emma..." if it shows up here). Strongest parts have their roots deep in prog (goddam, "Dark Fantasy": where did he hear the original?!), potentially inspiring me to dig into the Gentle Giant back catalog and make my fortune. Watch this space..
I really didn't want to give this top marks, but I've been impulsively listening to it all weekend, and even sat through some of the rest of his output (Yeezus is the closest, the earlier stuff is awful). Uneasy 5*
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
There's definitely too much Nick Cave on this record. Includes 3-4 decent, even good songs ("There She Goes.." is up there with his best) but very little that's novel or musically-interesting enough to justify the other 13-14. Hard to shake the impression of someone sniffing their own farts in places
Leonard Cohen
4/5
You have to be in the mood, but it's a great collection of songs if you are. I've enjoyed (?) being despondent to a "Famous Blue Raincoat" accompaniment many times over the years (yes, it is poetry: "..and thanks for the trouble you took from her eyes; I thought it was there for good, so I never tried" is devastating)
Some of this is quite sparse and intense, and some of this sounds like a drunken minstrel rambling in a demented Wild West saloon, all of which adds to the fun. And, of course, "Avalanche"..
Definitely the best of his misery canon, but not for every day
Queen
2/5
As you know, I'm pretty "prog tolerant", but this mostly sounded aimless and quite badly recorded. Seven Seas of Rhye carries the album
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
Man, when not fucking his cousin, killing his wife or defrauding the good ol' American taxpayer, Jerry Lee sure could play piano eh? They'd make him president nowadays
Isaac Hayes
4/5
So good, long grooves that never get boring. Perfect for an extended workout
[EDIT: The 9 minute intro to "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" is, by consensus, the worst thing my kids have ever heard. I first broadcast this album from the list about 2 years ago, and within 30 seconds today they knew exactly what it was and screamed for their lives. I quite like it though; ironically, I can be in Phoenix long before the intro is finished]
Fleet Foxes
2/5
What was going on in the late 2000s? Why were pastiche sea shanties, skiffle and Gregorian chants on every hipster's iPod? I'm quite glad I missed much of it, the case in favor made here is pretty thin. A disappointment after the earlier "Mykonos" (a relative banger) pointed towards a more tuneful and less precious evolution
Madness
3/5
Like The Specials, Madness were popular with the big, scary boys so I never really got into them (I'm still a bit wary of "House of Fun"). This is pretty good, killer singles and diverse, tuneful other tracks, worth the effort it took to find online. I still don't love em, though, a bit samey and not as inventive as their Kinks forebears
Elliott Smith
2/5
Sounds really basic and uninspired - never understood why this guy got any attention. So many superior examples of this type of music are out there, your local bar singer-songwriter can probably do it better. Quite brief, at least
Mylo
2/5
Never heard of this - sounds like a 2nd-rate Nightmares On Wax album. I assume the title is ironic. Maybe captured a point in time but it bored me to tears
Thelonious Monk
4/5
Really liked this - one of the rare jazz albums I paid rapt attention to all the way through. Inspired me to sit through my 2hr+ "Ken Burns Jazz" compilation again, of which the highlights were "Straight, No Chaser" and "'Round Midnight" among a few others. Seems like Mr Monk's work hits exactly in my jazz sweet spot..
The Police
2/5
Quite an odd mishmash of styles and "look at me, I've read a psychology book" guff with huge swings in quality between tracks ("Mother", "Walking In Your Footsteps", the "Synchronicit[ies]" ffs). I, too, would have come to blows with Sting during the recording of "Every Breath You Take". I do quite like "King Of Pain", however
Napalm Death
1/5
Hate to go with the crowd here, but this album is pretty terrible. Tuneless noise with limited variation, although it doesn't deserve its position near the bottom of this list - not while Korn and Ryan Adams draw breath anyway.
Reading the history of Napalm Death, it seems they changed vocalists between this and later work (perhaps understandably). Unfortunately, that means I don't get to share my Barney anecdote here (think "Shady Lane")
Super Furry Animals
3/5
3(/4) great-ish singles, lots more tuneful but ultimately pointless filler. Do we really need more than one SFA album on here and, if so, why not "Radiator"?
T. Rex
5/5
Sounds great 50+ years later, still immediate and exciting. So many great tunes on this, and contemporary stand-alone singles. Neck-and-neck with Bowie here, but didn't even make it to 30! Imagine a post-punk T.Rex...
The Kinks
5/5
Love it, listen to it frequently, not a bad song on it and many top tunes including two or three of their best. Wonderful album
[EDIT - and the lyrics throughout! So ahead of its time, could be repurposed by a cynical Gen Z'er to illustrate our contemporary shitshow with minimal edits]
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Somebody to Love is great, of course. The rest is not very distinctive, pleasant psych-folk, Grace Slick should have more of the vocals
ABBA
3/5
There's a weird inverse snobbery around ABBA - if you don't think they are unbridled geniuses then you must hate pop music and be a really boring human, a joyless cipher. I find them a bit basic and awkward in the classic Europop fashion - fun and tuneful but no different fundamentally from Ace of Base or Eiffel 65. This album cover was everywhere when I was a kid, and the mysteries contained therein were revealed today as: a bit basic and awkward, if fun and tuneful. Didn't hold my attention long despite fond memories of "Dancing Queen" signaling lights-up horror at The Dome in Tufnell Park, and amusing thoughts of Zapata and Villa chilling over a margarita to "Fernando". Aha..
The Cure
3/5
All the songs sound the same, but it's a great song! "Charlotte Sometimes" and "The Hanging Garden" are probably the best examples, both on the singles collection.
Christina Aguilera
1/5
I see this gets a lot of hate on here, and it seems to be pretty justified. At a minimum, she answers the question "how strong was the cocaine in 2005?" quite definitively. Otherwise, how can you explain the hubris of the first song, the overlong track list with no major tunes nor significant variety, or the ear-bleeding cringe of the "fan messages" sampled on "Thank You" (what's worse, if these are real or if they were made up in the studio? I can't decide). The back half is a bit better (i.e., most words are sung using the correct amount of syllables, and there are some amusing Viz-level entendres in the lyrics) but that's not saying much. Sorry, Xtina - too long and too shit even for a 2
Beatles
4/5
Leaps far ahead of their debut, the Lennon/McCartney songwriting evolving at a ridiculous pace with "All My Loving" the equal of the Chuck Berry/Smokey Robinson covers on here, "I Wanna Be Your Man" tossed off as Ringo number while also establishing The Rolling Stones, and the first Harrison credit to boot ("Don't Bother Me", also really good)
Sam Cooke
4/5
Great sounding record, as good as a greatest hits just missing What A Wonderful World
Crowded House
3/5
This album was huge when I was in the prime of hipness, so naturally I dismissed it as boring. My impetuousness was quite accurate it seems, there are some decent melodies but it all sounds so dispassionate. "Weather With You" is the biggie, pervasive and slightly annoying to this day. Crowded House have generous songwriting talent but lack something important in the delivery, achieving a Squeeze-like impression when they could have aimed for Aztec Camera if they'd put the effort in. Low 3
LL Cool J
3/5
Pretty enjoyable, with some excellent parts (title track is an all-timer) and some terribly-dated cringe ("Milky Cereal", "Mr Good Bar" - a chocolate bar, for those non-US people - with the choice 'I sure wouldn't rape you' lyric; thanks, LL!). I prefer the previous "disappointing" (?) Walking With A Panther but this has enough classic '90s production to keep its average up. However - pro tip - the excellent "Def Jam 10th Year Anniversary" box set has all the LLCJ you'll ever need.
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
I was dreading this and it lived down to my prejudice. I love "The Charm of the Highway Strip" and "Get Lost", but you can't even cut the highlights of this debacle down to a single album that would be of remotely similar quality. The definition of indulgence, and a real puzzle to understand who has the time for it
[EDIT - I made it all the way through ONCE AGAIN and hate its pointless filler half-arsed improv bad showtune-ass bullshit even more. Sorry, Stephin - this is now downgraded even further in line with my tally of only 4 worthy tunes (5% - wtf!!!) adrift in a sea of absolute drivel]
Garbage
2/5
I avoided this when it came out, assuming it was a half-baked dull grunge-adjacent cash in. Once again, my jaundice bats 1.000! Snoozey college rock tunes, clumsy mild-dominatrixy lyrics sung a bit off-key, no respite from the pleasantly mild trip-hop shadow beats throughout - music for people who found "Nevermind" a bit too intense but liked the T-shirts, appropriate given Butch Vig's role in the whole affair. How would you describe it: refuse, rubbish, scrap, trash...?
Jungle Brothers
2/5
Starts auspiciously enough with a snatch of "White Lines", unfortunately all downhill from there. Another daisy age doze, with guest appearances from some of the chief dullards of the period (KRS-One, Monie Love (corblimey!)); sounds *very* late-80's, some interesting lyrics in part but quite FUBU overall. You can see how LL Cool J was considered "hardcore" in context
Sonic Youth
4/5
Such a great sounding record. Suffers a bit in comparison with its successor in hindsight, but that's really a sign of how good at songwriting they got so quickly. "Kotton Krown" (weirdly spelled using 'C's on my mp3 version, probably an iTunes mishap long ago) in particular is great. And, of course, "Gene Simmons is an ugly motherfucker"
The Specials
4/5
A deceptively casual title and cover photo frames this hugely inventive collection of songs. A joyful mix of ska, music hall, lounge and witty social commentary with a dash of dub and Goldfinger. As usual, I'll marvel how diverse, interesting and skillful "pop" bands used to be when I was young. So accomplished, they hadn't even written "Ghost Town" yet!
I'll also take the opportunity to crown Terry Hall the King Of Fey (unless "Virgins and Philistines" awaits us?) - an all-time-great vocalist/songwriter dispensing absolute bangers in various styles consistently his whole life, from "Stereotype" here through many other '80s greats (look 'em up), Vegas (a secret fey classic), the best (non-football) Lightning Seeds song and a bouncy Arabic-y collaboration with Mushtaq. What a talent, sadly missed.
Basement Jaxx
1/5
The soundtrack to a million pints of Stella in your local All Bar One at the end of the last millennium. Hated it then, but if you offered me the chance to return to 1999, with the condition I had to listen to this shit 1000 more times, I'd bite your hand off. Having to sit through it even once today without any such benefit was borderline impossible. Just dreadful
Def Leppard
2/5
Exactly the production sound I hate - the pop metal soundtrack to a Chuck Norris made-for-TV movie or a 3rd-rate strip bar, or perhaps a Chuck Norris made-for-TV movie set in a 3rd-rate strip bar. Singer is awful, songs go on far too long. Barely a tune on here amongst all the leering and screeching. Not enjoyable even in a cheesy '80s sense, but harmless. Kiss are far worse.
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
Mostly aimless jazz noodling, not great apart from The Bottle and some Watergate ranting later on. On Amazon Music if you're looking for it
Randy Newman
3/5
I liked this a lot more than the previous Newman on here. Easy to dismiss as "Toy Story but racist", but the empathy seems genuine and the song quality is high, good tunes. A pleasant surprise
Throbbing Gristle
3/5
A fun listen but there wasn't enough in the longer tracks to keep my attention throughout. "Hamburger Lady" is great, and "I.B.M." and "AB/7A" are each a unique kind of banger.
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
Wow, this takes me back. The "Grace" of 1993 (Jeff B, not the song on here), in the sense everyone was raving about it and I didn't understand why. Still don't - surely it's just Counting Crows without the skills for a hit song? Listen to The Jayhawks instead if you want some tuneful alt-country-ish background music from this period. Or don't, I won't mind.
The Thrills
1/5
Outside of their immediate family, who is this album for?! Did youse go on a little trip to America and write a few wee songs about it?
I am commencing legal action under under the Truth In Advertising act forthwith
Morrissey
2/5
Vaguely familiar, likely due to a friend desperately pretending that each new Morrissey release of the period was "a return to form". Nope
The trouble with Morrissey's solo career is *not* what a dick he became, it's that (barring "Viva Hate" and parts of "Your Arsenal") the tunes are so threadbare it becomes such a dull slog. Boorer/Whyte (who?) were no match for Johnny Marr, unlike perhaps Vini Reilly or Mick Ronson. But, sure, sample some more Ealing film dialogue and grind out some more basic rockabilly indie mush, someone will buy it. The hit and Speedway afford this a high 2, but nothing more
Ananda Shankar
4/5
Mixed feelings about this initially, the Jumping Jack Flash cover didn't really excite me although Light My Fire sounded admirably more ornate even than Jose Feliciano's version. One of my kids loved the sitar drone, claiming the longer tracks were "very calming", and made a rare demand for a second listen. Soon after the whole family was grooving along
Beck
3/5
I did not like this at the time, ripped from Kazaa and deleted within a day or two. Listening today it didn't seem too bad but got steadily more dull after about 3 tracks. "Mutations" has all the sulky Beck you could need
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
I guess this was the o.g. but it's still dull white blues. Better than the Yardbirds at least
[EDIT: Sorry, Mark - this music bores me to tears. So weak]
Brian Eno
3/5
The absolute finest music to fall asleep to, which is meant as a compliment. 1/1 in particular is the peak of the ambient genre and could last forever with no complaints from me
New York Dolls
4/5
High marks for the influence of this album, slightly lower marks for its content after so many decades have passed. Still a great listen, but others ran with it and achieved greater results. That said, I bet Mark likes this better than "Exile On Main St." and he may have a point
FKA twigs
4/5
The last time I gave a shit about year-end "best-of" lists this album was consistently near the top. After providing quite a jarring soundtrack to a stormy drive around Indianapolis, I didn't want to listen to it again. Of course, I enjoyed it immensely today; stupid, really - I am quite fond of "Magdalene" (fool me once and I'll double down, motherfucker) so should have returned earlier. Modern in a way I usually don't tolerate but there are clearly tunes and talent buried within the sterile, claustrophobic production
Dizzee Rascal
2/5
On average this was pretty terrible, although parts were done better than I expected. Easy to see why an NME journalist would wank himself into a dizzy stupor over its gritty urban Lahndahn affect; hard to understand why anyone else would listen to this irritating mess of their own volition.
Liz Phair
5/5
Lke catching up with an old friend today, knew every word even though it has been years; a constant in the office CD pile through 93/94. The original and best of its kind, some choice lyrics and tunes throughout the whole 18. "Divorce Song" remains an all-time favorite. Shame she never did anything close to this afterwards.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Hadn't heard this album before, and unfortunately with good reason. Best bits are on Greatest Hits, rest is unremarkable. I love me some Lenny but not this so much
Jethro Tull
4/5
Much better than the widespread scorn from '90s music press would suggest. Beats Metallica any day and inspired me to check out their other work. Some of this is a bit pervy, and it's not clear if it's pro- or anti-pervert, but hey, '70s lyrics..
[EDIT - 2nd time and still great! Hope you enjoyed it too, Mark. Entertainingly bonkers, and slaps hard]
Can
3/5
Oh, Can.. I do like the obvious ones but mostly it all drifts by amiably. So it was here. Air have probably heard the title track.
Elastica
1/5
Godawful rip off of Wire, Buzzcocks and The Stranglers (and contemporary Blur in a Hole/Nirvana sense). Becomes steadily worse as it goes on. Totally creatively bankrupt, so disappointing to see this come up on the list. Utter shite
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Oooh yes, my favorite Joni album! "Coyote", "Amelia", "A Strange Boy", Jaco Pastorius' slick sticky bass lines and the finest example of a very long song that I wish had another 20 verses (eat it Dylan!) - the incredible "Song For Sharon". Just wow. Imagine seeing (or being involved with) the Rolling Thunder Revue! Easy 10
Richard Thompson
5/5
Another opportunity to praise folk-rock and ramble about my Dad, and I'll take it! Pretty much flawless from start to finish, with some of the Thompson's greatest moments (although check out live versions of The Calvary Cross for even more splendid guitar). Subconsciously takes me back to a wet and tense summer holiday exploring the castles of Northumberland in about 1981, although I could be engineering that memory a bit; would have been the perfect soundtrack regardless. Also a favorite of our extremely-bearded old labmate, Mark. It does strike me as a bit weird to have such strong nostalgia for the music tastes of a paternal influence that was both mild and short-lived (as regular readers will recall); a testament to the power of music and memory, I guess. Predictable 5*
American Music Club
2/5
American Music Club, the discerning NME-reading hipster's choice back when I was only an eager young apprentice. I tried to like them, but could never discern much of a tune. Returning today, it's fine - best bits sound like Miracle Legion which is about as feeble an endorsement as I can be bothered to give
The Replacements
4/5
Diverting and unpretentious collection of power jangle bangers. Highlight is "Unsatisfied"'s stunning vocal. Might be better on average than the obvious namesake, certainly more consistent.
B.B. King
3/5
I'm sure this album is really good. Perhaps Mark will tell us more about why?
Sigur Rós
5/5
Incredible, used to listen to this while working through the night, perfect soundtrack. I can replay every note and phonetic vocal in my head. Just so good, Olsen Olsen in particular is untouchable
[EDIT - Bet Mark hates this. It's lovely though]
PJ Harvey
4/5
Didn't like it when it came out, and it's still a disappointment after the first album but sounds great today. Glad to hear it again
Alanis Morissette
3/5
My relationship with this record is one of grudging acquiescence. I tried to avoid it, but in 1996 this proved an impossible task so I learned to appreciate some of the quirky wit therein:
"Do I stress you out?
My sweater is on backwards and inside out
And you say how-[e-yow-e-yow-yow] appropriate"
"You took me for a joke
You took me for a child
You took a long hard look at my ass
And then played golf for a while"
etc
You know what it sounds like - basic, screechy, dated and cheesy, but utterly era-defining (if you ever turned on the radio or left the house).
Characteristically, and unfashionably, I think she actually got better on later albums, and will recommend "Under Rug Swept" (despite its perfect Spinal Tap-esque review in a UK rag: "Very Good Not")
Would a 3 be ironic?
Fun Lovin' Criminals
1/5
Part II of a recent series entitled "The Inescapable Radio Mediocrity of 1996"
I am fortunate now to live in a country where these poser shitheads couldn't get arrested if they tried, so I am at zero risk of ever encountering their effluent in daily life (see also: Jamiroquai). This pleases me immensely
Beth Orton
2/5
Dull. I even listened to this in a hipster coffee shop and felt nothing
Prefab Sprout
3/5
Side 1 full of classic tunes, Side 2 cheesy and boring as hell
[EDIT - You might think this would be a fey classic, Mark, and you would be 50% correct]
Doves
1/5
Two instances of these dullards? Most interesting thing about this dirgefest is that, apparently, the catatonia-inducing "M62 Song" was named after the wrong motorway by mistake. That tells you all you need to know.
Do better, 1001 Albums Generator, please..
Pulp
3/5
Underwhelming at the time, still enjoyed a few tracks today today but its welcome wore out long before the extended non-events towards the end. Try not to have a midlife crisis on record, it never works out well for the listener
Moby Grape
4/5
Now here's something I've never heard but probably should have - good job for once! Excellent psych/blues/country while pioneering its own sound. Easy to see how it was a fave of Led Zep in the early days. Lots of good tunes that don't get dull.
Coldcut
3/5
Very nostalgic - contains songs that were regulars on pop radio right on the cusp of when I stopped listening. The acid house peace'n'luv stuff sounds pretty stupid and naive 35 years later as we stand on the brink of another ugly Trump travesty, but I might enjoy the dulcet tones of Lisa Stansfield and Yazz as they push me into the ovens.
The Who
5/5
Never understood why The Who are held up as one of the all-time greats. This album makes a good case, however. Enjoyed it a lot, to my surprise!
[EDIT - yeah, it's a 5]
The Damned
4/5
How great are The Damned? The "real band" Sex Pistols, but that's not giving them enough credit. Top tunes, top talent, top nom-de-plumes (esp. local boy-made good Dave Vanian); I loved 'em when I was in single digits before I knew what a goth or a punk even was. And they're still at it today! (check out "Standing On The Edge Of Tomorrow" from this century, ffs).
This album sounds incredible when played loud (and a bit muddy if not), with loads of exciting tunes that do what they need to in record time.
On a related note, looks like I called it earlier - "Love Song" was indeed inspiration for The Circle Jerks amongst others. I'll take my honorary doctorate of pop music theory, thanks
Sebadoh
3/5
Don't think I've ever heard an entire Sebadoh album before. Flashes of brilliance here, although inconsistent; unfortunately I'm about 25 years past caring, sorry
John Martyn
3/5
Never could get into John Martyn, his vocal style suiting his best songs well ("Big Muff", the highlight here), but sounding like a drunk busker on the remainder. A gateway drug for schoolmates on the dirty path to crustydom, later serving as key inspiration for the Dave Matthews Band (who I actually like) and others like Blues Traveler (who I really do not). Congruent with a below-average Van Morrison album.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
Some real basic shit on here. You know where to go if you want some Tom Petty and it ain't this.
Sisters Of Mercy
4/5
This was fun - recognized the singles but would not have been caught dead with it as a teenager; age has softened me to doomy ridiculousness with campy synth backing. Ironically, my experience is that goths seem to have a happier life in general. Get the depression out of the way upfront, leaving plenty of time to focus on the drinks and disco lights
Elvis Presley
4/5
I'm torn a bit on this - later period Elvis has the better songs when they're good (come at me, rockers), but also a ton of half-arsed cheese. This album is a good example, with some of the best and the worst of the Tennessee country/soul sound. "Suspicious Minds", "Kentucky Rain" and "In The Ghetto" drag it across the finish line
The National
3/5
Big disappointment. Saw them a bunch touring "Boxer" which is a fantastic album; this one plows the same furrow with diminishing returns. They still have their moments ("The System Only Sleeps In Total Darkness", later) but lost a bit of their initial knack for melody and drama from this album onward.
Grateful Dead
2/5
Just dull, sounds like a bar band playing CSNY but forgetting how the melodies work
New Order
2/5
New Order are a big blind spot for me. I'm sure I've heard most of their albums in the background, what I remember is mild electropop with quite poor vocals, an inexplicably hipster yet sub-par Pet Shop Boys. Nothing on here has changed my impression, perhaps even making it worse. Why so boring?!
10cc
2/5
I've always kinda hated 10cc, and this is a good example of why. Weak tunes that have lots of different (but pointless) sections, crappy schoolboy "funny" lyrics delivered as if they were written by Noel Coward or something, all with jokey, vaguely-racist overtones. They are the anti-ELO; trying so hard to be clever and virtuosic but ending up cheesy, awkward and boring as shit. As if Noel Edmonds and Dave Lee Travis formed a band. Pretty fucking irritating, saved from a 1* due to their Strawberry Studios legacy. I fear this list will have more albums from these losers
The Slits
4/5
I *love* Viv Albertine, her books and "The Vermillion Border" so I'm naturally a huge fan of this. A totally different approach to punk; fresh DIY-dub without any Chuck Berry. Some great pop tunes on here ("Newtown". "Typical Girls", "..Grapevine.."), all quite unique sounds. Good to see this on here
Can
2/5
Oh look, more Can. Oh listen, even fewer tunes than last time. Nope. I usually make it through even the worst selections on this list twice, but couldn't summon the effort here. Uninspiring
Thundercat
2/5
I had a whole review drafted, just disappeared!
In brief - very silly, Alexander O'Neal-ass production, nah
Mariah Carey
2/5
Once again, review deleted..
Something something waa-aaa-ah-ey-eyey-eye-aa-lll paper music to me but pleasant enough. Who chooses to listen to this?
Donald Fagen
3/5
Another one from my Dad's record collection with a memorable front cover - this time redolent of a Twilight Zone episode. Who knew, it sounds just like Steely Dan?! I like it quite a bit better than Aja, although it's still over-polished yacht silliness, perhaps taking itself less seriously here - like a self-aware Barry Manilow record. The more I listened to it, the more I liked it but 4* is too much, so..
Meat Loaf
5/5
A genuine *not-guilty* pleasure, as dear and foundational to me as any Led Zep album. Succeeds wildly at '50s rock'n'roll homage where many others fail embarrassingly ("Grease", "Rocky Horror", etc), while also packed with fully-fledged bangers. Their finest hour for pretty much everyone involved - ol' bitch tits himself (vocally at least, affectionate Fight Club reference notwithstanding), Todd Rundgren (fucking shredding here, not wanking around for once), The E Street Band (yes, sorry - c.f. my "Born To Run" review) and Jim Steinman (although I secretly hope "Faster Than The Speed Of Night" shows up here for Mark's entertainment). The title track is rock opera perfection (and an amusing soundtrack while watching my youngest somewhat gingerly ride his bike at the skate park); the final coda of "Paradise.." always makes me laugh - I can belt all of this out on demand (but please don't ask)
PS I worry that the shoddy Andrew Lloyd Webber-level shitness of its sequel and other subsequent Meat Loaf travesties will blind the casual listener to the brilliance of this. Trust me, I hate all that later ordure just as much as you do
Joe Ely
2/5
bit basic, innit?
Adam & The Ants
3/5
An iconic, ubiquitous presence when I was a nipper; I've never listened to any of the Ants' albums but have a fond, somewhat hazy memory of the singles, their campy, bright VHS-color distorted videos (as the cover image captures here perfectly) and the faintly menacing Ant subculture of the local scary teenagers ("whatever that means!"). This album was enjoyable but mainly empty calories, apart from the singles. He does have a killer Greatest Hits, of course - "Stand And Deliver" probably my fave
Tricky
2/5
Totally non-plussed by the hysterical plaudits afforded to this at the time. Sounds like a half-arsed mishmash of key elements already used by Massive Attack and Portishead, with some incongruous Public Enemy to make it sound "hard". Another favorite of student posers angling for street cred by proxy, like the (worse) Finley Quaye. Also responsible for the growth of modern "British hip-hop", perhaps the worst genre in music. Meh for the album and boo for its legacy
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
A big prize from the first time I raided a record company vault (alongside the equally great "The Lion And The Cobra", the Metallica-trouncing "Crest Of A Knave" and "Goodbye Jumbo", perhaps later of these parts - thanks, Chrysalis!), I've always had a fondness for Sinead and this album, with its fresh tunes all carried by her clear and lovely voice. A real rogue's gallery of talent in the credits, I discovered today - Andy Rourke, Jah Wobble, Marco Pirroni, Karl Wallinger! - that keep the backing elements tight without leaning too much on late '80s production cliches. "I Am Stretched On Your Grave" (aka the sophisticate's "Fool's Gold") and "The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance" are highlights but it's all good. Obligatory fuck the pope and his international paedo cabal
Public Enemy
4/5
Not quite as bold and skillful sounding as its two predecessors but plenty to enjoy of similar intensity. I know the highlights from my trusty Def Jam compilation, in addition to my state's unofficial anthem and confirmation that the New York Post has been a piece of shit rag for at least 35 years. Fucking Murdoch
The Saints
4/5
Timeless-sounding Aussie early punkers, later favorites of Kurt Cobain and Mark Lanegan, The Saints rock pretty hard. This is good fun, rounded up for their influence on fellow Brisbanians The Go-Betweens to move to the UK, for Bailey's classic bolshy vocals (he has the definitive "Alright!", originally featured in "(I'm) Stranded" but plenty evident here), and for the unashamed rhyme of "well guarded" with "retarded". Alright!
Jane's Addiction
1/5
What if RHCP had better musicians but their vocalist was even more shit and punchable? Yes, they would be pretty fucking terrible.
I'll tell you what's shocking, the quality of '80s LA bands
Robert Wyatt
3/5
A winsome if slender pleasure. Could be an Eno album for all intents and purposes. Not bad
Beyoncé
1/5
vapid drivel, some of the worst music in a long time
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
Not what I was anticipating, much more sombre and "devotional" than my limited experience of Malian music predicted. Understandable given the circumstances of recording but didn't hold my attention, sorry
The Kinks
3/5
clearly the transition point between beat rockers and multi-instrumental whimsy, hints at the great stuff yet to come but not essential
[EDIT - Ray Davies still has my vote for England's Greatest Songwriter (TM); McCartney may have been ahead at this point in time but Davies was just getting started. "Sunny Afternoon" makes the case, and the harbinger of "Lola" buried in "Party Line" is fun to spot]
The Adverts
4/5
A real treat. "One Chord Wonders" and "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" are among the best punk singles but it's all good and fairly varied and inventive for early punk. Lots going on below the surface, shame they petered out after this. And, John Leckie ffs! What a career..
Elvis Presley
3/5
the kid's got a great voice, will go far with better material
Travis
2/5
Typical grey late '90s bilge. Vaguely nostalgic of our time together, Mark, but not enjoyably so. I did once have a mild soft spot for "Writing To Reach You" but it sounded pretty dull and uninspired today. Healy is an awful lyricist - "What's a Wonderwall anyway?" is both clumsy and unfunny, and substituting literally any other sentence in the English language for the rejoinder to "Why does it always rain on me?" would have been an improvement - and there is some real shit on here ("The Last Of The Laughter" features not only frivolous French lyrics, but unpleasant falsetto and a well-behaved sitar in the background) and the obligatory terrible "hidden track". There will be worse from this period/genre on this list, no doubt, so I will own up to liking both the first Embrace album and the occasional Idlewild song if we can please avoid Keane or Snow Patrol. Deal?
The Cult
2/5
Cock-rock by the numbers, if competently played. I was not interested in re-heated "Start Me Up" when I was 12, and remain unimpressed.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
Pleasantly aimless showtunes with an occasional tropical flavor. Made me wish for ZZ Top or the Groundhogs instead. Vocal quality saves it from a 1*
Ryan Adams
1/5
Aw hell naw! What a flaccid dribble this is. So much that is dreadful I cannot even start to memorialize here.
Continuing this week's theme: "Tres Hombres"; 4/5, tight and tuneful boogie. "La Grange" I knew, the rest was a treat.
"Thank Christ For The Bomb"; 5/5 (provisional) - so good! Heavy and exciting enough for this blues-agnostic cynic. McPhee seems extremely talented, and the rhythm section equally so. Might well purchase if the Xmas cheer continues
Merry Christmas to one and all (except Ryan fucking Adams who is as poor a musician as a human being)!
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
From the drum fill not five seconds in onwards, could this be anyone else? So distinctive, and yet so hit-and-miss. The first page of shoegaze, with unique guitar noise, ethereal majesty and a few weak songs to boot. It's Xmas so I'll give it a nostalgic, although probably deserved, 4.
Massive Attack
5/5
so good, brings back many vague memories of when it came out! Both Tricky and Tracey Thorn are incredible here, such a great set of tunes throughout. I think it's their best by far
Radiohead
1/5
I really tried to give this a listen with an open mind, honestly I did. Unfortunately it's the same unfinished-sounding noodly background music with whining on top that I've come to expect from these Emperor's New Clothes incarnate. Horrible
Ride
5/5
bought it when it came out based on hype alone and love it to this day. really really awesome debut, shame they never matched it. Great live band too
Blur
3/5
I remember being underwhelmed by this when it came out despite the great single, and its stark contrast with the awfulness of the prior album. Also, Pavement being upset they were ripped off somehow? Hasn't improved with age, Beetlebum is one of their best, rest is highly meh
Queen Latifah
3/5
Very enjoyable, from a weirdly innocent period in time
[EDIT: re-runs for the last 5 days, helpful over the holiday period but I'm hoping for a banger or two over the weekend]
Ozomatli
2/5
Proficiently bland, with platitudes earnestly proffered over a mishmash of mild hip hop and orchestral stabs, sometimes like a latin-flavored Bollywood soundtrack without the full commitment to spectacle required. Probably a fixture in the lobby of youth hostels worldwide
Iron Maiden
3/5
First things first - I am unfamiliar with the music of Iron Maiden, although very familiar with their artwork, essentially from older brothers of friends who plastered their room with Eddie posters and would not let us use their ZX Spectrum to play Manic Miner as frequently as we wanted. In that respect, the music here is a huge let-down, not nearly as loud or intimidating as I had hoped. Once I had re-calibrated my expectations, it's actually quite good; a more-proggy Groundhogs, but with a guitarist that might have had too many music lessons. An enjoyably tight sub-40 minutes rock out, if one you can share with your parents afterwards. Did they get more "hardcore" later?
Jane's Addiction
1/5
so irritating, so boring, so shit
The Streets
3/5
I'm a big fan of "Original Pirate Material", not averse to putting on my classics and 'avin a little dance (at least, in 2002). This proceeds in the same vein, but he probably bit off more than he could chew trying to make a UK garage opera. Entertaining for most parts, if clumsy in others.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
This is quite syrupy and unpleasant, some tunes buried within the grandiosity but his voice does not sit well in my ears. Too long and too self-absorbed, but tolerable in brief snippets
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
As I usually say with these things, interesting historical document, OK listen, probably won't return. Is that really Woody Guthrie on one track, or some impersonation/inside joke?
Elvis Presley
2/5
Mid-period Elvis, when he spent more time repurposing European ballads and gurning through cheesy movies than rocking out. Good voice though!
k.d. lang
2/5
Smooth country flavored wallpaper. Come on, generator - let's have a better week please!
Björk
3/5
Always up for a challenge, I quite enjoyed this despite obvious reservations! The music is fairly interesting and agreeably distanced from the usual pixie/techno/showtune mishmash I dread from this lady. Both singles were low points, as they are closer to the expected style, and "Ancestors" did try my patience, but overall a worthwhile listen.
Essentially, Mark, it could have been so much worse by being so much less
Christine and the Queens
2/5
Much too long for what sounds like a mid-tier pop album from 1988, although the hilariously wonky over-earnest Frenglish lyrics provide comic relief throughout. "Girlfriend" is un petit banger, the rest didn't leave an impression.
Oh, wait - the second disc is the same thing but in French! My literal definition of "superfluous"; merci pour giving me some time back.
Aerosmith
1/5
Worse even than I expected. REM have (what I assumed to be) a dismal B-side cover of "Toys In The Attic" that turns out to be at least on par with the original. Can't polish a turd, it seems. The rest is dull and borderline offensive, featuring the awful screech of that degenerate Carly Simon look-alike supported by pedestrian backing, with songwriting so poor all you need to hear is 30 seconds of each "song". As another reviewer points out, so much better was on offer fresh in 1975, even at the Lynyrd Skynyrd/Bob Seger level let alone Zep/Dylan/Neil Young - why the fuck did people buy this in such quantities?!
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Turns out I own three (3!) Dandy Warhols albums: our current task here, the one with the Vodafone ad and the one with the Veronica Mars song. Given the slovenly state of their mp3 tags I assume they were given to me by a well-meaning friend and never listened to.
Well: this one is the worst by some distance. A couple of good pop tunes, each with a cool arch-sarcastic affect although quite conventional in reality, a career strategy that only seems to work for Yanks somehow (the old irony gap?). Too long with too many guitar effect layers that go nowhere, but fun in places.
Go watch "Dig!" if you haven't; highly amusing even if you care nothing for the bands featured within. The indie Spinal Tap as cinéma vérité.
Scissor Sisters
2/5
Another one that captured the zeitgeist for my old countrymen shortly after I departed their fair land, and one that I expected to hate. Initially I was surprised! Quite a few bangers, even "Comfortably Numb" was so odd as not to be terrible. Shortly afterwards the quality dropped precipitously, the remaining half being low-energy vaguely disco-ish warblings (i.e., New Order, anyone?). A high 2*
Kelela
2/5
Dull, like an FKA Twigs without the talent and creativity or a Beyonce without the over-egged production. Do better!
John Cale
5/5
John Cale is a national treasure. So many influential albums over a long career, each different, each with something to offer (including 2023's MERCY, in his '80s). Hit me up if you want some recommendations!
This is probably his "prettiest" album, not quite his best but excellent and lovely, an inspiration to a generation of "baroque pop" peddlers to follow. Love it.
Joan Baez
2/5
Very much of its time, folk standards sung with her distinctive voice. Not my thing
M.I.A.
3/5
Entertaining modern take on the ol' Adam Ant style - incessant and insistent rhythms banging the song into your skull without relying on a tune for its delivery. The best bits all have co-authors credited with their origins. My kids quite like this; not sure I'd listen again but you can't have everything.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Was given a copy by the man himself, don't think I ever made it through "O'Malley's Bar" until today (sorry, Nick!). Most of this is entertaining, if a bit much; it insists upon itself, one could say. The Kylie and PeeJ ones are lovely, as you know. Generous 4, partially to honor the previous (and excellent) "Let Love In" which is not on here despite the surfeit of NC records.
CHIC
3/5
High quality disco, obv., but not as much going on as for C'est Chic, and for too long. The eternal "Good Times" qualifies this for the rating; RIP Alfa Anderson
My Bloody Valentine
5/5
Big mea culpa here - I used to be obstinately skeptical, probably because this came out when I was obsessed with other, more melodic bands of similar intent ("TSTCI", if that triggers a memory for the faithful) and happily planted as ornery opinionator in a group of cynics. But, I kept going back over the years and now recognize it to be an absolute masterpiece (although with a couple of slack parts) and, yes, superior to "Isn't Anything"..
I can't do it justice here, but will highlight the majestic treated guitar and tremolo serving as melody (esp. on "When You Sleep" and "I Only Said") and the constant, thrillingly-elegant drum fills (basically, from the opening of "Only Shallow" through to the end of the record) that make this an album without peer, and the boss of the genre without question.
Mark - you were right and I'm glad I get it now!
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Kind-of what I expected, virtuoso and very energetic organ, bass and drumming, with ponderous vocals on top. Didn't like it as much as I thought I would, especially with the two terrible pub-rock numbers and unexpected shout-out to the Holocaust. Probably won't listen again
[EDIT: I did listen again, didn't change my opinion]
Bon Jovi
2/5
It is exhausting listening to such good-natured mediocrity. The world in which this was relevant just does not exist any more. That's all I got..
Public Enemy
5/5
Just incredible - sound, beats, production, lyrics. So many of their best tracks on this (and, by definition, some of the best of rap all-time). Samples from Isaac Hayes to Slayer, fantastic noise - never beaten
Faith No More
2/5
"Epic" is the sole highlight of this particular Limp Bizkit progenitor.
Pixies
5/5
My favorite Pixies album. The production might be a bit polished for some but the songs are really great (and Gil Norton rules anyway). Fantastic
The Rolling Stones
5/5
My dad had the original with the zipper, which I played with absent-mindedly without really appreciating how pervy it was. One of the Stones' best and one I take for granted, knowing it all backwards since I was about 10. "Dead Flowers" is always welcome
The Stooges
5/5
My favorite Stooges album. Perfect mix of melody, noise and sleaze. How many great (esp. debut) albums has John Cale produced over the years?!
[EDIT - what a week! FNM the only turd in the punchbowl]
Christina Aguilera
3/5
"Beautiful" is a pop tune of rare quality, so good it redeems this hollow artifact from a vapid, self-obsessed era. So fucking long, with so many unnecessary syllables and eponymous references, but Linda Perry's songwriting and Xtina's tuneful warbling make it almost bearable.
Roxy Music
5/5
What an extraordinary album - an inspiration to many from Bowie to LL Cool J. Probably Roxy's best (although not my favorite, as is typical), the inter-Bri(y)an tension serving up a weird eclectic mix of bangers that sound futuristic even today; every song is fabulous and fascinating in its own way. Mark Radcliffe described "Grey Lagoons" as if aliens had heard a distant transmission of '50s R'n'R and attempted to recreate it using a strange technology. I can't improve on that!
More of this please. I see from the reviews that RM do not find much favor with the Yanks; hey, keep your Eagles, I'll go with the art school posers any day.
Peter Frampton
2/5
The original inexplicably-popular-live-album-filled-with-relative-obscurities; the feeble ancestor of the slightly better "At Budokan". Given the basic nature of the material, and the fucking stupid sound effect, I can only assume this was akin to a Wiggles concert for yuppies. Dull dull dull
Kate Bush
4/5
I never really "got" this when it came out, sounding to me like a defanged version of "The Ninth Wave", minus most of the tunes. It's better than that, but still not something I'll listen to much. Looking forward to getting her more distinctive albums later!
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
Gets a 3 from the 3 middle tracks alone - the rest is generously characterized as "experimental". Very creative perhaps but a half-finished sketch of the much better Metal Box to follow
Duke Ellington
3/5
There's a lot of jazz on this, and a *lot* of introducing the performers. You could probably skip anything without a song title and save yourself some time, if sacrificing the atmosphere a bit. Nothing much stuck, even the highlight "Diminuendo in Blue" which is pretty great if you're paying attention. Unfortunately, the story of the album is more exciting to me than the actual recording.
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Pretty much as expected, pleasant country tunes very much of their time with distinctive close harmonies, but didn't really hold my attention until I noticed the song about marrying their dead brother's cheating wife and the next one about murdering their fiancee for no apparent reason. Probably worth a second listen!
Megadeth
2/5
Less boring and lame than Metallica, but still pretty stupid. Good guitar work? Snooze
ZZ Top
4/5
After so much insipid '80s rock recently it's a treat to get a decent example! Knew the singles and the ominous cover (evoking my library copy of "Christine") from the family Citroen console, if not the rest of the album. Perhaps my dad thought they sold out their blues'n'boogie roots for something more processed, discarding this in disappointment? More fool him, I enjoyed it a lot and salute it's place in this pantheon.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Reviewing this seems redundant, so some ramblings:
- Alan Parson's contributions are stellar, aptly described as "right on"
- I've always hated the clunky and oafish "Money"; fortunately it is redeemed immediately by the exceptional "Us And Them"
- "Brain Damage/Eclipse" is as perfect an album closer as I can think of. The prog Abbey Road medley
- I felt reckless, so listened to the recent Roger Waters re-do. I do not recommend trying this at home; it's pretty bizarre, featuring doomy mildy-incoherent spoken-word interludes where the instrumental parts used to be, and sombre narrations in place of the songs. If his aim was to claim all the credit for himself it fails spectacularly, serving to highlight the high degree to which Gilmour and Wright were essential to this album (Mason has always been a lazy git)
- I went too far and checked out The Flaming Lips/Henry Rollins version. Total waste of time. At least the Easy Stars All-Stars dub interpretation is fun.
- I have never seen "The Wizard Of Oz" and have no wish to start now
- Prisms don't work like that
Lenny Kravitz
1/5
I remember this guy being forced down the record-buying public's throat back in the late '80s, and was very confused as to why anyone wanted a 3rd-rate Prince/Hendrix/Stevie wedding singer/elementary school lyricist. Music for people who hate music. I've done greater crowd-pleasing farts than "Freedom Train" or "Fear". "Be" and the subsequent tracks are almost crimes against humanity. Obviously a dumb rich kid who just needed a hard slap at the appropriate moment; unfortunately we're stuck with the consequences of bad parenting. I hesitate to give this a 1* as it distinguishes it from just another boring effort, but this is *passively terrible* (compared to e.g. Radiohead which are more interesting through being actively awful) and I wish it never existed. Fuck off Lenny
The KLF
3/5
Entertaining pop music of my youth, if ultimately a bit annoying. Still have a soft spot for 3AM Eternal, although the rest is a bit basic and suffers from endless name checks, as was the style of the time. Gotta admire the Drummond/Cauty ethos, however - Mark, have you read the diverting "Bad Wisdom"?
Sheryl Crow
2/5
Inexplicably popular bar band music. Let's have a good one next, eh?
Brian Wilson
1/5
Jesus Christ what is this shit? Did someone record an open mic at a kindergarten? Van Dye Parks is a fucking self-satisfied charlatan. It's certainly no Pet Sounds..
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Another long-time favorite. Almost loses a point for "Jazz Police" but the rest is so good I can't be mean. Incredible that so many cheesy elements work so well together. The Cohen album I listen to the most
Kraftwerk
5/5
Love this. I have awarded the prestigious "best Kraftwerk album" award elsewhere, but this is damn close. Beautiful, precise tunes that sound so warm despite their robotic intent. "Spacelab" in particular reminds me of an old world where technological advances were sought for the improvement of humanity, not attained for the sole purpose of enabling malign, pale, weak-chinned autists to enrich themselves at humanity's expense. But I digress (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9dmoT9AfoI)..
Bonus points if you listen to the German version, which is slightly different and not just in the vocals. "Die Roboter" is especially banging!
Eels
3/5
As if a lab full of Dreamworks scientists successfully hybridized Beck and Nirvana to optimize commercial performance à la mode. Eels are actually a bit better than that (next album in particular), and there's some ice cream here (esp. the evocative "Susan's House", although "Love Finds Its Own Way" was a nice find today), but it's not very distinct from other mid-90's wannabes.
Kraftwerk
3/5
The title track is fun but the rest is tilted more towards their early experimental sound and does not hold my full attention. Sounds lovely in the background though
Elbow
3/5
The Elbow albums I have heard all feature one great song ("Grounds For Divorce" here, which elevates the rating below) that are distinct enough from the plodding sameyness of the remainder to catch my attention. You wish they would be more bold more often, but instead seem content being a bit better the Coldplay, if infinitely better than the wretched Doves (who would kill for an ounce of Elbow's talent). Guy Garvey was born with the gift of a golden voice (a recent call-back for you, Mark!) but overall it's too grey and English for my patience these days.
Coldplay
3/5
I've never listened very closely to this before, and was amazed to find the lyrics more trite even than I had imagined. That takes some effort!
It's a lot to put on the shoulders of a single album, but this one in particular stands as a symbol of the complete collapse of quality "alternative" music from the creative heights of the '90s into the tedious sludge of the 2000's and beyond. This mirrors quite closely the general degradation of Western society, which perhaps tracks with the substantial quantities of this record sold in that period.
Just kidding, it's still better than any 2000's U2 album! It's fine..
Steve Winwood
3/5
I did enjoy listening to this, although couldn't really remember much about it afterwards. He played everything on the record, apparently, just like another Stevie W. Quite good, quite short, quite Peter Gabriel in parts
The Young Rascals
4/5
Really good! Great voices, classic sound and lots of interesting tunes. Even my kids like it (although it does sound like an Italian restaurant in places)
Ice Cube
4/5
Still sounds urgent, burning white hot from the LA riots and events beforehand. Not much seems to have improved in 30 years
[EDIT: Saw "Are We Done Yet"? recently; mothafucka!]
Roxy Music
5/5
A game of two halves. The first 5 comprise some of glam rock's finest and most inventive bangers; the back half lets Eno loose on a variety of odd extended soundscapes. Both excellent fun. Ferry's ability to turn a brief glimpse of a hot chick into a top tune is unrivaled.
Mark - does Mao Tse-tung come to mind every time you hear "Virginia Plain"?
Germs
2/5
I have discovered I really don't like American "hardcore" punk at all. This is so amateurish, not in a good way, and so devoid of ideas as to be boring as hell. It's not even fun like Circle Jerks. Are there any good examples?
Air
3/5
I came to bury this, but it's much better than I remembered. The film itself epitomizes the End Of History malaise that characterized so much late '90s wank (oh you're teenage and bored and committed suicide; cool story bro'), but the soundtrack is quite warm and groovy, almost Alan Parsons-esque. Treated as a companion piece to the (excellently weird) 10,000 Hz Legend it works pretty nicely.
The Byrds
3/5
Quite a modest effort, redeemed by "Eight Miles High", for which the guitar still sounds extraordinary today.
Mark - as we're here, check out Roxy Music's cover. Slinky yacht groover or excess parmesan catastrophe? You decide!
The Sonics
3/5
Great sounding early garage rock. Song selection is a bit rudimentary, especially the self-penned ones, but "Have Love, Will Travel" in particular is worth the price of admission.
Van Morrison
5/5
Another long term favorite I'm going to reduce to a few ramblings. Too late to stop now!
- I will always stop what I am doing and listen, entranced, to "Into The Mystic". Just delightful. The story of Arturo and Catarina immortalized therein also provided inspiration for the fun Goldie Hawn '80s comedy "Overboard"; I'm sure Van would approve
- Likewise, "Everyone" serves as a joyous end to "The Royal Tennenbaums", perfect
- 'Joyous' is an apt description of this masterpiece; every song captures Van having a good time and sharing it freely. Unique in his catalog, perhaps?
- Each of the last three songs could work as the album's closer; it almost feels like a series of encores. "Glad Tidings" is the right choice, its cheeky nod to "Brown Eyed Girl" inviting you to press play again
Solomon Burke
3/5
Lots of belters, not quite as many bangers. great sound though!
PJ Harvey
5/5
Happy to get this one! Gather round, kids, it's time for your indie grandpa to wax nostalgic once more:
I was fortunate to meet PJ at the Rough Trade shop in Neal's Yard one balmy Saturday afternoon, before "Dress" was released, just hanging out. She was so cool and compelling that my group of grebo-adjacents were inspired to sell our long-coveted tickets for Carter USM outside the Brixton Academy that evening, dashing up the Northern Line to catch her destroying the sweaty backroom of the Camden Falcon instead. My memory is hazy, but I think she played all of this, basically in sequence, perhaps ending with "Sheela-Na-Gig". Fucking incredible, occasionally I do pick a winner!
This album is, necessarily, quite dear to me. For a brief moment, PJ was the Camden Lurch Patti Smith and we were "just kids" hanging around CBGBs/The Sausage Machine angling for a grasp of fame. I didn't quite see her at the White Horse (although did catch Suede there, as regular readers may recall), but I do like to think *I was there* in a mildly-gratuitous, sentimental-old-man way.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Captures a point in time perfectly, skilful and tuneful although overlong. Again, we didn't know how good we had it.. for some reason this album sounds like the pre-9/11 world more than any other and I love it for that
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
It's a decent sounding Neil Young album but nothing too spectacular. One song sounds a lot like "My Back Pages".
Dexys Midnight Runners
5/5
A real ringer on this list for me, just love it. Unique, incredible tunes, a medley to rival Abbey Road and one of the biggest hits of the '80s tossed on at the end. What's not to love?
Todd Rundgren
2/5
Well, this is the 2nd Todd Rundgren album on here, and like the first its a VERY long and VERY self-indulgent mess with supposed "funny" parts and very few tunes. General rule: if someone writes, produces and plays pretty much everything on a very long album, it's likely to be mostly poor as there is zero quality control. Between all of this and the other one there could have been a decent EP, nothing more.
Ice Cube
3/5
Very listenable but nowhere near as creative as Dr Dre or others of the same period; cartoonish fun but too long
Cypress Hill
1/5
Juvenile and irritating
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Didn't get much time with this today thanks to a kids party superbug, but I really enjoyed what I could pay attention to while drifting in and out of consciousness. Simple grooves worked to funky perfection with Mayfield's characteristically-great vocals and lyrics.
Goldfrapp
2/5
Quite pleasant but entirely unremarkable. Given how this list works I anticipate there will be 2-3 more from these folk, which I will address with opportune scorn.
Megadeth
3/5
Would this be the album to change my opinion on thrash metal, from a mostly creativity-free fingering exercise practised by sad dorks and enjoyed by oblivious virgins? Sadly not, but it wasn't horrible
Aretha Franklin
4/5
What can I say? Incredible this was an actual album and not a best-of. What a time to be alive
Peter Tosh
2/5
Reggae and marijuana policy, fascinating. Last few tracks weren't bad though.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
This is a remarkable album; to modern ears it might sound sparse, repetitive even, but in context it houses an incredible run of songs that defined the singer-songwriter field for decades to come. Any disagreement is akin to a highschooler arguing about reading Shakespeare- stick with it, it's good for you!
"Some girls wander by mistake
into the mess that scalpels make"
Phenomenal
King Crimson
5/5
Godlike
Dolly Parton
3/5
Unfortunately passed right through me. Nice voices, unmemorable songs
G. Love & Special Sauce
1/5
I heard rumors about how bad this was back in 1994, so have actively avoided it until today. It really takes some cursed skill to make Fun Lovin' Criminals sound inspired. Every track is somehow worse than the previous, and the chief slacker moron's voice gets exponentially more annoying throughout. The casual rap/funk/rock wanker market was well-supplied in the mid-90's, eh?
Brian Eno
5/5
As much as I love the early (and many later) Roxy albums, I love this one even more. Bangers all the way down with a supremely talented supporting cast. I genuinely can't pick a favorite track - "On Some Faraway Beach" maybe? So inventive, so tuneful, just excellent.
Mudhoney
4/5
I knew the obvious one from an infinite number of indie clubs in the early '90s. The rest is in a similar vein but is highly enjoyable; spaced-out and turbo-charged Stooges. Neat that both Nirvana and Primal Scream found inspiration here.
Hawkwind
3/5
My first ever Hawkwind album, and it's a long 'un. Sat through a whole school basketball game and it was barely halfway over. Fun and quite charming in places, although my teenager opines "it's not bad, but it's the same riff over and over"; I couldn't really argue otherwise
Tortoise
4/5
I had forgotten about these Testudinidae and enjoyed hearing them again. I find the three 5 minute tracks to be the highlights but it's all good. Quite an anxious listen; I had to check the streaming version to see if my original had been corrupted from its transfer from CD (it had, briefly).
Was very disappointed to discover the origin of the title, previously hoping that eternal life was a fringe benefit for those who purchased it upon release. We shall see..
High 4. It's not quite as illustrious as its reputation (and likely influence) but lovely all the same. Please don't yell at me Mark!
Khaled
2/5
Almost had a heart attack, thought I was being forced to listen to DJ Khaled!
I can only echo the other reviewers - interesting listen in parts, sounds just like a taxi in southern Europe, you lost me at "Imagine"..
Dirty Projectors
5/5
I fucking love this, and I totally understand why you might not. The reviewer who commented "Captain Beefheart pop" is absolutely correct, but not in the derogatory way they probably meant.
I think David Longstreth is a kind of technical genius, a worthy heir of weird complex '80s pop (Talking Heads, Scritti Politti..?), writing songs that look good on paper and striving to make them sound good on record. Here, "Temecula Sunrise" is a great example; their best songs are characterized by pleasing guitar filigree, odd phrasings and exploding off-kilter choruses, all of which is right up my alley.
Perhaps "Swing Lo Magellan" is better (certainly more accessible), give it a spin. I'm happy to discover they have a new album out just this month, ooh!
Sepultura
3/5
This was alright, the various indigenous elements providing welcome relief from the standard issue nu-metal grunt'n'thump, and the stupid vocal style seems a bit more palatable from a non-native English speaker.
The Smashing Pumpkins
2/5
I doubt I have ever sat through all of this before, despite enjoying an occasional cheeky listen to "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" when it comes on the radio. Seems like I wasn't missing much, some half-decent tunes but buried in dull metal-adjacent riffing and overblown orchestration and WAY TOO LONG. If this was the grunge White Album I'm a bit sad for the generation that grew up with it; it's all a bit silly really. I'll be mean
Butthole Surfers
4/5
This is an enjoyably catchy mismash of noise and avant-garde punk tunes. A bit too old to change my life at this stage, but I can see how kids in the '80s found it revolutionary. To top it off, I recognized "22 Going on 23" from an old mixtape, Mark! Great stuff
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
I really don't get why people rate this - just some more mediocre '90s rap tedium full of irritating arrogance, dumb skits and limited range; the involvement of P. Fiddler pushes it far into the *hell nah* category. The two brief samples at the beginning are the absolute highlights. Will Ferrell's-Robert Goulet's-Big Poppa is likely the best thing to stem from this crap.
The United States Of America
3/5
Never heard of this before, obviously very influential from Revolution 9 through Broadcast and The American Analog Set. Interesting but not going into heavy rotation here
Kanye West
2/5
Went into this with an open mind but, christ, this is terrible. Bland smug irritating juvenalia. Consumerist trash composed by a tedious dickhead, the aural equivalent of his ex-wife
[EDIT: MBDTF and Yeezus, man - stick with 'im!]
Sonic Youth
4/5
This passed me by when it came out, too busy chasing local talent (one way or the other). But it's pretty good! I'll keep playing it over the next week or two but it's at least on par with "Goo" so far. I just realized I did indeed see them live around this period at a festival (yes! Phoenix Festival 1993) and enjoyed it, although probably not as much as catching a newly-signed David Gray strumming an acoustic guitar on an adjacent hay bale to an audience of 3 people and a dog (literally!), or Matthew Sweet (who was excellent).
Adele
2/5
Chicken soup. Grey's Anatomy. Mormonism. Adele
All incredibly bland, all inexplicably popular
What's up with that voice and comparisons with Dusty Springfield? Get your ears checked please. As the dreadful Cure cover demonstrates, Adele is a Pop/American Idol-level karaoke talent, and Susan Boyle was more interesting
Kids love it, of course
Little Richard
5/5
Sounds as exciting as it likely did 70-odd years ago. What a performer, what a set of songs! This holds its own with anything released in subsequent decades; a fun listen, not a historical artifact.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Incredible collection of songs, how did they crank out so many monsters so quickly? Banger after banger, with all the greats included on Chronicle Vol 1 (a solid 50% of this album). I could play "Lookin' Out My Back Door" or "Up Around The Bend" on repeat indefinitely, and made a decent effort in that regard today.
The Style Council
2/5
The Style Council seemed to feature on every compilation I bought in the '80s, and provided decent filler in between the latest Duran Duran, Frankie and/or Nik Kershaw hits I was really interested in. Never sat through an album before, and I don't regret my prior restraint - aside from the singles this offers aimless instrumentals or much worse; "A Gospel" is a special kind of "so bad it's really bad" experiment. Had me reaching for their Singular Adventures, which is decent although the best bits sound like leftover songs from The Jam, as is probably accurate. Quite poor, although kudos for their militant anti-Thatcher attitude throughout.
Simply Red
2/5
If you were alive in the UK in 1986 (bear with me, Todd) the video for "Holding Back The Years" was inescapable - a sickly mashup of a Hovis ad and Last of the Summer Wine (again, bear with me) that caused immense irritation as I longed for a glimpse of "Sledgehammer" or "Happy Hour" instead of the meandering pillock in the flat cap. Nevertheless, I still borrowed this album from the local library, but returned it unpirated - the most damning indictment of quality 11yo me could offer. It's still pretty dull today, especially the schmaltzy Talking Heads cover, even though I do have a secret nostalgic fondness for his voice and the characteristic yuppie wine bar sound (I won't complain too much if "Stars" shows up here later). Good socialist lad, too (continuing yesterday's theme of bad '80s pop made by decent people).
Portishead
3/5
Less a collection of songs than a cluster of interesting noises, some of which I enjoyed more than others. Sounds more like BEAK> than earlier Portishead.
Eurythmics
3/5
The Eurythmics had a strong streak of hit singles in the '80s, but I've never felt the need to own any of their records. Nothing on here changed my mind, but it's a great example of what two people can do in a small studio with the right electronics.
Obligatory plug for Vegas, the criminally-underrated collaboration between Dave Stewart and Terry Hall.
Terence Trent D'Arby
4/5
In retrospect TTD was a far superior first draft of Lenny Kravitz. I feel bad we mocked him so incessantly, we didn't fully understand the consequences.
I really enjoyed hearing this again - I think I taped it off a classmate back when; certainly knew all the songs and relished "If You Let Me Stay" and "Sign Your Name" now they are not hugely overplayed.
Tel is clearly a talented guy, if rather full of himself. My old record company boss would claim the subsequent "Neither Fish Nor Flesh" was a lost work of absolute genius; I did not agree, but he could be a contrary and sappy git at times.
Looks like Tezza changed his name in the meantime, and fair enough as (all together now:) the Trent isn't even in Derby, it's in Stoke!
If I give this a 4, can we get something non-UK-'80s tomorrow, please?
Nirvana
5/5
Obviously y'all know this one. Sad to say, but the first Nirvana album I really appreciated at the time. Impact so substantial that several younger generations know a relatively-obscure Bowie track backwards, and "Meat Puppets II" appears on this list. The performance is pretty good too..
Gene Clark
5/5
Another ringer for me, love this album. The absolute classic indulgent '70s coke rock album (meant as a huge compliment), with some amazing '70s guitar sounds. All songs are great, and the 4 song sequence starting with the title track beats anything on Rumours or Tusk and shoves the Eagles into a pit of shit
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
5* for the voice; 3* for the songs; 2* for the length.
I kept hoping for ones I knew, then realized the ones I expected were all written by Cole Porter or Irving Berlin instead. Maybe Gershwin peaked with "Rhapsody In Blue"?
Regardless, it was a slog but infinitely more enjoyable than The Magnetic Fields monstrosity.
Can't wait for the inevitable AI-generated Ariana Grande sings the complete work of the Sleaford Mods
Sepultura
2/5
Uuuuurrrrggghhhh, Death Metal!!
I mean: ugh, death metal (eye roll)
PJ Harvey
3/5
I liked some of this but find her later-period quirky voice hard to enjoy. The lyrics were often better than the music, which occasionally veered towards the much-maligned "indie-stomp" style. When the songs gelled they could be pretty good, esp. "On Battleship Hill" and "In The Dark Places".
High 3
The Dictators
3/5
More fun than any Alice Cooper album I've heard, but the New York Dolls did it first, and did it better.
The Soft Boys
4/5
I'm a big fan of Robyn Hitchcock on occasion. Naturally, while my friends all blasted "Nevermind" on repeat I was obsessed with "Perspex Island"; Bingo Hand Job at the Borderline is probably my answer to the "any gig + time machine" icebreaker. He's Syd Barret with better tunes, a one-man, weirder REM who is always witty and excellent live. This album deserves its cult classic reputation and was a blast to hear again.
Iggy Pop
5/5
In which Iggy and Bowie conjure post-punk from The Stooges' original while "punk" itself was barely starting. Utter genius, naturally. "The Dum Dum Boys" is my highlight but there's not a bad track on here.
Ice T
4/5
Never paid much attention to Ice-T, but this is as good as other West Coast rap of the period and very listenable today. Still know all the words to "Body Count", it appears!
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Sets the stage for much that is exciting decades later still. "White Light/White Heat" is the OG punk tune (even I can play it on guitar and/or piano; Bowie has a good Ziggy-era live version). "The Gift" and "Sister Ray" are brilliant, love 'em or hate 'em. Lou was correct, they were untouchable here. So there - all you haters couldn't hit it sideways.
The Lemonheads
2/5
Evan Dando hung around the early '90s like a chronic illness; Juliana Hatfield, too - were they supposed to be "cute"? This album left no impression on me whatsoever in 1992, and left me with nothing today. The Simon & Garfunkel cover is *atrocious*. Insipid.
The Smiths
4/5
Back to my first ever album on here, for which I did not leave a review. Here goes:
The slightest of The Smiths' albums, if apparently M&M's favorite for some reason. "Paint A Vulgar Picture" carries the day and sadly presages the ex-band's future commercial output.
Linkin Park
3/5
Really quite enjoyable, better than most of the rap/metal I have endured so far. It helps that the musicians seem to know their strengths and hang together pretty well. Surprisingly, my 9yo Eminem fan thinks this is lame; I enjoy yelling the chorus of "In The End" sarcastically at the teenagers when they start whining anyway..
Björk
1/5
I fucking hated this. Aimless string vomit and purposeless techno farts frame pretentious mispronunciation. I thought I despised Bjork beforehand but this takes it to an unimaginable new level. Who likes this shit, honestly?
The Isley Brothers
4/5
Really good, can hold its own with Innervisions. Guitar shredding all over the place, you can hear Hendrix left his mark!
ABBA
2/5
This might be their big serious breakup album, but it still sounded like clunky Europop musical theater to me.
Traffic
2/5
Seems a bit half-baled, typical grunty blues/rock and lots of noodling. Not my thing
The Everly Brothers
3/5
If you can put aside the incel anachronisms, this features a lot of quality songwriting craft (including the Bryants and Little Richard), although Buddy Holly is my go-to for this era, that guy really FUCKS. In context, its fun to hear how The Beatles got creative with the more rigid structures that preceded them. The Everlys themselves put in a good effort and sing beautifully here, of course.
This was a "one and done" listen when it came out; in retrospect they do seem to have remembered some of their songwriting ability, deliberately cast aside for the (correctly) reviled "Pop" (sorry, Howard!). Unfortunately they forgot it again about halfway through this album (the last few songs sound very phoned-in, don't they?) and have not recovered in the last twenty years (right? That iPod ad was the last tune I remember). Collapsed under their own weight, sadly.
5/5
One of my absolute favorite '80s confections. The arrangements are perfect the songs all top-notch, especially "All Of My Heart".
And all my friends just might ask me
They say, "Simon, maybe one day you'll review their follow-up albums"
And I say, maybe the recent "Lexicon of Love II" is surprisingly good
But "Beauty Stab" was a weird misfire that is sadly odd and annoying.
Richard Hawley
3/5
I really don't get the periodic popularity of '50s throwbacks. It's pleasant enough but so what? These songs have been written a thousand times before. Apart from the last one here which wasn't even written this time.
We have Chris Isaak at home, etc
I'll be generous for various reasons.
The Beach Boys
1/5
Pretty terrible. "Oh but the harmonies" - yes, what about the songs? Creepy vaguely misognyist crap sung as nursery rhymes by castrati. And, hey, harpsichords! Shite
Miles Davis
4/5
Interesting listen, perhaps can hear some Krautrock origins in the fusion arrangements. I've played this 5 times over the weekend and can't remember a single motif, however..
Brian Eno
3/5
One of those highly influential recordings that just isn't that much fun to listen to. Being a total melody sap I much prefer Eno/Byrne's other collaboration "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today". Indeed, I would pick any of Eno/Fripp, Eno/Cale or Eno/Hyde instead, despite the unquestionable legacy of today's task (although, to be honest, it's made me quote "19" all day, if that's a legacy?). Stingy 3.
Jack White
3/5
More from the "I own this somehow but have never heard it" drawer. Sounds pretty good, better than the latter White Strips records, if far from groundbreaking; s'OK.
Django Django
3/5
Some interesting sounds and rhythms here, would have scored higher if there was more effort on the songwriting.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
I appreciate the effort Mr Shankar has gone to here, and I can follow the explanations but the music itself is still almost featureless to these Western ears. I was crassly forcing some of the segments into a "Within You, Without You" shape while listening, shamefully..
The Crusaders
3/5
My Week of 3s ends on a pleasant note. Yes (as many others observe here), much of this is close to hold music, but it captures its point in time very well; evocative of being on hold with a travel agent while using an off-white rotary phone. Randy Crawford carries the highlight - if you like her superb voice go listen to "Almaz" and thank me later.
2/5
I don't mind me some featureless noise rock, but this wasn't very noisy or rocky. Gimme some Swans please
Morrissey
3/5
One I used to own but never elevated to the mp3 player, and I'm reminded of why today. Some excellent songs that are as good as anything on "Strangeways.." ("Suedehead" could be a Smiths single, and "Everyday.." is pretty close) surrounded by thin gruel or worse (the lamentable "Bengali In Platforms"). Even still, "Little Man, What Now?" remains my favorite Morrissey moment, its weird accompaniment framing an odd tale manifesting fears of future solo irrelevance. If only subsequent records were as interesting, and if only this was better.
Cream
4/5
If "Tales Of Brave Ulysses" was the only recording Eric Clapton had made in his entire career, I would consider him a legend and rate this a full 5*. Unfortunately..
Coldplay
2/5
I wet my bed, I wet my bed for you. It was all yellow.
Sleater-Kinney
2/5
Basic indie rock, as befits a band named after a freeway exit. I would have offered another point for the enthusiasm with which they deliver such rudimentary fare, but that kind of behavior is frowned upon these days.
The Cramps
3/5
Being too young for this when it came out, the schlocky 50s/horror revival style was old hat by the time I got there. That just left the music, which is fun in parts but mainly novelty noise to my ears. For some entertaining psychobilly check out Jon Wayne and "Mr Egyptian"
Skunk Anansie
3/5
Skin is a great vocalist but there isn't enough variety outside the nu metal/power ballad dynamic to keep me around. This album sounds the same as the previous two to me, I don't get the alleged distinction. Decent singles band though!
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
Initially I was mildly impressed, a classic country sound and some amusing couplets. Unfortunately this plummeted into cliche rapidly, killing his cheating girlfriend in various ways, goddam Dixie and (eventually and inevitably) fucking Jesus. Yawn
The xx
2/5
So bland, grating vocals, tired backing. How did the school open mic night get so far?
4/5
"Kick Out The Jams" and "Motor City Is Burning" are essentials; I'm glad this happened but I'm not gonna listen to it again. Generous 4
Supergrass
4/5
Another one I loved at the time but hadn't heard in ages - seems obvious now but they were the Britpop T. Rex.; short and sweet; heavy and tuneful. What a great album full of bangers, thrilled to have seen them play most of this in a fairly-empty Mercury Lounge back at CMJ in 1995 (and gigged with them when they were The Jennifers even earlier). Top notch, and they made some other good albums but I don't think they were quite this exciting again
Red Snapper
3/5
The first 3/4 of this drifted by as expected; background music for a louche but dull millennial house party. The remaining 3 tracks pricked up my ears, as if now part of an insistently demented movie soundtrack. Listening again, it's all quite good, more of the latter would have scored higher. Not bad though, we'll call it a win!
Beatles
5/5
The best of their early days, and the first with only Lennon/McCartney songs - no coincidence. George's guitar sounds incredible, Ringo destroys the cowbell and the songs are getting tighter and tougher. Love it.
Fairport Convention
5/5
Wonderful album, containing one of the greatest songs ever written. Moreover, "Percy's Song" could go on for twice as long and I'd still be singing along, and I wonder if Richard Thompson had heard "European Son" before leading the drone duel underpinning "A Sailor's Life"? Classic stuff, the middle of an incredible run.
David Bowie
3/5
Another "one and done" when it came out, I was quite excited to give this another chance today. I've read the "best since Scary Monsters.." line many times before (my first contemporary one being "Black Tie White Noise", which is marginally better), so wasn't too disappointed with the decent but unremarkable material within. To be fair, it is quite like "Scary Monsters.." (for me, inferior to both "Lodger" and "Let's Dance"), but could do with some Frippery to spice it up a bit. Not great, not terrible.
Much like "Earthling", the cover art promises a more exhilarating set of songs than is found within. My weekend plans to re-evaluate the similarly-touted "Hours", "Heathen" and "Reality" fizzled out, replaced by a mild shrug. Mark - you need to add "Lodger" to your growing list of essential Bowie; the rest not so much.
Sister Sledge
4/5
Marvelous ear candy, as expected for a Chic album by proxy. I'm amused there are now two competing, individual "Sister Sledge"s out there on the circuit - do they change the lyric to "I've not got my sisters with me"?
Raekwon
3/5
There have been a fair few Wu-Tang member "solo" efforts on this list so far. All seem to follow the same template:
- great samples and production, with some odd sounds incorporated to keep it interesting
- distinctive rapping (I can always tell it's a Wu-Tang album)
- dumb lyrics with adolescent obsessions (superheroes, kung-fu, crime, the Mafia)
- too fucking long
Paul McCartney
3/5
Charming in places, especially given the context, and with a few memorable songs esp. "Maybe I'm Amazed". A bit flimsy compared to his ex-bandmates' contemporary work though.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Hypnotic. Parts are a bit "Space Prophet Dogon" which is a big plus, obvs.
Goldie
3/5
This has aged quite well, sounding better to me today than when I pretended to like it in 1995. Way too long, of course, but not in an irritating or distracting way; indeed, the endless drum'n'bass repetition is quite propulsive, assisting in the completion of everyday tasks. Goldie is also a top geezer by all accounts.
Wire
5/5
Packed to the gills with top tunes and great ideas, sometimes both at the same time. Only fair to be on here after we suffered its later godawful Britpop derivatives. Not sure if I prefer this or "Chairs Missing", but "Mannequin" pulls me over, at least today.
The Pogues
4/5
Their next one is even better, but if this was their only album their legacy would be secure. Two of MacGowan's finest songs side-by-side surrounded by a glorious folk-punk cacophony captured excellently by Costello in a pretty small studio. Their talent for retrieving the aggressive intent buried within traditional folk was remarkable.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Highly enjoyable, esp. "The Wizard" which is superbly silly. Not quite sure why this album specifically is credited with inventing metal; there isn't much daylight between here and Led Zep I to these ears (at least, sonically) but it's all good
RIP Ozzy - my tribute highlights the first time I heard the Prince of Darkness: "Shot In The Dark", a fun chart hit leading me to place him closer to Meat Loaf than he probably deserved!
Soul II Soul
2/5
As a voracious consumer of compilations at the time, I remember picking this up, scanning the track listing and thinking "there's no classics on here, and they're all by the same group.. oh wait..". I revised my impression today: two half-classics, still a long way off. Arrogant fuckers
Lou Reed
5/5
Lou's best, a masterpiece, a tragedy packed full of thrilling parts
- the piano on "Berlin"
- the bass on "Men Of Good Fortune" (never knew it was Jack Bruce!)
- Caroline Says I and II (get outta' here with your "Stephanie Says" is better crap)
- the guitar on "How Do You Think It Feels?"
- the desperate clunkiness of
"But since she lost her daughters
It's her eyes that fill with water
And I am much happier this way"
- second prize to
"Just like poison in a vial
Hey, she was often very vile
But of course, I thought I could take it all"
- "The Bed" (jesus fucking christ)
Notes on Ezrin (as I always seem to bring him up):
- felicitous production makes the album unique and poignant, this has to be the best material he's worked with
- "The Wall" is *so derivative*, from the opening sample collage of "Berlin" through the kids in "The Kids' to the arrangement of "Sad Song", which is evidently the blueprint for "Comfortably Numb"
- Fun fact (for Mark): Ezrin also produced the 4th Berlin album but *not* the Top Gun song! So close..
"I never would have started if I'd known
That it'd end this way
But funny thing I'm not at all sad
That it stopped this way"
Underworld
4/5
This kind of thing usually bores me, but Underworld possess my Goldilocks formula for "progressive techno" or whatever. Too long, as all their albums are, but totally banging in many places.
Lager, etc
R.E.M.
5/5
Another one I bought (on the day of release?), 30+ years ago! Never my favorite REM album, although "cheese" like Sidewinder and Everybody Hurts has aged just fine and was loved at the time, despite being viewed as a bit "commercial/embarrassing" retrospectively in certain quarters. This is all really excellent throughout. Didn't know how good we had it.
[EDIT: OK, a couple of duff tracks. 4.5]
The B-52's
3/5
A fun and quirky record, exactly what I was not in the mood for today. "Rock Lobster" plus some others
Sonic Youth
4/5
I did not know this, and found it very enjoyable, somewhere between "Sister" and "Daydream Nation" despite preceding both. I guess I'll dig further into their catalog. Lung Leg is a great nickname!
Girls Against Boys
3/5
Ooh, a highly-hyped '90s band I never actually heard! Bet it's terrible.
And.. it's actually not! I would have wagered on either a grungified-Lemonheads or (shudder) Nancy Boy but instead got some good heavy riffing and propulsive grunting. Not sure it needed two bass players, but diverting nonetheless.
Roxy Music
3/5
Never quite convinced by this album as a youngster, despite its obvious charms. 3-4 great tunes, the rest is a bit labored. If you're looking for the best post-Eno Roxy, "Stranded" has you covered; if you want the most fun then go "Flesh + Blood"
Aphex Twin
3/5
This is fine, even beautiful in parts; gets dug out occasionally when I remember it to be better than it really is before losing interest halfway through. "Heliosphan" is the true banger, "We Are The Music Makers" a close second.
The sequel did bring me much amusement, however - watching as my trendy ravey friends unwrapped their new purchase, anxiously consuming happy pills before sitting through 3 hours of birdsong and wind noises desperately hoping, in vain, for any kind of distinguishable rhythm or beat to shuffle awkwardly to. Suckers..
Fatboy Slim
3/5
My god, I forgot how pervasive this was through '98-'99; it's still pretty fun today although you can hear technology creaking a bit. For a brief period this sound was all the rage; fond memories of gatherings in our flat soundtracked to Howard's "Big Beat Elite Complete" compilation (shout out to Indian Ropeman's "Dog In The Piano" if you want some more).
Even though I've heard "Praise You" one billion times (today likely being the first of my own volition) it's still quite welcome. I remember the very first time, on Radio 1 in the lab (naturally), turning to Mark and observing (in a comedy Northern accent for some reason) 'Ee's gone and done a ballad! Brilliant!'. Happy days..
Badly Drawn Boy
5/5
I really do get why people are irritated by this list's obsession with minor UK artists of the early 2000's. This, however, is worth the indulgence. Hyped to death at the time, and deliberately ignored until introduced to me by a friend with a pretty varied, if nonchalant, music taste (some hip-hop, some techno, The Doors, The Stone Roses) with the recommendation "has lots of little bits with good sounds". Sure enough it does, and is quite enchanting (as is the "About A Boy" soundtrack if you're unsatiated). Love the instrumental title track in particular; the kind of thing an Englishman does uniquely well, on occasion.
Beck
4/5
Haven't heard this in ages, forgot how good it was. Some fine tunes, and some great samples (esp. Them's Dylan cover underpinning "Jack-Ass"; so well-integrated here that the first time I heard the incredible original, a few years later, driving on a dark Spanish mountain road, I thought I was having a lucid dream). Gets a bit samey (I found myself muttering "two turntables & a microphone" during at least 3 other tracks) but well worth a 4.
The Auteurs
4/5
I'm probably biased as I saw them many times (even before "the Cellist"), but this is pretty good, the highlight of a brief cerebral/fey indie era that was quickly poisoned by overbearing boorishness. To lump them in with Britpop is to miss the point; the intent was always a nastier Go-Betweens, a caustic C86: very much achieved here. Sounds a bit tinny in retrospect, but the songs are quality; Albini engineered their later masterpiece "After Murder Park" in a more muscular form and it really benefits. Haines is the Iannucci of indie music, for my UK readers..
Fiona Apple
2/5
Every Fiona Apple album seems to be received with the same rapturous praise, although is completely unmemorable when I listen to it. So it is here; one couplet sticks:
"Well, good morning
Good morning
You raped me in the same bed your daughter was born in"
while the rest drifts by in an angry haze. I note that "The Idler Wheel..." has one truly great track ("Hot Knife", if you're curious); I wish they were all that good
Peter Gabriel
5/5
Gambled my pocket money on this cassette, based on some excellent singles and their striking videos. By the middle of "Red Rain" I knew I had picked a winner. Some of my favorite '80s sounds on here (the giant bass on "Big Time", the spooky percussion and flute of "Mercy Street", Youssou N'Dour singing on "In Your Eyes"). I probably played this even more than "Graceland", establishing my art-rock interests with some neat material for a pre-teen (the Milgram Experiment; Laurie Anderson). Exceptional.
4/5
Well, well - an US "punk" band that I actually liked; likely as they are not as "hardcore" (i.e., monotonous) as some others. All songs are tuneful and to the point, much like an American Buzzcocks. I found time to listen to their debut "Los Angeles" as well, equally good.
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
I've owned this forever but don't usually get beyond the magnificent "..Lucy Jordan" (fun fact, written by the same person as "The Giving Tree"! Quite a career that dude had). It's all very good, very new-wave-synthy with extraordinary delivery throughout ("Why'd Ya Do It") and Stevie Winwood on keyboards (2nd time he's popped up unexpectedly recently, also on "Berlin"). RIP Marianne - go read the various tributes in the UK press; beloved by musicians and film-makers old and young.
Johnny Cash
4/5
American III has the better songs and "Hurt" is way over-played, but this is still pretty awesome
[EDIT - gotta' give Johnny props for making "I Hung My Head", an actual Sting composition, sound timeless
You can hear the barrel being scraped a bit with some ropey numbers - does anyone really want to hear "Danny Boy", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" or "Desperado"?
And, Mark - I take your timely point about the Rick Rubin comeback conveyor, but you could argue the '90s JC revival started with U2's "The Wanderer" (great tune) or "'Til Things Are Brighter" even earlier]
Justin Timberlake
1/5
Musical elements I cannot stomach:
post-Thriller Michael Jackson (or any, in retrospect)
late-90's/00's R&B
Pharrell Williams productions
ex-boyband members trying to become "serious artists"
vocalists named "Justin" who were not in The Moody Blues
What a vomit smoothie this album is!
Slayer
3/5
Used to sound menacing when I was 13, now just sounds silly. Of all the thrash I've endured on this journey, Slayer are clearly the most talented and the production is nicely clean and crisp, but at the end of the day it's just a bunch of sweaty dorks shouting juvenile poetry about Satan and Nazis (ooh) and practicing scales
The Beta Band
2/5
Expecting two separate reviews of Beta Band albums, infused with sparkling wit and anecdotes, is expecting too much.
Killing Joke
4/5
I love the sound and the energy of this, I just find the songs themselves unmemorable. Bumped up a bit to honor my pre-teen fondness for the later, excellent "Love Like Blood"
4/5
The spunky guitar riffs and sharp vocals are simultaneously very infectious and slightly annoying, as intended. "Jocko Homo" and "Come Back Jonee" perfect examples, "Satisfaction" perhaps a bit too sarcastic. "Mongoloid" is a long-term favorite, lyrics easily adaptable to tease/mock your person of choice at any given time. Utterly great in limited doses.
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
More from the "trendy '90s bands I have never heard" file. First impressions were quite poor, with music and vocals akin to a slightly-better Jane's Addiction; not a compliment. Grew on me a bit but still very much the kind of thing that would give greasy journalists a hard-on, standing proudly up against the stark backdrop of the real world and its muted indifference. Not sure where the "harrowing lyrics" reputation comes from, reading them it's all quite weak tea, perhaps a bit much for the soft indie lads of the time? If anything, this seems a major antecedent to emo and all its futile whining.
Ghostface Killah
4/5
Music is pretty good, quite psychedelic in places and with fun samples. Vocals are unfortunately really cartoonish, so overall it's not really for me. Who gives a fuck about Tony Stark?
[EDIT: having heard more Wu-Tang solo albums now, this one is probably my favorite. Extra point for teaching American kids the metric system]
The Clash
2/5
Maybe I'm in a bad mood, but I found this quite basic and irritating today. Never a fan of Strummer's voice, the timid "punkiness" and cluttered production left me bored and frustrated. They got a bit better, I think
Hole
4/5
Have always been fond of this album, which showcases the tunes and dynamics of the era as well as any other "grunge" album (presumably why it was unfairly attributed to Cobain). A bit front-loaded, but well worthy of its grade. Love the cover art.
Green Day
5/5
Sounding like the Broadway musical it eventually became, for me this is the real Bat Out Of Hell II; perhaps even better. The music may be cribbed from The Ramones and Bryan Adams (appropriately enough) and the dynamics from The Who, but the overall effect is punchy and catchy as hell. Playing on every pop radio station 24/7 with the band screaming "Fuck George Bush" at the same time; say what you like about "punk" but I don't recall "White Riot" achieving this kind of exposure (not that either amounted to very much, but Green Day definitely knew the game). Lots of fun, shameless 5.
Chicago
3/5
Not what I expected, being only vaguely-aware of their yacht rock radio songs. Funky, bluesy and psychedelic, like a much-better Small Faces. Lots of this is indulgent jamming, but the good parts are excellent
Death In Vegas
2/5
Totally unmemorable hipster noodling. Features Bobby Gillespie mumbling some addled bollocks over a half-arsed trip-hop parody of "Tombstone Blues". Extra point for the sole highlight: "Aisha, I'm viiibraating"
Hüsker Dü
4/5
A double album by a band I should listen to more is much too dense for a busy day like today. Preliminary impressions are good, wish I'd heard more when I was really into REM as they sound easily their equal in this style. Placeholder 4
Big Black
5/5
I really enjoyed this - the combination of extreme guitar treatments, incessant drum machine beats and the subject matter and its delivery make for an unforgettable listen. "Kerosene" I already knew and loved, but the rest is equally good (esp. "Passing Complexion" which has the best guitar sound and "Fists of Love" which could be from a John Carpenter soundtrack). The Killing Joke influence is clear but the result is entirely original, and awesome. Might cough up some cash for a copy (on Bandcamp)
AC/DC
4/5
A delightfully stress-free listen with a bit more variety than their reputation would suggest. Nevertheless, gun to my head I could not distinguish a Bon Scott vocal from a Brian Johnson one. I don't think I really need two AC/DC albums in my collection, but if this were to change "Highway To Hell" would be top of the list.
Pantera
3/5
My heart sank when this popped up, but it redeemed itself almost immediately; likely because it sounds more like grungified Southern Rock than anonymous thrash metal, suiting my more-wussy sensibilities. Vocalist is godawful, and the low points are the Metallica-ish "This Love" and "Hollow", but the general noise was fun. Kids love the cover image.
Pet Shop Boys
5/5
The Pet Shop Boys' "grown up" album; I liked it at the time but did not love it as much as their previous outings, and thought a couple of the tracks were a bit poor (a lot of competition in 1990, fabulous year). Revisiting today as a "grown up" I couldn't really find a weak spot, and enjoyed every moment.
"Being Boring" is their loveliest single, magical.
I remember *really* relating to "This Must Be the Place I Waited Years To Leave"; man, school is BORING eh? Laughable in retrospect, as are most 15yos.
"My October Symphony" features a daily double of tasteful early '90s collaborators in Johnny Marr and the Balanescu Quartet. The Q reviewer must have cum so hard!
Harold Faltermeyer's production and his analog synth sounds also bang "So Hard" (especially)
No listen is complete without the concurrent non-album single "Where The Streets Have No Name", which gives Bono's earnest lecturing the hi-NRG treatment and cheeky segue it always needed. Not quite as good as their "Always On My Mind", but very little is.
I guess I've talked myself into a 5 here..
Depeche Mode
4/5
On cue, another big one from 1990 arrives. Not quite as good as I remember, and certainly not the equal of the preceding wall-to-wall banger "Music For The Masses", but the singles alone are illustrious and worthy of the grade. Fond memories of trying to reproduce the sci-fi "pew" sound from "Enjoy The Silence" using my Casio MT-750/Atari ST, with limited success.
The La's
5/5
This is an odd one, once again from 1990's top drawer but hard to date from its components. The fairly straightforward songs, their uncluttered arrangements and Mavers' heavy scouse accent gives The La's an eccentric quality that sets it outside of any particular era; it would not surprise me if extravagantly-bearded hipsters were playing something similar in an Austin bar in 2015, nor if a time-traveller came back from Lancashire during the Black Plague with a bootleg recording (at least, the recording itself wouldn't surprise me). No wonder none of Mike Hedges, John Leckie or Steve Lillywhite could capture the sound in Mavers' head correctly, as I'm not sure that sound really existed anywhere else.
Regardless, there are some good tunes on here. I think "Son Of A Gun" is one of the great album openers, and even the more awkward numbers ("IOU", "Freedom Song") have their place. It was fun to hear the rumours out of Go! Discs as they desperately chased the follow-up - one week Lee's recording on a house boat, the following week recording in Corsica, the next week he's sailing the house boat to record on Sardinia. Didn't happen, of course.
I am lucky to have caught one of their final gigs at the Mean Fiddler on New Years Eve (?) 1991; to be honest they didn't sound any different to these recordings as far as I remember. John Power had just quit; rather poignantly the last line on this album is "the change is Cast". Don't blame them for Oasis!
Looks like I talked myself into a 5 again, certainly an interesting album and one I enjoy quite a lot on occasion.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
For an ignorant sap such as myself, this rocks pretty hard and is full of bright melodies. Who knows if it's super-representative of Saharan music in general, but I enjoyed it a lot. Their next one, Résistance, is just as good and features a real banger in "Bamako" as well as a so-bad-it's-good Iggy guest vocal on "Sahara", if you're so inclined.
Ray Charles
3/5
Great voice, songs and arrangements very much of its time
[EDIT: booooring]
The Band
2/5
It puzzled me why I don't know this very well, but all became clear within minutes. It's so ploddingly dull, the vocals grate, the music somniferizes (hey, AI tells me that's a word). The Band really are just that - a backing band with no presence. The Dylan songs are marginally better than the rest, but have nothing really to recommend them; there's a good version of "I Shall Be Released" on the Rolling Thunder bootleg with Joan Baez and Mick Ronson, that's about the only positive I can give. The Basement Tapes suck too.
Pere Ubu
5/5
This is everything I had hoped "The Modern Dance" would be. Striking, poppy, weird, banging. I might Frankenstein a Greatest Hits together..
Randy Newman
2/5
just boring, really poor effort and awful vocals
Elis Regina
3/5
Even the highest-quality soft jazz/yacht rock in Portuguese can only get you so far.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Bossanova standards, not thrilling
Carole King
5/5
Packed with standards, all written and sung by Ms King herself. The story of how she got here is remarkable, and this album is a fantastic achievement, with tentacles into peak Joni and James Taylor to boot. Who doesn't like this? Perhaps the zenith of that sweet sweet Laurel Canyon sound, Dawes notwithstanding.
Iron Maiden
3/5
"Invaders" promises much that the rest of the album fails to deliver, getting increasingly silly and leaden. "22 Acacia Avenue" is terrible, so dumb. Dickinson's vocals are an improvement over the earlier bloke, but it's still adolescent pablum. Shame, I was briefly excited.
Fred Neil
4/5
This sounds great, somehow more brawny that similar folk recordings, probably a combination of his strong baritone and the solid arrangements, more Cash than Dylan. Tim Buckley does the definitive "Dolphins" on "Dream Letter" (RIP Danny Thompson), and I'm not sure I want to hear the final raga again, but overall a good listen and one I'll play from time to time.
Julian Cope
4/5
Inevitable that the Arch Drude would show up here. Bluesy, folky, psychedelic, tuneful, antiquarian, mysterious and unfocused, song for song "Peggy Suicide" is pretty representative of the great man if not quite as good as "Jehovakill". Lots of ground covered in this epic, totally deserving of its 60+ min esp. the extended wig-out of "Safesurfer". 2nd disc is inessential but quite proto-Screamadelica
Arcade Fire
2/5
V. busy day, another brief review. Used to enjoy this, now a bit embarrassing - overwrought and obsolete themes, Springsteen obsession, terrible lyrics. Couldn't make it through the last track. Shame.
Have at it Mark!
Erykah Badu
2/5
Never seems to go anywhere, spinning it's souly, jazzy wheels aimlessly. "Baduizm" is a tighter, if equally ephemeral, tidbit.
The Stooges
5/5
Another one I was wrong about - this is undoubtedly the best Stooges album, every track is a riot, marvelous guitar sounds and a twisted saxophone leading the charge in the back half. Fuck yeah!
Fatboy Slim
2/5
"I'm really into Fatboy Slim but, like, his *early* stuff"
Anyone?
Thought not
David Gray
2/5
Pretty bland and pedestrian, even the big hit "Babylon" features in a slower and unadorned version compared to the radio edit which is a bit livelier. I am a huge fan of his first album "A Century Ends", which could be a lost early Van Morrison collection if you squint your ears a bit; sadly subsequent efforts don't have the same passion or song quality, seemingly abandoned long before this one. Nevertheless, it was fun to see David Gray become a global star here, like watching Leicester City win the Premier League. Good on 'im!
Alice Cooper
2/5
So puzzling why anyone thought this was "edgy", more like musical theater than "rock'n'roll" and not in an entertaining Meat Loaf way. Self-satisfied and boring, but not bad enough for a 1*
Dinosaur Jr.
5/5
I don't think I've ever heard this, but it proliferated its way to the top through the day, probably even better that "Bug", my D.Jr. reference (give or take a "Freak Scene"). My teenager has a T-shirt of the album cover, evidently iconized in Hot Topic alongside the Nirvana smiley, but with a stronger case to make - 1987! Incredible..
For me, Dinosaur Jr. were always in the background, having seen them numerous times and perhaps even met J. Mascis (they were in London a lot in the early '90s), while paying them little attention (sorry, Mark!). Time to catch up now - the songwriting and guitar sounds on e.g. "SludgeFeast", "The Lung" and "Tarpit" are fabulous, and the ending of the bonus "Just Like Heaven" is perfect. More please!
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Hmm.. from one angle Yoshimi is quite charming, bright and tuneful neo-psychedelia; from another it's quite irritating, the singer often cloying and off-key, while its best melody found a girl and settled down long ago. I liked the whole affair when it came out much more than I did today (having not seen the band live yet then, horrible..). Some talent here, not as much longevity. 3rd playthrough put me at a high 3.
Rocket From The Crypt
1/5
[Death walking down the hallway meme, happily scything overhyped '90s bands]: Girls vs Boys, Afghan Whigs, now Rocket From The Crypt, the worst of the lot! Vexatious horns and sub-Cramps/JSBE vocal annoyances layered over Green Day/Blink-182 "punk". I couldn't wait for this to end.
San Diego is one of the nicest cities in the US, yet doesn't boast a single great band to my knowledge. Coincidence?
Stevie Wonder
5/5
A double album on a Monday? Good thing I know it backwards already, and it's probably the best ever use of the format (technically, a double plus a 7"; my dad had the original with the single perched precariously in the inner sleeve).
Every song does its part, and the runtime flies by without a second thought. Hearing in sequence again is incredible - "Sir Duke" into "I Wish" into "Knocks Me Off My Feet" into "Pastime Paradise" into "Summer Soft".. christ!
How much do I like this? The second song is entitled "Have A Talk With God" and even *I* think it's an unashamed banger! Parts sound way before their time - the striking second part of "Ordinary Pain" could be Mary J. Blige and there's some Public Enemy in the end of "Black Man". My secret favorite is "Village Ghetto Land"; as a keyboard nerd, the baroque orchestral sounds Stevie teases from his GX-1 are phenomenal. The whole experience even ends properly, with instrumental "Easy Goin' Evening" harking back to the prior delights as if playing over the closing credits of a movie.
Incomparable. Should have been strapped to the Voyagers.
Roni Size
2/5
I didn't hate this as much as I did when it came out, but it's still about as exciting as the Brown Paper Bag orchestrated therein.
The Pogues
5/5
I've known this forever, thanks to a friend's Dad who would play it in constant rotation with Van Morrison and Christy Moore. Still get a little flash of excitement when Kirsty MacColl (probably the most famous person ever to make me a cup of tea) starts "They've got cars big as bars, they've got rivers of gold.." even on the 1000th hearing. "Thousands Are Sailing" could be mawkish in other hands but rings true and serious here. "The Broad Majestic Shannon" is their finest moment, a MacGowan original (as far as I know) showcasing his talent for creating what could be a folk tune that has been passed down for centuries. Planxty all involved.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Not my default Dylan album to listen to, typically Desire or the classic 60s ones without making an effort. There are some great tunes on here but it's a bit less varied than his other feted records. I get the praise, but there are better ones!
[EDIT: What I mean is, "Idiot Wind" is no "Positively 4th Street"; "Lily, Rosemary.." no "Desolation Row". Have to calibrate my five stars]
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
It's good to hear something different on here. Didn't do much for me but refreshing nonetheless.
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
"Haunted" much like a fart haunts an elevator. Became increasingly less-interesting throughout its interminable runtime.
The Yardbirds
2/5
Quite poor, cover art is probably higher quality than the music. The musicians involved might have gone on to much better things, but this seems to be the equivalent of viewing the work of a kindergarten student.
[Edit: I sense another 5-2 split on the horizon!]
Norah Jones
3/5
I really wanted to like this, unfortunately the well-known ones are both the best and the absolute template for the remainder. Disappointing
Wild Beasts
2/5
Disappointing. Sounds a bit like reheated early Suede, but the theatrical (histrionic) vocals get annoying pretty fast and there isn't much going on elsewhere in the music that is very interesting. Nah
The Byrds
3/5
Some interesting effects and a great guitar sound, but inessential. Stick to the Greatest Hits. "Mind Gardens" is wretched.
Judas Priest
3/5
Enjoyable if unmemorable UK metal. Notes of AC/DC and Hawkwind with some decent songwriting. No' bad.
Ray Price
4/5
Agreeable old school country, with some charmingly antique aspects and a great voice. Good to hear what Willie Nelson was up to when a wee lad (i.e., only 30)..
Iggy Pop
4/5
Pretty great, didn't realize how much of this was written by Bowie. Not quite as good as "The Idiot", a high bar.
The Kinks
4/5
Showing early hints of the classic "Village Green" sound and themes, the highlights of this are timeless.
Marilyn Manson
1/5
Never in my life did I think I would have to sit attenively through a whole Marilyn Manson album. Likewise, never did I consider the level of food poisoning possible from a shelled oyster platter in a hot July. On balance, I'd revisit the seafood given the choice.
Brian Eno
4/5
Not one I return to often, although the favorite Eno record of a number of friends (likely all big Can fans). The reciprocal Talking Heads influence is clear ("No One Receiving" could be a demo for "Remain In Light") and the high points are fun but it's a bit too soundscapey to hook me long-term.
If you're looking for "Here Come The Warm Jets II", "Taking Tiger Mountain" might satisfy, although it doesn't rock quite as hard.
2/5
If Yes were the only prog music I had heard, I think I would hate prog. My esteemed colleague has observed before how fidgety this band are, all musical prodigies with severe ADHD. This album is probably the worst of the lot, so irritating to listen to: 18 minute songs, different every 2 minutes! Get a groove going, motherfuckers, please! The bonus cover of "America" is surely self-parody? I couldn't satirize their style any better.
Jon Anderson's vocals really annoy me, with the exception of the incredible sample used in "Dark Fantasy".
No.
Boards of Canada
3/5
I can't beat the top reviewer's "Palliative care music for former ravers." Essentially "Selected Ambient Works Vol. 1.5"; I recognized the good one "Roy G. Biv", the rest drifted casually past.
Grizzly Bear
2/5
More from my post-millennial mp3 backwaters - would it be a lost classic? Starts well enough but after the 2nd track falls into the indistinct and tuneless harmonizing that characterizes others of their ilk. I could not identify any of the final ten tracks vs those on any Fleet Foxes' album if you put my head in a vice. At least my beloved Dirty Projectors push the envelope a bit. Meow.
50 Cent
3/5
It's fine, if very derivative; I don't hear anything unique about 50c. Sounds like a retread of earlier Dre productions, 5+ years too late.
Steely Dan
3/5
They sure have a characteristic sound, don't they - not one I particularly love nor hate. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is a legend; I much prefer his era SD albums and am quite jealous of his career and moustache.
The White Stripes
3/5
As a follow-up to the excellent "White Blood Cells" I found this incredibly disappointing at the time. A bit harsh maybe given the highlights (which you all know) but you can hear them run out of ideas and turn to generic blues and drivel as the runtime continues (would have made a great 8-track cartridge). "Seven Nation Army" is so ubiquitous that when my eldest had to make a musical instrument in Science class they were graded on how well they could play the riff on the resulting contraption; I recommend the PVC pan pipes strategy.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
You can hear the ambition and ideas crammed into the many different songs on here. I guess it was a big deal at the time, but for this ca. 1986 Elvis first-listener it just sounds like a good EC album. For more details, insert the usual comments from my many earlier reviews...
I think I just figured out I like Steve Nieve much more than Elvis himself. It's always the keyboard parts that excite me.
Neu!
5/5
Both sides of this are great, if quite different, each anticipating key aspects of the Bowie Berlin era (although this comment overlooks how good the album is on its own without any context). "Isi" may be the most beautiful implementation of "motorik"; "Hero" the earliest post-punk (pre-punk) banger. Ausgezeichnet!
Tom Waits
3/5
It's OK but I much prefer his barfly period to this Beefheart one. The songs aren't really that much fun to listen to, and it's not as clever as it thinks it is, a bit one-note in theme and sound. Contrast to e.g. Closing Time which is up there in my top 10(ish).
[EDIT: Didn't grow on me in the meantime. Maybe I'm a tedious romantic but TW's first few albums with his real singing voice are so much more enjoyable. I can identify a "challenging" album by the fact most of the songs are quite short (<3 min) yet still feel interminable. The 2:46 of "Singapore" could be a life sentence.]
The Fall
5/5
The only Fall album I owned when it came out. Contains one of my favorite Fall songs, "Paranoia Man In Cheap Shit Room", and many other great tunes. Hard to say which is their best but this is up there with Hex, Extricate and Oranj for me.
Shack
1/5
Now this is some prime over-rated low-effort Brit bollocks (as judged upon hearing it in 1999, yet alone today from this list). I think their A&R man later wrote the entertaining if concerning "Kill Your Friends", perhaps as a diversion from the tedium herein.
If we're now just randomly lauding tuneful obscure nautical-adjacent Beatlesy-indie I'm going to use the rest of my time to highlight Pugwash and the excellent "What Are You Like?" You're welcome.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
5/5
I've loved Buddy Holly since I was a young'un, and these songs are the musical bedrock of pretty much everything else I like. What a guy - era-defining singer *and* songwriter (both rockers and ballads, mostly excellent and <3 minutes), inventive guitarist (ever hear a Stratocaster?), clean cut while voracious as any '70s touring hard rock band (see the top review). So influential - Dylan allegedly saw him live a few days before he died, likewise Lennon on TV. 22 years old! Beat that, anyone since..?
Missy Elliott
3/5
Mid. If only there was a way to identify the artist on each and every track.
RIP Mani - will play XTRMNTR next
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Decent, but sounds like Innervisons B-sides in comparison.
[EDIT: Mark, this is a prime example of one I return to because I'm sure there's more there if I just listen better; still didn't find it yet though.]
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
Inoffensive indie/pop-country. Reminded me of Josh Rouse who does this sort of thing with a bit more elan.
Ray Charles
2/5
I'm sure the album is good quality but I really don't like this style of music!
Pink Floyd
3/5
Yikes, the #1 adolescent angst collection, at least amongst my group of saddos (particularly apposite as Rog was peddling his Berlin wall extravaganza at the time). I know it all backwards despite never actually liking it very much; there are some excellent songs and Gilmour puts in sterling work throughout, but the "poor rockstar" selfish conceit and clumsy musical theater aspects push the quality cumulatively into the negative as the "story" continues. "The Trial" ffs, please..
This ugliness bothered me so much in 1990 that I defaced my borrowed CD copy, scratching "FUCK OFF HIPPY" into the second disc with my compass; if anyone from Watford Central Library is reading this please message me for the replacement costs.
I found it increasingly unpleasant again as it unfurled today. The film is perhaps even worse, Geldof's nippleectomy notwithstanding. "Hey You" is spared for "The Squid and the Whale" where it shines (if not quite "Street Hassle") in a saner environment.
Highlights of "The Wall" would have made a phenomenal single album, particularly if all the awkward indulgence was scrubbed. I can handle Waters' pretension just fine (love "The Final Cut") but the leap from "boo I don't want to play my concert" to "the audience is literally Nazis" is just ridiculous. And, yes, we all remember Vera Lynn - who gives a shit? Get a grip, people.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
I am quite familiar with this, surprisingly not because I was really big into the MySpace scene.. No, my eldest is a huge AM fan, and I enjoy the chance to explain highlights of the English vernacular and the subtle (or not-so-subtle) differences between a Yorkshire, a Lancashire and a "London" accent. "Go a bit Frank Spencer"; "lairy girls"; "mardy bum"; "trackky bottoms" all fine educational material.
It's pretty good, for my ears the best of the "older brother probably had a Gang of Four record" mob from this era. "Fake Tales of San Francisco" is the highlight - "the band were fucking wank"; "Hunter's Bar"; "Rotherham" advanced level dialectology.
She'd rate it a 5, their best; I'm not fully convinced
Nirvana
4/5
Kicked off in fine form as I thought to myself "why do I never ever listen to this?" It's a perfect time capsule, and one that is dangerously front-loaded. A very enjoyable meal but lacking in nutrition over the long run. That said, Novoselic's melodic bass really stood out after so long.
Your indie grandpa here first heard "Nevermind", in full, over the PA before a Kingmaker gig at the Harlow Square while wild rumors of Freddie Mercury's death spread around the venue. Can't beat your first time.
It's strange how, outside of the canonized singalongs, the lyrics are very obscure for such a huge selling record. Can anyone identify which song the following couplet is from?
"The black sheep got blackmailed again
Forgot to put on the zip code"
Bet you all know the next part though!
Decent 4
Orbital
2/5
Good god this is tedious. Electronic music seems to attract "looped Casio keyboard default settings"-type reviews here, but those epithets are very pertinent in this case. Doesn't even have the decency to include "Chime", their one good tune.
Ravers used to tell me mysteriously that "The Brown One" was Orbital's best; I regret never taking strong enough drugs to understand what they meant.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
Take Five I knew, the rest are similarly excellent. Great alto sax tone, groovy album!
[EDIT - purchased and upgraded]
Jamiroquai
1/5
Insipid Stevie Wonder rip-off. Was Jay Kay the biggest twat of the '90s? His mom was in The Black and White Minstrel Show, appropriately enough.
Unusual kudos to the list for restraint, only having one instance of this shit.
Paul Simon
3/5
You can hear the uncertainty and lack of inspiration Simon later touted as his reasons for his pivot to "world music". Half of this is pretty good, half absolute drivel.
Nevertheless, the title track is perhaps my favorite song of his, so delicate and poetic. Go watch Carrie Fisher's "Wishful Drinking" and the part in which she describes having it written for her. Lovely.
This is also the album that killed his relationship with Garfunkel forever, so it's not all bad. Can you imagine the material on an '80s-production reunion album? Bleurgh..
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
I've deleted this from my collection once before, very annoyed to see it on here. One of the least memorable albums ever made, with an atrocious vocal effort from Allbran. Why does this exist?