My 1001 Albums Journey

Album	You	Global	Diff
A Grand Don't Come For Free The Streets	5	2.65	+2.35
Scott 4 Scott Walker	5	2.81	+2.19
Kings Of The Wild Frontier Adam & The Ants	5	2.83	+2.17
Mask Bauhaus	5	2.84	+2.16
Goodbye And Hello Tim Buckley	5	2.84	+2.16
Vauxhall And I Morrissey	5	2.96	+2.04
Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts The Adverts	5	2.97	+2.03
Dog Man Star Suede	5	3	+2
The Libertines The Libertines	5	3	+2
Nowhere Ride	5	3.02	+1.98

Album	You	Global	Diff
Ellington at Newport Duke Ellington	1	3.43	-2.43
Kenya Machito	1	3.27	-2.27
Mama's Gun Erykah Badu	1	3.25	-2.25
Selected Ambient Works 85-92 Aphex Twin	1	3.21	-2.21
Under Construction Missy Elliott	1	3.14	-2.14
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo MC Solaar	1	3.1	-2.1
Shaka Zulu Ladysmith Black Mambazo	1	3.08	-2.08
La Revancha Del Tango Gotan Project	1	3.04	-2.04
Water From An Ancient Well Abdullah Ibrahim	1	3.03	-2.03
Will The Circle Be Unbroken Nitty Gritty Dirt Band	1	2.98	-1.98

Artist	Albums	Average
Led Zeppelin	5	5
Beatles	7	4.57
Radiohead	6	4.5
R.E.M.	4	4.75
Stevie Wonder	4	4.75
Simon & Garfunkel	3	5
Nirvana	3	5
Blur	3	5
David Bowie	9	4.22
Leonard Cohen	5	4.4
Pink Floyd	4	4.5
Queen	3	4.67
Jimi Hendrix	3	4.67
The Smiths	3	4.67
The Doors	3	4.67
Michael Jackson	3	4.67
The Velvet Underground	3	4.67
The Cure	3	4.67
Pet Shop Boys	3	4.67
Pixies	3	4.67
Coldplay	2	5
Pulp	2	5
Fleetwood Mac	2	5
Green Day	2	5
Manic Street Preachers	2	5
Oasis	2	5
Iggy Pop	2	5
Suede	2	5
Joy Division	2	5
ABBA	2	5
T. Rex	2	5
Talking Heads	4	4.25
Metallica	4	4.25
Morrissey	4	4.25
Bob Dylan	7	4
Kate Bush	3	4.33
Arcade Fire	3	4.33
Bob Marley & The Wailers	3	4.33
Black Sabbath	3	4.33
Marvin Gaye	3	4.33

Artist	Albums	Average
Tom Waits	5	2
Orbital	2	1.5
Barry Adamson	2	1.5

Artist	Ratings
Big Star	5, 1
Prince	4, 2, 5

Simon & Garfunkel

5/5

Without this site I definitely wouldn’t have listened to it ( not that i hate it it’s just not my normal kinda thing i go for). I am so grateful that I herd it though cause it’s a really good folk rock album I recommend it to anyone really: Side one is my favourite starting with the title track what a song! I really like that the album starts with the only piano centric song, also it has to have one of my favourite chorus’s and those explosion sounds at the end are good as well. El condor pasa is my least favourite from this for me having a better intro then actual song. The three next songs Cecelia to so long frank loyd wright are great more specifically; Cecelia is a really well placed single and I love all the hand claps at the start. Keep the customer satisfied has great orchestral instruments ( sorry i’am bad at naming these bits) and So long frank loyd wright is a great pace changer and a great closer to side one ; but when side two starts the boxer comes on you know you’re in for a treat! Everything from the lyrical highs of the verses and the simple but effective chorus just show brilliance a definite favourite for me. I like the lyrics and the samples on baby driver but musically it’s really not a favourite of mine. The only living boy in New York sounds a lot more gloomy in the verses and I like how it briefly explodes into the more optimistic chorus. Why don’t you write me isn’t my least favourite on here but its the only one I would call a little bit filler-ish and i do like the horns on it and the fade out works for bye bye loves live cheering. Speaking of… i’am not huge on bye bye love as a song but I like that they used a live version which makes the handclaps sound so much better. I love how bye bye loves cheering goes into song for asking which is good but its short length makes it quite unsatisfying for me.

When I Was Born For The 7th Time

Cornershop

2/5

This albums okay but to be fair there’s so many albums not on the original list that deserve to be on here more: Sleep on the left side is one of the better ones on the album it might not hit of first listen… but it will. This version of brimful of Asha is definitely the better one not that the Norman cook one is bad this one’s just better y know. The punjabi singing on we’re in your corner works really well and is a decent song and then ending with “ Ibm the coca cola motherfucker”. I’am not too huge on the beat for funky days are back again but it’s alright. When the light appears boy is strange but it’s entertaining in the context of this album. Other than brimful of Asha, good shit is the best here its just a really enjoyable song not much to say. Good to be on the road back home again is also good but i much prefer the female voice on here then the usual singers. I’am not much of a fan of rapping but so candyman isn’t really for me and the bits that aren’t rapping are just repetitive. There’s also a handful instrumental tracks some being really dull (chocolat, coming up and state troopers) and some are decent (like butter the soul (which reminds me of an Indian inspired version of linkin parks cure for an itch), what is happening And it’s Indian tobacco my friend). The album ends on a punjabi sung cover of the beatles Norwegian wood I think it’s great because Norwegian wood is a good song though and not that the band make it any better, anyway good closer!

Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Stereolab

3/5

I can’t say that I think I will ever revisit this thing after the review but there are some really interesting bits: Just before I start the track by track I have to say this artwork is dreadful! The album starts off with metronomic underground is alright but at 7 mins it takes quite a while to get going and by the end I never wanna hear anyone say “crazy sturdy a torpedo” again. Like literally! There’s only 4 lines in that aren’t “crazy sturdy a torpedo” or some kinda variation in the first song. Cybele’s reverie is definitely the best song just a fun sounding french pop song with pretty cool strings, and while repetitive a good bridge! Percolator sounds like some weird spy theme in my head It’s alright. Les yper-Sound I don’t like the singing on this one ( but luckily there’s not much) this bands french song’s are just better. I know i’am contradicting myself here but spark plug is actually quite good for an English sung track it’s probably more annoying instrumentally. Olv 26 takes a bit long to start but the song itself is alright even though the razor like sounds at the end are a bit odd. The noise of the carpet is more my kinda song very rock but I must say the English singing is still a bit annoying. Tomorrow is already here is repetitive and the singing is a annoying but musically it’s a favourite. Emperor tomato ketchup is alright not really a stand out for me the intro drags a little bit longer then i hoped as well. Monstre sacre is haunting sounds like some weird chant to me it’s hard to hear the lyrics which I don’t mind. Motoroller Scalatron would be good without the singing or the laser-y sounds still it’s alright ( it’s also very repetitive). So many of these songs have good lyrics but the way her voice sounds i’am just not a fan especially on slow fast hazel but it’s still one of the better songs I really like the chorus and the instrumental bit. Anonymous collective is so repetitive but it makes a good ending to the album. Overall it’s a very entertaining listen that I would recommend for someone to try at least once, but it feels way too long, the singing is a bit annoying and lyrics are repetitive.

Devil Without A Cause

Kid Rock

1/5

I hope this album can prove that you can like things and still hate the person that made them but lets see… I actually quite liked how bawitdaba was it was a great intro track and definitely gives insight into what i’am about to hear… Well nah I wasn’t a fan of cowboy one bit. Devil without a cause started off well but drags at the 3 minute mark and the verse with the kid makes me straight up cringe. I am the bullgod and roving gangster ( rollin’) were both fairly enjoyable to be completely honest, fine there’s much better examples of rap and rock working together but it’s not bad. I think i vaguely remember wasting time before and yeah… it not great also same with welcome 2 the party. I got one for ya is slightly better and it’s the only way this album has kept up long enough without me giving up. Somebody’s gotta feel this is one of the better ones but at this point in the album it’s getting really dull exactly the same with fist of rage. Only god knows why is a good pace changer but there’s too much autotune on those verses. Fuck off is a very mixed one for me the song itself is a return to the normal kid rock bullshit then there’s some samples at the end which i did find intriguing but they should’ve used less as that but drags. Where you at rock is also not great the chorus is so annoying! Black chick white guy makes sense as the album’s closer but still not a fan actually the best bit about that track was putting i am the bullgod on again. This album starts off okay but then a stream of shit knocks you out rendering any possible slightly good song as shit as well. So in conclusion in this case I don’t like kid rock and I don’t like his music. But it may well appeal more to a fan of rap music cause rap ain’t my scene.

Queen II

Queen

4/5

I must admit I went through quite a big queen thing a year ago and I still am a fan of their works so it might sound a bit over positive in some aspects, so there’s a criticism, I think queen are thematically quite weak here only relying on fantasy tropes but at least it sticks to that concept: Procession isn’t really a song just a lead in to father to son but it’s done well. I love that guitar solo in father to son and then when they go back to the chorus it goes all angelic but it does drag on a bit at 6 minutes. White queen ( as it began) is the slowest one so far but the chorus still explodes in your face like any queen song would. I like the simple little guitar work on some day one day the only thing about this one is it’s quite an uninteresting listen in comparison to before as it doesn’t explode. The loser in the end is a really solid 70s rock tune I like may’s guitar work on this one good song! Now we go into side 2 ( side black) a much more rock side of queen. Ogre battle has to be up there for one of the best intros ever fine the lyrics are probably one of the worst so far being too stuck in fantasy but it’s still instrumentally so good that the lyrics don’t matter. The fairy fellers master stroke works so well coming off the explosion of ogre battle it has some of the best piano works in a rock song it’s not that long for queen but i think it does it favours. Nevermore is so short but i do like the build up on it’s song and I think it’s only a lead up to albums magnum opus march of the black queen a song that’s so pleasing in every aspect I just wish i was alive back then as this song would be awesome live even if some little bits like the bells were gone it’s almost like a precursor to bohemian rhapsody two albums later then march of the black queen goes into funny how love is if nevermore was the intro funny how love is is the outro to this saga and while probably my least favourite on the album it does provide a solid outro… But wait they have one more song to give remember after the Jesus song on queen 1 there was a short instrumental now that’s a full blown track seven seas of rhye it feels more like a bonus then the actual albums closer but it doesn’t matter it’s such a good song and makes the first 2 queen albums feel like a full duo of albums.

Sound of Silver

LCD Soundsystem

4/5

I mean I’ve herd of the name but I have no clue what they entail… Get innocuous! has very strange but interesting vocals ( I don’t know if this will be a thing for the rest of the album) and it works well as an opener with the long instrumental build up. Time to get away starts off quite dull and it has very repetitive chorus which I don’t mind, the second half of the song is better because with the ( hoo hoo hoo’s) it just sounds more energetic I also like the outro on this one but it’s still not a favourite. North American scum has been lyrically best so far and i like the build up to the chorus but i’am starting to question his singing/ speaking style. Someone great has this weird sound what sounds like to someone doing then undoing a zip. The vocals are closer to that of get innocuous but I prefer it on here by looking at the repetitive lyrics I thought I would be annoyed by the bridge but it was probably the best. All my friends is the lyrically strongest at this point and it’s the first one I don’t have any criticism on the vocals for. This and many of the songs feel a bit too long all placed together for me as i’am used to albums with at most only one 7-9 minute song but i’am surprised how quickly they’re going past. Us v them is the longest song on here and i’am not to sure if it needs to be this long, it’s so repetitive lyrically but i like how the instruments build op on here, it does sound like a lot of the previous songs from a sonic perspective but more of a best of each bit then complete rip-off of before. Watch the tapes is good i mostly like the build up from pre chorus to chorus. Being one of the shortest songs though it did feel it was there to bridge gaps between us v them and Sound of silver the lyrics on here are so filler and so cringeworthy but I think the main attraction on this one are the instrumentals, which are good but it’s still my least favourite on the project. New York I love you but you’re bringing me down is a really strong lyrical song and a great pace changer for this group and it works perfect as a closer especially when it builds up. Overall I like this album i’am not too sure how often I would replay this because it seems like a grower, but I’ll perceiver as i can see why it’s good and there’s many fascinating songs. I thought that it only being 9 tracks that are mostly really long would put me off but due to the long song length it doesn’t matter so that’s good. I would also say that the best tracks on here are the most lyrically dense like all my friends.

Murmur

R.E.M.

4/5

I only really know the hits from this band ( everybody hurts, shiny happy people and losing my religion) so this will be interesting: Radio free Europe is good it the verses have strong lyrics and the chorus is memorable, it makes sense as the album’s opener as it sets up the sonic landscape of the album well. Pilgrimage is more interesting the verses are quite cool with the older sounding drums in the back. I like they choose a slower song off of radio free Europe. Laughing is alright but it’s much more boring then the first two and the structure is much more straightforward. Talk about the passion definitely has my favourite guitar riff so far and is a great single it has a repetitive chorus but it doesn’t effect the song heavily and I like how it just breaks off singing french. I like the overlapping vocals on the chorus of moral kiosk the guitars are also great ( maybe beating talk about the passion) could be a personal favourite. Perfect circle is great for closing the first half of the record, its a much slower song ( and this is in a not very fast album) the lyrics are good as well and the fade out works nicely at the end. Catapult is musically great at reopening the album for side 2 but the chorus is way too simple and repetitive. Sitting still has a great chorus and good lyrics but the fact that only 2 lines only ever change through the song makes it quite repetitive throughout but the song is quite instrumentally led so i’am still fond of this one. 9-9 might be my new personal favourite of mine everything from the speaking at the start to the guitars, the simple but effective lyrics and that inaudible bridge make this a great. Shaking through is really brought together by the piano in the background but I don’t think its one of the best especially compared to what we’ve had but the instrumental at the end was a good surprise. We walk is a very eh song by far the worst on here it’s so dull! West of the fields does share the repetitive chorus problem of catapult but it’s still really nice it’s one of those closers that could really go anywhere on the tracklist but it still works nicely. Wow, I liked this one a lot! Fine there is a bad song in we walk but if that song wasn’t there I would honestly consider giving it a 5. I said the repetitive choruses were a bad thing but it’s only a minor criticism.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

David Bowie

5/5

David Bowie has to be my favourite of those classic super popular musicians this review is very positive so to balance it out I will say that hunky dory is the superior Bowie work but this album still deserves classic status and this is why… Five years has to be one of the best openers ever, fine it doesn’t have any big instrumental build up at the start, but it does have a slow but great build up on the verses then the outro which acts like an extended chorus at the end. Soul love is the kind of song I think of when I think David Bowie an amazing pop rock song, great guitars, great lyrics, great chorus and a well done outro. I love the use of the electric guitar in Moonage Daydream, the instrumental break also works really well with the song and that outro oh my very, very good. Starman has to be the most iconic Bowie song it’s just such a well done song main highlights here are the chorus the small instrumental break before the chorus and basically anything to do with this iconic songs chorus. The verses aren’t as good as the chorus but they’re still great. It ain’t easy feels like a much needed comedown from the first four songs while still retaining that Bowie magic, great to close off side one. Lady stardust isn’t one of my favourites on here but it’s got some piano work and works well as being a second opener for side two. Star is a good song for sure its very enjoyable the main song is very fast paced only for my favourite part that outro. Hang on to yourself is the album’s weakest point but it still provides good time entertainment and like any Bowie song the instrumental work us so good. The intro of Ziggy stardust is great and the song tells the story that’s kinda been hidden by the great music we’ve been getting the changing chorus is really good ( man Bowie knows how to make a chorus). Suffragette city is a good song but that intro with the heavier guitars has ti be my favourite bit. The repeated “ hey man’s” Would probably be made really annoying by a lesser artist but they work in this tune and the subtler piano works makes this song so special. Rock and roll suicide is everything you want from a closer a good slower song that builds up to make this such a satisfying closer to such a classic album.

Smile

Brian Wilson

3/5

I like beach boys but I’ve only herd a best of album and pet sounds before so I’am looking forward to seeing what they ( well Brian Wilson) took so long working on… Our prayer starts off the the album just as a little bit of humming prayer like music makes sense as an intro. Gee is a very short bit at the end of prayer ,as it should, sounds very beach boys. Hero’s and villains us really enjoyable with how sonically distinctive each part is other than multi part song I’ve never herd such variety. But i do vaguely remember this one. I love the drumming at the start at roll Plymouth Rock also I like the change for the chorus and the bridge bit is good. Barnyard is alright for what it is but it’s just super short. But it works into the small small instrumental old master then the depressing cover of you are my sunshine. Cabin essence is another one without such great verity between the different parts which I love and it’s great for ending the first ( of 3) parts. The backing vocals are great and the that subtle trumpet makes wonderful a good listen if its not one of their best. It flows perfectly into song for children actually quite a childish sounding in the verses then the chorus just sounds depressed ( which isn’t a problem). Then child is the father of the man is fairly weird in the chorus but i like it especially the piano work and the trumpet at the end. Surfs up is truly a favourite of mine now it’s just so fascinating and I like it’s one of the slowest beach boys songs. I’m in great shape starts off the final part it’s alright its just a lead into the slow cover of I wanna be around and then the short workshop to end this three piece mini tracks. Then workshop leads into a separate track vega-tables quite an odd one probably my least favourite “full track” as i don’t like the “ wa, ha’s” in the background and the lyrics are very filler. On a holiday is a nice piano track with some filler but still good lyrics and the closing moment is great flowing into… Wind chimes has these great orchestral moment and the piano bit bridging these parts, but i’am not huge on most of the song. Mrs o Leary’s cow is a great piano led instrumental which has a good intro then it spirals off into this stranger part being intriguing but not a re listen for me. The downtempo start of in blue Hawaii swoops in then builds up to a piano section which is cool then it gets much happier only to be met with great strings and horns near the end. What hasn’t been said about good vibrations? It’s definitely the top track and a solid closer to this album i can’t say what hasn’t said before so i’am not gonna say anything. Overall I enjoyed the album but with that many tracks it felt a bit too long and without good vibrations the final part would be a really huge quality drop.

Pink Moon

Nick Drake

3/5

I recognise the the album cover, it’s quirky but good. I think I’ve herd of the name before… The album starts off with the title track it’s an okay folk track with an odd chorus. Place to be is slightly better I prefer the guitars on here. Then is road I like both parts if this song lyrically and the fingerpicking is nice. Which will is a good song it is repetitive with every song starting with the same line but it’s alright. Horn is a nice instrumental it fits well on the album but I don’t love it. Things behind the sun is so far the album’s best song! The lyrics are good, so are the lyrics and the vocals are the best so far. Know has some nice guitar work and the humming works well. There’s only a few lyrics and they come on really late so I think it would’ve been a better album opener. Parasite is another favourite of mine on here I like the build up on this song. And the line “ for I am the parasite of this town” has to be a favourite lyric. Like all these songs I like the lyrics and the instrumentals in free ride but I don’t like the way he sings here. Harvest breed felt way too short but I liked it. From the morning is nice it works well as the album’s closer. It’s also a pretty beautiful sendoff. I liked the album but I think that I respected it more than I enjoyed it. The album’s really, I mean really short! But all the songs have some beauty to them, and while I’am not a big fan of his vocals I would rather them then any modern mumble rapper or over produced pop star.

GI

Germs

3/5

I am very in the dark about this one so it will be very interesting… What we do in secret definitely gives an impression of how the album’s will be. If I couldn’t understand the lyrics in communist eyes it might be better but other than the rampaging guitars I don’t think it’s great. When land of treason came on I decided to look at all of the lyrics which are good punk lyrics it’s too hard to know. The vocals get a bit clearer in Richie daggers crime and the song has great guitar parts so well done! Strange notes is also quite entertaining I love the instrumental bits and it ends nicely. American leather is another step down in quality but it’s really short so it’s not a big deal. While having the nonsense singing lexicon devil is a good one. Manimals probably my favourite so far good lyrics the vocals are more understandable and great guitar work especially at the start. I think its the ( lack of) production but our way is so poor quality sounding, but there’s been worse. I love the intro to we must bleed and for the most part it doesn’t disappoint ( weird saying it’s the end of side one at song ten though). Media blitz is alright I like the sample work and I sorta noticed the lyrics so that was good. The other newest one starts with a great slow intro and after that it is a bit of a let down, but at least this song shows that the band can do songs in a slightly lower tempo and the chorus is good but I probably would’ve named it another day another catch. Lets pretend is a very, very typical punk song in my ears there’s better but there’s worse. I like the drumming at the start of dragon lady but after that it becomes just another alright bunk song, I also wish he screamed in the chorus. The slave is so short I don’t hate it but there’s better. Shut down ( annihilation man) has a great intro and by some reading it was apparently recorded live which works un favour for this epic beast of a track but it does drag after the first 3 mins. It reminds me of a b grade sex pistols, not that I hate the album but I’ve herd quite a few better punk albums and quite a few better albums that aren’t even in the book so they can’t be in the generator.

Make Yourself

Incubus

3/5

I looked up it was nu metal but other than that I have no clue here… Privilege is a good enough song I like the guitars quite a bit, the singing on the verses sounds a bit off but it’s still good. I like the start to Nowhere fast and then the crashing guitars that take over I’am not a fan of the verses but the chorus is good. I like consequence the most at the moment but there’s this subtle bit of turntable scratching which is annoying but it makes sense for a nu metal band. I felt consequence flowed well into the warmth ( cause they sound so similar) a good song theres a bit of guitar which was at the end of the intro that doesn’t really get built on instead of on the chorus which I think still needs to explode a bit more to be great. When it comes is good most of the criticism from the warmth applies here but I like the chorus much more. Stellar is a good song it sounds a lot like the other songs but the applications some of the best . Make yourself really sticks out I enjoy this one especially the bridge. Drive is a really good acoustic song but I would’ve placed it earlier on in the album to show this bands range more. Clean has a great intro slowly building itself up only to collapse into the verses this one goes back to that same sound but it’s better just cause of the intro. Battlestar scralatichtica is a rather dull instrumental to be honest it doesn’t really work. I don’t mind I miss you it’s just a slower version of what we had already. I think pardon me and I miss you should be swapped around but it’s a better song than I miss you so it doesn’t matter. Honestly I liked it but the songs kinda formed a mush as they are all too sonically similar especially on the first half, the vocals also feel too autotune but it’s better than pretty much any pop punk group.

1977

Ash

4/5

I’ve herd girl from mars but than that nothing I do tend to learn towards Britpop albums though due to personal bias… Lose control has this awesome aggressive intro and the pre chorus bit was cool too, felt like a theme song for the band. Goldfinger is a great song works well bringing the pace down after lose control but it’s not super slow. I don’t hate girl from mars but it is awfully “ fuzzy” sounding and other than the fact that it’s got a catchy chorus how was this the band’s big hit. It does flow well into I’d give you anything, a ( very fuzzy) mess of a song (in a good way) and has a good guitar solo adding an extra guitar. Gone the dream is much nicer sounding ( but more boring) than the last two I like the strings in the back of this one. I like the kung fu noises at the start of kung fu and the song sounds nice enough but the lyrics are stupid and when the cheering comes in around the second verse it doesn’t work. Oh yeah is much better a poppier track with some good strings the song really lacks a bridge though but it does have a cool guitar solo which kinda counts. The bit before let it flow explodes should be about half the length, the rest of the song is good though not a favourite but not the worst. Innocent smile flows really well off let it flow this is a heavier cut, with a cool instrumental drum break not the best not the worst. Angel interceptor is awesome great intro great song usually I don’t like backing vocals too much but these (surprisingly) worked quite nicely. Lost in you has been the only time the album’s wanted to slow down, it does build up in aggressiveness but never to the extent of others. Darkside lightside is a huge final blow in the face, for my personal opinions of album tracklisting I would’ve had this as the penultimate and lost in you as the closer until the song goes to its “ lightside” an instrumental bit which really feels like the listener has reached the end of something epic. There are worse Britpop albums on the generator ( elastica’s debut, the cornershop album) much better on the generator ( suede’s dog man star, pulp’s different class) and much better that aren’t on the generator ( ocean colour scene’s Mosley shoals and the longpigs the sun is often out). Overall though it’s very solid and does deserve a place on this generator even if it’s a more mid level Britpop album.

Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)

Bob Dylan

3/5

Of course I’ve heard of this guy and I know he’s a good songwriter that basically can’t sing, I wouldn’t have put a bootleg live album on the 1001 albums book though… The set starts with she belongs to me a good friend enough song ( I won’t criticise on singing because its Bob Dylan), the harmonica solos also good. Fourth time around was good (I don’t know the studio versions of Bob Dylan’s songs because I don’t listen to him really), it felt like it took a bit too long to start buy it was decent, creepy lyrics by the seems of it. Visions of Johanna is good all be it very long … wow this guy likes the harmonica it’s been used so much throughout and we’re only on song 3. It’s all over now baby blue has brilliant lyrics! Again lot’s of harmonica, it’s just not my thing this instrument. Desolation row is really, really good on a lyrical standpoint, probably one I wouldn’t return to much (with its 11 min length) but I like it. There is harmonica again but it takes so long to get to that bit that my anger of the harmonica sorta went away a bit. Just like a woman was also very good again he’s back on his harmonica but what are you to expect. Mr tambourine man is good again great lyrics all be it a bit too long for what it is, there was ANOTHER harmonica solo and now I think I need a break before going to the second half The second half of the set starts with tell me momma while not lyrically my favourite on here the backing from the band works really nicely it’s sad to see this was never played or recorded though. I don’t believe you ( she acts like we’ve never met) is really good as I think his vocals improve ever so slightly being backed by the band. Baby let me follow you down starts off with the harmonica then going into the main song it’s not as good as the last to and the lyrics are some of the weaker ones but it’s still alright. Just like tom thumb’s blues is definitely a great certainty the best lyrically on the second set so far and good guitar solo . Leopard skin pill box hat has a cool rhythm to it great lyrics again you know the drill ( I also think the same about one too many mornings but I do think that one is slightly worse). Ballad of a thin man is so creepy sounding I love it has to be Bob Dylan’s best song. Like a rolling stone is a great song to end a setlist on everything good pretty much applies here to be fair. I liked it but I couldn’t listen to that much Bob Dylan ever again.

American Beauty

Grateful Dead

4/5

I don’t know nothing about whatever this will be ( hope it’s good)… The album starts off with box if rain I like how the other peoples vocals get placed on here the song really lacks a hook until right at the end but lots of intro tracks don’t have any so it’s fine. Friend of the devil is a good song I like how the verses get faster throughout it’s very folky but very good. Sugar magnolia is a small step down from the first two it’s still a good track but just maybe tone down the “doo do do’s”. Operator is a good song fells like it’s used to bridge the gap a little being the album’s shortest song also there’s some annoying screwing sounds ( probable least favourite.) Candyman is great a nice slow closer to side one, I can’t say for certain but it seems like the song is either about some sorta creep or at least something dodgy going on. Ripple has a good intro also I like the extra guitar works on the chorus to sound… well like a ripple and the outro is cool. Brokedown palace is not the best but its a really nice slower song but specially I like the buildup on this song. Next up is till the morning comes a song that brings back the energy, if I were in the shoes of this group I may have swapped this and brokedown palace. Now the penultimate track attics of my life , the song starts off with quite a cool guitar part then goes into these sorta heavenly vocals.Around 2 mins in the energy builds up ever so slightly which works well. And while the song lacks any hook it’s still my favourite. Finally truckin probably another favourite I may have swapped this and attics of my life but I get that the band would want to put it’s only real single on the album in quite a significant position. Well it’s sure a treat! Some very good songs, fine I would prefer a different running order for side two but it wasn’t an unlistenable order just something I might change on spotify.

There's A Riot Goin' On

Sly & The Family Stone

2/5

Well i’am don’t really like this sort of music nothing personal… The album starts off with the song luv n haight its alright it has a good intro but it’s too repetitive anyone who praises the albums lyrics… I don’t see it yet. Just like a baby actually has some very good instrumental parts the few lyrics feel quite weirdly pasted on and still no real passionate lyrics. Poet doesn’t say too much but the lyrics are at least a little passionate, the instrumentals alright just got some annoying funk bits but what are you to expect. Okay, family affair is probably the best written song so far but the instrumental is a bit annoying. I will have to say although I don’t like the funk bits pasted on them the keyboard work is solid especially in Africa talks to you ( the asphalt jungle) I think I just don’t like funk vocals to be fair, but wow these lyrics are good, at 8 mins though I did get bored. Theres a riot going on is just useless… why? The first bit of brave and strong has great lyrics, the saxophone work is a bit unnecessary but the songs okay. You caught me smillin’ is dull annoying and repetitive with some nice keyboard work to cover for it. Time on the other hand is quite good a much slower track nothing too overdone like the rest of the album and songs like this with passionate lyrics kinda makes up for the mess that feels like the majority of the album. Strong cowboy is has good lyrics but I hate everything else about it. Running away is surprising good, I can really see the appeal of this song it’s still a bit bloated but it’s fine. Thank you for talkin’ to me Africa serves as a good closer but that intro is unnecessarily long the lyrics are great and while it’s not really my kinda thing. Good closer. It’s half enjoyable but it’s really not for me!

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter

The Incredible String Band

1/5

I have no clue here… Koeeoaddi theme was alright at the start fine the singing was bad but instrumentally it was alright then all of these extra sounds render it unlistenable. The minotaurs song somehow sounds worse there’s theres these really annoying backing singers who start all making what I think was Minotaur noises it’s still listenable though. Witches hat would be alright filler but just little bits like putting in the flute ruin this track . And now for 13 minutes of this band from hell in a very cellular song, we’ll it’s really a multi parter, maybe I’am numbed to the sound of this band but I felt this song was still overdone but it was better done than the previous songs ( especially the first few parts) it does drop back in the normal weirdness of this band but to have 6 minutes of sanity was nice. Mercy I cry city is okay in terms if this album but there are just too many sounds pasted on. Waltz of the new moon isn’t that good but it’s still the problem of this band adding way too many elements to their songs. But it flows nicely into water song at the start a nice pace breaker then it adds in all the weird jangly noises. Three is a green crown is up next, at the start the extra bits were lower in the mix so I was actually gonna complement this one but it got real poor as it progressed, still the album’s best! I would like the intro to swift as the wind but the ah’s made it annoying; actually this probably applies to the whole first bit, then it goes into a slower near unlistenable bit which doesn’t work well for the song, the first bit gets repeated and song done. Nightfall makes sense as the closer a much slower/ shorter piece it’s very meh. Overall I hated it there’s only one album I’ve herd that’s worse and I given that a 2 but this album just feels like a 1 y know.

Bringing It All Back Home

Bob Dylan

4/5

I’ve herd his live 1966 album before this so I kinda know how this will go and I know three of the songs from that so I may make a few comparisons between the versions: The album starts with the song subterranean homesick blues, it’s okay a nice, short opener typical great Dylan singing but also typical poor quality singing but I wouldn’t want anything else. I also expected the harmonica to be more annoying but it was fine. I prefer this version of she belongs to me than the live version ( which was still one of my favourites on the acoustic half of that album) so that’s good, great lyrics which I didn’t really mention on that review. Maggie’s farm is alright I feel its some of the weaker Bob Dylan songs lyrically, but it’s quite enjoyable and the instrumental part is quite strong. Love minus zero feels like a step up from Maggie’s farm lyrically, It is probably one of the most boring instrumentally especially when there’s meant to be a full band on this half. Outlaw blues on the other hand sounds more like a band song, but it still keeps that Bob Dylan sound, but I get for listeners at the time it may have been too alienating from his previous songs. I still love it though! The harmonica ( a bit I didn’t enjoy on other works) actually works nicely for on the road again and the lyrics are entertaining. Bob Dylan’s 115th dream starts off entertaining keeping in a bit that really sounds like it should be cut, not saying the song gets any worse just the longer Bob Dylan songs never really entertain me as much as the shorter length ones. The lyrics are entertaining though! Now for the acoustic half starting off with Mr tambourine man another song I’ve herd previously, this version is a few minutes shorter so it’s really perfect length to be fair and with this version I think I recognised it more and while it’s still Bob Dylan’s singing in a weird way it kinda fits the song and really nice lyrics. Gates of eden follows a slightly weaker song instrumentally but it still hits well the lyrics are probably the best so far but there’s two songs left. That piercing harmonica when he gets to the chorus bit works well. Its alright ma i’am only bleeding, has I nice intro, and I like the way he does the verses fine not great singing but good performance. The chorus isn’t as good but there’s worse in the world and it does drag. Its all over now baby blue one I’ve herd before from the live album, probably my least favourite from that album that’s on here but it was still a better one overall Just not the kinda song I would think of as a closer on an instrumental standpoint but I guess lyrically it’s a perfect sendoff. Overall a much more enjoyable experience than what I’ve herd from him before.

Pretzel Logic

Steely Dan

4/5

I’ve herd of the name but I think this is the album i’am most in the dark about (so far): The album starts with Rikki don’t lose that number. It’s a decent poppy song that I think I vaguely recognise. I also enjoy the weird little intro bit before the piano crashes in. I don’t know if this is the best way to say it but night by night sounds quite “funky” , but with a nice jazz overtone. I really enjoyed the instrumental when the electric guitar came in! Any major dude will tell you is a nice pace changer a slightly more gentle song ( at the start) while still keeping the sound of this band. A good way to show the listener that they can do lots of things and still sound cohesive ( something I think other bands struggle with). The instrumental works on barrytown are very nice especially at the start. It’s probably not my favourite but that just goes to show how enjoyable it has been so far. Est st louis toodle- doo is apparently a cover track from the 1920’s it’s only instrumental but a nice way to say goodbye to side one. Parkers band on the other hand is really how to start side two a lot more energetic then most of the other songs on the album and could be seen as a second choice for an intro if Rikki don’t lose that number wasn’t here. It does feel a bit on the short end though. Through with buzz is a bit of a step down a slow short song, I mean way too short (1:30). So it could be considered there just to fill up time. The song does kinda work as an intro type song to pretzel logic though , a very well done song I love the instrumentals to this song, slight shame this is the less popular single by the looks of things. With a gun is okay like through with buzz it kinda plays more of a filler role but it’s nice enough and I don’t hate it. Charlie freak has a great short piano intro it’s quite a short song but not the shortest on here. Yeah I like this one quite a bit! As for the song monkey in your soul (the album’s closer) slows down the album to quite a nice close, it’s a nice way to finish it but it does leave me asking for more. Overall a great album to be fair until the second half it was really hard to criticise other than things like it’s not really my sound and I can’t see myself returning to it all too often but it’s still good!

Tonight's The Night

Neil Young

3/5

I’ve herd of the name mainly due to his problems with spotify and while I kinda agreed with him there it was annoying flicking with YouTube. Ungrateful rant out of the way lets go… Tonight’s the night was a great opener set’s the kinda sound the album’s gonna be in, it does drag a lil bit though and I’am kinda questioning his vocals. Speakin out feels all much the same to me except the vocals are slightly better and I prefer the piano on this one. World on a string starts off seeming like it would be a really heavy cut with that crunchy guitar ( and while it still stays heavy) it does go slightly softer once we get through. Good song! Borrowed tune seemed off putting at the start with the harmonica ( an instrumental i’am not a fan of) but the harmonica goes and… what a contrast to the last song! It still sounds really good though being the slowest so far. Come on baby lets go downtown ( live) is really nice, I love it when artists slot in a live recording on a studio album, it’s strongest in the guitar department by far though. Mellow my mind has a much grander feel, it’s my favourite off side one and (maybe) the album great way to close that half!!! Roll another number ( for the road) is a good song, but being a slower track the placement feels strange to me for starting side A. But on the plus side everything about the instrumentation is great and the verses are good lyrically. Albuquerque is also good,I probably would’ve swapped this and roll another number and the harmonica solo wasn’t the best but still nice. New mama feels the most “filler” but it’s still an alright slower track I don’t know why but the closest thing I can compare it to is like one of the folkier songs on Fleetwood mac’s rumours with the picking. Lookout joe goes back to heavier end of young’s sound and it’s a sound I really like the song also has a memorable chorus which is nice. The penultimate cut tired eyes starts off giving a nice spoken bit… or that’s what I thought, yeah this one’s verses sound a bit off to me but most spoken verses do. The chorus is nice but my god! The harmonica worsened it slightly. The album ends with a “ part 2” of the title track basically it’s just a slower sounding version of that song. Personally I would’ve swapped this and tired eyes Yeah this album screams reorder to me, all the songs are really good they just don’t fit amazingly in sequence.

Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago

3/5

Other than seeing its prog rock and other than most of the songs being really long because of this I know nothing… The album starts off with an introduction track, the song contains some brilliant “ horns”. The first part is much more lively then it goes into a slower “ jazzier” instrumental section ; only to briefly descend into madness then finally to go back to how it was before even bringing back the vocals. Does anybody really know what time it is is a shorter track for this album ( still 4 mins) it starts with a piano section then the horns come crashing in. It takes half the song for any vocals which is a shame but it’s still good when it gets there. Beginnings is nice it’s got a nice acoustic guitar in the mix which really brings the song together then it goes into madness with a great drumbeat and some good horns. The song is also probably the one with the most vocals in it which is good as well.The only problem is that the last minute is useless. Next up is questions 67 and 68 the instrumental kinda sounds like a grand intro to a game show. The song itself is really good I love the horns throughout alongside the crashing piano. A definite favourite so far. Happy to see on the wiki that this was released as a single ( although it didn’t seem to do well). Next is the song listen I liked the bass quite a bit especially at the start. It’s not a favourite, probably being the worst so far, but it’s just because of how good it’s been so far and shorter songs usually feel much worse on prog albums. After that swoops in poem 58 an 8 minute largely instrumental track, the guitars especially are really great on here it might only be me who feels this on here but something about the drums just feel a bit wrong and it does drag but of course it drags it’s a prog song! Free form guitar comes on with this really “droney” sound to it and drags for the whole hellish six minutes. I mean I like experimentation but not in this way if you know what i mean ( harder to listen to than revolution 9 by the Beatles). South California purples is a return to the normal sound but done in a slightly heavier fashion. The guitars are great, the horns are great but i’am kinda left wanting a different sound on those keyboards. My favourite part though has to be the build up on the chorus. The crashing symbols are cool and the stealing from the Beatles works nice. Closing off side 3 is i’am a man apparently it’s a cover so that’s cool it starts with a really good bass line where all the other instruments sorta circle around it making for one of the best build ups on here. My only issue is that the vocals could be a little louder in the mix. It does really drag at the 5 minute mark even if they build up on things again. Then starting off the last side is prologue, August 29 1968 it’s fine just an interlude that could’ve been merged as the intro to… Someday is a great song I like how it pulls out of the intro. It’s got the most poppier sounds and it is rather short but i’am happy for it’s existence as I was getting bored at this point. The album ends with liberation a 99% instrumental track. To be fair it’s not a great instrumental track at 14 minutes its way too long for its purpose and to be fair it only gets worse when it drops in what’s essentially a shorter repeat of free form guitar. It does go back to the main sound though and does add some limited vocals and the last minute or so is quite good. Man, after some time this got annoying! But what I liked I really liked so i’am in the middle here.

All Hope Is Gone

Slipknot

2/5

What I know about slipknot I don’t like but I’ll still give it a fair chance… The album starts with execute the track is basically radio noise slowly forming int slipknot noise fine opener. It flows perfectly into gematria ( the killing name), it’s pretty much what I imagined really good instrumental work but the slipknot screaming isn’t my thing. The lyrics are well written though. The first bit to sulfur is really cool intro which does come back but the verses are very slipknot then the chorus kinda reminds me of linkin park. Psychosocial is really the side of metal I don’t like and in this one I don’t think the chorus fits in the song and the bridge does work but it’s still more of the same thing. Dead memories is slightly better theres not any of the annoying angry screaming and it comes with some really cool guitar work. Vendetta starts with this cool whirling intro again, it’s definitely a better song theres a bit of the annoying shouty voice but it comes in really nicely and isn’t there for much of the song. Probably my favourite here so far! Butchers hook is the full return to the slipknot sound and I don’t know if it is much better than earlier or i’am just numbed by the sound but I enjoyed the screaming more than the singing on this one. Then is Gehenna a much slower song it’s kinda got a spooky crawling feeling to this song and then the screaming crashes in which makes a good build up but it’s not my favourite use of the scream. 6 mins though maybe a lil too long. Next is this cold black one of the more typical slipknot songs, pulsating heavy rhythm and probably the most screaming on the whole album. Yeah not my kinda song. Wherein lies continues is another one of the typical slipknot songs but it’s much slower it’s got a cool instrumental break but it’s only a small detail. Not a fan. Snuff is probably the best on here ( or maybe vendetta but they’re close) it’s a slower more dramatic sounding song slowly building up man, I love songs like this. The album ends on all hope is gone the most slipknot song on here It’s really in your face and other than the name it makes no sense as the closer. When I looked at some rankings while writing this review I really disagreed especially on vendetta and butchers hook. So it’s of course not my kinda thing. There’s about 2 I really liked and maybe 3 extra that were also enjoyable but I can still only give it a 2/5.

Music for the Masses

Depeche Mode

4/5

Other than it’s dance-y music I have no clue… The album starts off with never let me down again, it’s got a brilliant rhythm to it but the lyrics aren’t the best and I’am not sure on the autotune on the chorus but it doesn’t effect it much. The things you said is a slightly slower song and it works really well, still not a fan of the vocals though but I guess this kinda music isn’t meant to be analysed that way. Strangelove has a great build up with the sounds working so good together and lyrically it seems the bands best so yeah this is a favourite! Sacred has this much slower “creepy” sound at the start until exploding into this really cool slower dance song with some nice sounds . There’s something really unsettling about little 15 for me. My favourite bit has to be the chorus as those exploding drums alongside the strings works perfectly. It’s also got interesting lyrics and I’am so surprised it was a single. Starting off side two it’s behind the wheel it takes it’s time to really get into it but once it starts it’s cool. The vocal performance in this song it’s much more layered on than the others which makes it the best as it really suits the song. I can appreciate I want you now for trying something new with the instrumentation but to put it lightly it’s not for me I did like the bridge/ refrain bit at the middle of the song. To have and to hold starts with this sample leading intro this menacing, sinister sound. Good song maybe needs a bit of building lyrically. Now the penultimate cut nothing, it sounds a lot more like a single than behind the wheel and little 15 (it’s not better than those two) but the chorus is this songs best part a temporary release of energy. The album closes with pimpf an instrumental track its got this creepy feel to it. It’s probably my least favourite but that’s just cause I feel lyrics really carry a song. And there’s a bonus track…eh. Yeah good album much better in the instrumental department but still works lyrically in most places!

Millions Now Living Will Never Die

Tortoise

1/5

Other than seeing the length of track one I have no idea here hope I enjoy it. The album starts with the song Djed it’s a few minutes short of being half of the entire album ( 21 minutes) it’s very off putting as it’s this really slow building instrumental which kinda lives and breathes throughout. Unlike other long songs I’ve herd on this it doesn’t have any mind blowing stand out moments,actually, the only way I would recommend it is maybe for like study being a really long instrumental. That’s still kinda what I think but then there is the second ten minutes it sounds much, much more interesting and is more a distinct track of it’s own , it’s a harder listen and not really “ study music” like the first half but it’s just better y know; then the third part around 14 minutes in is even harder to listen too stranger and so much more distinctive, I still don’t really like the track but I respect it. There are some other little bits at the end but not much to note. Next is glass museum it’s got a really interesting sound to it the song is mainly this sorta cool instrumental but breaks off intro distinct sections from time to time I still don’t really like instrumental tracks though. Now is the song A survey it’s much shorter but so dull in an album that I don’t really like already. Then it’s the taut and the tame which has this really cool tapping noise in the background kinda like a horse galloping to me. Then it goes in order for normal drums and electronic sounds and just what a way to ruin a cool song. Dear grandma and grandpa is very short for this album it’s quite cool but nothing to change my thoughts on the album. The album end’s with along the banks of rivers it’s well boring to be blunt. The term post rock sounds so cool but when you know what it is it’s so so dull and I wouldn’t even get why anyone would want to make such generally boring music. It’s worse than my one 1/5 so far so I’ll have to give it that.

Solid Air

John Martyn

3/5

No clue here… The album starts off with it’s title track, it’s enjoyable overall , but I’am not sure about his slurring/ singing style. Looking at wikipedia It’s apparently dedicated to nick drake, who I’ve herd before, so that’s cool! Over the hill has a much more folk sound ( actually more how I remember nick drake’s music) a bit of a wake up from before and the singing is less slurry. But it’s just a worse song I can’t put it any other way. I don’t want to know is really nice, kind of a mix of the sounds from before brought together by a short nice instrumental break and I like the backing singing on here. I’d rather be the devil is the standout though, apparently written by a guy called skip James, it has these great drums, repetitive but good lyrics and every element fits so well much better than the others shame it’s not his song ( apparently). Next is go down easy and while it’s on a different side to i’d rather be the devil I really like the flow between these two, It’s alright probably the worst so far but still okay. Dreams by the sea is much cooler and probably should’ve started off side two instead as it keeps all the main sound but has this energy to it that go down easy really doesn’t have. May you never is one of the folkier ones it’s really enjoyable, not my favourite, but great for the album happy it’s his most popular on Spotify. Then for the penultimate track the man in the station it’s alright it’s a slower cut with a cool enough instrumental but other than that meh. The easy blues is a track split into two parts, the first part is quite odd lyrically but okay instrumental a bit of a wake-up. Then is the shorter second part it’s much slower and not as good but makes sense as a closer. To be fair all I can really say is… eh. Is it in the top 1001 albums… probably but is it on the better half of those… no .

Close To You

Carpenters

3/5

I’ve herd of the name and like one song but other than that nothing… The album starts with we’ve only just begun a definite cover but I don’t know who it’s by. Its alright I really like the layered vocals but it just feels a bit poppy for how I’ve herd the song. Next is the song love is surrender it’s okay. Just really short filler to be honest. 3rd is maybe it’s you it works really well off love is surrender, just a nice slow pop song that doesn’t do too much but still works probably my favourite out of the first three songs. Reason to believe is nice very poppy and nor my favourite still okay. Well help is one of my favourite Beatles songs and this. Eh.. I don’t think it really works with the carpenters style. Also the intro bit’s probably one of my favourite bits so to just take it out is a stupid decision. Out of the Beatles songs they’ve apparently tried before I think nowhere man or ticket to ride would’ve been better. Then is ( they long to be) close to you, it’s a very good middle of the road pop song that I think everyone would at least know the chorus, yeah it’s probably the best so far. Then is the second to last cover on the album the first song off side two baby it’s you, the song feels a bit too slow to start off a new side, but it does work better with cd’s and streaming as it does work well off the last one. Overall decent! Now is the last direct cover I’ll never fall in love again, it’s alright just a normal pop song in my opinion would be better starting off side two. Crescent noon is so slow, I don’t know how the album ends yet, but this sounds like the kinda song you would want to close off your project but still good. Mr Guder is probably the most interesting, instrumentally but the lyrics aren’t the best still up as one of the best. Then has this odd ending.Great! I kept on loving you Is a lovely pop song probably not a revisit for me but it’s still nice. Another song is really cool to be fair, I think crescent noon would’ve worked better as an outro to the album but it’s still nice. I don’t know though over the course of this I’ve just felt that especially the older artists put the most interesting songs last without actually bringing the albums to a satisfying stop. It’s nice enough ( but a bit cover heavy) middle of the road pop. My biggest issue is the sequencing of side 2 should really be: I’ll never fall in love again -> mr guder -> baby it’s you-> I kept on loving you-> another song-> crescent noon Still okay though.

Remain In Light

Talking Heads

4/5

I’ve seen this album so much but never herd it I really hope it’s good… The album kicks off with born under punches ( the heat goes on), it’s a really interesting song quite funky but in a really “ messy” kinda way. Yeah probably not my kinda thing but still cool enough to keep me interested. Crosseyed and painless is next, yeah it’s cool. Still really odd my only criticism is that the rattling sound on it gets annoying if you focus on it too much. Side one ends with the great curve, it does sound much the same as the last two but I think the application of this song is better with this cool tribal drumming type sound throughout and the extra vocals at the chorus are cool. Side 2 starts with once in a life time, I think I recognise the chorus but the song itself i’am not too sure still good though and while i’am here I really like the African inspired sound on the album really makes it a unique listen. Houses in motion sounds the most different so far but i’am not sure if that’s the best. I still liked it just doesn’t feel as “colourful”. Then for the song seen and not seen, this is really strange it’s just talking over a beat but too slow to be rapping. So yeah it’s fine I guess. Listening wind has a really cool intro ( which carries on to the song) and honestly a nice pickup from the last two (where my enjoyment started to slip). The album concludes on the overload the slowness here reminds me of the last song on joy division’s unknown pleasures. And while this song isn’t as good as that one and it does drag at 6 minutes it’s a good departure. Overall, it’s cool, very artsy, but a unique and interesting sound, shame there’s only 8 songs.

Dire Straits

4/5

I’ve herd of the name but nothing else… For an album labelled as pub rock down to the waterline seems too good if you know what I mean , the guitars are super cool,the vocals are nice and it’s not really got that annoying drunken repetitiveness that I would brand pub rock with. Water love is a nice contrast immediately showing the abilities of this band, it’s much slower but not slow enough to lose any energy. Apparently it was a single in the Netherlands and no where else so that’s cool. Then is setting me up a shorter song ( but not very short) it’s entertaining and a nice pop song but just not as good as the first two. It should’ve really been a single though. I wish six blade knife would have a bit where it explodes into a ball of energy and while it’s an okay song the instrumental bit is so repetitive. Now for the shortest track the end of side A, southbound again the guitar groove is so nice here the lyrics aren’t great and I’am not a huge fan of it’s place on the tracklist but it’s still nice. Side B starts with sultans of swing it’s a nice pop song, I recognise the guitar break but everything else completely new but like the rest of it I wouldn’t have called it pub rock. In the gallery takes on a nice funky sound, it’s the album’s longest song and is just really nice does drag a tad bit (not that I hate songs over 5 mins) but it’s just much harder to make those ones work really well. Then the penultimate song Wild West end, I must say I like that name it’s a nice acoustic song but not my favourite. Lions is a very fitting closer, fairly slow but not the slowest on the album there’s also some nice poppy backing vocals nice songs to end a nice album. Yeah it’s nice, I can’t give it top marks because with albums that have 10 or under songs, every song has to be good and while about 7/9 were there’s still some improvement to be made. I did like it though!

461 Ocean Boulevard

Eric Clapton

3/5

Well I’ve herd cream but never his solo stuff… The album starts with motherless children which contains a lot of really good guitar work, Clapton’s singing is nice but he’s never been my favourite vocalist and the lyrics aren’t too great. Give me strength is nice good change in pace I like that it’s pretty short as well as it sounds like it could’ve easily dragged. Willie and the hand jive has good but slow kinda funky guitars, the lyrics really seem there just to fill up space but it’s still good. Get ready feels sonically like a part 2 to the last song and like that one the guitars are so nice, again the lyrics aren’t great and I’am not sure about the female voice on the song but it’s nice. I shot the sheriff is one of those songs everyone knows. I mean I know this version for sure but it’s apparently bob Marley’s song, which makes sense for the better lyrics. Also I remember marge Simpson singing it so that kinda worsened my view on the song. Starting off side b is I can’t hold out, it’s nice enough just a slow rock track to be fair nice but not a favourite. Then comes please be with me it’s really soft, the backing vocals work much nicer than on other songs. So yeah I like it. Let it grow is one of only two songs ( the other being give me strength) that Clapton actually fully wrote and it’s a shame there aren’t more originals because this is my favourite so far. Just a nice slow acoustic song with good lyrics! Then the penultimate track steady rollin’ man, I don’t mind it but it does go back to the nice everything but not great lyrics. Then now we’re at mainline Florida, the final track, it’s got nice guitars all through and the lyrics are good. Yeah this is really strong! There’s two flaws to the album and that’s: The fact he didn’t write most of the songs. And while I didn’t mention it on the review side two’s sequencing is a bit odd. Still nice overall!

Figure 8

Elliott Smith

4/5

I swear this guys meant to be super, super depressing: The album starts with son of sam, it’s a good song. Much more energetic than I thought the instrumentation especially is class. My only problem is those backing vocals. Next is somebody that I used to know it’s okay just a little acoustic song and I really don’t like his vocals on here. Junk bond trader, is quite cool it still carries on the annoying vocals but it’s instrumentally the best. Everything reminds me of her is a nice acoustic song good stuff but not a favourite. Everything means nothing to me is a haunting piano song and is the only one so far which compliments his whiny autotune vocals. L.A. Is one of the most energetic ones so far yeah I really like it for what it is should’ve been a single. In the lost and found ( honky Bach) is okay really just a nice piano song haunting like everything reminds me of her but with a a cool bridge in the middle. The roost is just a small instrumental strain after I don’t get the point but it’s alright. Next is stupidity tries, it’s good vaguely Beatles-y but not ripping off. This has a great exploding fist of a chorus. Maybe a top track. Easy way out is really good another slower creepier songs but not a favourite. Wouldn’t mama be proud is good it started as my least favourite initially but it’s grown a bit not my favourite but still really enjoyable. Colorbars is okay it feels a bit un-needed in a super long album but I still quite like it. Then is happiness it’s really good, great intro great piano work nice subtle guitar works and near amazing lyrics, yeah so nice song maybe a favourite!Then the gondola man another unnecessary instrumental like the roost.eh! Pretty Mary kay is a great slow but still punchy song, works so amazingly on this project! I better be quiet now is such a sweet slow song not my favourite but still really nice and good lyrics. Can’t make a sound has to be my favourite slower song great everything and a great slow builder nearly the perfect closer. Bye is just some sad little instrumental makes sense as a little coda for the album. I would’ve shortened it to 13 tracks but it’s still really good!

Forever Changes

Love

5/5

Man I love this album so much, it’s essentially the 60’s album of my childhood!: The album starts with alone again or, a brilliant song ;There’s actually less to this song than I thought but that’s not any problem! It goes perfectly with a house is not a motel, I don’t like it as much as alone again or but it’s still really good, I especially love the guitars this one and I must have forgotten all the extra noises in the outro really makes it creepy. This has only just made me see how little lyrics there really are to andmoreagain it’s a good song though I especially love the chorus. The best part of the daily planet is definitely the instrumentation the song itself is good just not as memorable as the first three. Old man is the worst off the album, it’s really just a harmless song proving some sonic change and it’s really short, just so forgettable. But right after is the red the red telephone my favourite on the album, it’s so trippy and strange! The best bit is the songs outro “ they’re locking you up today they’re throwing away the key I wonder who it’ll be tomorrow you or me”. Starting side 2 is maybe people would be the times or between clark and Hilldale i’am surprised it’s not a single to be fair it has the same feel as the first two songs, it’s good not a favourite though. Live and let live has probably the most notorious line in “ the snot gas caked against my pants it has turned to crystal”; the song is entertaining and has a nice guitar solo just much longer than I thought. The good humour man he sees everything like this, is a good song especially with the orchestral bits thrown in, I never realised it was only 3 short verses though. Bummer in the summer is alright its only short and is probably the earliest example of rapping I could possibly find, honestly though that intro bit is by far the best part of the song. You set the scene is a great closer to the album the song itself isn’t too distinctive until the orchestra then it makes a perfect satisfying ending to an already great album. Yeah it’s a really good album well sequenced well done everything there is one dud but it’s not bad enough to stop it from getting a 5.

Dirt

Alice In Chains

5/5

I know it’s grunge and that’s it. I’am a bit if a newbie to grunge only knowing nevermind and ten before this but still lets see how it is: The album starts with the song them bones, arguably a strange song to open off an album but still a good song with a killer guitar solo. Dam that river is quite good, really choppy guitars, and another good solo. Does show how good the singing is for what it’s meant to be. Rain when I die has these really strange guitars, not too sure if it works to be fair, the intro is a little long but I know longer ones. The song is alright, it has a nice chorus which really complements the guitars. The short bridge is cool too. Down in a hole slows down the pace of the album significantly which is good as it shows the verity of the band. It’s really good though just not one that will probably stick out in the future. Stickman is another slower one it’s cool there is an angrier bit as well but it dwells in the slower sludgier side honestly what a song! Rooster is good too, really slow and great lyrics another favourite alongside stickman! Junkhead goes back to the heaviness of the earlier tracks. It’s still fairly nice but just overshadowed by the rest of the tracklist. The title track has a really cool guitar riff so sludgy and heavy. I’am not too sure about the slowness of the singing on the verses on here but still passes overall for me. Next is god smack, the only reason why I’ve herd of this song before is because there’s a not very good band with the exact same name. The song itself is alright the singing is a bit odd on the verses but it’s good just like junkhead it isn’t as good as the others. Then is an untitled track it’s alright just some yelling and an alright lead in to… Hate to feel is one if the sludgier songs in the verses then completely breaks into a pre chorus that slowly leads into the simple but effective chorus. Great outro too. Now the penultimate track angry chair another sludgier song, one I really enjoyed! Great lyrics, great singing, great guitars all you need. The album ends in would?, a great closer not necessary a slow song but slow by their standards what a song honestly!,and the lyrics fit for the closer too! Yeah, I liked it has to be a 5/5 even with two weaker songs.

Bad Company

3/5

Never herd of this group so it may be interesting… The album starts with can’t get enough, I mean it’s alright to be fair it’s just a generic rock song. No real hate towards it though. Rock steady is still generic as fuck but it has nicer guitar works so that’s a plus. Man this album is so bland yet listenable, ready for love has it’s moments on the instrumental department but just feels like a song that’s only in it for the pay cheque. Don’t let me down at least provides a nice pace change it’s actually a really nice piano track great closer for side one especially for this album. Then the band/ albums title track ( bad company) all of the elements of the song are interesting but it’s just like so many bands have done songs like this before so it’s just not the best. Then is the way I choose it’s okay, very okay just a bit slower than the others going for a kinda romantic feel. It’s alright ( It’s just hard to find ways to describe these songs seeing they’re so mid level). Movin’ on is a nice enough penultimate track, reminds me of can’t get enough but more enjoyable and although it’s not a favourite of all time this one is actually a really fun listen I can’t deny! Seagull makes sense as a closer just a nice acoustic song maybe a favourite but just because it’s so different to the rest of the album. 5 really generic songs, a good song halfway then two good ones at the end I must say not my favourite album. Only 8 tracks lasting 35 minutes from a group who have all had musical experience being a supergroup, doing nothing special sounding like they’re only in it for the money. If you like that then okay. Ps. I didn’t hate it it’s just generic, not unique enough to be a 4 not horrendous enough to be a 2.

Daydream Nation

Sonic Youth

4/5

I’ve herd goo before but not this one… The album starts with teen age riot, the first minute is completely different as it’s just an intro song. Then forms into a great rock song that guitars wise is a bit of a teen age riot. Silver rocket starts with this creepy guitar riff then explodes into a punk bash only to shatter down half way through. Yeah it’s cool. The lyrics aren’t great on the sprawl but it’s cool instrumentally and 7 mins works well for some songs but not this. Cross the breeze has a killer intro but with this and the last song I’am not sure about the female singers singing though. Eric’s trip is alright it has a cool sound to it but no where near my favourite. Total trash is no where near total trash it’s actually (probably) a favourite and I’am happy we’re back with Thurston moore on vocals as I think he’s the strongest vocalist! I love the fade in at the start of hey Joni only for the punky sonic youth sound to crash in making for a really good song. It’s just cool to be fair. Then is providence it’s one of the better interludes I’ve ever herd but still the worst on the album. Candle is good, like all of them are great intro, the song is probably the one I would want to revisit the most and I do really like it! The drumming on rain king is class honestly. The song is amazing too. Kissability is technically the penultimate track it’s cool I guess but the female vocalist is so much worse in this band. The album ends on a trilogy the first part the wonder is alright just a really typical sonic youth song but there’s nothing bad about that. Then is hyperstation technically the album’s title track. It’s the perfect mix of everything good about sonic youth from the guitars to the drums. Still not my favourite on the album though. Eliminator jr is really bad in comparison not a satisfying ending one bit still like the album though. It’s really good overall, the album does drag but it’s so likeable it doesn’t matter.

Tarkus

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

3/5

Must say I love that album art… Well you can tell it’s prog by just looking ay the length of song one ( tarkus) it’s 20 minutes long. Probably alongside djed by tortoise as the longest song on the generator. I probably wouldn’t go back to it due to its sheer length but Unlike djed this is actually quite cool seamlessly going through different sections, and at least this one has lyrics! Then is Jeremy bender, one of the shortest songs on the generator. It’s okay it’s got some nice piano work but the handclaps feel out of place. Bitches crystal is okay it has it’s moments just really forgettable. Then is the only way ( hymn) it’s cool and works well on the album theres something not quite great about it though and I can’t put my finger on it. Now for an instrumental track infinite space ( conclusion) it’s alright just nothing special. The penultimate track a time and a place is the album’s heaviest moment so nice and dramatic. The album ends on are you ready eddy just an okay little pop rock song to be honest. The album’s alright, I’am not a fan of the sequencing at the end but it’s still a fine work.

Space Ritual

Hawkwind

3/5

Man I got no clue on this one but I still don’t like the inclusion of live albums in the book… The set starts with earth cooling a perfect intro for a gig… Then rip roaring guitars come crashing in to announce the entry of born to go. The songs nearly 10 mins long which I think would be good if it held more lyrical ground other than just being 95% cool guitar solo, also the vocals aren’t even that great, but I’ll give that a pass as it’s a live album, so therefore it’s much harder to enjoy as the listener isn’t where the band originally intended to hear it. Then is down through the night it’s more compact than the last one which makes it better only at a fairly average 6 minutes. Again the guitars are by far the stars but as it’s shorter the vocals aren’t just a super super minor part. The awakening is just a small spoken part just to add “ atmosphere” to the set. Rolling out of that bolts in lord of light, it’s more vocally driven than the others but still holds awesome punching instrumental work,nice song! Out of the rubble ascends the black corridor just the same as the awakening to be fair. Space is deep really mixes choppy guitars with the background noise. I’am not sure if the vocals work too well with it but it’s still a good enough song. At 8 minutes the song does drag but what one on here doesn’t? Then is electronic No 1 it’s just a passable instrumental to be fair. Orgone accumulator is a 10 minute epic, this one’s really rocking probably a favourite of mine ( even if the instrumental is too long)! Upside down has such a cool guitar riff it’s short and sweet very enjoyable. 10 seconds of forever is just another spoken bit. It’s alright. Brainstorm is 13 f-ing minutes long and it’s an alright sonic just these longer songs don’t tend to strike the right chord with me especially on this generator. Still good enough though. Seven by seven is a slightly slower track at 6 minutes it’s certainly very enjoyable still just hard not having herd the original versions before. Sonic attack is the best spoken track it’s still odd as fuck but it’s cool. While it has repetitive lyrics, time we left this world today is a decent tune not too special but not shit. The penultimate track on the tracklist I’am going by master of the universe it’s cool very heavy it’s only 7 minutes, which isn’t bad for this album, so yeah cool song! It ends with welcome to the future it’s like most of the spoken tracks but with nice guitars. So a pretty druggy track. And a very druggy album, also not an album i’am a huge fan of. There’s bits I like and I won’t call it bad but without the knowledge of studio releases I have to give it a…

Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd

5/5

Ooh Pink Floyd haven’t herd this one but it’s gotta be good. But I am a huge novice on Pink Floyd only hearing the wall and dark side of the moon prior to this… The album starts with shine on you crazy diamond, pts 1-5: Part 1 is just a 3 minute intro instrumental good but not amazing. Part 2 is also instrumental but brings in some really cool guitar work. Part 3 is also just a really good instrumental not as good as part 2 but still good enough to keep going. Part 4 has the singing and some more rip roaring guitars, really makes the song an epic to behold. Part 5 is essentially the songs coda featuring really nice saxophone work makes the song so worthwhile. Overall this is how someone should do long songs I’am glad I found one on the generator I liked! Welcome to the machine starts with well machine noises followed by the howling strokes of the guitar only for the vocals to come in. Wow honestly Pink Floyd could make anything into some kinda epic at this point, it’s so cool that the time frame doesn’t even phase me. Have a cigar has to have the coolest intro of any song ( or at least what I’ve herd of Pink Floyd’s. The chorus is odd ( lyrically) but still kinda works. Yeah just another banging tune. Then there is a spoken bit that goes into wish you were here, it starts off as much slower but builds up into something truly epic. Honestly just another top track it’s very hard to not enjoy these songs for what they are! Now for shine on you crazy diamond pts.6-9: Part 6 builds on from wish you were here, in a weird way it kinda feels like the listener’s been on a journey to get here and yeah it’s a cool instrumental. Part 7 brings back the vocals, it’s essentially a reprise of part 4. Part 8 is another instrumental bit it’s really good again the guitars sound a little bit more funky on this bit. Part 9 is much more depressed than the others as said on wikipedia a “ funeral march” Honestly a great way to close an album. And a brilliant album as a whole not a bad song whatsoever… But here’s the thing… I can only revisit this about once or twice a year, it’s too powerful and emotional, all of what I said is correct. In technicalities there is no bad song. It is a 5/5 but just a complicated one because I don’t find it an easy listen

Fire Of Love

The Gun Club

3/5

Has to be the ugliest album cover ever… The album opens with sex beat a very youthful punk track, the guitars are great really makes it feel like a strong opener. Then is preaching the blues it’s quite interesting with the fade out that is on it feeling so instant. It does get annoying after a bit but it’s still a nice song. Promise me slows things down a little and I respect the song but it’s just not as good as the first two. She’s like heroin to me is the most aggressive track a small aggressive burst of energy ( also at the mo I really don’t like the sequencing of the tracks). For the love of Ivy is a very blues inspired track it’s good but I get bored after about 2 minutes in a 5 minute song. But it does end on some noises… Fire spirit ends side A it’s quite aggressive and it’s a honestly a decent punk rock track. Ghost on the highway has good lyrics but honestly blended in so much that I didn’t have time to review it the first time round. Jack on fire is a bit of a mental stomper it’s probably one of my favourites a nice pick up from before. Black train is good the best part of the song is that it’s got some nice drumming but I wouldn’t describe the song as special in any way. The blues’y tracks aren’t nearly as good as the punk ones ( they just drag on and on and on) especially the six minute long cold drink of water blues. But at least the guitar solo is cool here. The album closes on goodbye Johnny, it’s probably the most closery on the album it’s nice slightly slower but keeps the punk energy needed for the album. Yeah, the album kinda grabbed my attention at the start to just throw out bluesy or punk tracks in a poorly sequenced order. But aside from that it’s good.

Tubular Bells

Mike Oldfield

2/5

2 fuckin song’s and mostly instrumental I already know I won’t be a fan… Well technically you could just consider it one track being a part 1 part 2 scenario… Part 1 is quite cool it lives and breathes through multiple instrumental parts, much more interesting than any instrumental by tortoise. The song is very diverse, my favourite bit is the rock section around 14 minutes in it’s quite cool to be fair. At the end of the song there’s a tiny bit of speaking but no vocals as such so yeah a shame on that front. The second part is slower and calmer,like an album closer should be there’s cool elements scattered throughout this to be fair and the middle section is essentially a song in it’s own right being this weird way energetic track backed by inaudible noise! I mean at least it was easy to review. To be fair it’s great background music but other than that the chance of a revisit is very, very low.

Hypnotised

The Undertones

3/5

Okay… The album starts with the song more songs about chocolate and girls, It’s a kinda interesting song I think it’s meant to be poking fun of the music at the time which is cool. The only thing is the transition from verse to chorus isn’t very good. Then is there goes Norman and it’s about … a creep. The song is surprisingly not that bad though. Then is the album’s title track it’s alright, the verses sound quite cool on the guitar department but the chorus really isn’t that great. See that girl is next, it’s one of the poppier of pop punk. Sonically, it slows the pace down and really works well here, yeah this one’s good. Whizz kids, is well a whizz of a song, fast paced with poppy yet aggressive guitars it’s a good stomper but not a favourite. Under the boardwalk is a cover of a song by the drifters. I must admit I don’t know the song but it’s still a great song, a poppy track with a nice stomping chorus. The penultimate track on side one the way girls talk is by far the album’s slowest and poppiest so far, yeah I really like it to be fair. Side one ends on hard luck, it’s good but the slow building into of stomping drums and thundering guitars is the best bit of the song. Side two starts with my perfect cousin, definitely a punk track, I like this one kinda reminds me of my own cousin. Carrying on with the punk spirit is boys will be boys, only just over a minute fairly heavy and aggressive it’s alright. It flows perfectly into the stomping bass of tearproof, sadly the bass goes into the background as that was the most unique part still okay though. Wednesday week is very poppy compared to the last songs, it’s the only acoustic track on it so far making it a real stand out good song! Nine times out of ten is okay a much slower guitar song. I just kinda wish the vocals went through the whole of the song. I don’t know why but the guitars on girls that don’t talk somehow really appeal to me it feels like a throwback to the first song with the drums just randomly shooting in at the chorus. What’s with Terry kinda tricks the listener into thinking that the song will be soft and acoustic only to reveal itself as a very good pop punk track. Just not a brilliant album closer. Yeah I liked it more than I thought to be honest, it’s just a hard album to really form many firm opinions on for some reason!

Deep Purple In Rock

Deep Purple

4/5

I like the cover of imitating mount Rushmore, I’ve herd of this band before but I don’t know where from though… It all starts with a wall of noise in the form of speed king. It forms into a rather good heavy rock banger to be fair. It does sound very of its time though. Bloodsucker isn’t as good, still good ( especially the guitars) but it’s just so 70’s rock if you get what I mean. Child in time is great as it slows the album’s pace down showing how the band can be varied without losing any of it’s signature sound. And my god it’s long! After that one comes the 7 ( nearly 8) minute banger flight of the rat it’s a great combination of the heavier more typical rock of the 70’s and the long epic ( like child in time), yeah this one is definitely a must! Into the fire is just slow and heavy and fairly short; not my favourite but it still stands a lot of ground as an individual song. Living wreck tricks the reader at the start giving off vibes that it’s going to be the band’s huge experiment, and while it’s not that, it’s still a fairly decent ( again slow and short) rocking tune. Hard lovin’ man closes off this album a final burst of brilliant 7 minute energy, but it’s my least favourite of the longer songs to be honest. Overall, yeah it’s great i’am not sure if it’s in my top albums of all time but certainly like top 20 of the 70’s.

Violent Femmes

5/5

A pervy demented almost proto weezer album with a folk spin. I think that’s how to describe it. I’ve edited this rating quite a bit, it was a 2 then a 4 and finally a 5/5

Talking With the Taxman About Poetry

Billy Bragg

4/5

I’ve herd of the name before and I think I’ve seen the artwork so that’s good… The album opens with the song, greetings to a new brunette, it’s quite good to be fair I do feel I have the faintest memory of this but not too sure. I’am not sure about the backing vocals at the end but other than that it’s good. Train train is a good fast paced track a bit heavier pretty short really good simple track. The marriage starts with some really sweet horns then blissfully goes into this it’s got really strong lyrics on this one. Then is ideologically it’s a very good sonic a nice bit of political folk rock Levi Stubbs’ tears is one I definitely recognised has some great guitar moments in the track as well. Just not one of my favourites. Then is the slow little olden days’y Honey, I’m a big boy now now this is definitely my least favourite so far it’s nice to close off the first half but still not great. There is power in the union is another very political song the guitars at the start were kinda American to me which makes sense it’s a very good song to be fair it’s just there’s so many of these songs around. Help save the youth of America is another recognisable one it’s another good political track. Wishing the days away fully slows the pace down and it has some really nice string work just not my favourite. The passion is another slow jam the hook on this song is great and the lyrics as a whole to be fair. The warmest room turns things op just a little bit for a nice penultimate track I can’t put my finger on this one there’s good moments though. The album ends with the home front it is filled with horns it’s honestly an amazing closer to be honest, good smart English lyrics to close a very English album. Yeah it’s good I can see people disliking this but because of that I swear I’ve herd so much of it before I have to give it a 4.

Franz Ferdinand

5/5

I had my fingers crossed that I would have something that I knew today and I love this album so much so that’s good… Jacquline starts the album off with a the only acoustic bit in the album; then the Franz Ferdinand sound pops in this song is so infectious you would probably be singing along by the third listen. Great opener! I don’t hate tell her tonight but it’s always been my least favourite on the album and the only one I would call filler. Then is take me out the big single that everyone will know as you should know it starts with a much faster tempo for the first minute then forms into the stomper it is. It’s great but I’ve always preferred the intro. Now for the dark of the matinee, this is the album’s “ best” song ( not my favourite though) everything from the exploding guitars in the intro/instrumental to the long but memorable chorus and my favourite bit the verses especially the Terry Wogan one! Auf achse ( I honestly don’t know how to pronounce this or what it means in relation to the song) is for the most part a repetitive trance like looming entity of an epic synth-pop track, then is the Franz Ferdinand-y all guns blazing chorus and yeah that bridge is UNDERRATED . I loved this song from day one even if it’s not a fan favourite. Starting off side two is cheating on you, like tell her tonight this is still good but not as great ( still better than tell her tonight though) it’s a crunchy little guitar track and the albums heaviest song still an honest 4/5 track. When I was first getting into the album I would just flick through tracks, barely listen to them and for these next three saw a sample of the amazing music videos, this fire in terms of music videos has the best ( they’re all essentially commies). The song itself is good and I’ve seen it written off as filler which I don’t think it deserves It’s not my favourite but still has it’s moments. ( also the single version of this is shit). Then is darts of pleasure, probably the worst looking music video, is the debut single from this group, the song is probably one of the most distinctive the song is led much more by the pulsating drums the chorus is the best bit but the coda is so memorable. Now Michael is my favourite song on the album, it’s a fun little homosexual flick of a song with great guitars, one of the most oddly catchy choruses on the whole album and that little backwards message. I don’t know why I like it so much it’s just fun! Come on home is a deep cut that I loved so much at the start fine a lot of that love has passed no. But I still love it a moody little track with good lyrics, great guitar work and that little synth break is awesome. The album closes with 40’ a really fun send off track, it’s not as lyrically dense than the others ( they feel more used as a weapon to increase the greatness of the instrumentals) and anyone who doesn’t like the instrumental for this song is just a bit odd to be honest! Thank you for reading my little love letter for the band that essentially started the rudely called “ landfill indie”. I will ask this for everyone just try the other “ landfill indie” albums one day, form a proper opinion and don’t listen to the critics until you make your own judgment!

Gris Gris

Dr. John

2/5

Okaaay… Confusion aside, the album starts with a song called Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya It’s unsettling to say the least, especially with the verses. The song is very slow and druggy a bit odd for an opener. Danse Kalinda Ba Doom again is really odd honestly it’s quite good on the drum department but shit on the lyrical department. Mama roux is the most “ normal” song of the album so far still druggy but a kinda normal level. Danse Fambeaux is okay just dr John talking behind an instrumental and the normal backing vocals which I must admit I don’t like at all to be fair even on the other tracks. Starting side two is Crocker Courtbullion a nearly 6 minute track consisting of mostly instrumental work and a few of the backing singers scattered around, yeah not a fan. Jump sturdy (like mama roux) is much more normal it’s mostly just repeating but there’s a good enough verse honey don’t mind it. The album ends with the song I walk on guilded splinters it’s just like everything else but really slow and 7 minutes long. So I didn’t like it but i’am not a druggy so you know it’s not really for me. It’s weird enough to keep it out of my 1’s though.

The Seldom Seen Kid

Elbow

4/5

I imagine a cabal of dads made this album and the rest of elbows discography to bore the rest of the world… still though I’m not a dad and I like it. I don’t dig the album though, there’s great singles, the one with Richard hawley is good (though if you want Richard hawley go for the longpigs although they’re not on the list). Every song is good and theoretically hits a high threshold but I can’t give it a 5 or anything, has to be a 4

More Specials

The Specials

3/5

This is the band that did ghost town right ( love that song)… The album starts with enjoy yourself ( it’s later than you think) a nice ska track with some interesting breaks in between that act as the songs verses yeah it’s decent. < I’am from the uk so I don’t need to bother with rat race> Man at c&a is a slower track showing the contrasts in their sound from the start it takes a good minute to get to the core of the song but the spoken bits are cool too to be honest. Then is hey little rich girl it’s an alright song but the songs main strength is in it’s chorus with the use of the “ jazzier” instruments. Do nothing is probably the song here that’s the best representation of the ska genre containing the slow, mellow pacing that is typically associated with Jamaica and the calmness I would associate with it. Pearl’s cafe is a bit more filler bringing in some energy that I kinda wanted with this album but it still just feels like a way to give the album a few extra minutes. But the backing vocals are funny. Ending side one is sock it to Em J.B. It’s fun enough but just feels similar to the second song. Starting side two is the 7 minute long Stereotype/ stereotype part 2 part 1 is a brilliant slow track, it does feel off in it’s positioning as it has very little energy but it’s still good. The second part of the song isn’t as good just a slower version of the last and second songs acting as an extended outro to the song. Holiday fortnight is just a happy little instrumental not good but not bad whatsoever. The drums on I can’t stand it feel too artificial for the specials But aside from that I love this songs chorus and the female backing singer is also a highlight to the track probably my favourite on this thing! Now the penultimate track international jet set it’s alright it’s really just a gloomier version of what we’ve herd before and ska as a whole. The album ends with a slower reprise of the first song it’s only short but really fitting for a closer. I mean I enjoyed it there were a few dull moments but none of it was unlistenable it’s a high 3.

Here Are the Sonics

The Sonics

3/5

These random 60’s albums brimful of covers are usually good so here goes… The album starts with one of it’s few originals the witch, I mean it’s a fitting opener instrumentally you can see how garage, punk and grunge groups get their influence from, for newcomers to 60’s music the best way to put it is like a seedier Beatles. Do you love me is a cover, I don’t know the original version but this is a very of it’s time early 60’s track with some good instrumentation for the time and while poppier than the first track in the grand scheme of things it’s fairly heavy. Their rendition of roll over Beethoven is okay the song works but just because roll over Beethoven is a good song and not anything else as the production on this one is so poor even for a record I was having production problems with. Boss hoss is an original an actually quite good 60’s jam with some nice sax work and decent lyrics. Dirty robber is another cover I know it’s not by him but to me it feels really Elvis-y eh it’s alright. Then is have love will travel a song that is a cover but I’am sure I recognise this version. But I also wouldn’t have said it was a 60’s song so what do I know. Great song though! Psycho is an original another great song and while it starts off side B it honestly flows really well from have love will travel which makes me think that an alternate tracklist may have made it better. Now you know what songs ware popular at the time if you’ve covered two songs that were covers on with the Beatles on the same album. I actually prefer this rendition of money ( that’s what I want) to the Beatles version and while I don’t know the original I bet it’s still better. Then is a slower cover and one I don’t know or like as much as the other covers I mean I have no issue with it it’s just not as special as the other cover’s. Now is night time is the right time another slow cover and while this doesn’t have great lyrics I think instrumentally it’s good showing some more verity in the bands sound. Now is the final original the penultimate track a great ball of energy strychnine a true hidden banger of the 60’s fusing all the sounds I would expect from that time. The album closes off with good golly miss molly a very good cover but with there being the much slower now is the night time I don’t see why it’s an album closer. Wow I really enjoyed that not a 5/5 but still really entertaining and a short burst of energy. Yeah there are duds and the sequencing can be a bit odd towards the end of each side and it’s really short so that’s why I’d give it a high 3/5!

Go Girl Crazy

The Dictators

4/5

Ha ha cool cover… The next big thing starts with a little intro bit then goes into slow guitars only to explode into a cool rock track that kinda sounds like a more energetic bad company but being like bad company it isn’t the most unique. I was singing along by the end though so it was definitely enjoyable. I got you babe is a great slow track a cover that I vaguely recognise so I probably know another version, But I really love this. Back to Africa has a good drum beat and at points goes really mental with the guitars making a great rip roaring tune, but it’s just not as good as the others To be honest ( even with it being the most unique). Master race rock starts with laughing noises then becomes the album’s heaviest song to close side one off with a bang. I don’t tend to go too much into lyrics on first listens like this but I must say I hope it’s anti nazi. Teengenerate has to be one of my favourite song names of all time. It’s an alright opener to side two, the guitar riff is a little generic in my opinion but the application is good on this song. California sun is another cover ( but I don’t know this one) It contains a pelting bass line with thundering drums to carry the listener through, the chorus is rather anthemic Which contrast really nicely. Good song! Two tub man starts off with a nice vocals sample to only be taken over by this crunchy but not distinctive guitars riff that sounds made for the stadium. Once we get into the song the verses are extremely punky for this pre punk era but it contrasts well with another anthemic chorus that I can just imagine their fans shouting off too. The penultimate track weekend is another banger a poppy but heavy rock song the only flaw to this one is that the lyrics are a mixed bag. The album closes with the song ( I live for cars and girls) it’s alright but in comparison to the rest of side two it’s just a very “ rock and roll” song being a bit dull really. Seeing its 2. Something rating on here I thought it was going to be crap but it’s really not fine theres a few “generic” songs but 70% of the 9 songs were great.

My Aim Is True

Elvis Costello

4/5

I’ve herd of the guy quite a bit so I hope he’s good… The album starts with welcome to the working week, it’s a good enough song very short and a good reflection of the rest of the album. Next is miracle man It’s good and I don’t mind his vocal style, but it’s just not that distinctive from the opener. No dancing is a good slow down from before it’s also ( currently) the poppiest cut. I especially like the percussion on here. Blame it on cain is another slower paced track this time reminding me of a sorta 60’s-y kinda sound, the slow tempo of this song works well though as it feels like the sort of thing an audience would clap along to in a gig. Alison is a good slow track, I think I recognise the chorus but nothing else. A probable favourite! Sneaky feelings is a good ( but of it’s time) pop song. My favourite moment is probably the simple but effective chorus; while it’s not the best song I’am surprised it wasn’t a single. Now we have ( the angels wanna wear my) red shoes, I think I know this one. I like everything here from the backing vocals in the poppy chorus and the tidal wave of drumming that occurs. Next is the last single to appear on the album Less than zero, one that I don’t recognise, it’s a nice slower song, fine guitar work throughout and I would argue it’s some of his best singing. Mystery dance us just a short 60’s-y song also it’s probably the heaviest on the album with some loud crunchy guitars on the chorus. Pay it back’s piano line is kinda what I think would be played in a cowboy saloon. It’s actually good though with decent instrumentation snd some okay lyrics. I’am not angry has to be my favourite though as it’s the most directly rock inspired, and while you could view it as annoying the whispering of “angry” is quite cool to me. Also it has my favourite line from the album in “ cos there’s no such thing as an original sin”! The album technically closes with waiting for the end of the world it’s got a good guitar lick and the spiralling drums in the pre chorus is cool. Just doesn’t feel like a closer. The album also ends with watching the detectives, a much slower track with powerful drumming and a great guitar line, I think I recognise things one, what an amazing song! It was good the second half is a little better than the first ( but that often happens in albums) also while I know it’s 70’s there’s so many 60’s style tracks which is odd.

Being There

Wilco

4/5

Okay a double album hope it’s worth my time… The album opens with thundering drums backed with a mad mess of noise. It settles down for the main song though; which is this rather gentle tune for the most part but it does have an pulsating drum break, the same as the one on the intro.Both elements fuse for the last bit of the song grounding this opener into an epic. Far far away is a shorter kinda spookier sounding track, I must admit though when it says “ dark side of the room” I really thought they were ripping off pink Floyd by saying “ dark side of the moon”. Monday is a burst pf energy ( not one I expected from this band) It’s not my favourite track so far but I think out of everything here I have the highest likelihood of revisiting this one without going to the full album. Next is outtasite ( outta mind) the album’s other single ( with Monday) and again it’s quite a heavy track for an album that’s under the country umbrella. I actually love the guitars on this though. What a pleasure! Then is the most country track so far forget the flowers. I like the song it’s just the worst so far. Red eyed and blue ( from a sonic perspective) is the kinda song I would expect later on. But I really like it’s eerie kinda tone alongside the guitars. Not a favourite but good. The previously seen energy comes back in I got you ( at the end of the century). This sounds like a song made to be performed live to have everyone in the audience singing along too with the stadium ready guitars and the catchy lyrics. I’am surprised it wasn’t released as a single. What’s the world got in store sounds like the gentle aftermath of I got you (end of the century) the song starts off super gentle then erupts into another great song. Now the penultimate track of disk one hotel Arizona being brought on after whats the world got in store having the most abrupt ending. This song feels like a gentler version of what we’ve had already in the album. The guitar break is the best part though which makes it another really stadium ready cut! Disk one closes off with the slow romantic sounding, say you miss me. There’s something about the chorus that I can’t put my finger on. But for the song as a whole it’s a slow but grand song at the same time making a perfect half ending. Disk 2 starts with sunken treasure a song that builds up in it’s power through the medium of the chorus; with a great subtle piano in the background. Most interesting is the instrumental break halfway through and in the songs outro. Great stuff. Someday soon is a bit meh just a very country track, nothing much to say here. Outta mind ( outta sight) is much poppier than outta sight ( outta mind) but I still really like this one though it really could’ve been a hit of it was released in a different time. Someone else’s song (like what’s the world got in store with I got you) feels like a washed up aftermath of outta mind ( outta sight). It’s still a good song though just a bunch filler. I quite like the slow strumming of kingpin at the start which goes into this kinda trippy sound. The song as a whole is a good embodiment of the album’s sound for any newcomers. Next is ( was I) in your dreams is a slow dreary track that could really end the album if it wasn’t a double. My favourite part here is the piano work. Next I wanna live is a great show of this group’s sound with great piano and guitar works fun enough sounding verses then a haunted chorus. The penultimate track of the entire album is the song The lonely 1, a really tranquil track just not a favourite. The album ends with the song dreamer in my dreams, a brilliant closer. It starts off as the album’s most energetic then over the course of the last 2 minutes it slowly dies leaving a great outro to this sensational work. This album was brilliant, the only flaw was that it could’ve been made into a shorter 10-12 track album and I honestly wouldn’t mind. There’s not a bad song on here though just long, long, very long…

Pictures At An Exhibition

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

3/5

I done the album Tarkus by them before and while I didn’t love it some bits were interesting so this might he good to go to… This live album starts off with promenade just a bunch of crowd cheering/ chatter then a short classical sounding instrumental. Then is the gnome it is a strange track at the start taking a while to sound cool highlight on here is the drums. Now there’s another track called promenade the first bit with lyrics! It’s really just some some lullaby though so nothing special. Now the sage is a song that I enjoyed it feels like a continuation of the last one but just longer and has a nice acoustic guitar solo ( not something I usually hear). The old castle isn’t that nice to listen to, yeah it’s interesting but weird noise in the start ruins it. It does come back on the more rocking second half of the song, but I don’t know it’s just better at that point still ruins a fine instrumental though. It goes into blues variation though which was an instrumental that I loved ( oh yeah and it’s also the first on here to be completely written by Emerson lake and palmer). Then we get the third and final track named promenade It’s much more similar instrumentally to the first part but has really anthemic drumming which makes it great for an interlude. Then there was the hut of baba yaga a very forgettable instrumental. Whereas the curse of baba yaga is actually quite cool on the album a high energy track ( where you can really tell it was written by Emerson lake and palmer). Then is the hut of baba yaga again this version is better though as the aggression is ramped up to the max. Now for the penultimate track (and the albums longest) the great gates of Kiev even though they don’t span the whole song this is by far the most lyrically led of the tracks which makes it really “epic” at the start the instrumental in the middle is fascinating but annoying then the last minute is crowd cheering so that’s good for them. The set ends with nutrocker just a rock adaptation of what i’am guessing is the nutcracker music ( but I’ve never been immersed enough in either classical music or the nutcracker to really care) I mean it’s good I guess. Overall,I’ve never liked the idea of live albums on the generator and I still don’t the album is a good piece of musicianship but not much else.

Aqualung

Jethro Tull

4/5

My grandad is always on and on about this band ( so I hope it’s good)… The album starts off with the title track, a fairly cool 6 minute multi parter, It starts with this fairly heavy bit where it kinda reminds me of black sabbath, then theres the slow section which is alright but not brilliant only to explode into this great pop track the kinda song I thought this band would make theres an instrumental that reverts into the slow second which while isn’t my favourite kinda glues all the songs sections. It ends full circle on the awesome black sabbath-y part. Amazing! Cross eyed Mary starts with a brilliant flute based intro really showing what this band can do, the main song itself is a great slow rocker with great lyrics. Cheap day return is a short and sweet interlude-y track providing a nice breather before… Mother goose is a very folk based track it’s not my favourite but it’s still good especially with the songs flute workings in it. Wond’ring Aloud is another short track not an interlude as such as it’s a bit too dynamic for that but it’s still good especially with the string work. Theres some laughing which brings on up to me it’s a decent track with a great groove to to it and good lyrics just slightly going under the quality of the first two songs. Side two starts off with the 7 minute long my god it’s intro is a great piece of acoustic picking which Segway’s into a great verse. The song fights with the original riff until it turns into quite a heavy track that eventually blends all of the sounds from this band the most interesting part is the flute solo backed with the ( na na na na na’s). Then the heaviness comes back for the last minute great! Then is the album’s first ( of two) singles hymn 43, despite its name it’s probably one of the heaviest songs on here acting as a true grand centrepiece to the whole album. Slipstream is another break-y interlude thing it’s good just not special. Then is the other single and penultimate track of the album, locomotive breath a piano led track at the start but then takes a complete left turn once the song hits and proves itself as a true rocker very entertaining! The album’s goodbye is in the form of wind up it starts off as a really beautiful acoustic track that slowly builds up what a closer. Wow really good… thanks grandad! —- But my minds changed so I had to re review—— Firstly I said it’s a 5 but I’m not sure. But I never re-listen to this thing honestly I don’t listen to much prog in my spare time and some songs on here are a bit boring. Here are the highlights: Aqualung especially for its intro and coda is really cool, the middle bit is cool too even if it does go on. Cross eyed Mary might be the best use of that all powerful Jethro Tull flute. Seriously for it’s time my god is a super bold song, it’s got this doomsday factor to it as if the great plagues are being summoned as the song plays. Hymn 43 is very danceable for its time a genuinely very cool, I like this comes after my god for the religious theming. But then you have the little ones cheap day return, wondering around, slipstream, these drag more than the multiple long tracks on here. I have sentimental value because my grandad who died two years ago really liked the band but I can’t give it a 5. It’s a 4

Treasure

Cocteau Twins

4/5

Okay looks cool… The album opens off with the song Ivo an interesting plunge into the soundscape of the album with dreamy guitars and odd lyrics cool song. Then there is Lorelei another song in a very similar vein to Ivo but with some cool bell sounds. Honestly if you’re looking for like a less heavy and distorted version of my bloody valentines loveless ( so basically a non showgaze version of that) this would be what I think it would turn out like. Beatrix takes the listener through a more haunted soundscape basically being a creepy chant backed up by dream pop sounds. Persephone is a heavier cut going to more of rock sounding existence it’s just the small things like this rattle sound like a snake crawling out of a cave an the fact that the lyrics are more understandable and less loveless’y really makes it a stand out on first listen. Pandora ( for Cindy) ends off side A it’s this haunting swirling track hidden in with the dreamy soundscapes that make this band sound so special. Side 2 opens with Amelia a loud but not a heavy song the soundscapes are very similar to what we’ve herd before but in a perfected way one of my favourites to be fair. Aloysius is another track moulding into similar sounding stuff but the drums are a real highlight on here. Cicely has an awesome base line that really bring this song together the best bit has to be the spiralling pre chorus though a proper trip. The penultimate track otterley is a morbid thing indeed slow and gloomy yet gentle with the rushes of the see. Probably my least favourite but it’s still cool. The album closes with it’s longest song domino which is this sorta song from heaven being slow but grand and an amazing send off. I really liked it and was close to giving it a 5/5 but I think you really have to be in a certain mood with this but if it clicks like it did with me well my god it’s great.

Screamadelica

Primal Scream

4/5

Ooh ok I haven’t heard this in a while… The album opens with it’s most “ normal” song movin’ on up a rather happy clappy little song to get everyone singing before the true nature of the album is revealed with… Slip inside this house a cover song originally by a 60’s band called 13th floor elevators it’s really got the Indian based psychedelic feel of the later era Beatles, the song isn’t one of my favourites but I love the way he sings the lyrics on here. The third song on here is don’t fight it feel it It’s an alright song I like the whistling sounds crashing with the more dance like elements, this is probably the most clubby on here unlike come together or loaded ( later in this album) this song doesn’t really own it’s longer run time and drags after the songs first half. Next is higher than the sun the album’s shortest song a great drawling trance of a track, really enjoyable and a true drug song ( but not as much as the alternative version of the song later in the album ( which I prefer over this)). Inner flight ( while not a favourite of mine) is a brilliant instrumental piece with thundering tribal drums and haunted “aah’s” and “ooh’s leading just perfectly into… Come together the album’s centrepiece track a 10 minute epic which sounds like it’s made only of samples being layered over a drum beat. It’s surprisingly amazing and doesn’t drag! “ Just what is it that you want to do? Well, we wanna be free, we wanna be free to do what we wanna do And we wanna get loaded and we wanna have a good time And that's what we're gonna do (away baby, let's go) We're gonna have a good time, we're gonna have a party” This is the sample at the start of loaded which probably wins for my favourite sample of all time; anyway the actual song is great too a 7 minuter this time it feels like a more rock based version of come together as it has more organic guitars and pianos over all of the sampling and drum beat, the high to end all highs a true highlight! Damaged sounds like it’s meant to represent the comedown from loaded, the most distinctive track a very organic slow kinda beautiful sonic. But honestly if you’re not like me and you don’t like more traditional songs you will hate this, I like it though. I’am coming down is a very distinctive track amongst the album this slow drag of a song with some quite Indian sounding instrumentals and tribal drumming, not a favourite but a good collection of sounds on this one. Higher than the sun ( feat.Jah wobble) is a slower 7 minute drug filled version of the other version of the track. It’s a song that sounds like it’s made for headphones with the sampling in one ear then this tapping noise in the other originally making me wonder if someone was knocking on the first minutes ( oh yeah and half way it just stops for an awesome bass solo to only rebuild the song). I love this! The album closes with shine like stars a slow heavenly track with a surprisingly creepy verse for the last bit it sounds like it’s gone an octave or so down making the last moments sound surprisingly depressed. This music seriously isn’t my thing though and giving it a 5 would be disingenuous, it’s a 4 and everyone should give it a go but it’s so drugged up too much for the attention span of the 2020’s

Brothers In Arms

Dire Straits

5/5

Ooh I liked the other dire straits album… The album opens with the song so far away a rip roaring bass line that suddenly gets overshadowed by the poppy guitars and singing. While I wouldn’t call this band a “ proper pop” group this is much poppier than I’ve had before. It’s good though decent lyrics and well produced. Following this is the song money for nothing it starts slowly with the repetition of “ I want my mtv” for just over a minute, it slowly feeds into an electronic rock sound by what I think it seems to be a song about tv consumerism it’s good though just the intro was a little unnecessary. Walk of life ( like sultans of swing on the self titled) is a song that I only recognised by the synth bit, it’s a good enough song though pretty much an old style rock and roll song with a synth line layered over it. Good song! The first minute of Your latest trick (like the spotify image) is slow and gloomy then after that minute it forms into a slower “ jazzier” track with the saxophone throughout. It’s a good song but the saxophone isn’t one of my favourite instruments but it’s the key instrument to the song and without it the song would feel empty. Why worry, kinda sounds hopeful in a way like all of the gloominess of your latest trick is gone. It would seen like an afterthought of that song but it’s 8 minutes long, a time stamp when executed well is awesome and while it’s good it just feels like a 5 minuter, it’s still beautiful and a brilliant sonic though. Side two starts with ride across the river and it’s tribal drumming and flute work. The lyrics aren’t my favourite but this is still a great song just primarily for the fact that it shows verity of the sounds portrayed in this album and how different it is to the previous 5. The man’s too strong follows on well from the last track it’s much folkier than the others, Until it explodes in the chorus this would have easily been my least favourite but as it progresses the song shows a true epic-ness that the other songs don’t portray as strongly! One world almost feels like disco blues quite cool to be fair, it’s the most similar to the poppieness of the first three songs but still has a cool enough groove to make it special. Also the spotify artwork is really awesome and fitting to these songs. The album closes off with the title track it’s sorta a blend of the thunderous sounds of the man’s too strong and the gloominess of your latest trick. It turns into this slow emotional closer apparently an anti war song sung by a solider it’s a really good song! I recommend going through spotify on the initial listen for this as for the most part it shows the story each song tells and for every song it has a short clip for it. Wow two 5’s in two days ( the other one was Screamidelica) that’s cool!

Machine Head

Deep Purple

4/5

This groups was good by what I remember… The album opens with highway star the sonic is like an overexcited catapult of energy crashing into you only stopping for the awesome guitar solo. It’s an excellent opener though; maybe me from some 20 or so days ago would’ve written the length of the song as “ too pretentious” for an opener at 6 minutes, but it doesn’t feel like 6 minutes be honest. Deep purple just have the formula for long songs! Next is maybe I’m a leo it’s a slower track but still keeps the band’s essentials in tact it’s also quite playful for the song’s intro that bit goes but it’s cool while it was there. Pictures of home starts with a brief drum solo it’s quite a cool song to be fair it’s only three verses spanning 5 minutes but still cool. Strangely enough, it’s probably the way he sings it that makes the song unique. An odd favourite! Never before is good but not as good it’s essentially a dive into more of a pop rock sound it works really well for the album, especially the chorus and the slowed down bridge. Smoke on the water has one of the most simple but effective guitar riffs ever ( even I could probably do it). The bass line is also very cool and complements the song quite a bit. As far as the core of the song goes, the verse tell a good story and while the chorus doesn’t lyrically fit up too much with the verses it’s still a top tier chorus and a good song. Now the penultimate track lazy the intro is much more electronic than the others but it somehow works then the song goes into a more organic sound still with the cool keys though . The song is slow and fairly long but after the song’s 4 minute intro there’s a small sonic in there it’s alright not the best, especially with the harmonica solo. Way to ruin a near perfect album. The album finishes with space truckin the lyrics are dumb but it’s good feels like lazy was the end of the set list and this is the encore to the album decent sonic though. Well I must say it was close to a 5 fine it didn’t reach the heights of lets say child in time or flight of the rat on deep purple in rock it still was a consistently good effort that I would have returned to and I still will but lazy is such a drag that I will never touch again.

Ágætis Byrjun

Sigur Rós

4/5

Ooh cool cover… The album opens with an intro track a nice chant to set the albums scene. Svefn-g-englar is the first proper song a 10 minute long epic ( there are a lot of long songs on here) it’s a dreamy, relaxing well produced effort where I can see the appeal really clearly for but I guess i’am not really in the mind frame for a song like this. Starálfur is a 6 minuter roughly translating to staring elf has some brilliant string work on it I do prefer this song though as the singer’s voice is slightly more present and the raw guitar bit is kinda cool. The next song up is Flugufrelsarinn sounds decent it has a moodier feel to it and the vocals sound like they’re trapped in a storm. The music has just kinda clicked with me now! Song 5 is Ný batterí which starts with this blissful noise just gently popping out until 2 minutes in where the vocals come in smoothly and gently singing almost giving the feeling of laying on a tranquil beach. Then we have got Hjartað hamast (bamm bamm bamm) translating to The heart pounds (boom, boom,boom) it brings in more energy than the last ones with jazzy pianos backed by some haunted belch when the vocals come in most of that goes and instead we’re greeted by the normal vocals and this angelic backing that really makes the track. Next is the album’s longest track Viðrar vel til loftárása a song that does take it’s time to get going but after the first two minutes and those strings come in it gives off a true sense of euphoria which only heightens when the vocals come in making it sound really emotional even if I don’t understand Icelandic . Olsen Olsen is next a quite angelic track but still with a trance like bass line and at points this gentle flute playing and string work. Now we have the title track Ágætis byrjun is a guitar based song and the highlight for drumming it’s great but at this point I kinda feel out of the trance the album placed earlier getting tired of the track half way through. The album closes with Avalon a very unique spectacle indeed being a kinda sinister sounding instrumental piece, I don’t love it but it’s good. You really have to be in the right frame of mind for this album and I was at points but not enough to love the whole thing. Also while I’am not usually a fan of albums with really short track-lists this should’ve been more like 8 songs with the track length.

The Beach Boys Today!

The Beach Boys

3/5

Ooh okay this might be cool… The album opens with do you wanna dance it’s a fairly solid track upbeat and poppy so what you would expect in a song the only thing is that the chorus feels a bit overwhelming. Good to my baby starts with the whole barbershop quartet thing but then forms into a solid pop song I especially like the pre chorus/ chorus on this. Next is don’t hurt my little sister it’s got this great harmony with the band singing but I just don’t think this songs verses are strong. When I grow up to be a man is a song that I kind of recognise in the verses, it’s very well written with especially good vocals. Help me, Rhonda is a more guitar driven track, it contains all of the positive energy that shines so well in this band but it’s so repetitive at the end and the playing with the volume is just annoying . Ending side one is dance,dance, dance a short little rockier sounding song in terms of the verses but still has the strong harmonic beach boys chorus. Please let me wonder has this droning yet heavenly ah sound throughout the song kinda giving it a more blissful feeling to it, it’s a good song but nothing special. Then we have I’m so young (the only cover in the album) it works and has some great ooh’s and ah’s but it just doesn’t match the originals. Man this second side is so full of the ooh and aah sound and while I like it on the beach boys by the point of kiss me baby i’am bored by it. The piano is good here though. She knows me too well, still does the ooh’s and aah’s but it’s better than the last two songs at least it just is generally harmonically better. The last real song is in the back of my mind a lush slow track feels like a great bookend to the album. But then they just place this interview at the end. Just why??? Well I can see the foundation’s for pet sounds and it’s good just no where near as good as that album and quite a lot of 60’s things.

Rio

Duran Duran

5/5

Without proper knowledge on the band you’d believe that Duran Duran were just a singles band. I used to think they were a boy band, probably because of all the flashy music videos. But rio proves that Duran Duran is not just a band to be shrugged at. This is a MUST LISTEN even if this list was merely 100 albums in my opinion. Obviously you have the amazing singles, not many songs are as iconic as hungry like the wolf! Rio and my own way is one of those 1,2 opening punches on albums that leaves you in awe that the same band was able to make two songs this good. Then the wistful save a prayer, the album’s ‘anchor’, its centrepiece (though it’s the penultimate track), most people will know it and everyone should love it. New religion should’ve been a single as well, honestly I don’t get why it wasn’t, LOVE that bass line and that chorus. But none of these songs are actually close to my favourite, the chauffeur, Rio’s off putting last moments putting you on edge until Simon le Bon screams ‘sing blue silver’ offering a euphoric sensation as you complete this masterpiece. There are so many covers of this song including the iconic deaftones one but none have put me on edge as the original or the acoustic demo of this track. The only three tracks I haven’t mentioned (Lonely in your nightmare, hold back the rain and last chance on the stairway) are admittedly slightly weaker but they fit in perfectly. If the other songs didn’t exist and it was these three songs released as singles and a bunch of filler it could still skim being a 3/5 and likely score 3 hits. Critically this was panned on release honestly I’m not surprised, this will always happen with pop music. As soon as the frustration with their commercial acclaim goes honest opinions form. For me early Duran Duran are something really special, ignore all that ordinary world crap, this album is where it’s at 5/5.

The Hour Of Bewilderbeast

Badly Drawn Boy

3/5

I recognise the album cover but nothing else is familiar… The album starts off on a slow kind of a slow waking up tone with the shining it slowly builds up into just stopping and a completely different acoustic track comes up it’s okay strange lyrics but good song. The song flows perfectly into everybody’s stalking a more traditional rock sounding song it’s good but not in the top rock songs of all time. Bewilder is just a small interlude don’t love it don’t hate it. Fall in the river is a rather “ rusty” sounding track it’s got great guitars one strumming one picking. The only problem is it’s just one verse. Then some weird in water bit. Camping next to water is a more subtle song it’s got good lyrics and I like the way the instruments kinda spiral round his voice to act as a chorus without really building up anything. Stone on the water has a cool intro slowly building up like the first song did this time to actually form a song of itself it’s an alright song but it takes so long to get there that it’s not worth it. Another pearl is a more pop/rock song now this is amazing, at this point I was honestly getting bored with the album but this is redemption! Body rap is a rather cool funky interlude. Theres a slight wah wah sounding thing on once around the block that makes it sound pretty cool and there’s a break where you can hear crackle noises it’s a really well made song. This song is a short song a happy song a good song that turns into quite a distorted 60’s sounding song at the end of the song. Bewilderbeast is a good but rather long instrumental to be fair i’am not a huge instrumental’s fan so this isn’t really my kinda thing. Magic in the air has a great piano/ acoustic guitar combo at the start which makes it sound almost fantasy like then it only focuses on the piano for the rest of the song which is unique for this album probably a favourite. Cause a rockslide is a rockier track really well made the only thing is i’am not a fan of the supporting chords guitar that only plays in one ear. The rest of it’s good though. Until the spooky instrumental that takes up the back half of the song not good even when there’s the acoustic bit at the end! I’am sorry but any song called pissing in the wind is gonna be stupid. Well a bit at least it’s a very oddly upbeat yet gloomy track and it probably would’ve worked better as a shorter song as this just drags by a good minute . Blistered heart is a nice enough instrumental but it’s so useless. Disillusion is rather upbeat and a good choice for a single very upbeat and poppy for this album it’s really enjoyable a good surprise. The penultimate track say it again is gloomy and slow like being stuck in some spooky forest blended with a classic folk sounding song honestly a surprise. The album closes off with epitaph a decent closer that sounds like he’s out in the forest with the birds singing not a favourite but I like it. This is one of those albums where for the most part the singles are really the best songs for me it’s a well formed album but just too long and too instrumental.

Abbey Road

Beatles

5/5

Yay Beatles!!!… The album opens with come together and what makes this a good opener is all down to that iconic guitar riff ( well it is in my opinion anyway) this song lyrics are rather nonsensical but they’re just there to carry the song really than to be it’s focus. It’s great though! Something is probably one of the most loved songs from this album and I have to agree it’s George Harrison’s magnum opus everything from that iconic guitar riff to the amazing lyrics and thundering chorus another banger! Now, was it worth getting the anvil for maxwells silver hammer? I’am not too sure but it’s still a fine song it’s one of those happy sounding songs that are really dark, the chorus is probably my favourite bit very catchy and the piano work after makes it so epic. Oh darling, is a great slower songs but still with a rampaging chorus probably not one of my favourite Paul songs but that’s just because he’s done so many bangers. Piano work is excellent here. Octopus’s garden is very Ringo it’s not a top tier song but still good all the instrumentation is perfect, the chorus is one of the most infectious ever. But it just sounds like a kids song. I want you ( she’s so heavy) is the very opposite to octopus’s garden a very John Lennon song a spiralling 7 minute epic with one of the best guitar riffs ever by the end it gets all fuzzy only to have one of the moon abrupt ending’s in music history. I still like it though. [yeah that was side one probably one of the best displays of each Beatles individual talents] Here comes the sun the most popular song that wasn’t a single, yeah this is a classic, great guitars good lyrics one of the most memorable songs of all time; great song! Then is because essentially a drugged up cult like chant with one of my favourite opening lines of all time in “ because the world is round it turns me on”. It’s solid though but only because of that vocal layering if not the attraction would probably be gone. [ now for the medley] You never give me your money: It has great piano work, good lyrics and while this is the only one that isn’t a fragment of this song this one has never been a favourite of mine. The flow between this and sun king is just a bit odd as well with some bug noises bridging the gap. I think it would’ve been better as it’s own song than park of this. Sun king: it’s essentially a reprise of because with different lyrics not bad but the album’s worst. Mean mr mustard: a short kinda comical little track It’s not a favourite but the flow into polythene pam is good. Polythene pam: my opinion on this one is practically the same as mean mr mustard but it flows well into she came in through the bathroom window. She came in through the bathroom window: best intro of the whole medley it’s sort of the end of the “first half” of the medley as there’s no flow into golden slumber’s. It’s a very good song though. Golden slumbers : probably my favourite song off the medley great lyrics great chorus which is kinda like a trick thing as it flows the same way it does into carry that weight! Carry that weight: another favourite of the medley the most uplifting track top song again! The end: I like this one and it’s a great closer to the album and to the Beatles catalogue and the lyrics are great but out of the this and the previous two theres no competition. [ bonus track] Her majesty: ( ha ha i’am doing this on the day before the jubilee) it’s okay… {Also on a Beatles note unrelated to the album my Spotify rolled over to I saw her standing there the first song on their debut so that’s cool.} Probably the funniest review I’ve ever done! Anyway it’s a true classic and still only my 3rd favourite Beatles album!

Olympia 64

Jacques Brel

2/5

Okay have no clue here… The album starts with the song Amsterdam, I don’t know french ( well not much anyway) but I does sound well made the way he gets angrier throughout works quite well here. Next is les vieux like Amsterdam it builds up quite a bit ( not as much though) it’s actually quite a creepy sounding song which is cool. Tango funebre isn’t as good as the last two I mean the instrumentation is alright but it gets dull after 3 minutes. Le plat plays is a slower song again contains this build up act it’s okay nothing much to say. Next we have les timides is a bit of a lullaby sounding song it’s alright. Les jardins du casino is pretty good to be fair it’s pretty much the only one that has more than it than slowly getting more aggressive. The instrumental work is very good here too. Le dernier repas is good the same kinda act one of the best examples of good instrumentation but other than that it’s not good. The set ends with le toros avec final it’s cool dramatic and serves as a fine ending. With this being such lyrically based music and for me to not know what any of it means this done a fine job. But I really don’t feel like I can push it past a 2 as I know I won’t touch the album again but I can see appeal for it.

Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

Dead Kennedys

4/5

Ooh some punk! The album opens with the song kill the poor the start of the song is rather anthemic but after a short bit of time it forms into a rather good punk song. Then is forward to death a fast paced minute long rocker it does good for its time limit but not great. Exactly the same with when ya get drafted. Lets lynch the landlord is a banger though a proper punk tune screaming, poor production just great amazing energy! Drug me like tracks 2-3 is a ball of pure energy but somehow I just prefer this. Your emotions on the other hand is just a good piece of energy nothing too special but works. Chemical warfare ends side one it’s one of the longer, better ones yeah just great really especially when it slows an odd highlight. Starting off side two is California über lines it has a great build up at the start this is one of the longer and slower songs but it’s still brilliant for a punk band. I kill children starts off quite cool with the spoken bit, the song eventually turns into a punky affair filled with lots of pauses and silence for effect. Stealing peoples mail is another one of those just great energy but little song kinda things still good though. Funland at the beach goes for a similar thing but it has some brilliant guitar work in comparison to the other short energetic ones. Ill in the head is alright probably my least favourite I mean it’s alright but the guitar breaks don’t work for how frequently they occur. Now for the penultimate track and the albums longest ( by far) holiday in Cambodia the intro to this is odd and unnecessary but after it forms this amazing track great guitars especially yeah the best song! The album closes with an Elvis cover in the form of viva las vegas it’s only really a song that I know through the chorus but it’s actually a decent rendition better than I thought they would do. One of the better punk albums but not my favourite the typical rule here is the longer the song the better.

School's Out

Alice Cooper

2/5

Ok… It starts off with the album’s title track it’s got an alright guitar riff and singing is eh, I mean the song should really appeal to me but it doesn’t. Luney tune is slightly better Imo it’s more slower and downtempo but not a slow song, it’s just not clicking though. Then we have gutter cat vs the jets it’s probably the best so far great intro, fitting singing and a cool subtle keyboards so yeah cool for this album. Street fight is just an instrumental interesting but nothing special. The first half ends with blue turk I mean it’s got a good bass line and the song is fine just a bit generic you know. My stars has an awesome intro but it’s not as good as the song progresses actually now I think that its his voice that puts me off this music. Public animal #9 is a better song a stomper of a track a little early 60’s sounding I do like it though especially compared to the majority of this thing. Gloomy rain tripes throughout the album’s penultimate track alma matter It’s decent slow but likeable. The album closes on grande finale it’s cool and grand but not a favourite of mine I don’t know it just doesn’t feel right really not the worst but still a 2.

Kilimanjaro

The Teardrop Explodes

3/5

Never herd of these guys before… The album opens with ha ha I’m drowning an amazing danceable pop rock song theres especially great mental stampeding drum breaks. Sleeping gas is the same sorta thing the instrumentation here is amazing especially the vocals on this one weirdly complement this song quite well. The song can be repetitive but still cool. Treason is an amazing pop song with stunning drumming I’am kinda glad this is there second biggest song according to Spotify! Song four second head has a brilliant bass line that carries this one. There’s also a cool little drum break in this song. Poppies has a cool intro and guitar riff but while I get what they’re trying to say the lyrics aren’t great. Went crazy is alright again great instrumentation and it would’ve felt a bit filler as the songs seem to be doing the same thing but that bridge is great for this song. Next is brave boys keep their promises it’s not slow as such but is one of the slowest songs lacking the multitude of instrumentation on the majority of the songs just being led by drums and guitars for the most part. Yeah it’s a good song. Bouncing babies is a little odd the drums actually do make it sound like it’s bouncing in the ear, not a favourite but certainly unique. Books is a little darker and more aggressive the singer shouts for the most part, the guitars are cool yet quiet and the bass and drums are good two. The best bit is the horns though gives it a great sense of grandness. The penultimate track thief of Baghdad it’s a slower track certainly different from the rest album the chorus is epic the rest of the song is alright but not too special still like it though! The album ends on when I dream it’s alright fairly grand great synths so strong closer I guess. If I didn’t see they were from Liverpool I would’ve honestly thought this was some early form of madchester I like it at moments but there’s quite a bit of filler here too.

Cafe Bleu

The Style Council

3/5

I mean I’ve never been that crazy on Paul Weller or anything he’s been in but I don’t know it might be good… The album opens with Mick’s blessings, eh just a piano instrumental. Then is the whole point of no return it’s alright just some nice but dull slow jam with no real bang to it. Me ship came in is filled with lots of like clapping noises throughout the song which are alright, again it’s fairly mellow but not as bad as the others I guess even if it’s just an instrumental. Blue cafe is yet another instrumental this time a rather heavenly guitar based thing It’s alright but instrumental tracks are never really my kinda thing. The Paris match is the second song that’s non instrumental this time it’s female sung which works with the kinda relaxed lounge feel of the song and album yeah it’s alright. My ever Changing moods is a non instrumental song it’s probably the only one that’s genuinely satisfied me in the slightest to be honest as most of this album is rather dull. Ending side one is dropping bombs in the whitehouse a stupidly placed song as it’s the only one with any real energy in the whole album so far. It’s alright though just a long energetic instrumental. A gospel at the start of side two is really different though a more funk/ hip hop based track great bassline it’s not my kinda thing but it’s a good surprise. Strength of nature is another change it’s annoying though just so repetitive ( with only 2 lines being sung for most of the song) and after the four minutes it’s rewarding to pass this. You’re the best thing is the biggest song on the album ( not one I recognise though) it’s decent serves as a nice break from the weirdness of side 2 . Here’s one that got away goes for a more “pubby” sound it’s only short but It’s decent. Headstart for happiness is quite fun though a nice pop rock track just nothing much notable. The album ends with council meeting its a short but entertaining instrumental not a favourite but not dreadful. The thing is side one was as dull as dishwater and then side two while tried quite a few of the ideas failed in my eyes so I have to give it a very low 3.

Public Image: First Issue

Public Image Ltd.

1/5

Well sex pistols is decent so I hope this is too… The album opens with theme a 9 minute long sludgy epic, I mean it’s alright but I just don’t like long overblown songs at the start of albums especially with the wired screaming too. It’s just way too long if it were like 2 minutes I think I would enjoy this as an opener. Religion I is just a spoken piece it’s alright but a bit wired for the sake of it, it’s similar to the intro to you took the words right out of my mouth on meatloaf’s bat out of hell. Religion II starts cool but then turns out it’s just religion I with instrumental work and some Johnny rotten screaming, I mean at least he’s trying to be experimental in this album. Annalisa is the first “ normal song” on here it’s essentially just a 6 minute long worse version ( vocally and lyrically) of any track on never mind the bullocks, but the instrumentation is fine. Next is the sonic public image now this isn’t as good as the most of never mind the bullocks but it’s still much better than the rest of this album. I think it’s because this album kinda lacks the fun and the odd one liners of the sex pistols album. But low life kinda does have that and it’s just still not clicking as much to be fair. But “ bourgeois anarchist” is a good line. Attack starts with these wired spitting like noises but then forms into this odd little mix of the more heavy sex pistols stuff with the weirdness of the first tracks on this album but it does it in all of the ways I don’t like about these projects. The album ends on fodderstompf a dreadful experimentation into electronica. Just no. It’s not even like so bad it’s good. This album is just a mix of what sounds like sex pistols left overs lazily put alongside Johnny rottens weird experiments.

British Steel

Judas Priest

3/5

Ooh okay not too sure what to expect… Rapid fire opens up the album and yeah that’s rapid fire tempo. Great drumming especially must be hard to keep up with the time. The only thing is that the lyrics are just very generic metal lyrics but it’s not the main attraction to be fair. Metal gods has a great little riff going on it’s not as cool as the last song but still good enough though. The end is interesting though with the noises. I do recognise breaking the law It’s a good single ( especially by metal standards) it’s a very destructive sounding track which I love about it the only problem is that chorus is so repetitive. Grinder is a cool sludgy stomper probably a favourite. Just not much to say I like the handclaps of united and it’s a good idea for a song but it just feels too much of a mix between a hippie song and a dumb football chant. You don’t have to be old to be wise is a true anthemic track not a favourite to me but one that I bet would be amazing in a live setting. Living after midnight… eh it’s alright but is just the most generic commercial sounding thing on here makes sense as a single though. I love the bass line at the start of the rage actually the crunchy guitars are amazing too it’s one if those ones that feels like the listener has been on a journey amazing! The album closes with steeler it’s a fun little jaunty track good but not spectacular. The songs are solid, but all samey you know I liked it but didn’t love it 3/5.

Axis: Bold As Love

Jimi Hendrix

4/5

Hendrix is a weird one I actually don’t really listen to him, his music is good in fact very good. You cannot deny how good he is at guitar. I know all his albums kinda. This is the weakest of the three though 4/5

Rust Never Sleeps

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

3/5

Well I know it’ll probably be good music but a shame spotify can’t be used… The album starts with my my hey hey( out of the blue) it’s a well done song with good instrumentation and lyrics Just not one that hits for me on any level. Next is thrasher it’s a very solid song a little the same as the last one but it’s still okay. With Ride my lama I didn’t like the recording quality here but I thought it was fairly fun. Pocahontas is probably my favourite of the “ normal” Neil young songs on here yeah it still doesn’t strike any main chords with me but is a great display of music. Sail away ends the first half it sounds like a poorly done version of a Bob Dylan type song to be honest. I don’t know if it’s because of the help from crazy horse but the big band atmosphere works amazingly with Neil especially on the first half of that part powderfinger. Welfare mothers is loud and rocking brilliant song. The penultimate track sedan delivery is almost like Neil young does punk yeah he’s so much better when in a band. The last song hey hey my my ( into the black) is like a rockier continuation of the first song very solid. Well once he had a big band I liked it.

Steve McQueen

Prefab Sprout

4/5

You look at the album see it’s cover and year and immediately want to give it a 1/5 however that would be serving a huge injustice… Firstly I really dig this albums vibe. It’s kinda cheesy but it’s also intelligent. Like new wave with a jazz flavour. Almost in the general area of music as the style council but actually good. It has a very strong first half and I’ll always stand by the fact that Faron Young in particular is such a cool song (though it’s very different from the rest of the tracklist). And that appetite is a perfect pop song. But this album is one of the only albums more front loaded than hot fuss by the killers. Sure side 2 has good tracks like horsin around and when the angels but I don’t think anyone could make the argument that desire as and blueberry pies are the same level of quality as Bonnie or when love breaks down. Also unrelated to the album I think the lead singer will become Santa. 4/5

Beautiful Freak

Eels

4/5

I don’t know if I love or hate that cover… The album opens on novocaine for the soul a rather creepy track that does this cool emulation of vinyl pops and crackles that evolves into this really well played 90’s pop rock track . The only problem is that it’s not that great lyrically. Susans house is a more deeper sounding drum and bass based track that has spoken word verses the chorus is very different to all of this though being quite harmonic and piano led. Each bit is slightly too separate but not bad It flows perfectly into rags to rags the transition between verses and chorus is still oddly separate but they’re actually executed well ( especially the kick arse chorus). The album’s title track is slow and dreary yet emotional and hopeful at the same time I hope the songs stay at the quality of these last two songs. Not ready yet is just what you would want at this point in the album it’s fairly slow but explodes into this grand, spectacular chorus with amazing guitars. Just what I wanted! My beloved monster ends the first half of the album a mostly slow track with brilliant guitars but a booming epic chorus. Flower is a rather angelic, beautiful relaxed track that brings the mood of slowly waking up on a warm summers day. Also the lyrics are some of the albums best. Guest list is quite a good idea for a song thematically. And all is good ( a nice slow burn) until the dam harmonica. God those things can be annoying. I enjoy the bass line and the slow build up of metal it’s a great song, good lyrics good chorus it’s all you need. May have swapped this and flowers positioning on the album though. I thought with a name like “ spunky” that this song would be song youthful burst of energy but what we actually get is a semi mature slow burn that isn’t a favourite but I like it. The penultimate track your lucky day in hell is an amazing song that slowly builds up throughout the intro. It’s so sad probably the album’s best song! I love a random lot of samples like the beginning of manchild it’s a brilliant close off kinda feels like the aftermath of the whole album putting everything to a gentle resolve. There’s so many songs that I enjoy on here but it’s definitely an album where the singles aren’t necessarily the best as it slowly reveals its best cards rather than throwing it all in your face making some moments rather boring. But the majority was great!

Technique

New Order

3/5

Well I’ve herd of them and I know joy division’s music fairly well. Cover art is cool… The album opens with fine time which has this incredible instrumental buildup throughout the start eventually forming into this pretty cool dance rock tune with a good few little effects that work amazingly on headphones ; The song seems to not follow any given formulas which works in it’s favour but is hard to catch on to for a first listen. The bass line in all the way is just power you know. The rest of the song is just an amazing little pop rock tune. Love less keeps the same pros of the last song while still sounding completely different, this one in particular is glossier and poppier sounding instrumentally which is cool but the singing isn’t the best on this one. Next is the nightclub ready round and round it isn’t my favourite song but still a great song to blast in a club due to it’s rhythm and futuristic sound. This band really know how to do a bass line but the songs lack a real,special, unique factor to them, guilty partner is no exception. Run is a step up from the last two a really well performed song with (pretty much) great everything I just don’t like where the guitars are in the mix. Mr disco has one of my favourite grooves on the entire album very disco ready the lyrics are some of the better ones but feel like just a catalyst to push the song forward. The electronic drumming at the start of vanishing point has an odd “ bouncing ball” kinda sounds it then disappears to form my favourite song on the album especially in the mixing department! This album ends on dream attack it’s a really lush sounding one with a brilliant build up not my favourite song on the album but a brilliant closer even if it could’ve honestly went anywhere in the album. The bookends of this album were fun, unique and an exciting experience but the middle of the album just couldn’t click; the thing is, I get that this band were obviously influential on future dance and rock artists to come but I don’t think influence can carry an album enough to get a 5 or even a 4.

Harvest

Neil Young

4/5

Well at least 2 of them are on spotify… Out on the weekend is a fine Neil young track nice, mellow, well written with a good use of the harmonica. It’s not my favourite song but it’s good. The guitar riff in the album’s title track is very reminiscent of like American cowboys sitting on the hay bales with a piece of straw in their mouth as the tumbleweed bounces by. A rather relaxing aesthetic with broad appeal but not one that i’am all too fussed about. The instrumentation on a man needs a maid is pure class especially in the over the top chorus, I’am not too sure on how honest the lyrics are meant to be and I sure hope it’s not cause it’s a lil sexist. Still my favourite song off the three albums I’ve herd though! Heart of gold is like the better version of the first song amazingly written and performed harmonica based rock. Are you ready for the country is one of those true American western-y type songs well done but not a huge fan. Old man is a great well pieced together single not necessarily one of my favourites but still really good compared to his other albums. Looking at the YouTube views there’s a world is UNDERRATED an amazingly well done theatrical tune that deserves all the love. I love how dramatic Alabama sounds again very strong yet under appreciated song. The penultimate track is the short, raw yet beautifully tragic the needle and the damage done it’s quite obvious what it was about and the themes were tackled perfectly alongside good guitar work. The album ends on words ( between the lines of age) this is a rather creepy yet epic sounding sendoff that this album deserves. If you asked me before the review on what I thought about Neil young I probably would’ve written him off as overrated but now I’ve herd this I kinda get why everyone loves him. It’s by far not my favourite album of all time but still very solid.

Pump

Aerosmith

2/5

I’ve herd of the band and I mean… eh… The album opens with young lust a solid well performed heavy rock song just the lyrics aren’t great. F.I.N.E. Is well… fine or allllright it doesn’t do anything offensive the sound is great even but nothing stand out or notable. Going down= useless interlude Love in an elevator has some great instrumentation and a catchy chorus but lacks that special factor that most rock songs like this would have. Monkey on my back is a slower rocker not a favourite but at least they are trying something different at the start of the song then it goes into generic garbage but it’s still digestible. Water song= useless interlude number 2 But hey Janie’s got a gun is at least a decent all be it formulaic slow jam that I actually appreciate unlike the rest of the album! Dulcimer stomp= useless interlude number 3 The other side is a very big sounding yet surprisingly uninteresting track with little sonic verity from its peers. I don’t get what makes this so boring but it just is the short rocker my girl is no exemption. Don’t get mad, get even actually starts off awesomely it’s a fairly rubbish slow cowboy like sounding song with an explosive chorus but at least it’s not the same song over and again. Hoodoo= useless interlude number 4 but at least this one sounds cool. Voodoo medicine man is actually decent to be fair most of it’s generic as heck but the lyrics are okay and the chorus is pretty cool. The album ends on what it takes a good slow piano lead song still nowhere near the best song ever but certainly is for the album! This is just a band that already wasn’t great in their 10th studio album essentially writing 7 songs that were exactly the same and 3 that were generic but cool. Most of the bands verity actually comes from all of those useless interludes and they suck. But there’s worse in the world.

Sound Affects

The Jam

4/5

Out of anything Paul Weller has touched the jam is the only project which he’s worked on that doesn’t make me want to fall asleep… Pretty green has a good bass line and this amazing chorus but while it is mostly a good tune the vocals feel ever so slightly too low in the mix. Monday is a slower rather poppy song for the jam with these nice, subtle piano workings and great lyrics. But i’am different now is much more punk a short little burst of energy with crunchy arse guitars only slowing down slightly towards the end. Next is the song set the house ablaze probably the most epic sounding jam song out there and the one with the best guitars and an amazing instrumental/ spoken bridge in the middle great surprise! Start! Isn’t my favourite jam single ( actually it’s one of my least favourites) but it’s well written and has an iconic bass line and great guitars that should’ve made it the albums opener as it feels odd at this point on the album. Ending side one is one of my favourite jam hits thats entertainment an aggressive acoustic mix with a heavenly chorus hard to fault! Dream this is an odd start so side two with the first minute being warped noises then this heavy drum based track comes in it’s not my favourite but still really cool. Man in the corner shop is a slower sometimes has some great lyrics about essentially being your own man it’s one of the least interesting instrumentally but I still like it. Music for the last couple is a useless mostly instrumental track, which fine does sound good but what a shame shame that they didn’t just throw going underground at this point in the album as I think that song would’ve made it a great. The penultimate track boy about town is very good, I love the way he sings the verses on this one and those horns amazing! The album closes with scrape away it’s great the slightly echoey vocals work perfectly on this one, it’s an odd track for sure but nice to throw in this as the album’s closer. [ As a bonus I decided to listen to the going underground single plus its b side dreams of children ( as they were on the us version apparently) to see if they would work on the album then I’ll give an alt track list] Going underground= well this should’ve just been on this album by default. Amazing single! The dreams of children= it’s an alright song but I gets why it’s not on any album. Alt tracklist 1 Start! 2 Monday 3 Pretty green 4 But i’am different now 5 Set the house ablaze 6 That’s entertainment 7 Dream time 8 Going underground 9 Man in the corner shop 10 Boy about town 11 Scrape away Other than the slight track list faults brilliant album!

Urban Hymns

The Verve

4/5

I’ve herd this one once before and my god it’s long ( not bad though)… The album starts with bitter sweet symphony an extremely powerful orchestral rocker initially I found it odd as the album’s opener but one I listened on seemed like there was no other option! Sonnet is a solid acoustic rocker with an explosive arse chorus whats not to like? Then is the rock heavy song the rolling people it’s amazing to some extent as because of the songs sheer length you’ll probably know the chorus off by heart in listen one but it just seems too long for this song. The drugs don’t work is the verve’s intensely beautifully amazing swan-song it’s not my favourite track but it’s the best you know! (For the next 4 songs the album takes a psychedelic turn) Starting with catching the butterfly like the rolling people this one does drag a little but it’s still a fine psychedelic rock song and one of the albums best. Neon wilderness is this trippy interlude showing we’re fully plunged in the drugs for a while. Unique but not a fan. Well space and time is less druggy than I remember it still is a little druggy but it’s mostly brought on by the guitars in the verses.The best bit is the rocking chorus though. Weeping willow is still how I remember it though an amazing dramatic little psychedelic rocker with an amazing chorus to end off this section of the album. Then is lucky man an odd duck in the tracklist feeling like it should be on the more acoustic/ rock based first third but actually being placed in between the psychedelic second third and the somewhat forgettable last third. The song itself is my favourite of the album though amazing chorus! One day starts this mixed bag of a final third thing one is one of the worst ones just a dull little sad song nothing really appeals to me here to be honest. This time is oddly unique yet generic as it experiments with more hip hop sounding instrumentation which is cool but the song just feels so dull. Velvet morning picks up the quality of the album being a slower beautiful little acoustic song with a thundering chorus could’ve closed the album on its own. As the closer come on is the oddest pick to close an album with its a heavy psychedelic 6 minuter but somehow it works don’t get why great tune. I think one the generator it’s overall a little overrated compared to the rest of britpop being an average of around 3.5 while which is similar masterpieces like pulps different class and oasis and blurs albums and somehow greater in rating than both suede’s album’s which were ultimate gems of Britpop. But rant aside it’s good but with way too many tracks that dull it down from being as good as the album’s I mentioned previously… Oh I forgot deep freeze is shit!

Rock Bottom

Robert Wyatt

1/5

Is this the rock bottom of the generator? Lets find out… The album opens with sea song the instrumentals are unique and interesting a true special delight worthy of an award for a top track but the vocals are horrible worse than John martyn and the guy from violet femmes combined. Still he’s very instrumentally appeasing though to be honest even if the noises he makes are migraine inducing. The last straw is a great slow piano track tainted by this man’s voice, he’s not even like Bob Dylan where it’s the lyrics that count as a good lot if the song is this guy singing “ wa wa wa wa” and the rest is this decent but not amazing verse. Little red riding hood hit the road has these great trumpet effects making an enjoyable and entertaining musical experience ( much better than instrumental only albums like tubular bells and the tortoise albums) there’s around 2:30 of bliss until this man tries to make ah sounds bringing in the fatal entrance of his villainous voice the thing is with a different vocalist all of these songs would be praised probably in the same level that bands like the Beatles and Radiohead get. Starting off the albums second half is Alifib it’s not the most interesting instrumentally ( being a bit more drab and slow) but it’s still cool the lyrics this time are to note too being hilariously dreadful but in a funny way and it’s funny though as he sounds so serious when trying to sing these words. Alfie is the part two of the song having more interesting natural sounding drums haunted synths. The lyrics are of the same quality but the singing is louder slower and deeper making him sound stupid, there’s no other nice way to say it. The chant at the end is so bad it’s hilarious. The album ends with little red robin hood hit the road it’s a shame the vocals are there from the start as a purely instrumental track could’ve saved this from a 1. It’s not exactly the worst on the generator but there’s no other possible score to give than a one. I would recommend to give it a listen but nothing else in an odd way it screams 1001 album’s you must hear before you die as it’s not necessary 1001 album’s you’ll like before you die.

Ingenue

k.d. lang

4/5

Is it bad that I thought she was a boy before doing this?… The album starts with save me a slightly jazzy track but also with some tribal sounding drums. Her slow but fairly strong singing style really matches the music played so it’s good. The mind of love has completely different sound ( being acoustic guitar led) while having the same general feeling ( relaxed and loungey) it’s not a favourite song of all time but I still enjoy it and see the appeal that it has. Miss chatelaine is still majorly acoustic but faster paced it’s certainly a good song but one that’s hard to put my finger on. Wash me clean is the slowest track so far a kinda gloomy little thing verging on dull and drab but not quite that boring. At the start of so it shall be has a kinda artificial and repetitive beat to it but somehow still impresses with her vocals; later on the song gains other elements the violin especially is class. The on the edge strings at the start of still thrives this love are so thrilling and fresh for this singer but it goes into this tribal rainforest forest sounding song with the occasional strings still the albums best overall! Season for a hollow soul is also awesome it’s gloomy but by no means boring love the rhythm and the exploding chorus of this one. Outside myself keeps the same gloomy yet relaxed tone this time being primarily acoustic guitar based but with a killer piano solo in the middle. Not my favourite but still great. The penultimate track tears for loves recalling has amazing lyrics a brilliant piano track I personally think the layered on drums ruin it a little but at the start only coming into full power a good minute in especially when the strings come brilliant song. Also good lyrics. The album closes on the song constant craving a fairly fast paced but a somehow fitting little acoustic epic to close the project all off not the best not the worst. It’s good, not really my kinda thing, but still good great album all around.

Da Capo

Love

3/5

Well forever changes is like a boarderline classic but this I don’t know what to expect… The album opens with Stephanie knows who a rather fast paced rocker ( well for love) with some sorta off key sounding instrumentation. Other than the screaming nothing matches to forever changes though. Following is the rater mellow orange skies the song is closer to what they would make forever changes it’s a nice slow song with drugged up lyrics and amazing flute work in particular. !Que vida¡ again goes in this direction I love the guitars in this one still not matching those. Seven and seven is, is what I would say is love’s heaviest song amazing drums and amazing bass work not what I expected from this band. Love goes full on folk at the start of the castle being a bumbling Simon and Garfunkel like song at the start but slowly loses all of this with the second half being a unique spiralling instrumental piece. Ending the first side of the album is she comes in colours, it’s no red telephone, but it’s still a nice rock song with off lyrics and great flute work ( which seems abandoned in forever changes). Side two of the album is only one song revelation a nearly 19 minute long thing it starts off as a pretty formulaic rocker then is filled with so many other layers at points completely warping the song as a whole, vocal work is good slightly echoey and doesn’t fill up the song all too much for a song of this length. The bit where it’s like he’s having sex is rather awkward for the listener. But eh I really don’t like it but it’s unique. It’s half proto forever changes and half a mess not dreadful or forgettable though.

Mott

Mott The Hoople

4/5

Never herd of this thing before… The album starts with all the way from Memphis it’s a solid piano rock song but my god, the singer is trying so hard to be David Bowie. There’s nothing bad about it though just a catchy well made pop song with whipping noises near the end are so unnecessary still good. Whizz kid is a great crunchy rock song but it’s slowed down chorus is the best element of the song really adds a layer of gloominess. Actually this is an amazing song my only problem is that overly processed guitar solo. The piano in hymn for the dudes sounds like you’ve just been knocked out in a boxing match really cool. After that goes it forms into a great acoustic track but yeah it’s literally the sound of Bowie ( luckily I love that sound). Honaloochie boogie is solid I love his distorted vocals. The chorus feels familiar but I don’t recognise the majority of the song. It’s not my favourite but still enjoyable. Violence is this heavy 70’s rock song that breaks into these wired drum/ violin parts that oddly fit, there’s also a sample of an argument at the end which really up’s the quality. The second half of the album starts with drivin’ sister nothing is bad with this song but it’s just the most boring typical song to be honest not bad though. Ballad of mott and the hoople slows down the album forming this beautiful centrepiece to this album the lyrics are a bit too “rock n roll” for my liking but there’s nothing bad about this song. Next is the medley of I’m a Cadillac/ El Camino Dolo Roso. The first bit ( I’m a Cadillac) is a solid rocker amazing gloomy sounding verses that explode into some epic yet lovely-dovey chorus. Then is the second part (El Camino Dolo Roso) a mellow instrumental I think it serves as a good coda to the track but it’s a little too long for me; actually this reminds me of the guitar solo in the middle of suede’s the asphalt world 21 years later in 1994. The album ends on a not closery note with I wish I was your mother it’s nothing bad but has nothing to it that makes it distinctive as a closer to an album. It’s a very good album, to an extent it feels too much like a Bowie knockoff but in a good way there’s better albums to waste your time with but it’s definitely an album people should hear before they die.

xx

The xx

4/5

I’ve herd this one a few times it’s decent… The album opens with an intro track it’s a track that some perceive as the album’s best song, I wouldn’t go that far but it’s a brilliant instrumental! VCR is a song that I would describe as playful and childish with the bell noises but, I love that part,very enjoyable. Also I love that the song shows off both the vocalists even if none of them are top tier! Crystallised has a cool ( yet gloomy) guitar riff the song kinda looses it spark as the song goes on but it’s not a poor song. Islands is quite hard to flaw the instrumentation is crisp, it’s poppy but sad sounding at the same time. Heart skipped a beat isn’t one of my favourites, it’s the first example of a song that doesn’t do anything interesting I mean the drums are nice and what’s there of guitar work is good just not enough. Then is fantasy an odd interlude track it’s a small chant over light atmospheric synths if any song diverges from the albums core values it’s this one. Shelter is one of the poppier songs on the album would have been a great single choice, the chorus has this repetitive guitar riff and drums like a heartbeat really building up the tension into a borderline classic! Basic space is probably the album’s weakest song the sorta tribal rhythm along with the spaced apart singing is cool but not as special and unique as the other songs specialities. Infinity is the album’s longest song at just over 5 minutes it’s a shame though as the vocals are so low in the mix that especially for the man it’s really hard to get a grasp of the message. The quality of these tracks are tight but it’s still one of the 3 weakest. The penultimate track night time is a slow builder initially having little to no instrumental work but building up into a fairly full track for this album having a dark hip hop vibe. Stars closes the album with a fairly great tune filled with a pulsating, repetitive bass line having small piano and guitar parts building around it. Like VCR at the start it’s a near full on duet rounding off this album well! I know both of these artists aren’t on the generator but this album kinda reminds me of Billie Eillish meets interpol these mumbling vocals over a repetitive but interesting guitar riff. Overall the album brings off a great sense of euphoria when listening to it as a whole but it’s a hard one to listen to the songs separately as it feels a cohesive project.

Too Rye Ay

Dexys Midnight Runners

3/5

This band is one of those where the songs really don’t sound like what the band are gonna be… The album opens with the Celtic soul brothers it’s a well put together song with great instrumentation and the sample at the start is cool but it’s not overly that special. The ooh sounds on lets make this precious are annoying, also the bridge is wired but the only highlight is those trumpet noises. Then is the rampaging waltz All in all its good probably my favourite track so far as yeah it’s fairly pub-laddy but at least it’s distinctive. Jackie Wilson said is a solid cover the most memorable bit is the singing at the start but the rest of the song still hits fine. Side A ends with old a depressed drunken piano track which forms into a slightly hopeful yet gloomy thing definitely my favourite! Side B starts with plan B a two parter initially a slow piano song solid but not amazing them then after about a minute it goes into a medley into a rather fun poppy song another top track. I’ll show you is like let’s make this precious but without the annoying ooh’s so it actually works perfectly as a song not an all time favourite but enjoyable. The gospel like backing vocals over the typical dexys tune makes Liars A to E quite a unique sonic for this album but without any of that this song is devoid of any specialities still good though. The penultimate track on the album is the longest song on the album Until I believe in my soul, quite a heavenly song a great way to make this album slow down until… One of the weirdest choices for an album closer ever come on Eileen it’s a pub laddish single that everyone knows I can’t fault it but does the song serve as a goodbye. Solid but not great.

Coles Corner

Richard Hawley

2/5

Well I’ve herd his guitar in the longpigs and he’s good… The album opens with the title track a pleasant stroll compared to what I’ve heard of his work before. He’s got an amazing gentle ( Christmas singer sounding) voice which works for the music being done. Just like rain takes a folkier tone compared to the last one still quite well produced big band yet solo singer stuff, good. Hotel room is a lovely sounding song great but not my type of music to be honest. Next is Darlin’ wait for me another song of similar opinion it’s slightly worse just being slow without much substance for me. The ocean is cool again this dull feeling but this is just more epic and mysterious great stuff. Born under a bad sign has this slight bit pf acoustic guitar shuffling that really glues the song together, all in all it’s still the same big band lovey-dovey sounding stuff but not a bad implementation of it. Then is the folky track, I sleep alone it’s a good left turn that shows knowledge of good sequencing not my favourite not my least. Tonight is a gloomy acoustic song it’s good but like none of this album hits in the greatest way. The album goes folkier again with one of the best songs on the album ( wading through) the waters of my time it’s just relaxing well written and memorable something you want from any solo artist. The album’s penultimate track whose going to shoe your pretty feet lacks quite a bit in instrumentation just a poem with a more echoey version of Hawley’s usual vocals. It goes will with the piano based closer last orders a cold and gloomy track but it’s still one of the best songs somehow and it’s instrumental. I am gutted with this album to be honest I thought the guitarist in a rather underrated band whose best aspect was their guitars would make quite a fun album not one that’s all maturity and nothing else.

Eliminator

ZZ Top

3/5

Never herd of them… A generic drum pattern brings on the albums opener gimme all your lovin’ it’s solid but just a very of its time 80’s rock song which is awesome but not a favourite. I love the playful yet crunchy guitar riff on got me under pressure, the lyrics seem to be that generic “ rock n roll” stuff but it’s not badly done. Sharp dressed man is a song that I definitely vaguely recognise as one of the better written songs of the 80’s, the chorus reminds me a bit of nick caves “ red right hand” by the way he sings the line “everybody’s crazy about the sharp dressed man”. I love the long intro to the 6 minute long song I need you tonight, this song has a sense of grandness that the rest of the album seems to lack until now. I got the six is a very odd choice to close off the first half of the album being a short rocker not memorable but not bad. The album goes in a poppier direction with Legs I love the synth work on this one but it’s just not a “must listen” song overall. Thug sounds odd having a robotic yet tribal instrumental and some cool bitty guitars break. The lyrics are still not great but they’re not the worst thing ever. The album goes back to its normal feeling with TV dinners great instrumentals dull and stupid lyrics. I don’t know why but dirty dog ( instrumentally) sounds like a dark sister track to legs with the repetitive bouncing synths . Lyrically, well no this band can’t write well in that department. The penultimate track on the album If I could only flag her down is solid, well written, poppy but slightly bluesier. It feels a bit filler amongst this album but not bad. The album closes on Bad Girl an odd pick for a closer ( even if there’s nothing really to pick from) it just feels poorly done. Typical 80’s pop rock great singles a few other good songs but no real substance to it.

Repeater

Fugazi

5/5

Never herd of this band… The album opens with turnover and my god I love how this song builds up it’s just epic. The chorus is really tense sounding making a nearly dramatic feel. Love this shit already! It flows perfectly into the album’s title track it’s a great display of the drum and bass skills of these artists the singing is a bit too fuzzy for me but it works really well when it goes spoken word. Then it kicks off the instrumental song Brendan 1 and yeah it’s awesome for an instrumental and just the right length. But where’s Brendan 2? Merchandise shows a punkier side of the band amazing instrumentals and sloppy but solid vocals just works great you know. Blueprint can be repetitive at moments but it’s still an amazingly written epic sounding song that should be at this position on the album really good It doesn’t look like this album had singles but this should’ve been one! I love the way sieve-fisted find builds up this song is darker sounding and heavier in an already heavy album it’s just wonderful and hard to fault. Greed is a short little thing with only a few lines just blurted out, not my favourite but I love when heavier albums have songs where they can just scream. ( If you like this see also six shooter by queens of the stone age). The album goes slightly more mellow with two beats off, this it still explodes a ton but the verses are done with little distortion which works as a good contradiction to the rest of the album! The rapid guitars in the mental track styrofoam are amazing; it’s a true screamer, dirty but with an awesome edge to it that other bands really lack. The penultimate track off the album reprovisional tricks the listener into thinking it will be slow and mellow but it reveals itself to be this sludgy and heavy mix of sounds. It’s probably the worst one out of the tracks that aren’t really short or instrumentals but it’s still loveable. The album shuts the door with shut the door this is definitely the most mellow of the songs but it still has everything that a listener would want from this band really cool. It might not be everyone’s cup of yea but I found it near impossible to find fault with this. It’s the kinda album I would wanna make if I knew what I was doing. Mental but with swagger!

...And Justice For All

Metallica

4/5

I kinda know this band… The album opens with blackened a song that initially seems grand but then forms into this all guns blazing riot of a song it works really well as an opener to the album as each time I was bored they would just change the whole song; just what is needed for a 6 minute song. Now for a 9 minuter the album’s title track (…and justice for all) the intro is done much better on this song it builds up from these relaxing mellow guitars to a choppy crunchy metal song. The lyrics are good , metal lyrics don’t really tend to work on me with the same themes of satan always being sung out, but this feels different it feels like a band who care about what they’re doing as musicians to make an admirable piece of musicianship. The guitars on the verses of eye of the beholder remind me of a horse galloping only to come crashing down an amazing effect. I’am not too fussed on the vocals on the verses of this song. The chorus is a bit more messy but it works and the vocals sound better here. So the song is a mixed bag but not bad. Song four is the song one it’s kind of a pause to the album as the listener knows it showing them that metallica can do more than the in your face long winded but good metal song. Well actually the song is still long winded but the rest holds true this is the album’s blissful walk in the park, great. Oh no, wait it turns into your typical metal song half way through. The shortest straw has everything you expect but nothing else. Good but not one I would re-listen to in a hurry. The start of harvester of sorrow is explosive then it forms into sounding like an army is marching towards you. It’s awesome everything that I want in one of these songs and not too long. I love the first 30 or so seconds of the frayed ends of sanity the most off the whole album but i’am not saying the rest of the song is anything but epic it’s ambitious but epic the albums best song. The album’s penultimate track is the 9 minute epic to live is to die it’s similar to one in the way that it starts off all acoustic then takes a massive left turn as it goes on. When the acoustic guitars come on these menacing guitars come on like you’re about to fight the final boss in a video game. It’s an awesome piece of skilful musicianship, it would’ve been my favourite song if it had lyrics that weren’t just spoken word stuff. The album closes on a good but rather odd note with dyer’s eyes a rather choppy mess of a track not stopping for much, having the album’s most aggressive singing and instrumentation. I like it but don’t love it. It was a bit too dragged out and in your face to be a 5 but it’s still a great display of musicianship and everything like that.

Bug

Dinosaur Jr.

3/5

Well this isn’t the band I thought it would be… The album opens with freak scene, its a well written well performed song with mid level vocals. Something I like but doesn’t scream must listen. It slows down a bit with the sludgier no bones, it all feels just very home done it’s a good sonic but the production ruins it and unlike bands like the white stripes this doesn’t feel intentional. They always come feels like dinosaur jr are going pop punk I love it honestly, fine some tweaks could be made to their production and singing but it’s well written and well performed so what do you want. Yeah you know what I am going to say for yeah I know. Let it ride feels like the point a fun yet messy album gets boring; the other raw American bands like nirvana, pixies and the white stripes have much more charm than this band being able to stretch their talents throughout a whole album but this band doesn’t seem like they can. Pond song is a nice enough change with the acoustic guitars being used more frequently making a fast paced but dreamier track. But it’s just another poor sounding song put into this machine of an album. I don’t like the use of multiple singers at the chorus of Budge it just doesn’t work for a band like this. The post reminds me of songs just like talking heads the overload and joy division’s I remember nothing for the verses ( so just morbidly depressed sounding) but the chorus is just generic dinosaur jr so I don’t know that I like this much. I love the attempt to make an interesting noise in the scarily heavy don’t but I hate it it’s near unlistenable revolution 9 tier. The album closes on keep the glove an actually rather happy acoustic note yeah this is the album’s best song! This is like a bug more specifically a lingering fly it’s a short thing that won’t go away getting progressively more annoying as it goes along. But I can’t hate them animals you know!

Spiderland

Slint

2/5

6 tracks!!!… The album opens with breadcrumb tail, I love the spoken world bit at the start mixed in with the rather neat guitar playing it felt like the spoken word bit would never stop but it did and the rest of the song is good. Man this band love spoken word bits! Anyway Nosferatu man is a bit of a heavy mess but it doesn’t sound bad in any way that brings it down. Don, Aman is a little creepy at the start then forms into a fast paced acoustic track cool but not a favourite song. Washer is the album’s longest song at just over 8 minutes long, it’s a fairly morbid song for this time length. And the band’s creepy sound is starting to get boring at this point; oddly enough this song kinda sounds like counting crows meets interpol ( not a mix that is preferable). The album’s penultimate track For Dinner… is such a musically mind numbing mix of sounds and it’s a fucking instrumental!!! The album closes with good morning captain, it’s literally all the sounds that the band had done before made into one song. And with those 6 tracks the band could only write one song.

Cheap Thrills

Big Brother & The Holding Company

4/5

I’ve herd of Janis joplin can’t say i’am familiar with her work… The album starts with the song combination of the two I love how this song sets itself up as the opener to the album, it’s an odd song but I don’t hate it and yeah Janis is screamy as fuck but not as bad as I thought she would be. It’s an odd song but I don’t hate it. When Janis isn’t screaming she sounds like a singer who has passed her prime ( sadly ironic huh) this is first shown in the second song I need a man to love; the song sounds nice in the background but it lacks the gravitas of most songs of the 60’s. Summertime is the first song with any real substance instrumentally the verses remind me of the sonic “feeling good” ( I’am not sure who that song is by definitely not Buble or muse) with different guitars. It’s great though honestly the vocals are a bit grating but it’s good to have unique vocals in a decade that lacks distinctive vocalist ( even if they’re not good). The album goes more traditional rock with piece of my heart, I don’t know this song that well but I do recognise the “ come on’s”. It’s really good that section actually is a bit before it’s time a very strong vocal performance loved it! Turtle blues just kinda feels awkward for her vocal style I don’t know Janis Joplin doesn’t suit piano simple as that. The album moves on though to oh sweet Mary actually a party male done song I actually love this, it seems like the start of the rambunctious verse overly slow chorus technique of other bands. Also love the guitar break in the middle. The main album ends with ball and chain (and that’s where I’ll stop) a nine minute long blues style track with the dirtiest of guitars. I love her vocals on this track specifically the way she sings along with the way she pronounces her words works perfectly here. It was good I was kinda left wanting more ( but I guess that’s what the bonus songs are for) anyway I liked it.

Roots

Sepultura

2/5

Ugly arse cover… The album starts with roots bloody roots it’s the kinda in your face slipknot type stuff that oversteps the barrier too much the instrumentation isn’t even good enough to pass on as great. I like the effects put at the start of attitude sounds like a space tribe and the screaming gives the song a needed atmosphere but the screaming isn’t even good screaming. Cut-throat is just more viking screaming. Whereas rathamahatta is a caveman chant better and more primal that it’s predecessor. The vocals in breed apart are way too odd just either creeky or a screamy mess ( wow I hate this album). Okay something I like the first minute of straighthate is interesting instrumentally them it’s the same old shit. Actually, to prevent boredom the rush from spit to dusted all have this same nasty sound to them which I hate, some have redeeming moments where I can see other people loving this but it’s all scream mo substance. But born stubborn kinda hits with me with the rapid instrumentation, it’s a better use for the screaming, still not my kinda thing but I don’t hate it ( now that’s saved this from a 1/5). Now there is a 2 song block of instrumentals first jasco it’s not much just a short bit of folk music. But then is Itsari, well I guess it’s not fully instrumental but it’s still a stupid acoustic based chanter. But I prefer it over like 70% of this album. And the ooga booga voice is back with ambush It’s just repetitive, uninteresting and predictable. The intro to endangered species is cool but then we’re back to the same noise. I guess the spine of the album ends with dictatorshit a drum based rampager with very little guitars, it was a good try and they failed. Canyon jam isn’t worth sitting through! Without these small instrumental moments of greatness it would easily be a 1, this shouldn’t be 16 tracks long this band could only do like 10 okay and there was still some filler. Best songs= the singles Worst songs= that boring stretch in the middle that I didn’t bother reviewing properly

Bookends

Simon & Garfunkel

5/5

My day 1 was simon and Garfunkel… The album opens with the bookends theme It’s not great but brilliant for a short opener. After there is save the life of my child, an amazing song really ahead of it’s time ( sounds at lest late 70’s) also the throwback to the sound of silence works perfectly! America is more of what I imagined from this album it’s an amazingly written acoustic song yeah this could’ve went perfectly on bridge over troubled water with no problem which is what I love! Overs is alright, I don’t think that Simon and Garfunkel can write a bad song but this isn’t as good as the others. Voices of old people= self explanatory I like old friends it’s an innocent enough slow yet sad sounding folk tune; is it worth having the last track to introduce it ( no) but is it good ( yes). A longer reprise of bookends theme ends side one, literally what I said last time round but the lyrics are nice. Side two starts with faking it it’s one of the more typical s and g songs so far but it’s still great I love the exploding chorus also when the orchestral sounding bits come in it just fits perfectly. Punky’s dilemma is nice, breezy and childish, the lyrics are hilariously stupid but I like it still. If I were to take all of this group’s big hits ( Cecilia, the boxer, the sound of silence etc…) mrs Robinson would probably be my least favourite I mean I don’t hate it but I just don’t think it’s of that epic quality that even some random album tracks can beat. The album’s penultimate track a hazy shade of winter is short and more epic sounding, this is honestly the song I will take from this first listen! The album closes with the song at the zoo, ,I much prefer it to the something of nothing song for the asking, it’s slow but long and has this gravitas that can lack in this duo’s weaker songs, still great here! This makes me really wanna change my bridge over troubled water score to a 5, as this is definitely a 5 and I view them as very similar quality!!!

The Dreaming

Kate Bush

4/5

If I had hounds of love that would’ve been perfect timing… The album opens with sat in your lap, it’s a good song (especially love the drumming) but I’am a little sceptical of the vocals, especially on the pre chorus. There goes a tenner sounds like Kate reminding the listener that she’s a brit ( in a vocal sense) the thing is I like it but only because it’s so quirky. Again pull out the pin satisfies in an experimental must listen way and it is cool but is it a song that screams return? Suspended in gaffa feels a little “ janky” but the experimentation is always appreciated. Even if those backing vocals should’ve never been recorded. Side one ends with leave it open, those warped vocals is probably my favourite thing she’s done so far in the album actually I greatly appreciate this whole song in comparison to the awkward this album is, don’t get me wrong the song is an odd mess but a well made odd mess. It’s really hard to understand the vocals on side two’s opener the dreaming the admiration is high and actually I really enjoyed this one! Night of the swallow is the most normal song off the whole album, fine the vocals are a little odd but nothing like the rest of the album; it’s a dramatic piano song, really cool. I really don’t get it, all the love sounds odd yeah but more single like than literally any of the singles, I love the when the song just briefly dies for all of the quiet sections and when the piano comes in at the chorus wow. Even the penultimate track Houdini sounds more normal than the singles, like fine the screaming is a little wired but the rest of it has certainly got a higher chance of selling than a song like there goes a tenner. Anyway Houdini is a great piano song. The album ends with a song called get out of my house now this is more the strange warped Kate bush that I ( mostly) “missed” for the past 3 songs but the application is good I guess and it serves as a passable closer. I mean this wasn’t what I was expecting more of an experience than an album, a fun one but not one that I want to relieve for at least another year. But by sheer experimentation alone it deserves a 4.

Shake Your Money Maker

The Black Crowes

4/5

I’ve never herd of or seen this act/ album before and aren’t all crows black?… I love the slow bluesy guitars at the start of the album’s opener twice as hard but those guitars were a trick and the song builds to this all powerful speedy tempo, this kinda reminds me of the white stripes meets stadium rock like Boston. So essentially amazing live music! Jealous again sounds like truckers music, good truckers music but still just the kinda thing that people will blast at max volume deafening anyone else on the motorway. But in the grand scheme of things jealous again seems like light album filler as the slow jam sister luck picks up the quality of before this is a great slow down in pace for the album with amazing guitars and also showing the listener that this band is more than large stadium songs. Could I’ve ever been so blind isn’t that special or unique but good and listenable none the less. Side one ends with seeing things it’s a romantic slow track with an exploding/ angelic chorus, this song works perfectly for what it’s meant to do and I like it, it works perfectly for the songs purpose yet knowing what I have herd through ( and even outside) the generator it’s not cracking my top songs of all time. Hard to handle is a solid banger to start off this half of the album again not a favourite but if it was someone’s favourite song of all time I honestly couldn’t argue. I mean thick n thin works well and it’s nice to see a piano involved but it’s just not too special. The final single off the album is she talks to angels a beautiful little acoustic track sad, brittle and painful. With class instrumentation all the way! Putting strutting blues ( a rather soulless rock and roll tune) right after she talks to angels was a wrong move, a very poor sequencing choice but I guess it’s not a bad song just uninteresting. The album closes with stare it cold the song isn’t necessary a great choice for closer status but still one of the better songs on the album. It’s got ( Mostly) powerful singles and a good few other decent tracks but it feels too generic to gander it a 5 even if there are some bangers.

Ghosteen

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

2/5

Does this really need to be on here?… The album opens with spinning song It is a spoken word track over a droning electronic noise, certainly interesting and a good choice for track one but it ain’t a favourite. I thought nick cave done a little bit of singing and not just talking? Well guess I’am wrong as bright horses is just like the first sonic but with backing singers and good ambient piano work. Okay the album’s evolved a little bit as waiting for you has cave singing and I know he’s not the best vocalist but this was a nice thing to hear. The piano in this track is also more frequent so I hope that occurs more with time. Night raid is a step back in quality in my opinion as he’s gone back to just talking at your ears ( well, for the most part) and it’s backed by an instrumental akin to if Radiohead’s treefingers was slightly more rhythmic actually the only pleasantry from this song are the backing singers so yeah not my cuppa tea so far. Surprisingly, I actually really like sun forest it contains a mix of cave speaking and singing over one of the best ambient noises I’ve ever herd but that noise only works across its time length because of the piano. The last minute seems to be like a hidden track of sorts and It just adds nothing. Galleon ship is also one of the better songs, it’s a slightly darker and gloomier song with probably the most singing from cave in the whole album. The creepy backing vocals also add a touch of greatness missing from the album. Ghosteen speaks has another set of the best instrumentals in the whole album and cave is singing which is good but it’s just too repetitive and being ambient music that isn’t really meant as much for the foreground of the mind this music is getting repetitive. The first act of the album ends with leviathan another repetitive one but still one of the albums best songs by a country mile having a sound akin to being submerged in the deep blue sea. Ghosteen would be the album’s best song if it wasn’t for the 12:10 time stamp that isn’t really filled with much. But it’s good background music. And Nick went back to just talking as now for one of the worst songs on the album, fireflies it’s just boring and feels longer than the two overblown epics either side of it. Hollywood is a 14 minute long epic and a grand/ satisfying conclusion to the album this song isn’t one of my favourites due to the time length but for people who are good with long pieces like this there is something to really enjoy! This album reminds me of if Radiohead's kid A was long, dragged out and sung by nick cave; where’s my red right hand at? Oh yeah the album with that song wasn’t even in the book.

Phaedra

Tangerine Dream

3/5

Now for my first album since I asked to get things from all genres ( an electronic thing) interesting… The album starts off with it’s title track a 17 minute long creepy arse instrumental ( well they’re all instrumental but still) and out of the other long winded instrumental tracks that I’ve herd ( Djed by tortoise and Tarkus by Emerson lake and palmer) this is done so much better; this thing is a thrilling exhilarating piece that while there’s little chance I will want to listen to it again I can truly see the audience for this stuff! Then starting off side two we have mysterious senseless at the strand of nightmares and yeah if you removed the ambient synths at the forefront of the track this would sound like nightmare music in every way possible but luckily we don’t have to experience that.Occasionally the audio just drops on this song which is a cool gimmick but it’s not as good as the first song. Then is movement’s of a visionary this is literally scary space music, I definitely don’t think it’s as satisfying as the other tracks on the album but eh still better than the other all instrumental albums on here. The album closes on sequent c, nothing really special here to be honest just 2 minutes of heavenly and ambient synths. I don’t love it but I think it’s very ahead of it’s time as an album. Of this thing was in the 80’s I would’ve definitely gave it a low rating as the 80’s is like the synth decade so it wouldn’t have been that unique . But as it’s a 70’s album this is a unique semi classic of an album yeah it only gets a 4 because electronic music isn’t my kinda genre but for electronic fans I would hope to think this is a must!

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

A Tribe Called Quest

4/5

And for my first hip hop album since making removing the genre filter… The album opens with push it along and my god the sample work at the start is good! I’am I’am surprised by how great this is as an opener Q-tip is essentially introducing himself as an artist with the sharp inelegant lyrics that fill throughout the song.He introduces the others with this wired echoey chat with his group, nice interlude bit. Well luck of lucien does start with part of all you need is love by the Beatles which heightens the song a bit making it sound of a higher level and there’s some jazzy bit too throughout that gives it a much needed personality. This song is more energetic then the last song the beats are better, the rapping is very on point and the samples used are great! Ooh, my first turn table noises came in after hours. The song is good as unlike the last two songs the beat is backed up by other noises ( by what partly sounds like synth and then it goes into drums). The Frogs are wired though. I’am not great with my hip hop knowledge but these guys seem like the masters of the samples making an otherwise okay song into a masterpiece ( oh yeah that’s footprints for you). I left my wallet at el Segundo actually had some guitar parts in the samples which works well! The lyrics tell the story of loosing a wallet ( of course at el Segundo) in a surprisingly lyrically sharp way. Love the angry Spanish/ Mexican men sample at the end. I really don’t like the shaky beat in Pubic enemy but the lyrics are somewhat good especially for the subject involved. I love the samples in Bonita Applebum as they aren’t overused unlike some of the others. The lyrics are okay not they’re sharpest but at least the chorus is kinda catchy. The album slows for it’s best song and biggest hit can I kick it, the it’s probably got the best sample beat of the album and some of the best strongest rapping. A good thing to note though are how cool the turntable spins are in headphones. Anyway good song! Youthful expression also has a decent groove to it and probably my favourite line so far with “ politicians are magicians make your vote they hope you’re wishin” yeah this is the best lyrical track for me in general! Then we have rhythm ( devoted to the art of moving butts) the verses are good but wait are those sex noises before the chorus; also the chorus is weird because it’s proper whispery, not a favourite but good try. Mr. Muhammad is probably the the most “rhythmic” sample filled song of the whole album, it’s a track without personality but I wouldn’t miss it if it wasn’t on the album. Ham n eggs is actually quite interesting for it’s time as it’s a pro vegan song ( so something not common in the late 80’s/ early 90’s times it was written and released in. It’s done in a very of it’s time goofy way but I like it. And the rhythm keeps the same sorta energy of Mr Muhammad. The album’s penultimate track is the rather groovy go ahead in the rain straight up solid beat but it’s one of the worst songs on this album. That last song does flow perfectly into description of a fool though it’s a great closer sharp lyrics, good beat, great rapping. Making most of the song instrumental was a good way to kill of the album slowly, but yeah a banger to end a banger of an album. Well this was a great (yet slightly over bloated) album (even though like 70% of rap albums are over bloated) will definitely revisit!

S.F. Sorrow

The Pretty Things

4/5

No clue but rather modern looking cover art for the 60’s… On the first song S.F sorrow is born in a rather folk meets psychedelic way. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was influenced by the Beatles as sgt peppers would’ve been out by this time. Yeah bracelets on fingers definitely joining in with the other big things of the 60’s it starts off with group singing backed by sitar then has these verses that sound just like psychedelic era Beatles. I like she says good morning solid rocker with a great fuzzy little guitar solo half way that gives the song a bit more personality. Private sorrow is the first song that I actually think sounds like what it should be it’s a little psychedelic army jig actually surprised by how unique this one is. Balloon burning has a cool guitar riff and it’s certainly one of the funniest ( well instrumentally) but it just feels like trend hopping of the psychedelic sound of the time. Death ends side one it’s this gloomy little thing, I think without the sitar’s it would Actually sound better ( don’t get me wrong I love the sound of the sitar) but for the 60’s there’s too much of it. The verses of baron Saturday are like what being for the benefit of mr kite would be like without all the cool instrumentation then the chorus takes a u turn and it’s now this piano based rocker with an Indian drum solo. Cool! This album is just dipped in Indian psychedelic music and it does feel that way on The journey but at least the acoustic guitar is a nice touch. I see you is a great stomping rocker kinda sounds like it could’ve been lead single and the stereo bouncing in the ears is awesome son this one! ( maybe remove the bit at the end though). Well of destiny is a short slow interlude, great stereo sounds on the ears but nothing much else ( kinda scary). Trust feels just a bit off beat which I love, it’s also great that this album has a truly acoustic pop song with no sitars. Kinda what I wanted to hear. The penultimate track old man going builds up so amazingly the song is kinda proof of how metal came out of psychedelia like the verses they’re just so metal. The album ends with loneliest person and it’s a shortie alright, very folky too and the saddest lyrics on the album. It’s a good album very good indeed but I already have better, more popular albums that fill the role of these songs so for that it’s a low 4/5.

In The Court Of The Crimson King

King Crimson

5/5

Day 100 and a classic album that I’ve never herd before that’s good!… The album starts with 21st century schizoid man and I have to say ( for the 60’s) it’s certainly one of the most unique songs I’ve ever herd. Love the fuzzed out vocals, and the extended instrumental in particular! (The only thing is when he yells “21st century schizoid man”; I annoyingly have the thought of Kanye West’s ego spreading over the song). It’s really odd though because the next song I talk to the wind removes the every bit of heaviest in favour of a baron psychedelic folk track it’s not a favourite but it’s still enjoyable. Ending side one is epitaph it’s such an epic, grand and powerful sounding tune that definitely never misses a beat. But then the instrumental of the song comes in a much slower section sounding like death marching through the song, honestly flawless! Side 2 track one and also the album’s penultimate track moonchild and and don’t get me wrong I like the song but the more silent bit in the middle where you can only hear little bits of sound is just too long really; but hey It’s prog what are you gonna expect. The court of the crimson king alone redeemed everything bad about moonchild as it’s probably in my top 3 album closers of all time now, so grand, so epic and ultra climactic, just perfection! Fine, only 4/5 songs were perfection but those songs make up for moonchild!

Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

The Pharcyde

3/5

For some reason the song officer isn’t on spotify so I’ll just skip it… The album opens with an interlude it isn’t great but sets the feel for the music that is about to happen. Then it’s oh shit, I like the way that this one builds up in the rhythm until the start rapping two rappers trade parts both I think are alright but it sounds like they’re trying too hard. It’s jiggaboo time is a dumb skit but it’s alright. 4 better or 4 worse is okay for the most part instead of the eating brains verse also i’am starting to think the beats that this group use are sometimes too in your face and it feels like a competition between the rappers and the instrumental. I’m that type of n**** has literally got the issue that I just said about the last song, but it’s still good the rapping is probably the most aggressive so far If I were president is also a dumb skit but it’s not alright. Soul flower feels a little dumb, but hey the rapping and the beat is kinda solid. It gets ever so slightly slower with On the DL I really like this beat for the song and the rapping is class but I’am starting to realise that they’re not that good at making a chorus usually just repeating the songs name again and again. Why so many Interludes dam you pack the pipe. < officer used to be here> I don’t think this group like my mum by the sound of ya mama, I think it’s trying to be comical which I like because I only really hear humour in music with 90’s hip hop stuff. The songs decent though. The sampled beats in passin’ me by have a great vintage crackle sound to them which works well for effect the rest is much the same of what’s came before in terms of pros and cons. Others fish is one of my favourites on the album not one bit aggressive and good beats. Some of the rapping is even a bit like he’s trying to sing! Quinton’s on the way is a dumb skit and just a dumb long skit. We’ve reached the penultimate track Pack the pipe it’s alright it has a bit of a “smoky” and “muffled” sounding beat, the lyrics are still sharp but the baby voices no, just no. The album ends with return of the B-boy it’s alright, a party to end the album. Yeah this is a 3 for sure I liked it a little but the tracklist is too long ( even with officer redacted from records) and the higher pitch rapper is horrible to listen to sometimes.

Sheer Heart Attack

Queen

5/5

I mean it’s fucking queen it’s gotta be a positive review… The album opens with Brighton rock one of the most rocking songs on the album, I love how it builds up from the fairground noises and then Brian May’s guitar solo just shows his power as a guitarist that we’ve never seen before ( even if it is very long). Then is the most popular song off the album and that is killer queen and it’s honestly my 2nd favourite off the really big queen hits ( favourite is obviously bohemian rhapsody) but yeah killer queen is just perfect! < three song medley time> Starting with Tenement Funster this one is a great spiralling builder of a track with one of one the most kick arse explosive choruses of all time. But flick of the wrist is my favourite one of the medley being a very quirky for the sake of it type song ( especially the verses) but I love it! Lilly of the valley is okay just feels like a coda to flick of the wrist. < end of medley> Now I’am here is a standard issue rock banger, something that is really essential in a good queen album, it’s one of those queen songs that work perfectly with stereo speakers, but honestly it’s not a favourite on this album for me but that’s probably because there are so many brilliant songs. In the lap of the gods is a bit odd for the sake of it kinda music but like flick of the wrist earlier this is executed perfectly so it doesn’t matter. Stone cold crazy is the heaviest queen has ever went in their career and honestly great song can’t fault! Dear friends is a short heavenly sounding piano track yeah it’s okay just short. Same thing with misfire but this song is guitar based and just a better song. Bring back that Leroy brown is a slightly dumb but fun little piano skiffle but still really enjoyable. Now for queens most under appreciated song she makes me ( stormtrooper in stilettos) it’s a song that grows as it develops from a slow happy clappy acoustic song to an anthemic rocker with the coolest coda on any song off the album. Now for the closer in the lap of the gods ( revisited) well it’s not really revisited as it’s a completely different song in general with this one being a more straightforward anthem apparently meant to be a sing along song live before we will rock you existed. This album slaps there isn’t anything bad and all of the less interesting moments are tiny blips so it’s obviously a 5/5.

Wild Gift

X

2/5

Ok some punk fine… The album opens with the once over twice it’s a good song, I can’t deny the instrumentation being great. Her vocals are unique but not really my kinda thing to be fair. We’re desperate is again very good but both of them some of the worst singing vocals ever. But it’s fun and punk music usually has sloppy singers. Adult books actually surprised me it’s a slower song but really well made everything fits perfectly here. The backing vocals from the female singer are dreadful but the rest of Universal corner is very good. I’m coming over is nasty brutish and short rubbish vocals though. Ending side one is it’s who you know a good song but I don’t get how this was a good song to end the first half of the album. Starting side 2 is in this house that I call come it’s okay I don’t find it all to special (as side 2 track one should be) but still a song I guess. I guess some other time has her best singing but still poor singing great instrumentation and lyrics. Like white girl it has this awesome bass line but i’am stuck thinking about how she can’t sing too much to really care. Beyond and back sounds like a 50’s rock song, nice to see them stray away from full on punk for once. Then we end on 3 songs all being just over a minute ( Back 2 the base, When our love passed on the couch and Year 1) the first two sound exactly the same then year 1 is some clapping stadium mini song. If they replaced the female vocalist I would’ve actually really dug this shit but no just no.

Nebraska

Bruce Springsteen

3/5

I don’t love Springsteen but I don’t hate him either… The album opens with it’s title track a very basic all American sounding ballad. It’s okay except the harmonica at the start… yuck. Atlantic city sounds like something a group of musicians will be playing at a street festival loud, folkish and somewhat uninteresting. Things slow down with mansion on the hill but the criticisms are still the same. Springsteen’s echoey vocals don’t work In Johnny 99 but it’s not dreadful just okay. Both highway patrolman and used cars are dull and lack anything to really review them of. State trooper appears in between the last two songs mentioned and well this one is cool to be fair, the album’s rockiest track with a bad arse guitar riff ( for an acoustic) and the screaming at the end somehow works perfectly! Open all night is also a fairly rocky cut using an electric guitar and one of the better songs by far. Then my father’s house is boring yet a solid song. I don’t get reason to believe being the closer over my father’s house but this song is still one of the best songs on the album, not my kinda thing, but still great! This is the most by the book 3 that I could ever give it’s solid there are little actually bad songs but plentiful of boring slow pieces and yeah I’ll give him that he is a good lyricist but not good enough to save him from the mid tier.

Hunting High And Low

a-ha

3/5

Good pop music that’s fine for today… The album opens with the megahit take on me it’s a banger, just undeniable! Then is train of thought it’s a good song but it almost sounds like he’s trying too hard to sing in another accent (but this problem mostly goes by the end). But saying that about the last song I like his vocals quite a bit in hunting high and low this is an honestly amazing swooping ballad! I honestly thought that track 4 was called “ mr blue sky” but no it’s just “the blue sky” anyway it’s a little shit the instrumentation and singing quality is what I’d expect but the lyrics… wow they’re bad. Side one ends with living a boy’s adventure tale it’s great and honestly could’ve been a single great slow track to end the first half of the album! Side two opens with their second biggest song the sun always shines on tv, I loved how it starts all sad and slow then forms into this awesome new wave rocker ( but a-ha must’ve been a 1 hit wonder because I’ve never herd this song before). Then is and you tell me, a shortie and a slow song nothing special but good. Love is reason isn’t much of a song being like 80% repetitive chorus but it’s not bad. I don’t hate I dream myself alive but I think it feels a little static in comparison to the other songs on the album ( but the samples are cool). The album closes with here I stand to face the rain, I was actually surprised by this it’s really well crafted probably the best song on side two and well worth the wait! Side 1: 4/5 songs are great Side 2: 2/5 songs are great 4+2=6 Half 6= 3 3/5 solid but fairly weak for new wave to be fair.

Funeral

Arcade Fire

5/5

I’ve herd it once before and I like it but just a tad overrated for me but hey it’s a new day so I’ll try it with new ears… Also for the neighbourhood songs I am just gonna call them by whatever is in the brackets as I find the whole multi part idea stupid when the songs have no real musical flow and are completely separate works… The album opens with tunnels, one of the most enjoyable tracks of the album, perfect instrumentation for the album’s opener with the grand build up in tempo throughout truly an epic tune! Laika has a great chorus but the vocals on the verses are too muffled and static really for me. Une anee sans lumiere is a song that I appreciate for speaking in a different language ( well for the odd line or two at least) and feels like a nice mid side 1 break ( so I guess the neighbourhood thing does work). Power out is really explosive ( like a dark disco track) but it also has these playful bell sounds that make it really unique to be honest! 7 kettles is a nice slow song to end the whole dumb neighbourhood thing and this is the album’s worst track, well performed but mediocre. < note to self: well I guess the first two songs make sense as a part of “neighbourhood” but doing 3 and 4 is dumb> Crown of love is really soft and sweet great way to rebuild the album after 7 kettles; the dance bit at the end is odd but it’s just a great song to be honest. Wake up is the closest you would get to a full blown rocker on this album ( like it’s all heavy guitars until the last minute or so) and it’s one of the best songs on the album (especially when you give it time like this)! Haiti goes for a female vocalist swapping between English and french over a great rhythm. Not a favourite but I like it especially with the echoey voice. There are these sirens at the end of Haiti that flow perfectly into the penultimate track rebellion ( lies) this song is great like the album’s opener it builds up well as the song progresses but unlike this song this is a proper rocker. The album closes with in the backseat ( another song sung by the female vocalist), a track that really works when the electric guitars crash over her voice making a song that would’ve been just dull and slow into something incredible. Well, I guess I was a bit wrong ( I still think the band are overrated) but this was better than I remembered can’t not give this a 5 ( even if it’s quite a low one).

Psychocandy

The Jesus And Mary Chain

4/5

I used to be fairly one note with my music tastes and I got recommended this band (as I was trying to find something new to me) I only listened to like one song from them and forgotten them forever fast forward just over a year or so and here I am trying to review a full length album, day 107 let’s go… The album opens with Just like honey, this song is amazing like an awesome shoegazey march! The living end is a messy track sounding like they’re in a storm of screeching nonsense didn’t like this track much. I like taste the floor, the guitars are a little too distorted for me but still a great song in there. The hardest walk isn’t too overpowering in distortion and the vocals are louder in the mix (which I prefer for this band) yeah it’s nice. Cut dead isn’t what I thought it would be it’s just nice and calm, just what the album needs. In a hole is a good example of what a song can sound like all distorted/messy and still sound great! Taste of Cindy is a shortie but it’s not a bad song I actually quite enjoy this one. ( Technically not on the album) some candy talking is a must listen the best song on the album! We get a proper rocker with Never understand, the song is a little too screechy with the guitars but it’s still enjoyable. Inside Me has probably the best bass line on the album and the song is great but there’s too much extra noise. I’am a bit skeptical about the lyrics on sowing seeds ( especially for the time that it was made as if the album was modern you could see it as an attack on apple I guess) but it’s cool! My little underground is cool, has the usual issues but it’s cool. You trip me up is a banger yeah screechy but a banger! The penultimate track ( somethings wrong) is the longest track on the album and yeah one of the albums best! The album closes with with it’s so hard, this song is odd but not dreadful. There’s almost slightly too much screech for me but hey the songs were still amazing!

Superfly

Curtis Mayfield

4/5

Never herd of this or the film it’s soundtracking… The album opens with little child runnin’ wild it’s really good the rhythm is perfect backing the song ( especially the brass instrumental works)! For a very upfront song about drugs pusherman is very decent the highlight is the drum work for sure, fairly sporadic and tribal sounding ( like hitting well tuned pots and pans). The funk really shows in Freddie’s dead it’s an amazingly put together tune (but not something that I would go out of my way listening to). Side one end’s with the short instrumental track Junkie chase, It sounds like a chase track to be fair ( quite a classy one) but still a chase. Then we have Give me your love ( love song) it’s cool (one of the best) but it takes a little too much time to get going really. Eddie you should’ve known better is a bit of a quality drop, I mean the lyrics are good but the instrumentals were a bit more like lift music. No thing on me ( cocaine song) is really solid, fine the instrumental work isn’t the most interesting on the album but it’s a good track about cocaine dependance. Then we have the penultimate track think ( instrumental) it’s nice and calming nothing particularly special but stupid great. The album closes with the title track superfly and it closes everything perfectly, if it weren’t a soundtrack/ concept album I probably would’ve closed with something different but for what it is it’s great. It’s a great album with no tracks that are god awful and unlike most concept albums I actually got a grip of the concept and what a great way to do it! A definite 4/5 (would be a 5 if there were less instrumentals and other great songs to fill in as it’s a little short).

Diamond Life

Sade

4/5

I’ve herd of her and seen the album art but I don’t know her as such… Smooth operator is a fairly good opener I like how the instruments build up at the start and the fact that she drops the album’s title. The song definitely gets much better after the first chorus as there are added instruments and actual singing as opposed to talk/ singing! Your love is king is decent, I really love the vocals on the chorus and the sax breaks are killer! For a pop album the bass line in Hang on to your love is amazing, this album has to be perfect so far! (but we’ve only had singles). The storytelling in the first non single Frankie’s first affair is top notch and when the it explodes into a jazzy mess it’s amazing but I don’t think sade’s lounge pop style works with these lyrics. When am I gonna make a living is good not a favourite but I do like the more optimistic and slightly funky feeling that the song gives. The bass player knows how to do a cool bassline and the band really know how to build up a song cherry pie is no exemption. The only flaw here are the lyrics but at least they’re memorable ( actually a shortened version of this could’ve been a single). Sally is the most gloomy song so far and has one of the best chorus on the album also the fact that it’s apparently about the Salvation Army is cool. I like the Hercules line in I will be your friend but to be honest this one was a little boring compared to the rest of the album. The album closes with why can’t we live together there’s some good bass work but it isn’t a very interesting album in terms of the album as a whole. The last two tracks ruin what would be the 4th 5/5 in a very short space of time as up until that point it’s all so amazing every song was so interesting and provided something new. But I guess it has to be a 4/5.

Colour By Numbers

Culture Club

1/5

I do not have any high hopes for this… The album opens with karma chameleon it’s a song I recognise and it’s okay but has to win the award for the most middle of the road pop of the 80’s. I don’t recognise the it’s a miracle but it’s still the same brand of music, nice and listenable but boring and sell outy. Things get slow with black money it’s a rather forgettable album track but I can still see them doing worse. I sorta like changing every day like the verses aren’t bad as such but this band cannot write a chorus for the life of them, they just say the songs name a few times then that’s it. Side one ends with that’s the way ( I’am only trying to help you) the song starts sparking my interest ( as it’s very different from the rest of the album) but the gospel style backing singers don’t work on a pop record, but hey nice for trying. Side two starts with church of the poisoned mind it’s good for the album probably the best song would probably save this album from the inevitable low rating if the chorus weren’t so repetitive ( but the backing vocals do work). Miss me blind is the most repetitive song on a very repetitive album like the whole late half is chorus-> generic guitar solo-> extended coda. It’s just not great. I like the pre chorus to mister man but the rest of it is just the dumbest song ever ( and it’s not even super repetitive). Just by reading the lyrics of stormkeeper I predicted how the chorus was gonna go it’s so generic but it’s short. I think culture club became conscious of their repetitive choruses as victims is only said like four times in the whole song. Anyway it’s a fairly generic piano ballad to close off one of the worst albums I’ve ever herd. I maybe being too harsh but this is a 1. Compared to what I have rated a 1 before at least tortoise, the incredible string band and Robert Wyatt provided unique listening experiences, public image at least had sparks of hope. (My other 1 was kid rock and well they’re not that bad). Compared to other 80’s pop this is nothing, honestly listen to pet shop boys, Duran Duran or even A-ha then listen to this you can tell that those other three bands weren’t 100% in it for the money.

Bone Machine

Tom Waits

1/5

I think I’ve herd of him before… The album opens with the earth died screaming well I half hated it as the instrumental of the song is good but this isn’t even a hilariously bad voice, it’s just shit. Dirt on the ground is gloomy and slightly jazzy, he has a raspy voice on this song that actually complements it well ( but I still wouldn’t listen to this ever again). Such a scream has such a scream to his voice It’s just not my type of thing. Wow what a horrible song! Was what I thought when I herd all striped down. Who are you this time is probably the best it’s still a shit acoustic track though. The ocean is a druggie spoken word interlude, nothing bad but not a good song. Jesus gonna be here is slightly bluesy I would actually say this song is passable if it wasn’t backed by the most boring rhythm. A little rain is okay vocally he doesn’t exaggerate his annoying traits too much but the song is dull and lifeless. In the colosseum is wired his vocals work well in this song and I guess it can be appreciated as experimental music but it’s too bad to be liked. Okay now we have something that’s alright in the form of Goin’ out west a true rocker with bad arse guitars ( even his vocals are still shit). Murder in the red barn is boring just folky and dull filler. Black wings is odd spoken word over a cool instrumental I really don’t like it but it’s in the top songs of this album. Whistle in the wind is sweet it would’ve worked perfectly as an album closer it’s in the same Goin’ out west, black wings tier where I don’t love ( or even like) it too much but it’s still solid. And if his voice didn’t sound like a hillbilly who smokes tobacco for every second of his life I don’t wanna grow up would be one of those better songs too ( well I guess it’s still one of the albums best if I were to rank the tracks). Let me down up on it is an interlude that sounds like a shorter version of all stripped down. Oh and we’ve finally reached the end with that feel it’s shit but not bad. Wow this was bad; the second half was slightly better but it’s still a 1. I think if it was like 8 or 9 songs and only had the greatest songs it might’ve been higher but there’s so much shit that it’s not worth it.

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots

The Flaming Lips

4/5

Well this is meant to be well acclaimed… The album’s opener fight test starts off really odd then goes into a great acoustic based track with some great keyboard work that gives it a dreamy psychedelic edge! The ending of the song states that the test is over so I guess i’am gonna delve into wired territory… One more robot/ Sympathy 3000-21 is next and it’s really odd the kinda thing that would be on side 2 of MGMT’s oracular spectacular so yeah strange, trippy, yet somewhat grounded. The ending instrumental is cool but a bit pointless. Yoshimi battles the pink robots part 1 is great I actually kinda recognise it ( very vaguely though) and it’s amazing probably the best so far and I loved the last two! I’am guessing part two is the actual battle I mean it’s okay but feels there for the sake of it instead of adding to the album. Then in the morning of the magician’s is the aftermath of the fight ( by what i’am guessing) the lyrics are a bit vague and the song does drag it out a bit too much but it’s not bad. Ego tripping in the gates of hell is an odd choice for a single as it’s quite a slow paced dreary little thing and very repetitive too but somehow it works very psychedelic like a dream sequence of sorts. Are you a hypnotist?? Is epic the song starts off dreary but builds up for the coolest climax so far! I don’t think that it’s summertime has great lyrics but instrumentally the mood brought is great. Do you realise is a solid banger can’t really fault it much! I like the single 4/4 single piano note that goes through the verses of all we have is now slowly golden intro to obscurity by the other instruments all over it great. The album closes with the instrumental Approaching pavonis mons by balloon ( utopia planitia) it serves as a good outro kinda expanding on all we have is now for a perfect 1,2 punch. This is cool the but album falters quite a bit in the middle for like 3 tracks it’s hard but i’am gonna have to give it a 4 even if it probably deserves a 5.

The Low End Theory

A Tribe Called Quest

4/5

I’ve only had two rap albums so far and one of them was the other tribe called quest album so I guess it’s a bit of a shame that i’am getting this quite early on… I like how a tribe called quest opens their album with excursions by basically introducing the kind of music you’re gonna get for the next 48 minutes and in both openers the beats have slowly built up as they go along. The depressing bass groove works perfectly backing bugging out it’s a very good song already the album is slightly darker than the last album which is good. Rap promoter is good very cool beat and the lyrics are on point it’s just a little short to be fair. But the flow into butter is amazing another song with a great rhythm I love that it’s a song about finding love great 1,2 punch of tunes! Verses from the abstract is good, the sex verses are a bit awkward to listen to but it doesn’t matter much as it’s so well written and put together. Show Business is a banger it’s probably one of the more aggressive/fast paced tribe called quest songs by a tribe called quest which works really well as I think a song with this speed was what this album was lacking! Vibes and stuff is good it has quite a “loungey” sound to it that works perfectly but I don’t think it’s one of my favourites from the album. The infamous date rape is great a bit short song but the lyrics are solid I guess. Check the rhime is one of those songs with a top groove but it doesn’t really tell a story ( something I usually like about a tribe called quest) as it’s just Q tip and phife saying how great they are for the most part. When it’s not saying “ everything is fair when you’re living in the city” everything is fair is a good maybe filler compared to some of these songs but still good. Jazz ( we’ve got) does again have a very repetitive chorus but it’s much faster than the last songs chorus so it works it’s just a top song. It flows perfectly into skypager its a shortie but still great. What is a little funky song great groove but not the most substance. I think scenario is going for a close with a banger thing which would work because it’s certainly one of the album’s best but i don’t think it works as the closer. Yeah this is another 4 for them it doesn’t reach the heights of the last album ( which I also gave a 4 to) but it’s more consistent and I’am glad it’s not all skits and interludes.

Exile In Guyville

Liz Phair

4/5

Apparently this is a long sex album… The album opens with 6’1” it’s a good enough song other than the fact that it’s a warning shot for all the sex in the rest of the album it’s not very unique though. Help me Mary is good much of the same thing as the first sonic but works well as song 2. Glory is a really short acoustic track it’s okay just useless. Dance with the seven veils is a good acoustic song, it’s odd that the only thing I was surprised by was her saying the c-word though. Never said has a bit of a repetitive chorus but it’s still done well and it’s the only single from the whole album, which makes sense as the others are probably way too dirty. Soap star joe is solid, great lyrics (for this album). Explain it to me is okay but with all of the other pretty good acoustic songs on the album this is just meh. Canary sounds special and very tender not a song that I would personally listen too without an album but still good ( like songbird by fleetwood mac). Mesmerising is a solid banger, I love the build up at the start and the vocal distortion that occurs. Fuck and run is also decent ( chorus is a little disturbing though). The guitar is really cool in Girls! Girls! Girls! it’s lyrics are a bit meh. Divorce song is a banger lyrics are great, guitars good too! Shatter is a banger it takes its time but it’s all worth it, probably the best song so far once the intro is gone! Flower is wired, not a favourite tough it’s actually quite an unsatisfying listen. Johnny sunshine is decent it starts off as like a trucker song all loud and aggressive then goes full on tender. Great! Gunshy is a bit too obvious lyrically but the guitar in the chorus is cool. Stratford- on- guy is solid I guess in the grand scheme of the album it’s forgettable but still nice. Finally I’am at the last song strange loop it’s really solid that instrumental is just the way I wanted the album to end! After listening I decided to make a shortened track list of the album ( which would’ve given it a 5): 6’1” Never said Soap star joe Girls! Girls! Girls! Dance with the seven veils Canary Mesmerising Fuck and run Divorce song Johnny sunshine Shatter Strange loop

Billion Dollar Babies

Alice Cooper

3/5

I hated every second of schools out so I’m not having any positive expectations here… Hello hooray is a very theatrical reminder ay to open for this guy ( kinda bowie-esque ). Raped and freezing is a very mid level rocker okay and nice sounding but generic. I think elected is a dumb song lyrically but I kinda get it and the instrumentation is cool. Then is the title track it’s alright I do quite like the wired layered vocals together Unfinished sweet is very meh a rubbish choice to end side A but the middle bridge section is at least interesting. Side b starts with no more mr nice guy ( apparently the biggest song off the album according to Spotify) it’s poppy for this guy a surprisingly okay track other than that rubbish chorus. The acoustic guitar is really nice in Generation Landslide it’s would be rubbish without it. The Slow Speed At What The Words are pronounced On Sick Things Can Be ( is) Dumb. I was really surprised by Mary Ann it’s a short haunting sounding piano track not a favourite but not dreadful. I love the dead is wired an haunting actually somehow perfect as a closer. I mean it’s better than schools out ( which I gave a 2) so that means I gotta promote this to a 3.

Time Out Of Mind

Bob Dylan

3/5

I’am surprised that they have a Dylan record this late into his career… The album opens with love sick it’s alright nothing as good as his earlier career, also the mixing on Dylan’s voice sounds horrible as it has a sorta fake quality to it ( his voice is supposed to sound bad). Dirt road blues is living proof that his lyrical talents from the 60’s are rather non existent it’s still nice sounding though and would be considered good for other musicians. Standing in the doorway is what I wanted from a late career Dylan with dirtier production and a worse voice this could’ve fit amongst his 60’s classics this is honestly a great piece of music! Million miles is a bluesy track it’s okay but forgettable in the 30 something Bob Dylan album’s ( even if I only know 3 of them). Trying to get out of heaven is really grand and epic sounding even with the voice of sand and glue over it it’s one of the better songs so far 100%. Till I fell in love with you is okay I like the instrumentation much more than the lyrics as this is quite bland in my opinion. Not dark yet is one of those great lyrical songs it’s a great emotionally heavy piece of music! The way that cold irons bound is really cool love that bass line at 7 minutes it is a bit long but it’s still one of the best songs on the album. Make you feel my love is a great piano track ( probably the best on the album that is under 5 minutes). I can’t wait has really good instrumentation for Dylan’s voice very good song. The album ends with a very very long song highlands it okay I like the storytelling but it’s too long. The first half was kinda bad then it got really good then the last track kinda took 1 star off it so the album is a 3/5.

Something Else By The Kinks

The Kinks

4/5

The only song I kinda know is David watts and that’s because of the jam… Speaking of the album opens with David watts and it’s honestly not what I thought it would sound like hearing the jam version it’s a great opener though. Death of a clown is an okay jangly little acoustic song it’s not bad I just don’t get how it was released as a single and got to number 3 on the charts. Two sisters is wired but somehow works especially love the harpsichord work. No return is slow and very old fashioned sounding but I guess its a nice mid side break from what has been played already. Harry rag is probably one of the strangest songs ever but the rhythm is nice ( especially the army style drums). Tin solider man sounds a lot more crisp than the others so far it’s good great instrumentation but very obviously inspired by the drugs. The lyrics to situation vacant are pretty shit but still a well made song. Love me till the sun shines ups the quality a little as it’s a really solid pop song. I thought the rest of the album was odd and druggy but lazy old sun is is a drunken slur affected by LSD it’s not even that good just interesting. Afternoon tea is okay one of the least interesting but most listenable tracks on here. Funny face is solid I like how it randomly slows down only to explode into a ball of energy straight after. The penultimate track end of the season is okay I love those bird sounds it’s honestly a really nice old fashioned song. Waterloo sunset is a banger of a closer to be honest nothing bad here! It’s a good album and I’am a sucker for wired 60’s stuff but it’s nowhere near as good as like sgt peppers/ revolver by the Beatles ( or actually their whole late career) , Disraeli gears by cream , forever changes by love or sf sorrow by the pretty things. Still a 4/5 though! Also go mono this original review was done in stereo and wasn’t as good of a listen.

Parachutes

Coldplay

5/5

Before I start people can say that Coldplay are generic and shit but that’s really in their late albums and are just a typical victim of late album syndrome, this album though is a banger… Don’t panic is a solid album opener I like how ( for Coldplay’s standards) the song gradually increases in heaviness throughout, it’s really short compared to what I remember still good though. Actually shiver might just be one of the heaviest Coldplay rockers and it’s really good I especially love the pre chorus/ chorus! Spies is very slow it’s a nice mid side one break it’s great and shows what talents Coldplay used to have. Sparks is another acoustic track it’s good ( not as good as spies though). Yellow is a banger ( not the best song of the 2000’s) but still an amazing song to have as a breakthrough hit! Trouble is great too that piano is near iconic! The album’s title track is an interlude ( what a waste). Higher speed sounds cool enough to not be filler but the verse isn’t even great but it just loops over the chorus is okay though. The penultimate track we never change is a great song except for the line “ live my life an have friends around” rubbish lyricism still okay though. Everything’s not lost is the saving grace for this album amazing closer ( the hidden track is good too). This album is front loaded ( not as much as prefab sprout or the killers ( both of which have either got 5’s or getting 5’s)). But for this album it’s harder for that score because of how much worse that side two is. Like I wanted to give it a 5 just to show that Coldplay are a good band but I can’t. Actually fuck it I gave elbow a 5.

Bat Out Of Hell

Meat Loaf

5/5

This is my dad’s favourite album of all time so I gotta give it a 5/5… The album opens with the title track an overblown and theatrical masterpiece nothing bad here! The spoken bit at the start of you took the words right out of my mouth are cringey yet creepy yet also hilarious the song itself is also a banger just not one of my favourites. Heaven can wait is an amazing slow powerful piano ballad good tune. All revved up and no place to go I immediately recognised it’s my favourite track that’s under 5 minutes, banger! I really like two out of 3 ain’t bad but because it’s slower I didn’t recognise this it’s a banger though. The penultimate track paradise by the dashboard light is a banger all parts of it it’s a very American song but it works. For crying out loud closes the album it’s a super theatre kid album closer but still amazing. Great!

Songs For Swingin' Lovers!

Frank Sinatra

3/5

It took this long to get to an album from the 50’s… You make me feel so young is okay, very big sound for the 50’s, just really not my kinda thing. It happened in Monterey is good, I guess I like the drumming quite a bit. It’s off with these songs they all just blend into 1 mush like I didn’t even realise you’re getting to be a habit with me was playing until a minute in. You brought the love to me is okay it kinda slows down the album but it’s still all the same kinda thing. Too marvellous for words is okay the lyrics are good but that doesn’t benefit Sinatra because he doesn’t write his own songs. Old devil moon starts off interesting by having this disney like sound to it in the verses but the chorus just is the same as the rest of the album. Again, the start of pennies from heaven is cool but the rest of the song is just okay. “Radio, telephone and movies may go”well , no but love is here to say is one of the better songs so far so that’s good ( still samey though). I’ve got you under my skin starts side 2 and well the side 2 tracks 1 is a banger rule doesn’t apply here ( but I guess album’s weren’t as important then). I thought about you is alright, listenable but not special. We’ll be together again is alright it’s about twice the length of the average song on the album so it does sound greater by this. Making whoopee is probably the best song as at least there is some good storytelling here! Swinging down the lane is a bit of a drop from the heights of the last two but it’s still decent. Anything goes is good I like how the orchestral bits just build up bit by bit and him saying “ may I say before this record spins to a close” is a neat line for this being the penultimate track. The album closes with how about you? It’s a bit of a downer ending hearing how much better side 2 of this album is. Just listening it would be a 2 but-1 for that he didn’t write any of the songs then +2 for that without it the 50’s would be a very lacking decade and that I don’t know jazz music enough to know if this is great stuff. So 3/5!

This Is Hardcore

Pulp

5/5

I love pulp… The album opens with one of pulps best songs the fear it’s a warning shot that things are gonna be darker compared to his n hers and different class! Cocker’s not Jesus ( but he has the same initials) that’s the message of dishes ( well there is more but that’s the most memorable bit) still though another amazing song. Party hard is one of the heaviest songs if cocker wasn’t singing in that monotone voice for the song it would be way too in your face but it’s still good. Help the aged is an amazing single and one of my favourites off the album! I love the chorus and how it works next to… This is hardcore is a 6 minute grandiose yet sleazy epic nothing bad about this song! TV movie though is a let down 😢 worst song on the album. A little soul pocks up on the quality from before great single I especially love the guitars at the start and the lyrics are cool ( especially the chorus as it’s fairly catchy). I’am a man is one of those “underrated” songs on this is hardcore it’s an amazing rocker with another catchy chorus what a banger! NO I DON’T KNOW NO NO NO, NO I DON’T KNOW is like the most memorable bit in 8 minute epic seductive barry it’s still a good song but would’ve been better as a 2-4 minute interlude-y song. Sylvia is a good acoustic piece of storytelling not necessarily one of my favourites but it’s still great, Glory days is good but when you hear cocaine socialism ( a b side with the same instrumental but different lyrics) this song drops in quality a little. The day after the revolution is good for the first 4 or 5 minutes then the last 10 is just a dumb way to fill up the rest of cd time. Anyway it’s still one of my favourites off the album! There are die hard grunge, jazz and hip hop loyalists that would probably hate on the album by saying something like “uuuugh another Britpop album” but no this isn’t that this is the signal of the end of Britpop a very different album from blur, oasis and suede’s classic albums like how they are all different from each other this ( and other britpop albums) need to start being seen as entities of their own that are as good as the “classic” albums of the 60’s-80’s. Anyway sorry for the rant I just get annoyed that people just moan when Britpop stuff gets generated for them. Oh yeah this is a 5/5.

Hybrid Theory

Linkin Park

5/5

This is a good album… The album opens with papercut a song that isn’t necessarily one of my favourites but it’s definitely the sum of all the sounds that you will get on this record. One step closer is a brilliant early album single for this band I love the lyrics to this song from the well crafted verses to the screamy yet catchy chorus! The chorus in with you is so climactic absolutely amazing tune. Points of authority is slightly more tame than the first three songs but it’s still an impressive song. The verses of crawling are very poppy i’am not too sure of they work too well for this band ( or at least at this point).Runaway also feels exactly the same. By myself has this real scream to it’s guitars that make it a really quality song. Most popular single in the end acts as the album’s climax it’s a grand song very different to the rest of the album being piano based what a song! The guitars on a place for my head are amazing just enough to make this one of the albums best. Forgotten is my favourite song on the album literally every aspect of the song impresses me pre chorus, verses, chorus, bridge all perfection! Other than the MR HANNNNNN bit cure for the itch is a cool instrumental but nothing that I would seek out. The album closes with pushing me away it’s really good it’s similar to those more “ mid” songs( crawling, runaway) with the audio dynamics but this is just so much better feels like a grand heavy finale to a near perfect album. Anyway, while this album does have lows it’s still a 5/5 as it’s very hard to deny it’s power.

Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite

Maxwell

3/5

Might be cool… The urban theme is a good opener as instrumentals go this is really pleasant. Welcome works really well bouncing off the last song his vocals sound perfect so do the instrumentals but the lyrics are quite filler. Sumthin sumthin is okay for a song that was released as a single though this seems like album filler. Ascension has the same kinda criticism to it it’s just so smooth that it just goes in one ear and out the other ( not what a single should be). Okay dance with me has a cooler rhythm the breathing strangely works quite perfectly 6 minutes does feel a drag for this song but it’s still cool. Again till the cops come knocking is literally one of the better songs but it just drags. Whenever wherever whatever is a nice tranquil break from the bulk of the album (but it happened too late). Lonely’s the only company ( 1 and 2) it’s a good sonic very morose but it actually fits well with it’s long time length. Reunion is a bit Basic and filler but nothing offensively bad. The penultimate track suitelady ( the proposal song) isn’t my kinda thing but I see why it could be a banger for some . The suite theme is a unique sounding closer for the album but like (almost) all of the 6 minuters on here it’s such a drag. With everything good about every song there is a criticism that comes with it a very easy 3/5.

Back At The Chicken Shack

Jimmy Smith

2/5

4 tracks!?… I don’t think that the album’s opener ( the title track) should last 8 minutes it just stays the same after an amount of time not my kinda thing but I get it for background music. The sax on when I grow old to dream is certainly more interesting than on the first track but the way the drums just stay the same for 9 minutes ruins the song. Finally on side two! Minor chant has got some nice organ work hidden under those annoying tinny drums but still I get the appeal (kinda). 12 minute closer messy bessie, okay let’s fall asleep now 💤 but no seriously i’am not the target audience for this ( back then and now) so It’s a hard one to criticise other than… How is this rated 3.4 stars on average? I mean it’s inoffensive mild sounding music with no vocals where every song is super long and just sounds the same.Where there’s other albums with like 3.2 or 3.1 average with a bunch of distinct tracks of decent length that are viewed as like lesser, just odd. Anyway this is still getting a 2 though because I do ( vaguely) see some appeal.

Now I Got Worry

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

1/5

Not a clue here… The album opens with skunk it’s a really nasty sounding tune that’s just slightly too warped sounding for me. Identify is actually a decent bit of rapid paced punk but it’s not good that one of the best songs is a minute long filler track. Wail is meh it’s not my style but I see appeal with this one. Fuck shit up is a wired little thing that is kinda like a 3 minute long version of an interlude on a rap album. 2kindsa love isn’t a great song in my ears and I am confused by any appeal this song may have. Love all of me is a shortie but a ghastly shortie that I will avoid like the plague. Chicken dog does have good guitar work I’ll give it that but his voice ruins a perfectly good song. Rocketship is a good song for the album but that doesn’t mean too much. The three song rush of dynamite lover, hot shot and can’t stop are all interesting enough songs if they were better made and had a different vocalist. The guitar tones in firefly lover are disgustingly dreadful I can’t really focus on the rest of the song. Eyeballing is slow and boring nothing else here until the end actually that bit is cool but doesn’t fit with the main song. R.L. Ain’t got soul is the only message I got from R.L. got soul an annoying instrumental. Get over here is a short punky mess actually it’s alright. The album ends with sticky one of the creepiest messes I’ve ever herd I guess I have to commend them for that. The bad songs far outweigh the good songs so much so that i’am giving it a 1/5. Dreadful!

Marquee Moon

Television

5/5

I’ve herd this once before and I liked it so hopefully it will be the same quality… See no evil starts off sounding like it won’t be great but after the chorus comes on the song just radically turns into a banger. Venus is a banger especially the instrumentation on here, class! Friction just has like these small extra sounds that make it really cool and the guitars solo is one of the all time best. The 10 minute long title track is the main reason why this album is great though it’s one of the few long songs that is actually so good that you kinda wanna hear even more than you’re given. The bass line in elevation brings that whole song together making it one of the best. Guiding light is a great slow tune but probably the album’s worst but that’s just because of how great the other songs are still great though. The penultimate track prove it is another great display of this album I can’t really say anything that hasn’t been said in this review before but do know I love it. The drums at the start of the final track torn curtain really set the atmosphere for this amazing flawless closer, one of the best songs ever! Yeah this album is amazing no song is bad and while I’ve given a lot lately this is a definite 5/5.

Shaka Zulu

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

1/5

Never herd it but Paul Simon is apparently the producer so it must be good… The album opens with unimathemba it’s like a chant of sorts I get it as a song and as an album opener but this is just not for me. I thought that there was going to be some sorta instrumental workings within the album but no hello my baby is just a worse song the singing in English doesn’t work all too well compared to the African lyrics from before. Golgotha is also dull I hate to say it but this music is not good. King of kings is slightly better I guess but still nothing I like personally. Lomhlaba kawunoni is a shortie still the same criticisms as before nothing is making me like this. How long has some good harmonies I’ll give it that but still not really hitting in a good way. Ikhaya Lamaqhawe ( in the book) is noted as one of the “ top tracks” but I don’t get it it’s just not it’s so boring. Yibo Labo is odd it had random bits of talking in between the songs I like the uniqueness but it doesn’t work. The penultimate track rain rain beautiful rain It’s alright I guess, still doesn’t appeal to me in any way but if I had to choose this would be the best to far. Wawusho kunani closes the album the clapping was a nice treat but i’am still no fan whatsoever. Well just because a musical talent that you like produces an album doesn’t mean it’s one of the 1001 must listen albums 1/5.

Licensed To Ill

Beastie Boys

4/5

This is a very in your face album… Their whole sound is shown off in the opener rhyming and stealing it’s a very loud track that shows the listener exactly what they’re about. The new style has a really great start that bounces off perfectly from the first track and the breaks with the samples work well too. The first two songs lacked quite a bit direction though but song 3 she’s crafty is a banger a perfect blend of rap and rock styles. Posse in effect gives the vocals a slight echo and lots of random songs electronic noises that create quite a good song but not a favourite. Slow ride contains horns and tribal sounding drumming which I definitely remember from the one listen I had before hand the verses are just a bit meh though. Girls has a really playful rhythm it’s a really different song to the rest of the album lots of fun. Fight for your right is an attack on frat boy culture in the US but while I like the song I don’t necessarily think this attack seems genuine coming from such an in your face group but still good. No sleep till Brooklyn is definitely one of the rockiest songs on the album it’s a killer track love those fuzzy guitars. I love the chopping sample mixed with the shaking maraca noises in Paul Revere very good track. Hold it now, hit it isn’t a song I like all too much it reminds me too much of the directionless in your face attitude of the first few songs. I really don’t like brass monkey it’s just so in your face, the chorus is shit and the beat is rather boring in comparison to the rest of the album. I mean slow and low is in your face but it’s quite a good track I don’t why though. The album closes with time to get Ill it’s a good song but I don’t get why this closes the album off. Yeah it’s good just in your face.

Foo Fighters

5/5

Okay… The album starts with this is a call it’s an okay song very middle of the road poppy grunge but nothing horrible. I’ll stick around is a slightly better song I love the instrumentation in this and how Dave’s voice isn’t too loud on here. Big me is a pleasant acoustic song with cool little drum breaks nice. I like those guitars in alone+ easy target especially at the start of the song! Good grief is a nice sounding rocker, I can imagine a lot of head banging to this one! Floaty is a brilliant song a song that starts off acoustic but then when the electric guitars come in the song really packs a punch! It seems to be that in every album with Dave Grohl that I’ve herd there is a mental screamy rampage song weenie beenie is the one for this foo fighter’s album. Oh George is another one of the heavier songs, not as tortured as weenie beenie though, this one actually makes me think more of queens of the Stone Age than anything. For all the cows works well of the last two being a slower track for the most part with one of the most amazing explosive choruses in the whole album. X-static is amazing to be fair it’s got this really cool guitar riff that runs through the song overpowering the vocals without ever really exploding at any point of the song! Wattershed is punk it’s a brilliant song though and I am surprised the album got this heavy because of how tame the first half is. Exhausted is a good closer, very fuzzy sounding yet quite a slow jam, amazing. Well that was the first listen after the second listen all areas improved to make a 5/5.

Rejoicing In The Hands

Devendra Banhart

2/5

This is the way opens up the album in a boring folk way… ( actually I normally do track by track reviews but I’am not feeling it today so I’ll just sum up my feelings after I’ve herd the album). Okay so here we have a middle class poshie that tries to act all hipster by singing like an old man and spurting the strangest lyrics to some actually decently picked acoustic guitars. I personally believe that all of this combined makes quite a boring experience overall not providing much sonic verity across the tracklist ( all 16 songs!) And yeah even if the average length for a given song is around 2 minutes 16 songs feels like way too long and he should’ve honed in on around 10-12 of them extending their run time to improve the experience. But yeah I don’t think it’s dreadful no where near one of the worst albums ever but still a 2/5.

Hot Buttered Soul

Isaac Hayes

4/5

Every single song on this album is long and I mean very long like so long that some prog albums don’t even have songs this length. But somehow every song entertains they’re all overblown in various aspects but none of them are necessarily bad. There is one outlier in the album though and that’s the closer which is a bit of a drag just being spoken word over tapping sounds ( pretty rubbish) but luckily that’s only for the first half of the song then it just explodes into the usual brilliant overblown sound. The production on this thing is brilliant for it’s time and could still stand well today even if it’s over 50 years old. This album is mind blowing for am initial listen ( and this music isn’t even the kinda thing I really like all too much). Actually the only negative is the final song to be honest and the cover art isn’t great admittedly 4/5.

Fromohio

fIREHOSE

4/5

It’s folk punk, like violet femmes but cleaner sounding. I was actually quite surprised by this thing, fine there were no real stand out tracks but all throughout its half hour length I was kept interested! The only moment I would call weak is this really random track ( well there’s 2 of them actually) of just drumming for a minute, but eh wasn’t horrible. Overall it’s a 4/5 solid album very good in fact but no moments of much notoriety.

Buffalo Springfield Again

Buffalo Springfield

3/5

It’s decent psychedelic rock, notably the first song ( Mr soul) has a rhythm akin to I can’t get no satisfaction and the song Bluebird is pretty good too ( but I would’ve removed the folky Neil young bit at the end and in the sequencing I would’ve swapped it’s place with expecting to fly, speaking of… expecting to fly is a grand lush sounding masterpiece that i’am surprised something this good came from Neil Young’s band. There’s also a handful of dull folky ordeals and forgettable tunes that drag for a bit too long in which I wouldn’t be surprised if Neil Young had written them. You notice how all of the good bits I’ve mentioned are in the first half, well this album is front loaded, like very front loaded shame but that’s the way it is 3/5.

Straight Outta Compton

N.W.A.

5/5

I’ve been exited to hear this one… The album starts with the title track a brilliant introduction to the album and a brilliant rap song! The turntable is used to it’s advantage in the second song fuck the police a very angry tune but rightfully angry. Gangsta gangsta is also a banger I love the guitar and siren samples and the lyrics are sharp and on point. If it ain’t ruff is still good but not as good as the last 3 but that’s fine as after 3 amazing song’s the next one will always look worse. Parental Discretion iz advised is a great tune I love the piano samples all across the song. 8 ball is a banger I love all of the false starts at the beginning of the song. Something like that is solid but not one of my favourites. I can’t deny how good of a song express yourself is to be honest I love the beat and the sample in this tune! Comptons N the house ( remix) is okay, probably my least favourite so far but nothing bad here. I ain’t the 1 has a great piano rhythm and yeah it’s solid but the piano is definitely the best bit. Dopeman is also a great tune it’s very obvious what it’s about and those “chopping” noises are cool. Quiet on tha set is solid but not one of my favourites. The album ends with something 2 dance 2 and yeah it’s danceable and a good party to end the album on. Overall it’s really good and has much more energy than most rap albums. 5/5.

A Hard Day's Night

Beatles

4/5

Other than the two singles I know nothing from here but it’s the Beatles so it’s gotta be good… The album opens with the title track it’s a very solid pop/ rock tune and a great way to open an album! I should’ve known better is okay, very lighthearted but nothing particularly special here. I like if I fell it’s got quite a downtrodden feeling to the whole track which I like for this point in the album. I’am happy just to dance with you is a shortie and seems to play a filler role but it’s still a good song. And I love her is quite good a slow acoustic jam with percussion work that sounds like pots and pans are getting hit Tell me why seems to be one of those songs with happy instrumentals but not so happy lyrics, the song isn’t necessarily dark but both elements do juxtapose well. Can’t buy me love is a solid single but it’s honestly quite a mid-tier Beatles single, nothing inherently wrong with that just not a mind blowing track. Any time at all is a solid way to open side two I really like John Lennon’s vocals here. I’ll cry instead is a folkish little short skiffle it’s okay and works really well in it’s place in the tracklist but it’s not amazing. Things we said today has a nice little bit of guitar strumming and would probably be the best but I don’t think Paul’s softer voice works too well ( I know it’s written by him so it makes sense but I still think it would’ve sounded better with John on vocals). When I get home is a great solid rocker nothing amazing but nothing dreadful. The penultimate track you can’t do that is a nice little rock n roll tune I honestly have a very similar option about this to the last song ( but this one is a tad better). I’ll be back was an amazing album closer brilliant tune! Something about the Beatles just seems to put a smile on my/ most peoples faces so that’s why an album that would normally be a 3/4 ( good but nothing mind blowing) gets away with a 5… Actually nah this is definitely a 4 I can’t give this album a 5 knowing how good late Beatles are.

Moon Safari

Air

4/5

I’ve seen and herd of the group before but to say I’ve listened to their stuff before is a stretch… The album opens with la femme d’argent it’s got a great groove to it and for a 7 minute long instrumental this is very good and actually kept me interested for most of the time. Next is the album’s lead single sexy boy it’s a solid song with a great groove and the french singing works as a little break ( and it’s much better than doing a Daft Punk and repeating the same word 100 and something times) but I can’t say that this song is my kinda thing though. All I need seems to be the most popular song on spotify and well it makes sense that it is as it’s really nice sounding just calm. You know how I said that air weren’t doing the daft punk thing of repeating the same line over and over again well I lied Kelly watch the stars is exactly that daft punk thing of repeating the same line over and over again ( but at least it’s still instrumentally pleasing). Tailsman starts as a depressing little instrumental piece then more layers get added making it actually a really interesting bit of music. Remember is certainly a unique thing indeed and I don’t hate it but I could easily go without hearing this again. You make it easy is a great tune I actually prefer it as a song than All I need and I think it could’ve been more successful than that song id it were released. Ce matin là is a nice call instrumental providing a cool little mid side two break but I must admit it’s the worst instrumental on here. The penultimate track a new star in the sky is a very good song but it does take a little while for the vocals to come in and the song to really get going! The album closes with La voyage de Penelope it’s a nice fitting instrumental that works really well next to new star in the sky. Overall this has to be the best electronic album I’ve ever herd. It’s still only a high 4/5 though because Kelly watch the stars wasn’t a good sonic and without the album content I will never hear the instrumental track again.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

1/5

I mean if you call yourself the nitty gritty dirt band and make a 100 minute long country album you’re bound to not be that good… The album opens with Grand ole orpy song it’s a very American country song and I hate this kinda thing but I guess its nice how the lyrics are kinda introducing them as a band. Keep on the sunny side starts off strange with just lots of talking the main song is again just boring creepy old American country. Nashville blues is a short little instrumental it’s good in the sense that I liked the picking on the track but I still wasn’t a fan. You are my flower was very bland. The precious jewel has this really dreary sound to it the best bit about this song was the talking at the start. Dark as a dungeon is easily forgettable to be honest. Tennessee stud is dreadful but if I were to choose one that was passable than this may be the one. Black mountain rag is just a dumb little instrumental piece nothing special here. Wreck on the highway wasn’t brilliant I especially didn’t like the singing here. For a song called the end of the world I thought it would be cool but no it’s just an instrumental. I actually don’t tend to dislike music with religious themes but I saw the light wasn’t good. The sunny side of the mountain wasn’t all too special but I guess it wasn’t that despicable of a song. Nine pound hammer is just bland and non can’t say much here. Losing you ( might be the best thing yet) might be the best thing yet the lyrics aren’t that bad just get rid of the country instrumentals. Honky tonkin is dumb but inoffensive. You don’t mind wasn’t that good just forgettable country music same with my walking shoes. Disk 1 done I didn’t like this at all currently 1/5 and unless if disk 2 is like the best thing ever this will not change. Lonesome fiddle blues starts off disk 2 it’s a decent instrumental track the fiddle playing is perfectly fine and there’s no creepy wooden country singing so that’s a bonus. Cannonball rag is also not dreadful just a bunch of guitar picking. Avalanche is ANOTHER instrumental and still not horrible ( sounds like they’re desperately wanting me to boost their album rating) ( and you’re not gonna do that with instrumentals). Oh my god not again 🙄 ANOTHER FUCKING INSTRUMENTAL flint hill special wasn’t dreadful though. Okay so until there is some singing i’am just going to make a list of the numerous instrumentals that don’t help an already boring album: Togary mountain Earl’s breakdown Orange blossom special Wabash cannonball Oh okay lost highway has vocals well done you learned to sing again, but wait you can’t sing so please shut up and try to end this dam album! Nope seems to be the answer to that request and now we have doc watson and merle travis: first meeting which was a wired little interlude about a coal mines album or something? Way downtown was an alright country tune but I don’t like it. Down yonder has some nice enough clicking noises but still I don’t like it. Pins and needles ( in my heart), well I kinda wish I had pins and needles instead of enduring your song but here we are. Honky tonk blues was just dumb like the other honky tonky song earlier. Sailing on to Hawaii was a nice enough relaxed little instrumental that ( unlike the ones) earlier did serve a purpose. I’m thinking of my blue eyes wasn’t good I especially didn’t like the backing singing where they all sound bored with this album. I am a pilgrim was just dull ( I know I said that for another song but this really is). Wildwood flower wasn’t brilliant and honestly really forgettable. Soliders Joy was an instrumental that started with talking ( not like I’ve herd stuff like that 100 times in this album). We’re FINALLY at the penultimate track wll the circle be broken and that creepy “ mother” carter woman just sounds bored and the backing singers make it even more boring and creepy. Both sides now ends the album on a dull instrumental. Country music to me is the musical equivalent of biting into a large chunk of wood (horrible even after you’ve bitten into it) and I’ve always found oldie groups like the Carter family really creepy so to have the “ mother” woman as a frequent collaborator wasn’t my cup of tea. Also when your favourite track on an album is one of numerous short instrumental tracks you know that it’s not a good album . I guess it was fun to make fun of but I would still rather burn to death than hear this or anything by the nitty gritty dirt band again.

Younger Than Yesterday

The Byrds

3/5

I’ve sorta herd of this band… The album opens with so you want to be a rock and roll star it’s a good song that works really well as the opener ( also the fact that I think I’ve herd the song before helped out on this one). Have you seen her face is a very good 60’s pop song I love the guitars on here. C.T.A-102 is a folky little tune with a wired electronic instrumental break, I really don’t think I like this one ( the alien like noises at the end are funny though). Renaissance fair is a really good song I love the instrumental work on this, the lyrics are a bit filler but it’s not a problem. Time between is a very short folk song I don’t love it but it’s not bad. Everybody’s been burned is pretty good I love the creepy guitars that accompany the song. Thoughts and words has really cool verses and when the song gets all warped it is awesome but i’am not a fan of the chorus. I love the guitars in mind garden it’s a proper 60’s sounding drug psychedelic song ( if you get what I mean). My black pages is a banger ( all Bob Dylan songs sound better when he isn’t singing) and the Byrds are best at doing that. The girl with no name is a nice little song but I didn’t find anything all too special. The album closes with why it’s a good single but a good album closer…no. Eh it’s very eh 3/5.

The La's

5/5

You would never ever believe this was an album where the lead singer was such a perfectionist over that it drove the rest of the band insane. That being said this shit is great, timeless melody, freedom song and looking glass would be my ‘must listens’ because everyone knows there she goes right. You also have to attribute this (and the stone roses first album) for basically being ‘proto britpop’. As wether you like that kinda music or not (I love it) the la’s could be seen as the earliest starting point. The album lacks filler but the songs are so short it wouldn’t matter if there was 5/5

Pink Flag

Wire

4/5

I’ve wanted to listen to this for a while but never got round to it… The album opens with Reuters, quite a cool heavy little rocker and at 3:03 the album’s third longest song! Field days for Sundays is a little rocker not amazing but feels like more of a bridge between songs 1 and 3. Oh it’s connection ( well actually 3 girl rumba but elastica stole the guitar riff) and it’s good nothing amazing but a nice song. Ex loon tamer is a rather good song, I like the use of backing vocals on this one. Lowdown opts for a spoken word style at the start which makes the song sound really unique amongst its peers. Start to move is a proper punk riot with brilliant guitars. I like the drumming of brazil. It’s so obvious has a cool little guitar riff. Surgeons girl is good but I don’t really like the random African sounding drum bits that don’t really fit in with the tune. Side one ends with the title track pink flag and it’s the second longest song on the album, a song that really feels like the climax to the album best part is the mental outro that it has! The commercial starts off side two with a short instrumental, meh but I get it’s inclusion. Straight line is probably my favourite out of the “microsongs” good tune! 106 beats that manages to fit in a nice guitar solo but the last verse sounds really crammed, cool. Mr suit is a very angry thing indeed. The longest song on the album is strange a dark slow rocker, really dug this! Fragile is a violent sounding love song and it’s cool. I’ve herd the Carter USM cover of mannequin before so I have some vague ground with the tune and well the original wire version is better a very good song. Different to me is the last really really short under 1 minute song and it’s okay these short songs are a cool idea but go in one ear and out of the other. Champs has some great guitars work and listenable lyrics but the hand claps… not for me. The penultimate track feeling called love is a great tune I love the super muffled guitars that pop in the later part of the song. 12 X U closes the album and I kinda get it as a closer but it’s not an amazing song to be honest? This has gotta be the shortest 20 song album ever.

Untitled (Black Is)

SAULT

3/5

My first album of the 2020’s shame there’s only 5 albums for this decade at the moment I could name a good few modern albums that deserve to be on this list… The album opens with out the lies which is half a little chant then it’s this little important statement. I really don’t like the happy screaming vocals of stop dem again it’s important but not good. I think one of my problems of hard life is that instead of being interesting the song just keeps on layering extra seconds and repeating the exact same lyrics again and again. Don’t shoot the guns down is a shortie and other than whatever was put over the vocals this is awesome the lyrics are surprisingly powerful and the drumming work is excellent. Wildfires is apparently the group’s biggest song and it’s a great song, none of this music is my kinda thing but it’s a song that I completely understand the appeal for ( same for the whole album really). X is a good little interlude. Sorry ain’t enough is a very powerful song again like wildfires this genre as a whole doesn’t appeal to me much but I get it. Black is, is a shortie and a bit of a reprise of the first track and yeah it works after all these songs even if i’am not a fan of interludes. Bow has a great rhythm and good lyrics but some of the elements layered on i’am sceptical about. This generation is just a little interlude. Why we cry why we die is too repetitive for me to be honest. Black starts off too repetitive but then it gets interesting when the female vocalist arrives. There are too many interludes us is one of them. Eternal life comes out of that previous interlude though and it’s great the synths really make this track. Only synth in church is nice but it feels like filler. Monsters is a very good song I might just be in the groove of the album but I really enjoyed this tune. June child is ANOTHER interlude. Miracle’s has some great bass work in it i’am still not sold on the style but it’s good music. The penultimate track hold me is a bit too electronic for me really but I cam see the appeal. The album closes with pray up stay up and I really don’t like this song the piano is the best part. I mean I get it I really do but not for me 3/5.

The Boatman's Call

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

4/5

Well I gave Ghosteen a 2 so I don’t have great expectations for this album… The album opens with into my arms, a rather slow song for an opener but still a brilliant opener for the album. Lime tree arbour is a nice little short piano track nothing amazing but very listenable. There is a nice little story in people ain’t no good and yeah it’s a true statement to how good cave is as a lyricist. Brompton oratory is the first song with a guitar ( very minimal guitar) but it’s still a great song with great lyrics. There is a kingdom is a proper banger to be honest the chorus is simple but brilliant and the instrumental work here is amazing. ( are you) the one that Ive been waiting for is another banger to be fair brilliant all over. Where do we go now but nowhere is insanely gloomy yet really interesting as the song unfolds. The album goes folky with West Country girl, not my favourite but the most unique so far. Black hair is a rather dreary display and to be honest feels a bit filler. Idiot prayer is a very good song one of the most interesting on here. The penultimate track far from me works as the prefect climax to an album. The album closes with green eyes the wired singing/ talking style somehow works really well so that’s cool and as a closer it is a nice comedown. It’s really good but there is nothing that pops up all too much so it’ll have to be a 4.

Your New Favourite Band

The Hives

4/5

I’ve kinda been looking forward to this… Hate to say I told you so was an immensely popular single for the band and opens up the album on a solid banger! In main offender he’s almost too screechy vocally but it’s still good (especially that infectious guitar riff). The guitars on supply and demand are very bitty things which I don’t like but the awesome drumming makes up for it. Other than the first song die all right is probably the best blend of sounds so far the verses boarder on dance rock and the chorus/ bridge are both proper rampages stopping for nothing! Untutored youth is a massive burst of anger like I get it but didn’t they have better songs than this? Outsmarted is a good rampage, slightly longer and better guitar work! Mad men starts by giving the impression of a brooding dark track that would’ve been really cool but but those dark and brooding moments are few and the song becomes an average hives rampage. The chorus to here we go again is epic the rest of the song…eh. A.K.A. I-D-I-O-T is very aggressive for the sake of it but I like it. Automatic schmuck has awesome guitars but the lyrics eh the chant at the ends cool I guess. The penultimate track Hail Hail spit n drool is a shortie like really short but unlike the one earlier this deserves a spot and works well next to the mental rampages that has been the album’s second half. The album closes with the hives are law, you are crime it’s not necessarily slow but slower than the others so it works well as a closer. It’s mental and for that reason it’s great, not necessarily music that’s great to criticise but still a 4/5.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)

Eurythmics

3/5

I really like the title track… The album opens with love is a stranger and it’s a really boring pop song where the only interesting bit is the bridge, really disappointed. I’ve got an angel does have a really interesting rhythm to it and her vocals performance is good the lyrics though are poor. Wrap it up is kinda good everything is pleasing I really like her vocal performance across all the songs so far but that guitar solo was really Really poor. I could give you (A mirror) is the first song I actually thought worked in all areas will (hopefully) go back to this song! The walk is also fairly pleasing and another great track! Sweet dreams ( are made of this) is perfect pop song! Jennifer is really drab and dark but it’s solid. And after 4 good songs this is the house does nothing for me really. The penultimate track somebody told me again does nothing to be fair like everything is nice but nothing is special. The album closes on a decent high though with the city never sleeps it’s repetitive as hell but it works in the songs favour. I don’t hate it but it’s honestly a disappointment. 3/5

Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury

The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy

3/5

I didn’t listen to this one so i’am just gonna put 3 starts and then listen in my own time.

Queen Of Denmark

John Grant

4/5

Cool cover art, I don’t really want to write a review today so I’ll just score it after my listen. Actually I will do a little bit but not track by track, this thing is brilliant very unique all of the instrumentation is clear and crisp the lyrics can boarder on the abstract but makes it so each song has a memorable one liner or two. It’s a 4 ( a high one though) as there is a bit too much autotune for me (and the song with the n word, while it sounds like it’s going against racism I still found it a bit on the edge personally which is a shame because I really like the instrumentation on that one).

Odessey And Oracle

The Zombies

4/5

Looks trippy… The album starts with care of cell 44 it’s a boring version of the normal 60’s psychedelic songs shame really but I still love this sound in general. Okay the first song may have been boring but only compared to the whole genre but a rose for Emily is a boring tune in general. Maybe after he’s gone was the first song I actually enjoyed but the way he sings the chorus is pronounced really wired still a good tune though! Beechwood park gas a glum sound to it but this males it really good I’am happy the album is upping its quality. Brief candles is quite a good slow track with a very explosive chorus. Hung up on a dream is slightly like a day in the life by the Beatles ( this song isn’t as good as a day in the life but still an awesome tune). Ooh some tribal drums changes is wired but captivating at the same time, yeah really liked this one. I want her she wants me is a very upbeat number fun but not a favourite. I very vaguely recognise this will be our year it’s a great single anyway and it works really well on this album. Butchers tale ( western front 1914) is the darkest sounding song with amazing church organs easy favourite! Friends of mine is very happy and upbeat sounding tune don’t love it don’t hate it. The album ends on a perfect note with time of the season a brilliant single that I definitely recognised amazing song. It starts off rocky and ends amazing so 4/5.

Tommy

The Who

4/5

Well I’ve herd the most popular stuff from this band but never a full on album… Overture opens the album with a banging instrumental it drags a little bit for me but it’s still fairly pleasing. It’s a boy is only very short and is really just setting it he atmosphere for the album. 1921 is the first “proper” song on the album it’s a great track very theatre. There’s a sound that goes all throughout amazing journey that really bugs me but it’s a nice enough tune. Sparks works perfectly next to amazing journey ( it’s a good instrumental). Eyesight to the blind (The hawker) is an amazing tune to end side one so dramatic! I really like the way that the verses are sung in Christmas and the ending of the song is nice and theatrical. Cousin Kevin seems mean but it’s a good song. I really like the instrumentation in the acid queen such a solid tune. Underture (like overture) is a very long instrumental this one is twice as long but twice as good. Do you think it’s alright and fiddle about are both about Tommy’s pedophile uncle Ernie and yeah they’re both creepy. But then there’s pinball wizard a bridge hit single to have even if the band hate it! There’s a doctor is a short little piano ditty I guess it’s okay. Go to the mirror is a very solid rocker with great crunchy guitars. Tommy can you hear me is short and folky it’s eh. Smash the mirror is another shortie, good but not amazing. Sensation ends side 3 on a fairly upbeat note and it’s good but there’s something about the vocals on here that I don’t love. Miracle cure is well… short. Sally Simpson is a nice acoustic tune. I’m free feels really “lush” I don’t know how to explain it but I like it. Welcome is just happy I know it’s the whole creepy cult thing but still a decent fluffy tune. Tommy’s holiday camp is alright but why did uncle Ernie have to be hosting it…yuck. The album ends with we’re not gonna take it and it works really,really well as a closer to a solid album. The album is great as a whole bunch was hard going track by track as the album is more of an “experience” than a standard issue album.

Call of the Valley

Shivkumar Sharma

2/5

I don’t personally like world music all too much but eh I have to do it I guess, and also the tracklist on spotify isn’t matching up with the one on wikipedia so I’ll just go with the spotify one… Ode to the sun god opens the album with a 9 minute instrumental it’s interesting background noise but I really can’t get by all instrumental albums. Nomads in the valley wasn’t necessarily the same but it followed the same kinda concept as the last song eh. The shepherd girl is a bit more unique and is the most guitar led on the album so far so while I still am not a fan of 12 minute long instrumentals I can cope with this ( well I could cope with half of it but this was boring). The prophet in the mountain was alright I guess short for this album (still a whopping 8 minutes though). The penultimate track the stars twinkling within sounded very lush not an amazing song but still good. The closer glacier waters is so tranquil I don’t like it but I gotta pride it for that. I’ll give it a 2 because it isn’t my kinda music but it’s still passable I guess.

Catch A Fire

Bob Marley & The Wailers

4/5

Oh cool Bob Marley… The album opens with concrete jungle it’s a really solid tune to open up the album and I love the backing vocals on this. Slave driver is a great show of Marley’s lyrical talents. I like how the janky bass line at the star of 400 years forms into a fully fledged song and currently it’s the best song on here. I really like the verses to stop that train, shame the songs 90% chorus. I recognise the rhythm to baby we’ve got a date but I don’t know if it’s from a different song. Stir it up is a gooden I really like the trippy sound to this one! Kinky Regge is a nice sounding song but I can’t note anything particular here. The penultimate track no more trouble is slower and glummer than the others/ cool song! The album’s closer midnight ravers is of the same vein as the last song, I don’t hate it but it’s not one of my favourites. Side 1 is great side 2 is slightly unbalanced 3.5/5 rounding up to a 4.

The Pleasure Principle

Gary Numan

3/5

Looks interesting… The album’s opener airline is a really interesting instrumental track that works great as a way to show all the sounds to expect in this album. Then it all stops for metal and it’s initially slow drowning synth part that slowly builds into a fully formed pop song but I wasn’t a fan of his vocals here (and I usually like unique sounding singers). It takes a while for complex to get going and his vocals are still not for me but the instrumental bits are interesting. Films is indeed a dark and brooding track in comparison to the first ones Numan is still sounding shit but there isn’t much singing on the song so I guess that’s good even though I much prefer songs with vocals. I’am very skeptical about the lyrics to M.E. but i’am guessing that’s the purpose, his singing is slightly better but still not my cup of tea. Tracks starts off as the lest robotic then gradually builds up quite nicely, while I don’t like this album much I quite like this as side 2 track 1. Ba ba ba, ba ba ba,ba ba ba is the only real thing I got from observer. Then is over 7 minute long epic conversation and well…zzz this is boring. Cars is a good single I can’t take that away from it! Engineers closes the album off with some great drumming, this is certainly one of the better tracks lyrics are sucky but they all are so good song I guess! It’s a 3 for 3 reasons 1) cars 2) engineers 3) for the time this was pretty cool and unique. But if cars/engineers weren’t here the album might as well be a 1 which is such a shame.

Close To The Edge

Yes

4/5

3 very long songs I hope this turns out well… The album opens really interestingly with the title track it’s weird seamlessly weaving through multiple sections keeping the listener engaged for 18 minutes and 42 seconds the only bit I wasn’t too sure of was the middle bit where it just goes really slow ( but the church organs at the end of the section make up for it). And you and I is again a brilliant song with multiple parts to carry it through a very long time but this one doesn’t feel as epic it’s not as interesting but still good. The albums closer siberian khatru is the only song that doesn’t go through any elaborate multi parting meaning it can get boring at spots but it’s still a great guitar track. It’s a good album 4/5.

That's The Way Of The World

Earth, Wind & Fire

4/5

Looks decent enough… The album opens with shining star a groovy short funky song, great opener! It flows perfectly into that’s the way of the world it’s a much slower track that feels like the comedown of the first song, still equally as brilliant though! Happy feelin’ is a small step down but only lyrically, instrumentally this song is still super appealing a rampaging funk jam. Side one ends with a very impactful ballad with all about love it’s a very fitting way to end side one and the complete opposite to the riot that the last song was. Yearnin’ learnin’ starts off side two with quite a weak piano/ bass track I think maybe it’s his vocals they’re just too wired. Reasons is cool, not necessarily my kinda thing but it’s fitting for the album. The penultimate track africano is a cool instrumental that starts off all calm then jumps into your face 5 minutes may be a bit too long for an instrumental but I can cope. See the light picks up from the tribal sound of the last song into a fairly decent closer but I don’t think it feels like the end of a project. This is very front loaded but very enjoyable 4/5.

The Man Machine

Kraftwerk

3/5

The album starts with the robots, initially a well formed piece of bleep bloops into a song that I think I recognise but I don’t like it too daft punk for me. Spacelab is a slightly interesting mostly instrumental track, I personally would’ve opened with this as an intro track. Metropolis again isn’t my kinda thing but it’s still solid I guess. I like the model it’s a good dance song with a great groove and feels the least robotic of all the tracks! Neon lights is long, very long but if it wasn’t so long the album would be 5 songs lasting 20 minutes so i’am happy it’s there. The closer the man machine goes back to the super daft punk esque roboticness its good but not a song I would reach out for. 3/5 good music not really my genre.

Histoire De Melody Nelson

Serge Gainsbourg

3/5

I was too lazy to do it today will go back later.

Blue Lines

Massive Attack

4/5

I remember originally buying this one like a couple of months ago by complete accident as I ordered another cd and it was mis packaged so I got this instead; I listened to it, didn’t think much of it and put it away… Now well it’s good the beats are great the rapping is solid, great background stuff to be fair. My only tiny criticism is that they talk so much about the “massive attack” over and over I think doing this is especially an annoying problem in rap albums but eh. The album’s strongest moment is definitely the album’s hit single unfinished sympathy but the other tracks are all still solid. 4/5

White Blood Cells

The White Stripes

4/5

It’s solid the end of the album gets a bit samey though 4/5.

Black Sabbath

4/5

It’s not as heavy as I thought it would be to be honest which to be fair is good for me as i’am not really a fan of super heavy music. I think the 1,2 punch of having black sabbath and the wizard as the first two tracks was an amazing choice with the brooding riff that runs through black sabbath and on the wizard who would expect for a harmonica to be used on a metal track? I didn’t mind Behind a wall of sleep but it does feel like a letdown after those two. N.I.B also hit me as a very interesting track with lots of layers definitely not something that I would expect from an album recorded in the late 60’s and released just into 1970. Evil woman is an odd choice for the album it’s a jumpy little cover song but that bass work is nice. Sleeping village is almost two tracks in one first a short creepy little poem of sorts then it’s a flurry of little separate instrumental tracks not a personal favourite but great from the critical perspective. Like evil woman, warning is also a cover but unlike evil woman, warning is proper black sabbath tune especially like how much instrumental work there is here. 4/5

OK

Talvin Singh

2/5

It’s super unique and is probably one of the album’s that most deserves to be in the generator/book but do I like it? No And here’s why (note i’am not going to talk about all tracks just the ones that really popped out as odd). First off traveller goes against one of my preferences which is that i’am not really a fan of having any very long songs open an album (especially an album that’s quite long and has a decent amount of tracks). Butterfly is a mess of a track that I again wouldn’t have put in this position on the album but I liked the Radiohead like drumming here. Mombastic is wired especially with the approach to the vocals. Decca was only short but him saying “NA-STY” gave me a little chuckle. The album is full of pointless instrumentals that are just there really to waste the listeners time. Actually the whole second half is a waste of the listeners time to be 100% honest with you. Also a bit of an off note but in my time away from the generator I tend to try go through all the mercury prize albums so hearing this is a nice edition and seeing that I would give a good few mercury prize albums a 5 ( primal scream, suede, Portishead, pulp, Franz Ferdinand, Arctic monkeys, elbow) and even ones that aren’t 5’s like the xx or badly drawn boy I still had some enjoyment for. But this album it’s just not fun like all of those mentioned above like the albums good but un-enjoyable I would give it a 1 but the only time I give 1’s is if I would actually remove it from the book so I guess its a 2. A Very Very VERY Low 2 Out Of Five

High Violet

The National

3/5

The national… yawn. How can a band that actually have a rather distinctive sound to them sound so generic and boring, looking at other reviews maybe it’s his voice the guy just doesn’t sound very invested into the music stoned and tired at the same time, like I would definitely give the guy a chance if he was invented but not a good vocalist but this guy sounds like he could sing if he wanted to. I can see the appeal for his voice though as it’s the kinda voice that’s all over the 2010’s “indie rock” albums that people somehow see as passionate but for me they make it join the same sonic plane as imagine dragons (ok maybe that’s too far but you get my point). In comparison to other albums on the list and their scores this is a tad overrated in my opinion especially seeing that this is like a 3.3 and most britpop albums all exist at the 3.1 mark. Now to the positives: I actually think lyrically he’s very good and the other musicians definitely can play their instruments to a good level. I guess it’s a 3 overall I just kinda felt like ranting over this band.

The Queen Is Dead

The Smiths

5/5

You can say what you want about Morrisey I don’t care he’s a cock but he’s an amazing musician and his life outside music shouldn’t be used as an argument to give the album a 1 especially if you might’ve not even listened to the album. Instead you get something absolutely amazing and now i’am going to go track by track highlighting how great the album is… The queen is dead: An amazing opening statement to the album, I love the drumming (particularly after the “take me back to dear old blighty part”)always on point but everything in the song shines and it’s not even my favourite and it’s still all perfect. Frankly, mr shankly: It’s odd to me how this jaunty little two minute track about commercialism is on par with the epic title track. I don’t know why but it’s amazing probably the first one I fell in love with (I especially like the “I never realised you wrote such bloody awful poetry” line). I know it’s over: An extremely depressed beautiful track certainly another banger but I don’t really know what to note about this one. Never had no one ever: It’s mostly instrumental with only a few (amazing) lines but still feels fulfilling for the whole listen. Certainly proof that there’s three other people in the the smiths and not just Morrisey. Cemetery gates: Side ones closer and a track that I like but it’s never really been one that I’ve fell in love with in the exact same way as the rest of side one and most of the album still nice though. Bigmouth strikes again: There’s a rule that in a record that side two track one must be a banger, bigmouth strikes again doesn’t just do that it as it is also the smiths greatest song everything works to perfection on this track! The boy with the thorn on his side: Strong vocal performance by Morrisey on here the rest of the track isn’t necessarily one of my favourites on the record but still solid. Vicar in a tutu: Probably the most interesting title for a track that’s a bit of a letdown on first listen but over time it shows that the smiths could have fun for one! There is a light that never goes out: It’s a personal preference of mine that a great album has to have the second to last track as one of the best tracks this penultimate track certainly tops the bill for that absolutely amazing! Some girls are bigger than others: The fade in is cool, I know it’s a joke closer but still a banger…somehow?

The Atomic Mr Basie

Count Basie & His Orchestra

2/5

I don’t really like all instrumental albums and I don’t really like jazz music all too much so this was a hard one to get through. But I appreciate the artistry here to be fair and (while I know the cover influences this) the whole album portrays a gloomy style of like the day after the apocalypse kinda thing it’s got some insanely gloomy tracks then other tracks that take a more traditional upbeat feeling (see the 1,2 punch of after supper then flight of the foo birds). The music actually reminded me quite a bit of playing fallout and Cuphead and how both of those games soundtracks are very jazz based at the core ( and I love both those games so that’s a point in the albums favour. I can’t say I love it though it’s really, really not my kinda thing so 2/5 for good instrumentation and random gaming memories.

Os Mutantes

3/5

This is very, very interesting on a musical level there’s always another layer and sound effect to every song a good handful of them go through multiple parts instead of traditional song structure. I would be lying to myself if I didn’t say that I find it a little bit harder to listen to albums completely in a different language but it’s not a major thing. Taking the language barrier out of my criticisms it’s a 3 though as I will admit that some of the extra sonic layers can mess up certain songs and I’am not a massive fan of the way he sings. Still decent though. Also bat macumba should burn in hell.

Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

The Kinks

4/5

The album follows a very poppy straightforward feeling throughout each and every song on the album but the kinks really seem to shine when the put a nice spin on it like the quirky bridge section in yes sir no sir; we also have some really good slow tracks on here like some mothers son,young and innocent days and shangri-la this one in particular is good as it’s a song that starts slow and builds to rampage; there’s also another song that does this (she brought a hat like princess marina) but that time the rampage feels too nonsensical and is probably mg least favourite on the LP. There are still some other very good tracks like the opener Victoria, drivin’ which is a rather jumpy acoustic track, the insane rampage that commences in brainwashed and the rather jolly nothing to say. All throughout the album there is militaristic undertone none more prominent than mr Churchill says which is essentially a long line of quotes from Winston Churchill with a chorus, it’s not one of my favourites but it’s quite cool when the moaning Minnie’s come in. I’am still a little skeptical about the the 6 minute Australia the track starts off as overly quirky then there’s a (very) short lived slow part which I actually love but the more instrumental half feels unnecessary and would definitely be a track that I would’ve sequenced much later on. The album closes with Arthur a very solid song but I wouldn’t have picked this fairly uptempo tune when there’s plenty of slow jams to close off with but I know that’s personal preference at play.

Faith

George Michael

3/5

7 out of 9 songs are singles! I know it’s George Michael but still very overkill… The title track/ opener/ massive single is a very good single very upbeat sounding but I’ve never really loved the song fully still nice though. Father figure is a much slower track it keeps the same seal of quality the last song has which is good (I was expecting it to plummet into shit like the culture club album does). I really like that this album of straightforward pop has a nine minute multi parter so I early on! Is what I thought instead its a disguise for two separate not brilliant tracks to be honest I could live without this song. I haven’t got to the album’s closer yet but one more try really sounds like it should end an album it’s so epic and heavenly sounding will be a nice reference point for later. I didn’t mind hard day it’s very funky and very bass heavy and there’s a chilling synth that sometimes gets added in the mix that gives the song a lot of flavour. Hand to mouth instrumentally is rather boring (instead of the bridge) but lyrically it’s got good lyrics. Look at your hands is groovy and probably one of my favourites so it’s a shame this wasn’t a single. I don’t really like monkey too much it’s too electronic for my personal tastes but it’s a song where I completely get the appeal. Kissing a fool immediately made me think of the song Horsin’ around by prefab sprouts for sone reason but it’s a good song I kinda feel that one more try feels more climactic as a closer and I may have had this as the penultimate track but it’s still great.

Street Life

The Crusaders

3/5

11 minute long opener street life starts off as super gloomy rather lonely jazz track kind of akin to your latest trick by dire straits if you want something to refer to but then it evolves into a rather energetic funk track that could’ve honestly topped the charts if it weren’t so long. Instrumentally the track is a microcosm for the rest of the album, lyrically…well after the first song theres like none to be found. It’s still okay though 3/5.

Picture Book

Simply Red

3/5

It’s new wavey duran duran style pop rock with the flavour of soul… It’s quite good but if I were to be honest nothing really stuck too much on me and the album can feel fairly uninteresting and samey at points. Take the first side for example it goes faster song, slower song,faster song, slower song then Jericho a song that for the most part I’ve already herd through the first 4 songs being a very middling type track in every aspect instead of it’s length and the “ you won’t go to the ball” bit feels kinda cringeworthy. Maybe that’s a bit to mean to brand the first 4 as faster song and slower song but it’s fair. To be more detailed about the 4 come to my aid was forgettable, sail old red was also a bit dull, Look at you now was fun but nothing special and heaven is very good but a cover. The groovy moneys too tight to mention starts off side two with a banger (the kinda track all side two track one’s should be) still though it’s a cover track so not much of the songs best moments are their original ideas. Holding back the years is a nice middle of the road single it apparently charted really well but I don’t think I’ve ever herd this maybe because it’s forgettable. I don’t really like the vocals in the chorus of open up the red box but the rest of it is just eh mid side 2 filler. The penultimate track no direction is full funk if it was on side one I think it’s inclusion would’ve felt more valid. Picture book is a solid closer though one of the only tracks I rate highly on this album. It’s a 3 maybe if the album was sequenced better I would’ve liked it but it’s just a bit bland. I would’ve sequenced it like this: 1 Come to my aid 2 sad old red 3 No direction 4 look at you now 5 holding back the years 6 Moneys too tight to mention 7 Heaven 8 Jericho 9 picture book (Yes I know I cut out open the red box but I just kinda felt it was a bit filler)

Electric Ladyland

Jimi Hendrix

5/5

It’s kinda like Hendrix’s “white album” in my opinion way too overblown but still has some of his best tracks as you dig deep… At the start of the album you get an instrumental track then two mini tracks that are entertaining but largely unsatisfying then voodoo chille comes on it’s dirty,messy, and very overblown but an amazing song none the less and from a guitarist perspective the playing on this track is godly! The next track Little Miss strange is also fairly notable as like she’s so fine on axis bold is love it’s a more Beatles esque track written by bass player Noel Redding ( Little miss strange is much cooler than she’s so fine though because the guitars are so dirty). Following that track is long hot summer night a track (where like have you ever been to electric ladyland and crosstown traffic) is a song that is satisfying on the listen but not one that I would point out and say it’s a banger. Come on is full on bluesy madness really enjoyable and great guitar work but it’s a cover track and does an album this long need a cover? Gypsy eyes unfortunately comes across as filler to my ears but hey not dreadful. Burning of the midnight lamp is arguably one of the most unique tracks that he had ever written absolutely loved this one. Side three all kinda revolves around the 13 minute opus 1983 with the track before and after being like slightly different intro’s and outro’s. 1983 though is epic I could tell I would love this after the first minute or so the track sounds so grand and epic almost like a climax point for the album and it’s one if like 3 songs over 6 minutes that I don’t feel overstay it’s welcome. The final side seems to go for a no bullshit approach to the tracks still raining still dreaming is one of those perfect displays of Hendrix’s guitar playing skills. House of fire is a continuous decent into chaos as a military march style verse evolves into Hendrixy craziness. All along the watchtower is absolutely amazing certainty proof that Bob Dylan’s music is always 100x better when someone does their own rendition of it. Voodoo child (slight return) is the condensed version of voodoo chille and is probably the better version in my opinion, an amazing way to close a great album. It’s good the highs are his best ever and the lows are still good 5/5 because I’ll feel bad as I gave axis a 5 so this probably deserves about the same score.

New Forms

Roni Size

2/5

The only version I can be bothered to find is disk 1 and I’am really not that bothered in going into another hours worth of music… The first song railing kinda reminded me of the streets in the whole talking/rapping chatting style the track has it’s nice but I don’t love it. Brown paper bag is way too long for what it is but it’s a fun instrumental after railing… I was originally gonna track by track the rest of the album but I think this sums up my thoughts across the album… The guy that programmed in the drums only knows like 5 beats I swear and the vocals are so disconnected from the music being played with the way their recorded. The album shows moments of hope jn all of the additional textures added but I still nearly fell asleep 2/5 (but it’s very close to a 1).

Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman

John Zorn

1/5

The drums sound like bullets firing out of a sub machine gun and the trumpets sound like finely tuned squeaking dog toys. I couldn’t differentiate the first three tracks from each other I didn’t mind the fourth track until the last minute then the album continues to fuck up for the remaining half an hour. Maybe like two minutes of this sound would’ve worked at the end of some heavy jazz rock album to send the album off on a confusing bang but 41 minutes is painful. Jazz and punk are both at the opposite ends of the musical spectrum really there’s no similarity between the genres so it doesn’t work; but I appreciate the album and the sound it’s trying so hard to achieve not enough to save it from a 1/5 though which completely deserves to be in the notoriously bad bottom 10 albums.

The Last Broadcast

Doves

3/5

My prior knowledge of this band is that I’ve listened to bits of them before (mostly random tracks off the album before (lost souls)) hearing the intro paired with words I firmly believe this is a bit of a downgrade form catch the sun and the cedar room. The intro was a fairly generic instrumental and words sounds like a more electronic late career oasis song. Instrumentally the next track (there goes the fear) sounds like a children’s lullaby and having a 6 minute long song so early kinda breaks the pace for me. M62 song goes for that “indie sound” it’s really dull but I kinda like the way the track is sung I didn’t even notice the track after until it started playing (oh well). N.Y is cool but I think it should’ve came before all the slow ones still though it’s proof that doves still know what they’re doing. Satellites is way too long for what it is and feels quite generic but nothing horribly bad. Fridays dust is haunting with the echoey vocals not something I love but I must say it is enjoyable. Pounding is a great single can’t fault it. Similarly to M62 song last broadcast is a bit dull and sounds like it’s going for the “ indie sound”. The sulphur man sounds grand and evil… for a few seconds then becomes really vanilla really quickly. Caught by the river is a nice slow single to end the album. The reason why post britpop is nowhere near as good as britpop is because post britpop like this is so fucking vanilla!

Destroy Rock & Roll

Mylo

1/5

Mylo please don’t destroy rock and roll, destroy another genre instead with you’re mellow arse generic beats. I assume (from messing around on garage band) that electronic house music is much more fun to make than rock and roll but for the listener ( well me anyway) it just comes across as boring background “study music”. I don’t like these craftwerky daft punky robot albums it really doesn’t appeal to me so there’s no chance that i’am going to give this a high score (sorry I’ve tried but they’ll never work on me for the foreseeable future). Every song to me just feels like they’ve placed a beat down add a slower moments and repeat the same line 100 and something times. The only track I find notable is the title track because I feel so bad for duran duran and I wanna now destroy mylo and house music, oh well I guess I have to punish you with a 1/5 for that behaviour.

Tusk

Fleetwood Mac

5/5

The album opens slow and beautiful with over and over, a very good track but not a song that I would open an album with ( kinda disappointing seeing that rumours is like the best sequenced album of all time) still a great track though! The ledge is a very energetic with amazing bass work but without the vocals I wouldn’t know it was a fleetwood Mac song it’s so different to anything I’ve herd from them. Think about me just screams fleetwood mac single to me it has the groove of you make loving fun or Rhiannon but the pop rockiness of go your own way yeah this one’s great. Save me a place kinda feels like fleetwood filler but it’s still rather nice sounding and I really like the drumming. Sara is an amazing closer to side one, it’s very obviously Stevie Nicks track right from the first second which is great ; one of the best so far in an album i’am really liking! What makes me think you’re the one is a great track but I think the drums are slightly too high in the mix if I were to be really nit picky but it’s really hard to complain about this album. Storms (like sara) is an amazing (very Stevie Nicks) track it’s absolutely amazing! That’s all for everyone is this amazingly droany sounding piece of pop music I especially love Buckingham’s vocals on this one. I don’t hate not that funny (it’s a good single) but I think in comparison to the other tracks this is just a bit dumb. Sisters of the moon is absolutely perfect dark yet beautiful (this is really Stevie Nicks album so far)! Angel is good, a brilliant start to side two especially love the guitar work. That’s enough for me is a rocky folk track it’s really short though so it honestly didn’t leave a big impression on me. Brown eyes is cool I really like the simple drum and bass blend with some guitars (played by original member peter green) quietly featuring in the background. Never make you cry (like brown eyes) is another Christine McVie track this one is also quite simple but effective being a rather short track with a simple slow pulsating guitar flowing all of the way through. Side 3 ends on I know i’am not wrong a super upbeat track that i’am very surprised wasn’t released as a single it’s brilliant (especially for its guitar work). The instrumentation on honey hi is so sublime (I know it always is but this in particular is spectacular). Beautiful child is beautiful Stevie Nicks final blow on the album and well all her songs have been so masterful on this album! The vocal harmonies on walk the thin line are stellar it’s an amazing late album banger. Tusk is the only song I’ve herd before and that’s only because my grandad kept on moaning about how it’s all drum no substance… well I disagree by a country mile but I think it sounds more like an album opener than a penultimate track in a double album (but that’s just silly sequencing preferences). Never forget ( on an instrumental level) made me think of a happy version of gold dust woman, both of which are 10/10 closers. It’s a really,really good album all the way through no song is bad, which I was very surprised by, but I still have a white album like temptation to try shorten the tracklist that’s not a bad thing for me though I just like fiddling with albums. 5/5 was blown away it’s almost as good as Rumours and especially an essential if you’re really into fleetwood mac!

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Beatles

5/5

I was actually listening to this the day before I wrote this review and thought to myself does this album truly deserve a 5/5 if you were to go through the album track by track? The simple answer is no. The long answer is it’s probably more of a 4/5, arguably (excluding the white album) this is the Beatles album with the most filler and sgt peppers, to me anyway, is rather front loaded and only amazing song on side 2 is a day in the life. Actually let’s test this out and go track by track sgt peppers review/analysis: Side 1 Sgt peppers lonely hearts club band: The album opens with it’s title track a song that is really a track that sets the scene for the album. They wanted to escape being the Beatles (and that makes sense in the 60’s). It’s not one of my top Beatles songs but I like it for what it is. With a little help from my friends: This track is an all time greatest song I can’t deny it, (even though the album didn’t have singles) this is the equivalent of the song 2 hit single it’s absolutely amazing i’am actually a big fan of Ringo’s singing (well when he gets the chance) so this is a true treat. Lucy in the sky with diamonds: I know John Lennon said this was about some drawing but I just don’t believe him to be completely honest; the song is trippy as fuck and LSD it just can’t be denied. The song is absolutely amazing though absolutely no flaws. Getting better: Getting better is a banger, if it were a modern album with 4 singles this would be guaranteed to be one it’s so singley! I especially love the chord that runs through the intro and chorus and the Indian style bridge is class, probably my favourite track on side one. Fixing a hole: I like fixing a hole, is it one of my favourite Paul McCartney songs, no, do I always forget about it being on side one, yes, do I enjoy it and sometimes sing along to it, yes! It’s great just not the absolute best. She’s leaving home: I love the chorus of she’s leaving home the vocals are amazing, the verse are good though I especially like how it’s telling a story throughout. The track feels so powerful and has real gravitas to it, I’ve actually herd people say it’s filler, but how it’s perfect! Being for the benefit of mr kite: This song is fucking bonkers, it has John Lennon written all over it! Admittedly, while not my favourite, it’s probably the Sgt peppers track I’ve listened to the most, I love it too much! Side 2 Within you without you: Like how mr kite has Lennon written all over it within you without you has George Harrison written all over it, it’s this amazing classical Indian style track and it’s truly incredible, but I prefer love you too on revolver by a tiny bit as this song does drag just a little and putting a really slow track like this as side 2 track one is a really odd track-listing choice in my opinion. When i’am 64: This is the song that’s closest to early Beatles it’s sweet I really enjoy it the melodies are amazing. I don’t know why but I always think of a Scottish Granny when Paul says “grandchildren on your knee, Vera, Chuck and Dave”. The song isn’t as good as anything on side one though. Lovely Rita: Now we’re at the point of Sgt peppers that makes me skeptical of the “best album of all time” title, this song has a nice melody but other than that I find it filler. Good morning good morning: Lovely Rita isn’t the best thing ever but at least it’s not actively shit, I don’t like this song it’s so dumb and the repeated “good morning good morning’s” are so annoying. But I guess every album (even the classic’s)has that one runt of the litter (e.g. oh daddy on fleetwood mac’s rumours, Lounge act on Nirvanas nevermind and star on David Bowie’s Ziggy stardust). Sgt peppers lonely hearts club band (reprise): The fast version of the first song similar to the first song it’s great for the album but not one I would listen to in my own time. A day in the life: The best album closer of all time, my favourite tracks off Sgt peppers , my favourite Beatles song, possibly the only Beatles song on my top 10 songs of all time it’s just amazing!!! The album does have filler I can’t deny that I would be very suprised if even the most devout Beatles loyalist doesn’t deep down in their heart believe there’s filler even if they don’t admit it. But my original statement of it not being a 5/5 is somewhat ludicrous nowadays it stands as one of the most well received albums of all time it’s an album that hit number 1 everywhere and it’s also one of 2 Beatles albums (the other being abbey road) that I would call genuinely culturally significant to everyone. It’s absolutely amazing 5/5 (even with the flaws)!

She's So Unusual

Cyndi Lauper

4/5

Cyndi Lauper, now that’s a name I’ve herd but never really knew what she’s famous for, looking at the tracklist there’s 2 songs I actually recognise and I would say they’re both the better end of pop so that’s good… Money changes everything screams 80’s new wave it’s good and I really like it on an instrumental level but i’am not a massive fan of her vocals. Girls just want to have fun is one of those singles that reach that “heart of glass” level of pop perfection it’s a brilliant pop hit! When you were mine isn’t brilliant in my opinion but I get it’s role on the track list it’s good bridging the gap stuff in between Girls just want to have fun and… Time after time is a brilliant single girls just want to have fun looks shit in comparison even if they’re both great songs! (I find it odd that side one has 4 songs then side 2 has 6 (bit unbalanced)) But anyway she bob starts off side two with a filler track with a great rhythm somehow it turns out brilliant. I vaguely recognise the chorus of all through the night again it’s a brilliant single with and amazing chorus! Witness (in the context of the album) is rocky (especially the verses) the chorus is sadly a bit eh though. I’ll kiss you is really good pop rock I can’t fault it, especially love the verses! He’s so unusual is wired, short and I really don’t like it. The album ends on yeah yeah it’s not my personal choice for closer but the song is great. Okay it’s a brilliant album but I don’t like the tracklist so I’ll reorder it… 1 money changes everything 2 girls just want to have fun 3 when you were mine 4 she bop 5 all through the night 6 He’s so unusual 7 yeah yeah 8 witness 9 I’ll kiss you 10 time after time 4/5

Paul Simon

4/5

To be honest I’ve barely delved into Paul Simon’s solo career but I like Simon and Garfunkel so it’s probably gonna be good… The album opens with mother child reunion a track that comes as a massive surprise to someone who’s only herd Simon and Garfunkel stuff and the singles from Graceland. Mother and child reunion is full blown reggae it’s really cool to hear from him! Then you’ve got Duncan, this is the kinda thing I would expect from Paul Simon it’s a really good slow folk track. Everything put together falls apart is short but nice. I really like the rhythm to run that body down it’s quite jaunty and then there’s a muffled wah wah guitar solo which felt off but really welcome. Ending side one is armistice day it starts off sounding like the kinda thing you would expect from him but then evolves adding numerous extra layers making this really interesting, also for some reason that I don’t know why but I really like the guitar tones throughout the track. The first few seconds the guitars of me and Julio down the schoolyard reminded me of something a 2000’s “indie” band would make ( in a good way), the bulk of the song is probably one of the best so far I don’t know why but it’s a banger. Peace like a river seems to be the album’s “left turn” it’s a mix of a Paul Simon jam with rather tribal sounding drums and some of the best harmonies in his whole career! Papa hobo keeps it short and sweet it’s probably the worst so far but still really enjoyable. Then it’s hobo’s blues It’s a short sweet instrumental track nothing else though. Paranoia blues starts with a one note drum line marching straight forward throughout the song, I don’t know if the other elements work with the drums but I like them separately. Congratulations closes the album it’s a good closer very fitting to the rest of the album. Side one was flawless, side 2 was mixed as whilst I liked Julio down the school yard, peace like a river and congratulations the other songs felt quite lacklustre in comparison. 4/5

Dig Me Out

Sleater-Kinney

5/5

My general musical opinion of the 90’s is that 90-96 is pretty golden then 97 onwards is a mixed bag. Sleater-Kinney seems to be the one of the better bands of the late 90’s this music sounds so fresh, emotive and primal while sounding like the classic punk bands of the late 70’s. For a more 90’s example Sleater-Kinney sounds like a more primal and less wire-y American elastica. The rawness of the album gives off the illusion that you’re in a sweaty rehearsal room standing right before them playing their instruments it’s surprisingly amazing. Something about this band strikes an exact inner rage, I don’t exactly know how though but it’s a great power the band has on me, and this is my first listen. It’s a 5/5 for me but I could easily see the next person giving this a 1 for the exact reasons why I like them it’s all pure matter of taste.

Time Out

The Dave Brubeck Quartet

2/5

With this I’ve now had three albums from the 1950s all three of which are jazz records… This album really isn’t my kind of music, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from the generator all instrumental music will quite possibly never work with me, all if it lacks the emotion that can come with a half decent lead singer but I can appreciate the talent that’s put in and I bet without a singer to fuck it all up album’s are probably funner to make when all instrumental. Most of the tracks kinda passed through in one ear out the other but I think I’ve actually herd take five before so that one stuck with me a tiny bit more. But while they all passed through in one ear out the other I must admit that the playing on here is brilliant! It’s still only a 2/5 for me but for anyone who likes this kinda music this album should be an essential.

Broken English

Marianne Faithfull

4/5

The albums opener broken English is a decent song rather simple but a nice plunge into her sound, but there’s something about her singing that I really don’t like to be honest, hope that opinion improves as the album goes on. Witches song goes in a folkier direction than the other tracks I prefer it to the last song but something still isn’t clicking. Brain drain was a rather likeable song though I don’t know why though but this one was good, very good in fact! Guilt is a nice tender ending to side one that eventually spirals in its energy throughout, not necessarily something a I love but still rather entertaining. The ballad of Lucy Jordan is a banger an amazing example of side 2 track one being a banger! What’s the hurry was also a banger but I couldn’t find anything notable as such. The penultimate track working class hero is a slow powerful banger loved this one! Why’d ya do it is dance rock at it’s finest brilliant closer. This is a very backloaded album in my opinion the last 4 songs were amazing but the first 3 were a mixed bag. 4/5

At Newport 1960

Muddy Waters

3/5

I’am not overly a fan of live albums on the generator/ book it kinda takes up way too much space also (while I like the bluesier side of rock) blues isn’t my kinda thing. That being said though it is a genuinely decent album to be honest all of the songs were well written and he sounds great live probably 3/5 for my personal tastes but people who like this kinda thing more should really check it out.

Either Or

Elliott Smith

5/5

All of my previous experience from Elliott smith had been from the album figure 8 a great album but not one I revisited all too much because of how long the album is for what it is. Either or seems to be be better being much shorter and immediately opening with speed trials a rather raw acoustic banger absolutely amazing! Alameda is a true show of excellent songwriting also the ghostly ooh’s are cool. Ballad of big nothing has an amazing guitar sound and an amazing hook on the chorus! Between the bars is short and tender, it’s nice but how is this his number one song on spotify? ( oh just saw it was on some soundtrack makes sense). I like how of pictures of me feels like it’s constantly moving up a few semitones every few seconds creates a great tense feeling so good my favourite so far! No name number 5 is a great song unfortunately I haven’t herd no name 1-4 so I can’t really compare but still solid. Rose parade is one of my favourites on a guitar level it’s really good this album is really hard to review because I just want to take it in. Throwing Punch and Judy as a sorta dark metaphor was a very great idea but the song isn’t one of my favourites, still amazing though. Angeles has brilliant guitar picking really bloody hard to review though just know I like it. Cupids trick has the most energy of any of the tracks really outstanding track! The penultimate track 2:45 am (similarly to between the bars) is so tender what a brilliant song. The closer say yes is great I think I’ve herd it before it’s really good. It’s a true 5/5!

Rattus Norvegicus

The Stranglers

4/5

The only song that I’ve herd from this band is golden brown, it’s a good song but not on this album, Hearing the first line “someday i’am gonna smack your face” wasn’t what I expected from this band at all but the song it’s from (sometimes) is good. Following suit was goodbye Toulouse a real rampage I felt the instrumental dragged for a bit too long but the track is good. London lady is pure punk with a few synths…it should be something I like but I don’t for some reason. Princess of the streets is a brilliant slow down and the lyrics have been some of the best so far but Burnel’s vocals aren’t as good as Cornwell’s and this track made that really apparent to me. Hanging around is one of the most groovy tracks an amazing close to side one. FUCK! I’ve herd peaches so much I used to love this song i’am so happy I’ve found who made it!!! (Get a) grip (on yourself) was another fucking banger really solid 1,2 punch of singles for side b. Ugly is a bit mental but it’s probably my favourite song with Brunel on vocals. Down in the sewer is a medley track it’s a nice way to close the album!

Iron Maiden

4/5

The album opens with prowler a true burst of energy and maybe one of the most enjoyable metal songs I’ve ever herd to be honest! At the start of remember tomorrow I thought how the fuck is this metal? Then it explodes into a rampage, good tune. Running free may not be my favourite lyrically as it’s fairly boring in that sense but the drums are amazing and it serves as a great single. Phantom of the opera is a 7 minute long sprawling epic with one of the best guitar riffs ever marching through the song. Don’t get me wrong I really like this album but Transylvania was the first time on the album where I felt it sounded like heavy metal and not just heavy rock still though brilliant instrumental. Strange world is a brilliant slow aftermath to Transylvania’s rage I really like this one! Charlotte the harlot is probably my least favourite on the album but I still don’t hate it which is a sign of a good album. The bands title track closes the album on fairly good note, it’s not a lyrical great but certainly an instrumental great. It’s really good 4/5 but that could rise with time.

Tical

Method Man

3/5

So i’am not very well versed in the rap world to be honest, I’ve herd of the wu tang clan and I think I’ve herd of method man specifically but i’am not that sure… As I said i’am not very well versed in rap so I may just end up making a fool of myself. The album feels quite odd to me though because for the most part it’s very likeable the beats are amazing ( I vaguely recognised a ton of samples on this album), the lyrics are very strong and unlike the standard 17-20 track rap album with an endless labyrinth of interludes this album is nicely condensed into 13 tracks. But the rapping lacks a certain bite, a certain energy, aggressiveness and speed that I quite like in rap music. Method man is just too slow for me. There’s still some brilliant tracks though that are rap essentials (e.g. tical, bring the pain,meth vs chef, sub-crazy and especially mr sandman (by far the most mental song on the album)) Probably a 3/5

Sweet Baby James

James Taylor

4/5

It’s a really decent folk-singer-songwriter album nicely surprised by it… Side one as a whole is amazing with the title track as an opener being an amazing display of his sound kinda reminding me a bit of Nick Drake; but this is nothing in comparison to the 3 track run of Lo and behold (an otherwise stander song but has an amazing “happy clappy chorus), the upbeat sunny skies (a song that sounds destined to be a single (which thankfully it was)) and the bluesy bash steamroller. Country road has to be one of the most instrumentally pleasing tracks that I’ve herd in a long time like sunny skies it sounds like a single. Ending the side is the short and tender oh Susanna. Fire and rain begins side two with this man’s best song a perfect mix of enjoyable yet passionate! Blossom is another banger instrumentally it’s so lovely. Anywhere like heaven is also amazing I love the picking on this one. The worst track ( oh baby, don’t lose your lip on me) follows ( luckily this one is fairly short). Suite for 20g is a brilliant closer a track that goes from sombre and folky to a “rock and roll” tune. It’s probably a 4, but very close to a 5.

Juju

Siouxsie And The Banshees

5/5

Post punk is such an amazing genre in my opinion but siouxsie and the banshees is honestly not a band that I really know though so this is going to be fun… Lead single (and biggest hit) spellbound opens up the album with a memorable banger to get the listener hooked! Into the light is cool, her vocals are perfect on this one and those drums are awesome. Arabian knights is what I expected for a post punk song the bass/drum combo on the verses is so brooding. Halloween (or any public holiday) isn’t really a songwriting theme that I would call good but instrumentally the track is cool. Monitor ending side one was a brilliant choice definitely one of my favourites from side one! Side two track one is night shift a bloody incredible track! The guitars on this are so fucking sick! Sin in my heart is also a banger I love the minute long intro only to be cut by some of the most aggressive drums I’ve ever herd. The metallic guitar tones in head cut are brilliant the rest of the song isn’t necessarily one of my favourites on the album but it’s cool. Voodoo dolly is horror music the track is so tense and I love how it bursts into a ball of insanity. This was great might regret later but i’am gonna give it a 5.

Innervisions

Stevie Wonder

5/5

All of the Stevie wonder singles that I’ve herd before tend to be the best of their time so I hope it’s the same in an album context… Well I wasn’t a massive fan of too high to be honest I get it’s appeal but it wasn’t really my kinda thing. Visions was beautiful and so tender definitely a massive step up in quality from the first song. Living for the city was the first song on the album that felt like a Stevie wonder song in the way that I know of him. It’s an amazing song though a proper groovy 7 minute opus with an awesomely tense bridge that is a true representation of how harsh the racism was at the time. The slamming piano starts off golden lady which eventually forms a funky piano groove it’s another great track. There’s a vortex of funk throughout higher ground an amazing track with brilliant lyrics to start off side two. Jesus children of American is also insanely funky but with a slightly deeper groove, towards the end of the track Stevie sounds like he’s fighting with those amazing backing singers. All in love is fair sounds like the climax of the album a brilliant dramatic sounding piano ballad with bohemian rhapsody esque piano playing. Don’t you worry bout a thing isn’t one of my favourites but there’s bits that I like for example the rather messy intro of Stevie speaking Spanish and the percussion on this is class. The album’s closer he’s misstra know it all is a brilliant closer certainly one of the more upbeat numbers on the album! I know the first track wasn’t to my tastes but the rest of it really was so I'll have to give it a 4.5/5 rounding up to a 5 as literally everything else was perfect!!!

Orbital 2

Orbital

1/5

The album opens with a weird intro track where the line “when time becomes a loop” is repeated for a whole minute it’s a great use of sampling but it really drags on the theme of time is carried on in the next song planet of the shapes with the line “even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day” then the words just stop for most of the track and honestly it’s quite boring most of the tracks are either lyric-less or just have one repeating sample throughout the album is mindnumpingly boring. 1/5

At Budokan

Cheap Trick

3/5

I’am not a massive fan of live albums but I think that this album strives with the messiness and the raw intimacy that comes with a live album. I don’t know this bands discography at all really but without it being a live album there wouldn’t be this unique combination of songs that all actually fit quite well together like if it were a studio album just with the occasional fan screaming. However, other than the 9 minute post punk esque epic I need your love and big hits I want you to want me and surrender both of which I think are fairly weak amongst the pantheon on 70’s classics (especially the studio version’s). I only realised after the listen but they also booked the album with a duo of tracks hello there and goodnight now they’re both good songs but like the rest of the album it lacks specific notoriety. I think it’s a 3 because everything was digestible and enjoyable but nothing was striking in the way I was hoping.

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan

4/5

I think if there’s any artist through this generator who I’ve been slowly getting into it might be Bob Dylan but this is the first time that I’ve actually had an album of his that I would call one of his classics. Out of his albums that I’ve herd ( this album, bringing it all back home, live 1966 and time out of mind) this is the first time I’ve really experienced the political side of Bob Dylan ( which I like and don’t really get why people don’t like politics in music) especially in the track master of war though these lyrics are brilliantly explicit about the Cold War. Just before that there’s also the 1,2 punch of blowing in the wind and girl from the north county which might be two of his best songs ever. Other highlights include the beautifully tragic 6 minute epic a hard rains a gonna fall, another epic 6 minuter talking World War III blues when Dylan is an absolute best with the harmonica and I also quite liked the closer I shall be free which is arguably the most folkish in a very folk album. I think it’s the first one of his albums that I’ve herd that doesn’t have long moments where I felt he forgets who he is and stops being a brilliant songwriter, this is also the rawest of his albums that I’ve ever herd which helps him out in my opinion as it makes his lyrical prowess shine more than I think it does on something like time out of mind and this is definitely the most harmonica heavy thing I’ve herd of his which isn’t really my kinda thing but it gives the songs more personality. I still think though that Dylan could do better as I’ve still had no blonde on blonde, highway 61 or blood on the tracks which I’ve always thought were the classics so I’ll probably save my highest ratings for them. So this one is a 4 (but a high one)!

Nevermind

Nirvana

5/5

This album is the most overrated album of all time yet it’s still a brilliant 5/5 masterpiece… What I mean by that is there’s nothing really special to this album it’s just 12 standard length songs, 10 of which are loud in your face screamers while 2 are more tender acoustic tracks, and a mess of a bonus track that really drags down the quality of the album. Kurt Cobain can’t even really sing and don’t fucking start on the argument that he “sings with emotion” every singer sings with some sorta emotion in their voice the only emotion that I get from his voice is rage. Other people have kinda put me off this album raving about how amazing this is while they mindlessly ignore every other 90’s album. However most of this is redundant when you look at the album in more detail, the album starts off with 3 bangers in a row with smells like teen spirit, in bloom and come as you are I’ve herd nirvana fans (and Kurt Cobain) stupidity hate on the first track mostly because it’s popular but it’s a brilliant single other bands are probably jealous that they haven’t written it themselves, I’ve also saw a YouTube video where someone said they didn’t like it as an album opener the track literally goes “hello,hello,hello” it’s kinda welcoming the listener. Then there is breed which is mindless filler but it’s probably the worst track on the album and as a worst track it’s pretty good. Then my favourite track lithium I don’t know why it’s so good (the chorus is literally “yeah yeah yeah yeah”) but the track just really works. Then is Nirvanas darkest moment polly a slow acoustic track, a true story about a paedophile and captor from the perspective of the paedophile, Cobain done this in a really good way so that it doesn’t turn out creepy in any way and is actually a really enjoyable song. Territorial pissings is 2 and a half minutes of mindless screaming this one took time for me to enjoy but it’s great especially for the lyric “just because you’re paranoid don’t mean they’re not after you”. Drain you is a personal favourite of mine especially for the bridge section which those drums and random gas noises seeping through my ears. Lounge act and stay away aren’t really that notable but I enjoy them. On a plain serves as a climax to the album like territorial pissings this one was a grower on me but once I got into it this track became one of my favourites this one (similarly to drain you) has one of the best bridges ever. Something in the way was a song that I feared it would get ruined after the (mostly) mindless generation of modern music lovers who will believe that any old random trap beat is cool got their hands from it after the batman movie but it fortunately didn’t ruin the song all too much and still stands as one of the best album closers of all time. In conclusion I like this album but I think that this (and nirvana as a whole) is non mainstream music for mainstream people (kinda similarly to guns and roses but I’ll get to that another day).

Melody A.M.

Röyksopp

3/5

To be honest most of the listening for this album was done in the background but I found it to be very enjoyable electronica, the album contains little vocals which isn’t really my kinda thing and I don’t think that the album gets any better than the really unique opener so easy with all of those awesome textures added on to the track it’s nowhere near perfect and can be fairly uninteresting at places but it’s good background noise! 3/5

Lam Toro

Baaba Maal

2/5

It’s somewhat enjoyable but I really,really don’t like world music and I’am having a shitty day so that doesn’t help but hey you can tell that this guy is having fun and it’s better than Ladysmith Black Mazambo having absolutely no instrumentation. I think to be fair on it it’s a 2/5 for me personally but if you like this kinda thing it’s great.

Amnesiac

Radiohead

3/5

This album is really overrated to be completely honest, yeah I like Radiohead they’re probably in my top 10 favourite bands but this isn’t much special in my opinion. Other than a few highlights it’s one of Radiohead’s worst albums to be completely honest (it’s worse than Pablo Honey) … You’ve got packt like sardines in a crushd tin box which is really boring and monotone than pyramid song which is good but might as well be the most overrated Radiohead song amongst the fanbase. Pulk/ pull revolving doors must be a joke, honestly how could an album with this song have fairly positive critical reception? The album does admittedly improve though after these first three, you and whose army is great emotional spiralling builder that forms into insanity towards the end, then while I’am not too sure on his singing on this track I might be wrong is a cool little rock tune, Knives out is one of late career Radiohead’s best songs it’s absolutely amazing for every second of it’s runtime and (while I know i’am in the minority) I much prefer the amnesiac version of morning bell. Then it slumps again with Dollars and cents the most forgettable song in Radiohead’s career and hunting bears which is admittedly a cool instrumental but I would’ve preferred it to just be one minute instead of two. Luckily this rather unbalanced album is saved by it’s last two songs, like spinning plates is the most interesting track on the album featuring reversed vocals (even if the song is only one verse long) then jazzy closer life in a glasshouse might as well be my favourite Radiohead closer it’s an amazing left turn to end the kid a and amnesiac duo of albums. It’s a rollercoaster of an album but I really like the best moments a 3/5.

Life's Too Good

The Sugarcubes

4/5

Bjork’s first band and that’s all I really know to be honest and from the first track (traitor) you can tell this thing is wired with male spoken word vocals backed by Bjork’s beautiful screaming. The rest of the of the album does mostly tone down after though. I think her singing is definitely not something that appeals to everyone that hears it but I’ve really enjoyed it, I also think that while she obviously goes in a more experimental pop direction Bjork’s music is quite grounded in the formalities of rock music so to hear her in a rock band was cool. If I had to call out specific best tracks on the album they would probably be: traitor, delicious demon, mama, coldsweat and deus! But honestly, I like all of the tracks especially when they get weird 4/5!

Raising Hell

Run-D.M.C.

4/5

It’s an amazing rap album (even with the Aerosmith cover (who I really don’t like)). Every song is on point and flows perfectly into each other he just needs to learn how Adidas is pronounced. It’s honestly brilliant though pretty much every track of it high 4/5.

Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim

Frank Sinatra

3/5

It’s a short album of seducing girls. 3/5

Head Hunters

Herbie Hancock

3/5

What cool album art shame the music isn’t my cuppa tea (it’s still good though just don’t expect me to re-listen ) … Chameleon opens the album and it’s literally funk Tarkus it’s way, way too long (even if Tarkus is longer) but this track is a okay instrumental. Watermelon man is a song I really appreciate, I really like the sound they made out of the flutes. Sly is too long just like Chameleon was but I like the almost spy vs spy esque mess it makes. Vein melter as well to be honest all of these tracks are cool but would all be better as a part of a grander song.

Automatic For The People

R.E.M.

5/5

R.E.M yes bloody awesome I loved murmur so to have their most popular album now is cool… I’am not gonna talk about my personal life on here but i’am going through a little bit of shit and music like this really cheers me up so I guess 5/5.

Fever Ray

3/5

Initially, it’s a very nice album in concept it’s like joy division but electronic the lower pitch vocals are raspy but cool/ unique but the higher pitch vocals are horrible like an unlistenable mix of Bjork’s and Alanis Morrisette’s worst vocal qualities (and I really, really like both of their singing) but this album is quite interesting to be honest just could’ve been better. And what a disappointment for day 200 less than half as good as my day 100 (court of the crimson kings) this is a 3/5.

Electric Prunes

The Electric Prunes

2/5

The first track is bloody amazing! One of the best 60’s songs that I’ve ever herd! The rest of the album drags so much in it’s (just under) half an hour run time there’s some tracks that I liked but one of these rather short tracks felt like listening to the white album 100 times it’s so draggy. 2/5

Lady In Satin

Billie Holiday

3/5

The strings on this are really nice, and (while she didn’t write any of them) the lyrics are so beautiful. Shame she’s not a brilliant singer 3/5.

Blur

5/5

I love this album definitely blurs best one of their longest but the only one that doesn’t drag for a minute. Obviously (like most albums) the album is known for a couple of hits starting with the 1,2 punch of the drowning beetlebum followed by song 2 a mockery of grunge that actually sounds like the best grungy song of the 1990’s. M.O.R (like what it stands for) is a middle of the road track that stolen so much from David Bowie that blur had to add him as a writer. On your own is the ultimate party with one of the catchiest choruses on the album. All of this happens within the first 5 songs so on the surface level this could be seen as front loaded but some of these non singles really make this album special in particular : You’ve got the beautiful you’re so great filled to to the brim with little crackles and pops like it’s been on a record player. Death of a party provides a dark side to the album that only gets more prominent as time goes on, with a riveting bass line and a darkly memorable hook. Strange news from another star reminds me of early 70’s David bowie and serves as my personal favourite track; the track ends in a rampaging march intro the punky moving on before going into the spoken word closer Essex dogs a very off putting but unique song. The other tracks certainly each provide a new layer to the album and blurs career going away from a greater but catchy Britpop singles act to a dark album track act showing their verity in a consistent album definitely deserves a 5!

Crime Of The Century

Supertramp

5/5

I really didn’t expect this but I really resonated with some of the lyrics in quite a strange way and the songs themselves were great especially: Opener school which starts off as very slow but then expands into full on funk. Hide in your shell probably made me think the most about a certain time in my life so that one came across as quite beautiful. Asylum again has amazing lyrics and it ends on this theatrical close which is perfect to end side one. If everyone was listening has the best chorus with thundering drums juxtaposed with a pretty piano. Crime of the century is a great album closer ending on this amazing instrumental so theatrical. I loved this so much 5/5.

Illmatic

Nas

5/5

I hate to do this but I’ve got 3 5/5’s in a row baby! Maybe that’s a bad thing though because I’ll get less 5/5’s later but it’s so good… The reason why I love this album is because it’s one of the only rap albums that are concise and lack a bad song. Nas is also quite possibly one of the best lyricist’s that I’ve ever herd I’ve always especially liked the line “sleep is the cousin of death” on New York state of mind. The beats are fairly samey but it doesn’t matter too much as that’s not really the focus of the album . There are some skits on the album but (other than the first track) they act more as introductions to the songs and don’t drag unlike they sometimes do on rap album. Maybe it’s slightly front loaded but it gets balanced out by the skit at the start. I guess it’s a 5.

Mama's Gun

Erykah Badu

1/5

I don’t like this it drags on way too long and her voice is just your typical cringey early 2000’s pop hip hop voice. The music is very loungey which it’s nice the album keeps a cohesive tone throughout but it’s so boring (a high) 1/5.

Roger the Engineer

The Yardbirds

3/5

This band had Eric Clapton and Jimmy page in it at times but none of them are on this album though it’s got Jeff beck though but I don’t know his discography so I can’t judge much before going in. And beck’s guitar playing is good (probably better than Clapton worse than Page) but the album is boring at points you get a couple of rockers than a boring almost pre school sounding track. The album’s average 3/5.

Protection

Massive Attack

3/5

I’ve now had both of the massive attack albums that are on here and while I don’t know much about them I was sure that mezzanine would be the obvious choice for the book but hey we got this! It’s not bad every song sounds unique but (excluding the first song) it all feels quite forgettable when the album is done. Maybe the other notable moment is the doors cover (light my fire) at the end mostly because the doors are one of the last groups that I would’ve expected them to cover. The cover is a little strange with all of the turntables and hip hop drums but it’s still a good enough track. I gave blue lines a 4/5 if I remember correctly this is a small step down so I’ll give it a 3/5.

Headquarters

The Monkees

3/5

Well I don’t really like the idea of a “fake band” that the monkees brought to the scene especially that it was for shallow corporate reasons but the album itself is pleasant if not a little forgettable at places until zilch which is just wired. Rest is ok though 3/5.

Fragile

Yes

4/5

Surprised to hear a yes album with tracks shorter than 10 minutes, this thing is great though not as good as close to the edge though but still great (if America was on the main album it would’ve beat it).

1989

Taylor Swift

4/5

I’am surprised how much i’am looking forward to this… And it’s great, maybe a little overproduced but anything after 2010 will be. 4/5

Basket of Light

Pentangle

3/5

It’s a solid 15/1600’s sounding album dated and greensleavsey but cool.

25

Adele

4/5

I like Adele quite a bit to be honest I like 25 but 21 is where it’s at. This is still good though I especially really liked River lea what a tune!

Alien Lanes

Guided By Voices

4/5

The fact that it’s got so many tracks makes it feel much longer than it is but the album is very enjoyable 4/5.

Rocks

Aerosmith

3/5

I didn’t have it just in the background but my mind treated it as background filler. Typical Aerosmith 3/5.

Rubber Soul

Beatles

5/5

I haven’t actually herd this one before and I honestly expected it to be a let down sorta bridging period album between old and new Beatles, but this thing sounds like the Beatles had a spark of genius in the songwriting, all of the tracks are some sorta love song with most of the lyrics being brilliant ( I know run for your life is just wrong though). Still 5/5!!!

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

3/5

It’s solid nothing special though 3/5.

Aladdin Sane

David Bowie

5/5

Is this album as good as hunky dory or Ziggy stardust? No Is it still a 5/5? Obviously This one is much heavier and acts as a flurry of bangers each as great as the next. It actually probably has less filler than hunky or Ziggy but it also has one less track and never reaches those exact heights. Oh yeah and it also has got one of the most iconic album covers of all time.

Garbage

5/5

Supervixen, queer, only happy when it rains is one of the best three song opening rushes that I’ve herd in a while. The rest of the album is green though really unique sounding on an instrumental level ( singing is great too but the 90’s was like the decade of amazing singers so Manson fairs quite low in my personal ranking ). Other personal favourites include: as heaven is wide, not my idea, a stroke of luck, vow, stupid girl, dog new tricks,my lovers box,fix me now, milk. Oh that’s all of them well I guess it’s a 5 then!!!

Deja Vu

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

4/5

I would’ve loved to give this a bad score to piss off the old grumpy Neil Young extremists that plague this site but this is great 4/5.

Elastica

5/5

90’s wire with a female lead singer that’s slept with both Brett Anderson and Damon Albarn. Of course this is amazing!

Slanted And Enchanted

Pavement

3/5

It starts off great then it gets unlikable and wired 3/5.

Dear Science

TV On The Radio

3/5

It’s long for what it is but it’s decent quite a unique blend of rock and electronica, maybe not the most deserving to be on the book but it’s good 3/5.

Music in Exile

Songhoy Blues

4/5

I will admit the language barrier makes it harder but this is very good 4/5.

Kid A

Radiohead

5/5

It’s not the best Radiohead album but it’s still very good very cold and distant sounding in a way still a 5 though.

Playing With Fire

Spacemen 3

3/5

The start of it made me think of what a whole album of the song just like honey by the Jesus and mary chain would sound like then at the middle it got interesting, suicide was way too long for what it was then the final track was quite nice. 3/5

Emergency On Planet Earth

Jamiroquai

3/5

I mean I like it a little the music is nice but some of the tracks drag 3/5.

Mr. Tambourine Man

The Byrds

3/5

It’s a really good nice sounding set of songs would give a 4 if it had more originals but 3 due to the immense amount of covers.

Chelsea Girl

Nico

3/5

It’s okay but not one of my favourites on here it drags for what it is 3/5.

Caetano Veloso

3/5

It’s good music quite entertaining but it dragged a little at points and the language barrier makes it a little harder to enjoy but it’s good though. 3/5

Me Against The World

2Pac

4/5

It’s really good but rap albums are so long for what they are. 4/5

Pieces Of The Sky

Emmylou Harris

3/5

It’s mostly okay but that for no one cover is so beautiful 3/5 for the album 5/5 for that track.

Modern Life Is Rubbish

Blur

5/5

Well this is one brilliant album but it’s definitely blurs most front loaded album as I love the whole run from for tomorrow to oily water then Miss America onwards is just a drop in quality. Blur overload their albums anyway this just gets a 5/5.

Tracy Chapman

4/5

This is really, really good took me by surprise this one 4/5!

American Idiot

Green Day

5/5

Technically my day one but I lost the account name to that project after that day and decided to ignore that account. But this album is a 5/5 but MCR’s the black parade is the better concept album of the 2000’s and should’ve been on the book.

Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

The Byrds

2/5

Why is this on here??? Why??? The byrds really don’t need this many albums especially that this one is just some dumb jaunty folk shit for half an hour.

Mask

Bauhaus

5/5

2.84??? This is so awesome! Easy 5/5. Sad but wired stuff.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Wilco

4/5

It’s good, it’s good I like it there’s not a bad song but it feels really long.4/5

Car Wheels On A Gravel Road

Lucinda Williams

3/5

It’s a nice album with good lyrics but is it that special…nope 3/5.

Out Of The Blue

Electric Light Orchestra

4/5

It’s good, I much prefer side 1 and 3 (concerto for a rainy day) than sides 2 or 4 but it’s all nice 4/5.

evermore

Taylor Swift

3/5

Woah champagne problems is amazing!!! Same with happiness!!! The others are good but the sequencing of the album is a bit poor 3/5

It's Blitz!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

4/5

It’s nice electronic rock with some great songs 4/5

Beyond Skin

Nitin Sawhney

2/5

The music is cool but not really my kinda thing 2/5.

Little Earthquakes

Tori Amos

4/5

It’s really good the same strong and powerful female solo vocalist Kate Bush, Bjork, Alanis Morrisette kinda stuff. This album is slightly weaker than those 3’s “peak albums” ( hounds of love, debut, jagged little pill) but this is still a very worthy listen the lyrics all over are amazing high 4/5. (Also I realise that this album is before 2 of the artists I mentioned really blew up its just a comparative point as those 3 are much more popular than this person)

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Ray Charles

4/5

I’ll admit this didn’t look like something that I would find remotely interesting but it was amazing to be honest, it was really well produced for the early 60’s and the selection of tracks is brilliant (even if he wrote none of them which does knock off a point for me). So 4/5 very good!

Nixon

Lambchop

3/5

I mean it’s alright but it’s just so in the background 3/5.

Mama Said Knock You Out

LL Cool J

3/5

It’s just a really typical rap album to be honest I think it’s good but not brilliant 3/5.

The Specials

4/5

It’s alright just not my kinda thing ska can be a bit boring and samey to me but I appreciate it enough to give it a 4/5.

Violator

Depeche Mode

5/5

Awesome just awesome 5/5.

Lady Soul

Aretha Franklin

5/5

Short 10 songs all great quality not my kinda thing but I’ll give it a 5/5.

Tragic Songs of Life

The Louvin Brothers

1/5

Eww just not my kinda music tbh 1/5

Tapestry

Carole King

5/5

It’s just really really good 5/5.

Songs From The Big Chair

Tears For Fears

5/5

Mad world and everybody wants to rule the world are the two songs from this band I know and everybody wants to rule the world is on here so that’s good… Shout is awesome so is the working hour both of there 6 minute run times go so quickly. Everybody wants to rule the world is one of the best singles of all time! Mother’s talk is great but not one pf my favourites. I believe is sad and slow maybe too morose for the start of side 2 but it’s a brilliant song. Broken is good but it’s more prepping for head over heels which is like the centrepiece of side 2 the reprise of broken works too. You hear listen and it just screams album closer it’s brilliant. 5/5 can’t fault it.

Sincere

Mj Cole

2/5

It reminds me of kurupt fm but not hilarious, just useless.

Bluesbreakers

John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers

3/5

It’s not super great just average claptons playing is definitely the highlight.

Goo

Sonic Youth

4/5

MILDRED PEIRCE

Black Monk Time

The Monks

4/5

A bit bat shit crazy but it’s short and fun 4/5.

Floodland

Sisters Of Mercy

5/5

Dark evil new wavey awesomeness 5/5.

In It For The Money

Supergrass

4/5

The album starts off amazing (until it’s not me it’s a 5/5) but then the last couple are quite lacklustre (and it’s a worse album than I should coco) so it’s 4/5.

The Number Of The Beast

Iron Maiden

4/5

I mean it’s good but I don’t think it’s much of an improvement from the first iron maiden album 4/5 just like I gave that one.

Exile On Main Street

The Rolling Stones

4/5

It’s not bad but I don’t love it 4/5.

Be

Common

3/5

Eh just a typical rap album I don’t get it

In The Wee Small Hours

Frank Sinatra

4/5

Beautiful absolutely beautiful shame he didn’t write the songs himself but it works really well as a concept album 4/5

Here, My Dear

Marvin Gaye

4/5

Good but super long 4/5

Truth

Jeff Beck

4/5

At the start it wowed me but then towards the end not as much still great though and I hope to revisit it one day 4/5.

The Yes Album

Yes

4/5

I don’t love yes but I can’t say anything bad 4/5

Yank Crime

Drive Like Jehu

3/5

The literal sound of a mental breakdown…meh

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Various Artists

4/5

It’s Christmas, the fact I knew a ton of these made it quite easy but after Christmas nobody will care about these songs for another 12 months, I will be kind though and give it a 4/5.

London Calling

The Clash

5/5

Punk music with standard rock instrumental work brilliant!!!

A Love Supreme

John Coltrane

3/5

It’s not my kinda thing but was enjoyable and I can’t deny the talent 3/5.

The Dark Side Of The Moon

Pink Floyd

5/5

It’s not an album I listen to often but it’s an undeniable 5/5!

Elephant Mountain

The Youngbloods

3/5

Eh it’s a bit boring to be honest but not horrible

Entertainment

Gang Of Four

4/5

I like quite a bit of it but it’s just not a 5/5 and I don’t know why it screams to me as something Id love but it’s still good.

Boston

5/5

When I think “classic rock” this is definitely the album I would think of first. It’s not an album that I’ve gave that much attention to to be honest (literally until today I didn’t realise the boston spaceships were guitars), I’ve herd it 2 or 3 times before and I obviously know more than a feeling but other than that nothing really. But a lack of attention doesn’t mean it’s not absolutely amazing though it’s only 8 songs long (9 I guess if you count foreplay/long time as separate track) but that works in its favour as every track is practically perfect in every way, so rocking!!! A 5/5 for sure

Red Headed Stranger

Willie Nelson

3/5

It’s good country but is country my kinda thing…no 3/5.

Fleet Foxes

3/5

It’s indie hipster shit and it’s quite good indie hipster shit probably 3/5.

O.G. Original Gangster

Ice T

3/5

Eh it’s ok just looooooong

Brothers

The Black Keys

4/5

I don’t hate this thing and I consider myself quite a positive reviewer but how is this rated so highly it’s just generic rock that doesn’t do anything special, like people roll their eyes at britpop because they think it’s generic but really against this??? It’s not a bad album though and the songs are quite nice still a 4/5.

Isn't Anything

My Bloody Valentine

3/5

I mean they made loveless and that’s a really good album but this is just alright a little crap 3/5.

Heaven Or Las Vegas

Cocteau Twins

4/5

I remember having treasure and while it was a very good album it came across as a bit of an unorganised mess in terms of vocals but this is just really good still 4/5 though.

Sign 'O' The Times

Prince

4/5

It’s good but can be a bit of a slog at points and I’m not a massive prince fan still good though 4/5

Station To Station

David Bowie

4/5

It’s a good album but I just don’t like this kind of music as much as the stuff on hunky Dory Ziggy stardust or Aladdin sane. Still though all 6 of these tracks are proper bangers! 4/5

Brilliant Corners

Thelonious Monk

2/5

I get why it’s good but it’s so not my kinda thing 2/5.

In Utero

Nirvana

5/5

Very good and very tortured not as good as Nevermind but still a 5/5

Arise

Sepultura

2/5

I hate this band sooooooooo much I remember having roots before and it was a nightmare I don’t think this was as bad but still a 2/5.

Our Aim Is To Satisfy

Red Snapper

1/5

Well they failed at their aim

Live At The Regal

B.B. King

4/5

I didn’t love every second of it but in general it was amazing 4/5

The Modern Lovers

4/5

I don’t mind not amazing singers so I quite liked this 4/5

Chris

Christine and the Queens

3/5

I don’t hate it it’s just a modern french pop album it’s alright

Highway 61 Revisited

Bob Dylan

5/5

I mean it’s got like a rolling stone and ballad of a thin man on side one then desolation row on side two even if the other tracks were shit (they’re not by the way) it would still be a very easy 5/5.

Live At The Witch Trials

The Fall

3/5

I don’t really know what to think of this he’s not a great singer but he sounds very uninvested and I don’t usually tend to mind weird singers but I didn’t really like his voice. Still though this thing apparently only took a day to make and for that it’s quite awesome and the instrumentation is quite good. 3/5

Frank

Amy Winehouse

4/5

I really like this album it has some absolutely amazing songs but is it as good as back to black, no and is this album a bit too long, yes. 4/5

Heroes

David Bowie

4/5

First half was excellent then v2 Schneider was alright for atmosphere, sense of doubt was good moss garden and neukoln were so boring the the closer was a bit naf. It’s still mostly good though I just don’t like that kind of music much. 4/5

Strangeways, Here We Come

The Smiths

4/5

I’m surprised how good this one was to be honest I thought it was meant to be some sorta flop for the smiths but the songs are very good, I’ll give it a 4/5 though because it’s very front loaded.

The Who Sell Out

The Who

2/5

Honestly I hate to say this about the who as they’re one of the greats really but this wasn’t great; I can see for miles is very good but the rest of it is either eh or just not good 2/5.

Casanova

The Divine Comedy

3/5

This is good and some really great tracks but it’s not overly interesting all throughout so I guess 3/5.

Modern Kosmology

Jane Weaver

3/5

Eh it’s just a modern electronic pop album the back half is a bit better than the front half but I didn’t hate any of the tracks it’s just nothing amazing. 3/5

The Doors

5/5

It’s just brilliant, iconic and every track is a banger easy 5/5

Bad

Michael Jackson

5/5

I’ve actually never fully herd a Michael Jackson album before but the songs I knew I knew of before (bad, man in the mirror and smooth criminal) left me quite excited and I wasn’t one bit disappointed, I hate to give it to a nonce but 5/5.

Pet Sounds

The Beach Boys

5/5

It’s a great album but it just pisses me off when people call it a concept album.5/5 though

Hotel California

Eagles

4/5

I’ve just gave 3 albums in a row (Doors , Michael Jackson, Beach Boys) 5/5’s and while this album is certainly great it’s not in that same level to be honest I like it though 4/5.

Inspiration Information

Shuggie Otis

3/5

I didn’t hate it the album just kinda passed through me, the starting tracks with the vocals were okay but I didn’t overly like his singing but then it goes full instrumental and my interest is gone. 3/5

Pelican West

Haircut 100

3/5

It’s an okay album a little forgettable amongst the 1001 albums most of the guitar riffs are the exact same funk thing but I don’t hate it the albums nice but there’s just better new wave stuff on here and not on here. 3/5

Imagine

John Lennon

4/5

It’s very solid I like most of the album, some of the longer songs did drag a little for me though ( I don’t wanna be a solider mama, how do you sleep) they’re not bad though just kinda lost my attention at those points. I am much more of a paul guy when it comes to my beatles though so I’ll give this a 4/5 but that could change in the future.

Different Class

Pulp

5/5

Bloody heck if half of this community didn’t partake in “britpop bashing” this would be one of the top rated albums for sure, it’s fairly unique, there’s not a bad song on here and the sequencing isn’t utterly botched either. And to those who call this creepy well Michael Jackson is a certified nonce (and we all know that Jarvis Cocker didn’t like Michael). And even for artists not in the top rated artists have creepier albums like that french nonce album (I can’t remember it’s name and while I like it violent femme’s debut is as creepy as this all your really gonna get here is a few uh’s. Also while I’m on this album what is it with the britpop hate on this website perfectly great bands like pulp or suede or oasis will get a ton of reviews right at the top moaning about how boring britpop is (have you actually fucking listened to these albums). Yeah I love this shit!!! 5/5 all the way maybe my all time favourite aswell.

Survivor

Destiny's Child

2/5

I mean there’s nothing musically bad about it and it starts off with two singles but this album was a drag and is way way too long for what it is 2/5.

Private Dancer

Tina Turner

3/5

It’s alright I don’t really have much to say but I hate when help is done as a slow song it defeats the whole point of it. Anyway the album is decent 3/5

3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...

Arrested Development

3/5

Eh I don’t really care much for hip hop but it’s not bad 3/5.

Hot Fuss

The Killers

5/5

Amazing yes front loaded as fuck but amazing 5/5

We're Only In It For The Money

The Mothers Of Invention

3/5

It’s too wired but I like it to an extent

Bitches Brew

Miles Davis

2/5

Eh it’s just not for me

Palo Congo

Sabu

1/5

Album loves its bongos but i hate the singing and it’s a bit boring.

Born To Run

Bruce Springsteen

4/5

It’s really fucking good 4/5

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

OutKast

3/5

Hey ya and the rest of the love below is great I didn’t really like speakerboxx too much though. 3/5

Dry

PJ Harvey

4/5

It’s nice but I need to listen to it more really to “get it” I think 4/5 maybe???

The Only Ones

4/5

I like this but (compared to other punk bands) this isn’t quite as good 4/5 though still brilliant!

Ray Of Light

Madonna

2/5

I found it quite boring to be perfectly honest 2/5

At San Quentin

Johnny Cash

4/5

It’s interesting and a really good live album 4/5.

Moby Grape

4/5

It’s good but I felt it gotten a little bit more boring towards the end and I’m not too sure how much I would want to replay it still great and I would recommend 4/5

Red Dirt Girl

Emmylou Harris

2/5

Idk it was alright I didn’t really like the drums but the songwriting was alright 2/5

Walking Wounded

Everything But The Girl

2/5

I find it weird that Spotify says that fans of this band like prefab sprout as this is nothing like that, this album is boring clubby trash but inoffensive boring clubby trash.

Everything Must Go

Manic Street Preachers

5/5

Maybe I’m being too generous as this album does have some filler but it’s a 5; all of the singles are amazing and the last three tracks (all not singles) are a treat. You’ve also gotta appreciate how they went from an album so grim (but still amazing) holy bible to something this polished after the disappearance of a member which I would’ve thought would’ve made the music more harsh but this more mainstream direction is great. Oh yeah also the top review for this album (the “britpop is shit one”) is just stupid.

Searching For The Young Soul Rebels

Dexys Midnight Runners

3/5

Eh I liked bits but it can drag for a 35 minute long album 3/5.

In Rainbows

Radiohead

5/5

Brilliant slightly overrated but still a 5 but a low 5 instead of “one of the best albums of all time” as some say.

Live!

Fela Kuti

3/5

I don’t really like this kinda music but I can appreciate it 3/5

Van Halen

4/5

I found myself really enjoying this one to be honest and I didn’t think I was so that’s cool. 4/5

Ready To Die

The Notorious B.I.G.

4/5

Like most rap albums as time goes on it gets boring no matter how good the songs are because there’s just too many tracks. I liked it though 4/5.

Future Days

Can

3/5

I think it’s interesting but just interesting for the sake of it rather than providing good to listen to music.3/5

Shaft

Isaac Hayes

2/5

There’s nothing inherently bad about this but long soundtrack albums which are mostly instrumental just aren’t made for me. 2/5

Sea Change

Beck

3/5

It’s nice smooth and emotional which are all amazing but with that comes a bit of samieness which makes an already long album drag. 3/5

Kimono My House

Sparks

5/5

Perfect and really fucking unique 5/5.

All Mod Cons

The Jam

5/5

Definitely the best jam album (5/5)

Can't Buy A Thrill

Steely Dan

3/5

It’s definitely good but really boring 3/5

Queens of the Stone Age

Queens Of The Stone Age

4/5

This is where I get really critical of dimery’s picks for the book as yeah this is a good album but it’s only the 4th best qotsa album, ranking going like this: 1) songs for the deaf 2) rated r 3)…like clockwork 4) this album I think like clockwork may be on here but I’m honestly not even too sure of that but songs for the deaf is the easy pick for this band and it’s ludicrous that it wasn’t picked over this. This album is good though it’s just a bit less interesting and unique as the other qotsa albums I mentioned 4/5.

Pearl

Janis Joplin

3/5

I don’t mind it but a whole album of janis joplin can get a bit too much 3/5

Vivid

Living Colour

2/5

I don’t really like the mix of funk and metal it’s just really weird to me 2/5

Honky Tonk Heroes

Waylon Jennings

2/5

Eh just some boring hillbilly shit

Synchronicity

The Police

5/5

I really enjoyed this not my usual kinda thing but still 5/5

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols

Sex Pistols

5/5

Well I rated public image a 1 so this might as well be the biggest ratings gap for an individual artist

Raw Power

The Stooges

4/5

It’s good I liked side one quite a bit more than side two but it’s great throughout and not a bad song 4/5

Superfuzz Bigmuff

Mudhoney

2/5

I don’t know most of the time I really like this kinda music but this one just didn’t hit 2/5

Shadowland

k.d. lang

2/5

By memory I didn’t mind the other k.d.lang album but this was a bit shit and really boring it’s not purposely dreadful though 2/5

No Other

Gene Clark

3/5

Finding out that this guy was lead singer of the byrds for some time is definitely not a surprise. Like why does the byrds have to be so heavily featured in this book??? And like the Byrds this album is cool but forgettable and fairly unnecessary (It doesn’t have many similarities to them other than that though). Still quite nice though 3/5.

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin

5/5

I was close to calling this overrated, giving it a 4 out of respect for the band, then ignoring it but after a second listen this actually came across as really brilliant, not a single bad track and is able to be interesting throughout. 5/5

Duck Rock

Malcolm McLaren

1/5

I don’t purposely hate world music but I just do this is weird and yeah unique but rubbish 1/5.

American Pie

Don McLean

4/5

Is the title track the best song? Yeah, by far. Are the other tracks bad? Nah 4/5

Kings Of The Wild Frontier

Adam & The Ants

5/5

First listen of this thing and I kinda shrugged, this isn’t a ‘deep album’ by any means, this album is like what junkies should be taking instead of cocaine or heroin. Obviously what I’ve said is COMPLETELY out of touch but so is this album and so is Adam ant. That’s what makes it special. It’s almost like the album was made for and by children. It’s also the only album with drums as the strongest instrument that I’m not bored by. I would never go for a song as goofy as feed me to the lions or Jolly Roger but Jolly Roger and its live version were tied as my top song of 2023 on Spotify. The albums made to make you smile like the goofy ‘Clint Eastwood’ backing vocals in los rancheros or the nonsense at the end of the human beings and the ‘murder happy characters’ in making history, they sound like they should be plastered on a cereal box or ceebeebies. I would argue the only song that’s slightly deep is ants invasion and that’s just because of its riff that, yes does sound like an invasion waiting to happen. Oh and the bridge to that song is so cool. I haven’t even mentioned the first two songs, the hits. Ant music is one of the best singles of all time and dog eat dog is brilliant too. As with most tracks it’s the drumming that puts this leagues above other similar albums. Also the first 3 songs of side 2 all kinda have the same vibe I’ve always felt. You have the title track, the MAG-NIFICENT five MAG-NIFICENT, and sex music for ant people ant music for sex people (AKA don’t be square be there). I honestly don’t really know what I’m saying with this review now 5/5

Fisherman's Blues

The Waterboys

4/5

The front half of this was amazing (kinda reminds me of the levellers if any of you lot know them). The back half isn’t that good though in comparison (still quite good though) 4/5

Celebrity Skin

Hole

4/5

Yeah it’s cool and really dark but I did find it a bit slow going so 4/5

Young Americans

David Bowie

4/5

Of course it’s good it’s bowie but it doesn’t compare to the earlier heights of hunky dory/ziggy stardust/aladdin sane. 4/5

Ctrl

SZA

2/5

I didn’t find it that fun at all but I admit it’s slightly unique and not inherently that dreadful. I still don’t think she deserves to be one of the top artists on Spotify though. 2/5

Scott 4

Scott Walker

5/5

This album is so awesome I can’t believe how low it’s rated 5/5

Teen Dream

Beach House

4/5

It’s nice, a little dreamy but not super, every song is unique and cohesive but I think some drag. 4/5

In Our Heads

Hot Chip

4/5

I really enjoyed this, I’m not that into electronica but this was great I kinda feel it’s a genre I can slowly woo myself into going from any old rock band to something like the killers to MGMT to this is slowly moving my tastes into that indie electronica direction. Maybe one day I’ll find enjoyment in one of those mostly instrumental ones but not for now. 4/5

The Velvet Underground

5/5

Not a bad moment 5/5

The Gershwin Songbook

Ella Fitzgerald

3/5

Yeah… I was bored with the shortened “best of” version, I get that Ella Fitzgerald and George/Ira Gershwin are both really important from a historical perspective and I don’t think the songs are bad but it’s just not really the type of thing that I went in for. It does deserve a place on the book though and it’s alright so 3/5?

Definitely Maybe

Oasis

5/5

People who say that the britpop albums on here are rubbish are either just talking shite to sound pretentious listening to their weird obscurest jazz album or are hardcore grunge diehards that won’t give into the acceptance that britpop is good (even after like 30 years). Because it’s from a popular band definitely maybe actually has a decent score but I bet the “uurgh I hate britpop” crowd are here somewhere. Anyway the album itself is great though from the obvious great singles “rock and roll star”, “live forever”, “supersonic” and “cigarettes and alcohol” to perfect album tracks ranging from the trippy “Columbia” the punky brawler “bring it on down” and the stunning climax “slide away”. Yeah there is “digsys dinner” which is comical and stupid and “married with children” is quite a half arsed closer. But all the best albums have at least one runt of the litter. The only reason why it might not be a universal 5/5 is liams voice but I don’t hate it; it’s got it’s charm. So yeah 5/5.

The Stone Roses

5/5

Yeah this is just a brilliant album (except for don’t stop which is utterly pointless b side material that should’ve been replaced with elephant stone). Still great though 5/5.

A Date With The Everly Brothers

The Everly Brothers

3/5

The lyrics are really outdated at points but the songs are still pretty good and it’s short enough for me to actually put my attention to it. Still though my likelihood of re-visiting it isn’t high and I don’t really want a date with the everly brothers (and I definitely don’t want one with their corpses). 3/5

Country Life

Roxy Music

4/5

In general I really liked it but there’s something about his singing that drags it down a little. Still great though 4/5.

Suicide

1/5

I liked the first two songs a little but then it just dropped from there, it’s unique but not great sadly a 1/5

Oar

Alexander 'Skip' Spence

3/5

Tortured genius perhaps, this album is music to your ears when you’re super depressed, it’s difficult and awkward when you’re feeling alright 3/5

Talking Book

Stevie Wonder

5/5

This guy is awesome 5/5

Back In Black

AC/DC

4/5

Good old rock and roll 4/5.

Scott 2

Scott Walker

4/5

Why don’t people like Scott Walker he’s so awesome, there’s a tonne of covers which brings it down a little but it’s still great 4/5.

Moondance

Van Morrison

3/5

I don’t know it’s alright but for such a short album it really drags. 3/5

NEU! 75

Neu!

3/5

This is a weird one for me because I expected to enjoy the rock half more than the electronic half but I felt the rock songs were really poorly done, I know this is one of those proper “music nerd” albums but it’s just not for me. 3/5 though because the first half is cool.

Low

David Bowie

3/5

I don’t know the first half has a few quite boring bowie songs and then the second half is the kinda thing you fall asleep to. I’ve never really understood low to be honest it’s just so meh and just experimental for the sake of it (which I think heroes does better) 3/5.

Opus Dei

Laibach

3/5

I’m not one that bothers with hating an artist because they’re controversial but I would get it for this album… This is a weird one and the kinda thing I think the list is really meant for! The whole album portrays a dark brooding fascist dystopia something that you’ve really got to be confident musicians in doing something like this especially as while (I think/hope) this is parody, it really is on the edge. Musically I didn’t mind it I wasn’t a massive fan of the electronic drumming but musically the rest was decent. There is filler on the second half but the first half is good. 3/5

Scream, Dracula, Scream

Rocket From The Crypt

3/5

I really liked this at the start but this tracklist is so front loaded then gets quite samey at the end, the first couple of songs are bangers though 3/5.

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Aretha Franklin

4/5

Yeah it’s good, I preferred lady soul but this is still a great album 4/5

Double Nickels On The Dime

Minutemen

3/5

Eh, it’s somewhat decent punk music but the album is way too long. 3/5

Odessa

Bee Gees

2/5

You sure this is the bee gees?

Lust For Life

Iggy Pop

5/5

This is just amazing, never herd it before but it’s brilliant 5/5.

Guitar Town

Steve Earle

2/5

Proper hillbilly music- not too bad but not my kinda thing.

Eagles

4/5

Yeah it’s a solid debut album, I’m not really massively into the eagles but they’re good 4/5

The New Tango

Astor Piazzolla

2/5

What they’re doing is awesome and I get why it’s on the list but all instrumental albums aren’t for me 2/5

More Songs About Buildings And Food

Talking Heads

4/5

I really really liked this one, to me it’s as good as remain in light as it’s much more consistently solid than that album but there’s not the same highs as well 4/5.

Planet Rock: The Album

Afrika Bambaataa

2/5

It’s not for me in your face 80’s hip hop made by some nonce…nah

Born In The U.S.A.

Bruce Springsteen

5/5

Look bruce isn’t really one of my top artists or anything (I’ve even gave one of his albums a 2) but this is just great there’s not a bad song 5/5.

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1

George Michael

4/5

Banger 4/5

Ill Communication

Beastie Boys

3/5

In this album the beastie boys are so in your face that it’s hard to tell if they’ve became the frat boys that they were originally criticising in licenced to Ill. I don’t hate this though it’s just not as good as licenced to Ill.

Groovin'

The Young Rascals

3/5

Eh, not bad but considering how great 1967 was as a year this isn’t one of the best.

To Pimp A Butterfly

Kendrick Lamar

4/5

The album’s really good and the high points are amazing but in general it starts a bit better than it ends so I can’t call it perfect but it’s still great and I wouldn’t argue against anyone who gives it a 5 but it’s a 4 for me.

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

5/5

I mean abattoir blues was amazing not a bad track and really rocking 5/5. The lyre of orpheus isn’t as good to be honest, it’s got some good tracks but in general it’s a drop in quality 4/5. So the album as a whole is 4.5/5 so that means it’s a 5/5 but do remember abattoir blues does carry most of that.

Movies

Holger Czukay

1/5

Talentless oaf sticks shit to the wall and hopes it sticks. 1/5 Also I don’t care that he’s in can I really don’t give a shit about that band.

I See A Darkness

Bonnie "Prince" Billy

2/5

Boring and depressing 2/5

Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Wu-Tang Clan

3/5

It’s not really for me but honestly not bad 3/5.

Liege And Lief

Fairport Convention

3/5

Quite disappointed to be honest, the only song I knew of their discography was meet on the ledge (which isn’t this album) and that song’s a 5/5 but this album as a whole was just alright 3/5.

1984

Van Halen

3/5

It’s decent, definitely not bad, a bit worse than the other van halen album because this has the insanely cringey hot for teacher, but the rest of the album is okay, the main bangers are the main hits jump and panama but with time the rest might stand out more. But for now 3/5

Duck Stab/Buster & Glen

The Residents

1/5

Wired it has to be a 1/5 but I did kinda enjoy how strange it got

Elvis Is Back

Elvis Presley

3/5

It’s okay the songs are solid elvis is the king (obviously) but it’s nothing special. 3/5

Chirping Crickets

Buddy Holly & The Crickets

3/5

Having the buddy holly on here makes me miserable that weezer aren’t on here, and yeah buddy holly does look like a nerd so I guess he does look like the guy from weezer. Anyway the music, it’s solid but a bit boring compared to music after the 50’s but this is one of the best you’re gonna get from this time, that’ll be the day is the clear standout but some other tracks are solid. 3/5

Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

Soft Cell

2/5

Mostly just filler to be honest, the best song is by far tainted love. Some tracks seem cool at the start and then become the musical equivalent of Chinese water torture due to them really overstating their welcome ( seedy films and sex dwarf are main victims of this). The rest sit in the “meh” section of music that I neither hate or want to revisit.2/5

Exit Planet Dust

The Chemical Brothers

2/5

Boring drugged up 90’s background music 2/5

Gold

Ryan Adams

3/5

Nice sounding background noise but it’s long and already drags by track 5, 3/5.

Ramones

4/5

I’ve herd people say before (maybe on reddit) that the pistols were more of a boy band than a punk band but other than song lengths I think the ramones suit that more. They’ve got the kiss thing of looking cool, not being themselves and having good merch and they can be quite ‘soppy’ at points (see I wanna be your boyfriend). These qualities make me want to compare them more to one direction than the clash, but this album isn’t bad I don’t dislike super commercial punk rock but it shouldn’t be a ‘classic album’ in my opinion. 4/5

American IV: The Man Comes Around

Johnny Cash

3/5

A miserable covers album that put me in a really really bad place but it’s not technically bad and the covers are okay (hurt is overrated). 3/5

Dig Your Own Hole

The Chemical Brothers

2/5

I’ve had two of these guys albums this week and all I can say is I really don’t like the chemical brothers one bit. It’s drugged out background noise for stoners.2/5

Joan Baez

3/5

Eh, it’s nice old folk music but nothing special 3/5

Blood, Sweat & Tears

3/5

I just found this really middle of the road to be honest 3/5.

New Wave

The Auteurs

4/5

It’s really decent, some reviews I’ve seen seem to make them victims of the “uurrrgh I hate britpop” crowd. Which I can get to some extent but this book is partly about discovery and this is a band I’ve never heard before. The album inhabits the more smiths inspired suede/gene route which is one of the better ways to go for britpop. Very solid 4/5.

Fifth Dimension

The Byrds

2/5

I think I’m done with the byrds now, which means I really hope I’m done with them because they’re probably the most non 60’s band of all and they have 5 of these albums I swear. The album itself… short and boring zzz 2/5

Heavy Weather

Weather Report

2/5

Not 4 me 2/5

Dog Man Star

Suede

5/5

3.02 average??? (This album definitely doesn’t deserve this low)… To anyone who gave this below 3 stars 🖕 Sorry but honestly this album is perfect It’s a grower yeah but it’s certainly worth the time. Not a bad track on it and the b sides make it even better. Brett’s voice can be a make or break for some I get that but the instrumentation would’ve made up for that I would think. Also maybe if you don’t like any 80’s or 90’s rock then this might not be for you but I don’t get why anyone wouldn’t like those things. I didn’t see any ‘uuurgh britpop’ comments on this one which is good because while yeah technically britpop it’s not the same sorta thing as oasis, blur and pulp were doing at the time. If I was to name an underrated but still kinda popular band it would be suede it seems so many people have overlooked this masterpiece and the debut by extension. Best tracks: heroine, the 2 of us, the asphalt world Worst track: black or blue 5/5

Smash

The Offspring

4/5

It’s good, definitely on the more punk end of pop punk which is great, self esteem does kinda stand out as the best track but all the songs are solid 4/5.

Calenture

The Triffids

3/5

Not a favourite but better than some of the reviews I’m reading. 3/5

The Rise & Fall

Madness

4/5

It’s nice, great singles and decent album tracks. I can hush aside the casual racism because of the time. So it’s a 4/5

A Short Album About Love

The Divine Comedy

3/5

Yeah it’s exactly what it says, I don’t love it nor do I hate it 3/5.

The Sun Rises In The East

Jeru The Damaja

3/5

Not bad rap 3/5

Liquid Swords

GZA

3/5

Nice, I’m mot super into rap or any wu tang things but this is nice 3/5.

Time (The Revelator)

Gillian Welch

3/5

It’s alright just decent country 3/5.

Green

R.E.M.

5/5

Really enjoyed this, not as good as automatic but a little better than murmur and document in my opinions 5/5.

Peter Gabriel

4/5

I don’t think it’s consistently perfect but theres some really great heights this album reaches especially down the dolce vita which was definitely love at first listen. Most other tracks are solid though 4/5

Oxygène

Jean-Michel Jarre

2/5

This guy sure knows how to name a song. Well it’s just an album of sci fi noises for half an hour, admittedly it does sound cool in areas but this music isn’t really for me. 2/5.

Permission to Land

The Darkness

5/5

It’s awesome, sometimes comical hard rock with a lead singer who is a similar level to freddy mercury. 5/5

The Village Green Preservation Society

The Kinks

4/5

Really nice 60’s pop 4/5

Warehouse: Songs And Stories

Hüsker Dü

3/5

Theres some great songs but it’s way too long to be real enjoyable 3/5.

Apocalypse Dudes

Turbonegro

3/5

It’s nice, really cool but also really forgettable. Idk 3/5

The Contino Sessions

Death In Vegas

2/5

It’s good at the start but then it just becomes boring 2/5

Fulfillingness' First Finale

Stevie Wonder

4/5

Cool, not my favourite stevie album but it’s good. 4/5

Chemtrails Over The Country Club

Lana Del Rey

2/5

I tried with this one but it was so boring and I didn’t really like her singing 2/5

Aha Shake Heartbreak

Kings of Leon

3/5

It’s solid but nothing special, I definitely prefer the first album 3/5

Feast of Wire

Calexico

4/5

Yeah it’s cool certainly a kinda unique style but no individual tracks have really popped out so 4/5

Buena Vista Social Club

3/5

Eh 3/5

Done By The Forces Of Nature

Jungle Brothers

2/5

Samey samey rap technically nothing wrong with it but really not interesting 2/5

The Sounds Of India

Ravi Shankar

2/5

Sorry but it is boring 2/5

Jack Takes the Floor

Ramblin' Jack Elliott

3/5

I get it, like it’s kinda cool but not for too long 3/5

Skylarking

XTC

3/5

I mean I have been really looking forward to see what this album was actually like for a while but honestly dear god is by far the best song and then it’s average 3/5

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme

Simon & Garfunkel

5/5

I actually didn’t think I would do this but a 3rd 5/5 to Simon and Garfunkel!

Medúlla

Björk

3/5

The idea of the album is cool and I like bjork’s first album quite a bit but I don’t think it works for a full project super well 3/5

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Elton John

5/5

Yeah it’s Elton it’s great, tracklist could’ve been a bit shorter but there’s nothing bad on it, it’s just my attention span. 5/5

Murder Ballads

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

4/5

Yeah great the closer is a little naff and o malleys bar is too long but the rest is very good 4/5

Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black

Public Enemy

3/5

I like some of the songs but rap albums are super long which kinda ruins their quality as albums as there’s a good bit of filler 3/5

Soul Mining

The The

3/5

Solid but not as good as I thought it would be 3/5.

Ananda Shankar

2/5

It’s okay a full album of this is a bit grating but it’s nice at the start.2/5

Vulgar Display Of Power

Pantera

4/5

Nice stuff especially walk, some tracks are a bit filler but not much so 4/5

The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady

Charles Mingus

4/5

It’s decent not my usual stuff but I enjoyed it 4/5

Blood And Chocolate

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

3/5

I know that at least on the subreddit it’s kinda a running joke that costello has so many albums, for me this is only my second of his and to be honest it’s very middling 3/5

Electric Music For The Mind And Body

Country Joe & The Fish

3/5

It’s solid not great though, section 43 in particular is a very odd duck. But it’s not horrible 3/5

Wonderful Rainbow

Lightning Bolt

1/5

Messy ear torture,1/5

All Directions

The Temptations

4/5

It’s solid, I really like the first time songs then side 2 is okay but other than do your thing at the end it’s nothing amazing still though nice stuff 4/5

Dusty In Memphis

Dusty Springfield

3/5

I honestly don’t get what people find so great about dusty springfield, it’s alright pop certainally listenable and enjoyable but not amazing or anything in my opinion 3/5

Whatever

Aimee Mann

3/5

Reviews for this album are a bit negative in my opinion, yes it’s certainly not the most unique album of all time and certainly not one of the best albums of the 90’s or even just 94 but there’s some good songs it’s all listenable and enjoyable. 3/5

Butterfly

Mariah Carey

2/5

Meh, by the time I got to Fourth of July I thought I was near the end of the album but only track 5 and these songs aren’t super long. Also the one (or couple songs Idk) where that rapper just comes in really randomly ruin the album. 2/5

New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)

Simple Minds

3/5

Quality wise it’s like a mid tier duran duran song repeated 9 times not bad but nothing amazing 3/5

Off The Wall

Michael Jackson

4/5

It’s decent for sure but it’s nowhere near as good as bad or thriller in my opinion, nothing on rest of the album is really on the same quality level as the first two tracks but nothing’s bad or unlistenable so 4/5

Seventeen Seconds

The Cure

4/5

It’s good at the start but I think the second half ( except A forest) is a tad boring 4/5

John Barleycorn Must Die

Traffic

2/5

A little bit of a snoozefest to be honest 2/5

At Mister Kelly's

Sarah Vaughan

2/5

Zzz

War

U2

4/5

Yeah theres some really cool tracks on this album 4/5

The Downward Spiral

Nine Inch Nails

5/5

This really brought my mood down and it’s not a very comfortable listen in places but the songs are good and this version of hurt is BY FAR the better one.5/5

Brutal Youth

Elvis Costello

3/5

It’s good but not great a perfect example of an artist having too many albums.

Vauxhall And I

Morrissey

5/5

Morriseys strongest solo work, I can’t get along with viva hate super well, nor can I say your arsenal or you are the quarry quite reach the heights of the smiths… this does. It’s probably the biggest grower of these albums but the opening 5 tracks and speedway as a closer are some of his best work. Is side two weaker? Yes but the queen is dead has an equal amount of filler both are 5/5’s end of story

Nilsson Schmilsson

Harry Nilsson

4/5

It’s solid, I find having coconut right after without you a weird sequencing choice but other than that it’s cool 4/5

Freak Out!

The Mothers Of Invention

4/5

It’s great but very long and (especially on the last track) the weirdness can be annoying 4/5

Aftermath

The Rolling Stones

4/5

It’s cool, I went us version as there’s paint it black which is definitely an essential, the first side was mostly great then side 2 was a bit non but nothing bad and going home is cool. 4/5

Manassas

Stephen Stills

2/5

Too long not horrible but just meh

The Undertones

4/5

Yeah solid I didn’t hate anything off that, I think the singles are a little ahead in quality and the others can get repetitive but still great rock songs. 4/5

Like A Prayer

Madonna

3/5

Some songs are good but it’s definitely one which feels like the singles are by far the best. It’s not really my kinda thing but certainly listenable.3/5

Sulk

The Associates

2/5

I thought this would be better as it influenced quite a few bands I really like but this loses it’s thunder very early on and then really struggles to keep it up sometimes being boarderline unlistenable sometimes being quite entertaining. 2/5

Idlewild

Everything But The Girl

2/5

So so boring 2/5

Under Construction

Missy Elliott

1/5

I don’t hate rap but this is really, really horrible (one of the worst things I’ve heard)1/5

Step In The Arena

Gang Starr

4/5

It’s solid, I’m not gonna act like it’s my kinda thing and I think it drags a bit but it’s certainly an enjoyable listen.4/5

Power In Numbers

Jurassic 5

5/5

One of the best rap albums I’ve ever heard 5/5

Rip It Up

Orange Juice

4/5

This was honestly great, it can drag a little at times but for the most part it’s solid, definitely too lowly rated by other users. 4/5

Coat Of Many Colors

Dolly Parton

3/5

Eh I don’t really care for dolly partons music to be completely honest. 3/5

There's No Place Like America Today

Curtis Mayfield

3/5

Eh I kinda forgettable but it went quite quickly and it was all good 3/5

Street Signs

Ozomatli

2/5

Sounds interesting but not for me 2/5

The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

Genesis

4/5

It’s good, especially in the cage and the carpet crawlers, it can drag being a double album but it’s solid throughout 4/5.

En-Tact

The Shamen

2/5

This is way too long I don’t hate it but none of it is really good 2/5

Blonde On Blonde

Bob Dylan

4/5

I liked it but it’s not my favourite bob dylan album 4/5

The Colour Of Spring

Talk Talk

3/5

It’s got a great back half but I find it starts a little boring 3/5

Let's Get Killed

David Holmes

1/5

So fucking boring

Are You Experienced

Jimi Hendrix

5/5

Brilliant, I’ve herd it before and I thought it was a high 4/low 5 but this is definitely a 5 so amazing!

Suede

5/5

It’s the first ever album I bought, I love this thing! Some b sides are better than some of the album tracks but this is still amazing overall, Brett Anderson is one of the most underrated singers of the 90’s (kinda like a higher pitched Morrisey with more swagger) and Bernard butler is a brilliant guitarist too. Best tracks: animal nitrate, the drowners, breakdown and metal mickey Worst track: she’s not dead 5/5

Hms Fable

Shack

3/5

A bit generic innit? 3/5

Punishing Kiss

Ute Lemper

2/5

Quite boring to be honest, dramatic sounding without actually sounding dramatic.2/5

At Folsom Prison

Johnny Cash

4/5

Great concert especially when it gets going, I don’t know how popular this opinion is but I did prefer the other prison album, still very good 4/5

Very

Pet Shop Boys

4/5

I definitely think the reason this is rated so low is because of the fact the pet shop boys already have too many albums on here, this album in my opinion though is honestly great, I think 4/5 because it would’ve made a better 10 song album than 12 but overall it’s great.

90

808 State

2/5

Not made for me 2/5

Peggy Suicide

Julian Cope

1/5

The second track is good but the rest was boring and way too long to be an entertaining album.1/5

Risque

CHIC

3/5

Meh really not the best of the best, good times is typically an alright single but 8 minutes is too long for this song, the rest of the album is solid but no real bangers. 3/5

Drunk

Thundercat

2/5

Hmm well it’s certainly unique quite ‘wibbly wobbly’ sounding in my opinion it’s not something I would listen to though 2/5

Tigermilk

Belle & Sebastian

3/5

Eh it’s alright like electronic rennisance kinda puts me off the album being quite different and bang in the middle but it’s all listenable and entertaining I guess 3/5

Master Of Puppets

Metallica

5/5

I never realised how much I loved all the tracks until I looked at the tracklist before giving this a listen. Like it’s probably my album of the year for 1986 maybe only to be challenged by the Queen is dead and maybe Graceland. Battery is just awesome the acoustic intro leading way for a stadium ready riff then going into pure thrash metal and it all working so well is just admirable. Thinking about master of puppets, stranger things really did a great job of making genuinely good song’s successful, the song is cool I feel as if the instrumental is a bit out of place especially when it begins but it picks up well enough for the song to still work. The thing that should not be is this slow heavy track that looms over the rest of the tracklist, I absolutely love the verses in this song also the S&M version is great (also that version of ‘of wolf and man’ is incredible too). I know that’s black album but it’s just incredible. Sanatarium is greatly and quite catchy, I feel as if it’s overshadowed by some of the other tracks though as it’s by far the weakest on side one even if it’s really good. ‘BACK TO THE FRONT’ I can’t believe disposable heroes is so long I know there are longer songs on the album but really it goes by quickly probably because of how fast and intense it is. Amazing choice for side b track 1. I love the line ‘solider boy made of clay now an empty shell’. Leper messiah has an incredibly infectious little riff. I love the meaning of this song too about the corruption of religion, specifically about televangelists. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the title/hook off the song was taken from ziggy stardust. Orion is this long, long spacey instrumental, I won’t lie the middle bit does bore me a bit but it’s nice to let the guitars really breathe in this song. The start of damage inc is really cool especially after Orion and having the slower intro (kinda harkens back to battery) but honestly I find it to be one of my least favourites on the album it’s solid but I don’t think it’s as great as some of the other tracks. Master of puppets is slightly front loaded but overall one of the best metal albums of all time, it doesn’t ever slip massively and every song is of a high level of quality. 5/5

The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground

5/5

I think it’s a 5/5 just for venus in furs honestly but the other 10 tracks are pretty great too only flawed by the last track being just not as good as the others but this is still brilliant 5/5.

Siamese Dream

The Smashing Pumpkins

4/5

I liked it, it’s a really good album definitely not one bad song but I do feel it drags and maybe it could do with less tracks also the songs are great not a bad one as I said before but some do just blur for me so 4/5

A Grand Don't Come For Free

The Streets

5/5

In some ways I find this album hilariously bad but it really works, like really works. It’s probably one of the easiest concept albums to follow as it’s in spoken word chav voice which works in its favour, the beats are very good as well but don’t go expecting something super high brow or anything. Personally though it’s still a 5.

I Am a Bird Now

Antony and the Johnsons

1/5

No this isn’t very good 1/5

Electric

The Cult

3/5

I honestly think that going from a post punk band to a hard rock band feels a bit like they’re getting worse as a band in my opinion. I’m honestly not a big fan of the band or anything so this might be better than the post punk stuff but this is generic as fuck 3/5.

Parklife

Blur

5/5

This is a great album, certainly the funniest blur album and one of the best britpop albums. It can be a bit too long, like do we really need the debt collector, far out and lot 105? But overall the songs are great and pretty much all blur albums are too long. 5/5

Supa Dupa Fly

Missy Elliott

3/5

I don’t know it’s okay the music isn’t as bad as the other missy elliot album in my opinion but it’s just too long for me and it gets boring quick. 3/5

Traffic

3/5

Yeah it was alright, I thought it was quite a slow album throughout and didn’t get really good for quite some time but certainly has some good tracks.3/5

3 Feet High and Rising

De La Soul

2/5

Not for me 2/5

S&M

Metallica

3/5

It’s good, It’s literally good, metalica is a good band and putting strings on metal songs works very well but I just have to rate it a 3 as you don’t get much else from that and while I like metalica they aren’t one of my favourites.

Felt Mountain

Goldfrapp

2/5

The music is cool certainly but honestly really boring as a whole project 2/5

Scum

Napalm Death

1/5

Side one is just bad but it’s kinda fun trying to figure out what they’re saying then side 2 is this weird nightmarish mess. 1/5

Blunderbuss

Jack White

3/5

I honestly just think that Jack works better with the more simplistic style of the white stripes, like this isn’t bad and I respect the change but I don’t personally think this is an essential or anything. 3/5

Trio

Dolly Parton

3/5

It’s solid, like I don’t love any of these three’s music honestly but it’s still good 3/5

Ten

Pearl Jam

4/5

This album is good, I genuinely don’t really think there’s a bad song (maybe garden actually but Idk) but some tracks really overstay their welcome (especially Jeremy which is actually one of my favourites). So I honestly don’t know if I can feasibly call it a perfect 5 I always thought it was but I actually really don’t know so I’ll just give it a 4 .

Music From Big Pink

The Band

3/5

It’s a solid album but I’m not in love with it 3/5

The Modern Dance

Pere Ubu

2/5

It’s weird, too weird for me like I tend to enjoy most post punk and vocals aren’t usually an issue but I didn’t find this fun 2/5

Hearts And Bones

Paul Simon

3/5

It’s not the worst thing ever but did we really need this on the list, like the three simon and garfunkel albums, graceland and his self titled aren’t enough. Like I love all of those albums but this isn’t nearly as good 3/5

Countdown To Ecstasy

Steely Dan

4/5

Yeah this is solid, it’s got some really good songs especially on side 2 ao for that 4/5

Kollaps

Einstürzende Neubauten

1/5

I really wanted to give this as much of a chance as I could but I just can’t, I understand the artsieness of the album but I completely get why it’s the lowest rated album and honestly so far I pretty much agree 1/5

Your Arsenal

Morrissey

4/5

Not the best Morrissey album (all of his best work is on the smiths other than the odd song honestly) but it is solid still, definitely take the art over the artist, and it’s a very enjoyable listen 4/5

Water From An Ancient Well

Abdullah Ibrahim

1/5

Yeah just not for me

White Light

Gene Clark

2/5

It’s okay I guess a bit bob dylan esque which makes sense from someone that was in the byrds, but this is so not worth the list we already have a tonne of byrds albums so to have a byrds related album is just a waste of space 2/5

Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water

Limp Bizkit

2/5

Fred durst is a douchebag, that’s certainly true but my actual problem with the album is first it’s length and how much the singing kinda sounds like shaggy off scooby doo. Some songs are okay though so I don’t think it’s a 1 but it’s not very good 2/5

One World

John Martyn

2/5

I don’t really like the overall sound of this album and John Martyn’s voice is really not a great voice, I can’t give it a 1 though because dealer is an okay opener and couldn’t love you more is actually pretty good. 2/5

Arular

M.I.A.

2/5

I didn’t expect this to be a political album, but I guess it is (should've realised with the name M.I.A) It doesn’t work with the sample heavy hip hoppy music. A very awkward clash of styles thats not for me 2/5.

Ocean Rain

Echo And The Bunnymen

5/5

This album was great, some kinda weird lyrics and the killing moon (the only song I knew from it) was definitely the stand out but it’s still really good and I’ll give it a 5.

Fuzzy

Grant Lee Buffalo

3/5

I don’t really think the electric guitar solos fit that well with the acoustic bits but it’s a solid album I guess 3/5

Pacific Ocean Blue

Dennis Wilson

3/5

Not great but some bangers such as time, actually the thing I got the most was this guy was really interesting to read about with all the manson shit. But the album itself 3/5

Transformer

Lou Reed

5/5

Fucking great especially perfect day 5/5

Nick Of Time

Bonnie Raitt

2/5

The literal middle of the road 2/5

Morrison Hotel

The Doors

4/5

It’s good I thought it was definitely gonna be a 5 but I think it’s more a 4, favourite track is waiting for the sun.

Suzanne Vega

3/5

Yh it’s alright not great bit boring bit samey 3/5

I'm Your Man

Leonard Cohen

5/5

It’s really good, I actually in particular thought jazz police was cool cuz of the goofieness ( i know its meant to be hated and stuff but it’s good) the rest of the songs are great obviously, definitely 5/5 worthy

In A Silent Way

Miles Davis

2/5

Music you appreciate and music you like, yeah I appreciate jazz music but It’s not my kinda thing especially like slower tamer jazz like the 2nd song is. And longer compositions might certainly be interesting but not for me not without some lyrics. 2/5

The Lexicon Of Love

ABC

5/5

I love this thing, it can be goofy as fuck sometimes (especially in 4 ever 2 gether (which is also it’s best track)) but it’s just great. It also has a great set of singles with the look of love, poison arrow and all of my heart. 5/5

The White Album

Beatles

5/5

It’s a long long long lil album … number 9, number 9,number 9. 5/5

Guero

Beck

3/5

It’s alright like beck isn’t really for me to be completely honest but I don’t hate it either. 3/5

The Age Of The Understatement

The Last Shadow Puppets

4/5

This is pretty good, I liked it but after I listened to it I was like…well is this it??? It’s great though 4/5

The Rolling Stones

2/5

Just because the aritst name is big doesn’t mean it’s great 2/5

The Wall

Pink Floyd

5/5

It’s great, hard not to give it (or most Pink Floyd albums) a 5 just because of how interesting they sound. Like this album has so many great songs like another brick in the wall (all parts), comfortably numb and the trial and them alone really give it this score. The others are great though and really fit with the concept. 5/5

Born To Be With You

Dion

3/5

Just a bit meh to be perfectly honest 3/5

The United States Of America

2/5

Fucking weird, it really didn’t click with me to be perfectly honest but I did like it on some level so 2/5?

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

Raekwon

2/5

Not for me some tracks we’re fine but I don’t think wu tang solo albums are really worthy of 1001 personally so…2/5

Cypress Hill

3/5

Fine I guess 3/5

Hail To the Thief

Radiohead

4/5

If you shortened it the album would be a 5 and if I was going through a Radiohead phase it would be a 5. Myxomatosis and wolf at the door are songs that should be on a 5/5 album but it’s a 4

System Of A Down

5/5

That was amazing I’ve really fell in love with suggestions especially 5/5

Giant Steps

The Boo Radleys

3/5

I don’t tend to like the uuuuurgh britpop shit reviews on this site but this album really didn’t deserve its place on the list, it’s just waaay too long to be fully enjoyable 3/5

The Cars

5/5

Well it was just what I needed! 5/5

La Revancha Del Tango

Gotan Project

1/5

No couldn’t finish this it’s really not for me tbh 1/5

1999

Prince

2/5

I just don’t like prince’s music to be honest it verges on too long and too corny for me, some songs are fine though 2/5

Central Reservation

Beth Orton

3/5

Zzz…guess it was ok 3/5

Stand!

Sly & The Family Stone

4/5

Sex machine isn’t really my kinda song but the rest is great 4/5

Music From The Penguin Cafe

Penguin Cafe Orchestra

3/5

Cool but not for me 3/5

The White Room

The KLF

2/5

Nah 2/5

For Your Pleasure

Roxy Music

4/5

It’s alright tad self indulgent in some songs 4/5

Purple Rain

Prince

5/5

I don’t tend to really like prince all too much but this thing is amazing 5/5

Darkness on the Edge of Town

Bruce Springsteen

4/5

It’s no born in the USA but it’s pretty great 4/5

Homework

Daft Punk

4/5

It’s good yeah actually a better listen than I thought honestly but not something made for me 4/5

Rust In Peace

Megadeth

5/5

Cool af 5/5

Scissor Sisters

4/5

Some tracks I recognised it’s good 4/5

Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter

3/5

Just indie af 3/5

Bitte Orca

Dirty Projectors

2/5

Timeless

Goldie

1/5

Track one alone is just so not for me 1/5

The Suburbs

Arcade Fire

4/5

I really liked the album opener and I thought the album itself was good but not great. Arcade fire used to be one of those bands I thought were overrated as fuck but I think I can comfortably give this over indulgent album a 4. Also on a kinda related note isn’t the singer a massive creep or something???

The Fat Of The Land

The Prodigy

4/5

This Year's Model

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

4/5

The Man Who

Travis

4/5

It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

Public Enemy

4/5

Selected Ambient Works 85-92

Aphex Twin

1/5

Oracular Spectacular

MGMT

5/5

#1 Record

Big Star

5/5

Lazer Guided Melodies

Spiritualized

3/5

The Marshall Mathers LP

Eminem

4/5

Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Red Hot Chili Peppers

4/5

Crosby, Stills & Nash

5/5

Wooden ships might be one of the best songs ever written, though there’s not a bad song on here 5/5

Pretenders

5/5

Kenya

Machito

1/5

Talking Heads 77

Talking Heads

5/5

Rum Sodomy & The Lash

The Pogues

4/5

Among The Living

Anthrax

2/5

Disraeli Gears

Cream

5/5

The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators

The 13th Floor Elevators

3/5

Tellin’ Stories

The Charlatans

4/5

Heartattack And Vine

Tom Waits

2/5

Ellington at Newport

Duke Ellington

1/5

A Northern Soul

The Verve

3/5

Larks' Tongues In Aspic

King Crimson

3/5

Cupid & Psyche 85

Scritti Politti

2/5

D

White Denim

2/5

I See You

The xx

2/5

Ooh the band that’s most famous song is just a short intro piece, this isn’t that album but I like that album, this album on the other hand seems to have personality but seems to almost try pander to the sound of 2010’s mainstream pop/electronica instead of being particularly interesting I don’t hate this album but I couldn’t name you a single track 2/5

Wild Is The Wind

Nina Simone

3/5

Honestly Simone should’ve been given more chances to actually write songs as four women is really the best track on here, lilac wine is great too, I prefer Jeff Buckleys version but this is honestly brilliant. Wild is the wind is also cool, maybe a tad too long in my opinion but it’s cool. The rest is alright not my kinda thing but I appreciate it.3/5

Microshift

Hookworms

3/5

It’s a solid album a bit boring in some places but generally a nice enough listen though the allegations against the singer kinda irk me. 3/5

Aja

Steely Dan

4/5

It’s front loaded with all the cool revolutionary long songs on side A but the album as a whole is fairly enjoyable 4/5

Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine

Cee Lo Green

2/5

I originally was going to take what was to be a ‘short break’ from this project to just sort out my head etc… but then months and months go by and I end up returning to this project because I desperately don’t want to listen to this album. You kinda just get accustomed to the music by the end of it at the start it sounded like a 1/5 but as it went on I think it’s just climbed up to a 2/5. But seriously I don’t recommend this to anyone.

The Slim Shady LP

Eminem

3/5

I don’t necessarily hate this but it’s not really good in my opinion. All I remember after hearing it are the hits, the weird mushroom song and the one where he kills his wife. The album is just too long, the album with Stan on it is so much better. 3/5

3 + 3

The Isley Brothers

4/5

The album’s good, all the songs are nice to listen to/ not a bad track in sight but honestly I don’t see myself playing this regularly so for now it’s a 4/5

Brown Sugar

D'Angelo

2/5

You could reshuffle the tracklist on this album in any way and it would make no difference to the listening quality. The songs are okay but they’re all of very similar tone, by the end I just got bored. 2/5

Jazz Samba

Stan Getz

2/5

I think it’s the perfect length for an album like this, it’s nice and concise and the playing is good. That being said it’s not for me I just feel instrumental music is much harder on attention spans than music where you can relate to the lyrics. I think for me it’s a high 2/5

Heartbreaker

Ryan Adams

3/5

Yeah suedehead is on viva hate… There’s something I just don’t like about Ryan Adams, not even with him as a person just his music… well with him as a person still but you get the gist. The folkier country tracks sounded like they were trying desperately to be something they were not, the rockier tracks just sounded generic. It’s not abhorrently bad but it’s not great either. 3/5

First Band On The Moon

The Cardigans

4/5

Lovefool rules the album the rest of the stuff is good but just not the same, except that iron man cover I just hate how loungey it is. 4/5

You Are The Quarry

Morrissey

4/5

I found this one kinda hard to rate, nowadays I would rate it as my second favourite morrisey album below Vauxhall and I but for some stupid reason I gave that a 3 and your arsenal a 4 (and really Vauxhall should be a 5 and your arsenal a 4) Anyway that’s besides the point a bit as it had some of my absolute favourite morrisey songs on here such as Irish blood English heart, first in the gang to die and I like you but then there’s some forgettable fodder like all the lazy dykes. I think it’s a 4/5 it’s got some really high high’s just a bit of filler to cut.

The Next Day

David Bowie

3/5

Love Bowie but this is just a meh late career project, like you wouldn’t even think of putting queens innuendo or the Beatles let it be on the list just because they’re late career albums of important artists. Why is that? Because just like this album they’re GOOD albums but not at all must listens. This album is honestly worse than them as it doesn’t really have any ‘peaks’ it’s just one load of noise with Bowie singing over it. Yeah when it was added to the list blackstar wasn’t out but that doesn’t matter blackstar is just a much better more deserving album. 3/5

Endtroducing.....

DJ Shadow

2/5

The kinda music that just seeps into the background, I find it hard to hate on but I’m not a fan, it’s a bit of a victim of the cd era by being incredibly long and most of it was just samples and noise. Then the interludes feel useless too on this. 2/5

The Trinity Session

Cowboy Junkies

3/5

Meh this was alright 3/5, I was more disappointed as after my Spotify played their song common disaster which I thought was good but this album is just passable.

Second Toughest In The Infants

Underworld

1/5

Apparently this band was a huge influence on video game composers, that’s cool! The first two tracks (the first half hour)! Is a difficult listen. Then the album just kinda exists and lingers, pearl’s girl is probably the best song but the ambient sections bore me… actually no blueski because it’s short and I guess the guitar is nice??? Still this is what I define as a 1/5

...Baby One More Time

Britney Spears

3/5

There’s a metal cover of the title track by this guy Leo which is actually amazing. But the actual version is just a nice pop song. I feel bad for Britney from what I’ve heard, just how strenuous her routine was… I’ve known people who have had very controlling families (not to this extent) but I’ve always just felt sorry for people in that situation. I also am strongly against the whole ‘factory built’ pop star. It’s just a removal of creativity. However the songs aren’t offensive ( bar soda pop) the first half is very consistent… but that’s just the singles. Then the back half was boring except e-mail my heart that song is a joke, especially because it’s like this dramatic ballad. I wasn’t alive when it was out maybe it’s the most beautiful song of all time. The best goes on is a nice closing cover though, I don’t think it fully suits Britney but it’s alright. 3/5, I’m being generous there’s good singles and quite a few of them

Ys

Joanna Newsom

1/5

I think I’d rather her her husband rapping with the Pontiac bandit for an hour straight than this 1/5

Californication

Red Hot Chili Peppers

5/5

Californication has always been my favourite chill peppers album but it took just looking at the tracklist to see how much of it I love. The title track is my favourite but parallel universe and otherside are great too. Scar tissue I have fond memories of my mate playing it a ton. Then there’s emit Remmus and saviour where I just marvel at their absurdity. Easily is also one I just love. 5/5

Illinois

Sufjan Stevens

5/5

I kinda view this album in 4 parts (I’m not counting the interludes and I’m not calling the tracks by their stupidity long names) Part 1: UFO-> Jacksonville Part 2: Decatur-> Casimir Pulaski day Part 3: Man of metropolis->Night zombies Part 4:Seers tower-> Out of Egypt There now this album is much more digestible: Part 1 is strong I really like John Wayne Gacy for the ‘twist’ at the end Illinoise and Jacksonville are both brilliant, they’re not my favourites on the album (but I’ll get to them) still amazing though. UFO is a nice short opener and Black hawk works well in the aftermath. 4.5/5 Part 2 starts a bit weaker with Decatur which has always sounded like a kiddies song to me, but it’s alright. But Chicago and Casimir Pulaski day are two of my favourites on the album, this is the moment when all things go on Illinois. 4.5/5 Part 3 is my favourite, sure prairie fire isn’t AS good but it’s still a disorienting experience. But then Man of metropolis, Palisades and Night Zombies are just masterpieces. Man of metropolis and Night Zombies come off as a bit surprising as they’re quite different from the album so far but at this point in the album a shift was needed. Palisades is just beautiful. 5/5 Part 4 feels like you’ve ran straight into a brick wall (in the best way possible) seers tower is such a gloomy song but it’s beautiful too. Tallest man drags but it’s a great climax to the album. Then out of Egypt is just a good instrumental. 4/5 It’s a double album of course there’s gonna be filler, I really don’t care if you come up with an ‘exception’ they’ve always got something that’s not as good. And the interludes (especially on first listen) can get annoying, literally a good 10/15 minutes of the album is just interlude. But it still has to be a 5/5. It’s incredible.

The Madcap Laughs

Syd Barrett

4/5

Charmingly depraved is the best way I can describe this. The songs vary from sounding freshly hungover to freshly high. Octopus is definitely the best track but nothing was unenjoyable to me.4/5

A Girl Called Dusty

Dusty Springfield

3/5

You don’t own me is great, like really great! But honestly I just think dusty is a bit… meh. Sure great for her time just a bit… dusty? Honestly my favourite was I only wanna be with you so I was so disappointed after realising it wasted on the album. It’s just an okay album 3/5

Who's Next

The Who

4/5

Baba o Riley is something that technically is very impressive especially for this time but as bad as this may sound I’ve never really loved this one as much.with this album I’d much rather listen to this song is over or getting in tune. I get how baba o Riley is technically better but there’s just something about it that isn’t for me. Behind blue eyes is a favourite of mine though and won’t get fooled again is great 4/5

The Chronic

Dr. Dre

3/5

Lotta snoop doggy dog, and a lotta lady of rage (tho I don’t know who she is),There’s great songs but a whole hour of this stuff isn’t easy, I’ve just realised that 90% of the time I just prefer rap groups to solo rappers and when I like solo rappers the albums I prefer from them are the more concise efforts. The most striking track on the album was the $20 sack pyramid and I was just like… eew. Stranded on death row was also good. I think the album’s a 3/5

Grace

Jeff Buckley

5/5

I don’t really listen to the album much because it’s just got such a soul piercing quality to it that makes me struggle to listen to it in full without just breaking down in tears. But saying that… so real, lover you should come over, hallelujah and forget her on the same album just makes a masterpiece 5/5

Nighthawks At The Diner

Tom Waits

2/5

Tom waits is dreadful jazzy Tom waits should be more dreadful but is somehow a tad better than normal Tom waits 2/5

The Renaissance

Q-Tip

4/5

Okay so I was gonna go on a rant on how the a tribe called quest albums were enough and q tip didn’t need a solo album but I liked it. It’s first listen so later on I may change my mind and think it’s too generous but 4/5 for now

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

The Smashing Pumpkins

4/5

I think it’s best if I handpick the best tracks on this one as it was good but I prefer Siamese Dream… There’s obvious picks such as tonight tonight, bullet with butterfly wings, 1979 and zero. Also I loved love, I know it’s not necessarily a fan favourite but it reminded me a bit of stabilisers for big boys by panchiko, just not as good. Bodies stuck out to me as great through all of my listens. Through the eyes of ruby is a great little epic, being so late in the album it didn’t hit the first time I heard it but still it’s great. X.Y.U. Drags a tad more out of the two lover songs but it’s still great . And by starlight is a very fitting climax to the album. The rest is fine perhaps controversially Galapagos and thirty three didn’t stand out too much even though they’re meant to be fan favourites I swear. I honestly need to hear it more but I’d say 4/5

Dr. Octagonecologyst

Dr. Octagon

3/5

Just a LONG arse rap album with a few little weird bits 3/5

Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby

Terence Trent D'Arby

3/5

I feel really bad for this but I thought this guy was Lenny Kravitz and I was gonna go on a rant about how are you gonna go my way wasn’t on here. I mean they’re both singers with dreadlocks who are from a similar time and both from New York. Their musics completely different so I feel horrible about it but still. Have I accidentally become a racist??? Oh shit! I find this guys name change a bit weird as well, I don’t know if it was a marketing decision or something but all it did was confuse me. Now on to the album… very 80’s. Except the a Capella track which is so boring 3/5

Rings Around The World

Super Furry Animals

3/5

I once watched an episode of the chase or pointless or something like that I don’t remember the question but the potential answers were supergrass supertramp and super furry animals. Now I’m acquainted with all bands I must say one band is MUCH worse than the other two… that band is super furry animals. There’s something a tad blur-esque about this album in particular sidewalk serfer girl. But the singer doesn’t have the charm the way Damon Albarn did on Parklife or modern life is rubbish. Then it’s not the end of the world reminded me of ‘all the young dudes’ … If Bowie/ mott the hoopla we’re depressed. The rest of it just kinda seeped in the back of my head so It’s a 3/5

Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches

Happy Mondays

3/5

Me and baggy are like the two people in a friend group that know eachother very well but don’t get along. Especially in context of the happy Mondays, like step on is really good and you can make an argument for kinky Afro and gods cop.

Clube Da Esquina

Milton Nascimento

4/5

I knew this was one of the albums that the folks on rym really love. For me I thought it was really good language barriers are always hard as lyrics are so important to me but it was still very entertaining, it’s too long though and that’s my main issue. Still it’s either a 3 or 4/5 think I’ll go 4 because I don’t want want to necessarily downgrade it for being from another country so for my personal enjoyment it was a 3 but I’ll go 4… I think

Siembra

Willie Colón & Rubén Blades

3/5

It’s alright 3/5

Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo

Devo

3/5

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

4/5

I’ve learned to like Neil young, maybe because being on Spotify means its not jammed with ads, or maybe listening to the first csn album (though without Neil) upped my interest in this kinda music, or it’s knowing about the ‘it’s better to burn out than to fade away’ line on one of his other albums being in Kurt Cobains suicide note or it could be harvest… needle and the damage done is great and I like there’s a world…. Tangent aside… this album… I found it a bit front heavy, the ones I liked were the first couple of songs. Cowgirl in the sand was good though, it was really just the first two tracks on side 2 I had gripes with

Happy Trails

Quicksilver Messenger Service

3/5

Gasoline Alley

Rod Stewart

3/5

Rod Stewart (in my opinion) comes in a similar category to like cliff richard or (to a stretch) Neil diamond (to a stretch cuz just for you is solid). But mostly they’re 70’s artists that besides a couple of songs are more celebrity’s than musicians and aren’t very strong songwriters. The only people I know who are fans of any of these people are the people who were there at the time. Only 1/3 of the songs are written by rod on this album, as a ‘must listen’ I’ve already lost respect. And by the way two of those songs are filler, You can’t say any of this music is horrible or unbearable. Like with rod stewart at least do an album with a hit like Maggie May on it if you’re going to include him at all. Not that I’d even remember or care for that.

Seventh Tree

Goldfrapp

3/5

Yh meh it’s all just a tad samey, the penultimate track was good tho

Maxinquaye

Tricky

3/5

Oh fuck I know hell is round the corner it’s a good song! I felt it was an album that revolved around it hit though unfortunately the rest was very samey. 3/5

Closer

Joy Division

5/5

I prefer unknown pleasures but closer is pretty perfect and actually quite experimental. Atrocity exhibition and isolation are a good 1,2 punch showing off the sounds of closer very well. Passover feels more familiar for joy division, I could imagine this on unknown pleasures. Colony is like 1% weaker than the rest but I love the whole god and his wisdom bit. A means to an end is honestly my personal favourite I just love the vocal approach on this song… and the lyrics. Heart and soul is a bit strange but I like it.Twenty four hours is another very unknown pleasures type song, love the riff. The eternal and decades make up for a great closing 12 minutes I remember them both being together feeling laggy on past listen’s but it works. Something I’ve always thought about joy division is that when you think back to the tracks you believe they’re more aggressive because of how powerful they are. Strangely my best comparison with that aspect of the band is the boxer by Simon and Garfunkel but across a discography. Emotion will always come through if it’s genuine. 5/5

Fishscale

Ghostface Killah

3/5

Kilo, hit me with the strap and that skit with the sweary kid caught my attention. Jellyfish was solid too, lots of little references there. And three bricks is such a great closer. Still lots of the others were forgettable 3/5

Welcome to the Afterfuture

Mike Ladd

2/5

You listen to the first track then the rest is all kinda just what you expect except for a janky 10 minute track right in the middle that breaks up the tracklist horribly, 2/5

Come Away With Me

Norah Jones

3/5

She’s got a good voice and the vibe is there. It does bug me when the majority of songs on an album aren’t written by the recording artist, I just think it depreciates the ‘must listen’ value. So I payed special attention to the ones she wrote… the title track, nightingale and the long day is over. Nightingale is also great! The long day is over is good and the title track is really great! Thought of the other tracks feeling the same way was good. But Yh not much else IMO. It’s not overly for me but not horrible 3/5

Horses

Patti Smith

5/5

As addictive to listen to as (what I imagine) sticking a needle of heroin into your arm or doing a shot of cocaine is like. Album is banger after banger, Gloria, free money, land and break it up are my favourites. Birdland I’d call the most notable track but it’s not a favourite as of yet. Not a bad song tho 5/5

Vespertine

Björk

4/5

Björk is a very fantano/ rym core artist and Vespertine is the most fantano/ rym core Björk album. I actually haven’t heard it till now, I know debut and that’s a really good album. This album is good, but I don’t get the hype for it the best track IMO was the first one then it’s just consistently a bit worse than that. I think it’s a 4/5

Green River

Creedence Clearwater Revival

4/5

Creedence have a real ‘girth’ to their music through the singer’s voice I don’t know how to describe it but I do like his voice… in doses. But this is a dose, the album’s less than half an hour. It’s good 4/5, none of it gets to have you ever seen the rain quality but I like it.

The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

Pink Floyd

3/5

Berlin

Lou Reed

4/5

Hot Rats

Frank Zappa

2/5

Idk one of those technically good but not for me ones 2/5

Reggatta De Blanc

The Police

4/5

Message in a bottle starts off the album amazingly but then nothing reaches it’s quality, walking on the moon comes close but not quite. But side one is genuinely great (just realised walking on the moon is side two but it should’ve closed side one), then it’s quite bad honestly it feels like reverse synchronicity 4/5 cuz of strong side 1 though

Tea for the Tillerman

Cat Stevens

5/5

Firstly wild world gives this a good rating already, such a good song. Other tracks like sad Lisa, longer boats and father and son make it a 5/5

Unhalfbricking

Fairport Convention

3/5

Fairport convention is a hard one for me to listen to, meet on the ledge was my grandads funeral song, so it can be tough. Also they come off as a bit more dated than the other bands of their time, A sailors life being an exception, though that drags for way too long. That French song is especially abysmal. But nothing else is bad as such so I’ll give it a 3/5.

The Genius Of Ray Charles

Ray Charles

3/5

For a second I thought Ray Charles was the name of the red dwarf guy, but no he’s not. I was bored by this honestly, it’s just very of its time. Nothing offensive though. 3/5

Stephen Stills

3/5

Out of CSN stills usually has the most extreme output, in that I mean he wrote the albums best and worst songs. And I feel that’s what this album’s like… but the song don’t really stand out 3/5

Cosmo's Factory

Creedence Clearwater Revival

5/5

Yeah this album is really cool, the best two songs are next to each other (who’ll stop the rain and I heard it through the grapevine) but the early album easily keeps you entertained. 5/5

If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears

The Mamas & The Papas

4/5

California dreamin’ is a 100000/10 song maybe higher, it’s one I attribute to an ex crush, I don’t know why but it’s just interesting how music can bring you to a certain time and place in your life. Hey girl and go where you wanna go were other highlights to me , Monday Monday is good but I don’t think it’s amazing the key success to the mama’s and papa’s is Mama cass who has this iconic haunting voice which makes every song work. It’s easy to group this in the same group as all the other iconic 60’s albums but considering the best bits come post 67 this is good for it’s time, a bit dated but solid 4/5

A Rush Of Blood To The Head

Coldplay

5/5

I’m seeing Coldplay next year and I don’t care they’re a good band… Well early Coldplay anyway. Politik is awesome, in my place is a good single, god put a smile on your face is amazing, the scientist is heart wrenching, clocks is a real anthem. The second half isn’t AS good but it’s still great daylight has these amazing strings, green eyes is nice and jangley, then warning sign is beautiful, a whisper is surprisingly rocky, the title track provides an amazing climax, without Amsterdam the album could’ve still ended perfectly but it’s inclusion does help the album get a 5/5

Songs From A Room

Leonard Cohen

3/5

I find the albums inclusion weird already, it’s not that the songs are bad it’s just that it’s in between two of his biggest/ best albums when I think Dimery could’ve put something else in the book. Also I’m more of a I’m your man era cohen fan, I prefer his super deep brooding voice, the partisan is probably the best track (it kinda reminds me of the dangling conversation by Simon and Garfunkel), which I just had to listen to afterwards. The album just gets boring that’s all 3/5

Document

R.E.M.

5/5

Yeah rem just made good album after good album I don’t know what it is and before I was tempted to just give document a lower rating as it isn’t my favourite REM album but there’s not a single bit of filler on here 5/5

Exodus

Bob Marley & The Wailers

5/5

THE BEST Bob Marley album, especially title track onwards 5/5

Myths Of The Near Future

Klaxons

3/5

I always thought it was the Klaxons not klaxons, I think it just sounds weird with the added the… anyway the album… Yeah I got bloc party vibes here massively but why is this album on the list when silent alarm isn’t??? Like with the hits golden skans is completely unremarkable compared to banquet and helicopter. A lot of songs I felt were really similar. Like out of songs 2,4 and 5, only 1 should’ve been on here and the others should’ve been reworked. Magick and gravity’s rainbow were the best ones. I’m not a production nerd but James ford has produced much better albums than this especially in recent years such as romance, prelude to ecstasy and the ballad of Darren. 3/5

L.A. Woman

The Doors

5/5

LA women is solid I don’t think it quite reaches the highs of the debut but at the same time is more consistent. The one two punch of the changeling and love her madly is great. The title track is one of those doors songs that show off the messiah like power of Jim Morrison. L’america has a powerful thud running through the song probably the album’s weirdest one. Crawling king snake reminds me of back door man. The WASP is strange but I like it! Then finally riders of the storm is obviously a classic, I really loved this album, the doors can sound more dated than other bands of their time honestly but they’re still great. 5/5

Doolittle

Pixies

5/5

Debaser, wave of mutilation, here comes your man, monkey gone to heaven, hey and gouge away. That’s the reason why this album is a classic. The rest is great don’t get me wrong but it’s really rare to have 6 absolutely flawless songs in an album. Then on top of that being one of nirvanas main influences. Nothing is bad on this one, sometimes it’s too absurd but still great. Even la la love you and no 13 baby which usually don’t have the greatest reputations are great. 5/5

Songs Of Love And Hate

Leonard Cohen

5/5

Oh so great!!! Banger after banger here.

Is This It

The Strokes

5/5

Uk version is better but I get why New York City cops isn’t on the us one, even if it’s the best track. I actually haven’t heard this album in ages but the songs are really great

Raw Like Sushi

Neneh Cherry

1/5

First impression when I got the album… raw like sushi just sounds stupid, it might’ve sounded cool back in the late 80’s but now you can get sushi literally anywhere it’s just cringe. Isn’t Neneh cherry who is on seductive Barry by pulp??? I don’t know. But Before I started this album I had to listen to the track again it might be one of pulp’s worst songs but it’s one of Neneh cherry’s best. I would also like to note in my boredom of this project I distracted myself halfway through buffalo stance (the first track) with an AI 60’s cover of love will tear us apart. Admittedly manchild isn’t a bad song, that’s something. But the rest of it is just difficult to get along with it’s just a genre problem I think, the specific kind of pop rap fusion feels messy! 1/5

Teenager Of The Year

Frank Black

4/5

More hinged that the pixies, honestly I think headache was the single because it was one of the more pixies adjacent songs without sounding too strange for the mainstream. Honestly though the album is too long I found white noise maker, speedy Marie and freedom rock to stand out a bit more and you can appreciate tracks like fiddle fiddle for what they are. But there’s just too much of it, I enjoy the pixies but I couldn’t stand an hour of that kinda music. Still a 4/5 though

Jagged Little Pill

Alanis Morissette

5/5

There’s only one criticism I have for the album and that’s the fact that all I really want is a grower so it feels weird being song 1 but at the same time I couldn’t imagine anything else being in its place now. The best song is forgiven, it’s so filled with drama and the lyrics are just beautiful. Even when I was younger and didn’t ‘get’ the album I liked forgiven. The singles are great I actually prefer the less popular ones (you learn and head over feet) to you oughta know and ironic. One hand in my pocket is amazing though! Not the doctor and right through you scream underrated both of those songs could’ve been hits too. Wake up, Mary Jane and perfect are great slower moments they work very well for the album, I don’t necessarily listen to them on their own too often and my only excuse is there’s so much good music in the world. I refuse to count the other version of you oughta know and your house, they’re not on the vinyl version and they feel tacked on, if I included it it would diminish the quality of such a good album!

Fly Or Die

N.E.R.D

3/5

First off nerd is just a rubbish name for a group and making it into an acronym of no one ever dies makes it worse. I kinda just thought Pharrell popped out of the ground with doing happy. You can tell it’s him through the voice which is cool, but he’s almost too smooth for the heavier cuts on this. For the poppier moments the album actually has quite a nice sound. The suggested artists on Spotify for this group is interesting to me as there’s things that are quite good like a tribe called quest then the abhorrent annoyance that is missy elliot! I honestly felt that the first three tracks were good then then it dips for two songs (including the albums biggest track) breakout then picks it up a bit then the whole thing of multiple songs on one track doesn’t work as there’s no medley or anything so while the songs are actually good here that pissed me off, it kinda goes into a sea of mediocrity but maybe is an absolutely amazing song. 3/5 in total though

Africa Brasil

Jorge Ben Jor

4/5

Definitely the best non English speaking album I’ve heard Ponte de lança Africano was such a good album opener Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu manages to carry on its energy very well! O Filósofo was a miss for me, not horrible but I wasn’t huge on it either. Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro, took me by surprise going from piano track to funky explosion O Plebeu Is fun Taj Mahal is alright feels like a good finale to side one Xica da silva and A História de Jorge work as a great one two punch and Camisa 10 da Gávea follows from it nicely slowing down the pace a bit Cavaleiro do Cavalo Imaculado Is the one where he ‘lets loose the most’ in my opinion, unhinged salsa banger Then África Brasil (Zumbi) is a good closer. My only problem is that he over uses this cuckoo clock sound throughout the tracklist still a 4/5

The Band

3/5

I don’t hate the band but I think they’re just a bit basic, like it’s cool being bob Dylan’s backing band but their music’s just good 3/5

On The Beach

Neil Young

3/5

To me it just sounds like a random Neil young album was put on the list, it’s good but not amazing. My early reviews were too harsh as he wasn’t on Spotify so I had to plough trough ads so 5/5’s like harvest were 4’s and 4/5’s like the crazy horse stuff we’re rated a 3. So this is the first time I’ve got him while being on Spotify, this is a firm 3/5 though honestly, it’s good but there’s no song the level of needle and the damage done or even there’s a world on here.

Live And Dangerous

Thin Lizzy

3/5

The day that I actually got this I went out to see some people got drunk and it was my first time stoned but this album just like the morning after was tiring, lazy and had a strange smell to it. But surprisingly still not as bad as expected 3/5

Winter In America

Gil Scott-Heron

3/5

It’s unique but too slow moving for me I get it’s inclusion 100% but I can’t say I love it 3/5

Porcupine

Echo And The Bunnymen

3/5

Not as good as ocean rain, it’s not bad but I don’t love it 3/5

Third/Sister Lovers

Big Star

1/5

This is my Christmas album this year… just saying, Jesus Christ at least fits that, I love #1 record but this just isn’t that good, kizza me Is dreadful, holocaust is probably the best track and that’s just dreary. They even fucked up femme fatale!!! Maybe it’s the fact it’s on Christmas Day so I’m pissed but I’m gonna make this my biggest ratings disparity I could possibly do 1/5, it might be more of a 2 but fuck it minus one, the album’s on my naughty list… fuck fuck fuck

Frampton Comes Alive

Peter Frampton

3/5

It was exactly the sound I expected after seeing the album cover, it’s very 1970’s rock, not horrible not great 3/5

Stankonia

OutKast

4/5

Really good especially liked Bob 4/5

Surrealistic Pillow

Jefferson Airplane

5/5

Grace slick has some kinda superpower with her voice that makes everything incredibly enchanting. Like come on you just can’t dislike white rabbit. Also the run from somebody to love to today is pretty untouchable. There’s things like I find plastic fantastic lover a strange choice for album closer but no song is bad It’s a shame that by the 80’s the remains of this band became starship This is a 5/5

Architecture And Morality

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

3/5

Cool sounding but I found it a tad samey, I will probably return to it one day but I’m fine without it too. 3/5

Mermaid Avenue

Billy Bragg

2/5

Strange enough as a concept to warrant a place on the list alone… thing is though it’s not that interesting, Wilco are an alright band and billy bragg is solid but I feel the in your face Britishness to his voice is completely redundant and that’s what I found charming about his work 2/5

Rid Of Me

PJ Harvey

3/5

Pj Harvey has been the only musician to win multiple mercury prizes so I’m glad that for her 1st nomination (this album) she lost to the first suede album because that album is much better than this. I’m not saying this is a bad album and I have no right to judge her whole discography as I only know this and dry but this can be really difficult to listen to, it’s very raw in an uncomfortable way. Kinda like the musical equivalent of bones rattling around you. I think it’s cool but it’s not exactly my avenue and I preferred dry (the album) 3/5

Songs The Lord Taught Us

The Cramps

3/5

I’ve actually got some leg cramp right now… you could say I’m cramped…. Cramps are kinda like kiss in the way they’re mainly out for the aesthetic and if I want the spooky aesthetic I’d rather listen to agents of fortune by blue öyster cult. Also I am a teenage werewolf is one of those hits that I’m not a huge fan of. One thing I do appreciate is the fact that with their style you can see they have a respect for both rockabilly and Proto punk with their style. Like I completely forgot about the sonics before seeing this album again, I wanna revisit that album now.

Songs Of Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen

5/5

Driving through the English countryside as I am right now must be the perfect vibe for this album as it hit… This is the debut studio album from Leonard Cohen, writer of jazz police. And the final album of his I have to review. But it’s a sad feeling honestly because I love his music. Other than songs for a room they were all easy 5/5’s. Suzanne and master song together is a powerful way to start a career and those songs are great ways to represent the early album. Then I think so long Marianne on side two complements these opening two songs, so if you accidentally started on the wrong side you still get a similar experience, like really similar with hey that’s no way to say goodbye, like that’s very similar to Suzanne, The ‘I’m just a station on the way’ line on winter lady got me. The album honestly reminds me of the first Simon and Garfunkel with its religious theming with the stranger song and sisters of mercy. It’s not as prevalent as on that album but existent nonetheless. Stories of the street is alright I wouldn’t call it super notable but I liked it. Teachers I liked for the whole ‘teach our hearts to break’ stuff. And yeah one of us cannot be wrong just fits as a closer, he’s get better at finale’s but it’s still great. 5/5

The Healer

John Lee Hooker

3/5

Album has more collaborations than the average Gorillaz album. And with tracks like the title track it works really well as it encompasses what you want in a Santana song, you seriously cannot deny this one is good. You also get ones like baby lee which just sound really cool with it’s drumming. I’m in the mood is also a very interesting collaboration. But the problem with blues is that there is honestly only so much you can do. The genre started in the 1800’s and this is 1989, that combined with the fact that blues by nature is generally a restrictive genre, it makes it very difficult to remain interesting. Also this is a super late career album for John lee hooker. It’s an album I believe in theory should have the odds against it so having something kinda good here warrants it’s inclusion. Thing is though I just prefer my blues rockier and not a full album. I respect the fuck out of this one 3/5

Dare!

The Human League

3/5

Don’t you want me is a weird album closer ngl, like it’s a great song but it’s not a finale type song. The rest of the songs are a tad awkward sounding but historically if you want to mark a point where post punk began sounding like new wave this is a good place. Darkness was probably my favourite of these kinda songs, I am the law sounds like what depeche mode would be doing a decade later, though if depeche mode wrote it I think it would have some amazing climax to it or just some oomph. Love action is like the transitional track between the other 8 tracks and don’t you want me I think hearing this, the human league certainty are one of the first artists to be doing this kinda thing and to that I give credit but there is so much better to come in the next decade. 3/5

The Rising

Bruce Springsteen

3/5

If a late career album is on the list it should really serve to prove something that the artist hasn’t proven already or be one of the absolute best of that artist’s discography, you can’t tell me that the rising by Bruce Springsteen fits that criteria. 3/5

Quiet Life

Japan

4/5

I would’ve never expected a cover of all tomorrow’s parties, and a pretty good one at that, it’s not one of my favourite velvet underground songs but it’s still really good Fall in love with me felt almost smithsy in its vocals. Alien was kinda cool in its chorus. The other side of life is basically a Roxy music song, I can imagine this on for your pleasure. The rest was pretty cool too tbh 4/5

McCartney

Paul McCartney

3/5

I want to praise it because it’s it’s fucking Paul McCartney but it’s not too amazing. Instead of maybe I’m amazed that feels undeniably like a classic . But yeah I think it’s nice he released an album like this, something distant from the ways of the Beatles. Would say 3/5 for enjoyment though sorry paul

Debut

Björk

5/5

This album’s great, I get why someone would be inclined to have this. Björk’s vocals are definitely an acquired taste and all the ‘clubby’ tracks like violently happy ,there’s more to life than this and big time sensuality especially could be off putting for some. But I like it, probably my favourite Björk 5/5

Life Thru A Lens

Robbie Williams

3/5

WTF!!!! I didn’t think this monkey looking twat would have an album on here. I felt in different tracks he kinda vocal mimicked other artists, lazy days had an oasis nasil and life through a lens had the occasional pet shop boys vocalism, like with the way he say well and life through a lens. He just frequently chases all of the nasally singers basically. Also please if you think this is britpop, britpop is far more than this, this album is just it’s commercial shell. With Robbie’s ego a go go. Oasis may not be an original band as such but Robbie’s then ripping them off so what does that make him. I won’t say the songs aren’t good because they are, angels is a highlight but still one I was surprised that I wasn’t too familiar with actually I liked all of the singles (bar let me entertain you, that one wasn’t for me) and one of gods better people is sweet. It’s passable 3/5

Good Old Boys

Randy Newman

2/5

I find it funny how the guy who wrote you’ve got a friend in me wrote such controversial stuff 2/5

Truth And Soul

Fishbone

3/5

This is like proto pearl jam mixed with all the weird trends of the 80’s 3/5

Birth Of The Cool

Miles Davis

4/5

The thing is compared to the majority of jazz albums on here I really see the vibe of this one in full force, like it’s still only been a decade after the war there’s problems with the world but your smiling through and you want something that’s not lyrical and could bog you down, just something nice for the grand old American nuclear family, 4/5

Hounds Of Love

Kate Bush

5/5

Honestly I don’t need to explain why it’s a 5/5

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill

5/5

I’ve always known of this album but never actually knew the songs, it’s REALLY good, the interludes at the end of the tracks Jam the pace a tad but the songs are still good enough to keep it as a 5/5

Natty Dread

Bob Marley & The Wailers

4/5

Not quite exodus but still good 4/5

Paul's Boutique

Beastie Boys

3/5

I just think that Licenced to Ill is much better and this is okay but not great 3/5

Thriller

Michael Jackson

5/5

This album is what you call middle loaded, from the title track to PYT you don’t get much better. Like if course MJ is at best a bit strange and at worse a full blown nonce but he has talent 5/5

MTV Unplugged In New York

Nirvana

5/5

Confession time: I prefer the bowie version of the man who sold the world That doesn’t take away from this album though it’s brilliant a consistent stack of great nirvana, one weird memory was the first time I listened to it my bluetooth or Spotify idk was having problems by the time it got to plateau and that intro repeated again and again. After this I’m tempted to play the meat puppets album because 3 songs in a row from it are on here. And when going on about covers Jesus don’t want me for a sunbeam is great. I wish when people were doing covers they went more to the previously obscure like nirvana did, thats what makes it great. Then obviously you have the songs actually made by nirvana all the slower numbers fit like a glove, I really like pennyroyal tea and on a plain in general so any version of them would impress me. And about a girl and come as you are are both great to open it with. 5/5

Deloused in the Comatorium

The Mars Volta

4/5

The last track is a lot like MCR IMO this is good stuff 4/5

Arrival

ABBA

5/5

So its got my 3 favourite abba hits and then songs as good as tiger and my love my life 5/5 Then after I listened to my other favourite abba songs, lay all your love on me, sos, waterloo, I’m a marionette, gimmie gimmie gimmie and eagle. And had a fun abba morning

The Predator

Ice Cube

2/5

Really not for me got really bored after the first half 2/5

Tago Mago

Can

4/5

I don’t really get can to be honest, especially with the two 15 minute tracks then an 11 minute track with a segment that sounds like the guy from storage hunters. But I can’t say it was bad and I appreciate it. Probably funner to see live with the absolute insanity of it all 4/5 and I’m being generous but I think they deserve something in that level

Throwing Muses

3/5

Weird, scratxhed an itch but wernt s huge fan 3/5

Tres Hombres

ZZ Top

3/5

After The Gold Rush

Neil Young

3/5

The Wildest!

Louis Prima

3/5

Some bits where u kinda raise a question mark at not because they’re bad but just oddly entertaining 3/5

Black Metal

Venom

3/5

Seems like an album intentionally made to prod satanic panic, made worse with the fact that the genre that emerged from this album ‘black metal’ has become heavily associated with neo nazi beliefs. I haven’t looked into it much but I don’t think thats venom’s fault really, you have something with evil associations and there was bound to be someone to take advantage of that. This album deserves to be on the list I think it marks a very interesting point in time, I didn’t find it great nor terrible 3/5

Talk Talk Talk

The Psychedelic Furs

5/5

If you don’t like this then you don’t get what post punk is really about! I loved this 5/5

Cross

Justice

5/5

Coolest album of its kind, 5/5 might edit later but yeah

Ogden's Nut Gone Flake

Small Faces

2/5

Nah not the bits of the 60’s I like 2/5

Fuzzy Logic

Super Furry Animals

3/5

I just find super furry animals to be such a nothing band. Why do they have multiple albums? I’m sorry they’re not horrible but I don’t think they’re a band that really made a mark and I can’t see someone saying that they love this band. It’s listenable in fact its ‘nice’ but yeah. 3/5

Made In Japan

Deep Purple

3/5

First 3 tracks are like 3 of the strongest deep purple songs! Then the mule isn’t for me, the other one was okay and lazy was never one of my favourites 3/5

Let It Bleed

The Rolling Stones

3/5

I’m so pissed off with myself that I literally just thought this cover was just a cake with a record next to it!!! I’ll tell you what I like: Gimmie shelter Let it bleed Midnight rambler Monkey man You can’t always get what you want Honestly I know this is one of the more loved ones but I’d rather listen to aftermath’s deep cuts than these ones. I like the stones but if they weren’t so popular/iconic I don’t think their reputation would be that good in retrospect, like they’d be liked but not loved I think 3/5

Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo

MC Solaar

1/5

Okay I’m sure theres a market here but I’m neither huge on rap or understanding the french language. He seems huge in france, there is some variety with the songs and he goes FAST, but I can only give it a 1/5 I didn’t enjoy it

Follow The Leader

Korn

2/5

I’ve heard of korn a lot but I actually don’t know them. Like even ‘freak on a leash’ which is their big hit I just don’t know it. Honestly bar it’s hook I didn’t love it actually the first song I thought was really solid was dead bodies everywhere, right after the hits. Its metal in the breed of system of a down who undoubtedly are great, although korn are nowhere near as good and it makes me desperate for someone to include toxicity on the user albums! Like SOAD are weird but in a comical charming way but korn with tracks like children of the korn made me cringe . Admittedly fred durst has sounded much worse, he usually reminds me of shaggy from scooby doo but actually he’s the better half here, not saying much though. Maybe there’s things about the bad O don’t get but they use rape without hesitation on many tracks, I find it too aggressive. 2/5 sad because I was looking forward to this

Moving Pictures

Rush

5/5

This is a very good album, not a single dud though I am reminded of Johnny Akins from the goldbergs 5/5

Led Zeppelin III

Led Zeppelin

5/5

If it didn’t end on such a dud it would be the best led zep. Immagrant song is of course a classic but it’s consistently good from beautiful acoustic tracks like friends and tangerine and riffy ones like celebration day and out of the tiles a few others and blusey masterpiece since I’ve been loving you 5/5

Surf's Up

The Beach Boys

4/5

For something called surfs up the cover is very doom and gloom. Honestly though the cover beats pet sounds so I cannot complain. Like disney girls and the day in the life of a tree for example perfectly suit the gloom of the cover. 4/5

Haunted Dancehall

The Sabres Of Paradise

2/5

I know the name andy wetherall from somewhere idk where though anyway honestly with albums like this I just wish they had a singer or something, each song feels like a constant build up going to a dead end. 2/5 in the background it’s okay but still not for me

My Generation

The Who

3/5

The title track already is a song I find a bit overrated. The who as a whole are a bit like that to me though, I find them cool but I’ve never really went out of my way to listen to them. Especially for their deep cuts.I kinda feel the same with the stones but theres stuff I like more from them honestly. Like my point with the song my generation still stands but in the context of the album it’s almost thrilling. Honestly the blues cover I’m your man might be my favourite or the amazing instrumental the ox which I would’ve opened with instead of closed. the who just fail to excite me. 3/5

Ambient 1/Music For Airports

Brian Eno

3/5

Not as bad as I thought but not for me either 3/5

Electric Warrior

T. Rex

5/5

I’m surprised genuinely thought I had this one but I haven’t… I actually find electric warrior to be quite samey throughout the tracklist, like cosmic dancer, girl and lifes a gas, basically all the slow ones give off the same feeling. Funnily enough they’re actually some of my favourites on here. But on initial listening electric warrior didn’t grip me for that reason. Get it on and the motivator are kinda too similar but at least it’s not as direct as get it on and cigarettes and alcohol. Monolith is really forgettable. People hate on the last track rip off but its so different from the others honestly making it more enjoyable for me. Strange album closer but still. Jeepsters awesome though gives the album a 5/5

(What's The Story) Morning Glory

Oasis

5/5

If you don’t like at least a few of the songs on here I diagnose you as ignorant 5/5

Underwater Moonlight

The Soft Boys

5/5

This album is like a step before all the music that inspired nirvana such as the pixies but then it still keeps a strong fondness for the 60’s. That’s what’s important about this album, every single song is at least decent, I wanna destroy you is the best but the album is consistent, even the track ‘old pervert’ is entertaining 5/5

Face to Face

The Kinks

4/5

Honestly I think sunny afternoon is the best track but far and they could’ve just named the album that too. Party line is solid as well, idk how many people actually know what party lines are politically. Rosy is a pretty good song and I like little miss darkness but it’s just another example of something oasis was ‘inspired’ by and actually improved (she’s electric). And I desperately wish dead end street was on the LP 4/5

Neon Bible

Arcade Fire

4/5

Appetite For Destruction

Guns N' Roses

5/5

Love this album/ I hope people have watched steve Welsh’s 1 album 12 bands video on this. 5/5

Odelay

Beck

3/5

Beck is good but not for me 3/5

Trans Europe Express

Kraftwerk

4/5

I had a really weird history teacher that liked kraftwerk, and he said there was a whole one about a train The hall of mirrors is amazing though that’s just a fact The song trans euroupe express is pretty cool too Honestly later on I find it drops a tad but I still like it a ton. Also the fact they translated the entire album to English! It makes me wish that English musicians translated their music to other languages, I know lyrics aren’t really Kraftwerk’s strong suit so it would be easier than for some others however the translation is still massively appreciated for me as an English speaker. 4/5

Sister

Sonic Youth

3/5

Shame I always want to fall in love with sonic youth but I just can’t fully 3/5

The Nightfly

Donald Fagen

3/5

I don’t hate this and I don’t hate steely dan but I can’t see many people jumping up and saying… OH MY GOD DONALD FAGEN FROM STEELY DAN HAS A SOLO CAREER!!! THIS IS A MUST LISTEN!!! The album’s… nice that’s the best way to say it… nice. I can see the appeal but I can’t see any excitement, I’m not sure about this album but I know steely dan had rather strenuous recording sessions for their albums and I can see that being the case again it’s ‘crisp’ but theres no peaks or drops, just left thinking okay 3/5

Actually

Pet Shop Boys

5/5

Actually the best pop album of all time 5/5

Vulnicura

Björk

3/5

Were they running out of picks like I don’t hate Björk but it feels like dimery was like oh i’m missing an album for 2015 [INSERT RANDOM BJÖRK ALBUM HERE] Cover art is seriously awesome though I love her costume

Safe As Milk

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

3/5

I’m happy I got this before I eventually stomach trout mask replica 3/5

Doggystyle

Snoop Dogg

4/5

Snoop doggy dogg, the guy from the memes. As I listen to this album I imagine a cloud of weed hitting my face. Murder was the case is in particular very awesome. And who am I is a great single. 4/5

m b v

My Bloody Valentine

4/5

Looking at what fans of this band like on Spotify it says slowdive, have a nice life and panchiko. In an ideal world all of these bands would have a place on here. How isnt Souvlaki on here seriously? Have a nice life too. Panchiko I kinda get cuz they didn’t get popular till years later…. Anyway I digress, for the first few tracks it’s inclusion seems stupid, it’s loveless 2.0 innit? Then it begins to have it’s own personality. Do I prefer it to loveless? Fuck no! But I do like it, shoegaze isn’t a genre where I have any ‘deep knowledge’ but mbv is good for what it is. 4/5

Vincebus Eruptum

Blue Cheer

3/5

The blues tracks give me white stripes vibes, then it goes more proto metal stuff, I didn’t hate it 3/5

Devotional Songs

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

2/5

Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs

Marty Robbins

4/5

He’s pretty cool marty robins/ musician and race car driver. Also pretty fit ngl Big iron is pretty great/ so is they’re hanging me tonight. I honestly worried it was going to sound like the last chance saloon song on dr who. (You’ll get why I dreaded that of you’ve watched the gunfighters). 4/5

Roxy Music

4/5

Yeah it’s good love a bit of roxy 4/5

Faust IV

Faust

3/5

Metallica

5/5

Shape-SHIIIIFT!!! 5/5

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs

Derek & The Dominos

4/5

Bit long for what it is but at the same time the one clapton album that I’d say doesn’t have filler 4/5

The Last Of The True Believers

Nanci Griffith

2/5

Eh 2/5

São Paulo Confessions

Suba

2/5

To me it just felt like a compilation of noises 2/5

I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail

Buck Owens

2/5

The first three seconds and I thought, wow this is not for me

Gentlemen

The Afghan Whigs

4/5

Found it in very good 4/5 will relisten

Who Killed...... The Zutons?

The Zutons

3/5

I remember the first 3 tracks quite well but simultaneously I remember these songs being better. Especially the first two songs. Nightmare part II is pretty cool though, but generally they lack the ‘wow’ factor needed 3/5

Antichrist Superstar

Marilyn Manson

3/5

Marilyn Manson is where I think… that’s a bit too far. Like even though the thing about removing some his ribs is fake he’s weird enough that I can imagine it. Like the guy still stuck sewing needles in his skin to test his pain threshold! The guy’s mental. And I swear he’s a creep and he has been accused of abuse. He’s one of few people where I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t an act 3/5

Let Love Rule

Lenny Kravitz

3/5

Destroyer

KISS

2/5

Night Life

Ray Price

3/5

The Hissing Of Summer Lawns

Joni Mitchell

3/5

Shalimar

Rahul Dev Burman

3/5

Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room

Dwight Yoakam

3/5

KIWANUKA

Michael Kiwanuka

4/5

This is fucking brilliant!!! Piano joint (this kind of love) is really a banger. I saw he featured on untitled (black is) which I didn’t really like but this album’s great!!! Truly one of the surprises the generator holds 4/5

Selling England By The Pound

Genesis

4/5

Every Picture Tells A Story

Rod Stewart

3/5

After maggie mae it gets a bit boring 3/5

The Slider

T. Rex

5/5

I think electric warrior is a very good album and I don’t want to diminish that but this album is stronger Particular favourites would be… Metal guru Spaceball ricochet Telegram sam Ballrooms of mars

Stripped

Christina Aguilera

3/5

Was kinda getting her confused with gwen stefani and was gonna do a rant about how no doubt should be on the list but no completely different entity. Then I realised there was a link as linda perry off the 4 non blondes both wrote songs for them, and yeah the song ‘beautiful’ is amazing. And I was also shocked to find out linda perry was in a relationship with leslie winkle off the Big Bang theory… anyway I keep going on tangents, I’ll say fighter is a strong ‘rocky’ track and christina can really sing and infatuation just felt familiar, not even a single but it sounds like something I’ve heard 1000 times on the radio, maybe early Beyoncé??? Which makes sense when you look into it because it’s partly written by Scott Storch who has written tracks for… Beyoncé. SO many guests on here like we then go to a number with Alicia keys, who to me is simply just a name I’ve heard of but don’t care about. I was horrified when I saw the myriad of credits on make over, was really just the sugarbabes but still I didn’t think we got credits that long till the 2010’s, still thought I love the Spanish flair to this one. Let’s circle back to beautiful, what a perfect pop song seriously it’s the one moment the album stops for something particularly good/ special, me first and the gimmie gimmies have such a good cover of this. I think the album deserves its place though even if I keep getting sidetracked, literally two of the hugest popstars of today (Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX) noted this as an influence…. And when this came out Sabrina would’ve been 3, according to wikipedia, I would’ve been minus 3 but yeah. Charli XCX is that bit older so would’ve remembered it coming out etc… but the only things I’m mentioning that I remember coming out were brat and short and sweet. And now espresso is stuck in my head… and now I’m thinking of that snl thing where Jake Peralta off brooklyn 99 made me cringe so hard. And ariana grande made me cringe in the same skit though, but honestly I saw wicked in the theatre before it became a film/ never liked it. And now I’m thinking of how SNL sounds like SML and cringing on how I used to find jeffy funny. Okay let’s go back to the album… dirty (feat redman) who’s redman??? I’m cringing at his Spotify picture and the names of his top 5 songs right now, it’s alright too in my face for me honestly

C'est Chic

CHIC

4/5

Might be bad but I kinda view Nile Rodgers as just a name and a face… just the guy on get lucky who puts his funky guitar everywhere. I feel horrible but I didn’t even know he was in chiq before I started doing the project. Theres some solid tracks, le freak is a great hit, happy man is fun But then tracks like the instrumental savoir faire just isn’t for me (however it’s not the worst song called savoir faire (that would go to suede in 1999)) 4/5

Meat Puppets II

Meat Puppets

4/5

For some reason I really strongly thought this album wasn’t on here. I think the songs nirvana covered are the best songs, but new gods is pretty great and so is the instrumental Aurora borealis. 4/5

Remedy

Basement Jaxx

2/5

Could tell by the album cover/ year of release exactly what this would be like. Kinda flew by but I don’t really like it. 2/5

Fetch The Bolt Cutters

Fiona Apple

4/5

Shameika is brilliant and under the table is brilliant too, I remember liking that the one time I herd the album before. And heavy balloons is pretty awesome too and Cosmonauts. Prettiest awesome 4/5

Copper Blue

Sugar

3/5

I could tell they’re was something to do with hüsker dü just but looking at the album art, this is kinda generic though, like why is this on here but not zen arcade. 3/5

Eternally Yours

The Saints

3/5

I like punk but I don’t see the point of the album on a list like this

Locust Abortion Technician

Butthole Surfers

1/5

So many raised eyebrows, so many times I just said what the fuck! I appreciate the effort but…1/5

Damaged

Black Flag

3/5

I actually know of rollins band more than black flag itself

Bubble And Scrape

Sebadoh

3/5

Ace of Spades

Motörhead

4/5

I feel this veers more into punk than metal honestly, really heavy punk yeah but punk nonetheless. Then lemmy himself dubs it just ‘rock and roll’. Guess it’s between the 3 but I think purely describing it as metal is a tad too simplistic. Honestly though it might just be a problem with my dubbing of genres cuz a band like blue öyster cult (sadly not on the list) I wouldn’t call metal either and just more hard rock, especially agents of fortune, which should’ve been on the list. Speaking of both bands I like how both use the ‘ö’ to make then sound more menacing. And back to motörhead, my dad always had a top of the ‘war pig’ but he always called it the ‘iron maiden’ instead, so I learned my dad was Bs-ing there. 4/5

Logical Progression

LTJ Bukem

1/5

I’m trying with what I can find cuz this is an odd one on Spotify And honestly: don’t like it 1/5

Blackstar

David Bowie

5/5

The last album by david jones… like as in the monkeys? Or the squid guy? Nah David Bowie. One incredible musician. But how you pronounce Bowie (like I’ve heard people say BOWie like as in a bow tie or bOWie like submitting to authority). Reminds me a bit of the start of the song ‘andy warhol’ from hunky dory ‘Warhol… as in HOLES’. But that’s a very different album, this album blackstar (like the radiohead song) is a perfect send off there’s only 7 songs but you can’t call any bad. Like it’s good to the point that sparks (who I love) came on after and I just wanted to go back to bowie. Brilliant ending to a great career 5/5

Snivilisation

Orbital

2/5

Victim of the cd age

Fear Of Music

Talking Heads

4/5

You can really tell that it’s the one before remain in light

Peter Gabriel 3

Peter Gabriel

4/5

Cool cool 4/5

Maverick A Strike

Finley Quaye

3/5

I remember my dad buying/ playing this from the pound shop once, didn’t like it. I’ll admit it’s better than I thought but simultaneously I was playing a game on my phone on ‘its great when we’re together’ and an advert popped up. On the advert there was some piano background music that really complemented the song and I missed it when the advert stopped. Honestly I didn’t find it great nor bad 3/5

The Scream

Siouxsie And The Banshees

4/5

Siouxie and the banshees, this is a band I really need to listen to more! I had to relisten to juju (which I fave a 5 after this) 4/5

GREY Area

Little Simz

3/5

Before this I would’ve just said… I HATE LITTLE SIMZ and some of this (boss/venom) epitomise the points of what I don’t like in her, the shitty london voice and the overuse of slang/ vulgar language. Which saying that makes me sound older than what I am. But offence was a great opener. And wounds has a great feature. Also the final trace has a feature from a guy I like. 3/5

The Holy Bible

Manic Street Preachers

5/5

I saw the manics with suede about a year ago… I was going through an incredibly tough time/ loss of many good things/ expelled from school etc… They literally ONLY played this is yesterday though! Out of the holy bible! Don’t get me wrong I love much of their discography but I could’ve really done with the holy bible. What an incredible grim, dark pissed off album. A musical holocaust may sound harsh but the statements correct… It begins with yes I don’t think it’s one of the albums heights but a good listen. Ifwhiteamerica… is a song sadly still relevant in the modern climate. But really earns the bands name, I love it so much. Like walking abortion is alright, I can’t say it’s a favourite of mine but I like the sample at the start a good bit. She is suffering is one great single… not a super strong track on the whole album but not dreadful neither. ‘I wonder who you think you are?’… ‘I think you are the devil itself’ the intro to archives of pain followed by that bass line might be the greatest way to start a song. Revol (also Lover in reverse) is pretty great listening Lenin, Stalin, Brezhnev, Gorbachev and many others. Can’t say it’s a creative marvel but a good listen and way to memorise soviet leaders??? 4st 7lb is the albums most horrific track being probably the best musical depiction of anorexia ‘I want to walk in the snow and not leave a foot print’ Can’t say mausoleum is that memorable despite the awesome name. Faster is probably the best of the three singles ( faster/ revol/ she is suffering) ‘I am stronger than Mensa’ is a great way to start a chorus. I mentioned this is yesterday earlier in a rather disappointing context but I love this song so much. It sounds like it should’ve been the single honestly but I think they honest only wanted to put out songs that were just ‘okay’ ( in context of the album) instead. ‘Scratch myself with a rusty nail’… ‘sadly it healed’ is such an incredible opening line to die in the summertime. The intense humming of evil is just that the climax of the album, purely sickening track about death camps (much like mausoleum but a better song). James Dean Bradfield has a voice where he pronounces words so weirdly it’s almost like he speaks another language, something I particularly find in the albums closer PCP. This IS the best manics album/ everything must go is fun/ this is my truth had bangers and so does the debut but this is the best, it has (and at this rate) always will be. 5/5

Oedipus Schmoedipus

Barry Adamson

2/5

I like Jarvis Cocker… as of typing this a new pulp album has just been announced/ spike island released. Different class is one of my favourite albums, this is hardcore+ his n hers are both great! Idk who atticus ross is honestly??? Then I don’t care for the rest of it.

Physical Graffiti

Led Zeppelin

5/5

On average I’d say the longer the stronger on this album (theres other good songs like the groovy trampled under foot) but I love in the time of dying, kashmir, in the light, 10 years gone. All some of their strongest. I’d honestly rather an album of these stronger songs in a typical led zep, 8 song format and then maybe an outtakes LP as that is what a huge chunk of physical graffiti is. The outtakes one will probably still be good but keeps it tighter. And yeah I mentioned Kashmir earlier and I don’t care that it’s overplayed I love it

So Much For The City

The Thrills

3/5

It’s got a nice sound but a bit dull for the full album 3/5

Beauty And The Beat

The Go-Go's

3/5

Maybe at one point I would’ve found this cool but the project has made me more critical 3/5

Darkdancer

Les Rythmes Digitales

2/5

Horrible album art part of me believes Ai will make better than that in a year. In this guy’s Spotify description he compares himself to daft punk… like he’s french and it’s electronic music but other than that… nah. Oh fuck this is Jacques Lu Cont like the guy who made them shitty killers remixes. And the guy is actually an English bloke with the name… stuart price. Well he was born in France but lived in Reading. Honestly he just gives me bit pretentious dick vibes. 2/5

Boy In Da Corner

Dizzee Rascal

2/5

Music for chavs, I guess chavs are an important enough sector in society to have representation. This has personality though, I will say 21st century British rap gets much worse and it’s just a genre America has always done so much better

Talking Timbuktu

Ali Farka Touré

2/5

Get Behind Me Satan

The White Stripes

3/5

I am aware of this album’s reputation as the worst white stripes album. And after elephant just having listened to the first couple tracks, it’s not as raw as the other white stripes albums, a song like the nurse is actually really interesting but sounds more like it’s adjacent to the white stripes than sounding actually like the white stripes. Firstly you have the singles honestly I wasn’t hugely fussed on blue orchid it doesn’t sound very white stripes. Denial twist and My doorbell are good though. They’re all just rock songs really. Then you get into it a bit, white moon is pretty cool. Take take take I’d describe as pretty cool I love the drum. And red rain is awesome. But there’s lots of stuff I’m not thrilled by in the same way. Little ghost is alright, I like the folky twist but not a favourite of the ‘little’ songs honestly. Instinct blues honestly feels like an attempt to capture the zeitgeist of ball and biscuit back from elephant. It’s an alright album I prefer white blood cells and elephant though 3/5

The Clash

4/5

Not as good as London calling but still good, I love remote control, white riot is literally the most punk song of all time, so crude and controversial it works well. Londons burning has a similar spirit to it too. Oh and we have the GOOD version of career opportunities… not the shitty Sandinista one Police and thieves, is like a hint towards what the clash would become Garageland as a closer is pretty cool too with the harmonica I like this a ton, the ‘true’ punk just before wimpier commercial bands like the sex pistols came along (who I do like too)

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Animal Collective

3/5

Live At The Harlem Square Club

Sam Cooke

4/5

One of them ones that’s surprising me how good it is 4/5- but I wouldn’t be surprised if I change it to a 5 one day

The Infotainment Scan

The Fall

2/5

I should like the fall, with the kinda artists I like I REALLY should but I don’t find great amounts of pleasure in listening to their music 2/5

Youth And Young Manhood

Kings of Leon

4/5

Early kings of leon are pretty good honestly, like I’m not crazy about them but this is good fun especially mollys chambers 4/5

Tom Tom Club

2/5

I know a lot of toms in my life, I know it’s a common name and the tom tom is a type of drum but I just get a cringey image of all the tom’s I know dancing to wordy rappinghood behind a green screen. Also I didn’t recognise Genius of love which is meant to be the hit. L’elephant, I decided to give the English lyrics a read… bit cursed You can just tell it’s a talking heads adjacent project actually if I was to best describe the sound I think I’d say talking heads meets stereolab. Also one of them ones that just sounds like the early 80’s- you can imagine ‘antmusic’ coming on at the same time as one of these songs. While that all may sound positive… I don’t like it 2/5

You Want It Darker

Leonard Cohen

4/5

How are there people in the world that genuinely think Tom Waits is good and cohen is hard to listen to. With cohen I go as far as loving jazz police. This album was good Too 4/5

So

Peter Gabriel

4/5

It’s not without filler in the back half but come on… red rain AND sledgehammer!!! Also in your eyes IK isn’t the ‘actual’ closer but fuck it works and shouldve been! 4/5

The Notorious Byrd Brothers

The Byrds

3/5

I thought (hoped) I was long done with the byrds it’s not like they’re dreadful they’re just OKAY. Honestly I find the amount of byrds picks a worse problem than the costello picks. Theres some nice songs here like goin’ back is incredible 3/5

Back To Black

Amy Winehouse

5/5

Marcus Garvey

Burning Spear

3/5

3/5 started off as a 4 then got a bit samey, I have no outright hate for it though

The College Dropout

Kanye West

4/5

The top two reviews actually made me cringe… Ik we’re at a point where this man is either just a straight up cock or needs serious help but he made great music and I hope people don’t forget that. As of typing this he’s the 28th most streamed artist in the world on Spotify and while I don’t think popularity is a factor in quality at shows he’s got something very right. Boycott vultures, bully, ww3 (whenever that comes out) honestly I think there little point beyond kids see ghosts. But this MBDTF and graduation (which should be on this list) are amazing. On this I love all falls down and Jesus walks a ton and always have. Spaceship is great too! Slow Jamz is super catchy. It just lacks bad songs… too many interludes I admit though it’s too long so 4/5

Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin

5/5

Yeah this is a classic I love the mysticism of this album 5/5

Machine Gun Etiquette

The Damned

3/5

Most of it I didn’t think much of good or bad but shout out to ‘ Plan 9 Channel 7’ for that intro riff loved that. But its a 3/5

It's A Shame About Ray

The Lemonheads

3/5

I remember years and years ago my dad got two really early lemonheads albums from the record shop, definitely their first album but I don’t remember what else. I never actually listened to it and later I’d find out about it’s a shame about ray and not listen to that… but at least I knew the Mrs Robinson cover. Would still go 3/5 though its solid and good songs here but nothing interesting

One Nation Under A Groove

Funkadelic

3/5

No joke I could find literally every funkdelic album… except for this, I’ll look another time for it but I’ll give it a 3/5

Phrenology

The Roots

3/5

When I was hazy/ tired in the morning both the name the roots and this album cover made me think it would be the 1000th boring nameless early 00’s indie rock album… boy I was very obviously wrong. Really it’s a hip hop album that is mostly quite experimental but some bits are a bit boring 3/5

Five Leaves Left

Nick Drake

4/5

The Sensual World

Kate Bush

4/5

Yeah there’s something so great to Kate bush 4/5

Come Find Yourself

Fun Lovin' Criminals

3/5

Meh an alright rap album 3/5

Sunshine Superman

Donovan

4/5

Yeah I liked this, I’ll mark it as a 4/5 because I want to relisten to it at another point

Sex Packets

Digital Underground

2/5

Yeah album matches the name… the fact they pulled out the HUMP part of HUMPtydumpty just made me cringe. So did that ‘underwater’ one where the singer rapped in some silly fake lisp voice Most of its just average rap but with abhorrently bad moments 2/5

Lost In The Dream

The War On Drugs

4/5

Mothership Connection

Parliament

4/5

Are you feeling funky? Kinda? 4/5

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Arctic Monkeys

5/5

Shame this bands late career is both embarrassing and widely popular still, love this tho 5/5

Haut de gamme / Koweït, rive gauche

Koffi Olomide

3/5

The album cover just looks dodgy… but you know what I do respect, with the little bit of french I understand he’s the only artist that is thankful for being on the list according to his Spotify bio

Reign In Blood

Slayer

3/5

Screamy death I love satan etc… 3/5

Fun House

The Stooges

3/5

I like some stooges stuff but honestly this wasn’t really for me 3/5

american dream

LCD Soundsystem

3/5

Putting a well liked bands worst album?

Want Two

Rufus Wainwright

2/5

Yeah you can tell he likes radiohead 2/5

The Bends

Radiohead

5/5

One of the most well sequenced albums in my opinion, weirdly structured, it always goes singly track, slightly weirder track, slower track. My favourite track is my iron lung, street spirit is an undeniable classic too. And I’ve always had a soft spot for blackstar. 5/5

The Soft Bulletin

The Flaming Lips

4/5

This is like a slightly less refined yoshimi, I like this though 4/5

All That You Can't Leave Behind

U2

3/5

We Are Family

Sister Sledge

4/5

The first track and the title track are classics 4/5

What's That Noise?

Coldcut

3/5

Couldn’t find it 3/5

Abraxas

Santana

3/5

My pops likes this music… I find it okay 3/5

White Ladder

David Gray

4/5

Definitely knew some of the songs it’s nice/ calm 4/5

Tidal

Fiona Apple

4/5

Veckatimest

Grizzly Bear

3/5

3

Eli And The Thirteenth Confession

Laura Nyro

4/5

Like proto kate bush 4/5

At Fillmore East

The Allman Brothers Band

3/5

Smokers Delight

Nightmares On Wax

2/5

I kinda thought it just took a while to ‘get going’ but no this REALLY isn’t for me

Heaux Tales

Jazmine Sullivan

2/5

I kinda thought it just took a while to ‘get going’ but no this REALLY isn’t for me

Toys In The Attic

Aerosmith

3/5

Miriam Makeba

3/5

It’s weird hearing an earlier version of house in the rising sun, I knew it was a song lots covered but still

Triangle

The Beau Brummels

2/5

All I can think of is Friday night dinner… ‘Yes I was a hansome young man, wasn’t I nellie a real Beau Brummel’ ‘You see all these men on tv these days calling themselves Beau Brummels, they don’t deserve to be called beau brummels do they?’ Sorry just love that show, the music is okay I suppose

Welcome To The Pleasuredome

Frankie Goes To Hollywood

5/5

When my grandad passed away it was around the same time as my birthday and my Auntie got me this as a present that year because he loved the album. So for that it has special memories and I can’t not give it a 5/5. I don’t find the album itself perfect, I think it peaks from relax to two tribes. I think the title track goes on too long. Then the only star in heaven and the power of love bring the album up when they fill it with covers. But It’s too sentimental to me 5/5

Blood On The Tracks

Bob Dylan

5/5

5

Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

Bill Callahan

3/5

2112

Rush

4/5

I like this I feel after a 20 minute multi part opener the other songs don’t pop as much even though all of them are good (particularly the twilight zone and tears) also I just prefer moving pictures

Highly Evolved

The Vines

4/5

I thought they were gonna be a britpop ripoff but turns out they’re a grunge ripoff. Or at least heavily inspired but they sound good (low) 4/5

Rock 'N Soul

Solomon Burke

3/5

Bayou Country

Creedence Clearwater Revival

3/5

BEYONCÉ

Beyoncé

3/5

Hard Again

Muddy Waters

3/5

Golden Hour

Kacey Musgraves

4/5

My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts

Brian Eno

4/5

Let's Stay Together

Al Green

3/5

Femi Kuti

3/5

Armed Forces

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

3/5

69 Love Songs

The Magnetic Fields

4/5

I really liked sweet lovin man, I didn’t see much reception for it but I really liked that one. Papa was a rodeo which I did see love for is incredible too! 4/5

(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)

Lynyrd Skynyrd

4/5

I used to know a nerd, lynyrd Skynyrd are definitely not that they are just a simple man (or men) chasing that free bird. 4/5

Two Dancers

Wild Beasts

2/5

In all honesty these vocals remind me of someone doing a dreadful impression of the man from sparks 2/5

Home Is Where The Music Is

Hugh Masekela

2/5

2/5 not bad but not for me

A Walk Across The Rooftops

The Blue Nile

3/5

Penance Soiree

The Icarus Line

3/5

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

Iron Butterfly

3/5

The final track is monumental the other songs are just good 3/5

Djam Leelii

Baaba Maal

2/5

Rapture

Anita Baker

3/5

Feel bad for the Americans as apparently it’s not available in the US. But I’m from the Uk! This is soul filled music that also taps into the 80’s sound. 3/5

Tank Battles

Dagmar Krause

2/5

2 cuz I couldn’t find anything about it

Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)

Loretta Lynn

2/5

South/ middle America wife beatery music very trad wifey 2/5

Fred Neil

3/5

Lost Souls

Doves

3/5

They try but the one song that’s just a really nice pop song (catch the sun) is the best track

Trafalgar

Bee Gees

2/5

1st track is good to be honest, dimery needed to put Saturday night fever on here, it’s a compilation/ soundtrack sure but when you have a hives comp on the list, we needed Saturday night fever

Parallel Lines

Blondie

5/5

This is incredible, some of the most stand out singles of all time compiled into one album, it is almost like a blondie best of. Also shout out to 11:59 and fade away and radiate the album’s non single gems that make this a must listen for every 5/5

With The Beatles

Beatles

3/5

My main thing is about money (thats what I want) this is an all time classic and the theme song to one of my favourite shows (brassic) but don’t go for the beatles version. If it were in modern times I think this would’ve been merged with please please me and some of the best older singles (e.g. she loves you and I want to hold your hand) and it would be a classic than the majority of the covers would be nifty bonus tracks. But this was the 60’s and I don’t hate this whatsoever, but please please me would’ve been the better early beatles pick 3/5

Rhythm Nation 1814

Janet Jackson

2/5

Sorry but I don’t really care for it, Michael might be a creep but he’s sure a better musical artist than Janet and always was 2/5

Pornography

The Cure

5/5

Honestly so great 5/5

The Message

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

4/5

Essential rap that is good 4/5

Tuesday Night Music Club

Sheryl Crow

3/5

3

The Idiot

Iggy Pop

5/5

This might be one of the first albums in a while I genuinely felt on the edge of my seat listening to 5/5

Konnichiwa

Skepta

3/5

Sounds like the soundtrack to hotboxing, roadman reece probably be listening to this while he chefs someone up. 3/5 cuz of its not bad for what it is, just not for me

Black Holes and Revelations

Muse

4/5

Starlight and hoodoo hit me personally. Take a bow and knights of Cydonia are amazing tracks. Assassin is also underrated in the catalogue. But absolution is THE muse album. 4/5

Elephant

The White Stripes

5/5

Southern Rock Opera

Drive-By Truckers

2/5

As soon as I thought… this sounds inbred they started talking about lynyrd skynyrd

Rain Dogs

Tom Waits

3/5

Best tom waits album, which means it’s average 3/5

This Is Fats Domino

Fats Domino

3/5

I think only 1/2 the album is on Spotify??? 3/5 better than I assumed it’d be

Stardust

Willie Nelson

3/5

Run-D.M.C.

3/5

It’s decent but I prefer the other Run DMC album on the list 3/5

Vol. 4

Black Sabbath

4/5

Sabbath are great, listening to this album it was very shortly after his last concert and it does make me remember how special they are

Better Living Through Chemistry

Fatboy Slim

3/5

Sorry this might not be a fully popular opinion but my favourite thing with norman cook on it is the housemartins hull 4 london 0

Band On The Run

Paul McCartney and Wings

5/5

Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor

Lupe Fiasco

3/5

Daydreamin’ is a great song.. rest, eh 3/5

Surfer Rosa

Pixies

4/5

James Brown Live At The Apollo

James Brown

3/5

The Score

Fugees

4/5

The singing on ‘ready or not’ and ‘killing me softly’ is iconic, this was good 4/5

Paranoid

Black Sabbath

5/5

RIP ozzy osbourne, black sabbath are great 5/5

Fear Of A Black Planet

Public Enemy

4/5

4/5 strong but too long

Slippery When Wet

Bon Jovi

3/5

My primary school best friend loved bonjovi and I remember calling them a ‘fake band’ because I never heard of them You give love a bad name and living on a prayer are too similar to be put next to each other. It’s just a bit dull but listenable 3/5

Bongo Rock

Incredible Bongo Band

3/5

Interesting, you can definitely tell like a million rap samples were made from this album so I get its inclusion, still 3/5

LP1

FKA twigs

2/5

I’ve heard eusexua before but not this one, IDM eusexua but this is a jit boring 2/5

E.V.O.L.

Sonic Youth

3/5

Let England Shake

PJ Harvey

3/5

Savane

Ali Farka Touré

2/5

Not for me

Goodbye And Hello

Tim Buckley

5/5

So good I didn’t expect it to be this good 5/5

Le Tigre

2/5

Love the sample on phanta, but other than that it was meh and very short 2/5

Like Water For Chocolate

Common

3/5

Tad samey 3/5

Zombie

Fela Kuti

3/5

Bros just not for me too long/ too jazzy, theoretically good tho 3/5

Connected

Stereo MC's

2/5

2

Bright Flight

Silver Jews

2/5

Youre the only ten I see 🤮2/5

Back to Mystery City

Hanoi Rocks

3/5

Some promise here such as the intro to mental beat. But most of it I find middling, like ice cream summer which has heavy elvis costello vives 3/5

Moss Side Story

Barry Adamson

1/5

It might be because I was up at 4:00 today but this was giving me a headache 1/5

Sunshine Hit Me

The Bees

2/5

Sounds like pretentious stuff that fantano fans will get hard for

Get Rich Or Die Tryin'

50 Cent

2/5

Ngl thought it was 20 cent lol

Honky Tonk Masquerade

Joe Ely

3/5

Folky stuff 3/5

Clandestino

Manu Chao

2/5

At the point of writing this 1st section I’m just so impressed with the amount of languages this fella knows. Would be good if I knew a western artist that did that but no That gave it a 3 minimum but genuinely I didn’t find it an interesting listen so 3/5

OK Computer

Radiohead

5/5

Maybe overrated in the grand scheme of things but still a 5/5. Exit music, let down and karma police is one of the greatest 3 track runs of any album. Paranoid android is in many ways Radiohead’s bohemian rhapsody. The glum ‘lucky’ is just beautiful. And then even ‘weaker’ tracks like ‘electioneering’ or ‘climbing up the walls’ represent some form of disintegration. 5/5

The Real Thing

Faith No More

3/5

It’s a shame this was one of those bands that I knew the name but not the songs but I was decisively underwhelmed 3/5

You're Living All Over Me

Dinosaur Jr.

2/5

I get the importance of this band you can really hear where the influence on nirvana came from but that doesn’t mean I love it, or like it much 2/5

Slipknot

3/5

Yh Iowa really should’ve been the slipknot rep, you can tell the writers don’t know much about 2000’s heavy music with their picks for both this band and QOTSA. 3/5

Third

Soft Machine

2/5

Its 4 tracks around 20 ish minutes each and you really do feel it 2/5

good kid, m.A.A.d city

Kendrick Lamar

3/5

If TPAB is an album for music nerds GKMC is an album for rap nerds, theres great things in it but for me as a rock nerd this wasn’t an instant love for me. Sure ‘money trees’ is great and ‘master splinters daughter’ is a good way to open but then theres tracks like ‘bitch don’t kill my vibe’ and ‘poetic justice’ that I was a bit neutral too. I’m sorry but I just can’t put this in the same tier as ‘alright’, ‘the blacker the berry’, ‘king kunta’, ‘wesleys theory’ etc… I will give a shoutout to ‘sing about me I’m dying of thirst’ there was a bit of the album that flew by quite quickly but it stopped with this song (ik he’s got mortal man on TPAB) but this is kendricks ‘desolation row’ moment. A brilliant 12 minute epic that earns its length. The album has to be a 3/5 tho

Getz/Gilberto

Stan Getz

2/5

Let It Be

The Replacements

5/5

Since I Left You

The Avalanches

3/5

Some people really like this, I… get it’s existence

I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

Sinead O'Connor

4/5

Kenza

Khaled

2/5

Better than dj khaled but this isn’t for me

Green Onions

Booker T. & The MG's

3/5

Don’t normally like instrumental music but this was kinda fun

The ArchAndroid

Janelle Monáe

4/5

Positive suprised thought I was gonna hate it but no

Henry's Dream

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

3/5

The Visitors

ABBA

5/5

This Nation’s Saving Grace

The Fall

3/5

In many ways I struggle with the fall, instrumentally they’re great, and they’re a huge inspiration on my favourite band, suede, especially on their latest albums which I love BUT mark E smith is an acquired taste isn’t he? I want to like him I do normally like spoken word vocals but there’s something different about this, and the albums hella long. I’m gonna give it another go as I want to fall in love with it but 3/5 for now

Killing Joke

3/5

I’m a Lonesome Fugitive

Merle Haggard

3/5

It’s like if the first few seconds of the beatles song ‘rocky raccoon’ were stretched out to half hour

Hot Shots II

The Beta Band

3/5

Theres a market for this, it isn’t me, great use of a sample in the first track though, I was scratching myself like where do I know this and I still don’t know but hey ho

Immigrés

Youssou N'Dour

2/5

Not for me

Beach Samba

Astrud Gilberto

3/5

Strange Cargo III

William Orbit

2/5

Sums up the flaws of the 90s

Bandwagonesque

Teenage Fanclub

4/5

Leftism

Leftfield

3/5

My gripe with this album is that its a typical victim of the 90’s, lots of songs are 7 minutes but don’t earn that runtime whatsoever, I’m glad it lost to portishead at the mercury prize

Music Has The Right To Children

Boards of Canada

2/5

You can appreciate something’s existence without really liking it 2/5

Another Green World

Brian Eno

3/5

The middle phase between ambient eno and warm jets eno. I like warm jets personally, actually I like roxy music eno the most… maybe it’s basic for music nerds but I struggle a bit even here 3/5 generously

Fever To Tell

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

3/5

Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts

The Adverts

5/5

So the other week I was listening to steve lamacq on radio 6, waiting for something about the new suede album and he played ‘Gary Gilmores eyes’. And the glorification of serial killers has never sounded so good! On the other tracks (y know the ones actually part of the album) … One chord wonders definitely tapped my attention. New church is cool lyrically. On the roof is imstrumentally. Bombsite boy has a slightly anthemic thing to it which really works. And no time to be 21 has a lil riff thats a bit like a 50’s diner, but is a great rocker. Oh wheels begins like a joy division song and ends as one of the albums best tracks. And great British mistake is definitely the ideal pick for closer out of the lot, bit anthemic and love the guitars. All the above are my highlights 5/5 low 5 but a 5

Kind Of Blue

Miles Davis

3/5

Just not for me

21

Adele

5/5

My memory of this album is a 5/6 year old me waiting outside my mums work with my dad and my brother. She’d always be held back so through time knew all these songs off by heart. And it’s good front loaded except for someone like you but due to memories I have to rate it a 5 theres an edge of bias in music reviewing, even when someone tries to be objective this is one of my nostalgia blind spots

Low-Life

New Order

4/5

Heroes to Zeros

The Beta Band

3/5

I just don’t think they’re a band that deserves 1001 status. Not bad and the other album is more deserving but this eh. 3/5

The Coral

3/5

Like I didn’t love it but this thing went quick 3/5

Autobahn

Kraftwerk

3/5

Wow I hate the original cover for this, glad I’m used to the one for the remaster.

White Light / White Heat

The Velvet Underground

4/5

4/5 interesting but not as good as the debut

Music For The Jilted Generation

The Prodigy

3/5

No good (start the dance) is a rave classic, other than that… I just prefer fat of the land, it’s got a tighter tracklist. The prodigy is the only rave music (an pretty much the only non rock music) that I was raised on but it just made me love the hits and stay eh on some of the other stuff 3/5

Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea

PJ Harvey

5/5

Pj harvey, the only 2 times winner of the Mercury price (as of 2024) I find the Mercury prize weird, theres great winners: Suede, pulp, Arctic monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, English teacher. But some I really don’t like: roni size, badly drawn boy. But I still think it’s a great capsulation of styles. On ‘beautiful feeling’ I was literally just thinking, sounds like Radiohead, thom york is literally on there… and he’s on another ‘the mess we’re in’- which is a very good song (possibly the albums best), weirdly this is the closest he’s got to a mercury prize is this album. I like the heavy ones a good bit ‘big exit’ and ‘the whores hustle and the hustlers whore’ and ‘kamikaze’ great examples of this, on the latter two PJ also goes to an incredibly high register, respect for her there. Good fortune is a great single and this is love (even though I don’t find the latter to be one of the most exciting on the album as a whole). If it was between this/ dry and rid of me I’d pick this

Take Me Apart

Kelela

2/5

2010’s is probably my least favourite decade of music… and this is like stepping into 2010’s pop radio 2/5

The Blueprint

JAY Z

3/5

So it was recorded a few miles away from the twin towers and was released on September 11th 2001. And I’m sure that everyone knows that. Also pre crazy kanye produced a lot of this including ‘takeover’ which is a good song, theres also renegade with eminem which serves as a great climax. But girls girls girls and Jigga weren’t that good to me 3/5

Deserter's Songs

Mercury Rev

3/5

Here's Little Richard

Little Richard

4/5

Like I neglected the website for a couple of days and to come back to this after some sad stuff was very welcome, I also respect that little Richard is pretty much THE original with rock n roll. Maybe the actual content is 3/5 but with context it’s a 4/5

Hysteria

Def Leppard

3/5

Chore of Enchantment

Giant Sand

3/5

There’s nothing I hate it just sounds like an album of indie cliche’s

Fear and Whiskey

Mekons

3/5

Oh very, very English. A bit rocky, so folky but very very English

A Little Deeper

Ms. Dynamite

3/5

She’s a bit better than expected but I didn’t have high expectations

Crocodiles

Echo And The Bunnymen

3/5

You know it just kinda passes through me 3/5

The Gilded Palace Of Sin

The Flying Burrito Brothers

2/5

Bryter Layter

Nick Drake

3/5

I quite like this but it’s no pink moon, not saying that in a quality way but wow this has got some disney-esque strings. While pink moon you’re almost right there it’s like you’re at the other side of the room with Bryter Layter. 3/5

The Good, The Bad & The Queen

2/5

It’s a funny one, actually a very cool supergroup in premise but I don’t find this exciting at all it’s just music that sounds smack between blur and gorillaz (despite being after both bands peaks) actually I’m insulted that it is that ‘eh’ 2/5

I Should Coco

Supergrass

5/5

Firstly: SHES SO LOOSE SHOULDVE BEEN A SINGLE Secondly- WTF! I haven’t had this album yet?! It’s one like the 1st garbage album where I don’t think theres a bad track but I rarely revisit. But it’s banger after banger… caught by the fuzz, lose it, lenny and sitting up straight would work being played in some small scale grimy punk rock venue. While strange ones reverses the role of verse and chorus perfectly and the way gaz sings ‘every fucker needs a home’ is a classic moment. Alright and mansize rooster are great piano rockers. Time is incredible a very old favourite song of mine I sadly neglect a bit now same with sofa of my lethargy. Fuck even we’re not supposed to is fun. Oh and she’s so loose is perfect!!! 5/5

California

American Music Club

3/5

I can’t find it 3/5 because I don’t wanna judge

A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse

Faces

3/5

You've Come a Long Way Baby

Fatboy Slim

3/5

The first track was played to my old RE class on a lesson about evolution/ the Rockafeller skank I definitely know from somewhere (well not the ending) but I know the start- really should be called ‘funk soul brother’. They work and then fucking in heaven sounds like something they’d use to brainwash someone. Then I genuinely stop caring about this music… praise you is a good pop song though. So yeah good hits just not entirely for me 3/5… generously

Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul

Otis Redding

3/5

Achtung Baby

U2

3/5

I think u2 actually started very strong I could bop to boy (especially the electric co) any day, this is alright, I just think bono suits post punk more than this??? Idk that’s just it for me I think this era is overrated but U2 as a whole might be overhated, they’re a critical enigma 3/5

American Gothic

David Ackles

3/5

Bit melodramatic I don’t hate it though 3/5

John Prine

2/5

Very much what I expected/ not in a good way 2/5

Trout Mask Replica

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

2/5

I knew this wasn’t on Spotify from before and I knew people are against Spotify I know, but it’s all I have and I’m not sitting through YouTube ads so I’m listening to a strange mix of demos studio versions and live versions mixed and recovered like it was an old episode of doctor who. Then I decided to switch to YouTube cuz I’m not a coward even though (as of now I’ve only heard side one) 2 adverts including 1 double advert popped up. The Dust Blows Forward 'n the Dust Blows Back was much better on the live version I heard, Ik it’s just an acapella track but he had so much more charisma live. With the rest of the tracks Ella Guru was probably the toughest, it’s just so strange vocally. Moonlight in Vermont has quite a cool riff, but it lives among the chaos of this album perfectly. Hair pie 1 I was thinking- wow I can hear it probably inspired some post punk and later the gnarlienes of the holy bible- but comparatively that’s polished. (Trust me I will revisit it) current score 2/5

Music

Madonna

3/5

It’s just an average studio album added to the list simply because she’s madonna 3/5

A Seat at the Table

Solange

3/5

Ritual De Lo Habitual

Jane's Addiction

2/5

Idk just something really didn’t click

Live At Leeds

The Who

3/5

Lets make some controversy… my generation is one if the most overrated hits of all time, and the who have some good things going but aren’t nearly as good as any classic band??? It’s serviceable

Rage Against The Machine

5/5

Sure killing in the name is incredible but Bullet in the head is very much on par ‘they say jump you say how high’ might be one of my favourite hooks ever. Wake up reminds me of Kashmir by led zep in the best way possible. Theres a funky angle to the music but unlike something like ‘janes addiction’ which I received the other day theres a lot more honesty and better songcraft from RATM

Revolver

Beatles

5/5

I hate to self advertise but I’m gonna do it anyway cuz I’m planning on listening to this album in a few days…. This is my thoughts on the beatles discography in a little blog I’ve been doing https://listeningearsmusicreview.blogspot.com/2025/10/discussing-every-beatles-song-ongoing.html?m=1 Revolver is a 5/5 tho

Django Django

3/5

I kinda lost patience to it at the end 3/5

Don't Stand Me Down

Dexys Midnight Runners

2/5

Live / Dead

Grateful Dead

2/5

I know of the Grateful Dead’s live reputation, and I’m sure they’re amazing in person but the 1st track bored me then 7 minutes of feedback followed by a 30 second goodbye ‘thing’ would piss me off as a fan, but the grateful dead’s fans were all probably on drugs so it doesn’t matter, still sadly I’m sober 2/5

Dirty

Sonic Youth

3/5

Rising Above Bedlam

Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart

2/5

You can tell that nobody was sober in the making of this album

Darklands

The Jesus And Mary Chain

4/5

4/5 The sound to the overall thing ‘meshes’ a tad but it was listen 1 so I think that would change

Unknown Pleasures

Joy Division

5/5

This is incredible, a classic, I can imagine if you don’t ‘get it’ then it would sound strange but for me the lyrics give the songs the edge and they all somehow feel more energetic than they actually are through pure emotion. The only punk track on here is interzone but I’d say they’re all punk too, guess that’s just post punk but it’s the earliest example of this genre making 100% gold (I think) 5/5

The Grand Tour

George Jones

2/5

Very short twangy country 2/5

Sticky Fingers

The Rolling Stones

5/5

Probably the best stones album Wild Horses is amazing! And with the rest of it I really like the rocky edge 5/5 for now it might drop but who knows

Blue

Joni Mitchell

5/5

Oh it’s great definitely had me feeling… blue

Penthouse And Pavement

Heaven 17

3/5

Hmm sure interesting, the perfect hybrid between post punk and new wave, but not 1001 worthy 3/5

Dance Mania

Tito Puente

3/5

Not for me sure it’s fun but not my style

Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space

Spiritualized

4/5

Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus

Spirit

3/5

I could actually here some Bowie-isms in here, this is literally a few weeks after ‘the man who sold the world’ though so I doubt it’s intentional. Also as reviews have said, definitely led zep inspired. Natures way is a brilliant song, sounds like it could’ve been a hit! The next track animal zoo is great but I don’t get why it was lead single over natures way. Mr skin feels like the ‘fuck it lets have fun’ track that many old British albums have. The guitar in street worms verses make me think of inspector gadget lol. Rest kinda passed through me

Meat Is Murder

The Smiths

5/5

Kala

M.I.A.

4/5

I think among music circles the story of MIA’s decline is pretty well known, What I’ll say is this album isn’t bad, 4/5 I don’t know

A Night At The Opera

Queen

5/5

It’s a 5/5, it has filler, some songs that are actually ‘not good’, but it’s also much more than bohemian rhapsody… Death on two legs is one of the most cutting ‘Diss tracks’ of all time. Freddie screams ‘feel good are you satisfied do you feel like suicide?’ To come back with the cruel… ‘I think you should’. The song is absolutely insane. You’re my best friend is a great single, not a top track but serves its purpose perfectly! 39- Brian May’s weird sci fi skiffle is a grower but one that hits incredibly hard once you know, I love the instrumental especially. Seaside rendezvous- is the best of the 2 ‘vintage’ songs of side 1 it’s just so fun. The prophets song- actually rivals boh rhap. Great heavy long rocker the acapella section is strange but so grate Love of my life is a brilliant tragic ballad , ‘bring it back’ certainly the album’s tearjerker. Good company doesn’t get the discussion it deserves- side 2 of this album is really perfect, ‘all my friends through the years by and by disappear’ tragic but great Then Bohemian rhapsody… come on its so good!!! The ones I haven’t mentioned are filler but it still deserves a 5

Maggot Brain

Funkadelic

4/5

Elvis Presley

4/5

History is kinda my ‘thing’ and what I’m gonna say about Elvis is still lots of the artists you know and love today wouldn’t be there without him. Sure I don’t think Elvis wrote a song in his life, and lots of it was covers by Black artists who were just better (the obvious example being Little Richard and his version of Tutti frutti). But England/ America (particularly America) was just so racist at the time. I think we needed Elvis as a ‘trojan horse’ to get rock to the masses, he was a performer, so he performed. Subsequent decades would come along, artists influenced probably your favourite artist it your favourite artists, artists that people form the 50’s wouldn’t be able to comprehend came along. 4/5 for that

Loveless

My Bloody Valentine

5/5

Bert Jansch

3/5

Imperial Bedroom

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

3/5

There’s only 2 albums of his that should be on the list ‘my aim is true’ and ‘this years model’ nothing is really wrong with this album but listening to ‘imperial bedroom’ is having little to no impact on my life 3/5

Group Sex

Circle Jerks

3/5

I think it deserves its place on the list, but I’m not a ‘fan’ as such 3/5

Before And After Science

Brian Eno

4/5

I prefer the roxy music -> warm jets side of eno and this album sounds closer to that then ambient stuff I don’t really care about. I listened to it when in the bath and it sounded like drifting into the night 4/5

Vanishing Point

Primal Scream

3/5

An album that shouldn’t be on the list but isn’t bad 3/5

Woodface

Crowded House

3/5

Good but no standouts 3/5

Joan Armatrading

5/5

My dad loves Joan and even met her, once apparently really nice! Love and affection, join the boys and tall in the saddle are all certified bangers 5/5 why not

Here Come The Warm Jets

Brian Eno

5/5

Greatly unique 5/5

Infected

The The

4/5

You know what, I didn’t expect this album to beat soul mining but it’s really great 4/5 could become a 5 in the future

Hunky Dory

David Bowie

5/5

What is the most powerful song to you? I was asked this question before and it’s a very tough one but eventually I realised the answer… ‘life on mars’ I could literally go mad on linking every line to something personal in my life right down to the ‘norfolk broads’ and the ‘my mother my dog and clowns’ lines. It’s one where I can just make uncanny personal references, all I will say is that verse 1 feels like 1 part of my life then verse 2 is another. I get it’s a bit ‘sad’ but this song just shows the power of music for me. The other songs are great, Changes brings me back to the horrible histories parody. Kooks really isn’t as bad as the reputation it’s given and I find it really fun. Quicksand is a masterpiece. Andy warhol is brilliant I especially love the weird intro. Queen bitch is one of the best rockers bowie ever did. Then the Bewlay brothers is one of those perfect closers. 5/5

The Joshua Tree

U2

4/5

Post Orgasmic Chill

Skunk Anansie

4/5

4/5 mainly because I think Stoosh (or maybe paranoid and sunburnt if I was going by pure personal preference) should’ve been the skunk anansie album on the list, it’s good idk maybe just too long I think???

Virgin Suicides

Air

3/5

It was good but I’m kinda anti film scores being on the list

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West

4/5

It’s really good despite what people (rightfully) think about Kanye, my problem is that this is on the list and NOT graduation which is the one that really deserves it 4/5

Pyromania

Def Leppard

3/5

I think 99% of the time you can tell that if an album has a song with ‘rock’ or in the title it’s going to be very meh (only exception is bowie) 3/5

Court And Spark

Joni Mitchell

3/5

Nothing bad but no ‘blue’ 3/5

Legalize It

Peter Tosh

3/5

A Wizard, A True Star

Todd Rundgren

3/5

Dookie

Green Day

5/5

This album is great don’t get me wrong 5/5 but honestly anyone who gives this a 4 or above should really listen to the album before (Kerplunk) because that is brilliant

Third

Portishead

4/5

Swordfishtrombones

Tom Waits

2/5

How can people like this guy

Nowhere

Ride

5/5

Great shoegaze album and a bit ‘proto-britpop’

Gorillaz

4/5

It’s not bad but Demon Days is the one they should’ve went for, and if you prefer gorillaz to blur… actually listen to more blur than song 2 😊

Play

Moby

4/5

Madman Across The Water

Elton John

4/5

Better than I thought, tiny dancer is good but I’ve never been crazy about it, but this album is so strong!!!

Germfree Adolescents

X-Ray Spex

3/5

It’s got character, some of its annoying some is endearing

The Stooges

3/5

So it starts off with a blast, two great rockers. Then we will fall which is a strange long and droning peace, as it goes on it gives me the creeps more and more. Back half is fine, no fun is good, Ann is alright downtrodden but a great climax. Not right brings the rockieness back… with poor lyrics Little doll is fine. There’s another track within it all but I don’t remember it. I never heard it before and I thought I was going to be really complementary of it but it was a let down, guess I prefer iggy solo. 3/5

Songs In The Key Of Life

Stevie Wonder

5/5

A double album to end stevie wonders imperial phase, yeah it’s pretty cool

Peace Sells...But Who's Buying

Megadeth

3/5

There’s nothing wrong with it but they do get better a few albums later

The World is a Ghetto

War

3/5

It’s an appreciate more than a love for me, I get it but for me it’s too draggy

Sheet Music

10cc

3/5

There was one bit that reminded me of sparks, that was cool but I’ve never heard an album so interesting yet so middle of the road

Kick Out The Jams (Live)

MC5

3/5

Behaviour

Pet Shop Boys

5/5

I’m a sucker for the pet shop boys (even though I’ve actually never heard this album before because I’ve been saving it for this). Being boring I did know and it’s one of the most beautiful songs of all time. This must be the place… is a great follow up. To face the truth is solid not a top tier song of theirs but also got great lyrics. Then how can you expect to be taken SERIOUSLY is pretty great, fun song. Only the wind is a great ballad. Then I love the revolutionary feeling of my October symphony. So hard is INCREDIBLE!!! Not a song I knew before but it’s so dam good! Nervously is a great track the strings work so well here. The end of the world is a good way to bring some energy back but it’s not their best. Jealousy is great anthemic verses and a rant like chorus

Highway to Hell

AC/DC

4/5

I liked it more than I wanted to 4/5

What's Going On

Marvin Gaye

5/5

Yeah this is really fucking good 5/5

It's Too Late to Stop Now

Van Morrison

3/5

Honestly I don’t really agree with live albums on the list, umm this is eh, it’s long, some of the tracks are really nice others are dated

Hejira

Joni Mitchell

3/5

Metal Box

Public Image Ltd.

3/5

I wanted to like it and I preferred it to the other PIL album but honestly Johnny Rotten works in 2-3 minute bursts not

Junkyard

The Birthday Party

1/5

I guess theres some importance being Nick Caves beginnings but it really is an example of an album sounding just like it’s title. 1/5

D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle

Throbbing Gristle

1/5

Bossanova

Pixies

5/5

There’s something so alien about velouria, don’t you think? Like this mysterious ‘higher kind’ type being, that you fall into a pit of obsession with. Combined with one of the best / simplest riffs ever! And I love is she weird too it’s like this weird tribal worship levels of insanity. Dig for fire too is just brilliant, really catchy little chorus The happening, is a tad ominous and I really like that/ it ends in a great little rant I’ve had 2 1’s before this so it might sound better than it should but I’ll give it a 5

Nothing's Shocking

Jane's Addiction

3/5

I’m very eh with this band 3/5

Disintegration

The Cure

5/5

It’s the best cure album easy 5/5

Happy Sad

Tim Buckley

4/5

I think it’s really good, but I prefer the other album of his on the list 4/5

L'Eau Rouge

The Young Gods

3/5

It’s crazy, honestly it’s a tad like a french depeche mode, I can’t really immerse myself in it, but I realise the language barrier too, I don’t think it’s one of the worst albums on the list 3/5

Arc Of A Diver

Steve Winwood

3/5

It’s just very average, reminds me of a crappy version of Peter Gabriel's solo albums and an average version of anything from phill collins after Peter Gabriel left Genesis, it’s really, really tepid the very middle of the road 3/5

Back to Basics

Christina Aguilera

2/5

The second track has steve winwood on it… that guy wanted to make me fall asleep yesterday. So so long. The one song I recognised was candyman and I remember hating it.

KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)

Ministry

2/5

I think you can see why it would be considered fun but this is one heavy mess,

Melodrama

Lorde

5/5

Tanto Tempo

Bebel Gilberto

3/5

...The Dandy Warhols Come Down

The Dandy Warhols

3/5

Only By The Night

Kings of Leon

3/5

Very lukewarm

I Against I

Bad Brains

3/5

Led Zeppelin

5/5

Wild Wood

Paul Weller

4/5

Crooked Rain Crooked Rain

Pavement

4/5

I think it needs more than 1 listen 4/5 for now

Another Music In A Different Kitchen

Buzzcocks

4/5

The final track is really cool reminds me of Adam and the ants… before adam and the ants. The rest is solid punk

Channel Orange

Frank Ocean

4/5

Beggars Banquet

The Rolling Stones

3/5

It’s alright but this project has really taught me that I like songs by the stones but the albums are mostly a sea of meh

The Stranger

Billy Joel

5/5

The typical rule of thumb for billy joel is that usually each one of his albums contains one good single to a sea of meh (e.g. my life, piano man, goodnight saigon) but the stranger is hit after hit, no matter anyone’s thoughts on the guy’s music the stranger is such a good album

Dummy

Portishead

5/5

Paris 1919

John Cale

3/5

From Elvis In Memphis

Elvis Presley

3/5

Bummed

Happy Mondays

3/5

More post punk than I thought still happy mondays are eh I prefer shaun rider as a tv personality

G. Love And Special Sauce

G. Love & Special Sauce

3/5

Apple Venus Volume 1

XTC

3/5

Crazysexycool

TLC

2/5

The albums hit (waterfalls) is by far the best thing here

3/5

Meh I get it, it’s cool but also just kinda average rock 3/5

Foxbase Alpha

Saint Etienne

4/5

Some great songs, a few I don’t care about but will relisten 4/5

The Bones Of What You Believe

CHVRCHES

4/5

I was mentally prepared to write some snarky review of how the 2010's are such a poor decade thus they had to rely on an album like this. But this is good, not just for the 2010's but actually good. Recover and Science/visions are especially amazing tracks. 4/5

All Things Must Pass

George Harrison

4/5

Too long to be a 5/5 for me but still incredible tracks on here like my sweet lord, Frankie Crisp and art of dying 4/5

Out of Step

Minor Threat

3/5

Ragged Glory

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

4/5

It’s good I get the whole ‘originator of grunge’ title Neil young has now 4/5

Vento De Maio

Elis Regina

2/5

Club Classics Vol. One

Soul II Soul

3/5

Back to life is the core of this album and a very good song the rest I’m not fussed about but it’s not bad either

Sunday At The Village Vanguard

Bill Evans Trio

3/5

Heres the thing with being subjected to so much jazz through my time on the list, it can fit a certain vibe, as background music when I don’t have my critical head on I get it a bit more but still I’d never choose it. The list has also showed me the same with pretty much all music without lyrics.

Greetings From L.A.

Tim Buckley

3/5

So this is the final tim buckley album I have to do, so far I’ve got them all in chronological order, I really liked goodbye and hello, happy/sad is good but honestly haven’t revisited it. But when I saw this was labelled as funk I was like, what the fuck

The Libertines

5/5

I’ve seen the libertines live brighton on the beach 2024, it was a great gig, Doherty and Barat weren’t arguing. Though there was some crack addled party mum bumping in our way, many, many times. But it was worth it, really it was. On this album itself, I prefer up the bracket for it’s consistency but wow this has the peaks! Can’t stand me now perfectly sums up the notoriously destructive relationship of Doherty and Barat. Music when the lights go out just has incredible dynamics. What Katie did should’ve been a single, it’s perfect pop and the ‘shoop de lang de lang’s’ is just so catchy. Then what became of the likely lads is also an absolute banger! Those 4 are really the absolute highlights but I’d definitely say that theres some tracks that go very under-appreciated… Last post of the bugle, one that I forget until I play it then I’m like oh I love that one! Don’t be shy because it’s just infectious. Narcissist, the ‘Dor-Ian gray just-for-the-day’ hook is just very infectious. Then Road to ruin too because I like the jungle book reference ‘trust in me’. Least favourite is the ha ha wall, it works well in the album context but it’s just eh It’s probably worse than this (like a 3,4) but I’m giving it a 5, a low 5 more like a 4.5 but this has peaks it really does!

Something/Anything?

Todd Rundgren

3/5

Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes

TV On The Radio

3/5

New Boots And Panties

Ian Dury

3/5

All I know from Ian dury is the song ‘fuck off noddy’ a song that my strange communist ex friend kept going on about, winnie the pooh is having a wank…. and the ending to the Carter USM banger skywest and crooked, I put one of carters 30 something on the user list but I’d recommend the whole discography honestly! My thoughts on this, it’s the most British album on the list even compared to Parklife or the madness album, and I say that with the judgement of being a brit. Musically I quite like the vocal approach of clever Trevor. Billericay Dickie is a weird weird song. If I was with a woman ruins itself with it’s outro. Sweet Gene Vincent is good though. Blockheads… I can smell that fart. Patricia is a good song at the start then it isn’t. Blackmail man is mad the back half just gets angrier and angrier. But then it ends on sex and drugs and rock and roll… which I actually do know I like this one. I like some of it, honestly if you’re not english I don’t expect you to get it but I find it charming at best 3/5

New York Dolls

4/5

Todd Rundgren's music bores me quite a bit but, he's a solid producer, not the kinda project I'd expect him to produce. Honestly I don't know much about the new york dolls, instead of that I do confuse them with the goo goo dolls (the band that did Iris). No, no, no this is the band that the sex pistols wrote new york about (y know the racist song that says do the sambo/ the homophobic one that says faggot)... So what do I think, it's some pretty great (proto) punk. Frankenstien for it's 6 minute length still maintains it's energy through the whole thing whilst also being incredibly imposing. Most of the albums just straight up punches one after another, so lonely planet boy really suprised me. Trash and personality crisis are the most memorable of the punchy ones first listen, pills is an amazing cover of a song I've never heard 4/5

The Köln Concert

Keith Jarrett

3/5

It’s nice for background study noise but personally not huge on the enjoyment side 3/5

Superunknown

Soundgarden

5/5

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted

Ice Cube

3/5

The title of the album is brilliant and honestly scarily relevant today, but the music towards the end I started to think at what point did I stop caring? 3/5

Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge

Mudhoney

3/5

Honestly I was expecting something cool but it just turned out to be a kinda average lot of droning guitar noise 3/5

Yeezus

Kanye West

3/5

If I were in Dimery's shoes I'd add Graduation, MBDTF to the list and (maybe) the college dropout- they're Kanye's classics. This simply isn't don't even think it's bad at all but it's not a 'listen before you die' album? 3/5

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby

Girls Against Boys

3/5

One of those albums that isn't bad but you're like, why the fuck is it on the list???? 3/5

Live At The Star Club, Hamburg

Jerry Lee Lewis

4/5

This really deserves it’s place on the list its short so it doesn’t get boring, and it’s just a well performed collection of some of the best songs of the time

The Poet

Bobby Womack

3/5

16 Lovers Lane

The Go-Betweens

3/5

Nothing bad about this but theres better bands with a similar sound 3/5

I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

Richard Thompson

5/5

See I really like shoot out the lights (did she jump or was she pushed is one of the best songs ever written) but I’ve never tried the rest of their discography so I’m excited… After listening to it, this album is very good: the cavalry cross, I want to see the bright lights tonight and the end of the rainbow were my favourites. I think it’s a low 5, I prefer shoot out the lights but this was great too

Grievous Angel

Gram Parsons

3/5

World Clique

Deee-Lite

2/5

The front cover made me think ‘what if mr tumble had a hip hop group’. When you look deeper you just begin to see a massive out of date label, and that’s exactly how it sounds too

If I Should Fall From Grace With God

The Pogues

5/5

This album is the sound that comes with feeling cramped yet comfortable in your local pub necking down pints until the night closes in. 5/5- best track- Turkish song of the damned

Cut

The Slits

4/5

Not what I expected but weird and also really fun took multiple listens though so 4/5

B-52's

The B-52's

5/5

My dad’s seen the B52’s live so I should know them but aside from the riff to rock lobster I don’t. Rock lobster is great though, I’m kinda surprised this was the song that got John Lennon back writing/ releasing double fantasy just before his tragic assassination. Another thing I noticed was that one of the guys in the band is called ‘Ricky Wilson’… same as the Kaiser Chiefs singer. (The B52’s) Ricky Wilson died tragically too HIV-AIDS… Depressing stuff aside this is a really fun album Rock Lobster, Lava,

Let's Get It On

Marvin Gaye

4/5

If You're Feeling Sinister

Belle & Sebastian

4/5

Some real high highs here like ‘the stars of track and field’ and ‘like dylan in the movies’ but while this is the case I can only bring myself to give it a 4 I don’t know it just doesn’t feel like a 5??

Justified

Justin Timberlake

2/5

I don’t feel justified to enjoy this 2/5 because a few of the singles are solid

All Hail the Queen

Queen Latifah

3/5

I don’t think I can say it shouldn’t be on the list but this also just isn’t made for me, and it’s dated so 3/5

Rattlesnakes

Lloyd Cole And The Commotions

4/5

Honestly I liked this one a good bit, I could tell it’s the kinda new wave stuff the site frowns upon but I liked it, 4/5

Cloud Nine

The Temptations

3/5

It’s solid but perhaps controversially I think this version of ‘I heard it on the grapevine’ is one of the weaker versions of the 1000 or so versions on the generator good tho 3/5

Teenage Head

Flamin' Groovies

3/5

Whiskey woman is a great song but this sounded very of it’s time

Sail Away

Randy Newman

3/5

Listening to one of his albums has actually been a thing that has fascinated me in the back of my mind for years now, the fact that the guy behind ‘you’ve got a friend in me’ had an earlier career of writing notoriously controversial music sadly it’s just okay

Rumours

Fleetwood Mac

5/5

What?! I seriously haven’t had Rumours (this is day 1070/1089 btw), this is obviously one of the greatest albums of all time. It’s the pinnacle of album sequencing, and is the obvious blueprint for many albums across a range of genres in that regard. I think the cassette sequencing is strange though, just swapping ‘second hand news’ and ‘I don’t want to know’ fucks up this album massively. But we’re reviewing the true version of the album. It’s wonderful also oh daddy is good, and not even an ‘it would be the best song if the other songs were shit’ type album, no it’s good for this album 5/5

Want One

Rufus Wainwright

3/5

Eh… 3/5

Shleep

Robert Wyatt

3/5

It’s interesting I actually kinda like his stuff in a ‘it’s so bad it’s good way’ was a bit draggy though hmmm 3/5 cuz I felt my rock bottom rating was mean

Midnight Ride

Paul Revere & The Raiders

3/5

If I Could Only Remember My Name

David Crosby

3/5

Eh… 3/5

Atomizer

Big Black

3/5

Oh interesting this is steve albinis band, notoriously difficult person from what I’ve heard but produced some great stuff, I remember when he passed actually because I was mates with someone with very similar tastes to me at the time. You can tell it’s from The guy that’d go to produce in utero but there’s also drum machines that remind me a tad of carter usm.

Dub Housing

Pere Ubu

3/5

The voice reminds me of if justified Roiland (rick and morty) could sing, but it’s post punk so I can get past that, some of it is quite good then it’s too weird and unsettling and it takes you out 3/5

Signing Off

UB40

3/5

They Were Wrong, So We Drowned

Liars

4/5

This was really interesting haven’t heard anything like it first and last track especially great 4/5

Real Life

Magazine

5/5

My tulipa is a song that I end up turning up so much whenever I listen to it that my ears hurt, idk if that’s good or not. The great beautician in the sky has this really weird circus vibe it’s one that I just remembered instantly as it came on. The lights pours out of me is so dramatic 5/5

Astral Weeks

Van Morrison

4/5

It’s good but it made me feel down

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

John Lennon

4/5

Graceland

Paul Simon

5/5

I’ll always agree with my notion of rating ladysmith black mazambo a 1/5 but under Paul Simon’s control they become one of the best musical compliments to anything. You can call me al, is the best example of this- perfect pop with a twist. You know what I know is another great. It’s just great 5/5

No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)

Motörhead

4/5

It’s a great live album and one of the most deserving of its kind but I don’t think they should be on the list

Dust

Screaming Trees

4/5

This is pretty great, no firm highlights yet but I enjoyed throughout 4/5

Slayed?

Slade

3/5

I was literally reading an extract of King Lear before this, going from sophisticated Shakespearian English to Slades shit spelling is an eyefuck. Also Slade kinda piss me off cuz my favourite band is the band Suede and the names sound very similar so I never know what one people are talking about. But… it’s just normal hard rock with a screechy voiced singer 3/5

Viva Hate

Morrissey

4/5

Morrisey is just a weird one… Despite it’s short length I’ve always been fond of ‘angel angel we go down together’ I think it’s beautiful. Everyday is like sunday is also a wonderful single. Theres always the people I’ll never understand who just judge him as a person and never bother to give him a go (this is my penultimate day of the main list I know what people are like). If I were to rank the morrisey/ smiths albums that I know it would go like this… 1. The queen is dead 2. Vauxhall and I 3. Meat is murder 4. You are the quarry 5. The smiths 6. Viva hate 7. Your arsenal 8. Strangeways here we come Make up is a lie will be out by the time I submit this but not now. None of his albums are perfect but there’s real peaks on all of these to the point that even strangeways I feel bad for ranking low. With Viva hate, it might actually be the inl consistent one but it doesn’t have the peaks, not as much. 4/5

Live Through This

Hole

5/5

Oh fuck I think I would die is the ‘I want him he’s all gone’ song (ot doesn’t have that bit) but it’s still wonderful. So is the closer rock star. So many are just amazing 5/5

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