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User Albums Journey

Exploring beyond the book, one album at a time

View 1001 Albums Summary
47
Albums Rated
3.15
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1970
Favorite Decade
Electronica
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
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7
5-Star Albums
5
1-Star Albums

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Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Djarimirri
Gurrumul
5 3.08 +1.92
Hello Rockview
Less Than Jake
5 3.13 +1.87
Prowler In the Yard
Pig Destroyer
4 2.19 +1.81
From The Lions Mouth
The Sound
5 3.21 +1.79
Imaginal Disk
Magdalena Bay
5 3.22 +1.78
Super Ape
The Upsetters
5 3.22 +1.78
Stretch 2
Arca
4 2.33 +1.67
Homogenic
Björk
5 3.48 +1.52
Please Don't Take Me Back
Martha
4 2.94 +1.06
Mezzanine
Massive Attack
5 3.98 +1.02

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion
The Black Crowes
1 2.98 -1.98
Forced Witness
Alex Cameron
1 2.85 -1.85
endin on a high
Slim Krusty
1 2.56 -1.56
Stories
Avicii
1 2.54 -1.54
Lateralus
TOOL
2 3.44 -1.44
The Simple Plan
August is Falling
1 2.35 -1.35
A Black Mile To The Surface
Manchester Orchestra
2 3.2 -1.2
TRON: Legacy
Daft Punk
2 3.14 -1.14
God Shuffled His Feet
Crash Test Dummies
2 3 -1

5-Star Albums (7)

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Popular Reviews

Homogenic by Björk

Already love this one. Still slightly mad that this is the 5th Bjork record (6th if we include Sugar Cubes) to come up in both projects and none of them have been Post. But yeah I do broadly agree with the submitter that this might just be the best and most rounded and representative of her work as a whole - Side A is for sure. How Scandinavian of her. Best tracks, Hunter, Bachelorette, Joga, Pluto, All is Full of Love

Soviet Kitsch by Regina Spektor

First off, trying to ignore all the Gaza stuff for now and just listen objectively. Well aware of the name, never listened to her stuff other than the odd track maybe. Opener leaves a good impression, good use of strings, interesting voice, a little Fiona apple, a tinge of Joanna Newsom. Second track very mid-late career Fiona Apple but more annoying than good. I was wondering when the soviet anything was going to come in, it takes until track 4 for me to recognise an overt influence. Us is a good song. I am enjoying the difference in sound so far resulting from the only percussion being something being whacked in track 2. Oh, forget all that, Your Honor essentially spoils that whole vibe. That came after the fairly annoying Sailor Song - third mention of Fiona Apple here, she would have made it better. Ok. an interesting enough record but didn't particularly grab me so I doubt I'll return, I imagine I've reached similar conclusion when checking her out in the past. When I am in this mood I will reach for one of the other artists I've mentioned or similar stuff.

4-Star Albums (15)

1-Star Albums (5)

All Ratings (47)

Little Criminals by Randy Newman
Aug 26 2026

I took a year off after completing the list and this is my first of the user list. Seems a waste of a pick. Shouldn't we be using this to highlight artists the main book unjustly ignored? But I guess not everyone takes that view or has a pet album by one of those artists, I should gird my loins for a lot of repeats. I took a week off after generating this first one so I should really get on with it. Yeah its good, it's not bad, they do all kind of sound like the theme tune to a 70s buddy cop show - I haven't listened to the other two Newman albums since the list and I don't think this record is changing things. In Germany Before the War I enjoyed the most I think. The one that reminded me most of Divine Comedy who have regularly cited him as an influence. Yeah, only a couple of songs stood out for me, not enough to make me want to listen again.

The Grass Is Blue by Dolly Parton
Aug 27 2026

Not something I would ever listen to in normal circumstances, but by god Dolly's got pipes, and this is all pretty joyous even when it's sad. Nice to have a mid-late period choice as well.

Artaud by Pescado Rabioso
Aug 28 2026

What I am mainly here for on the user list, I enjoyed reading about the apparent historical importance of a album from around the world and also the crazy shape of the sleeve, which I wouldn't have heard about otherwise. Had a feeling the name translated to Rabid Fish and indeed it does, which is a terrible name for a band, especially one with such literary pretensions. I understand however this is literally a solo album and the band's name was only used due to terms with the record company, presumably seeing out a contract. Will I return to the music? Unsure, but I definitely enjoyed it.

Homogenic by Björk
Sep 03 2026

Already love this one. Still slightly mad that this is the 5th Bjork record (6th if we include Sugar Cubes) to come up in both projects and none of them have been Post. But yeah I do broadly agree with the submitter that this might just be the best and most rounded and representative of her work as a whole - Side A is for sure. How Scandinavian of her. Best tracks, Hunter, Bachelorette, Joga, Pluto, All is Full of Love

Odyssey Number Five by Powderfinger
Sep 04 2026

hmm. Nothing remarkable about this for me, but then I would never ordinarily choose to listen to generic MOR rock. Began to resent this for wasting my time about a minute into track 3. I more or less hated track 4. I should probably stop writing things about the songs as I am aware this is someone's baby. I've been listening to a really great aussie indie rock band called Swapmeet which has so much more going for it. I am presuming this means a lot to the submitter and that's fine but I am not sure why i'm listening to this instead of them. Not a 1 as it isn't offensively bad but an easy low 2. Emphatically not for me. I stopped it at track 7 though as the rating was only going to go in one direction.

I Am by Earth, Wind & Fire
Sep 05 2026

Generated on 4th September, so its a shame that song isn't here (I miss the 21st September Youtube guy, what a 5 year run). Opening like the theme tune to Cagney and Lacey, I'm reassured when the funky bass and guitar actually starts about 45 seconds in. Wiki review suggests this is weaker than 3 other record but still good. I only found That's the Way etc to be good, I perhaps didn't let it sit. Anyway "Can't Let Go" is a banger. Everything here is of high quality. If anything, the two mega-famous ones take me out of the rest of the album, make me forget I don't just have the radio on for a second, but they're obviously both incredible songs hence being so massively overplayed.

Sep 06 2026

2nd is better as he isn't singing. I think overall I'm appreciating the musicianship without really enjoying this. Oh. It over typed my previous notes. Oh well. That's your review. .

You Forgot It In People by Broken Social Scene
Sep 07 2026

Stream of consciousness review time. Aware of the name but never listened. First two tracks are interesting, more pieces than songs. Almost Crimes is great. I enjoy the guitars being low in the mix, feels more of a blended sound. The anthem for 17 year old girls I can't decide if I liked or not as was slightly annoying by the end, Cause=Time feels more solid ground, breezy. Shampoo Suicide was also lovely, no idea what the lyrics are to this as the vocals are almost inaudible in the mix. Looks like I have already liked Lover's Spit and indeed that is OK. This feels like something I should revisit. I listen to a lot of different music so whether I'll return remains to be seen. Thanks for the listen though.

My Love Is Cool by Wolf Alice
Sep 08 2026

Mostly serviceable indie rock. Fluffy is excellent and they have one or two other certifiable bangers, but Don't Delete the Kisses isn't here nor is Bloom Baby Bloom. I do like this band, they just seem to be one of those that never release a fully great album. I did give this a few listens at the time but just found it didn't have much to offer me beyond the surface level, nothing else here is as good as Fluffy, the first song I heard of them. Actually I forgot Silk, that song has really grown on me over the years heard it again recently and I think its better than Fluffy (which couldn't remind me more of late 90s indie rock if it tried, even shares a name with a short-lived band of that era), You're a Germ is pretty good (verses great, chorus - letdown), as is Lisbon. I'm going 3 though because besides those 4 I think the rest is forgettable.

Forced Witness by Alex Cameron
Sep 09 2026

lol what is this cover. Oh no, its representative of what's inside! Lots of well-produced throwback joke songs. Also I hate The Killers which really doesn't help here it seems. I do like Angel Olsen though so I may just stop this self-punishment right here and put one of her records on instead. OK I will make it to the end, but I did also forget it was on. Not terrible, absolutely not what I was hoping to discover on the user list. Half of it sounds like Deacon Blue without the tunes. 1.5 Late edit. Marlon Brando awoke me from my reverie, even ignoring the 'jokey' slurs etc, my god what a terrible and annoying song. Feel ok rounding down for this song alone. I desperately need to cleanse my palate after this.

Sep 10 2026

Oh ok, kinda Less Than Jake but with no brass and the lyrics instead of being about growing up disillusioned with Small Town US life and people with terrible politics, the lyrics are about growing up disillusioned with Small Town UK life and people with terrible politics, in the absolute shit-tip political landscape that is the UK post-Brexit. Initially thought this is entirely unremarkable and I stand by it being fairly generic indie rock overall (I dunno I feel like 50% of everything I was listening to in 2001 sounded like this) but I do like not having a main front-person, and have to admit they have got heart, which can carry a bands' sound a surprisingly long way, Irreversible Motion was particularly nice. Either the first couple of tracks were the weakest or the band grew on me very quickly. last song was great too. Genuinely good, well done.

Piledriver by Status Quo
Sep 11 2026

All I can find now is someone's grainy recording of their vinyl on YouTube, which sounds a bit like listening to a washing machine. Ironic the first song is Don't Waste My Time. Unless this was intentional and this entry is a big two fingers up to the whole endeavour. In which case I salute you, submitter 🫡. That said I did listen, and so: Songs that were actually not bad - A Year. On the flip side, someone is going to need to explain to me why Big Fat Mama deserves nearly 6 minutes. The Doors cover is a straight cover and thus pointless, also it's much weaker in both vocal performance and musicality. So worse than pointless. 2*

Almoraima by Paco de Lucía
Sep 12 2026

Excellent, and much more what I was hoping for from the DLC list. Probably won't get 5 but it was very enjoyable, thanks.

Portishead by Portishead
Sep 13 2026

Yeah good album. Don't need the entire discog in the list though, we got the idea. I'd submit the Rustin Man or Beth solo record ahead of this, much as I like it. Cowboy and All Mine are a fabulous start. As I felt at the time, there are a few tracks that are sort of just on, and aren't of the consistent quality we got with Dummy. Picks up again with Mourning Air and Only You. 3.5 rounded up I think.

The Simple Plan by August is Falling
Sep 14 2026

At least its short. But didn't listen to it all, why would I? Wasn't a serious submission.

endin on a high by Slim Krusty
Sep 15 2026

someone wishes they were Shane McGowan. Got the idea by 30 seconds into track 3 and stopped it. I'm glad for this guy that he got to do musical therapy, I just don't have time in my day for it, particularly not today. I can see early on this users list is just going to be extremely random, rather than good.

Stretch 2 by Arca
Sep 16 2026

at this point (only 17 albums in) I'm reduced to giving 4* just for submitting something interesting. Enjoyed Arca's work with Bjork before and this is more fucked up hip hop than...whatever you call their pretty much indescribable later work. Started with Stretch 1 since together they make 1 album length. Really enjoyed 'Walls'. Obviously a lot of this is heavily influenced by Prince, but only as a starting point. Stretch 2, the first couple of tracks I enjoy a bit less as everything is SO fucked up the actual tune and rhythm is kind of lost. Which makes me think of Arca's later work I've heard. Admirable, interesting, not really the sort of thing I can think of a scenario I'd want to listen to it. However in keeping with tradition when an ambitious pick is receiving an unjust kicking from the closed-minded I will vote accordingly to give my small redress to the balance.

Djarimirri by Gurrumul
Sep 17 2026

wow, ok. Yeah no prior knowledge. The orchestral parts certainly bring Steve Reich and/or Glass to mind as mentioned in other reviews, I also pick up Penguin Cafe in places, which blends in with and forms an excellent backing to the vocal's entirely different dimensions. I don't have words to describe his voice so I'll just reuse another transcendental, other-worldly. If the first few tracks are anything to go by then this is going into my repeat listens without a doubt. Spectacular stuff. After some of the silly picks I've waded through in the last week this is an absolute delight. But it towers above so much, another album is going to have to go some to top it as a discovery.

Dead Elvis by Death In Vegas
Sep 18 2026

Well I thought the follow up was mostly fine, it had Aisha but didn't have Dirt, whereas this, the debut, has Dirt but it doesn't have Aisha. I do still love that dirty great bass line. The version I just heard doesn't seem to have the Country Joe Woodstock samples, and so is worse. Perfectly fine music to work along to in the late 90s. Tracks are generally longer than they need to be. Although if your purpose is to be background music then I guess that's fine.. I gave the 2nd record a 3 as it was fine. This has fewer tracks that grab my attention and is I think a waste of a pick. Reading what I've put here I've repeatedly used the word 'fine', and I do not intend to amend that.

Hello Rockview by Less Than Jake
Sep 19 2026

Glad to see this here, I might have added it myself. I know this back to front and inside out so instead I am listening to the live album from 2007. The song Danny Says comes in for some harsh slander from the band themselves. Objectively it's probably a 4, but for me it's a 5 all day.

Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay
Sep 20 2026

Ah ok nice, took me a while to get into this, didn't stick at first but in the last year or so I returned to it and it really is excellent. First track is epic, the second is bibbidy bop. Image and then the even better Death and Romance are just absolute stone cold bangers. Tunnel Vision probably the most effective song for illustrating the "is this pop? Oh...this is very much NOT just great pop. I'm reading about the concept album of it all, and I'd picked up on bits on previous listens but not focused in on the lyrics. I'm not going to get chance to fully do that this go round either because my washing machine is being a dickhead and won't rinse. But I will. Feels like a headphones album for sure, there are layers upon layers here. Both retro and progressive at the same time. A modern classic. Excellent choice.

Act IV: Rebirth In Reprise by The Dear Hunter
Sep 21 2026

Early note, I don't like the overly clean and earnest rock vocal we are getting in track 2. Second note, one review mentions Genesis did all this better in the 70s and I can't get away from that. Plus I am not big on them or Yes, I like my prog to be made by mad germans or belgians. Or King Crimson. The big orchestral sound also makes it feel like they're going for a power pop form of prog. Which feels ick somehow, I don't vibe with it. Hmm, 3 tracks in and eyeing the 75 minute run time, unless this changes drastically soon I don't think I'm in for the long haul here. It sounds way too commercial and obvious, like a big modern musical. The Greatest Showman (or equivalent smash) if it was written by Fleet Foxes (which oddly sounds like something I would like - perhaps mix it with Mumford and Sons to send me running). Sorry, not for me. I can see musical theatre fans lapping it up though.

The Golden River by Frog Eyes
Sep 22 2026

Already more interesting than yesterday's. Slightly Beefhearty vocals without the depth and power. Several songs are musically quite nice, with discordant vocals that ramble over them, almost paying no mind to the rhythm. I can see how he has worked with people from Wolf Parade and Destroyer. Has a feel of early, less fleshed out Flaming Lips. A few songs in I am finding the lack of in tune singing a bit grating. but not hating it. I mean he could have got away with it by not putting so many high pitch tuneless yelps in so it feels definitely deliberate. I cannot work out what he's sing-saying half the time as it all runs together so I can't really follow if any of it makes some sort of sense, is a narrative or whatever. I am feeling pretty on the fence, and not feeling a huge pull to give it the time you might need. A high 3 probably. I was interested enough to continue listening to the unreleased 'second half' which followed the intermission. But ultimately, I doubt I'll come back to this.

New York by Lou Reed
Sep 23 2026

I fear this record is going to tread the 'fine' line throughout. Pleased that it doesn't seem to have late 80s production like Iggy's Real Wild Child. Yes, so far this is fine. Oh wait Coney Island Baby isn't in the list? That is better than this. Can imagine it being great at the time to have a new good Lou record. But from today's perspective when we already have all of them at our fingertips this isn't standing out for me. Dime Store Mystery probably the best thing here. Low 3

Deltron 3030 by Deltron 3030
Sep 24 2026

Seeing all the references to Dr Octagon (2/5) and Gorillaz (2/5) and an hour running time, I feared the worst. But happy to report 2 'proper' tracks in I'm enjoying this way more. Will it sustain though, Gorillaz had a few good tracks after all. This continues to be lots of fun. Answer = Yes

Mezzanine by Massive Attack
Sep 25 2026

Good one to get with a backlog since it is an easy 5. A stupid exclusion from the book. I never listen to it anymore of course, but that doesn't make it any less good an album. Notable how little it appears to have aged in nearly 30 years. I probably should actually give it a spin again now and then, through absence the tracks sound somewhat fresh again. Apart from Teardrop, which as the crowning masterpiece, is correctly still overplayed to this day. It's certainly front loaded. Black Milk now reminds me of Goldfrapp a little. A couple of the last few tracks could benefit from being a tad shorter. But am I going to be that guy and shave a star - I doubt it. Obviously if I do play it again, I will also need to be playing Sensible World of Soccer on something or other.

Sep 26 2026

I've been listening to Imaginal Disk on repeat since being reunited with it the other day so I am primed but also that's a benchmark. Ha, yes fellow reviewer, it was the Jurassic Park theme. The less disco Diane Keaton kind of twee pop, I didn't much care for. Kind of a cross between The Cardigans, Air and...Lo Borges or something? But worse than all of them. Los Adolescentes back in solid ground with a banger. Ooh, a proper banger. This might be the best track. Los Bikers returns to the previous. Stop it? Decide whether to be brilliant or faintly rubbish please. To be fair to it, this one is better. This might be a delightful/heart-rending ballad but unfortunately the lyrics are lost on me. Despite those misgivings (and the lyrics is entirely my fault so not a minus) there's plenty enough for me to enjoy here, getting a 4 and going on the list to revisit.

When Smoke Rises by Mustafa
Sep 27 2026

Meh. I'm a huge fan of Carrie and Lowell but this feels like a commercialised version of sad indie. Appreciate it has it's message etc. and guns are indeed bad. The only thing I found interesting was some of the soundscape stuff such as the strangled trumpet on Separate. The musicality is actually decent all the way though, unfortunately I was rubbed the wrong way by basically all of the songs and his singing voice. Kind of like if Sufjan Stevens wrote more commercial songs and had Sam Smith sing them instead. I'm happy to listen to this sort of thing while playing Life is Strange and that's about it I guess.

Friend by Rozi Plain
Sep 28 2026

Ah yeah, Rozi Plain. Came to her via This is the Kit but only listened to a bit of her solo stuff before moving on and forgetting she existed. Unintentionally. So quite looking forward to this, and the first track is gorgeous, bodes well. Upon rechecking it's the album 'Plain' I previously enjoyed. So I'll be revisiting that. It's funny how similar this sounds to This is the Kit but different. I enjoy the forest-like ooh-oohs. Vocals are chilled but accomplished. Instrumentation is the same, and builds slowly and cosily, tick tick. I drifted slightly second half of the record, kept trying to think of that one song like this I would hear all the time, finally remembered it was Earthquake by This is the Kit.

Diorama by Silverchair
Sep 29 2026

Initially confused with Sparklehorse, then unsure if I actually know anything other than the band name. Interrupted my listen to check their top 3 songs for any recognition in the old memory banks. Tomorrow - zero recog. Freak - vague recog. I didn't enjoy anyway so went back after 2. Opening track makes Van Dyke Park's influence super evident. An obvious left turn in terms of sound. Given I wasn't enjoying their grungey stuff this is fine. Later tracks return to this sound anyway so its not a vibe that is committed to especially well. Problem is this all sounds very middle of the road rock which is of little interest to me. Plus some varnished strings. Some interesting chord structures in Without You but feels buried in the mix when they should be to the fore. After 3 tracks I fear I've got the idea and its not something I want spend an hour with. I spend the rest of the time skipping through the remainder and don't really regret it. Too Much of Not Enough I did let play to the end, an apt song title for my thoughts.

Sep 30 2026

It's a sign of how far Muse have fallen (in my personal reflections - not their bank accounts, obviously) that on seeing this generated this morning I slightly sighed. They've been a pastiche of themselves for so long it's easy to forget that for a couple of years there, they used to make increasingly excellent records like this. Absolution seemed to go even harder than this already wild record, which itself had developed so much on the foundations of the decent if patchy Showbiz (the only record where Radiohead comparisons are somewhat valid, at least the contemporaneous work, after which both bands clearly and obviously diverged wildly). I dropped off hard upon hearing Black Holes however, I enjoyed nothing on it besides 3 of the singles, and thus the template was formed. The question for myself is am I still able to enjoy this after so long feeling dismissive and irritated by the band's later output, squandered potential and Matt's wailing falsetto? Early signs in New Born are not good as it feels the wails and thunderous riffs first properly exemplified here have rippled through time and depleted to the current, uninspired incarnation, and are somehow tainted by it. Towards the end of this song which I truly loved, I attempt a mental reset for the rest of the record. I did love this once upon a time. Let's go again. Space Dementia is the first reminder of what was lost, the wild operatic weirdness chipped out of the sound for more mainstream appeal. Hyper Music's progressing bassline still tickles my brain in just the right way. The riff in Plug in Baby is still absolutely timeless, instead of just shredding all the notes for the sake of it, every one has a point. What a tune. Citizen Erased as others have noted hints towards the heavier, fuller sound of Absolution, which I am here for, and the falsetto adds to it. The song also gently winds for a full 7 minutes, not one of which feels wasted or superfluous. If only they had made more stuff like this. Micro Cuts, I'm less fond of. The voice is undoubtedly impressive but is just a tad too much here. The understated Screenager cleanses the palate after the previous assault, but I do start to see the front-loaded criticisms of the album bearing weight. Darkshines feels like an outtake from Showbiz and is completely fine. Indeed it was an early cut following that tour, but then, so was Plug In Baby so the chasm of progression between the two songs can't be explained away so easily. Feeling Good as a song containing a descending riff felt tailor made for the band works very well, if a tad throwaway, but inviting comparison to the version Nina Simone made her own, well, there isn't one. Megalomania is a suitably grand, organ driven closer, with an epic key change driving it home. Futurism isn't really on the record and is unremarkable in any event. Many records are short these days and the first 7 songs tot up to about 30 minutes, which would undoubtedly make a 5 star album. You could perhaps even drop Megalomania in there at the end and keep it pretty perfect. But that's not what happened. Still, belongs in the list.

A Black Mile To The Surface by Manchester Orchestra
Oct 01 2026

Never heard of them, yes the Fleet Foxes comparisons are obvious, but only really because of the guy's voice and this being indie Americana. This has nothing of the hooks, charm or adventurousness of their music. All feels a bit by numbers, with no real depth. I see they have their fans, I'm happy for you I guess, I won't be joining you though. Got up to halfway through The Wolf and switched off.

Hammersmith Odeon, London '75 by Bruce Springsteen
Oct 02 2026

I did read Born to Run to my wife and I understand this is a supposed legendary show - but the curious will already seek this out! An incredibly unimaginative pick, not what I am doing this for. Fortunately many other picks before this have already taught me the users list is far from always worth my time. All that said, this is obviously very good.

From The Lions Mouth by The Sound
Oct 03 2026

Sounds like l should go listen to Jeopardy if it's better than this. Ah, this is the Shock of Daylight band. Ok. Yeah I should definitely be giving the whole catalogue a whirl. A friend shared a song from that record and enjoyed it, New way of Life? Longest Day? One of those. Anyway I liked it but was struck by how many bands are around in the last 15-20 years with an identical sound to those songs. And that is quite different to the sound on this selected record, which tells me there's depth here. One of music's great tragedies, it seems. Ps. What the hell is going on with the hidden track after New Dark Age? Doesn't play if you leave it going, if you skip through the track it starts but always part way through. Anyway that's a great track. Hothouse. Yeah great track.

Super Ape by The Upsetters
Oct 04 2026

After two gigs in two days and the second being particularly damaging to my old-before-their-time knees (the Wonder Stuff), there is nothing so fine to generate this fine Saturday morning as an excellent dub album to chill and experience horrible aching pains to. As with all the best dub, it creeps into you over time.

Oct 05 2026

No thank you, I'll take the actual Crowded House with the tunes. Completely fine, entirely unremarkable. Barrel of a Gun was reasonably catchy. Next track was a thoroughly wet power ballad of the type I generally run screaming from. So long and on to the next one indeed. I won't be back soon. 2.4/5

Soviet Kitsch by Regina Spektor
Oct 06 2026

First off, trying to ignore all the Gaza stuff for now and just listen objectively. Well aware of the name, never listened to her stuff other than the odd track maybe. Opener leaves a good impression, good use of strings, interesting voice, a little Fiona apple, a tinge of Joanna Newsom. Second track very mid-late career Fiona Apple but more annoying than good. I was wondering when the soviet anything was going to come in, it takes until track 4 for me to recognise an overt influence. Us is a good song. I am enjoying the difference in sound so far resulting from the only percussion being something being whacked in track 2. Oh, forget all that, Your Honor essentially spoils that whole vibe. That came after the fairly annoying Sailor Song - third mention of Fiona Apple here, she would have made it better. Ok. an interesting enough record but didn't particularly grab me so I doubt I'll return, I imagine I've reached similar conclusion when checking her out in the past. When I am in this mood I will reach for one of the other artists I've mentioned or similar stuff.

10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads by Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Oct 07 2026

After I read a bit and was able to reframe this in my head as a blues Buena Vista Social Club, as opposed to my initial reaction of who, and oh god what is this cover, as something of a reset. Unfortunately for our Ken, I can't take the name 'Kenny Wayne' remotely seriously (how will he cope), but luckily this seems as much his record as the afore-mentioned could be considered a Ry Cooder and friends album. So, a trot through the blues with many of its elder statesmen. When they are all gone, I wonder, what will become of the blues as a genre? I'm not best placed to say as I share only a passing interest in it. Its not something I ever reach for, but if I am placed in a situation (like this, or I don't know, very rarely watching Jools Holland) where not through choice I am listening, I am generally impressed. The BB King track here is the first to truly prick up my ears, and it doesn't surprise me when I head to the tracklist and see it was he. But who are today's expert blues musicians? Anything I hear made in the last 10-15 years that is 'bluesy' seems to be either godawful blues-rock of the Jack White variety, or so horribly commercially polished that all authenticity and rawness that makes it good has long been processed out. So, from my admittedly ignorant viewpoint, I do fear for the genre. I enjoyed this record a lot more than I imagined I would, the obvious criticism has been made in that why wouldn't you submit a classic album from one of these people, but maybe there aren't classic albums - much of blues greatness seems to me to be in the live performance such as captured here, and hey, maybe they simply couldn't choose. so to the rating. I can't claim to have stayed fully engaged throughout, feels like there is a slump in the middle, or it just gets a bit samey, which is probably my chief criticism of the blues. I love it in small doses, never large. a high 3.

God Shuffled His Feet by Crash Test Dummies
Oct 08 2026

Soft rock with an annoying vocalist (sparking uncomfortable comparisons to the guy in The Magnetic Fields) ? Very much no thank you. The novelty song was fun for 5 minutes back in the 90s. The follow up single was plenty enough to confirm I had no interest in this band then and I don't now. Baseline is a 2, the only question being if I get annoyed enough by the end to drop the 1 bomb. Sorry submitter, but I suspect you knew exactly what you were doing. 4 songs have now slipped by since the 2 I know, pretty much unnoticed, such nothing I probably can't justify the 1. I am however turning this off immediately. An extremely low 2

Stories by Avicii
Oct 09 2026

Well this doesn't bode well, a track with nearly 2 billion streams which I am not sure I've ever heard before, certainly doesn't ring any major bells, and oh god, I really hate this sort of thing. there isn't even a chorus, there's an awful, polished vocal of a verse and the presumably the crowds wave their ends and sing do do do do do to the 'chorus'. Big fan of trance back in and around 2000, I have no interest in this sort of stuff it morphed into that they call EDM. After the same thing happened in track 2 I am tempted to stop here, give it a 1 tomorrow and move on. It's sad he died young etc. but I have no strong feelings about him given this was always filed securely away in my brain as music for other people and that's absolutely fine. It's the sort of thing I can imagine others describing as "music for people who don't like music", which is a horribly snobby phrase even if I do understand where it's coming from. 'How dare you enjoy thus surface level stuff when my love is so much deeper and meaningful to me?' they may imagine. Well, people are different. that's one of the main things you can guarantee about a person. While we're on musings - The whole genre name EDM, Electronic Dance Music. What does it even mean? Dance as a broad genre already exists, and was always Electronic, and obviously, Music. Its a genre name that is entirely meaningless, and essentially represents nothing. Which, in that sense, is an excellent descriptor for my feelings on the genre itself. If you're a fan, I'm happy for you, carry on and enjoy yourself. Me, I am skipping very quickly through this, ta very much.

Afrociberdelia by Chico Science
Oct 10 2026

erm... ok? First track proper, is there any particular reason the guy is sing-rapping to a different song to that the band is playing? This seems to be less of an issue after that. Look, I mostly hate RHCP, I do like RATM (or did but don't listen to them anymore) and tend to run screaming from 'funk rock' these days. Big fan of tropicalia though. There's definitely a sample from the weird laugh at the start of Os Mutantes song, A Minha Menina I think, at the beginning of Maco, which makes sense given the inclusion of Gilberto Gil (I guess it was he, he worked on their album in 1968). Ah yeah, I don't speak Portuguese but they are definitely repeating a minha menina (my girl) in the lyrics. The next track just sort of carries on from this? nothing much different. This album very much has a 'throw it all at the wall' vibe, exemplified by the abundance of short tracks among the 23 (!) I'm going to assume gigs were largely freeform jam sessions using these tracks and others as a suggested framework more than anything. I could be hugely wide of the mark of course, but they don't SEEM sticklers for song structure. Anyway, I'm vaguely interested in this, and I'm not NOT enjoying it in places. It has mostly just been on though. Given some of the dross I've had the last few days that's enough to earn a 3, in a sad indictment of the user list so far. I was probably ready for this to end though after about 12 tracks, so it is in severe jeopardy. You see I've hamstrung myself by giving Crash Test Dummies a score of 2, much more than it deserved.

Lateralus by TOOL
Oct 11 2026

Well as a fan of both prog and metal, the main list tried to make a liar of me, giving me loads of examples of both genres I really disliked. So prog metal, should be great right? Unfortunately I've generally found Tool to be mainly bizarrely one-paced and dull. Considering their USP is unusual rhythms and...mood? I'm not a Metallica fan, and this has a vague feeling of a Metallica without the tunes. Two long and two short tracks slip by with absolutely nothing standing out. The opening plucked riff to Schism being the first thing of interest to my ears. After a minute or so of anticipation, it settles back into the familiar patterns of repetition and not much happening for another 6 minutes. Why can't they seem to write any actual tunes? Parabola seems to be the closest approximation to this but again it simply reminds me of the Metallica esque stuff I am not fond of, it's OK. At this point I think it's safe to just agree I do not and will not like Tool and move on. Whether I listen to the other 3 time will tell but I doubt there's much point me writing much.

Maestro by Kaizers Orchestra
Oct 13 2026

Already more interesting than the tool album I was just subjected to and the black crowes record I refused to listen to. Yeah its fairly run of the mill alt-rock at its heart but also seems to have just enough quirkiness and inventiveness, unusual instrumentation to keep on the right side of things. A review says what if the Fratellis were from Norway, I think that's unnecessarily cruel. This is much more what if Franz Ferdinand were from Norway. Going to be a high 3 or a low 4 depending on whether I get sick of the schtick before the end or not. Well, it is kind of annoying at regular intervals, and I need to stop previous dross inflating the first not terrible album I get generated as I'm getting the vibe already that this will happen a lot in the users list. As I don't speak Norwegian I don't know why they mention the guy from Yello at least 3 times and name two songs after him. Maybe this is a concept album? Questions I can live without the answers to, I sort of enjoyed the one listen but won't be revisiting.

Silent Shout by The Knife
Oct 14 2026

The album which doesn't have Heartbeats on it. I really love that track and maybe one or two others, and aside from Fever Ray's great whole vibe I am not that excited about their actual output. OK, people seem to rate this record as their best work anyway, so let's go. Opening with scattergun synths and a more overtly dance-oriented vibe. OK. I'm too busy just now to go into much detail, but this has a lot going for it. Not much that grabs me by the throat, the voice manipulation is occasionally on the verge or annoying but mostly well used and adding to the darker vibe. The first record for a while I would consider going back to, so I'm adding it my list. Currently a low 4.

TRON: Legacy by Daft Punk
Oct 15 2026

hmm. I wonder if Discovery is elsewhere in the user list. That has merits, not sure about this as an OST, not an album. Also for a film I never bothered to see. I enjoyed the 80s one fine. But, we'll pull on our listening boots and see what happens... So far, so soundtracky. Where is the house? You know, the think DP are famous for? None of it for ages. Was there essentially no action in this film? Or was it all high-octane light bike chases soundtracked by sad orchestral stuff. Oh god, finally. 13 tracks in! It finally sounds like Daft Punk. For a very short track that, were this in fact an album, would have been fleshed out, from this rather one note repetitive idea, into a song. Fundamentally though, these are not songs, this is not an album. All sounds fine but unremarkable, nothing in particular stands out. I was going to drop a star for it not being an album, but then it would be a 1 and it was nowhere near that bad. The end title theme sounds a lot like a Film production Company ident, can't remember which one. Also, its nice they got to reuse that 'the kettle's boiling' noise from Contact in one track.

Prowler In the Yard by Pig Destroyer
Oct 16 2026

I can't tell when one song ends and another begins but I am not sure I care. I never reach for grindcore but hey, it's definitely something. Invigorating and cleansing in an odd way. The intro track definitely getting skipped on future listens I imagine. Loads going on here, I should stop referencing my previous record in every review but It's interesting to me that I'm finding this way more enjoyable despite being notionally much less of a fan of this genre than Daft Punk's. Preacher Crawling was particularly good here. The longer tracks towards the end also show they can craft a full song (i'm thinking Hyperviolet) as well as the hairdryer one minute or so blasts that make up half the record. I could have done without the otherwise excellent Piss Angel stopping for a chat, but I didn't think that was really going to go on for 8 minutes anyway. Thanks submitter, this is what we are doing here.

Wordsmith

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