User Albums Summary

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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*

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.