414
Albums Rated
3.29
Average Rating
38%
Complete
675 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Hard-rock
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
35
5-Star Albums
12
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Oedipus Schmoedipus
Barry Adamson
|
5 | 2.78 | +2.22 |
|
Gris Gris
Dr. John
|
5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
|
Mott
Mott The Hoople
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
|
Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Bill Callahan
|
5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
|
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
Close To The Edge
Yes
|
5 | 3.19 | +1.81 |
|
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
Virgin Suicides
Air
|
5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
|
It's Too Late to Stop Now
Van Morrison
|
5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
Illmatic
Nas
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
|
1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
|
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
|
1 | 3.41 | -2.41 |
|
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
The Wall
Pink Floyd
|
2 | 4.14 | -2.14 |
|
Le Tigre
Le Tigre
|
1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
|
Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
|
2 | 4 | -2 |
|
Kala
M.I.A.
|
1 | 2.91 | -1.91 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 3 | 5 |
| Van Morrison | 2 | 5 |
| David Bowie | 5 | 4.2 |
| The Rolling Stones | 3 | 4.33 |
| Yes | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Eminem | 2 | 1.5 |
| Sonic Youth | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| The Beach Boys | 5, 2 |
| Pink Floyd | 3, 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (35)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Neu!
4/5
A good listen on the whole. Unfamiliar with Neu but enjoyed the techno/ambient flavour of this album, especially the hypnotic Seeland. Some elements of proto-punk here too - Hero has a feel of the Stranglers to it
2 likes
Dolly Parton
2/5
A bit bland so far. The harmonies are, without doubt, beautiful, but it is just the songs themselves just don't do it for me. An uninspiring cover of To Know Him and I've Had Enough is just dull and passionless.
Honourable exceptions - Those Memories of You, Farther Along
2 likes
The Damned
4/5
Great album, packed full of memorable songs and demonstrating what good musicians the Damned are. The album starts strongly with Love Song, Just Can't Be Happy Today and ends strongly with Smash It Up but most of the other tracks hold up well too
1 likes
Kanye West
1/5
The first time I won't be listening to an album, but I have absolutely no interest in hearing anything by Kanye West
1 likes
Stephen Stills
3/5
This took a lot of listening to before I really got into it. It is a good collection of west coast, americana and country, with similarities in places to the Band, Grateful Dead and early Eagles. Can't say there were many stand out tracks, but Colorado, So begins the task and Move around were all decent
1 likes
1-Star Albums (12)
All Ratings
The Stone Roses
3/5
Not previously into Stone Roses and not familiar with much other than Fool's Gold. First listen and feels like a group evolving from a mixture of post-punk c1979 through C86 indie to their strongest material, as represented by Fool's Gold (far and away the stand out track), She bands the drum and Waterfall.
Ian Brown's vocals get a bit lost in the mix - and he doesn't have the most commanding of voices anyway - and give many of the songs a slightly ghostly feel.
A pleasant listen and would happily repeat play without necessarily wanting to further check out Stone Roses catalogue
The Verve
4/5
this is the second album I am reviewing and comes hot on the heels of Stone Roses. I was surprised that there is a gap of eight years between the two, as in my head they were from about the same time but that probably says more about my lack of interest in most of the music of the 90s.
Whereas I thought the Stone Roses album was insubstantial beyond Fools Gold and Waterfall, Urban Hymns is a much stronger offering. Not just because of the standout singles - Bittersweet Symphony, Lucky Man, the drugs don't work - but also the coherent sound and quality of songs like Sonnet, and the clever use of orchestration. There are one or two weaker songs, but overall Urban Hymns boasts a strong sense of identity with a distinct sound that sets the Verve apart. Genuinely impressed and would consider buying this
3/5
I loved the Village Green Preservation Society, and Arthur has something of the same wistfulness, at least lyrically, but with less rose tinted glasses. if anything there is quite an anti-establishment, anti-war theme to the album. Victoria is a strong opener, Some Mother's Son is poignant and Drivin is quintessential Kinks whimsy (and sounds as if it may have been left over from Village Green; see also Young and Innocent Days). The Australian tourist board missed a trick if they didn't use Australia to promote the land of Oz, but otherwise an unremarkable track.
Apart from that, the remaining tracks aren't - with the exception of Arthur - that much to write home about.
Arthur has its moments, but not one of their best
The Yardbirds
4/5
Not listened to a Yardbirds album at length before but glad I have now come across Roger the Engineer. It's an exciting listen and feels like the work of a band that is transitioning from pop and blues towards psychedelia and something heavier. Some blistering guitar courtesy of Jeff Beck (no Clapton or Jimmy Page), especially on the Nazz (one of the more traditionally bluesy tracks), Jeff's Boogie and Lost Women.
The singing isn't particularly strong and the other weakness is that the eclecticism of the material hints at a group unsure of its direction. Having said that there is something raw and unpredictable here and I would imagine they would have been a great live band at this time.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
I have this in my collection and have been a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd for a long time. This is a strong debut album, showcasing the band's varied style and distinctive Southern sound, particularly the soaring guitar lines.
Stand out tracks - Gimme Three Steps (the epitome of Southern boogie), Simple Man, and the monumental Free Bird of course. The latter may not be everyone's cup of tea and the guitar soloing does go on, but I love it as much now as when I heard it as a 14 year old.
There are a couple of plodders on the album but that should not detract from the confidence, power and presence of this debut from the greatest of the Southern rock bands
The Prodigy
1/5
This is really not my thing at all. Monotonous, synthetic, plodding. Breathe was okayish, other than that there was nothing I would want to hear again. Next!
Johnny Cash
4/5
I 'd heard the Johnny Cash tracks before but hadn't realised there were also contributions from Carl Perkins, June Carter/Carter Sisters and Statler Brothers - a real bonus as they are all great songs. Listening to Johnny Cash again, what is striking is the quality and clarity of his voice and the warm rapport he strikes up with the inmates. Some great songs here - Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Folsom Prison blues of course - but also Big River, I Still Miss Someone and Wanted Man (written with Bob Dylan). Note too the huge audience response to San Quentin. A really good live album and also a good introduction to Johnny Cash for anyone unfamiliar with his work
Raekwon
2/5
This is wasted on me. While some of the tunes are cleverly constructed I just don't like the rapping on most of them. Aside from one or two half decent tracks - Rainy Dayz, Glaciers of Ice, Heaven & Hell - this has just bored me silly.
Dirty Projectors
3/5
Refreshing, eclectic, lovely harmonies. Not a group or style I am that familiar with, so difficult for me to compare it to anything else. But it did sound like Jeff Buckley may have been an influence? Not bad at all
Duran Duran
2/5
Never liked the new romantics, as a young lefty I thought it was mostly escapist, vacuous, synthetic nonsense. 40 years later and while my toe is tapping to Rio and Hungry like the wolf, I can't say I have warmed much to Duran Duran. Not for me
Kraftwerk
4/5
I am fairly sure that I saw Kraftwerk's debut on british tv on tomorrow's world in the early 70s, so was always intrigued by them and Autobahn in particular.
I never got that into Kraftwerk but have really enjoyed listening to this album, particularly the monumental title track. Even at 22 minutes it is a joy to listen to. The remaining tracks are well worth a listen and I particularly liked the contrasting moods between Mitternacht and Morgenspaziergang.
one thing that intrigues me is how different Kraftwerk really are to other exponents of 'kraut rock' such as Tangerine Dream and the extent to which their far greater popularity is down to image as much as the music?
Eminem
2/5
This will never be in my top ten, but it's hard not to like the storytelling in Stan, quite like The Way I Am too. Otherwise not much that caught my attention
Not too keen on some of the profanity, explicitness etc e.g. My name if Marshall Mathers
Santana
4/5
A very enjoyable listen. The combination of latin rhythms, jazz and hard rock (and Carlos Santana's virtuoso guitar) works really well, especially on Oye Como Va, to me the standout track on the album. Black Magic Woman and Samba Pa Ti are the obvious crowdpleasers on here, but I think every track stands up - there are no fillers.
Ministry
2/5
Monotonous, repetitive, dreary. Used to like old school heavy metal but this stuff leaves me cold. Scare Crow the only redeeming song, possibly because it has a slower tempo and is reminiscent of Black Sabbath
MGMT
2/5
Not really doing it for me. Pleasant enough, but nothing that memorable. Comes across in parts as a lighter version of Black Keys, but not as good.
R.E.M.
3/5
Have played this several times, and, sadly, nothing is standing out beyond The One I Love and End of the World. I thought the lyrics might make me look more favourably on the album, but I can't say Stipe's songwriting does much for me - when it comes to radical lyrics, these don't stand comparison with say Drive By Truckers.
in summary, a bit disappointed with Document
David Bowie
4/5
Fabulous album. Would have first heard the single young americans when I was 13 and liked it then (although probably liked his glam stuff more). YA plus Fame still sound great, I really like the cover of Across the Universe (never heard this before) and Right and Someone up there likes me are also worth a repeated listen
Wu-Tang Clan
1/5
Same issue for me as with Raekwon's album, I am just not into hip hop, no matter how classic this album is meant to be. This has left me totally cold
Moby Grape
4/5
an enjoyable listen, albeit definitely an album of its time. The distinctive west coast/psychedlia vibe shares something with the likes of the Grateful Dead and Spirit. Some lovely catchy numbers, especially Looper.
Metallica
4/5
A really solid album from fairly early in Metallica's career. You can definitely hear the influence of Diamond Head and the twin guitars are reminiscent of UFO and Thin Lizzy. Standout tracks are the brilliant Master of Puppets and The Thing That Should Not Be. A few other tracks are a bit plodding, but overall a really good listen
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
A fresh, funky and slick collection of songs, enhanced by repeated listening. While the familiar Reasons and Shining Star are outstanding, this is a strong collection with notable tracks including That's the way of the world, Happy Feelin and All About Love. I really enjoyed listening to this
The Cars
4/5
This is some debut, including as it does the fantastic singles My Best Friend's Girl and Just What I Needed. While these are the highlights, there are other decent offerings, such as Good Times Roll and I'm in Touch with Your World. There is a tendency for most of the tracks to run along similar, one-paced plodding rhythms and the singer's voice is a bit lost in the mix on a couple of the songs. Other than that, a very strong offering - did it get any better than this?
Ghostface Killah
2/5
As with my previous reviews of Wu-Tang Clan and Raekwon, these types of rap albums really struggle to hold my attention. According to spotify there are 27 tracks on this expanded album, and I just haven't the patience to work through all of them. So I am bailing after two tracks. I'm just not into this
The Stooges
4/5
This was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting an album of atonal thrash, but although it is quite raw (in a good way) I was impressed with the quality of the songs, the disciplined riffing, the guitar solos and the funky sax on Fun House. Dirt, 1970 and Fun House were an impressive trio of songs. Arguably as important an album for metal and grunge as it was undoubtedly for punk. Reminds of the heavy psych of the late 60s, early 70s. One of my favourite albums reviewed so far
Slint
3/5
This requires repeat playing but it has grown on me. Hypnotic guitar patterns, understated vocals. reminds me of someone but not quite sure who.
Ice Cube
2/5
while I like this more than later proponents of rap like Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, this just doesn't engage me
Prince
4/5
Van Morrison
5/5
The first stone cold classic album I have reviewed to date. Every song is superb, to listen to, to dance to, to reflect on. Pure joy
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
A curious mixture. The psychedelic tracks (Somebody to Love, White Rabbit) are the stronger material, as opposed to the west coast acoustic and blues numbers, none of which stand out much. As with Moby Grape, an album of its time
The La's
3/5
A very retro feel to this album. But aside from the lovely There She Goes and I Can't Sleep, nothing really stands out. It gets your foot tapping but largely unmemorable
Richard Thompson
4/5
A really fine album. Some great songs, particularly the title track, Calvary Cross and Down Where the Drunkards Go, beautiful guitar throughout
Oasis
4/5
A fantastic album, full of excellent albeit very familiar material. The standard is high throughout, with only one to two tracks dipping a little.
Tears For Fears
2/5
Never a big fan of Tears for Fears and I particularly don't like Shout. This is a slickly produced album, but their material does not do anything for me. I just find it dull and redolent of glossy 80s production numbers that leave me cold
Beatles
3/5
A good combination of originals - It Won't Be Long, All My Loving - and covers - Money, Please Mr Postman. Very much phase 1 Beatles. A good listen, but so much better to come
Kid Rock
2/5
Some good tunes and backing tracks, but the braggadocio and slackness of Kid Rock are pretty tiresome
Cheap Trick
3/5
Not that familiar with Cheap Trick, other than I want you to want me, and their quirky visual presentation. Quite like the slightly poppy hard rock sound and remember Live at Budokan was rated as a live album (at a time when live albums were very much in vogue). Listening to this, it's okay, some decent tracks - Surrender, I want you..., - and some fine riffing and solos from the idiosyncratic Rick Nielsen.
But there is a sameness about most of the songs and a sense that they are caught somewhere between hard rock, powerpop and new wave.
Nothing to write home about
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
I liked born slippy, and had them pegged for similar to Leftfield so was interested to hear this album, but disappointed in the dull monotony of most of the tracks, with the exception of One Too Many Mornings and Alive Alone. Otherwise boring
The B-52's
3/5
Was expecting to like this more than I did. Rock Lobster is great, obviously, but not much else stood out. Something very similar rhythmically about many of the tracks - Planet Claire is Rock Lobster by another name for instance. Bit of a disappointment
Fela Kuti
4/5
Thoroughly enjoyable, funky, hypnotic. Well worth repeated playing. The drum solo at the end probably prevented this being a 5 star review!
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
As per other rap albums previously reviewed, some interesting things going on with the music, some predictable things going on with the lyrics. This just does not appeal to me
Brian Eno
3/5
Mix of funk, new wave, AOR, pop. Perhaps because of this eclecticism, it can be a bit bland in places.
Predates ambient albums
Alright, nothing special
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Fantastic album from a period of great albums from them as well as De La Soul and Arrested Development. Intelligent, positive and fantastic music too. So many great tracks on here - Bonita Applebum, Left My Wallet in El Segundo, After Hours, Can I Kick It of course. Highly recommended
Deep Purple
4/5
The classic Deep Purple and arguably this captures them on top form. Some great tracks here - Highway Star, Never Before, Smoke on the Water (of course) and When a Blind Man Cries - the musicianship is exceptional, and their sound is a lovely mix of heavy rock and melody courtesy of Richie Blackmore's mellifluous guitar and Jon Lord's keyboards. A couple of throwaway tracks - Lazy especially - prevents this being an absolute classic
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
5/5
Fresh, dynamic, urgent and no track over 4 minutes. Mr Costello is on fine form supported by a great backing group. Some memorable songs - Lip Service, Chelsea, Radio, Pump it Up. Superb
OutKast
3/5
Gets an additional star for Miss Jackson, but otherwise sounds like just another rap album, sorry!
Wild Beasts
2/5
I quote like the music, but not the singing. No desire to listen to this a second time
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
This is a joy to listen to, all the more because I have not heard much Nick Cave previously. Such a strong set of songs, instantly memorable, diverse, intelligent intriguing lyrics, superbly backed up by the music.
I will definitely be buying some Nick Cave vinyl!
Stevie Wonder
3/5
A bit of a mixed bag. A few good tracks - Boogie on..., Smile Please & They won't go when I go - but overall lacks energy and rather bland. Not his best by any means
Björk
2/5
This really has done nothing for me. Cannot get beyond my indifference to her style of singing. Not for me
M.I.A.
1/5
No. Just no
The Rolling Stones
5/5
This is a fantastic recording of the Stones at the absolute peak of their power. From the magnificent and menacing Gimme Shelter, to the languid country blues of Love in Vain, Country Honk (I never knew this earlier version of Honky Tonk Women existed) and Let it Bleed, to the dextrous riffing of Monkey Man and the classic You Can't Always Get What You Want, this is as good as it gets. The guitars of Richards and Taylor are a pleasure to listen to and even Mick Jagger's slightly hokey accents on some of the songs are a hoot.
The Kinks
4/5
Strong start to album - David Watts, Death of a Clown and Two Sisters all great Kinks songs. A real mixture here of pop, baroque, hints of psychedelia. The following songs are all a bit middling, nothing wrong with them but not the strongest either. However, Waterloo Sunset is a strong closer to the album, and sounds as great as ever (best ever Kinks song imho)
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Never a big Banshees fan, but liked their music from this period, reminiscent of the Cure and subsequent goth groups (Arabian Nights, Into the Light, Night Shift and liked the psychedelic flavour of many of the songs here - Spellbound,
Could do with a little more variation, the songs start to sound a bit samey and most have a similar tempo
Dolly Parton
2/5
A bit bland so far. The harmonies are, without doubt, beautiful, but it is just the songs themselves just don't do it for me. An uninspiring cover of To Know Him and I've Had Enough is just dull and passionless.
Honourable exceptions - Those Memories of You, Farther Along
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
So far loike the instrumental track more than anything else. Nothing much standing out. Tracks I like - Ode to Noone, Galapogos
Stevie Wonder
4/5
A great album, one of Stevie Wonder's best. Chock full of classics - You Are the Sunshine of My Life, You and I, You've Got It Bad Girl, Superstition, I Believe.
Coldplay
4/5
I wasn't expecting to like this much, but I must say there are a lot of memorable, well constructed songs on here, especially In My Place, Put a Smile on Your Face, Clocks. Not bad at all
Nirvana
4/5
What a rip-roaring start to an album! Really strong opening half but trails away a bit after Lithium. This would have been three stars, but Smells Like Teen Spirit gets it an extra star
Mercury Rev
4/5
A slow burner of an album, deserves repeated listening to realise how well crafted this collection of songs are. A mixture of influences, slightly psychedlic pop at times, but also traces of everything from Prefab Sprout to Black Keys.
The Human League
4/5
A real mixed bag of an album. The singles are the stand out tracks - Sound of the Crowd, Love Action, Open Your Heart and especially Don't You Want Me. The other tracks less impressive, even after repeated listens. The singles get Dare an extra star
D'Angelo
2/5
Very smooth. Too smooth. The aural equivalent of drowning in a compote of syrup, treacle and molasses. Cannot fault musicianship and D'angelo's voice, but it is all just a bit dull
Miles Davis
5/5
Fantastic, beautiful, sublime. One of the best albums of any genre
Living Colour
3/5
Very interesting mix of hard rock and funk and some echoes of Zeppelin and Hendrix as well as foreshadowing the likes of Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Perhaps it's too eclectic and diverse at times, in the end not always clear what direction the music is heading in
The Doors
4/5
Superb debut album. Starts (Break on through) and finishes (The End) so strongly while also boasting the magnificent Light My Fire. What stands out for me is the way that Ray Manzarek's keyboards drive the songs and of course the deep, distinctive quality of Jim Morrison's singing.
The Auteurs
3/5
I quite liked this, they are very tuneful and there are shades of Bowie and Bolan in the vocals. The album starts well but there aren't to my mind many standout tracks and it gets a bit samey after a while
Anthrax
2/5
I like my metal a bit more melodic and varie-paced than this, which I found a bit relentless. Some good bits and clearly good musicians, but lacking in light and shade
Aretha Franklin
5/5
A superb album, combining Aretha's majestic vocals with great musicianship and memorable tunes. Natural Woman is the stand-out track, ably supported by Chain of Fools, People Get Ready, Since You've Been Gone and Groovin.
Genesis
5/5
Magnificent. To me this is Genesis's masterwork and up there in the top 5 prog albums. I really like the playful lyrics (especially Battle of Epping Forest and Cinema Show) and the lovely, understated playing of Hackett and Banks. The songs all stand up and are both complex and accessible. A total joy to listen to
Talk Talk
4/5
An uneven album, undoubted quality musicianship and songwriting, especially Life's what you make it, but overall tone and tempo a bit downbeat and one or two unmemorable numbers. Life's what you make it, earns an extra star
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
The Message is such a brilliant track, it overshadows everything else here. It's not the worst album but nothing else is anywhere near as memorable as the title track
Tito Puente
3/5
Great dance music, you would want to play this if you were having a party. Nice variety of moods, tempos and styles. Would you listen to this if you weren't in the mood for dancing? I'm not so sure.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
Taken in isolation, some quite good songs, especially Some Candy Talking. But as a whole, it becomes hard to distinguish one track from another. little variation makes this a dull and forgettable experience
Boston
4/5
Fantastic album. More Than A Feeling, obviously... one of the great hard rock anthems. But lots more, great melodic rock, lovely guitar and keyboards. A really confident debut album
Cee Lo Green
2/5
Okay, but nothing that really stands out, drifts along pleasantly enough. Smooth but utimately a bit bland
Boards of Canada
4/5
This album grows on you with repeated listening and is ideal to have on the headphones, playing in the background while you are doing something else. I like the description of Boards of Canada as purveyors of downtempo music; that sounds about right
The Specials
4/5
A dynamic and bold debut album. A good combination of original compositions (gangsters, too much too young, blank expression) and astute covers (monkey man, message to you rudi). The lyrics are a cut above and have a real flavour of alienated and bitter youths. One or two tracks are not much more than fillers but you can see the direction the Specials were heading in
Janis Joplin
4/5
fantastic album. I now realise how familiar I am with many of these tracks, without ever really having gone out of my way to listen to Janis Joplin. What is particularly impressive is the diversity of the music - blues yes, but also soul, gospel, rock, pop. Janis Joplin's voice is up to the challenge of adapting to these different styles - she is far more than just a belter of blues songs.
Loses one star for Mercedes Benz, which I could quite happily never, ever hear again
Meat Loaf
3/5
hard to approach this with fresh ears, given the ubiquity of Bat out of Hell. To me it is caught between not being heavy enough for hard rock, not complex enough for prog rock and too over-elaborate for rock n roll. Good but not a classic for me
808 State
2/5
pleasant enough noodling, and okay if you like dancing to this sort of thing. Not really for me
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
Lovely album to dance to, but not such an attention grabber if just listening
fIREHOSE
2/5
This really didn't interest me at all, other than the occasional riff reminiscent of the Faces. A bit drab
Kraftwerk
4/5
Superb. Excellent representation of Kraftwerk's music, every track is a classic.
Tom Waits
5/5
Magnificent album, the best of the 'Franks' wild years' trilogy and my favourite Tom Waits album. It's a kaleidoscope of styles, sounds and stories all rooted in a downtown world of dives, old world funerals, and hard-bitten women for whom 'nothing that a $100 wouldn't cure'
Dizzee Rascal
2/5
Not my thing and didn't engage me, with the exception of I Luv U and Fix Up, Look Sharp
This is a patchy album and is testament to the Faces' reputation as being better live than in the studio. Beyond the standout track - Stay with me - and to a lesser extent Debris and Miss Judy's Farm, a lot of the other tracks are in substantial and unmemorable. It's a mystery why Rod Stewart wasn't lead singer on all the tracks. The cover version of Memphis added nothing to the original. A good but not a great album
Muddy Waters
4/5
Majestic performance from Muddy Waters, backed by some exceptional musicians. Some great classics here - Mannish Boy above all - and each track has your head nodding and foot tapping
Gang Of Four
2/5
Despite repeated listens I just couldn't get into this. I did have their follow-up album Solid Gold at one time and I seem recall that was much better. This was dull and plodding
Garbage
2/5
Supervision and Stupid Girl aside, didn't hear much that was of interest
Maxwell
2/5
Very smooth, very funky and Maxwell has a lovely voice. But a bit dull and samey after a while. Could have done with a little more grit
Gillian Welch
4/5
Beautiful, haunting, lovely voice
Sonic Youth
1/5
Nothing much to recommend this, blurry indistinct, monotonous
Nina Simone
4/5
Marvellous album, some absolute classics including the title track, Lilac Wine and Four Women. I particularly liked I like your lovin ways, the most upbeat and R&B number on the album
Soundgarden
3/5
Quite an enjoyable listen, but could have done with a bit more shade and light. Black Hole Sun stands out, but lack of variety loses it a point
Spiritualized
3/5
Grows on you after repeated plays
Soul II Soul
4/5
A milestone of an album, including one of the dance anthems of the late 80s. Keep on Moving is brilliant and still sounds great, and there are other good tracks such as Fairplay, Feel Free and Back to Life (the precursor to the later single). Some of the other tracks don't stack up quite so well, particularly those with a spoken Jazzy B accompaniment. Nevertheless, a landmark album.
Mekons
4/5
A very pleasing mix of post-punk, country and folk. Definitely grows on you
Kanye West
1/5
The first time I won't be listening to an album, but I have absolutely no interest in hearing anything by Kanye West
The Cure
3/5
This was okay, but a bit one-paced and not a patch on subsequent albums, especially disintegration
a-ha
2/5
Never been a fan of a-ha and nothing here that is of any surprise. Bland, glossy, insubstantial
Fats Domino
4/5
Fantastic, swinging, rocking music from one of the giants of rock'n'roll. Every track is two or three minutes of fine, focused and groovy dance music, delivered with that great, deep voice. Blueberry Hill is rightly the standout track but they are all good
Neu!
4/5
A good listen on the whole. Unfamiliar with Neu but enjoyed the techno/ambient flavour of this album, especially the hypnotic Seeland. Some elements of proto-punk here too - Hero has a feel of the Stranglers to it
Faust
3/5
A very uneven album. Kicks off with the mesmeric Krautrock, but followed up by some fairly insubstantial tracks
Motörhead
4/5
I saw Motorhead on this tour and had this album too. It is a great live album and showcases Motorhead at their best, with the classic line-up of Lemmy, Philthy Phil and Fast Eddie (all RIP sadly). All the classics are here - Ace of Spades, Bomber, Overkill, Motorhead - and some good supporting numbers too - Metropolis, We are the Roadcrew, No Class, particularly.
Tori Amos
3/5
It's okay, one or two songs reminded me a bit of Kate Bush. But I haven't really taken to this, even after multiple plays
Wilco
4/5
This takes some listening to but it does slowly grow on you. There are clearly lots of influences at work here and I could hear some similarities with Drive by Truckers songs of that time.
Particularly liked Heavy Metal Drummer and Kamera
Pavement
2/5
Sounds like generic indie rock and therefore of limited interest to me
SAULT
3/5
Like the music, minimal jazzy soul. Very much an album of its time - June 2020 - as reflected in the lyrics. The accent on positivity and self-esteem is good, but some of the lyrics are a bit too simplistic and repetitive. If anything the love songs are the best
Christine and the Queens
2/5
Absolutely not the kind of stuff I listen to and really uninterested in this
The Clash
4/5
A great album, the best by the Clash. While they may have become synonymous with punk, this shows they were so much more than 3 chord thrash merchants. Such a strong opening with London Calling, backed up by a great cover of Brand New Cadillac. Honourable mentions too for Guns of Brixton (the Clash did reggae better than most other non-reggae groups), Clampdown and Train in Vain. The second half of London Calling is a little weaker, but overall a superb album
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Lovely album, very easy on the ear. Sinatra's voice is of course peerless and who can resist bossa nova? Not sure I would buy this, it isn't really my thing, but I would be up on the dance floor for sure
Alice Cooper
3/5
A real mixed bag. The best track is School's Out by some distance. Otherwise there are a variety of sounds, some heavy, some jazzy or proggy, there are some similarities to Meatloaf in there too. Has the feel of a group not sure of its direction. But repeated listens recommended
Roxy Music
4/5
A fine album full of great songs - Do the strand, In every dream home..., For your pleasure etc. Never heard Bogus Man before, what a revelation.
Guessing this was the last album featuring Eno, and there are signs of the more mainstream direction that Roxy would travel in e.g. Beauty queen.
Classy, eclectic, unique
Leftfield
3/5
Some very good tracks but not sure if enough to warrant a double album.
Air
4/5
Enjoyable listen, especially La Femme d'Argent and Sexy Boy.
Frank Ocean
3/5
While this isn't my usual listening, this is quite an impressive album. Super Rich Kids is an outstanding and memorable track and Pyramid and Bad Religion are also decent. Some of the other tracks less memorable, but overall not bad
R.E.M.
5/5
A superb album, REM's best in my opinion. Instantly memorable songs, great musicianship and singing. I've never been a huge REM fan but this is just outstanding
Black Sabbath
4/5
an album of two sides. Part one contains some of the great heavy metal tracks - Paranoid, War Pigs, Iron Man - while Planet Caravan showcases that Sabbath were talented musicians and not just riff merchants.
The second side really dips and there is nothing to stand comparison with the first four tracks.
Still a really good album
The Isley Brothers
4/5
I always liked the sound of Isley Brothers singles from the 70s, they had such a unique sound, particularly Ernie Isley's unmistakeable guitar playing. There are some absolutely brilliant songs here - Who's that lady? Summer Breeze and especially the sublime Highways of My Life. Great stuff
Various Artists
2/5
I don't like listening to Christmas records, even at Christmas, so this is rather wasted on me. Have to admit I do like Santa Claus is Coming to Town, but otherwise I will pass if that's all the same to you
Machito
4/5
A really enjoyable and infectious listen. Not come across Machito before, but this is great and gets your foot tapping immediately.
Basement Jaxx
2/5
Unexceptional, didn't engage me at all.
System Of A Down
2/5
Never going to like this. I like old school heavy metal but not this, is it thrash metal? To be fair there is a bit of variation in one or two tracks, but otherwise this is wasted on me
Q-Tip
2/5
Not doing it for me, sorry!
Miriam Makeba
2/5
Undoubtedly a great singer, but I can't hear anything on this album that stands comparison with Pata Pata. It's the sort of album that you feel you ought to listen to and like, but am finding it hard work and now want to listen to something entirely different
Minutemen
2/5
Quite like the scattergun approach with so many ultra-short songs, however the novelty does wear off after a while. Too many songs that are not well developed or tail off. Would have preferred an album with half the songs but twice the length of each song
The Rolling Stones
4/5
A really gritty, down and dirty album and all the better for it. The Stones mix blues, rock, country, soul and gospel on one of their last truly great records. It's well paced with Rocks Off, Tumbling Dice, Happy and Shine a Light sprinkled among some less well known but decent tracks
The Who
3/5
First time I have heard this, despite being aware of its reputation as one of the great live albums. Listening to it now I am not sure it has aged well. A strong start and finish for sure and a good mix of classics (Can't Explain, Substitute, Happy Jack) and covers (Young Man Blues, Fortune Teller) but it really sags in the middle around A Quick One (which does not stand the test of time) and Amazing Journey. Not as good as I expected
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Excellent album, so many memorable songs, all the more impressive given the issues within the group at the time. Stands the test of time.
Sepultura
2/5
Not something I will be rushing to hear again. Heavy metal without melody or tunefulness just doesn't do it for me
Weather Report
3/5
A long time since I listened to some jazz rock, but this is a little disappointing. Birdland starts the album and it is an outstanding piece; sadly nothing else on the album comes near it. The musicianship cannot be faulted but most of the subsequent tracks are a little too smooth and bland. Gets an extra star because of Birdland
The Modern Lovers
4/5
Saw JR & the Modern Lovers over 30 years ago and what good memories this album brought back. Aside from the fantastic Road Runner, many of the tracks reveal an eclectic mix of influences (garage rock, Springsteen, rock n roll, pop) as well as a proto-punk and new wave elements too. Repays repeated listens
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Really very enjoyable, thought the best tracks were the singles, especially Seven Seas.
Bobby Womack
3/5
A soulful, mellow offering that is easy on the ear, but perhaps not Bobby Womack's most memorable work
The Flying Burrito Brothers
4/5
Superb, an influential album predating Americana. Excellent tracks include Sin City, Do Right Woman, #1 Hot burrito and a decent cover of At the dark end of the street. Close your eyes and you could be sat in a diner on a sunny Saturday morning, about to get your second cup of coffee
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Bit of a mixed bag. Some glorious songs, particularly Sunday, Sunday and the sublime California Dreaming but many of the other tracks are so, so and the covers ( especially Spanish Harlem) don't really add anything to the originals. Would give it 3. 5stars if that was possible, but California Dreaming knocks this up to 4 stars
Pixies
2/5
Despite repeated listenings, this has just not done it for me. Cannot think of one track that has lodged in my head.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Elvis's best album since the 1950s by a country mile. The material is far better than anything else he recorded in the 60s and he is in very fine voice. Some great tracks here - In the Ghetto and Suspicious Minds (although not sure the latter was on the original recording) but some of the lesser known numbers are pretty good too - I'm Moving On in particular. There are a few slightly cheesy numbers, but overall this is a strong recording
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Didn't have high expectations for this, but pleasantly surprised. Jauntier than I was expecting and songs very melodic and ably performed
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
4/5
Indulgent yes, bombastic yes, unnecessary drum solo yes, but still a really good listen. I never got into ELP at the time but I imagine they would have been good fun to watch live, and this album captures something of that spirit
Donald Fagen
3/5
Very smooth, jazz infused solo album, which also bears the imprint of Steely Dan. Some good tracks, particuarly I.G.Y and New Frontier, but many of the songs border on the bland and too smooth
Django Django
2/5
made very little impression on me
The Damned
4/5
Great album, packed full of memorable songs and demonstrating what good musicians the Damned are. The album starts strongly with Love Song, Just Can't Be Happy Today and ends strongly with Smash It Up but most of the other tracks hold up well too
The Jam
4/5
Very fine album and evidence of how the Jam were evolving. Start, That's Entertainment and Boy About Town are the highlights but most of the songs are very listenable and no real fillers
Wire
2/5
I was looking forward to hearing Wire, but a bit disappointed how basic and minimal much of this album was. There were a few decent tracks - Three Girl Rhumba comes to mind - but overall I guess I would find their subsequent material more rewarding
Beatles
5/5
An excellent album, showcasing transition of Beatles from the mop tops to a more sophisticated, adventurous style. Proof too of Lennon and McCartney's continuing development as great songwriters. So many superb songs - In My Life so haunting, If I Need Someone, Drive My Car, Nowhere Man, Girl, Michelle. Bettered only by Revolver
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
I'd never previously listened to My Bloody Valentine, and on first play didn't really get the appeal. However, Loveless is a definite slow burner and after repeated listens, I have come to enjoy the swampy, ghostly melodies, fuzzy guitars and ethereal vocals. Only Shallow was a strong opener and only bettered by When you sleep and I only said. One criticism is that on some tracks the vocals are a bit too much in the background, but otherwise a great album
David Bowie
4/5
A really good album, although it takes a few listens for the songs to seep in. Quite an elegiac feel overall and the best tracks - the Next Day, Where are we now, Valentine's Day - are all quite haunting. Not one of his absolute best, but as good as anything he had released in the previous 20 years
King Crimson
4/5
A typically complexing, rewarding listen. Signs of the direction that King Crimson would take on subsequent albums is evident in the title track, but there still remain traces of the old Crimson in the more contemplative numbers Book of Saturday and Exiles.
Easy Money is fine musically but the lyrics haven't stood the test of time
But overall a really good album
The Sonics
3/5
A riproaring raucous cacophony of garage, R&B, and proto-punk. Would definitely get you on your feet and some great covers, especially Have Love, Will Travel.
12 songs in 30 minutes is pretty impressive too
The Police
3/5
This is a curious album, in that the first half is slick but also formulaic and dull. and then it takes off with Synchronicity II, Every breath you take, Wrapped around my finger, before falling away again.
The album certainly highlights what good musicians the Police were, but it also feels at times like they were going through the motions and it generally lacks the dynamism of their early LPs.
Femi Kuti
4/5
Bright, vibrant, eclectic. A good listen. Not my usual cup of tea, but nothing to fault here
Orbital
2/5
On the whole I found this an unremarkable listen. Other than Impact, which is a memorable and creative track, I found the remainder of Orbital 2 to be dull and repetitive. Not for me
Supertramp
5/5
This is superb from beginning to end. Supertramp are a hard group to pigeonhole, somewhere between progressive and West Coast FM. Every song on this album is memorable, and the musicianship is first rate.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
At the risk of damning with faint praise, this album is okay but I can't say it has left much of an impression on me. I know a lot of people absolutely love Leonard Cohen, but on the basis of this album, I really cannot see what the fuss is about
Dr. John
5/5
fantastic atmospheric brew of psychedelia, cajun, blues, soul and n'awlins voodoo. Dr John really finds his voice with this album, which is chock full of funky, bluesy tunes. Walk on Gilded Splinters, Mama Roux and Jump Sturdy are all classic numbers. As well as brilliant musicianship, the backing singers really add a lot of personality to the songs
The Smiths
4/5
I don't particularly like Morrisey and I never idolised the Smiths like some of my friends did. Nevertheless I really enjoyed listening to Meat is Murder, nearly every track is a classic. It has stood the test of time and still sounds very fresh. The Morrisey-Marr alchemy is evident in the first seven numbers - maybe Barbarism and Meat is Murder are not quite as strong. A reminder of how good the Smiths were
4/5
Not previously familiar with PJ Harvey, this has taken a few listens. But it has grown on me and I can hear elements similar to Nick Cave, Jeff Buckley and even Robert Plant. What I didn't previously realise is what a beautiful, soaring voice that PJ Harvey has - this really elevates some of the songs, that would otherwise not be so special.
Hugh Masekela
5/5
This is an absolutely superb album. Not familiar with Hugh Masekela, and not an authority on jazz by any means, but this strikes me as being up there with the likes of Miles Davis. A number of tracks veer into jazz-rock territory but the more interesting end of the spectrum! I could listen to this again and again!
Metallica
3/5
Crunching riffs, twin guitar harmonies and doom-laden lyrics. What's not to like? I would definitely have been into Metallica had I not stopped listening to metal in the 1980s.
I found it a bit plodding and unremitting in parts and not sure I would listen to this much now, although I do like some Metallica
Jacques Brel
2/5
He might be a legend, but I can't say I warmed to Olympia 64. The best thing was that it comes in at under 30 minutes. Really not interested
Billie Holiday
4/5
A fine album, with a range of torch songs and dinner jazz numbers. This is one of Billie Holiday's last recordings and her voice has more of a world weary, less vulnerable feel than on her earlier albums. Still unmistakeable, still classy
Le Tigre
1/5
Next
Radiohead
4/5
I liked this a lot, but needed repeated listening. Radiohead sound quite unique to me, and I don't quite get the Pink Floyd comparisons, other than the music and lyrics feel quite introspective and serious. I particularly liked No Surprises (which I now realise I have heard repeatedly over the years) and Subterranean homesick alien
Peter Frampton
3/5
Show Me the Way was one of the sounds of summer 1976m, when I was 14. It was great to hear this again and I was looking forward to hearing Frampton Comes Alive, one of the biggest selling live albums (at a time when live albums were very much a thing).
I have to say it has not aged brilliantly and some of the songs plod along and get lost in overlong guitar solos.
Tricky
2/5
So so album, liked the mid-section tracks best, especially the Portishead like Hell is Round the Corner. Otherwise, not much to hold my attention
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Very slickly produced, with the sound instantly placing it in the mid-19080s. While I quite like Peter Gabriel and think Sledgehammer a fine song, most of the remainder of this album sounds quite dated and rather bland.
Buck Owens
3/5
A very nice listen, easy on the ear, foot tapping C&W. Not sure there is anything that memorable on this album, but it certainly helped pass a very pleasant half hour
Air
5/5
Absolutely love this. Hypnotic, spectral with traces of Meddle-era Pink Floyd in places. Having never heard Air I am definitely going to check out more of their stuff
Madonna
2/5
Didn't particularly enjoy this album. Rather bland and have never rated Madonna as that great a singer. Not for me
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Great album wonderful singer, beautiful songs, a real talent
Patti Smith
3/5
This is certainly an influential album, both in terms of the punk/new wave records that followed, and also in Patti's vocal style which can be heard in Debbie Harry's singing, among others.
That said, I didn't hear much here that was particularly captivating and certainly nothing to match the majestic Because the Night.
while the cover of Gloria was different, I didn't feel it was a patch on the original
Leonard Cohen
4/5
I really needed to listen to this several times, before I began to appreciate the craft and cleverness of these songs. I particularly enjoyed Famous Blue Raincoat, Joan of Arc and Last Year's Man. The guitar playing, arrangements and backing singing all add greatly to the songs.
On some of the other tracks it does occasionally feel a little close to a Dylan tribute act, but on the whole this is an original, if very downbeat, piece of work.
Bauhaus
2/5
bit disappointed with this to be honest. I only know Bauhaus from Bela Lugosi's Dead and I think they covered Ziggy Stardust, but haven't heard much on Mask that is that memorable. Can hear traces of Gang of Four and some gothic guitar in places, but overall I found this quite dull
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
Quirky, poppy, okay songs but I'm really not so sold on this that I am going to listen to almost 3 hours worth of this. Life is too short
Steely Dan
4/5
This is a sophisticated, smooth and lyrically complex album. A great combination of elegant pop melodies and superb jazz musicianship, with some absolute gems, especially Peg, Deacon Blue, Aja and Josie. One or two tracks don't quite match these, but overally one of Steely Dan's best
The Rolling Stones
4/5
A really great offering from a band who were at their peak. Brown Sugar and Wild Horses lead the way, along with decent blues numbers You Gotta Move and I Got The Blues. I also like Sway which features some extended soloing from Mick Taylor (or is it Keith?) and finishes strongly with Moonlight Mile. Every so nearly a 5*
Talking Heads
4/5
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, not having previously been into Talking Heads. The overrall feel is funkier, more rhythmic and experimental than their earlier work and some of the tracks are quite hypnotic and the musicianship (aided by one or two guests) is impressive. Once In A Lifetime is the standout and probably more comprehensible lyrics wise.
Carpenters
4/5
Overall a very strong album. We've only just begun is sublime and along with Close to You highlights just how beautiful Karen Carpenter's voice is, along with some gorgeous harmonies. some of the other tracks don't quite reach these heights and their cover of Help is not a patch on the original (the cover of I'll never fall in love again is pretty decent however)
Hole
2/5
This was unlikely to appeal to me, and this has proved to be the case. One song felt like it was merging into another and I couldn't get excited about any of these tracks
George Michael
3/5
Faith and Father Figure are great tracks, but that is about it. As these were the opening tracks, the rest of the album sounded a bit dull and sterile and very redolent of late 80s production values. not that special in my humble opinion
Arcade Fire
2/5
This has made next to no impression on me. Cannot get remotely excited about this
Nas
1/5
Not for me. Next!
R.E.M.
3/5
An album that really requires a few listens before the quality of the songs sinks in. Particularly liked Stand and Orange Crush and the lyrical complexity along with the memorable riffs and melodies. I'll never be a big fan of REM but this is a decent album
The Boo Radleys
4/5
This is a hugely ambitious album, and maybe a bit over-ambitious as it is a long listen and contains so many different styles and influences - I could hear nods to Moody Blues, New Order, Caravan, the Cure, the Zombies (I also wonder if they influenced the Zutons, among others?). It requires concentrated and repeated listens but after a while the songs grow on you. I particularly liked Butterfly McQueen and Best Lose the Fear.
overall a nice, gentle psychedelic feel on the whole
Destiny's Child
3/5
Not bad, lovely voices and harmonies and most tracks good to dance to. While I won't be rushing out to buy this, I recognise that it is a classy dance album, well produced too
The Offspring
2/5
Not that interesting, quite thrashy and grungy without any memorable songs. Not one I will bother with again
Elliott Smith
2/5
Nothing wrong with this album, but not my genre and found most of the tracks dull and twee
Yes
4/5
A superb album, only bettered by Close to the Edge. This is prog at its peak, with a clutch of classic tracks including Yours is no disgrace, Starship trooper and I've seen all good people. A Venture and the Clap are less essential listening, even if the latter is a perennial favourite. Overall a really great listen
Ride
3/5
It's quite a likeable album and starts strongly. I do think after a while the songs start merging into one another and it hasn't kept my attention for the duration
Jungle Brothers
4/5
Great hip hop album, fresh and inventive, good use of samples and very danceable tunes combined with sharp and humerous lyrics.
Deep Purple
4/5
A great heavy rock album, with some stone-cold classics - Speed King, Child in Time, Black Night. Worthy mention to to the lesser known Flight of the Rat which has a fantastic rocking riff. Some of the other tracks stand up less well, although most are still illuminated by the virtuoso work of messrs Blackmore and Lord. Throughout Ian Gillan's voice is magnificent
DJ Shadow
4/5
Really enjoyed this, great use of sampling. I liked the jazzy, hypnotic feel of many of the tracks
The Beach Boys
5/5
An absolute classic, without doubt one of the best albums ever. Brian Wilson is a genius. there really isn't much more to say
Eminem
1/5
Not for me
Al Green
4/5
Superb. Such a great voice allied to some great, understated but funky soul. Title track obviously brilliant but rest of album is more than decent
Deerhunter
2/5
Didn't get to the end of this...dreary, run of the mill indie fodder
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
ELO were a bit too poppy for me back in the day, but I now have a better appreciation of what fine tunesmiths they were. Not sure they bettered Out of the Blue with its plethora of hits - Turn to Stone, Mr Blue Sky, Wild West Hero, Sweet Talkin' Woman - while the other tracks don't quite reach these heights, there is much to admire in the melodies, arrangements and harmonies (and the clear influence that the Beatles had on Jeff Lynne!). Great listening and stands the test of time
ZZ Top
4/5
This is a really good showcase of ZZ Top's combination of blues, boogie, hard rock, humour and musicianship. Every track has something to commend it from the rocking La Grange to the swinging Jesus just left Chicago and the mellow Hot, blue and righteous. Bill Gibbon's virtuoso guitar is superbly anchored by the Beard/ Hill rhythm section. Well worth a listen especially for anyone who only knows ZZ Top from Gimme all your lovin and Legs!
Adele
3/5
No doubting the quality of the songs and Adele's voice but I found an entire album' worth of introspective, personal songs way too much
Eagles
4/5
A mixed bag. A very strong start to the album with the title track, New Kid and Life in the Fast Lane. Wasted Time is fine too, but thereafter the quality of the tracks falls away. Gets an extra star because of Hotel California, which I could listen to every day
Yes
4/5
A good album, showing direction Yes were heading in and which would peak with Close to the Edge. Roundabout remains a classic and has a surprising funky rhythm, South Side of the Sky and Long Distance Runaround are also very decent tracks, again supported by strong rhythms rather than hugely complex time signatures.
Television
4/5
an original, complex, interesting and highly listenable. Hard to categorise but some lovely guitar interplay and atmospheric songs. The title track is just beautiful
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
Great, original rock n roll, especially That'll be the day and Oh Boy. One or two tracks are a bit more hum drum, but hard to complain when 12 tracks are crammed into 25 minutes
Beck
4/5
An interesting and eclectic collection. I generally liked the mellower numbers the best, in particular Novocane
The Teardrop Explodes
4/5
This album has grown and grown on me. I already liked Reward but forgot about When I Dream, absolutely brilliant. Honourable mentions to Sleeping Gas, Treason and the title track.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
The best Led Zep album in my opinion. It is possibly the most diverse collection of songs (other than Physical Graffiti, which was a double album) but kicks off with some great driving, riffing numbers in Immigrant Song, Friends and Celebration Day. Some of Jimmy Page's most dexterous and imaginative soloing is evident on the bluesy Since I've Been Loving You and the beautiful Tangerine. The acoustic numbers on side two are the perfect counter to lazy stereotypes about Zep just being rock behemoths. Highly recommended
Killing Joke
2/5
An okay listen, and an interesting mixture of punk, metal and goth. Not so keen on the singing and other than the Wait and Requiem, too many of the other tracks plod along rather aimlessly
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Not bad, strong vocals supported by muscular riffing, reminiscent of Jeff Buckley in parts. Didn't make me want to listen more than once though
Moby
5/5
I bought this album on the strength of the seemingly many ads featuring Moby tracks, and grew to like this enormously. The way that he weaves samples, dance, ambient music, and blues to make memorable and distinct tunes is so impressive. There are so many great tracks threaded throughout the album. one or two tracks aren't that special but overall a major, seminal album
Queen
4/5
I liked mid-70s Queen and this is pretty good. Everything is in place - Brian May's distinctive guitar, the harmonies and the pomp, and still a predominantly hard rock sound. Now I'm Here is outstanding but I also like the underrated Tenement Funster. Side two tails off a bit.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Dull, basic, unmemorable
The Soft Boys
2/5
This is a long listen and so far, not hearing anything out of the ordinary. Very jingly, jangly.
Stephen Stills
3/5
This took a lot of listening to before I really got into it. It is a good collection of west coast, americana and country, with similarities in places to the Band, Grateful Dead and early Eagles. Can't say there were many stand out tracks, but Colorado, So begins the task and Move around were all decent
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Great album, my favourite. Grittier, more mature reflections on urban/small town America backed up with some marvellous musicianship
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Fine, mellow album, very early 70s vibe. Concrete Jungle and Stir It Up of course, but other good tracks 400 Years and No More Trouble. Very much of its time, with quite a lot of guitar and keyboard noodling
Iggy Pop
2/5
Rather dreary but at least it was brief. The influence of David Bowie is all over this and indicative of his late-70s music. The problem is it is not as good as Bowie's material (including China Girl). Dum Dum Boys quite good, but nothing else sticks out
ZZ Top
4/5
Top album from ZZ Top characterised by turbocharged rhythm section and some hard rock classics, especially Gimme all your lovin, Legs and Sharp Dressed Man. Honourable mention for TV Dinners too.
Perhaps less light and shade than earlier ZZ Top albums but hugely likeable
5/5
A superb album, one of the great albums or all time and to my mind the best prog album ever. It fizzes with energy, invention, imagination and the virtuosity of messrs. Wakeman, Howe, Squire and Bruford. Who cares if Jon Anderson's lyrics are incomprehensible, when music is this good? The high point for Yes and for prog
Isaac Hayes
3/5
I would describe this as a work in progress. The elements that would come together with Shaft and subsequent albums are evident here and there, especially on Hyperetc. You can also see how Isaac influenced other genres e.g., his cover of Walk on By has echoes of trip hop and ambience. But it can be overlong and a bit aimless at times
Beatles
4/5
Fascinating listening to what could be described as the last of the 'Mop top' albums. This is still the unmistakeable sound of the early 60s Beatles, but there are signs of their sound evolving, particularly on the title track and Things We Said Today. A good album but lacking the brilliance of the albums to come
Jeff Buckley
4/5
I've had this album a long time, bought on reputation, and have never quite taken it to my heart. Nevertheless, it is always worth a listen. It's fairly unique to my ears,, Jeff Buckley is a lovely singer, the songs are good, there are some great riffs, almost Zeppelinesque on occasion. The covers are good too, even if Hallelujah is very familiar now.
Violent Femmes
2/5
Not for me. Blister in the Sun is jaunty enough (and I now realise that I know this song from some advert or other) but cannot get into the relentless jauntiness of the majority of this album. The only other track I like is the slower tempo Good Feeling
Syd Barrett
2/5
A bit better than I was expecting, some typically whimsical offerings and can hear how this may have influenced some Britpop. But overall cannot hear anything on a par with Arnold Layne for example
Aretha Franklin
4/5
A brilliant album showcasing the majestic voice of Aretha Franklin. Contains some great interpretations of classic songs, including Respect, Do Right Woman, Save Me and A Change if Gonna Come.
Joy Division
2/5
Disappointing, didn't hear anything remotely memorable. Wanted to not resort to the stereotype of characterising JD as dour, miserabilists but evidence is all there
AC/DC
5/5
Brilliant album full of bone-shaking rock n roll tunes. Highlight is the title track, a perfect blend of Angus Young's crunchy but fluid guitar, the rock steady rhythm section and Bon Scott's growling vocals. Plenty of other great tracks, with only one or two fillers
Johnny Cash
4/5
Poignant, beautiful album, some wonderful interpretations of a diverse mix of songs. Johnny Cash's deep, cracked voice is just right for tracks like Hurt and his version of Bridge over troubled waters. Doesn't work all the time - We'll meet again is forgettable. But a great album overall
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
4/5
A solid selection of blues tracks, some particularly fine instrumentals (Hideaway, Stepping Out) and of course some fine guitar from the young Eric Clapton
Harry Nilsson
4/5
enjoyable listen, nice variety of songs and Harry Nilsson has a fine voice. Aside from the brilliant Without You, there is more than a hint of Beatles on some of the songs with Nilsson sounding like both McCartney and Lennon on occasion. I also liked the rocking Jump in the Fire
Arcade Fire
3/5
This is a much acclaimed album and there are one or two numbers I quite like. But I don't generally see what all the fuss is about. It's okay. I'll leave it at that.
Ramones
3/5
You know what you are getting with the Ramones. Even though the album if less than 30 minutes, it is hard to sustain interest across the 14 songs here as they merge into each other. Blitzkrieg bop, Judy is a punk and their cover of Do you wanna dance are all decent enough though
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
Despite repeated playings this really hasn't left much of an impression on me. Nothing stands out beyond a fuzzy, scuzzy sound which is fine I guess, but not my cup of tea.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
A fabulous listen, great songs allied to Dusty's sublime voice. Son of a preacher man is the stand out track, but there really aren't any fillers on this album.
Black Sabbath
4/5
A seminal album, if like me, you like old school metal. The title track, and opener, is stupendous and other numbers - NIB, Wicked World, set the template for subsequent Sabbath albums and their many imitators. The deft musicianship belies their reputation for blundering riffs (although these are here too). A few fillers on here loses them a *
David Bowie
4/5
Lovely final album, has a very elegiac feel to it. Needs a few listens to really appreciate the quality of the songs and the musicianship. Dollar Days is particularly beautiful and sad.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
A showcase for the virtuoso organ skills of Jimmy Smith, especially the memorable and familiar title track. Thereafter some of the noodling on other tracks goes on a bit too long and it is easy to lose attention.
The Waterboys
4/5
Fine album. Only previously heard Fisherman's Blues which I like a lot, but plenty more on here that resonates, particularly And a bang on the ear and a good cover of Van Morrison's Sweet Thing.
The additional album's worth of material is okay, but this was stronger as the original single LP
Motörhead
4/5
Classic hard rock album, very popular as it coincided with new wave of British heavy metal. Motorhead sound superb throughout, courtesy of some great production. Side one is particularly strong, with Ace of Spades and We Are the Roadcrew stand outs. Second side not quite as good although The Chase is Better than the Catch is decent
Rage Against The Machine
2/5
not for me I'm afraid. Repetitive, dirgy, dull
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Really like merging of funk, rock and metal, Apache Rose Peacock and the title track being good examples. Breaking the Girl, could have been Jeff Buckley?
Under the Bridge is superb
LL Cool J
2/5
Not really my cup of tea but I am sure very good if you are into this kind of thing
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
I am afraid that I found this virtually unlistenable
Carole King
5/5
Absolutely brilliant, a genius collection of great songs, superbly executed. So many classic songs, from You've got a friend, to Natural Woman, to It's too late. The last word in singer-songwriting
The White Stripes
4/5
Really enjoyed listening to this and pleased to discover that there is a lot more to White Stripes than (the admittedly great) Seven Man Army. It's an album that carries lots of influences, including Stones, Small Faces and late 60s psych-pop. The riffs and soloing are both fantastic
The Residents
2/5
Not for me
Primal Scream
4/5
Thoroughly enjoyed this album. While never into rave culture I did really like the hypnotic quality of the sound Primal Scream achieve on Screamadelica. Can definitely hear echoes of Beach Boys, Stones, psychedelia too and the use of backing vocals particularly effective. As well as Loaded and Moving on Up, I especially liked Come Together and Inner Stars
Baaba Maal
3/5
Very melodic and hypnotic songs based around repeated guitar patterns. Quite enjoyable to listen to, although this is a lengthy album and hard to sustain interest across all 12 tracks
Blondie
4/5
Packed with hit singles, this is Blondie at their best. One or two of the other numbers aren't that stand out, but overall a great album
Blur
4/5
One of my favourite album covers and a good collection of songs from Blur's Britpop peak years. Title track stands out along with Girls and Boys but some other gems among the lesser known songs - Badhead, Clover over Dover, Jubilee for example. Interesting influences abound - Bowie, Kinks, even Cockney Rebel in parts.
Travis
2/5
This only required a quick listen as I quickly tired of the fey, melancholic, Coldplayish tunes. I do quite like While does it always rian, but I don't want to listen to an entire albums worth of similar songs
Supergrass
2/5
This largely passed me by and I didn't particularly feel the need to repeat listen. While rockier than I imagined, I didn't hear anything that memorable.
The United States Of America
4/5
A fascinating mix of psychelia, pop and electronic experimentation. Requires several listens to really get the benefit but this was clearly a group that had an ear for a good tune, and there are similarities in some of the tracks with other groups of the era such as Spirit, Jefferson Airplane and late 60s Beatles. Dorothy Moskowitz's voice is well matched to the music and again it is tempting to compare her to Grace Slick among others.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
This is what 1001 albums is about for me, discovering great music from artists I had never previously listened to. Siamese Dream is a great listen, with a great guitar sound throughout - both crunching riffs, and fluid melodic lines. Today and Hummer stand out as a good combination of grunge and hard rock. Not quite a 5* but not far off
Green Day
2/5
Quite like the title track but otherwise I found this a little dull. Lack of variation and at times it comes across as a Clash tribute act
Cat Stevens
4/5
Overall a very good album, with some of Cat Stevens best songs (Wild World, Father and Son, Tea for the Tillerman). Other tracks fall down for being over sentimental or their hippy-dippy lyrics. But Miles from Nowhere stands out as a more ambitious and sophisticated number. It gets 4* on the basis of the title track
Germs
1/5
Lots of thrashing around but not much of interest here
Joy Division
2/5
As with Unknown Pleasures, whatever charms Joy Division have for some, are lacking for me. I need something a bit more uplifting and memorable than this collection of downbeat, naval gazing dirges
Radiohead
2/5
Having been pleasantly surprised by OK Computer, this is more like what I imagined Radiohead would sound like, and it has just left me absolutely cold. Dreary, anaemic tunes, nothing stood out. Instantly forgettable
Barry Adamson
5/5
Fabulous album of potential movie soundtracks, a complete surprise to me as no idea who Barry Adamson was. Now I can't get tracks like Miles out of my head. It's not just the memorability of the tunes, it is their diversity and the imaginative arrangements. Instantly likeable
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
A mellower offering than some of their previous albums, but none the worse for that. The title track and Otherwise are particularly standout although some of the other numbers get a bit samey. Overall it's a decent effort
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Quite a good listen, melodic but didn't quite hold my attention throughout
Drive-By Truckers
4/5
I fine album that uses the story of Lynyrd Skynyrd to tell the story of southern music and politics, and growing up listening to the music of the time. Given the subject matter it is probably DBT's 'rockiest' album, covering the spectrum of southern rock, hard rock and punk. slightly uneven so not an absolute classic but a fine album nonetheless
Portishead
3/5
Respect to Portishead for this radical change in direction, when they could have rested on their laurels. However repeated listens has not won me over and this is partly because of the relentless downbeat vibe of most tracks. The Rip is undoubtedly the highlight here, but there is little else that stands out for me.
The Only Ones
4/5
An album that reeks of late 1907s London bars and gigs. Another girl... is a sensational song but there are other worthy numbers here, including the Beast and Peter and the Pets. The guitar playing is tremendous and varied and the songs range across genres and influences - think new wave, pub rock, hard rock, the Damned and Clash, Thin Lizzy. Great stuff
The Smiths
4/5
This is a fine album, containing some of the Smiths best songs, especially Cemetry Gates, There is a Light and Bigmouth.
Elton John
4/5
A very classy collection of songs from my favourite Elton John era. Tiny Dancer, Levon, Razor Face and Holiday Inn stand comparison with his best songs and all are testimony to Bernie Taupins' talent as a lyricist. The quality of musicianship is first rate. The album as a whole could be judged to be a little one-paced, but overall this is a great collection.
The Stooges
3/5
An okay listen and starts well with 1969 and I wanna be your dog. I didn't realise that No Fun was a Stooges number, I actually think the Pistols version is better. After that it gets very samey and to my mind lacks the spark of the superior Fun House.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
A real mixed bag. The big singles are all here and are far and away the best things on this album. The remainder are a mixture of so-so songs and fillers and a couple of poorly judged covers - Born to Run in particular is very poor.
Johnny Cash
4/5
A really fine album, less flamboyant perhaps than Live at San Quentin, but contains some great tunes. I particularly liked 25 minutes which I had never heard before.
Frank Zappa
4/5
A largely enjoyable collection of noodling, funky, proto jazz-rock, although the outstanding Peaches en Regalia is something entirely different. Requires a bit of repeated listening and not for those averse to lengthy guitar solos, of which Frank Zappa was undoubtedly a virtuoso
Cornershop
3/5
Likeable mix of funk, hip hop, indie and bhangra, A little one-paced and needed a few listens but a definite slow burner
Super Furry Animals
4/5
Quite a diverse collection of songs, but definitely glam and Bowie influences are discernible. It's a likeable album if (as some critics have picked up) a little too eclectic. Show me magic, Hometown Unicorn and Hangin with Howard Marks edge this to 4*
4/5
Great album, chock full of classic Oasis songs. The consecutive trio of Roll with it, Wonderwall and Don't Look Back in Anger is really hard to beat. A couple of the other tracks aren't quite up to that standard, otherwise it would have got 5*
OutKast
3/5
Good but too much to listen to here
Michael Jackson
3/5
Sublime first side, doesn't quite hit the heights on side two.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
What I heard is very good
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
Not on spotify and not inclined to go out of my way to listen to this. I am guessing I would have given this 2* so that is what I will do
Pink Floyd
3/5
A bit of a mixed bag with some psychedelic gems (Astronomy Domine, Interstellar Overdrive) some whimsical ditties and a few throwaway tunes. Listening to it now what particularly impresses is Richard Wright's spectral keyboard work, floating above the thrashing guitars and drums.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Very accomplished album, some of MJ's best songs (Thriller, Beat It, Wanna Be starting somethin). hard to dislike even if like me you aren't a big fan
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Fantastic debut album, highlighting not only Hendrix's innovation and virtuosity but also what a tight, dynamic and accessible group the Experience were. Quite an eclectic collection of rock, pop, ballads, blues and psychedelia all featuring blistering guitar work underpinned by a swinging rhythm section.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Requires several listens, some good understated tunes but nothing that really stands out. Not sure this is Robert Wyatt's best
Common
3/5
The music on this album is very listenable and some good collaborations too. A number of quite clever lyrics, but some of this feels quite stale and not so keen on the profanities. Worth a listen for sure, but not one I will be buying
Roni Size
2/5
not hugely into drumnbass or jungle, so slick as this is, it hasn't grabbed me and there is no way I am sitting through 53 tracks! Okay, if you like that sort of thing
Aerosmith
4/5
Excellent album, full of memorable riffs and some gritty rock n roll a la Stones. Sweet Emotion is just such a great song, ably supported by the title track and Walk this Way. The other tracks are largely solid rockers, although 10 inch record is forgettable. You See Me Crying is a nice ballad to close the album
The Velvet Underground
4/5
No doubt this is a significant, groundbreaking album. The lyrics are particularly strong with their portrayal of alternative lifestyles and the seediness of urban living. The music styles are diverse, and while the musicianship is less than virtuoso, the songs have a hypnotic charm. I particularly like the teutonic tones of Nico's singing. The album falls away a bit with the last couple of tunes but is otherwise a classic
Tom Waits
4/5
This is the first of the 'Frank's Wild Years' trilogy and signalled a turn towards quirkier, more diverse songs with the accent on back street dives and gin-soaked beauties and small town losers. The songs are of a consistently high standard throughout, particularly In the Neighbourhood, Johnsburg Illinois and Soldier's Things. Only bettered (just) by Raindogs, the follow-up album
Bill Callahan
5/5
This is just a brilliant album. Song after song are memorable, simple melodies, beautifully performed. Some similarities in places with, among others, Nick Drake, Richard Hawley, Sun Kil Moon. The standard is high throughout. Strongly recommended
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
I vaguely remember buffalo gal from way back, wasn't taken with it then and not enthused by this album now. Not for me
ABBA
3/5
There is now greater appreciation of ABBA as a great pop group and crafters of memorable dancefloor fillers than was the case in the 1970s. This album contains some of their greatest hits and there is no doubt how good songs like Knowing Me, Knowing You are. That said, I was never much of an ABBA fan and I really do not need to hear (or dance to) Dancing Queen again. Fine for ABBA fans but not something I will be rushing out to buy
Neil Young
3/5
Not available on spotify but have heard a track or two and sounds decent enough
Gotan Project
4/5
an enjoyable listen, pulsating latin rhythms, mostly instrumentals. Maybe doesn't quite sustain interest over the entire album. Probably a 3.5 stars but am feeling generous
Scott Walker
4/5
Not that familiar with Scott Walker's work but really enjoyed this. While the melodies and arrangements must have sounded very old school in 1968 (with some of the songs not sounding out of place if in a Eurovision competition) the lyrics and highly sophisticated and very adult in the subject matter. Scott Walker's voice is just fantastic, with Best of Both Worlds a particular highlight
Christina Aguilera
3/5
Absolutely nothing wrong with this album, Christina has a fine voice and the songs are all good dance tunes. Not really my thing, so I wouldn't listen to this again, but might get on the dance floor if I heard one of these tunes again
Guns N' Roses
4/5
This is a great hard rock album. While not that fond of most of the 'hair metal' genre this is so much better than most of their contemporaries efforts. Sweet Child of Mine is an instant classic that stands comparison with the best rock songs of any era. Welcome to the Jungle and Paradise City are the other standouts. while Mr Brownstone and Michelle are the best of the rest. Slash's riffing and soloes are sublime throughout
Tracy Chapman
3/5
An album of two halves, with the first half being much the stronger (Revolution, Fast Car, Baby can I hold you...). The subsequent songs lack the same impact and makes it harder to sustain interest
The Youngbloods
4/5
Not come across the Youngbloods before and took a while to get into them, perhaps partly because their material was quite eclectic and hard to pigeonhole. Nevertheless this a a lovely album with all sorts of elements - pop, americana, psychedelia - all delivered concisely with strong melodies and hooks. Well worth a listen
Paul Revere & The Raiders
4/5
Accessible and likeable collection of songs by this classic garage rock band. Very danceable numbers, with hints of surf rock era beach boys evident too. Stepping Stone the highlight, along with Kicks and Get it On
Black Flag
2/5
Wouldn't have liked this at the time and don't like it now. All very thrashy and shouty and repetitive
Beastie Boys
3/5
Enjoyable listen, especially tracks melding hip hop with rock, Fight for Your Right being the stand out. The other tracks are perhaps not quite up there, but overall a strong debut
The Black Keys
2/5
Despite really liking Turn Blue and somewhat liking El Camino, I just couldn't get into this album. Didn't hear anything that stood out and instead sounded like too many numbers that plodded along without much excitement. Disappointing
Mott The Hoople
5/5
This is fine stuff, hitting the sweet spot between glam, hard rock, rock n roll and pop. Ian Hunter has the perfect voice for a mid-70s band, the songs are dry and witty and Mick Ralphs guitar is wonderful. One of those albums you can play time and time again with tiring of it.
4/5
For some reason this is a hard album to track down, but having finally heard it, I like it a lot. In places it is not dissimilar to peak era Squeeze and can also hear elements of Paul McCartney in the singing and the lyrics.
New York Dolls
2/5
There's no doubting the influence of the New York Dolls on the punk scene but while the opening track rocks along nicely enough, this is actually quite a dull album. You could forgive the rudimentary musicianship if there were a few memorable tunes but there really is nothing to write home about
Kacey Musgraves
4/5
Some lovely, well crafted songs beautifully performed, especially the first half of the album. Slow Burn stands out as a song you could listen to time and time again.
The second half of the album is not quite as impressive and the songs are a little on the bland side.
Steve Earle
2/5
It's a decent enough album but nothing on here really grabbed me and after a while it felt a little one-paced. I was expecting a bit better than this
Jane Weaver
2/5
I have tried hard to get into this but it really isn't doing it for me.
Massive Attack
4/5
I bought this album at the time of release and on listening to it again, it still sounds great. I love the mix of soul, reggae, hip-hop and the dark, moody atmosphere to many of the songs. Unfinished sympathy is just magnificent and highlights what a good singer Shara Nelson was but the album is full of greats songs from start (Safe from harm) to finish (Hymn of the big wheel). A strong, seminal debut
Lauryn Hill
4/5
A truly marvellous album, some really original songs both very listenable and very danceable. Good use of sampling and testimony to how good a singer Lauryn Hill is. Forgive Them Father, ZIon, Doo Wop, Ex-Factor are all highlights
Linkin Park
3/5
Liked this more than I was expecting and no doubt Linkin Park are good at getting your toes tapping. I much preferred the songs where the singer was singing rather than shouting
PJ Harvey
2/5
Couldn't get into this. I quite liked the Stories from the City album, but this I found too downbeat and harsh
John Lee Hooker
4/5
A fine album with some stellar cameos from the likes of Los Lobos, Santana and Bonnie Raitt complementing a varied repertoire of blues numbers from John Lee Hooker
Stevie Wonder
5/5
A genius album, maybe Stevie Wonder's best? Beautiful songs, with Stevie's keyboard skills to the fore, superb lyrics. In an album full of excellent songs it's hard to pick a stand out but Living for the City is peerless
The Stooges
3/5
As with The Stooges, this album starts well enough with Search and Destroy but runs out of steam and then gets repetitive and dull. No doubting the influence on punk, although these are serious musicians and many of the songs are not dissimilar from a lot of hard rock of the same period. Neither this or its predecessor match the buzz and experimentation of Fun House
Red Snapper
3/5
Quite a diverting collection of largely instrumentals. Particularly liked Some Kind of Kink's borrowing of the riff from Rock On. Some strong similarities with Massive Attack, but just lacking a bit of menace.
Miles Davis
4/5
Mesmerising, hypnotic, a rich brew of sounds and rhythms. A really great assembly of virtuoso musicians laying down some radical tunes.
It is a long album, and if you listen in one sitting the songs can start to blur into each other. For this reason I don't think it is quite up there with its predecessor In A Silent Way. Nevertheless a landmark album and well worth anyone's time
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
Dreary, dirgy, shouty, discordant and dull. Couldn't be bothered to make it to the end of this album
The Police
4/5
enjoyable listen, some strong songs especially the singles, but honourable mentions too for Its' Alright for You, Bring on the Night and the quirky Does Everyone Stare. The Police tended to be underrated as musicians, when they were all quite accomplished. I particularly like Stewart Copelands propulsive and innovative drumming
Bob Dylan
5/5
Brilliant album, Bob Dylan does not get better than this. Rolling Stone, one of the greatest rock songs ever, is a great way to open the album and Desolation Row a superb closing track. In between Dylan is supported by some rollicking rock n roll from the Band and his songs fizz with energy and mischief.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
An important album in the history of rap and hip-hop and all the better for those tracks that meld Run DMC's rhymes with hard rock riffs, most notably Walk this Way. The first half of the album is the stronger, the latter tracks stand out less.
Van Halen
4/5
An excellent debut album, with a harder edged rock sound than many of the hair metal bands that came after them. The innovation and virtuosity of Eddie Van Halen is fabulous to listen to, back up by the strong vocal presence of Dave Lee Roth. Some great riffing numbers particularly Running with the Devil and Ain't talking bout Love, but they also had an ear for a melody and could complement the hard rock with a lighter pop sound too
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Fine rendition of swampy blues. Nothing wrong with the album but hasn't really grabbed me
Eels
4/5
Enjoyably melodic, indie-pop-rock, worth listening to a few times.
Bob Dylan
5/5
This has to be up there with Dylan's finest albums and certainly his best album of the last 30 years. It's a superb amalgam of blues, country, rockabilly and jazz and the music is ideally matched to the raspy quality of Dylan's voice. The songs have a generally melancholic, twilight air about them and are generally more personal in nature than the more surreal and mystical songs of 60s Dylan. The more you listen the better the songs get
The White Stripes
3/5
Some great riffs, interspersed with some nice melodic strumming. Snatches of songs hinted at Small Faces/ Blind Faith late 60s rock. But nothing on here to compare with seven nation army say and quality of songs a bit patchy
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
A good rendition of late- 60s blues rock with a psych tinge and of course the soaring, raw vocals of Janis Joplin. All sounds very much of its time and feels like this may have had some influence on the likes of early Led Zep.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Very funky as you would expect, perhaps a bit more laid back than the exuberance of Everyday People or Dance to the Music. Family Affair and Runnin Away the stand out tracks. I would happily never hear Space Cowboy again!
Throwing Muses
3/5
Couldn't access on Spotify so will give it a 3 star
SZA
1/5
I know I am not going to like this album so two tracks are enough
5/5
Up there with Bowie's best work, virtually every song is a winner and I don't think Bowie every sang better than he did on Ziggy. Highly recommended!
Kendrick Lamar
1/5
Really not for me. The background music is fine, but not into this type of rapping and explicit lyrics do nothing for me
Van Morrison
5/5
This is an exceptional live album capturing Van Morrison at the peak of his powers. A fine selection of his best songs backed by an immaculate band, plus brass and strings. The recording quality is top notch too
Kings of Leon
2/5
To my ears this is a fairly ordinary collection of rock songs not distinguished by the vocalist, whose style I couldn't take to
Dire Straits
4/5
fine debut album, beautiful understated playing and better in my opinion than the more corporate sound on latter albums. Mark Knopfler's playing is elegant and fluid throughout. Only criticism would be that the songs are all largely low-key, could have done with a little more variation
David Bowie
4/5
A slow burner, aside from the instantly recognisable and fantastic title track. The album has a bleak, dystopian feel with, title track aside, the best numbers being the three instrumentals on side two.
The Who
3/5
There is perhaps enough material here to make a decent single LP, but instead this is way too long and too many mediocre tracks. Underwhelming
Iron Maiden
4/5
Fantastic debut, one of the key albums of the new wave of British heavy metal. Combines raw power, with twin guitars and neat time changes. You can see where Iron Maiden were heading and that the replacement of the limited Paul Dianno with Bruce Dickinson would be a game changer for them. Great stuff!
Shack
3/5
quite good, catchy, indie rock
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Good singer, okay songs but not my genre
Deep Purple
4/5
At its best this captures the classic Deep Purple line-up at its heaviest and melodic best. The combination of Jon Lords keyboard and Richie Blackmore's guitar virtuosity allied to the operatic singing of Ian Gillan is best represented in the first half of the album on Highway Star, Child in Time and Smoke on the Water.
unfortunately the second half is generally more throwaway - the Mule and Lazy are mediocre and Space Trucking is way too long. The original version of the album would have been better served with, for example, Speed King and Black Night.
Really more of a 3.5 than a 4
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
An album very much of its time, and with a range of styles including garage, R&B, acapella, and psychedelia, Humorous undertow to some of the songs will not have aged well. A couple of gems, especially trouble every day, but the closing experimental tracks really don't add much
Def Leppard
4/5
Classy, sophisticated but also full of great riffs, Def Leppard's sound was always a bitt too americanised for me when I was into heavy metal, but listening to iit now they sound far better than most of their NWOBHM counterparts, the title track is a stand out song
The Young Gods
3/5
distinct and not uninteresting. would probably listen again, but would struggle to get through an entire album
Prince
3/5
The title track is of course superb and the rest of the album bumps along well enough in mix of funk, rock and pop. But can't say I was overwhelmed
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
probably my favourite Bob Marley album, great tunes with that mellow early 70s reggae vibe. Lively Up Yourself, Natty Dread and No Woman No Cry (a faster version than he played it live) particularly good.
Lupe Fiasco
2/5
Just not my interest
Alice In Chains
4/5
strong metal album, driving riffs, inventive solos backed up by strong vocals.
Doves
3/5
A very listenable album of melodic, melancholic indie music.
Ray Charles
4/5
fine album highlighting Ray Charles great voice and some classic tunes. I prefer the songs that have a bit more r'n'b about them than the smoother numbers and ballads
Fishbone
2/5
other than a spirited rendition of Curtis Mayfield's Freddie's Dead, I found this to be fairly bland and dull 'rock ordinaire'.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
Classic American folk from the late 50s. Quite simple songs and minimal accompaniment, enjoyable enough but wouldn't sustain my interest beyond one play
The White Stripes
4/5
This is a fine and quite eclectic collection, ranging from familiar riff-driven tunes, to more melodic songs incorporating piano and other instruments. For me this variety makes for a more listenable experience than other White Stripes albums
Parliament
4/5
Great funky album, particularly P-Funk and Mothership Connection. Guaranteed to get you up and dancing
T. Rex
3/5
Starts strongly with Metal Guru and also contains the hits Telegram Sam and Rock On. The remainder of the album is a mix of ballads and chugalong boogie, with one or two tracks perhaps influenced by Led Zep (especially Chariot Choogle). Overall not bad, but the singles easily stand out
The Doors
4/5
An album of two halves. Side one is superb opening with the rocking Roadhouse Blues and maintaining the standard with Waiting for the Sun, Peace Frog and Blue Sunday. Robbie Krieger's guitar is excellent throughout.
Side two is less impressive. But overall one of the Doors best album
Nick Drake
5/5
An absolutely superb album, Nick Drake's best in my opinion. Memorable, haunting songs enhanced by subtle woodwind and brass. Northern Skies, Hazy Jane and The Chime of a City Clock are just sublime
The Clash
4/5
Very good debut, highlighting how the Clash had the potential to be more than just a three chord clash outfit, although tracks like White Riot showed they could do that too. Some highlights include their cover of Police and Thieves, Career Opportunities and London's Burning. Joe Strummer's lyrics are spot on for the politics and social issues of the time
Slade
4/5
The first band I really liked, the first album I bought with my own cash and what I joy to hear it again. Proof that Slade were, first and foremost, a great rock n roll band, not just the brilliant Gubuy to Jane and Mama Weer All Crazee Now, but also the Whole Worlds Going Crazy and How D'You Ride. But there are also moments like Look at Last Nite that reveal a more sensitive side to Slade that foreshadowed Slade in Flame. There are a few fillers but overall a real blast of an album
Mike Ladd
2/5
Some of the backing tracks are interesting but not a fan of hip hop, so cannot rate this album more than a 2*
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
3/5
Curious, slowburning, mix of country, blues and psychedelia, sometimes whimsical, sometimes dark. It grows on you after a time, but material on original album stronger than subsequent additions
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
Okay dance/electronica, but not an album that engages me
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
Sublime performances, a total joy to listen to
Eagles
3/5
Decent mix of soft rock, country and ballads. Take it Easy far and away the best track, then it tales away a bit
B.B. King
4/5
This is a lively recording of B B King in his prime, his guitar virtuosity lighting up a collection of blues and RnB numbers. The only downside is that overfamiliarity with his songs makes it harder to hear this album with fresh ears.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
interesting mix of latin rhythms with pop and psychedelia. Caetano has a nice vocal style and the songs are pleasant enough if a little forgettable
Rush
4/5
I'm a big Rush fan so delighted that 2112 made the 1001 albums list. It's a great representation of the prog-metal style that early Rush made their own. Side one's epic track is what this album is known for - some great riffing, although the Ayn Rand inspired lyrics sound quite naive now (and not typical of Neil Peart's evolving development as a great lyricist). Side two is a mixed bag - Passage to Bangkok remained a favourite and Something for Nothing is a furious tour de force; the other tracks are less memorable
k.d. lang
4/5
k d Lang's voice is so beautiful, lighting up this collection of country songs. Nothing to dislike here
The Hives
3/5
Some great driving riffs, especially Hate to say I told you so and Die, All Right. Got a bit samey after a while
Bob Dylan
5/5
Seminal album highlighting Dylan at his creative peak. Along with Highway 61 Revisited this is the work that separates Dylan from everyone else. So many superb songs, but perhaps the closing four tracks from Mr Tambourine Man to It's All Over Now are hard to beat.
Sam Cooke
3/5
Nice recording featuring Sam Cooke's best known songs. Hearing it 60 years later and knowing the songs well, it does sound a little on the bland/safe side. But an enjoyable listen nevertheless
Fleet Foxes
3/5
First time listening to Fleet Foxes. Quite like their brand of harmonic, folky, slightly psychedelic sound. However, didn't hear much that will stay with me or make me want to hear more from them. Okay I guess
The Beach Boys
2/5
Uninspiring, a shadow of the glory Beach Boy albums of the mid to late 1960s.
Venom
2/5
without doubt a seminal album in the history of heavy metal, but I think it suffers from a lack of melody and is too relentlessly doomladen
4/5
very good blend of symphonic sounds, melodic rock and funk. Songs are all to the point and solos add to rather than take away from the effect
Jurassic 5
2/5
as with most hip hop albums this leaves me cold. I've heard worse but really doesn't engage me
Solomon Burke
4/5
Solomon Burke has such a majestic voice and the better songs on here are soulful and great to dance to
The Temptations
4/5
An interesting transitional album, including some psychedelic tinged numbers like Cloud as well as the more traditional Temptations sound i.e. Gonna Keep on Tryin
A solid effort overall
Stevie Wonder
4/5
A superb double album of Stevie Wonder during his most creative and innovative period. Plenty of highlights including Sir Duke, As, I Wish and Pastime Paradise.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Just didn't interest me at all
Beastie Boys
3/5
Not at all into rap or hip hop, but don't mind this at all. Quite inventive and like the rock undertow to some of the tracks. That said, will probably never listen to this again
The Smiths
4/5
The Smiths go out on a high. Maybe not as strong overall as The Queen is Dead, but still many memorable songs e.g. Unhappy Birthday, Stop Me..., Death of a Disco Dancer.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Bruce's most commercial album? Plenty of his biggest hits here, particularly title track, Cover Me and Dancin in the Dark. Very good, but maybe not my favourite Springsteen album
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
A back to basics album, energetic, and with a raw, live feel. I Want You, Tokyo Storm Warning and Uncomplicated are excellent. Trails off a bit on side two.
Underworld
3/5
This has been playing away in the background without ever really grabbing my attention. Nothing wrong with it, nothing to write home about either
XTC
4/5
This album grew and grew on me. A fine mix of pop, psychedelia and whimsy, reminiscent of, among others, the Beatles and Divine Comedy. Earn Enough for Us is a classic, so catchy.
Sigur Rós
3/5
This album certainly has its moments, particularly the Air-like Sfven-g-englar, but not really sustained across all the tracks.
Small Faces
3/5
A bit of a curiosity this album; one of a number of concept albums released around the late 60s. Not sure it hangs together that well, and the Stanley Unwin bits are just odd. it's also a very English album in the sense that, as with the Kinks, it mixes whimsical and music hall type tunes with psychedelia. Lazy Sunday is a classic but otherwise it has not dated that well.
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
This has just passed over me, not finding it particularly engaging
Talking Heads
2/5
other than Psycho Killer, nothing stood out on this album for me. Sounded like bog standard late-70s new wave. I couldn't hear what the fuss was about
Pink Floyd
2/5
I have always liked Pink Floyd and I loved The Wall when it was released in 1979. Back then (when I was 17) I thought it was a very profound piece of work.
Listening back 45 years later (and not having played the album for many years) I would now side with the critics who described it as pretentious and self-indulgent. Worse still, the music is not that great, being mainly a pastiche of Pink's notional band; only Comfortably Numb stands comparison with the best of Pink Floyd. The Wall reflects Roger Waters' obsessions and, if like me, you now regard him as a swivel-eyed loon, you would do well to give this a wide berth
Gary Numan
3/5
This is better than I imagined it would be, particularly as I had always thought of Gary Numan as a poor man's Bowie tribute act. There's a bit more to the Pleasure Principle than that. Having said that, I don't think any track gets close to Cars and there is a dystopian sameness to many of the songs.
Kate Bush
3/5
Much as I like Kate Bush, I found this a hard album to get into. Couldn't hear anything that stood out.
Pearl Jam
3/5
I liked Pearl Jam's hard rock infused version of grunge, and generally found this to be a listenable and accessible album. Alice and Release were particularly memorable tracks, although not much else stood out.
Common
2/5
As with most rap albums, this really wasn't for me. I've heard worse, but this made no impression on me
Slipknot
2/5
Too thrashy and doom laden for my liking, could have done with a bit more melody. I also don't like the rough, barking style of vocals
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
An interesting collection, displaying a wide variety of styles and influences. ranging from Bowie, Warren Zevon and Jeff Buckley to Americana.
Most tracks are listenable, but not many classics
American Music Club
1/5
unavailable on spotify or prime, so unable to rate
Pixies
2/5
Other than Bone Machine, nothing here that I particularly like. The Pixies brand of indie has never really appealed to me and this album has done nothing to change my mind
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
A real mixed bag. Green Onions is great, and there are some other worthy tracks, like Mo Onions and Lonely Avenue. However, the cover versions on the album, especially Stranger on the Shore and I got a woman, add little to the originals and tend to be a bit cheesy.
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
Very pleasant, easy to listen to. If anything a bit too easy as the album glides by quickly and you find you have only been half listening!
The Temptations
4/5
Generally this is a good album and highlights the funkier direction undertaken by the Temptations, following their motown hit singles era. Papa Was A Rolling Stone is outstanding and even at 11 minutes, does not feel overlong. Other highlights include I Ain't Got Nothin and a good cover of First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Mylo
3/5
At its best this is a nice of mixture of sounds, reminiscent of Moby on some tracks, Air on others. There are a couple of particularly memorable songs, Sunworshipper and the Judie Tzuke sampled Need You Tonight. In other places the music noodles along pleasantly enough without really hitting the spot
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
An ambitious, eclectic and uneven album, showing how Jimi Hendrix was evolving his sound and song writing. Contains many great tracks - Voodoo Chile (slight return), Crosstown Traffic, Gypsy Eyes, All Along the Watchtower - and highlights the fluidity and inventiveness of Hendrix's guitar playing. On occasion it gets a bit self-indulgent, particularly the longer version of Voodoo Chile and 1983 - but overall an exciting and landmark recording.
Beatles
4/5
A poignant listen, knowing this is the last material the Beatles recorded. Overall it is up there with their best songs, with the first side particularly strong - Come Together, Something, Maxwell's Silver Hammer. The medley of songs on side two require more listening to, but they do reveal some hidden gems, such as Golden Slumber and the End and maybe offers some clues as to where Paul McCartney, in particular, was heading musically. Special mention too to George Harrison, whose guitar playing was beautiful throughout
Talking Heads
2/5
As with other Talking Heads albums, this has left me cold and I do not get what others see in them.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Not a bad album and fairly eclectic collection of ballads, pop, rock etc. But nothing that memorable either
Anita Baker
4/5
Anita Baker has a sumptuous voice and this material is well suited to it. Sweet Love is a worthy standout track but there are plenty of other decent tunes on here
The Coral
3/5
A good listen, with a blend of psychedelic tinged pop and rock. The Coral's sound not dissimilar to fellow scouse band the Zutons. Didn't hear anything that was a particular stand out, but decent enough
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
Superb. Amazing harmonies, memorable songs, good lyrics, great musicianship. Side one is particularly strong but there is not a single filler on this album. Personal highlight is Woodstock which is so much better than the Matthews Southern Comfort version
The Sugarcubes
3/5
other than Birthday, there was nothing on this album that would make me want to listen to it again. It's okay but doesn't sound like a classic to me
Morrissey
2/5
I have little interest in Morrisey or time for his public utterances, and haven't followed his post-Smiths career with much interest.
This album is perfectly fine music wise and there are one or two witty lyrics. However the overall mood is one of lachrymose self-pity and is rather morbid in places. I doubt I will listen to any of his other solo work
Digital Underground
2/5
Well this has been playing for what feels like an hour, but am only on track three. Like majority of hip hop albums in the 1001 albums, the charms of this genre have largely passed me by. The tracks play in the background but they are making no impression, good or bad, whatsoever
Brian Eno
3/5
Not a bad listen but not many really memorable tracks
Pink Floyd
5/5
Simply my favourite album of all time. Thoughtful, warm, memorable, imaginative, cohesive. Truly an album of the ages