Thoughts on first 2 play throughs - some cool moments, some okay, and some skippable. Not a big fan of the use of saxophone and flute, and some songs stick out as being out of place for me personally (Moondance and …Crazy Love - both good songs, and Everyone). Glad Tidings is a bit too Brown Eyed Girl.
Listened to the album a few times, had to turn off on the 3rd or 4th play through somewhere in the 2nd half.
I came back for another listen a few hours later and found skipping Moondance made the album a more cohesive and enjoyable experience. This album has grown on me throughout the day and is one I can see myself coming back to. This is my first generated album so I may look back and think otherwise but would rate it 3/5 - 3.5/5 if that was possible
I was prepared to really dislike this album. My expectations were low given it only came out last year and Lana isn’t someone I’ve ever given much attention to. That changed with “Down at the Men in Music Business Conference” in White Dress, a line that’s an unexpected fit for the melody but works beautifully. The whispery vocals feel vulnerable and secretive. It pulled me straight in.
The title song, Tulsa Jesus Freak, Yosemite and Dark But Just a Game are all highlights.
Reminiscent of Warpaint.
The problem with this album is it often feels like listening to one long 45 minute song. I found it more enjoyable listening in 2 halves with a long breather in between.
3/5
Can't help but smile listening to this album. Happy, positive 90s hip hop. Incredibly inoffensive and a stark, conscious contrast to other hip hop records of the time. Cool instrumentation and delivery.
Highlights: Mr Wendal, Fishin' 4 Religion, Give a Man a Fish, Tennessee
This album doesn’t just demand the listener’s undivided attention, it ties it down in it’s vice-like grip and consumes it whole. Cohen’s beautiful and poignant poetry have my goosebump muscles working overtime. You feel the pain and emotion on every track. Genius.
Highlights: Suzanne, The Stranger Song, Sisters of Mercy, So Long, Marianne, Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye
Probably the easiest 5/5 to score
I hadn’t heard this before so was expecting the happy chappy Beach Boys but should’ve known better from the artwork. Darker and hardly any mention of bloody surfing.
Struggled to get into it and found most songs forgettable. Convinced myself I’d give it a 2/5 but listened to it again on a run and warmed to it. Not sure I’ll necessarily rush back for another listen soon but I can appreciate it for what it is.
Highlights: Disney Girls, ‘Til I Die, Surf’s Up
I hadn’t heard any John Martyn before and wow, this album is incredible. I’d immediately made comparisons to Nick Drake before reading that he and Martyn were friends and Solid Air was written as a warning and homage to Drake who sadly died 18 months after release.
I’d Rather Be The Devil (a Skip James cover) evokes the grittiness of Nick Cave which I love. My only gripe is this track goes on probably 2:30 too long with an instrumental. Also not massive on the sax solo on Dreams By The Sea though the rest of the song is great.
Highlights: Solid Air, Over The Hill, Don’t Want To Know, I’d Rather Be The Devil, Dreams By The Sea, The Man In The Station
Were it not for the 2 gripes listed above I’d have given this 5/5. I’ll be looking for this record on vinyl
This album is kinda cool but I think I’m more a fan of Zappa’s other work. This is more jazz than expected and I did find myself skipping towards the end of The Gumbo Variations.
Highlights: Peaches En Regalia
This is a decent 70s rock record ruined by flute. There’s no need for this much flute. Other than that, there are elements in every single song that I really like despite sometimes coming across a bit rock musical.
Aqualung has Sabbath heavy riffs and is probably my favourite track. Importantly it’s one of the few tracks without flute. Up To Me has a riff that almost sounds like it came from the Melvins - would be infinitely better without flute. Same goes for Lick Your Fingers Clean.
Highlights: Aqualung, Hymn 43, Wind-Up
3/5
Nick Drake was apparently a big fan of Bert which is clear to see listening to this album. Technically a brilliant guitar player whom Neil Young dubbed the Jimi Hendrix of acoustic guitar. I really enjoyed this. Needle of Death might be one of my favourite songs ever. Sad, morose and beautiful.
Highlights: Needle Of Death, I Have No Time, Do You Hear Me Now, Rambling’s Gonna Be The Death Of Me, Alice’s Wonderland, Running From Home, Angie
Fugazi’s Repeater was an album I had on heavy rotation even before learning it was in the 1001. I love this band.
Highlights: Repeater, Merchandise, Blueprint, Sieve-Fisted Find
We listened to this on the day the Queen died (8.9.22) having come back from a meal at Passione Vino. It oddly felt like a fitting tribute.
Despite Morrissey being a complete and utter bellend, this album is brilliant.
Highlights: Cemetry Gates onwards
Really great album. Amazing sampling, smile inducing tunes. Bought this record a few years ago off the back of Frontier Psychiatrist.
Highlights: Since I Left You, Frontier Psychiatrist, Close to You, Flight Tonight
This is a weird one but it’s grown on me. I’m not in love but I don’t hate it either. It’s also hard to describe but I imagined the whole album being played by a bunch of penguins which is kinda cool. Ukelele, harpsichord, strings, electric piano, suicide, violins, guitar, “The Queen is dead”.
Zopf: A Sydney Motel gave slight Elliott Smith/The For Carnation. The whole records feels all over the place. It’s out there and never boring
I can appreciate the musicianship but 19 and 23 minute long jams bore the fuck out of me.
Enjoyed. Funky as shit. Family Affair is clearly the stand out track (and the only one I knew before today). (You Caught Me) Smilin’ and Luv ‘N’ Haight are other highlights. Lost me with the yodelling Spaced Cowboy
Couldn’t wait for it to be over. One listen through was enough. Don’t like Springsteen. 1/5
Great record. Bought this on vinyl a few years ago. It’s an album to put on and let it wash all over you. A hip hop, sampling masterclass.
Highlights: Building Stream With A Grain of Salt, The Number Song, Changeling, Mutual Slump
I like this record though probably not my favourite Stones album. I’m listening to the UK release so no Paint It Black (which is an absolute banger). Their first album full of originals. To me there are songs that sound similar to other artists of the time which isn’t a bad thing, they’re just on the journey to full blown Stones. Going Home is too long. Stupid Girl and Under My Thumb are on the misogynistic side which can’t be ignored but as songs they’re really good.
Highlights: Mother’s Little Helper, Stupid Girl, Under My Thumb, Out Of Time
I’m a big fan of The Kinks but admittedly haven’t dug deep into their back catalogue. I’m so grateful this generator gave me the kick to do just that.
On first listen I was drawn immediately to the more energetic, distorted guitar laced tracks like Love Me Till The Sun Shines and David Watts and a more passing appreciation of the more “jangly” numbers like Death of a Clown and Harry Rag. But the more I consumed, the more I was consumed. A varied and brilliant album. Not to forget that this contains one of my favourite songs ever - Waterloo Sunset.
Highlights: David Watts, Death of a Clown, Love Me Till the Sun Shines, Afternoon Tea, Lazy Old Sun, Waterloo Sunset
This record made me realise I can’t listen to R.E.M. for too long at once. Maybe it’s just this album but it starts to grate a little by the end. Could be the jangly guitar, more likely Stipe’s vocal delivery. Doesn’t help that the very skippable and annoying We Walk features towards the end. I do prefer their 2nd album Reckoning so maybe it is just this album. There are parts I really like so it’s a 3/5 for me.
America’s version of The Smiths.
Highlights: Radio Free Europe (album starts with a bang), Sitting Still, 9-9 (instrumental the most interesting track on the record)
For me, Joplin was a name of a troubled artist that was an unfortunate member of the 27 Club. Two songs I had previously been exposed to were Mercedes Benz and Cry Baby appear on this album. But damn, what a voice! Big show tunes with a great band. Move Over brings bluesy, high energy. A Woman Left Lonely shows a mellow vulnerability. Half Moon the swinging funk. This is really good
Highlights: Move Over, Cry Baby, Half Moon
Really like Sebadoh and have been listening to them for years. Soul and Fire is a banger and the rest of the album is a bit of a rollercoaster from mellow to frantic. I think I prefer Bakesale but still great album
Not usually a fan of live albums but this has got to be one of the best. All the songs are gems and the interaction with the inmates elevate them to another level. Their whooping and booing during San Quentin is infectious.
Pantera have been a bit of a palette cleanser on this list which I’ve really enjoyed. Loud, heavy, brutal chaos. Fucking Hostile says it perfectly. Don’t think I’d ever properly listened to them before so I’m glad this come up. Dimebag shreds. Anselmo is a racist piece of shit
Was at a wedding in the Cotswolds (Penny) when this album came up so didn’t have time to give it my full attention. I liked what I heard
Very close to rating this a 4*. So many bangers including Up Around The Bend and Who'll Stop The Rain (my personal favourite). Cool cover of I Heard It Through The Grapevine. Bluesy rock n roll without being jammy and wanky.
Highlights: Who'll Stop The Rain, Up Around The Bend, Lookin' Out My Back Door
Inoffensive but pretty boring. Felt like a slog to get through at just under an hour. I have an appreciation but it’s just not for me
I love Iggy and The Stooges. Raw Power is up there as one of my favourite records ever. This would be a 5* but for the super long We Will Fall. I Wanna Be Your Dog is one of the best songs every recorded
This is bloody brilliant. For me it doesn’t have any standout hits, it’s just back to back gems. Masterpiece. Listening to this only makes me wish I could’ve also rated Something Else 5* too. Great album
Genius album by a genius band. I have no faults. It’s perfect.
For me this album illustrates how much easier it would be to rate out of 10 instead of 5. I was expecting the wails of Bruce but was pleasantly surprised to hear the biting rasp of Di’Anno. This is a meeting of punk and metal and I like it.
Out of 10 I’d give it a 7 but 3/5 would be too low
Pretty good. Not life changing but found myself humming along to some tracks.
Middle of the road. Some good songs, some skippable. Gotta Get Up is fun. Without You and Coconut are a bit annoying
Really great album. Recognised more songs than I thought I would. Completely understand how important and monumental this would’ve been at the time. Possibly dragged towards the end
Great album, one of PJ’s best
Banging. So good. One of my fave hip hop records
Love Nick Cave but this isn’t my fave 3.5
