1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

143
Albums Rated
3.05
Average Rating
13%
Complete
946 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

2010
Favorite Decade
Hip-hop
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
10
5-Star Albums
5
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Top Styles

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Ghosteen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5 2.95 +2.05
The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
5 3.25 +1.75
xx
The xx
5 3.35 +1.65
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
5 3.4 +1.6
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
5 3.45 +1.55
21
Adele
5 3.69 +1.31
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
5 3.96 +1.04
A Seat at the Table
Solange
4 3 +1

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
1 3.5 -2.5
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Dead Kennedys
1 3.27 -2.27
Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
2 4.04 -2.04
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
2 3.93 -1.93
Infected
The The
1 2.93 -1.93
The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
1 2.61 -1.61
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
2 3.46 -1.46
Amnesiac
Radiohead
2 3.42 -1.42
Punishing Kiss
Ute Lemper
1 2.4 -1.4
Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
2 3.37 -1.37

Artists

Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
David Bowie 3 4.33

5-Star Albums (10)

View Album Wall

Popular Reviews

Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

So here it is sports fans - my first 5 star rating for an album I’ve never heard of before. Admittedly not listened to much Nick Cave at all, but I love his work on The Proposition and his score for The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford is one of my favourite film scores of all time. I could hear bits of his work there in this album - maybe it’s the way he composes music, I dunno. Don’t know enough about music to pinpoint it so I’ll stop there with that bit of expert commentary. First track had me straight away and got me reading up on it. Listening to the rest of the album in the context of his life struck something in me. Apple Music said it’s an album about love, loss and letting go and I think that genuinely comes across. Stunning throughout. Very deep for the start of a New Year but why not? So there ya go - my “5 on a first listen.” Delighted this list got me to listen to this.

Killing Joke by Killing Joke

2 Thought it started off decent but got weaker as it went on.

Infected by The The

If I was a teenager in the 80s and I found this cassette tape in a friend’s Walkman, I’d stage an intervention. 1 star out of five. Now pack it in with your shite.

The Age Of The Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets

Brilliant. Bold step away from what the Arctics were doing at the time and put me on Miles Kane properly (think I’d only heard Rascalize at the time). Some of my favourite songs are on this album. Age of The Understatement is massive. Standing Next To Me is superb (did a duet with one of the lads on karaoke to this in a bar in Portugal. Nobody had a clue what was going on.) The Meeting Place and The Time Has Come Again are close to perfect. Amazing album.

1-Star Albums (5)

All Ratings (143)

Blackstar by David Bowie
Sep 06 2022

Favourite song: Lazarus One for the karaoke: Lazarus One for the car: Girl Loves Me Death dream of album.

Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós
Sep 07 2022

Favourite song: Hjartaõ Hamast (Bamm Bamm Bamm) One for the karaoke: Staràflur One for the car: Olsen Olsen Didn’t understand a word that was said. Lovely stuff

Fragile by Yes
Sep 08 2022

Favourite song: Roundabout One for the karaoke: South Side of the Sky One for the car: Long Distance Runaround Waited for that 70s rock banger that never really dropped

Bad Company by Bad Company
Sep 09 2022

Favourite song: Seagull One for karaoke: Rock Steady One for the car: Can’t Get Enough A band being called Bad Company naming an album Bad Company with a song on it called Bad Company is the type of of overkill I can get behind. 3 stars.

The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
Sep 12 2022

Favourite song: The Boy With A Thorn In His Side One for Karaoke: Frankly Mr Shankly One for the Car: There Is A Light That Never Goes Out I didn’t realise you wrote poetry. I didn’t realise you wrote such bloody awful poetry, Mr Shankly.

Private Dancer by Tina Turner
Sep 13 2022

Favourite song: Private Dancer One for the Karaoke: What’s Love Got To Do With It? One for the Car: Show Some Respect TT holdin’ it down baby

From Elvis In Memphis by Elvis Presley
Sep 14 2022

Favourite song: Wearin’ That Loved On Look (what an opener) One for the Karaoke: Suspicious Minds, but I’d do the version that keeps looping and getting faster as everyone collectively loses their minds and I get sweatier with each passing second, with my hair becoming more and more unkempt. It would end with me dropping to the floor, exhausted and getting loads of women’s underwear and M&Ms lashed at me. One for the Car: I’m Movin’ On Made my drive home from work a bloody good treat.

Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys
Sep 15 2022

Favourite song: We Will Not Be Lovers One for the karaoke: The Stolen Child (be so funny to see people’s faces) One for the car: World Party Felt like I was in the Shire for half of it.

Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Sep 16 2022

Favourite song: Three Little Birds One for the Karaoke: One Love One for the Car: Jamming Every little thing gonna be alright

Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
Sep 19 2022

I cannot remember any song. It’s a bank holiday weekend and the MW2 beta came out, so cut me some slack.

The Healer by John Lee Hooker
Sep 20 2022

Favourite song: Sally Mae One for the car: I’m in the mood One for Karaoke: My Dream Could see myself drinking a whisky in the French Quarter of New Orleans to this

Sep 21 2022

Favourite song: C.R.E.A.M One for the karaoke: METHOD MAN (including the intro) One for the car: Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ I just wish they weren’t so family friendly. 4/5

The Man Who by Travis
Sep 22 2022

Favourite Song: Driftwood One for the Karaoke: Why Does It Always Rain On Me? One for the Car: Why Does It Always Rain On Me? Why Does It Alway Rain On Me love looks like a really good time.

Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
Sep 23 2022

Favourite Song: Can You Get To That One for the Karaoke: Hit it & Quit It One for the Car: Maggot brain. Could imagine floating around Los Santos doing bits to this

Sep 26 2022

I can’t pick any song out because it fell on a Friday and I’ve not been able to review for two days. There is a new album today, so I’m not listening again. No pun intended, respect what she does, but I was a bit bored listening to this one.

Ace of Spades by Motörhead
Sep 27 2022

Favourite song: Ace of Spades One for karaoke: Ace of Spades One for the car: Ace of Spades. Goes a million miles an hour from the off, right the way to the end. Was convinced every song was Ace of Spades - as you can see

Infected by The The
Sep 28 2022

If I was a teenager in the 80s and I found this cassette tape in a friend’s Walkman, I’d stage an intervention. 1 star out of five. Now pack it in with your shite.

Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris
Sep 29 2022

Favourite song: Michelangelo One for the karaoke: Michelangelo to get deep One for the car: One Big Love (at least I think it was that) Seemed to never end

Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction
Sep 30 2022

Favourite song: Mountain Song One for the Karaoke: Jane Says One for the Car: Summertime Rolls - felt like I was Rudy searching for the new sound on The Mighty Boosh This album had a song about pissing in the shower.

Protection by Massive Attack
Oct 03 2022

Favourite song: Weather Storm (reminded me of a bit of music on Disco Elysium. One for the Karaoke: Light My Fire cover One for the Car: Heat Miser Just wanted to listen to Teardrop really

Is This It by The Strokes
Oct 04 2022

Favourite song: Someday One for the karaoke: Last Night One for the car: Hard To Explain Classic

Your Arsenal by Morrissey
Oct 05 2022

Favourite song: You’re The One For Me, Fatty One for the karaoke: We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful One for the car: Glamorous Glue Big in Mexico

Face to Face by The Kinks
Oct 06 2022

Was busy when listening to this so forgot to look at each song name when it was playing. Decent though. I saw Ray Davies in Benicassim once and he caught a glow stick thrown by crowd mid gig and put it in his pocket to take home. Kicked straight into You Really Got Me after it. It was quite cool.

Oct 07 2022

Favourite song: Step On (think it’s familiarity bias in honesty though.) One for the karaoke: Kinky Afro One for the car: Dennis and Lois I reckon this was all that was going played in Ute’s dressing room in the early 90s

Under Construction by Missy Elliott
Oct 10 2022

Favourite song: Gossip Folks One for the karaoke: Pussycat - I just know that this was Nick and Shaun’s favourite song, so to see their faces light up as I dedicated this to them in Woody’s would mean the world to me. One for the car: Slide Great to see the lads Method Man, Ludacris and Jay Z show up but there were some lyrics in this album that made me me want to steam iron my fingers x

The Blueprint by JAY Z
Oct 11 2022

Favourite song: Takeover One for the karaoke: Izzo One for the car: Heart of the City It’s a high 3 for sure

Tanto Tempo by Bebel Gilberto
Oct 12 2022

Favourite song: Bananiera One for the karaoke: Bananiera One for the car: Bananiera Around 2 minutes 18 seconds in to the 2nd song, for a short while, it clicked for me and I could understand Portuguese. Happened on and off throughout the album and I cannot explain it. Like - I know the title of the song translates to August Day Song, but how? Also - Bananeira. Enough said.

Vauxhall And I by Morrissey
Oct 13 2022

Favourite song: The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get One for the karaoke: Billy Bud One for the car: Billy Bud Glad I didn’t skip.

Thriller by Michael Jackson
Oct 14 2022

Favourite song: Human Nature One for the karaoke: The Girl Is Mine (a duet with one of either Shaun or Nick. I will be MJ or McCartney - I’m not fussed.) One for the car: Wanna Be Starting Something Here it is - my first 5. Had no choice. The wiki states MJ wanted to make an album where “every song was a killer” and Quincy Jones has absolutely bingoed it. Not a skip worthy song on it. Silly, really.

Elvis Is Back by Elvis Presley
Oct 17 2022

Favourite song: The Girl of My Best Friend One for the karaoke: Fever for the finger clicks One for the car: The Girl Next Door Went a’Walking Really enjoyed it. Came out 1960, but had proper height of the 50s vibes. Just didn’t enjoy it quite as much as Elvis In Memphis

Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
Oct 18 2022

Favourite song: Desire Lines One for the karaoke: Coronado One for the car: Memory Boy Enjoyed this. Some of the songs sounded too similar, though, which is why it’s a 3 from me.

Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Oct 19 2022

Me and my band wouldn’t dare make an album with a run time of 1hr 31mins.

Brown Sugar by D'Angelo
Oct 20 2022

Quite boring in all honesty. Says “sugar” a lot. No ‘Unshaken’

NEU! 75 by Neu!
Oct 21 2022

Nice music

Oct 24 2022

Catching up so not doing usual format (might bin that format off altogether to be honest) It’s a solid 3

Fun House by The Stooges
Oct 25 2022

Down On The Street is a great opener. Nice 36 mins run time Decent - high 3

Deserter's Songs by Mercury Rev
Oct 26 2022

What a schizophrenic, creepy album. I was walking the dog as it was getting dark behind a railway track and through a tunnel whilst Pick Up If You’re There was on. Head was on a swivel. 3 stars.

Oct 28 2022

Great stuff. To Zion is deep. Have a lot of nostalgia for this album - it takes me back to the late 90s. Couldn’t help but think throughout how I should have given The Blueprint a 4 as well for some reason. Huge regret. I will also reiterate/stand by my view that no album should be running close to 120 minutes though. Not even by the Beatles or 5ive

Oct 31 2022

One of the greatest ever to do it. Dark with some humour in thrown in. Obsessed with it when I was younger and proper enjoyed listening to it again after yeaaaaaarsss.

Brothers by The Black Keys
Nov 01 2022

Excellent stuff. Not a bad song on it I don’t think and probably my favourite album by them. Made me want to get my leather jacket out. Saw The Black Keys at glasto once, but they didn’t seem too enthused to be there which was weird.

Amnesiac by Radiohead
Nov 02 2022

These guys clearly obviously have got something special about them because of how they’re regarded and I’m trying my very best to get on board This one didn’t really do it for me

Cafe Bleu by The Style Council
Nov 03 2022

You’re The Best Thing is a classic, but the rest was quite boring.

Funeral by Arcade Fire
Nov 04 2022

What an album. Magical even. I remember seeing them at the Pyramid at glasto and Wake Up with all the flags and that waving was goosebumps gear. That Win Butler is a dirty ticket though isn’t he?

Nov 07 2022

Hated every second of this. Forgot it was real at one point and thought it was Matt Stone and Trey Parker titting about

Peter Gabriel by Peter Gabriel
Nov 08 2022

La la la Liv-er-pool, Liv-er-pool! La la la Liv-er-pool, Liv-er-pool! X

Exit Planet Dust by The Chemical Brothers
Nov 09 2022

Boss 1990s Mortal Kombat-esque beats

Joan Baez by Joan Baez
Nov 10 2022

Think 2 is a bit of a harsh rating for this one as I oddly enjoyed it. But it’s not something I would listen to normally and one listen is enough for me. Could definitely see someone like Tarantino using one of these songs in a film of his or something for some reason

Time Out Of Mind by Bob Dylan
Nov 11 2022

Some decent songs, but got a little bored at points. People will see this as sacrilege against Robert Dylan BUT I DON’T GIVE A FUCK 3 stars.

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Nov 14 2022

Excellent stuff again. They’re magic I’ll always say it. I struggled with this one because I wanted to give it more than a 4 but I only gave Funeral a 4 and I’m not sure if it’s better than that, so they both get 4.9s.

Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone
Nov 15 2022

Started off really well, but then I lost interest a bit towards the end. Still enjoyed it for the most part

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Nov 16 2022

Not as up on RHCP as I should be, so enjoyed this one. A number of bangers and I think they can do both loud/fast and chill with the weedy pop pops really well

B-52's by The B-52's
Nov 17 2022

Sounds like people having fun to me, but one listen was enough. Rock Lobster caught me off guard as I never placed the song with the band

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme by Simon & Garfunkel
Nov 18 2022

Pleasant listen with Scarborough Fair and Homeward Bound the ones I was most familiar with. Everyone - Simon, Garfunkel, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme all did good work here and can be pleased with themselves. 3 stars.

Heartattack And Vine by Tom Waits
Nov 21 2022

Not for me. Did make me think of an alternate reality in which he did the soundtrack to Toy Story though.

Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
Nov 22 2022

Was very late to the Led Zeppelin train (think that’s called super off peak in train terms), only giving them a proper listen in my mid twenties. Boss sound that’s very recognisable. Enjoyed this one

Dire Straits by Dire Straits
Nov 23 2022

Boss. Me dad got me on these early doors. That Sultans of Swing is the very definition of a toe tapper and the guitar solo outro is perfection

Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode
Nov 24 2022

Pleasantly surprised by this one! Really enjoyed it. Stays in the library

Gorillaz by Gorillaz
Nov 25 2022

Thought it was okay, with some classics mixed in. Very troubled listening to it though and I want to explain why below. I have this weird deep rooted association with Damon Albarn (maybe just his voice? I dunno) and 1) Brexit gammons or 2) Uni students from places like Bournemouth who bounce into lectures wearing absolutely battered webs that smell like damp. On freshers week they go “lads lads lads” and drink shit beer and still wear those same smelly webs. No matter the weather. I don’t know what it is - maybe it’s the amount of proper British style adverts some Blur songs have been used on during my childhood or something, but the association is there and I can’t do anything about it. I realise this is a massively unfair way to judge an album/artist and he’s no doubt very talented so I’ve gone with a 3 I’m so FUCKING WOKE AND CAN DO WHAT I WANT. (Disclaimer that I still think Dare and Stylo are top, top tier despite what I’ve just said above.) All said and done - 3 stars. We move on. Let’s not dwell.

C'est Chic by CHIC
Nov 29 2022

Funk. All about it. Appreciate it. Saw them at Sevvy Park and it was boogie town. 3 stars.

The Madcap Laughs by Syd Barrett
Nov 30 2022

Not for me. I’m sure there are people who absolutely love this and can break down every chord and lyric but I just couldn’t get into it at all.

Killing Joke by Killing Joke
Dec 01 2022

2 Thought it started off decent but got weaker as it went on.

Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones
Dec 02 2022

Enjoyed it. Surprised with how bluesy is was in parts

Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Dec 05 2022

Didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I did. Had peaks and troughs though. Peaks were at beginning and end for me

The Age Of The Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets
Dec 06 2022

Brilliant. Bold step away from what the Arctics were doing at the time and put me on Miles Kane properly (think I’d only heard Rascalize at the time). Some of my favourite songs are on this album. Age of The Understatement is massive. Standing Next To Me is superb (did a duet with one of the lads on karaoke to this in a bar in Portugal. Nobody had a clue what was going on.) The Meeting Place and The Time Has Come Again are close to perfect. Amazing album.

Punishing Kiss by Ute Lemper
Dec 07 2022

Sounds like a compilation of JRPG soundtrack songs through the years.

Ray Of Light by Madonna
Dec 08 2022

I know Madonna but haven’t listened to Madonna other than the obvious hits that come on the radio, but as soon as I heard the first couple of songs, I knew that ‘Frozen’ was going to be on this album. Wasn’t terrible but did bore me a fair bit. Would have had it to ‘Beautiful Stranger’ if it was on this one but it wasn’t so that’s that.

Heaven Or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
Dec 09 2022

Kept me interested throughout this one - enjoyed it. Titular track ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’ is a cracker

Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
Dec 12 2022

High 3 for me. Enjoyed it. Deffo want to go back to The Rolling Stones when my music rotation is not as Christmas heavy. One listen isn’t really a fair reflection and there’s multiple albums on here that would have benefitted from more than one listen to be fair.

Rio by Duran Duran
Dec 13 2022

I feel like every Duran Duran song I’ve ever heard is on this album.

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Dec 15 2022

Love it’s sound. Stays in the library. 4 stars out of five….and that’s unheard of.

Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Dec 16 2022

So here it is sports fans - my first 5 star rating for an album I’ve never heard of before. Admittedly not listened to much Nick Cave at all, but I love his work on The Proposition and his score for The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford is one of my favourite film scores of all time. I could hear bits of his work there in this album - maybe it’s the way he composes music, I dunno. Don’t know enough about music to pinpoint it so I’ll stop there with that bit of expert commentary. First track had me straight away and got me reading up on it. Listening to the rest of the album in the context of his life struck something in me. Apple Music said it’s an album about love, loss and letting go and I think that genuinely comes across. Stunning throughout. Very deep for the start of a New Year but why not? So there ya go - my “5 on a first listen.” Delighted this list got me to listen to this.

Nevermind by Nirvana
Dec 19 2022

5 One of the best ever made. In Bloom, Come As You Are and Something In The Way some of my favourites. Don’t need to say more than that. Superb.

Rattus Norvegicus by The Stranglers
Dec 20 2022

Think I went through this one twice by accident as it was on shuffle for some reason. Not really my cup of tea but did enjoy being suprised by Peaches. Spooky lads

Rock 'N Soul by Solomon Burke
Dec 21 2022

Enjoyed it. Probably not one I’ll listen to again like but was decent

Immigrés by Youssou N'Dour
Dec 23 2022

I respect it

Bossanova by Pixies
Dec 28 2022

Been ages since I listened to this album. Love Pixies and their sound and I’m torn between whether this is a 3 or a 4. Going to err on the side of caution and give it a high 3. With multiple listens, could see this being a 4. Banged a lot of 5s out lately and don’t want people thinking I’ve gone soft. Actually fuck Pixies.

Smile by Brian Wilson
Dec 29 2022

Started off okay and I was like “Brian Wilson - toe tapper city”, but as it went on it just started to annoy the shit out of me. A large gripe of mine is that there shouldn’t be any period in history where an album is composed of instruments found in a clown’s handbag. There is absolutely no need for the amount of whizzle poppers and snazzle bangers that appear on this album - whatever you want to call them, you know what I mean. A lot of my annoyance may be down to the fact that I was walking the dog in the dark when listening to this and a rogue whizzle popper came out of nowhere and scared the shit out of me, but you’ll never know for sure. I felt things were made okay again by the time I got around to Good Vibrations, but then I remembered this lasting image of Brian playing a festival somewhere (might have been glasto), singing this song and the crowd having a great time, but he just looked gutted to be there. Like a bad night in the casino had forced him to play a gig purely to take him out of the red. Hate that. It’s getting a 2. I know it’s harsh but I’m at odds with how an album called ‘Smile’ can put me in a bad mood. Seems almost patronising thinking about it. “Smile - it may never happen.” Fuck off, Brian.

Frank by Amy Winehouse
Jan 02 2023

Never listened to an Amy Winehouse album all the way through before. Respect it and can see what a talent she was. That being said, not hugely my cup of tea so it sits at a high 3. Can feel the fume.

The Chronic by Dr. Dre
Jan 03 2023

Weirdly no longer available on steaming platforms but listened to it not too long ago in the grand scheme of things. Have a bias towards this album because I grew up on all of that stuff. Back when hip hop was at its best. Boss.

L.A. Woman by The Doors
Jan 04 2023

Never listened to The Doors really. Familiar with Riders on the Storm which is superb, but the rest were unfamiliar to me. Enjoyed it but not one I’d go back to I don’t think.

Street Signs by Ozomatli
Jan 05 2023

Can’t find this anywhere. Placeholder 3. Bit harsh to give something a 1 when not listened to it, but won’t let me submit without a score

Young Americans by David Bowie
Jan 06 2023

Yet again Bowie shows he was years before his time. Such a change from RAFOZS and only two years in between. Fame is just top, top tier. Got to say though, I really don’t like the Across The Universe Cover, but he’s allowed a slip every now and then.

Revolver by Beatles
Jan 09 2023

Got to love me some Beatles. Eleanor Rigby, Here, There and Everywhere, Taxman and Good Day Sunshine my standouts. Scouse x

The White Album by Beatles
Jan 10 2023

Amazing how all over the place this album is. Saying that I’m meaning it in the best way possible. Could do anything/any sound as a band and make it sound great. Had to check auto play hadn’t started a new album by a new band for Good Night. Belter Skelter (auto correct changed that and I’m not correcting it) Obla Di, While My Guitar my stand outs, with Blackbird one of my favourite Beatles songs ever

Jan 11 2023

REM are boss. Was going to give this a 4 but I gave The White Album a 4 and it’s not quite there. Man On The Moon, Night Swimming Everybody Hurts and Sweetness Follows my stand outs. High 3 - boss album

Spiderland by Slint
Jan 12 2023

Found it interesting - particularly what the album itself consists of. Quite raw in a good way, but honestly no one I’d go back to I don’t think

Palo Congo by Sabu
Jan 13 2023

Not going to lie, made me do a little shoulder shimmy whilst working. Appreciate it, but ultimately does not take up a permanent spot in my library

Jan 16 2023

Bit of a passive listen for me this one so score might not be a fair reflection. But maybe the fact that I was passive and a little bored maybe tells me something about the album - who knows

Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jan 17 2023

Two CCR albums I’ve listened to fully know and I really like their sound. Know instantly it’s them. Cannot stand Tina Turner’s version of Proud Mary, but the original here is class. Boss album, big fan.

Grace by Jeff Buckley
Jan 18 2023

Very 90s. Really good voice, really good cover of Hallelujah. Probably won’t come back to it.

Copper Blue by Sugar
Jan 20 2023

Also very 90s. Didn’t hate it, but not sure why I had to listen to this album before I die. Proper neggy comment, I know.

Queen II by Queen
Jan 23 2023

I like queen, never listened to this album before. Thought it was sound. Seven Seas of Rhye the standout for me. Low 3

American Beauty by Grateful Dead
Jan 24 2023

A little bit bluesy. Never listens to Grateful Dead before. Enjoyed it - well done everyone

Jan 25 2023

Felt like I was in Temple Bar for the whole thing. Fiesta is class. Was going to give it a 2 because I don’t think I’d go back to it/not something I’d lash on in the car but I feel that’s a bit harsh so low 3 for me. Pogue Mahone

Graceland by Paul Simon
Jan 26 2023

Boss album this I think. The classics are in there - great the way he nailed the African influences throughout the album. You Can Call Me Al warms my red bastard heart whenever I hear it. So there

Rip It Up by Orange Juice
Jan 27 2023

What a name Orange Juice is. Started well, then bored me after bit.

White Ladder by David Gray
Jan 30 2023

David Gray’s magnum opus? Excellent album, boss voice. Saw him at the philharmonic and he was boss - funny fella too. I back DG x

The Stooges by The Stooges
Jan 31 2023

The stooges Their debut album came weeks after James Newell Osterberg Jr changed his name to Iggy Pop. Inspired by a practical joke by a band member who wants to remain nameless, Osterberg noticed how funny it was that a sneaky, inconspicuous bifter exploded in his own face. Watching all his peers literally shit their trousers with laughter and feeling Ciggy Pop was too on the nose, he made the decision there and then to drop the C and change his name. So to was born, Iggy Pop - king of the human terrapins. Iggy (artist formally known as Jay) was said to have found the inspiration for his first song in the bottom of a Sour Cream & Onion Pringles tin. Noting how, if he gently spoke into it whilst tickling the bottom, it would reverb in a G Minor Diminished Sparkle. No such note appears in 1969, but it made him wonder “what if?” Pop wrote the majority of the album in the back of a Citroen Xara that had been converted into a really small, but reasonable air BnB. He used a banana with lead punched into the bottom as his pencil, and a sheet of bounty for his paper. Both We Will Fall and Real Cool Time were written in Wing Dings, size 14. Pop went on to try and nab the talents of world renowned music producer Rick Ruben for his input on the latter half of the album. The band though, found his input lacking, partly due the creative differences and also because Rick was a 5 year old child at the time of recording. The album itself received rave reviews - not necessarily amazing, but all conducted during a rave. An approach that music critics soon abandoned in the mid 70s due to discrepancies appearing in most scribe notes that used the method. Following the success of the album, Iggy Pop fancied a name change again and it wasn’t too long, in fact - In nineteen ninety eight, where undertaker threw mankind off hell in a cell and plummeted sixteen feet through an announcer’s table. 3 stars out of 5.

21 by Adele
Feb 01 2023

So I am not an Adele fan. Don’t hate her by any means, I just mean that I’ve never listened to an album of hers all the way through before and none of her music is in my library. I thought about this one a bit after listening and I have to say, with no existing bias towards her whatsoever, I’m going to have to give it a 5. I can’t think of many albums with such a strong first half. This first 5 songs from Rolling In The Deep to Set Fire To The Rain was relentless. There was one song in the middle I’d not hear before and then it went on to a really strong finish. I can’t say that Adele will take a permanent place in my library rotation after this, but you’ve got to give credit where it’s due as the saying goes. Brilliant album to be fair. Weird one for me to give a 5 and not have it in my library already and then subsequently choose not add it after giving it that score. But I feel confident in the score “I was in the o2 signing my lungs out, Rudeboy - you’re never too big for Adele” - Stormzy, Big For Your Boots - Feb 2017.

Hms Fable by Shack
Feb 02 2023

Decent listen this. Never heard of them before which is mad because they’re from Liverpool

Melodrama by Lorde
Feb 03 2023

Green Light is a banger. Never listened to a Lorde album all the way through before. I remember David Bowie saying she was the future of music years ago which is high praise. I thought he was high on spice at the time, which was maybe a little unfair. Enjoyed the album, it has been added to the library rotation and I can confirm I will be awarding 4 stars. Well done, Lorde x

My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello
Feb 06 2023

Thought this was okay. Not much else to say on it to be honest. High 2

Boston by Boston
Feb 07 2023

Full on Guardians of the Galaxy album this. Had a good time listening to it. High 3

Bad by Michael Jackson
Feb 08 2023

Don’t think it’s on the level of Thriller but still think a 4 is too low. Stuck on this one for ages as there are still loads of bangers. I’m going very high 4.

Raw Like Sushi by Neneh Cherry
Feb 09 2023

Found it quite boring, with a lot of the songs sounding the same to me.

Songs Of Leonard Cohen by Leonard Cohen
Feb 10 2023

Never listened to Leonard Cohen before but I know he’s a big deal to many people. Think this album needs more than one listen - got Dylan vibes from it. Probably sacrilege to say this isn’t it? 3 stars and will do a second listen at some point

The Stranger by Billy Joel
Feb 13 2023

Enjoyed it. 3 stars.

Sea Change by Beck
Feb 14 2023

Need to give this one a second listen. It’s sitting at around the 3 star mark but it piqued my interest

At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash
Feb 15 2023

“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.” Best live album ever?

american dream by LCD Soundsystem
Feb 16 2023

Another one I enjoyed. Had my attention from the start and lost me at certain bits, too. Tonite and American Dream were the stand outs for me. Giving it a high 3

Celebrity Skin by Hole
Feb 17 2023

Didn’t Courtney Hate it, but bored me a little at points. 2 stars.

The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett
Feb 20 2023

Enjoyed this actually. The piano sounds bloody lovely. Won’t ever go back to it like but a pleasant listen.

Live At The Star Club, Hamburg by Jerry Lee Lewis
Feb 21 2023

I tell you what, after a few shandies I would have had a good go at this Star Club gig.

Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Feb 22 2023

Been a while since I listened to this one but remember it being sound with ‘Helpless’ one of my standouts

Honky Tonk Heroes by Waylon Jennings
Feb 23 2023

This is the type of album I’d play in the car when picking up a chick for a first date to remove any doubt whatsoever that I’m ice cold. I believe there is another reality somewhere in which Honky Tonk Heroes is playing in the bar in T2: Judgement Day when Arnie throws that biker nuisance on the grill. (T)2 stars x 2

Cloud Nine by The Temptations
Feb 24 2023

Me ald fella is a fan of these (I think). Thought the album was sound but it will not take a spot in my regular rotation. Got to be cut throat in this game.

Feb 28 2023

Second album on this list by Blur and a doubling down for me that me and Blur don’t vibe. Maybe third time’s a charm at some point?

...And Justice For All by Metallica
Mar 01 2023

Instantly recognisable with their sound. Enjoyed this. One was a standout for me. Accidentally found myself in a mosh pit at Glasto watching these. Kept calm and got punched in the throat. All in all a good time. High 3

Basket of Light by Pentangle
Mar 02 2023

House Carpenter is excellent, but ultimately, my wife came into the kitchen whilst I was working and listening to this album through the Bluetooth speaker and said “What the fuck are you listening to?”

Suicide by Suicide
Mar 03 2023

Interesting. Probably need to listen again. We had a fella come in to do a few snags in the kitchen while the song where he makes sex noises was on.

Coat Of Many Colors by Dolly Parton
Mar 06 2023

It was sound. Something about the wishy washy country guitar that I enjoy. Doesn’t get added to the rotation. Sorry, Doll x

Mothership Connection by Parliament
Mar 07 2023

Tremendous. Not many albums as cool as this. Give Up The Funk was an absolutely delightful surprise Stays in the rotation

A Seat at the Table by Solange
Mar 08 2023

Wowza. The better Knowles sister. To think she was at one point just a back up dancer for Destiny’s Child. ROFFLLLLL Very nearly gave this a 5. May change at some point in the future, who Knowles?

Mar 09 2023

The best to do it in my opinion. I can’t subscribe to this notion Biggie was better as boss as he was. Mama is so good. 4 stars - great album, but not on the level of All Eyez On Me

The New Tango by Astor Piazzolla
Mar 10 2023

Respect the talent but not for me.

The Fat Of The Land by The Prodigy
Mar 13 2023

The best Prodigy album for me. Not the fittest of fellas, but makes me absolutely beast a run

Dusty In Memphis by Dusty Springfield
Mar 14 2023

A lot of albums on this list are 1969 - random observation. Must have been a good year for music. Thought it was fine. Enjoyed it over all. Mind wandered at points.

Oxygène by Jean-Michel Jarre
Mar 16 2023

The Interstellar score that never was

Zombie by Fela Kuti
Mar 17 2023

Felt like I was waiting on a hummus and a double chicken wrap. Enjoyed working to it. Normally give these type of albums a 2 on account of it not being my thing but this has a little something extra

xx by The xx
Mar 20 2023

One of my very favourites and without doubt their best album so far. I’d not really heard anything like it at the time and I knew from the moment Intro started that it was a bit of me. Proper Nighttime car album this

Hysteria by Def Leppard
Mar 21 2023

Probably over hyped myself reading about this one. Read that everyone was copying their sound at the time, so they tried to reinvent themselves/change things up a bit with this album. Normally love it when bands take a gamble like that. Well less safe/boring and it’s good to see musicians challenging themselves. Didn’t quite grab me the way I thought it would but enjoyed it nonetheless. Did groan a little at the run time

Mar 22 2023

Enjoyed it but wouldn’t write a letter home to my mother about it. Probably just mention it in passing or something

Fever To Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
May 18 2023

Would be open to listening to more by them

Wordsmith

Reviews written for 100% of albums. Average review length: 196 characters.

Other

Album origins are grouped into three buckets: US, UK, and everything else. “Other” means the artists you rate highest are from outside the US and UK.