Favourite song: Lazarus
One for the karaoke: Lazarus
One for the car: Girl Loves Me
Death dream of album.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Favourite song: Three Little Birds
One for the Karaoke: One Love
One for the Car: Jamming
Every little thing gonna be alright
I cannot remember any song. It’s a bank holiday weekend and the MW2 beta came out, so cut me some slack.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
Favourite song: Someday
One for the karaoke: Last Night
One for the car: Hard To Explain
Classic
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
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.
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
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
Favourite song: Takeover
One for the karaoke: Izzo
One for the car: Heart of the City
It’s a high 3 for sure
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Me and my band wouldn’t dare make an album with a run time of 1hr 31mins.
Quite boring in all honesty.
Says “sugar” a lot.
No ‘Unshaken’
Catching up so not doing usual format (might bin that format off altogether to be honest)
It’s a solid 3
Down On The Street is a great opener. Nice 36 mins run time
Decent - high 3
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.
“It’s the battle of Epping forest baaybeehhhh”
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
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.
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.
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
You’re The Best Thing is a classic, but the rest was quite boring.
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?
Hated every second of this.
Forgot it was real at one point and thought it was Matt Stone and Trey Parker titting about
La la la Liv-er-pool, Liv-er-pool! La la la Liv-er-pool, Liv-er-pool! X
Boss 1990s Mortal Kombat-esque beats
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
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.
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.
Started off really well, but then I lost interest a bit towards the end.
Still enjoyed it for the most part
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
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
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.
Not for me.
Did make me think of an alternate reality in which he did the soundtrack to Toy Story though.
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
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
Pleasantly surprised by this one!
Really enjoyed it. Stays in the library
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.
Liked the vibe. That’s all I can really say
Funk.
All about it. Appreciate it.
Saw them at Sevvy Park and it was boogie town.
3 stars.
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.
2
Thought it started off decent but got weaker as it went on.
Enjoyed it. Surprised with how bluesy is was in parts
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
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.
Sounds like a compilation of JRPG soundtrack songs through the years.
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.
Kept me interested throughout this one - enjoyed it.
Titular track ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’ is a cracker
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.
I feel like every Duran Duran song I’ve ever heard is on this album.
Love it’s sound.
Stays in the library.
4 stars out of five….and that’s unheard of.
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.
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.
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
Enjoyed it. Probably not one I’ll listen to again like but was decent
Will have to save for next year. No way I’m listening to a Christmas album now. Hoping I can change my placeholder 3 if needed.
Probably my favourite Bowie album I think. Moonage Day Daydream, Soul Love, Ziggy Stardust, Rock N’ Roll Suicide my favourites. Always way ahead of the game
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.
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.
Enjoyable stuff. Well done everyone involved
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Got to love me some Beatles. Eleanor Rigby, Here, There and Everywhere, Taxman and Good Day Sunshine my standouts. Scouse x
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Very 90s. Really good voice, really good cover of Hallelujah. Probably won’t come back to it.
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.
I like queen, never listened to this album before. Thought it was sound. Seven Seas of Rhye the standout for me. Low 3
A little bit bluesy. Never listens to Grateful Dead before. Enjoyed it - well done everyone
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
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
What a name Orange Juice is. Started well, then bored me after bit.
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
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.
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.
Decent listen this. Never heard of them before which is mad because they’re from Liverpool
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
Thought this was okay. Not much else to say on it to be honest. High 2
Full on Guardians of the Galaxy album this. Had a good time listening to it. High 3
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.
Found it quite boring, with a lot of the songs sounding the same to me.
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
Need to give this one a second listen. It’s sitting at around the 3 star mark but it piqued my interest
“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.”
Best live album ever?
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
Didn’t Courtney Hate it, but bored me a little at points.
2 stars.
Enjoyed this actually. The piano sounds bloody lovely.
Won’t ever go back to it like but a pleasant listen.
I tell you what, after a few shandies I would have had a good go at this Star Club gig.
Been a while since I listened to this one but remember it being sound with ‘Helpless’ one of my standouts
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
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.
High 3. Back what it’s about
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?
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
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?”
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.
It was sound. Something about the wishy washy country guitar that I enjoy.
Doesn’t get added to the rotation. Sorry, Doll x
Tremendous.
Not many albums as cool as this.
Give Up The Funk was an absolutely delightful surprise
Stays in the rotation
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?
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
Respect the talent but not for me.
The best Prodigy album for me. Not the fittest of fellas, but makes me absolutely beast a run
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.
No songs about mashed potato
The Interstellar score that never was
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
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
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
Enjoyed it but wouldn’t write a letter home to my mother about it.
Probably just mention it in passing or something
Would be open to listening to more by them
