322
Albums Rated
3.29
Average Rating
30%
Complete
767 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
39
5-Star Albums
12
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
|
5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
|
Untitled (Black Is)
SAULT
|
5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
|
Music For The Jilted Generation
The Prodigy
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
Marcus Garvey
Burning Spear
|
5 | 3.19 | +1.81 |
|
The Idiot
Iggy Pop
|
5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
|
Entertainment
Gang Of Four
|
5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
|
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
|
5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
|
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
|
5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
|
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
|
5 | 3.41 | +1.59 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
War
U2
|
1 | 3.48 | -2.48 |
|
Parachutes
Coldplay
|
1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
|
Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Let It Be
The Replacements
|
1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
|
Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
|
1 | 3.1 | -2.1 |
|
Let Love Rule
Lenny Kravitz
|
1 | 3 | -2 |
|
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
|
2 | 3.93 | -1.93 |
|
Whatever
Aimee Mann
|
1 | 2.82 | -1.82 |
|
Vincebus Eruptum
Blue Cheer
|
1 | 2.8 | -1.8 |
|
Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
|
2 | 3.74 | -1.74 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 5 | 4.4 |
| The Velvet Underground | 3 | 4.67 |
| Beatles | 3 | 4.67 |
| Nick Drake | 2 | 5 |
| The Prodigy | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| U2 | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 2, 5, 4 |
5-Star Albums (39)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Scissor Sisters
4/5
Brilliant synthy scene music. Shears falsetto evokes British gay icons like the Communards or Elton John and always reminds me of similar bands during my twelfth year (The Darkness, Franz Ferdinand, Electric Six). The music is tight, zippy, funky, cocksure and enjoyable. Plus, from memory, the mamas loved it. Stronger than I remember if a touch poppy for me
6 likes
Supergrass
3/5
Ah, air-heady positive wholesome indie fun. Not wholesome in a twee moth-eaten sort of way, but in a youthful exhuberant summery sort of way. Two well-known tracks to sing along to, and the rest zips along with fresh speed. More than a three? No
6 likes
The Smiths
5/5
Excellent. Morrissey is a wanker but the album is iconic, fog-horny, self-aggrandizing in such an amusing way. Big fan. Don't listen to the smiths that often but I usually enjoy it. V appt album considering the context (the queen died) doubt that was. Agenuine mistake tbh
2 likes
Ryan Adams
2/5
Fine. Long, a bit boring in places. I think his influences are too obvious - usually people like Dylan. Laura Marling liked him when she was young but changed her mind when she got older and various allegations about him emerged. Apparently he also did a full cover of a Taylor swift album which is lame. I dunno, I think maybe he's just lame? I thought about giving a 3 but downgraded to a 2. #me2
1 likes
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Excellent album(s). I had listened to the original 1973 a few times before. But theres a 2001 version with a different track listing. Both are extraordinary. Greasy, groovy, moody, cool. The music is tight, era defining and unparalleled as far as reggae goes anyway. The lyrics are incisive, precise, enigmatic. Very listenable and there's nothing quite like this album, even in the Wailers back catalogue. A unique, edgy, exciting album I would always always recommend.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (12)
All Ratings
Moby
2/5
The highlights were due to the strengths if the sample (which, I believe, all come from the Sounds of the South album - which is excellent) The authenticity of the original field recordings disguise Moby's cringey try hard bullshit. I don't think you can just add a drum beat to a song, cut it up and call it your own. kinda musical colonialism. I did enjoy parts but other bits were really quite dreadful
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Fine, ploddy and morose but generally easy listening. Still haven't quite got why he's such an icon but that's probably my fault.
Deep Purple
3/5
Cheesey but fun, very blues inspired. Lyrics are dreadful. Basically fine
The Modern Lovers
4/5
I actually liked this one. Not like groundbreaking but fun with a sorta outsiders sound, bit velvet underground/ violent femmes. I'd heard bits and bobs from richman before but I liked taking the time to listen to the album. Good!
The Smiths
5/5
Excellent. Morrissey is a wanker but the album is iconic, fog-horny, self-aggrandizing in such an amusing way. Big fan. Don't listen to the smiths that often but I usually enjoy it. V appt album considering the context (the queen died) doubt that was. Agenuine mistake tbh
Louis Prima
3/5
Loads of fun, loads of childhood nostalgia due to the Jungle Book connection. The gigolo song's good, upbeat, amusing. Enjoyed listening to it but it is a touch one dimensional and doesn't have much depth. Still, good to appreciate it for what it is - would not have listened to it otherwise
Blue Cheer
1/5
Absolutely awful, all the bad bits of Janis Joplins band - self indulgent, noisey, hectic, over elaborate, pretensious. Can see how it was influential though just basically unpleasant. I'd give it 1.5 but I can't so I'm rounding down to be dramatic. 1 star BAAAD
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Brilliant album, very enjoyable. Karen O is great. Very positive, melodic, easy to listen to. Would listen again. Just very good, very nice - if not completely life changing
Ryan Adams
2/5
Fine. Long, a bit boring in places. I think his influences are too obvious - usually people like Dylan. Laura Marling liked him when she was young but changed her mind when she got older and various allegations about him emerged. Apparently he also did a full cover of a Taylor swift album which is lame. I dunno, I think maybe he's just lame? I thought about giving a 3 but downgraded to a 2. #me2
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
A little disappointing, very lo-fi which isn't necessarily bad but at times basically unlistenable. The rhythm if the rap is really samey, throbbing, predictable but I'm listening in retrospect. Run DMC are really influential but actually not so interesting imo - much prefer NWA, public enemy, last poets etc as like forefathers of hip-hop rap. Probs won't listen again.
The Doors
3/5
Surprisingly good bit not particularly attention grabbing. Some famous songs, a lot of drawling, basically okay - evokes the epriodnwell. But tbh, I can't stand Jim Morrison because he's so far up his own rectum.
Otis Redding
5/5
Honestly an excellent album, one of my very favourites. Had on vinyl since I was about 16.excellent voice, wonderful mood. Evokes something nostalgic, moody and warm. Well arranged genuinely great.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
I could see why someone else might like it. It's punchy and rythmic, strong hooks, coherent mood but just not for me I don't think. Sounds pretty dreadful on my brother's car stereo too which doesn't help. Just seems sort of relentlessly one dimensional despite being competent and tuneful. I dunno. Okay.
Green Day
3/5
Ah it's okay. Reminds me of my German exchange in 2005 and of girls I used to be friends with. Chris was driving me and Sinead down from skipton when we listened to it and he enjoyed it. I was never that fussed at the time and I remain unfussed now.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
It's a very long album with some nice patches. I like how she ties it all together with a nostalgic school theme. There are some good tracks, that thing for example and she's a very good singer. Having said that, it went on a bit as an album and had plenty of what seems like filler. I would probs listen to parts again but not as a complete unit. I also think that, to some degree, the album was created without me in mind. I think Lauryn would more than tolerate my mild criticism.
Miles Davis
4/5
Y'know I liked it. At first I hated it, the jumped between irritated, bored, into it, then bored again. But, then, that's jazz and a great part of why I usually hate it. But I listened to it again and it was better. Maybe not 100% for me but I sorta, kinda get it. I'd say it's a 3 personally, probably a 5 for it's cultural importance so it gets a 4 all considered
Linkin Park
4/5
Genuinely excellent album, full of nostalgia, not like life-changing but seemed to be of it's moment. Meant a lot to a lot of kids. Have memories of mum ironing to it following the divorce. Great, angsty, whingey, teenage - exactly what you want
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Energetic, noisey, chaotic rock n roll. May be a bit abrasive for some. Musically relatively simple although played with gusto. Janis is just one of the most charismatic singers to grace the planet. She was a huge fan of Otis Redding and you can tell - she always had a more soulful bent imo and is a little bit wasted in this sort of band where she basically shouts through the set. Very lo-fi recording, little bits of filler here and there. A bit too frenetic to really settle into. Joplin's solo work albums are better examples of what she can do but the album has a mood, has Janis and does a good job of passing 50-odd minutes. Groovey, sexy and has Cr mb illustrations on the cover. Great bit of 60s psych hippy funk rock with a competent band and a generational singer
Santana
4/5
Sexy groovy guitar, very listenable - sorta sounds like a dad driving album though. Solid
Elvis Costello
3/5
Perfectly serviceable album. Little bit dull. Has some songs I know, has others I'll forget. I probably would give it a two but I have a sort of inexplicable affection for Costello and I'm not sure why, so I'll give a bonus
Sabu
4/5
Too interesting to review after one listen. Rhythmic, exciting, raw. Will run to it a few times to learn what it's like after a few listens. Very afro inspired Cuban drumming and singing. Liked it.
The Pharcyde
3/5
Enjoyable, bouncey, some of it familiar. Often stupid and funny. Good samples, good beats, they were all clearly having a good time. It's just a sorta feel good hip hop album.
Hole
3/5
Okay. Can see where she either influenced or was influenced by Kurt. Noisy, power chordey, lyrics are kinda stupid but the album zips by nicely I have a friend who really enjoys Courtney and this album reminds me of her. Hole gets a bonus star for that
Laura Nyro
2/5
Honestly, I can see why musicians might like her but I found her weedling and annoying. Her music seems self-consciously quirky, a tad dull, broadly annoying. She reminds me of carol king who evokes the same sensations for me. She's a bit Regina Spektor too. My life would not change if I never heard one of her songs ever again. It's not *bad* just not very good.
Paul Weller
4/5
Really enjoyable album. Classic driving-with-your-dad music. Satisfying, not dull but certainly not overpowering. Almost tricks you into enjoying it while you're busy doing other things. Not thoroughly groundbreaking but extremely solid album you could listen to over again and enjoy just the same
Travis
2/5
When I was a teenager I had Travis on my MP3 player and my aunty took the piss out of me, she was right to. I mean - it's basically a fine album. Not offensive. Has a lot of songs that refer to other, better, songs which is a pet peeve of mine. I've almost completely forgotten the album since listening and I had almost completely forgotten about Travis too u til they popped up on here - that symbolises how I feel about them I think.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Excellent album, great slice of cantankerous rebel music history. Love the hooting prison guys throughout. The cheek and humour. Showmanship. The songs are excellent too. Johnny Cash at his most extraordinary. Wonderful
The Electric Prunes
3/5
Nothing special. Some psychy rythmic guitar, feels very of its age. A track from a later album (Holy are You) happens to be one of my favourites and seems like it could be from any period but not this. Very sixties, generally uninspiring. May have felt very different at the time.
David Bowie
3/5
Good album but far from his best. Better after a second listen. Low key funk, a bit of edgey electro glam. This was the period where Bowie was super into coke and fascism. I wouldn't say that's noticeable but the overall impression is that the album is a little bit flippant and lacked a bit of focus. I'd listen again but I'd always rather listen to 4-5 other Bowie albums I think. Better after a second listen though.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
Dull and annoying. It had some semblance of a vibe but I didn't really get into it. 1.5 but I'll give a two as I wasn't outright offended.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Excellent album(s). I had listened to the original 1973 a few times before. But theres a 2001 version with a different track listing. Both are extraordinary. Greasy, groovy, moody, cool. The music is tight, era defining and unparalleled as far as reggae goes anyway. The lyrics are incisive, precise, enigmatic. Very listenable and there's nothing quite like this album, even in the Wailers back catalogue. A unique, edgy, exciting album I would always always recommend.
The Beach Boys
2/5
You know, I gave it a go but it's not for me. Melodic in its way but quite samey, his voice often grates, the close harmonies are uninteresting perhaps because they've been so pervasive. It feel brainless, simple and a little one dimensional to me. The Beatles loved them and I really like the song Don't Worry Baby from a different album but this is the third or fourth time I've tried this album and I simply don't care.
Def Leppard
3/5
Absolute cheesy metal gold. Good for aiding productive work and smiling to. Corniest, 80s-est, best-est. 8 year old me would have lost my mind over it. It's not a work of art but it's the perfect representation of what it is
Funkadelic
4/5
Some greasy cool era defining punk, groovy very nice. At times however, the album sort of disappears up its own arse and takes you somewhere angular and uncomfortable. Perhaps I'm not up to the challenge but it felt like an occasional lack of focus. I've enjoyed this album for a while though despite its scent of incoherence
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Glorious album, Tuesday's gone - excellent, Free Bird - probably the most enjoyable long-form southern rock track in history. New layers each time you listen although missing real depth. Genuinely wonderful but with a few dull points here and there. I imagine it would be very good to drive to.
The Stranglers
3/5
A solid album. Timeless rock, punchy mood, swaggering but a bit one-noted.
Steely Dan
3/5
Perfectly reasonable classic rock album. Knew many of the songs, all were fine, in offensive, perfectly listenable.
Big Black
1/5
Unbearable tbh. May have been influential for noise music bands maybe, but I've heard better, more interesting, less simply awful versions of the same thing. Couldn't get through it. Might try again but I doubt it.
Motörhead
3/5
Perfectly serviceable live album from a perfectly fine rock band. Very energetic and affirming but beyond that nothing especially exciting. Some classic tracks for the right kind of person - I just don't think I am that person
The Black Crowes
2/5
Quite dull, run-of-the-mill soft rock album. Moves along at a normal pace, finishes at na appropriate time. Nothing unexpected. All filler no thriller. It has a steady rhythm, so good to walk to (as I was doing) but only if you're intending to think about something else.
Stereo MC's
4/5
Actually surprisingly good, groovy, 90s ravey vibes. Great to work to. Sorta corny from time to time. A bit jez from Peep show. Encapsulates the age well and zips along very digestibly.
Grant Lee Buffalo
4/5
You know what, quite enjoyable. Almost bland on first listen but had some high points on the second. Something I'll listen to again just to be sure. Soft rock rhythm, upbeat. It sounds as if the album was very influential on noughties US indie and UK musicians such as badly drawn boy, iamkloot and the like. Perfectly nice.
The Stone Roses
4/5
An iconic album although sometimes self indulgent and a little long winded. Moments capture a moment and mood that typifies the Manchester rave indie phenomenon going on in the early 90s. It's also an enjoyable album, upbeat, undeniably cool but loses its way too often to be a true bona fide gem.
Destiny's Child
4/5
Good album, famous tracks, nothing quite like it. Very typical late 90s, early noughties R&B partly because it's so influential. Loose in some areas and very much targeted towards a listener other than myself but nevertheless an icon of the genre.
Cat Stevens
5/5
Absolutely excellent album. Must have heard it a thousand times. Cat Stevens is a slow burner I think but once you get into his mood it's hard to recreate anywhere else. It's not a challenging album but has quirky little elements that keeps it interesting. If I was to describe the album in one word it would probably be friendly. The album is sincere, well produced. Well conceived and utterly complete.
Fela Kuti
5/5
Excellent album. Wonderful jazzy afro funk. Brilliant long build ups to great long groovy tracks. Fela's charisma shines through but isn't overpowering. Iconic
Radiohead
4/5
I'm throwing out too many 5 stars ratings and this isn't my favourite Radiohead cover so it will receive a harsh 4. Hard to recreate the feeling of listening to this album anywhere else. Like a dystopian rave inside a large can.
Jungle Brothers
2/5
I listened to this album twice and it left little impression. It may be influential to some but couldn't I fluence me to give a shit. Would gladly forget I'd ever listened to this extremely unremarkable hip hop album
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Really excellent, voice of the century. I've loved this album for years. Never Loved a Man (the track) is wonderful as is Do Right. Brilliant, evocative, soulful - very gospel inspired, beautifully arranged. Just really really good
Don McLean
2/5
Okay. Interesting little guitar tricks and games with melody and harmony - probably, I mean, I'm not an expert. Unfortunately, Don MacLean is just so annoying. Lyrically, everything is drenched in a claggy sentimental syrup. Far too many adjectives for EVERYTHING. Some deeply self indulgent belief that the masses don't see some hero figure (big bopper van Gogh, whoever) quite like MaClean does because - don't you know - MaClean is an ARTIST just like THEM. God, what an annoying characteristic. For what it's worth, Vincent would probably think he was a complete drip. Overall impression is that the album is as self conscious as a precious teenage girl and about as precious. Musically, Elton John did the same thing better.
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Brilliant album. Funny, cool, clever, era-defining. Absolutely loved it
Deee-Lite
3/5
Some absolute tunes on this and some funky hiphoppy grooves which bring a smile to your face. A quirky, unusual album with outsized influenced. A lot of fun and optimism packed in. Good for unusual dancing. Probably need to listen to it a few times to fully appreciate. Otherwise a strong 3
Pretenders
3/5
Iconic 80s/90s voice it's easy to forget you've ever heard. A bit like the cranberries in that respect. So when Pretenders pop up it reminds you of childhood car journeys (should you be of a similar age that is) I will always know the pretenders as the band whose LPs are most commonly donated to charity shops. That's unmarises this album really, popular but not really enduring. A perfectly serviceable soft rock album other than that, if a bit mum-dad.
New Order
2/5
Actually really disappointed. Joy Division were such a remarkable spooky band and New Order have some famous tracks which were highly I foeintial in electronic dance but this album didn't supply anything if note to me. Just sort of went by
Devendra Banhart
3/5
Actually quite good - little bits were very T-Rex glam singer-songwriter guitar rock. Easy listening. Pleasnt, lyrical. Dipped at points but basically good
fIREHOSE
2/5
Dull dull dull, left not a trace. Hum drum guitar music from America
Megadeth
3/5
Extremely enjoyable, fast paced metal music. It's just, I would happily never to it listen again.
Lenny Kravitz
1/5
It started fine and got worse. Lyrically simple bordering on laughable, musically uninteresting. I quite like LK as a concept but this album needs binning
The Band
3/5
Wonderfully influential album, inspired Dylan, Fairport Convention and others and fair enough but I was broadly untouched. Nice honky tonk politely raucous harmonising, some bluesy slide guitar, a nice mellow groove throughout but the album seems to lack a punch. It sorta just wombles on in the background to forget about. From time to time you'll remember it's on and be pleased but it doesn't feel like it has much sticking power.
James Brown
5/5
Brilliant album, cool, groovy, I like anything else. Greasy, edgy, smooth, gospel, soulful funk goodness. Short too, which I like
Sister Sledge
3/5
Lots of classic disco, perfectly satisfying. Captures a mood and an era quite distant from today. Exciting but maybe not 100% for me
Beastie Boys
3/5
Ah perfectly good, exactly what you'd expect, edgy, almost unpleasant, utterly unique white guy hip-hop. Great to run to but awful to live to.
Elton John
4/5
Great album, love Elton. Musically complete, melodic, competent, distinct. Misses a bit of edge as you'd expect
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
More dull than I thought, especially given how short the songs are. California Dreamin is obviously a highlight but even then Bill Withers did it better. The rest is fine, twee, good to rock your head too while walking around a garden in wellies. A bit like the Magic Numbers before the Magic Numbers, but no one remembers them (and probably for good reason)
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
2/5
I don't know whether the circle ever did break but I asked myself on many occasions whether this album will ever end. Some familiar voices such as Johnny Cash and Emmy Lou Harris offer highlights in this otherwise consistently continuous album, offering album track after album track of bluesy country gospelly covers but missing the guts that really brings the best out of those forms. Generally quite humdrum and a bit of a s l o g
Butthole Surfers
1/5
Fuckin awful. Influential on the noise music thing probably but broadly unlistenable or annoying or lazy or attention seeking or dull never musical or evocative or moody or exciting. Not me, not anyone.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
Excellent album, unique, groovy lyrically raw and exciting, often incorrect in a way that appears honest or vulnerable. The music prefaces the new move to neo-soul but has some more guys behind it. The production is slightly dates now but wasn't it always? Her story is interesting and summons up a distinctive moment I history, and like with all real life tragic heroines highlights how the machinery of modern capitalism will commercialise your weaknesses until they eat you up. Still - very very good, if not wholly my bag.
Fairport Convention
4/5
A good album which well represents the style and mood of a underrated British folk-prog-rock group. Sandy Denny is brilliant. My girlfriend introduced me to her and she was right to it's not a complete album though and has some flat areas, or patches where it touches on cliche. Their best album far and away is unhalfbricking, which would have gotten five stars
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
Ah, dull whispering french music for horny pretentious students. We didn't need another example that goofy bug eyed weirdos from france have inexplicable sex appeal because we already had Sartre. Sensual and randy as he may be, the album left me untouched.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Extraordinary album, one my favourites since I was young. Beautiful cutesy moments, horrible machine music moments, joyful little experiments, the odd inclusion of a Welsh accent among the squall which is deeply satisfying. Pale blue eyes is one of the simplest, nicest songs written. The album sometimes dissolves into an uncontrolled difficult morass but it reforms well. An iconic, stand out record. Although I wonder if the velvenlt underground are a five star band that only produces four start records.
Jurassic 5
3/5
Fine, bit corny. Feels like dated white guy hip-hop but I haven't checked if they're white guys - in many ways it doesn't matter. Basically a big shrug from me really
Billy Joel
3/5
Enjoyable album, competently produced, classic tunes. Very of its era. Great songwriting but lacks edge for me.
ZZ Top
3/5
Actually a very fun, extremely digestible album - good solid guitar music, bordering on (early) metal I suppose, rhythmic, bluesy, rocky, punchy. Lyrically unambitious but satisfying. Could listen to it quite happily driving down a motorway near a new town in the late 70s or whenever it was released.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Dull nerd rap, interesting afro-inspired lyrics, annoying sampling technique, dull lollopy groove. Easy to forget it's on but slight relief when it isn't
Tom Waits
4/5
Greasy unique atmospheric raspy clonky cool. If Bourdain was musical he'd be Tom Waits. If Bernard Black was musical he would be Tom Waits too. The same with any scruffy, dissolute, boozy favourite uncle actually. The sort of music enjoyed by precocious students more than genuine grown ups but still very very enjoyable.
Fiona Apple
2/5
Dull girl music tbh. Consciously intellectual, sometimes showy, rarely gripping. The album just seems to go on with unvaried variety.
Scott Walker
3/5
Surprisingly excellent. He has this wonderful cinematic baritone and a sort of mournful, vulgar lyricism in his original songs. I feel like there are layers to this album so can't go to in depth and I'm keeping reserved with my stars. Guy feeling is the album is more the work of an eccentric than a genius on first, but that's not such a bad thing. Think Baccarach, Spector, Jake Thackeray. Enjoyable.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
You know I really like Thin Lizzy while simultaneously having simply no desire to ever listen to them. Phil Lynott is very charismatic and you can tell in this live album and you know what the songs are pretty good too but my life would basically be the same if I never listened to them. They are a band I would love to like but basically don't. Perhaps too many Liz songs ended up on Top Gear compilations and they have become indelibly marred. As far as this album goes, it's think Lizzy songs but live. There's some electricity in the air but otherwise there's limited benefit to the format. On top of that, the version I found was the deluxe edition which was perhaps overly deluxe. No one needs Thin Lizzy live for 1 hour 40 unless you were actually there. Felt like a slog by the end. I remain neutral.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Enjoyable - sensitive, sometimes melancholy, has that sort of early housey synthy beat that proliferated gay clubs in the 80s and 90s. Still, somewhat relieved it's over.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Great, jangly, atmospheric, almost shoegazey Scottish Baroque goth. If you like it, you'll love it. It's not a melodic album without being relaxing, and perhaps a smidge one dimensional but it's also completely joyful, self-confident and of its moment. It edges a four because I've been giving out too many threes.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Fine, better than the other one. Teenage, whiney, some edge but generally not for me.
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
Thought I'd enjoy this more. I love a bit of Brazilian afrobeat but that squeaky drum they use drives me up the frigging favela. Less rhythmic or exciting as I'd anticipated, subtle, good for doing something else to. Far from life changing but could have on again no problem
The Young Rascals
2/5
Dull as dishwater. Such a fruitful decade full of pop in its pomp and drug fuelled experimentalism and all the Young Rascals can provide are generic 3 min long filler tracks
Napalm Death
1/5
Honestly just fucking terrible. High tempo music is not always short, mercifully it was in this case. Just over half an hour, sadly just half an hour I won't get back. Not experimental or interesting enough to justify its unlistenability. Stupid stupid dirgey shite
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Excellent funky cool, really low-down satisfying voice, great funk rhythms. The title is a spot-on description. You could drive around in a fat white Cadillac listening to this, with pink furry dice and people would just say y e a h
Arrested Development
3/5
Cheesy, very 90s, positive vibesy hip hop - political without edge, interesting afrocentric ideas but none of them compelling. Just a bit... Alright. Musically there's a few well known tunes but they were never enough to smoke my kipper beforehand and that hasn't changed now.
Nick Drake
5/5
Excellent album: calm, lilting, quietly uplifting. There's a very sweet, light, but mournful lyricism throughout. Gentle without being soft, subtle without being boring. An album you'll remember and revisit through your life, and an album that will evolve with the listener.
Justice
2/5
Fine, noughties-y funky housey something or other. Think basement jazz and daft punk. People went wild for that sort of sound but it washed over me a little bit. The album art is Sarah Lucas, who is excellent, and that's the highlight. If I recall, she did tlher crosses based on the crucifixion of Sebastian Horsley who was a very interesting man. Massive fan of top hats, heroin and sex workers. Basically, this album refers to more interesting stories happening elsewhere.
The Cure
4/5
Catually loved it. Always thought the cure were kinda ditzy airheads for moody girls but their earlier goth-rock mood is actually very satisfying. Apparently Robert Smith was going through a sever bout of depression and substance abuse with this one and it gives the whole affair a nice edgey chiaroscuro.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
Brilliant, funny, fresh, hard, cool, well pitched 90s heydey hip hop. Musically sophisticated, lyrically smart, thematically so stupid in a light life affirming way. Not lamely political, not gratuitous, not egotistical, simply clever. Biggy absolutely shits on Tupac. This album is very good
k.d. lang
3/5
Actually quite a nice album. I've heard rumours she's a country musician but I'm not having it. Musical, melodious, easy listening - short, sweet and listenable while interesting enough. I'm, very literally, not a fan but I can see why others are and the album certainly does not offend.
Charles Mingus
5/5
Greazy, dark, tight, filthy jazz. Full disclosure here: I fucking hate jazz. I hate the tootling, self aggrandizing bullshit. but I. love. Charles Mingus. It's gutteral, dirty, almost scatalogical. Whereas jazz is so often cerebral, long winded, unstructured and lame - this feels rhythmic, deep, penetrative, and primeval. Brilliant
Deep Purple
3/5
Loads of fun, have me a terrible wired energy though and I scrubbed the kitchen til 3 am. I'm not a metal guy but this was very listenable for the most part. Not too cheesy, a few really good solos which sounded accomplished, rhythmic and satisfying. Almost like some early hippy prog stuff. You know, when it just goes. Other times, a bit like early hippy prog stuff, it falls if a cliff but those moments are few and far between.
Violent Femmes
5/5
Excellent spikey rock n roll, great baselines, wonderful sometimes nonsensical lyrics but excellent EXECELLENT attitude. I've listened to this album since I was a teenager and I have always loved it. Liberating, fun good guts - pitched just right between interesting and melodious and edgey effortless cool. I could probably listen to this album every day til I die
Neil Young
4/5
Nasally reedy voice, sometimes earnest, usually forceful in a quiet persistent way. A bit country but musically thick and fully produced. Some iconic tracks with a consistent mood through. Very good album. Makes me feel like I'm in my girlfriend's parents car in the 70s or something
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
This was an enjoyable album with the conventional Three Good Tracks from artists who want albums to be an unobtrusive vessel for singles. However, I do think Costello writes songs quite cheaply and packs in some half-baked musings alongside some solid singer-songwriter pop. I find his American accent grating though and find it hard to pierce the surface level to find any depth.
PJ Harvey
3/5
Quite nice, interesting album. Sorta music for musicians but perfectly listenable. I dunno, three? Three.
Suzanne Vega
3/5
Sorta moody early MTV cool alt girl Daria melodic chill pop. Your girlfriend will like it, but not too much. It's undull but not unusual. I had to listen to the album three times to remember it enough to write about. I could listen to it another three times without really noticing. It was, however, quite nice. It's between a 3 and a 4 for me
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Loud, amusing, almost mind-bendingly competent. A very complete album. Compact and muscular like corned beef. It misses something for me though - some guts - relatability - vulnerability - life something like that. In the end though, I just think the album was made for someone else.
Various Artists
3/5
Iconic Christmas album. There's nothing like Phil Spector's sound, uncompromising, full-figured, encapsulating. This album is jangly and about as good as a Christmas album can be, which is a pretty low bar all truth told. Very serviceable album, one of the coolest options for the festive period. Is it a great album in it's own right? Perhaps not quite
Depeche Mode
3/5
Good album, very inspired by European electro, extremely 80s, melodic and listenable. Better than I expected, a touch experimental, not too poppy. Lyrics were amusingly stupid in places. Worth a listen
Arcade Fire
3/5
Good fun little indie album. Limited depth but evokes the mid noughties hipster zeitgeist relatively well. Very Where the Wild Things Are. May have even been the soundtrack. I remember NME journos pissing themselves over this album but it's basically just better than fine
Iggy Pop
5/5
Excellent greasy off-beat punk. Nightclubbing is excellent and made the Trainspotting soundtrack famous. Lots of lovely little gestures to Bowie blood but the energy is very Iggy. Interesting, groovy, slunks along in a gravy strut. The production makes the album sound like you are overhearing it from an adjacent room which lends the whole experience an air of cool I can really get into.
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Dunk me in water and sing hallelujah, this is nice bluesgrassy close harmony southern tunes. Very influential over bands like First Aid Kit I'd say. Great window into a very American form of Christian baptist music if you're into that. It's good for a particular coen brothers mood, or from an anthropological l/ music history perspective. Otherwise it's quite one note and overlong.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Quirky yank new york piano nerd. Like Regina Spector but older and probably slightly more exciting. I would listen to this one again but struggle to summon the energy
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
American indie doing generic American indie things with guitars. It almost sounds like Manic Street Preachers but not to my taste. A lot of this genre has aged appallingly. It's almost unlistenably fine.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Brilliant, soulful, British, 60s pop. Motown flavours in places, very gospel inspired by very much its own thing. Good, zippy album
Elastica
2/5
Incredibly normal album from an exceedingly usual 90s indie band. It feels accomplished but unexciting. If I was a 13 year old alternative pop punk fan in 2003 I would probably play these songs on my first guitar. I am a 30 year old cynic in 2023 though so fuck that
Dire Straits
2/5
Boring shit dad rock
2/5
I love Bob but he was fucking dreadful live
The Incredible String Band
1/5
Fucking hell, this was dreadful. Long, meandering, chaotic, lyrically self-indulgent and deeply stupid. At the same time, however, it's a really interesting window into a the hippie mentality. The problem is, I think I truly hate hippies. Can't quite shake the feeling this album is unremitting garbage
Kate Bush
5/5
Brilliant album, experimental, homely, quirky, clever, powerful, puts you in a special mood. Intelligent, well-crafted pop for sensitive souls
Elvis Costello
3/5
How much Elvis Costello is there on this list? It's about as fine as the last one. He has a fetish for 50s Americana and puts on a silly accent, his lyrics are plain and sometimes mundane. Musically well structured but unexciting. He feels alone, but I'm not sure why. I think it's because he's pretending to be someone he saw in a magazine and must know, deep down, he hasn't quite gotten away with it
The Beach Boys
3/5
More interesting than pet sounds. It feels like it's played on a water damaged cassette or something. It's sort of slow, bogged, suffocating. Altogether warped and moribund. The lyrics are fine and sunny enough, there are touches of Moog here and there but a generally stripped back production. It's not a classic in my book but more interesting than I imagined and a very minimalist, tonal representation of the beach boys.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Twee, quiet, fine. The sort of music for precocious teenage girls starting art college. Quirky I suppose, simple, understated, not quite boring but not far off. You won't be offended by this folksy, twinkly, introspective little album but it struggles to light a fire for me
Anthrax
4/5
Beefy and aggressive, exactly what you want. Not usually my bag but I missed it when it was over. Excellent for anxty cycle to work
Stevie Wonder
3/5
It's fine. More than fine for people that like this sort thing, I just don't know what that is. Kinda souly and that's fine. Kinda funky Motown, that's fine too. VERY 80s sounding, despite the fact I think this one in 79. His voice is pitched in a way I find grating but that's not his fault. The album shows flourishes of something exciting, just for someone else
Funkadelic
4/5
Excellent funky, throbbing, rock, groove music. Heady, heavy, thick. Love it
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Dreary mumblecana. He chooses to mainly list obscure brands of car lost to history than craft a song with any narrative. At point point he talks about working in his pa's garage as if he wasn't clearly 40 years old by this point. The boss is toss
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Perfectly pleasant jazz record.
The Verve
4/5
A fine 90s brit-pop indie album that misses something. Richard Ashcroft is a very good songwriter with an ear for a satisfying melody and he has an arrogant self-assuredness that is satisfying as much as distancing. The album is the equivalent of a britball 442 - tracks are all normal lengths, the singles are spaced out reasonably equally. The album feels like the euros 96. It lacks a romance or imagination to push it into greatness. A pragmatic album with some good songs. The drugs don't work is a highlight in my view.
The Prodigy
5/5
Excellent album, soul affirming funky hip-hoppy metal rave. Hard, uncompromising, energetic, wonderful. Strong, British, full of a sort of anarchic liberty which is deeply satisfying. I remember hearing it for the first time as a child in the 90s and it absolutely blew me away. What a record
Sonic Youth
3/5
They're an okay band and make a record which could be interesting if I was more teenage, more angry and more American. Feels like a song missing a melody though. It just sort of starts, does it's thing and ends leaving the listener broadly unhooked. Maybe after the millionth listen I'll get there but not today
Living Colour
2/5
I tried this one a few times but couldn't crack into it. Cheesy without being camp and amusing; over produced, uncompelling - just not a bit of me really although nothing truly offensive. Generic American rock album. All the tracks in the usual places. Forgettable
Culture Club
2/5
Dull, slightly cringey lyrics with an admittedly youthful lack of self-awareness, generally a bit warbly and unstructured. Karma Chameleon is obviously a classic but can't carry this amount of filler. Very 80s cheese throughout, a half hearted attempt to get some gospel in the background that didn't quite pay off. Not for me
2/5
Gutless flat album that goes nowhere. Spots of texture here and there but no thrust. Constantly seems to lead to somewhere more interesting but never quite manages it. The lyrics are bland and static, the mood is steady, stable and finishes at an ordinary moment. The album stands plain as a wardrobe.
The Kinks
3/5
Quirky innit. Very British. Little psychedelic flourishes that sound a bit silly now. Think paisley, hippies, private school, cricket, that sort of thing. Occasionally goofy in a charming way, like Hugh Grant's hair bobbing round the corner of an Oxford book shop. It's wet and self aware but only to a limit. It also feels a little one note on first listen but not compelling enough for a second any time soon
Everything But The Girl
2/5
I listened to this - thought it was boring and shit. Trying to remember an interesting observation but I simply couldn't think of one.
The Killers
3/5
A fair, punchy, interesting pop rock album from my early teenage years. Elements of glam, and a mysterious corny cool that comes from that slightly seemy, tacky, evangelical Las Vegas world from which the Killers emerge. The lyrics are sometimes laughably fucking stupid. So much so, that I remember binning the album off at 13. Nevertheless it's okay. Wouldn't put it in my 1001 list though
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Grumbling anxiety fuzz, kinda cool, kinda backgroundy, kinda terrible in places. It feels unstructured and loose. Makes you lose track of time in a overstimulating kinda way, like getting lost in Selfridge's or Cyberdog in Camden, or both simultaneously.
The Fall
3/5
Angular, funny, stupid, horrible, uncompromising 80s post-punk. It almost gets to a groove but not quite. You listen to this album for a mood not a boogie though
Garbage
3/5
A fair, solid, fuzzy 90s album that sounds not quite like anything else, without feeling especially unique. Some of the songs are recognisable, the filler tracks are pleasantly traversable. A fair go.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
I used to think Harry Nilsson was dull: overplayed, ploddy, a bit McCartney-esque. It makes sense, his songs feel tuneful but touch repetitive; simple and easily conceived. Nilsson's dressing gown schtick supports this view that he doesn't strain for his work - although I believe this to be affectation. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this album. I'm perhaps the right age. There's good bluesy elements, a kind of sloppy, well-arranged rock n roll, it sounds like someone enjoying making music and it runs off. When the things over you miss it and that's the sign of a good album
Billy Bragg
3/5
Interesting to hear woodie Guthrie set to modern music. Bragg as dreary as ever. Both he and Guthrie I've felt I've had to like because of their politics but it's damn hard work. Sad to say I preferred the Waco tracks. The end result was middling indie with a few bright spots. Dylan would possibly have done it better if he found these tapes in the 60s but watcha gonna do
Gram Parsons
3/5
You know it was alright - nice country harmonies. It sounded like you were listening to the radio in a big car in Alabama or something. Otherwise ungripped but maybe worth a second listen
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
Listened, didn't get. Would give it another go but I'm not sure I enjoyed it. Kinda dancey but not in a way that made me want to dance. Interesting but not in a way that made me want to listen. I dunno. Two stars?
Primal Scream
3/5
I never really got it with these guys. Just listen to the rolling stones or oasis or, failing that, a good band composed of more than a semblance of an attitude and a haircut. It's all just fine. Fine
The Undertones
3/5
A great angular, teenage, British punk album. Simple, catchy, edgy, about great teenage things like kicks and girls and hanging out. Great energy although a bit moth-eaten now. No teenager would be caught dead listening anymore and that's for the best. Youth is ephemeral like it's culture. Clinging to this album is like clinging to a hairline. In summary, a good album long dead
Air
4/5
Layered, wall-of-sound instrumental. Kinda proggy, electric, heady, good for endurance exercise probably. Kinda went over my head on the first listen, the second was better and I'd recommend if asked.
Kraftwerk
4/5
NEEE-ON LIGHTS WEOOOW GLITT-ERING NEEE-ON LIGHTS etc.
Great, listened to it 3 times. Brilliant cycle ride to work. It's just a very nice album. Smooth whizzy synth tunes that evoke the Autobahn, long brown trench coats and a declining GDR for me, despite the historical dissonance. Lovely noises, pleasantly arranged what more could you want in an album
Supergrass
3/5
Ah, air-heady positive wholesome indie fun. Not wholesome in a twee moth-eaten sort of way, but in a youthful exhuberant summery sort of way. Two well-known tracks to sing along to, and the rest zips along with fresh speed. More than a three? No
Erykah Badu
3/5
Sultry r&b for habitual hash smokers. It's kinda sexy just not for me. Makes me feel like a cuckold. It's funky enough and you can happily groove away but ultimately I was never destined to be in this gang and that's fine. If you want cool, laid back neo-soul go for it
Beck
3/5
A bit soppy, slow, cute, indie, emosh. A touch over quirky for me. Reminds me of a great doc about this dude who can't get erections.
The Replacements
1/5
Shit, boring, turned it off
Joy Division
5/5
Excellent album. Jagged, dark, mournful, forceful guitar music with mild industrial electro on occasion. More deep, existential and serious than the 80s goth movement that it spawned. True nihilist post punk. Musical, lyrically unique and quietly compelling. Think grey, hopeless, northern, gruelling, yet - despite what The Wombats want you to believe - actually quite good to dance to.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Brilliant, exuberant, energetic youthful record. Lacks a maturity and focus in places but quite fun. Bjork is excellent but hasn't quite claimed the forefront at this point. Birthdays a good track. Perfectly bloody nice
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Soft tracks for gentle souls. Pleasant but bloodless. Pleasingly short. Famous songs but generally forgettable. The album ends in a light ebb.
R.E.M.
3/5
Ah fine - college rock or something. Later albums are more mature and the songs have more distinction but this is youthful and fun.
Tim Buckley
3/5
For long stretches certainly more sad than happy; where the album isn't sad, it's certainly long. It's meandering and indulgent like early Van Morrison and self-confidently sexy like Buckley junior but in a way that seems occasionally try-hard. In patches, particularly towards the end, there are good grooves and nicely layered textures that you can really get into - in other segments it can all feel a little loose and soppy. It's a reasonable, jazz-inspired, often mournful, singer songwriter album with sweet spots interrupted by the occasional slow motion warble.
2/5
Some classic 80s stuff. Not really for me. The album doesn't hold together especially well and relies on it's two famous tracks to get by. It gets dull fast. Glad they exist I suppose but not for my own sake.
Talking Heads
4/5
Just the best dad music. Not my dad, of course, who's a Beatles guy - but someone's dad. Byrne is cool as fuck. Great rhythms. Great lyrics. Nice taste in suits. Rhythmic, angular, great life-affirming, funk-adjascent groove. I particularly like the section where Byrne says heaven is a place where nothing really happens. Dunno what it means but it feels like it means something good.
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Acerbic, caustic, other time fantastic. Jello's warbling but assertive voice sets nicely with the fuzzy diy musicianship. The lyrics are funny, provocative and excellent for precocious teenagers looking for a sharp edge to their politics. When I was 14 I bought this album for a girl I fancied who I believe still has it. Kill the Poor and Holiday in Cambodia are highlights. The album does sometimes disintegrate into sparse noise but that's sort of the point. Five star band but maybe a four star album.
Grateful Dead
2/5
Oh it's just fine. Country inspired rock music with some slidey strings and some harmonies. I can imagine driving one of those large modern American trucks to a gas station near an Arby's to it and pretending to myself that I am a free American man rather than mere detritus on capitalisms factory floor. I am, as it happens, neither American nor detritus so the fantasy does not last long. This is such a normal album with some extremely normal songs that it can't exceed 2.5 stars and I'm in a rounding down kinda mood
The Kinks
3/5
The baroque harpsichord can grate early doors and often the songs feel flippant, superficial and in the case of Session Man perhaps a little mean-spirited. The album descends into an almost ironic psychedelic instrumental before getting significantly better. Sunny Afternoon is a classic for a reason: warm, funny, seemingly relatable (despite my lack of stately home or significant taxable income). The other tracks feel immediately more mature and better for it. I never really got the kinks, but this album brings me closer.
Sepultura
4/5
Remarkable album. Hard, uncompromising, invigorating. Never listen to metal normally but this was extraordinary - no campy machismo, self-regarding instrument fondling,l or school-shooter vibes. Metal without North American involvement. Turns out it's excellent.
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Fun 80s campy tunes. Simple, familiar, exuberant, fun. Won't listen again.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Huge swinging Americana from Dartford's finest. The yank fluffing in the Stones' back catalogue is so overpowering it feels like some drawn out parody. Most of the songs on this album are broadly forgettable and, on the whole, indistinguishable one from another. It picks up a little with the jangly and subtle Let it Loose but still never quite leads anywhere. I will never ever understand the NME pretense that there was any sort of comparison between this extremely one dimensional, samey band, albeit with a handful of excellent tracks, and the Beatles.
Cheap Trick
3/5
Quite fun for a live album although many of the tracks passed me by. I Want You to Want Me is pleasant enough and buzzes along with a warming euphoria. The band have a swingy air-headedness which brings a smile. I listened while on a long run and it motivated me to chomp up the miles quite happily. Whether it leaves a mark, I dunno
Blur
3/5
A satisfying 90s album full of okay songs. Considering Blur were at their prime during my young years I'd have thought this album could bring a twinging nostalgia but nothing. Ready Salted record, less good than their more famous album, and a fair precursor to better material from Albarn's later projects.
The Undertones
4/5
Excellent 80s British band. Satisfyingly angular, fuzzy edge with relatable lyrics if you grew up in the UK. Excellent music for urban cycling and wistful memories of teenage simplicity
Q-Tip
2/5
A tame, trendy affair unlikely to offend or inspire. The rhythm is self-consciously cool and smooth but buzzes along in a very usual manner. Musically competent but rarely gripping I would happily put this in the box marked "clearly not for me"
Alice Cooper
3/5
Dunno, like it's good but I'm not American and 13 so it's certainly not great. I've also heard Alice is a stand up guy but he simply feels like a creep and there's no getting past it.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
More interesting than most Stevie. Groove, subtle, gospel and nicely layered. Great as background but interesting enough to sincerely sit and listen to. It's has a lot of fun space synth noises twiddling about but very little of that stupid honking synth horn I find so off-putting with a lot of Stevie Wonder's more commercially successful tracks. A very nice album.
The Prodigy
5/5
Excellent album. Punchy, unique, strong, thrusting. You will always always have a smile on your face to this. Excellent UK race with punk, metal, D&B, jungle elements. What a mix.
Doves
2/5
Move over Travis, you are not the only purveyors of blandy noughties inoffensive indie music. The album starts and ends at the usual points with precisely three recognisable songs and suitable filler in between. Are the recognisable songs good? No. Is the album? No. Was it influential? Not in a positive way. Will I listen again? No.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Always brilliant. This one has all the classics and I probably should have listened to this before Live at San Quentin which appears as the fresher, sharper album of the two probably as a result. An excellent raconteur, performer and musician. Jonny Cash united all people in thinking he was an extremely cool fucking guy
Joan Baez
4/5
Reedy warbling vibrato and piles of self-conscious sincerity but a remarkable voice nevertheless. These are predominantly covers, and dominated by a stripped-down folk faux-socialism. I think there is inadequate vulnerability, honesty or artistic expression to be considered truly era defining but she's left her imprint and deserves some recognition for that
Eagles
3/5
Very American classic rock tunes for dull dudes who drive a lot
Chicago
2/5
The tracks in this album take a long, meandering time to go nowhere in particular. It's very grand, layered and, at times, bombastic, but the end result is a little soulless and showy for its own sake.
Jethro Tull
3/5
Basically fine dad rock, grizzly, kinda listenable - all totally okay
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
White guy blues. Don't get me wrong, I like white guy blues sometimes but this is just like black guy blues other than a sheen of inauthenticity. The voices are an imitation, the guitar licks have been overheard elsewhere first, the band is a homage and the grooves are affectations. The problem is that these people admire blues musicians not for the emotions they evoke but the technical ability they have. And generally these early British blues guys practiced that in their private school dorm rooms. It's a different, worse, world. And throughout this ineffable sensation that they thought they were so cool for producing this fake bread. The album, in the end, is forgettable, cliched, at least by now, and just a bit annoying
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
Not a one track wonder. The album makes me think of those moody 90s new age-witches: all purple and black fabric and dark eye-shadow. The actual album is melodious, serious, and even a little bit cool. Nothing compares 2 U is extraordinary if a little familiar and black boys on scooters is good controversial daily mail bait which is always good for a bit of seasoning. A better album than I anticipated
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Great BPM, great momentum, unique sound perfectly fine poppy dance from the noughties computer drum-machine era. Serviceable for them that likes it
The Verve
3/5
I think Richard Ashcroft is a cool guy and this is a cool album. Low key britpop with a bit of swagger and musicality. The Verve, despite being the lesser exposed of the 90s lad bands somehow remains terminally uncool. Oasis and Blur have their accolytes, Pulp have their cult following (despite having at most three songs) and yet the verve. Who listens to *them*? Well, I did, twice, and possibly possibly never again.
Radiohead
4/5
I used to have a fantasy of playing 2+2=5 to Simon Cowell on stage or something when I was 14 just because the drop is so serious and undeniably thick and heady. Thought his taught botoxed cheeks would loosen from their chemical girdle and wabble appreciatively and he would know, he would simply know that music had finally happened. That the holy war was waging and he was on the wrong side. This is a good, overlooked, Radiohead album. People get sniffy because it's not OK Computer or the Bends but those people are idiots. An extraordinary album if not quite their best.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Morose samey with moments of brilliance. Moodily encapsulates the dingey, paranoid, nihilist 80s attitude. Musically: fuz guitar music, low and monotonous but absolutely worth a listen
Talk Talk
3/5
80s adult contemporary, oddly enjoyable, a bit yuppie but it has a nice groove generally. Layered harmonies, a touch of subtle synth, just a bit of guitar distortion. Just feels a bit American Psycho that's all
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Chirpy upbeat rock pop from a bunch of goony middle aged yanks. Perfectly fine.
Lambchop
4/5
Very steady, satisfying indie album. A few familiar tracks, a nice consistent ryhthm. Interesting enough but not era defining or anything. Simple, understated, hits the right spots without overexerting.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
Brilliant synthy scene music. Shears falsetto evokes British gay icons like the Communards or Elton John and always reminds me of similar bands during my twelfth year (The Darkness, Franz Ferdinand, Electric Six). The music is tight, zippy, funky, cocksure and enjoyable. Plus, from memory, the mamas loved it. Stronger than I remember if a touch poppy for me
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Slimy, greezy swamp funk with assertive, gravelly rock n roll vocals. My grandads favourite band - for him Creedence were the culmination of music and nothing of note happened since other than, perhaps, Abba. Foggerty's presence is effortlessly, unobtrusively cool. The only band universally accepted as excellent.
Keith Jarrett
5/5
Extraordinary improvised piano music. The album is like watching an extraordinary creative intellect just ticking over. It feels like having a great idea every few minutes. Extremely rewarding, beautiful stuff.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
There will never be a voice like Aretha's - never a mood to match. She perfectly straddles the transition from gospel to 70s soul and brings the essence of spiritual devotion into the secular world seamlessly. Her voice is controlled while expansive and completely inspiring. It's such a complete expression it makes you want to punch walls. Having said that, I still found elements of this album a touch humdrum and incoherent. Aretha is a five star, life-changing singer but the album falls shy of its potential.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
The worst wainwright. Goes on but goes nowhere. The Laurence Fox of music. Couldn't do much, so did what his family did.
The Blue Nile
2/5
Dull sort of adult contemporary. Sometimes piled in with Roxy Music's excellent Avalon as genre leaders but this is not a patch on that excellent album
Aimee Mann
1/5
I knew I'd hate this album when I saw how she spelled her first name. My granddad would have liked this album but he also liked the Corrs and being a racist so that doesn't mean very much. I found it a very standard album, from a very normal musician. Put it in the bin with the others.
Pearl Jam
3/5
Thick, fulsome 90s rock. Not for me, a bit crusty, but for someone I'm sure.
Massive Attack
3/5
Heady, moody, generally good but goes off the boil in places. Satisfying otherwise and worth a second go.
Kacey Musgraves
1/5
Blood awful.
Willie Nelson
2/5
Ah, normal, fine, I want to like it but can't. Just sounds like bland oldy country. Overrated on first listen. Sorry Willy
Goldie
3/5
Face warping drum and bass, doomy ketty jungle, it smells like the footwell of my uncles car - petrol, socks, old grinders and meal-deal packets. This is to music what the boost bar, red bull and half a spliff are to breakfasts
R.E.M.
4/5
Great band, great album, lyrics nonsensical but feel right music is on point. Just brilliant psuedo cerebral American 90s guitar music.
The Temptations
3/5
Didn't realise there were so many bloody temptations. Good ol' well-established funk. In the mood for not-too-funky funk? Well here's a plateful. It'll fill that funky hole but you aren't gonna gurn baby.
Syd Barrett
3/5
Little moments but degrades into self-indulgent, thoughtless guff which is too easy to dismiss. I expected more from this icon but, like many teenage cult figures, his death overshadows his life.
Michael Jackson
3/5
If you like Mike you'd love this album - if you think he's a bit of a weird nonce then you'd probably still like this album but to a lesser extent.
Electric Light Orchestra
2/5
Christ this got old quick. Nice heights but long and drawn out lows. When on long car journeys with an aging hippy father, perhaps skip this one completely and get a compilation
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Ah, a fine album with high points (Maps and Y Control are absolute bangers) otherwise faintly nostalgic noughties indie pop with a charismatic frontwoman and a fairly normal backing band.
CHIC
4/5
Honestly, excellent. Always thought they were a bit cheesy and lame but sweating up a large Spanish mountain in my bicycle to this really helped. Is it real funk? No, not really. Disco? Not that either. Does it matter, only a little bit.
OutKast
2/5
Long and, though not dull, never hits any giddy heights. The rap ryhthm never quite sits comofrtably with me, the words never quite hit right or say enough, the beats are never quite as gutsy or powerful as I'd like and the hooks are tame. All in all a perfectly fine album but I wanted a little more
The Roots
3/5
A good, cool album, too cool maybe. Experimental in places, absent mindedly groovy in others. Very fine.
Van Halen
3/5
Corny as chuff but fun at a pinch
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
One long prolonged fuzz. Okay
Beyoncé
2/5
I dunno, it just sort of goes on. Meanders thither the yonder, rambles a bit, then the production picks up before it abates for a bit more blather. I dunno. Not me really to bae honest
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
Very steady, extremely influential, dad's everywhere loved it but Clapton's a massive racist and much of it has been better achieved elsewhere. Blind Faith, for example, have many of the same band members but got more funk, soul and rock n roll from Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood than is ever achieved here. Far too much stable filler and a touch too much competence for its own good.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
All the classics very charmingly arranged, morose and uplifting, occasionally dour but satisfyingly burnished.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
Brilliant, invigorating, extremely political album. Lyrically incisive and cool if, for obvious reasons, simplistic. Era-defining definitely although passed me by a little bit. Album art is extraordinary. Very strong 4
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Better than I expected but I didn't expect much. Something always seemed unappealing about LCD Soundsystem to me. It always seemed to be for someone else, someone kinda boring. It's a perfectly satisfying album but if you like the cadence, beat or whatever then just listen to talking heads who did the same thing better decades before.
John Martyn
4/5
Puts you at ease in an instant, easy, kinda sexy, masculine, musky. Feels a bit like a caramel scrub or something. An album for adult couples. Full of classics. Great.
Wilco
2/5
I was yearning for this one to end
Miles Davis
3/5
Listened in the wrong context, while doing an enormous run. Poor rhythm for that, ended up cocking a gawky leg and stooping my strides arrythmically like a spastic emu. I didn't really get it but I think that's my fault. Jazz often makes me feel like that. Interesting and irritating in equal measure.
The Who
2/5
Familiar but uninspiring, some simply conceived rock songs interspersed with plain chatter. Some songs are simply stupid, others are competent rock songs with a semblance of swagger. All seems a bit creaky looking back though, a bit ryvita and bone medicine
Amy Winehouse
4/5
Brilliant, characteristic trumpetty neo-soul from before neo-soul became sexy again. It has a lowkey twee Duffy cube to the production which is a shame but the tracks are otherwise tightly produced and the songs are magnificent. Lyrically very honest, an excellent window into that moment and noughties north London indie scene, good insight into a vulnerable, chaotic, manipulative, expressive personality. Not 100% my taste but 100% complete in and of itself.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Solid reggae album with some of the classics, couple unusual version, dripping cool. Not quite their best.
Paul McCartney
3/5
Gah, creaky cheesy guff - baby I'm amazed is catchy - the rest of the album is chirpy chappy McCartney chatter. Just full of slightly worse versions of baby I'm amazed really.
Green Day
3/5
Classic, slightly raw, very teenage, pop-rock. All the alty girls I liked from school were into this album. Listened to it in the car and it was alright you know.
R.E.M.
3/5
A medium album from the most medium band of all time. There's nothing wrong with medium, by the way. Three stars.
Radiohead
4/5
Excellent characteristic indie. It is fresh melodic, with little gestures of the later Radiohead in some of the arrangements. Genuinely an extremely enjoyable album but not quite the heights of OK Computer and In Rainbows.
Aphex Twin
4/5
Starts so strongly, unusual grooves, weird but compelling, send little dopamine explosions around the old cranium but, after a while, descends into a loose anxiety ridden noise-scape. The albums a trick a TRICK. It wants to HARM you.
Pixies
4/5
Excellent tracks, weird, cool American alternative rock. If you like the pixies you're probably a pal. I used to bitch all the time about their truly awful lyrics when I was a young poseur but I have grown up since. Iconic album, iconic tracks.
SAULT
5/5
This album absolutely captures the zeitgeist of BLM with grooves, intelligent lyrics and light, expressive production. One of only a few albums of the last few years that's stopped me in my tracks. Completely satisfying.
Burning Spear
5/5
My brother and I listened to this on a long bike ride around the greater Stevenage area and I can't lie, we felt cooler than we cooler than we could possibly deserve. Groovy, tight, political, concise. The pulse syncs with your own very nicely and you become giddily aware you are listening to a perfect expression of the form. Reggae classic, no question about it.
John Lennon
5/5
Visionary songwriting, iconic music, and some great, bitter sniping about Paul McCartney placed alongside some sincere ditties about yoko which feel sweet and universal. I absolutely love John Lennon. Simple clean melodies, meaningful concise lyrics, bursting with grandiosity as well as humility - flippancy alongside purpose. His vulnerability, anger and self-importance laid out for all to see in a way I find completely appealing and relatable.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Thick oozey funky 70s guitar music. You have everything: tracks to strut to, tracks to make smut to. Basically v v cool
Ash
2/5
I'm sure I listened to this then forgot. I'll take that as a clue.
Elliott Smith
3/5
With this album Elliot Smith makes a sweet, gentle, bittersweet point which he goes on to reiterate with monotonous abandon. It resembles the thrill of a needle prick which subsequently drains you of all your blood.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
4/5
Strong post Joy Division moody electronics with beautiful, lilting uplifting sections. Absolutely in for the morose yet twinkly She's Leaving and Souvenir. Although they appear as a couplet early on and the rest of the album stands as a set of slowly diminishing foothills. Over all, excellent in places but overlong.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Funky, rhythmic, well-crafted wide-appeal rock music. My abiding memory of the band is learning to dance to Can't Stop in year six. I enjoyed it immensely. You'll never get anything too exciting, no gut-punch or life-changing moment but it's totally good.
Genesis
2/5
The occasionally melodic descends to the unbearable and unlistenable in this uneven, immature, meandering prog rock soundscape. If there's to thing I don't like in this world it's hippies and Tories and in this jumble of an album Phil Collins casts a long horrific shadow
Terence Trent D'Arby
4/5
Cool, clean 80s neo-soul. Some lovely warbles and a sexy new-age energy throughout. If I was a 40-year old woman with a penchant for crystal healing , D'Arby would set my soul alight. As it is, he gets a four.
Coldplay
1/5
Music to die to. Music that smells like disinfectant pumps in municipal hospitals. In 2007, it may have worked to evoke some emotion among the numb, anti-biotic cow-people, watching X factor sob stories slack and passive, trying desperately to remember what being alive feels like, slumped immobile in gelatinous clumps. Not now, though. Not even that.
Finley Quaye
4/5
Excellent 90s shag and spliff vibes, groovy
Tito Puente
4/5
Phenomenal for a little run, great rhythm, highly structured, makes your bum sway with full vitality and glamour. Love the bits where Tito is an absolute cunt to bandmates and they kept it on the recording.
Beatles
4/5
Excellent, witty, energetic fun album. John very much at the centre which I personally like, and lots of little buzzy gems from 60s British rock n roll. The film released with the album is one of the best films made and is gloriously, wonderfully stupid. Very into this
3/5
Famous tracks, dreary album.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
They have always appeared to me, since my entrance into this world, like horny cadavers singing bluesy pastiches of black American songs. After this album, all I can say is what songs they are! Thoroughly enjoyable, enormous soul and delta blues influence, tightly produced but cool, very listenable. An altogether very good album
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
The daddest of dad rock records. Constant recognisable classics: admirable, macho, thoughtful. I simply have never found Springsteen terribly exciting.
King Crimson
3/5
Uplifting, exciting prog rock which occasionally meanders into self indulgent cul-de-sacs.
Ramones
4/5
Energetic, buzzy, young pop-songs. Basically Buddy Holly and early Beatles played by long teenagers. Can hear the influence on the buzzcocks who I happen to love and the lyrics are stupid and charming.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Gentle, swaying, earnest and experimental in a way that preserves its edge decade after decade. One of the best albums ever made.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Graceful, soaring, melodic noughties indie. Lyrics are thoughtful if slightly impenetrable and the music encourages you to bob your head from side to side, probably astride an enormous town bike in the Netherlands or something, basket included. One for sensitive and precocious arty kids I'd say. It won't stay with me but I enjoyed the visit
Stan Getz
3/5
Lovely, smooth, unchallenging and smile provoking. Loungey I'd say, lazy. Perfectly listenable. What do you want?
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Actually a really zippy satisfying bowie-esque pop album with perfectly satisfying songs and uplifting pep. Not world beating though.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Punchy, fun, optimistic funk pop album straight out of 70s Chicago - not that I would know. I've never been to that decade or place. This album is simple, textured, laid back and strikes the delicate balance between cool and cheesy in a way that makes it an all time classic. You can imagine middle-aged parents dancing to this in the kitchen after the kids have gone off to bed. I just listen in bed, lying like a starfish.
Gene Clark
4/5
A very satisfying, atmospheric, sincere folksey rock album. Very Neil Young in places, extremely 70s, cool, right on, southern sounding. All my faves. John Fogerty, Lynnrd, Nash Still and Young. Yeah, good.
Jimmy Smith
1/5
Holy fuck I hated almost all of this. I strained to enjoy segments but they were short lived. The whole album sounds like an empty stage while you talk to someone else. It sound like exeunt. The organ is dated and persistent like a pervert uncle pawing at your waist. The tootling is unstructured and unamusing. A lot of mind over matter. Utterly emotionless jazz gestures that faintly irritate the skin. Not sla bit of me.
Neil Young
4/5
I love Neil Young, although his voice whines in that nasal, grating way. Southern Man is an excellent track, although with a baffling narrative turn midway that I can't quite interpret.
The xx
3/5
Sweet, lazy, earnest electric soft-pop. Are they a couple? I can't remember. Was this played in every beer garden in 2011? Yes, absolutely. It's kinda cool, kinda wet, kinda okay.
Morrissey
3/5
Faintly satisfying but mildly irritating, like peeling dead skin from a toe. One listen down and no noticeable highlights but that could change further down the line. He's the ur-arsehole of people like Pete Doherty and Russell Brand who I love and hate in equal measure. I find conflict and moral quandary really uncomfortable so perhaps I should excise these people from my life and have done with it.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
A fantastic illustration of how good music can make slightly wet politics groovy and sexy. I tend towards a more austere, radicalism rather than this fluffy goop but, do you know what? Who fucking cares? Bop after bop. The album feels like worn leather in an expensive old car, and smells like fresh tobacco, pepper corns and caramel. What's more, Gaye sings about how fish are full of mercury and I simply never considered that before. He's on a long list of people I think the CIA killed with very little evidence and that makes him something of a little martyr for those sweet little fishlings. Rest in strength Mon Frere!
Bob Dylan
5/5
Very strong contender for the best Bob Dylan album. More mature and cynical. Incisive lyrics, keen, mean and tight. Generally confessional, intimate, introspective swings between the stupid and the mysterious. Musically, it has good pace and a light jangle. An album I just listen to all the time and I suspect I always will.
U2
1/5
God I fucking hate u2. Spent the whole two weeks trying to slog through this bore-fest only to watch the cadaverous remains of what was once, presumably, boneo, play to some billion dollar corporate apple light-cube in the US, then make some poor quality, self-aggrandizing reference in support of Isreal as they begin bulldozing northern Gaza. I dunno, just fucking lame, always fucking lame. Also ruined that one Simpsons episode by lacking charisma so utterly. I will have tk finish this album one day but don't make it today.
The Byrds
3/5
This one seems to have passed me by a bit. Great jangly tight-stringed guitar. Some of the chord changes are satisfying, the harmonies are a touch cheesy and ENO evocative. The tracks are short and punchy which is to their credit but the album sells itself on its title track, an unremarkable cover of bib Dylan's worst song, Mr Tambourine Man. Please play a song for me, any other than that. I dunno a mixed bag.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
An unbelievably sexy album, subtle, unparalleled, perfect.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Robert plants voice is excellent but cold. Nevertheless, this is a classic, extraordinarily conceived, massively influential and satisfying.
Beatles
5/5
There are two debates. One, is can an album with arguably two of the worst pop songs ever written get a give star rating? The other is, was it so hard to push Paul McCartney out of a window? Or will his chirpy boudacious blimpy cheeks expand, like a chipmunk's, into rosy great balloons which bounce him towards safety? Big questions. In short, Harrison's Something is phenomenal, I Want You is groundbreaking, Come Together era-defining, Because, groovey and excellent, Oh Darling, great - I just.... you never give me your money is Paul at his best and most British mid-century beige. I just... It's just utterly a loveable excellent album. Do I want to punish them for the octopus song? A bit. Do I want to cram Maxwell's silver hammer so far up McCartney's arse his next song is simply a mallet thudding like the clanking bells harkening me to eternal darkness? YES! It has to be five though, it has to be
Deerhunter
2/5
Tried this one and found it unspeakably dull.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Never quite got this one. I mean they're classics of a sort, very full expressions of themselves. Springsteen simply has yet to move me. Maybe it's age. He has strong macho dad energy, maybe that's it. I'm still the Oedipal Son and I'm gonna kick his fucking head in. I'll listen to this one over time and see if it transforms for me. For now I'll give it four for being an excellent example of what it is, it's just a shame I don't quite understand what that is yet.
Janelle Monáe
2/5
Listened to this then forgot immediately.
Basement Jaxx
3/5
Alright, sorta fancy, sorta interesting, better for exercising to rather than, like, enjoying.
Röyksopp
4/5
Moody, scandi, very mid-noughties BBC drama: think hustle. Moogs and groove galore. Sexier than I imagined. Really good to strut to too. Goes very well with a tiny lump of hash and your girlfriend. It's a teeny tiny bit passe but really satisfying and complete.
Elton John
3/5
Surprisingly dreadful at points. Candle in the Wind is mawkish and silly, even before the Diana nonsense. I find much here unmoving and occasionally irritating. I prefer his earlier honkier tonkier stuff
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Morose, literary, moving, occasionally indulgent, a little ironic generally a very nice album with some very high high-points. Into my arms is perhaps one of the simplest, cleverest little love songs ever written. The album could have been tighter though, more cohesive or captured that essential something that makes an album five stars.
The B-52's
3/5
The schtick gets deeply annoying after a minute or two, despite the joyful uplifting energy and campy arrangement. I feel trapped in a room with kind hearted attention seekers who are really someone else's friends.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Overwhelming youth and energy. A debut album like a debut shag, vibrant, eager and over too soon. Track after track are
classics but lacks some essential depth and maturity.
The Coral
3/5
Bland naughties half-hearted drivel mainly. Loads of filler with one stonking great killer. Every album was like this in the halcyon nme days of new indie. A bit good a lot bland.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Lyrically sarcastic, jealous, self-centered, bitter, musically satisfying and unique. This album has some era defining tracks, an excellent narrative of the break down of a relationship played out in a shared band, I've had it in my head for weeks. Love it.
Sam Cooke
4/5
Grizzlier thank expected from Sam Cooke, who I always considered a little clean. The live setting gives a good impression of charisma and sweat. I never realized quite how didactic a lot of this early soul was but who cares the lessons are as good as the grooves.
David Bowie
3/5
This album is all front-cover. Fuzzy British glam pop: fine. Songs are structured, sensible well-produced pop songs but don't extend to much beyond competence for me.
B.B. King
5/5
An absolute gem, a hero, a smooth bluesy guitar fella. The sort of blues that makes you scrunch your face with tight enthusiasm, like you ate a spicey gumbo or someone put a lemon up your bum. I love the testifying, confessional nature of this era of rhythm and blues, pure religious.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Bookended by two excellent songs this album is a fully matured expression of Bob: strained throat, mysterious circumlocution, plain ploddy guitar with little lyrical bits to prevent too much monotony. Still, classic though it is, it's a touch gutless and annoying. Intellect over emotion, reference over experience, showy on occasion. I don't return to this one very often.
Oasis
3/5
Classic tracks just a shame I find it duller than dishwater
Pixies
5/5
Iconic post-punk, spikey, stupid. Genuinely laugh-out-loud with a mean edge. Overwhelmingly influential but imitations pale in comparison, even when produced by the pixies themselves. No, this was a special moment that made a special album, let's leave it at that.
MGMT
3/5
Some good tracks but it's a slightly air headed pop album from probably one of my most awkward eras so I'd rather just hide it away forever
Solomon Burke
4/5
Absolutely solid soul album. Listen to it.
Janis Joplin
5/5
She emerged damaged from the psych rock hippie scuzz and US middle school. Too ugly, they said, too try-hard, too white, too much. Constantly condescended to by talentless scabs riding her coattails, abused by cracker America for her soul orientation and never taken seriously by a record industry that couldn't understand the source of her particular, magnetic charisma. I love Janis. Some is a touch corny but her voice is rough, raw and soulful as a bleeding throat. She was vulnerable at a time that was considered a weakness and America destroyed her but she is American through and through. Tacky and sincere simultaneously, erratically sincere and flippant but ultimately rock, roll and soul. If anyone gets the chance listen to her version of Little Girl Blue in the Tom Jones show. She must have been 26 but embodies the world-weary, gentle patience of some ur-mother cradling a weeping child, perhaps cradling herself. Glorious woman, extraordinary talent, excellent album.
Radiohead
5/5
A life changing album for me. I listened for the first time on my Toshiba Gigabeat while walking to school in the rain. I thought nude was the best, it was on that skins advert after all, but recliner stopped me in my tracks and I sat in the rain to listen to it around 7 times before I continued my journey, late for form and soggy. It's followed me about since, love it - just extremely wonderful.
David Bowie
4/5
Possibly includes my favourite (or close to) Bowie song in Sound and Vision, one of the most excellent songs to strut to and a track that floats absently into my head during quiet, positive moments. The rest is all very well although descends into proggy cul-de-sacs for limited purpose in my view. Still, generally fine but not as groundbreaking as it clearly wants to be during those moments. Almost gets a five for Sound and Vision alone but I will restrain myself this once
The Lemonheads
2/5
Sorta Ramonsey bland repetitive youth pop, unsophisticated but without the sort of exuberant vulgar appeal that can sometimes correspond - casually optimistic but with no real emotional staying power and otherwise aimless. Not to mention the BPM doesn't sit right all with me, a little fast and slow at the same time. Difficult to settle with.
Beatles
5/5
Do the Beatles get fives by default? Taxman is probably the most annoying song on the album, as it's just a prolonged rich boy whinge from Georgie but what an excellent whinge. The energy maintains throughout although plateaus exquisitely for I'm only Sleeping, an anthem for those, like me, with a dozey disposition. Anything other than a five is rank contrarianism isn't it
Dr. Octagon
3/5
Stupid childish humour which makes you snort,.simple but effective beats, an unusual underground sound. Feels like a pirates vhs tape of late night early 90s TV. Tastes like Cheeto fingers, sounds like skateboard wheels and smells like grinders and armpits. Not life changing and overlong but a reasonable enough experience
Orbital
4/5
Fuzzy, zippy, excellent to run to, great electronic beats very 90s, very UK and actually very very enjoyable
The Soft Boys
2/5
I listened then immediately forgot
Kings of Leon
4/5
Polished, popular, sort of kings of Leon but without the wild lo-fi youthful vigour of their earlier, better albums. Sex on fire is nonsensical and overplayed but I still think actually quite a tune, the opener is excellent too but all in all the albums a little humdrum and sort of forgettable whereas, the first two - in the words of Vince Noir - are blinding.
Nitin Sawhney
4/5
Excellent UK trip hop inspired by India and atomic war. Lightly heady, Greta pace, nice rhythm. Music to help get stuff done
Bill Callahan
4/5
Mellow, pleasant, informal but well-thought-through with tender moments and little emotional sweeps. A lovely album I'll listen to again.
T. Rex
5/5
Exceptional album: fuzzy, melodic, stompy, entirely uplifting. Brilliant pop tracks, occasionally gentle and meloncholic, always excellent and uplifting. Really encapsulates what I imagine the 70s to be.
Radiohead
5/5
Phenomenal album, musically sophisticated, spooky, cold and oddly uplifting. As good now as when I first heard it at 16 sat on a school coach with my CD Walkman. The Tourist is a highlight.
ABBA
2/5
My grandad thought the only two bands worth a damn were credence Clearwater revival and abba. He was right 50% of the time and very wrong in this instance. Campy, cheap, very proto Waterman. Though I'd enjoy, didn't at all.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Airhead pop-rock for dads with limited personalities. Listenable in its way but notably inoffensive and unvital. This is an album best described by what it is not and that's good.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
This album made me think I was a Gonzo journalist like Hunter Thompson. I would go round James's at about midday and we would drink whisky in teacups and pretend to like it before making a nuisance of ourselves. We would cut ea mother's hair, shoplift and smoke embassy cigarettes with Freddie. I 💭 get i'd be a writer or a painter. None of this is relevant, I just listened to it a lot. Lou Reed's strained, charismatic voice, nicos hairy but vulnerable posture, John Cales cacophonous, wailing guitar. I don't know the others to be fair. This album made you feel marginal in an exhilarating way, expressive.
Buzzcocks
4/5
Angular spikey and young. Very enjoyable
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
Basically fine intellectual hip hop, not I soured to have another go
Can
3/5
Fine for half an hour then immediately excruciating despite no demonstrable change in texture. You can absolutely have enough of this, the reward is not worth the labour.
Nick Drake
5/5
Excellent soft album I return to time and again. Want a gentle album to lie near a canal on a balmy afternoon, here you go!
Manu Chao
3/5
Alright, really. I'm actually in Spain so I thought it would be evocative in some way but really just sorta fine, passed me by a little bit.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Pleasant but dull. Not much to say.
Marty Robbins
4/5
Badman cowboy tunes from rightwing jutcase who inspired Johnny cash and other basically cool guys. Really enjoyed it, made me feel strong, powerful, male and edgey. Who could want any more?
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Silly made up language, interesting shoegazey noisescape, are they Scottish? I can't tell. Fine when played at low volumes int he background while something more interesting is happening
2/5
Dissonant, uncomfortable, occasionally melodic. Not awful but I was happy when it ended. Unlikely to go again.
Van Morrison
3/5
Extraordinary dad music, up there with Springsteen. Gravelly singer-songwriter schtik with a bit of additional jazz sophistication. He has a sort of sepia songwriting style that seems to mean nothing and everything. Lends itself cosily to film soundtracks, Belfast a great example, but occasionally evocative of a sort of weepy in-the-old-days sentimentality you may get watching that hovis advert from the 70s. With this album, Morrison switches his more experimental circumlocutory meanderings for more tightly composed, mature pop music. The unfortunate side effect is the album is both occasionally dull and appears in every middle aged man's car CD collection, which doesn't help matters. Moondance, as a track, has a swing affectation I personally despise but I can appreciate the weary cosy groove present in pockets over the rest of the album
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Rough, bluesey, occasionally meandering and ... Weird. An excellent album if not altogether pleasant. Sorta hippie rock, jazz, blues, thick with drugs. Enjoyable.
Method Man
4/5
Unique, skunk haze funky hip hop, gutsy beats with a perpetual forward motion, dissolves effortlessly into the background but lingers. Not assertive but persistent. Extremely satisfying, a brilliant album.
Elliott Smith
3/5
Whispering, soft, sad, prolonged. Interesting little moments but generally pretty samey introspective songstering. Can see why he has a cult following with 12 year old girls and slightly wet moody male teenagers. Nevertheless, good in places.
The Darkness
3/5
Campy nonsense, extraordinary functionality, 80s era hair metal from middle England. Exciting when it came out (I was about 11) and completely pleasant now. Unfortunately, never quite leaves a mark.
David Crosby
4/5
Really cool, mellow 70s rock album - some post hippie wibes, very nice
Dennis Wilson
4/5
The 70s was just a supremely good decade for albums and this feels accomplished and satisfying if a little long - although the "deluxe" version is the only one available on spotify at the moment. This one seems like it couldndo with a few listens. Maybe I'll find one a little tighter.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Still yet to feel much but a dull stirring. The SOUND cool but they don't SOUND good.
The Magnetic Fields
3/5
Björk
4/5
Difficult but never unpleasant - self-parodying on occasion unless you're into that sort of thing. Lots of highlights in this listing, ecofuturist, cerebral sound scape but I listened to it cycling up a hill in india so I can't point to any really
Gang Of Four
5/5
Iconic postpubk album, teenage, lusty, strong, male, english, political, jagged - once got my English teacher tonllay one of these songs in class and he was horrified. Wonderful album
Nightmares On Wax
4/5
Actually an album of broadly instrumental hiphop bangers. Cycled out of Goa into karnataka listening to this, looking at all eagles and cliffs and whatnot. Very good all considered.
Madonna
4/5
Absolute bangers on here mate - icon of the era, takes youbright back to the period. Imagine your face on a screen, all blonde hair and cars whizzing about like flies, all on a time lapse like you're on some balloons or something. Oh I'm madonna, you're madonna, aren't we all madonna?
Arcade Fire
5/5
Actually an excellent album, a highlight of noughties india, exuberant, confident, grand, mildly overly self awareness, occasionally self indulgent, serious but in a fun sort of way - uplifting, intelligent, ever so slightly annoying but you let them off. 10 out of 10, would listen again!
Shack
2/5
Like a fake 90s band in a scooby doo prequel. Oasisy nasal whine, bland chorus, humdrum filler, rarely any thriller. Very okay
Bee Gees
3/5
Grand, artistic, kinda self indulgent with experimental moments and very silly lyrics for era defining song writers. Perfectly fine, may listen again but not sure it will have a lasting impact
Roxy Music
3/5
Dunno, fine in places, challenging in others, loved avalon. This seems a bit more of a mess. Brian ferry's vibrato in places absolutely immense, however, and Brian Eno has some lovely little electro details.
Eminem
2/5
I dunno, adolescent, angry, kinda stupid - not a lover of his flow, the reliance on a relentless end rhyme ends up sounding a bit Dr zuess - he refuses really ever to say anything - the images or narrative are very introspective and self interested without really exploring ideas. It's confessional I suppose but a bit one dimensional. Dr Dre's production is plodding and somewhat groovy but I could live without it. I dunno - very American - reminds me of school shooters, WWF and kids setting fire to deodorant cans with lighters.
Mike Ladd
4/5
Fresh, experimental, lyrical, intelligently lyrical. Four stars straight off
Soul II Soul
5/5
Original, groovy, serious, English - a lot of my favourite things - captures the late 80's to mid 90s era well, crystillises the US hip hop and soul influence with a bit of UK urban dance that acts as a backdrop to this broadly quite dim country. Deserves a 5 star, hits each spot perfectly
Orbital
4/5
Optimistic early rave, simple, DIY, upliftingly naive. There was a sliver of hope I think in the mid 90s and you can feel it. Makes me think of Trainspotting, the orgazoid, and the future current doom-music mourns. Like Burial or bicep seek to be yearning for a time where the future seemed tomopen and inviting. Instead, we have puffy chested hysterical racists flapping their tatty rags.
Common
3/5
Cool, classic, bouncy - nothing in excess. Not too mindful, not to brash, not too political, not too experimental, not too whatever. Just pleasing. Should hip hop be simply pleasing? Not for me to say
Japan
4/5
Great moody synth cool to the touch, aloof, could very much get into this