Nov 11 2022
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Aja
Steely Dan
Didn't expect it to be so funky - seems like jazz rock. Piano was used well and I like Donald Fagen's voice. The lyrics were super random which is always fun. It's musically complex and well produced but still accessible.
Fav track: 'I got the news'
4
Nov 14 2022
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Forever Changes
Love
Not a fan - sounds like shitty Beatles. I have tried to like psychedelia many times and I now accept that most of it is quite weird. I appreciate the Hendrix level of complexity much more than the actual genre.
Favourite track: A House is Not a Motel. Like the folky feel.
1
Nov 15 2022
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Hejira
Joni Mitchell
It's not on Spotify! I'm so glad this came up, I've been meaning to properly listen to Joni Mitchell for ages but for some reason never got round to it. Such a beautiful voice.
Favourite track: Hejira - haunting guitar and the lyrics are poetry, the 'comfort in melancholy'. The sadness of a breakup leads her to realise that love is the purpose of life, and also teaches her to cope with solitude
4
Nov 16 2022
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In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
softer/electric experimental side of Miles is amazing. Each track feels like 5 different songs but with rhythmic, thematic and tonal consistency so it's not as if he just lumped an album into one song. Uses space really nicely. Doesn't showcase his trumpeting enough though - 5 star for me is Nefertiti and Kind of Blue (obviously). I also think the album cover is sick
Fav: 'in a silent way' (but i loved both tbf)
4
Nov 17 2022
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People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
WE ALREADY KNOWWWW ITS A GOAT
favourite song: ham n eggs... LOL (probably luck of lucien but el segundo has a special place in my heart)
5
Nov 18 2022
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Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
Pretty classic rock n roll, definitely an iconic sound but not hugely exciting. I really dislike the American dream lyrics but I guess there aren’t that many big artists who obsess over America so much so it’s not like it’s overdone it’s just annoying
Favourite: something in the night but liked the drums on candy’s room
2
Nov 21 2022
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A Night At The Opera
Queen
it feels like all i need to say is that this is the album with Borap on it so of course it's a goat. but i've never listened to the full album and it actually really surprised me with how much i loved it. mainly because it's got a song for all occasions - and there aren't many songs out there which are about loving your friends/loving your car. it's so fun and light, and seems so quintessentially british but also kind of satirical. and then takes a darker turn from prophets song.
musically it's great, brian may really shone. the layered vocals are incredible. they use so many instruments, i think i heard a kazoo at one point? i thought i preferred a day at the races but i reckon this one is my fav queen album. id give it 9/10 but i'll round up
also nostalgic, it reminds me of my mum :)
favourite song: love of my life, but i've always known that - seaside rendezvous on this listen though
5
Nov 22 2022
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S&M
Metallica
it's a fantastic and super unique idea - thrash metal with symphony orchestra?! the amount of creativity that went into this project must've been insane. production-wise i think the orchestra could have been emphasised more because all you could really hear was the violins. since the he strings and guitar compliment eachother so well, i think the lower timbers (brass section mainly) could've enhanced lars ulrich's drumming really nicely. i do love live albums and hearing the audience interaction, 90s metal scene was sick and this is a nice window. i'm firmly on 3.5/5, can't decide whether to round up or down
Fav song: battery, it's a song that's so heavily metal and the orchestra adapts to this sound. amazing as an album ending because of that massive build of tension
4
Nov 23 2022
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New York Dolls
New York Dolls
Every song sounds identical and uses the same 12 bar blues riff. I definitely did not need to listen to this before dying
Fav song: lonely planet boy
1
Nov 24 2022
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Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Pretty fun not much to say tho rly, contains some absolute bangers
Fav (new) song: raise your hands
2
Nov 25 2022
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The Poet
Bobby Womack
Was nice n easy on the ears
Fav song: just my imagination
3
Nov 28 2022
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Phrenology
The Roots
Definitely a big fan of the musicality of the Roots, this album was a bit samey for me though. Things fall apart should definitely be on this list
Fav song: thought @ work, mainly for the drums
3
Nov 29 2022
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Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
Such a lovely voice, the music was gentle and laid back but at no point repetitive. Soulful rock with a British country feel. Legacy-wise, Springfield is a defining artist of the 'blue-eyed-soul' category, but her sensuality makes her voice that bit more captivating
Fav song: Just a little lovin
4
Mar 13 2023
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Vespertine
Björk
Can't lie I find Björk so overrated and I've TRIED so many times to like her but I'm very specific when it comes to psychedelia and experimental electronic and Björk doesn't hit it for me. I appreciate she's a really cool woman and that this is a technically remarkable album but I don't think it's something i'd revisit
Fav song: it's not up to you. i like interspersing of glitchy synth with a harpy tinkling (sounds like musical static) into an electro-pop chorus. I also think Harm Of Will really showcases her brilliant voice
2
Mar 14 2023
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First Band On The Moon
The Cardigans
Could’ve easily gone my whole life without listening to this album. The vocals are lovely but the music is so dull. Was interesting to read that The Cardigans are Swedish tho - so much famous music from Sweden !
1
Mar 17 2023
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Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal
It was quite ethereal which at times meant it moved slowly, but truly unlike anything I've heard before. Senegalese guitar... was spiritual and felt quite Islamic influenced.
Fav song: Salminanam
3
Mar 20 2023
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All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
Fantastic album
Fav song is a hard one. I'd Have You Anytime is one of the most beautiful love songs ever
5
Mar 21 2023
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Graceland
Paul Simon
The Xitsonga on 'I Know What I Know' was really interesting. It led me to do some reading about how Simon became interested in mbaqanga, South African street music. That the album is a protest piece against Apartheid makes me like it one star more.
4