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Sun Jan 08 2023
Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
I already recognize the first track, funny when that happens when you listen to a band you don't really think you've listened to that much.
Decent record, nice songs, definitely a toe tapper.
3
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Mon Jan 09 2023
Roger the Engineer
The Yardbirds
Really not that exciting.
2
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Tue Jan 10 2023
Either Or
Elliott Smith
Boring.
Even the one with 137M streams.
Christ, I don't think I even listened to the last few songs.
1
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Wed Jan 11 2023
Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
Otis Reading doing covers - what's not to like!
3
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Thu Jan 12 2023
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
I believe Ms Lauryn Hill once said she'd rather die than a white person listen to her album. I hope I have done my bit.
1
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Fri Jan 13 2023
The Pleasure Principle
Gary Numan
Synthy synths, like this already!
I like his voice too, fits the music perfectly.
Great album from start to finish, 4/5!
4
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Sun Jan 15 2023
Revolver
Beatles
It's a good album, but I never really liked the Indian spiritual direction they took around the time of this, so some tracks don't quite do it for me.
Pretty damn good though all the same.
3
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Mon Jan 16 2023
Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
Let's give this a chance!
Child In Time, everybody knows that one!
It's just pretty inoffensive hard rock, it's alright.
This is all very Iron Butterfly at the moment!!
Decent record, nothing mind-blowing but a solid rocking time.
3
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Tue Jan 17 2023
Cloud Nine
The Temptations
3
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Wed Jan 18 2023
Treasure
Cocteau Twins
Dreamy, a bit dull, hate the drum sound.
2
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Thu Jan 19 2023
Follow The Leader
Korn
Ah, my teenage angst years!
I would say Korn was my early introduction to heavier music, and although I prefer their earlier stuff, this one is a banger!
Quite a dark album, some of the songs go to very bad places, but I feel they were done in a good way, they're not cheap or exploitative. (Pretty)
The songs with Ice Cube and Fred Durst are terrible, they were back in 1998 and still are.
Drags on a bit towards the end, long songs that all sound the sound.
3 stars.
3
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Fri Jan 20 2023
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
1
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Mon Jan 23 2023
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
This band and album came just a bit too late for me to get into. Sadly, full-time work and the misery of adulthood had hit hard by this point, and I wasn't really listening to music much.
So I've heard "I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor" before, I'm sure every one in the world has. Everything else is new to me so far, decent indie rock and I love the singer's accent.
Frank Spencer!
I like the copper bashing song, "Riot Van".
I thought I might recognize "Mardy Bum" but nope, new to me this one!
Ooh, I know this one!
(When The Sun Goes Down)
Who came first, The Strokes or Arctic Monkeys?! I checked, I think The Strokes were first.
"Just cos he's had a couple of cans, he thinks it's alright to act like a dickhead." Haha, just about everywhere on a Friday / Saturday night in the late 90s / early 00s!!
That was alright, that. Can't give half stars, as I'd give it 2.5 / 5, so I'll go with 2 because it wasn't /that/ good.
2
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Tue Jan 24 2023
The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
I have heard of A Tribe Called Quest and I have heard of this album, although I think I may associate it with another band maybe?
Nice flow, good beats and bass lines! Sounds like a double bass on the first two tracks. Samples are good throughout. Each member plays really well off the other, excellent lyrically.
Fuck what you heard.
4 stars!
4
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Wed Jan 25 2023
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Beautiful voice, her life is an incredible story worth reading about.
It's hard to get into though, different cultures, languages, experiences, but I do appreciate the skill and craft of the songs.
3 stars.
3
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Thu Jan 26 2023
Pink Flag
Wire
The epic(ish) post-punk opener descends into generic garage-punk strumming.
ELASTICA!
Really not sure about his voice.
The longer songs are definitely better than the < 2 minute ones.
Pink Flag is a good song, like this one a lot.
Is this an R.E.M. song or is this a Wire song or is it someone else's entirely?! I know it as a song R.E.M. have done, possibly a cover. Like the guitar tone, though. Vocals are terrible.
I already have Mannequin \"hearted\" in Spotify, so I must have heard this one before. Yeah, this one is alright, like the bass playing.
Strange one, feels like a greatest hit album padded out with rarities and b-sides because they realized there weren't enough hits.
2 stars.
2
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Fri Jan 27 2023
Exodus
Bob Marley & The Wailers
I don't think I have ever deliberately sat down and listened to a Bob Marley record but have heard so many songs over the years anyway.
Bob is a good singer, the musicians are very skilled, the songs are alright.
Very samey though.
2 stars.
2
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Mon Jan 30 2023
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
So, this is like José González, before José González was even born?!
It's very good so far, nice guitar playing and singing.
Everything so far just seems to meander along nicely and then come to an abrupt end. Seems a bit strange, or I'm not listening right, it's been a funny day.
Free Ride has stood out for me, I like the droning strings and then the sliding guitar stabby bits along with the vocals. Nice melody.
It's a nice album, but nothing really happens, so I can't give it any more than 2 stars to stay consistent.
2
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Tue Jan 31 2023
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
3
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Wed Feb 01 2023
The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
I'm not really looking forward to this next hour.
I prefer her singing than rapping.
I'm liking the ballads more than the songs trying to be big dance floor bangers.
She's got a great voice.
This is quite the toe tapper (Come Alive (War of the Roses))!
There's some good fuzzy guitar playing on this record!!
This is about 20 minutes / 6 songs too long, bored now.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Thu Feb 02 2023
Here Come The Warm Jets
Brian Eno
Hmm, I'm not sure to make of it so far!
Funny noises, sure, why not.
There are no vocals on \"On Some Faraway Beach\" and it's the best song so far. Oh wait, there are, oh well. The piano playing is nice, though.
Not really blown away by this one. I liked the quiet ambient parts and I like the noisy loud freak out parts, the bits in between were alright.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Fri Feb 03 2023
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
Big opening!
That bass guitar is in your face, man, love it!
Aaaarghhh no, it's the Princess Di song!!!!! (I know it was originally about Marilyn Monroe). This version isn't quite the sentimental shite it turned into.
The piano riff on Bennie and the Jets is really cool.
Nice bit of flute on this one (I think).
This album was mixed and mastered by a bass player, tell me I'm wrong!!!
Elton can even reggae, he does the lot, haha.
He's got a good voice, I wasn't too sure it fit quite right with the music, but it definitely grows on you and makes sense. Every song has been a banger so far, really strong songwriting.
He did just say he hadn't had a bath in a year!!
Elton goes Beach Boys now!
SATURDAY.
Well, that was marvellous, a bit too long, but what to cut?
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Mon Feb 06 2023
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
This stuff'll make you a god-damn sexual tyrannosaurus, just like me.
Rip It Up is great.
It's a variation of the same song, 15 times, it's a good song, but it gets a bit much.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Tue Feb 07 2023
Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
I have no idea what to expect here.
A straight-up blues album, well I never! It occasionally slips into a more African / Tribal beat with accompanying chants, but this is the blues and I like it. The guitar playing is particularly excellent.
As with other albums from lands far away, I've no idea what they are singing about, but the melodies are catchy, and the harmonies are excellent.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Wed Feb 08 2023
Tidal
Fiona Apple
Nice album, good singer.
Not really sure what to say, as with all the albums before and all albums after, I have listened to this once and put down my thoughts during the play through.
Forgettable to be honest.
If there were half stars I would go 2.5, but there aren't so...
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Thu Feb 09 2023
Leftism
Leftfield
Massive Attack / Faithless, but not as good vibes immediately.
Or as good as The Shamen.
Terrible, just terrible.
Ooh, I recognize this drum beat... (Song of Life)
Nah, had enough.
1 / 5 stars.
Being generous.
1
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Fri Feb 10 2023
Forever Changes
Love
This is a nice, inoffensive record, the orchestral flourishes add a little something to the otherwise unremarkable acoustic guitar songs.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon Feb 13 2023
Wonderful Rainbow
Lightning Bolt
I like that the vocals are buried a bit in the mix, they become an instrument in themselves, too far forward, and you start to listen to them and I don't think that is what is intended, they are not words, they are noises.
There really are some beautiful melodies here, buried beneath the fuzz!
Wonderful Rainbow is such a beautifully well-timed respite from all the chaos that came before it, and now we're off again, fully rested.
Well, that was lovely. It did get a little samey towards the end and my ears were glad when it ended, but I liked that a lot.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Tue Feb 14 2023
Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
Strong opener.
He's such a great lyricist, story after story.
The harmonica does get a bit too much on occasion, I'm looking at you Queen Jane.
He had a good band behind him.
I was worried the 11-minute closer was going to ruin things and drag on, but no!
Great album, great songs, great singer.
HOW DOES IT FEEL?!
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Wed Feb 15 2023
One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
Sounds very modern, not at all what I was expecting.
Getting some reggae vibes now.
I really don't know what this is...
2
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Thu Feb 16 2023
1984
Van Halen
SYNTHSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
This is kinda the perfect pop song, isn't it?
Cheese, cheese, cheesy, cheese. Love it!
It would be foolish to say that EVH was anything but a brilliant guitarist. Hahaha, fucking amazing!!!
Another stone-cold classic right here!!
Clocking in at just over 30 minutes, 0% fat, bonkers guitar playing and some interesting synth sounds too, great album and one I have overlooked for too long.
4 / 5 stars.
4
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Fri Feb 17 2023
Thriller
Michael Jackson
Stone-cold classic.
Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean!
Paul McCartney!
If the Thriller video didn't scare you shitless as a kid in the 80s, what were you even doing?!
NO ONE WANTS TO BE DEFEATED!!!
EVH guitar solo!
1.3 billion streams!
Ah, it's like a nice mellow come down.
And back up again.
And down.
Wow.
5 / 5 stars.
5
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Mon Feb 20 2023
The Sun Rises In The East
Jeru The Damaja
The discordant piano riff is cool with the beat over, pretty good so far.
Hmm, bitches and hoes already?
Ain't The Devil Happy? With the violins, it is pretty good.
It's when the beat and an off-kilter riff or sample comes together that the song is lifted. It works again on this track, Come Clean...
The beats are alright, the rhymes are alright, the flow is alright, it's just a bit forgettable.
2 / 5 stars.
(I have since been made aware of the homophobia on one track, so yeah. Nope.)
1 / 5 stars.
1
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Tue Feb 21 2023
Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Very much a gateway album for me. It's instantly accessible, even with the strange time signatures used throughout, it just sounds cool.
There's not been many hit songs in 5/4, but Time Out is more than just Take 5, I probably prefer Blue Rondo à La Turk, but there's not a dud on the album.
If you're not sure about Jazz, give this a listen and then go Hard Bop and Free Jazz, just like me!
5 / 5 stars.
5
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Wed Feb 22 2023
Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
A jangly dream that doesn't turn into a nightmare.
Doesn't turn into anything, really.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Thu Feb 23 2023
Night Life
Ray Price
He's got a great voice and I love the double bass and pedal steel guitars.
It's all a bit "safe" and pleasant, though, but a nice listen.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Fri Feb 24 2023
Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
I go into this not really knowing what to expect. I have heard PJ Harvey songs before, but never really on purpose and never a whole album worth of them.
The screaming is not doing it for me, the singing is much better.
"Albini sent Cobain a copy of the PJ Harvey album Rid of Me (1993) to give him an idea of the acoustics at the studio where they would record."
I thought this sounded like Nirvana, but actually, Nirvana sound like this!!
Just a lot of angsty yelling at the moment, with all the subtlety of a brick to the face. This is the first time I've sat down to listen to PJ Harvey properly, and I'm close to standing up and doing something else.
I mean, what the fuck is this supposed to be? (Man-Size Sextet??)
This Dylan cover is probably going to be the best song on the album.
This is better, got more drive and is at a much better pace. Fast and frenetic suits quite well.
I'm guessing she was part of the whole grunge thing that was going on back then? I can imagine she was going up against stuff like Hole and The Breeders, L7 maybe, shit like that? The English Courtney?! I don't know, I was probably still listening to Oasis at this point in my life!
I just don't think this album is for me, it's too loud, it's too noisy, and I am exhausted listening to it. Now a lot of that is no doubt Steve Albini's fault and not PJ Harvey's, but it's her record at the end of the day and I don't like it.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon Feb 27 2023
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
What a voice! He's making Tom Waites sound like a soprano!!
Time has gone by very quickly, disappointed that things have come to a close.
A very nice album, Mr Cohen's voice is great, and he is backed up by excellent instrumentation and songwriting.
Lovely stuff.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Tue Feb 28 2023
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
I only know two Cyndi Lauper songs, and one of them is on this album, so it's all good.
Oh, wait! I know this one too!!
(Time After Time)
Not terrible, but not that good either.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Wed Mar 01 2023
Devotional Songs
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Yeah, I don't know how to approach this at all.
This is so far outside my wheelhouse, I'm thinking about things and musically things sound very good, I especially like the sound of that really deep drum / percussion throughout. The vocals have a great rhythm, and they flow in and out of the music really well.
No idea what's going on, though.
An hour and a half is a long time.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Thu Mar 02 2023
Spiderland
Slint
Ah, Slint! That band I have pretended to be into for years, to impress people that don't even care.
It sounds like the very beginning of things that I would come to love. I can see a copy of this record on every single Discord band's shelf, and it is well-worn.
I was worried that "Don, Aman" had taken all the momentum out of things, but then "Washer" comes in and blows everything away, never to be the same again. Life-changing.
I miss you.
4 / 5 stars.
4
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Fri Mar 03 2023
The Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers
Punk Rock Jim Morrison?
Who's that other band, hmm, Velvet Underground?
This is pretty uninspired proto-punk with someone trying to be Ray Manzarek in the background so far.
The bass playing is very good.
Some of these lyrics are sounding very sixth-form college deep poetry-esque.
This wasn't terrible, but I didn't really like it that much.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon Mar 06 2023
Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
I've seen the name a million times, and on pressing play I kind of recognize the voice, but I can't say I know much about Todd Rundgren at all. I am, however, put off by 1 hr 29 mins as a runtime, which is quite frankly bonkers.
He's got a good voice.
People have been saying this gets weird, where's the weird man?!
Okay, now things are getting weird!
Maybe gone too far into bizarre.
It's still going, and things haven't been that bad, to be honest. It's all a bit AOR middle of the road 70s soft-rock stuff, but then that is what it is.
And that's that.
Not terrible, but going by what else has been not terrible...
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Tue Mar 07 2023
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
The Allmusic review mentions funky, but I just find this to be a little lightweight and lacking.
Stevie went forward in time to steal this RHCP song and record it before they could to make ALL THE MONIES!
Eh.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Wed Mar 08 2023
Arise
Sepultura
I never could get into Sepultura when I was younger, and a lot more into thrash metal. They definitely leaned hard into the hardcore punk roots of thrash, which I do like because as we all know, hardcore rules.
Some good songs here, Arise, Dead Embryonic Cells, Desperate Cry and some forgettable ones too, but overall a decent album and despite what people say, a good follow up to Beneath The Remains.
Chaos A.D. is better, though!
3
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Thu Mar 09 2023
Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
A Forest.
The end.
4 / 5
4
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Fri Mar 10 2023
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
5
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Mon Mar 13 2023
KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
What a delightfully lovely album!
I am glad to have listened to this today.
4 / 5 stars.
4
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Tue Mar 14 2023
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
Maxwell
Great voice, very slick production, but it just does nothing for me and the songs blurred into the next and then it stopped.
And I hate the tone of the bass guitar in Modern R'n'B / Neo-Soul, especially when slapping (which is a lot of the time), ewwww.
2 / 5.
2
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Wed Mar 15 2023
Billion Dollar Babies
Alice Cooper
I don't really know what to make of Alice Cooper. I'm far too young to have caught the good years (the 70s, at least according to Allmusic ratings) and well, he wasn't relevant at all to my growing up in the 80s.
Nothing much to say, I've heard "Elected" a million times.
Was that Paul McCartney?
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Thu Mar 16 2023
Group Sex
Circle Jerks
If your punk album isn't 14 songs and 15 minutes long, are you even trying?!
I don't remember having much of a rebellious punk phase, so have never really listened to Circle Jerks, but can definitely hear their influence in the punk bands I did listen to growing up.
The guitarist was also in Black Flag and formed SST Records, that's pretty cool.
I'm finding the longer songs to be the highlights, "Operation", "Back Against The Wall", "World Up My Ass", "Live Fast Die Young" and "Red Tape" are great.
Decent listen.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Fri Mar 17 2023
Garbage
Garbage
I don't remember 'I'm Only Happy When It Rains' sounding like this, perhaps I remembered a completely different song?!
I heard that if you put the CD case down on any surface, even the most perfectly flat surface known to man, it would slide off because the production on this is so slick.
(I made that up)
'Not My Idea' is a terrible song.
'Stupid Girl' sounds like I remember.
'As Heaven Is Wide' and 'Stupid Girl' are alright, everything else is fairly forgettable, except 'Not My Idea' which is fucking awful and something I imagine everyone involved with the band says whenever they hear the song again.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon Mar 20 2023
Dummy
Portishead
My initial thoughts are, "It's Dummy by Portishead, of course it's an automatic five, are you crazy?" But then I started to think a little (and I haven't pressed play yet). Outside the singles 'Numb', 'Sour Times' and of course 'Glory Box' is anything about the rest of the album memorable at all? Are the good songs that good, that it doesn't even matter about the rest?
We shall see...
'Mysterons' is such a good opening song, sets the mood immediately.
Not much to add about 'Sour Times', great song.
I love the throbbing, pulsating drive of the bass and the trippy backwards snare in this song, 'Strangers' is definitely one to remember.
'It Could Be Sweet' is the first song I'm not a fan of on the album, the beat in particular feels off with the rest of the instrumentation and sampling on the track. It's not bad by any means, but doesn't do it for me.
'Wandering Star' picks things back up with a great beat and bass line and some good turntable work.
Nice organy opening, I don't really remember this song at all. Hmm, a bit nondescript this one sadly, and I'm rather cold for 'It's On Fire'.
Dark and brooding and what a fucking bass line, 'Numb' is fantastic. The processing on the drums creates a great atmosphere too.
This song is like heartbreak and despair and sadness distilled and compressed into a single outpouring of grief. The guitar swells and then the orchestra are just perfect. 'Roads' is a fantastic song, probably my favourite on the album.
Another great bass line in 'Pedestal' and trumpet solo! (Sounds like a trumpet to me!)
The organ sounds good in 'Biscuit' and some more sub-bass is always good. The scratching and slowed down vocal sample sounds great with the organ over the top.
'Glory Box' is a very good song.
Debut album, hugely influential, the best song wasn't even a single.
5 / 5 stars.
5
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Tue Mar 21 2023
Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Oh, did Neil Young write "It's better to burn out than fade away"?
I guess I didn't know this was Neil Young.
Has anyone ever said, "HEY MAN, NICE MOUTH ORGAN SOLO, DO ANOTHER ONE!"?
He's very much like Dylan for me, I'm not quite sure whether I hate his voice or not.
Songs are good though.
The rest of the band just showed up.
I think I like his voice.
Is Into The Black or Out of the Blue better? I like the guitars in Into better.
Some real fucking passion in that song.
Good songs, I'm leaning towards liking his voice.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Wed Mar 22 2023
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
He / They wrote the theme music for 'Father Ted' don't you know?!
She said,
There's something in the woodshed
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home?
It's all a bit silly really, and if you scratch the surface, a little bit sinister.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Thu Mar 23 2023
The Real Thing
Faith No More
I'm surprised 'Angel Dust' isn't on the list as well because I prefer it to 'The Real Thing', but I also prefer Mr Bungle to Faith No More (but the old Bungle, not whatever they want to call this new Bungle).
I was shocked to see that 'Epic' has significantly more streams that the rest of the album put together, not the best song on the record.
It's alright, not as good as I remember.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Fri Mar 24 2023
Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
I know nothing about Salsa.
The instruments were played very well, the singing was nice, the songs were good.
A foot tapper.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Mon Mar 27 2023
The Blueprint
JAY Z
Awesome bass tone on the opener.
And it continues into the next track!
I thought H to the Izzo was a meme, turns out it's actually a song!
I take it Jigga is a Jay-Z thing?
So is Jay-Z upset that he was fucking around behind this woman's back, and now she's angry, but it's not his fault honest, he was just fucking them, no big deal?
Cool bass is back!
'Renegade' is excellent.
Hmm, I think it started off very well, then kind of lost my attention through the middle of the record, then the song with Eminem was superb and then it ended.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Tue Mar 28 2023
Kenya
Machito
Kenya and Blues À La Machito go pretty hard, I like that.
Otherwise, some pretty ordinary Afro-Cuban big band stuff.
Enjoyable.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Wed Mar 29 2023
Funeral
Arcade Fire
I know I'm supposed to hate Arcade Fire now because the singer is a bad person, but I've never listened to an Arcade Album song before, so I don't know how that works. I guess I will dislike the man for being a bad person and see what the music is like.
Phew, moral quandary navigated!
Not sure about his voice.
It's actually not that bad.
Solid, I like the 'Neighborhood' pieces.
3 / 5.
3
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Thu Mar 30 2023
Rubber Soul
Beatles
I could happily sit here and sing along with every single song.
The songs, the melodies, the harmonies are all spot on and so, so good.
Apart from the wildly inappropriate 'Run For Your Life' this is an almost perfect album.
4 / 5 stars.
4
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Fri Mar 31 2023
Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
I recognise 'Drop The Pressure'.
I recognise the sample from 'In My Arms' but I can't place the original.
This should be on the '1001 Albums You Must Put On In The Background And Completely Forget About' list, to be honest.
'Doctor Pressure' is a banger though.
Utterly forgettable.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon Apr 03 2023
Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
I have never listened to Joni Mitchell before today.
Great voice.
'Help Me', 'Free Man in Paris' and 'Raised on Robbery' are standouts in an excellent album from beginning to end.
4 / 5 stars.
4
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Tue Apr 04 2023
Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers
I know one Chemical Brothers song, but no idea what it is called. I have a feeling I will probably recognise more as I listen.
Oh, it's the first song!
I saw The Chemical Brothers at Knebworth House in 1996, supporting Oasis for their big outdoor thing they did; The Prodigy was better though.
I remember this one too, Noel Gallagher sings on this, doesn't he? ('Setting Sun') Sounds very much like him, anyway! Remember that track Ian Brown did with Unkle? That was a proper fuckin' banger.
Some of these songs are waaaaaaay too long.
My era, but not quite my scene.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Wed Apr 05 2023
Pictures At An Exhibition
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
If I listened to this, and then died, I'd be really disappointed.
There are actually some fantastic parts of this, just for the really over blown, over the top silliness of it all, you just can't help but get into it.
I'm really not sure if I love or hate this.
This is like one of those really cheaply made B-movie zombie films that are so bad they are good. Just keep flinging more and more gore on and no one will notice absolutely nothing else is happening.
Didn't ELP have a record with some H.R. Giger artwork, the title of which I can never remember? Always makes me think of Dead Kennedys for some reason.
Brain Salad Surgery -> Plastic Surgery Disasters
I'm edging close to a three.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Thu Apr 06 2023
Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J
Things seem a bit lightweight.
I know this one!
('Mama Said Knock You Out')
What the fuck is going on here?!
Boring.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Fri Apr 07 2023
Risque
CHIC
Holy shit, one of the most recognisable bass lines right off the bat!
Sampled 217 times apparently, according to whosampled.com
Great start, although it should have finished about 5 minutes ago.
What a come down.
This one seems a bit better, needs a higher tempo for goodness sake!
It's all a bit slow, can you disco to this?!
And it's over, that came around quickly. Apart from the first song, which tries to stretch a bassline out for way too long, nothing much really happens. I thought a disco record would be a bit more upbeat and uptempo, but this is frankly rather boring.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon Apr 10 2023
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
This is giving some Dylan vibes, so far
(am up to 'So Long, Marianne')
Of the two Cohen albums we have listened to in the group, I much prefer the other one - 'You Want It Darker', and yes I do, darker Leonard, much, much darker!
I've heard 'Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye' before, and 'Suzanne' rang a bell.
Hmm, I don't feel that it ever really got going. Still a decent listen though.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Tue Apr 11 2023
Marquee Moon
Television
Very catchy so far, loving the bass playing.
I don't know, kind of reminds me of a more rocky CCR.
Got that southern rock twang, at least to my ears anyway!
Maybe even a bit of the Doors.
(Crawling King Snake)
I'm all over the place today.
I think on my first listen through of this record I was rather perturbed that 'Marquee Moon' was nearly 11 minutes long, but it doesn't seem so bad this time. And the main guitar motif is excellent!
Yeah, that was fuckin' awesome.
The second half dragged a touch, but that was great.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Wed Apr 12 2023
Daydream Nation
Sonic Youth
Not as good as Sister.
4 / 5 stars.
4
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Thu Apr 13 2023
Back In Black
AC/DC
It's so damn hard not to head bang, air guitar and air drum along with every single track. But if you stop to think for even a second, everything is all rather boring and samey.
Best not to think and just rock!
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Fri Apr 14 2023
Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Aphex Twin
5 stars, amazing record.
5
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Mon Apr 17 2023
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
I never really got into the New York Dolls, they weren't really my thing.
They're not very good, are they?
Shite.
1 / 5 stars.
1
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Tue Apr 18 2023
Sound Affects
The Jam
Excellent record, I love how far forward they push the bass guitar in the mix.
Bruce Foxton is an awesome bass player.
Brilliantly crafted songs.
4 / 5 stars.
4
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Wed Apr 19 2023
Songs The Lord Taught Us
The Cramps
The Cramps have always befuddled me, even though I can't say I have ever listened to them that much. Their reputation and image always makes me think they should be some terrifying psychobilly band going absolutely balls to the wall, yet what comes out is just some slightly above gentle rockabilly that would have your grandma reaching for the volume.
It's alright, but I never felt like it really got going, gets downright cheesy in some places and really starts to drag towards the end. I really want to like this more, but I can't.
2.5 / 5 stars (will be rounding down to 2 stars on the generator site)
2
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Thu Apr 20 2023
James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
Turn it up and let it rip!
James Brown is awesome!
Crowd noise was a bit annoying (screaming girls, eww)
4 / 5 stars.
4
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Fri Apr 21 2023
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
Another artist(s) going forward in time to steal a song to go back and record it first!
Who does it best (Suggs!!)
I feel like I should be in some kind of medieval court dancing round a pole waving a hankie or some shit.
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie
Lie la lie, lie la lie la lie la lie, la la lie la lie
Did this song inspire the film, 'Baby Driver'?
It is a toe-tapper though!
Thematically, this record feels all over the place.
Yeah, it's alright, but massively overrated, I feel.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Mon Apr 24 2023
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
'Bang a Gong (Get It on)' is alright.
Dull.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Tue Apr 25 2023
Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
I scored another record down previously in the list for being too polished and too well constructed, and I think I shall have to do the same here.
I initially scored this a 3 when I listened to it (for the first time ever) in my solo listen through, but I think it is only fair and consistent that I score it a 2 on a re-listen. It is all a bit boring at the end of the day.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Wed Apr 26 2023
Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Fuzzy, swirly, lovely, screechy, goodness.
Hugely influential to me.
5 / 5 stars.
5
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Thu Apr 27 2023
Bone Machine
Tom Waits
Sometimes he overdoes the deep, dark, gravelly voice, and it just sounds silly; when he reigns it in, he sounds awesome.
I like the really stripped back bluesy ballads of murder, murder ballads if you will, like 'Murder In The Red Barn'.
Not bad.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Fri Apr 28 2023
Rapture
Anita Baker
I can smell the Pledge already!
And I recognise this song!!
The 80s called and said "Hi".
I like the bass, very punchy.
The rhythm section is tight.
Eh, what to say..? A brilliantly produced, crafted and recorded record and Anita has an incredible voice. Once or twice I listened to the intro of the track and expected Michael Jackson to start singing, and more than once I thought I was listening to Whitney Houston.
Do you like the genre or not?
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon May 01 2023
No Other
Gene Clark
I have already got around to listening to this today, and I can't really think of anything to say about it.
It is what it is, really.
2 / 5 stars, I suppose.
2
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Tue May 02 2023
Country Life
Roxy Music
I like this, Brian Ferry is a good singer.
3
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Wed May 03 2023
Histoire De Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
I have heard the name before, but have no idea what to expect.
This bassline is great, and speaking French over things usually makes them at least 37% cooler.
Breathy French female vocals are hot.
The orchestration elements are excellent.
I could listen to this for 2 hrs 52 mins.
That was incredible! I have never listened to Serge Gainsbourg before and I have to say I am know looking at his disography for more!
4 / 5 stars.
4
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Fri May 05 2023
Penance Soiree
The Icarus Line
Kinda trashy, noisy Rock 'n' Roll vibes.
Christ, still 3 minutes to go...
Excruciatingly boring and about 20 minutes too long.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon May 08 2023
Heroes
David Bowie
I don't really rate Bowie.
There, I said it!
Sounding very dated to me already.
I can't stand his voice, hate his accent.
It wasn't bad, the songs aren't bad, it's a good record, but I just can't stand his voice.
Yikes.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Tue May 09 2023
Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk.
Absolutely essential listening.
Vital to everything electronic in the world ever.
5 / 5 stars.
5
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Wed May 10 2023
This Nation’s Saving Grace
The Fall
Don't really know anything about The Fall, to be honest, except the old meme that it was basically a different line-up for every single record they ever released (with Mark E. Smith a constant, of course).
It's alright so far, pretty much what I was expecting for a post-punk band of the time.
It's just been dude talking over songs for ages now, starting to drag. These songs haven't got enough substance to be 2 minutes long, let alone >5 minutes.
So yeah, it's alright, the instrumentation is good, but it's just a dude talking over songs for an hour, hardly mega inspiring stuff.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Thu May 11 2023
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this.
It's all a bit flowery and very busy at the moment, a few minutes into the first track.
This last track sounds like Elton John should start singing soon (I like Elton John).
This is not the Jazz I like, but it's alright.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Fri May 12 2023
Legalize It
Peter Tosh
It's nice background music, I forgot I was listening to it on occasion (in a good way!)
This is a reggae record.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon May 15 2023
The Doors
The Doors
I am reminded of the many times I used to put 'The End' on the jukebox in my local pub, hear 30 seconds of it and then it being rejected and the barmaid giving me my quid back.
"Who put that bloody song on again?!?!" jt4527? Here's your quid back!!!!!
The Doors for me are a band I can not think about, not listen to for years and then immediately jump right back in without skipping a beat. I think I secretly and very subtly love The Doors very much.
Classic album, brilliant!
5 / 5 stars!
5
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Tue May 16 2023
Buffalo Springfield Again
Buffalo Springfield
I am not familiar with this band, at all.
Good start, Rolling Stone riff in there, amongst the fuzzy, reversed guitar solos.
Stills and Young are in the band, I see.
It is feeling a bit uneven at the moment, no real flow or connection between the tracks.
Decent listen, a bit patchy, but overall it's alright.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Wed May 17 2023
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Is 'American Girl' *that* 'American Girl'?
WE SHALL SEE!
(I really don't know Tom Petty, at all!)
Yes it is. (I'm sure I have heard a cover that's about 10000000 times better than this.)
That's about it, really.
I can't see myself lying back in bed, knowing I have listened to this album, and feeling ready to die.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Thu May 18 2023
Ingenue
k.d. lang
I remember 'Constant Craving' being huge at the time.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Fri May 19 2023
Mothership Connection
Parliament
Funky.
In some places, nothing seems to be happening at all.
The noises during the Supergroove song are pretty bad.
It's not really my thing, wouldn't listen again.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon May 22 2023
American Idiot
Green Day
Huh, a Green Day Rock Opera, and it's much better than it ought to be!
Ignoring the songs that got played to death on the radio, this is actually a very good album with some excellent songs, especially the longer medleys.
Glad I heard this in the end!
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Tue May 23 2023
At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
Sublime.
5 / 5 stars.
5
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Thu May 25 2023
The Bends
Radiohead
And if I could be who you wanted
If I could be who you wanted
All the time
All the time
My 43-year-old teenage angst comes crashing back like a tsunami.
Searingly epic, downbeat then downright sad, spectacular and then 'Street Spirit (Fade Out)'
Awesome, almost too good for coherent words.
5 / 5 stars.
5
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Fri May 26 2023
Drunk
Thundercat
Not particularly engaging.
It's not terrible, but I didn't really care for it while it was playing and was glad it finished, to be honest.
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Mon May 29 2023
In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
This record hits the typical Jazz/Rock/Fusion notes I don't particularly like, with the noodley jazz guitar and that organ sound!
Miles' trumpet sounds huge, though, especially on the first track.
I think I like the trumpet on the first track and nothing else, but the guitar and organ sound much better on the second track.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Tue May 30 2023
Moon Safari
Air
Awesome!
5 / 5 stars.
5
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Wed May 31 2023
Highway to Hell
AC/DC
AC/DC are/were (are they still going?) very consistent at what they do, and this is indeed an AC/DC record.
I like what they do, so it's all good.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Thu Jun 01 2023
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
I have to like Genesis, my Mum says so.
My childhood was filled with Genesis, but I can't really remember much of it. I think my Mum (and Dad, come to think of it), were more into post-Gabriel Genesis, so this is fairly new to me. Although I have just reached up to a CD rack near my and pulled a cassette tape out, and it is 'A Trick of the Tail' if that counts.
Rambling a bit, JUST LIKE THIS FIRST SONG, am I right?!
Kidding, this is great so far.
The bass sounds great, I always hear the bass first.
Lovely record, just sit back, relax, and listen to the stories.
3 / 5 stars.
3
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Fri Jun 02 2023
1977
Ash
Oh yeah, Star Wars.
I recognise quite a few of the song names on this record.
Noisy mess, and not in the good way.
I can 100% believe this was written and performed by teenagers.
You don't need to hear this before you die, I don't think I will ever listen to this again.
1 / 5 stars.
1
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Mon Jun 05 2023
Document
R.E.M.
Document No. 5!
I love, love, love R.E.M. up to and including Monster, and then i just......
Don't.
Luckily, this is one of their best albums and it is amazing 😁
5 / 5 stars.
5
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Thu Jun 08 2023
Bad Company
Bad Company
Don't know a great deal about this band at all.
I recognised the first song after about 3 notes, good song, hear it a lot on those "All The Hits All The Time" radio stations that have 20 minutes of adverts for 40 minutes of music.
Anyway.
I kind of drifted off after that, and the record is nearly finished, and I haven't got much more to say about it.
How many bands can say they have a Band Name - Album Name - Song Name, song?
It can't be many!
2 / 5 stars.
2
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Fri Jun 09 2023
Kings Of The Wild Frontier
Adam & The Ants
I have always associated AatA with the silly dress-up seen on the front cover of this record, and that ridiculous song 'Stand And Deliver'.
However, this is as good a slice of 80s New Wave / Post-Punk you'll ever hear and takes the band out of joke territory, where I previously had them filed.
'The Human Beings' sticks out for me, really simple, repetitive hook, love it.
3 / 5 stars.
3