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Wed Mar 01 2023
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
Black Mirror is a great opening track and the indie punk sound reminds me of my uni years. Nice drums but the angular guitar parts get a bit repetitive halfway through the album.
nice vibe to listen to while walking, or to use in a hipster indie film
4
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Thu Mar 02 2023
Protection
Massive Attack
I don’t listen to trip hop much, it’s not bad but most of the album faded into the background until Heat Miser which grabbed my attention.
3
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Fri Mar 03 2023
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Some schoolmates and I once went on a joy ride during high school one summer night and discussed our favourite music. Apparently at one point I said “well everyone loves a bit of Foo Fighters”
It’s refreshing to hear this album again after so long, especially looking back from 2023 where most music is so digital and heavily edited and sampled, to get that usable TikTok soundbite.
Basically a Dave Grohl vehicle (he played all the instruments) it’s quite stripped down in a way that’s understandable as someone coming from a 3 piece grunge band. It has the same ingredients to Nirvana (loud distorted guitars, pounding drums, quiet loud structure) yet so different, decidedly sunnier and more pop. Still, it’s got that charming rough around the edges and a bit more raw compared to the stadium rock polish they would be so famous in later albums. What I noticed this time is how the vocals are a little bit buried in the mix.
I forgot how much I used to enjoy just lying back and letting a wall of crunchy distorted guitar and loud drums wash over me. Steak and potato rock for sure, but nothing wrong with that.
5
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Mon Mar 06 2023
Blackstar
David Bowie
Here’s an album that’s been on my to listen list for a while. They said Bowie made a masterpiece before he passed away. The album manages to capture a classic Bowie sound while being forward looking at the same time. Highlight song for me is Lazarus.
4
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Tue Mar 07 2023
Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
I used to listen to a lot of classic rock like this, but somehow this particular album just doesn't really do it for me... the mix of the bass is a bit weird in the earlier tracks and that continued to distract me haha. And man is the bass line so busy in the opening track! Is it sacrilege to criticise an album that every boomer rates 5/5 stars?
That said, the more mellow acoustic songs were quite nice (maybe because the arrangements didn't have as much bass!). Obviously Maggie May is a classic but for me the standout tracks are "Tomorrow is a Long Time" (which turns out to be a Dylan cover... figures!) and "Mandolin Wind".
4
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Wed Mar 08 2023
Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
Brilliant album, tonally consistent. Leonard Cohen has a way with lyrics and the stripped back folk arrangement suits this well. Standout track is "Famous Blue Raincoat" but "Avalanche" demands your attention as soon as you hit play.
4
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Thu Mar 09 2023
Dirty
Sonic Youth
I am not familiar with Sonic Youth but have heard about them a lot. So it was good to have a chance to listen to them. My thoughts on this album? A bit meh. It’s fine as music playing in the background when I try to soak up in it I find most of the tracks too meandering with not much melody to make any of the tracks memorable. Maybe that’s the point with noise rock?
And I usually like my fair share of noise and distortion.
I think this kind of sound was probably groundbreaking in its time but after grunge became mainstream this doesn’t sound too exceptional. Anyways this is also supposed to be their grunge album.
Disappointed that I didn’t like this album but afterwards I started checking out their earlier stuff and I like them a bit more.
Standout track for me here is Chapel Hill with its catchy opening riff.
3
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Fri Mar 10 2023
Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
Interesting album and concepts to incorporate world music sounds. It ends up sounding like background music in a cafe that tries to be a bit posh.
At least the bass lines are pretty solid.
Standout tracks: Bomba and Erzulie
3
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Mon Mar 13 2023
Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
Thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Love the funky jams
5
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Tue Mar 14 2023
Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
Classic album and really good from start to finish
5
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Wed Mar 15 2023
Night Life
Ray Price
Not a country music expert by any means and the album won’t make me start listening to it more, but I appreciate how polished this album is. Clear dreamy vocals, reverb laden lead guitars, plodding bass. This is what I imagine a barn slow dance would sound like. Also appreciate that this is trying to be a concept album at an era where this wasn’t the done thing.
4
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Thu Mar 16 2023
Document
R.E.M.
All the classic hallmarks of REM is here. The jangly guitars, the cryptic haunting wails from Michael Stipe.. this is 80s alternative at its best. Accessible yet sounds a bit underground like the best years of university. Second half feels a bit weak I find but the first half makes up for it and I found myself singing along to One I Love while vacuuming. Solid effort.
4
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Fri Mar 17 2023
The Undertones
The Undertones
Very competent punk album, the songs are short and to the point!
4
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Mon Mar 20 2023
Grace
Jeff Buckley
Haunting choral like vocals with hard hitting 90s alternative rock drums. This album is a masterpiece. Highlight tracks: Grace, Lilac Wine, Hallelujah, Lover You Should’ve Come Over
5
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Tue Mar 21 2023
Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
A bit like a more diverse Motley Crüe. LA metal/hard rock sound but with a bit more groovy rhythm section and some experimental songs. Dave Navarro is a tasteful lead guitarist in small doses. Can’t really stand the lead vocals though.
Standout track is Standing in the Shower Thinking and Mountain Song
4
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Wed Mar 22 2023
Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
To me it seems like more noise rock like Sonic Youth but apparently they are not. Not sure what the difference is.
There’s something to appreciate in noise rock. Unusual song structure, a wall of sound that drowns you. On an intellectual level I think it’s pretty cool but I just can’t connect with it emotionally. Feels a bit calculated, eschewing conventional rules just because you want to rebel. I guess it’s a teenage instinct that I don’t relate to anymore.
The texture of noise is actually quite nice and visceral. Unfortunately the whiny mopey lead vocals don’t really do it for me and it takes away from the experience.
Most of the album feels like a blur of noise but the stand out song for me it’s Don’t. I couldn’t help comparing it with Nirvana’a Territorial Pissings but much more raw and cathartic (which is an awesome thing).
3
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Thu Mar 23 2023
1977
Ash
Never heard of them before but it's pretty good Britpop with less whiny vocals when compared with Oasis. High energy rock.
4
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Fri Mar 24 2023
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
Smooth grooves. Love the long jams but I think I need to be in the right mood for it.
4
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Mon Mar 27 2023
Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Clint Eastwood and 19/2000 are classic standouts. The rest are interesting jams with a lot of instrumentals over various styles of music blended into a unique Gorillaz sound. Pretty interesting blend of genres which is pretty ahead of its time.
4
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Tue Mar 28 2023
Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
Punk/new wave from the 80s. Interesting addition of bluesy keys.
3
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Wed Mar 29 2023
Ace of Spades
Motörhead
Can't deny the influence of Motorhead to heavy metal. The combination of hard rock and punk (in sound and attitude) is charming, as is the production value. Standout track is the classic "Ace of Spades" but the rest of the album sounds a bit samey to me. Lemmy is not the most technical bassist but his hard driving bass lines and slightly distorted tone suits the music so that's cool. I definitely enjoy his bass playing more than his vocals haha.
Something I don't mind listening to in small doses but not all the time (generally applies to metal for me nowadays).
3
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Thu Mar 30 2023
Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Can't go wrong with a vintage Bob Marley album. This is the first time I've heard the non-live version of No Woman No Cry and I have to say the vibe is more chill.
5
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Fri Mar 31 2023
Freak Out!
The Mothers Of Invention
A quirky album with satirical commentary lyrics and even in attitude. I appreciate it for its vision and concept intellectually. I also agree that it is definitely influential, but it was not enjoyable listening to it. Reminds me of when I was super drunk trying to be a rock star at my friend’s flat. I thought I was super witty with my random lyrics but I wouldn’t listen to it again the next day.
1
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Mon Apr 03 2023
On The Beach
Neil Young
I thought I would Neil Young but his voice grates after a while. Highlight on this album is For the Turnstiles for me for the laid back folky arrangement.
3
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Tue Apr 04 2023
Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
Beautiful buttery voice with a bite. Standout track for me is Down in the Valley
4
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Wed Apr 05 2023
Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Stereolab
Eclectic mix of sounds but doesn't really work for me
1
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Thu Apr 06 2023
Zombie
Fela Kuti
Great jazzy record. Couldn't spend enough time to listen to it properly but what I heard was great.
5
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Fri Apr 07 2023
White Light / White Heat
The Velvet Underground
Gritty 60s rock, can see how it influences punk.
4
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Mon Apr 10 2023
Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Actually really nice classic rock. Prefer the more acoustic folky numbers like Teach Your Children and Our House
4
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Tue Apr 11 2023
Sunshine Superman
Donovan
A bit too hippie for me
2
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Wed Apr 12 2023
Triangle
The Beau Brummels
Didn’t really stand out for me
2
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Thu Apr 13 2023
Vento De Maio
Elis Regina
Interesting Brasilian music. Samba influences apparent but mixed in interesting ways.
3
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Fri Apr 14 2023
The Last Broadcast
Doves
Comparisons to early Coldplay is justified. And to me that’s in the best way possible. Love late 90s/early 00s Britpop
4
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Mon Apr 17 2023
Blue
Joni Mitchell
Good folk music. Can see how it influences later artists
3
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Tue Apr 18 2023
Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
Silky smooth voice. Sometimes the songs on the record are a bit cheesy. Highlight is Son of a Preacher Man.
3
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Wed Apr 19 2023
No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)
Motörhead
The live album captures Motorheads energy a lot better than the studio albums. But it gets repetitive after a while.
2
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Thu Apr 20 2023
Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
Surprisingly enjoyable old school country music. Found myself dancing along haha. Great vocals and storytelling.
4
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Fri Apr 21 2023
It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Great 2000s indie rock
4
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Mon Apr 24 2023
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra
Quite smooth but in some parts Sinatra’s lounge croony voice doesn’t really suit the bossa nova style.
3
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Tue Apr 25 2023
3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
Interesting arrangements with positive message.
3
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Wed Apr 26 2023
Eternally Yours
The Saints
Another punk album
3
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Thu Apr 27 2023
KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)
Ministry
Love industrial metal from time to time. This album is pretty influential to the point that Du Hast sounds very similar to Just One Fix. I prefer my industrial metal with more chunky groove and less of that harsh vocal though.
4
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Fri Apr 28 2023
Fromohio
fIREHOSE
Interesting alternative rock
3
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Mon May 01 2023
Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Quiet pleasant album to listen to while winding down on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Vocalist has a calming voice. Feels like an album to be highly regarded and recommended by purveyors of taste and played in cool record stores.
4
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Tue May 02 2023
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
A moody post punk album that’s been very influential in the genre. I need to be in the mood to enjoy Ian Curtis’s vocals but love the instrumentation. The rolling drums and plucky bass high in the mix is quite catchy.
4
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Wed May 03 2023
The Bends
Radiohead
My favourite Radiohead album. It's a transition album from their typical Britrock debut to the electronic rock of OK Computer, and it's a perfect balance.
5
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Thu May 04 2023
Slayed?
Slade
Feels like generic 70s hard rock
2
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Fri May 05 2023
Pyromania
Def Leppard
Cheesy pop metal from the 80s? Yes. But such a guilty pleasure
4
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Mon May 08 2023
Murmur
R.E.M.
Another REM album. Not bad to play in the background but nothing much sticks out to me apart from Radio Free Europe
3
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Tue May 09 2023
Face to Face
The Kinks
60s British rock, less Beatles-y than the Beatles. Favourite tracks are Sunny Afternoon and Rainy Day in June.
They’re fine but it made me realise how much I am missing the Beatles harmonies, John’s sarcasm, Paul’s bass lines, George’s licks and Ringo’s fills.
3
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Wed May 10 2023
Ragged Glory
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Not bad but still can’t really stand abril Young’s voice most of the time. Love the distortion tone of the guitars though.
3
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Thu May 11 2023
Fire Of Love
The Gun Club
3
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Fri May 12 2023
Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
I enjoy most of the trip hop recommendations on this list.
4
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Mon May 15 2023
Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Love their brand of rootsy hippie rock. I’m ambivalent with their straight up rock and roll numbers though. Classic album with plenty of CCR classics.
5
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Tue May 16 2023
Lady In Satin
Billie Holiday
Really dig Billie’s voice. Such a rich timbre with a lot of emotion. The arrangements don’t get in the way.
5
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Wed May 17 2023
Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
Great folk rock by Yusuf. His most well known songs are on this album.
4
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Thu May 18 2023
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
Great grooves and rhymes
5
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Fri May 19 2023
Parklife
Blur
Strong tunes in the first half but the latter part of the album feel like fillers
4
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Mon May 22 2023
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
Really enjoyable Bowie album. Sounds a bit stripped back and folky (a lot of piano driven songs) but with that touch of Bowie quirkiness and flamboyance. One of my favourites.
5
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Tue May 23 2023
Blunderbuss
Jack White
Some tracks that I liked. Not really sure how to categorise the music here and maybe that’s the whole point. Maybe Jack White is trying to broaden his sounds to more than just bluesy garage rock. Quite unlike The White Stripes and it’s a bit more polished of a record.
2
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Wed May 24 2023
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
So many eclectic styles in one album. Some people hate his voice. I think it’s quite cool. Just can’t stand the tracks with the extremely 80s saxophones and the carnival style songs.
2
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Thu May 25 2023
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
For a 22 minute album this is full of energy
5
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Fri May 26 2023
Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Almost no bad tracks here. Black Dog has one of the best riffs in hard rock. Rock and Roll is unstoppable.
5