Really good album with some great vocals and folk acoustics. Both men have brilliant voices and some really enjoyable big hitters such as “The Boxer” and the title track. Only criticism is I feel the performances do slightly dwindle on the second half of the record but not my loads. Great start.
RATING: 8.0/10
This is a repeat listen for me already being a big Radiohead fan and my opinions have not really changed on the album. Still think this is a slightly underrated Radiohead album with some great tracks with a political presence and industrial sound. It’s a crossroads between the guitar driven early Radiohead albums such as The Bends and OK Computer and their early 2000s electronic work such as Kid A and Amnesiac. The album is a bit bloated and has some mediocrity but overall a great album.
I’ve been meaning to check out Appetite for Destruction and I can’t really say I was disappointed. A grand, fun rock record with some brilliant riffs and addictive tunes. On the most part I’m also a fan of Axl Rose’s vocal performances minus some tracks. Don’t get me wrong I don’t think this is exactly a revolutionary rock record like some people do and the last few tracks are pretty plain (wtf are them sex noises on Rocket Queen?!?!?) , but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t really enjoy listening to this record.
RATING: 7.7/10
This album was great!! A very early rock album that was ahead of its time and sounds clean. David Crosby’s guitar playing on the most part is brilliant and I love some of the melodies created such as the opening track “Carry On” and third track “Almost Cut My Hair.” Because I use Spotify, I had to listen to some live cuts for songs such as Woodstock that maybe weren’t as good as the original but this is still a great folk-rock album that I will be definitely be revisiting and makes me want to listen to more Crosby, Stills & Nash.
RATING: 8.4/10
The Clash’s self titled debut didn’t really hit the spot for me. No doubt about it there’s some great riffs and interesting punk tracks and ideas, and let’s not take away the fact that they were pioneers for the genre; I just feel like the album hasn’t aged very well and lacks the classiness and production that later albums have. As someone who is already not really clued up on his punk, this album was just OK for me. Repetitive drum patterns and the vocal delivery just isn’t for me, even though there is some tracks I genuinely do like.
RATING: 6.3/10
This is something completely new to me really. Never listened to Jerry Lee Lewis and this live album was just straight energy. I’m not a massive fan of early rock n roll; it’s obviously pioneering and gave birth to the expansive genre but I think a lot of it is quite one dimensional and this album only supports that view. However, I’ve got to say I did have some fun listening to this one; I’ve never heard a live album with so much energy in its short runtime. Jerry Lee Lewis gives it his all on every performance and it’s really cool to listen to. The recording is great for 1964 and this is a must listen for any early rock and roll and Elvis fans.
RATING: 6.1/10
I’m a big Red Hot Chili Peppers fan, seen them live at London Stadium and thought they were brilliant so obviously I’ve heard this album. I admit they have some crap records and silly songs but I’ve got to say I love this album and I think it is their best. Even though there’s still lack of songwriting and awkward production choices on songs such as “I Like Dirt” and “Get on Top”, this album is home to some of the best rock songs I’ve ever heard. “Scar Tissue” is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard and John Frusciante’s guitar playing is just one of a kind. I’ve loved this album for a long time and still do, an enjoyable mainstream rock record with some of the my favourite rock songs.
RATING: 8.5/10
After the first half of the album, I wasn’t sure if this one was going to be for me. Even though I was a fan of Jarvis Cocker’s voice, the music and melodies weren’t grasping me enough. Hits like Common People and Disco 2000 are obviously great tracks but some of the other cuts on the first half just weren’t doing it for me. Some great tracks on Side B such as the catchy “Sorted for E’s & Wizz” and the build up and eventual climax on “F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E.” made the slowish start of the record for me worth it. I still didn’t love this album as much as many britpop and UK indie fans do as many think it’s one of the best ever. Still a very good album that is definitely worth a listen if you haven’t already.
RATING: 7.5/10
Had never heard of Robert Wyatt before or any of his work so was quite excited to jump into something totally new and this was a really interesting listen. The experimentation and avant-Garde arrangements on this album are really cool and interesting but I find myself enjoying the tracks on this record that are more rock-orientated. I love a jazz influence on a rock record e.g. Steely Dan but I do feel like it overpowers a little on this record. More guitar focused tracks such as “Blues in Bob Minor” and the beautiful “Maryan” are my personal favourites where some of the more intricate jazz tainted songs lose me and I struggle to enjoy them as much. Still thought this was a decent record and I respect Robert Wyatt for the wide array of guests and instrumentation he uses on the album.
RATING: 7.0/10