I missed this when it 1st came out. A travesty! Sounds superb and relevant now
Another 1 I missed, apart from 'Runnin' with the Devil', which I didn't really like when it 1st came out. Good album for a stadium type gig. A little formulaic but great fun. I could imagine doing a U.S. road trip with this as part of the soundtrack.
I'm not sure what the fuss is about. Some of the melodies are chilled and laid back but I'm not completely convinced of Nick Drakes voice. I find it a bit bland. The music has a certain atmosphere about it but the production is a bit, well, 70's and just a bit lacking.
Great memories. Released in 2011 when my children were in their teens. We'd listen to this all of the time. There's a bit of pop, soul and all inbetween. Sonically it sounds great and is another brill album to listen to on a road trip.
Utterly bonkers. I still don't understand jazz. I like a spot of John Coltrane or Miles Davis but Charles Mingus is out there. Obviously great musicians but not completely for me.
Hmmmmm...pretty good pop album with some verrrrry strong songs 'Knowing me, knowing you' and 'Money, money, money' but a couple of definite fillers in Dum Dum Diddle or whatever I was called and the Hawaii song. I was 11 when this was released and didn't understand the fuss the and am not sure about it now.
Unusual. I found it slightly hard to listen to as I felt the singing was slightly out of tune. This sort of made it sound a bit quirky but I found it a little challenging. The songs themselves were interesting as so little rhymes. This was good and bad and I gave it 2 listens and the album became endearing. Certainly an influential album and I can see why it's been included here.
Anthemic. Passionate. I could imagine Arcade Fire filling stadiums on the strength of this album. It was ok and I was quite enjoying it and then 'No cars go'. Absolute banger. Sealed that deal. If I could have given this album 3.5 stars I would have them NCG came on. Solid 4 stars. Very nice.
Interesting. I guess in some quarters this could be called a seminal album. It's certainly grabs influences from a variety of places. Great production as it sounds pretty good. Love the tinny drum sound! I'm glad I took time to listen. 3.5/5
I was kind of expecting a version of '3ft high and rising' but this is so much more. I think more listenable. This also sounds a bit more '80's' 😀. Some great rhythms and catchy hooks to latch on to. I think this is a very chilled album and almost gives off good vibes. Good choice for this list.
Hmmmmm ....another unusual 1. I'd read about BPB but never paid attention (too common a response from me!). So I put my headphones on a and dialled in. The 1st track 'A minor place' was ok and a nice spot of classic show gazey stuff. 'Nomadic revery' was also ok and threw in some loud guitars which made things more interesting. 'I see a darkness' is quite beautiful. After just 1 listen I was bowled over. The album just never quite gets to the same lofty heights. Great potential. I'll have to listen to more of Will Pelham or BPB
Aha, something I recognise! I was never really into LZ until about 30 years ago but I picked a load of their stuff up and kinda realised what all if the fuss was about. This is very much what they were all about - experimental, big sound, very tight and a wee spot of ground breaking. There are some absolute bangers 'Immigrant Song' and 'Since I've been loving you' to name but 2. Great recordings from the mighty Olympic studios and Headley Grange all add to an exceptional album that is almost 54 years old......
Strong songs but so much sounded like. John Fogerty's voice is amazing and pierces through brilliantly it it all seems a little formulaic. I may have to listen to more CCR.
Lots of yelling. Some half decent cover versions but just a bit too garagey for me. A rough recording with a fair amount of distortion. I'll probably need to listen to this again and try to get what it's about. I can see why this album is perceived as being a ground breaker but.....I think my days of trying to be edgy are over!
Beautiful. That seemingly small, almost childlike voice breaks through with all of the aching. I have listened to this album many times and it's just grown and grown. Stand out tracks such as 'Everything reminds me of her' and 'Easy way out'. The latter being all too prophetic. It took me a little while to really dig into Elliott's work. The double vocals are prevalent in many songs and this always sounds glorious, adding a layer of extra harmony. If you want to chill and listen to well crafted songs, with great melodies and lyrics, this could well be for you. Exceptionally well recorded album by Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf. Top drawer.
Phenomenal. You can hear the soul oozing out from Muscle Shoals (and other studios!). Hearing Aretha breathing and intoning every syllable is just brilliant. You can hear her voice sounding a little hoarse but that adds to the brilliance. The (relatively) simple recording that was happening allows so much to be heard from vocals, piano, guitar and bass. And the ratio of incredibly strong songs is vast. Impossible not to luxuriate in a beautifully crafted classic album. Listen, then listen again.
Clean and sharp. Verrrrry staccato 80's. Lots of clever political stuff from young Weller. I only heard the singles, when this album was released, as I was too into rubbishy pop, so didn't appreciate how good it is. Start and That's Entertainment are seminal power pop/new wave (put your own classification in here) 80's songs. Both still incredibly strong now. That's Entertainment is a real story of how crap life could be (under a Tory Government). Powerful stuff. Sound Affects is absolutely well worth a deep listen.
Started off punchy but kinda loses its way. Some strong songs (Magick and It's not over yet) which are great pop songs but....I'm not sure what's missing from such potential. I enjoyed listening to this, on my walk to work and it fitted well but, I just felt something amiss. Lovely sweet recording and well above average quality
A stonker to start with (I had too much to dream last night) but the momentum disappeared all too soon. Quite a thin sounding album but I'm wondering if that's just a 60's thing. A few experimental tracks and a bit of quirkiness but nothing too groundbreaking.
Ah, I'm gonna be completely biased about this album. 1 I very much grew up with. There are the obvious stand out tracks (Purple Rain, Let's go Crazy) backed up with a modicum of controversy (Darling Nikki) which make this the epitome of a naughty but ground breaking 80's, dare I say, masterpiece? The influence taken by Prince from James Brown, Sly Stone and who knows where, then mixed up and sent out through this album is simply amazing. Everything about this is 80's tastic with flare and colour in abundance. A momentous, monumental piece of complete genius out together and driven hard by a genius. Wonderful album. My 1st 5 star review.
I tried. It just didn't light my candle. Great musicianship and atmosphere from 1956, but I couldn't get in that groove. I'll probably revisit this album at some point but not right now.
I tried to like this but I just couldn't get it. I'll try again, honest!
Another exceptional album that I grew up with but didn't pay attention to.....! So many wide ranging influences here - rock, (pop!), reggae and punk among them. Definitely a 5 star album because it's epic.
Tried really hard to 'get' this, it didn't happen. Great sounding album but KB's voice did get a bit whiney. I can see some of the attraction but not all of it.
Ahhhh....here's a good 1. Ground breaking, controversial and drawing from a host of sources - but mainly rock and punk! I was 11 when this came out, in that glorious year of 1977. I remember reading about the controversy around the Jubilee and 'God save the Queen'. My parents were way too square to have this sort of noise in the house so I had to subversively listen via friends and the odd record shop that would play this. It was challenging but exciting! An album that picks up a certain mood of the time and was what loads of young people were listening to and needed an outlet for. I'd give this a 5 but the weak(er) songs just miss out - Liar and Problems aren't great. That said the strong songs are outrageously good - Pretty Vacant, Holidays in the Sun and Anarchy in the UK. Ah fuck it, 5 stars it is. This is a brilliant album.
Sounds great. Good recordings but just kinda went on. Some good songs and very much along the ethereal lines of songwriting but nothing that really struck too many chords with me.
1st time listening to this. It's been on my list of albums to listen to, for years! It was very good. And very 90's which really appealed to me. Great guitar sounds, great drum sounds and the songwriting is very good. I'll be listening again.
I found this album quite tough going. It starts off with 20 odd minutes of instrumental music which just sounded a bit repetitive. I don't know where the album was heading and it just kinda meandered with not a great deal of spirit. I saw other reviews which gave it 5 stars and I'm baffled by that. It may have been trying to be quirky and a bit alternative but I just didn't see, or more importantly, hear it.
Bizarre. Very weird to listen to in places but innovative, poetic, bonkers and very interesting - never dull.
More tough going. I just couldn't ever into this. Endless piano noodlings that were not particularly interesting. Sorry, not my bag.
Fascinating. I know their obvious 'Fight for your rights' song from a while back, which is a stonker. I had expected the signature BB, slightly odd, white chap rapping thing - which is there, but there's so much more. Some great samples and edits and some great chilled out jazzy tunes. Even some rocky punky thing in 'Tough Guy'. I'd be inclined to say this is a bizarre and very good album. A real mix of influences and some great attitude and straight up tunes.
Quite liked this one. 1 if my favourite albums (of all time) is the Bends, so I was expecting good things. Quirky, strange influences and wholly er, interesting is this album. I do wonder with albums like this that the band may be still looking for ideas and could be guilty of trotting out the some of the same, as before. A very good album but not as good as the aforementioned Bends or OK Computer.
There's only so much quadruple kick drum and distortion a human can handle. Too much shouting and unnecessary angst. I tried, and listened to all of this but won't be revisiting this one.
Quirky and very British and 90's. Song 2 is ok, but very much overplayed. Lyrically quite strong but I think Leisure is a much better album.
Nicely bonkers and satirical and political. Interesting mix of influences seemingly lots of Jazz, I reckon. Who needs the Peace Corps is a cracker - an interesting take on the hippy movement! Although it could be hard to tell what is sarcasm, banter or just political commentary, in some of the songs. Sharp witted was Mr. Zappa. I'd like to give this 3.5/5 but as I can't, I shall go with a 4. I'll be going back to this 1.
Repetitive. Influential and somewhat groundbreaking but crikey, some of these songs did drone on a bit. I get the quirky thing from 1974, but my word, was a bit tough at the end. Nice sounds, not my bag really.
More than interesting. I'm very surprised that this album is more than 30 years old. It has a great political (mainly against the police) commentary and so many tongue in cheek and pretty funny references to dope smoking. The songs chug along wonderfully with some exceptional rhythms, beats and samples. Great album, definitely worth many listens.
Not very interesting. Voice is a bit whiney and the songs I listed to we're formulaic. Not my cup of coffee, sorry.
Great memories but does feel a little dated. Janie Jones, White Riot and White Man in Hammersmith Palais.....oh wait a minute. This is a cracker. Great debut. Extremely 1977 and I love it.
Brings back some fantastic memories. A place I used to work played this all if the time - especially 'Baby's got sauce'. Beautiful oddities the sounds created on this. Inventive and quirky. Well worth a listen.
Hmmmm....lots of noise about E&TB when they 1st burst out if Liverpool. This album sounds great and somewhat edgy and a bit well, gothy and ethereal but definitely runs out of steam after, Silver, Lips like sugar and the exceptional Killing Moon. Could be better and bit lacking ideas after all that.
Bizarre. Bonkers. I've no idea what was happening but I kept at it and rather enjoyed it. Robert Wyatt's voice is great and his ideas for this album have been fascinating. Not the album I was expecting as all I've known is 'Shipbuilding' (which is brilliant) but a real meander into a very strange and different place. Nice and eye opening.
A complete surprise. I have to admit to having been 1 of the 'oh, the Velvet Underground blah blah blah.....'. A bit of a large mistake on my part! Great tunes and melodies and quirkiness. It sounds to me like it's quite a simple album, nothing fancy in the recording or the songs but everything is really well crafted. Very tidy album.
What a voice! Never heard of BC before. A real surprise and very listenable.
Ah, another with great potential. Good sound, medium strength songs. But just seemed to drone on a bit and run out of ideas.
80's tastic. Pretty good but not exceptional. And a bit formulaic.
Having only read and heard of Bert Jansch and having not heard any of his music, I was intrigued. It started well but soon became a bit uninteresting as it was well, repetitive. Man playing guitar (very well) and singing (quite well) to almost the same song, over and over. Nice idea, I may put this on again as it was nice but repeat and repeat was a bit much.
Ah, I've never really understood the kerfuffle about JJ's voice - a bit screechy and not something I can listen to for extended periods. The band sound really tight and well rehearsed. I read online that this album is predominantly studio based and only 1 track is live. Still a tidy album and 'Take another piece of my heart' is brilliant. Occasionally Big Brother and their chums do become a bit pub rockish. Not a bad thing!
Beautiful. Harmonies that go on forever. A luxurious sound that gets into your head and stays there. Although there are standout tracks (Judy Blue Eyes and You don't have to cry are particularly cool) all of this album just ticks along wonderfully.
I tried so hard to get into this but failed, so hard! Yeah, MC has some pipes but these songs sound so much alike. And her vocal histrionic were just too much. I stuck with it for 6 or 7 tracks but had to admit defeat. Nice, well produced pop songs but not for me.
Angst and anger. Or should that be anger and angst? Loads of potty mouth, which could be cool, or not. Is that how I was as a teen? Using colourful language to get a message across? Certainly made for an interesting hour or so. Apart from 'My name is', there were no stand out tracks but the album is just great. It opened my 57 year old eyes to 'proper' rap. Gritty, tough and yup, street. A fascinating genre that I can't pretend to understand but completely enjoy. A landmark album.
Another 1 I missed.....! Being 11, I only ever heard the radio. The Talking Heads passed me by until the early 80's, but even then it was their more pop stuff that I heard. This album, seems to have every sort of World music, samba, jazz, pop and all sorts of odd rhythms. Finely crafted songs that are all proper ear worms. 'Psycho Killer' is a work of genius. I've no idea what it's about but it remains brilliant. 4.5 out of 5....
Big improvement on Pink Moon, although I've heard them in the wrong order. Nice, chilled album. I can see why it is so revered.
Not my bag, but I was and am determined to listen to whatever comes my way. I believe this is where 'trip hop' had some of its beginnings? Really enjoyed this album and will be revisiting.
I wasn't allowed to like this when I was 15 as it wasn't nearly cool enough and too poppy. And the girls loved him! I had to stick to slightly punky, rockier stuff. What was I thinking!? This is a fantastic album. All sorts of influences and extremely well crafted songs. 'Antmusic', 'Kings of the Wold frontier' stand out. Marco Pirroni's twangy guitar and double drums from the others are a great treat. Brilliant album.
Lovely sounding, strong songs a real grower.
Apart from the title track, I had no idea. Another real grower. Chilled, mixed influences and aid definitely go back to this album.
Anthemic, again! This is the 3rd AF, I've had pop up. I'm still struggling with getting to like them. I'm sure they're great live.
Excellent 1st album. Lots of quirkiness, political and social jabs everywhere. Remarkably easy to listen to. And Alex Turners vocal and intonation are so laden with sarcasm and side eye stuff, it's great. I understand what all of the fuss is about.
Consistently voted as the Beatles 'Best Album'. Chock full of strong songs, 'Drive my car', 'Norwegian Wood' and 'Day tripper', to name but a few. Beautifully recorded by George Martin and the sound is wonderful. So 60's. I've just had a look and this album was recorded in around a month, then released, just over a month later in December 1965. Phenomenal. Brilliant album.
Bonkers. Huge influences from everywhere. Rings around the World is a cracking single. I didn't realise the album would be so good. I worked with a chap, years ago, who loved the SFA's. I can see why. Great album.
Joyful. I had no idea what was being sung about but you just can't stand still. Brilliant rhythms and fun. Lovely album.
My most commonly written things....'not what I expected' and '1 I missed'. Both apply to this. Straight up folky, political rock. Unmissable. 'After the Goldrush', 'Only love can break your heart' and the exceptional and scathing'Southern Man' are sublime.
Didn't know much about Billie Holliday's music but I knew a bit about her rollercoaster life. The angst from said life is there in this album. Her strained and painful vocals are all but apparent. Not entirely my cup of tea, but I can kinda see where she's coming from.
I found this hard to put into a category, but I've ended up with 'Lift music' or just some incidental filler type music. A lot of saxophone and jazz stuff that just didn't set my ears alight. Nice sound, good skill, just not my bag.
Seminal 90's album. Strong songs. Big debit album. Great memories.
Absolute surprise. I had no idea what MM could do. Hold a tune, extremely well, is what she can do! Fascinating and extremely tuneful album. And I now know what Qongqothwane means! Very cool album.
Ok, a great voice. Great story telling songs but....why so many vocal histrionics? Kinda samey throughout and nicely tuneful but somewhat repetitive.
A lot of rapping. And uh, uh's and yeah, yeah's. There are some good melodies and samples but it just sounds a bit 'samey'. Well recorded, nice sound and Common does have a lovely tone but I struggled to pick up too much from this 1.
Jangly guitar after jangly guitar but.....some very good songs. I've always liked 'Frankly Mr. Shankly!'. Well worth a listen.
Very hard to not think of listening to Spinal Tap. Highway Star is very ordinary. Smoke on the Water is good, but overplayed! Maybe I'm a Leo is ok and When a blind mind cries is not great.
Challenging listen. Wardrobe is great. A lot of guitar noodling going on.
More interesting and eye opening music. Will listen again. Only knew 'Who knows....', which is a magnificent song.
More exceptional strong songs from that there Liverpool foursome. Hard to fault.
More power chords, guitar noodling and not very strong vocals. I just feel old listening to this sort of music
Good 1st half. Some great singles. Became a bit samey after. Great sounds, production and memories.
Brilliant album, great memories. 1 for Jamie definitely.
Strong. Well produced but another album, I feel, where the 1st half is way better than the 2nd. An album that made some impact on it's release. We'll worth a listen.
Interesting. Not what I expected. Eclectic and keyboard driven. Bowie influences and good melodies. Like it.
Gothic. Unusual. But, I guess that was what the band wanted? I don't think there are any reason stand out tracks. Above average and quirky. Very 1980's
Power chords, lots of them. Production made the drums sound like a toy drum kit. It was like listening to Spinal Taps 1st album. I'm sure they're great live but not my bag.
Hmmm....I struggled with this 1. Good production. Nice sounds but very 1970's, which is not a bad thing. My sense is the songs just done hit hard, they're a little weak.
Post Ozzy's death, it's a fitting album to pop up. Another I hadn't heard much about, apart from the title track and Iron Man.
Challenging. I've never really understood Prog. This album started off with a classical piece then a nice simple ish song 'The Sage' then headed off down the Prog path. There's only so much Hammond organ a human can handle. Great skill and perhaps inventiveness but once the Old castle hit, no. Too much noodling.
Well crafted songs and a lovely voice but a lot of the same format. Chilled album but somewhat repetitive.
Loud and raucous. I can see why this album is referenced as an original punk type offering. Search and Destroy is a banger. Rough and ready and not something to listen to too often. Very much liked this 1.
Mad and bonkers. Completely off the wall compared to my normal listening pleasure. The sleeve notes show this was recorded in a basement room with just a 'cement floor and water heater'. Very stripped recording but imaginative and has a fascinating vibe. Unusual but endearing.
Having not heard this for many years, I had great anticipation. Starts off brilliantly with 1999, Let's go crazy, and Little Red Corvette. After that, it becomes quite 'early 80's', with lots of drum machines, slightly tinny sounding sounds floating around. The 2nd half of the album hasn't aged well. Still as funky as the most funky if artists but a little old. I feel sad saying all of this and will still rate this highly but mixed emotions here.
Gimme Shelter is another banger. I've always loved Merry Clayton's vocals. Slightly rough sounding album but very, very good indeed.
Too many drumbeats
Exceptionally, super fantastic opening track in 'Young Americans' and an equally exceptional penultimate track in 'Fame' but....there was a huge amount of saxophone. Great sound, great production but not his greatest. I feel really bad about giving it only 3 stars.
