Release the hounds

The Who have some great songs in their back catalogue, it's a shame the decided not to put any on this album. Rock opera guff, I was glad when it was over.

Some nice melodic ideas and good songs. I enjoyed it but thank God we progressed past phasing vocals to the nth degree. Little know fact about this album is that it was played in its entirety at the christening of Brian Blessed's second child.

I don't like Ska. Madness are a gimmick band. Every song is like a theme tune for a slapstick villain.

Great voice but rules are rules and you can't just do covers.

Good but 3 quarters of the way through the 15 minute drum solo I lost some interest. Slightly repetitive.

Meh

Typical of 90s hiphop, samples and scratchy vocals. Not my preferred genre but I benchmark everything against Ready to Die from this era and it holds it own despite not worrying the top spot

Beautiful and melodic. Full of lovely melodies. A great soundscape and a top album

In your face with some underrated subtlety. Good album

Trumpet

Classic album, banged an E and rode it home

Not my usual genre but I enjoyed it. High octane and some good riffs. Hallowed be thy Name is the best track.

Only listened a bit and it was ok

A nice fusion with a spine of funk running through it. At times falls into the trap of being too repetitive on a pretty simple theme and becomes boring but all in all not bad

Some nice melodic ideas and good songs. I enjoyed it but thank God we progressed past phasing vocals to the nth degree. Little know fact about this album is that it was played in its entirety at the christening of Brian Blessed's second child.

Really of its era, cool late 60s, organ on the off beat, blues scales tunes. You can hear some country inspiration at times too. Given that it is an American late 60s guitar album, I thought to myself, 'I wonder if he will tell me about his fast car on this album?' About halfway through there was no sign of it and I thought, 'he is absolutely dying to tell me about his car'. Melody for an Unknown girl has no lyrics but with every honk of the sax I could hear his desire to tell me about how fast his car is. On SS396 he tells us all about how cool and fast his car is. I fucking knew it.

Title track is exceptional

I will sound super white if I try to go into details here so I'll just say I quite enjoyed it

It is only available on YouTube as opposed to Spotify so it hindered my ability to listen and do stuff. What I heard I liked

Some bangers but somehow lost its pop after the naughties

Some massive bangers. Dirty bluesy guitar lucks and melodies. The bands favourite meal on tour was famously fried tomatoes with parsnips and you can really tell

Got to be careful of falling into the trap of hype because of the 27 club but genuinely a good album and you've got to enjoy Ray Manzarek playing with his organ

Overrated, some good songs but Mother annoyed me to the point of downgrading this a lot

My dad quite likes them so I'm kind of desensitised to it, not an era I'm particularly fond of and a bit repetitive but some nice ideas.

Good but they've done better

Not one of my favourite genres so I went in not expecting much but was pleasantly surprised. There is a scandanavian tribute band called Bob Marley and the Whalers

At times on this I was even more sorry about being British than usual. Pulled it back with some solos in the 2nd half but dated and meh

Melancholic, melodic, great lyrics and musicianship. Morrissey has evolved into what can only now be described as a massive gammon, granted, but in his earlier form him and Marr didn't half write some bangers. Doesn't outstay its welcome and every song stands up. Quality.

Needs to understand that loud and quiet do not constitute emotions in and of themselves. A weird sexual undercurrent and at times it's just noise. Escapes a 1 because there's surely worse on this album but not good. Not good at all.

I don't own nor have any desire to own an Ibanez guitar.

Temu Paul Simon. I'd give 2.5 but can't so I'm afraid it's 2.

This is twice in 4 days now, grow up

Tres bien

I like the Kinks a lot and have flitted between a 3 and a 4 here, they have better albums. They have an uncanny ability to have sections of almost comical, upbeat music that then turns into a lovely, melancholy melody. Like being at a village fair but everyone suddenly starts crying.

It's good but nowhere near the smiths or early solo stuff. I mentioned it previously but being a massive gammon also doesn't help the cause here.

Samples sound old and clunky now. It resembled a game of bop-it at times. Might have been influential but we've come a long way.

Unfortunately I found a good bit of this to be filler. No doubting the man's supreme talent and a couple of bangers. Impossible to give any album with Superstition on less than a 3.

Not bad you know. Didn't expect it, but not bad

3 times in a few weeks is a lot but again decent songs albeit with a massive slice of gammon on. Irish Blood, English Heart has a lot of answering to do.

Enjoyed this quite a lot. Really nice melodies and chord progressions and reminded me of Eels who are very good. I'd heard this album years ago but glad it came up here.

12 bar blues was around for half a century before this but these lads do nothing to advance it.

Stop giving me Aerosmith. But for the final song this is dross.

Can't hold a tune and at times I wondered if they could even hold their instruments. Says nothing, does nothing, means nothing. And stop fucking shouting.

Was cruising for a 3 then i came on and just tipped the scales. Really it's a 3.5 because it lost me in the middle but it was good.

You have to respect the artistic choice to attempt to write the most boring album ever conceived. It's not a 1 because there's nothing overtly offensive in it but it was dishwater dull.

Won't go out of my way to hear it again but not awful

All time great. Strong correlation between being from the north West of England and having a 5 star album. Makes you think.

They really haven't found their target market with me.

A couple of recognisable hits. Not bad really. A bit generic at times but it's 2004 so I'll let him off.

A 5 star song stuck in the middle of a 2 star album, I'd give it 2.5 but will round it up. Really quite poor. But by this stage of his career he could fart into a microphone and people like the hipsters giving 5 below this would go mad for it.

I hadn't listened to this before and was really pleasantly surprised. Some excellent songs, she's a really talented vocalist and musician and I've saved the album to my phone for future. Knocking on a 4.5.

Same song over and over and over again. I never had a Ramones t-shirt back in the day and I won't be getting one now either.

Very good but loses marks for inaccessibility. I'm not made of money.

Some really nice songs in there and I would maybe come back again and listen. Got a bit tiresome at points but it was short and had some interesting chord progressions.

Thought about a 4 but not quite. 3.5

Release the hounds

I actually think there's some peaches on this album. Great airport too.

Pleasantly surprised.

I listened to most of this but it was more than enough. I'm not having my Christmas ruined. It's slightly better than the 1 stars I've given but not by much.

Very good. Amuses me the disparity between the album art and the title

Someone could have edited this down to 10 or 11 songs, 35 minsish and got a 3 star, but an hour and 17?! Who do you think you are girl?

I know I'm the odd one out but while I still like it to a degree, this genre never really gets me fully erect. Sorry Earth, Wind & Fire, it's not you, it's me.

Guitarist from Pulp done good and I watched him earlier this year, but he's done better. Quite a boring album this.

Not bad, can tell she was knocking about with Justin Vernon and The National.

Not bad

Just a bit clunky for me.

2.5. Clean 80s pop, nice melodies. Voice is a bit annoying but he can sing.

A good 20 mins too long and mostly covers. Reasonably well done but I was between a 2 and a 3.

Much better than some of his other drviel. He's a real coin toss.

Melodic, some lovely chord changes and really nicely produced. Almost crooner like in his vocals. Also, half an hour? Take 4 stars mate.

Hit the post on getting a 4, just lost the run of itself at times but very solid. That's 2 now they've surprised me with. Am I becoming a fan?

Some really nice songs and some others trapped in a 90s time warp but overall not bad.

Some bangers but some filler for sure. Big fan of Damon Albarn and you've got to respect him for branching out regularly even if it doesn't always hit the mark. 3.5.

A few bangers and not overly long but felt a little 1 paced at times

The second half let it down a bit but the first half is banger after banger. I'm going 3.5 but I can understand a 4 here. Some great synth lines.

Iconic and certainly a couple of tunes on it but punk overall is overrated so shut up.

The title track is excellent but the rest of it was showing its age quite a lot. A generous 3 because it was good but starting to creak.

Right in his pomp, still had the voice, it's a 5 in every which way.

I quite like The Cure but this is a poor effort. It felt really lazy compared to what they're capable of.

Bonus point awarded for being Macca.

3.5 for me this but I've fallen on the side of a 4 because it's a lovely mix of genres while also being catchy

Had it before and it's a 4 again. Bangers throughout

It's between REM and Smashing Pumpkins. Not good enough to warrant more than a 3 but didn't upset me enough for a 2.

Not as good as the Queen is dead but still good.

Really liked some of these

Not for me

Maybe the best gig I've even been to last summer, bangers galore.

Some nice tunes, not really my main genre or era but not bad.

I love Ray. He has better records so not giving this a five though. This was back in the days when the record company named the album but it makes me laugh imagining that it was Ray himself who came up with the title.

2.5 for me. Don't you want me is a great tune but the rest is exactly the kind of 80s sound I don't like

A bit boring I thought. Some nice ideas but dragged its feet

Better than the Sex Pistols. 4.5

A generous 3. Never really caught my attention and it's almost as if he's whispering for large parts.

The Who have some great songs in their back catalogue, it's a shame the decided not to put any on this album. Rock opera guff, I was glad when it was over.

Without really standing out it was an OK listen so it's bang in 3 stars

I could give this a 5 but I'm going 4.5 because of old people talking. Under half an hour and some great songs in that time though. Genius really.

Solid. Made me want to watch the last Waltz again.

I listened to all the unique songs once but I'm not listening to 3 different versions of each. 60s guitar sound is always nice but nothing to write home about. 1966 had some much much better albums

Thought about a 5 but there are a few bits where it dragged ever so slightly. It's a high 4 though

Such a good start then never hits those heights again.

Not really my genre ska but it was quite enjoyable on the bus to work.

If you're going to take up over 10% of someone's waking day, you better come strong to get over a 3. Not quite strong enough here.

Another cracker. This and Highway 61 in consecutive years is impressive.

Sublime.

Some nice tunes but ultimately descended into the very definition of elevator music.

One or two big hitters but the rest I could take or leave. I can't give them under a 3 because they fought, and possibly died, for our right to party.

An angry man

Weirdly I expected more based purely on the cover. It was OK but I can't remember a single song now the day after. Bang on 2.5

David Byrne has a very unique way of looking at the world and it's great that he puts it into his music.

Obviously some great songs early on but also a lot of the same idea repackaged. At times there's also just a racket. Generally overrated but that doesn't mean it's bad.

Some nice musical ideas but something annoyed me in the vocals/lyrics but I can't put my finger on it. However, 35 mins long so can't complain.

Grab your hairbrush and belt it out

3.5 but there's enough here to fall on the 4 side

Suffers from being made in the early 90s like myself. Not much subtlety in the lyrics, it's straight into it. But I think that's the point

Absolute shite from start to finish.

Crowd took a bit to get going but he managed.

Probably his peak

3.5 but rounded down to 3 for putting on a ridiculous accent.

Tough one to mark this, when it came out I really liked it. I still do but her voice grates on me now I'm older and cynical. I'll go 3.5

5 every day and twice on Sundays. One of their best 3 albums all of which are unquestionable 5 stars.

I won't be revisiting it again most likely but it wasn't complete tripe. 2.5.

French

Over 2 hours? Really? Could have cut half of this including the pointless tracks introducing the songs and telling the crowd that a white Ford Transit van is blocking the exit.

Pentatonic central with a few exceptions. It's formulaic but good fun, not unlike your mum

22 minutes. Done before breakfast. Fast paced and good.

Solid. At the time I felt just as I do now about it, some bangers but I get a bit bored by the end.

Interesting to see that even in 1998 America had absolutely no quality to control on the shite it churned out. This is on all of you and you should be ashamed.

Better than average. I'm sure this globally will get plenty of 5s but it's not quite there for me.

Lovely voice and songs but of it's era for me and can't give more than a 3.

I wanted more guitar. B.B minus

Not bad but just not might niche.

Men in brass houses.

Good voice and I was into it at times but a bit too long without enough variety to warrant it. Passable.

Some highlights but quite a droney throbby album in the most part.

Some excellent melodies and riffs, enjoyable

I'm not cultured enough to rate this high

Some decent production and music in it but suffers from being very 1 paced. 2.5.

A couple of tracks in this was heading to ones ville but Two Weeks is a very good song, probably the second best song with the same title. And there was enough about the rest to ultimately drag it to a 3

Really good. Before they were creatively spent, had the world at their feet an to be fair also followed it with a good album. It's a shame to see where they are at now but music and people change. Nearly a 5.

Who gave this cunt a drum machine?

Deep brown. But really, don't be putting the same song on 3 times.

Not bad but overrated as an artist in my opinion

Oh fuck off

It would be impractical to have a dick the size of the Eiffel tower

They're inoffensive but I just find them quite bland.

Voice like nails down a chalkboard. He can hit notes, just not in a way I find pleasing. Some nice bass parts at times.

Mike Skinner is instantly recognisable in his delivery. It seems like a load of mundane songs compiled initially until you realise it's one long cohesive story.

Frontier Psychiatrist is about it. The rest is guff.

Loses points for not being on Spotify. Really loses some allure when a Temu advert comes on mid album. I'm not paying for more than 1 service for this.

I find this era of hip hop tough going.

Expected more

His reputation precedes him but I was a bit underwhelmed at times.

One or 2 good songs punctuated by not very good songs.

Some inspired moments but lost its way towards the end. Minimal in a good way though and had a touch of Villagers about it

Better than anticipated. 3.5.

Really quite boring. Apparantly this was big in Holland, I'm not sure what they were smoki...oh wait.

Really quite good. In its genre, much better than a lot of its rivals

Sorry Ella, I did an hour or so but nobody has more than 3 hours to spend on a 6 disc album. The curator of the book needs a bit of a slap for this one.

Pleasantly surprised. 3.5

Lovely voice and brilliant production, but I just felt it get a little sickly sweet after a while. Can understand higher ratings, 3.5 for me

A certain poignancy is added due to Ian Curtis' untimely demise which takes it to a 4

It was doing my head in by the end, plus he's a prick

Yeah, very good

Sounds really quite dated. Guitar town sounded nice but I don't think I'll be moving there.

3.5 some absolute bangers

It was fine

3.5, great at parts and at times dragged on

It felt long that. Longer than it actually was.

It was fine

Just completely lost the run of itself in the second half, much like I will do in life

2.5

2.3

He's so inconsistent but maybe his best imo

I have this on CD. Sailed close to the wind ripping off Ring of Fire and Wonderwall but overall it's good. 3.5

I live here now so can't go lower than a 4 to be fair.

None of their smash hits on it but still really good.

Takes me back to my youth. Right in their pomp.

Meh

I gave this a 5 before and looking back was over generous, but it's a 4.

A little one dimensional but not bad

3.5

4.5, bangers everywhere

Probably a 3 but man's a ?nonce

Not my cup of kenco

Not my bag but objectively good music. But putting an interview with yourself on your album is mad.

Boring, really not good. 1.5

Punk but with actual talent. 3.5

3.5

Fine 2.5

If you can't sing, you shouldn't sing. Not for commercial gain at least. Very lucky to not get a 1 here.

I enjoyed this. I considered a 4 but a couple of times it just fell on the wrong side of being a little TOO odd. But on the whole really good. 3.5

Very very good. 4.5

Really good. Guy Garvey's voice is velvet and he's a lovely chap to boot. Some great lines and Friend of Ours never doesn't get me.

Good in parts

Too many exclusives.

Not awful but another lad singing who shouldn't be singing on account of not being able to sing.

Good but not as good as I remember

Very occasional moment of quality but overall should stick to management and being dead

Just kept thinking of spinal tap. 2.5

Not my cup of tea in general but some face melters in there where you have to say, fair enough

Some belters

I don't like Ska. Madness are a gimmick band. Every song is like a theme tune for a slapstick villain.

'this is the kind of shit we should be doing, complicated shit' - Superhans But really a touch too much what an old band mate of mine would call 'wanking off' 2.5

Covers but some great ones 3.5

12 bar blues wall to wall which gets samey, albeit only for half an hour.

Certainly a bit of a strange duck but some good ideas

Yeah, it's a 5

Not my usual jam but actually quite enjoyable. Went on a bit though.

Bit of a mad man and some of it is a bit too far beyond the pale but there's some really good bits too and it's under 40 mins.

Some good ideas but trying to be moody without the weight to back it up. Couldn't understand a word for pretty much the whole thing. 2.5

Some tunes but dated and dubious criminal history

I wouldn't go out of my way to find this kind of thing. Thats the review

Some good tunes. Quite formulaic but what isn't? 3

It was alright. A weird mix of genres but worked at points. 2.5

So 80s. So so 80s

Nice but unremarkable

Nice, track 1 was the best I think

2.5

Not what I expected. Not bad, not great.

3.5 but giving a 3 as some people seriously overrated this

Some bangers obviously but some very 80s production value. Not ahead of its time but very good. 3.5

Without looking some people here will be going 'Oohhh look at me, I'm going to give it a 1 because I'm so edgy.' Well shut your fat Croatian mouth. You're not even real.

Some good stuff came out in this era and this still holds up. A unique almost mediaeval sound but great songs.

RIP and all that but not for me

Goes on a bit but a couple of great tunes.

Unremarkable

Good moments but then turns into the Wii sports menu music. 2.5

Shocking across the universe cover.

3.5

Started so well

Just solid aren't they. 3.5

I appreciate it was big in its day but so was Jared Fogle and look what happened there.

Boring. This came out 22 years after Revolver, there's no excuse for it.

I listened to some and it was fine but I'm sorry, 2 and a half hours is unforgivable

Walks on the line between refreshing and utter guff occasionally falling on both sides throughout it.

Had it's moments but felt like it went on way longer than it actually did. Also has the voice of a prick.

Not quite 5 but 4.5. Really good.

I did listen with prejudice given that I had Faith the other day and it was garbage. Having said that this wasn't as bad, you can hear lots of moments where this influenced the genre in the future.

Ace of Spades over and over again until you get to the one where he says he's a paedo.

Another Girl, Another Planet stands out by miles, the rest underwhelmed. 2.5.

Yep

Influential and really really well edited when you consider it was in the tape days. But a bit too bubblegum for over 3 from me.

Noticeably unremarkable. 2.5

Pretentious crap. Died a week or so after and could have done without having this out there. Scraped away from a 1 by about 12 bars.

I got bored honestly. It does get quite bizarre which was good but overall it's a meh, 2.5

Probably ahead of its time and not bad but I was bored by the end.

Not for me

Nice but a bit wishy washy. 2.5

Didn't listen to the bonus tracks. Like a massive lemon meringue it started nice but I was sick at the end

I didn't much enjoy this

Some filler but a lot of killer. Not their best but some bangers.

Really enjoyed this. I think Present Tense is a better album which is actually impressive, they're probably an underrated band.

I didn't listen to the session tracks because I wanted it to be over. Punk is dead. Leave it there.

Too long considering it's essentially the same song for 90% of it. Vocals are always the same rhythmically and tonally. Yes they have a good bassist, but the other lads are overrated. I've a good it's 2.5 but I'll give a 3 by a tiny margin.

Reputation precedes it. Some moments of really good stuff and then some songs that sound more dated now. No doubt influential but nothing I'd be raving about.

I don't really like reggae, sorry.

3.5 some bangers

Blues init. 3.5

Don't like ska. 2.5

Some bangers.

Some tunes but I think it out stays it's welcome a bit.

Talent 4.5

A strange duck

I wanted to like this but as it turns out, 60% of the songs could be produced by a gameboy colour. Obviously in its time it was a bit more cutting edge but times change. 2.5

Quite liked it. Started better than it finished.

Gave it 2 before and here it lies.

Racket made for dickheads

2.5 made me feel uncomfortable and not in a good way.

There's only so far jazz will take you. 2.5

Revolver came our the same year as this and pisses all over it.

Great voice but rules are rules and you can't just do covers.

3.5

3.6

Good in places but they have better

Some bangers but diluted in the length.