563
Albums Rated
3.52
Average Rating
52%
Complete
526 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2010s
Favorite Decade
Singer-songwriter
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
72
5-Star Albums
1
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Grand Tour
George Jones
|
5 | 2.79 | +2.21 |
|
Go Girl Crazy
The Dictators
|
5 | 2.85 | +2.15 |
|
BEYONCÉ
Beyoncé
|
5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
|
Smile
Brian Wilson
|
5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
|
Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
|
5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
|
Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
|
5 | 3.14 | +1.86 |
|
Songs From A Room
Leonard Cohen
|
5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
|
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
|
High Violet
The National
|
5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
|
2 | 3.89 | -1.89 |
|
Violator
Depeche Mode
|
2 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
|
21
Adele
|
2 | 3.69 | -1.69 |
|
1984
Van Halen
|
2 | 3.5 | -1.5 |
|
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
|
2 | 3.5 | -1.5 |
|
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
|
2 | 3.39 | -1.39 |
|
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
|
2 | 3.37 | -1.37 |
|
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
|
2 | 3.33 | -1.33 |
|
Fragile
Yes
|
2 | 3.31 | -1.31 |
|
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
|
2 | 3.23 | -1.23 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 5 | 4.8 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 4 | 4.75 |
| David Bowie | 8 | 4.25 |
| Leonard Cohen | 5 | 4.4 |
| Van Morrison | 3 | 4.67 |
| Coldplay | 2 | 5 |
| Oasis | 2 | 5 |
| Fairport Convention | 2 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 4 | 4.25 |
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.25 |
| Nick Drake | 3 | 4.33 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Joni Mitchell | 2, 5, 4 |
5-Star Albums (72)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
What a lovely bit of BS! Have listened to one of their songs before but never really delved any further. I will do now.
Simpsons: Yes, and they got a shoutout in a Gilmore Girls episode I watched yesterday
1 likes
The Doors
4/5
It is good stuff and obviously pretty iconic. But there is some quite long instrumental stuff that I don’t really care for. Then again The End is almost 12 minutes and I love that, so what do I know.
Fun fact: Jim Morrison is the first person on the list who’s grave I’ve visited.
The Simpsons: The End is used three times! On reflection maybe that’s why I like that song so much. With added help from Apocalypse Now
1 likes
The Cure
5/5
Facking love The Cure, the saddest lads of them all. Pictures Of You is also my favourite song of theirs, so confirms the 5 stars.
The Simpsons: No
1 likes
Brian Eno
3/5
‘Here come the warm jets’ what I say when I’ve had a few and you’re sleeping in the same room as me.
I liked this, almost gave it a 4. But decided not to for some reason. I’m not sure what that reason is.
Simpsons: No
1 likes
1-Star Albums (1)
All Ratings
Isaac Hayes
3/5
The Black Keys
4/5
I have been a casual Black Keys listener in the past and enjoyed this.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Bitch didn’t kill my vibe
Simpsons: No
David Bowie
4/5
Elliott Smith
4/5
Good stuff
David Bowie
5/5
The Bees
3/5
I put this one before bed and was pretty much asleep by the end of it. However this kind of exactly what I wanted it to do, so can’t complain.
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
Don’t know what all you cry babies are on about, this was perfectly listenable
Tom Tom Club
2/5
So I already had beef with Tom Tom Club going into this. Last year I went to the cinema to watch Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense (i.e the greatest concert film of all time). Anyway about half way through David Byrne heads off to either take his massive suit off or put it on, I can’t remember which, and a couple of members of the band start playing in his absence. Anyway they were absolutely shite, David Byrne was definitely the brains behind that operation.
It turns out those members of Talking Heads are also Tom Tom Club and listening to this hasn’t changed my opinion on them.
Still can’t bring myself to dish out my first 1* though, it wasn’t unpleasant just not for me.
Prince
4/5
It’s a bit long and it doesn’t quite live up to any of the hits that I’m already aware of. But it’s still vibey as shit!
Simpsons: of course
Barry Adamson
3/5
Didn’t actually mind it. Got too hyped up as being bad.
Plus I’ll like anything Jarvis is involved in.
Simpsons: No
Elliott Smith
4/5
Deep Purple
3/5
The Strokes
4/5
Beth Orton
3/5
Carpenters
3/5
The Clash
3/5
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
Neu!
3/5
Lauryn Hill
5/5
Red Snapper
2/5
Alice Cooper
3/5
Pavement
4/5
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Good vibes.
CHIC
3/5
Simpsons reference: Loose reference, they parody the song We are Family by Sister Sledge which was written by Chic
Kraftwerk
3/5
Simpsons reference: Yes (episode name references them! Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk)
Dire Straits
3/5
The Police
3/5
Gary Numan
3/5
Caetano Veloso
2/5
Not for me Clive
Little Richard
4/5
I was vibing to this in the bath
Silver Jews
4/5
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Needs more heartbreak
Various Artists
4/5
About three or four of these appear during the Christmas scenes in Goodfellas, so it was almost an automatic 5*.
The Monkees
2/5
A bit all over the place. One of the tracks ‘Zilch’ physically repulsed me. Looks like this was the first album that The Monkees wrote and fully played on the tracks themselves, and you can kind of tell. It’s no ‘I’m a Believer’.
Sepultura
3/5
Giving this the benefit of the doubt, because listening on phone speakers in the bath is probably not what they intended. Could imagine vibing to this live with a crowd.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
I liked it. Then again 90’s indie/alternative is my jam
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Certainly some bangers on this, but a lot of filler too
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Very close to a 5* this fella. But I know S&G have at least one even better album, so I’ll give it a cautious 4. Homeward Bound might be one of the best songs ever!
Beatles
5/5
Surprise
Elvis Presley
3/5
He’s obviously iconic, but not he’s my cup of tea. A few bangers
The Young Gods
4/5
Not my usual vibe, but actually really liked this. I liked the mix of metal and orchestral stuff. Definitely going to get running to it.
Eagles
4/5
Q-Tip
4/5
I really liked this. Listened to it twice in the end. I’m still not quite sure how I’m judging 5*, so the 4 here could ultimately be harsh.
John Coltrane
3/5
Good bath listen. But suppose it’s just not my cup of tea.
Rush
4/5
Another one I really enjoyed and wouldn’t be something I usually listen to.
I’m definitely the opposite of El G, I just can’t give a bad review!
Call me Arsene Wenger because I’m just throwing out 4’s (4th place) every time!
MGMT
3/5
Kids, Time to Pretend, and Electric Feel are all bangers, and were the only MGMT songs I really knew before this. That probably won’t change as nothing else really stood out.
Depeche Mode
2/5
The 80s have just never really done it for me.
The Residents
2/5
Just couldn’t quite bring myself to throw out a 3 here.
The Youngbloods
2/5
A couple of tunes that I enjoyed, but on the whole, not really doing for me.
The Kinks
4/5
I’m kinky for The Kinks!
However, this doesn’t quite get itself 5 stars as they have better albums (Village Green Preservation Society) which I look forward to popping up as well.
Sunny Afternoon is an all-time great though.
Depeche Mode
2/5
I once had a boss called Dipesh, and although he never made this joke, he was exactly the kind of Apprentice wannabe that would have said he was entering ‘Dipesh Mode’. So that’s all I can really think about when Depeche play their tunes.
Anyway, that’s by the by, this fellas getting a 2, not offensive enough for a 1, but it didn’t have much going for it.
Frank Ocean
5/5
There are a few tracks on here that I have listened to a lot over the years, but for some reason have not listened to the full album since it came out. What a silly boy I was back in 2012.
Lovely from start to finish. No notes.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
I feel like punk is a ‘you had to be there’ genre.
The Stooges
3/5
How is it possible for Iggy Pop to look in good shape but disgusting at the same time?
Anyway decent listen, 3 stars.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Rod Stewart’s voice shouldn’t work, but it does. The man sounds like he’s smoked 40 a day since primary school.
Liked it, Maggie May is a banger.
Hot Chip
4/5
Really liked this, will be listening to them more
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I was ready to give this a 4 after listening to it yesterday morning, but then in the evening it took me a good few minutes to remember what the days album was. So it obviously didn’t make much of an impression.
Sorry Elvis, you were a great guest star on The Simpsons.
Van Halen
2/5
Not really anything wrong with this, but just not my vibe
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Have listened to a bit of the Smashing Pumpkins in the past and liked what I heard, never listened to a full album before though. So I’ll check out some more
Le Tigre
2/5
Couple of good times on here, but not a fan overall.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Obviously amazing. But think it would be disingenuous to give a 5 as I’m unlikely to listen again.
Simpsons reference: Yes
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
Have listened to a bit of this geezer in the past, and by that I mean listened to two songs a lot, including the opening credits song to HBOs Big Little Lies (would recommend the first series, not the second).
However there was nothing on this album I recognised, and nothing jumping out at me. A fairly pleasant listen none the less.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Full of bangers tbf! Not quite as good as Songs in The Key of Life though, which is a stone cold 5 star when it comes up!
Simpsons reference: No but he looks a lot like Bleeding Gums Murphy
Merle Haggard
3/5
I feel like I have heard so many parodies of this kind of country music that it was hard to take it seriously. Big Lurkeen Lumpkin vibes.
However, it was a nice catchy listen.
Simpsons reference: No
Duke Ellington
3/5
Quite a pleasant listen actually, preferred it to the John Coltrane.
Simpsons reference: Yes
John Lennon
4/5
Not as good as the proper Beatles stuff, but still pretty decent.
Simpsons reference: Yes
Ray Charles
3/5
Pretty nice stuff.
Simpsons reference: I think so
PS. I need to start putting more effort into these reviews.
The Stooges
3/5
I Wanna Be Your Dog is a banger, but nothing else really stood out.
Simpsons reference: not really.
Mylo
2/5
Difficult one this, there were some tracks that I really liked but others that I really didn’t.
Simpsons reference: No
Missy Elliott
4/5
I ended up liking this a lot more than I thought I was going to.
Gave me real vibes of shaking my booty while absolutely off my noggin on £1 Vodka Redbulls at uni.
Simpsons reference: A Missy Elliot song has been played in an episode, but can’t see any direct reference.
Beatles
5/5
IF ANYONE SAYS ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT OCTOPUSES GARDEN I’LL KILL AGAIN.
Where to start…
Weirdly, Come Together might be my least favourite song on the album, doesn’t mean it’s not a banger though.
Something is not only my favourite song on the album and favourite Beatles song, it might even be my favourite song of all time. Feel like I could fall in love with a piece of shit (even Chris) provided I was looking at it while this was playing.
Harrison knocking it out the park on this one, with Something and Here Comes the Sun. Genuinely think there is a world we’re the Beatles might be even better than they were, had they let good old George have more than two songs an album.
This may be a benefit of listening to the vinyl as I’ve never noticed it quite so acutely when listening on Spotify. But the way almost the entirety of Side 2 flows seamlessly into each other, making effectively one big track (sorry El G) is so satisfying.
So yeah it’s alright innit…
Simpsons reference: Every member referenced, 3/4 guest starred, and there are even some references to songs on this album. Might be the biggest Yes to this that we are going to have.
Gorillaz
4/5
I like a bit of Gorillaz, but haven’t really listened to any full albums, since Demon Days was the most have album of Year 7 though.
Enjoyed this, Clint Eastwood and 19-2000 are absolute tooons.
Simpsons reference: No. Which is a shame the virtual characters could literally star in an episode.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
Not really anything grabbing my attention about this one, not unpleasant to listen to though I suppose
Beatles
5/5
Obviously doesn’t quite reach the heights of Abbey Road, but that’s not going to stop me from dishing out another fiver! Still banger after banger.
For balance the film only gets a 4 from me. So I am capable of less than 5 when it comes to The Beatles.
Simpsons: Obviously.
Goldfrapp
3/5
This was giving me Bond theme vibes, and I didn’t mind it mate.
Nothing quite grabbing me to get up to 4 though.
Simpsons reference: No
The United States Of America
3/5
Not half bad. Will listen to "I Won't Leave My Wooden Wife for You, Sugar" again.
The Simpsons reference: Genuinely impossible to research given their name, but I doubt it.
T. Rex
3/5
I do like a bit T-Rex, nothing I knew on this album though and nothing standing out for it to be in the 4s or 5s territory.
Simpsons reference: There is a character called T-Rex, don’t think I can count that as a reference though.
Green Day
4/5
I went into this thinking I could have a possible fiver on my hands. However it fell just short, really liked it, but it needed a couple more Basket Case level songs to get top marks!
Simpsons reference: Green Day are in the film!
Grizzly Bear
3/5
It was alright
The Waterboys
4/5
The Waterboys are one John M’s favourites, so a bit of a nostalgia going here. Lovely bit of work, nice to hear a cover Sweet Thing which is one of my favourite songs.
Shame it didn’t have Whole of the Moon on there, because that is a stone cold banger!
Simpsons reference: No
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
Big fan. Not a completely straight forward 5* like Abbey Road etc. but it’s an album I have on rotation a lot.
And despite the opinion of my peers I could listen to All My Friends all day everyday and never get bored.
Simpsons reference: No
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
He may have been a dodgy geezer but he could belt out a tune.
Great Balls of Fire is 🔥
Simpsons reference: Yes
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Really really liked this, I was very close to giving a 5*. But I just thought knowing he’s got even better to come, I’ll go with a safe 4*. That could be a tad harsh, sorry boss.
Simpsons reference: Yes (also rumoured to have turned down multiple guest appearances)
Motörhead
2/5
Just not really my vibe.
Could imagine bopping around to it live though I suppose.
Simpson reference: No (only in the non-cannon comic books)
The Pogues
3/5
All good stuff and obviously Fairytale of New York is a cracker.
Simpsons reference: No
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
5/5
Just top notch. No notes.
Simpsons reference: Yes
The Byrds
4/5
Have enjoyed the very little of the Byrds I’ve listened to in the past and this was no different. Nice stuff.
Simpsons reference: Kent Brockman covers a song!
Aphex Twin
2/5
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Bloody love a it of Leonard Cohen. Never listened to a full album before, just the odd single here and there (including the original and best Hallelujah). Will definitely be doing a deeper dive into some more from the sad lad.
Simpsons reference: Yes
AC/DC
4/5
It’s good stuff tbf. Almost dropped it another star because of repetitiveness, but thought that would be harsh. I reckon it helps that I watched School of Rock this week.
Simpsons: Yes
Guns N' Roses
3/5
Never really been my vibe, but you can’t deny the tunes on this. It does leave you thinking what an earth is on the rest of their albums as pretty much all their good songs were on this one!
Simpsons: Yea
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
Never really paid much attention to post-Beatles solo work (apart from my boy George) but I actually really liked this and only really knew Band on The Run (song) going into it.
Simpsons: Yes
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
Toyed with the idea of giving this a 2, but actually think there was enough here that I would listen again if I needed something instrumental to concentrate to.
Simpsons: No
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Have listened to a bit of Sujan Steven’s in the past, mainly this album and the soundtrack to the film Call Me By Your Name (the one where Timothée Chalamet fucks a peach). Really like it, but it is a bit long.
Simpsons: No
The Zombies
4/5
I liked this.
Simpsons: No
The Prodigy
3/5
Just not really my kind of thing. Probably not bad if you’re off your noggin in the mixer though.
Simpsons: No
David Bowie
4/5
It’s not quite on the level of some of the previous Bowie albums we’ve had on the list (Hunky Dory & Ziggy Stardust), but good stuff nonetheless.
Simpsons: Yes
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Love Q-Tip and probably underrated that when I came round earlier. So was tempted to right that wrong and throw out a 5* here. But I think 4* makes sense, there are other hip-hop albums yet to appear that I’ll be giving a solid 5 to and this just falls short of them.
Simpsons: Yes, couple of different references (A Tribe Called Pesto)
Simple Minds
3/5
A solid mid-table of an album. The album equivalent to Crystal Palace.
The Simpsons: I’m sure they parody the end of The Breakfast Club at some point, but can’t find any evidence of that.
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
Pure nostalgia! Banger after banger. I still know all the words despite it probably being 20 years since I last listened.
Simpsons: The Archduke yes, but not the band.
Supergrass
3/5
Thought I’d like this more than I did, but wasn’t as good as any of the Supergrass songs I already knew.
Simpsons: No
Johnny Cash
4/5
Bad ass
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
He wrote this while he was living in the Sharon Tate Manson murders house. Which tells you everything you need to know about his mental state.
Have only ever listened to Hurt before, actually went through a stage of listening to it a lot. It wasn’t a cry for help though, I just like a good sad lad. Probably won’t be listening to any more than Hurt in the future, would have been a solid 2* without it.
Simpsons: Yes
The Sonics
2/5
3/5
I’ve never really got Muse, always found them a bit boring (a bit rich coming from you Rozza!). Wouldn’t be surprised if everything they’ve ever made was just shat out by an AI machine.
This feels like it’s probably their best work though, a few ones I recognised. Supermassive Blackhole is a FIFA song as well, so that probably saves it from a 2*.
The Simpsons: No
Peter Frampton
3/5
Simpsons: Yes
Barry Adamson
2/5
Nice try Barry.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Pleasant enough to listen to in the background.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Okay they got me.
Not sure they were going for ‘listenable’ anyway.
Simpsons: No
Nas
4/5
First time listener to Naz I think, aware of him largely through his ‘feud’ with Jay Z. Good stuff, will listen to more.
Simpsons: No
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Top drawer for me
Black Sabbath
3/5
Ozzy is a funny geezer and everything, but these lads have never really been for me. A bit much, just chill out a bit.
Having said that a 2 would be harsh.
Simpsons: Yes
The Divine Comedy
4/5
Recently discovered a sad lad by The Divine Comedy that has been on rotation for a while, so have been meaning to check them out further.
Enjoyed it, will continue to listen to more.
Simpsons: No
OutKast
4/5
Very good stuff, up there with Andre 3000s instrumental flute album.
Maybe a tad too long, which is why I went for 4 over 5.
Simpsons: you’d think so, but I can’t find any evidence
Wilco
4/5
A bit of me this. Lovely stuff.
Simpsons: No
Don McLean
3/5
Toyed with a 4* for this, but not much other than American Pie sticks out.
Simpsons: Yes
Johnny Cash
2/5
Thought I was going to like this, but really didn’t for some reason. Not sure there was a single cover here that even came close to the original. Maybe Hurt, but even then I much prefer the OG sad lad.
I actually found Bridge over Troubled Water painful to listen to, he just took all the melody and harmony out of it.
Simpsons: yes
Herbie Hancock
3/5
A bit more funky than some the previous Jazz albums, didn’t mind it.
Simpsons: Yes
Radiohead
5/5
I was on the fence about this one, if I could give 4.5 I would.
It isn’t my favourite Radiohead album and it’s not where I’d start if I wanted to get into them as the earlier stuff is a bit more accessible.
However, after listening to it twice yesterday, it’s bloody good stuff. Merges the more conventional elements of the early stuff with the more abstract experimental albums they’ve done post-90s.
So I think even as a very basic-bitch fan that prefers the early stuff, I’ve got to give a 5.
Simpsons: Looks like Creep was played in a episode.
The Birthday Party
2/5
Not really my kind of thing, a lot going on.
I’m sure Nick Cave will pick up a few more stars further down the line.
Simpsons: No
Spacemen 3
3/5
Some weird stuff and some quite nice stuff, difficult one to place. But I’ll be generous rather than harsh.
Simpsons: somehow yes hahah
Joy Division
4/5
Very good, but reckon it needed a Love Will Tear Us Apart or equivalent to hit 5 stars.
Simpsons: Yes
Erykah Badu
3/5
SAULT
3/5
4/5
PJ Harvey is one of those people I’d heard of without ever really knowing why.
Now I know. Decent.
Simpsons: No
Living Colour
4/5
I’m not a big metal guy, but turns out I am partial to a bit of funk-metal.
Simpsons: No
Jeff Buckley
4/5
A lovely bunch of sad lads.
Never actually listened to this before, which is odd considering it’s pretty up my street and I was fully aware of its existence. I’m sure after a few more listens it would be a 5.
Simpsons: No
ZZ Top
3/5
No denying there’s a few tunes on here. But just not for me, I always find this stuff a bit samey. Wouldn’t be out of place as the soundtrack to a cheesey 80s action film, which is fine if you’re watching Top Gun, but I wasn’t I was sat at my desk sending emails and looking at spreadsheets.
Fun fact: Of the original three members drummer Frank Beard is the only one not to have a beard.
Simpsons: Yes
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
Slightly disappointed in this, thought I might have a fiver on my hands, given what I’ve listened to from
Neil Young in particular. But there was just something lacking to give it top marks.
Still a lovely album though, and Our House is a banger!
Simpsons: Yes
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Again as with a previous country album, it just feels like I’ve heard these kind of tunes parodied too much to take them seriously. But I’m not sure there’s anything here I can be too negative about.
Simpsons: No
Killing Joke
3/5
It’s not a 2 and it’s not a 4.
Simpsons: No
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
A bit good tbf.
Simpsons: Yep
Shuggie Otis
4/5
Good vibes.
Simpsons: No
The Who
4/5
The issue with a song like My Generation is a really makes all the others sound quite average. Just about scrapes a 4 though.
Simpsons: Yes
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
All good stuff
Simpsons: Yes
Fela Kuti
4/5
The Nigerian government threw his mum out of a video because this vibed so hard.
Simpsons: No
Faith No More
2/5
Poor mans Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and I don’t even like the RHCP.
Simpsons: No
Fats Domino
4/5
Fats Domino is a badass name and I liked his work.
Simpsons: No (although he sounds like he could be a character, maybe a member of Fat Tony’s gang)
Talking Heads
5/5
Ohhhh yes please, gimme more!
I love Talking Heads, I don’t necessarily know why as it’s not massively aligned with the rest of my music, but I just do!
Just makes me feel happy to imagine David Byrne doing his funny little dances.
Simpsons: Byrne has guest starred and him and the band mentioned quite a few times!
Big Star
5/5
I know absolutely nothing of these lads, but this slapped. It was right in my wheelhouse.
I was umming and ahing about whether to give a 4 or 5, as I’ve yet to give a 5 to something unknown, most of my 5s are things I’ve heard before. But this was tasty stuff, and I’ll be listening to a lot more.
Simpsons: No
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
Layla is so much better than all the other songs that they’ve even reflected this in the name of the album. I’m not sure it even helps it sneak a 4.
Simpsons: No
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
Got off to a good start this, but wasn’t convinced by the end.
Simpsons: No
The Cure
5/5
Facking love The Cure, the saddest lads of them all. Pictures Of You is also my favourite song of theirs, so confirms the 5 stars.
The Simpsons: No
Foo Fighters
3/5
I feel asleep. I was tired, so I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.
Simpsons: Yes
Violent Femmes
3/5
It was okay, nothing to go crazy about though.
Simpsons: No
Van Morrison
5/5
Big fat five for Van the Man!
Just perfect from start to finish. I may have listened to this album more than any other, I’d love to see the stats on that.
Sweet Thing is certainly in and around the top spot every year for most listened to song. Banger.
Simpsons: No
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Take Five was a bit of a banger, but in general not my cup of tea.
Simpsons: Take Five used in an episode
Miles Davis
3/5
The Who
4/5
As good as this was, I just don’t think I like The Who enough to give any of their stuff a fiver. Can’t deny some of the tunes though, and I am the Bad Man Behind Blue Eyes after all.
Simpsons: Yes
The Darkness
3/5
It was alright.
Simpsons: No
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
So I love Simon and Garfunkel. But I’m learning that perhaps I love Bridge Over Troubled Water and a few of the singles and just quite like everything else. This just does quite hit as much as BOTW does.
Simpsons: Yes
Garbage
3/5
Not garbage, but not amazing either.
Simpsons: No
The Isley Brothers
3/5
3’s all round.
Simpsons: No
Nirvana
4/5
I don’t know if I’ve had one that has been so borderline 4/5 before. It was a solid 4 all the way until Something In The Way (banger) tipped it into 5, but then the final track was a pile of wank so falls back into a 4.
Simpsons: basically a whole episode
Skepta
4/5
Listened to this on the Vicky Line while passing through Tottenham feeling like a proper North London Roadman.
Skepta has also done some stuff with us at work, so by all accounts a nice geezer.
Simpsons: No
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Nice and vibey, might have scored higher if I could understand any of the Spanish.
Simpsons: No
James Brown
3/5
Almost got itself a 4. Just don’t think it’s something I would ever sit down and choose to listen to. Certainly a good vibe though.
Simpsons: Guest star
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
Solid three, not much to add.
Simpsons: No
The Band
5/5
The Band have been top of my list to ‘get in to’ for a while, and this didn’t disappoint, I think I enjoyed every track.
Controversially, I also quite like the name. When you consider that they were initially Bob Dylan’s backing band, it kind of makes sense.
Simpsons: very hard to figure out due to the name
Bad Brains
2/5
I don’t know if it’s because I was hungover, but this made very little impact on me. To say I listened to it would be a stretch, it was just on a room in a room I happened to be in.
Simpsons: No
Van Morrison
4/5
This isn’t as good as Astral Weeks for me, although that doesn’t necessarily rule out a fiver. Into The Mystic is an absolute tuuuuunnnee and Moondance itself is up there. But I would say it needs a couple more to hit full marks.
Simpsons: No
The The
3/5
It was fine.
*really need to work on my reviews.
Simpsons: who knows, I’m going to guess no though
David Ackles
4/5
I really liked this in an operatic kind of way.
Simpsons: No
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Fair play this pretty great stuff, banger after banger. Not something I’m going regularly whack out and play, but you can’t deny its greatness.
Simpsons: Yes
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Not as good as the previous Hendrix, but very good nonetheless.
Simpsons: yes
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Slow start, but thought it really got going in the second half. Not got the PG hits that I know and like, Sledgehammer, Solsbury Hill etc, but still enjoyable. Just shy of a four though.
Simpsons: Yes
Kid Rock
2/5
Didn’t quite have the visceral hatred that everyone else seemed to have for this, didn’t seem any worse than any other rap-metal that I’ve heard. Almost popped it a three, but that would just be been to annoy you all.
Simpsons: Yes
Muddy Waters
4/5
Really vibed to this. Lovely stuff.
Simpsons: Yes
Dead Kennedys
3/5
Quite enjoyed some of this, but also some of it I didn’t. Just a solid three.
Simpsons: No
Metallica
3/5
I actually quite enjoyed this, if only it wasn’t so long. Then again it is a live album, I’d feel a bit short changed if I went to a gig and it was 35 minutes long.
Simpsons: Yes
Public Enemy
4/5
Can see how this is so influential. A great listen and socially/politically charged lyrics.
Simpsons: Yes
The Cars
4/5
Very enjoyable stuff. Had heard My Best Friends Girl Before, and the rest were good too.
Shit band name
Simpsons: No
Pixies
4/5
Where Is My Mind is such a toooon! I’m not even the biggest Fight Club fan but the ending + credits with this over the top is superb.
The rest is good, but doesn’t live up Where Is My Mind. Although I do like Gigantic.
Decent live as well.
Simpsons: Yes
Massive Attack
3/5
Pleasant to work to in the background. Not sure I’m going to listen again though.
Simpson: Nah (although teardrop has been used)
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Initially I didn’t think I was going to like 80s synth-pop Cohen, but I was very into it by the end.
Simpsons: Yes
Tito Puente
4/5
Good vibz.
Simpsons: Oh yeah (guest star in Shot Mr Burns doesn’t get much bigger than that)
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Haven’t actually had a chance to listen to this as part of our little challenge. But this is one I have listened to countless times and own a copy of the banana lad myself.
Just one of the best albums of all time.
Simpsons: not that I can find, but there must be a Lou Reed reference in there somewhere
Pink Floyd
4/5
Good stuff.
Simpsons: Yes
Beautiful Day is obviously an absolute nostalgic banger for any fan of 01/04 premier league football. Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of is also half decent. Not a lot going on otherwise.
Simpsons: Yes
Alanis Morissette
5/5
I’ve got one hand in my pocket and other one is giving this album five stars.
Preemptively calling Chris a knobhead for his inevitable comment about the lack of irony in Ironic. How original.
Simpsons: Yes
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Love it. Love it. Love it.
And still not my favourite of the Bosses albums.
Simpsons: Yes
T. Rex
4/5
Good shit.
Simpsons: No
The Rolling Stones
5/5
My fingers aren’t the only thing sticky after that.
Simpsons: Yes
M.I.A.
3/5
Bold to put your only banger as the last song on the album.
Simpsons: No
Beastie Boys
5/5
Possibly helped by the fact that I listened to this on the coach to Glasto, but sooo good!
Simpsons: not even looking it up, just assuming yes
Dire Straits
4/5
Just lovely stuff!
And Sultans of Swing is a stone cold banger.
Simpsons: Yes
Johnny Cash
4/5
Bad ass
The Beach Boys
4/5
I like the Beach Boys.
Simpsons: Yes
Taylor Swift
5/5
I’ve got a blank space baby and I’ll give you a fiver.
Pop music just doesn’t get much better than this. Blank Space. Banger. Style Banger. Shake It Off. Banger. Bad Blood. Banger. Wildest Dreams. Banger.
Simpsons: Yes
Radiohead
5/5
Proper starter Radiohead album this and my favourite. Makes everything else make a bit more sense if you’ve listened to this first.
Too notch.
Simpson: probably
David Bowie
4/5
Anita Baker
3/5
Ahh it was alright.
Simpsons: No
Ramones
3/5
The Velvet Underground
4/5
I like a bit of this, although not as good as the banana boi with Nico.
Pale Blue Eyes is a banger.
Simpsons: Yes
Queen
3/5
Can I shock you? I’ve never really got Queen. It’s all just a bit cheesy. They’ve got some bangers don’t get me wrong, I’ll shake my arse to Fat Bottom Girls all night long. But I can’t imagine they have strength and depth in the deep cuts.
Don’t think they will ever trouble the 1s and 2s, but can’t really give this any more than a 3, it was fine.
Simpsons: Yes
The Specials
3/5
Ahh not that special.
Simpsons: No
Van Halen
3/5
It was alright I suppose, a two would be harsh. Does feel like other bands (Led Zep etc) do this kind of thing much better though.
Simpsons: Yes
Radiohead
4/5
Yeah this is good stuff. Not one I’d listened too before, but one I’ll listen to again.
Simpsons: Yes
The Zutons
3/5
It was fine. Not the best work in the Skinny Jeans genre.
Simpsons: No
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Don’t enjoy this ad much as the first Cocteau Twins album.
Simpsons: I’ll be honest I’ve stopped checking and have been guessing
Paul Weller
4/5
God I listened to this ages ago and forgot to rate. If I remember rightly it was lovely.
Simpsons: No
Elvis Presley
4/5
I’m back baby!
A solid 4 for my return. Decent stuff from the big man. Some killer a little bit of filler, pretty much bang on half an hour. No complaints.
Simpsons: Yes
David Bowie
3/5
Not my favourite of his.
Simpsons: Yes
Justice
3/5
Passed up the opportunity to see these chaps at Glastonbury, went to the far more on brand The National (sad lads) instead.
Quite enjoyed this though actually. Not far off a four.
Simpsons: No
Coldplay
5/5
A hill I will die on is that early Coldplay is superb!
Although they have been shit since 2005.
Simpsons: yes
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
One of those bands where I like about three songs and appear to dislike the rest. Design for Life was the only enjoyable one on here and the rest did nothing for me.
Simpsons: No
Meat Loaf
3/5
My only points of reference for Meat Loaf prior to this were Bat Out Of Hell (the song) and his role in Fight Club. The man’s got range.
After to listening to this my only points of reference will still be Bat Out Of Hell (the song) and his performance in Fight Club. The rest of the album doesn’t have much going for it.
2 would be harsh though.
Simpsons: Yes
Kings of Leon
4/5
Enjoyed this. Red Morning Light is a pure FIFA banger so that helps.
Simpsons: No
The Stone Roses
5/5
Just facking superb. It doesn’t get much better than this. It could well be the album I’ve listened to the most, certainly top 5.
Simpsons: I doubt it
R.E.M.
4/5
I enjoyed this very much. Could have been a fiver on another day.
Simpsons: Yes
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Wasn’t what I was expecting, but I jammed.
Simpsons: Yes
R.E.M.
3/5
Sounds like REM tbf.
Simpsons: Yes
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Good shit!
Simpsons: Yes
Cream
4/5
It’s a shame Eric Clapton is a knob.
Simpsons: No, but Clapton is.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Enjoyed this. Can’t say I wasn’t disappointed that they didn’t burst into Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes. Which I’m aware is a very white thing to say.
Simpsons: Not directly, but there is a Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes joke.
4/5
First three here are absolutely superb, the rest let it down a bit.
The Simpsons: Yes
Patti Smith
4/5
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Maybe I’d have been more inclined to give a 5 if they weren’t shite at Reading. Just sing the hits! And do them in a normal way!
Simpsons: No
Scott Walker
3/5
Cat Stevens
5/5
I was going to give a 4, but I’ve decided to be generous.
Wild World. Banger.
Father and Son. Banger.
Tea for the Tillerman. Banger (and too short)
Simpsons: Yes
Jeff Beck
3/5
Tim Buckley
2/5
Not as good as Jeff. Actually did vibe with it at all.
Simpsons: No
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I know it’s supposed to be their best, but I prefer Sticky Fingers.
Simpsons: Yes
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Some very good shit here. So probably harsh with my 4.
Simpsons: Yes
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Fairly run of the mill. Into My Arms is a good tune and have heard it before. Nothing else really stood out.
Simpsons: No
The White Stripes
3/5
Solid.
Simpsons: Yes
Brian Eno
4/5
This is will be a lovely addition to my Reading on a Train playlist.
Simpsons: had a few songs used, but no references.
R.E.M.
3/5
This could not have sounded more R.E.M. But only one standout really.
Simpsons: Yes
Love
3/5
Can’t fault it. Didn’t love it.
Simpsons: quite hard to research given their name. Doubt it though.
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
Very enjoyable. Definitely worth another listen.
Simpsons: No
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
It was nice stuff but nothing really grabbing me. Maybe I prefer them when you add Young into the mix.
Simpsons: Yes
Arcade Fire
4/5
I have listened to a bit of Arcade Fire in the past. But not really anything on this album. I enjoyed it and would listen again.
Simpsons: No
Paul McCartney
3/5
Maybe I’m Amazed. Banger.
Otherwise needs more John, George, and Ringo.
Simpsons: Maybe I’m Amazed was used as an end credits!
ZZ Top
3/5
Not an unpleasant way to spend 33 minutes.
Simpsons: Yes
Adele
2/5
Well I thought I actually quite liked Adele, but other than the hits some of these were actually quite painful to listen to. Maybe it just caught me on a bad day.
Simpsons: Yes
Syd Barrett
2/5
Sorry Syd, not for me lad. I’d have kicked you out of Pink Floyd as well tbf.
Simpsons: I don’t think Pink Floyd references count?
David Bowie
4/5
It was good stuff, but not up there with the fivers I’ve given him in the past.
Simpsons: Yes
Anthrax
2/5
Hmm not a thrash metal guy.
Simpsons: No
Parliament
4/5
Well this was a very good time.
Simpsons: Yes
3/5
Not bad stuff. Nothing really standout though.
Simpsons: Don’t think so
Thelonious Monk
2/5
Ahhh not for me
Simpsons: Yes
Beck
3/5
Loser is a bit of tune. But not on this album unfortunately. Nothing really standing out to me here, but still nice enough.
Simpsons: Yes and a full on guest star in Futurama
Jane's Addiction
2/5
I can see why Jane is an addict. Anything to drown out the noise.
That was probably harsh. But not for me.
Simpsons: No
Nick Drake
4/5
Really liked this. A very pleasant way to spend 45 minutes.
Simpsons: No
Lou Reed
5/5
Really good stuff. Always enjoyed a bit of Lou Reed and this has the big hitters of Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side. Up there with the Velvet Undergrounds Banana Boi as the best thing he’s done.
Simpsons: Yes
Elton John
4/5
It’s good stuff mate. Think I’m going to postpone my 5 until Goodbye Yellow Brick Road though.
Simpsons: yes
Richard Hawley
4/5
Enjoyed this, it just had a lovely vibe to it. He was briefly a member of Pulp as well, so that helps.
Simpsons: No
Linkin Park
2/5
Hmm not for me.
Simpsons: No
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
This was my kind of slow durge.
Simpsons: There is an Itchy and Scratchy episode titled My Bloody Valentine. However, that is more likely a reference to the film
Moby
4/5
Turns out I knew more Moby songs than I thought I did. Actually, really enjoyed this. Certainly my favourite of the more dance/electronic stuff so far.
Simpsons: No
Roxy Music
4/5
Really enjoyed this. Shall be checking out some more Roxy Music in the future.
Simpsons: No
Robert Wyatt
2/5
Strange one. There seemed to be some half decent songs on here, which were kind of overshadowed by old Bobbys singing and delivery. Having said that I did kind of get used to it by the end. Not enough to save it from a deux though.
Simpsons: No
Steely Dan
3/5
Didn’t know what to expect from this. Have heard references to Steely Dan that have ridiculed them but also some that have made them sound amazing. They were perfectly solid.
Simpsons: Yes
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Oooft a bit long and just not as good as I’d like it to be. Kashmir is a tune, but LZ have others that I prefer.
Simpsons: Yes
The Charlatans
3/5
Just a lovely bit of Britpop. Almost getting a 4 from me, but perhaps lacked a few standouts.
Simpsons: No
Japan
2/5
I listened to this a couple of weeks ago. Can’t say I remember much about it.
Simpsons: No
AC/DC
4/5
It’s funny to imagine these lads being young men. I always just picture them as old men in school uniform singing silly songs. Either way, some tunes on here.
Simpsons: Yes
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
This was at least on the easy listening side of jazz, so I don’t have too many complaints.
Simpsons: No
U2
3/5
‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’, what a great song. Really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday - you wake up in the morning, you’ve got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running around, you’ve got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think “Sunday, bloody Sunday!”
Not as good as Joshua Tree for me. But compared to a lot of other U2, not half bad.
Simpsons: Yes
Suede
3/5
Interesting one. I like the first Suede album, with it being the originator of Britpop and everything. But this one was a bit long and not enough to get you going.
Simpsons: No
5/5
Huge album. Not Definitely Maybe. But still deserving of the fiver. Probably the last good thing they did as well.
Simpsons: No
Lambchop
3/5
This was a decent vibe I suppose, if not a little forgettable.
Simpsons: No
Thin Lizzy
4/5
You know what, good vibes!
Phil Lynott has a great voice, and I don’t just mean singing. Just a lovely accent.
Simpsons: Yes
Public Enemy
3/5
I preferred the early Public Enemy album. But this was still good, some interesting themes and got me bopping at my desk.
Simpsons: Yes, although only really Flavor Flav
2/5
Chaos. But I didn’t actually hate some of it.
Simpsons: No
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Not as enjoyable as some of the later stuff that I know and love. Out of Time is a tune however. I think it needed a bit more variation to justify its runtime.
Simpsons: Yes
Brian Wilson
5/5
Really really liked this. Makes you ponder where it would stand had it been released when it was supposed to be, given how iconic Pet Sounds is now.
Simpsons: Yes
Arcade Fire
4/5
Really like Arcade Fire. Some big tunes on here, Wake Up and Rebellion (Lies). Perhaps needed a couple more justify a fiver though.
Simpsons: No
Brian Eno
3/5
Prefer my ambient stuff to be a bit more chill, some of this was a little jarring. But also some of it was really good.
I also listened to the full hour, when the OG is actually on 39mins. So I’m going to give it the benefit of the doubt.
Simpsons: Yes (David Byrne)
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
This is an experience. But a good one!
Simpsons: Yes
Beatles
4/5
Very tempted to throw out a fiver I suppose. But it’s not exactly Abbey Road, is it? And there are a fair few covers.
Simpsons: Yes
Tears For Fears
4/5
In an earlier review I claimed that the 80s have never really done it for me. Perhaps that was not very well thought out. Because this was the shit! Maybe needed one or two more bangers to get a fiver.
Simpsons: No
Slayer
2/5
Maybe I should stop listening to these while working, but this just merged into one big mush of heavy guitar. Nothing even remotely standing out.
Simpsons: No
Marvin Gaye
5/5
Grew up thinking Marvin’s tunes were all just about ‘getting it on’ as he would put it. But he’s got far more depth to him.
Is this the greatest protest album of all time? Greatest album of all time? Rolling Stone seem to think so, it sits on the top of their list. Which I remember being shocked by when I went to listen to the list a few years back.
Listening to it this week, it does still seem very prescient and relevant. What is going on?
The title track and Inner City Blues in particular are gorgeous.
Simpsons: Yes
Tortoise
2/5
I suppose it was fairly pleasant to listen to, if not a bit boring. I couldn’t even tell that first song was 20mins long it all sounded so similar.
Simpsons: No
2/5
That was a slog tbf. But at least melodic.
Not sure any band can have a must listen album if they only get 6k monthly listeners on Spotify. Me and Dan got more views during our brief Vine careers.
Simpsons: No
Deep Purple
3/5
Perfectly agreeable rock.
Simpsons: Yes
Paul Simon
5/5
Superb.
It’s got a good case for being my favourite so far. Although so do a few others.
Simpsons: Yes
Judas Priest
3/5
Pretty forgettable but fine.
Simpsons: Yes
Travis
4/5
Fair play I enjoyed this.
Imagine being a die hard Travis fan though.
I did read once that after this album they were on the way to super-stardom, but then Coldplays first album came out a year later and everyone forgot about them. What might have been.
Simpsons: No
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Magazine
2/5
Ahh Barry Adamson, our old friend.
Simpsons: No
50 Cent
3/5
You can’t deny the bangers! A lot of shit here as well though.
Simpsons: Yes, full guest star
Yes
2/5
No
Simpsons: No
Beck
3/5
Enjoyed this, but maybe not as much as I did the previous Beck album.
Simpsons: Yes (and Futurama etc)
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
I quite liked the previous one by this lot. But this one just didn’t grab me in the same way. Maybe I need to listen to the other one back just in case I was previously in a generous mood.
Simpsons: Itchy and Scratchy episode named My Bloody Valentine, but it is also a film as well as a band.
Ryan Adams
4/5
Really liked this. A bit long though.
Shame he’s a wrong’un.
Simpsons: No
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
California Dreaming is a choon. You can’t not bop to that. Not much else really grabbing me. But a nice solid 34mins. So can’t complain too much.
Simpsons: No
Django Django
4/5
Vibed to this in the gym. Didn’t mind it.
Simpsons: No
The Temptations
3/5
Good vibes.
Simpsons: No
Marvin Gaye
3/5
I think I prefer Marvin’s stuff on war and poverty, less into the shagging stuff.
Simpsons: Yes
Bee Gees
3/5
This was a weird one for me. I really enjoyed the first two thirds of this. It was solidly on its way to a 4 star. I was getting some late Beatles from them. I was enjoying the vibe.
But the last few songs lost it for me. Suddenly went into musical theatre style ballads, that didn’t really work for me.
Simpsons: Yes
Iggy Pop
4/5
Oh Iggy you funny looking ball bag! This is very good stuff. Prefer the solo to The Stooges. Can definitely tell Bowie was involved, some of them were very Bowiesque!
Lust for Life and The Passenger were superb. Although I enjoyed the last 10 minutes a little less.
Simpsons: They make a Trainspotting joke in the London episode with Lust for Life. Which frankly, doesn’t really work.
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
I did it!
I had an afternoon of uninterrupted data entry style work to do and this was the perfect soundtrack.
Criticism of the length here probably doesn’t hold up, it basically predates what we now think of as an ‘album’. So is basically just a lovely collection of songs that were never meant to be listened to all at once.
Simpsons: Yes
Kraftwerk
4/5
Listened in the gym and kind of vibed to this. There was also a Guardian long read about it this week, so can’t rule out that making me think it was better than it was. I know, I need to get out of my guardian-reading metropolitan elite London bubble.
Simpsons: of course
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Yeah. Good.
Simpsons: Yes
Metallica
3/5
An 8 and a half minute long instrumental song. Come on lads.
Otherwise fine.
Simpsons: Yes
Cypress Hill
3/5
It’s a shame Insane in the Membrane wasn’t there.
Simpsons: Yes
Big Black
2/5
Mercifully brief.
Although there was a few bits of instrumental that I didn’t hate.
Simpsons: No
Janis Joplin
4/5
This was good stuff!
Simpsons: No
Haircut 100
2/5
Ahh I dunno, maybe I’m being harsh.
Simpsons: No
Buck Owens
3/5
The Band
4/5
Love a bit of theses geezers tbf
Simpsons: I don’t think so
Portishead
4/5
Once went on drive through Portishead town centre while listening to Portishead. Because I’m cool.
Lovely stuff.
Simpsons: No
The Go-Go's
3/5
Not bad at all.
Simpsons: No
Thundercat
4/5
Good name. Good tunes. Good vibe.
Simpsons: No
Iron Maiden
3/5
It was fine.
Simpsons: Yes
k.d. lang
3/5
That is not what I expected K.D Lang to sound like. Didn’t hate it though.
Simpsons: No
Television
3/5
Blondie
5/5
Excellent stuff! So many bangers on one album.
Simpsons: Yes
Leonard Cohen
5/5
INJECT IT INTO MY VEINS!
Yes, it induced be into a melancholic malaise that I struggled to shake of for the rest of the day. But I still facking loved it.
The saddest of all the lads.
Simpsons: Yes
Neil Young
4/5
Sorry Lynyrd Skynyrd, I liked it.
Simpsons: Yes
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Big man ting.
Simpsons: Yes
Blur
5/5
Love it. Love it. Love it.
Simpsons: Yes
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
I love Down By the River, but 10 mins it’s a long time Neil.
Overall very good! But a couple of 10 minute songs perhaps took away the fiver.
Simpsons: Yes
Beyoncé
5/5
I too get filthy when that liquor get into me.
Superb.
We be all night…
Simpsons: Yes
3/5
There’s not a lotta lovin’ going on after I come home a drinkin’ tbf.
Prefer Lurleens tunes tbf.
Simpsons: The character of Lurleen Lumpkin is kind of based on her.
Primal Scream
3/5
Prefer the other stuff I’ve heard from Primal Scream. But I liked it.
Simpsons: No
Otis Redding
4/5
Well this is lovely stuff. Maybe one too many covers to get a fiver though.
Simpsons: Yes
The Beach Boys
5/5
One of the easiest decisions so far.
Simpsons: Yes
Kate Bush
3/5
I appreciate its erratic nature. Nothing quite grabbing me though. Needs a Running Up That Hill, Wuthering Heights etc.
Simpsons: Songs featured, but no reference I don’t think.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Top stuff. But not his best work.
Simpsons: Yes
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Came to the theatre once.
It was okay.
Simpsons: No
The Byrds
3/5
Not my favourite of theirs. Although my favourite of theirs is Mr Tambourine Man and that isn’t even really theirs anyway.
Simpsons: Yes
Ghostface Killah
4/5
The Wu Tang boys have some good names, don’t they? This one is up there but it’s no Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
Vibed to this one.
Simpsons: Do Wu Tang references count? Maybe.
Nick Drake
4/5
Someone should have told this geezer he had some decent tunes.
Simpsons: No
U2
3/5
You know what U2 aren’t half bad. Or at least they were good before I was born.
This one not as good as Joshua Tree etc, but I still enjoyed it.
Simpsons: Yes
The Byrds
4/5
I’m going to be generous and throw out a 4 here. I like their version of Mr Tambourine Man, and some of the others were pretty good as well.
Simpsons: Yes
Brian Eno
3/5
‘Here come the warm jets’ what I say when I’ve had a few and you’re sleeping in the same room as me.
I liked this, almost gave it a 4. But decided not to for some reason. I’m not sure what that reason is.
Simpsons: No
George Michael
4/5
Well now I have to watch the Wham documentary again!
George seemed like a nice chap.
This is good! Freedom is a banger and maybe I’d have liked a couple more songs to have that kind of energy if I was going to throw out a 5.
Simpsons: Yes
Genesis
3/5
Not really a prog rock guy, but didn’t mind this.
Would need to be Dark Side of The Moon or something to get more out of me for prog rock.
Simpsons: Yes
10cc
3/5
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
This wasn’t too bad! Could be higher, but I’m feeling harsh.
Simpsons: No
The Sugarcubes
2/5
It’s very informative this process. I learnt about Bjork from Wikipedia hole I just went on.
Not for me though.
Simpsons: Does Bjork count?
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
About as good as it gets.
Simpsons: Yes
Madonna
3/5
This got off to an absolute flyer and I thought a fiver might be on the cards after the first two songs. But it kind of fell flat after.
Like A Prayer is a banger.
Simpsons: Yes
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
This was pretty good if not a bit forgettable.
Simpsons: No
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
What a lovely bit of BS! Have listened to one of their songs before but never really delved any further. I will do now.
Simpsons: Yes, and they got a shoutout in a Gilmore Girls episode I watched yesterday
Big Star
3/5
The first Big Star album that came up was a bit of revelation. Probably the first I gave five stars to without having already listened to in the past. I hadn’t, in fact, even heard of the band.
This didn’t live up to that promise.
Simpsons: No
John Cale
4/5
I liked it.
Simpsons: No
Beach House
4/5
This has a very nice vibe to it, may have to check out some more by these guys.
Simpsons: No
Van Morrison
5/5
Would loved to have seen Van around this time. Just equality stuff.
These days it seems like you have to deal with a terrible voice and that fact that he’s a crotchety old man with questionable opinions.
Simpsons: No
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Not bad.
Simpsons: No
Motörhead
3/5
If you ignore some of the lyrics. This isn’t too bad.
Simpsons: Yes
George Michael
4/5
Excellent stuff. Faith and Father Figure are absolute toons.
Simpsons: Yes
Boston
3/5
This was pretty nice. Nothing spectacular, but certainly an enjoyable half an hour.
Simpsons: Niche, but the illustration of this album cover can be seen in a scene of the episode "Homerpalooza."
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Really enjoyed this. She had a great voice and it was far more melodic than some other post-punk stuff that we’ve had.
Simpsons: No
Morrissey
4/5
Ahh ya daft racist.
Can write and sing a good tune though.
However, it’s not quite The Smiths.
Simpsons: Yes
Traffic
3/5
This was fun. All sorts of different genres appearing over the half an hour.
Simpsons: No
Incubus
3/5
It was alright.
Simpsons: No
George Jones
5/5
An unexpected sad lad this. I actually quite enjoyed it.
Simpsons: No
Gillian Welch
3/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Nick Cave is an interesting one. Knew a few songs prior to this process, but not many have come up so far. And what has come up hasn’t quite grabbed me.
This is probably the best yet though.
Simpsons: No
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Top notch. Weird how just knew most of these songs by osmosis, despite never actually listening to the album.
Simpsons: No
ABBA
3/5
ABBA are probably ostensibly a singles band and unfortunately this didn’t really have any standouts. One Of Us is not bad and maybe the only one I’d heard before, well it’s the only one in Mama Mia (2) anyway.
Simpsons: Yes
Peter Tosh
3/5
The claim that a bit of Rudy Doobliani will sort out your asthma is an interesting one.
Overall some solid pleasant stuff.
Simpsons: No (there is a scene where Chief Wiggum sings Jamming by BM and the Wailers, although Tosh had left the band by this point.
Circle Jerks
2/5
Not my vibe, and you know what? For once this is too short. Really not getting your moneys worth with this one.
Simpsons: No
The Go-Betweens
3/5
Some solid stuff on here. Nothing standout though.
Simpsons: No
The Verve
3/5
Nothing on here that’s quite Bittersweet Symphony levels. But pleasant enough.
Simpsons: No
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Ahh it was alright.
Simpsons: debatably
Venom
2/5
God that was an effort to listen to.
Granted, Metal is not my thing, and I’m sure it’s very good at what it’s trying to do. But I’d happily never listen to any of that ever again.
Miriam Makeba
4/5
I enjoyed this. Some tunes and an odd giggling fella towards the end.
Simpsons: No
Tom Waits
4/5
Someone get this guy a strepsil!
Actually quite enjoyed it. Reminded me of some of Springsteen’s less stadium-rocky songs.
Simpsons: Yes (guest star)
Ray Charles
4/5
Good vibes.
Simpsons: Yes
Rush
3/5
Pretty standard stuff tbf, but easy listening. The only Rush song I know and do really like is Tom Sawyer. But not on this album.
Simpsons: Not that I can find. Pretty pivotal to the plot of the film I Love You Man though
The Replacements
4/5
Haha boner.
I thought this was a good’un, which isn’t usually the case with a post-punk album.
Simpsons: No
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Probably the sad lads best work. Helped that So Long, Marianne is a superb.
Simpsons: Yes
B.B. King
3/5
Enjoyed this.
Simpsons: Yes
The Black Crowes
3/5
Hard rock has never really done it for me. But this was pleasant enough.
Simpsons: No
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
I like the Pet Shop Boys. Well the couple of songs I already knew anyway. This didn’t disappoint.
Simpsons: No
Rahul Dev Burman
2/5
What a weird pick. As far as I can tell this is not some iconic Bollywood film that has endured the test of time. In fact it is seen as one of Bollywoods biggest critical and commercial failures.
Ya man Rahul does seem to be ‘the guy’ when it comes to Bollywood soundtracks, but it’s not even seen to be one of his best. There are three other soundtracks which he won a Bollywood ‘Oscar’ for, he just got a mere nomination for this, one of nineteen.
This felt like someone panicked at the last moment and decided they needed an album from India, and this was the first one they found.
Simpsons: No
Jacques Brel
3/5
This was okay.
Simpsons: No
Beastie Boys
4/5
Doesn’t quite hit the heights of License To Ill for me. Quite of a lot of instrumental going on. Can’t deny the bangers though. Sabotage 🔥
Simpsons: Yes (I thought they’d be a cert for guest stars though)
Little Simz
4/5
Really enjoyed this and could actually easily have got a 5. But my instinct seems to be going 4. Perhaps with few more listens I would wish I’d upgraded.
Simpsons: No
Beatles
5/5
There won’t be another album on this list that has as many bangers as this one does, albeit helped by the length. Pretty much the entirety of sides 1 and 2 are 10/10. Yes, sides 3 and 4 get a little more experimental, which is challenging for some. But where would we be if the Beatles didn’t do a little experimentation?
It’s not quite Abbey Road in my opinion, but literally nothing is. Lacks the sheer perfection from start to finish that AR manages. But it’s certainly got a good claim for the #2 Beatles spot.
Simpsons: Obvs
Madness
3/5
This seemed like pretty standard Madness. They are alright, not my favourite vibe though.
Simpsons: No
Supergrass
3/5
I do like a bit a Britpop, but not quite a 4 for me. Have listened to this in the past, in the hope that it would be up there with Pulp, Blur, Oasis etc. not quite.
Alright is one of those songs that everyone knows but couldn’t tell you who it was by it when it was released.
Simpsons: No
Steve Winwood
3/5
Not bad Steve.
Simpsons: No
Roxy Music
3/5
Feel like I’m throwing out too many threes at the moment.
Simpsons: No
Janet Jackson
3/5
I enjoyed some of this. But far too many of the songs had a lot going on. It was overwhelming for the senses, particularly the hearing one. Does that mean it’s overproduced? Is that a thing people say? Not idea if that’s a valid criticism. But it caps the review at a three for me.
Simpsons: Yes
The B-52's
3/5
Not bad.
Simpsons: Yes (glove slap)
Neil Young
4/5
Very enjoyable stuff. Something stopping the fiver though, not sure what. Fours across the board for Neil so far, I’m sure he’s got a fiver in him somewhere.
Simpsons: Yes
The Doors
4/5
It is good stuff and obviously pretty iconic. But there is some quite long instrumental stuff that I don’t really care for. Then again The End is almost 12 minutes and I love that, so what do I know.
Fun fact: Jim Morrison is the first person on the list who’s grave I’ve visited.
The Simpsons: The End is used three times! On reflection maybe that’s why I like that song so much. With added help from Apocalypse Now
Randy Newman
3/5
Eric Clapton
3/5
I think I listened to this!
Simpsons: Yes
Coldplay
5/5
You can be as snobby as you like about Coldplay, but this is stone cold banger after stone cold banger.
Their best album in my opinion, none of the stadium pop shite that they’ve done in the last 20 years or so. I like that pure melancholic indie.
I appreciate the hypocrisy of stating that you shouldn’t be snobby about them and then proceeding to be snobby. And what do I know anyway, it’s proved pretty lucrative for them.
Also saw them at Glastonbury playing a set of said stadium pop and had a whale of a time. I’d had about 10 cans of Carling and some chicken wine though, so not sure I could be objective.
Simpsons: Yes
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
Well this was a vibe. This had absolutely everything, all sorts of genres going on, which I appreciated.
Probably unlucky to miss out on a 4.
Simpsons: No
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Not bad.
Simpsons: No
The White Stripes
3/5
Seven Nation Army is one of those songs I haven’t actually heard in ages, but have heard various forms of the chant for too long. Forget how much of a banger it is.
Simpsons: Guest Stars
Stevie Wonder
4/5
It’s not quite Songs in the Key of Life! But it was still a good’un.
Simpsons: Yes
Common
4/5
Enjoyed this.
Vaguely aware of the geezer, but never listened to any tunes before, other than a few he’s done with old Kanye. He’s a good storyteller.
Simpsons: Guest star (The Great Phatsby)
The xx
4/5
I liked this! Have always enjoyed The xx vibe.
Simpsons: No
Kanye West
5/5
‘I miss the old Kanye’ has become such a cliche he even wrote a song about it. But boy he had some great albums.
Back in 2010 he was just a bog standard ego maniac and narcissistic who’d only just started on his journey to full breakdown. Prior to that, when he first appeared in the mid-noughties, he actually seemed to be more level-headed and self-aware than most pop stars. He’s a good study in fame and its impacts.
Old Kanye was probably my favourite artist from about age 15-17 and MBDTF was the culmination of that, his last great album. Not sure he’s even done anything that I’d call good since.
Simpsons: Yes
a-ha
3/5
Take On Me is one of those tunes that you hear so much but very rarely actually properly listen to it. Stone cold banger.
Proper one hit wonders though, as there was very little else here.
Simpsons: No
Sim
Bob Dylan
4/5
Some nice stuff on here. Haven’t really heard much late career Dylan, but the man had still got it.
Just knows how to write tunes.
Simpsons: Yes
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
I reckon I’d love a Pet Shop Boys greatest hits. As I live the singles but not really the rest.
It’s a Sin is immense though.
Simpsons: No
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Love it. I always want it darker Len.
Title track is superb and the others are pretty good as well.
Simpsons: Sideshow Leonard Cohen
Tom Waits
4/5
What a vibe to listen to in the gym.
I did really like it though.
‘I'm so goddamn horny the crack of dawn better be careful around me‘
Simpsons: guest star
Ash
3/5
Girl from Mars. Tune. The rest were fine.
Simpsons: No
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Good stuff. Sympathy for the Devil is a banger of course.
Simpsons: Yes
Sonic Youth
3/5
Adele
3/5
It was fine.
Simpsons: Yes
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Fair play Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time. Huge tooons.
They secure the four.
Simpsons: Yes
The xx
5/5
Superb from start to finish. Just a great vibe.
Simpsons: No
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
This has a had a real hype in recent years and I’m not sure whether I’m fully on board with it. But then maybe that’s what a great album is, one that even people that aren’t one hundred percent about it give five stars.
Simpsons: Yes
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Solsbury Hill is a banger. But maybe I’m more of a Peter Gabriel greatest hits guy, because nothing else really stood out for me.
Simpsons: Yes
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Sledgehammer is an all-timer. Nothing else even really gets close to it on here. But still enough to scrape a 4.
Simpsons: Yes
Basement Jaxx
3/5
Accidentally listened to this on shuffle. Not sure it really matters though. But for that reason I can hardly give it a 2.
Simpsons: No
Billy Bragg
3/5
Don’t mind it mate. Probably not going to listen again or search any more out though.
Simpsons: No
Sonic Youth
3/5
The Killers
4/5
Very weird to listen to Mr Brightside at 2pm while looking at spreadsheets.
Are the Killers cool? Seymour loves them and I like to take the mick. But maybe that just means my view of the Killers has been tainted by Seymour, and I would take the mick out of anyone he said. Either way this is decent, trails off at bit in the second half without any of the big hitters.
Simpsons: I think, although googles new AI is throwing me off. I think it might like to chat shit.
Nick Drake
5/5
Really loved this. Had only listened to the title track before and the rest were great too.
Simpsons: Yes
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
Really liked this which was a surprise.
Simpsons: No
Paul Simon
4/5
Good stuff as always. Maybe need a few harmonies from Garfunkel though.
Simpsons: Yes
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
Ahh this really could’ve been better. Terrible first 15 mins. Some alright stuff, and Relax and Power of Love just about elevate it to a three.
Relax, one of the all time great songs about jizzing.
Simpsons: Yes
Joan Baez
3/5
She was really giving it some during this. Found it quite tricky for volume control.
Decent stuff though.
The Simpsons: No
Dolly Parton
4/5
‘And people say she’s just a big pair of tits’
Decent.
Simpsons: Yes
Joni Mitchell
2/5
I like Joni Mitchell. I didn’t like this though.
Simpsons: No
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Nothing really grabbing me here. Think I prefer the hits.
Simpsons: Just going to assume Fortunate Son was used in some sort of Vietnam parody.
Elton John
5/5
It doesn’t get much better than this. What a journey it takes you on, banger after banger.
It’s so varied in style, yet flows perfectly.
An album that can go from Candle In The Wind to Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting. Yes please.
Simpsons: Yes
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
This was very nice. Turns out I’m kinda into politically charged soul.
Simpsons: Yes
Jamiroquai
3/5
Ahh if only this was an album full of Virtual Insanity! Vibes were good, but far too many long instrumentals.
Simpsons: No
Carole King
5/5
Lots of big tunes on here, even the Gilmore Girls theme. Excellent stuff.
Simpsons: Yes
The Specials
4/5
Doesn’t quite live up to the opening track, still enjoyable though, so I’ll give it a generous four.
Simpsons: No
Fairport Convention
5/5
So I have a quandary here. Listened to both Fairport Convention albums in the last week and I appear to have reviewed the wrong one first time round.
This one I thought was amazing and gave a fiver to. However I’ve already done that to the other album, which I actually thought was more of a 4.
However, two wrongs to make a right, so they’re both getting the fiver.
Simpsons: No
Dirty Projectors
2/5
There are some genres you can get away with no melody, but indie rock is not one of them.
Simpsons: No
Lou Reed
4/5
God if I was attracted to men I’d have the worst taste. I just love sad boys.
Simpsons: Yes
Christina Aguilera
4/5
Fair play she has some bangers. Take some of the filler out of this and you have a stone cold fiver.
Simpsons: Yes
John Lennon
4/5
Just not quite the Beatles, is it?
Simpsons: Yes, although the only fella not to guest star. For obvious reasons.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
Really liked this one. Will check out more TJAMC.
Simpsons: No
Oasis
5/5
Superb! Their best album.
Simpsons: Don’t think so
PJ Harvey
4/5
Enjoyed this once again.
Simpsons: No
Doves
4/5
Really enjoyed this! Had a nice ethereal feel to it.
Simpsons: No
The Streets
4/5
Have basically missed out on seeing these lads twice now. Once at Boomtown (and Chase and Status were shite), then again at Glastonbury although did catch a bit. Which is shame because they seem to put on a hell of a show.
This was very good, a few big tunes, and a FIFA one in there too.
Simpsons: No
Suede
4/5
Yeah good shit.
Simpsons: No
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Vaguely aware of this geezer and present as weird as I was expecting.
Simpsons: Yes
2Pac
4/5
This sounds similar to The Notorious BIG, I wonder if they were mates?
Simpsons: Yes
Aerosmith
3/5
It was fine.
Simpsons: Yes
Dwight Yoakam
3/5
This was not the vibe I was expecting based on his name and album name.
I feel like once you’ve listened to one country album like this you’ve heard them all.
Simpsons: No
New York Dolls
3/5
Ahh this was fine. Heard it all before, which may well be because they invented, but still…
Simpsons: No
Lorde
4/5
Have had Green Light on repeat since watching Lorde’s Glasto set. Absolute banger, the rest is decent and I really enjoyed Perfect Places as well. Solid four, and with a couple more bangers it could’ve been knocking on the fiver door.
Simpsons: No
The Flaming Lips
5/5
Really like this! Already knew Do You Realize??, And loved everything else as well. Could go for a four, but think I’m going to be generous!
Simpsons: Yes (possibly the most niche reference yet)
Tori Amos
3/5
I didn’t mind this, but can’t see myself listening again.
Simpsons: No
Black Sabbath
5/5
Fair play it’s weird to imagine Ozzy as a serious musician, but Black Sabbath were good shit. Excellent big hitters on here.
Simpsons: Yes
The Shamen
2/5
Just not my cup of tea. Sorry lads.
Simpsons: No
Björk
3/5
It was alright.
Simpsons: No
The Coral
3/5
Dreaming Of You is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
Simpsons: No
The Verve
5/5
Some absolute tunes here. Have admired their singles for a while but first time listening to an (the) album.
He was superb supporting Oasis as well!
Simpsons: No
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Thank god these lads couldn’t stop shagging each other, they made some great tunes.
Perhaps nothing standout like Rumours, but enjoyed the longer more experimental stuff.
Simpsons: Yes
Fairport Convention
5/5
Really liked this, just a wonderful listen.
I would get bogged down in it being an album of arrangements/covers. But that seems to be what folk is.
The Simpsons: No
Morrissey
4/5
Oh Morrissey you mad lad with a delicious voice.
Really liked this. Some of his best work outside of the Smiths.
Simpsons: Yes
PS. Publishing your autobiography as a Penguin Classic is badass.
Steely Dan
3/5
This is not what I expected Steely Dan to sound like. Didn’t mind it though.
Actually think that’s exactly what I said for their last album. So maybe they aren’t the most memorable.
Simpsons: Yes
Goldfrapp
4/5
I very much enjoyed this.
Simpsons: No
John Martyn
3/5
Ahh nice enough.
Simpsons: No
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
Enjoyed the first half an hour or so, but then it got a bit samey. Too many instrumentals.
Simpsons: No
Nina Simone
3/5
It was good, maybe just needed something more though. I reckon she’s got better.
Simpsons: Yes
Billy Joel
5/5
As a young’un I only really knew Uptown Girl. So never really took him seriously. I have since discovered some quality stuff from old Bill.
This one has huge tunes from start to finish.
Simpsons: Yes
fIREHOSE
3/5
Didn’t mind this. Some decent tunes and a nice runtime. Maybe something lacking to drag it out of the three though.
Simpsons: No
R.E.M.
4/5
Lovely stuff! Some good tunes here.
Simpsons: Yes
Stephen Stills
4/5
Really enjoyed this! Good vibes.
Simpsons: Yes
4/5
Not my favourite from them, but still good stuff.
Simpsons: No
Santana
3/5
Guitar solos just don’t impress me that much, I don’t know why.
Simpsons: Yes
4/5
This was nice!
Simpsons: No
Mike Oldfield
3/5
Interesting stuff. Quite liked it.
Simpsons: No
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Fair play.
Tunes don’t get much bigger than Stairway to Heaven tbf. And the rest doesn’t disappoint.
Simpsons: Yes
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
I really like some BS. Maybe the standout discovery of this list for me.
Not quite up there with the one we’ve had already, but still enjoyed it.
Simpsons: Yes
Everything But The Girl
3/5
I listened to this.
Simpsons: No
Lana Del Rey
4/5
Enjoyed this!
And I suspect that she has a couple more that might be even better!
Simpsons: No
Lightning Bolt
2/5
This was a struggle.
I just can’t see by what metric this is an album I needed to listen to before I die. It’s not particularly good or interesting, wouldn’t have been out of place with some of the metal albums if they added some vocals. And it’s hardly influential, they barely get 30k listeners a month on Spotify. I reckon I could find a way to get more.
Interesting that is about as harsh as I can be and I’m still not going one! Haha
Simpsons: No
James Taylor
4/5
Fair play if you want a lovely bit of melody, JT is your guy.
It also started raining on my run as soon as Fire and Rain came on. Was nice.
Simpsons: Yes
Skunk Anansie
4/5
Heard of these guys before. But didn’t expect this, really enjoyed it on a run.
She had a great voice and it really complimented the heavy guitar.
Simpsons: No
Justin Timberlake
3/5
One of the first albums I owned. Can’t remember if it was a request, or it just seemed like a present an 8 year old boy would like with his new portable compact disk player.
There’s no denying the bangers, but there’s also some absolute dogshit on here as well, the final track for example. Why make an hour long album if your bangers would make a very good 30 min album.
Anyway, still a solid three. Cry Me A River into Rock Your Body is genuinely up there with the best back to backs on the list.
Simpsons: Yes
Duran Duran
4/5
Good vibe this. And a couple of bangers.
Simpsons: Yes
The Smiths
4/5
Fucking good shit. He’s got a great voice and a lovely way with words. Just a good sound all round.
Simpsons: Yes
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
This was nice. Nothing more, nothing less.
Simpsons: No
KISS
3/5
Not bad.
Simpsons: Yes
Sabu
3/5
I mean it was fine.
3k monthly listeners doesn’t scream you have to listen to it before you die though, as clearly no one else has.
Simpsons: No
FKA twigs
3/5
No quite what I was expecting, but didn’t mind it.
Simpsons: No
Suicide
2/5
This wasn’t quite as heavy as the name would suggest. Not really my vibe either.
Simpsons: No
Common
4/5
Nice to hear some old Kanye I’ve not heard before. All round good stuff. I like Commons vibe.
Simpsons: Yes
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Lovely stuff! Saw a lot of this live, which was tasty.
Simpsons: Yes
Kate Bush
4/5
This was really good, lots of lovely stuff.
Have liked This Woman’s Work (the song) for some time, so nice to hear the album too.
Simpsons: Yes
Mudhoney
3/5
Just a classic three stars.
Simpsons: No
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Shining Star is just one hell of a way to start your day. Which is what I did listening to this on the way to work.
Simpsons: Yes
The Dictators
5/5
Really quite enjoyed this. Unless it’s the three post-work pints talking.
Simpsons: No
Scissor Sisters
5/5
God the pure nostalgia. Inject it into my veins!!
This was an album on rotation in my mums car, still remember it well down to the album tracks.
Music doesn’t get much better than the first half or so of this! Parts joyful, parts moving. Love it.
Simpsons: No
Randy Newman
4/5
Randy has got a good vibe to him.
Simpsons: Yes
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Really enjoyed this. Feel like we’ve had one from these lads before that I didn’t like as much, but I can’t remember and this websites search function is a nightmare.
The Killing Moon is a toon.
Simpsons: No
Taylor Swift
4/5
Pretty good stuff here. A bit long given some of the songs sound a bit similar. But I do love The National and can see the influence.
Not quite heights of 1989 where she is just at her poppy best though.
3.5
Simpsons: Yes
Tim Buckley
3/5
Didn’t mind it, didn’t love it.
Simpsons: No
King Crimson
4/5
Never knew the lyrics to that bit in Power were ‘21st century schizoid man’. Ahh when Kanye used to be relatively self-aware.
As prog-rock goes this was decent, really enjoyed a lot of it. Perhaps a basic statement though, but some of the songs were a bit lengthy lads. Although I suppose that’s the point.
Simpsons: A very random yes. One of the kids in Bart’s class is named Adrian Belew who is a former member of King Crimson, although not on this album.
The Cardigans
3/5
Lovefool is a decent banger.
I did like this, and the singer has a lovely voice. But 24 hours on I can’t really remember anything other than Lovefool. Perhaps it was all a bit samey.
Simpsons: No
The Byrds
3/5
Just not enough standing out here, despite its pleasantness.
Simpsons: Yes
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Loved it!
Spun this one on the decks, because I’m really cool.
Really like this side of the boss. No big stadium anthems. Just a guitar and some tunes. Not that I don’t like the anthems, he’s superb at both.
Simpsons: Yes
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
It’s good stuff.
Probably a bit long and all sounds a bit samey, so no fiver.
Simpsons: Jeff Lyne referenced a couple of times. So I’m counting that.
George Harrison
5/5
Where do a I start?!
What an epic. You could begrudge the 2 hour runtime. But the man was only allowed 1-2 songs per Beatles album, so he was absolutely frothing with tooons.
My Sweet Lord. Toon.
Isn’t It A Pity. Toon
What Is Life. Double toon.
If Not For You. Toon.
I Live For You. Toon.
Balled of Sir Frankie Crisp. Toon.
All Things Must Pass. Toon.
To name but a few. So yeah toons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Simpsons: oh yeah
4/5
Very good, as per.
Simpsons: Yes
Eels
3/5
Could’ve been a four, but not quite.
Simpsons: No
4/5
Really liked this! One of my favourite 80s so far!
Look of Love is a tooon.
Simpsons: No
Aimee Mann
4/5
Watched a superb film in which Aimee Mann provided the soundtracks to last night. Soundtrack was unfortunately better and would’ve got her a fiver. This was still excellent though.
Simpsons: Yes
Joni Mitchell
5/5
And to think Emma Thompson was disappointed to receive an album by such a top draw singer song writer.
Simpsons: Yes
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Great album name.
And some tunes on here.
Simpsons: Yes
Kate Bush
5/5
Well this was really good, some excellent tunes throughout.
Simpsons: Yes
Pixies
5/5
Really liked this. Had some great tunes on it, Debaser, Here Comes Your Man. Probably their best work.
Simpsons: Yes
Billy Bragg
4/5
Enjoyed this a lot! Really liked the collab with Wilco, and the general concept of the album.
Better than Braggs previous album on the list. Probably because he’s not chatting any of that commie shit.
Simpsons: No
The Doors
4/5
Slightly different sound to the other Doors stuff, but liked it. Riders on the Storm is a tune as well.
Simpsons: Yes
Butthole Surfers
2/5
Actually not as weird as I was expecting:
Tbh needed to be weirder to justify the name.
Simpsons: No
David Bowie
5/5
This is superb as per.
‘Look up here, I’m in heaven’
Releasing this and then dying two days later. Badass.
Simpsons: Yes
The Triffids
3/5
Eh fine.
Simpsons: No
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
Some nice instrumental, and ones recognised so clearly some influential stuff. But nothing to write home about.
Simpsons: Yes
Black Flag
2/5
Forgettable.
Simpsons: No
Daft Punk
3/5
Ahh it was fine, just not my kind of tunes. But appreciated it nonetheless.
Simpsons: Yes
Talking Heads
4/5
Great stuff as per.
Simpsons: Yes
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Pretty pleasant stuff.
Simpsons: No
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
Not bad, but not that memorable either.
Simpsons: No
De La Soul
4/5
Yeah this is really good stuff. Just something fun about it. Sounds great and really good lyrically.
Always been on my list to listen to as well, I’ll delve further.
Simpsons: Yes
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
38 minute album and the first track is 20 mins longs. These guys don’t play by the rules.
Simpsons: Yes
The Jam
4/5
Good.
Simpsons: No
Miles Davis
3/5
Pretty good, but not really my thing.
Simpsons: Yes
Gene Clark
4/5
I listened to this last week. 90% sure I really liked it tbf.
Simpsons: No
The Libertines
4/5
Libertines are one of those bands that I’ve always heard were good, but their away from the music antics always made them seem like a bit of a joke to me. Consequently I’ve never really listened to them, bar Don’t Look Back Into The Sun.
Perhaps they deserve more of my attention.
Simpsons: No
The La's
4/5
There She Goes is a banger and I enjoyed the rest.
Simpsons: No. Gilmore Girls though
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
Think I listened to this.
Simpsons: No
The National
5/5
It may just be music for sad dads but I facking love it!
Unashamedly the best thing I saw at Glastonbury.
Simpsons: No
Germs
2/5
God I’m sick of those punk albums. They all the sound the same, and it’s just not my vibe.
Simpsons: No
Pearl Jam
5/5
Yeah why not.
Seen em in the flesh, brought out John McEnroe. Good shit.
Simpsons: Yes
Eurythmics
4/5
Actually fell asleep towards the end of this. But given its name and the fact that I was doing a crossword a midnight. Fair enough.
Simpsons: Yes. I am watching you through a camera!
Fleet Foxes
3/5
I thought this would be better if I’m honest. Liked a couple the rest were forgettable
Simpsons: No
John Prine
4/5
If you’d have told me this was Bob Dylan I would’ve believed you.
Simpsons: No
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Very pleasant on the commute.
Simpsons: No
TLC
4/5
Got Waterfalls is such a banger. Few more of them and we’d have been in fiver territory.
Simpsons: Yes
Sam Cooke
4/5
Good vibes.
Simpsons: Yes
Soul II Soul
3/5
Worked in the gym.
Simpsons: No
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Not as good as Killing Moon. Still fine though.
Simpsons: No
The War On Drugs
4/5
Really enjoyed this. Was getting a Springsteen vibe.
Technically seen them live when they supported the Stones, but don’t actually remember.
Simpsons: No
D'Angelo
4/5
This was a good vibe. Nice to gym to.
Simpsons: No
Primal Scream
4/5
A few real bangers on here.
Simpsons: No
The Cult
3/5
It was fine.
Simpsons: No
Fred Neil
3/5
Not bad Fred.
Simpsons: No
The Adverts
3/5
Another one I’m pretty sure I listened to, but can’t quite remember.
Simpsons: No
Lupe Fiasco
4/5
Remember Lupe from my teenage days. Had some bangers, although only one or two on here.
Really liked this though, up there with any of the socially conscious albums we’ve had so far.
Daydreamin’ is an absolute tune as well.
Simpsons: No
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Is there another band that has such highs and ridiculous lows than the Red Hot Chilli Peppers?
Under The Bridge is such a tune, Give It Away isn’t bad either. The rest was slap bass garbage.
Simpsons: Yes
Meat Puppets
3/5
Not really my jam, but I can see its appeal.
Simpsons: No
Scott Walker
3/5
Fine. Not much else to say.
Simpsons: No
Sparks
3/5
I was a bit tired to be fair. But didn’t hate it.
Simpsons: No
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Probably a 5, but feel like it wasn’t as good as LZ IV, so I’ve gone done one.
Simpsons: Yes
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Enjoyed this. I like these lads.
Simpsons: No
Green Day
5/5
Pure nostalgia!
Reckon I’ve not listened to this for about 15 years, at least! I’ve problem not even really listened to the big hits for years.
Would I think it was a fiver if I heard it for the first time today. Maybe not. But 10 year old me definitely did.
Simpsons: Yes (the movie)
Neil Young
4/5
Classic Neil.
Simpsons: Yes
N.E.R.D
2/5
Ahh you know what, I didn’t get anything out of this.
Simpsons: Yes
The Police
3/5
Good but not great. Didn’t quite catch me as expected.
Simpsons: Yes
Pretty good.
Simpsons: does Rod Stewart count?
Scritti Politti
3/5
Don’t mind it.
Simpsons: No
Brian Eno
3/5
Nice sort of transition from the rocky stuff to the ambient.
Simpsons: Yes
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Ahh Lenny with your big scarf.
This was fine I suppose. Tempted by a two, but probably harsh.
Simpsons: Yes (full guest star)
Radiohead
3/5
Sort of passed me by this one. Not a Radiohead I’m aware of, and I am half a fan. Nothing stood out during as well.
Simpsons: Yes
Kings of Leon
4/5
Nostalgia probably doing a lot of heavy lifting here. To the extent that I was tempted by a fiver. However, although I enjoyed some of the less well known tracks, probably not quite enough for a perfect score.
Simpsons: No
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Ahh nice enough, and an interesting Wikipedia read which is always appreciated.
Simpsons: No
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Is there a 40 minute break between the morning and afternoon sessions in the ashes. Yes.
Really like this.
Simpsons: Yes
The Kinks
4/5
Top stuff.
Simpsons: Yes