American Gothic
David AcklesMurder ballad lyrics set to Broadway tunes. This is weird
Murder ballad lyrics set to Broadway tunes. This is weird
His masterpiece. Hang it in the fucking Louvre. If this had been his final album, and speedway the last song out of his mouth then his myth would have been cemented. I said what I said.
Never been a huge Queen fan… I remember my parents liked them and accordingly when I was about 12 I thought ‘One Vision’ was the pinnacle of guitar rock 🤦🏻♂️ This album did very little for me, but I will say ‘Now I’m Here’ is an absolute belter and if Led Zeppelin wrote it we’d be giving it 🐐 status!
I was today years old when I first listened to Nick Drake (despite many recommendations!) Fantastic album. Total melancholy
Incorrectly rated as a ‘top 5 grunge band’ AIC bear more similarities to Guns N Roses for me (hard rawk guitars, fiddly guitar solos etc). I liken this to Supermarket ‘own brand’ grunge. Yes the ingredients might be similar but the taste just isn’t the same! That said, ‘Would’ and ‘Them Bones’ are great songs
This album is a lifestyle! Listening makes me want to sit on the porch with some good ol’ boys, grow my hair and sing songs. Recommend.
Spectacular album. Lyrical themes of guilt, desire and repression are held in place by disciplined synth arrangements to create dance music you don’t want to dance to and pop music that delves to unpopular and unpleasant places. All delivered by Dave Gahans sombre, almost operatic vocals. Recommended.
So… with no expectations of what was to come, I was pleasantly surprised by this. There’s a huge scope of styles on show including futuristic blends of pop, jazz, funk, r&b and hip hop topped with the sweetest soul vocals. Unlikely to be a regular listen for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless
Recorded in one eight hour session, this is an impressive range of storytelling songs, backed by some incredible vocal harmonies. It’s an idealistic view of the Ol’ West with tales of cattle, land ownership (!) travelling, lonesomeness and love backed by acoustic and Spanish infused guitars. It does recall an idealistic view of the time which does seem less than authentic when now know the USA to be a murderous entity ala Jack Palance in the movie ‘Shane’ (props to Bill Hicks)
Led Zeppelin III is a masterpiece, we all know that. Some of the prior ‘hard rock’ elements are replaced by acoustic guitars and string arrangements that give the album a much darker sheen than its predecessor. ‘Friends’ and ‘Hats off to Roy Harper’ are especially spooky whilst ‘Tangerine’ and ‘That’s the Way’ feel like great come down music. Plus ‘Immigrant Song’ rocks. My favourite of their imperious first four albums.
Murder ballad lyrics set to Broadway tunes. This is weird
Van Morrison’s earlier folk / soul albums are much preferred to his more recent Covid denying conspiracy nonsense
90 secs and 1 track into their debut, comparisons with Nirvana were not far off the mark, but The Hives added elements of acoustic psychedelia to the punk howl to take them beyond fellow Aus-Rock contemporaries such as the Datsuns and Wolfmother who emerged at the same time. Similarities to nirvana were further shared with the singer having mental health issues (being undiagnosed ADHD )which destroyed the band following a series of chaotic gigs and media interviews following the first album. A great album but not sure why you ‘must’ listen to it before you die when you could slip in utero on?
I swear this inspired the fast shows’ ‘Jazz Club’.
Dig Your Own Hole My fave chemical bros album, containing my fave chemicals tune (lost in the k hole - complete with backwards bass and vocals that is as close to being lost in a k hole without the titular chemical!) I’d argue that this album would be better without Noel Gallagher’s ‘setting sun’ which feels like a bit of a play for mainstream airplay and sales (how many oasis completists bought this album just for that song?) but the gamble paid off and paved the way for continued growth. For me, the tunes without ‘guest’ vocals shine brightest (electrobank) and the second half of the album is sublime from ‘it doesn’t matter’ through ‘don’t stop the rock’ and ‘get up in it like this’ which combine techno sounding synths with breakbeat samples and drum loops to create some fierce sounding electro - recommended 🤘🏽
The Modern Lovers Lyrics by Lou Reed Vocals by Julian Casablancas Guitars by The Velvet Underground Vibes by Blondie Pleased to hear the original ‘pablo Picasso’ (as covered by Bowie)
Aladdin Sane or ‘Ziggy goes to America’ as it’s widely understood is less a Ziggy continuation (the character of Aladdin Sane was different, but under developed) and more a reflection of Bowie’s second trip to America (and the drugs that followed!) Whilst backed by the spiders from Mars, Mike Garson joined to add his discordant hectic piano on the title track alongside Bowie’s cover of ‘let’s spend the night together’. Garson’s piano reflects the manic highs of all the Coke going up David’s nose at the time. Cracked Actor and Jean Genie are total blues grooves while lady grinning soul and time are suitably spooky and contemplative respectively. Fun fact. On the tour to support the album, Bowie would retire the character of Ziggy live on stage (Mick Ronsen was told beforehand - the other spiders were not leading to deteriorating relationships afterwards)
Bookends reminds me of my dad who, to his eternal credit was a big Simon and Garfunkel fan. This album reminds me of my childhood, which is ironic as the concept behind this album is about youth and ageing. As I listen again as an older man I’m consumed by regret for my life but optimistic for the lives of my children. Perhaps I’ll play it to them?
Moby ‘Play’ An overlong mix of post modern blues and gospel, produced by a man who likes to wipe his dick on strangers at parties. 3/5
Whilst the words ‘improvisational’ and ‘jazz’ should rightly fill you with fear, this is a surprisingly warm and accessible live album.
I can’t help but wonder if this is music for people who prefer poetry. Fascinating lyrics let down by late 80’s production and sub par musicality
None more 80’s. Listening to this I picture myself watching any number of John Hughes movies on VHS where our male hero realises his pursuit of the beautiful, yet shallow blonde girl was misplaced and the superficially plain brunette that he’d ignored was in fact the love of his life. Cue rush to public transport facility to stop her from leaving town. Enjoyable.
Morrisette portrayed a mute God in Kevin Smith’s 1999 film, Dogma. I guess if you were mistreated by some ass hole in the 90’s then this album may have messianic properties also. Sadly for me it’s a messsy mix of alt rock rage and arena rock balladry. Listen to Tori Amos or Fiona Apple instead.
The music is better than the album cover
Music for the apocalypse. I picture myself, on horseback shrieking ‘coming down the mountain!!!!’ As I take my axe to the heads of conservatives and republicans alike in the aftermath of WWIII
Decent Psychedelic blues and funk. ‘They’re selling hippie wigs in Woolworths, man. The greatest decade in the history of mankind is over.’
This should be called ‘maybe I’m amazed plus 12 other songs’ Lo-fi, listless and lack of effort combined
I was today years old when I listened to London Calling. I was a little underwhelmed. I think having heard so many rock stars state how great it is lead me to believe it would be the pinnacle of modern music, when it was just a decent album.
Total funk and soul
Like Bill Hicks, I forgive Willie Nelson for selling out to the advertisers 3/5
If you put ‘France’ into chat GpT I swear it would produce this album. My chief pleasure was recognising ‘Amsterdam’ from Bowie’s cover version. My GCSE French retains its usefulness
Nu Rave - combining elements of the past with elements of the future to create something not as good as either of its composite parts. Clem Fandango worships this album, whereas I give it 4/5
Perfect
Middle of the road acoustic guff. Dreary
His masterpiece. Hang it in the fucking Louvre. If this had been his final album, and speedway the last song out of his mouth then his myth would have been cemented. I said what I said.
I did not need to listen to this album before my death. Landfill indie that belongs at the bottom of Camden Lock
Ugh. This is standard turn of the century stuff that had some guardian reviewer named Tim, or Ben or Miles getting semi hard for on its way to the Mercury Prize and hipster end of year polls. The music drifts between acoustic down tempo pop, Bhangra beats and female vocals that could’ve been Morcheeba, Sneaker Pimps or countless others. Unremarkable
Misogyny in mono? Despite some dubious lyrics (stupid girl / under my thumb / mother’s little helper) this is full of fried R ‘n’ B gold.
The Temptations! Out with the more soulful Motown from the likes of the four tops or the miracles and IN with this slice of dirty political funk and soul 🤘🏽
The hip hop Morrissey.
Does anyone know anyone whose favourite band is Franz Ferdinand? Quirky awkward pop, made by quirky awkward men, with quirky awkward lyrics about quirky awkward subjects. Yes, we get it; you’re really clever and rate the Berlin trilogy above Ziggy Stardust. Go you… 2/5
Great songs, great production, great voice. No notes
Stay off drugs, kids. This was not a pleasant or enlightening listen.
GOAT level hip hop
Fantastic new wave / post punk / art rock / whatever.
Just ok. 3/5
Alpha male metal. songs about Gods, beasts, monsters and religion. Awesome riffs and playing and not brought down by Lars Ulrich being one of the worst people in the world
Garbage