Wow, a rapper who really has music in his production. Plus he's speaking in language that isn't full of cuss words, adolescent misogeny, and is spoken slowly enough that an aging white girl like me can understand it. I don't know why, but this reminds me of Al Green. Go figure. But I like it. I'm surprised! And I listened to the entire album. I don't always. The last song, It's Your World, is just lovely!

This is the only MJ album I owned. It's so great! MJ and Q at their best! Such great songs and performances by MJ, with the tightest production ever. It's perfection. I can't stop smiling. OK, second side is not as much fun. But it's still great, I Can't Help It had me swaying in my chair. The keyboard changes are so beautiful! Oh, and in 1979, digital technology was in it's infancy. THESE ARE REAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYING. I've not heard it in ages, what a treat! Can I give 10 stars? Note to the persons rating the person, not the music: Great music needs to be acknowledge even if the performer is flawed. He was 20 here, before all the weirdness. He was wonderful then.

I would have loved this if I were a teen/20 something. The chord changes and arrangements are very emotive, plus the breathy singing with lots of reverb. It's an intimate feeling. However, it doesn't speak to me like it might have earlier in my life. I can see why it was popular though, with kids listening with headphones after going to bed and dreaming of their future.

I was listening and thinking why I don't really like this band and had a revelation. All the music sounds like it was composed against a strict metronome. Yes there are tempo/meter changes, but you can easily identify when the metronome was increased or decreased. I guess Phill Collins or someone was a rhythm dictator. I found myself feeling claustraphobic. Also, there's so much going on, new sounds coming and going. I had to stop because I felt like I needed to go somewhere else and breathe. I can hear that the musicianship is great, but it just doesn't work for me. I didn't finish this album. Ah well...

I didn't know this band. They are really good!

Just don't like metal

Nice, reminds me of Neil Young back in his younger days. Enjoyed his use of electronics for sonic effect.

3 hits that I heard and loved all though my childhood, the rest are forgettable. And REALLY short! I enjoyed the blast from the past.

I didn't like it at first, but warmed up to it.

First song was fun, but they almost all sounded the same after that. The heavy, synthetic drums got really old. I don't watch the videos now, however I remember they were fun back in the day for the dancing. But I'm rating the music now, not the visuals.

Kung fu is the funnest, I was definitely moving around with it. 1970s pop meets metal for sure. I like that they have the voice high in the mix with good chord changes. Great drummer. Teenage angst for the win!

Boy I loved this album back in the day. It was a fave of the underground FM radio I listened to all the time before I went to bed. Fire and Rain and Sweet Baby James were like magic songs. They still stand in my opinion. I wonder what the young'uns feel when they hear them.

Damn, what a pocket! I was dancing in my chair, dancing across the living room, so wonderful! Even though it's blues progressions throughout, and often the same key, I was captive! Richard's voice will grab and keep you. Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frank's a terrific singer, and the arrangements are great! The songs are kinda dated, but there are some gems. The orchestra is excellent, I found myself listening to them more than usual. Glad to hear a recording of this genre. I was tired of metal and alt rock.

It's beautifully played jazz, but I can't say I was moved by it. Glad I heard it though.

ACK! No, just no. I listened to half a song, then skimmed a few more. This kind of stuff just has no appeal for me.

Nice, but not really that interesting to me. I can see teens and 20 something girls loving it back in the day. Lots of minor chords and nice vocals, good melodies, reverby atmospheric background. I hear Pink Floyd, Joni, and other influences. It would have been a nice counterpoint to the Whitneys and Mariahs popular at that time. The mix is nice with the voice nicely out front, didn't pay much attention to the lyrics, which is probably the major point. However, by the end I was feeling annoyed and ready for it to be over. Go figure.

Never listened to this kind of stuff, and I found I liked it. Such an interesting mash-up of sounds. I'm not a convert, but I now appreciate it more than I did. I would even go so far as to call this music. I don't apply that to a lot of rap/techno stuff.

I remember dismissing this band when it first came out. It seemed so poppy, and I didn't like Boy George's voice and persona. Now it sounds better, and I'm wiser and don't judge outward appearances like I used to. His voice is still not my favorite but it's pretty good. The band is great, song arrangements are fun and very 1980s with a reggae feel. It will never be a favorite, but I appreciate it now.

Never liked Madonna. Overexposed, and I hated her thin nasally voice. The only thing good were her producers. These songs are pretty good, but I have to listen to her voice. Also hated that she was everywhere and I couldn't escape her. YUK

I would have loved this if I were a teen/20 something. The chord changes and arrangements are very emotive, plus the breathy singing with lots of reverb. It's an intimate feeling. However, it doesn't speak to me like it might have earlier in my life. I can see why it was popular though, with kids listening with headphones after going to bed and dreaming of their future.

Wow, a rapper who really has music in his production. Plus he's speaking in language that isn't full of cuss words, adolescent misogeny, and is spoken slowly enough that an aging white girl like me can understand it. I don't know why, but this reminds me of Al Green. Go figure. But I like it. I'm surprised! And I listened to the entire album. I don't always. The last song, It's Your World, is just lovely!

Screaming girl grunge. Not my favorite. I understand her appeal to a lot of people, but it really doesn't appeal to me. I skimmed the songs. The guitar tone/distortion is annoying. But I guess that's the point. Hard pass.

Interesting stuff, but nothing I'd spend a lot of time listening to. Since I'm not one to take drugs and go dancing I'll pass. Creating the tracks must have been fun though.

Back in the day I loved this album! Great songs! MTV (with it's problematic lyrics that were so true to the way people talked at the time), Walk of life, So far away, Why Worry. It feels so good to listen to this one again! I forgot how gorgeously moody it is, how complex, how satisfying, not to mention Mark Knofler's perfect laid back guitar playing. Thanks for this one!

Sweet stuff! I don't expect the trap and metal bros to like it, but it sure is great! 3 excellent musicians masterly playing the music they love. This is right up my alley. Scott LaFaro on the bass has the best articulation I've heard in a long time. ICYMI, he's revered as a master who died too young.

What a different voice! I love that she uses electronica, then a harp. Her voice is high in the mix and I like that. The chords and vocals are pretty dissonant at times, a little disconcerting, but she pulls it together. Cool album! Don't think I could listen to it a lot though. Her vocals are much the same from song to song, with a limited range mostly then big leaps. Oh wait, Come to Me has a different melody! An accordion on the Anchor song! A flutey organ on Atlantic. The orchestral background on Play Dead! There's no doubt she did what she wanted on this album. It wasn't made with money as the objective.

Back in the day this was all the rage. I find it tiresome to listen to now. Kinda like a bad backyard country band of 2024. I know they were groundbreakers, but sometimes things just have their day and then just don't deserve anything more than an acknowledgment. I skimmed the songs to see if any could hold my interest longer than a minute. Nope. I think they're later albums were better, and members went on to do much more interesting things. Guess ya gotta start somewhere

Screaming young men. Insert eye roll here. No thanks. I actually did skim the album, it has some redeeming qualities but I didn't enjoy it.

WOW! If I had heard this instead of the rap I considered testosterone fueled, misogynistic, foul mouthed obnoxiousness, I would have given the genre more attention. Covering Sly Stone and making it fresh again! Rap I can understand! Cool vocals, music and a real drum kit behind. Oh my, they're quoting Steely Dan! I'm smiling so big! I'm dancing! I read some of the reviews, and see that some people found this corny. Maybe if they'd pull their heads out of their gangsta rap/heavy metal/punk worldview, they'd see there's a lot to be said for happy stuff.

Stuart Copeland - WOW! I'd forgotten how excellent he is! This album is great! Three excellent musicians playing great songs. I didn't have this album when I was a kid, but I loved the Police. Takes me back. I'm remembering that nothing sounded like them at the time. Not being in the UK might be the reason for that.

I wore this album out when I was young. The harmonies and rhythms were so strong and infectious, I couldn't resist. I realize I didn't care about the lyrics even though I knew them all. It was all about the sound for me.

I was listening and thinking why I don't really like this band and had a revelation. All the music sounds like it was composed against a strict metronome. Yes there are tempo/meter changes, but you can easily identify when the metronome was increased or decreased. I guess Phill Collins or someone was a rhythm dictator. I found myself feeling claustraphobic. Also, there's so much going on, new sounds coming and going. I had to stop because I felt like I needed to go somewhere else and breathe. I can hear that the musicianship is great, but it just doesn't work for me. I didn't finish this album. Ah well...

Never understood all the hype about Dylan, and I have friends who think he walks on water. Maybe it was the right music for the time, but it wasn't right for me. Honestly, 3 songs in I'm so bored and his voice is as annoying as I remember. The whole thing feels amateurish, and I know it isn't.

Not terrible for a hair band. The high mix of drums is cool in a way as I can hear them really well, but really it's too much. There's some cool vocal harmony stuff going on and I always appreciate that. Ya gotta hand it to Tyler, his vocals are really great. It's probably good I'm not paying too much attention to the lyrics. I'm sure they'd annoy me to no end with sex, drugs and R&R. Some of the songs have interesting chord/section changes. Janie's Got a Gun is really great, I'd forgotten how well crafted it is. I might give this album 3 stars just for that song. Nah, 2 stars

Stevie Wonder is one of my heros! The guy is a master of songwriting, singing, playing. I wore this record out when I was a in my 20s. There's nothing but love in this. I'm not religious, but his gospel preachiness lifts me up. Sir Duke, I Wish, If it's Magic, Isn't She Lovely, etc. are some of my favorite songs of all times. I haven't played this album in quite a long time. Hearing it again is a total joy for me, I'm hearing things I didn't notice long ago. So much music here! Can I give 10 stars?

Couldn't make it through the first song, so I started to skim. Then I got to "All Good People." I like its beginning because it has none of the dopey prog rock stuff of the previous songs, clever chord progressions, and terrific harmonies. The prog stuff comes in and ruins the song. Then it tries to redeem itself at the end. Sigh. The Clap starts interestingly enough with fun blues guitar over a stomp groove. Very, very nice! OK, no prog stuff to ruin it. Your Move is the best part of All Good People. The Clap #2 is a live version. OK, all good. 3 stars, I'd give more except for the dopey prog stuff.

Pretty good album. Was never crazy about Sir Elton, not really sure why. Maybe it was too pop flavored for my folk-rock loving young self. Maybe too few guitars, maybe too theatrical. I hear it now and acknowledge it's good stuff, but it really doesn't do much for me. I want to love it, but I don't. Ah well.....

Can you imagine being in the studio while everyone was blasting away. Must have been so much fun! Is it good music, no. The drums feel like they're trying to trip up the sax players at times. I would be giddy if I were a fly on the wall. So many huge smile moments! However, I'd need a break after about 3 songs. Then I'd go back for more. OK, Spy vs. Spy #14 is hilarious! I don't know why it cracked me up. Do I want to hear this over and over, no. But it's fun for one or two rounds.

I really like this album! The soft singing against the synth pop, the poetic lyrics sung with a lot of space so they aren't lost. The unison octive vocals, with great melodies that don't seem stock. I'm so impressed! I feel like I'm hearing something really new, even though it's 30 years old. I didn't know this band back in the day, kind of a shame. Got you now. I actually listened to all the songs. Being Boring is my favorite - I had to stop what I was doing and listen. That doesn't happen often.

I really expected to hate this, but I don't! I'm not a fan of metal but this works for me. Granted, I'm not at a show getting pummelled with drums that are too loud in the mix (typical these days and possibly back then.) Listened to at a reasonable volume, it's pretty good! It also breathes, likely beause it's not recorded with a click track which I believe wasn't customary in 1971. I need space in my music. The vocals are really good. The distorted guitar sound works well here, and it's not so full of annoying pyrotechnics, i.e., trying to cram as many notes in as possible to prove the guitarist's dexterity. Sometimes there are cliche riffs, but not too many. Drummer is great! Grooves vary from song to song. Laguna Sunrise - what a lovely surprise. OK then, 3 stars. Not bad for a band I expected to abhor.

Wow, this is Ella at her best! I'm loving it! She is perfect, the orchestra is stellar! I wrote a longer review and saved it, but it didn't save. Bummer. I don't have time today to recreate it. Summary: Another for 10 stars.

Since I'm not an angry teenage white boy, I have no interest in this. After a couple of these songs, I understand why someone might reach for their assault rifle. The drums often sound like bullets being shot over a clic track. I imagine these songs would be in the headphones of a mass killer, timing his shooting to the drum fills like he's in a video game or a movie. I skimmed the album. At least they knew to change the grooves from song to song. There's musicianship here, but nothing I relate to. Can I give -10 stars?

Glad the songs are short. Honestly, it reminds me of some modern operas I've seen/heard. Lots of minor keys and atonality, and hard to listen to. (Champion comes to mind.) It felt like it was a soundtrack to a very dark musical production. It would have been insane to hear these live, like an assault of music. But the vocals are outstanding! And she has an excellent orchestra playing behind her that's playing some really crazy arrangements. YouTube says it was done in 1988, but it feels like 1940. Well done evocation of an earlier, scary era. But I didn't make it all the way through the album. Too depressing. Gonna go play my ukulele to feel happy again.

This has a few moments; but I find it ignorable at best. It's not even really annoying. The talking parts are kinda fun, in a dream background kinda way. I like the blues groove of Gritty Shaker. After a few songs, I was sorta roped in. I would occasionally pay attention, noting that this or that part was good. By the end I was feeling happy it was over. I would never listen to this again. The album cover art is really interesting, BTW. Took me a little time to see it fully.

Great stuff, stellar band! Whenever I listen to Monk, I feel like it's about to drop into chaos. Listening to this album, I realized it's because he plays so far behind the beat. Also, on I Surrender Dear I realized the piano has a few notes just a touch out of tune, which adds a little grit to the overall coolness and beauty of the recording. Fabulous!

I really enjoyed this album. Somehow I missed REM back in the day. My loss! I think if I'd paid attention I would really have loved them. Oh well, now I like them a lot.

How 1980s! I recall some of these songs. I didn't appreciate them at the time, but 2 songs in, I like them a lot. There was something about the new wave rock songs that had a deep streak of romanticism. The singing is so typical of the time, the overall sound with each of the components somewhat separated, and all minor chords. Pretty nice! I listened to the whole thing.

I was never a Bowie zealot, although I knew a lot of persons who were. I didn't like his voice for some reason and couldn't get past it. But I grew to like him as time passed and I heard his later stuff. He really sounds like an old guy here. But the band is great, his arrangements are stellar, and I love the techno sounds placed perfectly in the songs. I was completely drawn in, and will listen again with lyrics highlighted. A rousing goodby to us all. Rest in peace, dear David.

Don't usually like rap with the tedious swearing, misogyny, usually boring background and lyrics designed for men emotionally stuck at age 13. This album is redeemed by having real music in the background, a bit of humor, catchy funk music. I'll never listen to this again, but I'll give it a star or two.

Kinda reminds me of the three chord songs of the 60s, Gloria, Louie Louie and the like, of course with tons of distortion and reverb. The high distortion pedal tones are interesting, I would hate hearing them live. I wonder how many cases of tinnitis were caused by this band. Only sorta joking here. However, there's actual music going on here, with a lot of feeling. I'll give it a few stars for that.

What a beautiful voice, and such plain, perfect singing. I find myself listening to all the lyrics, which I don't usually do - they're just simple rhymed stories. The harmonies are gorgeous. The guitar and small band are perfectly placed to support the songs. This album is perfection. 10/10!

I can hear that this is good music, but it doesn't do anything for me. Go figure. I got bored about halfway and turned it off. Having heard most of this, I think he'd have been well served to slow things down and let the grooves simmer more effectively. The effort feels rushed to me, maybe that's why I don't resonate with it at all. Ah well......a girl can't like everything.

This was one of the first albums I bought with my lunch money when I was in high school. Seeing him live was my first concert. His music really spoke to me at that time. It's still a good album, but feels dated to me now. Still, 3 stars for the memories

Great album, wonderful songs, Al Green is so fab! Sent me on an Al Green binge. So much good stuff!

Good stuff! Beatle-esque, which I appreciate. If I had been a teen when they were popular I'd have been all over them. Lots of romantic feeling with all the reverb and clever harmonies. However, a few songs in I got bored. Oh well.

Interesting, but not excessively so. I confess I don't get house/techno that well. This is OK, maybe it's just my mood today, rainy, overcast, and I'm tired.

About 3 songs in I got tired of the whole thing. I can see where teenage boys and immature adult males would love it. I don't.

I never liked Dylan. People revere him, I don't. It's a character flaw, according to many of my friends. I guess he led people to do music that I like, maybe that's his talent. I find his voice obnoxiously whiny, his guitar repetitious and annoying, and his harp playing laughable, with his lyrics lost in this cacophony of music that sounds like fingernails on a blackboard to me. I played the beginning of each song to see if I still hate it like I did. Yep, no change there.

No. Just No. The anger is overwhelming. No No No.

I never understood the appeal of Jack White. I thought the songs were cringe worthy. He's a lousy singer. Even skimming the songs I got bored.

Wow, pretty good stuff. Not the same from song to song, great writing, great grooves, great playing. I'm not bored, I'm intrigued. I never heard of this band before, but I don't think they would have been popular in the USA since they can't be easily pegged into our very narrow genres in order to get airplay. It got annoying mid-way though, so I didn't listen all the way through.

I'm not a fan of rap, but this is music with lyrics floating over it. Sonically, it's pretty nice. I can't really pay attention to the lyrics, which I know is the "best" part. My character flaw I guess. The misogynistic nonsense is there, however, so I can't really give it a great rating. Men stuck in adolescence don't do anything for me regardless of the genre.

I always liked Adele, but never listened to her album. Her voice is gorgeous. I like the adventurous rhythms of I Miss You. Her lyrics are understandable, and not crammed full of words that pass by like wallpaper. Her melodies are actually melodies. Yes, she has her conventions but I find her music ear catching, listening, and lovely for listening. However, I got a bit bored about mid way through the album. She definitely has her formulas for melodies and it's not a rhythmic album by any stretch. Still, I'll rate it highly.

Didn't like the Who back in the day. I don't know why, but I recall it was kind of boy music to me. Listening to it now, I think it was the drums that I didn't like, although there's nothing wrong with them except they're too high in the mix for my taste. Familiar songs that I never need to hear again. They're OK, just don't do anything for me.

I like reggae once in a while. I find it gets boring after a few songs. Love Peter Tosh's voice, and the songs have enough variation to be interesting. Good for one listen. Doubt I'll go back.

Oh joy, grunge. I just don't like the sound of it really, reminds me of a chain saw, construction noise, and other unpleasantness. More power to those who love it, though. I know it's really popular.

I just can't listen to this today.

This is somewhat difficult to listen to, but it's brilliant. Bjork has several musical phrases she repeats that work but get old to me. But the arrangement and the choice of vocal accompanyment is really interesting. I don't really love her voice, but it is effective. Ancestors is choral mastery. I had to hear it twice. Here's the thing though, I won't come back to hear this again. Three stars for the masterful effort though.

I was bored. It's ok, but it just didn't interest me. I tried to listen again since I was so bored the first time. Poor guy crying so hard on the first track. Boo hoo baby, I'm moving on.

This was such a treat! Took me back to my young adulthood. This band and the Grateful Dead were the first forays into country rock, and it was just perfect for that time. The songs still stand. I love the mix too. The vocals stand out, the instruments are perfectly set in the mix. It's so important for vocals to be heard clearly. The quality of the vocalists may not be perfect, but it's perfect for this music. Oh my, this is great stuff!

Sandy Denny's voice is perfect. The jam sections are tedious at best. I skipped to the next song. British folk rock has it's place, but sometimes it really just annoys me. I might have liked it more with the drums more in the background. But this was done in the 60s, so it's what was popular then. 3 stars for Sandy's voice.

This is a strong album. I didn't like Michael Stipe's voice at the time. But listening now, I like it a lot. The songs aren't all alike, and the songwriting is great. I must have been dumb, or that may have been my time immersed in country music. I also like the mix. The band is blended perfectly, voice in the front, drums/bass where they should be. No guitar pyrotechnics for the sake of showing off. Really well done.

Never heard this album back in the day. Loved Sweet Dreams though. Annie has some pipes, and the album shows them off well. The harmonies are excellent, and love the horns. But the electronic arrangments feel kinda thin to me. No autotune, I heard some pitch issues. Refreshing. Funny, hearing Sweet Dreams in the contex of the album causes it to lose power. I remember the video being absolutely striking. MTV had its power, I guess.

I don't usually like grunge, it often sounds like construction noise to me. But this unplugged concert is fabulous! The songs, arrangements and vocals just shine. The songs groove heavily. It really is Nirvana! Love the simple guitar leads. I'm so tired of guitar pyrotechnics. They are far more effective when simple. I have new found respect for this band.

Gawd, I hate heavy metal. Such a bore.

Vocalist sounds like a female Mark Knoffler meets Bjork. 4th song in - I really like this. It's captivating. I like that the songs are really different even though the instrumentation is the same. But there's a cohesiveness to the album. Well done!

Very interesting album is here. The voice is very expressive. I read the Wiki, and saw the female band member. I think this explains some of the lyricism in the sounds. I don't know that I'll come back to this one, but I will say that I enjoyed it. It feels like the band just let loose with all their influences and came up with really engaging stuff. I read comments that the songs move seamlessly from one to the other - this is correct. Well done!

Interesting. I liked it at first, then two songs in I realized it sounded like a really good band with an awful front man. I looked him up and he sang in a UK dialect I can't understand. No wonder I had no interest in the lyrics. Sigh. This band has been around for a really long time and the front man fired over 60 people. Smith was prolific, if nothing else.

I didn't like Bowie back in the day. I was more of a folk rocker type, Laurel Canyon, etc. The whole glam rock thing kinda made me shake my head. 2nd track, the wacky piano and free section is superb! Really lifts up a mundane track, best one on the record! Time: Bowie sings his heart out! Really nice. Bowie has great chord changes, arrangements and lyrics. The album is very rock oriented, and unfortunately it doesn't do much for me. Sad face here, another effort I want to like but don't.

Oh my, I have never gotten excited by any of the bands presented as much as this one! I went looking for their tour. I'm a fan of choral music, and these guys meld this to rock in a way that just moves me strongly! I also love the contrast of the African influenced bright guitar sound providing a beautiful, bell like contrast to what's going on. There's so much music here! I could get lost in this! Beautiful!!! Can I give it 10 stars?

I love Prince's stuff! He's a musical genius and in the day he was a favorite. I didn't own this album though. I'm not as enamored of it as earlier ones though. It's his signature sound, but a bit monotonous. It's a precurser to house music though, long repetitive songs that get people dancing. Prince's influence goes on and on. Maybe 4 stars instead of 5?

Didn't like the Stones back in the day. I was more a Beatles girl. But some Stone stuff is marvelous. Tumbling Dice is one example. Loved All Down the Line - that one should have been a radio hit. Also, Shine a Light Jagger has crazy energy. The band is insanely tight even though it sounds rather ragged. However, the music doesn't move me much. In fact, I got rather bored. I skimmed some of the songs. I feel like this is music for the boys of the 60s. Solid 3 stars.

I like the chill vibe. It's very musical, unlike some trap/house stuff I've heard. ASMR types would love it. I can see where it would have its place for a lot of people. I'm not impressed enough to listen again though. Love the trombone sound in the final song of the album. Really thought it was a trombone, but I looked it up. Nope

Almost a smooth jazz album, even with the disco beat. I don't recall hearing these songs, aside from the famous one, back in the day. It's pleasant, and very highly produced. A solid effort. I'm really tired of "We Are Family" as it's become a prime wedding song. Even though it's great it's lost its luster from overplaying. Still, solid 3 stars.

"I hope you like jammin, cause I want to jam with you." I think he's not talking about playing music! The first songs were OK, but not that interesting. But then I started getting interested. It really picked up and I enjoyed it a lot. Beautiful arrangements and upbeat, really nice! Solid 3 stars

First song has all the southern rock tropes, all of them. Second, same. Third, same. I'm not going to give this 90 minutes of my day. Gawd, takes me back to the days of my cover band in the 80s. We'd be playing Dire Straits or Doobie Brothers or something 70 ish and about the 3rd set some damn drunk in the back would start calling for Sweet Home Alabama. Yea, we could play it but it was kinda the Freebird for drunk men who liked to fight. Then there were the drunk women who would scream "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" at the top of their lungs about the same time. And I could barely breathe for all the smoking. Memories I had forgotten. The band was so much fun. This stuff, not so much. Such boring stuff is made for endless cases of cheap beer. 2 stars.

I didn't like this back in the day. I liked the music, but thought Simon's lyrics and singing were a bad match to the great stuff going on. There wasn't a universal feeling to them. Kind of a NYC experience superimposed on African grooves. Might have been better if the vocals were much further back in the mix.. I also felt like he wasn't showcasing the musicians very well. Kinda felt demeaning in some way. Maybe this was because I disliked his vocals so much. But it brought interest in very cool African music. Kudos for that. Some good songs when he got back to music styles he really knew: Call Me Al. Homeless, Diamonds. Under African Skies. I guess 3 stars.

Alt rock sounds like construction noise to me. I have come to really dislike heavily distorted guitar and drums too high in the mix. Honestly, I find typical alt rock drum grooves to be boring as they're so repetitive, even when they are done well, as they are here. In one song, the guitar tone made me laugh. "Disarm", an acoustic song, was listenable. This album just isn't interesting to me. In fact, I started to ge angry at it and didn't get through the whole thing.

Oh crap, my saved review didn't save. Pooh. This was one of the soundtracks to a place and time and my life and I wore out the record. I loved it then and still love it, but I don't listen to it anymore as my tastes have changed. 5 stars!

I really didn't like Dolly's voice or persona back in the day. Boy, was I stuck in my prejudices against country music. I really didn't like the 1960s Nashville sound with all the strings and twangy singing. And people like George Jones and Tammy Wynette made my skin crawl. I still don't like that stuff. But I love her now, she's a national treasure. Her voice is clear and poignant. Her songs are beautiful without being overproduced on this album. 5 stars!

Not very pleasurable, kinda boring. I'm in the 3rd song and starting to feel annoyed. Boring repetition, insert eye roll here. Has ALL the tropes of the 1980s, all of them! I guess this is what made them influential as stated in the Wikipedia. Too bad they aren't interesting. I gotta turn this off, it's making me sneer and it's a lovely morning here. I have no need for this. 1 star for being annoying.

I was never a Kinks fan. I think the vocals put me off. They did have some good songs though. The songs are cool, but I can't really get interested. Too bland in the production. I started getting annoyed - second day in a row. Wow, I'm surprised at myself. 2 stars because they're the Kinks.

Bowie never did anything for me. I know he was beloved by many, but I could never get it. I think it was his voice, even though there's nothing wrong with it. Maybe it was because of his over the top emotive style. I don't know. The songs are just not interesting to me. Oh well.

Three songs in, and I'm bored. Just not interesting to me. The last album was Bowie, 2 stars, and this one sounds like the child of Bowie. I skimmed the album. Not for me. 2 stars. Not terrible, just not for me

Just to clarify, Loretta preceded Dolly by about 10 years. Loretta is a fabulous singer, and her songs are typical of country during her time. Remember, in the 1950-1960 era poor women were in a pickle. No birth control so they popped out numerous kids and were completely dependent on their husbands for money. For most in rural areas, work wasn't paid well, and it was tough to get out of poverty. Boy did these songs hit home for so many people! I haven't heard her in a long time, and her vocals are stunning to me. They're perfect. I also like the arrangments. They're really strong and not over the top. 5 stars! Go Loretta!

Wow, this was a blast from the past. I really loved this album back in the day. Listening to it now, it's even more interesting. NO GUITAR, except on John Barlycorn! Imagine that in 1970! I bought it for the John Barleycorn song, and really enjoyed the others as well. It's music with a lot to listen to. Probably a precurser to my love of jazz that happened later in my life. Steve Winwoods voice is terrific, but the organ, honky-tonk sounding piano, sax played un-typically, flute, drums perfectly set in the mix. Great stuff! 5 stars!!

I remember the songs Rio and Hungry like the Wolf. I was not really impressed then, and still now. There really isn't much interesting on this album for me. I remember in the 1980s a video was equal to or even more important than the music. Videos were so new and MTV really had everyone entranced. This band had videos. As I listen, I'm not viewing videos. Musically this just isn't really interesting. Maybe hearing it with old ears makes it that way. I don't know, but I really don't feel anything from this. 2 stars.

I've always liked Louis Prima, he's crazy and fun. But a whole album seems like a lot this morning. Go figure. Always liked him best with Keely Smith. 4 stars

Papa was a Rolling Stone is a masterpiece, but the others aren't. Oh well, the Temptations had a string of hits so maybe this is their miss. But Papa is amazing! 4 stars for Papa

Tong tong tong ting ting..... :-) It's getting sweaty on the dance floor! Theses guys are wonderful! Such wonderful grooves, singing, horns, percussion... Damn it's good! 5 stars

Nice, really didn't do much for me. Very atmospheric. Lovely singing. I remember Sweet Jane from back in the day. It was nice, different, but I didn't buy the record. 3 stars I guess.

No, just no. Not today. I didn't like this back in the day. If I never hear it again, I'm happy. It's better than some later death metal though.

This is the only MJ album I owned. It's so great! MJ and Q at their best! Such great songs and performances by MJ, with the tightest production ever. It's perfection. I can't stop smiling. OK, second side is not as much fun. But it's still great, I Can't Help It had me swaying in my chair. The keyboard changes are so beautiful! Oh, and in 1979, digital technology was in it's infancy. THESE ARE REAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYING. I've not heard it in ages, what a treat! Can I give 10 stars? Note to the persons rating the person, not the music: Great music needs to be acknowledge even if the performer is flawed. He was 20 here, before all the weirdness. He was wonderful then.

There were people who revered this guy back in the day. I was not one of them. Honestly, I thought he was boring. I still think it's boring. Thinking back, perhaps this was romantic to a certain kind of man in music. Oh well, takes all types. His harmonies with EmmyLou were sweet though I was never a real fan or hers either. 2 stars.

I like the vibe, laid back, jazzy, singing in his own language. Enunciating mostly the vowels makes for interesting vocalese. Means I focus on the voice, not the words. I like that, and I like his voice and preformance. I'm not usually a fan of singer/songwriters with a guitar. But he makes really great use of percussion, electronica and the quieter side of instrumentation. I got sort of bored at the end, but I'll bet his live performances were really great. 4 stars for being so different and interesting.

No, I hate this metal nonsense. No No no

I wasn't a Springsteen fan back in the day. It's very guy oriented, although a whole lotta girls loved him. Me, not so much. I also heard his stuff too much. But this album is very strong! I'm enjoying it. I always thought the somewhat cheesy organ sound and the sax were interesting, but I didn't really like it a lot. Oh well. Infectious beat for sure! It's an album that's been popular for 40 years. 4 stars, one for each decade.

OMG, to be in the audience! Everyone is having such a blast, the band is tight and Sam is ON FIRE! Love it! 5 stars!

Such short songs! Better for the juke box and radio I guess. It's very blue-eyed soul. I like it, even though it sounds like Elvis should have sung a lot of the songs in a lower key. Not my favorite Elvis album but he certainly had a lot of emotion in his songs, even when they're kinda cheesy. 3 stars

It's very 1980s, a meld of all the influences. But kinda boring to me, like most rap. At least it has some interesting music with it. Something about it is compelling. 3 stars for being somewhat compelling and not terrible.

Well, that was boring. I started liking it but got bored really quick. 2 stars, at least it wasn't obnoxious.

The Back of Love is a great song, and the use of echo is really effective. Made me move in my chair. I never listened to this band before, but I am impressed. Great chord changes, interesting melodies, the mix is a little drum heavy, but in a good way. I like the singer, he's emotive but not over the top. Great examples of tension and release, and fun seques between the song sections. Modern music could learn something from these guys. I always thought there was a lot of romance in the music of the 1980s, and this album is a great example of that. 4 stars

Hmmm, I don't know why but I find this stuff a bit tedious. Rococo had me wanting to turn it off. Everything was so mashed together, no space at all. I scanned through the others. I got really annoyed. I don't know why, but the stuff made me angry. 1 star for being so annoying.

I loved later work by the Pretenders, but this one is pretty awful. Punk meets pop, with punk winning unfortunately. 2 stars.

I have a feeling there might be some good music underneath all that distortion, reverb and all the effects. 2 stars

I think I'm just not in the mood. I just want to turn it off. It's not obnoxious or anything, just insanely boring. I don't want to listen to it. 2 stars

Better than typical folk. Fun jazzy changes. 2 stars I guess.