Jan 08 2024
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Heroes
David Bowie
Meh.
David Bowie is one of those artists that doesn't elicit an opinion in me. If he's on the radio I won't switch it over, and I won't wait until a song ends before switching it off at the end of the journey.
This album doesn't change that.
If this album were an emoji it would be “¯\_(ツ)_/¯“
2
Jan 09 2024
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Made In Japan
Deep Purple
I wonder if attention spans are getting shorter.
Maybe twenty years ago I could have listened to this album without wondering a) if the track will ever end? b) are the band playing for themselves or the audience? c) who likes this noodling? and d) will the track ever end?
This just doesn't hold my attention. It feels bloated and it's like the musicians are individuals rather than a group.
There are amazing "long" tracks that hold my attention - Ain't it Funky by Grant Green, The Trench Coat Museum by Yard Act and Papa Was A Rolling Stone by The Temptations as examples.
Let's hope the next album is better.......
1
Jan 10 2024
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Thriller
Michael Jackson
I loved this album when it first came out.
I remember being allowed to stay up and watch the thriller video - it was broadcast late as it was deemed too scary for under 16s!
I have moved on a little since then in my musical journey but this album still “bangs”. The Quincy Jones production adds a certain je ne sais quoi.
It’s almost a Greatest Hits album.
Rose tinted specs perhaps? I don’t care.
4
Jan 12 2024
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
5
Jan 13 2024
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Machine Head
Deep Purple
This is MUCH better than the noodling live album I got as a first album.
It's definitely of the time and is all the better for it. The keyboards add a lot to this record and set it apart from others in the genre.
Never Before grooves, Lazy's call and response vibes get my head nodding and foot tapping. Lazy in some way reminds me of Boom Boom by John Lee Hooker when the vocals kick in.
I will definitely add this to my listening rotation and may even buy to play in the car (with the top down of course).
5
Jan 14 2024
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War
U2
I had this on tape when it first came out. I haven't listened to it in YEARS.
I'd forgotten just how great this album is. Vocals, guitar, bass and drums, great song writing and tight production. This could be played live in a small club or a stadium and be brilliant in either as it's pretty unadorned.
I wouldn't be embarrassed to listen to this in public. Would I want it preloaded on an iPod though?
4
Jan 15 2024
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Pump
Aerosmith
40 year old man sings songs that sound like they’re written by a horny 16 year old boy.
I wouldn’t listen to this in public. Or private.
1
Jan 18 2024
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Vulnicura
Björk
I love that music like this made by artists such as Björk.
I need to be in the right frame of mind for this - that isn’t now.
I will come back to this album as I feel it has something that only repeated listens will reveal.
3
Jan 19 2024
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Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
This album shimmers and shines.
I don’t know how to describe it sonically. It just makes me feel a sense of calm and wistful.
It’s ephemeral in one way and fulfilling in another.
I love it.
5
Jan 20 2024
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Revolver
Beatles
I would love this album in mono when listening on headphones.
It probably sounds great in stereo on speakers - this wasn't how I listened to it.
The instruments and vocals were too spaced out (man).
3
Jan 21 2024
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Welcome To The Pleasuredome
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Some of it was great. It lacked coherence and cohesion.
The cover versions were great, especially the Springsteen one, but seemed out of place
Love the Trevor Horn production.
3
Jan 26 2024
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Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3
Jan 28 2024
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The Only Ones
The Only Ones
Inauspicious start - the vocals on the first track didn’t fill me with hope.
Luckily things got better.
This is a great album - ragged in a good way. The Beast is great track - a foot stomping blast that builds and builds.
The kind of band you want to see in a small, sweaty subterranean club.
4
Jan 29 2024
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Nighthawks At The Diner
Tom Waits
I really like this album.
I own two of Tom’s later Asylum years albums, inherited from my Dad.
I can just imagine sitting in a smoky basement club, listening to this band, slowly getting stoned and thinking life cannot get better.
4
Jan 30 2024
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Zombie
Fela Kuti
3
Jan 31 2024
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If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
What a blast.
Maybe the stars aligned my need for a rousing rollicking record and this being my next album.
As Infrantino may have said “Today I feel Irish.”
5
Feb 01 2024
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Rejoicing In The Hands
Devendra Banhart
Just meh.
This didn’t do it for me at all. I didn’t feel any connection whatsoever.
Didn’t feel any emotion listening to this.
1
Feb 02 2024
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Millions Now Living Will Never Die
Tortoise
1
Feb 03 2024
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Sea Change
Beck
Multi layered beauty.
I can pick out many similarities to other artists I love - all in each track. All while sounding unique.
A genius album.
5