The album where I discovered Elbow. Subsequently went though their entire discography. Love this band. Love this album. Still undecided if I prefer this version, or the live at Abbey Road. Both amazing.

Age hasn't diminished this foundation stone of Rock. Death on two legs still as vicious all these years later. Bo Rap obviously....

It's aged so well. All 8/10 or higher apart from I want your sex, which was and still is rubbish.

Major discovery from this project is Sly & The Family Stone. Love it!

Her masterpiece. Stood up well

Masterpiece

Grew up with this in the background. Have a deep love for this album still. Only living boy in new york still sounds like a choir of angels to me.

Hadn't realised how much this was still peak PSB. Nice!

Bought it back in the day due to Stan. Rest of it is just too much for me. Not a fan. Can respect it, but not enjoy it.

Just noise. Washing over me without any real engagement tbh.

Just Wow! So many of what we now consider Soul standards on one album. Anything less that 5 stars would be unthinkable. Band is tight and on point for every track, but the voice....oh the voice. Just Wow!

Never heard this before….Completely left me cold. Just can lt see what all the fuss is about tbh.

Never heard this before….never will again hopefully.

Have to confess this is my first time listening to this album. Obviously know REM from the bigger hits (in the UK) that come later. This is good! Bit more rock and less poppy. Will definitely go into rotation.

Ahhh - the very last album I bought on Vinyl before the revival.... 80s very much my era, and this is the end of what I consider to be her 'classic' 80s album run. After this she's reinventing herself every time. It's a really solid album, but it's a mixed bag and there is some filler here (just like on all her albums tbh). When it's good, its great...title track and Oh Father being the standout tracks for me. However, the Prince / Madonna track is just awful...should have never seen the light of day. Just drones on and on (and on). 3 (nearly a 4)

One of the best Pop songs of the 80s is on here. Over time, Take on Me has become the thing everyone still remembers...and rightly so as it's just a perfect Pop song. But the album it comes from is a gem also. The surprising thing is how much variety there is on this album. It's got a couple of filler tracks (The Blue Sky for example), but the rest is a great listen that actually opens up with repeated listening as there's some depth to it. It's not just takes of Take on Me. The album closer (Here I stand and face the rain) is a cracking tune and leaves you with the distinct impression there's more to come from this band. Ironic as I don't think they ever bettered it. Stands as a good Pop album of the 80s. Solid 3

This is a first listen for me, despite being nearly as old as the album! I knew Bad Moon Rising, so was fascinating to hear it in the context of the album (often is). I enjoyed it...it's got a swampy, gritty edge to it. Having said that it feels quite a lot like loads of different versions of Bad Moon Rising at times. Bit samey in one go maybe? 3 - will return to it. Suspect repeated listening may increase the score. Can see why it's on this list.

Ahhh - the Original and the best when it comes to Swing. One of my Dad's favourites. Pretty timeless now thanks to modern crooners and they're all just pale imitations compared to this. Songs are perfect, the arrangements so smooth and it's Sinatra in his prime. This is his perfect album. Almost 70 years old, but still sounds sublime.