277
Albums Rated
2.91
Average Rating
25%
Complete
812 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
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Rating Timeline
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Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
1980s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Harsh
Rater Style
24
5-Star Albums
27
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
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Ratings by genre
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Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle | 5 | 1.88 | +3.12 |
| Bug | 5 | 2.92 | +2.08 |
| Superfuzz Bigmuff | 5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
| Vulgar Display Of Power | 5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
| Meat Puppets II | 5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
| Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo | 5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
| Rain Dogs | 5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
| The Real Thing | 5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
| Goo | 5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
| All Mod Cons | 5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| (What's The Story) Morning Glory | 1 | 3.84 | -2.84 |
| The Queen Is Dead | 1 | 3.66 | -2.66 |
| Fear Of Music | 1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
| Parachutes | 1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
| Strangeways, Here We Come | 1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
| More Songs About Buildings And Food | 1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
| Different Class | 1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
| Lost In The Dream | 1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
| The Band | 1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
| Made In Japan | 1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Belle & Sebastian | 2 | 1 |
| The Smiths | 2 | 1 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 1.67 |
| Coldplay | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Byrds | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (24)
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Popular Reviews
Afrika Bambaataa
1/5
Oh man. I respect the old school hip hop pioneering here, but I am torn by the stories of dude's offending against the young. No, actually in not torn. Once you know, your know. Would've been four, but knocked down to one star. Not for Afrika, but for the survivors.
6 likes
Lorde
3/5
I'm sure it's very good, but what if my friends walked in and I was listening to this. Three stars.
2 likes
The Jam
5/5
This is better than ok. A snapshot of suburban life (in the UK, in the late 70s), railing against the elite, celebrating working class joy, observing the world from street level. A few songs about the less glamorous aspects of stardom, or the banality of going with the flow thrown in, but none of the tracks are judgy or vicious like yours expect if the Jam leaned into punk more. A lot to enjoy. Easy 5 stars.
1 likes
Belle & Sebastian
1/5
Nope. Not gonna do it.
Fingernails on a blackboard, mixed with children's songs and bubblegum. But not in an interesting way.
One star due to rounding error. I don't have to listen to this before I die.
1 likes
Supergrass
2/5
Well this was a bit of fun, but I'm not really a fan. A bit of British garage rock that has lost its garage-ness? I feel like they rode the alternative and Britpop bandwagons. Good on them for getting their shot. This would probably get the pub singing along after 6 pints of Heineken.
I don't really like his voice. 2 stars.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (27)
All Ratings
AC/DC
5/5
Absolute cracker. How did they fit all this on one album.
The War On Drugs
1/5
Not particularly exciting musically. Easy to push into the background. Like a whole album full of the second last tracks from other mediocre albums.
I probably wouldn't listen to it again on purpose.
The Zombies
3/5
I've never heard this album before. A bit dated and jarring at times with flourishes of ...psychedelic accordion? Some likeable songs, like a soundtrack to a 60s British movie. 'This will be our year' made me happy. Everyone knows'Time Of The Season', surely, which leaves a nice taste in your ears as the album ends.
Dire Straits
4/5
Oh, I've still got the vinyl LP I bought when I was 12. This one was on high rotation being one of about a dozen records and tapes I owned and still holds a place in my heart.
Like a lot of albums, it's HEAVILY front-loaded. I could listen to Side One and not be too disappointed if I didn't turn the album over. Standouts for me include 'Walk of Life' - a rocking little number, and 'Your Latest Trick' -with sooooo much moody 80s saxophone.
The album fades into the background a little on Side Two. Lot's of war imagery that's really incongruous with Side One's more straight forward hits. Finishes solidly with the title track. Hard to tell if I'm just listening through the fog of nostalgia, but overall I still really like this album.
Talking Heads
1/5
Good? Maybe you just had to be there.
I was 5 years old when this album arrived. I was more Team Devo. I was not really exposed to this at all. Would that have changed things? Maybe. I am happy to listen to quirky, arty, post punk, but aside from some hits (that are good but wearing thin honestly) I don't have time for Talking Heads.
Only listened to the whole album for completeness. Couldn't wait for it to end. If I wasn't taking notes I would have turned it off. I'm glad it's over now.
Hugh Masekela
3/5
John Coltrane
3/5
I don't know much about jazz, but I know what I like, and I like this. Not too edgy and a-melodic to be accessible. I would listen again.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Here we go. Thanks 1001 Album Generator for exposing me to music I would never listen to otherwise.
I liked 'Walk Away', it hearkened back to old school (original) R&B. 'Fighter' is a bit naff for mine. 'Infatuation' is a Latin styled love song which is clearly not for 50YO cis-gendered white man. 'Loving Me 4 Me' is another love song and it's clear right now that I'm not the target audience for this. I'm going to stop listening now, before I even get to the empowering 'Beautiful'.
I understand if 'Stripped' is a 4 or 5 for you, but its a 2 for me for CA's talent is clear, but the content is off target here.
Boston
3/5
Warm, inoffensive, not challenging at all, Boston are steak and potatoes rock & roll. I'm not really excited. It's very OK.
Holger Czukay
2/5
What was THAT?
Definite movie soundtrack vibes. Quite European. Interesting, but not going on repeat at my house.
I read some positive reviews so I listened to this album again (its only 39 minutes after all). I think it got worse.
1/5
I've listened to this enough in the 90s. Not going to put myself through it again. So, I gathered it my review to ChatGPT because I couldn't be bothered with the effort.
Write me a brief witty review of Oasis' album What's the story morning glory from the point of view of a man who things is terrible, boring derivative rubbish.
"Oasis' 'What's the Story Morning Glory' is like a knock-off Beatles cover band that never quite learned the tunes. It's as if they raided a '90s Britpop bargain bin and threw every cliché into a blender. If you enjoy predictable hooks, uninspired lyrics, and a singer who seems perpetually out of breath, this album might just be your cup of lukewarm tea. But if you prefer music with a pulse, steer clear of this snoozefest disguised as rock 'n' roll."
Spot on. One star.
Minor Threat
3/5
Straight into it! This is right up my alley. I didn't listen Minor Threat in my youth and probably would have appreciated this more when I was 20 rather than 50, but still good. It definitely reminds me of a lot of stuff that came after.
Solid, emotive, unpretentious. I like it.
Tom Waits
5/5
Oh I Love this album. I'm transported when I listen to this, to some dingy world before this, with one armed dwarves and paladins hats. I don't even know what that is!
Rod Stewart can keep downtown train though. Five stars.
The Police
3/5
Is this peak Police? I don't know but it all sounds very Policy.
Interestingly I like a lot of the deeper cuts better than the radio hits, maybe just not booked with them. A few different styles going on. I'll give them a three.
Kate Bush
2/5
Not a fan of Kate's voice, or the often syncopated rhythm of the lyrics. Many songs are interesting and boring at the same time. 'Pull out the pin', i'm looking at you.
All over the place. Could not finish. Two stars
The Waterboys
3/5
What can I say. Solid British 80s folk rock. I'm trying to think about what make me listen to this again. If have to be drunk for a start. Maybe if I travelled back in time to a wedding, in the late 80s or at that Irish pub I used to work at. If that ever happens I'll bust out this album as a soundtrack.
1h43m is a big commitment. I feel like 'Bang on the ear', a fun little Irish styled song about love and light physical violence, could have ended 3 minutes sooner. If you made this today it would be dealt published and available out of a suitcase at your local markets. 'Has anybody seen Hank?'. Three stars.
Oh, you thought my review was finished? Like the album, we're only half way through. It's getting very traditional up in here. And now 'The stolen child' has an old man rambling over a flute and goes for seven minutes. Now I'm just listening to the first 30s of each track.
Waterboys, you don't have to go home, but your can't stay here.
Supergrass
2/5
Well this was a bit of fun, but I'm not really a fan. A bit of British garage rock that has lost its garage-ness? I feel like they rode the alternative and Britpop bandwagons. Good on them for getting their shot. This would probably get the pub singing along after 6 pints of Heineken.
I don't really like his voice. 2 stars.
Coldplay
2/5
Sigh. Do I have to listen to this again? I'm sure I've heard this enough.
Let's stay positive: This is probably about as good as they get. Competent musicianship. Not really annoying. *Yawn*. My son says it sounds like tv commercials. A very generous 2 stars.
David Bowie
3/5
Oh that's better! I like a bit of freaky glam Bowie. Definitely a bit of Stones influence here, even a cover if you weren't sure. Not his greatest work I don't think, but I'm mildly hungover. Solid three stars.
Funkadelic
4/5
Now this is my jam! OMG I could listen to the opening track "Maggot Brain" every day. "I have tasted the maggots in the mind of the universe." Me too.
Little bit weaker in the middle, but finishes strongly. I can get to that. Four sequined stars.
The Zombies
2/5
Hmmmm, I reviewed this album two weeks ago. Have it 3 stars then. Here's what I had to say last time:
"I've never heard this album before. A bit dated and jarring at times with flourishes of ...psychedelic accordion? Some likeable songs, like a soundtrack to a 60s British movie. 'This will be our year' made me happy. Everyone knows'Time Of The Season', surely, which leaves a nice taste in your ears as the album ends."
I may have been a little generous. Two evening stars in Beechwood Park.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Oh, I like some Sly. 'Everyday People'? OMG. 'Stand'? You should. Not all killer though. A few very good songs and a few near misses. Rounding up for visionary funkiness and social commentary. Four stars. Boom laka laka!
Jeff Beck
1/5
Not for me. Whether it's the blatant cultural appropriation, covers of freaking Greensleeves, or just Rod Stewart's voice, or a combination of all three, I'm not sure. Not particularly impressed by Jeff Beck's guitar stylings either. On the plus side...naaaaa. One star.
Motörhead
4/5
I was once in the crowd of a festival set for Metallica in the 90s. I turned to a guy and said 'How good is this?' and he said, "Fuck yeah, the second best metal band in the world." I asked him who the best was, and he turned and looked at me like I was an idiot.
"Motorhead, dude."
At the start of this album, I could almost agree with him.
Opening with Ace of Spades sets a cracking pace. It's hard to beat though. I don't like their slower' stuff as much, but Bite the Bullet is fun and The Hammer rocks 'along pretty hard. I wouldn't be disappointed to hear most of these tracks again. Three stars, plus a bonus cos Lemmy was a fricken legend.
Jethro Tull
3/5
I'm honestly surprised I liked this as much as I did. There are some great guitar solos. Ab abundance of flute , but some great songs.
The lyrics, however, are fucking maudlin. Aqualung. Fark. Makes grunge sound cheerful.
I'm spitting out three broken stars for this one.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Competent, bit not captivating. Like a less interesting Arcade Fire. I wouldn't mind if I never heard this again really. Two yawning stars.
George Jones
1/5
You can hear what this sounds like, just by looking at the cover.
Why did she leave you George? Have a look at yourself? Sit in that chair and think about why she loves the one she's with, George. Is it all that time with your Borrowed Angel?
"I'm dysfunctional, maybe I cheat. Probably a drunk to boot.
But I can't understand why my wife left me.
We had some good times didn't we.
I guess I'll never understand, let's have some whisky"
Sing that in a voice like baritone chocolate, with some steel guitar. It'll save you 28 minutes.
One star, for Mary.
Ramones
5/5
Nothing bad to say about this album. It is the prototype. The quintessential example of early punk. A punchy, fast, fun reaction to disco glitz and prog wanking.
If you think all tracks sound the same then I suggest you're just not used to the sound and it's easier to discern similarities than differences. And perhaps you're missing the point, and the Ramones don't give a fuck what you think. That said, there are very few chords and a bit of an uncomplicated template.
'I wanna be your boyfriend' could be 60s garage pop, 'Blitzkrieg Bop' is punk gold, 'Let's Dance' is a cracking cover. I love it. 5 stars in 2m13s seconds.
Belle & Sebastian
1/5
Nope. Not gonna do it.
Fingernails on a blackboard, mixed with children's songs and bubblegum. But not in an interesting way.
One star due to rounding error. I don't have to listen to this before I die.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
I think I liked it? I didn't hate it. I have a soft spot for that 80s synth pop vibe, but I don't have a strong opinion on this one. It's better than 40% of the albums that I have been dished up recently. I wouldn't buy it.
Does a series of brief statements count as a review? Does a series of banal tunes count as an album? Three stars.
The Smiths
1/5
Really. First Belle and Sebastian, now this.
Once in my twenties I took some acid. After ditching my friends and skateboarding through puddles in a shopping centre carpark for an hour I went home. There were Smiths film-clips playing on a night time music show. I sat down on the couch and watched 8 or 9 Smiths videos to give them the benefit of the doubt. I was equal parts intrigued and dismayed. Don't do drugs, kids.
Vivat regina. 1 star..
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
I could get behind this. It's Friday afternoon. Soon it'll be cocktail hour. I don't know much about jazz but this is ok. I'd listen again, but not on purpose.
Three swinging stars.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Oh, soft spot for this one. I remember seeing Wim Wenders' documentary at the cinema and immediately bend intrigued by this other world. The music is captivating and transporting. Solid performances born of a lifetime playing from the heart. Four harmonic stars.
Sparks
2/5
Not for me. I don't think this has aged well, and I guess I never connected with it back in the day so that so had sailed. It's not terrible, i just don't care for it. It's just a two.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
I enjoyed that. Probably wouldn't listen to this more than once a year, but still a lot to like here. Not all killer, but perfect examples of a genre. A landmark of an album.
Four star-ar-ar-AR-AR-ar-ars.
Buffalo Springfield
2/5
Started or strong, and then it wasn't. Sporadically ok, but not something I'd go back to. Not terrible. Two stars.
Iron Butterfly
2/5
Not gonna lie. If it wasn't for that song, there's not much going on here, and that song is probably about 14 minutes too long. It's like the concert version of your favourite song, where everyone gets a solo, and the singer goes off stage for a glass of water before the big finale.
I know it outsold everything in the world or something, but there really couldn't have been much competition.
Two really long and drawn out stars.
Booker T. & The MG's
2/5
The title track is great, and instantly recognisable. The rest of the tracks are good but stay into movie soundtrack vibes occasionally. Maybe it's the lack of vocals? 'I Got A Woman' is definitely movie montage territory, veering close to Benny Hill. A couple of tracks in and I lost interest. 'Twist and Shout' was bad.
Not sure when I'd listen to this again. Three 2.5 stars, rounded up to three.
Tears For Fears
3/5
It's ok. Couple of great hits, couple of really dated sax romps. Are those hits worth the whole album? I don't think so, though they are really good. There's a reason you haven't heard the rest unless you're a fan. But those hits! I'm not quite Head Over Heels, but I'll Shout 3 Stars.
George Michael
1/5
Is NOT listening WITH prejudice the same as listening without prejudice? Like a double negative? Well that's all George is going to get. If Freedom is the best song on this album, then I'm clearly not the target audience.
Really. Increasingly disillusioned with this book.
Dagmar Krause
2/5
That was... Interesting. No lie, I wouldn't listen again, not really my style. I'm sure it served a purpose and was artful in it's way. More like a museum piece in that regard. Zwei Sterne.
Country Joe & The Fish
2/5
An evil villain once said, "What a bunch of hippy dippy baloney." Lord Business was talking about a comical prophecy in an animated movie about a highly sophisticated interlocking brick system, but he could have been talking about country Joe and his partner, the Fish.
That said, there's some likeable songs here, that have clearly influenced what came after, from psychedelic rock of the late 60s to trippy 90s alternative music or more recent acoustic indie tunes. Still won't come back to it. Two pioneering but essentially forgettable stars.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
It's ok. I wouldn't complain if someone put this album on, but I would probably be waiting my turn to choose the next one. I wouldn't pay money for it. Low three stars I think.
Dr. John
3/5
They don't make music like this any more. Could they? Is it cultural appropriation? Homage? Inspired? These are tricky questions. Do I like this? That's also tricky. I think if I was drunk enough I would listen to this again and manage to play maybe 2 or 3 tracks before other people asked me what the fuck I was doing and made me turn it off. I would say, "Fair enough. Let me play one more track." Then I would put on 'I Walk on Gilded Splinters', and they would say "Yeah, that was good, but don't put it on again."
Afrika Bambaataa
1/5
Oh man. I respect the old school hip hop pioneering here, but I am torn by the stories of dude's offending against the young. No, actually in not torn. Once you know, your know. Would've been four, but knocked down to one star. Not for Afrika, but for the survivors.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
Na, don't like it.
The Icarus Line
2/5
Not terrible, not great. Like a clone or mixture of music you know already. Kinda forgot I was listening to it. Hard to have a strong opinion. I didn't hate it. But I won't miss it
Oh, two stars for trying.
5/5
Six. Or maybe seven. That's how old I was when I asked my mum for a Devo album for Xmas. God bless her she had to ask at the record store because she had no idea what a Devo was. Neither did I really, but my friends older brother listened to them and I thought they were cool. So I thought they were cool. And guess what kids, Devo were both cool and NOT cool at the same time.
I still own this album, and it still gets play today. Standouts are the kooky (and somewhat divisive) version of 'Satisfaction' and the classic 'Mongoloid' - a ode to diversity and equality, and the fantastic slow build of 'Gut Feeling'.
Five devolving stars.
T. Rex
4/5
Mean, I was surprised by this one. Not today, but a year ago. When my mother died, I inherited her long neglected record collection. She had three albums variant by Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex. The early stuff was very twinkly winkly, pan -pipey, hippy dippy bullshit.
Then Marc Bolan went electric, and it was good.
I listened to this album, start to finish, and never once wondered when it would end. Not a trace of hobbity folk like the earlier stuff (one half of the original duo was called Steve Peregrine Took! He's no longer a part of the outfit on this album). Just pioneering glam. Standouts for me include Jeepster and Cosmic Dancer.
Anyway, for glittery stars.
Traffic
2/5
Oh, a folky 1960s psychedelic British band? Colour me surprised. Decent instrument playing, plenty of flute, which I suppose is the saxophone of the 60s. Not for me though, this one.
Two Barleycorns.
ZZ Top
3/5
I think I like ZZ Top, but I have never listened to a whole album, and listen to their hits very infrequently, maybe when I'm drunk and nostalgic, listening to 'classic rock hits from my youth' (I'm thinking Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, etc.)
Now that I've gone start to finish on a ZZ Top album I can sincerely say, their hits are ok. And they can firmly stay where they were, in my nostalgic and beer fuelled memory, dusted off now and again to scratch an itch until someone else in my home asks what the hell I'm listening to, and can I put something else on. Then I put on La Grange (not on this album, but a far better song) before acquiescing.
I'll give it three badass and bearded stars for old times' sake.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Sounds like the Stones. Early, trippy psychedelic, rocking Stones, with a strange mix of social commentary and misogyny. A product of the times I suppose. No excuses, just that a lot of these lyrics would be shut down these days before they were released.
Anyway, the music is decent. Iconic and memorable, but musically and lyrically it's out of time. (See what I did there?)
Three little yellow stars.
David Ackles
2/5
I like Billy Joel. That's why I'm giving this two stars. I didn't listen to the whole thing because my family revolted. And they put up with a lot of my bullshit. Neil Diamond was a step too far. He's got quite a good voice, but that music!
Two over the top stars.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
1/5
Faaark, opening with Variations on a Theme gave the wrong impression. Then Tom Jones Vegas set kicked off. We are all over the place.
Album of the year, eh? Was there strong competition in 1970? Gather round kids, when I was a child there was no internet, we drank out of the garden hose, and Blood, Sweat & Tears was album of the Year.
P.s. if the next band is from the 60s and features major flute action, I'm gonna pop a vein.
Anyway, you might know the hits from AM radio or retirement villages, but I'd be so very happy if I didn't hear them again.
One spinning star.
Justice
1/5
Na. It's kind of ok, but becomes tedious rather 7 quickly. Like short attention span music. Like making a collage out of your mum's magazines in primary school. My son is 12, and in his music lesson they have a digital platform for creating music. This reminds me of his creations. AI will certainly replace these types of musician, for better or worse, and I won't even notice.
Picture a star with each point cut from a different magazine. With glitter glue. That's the star this album gets.
The Band
1/5
Ok boomer. More white guys from the late 60s. This list is overly bloated with this era. Not gonna listen this time.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
Not a fan of Talking Heads, do I was ready not to like this, but I was wrong. I vaguely remember Wordy Rappinghood from my youth, and something about the kooky 80s vibe spoke to me. It totally didn't speak to anyone else in my house, who all asked for it to stop, but it's not their review.
Anyway, I'd listen again. Three crayon stars.
The Doors
3/5
I've heard this one plenty of times before. It's good, classic Doors. Good enough to hear again. That's a three from me.
LTJ Bukem
2/5
Look, it's ok, just not my cup of tea, though it got a positive reaction from my wife along with questions about why the hell I was playing this album. I'm sure it's good, but I would not miss it if I never heard it again. It's the next day and I can't remember what it sounded like. Two repetitive stars.
Kings of Leon
3/5
I'm not agin' it! I like it even. I'm sure I used to listen to this, it's all very familiar. Maybe a couple of beers and I'll be scootin' around the house, singing like no one's listening and driving everyone else mad. Sounds like a good use of my time.
Yeah I think I lost interest in KoL after their third album, when they got bigger and polished. It's often the way with bands that you discover in their early days. As they get produced, the rough edges get another or and life gets better and their songs are less interesting. This is not that though. Giddy up.
Three screeching stars.
Talking Heads
1/5
Uuuurgh. I've already had to review a Talking Heads album. Maybe this one is better?
Nope. Could not finish this. Like some weird food someone offers you that they are evangelical about, but you think tastes spoiled. I have no taste for this, and life is too short.
One annoying weird star.
R.E.M.
2/5
Pop for serious people. Or serious music for pop people? Which one am I? Am I both? Or neither? Who can say? I can say. I'm both.
Two stars. REM beginning REM. Not really essential.
Two interesting but ultimately forgettable stars.
Shuggie Otis
2/5
Not offensive. I'm really not sure what makes it essential listening though. I kinda like it, but I wouldn't tell my friends. There's a lot better from this genre and era, that were more impactful. Was Shuggie ground breaking? Or inspirational? I don't care enough to drive any deeper. Two decent but forgettable stars.
Kid Rock
1/5
FFS. I get it. This guy existed. Now he shoots beer cans against woke culture. What a flog. Anyway, here goes.
Bewptidabsa, or whatever it's called, is probably used by the CIA to interrogate tried suspects.
Cowboy is aspirational, but not very.
Devil Without a Cause is... Bad.
I have stopped listening and may well take several days to recover my IQ.
ZERO stars if I could. One star because I have to.
Muddy Waters
2/5
Hmm, I expected big things, but I didn't think it was that great. Kinda one dimensional? I didn't know. Little disappointing. I'm gonna give it....a two. I wouldn't listen to this again in purpose. Que underwhelming.
Gary Numan
4/5
Imagine David Bowie fell to earth and made sweet alien love to a synthesiser. And they called the product of their forbidden love Harry Human. He changed his name to Gary Numan so he wouldn't seem odd. He shouldn't have bothered. The oddity was good. Harry Human wasn't like you and me. He wasn't from the future, or from far far away. He was from earth, but not from earth at the same time. See his double breasted suit and establishment haircut as he tries to fit in. See his made up eyes and glowing pyramid because his true nature can't be contained. Enter the pyramid. Things are not the same anymore.
Electronic and synthy without being dull and repetitive wankery - pre MDMA I suppose.
Four point two three eight stars.
Motörhead
2/5
Good but not great. Ace of Spades is a favorite of mine, but I could take or leave Motorhead otherwise.
1001 albums and this is the second Motorhead album I have been served up, out of 60 so far. At least it wasn't late 60s white British dudes, but only by half a decade.
They rock but this is not a great recording.
Two thrashing and distorted stars.
Depeche Mode
3/5
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Classic.
The Killers
3/5
Average white rock. Overrated for the most part, not terrible though. I give it a three.
Os Mutantes
2/5
The Only Ones
3/5
Hahaha, one song has 9.5M plays on YouTube music, the rest have about 150k combined. Another Girl, Another Planet is a great song. I don't mind the rest either, but I'm a tragic for 80s saxophone and unusual vocal stylings. This might be a four. Let's give it a couple more tracks...
Maybe just a three. Yeah, three.
OutKast
4/5
I think this is a three, plus a bonus star for being the first album I have reviewed in ages that's not boomer fuel. Many great tracks, fun skits. Get you some. Four stars.
Janelle Monáe
4/5
I liked that. No time for a review
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Not bad for a white English woman, pretty classy. Soon of a Preacher Man is a classic. Lots of Memphis Horns. I like it, but I only 3 star like it.
Big Star
3/5
Oh I hate it when my review doesn't save. Long story short, some on songs. Some terrible leftovers from the 60s (India?) Shows promise but fails to achieve greatness. Three minus.
Portishead
4/5
I waded through a lot of really average 60s albums to get to this one. What a relief. Numb is so good. I've listened to it countless times over the last thirty years. It takes me right back every time to that share house over the road from the gun shop in Brisbane in the late 90s. I picked up the CD second hand from a pawn shop, brought it home, put it on, and was captivated. This is definitely a four. Four wandering stars.
Wandering Star, Mysterons. All great, slow burning brilliance. Roads! All the strings and feels. Glorybox -
Fela Kuti
4/5
So good. Soooooo good. Sitting in my chair supposed to be working. Just bopping and rocking. Reading the lyrics just provides extra impact. Four stars.
The Dandy Warhols
2/5
Oh no. Really? Ok, one last chance Dandy Warhols.
First track - decent background noise, I'm not high enough to get lost in it.
Two - Boys Better - why does this remind me of Neil Young? Tolerable, borderline likeable.
Track three - filler at best.
Track four - hypnotic, melodic. Interesting? Jury is out.
Five - That junkie song. OMG. *Skip*
Six - That holiday song. Back in the 90s, but not in a good way. Also skip.
7-9 Zoned out for a few minutes there. Probably an accurate reflection on the music. Something about green?
All the rest...Blah blah blah. No one puts the good songs at the end of the album. These are not the deep cuts you are looking for.
Thought I could like this at first, keeping an open mind but...NOT as cool as Kim Deal. Two stars.
The Pogues
3/5
You could say that there's a lot of similar sounding tunes here, but most people unfamiliar with a genre could say that. I'm ok with that if I like it, and I like this. Irreverent, joyful, sometimes thoughtful or maudlin, or just abiding.
Anyway, listen longer, they are different, in composition and execution. Jigs and ballads and such.
Then there's that Xmas song. I listen to that song every year and am not sick of it yet. I wouldn't put this album on very often, but I wouldn't complain if you did.
Three skiddly idle diddledum stars.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
Iconic.
I think I'm having a flashback. Unfortunately it's not lasting nearly long enough and the filler in this album is a little dull. The mid-album tracks are... What's a nice way to say dull and repetitive. Fatboy Sim is not for albums. I skipped large parts of many tracks, positive I want missing anything. I have positive memories of Praise You, which is a
standout track for me along with Rockafeller Skank. Four stars for those, but two for the rest, two for the rest, two for the rest, two for the rest...
Serge Gainsbourg
3/5
I really liked this. It is immediately obvious to trip hop listeners how influential this album was. I'm not put off like others by the whispery French spoken lyrics. I like the spare arrangements and string flourishes on the through-line of bass.
But God Dammit Serge, if you're going to make up a girl for a story, throw a few extra years on and make it decent.
Three stars.
Fever Ray
2/5
I'm not rushing out to buy it, but I like it. Not as Bjorky as people say, but I could be wrong - I don't listen to Bjork if I can help it. This album is like a less interesting version of The Knife, which a listened to after this to make sure. Pretty sure we didn't really need Fever Ray. No offence.
Two stars.
Eagles
3/5
Lots of baggage here. And a lot clever people quoting Lebowski. Try getting your own opinion. If I had to listen to the Smiths, you can listen to the Eagles.
Typical 70s MOR easy listening, and MILES better than Fleetwood fucking Mac. There, I said it. Eagles were robbed in '76. I stand by it. So it gets at least a three for that. Can it get one more star for those hits? I'll think about that for a minute... I like it, but I don't think I'd pay for it. That's an easy three.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
One of my favourites, so I'll only be making notes with one eye open. What a great debut. I imagine he would've gotten better and better, with more life experience and a little more maturity, but so often it's the imperfect, untempered, passionate and flawed music that attracts. Once it becomes fine-tuned and over produced, it loses some essence of what made it good. I guess we'll never know, with only another half-finished album to judge.
Anyway, good range of tunes. Not all great but mostly at least good, with some absolute gold. Probably didn't need Corpus Christi Carol.
Favourite tracks Grace; Last Goodbye; Lover, You Should've Come Over.
I'm giving Jeff five stars.
Fred Neil
3/5
Hmmmm... It wasn't bad. Would not turn it off of I was in the mood, but would not listen again on purpose. Looking at the cover I was not expecting songs about dolphins and cocaine. (That would've been a good album name.)
Three stars.
The Jam
5/5
This is better than ok. A snapshot of suburban life (in the UK, in the late 70s), railing against the elite, celebrating working class joy, observing the world from street level. A few songs about the less glamorous aspects of stardom, or the banality of going with the flow thrown in, but none of the tracks are judgy or vicious like yours expect if the Jam leaned into punk more. A lot to enjoy. Easy 5 stars.
Coldplay
1/5
White bread. Toyota Camry. Meat and three veg. Beige curtains. Mid-strength lager. Coldplay.
Do yourself a favour and listen to something better.
One star.
Solange
2/5
Let's just say... Not really a fan.
I was listening to this album and reading about it at the same time. The song Paper Cranes was mentioned. I thought I should listen to it but it had already played. I played it again but I didn't recognise the song even though I heard only minutes before. This album is like that.
Two stars.
Prince
3/5
I've never really been a fan of Prince and I have had over 30 years to try. He was talented and driven, super professional, and I hear he was pretty good at basketball. Nothing more to add. Three stars to not mess with the average.
Pantera
5/5
I have been known to drive around the block once or twice to hear the rest of a Pantera song before pulling up in my driveway. Those riffs, Dimebag shredding, the shouty man. It's all good, and I am drunk and bouncing off my friends, damaging my hearing in my 20s again. TAKE COVER!
Five stars.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
It's hard to deny that's a pretty strong opening track. Followed by many more familiar and decent tunes. I've never deep dived on the lyrics too much though. There aren't many that are very meaningful to me. Cecilia was fun. Not sure I need any more songs about famous architects.
Sam Rockwell and Will Ferrell should play them in the biopic.
Good songwriting that doesn't really connect with me. Three stars.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
Because you HAVE to hear average and obscure post-hardcore bands before you die.
On the surface this ticks a lot of boxes for me, but instead of a review I'm gonna do you a favour and stop writing before your get bored. I wish Girls Against Boys had done that. Nothing memorable here. Two stars. Move along.
Sister Sledge
3/5
Maybe you had to be there. Certainly the best disco album I've listened to in ages. Wasn't terrible but a bit too poppy at times for my liking.
I'll give it a three.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
It's good. I'm in a hurry. 4 stars.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Effort: good
Creativity: satisfactory
Musicianship: good
Neil shows promise. Sitting next to Crazy Horse has resulted in positive outcomes for both of them. I see no reason for Neil not to pass the second grade and wish him all the best.
But seriously, no really bad tracks on here, and quite a few I'm down for. I think I like Neil Young.
At least a three. Maybe a four?
Oooh. Strong finish with Cowgirl in the Sand. That's a four. Four jangly stars.
OutKast
4/5
I've heard a lot of Outkast but not this whole album(s). Speakerboxxx was ok but Love Below knocks out our of the park. 4 stars.
Stan Getz
3/5
Chill vibes if you like that sort of thing. It's ok. I could sip cocktails by the pool or talk with friends with this in the background, but it's not foreground material for me.
Three jazzy stars.
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
Hmmmmmm, another one I'm not sure I must listen to. I could've died without these guys.
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
WTF is this? I mean it's ok. If you like this sort of thing, which sometimes I do. But it's full of covers, like listening to your dad and his mates jamming in the garage.
3 stars for effort.
Deep Purple
3/5
It's really hard to look back objectively because so much of our current experience has been built cumulatively over decades. Think of what you laugh at and remember that there was once vaudeville and knock knock jokes, and before that people farting and hitting each other.
Deep Purple get a lot of mileage from playing scales really fast and singing basic lyrics, but once upon a time this was new, and men didn't scream lyrics, and guitars weren't distorted.
Was it important? Yeah.
Would I listen to it now? Not really. I'm waiting for it to end as I write this.
Three stars.
Haircut 100
3/5
I would definitely listen to this when no one else is around. A ya yayaya YA ya ya.
Three stars.
U2
3/5
Before they ate their own tail, they had something to say. (And even when they became 'Rock Stars' they were saying something I suppose).
Couple of great tracks here, and some potential/filler. A heap of songs that probs don't get dusted off on stage very often that are still ok. Three bloody stars
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
Sensational. Solid, driving rhythms. Interesting, sometimes hypnotic leads. Makes me wish I still got high. They've got better albums after this one I think but this is QOTSA announcing themselves.
Four stars.
The Byrds
1/5
"The material on the album mostly consists of cover versions of folk songs, primarily composed by Bob Dylan"
*Edit to remove swearing* really? No stars if I could. Plus one star for making Bob Dylan songs sound better.
Why did I have to listen to that. Take all your tambourines and *edit to remove vulgar language*.
D'Angelo
2/5
Oh, what is this? Someone is pouring chocolate chocolate milk in my ear!
Oh no, that's too much!! Now it's running down my neck, getting all over my shirt! Oh man, it's getting warm. You just know that's gonna smell in a little while. Wtf did you do that for? This is not good. I usually like chocolate milk, but not like this. It's too much.
PS this version of Cruisin' is making my ears vomit up all the curdled milk
I'm sure someone likes this. Two stars.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
I didn't know a lot about jazz, but I know what I like...And it's not this. Obviously talented, but my ears got very tired of this very quickly. Like someone painted a picture with only one colour.
Three monochrome stars.
B.B. King
4/5
Good blues. I can get behind this.
Four stars.
Dizzee Rascal
2/5
Oh my. I fricken HATED this when it came out. Maybe I've mellowed, or never gave it space, but now I just don't really like it. Two stars, up from one.
Radiohead
4/5
Radiohead make no bones about the fact that they don't make albums to please people. I'm fact they sometimes push the other way, with enough talent and art to make music that is not immediately accessible but that is appreciated with repeat listening.
Imagine for a moment a bell shaped curve. It has been proposed that this ubiquitous statistical graphic describes a number of situations including our appreciation of music. If the x axis is time, and the y axis is appreciation of the music in question then the flatness of the bell tells us something. The quicker we appreciate something (because it is somewhat familiar, hooky, simple) the quicker we will forget it. Like a pop song or a jingle. The longer it takes to appreciate a song or album or any other composition, the longer we appreciate it. Think classical music, or 'deep cuts' on albums... Or Radiohead.
That's not to say you'll like this album eventually. Radiohead is not for everyone, clearly. And some people like refined sugar, Domino's Pizza and Pop songs, preferring hit after hit. Whatever floats your boat. Just Radiohead and many other bands are not made to be listened to once and judged.
I've listened to this album a couple of times and it's growing on me. Think I'll even play it again. Four stars
David Gray
1/5
You may have heard David Gray before but forgotten. It's definitely not for me. Who likes this? I bet you relax a lot and smile at strangers. He sounds like Ben Harper took some sedatives. I'm gonna go listen to something good.
One dull star. Like an imploded dwarf that has consumed all of it's fuel and no longer emits light in the visible wavelength. It's up there in the night sky, but you will never know. That's the star I give David Gray.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Faaaaaaaaarrk. That was a lot.
Exciting 'new' sounds and instruments for people who grew up listening to classical music on the wireless or gathered round their parents old LP record player while Mum and Dad had a few glasses of Sherry on a Saturday night. Needless to say we've moved on. I've listened to this, now I didn't have to do it again. Still, it was better than David Gray. The Old Castle really got going.
Two overindulgent, misguided stars.
Syd Barrett
1/5
Ooooh na.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
First impression... is that there won't be a second impression. It's not bad. After all the Boss is a pro, but it's like the entire album is b-sides. And it's LONG. I suppose when you take 7 years to write an album, you might have a lot of material. I think I find that aging stars have less to say that is relevant or real, but are better at composition or instruments. I think I prefer music the other way around. He's like a better Richard Marx.
Meh. Three stars.
Jack White
3/5
Meh. You know how fruit is good, then someone distills the flavour or and just mixes it with sugar and makes soft drink, and the essence is there but it's missing all of the awesome stuff that makes it good and healthy. It's kinda like that. It's ok. But I'm not drinking it anymore now I'm a grown up.
Carole King
3/5
I remember this in my mum's tape collection when I was a kid. Wouldn't have listened to it then, but if definitely give it a go these days as an older bugger. Sometimes.
Easy three stars.
1/5
It's certainly an album. It's got songs and stuff.
They don't make em like that anymore.
One will do.
The Style Council
3/5
If you like it, you like it I suppose. I like Paul Weller and the Style Council. Fella like they were just finding their way here though. I didn't hate any of it, and quite liked a lot of it. Three jazzy stars.
Skepta
3/5
Not a grime fan. This is the second grime album I've ever listened to, and both because of this list. This is better than Dizzee Rascal at least. I'd give it a two but I'm gonna bump that up to three because of Americans. Do better Americans. The WHOLE world has to put up with your accents.
Three Bri'ish stars.
Miles Davis
3/5
Pretty cool.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Better than i remember. Front loaded with his. That's a four.
The Cure
3/5
Pretty good. Definitely the Cure being the Cure. Not poppy or full of hits which is not a bad thing IMHO. If you like later Cure you might like this. If you don't, you surely won't.
Three stars.
Small Faces
2/5
Ok. Not great. Happy if I didn't hear this clown show again. Not worth the effort of a decent opinion.
Two stars.
John Martyn
3/5
Never heard of John Martyn? You're not alone. I don't think he left a lasting impression. Certainly nothing ground breaking here. Interesting. Not bad, even quite good at times. Genre diverse, but that's ok. I definitely zoned out at times. I'd listen again, but not often.
Three airy but not solid stars.
David Bowie
4/5
Good. Classic Bowie. Four stars, man.
Cat Stevens
4/5
I don't know half of these songs half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of them half as well as they deserve.
But really these songs are nice and chill. The updated version with the little number 2 after the title is a nice refreshing update too, if you accidentally listen to that first.
Dion
2/5
I remember when DION was just Dion. Anyway, when I was searching for this album on YouTube music, Celine Dion came up in the search results. Perhaps I would have enjoyed that more.
Imagine if John Denver and James Taylor had sex on heroin and wrote some songs, and Clarence Carter wrote the B side to the third single, then Billy Joel used that as inspiration for a concept album.
MeDIONcre, is that a word? It is now. This album was full of meDIONcre songs. I'd rather listen to this than Kid Rock or Morrissey, so that's good, right? Two stars.
Fugees
3/5
That was ok. Just a three though. Would not complain if someone put this on, but I would be thinking of someone else.
Peter Tosh
4/5
Oh man, I forgot how much I like Peter Tosh, and I don't even get high any more. I'm going to knock off work early and have a beer and listen to reggae all afternoon. Irie.
Four stars.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Weird but oddly intriguing. Imagine the Killers was a band in early 90s Europe. If you like that sort of thing, dive right in. Maybe you like Belle and Sebastian too? We probably would speak to each other at parties, but wouldn't ever be close friends. I just see you a lot because you went to university with Cathy and you probably bonded over shared experiences on your impressionable years. Sometimes I think about you but I'm not sure why. I don't think I particularly like you, but then why do I think about you at all.
Three stars?
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
Oh ffs. Haven't I listened to this album already? Look. Nice harmonies. Will not listen again. Not terrible. Three.
King Crimson
2/5
Fuck. That was a lot.
I think I would like it better if it was made now with a more modern vibe. And less...jazz.
Oh, I'm skipping that second track. I'm case you think it's about to drop, it doesn't. Flutey folk wank all the way through. Is this prog? I'm not the boss of that, but if it is, then it sure got better in later years.
Two stars.
Sonic Youth
5/5
I'm gonna be totally biased here. Had a little fanboy crush on Sonic Youth in my young days. They were cool as fuck. This album rocked and was in high rotation. Showcased lot of their depth I think. Poppy, cool stuff. Loud noisy stuff. Kool AF. Great hooks and riffs.
"Are you gonna liberate us girls from male, white, corporate oppression"
Oh this squealing sounding guitars. One minute sounding like sirens, then engines, urgent and frantic, then blissfully picking out mellow notes for some sweet relief. Highlights are Kool Thing, Dirty Boots, Tunic (song for Karen).
But I'm gushing. I have the album cover on a T-shirt. Five fucking cool stars as of you didn't guess.
The Byrds
2/5
Ugh. Big year for this list. Explosion of mediocrity. Ok. Open mind... I
listened all the way through despite protest from the household and comments such as "This must be your album of the day. I can tell because it's terrible".
It's hard to argue. Read this list, there was a lot of music around in 1967. Keep looking. This is not one I'll ever come back to.
Two stars.
Dr. Dre
3/5
Read other people's reviews for all the comments your need about great beats and production(four stars) but dated violent and misogynistic lyrics (back down to two).
Plus one star for not being an album by 3-5 white guys in 1967.
Three stars.
The Hives
2/5
On paper, these guys are right up my alley, but despite their shredding guitars and shouty vocals they are somehow quite boring. Not terrible, but I really can't stand them. If they were on the bill at a festival, I would have gone for a piss and offered to grab you a beer on the way back, and maybe stopped for a few songs at the local stage.
Two stars.
Mudhoney
5/5
Yesssss.... One of my favorite albums ever (full disclosure, this is gonna be super biased)! I have this on CD and vinyl. Got the shirt, and I just sat Mark Arm song in a another band last week (in Brisbane Australia with the Saints of your interested). Best of all the grungy Seattle whatever 90s bands, still going and never seen them put on a bad show. This album though....wooOOOAH!
Definitely in my top 10. The f-you energy of punk, the wailing distortion of rock, with that FUZZ. Favourite songs? All of them. Put on your converse and ripped jeans, let your hair down, and warn everyone to get out of the way. We're going on a Mudride.
Genuine sadness for all the people who don't like or don't get it. Does that leave more for me? I wish.
Twelve stars.
John Cale
2/5
Really quite boring. Two.
Talking Heads
3/5
Some of their better work, if you happen to like that sort of thing. Psycho Killer is a casual listener favorite. The rest I can do without but didn't hate.
Three stars.
5/5
So good. Interesting. Ground breaking. Hits. Deep cuts. Great songwriting. Peak Bowie, or one of his peaks anyway. Seems he knew when he peaked and moved on.
Five stars.
Elton John
3/5
I thought I'd put the wrong album on at first. Interesting start. Didn't hate it. I'm not on team Elton tbh, but I'm fine he exists. The world needs a little glam sometimes, this is pretty low down the list for me though. I wouldn't complain if it was on, but I'd be thinking of what to put on next. Saturday is pretty good. That Jamaica song though.
Three stars.
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
"Oh man", I thought. "Another late 60s bunch of dudes. Imagine my surprise." It wasn't that bad though. No pan pipes? Thank god. Electric jug? Now I'm curious Of course you should hear this before you die. I thought this would be a two, but it's a three. Could be the Stones or the Animals on an off day. Not bad.
Three stars.
Cowboy Junkies
4/5
Love me some Cowboy Junkies. Chill AF. That version of Sweet Jane is an exceptional cover. That's an easy four. I'm to chill to say much more.
The Cars
4/5
Just what I needed.
Four stars.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
I like it. Very Curtis. His music often reflecting the society he found himself in. Solid
Four stars.
Weather Report
2/5
Not today, Weather Report. Not today. Next minute I'll be listening to Kenny G. I won't have and I shan't have it!
Competent musicianship. Dull composition.
Two stars.
The Temptations
4/5
This is some good music. The Temptations were cooler than you. I give it a four.
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
Can't say I particularly liked this. I get it. Some kind of 60s mod homage. I mean, look at the cover.
Maybe if I was English and lived Arctic Monkeys enough to crave extra content this would have earned another star. I was continually jarred by the combination of 50s/60s musical tropes and modern lyricism and running. A little bit of both, but not enough of neither. Talented but overly derivative. That's a three.
Duke Ellington
3/5
If I must. I think that if I liked this kind of thing I would have been up in it by now.
Wharp-whoooaaaaaaarp! Tssss tssss. Doodly doodly DOOOOOOO!
Might put this on at Christmas to keep my father-in-law entertained after lunch.
Generous three stars.
Stan Getz
4/5
Oh, two jazz albums in a row.
Getz/Gilberto > Duke Ellington.
The bossa nova vibes win the day here. It's summer. I'm about to knock off work at lunch time and head off to a nearby island for the weekend. Nowhere near Ipanema but still a fine way to spend some time.
I'm liking this. Quatro estrelas.
Lorde
3/5
I'm sure it's very good, but what if my friends walked in and I was listening to this. Three stars.
Beach House
2/5
Oooh, not for me. Bit bland. I get some people might spend their lives seeking out relaxation and 'chill vibes'. That's ok occasionally, but if that's your life, I think you might have missed the bus. Good luck to you, enjoy hangs at the bus stop.
Two stars.
R.E.M.
3/5
Very REM. I don't know what they sounded like before, but obvs sorry recognisable here with their early hits. I like it. I'd listen again. Don't think I'd pay for it though. Three stars.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Drony observations on bored, lonely yuppies over synth-pop? Yawn. I don't care enough to like this.
Two stars.
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
This album goes for three and a half days (well... hours maybe). Quick, run to the shops and get some snacks and adult diapers. Maybe some coffee to stay awake.
Competent musicianship, and vocals smooth as eggs, but I'm constantly reminded of old Christmas songs for some reason.
I'm not gonna last, so let's give it a three right now. It's not Ella's fault someone put 5LP BOX SET! on a list of albums to listen to before you die. At the length of this one, it might be the last one you hear. Let's call the whole thing off.
Nina Simone
3/5
A collection of songs by an incomparable legend. Four Women deserves a couple of listens. Lilac Wine... If you're like me then Jeff Buckley may have been your gateway to Nina Simone. Great track. With a few other good songs, but some not so memorable, perhaps a little dated. Solid three stars for me.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
I like this one. Lively tunes, Karen's voice, all good. If I still bought cds, I would get this one. It's easily a three, quite likely a four. Yeah, a four. I'd listen to this again more than once.
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
Not for me, Young'ns. Not for me. Alright but not great. Three stars.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
2/5
It's ok. Even quite good. Really good at times. Can't comment on the good ole boy racist elements cos I'm not from the US and largely unaware, except to say that's it's REALLY NOT FRICKEN NECESSARY, and I'm not with it.
Musically outstanding for a debut. Four stars, down to two for being needlessly intolerant and and endorsing hatred.
Simple Man is great. Tuesday's Gone is ok. Freebird is quality. Racism sucks.
Two stars.
The Strokes
3/5
I never think to myself, "Let's listen to the Strokes". About sums it up, really. Three stars.
Nirvana
5/5
I can't judge this objectively. Essential listening from my impressionable youth. Great versions of hits coupled with excellent covers, serving as a gateway to other artists. Frequently maudlin but also surprisingly upbeat. Instantly recognisable, iconic, timeless (I said I can't be objective)
Five stars.
Slipknot
2/5
I didn't hate this but would not seek it out. To my untrained ear it is all a bit samey. I listen to metal, and punk but this... It's like shouty white noise. Didn't think I'm gonna last. All hope is gone.
Probably won't ever listen to this again. It's all a bit contrived.
Two stars.
Al Green
3/5
Venom
3/5
Tasting notes:
I'm getting some early Metallica, definitely some Motorhead. Hints of Dimebag. Definite metallic aftertaste.
Venoms influence is obviously far reaching.
Three stars.
Baaba Maal
2/5
Regardless of the language, the vibe of the music is frequently not engaging. Some of the guitar starts to interest me (listen to Hamady Boiro) but not usually enough for me to pay attention. It feels unfamiliar and at the same time dated.
Two stars.
Pixies
4/5
Probably their third best album. That said, it's still really good. It's a solid four. Pixies were all class. Innovative, imaginative, cool.
Four stars.
Gene Clark
2/5
CBF. This was not very good. "One of the greatest albums ever made.."?. Into a drink coaster or ashtray perhaps.
Two.
Common
3/5
This misses me by a little. Perhaps the lack of shared experience and the general low key vibe combine to make it difficult to engage. Not bad per se, just that in sitting on a train at the station, and I look out the window and see another train on the other track. The people on that train are doing something interesting, and they all look like they're into it, but I can't tell what it is. Then the trains both leave in different directions, and pretty soon I forget about it all together.
Three stars.
The Temptations
3/5
It's ok. Feet in two camps, but luckily I like both. I could do with a single direction instead of all of them though. It's not all killer, but Papa was a Rolling Stone is a classic.
Three stars.
a-ha
3/5
Putting aside previous biases this was better than I expected. Maybe I'm getting soft.
Three stars.
Throbbing Gristle
5/5
Hahahahaha. I can almost see the reviews without reading them. Divisive might be an understatement. Personally, I can get behind this. So much more interesting than another late 60s white guy band. Sometimes you have to cross the line to know where the line is. Sometimes you have to find the boundary and give it a shove or we'd keep listening to the Beatles, Coldplay and Oasis. I would weep for the future.
Favourite tracks Weeping, AB/7A, Hamburger Lady.
I've never listened to this before and only heard of them as a kind of amusing and mildly offensive band name. I'm glad they exist. Listen again. Did for gold. It's there. This is the most interesting album I have listened to from this list or anywhere for a long time.
I get that you might not get it, I do. Five stars.
P.S. If your streaming platform of choice autoplays similar music after your selection, you could be in for a treat 😂.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Quite ok. Nothing great. Not offensive that's for sure. Three.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Was kinda nice. Decent covers. Dusty's voice is great.
Solid three.
Pink Floyd
3/5
I mean, it's The Wall isn't it? Pink Fricking Floyd. It's good. At times not terribly exciting but quite coherent piece of prog rock. Alas I'm not a stoned teenager any more, but this is still enjoyable.
They don't make them like this anymore, and that's probs ok with me. Farewell. Three stars.
Brian Wilson
2/5
Oh really? Ugh. *Deep breath*. Not a beach boys fan. Brian Wilson is not the Messiah.
Someone put organ music and a theremin over barbershop. None of these things are appealing to me and by combining them you've just made it worse. No Bueno.
But this album reminds me of my mum. I'll give him a two for that.
The Smiths
1/5
F&$# off.
Remember that movie what that guy wakes up and the Beatles never existed? Imagine if that was Morrissey instead. A man can dream, can't he?
Favourite track: Death at One's Elbow is the shortest.
I suppose it gave sad kids someone to relate to.
One star.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Perfectly alright. Not really my cup of English post punk tea.
I give it a three.
Beatles
3/5
Look, pretty good, but all of the gushing is over done. It's not the greatest album ever made. Maybe one of the greatest when it came out, but it's full of holes. Maybe I'm just not a Beatles fan, but if I never heard this again I wouldn't think twice.
Three stars.
The Replacements
3/5
I don't know. Pretty standard rock. Nothing exceptional. Three.
Frank Zappa
4/5
Interesting. No, better than that. Pretty fricken good. Like a soundtrack to a seventies movie, with cops and pimps, big cars and fast women. Zappa gets a four!
Herbie Hancock
4/5
Cooler than you. Four stars.
The Doors
3/5
Geez, I don't know. Pretty good, but bangs on a bit. Make sure your don't listen to the 50th anniversary deluxe edition with the 20+ minute session versions of tracks. Thought I was having flashbacks. Whew.
Three stars.
Morrissey
1/5
No, your are.
One star.
Your want more?
Childish, simplistic lyrics over music that is more suited to the end of a bad, b grade tv episode. Like knock off Kaiser Chiefs had a baby with a U2 cover band.
"You know where you can shove your hamburger." WTF.
If I paid money to see the Moz and he didn't show up, I would count myself lucky and question my life choices that brought me to that point in the first place. The world is full of crashing bores, indeed. I am not as opinionated as I once was, except for Morrissey. Fuck off.
One star.
Electric Light Orchestra
2/5
Like rock'n'roll era Elton John had a baby with the Beatles and Queen.
Omg Mr Blue Sky has 437M listens on YouTube music alone. Is this track played in nursing homes and shopping malls?
And this album is so over-indulgently long. I can't even. Hold yourself back.
Two stars.
Kacey Musgraves
1/5
I hope I never like this.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
I've never listened to the whole album before. Pay attention to the lyrics if you're the same. Carrying on a fine tradition of astute social observation combined with cracking indie rock this is a great album. I predict big things for these guys.
Four stars.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Pretty good. Sounds so familiar, hard to think there was a time before Muddy Waters. Solid, simple blues, but I wouldn't repeat listen very often.
Three stars.
Stereolab
3/5
I quite liked this. Indie vibes, quite chill, not as electronic as you might think from other reviews with strings, drums and guitars in the mix. This will not change your life, but could be some ok background lazing by the pool.
I give it a three.
James Brown
3/5
I just love James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub.
Seriously though, can you imagine how lit James Brown at the Apollo would have been?
It DOES sound like a line recording from the 1960s though. And the crowd noise sometimes sounds like it was added in post. But get that these tracks are live, no dubs, no retakes, this band is right.
The hardest working man in showbiz gets three stars.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Not much of a Dylan fan, but this is ok. Good even. A little monotonous at times. Buuuut I will probably never listen to this again.
Three stars.
Tom Waits
4/5
Damn. I really like Tom's kooky take on things, his old timey vibe. It takes me away. Half beat poet, half ringleader, 100% in some shady world that you will never see, and let's face it, might not even exist.
Four shots of whisky from a left handed midget in a blind alley at 3am.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Not awesome, but much better than everyone thinks.
Story telling paired with rock/ post punk musical styles.
Better than Bob Dylan or Morrissey.
Perfectly good. Three stars.
Beastie Boys
5/5
Beastie Boys represent another side of urban youth, like the second generation of immigrants to any country who look like they're from somewhere else, but when they speak with your own accent you realize their from here now. Beastie Boys let people know white people CAN make rap music. Wearing their punk roots on their sleeves, and almost amateur diy vibe, it might be hard for people used to their later efforts to realize they were making this shit up on the fly.
And they were both dorky and cool as fuck at the same time.
Five stars.
Radiohead
4/5
Very good artistic/prog/rock/whatever. If you like their old stuff better, that's their intention. I appreciate that. Radiohead don't keep churning out the same old stuff.
Anyway, listen to it. It's not for rocking out. More for background, or chill, or blowing a fat Doobie.
Four stars.
Elvis Costello
3/5
I like it. Maybe becoming a fan? Certainly wouldn't skip it.
Solid three stars.
4/5
When I was a lot younger this was one of my favourites. Back when U2 were a great rock band, and relevant. Unique sound, talented musicians. Still a couple more good albums in them, but not the biggest rock band in the world yet - no meeting the Pope. I'd still give this a spin today.
"It's aaaaaaaaall I can do!"
Four jangly stars.
Suede
2/5
I tried. Wasn't for me. Very easy to not pay attention to this. Bland to annoying. Would not listen again. If I owned this I would give it away.
Two stars.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Imagine settling down by a campfire on the prairie, millions of stars in the clear night sky, smells of grass and dirt, cool night air... And a big fat Willie Nelson joint to pass around. You're so baked you don't even object when someone pulls out the guitar and starts playing simple tunes overlaid with stories of preachers, pretty women , betrayal and horse thieves...
But here I sit on a Thursday afternoon in my office and I'm not quite vibing, though I wish I was. Maybe I need to head out on the weekend.
Three tin stars.
Crowded House
4/5
Any Aussies in the house? This album is chock a block with great songwriting and singable tunes from a band hitting their peak. Not sure how this will go down with people not from the right place or era. Let's read some reviews and find out. Ok.It divides people, but what doesn't. No surprises. Crowded House is great music for mildly interesting white people. If you're not that, you probably don't feel it.
I like to think I'm mildly interesting. Four stars
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
Ok, some good songs, some ok songs. I probably won't listen again but I didn't hate.
And man, people hating on UK rap. What are you even here for? Just stick to Spotify.
Sorry rant over. Three stars.
Deerhunter
3/5
Definitely rewards patient listening. Some songs that seem drab and uninteresting often build layer by layer until you're in a well developed soundscape by the time you realise the song had moved on from it's beginnings. Still other songs follow your dad's verse/chorus/verse music and that's fine too. It gives you a rest. All low key indie vibes. I'd listen again if I wasn't in the mood for excitement.
Three stars.
Red Snapper
3/5
Never heard this before, which is surprising. I used to have a dodgy burnt copy of Reeled And Skinned ep collection which I liked. Ok trip hop stylings. Very 2000s. Haven't listened to these guys since back in the day. There's better music from this era.
Three stars.
Sam Cooke
4/5
I forgot how good Sam Cooke is. There's nothing bad on this album. I can't even imagine what it would have been like to be there that night but I like to try. Easy four stars.
Wilco
3/5
Pretty ok. That's Wilco. Not exciting but not bad. Like a soundtrack to a montage where the main character in a movie has their life on track. Things are gonna be ok.
Three stars.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
I don't mind some out there shit. I can get on board with some pretty funky stuff.
I don't fucking like this very much though. What a chore. Like a high school band. Simple and trying to be clever. Don't come back.
Two stars.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
Fucking Eric fucking Clapton. If I want to listen to blues, I would listen to blues.
Two stars.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Sly - part genius, part drug freak. Tapped into something here. I can still feel it.
Four stars.
Deep Purple
1/5
Boomer fuel. I just can't.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I liked it. Slow going at times, and next if you have time to hear the lyrics. I'd listen again.
Three stars.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Hmmmph. It's ok. I suppose if you grew up around it you might be a fan boy. A bit folky and droney for mine. Still, better than Eric Clapton.
2.5 stars.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
"Honest! It's not what you think! I was only listening because of this app I've got. Really!"
Not bad but probably they first and last time I'll listen to this one. Didn't hate it.
Three stars.
Alice Cooper
3/5
Lol. Not what I expected. A far cry from the Alice Cooper I remember. "You're poisooooonnnnn!" Plenty of weird. Should be more songs about dental great. Kinda ok though. I'd listen again. That's a three.
Big Black
4/5
Oh, what's this? I'm interested! Where had this been hiding??? For a 90s fan of ministry and post punky, gothy and industrial music this would have been right up my alley. Oh well, no time to lose. Will spin this again.
Four stars.
The Offspring
2/5
Nope.
I think I liked this when I was maybe 17 or 18. I've seen them live a few times since then, but the last time I saw them, at a festival, it was one of the worst sets I have seen in my life. Like they phoned it in. Just running off muscle memory. I decided that day to never listen to them again, I was so disappointed. I went home and deleted all of their music.
Two stars, because they're not Morrissey bad. Just old and lame.
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Hmmmm. Not offensive.
Imagine if Cage the Elephant and Sublime had a baby, but their kid wasn't as talented and watched too many yoga mama influencer channels. Maybe that's this. Still, derivative, but ok if it's on while you're doing your weekly grocery shop.
That's a two.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
2/5
Faaaaaark, that's a lot. I don't think I can do it. Made it about 30-40% of the way in. I think I get the gist. Lots of banjos and irrelevant musical history from some foreign country
Maybe a two because it's not as bad as Morrissey.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
They were definitely a thing at a time. I haven't listened to them since whenever 20 years ago.Let's see how they stand the test of time.
...
They're ok. Even quite good at times. I don't think I'm a fan. Three stars.
Steely Dan
4/5
I down with the Dan. Why don't people sell hot nuts and pretzels where I live.
Still, I'm a man of a certain age and I've been swept up in yacht rock since those early YouTube days. And whether or not this album is on the boat, I'm all aboard for the smooth vibes.
Four easy stars.
2/5
They were wrong so so we drowned? Dudes, it's your album cover! Moving on.
I like some pretty kooky shit, but this is borderline annoying. Maybe in a good way?
.... Na not really. I'm not one to like weird stuff just because it's weird. I can't believe these guys have 10 albums released. I would never listen to this again on purpose. Still, better than Morrissey.
Two stars.
Alice In Chains
5/5
One of the most influential albums on a young me. The first CD I ever bought, played over and over. If you get it, you get it. The sound of the transition away from and reaction against hair metal and classic rock of our parents.
Yeeeeaaah yeah yeah! I could listen to this anytime.
Five stars.
Turbonegro
2/5
A bit like the Hives, maybe less polished but more interesting. So... Still a little dull and derivative. I've got no time for this.
Two stars.
Metallica
5/5
A band at the peak of their powers. Put this on, turn it up, shout and stomp around to the opening track..."BATTERY!"... And fall in a heap nearly an hour later, exhausted but with a smile on your face after thrashing through some epic masterpieces. Speed fueled riffs interspersed with well crafted orchestral respite, building again to crashing crescendos, peaking over and over.
The overly entitled and whiny pricks they would turn into are still in the future. Right now life is good.
Five fucking stars.
Kanye West
2/5
OMG fucking Kanye. He certainly has a confident sense of himself and what he's trying to achieve. Plenty of people see hits artistic intent and emerging genius. Not me. I like my hip hop less chipmonky.
Still better than Morrissey.
Two stars.
Cheap Trick
2/5
Oh my God, this was hard going. The sheer tedium. Imagine being a young Japanese person in 1978, craving American culture and getting Cheap Trick and Jerry Lewis. Then imagine being a young American and gobbling up the bland pap that has been peddled overseas in your name.
Then fast forward nearly 50 years later and imagine sitting in a lounge room in Australia, thinking you'd escaped being offered this mild excrement until one day you discover an app that shares a daily music discovery from years gone by in the name of broadening your mind and musical horizons, and it serves you this. When will it end? How do we break the cycle?
Still, better than Morrissey.
Two stars.
Dinosaur Jr.
5/5
You're all wrong. This is an early masterpiece of a band finding their chops. The sound is exciting, those noisy Mascis solos keep me coming back for more. His imperfect voice is captivating. This is messy, moshy, head nodding, poppy, swaying, thrashing, sweaty, angsty music. I fucking love it.
Five stars.
Prince
3/5
This album sounds how it looks. Over the top, super-produced and slick as a lubricated glove. If that's your thing, dive right and emerge sweaty and satisfied out of the other end, have a shower and then go. I'll call you.
Three stars.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Yeah it's good. You've probably heard a lot of these songs quite a few times. Radio, movie soundtracks, tv shows, cover versions at concerts. I just think I'm old enough to have grown a little tired of a lot of this album. It's good, but I'm not excited anymore.
It's not you, Jimi. It's me. We've grown apart. I'll always have some fond memories, but I've gotta move on.
Still, we had some good times. Three stars.
...Little Wing though. And Castles Made of Sand. One last star. You get a four.
MGMT
3/5
Once the internet was invented, MGMT were inevitable. Still, if you look at play numbers for the tracks on these albums, the three popular tracks have 10+ times more plays than the rest. Shallow? Fated to pretend? You be the judge.
Not that that's necessarily a bad thing. Youth is for the cocky and confident. Mgmt are ok, and were fun for a while, but if you think the youth is starting to change, maybe it's just you getting older.
What does all this mean? I don't know, but what I do know is that the second half of this album was ass compared to the first, and I probably won't listen to it again on purpose. 2.5 stars rounded up.
Beatles
3/5
Just a band.
In all honesty this isn't a great album, but it's ok. It's just a bunch of songs. Compared to what would come later, it's like a sketch. Really, if you give this a five, what are you giving Sgt Pepper or the White Album? And covers. Really?
I know it's hard to judge what the impact and feeling was like back then, but this is now. Three at best. Do better, Beatles.
Three stars.
Louis Prima
3/5
Certainly fun and lively, if anchored in another era. I wouldn't seek it out but I didn't do any tracks. Maybe a three.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Nice. That's how I'd describe this. White Light/ White Heat is a more exciting album and more up my alley, but this is pretty sweet. Pale Blue Eyes is one of my faves on here. If WL/WH is the party, this album is the recovery.
Three stars.
Ryan Adams
2/5
Shades of derivative American 90s MOR bland meaningless FM rock radio pap. Shades? I mean pure. Like an album of 90s young adult tv show soundtracks produced my Van Morrison.
*K-Tel presenter voice* "If you love Friends, Dawson's Creek, Party of Five and Brown-Eyed Girl, you're gonna love Gold from Ryan Adams."
It didn't even have Summer of '69.
It's bad, but not Morrissey bad.
Two stars.
Robbie Williams
1/5
Oh fuck off. This is Morrissey-level shite.
One star.
The Boo Radleys
2/5
Jangly British landfill indie, if I had to classify it. Not quite terrible, but very unremarkable. Really, I have quite broad taste in music, and have heard a lot more that I don't like too. I'm over 50 years old, and in the last 30 years no one I know hads mentioned or recommended the Boo Radleys. There's a reason. This is tedious. I'm going to listen to Pavement.
Still better than Morrissey, but save your ears.
Two stars.
The Who
2/5
Hmmmm... Lot of people looking at this through their nostalgic glasses, and that's ok, but I never got into the Who. I'm fifty one years old, so I've had plenty of chances. Baba O'Riley was good, instantly recognisable. Bargain was middling rock. By the time we get to the second hand country rock of Love Ain't for Keeping, I'm bored.
Luckily things pick up again for My Wife, but those lyrics...
Anyway, not much of not here. I can't look at this through Vaseline covered lenses of nostalgia. I would never listen to this again on purpose. Still not as bad as Morrissey.
Two stars.
Dead Kennedys
5/5
No time to get bored here! Classics like California Uber Alles and Holiday in Cambodia are standouts, but if these are 10s, everything else is at least a seven. Why don't I listen to this more often??? Still uncomfortably relevant in 2025.
Five stars.
UB40
3/5
Oh man, I want expecting this. There's no Rat in my Kitchen or Red Red Wine. It's like they had something to say, then got popular later and make commercial crap. I didn't realise I could like UB40. Bit more dubby, since saxophone.
UB40 sieve 214 weeks on the singles charts in the UK in the 1980s. That's like 40% of a decade! Equalled only by Madness, a Ska band. Anyone whining about fake reggae doesn't realise the far reach of African, Jamaican and West Indian culture in the UK.
Anyway, of listen to this again. That's a three.
Living Colour
3/5
Interesting, fun, but clearly of it's time. Never really sold on Living Color though. I didn't hate it, and it's clearly streets ahead of Morrissey. Three stars.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Black Sabbath
5/5
Really impressive, perhaps not surprising. I like some metal, but never took a deep dive into the past. I should have. I can only imagine the fear the establishment and parents had when this came out. Thanks BS, for ushering in a new era of music for us all.
Five dark pentagrams.
Rush
2/5
Ok, let's see what all the fuss is about.
Wow, bit fricking extra. I've had enough of this I think. Better than Morrissey, but that's a low bar.
Two.
Arcade Fire
5/5
I've been a fan of these guys since early days, so it's an easy 5 for me. I get that it's not for everyone. I think it does best on repeated listens to grasp the album-ness, rather than just as a bunch of songs, and to get some of it's hooks in.
Try again.
Five stars.
Queen
3/5
I mean, it's Queen. We know it's pretty good, but still? I could listen to a few of these songs, occasionally, but that's it.
Solid three stars.
Ray Price
4/5
Surely this can go to make way for something better... is what I was thinking before I listened to Ray Price.
That voice, like someone's pouring chocolate milk in my ears. That guitar, like watching shooting stars on a warm prairie night. Have I gone too far? I probably have, but I liked this just fine. I'm giving it a four.
Patti Smith
3/5
I liked it. Not as punk as people make out, I get more post punk vibes. It's a three.
Orbital
2/5
Starts off quite dull. Would last about 7 minutes if extraneous repetition was removed, but I sense this is the main feature of this music.
If you can read this you may not be on enough drugs to enjoy it.
If you can read this you may not be on enough drugs to enjoy it.
If you can read this you may not be on enough drugs to enjoy it.
Two stars. Better than Morrissey.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
I get it, he's angry, and he wants you to know why, cos you'll surely be angry too. Well I am, but the lyrics are very preachy and I am overwhelmed and eventually numb with the constant flow of statements and 'clever ' lyrics.
A good idea, lacking in the execution. Plus I just don't think I like Michael Franti, either in his angry young man or wise and loving man aspects.
Morrissey is a wanker.
Three stars. He means well.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
It's good. Not great, but good. Not too jazzy, more croony. More modern twists on the genre. Easy three.
Nirvana
5/5
In their prime. Polished and messy at the same time. Hooky and trashy. I love it. I could listen to this any time. Five stars.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
I like noise, but this sounded a little opaque and repetitive. I was not engaged at all. I thinks it's the high synthy keyboard whine thrown in all over the place. It's fucking horrid. I wanted to liked this but I couldn't. It's not bad, like Morrissey, just not good.
I listened to some tracks again. It's terrible at times. Two.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
My favourite Led Zep album. So many riffs. So many classics.
Starts hard and finishes strong. Well sequenced track list. This album is a journey through genre and feeling. It's really fantastic.
Black Dog! Rock and Roll!! They rock hard.
All hepped up on rock and need a rest after the first two tracks? Battle of Evermore will give you a break. Feeling calm now? Fricking Stairway will trick you and bring you from placid vibe back up to rock Nirvana again, ready for a cruisy Misty Mountain Hop.
If there's any filler it's maybe Four Sticks, but not really, it just moves your along and before you know it you're going to California. String and satisfying Bluesy finish with When the Levee Breaks, and I could almost go round again. It's just a well rounded, thoughtfully structured powerhouse made by a band at their peak.
Morrissey couldn't dream of making anything this good. Five stars.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Remember when you'd stay over at your girlfriend's house, because it was one of those share houses where there was always someone hanging around, and there were parties on the weekend, and the weekend used to go for 4 days, and while you were day drinking in the afternoon because you were waiting for the party to start, you'd wander over to the CD player (there were so many cool CDs) and you'd choose something to listen to while you were just sitting around chatting and staying to build a vibe. No one would complain if you put this album on. (Notice no one ever put Morrissey on?)
I can put this on today and still no one complains. And, like many great albums, especially pre-streaming, a well sequenced album full of angst and relief, loud and quiet, light and shade. Bangers like Cherub Rock share the highlights reel with Disarm and Mayonnaise. I really forgot how much I liked this album, before Billy got too angst-ridden.
Four stars.
Meat Puppets
5/5
I'm giving it a three because they obviously don't give a fuck about being polished and commercial. It's kinda country, kinda messy, and I'm here for it. And one more for the wankers who give it one star. And one for being better than Morrissey. That's five stars. Get you some Meat Puppets!
Paul Weller
3/5
I'm conflicted about Paul Weller. I like some The Jam, dig a bit of Style Council, but his solo work is just a bit too chill, even banal.
Tell me a story, Paul. Remember being down in the tube station at midnight? Or two lovers missing the tranquility of solitude? Or when the walls came tumbling down? This album is the band at the end of the night at the pub, playing to the last 6 people, trying not to be engaging because the barman wants to pack up and go home. He's putting the stools up and closing the till. No lock-in tonight. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.
Still, it's not fucking Morrissey though, is it, so it can't be all that bad.
You got too comfortable Paul. We all do, I suppose. Three stars.
The Beach Boys
2/5
Oh my god, how about some space! There are always 5 things to listen to. There was a fricking honking horn? Why!?! Beach Boys are annoying. There, I said it. They're just a band.
TwooooOOOOooo stars.
AC/DC
4/5
Omg yesterday I listened to Pet Sounds. I wanted to cut my ears of. This is the perfect antidote. Dirty, loud, simple. No theremins or clown horns or fricking harmonies. Get some.
Four stars.
(Fuck Morrissey)
The Rolling Stones
3/5
These guys are English you say? They sure sound American. And they're white? You don't say.
Look. I don't know what to make of this. I mean, everyone of a certain age has heard of this, but do they like it? I guess they do, but I don't know if people would like it as much these days. I like some Rolling Stones as much as the next guy, but this is pure nostalgia fest from a time when competition was slim and people were starved for entertainment. (Could make the same excuse for Morrissey, but then, he's a C*$#.)
Three stars.
Pretenders
3/5
Yeah, they're ok. The deluxe edition of this album is a bit much though!
I even kinda liked some but wouldn't listen again on purpose. Did I mention Morrissey is absolutely terrible? Well he is.
Three stars.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
It was alright, you know? I'll never be a fan boy, but I enjoyed it. Heeeaps better than Morrissey, but that's not really saying much.
Solid Three stars.
The Teardrop Explodes
1/5
Why have I never heard of this before?! I'll tell you why. I really like post punk/new wave, and could just fancy a bi' o' Bri'ish music, but this was quite dull most of the time. Started to get a little more interesting at the end of the album, can't tell if that was the case or I was just looking forward to it ending.
Sounds like it looks.
Two stars knocked down to one for their influence on Morrissey. Fuck him.
One star.
Beatles
3/5
Are all the Beatles albums on this list?
Donald Fagen
3/5
Steely Danny for sure. Quite good of you like that sort if thing, and I don't mind. That's a three.
Faith No More
5/5
What the hell is this?
That's what I said when I was 17 and I heard this the first time. I must have listened to this literally hundreds of times since then.
Oh my god. Versatile vocals. Superlative musicianship. Unique and interesting composition. I know you've heard Epic a THOUSAND times maybe, but it's far from the best song on this album. Falling to Pieces of a banner. Zombie Eaters is under appreciated. War Pigs was already good, and was a gateway drug for a young me to get into Sabbath. And we close out with Edge of the World, foreshadowing Mike's playful, loungey side he would let loose on later albums.
Not their first album, but their first in the settled long time lineup that would yield good for a decade. Forget all the nu-metal rap-rock imitators, this is the real thing.
Five Stars.
Bob Dylan
3/5
I don't think I can.
Alright. I'm tired. Maybe I can.
Descending moaning vocals, interesting lyrics on occasion, some good organ. And he can tell a story, I'll admit.
Not sure I'm a convert, but still, better than Morrissey, eh?
Three-eeeeeeeeEEEEEEEeeeee stars.
The Pharcyde
3/5
I've heard a couple of these tracks before. Didn't think they were awesome, but this album was more fun the longer I listened. I'd happily listen again.
Is it any kind of ground breaking, exemplar of its genre type thing? No. Is it a fun listen to help you escape for an hour and forget Morrissey even exists? Yeah it is.
Three stars.
Three stars
Fatboy Slim
2/5
I'm gonna tell my kids this is what CDs looked like.
Past that this album was kinda useful, keeping me awake on a Friday afternoon, starting an evaluation report, waiting to lunch the clock. (Work to live, not the other way 'round, am I right?).
At least the words didn't get of the way and the hypnotic reporting was surprisingly good for focus work. Won't be doing it again though. Probs just a two.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Nick Cave > Fatboy Slim.
That's what I learnt today, judging two albums back to back. What a fucking relief!
Anyway, I don't mind me a bit of Nick Cave. I haven't listened to this album entirely before, and I like it. I'd gladly give it another go. People who don't like this are wrong.
Four stars.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Seems a shame to listen to Frank Sinatra while in reviewing submissions and writing reports on a Thursday morning. Makes the time go by pleasantly, I must say.
Too many songs about heartbreak? Olivia Rodrigo begs to differ.
Regardless, I can't find anything wrong with this. It's quite good at times. Solid three.
The Verve
3/5
Perfectly nice. In my mind I'm sitting on the grass on a cool afternoon, just like the Verve on their album cover. What a perfectly pleasant way to spend an hour. Nothing better to do. Just chill.
Three low vibe stars.
Right, that's enough off that then. Let's go and fuck shit up. Where's that Morrissey C*#@?
Drive Like Jehu
3/5
Oh, what's this? Looks interesting. Keys check it out.
Oh, I think the authors just trying to be cool. This is like a less interesting At The Drive-in. Maybe a precursor, looking at the release year.
Send like I missed the boat on this one back in the day. A lot to like, but not great. Easy three.
Steely Dan
4/5
Steely Dan, at the top of their game. Smoooooth. This is some of the traditional music of my people. I could listen often. Might just go again.
Four stars.
Beatles
3/5
Man, that was some good Beatles.
Reminds me of my mum. I miss you Mum.
Three stars.
John Lee Hooker
3/5
First track reminds me of Matchbox 20, thanks to Carlos Santana.
Collab albums like this are just jumping the shark.Anyway, it gets better eventually. Pairings with Canned Heat and George Thorogood are standouts, but I think I prefer my John Lee undiluted. (Where's the more you dilute Morrissey, for example, the better).
Three stars.
Three stars.
Belle & Sebastian
1/5
Nope. I've heard enough of this rubbish before. You can't fool me.
Buuuut, we're here to keep an open mind.
First track, like a less interesting more jangly, Mountain Goats. I like mountain goats, I don't like this poppy shite. Second track. Fuck this is tedious. Let's ffwd to the most played songs. 'Get me away I'm dying"? I know how you feel mate.
From Wikipedia "They are often compared with acts such as the Smiths..." Fucking knew it.
Cut to the sound of a record needle being violently scratched across the platter as I can't get this crap off soon enough.
One.
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
Oh, I know someone who's got this. Bit rusty but still intact. The perfect antidote to fucking Belle and Sebastian that I was just listening to. How is that rubbish tasted higher than this. MF'ers have no taste. Let's dig in.
Fuck, bit lengthy. Quite hypnotic. One of my favorite songs about Albatrosses on this album, though, I think.
I could get into this. Maybe a couple more listens. Solid Three on the first go around though.
Pulp
1/5
Ugh. Not today, Pulp. Not today.
Radiohead
3/5
There they go again. Not giving the fans what they want, but still kicking goals anyway. Respect.
Fun fact, I paid $3.50 for this album when they released it digitally on their ' pay what you like' model. Worth it.
Does it appeal to me like other Radiohead albums? Not as much I don't think. Good, but not great. That's ok.
Three stars.