Aug 07 2024
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Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
Great album - not something I would naturally have sought out to listen. Some tracks are more interesting than others. Soulful singing and settings which perfectly encapsulate the '60s.
4
Aug 08 2024
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Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
The inherent problem with live albums is that they can never recapture the experience of being at a live gig. A two-minute drum solo is spellbinding when you're in the audience, pumped up and surrounded by other fans - the atmosphere carries it. Without that context, it becomes interminable, dull. Live albums provide nostalgia to people who were actually in the audience and want to relive the experience.
Sure, the band know what they're doing and the musicality and performances are good. There were some cool tracks on this - 'Dancing in the moonlight', 'Massacre' and 'The boys are back in town', for example. For me, though, live music and recorded music should be kept separate, at least in rock.
3
Aug 09 2024
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Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
4
Aug 10 2024
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At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
4
Aug 11 2024
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Fun House
The Stooges
Pure chaos
3
Aug 12 2024
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21
Adele
Astonishing for a 21 year old.
5
Aug 13 2024
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British Steel
Judas Priest
'United' was my favourite track. Quite enjoyable, once I got into it.
3
Aug 14 2024
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Either Or
Elliott Smith
I can't relate to Elliott Smith's struggles with addiction, but this kind of music goes straight to my soul. Beautiful, poignant lyrics with wistful melodies. Love it.
Highlights: Between the bars, Ballad of big nothing, Alameda, Pictures of me, Cupid's trick (which stands out for its much rockier sound than the rest, which are indie folk).
5
Aug 15 2024
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The Message
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Surprised by this one. Wasn't expecting to enjoy it as hiphop isn't usually my thing, but enjoyed She's fresh, It's nasty and the Message (which I'm positive has been sampled elsewhere). Standout track for me was Dreamin', a tribute to Stevie Wonder.
Hated Scorpio, which was like listening to Ross from Friends' 'Sound', hence only 3 stars overall.
Album let down imo by Scorpio, which sounded like the music Ross in Friends makes...
3
Aug 16 2024
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Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
5
Aug 17 2024
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
The album is saved by the final track, American girl, which is iconic. The rest is forgettable and, frankly, mediocre rock and roll (aka a piss-poor imitation of e.g. the Stones)
2
Aug 18 2024
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Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Extended jazz solos aren't really my thing. It was funky though.
3
Aug 19 2024
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Red Dirt Girl
Emmylou Harris
She has a nice voice, but this album is pretty bland and forgettable. Don't feel I was missing out on much.
2
Aug 20 2024
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Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
Very funky.
I recognised 'Green onions' from the cover by Georgie Fame. Quite a few of the songs on this album are covers of other songs, but decent arrangements.
4
Aug 21 2024
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Survivor
Destiny's Child
This album should have been left on the cutting room floor. No amount of vocal gymnastics can disguise weak songwriting. Couple that with a totally mixed message about femininity by including a song about girl power (Independent woman) and 'slut'-shaming lyrics (Nasty girl). A terrible album and really not worth over an hour of life.
1
Aug 22 2024
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Electric Music For The Mind And Body
Country Joe & The Fish
Pretty far-out, man. Some interesting tracks, and a nice glimpse into 60s counter-culture. Drifts off towards the end, possibly because they were too stoned by that point...
2
Aug 23 2024
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Play
Moby
I admit, I only listened to half the album. Pretty repetitive, so I don't feel I missed anything earth-shattering
2
Aug 24 2024
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The Score
Fugees
2
Aug 25 2024
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Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
One decent song does not an album make. Disappointing.
2
Aug 26 2024
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Rejoicing In The Hands
Devendra Banhart
Glad I found this album. Norah Jones vibes.
4
Aug 27 2024
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Different Class
Pulp
Really enjoyed this one. Common people spoke to me, having lived in a rat-infested Camden flat in my 20s.
5
Aug 28 2024
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Duck Rock
Malcolm McLaren
He seems to be at his best when appropriating (stealing) from other cultures. Pretty sad really. A couple of the tracks were pretty cool, but I'd rather listen to the originals than a copy. The rest seemed to be crappy square dances (the final track in particular seemed to be aimed at toddlers, with cartoon sound effects and voices for good measure). Most of the creativity was stolen.
2
Aug 29 2024
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Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
Good, not great. A mixed bag - doesn't include any of the major hits, but damn, the man could sing.
3
Aug 30 2024
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Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
Billy Bragg
3
Aug 31 2024
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In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
Always wondered why this was so popular with borrowers at the library I worked in, now I know.
4
Sep 01 2024
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If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
Enjoyed this. Saved for listening again.
4
Sep 02 2024
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Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
Excellent. Been a fan of the Kinks since I was a teen. Still fresh and pointed satire.
5
Sep 03 2024
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...And Justice For All
Metallica
Bit samey. Not really for me.
2
Sep 04 2024
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Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
Tricky one. Parts of it were brilliant, parts pretentious and others just too rambly.
3
Sep 05 2024
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Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
4
Sep 06 2024
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Beyond Skin
Nitin Sawhney
Cheesy listening, but quite pleasant overall. Nothing groundbreaking.
3
Sep 07 2024
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Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
Very jazzy. Slight lift-music vibes.
4
Sep 08 2024
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Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Dead Kennedys
Not keen on this one. I was born after the punk era, and it always feels like artists are trying too hard to outshock each other. The album has good moments (I enjoyed 'Stealing people's mail') but the line between irony/satire and nasty is thin on some other tracks. Think you had to be there.
3
Sep 09 2024
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Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Decent album, especially for a debut. Prefer the instrument lines (that bass!) to the vocals (which sound a bit whiny). Lyrics are a bit samey (I feel lonely, why will no-one love me, ad infinitum).
4
Sep 10 2024
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Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
Really fun album. Saved it and will definitely listen again when in need of its dancey feel-good vibes!
5
Sep 11 2024
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Private Dancer
Tina Turner
Any old music won't do, Tina. Pretty dull and repetitive, with a screechy voice that made my throat feel sore. Petition to give Tina a throat lozenge?
1
Sep 12 2024
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#1 Record
Big Star
How have I not heard of this band before?! Excellent album, which will definitely be on my rotation now!
5
Sep 13 2024
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Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
I'll admit: I didn't finish the whole album as it appears on Spotify. It was 2 hours and 40 minutes, which is pretty nuts. I enjoyed the first few tracks, but got annoyed after an hour and a half, so had to deduct a star.
4
Sep 14 2024
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Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Good songs, but a bit one-note for me. Upped to four stars for 'Bad moon rising'.
4
Sep 15 2024
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For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
Bit too wacky for me.
2
Sep 16 2024
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1999
Prince
Second Prince album of the list. Couple of decent songs and a whole lotta shit. 9 minutes per song is just self-indulgent - guy needed an editor to be firm with him.
2
Sep 17 2024
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Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Bland songwriting and whiny singing accompanied poorly played instruments. Reminds me of those prats who bring an uninvited guitar to a party. Hardly essential listening.
There is a special place in hell for the violinist on 'Running dry'. I say that as the daughter of a violinist, who has spent a long time listening to beginner players.
1
Sep 18 2024
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Electric
The Cult
Just not my cup of tea. The singer fluctuates between out-of-tune screams and what seem to be bad Louis Armstrong impressions. Nothing particularly memorable here, it's pretty cheesy.
2
Sep 19 2024
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Millions Now Living Will Never Die
Tortoise
Really enjoyed this one. I used to listen to ambient music a lot when studying (and still do for working). The likes of American Analog Set, Röyksopp, Goddamn Electric Bill etc. got me through more all-night essay writing than I care to remember.
5
Sep 20 2024
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Make Yourself
Incubus
Fun in parts, but not a good album.
3
Sep 21 2024
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Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
A total joy from start to finish. Will listen to more!
5
Sep 22 2024
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Brutal Youth
Elvis Costello
Some interesting stuff here, harmonically. But I can't stand his sneezy, off-key voice.
2
Sep 23 2024
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Dust
Screaming Trees
Never heard of this band, but really enjoyed the album. Saved for listening again.
5
Sep 24 2024
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MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
3
Sep 25 2024
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Architecture And Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Got about ⅔ of the way through this one. Frankly, I'd got the gist midway through the 2nd track...
3
Sep 26 2024
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A Wizard, A True Star
Todd Rundgren
Utterly mad. Fun, but not my fave.
3
Sep 27 2024
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Slipknot
Slipknot
I admit. I got halfway through and judged at that point. Life's too short for this crap.
1
Sep 29 2024
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The Stooges
The Stooges
Definitely a debut album. Good, not great.
3
Sep 30 2024
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Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
Saved from 2 stars by the violin on 'Of course'
3
Oct 01 2024
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Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
Didn't realise it was possible to simultaneously mumble and be flat. Springsteen has proved me wrong.
2
Oct 03 2024
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Toys In The Attic
Aerosmith
'Adam's apple' a blatant rip of Beatles' 'Get back'. Steve Tyler a vile piece of excrement.
To quote the late, great, Stan Lee "'nuff said'.
1
Oct 06 2024
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Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
Loved it.
5