I can't call this bad, but I can call it boring af... In fact it bored the fuck out of me.. I won't be able to have sex for an entire week because of this album (5.75) 😴😴½

8.5 ★★★★

The first time I heard it I was in Active Training for the reserves and I had checked out a library CD copy to listen to on down time (along with a hand full of other titles) but it was right before lights out and I just relaxing in my bunk listening to this on headphones and it spoke to me deep. I felt every ache and heartbreak on the tracks. His voice so warm and emotional. It was like listening to a buddy pour his heart out. It was an instant favorite of mine since. This may not be an all purpose banger, but, man, in the right senerio, you can truly understand this album and this album understands you. (10)★★★★★

I'm sorry but Abba does nothing for me as a whole. Thier music is so comically Eurovision down the line to me... Best song on the album for me was "Knowing Me Knowing You" the only other songs I actually liked were the bonus tracks (in fact I liked both of them better than "KMKY") (5.7) ★★½

It was a five for me back when it came out and still a fantastic listen for me today. (10)

Love the hell out of it (9.5) ★★★★½

My 7th favorite Zepp album (8.95) ★★★★

She has always been one of my favorite songwriters and this set is all you need to hear to see why. Just classic after classic. Warm and inviting... Solid 10 out of 10 ★★★★★

My absolute favorite Talking Heads album 10 ★★★★★

Well, after giving two listens, I will have to say this might be the best one I've heard to date. It starts of with everything thing in its right place. I actually love that opening track... BUT THEN, the title track is the same ok that's interesting, but it also feels cold and metallic. Maybe that was the feeling they were going for, if it was kudos, but it's not a feeling I look for in music. After that there are four key tracks that sold me, "The National Anthem", "Optimistic", "Morning Bell", and "Motion Picture Soundtrack"... But there are two tracks that lost in that me completely in that Radiohead experimental haze, "Treefingers" and "Idioteque". The other two main tracks I do like enough, though I can't say they neither added or detracted from my overall opinion of the album. (8.75) ★★★★

Big correction... I rated the wrong record... Warehouse is more in a post punk mode or even proto pop punk and was more to my liking than New Day Rising (7.15) ★★★½

Loved the mix of rock with native African melodies in top. I can really get into this. (8.0)★★★★

This is really not up my alley, but I get it, and I get why it's looked up to. There are some songs I did like most noatably the opening track "When Will They Shoot" and "Check Yo Self". But for the most part thus taps into thoughts an emotions I'm not exactly comfortable with. I also think that in a way it's supposed to take me there. I may not like listening to it, but I do respect it's place in musical discourse. (5.75) ★★½

8.3 ★★★★ Could have been higher if I liked his vocals better, but band wise I freakin loved it.

Not a band I am particularly drawn to. This was no exception (6.5) ★★★

An album I loved in my college years. Holds up pretty well for me today... At least the first ⅔ of it. The opening three songs really kick! Kind get a bit fillery at the end. But it closes nicely with "Milk" which has a nice James Bond theme sound, which would prove advantageous a few years later. (8.8) ★★★★

Like with most Millennial alt, I find it kind of interesting, yet just out of my total appreciation. (7.25) ★★★½

Though I do like this album quite a bit, I've never been sold on the GOAT reputation it has. That being said Sloop John B. is a magnificent song! (7.75) ★★★½

8.4 ★★★★ The first six tracks are off the hook... Then only 1 of the last five. But overall quite an enjoyable listen

Absolutely love this album (9.5) ★★★★½

I thought I'd like this one more... Strangely I think side 2 was the better side. Especially with both "Season of the Witch" and "Fat Angel" on that side. (8.1) ★★★★

Oooh! I listened to this last year for the first time... It was an instant fiver! (10) ★★★★★

I actually like the grooves of this album but far too repetitive for it's hour long runtime. Probably could stand it more if I had some X on hand. But I still love "Praise You" like I did way back then, and really dug the surf music samples in "Soul Surfing". I also really enjoyed "Right Here. Right Now", but that was before I realized this repetitive groove thing takes up about 80% to 90% of the album. [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½ [7.6] ★★★½

I really enjoyed the way this album started off, but as the album wore on I don't know if I was feeling disconnected with the changing styles or if it was just going to far in areas that for the most part don't interest me. It is beautifully produced and I can see why some people would get something out of this. But for me after "Broken Skin", "Letting Go", "Homelands" and "Tides" nothing else quite reached me. After the first five tracks, I was aiming for a strong four, but after the Journey of the subsequent seven tracks, I'm landing on a (2.85) ★★½

Um... yeah. (3.4) ★½

Fantastic live album! (9.2) ★★★★½

Enjoyed the album, but as far as Beatlesque Brit pop goes, there were ones better and earlier than this. Not sure why this would be deemed essential. (7.9) ★★★½

I really liked the album, though this kind of low fi slacker rock isn't always my thing, but most of this fit right onto my taste. Especially some of the solos kinda sporadically sprinkled through out the album. (8.5) ★★★★

To me Janis carries the band, which to me the band gave me Jefferson Airplane vibes. In fact, I kinda feel like this album is a lesser Crown of Creation which was recorded and released about the same time. (both being Bay Area bands, there was probably some cross influence going on). The two songs where Sam Andrew takes the lead vocals are easily my least favorite songs of the set. Pretty much through the entire play... until "Ball and Chain" which is the crown jewel of this album. Not only is her vocals just on top of it, the dark distorted guitar work of Andrew absolutely kills. I think that one 9 min epic closing the album definitely lands this in 4 territory (8.25) ★★★★

Absolute classic from my middle school years! (9.25) ★★★★½

Lupe Fiasco's Food and Liquor [2006] Didn't like it all that much, seemed rather derivative to me. "Just Might Be OK" reminded me of Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love". "The Instrumental" reminded me of Linkin Park. For the most part he sounds like a protege of Jay-Z maybe with a little bit of Emenem's slower flow. I dug some of the music bed and samples, but to me this is pretty much down the line aughts hip hop to me. Again I'm not a rap guy so I ain't the person this album was aimed. With out counting the 12min of shout outs. I should because it's actually part of the album, but I'm not. There is a reason most people walk out of the movies during the credits. Im going with a (5.5) ★★½

I prefer a couple of Pixies abums to this, Doolittle and Basanova for sure. On par maybe a bit better than Surfer Rosa. Still a great album overall (8.6) ★★★★

I did like side one a heck of a list getter than side two. Still liked I "Ain't Got Nothing" and the Isaac Hayes cover "Do Your Thing" off side two as well. (8.1) ★★★★

What I liked about the album... "Survivor", "Emotion" (sorry, I'm a sucker for a well written Gibb/Gibb song), and "Dangerously In Love". I kinda dig the a capella harmonies on "Gospel Medley", I just wish there was more emotion behind it. It doesn't breathe. What I hated... Pretty much everything else. (5.3) ★★½

Donald Fagen - Nightflyer The first two songs on each side have the makings of five star album. "I.G.Y.", "Green Flower Street", "New Frontier", and "The Nightflyer" all have the makings of the perfect follow up to "Aja" (better than *Goucho* at least) The rest... are... I guess fine songs. "Maxine" is the best of the rest, but the Steely Dan-ing of a Drifters/Leiber&Stoller classic is comical at best. This comes close to matching the magic of the classic six run of Dan, but not quite (8.7) ★★★★

(7.75) ★★★½

(7.6) ★★★½

Elliott Smith - Either/OR (9.7) ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

I liked the album, but I can't take it seriously one bit. It reminds me of something Eric Idol would come up with for Dirk McQuickly (7.5) ★★★½

Side one I loved a light 4½, but the second half lost me... Except for the closer.. I loved that one. I'm keeping the volume unit meter at 7.75 ★★★½

9.5 ★★★★½

Very Coldplayish (7.8) ★★★½

Still a classic in my book (9.9) ★★★★½

Back in 2022, I gave this (7.5) ★★★½ on my 1997 dive. After giving it a relisten, we'll, it is very front loaded. The first eight tracks I was like what was I thinking... 4½ easy. But from "Chinese Bombs" on it's a flat 3½. To make matters worse I truly disliked "Essex Dogs" (ending on a song I kinda hate is a good way to bomb a score) But this time I'm going up to a light 4... It's easily the best Britpop album we've heard so far. It's not a carbon copy of other Britpop acts. It's got it's own swagger, and I like that about this album. Even if the back half falls off a bit. Blur [1997] (8.1) ★★★★

(10) ★★★★★

Well my favorite song was the hidden track "Flashing Blue Lights" the only track on this that kinds rocked it out a bit... The rest just reminded me of that kind of mopy post-Brit pop kind of in the likes of Keane (which I hope I don't jynx us and summon them up in our randomizer) It's fine, I kinda like it, but it's a light 3½. (7.2) ★★★½

Absolute Stevie banger! (10) ★★★★★

6.8 ★★★ It's fine well recorded, great players, but the music didn't strike me a anything out of the ordinary. Kinda by the book.

Straight up fiver (10) ★★★★★

Roni Size & Resprazent - New Forms (79 min) Not as bad as I was expecting (4.01) ★★ Roni Size & Resprazent - New Forms (full 140 min original release) Oh God, kill me now! (3.25) ★½

Bowie Banger (9.95) ★★★★½

I actually really love what EC is doing on this album. And the song more centered around the guitar really burn. But quite often when the guitar was not the main focus, it feels like a lesser British pop band. John Mayall with Eric Clapton - Blues Breakers (8.8) ★★★★

There are a few key track that keep this from being way up in my 4½ zone. But I also think overexposure and time has not been kind to this album. But it's still a good one 8.7 ★★★★

This is an all timer for me. And even in some of the moments that aren't my favorites the concept is so compelling that I can't help but admire it. (9.9) ★★★★½

8.2 ★★★★

I'm sorry but Abba does nothing for me as a whole. Thier music is so comically Eurovision down the line to me... Best song on the album for me was "Knowing Me Knowing You" the only other songs I actually liked were the bonus tracks (in fact I liked both of them better than "KMKY") (5.7) ★★½

Fiver... Too easy

Magnificently beautiful album. (10) ★★★★★

For some reason I've always held this album to a high regard but never really listen to it all that much at least not as much as *The Hurting*. And I think a lot of it has to do with the big singles definitely "Shout", my favorite, and "Head Over Heels"are just magnificent... and" Everybody Wants To Rule The World" is undeniably a perfect little pop song. But not much else draws my attention.... Side 2 itself, other than the aforementioned "Head Over Heels", seem to be more about sonic texture rather than song craft and it kinda lost me there. High 3.5, but 4 on the app (7.8) ★★★½

If there is one thing I found Magnificent about the Tom Waits album it is the fact that it sounds so natural that it is pretty much unlike anything I associate with 1985. I absolutely adore the sonics he was going for. As for the material I'm a little less sure where I want to go as far as rating it because I enjoy it but it's not something that I would want to pull out and listen regularly. But it is rather charming in its own right. I really kind of dig a lot in the early part of the album the kind of New Orleans feel. In some ways it kind of almost made me feel like I was listening to a musical production by Tim Burton. So I imagine Danny Elfman was very inspired by this album. I must admit I did not know that he wrote "Downtown Train" which is never been one of my favorite Rod Stewart songs. I do much prefer Tom Waits mainly because Rod Stewart at the point where he recorded it was basically making everything sound like a bland pop song where Tom Waits almost gives like this springsteen-esque delivery that gave it some urgency. All in all it's a real solid four for me though (8.67) ★★★★

My #3 all timer 10 ★★★★★

I'm going (4.8) ★★ The hit was the highlight and the closer.. The rest did nothing for me, in fact the slower songs were utter snooze-fests. Not my kind of Disco. I don't find this album exemplary of disco... I'm not sure why its inclusion

Easy (10) ★★★★★

(7.8) ★★★½

(10) ★★★★★

Talking Heads '77 [1977] (9.6) ★★★★½

I quite enjoyed this album. But I have no kick against soft jazz... I've been known to dig on some Bob James, Grover Washington Jr., and yes even Chuck Mangione. (8.1) ★★★★

(6.6) ★★★

I wanted to give it a 3 star for being so fucking long, but it's not a threefer... I could probably edit this down to a 75 min strong to high 3½ star... mostly cutting from disc 2. Disc one actually is not that bad as it is even with "Zero" still in play. Definitely woukd keep "1979", "Through The Eyes of Ruby" and the closer. (7.1) ★★★½

I actually really enjoyed this one... Musically really kept me interested. The vocals were really not to my liking, but actually worked with the feel of the music but as the album. The latter half of the album is what really sold me on it as a whole "Dirty as The Rain" stuck me as a left of center Van Zandt tune. The solo on "No Reply" just soars, but my favorite song on the album is "Satellite". It's dirty groove really pulled me in from the start I'm starting this off at an (8.15) ★★★★ with room to grow on me.

It's fine. I thought from the opening two tracks I was really gonna like it. Not like crazy love, but dig it well enough. I did recognize "Kinky Afro" once it got to the "Yippy Yippy ya ya yay I had to crucify somebody today" I was like, oh that song. After "God's Cop" it was pleasant enough to listen to maybe in the background but really not much to hang on to. (6.8) ★★★

Yeah, this Linkin Park album is closer to Limp Bizkit than *Meteora*. It's only saving grace is "Crawling" and the closer "Pushing Me Away" which are the closest thing to being three star songs. However, they're not. Most of this album is plain old fucking horrible. By all means, *Hybrid Theory* is worse than *Meteora* (3.8) ★½

I have a slight heart for soft jazz. I don't think any smooth jazz, quiet storm, whatever what you want to call it, ever gets above a four rating, because it never pushed any boundaries, but it's a nice enjoyable sound for me. This is definitely not one my favorites (or my favorites of the genre), but it works for what it is. (7.3) ★★★½ I don't feel this particular album is essential. If I were to replace this with another soft jazz album it would be Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good.

I get it's influence, but nothing about this album was appealing. Usually that would slide me in a 2½★ direction but I really disliked the over all sound I couldn't give it any higher than a two. (4.3) ★★

I heard this for the first time a couple years ago whefn I did a complete album dive on Siouxsie and The Banshees, it was and probably still is my favorite album of theirs. It's dark yet melodic and it set the tone for 80s goth... Love it! (8.9) ★★★★

I used to go see a band simmilar to this in Memphis in the early 90s called Freeworld. They were a lot of fun to see live. But their studio albums felt sterile and left much to be desired. I kinda feel Fishbone would be the same for me. But unlike Freeworld were it brings out incredible memories of the old 616... I just feel the sterility. (5.3) ★★½

4.33 ★★★★

4.5 ★★★★

9.6 ★★★★½ Just an incredible gorgeous album

I wanted to like this so much.. Especially since it really kinda feels like a sibling album to what Siouxsie & The Banshees were doing at the time. Although there are striking elements I can point out as sounding cool (especially the guitar work), there's an overall drone to the album that didn't really doo much for me. Also Roberts perpetually whining singing which has always been a problem for me, I think work with the droning, but is not something I really care to listen to. (6.7) ★★★

9.33 ★★★★½

(9.8) ★★★★½

I really dig the college rock groove on most of the track, and over all a great listen. My only real gripe is the lack of cohesiveness amongst some of the tracks that just seem way out of place. But it always seems like right after that song it would pop back into what I really enjoy about the album. I will give it a light but solid four. (8.3) ★★★★

First thing, I can't believe this was 1988, because it sounds so 90s alt and definitely not trapped in 80s reverb production from hell. Music like this can really go either way with me, but very rarely does it affect me like this does. I freaking love it. I feel like the more chaotic parts of the album add to the palate of these well crafted songs. It makes them blister, while still being accessible to my tastes. Not quite a fiver, but pretty damn near. (9.75) ★★★★½

Other than the ubiquitous hit, "Our House", the closing the closing track, "Madness (Is All In The Mind)" , and to a lesser extent "Tiptoes", (all of which are on side 2) this album is a total slog. The fact is that side one was actually a chore to sit through. I'm keeping this in the two star range. (4.7) ★★

Parts of thus album are just f'n great but about half of it is jusr merely good and solid... I'll split the difference and go (8.2) ★★★★

The first time I heard it I was in Active Training for the reserves and I had checked out a library CD copy to listen to on down time (along with a hand full of other titles) but it was right before lights out and I just relaxing in my bunk listening to this on headphones and it spoke to me deep. I felt every ache and heartbreak on the tracks. His voice so warm and emotional. It was like listening to a buddy pour his heart out. It was an instant favorite of mine since. This may not be an all purpose banger, but, man, in the right senerio, you can truly understand this album and this album understands you. (10)★★★★★

I'm actually going to go high 4 on this the... every time I think about this album I mainly think of the originals which are off the hook good and them alone are a very high 4½. The covers are a mixed bag for me. The two that I've never heard the originals, The Wailers' "Dirty Robbers" and Richard Berry's "Have Love Will Travel", I freakin loved, but I have nothing else to skew my position. I do really dig their cover of Barrett Strong's "Money" and Nappy Brown's "Night Time is The Right Time", but there are more definitive versions of those songs. The rest of the covers I think work really well in context of the album, but on their own I probably would not seek them out. Overall this is still a very fun listen just a bit shy of a 4½...but one I will always love to play and play LOUD! (8.8) ★★★★

(10) ★★★★★

I can't stand his flow, if that's even a flow. It sounds more like talking around a beat than rapping on it. The tracks come off a cheesy, obnoxious and sometime downright annoying. And most of the singing just grated on my nerves. There are a lot of stuff I don't like that I can see the appeal. I had a hard time with this one. Even the two songs I can almost get, "Fit but You Know It" and "Dry Your Eyes", there still enough that annoys me to truly appreciate them. The rest of the album, I don't get the appeal at all. (2.8) ★

I really love the arrangements on this album. But quite honestly not their strongest batch of songs. "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart", "Isreal" and "Don't Want to Live Inside Myself" are the stand out tracks. The final two cuts "Lion in Winter" and "Walking Back to. Waterloo" I loved the progression of the song much more than I did the songs themselves. But then there's songs like "Dearest" (definate slog) and quite frankly most of the first side that are kinda slogs. They have much better albums than this... Especially in their 60s run, and *Main Course* of course. (7.33) ★★★½

Ok... Julian Cope... I like this album a hell of a lot better than I thought I was going to. Especially after reading the comments left here yesterday. This album does really have a bad case of doublealbumitis. But unlike most bloated I know exactly what I cut and that would be exactly where the first album ends, "Drive She Said" ends side 2. The first half was looking like a light 4½ star album for me. I love the instrumentions and some of the elongated vamps that would let the guitar take over. I was actually wondering what you all were talking about. The second half is a big old mixed bag. Though I didn't dislike anything on it, and there are a handful of tracks on that I really enjoyed as well. I just didn't feel invested in the second half as much as I did the first, definitely in the 3½ star range. I think overall it feels like a very light four for the whole album. But I really did love that first half of the album. (8.1) ★★★★

I think I dig *Seventeen Seconds* a bit more than *Pornography* ||I know there's 17 sec watching pornography joke to be told but I won't do it here||. Mainly because I really dig post punk and its angular guitars. That being said this does have the Cure drone that I'm not a big fan of, but doesn't bother me here as much as it did in "Pornography". Some there are several tracks I seriously enjoyed "A Forest", "At Night", "Play For Today" and the title track would make a killer Ep. But the more goth atmospheric tracks just left me a bit cold and I didn't care for them. (7.1) ★★★½

Gawd! This album is awful! I just got to "Two For The Price of One" and it has to be the absolute worst Abba song I've ever heard! (4.6) ★★ And that's my final offer

A couple songs I really liked... Strangely enough it was the two singles (atw). The first half of the album I kinda liked, second half was ok. Over all. It's an album. It has music. Some actually work... But I think I'd ve better off throwing those single on a playlist and forgoing the rest. (6.7) ★★★

10 ★★★★★

The first half of *Ritual Lo Habitual* is good... If the second half followed suit, probably a moderate to sting 3½. But the second side is Sofa King good! I gonna slide this as an ultra high four (8.85) ★★★★

Honestly a really strong album for a genre that's hard for me to get into. But I do really like the flow of the raps and the all around beat and prodution. That horn/siren/whatever sound that they used though grates on my nerves to the nth degree. Another thing that I dint think affects my score but I didn't like was the live hype bits which to me didn't flow with the studio tracks.. I think if they were craftfully edited in instead of fade in and out it would have felt more like they were part of the album. But as I said I think the rest of the album was strong enough to ignore them as a whole. (8.2) ★★★★

(8.2) ★★★★

Well... every time I listen to Elvis Costello, his material always feels like something I should really get into, I just don't all that much. That being said this is actually one I enjoyed pretty well. It's just shy of a 4 for me, but it will get a 4 on the app. Some of my favorites were "Blame It On Cain", "I'm Not Angry", and although it technically doesn't count, "Watching The Detectives" (7.75) ★★★½

I was not expecting to like this one. I'm not usually drawn to industrial sounds, but this melds it with acoustic and distinct melodies. Thematically this album is definitely one for a mood, and considering the day I had at work today, I needed this mood. It's quite cathartic (8.3) ★★★★

I'm not sure if dream pop is my thing. Thus album is not bad but the heavy effects coupled with the heavy reverb is just not a sound I really like. It sounds just glassy and gimmery, and to me at least makes me lose any emotion behind it. And it's not that it's not there, it just feels like it's down a cathedral hall. It's not close or immediate. All in all I didn't hate the album and although there are no tracks that stood out to me, there are aspects of it I truly enjoy. (7.3) ★★★½

(8.6) ★★★★

Welp. I listened to the UK version and I was going to A/B it to the US version I have... But no need... The UK is a five star banger anyway and no real need to campare fivers. I probably slightly prefer the US, maybe because it has more of the well known material or that I'm just used to that version. But quite frankly, my least favorite track on the set is on both versions "Love or Confusion" and it's not a dog by any means anyway. Not my topper most, but way up there (10) ★★★★★

*Trio* is such a beautiful album. At times too beautiful for it's own good. I coukd hear some of this being performed before a quiet respectful audience, clapping respectfully between songs for a DVD that will be sold on PBS on pledge week. But they are all solid performances and there is a trio of songs right in the middle where it feels more natural "Wallflowers", "Telling Me Lies", and "My Dear Companion". (8.95) ★★★★

I kinda wanted to like this better, it's a lot of fun, I'd lands as kind link between Glam and Glam metal... Glam punk if you will. But it still didn't 100 bowl me over. 7.8 ★★★½

Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck - Djam Leelii This was the one I was scared of the most when I went on on this, but I absolutely loved this album. Yes it's way out of the way of music I listen to, but it's was an awesome discovery for me. (8.33) ★★★★

Saint Etienne - Foxbase Alpha.. Music like this can go either way with me.. But in small doses, absolutely love this kind of stuff. Across a full album it wears on me a bit... I did omit the two tracks added for the US version so it was a bit shorter than it's hour run time I'm going with (7.3) ★★★½

9.8 ★★★★½

I almost went with. High 4 mainly because the last half was not as strong as the first.. But I think all I all it deserves a light 4½ 9.2 ★★★★½

8.4 ★★★★

7.4 ★★★½

I'm glad I revisited this album.. Though I've always rated it as a four, I think this list ends I really got into the textures of the albums. Still not quite the all out fiver of it's reputation for me but getting closer (9.5)

There are aspects of this album I really dug. The post punk vibe of the rhythm section mainly. But between the singer, which I disliked his delivery throughout the album, andthe overwhelming artsy tinkering which quite frankly either didn't move me or in the case of the Musique Conrete "Sentimental Journey" just down right hated. This just isn't anything I'd ever return to and quite frankly felt like a waste of my time. (3.85) ★½

This is one I've loved since early High School. If there was a weak spot in the album it would be the Lp closer "Tea of Sahara" which is kinda a look forward to Stings solo career, which I like, but never near enough as The Police together. But man other than that even the "weird" tracks (Mother, and Miss Gradenko) I think really work in context. 10 ★★★★★

It was a five for me back when it came out and still a fantastic listen for me today. (10)

I'm giving a real low score to Slim Shady. Lyrically I can't stand the album, not because they are poor or sloppy, but the tone and the subject matter just fills me with hate. I don't enjoy glorification of domestic abuse. I don't enjoy the way he puts his children in the middle of it (lyrically). I know these acts of violence and atrocities happen every day. I personally don't like it in my entertainment. I don't need to be reminded how absolutely fucked up this world is. I have witnessed it myself.. Honestly... The only good thing I want to say about this album is that I think that the utter hate and anger I feel is what he wants the listener to feel. In that he's done his job. But all in all, I hate feeling this much hate in my system. I honestly wish I hadn't heard this album. (3.5) ★½

10 ★★★★★

I really enjoyed this not upper tier but a sold gothic post punk entry (8.5) ★★★★

This is one I didn't think would be in the book, mainly because it's not as talked about as much as say Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Harvest, After The Gold Rush or Rust Never Sleeps. But it's solid album for sure if not in his upper echelon. (8.9) ★★★★

Other than "Who You Funkin' With?", which I really liked, this album didn't really much for me. I do see the influence this collection of single meant to rap a a genre though, it just wasn't anything I'm interested in. But didn't dislike it so.. Light 3 (6.3) ★★★

I can't call this bad, but I can call it boring af... In fact it bored the fuck out of me.. I won't be able to have sex for an entire week because of this album (5.75) 😴😴½

The second record is where thus really cooks, though the opening track of the album is also a grand highlight (8.55) ★★★★

I guess I like Bon Jovi more than I thought. (5.3) ★★½

Im staying the same... What keep this set so compelling is Darline Love's four songs which are the best on the album. (this was the reason Love was the Queen of Christmas before Mariah Carey stole her crown). Also the three Ronnettes songs are bangin'. The Crystals were the least compelling of the three girls groups, but really didnt do much to hurt the album as a whole... It would be an easy mid to light 4½ if it wasn't for the two Bob B. Sox songs, which are like his stage name, bland and bad. The spoken word Outro didn't do much to help the album. I'd sooner leave it off, but at least it short and doesn't go on infinitum like other credit tracks I've heard. Given that Darline, Ronnie, and the Crystal take up over 75% of the album I think it still warrents an (8.75) ★★★★

I really kinda like this album quite a bit. There is a lot of this album that sounds inspired by that transition 70/80s rock i get vibes of Straits, Floyd, Petty, Springsteen influence with a glimmer of Millennial sheen. One thing this album does well which can be a land mind for be is extendeding an ending a few minutes after the song is done. In the right hands if find it enjoyable and I think they hit that sweet spot. (8.4) ★★★★

9.7 ★★★★½

9.5 ★★★★½

There is so much I want to like about this album. First of all I love her voice. There's an aching passion that draws me note for note though out the album. I think that's what keeps me wanting to appreciate this more. It is a bit out of my usual wheelhouse, but done female Neo-soul act hace garnered my attention as of late. Though out this album there are some great production sonics that I really dig. But I think it comes down to the songs themselves don't make any of this feel like something I'd like to revisit over and over again. I'm going to give this a really light 3½, just because there is something there that really attracts me, but not fully fleshed out. (7.00) ★★★½

The first time I hea heard this record it was back when it was up for album of the year. And the first half of it was really hard for me to take but as the story grew along I really became invested in the album a lot more than I am most rap albums. 8.5 ★★★★

This is the kind of music that I kind of like but for the most part if I never heard it again it wouldn't phase me. 6.8 ★★★

I really did not like this album much at all. And there are aspects of it I really dug especially in the tracks. But for the most part, I don't like this kind hip hop/rap. I can't even really put a finger on why, I just don't. I do kinda feel like this is an important album thematically and musically, but even somehow recognizing that did not equate to appreciation. Two songs I did like... "The 6th Sense" and "A Song for Assata" they did struck a chord in me. The most of the rest honestly made me feel in comfortable. If I was more into this gernre as a whole, I could see myself rating this highly, but I really was soaked in a negative reaction to this. (4.85) ★★

It's OK. I remembered the critical hype when this album came out.. Never matched the public disinterest as a whole.. Me too... 6.3, ★★★

Easy 10

I don't know what to say except that reggae bores me. This was no exception. To me reggae is ska if you took out the tempo, the horns and the exuberance. It just feels like music made by and for stoners. May be it's just too laid back for me, but everytime I hear that reggae beat and guitar pattern, it just bores me to tears. I'll take a cocaine driven music instead. (5.3) ★★½

8.5 ★★★★

The strength of this album truly lies if four absolutely phenomenal songs "You Are Sunshine of My Life", "Maybe Your Baby", "Superstition", and "I Believe". Those three keep this in the 4½ star realm. The rest for the most part are great tracks, but don't really jump off the turntable like the four I mentioned. (9.1)

Enjoyed this pretty well. It was actually a good listen for a bitter winter day.. It almost has a winter song feel to it. Bleek and cold while wanting to be warm. Some of the songs the just felt at odds with the rest of the album (the ones with more production to them) but overall this was a good listen. (8.2) ★★★★

The first two albums are really Queen finding their sound. This to me is where Queen truly became Queen. The 100% fun tracks, to dead serious, to quick change genres, all the theatrics that is Queen is in full force on this album. They would perfect it in the next. But to me this is where Queen truly begins. (9.4) ★★★★½

I think I enjoy the legend of the band more than the band itself. I had a copy of this as a teen in the early 80s. Pretty much a must have album if you were an 80s hard rock/metal fan. They were the band our bands looked up to. And I can see why. Loud, abrasive, yet strangely melodic. As I grew older I grew out of it. (I don't think I played it often anyway) Still, this is fine album, a lot of fun when your pissed at the world and need to let it out. And in the right mood this could be the album of the moment... Listening today it's a bit cliché and played out, but still a fun listen. (8.4) ★★★★

This is basically what I consider 60s coffeehouse jazz. It's nice, but overwhelmingly safe. I kinda needed this kind of mellow buzz this morning, it's good. But that 60s jazz somba sound just reminds me of movie and TV tropes to kinda code to the hip beatnik crowd. It's fine, but not something I'm particularly drawn to. I don't know if it's the rhythm or the genre, because I kinda dig it when Santana employs similar rhythms or vibes, but in the context of 60s jazz it just strike me as there.. OK... Good, but not moving. (7.3) ★★★½

9.95 ★★★★½

Starting with what I liked, some of the guitar work on this is pretty damn good. I had two big issues with the album one the lead singer seems to be leaning into this bawdy juvenile character and it feels more like a caricature rather than something I can believe. My second is personally I think the songs are shit. I dig good rockin glam based rock, but this felt like third rate Brownsville Station. As far as them being the first punk album. I don't buy it. It contains nothing of the visceral anger of bands like say the Clash or even the Sex Pistols. In fact it feels more like the songs and vocals are playing to the mic. If I heard this when I was 12, I might find this clever and funny, but as a 55 year old coot, it just seemed silly (5.3) ★★½

There is one thing about the Kinks which is both one of the things I find most endearing about them but simultaneously puts me at arm's length and that is they are probably the most British sounding band of the major rock bands of the '60s. Where as the Beatles pretty well blended the cultures and the Stone went out to prove they were the best American band from Britain, the Kinks always seem to double down on their Brittishness. Pretty much always to a very charming results. But as an American, I do feel the cultural differences. Still this was a very fun and engaging listen. I actually listened to it three times today what I love really loved, but there was just way to much that just wasn't up to that level. Especially on the second half which probably affected the overall final feel.

The Smiths - "Strangeways, Here We Come" [1987] I'm sorry I just don't get the absolute love for this band. Mainly due to Morresey's vocals which to me is not much more than a whiny drone. Musically I can get into them but his vocal delivery almost always kills it for me. I think this album starts off pretty well with the first three song "Death of a Disco Dancer" being my favorite with the band build up towards the end. After that its just the same old Smiths that I don't think is bad, I just hear nothing compelling in it. "Unhappy Birthday", though I kinda like the lyrics, the delivery made my eyes roll. And "Paint a Vulgar Picture" it just sounds like he starts singing winding and wavering in wind. I went cross-eyed listening to it. "Death at Ones Elbow" is a great late entry, but overall not enough to pull it out of the overall blah that is The Smiths. (6.7) ★★★

Not quite as epic as their first two to me, but man, "The Changeling", "Love Her Madly", "L.A. Woman", "L'America", "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)", and of course "Riders On The Storm"... this album is Sofa King good! (9.9) ★★★★½

This is one I keep wanting to think as one of my fivers... And if I just take the four major pieces "Roundabout", "Southside of the Sky", Long Distance Runaround", and "Heart of the Sunrise" as far as I'm concerned it is. Which leaves the five individual highlights. Squire's "The Fish" is basically an extension of "Runaround" and Howe's acoustic guitar interlude actually fits the flow of the album as a brief light breather between key tracks. Anderson's vocal exercise would have be better single bridge between "Roundabout" and "South Side" but unfortunately Wakeman's "Cans and Brahms" honestly felt out of place, as did Bruford's "Five Percent" (Though "5%" was closer to the feel of the album. "Brahms" felt out of place all over). (9.45) ★★★½

Near perfect album (9.9) ★★★★½

As much as Bookends has many of their best works: Bookends Theme, America, Fakin' It, Mrs Robinson, Hazy Shade of Winter, there is large section of side one: Overs/Voices of Old People/Old Friends, that really keeps it from being a perfect five. My least favorite of the ones in the book, and hands down better than the two that didn't make it. (9.4) ★★★★½

I really wanted to like this album mainly because this is the kind of post punk/new wave I really get into. My main hangup is the quirky vocal delivery which worked for me on some track... Not so much on others. My stand out tracks were "Mongoloid", "Gut Feeling", and "Come Back Jonee" (probably the least quirky of the bunch) but also found but parts of "Uncontrollable Urge", "Space Junk", and "Too Much Paranoias" tasty as well. This may be an album I have to warm up to, but I gave it two listens today mainly because it seems I should like this more than it's hitting me. (7.75) ★★★½ (four in the app)

Still a magnificent album after almost 70 years. Yes it's very of the time, but also quite forward for 1957. But what really cooks is the set of songs on here, "Oh, Boy!", "Not Fade Away", "Maybe Baby", "Tell Me How", and "That'll Be The Day" still simmer and shine in a 50s rock and roll vibe. Though I've only had this particular album a few years, I've had The Buddy Holly Collection compilation all my life starting with my dad's cassette copy. His music is timeless to me, an something I never get tired of. As far as this album side one absolutely cooks for me, but after "That'll Be The Day" it does seems to trail off. Holly didn't write any of the final four songs. (though "Empty Cup" was written by Roy Orbison, as well as "You've Got Love" on side one) 9.5 ★★★★½

Great bridge album between Glam and punk. This was recorded the same month that Aladin Sane Dropped and seem very much of the same ilk on the first side, while the second side gets more hard and chaotic. Beingba fan of glam I really enjoyed the first half over the second, but was a sold fun listen through out (8.27) ★★★★

Somewhere between pop jazz and electronica lie whatever this is... I have no use for it (4.2) ★★

If it is possible to be both intrigued and bored by an album Robert Wyatt found a way to do it. Honestly, other than the singing, I liked musical textures of this album quite good. Some maybe a bit to out there for me. I don't know if it's exactly his voice that puts me off or his vocal choices which at times feel at odds with the music, but I do believe that's by design. "Blues in Bob Minor" is the stand out tracks, bumping this up to the 3½ territory, with a bit more rocking vibe and a great "Subterranean" delivery. The opening track, "Heaps of Sheep" also caught my attention, in fact it gave me much false hopes for this album. "The Dutchess" also caught my attention for the exact opposite reason and made me wary of the rest of the album. All in all not a bad listen. In a weird way I want to check out some of his other work as well as his Soft Machine albums, because I feel there is more to him than just this, and this may not be the right album it introduce me to him. (7.15) ★★★½ (three on the app)

Seriously fun album! (10) ★★★★★

Ok... I think I like the musical interludes over most of the actual songs on here. In fact all, other than "Sabotage". They speak more to my personal musical senses. "Sambrosa" with its War like funk feel. The pseudo-psych of "Transition", the meditative jam of "Shambala" or just the straight up dirty groove of "Futterman's Rule" they all stood out to me. The rapping did not do much for me especially with the overly distorted or fuzzed out effects to the point I couldn't make out what they were saying. The couple of 80s punk style songs on here of course I didn't care for. My dislike for 80 hardcore is pretty well known here. There are still some songs I like The opener "Sure Shot" hit me better on second listen, "The Scoop", and of course the monster hit. "Root Down" I loved the jazz influenced tracks, but the rap over just ruined it for me. Honestly there is a lot going on in many of these tracks that if it wasn't for the rap I'd like it. Those may be growers of ever want to invest time getting to know this album. But then there the handful I coukd go without ever hearing again, "B-Boys Makin With The Freek Freek" and "Get It Together. Too much I didn't like on this to give it high marks although there is also quite a bit I dig. (6.75) ★★★

Long running fiver for me 10 ★★★★★

Such an incredible retro sound absolutely loved it. It was a bit top heavy... Everything up to and including the title track are just banger after banger. The bottom half still sizzles tought (8.65) ★★★★

This album was so nice I listened to it twice... I actually really loved this! A high enough 4½ to be 5 on the app. 50s/60s world folk is kinda an untapped corner of my musical taste. My parents were very much into some of the more commercial side of 50s/60s folk. Some of the artists they'd listen would incorporate African and world folk styles music. I'm my college years I kinda poked around, but I've never really done a dive in to that rabbit hole, but I know it's there. (9.77) ★★★★½

Slowcore may not be Sharkcore.... But it is at least Sharkadjacent. (8.35) ★★★★

Very John Hughes-core... I dug it (8.0) ★★★★

Starts off fine.. But after "Punk" it just one funky jam of nothingness after another. Sounds like they were having fun though. (5.6) ★★½

10 ★★★★★

Really surprised how much I liked this album. Not a huge rap fan at all. But the kinda laid back hippy groove really got me in my sweet spot (8.4)

1001 Album of the Day (03Feb2025): Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell [1977] I am an utter fanboy of Jim Steinman, and this was my introduction into his wild theatrical world. Though he'd use many other artist display his psychotic genius, none ever did it quite the way of the madcap duo of Steinman and Meat Loaf. Rest in peace the both of you 9.35 ★★★★½

I heard this album first in the mid 90s when some one tried to get me into PJ Harvey and I hated it. But over the years I've heard some PJ material o really enjoyed, so I wasn't sure how it would take this. We'll, most of it I still dislike quite a bit. Considering that this was produced by Albani, I see a lot of similarities and another album he produced that year which was In Utero . Both albums have this sort of madness, chaotic sound that just doesn't work for me. It feels more like an orchestrated raw. Like pushing the limits just because you can, not necessarily because it sounds good. I still don't get this album as a whole, but there are tracks that I liked on it... most notably "Me-Jane" and "Ecstasy" towards the end of the album. But most of it was just an orchestrated mess as far as I'm concerned (5.75) ★★½