Fantastic album through and through, easy to listen to. Favourites were HLTW (obvious choice), New Religion, and The Chauffeur because ya girl loves some dissonance.
The bass in New Religion had me wondering if the Chili Peppers drew inspiration from Duran Duran but I guess it's all much for muchness.
The first half of the album was just meh all round expect for Alright. Second half was better as it was more interesting to listen to. I didn't hate it but there was little about it that stood out to me as being memorable.
Specific things I liked were the piano chord progression at the start of Mansize Rooster and the change in time signature and tempo in Strange Ones and.
I feel like I'd probably enjoy seeing Supergrass live if they were opening for another act or I happened to stumble on them playing at a grimey pub but I'd probably try and avoid spending money on them otherwise
Wasn't expecting to get my first 5/5 album so soon but wowee! I think I listened to this about 3 or 4 times within 24 hours because I loved it that much. Shout outs to Any Major Dude Will Tell You because I wanna slow dance in the kitchen whilst making pancakes on a Sunday morning with this song in the background, as well as East St. Louis Toodle-Oo for reminding me why I love jazz so much.
What I loved most about the album I think is that to me it felt like the album was split into two. I just got two different vibes between the first half and the second half which I thought was super cool.
Started off okay, My My Hey Hey was good, gave me sad girl vibes which is always enjoyable but the rest of the album so was boring that I started dissociating and didn't really pay any attention to the rest of it. It felt quite disjointed and more like a bunch of rag tag songs that were just thrown together to fill the time.
Tried to give it another listen this morning and ended up dissociating instead again. Unfortunately for me my brain decided to start paying attention again during Pocahontas which is totally my fault for having the ability to hear because what the actual hell were those lyrics?? Off-putting enough that I promptly removed the album from my search history so that I never have to be reminded of it again.
Did I hate it enough to give it a 1? No, it wasn't an awful album to listen to, it just lacked any personality. If I could give it a 1.5 I would but alas
Maybe I'm just super lucky because I've had a good run with albums so far. This was great (as to be expected), I love The Rolling Stones. Wild Horses was probably my favourite track on the album. Brown Sugar sent me down a rabbit hole of trying to figure out if Foreigner sampled Brown Sugar for their track Hot Blooded which was fun (couldn't find anything concrete so jury's still out).
Overall I think it was just fantatsic, the album was cohesive, had me bopping along, and I can't fault it. That being said, I don't think I was in love with it enough to give it a 5/5.
I absolutely loved this album! I don't think I've listened to a lot of Janelle Monáe's music before but this was something else. So much diversity in one album, every track felt like a new chapter because it was so different to the one before but the transitions between tracks was seamless.
Favourites were Come Alive and Mushrooms and Roses, but Suite II Overture and Suite III Overtures were fantastic. I don't think I could ever get bored of listening to this album.
I liked this album a lot so it was tough to only give a 3/5. Would have easily been a 6/10 because it had a great vibe, perfect to listen to on lazy weekend afternoons. It wasn't a bad album by any means, I loved the rhythm, and especially love an album that's not in English because it really is something different from what I usually listen to. I just struggled to pay attention to it because there wasn't anything about it that made me go "oh yeah this slaps". Keeping this album saved though so maybe I'll change my mind in future and bump it to a 4/5
Damn I friggin love this album. This whole album was a nostalgic trip and I'm so grateful I've seen The Offspring live.
Favourites were Come Out and Play, Self Esteem, and What Happened To You. In particular with WHTY I'm obsessed with the change of pace throughout the song, and love how the beat was super funky.
Overall the album was just fantastic. It's one of my go tos for when I need something fast paced and high energy because I'll never not want to start moshing when The Offspring come on
Look, I love albums like this. Psychedelic music is one of my favourite genres and I like this album when I'm in a specific environment and headspace and after a specific vibe so yeah I'll be saving it for future plays.
That being said, was it a masterpiece of motifs, bass lines, lyrics or production? No. There were definitely aspects to the tracks that I loved e.g. I have no idea wtf kind of instrument or effect was used at the start of Negative Space, it gives me a "someone flicking a rubber band against a metal bucket but make it reverb", but I did like it. I also enjoyed the bubble effect in The Soft Season but that song in general made me feel like Hookworm ripped off Sigur Rós so I have mixed feelings. The transition between Boxing Day and Reunion threw me off entirely and Shortcomings felt like a bit of a cliche song to end the album with lyrics wise.
Overall probs a 4/5, was tossing up between a 3 but I genuinely did enjoy most of this.
Okay I really loved this. It's rare to find accoustic albums that don't sound like dog shit, and I'll admit I haven't listened to Nick Drake before but this was a really lovely album to listen to.
Overall this album had a lot of ups and downs in terms of the vibe it gave me. Sometimes it was quite down and real sad girl vibes and then it would switch to upbeat happy melodies so I liked the unpredictableness of it.
I don't think I had anything negative to say about it, but at the same time I can't think of anything that made me fall in love either so 4/5 it is.
This album was a real treat. I absolutely adore albums that have elements of radio or tv show broadcasts.
This was definitely outside of my normal taste but I'm a big fan of funk and I thought the space theme was a cool concept that tied the entire album together really well.
Eh I have mixed feelings about this. I couldn't really tell most of the songs apart but overall the album was okay. I think it was just kind of mediocre to be honest. Even trying to write this review is difficult because I forgot what the songs sounded like. If the plain white wall which I stare at from 9-5 in my corporate job was an album, I think it would be this one.
Look I tried. This album is just so sad. I'm usually a big fan of the harmonica but after the third song in a row started with a depressing harmonica melody I actually wanted to kill myself.
Maybe I was just already in a bad mood but Jesus Christ this album made it ten times worse.
I have really mixed feelings about this album. It's supposed to be one of if not the best album by Arcade Fire. It won them the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2010 or 2011 whenever it was. Everyone raves about this album.
I just couldn't get behind it. I didn't not like it, like I still enjoyed listening to it and there were definitely songs I enjoyed but I don't get the hype around it. Maybe I'm just an uneducated cockraoch for not agreeing that this is a mindblowingly good album but so be it.
Favourites were Empty Room and Month of May. Could not name another song if I tried
Ooh boi did I love this album. I'm a real slut for tracks that do that panning thing when the audio shifts between left and right and makes me feel like it's circling my brain, it scratches an itch I never knew I had.
Fatboy slim is someone that I've always enjoyed listening to, but never did so religiously so it was nice to sit back and just enjoy this.
Favourites were Song for Lindy, The Weekend Starts Here, and The Sound of Milwaukee. Overall it was a solid listen, the album felt cohesive but each track was still it's own which can be a hard balance to strike
Eugh, boring and sad. I really struggled to get through this. I didn't hate it enough to give it a 1. Genuinely I think if I listened to this again a month from now I wouldn't realise that I'd already heard it before.
Oof this was good. A bit of everything going on here. Loved the upbeat vibe of Big Ten Inch Record and particularly enjoyed the way the album ended with You See Me Crying, it felt like a really solid outro. The whole album just flowed really well but I'm hesitant to give it a 5/5 because something was missing so it's just shy of a 5 star
Neil Young's music would sound better if Neil Young wasn't singing
Look I liked this a lot, but if I'm honest I can't really get behind a live album that doesn't at least make an effort to sound like a live album. Where is the stage presence??? Was it a decision by the producer to exclude any interaction between Bob Dylan and the audience or did he just sit up on stage with his guitar and harmonica and not utter a single word??
My favourite thing about live albums is getting to hear the artist's engagement with the crowd. Otherwise it just sounds very clinical.
That being said, it was still a nice album to listen to, but I'm a little confused as to why you'd include this album over one of Bob Dylan's studio recorded albums.
It's been a hot minute since I've listened to Skepta but this album pleasantly reminded me that I've always enjoyed his music.
The album as a whole was well executed. I think it's one of those albums where you can choose to listen to it in it's entirety, or pick and choose your bangers (being Shutdown and That's Not Me).
I don't think it's a 5 for me though but to be fair it's 7am so maybe I'm just not hyped enough for it to be a 5.
Sleep to Dream and Criminal feel really out of place in comparison to the rest of the album. They're so upbeat and funky and the rest of the album was this slow moody theme.
I have to criticise the rhythm of the melody in Sullen Girl that's overlayed with the instrumental track. It's weird and doesn't sit right.
Slow like honey was good, gave me James Bond theme song vibes but then The First Taste was like if James Bond had wandered into a Cuban beach club on a Thursday night and fell in love with the beautiful and mysterious lounge singer performing on stage. However! I did love the percussion instruments used in The First Taste so that kept me from scoring lower.
This album just perplexed me. I can't figure out if I love it or if it's weird, or if it's weird and that's why I like it. Another one which would have been better to score using a 10 point scale but oh well.
Please don't crucify me for not giving this album a 5/5. It had some bangerz like Independent Woman and Survivor but I struggled to get behind the rest of the album.
Aye this was sick, a very cool album and very on brand with the theme and the effects used (plus the vibes were immaculate). I think German music consistently surprises me in the best way.
I really loved The Robots and Neon Lights. I also really loved that it was short. It didn't feel too short, but it was kind of a perfect album through and through.
I have a lot of feelings about this. Most of them are good. I think there's no dispute about this album falling under the Experimental Rock genre because there were a lot of moments where I thought to myself "what the fuck is going on". But whatever was going on was fucking cool as.
I really liked Hungry Freaks Daddy and Any Way the Wind Blows, very catchy indeed. Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder sounded like a young Donald Trump who tried to be a backing singer for a jazz band but failed so he went into his daddy's business instead.
I really liked the album in its entirety, but I really did have to be in the mood for this one.
Musically this album is just divine. The use of orchestral instruments like a real bass drum (not one part of a drum kit) in Sun It Rises and the flute in Your Protector kicked things up a level for me. Also the almost Gregorian-type chanting was really cool.
I think it's hard to use these types of instruments and themes throughout an album whilst still retaining a real folky vibe.
Super mixed feelings about this one. Joni Mitchell is an amazing singer and musician all round, but I struggled with this one a bit. We started off strong with the bongos which set my expectations really high but then as the album went on it died a bit. And maybe that was the point because Blue Motel Room and Refuge of the Roads definitely felt like the end but I'll admit I was a bit happy when the album ended because I was falling asleep.
Highlights for me were the jazz elements used in every song and Black Crow had a super fun vibe to it. Definitely a #travelgirl album though and the lyrics in some songs very much had an improvisational feel to them.
I was ready to give this one a 4, maybe even a 5 because it slapped but I really have to take issue with the fact that the order of the songs when you stream it is not the same order that they were played in when the performance was recorded live. And look, yeah if I hadn't read up about this album I'd have been none the wiser, but honestly what is the point of re-issuing a LIVE album if you're not retaining the original performance????
How could anyone not like this album? It's so easy to listen to, transitions through so many vibes whilst retaining its theme, has a few classic tunes and just all round ticks all the boxes.
I high-key love that Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five repeated the main melody from the song Band on the Run which nicely ties the whole album together, without the album looping itself.
Favourite song was probably Let Me Roll It, another song I wanna slow dance in the kitchen to.
This started off really strong, I loved the rhythm and vibe of the percussion in Human Behaviour. We then transitioned into very quintessential European disco vibes and then randomly had this beautiful harp centred tune in Like Someone In Love which felt like the background tune in a film about a couple who met at a rave and then fell in love during an MDMA comedown, and then straight back into the disco scene.
The only reason why this wasn't a 5/5 was because the second half of the album felt a bit lackluster. That in mind I adored The Anchor Song, it was perfect as the final song of the album
Eh this didn't do it for me. First time listening was intriguing, and I liked it for the most part, but then on listening to it a second time I really wasn't fussed about this album.
I liked Ether and Damaged Goods, but other than that the rest of the album was almost a bit boring.
This album is just liquid gold. Straight up banger after banger. I really wish I wasn't listening to this alone in my room on a Saturday night cos I'd sell my left tit to be out dancing to this album right now.
Ah I so do love classic rock, and it doesn't get much more classic than this. Baba O'Riley was a fantastic start, really cool instruments (I love me a fiddle), and very catchy melodies. Love Aint For Keeping was beautiful, the kinda vibe you want when you're drinking a hazy IPA at a brewery on a warm Sunday afternoon. Not gonna talk about Behind Blue Eyes because we all know that Limp Bizkit did a banger cover (which let's be honest, is better than the original). And then to end with Won't Get Fooled Again a.k.a 8 minutes of guitar riff heaven that genuinely made me sad when I realised I had finished the album.
After my last The Who listen, being the clusterfuck that was Live at Leeds, this was a much more enjoyable experience.
I listened to this album quite a few times and loved it every single time. Frank Sinatra's voice is just so iconic and the Bossa Nova style is wonderful in so many ways, and I particularly loved the up beat rhythm and guitar in The Girl from Impanema. My only issue is that the rest of the album doesn't draw my attention in the same way. It's beautiful and so easy to listen to but it's not a 5/5 for me in the way other albums are. Probably like a 4.6 if I'm honest.
Ace of Spades: Oh yeah this song slaps
Love me Like a Reptile: Still slaps but okay yeah this is a bit similar
Shoot You in the Back: Okay these guys know how to make one song.
Honestly this album felt like the equivalent of buying the same dress in five different colours because you like it. I enjoyed it but it also got dull pretty quickly because I couldn't differentiate between the songs (except for Jailbait but only because that song made me go "um what the fuck").
If any of these songs played at a pub or bar whilst I was out I'd probably bop my head along and enjoy it but doubt I'll be listening to this album again anytime soon.
After taking a short break from listening to a new album every day (I may have some slight commitment issues), David Bowie made it pretty easy to get back into the swing of things.
I really loved the dissonance of the piano in the title track, it's jarring enough to make you pay attention to the music but not so offputting that you want to skip to the next song (which can be a fine line to walk).
My favourites were Drive-In Saturday and Cracked Actor but that's because I'm a sucker for anything written in 6/8 time. The rhythm of both of those songs made me wanna get up on stage and dance like Miles Teller in Top Gun Maverick (you know the scene I'm talking about on the beach).
Time sort of went a bit Phantom of the Opera which again I loved and rounding it out with Lady Grinning Soul was just **chef's kiss**.
The entire album was truly an excellent display of Bert Jansch's skills on the guitar. I feel like to fully appreciate it I needed to be sitting under a tree along the Mississippi Delta whilst smoking a pipe or something. So you can imagine my surprise when I found out Herbert was actually Scottish. Perhaps I should have listened to this whilst drinking scotch and watching a bar fight at some dodgy pub in Glasgow instead.
Boy was I glad to finish this album. Look, I get why people raved about this when it was released, the peace and love themes are very very apparent and given when this album came out I can totally understand the massive following behind this music.
But honestly, I didn't love it. I think the only song I really really enjoyed was Crippled Inside. I was very close to adding Oh No to the list because I thought it was the end of the album and I was really happy about it but turns out it wasn't the end and I had to listen to more John Lennon.
Maybe Mark David Chapman was trying to spare us all
Why did so many of the songs on this album start off with at least some potential only to be ruined within 30 seconds. How the fuck do you have an album produced by 30 of the world's "best" producers only for it to wind up this shit?
The only reason why this album is a 2 and not a 1 is because I actually thought the narration at the start was pretty cool, and the album seemed like it would follow along this theme of how women in the spotlight will always be criticised for their appearance or behaviour, and that's some Queen shit. But then songs like Blow and Jealousy fucking ruined it (although I admit I was amused by the fact that a song called Blow was actually about eating pussy, I hope my boyfriend likes Skittles).
Album defs isn't a 5/5 for me but it's a 10/10 for giving me nostalgic Twilight feels right from the start.
What stood out to me throughout the entire album was the really beautiful harmonisation in the vocals. Nude and Weird Fishies/ Arpeggi were a little too odd for my taste but overall still a very enjoyable album.
What the fuck is that album cover. Why the fuck am I listening to music about child brides.
This album is like if Neil Young's son tried to follow in the footsteps of his father because Stuart Murdoch's voice is just so squeaky and grating. I'm giving this a 2 instead of a 1 because if you take out the vocals entirely it's actually a decent album. I found myself bopping along to the instrumentals and enjoyed it until old mate Murdoch started singing again.
There are two types of 5/5 albums in my opinion. Type A is where the entire album is one cohesive unit that you listen to from start to finish and feel a sense of satisfaction. Type B is the one where each song is just straight up banger after banger.
Nevermind was so so so close to being both types, but Endless, Nameless just ruined it for me. I'll be crucified for saying this but I genuinely think it could have been dropped from the album entirely and it would have made no difference. And yes I know, the people who suck the ghost of Kurt Cobain's dick will come after me and say that Endless, Nameless is the ultimate representation of Nirvana's chaotic and grungey vibe and it channels the band's raw emotions but I actually had to check to see if my headphones hadn't shat itself.
4.5/5
I was quite surprised that despite being released in 1972, this album followed the style of classic 50s rock and roll. Everything from the rhythm and chord progressions used felt like music you would hear at a dance hall on a Friday night. Now I'm just waiting for a cute boy to come up to me and ask me to dance or take me roller skating.
Onto the actual review of the music. I think my criticism of this album is that after a while, all the songs kinda sound the same? Which in this scenario I don't actually have any issue with it because the album is so laid back and easy to listen to. So why is this a criticism if I don't mind it? Probably because I don't see myself coming back to this album anytime soon except maybe if can find it on cassette to listen to during a Sunday afternoon drive. In other words, I'll come back to this for the vibe, but not because I think it's one of the most well-written or produced albums of all time.
What a lovely, calming album to listen to on a dreary Thursday morning. This was a very emotive album and it's obviously very safe to say that Elton's voice + piano backing is always going to be a great combination.
My favourite track was Indian Sunset and All the Nasties was up there too.
Despite the fact that Goodbye was the final track, to me All the Nasties actually felt like a better way to end the album with that gospel choir aspect to it despite the fact.
I feel like I had a different experience every time I listened to this album.
The first listen was very nostalgic, reminded me of singing along to Fast Car with my mum when she dropped me off to school.
On the second listen I feel like I paid more attention to Tracy Chapman's voice and how beautiful and gentle it is. I love folk music and her voice is so soothing.
By the third and final listen, I found myself feeling quite sad and I think it's because I paid more attention to her lyrics and how the album comments on social injustice and it's kind of heartbreaking that despite having seen so much change in the world, it feels like we're regressing in terms of social change.
Overall a very impactful album, and one I didn't fully appreciate when I was younger.
Giving this a 3 because I couldn't figure out if I liked this or not. I don't even know what to say about this album to be honest. It seemed fine, but nothing really stood out to me as being memorable. Oh well.
Okay Vicious made me laugh a bit. Aside from that, Lou Reed definitely has a very unique voice and style. Despite Walk On the Wild Side being the only song of his I'd previously heard of, I knew it was his music which I love.
Damn what a vibe. The rhythm and percussion lines throughout the album had me hooked from the start. I don't remember the last time I listened to an album that made me want to pick up my drumsticks and play along. It was almost impossible not to dance to this so naturally I listened to the album again when making dinner for myself and drinking wine alone in my kitchen :').
While this is stating the obvious, I genuinely loved the contrast of the falsetto and the otherwise warm melodies and harmonies really tickled something in my brain.
