Cracking debut from the lads. Four number one singles, some classic pop tunes. Excellent!

Drop the Pressure is the stand-out of course, but there are a few other good 'uns that make this a good listening experience.

Very much a 'late night' album. Lo-fi beats, flowing raps and some killer samples laid over a concept around a sleazy doctor. Noice.

Missy showing she was one of the finest rappers of the era. Some great collaborations too, including Meth, TLC, and Beyonce. Good times.

Featuring The Song With a Life of Its Own, and of course Vincent, this is quite a nice collection of songs, some haunting, beautiful and poetic, and some slightly less memorable. But I liked it overall.

My favourite live album ever. Every track is superbly done, The Man Who Sold the World and Pennyroyal Tea are particular highlights. I do love this one!

An interesting album. I've seen it described as a concept album, and I wouldn't argue with that. The interludes are there for a reason - sometimes interludes are to be endured, this is the artist having a bit of a giggle - but here they not only tie the album together, they provide a platform for the next song to jump from. Standout: Price Tags (with a certain Anderson .Paak in full flow)

Started off all right, jazzy, funky, laid-back tunes, so laid-back they were almost horizontal. But more of the same and more of the same just got wearing after a while and I was glad to get to the end. Just kidding, I didn't get to the end.

Confident album with some excellent collaborations. I liked.

I like XTC. I don't like this album. Sure there are a couple of decent tracks, but it's not enough for me, and it just has me hankering for their earlier, more punky stuff.

Nice bit of grunge this, but you can kind of see why they didn't make it as big as Nirvana or Soundgarden...

Sounded more like a collection of B-sides, demos and outtakes to me. Not the best start to his solo career.

An eclectic album from Mr Wyatt. I wasn't quite prepared for the sonic output from this album, but if you're aware of his style you should have a nice time with this.

Jane's Addiction's debut album and a fine introduction to their alt-rock stylings. Stand out is of course Jane Says, but listen out for Summertime Rolls too.

Grunge before there was grunge. Vocals, sometimes drawling, sometimes wailing; guitar fuzz turned up to 11; themes of love, loss and darkness abound. I rather liked it.

Cracking debut from the lads. Four number one singles, some classic pop tunes. Excellent!

Superb. Spawned a couple of huge hits, and the rest of the album holds up well too. Excellent stuff!

Classic 60s album, all the elements are in place, jangly guitars, easy drumming, slightly unhinged singer. But it's good fun and I recommend it thoroughly.

A solid effort from one of the doyens of the country scene. Familiar themes of love and loss and the American Way are all present and correct.

Deep, dark, pit of your soul, end of the world, offering from Marilyn Manson. And it's effective too: you have to remind yourself, "it's just a song", sometimes. Try it, but, er, put the sharp objects away first.

Cracking album, with some big tunes, as rock music started making its comeback in a difficult decade dominated by pop, electro, and the end of disco. A good listen.

Nice this one. Early REM is good REM. Mind you, late REM isn't too shabby either.

World Music in its truest sense, as Talvin covers the globe to record its beauty in sonic form. Music for the soul - if you've had a bad day, put it on; if you've had a good day, put it on.

Yeah, well...

Lovely stuff, what you'd expect from a Bell & Sebastian release. Instantly catchy and heart-warming,

Every day, we stray further from God's light.

It's Dennis Wilson, but it's definitely not The Beach Boys' sound. Sometimes dreamy, sometimes trippy, always interesting. Not bad at all.

We should be grateful that Scott beamed down to this planet to give us his combined oeuvre, of which this is one charming fragment. Beautiful ballads, tender and touching torch songs, mellifluous melodies. Really quite excellent. Now to check out the rest...

Synth pop with an ethereal yet earthy quality. Contains their four biggest hit (love a bit of Wood Beez, me) and the rest ain't bad either.

One of their better albums, yet I still found myself yearning for some OK Computer. Maybe I just can't let go...

Don't do drugs, kids. Psychedelic folk, and not in a good way either. There are some good songs trying to break out here, possibly, but the sub-Bob Dylan mumbling (and that's saying something) and the seemingly random strumming of guitars and odd placing of the instruments pretty much knackers their chances. No likey.

Elvis continued his comeback with this effort, not long after his TV special, which we can probably file under Southern Bluesy Rock, or similar. In the Ghetto and Suspicious Minds are the biggest tracks on this, but the rest of the album holds up well too.

The never knowingly understated Rufus Wainwright here with the first half of his two-parter, and it's jolly good too. Each of these tunes could easily find their way into a musical. Recommended!

Starting off with the title track, this is alternately raw and in-your-face and melodic, and is a fine introduction to the stylings of Mr Cooper. A most welcome entry into the rock canon.

Prog rock for the win! Where would we be without King Crimson and, around the same time, Can?

Yes. This is a cracker. Full of memorable songs that will get you up and dancing, or nodding in a reflective mood, as the mood befits. She's not a bad actress either you know...

Think Tool. Think Nine Inch Nails. Think (of course) At the Drive In. Think Tool again. Yeah you're pretty darn close. Some standouts but it's not quite my scene.

Brazil, 60s, tropicalia, psychedelia; mix it up and what do you get? Something a lot like this: dreamier and trippier than a night on the acid, with unexpected treats appearing here, there and everywhere. Occasionally discordant as their creativity exceeds their execution, but always charming, beguiling and enticing. You might need a little, er, chemical help to get fully into it, but it will reward you. It gets a 3 from me, but only because my stash is nearly empty.

EBTG is always a welcome listening experience. Tracey really does have the most delightful voice, and the songs are beautifully rendered ballads. All in all, worthy of a thumbs up, and something I may return to at some point.

Smooth raps, thumping beats (courtesy of one DJ Premier); this came out in 1994 but still stands up well today. A fine head-nodder to add to the collection.

With the exception of the truly godawful Yellow Submarine, every track here is a belter. Eleanor Rigby is probably my favourite Beatles song of all time. And then you've got Here There and Everywhere, Tomorrow Never Knows, Taxman, Got to Get You Into My Life... All superb. 5 stars all the way!

Everyone's favourite Grumpy Old Bastard, heard here as a younger, more fresh-faced, curmudgeon. This is a very pleasant and listenable album, filled with jaunty and upbeat tunes about love and not having love and all that sort of malarkey. The title track is my standout. That used to be my and my ex's song... sigh... I'm over it, I'm over it, I'm fine

The title track got me through most of my first year at Uni. The rest of the album though, is largely forgettable if I'm honest. It's a shame really, but there you go. Two stars normally, but an extra one for 'Connected'. I see through you, I see through you...

Most excellent. Afrobeat at its finest. Adding Ginger Baker on top is tremendous!

When the reviews mention the amount of distortion as a positive, you could be forgiven for thinking you're in for a tough listen, especially if you like your rock a little less on the fuzzy side. You were never going to get a "classic" set of tunes, with things like being in tune, and discernable chord progressions, let's be honest. Come on, this is early VU. But if you like wailing guitars, loads of feedback, poetry recitals, and occasional interjections from Mr Reed and his attempts to... 'sing', are we calling it? Then this will be right up your strasse.

Dexy's in their Northern Soul original incarnation, featuring of course, the stomper that is "Geno", bangier than a box of firecrackers. Of course, they would go on to discover violins and dungarees and give us the timeless classic "Come on Eileen", but let's enjoy them as they were...

Some nice songs, but not quite my scene. All fine though.

I did have to check that I hadn't put on Fleet Foxes instead; it's got that same sort of dreamy, ethereal feel to it. A nice listen though.

Morrissey is a twat. I'm boycotting this album, because Morrissey is a twat. Now don't get me wrong, I like the Smiths, they had some belters, I've got a lot of time for them, but Morrissey was a twat then too. He had a couple of big hits off this effort, which are fine and do a good job, but at the end of the day, when all is said and done, Morrissey is a twat. I would give it three stars, but I'm knocking two of them off because, well, you know, Morrissey is a twat. #MorrisseyIsATwat

Excellent stuff! Britpop's slightly fuzzier offspring, with some rocking tunes and great guitar work and vocals. Recommended!

Kings of the murder ballad here, with songs darker than dark energy, dark matter and Vantablack (that's very dark indeed) put together. If you're feeling in a mood, this won't help at all.

Sublime, a joy from start to finish. The next album is going to do well not to be a disappointment compared to this.

Nope. Not for me. Too dark, too deep, too abstract to get into.

Nowt I haven't heard before, and done better. Some nice riffs going on, but those airy vocals can leave on the next train out of town. It's a "meh" from me

A true Rock 'n' Roll Classic. The opening track is one you'll have heard many, many times, but that hasn't dulled its power. Strong riffs, powerful vocals that you know you've tried to emulate before realising too late that it's *just* a little high, this is top-drawer "play loud with the roof down" stuff.

Elvis Costello was, is, and shall be one of Britain's finest songwriters. Focusing on themes of love and loss (a well much travelled to and from down the years), he and his band wrest some fine tunes and make this an engaging part of their oeuvre. I'm docking myself a star for the use of the word 'oeuvre'. This one gets a 3 from me.

As debut albums go, this is right up there. Each track is like a two-footed tackle... to the back of the head. Bombtrack and Killing in the Name have to be one of the best pairs of opening tracks to any album, punching you in the chest at every turn. Put it on and rock out like a mother.

Some excellent tracks here, but a lot of the time the album lives up to its name.

Wonderful. Dusty Springfield is one of the finest musical talents Britain (via Ireland) has ever produced. Every song here, even the most straightforward and mundane, is a showstopper with her voice to it. Anyone else with these songs, it would be 4 stars, tops. I can't hear Son of a Preacher Man without thinking of Cypress Hill's Hits From the Bong though :-)

1001 albums? Add a couple more zeroes between the ones and you might be getting close. Did not like this. Next.

Cracking. London Calling, Guns of Brixton, Brand New Cadillac are the standouts - this stands the test of time as not only one of the finest albums of the punk era, but of the 1970s, and - to be honest - of any period and genre since.

Eh, it's fine. I think you'd have to be in a... er, certain frame of mind of appreciate it.

Absolutely banging. Like a sledgehammer to the base of the spine.

It's a good album - lots of classic tunes (With a Little Help From My Friends, When I'm 64, A Day in the Life) - but it doesn't deserve the mythical status conferred upon it by so many. There are better Beatles albums out there - the ones immediately before and after, for example.

Bangin'

Lovely. A warm bath of an album. Brought back many memories.

Weird, but wonderful. And also very weird. I was torn between 3 and 4 stars, but I eventually settled for the higher.

Jimi Hendrix was, is, and always shall be, the man.

A belter. The new Michael Jackson - very different from Off the Wall and Thriller, which were more R&B-ish, this is more pop, and it works, and it works very well!

Not. One. Bad. Song. On. This. Album.

Excellent. Less rocky than their earlier stuff, but it showcases a band at the top of their game. Sure, everyone remembers Everybody Hurts and Man on the Moon, but Drive, Sweetness Follows, and Nightswimming, among others, deserve more recognition. Do yourself a favour and check it out.

Drop the Pressure is the stand-out of course, but there are a few other good 'uns that make this a good listening experience.

My word this is brilliant. For me, it's Elbow's best by some distance. 'Epic' barely begins to cover it, it's magnificent from start to finish. One of my all-time favourites. Thanks, 1001 Albums Generator, for letting me live this again.

Banger after banger! Top tunes all the way through!

Heard this as a kid and I'm sure I changed my life even then. If not the father of electronic music, then at least an uncle once removed. Superb stuff!

The album that launched Ladysmith Black Mambazo onto the wider world. "Eclectic" somewhat fails to cover it, to be honest. I first heard this as a 15-year-old and I couldn't get into it at first, but it won me over and I ended up playing it and playing until the tape broke. The most famous track is of course You Can Call Me Al, though my favourite is the opener, The Boy in the Bubble. The collaborations are a joy: Homeless, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, Under African Skies, and That Was Your Mother are all excellent. In short: I love it. If you haven't heard it, try it out and see if it has the same effect on you.

Cracking! Tremendous beats throughout and a couple of excellent collaborations. Recommended!

Superb. Michael was a superstar already of course, but this just elevated him to a whole new level. You know you're onto something good when you can release seven singles off an album and they all thunder into the top end of the charts without breaking sweat. Top, top album; here's five stars!

Alternative rock that really is alternative, it's out there but in a good way.

We're still with the early Beatles here, so there are a few covers (Please Mr Postman, Roll Over Beethoven, Money (That's What I Want), and others), but they're done very well, very well indeed. They do manage to avoid Difficult Second Album Syndrome on their own compositions - All My Loving went on to be a classic in their stable, and the others can hold their heads high. All in all, if you're a fan you'll know it, if not give it a try, you won't go far wrong.

Wonderful. What a talent we lost when Jeff passed away. Most famous for Hallelujah of course, but the rest of the album is heartfelt, evocative, ethereal, atmospheric, and just plain beautiful. Worth several listens, because this is one of those albums that gives back a little more with each repeated playback.

Now this I like. David Gray burst onto the wider scene with this debut effort, showcasing a very talented singer-songwriter. Most famous for Babylon, Please Forgive Me and This Year's Love, it's My Oh My that has stayed in my brain with the most effect, if I were to choose a word for it, I would say haunting. Excellent effort all round from the lad, recommended!

One word: bangin'. It's incredible (and harrowing) to think that this debut effort is now thirty years old; it sounds just as fresh as it did in the mid-90s. Every track has something to offer, and if you don't start grooving (yeah I'm that old) then honestly you should check for a pulse. It's a 5 from me!

Dusty's debut sparkles and crackles and showcases the voice that would enrapture and entrance over the next few decades. OK so there's little original here, it's mostly covers of other artists, but she imbues the tunes with a passion rarely felt in or by others. Can we talk about how much better her version of Anyone Who Had a Heart is than Cilla "Voice Like a Fire in a Pet Shop" Black? As is Dionne Warwick's for that matter. Put it on, sit back, relax and enjoy.

Top stuff, and a most excellent follow-up to In Search Of... Key track for me (and I suspect for many) will be She Wants to Move; it is impossible to sit still and listen to this, you will be grooving or your money back (lawyer's note: no refunds will actually be given). If I could give half-stars it would be a 3.5 from me, but 3.5 rounds up to 4, so 4 it is :-)

Magnificent. Some absolute classics on this record, and even the less well-known ones are better than many an act's entire output. I am a fan of Stevie Wonder, and it's hard not to be when he had this quality of material to his name. Do yourself a favour and check it out.

Simply sublime. The opening track, the title track, sung by Tracey Thorn, is one of my favourite songs of all time, the most dreamily beautiful song, with a languid beat and gorgeous vocals. Karmacoma, Eurochild, Sly, Better Things - all superb, Massive Attack at their imperious best. We didn't deserve this album, but we're sure glad it's here. I cannot believe it's over 30 years old now.

A definite 80s turn on Soul and R&B from our Bobby. Sure, the funk is there, but there's a fair amount of squelchy keyboard and it kind of gets in the way rather. Stand out track for me was If You Think You're Lonely Now, much more classic Womack. Overall a reasonable listen but I doubt I'll return to it anytime soon.

Psychedelic is definitely the word. It sounded exactly like what you'd expect a 60s band that's into experimenting with soundscapes and genres would sound like. Don't be put off by the lengthy track list (27), a number of them are different versions of certain songs. All in all, I found it interesting enough to keep my attention, but it's another one I won't be going back to

I do love A Tribe Called Quest, they're up there with the absolute finest in the genre. Every track here is a delight, my particular favourites are the first (Excursions) and the last (Scenario). There are some great collabs too, with Brand Nubian and Leaders of the New School standing out. In short, if you're looking for hip-hop that's smooth, you'll find it here. Want a bit of a harder edge? You'll find it here too. Effortlessly brilliant.