The Boss- his breakthrough commercially with this one. Once I get over the cheesy'ness of the saxophone (*note- not this album's fault, the saxophone just got done to death in the 80's) and the "Meat Loaf" similarities (I don't like Meat Loaf) this is a fine album, a lot of it didn't grab me but I've never been a steel worker and I've never chased the American dream . But I am giving the Boss an extra point for being a massive Trump hater.

A classic which in the 80’s was a total game changer to how hip hop was perceived opening up a whole new audience. Some of the best samples ever utilised and almost made Hall & Oates cool.

With it titled Gunfighters ballads I was expecting a slightly more grand bigger aggressive sound. However what I did get was a very easy listening honky-tonk genre. None of the tracks really jumped out at me, but there is no questioning Marty Robbins talent and his vocal range

I struggle with this & any other types of this genre which I would box as “pop rock” I’m sure that this has been hugely influential for many future prog rock bands but all I get is Jeremy Clarkson dad dancing to west end musical tunes trying to do rock n roll. Sorry.

Love it. Boy! They could blow some brass, not just the sax either. I’d imagine that in the day this must have sounded so new & explosive! Still lasts the test of time & sounds fresh, vibrant and cool in 2024. His Italian/Scilian blood sparks so many American gangster movies in mind. And went on to be the voice of King Louis for the Jungle Book, legend!

There is no questioning this band’s status in the rock music community , the success that they achieved, the inspiration they gave..but it passed me by and even now I revisit it with a more musically open (& educated?) mind (or ears??) but cannot engage wit it, like it or appreciate it, sorry it’s not you it’s me (maybe)

A nostalgic revisit of this album bearing in mind I was 18/19 years old when this was in my “cassette” album collection (sorry didn’t do vinyl then!) - it holds up well these day. Never forget seeing the Sledgehammer animated video for the 1st time when videos were a really big deal for a single release. Love Mercy Street- probably my favorite on the album.

Never heard it before, liked the pace of it, octane fuelled Outdoory pursuit type music to push you through a day in the hills.

Ok, there’s no disputing the capabilities of Mike Oldfield, the fact he was only 19 years old when he produced this album and the fact he played every musical instrument known to man! However to me, it’s too background type music…too soundtrack, for me, it doesn’t lead to anything. No melodies- just a clever guy experimenting the same tune using different instruments. Bah!

This album is of fine quality from 1989, timeless in its sounds and I believe it would never sound dated. Kate Bush sings through each track in an almost effortless beauty. Good stuff.

Fine piece of work, down tempo, moody atmospheric album. The Intro is now an iconic piece of music. Launched a great musical career for both Jamie Xx & Romy. Deservedly winning the Mercury in 2010.

Not my favourite Radiohead album but nether the less a great revisit to it and staggered to be reminded it’s over 20 years old. “There There” the stand out of the singles released from it. Considering it was touted as a bit of a Protest album against the newly elected President Bush I don’t get a great deal of anger in it (certainly not from a Radiohead perspective anyway). Forgot what a great track “punch up at a wedding” was. And probably the 1st album where the band mashed together their old Indy rock sound with their new electronica experiments - early stirrings of what the Smile are now. Solid 4 for this one from me.

The older I get the more I appreciate Radiohead, cannot remember the last time I’ve listen to Kid A in its entirety, but what an experience today it was as I heard history in the making. That fusion and collaboration between their early roots of “Indy rock” and Thom & others encountering what I would describe as an identity crisis as they jump into the electronica world and in the process unearthing a whole new world for us all. Courageous, risky (almost splitting the band up) bold and ballsy - we should all be grateful for this album. But still not my favourite, they were evolving into something bigger & better!

Loved learning about the storyline behind the album, nice to hear pinball wizard, liked the connection between all the songs, I felt this more of an education rather than a listen..& I’m grateful for it. Would I ever listen to it again? Probably not.

Jolly album with some real SD anthems along the way. Enjoyed it, I should have gone double denim for the day and pulled off some dad dancing. You can understand the sucess they have had over the decades.

Great album reminding me that the 90’s is my favourite musical decade. Beck puts together a broad range of tracks which flow really well as an album. He’s gone on & consistently delivered a great collection of music touching many music genres..thank you Beck 🙏

Yeah, this was a tough listen, I struggle to picture the fanbase of this particular album. Was it that the three (very talented trio admittedly) had the same manager and thought it’ll be a good idea to combine them together in a kind of “dream team” kind of collaboration ? What do I know? This made it into the 1001 albums so a lot of people liked it but it’s not for me.

Considering the whole band were at war with one another, fighting & divorcing it’s remarkable that this album ever got to launch, but it did & is often considered the greatest album of all time. It’s not in my top 10 buts it’s a great listen, The Chain & Dreams are the stand out tracks for me & make up many of my playlist,even though extensive commercial air play over the decades! Would I listen to this album again in its entirety? Probably not but it’s a solid 3 for me.

Err, no not for me I’m afraid. Wouldn’t dispute their global success over the years…a band that can sell out a Vegas venue in 2024 on successive nights after over 50 years in the business suggests that they’ve done something right. I must admit I have got and do like the MTV live version of Hotel California though- just for the crowd reaction to it alone does make it a great listen. But a listen of this album in its entirety is a little bit much for me.

Good album - talent of PS coming through in every track. Enjoyed the listen, some great easy listening.

Nope, just a bit too punky, art punk? Pop punks? whatever you call it for me. I find the voices a little too sulky teenage for me, probably just my age and maybe that’s the reaction they are looking for! Can see they’ll have a great cult following though & they’ve built on that style and genre.

Awesome voice

A pretty dark set of tracks but then I guess the title of the album gives that away. Some good collaborations on here and some strong tracks- 1st listen today went over my head a bit but I became very intrigued on a revisit and enjoyed it - definitely a keeper in my streaming collection. I do find that Nick Cave has aged well when it comes to his music. Big fan of his last album.

The album jogs along nicely in an indie rock kind of way. Frequent airplay of the singles from this album haven’t helped me, I find a little all a little predictable these days. Nice to hear this album in its entirety which is a first for me, but not one I’d instantly gravitate towards. If there were half marks it’ll 2.5!

The 2nd album is always the hardest right? Well, if that’s the case they worked their socks off to make this one of the finest pieces of music ever..proper day stopper for me listening to this album, obviously the singles released speak for themselves but after not hearing some of the album tracks for a while they are all combine to make a sublime collection of music that will always hold up well. It’s a FIVE from me.

I’d say this is a reigned in album from the bothers when compared to other albums from the duo which could be perceived as a little too frantic for some. Because of this it would be a great introduction into the techno world of Orbital. 30 years old, and these days dare I say it sounds quite iconic of those raving years…orbital highly influenced the genre of electronica. Nice to hear this album in full again, think I may have bought this on cd in a charity shop for a quid in the early noughties ! A quid well spent.

A 2 hour plus work drive back home from Surrey today so I thought I’d give the album a go, made it through to track 4 and thought this isn’t going to change, I’m not going to change and we should part company. Switched to 6 music and managed to catch that Underworld had just released (or dropped as the kids would say) a new album. Swamp rock just ain’t my bag. Nuff said.

Forget the Oasis hype…Supergrass were pushing out much better “Britpop” in the 90’s and this album is the perfect example of this. First class.

Nina had that skill where she could sing to accurately reflect the lyrics and arrangement to fit the mood and emotions be that pain, anger, sorrow, joy or love she nails it every time. I have never heard the track Four Women before : a very powerful, shocking, sad but incredible piece of music.

I'm not one for live albums however this was recorded at Abbey Road and only in front of a few hundred people so is allowed to be an exception to my rulings! Imagine being there!? Frantic, vibrant, explosive, jazzy, groovy that smashes along at an incredible pace. Bass line constantly hammering along like an engine room driving an incredible assembly of such talented musicians. One of the finest pieces of drumming if not the finest by the legendary Tony Allen,? I trying to work that one out. Some of the rifts felt a little like the JB's too, only a lot more raw (but in a good way) I'm sorry, but if you were not moving along to this then you have no soul. FIVE!

Can't say I was/am a big fan of the band, and after a listen to this album (was it their 1st?) my opinion has not changed. Take Me Out has had so much air play over the years it's almost become a white noise to me.

Not my favourite SW album but still proving that he was such a genius in the musical world inspiring many artists for years to come. Sunshine of my life despite after all these years and all the airplays has never taking the edge off a beautiful song. Superstition always a dance floor filler.

Didn’t hold my attention I’m afraid

I have a very strange relationship with the music of Depeche Mode, I find their earlier material a little tinny and very familiar of 80's dare I call it modern romantic commercial syth pop. As they have matured and certainly "lived" a bit their music has evolved, gained a lot of depth and many of their tracks from the 90's and onwards has been a part of my musical "go to" particularly some of their stuff that has been remixed. Music for the Masses certainly is from that early era where commercially they were smashin it....staggered to read that this was already their 6th album and it was only 1987! But sadly I'm never going to invest the time to listen in its entirety, Very sad to hear of the death of Fletch at only 60 in 22' RIP

Good strong opening song, the album tracks nicely compliment the strong singles released from it. Fine album from a great band.

Some proper bangers in there, Let’s Go Crazy, When Doves Cry, & of course the anthem Purple Rain all top drawer stuff! He was a temperamental son of bitch but goodness was he ever a talent! Some of the album tracks sound a little dated these days but still a great album.

Unmistakable sound of Niles Rogers written all over it, incredible how the man has strived through the decades making tunes that frankly anyone could get a groove on to. Le Freak & Everybody Dance would be a core ingredient to a proper disco night for all to enjoy. The album bounces along smoothly and nicely for a very easy inoffensive listen.

I do love the singles Roam and Love Shack, and have always meant to explore the musical world of the B-52's in more depth. Apart from Rock Lobster I did not know any of the tracks from this album but really enjoyed them. Arguably, the sound and style is timeless, and if released today could prove to be successful. I loved it and will explore more of their material....BIG UP THE B-52's with your fun crazy nonsense...it's not just about a Love Shack!

nah, as much as he's been a cornerstone of the UK music industry for a 1,000 years; EJ's stuff is not for me.

As much as I love the band Rage Against the Machine and the fact that the Dead Kennedy's hugely inspired them, I've never been a fan of the band particularly . I find the punk they played (despite pathing the way for many) a little too raw and primitive, Early Punk came around at a pre-teen time for me so I never really identified with it. But I can understand this identity that some would connect to, and help them rebel against society, the system, parents or the general grown up world! It's just not something I can relate to, and look back at with any warm nostalgia, it was just a noise.

When you consider the hysteria and backlash this year Beyonce had releasing a country and western album and then think of Ray Charles jumping genres in the early 60's- now, that takes big balls of steel! Listen to this, and consider that culture and genre jump in that very un-diverse world ......it's incredible. It sounds so natural and bloody good too, what a guy! Those balls of steel turned to golden for pulling this one off, one of the greatest, successful genre shifts of all time. for that reason alone it gets a big fat FIVE from me. The man himself once summed it up nicely by saying "Country & Blues aren't cousins they're blood brothers." Bravo Ray Charles!

The Boss- his breakthrough commercially with this one. Once I get over the cheesy'ness of the saxophone (*note- not this album's fault, the saxophone just got done to death in the 80's) and the "Meat Loaf" similarities (I don't like Meat Loaf) this is a fine album, a lot of it didn't grab me but I've never been a steel worker and I've never chased the American dream . But I am giving the Boss an extra point for being a massive Trump hater.

This album and band passed me by, and on a listen to this it doesn’t suprise me, pretty forgettable to be honest in my humble opinion

I have got and like his album "Prisoner" from 2016 and was interested to hear this one, his 2nd album. Good tracks on hear, I'm not usually that keen on "American country rock" (if that's what you could pocket his musical style) but I've always been drawn (& not sure why) to his stuff, and this album doesn't change my mind. Particularly liked the tracks "La Cienega Just Smiled" "When the Stars Go Blue" & "Nobody Girl, in fact there's a lot of tracks I like from the 2nd listen! If you like it, (or even you don't) listen to "Shiver & Shake" from his album "Prisoner"

Listened to this one whilst working, and I reckon 3 tracks in I think I'd actually stopped "listening" to it, it just didn't hold my attention.....until of course Layla appeared. Layla deeply buried amongst the rest of it, the change in tempo of this song with the piano really does last it's taste in time and I had to re-visit it along with other versions of the song over the weekend to really appreciate it- truly a classic piece of music. Album overall though lets the song down and it'll be unlikely I'd hear it all again. (sorry, would have been a 1 if it wasn't for Layla

Amazing how this can be such powerful stuff sang in a very quiet way - he was an incredible talent troubled by his past which comes across in his music. A good listen.

Never really got into Heavy Metal & at the age I am now never will. When a teen I had a fight with a lad after school - he had a huge Iron Maiden patch on the back of his denim jacket with the sleeves cut off, he caught me in the face with his studded leather wristband - so Iron Maiden since then have been a bit of a nemesis to me. I saw the lad this year- fat, old & bald, karma.

Hadn't heard of this band before, but rather liked this album and had to keep reminding myself that it originated from the early 70's. Very experimental with a rock and trippy ambient vibe. The last track Bel Air (which took up the whole of side 2 on the vinyl version I read) is almost 20 minutes long but sounds like 4 tracks all merged into one, even so, it just leaves you wanting more. I'll explore this band further- another gift from the "album a day generator!" This album for me is definitely a keeper.

Nothing to dislike but nothing I could really get excited about.

There is no disputing the enormous global success Oasis have and will continue to have. But, in my opinion there were better bands around doing “Britpop” in the 90’s - Blur, Supergrass and The Verve as examples. Some real anthems on this album and no doubt will get further historic success in 2025 for obvious reasons. However I cannot get excited listening to this album.

Yeah it’s ok. Not in my collection, she had some attitude did DH & fair play to her but it’s not an album I have really connected with and even after giving it a try today it still leaves me with little to change my mind

NERD, the band that refused to be "genrerised" (is that a word?) Similar to Outkast, echoes of Prince, shades of Hendrix, shades of Flaming Lips...in it you find you've got jazz, you've got rock, you've got hip hop- just so layered with all sorts of music, noises and gear shifts. Pharrell obviously going on to pretty big stuff since.

what's not to like about this on Christmas day? Besides, its a break & getaway from the Buble!

A fine sound, attitude at a high level.

As ever, energetic vibrant & so danceable, would have loved to have watched them all live in a sweaty smokey club.

Just dull

critically acclaimed, very influential band but I just couldn't get excited about this album. sure, must of sounded pretty cool in it's time but all very predictable and a little dated these days.

Difficult to review this "double album" in a summary as the style of each one is very contrasting. Speakerbox is typical southern Hip Hop and despite its age now being 25 years old (wow!) still sounds fresh with many stand out's. - The Way You Move" an absolute classic hip hop tune with a real sweet jazzy chorus. Meanwhile The Love Below "part" of the album oozes funky vibes and of course "Hey Ya" going on to massive commercial success - now listen to Take of Your Cool featuring Nora Jones- big shift in style, "Prototype" released as a single is an excellent song, yet strangely flopped. Happy Valentines Day is absolutely riddled with funk! Both Big Boi and Andre 3000 excellent artists in their own individual rights. Just be wary of playing The Love Below at a dinner party with folk you might not be familiar with, could be awkward when tracks 22, & 25 come on!

Wouldn't even have to listen to this to rate it. Say what you like about him, Frank was the greatest - the Godfather of Crooners, often imitated but nobody had "that voice" - he was what he was in a different era and generation to today.... he wouldn't have been Frank if there wasn't the edge and controversy behind him in his life. Every track on here a classic. More comebacks than Elvis? probably. If I could see an artist no longer with us on the planet it would probably be Frank (& Jimmi!)

if I was a pubescent lad in 1994 perhaps I may have well been able to identify with this album, but it was not a sound or experience that I particular got to like & for another reminder in 2025 it actually sounds worse! Just sounds all a bit daft these days, trying to be rebellious but to me actually sounding a bit "American Pie" & childish....

A great drum and bass compilation album. rolls along nicely and a good example of that genre probably at its peak in the 90’s. Personally would have preferred the odd track thrown in with some lyrics to break it up a bit but a good listen.