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.
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.
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.
To think he was close to walking away from the music business before this album- imagine! The man is a genius, this album is sublime.
Massive Attack with their debut album and nobody was really able to fit it into a musical genre, and so Trip Hop was born closely followed by a strong Bristol sound with the likes of Portishead & Roni Size among others. The beautifully haunting voice of Shara Nelson, the Jamaican roots reggae vocals of Horace Andy, the menacing voice of Daddy G, the whispering rasp of 3d and snarling attitude of Tricky...all cleverly laced together with some of the finest sampling ever. Unfinished Sympathy is my favourite commercially successful single of all time...I never tire of listening to it. Yes, they went on to make a better album (Mezzanine) but for my own personal nostalgia and being a Bristolian resident from 2000-2015's....this is my favourite Massive Attack album. Its a big fat five from me with a generous dollop of clotted cream on the top!
,
This ain’t my badger…just a load of distortion to me.
Brubeck was the definition of lounge…proper mellow relaxed vibes from the quartet on this album. Many memories of listening to my Dad playing this (especially Take 5) whilst he grooved (dad danced?) around our lounge with a Scotch & a smoke.
Great songs, great voice....it can't help but move you this album. Unfortunately, there's this nasty taste in my mouth when I listen to it, as the man himself has got increasingly more of an arsehole as he's got older. Maybe a little unfair to mark an album down on this fact but when you read & consider his dysfunctional, selfish, rude, arrogant attitude throughout his career it is staggering to believe he had wrote and sang such beautiful music.
Yeah, ok. Icons of rock ain’t they!!? But a little heavy for me, I like the odd listen to their commercially successful singles but an album is a little too much for me.
A fine album....Lovely stuff, remained a follower of Doves over the years, excellent written lyrics complimented with fine musical arrangements. I do love dropping in the great stat that the band in a previous musical lifetime were a rather good electronic group named Sub Sub which has obviously armed them with fantastic experience, knowledge and a skillset to produce fine material. The Cedar Room is my favourite Doves track....7.37 minutes of magic with the band at their very best.
please see my previous review of a Van Morrison album. thank you.
Mellow relaxing tunes from Thundercat nothing to dislike in my head
Some nice arrangements on here, at times timeless, Regiment a very funky rift. But as an album it kind of lost me a bit, sounded like it could've been written as a soundtrack to a movie. I'm getting 80's deadbeat good cop, being tracked by Internal Affairs, heavy smoker, drink problem, on his 3rd marriage which is on the rocks, lost his cop partner in a knife fight, chasing Russian terrorists who want to blow up New York....you know the sort!
Just ain’t my rodeo this stuff. Soz.
A fine piece of work, to think it’s their 1st is impressive. I don’t find any of these tracks missable. Powerful stuff, and went on to be massive but in my opinion still remained good & grounded despite being commercially mainstream successful
very smooth from Stevie, the album after (in my opinion) his best -Innervisions, so a very tough act to follow. This one perhaps a little more sombre and slower than Innervisions but still some seriously good funk and all round top draw arrangements. It's a very strong 4.5 for me here.
Has anyone ever tagged Herbie as the Godfather of Groove? If they haven’t they should. This was 1973 for goodness sake…1973! Groundbreaking & excellent.
Nope, didn’t hold my attention as an album. Most tracks seem very predictable and you kind of knew where it was heading and how it would end. Rather like watching a soap opera and then realizing at the end that you’ll never ever get that time back.
Not as good as their Speakerbox album but still some good tracks
Jack does ramble doesn’t he!? All got a bit too much for me, and found it all a little predictable if I’m honest.
Certainly a band I have never heard of before, I rather surprisingly liked it, which made me explore a little more and can really understand the influence they had on bands such as REM & the Stone Roses. It kind of links the 60's decade with the 90s decade (despite coming from the 80's decade!) when it comes to that psychedelic kind of Rock genre.
Has this album taking me by surprise? Yes.
Would I listen to it again? Yes.
After a few more listens would I mark it higher than 3? Probably
(& that's the beauty of this one album a day game, every day's a school day)
ps. the album cover makes me smile.
Strong album this from U2 & a shift from their normal familiar sound, moving to a more electronic rock vibe. Changing things almost broke the band but love or hate em they went on to do much more.
The fact that she’s arguably got one of the best female rapper voices of all time but can sing like a real diva is a demonstration of Lauryn’s versatility and sheer brilliance. Always loved the classroom interludes throughout the album where the children and teacher talk about the meaning of love. LH’s career could have sunk big time after the big Fugees fall out, yet she went out on her own and dropped this album…take a bow! what a star!
Is there such a thing as a guilty pleasure? If yes, then I would describe 10cc as mine….good album, enjoyed it in a nostalgic kind of way.
Music is subjective yeah? I get that. But there's some much I didn't enjoy about this, short tracks....I settle in for one, try to get my head around it, then it ends. Next one...etc etc etc. The quality of it, honestly thought there was something wrong with my speaker....this is lo-fi is it? Just do not know what they were pitching here, found it pretty miserable and needed a real lift after it and a cold shower!! I guess, some out there love it, fair play to them as artists, they must have made a stack of cash from it at a very low budget & hopefully enjoyed themselves, but jez!
Very grainy and distorted which did bring on and influence a whole new wave and genre for the kids in the 70’s -can’t say I got that excited about it listening to it today - very rough, & dull- Lou went on and did some much better stuff in my opinion
the dawn of a genius, yes I know he'd done stuff previous but this has got to be the album where people back then must had begun to think... "o aye this fella is a bit good isn't he!?" haven't heard some of the album tracks in a while but they still stand up well. Brilliant.
I was looking forward to hearing this again after many years, although I think it was nostalgia that forced this decision! I was just leaving school, girlfriends, learning to drive, being quite quick on a football field, discovering new music...village discos and the mecca of them all...The Palace Night Club, Crewkerne, Somerset - complete with laser beams! Sadly, the nostalgia abruptly stopped on the 1st track.....hasn't age well has it? If it wasn't for the nostalgia this would have been a 1 I reckon.
As my musical tastes vastly broadened in the early 21st Century and I began to take the musical blinkers off, I really got into the Smashing Pumpkins. Love the slowness, darkness and bass heavy sound throughout this album, then regularly mid song; it kicks off with an even bigger sound. A real emotional roller-coaster of music, riddled with the expected text book stories of dramas, drug/alcohol addiction, deaths, big egos & temper tantrums from the band members you'd associate with this musical environment. Mayonnaise is my favourite track from this album. Almost a 5, but not quite.
it's all a bit too Alan Partridge-ey for me I'm afraid. I can't take it seriously, but are/were ELO supposed to be serious, is it jokey, tongue in cheek?
What do I know, don't like it that much though.
Good strong album from Dire Straits- I’ve always liked Money for Nothing, Sting’s intro iconic, remember it was one of those classic videos of the 80’s. Dad rock? Perhaps, but Dad Rock I can tolerate..in small dowses.
I could lie and jump on the rather pompous & unfair Coldplay haters bandwagon and say "pa! Coldplay...dishwater & dull.
But I won't, I'll be honest...I love this album, from the day it was released, every track. Admittedly, all of their stuff since their 2nd album A Rush a Blood to the Head (equally as good as Parachutes) has passed me by, gone right off my radar as they've evolved into a HUGE global, successfully commercial Pop band (almost brand!), fit for a radio station I'd never listen to.
However this album is excellent, because it's not commercial, still sounds raw, edgy even, a different sound and feel for the year 2000 (sh*t the bed this album is 25 years old...I have T-Shirts older!!)
If you are a Coldplay hater, just give this album the benefit of doubt, have a listen, forget that it's Coldplay and think of them as just a new band who are about to break big. I've recently thought that one day, I'll look back at Fontaines DC in a similar manner.
Some really good rhythms and beats underneath all the anger….some real talent, unfortunately the anger was coming through a bit strong and overwhelmed the music..so much so the music was lost and all I could hear was aggression..it’s a fine balance but for me that anger was all I could hear after a while.
Beautiful voice. Excellent musical arrangements
In my top 5 favourite albums of all time. I literally have to put life to one side to listen and really appreciate this music.
This challenged me big time
A little like the Smashing Pumpkins the Pixies were a band that passed me by in the 90's. But now I can appreciate them, and always like a Pixies session....haven't heard this album, liked it.
Bring the noise! Yeah Boyyy! etc etc......USA and the World could really do with a Public Enemy in this nuts time! Iconic, ground-breaking with some serious f'kin attitude. Chuck D has that perfect dominating voice that perfectly matches the message. Awesome....silly Rabbit!
It’s all right. Little skim of the tracks but I really don’t see the value in investing my time listening in its entirety if I’m honest.
Early 80's American light comedy series...., after the success as a successful Wall Street stockbroker, Chuck Derby becomes a stay at home Dad as his wife Crystal forges a career in the movie business. Follow Chuck, and his washed up Detective buddy Danny as they both stumble their way through a new chaotic and hilarious, but heart-warming lifestyle!
That's what I got from this album...that's it!
oh, and Chuck drives a Testarossa.
Good stuff from the SP but not my favourite album from them
Sorry. White man 70’s prog rock just ain’t my rodeo.
Good stuff from the masters
If I was just marking this album on Bohemian Rhapsody & Best Friend I think I’d give it a 5. Almost perfect songs, but as an album it’s not a 5 for me but still a strong 3.
No, didn’t ignite anything in my world
I can tell that this was when Miles Davis changed direction and experimented, as it is a little clunky in some respects, but you do have to remind yourself that this sound was still from the 60's and does sound way ahead it's time. Its not an easy listen but you can tell from this he would go on and improve this kind of sound to greater things in later material. The man was a genius.
Trevor Horn at his very best. Ok, you could say that a lot of the tracks shouldn't have made it on the album and become "unheard" but the album titled track Welcome to the Pleasure Dome has got the lot...a fine piece of music! I wasn't a big singles buyer as a kid but when the BBC banned Relax I just had to have it...it was an edgy sound and a proper banger in the day, 2 Tribes was a very explosive haunting track - to me, & at the time a very new unheard style of synth I really liked, listening again it reminded me of the real fear flying about in the 80's of the risks a full on threat of a Nuclear war. Some serious bass guitar sounds contributing towards a type of Pop Music that you just couldn't copy- that was the talent and skill of Trevor Horn. The Power of Love always reminds me of an 80's Christmas but frankly the covers of Ferry cross the Mersey and Born to Run can get in the bin which knock the score down a bit as an album in it's entirety. * FYI I did have one of the famous Frankie white t shirts back in the day...the one I had said "Frankie says Arm the Unemployed"
Fine stuff from the rockers
Worth a 5 if just for Heroes
I thank Fred Neil for having a major influence and impact on some musicians who went on to make great music. . It was an easy listen, didn’t really jump out at me but I appreciated it. It’s an album I’ve listened to before I’ve died so job done ✔️
Hadn’t heard this in a while, still sounds great. Jack White pushing the boundaries
An album of instrumentals, nether the less still a good sound. Triggering many a cover.
doesnt hold up particularly well as an album but some interesting early days electronica music here
From start to finish, a fine album. Lyrics are thoughtful, provoking, desperate, humorous & iconic of that period of time- the sound is energetic & raw. I still believe that this their debut album is the AM's best work.
Really nothing to dislike. TH’s pushing the boundaries in the early days
Nope, they’ve never really held my interest
A song like Fast Car due to it’s commercial success has seen and continues to experience a lot of air play. Which in some cases with similarly regularly heard songs become forgettable because of hearing them so frequently. However Fast Car is always a day stopper for me, this songs delivers pain, hardship and hope all wrapped up in one song- excellent. The whole album is packed with emotion, troubles, love, & protest in a very powerful way.
Lyrics almost 40 years old now, still (sadly) very relevant & musically it’s aged relatively well. I’d say it’s a 5 folks!
Absolute class. But listening to all 59 songs in one session is a challenge. Ella’s voice is sublime, Gershwin was a genius.
Pioneering techno stuff by the brothers. A real go to album for me when I went get somewhere fast!
Nope. Too much pop for my liking.
They’ve never really done it for me.
Morning drive early doors for me allowed me the privilege to listen to this album in full. The shifts in tempo in Paranoid Android still blows my mind. Karma Police and No Surprises the other singles stand out but there are no duffers amongst this album. The track Lucky may have escaped my attention over the years but today it really did move me, that’s the sign of quality. I also love this album because you get glimpses of the future ….what Radiohead, & all the band members in all their guises over the coming years had, & continue to give. It’s a big fat 5.
The godfathers of Electronic music. We must be very grateful for Kraftwerk, who triggered a whole new genre & new culture . This album is very raw and primitive if you compare it to electronica music of the current age, but remind yourself what cars we were driving, what other music was around, and what life was like in the late 70’s this gives you some context on how advanced their music actually was
Dr goes solo, & the rest is history. Snoop there too, hip hop from an era when it stood out - aggressive, raw snarling with a language that was offensive & like nothing else really before it. Like it or loathe it, this sound was groundbreaking.
Not my favorite album from Marvin but still a classic.
Love em. All their albums. It’s just good honest harmless 90’s rock. Don’t ever change Dave Grohl.
Some great sounds in amongst the chaos from the Stooges. It just didn't have any structure and no flow, & I found myself getting frustrated by it.
a good re-visit of this album for me, haven't heard it in a long time, still stands up well.
Liked it, not heard it before, pretty dark and moody
Good Laid back stuff from Beck
What a voice. So familiar, but listen to it again, I mean really listen to it. Hellliva voice.
Nope - not working for me
Jazz at its very best, being that is was at the Newport Jazz Festival the atmosphere seems relaxed & calm early on. The Duke himself seems in control, very at ease & the crowd appear super chilled at first but very appreciative of the band's fine work. As the album progresses the crowd become a lot louder and energetic, raucous at times.... you can really sense the enjoyment, would have loved to have been there. I recently read that this re-ignited the Duke's career and stature in the Jazz world- I can see why.
Echoes of the flaming lips but with a lot less effort (& talent?) I wanted to like it but each track I listened to kept coming up short for me. Another album in my opinion I find debatable that it ever made it on the list but it's all subjective isn't it.
Five out of Five all day long. At times almost an exhausting listen packed full with emotion. How would the world of music look if Jeff was still with us today? Massive loss.
No thank you, this just ain’t my rodeo.
Late to the party with AC/DC - really didn’t like it in my younger days. But it’s just simple of heavy rock really ain’t it…I like the hits, probably wouldn’t give this album a 2nd look though if I’m honest.
Gave it another go today but as much as an influence they were to many future bands and a large proportion of a generation I still wasn’t engaging in it, understanding it or liking it,
Feel maybe I should’ve but you just can't force yourself it.
He’s best album. A more gritty sound telling the story of the hardships of life.
Ain’t no questioning what a cool smooth tune Street Life is & there ain’t no questioning what an incredible bunch of musicians this band was. But unfortunately for me, aside Street Life I could’ve been listening to music whilst eating breakfast in an above average hotel.
Yup pretty grand this and considering it’s a debut album even more impressive. I knew and always loved the single Tightrope (shadows of OutKast) but a deep dive into this album revealed a massive mix of different genres which really surprised and pleased me.
Jimmy could play that Hammond 👌🏼
I found Tears for Fears far more deep, serious, moody and interesting compared to the likes of Duran Duran/Spandau Ballet etc of that era. Their tracks throughout this album are very layered & melancholy. A nice revisit to an album I really loved as a teenage lad.
A fine album, ticks along nicely..
Great revisit of a classic. I do like Dylan
Decades before anyone ever utilised the word ”chill” as a musical genre this surely has to be the template of this very description. An album to just put on and simply forget about all the shit that is going on in the world today. Getz was the definition of chill & cool.
a mild foot tap to Jump & then I lost interest.
JEEEE-SUSSS! Van Halen Monday, Aerosmith Tuesday......please, not Bon Jovi Wednesday, I need a break.
Lovely to touch giving the timings, but not for me. RIP Ozzy.
I despise it when I hear "oh, the Beatles, they were overrated. This album was from 1967, have a listen you people who use this phrase and give your head a wobble. Massive gear change for music this was, pop music yes, but a mash up of all sorts that you just couldn't put in a specific genre, as a lot of this had never been heard or experienced ever before until 1967. To think Strawberry Fields & Penny Lane didn't even make it on this album! Am I a massive Beatles fan? No, not especially, but I am a massive fan of music and for that I am grateful & thank them. All you "overrated haters" can do one.
Good honest rock. I would never have listened or entertained this genre of music in my earlier life, but find it quite driven and inspiring these days....a massive amount of energy start to finish.
This band were the pinnacle of smooth & groove, the album is great and to think EW&F hadn't even peaked commercially at this point of their career. The musical arrangements in all of these tracks are impressive, they had a real dark art of creating a massive big sound with the brass whilst constantly driven by a very subtle but super funky bass line. After this album the band would go on to make some of the biggest danceable "bangers" ever released.
Guru had an iconic rap voice - probably the most iconic for me and epitomised old school hip hop. He just seemed to have a natural ability to deliver lyrics in a very relaxed but super cool rap manner. Musical arrangements scratching and samples on this album by his sidekick DJ Premier are very good, ground-breaking and very inspirational for this musical genre and other forms of where it went over the next 4 decades. Not on the album, but if you haven't heard Gang Starr's track "Jazz Thing" you'd do good to pay it a visit, some of the best sampling ever, using old Jazz clips and fused with early 90's hip hop. RIP Guru.
She had a velvet voice. strong debut album this with some nice pop tunes & ballads. Despite going on and having a helluva career she was such a troubled soul, really sad when you look into her world, her struggles with alcohol, drugs, her sexuality & how the music world/media judged her and then to have it all cut short at 59 years old. The girl could sing, RIP Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien.
I see the genre is described as Post Punk, which pleases me as I always wrongly pocketed the Gang Of Four as just a Punk band, but actually "properly" listening to to this for the 1st time today I now understand they were far much much more than this. I love the rawness of it, but for me it is far more sophisticated than punk music with a lot more depth in every track. Good stuff. Drummer Hugo recently said "A lot of the people who were influenced by us went on to make millions. I wish I had a penny for every song that sounds like ours." - that is so true and somewhat sad and unfair!
Great bongos! But if I’m honest & lying on my death bed I’m not going to ask my nearest and dearest to play Bongo Rock before I die
Pioneers in the electronic world. The intro to autobahn features a car starting up- the sound of it illustrates the decade it came from, a clunky familiar sound of an old combustion engine (probably a VW Beatle!?) - the early 70's, then consider the music you are listening to.....from that very decade, so to steal a cliché - they were well ahead of their time!
Some absolute solid guitar work....and it was live too, what talent. To have watched them perform this must have been mesmerising. Incredible stuff.
I've always felt I should have really liked the Prodigy, after all, they do fit my favourite genre of Electronic...however as much as I've tried, this has never been a go-to album for me. A lot of their older stuff I have and like, but I do not own an actual copy or for that matter have a streamed copy saved of The Fat of The Land. To me, they were just trying to sound like a "new wave" type of punk, trying to get a rise from being offensive but sounding quite sad & a little too commercial.
Astounded me when I looked today that Adele is nearly 40...wow! Clever usage of her ages over her career for the the album titles - I like that, wonder how high it'll go? 80? (The Comeback/covers)? No disputation of her voice, success, awards, sell out gigs, 2 years performing at Caesar Palace, Vegas tells you that she ain't no fluke. SO, I took the plunge today and briefly listened to this album, and sorry (not sorry) but it's just all too predictable, show bizzy, shouty in a poppy way, songs that you hear at a wedding and everyone seems to know it.... Word. By. Word. (except me, and I asks who this is and get looked at as if I'm an alien).
Think she's this generation's Celine Dione.
Had to listen to A Moon Shaped Pool for a cleanse.
Maybe it's me? My age? Just grumpy? Sorry (not sorry).
Dylan is like Marmite, you either like him or hate him. I like Marmite, I like Dylan. Moves away from his folk roots on this one but in a good way.
1989 was the year when this album came out, reminded me of a holiday in Guernsey - going to a rave in an old derelict bunker and hearing Fools Gold, then hearing it later in the week at a night club in the town of St Peter Port on the island- literally dancing my socks off to it . From then on, Fools Gold became my summer tune & earworm, but more importantly it introduced me to the Stone Roses & a whole new world of music. I listen now with such nostalgia, along with admiration for the band & Peter Hook. There is so much influence taken from previous British music on the album, from the Beatles, the Who & Punk Rock, fused all together with their own personal input and style to forge forward to make a template (in my humble opinion) to contribute significantly to bring the best decade for British music since I've been on the planet.
It's proper rage isn't it & I proper love it. They were a force to be reckoned with back in the 90's and this album continues to deliver pure rage and protest. The whole rap merged with rock really works for me, it's the Red Hot Chilli Peppers on steroids, and the fact that Killing in the Name of managed to become the British Christmas number 1 in a protest against the X-Factor during the following decade always gives me a reassuring "f*ck you" feeling.
Favourite track- Township of Rebellion.
F*ck the Norm!
yeah, meh, it's ok, highly charged rock innit! Imagine some of these tracks used for soundtracks in American movies. e.g. -5 punk bank robbers preparing for the heist of the century in the back of a Dodge van, dressed in vests one of them (Brad) is listening to Alice in Chains through a Walkman, tinny sound but loud enough for all the robbers (& viewers) to hear, then cue van wheel spinning away, dust everywhere with the track now in the forefront of the movie, then music fades and your onto the next scene; inside an orderly bank with pleasant honest folk going about their business with a twitchy security guard at the door (who you already know is going to get it!)
They must have got such a buzz out of singing so perfectly in harmony, great album, really flows along nicely and effortlessly. Helplessly Hoping is such a breath-taking love song, always stops me in my tracks - worth the 5 just for that track.
My favourite Beastie Boys album, they were not losing their brand, style or identity but they were blessed with a bit more maturity across the tracks which brought the very best out of them. Classic.
Couldn’t really warm to this
easy stuff this. it was when Weller went a little bit Radio 2ey' - preferred his more rebellious early days with the Jam.
nasty piece of work, white trash rapping, influenced too many kids in the total wrong way. He had a talent, could have been something, made a difference - instead he didn't. Sounds worse now then when it was first released.
Beautiful & raw, they both inspired a future generation, many a sample taken! Gil Scot Heron's voice is unmistakable and I struggle to hear anyone else over the year's that sounded quite like him. Brian Jackson is such a talented musician and as a pair they were a dream team. Lyrics on H2Ogate Blues about the politics & turmoil of the States in the 70's could still be relevant in 2025- just change the names. The Bottle track is pure gold, the tune just grooves along, Gil at his lyrical best, Brian on his flute. Had the absolute pleasure seeing Brian Jackson and his band play a few years back where he covered a lot of the tracks on this album as if we were was back in the 70's again, still fresh - wonderful!
Weird. Maybe it was funny in the 60's but just falls a little thin these days. I can see for Miles a fairly strong song but the rest I'll never re-visit
Such a talented writer. Great album
Nope.honestly I did try. Ps 5 from for Urban Hymns
meh, yeah, you know!? don't really get it, just a bit of nonsense really- some nice bass guitar driving it along at times but yeah, nonsense really. the end.
He had such a mellow voice. Another fellow that should have had a full long successful life. RIP
this was a surprise. Always liked the hits of XTC but never really explored them any further. Therefore this was a worthwhile deep dive into this album which holds up well with some good tracks.
As my old man would have said what a bloody racket!
Smooth sounds, well produced, pretty easy listen but could’ve done with a bit more edge for me which the artist is perfectly capable of.
bit "nicey nice" isn't it?
What a joy. How can someone from such a tough, challenging hard environment sound so calm and beautiful
I'm not going to lie, just fast, banging memories come flashing back. The build of the intro to right here, right now is up there with the best. Cook has a real skill of resurrecting songs that were not on the average person's radar & turned them into globally recognizable tunes. Album doesn’t flow terribly well and a bit full on but I’m always teleported back to a warm summer Saturday night under a giant spider at Glastonbury when I hear Praise You
FIVE all day long. Dark, moody, atmospheric, haunting- trip hop at its finest. Beth’s voice just melts me every time. & my wife’s cousin’s best mate used to cut her hair!
They were the Take That of my school life, their name scribbled on most of the girl’s school bags in my year, they loved Le Bon and the boys - I couldn’t stand them, and that remains the same today.
For me it’s a classic . Jazzy B and his sound system creating my soundtrack to many a late 80’s weekend in London clubs and watching Jazzy’s favourite side Arsenal at the grand old Highbury.
Ah, struggle with this nowadays, no disputing the quality production of the album . Quincy Jones in his prime, MJ incredible but the circus of the man’s sad, mysterious, sinister life leaves a nasty taste.
One nation under a groove is a bit of a banger isn’t it!? But this album version went on unnecessarily too long. Some fine funk throughout.
never heard this before, rather liked it.
Great gritty 90’s hip hop straight out of NY, excellent sampling.
A live recording in 1957, imagine it...being there, at Mr Kelly's, sat at a table, glass of scotch, toe tapping and getting lost in the moment......in front of you, the most finest of jazz musicians, and most of all Sarah Vaughan and her sweet voice.
There's a moment in Willow Weep for Me- where someone drop's an instrument, mic or something- there's a bit of a laugh and Sarah just improvises in such a professional but relaxed, informal manner.
Her voice is like you're being wrapped up in a nice thick cosy blanket on a cold winter Sunday afternoon.
Haven't heard it in a while, I own it on vinyl, & stuck it on , what a lovely reunion that was. Love it.
Very good, GM had a fantastic voice...hadn't heard a lot of these tracks in a long time, the album is packed with a wide range of moods making it a pretty comprehensive example of the enormous talent he had. Forgot what an excellent track Father Figure was. Nine years later, he released the album Older, darker jazzier and in my view his best work.
new wave? pop punk? pop? poo? what actually was this noise? never really digged it in the early 80's & frankly don't dig it on this listen in 2025 either.
did a 5 minute skim through the tracks, that was enough.
I thought I was going to enjoy this but it failed to impress me.
Ground-breaking by Eno, very peaceful, tranquil and clever - a rather nice accompaniment whilst buried in a work spreadsheet but I would struggle to play it in many other environments or situations. Music for airports? Struggle how this would go down in the bar, Bristol airport at 6am whilst "Jen's Hen do" sink Proseccos and devour a full English breakfast!? We've changed! (sadly).
Nope. Maybe it's because I hear Mr Brightside at the end of a Wedding night when everyone dancing to it is drunk and singing along to it, or maybe it has to be one of the most chosen Karaoke songs, or maybe it just annoys me full stop. Maybe because of Mr Brightside I just don't like the Killers or MAYBE I just don't like The Killers.
Didn’t like or dislike. Just listened and moved on.
Great memories of this album following my home town football club across the country as they strived towards promotion to the football league. Coldplay’s 2nd album (closely and my favourite (closely followed by Parachutes)which projected the band towards the big stadium band they are today. My like of them declined after this album as they steered more towards pop and commercial success but that’s show business!
This is what a love about the album generator! Never heard of this before, an imaginary soundtrack and as I listened I imagine the movie it could fit to- amazing! First listen I’ll give it a 4 but it could be a keeper and become a 5!
Classic 70’s American rock. The lyrics of More than a feeling are simple but so good: about the start of a mundane day, a tune comes on the radio and instantly he’s transported back to a time that reminds him of a girl he once knew. I read that all the tracks were demos, which when you think this went on to sale 17 million is testament to the band’s talent and although not necessarily music I would go to I really respect that 🫡
What on earth the was that!!?
Classic album. ahead of its time, definitely top 5 80's album for me. Her voice is incredible, haunting but beautiful. I only wish that she was involved with more collaborations in the 90's/00's with some of the successful electronic/trip hop artists out there, I mean imagine a collaboration between Kate Bush & Massive Attack eh?
1st track good but lost interest after
Slick lyrics, clever samples, great stuff from J5.
Prince ain't it! What's not to like? Very clever when you think this is early 80's and had a great skill to bring in a wide audience as it mixes funk and rock. the man was a genius, and I struggle to believe that he's not with us now for nearly a decade.
Do like one track but the rest faded away for me
Yeah, course I like this, it’s the Stones man! Glastonbury 2013 and being in the crowd for them was I reckon the biggest crowd I’ve been in, looking across and beyond the Pyramid stage and thinking the place was deserted, then realizing that everyone was watching the Stones. Infectious “woo woo’s” as everyone went into the Somerset night at the end. Lovely
Sorry Randy this isn’t for me
Super cool,TM the greatest jazzman of them all, groundbreaking stuff for the decade. Love this and a perfect listen on Boxing Day morning before the madness of a full house begins with
Average in my eye at best. One of those albums I mumble to myself- “ is this really in the 1001 list??!”
First thing I thought when this album landed in the random selector this morning was if Goldfrapp’s 1st album Felt Mountain appears in the 1001 list.(haven’t checked yet). After all Felt Mountain is a cold stone FIVE all day long for me & as much as I liked Goldfrapp as they went slightly less atmospheric, & more “disco dancy” I have to say were no longer a must listen. I don't think I’ve heard this album before, but it was a bold gutsy gear shift for them to dish this out after commercial success & I like it as it returns to the more subtleness that they had in their early days. Alison’s voice for me is one of the most sensual voices of the last few decades.
Despite Brown Sugar lyrics being very very questionable there is no disputing the quality of the track, Wild Horses a great tune. I do find myself questioning the general lyrics nowadays and think that it just wouldn't hold up in modern times now both in quality (e.g. I salivate like a Pavlov dog, Yeah when you lay me out, My heart is lounder than big bass drum, alright!!!) and in a pc world. (re Brown Sugar) but still it’s the Stones man!
I was much more enjoying the softer side of Hip Hop with the likes of De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest and the Jungle Brothers in the late 80's. However, this album shouts loud and angry about communities like Compton, and all across the world where there was struggle, poverty and an authority neglect to the people. Yes there is far too much misogyny & homophobia in the lyrics but there were many other artists at the time and previous decades where lyrics could be seriously questioned. Dre and Ice Cube going onto global success was no fluke. Express Yourself is a great track. Listening to this in full for the first time in many many years there are good beats in this, great sampling- overall ground-breaking.
Love it, haven't heard this album in it's entirety before I don't think but not really a duff track on it. Huge, but not too over the top sound, real energy. Absolute class drumming on the track Like Suicide- Matt Cameron really worked some sweat on that one....wow! Its a keeper for me.
Started to play the album this morning, and it faded into my working day- almost like I forgot it was on, like a white noise....not for me.
As much as these German lads gave birth and pioneered my favourite musical genre and in this decade it was (hate the expression) “groundbreaking” it’s not something I go to as it sounds a little naff these days….but a 3 because they inspired so many!
Dusty…what a voice. Beautiful. Seriously soulful, sadly perhaps there’s a melancholy undercurrent to all her songs which makes it more intense and emotional.
I only naively knew The Cars by the excellent single Drive, and then after hearing this album feel a little foolish on how the Cars were massively prolific prior to that hit and quite a "big deal". No disputing their success when you hear such familiar songs, and boy are they catchy, real poppy rock! But probably an album I'll never re-visit but hey, its an album I HAD to listen to before I've died!
Great classic album...iconic, dark, moody, trippy.....love it.
Love Paperplans, can't say I've invested time in listening to the album but on a first listen it holds up well for me. Good fusions of genre. Always assumed she was American, oh well, every day is a school day!
strong stuff from Ice Cube
I can understand why folk wouldn't necessarily like this but I did, I felt like I drifted along with it, like being in a small boat drifting down a river....good stuff & considering it was early 90's (I had to doublecheck) sounds a little ahead of its time.
Smooth stuff. I think Billy Jack is my favorite Curtis Mayfield track of them all. It’s got everything, wacka wacka guitar, snare drum pretending to be shots fired, slick lyrics, Curtis’ voice, top draw brass season half way through 👌🏼
Their FIRST album...pretty much hit the ground running didn't they!!? ...and continued to rock for a few more years after. Babe I'm Gunna Leave you has everything a rock song requires...I ain't jokin' woman!
An important, groundbreaking, influential piece of music with some great iconic sounds but as an album doesn’t flow terribly well. Dos the album title track really have to be 20 minutes long? Having said that would I be right in saying it was when jungle music became drum and bass and arguably then taken seriously as a musical genre?
Didn’t float my boat. Regarded as a great concert, but I’ve been to better gigs than that. Bit of wrong’un too wasn’t he!
Gotta fight for your right to paaaaarteeee! Better, finer stuff certainly followed this debut album but still gold in my opinion. Always loved that album cover too!
