Oct 08 2024
View Album
3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
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.
5
Oct 09 2024
View Album
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
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
2
Oct 10 2024
View Album
The Yes Album
Yes
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.
1
Oct 11 2024
View Album
The Wildest!
Louis Prima
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!
3
Oct 14 2024
View Album
(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
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)
1
Oct 15 2024
View Album
So
Peter Gabriel
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.
2
Oct 16 2024
View Album
Highly Evolved
The Vines
Never heard it before, liked the pace of it, octane fuelled Outdoory pursuit type music to push you through a day in the hills.
3
Oct 17 2024
View Album
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
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!
1
Oct 18 2024
View Album
The Sensual World
Kate Bush
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.
3
Oct 21 2024
View Album
xx
The xx
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.
5
Oct 22 2024
View Album
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
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.
4
Oct 23 2024
View Album
Kid A
Radiohead
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!
4
Oct 24 2024
View Album
No Other
Gene Clark
1
Oct 25 2024
View Album
Tommy
The Who
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.
3
Oct 28 2024
View Album
Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
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.
3
Oct 29 2024
View Album
Odelay
Beck
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 🙏
4
Oct 30 2024
View Album
Trio
Dolly Parton
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.
1
Oct 31 2024
View Album
Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
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.
3
Nov 01 2024
View Album
Eagles
Eagles
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.
1
Nov 04 2024
View Album
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Good album - talent of PS coming through in every track. Enjoyed the listen, some great easy listening.
2
Nov 05 2024
View Album
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
1
Nov 06 2024
View Album
Le Tigre
Le Tigre
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.
1
Nov 07 2024
View Album
Devotional Songs
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Awesome voice
4
Nov 08 2024
View Album
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
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.
3
Nov 11 2024
View Album
Is This It
The Strokes
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!
2
Nov 12 2024
View Album
The Bends
Radiohead
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.
5
Nov 13 2024
View Album
Snivilisation
Orbital
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.
3
Nov 14 2024
View Album
Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
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.
1
Nov 15 2024
View Album
In It For The Money
Supergrass
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.
4
Nov 18 2024
View Album
Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
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.
4
Nov 19 2024
View Album
Live!
Fela Kuti
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!
5
Nov 21 2024
View Album
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
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.
1
Nov 22 2024
View Album
Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
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.
4
Nov 25 2024
View Album
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
Didn’t hold my attention I’m afraid
1
Nov 26 2024
View Album
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
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
2
Nov 27 2024
View Album
Document
R.E.M.
Good strong opening song, the album tracks nicely compliment the strong singles released from it. Fine album from a great band.
3
Nov 28 2024
View Album
Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
1
Dec 02 2024
View Album
Purple Rain
Prince
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.
3
Dec 03 2024
View Album
C'est Chic
CHIC
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.
3
Dec 04 2024
View Album
B-52's
The B-52's
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!
3
Dec 05 2024
View Album
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
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.
1
Dec 06 2024
View Album
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Dead Kennedys
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.
1
Dec 09 2024
View Album
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
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!
5
Dec 10 2024
View Album
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
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.
3
Dec 11 2024
View Album
Microshift
Hookworms
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
2
Dec 13 2024
View Album
Gold
Ryan Adams
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"
4
Dec 16 2024
View Album
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
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
2
Dec 17 2024
View Album
Either Or
Elliott Smith
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.
3
Dec 18 2024
View Album
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
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.
1
Dec 19 2024
View Album
Future Days
Can
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.
5
Dec 20 2024
View Album
Truth
Jeff Beck
Nothing to dislike but nothing I could really get excited about.
2
Dec 23 2024
View Album
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
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.
1
Dec 24 2024
View Album
Parallel Lines
Blondie
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
2
Dec 25 2024
View Album
Fly Or Die
N.E.R.D
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.
4
Dec 26 2024
View Album
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
what's not to like about this on Christmas day? Besides, its a break & getaway from the Buble!
3
Dec 27 2024
View Album
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
A fine sound, attitude at a high level.
4
Dec 30 2024
View Album
Zombie
Fela Kuti
As ever, energetic vibrant & so danceable, would have loved to have watched them all live in a sweaty smokey club.
4
Jan 01 2025
View Album
The Stranger
Billy Joel
Just dull
1
Jan 02 2025
View Album
The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
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.
2
Jan 03 2025
View Album
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
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!
5
Jan 06 2025
View Album
Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
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!)
4
Jan 07 2025
View Album
Dookie
Green Day
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....
1
Jan 10 2025
View Album
Logical Progression
LTJ Bukem
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.
3
Jan 14 2025
View Album
Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
Good funky stuff
2
Jan 15 2025
View Album
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
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.
5
Jan 16 2025
View Album
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
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!
,
5
Jan 17 2025
View Album
Superfuzz Bigmuff
Mudhoney
This ain’t my badger…just a load of distortion to me.
1
Jan 21 2025
View Album
Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
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.
3
Jan 22 2025
View Album
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
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.
1
Jan 23 2025
View Album
Ace of Spades
Motörhead
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.
2
Jan 24 2025
View Album
Lost Souls
Doves
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.
4
Jan 27 2025
View Album
In Utero
Nirvana
Grudge I can get on with
3
Jan 28 2025
View Album
Moondance
Van Morrison
please see my previous review of a Van Morrison album. thank you.
2
Jan 29 2025
View Album
Drunk
Thundercat
Mellow relaxing tunes from Thundercat nothing to dislike in my head
3
Jan 30 2025
View Album
My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts
Brian Eno
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!
3
Jan 31 2025
View Album
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
Just ain’t my rodeo this stuff. Soz.
1
Feb 03 2025
View Album
Ten
Pearl Jam
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
5
Feb 04 2025
View Album
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
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.
4
Feb 06 2025
View Album
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago
Err, no
1
Feb 10 2025
View Album
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
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.
4
Feb 11 2025
View Album
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
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.
1
Feb 12 2025
View Album
Stankonia
OutKast
Not as good as their Speakerbox album but still some good tracks
3
Feb 13 2025
View Album
Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
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.
1
Feb 14 2025
View Album
Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
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.
3
Feb 17 2025
View Album
Achtung Baby
U2
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.
4
Feb 18 2025
View Album
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
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!
5
Feb 19 2025
View Album
Sheet Music
10cc
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.
3
Feb 20 2025
View Album
Alien Lanes
Guided By Voices
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!
1
Feb 21 2025
View Album
White Light / White Heat
The Velvet Underground
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
2
Feb 24 2025
View Album
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
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.
5
Feb 26 2025
View Album
Hunting High And Low
a-ha
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.
2
Feb 27 2025
View Album
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
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.
4
Feb 28 2025
View Album
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
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.
1
Mar 03 2025
View Album
Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
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.
3
Mar 04 2025
View Album
Parachutes
Coldplay
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.
5
Mar 05 2025
View Album
Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
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.
1
Mar 06 2025
View Album
Tanto Tempo
Bebel Gilberto
Beautiful voice. Excellent musical arrangements
3
Mar 11 2025
View Album
Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
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.
5
Mar 12 2025
View Album
D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
This challenged me big time
1
Mar 13 2025
View Album
Bossanova
Pixies
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.
3
Mar 14 2025
View Album
Red Dirt Girl
Emmylou Harris
err, thanks but no.
1
Mar 17 2025
View Album
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
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!
5
Mar 18 2025
View Album
This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
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.
2
Mar 19 2025
View Album
Heavy Weather
Weather Report
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.
2
Mar 20 2025
View Album
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The Smashing Pumpkins
Good stuff from the SP but not my favourite album from them
3
Mar 21 2025
View Album
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
Sorry. White man 70’s prog rock just ain’t my rodeo.
1
Mar 24 2025
View Album
Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
Good stuff from the masters
4
Mar 25 2025
View Album
A Night At The Opera
Queen
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.
3
Mar 26 2025
View Album
The Only Ones
The Only Ones
No, didn’t ignite anything in my world
1
Mar 27 2025
View Album
In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
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.
3
Mar 28 2025
View Album
Welcome To The Pleasuredome
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
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"
4
Mar 31 2025
View Album
Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
Fine stuff from the rockers
4
Apr 01 2025
View Album
Heroes
David Bowie
Worth a 5 if just for Heroes
5
Apr 04 2025
View Album
Fred Neil
Fred Neil
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 ✔️
2
Apr 07 2025
View Album
Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
Hadn’t heard this in a while, still sounds great. Jack White pushing the boundaries
3
Apr 08 2025
View Album
Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
An album of instrumentals, nether the less still a good sound. Triggering many a cover.
3
Apr 11 2025
View Album
Haunted Dancehall
The Sabres Of Paradise
doesnt hold up particularly well as an album but some interesting early days electronica music here
3
Apr 14 2025
View Album
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
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.
5
Apr 15 2025
View Album
Fear Of Music
Talking Heads
Really nothing to dislike. TH’s pushing the boundaries in the early days
4