Oct 10 2024
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The Yes Album
Yes
Enjoyed a lot about this. Particularly the part from around 5:35 of Starship Trooper. Not keen on live tracks on studio albums, second track in is particularly jarring. Well played as it is, I struggle to enjoy the sound of a recorder. Overall an enjoyable listen, though.
3
Oct 11 2024
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The Wildest!
Louis Prima
Can’t help but tap your toes/imagine swing dancing to this. Surprised by how many songs I knew despite not recognising the name. Loved Keely Smith’s voice, too. Wasn’t expecting a diss track but ‘You Rascal’ maintains the jolly feel of the album despite the death wishes in the lyrics.
4
Oct 14 2024
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(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Roadtrip music-I enjoyed it but didn’t find it hugely memorable apart from Free Bird, which is the standout track for a reason.
‘So you wanna be a boxer’ from Bugsy Malone owes a lot to Mississippi Kid, surely?!
3
Oct 15 2024
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So
Peter Gabriel
A couple of tracks had me picturing ‘Mannequin’ type escapades but a whole album was a bit much for me. ‘Shadowy, sinister, secretive art-rocker’ sounded more interesting so it was a good reminder to go back and listen to some of his other work.
2
Oct 16 2024
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Highly Evolved
The Vines
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would/remembered. I think I probably lumped it in with all the other indie albums that were around at the time when it was released but listening now it sounds a lot stronger (or I just forgot about it). Some real bangers and a bit of early 2000s nostalgia.
4
Oct 17 2024
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Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
I’d only heard the famous bit of this before. I enjoyed some parts, was confused by others and irritated by a few too, so perhaps it’s more ‘art’ than what I’d usually want from an ‘album’? I appreciate the skill in playing all those instruments but it was too much for me, like a huge, meandering musical doodle.
3
Oct 18 2024
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The Sensual World
Kate Bush
I haven’t properly listened to Kate Bush before like this so it was good to do so, but I’d be interested to know if this is actually her best album. The experience was enhanced by fog descending on my train journey for the duration of the album so I imagine it’s very much music for certain moods.
3
Oct 21 2024
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xx
The xx
Quite a sleepy album. Pleasant enough background music but pretty dull. Might just be my headphones but the prominence of some beats didn’t feel quite right in places. Experience maybe not helped by me somehow confusing them with The Gossip and wondering when ‘Standing in the Way of Control’ was going to liven things up.
2
Oct 22 2024
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Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
I enjoyed this, particularly the first 3/4, which I found quite emotive at times. My attention started to wane a little towards the end on the first listen but I look forward to listening again with earphones.
4
Oct 23 2024
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Kid A
Radiohead
I preferred Hail To The Thief.
3
Oct 24 2024
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No Other
Gene Clark
It improved slightly for me at track 3 but just not my thing.
2
Oct 25 2024
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Tommy
The Who
What a ride… absolutely loved the music but wow is the story dark. I enjoyed the sonic journey but could have done without quite a lot of the story (is Uncle Ernie bully Cousin Kevin’s Dad!?) Hopefully Sally Simpson had a lovely life with her rock musician in California.
4
Oct 28 2024
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Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
Never fails to make me smile and sing along!
5
Oct 29 2024
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Odelay
Beck
Some fun moments and some singles I loved, but felt quite all over the place as a whole album. Possibly didn’t have the optimal listening situation today though.
3
Oct 30 2024
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Trio
Dolly Parton
Nice to have some more women make an appearance (though a shame Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris aren’t included in the listing here, when it’s a notably collaborative album). Incredible voices, but country music just isn’t my thing.
3
Oct 31 2024
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Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
Some absolute classics (some I hadn’t even realised were Fleetwood Mac). I love The Chain but it always feels like 2 songs to me. Dreams and Go Your Own Way of course absolute favourites. The first and last track felt slightly out of place, just a bit understated for an album with such strong songs.
4
Nov 01 2024
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Eagles
Eagles
Felt very middle of the road, mostly enjoyed it as background music but nothing stood out and I didn’t find it memorable.
3
Nov 04 2024
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Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Had a real feel of an album written by someone in the last few weeks of the gap year they’ve mainly spent playing the guitar next to campfires.
3
Nov 05 2024
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My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
Quite liked the sound though it’s very samey. Alison got stuck in my head. I can see why they added Watching the Detectives, that felt like it had a more distinctive sound.
3
Nov 06 2024
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Le Tigre
Le Tigre
Loved the hits and think it’ll be a good mood lifter when I need more Riotgrrrl energy, though it drifted off towards the end for me. Definitely nice to switch things up a bit from what’s come along so far.
4
Nov 08 2024
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Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I just don’t get Nick Cave. I’ve tried, because I’m sure I’m missing something, people with similar music tastes seem to love him, but the songs just aren’t for me. The music on this album felt quite simple and repetitive with exhausting rambling over the top. O’Malley’s Bar was particularly painful.
2
Nov 11 2024
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Is This It
The Strokes
Another one that I didn’t really pay attention to at the time as it felt like lots of similar bands were about then, but always enjoyed the singles. A toe tapper but a bit samey for me (can’t currently listen with earphones so maybe that would change things!)
3
Nov 12 2024
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The Bends
Radiohead
I nearly gave it 5 stars just for Street Spirit but remembering the fact I always find myself listening to the hits rather than the whole album took it down one.
4
Nov 13 2024
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Snivilisation
Orbital
I think my productivity went up whilst listening to this so might be one for the occasional work rotation, but found it a bit tedious at times.
3
Nov 14 2024
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Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
It was fine, didn’t really stand out but quite enjoyed it as background music.
3
Nov 15 2024
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In It For The Money
Supergrass
Really enjoyed this-as always I knew the hits but don’t think I’d heard the whole album. A few weaker bits took it down one (is that beatboxing in the last track?!) but one I’ll definitely listen to again.
4
Nov 18 2024
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Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
Loved a lot of this and definitely made me want to listen to more Nina Simone.
3
Nov 19 2024
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Live!
Fela Kuti
Really liked this! A little long towards the end but really enjoyed it in the whole, very uplifting!
4
Nov 20 2024
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Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
Fun! And of course groundbreaking. Just found a whole album a bit much for me.
3
Nov 21 2024
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Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Good memories, plenty of bangers, amazing how many lyrics I remember. Particularly loved ‘Michael’.
4
Nov 22 2024
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Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Some great songs, some less great
3
Nov 25 2024
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Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
I was pleased to be introduced to this album and can imagine dipping in every now and then, just a bit much for me as a whole album.
3
Nov 26 2024
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Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
I think this probably needs the right mood, and getting stuff done on a Monday morning wasn’t it, as it felt a bit too dreary for that. Quite enjoyed the drama of Pimpf (minus the unnecessary extra bit after a short pause).
3
Nov 27 2024
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Document
R.E.M.
Enjoyed it but found it quite samey. End of the World was of course the highlight.
3
Nov 28 2024
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Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
Very much not my thing, couldn’t make it through the first track on my first go, but listened through on a different day and can appreciate it might be good if it is your thing.
2
Nov 29 2024
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Good Old Boys
Randy Newman
Satire on institutional racism in the key of Disney is a very bizarre thing to listen to.
1