Oct 16 2024
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Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
Not entirely what I was expecting from the cover image, but pleasantly surprised. The opening track is quite psychedelic, a theme that is maintained. However, this isn't your traditional 60's psychedelia, while it still gives a nod to the past, the sounds are still pretty much of the present utilising modern synths and production. In parts their sound is occassionally reminiscent of the Amorphorous Androgynous and Seeds of love era Tears for Fears also springs to mind, although there's definitely some 70's funkiness going on (Electric Feel) and "The Handshake" has a bit of a Sparks sort of fell to it. overall not an unpleasant album and I will give it a second listen. If there is one criticism is that there's not really out and out banger of a track. Overall 7/10
3
Oct 17 2024
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In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
I was already familiar with a number of albums by Miles Davis, but I hadn't heard this one before. In someways I'd say I was already a fan of his music even though I haven't heard everything by him, I'm glad to add this one to the list of the ones I have. I've listened to this album multiple times today and there is no doubt about its credentials for being included on the 1001 albums list. anyone with an interest in Miles Davis should give this a listen.
5
Oct 18 2024
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She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
I remember the singles back in the 80’s. It’s not aged very well to be honest and wasn’t particularly my cup of tea back then. Sorry not an iconic album as far as I’m concerned and definitely not a must listen
1
Oct 19 2024
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The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
Already an album my Collection. Definitely belongs on the list. A definite classic.
4
Oct 20 2024
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2112
Rush
Rush are a band that I’ve never listened to and tbh I don’t see myself becoming a big fan. I’ve given it a couple of listens and it has grown on a little, so I’ll likely revisit it. However, not entirely convinced it’s a must hear album.
2
Oct 21 2024
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The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
Rated by many people as a classic and certainly the band and this album were part of the zeitgeist of late 80's / 90's Manchester. It contains some notable tracks but I've always been a little bit irritated by obvious filler "Don't Stop" which is just "Waterfall" played backwards. It's managed to age pretty well since I first heard it and is definitely worth having a listen.
3
Oct 22 2024
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The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
I've given this a few listens and although there are some aspects of this that I like, overall it doesn't really do it for me. Not one that's going on my list.
2
Oct 23 2024
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The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
A band I have never really listened to much. I gave this album a number of listens over the space of the day and it grew on me each time. Whatever may be said of Misery, he has a great voice and Johnny Marr’s guitar work is fantastic. Overall, deserves to be on the list and a must listen to album by the Smiths
3
Oct 24 2024
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The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
Was quite surprised by this album. Not the sort of music that I would normally listen to but found it to be a worthy addition to the list.
3
Oct 25 2024
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I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
Another artist I'm not very familiar with, beyond buying Mandinka on single release and her collaborations with Jah Wobble. Obviously I've heard the big hit from this album. I can't deny she had a unique voice, but musically I'm not sure she's my thing.
I did my customary thing of listening to it on my commute, so have given it a reasonable listen. Like I already noted above she was a unique vocal talent and that in itself has made listening to this album a pleasure. However, I don’t think that qualifies to make this album a classic. I did really enjoy her version of ‘I’m Stretched on your grave’, which was the standout track for me.
3
Oct 26 2024
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My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
If I’m being honest, I’m not really a fan of rap music but I’ve always believed that any genre of music can produce something worthy of listening to. Sadly this isn’t one of those occasions. Perhaps my judgement is a little coloured by negativity surrounded by this artist, although I don’t know much about West apart from allegations of misogyny and violence. To its credit the production is slick and many of the tracks tuneful but then he starts rapping. I can appreciate that this is a form of poetry and there’s certain skill attached to its composition and performance, but as an ageing white man I can find no cultural connection to this apart froma sample of 21st Century Schizoid Man.
2
Oct 27 2024
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Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
He did some great music in his short time on the planet.
3
Oct 28 2024
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Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
A bit MOR for me but I gave it a few listens and it was quite nice to listen to. Not sure I’ll be adding it to my collection but I may revisit it on my streaming service
3
Oct 29 2024
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Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
This is complete garbage. I can find no connection with this
1
Oct 30 2024
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Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
Well I’ve listened to it 3 times today, I quite like it. I suspect had I heard it 10 years ago I would probably have hated it. I’m a firm believer in certain music happening for you at different times of your life. As someone pointed out to me, it’s now difficult to fully appreciate how ground breaking this album, Bringing it Back Home and Highway 61 revisited were at the time, but I’ve tried to keep that in mind while listening. I think it definitely belongs on the list
3
Oct 31 2024
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Hearts And Bones
Paul Simon
#Daily1001Albums
I must confess this is yet another artist I'm not very familiar with. I’ve given it a listen a couple of times today and it’s done absolutely nothing for me whatsoever. The only other album I’ve heard by him besides this is Graceland, and this really doesn’t have a patch on that. Not an important album as far as I’m concerned
1
Nov 01 2024
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White Ladder
David Gray
I've listened to enough of this. Could be described as both radio friendly or coffee table music, but in both instances the word bland must also be applied as a prefix. I don't like his nasal whiney voice either. I know it sold bucket loads but there's clearly no accounting for taste. Definitely not an album you ever need to listen to and if you do it will be instantly forgettable. Has no place on this lis
1
Nov 02 2024
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All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
Never, been a massive Beatles fan and by dent of that never really listened to the solo albums either. Having said that, I did lodge with a guy a number years agao who was mad keen on this, so although I've never purposely sat down and listened to this before much of it is familiar.
It’s a monumental album. Difficult to take in and appreciate in one day but I’ve heard enough to say this is a good album and probably deserving of being on the list. One track I like most at the moment is Wah Wah. I will endeavour to give it more listening time.
3
Nov 03 2024
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Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
More Hip Hop / Rap being thrown my way. Another one that sold bucket loads of copies. What I’m hearing so far is quite interesting on the production side of things but I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable with the genre.
I listened to the full album and ultimately there wasn't really anything here to encouraged me to give it a second go. Couldn't really find any connection with it
2
Nov 04 2024
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Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
Actually had a copy of this back in the day but not listened to it for decades.
I enjoyed giving this a listen. I remember most of the tracks very well and it’s great pop music. Think it just about deserves to be on the list
3
Nov 05 2024
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Nevermind
Nirvana
#Daily1001Albums
I’ve not listened to this since the 90’s and wondered if it’s aged well.
Having given it a couple of listens today, I've found myself liking it more now than I did originally. Some banging tracks on there. Think it definitely has a place on the list
4
Nov 06 2024
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Live!
Fela Kuti
I do like Fela Kuti but I’d not heard this one before. Having listened to this a couple of times today, my verdict is absolute banger. Definitely well deserved place on the list.
4
Nov 07 2024
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Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
One that’s in my vinyl collection but I’ve not listened to it for ages. I’d honestly forgotten how good this album is. I’ve really enjoyed listening to it today and must make a note of giving my vinyl copy a spin again soon.
4
Nov 08 2024
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At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
She has an amazing voice and the musical backing is first rate. Like Night Hawks at The Dinner, this album has a real atmosphere. I quite like this. Definitely a good album
3
Nov 09 2024
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Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
Not a huge fan of these, but I shall give it a chance.
Having given it a fair listen it really doesn't do much for me. I can understand to an extent the popularity of this album. Mark Knopfler is a good guitarist and they had a couple of music videos that got a lot of rotation on MTV back in the day. Having said that, it's still not my cup of tea. It's got a very 80's sound that hasn't really aged well.
3
Nov 10 2024
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Moon Safari
Air
Never really paid much attention to these when they arrived in the late 90's and only vaguely remember their hit single. Having given it a listen, it’s a nice sounding album and I do like a bit of electronica. I can understand its appeal but it’s a little too safe for me. I could see me enjoying it on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee but beyond that it’s not rocked my world.
3
Nov 11 2024
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Out of Step
Minor Threat
Definitely a banger this. Reminds me of lots of music I was listening to in the early 80's. Think I'll always have a soft spot for a bit of punk and certainly enjoyed this album. It's nice to see something like this on the list.
3
Nov 12 2024
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The World is a Ghetto
War
Having listened to this several times I can quite confidently declare this an absolute banger. I love the mixture of soul, funk, jazz and rock on this album. Definitely one of the most enjoyable albums to be randomly selected so far
5
Nov 13 2024
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I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail
Buck Owens
Country music, let’s see what we make of it. I’ve listened to this several times and quite enjoyed it. Some fantastic songs on here, not least the title track. Indeed, listening to it I was surprised to realise I’d heard many of the songs before, such as Streets of Laredo. Crammed full of Country classics
3
Nov 14 2024
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Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
I found this a pleasant album, one I may revisit in the future
3
Nov 15 2024
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Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
I’ve listened to this album most of the day. Some great music here. A classic of musical fusion
4
Nov 16 2024
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Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
I’d not heard this before and having listened to it, I doubt I’ll listen to it again
2
Nov 17 2024
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25
Adele
Not for me. I gave it a listen but I found it a bit meh
2
Nov 18 2024
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D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
I know this band more by reputation than anything else. I gave it a listen and some interesting sounds going on but in the end it just seemed like a badly tuned radio. I'm sure that back in 1978 many people saw this as groundbreaking but I'm afraid that there's simply not enough going on here to maintain my interest.
2
Nov 19 2024
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What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
Classic. Such a beautiful album
5
Nov 20 2024
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Bad Company
Bad Company
Don’t know much about Bad Company, apart from the big track on this album, so again this will be a new experience. This album didn't disappoint. There was probably a time in my younger days that I'd have rejected this sound out of hand, but with advancing years I find I quite enjoy this classic 70's heavy rock sound. I can totally understand why this is on the list. Definitely a good album.
4
Nov 21 2024
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C'est Chic
CHIC
Another Classic of its time. Grooves throughout the album. Gets it's place on the list
4
Nov 22 2024
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Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
Lots of good playing going on, no doubt but the whole endeavour leaves me a little cold. It wasn't an hit at the time of original release and I'm not sure this is a classic in anyway. Pretty poor
1
Nov 23 2024
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Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
First time I’ve ever listened to this album all the way through, although many of the songs are familiar (they’ve been around so long, their material permeates western musical culture). As a collection it’s quite decent but perhaps not an outright classic
3
Nov 24 2024
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Hot Fuss
The Killers
Yet another band I’m not overly familiar with apart from their big hits ‘Somebody told me’ and ‘Norman Whiteside’ - both decent songs. This is a characteristic of the whole album in the main, good solid tunes and perhaps that’s also one of its weaknesses. While there’s a good standard of material, it never elevates beyond this. A good album but not a classic
3
Nov 25 2024
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Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
I’ve listened to the album several times today and enjoyed it immensely. A well crafted pop record containing some superb songs.
4
Nov 26 2024
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Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Not an unpleasant listening experience but as someone commented to me it’s basically a sound with no substance. So sounds good but not a classic
2
Nov 27 2024
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Damaged
Black Flag
I’d forgotten all about this album. I had it taped for me. Not as earth shattering as the Dead Kennedy’s debut but it did leave an impression. Listening to it now I can hear much in common with other bands I listened to around this time, it seems very British Punk. Definitely one of the influential bands and albums of the Early 80’s punk scene
4
Nov 28 2024
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Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
There’s some real bangers on here and memories came flooding back. The good tracks are really good but the rest aren’t great, so a bit of a mixed bag for me. On the balance of tracks like Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, and the title track, it probably about swings it to get on the list. I mean how could I not give it the thumbs up when it contains a track called “Jamaica Jerk-Off”
3
Nov 29 2024
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Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
These were a total unknown to me, so I was listening without any expectations. It’s fair to say that I enjoyed listening to this. There’s everything there I like. The sound melds elements of the Damned, Motörhead, Hawkwind, touch of the Sparks, with various other flourishes of psychedelia, hard rock, punk and glam. One I’ll be adding this to my library
4
Nov 30 2024
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The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
Gave this a blast. Never really been a fan but obviously knew their two banging hits from this album. I've tried to approach listening to this with the view of how it appeared back in the 80's when first released. This was one of those albums and sounds that carved out a new direction for rock music. There's elements of prog in there along side the heavy sound, so really quite ground breaking at the time. Having said that it still doesn't grip me, but Run to the Hills and Number of the Beast are massive tracks where their sound really works to its best effect. On the basis of those two tracks I'm going to say it's got it's place on the list.
2
Dec 01 2024
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Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon
I'm probably not doing this album justice, but this genre of music does very little for me. I've heard a lot worse than this and it's put together well enough for this style of music, just really not my thing.
2
Dec 02 2024
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Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple
I’d never heard of this artist before and it’s highly likely that I’ll never listen to them again. The music just didn’t draw me in and left no impact whatsoever
2
Dec 03 2024
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Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
Listening to this album isn’t an unpleasant experience and there’s no denying Otis’ vocal talent. The record is littered with great musical talent - Booker T and the MG’s were the backing band. Is it a classic, well it’s certainly good but the majority of tracks are covers, which helps rather than distracts from it being a classic. There’s no doubt this was in part of the albums crossover appeal and commercial success. In that sense it’s a classic album bringing soul to a wider audience. Not entirely my taste but I can see it’s importance in the history of popular music 🎶
3
Dec 04 2024
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Electric Music For The Mind And Body
Country Joe & The Fish
Not too sure what I make of this. I can see the importance of this album in relation to the psychedelic movement in America in the 60's. I must confess I'd not really listened to them before this, just knew them by name and imagined them to be a little bit like the Grateful Dead, which is to an extent true. There's also a touch of the 13th Floor Elevators about them and possibly a smattering of the Doors. I imagine if I stuck with this a bit more I may devlop the same ambigious relationship with it as I do with the Grateful Dead (I'm not sure I like much of their stuff). If I'm being honest I much prefer the UK psychedelia sound to this but it's not without its merits and I enjoyed it more on the second listen. This would've been quite ground breaking at the time so it probably deserves its place on the list.
3
Dec 05 2024
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Arise
Sepultura
#Daily1001Albums
The shouty, gravelly vocals really aren't my thing. There’s lots of gnarly guitar mixed in with extreme guitar wankery. I enjoyed parts of it and in its context I can see why it’s seen as a classic. Ultimately, just not my thing
2
Dec 06 2024
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Machine Head
Deep Purple
This is a big rock album, not sure it's the best thing they ever did but it does contain Smoke On the Water, so for that alone it's a classic.
3
Dec 07 2024
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Ramones
Ramones
Important early punk album. Some great tracks on her
3
Dec 08 2024
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If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
It gets the thumbs up. With Fairytale of New York on it, it’s never gonna be anything other than a classic but loads of great tracks on there
3
Dec 09 2024
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Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
Listening to this album wasn't a bad experience and Starship were one of the important bands of the Americam Psychedelic scene in the 60's, but beyond 'You Need Somebody to Love & "White Rabbit there's not much on offer here. Back in the day I'm sure this would've sounded ground breaking but it's not really well. A good album but not brilliant.
3
Dec 10 2024
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Urban Hymns
The Verve
Some great tacks on here and the album has grownin cult stature over the years.
3
Dec 11 2024
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Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
Not listened to this since the 80's. I found if anything that with the passing of years I appreciated the music more. Stand out track is obviously 'Geno' but there's much to enjoy here.
3