Oct 28 2024
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Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
Lives up to the hype
4
Oct 29 2024
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You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
Enjoyable listen. Obviously not my genre but def could listen to again.
3
Oct 30 2024
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Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
Nothing that hasn’t,t been heard before, don,t understand the hype other than the generations own shouty boys. Highly derivative
2
Oct 31 2024
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good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
I'm not from the hood and will not ever relate, and the opening tracks seem gangsta misogyn lets sign about my dicky BUT this mellows and says something and is a damn good listen. Definitely belongs on this list.
4
Nov 01 2024
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Eliminator
ZZ Top
This is a blast from my past. Prefer some of their less 80's sound - but good songs are good songs and they do use that production to make it shine
4
Nov 02 2024
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The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
Someone I had honestly never heard of and this was 75. When I started and was intently listening for the first 20 minutes it was a 4 even 5 star, But it then became background when doing something else and ..Well was just background. So if I ever decide to listen again it might be 5 if not 3
3
Nov 03 2024
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MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
Nirvana vs the cult of cobin, separate the sound from the myth, this is actually good
3
Nov 04 2024
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Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Megadeth
Cartoon slasher crap with repetitive music, why is this in here and viewed with so much more credibility than bands that were always said to be crap like motley crue et al - drivel. Didn’t like this when it was new and it hasn’t aged. Pure shit. Repeat riff, twiddle guitar, hit drum repeat actively. Poor man’s NWOBHM - Iron Maiden did it with more class and melody maybe in just ain’t 16!
1
Nov 05 2024
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Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
Soo much more that the greatest hits packages. This justifies the legend, so much more nuances.
4
Nov 06 2024
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Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
Only ever heard the singles, I have been missing out for so long. It's hard to tie down so I will just except It's damn good.
4
Nov 07 2024
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Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby
Girls Against Boys
Nothing here for me that puts it onto a must have heard list. Don’t dislike it when listening but nothing that would make Me go back to it either.
2
Nov 08 2024
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Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal
The main reason that I decided to do this project is to move outside my algorithm and get things like this that I would never hear. It's pleasant and I enjoyed listening, is it the best example of It's field - I have no idea, will I actively seek it out, no probably not, though I have liked the title track, but it's been better than some of the western music I have heard on this so far.
3
Nov 09 2024
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Fear Of Music
Talking Heads
Why have I not ever gotten into this band, so much more than just the (accepted great) singles.
4
Nov 10 2024
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Bright Flight
Silver Jews
First time hearing the band, having moved from indie in the mid 90’s. The 1st 30 seconds I thought oh no, but by the end of the track hooked. Poetic, low-fi, country tinged.
4
Nov 11 2024
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Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
👍
5
Nov 12 2024
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Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
Another interesting item this project has thrown up, great rhythms, melodies. Think because of me not being unable to speak the language I’m missing out on an important part of what when are expressing if the wiki entry is anything to go by, but still great music all the same, and will have to take a-look at the documentary.
3
Nov 13 2024
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Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
Really? If this is your thing then good for you. But personally, Is this a post modern take on what happened in the 1970’s and 1980’s with English as second language, so lyrics are just **** ( sorry they are supposedly challenging political correctness), so it makes the list? There must be, are other records that should be on the must hear 1001 albums! rather than this.
1
Nov 14 2024
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Scream, Dracula, Scream
Rocket From The Crypt
I had completely forgotten RFTC, used to own this and their debut Circa, now (may still do somewhere). It is what it is, was not expecting this to come up on this list. When it hits, on a rope etc. yeah it’s good garage rock/post punk with decent hooks, but again surprised it’s an essential must hear(maybe that’s my bias and I don’t give the same weight to things from my youth as “before” my time), nice to revisit all the same.
3
Nov 15 2024
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Clandestino
Manu Chao
Well that is just pleasant, don’t speak Spanish but it is a language that just sounds musical. On holiday today and this sounds just nice.
3
Nov 16 2024
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If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
It’s the Pogues, Irish folk with punk styling, to me, what’s not to like.
4
Nov 17 2024
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The White Room
The KLF
Electronic music has never been my thing, aware of the 90s scene and KLF but only in passing. But to be honest I am glad that this is on the list because I enjoyed listening for 1st time to this today, though won’t be revisiting anytime soon. Essential? Guess in that it reps a genre yeah.
3
Nov 18 2024
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Roger the Engineer
The Yardbirds
Always listed as being influential, always turn up on those documentaries about the 60s. Kind of hear it, but just feel missing that killer song for me.
3
Nov 19 2024
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Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Great music, great sound and feel, and songs. Shame it’s less than 30 mins but it does a lot in the time.
5
Nov 20 2024
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The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground
An important album for its influences, it's just never really hit me as much as I have tried, the bits I like make me feel it's great, the rest not so much.
4
Nov 21 2024
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Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
Just fun, energetic, edgy, catchy music with a sense of humour . The Damned deserve a greater reputation than they get if this is anything to go by. This is just a damn (had to do it) good punk rock album, wish had heard before.
4
Nov 22 2024
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The Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers
At the start thought I was going to struggle getting through this, but got used to the downer non vocals, and started hearing those influences on the indie bands i used to listen to.
2
Nov 23 2024
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Back In Black
AC/DC
The definition of classic heavy rock, you can smell the patchouli oil. Not a great deal of subtlety, think it was taken out, got drunk and given their ‘love’.
Out spinal taps, spinal tap ( where the parody only come close). From the black cover, the tight rhythm section, power chord riff on riff, helium vocals and let’s make the chorus the same line only so you get it, and the lyrics, see spinal tap book of innuendo. Big and dumb, but sometimes that is all you want or need. Does what it sets out to do which is rock ya. And the production is so on the money.
3
Nov 24 2024
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Fred Neil
Fred Neil
On first hearing was ready to dismiss and almost turn off, but later sat and gave a more attentive listen and did an almost 180. There is a cool introspective atmosphere, sung with a great vocal that just drew me in.
4
Nov 25 2024
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Untitled (Black Is)
SAULT
Musical, yeah it is an interesting modern R&B listen. Not sure if I think there is anything groundbreaking in the musical context. Is it socio/politically essential, don’t think I’m the intended demographic to be qualified to have an informed view on that.
3
Nov 26 2024
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Blur
Blur
All for bands/artists developing through their careers, who wants the same thing album after album, or trying to be your teen/ twenty something self when you are old enough to be that person’s dad ( or grandad in some cases). Never spent much time on Blur, so they moved on from their Brit pop sound, good for them. Obviously the album that has song 2, the sampled track heard on every sport highlight or next programme ad at the time, not sure how many times heard the whole song. It’s competent, songwriting, playing, singing and production but it just felt like a bit of a slog, hard work to get through all 50 odd minutes. Presume this means there is at least 1 other Blur album, as can’t imagine many Blur fans thinking this is their essential recording?
2
Nov 27 2024
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Rattlesnakes
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
4
Nov 28 2024
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Who's Next
The Who
5
Nov 29 2024
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Revolver
Beatles
The Beatles, not a lot to say from me. Have listened to them my whole life and that won't change.
5
Nov 30 2024
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The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
This is a great album, will definitely be revisiting
4
Dec 01 2024
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Made In Japan
Deep Purple
This left me cold. No problem with virtuoso musicians exploring their sound but this just feels so emotionally sterile. Was looking forward to hearing his when it came up today, not a DP fan but interested to heard what made them so revered. Oh no… that is why I never liked them them! Guess you need to like muso twiddling to appreciate this, yes you can play but enough with the super extended versions of songs where the vocals and lyrics are a distant 5th behind everyone and everything else. It all just comes over as excessive and indulgent to me as a recording. was probably a great experience being in the crowd, but not sure that makes an essential album. I suppose it’s representative of the live album fad that appeared to have occurred in the early 70’s? live captures us at our best ideology. Every overblown cliches in the book is here; There might be good songs in there somewhere but I got bored and lost in those go on and on guitar/keyboard/ rhythm solo's, I mean 1 track within 2 minutes (guess it maybe the edit for the record) goes into an extended drum solo, then we have got to have an extended intro to at least 1 song to show our virtuoso to our friends, and the I can screech in tune thing .. wtf. Can now understand where the punk ethos rose from, as rebellion in part to all the excess of this. Would I personally ever listen it this again, not when I struggled to even listen to it once, I got through the 1st track second listen and then decided that was enough. Even the cover is just so …. No the worst I have even heard this week, but just not what all the one of the best ever live albums stuff led me to expect.
2
Dec 02 2024
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We're Only In It For The Money
The Mothers Of Invention
Apology for missing the point, that this is satirical and experimental. But it’s just the run out groove turned into a whole album. I Get from reading the background that this is a supposed satire on what was happening at the time. But it just sounds aloof, that they think they are clever, as no one else is as aware and informed as them, but was the joke to take the piss out of anything resembling musical talent by showing none? (They may be talented but to my simple ears I can’t tell from this). Probably would have worked as a sketch on a comedy programme better, because for me as an album it’s awful and just plain shit. Can they actually write songs? Humorous?? lyrics and sound collage to the most basic of song structure that seems to have been knocked up on the spot, damn this is straining the idea of must hear music for me, I want the time back… next.
1
Dec 03 2024
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Gorillaz
Gorillaz
I appreciate the concept, and inventiveness of the whole virtual band concept, musically took me a few listens as on the whole it kind of was passing me by with it eclectic nature, but kind of get it and I can see why someone else may be well into it.
3
Dec 04 2024
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Let's Get Killed
David Holmes
I’m not very informed to discuss this, my knowledge on DJing could be written on the back of a stamp, although this sounded like one of the urban movie OST that I have from this time, even before I got to the Bond theme, so can only go off how it sounds to me, today. I don’t dislike it per se, but by its very repetitive nature it seems somewhat monotonous and lacking in vitality, being more background than anything. So yeah glad to expand my horizons and listen to a full album of whatever this is listed as, won’t be rushing to follow up though
3
Dec 05 2024
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Done By The Forces Of Nature
Jungle Brothers
Enjoyable listen. Good variety and positive lyrical content.
3
Dec 06 2024
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First Band On The Moon
The Cardigans
No preconceived ideas coming into this, did they have a hit once being the only thing I could recall, well 1 hit song does not make an essential album. Lot of people on here really seem to like this but I just found it insipid. The baby doll vocals are grating and made me want to punch myself in the face. It's well arranged and produced and they do have 1 good song in them, that stands out a mile, listened couple of times but couldnt be bother at that point just find it dull and irritating.
2
Dec 07 2024
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Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
4
Dec 08 2024
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The Undertones
The Undertones
Never outstays it’s welcome. I wasn’t a teenager in 79 when this was released, but man this makes me feel like I am. The whole feel, upbeat, the bounce to the music, the lyrics and then the highlight, Teenage kicks, a song I know well, a perfect pop punk song? Even the cover, in our media over obsessived times no one would be as non self conscious to look so real. Just an album that makes me smile and that’s never a bad thing.
4
Dec 09 2024
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Live!
Fela Kuti
Just great rhythm from start to finish
4
Dec 10 2024
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I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
Now this is essential. Just sheer bliss from start to finish. Pure soul. Sure they are mostly cover versions, but the you didn’t write it argument with quality interpretation like this, is a weak argument ( and anyway looking at music nowadays with lots of hits written by committee and ghost writers). What a talent Aretha is, emotion, power and control, there is a reason she is seen as 1 of the best female vocalists ever, to think if she was starting today they would probably autotune the heart and soul out of her.
5
Dec 11 2024
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Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Never heard this before as tended to avoid goth music due to my own preconceived opinions that were based on no actual experience. More fool me, what a good record, how to maintain a haunting atmosphere throughout but with melodic rock and pop hooks, great vocals energy and just more fun than I expected. Will definitely listen again.
3
Dec 12 2024
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Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Love CCR, nuff said.
5
Dec 13 2024
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m b v
My Bloody Valentine
The sounds of a dystopian future, that’s miserable, grey where all joy, fun and enjoyment are banned. Listened, in pain for 46 odd minutes for a song to breakout, only to be frustrated. Had to look at the tracks run times on several occasions because thought they were on for an eternity only to find only minutes had pasted. Guess you can listen to this, ? sound, to experience a waking coma. Not for me, I’ve heard things since I started this project I haven’t liked but have at least now experienced but this no I’m not glad that I experienced that once in my life. The silence when it eventually ended was so much better than anything while it was droning on. Their Spotify entry “redefine what noise means ….” Sorry emperors new clothes, Still shit.
1
Dec 14 2024
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Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
I like many elements that make up what this album is, hard rock and other bands that have those elements, but I just can’t stand this. This is my 2nd DP album on here so far, and I guess I just don’t like their parts or what they are as a whole. Someone else I think mentioned Spinal Tap - that was a mockumentary, and I love it, but this is/was real, and good god has every overblown excess. Guess the oh so subtle cover should bean indicator of all to be found inside, not pretentious at all, the instrumental solos everywhere that are just sonic masturbation, the scream vocals, the oh so epic song structure. Heard their live entry last time and was hoping a little more control in the studio but no. Yes they have their place in the history of popular music, yes they can play but they are a band I Just do not want to hear, can only listen to this once and 1 star.
1
Dec 15 2024
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Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
Always been 1 of my favourite Dylan albums, having heard all. Not much to say that hasn’t been said, if you don’t like his vocals you are going to mark down I guess, but this is essential. 5 star.
5
Dec 16 2024
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Modern Kosmology
Jane Weaver
Neither liked it or disliked it. It was playing and then it wasn’t, didn’t really make much difference to, or for me either way.
2
Dec 17 2024
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Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Always liked me a bit of Nick Cave, hadn’t heard this and when saw double was a bit daunted, but this is a fine record. Definitely adding to my collection.
4
Dec 18 2024
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Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo
MC Solaar
As other reviewers have said this grooves. Musically it’s an impressive piece. The records failing is singularly mine, and mine only in that I don’t speak French, and especially with rap that’s losing a majority of its content. Enjoyed anyway.
3
Dec 19 2024
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Dummy
Portishead
Had no expectations of this album, only knew of the band cause they had the funny name of the place near Bristol which raised my attention cause I I I had been to uni at Bristol, even though they were well known in the U.K. at the time. Well am I surprised, no not surprised, immensely gratefully thankful that through this project I got to hear this. It is a must hear, it’s s warm but lonely, it’s hip hop influenced but also 60s/ 70s Bond sound track influenced and old school soul, it’s electronic but also sort of singer songwriter intimacy. Listened to it all morning with the rain and it’s just so eloquent. The arrangements are gorgeous and the vocals are so expressive. I’m still a physical medium collector and will be adding this today. These moments in this project more than counterbalance the albums that I struggle to get through..
4
Dec 20 2024
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Arise
Sepultura
Originally wrote a very long review on why I didn’t find this personally essential. Deleted it as it doesn’t deserve the words - it’s just monotonous in so many ways, Boring, drivel. Wasn’t as unlistenable as the band name, album cover and song titles suggest - but that is a very low bar, and would suggest that’s also a failing of the band in a way, if you are going to be so “oh so uncomfortable” then I as a non believer should struggle, but I only struggled with boredom.
1
Dec 21 2024
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Blue
Joni Mitchell
I’ve intermittently over the years tried to listen to Joni Mitchell, with people’s views I respect saying she’s the best at this kind of thing. But I have never been able to connect, it’s the intricacies of her melody that are exquisite but also so singular to her that when they have passed they have left me. Listening to this today, will give it another try.
4
Dec 22 2024
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Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
Like the music and flow, no denying his talent, the coke dealing street life, it’s not my world though and It’s akin to watching a movie, enjoyed but not likely to go back again.
3