387
Albums Rated
3.71
Average Rating
36%
Complete
702 albums remaining
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Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Cheerleader
Rater Style ?
39
5-Star Albums
1
1-Star Albums
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Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isn't Anything | 5 | 2.75 | +2.25 |
| E.V.O.L. | 5 | 2.89 | +2.11 |
| Spiderland | 5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
| Larks' Tongues In Aspic | 5 | 3 | +2 |
| Emperor Tomato Ketchup | 5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
| Ocean Rain | 5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
| Goo | 5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
| Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables | 5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
| Since I Left You | 5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
| Pornography | 5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slippery When Wet | 1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
| Appetite For Destruction | 2 | 3.74 | -1.74 |
| Hotel California | 2 | 3.6 | -1.6 |
| Sign 'O' The Times | 2 | 3.45 | -1.45 |
| Cheap Thrills | 2 | 3.43 | -1.43 |
| Hybrid Theory | 2 | 3.39 | -1.39 |
| Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers | 2 | 3.39 | -1.39 |
| Red Headed Stranger | 2 | 3.35 | -1.35 |
| Melodrama | 2 | 3.31 | -1.31 |
| The Healer | 2 | 3.19 | -1.19 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Drake | 3 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 4.67 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 2 | 5 |
| Sonic Youth | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 4 | 4.25 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 4.33 |
| Arcade Fire | 3 | 4.33 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 4.33 |
5-Star Albums (39)
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Popular Reviews
Marty Robbins
4/5
they all kinda sound the same, but thats not really the point. Quite alike Johnny Cash, which is great. cool storytelling. Favourite songs: Big iron, a hundred and sixty acres, Utah Carrol, El Paso, the hanging tree.
Overall around 7/10
1 likes
Stereolab
5/5
I CANT believe that this is on here. As far as I know this is the only stereolab album on here which is very strange. My favourite thing about stereolab is that they do lots of experimentation, especially with synths and stuff, but always do it in a way which works and isn’t totally destructive to the rest of the song. I really like this album but I don’t think that it is even in my top 3 for them (I perhaps need to revisit/listen to more because this album is amazing and I'm not totally sure about that statement). It’s got a great mix of bloopy synth songs and also real instruments and noise-rock stuff. It’s sometimes hard to choose favourite songs because they often completely change throughout (very subtly sometimes though). Favourite songs: Cybele’s reverie, percolator, spark plug, olv 26, the noise of carpet, emperor tomato ketchup, monstre sacre, slow fast hazel.
Overall around 9/10
1 likes
TV On The Radio
4/5
Quite interesting. such a variation of styles, some of it (the drums especially) remind me of massive attack/trip hop kind of thing. I quite like a lot of the singing, some of the lyrics are quite creative. Some songs could have gone much harder though. I'm not sure if I can even pick out a best (or worst song).
Overall around 7/10
1 likes
50 Cent
3/5
TOO long, could probably cut like half the songs. I thought this was better. Choruses are soo repetitive, but just because theres so many songs, theres quite a few good ones. Rapping is fine. Favorite songs: Many men, bloodhound, Gotta make it to heaven, Wanksta, Lifes on the line .
Overall around 6/10
1 likes
Badly Drawn Boy
4/5
Really enjoyed, at first I was a bit put off by the ‘amateurish’ vocals, but I now think that’s what makes it so good. I love the acoustic bits, the experimental and rockier bits, no complaints whatsoever. Favourite songs: first 2, camping next to water(especially this one), body rap and the last 2.
Overall around 8/10 (I so want to say 9 but barely not quite)
1 likes
1-Star Albums (1)
All Ratings
Led Zeppelin
4/5
some really great guitar tones, especially for 1970
generally found singing quite annoying, however did hit the spot on a few songs and doesn't really overall affect the performance (immigrant song, since I've been loving you, tangerine)
around 7/10
OutKast
4/5
already heard,
some great hits, kinda weird early digital instrumentals, but does sometimes work (BOB). rapping is soo good from both members, genuinely some of the best of all time. but boring/long instrumentals/choruses are the main limiting factor. favorite songs: Ms. Jackson, so fresh so clean, bombs over Baghdad, Gangsta shit. Definitely potential for change, but probably like this slightly less than Aquemini.
overall around 8/10
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I quite like the 'organic' feel of some of the instrumentals, where the percussion is not just drums, and other things like chimes etc. However imo quite a lot of the songs are quite boring and seem like something ive already heard, possibly because this particular style has been imitated/adapted by others. Favorite songs: easy money, carry me, o children
overall around 6/10 (potentially higher though)
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
I love the 'somber' yet still emotional kind of mood that quite a lot of the songs portray. the instrumentals are usually quite simple by still often go a long way. not really any downsides besides the short length of the whole album. Favorite songs: America, overs, old friends, Mrs. Robinson, at the zoo
overall around 8/10
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Some really great funky songs, really liked his singing voice, however most of the instrumentals sounded very similar and the lyrics were also similar.
Overall around 7/10
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
ah maybe this is made for American people. instrumentals are average, voice is very annoying (kinda knew it would be) for me it represents nearly everything wrong with bad 70s/80s vocalists. some of the guitar/string/brass parts are quite cool, especially with last 2 songs. to me, nearly the whole album feels like the overly happy major chord dominant closing song in a bad western musical.
favorite songs (relative): born to run, meeting across the river and the closing track I guess, as the instrumental part in the middle may be the best part of the album for me.
overall around 5/10
Johnny Cash
4/5
So refreshing after the last album, as i believe that they are quite similar singers, but this is much more introspective. i really like the live aspect and the comments/bloopers he makes. no real downsides as i think that he completely nails this specific style, however all of the instrumentals are nearly identical.
favorite songs: all of them, the album seems like such a full body of work that it feels incorrect to single out a specific song.
overall around 8/10
Richard Thompson
4/5
feels very modern, very ahead of its time for 1974 really like the blend of singing voices, as they both have very different styles. not really any downsides, besides a few songs having some theatrical sections, however I believe that some songs are theatrical in a good way (last song). Favorites: Down where the drunkards roll, the end of the rainbow, the great Valerio.
overall around 8/10
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
really like the blend of male/female vocals, especially with female as backing vocals. Most of the instrumentals are relatively similar, but the it makes a lot of sense given the very distinctive genre.
favourite songs: rebel music, So Jah S'eh, Talkin' blues, revolution
overall around 7/10
Radiohead
5/5
already heard, but I really like pretty much every song. much more 90s rock-focused that future releases, and therefore meant that the band were confined to the instruments they played (e.g. limited additional instruments, synths, etc.) no real downsides at all, besides some parts songs sounding like either nirvana clones or that they could be on Pablo Honey. Favorite songs:
first 4 songs, just and black star
overall around 9/10
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
I like quite a lot of the elements of the rock n roll hybrid style with quite a lot of interesting effects. instrumentals are good, especially the early breakbeat on the last song. Favorite songs: cinnamon girl, running dry (requiem for the rockets, cowgirl in the sand
overall around 7/10
4/5
I like the range of instrumental types and the instruments used, singing is not annoying which is quite uncommon for songs of this genre/time period. not really any major downsides, except the weird balancing at some points, like the organ in the first or second song.
Favorite songs: Siberian Khatru, And You and I.
overall around 8/10
T. Rex
4/5
Didn’t think I would like for some reason, but not the case. I really like the mix of singer-songwriter and Beatlesque rock n’ roll. His voice is not too annoying and when layered in overdubs/backing vocals sounds really good. Favourite songs: all of them pretty much
Overall around 8/10
T. Rex
3/5
Wow what a coincidence. I still like this, but in some ways I feel like it is just the last album but worse. I like the flanger on some songs, but the more rock and roll type songs start to get a bit annoying. Favourite songs: first 2 and last one.
Overall around 6/10
Fiona Apple
4/5
I like the instrumentals, especially the percussion. I think that the lyrics are the most important aspect, so quite a lot could have flown over my head, but I still liked them and found them very relevant... some vocal runs are a bit abrasive, but I feel like that is intended. Also quite a lot of the instrumentals sound the same. Favorite songs: Shameika, under the table, ladies.
overall around 7/10
Iggy Pop
4/5
really cool, I kinda thought I wouldn't like it. instrumentals are quite varied and don't sound dated. Vocals sound like an early version of the strokes, especially drums on first song... Favorite song: Tonight - they are all good but this one is a whole step ahead to me.
Overall around 7/10
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Really enjoyed it, but randomly got kicked out of reviewing it. I think I said something like: There is such a wide range of styles being used here, and they are all executed incredibly well, there are a few standard 'Brazilian feeling' songs, and some folk-ish ones and also some Rock'n roll ones. No real downsides at all (besides me not being able to enjoy the lyrics). Favourite songs: O trem azul, Clube de esquina no.2 (which is SOSOSOSOSo good), Trem de doido, but if I remember correctly, they are all amazing.
Overall around 8/10
Can
3/5
WHY DOES IT KEEP DELETING MY COMMENTS
gonna make this short:
Kinda 2 albums, one first few songs and last one, second second last and third last. first is quite good but last is terrible
overall around 5/10
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
This has gotta be the least listened to album on the whole thing
Its fine, pulls from so many areas, so many different vocal styles and stuff. I quite like the Talking Heads type parts though. Every song feels incredibly average. Not really any favorite or least favorite songs.
overall around 6/10
Frank Zappa
4/5
experimental, but not annoyingly. quite early for something like this, it doesnt really sound like anything else at this time. Not too many downsides, the long song drags on quite a bit. Favorite song: last one
Overall around 7/10
Violent Femmes
4/5
A mix of loads of things, feels like a pre-cursor to the pixies, and ultimately the 90s grunge stuff. Weirdly, the bass is often quite high in the mix, which I actually really like, as most of the basslines are really good. Favorite songs: Add it up, Gone Daddy Gone.
overall around 7/10
50 Cent
3/5
TOO long, could probably cut like half the songs. I thought this was better. Choruses are soo repetitive, but just because theres so many songs, theres quite a few good ones. Rapping is fine. Favorite songs: Many men, bloodhound, Gotta make it to heaven, Wanksta, Lifes on the line .
Overall around 6/10
ZZ Top
3/5
its fine, only real replayable song for me is the most popular one and the last one. Singing at best sounds like a pre-cursor to red hot chili peppers but at worst is just ass. guitars and solos are cool in some sections.
overall around 5/10
TV On The Radio
4/5
Quite interesting. such a variation of styles, some of it (the drums especially) remind me of massive attack/trip hop kind of thing. I quite like a lot of the singing, some of the lyrics are quite creative. Some songs could have gone much harder though. I'm not sure if I can even pick out a best (or worst song).
Overall around 7/10
Ice Cube
4/5
some lines/songs have not aged too well, but pretty much all of them go soo hard, with the NWA type energy and beats which I like a lot. Favorite songs: pretty much all of them, especially at the start.
Overall around 8/10
4/5
really cool, feels quite timeless, I think there are quite a lot of singers, which means that it doesn't get too boring. Some nice guitar solos as well. Only complaints are really that some songs feel like nothing. Favorite songs (that I remember (probably more) ): Street worm, rougher road.
Overall around 7/10
DJ Shadow
4/5
already heard, any not too long ago as well. I like quite a lot of the songs, as the boom-bap 90s hiphop style is cool, however as its purely instrumental, and quite a lot of the songs are really long, some of them drag on a bit.
Overall around 8/10
3/5
its fine, short, limited songs, cool chords punk things.
favorite songs: some other time, second and third last ones
overall around: 6/10
Burning Spear
4/5
Was worried it was more mid 70s rock and roll. Its really cool, grooves are on point. Political message is quite well integrated. There is not really anything bad, other than the short length. Favorite songs: Marcus Garvey, Slavery Days, The invasion, Tradition, Jordan river.
Overall around 8/10
Common
4/5
love the beats, not just the Kanye ones tho. He's a really good rapper as well, really no downsides at all, a near perfect rap album. Favorite songs: the intro, Love is, The live one with Kanye.
Overall around 8/10
David Ackles
4/5
I really like the orchestral elements of this, some of it reminds me on Johnny Cash a bit. I also like the imagery/storytelling aspect of the words. Downsides are that all (but the last) songs are really short, and I think that a lot could be much better if they were longer/had more development, because I think it really works in the last one. Favorite songs: Love's enough, Oh, California!, Another Friday night and the last one. (also last one has some Joe Hisashi-esque elements which I really like)
Overall around 7/10
Jeff Buckley
5/5
I lobve this! Some of the songs are covers I think, but no doubt with his own spin onto it. I can see how The bends was partially inspired by some of this, as songs like So Real and Lover, you should have come over remind me of fake plastic trees etc. Theres probably no downsides at all, minus maybe that I don't like the halleluiah song too much (its still quite good though). Favorite songs: Lilac Wine, So Real, Lover, you should have come over and the one after that. wow this is such an indie NPC take but..
Overall around 9/10
Janet Jackson
4/5
similar to get rich or die tryin in the way that quite a lot of songs could be removed to make it better (not as much tho). I imagine this was highly influential for the 90s rap/pop fusion. I generally think that the first half is much better that the second. Downsides have pretty much already been said, and some songs could be longer. Favorite songs: Rhythm nation, state of the world, the knowledge.
Overall around 7/10
Radiohead
4/5
In my opinion this album has some of their best songs, and maybe some of their worser (not worst) ones. The electronic elements and effects generally add lots to the songs (except the resonance vocal effect in the national anthem). Favorite songs: Everything in its right place, treefingers, idioteque, untitled.
Overall around 8/10
The Yardbirds
2/5
The mix on the second song it maybe the worst I've ever heard, I don't even think its a mono problem because the stereo one sounds like that as well. The bass during the chorus bit is resonating so loud that you can't even hear the vocals. (hold on it is fixed later on on the album but the vocals are still so quiet). Anyway... the rest is nothing too special. Obviously parts of it are quite influential for the time, and guitar work is great. Its just the hardpanned instruments/terrible mixing affect the enjoyment so much. Favorite song: I can't make your way. Overall feels quite unfinished.
Overall around 4/10
Keith Jarrett
4/5
After some 'research' , I found out that this is fully improvised. This could possibly be some of the best piano playing/chops I have ever heard. Some parts are quite tempo-based, but some are free and stop-startish. In a way it feels like a bridge between jazz and classical, which works very well in both directions. The only real 'negative' for me is that some parts feel like they get a bit stuck, and can last a little too long going nowhere (however it is a live album so..). I'm not even going to say that the fact that it only has piano is a downside, as its not trying to do anything else/doesn't really feel like it needs anything else. Favorite songs: Second till last, and most of the first).
Overall around 8/10
Pink Floyd
4/5
quite mixed in my opinion. some of them sound like songs from a musical, which I really don't like. But on the other hand there are some songs which are probably some of their best. Favorite songs: pt2, mother, comfortable numb, in the flesh.
Overall around 7/10
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Feels like a snapshot of a time and a place. Even if songs feel a bit repetitive, I image the full experience of this is seeing it being played live. Incorporates a wide range of instruments, but is still relatively confined to a Latin/jazz kind of feel. No downsides at all, great nearly the whole way through. Favorite songs: De Camino a la Vereda, Amor de Loca Juventud, Orgullcida, Murmullo
Overall around 8/10
LL Cool J
4/5
Not really what I expected, but it is 1990. lots of great songs, hype. last few songs are really boring tho.
Favorite songs: the boomin' system, around the way girl, eat em up l chill, murdergram, mama said knock you out, jingling baby.
Overall around 8/10
Tori Amos
4/5
yay! this seems very Kate Bush-ish but all the good bits. Quite simple instrumentation. Really good singer. some songs drag on a bit... Favorite songs: Crucify, girl, precious things, tear in your hand.
Overall around 7/10
Elvis Costello
3/5
some good and some bad, most instrumentals are the same and singing is quite annoying. Guitar riffs are cool though. Favorite songs: blame it on cain, alison, I'm not angry.
Overall around 5/10
Christine and the Queens
3/5
How is this on here - not that its bad but... Some cool catchy songs - I really like the first one. great vocal melodies, but I just think there could have been much more - more experimentations as it falls quite flat at the end. Favorite songs: first one, doesn't matter, 5 dollars.
Overall around 6/10
Arcade Fire
4/5
Not nearly as good as the suburbs in my opinion, quite a lot of these songs are more orchestral which I don't think works as well. Overall some great songs though. Favorites: Ocean of noise, no cars go.
Overall around 7/10
The Killers
3/5
MR brightside could be decent if it wasn't the most played song of all time I swear. Almost all of these feel like they are being watered down and simplified in order to make them pop hits. There could be so much more experimentation with the synths and keys but theres really nothing too groundbreaking, aside from pop hits. Favorite songs: On top, the last one (not Mr.Brightside)
Overall around 6/10
Rahul Dev Burman
3/5
interesting... the lead vocals are blasting on some songs. some is really good and some is really bad, generally. Favorite songs: title music, baby lets dance together, mera pyar shalimar.
overall around 6/10
Britney Spears
3/5
some catchy songs, reminds me of janet jackson a bit, very good but arguably annoying singing. Obviously not trying to be too much more than a pop album but quite lyrically stale, and instrumentals are robotic. Favorite songs: Baby one more time, you drive me crazy, soda pop, deep in my heart, autumn goodbye.
Overall around 5/10
Talking Heads
4/5
very good, nothing leaps or bounds better or worse than any other talking heads album ive heard before, and sound quite similar, if a bit more 'rocky' that some of the 80's stuff. I would say that its better than talking heads 77'.
Favorite songs: With our love, the girl wants to be with the girls, found a job.
Overall around 8/10
GZA
4/5
feels like an extension to 36 chambers, as most of them are on this. beats are soulful and evil in some places (Living in the world today). GZA is insane. Negative is that some songs/hooks drag on a lot, also some beats are definitely better than others.
Overall around 8/10
Beck
4/5
such a mix, but generally really good. some of this feels like trip hop, but some is more rock. Negatives are i dont think the weird distorted screaming works too well, and some of the rap bits are really cringe. Favorite songs: first 2, novacane, sissyneck, high 5.
Overall around 8/10
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
I love every second of this, the staple instruments (bass piano drums) lay down the foundation, while the or saxophone fills in the rest. Something like the Bill Evans trio, while it is incredible, doesn't feel quite as complete as this. It is very rhythmically experimental in some areas, like the end of take 5 but I think it pays of very well. Favorite songs: all.
Overall around 9/10
Jungle Brothers
4/5
feels more similar to de la soul than ATCQ, even though q-tip is on it, its quite cool, and very early, as it definitely sounds like something from the 90s. Beats are minimal, but that's what makes the good ones good, however, some of them are probably too repetitive, or the thing being repeated is not that good in the first place. Nothing bad to say about vocals though. Favorite songs: what u waitin for, u make me sweat, belly dancin' dina, tribe vibes, in dayz to some, doin' our own dang.
Overall around 7/10
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
pretty good, several different styles. I don't really like the big hit, even thought I have heard it before. obviously a great singer and impactful lyrics.
Favorite songs: first 2, black boys on mopeds.
Overall around 6/10
Pink Floyd
5/5
First of all, I really don't know how this stacks up against other Pink Floyd albums, as I think Dark side of the moon, animals and this are the best, but none really stick out as the best out of the 3. I thought before listening that this was my clear favorite, but I'm really not so sure now. The long songs at the start and end if counted as one (or maybe even if not) could possibly be one of my favorite songs (let alone Pink Floyd). Conceptually as well, while not being as frontal as Dark side of the moon, still works out really well. However, I do think that some of the synth elements are a bit too much, or too overpowering, like on the second song and generally I think they are done better on dark side of the moon. I do also think that the title song is a little bit overrated. Favorite songs: all of them except the welcome to the machine. Score could easily be a subject to change, as I might totally rethink upon hearing another Pink Floyd album for perspective but...
Overall around 9/10
Elvis Presley
3/5
its fine, some parts like Johnny Cash which I like, and I like some parts of the storytelling songs, but theres just so much filler... Favorite songs: Wearin' that loved on look, long black limousine, gentle on my mind and last one.
Overall around 6/10
Badly Drawn Boy
4/5
Really enjoyed, at first I was a bit put off by the ‘amateurish’ vocals, but I now think that’s what makes it so good. I love the acoustic bits, the experimental and rockier bits, no complaints whatsoever. Favourite songs: first 2, camping next to water(especially this one), body rap and the last 2.
Overall around 8/10 (I so want to say 9 but barely not quite)
David Bowie
4/5
Only heard Ziggy Stardust so far, so this seems very different. I feel like it moves away from the more glam-rock stuff which he was doing earlier which I didn't like as much. I also generally prefer longer songs, which these are. instrumentation is quite standard, but still very good. Only complaint being some hooks kinda repeat aimlessly. Favourite songs: Station to station, word on a wing, stay and wild is the wind.
Overall around 8/10
George Michael
3/5
pretty much as good as this could have been imo. Not as good as some of the Wham stuff but still interesting. Drawback is the boring-ish instrumentals generally. Favourite songs: Praying for time, cowboys and angels, waiting for that day.
Overall around 6/10
Spiritualized
4/5
Feels nothing really like anything else from this time - it’s really experimental with effects and stuff. Feels somewhat slowdive ish in some areas, but mostly for good. However some effects are a bit too intrusive at times. Favourite songs: step into the breeze, and the last 3
Overall around 7/10
Mylo
4/5
I'm so glad this wasn't trashy 2000s radio EDM, even thought I have heard the more popular songs before. Some songs feel kinda like Aquarius by boards of canada, which is awesome, but some of the songs where there's just a beat and then a standard looped vocal for the whole song are a bit rubbish. Favourite songs: first 2, drop the pressure, in my arms, Rikki, otto's journey and the last one.
Overall around 7/10
Linkin Park
2/5
I HATE how overproduced the vocals are. I DONT CARE if this part has a bitcrusher and this one has a glitch effect , and this one has weird panning (which by the way happens SO MUCH). The vocals/lyrics overall are terrible in my opinion and damn near ruin the whole thing. I feel like on old person writing this but there are so many ways to do the rap-metal thing and the screaming thing and the repetitive hook thing which are all infinitely better than this. The real only redeeming quality is the amazing guitars and raw instrumentals, and I quite like the vinyl scratching in some parts. The vocals are just so annoying that it totally ruins anything. Favourite songs: Just to prove my point, the instrumental song second till the end is by far my favourite. - I think the effects are really cool.
Overall around 4/10
George Jones
2/5
every song sounds the exact same. just filler. OK singing and guitars but.
Favourite songs: first one and the weatherman one..
Overall around 4/10
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
I can understand how this was a heavy influence to the Punk stuff in the 70s, as it already has quite a lot of the elements which you would expect to hear, especially instrumentally (just listen to midway through the last song) (except these are quite a bit slower generally). Vocally is a bit weird, as I really like it in some places, but not in others (e.g. the Next song). Just realised there are a lot of comparisons to the E-street album (year, amount of songs, length of songs, some of the instrumentation (brass) ). drawbacks are that the vocals can be quite terrible, or poorly aged lyrics. Favourite songs: swampsnake, The faith healer, Vambo marble eye, the last of the teenage idols.
Overall around 6/10
Paul Simon
3/5
Feels like its missing so many of the elements which made Simon and Garfunkel great, I like the influences from around the world, but overall I'm not too keen on this upbeat pop style. Favourite songs: Diamonds on the soles of her shoes, under African skies.
Overall around 5/10
Tom Tom Club
3/5
I know the deluxe is actually 2 albums but I don't really have the heart to listen to the other one. Plus I think I get the picture. I like some of the synths and stuff but overall this feels like talking heads but worse. Its really repetitive, and quite a lot of the choruses are boring. Favourite songs: L elephant, Lorelei, on on on on..., under the boardwalk.
Overall around 5/10
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Could have been so much worse, i.e lyrically and guitars. Its fine, very cheesy, but how could it not have been. Instruments are good. Favourite songs: First, until I get you, beating gets faster.
Overall around 6/10
Prince
2/5
Average instrumentals, average vocals, goofy alter ego (made me laugh I guess) quite a lot of awkward moments. Favourite songs: the first one from each disk.
Overall around 4/10
Fela Kuti
4/5
I love long songs. I love everything about this. Favourite songs: first and third.
Overall around 8/10
The Teardrop Explodes
4/5
So good, mix of early 80s rock, and phsychadelic stuff, some also quite experimental song structures, but it works well. Favourite songs: first 5, brave boys keep their promises, thief of Baghdad, use me.
Overall around 8/10
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
Some elements of Pixies, lots of cool solos, Favourite songs: freak scene, they always come, yeah we know, let it ride, budge, the post.
Overall around 8/10
Charles Mingus
4/5
Maybe I don't get the intended message on first listen, but I'm not sure if this is like the best album of all time or whatever. I really like parts of it (like the whole first songs and most of the last). Favourite songs: first and last.
Overall around 7/10
David Bowie
4/5
I don't like this as much as station to station or Ziggy Stardust, but its still quite good. Quite similar to Ziggy Stardust but just a little bit more dated. Favourite songs: Win, can you hear me, who can I be now.
Overall around 7/10
Brian Eno
4/5
Kinda feels like he got really into ambient stuff while making this album, as the first few songs are completely different to the ones at the end. SO good though, I really like the talking heads (kinda) songs towards the start. and also the spacey vocals and vocal-less songs at the end. Favourite songs first one, last 6.
Overall around 8/10
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Its fine, probably has more potential in my opinion. No way people thought they were better than the beatles, unless other albums are insane. Favourite songs: Route 66, Now I've got a witness, little by little, tell me and guitar solo in the last song.
Overall around 6/10
Radiohead
3/5
Probably the worst radiohead album ive listened to (not listened to king of limbs). Doesn't mean its bad but I think the rock ish songs which could be on hail to the thief are the best ones, and the kid A electronic ones are all a bit bad. Favourite songs: Pyramid song, Pulk/pull revolving doors, You and whose army?, knives out.
Overall around 6/10
John Lennon
4/5
Not really alike the beatles. lyrics and theming are on point, and quite varied in a good way. Songs can feel a bit slow. Not too sure whether I like the title track. favorite songs: Jealous guy, gimmie some truth, oh my love, oh yoko!
Overall around 7/10
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
So much better than the other one, which I was not expecting, just musically feels more together than the rock n roll instrumentals which the last one had. I still think his voice can be bit annoying, but it definitely works perfectly with a few songs. Favourite songs: This years girl, the beat, pump it up.
Overall around 7/10
Marty Robbins
4/5
they all kinda sound the same, but thats not really the point. Quite alike Johnny Cash, which is great. cool storytelling. Favourite songs: Big iron, a hundred and sixty acres, Utah Carrol, El Paso, the hanging tree.
Overall around 7/10
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Average, beats are kinda groovy at points but all sound the same. singing all sounds the same. Favourite songs: I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing, yesterday when I was mad, the theatre, to speak is a sin, last one.
Overall around 6/10
Miles Davis
4/5
So peaceful, I think the theme which he tries to make works completely. Nothing alike kind of blue but not for the worse. I need to listen more times, and the score could get higher but for now.. Favourite songs: both (obviously).
Overall around 8/10
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Interesting concept I guess, some songs are so much better than others, but the good ones are great. I think his voice can be both amazing and terrible, depending on the song. Favourite songs: Henry Lee, Lovely creature, Where the wild roses grow, O'Malley's Bar, Death is not the end.
Overall around 7/10
Kanye West
4/5
BEATS ARE EVIL. I've already heard most of them, but the ones which I hadn't heard surprised me at how good they are (spaceship, breathe in breathe out). Rapping is obviously good probably Kanye's best ever (unfortunately). Hooks are pretty repetitive but often good. Features are also good. Quite a lot of songs shouldn't exist and the skits are not needed at all and all pretty terrible (besides the guy with the funny voice).
Overall around 8/10
Meat Loaf
3/5
Kinda like Elton John, which is mostly good, I really hate the stupid bit at the start of the second song, because the music really doesn't reflect the theme of it. The rest of that song is really good though. I do think the more rock songs are better than the slow balladish ones. The piano in the rockier songs does kind of work. Favourite songs: second one.
Overall around 6/10
Queen
4/5
Didn't know they all sing on here and they are all great. Not as tacky as I thought it was. I like mix of piano rock bits and early metal inspired bits. I still really dislike the opera section of bohemian rhapsody but the rest is amazing. Favourite songs: death on two legs, you're my best friend, '39, the prophet's song, good company, Bohemian rapsody.
Overall around 8/10
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
A bit disco and a bit soul. pretty good in both directions. lyrics are pretty bad and all sound the same. Favourite songs: that's the way of the world, yearnin', learnin', reasons, africano.
Overall around 6/10
Blue Cheer
3/5
Had to change to mono and it sounds much better. Some of the instrumental bits feel a bit like 60s and early 70s king crimson, which is great. A lot bluesier than anything else like this at the time, (like any black sabbath I've heard). Guitars are very interesting, they use a squarish distortion which almost makes some of the lead parts sound like a synth which is very interesting. Lots of time signature messing but kinda just feels a bit sloppy and dissonant in comparison to say, King Crimson. Favourite song: parchment farm
Overall around 5/10
Van Halen
3/5
Some great guitar, although the string tapping thing does get a bit boring. Sing in is really cheesy, but I can get past it on some songs. Favourite song: Jamie’s crying’.
Overall around 6/10
Massive Attack
4/5
More rapping type stuff than on mezzanine, which I think is great - I also really like tricky, who I guess was part of the group at this point still. Beats are amazing, sound much more like dummy than what they would go on to do. Only complaint is that some of the songs kinda just keep going on with not much happening. Favourite songs: safe from harm, be thankful for what you’ve got, five man army.
Overall around 8/10
4/5
great really groovy and jazzy at times. I like the concept although I probably didn't pick up on it fully. Some sax solos and random other noises are SOOO loud for some reason. No downsides other than some of the longer songs dragging on a bit (sorry). Favourite songs: The cisco kid, where was you at, the world is a ghetto, beetles on the bog.
Overall around 8/10
Hugh Masekela
4/5
a mix of feelings, which takes you through a journey in a way. playing is on point. Trumpets get a bit repetitive as they are generally quite simple (which works in some areas). Favourite songs: Part of a whole, minawa, unhome, maseru.
Overall around 8/10
Beastie Boys
4/5
One of the rappers is SO annoying but the others are pretty good. Beats are a bit mixed but some are amazing. Favourite songs: shake your rump, 3-minute rule, looking down the barrel of a gun, car thief, a year and a day (this one could be my favourite overall).
overall around 7/10
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Is kind of refreshing to have a mostly instrumental album, and they are great, a wide range of emotions, and great instrumentation. Favourite songs: theme from shaft, bumpy’s lament, Ellie’s love theme Café Regio’s, early Sunday morning, a friend’s place, no name bar, shaft strikes again
Overall around 8:10
Bill Callahan
4/5
I thought it would be the best thing ever from the intro to the first song - which is amazing. Monotone and low singing works in better in some parts, but gets quite stale, especially because they are quite dry and similar most of the time. Instrumentals are mostly great. Favourite songs: Jim Cain, Rococo Zephyr, too many birds, all thought are prey to some beast. Faith/void.
Overall around 7/10
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
fine, good solos and singing isn't that annoying most of the time, can see some of this influencing the red hot chilli peppers. free bird does slap though. Favourite songs: Tuesday's gone, poison whiskey, free bird.
Overall around 5/10
Stan Getz
5/5
Already heard but would willingly listen over and over. So refreshing and not as in your face like some jazz type music can be. Singing is great and gives a bit of a break from only instrumental parts/songs. Nothing bad about it at all. Favourite songs: the girl from Ipanema, para muchachar meu coracao, só dança samba, o grande amor
Overall around 9/10
The The
4/5
Very strange, in a wierd way feels like a side project of a famous band member, but it isn’t, parts are great and parts are less so. Favourite songs: this is the day, the sinking feeling, uncertain smile, giant.
Overall around 7/10
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Groovy and emotional at times both are great. Singing is also amazing, a very particular style which works and is very versatile. Favourite songs: down to zero, help yourself, water with the wine, people, tall in the saddle.
Overall around 8/10
N.W.A.
4/5
rapping is insane from all members (even dr.dre) such variety and probably influential, as stuff still sounds like this today more than say public enemy (not necessarily a bad thing). Beats are also so good and the mix of 808 hihat and drum break works so well and I'm sad its not used now as much. some beats are a bit nothing (i aint tha 1). Some of the sexism is a bit jarring for me though (same thing with the ice cube album earlier). Favourite songs: straight outta Compton, fuck tha police, gangsta, gangsta, 8 ball-remix, something like that, express yourself, Compton's N the house-remix, something 2 dance 2.
Overall around 8/10 (feels quite close to 9 but not quite)
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
all singers are great, lyrics are quite sad and very well writen. Favourite songs: expectations, she's losing it, electronic renaissance, I could be dreaming, we rule the school.
Overall around 7/10
Van Halen
3/5
its fine, pretty much what I expected, and im glad its not much longer. I thought the synth stuff was going to be the whole thing, but the last half feels like leftovers from before. Favourite songs: 1984, panama, house of pain
Overall around 5/10
Television
5/5
Have listened to this album (and the band) a lot recently coincidently. This is some of the most ahead of its time music ever, I totally believe that if something like this was released today, people would still say ''this sounds like nothing else''. This seems like a pre-cursor to ''post-rock'' stuff, as it takes, on paper, very simple rhythm guitar parts experiments with song structures. Vocals perfectly suit the songs. I love the subtle piano parts on some songs. Everything just feels perfectly unique to them. Favourite songs: all of them (not in a lazy way, they are all just the best). However my absolute favourite could be torn curtain.
Overall around 10/10
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Listened recently enough, and to be honest I don't really want to re-listen.
Such a range of stuff on here, you can probably find loads of songs which fit into a completely different niche which the band are know for (take me down). But there are also lots of 'typical' songs on here. Quite a lot I feel could be cut down though, as throughout the second disc it just feels like you are waiting. There are also some terrible metal-type screaming songs which become even more annoying considering his voice. Favourite songs: Jellybelly, zero, bullet with butterfly wings, an ode to no one, porcelina of the vast oceans, take me down, where boys fear to tread, 1979.
Overall around 8/10
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
I like the sampled orchestra type beats, but the ones which seem to be recorded in/cleaned up are much worse and sound like NF/Macklemore type motivational beats. Rapping is okay, I like the storytelling and lyrical type songs rather than pop hooks. Kinda like J.cole in some places. Favourite songs: he say she say, daydreaming’ the cool, hurt me soul, pressure.
Overall around 6/10
Madness
3/5
Its ok, parts are great, and others are not so. I like the range of instruments, but some of the piano parts are a bit bad. Favourite songs: Tomorrow's (just another day), primrose hill, our house, calling cards, house of fun.
Overall around 6/10
Led Zeppelin
4/5
hmm. I think I enjoyed this the same amount as led zeppelin III, maybe a tiny little bit more (although maybe I need to re-listen, as it was at the very start of this oddyssey. Pretty much all the same positives and negatives as with that album. I think houses of the holy is better than this. Favourite songs: whole lotta love, what is and what never should be, thank you, heartbreaker, moby dick, bring it on home (without the weird bit at the start/end).
Overall around 7/10
Tim Buckley
4/5
I really like the blues infulences, they don't feel too in your face as maybe led zeppelin does. This is also much more atmospheric that the previous album which I listened to from him. The Dream letter song might be one of the saddest I've ever heard, in hindsight. The first long song is great, and uses its length to develop a lot (not sure if I can say that about the other long song...)
Gypsy woman is not good at all man. Favourite songs: strange feelin', love from room 109 at the islander (on Pacific coast highway), sing a song for you.
Overall around 8/10
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
can't tell if I just got used to his voice or it actually got better throughout, but either way its great. I love the heavier guitars on most songs. not much else to say just good, some vocals are a bit weird, not sure how to explain it.
Favourite songs: Elvis impersonator : Blackpool pier, Kevin Carter, Enola/alone, removables, Australia, Interiors (song for Willem de kooning), Further away, no surface all feeling.
Overall around 8/10
David Gray
3/5
quite boring, especially the slower songs. I like the bits of electronic instruments towards the start but I guess he stopped using them or something idk. Its fine, quite average. Favourite songs: Babylon, nightblindness and the long last one kinda.
Overall around 5/10
Little Richard
3/5
Nothing to say really. Pretty much exactly as I expected, as 1950s pop has literally 0 variation between songs. Voice is quite powerful and certainly works for this style a lot. Just glad songs aren't too long. Favourite songs: ready teddy, rip it up (i think this one is different a bit).
Overall around 5/10
Digital Underground
3/5
Some parts are really cringe. Songs are too long, some could just end rather than repeating a chorus or having the rapper outro the song really slowly. Other than the 8 min one for some reason it works quite well with the constant variation. Beats are really good, as this era is probably one of my favourite eras of rap. I really like the bits with the 'piano man', quite random but great. Favourite songs: the way we swing, rhymin' on the funk, the new jazz (one), underwater rimes (remix), doowutchalike, packet man.
Overall around 6/10
The La's
3/5
Liverpool ahh. I like it though. Jangly and even distorted at times which works well. Not much else to say. Favourite songs: Son of a gun, I can't sleep, Liberty ship, there she goes, looking glass.
Overall around 6/10
4/5
I always forget how much I like the Oasis instrumentation/production. Also how well Liam Gallagher's voice works with it. I never realised that the wonderwall bass is strange, especially in the verses. Guitar solo on morning glory is so good better than I remembered. Favourite songs: hello, roll with it, don't look back in anger, some might say, she's electric, morning glory, champagne supernova.
Overall around 8/10
Stereolab
5/5
I CANT believe that this is on here. As far as I know this is the only stereolab album on here which is very strange. My favourite thing about stereolab is that they do lots of experimentation, especially with synths and stuff, but always do it in a way which works and isn’t totally destructive to the rest of the song. I really like this album but I don’t think that it is even in my top 3 for them (I perhaps need to revisit/listen to more because this album is amazing and I'm not totally sure about that statement). It’s got a great mix of bloopy synth songs and also real instruments and noise-rock stuff. It’s sometimes hard to choose favourite songs because they often completely change throughout (very subtly sometimes though). Favourite songs: Cybele’s reverie, percolator, spark plug, olv 26, the noise of carpet, emperor tomato ketchup, monstre sacre, slow fast hazel.
Overall around 9/10
The Coral
3/5
quite similar to some clash songs where its a bit like reggae, but done like over 20 years later?? Overall most songs feel a bit nothing though, a bit like madness and that 'x' punk album from ages ago. I do like the chorus and other effect use. Vocals are quite annoying but do definitely work in some places. Favourite songs: I remember when, shadows fall, waiting for the heartaches.
Overall around 6/10
5/5
YES. I have been sleeping on this for a while, because wow its much better than I thought. I think I have passively listened to this before, but I didn't realise just how good all round it is. It has a great mix of her earlier abrasive heavier rock sounds, and also some singer-songwriter/soft rock type ones, like the Thom Yorke ones, which are both great. Nothing bad whatsoever. The abrasive singing could be bad for some people but I think it makes some songs. Favourite songs: ABSOLUTLEY ALL OF THEM (not in a lazy way).
Overall around 9/10
Talking Heads
5/5
Obviously once you hear some of the songs a few times, you know what's coming, but nothing really can prepare you for that first listen. There's such a wide range of sounds on here, I understand 'new age' whatever that means, but it does feel like that, because nothing before (and even since) sounds like this. The afrobeat, funk and electronic influences are what really makes it though. Brian Eno ties everything together and I think quite a lot of the vocals which I thought were David Byrne are actually him. I also definitely recognise Adrian Belew on here as well, as his slide lead guitar thing is very recognisable. The whole album nearly is just looped sections, not really chords, which again hadn't really been done in western music at the time and really since. The deluxe extra songs are pretty good as well. Favourite songs: All other than some of the deluxe instrumental ones.
Overall around 9/10
King Crimson
5/5
This feels similar to emperor tomato ketchup in a way that I’m surprised that this one is on here and not others. Red and discipline aren’t. This feels like a melting pot in between the court of the crimson king and red. It does have the jazz influences, and the early metal kind of guitar tones. I think this one pulls from eastern and classical and organic sounding instruments much better than the wake of Poseidon, lizard and islands ones. I think they nailed the very specific style. I also live longer songs, and they sure know how to keep it from being too boring, by constantly changing/adding stuff. I also love the distorted wah pedal use one some songs. The non-vocal centric songs are very unique Only downsides are quite minor, I think the book of Saturday song could have done so much more, and I hate the squelching snare drum type think at the start of easy money (glad it’s only for the start though). Favourite songs: all but book of Saturday. I think I like this pretty much the same as court of the crimson king, red and discipline, because they are all so good for different reasons.
Overall around 9/10
Tito Puente
4/5
THE ATMOSPHERE. Kind like what I said about buena vista social club, where I feels like a real snapshot into a culture in a certain place and time, which I feel like you don't get with American/western popular music at this time. I love the brass stabs. and just the instrumentation as a whole. Lots of fun was probably involved with making this, and you can feel it. Favourite songs:
el cayuco, Complición, three D mambo, cuando te vea (guaguanco), mambo gozon, Mi chiquuita quiere bembe, estoy siempre junto a ti (this one feels a lot like that Isaac Hayes song really random I know), Agua limpia todo, saca tu mujer (probably would have been quicker to say the ones I didn't like.)
Overall around 8/10
Fiona Apple
4/5
mostly great, pianos as the main instrument in rock/pop often comes off very cheesy (meat loaf) but I think this does it well. I think this is better than the bolt cutters one by a little, but probably a little worse than the pawn one, as I think I like the more experimental stuff on there. Some of the more pop ones I like less though. Favourite songs: sullen girl, shadowboxer, criminal, slow like honey, the first taste, the child is gone.
Overall around 7/10
Stevie Wonder
5/5
YES YES YES I love everything about this. The guitars, the bassline, the synth stuff, the moog basses, the clavs, the singing, the female backing singers. It all just feels so polished in every way, The ballad-type songs all are great, even though perhaps I wouldn't normally like that kind of thing. The funkier songs are probably my favourite, especially the synth-based ones. The hits are all great as well, although isn't she lovely drags on with the recording at the end, but I still love it. I can't really think of a double album which is so interesting and varied in a good way the whole way through. I still think if each of the individual albums were on their own, it would still be amazing. Its not often a song makes me sporadically pull out every instrument I can play and have a go on it (I know that probably sounds stupid) Favourite songs: pretty much all of them, except maybe knocks me off my feet and a couple of ones at the very end (not the very last one though). Will definitely come back to this
Overall around 9/10
Jack White
3/5
It’s pretty good, bits which are more like the white stripes I think I like a bit more, quite a lot of the songs just feel like mediocre covers though. Favourite songs: sixteen saltines, freedom at 21, blunderbuss, weep themselves to sleep, I’m shakin’, take me with you when you go.
Overall around 6/10
Grateful Dead
4/5
strange, some parts feel like disgruntled messing and jamming, and some feel very cohesive, progressing songs. I like how the first 3 or 4 songs are actually just one long song divided into multiple sections. Lack of vocals aren't a problem, and when there are (other than the 4th song) they aren't bad. Clearly a very talented band who have the improvisational thing down. Favourite songs: all except the 4th one ( I don't really want to count the last 2 as proper songs, although the feedback one does get better throughout)
Overall around 7/10
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
I don't really like it at all. Not really feeling like explaining why because I think that the things I don't like are pretty consistent and this is one of them. Favourite song: Piece of my heart
Overall around 3/10
New Order
3/5
I thought I might have recognised some songs on here but I didn't. Instrumentals are obviously great, however I think some definitely work more than others, I like the synth stabs and bassline, and chorus guitars. Singing is really good in some places, but quite bad in others, but I think thats the main drawback with their music generally, as clearly he does know how to use his voice, but doesn't always do it. Favourite songs: This time of night, Elegia, sooner than you think.
Overall around 6/10
Beth Orton
4/5
Singing is great, instrumentals are great, I love the drums. Some songs even feel like they have a little ounce of trip-hop, especially stars all seem to weep and the last one. The more emotional songs I also think are great. Favourite songs: all but the fourth and second and third last. Probably barely not 5 stars but will probably listen more and maybe update.
Overall around 8/10
The Temptations
4/5
Just pretty good I like the instrumentation and the signing, quality is a bit bad because I don’t think it’s been remastered but that’s not too bad. I like the long song Favourite songs: funky music sho nuff turns me on, papa was a rollin’ stone, love woke me up this morning, the first time I ever saw your face, do your thing.
Overall around 7/10
Korn
3/5
Creepy. Some really interesting guitar tones and effects. Aside from the standard downtuned nu-metal guitars, the flangers choruses wahs and leslie effects are really cool. Some songs just work in my opinion and some just don't at all (the limp bizkit guy one which is actually second hand embarrassing and fun to laugh at). Its also not overproduced like the Linkin park was which is good. The lyrics are pretty bad and over-edgy and the singing is weird but gets ok as you get used to it, definitely fits the atmosphere of the instrumentals tonally thought. Some of the rap crossovers work better than others (the pharcyde guy one is the best, the ice cube on is ok) Favourite songs: its on!, got the life, dead bodies everywhere m B.B.K., pretty, Justin, Cameltosis and the Ice Cube one kind of.
Overall around 6/10 (quite close to 7 ig)
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Not too much to say, just great in all areas, probably just a bit batter than the other one from a while ago. Probably said this before but I really like the female backing singers. Favourite songs: Natural mystic, the heathen, jamming (both versions), waiting in vain, punky reggae party.
Overall around 8/10
The Kinks
4/5
Not really what I expected, but I guess all I'd heard before now is their biggest hit. Really chilled songs, with quite a lot of wit and some lyricism. I can honestly see that this influenced all sorts of different types of stuff later down the line, as it doesn't sound nearly as dated as some other 60s stuff. As it’s not really too bluesy and more simple instrumentally. Favourite songs: the village green preservation society, do you remember Walter?, picture book, Johnny thunder, last of the steam-powered trains, animal farm, village green, phenomenal cat, Monica
Overall around 8/10
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
I already kinda knew that this was going to be good, I really liked the album cover before. Guitars are some of the best ever (obviously) but there are some seriously revolutionary stuff on here, some which I think could even be classed as shoegaze, if they were simpler and not too bluesey. some absolutely killer solos, especially the highway chile one, which especially stood out to me. It just feels like every single song is great, but not always in the exact same ways. Only critique is that the singing is not always good, but that is probably to let the instrumentals stand out more. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 9/10
Napalm Death
3/5
I just read that these were the first to do/popularise the blast beat thing, which would probably have been super interesting to hear back then. I'm not sure I totally like/understand it, but maybe that will come with time?? It for sure does work in some places over others. (for example the one in siege of power works really well, as it kind of feels more controlled). From my limited metal experience I think this sounds a lot more like modern or even some later 90s metal than other stuff before it (like the doom metal stuff). I really like the thrashy downtuned guitars and the weird analogue fuzzy lo-fi distortion that the bass or some other guitar has. The lyrics and messaging are great. Overall though, I'm not too keen on the less than 1 minute idea songs. Also I'm convinced that Spotify is just making up lyrics, theres no way he's actually saying coherent sentences in some of this. Favourite songs: instinct of survival, scum, caught... in a dream, seige of powerm control, born on your knees, M.A.D.
Overall around 6/10
Beyoncé
3/5
Haunted beginning rapping bit sounds like GKMC era Kendrick. I really like the more rap and R&B ones, rather than the straight pop ones. THE SAMPHA FEATURE. why does he always have like a 3 second verse and always hidden. Also not too keen on the corporate clothes shop pop ones, but there's actually not too many. The singing is obviously amazing, but I feel like it can be too overproduced at times with the overdubs, but I guess it is a pop song. Favourite songs: pretty hurts, haunted, drunk in love, partition, jealous, flawless (and the remix), blue
Overall around 6/10
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Instrumentals are simple but great. The singing is also good and not too obstructive. Favourite songs: Suzanne, master song, winter lady, sisters of mercy, so long, Marianne, hey, that's no way to say goodbye, stories of the street, teachers, one of us cannot be wrong. Goblins type music exactly.
Overall around 8/10
Jurassic 5
4/5
Some really chilled out and hard songs, the breaks are great. Kinda feels like this album is in the wrong era, as I think it sounds like its from the early 90s or even late 80s with the public enemy influences. Therefore I think some of the tropes are a bit over used. Rapping is good, and it doesn't get boring because there's so many of them and they are all quite different. I feel like some of the beats are better than others, some are just kind like a sustained/looped noise with drums. Favourite songs: freedom, if you only knew, a day at the races, remember his name, what's golden, thin line, hey, I am somebody
Overall around 8/10
The Charlatans
3/5
Pretty good, some good singing, guitar stuff and even some weird IDM flange effects (like the last one) (there's not that many though). However quite a few of the songs just feel like Noel Gallagher Oasis songs (especially the second one - I did like it though as that's not necessarily a bad thing). Favourite songs: with no shoes, north country boy, how can you leave us, area 51, get it on, rob's theme.
Overall around 6/10
Otis Redding
3/5
idk its ok, songs are mostly fun and instrumentals are pretty good as well, singing suits the songs well. Quite a lot of the songs sound the same. Favourite songs: kind of all of them, but especially A change is gonna come, wonderful world, you don't miss your water. I think I like the more ballad ones.
Overall around 5/10
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I would say I like the more ballad ones, rather than the straight rock and roll ones which can sometimes be good. I mean what more is there to say, its the Rolling Stones. Favourite songs: rocks off, casino boogie, tumbling dice, sweet Virginia, torn and frayed, loving cup, happy, let it loose.
Overall around 7/10
Queen
4/5
I really like this as well, I think it might be a little bit worse than the night at the opera. I don't like the Roger Taylor one on here as much as the other on, but the Brian May is great again (and the guitar work is obviously top notch). Some of the theatrical ones work really well and some are just so tacky, but I guess that isn't just this album. Favourite songs: Father to son, white queen (as it began), some day one day, the march of the black queen, funny how love is, seven seas of rhye.
Overall around 7/10
Brian Eno
4/5
I feel like its quite hard to judge purely ambient music on a typical standpoint of good/bad, because it obviously can't compete by any rhythmic/lyrical standards, so it think the only real judgment you can make it to judge the 'atmosphere' as a whole. And I think totally this nails the atmosphere, as his vision for this album is kind of simply summed up in the title and doesn't need any more description for you to understand the vision. Also in terms of influence, this (and other Eno/other artist projects from this time) could possible be some of the most influential albums ever (for electronic music as at least). The only complaint is that it’s really minimal (I know that’s kind of the point) Favourite songs: all, especially first and last 2
Overall around 8/10
Pearl Jam
4/5
I like the wah & chorus parts. The guitars overall are great as this is arguably the golden age of this kind of harder rock when it wasn't really dated. Solos are some of the best bits, and some bits are really creative. I think his voice seems like a parody of itself. I'm not keen on the ballad ones WHICH ARE SO POPULAR WHAT ON EARTH. Favourite songs: even flow, why go, oceans, porch, garden, deep.
Overall around 7/10
John Lee Hooker
2/5
perhaps the definition of out of date. I think if you asked someone who knows this guys work they would say ''that album, he's got way better'', which I have no doubt that his work in the late 50s and 60s was much better. I at first thought (from the first song) it would be the sort of adaptation like Miles Davis hardcore jazz to jazz fusion, but its not that at all, lots of these sound like they could be from the 50s. Half of these songs are just him repeating the same phrases over a generic rock'n'roll/ ballad type beat. Favourite songs: pretty much none, maybe the last one.
overall around 3/10
Echo And The Bunnymen
5/5
Already heard this, I love how instrumentally it’s quite simple, but the use of strings and uncommon instruments really gives it a real sense of atmosphere and personality, I think that’s why it’s called. ‘Baroque pop’ or something. Lyrics are also amazing, really surreal at times, especially songs like the yoyo man, which I think is what stuck out to me at like 7 years old or whenever I first heard this. Its the kind of thing where even if the song doesn't totally jump out as being great, you can try to like it, because there's amazing stuff throughout. Overall I feel like this album creates an amazing atmosphere, while still being a 'pop' album (not in a derogatory way). Favourite songs: all of them.
Overall around 9/10
The Clash
5/5
I tried to listen to this a very long time ago, and I had to turn it off and listen to something else. If me now was there I would have slapped myself in the face and forced myself to put it back on. I quite like the more punk ones, as obviously that's what this band is and was more before this. But I think the thing that's obviously revolutionary about this album specifically is their influences from reggae and not punk music I guess. I think that most of these songs are much more influential to 'modern' rock than people think, as they sound incredibly ahead of their time. Instrumentally is obviously great, and vocally works perfectly. Favourite songs: nearly all, except Jimmy Jazz and wrong 'em boyo, these aren't even that bad by any means.
Overall around 9/10
Lorde
2/5
I really liked the Charlixcx song with her on recently but I guess it doesn't extend to this. The beats totally lack any sort of humanity, and are really cheesy at times. The vocals are very annoying, I feel like if they were less over the top (like it feels like she's putting on a voice) they would be so much better. Not really gonna comment on the lyrics, they aren't outrageously bad, and some were consciously funny (like the one in the Louvre. Feels like Taylor Swift reputation but worse in every way. Favourite song: Favourite places (I like the chorus on this one - I feel like its unapologetically pop which the others aren't).
Overall around 4/10
Public Image Ltd.
4/5
JAH WOBBLE IS ON HERE. I quite like some parts of the stripped back songs like the guitars and the synths, the vocals are a bit hit and miss, but do work well in some areas. The atmosphere which is made in some songs is really haunting, in a good way. It captures that same sense of dread which joy division also had, however this is also very, very different in many ways. I really like the first song, which to me seems to be the most ''post-punk'' or ''anti-punk'' song ever, with minimalism and art-ish absurd lyrics and it kind of uses its length almost as an art form in itself. Favourite songs: albatross, memories, careering, graveyard, socialist, radio 4
Overall around 7/10
Everything But The Girl
4/5
This is kind of like if that one Beth Orton remix song was a whole album. Some trip hop stuff and also some garage and early IDM stuff. I really like the drums in pretty much every song - this was when ‘dance’ music wasn’t terrible and commercial. Singing is also great and there are some indie elements like guitars which I think also work quite well. Favourite songs: before today, wrong, walking wounded, flipside, big deal, mirrorball, good cop bad cop
Overall around 7/10
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
sounds really good for a live album. Some songs are really good any I feel like showcase the band and their togetherness live. There are also lots of more unique stuff with interesting time signatures, rather than generic 70s rock, which there is a bit of. But I feel like some are just a guitar solo and then the rest of the band playing. The solos are impressive but the bits where its just a solo with nothing else are questionable. That one lick is pretty overused. Favourite songs: stormy Monday, you don't love me, hot 'Lanta, In memory of Elizabeth Reed.
Overall around 7/10
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Some of the bass on this album is PAINFUL to listen to (sub wise). I also don't give a shit that you guys do drugs, stop yelling it in the group AND album name. Acid basses are ok I guess but the main problem which I knew was going to be the case is that there's just too much damn repetition, which isn't always bad but the whole songs are just really short sections, like sometimes a 1 bar loop which is probably cool live I guess, but its REALLY boring to actively listen to. (to prove a point, the Chico's groove song really doesn't loop that much and feels like its progressing and I think its probably the best song on here). Favourite songs: leave home, song to the siren, fuck up beats, Chico's groove, one too many mornings, life is sweet, alive alone (BETH ORTON IDC what the instrumental is like)
Overall around 6/10
Goldfrapp
3/5
Instrumentals are good, singing is good, wasn't really sure what to expect but songs just feel a bit nothing for me. Synth stuff is cool and I like the way that some songs build with drums. Favourite songs: clowns, happiness, road to somewhere, Cologne Cerrone Houdini.
Overall around 6/10
Kelela
3/5
I like the glitch elements, and most of it doesn't feel like generic pop, which was a relief. She's an amazing singer but the main drawback is that I think some songs could have gone harder, there are quite a few uninteresting trap type beats which leave a lot to be desired. The best ones are all synthpop/more ambient ones, which there is a few of. Favourite songs: frontline, waitin, better, blue light, onanon, turn to dust, altadena.
Overall around 6/10
Stevie Wonder
4/5
I guess this puts into perspective how good songs in the key of life is, as I’d probably say that both of those albums are better than this, not that this is bad BY ANY MEANS. Good for similar reasons, but there’s less synth stuff on here. Obviously an amazing singing with so much versatility. I like the acoustic guitar songs/parts. I feel like early Michael Jackson stuff was heavily inspired by this. Favourite songs: to high, visions, living for the city, golden lady, all love is fair, don’t you worry ‘bout a thing, he’s misstra know-it-all
Overall around 8/10
Dead Kennedys
5/5
Some incredible guitar sounds/tones on here. vocals work ABSOLUTLEY perfectly with the rest of the instrumentals, which I feel like is sometimes the problem with punk stuff. Political messaging is on point, I feel like they simultaneously say exactly what they mean while also having a layer of discreteness and metephoricalness (new word). The guitar solos are INSANE as well. I feel like they also just have the song idea/theme down totally, like the acting thing on the chemical weapons song. I love the surf rock elements, which I didn't quite catch at first, but its there in the guitar riffs and basslines. Also listened to some of the extra songs on the expanded edition, as they are some of the more popular ones. Favourite songs: all except: your emotions, viva las vegas (I do get the parody on this one).
Overall around 9/10 (I think the expanded edition pushes it over)
Deee-Lite
4/5
Q-TIP JUMPSCARE this has maybe got to be one of the most popular songs he was ever on. I feel like listening to the whole album kinda nullified the fact that I guess they are a one-hit wonder, but so many of the other songs are great and dare I say ahead of their time. The ones with a drum machine don’t work too well as the kicks just don’t hit as hard as with the sampled breaks. Singing really adds some flavour to make the looping instrumentals not too boring. The little sprinkles of guitar also make it much better. Favourite songs: deee-lite theme, good beat, what is love?, world clique, groove is in the heart, who was that?, deep ending.
Overall around 7/10
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
I guess I expected AM type stuff which I think I definitely used to like more than I do now, but its not really that same, kinda overproduced squeaky-clean stuff, I feel like this draws a lot from Oasis, and The Clash (the basslines), I love the way that most of the guitar parts sit with the bassline and the drums, it just creates this mischievous groove which I think they stopped doing. Lyrics make me proud to be British, as I guess some Americans probably don't know what he's talking about sometimes. The cheekiness is by far the best bit, as don't really think anyone else has quite done it like him. Favourite songs: I bet you look good on the dancefloor, you probably couldn't see for the lights but you were staring straight at me, still take you home, riot van, red light indicates doors are sealed, perhaps vampires is a bit strong but..., from the Ritz to the rubble.
Overall around 8/10
Sleater-Kinney
4/5
Guitars and instrumentals great, for some reason they feel different to early 90s stuff, a bit more expansive, which is great. vocals are a bit abrasive at times, but thats not really a problem, as they work really well with the heavy instrumentals. Its also not really a vocal style which I've heard. She also can 'conventionally' sing very well as well. The backing vocals are also great. Favourite songs: all but heart factory and it's enough.
Overall around 7/10
Grateful Dead
4/5
There was always this risk of this being dodgy 70s rock, but its not really, its actually got quite a lot of more acoustic songs and layered vocals. The songs definitely feel more 'finished' than the live album from earlier, but I think that one is slightly better, because its just more impressive. That doesn't mean this is bad by any means, its not. Some vocal layers remind me a lot of the beach boys (especially sugar magnolia/till the morning comes). There's also some more classic rock ones on here which aren't that bad. Only downside is I guess some songs don't really go anywhere, and the slow beats make those songs a bit boring and aimless. Favourite songs: box of rain, friend of the devil, ripple, brokedown palace, till the morning comes, attics of my life, truckin'.
Overall around 7/10
The Band
3/5
its pretty good, kind of exactly what I expected. Some cool keyboard/synth (I think??) bits. Quite a lot of it hasn't aged so well. Favourite songs: to kingdom come, in a station, the weight, chest fever.
Overall around 6/10
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
idk not that good in every way. Thought it would be proto-punk but not favourite songs hometown blues, American girl.
Overall around 4/10
Fugazi
4/5
The instrumentation and sound is amazing. riffs are amazing. Singing is very punk-esque, even thought the instrumentals feel like much more. I feel like they would be insane to see live. Favourite songs: all of them.
Overall around 8/10 (so close to 9)
The Modern Lovers
4/5
Strange, apparently these were actually recorded in 1971&72 which is interesting how late it was released after recorded. The vocal style I don't really think had really been done, where he's just kind of rambling more than singing. Some parts are funny, its got that like Talking Heads random, making fun of government/corporate/upper-class life lyrical style. Feels like Television in the way that they could be a punk band but aren't really (I guess this is before actually but the point still stands), musically speaking. Favourite songs: roadrunner, Pablo Picasso, someone I care about, modern world, government center, I wanna sleep in your arms.
Overall around 7/10
Blur
4/5
probably not going in the intended way of mostly knowing him from Gorillaz, so this feels restricted in a weird way, as I guess with Gorillaz, there's so much creative freedom. There is some really good songwriting and composition in here. I'm pretty sure the heavier songs like song 2 were making fun of the grunge stuff but they are also quite good despite that. He's obviously an amazing singer, and guitar parts are amazing. Some songs are really messy and feel a bit lazy. Favourite songs: beetlebum, song 2, M.O.R, theme from retro, death of a party, I'm just a killer for your love, strange news from another star, Essex dogs.
Overall around 7/10
The Specials
3/5
its pretty good, groovy reggae type songs. They all sound pretty much the same though, so it gets a bit tiresome. Vocals are good, there's a mix of reggae type singing and weird punk stuff. songs feel quite basic thouhg. Favourite songs: A message to you Rudy, do the dog, it's up to you, nite klub, monkey man, (dawning of A) new era, you're wondering now.
Overall around 6/10
The Avalanches
5/5
I have known about this for a while, but never really understood it until a full listen. Feels like such a complete project overall. Not only do all songs kind of run into one another, but thematically it just feels very complete and kind of creates its own weird world. Its like the total opposite of the Chemical Brothers where there are looped bits, but so much development and other sounds are happening around them. I especially love the parts or samples of some of the songs which run into the next. Also it doesn'y really feel like it fits into a genre box, which is weirdly refreshing. It's so well made that with all these samples, and there's absolutely no timing mistakes at all. Favourite songs: feels very wrong to single out one so its all of them. Will definitely come back to this.
Overall around 9/10
Metallica
3/5
blud? idk its not really worth all that time. Guitar and orchestra is pretty cool and unique for a bit but gets quite boring. Not really becoming a Metallica fan after this one, but this probably isn't meant to be the first thing you listen to. Favourite songs: the call of ktulu, master of puppets, hero of the day, nothing else matters, for whom the bell tolls, human, one.
Overall around 5/10
Arcade Fire
4/5
Weird coming at this from knowing the suburbs incredibly well, I guess quite a lot of people would say that this is their best album, its definitely better than Neon Bible, but also worse than the suburbs. I like that its more creative/less traditional than the suburbs, with the distortion and experimentation on the vocals. Synths are also really good, guitars too. I think Arcade Fire are amazing at a certain type of feeling in songs, which is quite hard to describe, but quite close to nostalgia. Favourite songs: all except maybe the first one.
Overall around 8/10
Paul Weller
4/5
The descriptor words thing said 'boring' which I think is very unfair. It has that 60s/early 70s blues rock feeling, which I don't think is totally abused, or too out of date (unlike that John Lee Hooker album). There's some really hard bluesey guitar lines like on the first song. There's also some more acoustic songs which I feel like could have inspired Jack Johnson and those later singer-songwriters. The instrumentation and little sprinkles of synth and organ and wind instruments are really good and refreshing - makes it feel well produced. I also really like the shorter instrumental songs which break things up a bit. Favourite songs: Sunflower, wild wood, instrumental - pt.1, has my fire really gone out?, country, instrumental two, moon on your pyjamas.
Overall around 8/10
The Birthday Party
3/5
Was very excited/interested to listen to this because the dude from My Bloody Valentine said that he was heavily inspired by these guys (especially in terms of guitar), and I knew it was Nick Cave. I don't know how guitar-wise you get from this to that, although I do think the guitars are quite unique - this really brittle, fuzzy, dissonant sound. I feel like this could even lay somewhat of a foundation to some of the 80s metal stuff, as its just so dark and harsh. I feel like it probably has more in common with like Big Black than quite a lot of other post-punk stuff. It definitely accomplishes what its trying to do atmosphere-wise, but in my opinion some of the vocals and instrument parts are just too abrasive and harsh. Favourite songs: Blast off, she's hit, dead Joe, several sins, big Jesus trash can
Overall around 6/10
Adele
3/5
I do think that the hits are some of the best ones, as I feel like why they are so good is that they stood out from other pop songs at the time. Quite a lot of these are quite boring ballad-type songs though, which are great and showcase her voice really well but they just don't feel very creative or really that interesting. Obviously her singing is incredible I'd say arguably one of the best pop singers ever. Backings are great in some places and ok in others. Favourite songs: rolling in the deep, rumour has it, don't you remember, set fire to the rain, lovesong, and also some others.
Overall around 6/10
Barry Adamson
3/5
Not really sure, feels quite unique for the time, although it feels a bit too 'serious' for some reason. Other than the really goody woodwind and marimba bits which feel like a cartoon clique. Some of the creative effects are quite cool, like the drums seemingly being recorded playing in a really reverberant room, and the tape loops and samples. Overall feels creative, but that's about it. Favourite songs: sounds from the big house, everything happens to me, the man with the golden arm, they are all pretty good though.
Overall around 6/10
Blondie
4/5
A bit of punk-type guitar stuff, but the vocals are amazing, and really fit into a niche which I guess nobody else was hitting at the time. The synth stuff is also really cool and adds textures without really taking over the songs. Some songs are just ok though. Favourite songs: hanging on the telephone, picture this, fade away and radiate, Sunday girl, Heart of glass, Once I had a love, The T.Rex cover at the end is great too.
Overall around 7/10
Thin Lizzy
4/5
I feel like them being Irish makes this much better for some reason. This kind of music gets stale very quickly and having something that's a little bit unique goes a long way. He also doesn't to that stupid Led Zeppelin/guns and roses vocal style, which is good I think. He actually sounds a lot like Jimi Hendrix in some places. Guitars are great. The live aspect is really cool actually, and doesn't really degrade the quality at all, and him saying stuff in between the songs is cool. Downsides are that its still a really dated style and aesthetic, but who cares I guess. Favourite songs: Jailbreak, southbound, the boys are back in town, warriors, probably some more that I missed.
Overall around 7/10
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Pretty good, I guess this is actually the earliest rap album I've ever heard. I'm not too sure the climate of rap in the mid 80s, but this sounds pretty developed. The beats are much more drum machine based, which is ok sometimes, but the samples are sometimes really weird and clicky. Rapping is good and the rock fusion ones work sometimes (not the Aerosmith one in my opinion). Also that tyler the creator sample. I'd say my opinion which I had before I even listened is still true, that its just a little bit more cheesy than some of the late 80s stuff. Favourite songs: Peter Piper, it's tricky, hit it run, proud to be black.
Overall around 6/10 (close to 7 though)
Pavement
4/5
really cool, surprised I've never heard of them. Very sonic Youth esque in some places and also sounds a lot like pre-loveless my bloody valentine, not really ripping those off though, which is good, as there's definitely a lot of personality, especially in the lyrics. Guitars are great, both clean and distorted. Not much else. Some of the screaming is a bit jarring, but how can it not be. Favourite songs: Summer babe (winter version), trigger cut/wounded kite at :17, conduit for sale (laughed at that title), Loretta's scars, here, perfume-v, jackals, false frails: the lonesome era.
Overall around 7/10
The Byrds
4/5
thought that this might have been blues stuff, but not really. Instrumentally this is quite like the early beatles stuff, or the early kinks. The chorus guitar and stuff is really good, and doesn't really sound like anything else I've heard at this time (except ticket to ride). Some of the solos are really interesting and not very blues, which is good, as that can feel a bit clique. Favourite songs: 5D (fifth dimension, wild mountain thyme, what's happening?, why, eight miles high.
Overall around 7/10
Fugees
4/5
Listened quite recently, but decided to relisten. My opinion hasn't really changed since first listen, but I also really enjoyed it then. Obviously the rapping is insane, the attention is probably usually just to Lauryn Hill, but Wyclef is also amazing and has a quite unique style. I think the thing that's amazing about Lauryn Hill is that she's also an insane singer, which fits well for the choruses of quite a lot of these songs. The instrumentals are very good, and the live guitar in some of them fits quite well. The downsides are that the skits are not really needed (especially the racist Chinese shop one which I thought sounded like Scooby Doo). Some of the adlibs aren't so great either, but thats quite a small complaint. Favourite songs: ready or not, zealots, the beast, fu-gee-la, family business, the score, the mask, cowboys, manifest/outro
Overall around 8/10
Led Zeppelin
4/5
The same ass problem with every led zeppelin, I think his singing might be more annoying on some of the songs on here. But the highs are sSOO good. that it could be the best one I've heard. The guitars and instrumentals are amazing, solos and riffs. But the screechy annoying singing ruins probably about half the songs here. He has a much better singing voice when he doesn't shriek (going to California intro). The more organic/acoustic instrumentation is really good and adds some variety. When people say stairway to heaven is the best song ever, I can't really complain, as it ticks all the boxes. Going to California is by FAR my favourite Led Zeppelin song. Favourite songs: Stairway to heaven, going to California, when the levee breaks. Better than II & III & Houses of the holy, but not by very much, they are all quite similar imo.
Overall around 7/10
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
Very early rap had always been a bit of a grey area for me, I obviously heard the rapper's delight song, but it always felt totally separated from any later 80s rap I'd heard. This does feel separated, but not really for the same reason, as I think this is extremely unique, and this style totally went extinct. I love the synths, which pretty much make up all of the beats. I prefer this a lot more than the run D.M.C thing from the other day where the samples can be a bit dodgy. This obviously also has a lot of comparisons to disco stuff, but also some weird other similarities, like the synth beats making some parts sound exactly like Kraftwerk. The sprinkles of guitar (both disco-type and rock n' roll type) are refreshing. The rapping in early stuff kinda sometimes feels like they're rapping over the beat (like in some of the run DMC ones) but this feels quite integrated, also the multiple people makes it not too boring. Also best not forget to mention what a breakthrough this must have been in terms of political commentary, as I guess they (and this album) basically invented ''conscious rap'', with the social issues which are brought up in here. Not too keen on the weird ode to Stevie Wonder, jut thematically, I came here for a rap album. Favourite songs: She's fresh, It's nasty (genius of love), Scorpio, the message, message II, New York, New York. The adventures of Grandmaster himself.
Overall around 8/10
4/5
I think I like the dude that sings do you remember Walter slightly better, they are both good though. I like the concept, although I don't think they were called concept albums back then. nothing much to say, I really like the band. Although I probably like this a little less than the village green preservation one. It has that quintessential Britishness, but is also making fun of the Jingoism and pompousness of the British Empire (big words). The more serious topics like the one about death and war are done well. Favourite songs: Victoria, some Mother's son, brainwashed, Australia, Shangri-La, Arthur.
Overall around 7/10
Van Morrison
3/5
really good, I feel like quite a lot of these songs have that weird feeling that you've already heard it, but not entirely familiar. Instrumentals are really fun, and match the tone of his voice well. There's quite a range of sounds on here, from more ballad type stuff, to some like more wholesome hand-clap 60s era pop. I think that he's from N.Ireland kinda makes it quite unique, as his voice doesn't sound overly American, like some stuff does, or overly British. I also really like the random other instrument solos, brass stuff. This feels a lot like Nick Drake Bryter Layter instrumentally now that I think about it. Some songs are a bit nothing though. Favourite songs: And it stoned me, moondance, crazy love, into the mystic, these dreams of you, glad tidings (especially this one)
Overall around 6/10
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
a real mix of stuff, I feel like they have a lot of songwriters in the band. Instrumentally its quite bluesy, which could be annoying if the singer was like Southern US, like Lynard Skynard or something. But the vocals are good. I really like the orchestral elements, and the slower sadder songs, like expecting to fly (just realised Neil Young is in this band and he sings this one so that probably explains it) and sad memory. But the other ones are also good. This is quite a diverse tracklist for 1967!? On some songs on of the singers is a bit annoying and it hasn't aged too well in terms of being generic. Favourite songs: Mr. Soul, everydays, expecting to fly, bluebird, sad memory, broken arrow.
Overall around 7/10
Emmylou Harris
3/5
I feel like this is an amazing reimagination of a musician who was much bigger before. It really showcases her skill as a singer, while not technically being instrumentally what she's known for (I assume). I really feel like this could have influcened some of the new era orchestral-style pop, like Lana Del Rey and Phoebe Bridgers, especially with the male-female vocal harmonies which I've heard both of them do. But it might just be a coincidence (but it does sound uncannily alike Lana Del Rey in some places). The little drum machine/synth elements are really good, and aren't totally overarching to the rest of the instrumentals, which can sometimes happen. I also like the storytelling on some songs. Not much too bad to say, except jut that some songs are a bit shallow and go nowhere, or are too country for my liking (not too many though) Favourite songs: Tragedy, red dirt girl, bang the drum slowly, my Antonia.
Overall around 6/10
Willie Nelson
3/5
wow definitely liked this more than I expected. The singing was probably the biggest worry, but its not bad at all. Quite similar to the one from yesterday. It doesn't really feel like country to me, or at least any I've heard. singing is good, orchestral elements are also really good. Again similarly to last time, some songs are just a bit nothing or go nowhere. Favourite songs: stardust, blue skies, September song, moonlight in Vermont, someone to watch over me.
Overall around 6/10
The Byrds
3/5
quoting the song I loved of their last album 'why?' The American Beatles comparison was probably made loads, but then they threw it out by making poop music I guess. Its not all totally throwaway though, I just think its so much worse in every way. I think the reason why I liked the other one so much is because it felt not too blues, and that was refreshing. But we're deep into country land with this one, and the song about Christianity sucks. Not much else to say really, I just don't like this type of music much. Favourite songs: you ain't goin' nowhere, nothing was delivered
Overall around 5/10
TV On The Radio
4/5
I think my problem before this with their music is that it seemed to lack quite a lot of emotion, but was really creative and I sort of thought that this would be the same from the first few songs but it gets so much better. There’s some amazing rock/rap/pop fusions on here and there’s just so much variety, like some really beautiful soulful songs on here. I feel like the massive attack comparison I made last time definitely still applies, due to the variety and creativity where you don’t really know what’s making the sound but you know it’s cool. Downsides are that some songs still do feel bit soulless, but this is definitely the best I’ve heard from them so far (not heard too much though) favourite songs: crying, dancing choose stork and owl, family tree (this one especially), love dog, DLZ
Overall around 8/10
Sepultura
4/5
Obviously the vocals are gonna be abrasive, as I feel like there's no metal singers who have soft fairy voices of something. But the effects and atmosphere are really good, so are the instrumentals. I didn’t really even mind the vocals too much, the lyrics can be quite bad, but there could be some sort of double irony. Favourite songs: arise, dead embryonic cells, desperate cry, subtraction, altered state, under siege (regnum irae), orgasmatron.
Overall around 7/10
Yes
3/5
Idk its not that good imo, I think the close to the edge album was better. It feels more inspired by the Beatles, and proto-Queen pop than it feels like a prog-rock album. Just too classic blue rocky, which is not really what I think they are good for. also the dude from red era king crimson is the drummer on here, which is good, I did actually notice the good drumming. Favourite song: yours is no disgrace.
Overall around 5/10
Bobby Womack
4/5
Probably not his most essential listen if you asked someone who knows his catalogue. I know this guy kinda already from the couple of songs on plastic beach, which were good, but obviously felt way out of place (especially stylo). So its good to hear him in his 'natural habitat' or whatever, although I think this is a bit more pop than the more soul stuff he was know for in the early 70s. The disco and pop influences are quite cool though. There are such a range of influences, there are some synth-pop ones (like stand up), and some bits which feel a lot like Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Downsides are that some songs, especially the three at the end kind of just taper and go nowhere, and feel like boring ballads. Favourite songs: so many sides of you, secrets, just my imagination, stand up.
Overall around 7/10
Stan Getz
4/5
yeS was very much looking forward to this, as I really loved the Getz/Gilberto album and the one with Luiz Bonfá, which both come after this, but not much longer. I really like the guitar and saxophone conbmination, especially as the guitar is playing fingerpicked and arpegiated chords, rather than strumming. Apparently this is the album which made Bossa Nova popular in the U.S, and I can see this being really appealing as a breath of fresh air after the standard jazz stuff of the late 50s. I feel like its probably a little worse than the Getz/Gilberto, and on par ish with the Luiz Bonfá one. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 8/10
Soundgarden
4/5
Probably should have already listened to this before now, but I kind of already had the picture. Its really good, I feel like Soundgarden can capture a quite wide range of different emotions/feelings, by still very much sounding like themselves. Black hole sun for example is very conventional, yet incredibly unconventional at the same time, while capturing a very specific feeling, Its not just that one which feels like that. Guitars are great, I love how huge they sound, with the double-tracked panned chords. The weird effects like rotary speakers and wahs give it real character. Vocals are prefect for what they're trying to do, the slightly strained yelling works in some places more than others, but it is generally good, he's also got a really good regular singing voice, which can add a lot of depth when the different singing styles are combined. Downsides are than some songs are just ok. Favourite songs: let me drown, fell on black days, head down, black hole sun, limo wreck, the day I tried to live, 4th of July, like suicide
Overall around 8/10 (very close to 9)
10cc
3/5
Just realised this is exactly what Weezer would have done in the 70s, they even sound so similar in the third song. Saw one of the guys on the review thing say that they have 1000 ideas for a song and do them all at the same time, which I can hear, but it does work out quite a lot of the time. Some bits are like Queen, and some more beatles. its pretty fun, nothing mind-blowing, as some songs are just a bit nothing or the singing is quite annoying. Favourite songs: the wall street shuffle, hotel, old wild men, Baron Samedi
Overall around 6/10
The Gun Club
4/5
Felt quite a lot like the Modern Lovers album where its not really a certain genre, I guess you could say it's punk, but parts sound a lot bluesy or country. Also feels a lot like Television, but a bit more gritty, and I'd say it more punk-esque (instrumentally). It maybe also felt like the Birthday Party, at least guitar wise in some places. Is overall quite good and the dark, edgy atmosphere its trying to do works very well. Downsides are as always that some songs are a bit nothing. Favourite songs: sex beat, promise me, for the love of Ivy, fire spirit, Jack on fire.
Overall around 7/10
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Wanted to hear this for a while, so glad to finally have. Its really great, VERY ahead of its time singer-songwriter stuff, I can see how this has influenced SO much of modern pop and I guess Indie music. Vocally amazing, while not always being totally conventional, which I like. The lyrics are great, often very surreal and artsy, but also very deep and political. Instrumentals are fine, very simple. Favourite songs: Talkin' bout a revolution, fast car, across the lines, why?, for my lover, if not now...
Overall around 8/10
The Prodigy
4/5
THE bubble perc is in the diesel power song, makes me think that it’s part of some sort of old sample pack or drum machine, gotta find it one day. I really like the 303/acid bass use, as it is actually used quite diversely on this - I think. I like also that it’s not horrible techno, there’s actual breakbeats. There’s actually so much diversity with the actual styles on here, some definitely work better than other, like that limp bizkit ass song is not so good. The vocals are generally good and the effects are very creative, as is some of the sampling. A bit repetitive in some areas, but doesn’t feel as annoying as the chemical brothers. Favourite songs: smack my bitch up, diesel power, funky shit, narayan, firestarter, fuel my fire
Overall around 7/10
Eagles
3/5
Idk its probably a bit better than I thought, definitely better than that Byrds country rock album, but the problems are sort of still the same, although this dude's (or the multiple singers idk) voice is less annoying. The banjos are still pretty bad in my opinion, quite a few of these are quite good, there are some more folk/quieter songs, and some hard-rock inspired ones, which I like much more than standard boring country. Quite a lot just feels totally nothing though, which is definitely what I expected. Favourite songs: witchy woman, most of us are sad, take the devil.
Overall around 6/10
Neil Young
4/5
After the buffalo Springfield I was really looking forward, because his songs were some of my favourites on there. This is also amazing mostly, there are some more classic/pop rock type songs which I think are less good, but the melancholy sad/happiness which is in his singing voice is the best part, probably what makes him such and iconic singer and songwriter. Not really too much else to say, instrumentals are standard but good still. Favourite songs: after the gold rush, only love can break your heart, oh, lonesome me, birds and probably some others I missed.
Overall around 7/10
Portishead
5/5
This has gotta be one of the most innovative albums genre wise, as it seemingly invented it own genre, and still transcended everything that's categorised as 'trip-hop' imo. The vocals are amazing, and have such a range of styles, and fit the haunting yet beautiful mood perfectly. I feel like quite a lot of elements from the instrumentals feel like samples, and are emulating that dusty old sound, from the CD credits, which I think is an amazing sound. The drums especially have such a perfect timbre, with the slight vinyl noise and crunch, and also the unconventional drum parts, like the drum machine on it could be sweet and the seemingly the snare drum with the level off in numb, which works perfectly. Also the organ/Rhodes which make up a surprising amount of the backings are great, and not too in-your-face. Absolutley no downsides with this, I think the only problems with Portishead as a band started to show in the self titled album after this, but nothing here. Favourite songs: all, maybe the its a fire one slightly less but still.
Overall around 10/10
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Its pretty good, exactly what you would expect from them in this era, it feels quite a lot more bloated than rumours a bit of the 50 cent syndrome, where you could cut a lot of the songs and it wouldn't be much worse. I think in general the female singers are much better than the male. The guitar solos and stuff are great as well. Just quite a lot of it really even feels generic for 70s pop/rock and not too interesting, I'm not sure I like them as much as some people, because rumours also didn't exactly blow me away. There are quite a lot of redeeming songs on here, and the storytelling (from all singers) is great, and quite surreal lyrics. Favourite songs: Over & over, Sara, storms, sisters of the moon, angel, brown eyes, never forget (This one is probably my overall favourite)
Overall around 6/10
X-Ray Spex
4/5
I really like the guitar tone, just feel really warm. The sax feels like a surprisingly perfect fit for music like this I wonder why more people haven't tried it, especially when multiple parts are layered on top of each other to make chords and stuff. I feels quite fitting going from listening to Sleater-Kinney right before this, as I think the singer's vocal style in this band heavily inspired hers, which I think fits this type of raw instrumentals very well. The more slow-tempo songs are also good, the lyrics and general attitude are also very good. Favourite songs: all except I can't do anything, the day the world turned Day-Glo, highly inflammable.
Overall around 8/10
Sonic Youth
5/5
I feel like this is not considered their total magnum opus, but it kind of marks the transition between experimental droning rock into grunge type stuff, which was more popular. This has got a bit of both. Obviously the guitars are insane, I love the weird tunings which just give them a different type of feeling to standard rock sounds, also the really unconventional playing styles, which make droning noises, like on the end of the second last song. The vocals are also amazing, both singers have such polar opposite styles to singing and song structure and stuff, but both are great. No downsides with this at all, I totally feel like all the experimentation pays off, even than song where there's just a dude telling a story is very interesting. Favourite songs: all of them.
Overall around 9/10
The Cure
5/5
The atmosphere is actually incredible, the effects on the drums, guitars and vocals just make everything so dark and gloomy in a perfect way. I'm coming at this from hearing pretty much every cure album before including this one, but I don't know this one too well. Obviously his vocals are amazing, probably the best frontman/vocalist/guitarist of this era (/ever?), they fit the instrumentals so well, while still not entirely being totally lifeless and gloomy. The lyrics are also really creative and surreal. I feel like from knowing what the albums after this sound like, this is much more atmospheric than albums like head on the door or kiss me kiss me kiss me, as those are much more pop inspired, not at all for the worse though. This is atmospheric a lot like their latest album, however this is a bit more raw, and less overproduced, which I think generally pays off better. Absolutely no downsides at all, the more experimental songs like the last one are sitll amazing in my opinion. Its totally impossible to rank this in their discography for me as they are all amazing for totally different ways. Favourite songs: all of them.
Overall around 9/10
Wire
4/5
The variations of guitar tones is insane, I quite dislike the label 'shoegaze', as I don't think the different music which people consider shoegaze sounds remotely the same, but this has some really ahead of its time, fuzzy overdriven sounds, which could easily be categorised as shoegaze. The vocals are amazing, the its got that British wit, and punk attitude at the corporate world, but it feels a little bit more arty and intelligent than some other punk, in a way more similar to bands like television and the gun club than some straight 'punk' bands. The songs are really short, but still quite digestible, a lot unlike napalm death where the songs are moving by too fast. No downsides. Favourite songs: all, might have missed a few good short ones.
Overall around 8/10 (will maybe update to 9 when I have a further listen)
Bob Dylan
4/5
Wow can't believe I've never got a Bob Dylan album ever. I was a bit worried from the first song (which I did like) that it would be blues stuff, but the majority feels a lot more alike folk stuff, like Simon and Garfunkel, although this is before most of their hits, so it was likely the other way around inspiration wise. The vocals and personality of the songwriting is what makes it so interesting and probably what captivated people at the time, quite a lot of the pop stuff being released at the time felt quite un-personal, but this doesn't at all (like the bit where he laughs and has to start again, it just feels a lot more real). I really like the weird lyrical style of just having loads of phrases said back to back which rhyme, makes some parts feel like poetry or something. I feel like hearing the Mr. Tambourine man Byrds version first was probably the wrong way round, as the more stripped back instrumentation on this one makes you appreciate the songwriting and lyrics. It just feels really unique. Favourite songs: subterranean homesick blues, she belongs to me, love minus zero, Mr. Tambourine man, gates of Eden, It's alright Ma (I'm only bleeding)
Overall around 7/10
Elton John
3/5
I appreciate this for sort of putting the piano back into pop music. Some of it works really well but I think it also suffers from a bit of the 50 cent syndrome, where you could cut a lot of the songs because it feels quite bloated. I was really excited from the first song, as its definitely my favourite, I love the synth parts and I'm quite disappointed there weren't more of them. I just don't like the fast blues piano stuff, it just reminds me of the bad parts of that meatloaf album. There are quite a lot of Beatles rip-offs on here as well, which might not have felt dated at the time, but for sure do now. The ballads are definitely some of the best ones, like the title song, which is amazing, but some of the ballads just run a bit thin, as they don't really have anything special and drag on. Favourite songs: funeral for a friend/love lies bleeding, candle in the wind, goodbye Yellow Brick Road, I've seen that movie too, all the girls love Alice, harmony.
Overall around 6/10
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
pop ahh
Aerosmith
3/5
Idk its ok, definitely better than some things you could compare to this at the time like Van Halen or something, it just feels less arrogant. Some of the guitar/beats are good, just feels like there's not a lot there. Not really too much else to say. Favourite song: rats in the cellar, also maybe a few more.
Overall around 5/10
The Jam
4/5
Its weird going into this already liking the Paul Weller solo stuff, but this has gotta be a step up. Its not really got the total aggressiveness of some of the other British punk stuff, but thats quite good, I don't think you call totally call this punk though. I really like the acoustic song(s). Its just overall really catchy and fun. Not really any downsides either. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 8/10
Beatles
5/5
Going through a weird phase with these albums of getting an artist I really like but for the first time so I guess I gotta say why the Beatles are so good. These songs just feel otherworldly(ly) good and unique, I still don't think anyone has come close to some of the stuff on here. The hits are insane, obviously pop hits, but with a really unique flare, like early moog synth bits on quite a lot of the songs. Lots of them creatively tell stories. I guess this is what you get when 4 once in a generation musician in a room. The Paul songs are some of the best and worst, Maxwell's silver hammer is perfectly goofy. The John song are very melancholic my this point, I had forgotten how unique Because is and captures some sort of perfect melancholy. The George Harrison songs are a bit more serious than the Paul, but are some of the best ones on here, mostly something. The octopus' garden song is also perfect in its own right. The medley thing at the end is so unique and another reason why I don't think anyone has really done this thing. I feel like all of them are also quite underrated solely as instrument players, as all of the parts feel so tight together. Absolutely no downsides, I just don't really like quite a lot of Oh! Darling, some of it is good though. Favourite songs: all of them but that I guess, my absolute favourite is I want you (She's so heavy), not only does it have one of the greatest and most interesting instrumentals, the Lennon/McCartney contrast works absolutely flawlessly here, gotta be my favourite Beatles song (maybe Nowhere man actually).
Overall around 10/10
Rush
3/5
Idk its fine, it just feels like prog rock with all the good bits removed. I hate his stupid Robert Plant ripoff singing voice, also quite alike Robert Plant, his voice is much better when he doesn't scream. The long multiphase song at the start is cool, but it doesn't really thematically have anything tying it together, so it might as well just be multiple songs instead. I don't mind the hard-rock and blues-rock stuff to much, its just the singing and quite a lot the songs just aren't that interesting. Favourite songs: the long one, the twilight zone.
Overall around 5/10
The Jam
4/5
wow got this only like 2 or 3 days after another one of their albums. They aren't too different sounding, probably because there are so close in time. I do feel like this sounds a bit more like the Clash than the last one, could be because London Calling dropped in between them, might just be me though. I might just not have noticed, but it seems like there's more political/social commentary songs on here than the last, which are good, and quite impactful on some songs. There's also that one song which has the same bassline as Taxman, which I don't know if its intentional. Similar quality to the other one I feel like, maybe a bit worse, I still like the acoustic songs, although there might be less on here. Favourite songs: all again kinda.
Overall around 7/10
Beck
4/5
Parts sound like they could have inspired Car Seat Headrest, but it might just be a coincidence. The round the bend song sounds quite a lot like Nick Drake, and a few others as well. They don't really feel like rip-offs though. Feels a lot more pop/polished than the last one if I remember right. I think the last one was also much more varied, which doesn't make it better necessarily. Just read that its the Radiohead producer, which I guess explains why it feels polished in the same way as this era-Radiohead like some of Kid A and Hail to the Thief. Not really any downsides, only I guess that some of it feels a little bit boring, but definitely still listenable. Favourite songs: The Golden Age, paper Tiger, guess I'm doing fine, lost cause, It's all in your mind, round the bend, already dead, Sunday sun.
Overall around 7/10
Michael Jackson
4/5
Its good, not really anything too mind-blowing, it feels kind of like laying the groundwork for Thriller, but it does feel very 80s-ish, while not being in the 80s. I really like the synth and funk stuff, its definitely what I think he does best, especially later on Thriller. The ballads are also okay as well, because I think he just has an amazing singing voice, and quite versatile as well. Idk the downsides are the same with all pop, that thematically it just feels watered down a bit, but I feel like you have to look past that to enjoy any pop music. Favourite songs: First 3 and last 4. My favourite 'hit' song has gotta be don't stop 'till you get enough, I've just always liked it. The last one has also gotta be up there, I love the bassline.
Overall around 7/10
The Sugarcubes
4/5
Some parts are quite ahead of their time, like some the more 'dream pop' elements, which sound a bit like the Sundays. It is quite obviously overshadowed by Björk's next 4-5 albums, which are quite a lot more groundbreaking than this, but that's not to understate this at all. The singing is quite interesting, with the other dude doing some kind of talking-narrative stuff, which is quite interesting and very creative, as I guess there were no creative boundaries for a band from Iceland, they were going to be seen as 'weird' from the outset, and I think that the do lean into it a bit. The guitars and stuff are cool, there's also a bit of early electronic stuff on here as well. Favourite songs: Traitor, Birthday, motorcrash, delicious Demon, blue eyed pop, Deus, F**king in rhythm and sorrow (They censored not me)
Overall around 7/10
The Beach Boys
3/5
Kind of feels like it could be a totally different band, I don't really recognise any of the singers except maybe Brian Wilson (RIP by the way, crazy I got this the day after). Its pretty good, but overall kind of lacks what made them so revolutionary, but that's ok, I quite like the more conscious themes on here, like the environmental stuff. The production/mix is also really weird, it might be partially in mono or something, some parts just feel so tinny and thin. I also quite like some of the early synth stuff on here. Its definitely more introspective, but lacks some of the depth, just read that Brian Wilson didn't really produce this, so that could have been why. Favourite songs: Don't go near the water, long promised road, feel flows, a day in the life of a tree, 'til I die, surf's up.
Overall around 6/10 (close to 7 ig)
The Isley Brothers
3/5
I think this has quite a lot of the qualities of very early hip hop, but just no rapping, like the wah which is kinda used to emulate what vinyl scratching does in the first song, and the distorted lead guitar which sounds a bit like a West-coast 90s lead synth the sunshine go away song. It’s pretty good, I feel like I enjoyed the more funk stuff than some of the more soul ballad type songs, but the singer(s) are all great. I was expecting some kind of proto-disco, but not really, that’s no bad thing really. Favourite songs: that lady pts. 1&2, if you were there, sunshine (go away today), the highways of my life.
Overall around 6/10
Wilco
4/5
Finally a double album which doesn't feel filled with slop songs! I quite like the mix of acoustic stuff, country and blues rock, as they are mixed quite equally, and work very well together. I like the creative and soulful acoustic songs on here, the lyrics and stuff are generally very creative. I also like the mix of loads of different types of instruments, keyboards and banjos and stuff, the later which I probably wouldn't like too much if if wasn't quite subtly done, which it is here. Some of the blues stuff feels a bit outdated and stale, but that's no too many of the songs. Favourite songs: Misunderstoon, far, far away, outtasite (outta mind), red-eyed and blue, I got you (at the end of the century), what's the world got in store, Hotel Arizona, Sunken treasure, someday soon, Outta mind (outta sight), someone else's song, The lonely 1.
Overall around 8/10
Slayer
3/5
Idk with metal stuff I'm always not sold on the vocals, while I think the guitars and drums are really cool. This is pretty much true for this. I did like that Sepultura album, but I feel like that was more expansive, progressive and varied than this. All these songs sound the same and have little to no progression, even though the instrument-playing is good. The vocals are quite bad in my opinion, maybe it goes back to the songs being too fast, but I guess thats the genre. I can definitely get some enjoyment from this though. Favourite songs: angel of death, piece by piece, Jesus Saves, Postmortem.
Overall around 5/10
Sade
4/5
I really like the blend of R&B, soul and funk, while still mainly being pop, I think her voice fits the atmosphere perfectly, and the vocals are obviously amazing. I quite like the lyrics and storytelling. Not too much else to say, I feel like this is on par if not better than some of the stuff on Michael Jackson Thriller, but this feels more authentic somehow, I guess everything fits together better. Not really any downsides, some songs it kinda feels like 'ok I get it', in the first 30 seconds, and nothing much else happens. Favourite songs: All but: when am I going to make a living.
Overall around 7/10
Guided By Voices
4/5
In terms of using lo-fi as a creative effect, I think this is quite ahead of its time, even though I do think some of the effects are more destructive to the song, rather than making it better, but I think it generally works. There seems to be some kind of alternating more acoustic/more built up pattern at the start, but it seems to stop a when you get further in. There's kind of so much stuff going on, that its hard to say what musically qualities this has as a whole - just well-written songs, with interesting guitar tones, and mixes and timbres. Also a LOT of variety. Favourite songs: pretty much most of them.
Overall around 8/10
2Pac
4/5
I can kind of understand why he's so unanimously considered one of the best of all time, as I think he's great at making songs as a full product/concept, and there are quite a lot of elements of conscious rap in here, as he is talking about some quite heavy themes, its especially sad to hear him say about how paranoid he is of death, knowing what happened later. It doesn't really sound 'west coast' as I think the real distinctive stuff was the G-funk stuff later with Dr.dre and the like, but there are some gliding lead synths on some of the songs. Not too much bad to say, I'm not too keen on some of the beats of some of the songs. Favourite songs: If I die 2nite, me against the world, so many tears, young fellaz, heavy in the game, lord knows, dear Mama, can U get away, old school.
Overall around 8/10
Nick Drake
5/5
I went in phases with all 3 of his albums thinking each one was the best and I think I'm still indecisive, but this one has definitely been one of my favourites . I think the more 'full' instrumental pallet work for this very well, as I think that 'going pop' in 1970 is worlds away from what it means today. There's quite a lot of jazz inspiration in here, especially with the piano and brass parts. Its just perfect in a way which you can't place, he's probably my favourite acoustic guitar player ever, if not guitar as a whole. The vocals range from melancholy to quite happy at times, and his singing is obviously one of the best parts. I think I maybe like his first album a bit more than this, but that will probably change. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 9/10
Metallica
3/5
I think I like the faster thrashier riffs and songs better that the half-time ones which feel like Ford truck adverts. Overall though it just seems quite mid, I haven't heard any of their early-mid 80s albums, but I'd imagine they are similar to this, but probably better, and way before. It just kinda feels outdated despite a lack of context. Obviously they are all incredible musicians, but there's quite a lack of variety. I think to put this alongside other 90s metal like Pantera or sepultura or something, those just feel much more 'progressive' and varied than this (in terms of instrumentally). I do think this is probably better than that slayer album from the other day, as that had absolutely zero variety. I will admit that it gets quite a lot better towards the ending. Its also way better than S&M, which I still ponder how that made it into the dude's book in the first place. Favourite songs: The unforgiven, wherever I may roam, through the never, nothing else matters, of wolf and man, the god that failed, my friend of misery
Overall around 6/10
Einstürzende Neubauten
3/5
Its quite uncomfortable in a way which I think is quite intentional. I think I could probably get more enjoyment if I understood what the dude was yelling, as it kind of adds a layer of further gibberish alongside the random noises and stuff. I do HIGHLY admire the total commitment to making a very interesting pallet of instrumentation. I think I hold this in the same regard as that Birthday Party album, where I totally see the vision, but it is just too abrasive (for the Birthday Party) and just too strange for this one. The use of delays on here is very interesting, and also seemingly some sampling. The industrial thing is quite interesting, seemingly quite a lot of these sounds were made weirdly, using sheets of metal or something. Arguably some of this is less technically 'music' than it is 'Art' as a whole, I suppose. All the ones which have 'dub' in them are my favourites, as they all have more coherent drum beats which I like. The dubs are incredibly ahead of their time, they sound like some IDM stuff which are still in pregnancy or something. Favourite songs: Tanz debil, Draussen ist feindlich, Kollaps, Abstieg & Zerfall, Sado-Masodub, Liebesdub, Spionagedub, Gastarbeiterdub, Rivieradub, Lünebest.
Overall around 5/10
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Already heard, but I don't think I was paying too much attention, because this is way better than I remember. I really love the drum machine use and synths with the filter modulations, like in the 3rd one. I guess its kinda a concept album, or more so a sort of story, which is quite interesting I guess. Great guitars and singing as well. Just straight up good, well-written songs, which don't really take themselves too seriously in the best possible way. Favourite songs: all of them.
Overall around 8/10 (maybe 9 I'll think about it)
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
Used to listen them LOADS last year and kinda toned it down, but I still think I like it as much as ever. Lyrics are great and thought provoking, and also the delivery is the best part. To my knowledge, at this time there was nobody so blatantly opposing the 'norm' politically, which is why I think they stood/stand out so much. I think they are the only band who were able to successfully mesh Rap and heavier rock. The Tom Morello guitar parts are amazing, the weird techniques which he uses to make totally unconventional sounds. The funk/rock basslines are also very standout, especially on the 3rd song. Although I've started to think more and more that some of the Guitar solos and effects are a bit extra, like the first part of the know your enemy one, or the lead guitar screaming in the verses of fistful of steel (this one kinda ruins all seriousness it might have had). But I definitely feel like there are worse solos on later releases because he ran out of interesting noises to make. Quite a lot of the solos on here are fine though. I have always thought that Evil Empire after this is better, and I definitely still stand by that, but this is for sure their second best album, not a lot to choose though I guess. Favourite songs: all but fistful of steel, My total favourites have to be know your enemy or the last one.
Overall around 9/10
Tangerine Dream
4/5
WOW very ahead of its time, I'm not sure how on Earth you would have made half these synth sounds this early on. I really like ambient music, so this is very appealing, I could see how it can be a bit boring, but the atmosphere and everything is perfect. I feel like there's also elements of 'space rock', and if drums were added to some of these sequenced bass parts, it would just straight up be techno music, like on the first song. The only downside I can see is there are some repeating parts which can become a bit stale, but also not really quite a lot of the time, as parts are constantly building up and down. Favourite songs: all
Overall round 7/10
The Blue Nile
4/5
I really love the ambient/synth stuff, I feel like it adds a lot more dimensions to what could otherwise be quite simple parts and chords, it also fills out quite a lot of the songs: I also love how the songs are more long-form, so they don't feel like they're rushing around to be finished. This is truly quite ahead of its time in many ways, parts of the vocal deliveries sound a lot like Arcade Fire, also some of the lyrical concepts I feel like, but of course they weren't around for another 20 years. Vocals are great, both very passionate but also delicate. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 8/10
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
really good, and to think that this was only 7 months after their debut, just shows how much of a songwriting machine Hendrix was (and maybe the rest of the band too). So much of this is so revolutionary, guitar tone wise especially, the feedback noise in the first song mimicking and alien or something is straight up some 90s noise rock/shoegaze shit, as well as some of the 'heavy-pshych' bits. Many of these songs sound a lot like 90s and 2000s Red Hot Chili peppers, and I know the guitarist was heavily influenced, but this was like 30-40 years ahead. obviously the modulation effects and wah stuff is so good, especially when combined with fuzz/gain. I also really like the one song by the bassist, sounds like some Syd Barret era Pink Floyd stuff. There's also one song where he's kind of rapping, which makes you wonder what crazy music would have been made if rapping existed and was popular in the late 60s. I can't really pick holes in this, as I think that parts of this guitar style (blues stuff) haven't aged very well, but that's becuase of other people doing it to death later on, and I think that Hendrix's playing style is just so unique and captivating, to this day. I think I maybe like this a little less than Are you experienced? and a similar amount to Electric Ladyland. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 9/10
Amy Winehouse
3/5
I really like the instrumentation, its clearly very well produced, I think this would stand out a lot in the pop mainstream, probably why it was so successful. Parts sound more ballad/soul ish, and some are more dreamy jazz type, like the 4th one one, some are also what you could call 'ska' I guess, with the brass stuff. The backing vocals on some of the songs are great. She's also an incredible vocalist, and I guess she kinda started an 'alternative' revolution in pop music, as people like Adele probably borrowed from this. I'm not the first person to say this, but I think her personality is a large reason why these songs are so good, it a similar way to Arctic Monkeys or something, their personalities shine through the songs, avoiding them from becoming too bland. Downsides are that I guess that some songs sound very similar. Favourite songs: rehab, just friends, back to black, love is a losing game, wake up alone, he can only hold her.
Overall around 6/10
The Triffids
2/5
idk just feels totally nothing, quite souless, especially on the instrumental side. Its also quite out of date> quite a lot of the vocal parts feel like Nick Cave ripoffs, I swear I'm not only making that connection because they're both Australian, some parts sound exactly like Nick Cave songs. Not much else to say I feel like some songs have some level of personality. Its also really bloated, too long. There's also too much reverb on the kick imo, just sounds bad. Favourite songs: bury me deep in love, a trick of the light, open for you, baby can I walk you home, everything you touch turns to time.
Overall around 4/10
Cornershop
3/5
Pretty good, less 'rock' than I was expecting, quite a majority of the songs feel more inspired but hip hop and electronic stuff. The sampling is quite interesting, but can get repetitive in some areas where there's just a clip of people talking repeated. The Indian instruments and samples are for me what makes it quite unique, as I don't think I can think of another example which does it, and this does it well. Also some really catchy stuff on here. Quite a lot of the songs are a bit nothing though. Favourite songs: butter the soul, chocolat, we're in your corner, coming up, good ships, good to be on the road back home, It's Indian tobacco my friend.
Overall around 6/10
The Who
3/5
Probably should have payed attention to the story, but I don't think its too easy to follow, or maybe its not too overarching, and just an extra thing to dive into if you want. Its ok but maybe a bit too long, I think this rock opera stuff hasn't aged well at all, but this isn't really as theatrical as the bad Queen stuff. I guess I can't really judge it properly, because I didn't really listen to the story, but musically and instrumentally its quite mediocre. Favourite songs: sparks, eyesight to the blind (the hawker), underture, pinball wizard, smash the mirror.
Overall around 5/10
k.d. lang
3/5
Quite good, probably wouldn't normally like this sort of thing, but she's got a really great voice, even though the instrumentals are quite dated, even in the late 80s. I like the strings and keyboards on some of the songs, its not mind-blowing, but pretty good. Favourite songs: Western Stars, lock, stock and teardrops, black coffee, shadowland.
Overall around 5/10
The Bees
4/5
I like how sparkly and dreamy and summery this feels, the title definitely lives up to the name. Feels like it has quite a lot of jazz fusion and prog rock inspirations to me, and also some soul stuff maybe, which I love. The keyboard stuff, organs rhodes and synth stuff is really good, I sort of miss this era of 'indie' rock where people were experimenting in quite a specific ways, stuff like the Flaming lips, obviously people are still pushing the boundaries, but not in the same ways. Layered vocals are good as well. Not too many downsides, some of the vocal bits take away sometimes, I really like quite a lot of these purely as instrumentals, and I think that sometimes the vocals take away a bit. Also respect for representing the Isle of Wight, can't think of another band from there. Favourite songs: punchbag, angryman, sunshine, sweet like a champion, zia, sky holds the sun.
Overall around 7/10
Nirvana
5/5
Wow I guess I haven't got a Nirvana yet, but I guess we start from the end. I think Steve Albini's (rip btw) production style works more-or-less perfectly for Nirvana, as I think the abrasive, rough around the edges parts fit what they are as a band. I think the more acoustic songs or parts on here show how they were developing, all the more sad that this was their last album. Some of the weird guitar effects are really interesting, and I wonder how some were made. I think this album's style is being low production value, even down to the actual parts, and solos, none of which are actually that complicated, they're just quite strange (like the one in serve the servants), which I think pays off, especially compared with the album before, which is quite polished and complicated, at least production-wise. Favourite songs: all but 2nd and 3rd last maybe.
Overall around 9/10
Michael Jackson
3/5
IDk not as good as any of his albums I've heard so far, I think its just quite outdated mostly, with the beats, which he was kind of doing better in the late 70s on Off the Wall, I think quite a lot of the synth-funk stuff doesn't groove as hard as with real instruments, just feels too rigid. I also think the adlibs get a bit stale, maybe he should have thought of a few new ones or something. Its not that bad though, I like the title song a lot more than I thought I did. I do like the ambient synth pads in the intros to Liberian Girl and smooth criminal, kinda wish they were implemented in the actual songs. Favourite songs: bad, just good friends, another part of me, smooth criminal, leave me alone.
Overall around 5/10
System Of A Down
4/5
I feel like not a lot of people have done ''nu-metal'' well, but these might be one of the only ones, I think its something to do with the vocal delivery, he just doesn't take it too seriously, which I think some others do. It could also be because they are very political, which I think sets them apart from other bands of this genre and time which feel like slop because they have nothing to say. Guitars and beats are really good, vocals are very varied, both in tone and quality imo. He's actually got a nice 'conventional' singing voice, and the yelling stuff isn't that bad in most places, does get a bit stale sometimes. I think quite a lot of the instrumentals have a different groove to standard thrash stuff, lots of stopping and starting. I think the Toxicity album is probably better than this, which I don't think is a hot take. Favourite songs: suite-pee, know, suggestions, spiders, soil, mind.
Overall around 7/10
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I don't really like it, but I think their better albums are the early 70s ones, some bits are quite good, like the really popular one, but I think the fake American accent blues thing is just so trash, and the 11 minute song should never have seen the light of day. My favourite stuff from around this era is much more experimental (rubber soul) or doesn't try to hard too hard to be American (the Kinks or the Byrds). Its also so repetitive, and too loong, the first self-titled album was so digestible because it was like 30 minutes Favourite songs: Lady Jane, under my thumb, think.
Overall around 5/10
Songhoy Blues
4/5
tROPICAL PRESsure ahh. Always though that musicians from Africa (and many places elsewhere from the 'West' think of melodies and phrasings and stuff which typical Western musicians can't or wouldn't. I think that's most evident in the vocal melodies in this, which feel so unique to Africa, maybe more specifically Eastern or North Eastern, from my (sadly) limited knowledge of African music. I wish I could understand the lyrics, as they seem to have some sort of theme or message, given the context of the album. Favourite songs: pretty much all.
Overall around 8/10
Minor Threat
3/5
This has gotta be the shortest one on here (if not one of). Guitars are really on point and sound great, the whole mix does. (Although I loved it, I can't say the same for the Dead Kennedys one). It feels a lot more inspired by classic rock stuff than the surf rock stuff, although its not too blues, which I think this was kind of a rebellion against that. Not too much else to say other than I really like it, and its really good sounding, especially for this genre which can often sound like live recordings. But its obviously limited due to short length, but it definitely gets the message across. Favorite songs: all.
Overall around 6/10
Grant Lee Buffalo
4/5
I like it! Not quite sure how to describe it, its just really good. I think the songs are just really impressive, both narratively and instrumentally. The guitars and solos are really good. I feel like he kind of sounds like the singer from the pet shop boys in some places, but its obviously totally different. Some songs feel a bit nothing. Favourite songs: pretty much all
Overall around 7/10
Ghostface Killah
4/5
He's always been one of if not my favourite wu-tang member. This also has all of them on it, which is quite good, especially as its quite a lot later than their breakthrough albums. I think my favourite features are the Raekwon ones, as I think they compliment each other well, honourable mention to Masta Killa, who I think is very underrated. I think there's some kind of story, but I didn't fully catch it, although the themes and skits are quite immersive. I do think that he's an amazing lyricist, he's very good at describing stuff artfully and painting a picture (dare I say 'poetry'). Favourite songs: Kilo, The Champ, beauty Jackson, R.A.G.U, back like that, be easy, clipse of doom, Jellyfish, Dogs, of war, underwater, Momma
The Band
4/5
I really like the keyboard/organ parts, which I think I said about the last one, they just expand the songs a lot I feel like, the clavinet in one of them really makes it stand out from other boring guitar based blues stuff. There are quite a lot of standard blues/country rock stuff, like the Jemima Surrender one, which I think just falls quite flat overall, the brass is cool though. I think the more folk and non blues ones are the best. Favourite songs: across the great divide, when you awake, up on cripple creek, whispering pines, rockin' chair, look out Cleveland, The Unfaithful Servant.
Overall around 7/10
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Idk it’s quite nothing, doesn’t go as hard or feel as atmospheric as some trio hop stuff, and isn’t fast enough to be cool jungle stuff. Some of the samples are cool and also the synth bits, but it’s just really repetitive generally speaking. Favourite songs: stars, blessings my soul and probably some more I missed
Overall around 5/10
The Roots
4/5
I feel like they're kind of on another level instrumentally to other rap groups/the general sound of the era. I really like how human everything feels, due to much/all of it being played in live. I feel like some beats can get really stale when they just loop the same short section over again. Black Thought is an amazing rapper and I think he balances perfectly between writing catchy choruses and lines, and being very deep and conscious. The features, both other rappers and the singers are great as well. I actually quite like the really long song which tapers of into strange abstract ambience, makes me wonder why a genre like ''progressive hip hop'' never really existed, because this song was really interesting. Favourite songs: rock you, !!!!!!!, sacrifice, rolling with heat, thought @ work, the seed (2.0), break you off, water, quills, pussy galore, thirsty!
Overall around 8/10
Adele
3/5
I sort of knew it would just be very similar to the last one and that's pretty much true, you can tell that half the songs were just trying to be catchy pop songs of the era, with the trap beats and cheesy group backing vocals and chants. I think I just like the more down-to earth more stripped back songs, where the verses feel quite personal. I like Hello more than I thought I did, it feels quite down to Earth. The photograph you in this light part always strikes a weird emotional chord in me for some reason, ever since I heard it first many years ago. Probably this is actually on par if not a bit worse tham the 21 album. Favourite songs: Hello, when we were young, million years ago.
Overall around 6/10
David Bowie
4/5
Very glad I got this as I wanted to listen to this for a while. I think that as quite a lot of these are a bit stripped down, it shows how amazing a songwriter he was, and also as a storyteller, and also just making really catchy choruses, like in pretty much every song on here. He just has such a diverse and interesting discography that you'll never like each song or album for entirely the same reasons. Not to much else to say, just really good, some parts remind me a bit of Elton John, which I'm not sure is good or bad. Favourite songs: changes, life on Mars, Oh! you pretty things, kooks, quicksand, song for Bob Dylan, Queen Bitch, The Bewlay Brothers.
Overall around 8/10
Willie Nelson
2/5
Idk not too much else to add to the last one I got from him, it could definitely be a lot worse i.e more country, but every song seems the exact same, the same chords and tempos for most. The storytelling is good I guess. Probably worse than the last one from him. Favourite songs: down yonder, and maybe some more I missed.
Overall around 4/10
Nirvana
5/5
Heard this for the first time maybe 2 months ago, but decided to relisten. Wow I think this easily stacks up with their studio albums, especially as quite a lot of it is covers and non-nirvana songs, which keep it interesting, and definitely add different vocal styles. The softer instrumentations work so well for their songs, like the brush drums, even though quite a lot of the songs they played are the more quiet ones, as I guess you couldn't do a song like scentless apprentice or something in this. I think the cello works so well, and I think the version of something in the way on here is better than the original, as well as quite a few others I think. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 9/10
The Smiths
4/5
I always quite disliked this album for some reason before this, although I don't think I ever actually heard it in full. Its definitely more 'produced' than any other Smiths albums, which I think in some cases really adds to the quality and also takes away in some places. Obviously drums guitar and bass are amazing, I think they are maybe some of the most unique/talented players of this era. I feel like some of the vocal bits are a bit cringe, and also I think he maybe ran out of lyrical ideas, but still very good, not a good guy though. Favourite songs: I started something I couldn't finish, death of a Disco Dancer, Girlfriend in a coma, stop me if you think you've heard this one before, unhappy Birthday, paint a vulgar picture, I won't share you.
Overall around 7/10
Lauryn Hill
5/5
I was quite late listening to this, as only heard this for the first time a few months ago, its really good, as I think that she's obviously the best member of the Fugees, and the beats are quite similar, and there's quite a biographical theme to it, which is very interesting and quite easy to follow, not exactly a 'concept', but the skits with the teacher talking to the kids and then her not being there suggests she didn't know about the things which the teacher was teaching. Probably said this about the Fugees album, but she's just as talented a singer as she is a rapper, which is why I think this album stands out so much, as there's not really anyone I can think of who that's the case for. Everything is great about this though, the feature are very good and add to the songs, while still being very much a 'feature' and in the background to some extent. I didn't really like the one with Carlos Santana until I understood that its about her newborn son, which I should have probably noticed beforehand. Favourite songs: all but superstar.
Overall around 9/10
Meat Puppets
4/5
Crazy getting this only a few days after the Nirvana MTV live one because I guess it means I can remember all the songs which they played together. I do think Kurt Cobain is a better vocalist than this guy, but the songs which they played during the other album are really well written, and quite a lot of these have long instrumental parts or are totally instrumental. I really like the delays and effects on the guitars, I think its a great way of making it seem like there's lots of guitars, but actually only one. It makes parts more feel like 'dream pop'. I think this is the middle ground between punk and 'grunge', as the guitars sound very much like 90s stuff, so I think in that way its very ahead of its time. I thought I would hate the 'cowboy punk' thing, but I think it actually works quite well and I guess someone had to try it right? Favourite songs: split myself in two, lost, plateau, Aurora Borealis, we're here, climbing, new gods, Oh, Me, I'm a mindless Idiot, teenager(s), I'm not here, what to do, 100% of nothing.
Overall around 8/10 (but quite close to 9 as it feels like you're getting a lot of quality and interesting stuff)
Sigur Rós
5/5
Wow I don’t think I was listening properly at first listen, as this is way better than I remember. The synths are incredible and also the piano parts. Everything is so glued together - parts feel quite lo-fi but still very high production value. I just wish I could understand the vocals as I think that would be an extra layer of enjoyment, but even so, they are incredible and also- and fit in with the instrumentals so well. Not understanding the words makes me see them as more of an instrument in themselves. I think that makes this incredibly unique - even from other ‘post-rock’. It’s just quite beautiful and haunting at times which is somewhat a perfect combination. Favourite songs: all of them - absolute favourites may be the first one (including the intro I suppose) and Olsen Olsen.
Overall around 9/10
Gary Numan
4/5
always loved this album, but never really delved too deeply into any of the songs. They all sound quite similar, but really what's to complain about, because the synth patches and types of melodies and rhythms which are used are really great. The pitch modulated saw lead always evokes some sort of nostalgia for me, and I love the wishy washy flanger effects and stuff, they feel quite dated but in a good ''someone had to do it'' kind of way somehow. Vocals are emotive and still quite 'blank' somehow, which I guess plays into the synthetic robot thing. This overall feels different from stuff like Kraftwerk I think because it has real drums and bass mostly, which make it feel more loose and human than Kraftwerk which is by design very robotic. I think its probably a bit too long, especially as there's quite a lot of instrumental songs toward the end, which feel like they should have vocals, because instrumentally they're just the same as the ones with. Favourite songs: all until engineers and some of the live ones.
Overall around 8/10
Black Sabbath
4/5
I guess RIP first of all, the album thing is definitely rigged to have this happen, which is ok. I once said that Black Sabbath was carried by Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi, but I think I've gone full 180 on that, as I think everyone in this band is doing as much as is possible with their instruments, even at this such early stage of their career. I can't really overstate how good the guitars are and how much influence Tony Iommi has had. The tone is so deep and heavy, but also builds on the blues guitars which had already happened before. If you actually listen to the basslines underneath, they are doing so much more than just following the guitar. I'm pretty sure Geezer Butler wrote lots of the words and ideas, and in some ways you can tell, as the bass is often the 'base'. The drumming is also insane and obviously the vocals. The only downside is that this is not as good as some of their albums to come, in hindsight. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 8/10
The White Stripes
3/5
Lots of rock stuff as expected, which is quite good, and its also cool how full quite a lot of these bits sound with just drums and guitar, you don't really notice the lack of bass. But there are also lots of acoustic/quieter songs, some use interesting instruments, like the one with a marimba or xylophone or something. I'm not too keen on the fake rockabilly voice which I think (hope) he puts on. Some parts feel a bit dated, like some of the vocal bits which sound like ACDC, but I think are actually much better that ACDC, as they feel more natural/less strained. Favourite songs: blue orchid, the nurse, forever for her (is over for me), the denial twist, take, take take, red rain.
Overall around 6/10
Paul Simon
4/5
I like this a lot more than Graceland, I think because its quite similar to the Simon and Garfunkel stuff I like, and there's also some quite different stuff, he must've took inspiration from a lot of genres, like the first one which is reggae-esque. Obviously an amazing singer and writer, he's the one who's voice is most recognisable in Simon and Garfunkel in my opinion. Only real downside is that some of the instrumentals feel a bit too sparse for me, maybe he had a deadline or something and couldn't record more instruments. Favourite songs: Mother and Child reunion, Duncan, run that body down, me and Julio down by the schoolyard, Papa Hobo, Hobo's blues, congratulations.
Overall around 7/10
Rush
4/5
I like this so much more than the last one, there's less dreadful Robert Plant rip-off singing. Looks like they took some inspiration from people like King Crimson and Siouxsie and the Banshees, the latter only on a few songs, but still there imo. Some of the synth bits are quite cheesy, like the flangers in the first song, I just don't think those have aged well. But I do really like some of the synths, like the modulated filter thing on the really long song. The long song also feels like a proper, developing song, rather than the long one on the other album, which just felt like 7 or so songs without boundaries. I'm still have quite mixed feelings about the vocals, which are fine in places, but a bit annoying at times. Some of the distorted guitar parts feel quite different, a lot more like some of the 90s grunge/pop. Favourite songs: all of them.
Overall around 7/10
Morrissey
3/5
Idk obviously he's a good singer, good vocal range and stuff, but it just doesn't have the same charm as any of the Smiths stuff, because these instrumentals feel quite lacking in any character, which is quite often the case for band leaders gone solo. I image the quality of his albums just degrade over time, so this is probably one of his best considering its quite close to the Smiths breakup. And also he's not a good guy. So overall not as good because there's no Johnny Marr or Andy Rourke. Favourite songs: Now my heart is full, hold on to your friends, why don't you find out for yourself, I am hated for loving.
Overall around 6/10
Janis Joplin
3/5
Didn't like the Big Brother and the holding company one, but I think I get it much more on here, and also given the context it makes these songs a lot sadder, because most of them are quite upbeat. I think her voice is actually quite nice when she doesn't so that blues wail screech thing, but that's always what ruins it for me, same with Led Zeppelin. The instrumentals are nice as well. Favourite songs: move over, a woman left lonely, half moon, Me and Bobby McGee, trust me.
Overall around 6/10
Morrissey
3/5
NOT AGAIN. Its pretty much copy and paste from the last one, obviously good singer but leagues and leagues below the Smiths albums, which I love. Also the racist bullshit is creeping in here as well, so will take off points for that. It just feels lacking in all substance - 'the Smiths but every other member has the musical creativity of a plank of wood' . Not much else to say. Favourite songs: We'll let you know, certain people I know.
Overall around 5/10
Slint
5/5
(sorry for getting personal and cheesy) I'm not sure how to explain why this is possibly my favourite album I've heard so far in 18 years. It feels quite cheesy to say that this album takes you to its own land, given that its called spiderLAND, but that's all I can say really. The land it takes you to for me is partially a fantasy world with funfairs, rollercoasters, castles, princes and lonely people, which the lyrics are mostly talking about, which I like A LOT. But I feel like you are also taken to the real world of the band members and their lives, as they are a similar age to me when they made this, and deep down, the things they were singing about and playing are a result of very personal circumstances, and a lot of musical development. (I partially arrived at this opinion on my own, but also from watching the documentary and reading the booklet in the record). Instrumentally, this album is totally unique from every single piece of music ever recorded, and it feels like the perfect combination of factors made this album exist. The hardcore punk scene which inspired bands which these members were previously in, and also probably inspired some of the heavier parts on here. I've heard that the Minutemen were a big influence on playing clean parts, which I can hear to an extent, but I think largely its just mostly talent and innovation. I think the 'playing a chord and moving the bottom note down or up one semitone', which is the main discernable 'style' adds to the 'spooky mysterious fantasy land' to me, which makes this album feel quite a lot like a book to me, I suppose I have made up what the 'Spiderland' is. Britt Walford has to be one of if not my favourite drummer, just mostly for not following ANY conventional drum rules, so it seems. The guitar parts are the highlight for me, obviously, the way that both of the parts often play a very similar line, but with slight harmonic differences to set them appart. Also David Pajo's strange and simple 'solos' like the one note bending solo at the end of Washer, or the harmonics at the end of Good morning captain. I was listening out for the bass parts, and they are generally quite minimal I found, but I think that works so well when you have very complicated guitar parts over the top of it. Favourite songs: all - totally equally as well. Overall I think its a perfect melting pot of circumstances personally and total uniqueness musically.
Overall around 10/10
Donald Fagen
3/5
Haven’t heard any steely Dan yet, so no idea how this compares in both quality and musically. This is quite good - parts definitely haven’t aged so well, this whole style arguable also hasn’t as well. Instrumentally it’s very detailed and well produced, which I guess is both good and bad, and from what I know about Steely Dan and them being perfectionists, I think that carries over to here. The synth stuff is ok. Favourite songs: I.G.Y, green flower street, new frontier, the nightfly.
Overall around 6/10
Yes
4/5
Wow this is the same year as the other yes one which I hated, but this is infinitely better, more similar to close to the edge and more experimental. There’s not that many vocal parts on here, and when there are, they are quite well integrated. Instrumentally and performance wise, this is top notch. I think it’s Bill Bruford on drums, who I think is great. The synth and keyboard stuff is also great, I think that’s what makes this era of prog-rock very interesting. Love the long songs, and there’s also a lot of variety with some of the simpler shorter ones. Obviously I know the first song, quite surprised it’s a yes song. Favourite songs: roundabout, we have heaven, south side of the sky, long distance runaround, the fish (Schindleria Praemeterus), heart of the sunrise, America (what a random cover - thing it only came out 1 or 2 years prior).
Overall around 7/10
Queen Latifah
4/5
Wow this is great. I really like this era of hip hop, especially the faster ones. I think she’s an amazing lyricist and great flows, especially over different kinds of beats like the more dance one with the 4 on the floor kick, which is not usually done. The features are mostly good, de la soul and monie love are definitely the best ones. The only bad things I guess are that I don’t really like the slower ones as much, and some of the beats are sometimes jarringly repetitive, but I guess you can’t really fault as this kind of sampling as still quite primitive in the late 80s. Favourite songs: all but the pros.
Overall around 8/10
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Read a review saying that this is trash and they know why punk happened, which I definitely understand as parts of this like the keyboard playing are very excessive, which gets old quite fast. But parts are quite good, synth bits are fine, I can’t really say this is that influential, as I guess this genre kind of went extinct. I do think the longer form song works so much better for this style than the shorter ones, as the shorter ones just feel like spamming notes non stop, while the long one had some slower and quieter parts. It just gets worse the further you go in. Favourite songs: the long one
Overall around 5/10
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
wow what to say about this, Its an 'album' in every sense of the world, more cohesive than pretty much any other album is, both subtly through songs seamlessly transitioning between songs, or with the poem which slowly gets revealed, until the final song, I really don't think any other album does that so well and interesting as this. I once heard someone say that the more you put into understand the themes, lyrics and inner workings of this album, the more you get out of it, which is 100% true, and also for the instrumental parts, as they are so dense that you can listen closely to a specific bit. And listening to some of these songs, they are more autobiographical than I thought, I thought he was playing a character, which he sometimes is doing, but quite a lot of it like in 'u' is him talking about himself and self hatred. Its also funny hearing the clear Drake diss in King Kunta about the ghostwriters in retrospect. Lyrically, I think him in this era will be totally unmatched for many many years if not forever, nearly every single bar has something that either can mean multiple things, or links to a greater theme throughout the album, showed by how many bars are repeated on multiple songs, or something similar. The beats are also totally unique to this album, there are so many genres in here, the bits of brass and jazz and funk feel so unique. The features are so well-integrated that it feels more like a band of backing vocalists. The more traditional features like Rapsody on Zulu love are also amazing, and link to the theme of the song, which I guess also shows that he had a fully formed vision of this album and the songs and themes on it. The live rendition of 'i' into him being heckled and talking to the crowd is truly one of the most unique things ever done on an album and is the perfect way of switching things up from the studio single. Also the revelation that he was reading the poem to Tupac, and the acting that he is talking to him, and also that he reads the butterfly/cocoon poem at the end which links everything together. Overall its just an incredible emotive, narrative, unique experience in musical form. It might seem weird comparing the two, but as I got Spiderland so recently, I feel like both albums are very similar to books or poems in this album's case (or just not like a 'normal' album), where you can truly experience it differently and in a seemingly near infinite level of detail depending on how you analyse it. Favourite songs: all of them, obviously.
Overall 10/10
The Kinks
4/5
Very good as well, I think the dude who sings most of these is my favourite singer/songwriter in the band. It’s got that quintessential Britishness which I think they adopted on This album, and it set them apart from other bands. I do wish some of the songs were longer, as it feels like they come and go too fast, but I guess there’s a lot of them. I don’t think I’ve heard a bad album from them so far, I think this is on par with Arthur, if not a tiny bit worse and the village green one is still my favourite. Favourite songs: party line, Rosy won’t you please come home, dandy, too much on my mind, session man, the house in the country, most exclusive residence for sale, holiday in Waikiki, sunny afternoon, I’m not like everybody else, dead end street, this is where I belong, Mr. Reporter, little woman.
Overall around 7/10
Lou Reed
4/5
I thought this might be quite bad, but no not really. I just really like the 'arty' rock and roll type of style, using slightly unorthodox instrumentation like brass and gospel backing singers and stuff. Also lyrically I think he was willing to break the 4th wall and use a lot of irony, which is refreshing in an era of quite serious music. Its still a lot more 'conventional' than some of the Velvet Underground stuff I've heard, which is both good and bad I suppose. Some of the Tuba (I think) bass lines are quite goofy (like the last song), and I'm not entirely sure if he knew that when making it, but its fine for a laugh I guess. Favourite songs: Vicious, perfect day, hangin''round, walk on the wild side, make up, satellite of love, wagon wheel, I'm so free, and kind of some of the goofy ones which I left out.
Overall around 7/10
Pere Ubu
4/5
Really interesting, I feel like there’s not really one style your can say this is, parts remind me of hardcore punk and also post-hardcore like husker dü and stuff, but there’s also some really new wave ish and arty parts. The vocals fit the chaotic bits well, but are a bit one note sometimes as he’s just yelling most of the time. The really low bit synths are also very interesting and something not in a lot of later heavier music. I also feel like some parts just get lost in experimentation, which I suppose can be both good and bad. Favourite songs: navvy, dub housing, on tbe surface, I, will wait, (pa) ubu dance party, blow daddy-o, codex.
Overall around 7/10
Foo Fighters
3/5
IDK its not terrible, but its just totally average, worse than his previous band in every way, there's not really any riffs, or catchy parts whatsoever, even though this is more pop music. Some of the more emotive bits are really good, and the songs which I like the most, but the bits where he's just yelling are painful to listen to imo, he has a nice singing voice when he doesn't yell so hard, which is quite I common pitfall I find. There are some rhythm guitar parts which are good, but I think as he made this on his own mostly, there's no variety in the guitar parts. Favrouite songs: I'll stick around, alone+easy target, good grief, floaty, exhausted.
Overall around 6/10
Billy Bragg
4/5
BRITAIN, I really like this his vocal melodies and singing voice tone are amazing. Storytelling and lyrics are also really great, I think that's what makes this sort of music very interesting, that there's always some good lyrics. I wonder if the instrumentation was partially influenced by the Smiths, especially guitar-wise in some places, mostly the 'jangliness', but that might just have been the style of guitar music back then. I also like the forwardness of his political views, and also the British wit, and also him mentioning chairman Mao, which I suppose would have been quite out of the ordinary in the mid 80s. Only downsides are that I sort of wish that some songs had drums and stuff, sometimes the high energy sections fall a bit flat, but you don't really notice it. Also on the second disk, I assume its extras but the ones where he sings in an American accent just feel quite fake after hearing him singing very British. Favourite songs: greetings to the New Brunette, The marriage, Ideology, Levi Stubbs' tears, there is power in a union, help save the youth of America, the passion, the warmest room, the home front, only bad signs.
Overall around 7/10
Megadeth
4/5
I think I thought this would be totally different from all the metal I've heard so far and I think it is, its certainly miles better than any Metallica I've heard. The riffs are just a lot more catchy and interesting I think, and the playing is obviously amazing, some of the solos are a bit excessive, but I can sort of get past that. The singing is always the biggest problem for me in metal, but I think it works really well here, its not too whiny or just straight annoying like the guy from Metallica. It also sounds like he's being slightly political on here, which I think adds a bit of actual substance. There are also some concept song or songs from the perspective of a certain character which I think I missed some of, but its still interesting. Favourite songs: Holy wars...The punishment due, hangar 18, Lucretia, Tornado of souls, rust in peace...Polaris. The second one is definitely my favourite, it doesn't really even have a metal beat which is good.
Overall around 7/10
Pink Floyd
5/5
Wow I mean there's nothing really else like this. Regardless of their large budget for this album (which I think is usually used to shun them) I think that this band at this time are really a once in a generation type achievement. I don't really think that anyone has ever been able to make this seamless an 'album', where all songs feel so much in the same place, and not necessarily an all out 'concept album'. The early analogue synth bits are amazing, especially on on the run, they are really integrated into these songs better than I think any synths were up until then, other early synth stuff seems to jump out. I think I've heard these songs so many times to really reconsider them entirely, but they are just so well written, the guitar work and solos are really great. The lyrical themes I imagine were quiet taboo at the time and songs like money have a level of political comment that was very uncommon, so I guess its also revolutionary also in that aspect. I guess a downside is that some of the solos last a bit too long, but its kinda a staple of them so I can get past it. Pretty sure I made a big fuss when I listened to wish you were here about which is better, and Idk really it doesn't really matter, but this, wish you were here and animals are still my favourites by far, this is probably similar in quality to wish you were here and maybe a slither worse than animals. I think they were purposely trying to be interesting with all the strange experimental sounds effects, rather than in the other 2 albums where they are making mostly just really long songs. Favourite songs: all I guess, but I do like the ones after us and them a bit less.
Overall around 9/10
Happy Mondays
3/5
I think I've always felt they were kind of average, and yeah that pretty much the case. He's not really a good vocalist in most places, but there's certainly some character I guess. The instrumentals are over-soaked in reverb to the point where it feels quite claustrophobic. The instrumentals are also very repetitive. Its nothing totally dreadful though. I like the funk elements, but I think people like The Stone Roses do this thing so much better. The Lazyitis song is very good, I like the weird lead instrument and the Beatles interpolation. I also really like the rave on song, reminds me a bit of fools gold with it being mostly instrumental, and it does groove quite hard. Favourite songs: performance, lazyitis, rave on, boom.
Overall around 6/10 (only just)
The Rolling Stones
4/5
This must the best era of their music, it feels like they totally shed the boring rock and roll style stuff from the earlier albums, even though it still is very bluesy, it just feels more artistically interesting, obviously guitar work is amazing, some of these have great grooves, starting to understand why they are considered the best band, it feels really interesting. Also just the different range of instruments which are used and the female backing singers in some of the songs just make it feel very varied and not too boring, which quite a lot of music from this era feels like. The hits are just as good as the album songs as well. The longer ones don't feel forced to be long like that one from the other album of Mick Jagger just vocal riffing for like 10 mins. I think from very distant memory this might be the same if not a bit better than exile on main street and much better than the self titled one and aftermath, which I already got. Only downsides are probably very specific to each song, but generally this is great. Favourite songs: gimmie shelter, love in vain, live with me, midnight, rambler, monkey man, you can't always get what you want.
Overall around 7/10
The xx
4/5
I can sort of understand how the minimalist approach could put some people off, but I think it’s great, and quite refreshing, as it’s very easy to process each part. The male/female singing is also great. The over-reverbed guitars are also really good and add to the atmosphere. Not to much else to say as there’s not much instruments, it still feels quite controlled and planned though. Favourite songs: all but fantasy.
Overall around 7/10
George Harrison
4/5
Wow glad I finally listened to this. Obviously with it being so long, there’s a lot of variety, I think hearing this which was seemingly recorded right after/even during the Beatles, you realise which parts he contributed to the late Beatles work, quite a lot of abbey road’s sound is also in here. I think I heard that he was trying to be seen more as a guitarist in this, and trying to impress people like Eric Clapton, which I think you can hear. I sort of expected more weird stuff, as him (and I guess John Lennon) were more so the weirdo psychedelic members of the Beatles, and he also had a moog in the late 60s but there’s not really too much besides a few bits towards the end (which are great). Obviously it’s also well written and sung. I feel like some of the blues rock stuff could be cut, but I guess who could fault him for having a lot of material after being sidelined in the Beatles. Favourite songs: I’d have you any time, isn’t it a pity, what is life, if not for you, I live for you, ballad of sir Frankie Crisp (let it roll), all things must pass, hear me lord, I remember Jeep
Overall around 7/10
The Zutons
4/5
Interesting i think this was probably a huge precursor to British indie pop stuff like the blossoms and stuff. It’s quite alike some classic rock stuff and also quite jazzy and funky in some places, which is interesting, and very good. Songs are also quite catchy, sometimes quite like the flaming lips, but just much more guitar heavy. Favourite songs: all but railroad, remember me and the last 2.
Overall around 7/10
Bob Dylan
4/5
It feels a bit more produced than the other album, but relatively subtly, so I think that makes it a lot better. Again I think some of the story-based songs went over my head, but I think he must have had a lot to say on here as it’s quite long and some of them are 7+ mins. I probably said this before, but his songwriting and personality are the main attraction, and that still definitely stands for this, maybe more so. It feels a lot more polished, but I suppose it is about 10 years after when he had the budget and reputation to do that. Favourite songs: tangled up in blue, you’re a big girl now, idiot wind, meet me in the morning, Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of hearts, if you see her, say hello.
Overall around 7/10
Jacques Brel
3/5
It’s kinda whatever, I would have liked it a lot more if it was more jazzy, and I feel like you kind of need to understand the lyrics if they are so central to the songs and I can’t. The instrumentals are fine I guess, just everything else is so low down you can’t really hear it. It’s not bad really, and some of the parts are really good. Favourite songs: Les jardins du casino, le dernier repas, les toros avec final.
Overall around 5/10
Youssou N'Dour
4/5
What a great mood, quite a lot of this style of African music just feels like they’re having such a good time, and that’s definitely the case here. The instrument playing is great, feels decently similar to some Fela Kuti stuff, but this is also a bit more funky and maybe also a touch of western pop. Said this already on another album, but in traditional and I suppose more contemporary African music they just use scales and Melodies which you can really get by using western scales, which just makes it feel really fresh, even though this was a while ago. A specific feature I also really like is the wide-panned percussion and bongos and stuff, feels a lot fuller. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 7/10
Screaming Trees
3/5
It’s quite good, I think they probably have better albums than this, as I feel like when you exist in a music scene which is really influential, you start to sound more like the copycats than the originators, which I think this might suffer from. But I haven’t heard anything else so maybe not. The description said it was blues, and there is a little bit, but it’s mostly just standard pop-rock mostly, which is fine, there’s that one song which sounds like it has some eastern influence. Singing is quite good, as it’s sometimes really bad with post-grunge pop-rock like pearl jam or something. Favourite songs: halo of ashes, look at you, make my mind, some western.
Overall around 6/10 (quite close I think)
The Stooges
4/5
I feel like this must be the most obvious pre-punk album, which totally sounds like it and probably wildly influenced it. His vocal inflections are a bit more bluesy than later punk stuff, but guitar wise in most places, especially the third one, it’s just a quintessential punk song. I also really like how there are quieter songs on here, with different instruments, like pianos and stuff, which I guess you also wouldn’t really find in punk music. I can also see how this influenced the more arty side of glam rock and hard rock. It is a bit less psychedelic than the first 2 albums, which I thought was one of the best parts, but I suppose this is good for different reasons. Obviously Iggy Pop’s personality is unrivalled and he’s a total legend. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 8/10
The Streets
3/5
very interesting, I feel like its more comedy or concept over the music actually sounding great, which sort of shocked me at the start, but you get used to it and its actually very interesting. The story is quite a loose tie of the songs, but it feels like each song relates to the story, but really specifically. I guess this dude was ahead of his time with rap concept songs, as the one where they are arguing is just the same as for free or we cry together by Kendrick, but I highly doubt he was inspired by this. Quite a lot of the lyrics are really funny, and I hope that's intentionally. The singing is quite bad, but I really think that's on purpose, as it seems to me that he's trying to write this from a totally normal British person's perspective. Favourite songs: all I guess, but dry your eyes is really good, I love the string part.
Overall around 6/10
3/5
IDK its alright, quite standard new wave/pop stuff, the singing is good, and the synths are alright, but the songs just feel quite boring generally, not really too adventurous, I feel like you could maybe slightly compare this to the Blue Nile, but I think that is infinitely better, as it didn't feel as much like it was selling out for pop appeal, whereas this does more so, not totally, as I think there are stories and stuff in the lyrics, and also some of the instrumentals are quite funky and good, especially with the more disco elements. But overall I feel its just quite average, and there is much better early 80s pop stuff. Favourite songs: show me, many happy returns, tears are not enough, the look of love pt.1.
Overall around 5/10
Miles Davis
4/5
I feel like this is very interesting perspective, as the first Miles Davis album I (and probably most people) is Kind of Blue, which I feel like is very sonically different from this. This is quite a lot more lively in terms of percussion and much more standard (I think) in terms of song length and structure. This means that its something you can nod your head to, but it doesn't feel as interesting or experimental as his later stuff, ESPECIALLY the fusion stuff in the late 60s and early 70s, albums like in a silent way are a million miles off this. I think I heard he began to hate this era of his career, which I can see, given how sophisticated his stuff began. obviously playing and stuff is great. Might have just been because I was listening more passively but I didn't really notice his trumpet jumping out of the songs, like its does in some of the later stuff. Favourite songs: Jeru, moon dream, Venus de Milo, budo, deception, bolicity, rouge.
Overall around 7/10
Madonna
3/5
This is a music tech exam ahh album I feel like some of the glitchy and techy elements work quite well, like the vocal manipulations in the second song, but some are just trash, like the auto tune on 6, I am not really an auto tune hater, but there's nothing else in the beat so it just sticks out like a sore thumb. But there's obviously a huge budget gone into the production and sound design, even if it is just stealing popular sounds from the time, some bits are really Daft Punk and Euro-techno/house stuff. I feel like parts feel quite bit more arty than some of the poop party pop shit on the radios at the time, some of this (like the title song) is that though. Its quite fun though. ight be just me but it feels like she has nothing to say lyrically, as they are quite stale, which is why the cool effects make them better. Its quite fun though, nothing too offensive (besides maybe the title song). Favourite songs: Impressive instant, runaway lover, Don't tell me, what it feels to be a girl, paradise (not for me), American Pie (although I'm not super familiar with the original).
Overall around 6/10
Talking Heads
4/5
wow I listened to this a while ago, and didn't really get it, but I really do now, its totally different from their other later albums, as they started to take influences more from disco and afrobeat etc... This sounds very modern, which I think maybe makes it quite ahead of its time. David Byrne's personality is a major factor in what makes it good I think. He's just so goofy and also I think sometimes crosses the bridge between music and comedy. Its also very arty, which is totally to be expected, but its always very interesting. Some of the guitar parts are quite interesting and experimental for the time as well. I think I maybe took it too seriously the first listen. I feel like the only downside is that he occasionally just aimlessly yells things. which isn't actually too bad, as these songs are quite short. Favourite song: Uh-oh, love come to town, new feeling, happy day, who is it?, no compassion, the book I read, don't worry about the government, first week/last week...carefree, psycho killer, love --> building on fire, sugar on my tongue. I probably like this a bit less than remain in light and a bit more than the buildings and food one, from memory...
Overall around 8/10
Super Furry Animals
4/5
Quite a lot of the guitar tones and electronic effects are quite unique from what you could consider brit-pop, I think they were willing to experiment a lot more, obviously they were influenced by funk and psychedelic rock stuff. It definitely does have the pop element, but totally in a good way, like there's catchy choruses and group vocals, which make the songs feel really good fun. Also the keyboards and synths are cool, like the synths which are kinda used as textures and ambient noise in a lot of places, which is interesting. Favourite songs: god! show me magic, fuzzy birds, frisbee, hometown, bad behavior, Mario man, hangin' with Howard Marks, for now and ever.
Overall around 7/10
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Wow this is another one which I've heard so many times that its hard to take a step back and hear it from scratch, but I tried. This album feels a lot different to any other rap albums both at the time and since. I think the choice of samples and the way they are integrated quite minimally feels quite unique, more as if there is a band playing, because it doesn't feel too crowded. The drum breaks are excellent, the often dusty, slightly low-fi vinyl sampled quality makes them a bit saturated, and the sampling in general is quite warm feeling. I think that if you had no idea what sampling was, you could definitely think that there was a single band playing, because of how well pieced together the samples are. I've always been interested by the way that they approach the choruses of the songs, as they tend to just repeat a certain phrase, like on the first 2 songs in particularly, I think that's great, as sometimes rap songs get aimlessly stuck in verses with no real structure. I also really like the choruses which revolve around a sample, like everything is fair. The rapping and wordplay is incredible, a lot of social commentary, but also mostly story-based. It definitely gives a look into their personal lives. I think I slightly prefer Q-tip over Phife, but that could be because Q-tip appears much more, and I quite recently learned that he was the primary producer, I thought it was the Shaheed Muhammad guy, but seemingly he only did a little bit of the production on here. What I think is a totally unique feature to tribe is how well each of the rappers compliment each other, especially in songs like check the rhyme where they are quite literally going bar for bar and both of their verses mirror each other. Not even to mention the features, which I think make Q-tip and Phife have a slightly different approach, something like a friendly competition. The guys on show business are great, and Scenario introduced me to the Leaders of the New school, who I also love, and they also have totally different approaches to wordplay like Charlie Brown's jokes and cartoon references. It just makes for a totally full-feeling, very diverse in terms of rapping themes and references, but still very consistent pallet in terms of the funk and jazz-based samples. Favourite songs: All - but I think the date rape one is more ok than the others (mostly instrumentally).
Overall around 10/10
PJ Harvey
4/5
Pretty sure this album or around here was when she started to make her lyrics and theming mostly based on politics, she's really good at making scary songs about war and the horrors of the world, as her delivery is quite piercing and cold, like in song 8 It feels like somewhat of a concept album, but I think she just has such a creative vision with making albums that its hard to not think holistically, so this feels really interconnected. Instrumentally, its quite stripped back compared to earlier stuff, but there's some effect on the vocals or maybe some overdubbing which makes them feel really big. Also I've always thought the male backing singers are an incredible part, especially with her voice being a totally different register so it just floats over the top or something. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 8/10
Jeru The Damaja
4/5
Always thought that this era and area is probably one of my favourites. Its quite alike other New York rap at this time like Nas and Wu-tang, I think DJ premier did the beats, and his record scratching and sample choice is always amazing. I do think some of the beats/choruses are a bit repetitive, like the third one, but you don't really notice when you're listening to the words. I think they're also purposely minimalistic. The words are great and so are the flows, they do occasionally verge on some onto the cheesy side which wu-tang also does sometimes, like the you can't stop the prophet song, which I think has one of the best beats, which sort of saves it. I think while it does have some violent elements, I think this is quite ahead of its time in terms of influencing conscious rap stuff, as he talks about some social issues and deep topics on here. The feature dude is great as well. Favourite songs: all but Brooklyn took it.
Overall around 7/10
The War On Drugs
4/5
I like the elements of like dream pop stuff, with the drum machines and reverbs and delays and stuff. I also really like the long song structures, feels like they're not really rushing around anywhere, which is always nice, the long, drawn out instrumental parts towards the ends of a few of the songs feel really unique. It does feel very much heavily inspired by some things, but quite a diverse list, so it feels like quite a unique melting pot, I feel like his vocals are more alike Bruce Springsteen or even Arcade Fire at times, but there's like synths and stuff, so it feels different. And it also feels quite inspired by some classic rock, not the too blues or yelling side, which I think is good. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 8/10 (probably quite close to 9)
Steely Dan
3/5
IDK maybe this isn't their best album or I'm not in the right mood, but I just don't get this. I think the overproduction really lacks personality, and feels overcrowded, which I don't think you can really say for other production perfectionists like Brian Wilson. I don't really like the vocals either, probably preferred his solo album, pretty much everything is double tracked, so it just feels quite fake and tacky after a while. I think people call this jazz rock and I can't really see it, I think it would benefit from some heavier jazz influences, maybe that's what their other albums lean into. The blues Eagles esque guitar stuff is also really tacky imo. Favourite songs: Any major dude will tell you, Monkey in your soul.
Overall around 5/10
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
Very interesting, I feel like it also pulls from a lot of areas, and its very willing to be experimental, like having full songs of just a droney single guitar part lathered with effects, which I really respect, reminds me of stuff like the end of that one Unwound album where it slowly devolves into drone. I also think the parts of pop that it pulls from of this era, like the Weezer-style choruses and stuff are great, I think it shows that catchy stuff doesn't always have to sacrifice some substance. Also the areas of like dream pop it pulls from (and expands in experimentation) are great. Its also obviously got a sense of humour and doesn't take itself too seriously, which is always great. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 7/10
The Libertines
4/5
Very interesting, I think its quite unique, I would compare it to the early Arctic Monkeys, but this came before, so maybe they were inspired by these guys. I really like the simple guitar lines, which are catchy, which this has a lot of, especially in the second half for some reason. The vocals are aright, great in places, but quite repetitive and annoying in some others. It also has some punk elements and inspirations, I think guitar wise. There's also that straight punk song, which is good. Favourite songs: can't stand me now, music when the lights go out, the ha ha wall, Arbeit Macht Frei, campaign of hate, what Katie did, tomblands, the saga.
Overall around 7/10
Arcade Fire
5/5
This is my favourite album of all time, but mostly because of my personal connection with it, I can sort of understand people not liking, I've just had these songs so engrained into my brain that I can't see them any other way. But the songs are INCREDIBLE, and never really get boring (within reason as I don't listen to this that much). I think the instrumentation is really interesting, very simple generally, but there are some bolder elements, like strange string sounds, like in Rococo, or empty room, and also the synth bits, which are often done quite subtly as basslines or lead lines which sometimes sound like they could be guitars. Also the male/female singer harmonies/vocal sharing is incredible, some of the best songs on here are predominantly sung by the lady (empty room/sprawl II). I also think there is somewhat of a concept to this, but relatively loosely, seems like the singer(s) are talking partially biographically, or at least making it seem that way, like they are talking about their childhoods and coming of age. Also quite a lot of them seem to be biographical about like growing distant from old childhood friends, which kinda links to that. Overall I guess its quite rooted to me personally, so its hard to disattach these songs from my life (cringe). Favourite songs: all, but overall its always been Month of May - quite weird as its kind of the odd one out song on here.
Overall around 10/10
Fleet Foxes
4/5
Very good emotive songs, he has a familiar sounding voice, I think a lot of people making pop music now have tried to imitate him, mostly failing to make it this good. Some of these are a bit more rockier than I was expecting, but there are obviously the more folk/acoustic ones are where I think they shine the best. The backing vocals are great, but I do think sometimes they are oversoaked in reverb, but maybe they recorded in a huge room or something. The mood generally evokes a very specific midwinter mood - I think something about the vocal melodies reminds me or interpolates Christmas Hymns, which make it feel quite nostalgic even though I've never heard these songs (I've gotta relisten in the Winter) It does feel a bit 'safe', which is a bit of an unfair criticism, beacause they clearly found a style and stuck with it. Favourite songs: pretty much all.
Overall around 7/10
Donovan
4/5
Really interesting, I always think stuff from this era is so interesting, and I feel like its kind of in a bubble, where nobody has since made music like this, maybe for good reason as I don't think it would flourish it as much any time later. Its got the heavy Eastern Influence, which must have been happening around this time, as Revolver is the same year as this. The sitars (I think) are really well integrated into these songs, sort of used where others might use a banjo or just a lead guitar. It also has that mystical feeling, notably on the second song, where he's singing a Medieval-type story, almost like a fairytale or something. Favourite songs: sunshine superman, legend of a Girld Child Linda, three king fishers, ferris wheel, season of the Witch, the trip, Celeste.
Overall around 7/10
Eagles
2/5
Absolutely not in the right mood for this right now, but I don't think it really matters, its just so bland in every single way, the guitars are cheesy the vocals are trash, the title song is ass, just not an enjoyable listen. I feel like it would even have felt dated at the time. Much worse than their other album which was surprisingly alright. Favourite song: try and love again.
Overall around 3/10
Throwing Muses
4/5
I'm not sure if its either intentional or just because they were decently new to playing their instruments, guitar wise it feels simplified but in the best way possible, where nothing is overplayed in any way. I think this leads to some really unique and interesting guitar parts, which leads to them sounding quite modern. It could also be the punk influences. Vocals are and lyrics are great, she has a lot of personality and straightforwardness which makes it quite unique, its also somewhat southern, so parts feel slightly country. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 8/10
Public Enemy
4/5
I think the beats are maybe the best genre of rap beats that exist, and I think this album's beats are even more consistently good than the previous 2 albums, which I wasn't really expecting. Chuck D is also probably one of the best rappers of all time, and the back and forths with flavor flav are legendary, the latter also has his own song on here, which I don't think I've heard before. Also I feel like they are also incredible at politicial activism, in the midst of hip-hop becoming more mainstream and white people pushing back against it, which they through quite a lot of shots at. Its hard to say how influential public enemy were and are, because nobody really sounds like them anymore, or did in the 90s, but that might be showing how truly unique they were. I just don't like the slower songs, I think that after hearing all these great fast beats, it just feels quite underwhelming. Favourite songs: all except shut 'em down, get the f... outta dodge.
Overall around 8/10 (quite close to 9 I feel)
Tom Waits
3/5
I can sort of get the appeal, quite a lot of very early blues singers from the 30s-50s had harsh voices like this, but I think the modern production pop'ed it out a little bit too much. He sounds/feels quite Nick Cave like in some places, not only the harsh vocal style but also the quite dark themes sung with a very normal backing and also writing and telling a story from (seemingly) someone else's perspective. Lyrically I think is probably my favourite part as I did notice some interesting unique metaphors and lyrics. Favourite songs: saving all my love for you, on the nickel.
Overall around 5/10
R.E.M.
4/5
I feel like they were purposely trying to write pop songs, which I think works out well, as sometimes I think that talented bands dumbing down their sound results in some interesting stuff. Vocals are great and I think they maybe influenced so many bands in the mid/late 90s, as he sounds a lot like people from that time. There are also some really interesting string parts and different instruments. It’s also very well produced so that it doesn’t feel overproduced. Favourite songs: all but you are everything and last one.
Overall around 7/10
Pere Ubu
3/5
Pretty good, from memory I think this is more experimental than the other album, which I think is ok sometimes, but often devolves into random noises. The synths are quite interesting, and usually used more as a texture, in a similar way to silver apples. The singer is a bit mixed, sometimes the yelling and non-traditional singing works, but often not also. The guitars are good. I think some parts are very ahead of their time just because of how experimental it is. Favourite songs: non-alignment pact, street waves, over my head.
Overall around 6/10
The Byrds
4/5
I feel like there’s a certain feeling with the early Byrds stuff which doesn’t really matter what they’re playing - even if it’s just mostly covers of Bob Dylan, which I think this is, it just has such an amazing atmosphere which feels quite mystical - maybe has something to do with the layered vocals which feel slightly hym-like in some places, which is maybe what the Dylan songs needed, as they can be a bit serious sometimes. I do think they influenced pop music more than most people from this era, as it’s not very bluesy, which people later on went on to drop as well. The guitarist(s)’ style is very unique and they surely created/pioneered ‘jangle pop’ as quite a lot of the main Melodies guitar wise are played on the top strings, and I think he maybe plays a 12 string in some places. I sort of wish that some of these songs were longer or had more development, and they’re all quite simple songs, but still great. Favourite songs: Mr. Tambourine Man, I’ll feel a whole lot better, Spanish Harlem incident, here without you, the bells of Rhymney, all I really want to do, it’s no use, chimes of freedom, we’ll meet again, she has a way.
Overall around 7/10
Janelle Monáe
4/5
Very interesting, as it’s not really like any other album instrumentally or sound wise, which is quite refreshing, and probably would have especially been so in the relatively stale R&B climate of the time it was released. Such a mix of stuff on here, from rap-adjacent to even some rock stuff. It also uses a real range of instruments, like string sections and stuff, the string interludes are really great and break up the EPs which were compiled into this, especially the suite 3 overture. Even if it is technically pop music, it’s still really interesting stuff and breaks into what music nerds would probably call sophisti-pop or something. Some songs are a bit nothing though, but there’s loads of good ones. Favourite songs: suite II overture, faster, Sir Greendown, tightrope, mushrooms and roses, suite III overture, BaBopByeYa.
Overall around 7/10
Billy Joel
3/5
I don’t know, the first two songs are good, and not really what I expected, but then most of the rest are painfully bland and exactly what you’d expect. It feels quite a lot like the steely Dan album where everything is overproduced, also feels a bit like Elton John, but just a lot later. I mean he’s clearly a great singer, and I think he works best for the more emotive songs. I also feel like the lyrics are quite bland, some interesting storytelling might have saved some of it. Favourite songs: movin’ out (Anthony’s song), the stranger, she’s always a woman.
Overall around 5/10
Dr. Octagon
3/5
I'm not sure is some of the skits and stuff are meant to be funny, but not really. There's sort of a concept of a character it seems, but it sort of feels like they're saying whatever. The flows and like hyper-scientific medical lyrical miracle type shit is not it really in my opinion, but I'll definitely award them for creativity. Also some of these beats are great with the synth basslines, which makes them quite unique. I Think there's some features that are actually worse than the main guy. There's also some more non-rap influences, like some of the trip hop and rockier songs. Also not too sure about some of the chorus singers, they just don't sound too good and are often too happy and slightly ruin the mysterious beats. Favourite songs: 3000, Earth people, real raw, blue flowers, and probably loads more that I missed as its quite long.
Overall around 6/10
The Associates
3/5
Its quite an interesting mix of like post-punk stuff and disco pop stuff of the era. The vocals are quite dramatic something like a budget David Bowie or Morrissey or something, but parts of the synth stuff is quite good and also quite dreamy, which makes it feel somewhat like cocteau twins stuff from the late 80s. Its quite standard though, nothing jumping out too aggressively, both good and bad. Its also quite messy which I suppose you could consider good and bad, but some of the drumming stuff is quite bad and the kick drum on one of the last songs is too thin. Favourite songs: arrogance gave him up, gloomy sunday, nude spoons, skipping, party fears two, club country.
Overall around 6/10
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Clearly some great playing and I think this might be the album from this list that sounds like it was (or at least could have been) made a lot later. I think that’s because there are no vocals which lets the bands slightly film soundtrack totally show. The guitar and and organ sort of take turns being the least instrument, but the organ is the main one on most of the songs I think. I guess a criticism is that the keyboardist often does the Emerson lake and planer thing where you play as many notes as possible which I don’t really like as much as a great groove, which this also has a lot of. I think the blues guitar thing is totally fine as the totally committed to it, and this is before people started using it in a really cheesy way. The version of twist and shout that’s not the original but before the Beatles is great as well. Parts are quite like the scooby soo soundtrack which I like a lot. Favourite songs: all but lonely avenue.
Overall around 7/10
The Smiths
4/5
I think this time period is obviously the peak of the band, but I've never heard this one in full. I'm not sure I really need to explain why the Smiths are good, but you notice more and more how great the bass is as well as the guitars. Johnny Marr often imitates a synth on here with his guitar by giving it some attack, which is genius. The reverbs on here are also quite good, maybe a bit too much, but its the 80s what can you do? I love the somewhat disco inspiration on Barbarism begins at home, but it feels incredibly melodic with all the guitar layers. I've also always liked the subtle inclusion of pianos and keyboards on the earlier stuff, whereas later they got bit less subtle, which I guess is good too. This is probably better than the last album but a little worse than all the others. Meat IS murder. Favourite songs: all but Rusholme Ruffians.
Overall around 8/10
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
Its quite well produced, and she's a good singer but the songs are just so bland that they do nearly nothing for me. Nothing really else to say, at least she's not got a horribly croaky voice or something. Favourite songs: have a heart.
Overall around 4/10
The Police
3/5
Not sure about the dude putting on a Jamaican accent for some reason, I think some of the songs are good fun and quite interesting, and they're obviously great players. Its a real mix though some of these songs sound more like the talking heads and some a bit like Gary Numan like Contact. They feel a bit punk in the same way as bands like the Jam but I think its probably worse as it seems they can't really decide on a single style. Favourite songs: message in a bottle, regetta de blanc, its alright for you, contact.
Overall around 6/10
Machito
4/5
Always thought that this style of music is so much fun, imo much better than some of the stuff happening in the US. This type of music is sort of in a bubble in the sense that it hasn't really changed for many years, so it feels sort of in a bubble. Its also quite a lot like certain Buena Vista Social Club songs, probably due to the Cuban link, except these don't have vocals, which I don't really think is a drawback, as the brass stuff really has its own personality, in the same way singing voices do. Its also very jazzy and reminds me of all the best parts of 1930s big band stuff. Also the performers are clearly incredibly talented. As I also said with the Tito Puente album, it always just feels like they are having such a good time playing, which is always great. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 7/10
Kings of Leon
3/5
Feels very interesting, parts feel a lot like some 'slacker' music like pavement, built to spill and modest mouse, mostly in terms of the guitars. parts of the vocals also feel a lot Stooges-esque, but I'm not entirely sure I like this dude's voice, I do think it does work well in some places, even if its not technically a good voice, a bit like Iggy Pop I guess. The guitars and general instrumental stuff is quite amazing in most places. Favourite songs: milk, the bucket, soft, four kicks, where nobody knows.
Overall around 6/10
Fela Kuti
4/5
This music is always so much fun. I feel like you can feel the players interacting with each other, and I'm not too sure how much of this was improvised and how much was already planned. I think the stuff he did with Ginger Baker is quite famous for being a bit hectic, but its a cool collaboration, and shows that he was willing to go outside of the Western music of the time. I feel like you could also consider this jazz fusion, but this was kind of before that word was commonly used. I really like the vocals, as they are purposely melodic rather than lyrical, which I think works as its done more as an instrument than anything. Its also very funk, but while still retaining the traditional African melodies. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 8/10
John Lennon
4/5
Very interesting mix of stuff, I feel like he must have wrote a lot of this while still with the Beatles as it’s so soon afterwards. There are a couple of songs which feel really modern, maybe because of their simplicity. I think the screaming thing isn’t that bad because it’s not exactly overused as I was worried it might have been, I feel like he only does it when the songs reach a natural climax. Some of the distorted guitar tones like on the well well well song are really interesting and dare I say quite ahead of their time. I also like how he often breaks the fourth wall, as he talks about pop figures and says his own name a lot, which I guess shows a lot of artistic development from the psychedelic days of the Beatles. Not too keen on his vocals on some of the more generic blues ones. Favourite songs: mother, hold on, working class hero, isolation, love, look at me, god, my mummy’s dead.
Overall around 7/10
808 State
4/5
Its really good fun, obviously not something you'd listen to every day, but its great to nod your head to, and this is also in my opinion when 'dance' music had quite a lot of substance and I guess in that way, this is very ahead of its time. The acid funky, bloopy basslines are really good and something which I think was lost in later more mainstream dance stuff, for the worse in my opinion. Also the angelic pads are quite something, and makes this especially ahead of its time, as in my opinion they are more characteristic of 90s stuff. I also quite like how messy parts are in the sense that it feels quite on the spot, notably on some of the lead parts. Also certain songs, like the donkey doctor one feel very Kraftwerk-esque and definitely like somewhat of a natural continuation from them, it also feels like sort of a continuation from 80s synth pop like New Order, just a bit heavier and more trippy. The sampling is also really great. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 8/10 (actually quite close to 9 surprisingly)
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
Quite a confusing listen, I'm not really sure what it's trying to do as I think that an actual hip hop album with actual rapping would be a lot more interesting over some of these beats, which are quite good and interesting (The worlds famous song is probably the best for this reason). I'm just not sure about some of the vocal samples which if you took out would have made the songs better. Not really talking about the radio clips, which I guess add some immersion or something. Some of the more ambient synth beats like the first one are really quite interesting, and not really something that was used in actual early hip hop. This might be cultural appropriation a bit ermm. Favourite songs: Obatala, Legba, song for chango,world's famous.
Overall around 5/10
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
I feel like its got a bit of that disco/post punk stuff that was happening around this time, which I quite like, there's a lot of cool synth stuff happening as well, some of the quite lo-fi basslines and stuff are quite unique. Vocalist is also great and I think was inspired by people like PJ Harvey in quite a lot of places, she's got a great and versatile voice as well. There's definitely a lot of variety in here generally, as the start of the album sounds nothing like the end, not sure if that was on purpose but its always cool to hear some development and innovation in pop adjacent albums. The last song sounds exactly like wet leg do now, so they must have completely ripped these guys off. Favourite songs: zero, heads will roll, soft shock, skeletons, shame and fortune, dragon queen, little shadow, faces.
Overall around 7/10
UB40
4/5
very interesting, It says in the description that they drew comparisons to the Specials, but I think this is very different, in terms of it seems like they don't mind having long instrumental sections and I think there's loads of musicians that it doesn't really get boring. There's also a lot of elements of dub stuff in here, like the flangers and delays on the guitars and other instruments. Its also seemingly very political and socially conscious, probably due to the circumstances and time period it was made (like the burden of shame song). I just also love the grooves and basslines and the reggae stuff. The keys/organ/synth stuff is really goon and interesting, as in 'traditional' reggae you wouldn't really have many synths (maybe organ though) Favourite songs: most if not all.
Overall around 7/10
Air
4/5
Very atmospheric, parts feel like a better version of the Daft Punk later pop era, but maybe I'm only saying that because they're both French who knows. Some songs like the first 2 have a very specific quality like they are music form a spy film or something, especially the first one with the Rhodes keyboard. It really doesn't feel like you can put this into a certain genre box, as its kind of all over the place, but in the best way possible. The synths and stuff are amazing also, I feel like I'm saying that all the time with albums, but notably the string and pad stuff, which could actually be real strings or samples. I also sort of like how the vocals aren't realty the focus of the album, and its more focused on atmosphere and instrumentation. It also feels like somewhat of a continuation from the more atmospheric stuff Kraftwerk did (like Neon Lights and Computer world), as some of that has a lot in common with this. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 8/10 (so close to 9)
Elliott Smith
4/5
Very melancholy, most of these are quite very simple, but I think any more instruments/production might have spoiled the feeling of some of the songs. Still quite a mix though, as the cupid's trick song is a great full rock song, in comparison to some of the quieter acoustic ones, which are also amazing. I think he's definitely the Nick Drake of the 90s, both musically and they both have really sad life stories. The songwriting is seemingly very honest, and I feel like that personal aspect makes it much more sad and real. Quite a lot of them are quite simple, but that's maybe what makes them good. Favourite songs: all but speed trials and pictures of me.
Overall around 8/10 (also probably really close to 9)
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
I’ve always considered these guys the patient 0 for the overused guitar style which somewhat mimics Hendrix but with much less charisma, and has slowly devolved in generic-ness. But quite a lot of these aren’t bad at all, the raping works quite well I think I think this must be by far their best album, because everything I’ve heard after this is quite trash. This is also the rock album equivalent of get rich of die trying, in the sense that it’s WAYYY too long and half of these songs could be removed and it would be so much better. The funk stuff is quite good it’s just such a ripped off style that it sounds quite generic, even though these guys might have been the originators. Quite a lot of the lyrics make me feel a bit icky considering the dodgy backstory of the singer, either that or they’re just really cringe. Favourite songs: the power of equality, suck my kiss, I could have lied, the righteous and the wicked, give it away, under the bridge, and the Hendrix covers.
Overall around 6/10
Solomon Burke
3/5
Quite good, its not as straightforwardly rock n' roll as that Little Richard album, which I think I like a lot more, its got elements of Soul stuff and also I feel like there's some Latin stuff in there a bit, notably with the acoustic guitars on some songs. The stacked backing vocals are also really good, and his singing is quite good as well and I feel like totally inspired people like Robert Plant. Not really too much else to say, I always feel like stuff from this era is a bit limited, but I guess this expands it a bit. He also has a few vocals styles so he's not always just yelling. Favourite songs: out of reach (of my two empty arms), won't you give him (one more chance), Beautiful brown eyes.
Overall around 6/10
Blur
4/5
Good stuff, obviously as I probably said in the other blur album its weird having my introduction to Damon Albarn be Gorillaz, which I suppose is probably the wrong way round. But I think this is more guitar based than the other one, and I think that's both good and bad, because there are some quite basic songs on here, whereas there were some interesting creative sounds on the other one, but there are some really amazing guitar songs on here, with good guitar tones and parts etc. The more straight-up pop songs on here are a bit hit and miss, not sure I like girls and boys, but parklife and to the end are good, there are also some really catchy choruses which aren't really hits, like the London Loves song. Obviously Damon Albarn is a great singer, even if he's not technically speaking the best singer, and all the other instruments are good. I probably like this the same (if I remember correctly) if not a bit more than the other album. Favourite songs: Tracy Jacks, end of a century, parklife, bank holiday, to the end, London Loves, trouble in the mess, this is a low, lot (this one is a really funny goofy ending).
Overall around 7/10
Sheryl Crow
2/5
IDK its really basic but, some sort of catchy songs on here, I thought this was one of those washed up country singers, who released stuff a few decades after their heyday, but no, this is her first album. Obviously there's some emotive stuff on here, but it's just not that interesting generally. However the Solidify song is actually really good, perhaps by accident, as the rougher singing style and distorted disco guitars makes it feel quite interesting and experimental, while most of the rest feels quite safe. The elements of country stuff are quite cheesy and outdated, probably why I thought it was washed-up singer. Favourite songs: Solidify, I shall believe (I like the synths on this last one)
Overall around 4/10
The Dictators
4/5
Yeah this is certainly quite punk, although quite a lot of these aren't as fast as some of the later stuff, but I think narratively and tone wise, this is pretty much a punk album. I haven't listened to much of the Ramones, but I'd imagine it sounds a bit like this. I think this also has a lot in common guitar wise with aspects of hard rock from before this like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin and like Deep Purple and stuff. I think vocally the singer(s) sound very punkish. Not really too much else to say its just quite good, I can understand why people liked it back in the day, as it feels like somewhat of a rebellion against probably horrible corporate music. Favourite songs: the next big thing, back to Africa, master race rock, teengenerate, California sun, weekend, (I live for) cars and girls.
Overall around 7/10
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
The vocal harmonies and production stuff (like the vocal reverb) just evoke an indescribable feeling and its just so wholesome and wintery. I feel like the more I listen the more that I can hear how much of the vocals Paul Simon does, I always thought it was more 50/50, but I'm pretty sure he does the majority of songs on here, plus I think he played/wrote the guitar on most as well. I think I definitely like the more folk melancholy ones more than the slightly bombastic bluesy ones, but there are some of those where there's some 4th wall breaking cheekiness, which is great. I guess the only thing wrong with it is its so short, not even the album length, it just feels like some of the songs end too early. But songs like Scarborough Fair just paint such a vivid picture of a place from the past, especially nostalgic because I think I read Paul Simon came to the UK and was inspired to write some of these. Favourite songs: Scarborough Fair, cloudy, homeward bound, the 59th street bridge song, the dangling conversation, flowers neve bend with the rainfall, for Emily, whenever I may find her, a poem on the underground wall.
Overall around 8/10 (if longer could totally be higher)
Ice Cube
4/5
Also really good, but I do think the slower beats are worse than the faster ones which there were loads of on the last Ice Cube album I got. Obviously some of the things he said haven't aged so well, but he's definitely quite progressive socially on here, which I think he has since revoked, which I guess is sort of disappointing. He's obviously also a great rapper, I think probably one of if not the best on the West coast in this era. He has a great skill of even if what he's saying isn't lyrically the most adventurous, it all flows together so well because of his emphasis and pronunciation and stuff. Also It was a good day will always be great, no matter how popular it is, the beat is just amazing and its a very interesting formula for a song narratively. Favourite songs: when will they shoot?, wicked, the predator, it was a good day, dirty Mack, don't trust 'em, gangsta's fairytale 2, check yo self, who got the camera?, say hi to the bad guy.
Overall around 7/10
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
4/5
Very interesting, it’s quite unlike most rap in the sense that it’s entirely a political statement, but I think that’s also what makes it good and unique. The beats are really good, some are jazzy and fast like some of the public enemy stuff, but some are slow more like Nas and New York boom bap stuff. The rapping and lyrics are amazing, I think there’s a few different guys, but they are all great, one of them sounds a lot like Chuck D, but I guess he couldn’t really help it. I suppose in the 90s, while many people had this similar left wing anti corporate viewpoint, quite a lot of the mainstream weren’t willing to say it as outright as this. I like how quite a lot of the songs tell stories and its sort of sad to see how well quite a lot of the topics in these songs have aged. Also love the Dead Kennedys cover. Favourite songs: all but the music and politics one (nothing against the theme, I just don't think the guitar works that well)
Overall around 7/10
Nick Drake
5/5
I've always thought Nick Drake's music as a whole is very Autumnal, which is perfect for now. This album is obviously a lot more 'produced' than pink moon, and a little less than Bryter Layter, and I do think that's the perfect middle ground. I might have said in the Bryter Layter one that my favourite of his albums rotate every time I listen to them, but I think this one is probably my favourite right now, and maybe overall. There's such a range of emotions on here, and I think that's very well exemplified by the first 2 songs, where the first is somewhat of a happy song with blues electric guitar parts, and the next one River Man, which is a hauntingly sad surreal song. The string arrangements on here are probably (aside from his acoustic guitar) the best instruments, and make everything so atmospheric, from the lead stuff in 3 hours and fruit tree to the atmospheric stuff in day is done and river man. Obviously his whole discography is infinitely sadder knowing his whole story, and its even more sad reading into the lyrics of fruit tree, he literally predicts his own legacy. The lyrics are also amazing, and I think totally unique from anyone else at the time and since, as he blends a lot of references to nature with quite surreal wordings and metaphors. RIP Nick Drake. Favourite songs: all of them.
Overall around 10/10
Fever Ray
3/5
Quite interesting, reminds me of Bjork a lot in some places, mostly just the vocal style and some of the production choices, which feel very sophisticated, in a good way. Its very atmospheric, which I quite like. sort of in the same way as TV on the Radio, there's no clear style tying everything together, which allows a lot of experimentation and surprises, which is always great. Also they're not really afraid to just have long instrumental sections. Not really too much else to say, just a good album. I feel like maybe some parts of it are a bit too sparse, which is maybe the idea, but I think most of them could have more instruments. Favourite songs: pretty much all.
Overall around 6/10
The Damned
4/5
Amazing, there's quite a lot of variety, which I suppose is a drawback of other only fast punk albums. I also feel like its very hard-rock inspired in some places, especially with some of the lead guitar lines, which make them feel a bit like Motorhead or something, but better because they're British (only joking). The vocals are obviously great and quite typical of late 70s/early 80s punk stuff, but they never feel generic, I feel like every band (within reason), put their own spin on punk during this era, whether British or American or wherever. Also a typical lefty political view, which is always great to hear, especially on songs like anti-pope. Overall just really good fun and feels very fresh, even like 40 years later. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 8/10
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
I feel like if you accept to the novelty of them doing quite an outdated style of music (even then), and not take it 100% seriously, then quite a lot of these songs are quite good. Parts also remind me of the Rolling Stones. There's also elements of hard rock stuff like Led Zeppelin I guess. Solos and stuff are good I suppose, does drag on quite a lot though. I also think I like the more psychedelic songs which sound quite a lot like the Stooges (like scratch my back.) Not too much else to say, some great songs, some not so great songs. Favourite songs: Yesterday's numbers, Teenage Head, Doctor Boogie, Whiskey Woman, shakin' all over, scratch my back, going out theme.
Overall around 6/10
Bob Dylan
4/5
Wow I mean this is quite incredible for this early on in his career, I feel like the more Bob Dylan I listen to the more I like it. Obviously the storytelling and words are probably the main attraction, as well as his singing voice and stuff, because instrumentally this isn't that complex, but I think that shows that a vocal and acoustic guitar are really all you need to be endlessly influential emotive. Its actually crazy to think that nobody really made music like this before him, as it seems so universal that 'folk' music should exist. Its also very socially and politically conscious, and I suppose hi being anti-war was probably seen as quite progressive for the early 60s. He also doesn't take himself too seriously at all, as he's not afraid to reference himself in songs, have quite unserious lyrics, and he always seems on the brink of laughter (notably the last song where he does loads of goofy lines). Favourite songs: blowin' in the wind girl from the North Country, masters of war, Bob Dylan's blues, a hard rain's a-gonna fall, talkin' world war III blues, Corrina, Corrina.
Overall around 8/10
Joe Ely
3/5
I thought I would really hate it from the description, but for some reason I quite like it. The slide guitar stuff is actually done quite interestingly, so that it kind of sounds like a synth in some areas. There are also some quite cheesy pop rock ones which I definitely like less. Vocals are fine could be a lot worse. Not too much else to say. Favourite songs: cornbread moon, boxcars, honky tonk masquerade, West Texas Waltz.
Overall around 5/10
Air
4/5
Obviously very interesting, but I feel like I'm totally missing quite a lot of the context given that there's meant to be a film attached to it. I think Air are probably the perfect band to score a film since quite a lot of their music feels very ambient/background in the best possible way, where it doesn't intrude on whatever is happening in the film. Also they're great at just making instrumental songs, and even if there are lyrics, they aren't too sophisticated. In the same way as Moon Safari, this is also very atmospheric, as well as very emotional. Not really any downsides, I think it functions perfectly fine as a film soundtrack. Favourite songs: Playground love, clouds up, bathroom girl, the word hurricane, dirty trip, highschool lover and some more that I maybe missed.
Overall around 7/10
Funkadelic
4/5
Its just really interesting in every way, and insanely innovative for 1971! Its more 'progressive' than most prog rock stuff in the sense that every song feels like it develops, and even the really long one definitely warrants it being that long. I feel like guitar-wise (and a bit vocally) they very much pick off where Jimi Hendrix left off, and I feel like he absolutely would have done something like this had he lived. Some of the drum sounds are really interesting where it feels like they have a really short slap-back delay on them which makes them really metallic, and totally plays into the psychedelic thing, like on 'You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks'. I feel like the wah pedal and tremolo arm stuff is also very Hendrix, but maybe as its so close in time, the guitarist here was inspired with him, not by him. And obviously this era of music (and probably more obviously disco) had such an impact on hip hop stuff, as quite a lot of the drum sounds from here and other funk/soul stuff were resampled/recycled by 80s and 90s rap producers, as well as George Clinton being very tapped into (and featured on) lots of rap stuff many decades later. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 8/10 (maybe 9 idk)
Green Day
4/5
I feel like they totally nail this style, but its always on the verge of being super terrible, which ALL modern pop-punk is, this is relatively rockishly produced, but as soon as it becomes too squeaky-clean pop, that's when it gets bad, but this isn't that at all. I feel like 'punk' is more an attitude or a cultural thing rather than strictly a musical thing and I guess by that metric, this is certainly punk. Like a lot of 90s guitar music, the elements of pop are mostly really great additions, as catchiness doesn't degrade the quality at all. The guitar parts are great tone wise, and his vocal melodies complement them really well. I feel like his singing voice is also great, but it is on the verge of being really whiny and annoying, but not quite there. Favourite songs: all but when I come around and the last one.
Overall around 8/10
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
Really great, kind of surprised I'd never properly listened to them. Its the perfect blend of catchy pop, great guitar lines and early 90s crunch. Some of the guitar tones here are amazing. Sort of like if Weezer were Scottish and less cringe or something. The vocal lines and melodies are really catchy and poppy, which I think always really works over these types of instrumentals. Some of the most interesting ones on here are some of the fully instrumental ones, like the Satan song, where the weird feedback leads into this great pre-loveless my bloody valentine esque part, but more washed out and stuff, there's also the last song, which I think shows that they can do catchy stuff without a vocal, as that guitar line on its own is really great. Favourite songs: all but I don't know and guiding star.
Overall around 8/10
Bob Dylan
4/5
I feel like I haven't got too much else to say from the last one, but this I think is really better in every way, the instruments which are added feel like they're making the songs more full, in a way which doesn't distract you from the basis, which is his voice and guitar. And obviously his songwriting still manages to shine through, as he's still making goofy lines and references, and also trying not to laugh on some songs, which is always great. I mean this is such an artistic development from the other album (mostly instrumentally), and his output of albums around this time was insane. Not too much else to say, maybe a bit too blues on some songs, but who knows. Favourite songs: visions of Johanna, one of us must know (sooner or later), I want you, Leoard-skin Pill-box hat, most likely you go your own way (and I'll go mine), temporary like Achilles, absolutely sweet Marie, Fourth time around, sad-eyes Lady of the lowlands.
Overall around 8/10
The Style Council
4/5
Oh wow had no idea this was Paul Weller, but it’s great to see quite a lot of artistic development from the Jam stuff, which I guess would become stale after a while. I feel like they probably took inspiration from a load of places here, and this must have been really interesting to hear back then. I also think you realise one it’s stripped back a bit how great his singing voice is, and it’s also great to break things up with the guest singers and stuff. The rapping stuff is also quite good if you ignore the cultural appropriation. The funky stuff is great as well. Think this is also influential as quite a lot of more modern pop sounds quite a lot like this. Just overall very well written and interesting songs. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 8/10
Oasis
4/5
Very interesting, obviously heard most of these before, and this and the second album are really the only good Oasis albums, but this is actually really great. Its always interesting to hear how more distorted and washed out most of these are, to the point where they sort of become a big shoegaze (obviously only guitar wise). Vocals are great, and I think Liam Gallagher's voice is at its absolute peak here, as it sounds a lot more pleasant than even some songs on the album the next year. I feel like some of the vocal and guitar parts are literally just stolen from Beatles and Rolling Stones songs, but I guess that's fine. I think my favourite Oasis song ever is on here, the Digsy's dinner one, which is absolutely amazing, everything sits together so perfectly, just so sad its so short. Favourite songs: rock 'n' roll star, live forever, up in the sky, Columbia, bring it on down, Digsy's Dinner, married with children. Probably on par with the other album.
Overall around 8/10
Nick Drake
5/5
Wow I mean what to say about this. I think breaking his songwriting down to its most basic elements (just an acoustic guitar and his vocals) doesn't at all degrade the quality, as I think the extra instruments on all the other albums were just extra stuff, which made them more 'palatable' to a widespread audience. I think some of his most heartbreaking songs are on here, like place to be, pink moon and most notably parasite, which is maybe the saddest most perfect song ever. And I think the reason why they're so heartbreaking is because they are truly the most honest music he'd made up to this point, as he had stopped caring about what the label wanted or what would sell, and made just honest songs for himself, which is why I think people consider it his best album, even though its so short and arguably incomplete. His lyrics are the most surreal on here, maybe partially due to the stuff I just mentioned, or maybe due to somewhat mental collapse, but I think it makes these songs all the more vivid and strange. I think his playing on here is the most creative out of all the albums, because it needs to stand out more as its the only instrument. For example the really strange guitar part on know, which does feel quite incomplete, but maybe that makes it really good. Obviously no downsides, aside from the short runtime, and I think in conclusion I like all of his albums the exact same amount. I think 'Lifting the mask from a local clown, feeling down like him' is the best lyric in the history of music. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 10/10
The Psychedelic Furs
4/5
Very interesting, some very catchy tunes, but also very emotive and raw, the lead singer has quite a distinctive voice, which I think helps things not get too bland. I really like some of the surreal lyrics, which I think a few people around this time were doing, like Echo and the Bunnymen/Teardrop explodes. Some of the songs are quite jangly, which obviously really works, and some are more crunchy aggressive, which also does. I love the wah stuff, which I wonder if is Stooges inspired (as I think the stooges have been called 'The Psychedelic Stooges'. There's also some really subtle synth (or maybe guitar with lots of effects), and brass bits, like on into you like a train. Quite a lot of them are quite simple though. Favourite songs: all but so run down.
Overall around 7/10
Van Morrison
3/5
Never really noticed, but he sometimes sounds a lot like those weird slightly spooky 1930s singers from the rubber hose cartoons, which I think is why his singing in a couple of these feel a tiny bit unsettling. I feel like instrumentally, its a lot like the more 'produced' Nick Drake albums, which is really good, feels very natural and organic. I feel his voice, while very powerful can get a bit grating at times, especially when he does that one vocal bit and keeps repeating things. His voice very much jumps out from the instrumentals, while Nick Drake blends in a lot more, and I guess there's no better or worse objectively, but I for sure like the Nick Drake stuff more. I do also like the longer-form songs, but I sort of wish he'd let some of the songs be instrumentals for extended periods of time rather than just improvising whatever vocals on top of them. The lyrics and storytelling are very good, and quite surreal as well in his description of certain things like people. I think this is probably similar in quality to the Moondance one, if not a bit better. Favourite songs: Astral Weeks, beside you, sweet thing, Madame George, Ballerina.
Overall around 6/10 (feels close to 7)
Bee Gees
4/5
Wow was really not expecting this to be great. I've only heard staying alive, but I do quite like that song, but I was just worried that the whole album would be that sort of thing but worse, but I guess they got to that stuff later on in their career. I really like the slightly mystical feeling with the strings and stuff makes it feel really interesting. I feel like it is quite derivative, even for the time, as quite a lot of this sounds like Sergeant Pepper's era Beatles or Donovan stuff, but I think there's quite a lot of interesting ideas, like the instrumental orchestral film soundtrack-esque bits. The vocal reverbs in particular are really nice, as well as the harmonies, which maybe could be seen as Beatles rip-offs, but I think they're done in slightly differently. Favourite songs: you'll never see my face again, Edison, melody fair, whisper whisper, seven seas sympathy, with all nations, I laugh in your face, never say never again, first of May.
Overall around 7/10
Kanye West
5/5
Wow I don't think I've ever closely listened to this the whole way through, but its really great, a very dense album, even though its so long, there's so many great features and lots of great instrumental parts. I always forget how great of a rapper he was (probably because he's fallen off sooo hard), but there are some amazing clever bars and funny ones as well, which I guess he was more known for, there's also some more deep stuff, and interesting that he was still quite left wing at this point. The production, which I think Kanye and loads of other people did is amazing, feels very grand, with the strings and piano parts, but there's some amazing synth stuff on here, which I guess is reminiscent of graduation. The guitar solos and parts which I think Mike Dean did are also amazing, and I feel like they are underused in rap stuff. The features are incredible, I feel like while I can't name many Nicki Minaj verses, this one has always been my favourite. The Raekwon verse is incredible, but I can't really say the same thing for the RZA one. The John Legend one is quite interesting he's a great singer, and the Aphex Twin sample on there is great. Rick Ross is amazing and the Jay-Z ones are also great, I think he maybe felt like he had to prove that he was still good with all these younger artists. I've actually never been crazy about runaway, it definitely overstays its welcome with this goofy autotune riffing thing (although the Pusha T verse is great). Hell of a life was always my favourite song, even though it is a bit vulgar I always thing this song with the bass and synth arpeggios sounds a lot like Tyler the Creator, although the bass does sound like a fart. Although I guess a downside could be that some of the mixes are quite shocking and some stuff is mega clipping. Favourite songs: Dark fantasy, gorgeous, POWER, all of the lights (both), Monster, so appalled, devil in a new dress, hell of a life, blame game, lost in the world.
Overall around 9/10
Bon Jovi
1/5
fucking shite. worst guitar, vocal, lyrical, chorus style ever. The members of this band just seem like horrible, arrogant people. At least Van Halen had some type of substance, and that was like half a decade before this. Favourite songs: none.
Overall around 2/10
Ash
4/5
Some parts sound quite a lot like teenage fanclub, where there are really strong pop influences over a much heavier backing, but I think this might be a bit heavier but no less catchy, which I love. It’s not blastingly loud all the time though seems like they weren’t afraid to have some quieter moments. Singing is great and so are all the guitar, both lead and rhythm. I feel like some of the lead parts are quite metal inspired, which I think always works with this kind of stuff. Favourite songs: all
Overall around 8/10
Radiohead
5/5
I've always thought this was amazing, I think the rock blended with the experimental stuff they did in Kid A hits a perfect combination here. I think this is certainly better than Kid A, as I think some of the more experimental stuff they did was just not that good. I think they maybe felt less pressure to deliver something than on previous stuff, so I think its probably more relaxed or something. Obviously the playing is great, but I think what makes them so unique in this era is just everything sounds so good together, and every part is also so intricate individually, like the glitchy synth bits and random tape loops (I think). I think there's also a lot of unconventional instruments, probably Johnny Greenwood stuff, like delays being used as instruments. Thom Yorke is of course a brilliant singer and I love the vocal reverbs on his voice, makes some of these feel much more open. He's also really great at bridging the gap between catchy and emotive, which he does loads on here. I think this is when the more 'modern' era of Radiohead started, where they somewhat ditched standard rock for more 'abstract' stuff. Probably better than the bends and kid A and maybe similar to In Rainbows and a tiny bit worse than OK computer. Favourite songs: all but backdrifts, we suck young blood, the gloaming.
Overall around 9/10
Guns N' Roses
2/5
Wow really getting the dogshit hard rock stuff back to back. This is a little better than Bon Jovi, but not by a lot to be honest. Terrible singer, he might be the worst ever, he's just ripping of Robert Plant, and not the good bits. I somewhat respect slash, although I don't care for this guitar style. They also probably were horrible people (from some of these lyrics). Yeah just totally rubbish. Favouirte songs: welcome to the jungle (I love the opening riff but its ruined by shit vocals and total shift to the verses.
Overall around 3/10
The Cardigans
4/5
Really great wasn't quite sure what to expect. Singer is great and is really good at making memorable parts and choruses and stuff. Seemingly quite a wide range of styles from sort of funk stuff to some more orchestral atmospheric stuff, which I think is all great I love the Iron man cover, cool to hear it in this so different style, there's also some other part in another song where they start playing Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath. Had so idea the lovefool song was them until it came on, but it is a really great song. I love the strings on the great divide. Not too much else to say just pretty solid. Some of the songs feel quite similar but I guess that's not necessarily a downside. Favourite songs: all but never recover and choke.
Overall around 7/10
Pretenders
4/5
Yeah really interesting, I feel like they certainly have their place in the history of indie music, as I'm pretty sure Johnny Marr was quite inspired by them guitar wise, and you can kind of hear that in the tones, like the 'jangly' chorused guitar parts, which are all used really well. Its a really great mix of more straightforward punk stuff, alongside quite a lot of Talking Heads style new wave, among other stuff, and the two are often blended really well. She's also an amazing singer, both a lot of more catchy stuff with some arty more abstract choruses and lyrical ideas. I also think the more hard rock/blues inspired solos are weaved really well into hear, which I think is good, as it can very easily become cheesy and horrible. There's also some more reggae type stuff, which I guess was going round at this time with bands like the slits and the clash (thinking about the private life song). Also some great and varied drum and bass bits now that I relisten. The bass has that more trebly tone which Andy Roarke did in the Smiths, among loads of other people probably. Maybe a downside is that some of the vocals feel a bit aimlessly meandering where instead you could have had an instrumental section or something idk. Favourite songs: all but stop your sobbing.
Overall around 8/10
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Now listening again, she sort of has the same vocal style as Van Morrison, but a lot more smooth and pleasant to listen to in my opinion. Obviously the acoustic guitar stuff is legendary, and the parts are really great, emotive stuff, I feel like because she used open tunings, it totally expands the guitar's emotive and sonic reach, in the same way that Nick Drake (and to be pretentious Sonic Youth) did. There's also some incredible piano bits, like in Blue (the song), and the last time I saw Richard. I don't really like the California song, it just feels a lot more dated than some of the others. The songwriting is somewhat like other 'folk' musicians (like Van Morrison and Bob Dylan and Nick Drake) where they're telling some sort of poetic, almost mythical feeling story, that sort of feels as if it is part of another world totally. Yeah I guess the only downsides are some of the songs in the middle are a bit dated maybe vocally, but most of them are incredible. Favourite song: all but: California and this flight tonight.
Overall around 8/10
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Idk maybe at the time it was cool and interesting, but in hindsight to me it just sounds like bad MIDI music. I think it does take a turn for the better during the second half, as the best songs are the last 6. The 90s dreamy pad sound is a much better synthesised direction to go in. Singing is okay, everything sounds the same though and if I had a quid for everytime he sings about rent. Can't really remember how good the last Pet Shop Boys album was but pretty sure its relatively equal in quality to this. Not too much else to say I just feel like it is very restricted in the robotic world of MIDI 1/16th notes. Favourite songs: last 6.
Overall around 5/10
The Prodigy
3/5
Interesting not sure how I've never seen this album or heard any of it. Its mostly standard dance stuff, but it feels quite authentic and organic, not as soulless as some of this dance shit that came out later in the 90s. However I feel like quite a few of the songs are made worse by a singular goofy vocal sample or something like there's loads of vocal yelling samples which just make it a lot more unserious. The sampling is obviously great, and I think they're great at finding a sample and basing a song around it, and I think a few of the songs have added vocal parts from them which make them better. Was pleased to recognise the Nirvana sample on the Voodoo People song, and I think the Prodigy tend to chose more rock-based samples than most groups at the time who probably didn't want to be associated with that stuff. The synths parts on this are good as well. I feel like a downside of all sample-based looping music is that it can feel quite boring and repetitive, especially as quite a lot of these are really long, but its mostly alright. Probably on par with the other Prodigy album, maybe a little worse. Favourite songs: break and enter, their law, full throttle, voodoo people, poison, no good (start the dance).
Overall around 6/10
Johnny Cash
4/5
Another fantastic one, its just really immersive and I love the comments and stories he adds in between songs and jokes and stuff. The songs are really fantastic, I get the sense that he had loads of songs stashed up over the years where he could just choose whichever ones he wanted to do. The songs themselves are also amazing. I obviously love his storytelling and songwriting ability to make such beautiful songs with often very dark themes, while also fusing in a lot of humourous or more throwaway lines. I feel like case and point is the Boy called Sue song, which really is incredible, and I feel like shows an element of abstractness and surrealism, like something the Lou Reed or some 60s psych rock band would sing. The song that he sings with (I think) his partner is amazing, the harmonies are great and also the female backing singers are amazing. Favourite songs: All, as I said with the last one it feels weird to pick out a certain one as being the best when it feels so complete as album.
Overall around 8/10
Harry Nilsson
3/5
Quite interesting, I feel like there's a mix of weird psychedelic stuff with some classic rock/pop, but there's also some really great folky emotive songs. I feel like his voice is good, but he uses so many different voices and weird accents, and like singing is Spanish and stuff, but its certainly interesting. There are some really great string parts on here, some kind of reminded me of some stuff form 5 leaves left, maybe they were inspired, as that came out before this. There's some interesting piano parts although some feel a bit cheesy and stereotypical, as well as some of the guitar parts. Also quite a lot of the songs are really average, but there's a good few great ones. Favourite songs: the moonbeam song, down, without you, jump into the fire, I'll never leave you.
Overall around 6/10
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Very strange, but I suppose this is probably exactly what you can expect from a Leonard Cohen album in 2016. The production is great, with the strings and backing vocalists and stuff. His voice has obviously been through some strain throughout his life, so he sort of mumble/talks it, kind of like Tom Waits or Nick Cave or something, but I feel like even in the 60s, he didn't outright 'sing'. I feel like elements of this are like the David Bowie Blackstar album, where dead becomes a subject matter, but not in a worrying way, as I think that he'd accepted that his life and career had been good. I think the production not being too overwhelming and letting his voice have space is definitely a good choice, which I think is sometimes what goes wrong with artists making a comeback album with a larger production budget. Favourite songs: pretty much all.
Overall around 6/10
Madonna
3/5
Much alike the last one, which was a similar era of her career, its for sure carried by the production but damn it is great production. I love the elements of trip hop and jungle with the sampled drum breaks. and the glitchy synths are also great. I definitely think the slightly more abstract ones are better, rather than the more straightforward dance ones, like the ray of light song. I feel like she was inspired by a bunch of people, I'm pretty sure I once read that she tried to work with Aphex Twin, maybe that was on this. Parts also feel heavily Bjork-inspired, which I feel like are the best bits. I feel like the lyrics are quite dire though, alike the last one I don't think she really has anything to say at all. I think if the production wasn't so good, it would be totally dreadful. This is probably just as good if not a bit better than the last one but its too long. Favourite songs: drowned world/substitute for love, swim, candy perfume girl, skin, probably some more I missed.
Overall around 6/10
Deep Purple
3/5
Quite interesting, its got elements of classic 60s psych rock, and to my ears a very strong Jimi Hendrix influence in the guitar playing, but there's also some elements of prog stuff, like the keyboard/organ parts, but it feels more authentic than something like Emmerson Lake and Palmer, maybe to do with the guitars, and the fact that there's some quite experimental and 'clever' playing on here. I really like the tremolo arm overuse on the guitar solos, just feels really interesting. and the feedback Hendrix-esque effects are also cool. The weird and strange sounds which the keys player gets are also interesting I think its also the rotary speaker which makes it sound different. Vocals are ok, not really anything else to say. I do like the fact that most of the songs are long, definitely feels prog-ish in that aspect. And obviously this has gotta be quite influential to early metal stuff. Favourite songs: speed king, child in time, into the fire, living wreck.
Overall around 6/10
Sonic Youth
5/5
Actually listened to this very recently, so maybe my memory is a bit foggy, but its amazing, maybe in hindsight one of the most influential albums ever. I feel like while they technically made some of the these more palatable, its still very much a Sonic Youth album, with experimental guitar sounds and lyrics. Obviously all the singers are great, and I love the Mote song which I think Lee Ranaldo sings. I probably said in the last Sonic Youth album but I feel like Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore are polar opposites in terms of singing styles, which I guess is probably what makes them so good. Pretty sure this kicked of the grunge thing, as Nirvana only signed to the label they did because this album had done well. Also sound-wise and aesthetically, its really quite similar, although I think this is still a bit more experimental than what would be called grunge. Obviously the guitar styles and the duality between their playing is a key factor on why this is so interesting. And Kool Thing is a brilliant hit, which is quite unusual, which is great. I think I like this a bit less than sister and daydream nation and maybe the same as EVOL and more than the one after this and the couple before EVOL. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 9/10
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
Whos this knock of Q-tip on the 4th song?? Quite interesting, its quite a lot like some massive attack stuff, namely the blue lines album. I like the jungle (perhaps) influences, and some of the slower drum breaks are great. The guest singers are quite good, and very varied, which I suppose helps keep things interesting. Some songs are a bit too long especially ones where there's just a repeating vocal thing, and not too much else happening. The themes of Indian heritage are cool and the nuclear weapons theme is also interesting, pretty sure its related to the India/Pakistan border conflict. The Oppenheimer quote is cool as well. Not too much else to say, functions quite well as background music. Favourite songs: broken skin, letting go, homelands, tides, Nadia, immigrant, serpents, probably some more I missed.
Overall around 6/10 (feels close to 7)
Sex Pistols
4/5
Finally listening to this. For what they stand for, I think its brilliant and totally needed to happen at this time to 'popular' music, due to the amount of dross that was probably around that wasn't interesting to these types of people. I feel like you can't exactly criticise the playing ability or songwriting, as its obviously not classically trained perfect stuff, but that's kind of the point. And for the lack of 'ability', these songs come out great. John Lydon is an excellent frontman, and I feel like he influenced a large majority of successful punk singers in years since. I feel like its one of those 'moment in time' type albums, like Nirvana Nevermind, or Are you experienced? Jimi Hendrix, where it totally became the biggest thing of the time. These songs are also quite catchy, which I think is good. Not really too much else to say, certainly of a time, but very decent. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 7/10
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Wow so glad I finally have listened to this one. I feel like people who saw him back in this day would have said ''Oh he's much better live'' so I feel like that's what he was trying to capture with this, and it definitely feels a bit less polished, but absolutely for the better in this case. There's such a mix of all amazing stuff on here, it starts more 'folky', which is I think what he does best on his own, but with the rest of the band doing extended jam type songs, is also amazing, and I'm pretty sure the Sedan Delivery song is Neil Young's take on Punk music, which is totally brilliant. also I think the 2 different styles is best summed up by the first and last songs being the same, but totally different instrumentation. His lyrics and songwriting are amazing, had no idea the burn out or fade away came from him, who knows what it's better to do. I love his voice a lot, and its hard to explain how much I just like his music, I feel like if anyone else sang these it wouldn't be nearly as good, there's just something amazing about him that's hard to place. No downsides except... Favourite songs: all but Welfare Mothers (obviously I have no problem with the concept, I don't like the instrumentation).
Overall around 9/10
Tom Waits
4/5
I think quite unlike the last Tom Waits album, the production is fully embracing his vocal style to create the full atmosphere. The last one had somewhat normal instrumentals, but this one there's loads of amazing, but really strange ones. He seems to be going for that horror gravedigger gritty gloomy type feeling, which he TOTALLY nails. Again quite similar to Nick Cave in many aspects, but definitely more traditional blues influences. Lyrics wise its incredible, again, totally committing to the gritty storytelling. I think the way some of these songs were recorded makes a huge difference, I think he sometimes gets way to close to the mic, which makes his voice incredibly bassy, but here he sounds quite distant (might be a pretentious thing but..). Yeah not much else to say, this is the sort of stuff I'd listen to on the daily if I owned a haunted house. Favourite songs: pretty much all.
Overall around 7/10
Moby
4/5
quite a mix of stuff, he's seemingly just a great creative person with a lot of influences, there's some more 'rock' oriented songs but the majority is sample-based stuff, which I suppose can get quite boring as its usually just a looped bit, but I think that its done really well in most places. In the same way as artists like Air its kind of hard to pin this down into a certain genre box, its kind of just music. The bits of his vocals are quite good, I'm surprised he doesn't sing more. There's quite a few spoken word bits on here as well, which are interesting. I also sort of wish it was a bit shorter, as over an hour feels like it drags on a bit. Not too much else to say, some of the samples are great, and the blues thing is quite an interesting influence. Favourite songs: honey, porcelain, south side, bodyrock, machete, everloving, inside, guitar flute & string, my weakness.
Overall around 7/10
Missy Elliott
3/5
Idk its ok, beats are quite good, I like quite a lot of the samples, but I just think quite a lot of them are quite empty, and a bit repetitive. She's a good rapper and and also a good singer. Its obviously good to have someone from another perspective in such a male-dominated genre (especially at the time). Features are good, didn't expect to hear Method Man, she's definitely very good at integrating the features into the songs, where it feels truly more like a collaboration subject-wise, rather than just a feature stuck onto the end of a song. Not too much else to say. Favourite songs: bring the pain, nothing out there for me, play that beat.
Overall around 6/10
Pulp
4/5
Another one I'm glad to have finally listened to, I think of the so-called 'Brit-pop' bands, these lot are certainly the total outliers, as I don't think you can pin down any central inspirations as much as Oasis and the Beatles or whatever. The instrumentals are really great, a bit of glam rock stuff, but with hard-rock inspirations and also some really solid electronic parts. I think Jarvis Cocker is an insanely good frontman, and I think he might be one of the most influential singers in British music, as so many bands today have the tongue-in-cheek elements which this does, and I guess these guys took themselves a lot less seriously than other Brit-pop bands, as there's a lot of 4th wall breaks and jokes in the lyrics. Also loads of these are really catchy, while still being quite experimental, and certain parts reminded me of Sterolab, which I guess sort of makes sense. Favourite songs: mis-shapes, pencil skirt, common people, I spy, disco 2000, F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E., underwear, Monday Morning.
Overall around 8/10 (I feel like I might be inflating this score a bit to compete with what I gave the Oasis albums, becuase I think in time, this would be better imo.
3/5
idk always thought these guys were just like really average, Bono's obviously got an amazing voice thought, some parts actually reminded me of the dude from the Blue Nile in some places, just I guess a bit faster and less Scottish. I feel like the instrumentals are quite average, and there's nothing really that boundary-pushing. I feel like the songs seem to all blend into one. There's some kinda interesting guitar tones and stuff, like in exit. I feel like the lyrics are also quite socially conscious, especially for a band of this size, I think Bono was an activist of the time. Just saw that Brian Eno produced this, and I feel like he somewhat becomes an extra band member to whoever he works with, and I think you can totally hear that like in the last song at the start. Favourite songs: with or without you, in god's country, exit, Mothers of the disappeared.
Overall around 6/10
Death In Vegas
4/5
really interesting, there's so many different influences in here that it feels very unique. There are such a range of guitar stuff in here, like a load of cool distorted stuff and great chorussy clean stuff, like in the first song and lever street. Parts are definitely 'trip-hop' esque and remind me of some massive attack stuff, namely the ones with drum machines or looped breaks. The vocals aren't really centre stage either, which I think makes you pay more attention to the atmosphere and the instrumentals. I knew Andy Wetherall form the my bloody valentine remix, and I think what he did was great, as I feel like a bridge between rock and dance didn't exist, then did and now doesn't really. Nothing else really to say, just a very solid set of songs. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 7/10
The Lemonheads
4/5
Wow never really heard these guys, but its some great catchy pop stuff, with heavier backings, a bit like the instrumentation of the teenage fanclub or something, but less Scottish. Yeah I don't think the instrumentals are that unique for the time, but its still good fun and quite catchy, which I think is sometimes all you need to do. I also quite like the male/female vocals, and the acoustic layers with the other electric guitars are good, makes it feel a bit like the Smiths, very jangly. Not too much else to say, just some solid songs, singers pretty great as well and quite varied. And the acoustic demos are cool as well. Favourite songs: rockin' stroll, confetti, its a shame about Ray, rudderless, my drug buddy, a bit part, kitchen, ceiling fan in my spoon, Frank Mills, Mrs.Robinson.
Overall around 7/10
Supertramp
3/5
idk pretty average, some progy stuff and also some more glam rock stuff. Not too much else to say, some interesting and funny lyrics. I feel like it’s definitely of a time, but seven. Favourite songs: idk
Overall around 5/10
Deerhunter
4/5
Amazing, quite surprised I'd never even heard of them before. I think this is a perfect piece of experimental stuff, I feel like there's so many different influences in here that it feels totally unique. I feel like some parts remind me a lot of The Strokes, maybe vocally more than other parts. I love the synth stuff, especially the washed-out ambient sort of stuff. I feel like a lot of bits are very low-fi, reminds me a bit of guided by voices. There's also a lot of acoustic guitars, which I like a lot as a contrast to the fuzzy distortion. I think it sounds like a driven DI'ed guitar sound, which I think is really underused. Also they're really catchy, which I think is always good when the instrumentation is more experimental. Favourite songs: all.
Overall around 8/10
a-ha
4/5
obviously I've mostly heard them from Take on Me, but there are loads of other good songs on here, some are for sure better than that. I really love the synths and stuff, especially the slightly more pad-ish ambient stuff. I think they kinda had something which was more an emotion which they were really good at conveying - like the intro to the 5th song, which is amazing, but really sad. I feel like some of the songs just sound like shit MIDI music, especially the ones with the goofy voice chops. I also can totally see how dance music happened, as some of these could easily be if they were a bit faster and louder. Also I feel like I am prejudiced towards this, as this is the sort of shit I used to make, so I really like it. Favourite songs: all but the sun always shines on T.V and love is reason.
Overall around 7/10
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Fantastic singer, and the backing are also great, I feel like there's obviously elements of traditional blues and jazz but I love the organ and guitar parts. I like how people of this era and genre often covered each other (like the Sam Cooke one at the end, which I think makes the whole scene feel really interconnected and collaborative (not sure if it actually was in reality who knows). But yeah she's got a really powerful voice, not sure if I totally like some of the screaming stuff, but I guess it fits. Backing singers are great too. Favourite songs: all but drown in my own tears, and good times.
Overall around 7/10
The Doors
4/5
wow finally listening to a doors album. I've never truly understood why people think they're one of the best bands, but I think it’s probably because of Jim Morrison being the 60s psychedelic movement in a person. His lyrics are really quite bizzare, but great storytelling, and I think the way he words things is just quite unusual, which I guess makes the songs feel certainly unique. I do like the bits of early synth (I think) and organ and stuff. Not too keen on elements of the blues singing, but mostly great songs. Favourite songs: all I think.
Overall around 7/10
Richard Hawley
4/5
Its hard to rate stuff when you have had a childhood connection with it, like arcade fire suburbs, and also this. While I think if I heard it for the first time today, I wouldn't think it was anything crazy special, but the standout moments are really great. I do also think this album starts really strong and the tails off a bit. I just know these songs so well that its somewhat hard to critically analyse them. Not too keen on the more country ones, but the orchestral type ones like the first one and the ocean are just incredible. Its a very specific type of stuff, as he's technically a solo artist from a band splitting up, but this is totally different from the Longpigs, and I feel like this is probably the stuff he wanted to do, and I guess artists develop their styles. Favourite songs: all but: I sleep alone, (wading through) the waters of my time.
Overall around 8/10
Eels
4/5
very interesting, definitely quite a range of influences, I feel like there's quite a lot of trip hop type stuff in here with the atmospheric synths and stuff and drum breaks. His voice is quite gravelly at times, but also very nice at times, both I guess are good for different reasons. There's one song which quite reminded me of Pavement, so I guess its very possible these guys were inspired by that. There's also quite a mix of singing styles, like more spoken word stuff, which I guess is interesting. Favourite songs: all but: guest list.
Overall around 7/10
Ice T
4/5
Great, but SOO long, the beats are good, the rapping is great, reminds me of Ice Cube a lot in some places, and I think they were probably connected around this time, so I guess that makes sense. As always with this era of rap, I like the faster beats a lot more than the slower ones, which can sometimes feel very aimless. I feel like perhaps some of the lyrical themes haven't aged so well, but there's loads of more progressive viewpoints, which I'm pretty sure he has stuck with to this day (unlike Ice Cube). Favourite songs: most (not really the skits though).
Overall around 7/10
Love
2/5
I quite like the flute, pretty sure it was quite a popular instrument around this time for some reason. The singer (maybe multiple) are quite mixed, some parts are quite good and some are actually horrible, like on the first and last song. The guitar stuff is quite interesting, probably more similar to the jangly stuff on the Byrds than some other rock guitar sounds of this era. They keys parts are quite cool as well I guess. Its pretty clean that this is a very rushed album, and that they didn't have enough material, case and point the last song, which just KEEPS GOING.... Its like that one Rolling Stones song, but he's just yelling. There's just not enough stuff here for it to be even slightly good. Favourite songs: iQue Vida!, seven and seven is, she comes in colors.
Overall around 4/10
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Great, this definitely has different instrumentation to anything I've heard of hers so far (only blue but) I feel like there's certainly elements of jazz, but sort of that minimalist jazz ('fusion') stuff that was happening in the mid 70s which I really like. obviously she's a brilliant songwriter, for sure one of the best of this era, and quite a like Bob Dylan or Neil Young or someone, the songs are definitely concept or story based, which I like and I imagine probably took immense skill to master. I do feel like there's something about her vocal delivery that stops me from thinking she's my favourite singer ever, as sometimes it feel like she's speaking too fast and just spitting out words, but its still mostly amazing. Favourite songs: all but: jut like this train, raised on robbery.
Overall around 7/10
My Bloody Valentine
5/5
Probably a bit biased to rate as this lot are probably one of if not my favourite band ever, but I feel like the more I hear this album, the more I think that its perhaps more influential than loveless (maybe not in some ways but totally yes in others). Probably a good way to describe it is 'raw', as some of the mixing is a bit dodgy, but in a perfect way somehow, that probably feels like how they were to see live at the time, with just an unfathomably loud guitar totally drowning the vocals. I feel like the vocals are more audible than loveless though. Kevin Shields' guitar tones on here are totally out of this world, some are a lot more standard, but the droning 'glide' guitar stuff like on the first song and you never should (and loads more) still haven't really been done the same and as effectively as they have here. There's also a couple of haunting acoustic songs on here, which I'm not sure I liked at first, but I totally do now, it definitely breaks up the louder stuff. I feel like the most incredible thing with mbv is that if you take the distortion away, a fair few of these songs could just be pop songs, which I don't think any of the members would deny, but they're just done in a really unique way, I suppose quite similarly to what the Jesus and Mary Chain did earlier on in the 80s. I feel like this album is a lot more varied than some of the stuff they did (but both are great). I think all I need could be one of the most unique and brilliant and ahead of its time songs. (reminds me a bit of sometimes from loveless). The drummer (who I'm not sure I want to attempt to spell his name) has one of the coolest styles ever, where he just plays crazy fills which are part of the part, like in feed me with your kiss and nothing much to lose (and more). And obviously the Kevin Shields/Belinda Butcher duets and individual singing are amazing, they've both got totally different voices. Yeah overall just a totally groundbreaking album, I am often in awe of how good some of it sounds with every relisten. Favourite songs: all, but my absolute favourite is you never should (probably top 3 mbv songs for me).
Overall around 10/10 (sorry nothing less)
Tricky
4/5
Very interesting style of music. I obviously love the beats as hip hop breakbeats are always incredible, especially when done like this. I love the fusion of soul stuff (like having singers) in quite a few places. I feel like this feels a lot like Blue Lines era Massive Attack, probably because he was in it and probably had a large sway over the sound of it. His slightly creepy unnerving singing/rapping is really unique, and the singer (who I'm not sure who is) one a good deal of the songs is great as well, and I feel like has a lot of duality with him. The weird lyrical themes and storytelling is great on here, they're just all-round immersive pieces of music. I feel like a complaint could be that its too long, some song sort of go on aimlessly just repeating, but if its a good repeat then I guess its fine. The song which uses the same sample as Glory Box Portishead is great as well, totally shows how the same piece of music can be approached and recontextualied in a different way. Some of these songs I think are quite haunting and creepy in the same way as Nick Cave or Tom Waits can be, like the strugglin' song. Favourite songs: overcome, black steel, hell is round the corner, aftermath, you don't, strugglin', feed me
Overall around 7/10
Black Sabbath
4/5
Always thought this one was a bit of an outlier in the early albums, as its not as raw and primal as the first 3, but also not as polished as sabbath bloody sabbath, but I for sure think its the worst of the first 5 albums, but its still got great moments on it. Always forget the songs without heavy guitars on them, like changes and FX, but I do think changes is kinda trash, but FX is really interesting. Laguna Sunrise is brilliant as well it feels like sailing through a calm ocean at night or something. Obviously I don't really need to say why Black Sabbath are so good, totally revolutionary guitar tones and riff playing, as well as singing Ozzy Osbourne always totally did his own thing, and I like that he doesn't have to shriek like like Robert Plant to make the vocals feel intense. Yeah there's loads of great songs, but still not as good as stuff they did before (and after). Also this is probably revolutionary in terms of guitar heaviness, as some of these songs feel crazy for this early on. Favourite songs: wheels of confusion/the straightener, FX supernaut, snowblind, cornucopia, Languna sunrise, St. Vitus dance, under the sun/every day comes (this one feels like Black Sabbath the song but with updated heaviness).
Overall around 8/10