Listened to many times before but nice to return to this album once more.
Not listened to this before and was quite hesitant about giving this a go. I found that I enjoyed this more and more as the album progressed.
Enjoyed this album. Dark and reflective.
Can't fault this album. Wings/Solo McCartney at his best. Very strong start to the album with 2 huge numbers. Most other artists would struggle to follow up on this, but not in this case. To give this anything less than 5 stars would be hard to justify.
Not my cup of tea. Gave it a go and quite content to never listen to this again or recommend it to anybody. Although I'm sure there are some out there who may enjoy this, for what it is worth. Lowest score so far at 2 stars.
Good example of jingly/jangly early nineties pop. Very samey and nothing stands out of any note. The only exception is Mrs Robinson, which stands out like a sore thumb mainly because of the genius of Paul Simon. A beige 3 stars for me.
This made for a pleasant relief after some humdrum 90s guitar bands. Vibrant and energetic. Superb guitar playing and a definite 5 stars from me.
I've no real time for this type of music. Far too much distortion covers up any discernable melody. Unable to hear or make out what is being sung. I suppose for some this would be an audio experience of sorts. I would give it 1 star except for the first track which I guess would be almost recognisable as an accomplished tune. At the very least it is unlikely that any of this cacophony will finds its ways as an ear worm. For that mercy I will give it 2 stars.
Really enjoyed this album. Quite a range of songs to savour. Some may argue that 'Changes' and the drug induced FX don't sit well and interrupt the rythym of the album. I think they add some reflection time to the album. The pioneers of heavy metal finding a more experimental approach to the discipline. Is this the best Sabbath album? Probably not. But is this better by a country mile than any other Heavy Metal album at the time or even since? Probably. No reason not to give 5 stars.
I am already familiar with this record and have always felt that this should not be a double album. There are not enough good tracks to justify 4 sides worth. There are around 8 or 9 songs that would make a very good 5 star Clash album e.g. London Calling, Rudie, Spanish Bombs, Lost in Supermarket, clampdown, Guns of Brixton, I'm not down and train in vain. The rest is at best filler. Ask yourself this, and be honest, would you want to see the Clash play Jimmy Jazz live instead of something like white riot or janie jones? The answer is no, of course not. Why would you deny yourself this just to make a cheap point. This is mainly because the likes of jimmy Jazz are not up to scratch; and certainly not punk. Given the songs I have listed above, it is 4 stars despite the weaker songs. If this album was reduced to 2 sides it would be definite 5 star album and arguably up there with the very best. But alas this isn't the case. The album cover is iconic and probably the best of the punk/post punk/new wave era. But you can't judge a book by its cover.
Really like this album. With Phil Manzanera on guitar and Brian Eno on synthesiser you can't go wrong. The first 4 songs are exceptionally good and the album gets 5 star for these alone. Favourites include re make re model and if there is something. British art house experimental rock at its best and still sounds futuristic now.
Britpop's finest. Stand out tracks for me are For Tomorrow, Resigned and the Kinks inspired Sunday Sunday. Parts of this album I quite like but mostly it does not quite do it for me. 3 stars.
I've not heard this before, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Can see/hear that Clash, Pistols, and Stooges are a big influence. Lyrics seem a bit adolescent, i.e.. Garys got a boner etc, although I guess they were still quite young. And there is a certain charm about some of their songs, e.g., sixteen blue reflects teen angst in an honest way. Might have liked this first time around the mid-80s - similar to the Alarm - and think it would grow on you. A solid 3 stars from me.
Quite familiar with the big hits from this album. And can rememboer this album when it first came out and also the ill fated concert in Liverpool 1987. I can recall being updated later that evening by an endless stream of eye witness accounts of dimishing incredulity. Must admit not a big fan of this shouty rap music but by all accounts they did not take themselves too seriously, unfortunately not recipricoted by Liverpool audience in '87! Have always found that the unintended consequence of the type of music was it bring mimicked by TV frat boys on US campuses. Although, as always, there are some out there who really like this type of thing and I can't knock 'em. Resplendent in their turned back base ball cap and pent up middle class, white boy, suburban angst...their fans that is. Produced by Rick Rubin and decent samples of Led Zep and Sabbath makes it 3 stars from me
Setting aside his personal life which would would be a definite 0 stars, I found the raw power of this performance to be outstanding. I doubt there are many live acts who could compete with this. The Nashville Teens are on fire and JLS pounds each piano key with the force and drive that would put to shame Led Zep, the Who or any other hard rock act you would care to mention. 5 stars from me
I'm not familiar with this album. I note that many reviews reference the anger and violence of the lyrics and give it a low rating. But context is everything, this album accurately reflects the anger and reality of racism, poverty and disenfranchisement for many black people in LA during that period. As Ice T himself admits in the, one of many stands out tracks, OG original gangster: "I try to write about fun and the good times But the pen yanks away and explodes and destroys the rhyme Maybe it's just cause of where I'm from L.A. (*bang!*) that was a shotgun.." I can remember the riots that followed the murder of Rodney King in 1992 and this album reflects the rising tensions due to police/LAPD attacks on the Black community of LA that led up to the events of '92. I think this album is brilliant and wish I had come to this sooner. 5 stars all the way!
Setting aside Spector's personal life, which would be a definite zero star. And separating the art from the artist, this is the definitive christmas album. All others are merely attempting to capture some of the essence of this album. Brian Wilson cites this album as one of the greatest of all time, and who am I to disagree. 5 stars.
At last, after a run of 21 albums, a female artist. Not an album I am familiar but quite like it. It's got an easy going Fleetwood Mac vibe. Good blend of bluesy, country and moody tracks for late night listening. However, no real big hitters on this but a merciful break from the early nineties grunge/guitar noise dominated albums that I have recenty endured. More an album that is a sum of its parts and 4 stars for me.
Big fan of Mark Knopfler so happy that this album has turned up. Know this fairly well as my brother had this album early 80s. Have always found that Dire Straits stood out from other bands of the period. There is a slight eccentricity to DS music that went against the norm. Clever guitar picking, steel guitar, moody slide, bluesy with a hint of Chet Atkins country. Although, for a debut album, it seems a bit safe. Some tracks, 'down to the waterline', have a hint of Bob Dylan about them, which is no bad thing. Stand out track is clearly 'Sultans of Swing'. 4 stars from me.
One of my all time favourite albums from the pioneers of electronic/techno music. Futuristic and probably one of the most accessible Kraftwerk albums. The model was a hit single in the UK. This album influenced many of the new wave/new romantic acts including Human League, Gary Newman, Bowie etc...One of the many highlights is the eerily beautiful Neon Lights. Magnificent Machine Muzik. 5 stars.
Not listened to this before and wasn't sure if I would like it. Know and like the the big hits on this, fun loving criminal and Scooby snacks, and found the other tracks to be quite funky and fun. Must say I have a soft spot for Huey Morgan as I regularly listen to his Radio 6 show on a Saturday. He seems a genuine and decent bloke and was a source of comfort for many during the dark days of Covid and lockdown. Unfortunately, the other band members seem to have stitched him up and now trade under the name fun loving criminals but are no better than a tribute act. Still this album is good fun but not good enough for 5 or even 4 stars. It's a 3 from me.
Only familiar with Emmylou Harris due to her connections with Gram Parsons and her featuring on Dylan's, 'Desire'. Not heard much of her solo stuff and quite pleased that this has turned up. Despite there being a few covers on this album, Dolly Parton and Beatles, I like the vibe. It hangs together well and the covers blend in really well. Stand out track for me is, Too Far Gone. 4 stars.
Quite a hard and moody vibe to this. Must say, I didn't enjoy this as much as I did with Ice T's original gangster. I think mainly because lyrically it does not say much to me, although I do accept I am not the intended audience. Found the songs quite samey. 3 stars from me.
Some big hitters on this, Clocks & the scientist amongst others. I've always assumed that Coldplay songs were written by someone with not much to write about. And now after listening to this, from what I can can gather, this is mostly about a needy bloke who, quite rightly in my mind, is being constantly spurned by his lover/partner. And I can fully understand why! Who'd want a needy Chris Martin lallopping around you like a dejected slavering oversize puppy. But with all that said and done, I listened to this whilst on an early morning winter walk, and despite the vapid introspection and needy whining, it made for an interesting companion for on the way. And for that reason will give it 3 stars.
Great album and a great relief having come on the back of Coldplay. Every song is a banger. I really like the earthy rock n roll sound from CCR and all in 4/4 timing. John Fogerty's vocals hit hard and soulfully delivered, and there are few who sound better. Favourite songs: Commotion, Lodi and wrote song for everyone. 5 stars from me.
I've heard a few of these songs but not all together on one album. I find this to be quite mellow laid back jazz which I quite like. I can see why some would necessarily like this first time around. It may need a few more listens but it would be worthwhile. Not so sure about Gypsy Woman, sounds too much like a jam to me, strange feelin and sing a song for you more than make up for this. 4 stars.
I can see from quite a few reviews that there are quire a few accusations of plagiarism flying about some of the songs on this album. And admittedly I can see where this is coming from, 'waking up' is clearly derivative of the Stranglers as 'connection' is of Wire. But that said and done, as Brit Pop albums go, this stands put quite well. It's a debut album and the album contains some big hitters, connection, line up, stutter etc... It makes a change from the gloom of early 90s grunge and as a mostly female outfit they deserve credit for trying to break through the predominant 'ladist' culture of the time. And hey boomer! Before you get on your high horse droning on about girly copycats, have a quick look up Led Zep and them plagiarising Willie Dixon, Howlin Wolf and many others. Not knocking the Zep, just sayin' that's all! 4 stars from me
Must admit that this may not be everyone's 'cup of tea'. I'm a big fan of garage psyche rock/pop from this period and can see how this is an influential album for '66. Like most albums from this period it probably hasn't aged well and I can see why. Very much of its time and definitely worth 4 stars.