First listen: Rhythm is king. Lots of prominent distorted and pure bass, and the drums littered throughout protrude in almost every song. Percussion is maybe the perfect word to use, lots of it. Beck's ability to string verses together into the chorus is seemless and impressive. He has brilliant cadence and uses theatre of the mind better than most. I can almost always see the person, the thing or the story he is telling in my imagination. Beck's voice is unapologetically authentic, he is and always will be himself vocally. Go It Alone was a song that made me feel uncomfortable yet excited to hear what was coming next - heaps of awesome layers on top of a great melody. Black Tambourine is a short story, almost a poem that you could extract mulitple meanings from - it's fun. However, no song really stuck out to me as a playlist addition. Girl I found a little annoying, and that was kind of a motiff for me personally. Almost every song felt repetitive withe same phrases, musical elements, etc. being used throughout. Some cool songs, sounds and instruments used and explored, I really liked the layering; but I'm not blown away by any of it. It's a funky album with great rhythm, but something I loved, sadly. I really want to like it, but I don't know if I do.

What a legend. Starts with the classic RESPECT, Aretha's defining track... but she is so much more than just that banger. Respect has a shadow cast over it by track 2; Drowning in my Own Tears. Wow, what a voice, what a band, what a song. I'm writing this first thing in the morning at work, sipping a warm coffee on a particularly chilly summers morning and it's envoking emotion in me. It's her voice mainly, but all the other amazing layers, the groove, the band, the background singer - it almost makes me feel sick to think I didn't know this or any of these other songs on this album. Respect is probably the only Aretha song I had actually listen to - regret. It was beautiful background music whilst I got ready for the day of work. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man was a song that caught my ear whilst listening - a song that for its time was bold and brave, and now it's more important than ever. It's the sequal to Respect - mutual respect in a relationship, do right woman for your man, do right man for your woman and both do right for your family. It's a simple but beautiful message coming from the Queen of Soul who certainly faced her fair share of hardship in life, espcially in her youth. This album reflects the pain, the lessons, the love lost, the love gained, everything that Aretha has faced in her life up to this point. She was mistreated, but remained headstrong and maintained her values of family, respect for all peoples and civil rights throughout. Her over of a change is gonna come is AMAZING. She owns it to the point of wonder, did Sam Cooke write it for her? Love this album. It shows all of Aretha's good sides. Her values and her voice are the highlight of this incredible album. She is vulnerable and mournful throughout, yet at the same time isvindicated through songs like Respect and I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You - a song that battles with her sadness of the break up but is putting up a strong front, something her voice compliments like wine and cheese. Love love love love love. Soul like soul should be.

Short n sweet, a classic album bridging the gap between that 60s and 70s sound as it sits right on the edge of the new decade. Creedence have their sound down-packed and are an unmistakeable; beautiful group to listen to. I don’t know where this album sits in their discography time wise, but it feels and sounds like a defining moment for them. They are carving out their own space in the industry and putting together songs that are really really nice to listen to. They are band known for a couple of big rocky tunes you’d blast at almost any party, but this album is not really that… it can almost be certainly played at a party and I can only imagine how amazing it would sound like in a Smokey bar in Memphis. Creedence Clearwater are, rightly so, known I think most for their iconic guitar riffs and catch motifs littered throughout many of their most popular songs. One thing that stood out to me, embarrassingly for the first time, is the incredible vocals of their front man John Fogerty. What a voice, so much pain and passion is conveyed in lyrics that mean more when he is the one singing them. Unreal. Love the album, because of its beautiful simplicity and how well every single element of every single song in this perfectly short album. Great.

Listened to the Deluxe album and wasn't a huge fan of the second disc. However the first, era defining and raw. Amy Winehouse's voice is one of the best at communicating an idea, especially with Mark Ronson building the perfect backdrop to her defiance. I didn't realise how many songs on this album I had heard before, it was hit after hit, catchy song after catchy song, and Amy's raw emotion on show in such a beautifully articulated way. This was good, really good, but nothing mind blowingly amazing. However, I must consider the impact it had on artists like Adele, who went on to release some of the greatest ballads of all time. Great work, really like it.

I get it now. A fan favourite, highly regarded by many and I now understand why Lorde was the biggest artist on the planet for a time. This is a great album! Lorde uniquely yet in such a relatable way communicates the ideas of a relationship coming to an end and all the emotions felt during. All the elements of sound used to compliment Lorde’s unique voice, melody and style is striking. Every song dances around your ears and keeps you wondering what’s coming next? Supercut is an underrated banger, should get more commercial play. “In my head I do everything right,” a line repeated at the conclusion of song that I felt like I had lived. To start the “in my head…” line is filled in with different emotions and memories that take you on her journey, then; maybe I’m the problem? Did I do everything right? Am I part to blame? Great. Lorde is raw, vulnerable and fun in this album. I haven’t listened to Pure Heroin, but I am Intrigued to hear how she was able to bridge the gap between a MASSIVE success to another. As a fellow Kiwi, proud of Lorde and this music. All her producers, writers and musicians should be too- really enjoyable listen and I will be back.

Background music to a coming of age Hollywood film. Not bad, not great. Some of the beats throughout were really cool and the voices were super effective throughout at keeping me listening. However I was bored a lot of the time. In the context of how this fits into the music industry would be interesting to me. I can see an album and a group like this being influential and can even hear some of the beats and guitar styles used in a number of more modern songs, like Jimmy Eat World - The Middle. Fun at times, but overall uninspired.

10 years too late. Felt unoriginal and a bit boring whilst trying to be something clever and articulate. Bit disappointed to be honest, because I love the album artwork. There were some nice songs and moments, but overall it was a bit lackluster.

Funky fun and at times a bit uninteresting. Thought the music was going in one direction, build to a crescendo, and then it kinda just fell flat or went back to the same old. Had fun at times with the elements they had scattered in the background moving around, but yeah - bit bored.

BIG fan of this album, what a masterpiece. What a surprise as well. I’m someone who is only really familiar with Sweet Caroline… little did I know that man who wrote that timeless pop/ party hit could also be so raw, reflective and insightful. This album feels very of its time, and sounds of a man challenging those of his generation to look outside of themselves. It does not surprise me to see that the president of the time was Richard Nixon after a quick Google. The angst expressed is familiar, yet communicated in such a unique manner. His voice, his lyrics, the timbre, all of this album is incredible and I’m officially a Neil Young fan.

Some highlights throughout and it was kinda fun with the Jams Brian plays around with. You can see why and how he is such a well regarded producer. However, this album just not for me I think

Wow, didn't expect this. 20 songs of fun, diversity, highs and lows - I felt like I was transported all around the world with this album. A description for this album that came to mind was if the Talking Heads were surfers from California, who holiday'd in New York, they would write this. It was great fun, this album is awesome, unique, authentic and different which is why I love it. Great stuff.

Not my favourite Beatles Album, but I loved the journey it took me on and how it almost felt like two differrent albums - the first and second half... which would make sense in the context of a double sided tape/ vinyl. I am a Beatles apologist and am often of the opinion everything they do is great, mainly because it is and it's the first of its kind. So many classic songs on this album, and I'm very glad I actually listen to it back to front for the first time. The vocals from all members, the way it can go from an experimental psychedelic song to a pop hit with nearly two billion streams on spotify is incredible. Range, creativity, innovation and love for the game of music is so clearly present - not to mention the iconic album cover... I want to give it a five, but I feel it's a high 4. Love x

A classic full of classic ballads that take you on journey after journey. I LOVE that it starts with the title track, perfect way to launch into this album experience. Meat Loaf, man, listening to this whole thing in one sitting just reminds me of how incredible he really is and was. What a man. Loved this album… but I want to give it three stars and I don’t know why… so I will. Rip meat loaf

Authentic, vulnerable and uniquely Sinead. Exactly what I’d expect from a Sinead record. Really lovely one second, poignant tough at other moments. Liked and hated this album at the same time which I kinda love.

Fun and fresh, a pleasant surprise! A whole bunch of different elements and techniques used throughout kept me hooked. I thought, naively based on the album cover, that this would be a Niel Diamond rip off. Reminded me more of The Beatles with how many different instruments and change ups used in almost every song. His vocal range is off the charts and often drew my attention back into the heart of a song when my mind started to wander. Really cool album that I will listen to again as I feel like I didn't give it as much attention as it deserved on the first listen. Cool guy, cool songs, cool stories - he has a lot to say on a lot of life's toughest issues and I love that. Unafraid is what I want my artists to be.