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.
Finally (almost a month later) got round to tackling this album on YouTube as it is not available on Spotify - which kinda makes me want to give this album an extra star... something cool about having to work just a little bit harder to access this music.
I did make the mistake, for the first time, of reading a brief critique of the album... but I do agree with what Scott Yanow said: "The performances are concise... The lack of variety in either mood or routine quickly wears one out".
It is an exhausting album to stay at pace with and to interpret, but there is an odd charm that comes with that consistency and stubborness to conform back to some sort of norm. However, I really would've liked at aleast one or two tempo changes - the most it does during C. & D. Cool wee number with LOTS of ALTO Sax sounding as though it is being strangled and rattled over and over again.
Overall, pretty intense but also pretty impressive skill on display from everyone involved - the drumming sounds like one hell of a workout that not even a marathon runner could endure. I want to give it three... fuck it I will - cool album.
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.
Didn’t mind it, at times the “alternative” side of things felt forced, unnatural and unnecessary. This sounded a lot like a band that had been pigeon holed into one genre that they were unable to move away from, because that’s what people came to expect.
There were a couple of songs I quite liked, but overall the album felt a bit tacky, and as though the lead singer in particular was trying too hard.
Not the first and not the last album I’m sure that I’ll hear doing this project that feels like someone is trying to be smart, clever and mysterious but just sounds a bit dumb. Not saying I could do it, cause I certainly could not.
Really enjoyable album with some wicked riffs and motifs.
La Grange is a fantastic song, it just bounces around my ears so pleasurably.
The album itself is really well contructed, everything fits into a beautiful flow to create a Houston-Blues masterpiece. Heaps of fun and nice to listen to in the morning with my coffee whislt getting the work day ready, and I can imagine it would be just as nice in the background of a catch up with mates, alcoholic beverages in hand.
I like!
Found Busta Rhymes intro a bit odd... felt like a foreword for someone's biography, maybe that was the intended effect.
Found myself a bit bored at times, although Missy's lyrics were fun, hilarious and catchy. Timbaland has produced some pretty cool beats here, but I just don't know if this style of album is for me. The whole thing kind of blends into one.
The Police have a sound that is unmistakeably, authentically them. Sting's voice & rhythmic splashes of bass, Andy Summer's slinky reverberated guitar, all brought together by some really clever drumming patterns thanks to Stewart Copeland.
Really enjoyed this album, even though only 3 songs truly stood out. It started off as though an album built for stadium/ live show, with the way Sting's vocals sit almost at the back of your ears like they would in a large room full of people. But it constantly changes, as did tempo, and occasionally the tone with some lyrics being a lot harsher and in your face.
I like that a lot, because although the album was taking you on this journey, evolving as the songs went on, at no point did I not know who the band was. They were always, without a doubt in my mind, The Police. You can't mistake it. I enjoyed this album more than I thought I would.
Listened to the expanded version and I’m glad I did - it gave me a different appreciation for the tracks on this record.
The intended versions of the songs were good, but gave me a “oh I hired this band for your birthday,” vibe.
However, the acoustic versions showed me the intended effect each song was trying to convey - I almost wish there was a little jazzy/ rock style drumming keeping time and creating layering.
I liked both versions of My Drug Buddy, but found the full version of Ruder less annoying, but not the acoustic.
Cool band that you just know inspired so many other groups to create music.
A classic Alt 80s UK sound, rooted with flavours of Echo and the Bunnymen. Few cool tunes, with a unique Liverpool sound I haven't really heard too much of.
Some cool moments, beats and overall production - it’s a pretty unique and very obviously London sound. I hate the way that they preach at you from time to time, but really like the message of morality they are trying to convey overall.
HOW GOOD! Some timeless classics that define a generation.
I love this album, from beginning to end it attempts to bring the old back and make it new in MGMT’s own way. No wonder so many millennials love these guys.
Sure there are some tunes that fall a bit flat, but overall it’s different, it’s fun, it’s cool.
Some classic 70s tunes that are suuuper groovy, reminiscent of Santana at times - but with its own 'steely' sound.
It's an album that more or less seems to define the career and works of Dan, and rightly so. It is an ALMOST perfect album in the framework of that genre and time.
Really enjoyable, can't wait to be on a beach with a beer in hand whilst handling a Weber BBQ with these tunes on in the background. Love it!
Never knew how Pharrell got his 'start', but I am not surprised he is so widely respected and acclaimed after listening to this gem.
N.E.R.D I have heard of in passing, but I've never actually heard of their stuff until now. Super cool, exactly what I would expect from a younger Pharrell.
The songs tell stories in more ways than one - Pharrell's vivid lyrics, the constantly changing tempo, wide variety of instruments, etc.
I liked it A LOT, from beginning to end. No one song really jumped out at me... but still, good times.
Classic Green Day. Songs that trigger nostalgia, yet they hail from a time before mine.
I liked Green Day songs before, but this album gives me a greater appreciation… for how shit some of their older stuff is. Dookie is in fact the word I would use to describe “21 Guns”.
Cool, fun, sellouts but they sound good!
Nice to hear a significant change in Genre from this generator so far - majority has been rock and pop, with a splash of Hip Hop, nothing folky or country... until now!
Gillian has a wonderful voice and storytelling ability, she conveys her feelings in such an awesome tone that kept me hanging on her every last word. Sure, folk/ country can sometimes sound a bit same samey, but in the context of this album and at this point in her career, Gillian has nailed her own sound.
The Guitar is SO pretty and compliments Gillian's cadence so wonderfully. The harmonies that become more commonplace as the album progresses is the exact growth you want to hear from an album like this.
All these observations, stories, poems, they crescendo into a nearly 15 minute monster; I Dream a Highway.
Favourite Songs: My First Lover, Dear Someone, Elvis Presley Blues, Ruination Day, PT. 2.
I'm confused, but I like the song! Could not find the album...
Funkadelic is right, how good! This was super fun, and not what I expected at all! Never heard of Maggot Brain before, and 99 % sure I’ve never heard any of the songs off this album - although they gave me a vibe like I had when browsing a record shop.
Loved the guitar, loved the funk, loved it all - it’s very nearly a 5/5 for me.
Yeah nah, Iggy Pop is a fucking sicko who can write some great tunes. This album was consistently quality with the sprinkling of gold. Love it, love his sound and I can't give this album anything less than 5 stars honestly... he is and that was great.
Creative, shocking, engaging, poignant and authentic. Sure it may not be everyone's cup of tea, although the record sales would say otherwise, but you cannot deny that it is as original as it gets.
It has some great tracks, some alright ones, but it is never boring. Just when you think Em might be about to go down a typical rapper's path - he flips it and says (over and over again) Fuck You.
Quite a cool sound and cool band, very pop rock. Sort of Neil Diamond fused with Creedance, with a splash of funk in there. You can hear allll the bands these guys were influenced by. I like the short and sweet format of the songs, keeps the album moving along nicely. Lots of different intruments used throughout as well, peaks your interest even more, 'where will the music go next?'
I think it's a 4!
Hmmm idk, not a huge fan tbh. Felt like a beatle rip off with a little bit of authenticity sprinkled throughout...
The album cover told me everything I needed to know about Elliott. This is exactly the sound I expected and I thought I wouldn’t enjoy another tortured soul crying about their traumatic past.
But, I liked it. The more I listened, the more I liked it. Either Or starts a bit “either-ish” and slowly evolves into “orrrr”, or maybe this is actually good?
Elliott makes it his own and tells his own stories of overcoming past wrongdoings - EITHER his own OR others. There’s a sneaky hope in Elliott’s voice, guitar playing and vocals.
This album is a pack of Marlborough Red’s and a bottle of Jack Daniel’s with a long time friend you wish was still alive. RIP Elliott.
Yeah, I don't know. I like some of the Mariah songs, but this album is not what I had hoped for. It's an average job of trying to convey some actual personality and emotion. I believe Mariah is an incredibly talented vocalist and makes some great music - but this album isn't some of her best, I have to say. It's try hard and only get worse and it goes on.
And yet - I found myself bopping my head up and down every so often. Damn you Mariah, damn you R&B.
I like it, sort of, at times but not overall. It’s just not my thing the synth pop beats that drum away incessantly, annoying. Three bangers and some okay tunes.
Thoroughly enjoyed it! Hadn't heard 90% of these Bowie songs before, and I'm a little disappointed in myself - especially consider how big a Bowie fan my dad is (cried when he died).
Loved it!
Wow, what a voice and point of difference. The The is a great name for a group that seems almost too self aware of it's own position in the music scene at the release of Soul Mining.
7 songs, but all of them work HARD to establish something... cool. They are cool and try to be cool, and once again in 2025, trying has become cool again. It's refreshing, which is a contridiction for an album released 42 years ago.
Rocky, Ska, La rock sound that tells me A LOT about the lives these ‘rock-stars’ lived. Maybe it was in a transitional period for rock as a whole, but they certainly made the most of the attention and money; I’m assuming.
Not terrible, but not great either - enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Perfection. That's all. Chur.
Classic bangers, really enjoyed it from beginning to end - some kinda boring tunes that blend into the background of this era, but overall not bad!
Super fun album, reminded me at times of MF Doom. Liked it a lot
Okay, I don’t even need to listen to this album… I will because I want to, but I already know 99% of these songs and this is without a doubt a 5
Some of it I really enjoyed, it kept me engaged by consistent vairations of whatever the fuck was going on. But at other times I was bored by an 8 minute song that just didn't need to be. Overall some cool stuff in there!
Something very different a very fun, not what I’m used to listening to and I enjoyed it.
Nice album with some really fun moments. It's a unique sound that no one but The Strokes could create.
Personal Jesus headlines, but every single other song is the reason why people were calling Depeche Mode GODS following the realease of Violator. What an album.
I liked it more than I thought I would, but some of the tunes felt as though they blended into each other in a way that was hard to discern from one another.
Billy Joel is not my favourite artist but even I can admit this is a fantastic album. However, I find the two songs in one song by the end of the album to be a bit over the top and unnecessary. Have also always found Billy Joel to be a little corny. She’s always a woman to me however saves the album and is in my opinion the best song by far on the stranger.
Struggled to get through it to be honest, found I was never really in the mood for this 'background music' that I feel i've heard a million times when shopping in those hippie shops for mood rings. Some really fun grooves and awesome beats, but just not my jam sadly.
Really enjoyed this, need to listen to it again when I have nothing else on and I can just focus on the music. It feels like an album that needs a lot of attention to truly appreciate.
Breaking free, that's what this sounds like. There is a pain and joy in his voice as he belts out these tunes. Big fan, the GOAT
An album I have heard bits of over the years, but never in full. A sound before its time that has created a cult like following, similar but not quite as intense as Tool's fandom. Really great, really fun sound, love it.
A really great listen whilst getting ready for the work day ahead - matched my Friday mood perfectly. Super fun, funky, incredibly interesting and engaging.
Going through a lot at this time of his life, that much is made extremely clear throughout this album. Little Bob Dylanish at points, both in the voice and (of course) the harmonica. The folky, bluesy guitar playing is a little same samey, however quite nice to listen to. His storytelling, as always, is exceptional and is what makes him such a unique muscian. Nice to hear a different side to Springsteen, other than his over played radio hits. Highlight 'State Trooper' - sounded almost The Doorish.
Great break from what had been a rather rock-based run of albums - probably enjoyed this more because of that. Some really great moments throughout the album, although I did feel some of the writing felt a little lazy at points. Luckily, Cube's voice makes up for it.
I certainly like this stripped back, raw and less polished version of Coldplay more than modern day Coldplay. There’s a tone of cautious optimism, they somehow seem sad and happy at the same time. I enjoy that more than the new Coldplay which is just, happy all the time - it seems at least. Nice to hear another Coldplay member sing on the first track also.
