I bought his way back after loving Astral Weeks, and particularly Ballerina from that album. It's very different and way more accessible but still a beautiful album and seemingly so full of love. One of my regrets was seeing Van Morrison at Glastonbury and not really engaging with it, an unappreciative 16 year old who didn't know anything except Brown Eyed Girl!

The sitar is such an intense instrument that listening intently to an album of it can be overwhelming, sometimes in a good, powerful way, but overall, for me, in a way that batters my senses. Nice to have a range of cultural influences across my albums though, even if I'm not entirely on board.

Fortunately I was up for a few guitar solos today, because I'm pretty sure that was 80% of the album.

Not a bad start to the year. Had listened and liked before but not owned. Might purchase if the right price! Jealous guy resonates.

Surprised and pleased. Ben Folds vibes. Not heard of him at all before this I don't think so appreciated the find. Sad to hear about passing at such a young age too

That was brilliant. Starting an album with Chain of Fools like that is outrageous. What a great January pick-me-up on a cold morning. Easily 5 stars. Will purchase for my CD collection.

Never listened to a Genesis album before. It wasn't as bad as I expected, like a softer version of Zeppelin. The theme is a good one, but no songs really caught my attention.

Not my go-to, however, had shared this in class last term as a 10 year album anniversary and had grown to appreciate it a little more than I would have at face value. Happy enough to listen to it again today.

Having listened to Rumours so much, you'd have thought that the follow up would have been heard too. I didn't even really recognise any tracks. I enjoyed it, but seemed a bit bloated and not as rich a sound, or as emotionally charged as Rumours. ,3 and a half if I could.

A bit drab, not for me

A less whiny Oasis. This was actually far better than I would have expected. Have probably heard odd tracks from the group but I would listen again happily. 4 stars just about.

This was good. Then went and listened to all of Brothers in Arms too. Sultans of Swing is absolutely brilliant and worth the high rating alone. The voice ans guitar playing is just lovely.

The first album received that I actually owned, 10 days in. It is one of my favourite albums by the group, and I love the group too. An obvious 5/5 for me.

The start of this album is incredible really. It is hard to comprehend an opening 3 tracks like that. The rest of the album needs some respect too. Absolute 5/5

The found samples within were great. For fans of Endtroducing, I feel this would be liked, and that's me! The opening tracks didn't hook me in completely but it grew well. Whenever the bass hit harder, it was better!

Obviously brilliantly talented and a very pleasant listen. But I wouldn't choose to listen too a whole album of trumpet normally. But I guess that's kinda the point! Some beautiful tracks that I felt needed to be listened to in a far more focused and appreciative manner than through my phone while in the shower. Probably a 2-2.5

Some absolute classics on here and no denying that voice. But what the hell is 'makin whoopie'???!!!! Goes from a 5 star to a 4 just for that track. 'of the times' I'm sure?

Without a doubt, a beautiful voice and some powerful messages. Hard times, having heard the Roots cover was good to hear the original! I didn't actually know it was Curtis Mayfield. Strong album but no super stand out tracks. About a 2.5, but will give a 3

Uninteresting. Not caught me at all. Least favourite yet.

Always a classy, the skits are a bit much now and very dick-based!

Well this was a bit of a challenge. The vocals were difficult to enjoy, engage with or understand. If this had been instrumental it may have managed a 3. I think I'm going for a 1.

First time listening all the way through. Weirdly once got this album accidentally instead of a Funkmaster Flex album after a mix up placing the CDs by the shop assistant. Didn't listen to it then, but this is much better than Funkmaster Flex. Scooby Snacks and Fun Lovin Criminal are the obvious bangers in here but there is a lot of other good quality with a nice sprinkling of brass instruments throughout. Huey Morgan's radio show on a Saturday on 6 music also shows me he knows his stuff and is super eclectic. £1 on music magpie so going to buy!

I bought his way back after loving Astral Weeks, and particularly Ballerina from that album. It's very different and way more accessible but still a beautiful album and seemingly so full of love. One of my regrets was seeing Van Morrison at Glastonbury and not really engaging with it, an unappreciative 16 year old who didn't know anything except Brown Eyed Girl!

I listened to the first 7 tracks. It's not my thing. I can see how it could be someone's hing though. Only a 1 for me though.

This is strong. Quality 90s fare. Powerful voice and some catchy riffs. Stupid Girl weirdly can on the radio on the way home from work today too, which is a top track.

Only 6 tracks, give me more!!

I remember being a snob about this album when it came out and you could choose how much you wanted to pay to download it. I felt that it devalued it at the time and wrongly assumed this meant it would have been made in a less caring way perhaps. I own three other albums and love The Bends and Ok Computer so it's a nonsense that I'd never heard this in full. Needs more listening for me to give it it's full value, which I think is probably quite high. 4, later rising to 5 probably from me.

This was really interesting and would never have been something I would have otherwise chosen to listen to. An intriguing experience and a great premise. Feels like it deserved a film to accompany it!

I'm not convinced that this album truly belongs on the list. There were some nice enough tracks but it hardly felt earth-shattering. I kinda felt like I could have listened to the rather similar-styled Belle and Sebastian and probably any of their albums would have outshone.

Had never knowingly listened before and I have to admit I enjoyed! A great Monday album to get you going. Reading the accompanying notes, it seems they are a lot bigger than I imagined and the album seems pretty well crafted. A strong 3+

I was quite enjoying this until the 18 minute long Aumng, which I have to admit, lost me a little.

The instrumental parts were good! Not massively enjoyable vocals.

Street life is such a tune, and I doubt I've ever listened to the full length track, so that was a pleasure. The rest of the album was pleasant enough!

This had one a half listens. Didn't get all the way through last time. I wanted to go back to it though as enjoyed the first half a lot. Beautiful voice and some very nicely crafted songs.

Soothing and enjoyable half an hour.

Barely a track that doesn't hit hard. Could go without the interludes of 90s hip hop, but worth it for the main content!

As an album of covers, this holds its weight. It would be easy for it to not seem heartfelt and important. Nelson clearly felt strongly about these tracks and his versions felt necessary.

Haunting vocals and a voice that is probably a bit marmite for some. There are times in this album that it hit well and others where I craved something a little smoother and more fluid. But when it was good it was just right. Not their best album but worth a listen.

Never listened in it's entirety. Only ever really listened to Bad and Thriller as a full piece. Enjoyed this earlier stuff and the joy of it. It isn't the same polished masterclass as later albums but there is still an immense talent being displayed, and not sounding at all outdated.

I've not listened to many live albums, but most of them that I have, have nothing like as unique an audience. It's a brilliant idea, and the choice of songs that are played along with crowd interaction is quite brilliant.

The sitar is such an intense instrument that listening intently to an album of it can be overwhelming, sometimes in a good, powerful way, but overall, for me, in a way that batters my senses. Nice to have a range of cultural influences across my albums though, even if I'm not entirely on board.

This was an absolute tonic. Great album. I have their three that precede this and have somehow managed to go without listening to this. 'Flutes' is a gem, and was blasted with rattling bass in the car. Already purchased for my CD collection before the day is done. Still holds that mix of party and raw heartfelt emotion that all hot chip albums seem to.

Pleasant enough, but didn't do a lot for me

It's fun, and full-on, and energetic and reminds me of skateboarding as a youth.

This was a great throwback to when I used to listen to DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist with Product Placement and Brain freeze. They were regularly spun on my CD player whilst doing my paper round. Arguably, those were better constructed than this. Finding a copy to listen to was also a challenge!!

Brilliant. This is exactly the type of rock I can get on board with. This is what the 70s would have sounded like to me when I picture it. This might however be heavily influenced by the song from the opening to 'that 70s show' being on this album (which was a revelation to me)

Never been big on the doors but nice to listen to an album with what appeared to have a cohesive identity and feel. Seemed to link seamlessly and was enjoyable.

This started a bit shakily, but really grew as the album went on, finishing with a couple of really quite beautiful tracks.

Amyl and the Sniffers must be inspired by these guys somewhat, lots of similarities. It was quite fun and felt much more modern than 1978.

This album has a strong start and finish but gets a bit drab and samey in the middle. It doesn't hit as hard as Funeral or Neon Bible, or arguably even Reflector. But it's still got a lot of great quality within it.

Way too much of this mid-90s dirge. I can see Urban Hymns being on the list, but not sure this one deserves to make the cut.

I'm sure there will be better Bowie albums on this list, and I'm sure I've probably been given one of the lesser choices for my first of this project. Just felt a bit like it was a laborious vanity project that didn't achieve anything.

This was cool. I love it when I get something completely from left field. Never heard of this in any way, and was fully engaged for the duration. Felt like it was probably breaking a lot of ground on the sampling front, so I can see how it may hold some important significance. Regardless, worthy!

Yes please, some classics here. Never listened to an Elvis album in its entirety until today. Love a good rock n roll/pop tune that clocks in at less than 2 and a half minutes, and he is the king for that.

Beautiful, soothing and a perfect example of using music for great storytelling.

My previous Kraftwerk album, 'The Man Machine' is superior to this, I believe. So it was a shame it didn't live up to those levels, but still solid electronica.

What is it about her voice that grates so much? The undulating, whiny nature to large portions of this make it hard work. Whenever I listen to Ironic, I can't help but be reminded by Ed Byrne's comedy bit about her being a 'moaning cow'. That 5 minute sketch watched again on YouTube was more enjoyable than the album listen-through for me

Whilst this probably had some important cultural and musical impact on a lot of bands that I quite like, I don't think it has necessarily held up particularly well sadly. A little bit flat and uninspiring.

Sometimes I think there are albums on the list designed just to make you grateful for the other albums that are actually good. A group of boys get together in their garage, shout 'kuntz' and 'hay' over some poorly constructed tracks.

Sounds like my youth

Oh man, a beauty, after a week of grafting through some dire albums, this was an absolute gem on a Friday. My heart melts at her voice and the stories she can craft for us. I'd heard about her before and a couple of tracks, but that was just... Mighty

Some albums are just perfect aren't they?

A really solid, jazz-infused, pleasure

There can't be many better album starts. Her voice is haunting and full of love and passion. The energy throughout is brimming. A wonderful creation

It sounds a little dated now. Emotion is a great tune and a real precursor to Beyonce's solo stuff

I could listen to this voice all day.

This was one of the first, if not the very first albums I bought with my first teacher pay check. So consistent, amazing guitar and soulful backing vocals in particular. The country / rock mesh is just right.

I love Van Morrison anyway, but the live band with him steals the show here. Strings and brass are beautifully performed to some of his best works.

Ahh, I'm 18 again. Dancing around with a pint of fosters and an endless desire for 'new' music and other new conquests. Some of that new music wasn't always that great though. This is probably one of those. Still... Memories!

Love a bit of Stevie Wonder. Not many tracks I 'knew' but there were some beautiful songs and lovely instrumental parts with the groove that you hope for. Well worth the listen!

Well that was pretty good fun

Nice for some reggae to show up on my list, the album tracks are great and we're so used to a diet of about 20 Marley tracks that it's nice to branch out.

Amazing book ends of Young Americans and Fame. And some quality in the middle too.

Fortunately I was up for a few guitar solos today, because I'm pretty sure that was 80% of the album.

What was it about the 80s and white people trying to do 'Africa' things.. the style of it just feels dated and a bit wrong at times. When it doesn't nick from other cultures it is far more tolerable.

All a little too soft and gentle for me. I feel like this probably has more lyrical worth than I was able to get my teeth into. I had 'Figure 8' as one of my first albums and that album felt a little less soppy with more life in it.

Who knew? Where's the falsetto voices, what happened between these two time periods???!!!

Absolute behemoth of perfection.

It probably shouldn't get a 5 the be honest. But sometimes music doesn't need to be clever, or created with intelligent musicianship, sometimes it just needs to be anthemic rock.

I think this album helped me to understand Tom Waits a lot more and I think would probably make his studio work more accessible. He clearly has a sharp wit and intelligence.

Pleasant enough but sort of passed me by

So gentle and smooth. Like a just-right hot chocolate.

Corr, bit long that one. Nice enough voice of course but double albums are a real slog for this challenge.

Absolute quality.

Lyrically not so great, but in terms of a mash of musical styles coming together to create something unique, it's worthwhile I suppose!

This was great at the time and has actually aged really well too. Some intoxicating tunes that might be heavily associated with adverts of the early 00s, but did so because they were catchy, rhythmic, purposeful songs that would be massive earworms.

I don't think I've ever really understood the appeal of Beck, and listening to this didn't change my mind.

This was revolutionary as a teenager and hit the note of angst-ridden faux gangster 16 year old me. Still has strong vibes.