Jan 15 2025
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At Budokan
Cheap Trick
I like Cheap Trick, I love rock and under some circumstances live recordings. But this isn't a good live recording. Some classic tracks on the album, some of which are their most recognisable, but overall I wasn't impressed with this album. The sound was off, some of the songs are too long and boring. Was glad it ended, the shrill of the recording was too much.
1
Jan 16 2025
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S&M
Metallica
I'm a huge fan of MetallicA so I was pleased to get this. It's not my favourite of theirs, the orchestra for me doesn't always light up their songs it just seems a little over thought. It works well for Nothing Else Matters and for some others, just not every one of them. It's a spectacular listen nonetheless. The live recording really is special - the guitars are heavy, James is singing well, the crowd really join in at the moments they need to. Love it, wish I could have been there.
5
Jan 17 2025
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Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
Never heard of this band before, I feel they're just a copy of various other mainstream bands from the same genre/era. It was pretty standard, nothing to write home about. Not sure I'll listen to them again, and I don't think they would make it to any of my playlists. Enjoyed listening whilst coding some automation requirements, so deserves a 3 for that.
3
Jan 20 2025
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Electric
The Cult
I liked it. Some have said "generic rock", while I don't entirely disagree I think it has enough to separate it from the others. The Cult have enough of a different sound to stand out, after all they defined that sound with "She Sells Sanctuary". Giving it a four because I'd listen to it again.
4
Jan 21 2025
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Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Unmistakable, undeniable! One of the best albums in the world, ever. Simple as that. Any less than 5 stars for this masterpiece is a sacrilege of the utmost.
5
Jan 22 2025
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I Against I
Bad Brains
Hardcore, metal, punk, reggae. A very interesting concoction. I enjoyed their rock and metal riffs mixed with funky bass lines and that powerful snare. Not overly keen on the vocals all of the time, but I could pick out many different influences and styles that mingled quite nicely. Some tracks you could hear RATM, sometimes elements of Dog Eat Dog and even at times some Faith No More. Is it weird that I could hear some INXS in there (I think I’m going crazy). Can’t say I liked every song, but they were all energetic. Quite liked “She’s Calling You”. Wasn’t what I was expecting. For me a low 4, but a 4 nonetheless. Might venture into some of their other stuff.
4
Jan 23 2025
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Bad Company
Bad Company
Classic rock, classic sound for the 70s. A few good songs, but nothing truly memorable. Feel like it needs more grit. Listened a couple of times, left it on in the background for a while. Vocals are mid, doesn’t make you wanna come back for more. Steady 3.
3
Jan 24 2025
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Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
A landmark for 80s metal. Nothing would be the same without it! The early sound of IM shine through in this. Metal albums, IMO, aren’t worth much without a good instrumental track (or two). This album delivers what it’s supposed to. “Strange World” is exemplary, and "Phantom of the Opera" is undeniably magnificent. I prefer the vocals of Bruce Dickinson, but Di’Anno does it well. This should be part of any Metal enthusiasts diet.
5
Jan 27 2025
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Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
Sha-na-na-na-na-na-na-knees, I love it. I won’t lie and tell you I was a huge fan of GnR back in my teenage years, I was more into Nirvana and MetallicA. But this is a top album. Sometimes Axl’s voice grinds me and the dead awful dancing in their videos is cringe worthy, but you can’t take that away from this ground breaking record. Slash paved the way for many guitarists and remains to be one of the must influential pros out there. His blues prowess gives their tracks some really oomph, his solos are not to be sniffed at. The sound and energy is ace. With so many top hits in one album and all songs being enjoyable you really can’t give this less than a 5, whether you’re a fan or not. Come on!
5
Jan 28 2025
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John Barleycorn Must Die
Traffic
Groovy 70s Rock. Not really into it much, but I liked a few tracks and they were usually less jazzy. Sometimes the flute was a little psychadelic which I wasn’t keen on. Generally speaking it’s decent, but not particularly for me.
2
Jan 29 2025
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Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
This is a classic album at their peak of funk rock. Expert musicianship all round. Not my favourite of theirs, but career defining. Their top track is there in all its glory. It still sounds fresh and relevant.
4
Jan 30 2025
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Mott
Mott The Hoople
It’s okay, just about listenable. Nothing great. If it weren’t for All The Young Dudes, would they be known at all? Perhaps I’m just ignorant here.
2
Jan 31 2025
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Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
I like QotSA, but this album seemed a little repetitive. I really like the overall sound, but the repetition is not for me. Sometimes it's bearable, other times just not at all! I think other albums are better.
3
Feb 03 2025
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Pictures At An Exhibition
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
I liked “The Sage”, the rest was just psychedelic nonsense and improvised keys. “Nutrocker” was complete junk!! Not for me at all.
1
Feb 04 2025
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The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
The best Iron Maiden album there is. It's pivotal to their shining and extensive career. Bruce's voice is so powerful and iconic. The sound is still relevant and never gets old. Run To The Hills, The Number of The Beast, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Children of The Damned... Love them just as much as I did when I was a teen. A 5 star album without any doubt.
5
Feb 05 2025
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Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
This was the album I needed, I had no idea! I know their top hits “Hard To Handle” and “She Talks to Angels”, but I’ve never paid them much attention. What a mistake that was, this is an amazing blues rock record and I’m glad to have discovered it. So many great tracks, didn’t skip any - starting on a high and ended on one. I WILL listen to more of their discography.
5
Feb 06 2025
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Tarkus
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Certainly an experience, not great prog rock IMO (are some songs even considered prog rock?). Couldn’t really get into it. Maybe with the right mood, maybe when I’m older? I don’t know. Right just not for me, sorry.
2
Feb 07 2025
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School's Out
Alice Cooper
Not listened to Alice Cooper particularly much. I admit I’m not much into his biggest track “Schools Out”, but bike so many other reviews I found it surprising to hear such varied styles. Was expecting typical glam rock, prog rock stuff and was pleasantly surprised with some bluesy, jazzy styles in there. His voice on some of the songs was mellow. Very nice indeed.
4
Feb 10 2025
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In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly
Aside from “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” it was mostly forgettable, but listenable. Didn’t really gain anything out of it. Toss away record.
2
Feb 11 2025
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Live At Leeds
The Who
Not a huge fan of The Who and this is way before any of the songs I actually know and like. I’ve only really listened to their big hits and Quadrophenia. As far as live records go this isn’t particularly bad, but I still don’t really like it. They did a good job of “Fortune Teller”, otherwise I don’t see why a live record needs to be on here.
3
Feb 12 2025
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Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
Musically most of the tracks are good, but I don’t find it enjoyable listening to Perry Farrell. His voice grinds me.
3
Feb 13 2025
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Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
Own it, love it, always have, always will! Released in my mid teens as I was making my way through the end of school and finding my way into college, right about when I started learning guitar and was infatuated with video games. “Girl From Mars”, “Oh Yeah”, “Angel Interceptor” and “Kung Fu” are some of favourites. All were perfect for my teenage angst, lust and confusion. Solid 5 for this one.
5
Feb 14 2025
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Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
Not everyone loves Jimi, but I do, and this was the first album I heard. I’m always awed by his magic fingers and that unmistakable tone, after all tone is in the fingers. The blues, the rock, the riffs, all great. The influence he still has to this day makes not only this album, but his collective work that much more impressive. This unforgettable experience can’t be mistaken for anything less than a 5.
5
Feb 17 2025
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Pyromania
Def Leppard
Not their best album, but still a solid rock record. The poor reviews here are based on ignorance and poor judgement. Rick Allen didn’t lose his arm until December 1984, more than a year later than this was released. Coincidentally coming back stronger in 1987 with Hysteria. This album has been on lists of greatest heavy metal albums. It was a breakthrough for not only the band but for Metal. It’s enjoyable and easy going Metal, with energy and power. I go with a 4 because it’s not their best album for me.
4
Feb 18 2025
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My Generation
The Who
I said it on the last review of a The Who album, I'm not a fan of The Who. The last one was a live recording, that was a big no. This is better, although the link sent me to the mono version so I switched it to the stereo version (which wasn't massively better). I liked "I Don't Mind, "Please, Please, Please" and "I'm A Man", but that's probably because of the blues element. "My Generation" is a classic and has been covered by many bands. It's a good debut, some classic sounds and some of the songs appealed to me. Not overly bothered by it though, not significant enough.
3
Feb 19 2025
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Aqualung
Jethro Tull
A good classic hard rock album. The title track “Aqualung” appears in many of my playlists, always liked that song. Can’t say I loved all the tracks, but it’s musically ear opening. Bad reviews and poor ratings for some ignorant reasons. Definite 4.
4
Feb 20 2025
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Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
The birth of Heavy Metal. One of the most iconic, influential albums. Masterpiece! Nothing more to add, ignorance is the only route to less than 5 stars.
5
Feb 21 2025
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Back In Black
AC/DC
I'm not much of a fan of AC/DC, I don't really know why. I like their overall sound and will occasionally rock out with my amp on full playing "Hells Bells" and "Back In Black". Perhaps it's Brian Johnson's voice, it doesn't really appeal to me. Guitar riffs and solos are decent, but I just can't get past those vocals. Perhaps it's because it's the same feel/tempo all the way through. Sorry, middle of the road for me.
3