Jan 28 2025
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Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
This was fun. I initially gave it five stars but I think it was simply because it was my first time listening to a blues album and I was just enjoying the new sound more than anything. And I did really have a good time listening to it. However, it’s more of a background album for me. I kept thinking throughout my listen that this will be a really good album to cook to. Or to clean to. I don’t think I’d consciously listen to this album ever but I know I would definitely put it on when I’m in my own house as I do other things. As an introduction to blues music, it was a great place to start and has piqued my interest into exploring the genre even more. I’m glad I listened to it. I really enjoyed his version of I Can't Get No Satisfaction. Definitely worth a full listen through and a certified mood lifter.
4
Jan 29 2025
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Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
I was having a little laugh to myself at the thick Dublin accent coming through all the time. I keep forgetting they’re Irish. This was my first venture into Thin Lizzy. I obviously knew the big hit, “Boys Are Back In Town” but that was about the full scope of my Thin Lizzy knowledge. This was a good introduction to the band. I got to hear all the favourites, which were obviously selected by the band themselves as it was a live album. However, it was a live album and I was aware I was listening to a version of a song that was not the recorded version. Therefore, can I give a good review on certain songs if that was not the original version? I don’t know. Still, I had a great time listening to it. And I will definitely be investigating further into Thin Lizzy’s discography.
4
Jan 30 2025
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Blackstar
David Bowie
This is a swan song album and I feel like this impacts people’s opinion of the album itself. Listen, it was good. Amongst the tripe coming out in 2016 (although, I very much still enjoy said tripe in the summertime), this must have been seminal. And Bowie is an incredibly talented artist. However… is it the best Bowie album? No. It doesn’t hold up against the iconic Ziggy or Heroes, in my opinion. Bowie has always been experimental but I feel as though it was a little bit bland? I feel harsh. And, to be fair, I am only at the beginning of my Bowie journey. Maybe I will feel differently about the album as I go through the rest of his work but having said that, I don’t want my opinion to be warped due to sentimentality. I can’t see myself choosing to put this on again, although that may change. For now, I’m leaving it at a three.
3
Jan 31 2025
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
Yeah. Yeah. Basic. I know. But it’s fucking good. This is most likely the Beatles most experimental album and I love a good experimental album - when it’s done well. Which this is. It’s not dreary, it’s not depressing, it’s not scratching deep into the surface of society’s underlying problems; it’s whimsy, it’s optimism, it’s a sense of childlike wonder. It’s fun embodied into a sound. The opening and closing tracks on the album create a concept, a story almost, that transports you into a little dive bar somewhere in the 1960’s, or a small theatre somewhere in London, watching a stage show, or an old living room watching a box TV with an awful carpet wearing pink tights. It gets into your head. The psychedelic atmosphere it creates at times scratches my brain just right. This is my first full-listen of a Beatles album and I have to say, there is a reason why people laud them as the influential band, because of albums like this. It’s art, in music form. It’s story-telling. It’s fucking great.
5
Feb 01 2025
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Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
OK? That was really my overriding thought listening to this album; one of the only thoughts I had, actually. I mean, it’s alright. It was what it was. But I instantly forgot it as soon as I listened to it. To summarise, it’s the kind of album you’d see someone’s dad clicking their fingers to and saying “I remember when I was a lad…” and that’s just not my thing. And I love 70’s music. It didn't even have Dirty Work on it, so I couldn't even have my Tony Soprano moment when I listened to it in the car, which left me infinitely more disappointed than I already was with this album.
1
Feb 02 2025
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All Mod Cons
The Jam
The most I can say about this album is that it was OK. It’s the definition of an “alright” album. The album has an undeniably 70’s feel but it’s the “smooth radio” kind of 70’s that I’m not really a fan of. The kind of music that no drugs were involved in the making off and it lacks that “cocaine-indused-sound” that I love, like Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd. It felt more like a post-punk 80’s album at times, falling flat on itself. There was nothing remarkable about this album, it was just music. I’m glad I can say I have listened to the Jam now, as it's a band that always caught my eye, but I’m not overly interested in exploring them further at this time. It’s very dad-clicking-fingers music.
2
Feb 03 2025
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Rattlesnakes
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
This album was a little more solid than the last few I got, so I enjoyed it more but I also don't know if that has made me too forgiving towards it. It has an almost whimsigoth feel about it, which I don’t ordinarily like but it worked for this album. It has a more timeless feel to it, it sounds as though it can be from any time between the 70’s and 90’s. However, despite a great start to the album, the second half falls a bit flat for me. It becomes a bit bland and ventures a little too far into what I call “dad rock”. It sounds a bit like Mazzy Star but lacks that sort of witchy feel I like. But, I would be willing to give it another try if the fancy took me because the first half is pretty great.
3
Feb 04 2025
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Guero
Beck
I originally gave it three stars but after a few more listens to a few more songs, I’m going to bump it up to four. I have a soft spot for early 2000’s indie rock. There’s something lightweight about it, like a sugary snack. I had only heard Loser before by Beck but I’m glad I listened to this. There’s quite a few songs on here that I really liked, especially E-Pro, the starting track; meaning the album gets off to a great start and manages to hold that momentum throughout the record. It manages not to sound too dated like most early 2000’s music does. It’s quite experimental at times, I didn’t expect the the electronic sound that some of the tracks have, such as Que Ondo Guero, which is a song that definitely grew on me. However, at times it has a blend together kind of sound, with some songs sounding very similar and I was ready for the album to be over about 40 to 45 minutes into the album. But overall, there were some bangers here that kept it at a four.
4
Feb 05 2025
View Album
Very
Pet Shop Boys
This would be a great 80’s pop album if it wasn’t a 90’s album. And the start of the 90’s, especially pop music, was struggling to find its own identity and this album is a staple example of that. It’s an album that is very reminiscent of the 80’s with that early 90’s pop influence that was trying very hard not to be Depeche Mode. I love 80’s campy pop and I wish the album had leaned a little further into that. The songs that did try to capture that sound sounded a little too campy for me. I mean, up the LGBT obviously; this is the album I believe coincided with the singer coming out, which is great. The highs were high but the lows were ultimately “meh”. There were some forgettable tracks on the album but it had a good finishing track. Overall, it was alright but I’m not sure I’d listen to it again as a whole.
3
Feb 06 2025
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I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
This is such a good album. I’m surprised it took me so long to listen to Sinead O’Connor, I had never even listened to the whole of Nothing Compares 2 U before. It’s very haunting at times and has the sensation that you are reading a very personal, passionate letter that someone had written to someone who had hurt them; raw and intimate. On display are some beautiful vocals and striking lyrics, it feels quite spiritual to me sometimes. The final track, which is the title track, is gorgeous and moving. It’s a little bit whimsigoth but not overbearingly so and it sounds like Ireland, bringing with visions of beautiful Irish landscapes. If Ireland has a voice, it would sound like Sinead O’Connor.
4
Feb 07 2025
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Scum
Napalm Death
I literally don't have anything to say apart from the fact I was offended by the idea I had to hear this before I died. If I could give it less than one, I would.
1
Feb 08 2025
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Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Reggae definitely has its place in the world but maybe just not in mine. Not to say I would have any strong feelings against this playing in any place I found myself in but I also think that's the most I can say about it; that it's decent background music. Bob Marley Is obviously a very important artist and for that reason, I'm glad he exists for those who are a fan. This album features some important political insights about the state of Jamiaca at the time but unfortunately my own ignorance on the topic stopped me from appreciating it fully. A lot of the songs sounded similar and the album became monotonous after a while. Not to mention, it was difficult to separate the stereotype from the sound. I kept imagining Jeremy’s bedroom from Peep Show. I don't think I would intentionally listen to it again but I wouldn't be opposed if someone else put it on, I guess.
2
Feb 09 2025
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Inspiration Information
Shuggie Otis
This is a funk, soul and early R&B album rolled into one, with a lot of different sounds coming through here. I enjoyed it, it was good smooth listening that didn't become too tedious to listen to, like some albums like this can tend to do. Though, it did have a tendency to drag in places, it definitely could have been shorter, maybe shaved off a song or two. It's good, soothing background music if nothing else, sounding quite loungy at times, almost jazz inspired. I don't know if I would intentionally listen to it again, as it didn't do an awful lot for me but I would put it on whilst doing something in the background, I.e cooking. It's good Sunday morning music, which I quite like.
3
Feb 10 2025
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Coles Corner
Richard Hawley
Fuck off. I was listening to this and the whole time, I couldn't believe it wasn't over already. It was the longest 45 minutes of my life, it just kept going. I kept waiting for a fast paced song to crop up to liven the mood and it never arrived. Waters of my Time was fucking dreadful and reminded me of Beautiful Tonight by Eric Clapton; a song I also hate. It's so boring. It's too croony. I hate his voice, it's way too dated for my liking. I will never listen to this again. I was so tempted to stop this half way through, I hated it that much. I liked the last song but only because he didn't sing over it. Never again.
1
Feb 11 2025
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Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
I was a little underwhelmed with this one, I was expecting more from my first Rolling Stones album. It ventured a bit too close to country at times for my liking. And the vocals tended to be a bit shaky at times and made my wince. They went a bit too haywire on the Honky Tonk piano for me throughout the record which I ordinarily don't mind but it went a bit too far this time. I mean, I literally have nothing to say about it other than it was what it was; and what it was was just OK. Still though, I'd be willing to give the Stones another chance. At this moment in time, I still think the superior Stones are the Roses.
2
Feb 12 2025
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The Yes Album
Yes
Very originally named. I'll forgive it though. So, what I'm figuring out is that I like progressive rock and so I'll always be a bit biased when it comes to a prog rock album. This album has a fluid, timeless sound that doesn't feel tied to any particular decade but also, sounds unequivocally 70's too, which definitely isn't a complaint. There's some really good guitar riffs and a good mixing of melodies with decent transitions, which is always a plus. Is it the best prog rock I've ever heard? No, not really. And at times it does drag but I never really felt that the album was too long. It would be a good eclectic pick for a record collection and if I seen it for a good price second hand one day, I might pick it up but it would never be my first choice say over a Pink Floyd record. Overall, I don't have much to say about it other than it was good but not particularly life changing.
3
Feb 13 2025
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Rocks
Aerosmith
This is a classic 70's rock album; hard, fast and fun. What it lacks in substance, it makes up in vibes alone, it's just a great ride from start to finish. It features hard guitar, traditional thunderous drumming, glam rock vocals - what more do you want? It's undeniably Aerosmith; and album that sounds like big hair, tight leather trousers and cheap beer. It transports you back to somewhere on the road in 1976. There isn't much more to say, really. It's not perfect but nor does it have to be. Though I will say, as much as I remember having fun listening to it, I don't remember any of the songs so...
3
Feb 14 2025
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Truth
Jeff Beck
This album was actually a pleasant surprise because I didn’t think I would like it much at all. It has that late 60’s/early 70’s charm to it, creating a great, easy going vibe that I enjoyed. It’s folksy, smooth and polished without sounding over produced, with hints of psychedelic rock woven throughout. It had some great guitar riffs, there is clearly a lot of skill that went into this album. I thought the vocals seemed familiar at times with scratchy, rustic sounds and it turns out… Rod Stewart. I'm not a huge fan of him and it took me out of it a bit when I realised but I can’t hold it against the album. The Greensleeves cover was interesting, apparently a popular song to cover on the guitar but I had never heard it covered before; and I don’t think this album was a bad way to be introduced. I wouldn’t buy the vinyl new but if I saw it for a good price second hand, I’d consider it.
3
Feb 15 2025
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Station To Station
David Bowie
I think I am really starting to love David Bowie, there are so little artists out there like him. He has such a unique, original sound that, whilst often imitated (looking at you, Alex Turner) is never quite replicated. There is a very good mix of instruments and sounds throughout this album and it's the almost perfect length. It knew when to bow out before it became too tedious, for me at least. Yes, the songs are long but when done right, I don't mind that and I didn't mind it here. It features inventive, engaging lyrics with unique and striking vocals - all you'd expect from a Bowie album. I still prefer Ziggy but this was exceptionally good too. It was experimental and bold; I would definitely listen again.
4
Feb 16 2025
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Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
Wow. This was actually really good. I always thought this band were a lot older than they were, I had heard of them before but I didn’t realise they had releases as soon as 2014. I was very pleasantly surprised by this record. It’s a fun indie album, reminding me of late-season Skins on Channel 4. It has a melancholy sound at times which creates beautiful melodies paired with decent vocals, with a good modern blend of sounds and genres. It kept my interest, despite the length (as usual, I thought one or two songs could have been stricken from the record but I don’t feel too strongly about it to mark it down) and I found it quite an easy album to listen to. The instrumental breaks, such as Haunting Idle, were really good too. It’s a very poignant album, very thoughtful and at times emotional. It reminds me why I love indie rock so much. I’d definitely listen to it again and I’ll be interested in hearing more from this band.
4
Feb 17 2025
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Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Well, he definitely rambles. This is a country album, although the haters will try to call it “American Folk” - call it what you like, it’s country. At first, I was going to be generous and say my dislike of this album was only down to a personal taste thing but you know what? No. Country music sucks. Why was bro screaming at me at times? Calm down, you’re only singing about a field. Yodelling at no one, just chill out, man. I still prefer this to modern country music but still, it’s country. Oh, don’t cross me because I have a gun. Oh, my baby is coming home or I’m coming home to my baby but I’m going to shoot her with my gun because she was being a whore and flashing her ankles at other men. I’m going out hunting with my gun. That’s what this album sounds like to me. And then the casual racism came in towards the end; no. This album sounds like the soundtrack of a bad movie. At one point, he just starts having a conversation with someone? It ain’t for me, man.
1
Feb 18 2025
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1984
Van Halen
I’m not ordinarily a fan of 80’s glam rock. The synthesiser should not belong in a rock song, I’m sorry. Some people manage to pull it off but most don’t. That being said, I think some people are overly dramatic about this album. Van Halen is dad rock at its finest and I thought it was listenable with some enjoyable tracks. It’s energized, fast-paced and loud; everything you’d expect from a standard rock album but sometimes, that’s to its detriment. It’s standard and bland. So, whilst I wasn’t totally against it, I also didn’t love it. Its a middle of the road, basic 80’s glam hair rock, nothing special for the time. Of course, the song Jump is featured and is great but the other tracks were somewhat forgettable. Apart from Hot for Teacher, for nefarious reasons. A song about borderline statutory rape? Must be the 80’s! The guy who just reviewed this album with “fuck off” was funny, though.
2
Feb 19 2025
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Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
At first listen, it was hard to make up my mind about this album. I didn’t hate it as venomously as other people seemed to hate it anyway, I knew that much. Eventually, I decided that I liked it; like it enough to give it four stars, even. I think what caught me off guard was this faux country/American folk cosplay the Stones seem to be guilty of at times, which maybe I would be more forgiving of if they were actually American and not from London. However, the songs that were good were really good. This record is wedged between two absolute belters of tunes, Gimme Shelter and You Can’t Always Get What You Want. Seminal Rolling Stones songs, absolute stompers. Some people seemed to think the rest of the album didn’t hold up but I quite liked the middle part. I really liked Let it Bleed and Midnight Rambler. I remember this album, unlike a lot of other albums on this list, which counts for something. It was a big improvement from the last Stones album I listened to but so far, The Stone Roses are still ahead in the Stone war.
4
Feb 20 2025
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Calenture
The Triffids
This shit ass, bro. Whilst I did think some people were blowing it way out of proportion with their hatred of it, that’s still not enough to save it. It’s bland, it’s boring, there is absolutely no substance to this album at all… All whilst the vocalist tries to convey some “deep and meaningful” lyrics, making the whole album sound like it’s trying too hard, like a sixth form student smoking weed for the same time, starting to cry and saying we are all the same in God’s eyes. There’s a massive stink of Chris de Burgh on this album, it’s very Christian Rock kind of vibes. Writing a song about a caveman on display in the museum must be one of the most lukewarm takes I’ve ever heard, the most cheesy fucking thing I’ve ever heard. Which just about sums this album up.
1
Feb 21 2025
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Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
This is a folk rock album that reminds me of the music my granny used to play on her radio when I was a child. I put it on as I was writing and whilst I didn’t pay as total attention as I could have done, I was aware of the vibe and the sound, which I enjoyed. It’s very easy going, very smooth and the perfect album to switch off to. It would be in my category for Sunday morning music. I can hear the Bob Dylan inspiration in the music, that yearning guitar and soft vocals creating a demure, smooth sound that’s easily digestible. It’s an understated album that doesn’t try to do too much. It didn’t wow me and I think, if I was doing nothing else but listening, I would have gotten bored with some songs but I won’t hold that against it. Not all the songs are hits but the ones that are hold up. I just wish there was a bit less Dylan involved because the fucker seems to be everywhere at the moment (as of 2025, thanks Timothee Chalamet), he is inescapable. There are some jazzy moments in here that I enjoyed, some slow and thought-provoking melodies that created a good atmosphere for my writing. I would give it another listen, which warrants it a three stars.
3
Feb 22 2025
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More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
This is a new wave 70’s album that starts off with an absolute banger. The first song, Thank You for Sending Me an Angel is an absolute tune, what a way to begin the album. It’s an incredibly danceable album, in keeping with that iconic Talking Heads sound. It’s energetic, vibrant and unique. The drumming felt more complex than any other Talking Heads song I’ve heard. The album sounds pristine and polished, Brian Eno did a great job at helping the band create a cohesive and clear sound that runs throughout the album. I particularly love David Byrne’s voice, it’s like nothing I’ve heard before. The flow between the songs felt clean. That being said, this is my first Talking Heads album and I’m hesitant at the moment to give it any more than a three when I know later albums have This Must Be The Place and Once in a Lifetime, which I’m excited to get to. It feels like I’d be jumping the gun a little too quickly. This could change and I could end up going back to this album and giving it a four star, which I originally wanted to give it but as I currently have no other Talking Heads album to compare it to, I’ll keep it at a three for now.
UPDATE: Decided to give it four after a further listen.
4
Feb 23 2025
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Modern Kosmology
Jane Weaver
This is a dreamy electronic pop album that feels reminiscent of a time a few years before its release. It reminds me of 2014 Tumblr and "grunge make up tutorials" that I used to watch in YouTube during my first year of uni. It reminds me of Channel 4 original dramas, which isn't a bad thing. I enjoyed this album. It was soft, melodic and subtle but has moments of great crescendo's that elevate the pacing. The vocals are quiet and understated for the most part and compliment the sweet instrumentals. It's a reflective, thoughtful record that is great for letting your mind drift. Not quite Sunday morning music but maybe Saturday evening with no plans music. The electronic feel gives it that modern charm but however it can tend to make some songs sound repetitive. It's not exactly an album that changed my life but I could see myself listening to it again.
4
Feb 24 2025
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Da Capo
Love
This is a psychedelic rock album that was very reminiscent of the 60's. You can tell there was a lot of acid involved in the making of this album anyway, put it that way. There is a lot of run through from one song to the next, a lot of singular guitar picking, subtle drumming but most prominently a lot of weird vocals. The final song? I don't know WHAT was happening there, if he was having a wank or something during recording, I don't know. I feel like this COULD have been good but it just fell short of the mark a little bit. I didn't bother finishing the whole last song because it fucking went on forever. They definitely could have scaled back on the drugs just a smidge. Nothing sounds cohesive and it gives the album the feeling of being a mess. I know psychedelic rock is meant to be experimental but there have been others that have done it better miles better than this. It just wasn't for me.
1
Feb 25 2025
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Heroes
David Bowie
This was a stereotypical Bowie album - experimental, unique, soulful and true to form. I didn't expect the album to have so much instrumental songs on the track list, which sounded quite ethereal. At times, it felt as though I was listening to an ambient album, especially with the third and second last tracks. It sounds Arabian inspired, I wonder if it was. Obviously Heroes is a stomper tune, one of his best. Beauty and the Beast was good too and I liked the piano motifs that tie the album together. However, I don't know if maybe I just wasn't in the mood for the sound this album gives but it just didn't do much for me, compared to his other stuff. I felt a bit restless half way through but again, I am a bit agitated today so maybe that's why. The album started out strong but kind of withered for me a little towards the end. Still though, it's David Bowie so even when he's not at his best, he's still pretty good.
3
Feb 26 2025
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Like Water For Chocolate
Common
This is an early 2000's hip hop album, which is actually the first rap album I got on my album generator, believe it or not. Admittedly, I was not very thrilled when I saw it because hip hop and rap are not exactly my forte. It's not that I don't like it, I just never reach for it and this album made me wonder why I don't. I'm figuring out that I love albums that are smooth and easy listening; albums that create a vibe and an atmosphere. This album definitely does that. I can see the concrete jungle of American metropolitan life, I can smell the bodega coffee, the steam from the subway, I can hear the distant sirens. It's a timeless record with great production and interesting commentary about life on the streets. Though, there is homophobic lyrics in there, some hints of misogyny in there... which sucks. Big time. You could make excuses such as the time this album was made but still, it's disappointing. Though, name me a rap album from this time that didn't use any of that language. I'm going to surprise myself and say this could be a four star album, I could see myself listening to this on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
4
Feb 27 2025
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Melodrama
Lorde
This is a pop album, a recent one at that. I knew of this album, I had heard a few songs before. I knew how well loved it was in specific circles. And listen, it was good. It was indeed a very melodramatic album in which Lorde is tired of being the "crazy girlfriend". It's an introspective album with a lot of self reflection and yearning. The lyrics were decent, if not a little dramatic (but I guess that's the point). It's definitely a "sad girl" album. But it's not life changing. I think I prefer the sound of Lorde's first album, the youthful innocence of it all. I fear that this album, in its attempt to be a mature departure from It's predecessor, fails to break out of It's juvenile sound. I feel like it could have leaned into it a little more and it would have been easier to digest. It's short and sweet, though and it's an easy listening. I still enjoyed it. There was a version of me a few years ago that would have LOVED this album but that just isn't me anymore. It's just a little vapid for me. And I don't particularly enjoy Jack Antonoff's production. Its usually a bit bland and similar every time. This could easily have been a Taylor album and I'd have never known the difference. Green Light and Supercut are bangers though so that pushes this album up to three stars.
3
Feb 28 2025
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Quiet Life
Japan
Fuck this album, bro. Everytime I thought it was over, it just kept going. Usually, I like new wave but this was just uninspired, boring and way too long. They butchered one of my favourite songs. This faux Asian inspired sound got old real fast. The lead singers hair pissed me the fuck off. I'm on my period so maybe that's why I'm being so harsh but I can't be bothered with this. I mean, I didn't hate it that much I suppose but I would never listen to it again. It gave me nothing. It wasn't even fun. It was just noise as I was doing my make up, I literally forgot the entire album after listening to it. I can't be bothered to remember anything about it tbh so I'm going to end this review here. Can't remember a favourite song. Not assed.
1
Mar 01 2025
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Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
Hell yeah. (No other noted needed, its Led Zepplin. What do you expect?)
4
Mar 02 2025
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Close To You
Carpenters
I think on any other day, this might be a four star but because I'm just not in the form today, I don't think I gave this album as fair a chance as I should have given it. Its a dreamy, romantic album that is easy to listen to and creates a soft, soothing atmosphere- for anyone else, at least. But my bad mood isn't the fault of The Carpenters. I didn't know they sang what I call The Simpson’s Song until I listened to this album, which I actually quite enjoyed. It's a simple album that's to the point and not too long, just under 40 minutes long. It is another album that falls into the category of Sunday morning listening and I feel like it's an album that can grow on me over time.
4
Mar 03 2025
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The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
He may be the boss but he's not MY boss. This was ass.
1
Mar 04 2025
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Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
Listen, I can't lie. I saw the length of this album and I'm not even going to try. There is absolutely no fucking call for that, I don't have TWO HOURS just to throw away like that. Sorry Outkast. Maybe next time.
1
Mar 05 2025
View Album
Doggystyle
Snoop Dogg
This was surprisingly enjoyable for me, considering rap and funk isn't a genre I'm particularly well versed in. It's positively leaking with that 90's inspired sound, with smooth rhythms, good beats and a laid back vibe. It's surprisingly easy to listen to
Snoop displays some great flows and there's a decent production on this album, one you learn to expect from a Dre produced album. That being said, the lyrics leave something to be admired. There's rampant misogyny that leaves a bad taste in my mouth and at times, it comes cringey and a little cheesy. I absolutely hated the opener to this album, it made my skin crawl but the rest of the album managed to pick it up when I thought it was already over. Gangsta rap was of its time though and if we were to penalise every 90s rap album for such flaws, none of them would score particularly high. We can only be grateful it's not half as bad anymore at times. Overall, worth a listen with some fun songs on here to bop along to.
3
Mar 06 2025
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Boy In Da Corner
Dizzee Rascal
2
Mar 07 2025
View Album
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
Yeah, its bar rock - and what's wrong with that? This was a surprisingly easy album to listen to and it was enjoyable. It reminded me of the Rolling Stones and actually, I preferred some tracks over the Stones, who tend to go a bit too ham on the piano for my taste sometimes. Now, that being said, was I blown away by it? Did it change my life? No, but I didn't need it to. I just needed it to be listenable, which it was. It was a fun way to spend 45ish minutes and it didn't feel too long, it didn't drag on the way some other albums on this list tend to do. It's background music, sure but it's decent background music. The high tempo songs are better than the slower paced ones for sure, though. I thought the slower songs were a bit too ballad-y for my liking. And fair play to them for releasing this album in a time where everyone was sounding like Simple Minds. I fucking hate Simple Minds.
3
Mar 08 2025
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In Utero
Nirvana
This is a 90s grunge album made by the godfathers of the genre and, in my opinion, its an album that still holds up today. It's a heavier and more unpolished album than it's predecessors and it gives it an undeniably edge that reels you in. The lyrics are devastatingly real and unforgiving, giving the album a raw feeling. The moody guitar and the heavy vocals create the shape of the album and although I'm not a fan of screamy vocals, I'm willing to see past it for this album. It's melancholy feel will stick with you long after this album has finished and solidifies why Nirvana has stuck through the passage of time and is still a favourite for many people. It's sad to think where the band could have gone if Cobain was still here but his memory is preserved in his music forever. A great listen.
4
Mar 09 2025
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To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
This is a middle 2010's rap album that is often regarded as one of the best of all time and whilst I'm not expert in the genre, I can certainly see why that is. Even I know the raw talent of Kendrick Lamar. It's a very powerful album and also a very personal one. You feel as though you're deep inside Kendrick's mind and soul as you traverse through this journey with him. The lyrics are top quality, his flow is positively lethal at times and not to mention his ability to story tell is unmatched. The jazz and funk influenced beats give a nod to the legends that came before him, especially those in the 90's - further backed up by the "interview" with 2Pac at the very end of the album, which I surprisingly loved. To completely re-vamp and overly saturated genre and still be doing it today is no easy feat and whether you like rap or not, you have to take your hat off to him for that. Often imitated, never duplicated.
4
Mar 10 2025
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Happy Sad
Tim Buckley
Meh. It was alright. It wasn't unlistenable (for the most part). But for a 45ish minute album, it DRAGGED. This feels like the kind of album an indie boy would put on if you went back to his gaff from the bar and he really wanted to impress you. Like bro, just put on Fleetwood Mac, be normal. It was just flat and boring. It felt like I was listening to the same song the entire album and his voice grated on me towards the end. It just kept... GOING. I feel like, even if I put this on as background music, I would still get bored of it. My brain switched off about five minutes in and yet I was painfully aware of the run-on sound the entire time, checking the time I had left to see when it would end. There is a definite winner on who is the more talented Buckley and I'm telling you - it's not Tim.
1
Mar 11 2025
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The Chronic
Dr. Dre
2
Mar 12 2025
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Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
Maxwell
I mean, it sure was smooth. Definitely, definitely smooth. And 100% 90's. I didn't hate it, I can at least put my hands on the table and say that. I enjoyed Maxwell's vocals, it's obviously a very sensual album created for one thing and one thing only and the smooth, funk beats are fun... for a while. And then you realise, for most of the album, it's the same. Over and over again. One song blends into another and I kept losing track of when one song ended and another began. This album could have done with shaving off about 15-20 minutes of run time and maybe I'd have forgiven it for that but it's an hour of the SAME SOUND. Listen, I get it. When you're getting down and dirty, you're hardly paying attention to the music you're playing and if there is one thing this album does it create a vibe. It transports you to some dimly lit lounge, half empty on a Tuesday evening. The imagery it creates is pretty powerful. But when you are listening to it at 9am on a Monday in your office job, it doesn't quite have the same effect. In fact, I started writing this review before it ended, thinking it would at least be over by time I type all of this but I'm still only half way through the second last song. The sax was fun, though.
2
Mar 13 2025
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Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
This was a fun time. I didn't expect it to go where it went. It's fast paced, iconic and timeless, one of those albums that transcends time and trends and can be enjoyed by anyone at any time. Its reasonably easy to digest, even though Janis Joplin's voice did start to grate on me at times but I appreciate the rawness of it and the talent. Truthfully, I had never listened to her before but it was interesting. She blows a lot of male rock and roll singers out of the park with a vocal talent like hers. Again, I felt it could have been about 15 minutes shorter but still, it wasn't monotonous so I'll forgive the length. Worth a listen for sure.
3
Mar 16 2025
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Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
People talk a lot of shit about Guns N' Roses but it's undeniable; love them or hate them, they're juggernauts of the genre. This is their debut album and what a debut album it is. I'm not a great lover of glam rock but this is just a riotous good time from start to finish. That guitar intro on Welcome to the Jungle is on a whole other level. Of course, with songs like Paradise City and Sweet Child O' Mine, this is a fully loaded album, chock full of hits. The opening and closing songs hold together a consistent sound that is both timeless and boisterous, a classic rock and roll album. There are songs on here that will always be a favourite.
4
Mar 17 2025
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Wild Gift
X
I can't give this a 1 because I save that for truly woeful albums I cannot stick but when I tell you this left absolutely NO impression on me... I didn't have a single thought of note during my listen of this. I'm not a fan of punk music, or pop punk, or whatever category of punk this falls into. I just find most of it to be vapid political takes that any 15 year old in sociology could come up with. Oh, the government is bad and we should "question everything?" Is the sky also blue? Anyway, I didn't even get myself to listen to this album close enough to hear if it had any of those lukewarm takes but I'm assuming it did. It wasn't difficult to listen to at the very least but it just made me feel meh more than anything. The guitar was repetitive, the off key vocals grated on me after a while... but it at least didn't give a strong urge to turn it off. I'll give it a safe 2, I think.
2
Mar 20 2025
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
I cannot seperate this from Austin Butler's God awful fake accent but to be fair, that's not the fault of this album. It was decent. Unbelievably, I had never listened to a full Elvis album and was only familiar with the hits. It was short and sweet, less than 30 minutes long with songs that were inoffensive and easy. I mean, it was the 50's. You're not going to get award winning lyrics or complex musical arrangements. It's just a shame that all the tracks were stolen off black artists with shed loads more talent and it'd hard to forget that when you listen to it. Little Richard owns Tutti Frutti, unfortunately for this album. But I can't be too mad at it. It's Elvis. It is what it is. I literally don't have any strong thoughts about any of this album. I don't dislike it enough to give it a 1 but nor did I like it enough to give it any higher than a 3, so a 3 it is.
3
Mar 21 2025
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The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
I really don't get the insane hatred for jazz music but then again, I'm sure some people feel the same way about my deep, firey resentment for country music or pop punk. This was a fine album, I like a bit of jazz on an evening on the weekend with some nice wine and a comfy sofa. And this album definitely fits the mould for that. That being said, I'm not an expert in jazz, I really just put it on for background music when I want something smooth and inoffensive to play whilst I chill, and that's really all I know jazz for. Background music. But this is quite nice background music by any accord, so I'll give it a 3.
3