Feb 11 2025
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In Utero
Nirvana
Didn't particularly like Nirvana at the time (I'm sure I've heard the whole thing before), and I still don't. Not an album to listen to when you have a headache already, and honestly couldn't get through it. That said, i can see how it's something important - just not for me.
3
Feb 12 2025
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Murmur
R.E.M.
This is the sound of being 17. Around the time Green was released, it seemed like everyone in my year at my Scottish high school "discovered" R.E.M., and I played this and everything else in their catalogue at the time to death. "Document" is still my favourite of their albums, but "Murmur" is a cracking debut, kicking off with "Radio Free Europe".
It all went a bit downhill for me with them in the 90s (just as everyone else was getting into them), so I've probably not listened to this album in 35 years. Thanks for giving me an excuse to dust it off again and remember how good they were at the start.
4
Feb 13 2025
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If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
I have an old "Best of" on vinyl, but I don't think I've ever listened to an actual album of the Mama's and the Papa's (what's with the apostrophes by the way?). This is all firmly in classic territory - beautiful harmonies, some fabulous songwriting mixed with standards, but who would have guessed how many sexual shenanigans were going on behind the scenes with such a light, mainstream, radio-friendly sound?
3
Feb 17 2025
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Dummy
Portishead
3
Feb 19 2025
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Floodland
Sisters Of Mercy
More memories of being 15. The singles, "Dominion", "This Corrosion", and "Lucretia..." stand out as stone cold classics. The rest of it tends to fade into a goth-industrial sameness on a first full listen, but it's not bad. 15-yr-old me could've got into this if I hadn't been listening to metal and prog at the time...
3
Feb 20 2025
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Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
The first thought that came to mind when this album came up was "Oh crap...". I've lived almost 53 years without listening to a complete Steely Dan album, and now? Yeah, nope. It's still tedious wank that sets my teeth on edge, though the singles are at least a couple of higher points.
2
Feb 21 2025
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Take Me Apart
Kelela
Never heard of her. It's pretty enough, but I have no clue why it would end up on a list.
2