301
Albums Rated
2.9
Average Rating
28%
Complete
788 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950s
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Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Critic
Rater Style ?
31
5-Star Albums
35
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hot Shots II
The Beta Band
|
5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
|
Fifth Dimension
The Byrds
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
In Our Heads
Hot Chip
|
5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
|
Henry's Dream
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
|
Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk
|
5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
|
Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Spiritualized
|
5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
|
The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
|
5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
|
All Mod Cons
The Jam
|
5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
|
Sound Affects
The Jam
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bad
Michael Jackson
|
1 | 3.81 | -2.81 |
|
Master Of Puppets
Metallica
|
1 | 3.73 | -2.73 |
|
Highway to Hell
AC/DC
|
1 | 3.66 | -2.66 |
|
Van Halen
Van Halen
|
1 | 3.63 | -2.63 |
|
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
|
1 | 3.6 | -2.6 |
|
Machine Head
Deep Purple
|
1 | 3.59 | -2.59 |
|
The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
|
1 | 3.58 | -2.58 |
|
Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
|
1 | 3.55 | -2.55 |
|
Rio
Duran Duran
|
1 | 3.49 | -2.49 |
|
Dirt
Alice In Chains
|
1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.67 |
| Leonard Cohen | 3 | 4.67 |
| Neil Young | 2 | 5 |
| The Clash | 2 | 5 |
| The Jam | 2 | 5 |
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 4.25 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Megadeth | 2 | 1 |
| Deep Purple | 2 | 1 |
| Iron Maiden | 2 | 1 |
| Michael Jackson | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (31)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Sonic Youth
3/5
Noise but good noise, one of their really great albums but does lack the subtlety to make it really great.
1 likes
Cyndi Lauper
2/5
Very 80’s pop inoffensive plenty of hits lots of production not my taste but good enough
1 likes
1-Star Albums (35)
All Ratings
Boston
3/5
More than a feeling is a class track and the album was a pleasant surprise, not generally my thing but touches of the who always welcome, would listen again.
Bob Dylan
3/5
It’s Dylan, good but not one of my top favourites but mono paced lots of verbiage. Give me blonde on blonde, Nashville skyline or blood on the tracks.
George Harrison
5/5
Near flawless the best of the beatle solo albums, many stand out tracks.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Groove upon groove. Excellent musicians.
The Cars
2/5
A decent half of an album but fizzles in later stages but better than I was expecting.
The Temptations
2/5
Some interesting tracks, side one in particular but a lot of standard soul ballads, whist a minor step into psychedelic soul the balance of the album sounds pretty run of the mill.
Radiohead
5/5
Excellent. A contender as favourite Radiohead album, switches places with kid an and back again both excellent. Claustrophobic complex. I’m a reasonable man!
Talking Heads
3/5
Good. Not on a par with fear of music but take me to the river is a standout track. Feels like a transition to the more experimental albums which were to come.
Ravi Shankar
4/5
Great introduction to Indian music. 1957 - early introduction of Indian music into western popular culture no doubt influenced George Harrison. A great listen.
Faith No More
1/5
A struggle. Metal music has never really done it. Sheets of big sound like being repeatedly hit over the head. I’ll pass.
Nick Drake
4/5
Nick drake vocals and guitar sublime but the arrangements feel over-cooked it is a wonder to think what the songs would be like stripped back to just voice and guitar and a little bass & drums. Still the songs are strong.
Metallica
1/5
No!!! More metal, to my ears predictable but not completely meritless. Don’t think I’ll listen again though.
Prince
3/5
Consistent, quality song writing, good groove. Still sounds fresh and not dated.
American Music Club
3/5
No!!! More metal, to my ears predictable but not completely meritless. Don’t think I’ll listen again though.
Beastie Boys
1/5
The beasties I’ve never really got. I can see the concept rap/metal but it just doesn’t resonate very shouty not at all civil
Queen Latifah
4/5
A genuine revelation. Excellent album. Bit of a de la soul vibe. Really enjoyed and will listen again.
Christina Aguilera
4/5
Another revelation - strong songs, excellent voice, eclectic mix of styles, excellent production. Was not expecting to like but I really enjoyed. Will listen again.
Death In Vegas
3/5
Maybe a second listen required, interesting. Dylan-style vocal delivery. Kraftwerk if they took a wrong turn off the autobahn onto skid row, a sinister dark tinge. Interesting between a three and a four.
The Smashing Pumpkins
2/5
Overblown and predictable. The moment when the crunchy guitar will enter was always too obviously signposted. Some nice moments but ponderously paced, much prefer Siamese dream.
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
Challenging. Industrial. Experimental. Not an easy listen.
The Strokes
3/5
It has a buzz but no swagger, some great tracks, some great bass but it feels just too well mannered to live up fully to the hype.
The Smiths
5/5
I think the greatest of the smiths albums. A treat to listen to. It spills out the guitar tumbling and running soaring in echo of morrisey singing. Just a joy, practically flawless. Some albums are better than others.
Kate Bush
2/5
Kate Bush the music too wabbly. Music very 80’s synth sound dated, not for me, no joy.
The Black Keys
4/5
Enjoyed it immensely, a double album but if flew past soulful, bluesy, good rhythm great vocals solid tunes.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Not sure what to think. Two very good tracks, castles made of sand and bold as live, but a lot of it so loose it feels like song sketches which act as a backdrop for Hendrix to drape his guitar around and through. There a little lack of solidity. But I will listen again.
Blondie
4/5
Bubble-gum with spikes. Still sounds fabulous, the singles shimmer like pop perfection but all so effortlessly cool, the band the strokes wish they could have been.
The Pogues
4/5
A classic. Immediate but rewards detailed list, strong lyrics. A blend of folk with a punk sensibility. It is still a great lp and has not dated sound just as fresh.
The Byrds
3/5
Surprisingly good. Not an album I’ve previously rated, always too much country, but once you get past the twang there are some really strong tracks. Will listen again.
Adele
1/5
Surprisingly good. Not an album I’ve previously rated, always too much country, but once you get past the twang there are some really strong tracks. Will listen again.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Too mannered. To think this was the same year that revolver was released. This album sounds like trying to catch up with rubber soul, but the Beatles had already moved on. Two good tracked under my thumb and out of time which sound almost interchangeable. The stones got better than this but mostly at playing rock n roll.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
A good and easy listen though sounds somewhat dated in terms of the sound. A laid back Californian west coast sixteen vibe. The two singles are stand out tracks - Monday Monday and California dreaming. I think I owned a vinyl copy of this once.
Led Zeppelin
2/5
It is interesting. I can sense why the hype. Blues tinged. Good riffs. But for some reason it has never floated my boat. Maybe the high pitched singing, the music s good though s bit overblown at times.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
The elements are here that came to fruition brilliantly in damn but here it feels the subtlety and the pacing and the samples are not on the same level. This is good but not great.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Marvin’s divorce letter to his ex-wife. I think it was released to fund the divorce settlement. Interesting choice for inclusion on the list. The voice is in fine fettle, not quite what’s going on but still a strong album, a man nursing his grievance.
Arcade Fire
3/5
I’d forgotten how heavily this albums leans on talking heads, it’s a very good album though, songs flow past worth repeated listens.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
I know that is touted as a classic. I can appreciate the quality of the song writing but the mood and feel of the album has never grabbed me and the voice I don’t think delivers.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Find it difficult to get past the voice. I’m sure the song writing is good. There’s an early rock n roll tinge to some of the songs, and there are some strong tracks on the album - pump it up, I don’t want to go to chelsea, radio radio; but I doubt I’ll give it a second listen. The tracks don’t stray too far from a basic template, nothing grabs.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Not a bad track and some absolutely outstanding tracks - title track, Cecilia, boxer, the only living boy in New York. A joy and a pleasure to listen.
The Stooges
3/5
Not quite as good an album as I remember, some good tracks but some that sound like filler and amble. The good stuff is scuzzy rock n roll the less good is a bit without shape.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Not a stevie album I’ve heard and it’s from his golden period and as would be expected excellent, funk/soul, all heart but with edges.
Stan Getz
3/5
A bit of bossa a bit of samba. Sounds a bit dated but still sounds good. The sax playing is excellent. An enjoyable and easy listen but not one that will be regularly listened to.
XTC
3/5
An unusual record, hard to characterise, I will listen again, tuneful but eclectic, not what I was expecting more experimental in many ways, they were obviously a band not focussed on hits.
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Good album, strong songs, folky protest. The sadness is that all the issue she was singing about thirty years ago are just as pertinent and potent today. Will listen again.
Scott Walker
4/5
Lyrically and musically strong. In parts sweeping baccarach type tunes in others a bit more of an edge, ver accessible with that great baritone voice. Excellent.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Screeds of guitar noise which didn’t quite resonate. A single listen probably has not done it justice I think I need to listen again but it didn’t capture me though I feel there is more to it.
Jacques Brel
2/5
Enjoyable French live album, you can tell he was/is loved. I will not rush back to relisten but I appreciated quality songs and quality arrangements. Album includes the track Amsterdam.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Can’t argue it is the Led Zep album, every track is strong the sound of a band at the absolute top of their game, even stairway to heaven!
Waylon Jennings
3/5
Unexpectedly good. A true country album, unapologetic but knowledgable grounded in drinking like a night out in Eccy. Really enjoyed will listen again.
Tom Waits
4/5
Eclectic. I gave it two listens and think to truly get to grips I will need to listen more. There are strong elements of beefheart on some tracks and of Dylan on others but also tracks which are very Tom waits. There is quite a bit of darkness but also depth. Challenging but rewarding.
4/5
A very good album. I can begin to appreciate, particularly after watching the series on 1971 quite how innovative and subversive Bowie was then and to a degree still is. Music has to a degree been tamed, maybe it’s all been said or has become more diffuse. This stands as one of peaks of a different vision music as a social statement and movement not just personal reflection.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
It is a slow album. Guitar threaded drums with brushes vocals intimate in style and confessional. It is dark and unleavened. Not an album to have on continual rotation but an interesting and important album in content and style.
Television
3/5
One of those albums which is held up as seminal, one of the greatest etc. I did use to own this as a vinyl album, I think because I thought I should. Whilst it’s a decent album, say it quietly, I never fully raved about it but always probably said the right things. I’ll listen again but it doesn’t make me swoon. It’s Kraftwerk done on guitars.
James Taylor
3/5
One of the classic 1970’s singer songwriters, folk/blues acoustic guitar. The blues elements seem included just because he can not from any great conviction. Great songs, great voice but for my money tapestry is the better album.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Laid back, good groove, at times a bit too noodly but some excellent tracks with good interplay between the band. Worth more listens.
Traffic
3/5
Released and sounding like that transition point between whimsical psychedelia - pink Floyd and the progression into harder and heavier rock music. It does sound a little dated but Steve winwood on guitar demonstrated why he is held in such high esteem.
Led Zeppelin
2/5
Yet more Zeppelin, to me no real progress, more clunky riff laden rock, songs not as strong as Led Zep IV. The sound of a band treading water.
Michael Jackson
1/5
Sugary, saccharin pop too much yelps vocals. Won’t get a second listen.
Herbie Hancock
3/5
Excellent album, coherent not overly Freeform has a groove and style worthy of repeated listening. I enjoyed.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Bit of a dirge, lacking depth, slow, some decent tracks but mostly monotonous.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
Enjoyed. Slightly overblown in parts, but it has that southern boogie feel, good but not quite as good as little feat, but I will listen again.
Dr. Dre
2/5
The music is very good, the lyrics pretty standard and tiresome, no innovation between n and b and mf. If anyone would stretch beyond diss would be a revelation.
Michael Jackson
2/5
Half decent album, some very good funky disco numbers, the slower tracks drag and are a bit too sweet. A better album than Bad
The Byrds
4/5
Excellent. The root source of jangled guitar Indy. Less strong when attempting to sound like the Beatles, peerless when sounding like the byrds.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
A dimly remembered album from the past but one which is not as good as I half remembered, done good tracks but some really standard rock and blues feel about it. Maybe I’m missing something I used to know?
Elliott Smith
4/5
Great songs, great voice, great guitar. An earlier Elliot Smith offering, all the elements are in place, a wonderful gift, strong songs, one for the collection though I think figure 8 a stronger album.
Suede
3/5
I enjoyed this way more than I anticipated. I’m not the greatest fan - too much of a Bowie tribute band but I was suprised by how good this album is. I will listen again. A 3 bordering a 4.
Megadeth
1/5
Metal, not too difficult a listen, some elements of melody buried within the bombast but not really to my taste.
4/5
Overblown, useless lyrics but such attitude and such killer tunes they do have a glory.
Venom
2/5
An oddity but maybe a step in metals evolution all pretty mono in texture and lyrics, part Motörhead but all devil worship. Not high pitched singing, not unlistenable but wouldn’t choose again.
Jamiroquai
2/5
Wannabe Stevie Wonder cardboard music, found little to stimulate, I’m sure the musicianship is first rate but there is no innovation.
The Notorious B.I.G.
1/5
More aggressive obscenity laced rap, I miss the point, not a thing of beauty.
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
Ok. Nothing stood out, sought of washed over me, will give a second listen sometime sort of generalist rock leaning Indy.
Dire Straits
2/5
Not a bad album, but never to my taste, does sound very dated notably the production, some stand-out tracks but it won’t get a place in the collection.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
Very interesting, I’ve never heard before. Eclectic, different edges of dissonance but worthy of ongoing consideration.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Sound like productions rather than songs. Highly polished 80’s style production. Pass.
Def Leppard
1/5
1980’s Rock, big guitars, layered chorus, strained vocal continued in the footsteps as zeppelin but not as good.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
Peerless, one of the great albums, flawless.
Al Green
4/5
Another hit, what a voice, solid tracks high standard. Let stay together is such a good track.
Steve Winwood
1/5
Bland 80’s genesis style offering weak voice what’s to like?
Johnny Cash
4/5
One of the greatest live recordings ever, it fizzes with vitality and just fantastic tunes with a backdrop of over a thousand inmates. Hard to beat.
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
Stoner music. Not inoffensive, but nothing special it passes by easily enough but doesn’t advance anything
The Isley Brothers
4/5
Fantastic a slab of fabulous soul and a side order of funk. Almost on a par with Marvin Gaye. Really enjoyed.
Public Enemy
3/5
Maybe their second best the first album is what I’d rate higher, but this ain’t at all bad.
Femi Kuti
3/5
Afro beat, smooth an easy listen nothing angular
N.W.A.
2/5
The start of gangsta rap? Sounds pretty tame compared to what has come subsequently. Still fail to see how this style was launched and gained traction. I’m more the target audience. Some half decent tracks.,
Johnny Cash
4/5
A great album, the last gasp from the master a few of the tracks miss such as bridge over troubled water but a solid album with some stella tracks.
N.E.R.D
3/5
A real surprise. I was expecting a rap album - more bad me. An excellent rock based album. I will listen to this again.
The Boo Radleys
4/5
What a joy. I had genuinely forgotten about the Boo Radleys, this is nearly as good as wake up boo a fabulous flab of pop/rock solid tunes great vocals.
3/5
Never heard before. A good album though by 1969 it might have been expected that their sound would have evolved, it still sounds like classic mid 60’s kinks, it’s good but no white album.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
Enjoyed listening to this album a blend of electronic pop with elements of left field talking heads underpinnings, potentially worth further listens a 2/3 but I’ll give a 3.
The White Stripes
4/5
Excellent. Strong song writing, direct tunes, great voice. Enjoyed immensely.
Jurassic 5
2/5
Rap, slightly softer than gangsta rap but nothing that grabbed my attention as being stunningly different.
Kid Rock
1/5
Cock rock with rap. I’ll never listen again.
John Lee Hooker
2/5
A later album and the production is just that bit too polished compared to the early albums which have grit and bite. This is more Clapton than Chicago blues.
Brian Wilson
3/5
Quite disparate, sounds fragmented, the sounds of a genius trying to wrestle with a mind fragmenting united by strong harmonies but lacking the cohesion of pet sounds.
The xx
4/5
Very good album. Laid back vibe stripped back good vocals. Hypnotic. It’s a 3/4 but will give a 4
Steely Dan
2/5
Yacht rock. There are one or two reasonable tracks but overall the album would not be one which I would gravitate to, but too smooth and over produced.
Culture Club
2/5
Pop confection very over produced, a lot of half formed so so tracks but some good songs particularly the hits. Lot of filler!
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Staggeringly beautiful the last opus of a dying man light and shade wonderful poetry love and loss and death. It gets no better than this.
Neil Young
5/5
A classic. Acoustic tinged with a dark edge, fantastic songs, a triumph.
Elvis Costello
4/5
Impressive debut album the first EC album I can truly say that I have enjoyed will be listening again.
Kanye West
2/5
Ok. I can see why it is rated it still feels innovative in use of samples and the music but the lyrical content is same old.
3/5
Quality soul in the vein of what’s going on, the influences are shot thru but doesn’t quite match the imperiousness of Marvin.
Tricky
4/5
Album starts blistering early tracks monumental but it weakens as it progresses, inconsistent, good but not brilliant.
B.B. King
3/5
Good album, the depth of appreciation and knowledge of the audience is palpable, the blues was/is a popular music and this album captures that popularity.
Charles Mingus
3/5
Good, a Spanish influence not dissimilar though not as extensive as sketches of Spain. A good blend of bebop and experimental elements.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Sublime, early Leonard, simple arrangements gravel voice poetry.
Robert Wyatt
4/5
An unexpected treasure, brutally honest with insights into his domestic situation a beautiful humanity. A voice which needs to be heard.,
Iron Butterfly
1/5
Very very dated. Extended hippy trip outs over long tracks, singing not the greatest.
Miles Davis
2/5
Experimental, electronic Freeform pieces put together often linked with sizzle of hi-hat.
Hole
2/5
Grunge, good attitude good feminist themes, voice weak and the music a little grunge by numbers.
Hot Chip
5/5
Brilliant, synth pop as it’s meant to be, one of my favourite albums.
Bob Dylan
5/5
One of my absolute favourite Dylan albums, firing on all cylinders on this one. Electric, tunes that don’t outstay their welcome, sharp lyrics.
ABBA
2/5
Very ABBA but also very 1980’s, production tipped from sparking into over production 80’s synth heavy and drum machines, it ain’t Kraftwerk and it doesn’t sound like peak ABBA
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Band jazz, not experimental but very good. Walking bass lines, big brass. Sounds like the fifties.
Fugees
2/5
Pretty bland rap.
Queen
3/5
Very listenable, slightly bombastic but some very good tracks worth a second listen.
Silver Jews
4/5
Excellent, I really enjoyed once I’d acclimatised myself to the vocals this album sung and resonated deeply within me.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
Sounds flat footed and monotone no real excitement or buzz about it all.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Good album. It was clear with this album that they were onto something it did sound different and spawned a whole genre. Ozzys vocals were excellent strong tunes lyrics a bit daft.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
Not as good as Damn but I don’t think anything he has done is as good as damn some choice bits some experimentation but same old same old lyrics, profane but without innovation.
Jane's Addiction
2/5
An album to which I was somewhat indifferent, nothing really stood out as being particularly noteworthy. Uncertain on what the point of this album is.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
1/5
Very sub optimal 1970 ‘s rock nothing sparks nothing new, not sure why it merits inclusion. Not glam, not pub rock, cardboard music.
Van Halen
1/5
Hair Rock
Pink Floyd
5/5
One of the all time greats. Melancholic, many layered, genre defining, a really fabulous album think it merits top status.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
Ok hardish blues, extended work outs, very 1960’s but listenable would probably listen again.
AC/DC
1/5
Fast paced riff laden laddish metal rock not unlistenable but then why would I not really my thing.
Massive Attack
4/5
Very good, not their best but still excellent. Horace Andy and Tricky support the vocals, musically excellent.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Classic Leonard, amongst his best. Strong songs great tunes. A winner.
Aerosmith
1/5
Nope. Not my thing. Bombastic rock
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Listenable. Majoring in can you dig it. Aside from that nothing really stood out but nothing offensive either.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
Good. Public Enemy style rap, socially engaged righteously angry.
The Byrds
5/5
Probably the byrds best. Venturing into psychedelic pop it sounds ground breaking an equivalent to revolver, maybe even pushing the envelope further.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
A good early 60’s pop record. Great voice. Good selection of songs. Well worth a listen.
Megadeth
1/5
No!
Black Sabbath
2/5
Good Sabbath album. Mix of heavy blues, hard rock and heavy metal. Good but no obvious standouts.
The Beta Band
5/5
A standout album. Strong songs good groove, excellent.
Radiohead
4/5
First real quality Radiohead album, the bends a standout track.
Ride
3/5
Showgazing classic. Very redolent of a very particular time.
Pearl Jam
2/5
Sounds dated. Voice never really warmed to. Overblown grunge, closer to rock than grunge.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
To my ears it has not aged brilliantly it would in the past have been a go to album but not it sounded jaded.
Randy Newman
3/5
Great songs, great songwriting, trade mark delivery.
Meat Loaf
2/5
Pomp rock, well produced strong songs overblown for my tastes.
Gorillaz
4/5
Very good. Damien Albarn’s spin off band. Versed eclectic will benefit from repeated listens.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
Strokes wannabes, very proficient, catchy but nothing original.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Classic Marvin but much smoother than what’s going on and without the edge and bite good but not world beating.
Barry Adamson
3/5
Eclectic. Never heard of before, part experimental, drifts from styles, not really coherent. Worth a second listen.
The Clash
5/5
Simply brilliant. The best ‘punk’ album.
Stereolab
3/5
Propulsive electronic updating on Kraftwerk. Worth more listens.
The The
2/5
1980s big production pop sneery delivery, very south east. Won’t revisit
4/5
Excellent album of the controversial Judas live concert. He could really play live and the quality is excellent.
Duran Duran
1/5
1980’s yacht rock two singles and a lot of filler!
Mike Oldfield
3/5
Good, viv stashall speaking listenened a lot during gcse studies.
JAY Z
2/5
Deep Purple
1/5
Overblown. Long heavy blues. Nothing particularly innovative.
Gram Parsons
3/5
Good. Very country tinged but strong songs and well put together.
The Human League
3/5
Good album. Good songs of its time but the songwriting does shine thru very little filler.
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Interesting album. Eclectic mix of Latin, Beatles, folky roots, feels lie a path breaker.
Patti Smith
3/5
It’s ok, but not quite the missing link or bridge to punk but maybe new wave. Draws heavily from the first Velvets album without pushing the envelope.
White Denim
3/5
Enjoyed the album, not one I’ve heard before good mixture of melody and harder rock edges would listen again.
10cc
1/5
Whimsical, bit pointless, studio album using as many as effect as possible tempo changes key changes but all for the sake of it lacks purpose and direction. Forget it.
David Bowie
4/5
Excellent. But dark. He is clearly dying and is close to the exit. That permeates the album but in neither a maudlin or defiant way. Stoical. Appreciative, yet tinged with sadness but no regret. A challenging listen.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Fantastic album, soulful fantastic songs what a voice. A must lsten.
The Police
2/5
Not inoffensive, not brilliant. Bits of hey day reggae bits of talking head influence attempts at left field. All pretty bland.
Beach House
2/5
An ok album. Nothing jumped out and made me think that it is a classic. I shall listen to it again to see if me view changes.
Alice In Chains
1/5
Grunge by numbers. Not getting any innovation, lacks distinctiveness or flavour. Could be pearl jam
Big Star
3/5
Enigmatic sparse darker, covers. Interesting, experimental. Worth another listen.
Willie Nelson
2/5
Middle of the road, no edge no grit no offence
Muddy Waters
4/5
Fabulous album. Filled with energy, it’s the blues but good detail a true craftsman. A keeper.
k.d. lang
3/5
Rockabilly country and western good songs well sung worth a second listen.
Violent Femmes
4/5
Blast from the past. Still as good and as fresh.
Funkadelic
3/5
Very good, early funkadelic, not too bootsy an early funk classic.
Iron Maiden
1/5
Hmm won’t listen again but reasonably raw
Ghostface Killah
2/5
Rap. Interesting. Some good backing tracks, lyrics pretty much of a much.
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
Good. More progressive times, angry but clear on political stance, if it’s time but also still resonates.
Lauryn Hill
2/5
Ok but tracks samey. Didn’t really hit home.
New York Dolls
2/5
Not quite the missing link more glam and rock than the immediacy of punk, vocals closer to punk.
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
A record I used to own. It’s reasonable a bit mono paced not ground breaking but I shall listen again.
PJ Harvey
3/5
Strongly influenced by the dynamics of the pixies but not hitting the spot to the same degree. Good but not brilliant.
The Cure
3/5
Later Cure, good. Bit of variety and interest enjoyed.
Garbage
2/5
An attempt to add in dashes of metal box pil to the grunge mix listenable but not earth shattering
The Youngbloods
2/5
Good. Mixture of late 60’s pop and jazz noodle. Very much of its time but well worth a listen.
Dolly Parton
2/5
Very traditional C&W. Good songs good voice, never really my thing though.
Kelela
2/5
RnB south London soul too smooth to my tastes never loved it always associate with Sam c.
2Pac
1/5
YaDiYaDiYa-rap. Same old same old. Stale. It’s a no.
Happy Mondays
2/5
Very ploddy, crap lyrics, not sure why at the time this seemed like such a great album, not aged well.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Noise but good noise, one of their really great albums but does lack the subtlety to make it really great.
Dirty Projectors
4/5
Excellent album, varied with interest, a winner.
Cyndi Lauper
2/5
Very 80’s pop inoffensive plenty of hits lots of production not my taste but good enough
The Cure
2/5
Loads of echoey chorus guitar effect slathered over virtually every track. Bit bloated.
Eagles
1/5
Californian ezy-rock my least favourite musical form!
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
Thoughtful, atmospheric good lyrics surprisingly worth a listen and maybe a second listen too.
Eminem
2/5
Humorous lyrics, some self deprecating, backing tracks pretty mundane.
R.E.M.
5/5
Sublime. The best REM
Kraftwerk
5/5
Genius. Pure genius
The Undertones
4/5
Fast furious fun, clever punk. Excellent.
The Clash
5/5
A shot of adrenaline one of the greatest pure punk albums which went up briefly like a rocket. So fast and such attitude.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
Good. Traces of PIL. Enjoyable. Would listen again.
3/5
Interesting. It sounds like an attempt to sound like Radiohead which is no bad thing, sort of lacked a bit of depth.
Bauhaus
1/5
Pseudo PIL metal box. Poor imitation not great.
Elvis Presley
3/5
What’s not to like a lot elvis, good tracks what a voice solid if not quite up to the early 50s
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Excellent. Peerless.
Love
1/5
Not a patch on Forever Changes. Dated, noodly, not a winner.
Wilco
4/5
Excellent album. A band whose music didn’t fully engage me at the time, but this is a really good album. Pavement - esque.
Adam & The Ants
1/5
What a lot of filler
New Order
3/5
Good but not great, enjoyable album but lacks sufficient variety to soar.
The Streets
4/5
Still sounds sharp, funny, lively. Good album
The Police
2/5
Ok but bland and dated
Muddy Waters
3/5
Good document of a past era, the gentleman blues artist. Enjoyed.
Blue Cheer
2/5
Cited as the wellspring of heavy metal, a trio, thumping drums very similar in approach to Cream. Interesting artefact.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
How to place thin Lizzy. Rock, fast, great voice tunes that bounce pinkish heavy ish good.
Tom Waits
3/5
Tom waits quality, will need a re-listen. Less immediate than other of his albums.
Slade
2/5
Bar room blues sped up. Noddys got a great voice but little innovation good retreads poor man’s zep poor man’s Beatles.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
Very very country. Too much for my taste but not without merit.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Gods hift
Pere Ubu
3/5
Good, interesting, will need more listens to fully appreciate but I can sense the significance of this record as a future influence.
The Shamen
2/5
Very 90’s baggy house influenced not brilliant not offensive
Frank Zappa
2/5
Very noodly, no doubt brilliant guitarist but somewhat overkill. Prefer the captain.
Oasis
4/5
Definitely marvellous
Nick Drake
5/5
Fabulous. Better than five leaves left and bryter later. The best but the most challenging.
Les Rythmes Digitales
1/5
Nothing too interesting, quite standard house music plus vocals. Didn’t grab.
Beatles
5/5
Peerless.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Not his best. A few flashes of brilliance but not peak.
1/5
A tough listen, pops sqwarks, arhtyhmn, I’m missing something.
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
Enjoyable still sounds fresh, good blend good music.
Ian Dury
2/5
Not as good as I was expecting. Maybe speaks to a moment. Maybe I should register. Maybe.
The Jam
5/5
Peak performance Jam.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Enjoyable. Early 60s jazz bebop?
Pink Floyd
4/5
Enjoyable. It is good Floyd. It’s a 3-4 but I think shine on tips the scales in its favour such a good track
Can
4/5
Kraut Rock excellence!
Sisters Of Mercy
1/5
Not sure what the point of this music is or where it sits in anything to do with rock history. Pointless. Don’t think it adds anything to anything.
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
Sounds a little dated but I can sense that at the time this was a ground breaking cross over, it’s listenable but it ain’t public enemy.
Foo Fighters
3/5
Good but I never think that they got near to Nirvana levels of brilliance more grunge light.
Neu!
4/5
Very good though strays into noodle at times. The motorik beat is flawless a 3/4 but will be generous.
The Verve
3/5
Ok but not a classic. The stand out track history is not quite as good as I remember though it got me through a break-up.
Iron Maiden
1/5
Skilful but it’s metal
The Auteurs
3/5
Enjoyed. Only criticism is that it is a little mono paced.
Deep Purple
1/5
Skilful but just imitative of Led Zep, nothing new nothing innovative but not offensive either.
Cat Stevens
2/5
Of its time, some excellent tracks but not as good as Tim Buckley or Niro young
Good stones style rock based rhythm and blues, hits the spot tight enjoyed
Os Mutantes
3/5
Quite bonkers. Quite brilliant, Brazilian 60s psychedelia.
Jean-Michel Jarre
2/5
Kraftwerk meets classical but pseudo!!
Bob Dylan
5/5
Fantastic. I think Dylan’s finest.
Fishbone
2/5
Not sure what this is about, hard to categorise Indy but no real charm or flavour.
Sabu
3/5
Excellent, 1950’s yet still sounds fresh could have been released at any time. Bit of a gem.
R.E.M.
4/5
A masterful album. Sure footed and a sign-post to future more commercial approach without losing the appeal that got them noticed. Excellent.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Good, raw rnb good guitar and jagger. Their first album.
Elbow
5/5
Majestic brilliant, simply one of the best albums ever.
Van Morrison
3/5
Van the man live in the 70s good Irish soul but a bit samey
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Very enjoyable, early acoustic album good voice good songs
King Crimson
1/5
Waffle. I used to own this and never listened and my opinion has not changed.
Gary Numan
1/5
Wannabe Kraftwerk without the Kraft or the insight, dull as a thud.
The Cure
2/5
Good very 80’s jangly goth light good listen but won’t be frequent
The Prodigy
2/5
Not really floating my boat not sure what it’s about maybe I’m missing something.
Nina Simone
4/5
Excellent bit of Nina Simone all good tracks very mid 60s feel but really listenable.
Coldplay
2/5
Ok if bland have never been a massive fan
Eminem
2/5
I can see the humour and defiance in amongst the bleakness it good at what it does but not an easy listen.
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
Not bad have never heard it before intriguing worth a second listen.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Really enjoyed will listen again.
Otis Redding
4/5
Fabulous what a voice what quality
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
Excellent desert blues. A known and good quantity
Ray Charles
4/5
Brilliant. 1950s excellence will add to collection.
Tom Waits
4/5
Excellent. Mid 1970’s live concert. Intimate funny strong songs. Inimitable.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
Absolutely brilliant, what a mood it captures. Brilliantly executed. A download!
Burning Spear
3/5
70’s political reggae well executed.
Neil Young
5/5
Just one of my favourites, dark. 1960’s hangover album.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Good 1960’s pop. Son of a Preacher man a stand out track. A bit of magic.
Yes
2/5
Prog! A couple of decent tracks - all the people. Not my cuppa.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
Good though a lot of very same-y music.
David Bowie
3/5
The first of the Berlin trilogy of albums. Good not sure they break any new ground but well produced good songs.
Beatles
4/5
Take off time, still such a great sound. Urgent breath-taking. This showed the potential within. Just a great album.
Alanis Morissette
2/5
Angry, unhappy, negative not subtle, not my bag
Faust
4/5
Excellent stuff, some of krautrocks finest left field offerings, a big tick.
Paul Simon
4/5
Very good album. Strong songs, he’s a good songwriter worth listens.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
It’s dance music. Simplistic does what it says on the tin good at what it does but nothing much beyond delivering beats.
David Bowie
2/5
Histrionic Bowie. This is the stuff I never really got about him. Preferred the glam years.
The Jam
5/5
I think the best Jam album, but they hit a real winning streak through setting sons and sound effects. Simply excellent.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Good enough. Great voice, much written and whilst it’s very listenable I don’t think it is elevated into greatness.
Guns N' Roses
2/5
Better than expected some decent song writing but it’s still metal even if it’s metal lite.
Motörhead
3/5
Always partial to a bit of Motörhead. Distant cousins of Husker Du. Melodie’s buried beneath the onslaught. It’s very good but a bit one trick.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Excellent album, they had a sound and great song writing ability a solid album.
Gene Clark
3/5
Good album. Former Byrds member solo LP, country influenced with strong songs and arrangement. Will listen again.
Gene Clark
3/5
Second Gene Clarke album on the bounce. Equally good, similar style country but with an element of cool. Worth the listen.
Spiritualized
5/5
The battles with and highs associated with addiction challenging but with beauty. A record on regular rotation.
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
Laid back and fabulous Cuban beats a warm and smooth listen jazz inflected a form of perfection.
Big Black
2/5
Not quite sure where to place this? Industrial hardcore challenging outer edges of punk.
Radiohead
5/5
Quality Radiohead, at the time it took a few listens to get acquainted but once I did it revealed a truly great album.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Smooth great song writing great delivery great arrangements just a bit mono paced in terms of dynamics.
Soft Machine
2/5
Um. There may be something of significance but I’m not sure, something related to prog I think. Very noodly.
Steve Earle
1/5
Bit too country bit too western, won’t listen again.
Various Artists
4/5
Best Xmas album ever.
Green Day
3/5
Buzz saw guitars and great vocals, pleasantly good.
Massive Attack
4/5
Simply wonderful album, earliest trip hop, last track a bit of a duffer.
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
Excellent period samba. Good grooves. Will listen again
Little Richard
3/5
Sounds like the eruption and shock of the new, the explosion that was rock n roll - fast frenetic urgent teen, powerful stuff, not subtle.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Brilliant stuff. Nick Cave always skirts around the darkness but there is an ever waiting sense of salvation. This is really good stuff.
The Waterboys
3/5
Some stand out moments, covers of Van Morrison tune but a bit mono in its approach.
The Cardigans
3/5
Not a bad album, good songs bubbles along poppy slightly dated production.
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
Very 1970s very late period Beatles influence. Naval gazing.
Solange
2/5
South London soul type music, good at what it does but not me.
George Jones
1/5
Misery grim and misery too trad country for my tastes.