Nothing explains the scarcely believable journey this little pub band from Deptford went on than this album. Brothers in Arms isn't my favourite Dire Straits album (in fact I rank it fourth or fifth in their six album catalog), but the worldwide effect it had upon release in 1985 was truly special. Money for Nothing is the obvious standout, with that utterly unique opening riff and Sting's backing vocals (now THAT is a good story), but Walk of Life always puts a smile on my face also. It's a 5, but their 1978 debut album (also on this list) is, in my opinion, their best.

Rambling, overblown mush by a legend who should really have known better. "'Tis a Pity she was a Whore" and "I Can't Give Everything Away" are the only highlights, the rest is largely filler.

Live albums are always fun, and Sam Cooke was possibly one of the greatest singer showmen in history before his untimely death. "Bring it on home to me" is the highlight for me, gorgeous song. Enjoyed this one!

I think of the Libertines the way I think of “The Fratellis”. Do I love “Chelsea Dagger”? Yes. Does that make me want to listen to the rest of their back catalogue? No.

A classic album and for damn good reason. Stevie Wonder is one of those artists who is instantly recognisable and utterly unique. Really enjoyed this one!

Classic album, especially for fans of 80s synths and excess (like me!) standouts - Hold Back the Rain and Save a Prayer for me, deeper cuts than the usual Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf.

George Michael was once a candidate to replace Freddie Mercury as Queen's lead singer. If you haven't heard his version of "Somebody to Love" at the Freddie tribute concert in 1992, go right now. It's phenomenal. This isn't. Faith is a catchy tune...and that's about it.

Can appreciate the craft, but that voice is fucking annoying four tracks in.

An album I'd heard of (the cover art is pretty famous) but not listened to. Really enjoyed it for the most part - especially "Femme Fatale" and "Heroin", two great tracks. This is a great and for good reason.

I enjoyed this. I come and go on Bob Dylan, but there's more energy in this album than some of his other work, and it shows. I was skeptical at first, but ended up listening to the entire album without skipping a track. Solid four for me.

Yeah, reggae ain't for me. The occasional track works, but it isn't an album style thing for me.

The Beatles is my hot-take band. I don't get it. Never have, never will.

Nothing explains the scarcely believable journey this little pub band from Deptford went on than this album. Brothers in Arms isn't my favourite Dire Straits album (in fact I rank it fourth or fifth in their six album catalog), but the worldwide effect it had upon release in 1985 was truly special. Money for Nothing is the obvious standout, with that utterly unique opening riff and Sting's backing vocals (now THAT is a good story), but Walk of Life always puts a smile on my face also. It's a 5, but their 1978 debut album (also on this list) is, in my opinion, their best.

Everything just feels too long and too indulgent. Layla - great song for 2 minutes, drawn out to fuck for 4.

As possibly only Alex knows, Queen had such a hold over me from the age of 15 - 18, it bordered on obsession. At the time I preferred mainly Queen's later work - but time and maturity have drawn me back to the earlier albums. A Night at the Opera is an interesting "mid point" for Queen. The heavy, prog rock style of the first 3 albums is beginning to fade, replaced by the excess and pomp of opera, that became Queen's trademark. What results (and is even more refined in the follow up, A Day at the Races), is a truly special mix of styles, that I don't believe Queen ever got close to again. It's so excessive, so indulgent, but also so fresh, that they absolutely get away with it. My favourite songs on the album actually lean toward "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon," and "Seaside Rendezvous", purely because not a single artist aside from Queen could have pulled them off. You're My Best Friend, and Bohemian Rhapsody are deserved classics, and the rendition of God Save the Queen never gets old. This album is a solid, high four for me.

Not inherently offensive, but nothing special either, this album feels like a window to another time - and I’m sure, in that time, it was much more special. Now it just feels dated, despite the unique sound of “California Dreamin’” - which is all that saves it from a 2 star.

Revolver is the moment The Beatles stopped chasing the charts and started chasing their own artistic vision. It’s not just another pop album, it’s a psychedelic explosion, a turning point that redefined what music could be. With Revolver, The Beatles dove deep into studio experimentation, and emotional depth, and they mostly struck gold. Haunting strings of “Eleanor Rigby” to the dreamy harmonies of “Here, There and Everywhere”, and the guitar-driven swagger of “And Your Bird Can Sing”, this album is packed with highlights. But for me, the crown jewel is “For No One”, a track I’d argue is the most underrated in The Beatles’ entire catalogue. McCartney crafts a quiet heartbreak masterpiece—elegant, restrained, and devastating. “And in her eyes, you see nothing / No sign of love behind the tears” might be the coldest line he’s ever written. And that French horn solo? Pure melancholy. It’s a song that says more in two minutes than most breakup albums do in 40. Revolver is also where the band’s sonic curiosity truly took off. Zany instruments, backwards guitars, tape loops, Indian ragas—everything is on the table. Sometimes it gets weird, and sure, a couple of tracks might feel slightly out of touch, but that’s part of the charm. It's a band pushing themselves, and us, into strange and beautiful places. Out of their many classics, Revolver feels the most complete. Not because it’s flawless, but because it’s fearless.

Not my thing - but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate what's going on here - and appreciate it, I do.

Ignoring the fact Bono is a blow-hard, and certain aspects of U2 have aged like milk (the U2 iPod, that iTunes album debacle), you can't ignore that this album is something special. A bona-fide classic and for good reason, I'm not a U2 superfan (or even really a fan!) but I really enjoyed hearing some of the hits in album format.

This was great fun. I was already aware of CCR but even the deep cuts on the album were a great listen!

Popular opinion tells me this is some sort of exceptional album - I just don't see it. It's not offensive, but it's not that great either. Solid 2.

"Bound 2" is actually half decent and saves this from a lower score.

Similar to things like Count Basie, big band music, that we've had before, this is just a style and era of music that doesn't hit with me. I can appreciate the technical accomplishment and the cultural phenomenon of The Beach Boys, but this isn't it for me. Solid 2.

This isn’t a great MJ album, but there’s enough here for me to carry it to 3 stars. First two tracks crack on nicely, then it hits a lull, but the superb “She’s Out of my Life” saves it at the end. Looking forward to Bad and Thriller which are also on this list!

Meh? There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, but it just feels indulgent and overlong. Superstition is a classic yes, but to me Stevie Wonder is a “greatest hits” kind of guy.

Enjoyed this more than I thought it would. Some good tracks, and not as twee as The Beatles (for the most part). A solid 4 and something I’d likely return to.

It's not inherently offensive, but I don't see how it's on this list. I did not "need to hear this before I died". Solid enough, but nothing special. 2 from me.

I can appreciate the minimalism of this, and how fresh it would have sounded when new, but a few tracks in it all blends together and the vocals grate.

An incredible voice - it grabs you straight away and keeps your attention for the entire album. A high 3 for me.

Live albums have taken a while to click for me, but now they really do, thanks to albums like "Alchemy" (Dire Straits), and this is yet another one that really works for me. Cash is on fire here - laughing, joking with the audience, (Dark as the Dungeon has a great moment where he reminds the audience not to laugh as the performance is being recorded), and that voice is just...fun to listen to. I really enjoyed this. Solid 4.

This was rubbish. Blended together in a mediocre mush and at times felt like a Doors tribute band. 1 star.

Dreadful, over-long, over-blown shite.

Fun and enjoyable, and Kevin Rowland's voice is highly unique - in a good way. There's some great tracks on here, even aside from the 'famous one'. Jackie Wilson Said and Plan B are two highlights for me. It's a solid 3, not sure if I would return to it, but it was a satisfying ride.

Sounds like something Apple would have used in an iPod ad, or, PlayStation demo disc menu music. Fine, but not for me.

I enjoyed this. The drumming in particular (something I've appreciated more with age) is crisp, inventive, and utterly rapid half the time. It's, for me, a good album. Not really one I would revisit, but I had fun nonetheless.

This was just terrible.

This isn't something I'd conventionally listen to (outside the obvious hits - Clint Eastwood and 19-2000, my personal favourite) but this is just so fresh, so interesting, and takes you back to a simpler time where this would have just sounded so fucking futuristic and awesome. Solid 4. Might buy a copy!!

A very enjoyable listen. Not my favourite band, or sub-genre (or whatever you want to call it) but there's some good stuff on here. High 3 into low 4.