Apr 15 2025
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Not my sort of music generally so feel I wouldn't do a review on this album justice.
3
Apr 16 2025
Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
I like Led Zeppelin but not that much. This was a good album but with too many songs some I felt were fillers.
3
Apr 17 2025
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
Great tunes and brilliant vocals but feel this work is a bit derivative.
3
Apr 18 2025
Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
This really surprised me, in a good way. I have never listened to this band before but found the opening track to me mindblowing. It lost one star just as the rest of the album, while great, didn't live up to the first tracks potential.
4
Apr 21 2025
If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
This was a great album with lots of great tracks but nothing that stood out as interesting or novel.
3
Apr 22 2025
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
I like Depeche Mode but never felt inspired enough to buy an album. This was wonderful but still would not buy it.
3
Apr 23 2025
Closer
Joy Division
I found this quite boring - I do like Joy Division but here I felt a lot of the songs sounded the same.
3
Apr 24 2025
Triangle
The Beau Brummels
This was a fantastic album - I felt like I was walking around San Francisco during the Summer of Love, thats how emotive it was. I thought it was innovative, though very much in the psychedelia genre.
4
Apr 25 2025
Hms Fable
Shack
This is a completely new band to me. Without research I would have said that they were from 2000 onwards. In fact they are a late UK 80s band. This album is lovely but not interesting enough for me to give it 4 stars pity.
3
Apr 28 2025
London Calling
The Clash
I am not the biggest fan of the Clash - or punk in general but this was better than I thought. Rudi cant fail and Lost in the Supermarket are great songs. But I feel that the album is rated highly more for its title track.
3
Apr 29 2025
Marquee Moon
Television
I didnt need to listen to this whole album to give it five stars...but I did anyway.
Like a tuneful Lou Reed and a source of inspiration to many bands, including Elastica, this is a New York feast for the ears. Great lyrics and melodies and wonderful album.
5
Apr 30 2025
Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai
After the brilliance of Television comes Jamiroquai.
I think that if you have never heard Stevie Wonder in your life. Which is sad. Then you would think this is amazing.
But I adore Stevie and this is far too derivative to even appreciate that they are okay songs in their own right.
2
May 01 2025
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
Like early Pink Floyd and Rush I always thought I would like this album/band. Unlike the aforementioned bands I actually do!
This is a wonderful proggy sound in a band where Greg Lake is actually allowed to shine without having the unlistenable madness of ELP.
It has a Jethro Tull feel with the flute and the songs are beautifully layered. After my first time listening this will be one to buy.
4
May 02 2025
The Gilded Palace Of Sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers
This album is on my list of ones to buy but now I have listened to it I am not sure. Perhaps my expectations were too high - I thought it would be country tinged singer songwriting style but it is a bit too much country for me. Definitely great but perhaps not for me.
3
May 05 2025
Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
I haven't really listened to Nina Simone before so this was a revelation. The songs were beautiful and the production innovative. One of the highlights being another version of Lilac Wine. Alternatively romantic and political with each song. This is an album to be savoured.
5
May 06 2025
If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
I have Run, Sodomy and the Lash and that's okay! But even with Fairytale of New York I am not really loving this. I feel the best track is Turkish Song of the Damned and that is not enough to get more than 3 stars.
3
May 07 2025
La Revancha Del Tango
Gotan Project
This sounds like something I would hear at a cocktail party (which I would never go to) or in a trendy jazzy restaurant (which I would never go to) so not for me (not for me).
2
May 08 2025
Technique
New Order
I am now thinking the generator hates me. Why else is it giving me the band behind Blue Monday, the most soulless song ever! I didn't dislike this as much I thought I would but, even though I love electronic music, this is too dancey for me
2
May 09 2025
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
Hey ! at last classic rock. I love Deep Purple and while not a big fan of live albums (taking of one star for the pleasure?!) this was greeeaat:)
3
May 12 2025
The Bends
Radiohead
My favorite Radiohead album of them all. After their first album with the wonderful Creep + lots of fillers and before they went crazily electronic this album had not a dud song on it. Brilliant videos and amazing lyrics and tunes. Great album
5
May 13 2025
Music From Big Pink
The Band
Whoa ! the Band! Great love this band. But I would not say this is my favorite albums of theirs so sorry 4* I will make it up with Stagefright/Brown album though.
4
May 14 2025
Logical Progression
LTJ Bukem
I hate drum and base. I also hate Jass Fusion. In addition, I hate instrumentals. Guess what I thought of this album? Here is a clue. I sat through 5 minutes and turned it off.
1
May 15 2025
Veckatimest
Grizzly Bear
I have never heard of this band before and it was nice. Good tunes and vocals. But (pet peeve) it sounded a bit samey to me. Couldn't distinguish after listening to it one song from t'other.
3
May 16 2025
Smash
The Offspring
I liked the energy of this album. Wiki notes this band along with Green Day + others were responsible for making punk rock popular again in the 90s....ah yes Green Day now THATS a good band. This just doesn't cut it for me but I have to thank it for making want to listen to Bowling for Soup again!
2
May 19 2025
Doolittle
Pixies
I always had the impression that I didn't like Pixies but listening to this I feel they are a better band than I thought. I think the issue is that the first tracks are very stereotypical post punk and not that interesting. But once you get into Here comes your man and the tracks that succeed it you can appreciate that they are innovative.
3
May 20 2025
Heroes
David Bowie
I came to Bowie late not liking the poppy tunes he had in the 80s then I heard Starman on the radio and it was like time stopped. My favorite Bowie period will always be his glam rock period. However, this is so innovative, so ahead of his time and so hauntingly beautiful.
5
May 21 2025
Out of Step
Minor Threat
I am not a friend of punk. You add hardcore to it we are enemies. Thought it was just one long song and the album is so short, whats the point. I read that it was influential for some genres of music that followed, such as Skate Punk and Thrash Metal. Do I look like I care?
1
May 22 2025
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
I generally prefer prog metal but this was fantastic. Really great song, vocals and melodies. Great to listen to before starting work!
4
May 23 2025
Vincebus Eruptum
Blue Cheer
I can see how this album was influential to the heavy metal genre - I can hear elements of Deep purple here, but I don't really like rock n roll and if this was self-penned I may be a bit forgiving, however only three of the six tracks here were written by a member of the band. Hmm
2
May 26 2025
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
Hmm another Pixies album. Hmm.
I gave them a chance the last time with Dolittle, but this album is filled with masses of 2 minutes wonders that are so punky and over so quickly they don't touch the sides of your brain. The only highlight is "where is my mind" that is so lovely it makes you ache for what this album could be.
2
May 27 2025
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
Great album, really nice lyrics and tunes
4
May 28 2025
They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Liars
If you really want to give yourself a migraine listen to this - irritating and tuneless. Like you gave some four year olds some guitars and a drum kit. In fact their repetitive "lyrics" sound like they were written by young-uns.
1
May 29 2025
C'est Chic
CHIC
Absolutely bloody brilliant. So beautiful.
At first I was confused as I thought their music was disco but it is more soul/rnb with wondrous vocals and production that includes guitar solos.
Most importantly is the way this album made me feel - comforted and invigorated at the same time.
5
May 30 2025
Tidal
Fiona Apple
I know of FA but never listened to anything by her imagining her music to be some hipster 90s rubbish. So the first track Sleep to Dream was mind blowing..but after this it got very forgettable. Sounds like Macy Gray and others. Not bad, but too much filler for me.
3
Jun 02 2025
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Great album, signs of things to come. I loved the production values. An album definitely made for airplay.
The King in every sense.
4
Jun 03 2025
Blunderbuss
Jack White
I know of the White Stripes and like Seven Nation Army but never felt inspired to buy anything of theirs, so you can imagine my ennui when faced with this BUT I loved it. Really different but with beautiful melodies. I normally compare musical acts to others but couldn't for the life of me think of who this reminded me of, which is also a bonus! An unexpected 4*
4
Jun 04 2025
The Poet
Bobby Womack
Nice album, I love soul and he has a great voice but I didn't feel any one song stood out.
3
Jun 05 2025
Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes
American 1960s psychedelia? Bring it on! But then I thought the album was not as good as I expected it to be. One or two were great but not enough to enthuse me. It gets an extra star just because I can appreciate the genre.
3
Jun 06 2025
Kid A
Radiohead
What can I say, I WAS a huge fan of Radiohead, weathered through OK computer loving its originality. But there is innovation and there is unlistenable. For me this is the latter and this ended my love affair with them.
2
Jun 09 2025
Disraeli Gears
Cream
One of my favorite groups. What a voice, what creative songs, what melodies, what drumming, what an album. Insanely good.
5
Jun 10 2025
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
I love love Stevie, I am convinced everything he touches turns to gold. However, I would not say that this is his best album. But there is something about what he does to music that makes one grin from ear to ear.
4
Jun 11 2025
White Light
Gene Clark
Gene Clark is a god, one of the founding members of the Byrds and the best songwriter of those.
I would give it five stars but I will save that for No Other, one of my favorite albums of all time.
4
Jun 12 2025
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
Tori had a lot of comparisons to Kate Bush when she was first around, but if it's a crime to like Kate we would all be in prison, right? This is an album that reeks of Tori herself, dark, honest, melodic and absolutely stunning.
4
Jun 13 2025
The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
Great album, this band are so wonderful I smile when I listen to them. The production shines through but they have better albums so 3 from me.
3
Jun 16 2025
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
Hmm love Smiths, didnt love this, perhaps their weakest album. Its not that I hated it but didnt really appreciate it as much as I would do.
3
Jun 17 2025
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
I am not a fan of rap but this is accessible, love the melodies and production. Happy Birthday KEndrIcK!
3
Jun 18 2025
Rubber Soul
Beatles
Rubber soul - one of the the Beatles most perfect albums, bridging the gap between their "boy band" early years and the more introspective psychedelic later years. Every track is listenable and memorable, with many songs becoming staples.
My favorite - Nowhere Man.
5
Jun 19 2025
Arular
M.I.A.
I don't like rap music. I like to think to myself that if a rap band was really good I might like it. But it all seems to me all words and no melodies. I can quite easily listen to a song in another language if the tune is good but find it difficult when there is nothing nice for my ears to hear.
This album didn't break down my rap barrier i'm afraid, although I did like Bingo.
2
Jun 20 2025
Dookie
Green Day
I bought this album when it came out, loved it and still have it on cassette. I have of course listened to it in the intervening years but today I felt I didnt appreciate it as much as I did then. Perhaps that time the bands who were making this post punk music were not very listenable and Dookie looked good by comparison. It IS a good album but I feel three stars is my score today.
3
Jun 23 2025
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
As someone who groaned and whimpered when I saw Paul Simon, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I think the first two tracks are the best. At the end of the day though with all the songs that followed, I don't feel I would buy this but at least my dislike of his work has abated.
3
Jun 24 2025
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
What can I say? Stevie is a god, a genius, a great great man. This is a wondrous album. Beautiful songs produced to such a high degree tears come to my eyes.
5
Jun 25 2025
(Pronounced 'Leh-'NΓ©rd 'Skin-'NΓ©rd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd. Yes they are a classic rock band, but one I never cared for. Let me check wiki for the reason. Ah yes Blues Rock - not a genre I like.
I have never heard a full album of there's and this had a lot of energy and strong vocals but the blues sigh.. the blues...Wait a minute, what is this? Country Rock with "Tuesdays Gone" this is fantastic! Suddenly i'm interested! Simple Man yeeeeah! On no, and we're back to Blue's Rock with Mississippi Kid. Well at least I tried.
We end with Freebird, a song I don't usually like but I have to admit it is a thunderhorse of a song, and imagine hearing this for the first time, instead of 1000 x due it to being a staple on Classic Rock radio stations (or any radio station for that matter).
I would like to give it 3 and a half stars. But it will have to be three. Perversely, I am thinking of buying this album. High praise for me.
3
Jun 26 2025
Live At The Witch Trials
The Fall
Know Fall. Wouldn't know one of their songs if it fell on my head. Sounds like other bands.
Really don't like this monotone type of singing over what some may call a "tune". Not for me.
2
Jun 27 2025
Metallica
Metallica
I know Metallica are more thrash metal and I prefer to stay within the prog-metal genre as I like a good tune.
This however pleasantly surprised me it sounds gothic, dark and on songs like Unforgiven very melodic.
Definitely will check out more from this band.
3
Jun 30 2025
Morrison Hotel
The Doors
I adore the Doors but feel that the 1001 albums book would be better if it just included "the best of the best". I prefer other albums of theirs so will give this 4*.
4
Jul 01 2025
Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
I don't mind Bossa Nova when you add vocals to it. But this just seemed like something you would hear at a high class cocktail party and, like the canapes, instantly forgettable.
3
Jul 02 2025
Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
This is an artist new to me and at first I thought it was wonderful, beautifully played instruments with an ethereal quality . But then it just sounded like one of those albums you could buy to help you to sleep, like with dolphins cheeping.
So after the initial interest it felt like no tracks stood out for me which is a shame.
3
Jul 03 2025
Wonderful Rainbow
Lightning Bolt
Wonderful Rainbow by Lightning Bolt 1 STAR
Oh no I cried when I revealed my album today, who they? But then I have thought that before and it has been okay.
Then I wikied them and the first words that popped out were the two words guaranteed to put an icepick into my heart βnoise rockβ.
Letβs think about that β If a tree falls in the wood does it make a noise? (debateable apparently, but yes it does) but would you actually call that noise music? I wouldnβt, and I definitely wouldnβt say that that this band makes music either.
1
Jul 04 2025
Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors
Never heard of this album before - and it was better than I expected but still not going to use up cash on the album. Nice vocals though!
3
Jul 07 2025
Either Or
Elliott Smith
I was expecting much more from this as I have heard of him and know that he is a singer songwriter, my favorite genre. However it felt like no one track stood out to me, ultimately was not that interesting to my ears.
3
Jul 08 2025
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
One of my favorite singer songwriters shows off his extreme talent in his debut album. With some of his biggest "hits" included it is a delight for my ears that loves a minor key much more than a major.
5
Jul 09 2025
Very
Pet Shop Boys
I am a huge fan of this band, loving their dry deadpan lyrics, spoken vocals and great synth melodies. I wouldn't say that this is my favorite, preferring their first two albums, but whats not to like about an album with a song about passive aggressiveness on it.
Their first two album's names were chosen so people could walk into a record shop (remember that) and say "I'd like the Pet Shop Boys, Please" and "The Pet Shop Boys, actually" and in their tradition this is VERY Pet Shop Boys:)
4
Jul 10 2025
Don't Stand Me Down
Dexys Midnight Runners
This album was on my list of CDs to buy as I love Dexys but it was always so expensive, but after listening to it I think it is awful.
Yes, Knowledge of Beauty is lovely but it is immediately followed by One of Those Things whose only redeeming quality is that it has the riff from Werewolves of London.
I really canβt understand why this has been included, do the compilers of the book NOT want you to like Dexys?
2
Jul 11 2025
Beach Samba
Astrud Gilberto
This is really lovely but perhaps not so memorable.
3
Jul 14 2025
Moondance
Van Morrison
What can I say that hasn't been said before?
One of the most recognisable voices, brilliant lyrics, melodies to die for.
This probably doesn't even cover the accolades this album richly deserves.
5
Jul 15 2025
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
I have an issue that no matter what wonderfully apt politically conscious lyrics are being expressed if there is not a melody I find it difficult to listen to. This album therefore washed over me. Combine this with samples which to me always feel sterile and contrived and you have something that is unpalatable.
2
Jul 16 2025
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Absolutely beautiful. Such poignant lyrics and that gracious voice. What happens when a god does what he was made to do.
4
Jul 17 2025
Hunting High And Low
a-ha
I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Lovely vocals and dark synth with beautiful lyrics. I only knew this band for Take on Me so really happy to finally hear this.
4
Jul 18 2025
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
Another band that I believed to be some sappy Brit pop losers but was amazed to find out I liked. They had intricate melodies and I liked the urgency of some of the songs. I would have given it four stars but it felt quite derivative and reminded me of Pulp/Richard Hawley
3
Jul 21 2025
Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
I only have a couple of albums of the Cure and while I like them, I wouldnβt say they were one of my favourite bands. Listening to this album is changing that.
The instrumental that starts off the album is stunning and one reviewer has written that the Final Sound seems like it could be the soundtrack to a Hammer movie β yes, itβs that good!
4
Jul 22 2025
The Score
Fugees
I am not a huge fan of rap but this felt quite accessible for me, perhaps it is because a lot of the melodies were purloined from other songs. I think its called sampling isn't it? and thinking about it today, isn't it similar to a band that only does cover songs? Don't get me wrong some cover versions actually add something to the song - i'm thinking John Cale's Heartbreak Hotel but here? Hmm ironically the song I liked best was Cowboy where I couldn't determine the source of the riffs.
3
Jul 23 2025
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
This album just blows my mind. It seems like it is all singer songwriter, and it is, but it is also invigorating with a production so good, so subtly brilliant, you don't even realise how much effort is put into every second of this album. Add to all of this a voice so tortured and so beautiful, what you end up with is a unforgettable album.
5
Jul 24 2025
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
RIP Ozzy.
This album is the child of a flower girl and a rock guitarist, seamlessly mashes together hard guitars and transcendental visions.
The band took over the production here so this is how they wanted to be and what they wanted to be was gods of their genre. They nailed it.
5
Jul 25 2025
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
I liked this solo recording from Lauryn better than her work with the Fugees - although it contained sampling the songs had a higher level of originality. I really liked the songs in which she collaborated with other singers, but ultimately would not buy this. Would have liked to have given it 3.5 stars but it will have to be 3.
3
Jul 28 2025
Raw Power
The Stooges
I was looking forward to this. An album often included in the top 100 albums of the 70s and it was good, more new wave than punk which surprised me but at the end of the day, all seemed to meld in to one for me.
3
Jul 29 2025
Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
I am not a fan of rap and this album by the BBs seems to contain all the genres of music I hate. Hardcore punk? Jazz-Funk? Rapcore ? No, thank you. With so many songs on this album they all blurred into one big noise.
2
Jul 30 2025
Vivid
Living Colour
Heard of this band but never listened to them before. Absolutely loved it, great vocals, heavy rock guitars, brilliant melodies, meaningful lyrics....
4
Jul 31 2025
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly
I have this album but had not listened in a while. It is as I remembered, In a gadda da vida is the standout track and the other songs, while supremely psychedelic, are less memorable. I love the darkness of this 60s offering, its like Bach trying to expand his mind.
Hard to score as the title track is sooo good. But it will have to be a three.
3
Aug 01 2025
Peter Gabriel 3
Peter Gabriel
I really found it difficult to rate this one. By rights I should like it. Itβs interesting, good melodies-sounds like Bowie/Japan, lots of worthy contributors β Paul Weller, Kate Bush and ahem.. Phil Collins. However, it just didnβt do it for me. I was left feeling quite cold. It didnβt help that his vocals were lost in the mix, perhaps contributing to my emotional distance from it.
3
Aug 04 2025
This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
I have some of Elvis's music but not his whole catalog so was interested to hear this one. Its really good ! I like the production and the little tone changes that makes the songs more interesting but having said that the second half of the album felt a bit samey. Only one of these songs is on his greatest hits which kinda says it all.
3