312
Albums Rated
3.41
Average Rating
29%
Complete
777 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2000
Favorite Decade
Folk
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
34
5-Star Albums
3
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
|
5 | 2.89 | +2.11 |
|
The Coral
The Coral
|
5 | 3 | +2 |
|
Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
Actually
Pet Shop Boys
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
The Stooges
The Stooges
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
The Next Day
David Bowie
|
5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
|
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Ice Cube
|
1 | 2.93 | -1.93 |
|
Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
|
2 | 3.83 | -1.83 |
|
Van Halen
Van Halen
|
2 | 3.63 | -1.63 |
|
Ramones
Ramones
|
2 | 3.58 | -1.58 |
|
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
|
2 | 3.56 | -1.56 |
|
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
|
2 | 3.55 | -1.55 |
|
Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
|
2 | 3.52 | -1.52 |
|
Antichrist Superstar
Marilyn Manson
|
1 | 2.47 | -1.47 |
|
Aja
Steely Dan
|
2 | 3.47 | -1.47 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.67 |
| Metallica | 3 | 4.33 |
| Leonard Cohen | 3 | 4.33 |
5-Star Albums (34)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Metallica · 2 likes
5/5
A classic. Possibly their peak.
Kanye West · 1 likes
4/5
Sorry to say that although it's Kanye, some of the lyrics are moronic and others misogynistic... It's a very strong album. More the production and Nicky Minaj than anything else.
Foo Fighters · 1 likes
3/5
File under "American rock music". As other reviews have said this is pretty generic. I kind of think it's what people who don't like rock music think all Rocky music sounds like. It's the first FF album I've ever heard but I know and like more from the later albums. It's fine but I doubt I'll ever listen again. Best song probably Good Grief followed immediately by the worst Floaty. Exhausted, the closer was quite good. Didn't expect a song about cows.
Van Morrison · 1 likes
3/5
This was quite nice but didn't really chime that much with me bar a few songs. I obviously hate the man and frankly his voice is annoying even if distinctive. I tolerate it on Astral Weeks as it works. And it's magnificent, but it's definitely a barrier. Would definitely be a 4 with time I imagine.
1-Star Albums (3)
All Ratings
Metallica
5/5
A classic. Possibly their peak.
R.E.M.
3/5
First half is a 5/5 then it tails off in tir second half.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Some nice songs but not my cup of tea. Too flowery.
ZZ Top
3/5
Was going to gibbs it 2 but didn't hate it. Was just bored. I think with mor familiarity I'd give it a 3.
Frank Ocean
2/5
Mildly listenable but rarely memorable. Pyramids and Lost the most interesting followed by the worst song on the album (Monks)
The Temptations
3/5
Very much enjoyed the first half but trailled a little. Loved y fact that a 35 minute album has 10 songs and one is 9 minutes.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I've always said Elvis Costello is an artist I respect but don't care much for. This was the first album I've heard of his. It was alright. Some good songs. Bit long. His voice ia mildly annoying but I like him more now.
The xx
3/5
Perfectly nice in parts, quite relaxing but equally quite boring. Vocalists a bit unmemorable (although a couple of times reminded me of someone else). Can see how Jamie xx is seen as a good music person.
Prince
3/5
This is the only Prince album I know well. It starts brilliantly in the first two songs and then proceeds to bump down slowly slowly towards a slightly boring conclusion wirh a few higher bounces.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
First time I've actually heard this. I'm in yng minority in preferring they're later more melodic stuff which this gradually gets closer too but is still covered in funk. Similar pattern to many of the albums so far: just too long.
Otis Redding
4/5
Easily enjoyable. Although I realise half the 60s were just covers albums.
Ian Dury
4/5
Really wanted to give this 3.5. It started off so well, has so much going for it and definitely had more songs that I'm lively to go back to rhan most new things to be here, but some of it was a little rough. As with the little I already knew, the bass in the first track pushes this up for me not down.
Queen
3/5
Some great songs. Some good songs. Some annoying. Some do all three (Prophet's Song) but all in all tt album which proves to me why I can never love Queen.
Little Richard
2/5
It was all the same song. A perfevtlt ok but quite repetitive song.
Anthrax
2/5
Bad production. Terrible drums. Terrible vocals. Not sure what I'm missing but not sure I feel I've missed much with Anthrax.
Coldplay
4/5
As a metal head scoring this ao highly after Anthrax seems wrong. Biased as I've heard it a lot but second only to AROBTTGH.
Genesis
3/5
Struggle to get into prog Genesis. More and more feel it's really just prog metal I like. This was generally fine but in its length and meandering only partially memorable. On repeated listens I'd probably like it more. But that would take a lot of investment and time...
Ice Cube
1/5
Some interesting instrumentation but after 4 tracks I knew where it was going and had enough. On the record that it was better than Marilyn Manson
David Crosby
4/5
Really a 3.5 but this was dreamy and relaxing, if not a bit incoherent. What Are Their Names the highlight (and I'd only heard live before)
Kate Bush
5/5
It's brilliant. I like all the songs but some are harder to love than others, but the first half and Jig of Life and others are brilliant. Heard the Levellers cover it the other day.
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
I liked what this was doing and I suspect I'd have liked it more in repeat listens.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Perfectly enjoyable. I'd probably like it
but on repeat listens.
The Go-Go's
4/5
Really enjoyable. Catchy, bright, great guitar lines - slightly surfer rock. Can see they clearly influenced the likes of Lush.
Wire
3/5
This was fine. Started well then got a bit boring. Did enjoy learning Strange by REM was a cover.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
It's a low 4. Some great harmonies and obviously great songs like Somebody to Love and Today. Some don't quite hit. But Signe Anderson"s voice is a marvel.
B.B. King
3/5
If this was a studio album I wouldn't have liked it much. Songs are much the same and I've never got into this kind of blues. But the live element and production make this a much better album. Lively.
Nirvana
4/5
First album I've not (re) listened to as I know it well enough to not need to. I reckon if I was rating this as a first listen it'd be lower.
Gorillaz
3/5
It's all over the place but the average is pretty good but too varied to rate higher. Bold to stick the singles so far down. Sound Check the best non single.
Death In Vegas
4/5
Biggest surprise alongside Leftfield so far (maybe I like British electronica after all). Not all stuck but Dirge, Aisha and Lever Street were excellent.
Wu-Tang Clan
1/5
Nope. I started skipping and when I got to Method Man I turned off. Actually I tired Protect Ya Neck. It only improved things mildly. Most of the instrumentation and most of the lyrics were the same so I don't think I missed much.
Pixies
3/5
I like Pixies but only some of this was good. They have a tendency to be noisy and annoying just as much as noisy and catchy.
Garbage
4/5
It's not as good aa Version 2.0 with less top top songs, but overall still a great album. Never get tired of Shirley's approach and the fuzz bass.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
I love the Pet Shop Boys. I've been indoctrinated from a young age. Amazingly I realise this is the first time I've listened to a non greatest hits PSB album in full. It's mixed but still a bop around the songs I already knew.
Beatles
3/5
Going to probably disagree with a lot of people but despite rhythm obvious high off Eleanor Rigby and Taxman it's a perfectly nice album with nothing really catching my ear or standing out (not counting Ringo's song). Second half certainly does little.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Going to go against what I've done for other albums. Despite this also being a bit long and lagging at tung end it's hard to fault how much I enjoyed pottering around the house to the first half, and enjoyed finding the out the Prodigy sampled Root Down which was possibly the highlight.
Portishead
3/5
A big ol 3. I thought I recognised half the songs without recognising them (adverts probably) until Glory Box at the end which I obviously did know. And maybe it's because everything sounded the same, slightly monotone but relaxing thing. I can see why people like it and in the right mood (and travelling as I was on trains) sure. But I don't think it lit much in me.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Glorious final album. Dark, beautiful instrumentation.
Elvis Presley
2/5
This was not as bad as I expected, but mostly because I was appreciating the instrumentation (some of it quite novel even for today) rather then Elvis' irritating voice.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
My first Led Zep album so biased.
Does it have the best songs? No? But it holds together brilliantly and is possibly the best produced LZ album. Range, interesting songs. Highlight being the mandolin on Gallows Pole.
Ray Charles
3/5
I'm sure with more patience I'd have enjoyed it more, but it was a bit much.
Queen
4/5
Rather enjoyed this. Only knew y one song before but it was more proggy than their popular stuff.
Marilyn Manson
1/5
I like lots of extreme and heavy music. This was the first album on this list I skipped parts of (granted I probably listened to 90% but I had enough on a few songs). There were a songs which were quite alright but, but that it's that extreme (most of it is shock for shocks sake) most of it felt like being mildly assaulted audibly. Glad i was justified in never getting into MM as a teenager.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Great start after the horrors of MM. Trailled a bit towards tuf end.
James Taylor
3/5
Perfectly nice apart from the hackneyed blues songs. Never heard JT before but I imagine there is more out there I'd prefer
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Honestly? Was pretty bored. But this is the problem with rushing day by day
. This of the kind of album that I'd probably love with many multiple listens. Maybe. So it can have a 3 but I found little i enjoyed first time.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
Never actually heard before although I knew a lot of the songs. Really enjoyable.
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
Never got into LCD and was intrigued. I liked it a bit is the best I can say.
Don McLean
4/5
Hard to follow that opener but much of the rest also very nice especially the two closers.
System Of A Down
3/5
Lots of good stuff but (as is SOAD) all over the place and lacking some of the melody of their latter albums.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I've heard this before but never managed to get into it. Fun in parts, boring in others. Realise I don't like Jagger"s voice much is their blues stuff. It's very long too. 2.5 would have been my preference.
The La's
4/5
Y ever heard They're She Goes. Also didn't realise how old this was! Very much enjoyed.
The Shamen
3/5
I did enjoy this in parts but less than i hoped. Again, shorter would be better...
Fiona Apple
3/5
Got better as it went along but much of it was too arty for me.
3/5
Rather enjoyed. The really long and funky song especially.
PJ Harvey
4/5
Rootsy, gritty. All good.
Kanye West
4/5
Sorry to say that although it's Kanye, some of the lyrics are moronic and others misogynistic... It's a very strong album. More the production and Nicky Minaj than anything else.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
I'm biased given I've listened to this forever but actually listened again and heard new things like how some of the other tracks (not HHMM/MMHH) were also recorded live, and a lot of backing vocals and sound effects I'd never heard on Ride Your LLama. It's a mad album. Half the tracks are very trippy lyrically. Then you have Welfare Mothers which I'm never entirely sure about, and the opener and closer ehich are classics. Then a Civil war song. It's great.
The Offspring
4/5
It's the Offspring. It's fun. It's catchy. Has some great songs, not as many as later albums, but everything is still massively enjoyable.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
Perfectly enjoyable. Great instrumentation. Bits reminded me of Warren Zevon.
R.E.M.
5/5
Not my favourite REM album but full of atmospheric and lyrically thoughtful songs. I think my favourite track is Monty Got a Raw Deal. But it's REM.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
The very definition of a "you only need to listen to the singles". Some astonishingly good singles mixed with some ok and mildly catchy and some downright irritating songs. I think I liked this more when I was younger.
Kelela
3/5
Not largely my cup of tea. I think Martin's review is spot on. A few songs I recall mildly enjoying but hard to remember.
Leftfield
4/5
This was a surprise. Obviously only new Born Slippy. This was consistently banging and uplifting and great to work to. For the whole album.
Sex Pistols
2/5
I didn't hate this, but I've never liked them and this didn't massively change my view. Samey and vapid. Not my kind of punk.
The Stranglers
3/5
Wanted to give this a 4 but a little bit dragged
Otherwise tir organ and bass kill. But a solid 3.5.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Not the most cohesive of their first three but a bunch of good, slightly darker, songs.
The Specials
3/5
Not the biggest ska fan. Lots of this was fine. Lots didn't do much for me. Odder than I expected.
Thelonious Monk
2/5
It takes a lot to make me like jazz. I like Kind of Blue and there were bits here that I could relax to. Other bits sounded like stereotypical American TV tunes gone wrong.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
Biased and prejudiced but it's glorious.
Ramones
2/5
Bliztzkrieg Bop is a bop. Apart from that I actually enjoyed the Sex Pistols more (and that isn't saying much). Whoever produced this album hated drums and, despite me being a bassist, I don't think bass being higher in t mix then vocals was a good plan. Even if Johnny Ramone's voice gets annoying in under 26 mins.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
A low 4 but enjoyed this more than I expected, if more for her band then her voice or subject material!
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
A high 2. I like prog and this had elements of Oldfield/Yes on the first track but a lot less coherent. The rest was a bit of a mess.
Slipknot
2/5
Quite a bit was fine. Quite a bit was an audio assault. The last track was probably best.
Fugazi
2/5
This started well then I got increasingly bored. At The Drive In they are not.
Linkin Park
4/5
Catchy and gets in your head. Overproduced and corny sure, but at least it's enjoyable.
Cee Lo Green
3/5
I rather enjoyed this. Plenty catchy, not all. And suffered from bring too long and therefore boring in parts.
Steely Dan
2/5
A couple of tracks, the title track and I think Home at Last were pretty good. The rest was either tedious pseudo jazz or embarrassing (Deacon Blues) to incredibly irritating (I Got the News) pseudo jazz. Not sure I get it.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
It's dark but brilliantly crafted. Promised Land universally brilliant and Badlands a brilliant start to any album.
Talking Heads
3/5
Don't find this nearly as catchy as their follow up. A little repetitive but still very listenable.
Bobby Womack
4/5
Really enjoyable. Mostly funky. Not usually my thing but a high 3.5 so 4.
The Verve
4/5
It's a brilliant album full of brilliant songs, fun the more psychedelic to the more introspective (Lucky Man). Only problem is it's so long that inevitably not everything works so well and some of the latter songs drag. Cut 20 mins and it's a 5 every day of the week.
Stan Getz
3/5
This was just about the kind of jazz I can listen to while workings snd mildly enjoy.
Snoop Dogg
3/5
Ignoring the usual misogyny, this was far more enjoyable as gangsta rap goes. Granted in hindsight it just reminded me of GTA San Andreas but plenty to enjoy here both in the music and in some of the fun in the lyrics.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
A low 4. Loads of good but lots also passes me by and I know this album.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
I enjoyed this both less and more than I thought I would. Interestingly just listened to the second half coming back from rhy Navy Yard of Brooklyn next to where Biggie grew up. Suicidal Thoughts was a really interesting, honest song to end on.
Stephen Stills
3/5
So wanted to give this a 4 but some was hit and miss. I reckon with more listens the misses would turn more to hits. Love the One Your With is great.
The Beta Band
3/5
I've listened to Heroes to Zeroes but not this. This was more laid back but that also meant it was less memorable on first listen. Life was the standout. Often amusing too. Almost certainly a 4 with more listens.
The Beach Boys
2/5
Never got into tir Beach Boys bar the odd track. This was at best mostly OK. Otherwise rhy harmonies are excruciating. Ain't no CSNY. Worst was She Knows Me Too Well. At least it was short! Sorry Brian.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
So Long, Marianne gets it to 4 alone.
Kanye West
4/5
I'm very sorry but it's very good until the last third. Never Let Me Down (bar Jay-Z) is the highlight.
Louis Prima
3/5
This was fun at least but too fun in parts. Perfectly listenable in t background but not my thing. Low 3.
Dusty Springfield
5/5
I can only think I'll like this more on more listens and I already liked it. Perfect in the sun.
Radiohead
5/5
It's Radiohead's best album. I acknowledge I'm in a minority of one here but I don't care. It's the best mix of all their electronic and guitar work with mysterious and beautiful songs. Everything works (after multiple listens, mind you). The last few songs are a bit disjointed but I still love them. The middle is the highlight.
Merle Haggard
2/5
This was fine. Mildly fun but the very definition of what you'd expect to hear when told to listen to a country album and did little for me. A high 2.
Alice Cooper
3/5
I was really looking forward to this. And I liked it. But less than I thought I would. I even listened twice to be sure. A bit of a mix, and more punky than expected. A high 3 I think.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Just a lot of fun and a great listen, and that's even without Freebird. What a song.
The Stooges
4/5
I know the album well but didn't know what I'd score it so listened again. The first half and the first 2/3 songs are amazing. The last few drag a little. Still a blast but not as good as their debut.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Never heard before. Bits I liked and will probably return to. Bits that were a bit less good. Sounded like Sonic Youth but more low fi.
Van Halen
2/5
Take Ain't Talking About Love of this and it's pretty poor. What variation there is (doo wap and 12 bar blues) doesn't help. I don't like Eddie's guitar playing much, it's just noise. Never got the point of Eruption. Billie Jean is his best work.
Machito
3/5
Giving this a 3 as it was lovely and individual tracks I could enjoy in isolation but a whole album of 1960s spy theme intros is too much. Loved the more African influenced percussion behind the more traditional jazz. Great instrumentation. Just not for me.
Bebel Gilberto
2/5
After the first song I felt I was going to be bored to death. Tung second song picked up but then only one other did that. I may not like bossa nova. So Nice was comedically bad.
Steve Earle
4/5
I love Steve Earle. Not heard this in full before. Not his best and I wish El Corazon was recommended so others could have got more variation. But it has Someday. And Fearless Heart. And it's fun.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
It's great and has some timeless songs but I don't think it's their best and it sort of falls all over the place in the end. The Boxer remains majestic.
The Go-Betweens
4/5
One of the best I'd never heard so far. Consistently glorious. Reminded me of James, the Cure, the Triffids and others. Was There Anything I Could Do? Was a real highlight.
The Stooges
5/5
Biased given familiarity. Like Raw Power is lags a bit at the end but the mixing, the sound of the guitars, the percussion is iconic. Then the break with We Will Fall into No Fun. Great stuff.
Pixies
3/5
Turns out I can only handle so much Pixirs. I liked this more than Surfer Rosa and knew more of it but some of it didn't quite stick. Probably a 4 with more listens.
Portishead
3/5
Preferred it to Dummy. Still a little too laid back but unlike some other albums I kind of appreciated how mad it swung around rut genres, even if I was nervous to see it listed as containing doo-wap...
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Reluctantly giving this 3. Early Cohen can have the challenge of having so little melody and apart from on a few tracks yurt instrumentation was so basic that it's not as easy a listen as some others, even if some of the songs are brilliantly written.
Donald Fagen
2/5
I can see why this won a Grammy. I can also see why I very much disliked it. Which made sense when I learnt Fagan was in Steely Dan. It sounded like Weird Al doing lounge rock if he wasn't funny. It wasn't therefore terrible to listen to but it was cringey as fuck. Maxine was really bad. Listen to Maxine, Witch Queen instead.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Probably didn't need to listen to this again to score it but I did anyway.
Def Leppard
3/5
This was a ridiculously consistent album, and that's what they intended, but that's the problem. It's too much. Every song is trying it's hardest to be a big single and it's exhausting. Not all are as good as one another. I ynom Love Bites was most enjoyable and I can see myself listening to that and a few others like Hysteria again but it's a bit much and a bit bland for an hour.
Foo Fighters
3/5
File under "American rock music". As other reviews have said this is pretty generic. I kind of think it's what people who don't like rock music think all Rocky music sounds like. It's the first FF album I've ever heard but I know and like more from the later albums. It's fine but I doubt I'll ever listen again. Best song probably Good Grief followed immediately by the worst Floaty. Exhausted, the closer was quite good. Didn't expect a song about cows.
Beck
3/5
Turns out I don't really like much of Beck. Most of it was boring to annoying apart from what I already knew. I had to listen in two sittings. Realised I give a 3 for lots of things. Something I don't hate and could listen to some of again , something I appreciate but not like, and stuff that I reckon I'd like a lot more with repeat. listens. This is not the latter.
Public Enemy
3/5
Some bits a bit repetitive and a slog but others affirmative and catchy, especially Chuck D. The last song was most catchy and I had to spend ten minutes getting to work out where I'd heard "bring that beat back" from Rebel Without a Pause from (Improvise by Jurassic 5).
Queens Of The Stone Age
3/5
The classic QOTSA album I'm less familiar with. Probably could be a 4 with more listens but less if it holds on a first proper full listen. Should probably listen again before eating but let's pretend this is 3.5.
SAULT
3/5
Difficult to score this. It was quite varied in a way I liked. There were some really nice tracks (Wildfires, and a couple of others) while others were a bit unfinished. It held together a little poorly, but the overall tone stayed with me. Probably another that would rise with more listens.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
I think Dusty in Memohis held together better but this got better as it went along and I realise she had so many big songs even on her first album. Granted they are almost entirely other people's songs so I'm not entirely sure it's her version I know but still. Low 4.
Motörhead
3/5
The lowest of 3s. Share comments on Jailbait. Otherwise much as I mildly enjoyed listening, every single song bar 1 or 2 sounded exactly the same.
Deee-Lite
2/5
This was the musical equivalent of cheap plastic. Smile On was basically a bad kids song. Last few tracks got a little better, but Groove is in tug Heart is still a lightweight 90s tune, even if the bass on it was groovier than the rest of the album...
Bob Dylan
4/5
I'll admit like Leonard Cohen I tend to find the more flowery arrangements of Dylan now enjoyable. Desire is my favourite of his albums and the Budokan live album is great. Still, it's got some powerful songs on it, Masters of War bring the pinnacle. Some like BD Blues let it down.
4/5
This was interesting and not what I expected. A little corny in parts but I liked the themes and the instrumentation.
Elis Regina
2/5
Better than the other bossa nova one but alternated between catchy, boring and annoying. The last track was all three.
Yes
4/5
I really like Yes and love some songs but find it hard to love everything but this was just joyful and I'm sure could become a 5 in time. I've just not listened enough.
The Stone Roses
4/5
It's an excellent album key down by a few fairly more meh songs. Easy 4 though. Uplifting in its way.
Public Enemy
4/5
As enjoyable as It Takes a Nation... Possibly more so so creeping into a 4 for me. By the Time I Get to Arizona the highlight.
Taylor Swift
3/5
Perfectly nice and enjoyable but only a few tracks really stuck out. Two albums into Taylor Swift I think one of my issues is get production is too polished. Makes things sound too laminated and bland. I reckon I could like this more on repeated listens.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
It's a good start but a little meandering.
Some great tracks (Babe, Dazed, Communication).
How Many More Times great closer (and references Plant's work witj exis Korner and the song Steal Away).
Is it a 4? Not quite.
Robbie Williams
4/5
I really liked Betterman, and it shone a new light on some of these songs, like Angels. That and Let Me Entertain You are just brilliant in different ways. I didn't realise Lazy Days (which always gets in my head) and Before I Die we're Robbie Williams. I then looked ahead at his (surprisingly prolific, one album a year) discography and there are ao baby excellent singles (Feel being best) that I might check his other albums out too. This holds up better than a lot of Britpop from the 90s.
Black Sabbath
5/5
It's hard to give an album they goes fro War Pigs to Paranoid to Planet Caravan (if I smoked weed this and Tool's cover of No Quarter would be on repeat forever) to Iron Man any less then 5 stars, even if the second half isn't as good.
David Bowie
5/5
Another case of bias. If I hadn't heard this a lot there's no way I'd consider 4 let alone 5 stars. Very much a grower but even thy weirder tracks are a delight. Helped by seeing Lazarus which was build around these songs (the cast version of Valentine's Day is epic).
The Killers
4/5
Not sure how it's taken me 20 odd years to listen to this. I wanted the second half to be more like the first. Still holds up in the latter balf but keeps it from being a 5. Some belting choruses.
Radiohead
4/5
It's no Kid A. It's better. Just about a 4 as not everything clicks (Pulk Pull I'm looking at you especially) but Pyramid Song, You and Whose Amy?, I Might be Wrong and Like Spinning Plates (which has Humphrey. fucking Littleton on trumpet) hold it up.
The Prodigy
4/5
First album I ever bought when I was 11. If I hadn't listened for nearly 30 years I'd probably rate this lower, and like some albums here my tastes have probably changed a bit. As such, I can't give it a 5, but the likes of Breathe, Climbatize (that bass! Which Kula Shaker ruined when they sort of sampled it) and others are great.
Steely Dan
2/5
I didn't hate it as much as I thought and it was short. That's my positive review.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Perfectly listenable background jazz while working. Aside from the fact the live nature (which wasn't obvious at first) and the subtle background conversation made me think someone was in the house about 3 times.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
2/5
Take 5 is obviously Take 5. But I wish the rest of the tracks actually had the semblance of a song. I think I preferred Bill Evans.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Seems to be a thing with the Stones. The albums drag. Some great songs (although listening to Mother's Little Helper as an adult leaves a sour taste) but not all of it is that enjoyable.
Neil Young
5/5
Not sure why I'm having to listen through for rut umpteenth time to give this a 5. I'm up to Southern Man and it's already there. Really a 4.5 as there are 5 or 6 I rate higher but hey, what can you do. Perfect balance, range, length. Playing. Lyrics. Cripple Creek Ferry is lovely.
Elvis Costello
3/5
Quite enjoyed this more so than the other one but still dragged a little towards the end and only some was memorable.
Muddy Waters
4/5
I take back what I said about this kind of blues. This was very fun.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
It's a great collection of songs amd even those I'm less familiar with will probably grow but not sure it quite holds together. The bonus tracks probably didn't help that much. A 4.5.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
3/5
Meaning to listen to FLC for a long time. Perfectly enjoyable but some of it didn't stick as much. Another that suffers from being a bit long.
Al Green
3/5
It's fine. Very little stuck though.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
I happened to listen to this for the first time a few weeks before it got recommended and despite two listens they both were done in breaks. Really wanted to like it more but only some stuck. Chan Chan and El Carretero the highlights.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Wanted to like this more but I think you'd of something they requires a lot of listens to fully enjoy bar rhythm catchy ones.
Sparks
4/5
I think I really quite enjoyed this. Only know the first track from the Faith No More collab as well
Cocteau Twins
4/5
This was lovely. I liked the vocals that were not actual words.
The Byrds
3/5
This was nice and all but it's so American and feels a bit sterile somehow? Buffalo Springfield are better.
Mike Ladd
3/5
Hard to know what to think of this. Sounded like Radiohead (Kid A mind you) in parts. Was it interesting? Sure. Did I like it? I guess? The kind of thing that would benefit from multiple listens but that I probably don't have the patience for. I'm sure I would if I waa cooler. I'm not.
Rush
4/5
A low 4. And mostly for the title track.
Depeche Mode
4/5
Hard to know whether to give this 3 or 4 but I'll go with where it will probably be with repeat listens. The singles were as good as it gets for goth synth pop. The rest was a bit mixed but I imagine would grow.
Khaled
3/5
Impossible to give this any other score. It's all over the bloody place. It's way too long and incoherent but has a lot of interesting tracks most of which I can't remember apart from Trigue Lycee and El. Aadyene. The Imagine cover was a particular low point and made no bloody sense.
New York Dolls
3/5
Started well and I enjoyed a fair bit (and now know where the Hives came from) but it got a little samey.
Pixies
4/5
The first bossa nova album I liked. Ha. And the best of the 3 Pixies albums we've been recommended.
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
Interesting album, with an important running theme. But just not the kind of thing I'll end up going back to. Few tracks really held me and I had to skip rhythm penultimate song (just because it was not commuting music).
Pet Shop Boys
5/5
So obviously 5 stars. You're all idiots. Almost everything is 80s clever pop gold. My first 5 star I'd not heard before.
Tori Amos
5/5
Yep, this was brilliant and I can't believe I'd never heard a single Tori Amos song before. Everything stood up musically, lyrically. Some of it was soul destroying, some hilarious. A lot catchy. First two songs were brilliant. Obviously a lot reminded me of Kate Bush but even more so Joni Mitchell. Silent All These Years could quite easily have been on a Joni album and nobody would have batted an eyelid.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Again, I realise I don't quite like Hendrix as much as I thought. Guitar playing is great but not all of this was gripping.
The Dictators
2/5
Yet to find anything that can be described as punk and is from America that I enjoy. Mostly samey, mostly boring, partially irritating.
The Undertones
3/5
I take back what I said in the last review: if forgot the Stooges. Bar the Stooges though, again British punk is just better than American punk. While I don't adore this album it has far more going for it than the Ramones or the Dictators. Sharkey's voice is a whole lot more interesting and has a range and the instrumentation (not just guitars!) also adds to it. And it has actual hits.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
Giving this a 5 before I even re listen. It's just fun, full of amazing riffs and rocks. A couple of tracks don't hold up (and are a little dodgy - It's Ao Easy, Anything Goes) but doesn't take away from the standard of the rest. Cliche as it is Sweet Child's solo is up there with the best (Baker Street), the basa in Nighttrain kills and the outro of Rocket Queen remains great.
David Bowie
3/5
Will lose friends over this but... It's fine but I have a hard time getting excited by much of it. All of it just feels a little off. Doesn't help that the two biggest songs are two of my least favourite Bowie singles.
The Youngbloods
4/5
If the rest of the album had followed the theme of the first song, Darkness Darkness, this could have been an easy 5. Instead it leant into largely predictable 60s American folk rock, with some interesting touches. A low 4 I think.
Tom Waits
3/5
Tom Waits is ond of my favourite artists. Tom Waits early jazz stuff is my least favourite Tom Waits, well behind ssd folky balladeer Waits and junkyard Waits. Over an hour of him being sort of weird and jazzy is still better than most jazz but beyond Eggs and Sausage only a couple of tracks I could say I really enjoy. Perhaps my least favourite of his first 3 albums. Not sure what the audience is laughing about half the time!
Metallica
3/5
As high a 3 as it gets. Do I like this? Quite a bit, but it's very samey and chugga chugga. Apart from One and... Justice To Live is to Die is the only thing that stands out fot me. I listened twice too. The production being so famously flat doesn't help.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
History will question why side 3 of this includes a bunch of completely unnecessary covers. The album is plenty long without them so it didn't need the padding. The first 5 tracks should be half a 5 star album. Two Tribes remains one of my favourite bass lines despite not being a bass. And it features Chris Barry! But after that the bass disappears until the very end. Black Light White Light and the Power of Love restore things but really this could have been a 5 without the covers.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
As 3 as it gets. Did I hate it? No. Perfectly nice mostly. Would I turn it off of someone put it on? No. Would I actively listen out for any track they wasn't California Dreamin'? Probably not. The Do You Wanna Dance cover was alright.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Do we really need this much Elvis Costello? Luckily this was by far the best on the list. Still not the biggest fan of his vocals but some bangers on here including I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea.
ABBA
3/5
Like Queen, I've never rated Abba as highly as everyone else in the world. But I've never listened to an album. To my surprise the first recommendation contains not a single Abba song I know. It started well and started interesting. Then it got a bit samey and boring. A low 3.
The Associates
2/5
The last 3 tracks on the album, especially Party Fears Two, were Ok. But the rest was like a drunken tribute act to the most annoying of Bowie. "No" was a song perfectly named.
Metallica
5/5
Nothing Else Matters takes it to 4. The solo to 4.5 and the rest is a rounding. Consistently strong throughout. Sorry, but this was an evolution. I can see why some deride it. It proved that thrash was not the be all and end all and metal could be better.
Queen
3/5
A high 3. I love Killer Queen. I don't think I'll ever love Queen. Some of the rest was good (Flick of the Wrist) but I just... Don't love Queen.
Traffic
3/5
A low 3. I like John Barleycorn Must Die. This... Is fine but doesn't do that much for me and little stood out. Also Vagabond Virgin sounded pretty dodgy.
The Birthday Party
2/5
Love Nick Cave. Love tug Bad Seeds. Love Grinderman. Don't love thug Birthday Party. Several Sins is redeemable.
Lorde
3/5
I've long known she's neither Madonna's daughter nor Randy Marsh but never listened before. Perfectly nice. I can see why she's popular. It's dark brooding melodramatic pop. Some clever lines (like on The Louvre, although an annoying chorus) and good tunes like Sober II. Probably won't clamour to listen again but still.
TLC
3/5
Lots to enjoy, although lots sounded the same. Sumthin Wicked the best track.
Carole King
3/5
Perfectly nice again. Can see why she's so popular but even the singles are songs that don't do that much for me.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
I was worried this was going to be jazz Joni and luckily that was just the last track. Great instrumentation and thoroughly enjoyable.
The Icarus Line
4/5
Black Rebel Motorcycle Drive-In? Tempted to say a low 4. Could have been shorter.
Silver Jews
4/5
This started well but then went a bit all over the place. Still I'm tempted to be generous and give it a low 4. One I probably will listen to again.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
This is a hard one. I thin on an earlier review for a Led Zep album I said this was their best. I waa wrong. I forget about the second half because despite listening to this album a LOT I always forget half the second half as some of it is so forgettable. If they included only half the songs after Kashmir (Bron au Yr, Ten Years Gone, Sick Again) this would be a 5. Hell, probably if they stopped at Kashmir too. The Rover and In My Time are probably in the top 5 best Led Zep songs.
Paul Simon
3/5
I love solo Paul Simon, late to the game as I was. Graceland is one of yr best albums of all time. This... I think I'd like more on repeated listens but didn't hit that much first time. It's a bit all over the place.
Faust
3/5
This started brilliantly. I loved Krautrock. I could listen to a whole album of that sadly much of the rest of t album was somewhat as I feared this record would be. A bit weird (but not aa weird as I expected). I liked some of the weird but it wasn't nearly as listenable as the first track. Giggy Smile probably the other highlight. A Bit of a Pain was aptly named.
Norah Jones
3/5
The one word I associated with Norah Jones before listening to this? 'Boring'. Afterwards? Still not my thing but I can appreciate the effort. It was listenable, and the musicianship was nice, and even Come Away With Me (which I associated with easy listening boredom) was quite enjoyable. Best song was I've Got to See You Again, largely because of t more interesting instrumentation and arrangement. Oddly I didn't really like the Painter but I liked how the vocals and guitar mixed in my headphones. Also why has nobody ever seemed to have commented that One Flight Down has clearly stolen from How Deep Is Your Love?
Also, I also previously thought she was British.
Dolly Parton
3/5
This was generally all the same song, about relationships either going wrong or right. Perfectly nice for what it was but what it was was slow and not my kind of thing. All excellent vocalists, mind you. Father Along the best track.
Iron Butterfly
2/5
I've heard this before. But I remember it being better? It's really not that good though, despite bring a prog and psych fan. I would never have originally listened had it not been for Bart Simpson and even the title track is less good over time. My Mirage is ok but song structure and vocals are off. Even rhythm organ
in misused. A high 2, but I won't listen again.
The Doors
3/5
I like the Doors but not all of this hits the same highs as Riders on the Storm which is majestic.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
I can do twee if it's interesting but too much of this is a bit too slow.
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
There's so much variation here. The Neil Young and Stephen Stills stuff is all brilliant, with Expecting to Fly and Broken Arrow being transcendental and the Stills stuff rocking. The rest doesn't hold up as well, but overall it's still great.
MGMT
4/5
Not all of it hits thug highs of the singles but it's still a really fun album.
The Clash
5/5
Would this be an easy 5 if I didn't know it so well? Maybe not, but who cares. The definition of British punk being better. They knew how to make music and make a statement and Strummer is a legend. So much variation and so many interesting tracks. How many albums start as well as this too?
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
I enjoyed this the least of the 3 PSB albums so far. Too slow.
Bee Gees
3/5
This probably merits more listens. I can see it becoming a 4 in time but I'd need time to invest! First time I've ever listened to a BeeGees album. A lot of it sounded like the Beatles!
The Beach Boys
3/5
The big songs are good. Although I don't really like Sloop John B. The rest I really don't get.
The Byrds
3/5
A victim of listening while doing other things but nothing screamed "you need to listen again!" although I did appreciate the occasional use of synth in a 60s folk rock album. Alright, I'll go back some time.
Kraftwerk
4/5
Not the best Kraftwerk album but on a first listen i really enjoyed this. Wasn't sure by the first few tracks but it got better as it went along.
KISS
2/5
I hate KISS more than almost any other band but I've never listened to a KISS album so how to review this objectively? Well fine, it wasn't a terrible listen. It wasn't a great album though. Vapid, not particularly interesting musically, but fun enough in parts. Beth was the best song and sounded nothing like the rest. I can't give it one star but I don't need to give it much more.
Charles Mingus
3/5
Ah, jazz. I hoped this was going to be that kind of smooth jazz I can handle while doing work. Alabama 3 slightly sold me a lie on that. It was that in parts. Other parts were certainly quite interesting and novel. Other bits were annoying jazz. Can see why Mingus is so respected but too jazzy for me.
CHVRCHES
4/5
I really quite enjoyed this. The syths were excellent. Wasn't the biggest fan of the vocals at first - reminded me of the meh XX singing - but I learned to appreciate the female vox when the boring male vox appeared on two tracks (last track being the worst). Lots of excellent dark pop songs like Tether, Lies, and Science/Vision. Good example too of how some albums are too long. This one wasn't but yurt bonus tracks at the end were all pretty dull. If they were on the album proper it would have brought this down.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Thought I'd like this more but a lot of it I think needs to grow. Beyond tug title track which I vaguely knew not much stuck.
Joy Division
4/5
Conversely (compared to the Super Furry I enjoyed this a lot more then I expected. Yes it was dark but it hit home. A low 4 but a definite 4.
The United States Of America
3/5
After getting over the fact this wasn't the Presidents, lots of the psychedelic stuff was great. Use of synth was welcome and novel for the time. I'm the end the slow tracks and some of the variation dragged things. And any time a man sang.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Generally brilliant. Living for the City lives in my head. Higher Ground and even the slower songs bop.
Spiritualized
4/5
Definitely benefits from repeat listens and over listened before. Still prefer Amazing Grace but I can dig the longer trippier songs, the sad pretty ones and tiny blown out psychedelic ones.
Eminem
3/5
Rampant misogyny and homophobia abound. But at least unlike a lot on this list Eminem is clearly aware of his surroundings and can be genuinely funny and catchy on some of this. The self awareness still grates when it makes no difference to his approach. And I don't need a 6 minute song about him basically trying to murder his wife when he spent tut second track criticising this on Stan.
The Gun Club
2/5
Can see why they're here. Other than that they're like Pixies of they were boring and slightly (more) annoying.
Cypress Hill
3/5
The positives: a hip hop album coming in under an hour without all the pointless skits! Interesting flows, instrumentation and approaches. The negatives: fairly repetitive within and across songs. Still, made a change.
Radiohead
5/5
I've just started listening but obviously it's a 5, You might argue it's better than OK Computer. YOU might I said. I didn't say it. Glorious, innovative, and sad in equal measure. And it has one of my favourite RH songs in High and Dry. Everything is also fun to play on guitar and bass. Planet Telex is a great morning song.
Alice In Chains
3/5
Dirt? More like Dirge. I've tried to listen to this before and that did no favours. Look it's fine and I can listen but nothing really stood out apart from Down In A Whole. The lowest of 3s. Give me melody!
Lauryn Hill
4/5
I really enjoyed this. The themes were clear although tut album flowed a bit haphazardly (and ended on a damp squib) but lots to love in this. The big singles and Forgive Them Father the highlights. I even loved the interlude which were cute and authentic.
Sam Cooke
4/5
Despite being on a delayed 2 hour journey while listening to this, and despite the production being flag and it not sounding nearly as vibrant as other live albums from the period (BB King) this was just fun enough for a 4.
Miles Davis
5/5
Decided not to listen this time as this is the only jazz album I can say I love and I've listened so many times before.
Beyoncé
2/5
Never listened to a Beyonce album before. Won't be seeking another. Not the worst album I've ever heard but for every mildly catchy hook there was something they (and it is a they when it comes to this album) seemed to programme literally to just be annoying. By the last few tracks I gave up. Also, I'm quite prepared to listen to an international pop star sing "punish me daddy" or whatever but when they song is written by a committee including Justin Timberlake it just feels icky.
Suede
4/5
I know a lot of it but not everything. Most of it is great, some of it is ok. They have a such a distinctive style though. Crunchy but catchy. Saw them for the first time a year or two ago with the Manics and Brett Anderson just steals the show still.
Moby
4/5
You know what? I thought this would be a 5. I've listened to it so much before and the use of the old blues and soul stuff is still great (if exploitative) and burned into the memory. But this might be the first album that familiarity has not helped it (maybe bar Fat Boy Slim). It just wasn't as consistent as I remember. And nothing to do with the fact every song was on an advert. I reckon if 18 is on this list it might be better.
Van Morrison
3/5
This was quite nice but didn't really chime that much with me bar a few songs. I obviously hate the man and frankly his voice is annoying even if distinctive. I tolerate it on Astral Weeks as it works. And it's magnificent, but it's definitely a barrier. Would definitely be a 4 with time I imagine.
Jean-Michel Jarre
5/5
I love JMJ and have seen him perform this album live. This is second only to Rendez Vous. It's like the Earth waking up. The last song or so isn't so great but it's just an ethereal listen.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Heaven or Las Vegas was one of my favourite discoveries so far. This was fine. Nice. Still quite ethereal. But a bit too twee and boring compared to HotLV.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
I'm continuing to think I don't really care for American music. Someone tell young me. Everything that "sounds" American on this list has either been fine or annoying. Or Marilyn Manson. This was on the fine end but most of it didn't do much for me and I don't know why bar it just sounds so American. Joplin's vocals and the band are strong although hey voice is actually a bit annoying. Anyway, I'm learning things about me if nothing else.
Beach House
3/5
This was nice in part and lush. But it was also completely unmemorable. I'm reviewing days later and that's all I remember about it.
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
I was briefly excited for this. I liked that first single. I did wonder how this made this list over so many of the albums that influenced it. But as it went on it got a bit boring and samey and lost all its hooks.
Steely Dan
3/5
Fine Steely Dan. You had one album that wasn't complete crap.
The Afghan Whigs
4/5
I wasn't looking forward to this. I don't know why. I knew nothing of the band but the name and and the cover art made me think some kind of boring Belle and Sebastian type thing. I was wrong. The first half of this was great. Didn't carry all the way through but it rocked. A low 4.
Duran Duran
4/5
This wasn't all consistent but when it was good it was 80s and good.
Nico
3/5
Quite liked a fair bit. Trippy 60s folk. Some nice digital instrumentation and strings. Other bits just a bit too meandering.
Sade
4/5
This was a surprise. I expected it to be nice but boring. Nope. A few tracks were like that but many were funky, catchy, groovy and smooth. I'll probably listen again.
The Cars
4/5
So close to being the second 5 by an artist I'd never heard before. There's perhaps one or two songs not up with t rest but this was great. I realise I probably really like new wave but have only heard a few bands before (Roxy, Talking Heads, and I like them both!). Just What I Needed and All Mixed Up were brilliant.
Suzanne Vega
3/5
I expected another nice but boring. This was not. I liked a fair bit, but it didn't quite stick as much as I thought it might. I think with more chance this would be a 4. Some nice folky motifs and a subtle hit of 80s in some of the instrumentation. But a high 3.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Another surprise. Expected slow and piano. Got that on a few tracks but wow guy opener was funky and Hero (and it's intro) have been on repeat.
Kraftwerk
3/5
I always prefer JMJ and this shows why. Some nice motifs on the title track but half of it is a bit bleepy and boring.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Hey guess what this exercise is telling me? I'm the only person in the world who probably liked Led Zeppelin more when they were younger. I used to be spellbound. Page was my favourite guitarist. Now even ignoring all the dodgy stuff I've learned about the band since I don't even like Page's playing that much now. Don't get me wrong, this album has loads of great stuff but I've never loved it. It doesn't hold together and - this is going to sound stupid from someone who loves prog - a fair amount is just self indulgent. Pretty damning review yet... Still 3 stars.
Bob Dylan
4/5
It's pretty good isn't it? Not everything, but he did have a knack on this album of being catchy and clever and more. I think his original of Mr. Tambourine Man is better too.
Fugees
3/5
This was pretty good in parts but even the big songs weren't as good as when I was younger. Yes they brought a different approach to the genre and some inspired lyrics but the whole thing didn't quite work.
Paul Weller
3/5
Never heard his solo stuff, except a version of That's Entertainment which I love. I should have liked a lot of this but I think the reason I didn't of one of my discoveries from this exercise... I don't like American music as much as other people and Weller on this sounds really American. Maybe not his voice but the style. Sunflower, Wild Wood and Shadow of the Sun were good - I remember them! - but the rest didn't little for me.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
It's fun, it's got some bangers (Breakdown lives in my head) and it's 30 minutes long and not punk. Thanks Tom.
The Smiths
4/5
Despite getting into the Smiths in my teens I just knew their singles. I've only recently started listening to their albums. While this has lots to love including many of the songs I knew (Stop Me, Girlfriend, Last Night) I don't think it's their best. A little drags. Unhappy Birthday was hilarious though. Morrissey is obviously a prick but then there have been worse people on this list so far.
Solange
3/5
The lowest of low 3s. This was at least a bit. More interesting at times than her sister. But my overriding memory was of most of the interludes which ain't saying much. And the fact the album had no melody. The one with Kelly Rowland was about the closest this album got to melody. I think Junie briefly threatened something then promptly gave up.
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
So this started quite nicely - quite over produced pop country. Lost it's way midway through and basically became pretty straight pop towards the end with High Horse being one of the better songs from the second half. Frankly I found it more memorable and catchy than the Taylor Swift offerings we've had so far but it was otherwise nice but quite average.
Guided By Voices
3/5
Er. I mean, if half these songs were finished I think I'd like it more. Although not all of them. It was basically like a sampler from a bunch of decent and quite diverse 60s and 70s bands but... That's not a good album.
DJ Shadow
4/5
The bass, the drums, the atmosphere... You need to be in the right mood but it's a great listen.
Prince
4/5
Nope. Still can't get quite the craze for Prince. I've heard this plenty as well before. When Doves Cry is amazing. Some other stuff is good. I still fail to love the titlr track. Despite this, it's consistent and generally enjoyable and probably the most fully listenable Prince album I know.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
I quite like a lot of bluegrass/country so when I saw t description of this I was quite excited. Afterwards I have sympathy for anyone who cannot stand bluegrass. 2 hours was a bit much. Still, loads of the songs especially tt instrumentation and instrumentals were great, plus the title track. I actually really enjoyed the latter few tracks which were mostly false starts and idle conversation. I reckon an edited version would be an easy 4 and I'd go back. Lots of familiar melodies in here too.
Violent Femmes
3/5
Difficult one this. For a start I thought they were a Riot Grrl band which was quickly put to bed when Blister in the Sun, a song it turns out I knew, came on. I liked a fair bit of this but it was a bit like pink without overdrive at times. And other times it was - as ever - too American. Lots of Velvet Underground in there. Some good bass too. But not all I loved.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Like Led Zeppelin this exercise is teaching me I thought I liked certain artists more than I did. Don't get me wrong, Hendrix is great but most of the songs I didn't know didn't hold me much and I was just waiting to get to All Along the Watchtower. I think I enjoyed it more than I remember though so low 4.
Supergrass
4/5
Not their best album but very dark for an indie album (especially Sometimes I Make You Sad). Still great (Sun Hits the Sky, Richard III, Late in the Day) though.
Cream
5/5
I've decided to go with a 5 even though I don't like Blue Condition and Mother's Lament is... Annoying. Most of what is there is beautiful (Tales, Dance etc). Anything Lenny Bruce sings on basically.
Pink Floyd
5/5
6/5 no point adding to what others have said.
The Pogues
5/5
Oh my god. I've briefly lichened to this before but just listened twice in a row. Brilliant all round. The Pogies are great musicians but can be a bit ramshackle (maybe it's the production) but this takes you through life, death anf everything in between. Thousands Are Sailing is my new favourite song.
Parliament
3/5
Is this a great funk album? Probably. Do I like funk? Evidently not much.Do I think this would be much better live? Definitely. Saying that, I did think all this before the album started playing again and I was then singing along myself, so I may be lying a little too myself. Still, while I don't think I'll be seeking out more funk, I won't turn it off.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
This was the most difficult album to review. Like lots of their songs but never actually listened to an album. But I've got friends who absolutely worship this album. I listened. I liked some of it they it didn't already know (Disarm is obviously glorious) but it didn't do much for me. So I listened again. And to the songs others lauded (Soma, Mayonnaise, Cherub Rock). It was fine. But... I don't know if it's the songs, production or what but it didn't do much for me. Problem is I'm about to put the Dead Kenneys into my catch all 3 category for stuff I didn't hate but didn't care that much for and I very much enjoyed this more than them so it seems unfair to put this there. The lowest 4 ever then.
Dead Kennedys
3/5
Production and drums typically terrible for punk of this era but at least the Kennedys were trying something different. Vocals are more new wave. Some of the instrumentation and song structure was pretty interesting like on Drug Me. I don't really want to listen again but fair play, better than guy Ramones.
Gram Parsons
3/5
Sorry Gram Parsons, I really should give you another go but this was all pretty boring for a lord of country music. Nice but boring. I reckon he has more interesting work. The lowest of 3s.
The Coral
5/5
I'm sorry but I love this album. I've listened to it for two decades since it came out and so this 5 is fully biased. It would probably be a 4 if I was bring critical but I know and love it so well in all it's weirdness, but which was more apparent to me on first listening all those years ago before I knew the references. Only downside is Spotify doesn't have the secret track Time Travel.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Only the second album by someone I'd pretty much never heard to get a 5. Although I've actually recorded a cover of Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution with a very short lived folk band I've amazingly never sought Tracy Chapman out. Idiot.
Like Tori Amos, something about it just makes me love it, but it's also the voice, the melody and the message. And the fact she can write everything in 3 minutes (although the one criticism I have is they a couple of songs finish a bit abruptly). Also nobody has ever pointed out that the melody from Behind the Wall was nicked by EZ Rollers on Walk this Land?
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
I skipped this originally as I bloody hate the man. In doing so I happened to look at some of the reviews and background so it only compounds my hate. Stripped of the man and the exploitation though, this was generally interesting enough, listenable and enjoyable. Largely due to all the people it ripped off though.
The Yardbirds
3/5
I've not listened to much Yardbirds and this doesn't seem like the right album to have started. Some of this was ok, when it got a bit psychedelic. But other bits were irritating and tt vocals were terrible, especially on the very "English" tracks, the kind that ruin the otherwise majestic sounds Cream make. I didn't hate it though.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Split on this. Loved the first half of it but then it seems to lose its way and rhythm and I lost interest. Still. Enjoyed it more than guy previous two albums and I gave them a 3 each.
808 State
2/5
Some of this was alright and I could see how they influenced the likes of the Prodigy. Didn't stop most of it being boring or irritating bleepy crap I could find a million not famous albums doing better.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
I like atmosphere. They got lots. Just... Crunchy and fun. They even do a good job of making generic 12 bar structures fun on Before You Accuse Me and Travelin' Band. Ramble Tramble even surprisea with some almost post rock breakdown. Ooby Dooby the only thing to let the side down.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Slightly disappointed. Maybe I'll like The Killing Moon (presuming it's on this list) more. I should probably give this another go but only some of it made my ears prick up. The rest was less enjoyable than I hoped.
5/5
Had to skip to this to avoid a run of albums I dreaded. I'm biased. Ive seen Muse about 15, times and this album came out during my Muse high point. I've gone off and got back into them since and though this isn't as great as the two albums that came before it's still a 5/5. Even with Invincible. Everything else is just interesting or catchy and Map of the Problematique's drums take it to a 4 alone. Alright Matt is shit at writing lyrics and they all sound like they were written by a 14 year old. But he can play. Reviewers comparing to Radiohead and especially Coldplay must be drunk.
Pantera
3/5
American metal bands, why so angry? So far Metallica are the only American metal band on this list so far who aren't Just angry. It was at least nice they they weren't just generically angry on Rise and No Good and had some vague things to say about racial injustice. I've never quite gotten into Pantera but I respect them. I have the best of. I've said before I need atmosphere, melody or both. They have the former but it's almost the same chugga chugga every song. This Love and Hollow briefly break things up. A bit of melody comes through in Fucking Hostile (ironically), This Love and Hollow but sparingly. But given Cemetery Gates was on the preceeding record (and amazing) I was longing for something similar to break it up. And I've never liked Dimebag (guitar playing or person). They said, I can listen to much of this as single songs. I just can't do that much rage. High 3.
Throbbing Gristle
2/5
Hmmm. I've hated other albums on this list more than this, despite also hating arty noisy crap which has no melody for the sake of it. Frankly, some of it was interesting, a bit like Radiohead mid 2000s. Not completely unlistenable. But my main question is who actually would choose to liaten to this for pleasure? I only know of one person. But I won't ever go back.
Fiona Apple
3/5
This will be short. I spent most of the album on a train working out how to deface some racist graffiti. Nothing on here really took my attention away. Perfectly nice but it just washed over me. A bit too slow.and jazzy in parts.
The Specials
3/5
Loads of this was fun, with important things to say. The bass was great. But a fair bit was a bit disjointed. I've never quite loved the Specials' music as much as other ska bands (and I don't love ska that much anyway) but they're a important band and it's a good album. I'd probably like it more on repeated listens. But I'm probably not going to do that. High 3.
Eric Clapton
3/5
It was alright. As others have suggested, Clapton is a prick, but given Cream are great I have it a go. I did really like the lazy guitar on I Can't Hold Out. But in line with what others have said... I Shot The Sheriff is a great demonstration of Clapton ripping off black artists. It basically adds nothing to the original and it's power. And yet apparently it did better in some markets. Ugh.
Soundgarden
4/5
This was the first album I've listened again as something told me I should give it another go. I've heard it before and like most other American rock on here just found it... a bit boring. But having to listen in two halves helped. For some reason the half after Black Hole Sun (which is great) clicked a bit more for me, with Kickstand, Fresh Tendrils and 4th of July all standing out. I listened again and I'm still not a massive fan of everything including Cornell's voice on this album - even though I like Audioslave or the dirginess of that 90s American rock sound, but it's a strong album.
Rocket From The Crypt
4/5
This was simultaneously a massive disappointment and a nice surprise. Massive disappointment as I've never heard of the band and I assumed album and band name must mean a fun horror themed concept album. Nope. What it was though was quite fun, even if samey American pop punk. The horns made them distinct and a bit like a slower Reel Big Fish. Come See, Come. Saw probably the best song. Album should have stopped there to go out in a high too.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Like Portishead, I just found slow and quiet trip hop beats with whispy vocals a bit boring. The Wikipedia entry which notes one of the genres as "downbeat" is right in more ways than one. A couple of songs picked up a bit (like Wrong) but nope. Mostly boring, sorry. Missing is a great song and I do seem to notice a pattern on this list of picking albums without the big hit...
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
It has less of the catchy hooks than some of their other albums but the harmonies and tt songwriting are still wonderful.
Mj Cole
2/5
Do you like smooth garage music? Great! I've never really liked garage but at least smooth garage is more boring than annoying. Most of this was just... Background music with electric beats. Mostly boring. Only occasionally annoying. The only vaguely interesting melody was on I See.
Venom
3/5
I was looking forward to this. Sad to say I can't say I love it. I like black metal (the genre) and various extreme metal genres. As such I can appreciate how important this album is. But it seems more like a draft of what black metal could be. It's more like someone was trying to be Motorhead but said "make them more evil". In fact I can hear more thrash influence in the music and black metal in the production. And clearly lots to like (bar Teacher's Pet) and some great guitar playing. But almost too rough and punkish to love.
PJ Harvey
4/5
This started playing again after my first run through and I let it run. Such a varied and raw album but what an impression. A future 5 with more listens. Me-Jane the initial highlight.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
I mean Green Onions is almost the problem here as it's so unbiqutous even covers that are well known are unfamiliar by comparison (like Twist and Shout). But it's fun and eminently listenable. It's also very simple. And for that I like it.
Terence Trent D'Arby
4/5
Had no preconceptions about this. Started well. Meandered. But I love the 80s and it had an enough of interest in its production and his excellent vocals for me to like. Rain the best track.
Lightning Bolt
3/5
I've only heard Dracula Mountain before as Muse covered it. I can imagine this splits opinion. They are well categorised as "noise rock". To many that would be a bad thing. Not me, but as much as I liked lots of this (esp Dracula Mountain) and the crashing bass riffs I can't say I would always enjoy it. The fact this is deemed their most accessible makes me reluctant to venture further. But a 4 if I had tit urge to listen more I expect.
Beatles
4/5
The first half of this is great. While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Back in the USSR, Martha, Blackbird, Oh Bla Di (yeah it's catchy), others. But the rest is a mix of quite nice or bang average or (some) not very good. With Helter Skellter mixed in. I've never been the greatest Beatles fan but while I can appreciate the sheer range of things here, a bolder producer might have suggested an edit.
Digital Underground
3/5
This took a fair bit of effort to finish. Not that it was bad, but I found a lot of the beats and motifs repetitive. That being said, it was pretty mad and out there and amusing in parts (starting off with describing his nose as a pickle). Low 3.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
I can see why this is influential. And I'm all for counter culture. Heck I like Devendea Banhart and I now know he pretty much ripped off half his sound from this album. But did I enjoy it? Not really. I'd also quite happily never listen to another album with this much kazoo. Not inspiring me to explore Zappa's 2359 other albums.
Various Artists
4/5
This was a difficult one. I hate Christmas music. I hate American Christmas music. And Phil Spector is obviously an odious murderer. And I listened to this in grey mid January. But even I was surprised and couldn't deny how much ubiquitous Christmas music was on this album. Ignore Phil Spector's involvement and dare I saw I enjoyed it?
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Never liked Sinatra. I don't hate Sinatra. This changed neither opinion. It all sounded the same.
Pere Ubu
3/5
With no priors I expected this to be a dub album by a Nigerian artist. I was then immediately surprised it was post punk and a bit new wave (Talking Heads). And I liked it. And gradually I liked it less as it went along. I wanted Codex to be over. BUT I think I could like it more if I tried again. And maybe I would one day. So low 3.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Have I said I don't like jazz? Now at least big band jazz is fun. It's a bit much, but it's fun. Like Pere Ubu I was slightly disappointed again this was American and not something a bit more roots. But for jazz it was listenable.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Soul ain't my thing. But it's hard to hate the singing and the production on this. Distant Lover the standout but I do worry if it's because it was familiar to me because, rather than in spite, of Kanye.
Scritti Politti
3/5
Not what I expected for the third time in four albums. Expected spikry post punk. Got Michael Jackson lite. Perfectly nice for an 80s fan like me but nothing I found particularly memorable.
Simple Minds
4/5
I've never listened to Simple Minds before (bar that one) but I have two stories. Firstly, in like 2003 on New Year's Day I ended up being taken to a pub by a very drunk Charlie Burchill with an American American friend as we met him in yummy street and he knew the only open pub. And then a few years later a band I liked and vaguely knew (Fortune Drive) were playing their hometown festival in Bristol, Ashton Court. They had all sorts of technical issues but after finally fixing them all and getting going they got kicked off stage so they could make sure none of that happened to the headliners. Simple Minds. So, mixed feelings. Anyway I gave this two listens as I felt it needed it. I was right. I rather enjoyed it. It dips slightly in the middle but there's loads to like here in Big Sleep, Glittering Prize and King is White. And some excellent bass lines. Why can't we hear fur vocals though?
Kings of Leon
4/5
First two Kings of Leon albums are great. Then I'll join all thing moaners on here. I've tried to be objective though despite listening to this album a lot. It's catchy, fun and has a real feel, and it's fun to play on guitar from memory. The basslines are fun too in hindsight. Is it a 5 though? Probably not, but I think those dismissing it are projecting. They went downhill fast after Aha Shake Heartbreak though, even though the third album is alright.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
This was the first Nick Cave album I bought as it looked interesting. It remains one of his best. It has melody, it has beautiful instrumentation and orchestration. It has all the atmosphere you'll need. It has darkness and light. It has beauty (the Johnny Cash tribute Let the Bells Ring is just lovely with some excellent lines). And it smacks. The buildup in Hiding All Away, There She Goes My Beautiful World, Nature Boy, Supernaturally. Just amazing.
The Byrds
2/5
This is apparently a seminal album in country rock? I didn't much care for their psych stuff on the Notorious Byrd Brothers and didn't much care for rut Gram Parsons album that came up before. Well, he didn't improve them at all. Pretty generic and boring country (again, Steve Earle exists). Life in Prison was awful. Also the slide guitar sounded awful. And it's not the guitar. Ben Keith on Neil Young"s Harvest shows how lovely it can be.
Pretenders
3/5
I gave this two listens as I wanted to like it more. Loved lots of the instrumentation on the songs, for a example Space Invader. And with all respect to Chrissie Hynde I just didn't care for the vocals. Not her voice but the melody. Given how much she styles herself on Patti Smith and I love Patti Smith that's my only theory. Edit: still a 3 but I do remember really liking Precious and Private Life on a second listen. I think the bass and guitar on the latter were great.
AC/DC
4/5
I don't like AC/DC as much as I should. And I like Bon Scott less than Brian Johnson. Yet despite only knowing the title track I have to admit this was a lot of fun and varied enough in parts for AC/DC. Well done. The second half especially good.
Tortoise
2/5
Didn't even know what genre this was for the first few minutes. Turns out, Earth meets jazz. I love Earth. I love post rock. I don't love jazz. So I don't love this. Along tt Bank of Rivers the best song as it sounded a bit Western. On other tracks it was like they'd just discovered xylophones and glockenspiels and wanted to shoehorn them in to half the songs.
The Who
3/5
This is bizarrely the first time I've listened to a whole Who album. My main thought was "shrug". It's perfectly OK, My Generation and the Kids Are Alright were great, but a fair bit of the rest just sounded like an American rock band from the 60s, whereas My Generation at least sounded punky and British. I expect they have more interesting releases.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Probably the best Stones album I've heard. Helped that I'd heard it much before. Still too American in parts, but Sympathy, Salt of the Earth and a lot else do kick.
Hawkwind
4/5
I can see why this splits opinion. I've never liked Hawkwind as much as I should. There's something a little too ragged and jazzy about them. But live it works (I saw them a few years ago at Glastonbury and I remember it was much the same as this album 40 years before). I love the atmosphere and the spoken word ridiculousness too. And Lemmy's bass is great. Best album I've listened to while working too.
Heaven 17
4/5
I had to give this two listens to be sure I liked it. Conclusion? I do! I mean, its very 80s, but it's also a bit weirder than the average and does plenty of interesting stuff. I was surprised it opens with something so overtly political. And the 5 songs in the middle from Soul Warfare to Song With No Name are all great - especially Geisha Boys and Height of the Fighting. Very enjoyable.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Once again a Stones record largely passes me by. Apart from Brown Sugar, which musically is great but lyrically is not, nothing sticks. Which is ironic, really. Fine, but... meh.
The Electric Prunes
4/5
This was an odd one. Could have gone anywhere. This was very much the kind of 60s psych I liked. Until it wasn't. The first half up to Get Me to the World on Time I can dig. I loved whatever was going on with the guitar on Sold to the Highest Bidder. But the rest of the album went in that "haha aren't we weird and funny" style of 60s psych which kind of lost me. Weird reading the backstory to the album that most of it was written by a separate writing team, especially because the two halves of the album sound like they were written by completely different groups of people. You know what, I'd listen again. 4 it is.
Happy Mondays
4/5
Never listened to the Happy Mondays before. Not everything stuck but I found myself tapping along to most while doing a budget. Great start to the album and I realise it had more musicality, and Shaun Ryder had a better voice, than I gave them credit for.
M.I.A.
3/5
Not quite my thing, but I liked it more when she added some hooks like on Fire, Fire and a few others, and this did something very differnet to a lot of similar albums in the genre. File more in the "can very appreciate" than really really enjoy. Also can't believe she's now 50 as I swear she only came to prominence like a decade ago. That is very much wrong, but still.
Herbie Hancock
2/5
This was interesting. The first song was really enjoyable. The second really irritating, The third really boring. And the fourth somewhat boring but mildly interesting. Doesn't average out that well though, sorry Herbie. I like some of the more electronic instruments intermixed though, especially on Chameleon.
Buzzcocks
3/5
Again, British punk is better. Still, there are limits if you aren't the Clash, but this albums at least did some interesting things, had some good instrumentation and hooks. And I liked the sentiment of the first song hating Fast Cars. I Don't Mind and Fiction Romance were enjoyable.
The Cure
5/5
Just a joy. Beautiful, joyful, melancholic. Great atmospheres. Always amazed too at how long the Cure can run a song before the lyrics come in. Not a weak song on it despite most of them running for over 5 minutes.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
A contender with Beggars Banquet for the best Stones album. Still hard to love as sandwiched between arguably their best song (Gimme Shelter) and one of their most gloriously over the top (You Can't Always Get... is a random assortment (AGAIN) of songs ripping off everything American. Still, most of it was pretty good.
CHIC
3/5
This was fine. But it was still disco, and so I found it hard to love despite it being fun and positive. Nile Rogers does as great job though.
The Who
5/5
Now this is a lot better than My Generation. They don't sound American for a start. Their some huge songs on this, and though a couple are a bit weaker, it;s difficult to note give a 5 to an album with Baba O'Riley, Bargain, Behind Blue Eyes and Won't Get Fooled Again.
TV On The Radio
4/5
I love TVOTR. This is my least favourite TVOTR album. It still does loads of interesting stuff, including the a-capella Ambulance. And Staring at the Sun is eternally brillaint. But Cookie Mountain and Dear Science are superior.
Talking Heads
4/5
I'm starting to find out that I don't love Talking Heads. This was fine, and maybe on more listens I'd enjoy it more. The Take Me To the River Cover and Big Country were great. Alright, I probably liked it more than I though, and it was better than Fear of Music, so low 4.
Tim Buckley
4/5
I've only listened to Tim Buckley's best of and that seemed to veer much more to his folkier and proggier side. This is a lot more upbeat and was a surprise. I found myself enjoying it a lot more on a first listen than I though I would, and I'll be listening again.
Mylo
5/5
I had a great time with this. One of the few "never heard this artist ever" that just clicked - and the first that's all electronic (although as Death in Vegas and Leftfield showed, I quite like British electronica. I'm madly going to give this is a 5 as I found myself bopping along to most of it pretty much all the way to the last few tracks. I liked the samples, I like the beats, I like the bleeps. I liked the mixing.
Fleet Foxes
4/5
I've heard this a lot before. I didn't like this at first as it's the chamber pop element and the fact that it is too samey in production and vocals. The production is still a problem. It's too produced. But this time was my most enjoyable listen. Can't fault it for atmosphere, even if massively produced. And lots of the melody is beautiful. Your Protector remains the standout. But He Doesn't Know Why, White Winter Hymal etc are lovely too. Agree with another review l that this is "safe" folk for the suburbs. It's folk in the Mumford and Sons mould. But this is at least far more enjoyable to listen to. And (presumably) less full of dick heads.