No notes required for this one, firmly in my top ten of all time. Have worn the grooves out on it. 5/5 all day long.

This is my second attempt with this album. The way I have seen people talk about it online, I was expecting to have my mind blown but it’s fallen flat on both occasions for me now. Musically good, very competent musicians and production is solid on it which scores some points, but i just really don’t “get” it. Was expecting some big hitters but everything sort of melds into one for me. I’m going to score it 2 stars which feels low (in reality its probably a solid, middle-of-the-road 2.5) but 3 stars seems a bit high for it as I was kinda wanting some of the longer songs to end. Going forward my 3 star reviews will probably be albums i’ll intend to give a second go. Maybe it will change later down the line but right now I’m okay with not hearing this album again for a while.

Huge nostalgia for this one - I remember my Mum buying the CD. That CD now proudly sits in my cupboard as I went to check soon after listening. The first half of this album is indie classic hit after indie classic hit, it’s quite impressive how many bangers there are in a row. As sick as I am of Mr Brightside, it is popular for a reason. An album very of it’s time, especially production wise, but somehow doesn’t really sound too dated either. Tails off a bit towards the end though the “fillers” are decent enough tracks on their own. Probably musically a 3.5 star album, but rounded up to 4 for the nostalgia factor and happy memories.

Wow, pretty blown away that I’ve slept on this one until now but previous Blur albums failed to grab me so I’d probably just naively assumed they were all similar. The variety on this album keeps it from getting boring, something I thought was missing on say Modern Life. The lack of their brand of (for me) corny, pseudo-quirky Cockney thing that was there in abundance early on is a great progression imo. I can definitely hear early prototypes of the Gorillaz sound in this album - as well as parts sounding slightly darker, almost Radiohead-esque, with a hint of a trip-hop influence. No skips on this album, every track had something different, and considering I only knew of two songs near the beginning that is quite impressive. Amazing guitar work by Coxon as per usual, some really cool and interesting sounds. Will definitely be listening again. I can’t think of a reason to not give this my first 5/5. Standout tracks on first listen: Beetlebum (obviously) On Your Own Theme From Retro Death of a Party

No notes required for this one, firmly in my top ten of all time. Have worn the grooves out on it. 5/5 all day long.

Love this album. Natural progression from their first album which is more of a blues-rock jam, it’s no nonsense musicianship - guitar, bass, drums and vocals and yet it never sounds like it is lacking anything further. The quiet space in it only adds to the difference in dynamics of when it gets loud and heavy. Despite being no fan of the heavy metal genre, it’s impossible to ignore just how influential this album is to that scene and how it still sounds kind of fresh today. Feel like i’m handing out the 5 stars like candy, but it is a strong 4.5/5 but I’m not sure it can be considered the same level as my top of all time so i think i will round it down to 4/5

18-25 year old me would’ve been all over this had I been aware of it back then. I’m not really too well-versed on anything of Muddy’s beyond his well known hits and Electric Mud. It is clear this was an incredibly important album though, due to when it was released; right at the beginning of the sixties and the market it was able to reach; young, aspiring, white (mainly British) musicians and therefore helped shape the sound of the decade and beyond. Its inclusion in this series is very well deserved. Its the case of being my favourite artist’s favourite artist, and thats alright with me. 3/5 will definitely revisit. Standout songs; Got my Brand on You Tiger in Your Tank Got my Mojo working

Definitely not my bag, baby. Knew it wasn’t for me about 15 seconds into the first track. Not sure why this would be considered an album anybody “must” hear - sounds exactly like tons of other stuff from that time period and that genre. Corny vocals, guitar solos that go on too long and sound like they’re being played full whack through a Line6 on Insane setting, every song sounding more or less the same. Ended up skipping most of the longer tracks or turning the volume down so it was just background music. ‘Funny Vibe’ was alright, that’s about it. Heard it, don’t need to hear it again. Glad it’s out the way - 1.5/5 bumped up to 2/5 for good musicianship and as I’m sure there will be a lot worse albums in this list.

Thought i was going to absolutely hate this, turns out it wasn’t so bad! Some okay songs - nice tones. Sounds like a band that would play a Nashville bar - accomplished Southern Rock musicians that you can zone in and out on whilst you eat wings and drink beer and watch sports highlights on mute on the screens. Bit of mix of slow/fast but all very similar sounding tbh - not sure a track in particular stands out really. 2.5 stars rounded down to 2 due to its length. Had to break it into two over the day and skip some tracks just to reach the end. Not ruling out revisiting this one though.

Never actually listened to this album in full and there’s a lot of tracks I don’t know. Unfortunately not many are on the level of the hits off this album - and some follow the exact same themes of some of the others and it can get a bit same-y, especially the tracks towards the beginning of the album. Some questionable topics from today’s viewpoint and some of the seedier songs and skits feel even seedier now in retrospect. Some incredible rap flow from Biggie though and the lyrics and storytelling are amazing for the most part, as well as having a concept, that is mightily impressive for a debut album. The samples used are great too, Mtume, Diana King and Isaac Hayes to name a few. No doubt a huge album for the hip hop scene and warrants its inclusion on this list. I would’ve given this a 5 back in the day - now though i think it’s about a 3.5. I’ll probably mark it down as a 3 as I can’t see too many times when I would think its a good time to play this one in modern times, maybe through headphones down the gym, but I’ll probably just stick to the hits. Standout tracks; Things Done Changed Juicy (obviously) Big Poppa

This album is great fun. Was expecting a hard listen at first with it not being in my language but it perfectly suited a sunny drive to work - felt like I was in a Tarantino film at times. It’s just good vibes, and some great musicianship - especially the bass. Part of the fun was trying to pick out the few lyrics I did understand and guessing the context of the subject matter, sometimes though that didn’t even really matter and I just got lost in the brass section or the vocal melodies. Not sure when I would listen again - maybe whilst cooking a nice slow brunch or doing some housework as it makes good background music - in the nicest possible way. Will pick it up if I find it on my travels and will definitely revisit. 3/5 Standout tracks; Plastico Maria Lonza Ojos

Amazing album, amazing voice, amazing man. Still capable of creating captivating and moving music right up to the end and making cover songs completely his own. Many of these songs I knew of Johnny’s version before I’d heard the original and in a way preferred. Another album that I remember hearing as I was growing up - hopefully still got it somewhere, if not I will definitely repurchase. Along with more of the American series. Very much an album worth a listen. 4/5

Never really got the Manics so I was expecting a hard listen, it was at first but then it got easier as it went through and I’d listened to a few of the hits I knew of and by the second listen I actually enjoyed it. They’re never gonna be my favourite band ever but I can see the merit and appeal of their music - Design for Life is obviously amazing - but some of the album tracks I really enjoyed too. Will definitely be back to revisit 3.5/5 Standout tracks; Design for Life (obviously) Australia Little Black Flowers Removables Interiors

The favourite album of pre-teen me and probably the first album that deviated from what my parents listened to and had lying round the house. Was also the first album I enjoyed with a friend and bonded over. A proper trip down memory lane this was, probably around 22 years after the last time I heard it. I have to say I’m impressed with how good it still sounds to me - I was expecting it to be way more dated and cringe but I really had fun and actually heard things I’d not previously noticed or forgot that if I had noticed. Enjoyed the more electronic-y sounds on this and the guitar tone is good, even if it has since been well over-done (no fault of this album). I think this is still somehow a 4.5/5 for me down to 4 as it’s no longer my taste - however would listen again and again. Standout tracks (aside from the obvious hits): Points of Authority Runaway Cure for the Itch

Always wanted to be into this band more than I actually am but I’ve always just felt like there was something missing, which is a bit of shame. I think it’s the bass, or lack thereof, that leaves some of the songs sounding a little bit 2D - like treble-y, thrashy noise with no actual grit or body to it. Maps is a phenomenal piece of music though, but I just don’t feel like there’s enough on the rest of the album to keep me interested. Warrants it’s place on the list as I get the importance of the female band lead in a male dominated scene yada yada, and I love what Karen O has gone onto to do since but just don’t think this album warrants more than a 3, and that’s me being pretty generous. I’ll maybe come back and try again. 3/5 Standout tracks: Maps (obviously) Modern Romance

Listened whilst driving through the countryside on a sunny Sunday afternoon - it was nice. Probably listen again next time the suns out 3/5

Not for me. Never has been, probably never will be 1/5