Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater RevivalOff the cuff remark: standard country rock. Left me a little cold. Stand-out track: Proud Mary, by quite some way. Revisit? Unlikely
Off the cuff remark: standard country rock. Left me a little cold. Stand-out track: Proud Mary, by quite some way. Revisit? Unlikely
Off the cuff remark: it's Dylan I know it's Dylan but while it's undoubtedly great songwriting it doesn't blow my socks off. Standout track: Tangled Up In Blue Revisit?: Already listened twice Great lyric:"You're an idiot babe, it's a wonder that you still know how to breathe" (Idiot Wind)
Off the cuff remark: hilarious Charlotte the Harlot? Good grief. Standout track: Iron Maiden Most ridiculous track: Phantom of the Opera Revisit? Unlikely.
Off the cuff remark: hard work, and not in a rewarding way. I kept thinking there was going to be a Disney song any minute. Give me Miles Davis, Sidney Bechet, John Coltrane... etc. Standout track?: nope Revisit? No.
Off the cuff remark: never quite got Neil Young. Same with Harvest. Some creaky rhymes in places don't help. Undoubtedly some nice riffs in there. Standout track: Old Man Revisit?: Yes, which says a lot. But expect it will be another attempt to fathom why he is so loved.
Off the cuff remark: If I knew much about this would it sound as dated as I think it does? Standout Track: "Evil That Men Do" something so much more, lyrically, than 'I'm better than you' which so many of the songs are...? Is that a riff stolen from "Revolution Will Not Be Televised" too? Revisit?: Evil That Men Do, for sure. The rest.... unlikely.
Off the cuff remark: not quite sure what to say with this one, it's very "nice". Short pop tunes, is it MOR? with some tracks that feel like they were staple on the radio when I was a kid, and yet I don't really know them. Accomplished, inoffensive but... Standout Track: ? Revisit? Maybe but maybe not Other thought: Surely one of the albums Josh Rouse had in mind when writing and recording 1972 ?
Off the cuff remark: Is "genius" a bit much? Big Band Standards? Seems a bit more sterile than the Billie Holiday I love, of a similar ilk. Standout Track: Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin' Revisit?: I'd be happy to, and did listen to it twice, but not sure I'll be hunting it out.
Garbage.
Off the cuff remark: Lovely voice. Nice Pop tunes Already familiar with the album. A "classic"? No. But Decent pop. Standout Track: I Know There's A Word Revisit?: Already have.
Off the cuff remark: Help Hated it when it was released. Hasn't changed. Standout Track: Faith is kind of catchy I could grudgingly say but ... Revisit?: Not if you paid me
Off the cuff remark: Early beginnings of pop? Lovely. Don't think a track hits the 4 minute mark. Standout Track: Probably Oh Boy, while I think the Stones version of Not Fade Away is far superior I believe Buddy Holly wrote it. That's some thing special there. Revisit?: Yep
Off the cuff remark: just great. Joyous, in places, but love the somehow understated delivery in many songs Standout Track: Probably Blueberry Hill which is already very familiar to me. Revisit?: Yes.
Off the cuff remark: Never really "got" New Order. Generally not a fan of too much synthi sound perhaps? Tend to prefer the music over Bernard Sumners voice and iffy lyrics Standout Track: Sunrise Revisit?: Probably
Off the cuff remark: A fairly uplifting album, even in the Emavungwini (Down in the Dumps) perhaps the lyrics say otherwise, but vocals are a delight Standout Track: Umoya, on a first listen Revisit?: Yes. Look forward to it.
Off the cuff remark: I've never been a fan of overblown guitar solos but actually most of these aren't, to my surprise honestly. Obviously some mermorable, and truly great, guitar riffs. Standout Track: Purple Haze Revisit?: Would be happy to, but not going to rush back
Off the cuff remark: No doubt great skills in all that sampling, but it mostly just flows over me without registering Standout Track: What Does Your Soul Look Like, Pt 4, though it doesn't exactly standout Revisit?: Welll. I wouldn't mind but don't think I will honestly make the effort.
Off the cuff remark: Hated self-indulgent, bombastic splurge of Floyd when I was, ahem, younger. Old dads hippy nonsense. As an old Dad it holds a little more interest and certainly recognise influence on other stuff I like much more, but... Standout Track: Wish Yo Were Here Revisit?: probably not.
Off the cuff remark: A lot if this is really grating. Histrionics of some of the vocals really irritate. Of course "Party Fears Two" was used for a TV or radio show, but I can't remember what. Standout Track: "It's Better This Way" brings to my mind Bauhaus. Revisit?: Highly doubtful
Off the cuff remark: Of the 20 albums listened to so far the first that I have genuine familiarity with. Not a classic but a great "indie" album, as I would've called it. Standout Track: "Keep the Car Running" a belter Revisit?: Yes. It's been a while but nice to be back.
Off the cuff remark: A wonderful slice of indie rock. Standout Track: The out-of-kilter-pop of "Summer Babe" is wonderful, the most un-Pavement like "Here" is a delightful ache of a song. Revisit?: Again and again.
Off the cuff remark: I really like Miles Davis, particularly "Kind of Blue" and "Conceptions", but at the same time I am often left feeling jazz is a bit 'superior' and there's large elements I just don't 'get'?? This is, perhaps, a tiny bit more noodly than I would normally like but right time, right place.... Standout Track: hmmm Shhh (Reprise), maybe? Revisit?: Engaging, will be revisting when the mood takes me
Off the cuff remark: A good slice of slightly off-kilter guitar pop, but nothing spectacular. Standout Track: Perhaps obviulsy "Take Me Out" Revisit?: I do own it but don't listen often
Off the cuff remark: A second Pavement album in a few days!! While it is a great album always felt it never quite lived up to the wonder of Slanted and Enchanted Standout Track(s): Perhaps obviously "Cut Your Hair" but "Gold Soundz" and "Range Life" deserve honorary mentions Revisit?: Absolutely. Well-crafted out-of-kilter-indie-rock what's not to bear repeat listening?
Off the cuff remark: A Bowie album I don't know and after listening through, I haven't been missing out. Standout Track: "Golden Years" a song I seem familiar with, was it a single? Revisit?: If someone else puts it on I'll listen again, but I won't be choosing to.
Off the cuff remark: A fabulous piece of pop. Gorgeous harmonies and plenty going on to catch your ear. Standout Track: "God Only Knows" very possibly a wee bit cheesey?? But I think it is wonderful. Revisit?: Have to confess it has been a while, but it's such a heartwarming gem, I will return. In fact I'm going to put it on again now.
Off the cuff remark: Radio-friendly 80s dross pop-soul!? Standout Track: "Smooth Operator" Purely becuase of familiarity, living proof that being catchy doesn't mean great. Revisit?: I hope not. Perhaps that's a bit harsh - it's gentle and unremarkable.
Off the cuff remark: Shoegazing before that was a thing? Standout Track: "Iceblink Luck" lovely dreampop. In my memory Pearly-Dewdrops Drops was on this album, probably my facourite Cocteau Twins song. That's my memory. "Heaven or Las Vegas" title track gets a special mention too. Revisit?: Definitely. Not a firm favourite but always enjoy it when the fancy takes me, as it did today, helpfully.
Unremittingly tedious. As soon as the vocals kick in I feel tense and bilious. I hope this never fouls my ears again. Can I give 0 stars?
Off the cuff remark: someting quite uplifting about this in quite a surprising way. Perhaps it's the (Hammond?) which also seems cheesey, but somehow that doesn't matter. Standout track: When I Grow Too Old To Dream Revisit?: in all honesty probably not, but I would be happy to.
Off the cuff remark: a dirty slice of rock'n'roll that must surely be an influence on the likes of the Hives and Birdland Standout track: Know Your Product Relisten?: I would be happy to but in all honesty I don't think I will look for it...
Off the cuff remark: easy to see their influence across a wide range of bands new and old. With the exception of Murder Mystery I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very familiar with Velvet Underground & Nico and most of these songs individually so great to listen to the whole album. Standout track: "Pale Blue Eyes" though several others come close. Revisit?: Yes. Lovely stuff.
Off the cuff remark: 2 Creedence albums in this "list" not convinced that's warranted. It's all fine and southern but doesn't move me greatly. Standout track: Bad Moon Rising, a great song, helped along by my introduction to it through the wonderful American Werewolf in London Revisit?: happily go back to Bad Moon but the rest I can take or leave.
Off the cuff remark: a strange beast of an album and I don't think I recognised any of the songs which I was very confused by. I can't decide if it sounds very of its time or ahead of its time. Standout track: Sound and Vision Revisit?: it would certainly stand up to repeat listens and it might need that to get a handle on it.
Off the cuff remark: I recognise some great storytelling in the songwriting and perhaps it's a right-time, right-place thing and recognise his obvious influence on other things I like, but as much as I try to listen to Gram Parsons that whole country thing gets on my nerves. I keep trying.. Standout track: struggle with this but perhs $1000 Dollar Wedding Revisit?: I daresay I will try to like Gram Parsons again, but...
Off the cuff remark: a decent album of driving indie rock, but is it "great"? Not really. I enjoyed it but it lacks a real spark for me. Standout track: struggle with this, and I think therein lies the problem. Revisit?: sort of thing I would be happy to listen to but I don't think it's ever going to stand out for me.
Off the cuff remark: I think I want to like this more than I do, perhaps it's jus taht the first song is, well, glorious, and everything else struggles to be quite as good afterwards. Although that doesn't mean it's not great! Standout track: Gloria: In Excelsis Deo Revisit?: Yep. In the collection and gets an occasional listen.
Off the cuff remark: I'm no Beatles aficionado but I see this as when they were still "just" a great pop band, littered with (great) covers before their songwriting mastery is to the fore, but hinted at. Standout track(s): the two hints come in It Won't Be Long and All My Loving, wonderful gems amongst the gold. Revisit?: Undoubtedly. Having said all that I assume there won't be only one Beatles album in amongst this collection of albums. A strange choice if that is the case...
Off the cuff remark: A very long time since I have listened to a whole Siouxsie album, a favourite when I was 17/18 and it has been a pleasure. Not much else that sounds like them. Standout track: Spellbound Revisit?: Yes, I think I will be looking through some other albums too..
Off the cuff remark: Another country artist I want to like, and she gets closer than most. Often quite funny as well as bitter in her tales here. Standout track: Early Morning Breeze stands out as a little different Revisits?: Unlikely to choose it, but if it's on it might be nice in the background, at the right time!
Off the cuff remark: The stunning and mesmerising long montage of napalm and Willard losing it in Apocalypse Now, with "The End" central to it was my introduction to the Doors. The scene and music has stuck with me as one. As such I am a bit of a "greatest hits" fan. This has some ans the other tracks don't impress me much. Standout track: aside from aforementioned; Break On Through and Light My Fire are great. Revisit?: Probably the 3 standaout tracks are great. The others do leave me a little cold. I'm not a subscriber to the Morrison cult.
Off the cuff remark: splendid blasts of American guitar pop-rock. Standout track: saving the best to last, American Girl Revisit?: Yes. Genre-bending life-changing classics? No, but driving (literally and figuratively) good time tunes that are worth revisiting they are.
Off the cuff remark: with Joni Mitchell I HAVE to be in the right mood, or I will be irritated by the "hippy warbling". Court and spark is not my favourite album either, Blue is far better. Standout track: People's Parties Revisit?: if I'm in the mood for it, though Blue is a more likely choice.
Off the cuff remark: it's all very nice with it's understated dramatics!? but it just passes by with nothing standing out. Standout track: perhaps "England" but that's clutching at straws a bit Revisit?: I will be listening to the National again - I have several of their albums. Just not very inspiring.
Off the cuff remark: I listened to this twice. Once in the car and once at home in sweltering heat. It made different kinds of sense both times. Not a genre I listen to much at all, but I definitely enjoyed it. Standout track: Brave & Strong Revisit?: I think I'm going to surprise myself by deliberately coming back for more.
Off the cuff remark: littered with gems, comedy and also ill-thought ideas. Perhaps that was the point. There really are some great moments but it feels like there is a serious lack of thought about quality? Standout track: I Don't Want to Get Over You. Marvellous Revisit?: individual tracks, definitely. The whole thing at once, no, never again.
Off the cuff remark: as a kid a cassette of "Legend" was a staple in the car. It wasn't until many years later that I listened to any 'proper' albums. As a staunch atheist it also always strikes me that there must be something special as I can't help but love Bob and the Wailers. Standout track: well... Exodus, Jamming, Turn Your Lights Down Low, Three Little Birds and One Love/People Get Ready all of side 2!! Revisit?: Undoubtedly.