198
Albums Rated
2.99
Average Rating
18%
Complete
891 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950
Favorite Decade
Punk
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
28
5-Star Albums
27
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Playing With Fire
Spacemen 3
|
5 | 2.55 | +2.45 |
|
Kollaps
Einstürzende Neubauten
|
4 | 1.91 | +2.09 |
|
Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
|
5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
|
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
|
5 | 3 | +2 |
|
Slanted And Enchanted
Pavement
|
5 | 3.03 | +1.97 |
|
Repeater
Fugazi
|
5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
|
The Specials
The Specials
|
5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
|
This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
|
1 | 4.11 | -3.11 |
|
Ten
Pearl Jam
|
1 | 3.91 | -2.91 |
|
Boston
Boston
|
1 | 3.71 | -2.71 |
|
1999
Prince
|
1 | 3.6 | -2.6 |
|
Moving Pictures
Rush
|
1 | 3.57 | -2.57 |
|
Diamond Life
Sade
|
1 | 3.44 | -2.44 |
|
...And Justice For All
Metallica
|
1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
|
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Doggystyle
Snoop Dogg
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| The Velvet Underground | 2 | 5 |
| Beatles | 2 | 5 |
| The Smiths | 2 | 5 |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 3 | 4.33 |
5-Star Albums (28)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Johnny Cash · 1 likes
3/5
Off the cuff remark: an enjoyable listen but with some real duds. Sorry but the version of Bridge over troubled water is particularly poor.
Standout track: title track is fabulous
Revisit?: welll I just might, but won't lose sleep if I don't
The Police · 1 likes
5/5
1st 3 albums by the Police are some of my all-time favourites. Of the 3 I return to Regatta de Blanc again and again. It has some immensely great pop singles, some subtler moments and even some daftness. I don't think at their height the Police sound like anybody else. Happy to accept they (or perhaps Sting may) have disappeared up their/his own backside(s) but I still love this album, every track. I even like some of Stings recent ouput, for the record.
Miles Davis · 1 likes
5/5
I am sure I have said it before. Something about Jazz - I feel I don't have a clue about it and resort to a slightly neanderthal "I know what I like" - and this is the perfect example of that. And it is perfect as far as I can hear.
1-Star Albums (27)
All Ratings
Creedence Clearwater Revival
2/5
Off the cuff remark: standard country rock.
Left me a little cold.
Stand-out track: Proud Mary, by quite some way.
Revisit? Unlikely
Bob Dylan
3/5
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)
Iron Maiden
2/5
Off the cuff remark: hilarious
Charlotte the Harlot? Good grief.
Standout track: Iron Maiden
Most ridiculous track: Phantom of the Opera
Revisit? Unlikely.
Keith Jarrett
1/5
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.
Neil Young
3/5
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.
Queen Latifah
2/5
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.
Carole King
3/5
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 ?
Ray Charles
3/5
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.
Derek & The Dominos
1/5
Garbage.
Aimee Mann
3/5
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.
George Michael
1/5
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
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
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
Fats Domino
4/5
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.
New Order
3/5
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
Miriam Makeba
3/5
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.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
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
DJ Shadow
2/5
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.
Pink Floyd
3/5
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.
The Associates
2/5
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
Arcade Fire
4/5
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.
Pavement
5/5
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.
Miles Davis
4/5
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
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
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
Pavement
4/5
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?
David Bowie
3/5
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.
The Beach Boys
5/5
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.
Sade
1/5
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.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
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.
Jamiroquai
1/5
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?
Jimmy Smith
3/5
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.
The Saints
3/5
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...
The Velvet Underground
5/5
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.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
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.
David Bowie
3/5
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.
Gram Parsons
2/5
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...
Sleater-Kinney
3/5
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.
Patti Smith
4/5
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.
Beatles
5/5
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...
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
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..
Dolly Parton
3/5
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!
The Doors
4/5
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.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
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.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
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.
The National
3/5
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.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
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.
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
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.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
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.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Off the cuff remark: so many songs which seem simple and which manage to be captivating inspite of Nicos irritating pronounciations and are lodged firmly in brain. All the New York art stories aside (which I am aware of but don't really know) it is a great album
Standout track: to pick just one? Sunday Morning, today, might be different tomorrow
Revisit?: I do, and I will.
Boston
1/5
Off the cuff remark: every rock cliché in the book. Unfortunately not even funny. It gets a star for More Than A Feeling
Revisit?: Hell no
Elvis Costello
3/5
Off the cuff remark: I've always quite liked Elvis Costello, but thought I knew a bit more of his songs than I probably do. Particularly as I am not familiar with a single one of these songs and don't know how that has happened. It's not amazing but much of it is great.
Standout track: 20% Amnesia
Revisit?: Yes.
Daft Punk
1/5
Off the cuff remark: If Daft Punk were playing at my house I'd tell them to jog on and write a tune. LCD sound system would be much more welcome. Maybe I need more sweat, or drugs or not to be so old, or maybe all 3. This is just tedious.
Standout track: Da Funk and Fresh. I listened to these all the way through
Revisit?: I listened to most of the tracks on the first half, thought I would just skip through it all then thought I'll try again tomorrow, who knows it might make a difference...and it didn't really
Revisit?: I hope not
The Band
2/5
Off the cuff remark: something about the folksiness of this that grates. I get their influence on many contemporaries, work with Dylan etc but just can't wrap my ears round this with any pleasure
Standout track: Whipping Pines is a little different. King Harvest holds interest.
Revisit?: unlikely
The Kinks
4/5
Off the cuff remark: The Kinks have some outstanding pop tunes. Yet at times on this album they sound like Monty Python as a serious pop band. That's a compliment.
Standout track: Do You Remember Walter - equal parts funny and poignant.
Revisit?: Yes.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Off the cuff remark: I so much want to like Springsteen more than I do. Love, what I know of, his attitude and politics and he has some genuinely great / classic songs but in all honesty a whole Springsteen album is something I enjoy but doesn't set me on fire. This is no exception.
Standout track: Born to Run (obviously) but I also like Meeting Across the River
Revisit?: I have most Springsteen albums and revisit each time wanting to like more than I do. Expect I will again.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Given recent news apologies if this seems a little irreverent but to me Sabbath have always been a spotty teenager in denim kind of band. I am sure they were forerunners etc.but I don't feel it has aged well. What first strikes me is how slow and long the songs are.
There are Black Sabbath songs I quite like, but they aren't here.
Revisit?: unlikely
Madonna
2/5
Off the cuff remark: I just cannot get around the Stock, Aitken & Waterman-ish production and I hate it.
Standout track: Like A Prayer, I suppose
Revisit?: No!
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
Off the cuff remark: was misogyny ever cool? If you can ignore that there are moments of entertainment
Standout track: Tricky and the genre bending Walk This Way
Revisit: unlikely
Bob Dylan
4/5
Off the cuff remark: Dylan (again). No escaping Blowin in the wind is a wonderful song. Bit of a mixed bag otherwise
Standout track: apart from the aforementioned I rather like Oxford Town
Revisit?: Yes.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
1/5
I don't care if you wrote the passable Steppin' Stone. You wrote Melody for an Unknown Girl. There is no redemption from that abortion of a song.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Off the cuff remark: I have always been bewildered by the love of Presley. There ARE some good possibly some great songs - none of them on here. But to me contemporaries like Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochrane, Fats Domino and Little Richard are better. There, said it.
Standout track: It Feels So Right
Revisit?: probably not. Though there is nothing to be offended by on this album.
Moby Grape
2/5
Off thecuff remark: never heard of them at all, which seems a surprise and they sound like a combination of so many other bands, so I suspect there will be a "forerunners to../ big influence on.." thing going on which I don't know about but largely they sound like nice american 60s pop, but pretty forgettable
Standout track: none really
Revisits?: can't think why I would already forgotten them
The Cure
5/5
Off the cuff remark: I have always loved the Cure, suspect I always will. There is no other band like them. This seems a strange album choice for this 1001, while none of their albums are exactly a party a minute this is particularly downbeat. Of its time and yet not dated.
Standout track: avoiding the obvious wonderful A Forest, Play for Today is a particularly favourite.
Revisit?: Yes. Often
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Off the cuff remark: it's that Springsteen thing again. I like it but just can't get wildly excited about it.
Standout track: title track is a goodie
Revisit?: probably
Deep Purple
1/5
Off the cuff remark: eeugh, make it stop
I assume he was 16 when he wrote the lyrics? It takes more, in my book, than a good riff to make a good song, even more so to make a great album.
Standout song: just one and just for the riff
Revisit?: No. Never again
Eminem
2/5
Off the cuff remark: never got this at the time, still don't. Is it about being as offensive as possible? Is it about self-aggrandisement? Quite like the "sound" but otherwise it's just a bit dull.
Revisit?: unlikely
Dennis Wilson
2/5
Off the cuff remark: clearly expensive big production but pretty uninspiring. Have to confess I had no idea who this was til I looked it up. All the more disappointing for that.
No standout tracks and I don't plan on listening to this again
Nick Drake
4/5
Off the cuff remark: I first came to Nick Drake after hearing 90s indie-punk band I loved, Drive, cover the Road. Not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. I still like him although Five Leaves Left is my favourite album, this is still pretty sublime.
Standout track: still has to be The Road
Revisit?: yes
Johnny Cash
3/5
Off the cuff remark: an enjoyable listen but with some real duds. Sorry but the version of Bridge over troubled water is particularly poor.
Standout track: title track is fabulous
Revisit?: welll I just might, but won't lose sleep if I don't
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
Off the cuff remark: is it me or are Wings & Macca often sneered at? Well, regardless I think this is a fine pop album.
Standout track: suppose it has to be Band On The Run ?
Revisit?: I do, infrequently and will again at some point
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Off the cuff remark: Blue is still my favourite Joni album. This was better than I anticipated mind. It's got less warbling (a good thing) and although it feels a little directionless that and the production gave a mellow feel I quite liked, or maybe it's the heat?
Standout track: well there isn't really one, some rather lengthy tracks that merge a little
Revisit?: hmm, perhaps, but it doesn't have A Case of You does it...
Circle Jerks
3/5
Off the cuff remark: nothing subtle here, sometimes that is just what's needed. An enjoyable blast of 80s US punk.
Standout track: Wasted and World Up My Ass
Revisit?: quite possibly when those cobwebs need blowing away.
Joan Armatrading
2/5
Off the cuff remark: I thought I would be more familair with this than I am but having listened through I am not overly surprised. I liked it less than I wanted to. Singer-songwriter that just doesn't capture my attention.
Standout track: Love and Affection, but even this I felt I knew less than I thought I did and it was okay rather than special.
Revisit?: wouldn't think so.
John Lennon
4/5
Off the cuff remark: at times this album does feel quite sublime, even Imagine still sounds gorgeous. Though it isn't perfect.
Standout track: ignoring the title track as that's too easy I really like the opener, How?
Revisit?: I astounded myself in the feeling when I listened that I don't think I have ever listened to the whole album before though familiar with most of the songs. I will be listening again.
Pearl Jam
1/5
Off the cuff remark: unremittingly dull rawk. Vocals are especially grating.
Standout track: couldn't bear to listen to any all the way through.
Revisit?: no, no, no, no
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Off the cuff remark: I saw some of the Mothers of Invention, sadly after Zappa died and they were interesting. I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would with the exception of the last track which tested my resolve. At times it's remarkably silly, but tight and fun.
Standout track: possibly You Didn't Try to Call Me. Further listens might change this?
Revisit?: I think I may have to
Pantera
1/5
As a younger man I referred to this macho posturing as Pantliner. I shall continue to refer to this macho posturing as Pantliner.
The xx
3/5
Off the cuff remark: while it is a perfectly pleasant listen, I enjoy the male / femal vocals, perhaps I need to listen to it more, as I can't understand why it might be in a list like this ?
Standout track: perhaps part of the experience is that nothing particularly stands out, it drifts by in a quite welcome way.
Revisit?: I will, as I know I own it too, decent enough but unremarkable.
Stevie Wonder
2/5
Off the cuff remark: there are moments of this album where it is hard not to be caught up in its sheer joy, but they are brief and being a curmudgeon they don't last long before my attention span wonders at the necessity of being more than 7 minutes long.
Standout track: Isn't She Lovely, if only becuase of the nostalgia it creates in my mind of hearing it on the radio as a child. I swear I never heard the slightly creepy child noises on the track before
Revisit?: part of me is glad this album exists but a greater part of me would be entirely happy not to hear it again. I am sure there are innovative elements that should be cherished but it gets on my wick a bit.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Off the cuff remark: well some blues I enjoy some I don't, this is the former. Though it never blows me away, I think I get why it does some people. Catching me at the right time is important and this time around it didn't, nt sure I have ever listened to a whole Muddy Waters album before and I may enjoy it more in short doeses?
Standout track: the sheer bravado of The Blues Had A Baby and Named it Rock And Roll has to be worth something right?
Revisit?: Love to listen to odd songs but not a whole album, I don't think.
Travis
2/5
Off the cuff remark: it's perhaps a bit unfair but to jump from Muddy Waters (last album) to this is a little bit like having your life sucked out of you and I'm not even that much of a Muddy Waters fan, there is just something so very lifeless about Travis. Sure they are lovely lads but...
Standout track: the overplayed Why Does It Always Rain On Me nearly has some life, but only nearly
Revisit:? I have no doubt my local radio station will play the aforementioned track at some point this is closer than I want to be to relistening to this
Bill Callahan
4/5
Off the cuff remark: for a long time Smog and Bill Callahan went under my radar then I heard the marvellous Vessel in Vain on the awesome film Dead Mans Shoes. I've been hooked ever since. Often oblique, understated and quietly mesmerising thus album ticks all those boxes.
Standout track: Too Many Birds and the odd Eid Ma Clack Shaw
Revisit?: undoubtedly
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Off the cuff remark: I've been waiting for a Stones album to appear on this list and wondering which it would be. This is a pretty damn fine one, some days it just might be my favourite, there are some immense tracks on it. Country Honk still seems strange to me, but enjoyable nevertheless.
Standout track: title track is fabulous but hard to beat the truly wonderful You Can't Always Get What You Want.
Revisit?: sometimes only the Stones will do and it may be this album that I will spin next time.
The Stone Roses
2/5
Off the cuff remark: at the time Stone Roses seemed synonymous with stupid hats and a shitty attitude. I tried hard not to think of that when I listened to this, but it was hard. Some tunes that were okay, in a loose indie pop way, those I wasn't familiar with were surprisingly nondescript.
Standout track: probably She Bangs the Drum
Revisit?: seems less offensive now, but still not something I'll be bothered to listen to again.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Off the cuff remark: another great album by Marley et al. The version of No Woman No Cry here is a faster, jauntier version than the one I'm most familiar with. Not as stunning as some of the earlier albums but still great.
Standout track: side 1 particularly strong: Lively Up Yourself, Them Belly Full and Roadblock are all fantastic
Revisit?: not the first Marley album to go to but definitely worth repeating
LL Cool J
1/5
What a load of crap.
Ho's, cars and how great you are, get stuffed.
Though "illegal search" held my interest through the whole song.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Off the cuff remark: my battle to love Springsteen continues. This is a step in the right direction, good strong lyrics as always but something slightly less anthemic overall, perhaps that's something I prefer?
Standout track: Countin' on a Miracle is a lovely slice of pop, as is Waitin' on a Sunny Day
Revisit?: yes. One to return to for sure.
Snoop Dogg
1/5
Off the cuff remark: I have no idea if this is a reflection of some kind of gangster life or some weird wishful thinking or an entirely fictional version of a life. It holds no interest for me despite my best efforts.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Off the cuff remark: I'm sure there's a dirty rock n roll story in the background but Simon and Garfunkel always seem so .... wholesome. That with just a hint of hippy hangs on this album. Which makes for a pleasant enough, but somehow lacklustre listen. Call it prejudice but the pronounciation of "Scarborough" really irks too.
Standout track: 59th Bridge.. even though it has an annoying whimsy about it.
Revisit?: if the mood takes me, maybe, just maybe
David Bowie
4/5
Off the cuff remark: by far my favourite Bowie album, but with references to Goebbels and making "way for the homo superior" I am uncomfortable with the Nazism dabbling he has had and seem evident here.
Standout track: there are several but "Changes" is fabulous
Revisit?: my most frequently listened to Bowie album.
Charles Mingus
3/5
Off the cuff remark: it pains me to say it but Mingus always has me thinking that my tastes in jazz are very conservative. There is no doubt about the technical ability and invention, but for most music these are not two elements which necessarily impress me. The occasional dischordant element or repeated phrase sometimes makes for a challenging listen. At times I get it and at times it just gets on my nerves.
Standout track: Track B Duete Solo Dancers, perhaps
Revisit?: I already have a couple of Mingus albums in my collection and I don't think I will be adding this.
Leftfield
3/5
Off the cuff remark: a long way from what I was listening to and involved in at the time which is part of the reason this completely passed me by at the time so interesting to listen to now and very likely a blueprint for a whole slew of records which I must admit I probably didn't like at the time. What this has going for it, especially early on is just how eclectic it is and I like the range of influences in it.
Standout track: I particularly like Melt and Release the Pressure. In many ways Open Up is a disappointment as other than John Lydons distinctive vocals it is probably the least interesting (except Black Flute whis is a bt of a dirge)
Revisit?: surprising myself by saying yes I will
R.E.M.
4/5
Off the cuff remark: I struggle with REM. They have some wonderful songs, but I also find it difficult to wrap my head around full albums, they seem to lose their hold for me and I cannot quite fathom why. Green, however is possibly one which eschews this and I do really enjoy, though I Remember California nearly puts the hammer to that.
Standout track: Orange Crush feels like one of the first songs by REM I became aware of, easy to hear why on any revisit
Revisits?: Always worth coming back to.
Pretenders
4/5
Off the cuff remark: I always put Blondie alongside the Pretenders, and Blondue always won in my book. That side I think the Pretenders album serves up a great slice of guitar pop. Nostalgia aside it's hard not to enjoy the better known moments of sassy attitude and melody, but the other tracks aren't fillers.
Standout track: just has to be Brass in My Pocket. A pop glory.
Revisit?: undoubtedly.
Britney Spears
1/5
I thought hard about writing a convincing erudite review:
Utter shite.
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Off the cuff remark: I saw Lana Del Rey performing Video Games live, solo, on Jools Holland and was blown away. I bought the Born to Die album and was deeply disappointed. It felt hugely overproduced. This album has a similar disappointment about it. At times I feel like an old man, "what? Speak up, I can't hear you" it's an irritation rather than being "ethereal" or something? Is it the production again?
Standout track: none, really
Revisit?: maybe I need to.
Eurythmics
2/5
Off the cuff remark: I suspect if it wasn't for the sight nostalgia of Sweet Dreams as radio fodder when I was younger I would dismiss this 80s synth-pop but nostalgia or not a good pop song, most of the rest listenable with distinctive vocals of Lennox but....
Standout track: Sweet dreams
Revisit?: mmm, unlikely
The Smiths
5/5
Off the cuff remark: in spite of recent years and Morrissey proving himself to be an absolute plum there is no getting away from this being a masterful album utterly deserving it's place on this list. Lyrically and musically just pop mastery.
Standout track: depending on the day it really could be any of them. Every track glitters.
Revisit?: it's been too long since I listened to the whole album, I will be listening again very soon.
R.E.M.
3/5
Off the cuff remark: this album seems to typify my feelings about REM - there are some really great tracks but a lot that is perfectly good just not particularly special.
Standout track: Talk About the Passion and Radio Free Europe are fantastic tracks
Revisit?: not the first REM album I would choose to listen to, but perfectly happy to listen to it repeatedly.
3/5
Off the cuff remark: it just isnt what I would normally listen to and I struggle with funk(y) stuff. However I enjoyed this and it hasn't even got Low Rider on it.
Listen again? I think I will.
2/5
Off the cuff remark: an album I have in my collection and frankly I wonder why. It must have been recommended to me by someone.
Standout track: nah, sounds "lo-fi" in a way that means ill thought out
Revisit?: unlikely
Iggy Pop
4/5
Off the cuff remark: depending on your age you may feel the title track and it's use on Trainspotting wore you down, but still I think that is a fabulous track, likewise I absolutely love The Passenger. There are bits of enjoyable humour and what I hope is just rock n roll daftness.
Standout tracks: as above both 5 star songs
Revisit?: if I need a little fun and swagger, why not?
Television
3/5
Off the cuff remark: not sure how I was introduced to Television many years ago but I always (largely misguidedly) had them down as a prog-rock band (not a compliment from me). I can hear bits of that but I love the stripped back production, for some reason reminding me in that sound of Joe Jackson, but perhaps just a kind of late 70s thing? It's not amazing but I enjoyed it far more than I expected to.
Standout track: title track almost too proggy, but with some great riffage so forgiven. See No Evil and Venus are also good.
Revisit?: Think I ought to
2/5
Off the cuff remark: is it familiarity that breeds contempt?
A begrudging nod to Roll With It before I nodded off.
Lucinda Williams
5/5
Off the cuff remark: I was introduced to Lucinda Williams and this album on its release, by Uncut and it was an instant love.
Perhaps it was the timing but gorgeous vocals, some lovely lyrical bits and pieces that really paint a sense of place and I was hooked for life.
Standout track: every track is great, title track particularly good but could choose any at a different moment.
Revisit?: a regularly played album, had to listen to it twice through before even considering anything else this time round
Alice Cooper
1/5
Off the cuff remark: ooh this'll be fun, I thought, knowing only the throwaway "Schools Out". What a dull disappointment.
Standout track: disposable "School's Out" just about bears repeat listening
Revisit?: no ta
Morrissey
3/5
Off the cuff remark: was this the beginning of the descent to being an arse? Hard not to feel some of the music is lacking in panache. Almost feels like a not great Smiths covers band. Even this Morrissey has some dabbling in controversy and some nice lyrical twists but it's, lacklustre.
Standout track: Glamorous Glue
Revisit?: no great rush to to hear this again.
Gorillaz
5/5
Off the cuff remark: a mash up of great musicians, artists etc was always destined to be interesting, at the very least. And it is. Eclectic, fun and with some very fine tunes.
Standout track: it works very well as an album, which is always nice but 5/1 and M1-A1 are particularly great, oh and Clint Eastwood too.
Revisit?: always nice to drop back into when the mood takes.
Little Richard
5/5
Off the cuff remark: a joyous blast of original rock n roll. Forerunner to so much.
Standout track: I'm going to ignore some of the wonderful famous tracks and go for one I'd never heard before: "Oh Why?" same signature piano licks and energy but very different subject matter
Revisit?: difficult not to feel uplifted but this pop history so always good to hear again
Jack White
2/5
I always get the feeling that somehow I "ought" to like Jack, the epitome of indie cool, or somesuch. But frankly I found this mediocre and tedious
Hot Chip
2/5
Left me thinking does the world need another Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.
I think probably not.
It's not offensive, just a bit bland.
The Smiths
5/5
Off the cuff remark: feel like this has "generated" a lot of Morrissey of late... (3rd album in a fortnight??) but it is a fine album, tainted by his idiocy in more recent times. The music is still wonderful. Title track is disturbing still, as it should be. It IS a great album
Standout track: apart from the title track That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore and Barbarism Begins at Home are on this album, do you need to know more?
Revisit?: it is depressing to have a great body of work undermined by a tosser, but the power of the before will bring me back to the Smiths still.
Common
1/5
Off the cuff remark: I am sure that it says more about me than anything else that I have never heard of Common before - there said it. However that also meant I paid close attention to this album... is it deserving of its' place on this list..? My answer is a fairly resounding no.
I can't hear anything different, innovative or even remotely interesting. It's not a genre I am huge familiar with, I'll admit, but this doesn't make me want to be either. Pretty dull overall.
Pixies
5/5
Surfer Rosa and Gigantic in particular had a huge impact on me and the music I would listen to from that moment on. Naturally Doolittle was part of that. It is an immense album. When, in my mind at least, "indie" really meant independent with a huge range of styles and delivery.
Every song here is just fantastic, from an innovative band at their height.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Off the cuff remark: while it put a smile on my face and got my toes a-tappin somehow didn't quite live up to the legendary status.
Standout track: Tiger. In your tank
Revisit?: perhaps I should?
Mudhoney
4/5
Off the cuff remark: as a nipper I'm sure all the cool kids had a Mudhoney T-shirt, naturally I didn't. This is a fine example of what grunge was all about, to my mind. Scuzzy stooges-esque rock n roll.
Standout track: tricky, Who You Drivin' Now perhaps?
Revisit?: you know I haven't for a long time, but this reminded me I should.
Talvin Singh
2/5
Off the cuff remark: It feels like I ought to know Talvin Singh, but I don't. It starts off like a chillout album, has some interesting instrumentation and engages me for a while. There's a moment about halfway through that is horrible then it wanders back into breakbeats and other stuff.
Standout track: none really
Revisit?: part of me is glad I listened to it, part of me is glad I don't have to again.
Beatles
5/5
What do you say? An album from before they "peaked" or arguably revolutionised pop music and still every track is something many bands would give their eye teeth to write something close. Glorious Pop nuggets and yet so much more.
Standout track: changes with each listen
Revisit?: unquestionably.
Rush
1/5
If you had asked me what I think of Rush yesterday I would probably have said something about overblown proggy garbage. In all honesty that was probably coming from a place of ignorance. I have now listened to (nearly all of) this album and can say I was quite correct.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Off the cuff remark: I haven't seen the film, know little of the story behind this and my Spanish is nothing like good enough to understand what they are singing about but there seems to be something universally warming and heartfelt about this. It is an album I have had for a long time and a film on the "must watch" list - for waaay too long - decades?
Standout track: Chan Chan sets the mood and the flavour, El cuarto De Tula has all the right ingredients
Revisit?: I do often revisit for something warm and uplifting, on a cold day it is warming on a warm day it is fitting.
The Byrds
3/5
Off the cuff remark: hmm that country thing again and I gather it was a bit of a shock to Byrds fans at the time. It speaks volumes to me that by far the best songs on here are Pretty Boy Floyd an You're Still on My Mind - both covers, good covers but still...
Revisit?: I think I will but it's just not doing it for me..
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
Started listening to this with interest in the lush instrumentation but I quickly lost interest.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
Off the cuff remark: I am not a big fan of rap and hip hop broadly speaking, there are a few artists I like and listen to regularly but my knowledge of the genres is patchy at best. I can't quite pin it down but while I didn't think it was amazing I liked this album a whole lot more than I thought I would, perhaps something to do with the instrumentation which has a bit of variety and there is a dash of humour throughout.
Standout track: perhaps obviously - Can I Kick It?
Revisit?: I think I just might.
OutKast
2/5
Off the cuff remark: following on from A Tribe Called Quest, (our last album) this is a good comparison. I confess I didn't listen to the whole album: Musically it's tedious, the macho posturing is annoying and... well it's boring.
Les Rythmes Digitales
1/5
Off the cuff remark: when this started I thought: eeugh, hideous euro electro-pop. Second track and I thought, surprisingly enjoying this. 3rd track, more of the first and life's too short.
Standout track: Music Makes You Lose Control
Revisit?: why?
Pulp
5/5
Off the cuff remark: while I am not the biggest Pulp fan I feel they represent something special. Different Class seems to embody that. Pop Music with something to say: funny, wry, sardonic and often uplifting.
Standout track: it can't be anything other than the truly wonderful Common People
Revisit?: Yes. From witnessing them in their embryonic days at the Adelphi in Hull to the present day, always a pleasure.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
It's all well and good but just doesn't deliver much of interest to me.
Nice voice, odd nice turn of phrase. Nice seems to sum it up.
Sam Cooke
4/5
Off the cuff remark: I am not overly familiar with Sam Cooke, so know next to nothing about him, of course there are some songs on here which I am familiar with. As a live album though this positively fizzes with energy and joy. Live albums sometimes have a "you had to be there" feel, this is more of "I wish I had been there".
Standout tracks: may be the songs I am most familiar with but Cupid and Bring It On Home to Me are still great.
Revisit?: I would be very happy to but it probably isn't something I will do in all honesty, bu I am intrigued to listen to some studio recordings.
Prince
1/5
I have never "got" Prince. I have always found him to be overblown and irritating. I couldn't bring myself to listen to the whole album, despite my best efforts with gritted teeth,
Devendra Banhart
2/5
I feel like I am missing something. Perfectly fine indie mumblings but what on earth is there to justify being on this list?
Stephen Stills
2/5
Dull and inoffensive but another one I just can't fathom why it's on the list.
I don't care who's in the band.
De La Soul
3/5
As Hip-Hop goes I am sure this is significant in it's development etc. There are some tracks which stand out , but as is so often the case with this genre for me its the variation in the music and instrumentation that makes it of interest. All the same this feels a bit... long. Magic Number, Me Myself and I are, great. The quiz show bits wear thin very quickly.
ZZ Top
2/5
Before I started listening to this I thought - this will be fun. Gimme All Your Lovin was a lot, well, worse then I remembered. The beards are probably the most exciting thing about ZZ Top. They're exciting beards, as beards go, but that isn't enough for a good album, never mind a great one.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
5/5
Off the cuff remark: I don't honestly know why but Elvis Costello has, almost passed me by. When I listened to This Year's Model this time (possibly first time all the way through?) I kind of regret that. It is fantastic guitar pop, just as it should be. I also had to listen again.
Standout track: I'm going to ignore the big ones, though Pump It Up and Chlesea are gems. I was less famliar with Hand in Hand, for example, and I love it.
Revisit?: Definitely, I feel I have under appreciated this album in particular. Sorry, Elvis has come back into the building...
Happy Mondays
1/5
Off the cuff remark: I was already to go with my prejudice and bin this album with vitriol. But being older, if not wiser, I listened to the whole album. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but it's just so mediocre.
Standout track: Wrote For Luck, because it's irritating.
Better contemporary Manchester bands: New Fast Automatic Daffodils, King of the Slums, Dub Sex etc etc
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
A whole lot of fun. Sleazy and rocking, but will they ever top Bellbottoms?
Led Zeppelin
1/5
Bored
Bored
Bored...
Bob Dylan
5/5
Off the cuff remark: as a kid of about 10 I still remember hearing "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" and being almost haunted by it - something that seemed so yearning and somehow mysterious at the same time. It was a decade or more until I heard this album but that song still strikes a chord, but it is one amongst a slew of wonderful songs. Very possibly my favourite Dylan album, although it doesn't have some of my favourite songs. Electric / folk debacle aside he is at the height of his powers here.
Standout track: apart from the aforementioned this has Subterranean Homesick Blues AND Mr Tambourine Man on. Masterful.
Revisit?: Oh I do and suspect I always will.
The Pogues
5/5
Off the cuff remark: no idea if this can be called a folk album or folk-pop or what but it is an absolute blistering gem of an album. Full of stories of heartbreak, self-destruction, and in many ways nuggets of Irish history delivered in Shane McGowans poetic acerbic wit. Genius
Standout track: not a "genre" I would usually celebrate but it has the best Christmas song ever on it, no debate - heartbreaking pop tune of wonder. The first 7 tracks are all absolute wonders - how often can you say that?
Revisit?: Often, with feeling.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1/5
Did I listen to the whole album? No I couldn't bear it.
It sounds like someone rolled up an ancient hippys sandal smoked it, learned to play the keyboard and thought that was a good idea. Horrific. One star is way too much.
Songhoy Blues
2/5
Off the cuff remark: completely new to me and I was initially intrigued by the seeming meeting of genres but with a lack of variety this quickly fell away. Reasonably listenable but just a bit lacking.
Coldplay
2/5
*sigh* it's just so ... pedestrian.... !
The War On Drugs
4/5
Off the cuff remark: when I this was first relased for some reason I had expected some kind of trance album not the guitar-wash Springsteen-equeness of the album, and I was pleasantly surprised. It works well as an album and I enjoy it, as I have again now, but is it "great" ?
Standout track:opener Under Pressure seems obvious Suffering is good too.
However it seems to pass by, all very nice and enjoyable, working well as an album but it is a bit, lacking in a real hook.
Revisit?: I have and will, but because it is a good solid album, nothing earth shattering.
The Police
5/5
1st 3 albums by the Police are some of my all-time favourites. Of the 3 I return to Regatta de Blanc again and again. It has some immensely great pop singles, some subtler moments and even some daftness. I don't think at their height the Police sound like anybody else. Happy to accept they (or perhaps Sting may) have disappeared up their/his own backside(s) but I still love this album, every track. I even like some of Stings recent ouput, for the record.
Death In Vegas
3/5
Not entirely sure what I was expecting from this. I thought I perhaps knew them but left feeling I can't have heard this album before. It sounds like they deaprately want to be writing soundtracks - wouldn't be surprised to learn that this is a soundtrack to something, but something too cool for me. Did I hear Jim Reid from Jesus & Mary Chain in there?? So it held my interest and I may go back to it, but is it particularly exciting / different etc. Not really. But worthy of a listen.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
It started well with Monday, Monday but with that and California Dreaming that was all I think I knew. It's not entirely surprising: accomplished schmaltzy pop which is largely not very exciting and hasn't aged particularly well.
Megadeth
1/5
You know I had a filling at the dentist this afternoon and maybe that put me in the wrong mood but the filling was more interesting than this dreary sludge.
Yes
1/5
Ha ha ha ha. Shark Sandwich? More like Shit Sandwich.
Rage Against The Machine
2/5
While I like the sentiment and what seems to be the attitude there’s only so much “hurr”, “Yeah”, “c’mon” over sludgy funk metal that I can cope with.
Boards of Canada
3/5
Not really my thing at all but this album is in my collection (though it’s a bit dusty). In the right frame of mind I quite like it. But it doesn’t really set anything much on fire. Not quite chillout, not quite dance which genre-defying is I suppose a good thing, but it lacks a little…
Blur
5/5
I think Modern Life is Rubbish is my favourite Blur album but I still think this is really, really good. Pop music with something to say, a bit of variety (not like that other five-letter band). Enormous amounts of fun, interesting lyrics, musical twists. Even though at the time I dearly wanted to escape Boys and Girls, that is still a great pop single. Deservedly on this list and I do listen, and will listen, again.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
I thought I was familiar with the yeah yeah yeahs, but after hearing this I don’t think I was. I am now. An enjoyable diversion in the form a girl-fronted indie guitar music. Setting the world alight? No. Rushing back to listen again? No. Happy to pay attention next time the name is mentioned? Sure.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
This MIGHT be my favourite Joni Mitchell album, marginally less vocal histrionics possibly even slightly less hippy (but don’t quote me on either of these things) but it does contain A Case of You which is a wonderful song. The whole album can be revisited with pleasure where some of her albums have wonderful songs and tiresome dirges combined. Not thisun. Today I am going to give it 4-stars on another day it might be 5.
Radiohead
5/5
I love a band who try to do what they want - regardless of trends, or other pressures and I have always felt radhiohead were one of these bands, at times I haven't much liked some of their output but my regard has remained pretty constant. This album however is a corker. Multi-layered, with some real political balls (which I also love) and some damn fine tunes. Very possibly worthy of the praise often heaped on it - that is rarely the case.
Drive-By Truckers
4/5
I feel like I have never quite "got" Drive-by Truckers. They have some (many) brilliant tunes. They are, of course, very much of their place. I struggle with an album of this mighty length. They feel like a theme tune to some of my favourite novels by JR Lonsdale (yes I know that's more Texas but...) but I am afraid it has some weaker moments. I think with a bit more careful choice and it would be a more complete, and better, album. But it is still pretty impressive album. Perhaps I should have seen them live?
Green Day
5/5
There was a time when this was almost stuck on my turntable. I'm a fan. Revisiting this was a bit like having a beer with an old friend, I also tried (and probably failed) to listen to it a bit more subjectively - while there were some cries of "sellout" from the punk fraternity I always thought - this is snotty, punky POP music what are you on about? Does it shatter boundaries and genres? - No. Is it a masterclass in infectious pop-punk? Yes. Angst-ridden harmonies and bashing power-chords abound and I completely love it. Still.
Miles Davis
5/5
I am sure I have said it before. Something about Jazz - I feel I don't have a clue about it and resort to a slightly neanderthal "I know what I like" - and this is the perfect example of that. And it is perfect as far as I can hear.
Kanye West
1/5
I tried, I really did (twice), but this left me just... bored. I'll accept it's not a style of music that I know much about but this doesn't make me want to know any more...
3/5
Not entirely sure what to make of this. The Kinks wrote some masterful songs. There is evidence of that here, but, and this might be entirely a result of listening to this in 2025 but at times it feels like a pastiche of something. Perhaps that's the point? But it does contain the wonderful "Victoria" am I allowed to say the Falls version is better? No? Too bad, I did cause it is.
Joy Division
4/5
Tickled me to listen to this on the way to a work Christmas meeting, perfect to get me in the mood...
Aside from that it is a long time since I had listened to this whole album and it was great to revisit. While subject matter and sound is pretty stark it has stood the test of time very well. Not much else that sounds like it either.
Badly Drawn Boy
2/5
It feels to me like Badly Drawn Boy is a serious case of who you know. It isn't that it is bad, just so... ordinary. Saw him live once too and remember getting bored very quickly. I hoped to revisit the album and be proved wrong. How on earth it is on a list like this I have no idea. A guitar a few melodies and some nice production doesn't make it anything remotely special.
The Byrds
3/5
The opening track is great but as an album something about this just doesn't gel for me. It has the chiming 12-strings but is just a bit wayward. If I knew the history of the Byrds perhaps I could pinpoint why. I don't so I am just a bit nonplussed.
David Bowie
3/5
I think this was Bowie's last album and I suppose that it is testament to him as an artist that he was still exploring and trying different things and doing what he wanted to, as I think I have said before something I always admire. But, as with this album, the end result to my ears isn't anything particularly special. Interesting, yes, but just not very special.
It plays around with some jazz and dancey almost trip-hop elements so it does sound pretty "modern" but I don't find it particularly exciting. Then I'm also thinking (and showing my lack of Bowie knowledge) he must have been nearly 70, so that is quite an achievement. Lazarus is probably my favourite track.
Foo Fighters
3/5
While I think Foo Fighters in many ways are a straight rock band. They are also at times very fine indeed. Given this is the infancy of it all and is all Grohl it's pretty remarkable. For me thought it still is perhaps a little long and an artist perhaps finding his feet? Good to listen to again after so long.
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
Not in any way something I would think to listen to, and I have been missing out, it is is really quite hypnotising. I have no idea how it compares to anything similar but I would very happily return to this beautifully evocative and quite serene music.
Fugazi
5/5
Absolute belter of an album. Extremely thoughful AND angry. With some rhythms and instrumental hooks of real interest. Doing what they wanted and explaining why in a much more rock n roll way than that sounds. A huge slab of melodic hardcore with attitude, and tunes. I am sure with the right marketing it could be have been "bigger" than it was. A whole point in that. In the face of so much that is anodyne, then and now, I return to this, ahem, repeatedly and it always sounds immense every time.
Various Artists
2/5
Welll... it's Christmas and this is a Christmas album. Was it so cheesey when it was released?
Paul Simon
3/5
I can put my hand on my heart and say I have NEVER heard this album and I only recognise one song, which seems to surprise me. That said I enjoyed it. It didn't blow me away but it was... nice... and a little interesting. I will listen to it again.
Lorde
2/5
Big Star
3/5
I know Big Star are revered and as a fan of the Replacements and Teenage Fan Club I can appreciate their influence but somehow the "original" just doesn't live up to the expectation for me. Good stuff just not the great I always expect...
The Charlatans
2/5
It is perhaps uncharitable but my feelings about the Charlatans have not changed much since their existence in the 90s - I always felt they were a poor mans Oasis mixed with Stone Roses - all that media-created "baggy" thing ?? It's palatable but uninspiring.
Kate Bush
3/5
Blame my kids and Stranger Things but until "Runing up that Hill" became perpetually in my vicinity I always had Kate Bush as a slight oddity, that frankly, got on my nerves. With a bit of age, the aforementioned TV series and a bit more openmindedness (or aged conservatism!?) I found I enjoyed most of the album. It's still a little irritatingly "arty / etheriel" in places but an enjoyable listen I will possibly return to.
James Brown
4/5
This is exactly the kind of record (particularly as a live album) that I think... I bet being there was wonderful. I think I get the whole vibe, it is absolutely alive, and while it's not something I really know much about it is hard to find music with more 'soul'. I love it, but other than in things like this list I can't honestly say I would sit down and listen to the album. I feel it is important that I have listened to it, and I have.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
I have to say listening to this on a grey and freezing, damp day seems all wrong. Perhaps it is this but I find while it is a great album it just doesn't hit the spot like say, Exodus or Natty Dread. It has Stir It Up on it watch is wonderful. I have no idea of the history of what came first or wahtever, but something about the vocal delivery across most of the album seems a bit lacking somehow - but that is in comparing it with some masterful albums. As it stands it is still a fabulous record.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
An entirely decent bit of countr / Americana which I enjoyed listening to. Nothing standout about it which does beg the question, why is it on this list? Though I may not have listened to it otherwise? No great loss in that, but I enjoyed it.
Metallica
1/5
If all these songs were at least half as long I could do a Beavis and Butthead impression and enjoy myself. But they go on and on and stop being funny, quickly.
Cypress Hill
2/5
Seem to repeat myself about hip hop generally. My knowledge of it is low. My enjoyment of it very mixed. The hypermasculinity and misogyny of so much of it seems to be mercifully absent from Cypress Hill, or did I just switch off as I wasn't very interested in it? Think they smoke a lot.... this could take things either way... ??
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
It's hard to deny the joy in this album and although I don't seem to recognise any of these songs specfically it also seems to reflect much of the music that was on the radio when I was, pre-teen, so there is also something nostalgic about it for me in a slightly "background" way. Would I go out of my way to listen to Earth, Wind and Fire again? Probably not. But enjoyed it while it lasted..
The Specials
5/5
What an absolute joy of an album. It's angry, it's fun it has a fabulous blend of social commentary, pop tunes, acerbic lyrics and stick-in-the-head melodies. A bloody marvel.
The Kinks
4/5
I have to confess to being mildly disappointed, bookended by two masterpieces: David Watts and Waterloo Sunset, the rest fall short, but then that shouldn't be a surprise when they are so good. A good time listening for sure
2/5
I don't think I have ever known anything by ABC apart from 3 hits here. They are pure 80s pop and little else. Decent for that, but hardly world class
The La's
3/5
There She Goes was such a massive hit - it is till on regular rotation on things like local radio, and it's a great pop tune but it was interesting that there were several other songs that I was more familiar with than I expected to be. For me the La's seem to be forever a sort of nice background hum to the 1990s, and even now this seems to remain a nice background hum that just never grabs me.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
I struggle a little with Marvin Gaye - I don't think I have heard any of these songs before?? It has an incredibly luscious production and a great feel to it. If anyone was ever to ask me which artist epitomizes pop-soul (I have no doubt someone will one day) I would say Marvin Gaye, and now I have heard Let's Get It On, I might, if I remember it, say this album. However my memory isn't great and there is something about it that I thoroughly enjoy but it just doesn't stick... therein lies the problem. It's mighty pop soul but I have to leave it there.
The Band
3/5
I am sure I should know my musical history better than I do, and I suspect that The Band were important for some reason but while this is a decent album I find it's not really all that exciting, The Weight is a song that seems to stick out for me. It sounds a bit like Neil Young fronting the Small Faces, which might sound great in principle and it's good just not very inspiring.
Spacemen 3
5/5
I think it's fair to say that this being on the list came as a massive surprise. Aside from anything to do with drug taking this is a really great album. I still remember the first time I heard "Revolution" as a teenager and it blew my mind. As I've got older I have still returned to this album and I still get that bit of a rush with Revolution but it's some of the gentler moments which seem to resonate more now, with sublime tracks like So Hot (Wash Away All of My Tears). In retrospect I think you can see the two directions that will be Spiritualised and Sonic Boom but before that split they work wonderfully together here. It is still a pleasure to listen to, preferably at some volume,
Ryan Adams
3/5
At the time I was a little surprised at the heaps of praise that seemed to be lavished on Ryan Adams, I really enjoyed his first album (apart from the slightly odd conversation about Morrissey that was on it for some reason.) Here I particularly like Wild Flowers, but given his reported treatment of several women Nobody Girl feels a little uncomfortable. Aside from this it's a fairly good listen, just not very exciting. A decent singer songwriter doing his thing...
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Manic Street Preachers really frustrate me. I have always loved their attitude, their lyrics are often spot on, but I tend to find the majority of their songs.... disappointing. I don't recall listening to this album before. Listening now it seems to epitomise all of the above which is bloody annoying.
Arcade Fire
3/5
A good indie album. With it's own distinct feel and sound. I enjoyed it when it was released and enjoyed listening again now, though I haven't listened to it a lot in between. Several times when listening this time around it brought to mind David Byrne, which certainly isn't a bad thing, not sure why but there we go... It's another one which I can't quite see why it is on this list. Decent enough but not amazing.
Jorge Ben Jor
2/5
When I saw this album pop up I was genuinely really interested. Rightly, or wrongly, I consider myself to have pretty eclectic music tastes and something new, "world" (laziest genre name ever?) And I had high hopes. Unfortunately I was disappointed. I suppose it's an artists perogative to experiment etc. but there is too much funk in this for my liking which takes away from the interest and makes it blander than it might be.
Dinosaur Jr.
5/5
Freakscene was one of around half a dozen songs which I would say really captured me and got me on the lifelong path of "indie" / alternative whateveryouwanttocallit music. Hearing that again (it's been a little while) was both a little nosalgic and also a blast of what what the kids today might call a banger (expect I'm out of date with that too) but I was surprised how many of the other songs on this album I also remember vividly, but then there are some fabulous indie rock songs here. What a refreshing blast of drawly vocals and guitar-led ear cleaning. Fabulous.
Napalm Death
3/5
Wow. Napalm Death are a band I genuinely have fond memories of listening to, alongside Extreme Noise Terror, on the radio courtesy of John Peel. Listening to this whole album was the aural equivalent of wearing a hair shirt. I now feel cleansed and righteous. It may be some time until I listen again...
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
1/5
Urrgh... this kind of blues rock really gets on my nerves. I have no doubt that you are wonderful musicians but having nothing but how wonderful you are rammed in my face is so tedious. Unremittingly dull and probably highly influential on a whole world of unremittingly dull and nauseating other music.
Kraftwerk
3/5
On the one hand this sounds so dated and yet I know it was well ahead of it's time. Do I like it? Well... it has a certain feel about it which is hard to ignore, The Model is a slightly odd but rather good pop song (though I actually love Big Black's version). Overall it's perhaps a more ambient album than I was expecting and I quite like that. Would I want to listen to it a lot? Probably not.
ZZ Top
2/5
I feel there is too much blues-rock in this list and two ZZ Top albums so far - who knows there might be another - but the merciful thing about this album is that the songs are relatively short without spiralling into too much guitar wankery. It is just... a bit depressing when it feels like it should be either lifting or wallowing but instead it just chugs along.
Calexico
4/5
I can't quite put my finger on Calexico part-Americana, part indie-folk western with a dash of Mariachi, but that's a good thing. And I love Feast of Wire, it's an interesting listen in terms of music and the stories. I think this is their 3rd album, suppose I could have looked it up, but whatever it is a great album which is always a pleasure to listen to if only becuase of the variety, is Not Even Stevie Nicks... the obvious stand out track? Well it's brilliant so that's fine too. Lovely atmospheric stuff.
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
To my ears, at least, Teenage Fan Club were another band championed by John Peel which I came to love, probably coming to them late with a Peel session which I know included Alocoholiday a fabulous track from this wonderful album. Grand Prix stands out as their absolute tour de force, but this is almost equally wonderful. I think they always wore their influences on their sleeves e.g. Big Star but I think they are so much better than them. Some wonderful melodies, great arrangements and clever lyrical and musical twists along the way. The slightly understated December is perhaps a less obvious particular highlight. Bandwagonesque made it clear they were and in fact still are something special.
Einstürzende Neubauten
4/5
There's a theme here, you'll never guess... I first heard Einsturzende Neubation (Collapsing New Buildings , I think?) on the radio courtesy of John Peel. They scared me then and scare me now. Listening to a song like Negativ Nein or Kollaps is a disturbing and unnerving experience, which is worth repeating. Before "industrial" became a thing here they were sounding like.... collapsing buildings burying people alive. If you like a melody and a Stock Aitken and Waterman hook you will either switch it off very quickly or have nightmares. I like that very much about this. Would I want to listen regularly ? Probably not but I totally enjoy where it's coming from.
Steely Dan
2/5
As soon as I started listening to this album I realised they are a name that is very familiar but I don't recall ever listening to them before, so wondered where this would lead... and it's seventies rock-pop I suppose, inoffensive but unremarkable, sure I missed something?
The White Stripes
3/5
I just don't get the wild infatuation with the White Stripes. There are some catchy riffs and a fuzzy indie-rock-blues thing going on but I am clearly just not cool enough to understand how this is anything remarkable. I like it well enough, I have this album, but don;t listen all that often is it's just not very exciting. Or is it just me? It is? Oh well...