Julian certainly had a lot to say and as such this album doesn't suffer from CD bloat as many did around this time.
A lesson in tedium. The opening and closing bass lines of the album are the highlights. Whiny vocal throughout does nothing for me.
The singles are obviously the standout tracks. Overall not unpleasant.
A very accomplished album for a teenager. A great variety of styles across the set giving the album depth.
The first "new" album that wasn't in my copy of the book. I totally missed it at the time of release. A very enjoyable album. Will be looking out for a physical version of it.
Easy listening. The stand out tracks for me are those written by Crosby.
An almost perfect slab of pop, rock, dance. John & Andy channel Chic through driving funky basslines and sharp guitar work.
I found it a very interesting album musically. Like so many records I didn't really enjoy the voice but it varied enough to keep my interest.
Probably their best work, 8 tracks over 55 minutes. Thrash with healthy nods to a more mainstream metal.
An interesting listen, plenty of variety. 'Nice' probably covers it but surprised it's in the 1001 albums we must hear.
It seems Jack had lots of ideas coming into this album. Some them come off really well, others needed to be more refined. all the same an exciting solo debut.
Great rock album, I tend to forget about how good they were before the 80s.
Just a fantastic album. Had to play it a second time.
A fine example of NWOBHM. I would probably lose the ballad which seemed obligatory around this era.
Their first and best album. Contains the ubiquitous Mr. Brightside (last time I looked 410 weeks on UK chart). Clever sequencing by front loading the album with all the singles to get you hooked in, you can almost forgive Everything Will Be Alright by the end.
Pleasant enough, not something I would be wanting to listen to again. By then end of the album I was glad there was no more. Off to listen to some Joy Division to cheer myself up after that.
This was a pleasant surprise. No surf songs. Spectoresque in its production at times. But as the 1001 book says "...containing what is easily the worst track in this entire book ..", at least in the modern era we can block a track. Definitely an album I'll come back to. RIP Brian.
It's hard to know what influence it had on release. Now it seems very much of its time. The "bonus" tracks don't really had much to the experience. The stand out tracks are the most that still get played to death.
They run through their favourite bits of the 60's.
40 minutes of my life I won't get back. I just don't get this style of rap.
One I'll come back to. I want to understand this one more. Perhaps a tad on the long side.
Perfectly palatable pop. Similar to La Roux or Chvrches from the same period.
Pleasant enough. Raised On Robbery brings a welcome gear change and is the highlight of the album for me.
Not one I had heard of before. It's OK. A nice bit of variety in there. I wouldn't turn it off but then again I doubt I have the urge to go, I really want to listen to Shack today.
An interesting collection of (mostly) cover versions. I enjoyed her delivery on these.
17 y.o. me would be disgusted with me not giving this 5* but hearing it back it certainly has its moments but probably not as consistent as I remember it. I still love the production and the bands overall sound.
Just a wonderful album from start to finish. Sequenced nicely to give it flow and appropriate breaths.
I guess you can hear their influence on later artistes. Didn't really grab me at all.
Not something or someone I had heard of before. I found it an interesting album to listen to especially considering it is an improvised piece. Definitely coming back to this one.
if you are going to listen to one shoegaze album this would be it. sonicly very dense at times with seemingly everything mixed to the middle, this gives a claustrophobic almost intoxicated feel. The vocals sometimes are just another noise in this hubbub. at times I would describe this as cocteau twins clashing with the jesus and mary chain. personal note: strange how I enjoy this but am not of fan of sonic youth or pixies etc. - must be the vocals. And yes, lowercase as a tribute.
Thirty odd year on and this doesn't sound as subversive as it probably did on release. Just a cracking industrial metal album.
Painful. Apparently the 13th best selling album of all time. I first heard this while following the 20 Million Club podcast, wasn't impressed then and it still doesn't do anything for me.
I appreciate that it has had a world of influence but I'd rather listen to those than this. Similar to Dylan in that covers are so better than the original.
One of the "new" albums (i.e. not in my version of the book). Not a false step here. Very assured debut (fastest selling debut at the time of release). An Indie classic.
The smattering of originals amongst this predominately covers collection fit nicely. Frantic at times but fun all the way through.
Nice example late 70s new wave/ not quite punk / rock. The stand out track is Another Girl, Another Planet, found on many a compilation album over years.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting.
She's a fine singer but I was done after about 10 tracks.
A interesting piece of IDM. For me not their best album but a solid collection all the same. The newly released extended version has some excellent additions.
A side is good, flip side a bit too folky for my taste.