Apr 05 2025
Play
Moby
Like a dish that's got loads of great ingredients cooked at the wrong temperature, disappointingly slow, smug and thin-sounding in places, I should like Moby, but I don't. During the first half, I wanted to listen to better ambient music, actively bored. Some great samples of better music. Warmed to the album as it came became an ambient album proper in the second half.
1
Apr 06 2025
With The Beatles
Beatles
Traditional rock and roll made me want to swing dance again (other than Devil in her heart, which is a fun salsa segue). Guitar occasionally takes it up a notch. I imagine it would have been great live and a bit looser. I wanna be your man is the highlight.
3
May 29 2025
Exit Planet Dust
The Chemical Brothers
I loved every track on this on first listen. Another listen diminished it slightly but still a very high 4.
4
May 30 2025
Boston
Boston
Great fun, an organ solo! A couple of excellent tracks, didn't have the depth to score higher though. High 3
3
May 31 2025
Step In The Arena
Gang Starr
Really liked this, chilled out hip hop, some nice base, bit of sax. Would put this on when I'm working and need to focus.
4
Jun 01 2025
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
I found challenging to key into; I needed to step into listening as the first track progressedβmoments of an almost estuary thom yorke. Interesting use of drone, experimental jazz was something you'd need to be in the mood for but I think I was today. Strong 3
3
Jun 03 2025
Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
There are great tracks on this album but I found a the transitions jarring. A glam rock power house start gives way to a a-tonal song that I'm not sure has an end. Then what follows is a fun series of rock/folk/punk tracks that I'm not sure count as any thing more than high fidelity experiments. 3 stand out tracks. I'd have kept the three good tracks and the finale and kept working. Blue Orchid, My Doorbell and The Denial Twist plus I'm Lonley as it's a solid answer to a question that wasn't quite asked.
2
Jun 04 2025
All Hail the Queen
Queen Latifah
I'm an 80s child who likes funk, saxophones, jazz, and spoken word, so this seemed very accessible. I'd happily have this on in the background. Occationally some of the lyricism/rhyme I think suffers from time passed on slower tracks, it's hard to unimagine the 35 years between then and now that telegraph what probably once sounded punchy. More uptempo tracks feel tighter/fresher. That said Princess of the Possee was great. Remixes didn't add anything imo.
3
Jun 05 2025
More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
Lost my original notes! Great riffs, strong beat, lots to love here. Loved the tracks as they came up, and noted a good few as they came up. I enjoyed the listen but in hind sight nothing moved me emotionally. High 3
3
Jun 06 2025
A Wizard, A True Star
Todd Rundgren
I liked having listened to first half of this, like an immersive sound bath with all the layers of texture, some nice base and saxophone in places, lots of interesting percussion. I just can't imagine this being something you listen to all the time. The second was nice enough but nothing of note.
2
Jun 07 2025
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
There is so much variation in guitar styles out of the gate all, exquisite. Then bam, Dazed and Confused, the drums, the bass, the guitar, the vocals... the little call-and-answers underneath are just lovely. The blues standards that could have just been filler they really added something to! Also just really nicely recorded and remastered.
5
Jun 08 2025
Chris
Christine and the Queens
Beautiful clean vocals a solid synth-pop album. I think if I didn't know the work on either side, I would like this even more. I want to listen to this more, though.
3
Jun 09 2025
You Are The Quarry
Morrissey
There are a good few excellent tracks on this where he's being vulnerable, his voice is beautiful and the lyrics are strong. Some good album tracks. Then a few where the lyrics come across as angry teenage attempts at profound political insight. Overall the tracks that already know well I enjoyed but I wouldn't rush to listen to the whole album again.
3
Jun 10 2025
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
This album came out when I was 16; a lot of people at school loved it; I the contrarian, therefore thought it was naff. My assumption was going into this listen that nostalgia would override my anti-Ibiza alcopop snobbery... this didn't really play out. I liked a lot of what was going on: Build it Up, Tear It Down and Soul Surfing are great. Love Island is an absolute banger. There are loads of great samples and layering, but it's also crass and a bit lightweight in places; the big hit singles can stay at the foam parties with the WKD.
2
Jun 11 2025
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Clean pared back folk, a great listen from start to finish
5
Jun 12 2025
En-Tact
The Shamen
Liked the rap, and the music, but the sung vocals took me away from wanting to listen to it more. Not so keen on the pet shop boys style bits.
3
Jun 13 2025
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
It's very pretty, but I don't feel like I get it. Still nice tracks though "I know there's an answer" was good. I'm missing something.
3
Jun 14 2025
Is This It
The Strokes
Accomplished, lots to love!
4
Jun 15 2025
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
What a voice! The more produced tracks with Mark Ronson are certainly punchier but the rawness on the other tracks is still great. I love the mix of jazz, big band, two tone and pop.
4
Jun 16 2025
The Undertones
The Undertones
Catching up on yesterday's... I used to listen to a lot of punk and ska.
This was great fun but I pretty much like anything with this style of drumming π€£
4
Jun 17 2025
2112
Rush
Some stuff I loved, some weaker bits. Would listen again, made me want to discover more Rush.
3
Jun 18 2025
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
My review of this is very influenced by the fact that I originally listened to this over two days. I'd had to break my listen yesterday afternoon so listened to the last 3 tracks this morning. My experience was so different I ended up going back and having a second listen. First time through Liam's vocal style and stretched vowels dominated, not always grating but overpowering. Second time the music came to the front, the guitar and percussion uncovered. Both times Supersonic and Cigarettes and Alcohol stood out, Married with Children was also a nice finish, I'd have liked to have more of that.
3
Jun 19 2025
Come Find Yourself
Fun Lovin' Criminals
I listened to this album quite a bit as a teen. Funky laid back hip hop with some nice trumpets and bass lines. Where there are heavy guitars I don't think they add anything, "Scooby snacks" and the very chill "I Can't get with that" were highlights for me. I don't think when I first heard this I'd have really known "we have all the time in the world" except maybe from bond so all I can think is were they trying to bring it to a new audience in a time where music was less accessible... either way it's not a great cover and didn't add anything. Towards the end of the album it drops off but it still stands up in the main.
3
Jun 20 2025
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
It's just a great album from start to finish.
5
Jun 21 2025
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
Not my thing, I get there's talent but I think even this more nuanced or intelligent gangster rap still fundamentally is situated in a hyper masculine point of view that I'm never going to connect with. 2
2
Jun 22 2025
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
Pink Floyd
I think this is great, psychedelic and melodic. 4 for me!
4
Jun 23 2025
Another Green World
Brian Eno
So zen, I would happily have this on while doing things. Nice tracks a few little highlights, really liked the little fishes, very evocative.
3
Jun 24 2025
The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
I like this, it's great fun, humorous, camp, over-the-top drama. Drums are brilliant and the guitars are all excellent, this music is meant to be belted, by air guitar-wielding nerds worshipping at the feet of a 20ft tall papier mache zombie. I love the rhythm of 22 Acacia Avenue, a bouncy moshable tune. The number of the beast and Run to the Hills are genre-defining. British heavy metal doesn't need to be taken seriously just let the amped up proggy lines take you on a joy ride. 4/5
4
Jun 25 2025
The Trinity Session
Cowboy Junkies
I liked it! The jazz drums are great, I liked the guitar lines, and the harmonica was beautiful. Yes, it was slow, but considered and controlled.
3
Jun 26 2025
Sail Away
Randy Newman
Not for me, occational moments I liked. But also... there was a tuba and I couldn't get over it being Randy Newman's voice.
2
Jul 08 2025
Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
The singles are iconic but even the less well known quieter tracks have a almost cinematic quality. Beautiful layers of texture run across the pop first half and the more experimental second. It's wild to have an album that seemlesly manages to celebrate Irish folk and push the boundaries into experimental pop. Strong 4
4
Jul 09 2025
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
You can feel the sticky carpets. A whole album dedicated to the local lads living in big towns and provincial English cities and their nights out when all the uni kids have gone home. Fake tan, lager, idiotic banter. But the music is as good as this wave of indy/garage rock got. Frenetic guitars and countering bass add to the picture of a youthful summer - old enough to think you're an adult but too young to worry about the rent.
4
Jul 10 2025
The Predator
Ice Cube
I really liked some of this, great hip hop, made me want to get up and dance, the start was electric. The second half dropped off too much for me. Strayed into macho nonsense without anything musically interesting enough to forgive it. Low 3.
3
Jul 11 2025
New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
Simple Minds
80s synth-pop, quite liked having it on, but nothing stood out really. Good but forgettable. 3/5
3
Jul 12 2025
Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
I like this album, Big stadium rock with some Muse classics. Would listen to this loud.
4
Jul 13 2025
Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Stereolab
What a find, how have I never listened to this before. It's like finding a room in your house you've not been into before in a dream. Sublime
5
Jul 14 2025
The Scream
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Love this, looking forward to hearing where this goes next! Solid punk, then veers into new romanticβloads of negative space between elements, like the playing with pitch and pace. Great vocalisations.
4
Jul 15 2025
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
I like the album, but think there's probably a more typically Motown album I'd like more. The drums on some tracks in particular are really great. Some of the Latin rhythms though weren't my cup of tea. 3 for me
3
Jul 16 2025
The Coral
The Coral
I didn't really work out the band or the album's identity - stylised 70s concept, 00s rock, comic rock??? If there was one thing they'd gone all in with along the lines of the stronger songs I'd have got it's inclusion. That said a couple of the stronger songs are good - low 3
3
Jul 17 2025
Tom Tom Club
Tom Tom Club
The relentlessness of the rhythm is refreshing. Really liked this. Really consistent drive carries through while the vibe of the singing is both varied and congruent. Just really good fun high 4.
4
Jul 20 2025
Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
Some nice bits of guitar here and there but otherwise forgettable.
2
Jul 21 2025
Sunshine Superman
Donovan
I liked this, (we didn't listen to the creepy track). I liked the psychedelic folk even the Arthurian track, Sunshine Superman and season of the witch were highlights. 4
4
Jul 22 2025
Nevermind
Nirvana
The level of nostalgia attached to this album for an elder millennial cannot be understated; this was the soundtrack to our early teens and a foundation stone in convincing us gen x would always be cooler than we were. Most things from the early 90s with that level of affection attached crumble under real inspection... This is not in that category.
Best listened to with some volume, surprisingly varied for an album where every track earns it's space, insainly energetic, still remarkable.
5
Jul 24 2025
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
A laid back Sabbath on this album, melodic and lighter than the Sabbath I think of. Changes and Under the sun/Every day comes and goes are probably my highlights. Very listenable but missing the big hits that mark their best albums. 4
4
Jul 25 2025
Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
This was a nice listen, I don't think I'd heard of them before, but this would be something I'd put on when I'm walking about and not in a hurry. Laid back, chilled. Strong 3
3
Jul 29 2025
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
This is the musical equivalent of a Jason Statham movie, yes it's loud and brash, yes the writing may not be the best, yes if there was this much cheese on a pizza I might remove it. But it's fun, cheesey, loud, brash, in your face. I like the hair metal guitars, and the loud drums, I think it's completely mad that a band could have this almost delusional level of confidence out of the gate. I will defend my memories of back to back air guitar-wielding to sweet child of mine many many times with the same level of energy I would the Beekeeper (which is worth a watch). Is this a great album no, is there great music on this album... maybe. It makes me happy.
4
Jul 30 2025
Kimono My House
Sparks
I love how weird this is, fun, glam that stays away from Slade-esque silliness. Quite edgy elements under the humour and faultless and almost unbelievable falsetto. Might go to a 4!
4
Jul 31 2025
Heroes to Zeros
The Beta Band
I think I'm pretty tolerant of sonic exploration and mixing up different ideas, but this just seemed like the band had said yes to every idea regardless of quality. A series of bland non-sequiturs. 1
1
Aug 02 2025
Either Or
Elliott Smith
Really nice, accoustic, grunge adjacent liked it a lot.
4
Aug 04 2025
Pink Flag
Wire
A missing piece that takes you from 70s punk proper and assertive at the door of 80s post punk. Really enjoyed this in particular the title track. Solid 4
4
Aug 07 2025
Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Spiritualized
From the opening bars this was a beautiful rediscovery. Each track fitted exactly where it belongs. Wonderful.
5
Aug 08 2025
Konnichiwa
Skepta
Some tracks were fun, some I could imagine on a night out, some were... lacking in maturity. Music made up for some of the weaker lyrics 3 overall
3
Aug 09 2025
A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
This was good, I think I'd rate it higher if I was walking with it on headphones. Great covers, stayed the right side of schmaltz, the tracks are big which her voice demands. Solid 3, on another day could have been a 4.
3