For the first half I wanted different mixes of most of the songs. The second half picked up and was an enjoyable ambient group of songs.
It was relaxing by the end, but didn't stand out to me.
Enjoyable album. I can't help but think that the faster songs are the ones that kick in the a 90s action film when something cool is about to go down.
It's most famous song is right at the start. I thought it would make the rest of the listening dull by comparison, but was happy that wasn't the case. It's a fun, easy album. For me the first two songs are still the strongest. I had thought Something about you was the closing song and probably would have preferred that it was.
Nice and chilled back hip hop. Really easy to listen to. High 3.
It was difficult at times with the deliberately discordant parts, but overall a nice listen to something a bit more experimental. Parts of it felt like it would fit with later Radiohead. I'd listen again and would check out what else he had
Blue orchid is great. Feels like Marc Bolan would approve. The Nurse calms it down again before upping the fun again with My Doorbell. Really like the way the words spit out. Little Ghost is fun but the ones around don't leave much impression on me until Take, Take, Take. It was difficult to get into at the start but by the end of the song I enjoyed it. I'd skip Red Rain. I'm Lonely is a good ending.
Overall strong album. Although Mama Gave Birth to the Soul Children's voice effect went on too long for me at the end of the song. Would happily work or workout to this.
I liked the album and I would happily just put on to listen the whole way through again (and would have on if having people over). Take me to the river was the one that stood out this listen, which I feel a bit bad about as it's a cover.
First half was strange and fun in places, but not consistently enough for me. Then the second half is okay, but feels all over the place with only half an album left to establish anything. I liked the more melodic parts, however nothing stuck with me.
They were a bombastic band from the start. Maybe because of the skill and experience they already had, but it feels like they were a fantastic, fully formed idea from the beginning. I would have felt like the cool kid for sure if I put this on at a party when it came out. Although it would have been hard not to break that illusion as I would have probably done some air guitar at some point. Would have been amazing to see live.
I really enjoyed it and would happily have on again. I can't remember thinking a particular song must be the single, but that wasn't a bad thing.
First song feels weak in lyrics. The second is a bit stronger but is massively helped by better music. I Have Forgiven Jesus feels more personal and introspective and works well. This continues nicely in Come back to Camden. This back and forth continues through the album. The First of the Gang is a clear standout as a single.
A mixed bag. The singles still feel strong, Fucking in Heaven felt like a lad culture throwback, and then the others were between fun and forgettable. Love Island and Acid 8000 were pleasant surprises near the end.
A great mix of personal/love songs with the more political. An album I'll enjoy listening to again and again to pick up more and more on the lyrics.
I like the music more than the vocals and lyrics. My energy wained by 666 edit. I can imagine it being used in a spin class nowadays. On the songs with less vocals, it fit for focussed working. At those 90s raves I can imagine this going down well. I don't think I would listen to without ear/headphones. The "move any mountain" across different tracks becomes repetitive.
A solid album.
In my head I remember "God Only Knows", then it comes on and it's so much better.
Came out when I was 16 and was listened to by those who didn't just go for pop music. They feel like another wave of New York effortless cool. There's a lot of fun riffs/sections; really liked the singles and the opening song.
Great album. Songs have a good variation from one to the next make it engaging the whole way through.
Has some fun moments. It was pretty easy to listen to and inoffensive. Didn't strike me as much as some other more well known Rush songs.
Rock 'n' Roll star is a great energy opening. A lot of the happiness I get from this is probably nostalgia. I didn't play Oasis songs but heard the album a lot with my brother. As a result I didn't over listen to it since and it comes as a nice return.
Feels like it should be listened in summer. Which it is. Scooby snacks was still fun despite it being overplayed in my university halls (with one person always acting it out...). The second half wore thin (including the what a wonderful world cover) and easily forgettable until the last two.
A comfort album. So many great singles coming together with the other tracks holding their own like "Elizabeth my dear" using the traditional ballad Scarborough fair.
The beginning was a hard listen hearing the mindset of a teenager so crude and toxic (in their toxic world). The music was good and I like there being a journey over the album. I think I would have to listen a few times to appreciate more of the arc. I
Fun and silly psychedelic rock.
I preferred the instrumental songs over the ones with vocals. A really interesting album to relax into.
They deliver exactly what you expect. It keeps a fast (galloping) pace throughout the album. The songs are unapologetically over the top, silly and fun. If you're in the right zone when listening, the fun carries over. If not, it's eye-rolling and record switching time.
Lovely and engaging start with "mining for gold". Drifted into music I'd expect to be live background for a restaurant on a summer's evening. When returning we'd say something like "that was really nice, wasn't it?" To each other whilst realising we had had 2 bottles of wine between us and a strong aperitif.
Hard to get over his voice being so synonymous with Toy Story in the first song. After that their are some interesting songs in topics, however I suspect I would find more to connect with in later albums.
Very interesting and needs more listens.
With the band it has a "full" rock and roll sound. That fullness was maybe too consistent for me. On first listen I don't really connect with the lyrics for many of the songs on this album, however it feels like there will be more to get out of some with multiple listens.
I've not really listened to this sort of music before. If I could dance I could imagine the songs on a night at club. It had the ones you bring out your best moves on, and then ones you sit and catch your breath, then there are those where you just watch the band have fun.
Holiday was a cheeky change that feels like an extended theme tune of a TV series in the 50s.
I might have preferred if 'Blues a La Machito' had come earlier on the album.
Musically I think it's quite beautiful, however I have a low tolerance for his cynical view of the world and people around him so often without much light.
That said, I felt Lifeguard sleeping, girl drowning was a strong modern folk song with lovely use of wind instruments. And Speedway was a good finish.
I'm thinking a 3 for me.
Straight from the start there is a lot going on. The first song sounds vintage beastie boys, before a quick fast guitar led song. The album then has a lot of variation in music styles as well as format. It makes you feel more part of who the beastie boys are beyond just the songs. On the right day this all hits one score higher.
The sound feels unique. After Poison Arrow, I found it hard to plug into the particulars of the songs (except The Look of Love PT 1), until the change of pace with 'All of My Heart'. 4 Ever 2 gether also stands out and the last two songs are both fun returns (Although I don't think Theme from "Mantrap" was on the original release)
The two sides are both engaging for different reasons. The singles in the first half have a unique sound to the contemporary songs I've heard but are still great pop songs. The second half explored different sounds and was more experimental. Particular favourites were Waking the Witch and Jig of Life.
Having swerved this album when it came out, I wasn't sure how listening now would go. The first track didn't give me much hope as the fast and frantic on each instrument and vocal quickly became a constant baseline without much deviation for me. But then as the tracks progressed it gave me that variation I craved; in particular on the vocals.
The lyrics are confrontational and caricatures people, which I find hard to tune into, but when/if you are tuned in, it's an adrenaline fun ride.
Fun, in-your-face, offensive, and crude in places but a raw reflection on life and racial tensions in America. Second half felt it could have been trimmed a bit.
There are definitely parts I find interesting (bass lines most frequently), but some songs faded totally into the background for me. I liked Glittering Prize, and then the beginning of Hunter and The Hunted, but the length of song lost its impact.
The opening feels like Queen (Flash era) and the weakest song for me. The rest of the album feels more distinctly Muse. It has a fun operatic rock style that could be a successor to Iron Maiden without sounding like ripping them off. It's easy to imagine how enjoyable a live show would be.
I had never heard of them but can instantly hear that other bands were influenced by them. It was a really enjoyable listen that I would love to work to.
Really enjoyed this. It felt that the vocals were always with the band, in the same room, rather than clear over the rest, which was a nice difference. I did partly think "the next album is going to be even stronger!"
I was surprised how short it was. I felt it stayed in comfort zone for most of the album, with the last track trying something different (but staying in the relaxed feel), but it didn't wow me.
Felt like there was a lot of exploration but in different directions and as it was a short album, it didn't have a strong centre.
I have really enjoyed this album. There's something arresting about it. The songs in the middle aren't singles that I would think to add to a playlist, but are amazing album songs. On, On, On, On was one that really stood out for me.
The songs didn't stick with me to be memorable and the sound overall was a bit safe.
Enjoyable listen, if not quite my thing overall. Sunshine Superman and Season of the Witch stand out. The Arthurian songs feel right at home here, probably because of the influence they had on the movement.
Iconic. Has great depth and energy.
It's not my favourite Black Sabbath album and doesn't have as many "big hitters". However the variation really works nicely. 'Changes' is the main example of this, shifting to a piano base. Then I also felt that it had a strong end with 'Under the sun'.
I was skim reading a reference book throughout listening to the album and it worked nicely as unobtrusive background music. Only slightly feeling like it was dragging a bit by the end.
I think the lyrics are rubbish/nonsense, but for the most part don't get in the way of my enjoyment of it. I like the loud energy, and don't even care how many of the songs probably go on much longer than they need to (including Paradise City and Sweet Child O' Mine). I kept thinking it needed to have the volume turned up a bit more and there was lots of the guitar that would be air guitar fodder or riffs I'd want to be able to play. Incredible that they are so overblown on the debut album. I would probably prefer making a hard rock compilation that they featured on rather than listen to the album start to finish.
It was fun that was really accomplished whilst not taking itself seriously. I think it will only grow in appreciation with each listen.
There is some parts that I find interesting, but they don't often fit together for me. The vocals also feel safe and with not enough identity.
A really great combo of grunge and folk.
I was worried when I saw 21 tracks and thought my energy wouldn't stay with theirs. But at 35 mins it works.
Love hearing little bits that influence bands I love.
It was a 5 before listening, and a 5 after listening. Record side names slightly annoying.
At times felt like it was part of a movie soundtrack with emotional waves flowing through it. Will get better with more listens. It did have a few songs with a cacophony/wall of noise ending which on other albums would be saved for the end of an album.
You could sense where if seeing it live, the whole audience and band would feel as one.
I don't really listen to grime. I really liked the music, though found it harder to embrace the lyrics. I think that would soften over multiple listens.
A feel good album. Males me think of wedding receptions and family parties.
Fun and interesting pop punk. The first half is great and it fades slightly on the second.
The vocals didn't work for me.
Having not listened before, the album felt strangely balanced. The big singles being the first three songs before coming down in pace and intensity. I liked the songs in the second half, but would have preferred a more varied order.
From the start this album felt fun. It covers a range of styles that kept me guessing for where it was going to next. Yes, it didn't have a clear sound throughout, but I kind of enjoyed that about it. It made me want to hear more from the band to see where they went next. A high 3.
Strong follow up. Some songs when not big singles feel a bit indulgent with drawn out endings, but for others feels right. Surprising to hear them sound at times similar to other bands of the time, considering the large output that is distinctly their sound.
Every song is so full. Would happily listen focussing on different instruments each time. It sounded experimental and enjoyable the whole way through. I don't think I can describe why I like it until more and more listens.
A whole album of Beck can be difficult, probably with different songs being the breaking point each time. A lot of the songs are already familiar to me which helped me ease into the album.
Loved this. Was perfect companion for a long drive. It felt both intimate and cinematic, with particular moments evoking a spaghetti western.
Sounds more like Queen throughout the album, despite being varied. I can imagine different songs growing to be favourites for different moods, a lot on offer.
Enjoyable and started like an album that would be some people's comfort food. Last few tracks faded a bit for me.
Fun punk, really enjoyed the inclusion of the saxophone.
Had the UK version on CD and listened to loads. Love listening whilst working and chilling out on my own.
Really enjoyed both sides. The first side felt like a great mix of folk, soft rock, hair metal and others. Then the more traditional folk on the second was strong also. Only quibble is how long some of the first half songs were.
Some parts hit a 3 or 4 for me, but it then some songs really didn't work for me (the broad majestic Shannon for example) and so felt really inconsistent.
A good one for me to work along to. So many samples I've heard it later songs but work so well here to be original.
Tiny Dancer is a lone standout for me. The rest didn't engage me. The music and his voice were high quality throughout, but the songs and lyrics did not do enough on a surface level for me to want to dive deeper.
Really enjoyed the gloomy rock. Near the end it had stayed too much in the same bounds for me and so faded a bit.
Experimental, fun and very 90s in places.
Was going to go for a 2 as the first track was quite good. But the album went too long and felt bland.
Great album. I could hear many computer game soundtracks inspired by it.
The singles are well known and stronger pop songs. The rest of the album to me has the vocals try to be too much and the lyrics are generally uninspiring. There's no lack of confidence here.
Nothing I didn't like, but some tracks felt safe and inoffensive and so didn't leave much of an impression on me. Second half picked up slightly.
One track reminded me a lot of Primal Scream, and I could also hear Bob Dylan and Velvet Underground (as well as American country in general).
As I expected from Simon & Garfunkel. Although the jump between track 1 and 2 took me by surprise.
I find this hard to place on one listen. His voice is so distinct and powerful that it is almost distracting. I think my rating would move around with multiple listens.
On first listen, the opening track is the one that stuck with me the most.
Was perfect for headphones and working to. I'm sure I could enjoy it listening on speakers working or socialising with others, but I can't imagine it. Maybe when doing a group art class?
An engaging opening, and album to listen through speakers rather than headphones. The lyrics feel well written and the music is nice jangly 90s indie guitar band pop. However something didn't quite connect as much as it felt it ought to.
The singles carry through the album and the other songs are lower standard. I would have preferred the album tracks to explore different sounds a bit more and better experimental.
The opening really draws you in to feel like you're part of it; more than other live albums do.
Here for an evening of fun music to dance to.
Until Crazy Love (which sounds like Teardrops by Womack & Womack), there wasn't anything of real distinction beyond the standard drum beat. After that there seemed to be more variety, like a bit of Spanish guitar, ambient etc, but aren't strong enough for me. Elisabeth Troy's vocals are good.
I knew more of the songs than I thought I would. The intro to "...last night I dreamt that somebody loved me" made it an album listening experience for me. The first two songs made me think of Madness which was surprising. There is a lot of range here and sad that it was the end of the Smiths rather than the start of a new phase.
Overall a great album with memorable singles and mostly solid album tracks. Faded a bit near the end.
I'm already familiar with the album from late school/early university and enjoyed the singles when working on homework so this has a strong nostalgia vote going for it. The rest of the album isn't quite strong enough, maybe it needed some more variation to help the heavy elements shine again.
The music was happy with vignette stories. However on the first listen it didn't grab my attention. I expect it could on a different day though.
The lyrics are generally terrible and the second half drops. The singles overcome this and are still enjoyable.
I really enjoyed the folk rock. The vocals really stood out for me.
His voice has a lovely quality, however this album is just a bit too slow throughout for me.
As you say it goes through a range. I think some of the metal sounds a bit too standard in places and although war pig is good, is unnecessary as I'd always prefer to hear the original.
Until 'Step on me' nothing had really grabbed me, only reminding me of how the psychedelic 60s were revisited in the 90s. Peaked with 'Lovefool'.
Ended up listening twice and enjoyed it more on the second listening.
There are some vocal patterns frequently used (not sure if she can call them a trademark though) that get a bit repetitive and the lyrics dance a line of being too silly and too specific to the time it was written, but sometimes that is it's strength in being memorable. I can't decide where "I'll come back stronger than a 90s trend" sits for example. No body, no crime is catchy, but not one I enjoyed. Same goes for Dorothea. I'll probably still hum along though.
Really like her voice and how personal she sounds. The singles stand out, and there are many.
It sounded like it had a commercial Bob Dylan feel and a stepping stone towards Ed Sheeran. The singles were nice but the rest didn't do it for me.
First LP was really strong and instantly tapped into my nostalgia of borrowing the CD in first year at halls. The first song on the second LP had me thinking it was dragging a bit in grungy distortion. But then trying to do them both in one go is a slog! Mid way through the second it felt easier again.
Fun britpop. Still love the singles.
