287
Albums Rated
2.41
Average Rating
26%
Complete
802 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Critic
Rater Style ?
25
5-Star Albums
76
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
|
5 | 2.38 | +2.62 |
|
Shleep
Robert Wyatt
|
5 | 2.51 | +2.49 |
|
Sail Away
Randy Newman
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
|
5 | 3.03 | +1.97 |
|
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
|
5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
|
Urban Hymns
The Verve
|
5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
|
Parklife
Blur
|
5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
|
3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
|
5 | 3.45 | +1.55 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Doors
The Doors
|
1 | 3.95 | -2.95 |
|
Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
|
1 | 3.9 | -2.9 |
|
Elephant
The White Stripes
|
1 | 3.84 | -2.84 |
|
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
|
1 | 3.82 | -2.82 |
|
Is This It
The Strokes
|
1 | 3.81 | -2.81 |
|
Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
|
1 | 3.77 | -2.77 |
|
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
|
1 | 3.74 | -2.74 |
|
Abraxas
Santana
|
1 | 3.72 | -2.72 |
|
Violator
Depeche Mode
|
1 | 3.7 | -2.7 |
|
Live At The Regal
B.B. King
|
1 | 3.67 | -2.67 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 5 |
| Robert Wyatt | 2 | 5 |
| Beatles | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Black Sabbath | 2 | 1 |
| Ryan Adams | 2 | 1 |
| The White Stripes | 2 | 1 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 2 | 1 |
| The Doors | 2 | 1 |
| The Kinks | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Byrds | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Cure | 2 | 1.5 |
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | 2 | 1.5 |
| David Bowie | 5 | 2.2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Blur | 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (25)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Creedence Clearwater Revival · 2 likes
1/5
Clichéd and oh so worthy. File under unnecessary Americana. Wars were not fought for this kind of tripe to be released
David Bowie · 2 likes
2/5
This is not good. From the rampant commercialism of young Americans to the oh so ironic fame. This is an exercise in posturing. To cap it all there is a ghastly cover of across the universe to sit through. There are much better albums of his caterwauling. This is not one of them.
Randy Newman · 2 likes
5/5
A career best album. Political science is still an appropriate song now. Sail away is a beautiful lilting song. Simon smith and the dancing bear is funny and melodic. God's song is interesting especially in these heightened times when the regard for human life is so miniscule. Nearly all of newmans best songs on this album.
Led Zeppelin · 1 likes
2/5
Over the top and melodramatic. Yet most of it works. Moreso because of the frenetic guitar playing of page rather than the wailing of plant. Alongside black sabbath as the founders of British rock music but I've always found them both with the odd exception to be joyless.
Tori Amos · 1 likes
5/5
This is an absolute work of art. The production, the vocals the playing, the lyrics and the melodies. Tori Amos never sounded better than on this record. Songs like crucify, me and a gun, cornflake girl and silent all these years are as significant as any song released since and they have aged beautifully. The subject matter of a few songs is the rape she suffered as a young girl. The songs are sad but memorable. A true companion piece to joni Mitchell's blue in lots of ways.
1-Star Albums (76)
All Ratings
The Kinks
2/5
Waterloo sunset the obvious standout on what is a very challenging listen. Lyrically outstanding but tonally all over the place. Ray Davies has always been a singer you have to love or is a complete turn off. The latter for me.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Energetic, soulful (in parts). Bruce has never sounded so good. Glory days, im on fire, cover me are all career highlights. Beautiful closing song my hometown rounds off the album. Bit clunky in the middle but the beginning and end of the album are both exciting and poignant
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Sad and joyous in equal measure. Some of the best songs set to vinyl on this Lp. Heartbreak in the song Little green, sadness in River, hope in My Old Man. A case of you remains funny and powerful. Not a better album released in the 70s, not sure there have been any better in fact. The very definition of a "go to" album.
Black Sabbath
1/5
Often said that black sabbath are the first true metal band. So they are to blame for all the rubbish that follows. As tuneful as a group of people falling down the stairs, comedy vocals and irritating solos. No redeeming qualities
Neil Young
2/5
Very morose, miserable. Heart of gold and old man obvious standouts. Very difficult to get beyond the whine and the samey melodies. Difficult to rate this high as it doesn't bear repeated listens. The album starts to shift gears towards the end but it was too late for me as I'd already put my head in the metaphorical gas oven.
The Pogues
3/5
Cracking good fun in parts. Thousands are sailing and fairytale in new York will still be great in another 40 years. A lot of faff though. The album reeks of ciggies and spilt Guinness and is all the better for it. Just a bit too long for what it is.
Ryan Adams
1/5
My word this is dull. Unremarkable voice, Forgettable songs, turgid arrangements. Hard to fathom the heraldry around this record in 2001. An album to angrily put the bins out or to clean the toilet to.
PJ Harvey
3/5
Very creative and worthy. Pj's voice is grating though. When it hits home and is overpowered by the production it becomes listenable. The last living rose is amongst her best work. Largely not for me though
Dire Straits
3/5
The guitar playing on this album is melodic and hypnotic. The voice and the songs are almost secondary. Which is just as well as apart from so far away and brothers in arms they are a difficult listen. An album very much of its time and the big songs are too familiar to be regarded as unique
Hole
1/5
Unremarkable. A lot of ideas masquerading as songs. It was the trend at the time to put a band together with different characters and present them as a group. Hole are an example of this. Riding on the coattails of other more talented groups of the same ilk. Doll parts is ok but that's it.
The Byrds
1/5
Melodies in search of songs. Very tweet and a little bit half baked. Going back is an excellent song amongst the navel gazing. Ideas from the beatles and simon and garfunkel are cribbed to no avail. Tedious to the point of distraction.
Duke Ellington
3/5
Enjoyable when able to listen. The recording is too distant. At points the band and Duke battle though but the overall feeling is frustration. This is very much a moment in time but not his best collection of work
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
This is a really interesting album. Dy na mi tee is still excellent 20 years on and it takes more is relevant now. Bits of the album drag especially when going into pulpit mode. It does sound dated in parts but has there been a better uk female rap album?
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
One of the best debut albums released. Not everything hits the mark but when it does its exciting. The drumming and lead guitar manage to cancel out the affected vocals enough. When the sun goes down, I bet you look good on the dancefloor and mardy bum are career highlights.
Hot Chip
1/5
Dreadful tuneless casio keyboard waffle. All that washed over me as i listened was a palpable rage. If this is the future of music we need to start reintroducing some form of musical gulags. Not a single second of this is worthwhile. Music for those who wear scarves indoors.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Dreamlike songs. Standards in a lot of cases. Whenever buddy holly is mentioned only his demise is uppermost. It should really be this album. Although it fades a bit towards the end. Oh boy, not fade away, that'll be the day are the best 3 songs holly recorded.
Marilyn Manson
1/5
Unnecessary. Absolute rubbish. The time spent listening to the album will never be retrieved. Made by an idiot for idiots. About as much depth as a puddle of piss
Steely Dan
3/5
This is early dan or nearly dan. Some good songs but all their best work on later albums. Signature steely dan lyrics and keyboard and piano flourishes but this is missing something. Still an enjoyable listen but chronologically there are better albums from becker and fagen to come.
Green Day
2/5
Basically the same song 10 or 11 times. Wake me up when September ends is very good and american idiot is passable. There is a lot of dreck to wade through. Rock and roll for the fast food generation
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
This is the kind of album I should like. I wish I did. The title track is listenable but the rest is tied to a quiet plodding formula.
1/5
The background sound of all clothes shops in the 90s. Not a recommendation. If this unnerving nonsense was on whilst I was trying on a new pair of chinos I would leave immediately. Less salsa dip more sheep dip
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
As tuneful as listening to 12 lots of feedback. Hard to know why this is revered. Not much on this is worth listening to if anything
Violent Femmes
2/5
Very basic songs badly sung, borrowing heavily from early Clash. Yet there is a charm about it. Not something worth returning to but it is very definitely a moment in time
Snoop Dogg
3/5
Foul language aside (and there is a lot) this is a very funny record. What's my name is an all time great rap song and gin and juice is singable (if alone ha). Artwork adds to the album. Bits of it are dated but most records released in 93 are now sadly. Enjoyable from beginning to the potty mouthed end
The Replacements
1/5
Interesting for about 4 and a half minutes. Then it gets silly and tiresome. Punk after punk was relevant. Great name for a band but the songs aren't there on this album to back it up. In the city by the jam ripped off at least 4 times on this album. Meh.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Almost from beginning to end this is magnificent. Joyful, fun, introspective. Stevie at his absolute peak. Knocks me off my feet is timeless, summer soft is stevie in another key but still imperious. Ordinary pain articulates a break up better than most, you genuinely feel sympathy for stevie! Isn't she lovely is a song for all fathers of baby daughters. The song As is a staple for wedding songs. Another star is the ultimate party song. There are so many peaks that the minor bits of dribble that is on the beginning and end of the album can be forgiven. One of the best albums ever made.
Blur
5/5
From the first song (the crowd pleasing girls and boys) to the tuneful and funny Tracy jacks this album hits all the right notes. It is the best postcard of britpop circa 94. Hard to fault. Lyrically blur were never better than this. Bears repeated listens too which is the sign of a great album. Personal favourite this is a low puts this album into "great" territory
Black Sabbath
1/5
Its loud and that's all there is to it. There is an undue reverance to this bobbins. Changes is a good song but this like all the others of this ilk are instantly forgettable unless you like metal
Gotan Project
1/5
My word this is dull. Shuffling beats, disinterested singing. Melodies that never start. Dreadful plodding and quite frankly annoying.
Jurassic 5
3/5
Bit of a slow burner, bears repeated listens as the songs and lyrics are growers. Better albums in the jurassic 5 canon though
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
To get the full effects of this you would need to be on stimulants. There are interesting bits but a lot of quirky nonsense to wade through. A cult act enjoyed by a lot of cults I expect. I hope one day to catch up to how great a lot of beefheart fans think this album is. Its not today though.
Sebadoh
2/5
Interesting only when the melody is allowed to move alongside the vocals. Gets tiresome when they "rock" out. Lot of samey songs too. A band that could have been great. This is a slog of an album though.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
1/5
Petty's voice is an acquired taste and on some later albums it does become palatable. Not on this snorefest. A difficult listen.
Simple Minds
3/5
One thing I've never been able to get past is how much of a silly name simple minds is. Detracts almost completely from their output. This album is good in parts. Promised you a miracle and glittering prize are excellent. But that name oh dear oh dear.
Syd Barrett
2/5
Listening to this you can see that all early Pink Floyd is Syd Barrett. It has a charm and there are interesting songs. However as with Floyd and a lot of that genre you have to be off your face to enjoy it. I was stone cold sober and bored.
The Icarus Line
1/5
This is dull. Affected vocals and very samey instrumentation. Over produced and light on ideas and melody. Not a lot to like about this posuer alley.
Depeche Mode
1/5
The singles "personal jesus" and "enjoy the silence" are excellent 35 years on. The rest of the album is just plinky plonky nonsense and actually annoying at times. Depeche mode very much a singles band.
Red Snapper
1/5
This is drivel of the highest order. Sounds like somebody tuning a keyboard. Directionless. Get in the bin.
Aerosmith
1/5
Boring plodding stodgy noise pollution. The lead single love in an elevator is ok in a kind of brainless chanting way but there is little else of interest. Eating a bag of vomit would be more appealing than listening to this turdbowl twice.
ABBA
2/5
Abba is a group where the singles are undoubtedly some of the best disco records ever made. The album has more filler than a hen do. Stay for the singles but swerve the rest there really isn't much else
The Human League
2/5
An album saved by the last 2 tracks. A lot of sequenced bobbins interspersed with shouting and blundering melodies. Not a lot to be fond of.
Randy Newman
5/5
A career best album. Political science is still an appropriate song now. Sail away is a beautiful lilting song. Simon smith and the dancing bear is funny and melodic. God's song is interesting especially in these heightened times when the regard for human life is so miniscule. Nearly all of newmans best songs on this album.
Def Leppard
1/5
This is tiresome stuff. The uk equivalent to the hair metal bands if the 80s. Yet the singles are good (animal and pour some sugar on me). The rest is not worth anybodies time unless they have it to waste.
The Offspring
1/5
The whole album sounds like a tuning session. Then the vocals come in and the off button was reached. Not much more to say other than resist!
Buck Owens
1/5
This is a regional album. As in it should only be listened in the deep south of America. Other uses for this album could be a Frisbee or a coaster for a big cup. This album is one to miss.
The Stone Roses
4/5
The sequencing in this album is interesting. It starts and ends with absolute classics of the era. The middle is saggy and plodding. Made of stone, i wanna be adored, fools gold, iam the resurrection are all the equal of anything released in the baggy era. Just stops short of a classic.
De La Soul
5/5
The first and best de la soul album. Funny, tuneful, peerless rapping. Say no go is magnificent, me myself and I is funky, 3 is the magic number always brings a smile to the face. The comedy songs and skits are also worthy of their spot which isn't always the way in a lot of hiphop albums. Best hiphop album of all time without question.
Bee Gees
1/5
This is the early bee gees incarnation and its all very disinterested in tone. None of the early gems are on this morass. A pudding of an album.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Bubbling with ideas. Hard to listen to Elliott Smith without knowing what is to come. All of his lyrics and his tunes have a sense of foreboding. That said this is an excellent album. Son of sam and everything reminds me of her are particular standouts. Can get a little samey in parts however.
Stan Getz
2/5
Taking as individual pieces these songs are very melodic. However as a piece, they are just mildly diverting. A lot of hipsters will chin stroke themselves into a wild frenzy over this album but its just a collection of songs, nothing more.
B.B. King
1/5
This is a monument to a part of American blues culture. Like all monuments there is a lot of bird excrement to remove. This album isn't worth the effort.
Wire
1/5
The guitar playing is much more interesting than the sub clash/buzzcocks singing. Even that gets grating after 3 songs. Hard to listen to after a while.
Gang Of Four
2/5
Worthy and wordy but the instrumentation is so dull. Hard to get past a set of songs which sound alike. Most of the songs have the same opening sequence. Not unlike Wire.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Largely regarded as dylans most complete album. There are works of genius such as idiot wind, tangled up in blue and simple twist of fate. There is a bit of guff in here too towards the end of the piece. His voice deteriorated rapidly after this album as did the quality of his output.
Led Zeppelin
2/5
Over the top and melodramatic. Yet most of it works. Moreso because of the frenetic guitar playing of page rather than the wailing of plant. Alongside black sabbath as the founders of British rock music but I've always found them both with the odd exception to be joyless.
Ray Charles
2/5
Ray Charles position in the pantheon is without question. However this is a real grind to listen to. Low in the mix sometimes with timing issues. Other collections of ray are better.
The Fall
2/5
Always a band better in mark e smiths mind than in reality. There are fun bits on this album but a lot of morose shouting. A band that a lot of chin strokers like. Really hard to love though.
U2
3/5
Often thought over the time i have been listening to music that u2 would be a band i would dislike. I do in the main but this is an album that has weathered extremely well. One is possibly the best song released by u2. Mysterious ways comes across as throwaway but on reflection is a tremendous song. Possibly the last really good album they released but there is a run of 4 or 5 albums almost unmatched outside the beatles
Goldfrapp
1/5
Achingly trendy, all the songs sound like musical beds for adverts. Not anything more than "passing fare".
10cc
3/5
There is a lot of silliness on this album, but its really endearing. Commitment to the melodramatic is stark. As a collection of songs nothing really sticks out but it rattles along and merits further listens
The White Stripes
1/5
One boring album this. Seven nation army is too played out and was never that interesting to start off with. Jack whites voice is sub smashing pumpkins and thats hardly a brag. Just a real grind to listen to from beginning to end. Avoid
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
This is a strange album. Only really tuneful when Buckingham doesn't sing but his playing is great. Sara is an amazing song and is the standout track. Democracy reigned supreme in this band and it was sometimes to the detriment because in each album released by Fleetwood mac a different member steps up. Its definitely worth a listen but rumours is a much stronger album.
TV On The Radio
1/5
Dreadful name for a band and album title. Nearly every song starts with feedback. Sub fall pap. Not worth even a moment of your time.
Flamin' Groovies
1/5
Now where's my flamin groovies album gone. That is a sentence which i think has never been uttered. This is so boring it could send a glass eye to sleep. At one time for a moment this could be regarded as exciting. Now it is just stale and annoying.
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
Lots of ideas. Some interesting. There is a definite feel of an early summers evening in a European city about most if not all of these songs. The lyrics and the slightly affected vocals never match up to the instrumentation could have listened in silence really.
Talking Heads
3/5
Bubbling up with ideas all the way through and its the kind of album that hasn't dated that much 45 years on. The usp of talking heads were always the vocals. Sometimes though they become tiresome. The best songs are those where the vocals are sparse.
Tori Amos
5/5
This is an absolute work of art. The production, the vocals the playing, the lyrics and the melodies. Tori Amos never sounded better than on this record. Songs like crucify, me and a gun, cornflake girl and silent all these years are as significant as any song released since and they have aged beautifully. The subject matter of a few songs is the rape she suffered as a young girl. The songs are sad but memorable. A true companion piece to joni Mitchell's blue in lots of ways.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Dylans voice never sounded better after this record and the songs did not mean as much. At the time of release the beatles were emerging and elvis was still vital. Here is the 3rd pillar of that era at his very best. Masters of war, a hard rain is gonna fall and blowing in the end are warnings to the immediate future for the united States. There is a bit of indulgent piffle at the end of this album which stops it short of full marks.
Coldplay
1/5
Beyond a couple of songs on the first album this is one band that can be left well alone. Bad vocals and lyrics and dreary production. The guitarists were always the most interesting thing about the band now they seem to have been silenced. Alongside Ed sheeran we have exported blandness and mediocrity to the world.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
1/5
Beyond bad moon rising there isn't really much else to this album. A lot of retreads of the same tune. Unremarkable apart the lead single and even that gets wearisome on the 3rd listen.
The Doors
1/5
The doors are a band for the musos. Nobody has seriously said "oh my favourite band is the doors" because there isn't much to like. Bland arrangements, lackadaisical delivery and just dull songs. Not for me Clive.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
One of the all time greats of the hip hop world with a decidedly ok album. High points are one more chance, juicy and big poppa. However in-between there is a lot of weak production and stop start melodies. Biggie is always great but 2 thirds of the tunes here are dreck.
Boston
2/5
More than a feeling aside this a lot of samey "rawk" music. Still the feeling pervades that it would improve with further listens. There aren't enough minutes or hours in the day for that though. 2 thumbs down.
ABBA
3/5
This is a strange album. Its the dying act of a band geared to making hits. Yet nearly all of their interesting songs are on this record. Like an angel passing through my room is easily a career highlight. The day before you came is very listenable too. If their albums were all like this they wouldn't be held in such reverance. More is the pity.
David Bowie
3/5
Apart from the peerless title track there is an awful lot of silliness on this record. Innovative Bowie was but sometimes you just want the tunes and the words to mean more. Its ok but there are other way better bowie albums than this mish mash
White Denim
2/5
Burnished is a cracking song, bristling with melody and ideas. The rest of this album is so-so. Worth revisiting now and then but not a must listen.
Miles Davis
5/5
Peak miles Davis. Flamenco sketches is so soft and melodious. This collection of songs allow the mind to wander in so many positive directions. Never really been imitated by any jazz artist since. Hard to improve on absolute perfection
Ryan Adams
1/5
Absolute nonsense. Boring and directionless. There will be buskers up and down the country who can whack out a better set of songs.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Atmospheric, beautifully sang from moment 1 to the last note. Homeward bound sings of longing, dangling conversation sneers at smalltalk effortlessly, feeling groovy has a guitar riff unequalled. Bits of the album veer into tweeness. However the album as a whole is amazing and one of the distinctive sounds of the mid 60s.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
A common misconception of Leonard Cohen songs is that they are miserable affairs. I think this is because of the very subdued arrangements of a lot of his songs. To listen to his early stuff is to hear a master at work. The old revolution is the equal if not better than any dylan protest song. Bird on the wire is full of trickery and poise. A couple of songs are not worthy of the album but largely this is a work of art.
Madonna
1/5
Nothing here of much interest. Unremarkable voice with Unremarkable songs.
Pink Floyd
3/5
A moment in time is this album. Symbolic but oh so pompous. Hopefully we are at this stage where Pink Floyd can be seriously regarded for what they are, which is an ok prog rock band with a few good songs. A band its easy to admire but hard to love unless you are on magic mushrooms.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
This has its moments but its very much a dylan pastiche. Interesting arrangements but as a whole does not live long in the memory unfortunately
John Lennon
5/5
Did john lennon ever make a 5 star album. This is as close to it. How is a lovely song full of longing. Gimme some truth is an evisceration of nixon and the culture of the time. Oh yoko is just on the right side of nauseating. Jealous guy is possibly the pick but for me it changes year on year. All of the beatles breakup albums are amazing (apart from ringo)
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
Interesting in parts and very mood orientated. For its genre its very good and there are moments to treasure but its not a great album by any means. The wedding is very good though
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
1/5
Very morose and dull. The musical equivalent of treading water. Hard to listen without wanting better.
Todd Rundgren
5/5
This is joyous stuff. Hello its me and I saw the light are not just one of the best songs of the 70s they are amongst the best pop songs written. The rest rattle along and although never reach those heights are all individually fine. Rundgren is not treated with due reverance but he is such a heartfelt but also humorous vocalist. An album to treasure.
Cornershop
3/5
Not a 5 star album by any means but there are decent enough songs rounded off by the massive hit single. Listening to it 30 years on it does sound dated.
Beastie Boys
3/5
First great album from the trio. Shadrach still hasn't dated and is still great on a good pair of headphones! Later albums would provide better songs, more humour and deeper meaning. However this is a lot of fun and a good place to start your journey.
Miriam Makeba
3/5
Interesting in parts and naughty little flea is a lovely song. Charming album but a bit of a grind if you aren't taken with her voice.
Van Morrison
4/5
A dreamy album. Into the mystic is possibly his best song amongst dozens. And it stoned me despite the odd title still resonates. There is a languid mood that permeates through this album and it is all the better for it. The album is a little top heavy with the best songs and it does tail off a little but this is an album to return to
Metallica
2/5
Slow plodding and uninteresting. Most of the output of this band can be ridden over. Enter sandman is ok but the rest is very one paced
Steely Dan
5/5
Perfection from start to finish. Each song a new wondrous story. No wasted lyrics and each instrument plays a part. Aja is dreamlike, deacon blues is funny and interesting which is almost impossible. Peg is the song of a thousand samples but the original has a kick like a farmyard mule. A lot of competition but this is the definitive steely dan album.
Robert Wyatt
5/5
Just after an accident which left wyatt disabled it would have been understandable for a pause. However he delivers a lovely album. Sea song is affecting, humorous, beautifully sang and just breathtaking. Songs about his wife complement this song on what is only short but perfect piece.
The Byrds
2/5
Tired and twee. Boring and without any bite. Technically amazing but thats about it. American version of the hollies in sound but nowhere near in terms of songs and breadth.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Part of a run of unbeatable stevie albums. You are the sunshine of my life and he's misstra know it all are the hits and are amazing. Maybe your baby is other worldly and Tuesday heartbreak is the best songs written about that day of the week! Seems unfair to single out songs when they are all top notch. Not many have a run of 5 great albums. Stevie does.
David Bowie
2/5
With Bowie if there is a perfect marriage of voice, production and lyrics then one does not subtract from the other 2. Unfortunately apart where are we now there is a lot of samey melodies, nonsense lyrics and that cheese grater voice. At his best Bowie is brilliant. This is far from the premium.
Kate Bush
3/5
This although released at the end of the 80s is a very dated album. Kate bush' voice is one ive found deeply troubling, veering in and out of being tuneful. This woman's work is an absolute work of art though, the rest fairly mundane.
The Young Rascals
1/5
Needless cover versions done better by other artists. The sound is good but so is birdsong or cows mooing. Both are preferable to this mush.
The Strokes
1/5
Is this it is a correct approximation of this album. Limited appeal in its dull production and boring delivery. Just a waste of everyone's time.
Richard Thompson
2/5
Serial shagger and put upon wife. What a combination. You can see how the songs pan out. Linda's voice is interesting for a few minutes but Richards is a hard listen. It is a worthwhile endeavour though as you can find decent songs if you are willing to make the effort. Best thing about the album is the excellent cover art.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
Silly fun. Nothing notable musically but for the time a genuine attempt at humour. Doesn't age well at all but for those who lived it this meant everything so who am I to mock..
Lou Reed
1/5
Apart from perfect day and walk on the wild side there is a lot of clunky wobbly voiced shenanigans on this record. It would be trendy to say this is a great record. It really isn't though. Reeds voice is enough to set a thousand car alarms off. A mercy killing would be to pick up the lp and throw it against the wall. Its a 2 song album.
Billie Holiday
2/5
The production on this album is dreamlike. The vocals though are not. They are weathered and not as effective as before. Something does not quite happen within the marriage of instrumentation and voice. Better collections of Billie holiday are available
Nick Drake
4/5
This is a lovely album. There is a scent of horse manure and cut grass throughout. Drakes musical legacy is so thin that albums such as this should be cherished. Northern sky is melodic and lyrically very interesting. One to return to.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Timeless but dated. Important in historical context. Hard to rate it poorly.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Perfect production, perfect singing. Both retro in feel and modern in sound. Sad this is only the 2nd of amy's finished albums. Although not as close and personal as Frank this is a leap forward in soundscape. Both fun and moving. Highlights include wake up alone and love is a losing game whixh are masterclasses in communicating a breakup. Just an amazing album.
The Clash
2/5
The clash are a bit of a mishmash i always thought. Couple of classic songs but an awful lot of dreck and a very erratic singer. This is a good introduction but this is not a rabbithole i enjoy meandering down. In terms of political posturing the manic street preachers did it better 14 years later. These are the prototypes but with each passing year the photo fades and the sound struggles to be heard.
Joanna Newsom
2/5
Didnt get very far with this. The lyrics are interesting(ish) but the voice boils my swede. As i advance in years i find it easier to dismiss interesting voices. Not for me and i suspect it never will be.
Steely Dan
4/5
Almost from the first note this is a classic. Lyrical mastery and tuneful turns of phrase are the order of the day. Hard to pick an outstanding track when they are all exquisite. As with a lot of the steely dan albums they can be in danger of wandering up their own backside but this is just fine.
New York Dolls
1/5
Tiresome boring nonsense. No need for this noise pollution.
50 Cent
2/5
Apart from the notable songs on this album there isnt a lot to write home about. The delivery is a bit stilted. When it hits home its exciting but its not many or often.
Röyksopp
2/5
Eple is an amazing song 24 years on. However the rest of this is a mixed bag of plinky plink gibberish. Good to use as a coaster for drinks.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
2/5
This all darts round rather nicely, no melodies though. Hard to rail against such an innovator so will simply say its not for me and leave it at that!
The Who
2/5
Regarded by many as the greatest live album of all time. Not by this reader. Its loud but daltreys voice is so annoying it detracts from the rest of the band. Good songs in theory played well but fronted by kermit the frog.
Songhoy Blues
2/5
This is good but a bit samey and play by numbers. Hard to knock because of the nature of the album but its not an easy listen. Bit plodding unfortunately.
The Cure
2/5
A lot of musos like cure or the idea of the cure. Its whiny navel gazing twee ribaldry at its best. There is a lack of excitement even in the typing of this. If the cure is the answer then maybe disease is a fine option.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
Iceblink luck is an amazing song but this kind of pop was mastered by the sundays and this just isn't in the same realm. File with the cure as a potential good idea that should have never have got further.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
Tiresome nonsense. Would rather throw rocks at my own head repeatedly than listen to this wibble again.
Scissor Sisters
2/5
The singles from this album are decent enough but the presentation and the stylised vocals have a very limited shelf life. Towards the end the album becomes ridiculous and unlistenable.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
2/5
Interesting in parts. Have always found marley to be mood music. Hard to get too enthused about this. Its just ok, it meanders along at its own sedate pace. Meh.
Talking Heads
2/5
It may be lynching talk but I've never seen talking heads as more than a novelty band. Given credibility by the scarcity of their albums and that there are one or 2 songs per album that are great. Such as psycho killer on this album. Sonically quite interesting but byrnes voice is annoying to the point of distraction
DJ Shadow
5/5
Brooding and menacing in equal portions. Not been equalled since. Its an album to be listened to in its entirety on a yearly basis. Hard to pick out highlights as the whole piece is excellent but stem/long stem is the most memorable.
The Cure
1/5
A title created to serve as a vehicle to attract publicity. Nothing else of note here unless you like whinging and self self self.
Steve Winwood
2/5
Very dated sound with keyboards and strange effects. Winwoods voice sounds good but this is not great. Short album but this seems unnecessary
Patti Smith
1/5
Forerunner for a lot of angst ridden grunge in the 90s. Not an easy listen and certainly not an album to return to. One for the chin strokers only.
The Velvet Underground
1/5
This is mind numbing stuff. As much depth as a puddle. Does not belong in any best of lists and instead belongs in the dustbin of history.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Funk rock started and ended with Prince. There is no need for this album to exist or this band in fact. Scar tissue as a song is ok but this album feels like an exercise in mediocrity in general.
Santana
1/5
Background restaurant music at best. Like a particularly aggressive form of food poisoning I would not wish this on anybody. Trendy music with absolutely no bite to it at all.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Very interesting album as they generally all are from Peter Gabriel. Lots of different ideas. None of them commercial which is always the sign of an artist willing to try things and not he a soundalike. Games without frontiers was two tribes before frankie did it and biko was 4 years before paul simon. Not everything works but it is very listenable.
David Bowie
2/5
This is not good. From the rampant commercialism of young Americans to the oh so ironic fame. This is an exercise in posturing. To cap it all there is a ghastly cover of across the universe to sit through. There are much better albums of his caterwauling. This is not one of them.
The Style Council
4/5
Dripping with style and cool. This is an excellent set of tunes which is the measure of any jam album. My ever changing moods still sounds excellent and you're the best thing is arguably wellers best song. The style council are slept on because they are not the jam, however this is weller singing and sounding better than anytime before and after this excellent collection of songs.
Billy Bragg
1/5
Beautiful playing on this record. However the voices do not mesh. Bragg is an acquired taste and Wilco are Americana personified and just not very interesting. A lot of the time I wished for less vocals not more. Not a case of what might have been but just what should not have happened!
1/5
It potters around but it is not substantial and the voice and lyrics are not as potent as they once were. It does not travel well
Miles Davis
3/5
In terms of an album like bitches brew it is not really. It is 2 very interesting compositions which catch fire for a little bit but like any firework fades into the night sky.
Brian Eno
2/5
Bubbling with ideas. Lots of interesting songs but the vocals are awful. File with the velvet underground as the critics choice but does anybody listen to this 51 years on. It is certainly a level above the mush that is portrayed as music now but that is the equivalent boast of beating your cat at darts.
Ananda Shankar
1/5
Wallpaper music, nothing more. Listenable for a bit thats all. Certainly not groundbreaking
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Do you realise and all we have is now are amazing songs and stand the test of time. The rest is directionless meandering. Great title for an album though.
Peter Frampton
2/5
This is all very jolly and show me the way is a timeless song but its too much joy and happiness for one record. No light and shade. Hard listen but I guess in the mid 70s it meant a lot. Unlike contemporary artists like steely dan and todd rundgren most of this album ages like a cake in the sun.
Solange
3/5
Weary and cranes in the sky are the stand outs. The album as a whole is pleasant enough but never quite hits the heights of those 2 songs. More to come hopefully
Maxwell
4/5
As debut records go they do not come any better. The scene is set as if the listener is entering a nightclub. Maxwell is a perfect host with themes of desire(till the cops come knocking), longing (sumthin sumthin) and religion (ascension). The last of the 3 possibly the song of the 90s. Little bit self indulgent towards the end of the album but what transpires before it make that easily forgiven.
Steely Dan
4/5
A sneaky album but in the best intentions. Through with buzz is funny and melodic, any major dude will tell you is snidey but also has a message. As with most steely dan albums it likes itself a little too much. This is a tremendous collection though and their 2nd best album.
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
Couple of great songs in hope there's someone and fistful of love. The rest is a lot of pap. Critically well received at the time but really doesn't date well. Too melodramatic
Goldie
3/5
State of mind is a tremendous song. Uplifting, beautifully sang with a heartfelt message. Inner city life is a near as possible a distillation of panic and calm in the same record. Those 2 songs are 2 of the best released in the 1990s. The rest of this album is ok but one for the drum and base heads really. It meanders a bit to put it politely.
Dr. Dre
2/5
This is more of an artefact than a great album. Its a collection of good beats than a treasure trove of great songs. Dre's rapping has never been top notch and the subject matter to a large extent is tiresome
N.W.A.
3/5
The famous songs from this album (f tha police, express yourself, straight outta compton) stand the test of time. The rest of this album is tiring to listen to. When compared to the best public enemy album of this era this collection of songs is not quite there.
Beastie Boys
4/5
From the first barks at the start of sure shot this is unmissable stuff. The beastie boys always a better proposition rapping alongside each other not together. Root down is a tremendous garage stomp. Sabotage is one of the career highlights, full of vitriol and funny lyrics. Then the album becomes a little bit self indulgent. Always listenable just could do with a bit more editing. One step short of a classic.
Mekons
1/5
Apparently this is a humorous band. One listen in and i think the joke is on me. Nothing memorable or funny on this album. Interesting production but not much to it at all.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Hard to bat against a legendary name such as muddy waters but this album is essentially 9 retreads of mannish boy (which is still excellent)
k.d. lang
3/5
Dreamy in parts but a lot of this passes me by. Good background music. Nothing here to get too worked up about
The Mars Volta
1/5
Sub queen melodramatic pap. They were not that good to emulate in the first instance. Deliberately lyrically obtuse also. This has more red flags than a red flag convention. Avoid.
Paul Simon
3/5
As a listening experience it veers from very listenable to a feeling of having your head patted. Paul simon knows more than you and lyrically is never shy of showing it. 2 thirds of a good album but the last third is as dull as ditchwater.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
1/5
This is nonsense from the title to the songs. Everything is so so and nothing more than that.
The Verve
5/5
The first and only great album from the verve. In terms of a collection of songs possibly the best album alongside ok computer of the 90s. Drugs dont work is poignant and moving, sonnet is full of longing and a melody like and vocals that are off the chart. Lucky man is the sound of arrogance and hope. Bitter sweet symphony is the high watermark for those outsiders new to the band. The rest of the album is great too. Moody and magnificent
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
The first real emergence of the chemical brothers. Better work was to come. This is largely one good soon "leave home" and a lot of plinky plonky button fiddling nonsense.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
A real move from the political masterpiece that was "whats going on". This was a move into the bedroom. It is still an excellent album. Lets get it on remains a classic. Every beat and vocal turn on this album is not wasted
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Lovely melodic tuneful. Never before or since did simon and garfunkel emulate this. Old friends is both sad and uplifting. Punky dilemma is strange but enchanting. Mrs Robinson arguably the best song made for a film. At the zoo a perfect closer to a perfect album.
Sonic Youth
2/5
This just meanders around a bit. Great album cover but little of substance within it. Undoubtedly influential but to what end. The pixies did this kind of wayward melodramatic better.
John Coltrane
5/5
This is less an album more an act in 4 parts. Those parts are tremendous. Evocative, tuneful and morose. Each act worthy of coming back to time and time again. This was a time when jazz was evolving to match up with the pop music of the day. This betters it.
Blur
2/5
This album starts off with beetles beetlebum which is a strange one. To put the best song first is odd because it never gets anywhere near those heights after that. The annoying song 2 follows and then its just self indulgence all the way. After their previous excellent albums this is a drop-off in quality
Kraftwerk
3/5
Innovative and the blueprint for most electronic music to follow. More of a reference point than an album though.
Little Simz
3/5
Bombastic and gentle in equal measure. Some very good songs amongst some so-so offerings. Selfish is an excellent song in any era
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Cinnamon girl is an excellent song. The perfect marraige between guitar vocals and lyrics. Immensely playable. The rest not so much. Youngs whine does not age so well and always needs to be less prominent in the mix. Here it is front and centre.
R.E.M.
4/5
A lot of reverence is paid to the 80s rem albums. This is the essential album of that period for the band. The majesty of you are everything still beggars belief. World leader pretend is thoughtful and poignant. Later albums would become a little too over produced. This though is immensely listenable
Marianne Faithfull
1/5
From the first moments of this album where there are clanging keyboard sounds and abstract farting noises it does not improve from there. A despicable cover of working class hero as well. This is really quite unnecessary!
OutKast
4/5
So many highlights on this album. Ms Jackson is a classic and still very funny. As is so fresh so clean with some of the sleaziest hooks since peak prince. Bombs over Baghdad is fast frenetic and fantastic. Just stops short of being a classic due to the have of quality control towards the end of the album plus the silly all too frequent skits.
Fiona Apple
3/5
The first 3 songs are excellent. Full of life, vigour, humour. I want you to love me one of the songs of the decade. Then after the 3 song burst it becomes a little wallpaperish. Still very listenable.
Paul McCartney
3/5
Quality control not high in this album but when it hits the mark it really does. Every night is wistful but stunning. Teddy boy was a beatles castoff but could have been on the white album, that was a lot of young fathers song to their children. Maybe im amazed remains peerless, from beginning to end one of the truly great love songs. Unfortunately there is a lot of detritus to wade through.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
1/5
American at its finest. In as much as that genre is relentlessly dull, and this sits atop the genre. Not worth even casting a cursory ear towards
The Doors
1/5
The doors are much like the velvet underground. Always more interesting to read about then to listen to. Morrisons voice was always the least interesting element of this overhyped silliness.
Liz Phair
2/5
Lyrically very interesting but tonally not so much. This means a lot to a lot of people but in the words of ultravox this means nothing to me.
Lenny Kravitz
1/5
Tiresome stuff. Full of platitudes and heartfelt grunting and groaning. The production is good but thats about the sum of it all.
Beck
4/5
The arrangements on this album are something else and 5 or 10 years ahead of its time. Where its at is an excellent pastiche of the era. Devils haircut is good fun. The new pollution tops it all with guitars and drumming dueling with becks 60s delivery. The rest of the album is so so but those 3 songs are great in any era
Buena Vista Social Club
1/5
This band was the name to drop in the middle to late 90s. This album has no real centre to it though and is made purely as background music. Nothing else
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
The state im in is a great opening song and a career highlight. However the rest although passable fare errs very strongly on the wrong side of twee. An acquired taste.
The Youngbloods
1/5
This is not a mountain i would like to scale again anytime soon. Chock full of average songs. The aural equivalent of watching paint dry.
Elvis Presley
3/5
The album which is more notable for the cover than the contents. Cover versions of blue suede shoes and ive got a woman are excellent though. Elvis never veers far from very good and this is where this album sits
Nine Inch Nails
1/5
This is sub Depeche mode stuff and even that was not of the highest order. Woe is me plinky plinky gubbins. Even their best songs hurt is performed better elsewhere.
Queen
1/5
Very silly melodramatic nonsense. Not really to be taken seriously. If you are taken by this tripe then its amazing. For my ears I would rather listen to polystyrene being broken
Johnny Cash
2/5
An element of excitement runs through this record. Largely due to the circumstances of recording and less so to the actual songs. They are a tad pedestrian. Not a fan of johnny cash on stage with other voices as his becomes diminished. All in all more of a historical monument than an enjoyable experience.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
1/5
Clichéd and oh so worthy. File under unnecessary Americana. Wars were not fought for this kind of tripe to be released
Suzanne Vega
3/5
Marlene on the wall is a perfect timeless pop song. The rest is passable, interesting lyrically but in search of a melody or some direction
Various Artists
1/5
This is a mess. From start to finish a cash in with barely any charm. This is an unwanted morass
James Brown
3/5
This is an earlier edition of one of the James Brown live albums. It misses the songs the funk and the visual swagger of his later concerts. Its listenable but by no means definitive. Also his voice is an acquired taste and this early version is too polished
The Fall
3/5
As always lyrically very funny. Lyrically though his voice isnt one you can warm to. Has to be a complete marriage between the interesting playing and smiths squawking. The cover of lost in music is inspired though and lifts this above the mundane
The Stooges
1/5
This is tiresome posturing presenting itself as serious pop music. I wanna be your dog is silly and the rest is equally as daft but without the attempt at humour.
George Harrison
5/5
The album starts off with id have you anytime which is a blissful way to start. Full of tender lyrics and playing and George's tuneful yet quiet vocals. My sweet lord follows which is a bit overplayed and overwrought but still a work of art. Wah wah addresses the end of the beatles and is both loud and melodic. Let it down follows later which is best heard in its original acoustic form. Moving and haunting it belongs on any late era beatles album. Then the lps best song, beware of darkness. It is a song which reaches into the soul, george never wrote anything as good as this ever again. What a legacy this album is.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Very clean production for a live album but thats about the limit of the praise for this. The songs are overlong the singing is a hard listen. All in all an album that belongs in the archive
Fugees
4/5
Heavily borrowing from a lot of other artists but the sublime lauryn hill lifts this above the ordinary to extraordinary at times. Fu gee la, ready or not and killing me softly are tremendous adaptations which update and sometimes better the originals. Unfortunately a bit too much filler towards the end of the album. Still well worth a listen or 3
Beatles
5/5
Possibly the best beatles album. From 1965 all of the beatles albums are 5 star classics though. Eleanor rigby is beautifully sang with mournful lyrics. Im only sleeping is lennon with a dreamy delivery and funny to boot, harrisons guitar playing is amazing on this song. Here there and everywhere is the wedding songs to top all wedding songs, incredibly moving. She said she said still sounds contemporary 60 years on. Good day sunshine veers slightly into vaudeville but the hook brings it back. For no one could soundtrack any brit film, its an outstanding work of art. The album is rounded off with tomorrow never knows which is the psychedelic song above all others. This is bubbling with ideas and genius.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
This album was Peter Gabriel's attempt to get the mtv dollar. Sledgehammer is snd was a great pop record. Don't have up is moving and heartfelt. In your eyes is a great closer. The rest though is very up and down. Worth a listen though if you can get past the fact that when Gabriel reaches for the high notes he sounds like kermit the frog.
Arrested Development
2/5
This is the definition of a 2 song album. Nothing else apart from mr wendal and everyday people rises above the average. Even those 2 songs havnt aged well. All in all not a satisfying experience.
David Ackles
1/5
This is regarded as a great undiscovered gem. I think this can be left well alone. Ackles voice is too high in the mix, it sounds less of a collection of songs and more like sermons from the mount. Well intended lyrically but this album is on the wrong side of irritating.
The Who
2/5
The who is very much pete Townshend and others. Daltreys voice is present but very irritating at times. Yet the riffs on baba Oreilly and won't get fooled again are instructive and they certainly make the listener sit up and take notice for a time. The rest of the album is plodding. Not certain that this band can ever be called great.
Japan
2/5
Interesting in parts but a very dated album. Electronic music lacks a certain soul at times and this is no exception. The vocals are a bit annoying too. As a souvenir to the times I guess this is worthy
Femi Kuti
2/5
Cheerful album in tone and interesting in parts but forgettable largely. Understandable as to why he is regarded as a pioneer but this is very much an album for fans only
2/5
This is not the famous album where an audience member shouted judas st dylan for going electric. Shame really as that would have injected a bit of excitement into proceedings. On record with a good producer dylan can be coralled into excellent work. This though is just some of his best songs performed at a mute level almost. Good live albums are about as rare as rocking horse droppings. This is not one of them.
Thelonious Monk
5/5
Brilliant corners and pannonica are amazing melodies. This album really soars at the end with bemsha swing. This album is like an air fryer or a kettle in that every sensible home should have one. Uplifting and glorious improvisation
Nitin Sawhney
2/5
Unfortunately this is just not very interesting. Searching through the songs looking for melodies. The only thing that can be said it is atmospheric. Not much else though.
Badly Drawn Boy
1/5
Once around the block holds the attention for a bit but this is all too knowing. Not that interesting at all and has not aged well.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
If it is possible to award an album 6 out of 5 then this is the album. Too high is a magnificent abrasive foot stopper. Visions is melodic and haunting. Living for the city is an all time classic with a message that still resonates. Golden lady is a song which always brings a smile, so joyous. To cap it all off dont you worry about a thing which is possibly his best work. The beatles are to the 60s what stevie wonder is to the 70s and there is no higher compliment.
1/5
This is a happening. The same way a bowel movement is a happening. I would prefer to listen to neither
Slade
2/5
Good fun and a few rocking anthems. Difficult to see why these get a free pass and status quo have a bad rep. Cut from the same cloth. Meh
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
As usual with a nick cave album the marriage between the stilted vocals has to be placed firmly into the mix. His voice is too present on this album and as such not as enjoyable as his earlier work.
The White Stripes
1/5
Highly overrated album. Without any charm really. Very self aware. Annoying vocals and plodding delivery. Steer clear.
Orange Juice
3/5
Rip it up as a song remains one of the best pop songs ever made. The rest of this album never quite gets there. The scots did have a number of great pop bands in the early 80s and orange juice are certainly one of them. Collins' voice is not for me but some enjoy it
Pixies
3/5
This is the last of the run of great/good pixies albums. Velocity possibly their best song. However the rest of the album plods rather than thuds. All of their best work done earlier in their careers possibly.
Air
3/5
All i need is a classic song. Sexy boy and kelly watch the stars are also good but there is not a lot else. Its passable fare in the main. Music to drift along to i guess
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
There are some highlights on this such as the art teacher, memphis skyline and the one you love. All 3 are works of art. The rest of the album had me pining for the superior want one though. This is still a better album than all of his contemporaries were releasing at the time however.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
Probably one of the best debut albums released by a male or female artist. Straight out of the gate with you learn which is a real statement of intent. The album never loses steam and is full of great rock records. Quite possible that Alanis shot her shot her though as nothing really came up to these heady heights following this. Still on heavy rotation amongst a lot of 40 to 50 year old now I guess.
John Prine
2/5
This is a strange one. Lyrically amazing and definitely important. The vocal delivery though is unremarkable and the arrangements too. Not one to listen to endlessly unfortunately
Dire Straits
2/5
This seems like an album out of time. Released 10 years later then possibly a more favourable review could be offered. Yet alongside the costello, dury and others of that ilk this seems pedestrian and samey. The sultans of swing remains an excellent song an absolute career highlight.
Beatles
3/5
This is a lovely collection of songs. Mixture of cover versions and original compositions. It wont be long and all my loving are tremendous. Non essential but a good introduction if needed to the best band to walk the earth.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
Background music. Pleasant enough but nothing more. Sleepy.
Sarah Vaughan
2/5
Beautifully sang but without real melody or direction. No disputing the importance of Sarah Vaughan as a singer but there is a pervading wish that the songs were better.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1/5
This is very for the fans of this group. For everyone else this is relentlessly dull and self absorbed. Attempts at humour fall flat and the overall effect is one of puzzlement
Shuggie Otis
3/5
Melodic songs, interesting lyrics, lots to like in this collection. Shuggie should have been a worldwide star but the lack of a killer track and the possibility that his best song strawberry letter was performed better elsewhere counts against him. Aht uh mi hed is also a work of art. Listenable
Tears For Fears
2/5
Hmm. Head over heels is an amazing song which bears repeated plays. The rest of this album is so pompous and lecturing though. From the annoying front cover to the patronising album title this is one to steer clear of. Apart from that one song of course.
Eminem
2/5
There is 1 genuinely great song "the real slim shady". The rest is cartoonish and not that funny when compared to redman or wu tang clan of the time. It veers from mock threatening to silly and there isn't much nuance. Always thought that Eminems greatest hits album would be excellent as his choice of singles are but this album is a bit of a chore.
Barry Adamson
1/5
This is interesting (for a bit). A one time listen really. Production is good but none of the songs or compositions stick in the mind at all.
The Cult
2/5
Well constructed songs. Just a bit samey and dated. Of its time.
Guns N' Roses
2/5
Beyond the mammoth singles on this album there isnt a lot to listen to. The voice is grating and the playing is plodding.
American Music Club
2/5
Beautiful playing on this album and interesting enough compositions. However the vocals are distracting and overall take away from the experience unfortunately.
Jorge Ben Jor
2/5
Slow, plodding. The sound of a thousand trainer adverts. Of its time i guess but not particularly vibrant or interesting
Screaming Trees
1/5
Very melodramatic. Reminiscent of queen which is to say its overproduced and nonsensical
Meat Loaf
2/5
Despite the overwhelming and not very subtle title track this is a soft album. This kind of rock opera is purely for those who do not like music but enjoy the spectacle.
2/5
The instrumentation is excellent on this album and its the instrumental on this very short record which is the standout. Voice is too whiny to deliver the message. It has the the effect of a sledgehammer knocking in a nail.
XTC
3/5
This album is a departure from earlier radio friendly releases. Its all the better for it as the mood going from song to song gives a feeling of being in summer 85 with all the uncertainty and unhappiness in thatchers Britain. Couple of missteps and the vocals are distracting at times but overall a very rewarding listen.
Curtis Mayfield
2/5
Undoubtedly Mayfield has a polished voice. Not one note out of place but these songs are strangely emotionless. A lot to admire but not a lot to love
Johnny Cash
4/5
A late career highlight. Appropriating others songs and making them his own shows the power of johnny cash's voice. The vulnerability of his voice add to what is a very moving listen at times
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Zen archer is tremendous and there are other highlights. However there are much better Todd albums than this. Always listenable though
N.E.R.D
2/5
She wants to move is a great song. Not enough of them on this mish mash of an album. Nerd as a concept doesn't really work as its just pharrell with some others. Not his best work by a long stretch.
Pixies
4/5
Debaser although questionable by today's standards lyrically is still an absolute work of art. There goes your man is loaded with sarcasm and wit. This monkeys gone to heaven is strange but magnificent. The rest of the album crackles along tremendously. Peak pixies!
Jazmine Sullivan
3/5
Pick up your feelings is an excellent head turner of a song. The rest are good if a little directionless. Very promising record
Skepta
2/5
There are interesting moments in this album but they are hard to find. Abrasive and although there is some originality there isn't enough to stop the skip button being deployed.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Very earnest and moody. A lack of tunes and interesting songs to match this earnestness though. Great name for an album but thats the sum total of it all.
Robert Wyatt
5/5
Each song takes a little while to start. All are worth the wait. The vulnerability of wyatts voice is matched by the poetic lyrics and evocative production. The duchess is funny and sweet. Maryan is an unexpected epic. Free will and testament is possibly his best work. All in all an absolute triumph.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
The album title sums up what state you need to be in to enjoy/endure this. There are interesting enough samples but really this is an album that can be left well alone. Too quiet and not memorable enough when it stirs
Django Django
1/5
Needless and tuneless. The only emotion this plinky plink nonsense arouses is anger.
Radiohead
4/5
The bends although not a britpop album as such certainly is quintessentially british. The effected vocals of thom yorke are in full display here. High and dry is a beautiful song which goes on a minute too long. Just is an amazing and weird rock out that bears several repeats. Street spirit is another song which is staggeringly great in its breadth and scale. Not quite a 5 star album as there are parts that just aren't interesting. What happened next album wise is their zenith.
MC Solaar
2/5
Achingly trendy at the time. Hasn't aged so well. One to file in the why rather than the why not files
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Regarded by some as groundbreaking. However this has dated a bit. Sly is not the most interesting aspect of this group, the instrumentation was always one to listen to. Sly's archer delivery and laboured vocals are not to be treasured sadly
Björk
2/5
Difficult to rate bjorks work. It is undoubtedly full of invention and verve. However the voice is on the wrong side of silly. So for all the invention there is a lot of irritation. In the sugarcubes the voice was smothered here it is at the forefront.
The Band
2/5
This is very leaden. Devoid of any melodies. Very worthy. All of them can play and sing but it's nothing I need or want to listen to.
Talk Talk
4/5
Life's what you make it is a truly great song. The production the lyrics the vocals are all perfect. It stands apart on this album. However the rest of the album is a lot quieter and is no less interesting for it. I don't believe in you and April the 5th are moody and magnificent. All in all a very rewarding listen.
The Residents
1/5
Experimental art or prog rock. Also known as piffle.
The Black Keys
1/5
From the knowing album cover to the tiresome and predictable drumming and guitar work this is one long snorefest. No real reason to listen to this once never mind twice
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
The best version of the group i think with their best album. Marrakesh express blasts through pleasingly. Wooden ships is a clever poke at the Vietnam war. All in all time well spent. The self indulgent parts towards the end can be forgotten and forgiven
Bob Dylan
3/5
Jimmy Smith
2/5
Back at the chicken shack is basically a movement rather than an album . The first song is pleasant enough but then its more of the same. It does not bear repeated listens to this jazz organ!?
Marvin Gaye
4/5
A spiteful album but full of great songs. Sparrow is one of his best, both languid and melodic. When did you stop loving me is an argument set to record. Its a little bit long and some songs outstay their welcome, largely this is marvin making art from sorrow.
Heaven 17
1/5
Interesting front cover. Not much else to report. Was silly 45 years ago, it's no less silly now.
SAULT
3/5
Bubbling with ideas and emotive lyrics. Problem being with this album is that there are good bits but as a cohesive strand it doesn't hold together. Sorry aint enough is a magnificent song however and the album is worth checking out for that alone
Funkadelic
2/5
Title track aside there is a not a lot to enthuse about here. Just seems to be a lot of people enjoying themselves a little too much.
Kanye West
4/5
Not the most popular view but this is Kanye west best collection of songs. All laced with fun and great production. Witty lyrics delivered loosely. All falls down, spaceship, slow jamz are songs that were only bettered sporadically. The skits take this away from being 5 stars.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
1/5
Absolute rot. Annoying from beginning to the end. Music for people who do not like Music
David Bowie
2/5
I think for 1977 this is incredibly ambitious. Nothing really hits the spot as much as sound and vision and thats because his screeching is kept to a minimum. As usual with Bowie if you like him you will love this. I do not and would rather not listen to this bobbins
Tom Waits
2/5
There are people who love tom waits growling and his lyrical artistry. I cannot admit to being one of them. This kind of delivery wears thin after a while. Musically there is a lot going on though.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Early promise from the bunnymen. Some great songs like rescue and villiers terrace. Better albums to come in a decade that belonged to them as much as u2 or the smiths. Some songs are lost in the mix. An album that could have been redone possibly
Guided By Voices
3/5
Game of pricks is an excellent song. The rest is listenable but never quite reaches that standard.
Rush
1/5
Silly overblown rock. Unnecessary and unwanted. Made to be discounted and yellow stickered
KISS
1/5
Always thought of kiss as an American version of queen. Easily avoided
Iggy Pop
1/5
Tiresome posturing. Style over substance. Iggy pop, lou reed and floyd are basically brands but there is no more than a handful of memorable songs between them. This collection is devoid of charm and songs
Elton John
3/5
For the start of the record there is a stream of brilliant songs Topped off with the title song. It veers off a bit towards the end. It is a bit self indulgent at times
Traffic
2/5
The playing and the vocals on this record are excellent. However the songs are dull. It is mercifully short however. Steve winwood was either better on his own or with blind faith. This is not of much interest.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
2/5
Apart from the headline single there is a lot of bluster on this album. Historically important
The The
3/5
Very experimental. Doesn't always make for a great listen. Parts of it are jaw dropping. The rest is sleep inducing
Nirvana
5/5
Apart from the questionable album cover this is a perfect album. Encapsulated the mood of the times perfectly. The album kicks off with the overplayed but peerless smell like teen spirit then never really loses pace. In bloom is arguably the best nirvana song, cobains screaming is very tuneful! Then there is a tremendous run of songs towards the end of the album which are both memorable and poignant. Often mocked this album it was never bettered in America in this decade at least.
Queens Of The Stone Age
4/5
The first album and and a rollicking bag of fun it is as well. Although nothing really tops the opening track the rest are terrific toe tapping stoppers. Josh hommes falsetto works incredibly well with the band. Always a worthwhile event a qotsa album even now 28 years on
Baaba Maal
3/5
Some wonderful playing and diverting melodies. Not everything piece hits the spot however and it is very much music for fans of the genre. It is definitely worth investing your time in
Massive Attack
3/5
Unfinished sympathy and safe from harm are modern classics. However like a lot of the trip hop albums of the time there is an awful lot of guff to wade through. One for the chin strokers
The B-52's
1/5
This is nonsense. Not at all humorous. Even the much vaunted rock lobster is irritating. How these are still going nearly 50 years on is a mystery
David Gray
1/5
Affected vocals and trite production values. Hard to understand how this was so popular 28 years ago.
Kraftwerk
2/5
Undoubtedly innovative and historically important. However most of kraftwerks output is a little bit knowing. This collection of songs is ok but electronic music as a whole is a bit like a lolly ice. Temporarily satisfying then a bit irritating
LCD Soundsystem
1/5
The sound of a million adverts. No depth. Like all adverts they can be skipped
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
One of the best soundtrack albums of the time. Freddies dead and little child running wild are both funky and evocative. Quite short as albums go but worth repeated lostens
2/5
The playing on this album is excellent and some of the songs have stood the test of time. However the screeching vocals have not. Starman aside im not sure there is much here.
Beatles
5/5
Faultless. From the fun opener of drive my car to the absolute work of art that is Norwegian wood. The quality never lets up at all. Michelle and girl are worthy of any bands best but on this album are clambering for attention. To cap it off there is in my life which is incredibly moving and beautiful both in its rendering and playing. The first truly great beatles album of a run of about 7 to come!
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Always thought that Springsteen not unlike dylan did not fair well when trying to update their sound. Stripped back or rocking out is his forte. This is too much of a departure. The arrangements are weird and the lyrics are not his strongest. An experience not worthy of the subject
Deep Purple
2/5
Its loud but a bit moronic. Smoke on the water aside (and thats played out) this is one for rock enthusiasts only.
Ray Charles
2/5
Rays albums are always worth listening to. This is stretching it though. The cod sentimentality of country music doesn't marry well with rays soulful voice
Led Zeppelin
3/5
As a debut album it is certainly very ambitious. None of the notable zeppelin songs are on this but a lot of favourites such as baby im gonna leave you and dazed and confused. This is a band finding their stride rather than hitting it.
Judas Priest
2/5
Very loud bombastic and fast. Nonsensical as well but for its kind a worthy effort. Not for me though
FKA twigs
2/5
Two weeks is one of the songs of the decade. However the rest of it though interesting in parts is a little bit on the dull side. The vocals are treated and the arrangements are plodding. Much promise shown but only fleeting.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
The trio of songs (the blacker the berry, how much a dollar cost, and alright) are certified "bangers" and would sit alongside peak 80s and 90s rap songs. The rest is a bit hit and miss. However for those 3 songs alone this is a worthwhile listen
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Not as free flowing as yoshimi. Still a very good album with lots of humour and lyrical dexterity
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Wait until tomorrow is hendrix at his melodic and loudest. The rest of the album is experimental shall we say. Still a very worthwhile exercise though and one that everyone should try at least once!