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2010s
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25
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You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Man Who | 5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
| Halcyon Digest | 5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
| Berlin | 5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
| The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter | 4 | 2.15 | +1.85 |
| Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim | 5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
| Court And Spark | 5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
| The Köln Concert | 5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
| Five Leaves Left | 5 | 3.47 | +1.53 |
| OK | 4 | 2.57 | +1.43 |
| Oracular Spectacular | 5 | 3.61 | +1.39 |
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| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|
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Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 3 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 5 |
| Bob Dylan | 3 | 4.67 |
| Metallica | 2 | 5 |
5-Star Albums (25)
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Popular Reviews
The Adverts
4/5
Not a terrible listen but its one of those albums where the tracks start to blend together a bit and by the time you reach the end you're not really considering a second spin. Downstroke on the guitar, single notes on the bass, batter the snare, snarl into the mic, rinse, repeat. Occasional break out moments, some call and response chanting, a few tom hits. I actually really like the opener 'One Chord Wonders' which is everything described above. In fact I like most of the songs, I just think punk can be intrinsically repetitive. Bored Teenagers and New Church are fun. Gary Gilmore's eyes and No Time to Be 21 are both straight up tunes. One of those two would be my favourite track. 7.5/10
2 likes
10cc
4/5
Wacky and wonderful. Good luck guessing where a song is going next. They do a lot and they do it well. I feel like i could compare them to about 10 different bands, just depends what song is playing at the time. There are heavy riffs and screaming solos. There are beatles style harmonies. There are big dramatic theatre-esque moments. Erratic prog rock with synths and all. Certainly not the worst band in the world as they would have you believe. I loved this album, a surprise as I had no idea what I was getting into, and will definitely listen again and again. Just dont take it - or yourself - too seriously and youll enjoy and have fun. Favourite track - The Wall Street Shuffle, The Worst Band in the World or Clockwork Creep. 8.5/10
2 likes
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I don't have anything particularly interesting to say about this album. Its a good listen, bluesy rock and roll, just what you would expect from The Rolling Stones. There is nothing that takes me by surprise at any point. Just the classic blues, country, folk, guitars, bass, bit of harmonica, slide guitar. And that is of course more than enough for a top album. There are a few excellent tunes of course. If I'd not already heard Street Fighting Man and Sympathy For The Devil 1000 times I would likely have been more blown away. That's not to say I don't really love those tracks. Its mad to think this is the last album where we hear any of Brian Jones input. Anyway, it would be a 7/10 if not for the two 10/10 tracks that bring the overall score up to any 8/10. Favourite song - Sympathy for the Devil.
1 likes
Frank Sinatra
5/5
Beautifully arranged tracks. Soft, gentle, intimate, atmospheric. A truly beautiful and relaxing experience. The strings lift you up and the voice carries you onwards as you float through this record. Bossa Nova and this form of accessible jazz are a marriage made in heaven. I can't remember the last time I listened to such a serene and melancholic album. Favourite track - How Insensitive. 9/10
1 likes
Bob Dylan
5/5
A brilliant album. Probably my 3rd favourite Dylan album. Raw. Real. Wit. Venom. Vision. Fierce delta blues. Something is happening and you dont know what it is. Title track is a postmodern bible. Desolation Row- what a tune. A surprisingly easy listen for an 11 minute number. The rest of the band is brilliant on this one, often overshadowed by Dylan, they are somehow loose and tight at the same time its impressive stuff. Favourite track - Ballad of a Thin Man. 9/10
1 likes
All Ratings
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Given that reggae isn't a musical dish I would usually choose to indulge in, it is difficult to assess this album as I don't have adequate material to compare it to. I'll give it a go though.
Incredibly well produced, some lovely sounding clean guitar licks, slow steady fat sounding bass, of course excellent vocals and some fantastic backing singers. Great when a little bit of brass makes an appearance. Some lovely harmonicameos.
Enjoyed most of the songs but I was rarely blown away. Absolutely loved So Jah S'eh though. Again the brass was beautiful and I found the vocal melodies distinct and interesting.
Talkin Blues was decent. No Woman No Cry deserving of its status although I prefer the live versions. Thought Lively Up Yourself was a bit disappointing as an opener and Am A Do wasn't fantastic as a closer (I know it wasn't originally). The more political numbers didn't hit me the way I had hoped, that is perhaps a me problem. Would certainly listen again. 7/10.
4/5
Favourite song - Victoria
I would describe the album as whimsically tragic. I certainly enjoyed it. Victoria is a proper earworm. Some Mothers Son is pretty touching. She Bought a Hat is a good laugh. Didn't hate any song on the album to be fair but missing a couple more big hitting tracks to hit the 9. Also feel as a Scotsman i might not quite relate to some of the lyrics in the same way as an Englishman might. That crunching guitar sound is unreal at points.
The Who
4/5
Drumming is obviously fantastic. Vibrant, sporadic, eclectic.
Vocals are great. Including the backing singing.
Beautiful crunchy guitars. Bass sounds perfect.
Each of the separate parts sound great and they blend together beautifully.
Song writing wise, I am slightly underwhelmed. One or two great tracks but none really blowing me away. Although when considering this is a debut album the likes of which had never been heard you do appreciate it slightly more. But hard not to compare to the other Who tracks I know and love. I can imagine being blown away as a teenager in the 60s though.
Favourite track - My Generation (there is a reason its the hit)
Also quite enjoyed The Goods Gone & the James Brown covers.
7/10
Nick Drake
5/5
Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Smile. Sigh. Drift. Float. Goosebumps.
Chord change. Melancholy. Sadness. Hope. Uplifting. Profundity. Spectacular. Sit in the music. Follow it downstream. Back upstream. Never swim against it. Soak it in. Become it. This is an album like few others. The strings are perfect. Not a negative word to say about Mr Drake himself. Voice, guitar, lyrics, pace all perfect.
Not sure i have a favourite song. It's all just so good. Love that bit in Cello Song when the shaker comes in. Innocuous but symbolic of the beautiful intricate details. 9/10
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Albums lends itself to full immersion. Lay in a dark room with headphones on and you will have a different experience than when you are out walking the dog or in the car.
The synths, sometimes silk, sometimes steel. The bass is so squanchy for lack of a better word. Drums are tight. Vocals are decent. But the sounds will envelop you. The album is indeed a journey.
There are times where you listen and you notice the albums potential influence. For instance I was listening to Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell and i was thinking how it sounded like something off of Tame Impala's Currents. Wouldn't be surprised if Kevin Parker enjoyed this album.
Loved it. Favourite track - In the Morning of the Magicians.
Smooth synths send shivers. Sonic, spacelike serenity. Songs swell, subdue, soar, sink softly. Sadness. Sobering. Shattering. Sweet sounds. Stars. Suns. Something sacred satisfied. 8/10
Sam Cooke
4/5
Unbelievable vocally. Gritty, soulful, powerful. In terms or the voice this is everything you could want from a live album.
This will perhaps be considered blasphemous but some songs can be a little repetitive at times. The nature of the genre, along with a likely deliberate decision to incorporate repetition for the purposes of the live show, means parts of the album do become a little monotonous. But the energy of the performance does counter this. Getting the crowd singing along. Brilliant.
Overall an enjoyable album. I listened 4 times through in the end. 12 bar blues in the DNA with a mountain of soul on top. A winning combo. 8/10
Thundercat
4/5
I'd never listened to Thundercat before so was going in with an open mind and a blank canvas. Some crazy jazz fusion, incredibly impressive bass, bizarre key changes (in a good way). I was at times bopping and then at other times i was confused. There's certainly a comedy element to the album which I enjoyed. Jovial. Playful. But also some serious playing. 7/10
Favourite songs - Lava Lamp, Show You the Way, Tokyo, Them Changes
Black Sabbath
5/5
When listening to an album, I always like to imagine what it would be like hearing it for the first time at the time of its release. With this album more than most, I genuinely think I would have been blown away. Heck, im still blown away in 2025. Imagine living a relatively metal free existence then hearing War Pigs followed by Paranoid followed by Planet Caravan followed by Iron Man! You will struggle to find a run of tracks like that on any album. Second half of the album holds up well of course. Some standout sporadic drumming. RIP Ozzy
9/10
Favourite track - Has to be War Pigs although Planet Caravan is right up there
Air
4/5
Chill, lo-fi, smooth silken synths. Laying in bed, lights off, following the different paths the music takes. Relaxing, therapeutic, tension eases.
I'd never listened to Air before but found that I knew a couple of songs already somehow. Probably adverts. Either way the album is beautiful and I will definitely listen again. Very strong start. Tracks with vocals are great and Beth Hirsch does a spot on job of matching the energy of the songs. I love Ce matin-là, it has Nick Drakey vibes with a touch of the Blur Universal about it. 8/10
Elton John
4/5
I think the album starts off really strong then gradually weakens with the occasional gem in the second half. I've never listened to the album in its entirety until today and as I went through the first 4 songs I thought this is going to be fantastic but then we hit the Jamaican number and I started to become a bit uncertain. Its not horrendous but its bizarre and ruins any flow the record had started to obtain. There are then a good few decent tracks but nothing mind blowing. Dirty Little Girl is pretty wild, funny hearing Elton John talking about grabbing a 'bitch' by the ass and giving her a well needed scrubbing. Was not expecting that. Obviously Saturday Nights Alright gets things going again but the album fails to hit the early highs.
As for the positives, when the album is good its amazing. Guitars are off the scale at times , some brilliant solos. Proper rock and roll piano is hard to top and the vocals aren't bad at all. Lyrics are a bit cringe at times but I won't judge that too harshly. Overall it was a decent listen but I could probably have cut a third of the songs and went standard album length. Sorry Elton fans! Favourite track- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. 7/10
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Country music is not for me i am afraid. Gave the album a listen through a few times and i just find the tunes a bit samey unfortunately. Well produced, it is easy listening, some nice piano. Emmylou Harris' voice is nice , soothing, delicate. Certainly not bad on the ears. Dig a bit of fiddle here and there and the pedal steel guitar is dynamite . But again the plodding bass, the predictable chord changes and the unrelatable (to me) lyrics got me looking at a 6/10. Favourite track - For No One (says it all when your favourite track is a cover). What i can say is that ive not heard any better Country music either so this could be as good as it gets and im just not able to appreciate.
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
Easy listening. Soft gentle vocals. Slow burning album. Short but sweet. No real stand out tracks. Probably not my favourite genre. Sounds great but the tracks don't catch my imagination. 6/10. No one favourite track.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
What an album. It can be a difficult listen at times, and not everybody wants or needs that in music, but it can also be slow, soft, poetic. Then its gritty and powerful again. It drags you in with atonal, sharp, dissonant sounds then before you know it I'll be Your Mirror is playing and you are back to those Sunday Morning vives. The Run Run Run soloing shouldnt work but it does and I love it. There are few songs in existence like Venus in Furs and Heroin is a legitimate masterpiece. Then take into account the time, place, personalities and circumstances surrounding the band and you begin to understand the weight this album holds. Its a shocking, absurd , mess of a record that allows the sun to shine through every so often, letting you breathe, get your bearings, before it goes again to those dark places that you don't really understand. Its a record that sounds different depending on when and where you listen. I unserstand why some might hate it but for me its powerful, beautiful and I love it. 9/10
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
I just listened to The Velvet Undergroud and Nico and I mentioned how it can be a difficult listen but it was also very rewarding. I find this album to be equally difficult but with less reward. I do think the first half of the album is pretty solid without being exceptional, but I don't particularly enjoy the second half. Some of the guitar soloing is pretty badass and i dig the big crunchy guitars. Vocals don't really do it for me. I find some songs a little bit unimaginative. Favourite tracks - Little Fury Things & Kracked. 7/10
Kate Bush
4/5
As I was listening to this album, I was preparing to comment on how it was a pretty reasonable listen. Sonically interesting. I enjoy the non western vocal textures and otherworldly harmonies, such as in Deeper Understanding. Interesting song about bumping into Hitler at the dancing. Then I reached the 3rd last track, Rocket's Tail, and I thought actually maybe this is great. Then the next track played, This Woman's Work, and I legitimately got full body chills. This does happen to me on occasion, but it was particularly enjoyable as it came out of nowhere. I love surprise goosebumps. I then relistened to the full album and it hit a little different. Its not music i would usually listen to but I enjoyed the experience and I would revisit Ms Bush's work. Favourite track - This Woman's Work. 7.5/10
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I don't have anything particularly interesting to say about this album. Its a good listen, bluesy rock and roll, just what you would expect from The Rolling Stones. There is nothing that takes me by surprise at any point. Just the classic blues, country, folk, guitars, bass, bit of harmonica, slide guitar. And that is of course more than enough for a top album. There are a few excellent tunes of course. If I'd not already heard Street Fighting Man and Sympathy For The Devil 1000 times I would likely have been more blown away. That's not to say I don't really love those tracks. Its mad to think this is the last album where we hear any of Brian Jones input. Anyway, it would be a 7/10 if not for the two 10/10 tracks that bring the overall score up to any 8/10. Favourite song - Sympathy for the Devil.
Prince
3/5
Very strong start to the album but it doesnt maintain that standard after the 4th or 5th song. Some of the songs in middle to end i thought were unnecessarily long. I found myself listening to the same synth part replayed over and over with slight variations of funky guitar over the top. Perhaps a change of octave. Not enough to stop me from getting a little bit bored. Vocals are great. Some fantastic guitar, solid when both ripping a solo and when peppering in the funky licks. I think if some of the tracks were half the length and the total album time was perhaps 45/50 mins this would be a more enjoyable listen. I mean Lady Cab Driver is actually a tune but over 8 mins?? International Lover is a decent closer. As it stands we are looking at a 7/10. Favourite track - Little Red Corvette.
Talvin Singh
4/5
Loved it. Like nothing i've ever heard before. Mysterious. Relaxing. Other worldly. The mix of East and West. The Indian style vocals. Instruments you wouldn't usually hear over a drum and bass or trance style beat. Different. Imaginative. New. Interesting. Exciting. Long tracks but i didn't get bored. Favourite track - Sutrix or Light. 8/10
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Cale or Yule. Tough to choose. Im probably a Cale man but this is some album. Restrained vocals, beautiful harmonies. Far more intimate than the Cale stuff. More accessible, none of the danger. Sometimes its nice to enjoy a more stripped back, melodic record. Pale Blue Eyes probably is the best track on the record. After Hours is a lovely closer and the decision to go with Moe's voice was a brilliant one. I even found that The Murder Mystery worked really well. It eases you into Moe's voice and is a proper interesting piece of music. Favourite track - Pale Blue Eyes. 9/10
Bob Dylan
5/5
A brilliant album. Probably my 3rd favourite Dylan album. Raw. Real. Wit. Venom. Vision. Fierce delta blues. Something is happening and you dont know what it is. Title track is a postmodern bible. Desolation Row- what a tune. A surprisingly easy listen for an 11 minute number. The rest of the band is brilliant on this one, often overshadowed by Dylan, they are somehow loose and tight at the same time its impressive stuff. Favourite track - Ballad of a Thin Man. 9/10
Joan Baez
4/5
An enjoyable listen. Surprised at how much I enjoyed it actually. Lovely vocal tone. Soft singing, you can really hear the annunciation due to the clearness of the recording. Then we are building building, all the while just acoustic guitar to accompany. The volume picks up. Then softly softly again. Very dynamic. Beautiful. The voice is gorgeous really. I thought some of the vocal melodies were really interesting and they didn't always do what I expected which isn't always the case with what can be quite a predictable genre. Perfect example first track, Silver Dagger. Could be boring but there's something about it. The last two sentences of each stanza give me some sort of chills. That's my favourite track. As a Scotsman I also enjoyed Mary Hamilton. 8.5/10
Bob Dylan
4/5
Sounds like a man grappling with his own mortality. These songs are beautiful. Hard to compare this album to Dylan's earlier work as it doesnt speak in the same way. Its still raw and real but in polished, refined and deliberate in a way. Musically it does something different and there are so many lovely ballads. Moody. Reverby. Meditative. Trying to Get to Heaven is beautiful. There are a few moments where, if you're not actively listening in the moment to the lyrics, you might get a bit bored, but not too many. Favourite track - Love Sick or Standing in the Doorway. 8/10
Led Zeppelin
5/5
What can I say about this album. For a fan of rock and roll, records don't come much better. Black Dog - unreal riff, the drum beat slow and steady while Jimmy Page messes with the timing, making things feel just slightly off before they are very much bang on. Just because they can. Love it. Then the song Rock and Roll itself. Does what it says on the tin and then some. Twelve bar blues doesnt get much better. Then the epic The Battle of Evermore. Love the vocals on this one, the interchanging, back and forth with Sandy Denny is brilliant. Then Stairway to Heaven. Unashamed to say its possibly the greatest rock song of all time. It has everything. Slow, fast, soft, heavy, deep, meaningful, great lyrics, percect drums, ripping solos, chills. Forget banning it, it should be mandatory to play it in guitar shops. Misty Mountain Hop up next. Decent track but nothing more in my view. Same with Four Sticks. These two tracks are the main reason why the album misses out on the legendary 10 out of 10 status. Good songs but not special. Last two tracks are back to elite level stuff. Going to California is beautiful and When the Levee Breaks is epic. Even after hearing 1000 times I still listen right through every time it makes an appearance on my playlists. Overall one of the greatest albums of all time. But not quite a 10. Probably a 9.5/10. Favourite track - Stairway to Heaven easilyyyyy. Not really fair on the other tracks. 2nd favourite is Going to California.
Dr. Dre
4/5
I'm a sucker for the G funk synth sound. Laid back, flowing, SMOOTH, easy listening gangsta rap does do it for me. Can feel the buzz of the bass through my headphones. Negatives - not particularly interested in the lyrics. I dig the occasional comedic stanza but otherwise only so many times I need to hear that Mr Dre isn't to be messed with. Also a couple of dud tracks, particularly the second half of the album. Definitely starts strong and fades off. Love the sound of Snoop on these early records. Favourite tracks - The Day the N**** Took Over followed by Nuthin But a G Thang back to back, abrasive then smooth. Perfect. 8 /10
Fugees
4/5
Top album. Love the samples used. Insane vocals, Lauryn Hill on Killing Me Softly is epic. Bars are tight and iceee cold. Each track flows nicely into the next with a few skits helping to tie things together. I love when rap albums do this, feel like other genres could chuck in some more patter between songs. Back to the music, some of the sample sounds are dark and mysterious which I find works really well with the rapping style of the group. Think Cowboys is underrated. Obviously not the best track, Ready or Not, Zealots and Killing Me Softly could lay claim to that but for me Fu-Gee-La is number one. Listened to the expanded edition twice through. 8/10
Green Day
4/5
Not a big pop punk guy but I found this a remarkably easy listen. Most tracks are hooky and memorable, not a lot of filler and if a track isn't hitting the spot its usually only about 2 minutes long anyway. Love the drum breaks on Burnout. Welcome to Paradise is sick. Obviously the big hits are big hits for a reason. Not an album i would necessarily have on repeat, its not very musically diverse and really sticks to its lane. However, what it does it does well. Lyrics are fine, some funny stuff. Probably relatable if I was 10/15 years younger. Younger me would have ate this up in fact. Favourite track - Welcome to Paradise. 7.5/10
The Clash
4/5
So much going on in this album. Listened through twice and I feel like i have barely touched the sides! Obviously knew a few tracks already, but id never listened right through start to finish and I really enjoyed the experience. Really raw sounding with so many different genres / styles, but it all comes together beautifully. Each track sounds like it could have inspired the sound of a different band. Its not just punk - its funk, ska, reggae, rock and roll, indie. There is brass. There are really modern sounding guitar solos. Some lovely organ, crunchy guitar, tight drums. Some of the melodies are so recognisable even though ive never heard the songs before which makes me think that parts of these songs have likely been 'borrowed' many times. Favourite tracks - i loved Rudie Can't Fail followed by Spanish Bombs. I'm Not Down is great and I really liked Lost in the Supermarket. Great listen 9/10
Bauhaus
3/5
Didn't love this album. I'm not totally against the style of music, and some songs did work for me, but there were too many that I found boring and that failed to do anything for me. I felt as though some of the experimental stuff kind of failed and a few particularly poor tracks in the second half of the album left me very much underwhelmed. Obviously apart from the fishcake stuff which was profound. Positives - some interesting instrumental stuff, the first half of the album had some great tracks. Love the urgency of the vocals in Hair of the Dog along with the stripped back drums and the driving bass. Great when the heavy distorted guitar switches into a screech. Holllow hills is the right amount of mysterious. The chorus of The Passion of Lovers is great , a real hook and a proper volume up moment. Peak vocals. Definitely my favourite track. Overall 6/10.
3/5
Enjoyed this album more than I expected to, though, by the time i got to the last few tracks I was ready for it to end and I didn't feel the need to dip back in for a 2nd listen. I liked the guitar tones , really heavy and crunching for the heavier chorus parts then sometimes a reverby, shimmering sort of elastic lead part for the verses or interludes (Livin It Up). Myriad of guitar sounds definitely my album highlight. Not a huge fan of the vocals although they do work well with the music. Lyrics are pretty much nonsense as well but again they do work so I wont judge too harshly. I actually preferred when they really lean into the nonsense and things were comically ludicrous i.e Hot Dog. Full Nelson was pretty sick, again especially the guitar sounds. My Generation, My Way and Rollin are all decent tunes. Gnarly screaming on Boiler which was a definite highlight on the back end of the album. Favourite tracks - Hot Dog, Full Nelson. 7/10
Richard Hawley
4/5
There is easy listening and then there is this album. So unbelievably smooth. A proper vintage feel, polished and immaculately produced. Vocally really strong, a real rich sounding baritone. Orchestral arrangements are fantastic. Then some slower ballads which work well in their own way. The album is wonderfully warm and sort of inexplicably nostalgic. I can say with certainty that feelings were evoked when listening, its just hard to put a finger on exactly what those feelings were. But its good to feel. Poignant, emotional, resonant, sincere. I honestly loved almost every moment of it. Favourite tracks - Coles Corner, Just Like the Rain, The Ocean. 8 5/10
Johnny Cash
5/5
First off this album is so unbelievably well mixed its hard to believe its a live recording. I suppose a lot of credit for that goes to Johnny Cash himself, his vocals are perfect, so honest and emotional throughout. Each song resonates in its own way with the crowd and with the listener. The album itself is just authenticity in its purest form. Not a shred of insincerity or fakeness. Listening from the perspective of a prisoner, it must have been incredibly emotional to hear such vivid descriptions of the outside world, the things they had once known and now lost. For someone to come and speak to them. To show understanding, empathy and to relate to them honestly through music. Really thought provoking. Without the setting and circumstances the album would be good. Musically the songs are enjoyable. But its the other stuff that makes this a true classic. Favourite song - Cociane Blues into 25 minutes to go! 9/10
Keith Jarrett
5/5
Lyrical without any lyrics. True spontaneity. Soulful. Sometimes fragile and intimate and at other times expansive and transcendent. Never quite sure where each moment will go next. A constant shifting, changing, flowing meditation. I love piano music. Usually more of a Chopin man and jazz piano can be a hit or a miss for me, but this is the right level of accessibility whilst still feeling truly improvisational. I love the sporadic noises he makes while playing, caught up fully in the moment. An example of the way music can take over, take hold. I have no doubt he felt what he played and so we can feel it too. Beautiful. 9/10
Jane's Addiction
4/5
I've never been the biggest fan of Perry Farrell's voice in all honesty. I always found the high pitched, nasally tone a bit annoying. However, listening to this album in its entirety, I have to admit that his delivery is spot on and i cant really imagine anyone else complementing the musical style so well. Always been a Dave Navarro fan and the solos on this album are dynamite. Bass and drums beyond tight, no complaints. The album has a real urgency about it until 'Three Days' then it takes us on a hypnotic, psychedelic journey. This is my favourite track. It does all sorts. Hits many spots. Last few tracks are also decent. Overall a good listen. 8/10.
Louis Prima
4/5
Great vibes. Personality in abundance. Unstoppable energy. Some unbelievable brass. Swinging, bluesy, jazzy. The whole lot. 41 minutes - the perfect length. Pop it on while you make the dinner and just jive round your kitchen. Honking, screaming, more walking bass than you could know what to do with. 12 bar blues × 12 bar blues. I make that 144 bar blues. Classic call and response vocals. On the vocals note, wow. The rasp in the voice is perfect. The band are fantastic. Great feel good listening, popping it back on right now. Favourite track - Just a Gigolo / I Aint Got Nobody. 8/10.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Not really my cup of tea! A few good tracks. Vocals are unquestionably decent and I love the harmonies with the female singer. A few tracks just too slow and ponderous for my tastes. 7/10.
Alice Cooper
4/5
I have to say, I totally misjudged Alice Cooper. I'd heard the hits and thought not for me , but this album is actually quite enjoyable. Definite Rolling Stones vibes, particularly in the first half. When things did get more dark and mysterious i actually quite enjoyed and I thought the vocals were pretty great actually. Some top soloing. Overall an enjoyable listen. Favourite track - No More Nice Guy. 7.5/10
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
This felt like 2 or 3 different bands at points. Really interesting the variety of styles . The different vocals add to what is quite an eclectic experience for the listener (in a good way). I believe even the drummer sings a number and he does so very well indeed. Some tracks were certainly a fair bit weaker than others. But the highs are very high indeed. The vocal harmonies are unreal, probably my favourite thing about the album. Favourite track - Broken Arrow. 8/10
AC/DC
4/5
Raw, anthemic, rock and roll. Straightforward heavy riffs. Bon Scott's raspy vocals. Angus Young's eclectic, electric soloing. The call and response style backing vocals. Everything ties together to make a proper iconic, energetic album. My only gripe is that later in the album some songs did start to sound just a touch repetitive in places. But overall a great listen. Favourite track - Touch Too Much. 8/10
Garbage
4/5
Punchy, edgy, 90s vibes. Vocals - equal parts aggressive and sultry. Sometimes sharp then soft. Sometimes dark then bright. Tonal and atonal. An album of duality. Atmospheric and emotional. Some fantastic hooks and riffs. Some songs are about as pop rock as you get and then we go grunge, art rock, industrial, electronic. I love the variation and experimentation. Great listen. Favourite tracks - Vow into Stupid Girl. Or My Lover's Box. 8/10
Otis Redding
4/5
Beautiful, raw, timeless soul. Powerful vocals. The originals are as incredible as the Sam Cooke covers. Passionate, gritty, gospel fire. The band is perfectly tight. Isaac Hayes on the keys, who knew!? This album is just back to back hit after hit after hit. It is about as easy a listen as you could ever want. Favourite track - Wonderful World. 9/10.
OutKast
4/5
I feel like i am reviewing two separate albums. Well i suppose i am actually. After listening i couldn't help imagining the best tracks from both being combined and just having one incredible record. There are certainly some songs that could be done away with in my view. I preferred Speakerboxx. I would have taken that and interspersed it with the hits from The Love Below along with some of the more imaginative, jazzy stuff. I get why that wasn't possible though. I dont think Andre 3000's side is poor, just a little unbalanced and at times the experimentation was a bit excessive and forced. Really liked A Life in the Day of Benjamin when he returns to his rapping roots. Speakerboxx is what i expect and love from Outkast. Although it does get weaker as it goes on. I really do think that this could have been whittled down to one long incredible album. As it is there is too much filler to give it more than an 8/10. Favourite tracks - GhettoMusick and Roses.
Christina Aguilera
4/5
Before I started listening to this I didn't anticipate enjoying it at all, but as often happens with music, it took me by surprise. The vocals are exceptional. The songs are actually really well put together. Lyrics not particularly relatable but the are at times poignant and emotional. Some of the synth sounds used are sick. Some of the ballads are a little bit bland but they are always real. The hits are HUGE and there are a fair few of them. I'm not a pop music fan so it would be easy for me to take digs at this album but I have to hold my hands up and say it is a pretty remarkable record. Perhaps a bit long and could have been tightened up a bit. As far as female pop stars go, this has been one of my favourite listens. Favourite track - The Voice Within. 8/10
4/5
A decent album. The good songs are great and are well deserving of their legendary status, but in all honesty the second half of the album didn't set my world on fire. Things start to drag just a little bit. Vocals are consistently good of course. I get that the later tracks are a bit more introspective and subtle and they're not bad songs, I actually think the end of 'One Tree Hill' is an album highlight. I just think the track listing could have been reworked to maintain the energy a bit better. Anyway, im probably being overly critical. I did enjoy the listen. Favourite track - With or Without You. 7.5/10.
N.E.R.D
3/5
For some reason this album didn't really click for me. Hard to put my finger on what was wrong with it as all the right ingredients are there. There were a few highlights and enjoyable moments but I found myself zoning out a lot. At points I relistened to songs to fairly assess them and then forgot and zoned out again. Some of the vocals are decent. Lyrics a bit meh. Its a reasonably fun and upbeat record but im not giving it any awards. Favourite song - Maybe. 6.5/10
Nirvana
5/5
Can't listen to this album without hearing it as either a crying out in pain or a farewell. Not looking to be pretentious or to over analyse, and I dont think Kurt Cobain was consciously conveying any message at the time, but its certainly an eerie record. Starts off relatively quiet, casual, mournful perhaps just a bit dark. Then it gradually feels more personal and intimate. The lyrics are all raw and fragile talking about isolation, identity, mortality and existentialism. Then it starts to feel less like a performance and more like a confession. The screaming in the last track, Where Did You Sleep Last Night is a devastating climax. Thats probably my favourite track although I get chills whenever the strings make an appearance. 9/10
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Still a sucker for that G Funk sound. This album is impeccably produced. Snoop is smooth and dynamic. So slick. So laid back. Effortlessly cool. Comical at times. A great listen. Favourite track - Murder Was The Case. 8.5/10
3/5
Simple, straightforward country music. Nothing spectacular. Enjoyable if you find yourself in the mood for some simple, bluesy ballads with some solid enough vocals. I guess the most fascinating thing about the album is how it paints a pretty vivid picture of a time, place and lifestyle. I can see how it would have been groundbreaking at the time and how it may have made certain woman feel seen and heard. Perhaps the issue is I just cant relate fully but musically it doesnt blow me away. Looking at a 6.5/10
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Introspective, soulful, inventive. Definitely a darker more reflective and personal album than the other records I have heard belonging to Mr Wonder. It does still have those great funky moments and plenty of spiritual / gospel inspired tracks. But its the darker moments that stick with me. I was taken aback by the somber and haunting sound of Creepin and They Won't Go When I Go. Please Dont Go is a classic Stevie Wonder tune, a perfect closer and my favourite track. 8.5/10
Lou Reed
5/5
Had no idea what to expect before checking this album out. Not an easy album to listen to. Like its really affecting in ways that are not easy to describe. It was tough listening to the crying children in The Kids. Then the chills i got at the end of The Bed are like none ive ever had. Usually I love that feeling but it was tinged with such an uneasiness. Really powerful stuff. Then ending on Sad Song was just perfect, like it took me back where I needed to be. This 3 track run was incredible. Really moving stuff. Overall the album is beautiful. Aloof vocal delivery juxtaposes with the lush orchestral movements. There is tension then ascension. Some truly horrible sounds followed by glorious, dramatic, spine tingling beauty. I loved it so much. 9/10
Pixies
4/5
Quiet / loud. Soft verses / explosive choruses. Raw, abrasive, unusually structured tracks. A few more accessible moments amongst the chaotically jagged guitar riffs and the screaming vocals. All this together makes for a fantastic listening experience. Kicking off the album with bone machine sets the mood and tempo - those drums followed by that guitar riff are elite. The erratic almost spoken vocals followed by screams and a wall of guitar. Oh oh oh oh oh oh ohhhh. I think Kim Deal's backing vocals are integral and her lead vocals on gigantic are not to be overlooked either. In fact she is one of my favourite things about the album. Favourite track has to be Where is My Mind, its popular for good reason. Also love Broken Face and Gigantic. 8.5/10
Lupe Fiasco
4/5
Smooth and compelling flow. Vivid lyricism. Raps about some really interesting themes and for the most part avoids the usual gangsta rap clichés which i found somewhat refreshing. Beats are pretty well put together with a wide range of samples used. Outro was unecessarily long and monotonous. I would perhaps have enjoyed a few more stripped back tracks with more casual beats where the focus was more on the rapping as I think the lyricism is the strongest element of the music. On that note I think 'The Cool' is probably my favourite track. Or maybe 'Kick Push'. Or maybe 'He Say She Say'. 8/10
Metallica
5/5
I love how the explosive sound envelops you. I often find heavy metal music relaxing in a strange way and this album hits that spot massively. I think its that the thrashing guitar is so fast it becomes almost like a white noise. Anyway, im not suggesting this is an album to nap to. The solos and riffs can have my body shaking and my head banging. Unreal stuff. Incredibly brutal at points. The tone of the guitars complements the vocals perfectly. Say what you want about Lars but the way he drives the songs on with an intense, relentless energy is a big part of what makes this album what it is. Sometimes forget just how good Metallica were in the 80s. Favourite track - Welcome Home (Sanitarium) or Orion. 9/10
Burning Spear
3/5
Reggae isn't really my thing. Struggle to see past the repetitive, slow, rolling rhythms. I find myself waiting patiently for the horns and occasional woodwind to spice things up. I mean I dont hate the album, its easy enough to listen to, just the grooves tend to blur together after a little while. The atmosphere is strong, and I respect the political and cultural weight behind the lyrics, but its not a record i would be rushing to spin again. Favourite track - Marcus Garvey or Old Marcus Garvey. 6.5/10
The Adverts
4/5
Not a terrible listen but its one of those albums where the tracks start to blend together a bit and by the time you reach the end you're not really considering a second spin. Downstroke on the guitar, single notes on the bass, batter the snare, snarl into the mic, rinse, repeat. Occasional break out moments, some call and response chanting, a few tom hits. I actually really like the opener 'One Chord Wonders' which is everything described above. In fact I like most of the songs, I just think punk can be intrinsically repetitive. Bored Teenagers and New Church are fun. Gary Gilmore's eyes and No Time to Be 21 are both straight up tunes. One of those two would be my favourite track. 7.5/10
Radiohead
5/5
Difficult to put into words the feelings I have listening to this album. Some mixture of nostalgia, joy, sadness, fear.. I dont know. I get chills. I get goosebumps. Sometimes its really uncomfortable. Eerie. Like its all just a little bit too real. That Radiohead feeling. Sometimes there are waves of pleasure. Music as a drug. No other band could evoke so many different emotions over the course of 47 minutes in my opinion. The songs mean a lot to me but even if i'd never heard this album before I would know i was listening to something profound. I dont like to come across as pretentious or pompous but its hard not to use superlatives when describing this music. Its a legitimate masterpiece. Favourite track - Idioteque. 9.5/10
Red Snapper
3/5
Ups and downs with this one. Some great moments and some boring ones. A little bit repetitive at times, some tracks could be tightened up a bit in my opinion. Love the variation in styles and moods. An eclectic mix of instrumentation works out relatively interesting for the most part. Really liked Bussing, not so much I Stole Your Car. Alastair Street is class, Belladonna meh. Favourite track - Bussing. 7/10
Prefab Sprout
3/5
A really pretty okay album. Totally reasonable. I'm not a big pop music fan. I can do 80s sometimes but it needs to be great. These songs are pretty well put together in fairness and there are plenty of enjoyable moments. I did find myself bopping on occasion. But the hooks didn't quite hit the spot in the sort of way that demands another listen. Favourite track - Goodbye Lucille #1. 7/10
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
A bit like a series of lectures wrapped in beats. The beats themselves are hit or miss. Lyrics sometimes thought provoking, but at other times boring and not always particularly profound in my view. Songs often become repetitive with the theme really getting hammered home line after line and i find they are longer than they need to be. The vocal style, militant poet, just doesnt really do it for me unfortunately. Favourite track - Television The Drug Of The Nation. 6/10
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Voice as smooth as silk. Music is funky, then jazzy, then real soft and tender. All genres equally strong. A perfect blend of love songs and funky jams. I feel like Superstition would probably be my favourite track if id not heard it 1000 times before. Still a tune of course. As it is, it would need to be You and I or I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever). What an album. Spun it twice already, quite prepared for a 3rd listen on the trot. 9/10
Culture Club
3/5
Surprisingly enjoyable listen. Had them down as one hit wonders but found myself nodding the head and tapping the foot a fair few times. Nothing groundbreaking but if you need some straightforward, easy going pop music, its not bad. I enjoy the brass, the range of synth sounds and the funky bass. The choruses are always decent enough. Vocals are distinctly 80s, no complaints with them. The woman piping up with backing vocals here and there is fantastic. Lyrics meh. Favourite track - Miss Me Blind. 7.5/10
Sisters Of Mercy
4/5
Dark, mechanical, tight, driving rhythms. Moody, gothic vocals. The drum machine works wonders for the atmosphere. Some real catchy hooks. Experimental without making the music inaccessible. A couple of boring, slow, filler tracks bring the score down but there are some great moments elsewhere. My favourite moment is actually right at thr start of the album, track 1 - 'Dominion / Mother Russia'. 7.5/10
The Specials
3/5
Probably not the genre for me. I dont think its controversial to say that ska can be fairly monotonous . There are certainly good tracks on the album but they are interspersed with too much of the same stuff to keep me properly interested, just constant off beat guitar chops and brass stabs. The bass does a lot of heavy lifting. I enjoy the dichotomy between the dark, heavy, socially conscious lyrics and the upbeat, bouncy music. But a full album is just too much of it for me. Everything in moderation i suppose. I feel like if they just dropped the 2 tone for a few choruses it would be a total game changer. Favourite track - A Message to You Rudy. 7/10
Def Leppard
4/5
Quality anthemic rock. Layered guitars sound so full and crisp. They really punch through. Some proper sharp riffage and some fantastic soloing on top. Lyrically not my favourite album, but the vocals are great. A very good listen. Favourite track - Photograph. 8/10
Elvis Presley
4/5
A laid back and versatile Elvis album. Smooth, often romantic and sometimes soulful. Not the rock and roll Elvis i prefer (Dirty, Dirty Feeling aside) but a good listen all the same. Crazy to think that over half the songs on this album are covers, imagine an artist doing that nowadays. The Jordanaires are fantastic in the background, really adding to that smooth, rich textured tone. A few too many very similar ballads and basic blues tracks to really get me excited but i did enjoy the couple of spins i gave it. Favourite tracks - Such a Night and Reconsider Baby (love the brass and jazz piano) 7.5/10
Holger Czukay
3/5
To say i wasn't convinced on my first listen to this album would be an understatement. But then I hit a round two and I started locking in here and there. I started hearing some really interesting passages, some quirky, funky bass lines. Some euphoric moments. I didn't find myself fully convinced by all of the tracks, and i still think Cool in the Pool is ludicrous and not in a particularly good way, but in the end i think i could say i did enjoy this album. Particularly Persian Love and Hollywood Symphony. 7/10
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
Jangly, raw, energetic. A great southern rock sound. Rolling stonesesque with that loose, swaggering, bluesy tone (Mystery Man) or Status Quoesque (Anything Thats Rock N Roll). In fact I can hear a bunch of different bands here. In a good way not in a rip off way. Still maintains that original feel. I like it. Smooth, easy listening rock and roll. Favourite track - Breakdown. 7.5/10
Jungle Brothers
4/5
Fun, funky, thoughtful. The kind of album you can listen and understand the lyrics quite easily. Not that I found them relatable but thats no fault of the artist . Great mixture of genres and samples. Really well produced. An enjoyable listen. 7 5/10
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Jazzy. Poetic. Accessible yet complex. Vulnerable. Witty. A glorious voice. The production is so clean and polished. Love the swing track 'Twisted' with the walking bass and the almost walking vocals, so impressive. Surprise Cheech & Chong cameo too! Help Me was fantastic, Trouble Child and Car on a Hill brilliant, but musically Down to You is hard to top, what an incredible tune. Such beautiful progressions. 8.5/10
Fela Kuti
3/5
Really just a big jam session. Not particularly blown away. I got into certain parts but then they seemed to go on and on and on. Very repetitive and not as intricate or rhythmically complex as I had anticipated aside from the drum solo track which i gather wasnt part of the original album. For the most part we are locking into a groove and then noodling on top. Highlights are when the drums do start jazzing outward here and there. At times the two drummers syncopated in such different ways whilst somehow blending together and maintaining the flow. For me the percussion was definitely the stand out factor in the album, just hoped for a little more in the body of the songs. Favourite track probably - Egbe Mi O, enjoyed the crowd singalong. Bonus points for how good the album sounds live, in fact its easy to forget its live at times. 6.5/10
Digital Underground
3/5
Started enjoying this album a bit more when I realised it was deliberately ludicrous. Some of the instrumental stuff was actually quite enjoyable and the lyrics and theme were pretty funny to a point. Bit long for me though and I wasn't blown away. Favourite track- Sex Packets. 6.5/10
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
Technically strong - the vocals, the musicality, the energy. However, I find the album a bit stylistically saturated. Instead of being 80s influenced its almost smothered by it. Like an 80s blanket had been popped over the top of the record. Not that I dont enjoy some 80s music but its just a bit overly steeped in that production aesthetic. Kind of like a Michael Jackson / Prince cover act. Well, cover act is harsh, but the delivery leans so much into that style it does occasionally edge towards imitation rather than originality. I am being perhaps a little too critical. There are rawer moments, screams that cut through the polish. The chap is clearly very talented and the album is great at doing what it does. Favourite track - Sign Your Name. 7/10
The Offspring
4/5
Noisy in a good way. Straightforward. 3 chord riffs and some decent, memorable choruses. Nothing spectacular but it has a charm and a raw energy that makes it a decent listen. When listening to 'Come Out and Play' i realised i'd not heard it for about 20 years and I had a little nostalgic moment remembering a simpler time. Thats what music is all about for me. Favourite track- Self Esteem. 8/10
OutKast
4/5
Energetic, chaotic but controlled. Contrast in vocal styles is fantastic as always with OutKast. Eccentric, melodic bursts then sharp steady flows. Musically the album regularly changes lane but the beats are always tight and there are some sick synth sounds. Little bit more filler than Aquemini in my opinion but some MASSIVE hits. Favourite track - Ms Jackson, B.O.B, Red Velvet or Gangsta Sh*t. 8/10
Jeru The Damaja
4/5
Slow, steady beats with weird, atonal piano loops that work well with his gritty, street-preacher flow. Afu-Ra adds a sharp contrast, and tracks like Da Bichez give brief, smooth jazzy breaks before the darkness creeps back in.
I quite like the superhero fighting ignorance schtick, part scientist, part preacher, although he hammers the same themes over and over. It makes the message strong, but it’s not always an easy, casual listen. Favourite track - My Mind Spray. 7.5/10
Ian Dury
4/5
An absolutely ludicrous album but not in a bad way. The cockney, half spoken vocals describing women / sexual conquests is kind of bizarre but somehow works. The band are actually really tight and the music is interesting and pretty inventive. Funky grooves, fluid bass, jazzy piano and all sorts of soloing going on. The occasional sincere moments sit well amongst all the witty, tongue in cheek stuff. Enjoyed it. Favourite track - Sweet Gene Vincent, My Old Man, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll. 8/10
ZZ Top
4/5
Swaggering blues, crunching fuzzy guitars, a layer of synths just underneath. Sometimes funky, particularly the bass which often takes a real slapping. Some nasty blues licks on guitar. Straightforward, good old fashioned rock and roll. A few filler tracks but the hits are BIG. Favourite track - Sharp Dressed Man. 8/10
4/5
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
Expansive, anthemic, melodic. Vocals are interesting and don't always do the expected thing which is cool although im not always crazy about the voice. Guitars sound great. In fact all of the instrumentation is pretty spot on. The songs are really well put together and the overall sound is incredibly unique which is probably the biggest complement i can give. From start to finish there is no doubt who you are listening to. Favourite track - A Design For Life. 8/10
Pixies
5/5
The Black Keys
4/5
Stripped-back, bluesy album with raw, hypnotic grooves. Most tracks circle around a chord or two, simple four-four beats, and basic riffs — it’s not complex, but that’s the charm. The songs share the same recipe, different flavour, yet Tighten Up, Howlin’ for You, Next Girl, and Everlasting Light hit perfectly. Lyrics fade into the background sometimes but that doesn’t matter. It’s all about tone, texture, and feel. Fuzzy guitars, laid-back swagger, and minimal production. Catchy, and full of character. Favourite track - Everlasting Light. 8/10
Frank Sinatra
5/5
Beautifully arranged tracks. Soft, gentle, intimate, atmospheric. A truly beautiful and relaxing experience. The strings lift you up and the voice carries you onwards as you float through this record. Bossa Nova and this form of accessible jazz are a marriage made in heaven. I can't remember the last time I listened to such a serene and melancholic album. Favourite track - How Insensitive. 9/10
John Martyn
4/5
Even with a number of quite upbeat tracks, this is an album of peace and serenity. Bathe in the ambience, relax, drift away. The production feels incredible, I think it might have been recorded outdoors or something, it just feels so spacious and alive and the sounds of nature really enhance this vibe. The vocals are sometimes delicate, sometimes more gruff. Along with the guitar licks, they feel close and intimate in contrast to the other more expansive sounds. The little sporadic ambient moments, when listened to through headphones, almost give me an ASMR like feeling. Favourite track - Small Hours (defines everything i love about this album). 8.5/10
Radiohead
5/5
Haunting melodies over jagged riffs and arpeggios. The first indications of the Radiohead to come. Sometimes clean and intimate. Other times loud distorted and chaotic. Reverb. Delay. Always that feeling - something between hope and dread. Nobody goes from fragile beauty to aggressive explosiveness quite like this band. Fake Plastic Trees is a masterpiece, Just is epic, Street Spirit is something else entirely. Overall an awesome album. Favourite track - Street Spirit or Fake Plastic Trees. 9/10
Femi Kuti
3/5
This album is not really my jam to be honest. Not got the patience for the lengthy grooves and rhythms. Just not enough going on to keep me interested during such long tracks. I didn't hate it but I felt like every song was done to excess. I started off jiving but found myself checking how long to go on each song. Probably be great live. The brass was a highlight, really tight and drives each song forward. Can never go wrong with a sax solo. Didn't have any one favourite track. 6/10
Barry Adamson
3/5
I prefer my movie scores with the movie. Some interesting sounds and enjoyable moments but I cant think of many times I would want to listen to this album. No favourite track. 6/10
Pavement
4/5
Perfectly imperfect. Casual looseness - theyre not worried about hitting every note, more about capturing a feeling. Unpolished charm like the Velvet Underground. Mood and personality over technical neatness. Can also hear where this has influenced 2000s indie bands like The Strokes. Gold Soundz and Range Life are particularly accessible. Almost old school emo with the vocal delivery. They were my favourite tracks. 8/10
King Crimson
4/5
Epic. Crazy. Wild. Especially for its time. It has all sorts going on and it does it all so well. All of the tracks are grand and ambitious in their own ways. I love the way the transition from the brutal, distorted, screaming of the opener to serene, melodic, melancholic of the second track. The flute is up there with some of the best ive heard in popular music. I didnt enjoy the second half of Moonchild, but aside from that this album is a stone cold classic. Favourite track - Epitaph. 8.5/10
Deerhunter
5/5
A floating, neo psychedelic, pop rock classic. These tunes are right up my street. Loose, catchy numbers with the right amount of experimentation to keep things interesting. Everything drenched in reverb and delay. Those 1 2 1 2 riffs on the guitar are a trademark of this record, best showcased throughout the epic conclusion of Desire Lines. Every listen brings out new textures and little production quirks that make this an album well worth replaying again and again. The bass drives onwards and onwards. The vocals, whether ethereal or slacker vibes, are on point. I just love this record. A lot. Favourite tracks - Earthquake, Desire Lines, Helicopter. 9/10
MGMT
5/5
I was 16 when this album was released. No better age for a first listen, and it certainly gets those extra nostalgia bonus points from me, but I do honestly think this is an incredible record. It made me realise that indie electropop music can feel profound. A collection of different synth sounds can be organised in such a way as to invoke feelings previously unfelt. The first half of the album is solid hit after solid hit. Catchy. Sing a long. Beauty. Riffs. The joy and folly of youth. Then after Kids we transition to some more experimental stuff. These songs aren't just basic indie pop numbers. They are often elaborate, intricate, delicate, trippy, dreamy, whimsical, psychedelic. I love both halves equally for different reasons and as a whole this is an album i would recommend to anyone but especially to any 16 year olds reading. Favourite track - Of Moons, Birds and Monsters. 9/10
T. Rex
4/5
Groovy swagger. Raw, jagged riffs. Catchy numbers. Bolan's vocals are actually pretty impressive and he has a pretty diverse range. Drums and bass are tight and keep things steady without overdoing it. There's just something so unique about a T-Rex number, its hard to put my finger on it. I think its the vocal delivery mainly. Almost whimsical at times. Tunes are playful while still being serious and sonically strong. A great listen. Favourite track - Cosmic Dancer. Would be Hot Love if I go with the newer releases. 8.5/10
Manu Chao
4/5
An enjoyable listen with lots of different sounds, influences, languages and genres. My limited understanding of Spanish and French etc does mean im probably missing a big part of what makes this album important but musically i could still enjoy the variety. I also enjoyed the quick trip to English to tell everyone how great he is at bongos. Also really love how smoothly each track merges seamlessly into the next. Not a spectacular album but certainly a real easy listen. Favourite track - Bongo Bong smoothly into Je ne t'aime plus. Or Minha Galera. 7/10
Baaba Maal
3/5
Personally, I struggled to remain engaged throughout this album. The acoustic guitar work i found repetitive and, although I am sure this was intentional to create a sort of meditative effect, I found it monotonous rather than hypnotic. Each track is over 6 minutes and I noticed very little variation from one to the next. Vocally, I enjoyed the occasional interesting or unusual melodic flourish but I dont think they were exceptional. Im sure much of the albums depth probably lies in the lyrics which I couldn't understand unfortunately. No one favourite track. 5.5/10
William Orbit
3/5
A decent listen. Smooth, spacious, lovely tones and textures. Dreamy, futuristic, ambient trip hop. All that said I cant think of many occasions I would be popping this album on. Perhaps just not to my tastes. Incredibly well produced, and not uninteresting sonically, but I suppose there was nothing that made me sit back and say wow. One thing i can say is this album is certainly about 100 times better with headphones on. No one favourite track. 7/10
Little Richard
4/5
Pretty much every single track on this album is 12 bar blues. Which isn't surprising considering the age of the album, and im sure it was ground breaking at the time, but the lack of variety does make it feel a bit dated in 2025. I did enjoy all of the tracks but its hard to go wrong with such basic rock and roll. The voice is fantastic. Really versatile, whether screaming, shouting or going for those gospel vibes, vocally is where the album does get to shine. No one favourite track. 7.5/10
White Denim
4/5
Complex rhythms, great guitar interplay, really interesting and unique musically. I'd never heard of this band before but they are right up my street. Difficult to label. Sort of southern, laid back, indie prog rock. Like The Allman Brothers, Yes and Deerhoof combined with some random jazz fusion elements. Most songs on the album are pretty solid. I enjoyed the variety of genres and sounds. Would listen again. Favourite track - River to Consider. 7.5/10
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Nice blend of pop, rock and some soulful lyrics. At times it can be really emotionally charged and then at other times its just funky and smooth. I liked the number with Kate Bush. But also loved the more upbeat tracks like Sledgehammer. Vocally very strong and unique sounding. I love the layered backing vocals, almost another instrument. So many textures, really produced to an exceptional level. Every little detail is spot on, especially listening with headphones. Also love the attention to subtle rhythms. Even on slower tracks the percussion and bass keep songs alive. Enjoyed. Favourite track - In Your Eyes. 8/10
John Coltrane
5/5
I listened to this album without knowing the background, but i could feel it was some sort of coherent journey even in that first listen. Its a wordless prayer. The sax says more in 30 odd minutes than many other actual lyricists manage in a full hour. The piano, bass and drums are insanely good. Like unreal. Every individual on this record is clearly operating at the pinnacle of musicality. The drums were complex, intricate, delicate, shuffling along and then suddenly they break out into expressive and fills and crescendos. Lay back and let the waves of jazz flow over you in a way that isn't always possible with other jazz records. Its not always easy listening but it is always alive. It almost feels like breathing. Top class. Favourite track - all of it, it feels like one big track its so coherent. 9/10
The Mars Volta
4/5
There is so much going on with this album its hard to wrap my head around it all. Especially after a single listen. There is certainly a lot of depth to this record and I feel like it needs to be revisited to be fully appreciated, which I fully intend to do. That said, it was a pretty electrifying record. Elements of jazz fusion, prog rock, post hardcore often combined with Latin rhythms. Its manic at times but in the best way. Technically and musically it is elite. Unfortunately, im not a huge fan of the vocals which is a little bit of a sticking point. Ive just never been a big fan of that style of vocal delivery. Not that they are bad though, the man can sing. Ultimately the album comes across as a surreal and chaotic journey and i plan on taking the journey again real soon. Favourite track- Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt. 8.5/10
Supergrass
4/5
Raw, energetic, chaotic, distorted, energetic, alive. Unlike some pop punk albums, its musically interesting and authentic. Definitely makes you feel young and free. The whole album really stands up and the tunes are fun and catchy. Favourite track - Mansize Rooster or She's So Loose. 8.5/10
Common
3/5
Aretha Franklin
4/5
The 13th Floor Elevators
4/5
Raw, reverby, bluesy rock with a very slight psychedelic twist when viewed through a modern lens. Im certain at the time the psychedelia was far more pronounced. As it is, it sounds like a pretty solid Stones album. Vocals are dynamite. I like some of the jug moments and at other times i feel they detract from the flow of the tunes. It does set the album apart from other similar albums of the time though i suppose and it adds an air of strangeness and mysticism. Overall a pretty sick album well worth revisiting. Favourite track - You're Gunna Miss Me. 8.5/10
Bob Dylan
5/5
A favourite of mine. Favourite track - simple twist of fate. 9/10
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Country / gospel is usually a recipe for disaster and a straightforward no thanks from me, but this did have some redeeming qualities. The harmonies were great and the voices complement eachother perfectly. The mandolin was fantastic and a lot of the tunes were interesting lyrically. That said, as always with country music, the songs are all one and the same. Different strokes of the same brush. Favourite track - What is a Home Without Love. 6.5/10
Throwing Muses
4/5
Melodic then aggressive. Fragile then ferocious. The tracks are not typical and they weave from part to part in really interesting and unusual ways. My favourite track is 'Green', it has almost Kate Bush style vocal delivery. The way the vocals screech, squeal, scream, grumble, whisper and yelp is a real album highlight. Its a really unique kind of a post punk art rock and I dig it. 8/10
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Not my favourite Zeppelin album. The all out, rip roaring, rock out moments are too few and far between. When they happen they are immense though. And I do enjoy some of the quieter acoustic moments, with Tangerine being a particular highlight. Since I've Been Loving You is epic and Immigrant Song is insane. These songs alone make this album a solid 9/10.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Stripped back, minimalist, socially conscious, folksy singer songwriter vibes. A few great tunes and a few reasonable ones. First half of the album was pretty stacked. Vocally good but not the greatest. Musically good but not the greatest. Lyrically, pretty great - no buts about it. I enjoyed this album but it didnt excite me the way I had hoped. Favourite track - Baby Can I Hold You. 7.5/10
The Who
4/5
A handful of decent to average tracks sandwiched between a few of the greatest rock and roll numbers of all time. The album starts with a bang and ends with an even bigger bang. The drumming is soooo good. Sporadic, explosive, everything you would expect from Keith Moon. The synths are also incredible and they give the album a totally different feel to their previous records. A fantastic record. Favourite track - Baba O'Riley. 8.5/10
Spiritualized
3/5
I think with an album like this, the environment in which you listen to it is really important. For me, im not sure it got the focus and attention it needed to properly shine. I did enjoy the floaty ambience and I found it an enjoyable listen but I wasn't blown away. No one favourite track. 7/10
Sex Pistols
4/5
Unfiltered punk. Raw, chaotic and swaggering. Not my favourite genre musically but there are some moments that appeal to me. The sneering vocals are a highlight and I can imagine the live shows must have been incredible.
Les Rythmes Digitales
3/5
Decent but not exceptional dance, funk, electronica. Each track is built around maybe 4 notes, with somewhat interesting synth sounds. Add some random words on top and repeat over and over. Lyricism is certainly not the albums strong point. All that said, i did find myself jiving at times and singing along to the lyrical earworms, which must mean something. Favourite track - Music Makes You Lose Control. 6.5/10
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Obligatory reference to swampiness. Also gritty, soulful, bluesy and totally authentic sounding. I mean its a lot of 12 bar blues, which can be hit or miss for me. But this one works as the guitars and the vocals are unique sounding enough. Favourite track- Green River or Sinister Purpose. 7.5/10
The War On Drugs
4/5
Reverby, ambient soundscapes with some Bruce Springsteen vibes. Meticulously produced. Long instrumental passages mean that you can sometimes drift away while listening. Sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a not so good way. Fairly melancholic. Good vocals. Guitars are crisp and tight but not particularly experimental. Good listen overall but a bit slow paced for my tastes. Maybe needs a second listen to fully appreciate. Favourite track - Red Eyes. 7.5/10
The Band
4/5
Soulful, roots, bluesy folk rock. Simple, straightforward tunes where the feeling is more important than the technical prowess. Not that the band cant play, the are obviously perfectly tight. Love the variety of vocals. Its catchy, warm, emotional and real. Favourite track - Jemima Surrendor, Up on Cripple Creek and King Harvest. 8.5/10
Travis
5/5
As a Scotsman, I perhaps have an innate sort of semi biased affinity for Travis. They are certainly not the type of band I would usually consider to my tastes. But there is just something so real, authentic and tender about their music. Its hard to put my finger on it. But I think the songs are legitimately catchy and well written. They are certainly impeccably produced. Ive heard Why Does It Always Rain On Me about 1000 times and it still hits every listen. A real singalong highlight. Same with Driftwood and Turn. Writing To Reach You feels melancholic and sort of profound in a cold early morning stroll sort of way. There's not a lot going on, the chords are simple enough, but the melodies are blissful and the tracks float slowly from one ear to the other and soothe the soul. Yes, there are a few slightly weaker tracks but i wouldnt go as far as to call them filler, each song does offer something. Favourite tracks- all of the aforementioned named ones. 9/10
10cc
4/5
Wacky and wonderful. Good luck guessing where a song is going next. They do a lot and they do it well. I feel like i could compare them to about 10 different bands, just depends what song is playing at the time. There are heavy riffs and screaming solos. There are beatles style harmonies. There are big dramatic theatre-esque moments. Erratic prog rock with synths and all. Certainly not the worst band in the world as they would have you believe. I loved this album, a surprise as I had no idea what I was getting into, and will definitely listen again and again. Just dont take it - or yourself - too seriously and youll enjoy and have fun. Favourite track - The Wall Street Shuffle, The Worst Band in the World or Clockwork Creep. 8.5/10
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Voice has the most incredible tone. The songs are smooth, sultry, seductive and the music itself is great with the string sections being particularly sweet. A fair few numbers you will already recognise but I thought every track offered something. Enjoyable listen. Favourite track - Just a Little Lovin. 8/10
Radiohead
5/5
For me, this is the pinnacle of music. There are insufficient superlatives. The dictionary is missing the words that could adequately describe my feelings when I listen to this album. It is powerful, emotional and profound but also, its just straightup badass. The drums are so tight, the snare crisp and the cymbals acting as to create a sort of white noise that perfectly envelops the rest of the music. Some of the bass lines are unreal - not constant throughout the track but waiting, for the prime moment to come in, awesome riffs for maximum effect (see 15 Step). Guitar wise, the reverby arpeggios, the unique chord structures, the slow and moody moments followed by those heavier more distorted atonal sounds. Some of the tunes are beautiful to the point of disturbing me (see Nude). Then there are the vocals. People say that Thom Yorkes voice isn't the best, but it is. Even when it should sound bad, it sounds good. He can shout, scream, wail, moan or serenade and it hits the way it needs to. Each moment of each track is finely tuned, perfectly produced, mixed to perfection. There is nothing negative to be said about this, one of my favourite albums, other than perhaps it can sometimes feel a bit too real and cut a bit too deep. Favourite tracks - Nude, Weird Fishes or Reckoner. 10/10
The Thrills
4/5
Love the male / female harmonies. They add a real warmth that is otherwise missing in my opinion. Most of the tracks are decent without being special. Bright guitars, melodic pop rock hooks. Not groundbreaking but there are a few special moments. But for me they're not quite The Shins and they're just not quite The Coral. Kind of Magic Numbersesque. Favourite track - Big Sur. 7/10
The Only Ones
3/5
As the album went on, I became more attuned to the vocals. At first, I didn't really consider them particularly good. However, I started to appreciate what they offered about midway through the album. I suppose you would say this is a bit of a more refined punk album. Possibly a little bit more musical than other bands of that era. Not quite as harsh and raw sounding but without losing that punk element, I think that the songs were punchy, short, sharp, and to the point. They were not groundbreaking, but they weren't terrible either. Favourite track - 'Another Girl, Another Planet'. 7/10
Beatles
5/5
One of my favourite albums of all time. I mean this record has Here, There and Everywhere and For No One on it, two of the most beautiful songs of all time. Not to mention Eleanor Rigby! What about the start of Tomorrow Never Knows? Is there a better intro to any song? The Indian influence on that track, and Love You To, gives the album a unique, beautiful, psychedelic element that I dont think i've ever heard matched elsewhere on any other record. There are so many sing a long moments, cracking piano licks, guitar riffs and solos that compete with those on the greatest rock and roll records. The variety of sounds and styles, as always with The Beatles, blows my mind. Then the vocals, McCartney really shines on this record for me. Got to Get You Into My Life!! This album is incredible. It is experimental and innovative yet still accessible, melodic, textured, dreamlike and straight up groovy. Favourite track - Tomorrow Never Knows. Eleanor Rigby or Here, There and Everywhere. Or maybe any of the others really! 10/10
John Prine
3/5
Album leans heavily on country music formulas - predictable structures, familiar progressions, that classic country-western story telling. There are a few tracks that are more Bob Dylanesque, mor folksy numbers, that i quite enjoyed. I liked the slide guitar and lyrically the tunes were pretty interesting and at times emotive. But i just dont love country! 6.5/10
De La Soul
3/5
Bright, funky, playful hip hop. Some decent samples and some clever rhymes and wordplay. Always a big fan of when these classic rap and hip hop albums include a few skits throughout, although these weren't the funniest I've heard. I'd certainly recommend turning your volume down before listening to De La Orgee in public. To be honest, I prefer my rap to be a bit more gritty and serious. This was an okay listen just not really the music for me. Favourite track - Me Myself and I. 6.5/10
Metallica
5/5
Riffs are thick and tasty! Clean production, vocals melodic and controlled. Some unbelievably sick, iconic tunes. Nothing Else Matters and Enter Sandman have Godlike status. Sad But True is my favourite. Dark lyrics are not always for me but I cant imagine anything else accompanying the music. An epic journey of tasty riffs and wild, piercing solos. 9/10
Scritti Politti
2/5
Bit naff. Bit cringe. Not particularly sonically interesting. Tracks were well produced, very polished and smooth. Some songs were alright but I suppose this just isn't the genre for me. Ive not read any other reviews but im 99% sure they will make reference to a Michael Jackson tribute act. Just sort of bang average 80s dance pop. No one favourite track. 5/10
Badly Drawn Boy
4/5
Warm, quirky, whimsical indie folk. This album surprised me in that i thought I would hate but it was not bad at all. Definitely too long and a few tracks were substantially weaker than others. I loved the orchestral moments. The jazzy touches. Some tunes had lovely reverb laden guitar. Others more acoustic focused. Lots of different ideas melded together to make something unique and interesting. Favourite track - Another Pearl. 7.5/10
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Vocals are an acquired taste i think, bit tight and nasally for me. Chord progressions pretty straightforward and the ska/reggae moments dont particularly inspire me. A few catchy numbers but the album lacks a bit of musical adventurousness in my view. Thematically and lyrically its a bit more interesting but just not my cup of tea. 6/10
U2
3/5
Anthemic but not particularly catchy tunes in my opinion. The guitar drives the tracks on alongside some militaryesque drumming. Vocals are great of course but not really my cup of tea. I feel this album is lacking in really great moments. Most tracks are quite similar. Thematically interesting. Favourite track - Sunday Bloody Sunday. 7/10
The Slits
3/5
Strange one! Vocals hit first. Wild, expressive, unpredictable. Squeaks, shouts and oddly melodic interplay. Guitars are raw and angular which i like but im definitely not a fan of the reggae / ska rhythyms. A sense of trying to be avant garde for the sake of it. Sometimes feels a but contrived but maybe thats the charm and i just dont get it. For me the cover is the best track which says it all. 6.5/10
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Musically impressive. Dynamic, energetic, unique. Jazzy. Sometimes really intense, particularly the tracks more heavy on what I belive is a vibraphone. All that said, i was a bit bored at times. Perhaps a full album is a bit much for me. Although, im sure watching it live would have been another story and quite spectacular. 7/10
N.W.A.
4/5
Raw, explosive, fierce, iconic. Aggressive beats with even more aggressive lyrics. Not exactly relatable for me lyrically but i enjoy the harsh breakbeats, the samples and the production in general. Favourite track - Fuck Tha Police. 7.5/10
The Incredible String Band
4/5
Whimsical, psychedelic, mysterious, inventive, eccentric, strange, unique. A bizarre blend of folk and magic. Traditional musical styles melded into wild and colourful arrangements. Had no idea they were Scottish - another band for me to be unreasonably, patriotically proud of me! I've never heard anything like this. Favourite track - The Minotaur's Song or A Very Cellular Song. 8/10
Yes
4/5
Ghostface Killah
4/5
Something about Ghostface Killah's vocal tone that makes the lyrics unusually easy to follow. Delivery brings a sharp focus and paints a clear narrative. Not relatable but hooks me in a way that other albums in the genre dont. Good balance of dark, gritty tunes alongside those more up-beat, catchier, more pop leaning songs with the hooks and the guest vocals. Tight production, impressive beats, riffs and sample choices. Im a sucker for a few skits. Genuinely impressive album i enjoyed more than i anticipated. Favourite tracks - Be Easy and Three Bricks. 8/10
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Not always a big fan of this style of music, but something about the electric guitar sounds on this album really hit the spot with me. Loved the rhythms. The vocals are lovely and smooth. Really great, vibrant, funky energy. Even without understanding what is being said i still didn't get bored listening and i will definitely groove along again sometime. No one favourite track. 8/10
R.E.M.
3/5
I listened to this album while out a stroll and i kind of forgot it was on. Not really sure if thats a good or a bad thing. Each song just kind of rolled into the next and there were very few stand out moments for me. I suppose it does need to be considered easy listening on that basis though! When i did lock in to the music, i found the songs catchy enough without being particularly exciting. Vocals have never really done it for me and the guitar sounds are okay but not really my cup of tea. I do think there is something to be said about the simple, melancholic nature of the songs and perhaps its one of those albums that needs another listen to fully appreciate. I think ill give it another spin. For now favourite track - Radio Free Europe. 7/10
Buzzcocks
4/5
Definitely on the more accessible side of punk. Some of these tunes are verging on pop but with a lovely, rich, punchy, distorted guitar sound backing them up. Hooks are pretty consistently catchy. Vocals are decent for a punk band, the snarling is there but without going over the top. Does suffer a bit from that punk issue of the songs beginning to sound very similar by the end of the record and i dont know if i would rush to spin again. However, it was a reasonable listen. No one favourite track. 7/10
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Crazy spanning of the genres and musical styles on this album. All done to an epic standard for the most part. Massive. Atmospheric. Sprawling. Not sure if this is considered blasphemous, but i do think there are one or two filler tracks on there that do slightly mess with the pacing of the album. But thats nit-picking. The album is a beautiful, raw, powerful experience. I love the eastern influences. The quieter moments. Then the heavy, crunching guitars. Crashing cymbals. Head banging moments. Nobody mixes it up better than Zeppelin. Another masterpiece. Favourite track - Kashmir 9/10
Janelle Monáe
4/5
This one surprised me. I had never listened to Janelle Monae before, and i had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly taken aback. So much to love. A huge variety of genres and styles. One moment, an epic, cinematic, orchestral track. Next moment, an explosive, hip-hop / rap number. Both equally proficient. Creativity levels off the charts. A mad, eclectic experience. Pretty sure every instrument makes an appearance at some point. It is a long album, and some moments are certainly weaker than others. The straight up pop songs dont hit quite as hard for me as the more experimental moments but the vocals do stand up. For example Locked Inside is a straightforward modern pop classic, but i much prefer the inventiveness of the experimental closer BaBopByeYa. Thats perhaps my favourite track although this album was more about moments than songs for me. Going to give it another listen as i know lyrically and thematically there is a lot i have still to enjoy and appreciate. 8/10
Röyksopp
4/5
So much to love about this record.The ambiance, the slight crackle and hiss throughout. The build up, slow down, build up, slow down, build up and up and then the epic moments of cinematic brilliance. The first track So Easy is a favourite. So many little quality production gems. The looping melody. The textures and grooves. The way they tour the keyboard hitting so many different sounds that all hit the sweet spot at the perfect moments. There are a few tracks i might consider filler. There are moments where they try to do something experimental that doesnt pay off for me. Some discordant , out of tune, weak guitar solos come to mind. But overall i really enjoyed this record. So many unique and interesting sounds and samples, intertwined to make some really catchy hooks. Favourite track - So Easy. 8.5/10
Fred Neil
4/5
Dreamy folk rock. Deep, warm vocals. Lots of soul. Mellow. Rich. Feels kind of like a live recording at times whilst still being beautifully produced. Prefer the more bluesy moments to the country leaning tracks. Favourite track - Everybody's Talkin. 7.5/10
Norah Jones
4/5
First and foremost, these are some of the most stunning vocals you will ever hear. The breathy tone, the smoky hiss, the rasp, the warmth. Genuinely beautiful. The album is a soft, mellow, jazz infused record. Brushed drums. Some acoustic moments. Some piano / double bass numbers. Easy easy listening. The tracks are for the most part quite minimalist and rightly rely heavily on the vocals, keeping them front and centre where they belong. A great listen for a quite, rainy morning. Favourite track - Dont Know Why. 8/10