This album gives off all the vibes that a David Bowie album should be. You can tell it's him, he brings his style. I'm not a huge fan or know a lot, but I'm guessing this is rather late in the career. The sound is very 2000-2010s. There's a nice amount of synth, the guitars rock. It sounds like he's got KASABIAN or a band of that nature as his backing band. I ran while I listened to it. I thought it was pretty catchy. However, the lyrics aren't great. There's some shockers. There's some average prose and average rhymes. 3 Stars.

I am fond of a few LCD Soundsystem songs, but generally capitalised on the ones more based on melody than the disco/indie/dance sound that they are well known for. As a result, I've never really bothered to listen through a whole album. School boy error! I knew I'd like this from the first song that I'd like this album. And the opener 'Get Innocuous!' was like a demo version of the album. It had the drum machine type beats, the understated disco guitar, quirky vocals and grimey bass. In fact, the grimey/garage bass that ends up on the album throughout was a highlight. I haven't done HUGE research into this group, but I can imagine a guy in his bedroom with drum machines, keyboards and a bass really having a great time coming up with there. Boy! I should have been doing that in 2007. 'All My Friends' and 'New York, I Love You but You're Bringing me Down' are epic indie tunes, and I am a huge fan of the latter. But, the rest of the album was a real pleasure to listen to. My highlight would be 'Someone Great', a dance tune that captured the indie song sensibilities in the lyrics/vocal performance. I enjoyed the dance elements as well. 5 Stars Album 4 (done over the days of 2 and 3) 23/7/2025

This album ranks as my second favourite album of the members sitting in a bath on the cover. 'Monday, Monday's sets the tone for the album well. Great harmonies, a nice orchestral section. I watched a documentary on the this sound (I think it was called 'The Valley Sound', but I'll only quote this in brackets because I'm not that confident! There's a nice blend of vocals and the songwriting is fairly catchy. I did enjoy it, however there is fair bit of dates lyrics which didn't sit well with me. I enjoyed the inclusion of my favourite underrated Lennon/McCartney track. However, I felt like it was music I would enjoy by myself but not with company. I mean, I wouldn't openly let people know I was listening to it... It's cool, but not THAT cool. 4 stars.

The Eagles suck. I grew up with my Dad pumping a greatest hits in the car, which actually contain no songs from this album... I knew from the intro to the title track that this would be awfully drawn out. Look, I get Hotel California's place in rock music, but track two was back to that country sound that would burn a hole in my ear while driving to Orienteering events on Sunday between 1998-2002 (before I got my own Discman). Life in the Fast lane, 70s rock, eh... Not particularly inspired or interested. Shocking lyrics. It sounds like a lame attempt at ZZtop (but perhaps it's the other way around, I don't know the 70s that well!). Wasted Time speaks for itself, waste of time (clever, Dan!) and it really doesn't need a reprise. A nice classical score, but not beneficial to a bland record. Coincidentally, probably my favourite track (the reprise, that is!). I skipped through 'Victim of Love' 3 bars in... Just struck me as everything wrong with 70s rock. Pretty Maids All in a Row, I actually quite enjoyed the quiet intro (way to be innovative, Eagles!). I actually thought it was Dave Dobbyn singing briefly. But as soon as the flange/phaser guitar came through on a lounge piano I lost interest. The penultimate track had a nice riff and a pleasant melody. Felt like one of the more enjoyable tracks for me going in blind (or deaf in this case?) until that ghastly Eagles vocal 'Oooh' harmony came in. If I remember correctly, that was a staple of my Dad's greatest hits CD. Some redeeming features in the guitar playing, the nice kind of flashy, decent arpeggios. And, I love a stop in a song! So perhaps this is the winner on my 1001 best songs from my 1001 albums... Disappointed that they ended with a piano ballad. But then the prog synth came in and I could sense the build up. However, the reward was not there. I love an epic ending, this one fell short. Ironic as the Album title track would have been a better closer. Did I hate the album? No. It's something I could have on in the background at a dinner party. Turned down low, and I would probably make it clear to everyone else that someone else had picked the music. But, I went in with opinions and attitudes to begin with, so that one is on me. Dan's review number 1 (21/07/25) Hotel California - two stars.

Unlike yesterday's record (Hotel California), I went into this completely blind. A friend had raved about the artist. But apart from 'it's awesome!', he gave nothing away. Frank Ocean sounded like something indie. Also, I was lying on a beach, staring up at the clouds. Not lying exhausted in bed, cursing that I had to give away my time to listen to the The Eagles. What a difference it may have made. So, I was pleasantly surprised when the intro had the Playstation start up music in it. The synths and drum machine entered, and then voice. I like it. The melodies in each song are a bit strange and don't necessarily stick, but this guy is a talented singer. From track 2 and 3, I got a 'The Love Below' vibe. Think Prototype, hip hop sensibilities, but something different. I was then not surprises to see that Andre 3000 himself makes an appearance on the album. The instrumental is what I really like. Nice mixture of orchestral, drum machine and synth. Then, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a cool guitar line at the end of Pyramids. Then! John Mayer turns up on an instrumental track! My track of the album (the one being added to my playlist) is 'Super Rich Kids', a melody that I can't put my finger on. Cool inclusion of rap, nice backing. This isn't something I'd normally listen to. I get the vibe of it being blasted inside a trendy cafe or a boutique clothes store. I like it. However, I wouldn't see myself walking the streets listening to this, soaking everything in, singing along... Perhaps one day. I'll add it to my rotation. 4 Stars Tuesday 22nd July - Album 2/1001

I saw Ozzy Osbourne at a 2 night rock festival in 2008. Unlike the band I'd come to see (KISS. Yep, I know...), and Alice Cooper, I'd not really listened to a lot of his stuff. Nor much Black Sabbath. I think I learned the riffs to Paranoid and Iron Man in a guitar lesson as a teenager. In fact, I'm not even sure I'd watched the Osbournes on TV (apart from that cameo they had in Goldmember). It was a fantastic concert. He performed well and it since led me to have some appreciation for his work. Not that I've ever bothered to actively listen to it. It's a shame that he died, he was clearly a talented guy. But, I digress. Black Sabbath: Paranoid. Extra points for a brilliant cover. War Pigs! What a tune! My wife and I listened to it on a drive today to pay some homage to Ozzy, and then when I checked the website and saw that it was todays album, we listened again. She mentioned that she really liked the drums on the song. I agree. But the riff, and many on this album, are rather epic. Got to throw out a mention for it's use in 'Metal Lords' (love that movie!) To kick off an album with 'War Pigs', into 'Paranoid' is quite a statement. I'm not sure your average heavy metal fan in the 70s would have appreciated the softer and more sombre 'Planet Caravan'. But, it felt like a welcome change. Particularly with the follow up of 'Iron Man' Alright, that's the songs I knew (minus one). So, the rest! It's dark, brooding and sludges away. Not normally my bag. It's loaded with riffs and Ozzy's singing has a lovely drone to it. The drums were surprisingly enjoyable. The drum solo on Rat Salad was a highlight! I've stood at the back of crumbling music venues and watched people try and emulate the sound over the years. Tony Iommy has certainly inspired the masses. I like the riff idea, but I prefer when it's used in punk... Heavy Metal is a genre I wished that I loved more, but sadly, it just doesn't paint my wagon. I liked the rest of it. But I didn't love it. My take away track would have to be 'War Pigs', I know I'm looking for new tracks to add to my 1001 albums playlist, but it's the song that I thought I liked, but actually loved. So, some growth there for me. RIP Ozzy. 4 Stars - Album 3 (23/07/2025)

This is the first album given to me that I thought I'd take to very quickly. I knew the era, the I knew a little about the band, I thought I had an idea of what the band would sound like... However, this album didn't really do much for me on the first listen. The guitar sound felt like I'd heard it a hundred times before, the bass sound identical to a hundred punk records I'd listened to years before. I have since read a review that claimed it could be the 'blueprint for Britpop albums going forward'. Halfway through the album, I was disappointed, struggling to find a groove it. Yes, there is attitude! I can see why it would have been popular at the time, but the flame didn't burn particularly bright for me. I could often predict the chord changes, a lot of songs sounded like I'd heard them before by other bands. I enjoyed the 'Indian Song' (not sure if we would still be able to call a song with a sitar vibe with that title). 'Vaseline' was a jaunty way to end the album. 'Connection' felt like a staple of Britpop, and probably my takeaway from the album. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate it. But, it while a solid album, it didn't make me want to explore the band further or add it to my permanent rotation. 3 Stars

Rick Rubin making Johnny Cash relevant again! I have listened to this album a few times. I remember the stripped back sensibilities, with an aging Cash crooning over the top. The opener is a great tune, gives us an idea of what (I hope) to expect, which in my opinion is exactly what track one should be. And, great that the guy was still penning absolute bangers at his age! Unfortunately, that's all the original music we hear for a while. So, on to the covers: 'Hurt' had it's moment in the sun when I was younger, in fact, I'm not actually sure I've even heard the original. Great emotion in the performance. Cash's voice gives off a broken man vibe across a lot of these songs, and at this stage in his life (not long before his eventual passing), it is a great way to go out. But, sadly, the covers don't keep up with this consistency. I'd call the covers the 'tale of two albums', there are tunes which have been performed in a way where they stray drastically from the original recording. Or, they blend well into what I believe Johnny Cash is famous for; risky, honest country music. 'Personal Jesus', 'I Hung my head' and 'Sam Hall' are other good examples of this. The rest are just stripped back performances of famous songs. 'Desperado', 'In my Life' and 'Bridge over Troubled Water' fit into this catergory. Yes, it's the Man in Black. Yes, he performs with a lot of heart. However, at the same time, it could be anyone. Any busker on the street. He hasn't really done them the promising justice the first two songs promised. 'Tear Stained Letter' was a welcome refreshment, and I wonder what this album would have been like with a few more self penned songs on it. 'We'll Meet Again' is an ironic end to the LP. I also have a super soft spot for a clarinet (particularly on an album closer! I'm hoping another one of my favourites turns up on this list!). And having the 'gang' with him, nice way to end it. Yep, you know what? That'll be my one I'm taking away for my playlist (I know the opener quite well already, so it doesn't make the cut!). Well, it's certainly not my favourite Johnny Cash album (I'm mad about his live concert at San Quentin!), but it made its impact at the right time and I appreciate the efforts put into it. And, 2002-2006, everyone my age knew all about him (also thanks to that movie). 4 Stars (JUST!).

Honestly, this album was a slog. I'll start by saying that performance from the musicians are absolutely top drawer. The level of skill is very clear. They can sing, they can play and they have obviously spent a long time throwing this together. But, that's what it feels like; thrown together. Each song is broken up into small pieces of songs that span across a wide range of genres. I know, I know! That's prog, right? However, I found it hard to latch onto any one of the four songs I found on this album (and I was gutted to find out that there were bonus tracks on the version I located!). It's disjointed for a verse/chorus/verse/chorus simple mind like me, and frankly, I didn't enjoy this. There's a lot of 70s stuff that I'm sure they pioneered, but we've heard heaps of since then and I don't really like. I did enjoy the 70s synth, I'm a big fan of that sound. 'And You and I' is probably the one take away from me, probably because it has some melody that sticks, amongst all of the randomness. And, personally, I preferred the bonus track version (so, I'm not even sure it counts!). I cap my song length at about 8 minutes. Sorry, Prog. 2 Stars.

I can't say I've ever sat down and listened to a full Taylor Swift album. Partly because of my age, gender and taste in music. However, I was surprised how many songs I recognised. She's popular. For someone who has been accused (on many occasions) of being an uptight music snob, I've never really had a problem with her. She produces (writes as well?) catchy music. She appears to have ditched the country sound I recall she came onto the scene with. Anyway, the album. 1989 starts with an MC-808 beat and a song about New York. I'm sure there's a reason she started it this way, but there wasn't anything particularly inspiring about one of the world's most sung about cities. It's been done, love. It's been done. However, as the tracks went on, I actually didn't mind it. She knows how to write a good melody ('Bad Blood', 'Shake it Off' and 'Out of the Woods'). While the lyrics didn't particularly hit home for me, I could pick up on the vibe she was trying to give. I read a little about the album in an incredibly expansive Wikipedia article and nodded along when it go to section where it talked about synth pop. I've decided that my song I'm going to add to my playlist is 'Blank Space', upon second listen I realised I was listening more intently to the lyrics and enjoying the melodies more than yesterday (when I wrote most of this review). I'm sure it's a hit, but I'd not heard it before. In fact, the second listen found me enjoying the melodies more and more. Taylor Swift (and I'm sure a series of writers/producers) can write a catchy song. I understand why she's so popular. So, in summary, I didn't hate it. I'd even perhaps admit to others that I kind of liked it. Perhaps. 3 Stars.

It's the album I wanted to like. I've heard enough people talk about bands like this. The Shins, The Tragically Hip etc etc. Cult followings, people who have had their life changed by it, and cool people who listen to them. And as the album came through the headphones, I found that while the musicianship was fun, the songs sung with heart; there was a boring level of simplicity to it all... Each song felt like two chords. You could tell a lot of work had gone in to the final project, but it all stemmed from utter simplicity. And when I only get one to two listens a day, I wasn't particularly over analysing the lyrics. I enjoyed it, but nothing really stuck with me. Dare I say it, it felt like background music. Now, background music to a party full of trendy people! But that's not how I consume music. I want it to make me feel something, he energised or inspire me to perform myself (yep, I'm weird like that). This album did not. 'War on War' was probably the one that I'll take away with me. Although I really enjoyed the melody of the finale track (and a great way to close in epic form!). I await the hate from the hipsters. I really wanted to like this more than I did. 3 stars (Just!).

I was not excited at all for this album. Red Hot Chilli Peppers are a band that I've had forced at me through friends, radio and party music. I knew a handful of songs on the album. Who doesn't with the state of radio in my home country? However, I've never actually sat down and listened to an album. Possibly out of spite. Possibly because I had formed an opinion. Possibly because I thought they were everything wrong with popular alternative music in my life. But here we go: Firstly, I was actually quite impressed with the range of music they produced in this album. I've come to associate the band with loud aggressive singing, that slap bass and Hendrix inspired guitar lines. 'Give it Away' and 'Suck my Kiss' are two numbers that I know well and I found them quite grating to listen to. However, across the rest of the album is a nice blend of funk, rock and even ballad in sections. I am sure I've had 'Breaking the Girl' shoved down my throat at some point, but I'm not sure I'd ever enjoyed the shift in guitars. This guy plays such a wide range. I don't really know the history behind him in full, but he's so diverse. Backed up by a solid rhythm section. Even I'm not too hipster to enjoy Flea. My take away is 'I could have lied', a nice bit of mellow melody brought further forward by great guitar work later in the song. The thing I didn't enjoy was the vocals. Frankly, they just pissed me off. Yes, he can sing. But I found it more often than not just a shouting/talking in my ears. It's an album that I enjoyed, but I'm not quite ready to slam it on repeat just yet. 4 Stars.

I went into this album blind. I've always thought Bowie was just a cool musician. He had significant impact on music and managed to turn up in some of the cooler pop culture moments in my youth. He was the guy you liked if you really understood music. Well, that's what my younger self thought. Fast forward fifteen years and he died. Around that time I was playing in a band where the singer was obsessed with all of his music, and the radios were blasting his hits at full force. I tried to listen, but I lost interest Low begins with the instrumental, 'Speed of Life'. There are cool, quirky synths, tasteful (but also quirky) guitar lines and a dance beat. I was hopeful that this was a taste of what was to come on the album. Certainly making my playlist. Low is littered with instrumentals. Sadly, very few match the energy of the opener. They range from strange and ambient which could feature as a soundtrack to a 70s sci-fi, to sad and miserable. There's only once that they set up a song too. The songs themselves are Bowie. You can see his stamp on them. There's no absolute catchy banger, but there's what I can only guess if him experimenting without losing his identity. I read up about the album and see what he was aiming for. Did I enjoy it? Yes, I think I did. Would I listen again? Probably not in a hurry. 3 stars.

My brother had this on cassette when I was younger. Being not too aggressive, it was allowed to be added to the rotation on road trips. A true honour. My dad famously survived 18.47 seconds of RunDMC (yes, we timed it). I will be honest, I'm not a U2 fan. I have not listened to this album in at least 20 years and it doesn't get a lot of radio play, bar 'One'. I did however enjoy 'Zoo Station's, nice harmonies, loved the driving bass in the chorus. Edge has his ambience in the guitar. Bono's wails aren't terrible. I was hopeful. 'Even Better than the Real Thing' delivered too. The riff feeling like it could be home on a 60s album. Bono's voice was starting to grate on me. I remembered reading about this album. How it was incorporating dance beats in and moving away from a rock record. The tour was huge too. Cementing them as a stadium band... Perhaps why I hadn't ever seen them live. Ha. As if that isn't the only reason. As a kid I had a soft spot for 'One', catchy. My favourite performance of this one is actually in the Irish comedy, 'The Stag'. I won't explain the joke. But it's quite well done. The album felt more 90s as it went on. Bono's lyrics got pretty awful: 'In the garden, I was playing the guitar. I kissed your lips and broke your heart...' Yuk! And did he not just mention spiking a drink?! Edge comes through with tasteful guitar to distract though. He's the real hero here. It seems. Love is blindness is a pretty lame way to go out. Did it hold up? It's probably the best U2 album. They tried to break ground. And, I think they did. Am I sold on the band? No. But it's a good jaunt in the park. 4 stars.

Despite cracking my teeth on punk years ago, I've not really listened to a lot of Iggy Pop (nor the Stooges for that matter). The album title, 'Raw Power' I found a little unfitting. Perhaps it was that I listened to it while running on pretty low quality headphones (with not much volume - sorry, Iggy). I wasn't kicked in the gut like I was hoping to. Strong punky guitars. Not a lot of memorable variation between the songs. I did enjoy 'I need somebody', which boasted a grunty blues acoustic and that wailing that I've come to associate Iggy with (or what my friend used to channel in a band he played in 2009). This felt like an album that I would put on and enjoy but not soak into. Not quite 'Raw Power'. More, 'Powered, but not Blasting'. Smooth, perhaps? Ah, 3 Stars.

A few years ago, I would raid the thrift store/op shop record bins, hoping for an excellent vinyl. I struck lucky a few times with jazz records. The sort of album, I could toss on while making a cup of coffee on a morning, enjoying the morning sun and relaxing sound. I'd never got any Ray Charles, and when it said Country and Western (yes, that's right, both kinda!) I was a little unsure. The songs themselves don't sound at all in any country manner (except the odd string of notes). Hank Williams's 'Hey, Good looking!' has been given a big band revamp. And that's the highlight of this record, the backing band. It's strong, tasteful and very busy! Lovely cinematic style orchestration, jazzy horns and backing choir that sounds straight out of a 50s Disney movie. Charles can sing! Even the solemn numbers he still belts out with exceptional baritone. I suppose I never appreciated his pipes! This is the sort of album, I wish I picked up. I will get copy one day! And, usually 5 stars is for albums that I could proudly blast out of an aux chord in someone's car. But, hey, I don't care anymore! 5 stars!

I own this album. I know this album. I know how influential this album is. I also think it is full on drones. Ostrich guitar. Droning orchestral parts and droning voices. Nico's voice is haunting and the rest of the band sing well also. There are some gems in here and decent songs too. But, on my listen, I found myself annoyed by the droning and some of the more experimental parts. The guitar solos on 'Run, Run, Run's, and basically the end of the closing track. I can see why this album is some important, but also why critics are divided on it (when it was released). 'Sunday Morning', 'Femme Fatale' and 'Heroin' are favourites, and I discovered how much I liked 'There she goes again'. But, holding it back from five star status is the reusing of melodies, experimental parts and drones that at times can annoy me. 4 stars.

This album came out of the gate with a massive early 90s feel. The bass, the vocals, the delay in the drums, the percussion. Felt like a theme to a cop show. Wait, was this used on the Wire? (I realise that's not 90s). I listened while doing housework, and while I have no complaints, I wasn't particulary engaged. No melody stuck out. Despite the fact my five year old son ran and got his toy microphone hoping to sing. That's never happened before! 'Unfinished Sympathy' stuck in my head a bit. I'm sure I've heard it before. But nothing else on the album was memorable. Not bad, but not memorable. 3 Stars.

Someone had put me onto this album 5 years ago, and I remember listening to it, enjoying it. And then, never listening to it again. I'm not sure why. This time round, I really enjoyed it. Particularly for the variation in backing music, sampling and the vibe it was giving off. It wasn't lazy hip hop. In fact, the lyrics are particularly clever within the raps. I think if I'd been a teenage when this came out, I'd have been a fan. Sadly, I was born this year and broke my soul on down strums and moody music instead. Funny how that happens. "Yeah, boy!" (or something to that effect) makes it's presence known throughout the album, and it's cool to hear a motif (or catch phrase) without finding it to irritating. I actually really enjoy his (Flava Flayv? right?) voice on this album. A lot of the rhymes sounded familiar, had they been used since and there were some really clever lines in there. I also like how the sampling was used to the extent that I vaguely recognised what they sampled at points, but then it was changed straight away before you had time to pinpoint exactly what it was. Don't believe the hype. 5 Stars.

This album started with what I thought was going to be a lofi solo album. The sort of thing Graham Coxon or someone cool would list as an influence. And the first song possibly was there. Afterwards, what followed was confusing, and quite unpleasant. The melodies random, the instrumentation difficult to listen to. In conclusion, I thought it sucked 1 star.

This was a pretty punishing listen. I have heard a lot about Prince, 'the guitar player's, but a lot of his work on this is awful 80s soloing. His vocals were quite whiney and I didn't really enjoy it. Yes, Purple Rain and Doves Cry are catchy enough, but it doesn't do much to make up for the rest of the album. 2 Stars

Firstly, I think it is important to highlight how diverse this album is. To me, R.E.M. is usually just indie songs with catchy melodic guitar. But there's a nice selection of rock riffs and heavy bass to compliment some of the softer catchier songs. There was even a grungy one on there. Stipe sings with passion and there is a wide range of guitar to compliment his vocals. However, not a lot sticks for me. I ran to the album and it kept me moving, but not inspired to run faster or further. They'll always be a middle of the road band for me. 3 Stars.

This album really captured the 2000 vibes (despite being a motion picture soundtrack set in 1970). Air are a really cool band. The finale really annoyed my wife. But she hates monologues over music. Solid 4 stars.