What strikes me listening now is the divide between absolute bangers, the names of which go without saying, and absolute dross. Some of the songs, I was amazed at how average and below they were. The bangers are 5s, but the others are 2s. Due to weighting of the bangers, I'm going to level out at 4.
It would probably be a 2 or possibly a 3 depending on what the singles were as there are definitely some flops (the awful Silent night for example). There are definitely moments which are worth listening to again, and the album overall works well, it's just not to my taste.
I would probably enjoy it more if they were playing in a pub, but I can't see myself listening to it at home again. Interesting hearing as an album as there are some interesting things like similar riffs and motives coming back in different songs.
Some interesting sounds capes but one song temded to blend into another. Not really a fan of the falsetto singing either.
Really enjoyed this. Nice mix of vocal and extended instrumental solos - I was particularly pleased with the drum solo. Great mix of moods, but I was done with the style by the end of the album - a whole evening would be a bit full on.
Absolute banger after absolute banger. One of my favourites. Nice to listen in full and hear some of the album tracks which I'd forgotten about.
A gem of an album from the golden age of rock. Killer guitar solos, and that most glorious rarity, the rock piano.
There's only seven songs but he draws everything out of them. I didn't begrudge giving 10+ minutes to a song to allow him space to explore different ideas. These songs were epic before it was overdone, and so passionate. I love the storytelling - it's theatrical without tipping over into cheese. Really top stuff.
Absolutely no issue or dispute in giving this a 5.
I listened to this twice. I read the background on the album overall and on each song. I followed along listening with a copy of the lyrics. I tried really hard and whilst I think that it did increase my enjoyment of it, I just don't get what all the fuss is about with Bob Dylan.
A new discovery for me and I was really taken aback. Incredible guitar sound and very tight, complicated rhythmic foundation. Interesting little riffs too. Teenage me would have been very excited to have discovered Fugazi. The lyrics were good enough but the vocals from both singers didn't do it for me and drops a 5 to a 4.
Definitely written for people on drugs.
I've known Once in a Lifetime for many years, but the others were all new to me. Mostly felt like filler but for the crazy bass.
Moderate enjoyability, almost entirely due to the bass. Probably won't listen to the whole album again.
Brilliant showcase of their style and influences. True rock and roll, which elements of blues and country front and centre, alongside the heavy guitars and incredible drum sound. A couple of classics on here like Love in an elevator and Janie's got a gun but some others I was pleased to discover. This will be worth revisiting, although I don't expect it will be any time soon.
Interesting voice but a bit whiney. Enjoyed the grooves. I've heard other stuff so knew the sort of thing to expect.
Crowded with good tunes. Nice and varied, a couple of bangers. Can't think of an explicit reason it should not be a 5, other than I don't feel it quite lands in the way a 5 should.
Listened to the whole thing waiting for Fear of a Black Planet, and Fight the Power. I struggle with Hip hop and decontextualising the samples where recognisable, or recognising the symbolism and relevance where there is some to be had. It might benefit from further listens but I'm not going to oblige.
To be honest, I don't think I've ever listened to a whole Beatles album before. Enjoyed it more than I expected, even the harmonica.
A sort of drum and bass/dance type thing with lots of artful sampling. I liked that samples were modified in pitch, timbre and rhythm to make them melodic. They were also frequently taken everyday sounds rather than from other music, which gave interesting context and made me feel like I was somewhere else.
The music has complex with lots of layers and interesting textures. Very compelling and I really enjoyed it but not sure I could listen to regularly.
No bangers at all, but that's not what I would expect from them. Having previously only heard odd songs and their album of 20th century 'art music' covers this pretty much met my expectations. There moments where I really enjoyed it and I think it might benefit from a more focused listening.
Unimpressed. Barely anything to commend it. Basic music for basic bitches.
Enjoyed the political elements and the covers of I Think its Going to Rain Today and Strange Fruit, (although it pales in comparison to Billie Holiday). Did tire a bit of the sax with heavy reverb after a while and the rest of the album was quite samey.
Did not enjoy that at all.
Really enjoyed this. Fantastic vocals, great grooves. Definite Beyonce vibes. Enjoyed the use of Clair de Lune in Say You'll Go - not at all contrived (honestly).
I remember thinking I might enjoy U2 when I am middle aged. Turns out I'm not there yet. Musical ideas completely devoid of anything interesting.
Really enjoyed this. Varied, smooth, groovy. Some jazz standards mixed in with new music. A very rewarding listen.
Decent enough but very dated now. Their style is quite hard going after a few songs. Imagine my delight at listening to the extended edition album.
The best songs have had a life outside this album for so long that it makes the rest of the album redundant. It's good to have them recontextualised, but I don't think the filler really adds much.
That said, I love a sax break. Blues roots on show with strong harmonica and banjo.
Three, purely because of the hits.
A bit confused. Typical Canadians.
Not sure really what to make of this. It's the kind of thing I would expect to like, but also not very good. Not awful, but just not good.
Fairly uneventful. Did not resonate with me.
2+2 does not equal 5, and it got worse from there.
In seriousness, I enjoyed lots of this. But not enough to buy a ticket to the show.
I am genuinely unsure as to why this is on a list of 1001 albums you must listen to. I assume they were influential and that is what got them on this list, but this is dull and shouldn't be here. I don't feel that it has added anything to my life. I did enjoy the very start and very end, which had no singing and were slightly more experimental. A couple of decent beats in the middle but absolutely nothing to write home about.
Really interesting listen. Enjoyed very much all the way through. Very varied and lots going on. I reckon I would listen again, and to other material by the same artist.
Some great blues here. A cracking voice and great guitarwork. A few well-known tunes (Good Golly Miss Molly, Born on the Bayou, Proud Mary) alongside some complimentary counterparts. Enjoyed. Would listen again. Who has time for more than 30 minutes of music anyway.
This album was set for my A-level music as 'set music'. I enjoyed it at the time but it sounds amateur now.
A couple of clear bangers that far exceed the rest, which just bob along nicely but don't do a huge amount. The bangers are elevated by the nostalgia attached to them.
Some good rowdy moments in there. Good as background music but must admit I didn't listen particularly closely.
Must admit I was never a Gorillaz fan. Some of this sounds like wonky Blur, and the rest I wasn't too keen on. I actually got quite bored towards the end. I don't think it has done anything to change my opinion.
This is all over the place.
Just a bit dull really. Never got going.
Yeah, an odd one. A bit too artistic to enjoy as background listening, but not really justifying dedicated listening. Falls a bit flat.
Not particularly impressed. Apparently he's a big deal.
Great background music and some excellent beats. Nicely produced. It did get a bit samey after a few songs, although I guess predictability is something this genre relies on. Docked it a star on that basis.
Not impressed. Seems they were one hit wonders after all.
Not actively bad, just a bit dull throughout.
Proper blues. Lovely stuff.
Whilst it was funky, it wasn't what I was expecting. Less big band funk, more rock band funk. Enjoyable but didn't make me want to listen again.
Quirky, but still one-hit wonders.
Nice instrumental backing but the out of tune singing was upsetting.
An odd one, but largely enjoyable. Enjoyed the flute on the title track Bryter Layter. Going for a 3 as although it was enjoyable, I won't listen again.
Never come across Gang of Four before, and I hope not to again. Unsure why is this on the list. It's just a bit naff.
Interested to hear a Rush album as I've heard of the band but not any of their music. Good classic rock, I approve.
Genuinely interesting. Bold to devote half the album to a single track. It felt like I went on a journey, which is great. Interesting rhythms and harmony throughout the album, combined with good and quite experimental instrumentation and production.
A bit all over the places. Tracks seemed to jump about, with no connection to one another, or anything helping the whole thing flow or fit together. Some individual tracks weren't terrible, but the album as a whole wasn't great.
Very dated now... "You're so Digital girl!!"
Never heard of them before. Musically varied and interesting, although that's not to say good.
Cracking album. Brings back early teenage years. Very inappropriate listening for someone of that age, or any age for that matter. But still, giving it a 5.
