The driving bass lines are really enjoyable, and the songs have a distinct post-punk crunch and reverb to them - a very decent album that I can see people loving, but not one that I’ll personally be listening to on repeat
Solid, enjoyable hip hop grooves with a few strong standouts. The album feels at it’s strongest in the middle section.
Apt chirpy rock & roll from the 50s - lovely guitar work over upbeat rhythms, complemented by amazing vocal arrangements. Makes you feel like you should be on the beach with a cocktail. The epitome of old school pop / rock & roll.
Calming & intricate - love the acoustic guitar work on this album and can really appreciate it as a lovely folk listen. Vocals are very smooth and mellow too. Pink Moon and Parasite are stand outs.
Great vibes throughout this album, with bouncing grooves, upbeat vocals and funky bass lines. Really enjoyable album.
One of the best ever. Absolute classic in every way. Rock & Roll one of my favourite Zeppelin songs, and the rest of the album is a masterpiece.
Technically superb and clearly a genre-defining metal album at it’s time - but metal never fully does it for me and despite the albums strengths, it doesn’t grip me.
Funky hip hop grooves that feel playful and upbeat. Lots of strong moments on the album but the songs seem way too long & drawn-out at times. Felt like I was waiting for a pay off or switch in vibe at times.
Atmospheric hip-hop beats that feel quite haunting & provocative. Almost has a dark & heavy feeling to it despite the lack of lyrics. The album has a good pace to it, with ebs and flows in intensity, and I could easily get lost in it's tone and grooves.
A couple of classic soulful rock ballads in this album, both of which are enjoyable and feel like a throwback. “Cry Baby” is the highlight for me, with a couple of other strong tracks, but overall the album doesn’t do too much for me.
This album feels fairly inconsistent and a bit dated in parts. In fairness to it the song-writing is fairly intricate and a few of the songs do feel up-beat and anthemic - Go Or Go Ahead is by far the best song for me. But overall the album feels scattered and forgettable. Left it feeling quite bored if I was being brutal.
Really interesting rap / hip-hop album, with smooth rap grooves and a classic hip-hop style. Strong album, but doesn’t justify more than a 7/10 due to a lack of truly memorable moments that could be played on repeat.
Radiant & authentic country-pop album, surprised myself that I enjoyed this as much as I did. “Slow Burn” is a brilliant opening track & the general flow of the album never loses pace or appeal, despite a couple of fillers.
Bizzare and disjointed throughout, with clearly an experimental approach to the album. The tone of each song is wildly different to the last, but somehow it’s still immersive and interesting despite its many flaws. Some real high moments too with Storms & Sisters Of The Moon.
Beautiful atmospheric opening track, followed by a collection of grungy shoegaze that's easy to get lost in. The guitar work is interesting - distorted power chords are complemented with reverby riffs that add to the rhythms, with the occasional addition of ambient synths.
An absolute classic of grungy alternative rock, with so many highs and memorable moments. Come As You Are, Territorial Pissings & Lithium are standouts to me. The distorted sound of the guitars are genuinely iconic. So close to getting 5/5 but there are a couple of slower moments that don't quite hit. 4.5/5 for me.
No misses on this one. One of the best rock / nu metal albums of all time. Banger after banger and an absolute staple of my teen years, has to be 5/5.
There are so many bangers on this album, and the guitar & bass work is brilliant throughout. Scar Tissue, Otherside & Californication are the obvious classics. Despite this though there are two or three filler moments and inconsistencies that leave you wanting a bit more. 7/10.
The grooves on some of these tracks are so fun & upbeat, with interesting bass lines and strong funk vibes. Secrets & Stand Up are standout bangers with an amazing vibe. The slower tracks don’t quite hit the same for me but overall it’s a great groovy soul album.
Listening to Fairytale Of New York in September was a bizzare feeling for starters, and the “Celtic Punk” genre definitely isn’t for me. The Irish folk influence is prominent throughout with some punk sprinkled in to give the album energy. But despite having my favourite Christmas song on the album, it’s not doing it for me.
Experimental, soulful and charismatic throughout, this album is an absolute beast and a ground-breaking one for it’s time. The guitar work is so interesting & each song keeps you guessing as to what’s next. There’s the perfect blend on this album of experimental sounds and just straight-up soulful guitar-work and vocals. An absolute classic.
This is a raw & emotive album full of folk rock songs that I largely enjoy. Ultimately though it also feels a little disjointed in parts and folk is never going to be my favourite genre. A good album but not one to remember.
Superb slice of soul music. Never seen the film the album is the soundtrack for, but the tracklist is super clean, energetic, and groovy. I love the flow of the album and the overall vibe, the bass lines and guitar work are fantastic, overlayed with the iconic vocals.
Some absolute classics of funk, soul & disco on this album that stand the test of time. 4 or 5 of the songs are brilliant and it makes for a fun, groovy listen. A couple of the slower songs do slow the tempo a bit too much for me though.
Worked my way through this album more intrigued about it than feeling any sort of love for it. Some strong moments and interesting technical work from the band, but ultimately the album feels disjointed and massively self indulgent. Some elements are utterly bizarre and feels like the band are experimenting for the sake of it, some are momentarily very good. The opener and closer are very good at least. Maybe I'm missing the point of the album but it's not a fave of mine at all.
In all honesty I'm just bored listening to this album. Soft rock like this always leaves me wanting a bit more. There are some strong elements to the album but for me the album lacks edge or any standout moments. It makes for a “pleasant” listen but also a very forgettable one.
A short but very sweet rap & hip-hop record, that feels exceptionally well produced and written. It somehow feels warm throughout with no fillers or inconsistencies. Be (Intro) is a 10/10 intro track and it then flows through the rest of the album as if it's a story full of soulful energy.
This is giving fun & playful energy throughout, with consistently interesting samples & beats. As far as hip-hop albums go, this one is particularly light-hearted and upbeat. Very enjoyable!
Rap with attitude and a bite, but despite the cinematic beats & high moments, it has too many fillers and samey moments for me. A good listen but it washed over my a bit without leaving a huge impression.
This album is borderline an assault on the ears. The aggressive guitars, hazy vocals and heavy drums make for an absolute bombardment of feral punk rock. There are so many really strong moments here but the hour long album lacks diversity or any moments of change, leaving it feel samey as you get towards the latter half of the album.
Instrumentally this album is a massive win. Brilliant guitar and bass work throughout, with extremely interesting rhythm guitars plucking away in the background underneath the lead. Ultimately though the pace and tone of the album falls slightly flat at points. The folk-rock vibe is enjoyable but there aren't enough stand out moments for it to score higher than a 6/10.
Powerful would be the best word to describe this one. The first 2/3s of the album is straight up head-banger after head-banger, with ripping guitars and soaring vocals. A good chunk of the album is utterly superb, but the second half slows down slightly and the change of pace doesn’t do it quite as much for me. There are still strong moments in this back half but it does hold the album back as an entire collection for me. Still extremely enjoyable though.
This style of music is not usually my cup of tea , but I did enjoy the upbeat blend of afrobeats & jazz this album offers. Definitely not something I'd go back to day to day, but when the mood hits right this album would be very good. Lots of strong upbeat moments with great instrumentals.
Doesn’t do too much for me. The vocals are strong and the production for it’s time is clearly brilliant, but the pace & tone of the album doesn’t land well at all with me. Feels relatively bland and lacks edge. Blending country & folk, two genres that I never usually love, was never going to be a winner with me.
Can't help but see the positives in this album despite it not making me feel much. The guitar work and vocals are brilliant, and there is a soulful feel to the record that does sit well. However, there wasn't a single moment on this album that made me feel anything special. It's a pleasant enough listen but I imagine I won't remember too much about it.
Feels like ten genres in one album, but still somehow comes together through brilliant instrumental work and interesting songwriting. The album starts with a country/folk introduction, followed by "Quattro" that seems more alternative, followed by "Black Heart" that moves towards a dark & moody ballad. The album continues like this leaving me feeling confused but somehow in a really good way.
A classic of what I'd call “Dad Rock”. This album is theatrical, bold and a genuinely iconic collection of 70s rock hits. Born To Run is definitely the highlight, but the rest of the album maintains the brilliant wall of sound, cinematic instrument arrangements and passionate vocals/lyrics. In a way it makes you feel ambitious and driven after listening, largely because of Springsteen’s huge delivery.
This album is lively and a pleasant enough listen, but it leaves little impression on me and feels slightly bland for my taste. There’s no doubting the album’s “maturity”, and the sprinkle of jazz influence on the soft-rock base is nice to listen to, but it still falls flat and I can’t imagine I’ll remember much of the album in days to come - other than perhaps “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”.
Very nearly a brilliant album. Morrisey’s voice and Marr’s brilliant guitar work are no doubt iconic and make for a distinct sound that clearly sets The Smith’s apart as a unique sound. Married with witty lyrics, a balance between happy/sad themes, and some standout tracks, this makes for an enjoyable album. I just feel that one or two of the tracks don't hit the same heights, leaving me to feel like there's just something missing to merit a higher score.
What an explosive start to an album that is - War Pigs & Paranoid are sensational classic metal songs to set the tone for the album to come with roaring guitar riffs, heavy instrumentation and Ozzy’s iconic vocals. What follows is an interesting, brilliantly written metal album that stands strong as a genre defining album.
Why do I feel like I've just been hypnotised on my way to work? I imagine this album would have blown my mind in 1973. Not so much in 2025. The repetitive, atmospheric soundscapes here are definitely pleasant enough to listen to for the most part, and there are some major highs on the lengthy title track “Autobahn”, but there’s also some very bizarre and jarring experimental moments that make for a disjointed listen. Got to give it credit for being an interesting listen and I'm sure pretty groundbreaking in the 70s.
Super enjoyable from start to finish. The album starts off strong with a couple of fantastic, vibrant retro rock songs, and the second half of the album comes alive with some absolute classics - Bad Moon Rising & Lodi are simply superb tracks that highlight the strong songwriting and delivery of the record. In short, the album feels very authentic and really well produced.
Raw, angry and full of grunge. This is a noisy, aggressive album that screams at you for 47 minutes. The production is extremely down to earth, and not hugely polished, making it feel like you're listening to a live gig in an indie music venue. All this makes for a strong listen and an accomplished record, albeit one that leaves you emotionally drained by the end. 4 out of 5.
Makes me want to be sat in a dark & ambient cocktail bar sipping on a negroni. Classical jazz isn’t my usual cup of tea, but I can definitely see the appeal of this album. It is overwhelmingly complex and intricate, making for a pleasant but challenging listen. There are instrumental elements that are obviously superb and the band seem to be in perfect harmony, but ultimately this style of music for me isn’t for everyday.
The cohesion & flow of this album is undeniable, and you can absolutely see how the quality of the production & the experimental song-writing would have been revolutionary at the time of release. However, there is something about this album that makes it fall flat for me. There are a number of tracks that have little to no impact as individual songs, and the delivery across the album does come across as pretty dated in parts. There are no doubt strong moments on the album and small elements that will remain iconic for years to come, but despite the album’s cohesiveness I come away from it feeling slightly underwhelmed.
On this album the Sonics deliver a lively, raw form of garage rock packaged in a small but energetic record. The key songs are aggressive, unfiltered and full of energy, making for a fun listen, albeit one that is let down slightly by some basic & repetitive song writing. The albums main issue though is the awful production quality. You could give them the benefit of the doubt given it was recorded in the early 60s, but the sound quality of the guitars and vocals are simply awful and do impact the experience of listening to it. Also, if this guy screams WOOWWWAAH one more time…..
Starting an album with “Whole Lotta Love” is genius, sets the tone brilliantly for what is to come: incredible guitar work from Paige, powerful vocals from Plant, and an energetic delivery from Bonham & JPJ. There isn't a single weak point on this album - it's classic Zeppelin all over.
The grooves are absolutely fire on this album - funky bass lines backed with Chic's disco soul sound are always a winner in my eyes. Good Times is a superb start to the album, and My Feet Keep Dancing continues the feel good vibe. There are a couple of tracks that you could argue perform the role of fillers, but I still came away from this album feeling uplifted and in a great mood. What more can you ask for?
A slightly mental album that I can't help but like for the most part. It's all over the place, energetic and playful, with some truly standout moments. Despite the positives though it feels too long and filled with some really forgettable moments. A good listen overall but it's left me feeling confused as to why the album is regarded as one of the best Brit-Pop albums, and feeling that anyone comparing Blur to Oasis need to give their head a wobble.
Having ‘You’re My Best Friend’, ‘Love Of My Life’ & ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ on the same album, you’d expect a 5 star album. Considering the classic sounds of May’s brilliant guitar work & Mercury’s iconic vocals throughout, alongside the undeniable sound of classic Queen hitting all the right notes, there’s no doubt that this is a great album. However, for me there’s one or two songs that don’t fit, and actually jar slightly. I really wanted to give this 5/5 but if I’m being realistic, 4/5 is about right.
There is a brilliant power and self-assurance to this album, especially given it's Tori Amos’ first solo album. Some of the tracks attack you with ambient yet powerful sounds that contribute to excellent ballads, completed by the excellent piano playing throughout. What let's the album down for me though is that some of the slower, less impactful songs don't hit the same heights and at times it makes for a slightly inconsistent pace, leaving me wanting more from certain sections of the album.
As a debut album this massively sets the tone for what was to come for Black Sabbath. It’s punchy, heavy & rich with the haunting metal sound that defines the band. Despite this it really doesn’t hit the same heights as the follow up album “Paranoid”, with a number of the tracks here sounding great but not leaving the same impression. In short, I don’t think this album is as memorable, despite being a strong debut album.
Even without much of a punk education, it's pretty obvious that many bands that followed were heavily inspired by The Stooges & this album. The raw, energetic guitars and basslines work really well together, and the opening track is an absolute killer. I would argue that the production despite being in the 60s is painfully inconsistent throughout the album though, and there are moments where it feels like quite an exhausting listen, almost like the album is attacking your ears. Having said that, I still really enjoyed it and would listen again.
I really don't like it. The album is overproduced, insanely boring and full of the most generic songwriting I've heard in a long time. There is literally zero edge or anything interesting to report here, the album may as well be a collection of cheesy songs written for run of the mill 80s films.
This was a good listen in parts, and it started really promisingly, but at times the album blends into a soup of distorted guitars and sounds that are hard to differentiate from one another. Ultimately, it's a decent enough listen but very samey throughout and gets a little boring to listen to.
Beautiful, anthemic indie that listens just as well now as it did when it was released. The Suburbs & Ready To Start hit you with a perfect 1-2 to set the tone of the album, followed by a collection of superb indie anthems. Suburban War & Wasted Hours are highlights towards the back end of the album, that sum up a fantastic album.
The iconic sounds of the Smiths is undeniable on this album - Marr’s guitar really shines through as always, for instance - but ultimate the song-writing and vocal delivery from Morrissey falls flat, leaving the album feeling pretty underwhelming. “Well I Wonder” is a particular high point, but the other tracks don’t leave much of an impression. It’s definitely the weakest Smith’s album I have come across to date.
There's no denying that the iconic sound of AC/DC is extremely enjoyable. The roaring guitar riffs, iconic vocals and heavy production always makes for a great listen, but I have to say that this album doesn't hit the same as Back In Black. Some of the tracks here blur into one, and 2-3 of the middle section feels very much like filler material.
What a great surprise this album was - this is an example of where the 1001 list comes into it’s own, showing you amazing music that you wouldn’t have otherwise listened to. Going into the album I didn’t really have any preconceptions or knowledge of Jefferson Airplane, or at least I didn’t know the hits were actually their songs. This made the listen even better. The 60s/70s psychedelic rock sound comes through so well, with strong instrumentals, interesting vocals and solid songwriting. Has to be a 4.5/5, let down slightly by the tail off towards the end of the album.
I really loved this album. As much as I enjoyed ‘Rid Of Me’, this album feels like a step forward and for me sets itself apart as PJ Harvey’s best album. It feels far more substantial and accessible than her previous albums, and there isn't a filler track to be found. Each song has it's place and the incredible flow & variety of brilliant songs makes for a 5/5 review from me.
I’d never heard of Liz Phair before this, and the album definitely didn’t gel with me. The vocal delivery feels odd, and the first half of the album especially felt bland and samey, despite some interesting guitars & instrumental work. It definitely picked up in the second half and became more interesting - Mezmerizing & Flower felt like high points - but overall this one will be quickly forgotten.
What a bizzare album this is, but I can't help but feel engaged by it. The music that sits behind it all is really interesting, and the storytelling from Nick Cave is dark & moody, each of which contribute to creating a hugely dark & unnerving atmosphere. There are times when the vocals feel more like ramblings, and I can absolutely see why this would jar with some people, but overall I enjoyed it… I think. Maybe 2-3 tracks too lengthy too.
Unreal energy, great blend of electronic dance and rock influences, whilst packing a serious punch. There is so much to like about this album. It’s just let down slightly by some middling tracks that fall flat and a touch too much repetition.
I absolutely love the beats on this album, and the fact that they are sourced from so many different genres make it even better. It makes for an intriguing listen and I can't help but enjoy the vibes throughout. The hooks are catchy, the vocals are soulful and the beats get the head bobbing. What more can you ask for?
That is one hell of a set of pipes. Unreal vocals throughout the album, with some absolute bangers thrown in for good measure. Freedom! ‘90 is one of the best pop songs of the era, and the album has 2-3 other high points that mark it out as a strong album. It's just let down by some filler material & songs that don't land as well as others. Overall it's a good album, but as a collective I think it's inconsistent.
Loving the attitude and delivery on this album, and can only imagine how this went down in the 80s - it’s hardly a surprise how influential it seemingly is on hip hop acts that followed. The samples & production are super interesting, and the vocals are punchy & charged, making the hour-long listen feel like it’s attacking you from all angles. Out of context of the political environment it was released in, I’d give it an 8/10 for how much I enjoyed the album in it’s entirety. Bumped to a 9/10 for just how immense this must have sounded when it was released.
Very enjoyable album, with smooth, soulful and warm vibes throughout. The vocals and musicianship are superb as you'd come to expect from Stevie Wonder, and there are some big high points epitomised by a killer closing track. The album does have 2-3 songs that felt quite bland though, and whilst on the whole it feels very cohesive, the filler moments don't land anywhere near as well as some other tracks.
This starts with a funky, groovy smack to the face, leaving me with high optimism for the rest of the album. But whilst the instrumentals and delivery are fantastic throughout, the rest of it blends into a calmer, slower pace, that doesn't leave as much much as an impression. It's still good music, but the second half of the album felt like it had something missing for me.
Really enjoyed the energy, grooves and instrumentals on this album - the build & crescendos to some of the songs are very impactful, creating some mega high points. Dreamer & Rudy are absolutely faves from the album, both of which epitomise elements of why I love 70s rock / pop. There are some sections that don't leave as much of an impression though.
Mental that I've never listened to this in full before. Every song packs a punch in its own way, and the atmosphere & tone created throughout is absolutely brilliant. The way the songs build & flow means the album is coherent, impactful and a joy to listen to. Then you add the instrumental work and wow, you get a superb album. The guitar work in particular is unbelievable. I will absolutely be replaying this one.
No notes for this one other than… what the fuck was that? I'm going to draw a line under it and assume I'm not edgy enough to get it.
Really enjoying the vibes on this album and can fully see the influence it would have had on indie bands that followed. The tunes are catchy, the album feels very well written / coherent, and the basslines throughout give it a bounce & a groove that sits very nicely with me. Rip It Up is a brilliant opener too.
This album has a lovely energy and vibrance to it that makes you tap your foot without even realising it. It's non-stop, fast paced and full of life throughout, with no low points or slower moments, which on the one hand makes it a super fun album to listen to but at the same time makes it quite samey and one note. Overall, thoroughly enjoyable, but maybe lacking some depth or variety.
Absolutely loving the production, storytelling and delivery on this album. Each song feels distinct from one another and the album flows really well track to track. My main gripe… and it's a gripe I have with a lot of rap albums… why is it so long? There are so many strong moments on this album and as a collective I like it, but if it was 30 minutes shorter I guarantee it would have left more of a long lasting impression.
This album feels extremely average for me. The music is decent, the vocals are interesting, and the production/flow feels coherent and well polished. It's just a decent enough folk album. But like a lot of folk albums I just can't connect with it. Maybe it's just not my genre, but the entire listen feels very middle of the road, pleasant without making an impact. Having said that, California Stars is a great track and bumps the entire thing up from a 5/10 to a 6/10 on its own.
Utterly bizzare from start to finish. I can imagine this going down well for people on a trip in the 60s, but it’s not doing it for me. In fact, I fully imagine that Dr. John was tripping balls when he made this album. Mama Roux is a decent track where I can see some solid old school blues coming through, and there is a spooky undertone throughout the album that adds an atmosphere to it, but this album is not for me and I can’t say I’ll be remembering much about it.
Absolutely incredible album from Led Zeppelin, as all of their first 4 albums are. Starts powerfully with Immigrant Song, and powers through some absolutely killer tracks. They shift the pace a couple of times to good effect on this album too, Since I’ve Been Loving You being the first indication of a slightly different approach to their first and second albums. The acoustic numbers are great too. Soooo close to a 5/5, but just marginally short in standard compared to I, II and IV in my opinion. 9/10 it is.
I'm not even sure how to review this. French man moaning & screaming in my ear over the top of distorted and eerie heavy guitars & drums. All I know is that it wasn't an enjoyable listen at all, especially when the French man opened his mouth. 3/10.
There’s no doubt that this is a fantastic, stripped-back, raw performance from Nirvana, that I’m sure at the time was a huge departure from their signature live sound. The mix of hits and back catalogue items is also a welcome addition to the live album that keeps it interesting & flowing. However, for me, as an album listening experience it hits the middle of the road. If I was there in person, in the 90s, it would have been absolutely incredible. But for me, in 2025, sitting on a bus to work, it’s a very solid listen without any major punch or impact.
Never have I pretended to be a massive reggae fan, but my god this was eye opening. The musicians on this album are so unbelievably tight & in-sync with one another, and the grooves that come off the back of it are excellent. The bass guitar seems to be the driving force behind everything, and the drums, guitar & vocals come alive, which doesn’t half get your head bobbing & your foot tapping. This is exactly why I started the 1001 albums challenge - new styles of music that I will definitely be coming back to.
As country album’s go, it’s fine. I’ll never fully connect with country as a genre, and it’s rare that any country singles or albums stand out to me. The musicianship and vocals here are genuinely good, and there are a couple of interesting stand-out songs. But no matter the positives I can find, it’s country, and I’ll never like it that much. 5/10.
5 star album without shadow of a doubt and it's not even my favourite Radiohead record. Utterly superb from start to finish, no weak links in sight and a clear step up from Pablo Honey, defining what was to come for the band. To top it off, Street Spirit (Fade Out) has to be one of the best closing tracks of all time.
This felt like I was listening to someone on their deathbed sharing their reflections on life. It really is a poignant, reflective album that tells a great story in an atmospheric tone, with husky & emotive vocal delivery. This makes for an interesting listen, with some really strong moments throughout, and the storytelling is brilliant and impactful.
It's rare I'll ever love a live album and this record is no different. There's no doubt it's a strong live performance and I enjoyed some of the songs, especially as this was my first time listening to anything at all from Allman Brothers Band. However, live music should only be enjoyed in person, and I found myself getting tired of this album past half way.
This is really enjoyable for me, giving off strong early brit-pop energy that exudes nostalgia without me ever hearing the album before. The title tracks are memorable and leave an impact, and the majority of the album flows nicely and gets my head bobbing. It is a touch too long for my liking with a couple of songs that couple have been left out, but overall it's a good listen.
So much to like about this album. The opening track is killer and there are so many head banger highlights to follow. I particularly love to driving basslines and drumming that give the tracks energy and life, with some excellent changes of pace as the album flows from start to finish. The transitions between my three favourites from the album - Obvious to Been Caught Stealing to Three Days - shows this so well, with three very different tracks still feeling coherent and impactful. Three Days itself is utterly amazing too, what a build up and the guitar solo is brilliant. Overall, a fantastic 90s alt rock album.
Bob Marley never misses and this album is no different, it's absolutely brilliant. The bouncing percussion and driving bass lines give such a vibrance that is complemented by the soulful vocals and storytelling throughout. Each song has it's place and it flows beautifully, climaxing with two absolute killer tracks that top off a 5 star album.
Aretha Franklin delivers a brilliant vocal performance on every single track here, and there's no doubt it's an album full of soul with some classic tracks epitomised by Respect as a killer opening song. I can't help but feel slightly bored by the middle to end part of the album though. There's nothing wrong with any of the songs, I just find them a bit middling at times. Still a decent 7/10 album for me though.
Meh. The album starts okay. Pretty solid retro-style rock tunes, with ‘Feelin’ Alright?’ acting as a standout track. But overall this feels relatively bland to me and I'm not sure I'll remember much of it. It feels harsh because there's not anything massively wrong with it, but it would be a push to say I liked anything about it either.
It's a pleasant enough listen, but it's country, and that will never be a bit of me. There are some head bobbers on this album and as country albums go, I can tell it's a half decent one. The pace & flow of the songs are also relatively chill and I could definitely see myself happily listening to this as a bit of background music. A mid to strong 5/10.
There are lots of strong moments in this Bowie record but as a collective it left me feeling a bit confused and lost, especially over the last 3-4 conceptual, atmospheric instrumental tracks. First 4 tracks - great examples of Bowie's songwriting, topped off with my favourite track of the album ‘Sound and Vision’. The remainder of the record - confusing and inconsistent. Bowie was clearly being experimental with this album, but for me this is a strong 5, soft 6.
Loving the grooves & beats on this album, and the old-school (some would argue out-dated) verses add a charm to the album that I feel adds to the listening experience. It’s got attitude, energy and a vibrance that ultimately makes it really fun to listen to, if you don’t take it too seriously. Despite a couple of moments where it maybe felt repetitive and a bit tired, it’s a strong 8/10 for me.
Will never be a huge fan of live albums, but this one has two things running in it's favour. 1 - I would LOVE to be in a bar with a cocktail listening to this incredible music and 2 - I now want to go and listen to all of Sam Cooke’s work. The soul & raspy vocals are like butter, and you can feel the brilliance of the performance come through very well.
This album has enjoyable grooves & beats throughout, with top notch production that really elevates the tracks and allows Nas’ rapping and storytelling to leave an impression. Whilst there are a lot of positives here, I still left it feeling like I was wanting one or two more standout moments from the album. I find rap albums sometimes quite repetitive by the latter half, and this one was no different despite it’s many qualities.
There’s nothing concretely ‘bad’ about this album, but my god it’s a snooze-fest. I really don’t understand the hype around it - the songs don’t leave much of an impression, there’s limited variety & a real lack of energy. It’s not an unpleasant listen by any stretch but it’s also not inspiring whatsoever. Soft 4/10 for this one.
Some very decent tracks on here. The driving bass & guitar work is really enjoyable, and the flow of the album feels coherent and well put together. The album feels like an artsy pop record with some great instrumental experimentation, which I really enjoyed. The issue for me though is that I can't quite force myself to enjoy David Byrne’s vocals - the wailing style just doesn't sit well for me and it knocks my rating of this album down by quite a bit.
I did not expect Rod Stewart to be fronting up this album on vocals having never heard of Faces… but it’s safe to say after the first couple of tracks I was pleasantly surprised. The upbeat, folk-rock tracks such as ‘Miss Judy’s Farm’ and ‘Stay With Me’ have a vibrance & energy to them that I really enjoy. The slower tracks don’t leave the same mark, but overall this was a very decent listen.
So many great tunes on this album and an absolute all-time classic in ‘Every Breath You Take’. The song-writing & production is fantastic for the most part, but what let’s the album down slightly is the moments of pure inconsistency that leave you feeling confused and jarred. ‘Mother’ is the most bizzare track, breaking the flow of the album completely. Albeit less bizzare, there are a couple of other tracks that feel out of place. It’s a 7/10 for me - 9/10 for the killer tracks, just let down by some odd moments.
I feel in two minds about this album. There were a few moments where it felt a bit bland, particularly in the first half - there are definitely a couple of songs that feel slightly lifeless. But the vocals & instrumentals are consistently engaging & impactful, and the stand out tracks are absolutely brilliant. During the middle of the record, it comes alive, and really picks up to become a very well made & strong album.
