1001 Albums Summary

Funkier than some of their output. Lyrics and vocals suggest anxiety, frustrations and paranoia. Some tracks somehow manage to be both frantic and overlong. Aside from the banger that is Once in a Lifetime (which was the same as it ever was), I enjoyed Houses in Motion and the more commercial Listening Wind, whereas Crosseyed and Painless was a bit claustrophobic.

Not my cup of tea. Smooth production makes it less interesting. Not so keen on polished noise. Never really listened to them in the past. That’s not going to change. Enjoyed the opening track and , change in tempo, Head Down also decent. Mailman / Limo Wreck just plodding rubbish. Title track also dull. And Black hole sun is overrated imo.

Has its place and lots of fans I’m sure. And it did sound better when you turn it up. More variety than I expected, sounded almost like Wah Wah guitars on Ratamahatta, though I enjoyed the heavier songs more, I.e not Jasco and Itsari. Could’ve done without the last really long song. Felt a sore throat thinking about how he can get through a gig. Dare I say slightly better / more fun than Soundgarden.

Not to be taken too seriously. Pretty juvenile mostly. Smooth production with jazzy influences and a good flow. Of its time. Not sure why I’ve not listened before if it’s critically acclaimed. Only ‘Passin me by’ was familiar. The album is ok. A cut above Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (and Soundgarden)

From Country tinged Americana Golden Age, moving to more orchestral strings in Paper Tiger. Melancholic. Seems to be a bit of a break up theme. I thought Album was new to me, Odelay- was the album I had. This is different to that. But Lost Cause, It’s All in your Mind and Sunday Sun all seemed familiar - singles maybe? Eels like songs End of the Day and Little One were good. Round the Bend - first one where the sadness began to grate slightly or maybe just a weaker song. Given a 4 as it’s the best I’ve reviewed but 3.5 would be more accurate. Will listen again.

Strong opening track. Nice guitar. Then an accordion and fiddling happy clappy sing along in French - like something from an early 70’s educational kids tv show. Expect a song called Autopsy on a metal album - this one not metal. A Sailor’s life was initially the type of song I feared they would be about and then went on for over 7 minutes with slightly less annoying guitar noodling. Enjoyed more songs than I disliked. Really like Sandy Denny’s voice. Who knows where the time goes indeed. A strong 3.

Not my kind of 1977 music. US TV theme tune from some bad show - then some jazzy wank. Another US TV theme toon. Rumba Mama - some vocals! Still bad. Then back to Lift muzak. Awful.

Acceptable countryish pop music. I found it fairly bland.

Out on the weekend. Heart of gold. Alabama. Great Melodies. Good Album.

What’s not to like (maybe the overlong intro on track 4). Over 55 years old- the album not me. Great stuff.

Haven’t ever worked out if I like Luke Haines. Keep meaning to read his book. I liked this mostly. Not a great singer but still something about it that means I will likely give it another whirl. Better than a lot of Brit pop fodder. Show Girl is a strong opener and the only one I’d heard or at least remembered. Enjoyed Junk Shop Clothes, Don’t Trust the Stars and How Could I be Wrong. Strong 3. Reminded me to play Lenny Valentino.

Listened to quickly and not very focused so a bit unfair. Chugging title track a bit dull. Not sure why it’s on the list.

Not a favourite Bowie album. He’s not a soul artist. It’s no Low. Maybe repeated listens would help because the stand out tracks for me were the two big ones. Across the Universe (which has less of a soul vibe) is not good. Somebody up there likes me must have been listened to by George Michael.

Good influential album. Awesome first 3 tracks. Fades a bit after that. Didn’t sound dated like I thought it might. Some suspect lyrics in places. Respect the police. 3/4 borderline.

Common People is a proper classic. The Album is littered with great tracks. Great lyrics. Sex and class the main themes. Had to give it a 5.

Went into this thinking Queen are shit - change my mind. It didn’t. There is variation here and lots going on. Some glam rock and then Led Zep like (or lite) vocals in The Loser in the End. But, a high degree of bombastic, pompous, OTT everything runs through it and those layered vocals aren’t for me (when it’s Queen). Fables, fairies, crows and ogres don’t do it for me lyrically. The March of the Black Queen - Started to think I like it then checked myself and rightly concluded it was rubbish. Just don’t get them.

What is this genre, funk Latin RnB rock? New band / album to me. Album grew on me / got stronger as it progressed. Could see myself getting into that instrumental long track if in the right mood (once the sax heavy bits passed) and the next one (zoom zoom zoom one with the talking bit). Title track was good but would be improved with less sax. A 3 after initially thinking it would be easily a 2. Where Was You At would be better if it was called Where To Is You By.

Strong opener with background music non intrusive and that voice. By third track music was more sweeping orchestral, plush, film score like. Would prefer more edge to the music but it was 1958. And her voice on this is excellent - fragile and captivating. Glad she added her surname for this album. Can’t believe she married Laurence Fox and Chris Evans.

With chemical enhancement probably a high 4 or 5. Commuting to and from London it struck me as a bit long and disjointed. Still a strong electronic dance album. 90’s classic. Gotta love a bit of Daft Punk. Going to award 4 anyway.

A lot more pop than punk. Even Pump It Up wasn’t as frantic as I remembered it. Album rattles along at a good pace though with tight arrangements. I like his voice. 3.5

‘Enter into the realm of Satan”. No thanks.

I listen to a fair bit of hip hop, but don’t think I’ve ever got through an Eminem album. Not sure why. His rapping is distinctive but there something about it I don’t like (too nasal?). Kill You is a bit unpleasant lyrically. I find the flow on The Way I Am as just too aggressive and hard to listen to. Remember me a bit rubbish. Skits also rubbish. Like the hits (other than TWIA) and a few of the other tracks though and some lyrics made me smile. 2.8

Nice and mellow. Very familiar despite me not listening to them previously. For some reason was expecting it to be more country. End bit of Ashes of American flags felt out of place. Pavementesque at times though more of a commercial sound. Liked! Will listen again one day.

Found this pretty uninspiring. MOR country. Found the layering of vocals on a couple of tracks grating. Prefer Lucinda Williams. Unremarkable.

On the plus side enjoyed Honey - this kind of R&B not my thing but this was definitely at the palatable end of that ilk. Then goes shit for the rest of the album. Slow track Butterfly and slower My All. Breakdown wasn’t quite as bad. And the Butterfly reprise later was passable. But mostly bland banalities. Hope I never have to listen to Whenever You Call again. Quite enough of her warbling gymnastics well before the end. 1 (4 for opening track minus 4 for WYC and 1 for the rest).

Good songwriting/ story telling. And variety. Quality album - much better than I remember the Village Green album being- but may revisit that now. Usual quintessential English references - flask of tea and Gooseberry tart and Potters Bar (shout out to the Herts massive) references on Drivin’. Shangri La - great. Something a bit McCartneyesque on some of the vocals which is strange given the geographical differences. Can’t beat The Fall’s version of Victoria though. Didn’t really care for that song about the hat - strayed a bit into novelty song. I think I need to listen to The Kinks more.

Mixed bag. Quite a few Low fi under developed stripped back one paced with the snare being overused. Ballad of Big Nothing was my favourite - I think I’d like Teenage Fanclub to cover this, they’d make it all better - harmonise with other voices rather than his own layering. Pictures of Me has potential to be a better song. Angeles reminded me a lot of Sufjan Stevens - which is no bad thing. Cupid’s Trick a bit rockier. Overall disappointing edges out interesting. Can’t see me revisiting this album but may try another of his. Generous 3.

Not blown away by the songs or any of the music. Good soul voice, no doubt. But voice alone not enough to put this anywhere near the 4 category.

I tried to listen to Joni in the past (think it was Blue) and couldn’t get very far. I think it was the voice back then. This time, much more positive. Storytelling evocative lyrics and enjoyed the subtle guitar work. And the voice, nowhere near as annoying as I was expecting. Must be me getting old. Coyote was the only one familiar - seems like I must have heard that when watching The Last Waltz in my teens (getting into The Band). Tailed off a bit towards the end I think - or maybe just too long. Think I’d like to relisten several times rather than try another of hers. 3.6.

Soulful laid back rap with tinges of jazz. Works mostly, e.g. on You, We fight / We Love and that one with Nora Jones. But, a few not so good, such as Getting Up - not great - more R&B than rap and Official, too smooth. Won’t Trade was strong track. And enjoyed the increased tempo initially in Move - though this was 2 different tracks pasted together (and he needs to work on his Renaissance pronunciation). Final track was a little bit Princey. On the whole sits between 3 and 4 (again!). Going with harsh 3 as don’t think it will be revisited.

Was expecting more. Ok better than a lot of 80’s dross but not really as sassy or innovative as some think it is. While it tackles a lot of womanhood themes I think the lyrics are a bit basic and sometimes cringey. Buffalo Stance is the standout. Not offensive - average fairly pleasant pop music. 2.9

Music for girls

Sorry, couldn’t get through this. Got as far as “In the lap of the gods” which I was particularly not enjoying. First track I thought was ok as was Killer Queen. But can’t do Queen anymore. Life’s too short.

Nice one to play late with a bourbon. Great recording of that guitar, band and vocals considering it’s a live album. Like the pace of the first couple. How Blue Can You Get into Please Love Me - great. A bit of big band and jazz feel in parts as well as proper classic R&B. Good energy, easy listening without being easy listening. Had to go 4 as 3 would be way too close to Queen.

Good post club album I would think. And remember first track from that distant scenario. Mellow electronica. Definitely a place for this. Never strays into greatness though. In the wrong mood would be quite dull (occasionally). But some interesting diversions and not as wanky as a large chunk of Ibiza Chill dross out there. Close to a 4.

Good post club album I would think - I think this edges the Nightmares on Wax one. Though from Going out of my head onwards (including the 303 Josh Wink bit) the vibe for those trying to chill is killed. Lots going on which makes it an interesting listen after many years of not listening to this. Have to hand it to Norman - this is a good one.

Ok, I get she’s lauded as a great songwriter and it’s quite the canon, lots of big hits. And some good songs here. And she’s not a bad singer. But this is just mostly easy listening - all very nice but just not an album for me. Terrible sax on Way Over Yonder banished any thought of a 4.

90’s US softish rock. Though some tracks could be Bill and Ted playing screeching guitar I n a Bill and Ted movie. Bodacious. Also Huey Lewisesque in places. Hip to be Square. Too American for me. Detected some possibly admirable social commentary in some lyrics and who doesn’t like a brief bit of Chuck D / Flavor Flav but can’t get past the bad sound. Disliked most aspects of this. Memories Can’t Wait my favourite - a bit more Faith No More like. 2.

Nostalgic themes again. Liked most of this including opening couple of tracks, Picture Book, Big Sky, Village Green and Animal Farm. Last of the Steam Powered Trains good. Sitting by the riverside - not so keen on music hall keyboard plonking. The fat cat one strays (pun!) too much into fum fum fiddle-um di nonsense. And the vocals on All of My Friends Were There grates a bit. Better side 1 in summary! Superior 60’s music. Think Arthur is the better album having listened to both recently. Best one I’ve listened to this week - whole lot more interesting than Tapestry. 4

Unmistakable Elvis on opener which is quite an opener for 1956. But I’m Counting On You sounded like just another 50’s crooner. Enjoyed I got a Woman and the piano and slightly strange vocals (borderline Vic Reeves club singer) on One Sided Love Affair. Could do without I Love You Because and I’ll Never Let You Go. Like the country track Just Because. Tutti Frutti doesn’t compare to the superior Little Richard version. Even though the tracks are short I was a bit Elvised out before the end. Though Money Honey probably second best track. Would probably be a 4 if this was 1956. It’s not though. 3. Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps.

Was excited as the band and album meant nothing to me. After first listen was ready to slate and question why on the list. Microshift - Microshit more like etc. But on second listen it wasn’t so bad. So maybe a generous 3.

Smooth, calming, uninteresting. Rodeo Drive - just a long theme tune. Washes over you in inoffensive way. 2.5

Big fan of this album. This one and Carrie and Lowell are the two of his I return to. Even though it’s peppered with Illinois specific references that I don’t fully appreciate. Just like the fact that even though it’s low fi there’s something different I hear each time. Over an hour and I don’t care. 4.4

Some good stuff on here. Liked Feel Flows in particular. And Long Promised Road and Till I Die were strong. Till I Die like much of the album not the cheery Beach Boys of old. Surfs Up also great. That student demo track was bad. Not sure on the water, tree or feet ones. Will revisit this. Going to go 4 (just).

The most 3 album yet. Not bad. Not great. Good background music without being muzak. Derivative without being too contrived or soulless. Liked the clean production. Too long. Wouldn’t rule out another listen.

Another band I wasn’t aware of. Another album that got much better on second listen. A bit dull first time round. Enjoyed tracks 2-4 second time round and Better Times. A few still didn’t move me though - e.g. Lover of Mine. Slight melancholic feel to it all. From a 2 to a high 3.

Unmistakable TW. The voice and weird percussion at first a bit too much. Then some more palatable, Jesus Gonna Be Here and A Little Rain. And then once tuned in the noisy crazy man ones and the lyrics are really good. 4.0.

Bloated (long). Innovative in places. Doesn’t sound 20+ years old. Like aspects of both discs. But surprised for me it’s more of a 3 than a 4 on re listening after some time. Cut some tracks and there’s a 4 there.

No masterpiece but a good album on the whole. I don’t find it too indulgent. I actually like the track God. Though the wailing on the end of Mother isn’t a nice listen. Liked 3 in a row best - Hold On, I Found Out and Working Class Hero. Not so much Isolation or Well Well Well.

Not one I’ve listened to before and not one I’ll likely listen to again. Far from terrible (see Queen). I’m just not a huge early 70’s rock / glam rock lover - though there’s a fair bit of variety here. Pound shop Bowie at times. Formulaic chugging rock and roll / metal on Drivin Sister. Violence was like something from Rocky Horror. Vocals a bit Dylanesque on I Wish I Was Your Mother. 2.7

Not to be taken too seriously. Western themed glam rock. Not something I’m likely to revisit. That said mostly enjoyed it, a bit of nostalgia and some bizarre mash ups. Feels authentic. Bit tinny in places. A 3.6. Don’t be square be there!

Really enjoyed this. Cinnamon Girl, Down By The River and Cowgirl in the Sand all very good. Solid instrumentation, very little nasal whining and even the long guitar noodling ones were good. Laid back country rock. Glad the fiddle was only prominent on just the one track. And Round and Round track less enjoyable. 4.3

Was too young for this when released. Heard of them (and Devoto / Barry Adamson) but not explored. Opening Synth heavy track was catchy. Shot By Both Sides sounded like a Stranglers song. Recoil is a less tuneful edgier Buzzcocks. Then much more post punk artsy Burst and Motorcade. A bit different overall with some mildly interesting or weird experimentation - e.g. Fairground intro and annoying intonation in Great Beautician track. The Light Pours Out of Me was decent - a bit goth like. Overall not quite enough for a 4 for me.

Classic. Even if Bobby G is an arsehole. More of a A Weatherall product anyway. 5.

Not for me even if I did sing along to Wild World. 2.

Now this was a good listen. Better songwriting for me than the Cat Stephens album. Don’t mind the orchestration/ ragtime pop as the lyrics cut through

Boring. Overrated. Could tolerate a few tracks in the background if I’m in the sun or bar abroad but would get on my tits soon after. 2. My fat fingers meant my Velvet Underground review was never posted (4)

Shouldn’t be on the list.

Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone 4. The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face and strong lead vocal on Mother Nature means 4 for those. The rest around 3.

Joyful couple of opening tracks with horns to the fore. All in All not so good. The Van the Man cover Jocky Wilson Said (sic) is sick. A few fillers and then the classic Come on Eileen. Singing like a less suave Bryan Ferry. Bonus tracks on the version I listened to Show Me and Let’s Get This Straight From The Start also strong. 3.8. (Love Rowland’s 1999 covers album also - so bad it’s good.)

Absolute dross mostly. Heavy plodding and Nothing Else Matters as the ballad. Not a fan of the singing. Whenever a track started off more promisingly it soon deteriorated. Usually when vocals started. Sad but true. Which coincidentally was probably the worst track, though lots of competition. Hard to get through it all, Struggle Within indeed. 1. Enjoyed Sepultura more.

I’m not a big fan. Homeward Bound and The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine were the positives. And I enjoyed the Dylan piss take one. The Silent Night interspersed with news footage was a bit cringey. And the feeling groovy one is naff. Think I prefer Simon’s singing to Art. Nearly a 3.

Liked this. The 2 big Hits are both indie synth classics. Rest is pretty good. Maybe tails off after Pieces of What. Borderline 4.

Easy 5 for me. Listened to this a lot over the years. Prescient lyrics. Underrated. I usually skip Twilight Of A Champion but can live with one duff track.

Loveless is the big MBV album, and don’t think I’d listened to this before. More of a Ride and Lush fan back in the day but think MBV output has aged better. Highlights ethereal Lose My Breath and the heavier more straightforward You’re Still In A Dream and Feed Me With Your Kiss. Poppier (but still noisy) You Never Should. Like a lot of the genre lyrics hard to decipher. Layered noise and sometimes melody. I would expect this would sound great on a proper sound system rather than on my work issue headphones. Closer to a 4 than a 5.

Nice bass on first track. Funkier softer feel to first few tracks. Then edgier more intense No Compassion (until change in tempo). Thought of Sparks with parts of Don’t Worry About The Government. Psycho Killer the stand out track. It seems out of kilter to the other tracks. 3.3

Liked a lot of this. 6th Sense my favourite with its Gang Starr feel - which it would do with DJ Premier involved. Jazz and soul vibes on point mostly and some good collaborations. Point off for the smattering of casual homophobia thrown in and for being a bit long.

Dull with a capital D. Didn’t mind the intro but the next couple of tracks were bland. Didn’t really progress from that. This kind of R&B is too smooth for me. 1.7.

Liked the ones with a bit more emphasis on the rock part of folk rock. First track was good, second not what I want. Matty Groves was a good tale - though the name sounds like someone who had a good cup game for Rochdale ‘little Matty Groves impressed in midfield’. Second Fairport Convention album for me so far and again better than I expected. Bit of Jefferson Airplane like vocals at times. Solid 3.

Haven’t ever managed to conclude this is a good album. I might be wrong (is decent). And Knives Out more typical fodder. Can’t get into weirder stuff like Like Spinning Plates. Headache inducing. Will be generous and give it 2.6.

Impressive she released this age 19. Not much you can say about her voice that’s not been said. Sassy, great range. However not as polished and, understandably, less mature lyrics than then the better and less jazz influenced Back to Black. What is it about men indeed. 3.4

Loves a bit of Bowie. With added Iggy energy. Going to give it a 4 as I enjoyed it more on second listen. Some Weird Sin, Tonight and Turn Blue were the stronger songs (discounting the 2 well known ones). Not so keen on Success.

Not keen. Never have been. Mild funky hip hop by numbers. File with Faithless. Mild dance music by numbers.

More mainstream and a lot less country than expected. Thought it was too smooth for me with warm voice and lush instrumentation (over produced). But started getting into it a bit more around So It Shall Be. A bit Abba like on Season of Hollow Soul. Still not really my cup of tea. Constant Craving a good finish. Comfortable 3.

Think Somebody to Love and White Rabbit are the highlights or maybe it’s just that they were more familiar. Familiarity not breeding contempt here. A few others were decent enough eg DCBA - 25 with its jangly guitars. Interesting album with different influences throughout but ultimately not that compelling. Wavered around giving a 4 but went 3 again.

It’s a decent 80’s pop album. No real duff songs, nice and lean. Thought of Robert Wyatt straight away at start of I Believe and then saw it was written for him sort of. 3.7

Mixed bag. Some good eccentricity and some pretty bad eccentricity. Nothing as mainstream as the Tears for Fears song he could’ve done. Reminded me in places of the more recent eccentric Richard Dawson, though think RD is more consistently listenable. Could well listen again and would likely like new bits and dislike new bits. Between 2 and 4.

Unusual for a 45 minute album to seem too long. It’s sort of like stuff I like but on the whole doesn’t really work for me. Think it’s the vocals. 2.6

Not qualified to opine on jazz. This isn’t the album that’s made it click for me. FWIW first couple of tracks and final track were ok and third was a harder listen. Prefer Madness for my sax fix! Sorry but a 2 for me. Philistine I may be.

Classic blues from a master of the genre. Energy. Great recording. 4

Electro pop classic. Lots of good seedy synth pop songs. Mixture of the mundane and red light glamour. Don’t hear Sex Dwarf on the radio enough. Big hits with the 2 classic covers plus the excellent Say Hello Wave Goodbye. No idea if the version I listened to was the original track listing but could get rid of a few tracks to make this a higher 4 (could lose Seedy Films, Youth and Insecure Me for a start).

Great opening song, then 3 rock and roll / rockabilly tracks before into the reggae/ska influenced Rudie Can’t Fail. Lots of influences reflected and lots of reminders of those later influenced. Card Cheat has a bit of Bowie and Motown, Wrong Em Boyo a ska lite track, Spanish Bombs is an early taste of Big Audio Dynamite. The horns on that Montgomery Clift song reminded me of Boo Radleys. Maybe a tiny element of filler but 19 tracks is some going. And a cracker to end the album. Need to revisit and analyse the lyrics a bit more but did like this line ‘No man born with a living soul can be working for the clampdown.’ Very close to a 5.

MOR AOR with some synths and a hint of alternative music and new wave vocals. Bit lame but is what it is. 2.6.

Rolling Stones is a major blind spot in my listening history. Pre Spotify wasn’t interested in buying old stuff and their output late 80’s and 90’s was of no interest. In the Spotify world just not got round to it. So first time for this. Started very well - strong opening 3 tracks. Derivative in places without sounding inauthentic if that’s possible. Then a few slower ones. Picked up again from Loving Cup. Though not so enamoured with I Just Want to See His Face. Pleased it wasn’t full of the hits (or at least ones I know). Overall it’s very good rock (with some country and gospel) album. 4. Maybe should see if they released anything else.

On balance I’m a fan of baroque and roll. Decent on the whole. There’s a place for it. Not sure it flows brilliantly. Over theatrical voice at times and film score-esque backing grates a bit. Generous 4.

Good to have something more recent (1997!). Not revisited for some time. Listened a fair bit to this, Goldie’s Timeless and Alex Reece’s So Far back in the day, all pretty groundbreaking for me. Track 1 disappointed - sounded a bit tinny with inane lyrics to the fore. But thankfully picks up strongly after that. Didn’t think Heroes held up as well as Brown Paper Bag. 4 again sitting above Scott Walker and below The Stones.

High energy with more than a whiff of campness, glam and squealing guitar. Not my thing. Impressed this is not sounding anything like 50 years old. Better than Queen. But still a 2.6. Give them 5 for their longevity though.

The best E John album I’ve ever listened to and also the only one. To be fair I enjoyed the majority of it. The reggae one and Candle in the Wind being notable exceptions. Title track is great and Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting are the better of the hits - not huge fan of Benny and the Jets. But other non hits also great such as Grey Seal and I’ve Seen That Movie Too. Another double album and yet another 4.

A band I’ve never liked. Funk rock, Kiedis’ rapping style singing (or actually any of his singing),too American. And pretty terrible tunes, Suck My Kiss as an example is awful. A 2 all day long and that’s only because Give It Away is ok. Don’t trust a RHCP fan. Last words to Nick Cave- ‘I’m forever near a stereo saying, ‘What the fuck is this garbage?’ And the answer is always the Red Hot Chili Peppers’.

Opening track exactly as I would expect from The Cardigans. Nothing special. Fairly insipid second track. By the time we get to Heartbreaker her voice / vocal style is getting on my nerves. Never Recover was ok with an increased pace. But then Step On Me was just poor. The single is an ok pop song. Don’t see this as anything other than average. 2.49. Didn’t know there was a Black Sabbath cover involved.

It’s ok. Pleasant. A bit too polished and sanitised maybe. Prefer Dub music.

Really liked this - with the obvious caveat that I didn’t listen to it all. Variation on a theme but lots of variation. Ambitious. Engaging lyrics. Wish I’d explored them earlier as had Papa Was A Rodeo on one of my playlists for years. Will need to listen to it all at some point. 4 doesn’t seem right when I gave RHCP 2. This is much more than twice as good.

More listenable than Kid A and Amnesiac. Underrated as Radiohead albums go maybe. But still a bit too Radioheady for me to give more than a 3.4.

Heady mix of psychedelic soul and funk. A band at their peak and full of optimism I think. Great horns and some bass slapping. What’s not to like. 4.4

First track was promising. But not sure a lot else matched up to it. Dirty dark rock. Let Me Come Back reminded me of Viagra Boys - so that was good. Bullet Proof Cupid also decent - a bit Sonic Youthy. And 7 Seas also ok. 1993 - yet not on my radar or forgotten. 3.2

Was ok as far as country Americana easy listening goes until that corny fingernail song spoilt it. Then the Texas Waltz one was also a bit cringey. Took it down to 2. Don’t care if The Clash did love him.

Good opening couple of tracks. Beta Band like psychedelic opener. Then country sound of Cripple Creek. Not so sold on the Dylan / pubsingeresque Diana. But then liked Weighted Down and Broken Heart a lot. Some strange and quirky arrangements and lyrics throughout in a good way. Overall a nice surprise. I think you can sense he was struggling with the drugs. But you can see how he influenced Mark Lanegan and Beck. Incredible he was 22 or 23 when he recorded this and apparently played all the instruments. Will have to check out some Moby Grape. 4.

That was a great album. Loved it. 5. Hazey Jane II, One Of These Things First and Fly through to Northern Sky all excellent.

Old school vibe. Listenable without being essential. A tad formulaic maybe with lyrics often not saying much. Stand out tracks for me were A Day At The Races, Remember His Name and After School Special. A (maybe harsh) 3 for me.

Average Pet Shop Boys album. Have a soft spot for them but only a 3 for this one.

Not bad, got more into it as it went along. Nice RnB vibe to a lot of it as well as the rap and guests. Don’t normally like the RnB sound but this worked. Nearly a 4. Better than anticipated.

Short and sweet. Simple and catchy. Terrible cover version. My Perfect Cousin is great. 3.

Not his finest album but still mostly great. Aside from the hits which are so familiar (maybe overplayed), I particularly enjoyed Downbound Train and Bobby Jean. Sad that they’ll pass you by, those glory days. 4.

Funky hip hop. More good than bad - just about. Good pace throughout. Liked a fair few tracks including So Fresh So Clean and the frenetic Bombs Over Baghdad. And even more experimental like Toilet Tisha had a certain appeal. Generous 4. A bit more quality over quantity would help.

Starts ok but once we get to Hooked Up it all goes a bit shit. Whatever it is it just won’t stop or something. Music for people who listen to The Lighthouse Family. 2. Didn’t mind the Didging Out close.

Southern blues. Graveyard Train was ploddingly hard work. Rest were mostly fine. 3.

Enjoyed all of this except Aumgn and Peking O (too many mad sounds and utterances). Can see they were pretty influential. Paper house and Bring me Coffee or Tea were good. Hadn’t realised the JAMC version of Mushroom was a cover. Oh Yeah a bit Radioheady. And Halleluhwah a bit Sean Ryder/ Happy Mondayish. Would be 4 if it wasn’t for the 2 weirder ones.

Just a great album. Production, samples, lyrics. Powerful. 5.

More than solid openers, post punky choppy yet funky guitars, then the big single. Honestly surprised how good the album is. Pretty sure I’d not listened to the album before - which seems a shame now. Tunes you could dance to and sounds fresh. On first listen, not really a duff track- 38 minutes helps. Easy 4.

Couldn’t be arsed with who wrote what and who was missing for each track etc but the album does feel a bit disjointed. Hung Upside Down was my favourite. Honourable mentions to Mr Soul (nice stolen riff), Expecting to Fly and Bluebird. Sad Memory my least favourite by a distance. Found Broken Arrow a bit frustrating - good in parts - summarises that song and the album. 3.4

Starts strong with Serve the Servants. Next track a bit abrasive - see also Tourette’s. Great singles. More raw than Nevermind - deliberately. Overall this is superior grunge music - the genre generally includes a lot of shit. Nowhere near a 5 for me - too much angst - but can give it a 4.

A few moments of likeable stuff, some decent guitar work, and honestly not as horrible as I thought it would be. Going to go 3. Suspect they have far worse records in their canon.

A superior Radiohead album. Reckoner my favourite I reckon - mellow magic. And then the jigsaw one - 4.2

Pretty much a Wu Tang Clan album. Listened to a lot over the years and still stands up as a classic hip hop album. Best tracks for me Gold, 4th Chamber and Shadowboxin’. 4.

Classic rock blues album. Love the murkyish sound on a lot of this. Also he really does play the guitar quite unlike anyone else. Made All along The Watchtower his own. It’s a bit long though as a whole and in certain tracks. So a 4.

Best salsa album (so far). Would enjoy this in the right setting. Lyrics lost on me. Will be my go to for salsa if I remember the name - and if I ever feel the need for salsa.

Familiar with Roadrunner and heard some of Richman’s solo stuff. This was all ok without blowing me away. Interesting that the songs were recorded in 71 and 72 - the sound is later than that and seeing it was produced by John Cale also explains the Velvet Underground influences in places. She Cracked is a bit Stooges like. May revisit as would like to focus a bit more on the lyrics. A (maybe harsh) 3.

Autobahn was sehr gut. Innovative and influential stuff. No longer futuristic sounding.

The first track was so bad it made the second track sound like a masterpiece. I didn’t like the second track. The Eleven was tolerable but I felt the jamming went on too long. Turn on Your Love Light marginally better. Death Don’t Have No Mercy my favourite. But overall just not my thing. Despite my head I’m not a head. 2.

As spoken word faux live jazz albums go - this is great. In the right place and the right time this could be a 5. Other times a 3 at best. As an album I could do without some of the intros and applause. Accessible for TW and (more than) solid non challenging jazz musicianship to back up. Will go with the average.

Put a smile on my face. Flood the one duff track in the opening 5. Dominion/Mother Russia, Lucretia My Reflection and This Corrosion all glorious overblown gothic tracks. Do you feel like 1959 is a strange lyric though. Generous 4.

No. Just no. Panama awful lyrics. Top Jimmy awful licks. And repeat. Drop Dead Legs sounded a bit ZZ Top like but their Legs song is much better. Yes he can play guitar but to what end.

Good post punk sound with some tight playing and a bit of variation (funky bass) Love Damaged Goods. Glass is Jam like. Love like Anthrax not so good. Would expect I’d have been well into this if I was 8 years older in 1979. Though the one about being disturbed by the news while eating tea was a bit student activisity. 3.5. As it’s about 1000 times better than Van Halen I will go generous 4. The poor still weak / the rich still rule indeed.

Relaxing parts I and II. Familiar part IV. Superior to muzak but not that interesting and does sound dated. 2.7.

I think this is my favourite of the few prog albums I’ve listened to (or endured). Lyrics are more engaging (less nonsense). The brief Cheap Day Return the highlight of side 1. And maybe Locomotive Breath for side 2. Good mix of folk and proper rock. That said I’m unlikely to revisit.

Certainly sounds fairly different. I just didn’t really enjoy the drumming and stomping and misc percussion/noises. And distorted lyrics typified on Newspaper and some of the screeching (spoiling end of Cosmonauts). On the plus side some humorous lyrics. Enjoyed the title track, Ladies and Heavy Balloon. Probably deserves a revisit.

El Harba Wine with Amar guesting was an enjoyable pop song. C’est La Nuit - dull ballad like one of those quieter shit Eurovision songs. Dreadful Imagine cover - though hard to envisage a good cover of that song. Rest mostly fairly bland polished Middle Eastern with some European influence. Too long. 2.6

Falls into the good (ish) rather than anywhere near great category for me. Not a fan of his rapping over slowed down soul searching tracks - don’t get why Dear Mama gets such love. See also It Ain’t Easy. Overrated album (which tbh is what I feel about 2 Pac himself) - 2.8.

Reminded me a lot of Robyn. Updated 80’s synth heavy. Some catchy tunes. Didn’t mind it at all. Maybe a bit long/samey. (Now given six 3’s in a row. This was maybe closest to a 4).

US Fall tribute band. Top low fi slacker music. 4 for effort. Like Here, Two States (40 million daggers!) and Mouth of a Desert. Unfortunately no Range Life on this album.

Not the best openers. Watch That Man - piano and some Status Quo type riffing. Aladdin Sane - more piano to the fore (or forte!). Niceish until the cat runs over the keys half way through. Drive-In Saturday with a doo wop style is better - better vocals from DB. Not a big fan of Panic in Detroit - Stonesy feel to the guitars. Also not anything special about the later Stones cover. Cracked Actor is a good glammed up song to begin with but…. Then Time is more than a bit too theatrical. Then the next one is doo wop and theatrical. Quite a negative review so far. Maybe I’m missing something and should listen to the lyrics a bit more. 4 for Jean Genie. The rest is between a 2 and 3. Generous 3.

Solid 3+. His delivery seems a bit detached or stilted even but it kind of works. Some good hooks. Many Men (Wish Death) my highlight. A bit bloated - the album not me. Could give this another spin - better than expected. Good to hear Scooby Doo on Bloodhound.

Nice vibe. Mellow. But not dull. Folktronica apparently. More folk than electronic I thought (Stars All Seem To Weep an exception- quite EBTG like - the Ben Watt involvement is clear). Great voice. Liked Sweetest Decline, Pass in Time, Blood Red River - though not really any duff tracks. Strong 4.

Traditional country. Can’t see how this would even make a 1000 best country music list. Not for me. 2.

Experimental rubbish mostly. Vocals on the annoying side of the scale far too often - affected. Booker Tease was building to something but it faded out before it began. Struggled not to skip Laughing Song and the kazoo heavy Elvis one before they ended. Think I could do Bach is Dead at my next karaoke. Hello Skinny more interesting and merits higher score than my overall score. In summary - stupid synth noises and arrangements and lack of charm for me. Prefer Primus. 1.

Strong album. Maybe their most commercial sounding ‘rock’ album. Not their best. But still enough going on to make it stand out from the crowd. Talented guys. Must look into some of Steve Mason’s solo stuff. Looking forward to seeing them live next month. So will be listening again. 3.8.

If It Takes All Night a bit like Shakin Stevens or Darts. Not sure about the Germanic Bitter Sweet. Or Triptych. Liked Prairie Rose. The rest was alright. 2.8.

As you’d expect from Moz there are some good lines scattered around, some droll and some obviously about how miserable he, the world and others are. That American song isn’t great but if he thought it was bad back then…. Highlights - The First Of The Gang To Die, I Have Forgiven Jesus and I Like You. I think the sterile production and lacklustre backing band on a lot of songs makes this a 3 rather than 4 territory.

Unspectacular.

California Stars - simple straightforward song. Enjoyed Natalie Merchant’s contribution on Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key. And At My Window Sad and Lonely also strong. Alt country, folk, Americana (doesn’t seem right with Bard of Barking)? It’s almost a 4. Just don’t think it’s something I’d ever really decide to go back to.

Many strong tracks here - including the title track , What They Hitting Foe, Who’s The Mack and Turn Off The Radio (yeah fuck that straight RnB shit) all great. Good storytelling delivery and rapping style and good Bomb Squad production echoing some PE type sounds. But can’t bypass the misogyny that runs through a fair number of songs. Ok he was 20 when this was recorded but… Easy 4.2 marked down to 3.

Can tell the two singles here. Actually checked and Editions of You wasn’t one. Should’ve been. Also liked In Every Dream Home A Heartache and the avant garde The Bogus Man. Not sold on the title track. Listened a second time and felt it now deserved a 4. Had been considering a 3. Better than the other RM one.

A band I should explore more. Listened to Goo and Dirty plus this one over the years and all are good. Noise, that usually works,and occasional melody. The Sprawl too sprawling. Cross the Breeze a too metally. Eric’s Trip and Total Trash better. Hey Joni and the classic Teenage Riot standout. Kissability lyrics did make me think Harvey Weinstein. Goo still my favourite album but will go with a 4 for this still.

Once I got used to the slow pace it grew on me a tiny bit (2 to just about 3 territory). Did like Quiet Night of Quiet Stars more than the others for some reason. Found the arrangements on a few tracks annoying e.g. I Concentrate On You. 2.7.

Hello is it me you’re looking for? Not really. Too much much of a muchness. That first track is a big single and good. And I like Send My Love (but Taylor Swifty) but then….meh. 2.4

Good album. Nice blend of Indian influences and gentle drum and bass. Not the strongest 4 but I will give a 4 nevertheless.

The better tracks here (in my view Leave it Open, Night of the Swallow, All The Love) aren’t worth a 4. And other tracks have too much voice affectation and/or theatrics or wailing to be close to a 3. Not commercial enough! So a 2 overall. Hounds of Love is a good album though!

AOR/MOR - surely not alt rock? Can see there’s a market for this - just not for me - really didn’t like some of the production here - eg Mr Harris - overdone to the max. Hints of Suzanne Vega in Jacob Marley’s Chain. Needs a bit more rawness or noisier guitar. Don’t hate the voice - soothing and clear. Just not enough all round to grab me. Could be generous and say 2.50000001.

Here’s a name I’d never heard - always good when it’s an interesting listen. Lo-fi alt countryish. Not quite an instant classic but very decent lo-fi alt country with enough to be in that 3.5 plus category. X-tra wide - enjoyed the instrumentation on this track. Shiver and Dirty For The Rain and dreamier No Reply are amongst the songs that merit more listens. If I was more disciplined around my downtime I’d be delving into their back catalogue (or at least finish off the bonus tracks and remixes - it was long enough already).

Was ok up to Alife, strange dreamlike feel to it and I do kind of like his voice. But that track with its more annoying ramblings and childlike language put off the thought of giving it another listen. Didn’t mind the Ivor Cutler bit.

Don’t know how to feel about enjoying this. Am I maturing, softening or is my taste fucked? Mostly great. Less enamoured with medieval feel Little Beggar Girl and We Sing Hallelujah. 4.

Opening track bit weaker than I recall. Big Sur and One Horse Town still nice tunes. A tad lame overall though. Poundshop Granddaddy. A clear 3 - pleasant enough but why on the list.

Stripped back early hip hop. That’s just the way it was.

First time listener to this album - though clearly aware of the many singles. Had a suspicion I’d not be cool and would like this. I was right. It’s not indie rock and roll but it’s a 4 from me. Will probably never listen again though.

Vague memories of his former band Mano Negra. Loved the different Latin/European/World sounds and multi lingual singing. More punky than Buena Vista. Gotta be a staple at Bar Kelvinos as that sun goes down. One to revisit. 4

Mad mix of different things from track to track. Doesn’t all work / appeal to me but even though there isn’t really a flow I found it an interesting listen. Thought @ Work, The Seed and the wacky Water good plus the Jill Scott one and the mad techno at the end rounded it all off. 4 for the Inventiveness.

Lo fi / alt country, slightly melancholic, some good lyrics. Loved Tennessee. What is not to like. 4

Not a fan of the vocals (or much else). Solsbury Hill a plodding average song not enhanced by stupid noises. Modern Love a sub average soft rock song. Excuse me - a sub par novelty song. Humdrum - yes. Etc. 1.

One of my favourite Bowie albums - possibly the favourite. Prefer side 1 to the mainly instrumental second. Can feel some of his angst but like the starkness. Found that second side not quite as memorable as I’d expected so a 4 rather than a 5.