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
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.
