Not a great start for my first album. Pretty much hated every song. A shame because I like the later Nick Cave stuff I’ve heard. Found the whole thing atonal and can’t imagine ever wanting to hear it again .
I liked this one a lot more than I thought I would, obviously my music tastes have changed a lot since I first heard some of these songs back in the 80s. The music stands up really well and I’ll definitely be putting it on my rotation for a while.
Not surprisingly, nothing else on the album approaches the killer track levels of Take Me Out. A few other decent songs on the album but nothing particularly memorable. Some of the songs grew on me after a second listen, but still not sure the album will make it to my permanent rotation even though the genre is right in my wheelhouse. 3.5 stars rounded down
Happily got to review an album I once owned, back in the days of physical media. Really enjoyed listening again; there are some cracking songs but for me the standout is Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Other favourites include Only the Good Die Young and Just the Way You Are.
A real slice of history, the Man in Black belting it out live at Folsom Prison. What a voice, what a stage presence. Some great catchy tracks, Folsom Prison Blues and Jackson (ft June Carter) the standouts. Plenty of topical jailhouse material including a few songs penned by inmates, and lots of banter from the great man.
Ok the second listen grew on me and I’m starting to see what all the fuss is about.
Just loved this from beginning to end. Some killer bass lines and great vocals. Hints of Pulp, Human League, The Cure, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode. Definitely going into my rotation.
Never heard of this band before but just loved the album. High energy, catchy riffs, a bit of an attitude. What more can you ask for? I could imagine watching these guys live in some sweaty beer barn, pouring down a few beers and trying to look cooler than I am…
I’m not strong either way on this one. I’d be happy to have it playing in the background at a dinner party or in a cafe but a couple of listens through had me itching to change it up a bit to anything else
Didn’t love it, didnt hate it. Enjoyed getting a taste of 70’s classic blues I hadn’t heard before. Interesting run of cover versions towards the end, all of which were competent but none better than the original versions. I didn’t find any of the band’s own songs particularly memorable or worth putting on any of my playlists. 3.5 stars from me, rounded down.
It’s smooth, it’s slick, it’s technically proficient, it’s just not for me. Would make great background music for a dinner party or focus work session but it’s just too MOR for my general listening tastes.
Another ‘meh’ one for me. Some of the songs were OK and getting a bit more catchy after a second listen. If I had gone through life not hearing this album I would definitely not consider myself deprived.
What a glorious coincidence! A day after securing tickets to see one of my favourite bands, Pulp, when they visit Australia next year, this absolute classic pops up on my feed.
I’ve been listening to it since it came out in 1995, a brilliant album full of quirky lyrics and catchy tunes. Common People is one of the all-time great songs, Disco 2000 is a banger and everything else is great too! More like this please 🙏
Nope. Didn’t do it for me at all. Nope.
It’s a big YES from me. Cracking album that gets better and better with each listen. My first exposure to Sonic Youth, definitely getting added to my rotation. Excuse me a second while I slip off and check out their back catalogue .
Sure, old Ray can sing, but these songs are the pits and I’m not sure what I hate most out of the big band backing, the hymnal choristers or the strings.
Beth has a nice voice and the songs were pleasant enough. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Her vocalisations didn’t upset me as much as it did other reviewers. Ok for dinner parties or as background focus music but not one for my general listening rotation.
One of my favourite albums from one of my favourite bands. It starts off with three killer tracks, maybe tails off a bit in the middle but I still like the overall song mix. If you like this album, the Bullet in a Bible album contains live versions of most of these songs and is well worth a listen.
If it’s good enough for the cool dudes on the Almost Famous tour bus, it’s good enough for me. Enjoyed listening to this, Tiny Dancer obviously kicks things off strongly, I wasn’t familiar with many of these other songs but enjoyed listening to Elton’s voice at the height of its powers and the piano playing is terrific as you’d expect
Great performance from start to finish. The Bowie cover is amazing and the stripped back versions of No Apologies and Something in the Way are great. Kurt’s voice shines; it’s just so sad to think what might have been if he could have tamed his demons.
Not really my genre. Didn’t find any of the songs particularly catchy. Unlikely to play again.
Not for me. Would no doubt be an experience hearing someone like this live in a jazz club but the record fell flat for me and the songs and arrangements were uninspiring
Didn't love it, didn’t hate it. Enjoyed a few of the tunes on first listen, happy to give it another listen later in the week and see if it grows on me.
Meh, bland middle-of-the-road pap. And WTF was that Steamroller of Love song?
I was very familiar with this album. Played it quite a lot when I first came across it. Some great songs, some so-so. Probably expected I’d give it a 5 stars when I first saw it on my feed, but this listen had me thinking it was a step below some of the 5 star albums I’ve reviewed recently. 4.5 rounded down.
Definitely worth a listen. Would be a great background music track while I’m working or studying. But now I do neither I can’t imagine I’ll seek it out again.
Another album I liked, having previously had a Best Of compilation I was familiar with a few of the songs. The standout songs were Bigmouth, Boy with a Thorn in his Side and There is a Light, no surprises there, they seem like everyone’s favourites. Most of the others are pretty good, a few non memorable tracks. Mozzie’s voice is a love it or hate it type, I’m ok with it for one spin through the album and then need a rest for a while. Marr’s guitar is great as usual, not sure if it was because I was listening in the car but the guitar mix seemed very low. Good listen, would happily listen again soon.
I’m a big Cure fan but haven’t listened to this entire album before. Loved it from start to finish. Very atmospheric and some great tunes.
I thought it was a pretty good listen. Sharp Dressed Man and Gimme All Your Lovin’ the standouts. Wouldn’t be on high rotation at my place but would be happy to listen to it occasionally when the mood was right
I’m on the road at the moment so probably not ideal conditions for listening to this type of album. I think it would be great as a focus soundtrack during work or study, and probably also as a backdrop to a Sunday session knocking back cold ones watching the waves roll in. I could see it growing on me in a Pink Floyd DSOTM or WYWH type of way after a few listens. Sure there are a few freaky parts I could do without but in general I thought it was OK. 3.5 rounded down.
Thought it stood up pretty well to be honest. I used to be into the whole new wave kinda stuff back in the day. My tastes have moved on but I enjoyed this trip down memory lane.
I liked it. Haven’t heard any of it before but the songs are well produced and sound surprisingly modern
Gets a big tick from me. Wasn’t sure after the first listen, mainly Perry’s voice was annoying me. Subsequent deeper listens revealed some great musicianship and some great songs. 4.5 rounded up.
It has some nice songs on it. You just have to get past the dick singing them.
A couple of OK parts but not enough to salvage the rest of the shouting and dissonance
Further confirmation that jazz is not for me.
I hated this type of music back in the day and I still can’t stand it now. It’s definitely something my bank would play as their on-hold music just to encourage me to hang up and improve their call clearance times.
Thought it was pretty good. Definitely preferred the last few tracks to some of the earlier songs. Would happily listen to it again every note and then. 3.5 rounded down.
Some strong songs including the classic Respect. I can appreciate Aretha’s amazing voice and her cultural impact but ultimately the genre is not for me. Would make a nice background to a dinner party with friends but not the sort of album I’d put on for my own listening pleasure
Another one where I could appreciate the talent and the cultural significance but couldn’t wait for it to end. Not my kind of music at all, and even if it was, 16 songs with same tone and arrangement would have done my head in anyway.
2 stars, sorry Frank, I know you were a god.
I actually enjoyed this one a lot more than I was expecting. Maybe it was because my listening week has been full of dated lounge music and other so-so recordings of various genres. Anyway, I quite liked the sound of something a bit more modern.
Gee I’m not having a good run lately, lots of one dimensional albums from icons of eras gone by and genres I don’t enjoy - Sinatra, Aretha and now Loretta. Again, sure, she has a great voice, but this style of country is just not my cup of tea.
I really enjoyed this one. Marvin’s voice is unctuous. The arrangements and backing harmonies are first class. Hopefully I’ll remember to pull this one out for a dinner party sometime soon.
It was better than I expected, though some parts had me thinking I’d stumbled onto the set of This is Spinal Tap. The piano ballad and the chill instrumental were unexpected. I gave it a few plays through today and liked it better each time. Has me interested to hear some of their other stuff that other reviewers have mentioned.
My first time listening to an entire Led Zeppelin album. I enjoyed most of it and it would definitely grow on me with a few more play throughs. Kashmir is a cracking song.
This was a great listen. Not going to lie, I was a bit apprehensive when I saw there were 21 songs over 1 hour 44 minutes. Great production, some catchy tunes, Stevie obviously can sing and there was a nice mix of styles and tempos (unlike say the Sinatra and Loretta Lynn snoozefests I had on my listen list last week). Bravo, Stevie, I really enjoyed it.
My second Zep album in three days. Thought this one was pretty good too, would definitely listen to it again. A few parts are overly indulgent but on the whole I found it enjoyable.
Haven’t listened to this for a while. Aside from the overwhelming cultural significance, it’s an all-round banger of an album with some great singles and other decent tunes. I was pleasantly surprised at how good some of the playing was when I listened closely. I think I was of the impression that none of the band could play but clearly the drums and guitar work are more than competent.
To be honest I was pretty disappointed with this. The title track is of course an all-time classic and The Beauty and the Beast one is ok. Other than that I found it unremarkable. I’d been looking forward to hearing some Bowie albums in their entirety, having familiarity only with his multitude of hits. Hopefully some of the others on the list are more to my liking
I really enjoyed this one. Had given it a listen a few years ago and was pretty neutral about it. This time around it really resonated with me. Great voice. Sad story.
Would be more than happy if this was on in the background at an African restaurant but it’s not the type of music I’m interested in listening to for enjoyment
Not for me. I liked it marginally better than other rap stuff I’ve listened to.
Plenty of energy from these guys but I found the songs pretty one-dimensional apart from Hate to Say I Told You So, which is a banger.
She’s got a great voice and if piano ballads are your thing, this is for you. Unfortunately it’s not my thing and this album is not for me.
I hate Christmas Carols. These sound marginally better than supermarket muzak.
Really enjoyed this. Sits at a 4 for me on first listen but I suspect given a few more plays through I would be reaching for the 5 card.
I thought it was pretty good. Not sure where all the hate is coming from. Will definitely listen again.
Bought back some good memories of the time I spent in Havana drinking Cuba Libres and smoking cigars. Fun times! Would definitely play this as a backing soundtrack to a themed dinner party. Probably not on my rotation for general listening though.
Pretty solid album. I didn’t enjoy it as much as Songs in the Key of Life. Not really my kind of music but I have to admire his musicianship and talent.
Simply a brilliant piece of work and astonishing to think it’s almost 60 years old. The world is so lucky that the stars aligned to give us to gift of The Beatles.
I can’t imagine ever playing a rap album for my own entertainment so I was pleasantly surprised to find myself grooving away to a couple of the tracks. Much better than I thought it was going to be, which I guess is the power of this 1000 album journey- listen to stuff you wouldn’t normally listen to and give it a chance to surprise
The title song was outstanding and I enjoyed the rest way more than I expected. 3.5 stars rounded down but would probably go to 4 with a few more listens.
Very enjoyable listening. I’d heard some of the songs on radio but never the whole album. Would definitely listen to this regularly.
I enjoyed this on first listen. It was a lot better than I expected.
15 Gunfighter Ballads is 14 too many for this cowboy.
Not really my genre but an enjoyable enough listen. The production was first rate and the vocals as smooth as you’d expect.
