1st one. Listened to while getting ready for bed. Maybe should have given it more attention because the story telling is its defining feature. I liked the story telling but it’s about a world I have no real relation to, so I don’t really feel much about it. I kind of just imagined freemount, which is a harsh analogy, but it’s just a genre I don’t really like.
Favourite song: Can I sleep in your arms
2nd Willie Nelson album in a row?! I preferred this a lot more. It felt more inspired by the 50s and 60s although being a later release. Story telling was still good, but much preferred the sound of this album. A lot slower, and I think more beautiful. I listened while working, but was still quite invested in what Willie was saying. I didn’t realise they were covers, which I guess shows the quality of his singing as well as song writing.
Favourite song: Georgia on my mind.
Really beautiful album. I already like “my sweet lord” a lot. I listened to this early in the morning and it was a great early morning listen. Joyful, airy and sunny feeling. A long album, but I enjoyed all of it. Felt whole.
Favourite song: Isn’t it a pity
I listened to this on a Friday evening after 1 pint. Which is why I think I liked it. Surprisingly this is a re listen. I listened to this in France, on a road trip with Harriet punt in about 2014. We listened on the way to a lake with her dad and brother in the car. I remember them laughing at I will eat out every in if you and me not understanding what that meant at a 13 year old. On second listen, I actually enjoyed it, but I don’t know if that’s just nostalgia. I think the commentary along side it because if the live element, it was easy to follow. I do usually like a live album though. I think it is more of a comedic album than Willie Nelson’s first album, which is story telling I prefer. Although country isn’t my favourite genre I enjoyed this.
Kind of liked the mention of granada television. Sorry Alfie #itv
Favourite song: San Quentin
It’s not you it’s me Bruce. I a bit tired of country, so think I just didn’t really want to listen to this. I thought it was a good album that was well written. Felt like it flowed well.
Favourite song: My fathers house
I liked this and it was nice to have a change. I felt like it was quite a generic sounding rock album, but I think it was slightly ahead of its time. It sounds like the influence, not like it has been influenced, which I think is a hard task. I recognised a few songs on this album, but none I could name.
Favourite song: rock steady
I feel like this might have been the inspiration for all the Wes Anderson films ever made. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Short and sweet. Easy to listen to with some good song writing.
Shite. 1001 have you got it out for us? Sick of country music. Sorry Joe, just not for me. Only thing I like is the name of the album.
In all seriousness, I just don’t really like this type of music. I don’t feel much connection to it.
I didn’t like this. It sounded jarring and I just couldn’t get past that unfortunately. Maybe I’m just an untrained jazz listener, but I felt it lacked soul.
Really enjoyed this. Only ever heard snippets of this album. Nice to have a more relatable (British) album. You can hear all the inspiration to other bands in this. Could hear pulp, the cure and the liberties in a lot of this. Also lots of samples I didn’t even realise (special mention rizzle kicks who use revolution rock)
Favourite song: Jimmy jazz
I <3 this album. It really sounds a head of its time. An easy but interesting listen. Floaty sounds and make the album melt into one. I feel like I’m lying on a bed with white sheets looking out at the sunshine straight after heavy rain. I find it hard to even choose a favourite because of how good they all sound.
I didn’t like this as much as I thought I would. I always hear how Joni Mitchell is one of the greats, and although I don’t dispute that, I just didn’t really click with this album. It sounds of its time I think. Some influences from earlier decades could be heard. I did enjoy peoples parties.
Like autechure and De La Soul had a baby. I actually enjoyed this. Felt like I was in a film like fallen angels, walking around a bright light neon city at night a bit drunk and the ‘camera’ is swaying fast, side to side, especially in my mate paul. Gritty shaker sounds more like the morning, then it carries on through the afternoon, then back to the evening again. It was a story.
Enjoyed this less than I thought I would. I felt it fell a bit flat. I did listen to it twice, because I first listened early in the morning and didn’t concentrate that much, then again on a flight. But both times didn’t enjoy that much. Enjoyed the Clint Eastwood remix the most.
Really like this album. I have listened before, and war are a great band. I think they have more influence on the funk world than I even realise. The world is a ghetto is just beautiful. beetles in the bog is a great end to the album, feeling hopeful but almost cautious with the way it sounds. Really enjoyed four cornered room. Feels like it could be the soundtrack for industrial America.
14 year old me is screaming rn. I listened to this album in a Topshop changing room with wired headphones, missing half the songs because I was trying on a black and white striped T shirt, while taking mirror selfies with my pink 5c iPhone. I can almost hear my mum faintly telling me through the curtain to hurry up, and the sweat dripping down my back in the heat of the most unflattering light. The chamber has to be one of the most nostalgic songs for teenage me. No one I knew in Essex was listening to French new wave inspired music from two men from Sheff and Liverpool. Truly a great time and this album just made moodiness okay for me. Calm like you, the chamber and only the truth still sound great, but older me isn’t as fond on the album as a whole. I enjoyed black plant on this listen tho. It does sound quite similar throughout the whole album.
Didn’t like this to start much, but got better. It kind of felt like an inspiration for tame impalas early work. Enjoyed the last song the most. Unsure I’d listen again.
Couldn’t finish. Thought it was almost unlistenable
Thought this was great. I really recognise the first songs intro and it’s been bugging me for 3 days way. It’s a great mix of folk, pop, soul, funk and some disco. A really interesting listen, especially five per cent for nothing - almost quite jazz like in its composition. I would call this a dad album. Would give a 3.5 if possible
Really beautiful album. Felt like a lullaby, especially Suzanne. Master song’s guitar feedback sounded great. I felt like it got a bit repetitive after a while though.
This album is proper 90s mum music. It was a fine album, but didn’t really speak to me. Found that some of it like he in a film, maybe mama Mia or some sort of romantic comedy. Just not something I am particularly interested in.
I overall enjoyed this album. It feels like early britpop, most similar to the stone roses. I thought some of the lyrics were quite gimmicky but I enjoyed sowing seeds and just like honey.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It had more depth than expected because I was expecting more mpf. Pleasantly surprised zeppelin. Thanks
Enjoyed. Proper 80s stuff with that reverb.
I liked this more than I thought I would, as I thought it was going to be more country influenced. I liked the longing lyrics of almost cut my hair, and how beautiful helpless was.
Just so great. It just is good fun, touching in some places and still holds up nearly 50 years later. I don’t even think it’s my favourite talking heads album but it’s just so good. Would give 4.5 if I could.
This was okay. I thought it was a bit shallow and what it was saying, didn’t feel that punk, but what do I know. I don’t think I’d listen again.
Enjoyed this. I think I’ve only really heard paper planes from M.I.A. previously, but thought this had some guts. Sounded great too.
Thought this was much more interesting than bridge over troubled water as an album. Enjoyed the almost psychedelic sound of the first half of the album. Think I would give this 3.5 if I could.
What a great album. So dense. So full of energy. So clever. Have listened before and listen to lots of the songs separately from the whole album, but I think the whole album sounds better than previous listens. Almost feels like a David lynch soundtrack, especially songs 6 to 8 - surprisingly moody.
Everyday when I wake up, this is the sort of album I hope doesn’t come up. I just don’t like this sort of thing. It’s repetitive and not something I would ever relate to. Marty’s voice was good but just not a fan.
Camp! As much as I liked the campness and songwriting of this album, I am unsure on the composition of it as a whole project. Feels slightly disjointed. This is an album I am unfamiliar with, but did enjoy it. Some tracks I have listened to previously like best friend and bohemian rhapsody, but lots I was unfamiliar with. I really liked hearing non-mainstream tracks.
Mmmmm sorry MPF I won’t be attending this year. I felt like I was in a scooby doo episode and didn’t like it. Get a point because they’re West Ham x
I enjoyed this. Felt soulful but in a frill way. Was suprised at how many I actually recognised, whether that was from covers or the original. Think I’d listen again but wouldn’t rush back.
Not to judge an album by its cover, but as soon as I saw that 2002/2003 type cover I knew I wasn’t going to like it. Just not my type of thing.
Really liked this. It does feel like one of those lost rap albums from the 90s. Would listen again.
Twee Talking heads. Twee but not in the way GIRLS the TV show is, but I know each of those girls would be listening to this. I don’t think I’d listen again but I can understand why people do like this sound. It’s of a time of American apparel and instagram filtered topshop changing room selfies.
I have listened to this many times and it still sounds great. The lyrics are soft in their delivery but hard in what they are saying. I really enjoyed tell him. Would give it a 3.5 if possible but it’s too good for a 3.
I’ve always hated the song everybody hurts. I don’t know why but it always made me feel this weird pit in my stomach like it’s too sad to be on the radio. I think it’s really the sound of Michael’s voice. It’s haunting, but really draws you in. I liked ignoreland as it drew away from his voice slightly, and star kitten really feels Christmassy. Might just be the time of year. I think I would listen to this again, which I am surprised at after seeing everybody hurts was on this.
Ive listened to this album many times and I loved it when I was about 21. But I think listening to it now it felt kind of repetitive. I still like a lot of the songs, especially New York City Cops that’s a new favourite.
Mmmm I’m torn. I liked some of this album, but I felt it got old pretty quickly. It reminds me of geese, but in the way I don’t really like geese. I would probably listen again to see how I really feel.
Really like the concept of this album. I guess it is a concept album, but it sounds so interesting. You really don’t know what’s coming next, majorly genre bending. Can see why this is on the list because you must listen to this at least once in your life.
This was like being at my nans on Christmas. It’s warm, I can smell cigarettes and party food and the Christmas lights are flashing red blue and green. Honestly didn’t know some of these were by the same group. Don’t like Phil Spector tho x
Longest album we’ve listened to on this. I’m unsure I like a skit based album as I don’t think it adds anything. I don’t think it does here either. Lots of pop culture significant songs on this album and I can understand its appeal. But it feels dated to me.
So much depth. I do sometimes wish there were no lyrics. It was just all one ambient piece. I also thought I would find it tough to listen to one song for over 12 mins but because of the amount that’s going on I didn’t even realise.
I love pulp. This is just so British in the best way possible. I listen to snippets of this album a lot, and will now listen to it more. It is a great mix between pop and rock, and not serious enough yo be that wanky indie.
I liked this as much as I liked other Leonard cohen albums we have listened to. It was beautifully told and sounding. He has a mesmerising voice that really puts me in a trance.
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. It was moody but sounded great. Really liked dumb. And surprisingly the later songs, even with some country influence were good. I do feel like it lacks the energy I gravitate towards usually but would listen again.
This is just everything I dislike. The overly pop rock, the almost jarring over exaggeration of words and the cover was like a GCSE media project. Wouldn’t listen to again.
I enjoyed this album. A chill and soulful listen. This is an 80s sound that feels ahead of its time. I did feel like a lot of the songs felt samey, but they all sound great, so I wasn’t too fussed. Would give 3.5 if I could.
Liked this a lot more than I thought I would. It had a lot more depth that I had expected. I think looking at the cover and some of the well known songs I thought it would be more country focussed, but it was beautifully done. I didn’t, however, like all of the song choices. I didn’t enjoy 3/5 of a mile in 10 secs really, so a mixture really. Think 2 is too harsh but 3 feels too high, would give a 2.5 if possible.
Enjoyed this. So much energy and soul in it. Hearing the audience sometimes lets me down though, but I think in this case the energy can be felt through them too. I like lots of James browns work, and I would listen again. Wish it was a bit longer of an album.
This album was fine. I could understand its reason for being on the list as I think it was interesting and almost feel like the inspiration for lots of 2000-2010 pop that had some reggae influences. I don’t think I’d listen again though.
What a great album. So energetic and full of life. I think it’s amazing when the power of music overthrows language. I didn’t know what Jorge was saying but I believed every word. My favourite was Taj Mahal, a song I would return to and have 2 times during this listen. Many additions of this album in my playlists now.
This album is quite inoffensive and unforgettable. Although I enjoyed some of the songs and musical choices like the soulful addition of southbound again, I am not a fan of country /folk influenced rock. Didn’t realise sultans of swing was by Dire Straits so that was a nice surprise.
So good. I think it’s the talking heads sound I love but still this is a stand alone album that is great. The depth of sound is amazing and the almost childish lyrics and vocals sound great next to the level of depth of the music. Added all to my playlist.
This was okay. Not anything astonishing for me. The story telling was good and I enjoyed the mainly piano music. But don’t think I would listen again.
So clever. So funny. So good. I was watching shameless before watching this and it was a great accompaniment. Nothing better than a mundane story album. Not always relatable but you can see, smell and hear the stories being spoken.
Not a fan of traditional all American dad rock particularly and after this it still stands. I thought the start of top jimmy sounded interesting but then it actually started and it sounded like the rest of the album. Wouldn’t listen again.
Really great album. Obviously know lots of these but songs like somebody loves me and easier to love were just as good and deserve lots of recognition. I do think it got a bit repetitive but they all sounded great. I would give 3.75 if possible.
A hard listen for me. Just not a fan of this type of music. Lacks energy for me.
Like the soundtrack to a 90s queer film. Not what I expected from Madonna but enjoyed its energy.
I found this so jarring sorry. I actually felt like I couldn’t finish it. Maybe I’m tasteless but can somthing be too experimental for the sake of it?
I enjoyed this. I listened on my walk to work and it was a great easy listen musically. The lyrics are heavy and I really like that juxtaposition. I liked blue Monday people the most I think. I do think a lot of Curtis mayfield’s music can sound quite similar, but their story telling is of a high quality, so it feels justified. I would give this a 3.5 if I could.
Jake bugg walked so Bob Dylan could run. In all honesty I was impressed with this. I am not that exposed to Bob Dylan’s work, but I think this was a great gateway to listen to more of his work. I think the story telling was clever, his voice was interesting and engaging and the sound, not strictly my usual thing, actually surprised me and thought it paired so well with his voice. Really impressive record well done Bob x
I enjoyed this more than expected. I knew some but most were new. I like how moody it was and how it sounded.
I skipped this album when I first saw because I think I was worried it’d be too challenging to listen to on a Wednesday. But on Saturday I was making a cake and listening to radio 6. There was a comedian on there, who I couldn’t remember the name of, who said jazz was like comedy. It’s about pushing something to the extreme for the purpose of fun. That alone made me turn that off and listen to this. It was challenging, but in a way that was exciting; I didn’t know what was going to come next. I am not well versed in jazz by any means, and I kind of thought that was exciting. I listened to this and was excited by what was coming next. I know miles Davis is a kind of master of jazz, but I am unsure it would have made a difference who it was. I was excited by this as an album, and the length of it didn’t make a difference because of the mind set I was in. Would listen again and I look forward to listening to more jazz. Thank you radio 6 comedic guest, you pushed me to listen to this in a positive way.
I don’t know what it is about his voice but it just makes me sad. Even on the pop titled song, I just feel sad. I don’t think I’ll listen to this again. I just am not a fan of the sound or what it’s saying
So samey. I thought some of it was alright but was just a bit bored. Unremarkable as an album. Sorry credence Clearwater revival x
I don’t think I actually knew what depeche mode sounded like apart from the more poppy well known songs. So this shocked me. It was moody in the first third, picked up with enjoy the silence (which is so good) then got spooky. Unsure I enjoyed the whole thing, but it really felt like the connection between the 80s and 90s sound. Anyway big up the basvegas boys x
When this album first played I didn’t like it. I felt th first couple of songs let it down. But the more of the album you listen to the better it gets. I would have loved this album about 8 years ago and I still love the sound of Q tips voice, very melodic and the way he flows is great. I do think this sounds very 2000’s in its more chill rap offering. I did enjoy this, I just think it could have been stronger.
Honestly, I found this kind of scary. It was fine as an album and I think I was expecting it to be a softer album that it was. But it was just so much darker and heavier than I thought. I would listen again but I think I’d have to be in a certain headspace.
This is like if I recreated a Beatles album from memory.
Just so good. I found it hard to even get past the first song because I just want to keep listening. It’s gorgeously done and so interesting. I have listened to this album many times and it just never gets old.
I haven’t really listened to the beach boys much, apart from the popular one. But I was pleasantly surprised by this. It was so dense and not the poppy album I was expecting. I would listen again. I really enjoyed how sad this can sound despite how upbeat Brian Wilson’s voice is. But the more I listened to it the more haunting I found the harmonies.
This is like a guilty pleasure album. I want to not like it, but I do. I think it’s a bit to do with nostalgia and my dad liking the band but it is quite good. I really think musically it can be interesting and I enjoy the bluntness of some of the story telling.
Unremarkable album.
Think maybe it’s impact was more poignant after leaving the sickly sweet arms of take that, but it just didn’t do much for me. I do think, however, if he hadn’t made this album l, he’d be doing panto each year. Which is what this album sounds like to me.
It feels like a take that rendition of Brit pop. I liked him in take that, but this just feels like a school plays version of a bad boy in album form. You can tell he’s not really what he wants to be.
Who am I to judge? This doesn’t feel like a revenge album I think he hoped for.
It’s interesting because I always thought angels of being some over used, unimpressive karaoke song but it is the best song on the album.
Maybe we should be more like Gary and less like Robbie.
I didn’t realise how impactful this album was on me. I knew every word and it still feels as important to me as it did when I was 15 listening for the first time.
I have seen reviews of Amy’s music and it’s always prefaced with “what a shame”, “what a waste” and I find that really dismissive of what she did in her life, even if it was short.
In the song Brother she says “she needs a friend, not a sob story” and I think it sums up Amy’s life well, even if she didn’t know it.
This album doesn’t make me feel sad, like I think it has been marked as because of how young she died, but instead amazed. What a feat for an 18 year old to write something so relatable. It’s storytelling is great, it’s cheeky sound feels young but exciting, which is exactly what the lyrics speak about.
So gorgeously done. Could listen to again and again, and probably will the rest of the day.
I could see the reason this was so shocking and refreshing at the time but now it kind of feels lost. But I think being one of the first mainstream artists of a genre that is inevitable. I found it quite repetitive as an album but it had some great sample choices, lyrics and sounds.
I enjoyed this and it was great to hear after public enemy to hear the progression in the genre. It definitely sounded moodier but more of an individual take on the hardships of the time unlike public enemy that was more of a collective fight the power. I have listened to this before and would listen again. Would give a 3.5 if I could.
I just don’t understand the enjoyment of listening to an album like this. Too intense. I also think the sound just gets old after a while.
Not my thing at all. Found it hard to finish
Gorgeous album that you can hear was so influential. Wish it was a bit longer and maybe had some denser tracks but a real classic
I just can’t get behind this sort of thing. Just feels the same as all the other country albums we’ve listened to.
This was a tough listen. This is like who Jools Holland says is a big star and he’s super excited to have on the show and it’s billy bragg singing a weird combination of over exaggerated lyrics and a folk based guitar while the audience stand in silence around him. But jools is loving it so that’s all that matters x
You can really feel the time of this record. It sounds so of its time, but I enjoyed it. I felt it was a bit repetitive and wasn’t really extraordinary, but I really enjoyed the almost haunting sound of their voices mixed with the poppy music.
Really enjoyed this. It felt like a complete album and I know if I listened to this when I was 16 I would have eaten it up. It felt like the soundtrack to a film, something close to submarine. It felt like a more complete version of the mama and papas record we listened to before. Just a more mature record. Think I’ll be checking more of them out. I really like after hours. Felt like a great closer.
