My 1001 Albums Journey

Album	You	Global	Diff
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector Various Artists	5	3.31	+1.69
In A Silent Way Miles Davis	5	3.61	+1.39
Heroes David Bowie	5	3.61	+1.39

Album	You	Global	Diff
The Rising Bruce Springsteen	1	3.06	-2.06
Don't Stand Me Down Dexys Midnight Runners	1	2.61	-1.61
Neon Bible Arcade Fire	2	3.35	-1.35
The Slim Shady LP Eminem	2	3.29	-1.29

Fugees

4/5

An album of standout moments. The singles sound as good now as they did almost 30 years ago - "we used to be number 10, now we permanent at one" is a great opening line. Kudos for the range of samples and swipes (Falmingos on Zealots, Cymande on The Score and Teena Marie on Fu-Gee-La). They slide into some boom bap tropes at times, and the skits can be laborious/offensive (one notorious one in particular). But the interplay between the three members, with Ms Lauryn Hill's incredible vocal performances the highlight, and general joyous nature of the record bring it to 4 stars

Meat Is Murder

The Smiths

3/5

Were the Smiths a singles band? Caught midway between the dense, gothic fog of their debut and the lusher productions of later albums, MiM is a patchy affair. It contains some of Johnny Marr's best guitar work, and his Nile Rodgers/Bernie Edwards double act with Andy Rourke (particularly on Barbarism Begins at Home) is joyous. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore is possibly their most languidly, achingly beautiful song, but too often pretty melodies and propulsive rhythms are blighted by Morrissey at his most tedious. Strange that one his most effective lyrical efforts is on this album (the dressed up Elvis rush of Rusholme Ruffians).

Tapestry

Carole King

3/5

I didn't grow up listening to this album, but I once heard someone describe it as an old friend and that sums it up. You know all the songs, deeply personal yet for everyone. Title track is my favourite with its mediaeval imagery - almost a cousin to After The Gold Rush.

In A Silent Way

Miles Davis

5/5

Rattus Norvegicus

The Stranglers

3/5

All the elements are here: the propulsive rhythms section and those long ascending/descending lead lines from Hugh Cornwell and Dave Greenfield. The 70s pub rock influences are still there, but you can hear how they were moving towards their Punk Doors era. They released more interesting records afterwards, but an important statement of intent which showcased their musicality and approach to melody

Either Or

Elliott Smith

4/5

Heroes

David Bowie

5/5

Violent Femmes

3/5

Every Picture Tells A Story

Rod Stewart

3/5

I actually enjoyed this more than I thought. Rootsy, folk-rock songs and a great cover I Know I'm Losing You stood out.

The Slim Shady LP

Eminem

2/5

The Village Green Preservation Society

The Kinks

4/5

Queen II

Queen

3/5

Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim

Frank Sinatra

3/5

Exile On Main Street

The Rolling Stones

3/5

Tubular Bells

Mike Oldfield

3/5

Justified

Justin Timberlake

3/5

Legalize It

Peter Tosh

3/5

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan

3/5

Bookends

Simon & Garfunkel

4/5

You've Come a Long Way Baby

Fatboy Slim

4/5

This Year's Model

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

3/5

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1

George Michael

3/5

Liege And Lief

Fairport Convention

3/5

In The Wee Small Hours

Frank Sinatra

4/5

3 + 3

The Isley Brothers

4/5

Dirty

Sonic Youth

4/5

Neon Bible

Arcade Fire

2/5

Some great tunes (Keep The Car Running, No Cars Go) but very ponderous and overly earnest without saying anything. Lacks the charm of Funeral and the song craft of Suburbs. And Win Butler, man...

Blue Lines

Massive Attack

4/5

Play

Moby

4/5

O.G. Original Gangster

Ice T

3/5

Penance Soiree

The Icarus Line

3/5