Mid skool rap , heavily influenced by the Wutan .
Beats are mid tempo and the rapping is clear and crisp with out being interesting
Is good not great . Formulaic in its skit / talking intro before each track .
Basically a wanna be wutan .
Looks like the sum is great than the parts when the rest of the clan add creativity.
Sadly more Lidle Wutan than lil Wutan
3/5
Great soul album banging tunes with great guitars
A little repetitive, but could be down to Spotify adding other versions at the ebdc
Typical smooth and relaxing Sufjan album . Bob’s along nicely with out ever going anywhere
Nice but not amazing . Combines elements of Steve vias flexible eith chirpy bjork with out ever reaching thier hights
Title is better than the music
Such a powerful and beautiful voice .
An accomplished take on singer song writer folk .
Very 90s production. Well late 80s . Which is a little distractions on a folk album .
More than just fast car, with a coupe of excellent singles . Rest of the album is good but not a up there with the excellent singles , mostly due to the high quality of 3-4 songs but not the rest .
Dark, Moody and magnificent to miss quote Norman Stanley Fletcher.
Any album that start of with a song as good as Disorder is either gong to disappoint or be amazing - thankfully this is the later . . Goth but with clear indication of the pop synth that would come to the for front in New Order. Ian Curtis sings with feeling and angst . almost desperation.
Slows down then into Dau of lords- almost Metal in its doom laden bass- overtones of Sabbath or a slowed down metallica. Curtis sounds like a cross between Morrisey and Johnny Cash.
Candidate - slows it down even further - feeling almost like Morphine in places. Depressing and uplifting at the same time. Morrisey wishes he was this miserable. ( well he is now but that's just him being a cunt)
Insight follows - starting slowly almost like a Feoutus song with chains . Then the base kicks in and we are upbeat again , but only in terms of BPM. Another moody goth song that is a pop classic if sped up .
new Dawn Fades- Aptly titled as as the base hints at brighter content, the great riff then drags the song along - feeling like early Sabbath again. Before Curtis Vocals drags the mood down. Morse in the most brilliant way. Drums as simple with the odd paradiddle that feels almost jaunty.
Discordant guitar and drums in She's lost control again - Curtis is sing is eire as its the focal point of the track.
Shadowplay starts with Bass and Snares in Harmony. before the guitars kick in - almost feels like a Stiff Record - for a second then Curtis Sings bring the mood squarely back to Manchester in the 80s.
Wilderness is another base heavy classic. Repetitive guitars and drums drive the song along while Curtis ask "did we see her " Almost call and response with the riff and drums with the base.
An Iconic album where everything from the Cover to the last note are truly brilliant, living up to the "Classic" moniker.
Such a soulful voice with excellent production, masking some average songs . A great album but not quite amazing
The main songs are all incredible but the rest are just okay
Here voice hides the fact that this is a little More bible than I rember . Cruise singer in places
It always disappointed me that the album was not an indie pop rock classic like Devils Haircut - that kind of put me off for years, but I was wrong this is more than just a 90s hit single .
Sounds like the beastie boy, the Beatles and Lynyrd Skynyrd And Beck was three to write down all of the good stuff, he just mixed up his notes
Genre skipping and idiosyncratic that hits most of the time while mostly staying southern rock with hints of rap - kind of like Kid Rock if he actually had any talent
An interesting and even good album with being amazing .
The first 3 songs are all great but never really get going - sounding like continuous intros if anything
Taking the new wave sound of bands like echo and the bunnymen into indicator’s . Weirdly songs about desert by a bunch of lads from Ireland are better than you would think .
The edge and bono are great together but are no Maca and Sullivan or Moza and Mar .
Tries a little to hard to be meaningful
An interesting and even good album with being amazing .
The first 3 songs are all great but never really get going - sounding like continuous intros if anything
Nice …to quote the fast show.
Cool indeed. Great collection of jazz hard to imagine this is 70 years old still sounds cool and interesting now.
Odd last song brings the album down a bit . Dropping a possible 5/5 to 4 .
Great blues album . Surprising that it’s live .
Only down side is that it’s a bit Samey but that’s the blues .
Hmm
mix of hip hop, jazz, prog, and rock. eclectic - yes but original not really
Not what i was expecting ( waiting for a Pharrell Will.i.am pop rap ) but this mix was interesting just not funn.
Does not bring anything new to the table . It’s pretty much just meh most of the way through
Great album, some classic 90's indie rock, but still sounds fresh somehow.
Stand out tracks are the singles but the album tracks are strong
It’s a little long (standard 75 min 90s cd issue) as most songs are of a similar tempo/feel in a dreamy, psychedelic way. Most songs overstay their welcome, most are 6-7 mins where 4 would be better
Let all the children boogie…
Not sure I can write a better review than just that . unquestionably innovative and well crafted, a classic.
Five Years, is such a great way to start the album, building to a climax. Soul Love, Moonage Daydream and Starman are a great glam rock trio with amazing guitar work from Mick (Ronson).
It Ain't Easy, drops the quality a little, but a still a strong middle point of the album before an amazing ballad in Lady Stardust
Title Track and Suffragette also a couple of bangers before ending on a sombre note with Rock and Roll Suicide.
It’s a 5 obvs
An eclectic mix of genres in sprawling 70 minuets of 70s rock .blending the beach boys , wings and pink floyd…the only problem is that you are better off listening to wings, the beach boys or Pink Floyd
A lost masters piece that I would have Ben happy o remain lost .
There are undoubted moments of quality - just not often enough . A tighter 8-10 song 37 min album was old have been better
Weirdly the surf rock songs are the worst elements, sounding more shawoddywaddy than anything else .
Dreamer is a great stoner rock song .but even that fades out instead of reaching a climactic finish
But to many songs are like “you and I” an awful Schmaltzy rock ballad - a song so bad that it warrants any album with it on to be docked 1 if not 2 points
The fact that it failed to chart speaks to its quality — one can not get away from the feeling that it’s because of bloated albums like this that Punk was so refreshing
Pacific Ocean blues moves along and redeems the previous song a little … but not enough to save this album from mere meh
First time listening to the album, but knew he was lauded by some “journos” – but not in his time. Its great to listen to a "long lost classic" that is actually good (looking at you Pacific Ocean Blue)
Musically sparse, simple melodies, and gentle folk/jazz chord progressions: simple as It’s just a single vocal and a single guitar. The focus is entirely on the songwriting which is quite good. It's dark and depressing. But very very good.
This album is a fine example of how very good music can be lost to culture, because business interests fail at “promotion”. Almost a “five”.
This is not entertainment its one man exposing his soul. He is putting his world on tape, inviting us in, take it or leave it. Very pleasant, resonant, and clean acoustic guitar, with some stumbles and drops in tempo, but otherwise very well played.
Female song writer with a guitar is my cup of tea –emotional lyrics, heartfelt vocals, lone guitar and a breathy voice – check, check, check … just not a female. Lisa Loeb, Kristen Hersch but in the 70s as a man.
90's pop rock. The opening track grabbed me a little, but I quickly became bored with this album.
Pity as I really wanted to like this album .
Good voice and overall good production but nothing worth remembering
Apparently Joshua tree has the best opening 3 song set on any record - that is only true as this has 4 .
This album starts brilliantly and retains that quality, mostly, all the way through. Unlike other albums that kick off with the best song this one keeps giving
I’m not sure why I don’t own this on vinyl , but I’ll be rectifying that soon ( with a reprint as this is from the 90s or the time that forgot vinyl)
I never really appreciated Nirvana at the time - partly due to the ubiquitous nature of Grunge in the early 90s- with the knock on affect of diminished metal output that pissed me off around that time - also allowing Tosh like the god awful mudhoney rose in prominence purely as they where Grunge… the same thing also happened with Rap when snoops stoner melodies took over -also around the same time - sorry rant over
My only gripe, and this seems petty, is the production is a little too clean and precisely mixed . Some of the raw energy is lost . This does not affect the big hitter songs but songs like Stay away or breed or even lithium would have hit better if they were not quite so clinical … the closing Endless, nameless come close to delivering that feeling. Great way to close an album .
I was expecting to go hard on this as I don’t like grunge and how overplayed this was back in the day .. but even a 4 would feel harsh . ( the second half of the album is weaker but it’s still great )
REM are the godfathers of indie - Beloved of serious muso ( spelt serious but pronounced pretentious)
Lots to like about this surprisingly well formed debut for their sound . Jangly and catchy, but not exactly memorable
A couple of nice songs on an album that founded more like Elvis Castelo than I would have thought .
I don’t own any REM on vinyl, and this gives me no reason to change that so 3/5
Wow . Great song writing . Do many stone cold classics.
On my initial listen through it was great songs with lackluster performance, but switching to vinyl and a descent system really brought the warm and songs to life .
Strange sounds, played with intent and determination. A quintessential 80s album that actually came out in 78. Delightfully weird, wonderfully produced, silly and musically sophisticated at the same time.
one of new wave's most influential bands.
Starts off strongly with uncontrollable urge sounding like a base driven (post) punk classic that could be The Rezzilos . Then into an odd and almost out of place cover of satisfaction.
Denis production is perfect and the weirdness and frivolity really starts to come to the fore in praying hand and space junk . The unfortunately named monfaloid was always pushing the boundaries of acceptable but to a modern ear sounds crass.
Jocko homo , come back honey and sloppy are Sheree excellence.
Any album that sounds like the cardiacs could be involved if all right in my book
Almost a 5 but not quite
Really weird album, but i enjoyed it. All over the place, but mostly coherent enough to be a really fun.
Basically 3/5 because I can appreciate the originality but probably won’t listen again.
Mostly as I think there are better wired albums - looking at you captain…
But a few too many 1/5 or 2/5 songs like dogfight giggle making the album feel messy
A tighter edit might have been better
Nice for listening to in coffee shop on the early 2000 but a little tame for my taste .
Great voice , nice playing on nice songs . Nice but nothing more
The smiths make music that is mostly sad and lonely but Morrissey is self aware enough to add touches of self deprecating humor sprinkled throughout the album
Like echo and the bunnymen and Bowie I came to the smiths late, and love all three now
I don’t actually own this album so this is mostly new to me , I’m surprised that it’s not actually up to the standard of the albums that I own - but the Cemetary gates comes on and proves me wrong, and then it’s followed by bigmouth ( although I prefer Chumbawamba’s song of that name )
Back to the good old days when Morrisey wasn't a complete cunt (Not sorry for using the most apt word) Marr & Morrisey at their height here, Morrisey's poetry and Johnny's searing guitar licks.
Gets better with each listen but still has a weaker opening than I expect . Mr Shankly is a great song but it sounds little to like a jaunty Salvation Army song that at the beginning strays too close too gimcky
Before it settles to be great . That 5 seconds is enough though
Oh yes ABBA . I’m expecting a disco classic al Siater Selesge or Chic… except neither Benny or Bjorn are Niles … the only Rodger’s around here is my ears being rogered by middle of the road musak
The singles are great the rest is mediocre - well apart from “why did it have to be me “ which would be awful if it was a shawoddywoddy song .
The irony with title song , arrival is it never arrives … a 2+ minute intro to a song that never starts - even then you know it would be some horrible pastiche of Scottish Christmas song
Close it’s an intro to (the acceptably good) Fernando that nobody asked for .
This is Hard; it should be a 1 but the 4 singles pull it up to a 2
The snobbery to not include best of albums is notable here as my favorite abba album is “ABBA gold” now that would be 4 stars
Somewhere between Alan partridge and Saxondale is a Steve Coogan character that lives Steely Dan - but it just wasn’t special enough for me to want to listen to again.
Impressive instrumentals by obviously talented musicians. Great guitar work, some outstanding riffs. Also, great keys. Cool hand drums. Great horns. All great musicians playing as a cohesive unit but the songs are just so meh.
Donald Fegans singing goes well when the songs are funky and guitar led but I hate the combo of piano and his voice it’s just so wet .
I only listened to the end for this review - must be a glutton for punishment as I listened again .
Great voice and some good songs but nothing amazing overall
Like a nice vacation Refreshing. Possibly not life-changing but the best vacations usually aren’t.
Warm and chilly but nothing groundbreaking . Plenty of Nuggets ( or songs that could be on that classic collection)
Nice 2.5
Not sure to round up or down
My personal scale of
1 - god awful
2 - dull or bad with at least 1 redeeming factor
3 . Good - will consider adding the vinyl to my collection
Effortlessly smooth any that can make the girl from ipanema interesting must be good
Not sure Frank needs a full Bossa Nova album , let alone me
Nice distraction but I’d rather listen to another of his albums
Such a great but simple rig to start any album - then the drums kick in before Bon Scot’s gravelly voice melds it all together
Don’t need reason
Don’t need Ryhm
This is a great album. Everything from the brilliant album cover to the last chord oozes class
I had to double check I had not put on Portishead ( god I hope that album is on here ) but no it’s the right album . Staring with a beautiful slow number was great as it set the tone for the rest of the album - I was expecting something faster like their later albums . Has has elements of a 60s Italian
Movie . Not out of place on a Felini, Pasolini or even Leone - scored by Moricconi
Effortlessly smooth and engaging - timeless but relevant today while sounding like a 90s album ( yes okay it’s 2000 but you get the point )
Normally only only bands begging with P can get away with integrating high pitched wails into a song and make it sound welcome (Portishead or Public Enemy)
Wow post Sgt Peppers Beatles this should be brilliant and is … mostly
But the Beatles are thier own worst enemy
Imaginative , yes
Revolutionary, check
Pushing boundaries , definitely
Genre bending , again yes
Good …..
Hmm probably
Great … no
Brilliant, buatiful song with interesting changes are intermixed with songs that feel like someone taking the piss.
Ob-la-di … sounds like a song for school kids to sing - oh wait that’s why I dislike it
Continuing on to the story of bungalow bill - great on bits but the chorus and refrain fell like a joke
Can any album with these on be a 5
Obviously, the Beatles are great - and there are enough great songs on this album (some that got plenty of radio play and other lesser-knowns) to warrant a 5-star rating.
But - there are a lot of crap on this album too. It sounds like the Beatles were just like, "fuck it we are the Beatles “
Yet another double album that is harmed by too many filler . I do love that they were not concentrating on a polished product but this is a step too far. Even if there are elements to live in all songs. Is don’t make me cry an album track ? If this were a single album ?
A sure fire 5 star if it was cut to 1 album
In giving it 4 , mostly as I appreciate the space a double album gives to experiment
Wall of sound is an unexpected addition that Christmas was missing until this release
A truly great album and possibly the greatest crimbo album ever .
5 stars all day long. Even if it’s only listened too 3 weeks of the year .
Darlene love does a lot of the heavy lifting and it would have been interesting to hear a full album of her Christmas songs
Niles Rogers . Classy disco incoming :) one could even say that’s Chic
La freak is a dance floor filling banger . Beloved of Wedding Dj the world over .
has some interesting moments here and there. it has beautiful piano and strings throughout. It's also has some meaningful lyrics regarding ANHONI's life and transition, plus longing for someone.
It’s just not that gripping overall
2Pac at the pinnacle of introspective/conscientious hip hop in the heyday of gangsta rap and dance hip hop.
can hear his talent in the flows but I found the album dragging on a bit. Not a ton of variation to my ear, but maybe it’s because I like ice t s faster style of rap
But it’s still very impressive being do introspective, thematically strong. Very confessional and raw, probably was a bit uncommon to show vulnerability in hip hop at this time.