162
Albums Rated
3.28
Average Rating
15%
Complete
927 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1980
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
19
5-Star Albums
3
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
|
5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
|
Felt Mountain
Goldfrapp
|
5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
|
The Trinity Session
Cowboy Junkies
|
5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
|
Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
|
5 | 3.09 | +1.91 |
|
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
|
5 | 3.29 | +1.71 |
|
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
|
5 | 3.34 | +1.66 |
|
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
|
5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
|
Opus Dei
Laibach
|
4 | 2.39 | +1.61 |
|
Parklife
Blur
|
5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stardust
Willie Nelson
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
|
1 | 3.36 | -2.36 |
|
Tarkus
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
|
1 | 2.78 | -1.78 |
|
Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
|
2 | 3.77 | -1.77 |
|
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
|
2 | 3.72 | -1.72 |
|
Kid A
Radiohead
|
2 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
|
The Cars
The Cars
|
2 | 3.65 | -1.65 |
|
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
|
2 | 3.64 | -1.64 |
|
Morrison Hotel
The Doors
|
2 | 3.58 | -1.58 |
|
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
|
2 | 3.53 | -1.53 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Public Enemy | 2 | 5 |
5-Star Albums (19)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Libertines · 1 likes
2/5
I never understood the popularity of the Libertines and this foes not change my mind.
Could have been a 1 star review but ever now and then a rig or song will make the album acceptable
Eric Clapton · 1 likes
2/5
Boomer blues
I found myself singing along by the second song “God give me strength to continue“
I’m fussy I like my blues sung by someone black , blind or from Georgia- ideally all three.
He is a talented guitar player but this is not great .
1-Star Albums (3)
All Ratings
Raekwon
3/5
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
The Isley Brothers
4/5
Great soul album banging tunes with great guitars
A little repetitive, but could be down to Spotify adding other versions at the end
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
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 with chirpy bjork with out ever reaching their hights
Title is better than the music
Tracy Chapman
3/5
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 .
Joy Division
5/5
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.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
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 Bublé than I remember . Cruise singer in places
Beck
4/5
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 where amming and Beck was three to write down all of the good stuff, he dropped his pad and 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
4/5
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 to heart. 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
The Temptations
3/5
An interesting and even good album without being amazing .
The first 3 songs are all great but never really get going - sounding like continuous intros if anything
Miles Davis
4/5
Nice …to quote the fast show.
Cool indeed. Great collection of jazz hard to imagine this is 70 years old as it still sounds cool and interesting now.
Odd last song brings the album down a bit . Dropping a possible 5/5 to 4 .
Muddy Waters
4/5
Great blues album . Surprising that it’s live .
Only down side is that it’s a bit Samey but that’s the blues .
N.E.R.D
2/5
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
The Verve
4/5
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
5/5
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
Dennis Wilson
2/5
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 to 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
Nick Drake
4/5
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.
Aimee Mann
2/5
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
Nirvana
5/5
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…
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 )
R.E.M.
3/5
REM are the godfathers of indie - Beloved of serious musos ( 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 sounded 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
Carole King
4/5
Wow . Great song writing . So 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 .
4/5
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
Todd Rundgren
3/5
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
Norah Jones
3/5
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
5/5
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 then Cemetery 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 to prevent the 5 stars
ABBA
2/5
Oh yes ABBA . I’m expecting a disco classic ala Sister Sledge 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 at best - well apart from “why did it have to be me “ which would be awful if it was a shawoddywoddy song .
The irony with the 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 a 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
Steely Dan
2/5
Somewhere between Alan partridge and Saxondale is a Steve Coogan character that loves Steely Dan. Impressive instrumentals by obviously talented musicians- but it just wasn’t special enough for me to want to listen to again.
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 .
Elvis Costello
3/5
Great voice and some good songs but nothing amazing overall
The Bees
3/5
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
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Effortlessly smooth anyone 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.
AC/DC
5/5
Such a great but simple riff o 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 Rhyme
This is a great album. Everything from the brilliant album cover to the last chord oozes class
Goldfrapp
5/5
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 . This has elements of a smooth 60s Italian
Movie . Would not be out of place on a Felini, Pasolini or even Leone movie - 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 bands beginning with P can get away with integrating high pitched wails into a song and make it sound welcome (Portishead or Public Enemy) but Goldfrapp are the exception that proves the rule.
Beatles
4/5
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, beautiful songs 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 in 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 love 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 over a 3, mostly as I appreciate the space a double album gives to experiment
Various Artists
5/5
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 to 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
CHIC
4/5
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 .
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
has some interesting moments here and there. it has beautiful piano and strings throughout. It's also has some meaningful lyrics regarding ANTHONI's life and transition, plus longing for someone.
It’s just not that gripping overall.
2Pac
4/5
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 so introspective, thematically strong. Very confessional and raw, probably was a bit uncommon to show vulnerability in hip hop at this time.
Elvis Presley
2/5
I know this is an important record and I know it has to be on this list. My stance on Elvis has been colored by PE . I just can not get over the whitewashing
5 stars or its impact - but missing the soul so 2. Although his voice is always great to listen to - you can see why the Colonel was so keen to exploit him, erm I mean it.
Laibach
4/5
Great some Industrial, well almost
I was thinking that starting of an album with what sounds like a goth on Prozac covering life is life was bold but no just a homage or an overture- the full on cover comes later
Starts of slow and somewhat understated.
But Leben TOD changes all that with definite tones of Feotus or Neubauten.. I’m all in.
2 -3 songs done and I’m liking it but not loving it - they are to industrial what Ghost are to metal . For some reason I’m reminded of the Punks in Terminator… cos playing danger with no real menace.
I do like how the singer sing/talking over the music sounding a lot like Christophe Lee in his two excellent metal albums.
I just want more oomph, not to mention angle grinders …
Compare the orchestral parts of Opes Dei to Scraping Feouts off the Wheel’s Thrones of agony - where fetus soar these merely plod along .
I’m loving this but am left wanting more
Oh wait Trans national brings it … somehow industrial yet Christmassy . I’m loving it
Can I give this 5 when it just makes want to listen to Hole or wheel by fetus - or anything by JD Thirwel ? As I doubt Scraping fetus off the wheel are in this list I’ll keep listening by encourage anyone reading this to check out the fetus Oeuvre.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
Just like that it’s 1985 again... I can almost taste the snakebite and black or smell the patchouli
The rawness of punk, the feedback of hardcore on rock n roll at a walking pace .
With out the feedback this could be the happy bop pop of altered images .
Or the Ramones played at half speed .
The beach boys if they grew up in Govan.
Ironically in places this is more industrial than the Liaibach album I had yesterday
Megadeth
3/5
40 minutes of catchy and accessible thrash metal with interesting themes and lyrics. Not too dense, a good handful of bangers, and doesn't outstay its welcome. Good but not great.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
While I like the songs on this album, I don’t love them or the album overall. There is a bit too much jamming for my taste that’s better saved for an actual live show.
Jackie Jormp Jomp sure could sing, but there are to many songs like Turtle blues and roadblock that just make the album feel slow and dull.
Public Enemy
5/5
P.E. at there PEak. I love Chuck Ds lyrics and Flav is a great counterpoint .
A few issues with lyrics - aggressive and rightfully angry as fuck. Unfortunately It still resonates today especially. Production is tight with a ton of samples and turntablism (from the sound of it) expertly crafted.
This album just builds and builds
The segment from the mighty but unfortunate theme of "Meet the G that Killed Me" through Pollywannacracka and AntiN***erMachine before the mighty Burn Hollywood Burn is an excellent mush mash of styles and samples . Heavy on the guitars and attitude . This is maintained to the end of the album where fight the power rounds everything off on a high note. Even the almost comidic distraction of can’t do Nuttin for ya, man is excellent
Jimi Hendrix
2/5
This is is the stereo version of watching a film in 2009 then realizing the odd camera placement and focus on shit flying toward you is because it was a 3d film, with its aimless stereo shifting - Pointless and distracting as theater switches are not as revolutionary today.
I've always found Jimi Hendrix so incredibly boring. He's got skills, yes. He's even got some hits. But this album has very little that is actually interesting on it.
Finally after 3 songs I got interested 1/2 through Spanish castle magic
Like Big Brother and the Holding Company
there is too much let’s just jam and figure it out about this … ain’t no telling for example is all over the place
Little wing is interesting , but a bit slow
If 6 was 9 could almost be a Black Sabbath song at the start but then it goes astray
But also a bit Gill Scott heron
Wait till tomorrow is kind of funky and interesting but the mix is odd
Like watching a mediocre sketch show - spotty quality and no one know how to end a song.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
This takes me back to the times when rap was known as electro in the UK . Thanks to the great albums electro 1-7.
This is a good record but also feels a little sparse to what rap, sampling and scratching would become - Feels almost punk in places but I'm Not sure it is required in the 1001 albums .
“It’s like that” is head and shoulders above the rest
It could be a 3 to fit with my I like that enough to buy on vinyl ( I already do )- but I think I’m being generous
It’s not a 2 as I like listening to early hip hip - check out the amazing Soul Jazz Records Presents YO! BOOMBOX - Early Independent Hip Hop, Electro And Disco Rap 1979-83.
That’s good enough for 3 double albums but this is not as great as they will turn out to be.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
Maybe I’m just in the wrong mood , as I love folk and goth but not thier bastard child apparently
Iggy Pop
4/5
Not many would pick a summer in Berlin with Bowie when trying to detox but thank god he did
Each song feels well crafted - lots of thought and love in each track. Finally an album where it feels like a jam being recorded that does not dissolve into a hot mess - looking at you Big Brother & The Holding Co and Hendrix
Stan Getz
3/5
Nice! … a favourite of jazz club host Louis Balfour and possibly second technician Arnold J Rimmer BSc. SSc.
With bosa nova it can be hard to tell the difference between easy jazz easy/listening and sometimes Muzak. This is really easy to listen too but is not easy listening.
Nice! Sums it up
Talvin Singh
3/5
Like sitting in the reception of a therapist or chiropractor: there are posters of chakra on the walls and New Age music is softly playing - but with a rave next door.
Somehow reminiscent of ozrix tentacles or Kuhla shaker, but 90s dance/trance
I’m flipping between I need this album on vinyl and meh it’s okay . 3.5 is where I might settle but do I round up or down
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
What this experience is almost teaching me is that double albums are almost universally shit . Everyone so far is bloated and should be a single album
Great 90s indie but 2 hours come on - by song 2 I was on Thanos’ side.
A long album of long songs . Some trimming called for . It’s is good, really good even , but too long to be great
3.5 again . Now do I round up or down ?
Disc 2 drops the average down to a 3.
Would be generous with this if it wasn't two hours long.
Television
5/5
I bough this on vinyl somewhat not knowing what it was . I knew it was an important album but not why. It blew me away then as it does now - and I still do not really know what this album is.
All your favorite rock bands fucking love this album.
Faust
3/5
So this is where the term Krautrock comes from . Trying to think of other band/songs that define a genre
As the review aptly puts it “not-always-related experiments” sums this up .
If you’re still actually listening after the 11 minute opening song, or should that be song opening ( it never actually goes anywhere) , then this album is for you .
Sheryl Crow
3/5
A liberating and often heartfelt album. That is always nice to listen to but never great (other than all I wanna do and possibly run baby run and leaving last Vegas )
Soul II Soul
3/5
90s soul ( 2 soul ). Nice to listen to ,even with the dodgy rap . Back to life is an absolute banger and keep moving is not far behind . Rest of the album is okay.
Beatles
3/5
It won’t be long is less well known song but so obviously the Beatles and early Merseybeat that is can be hard to rate an album .
It’s hard to say the impact on western music they had on. this early stuff is great but played with a bit of a straight bat
The years in Hamburg honed them into a tight machine allowing them to explore variations from standard chord structures, they were innovating without leaving the audience behind.
The early albums are a little like a history lesson . So obviously the 60 s but not (always) sounding dated and possibly quaint.
Weirdly probably more important than later albums , Apart from maybe Sgt Pepper’s, but not as good.
The safe option of covers makes sense to break the US but makes this album a little slow.
Fairport Convention
5/5
Most Influential Folk Album of All Time ?
5/5
An album so good it defined an entire genre of folk rock ( uk version) .
Even the intro to a song that never starts ( Raynardine )is excellent.
“Your beauty so enticed me
I could not pass it by”
The Velvet Underground
2/5
Contrary opinion about the Velvet underground they are not the revolutionary band some think they are . This is gods but nothing much more than average underground rock album from the '60s. There are some interesting instrumentation and generally they offer an interesting enough mixture of rock and avant garde things, but it never gets into plane so ends up very middle of the road to me.
More meandering than experimental . I can appreciate murder mystery but 1/2 of it is shit and 1/2 interesting with out being great
Public Enemy
5/5
Public Enemy Pure perfection. Important band with an important and yet brilliant album
Flags a little in the final 1/3 but “rebel with out a pause” is an angrier “don’t believe the hype”
5 stars only because I can not give more
Eurythmics
2/5
proof positive that synth and pop can be good
Apart from the singles the rest are almost forgettable - The album has some good moments, but the vibe is somehow not quite right. mostly as they sound the same
Adam & The Ants
3/5
Back when pop was fun and a little weird .
Great album that’s hard to place - with thier odd two drummer sound
Good not great but worth a listen .
The Doors
2/5
It’s the doors need I say more …
Okay then I will. As interesting as the combination of organ and guitar combined with Morrisons strong rock voice should be they still manage to make it dull as hell
I own 1 doors album , the best of the doors , and that is like 3 sides to many.
Japan
4/5
Sort of feels like the lost album where joy division transforms into New Order
For such a synth lead album the base does a lot of heavy lifting.
Quite life is such a banger and a great way to open any album . After that the pace drops and becomes introspective bordering on somber
A moody post punk album that sounds like 80s pop in places
The Mamas & The Papas
2/5
The unmistakable sound of Laurel Canyon.
The vocals on the album are great - especially given there are 4 singers .
Was it all I hopped it would be …
Was this Monday morning, as I listen , so good to me?
Sadly no . The singles are excellent the rest is okay but a little slow.
Boston
4/5
More than more than a feeling ? Yes but it is the basic bitch of rock and roll . I actually enjoyed this more than I expected. Even if it as little too American , a little too white and straight down the line it’s very well executed. The problem is this sound became a formula for MOR rock that followed , but that is not he fault if this album.
It’s rockier than I thought it would be but still only at a deep purple level on an arbitrary heavy scale I just made up.
Jefferson Airplane
2/5
Somebody to Love is great, the rest not so much .most arenot very distinctive, but still pleasant psych-folk/rock. While this is a pretty important album embodying the sound of the summer of love it is not actually great - merely distinctive and solid.
Weird mixing of the slick vocals make it seem like I’m listening in the next room .
Pantera
4/5
Love the art hate the artist time . Great rhythmic thrash metal . Bit shouty in the vocal delivery but it fits , mostly .
So the number of bands increases where the music is great but the singer turned out to be a knowbhead - fist came morrissey then Kanye , Mustaine , and now Ansalemo not necessarily in that order .
Pulp
5/5
Feels like this is the other side of the coin of Paul Calf’s hatred of students. A Social studies lesson set to great pop music . If only there was a name for quintessential British pop from the ninety’s .
This album is different class
Orbital
3/5
90s trance . Nice but nothing mind blowing
De La Soul
5/5
An album so iconic and important that it shoot back into the charts as it was included in a 3 CDs for £20 at HMV, in the late 90s (reaching 3 in the charts 10 years after it release )
The only sad thing is that like the dawning of the age of Aquarius the daisy age never really took off . brilliant sample heavy betas with great rap on top.
I rated this from the original vinyl copy in my collection - I almost gave it a 4 as the sound quality is ropey but that would be unfair - it was a feat of engineering to cram the entire album onto two sides of vinyl . modern reproductions are 4 sides.
Beatles
4/5
their performance smooth, and their charm, wit and excitement run high”
The jangly pop of the early Beatles is replaced by thoughtful interesting song writing. Not as experimental as later albums but still playing with form and structure of 60s pop. Weirdly it’s that maturity of the songwriting that’s makes the album last, whereas this is why it suffered with some reviewers when it first came out.
“Think for yourself as I won’t be there with you …”
For example Nowhere man feels completely different, to what came before , but behind John’s baleful singing is still a tight 4 piece playing jangly pop.
The opening chords of Drive my car are an excellent way to start any album that just stays great all the way through - even “what goes on” does not drag it down a rating - just . it’s not Ringo’s vocals, which I quite like , but the simplicity of the country like pop is just out of place.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Moody Bluesy rocky - almost a Great name for a band that…
Debauched, Risky, innovative… they wish . But still an actual good album , before they forgot how to make an entire album.
More Eaton than East end; no mater how much they swagger … a solid album but nothing more from the posh boys of rock.
Jack White
4/5
Bombastic and stagey but not a Wainwright … then it must by a Jack … but Black or White - if it’s metal it’s Jack Black - if it’s Indy Rock it’s Jack White .
This is brilliant and , mostly, without the pretentious streak he can be prone to . Catchy blues rock .
The Residents
3/5
Experi-mental pop . Pushing boundaries with train of consciousness dressed up with melodies .
More listenable than metal machine music, not as poppy as the Cardiacs . All in all quite good.
Obviously not everyone’s cup of tea . Even as an Englishman I need to be in the mood for tea - unlike tea that mood will be less frequent for avant garde music.
Must have caught me in a good (or not) mood.
Occasionally up its own arse to be deliberately musically obtuse but never quite gets overly annoying or pretentious.
I have to go with 3 ⭐️: to match my internal ranking system where I would add it to my vinyl collection if it is 3 +
Radiohead
2/5
For a band that is already entrenched in my mind as the epitome of dull calling an album amnesiac is apt affair as the title suggests; completely forgettable.
Radiohead is overrated and this album is not their best effort.
The Velvet Underground
2/5
This byproject is saving my money - I’m no longer compelled to by “great” albums on reputation .
Experimentdul . It’s like giving a bunch or art students recording equipment and hoping for the best - descant grade version of the 1 million monkeys experiment
Jethro Tull
4/5
This album has no idea what it wants to be and it's utterly brilliant for it . Is it folk is it prog or is it metal .
The sound of the prancing pony if the brandywine flowed through Birmingham and not hobbiton
Switching between rift laden guitars , ian Anderson mesmerizing albeit odd singing, folk and flute solos this album is odd .
Ay times it alike listening to Donovon or Fairport and othered it’s as if they are
Cat Stevens
4/5
Folk rock with a gappy/hippie bent. An enjoyable listen
The up beat songs are better than the slow ones, which is odd as the two big songs from the album are of the slower variety
Can veer a little into Kumbaya territory but thankfully not by a lot.
Shivkumar Sharma
5/5
One day in the life of a kashmiri shepard … who knew it was so beautiful and essential. Pastoral soundscapes in a hindu classical alnum 5 stars all day long
Waylon Jennings
2/5
Better than I thought. Not a huge country fan, but don't mind this kind of "classic country". Songwriting is great and production is clean.
Most songs just fade into nothing , sort of how this album sticks with you . Nice but forgettable
New Order
4/5
I always thought the two versions of Joy Division/New Order were distinct but even in the third album of the second iteration you can still hear the angst of the former, but with synths.
Let’s be honest Sumners vocals are not a patch on Curtis , but this band would not exist if Ian had not died.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I expected Led Zeppelin to be awesome. On this album they don’t quite live up to that expectation.
nothing jumped out to make me want to buy this on vinyl
Again a 70s album Hailed as one of the greatest double albums of all time, I can’t help but wish this record was actually a single LP.
Prince
4/5
A short musical genius with big hair that loves screaming guitars and purple … wait of course I should have known it’s not RJD … as there are no dragons .
Sorry I get Dio and Prince mixed up all the time. But love both .
Unlike the film this has aged pretty well , even if it is hard to separate the two.A brilliant collection of rock fused funk .
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Not much to say . Some good songs but none i would go out of my way to urge deliberately listen again. Not bad but just okay
Hugh Masekela
3/5
Funky and Jazzy, rambles from time to time but generally great .
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
Hard to find on Spotify. YouTube helped
Going in, I had no idea what to expect from Haunted Dancehall, as I had never heard of Sabres of Paradise.To my surprise, Haunted Dancehall isn't bad at all. It’s a little far on the ambient side would prefer more techno or industrial
The Cure
3/5
moody, atmospheric, introspective goth rock.
My only complaint is that all of the songs are formulaic with Smiths vocal only appearing after a 1 min + of build up: layering guitars drums and synth. All of which is nice but not on every song
Wire
3/5
Fast loud and short but oh so good. Can hear this having so much influence on in a lot of bands that followed
Less well known than the more Punchy Pistols
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
The boss is boss la … as they say in Liverpool
Bombastic Americana rock . Relies a little too much on the emotion in Bruce’s voice on occasion- making the lyrics hard to understand; so only know they are important due to how hard Bruce sings them.
Muddy Waters
3/5
The Blues is not normally my thing , , but this album brings such incredible energy. It's undeniable. The production is great, you can hear each part without any of them standing out too much.
a-ha
3/5
One of the 80s most distinctive voices., paired with a strong bass and haunting synths … what Morten could you ask for … a fair bit more .
Great 80 s pop album that is unfortunately a little forgettable.
The Libertines
2/5
I never understood the popularity of the Libertines and this foes not change my mind.
Could have been a 1 star review but ever now and then a rig or song will make the album acceptable
Beastie Boys
4/5
Odd album bordering on being novelty at times … strange to see how they would progress . Still raw and exciting
Iron Maiden
4/5
Iron Maiden at their best (almost) without it being their best album .
Still in transition from Bruce joining and finding their feet and maturing from early punk metal to the NWoBHM behemoths they would become.
The Kinks
2/5
This has not dated well and sounds so very 60s that is almost a particle like the ruttles, but with out the charm
Almost my first 1 star , it got worse as the album dragged on . Just enough redeeming features to scrape a 2
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Cool and jazzy
The Teardrop Explodes
4/5
Great Eighties post punk pop . Amazing bass and great sound all round. If I’m being picky, surely that’s the point of this exercise, it can be a little repetitive so not a 5
Suicide
4/5
Avant garde punk sounds surprisingly modern. More shoe gazy than I would have thought.
Elvis Presley
2/5
While I never bought into the king of rock n roll. I’m more in the Chuck D camp when it comes to EP ( “Elvis ain’t shit to me …”). I do think he has a great voice hence the colonel glomming on to him.
Stick somewhere between the 59 white washing of black blues and rock and the much needed come back special is this gospel rock album.
I have a soft spot for 60/80s gospel blues so this gets a slightly higher rating .
I highly recommend the Holy Church Of The Ecstatic Soul
A Higher Power: Gospel, Funk & Soul At The Crossroads 1971 - 83 by soul jazz records
The Cure
2/5
Slow mellow goth.
Luckily there are a few interesting events to keep it at a 2 … just
Dire Straits
2/5
Mark knopfle’s sultry guitars are great but not necessarily interesting
Like mid period Dylan with out the skill
Sultans of swing is a great island in this sea of mediocrity
The Police
2/5
80s pop heavily infused with reggae sensibilities, but still somehow managing to be as white as the front row of a tailor swift concert. More Marcus from accounting than Marcus Garvey
Undoubted skill and musicality but not much of interest apart from the two singles .
Fats Domino
3/5
Great 50s duwop
Beatles
4/5
Early Beatles pop - brilliant melodies , groundbreaking at the time . Playing with structure with a supper tight precision. Love the interplay of John and Paul’s voices .
Somewhat quaint and naive lyrics about love but pleasant none the less.
Has dated a little but still worth listening to.
Basement Jaxx
4/5
Don’t worry , don’t panic, ain’t nothing goin on but … 90s whistle blowing
The Offspring
4/5
Ooh 90s Punk , fun to listen to . Not as ground breaking as real punk :) more grunge than the Rammones but fast, loud and overall fun
Cypress Hill
3/5
Crowded House
3/5
Quirky Interesting 80s indie pop meisters Channeling 70s bland radio MOR.
Unfortunately the later wins out too often.
If I wanted to listen to the Eagles I would listen to The Eagles .. well I probably wouldn’t but you get the point.
Just about enough interesting elements (lyrics, intro to there goes god, and the section that comprise “fame is”, “ all I ask” , “Italian plastic” and then maybe “take the weather” ) to bump this up to a 3
Al Green
4/5
Yes Al let’s .. immediate repeat listening required
Wild Beasts
4/5
It’s difficult to produce songs with surreal quirky lyrics that one can sing along too, but Wild Beasts mange are up there with bands like Sparks or Noel Fielding’s “The Loose Tapestries”
Two dancers sounds like Sparks with out the pomp or bombast , but still managing to be brilliant.
If sparks, with their distinct show-tune inspiration to their pop, are the kids from the fame school the Wild Beasts are the goth kids bunking off school and drinking cider in the park .
T. Rex
3/5
a silver-studded saber-toothed dream
R.E.M.
4/5
Darlings of serious muso journalist the world over with an album that proves them right … mostly
Brilliant interesting pop with thoughtful lyrics . Not sure if it’s just it’s ptsd from dealing with muso wankers on forums for years but I do find them a litle self important and pretentious- sort of like a footballer to busy admiring thier defence splitting pass than helping the team score .
Blur
5/5
Odd to reflect on the intensity and importance of the blur oasis battle back in the britpop era . It only really lasted 1 album as it became clear which band had longevity and which was a vehicle for two twats.
Pink Floyd
3/5
Somehow it’s like rewatching Star Wars after George Lucas kept meddling . All the fun little skits and jokey parts just detract from the film with watch rewatch.
The wall is a bit like that . Yes it’s brilliant but for every great track , riff, melody or song there is an annoying voice over ruining a song - mostly confined to intro and out trial but it does detract from.
Also reminds me of crappy mid 90s rap albums with needles skits between the tracks .
Yet another on the list of 70s great double albums that should be single album.
Eric Clapton
2/5
Boomer blues
I found myself singing along by the second song “God give me strength to continue“
I’m fussy I like my blues sung by someone black , blind or from Georgia- ideally all three.
He is a talented guitar player but this is not great .
Willie Nelson
1/5
With Willie Nelson I could have stomached country but middle of the road crooner set to elevator music I can skip
If this was an playing in a bar I’d leave as I was waiting for my Guineas to settle
Just when I was thinking I was too generous as I had no 1 star ratings
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
This could be the dictionary definition of meh
Didn’t make a much if an impression. Nothing in the lyrics really grabbed me, most of the singing wasn’t very strong, and the music was fine
His voice is nice and the music is competent so is it a 2 or a 3
Ramones
5/5
Simple almost naive songs, dodgy production , basic lyrics ( the second verse is the same as the first) all the while trying to not collapse in to a chaotic mess.
5 stars
Jazmine Sullivan
4/5
I laud the ideals of incorporating topics of feminism, sexuality, classism, and body-shaming among deeply in a RnB record . It just misses a little on the musical execution
Marking it a 4 as it’s a relevant and important album as its an open, honest and profound look at sexuality from a female (black female) lens
To me Musically it’s closer to a 2
Sister Sledge
3/5
Lost in music , caught in a trap
Proof that the disco sucks movement was boomers being fools , oh and with some racism.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Pere Ubu
3/5
Somehow a combo of Baz Lerman and Iggy Pop
David Bowie
3/5
Love the first side - it’s classic post glam pre 80s Bowie
The second side is missing Bowie singing, but still good due to Frip and Eno’s influence.
The Avalanches
3/5
Odd to class a sampling band as being a Pioneer in 2000 but the avalanches where/are
Doves
3/5
Interesting Brit pop - not much stands out though
The Replacements
3/5
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
4/5
Marilyn Manson
4/5
As Ghosts is to black metal so MM is to industrial.
Good fun but feels like cosplay of the real thing .
Give me front line assembly or scraping fetus any day
Laura Nyro
2/5
Carol King Lite
Her voice is amazing when she is being soulful but grating when she is powering through notes .
Stoned cold picnics is a stone cold classic but the rest are meh or annoying with the odd great bit
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
90s chill out or background music, Not sure why it's on this list but nothing awful.
Okay in a wine bar but otherwise meh
Jerry Lee Lewis
2/5
Listenable for someone that stole his entire repitior from Black people
Glad it’s 23 mins. Pions playing is great singing is patchy . The two songs he wrote are by far the weakest
Nina Simone
4/5
I new I liked Nina Simone but This album blew me out of the water. Nina Simone's voice and delivery demands attention
Slow , jazzy, moving .
The Waterboys
3/5
I remember fisherman’s blues as being a cross between indie pop and Irish folk - and was surprised this album is more Van Morrison than the wonder stuff
Neu!
3/5
Surprisingly sounds post punk for an album that came out before punk . Kraut rock classic.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
For an album that has "Superstition" on it, the rest is pretty forgettable electronic keyboard and sleepy soul.
The Rolling Stones
1/5
Just like the oasis/blur wars the stones vs the Beatles was never really a competition…
This project is just proof that the stones are band of singles not albums.
This feels very of it’s time simple almost naive songs with vapid or misogynistic lyrics .
It’s hardcore this as I listened to the English version without paint it black … with that song on it probably does enough to be a 2 not a 1 , just - with out its completely skip able
Lou Reed
3/5
he can’t sing and some of his lyrics are dodgy but this album is great overall. Proof that he was wasted in the velvet underground.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1/5
Tedious - possibly the single reason why punk happened .
Aretha Franklin
4/5
r.e.s.p.e.c.t
The Pogues
3/5
Irish folk presented as some obscure subset of punk
Creedence Clearwater Revival
2/5
Perfectly acceptable if not inspiring 60s/boomer hippy rock - not sure it warrants a revival
It’s like if southern food cooked by my Irish nanna - overcooked and with out the soul/spice
Either Clearance or Mr Clearwater does a passable Janis Joplin impression. Proud Mary just pales in comparison to Tina’s version - all the right notes but not the passion
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
honey tonk country with misogyny and elements for the good old south .
Interesting use of Mexican flavors and sounds so it’s not a 1
Violent Femmes
4/5
Energetic acoustic punk ?
How was this not a 90s album .
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
Simultaneously Melancholy meets euphoric Brit pop . Not their best album but still great .
The White Stripes
4/5
Jack white doing jack white things
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Smooth like butter
91 was a great year in hop - everything from ict at his most O.G to Mantronix.
“The low end theory” might have gone unnoticed with its blend of jazz and hip and slower pace eschewing money and hoes for musically and lyrically interesting songs.
Tangerine Dream
2/5
Interesting sound scales does not always make for an interesting album
Van Morrison
5/5
That voice got me hooked from “Them”onwards . It’s enough to make me ignore the religious overtones in his work - and the fact that he turned into a boomer bellend recently .
My dad’s favorite singer , or joint with Dylan, not influenced by the fact they hung out together in Belfast back in the day .
The cover is proof that he once had hair - the current state of which he is trying to disguise by wearing a hat for the last 40 years - we know your balled Van, it’s okay you can take of the hat.
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
More showaddywaddy* than shugi oatis: white boomer blues where it’s more about showing how good a guitarist you are than anything meaningful or soulful.
I thought Yngwie Malmsteen was a dull fret masturbator, Eric Clapton somehow made even that look like a rising force.
Layla is great though , but I could not make it through this in one session - even with Layla as a carrot.
I seriously need to start tracking these classic double albums that could be a okay if it was a single - might have kept this from being 2 - but I doubt it.
* look up Leicester’s “finest” ( actually don’t) - who somehow had 10 top 10 hits - 7 year old me did love thier version of “under the moon of love”not knowing it to be the crappy camp cover it was
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
Brilliant but oh so long
Love Ella more than I do Gershwin .
Not sure a 6 disc box set should be on this list , even as nice as this is . The problem is, is it’s 3 hours of easy listening Jazz . Loved it and was annoyed in equal measure so 2.5 - rounding up as 2 feels churlish
Ash
4/5
Britpop meets Seattle grunge , two very mint ties sounds combine in what is a Fun album all things considered.
Very of its time but not bad for that
The singles are all excellent and probably worth bumping this a rank
Cowboy Junkies
5/5
5 stars before even finding the vinyl and putting on repeat ,
There is something about a mournful female voice paired with a steel guitar that is heartbreakingly beautiful (auto correct wanted to change that to brutal - which seems to fit equally)
Miles Davis
4/5
Shhh...Peaceful in a silent way .
Beck
3/5
Beck is able to do something that Radiohead can’t, make a sad mournful album interesting to listen to
Queen
3/5
A classic album suffering from the wrong first song
Brighton rock would be great if it was 2.5 mins long - the whole guitar section is just dull
Queen are like a rocky version of sparks , bombastic songs with a musical theater bent
Generally good and only stopped from being great by a couple of songs
Sugar
2/5
Middle of the road grunge if middle was spelt MEH
The Cars
2/5
AOR ?
MOR ?
more like
BOR … ING
Sounding more like the J Gilles band than I would have thought for a band I think of as synth rock
Then best friends girl cones on - which I always thought was by J Gilles.
U2
3/5
What is it’s with auto tune in the 90s - it was so ubiquitous that you can hear it in the guitar on this album . Seriously a great album ruined by auto tune , not sure why bono even felt the need.
Admittedly it is subtle and less obvious as the album goes on - or am I just getting used to it . Then ultraviolet comes on and proves me wrong
Radiohead
2/5
I normally like random noises and incomprehensible singing but Radiohead just leave me cold . Plinks pinky industrial lite … just dull
TLC
3/5
Quintessential 90s RNB . Waterfalls is an all time favourite of mine .
polished production and the great mix of R&B/hip hop, soul and even pop resulting in massive crossover appeal.
Still sounds great today
Hole
3/5
Good grunge album - a little to much screaming into the mic to be great -
Surprisingly spoty in quality: hole have some of the best grunge songs and others are just really dull
Metallica
5/5
Ever since those first few acoustic chords I’ve been hooked then when the inevitable drums come in and the album starts giant just does not let up
One of the best thrash metal albums ever …. Strike that one of the best metal albums … no one of THE best albums ever .