Loved this when it came out, and still love it now. Narrative, witty lyrics, samples, guest appearances, all excellent. Just hard to separate it from the artist now
Usually not a huge jazz fan, but this was good fun. Clipped along at a nice pace
Haven’t listened to this in years. My memory of it was pretty accurate. The sort of songs you’d listen to while driving along a dusty road in midsummer
Loved this when it came out, and still love it now.
This belongs very firmly in the mists of the early 2000s. It should stay there (apart from the opening track)
Can see how this influenced so many followers in the next decade or so.
Some undoubted high points, but over an hour of west coast gangster rap is a little bit too much for my sensitive European soul
Beautiful voice. This will be getting a few more plays when there’s a long drive to be done
Beautiful voice. This will be getting a few more plays when there’s a long drive to be done
Beautiful voice. This will be getting a few more plays when there’s a long drive to be done
The quintessential Christmas album.
Didn’t expect this to go down so well with two kids under 3 on St Stephen’s Day, but they loved it
Classic 90s U2. Bombastic, with lyrics that border on the cringeworthy
Getting shouted at for more than an hour is not my idea of a good time. At least it reminded of the rumour that had a rib removed….
Scuzzy sound production. The audible bits were decent
A voice like a watermelon in a food processor. Which is actually a good thing
The vibes here are immaculate
Samples and production are great
Completely new artist for me. Enjoyable if not memorable
A grunge classic. A little over-long though
Usually not a fan of live albums, but this works quite well. However, I’m not a major fan of them so this was a little on the long side
A Brit pop classic. I’m sure it was groundbreaking at the time, but hard to find much of note now
Not a big AIC fan, and this isn’t their best
Musicianship is excellent. But these lyrics are reminiscent of a pub singer
A lot of bombast despite the age. Sounds like it was a lot of fun to record
Is a small bit of structure too much to ask for? This meanders endlessly
A perfectly cromulent 80s rock album
Pretty accessible as punk goes. Not exactly a lyrical masterpiece though
Not for me. I don’t want to be guided step by step through the arrangement of traditional Indian music
Morrissey as acerbic as always, even if this isn’t their best
We get it. You’re weird, don’t fit in and are jealous of others. There’s no need for the whole album to be about that
PSYCHO KILLER! Qu'est-ce que c'est??
Has enough star power on show to not make the 2+ hours feel like a drag, but still could have used a bit of editing
Spent the first six songs of this album being that annoying guy at the gig who keeps shouting for them to play the hit. Lovefool is still a banger, but nothing else memorable here
Enjoyable, a pure pop classic.
Generally not a heavy metal fan, but this was quite an enjoyably romp
Had never really explored Billy Bragg before. Pleasantly surprised
Not my cup of tea at all.
A classic, falls just short of five stars for me
What in the honky tonk hell is this
A rollicking good time
Perfect for a bank holiday morning. Meandering jazz
Still sounds like it could have been released yesterday.
Jim Morrison et al absolutely nailing it
I’m glad this sort of glam rock has been left in the past
The passing of time has aged this, but still a fun listen
A modern classic. Smart songwriting, vitriolic and barely contained anger. Equal parts melodic and jarring
Obviously the title song is a classic, but the rest of this is a bit plodding
Some classics intermingled with some meandering filler
Songwriting good, but the production is incredible
I prefer good kid, m.a.a.d. city, but this is still a five star album for me
Punk attitude, some timeless classics, and a really nice pace to the whole album.
Sounds exactly like the title. Scuzzy, distorted guitar, with Jack growling over them. Believe it or not, I mean this as a good thing
Not as good as their self titled album, but production is still great
Just not my cup of tea
Not her finest work, but will still revisit in the future
This could really have done with more work on the production floor. I get that you’re amazing guitarists, but every song doesn’t need two minutes of meandering duelling solos
Not my favourite genre, but this was very good
I’d say these are a lot of fun live, but nothing exciting on this studio album. Feels like they’re almost a parody of themselves
Not my favourite RHCP album. The highs are very high, but there are some very low lows here too
This did not need to be a double album.
Rating probably partially influenced by subsequent events, but this is a stormer
Not my favourite blur album, but probably the best of Britpop
Not a huge fan of this genre, but this is decent. Snappy smart lyrics, great production, and it all flows quite nicely
Not many songs can get me singing aloud while cycling to work in the dark, but Solisbury Hill got me going
I can understand why only releasing this album earned him a rock & roll hall of fame nomination.
No better way to start the day than the title track
I’ve never been a fan of Mark E Smith’s voice. Re listening to this album has only cemented my view.
Cheesy, campy, very 70s. Like a time capsule
Somehow manages to sound simultaneously futuristic and quintessentially 80s. Zips along at a nice pace
I’m a big fan of Nick Cave’s solo work, but this isn’t for me. Some of it sound like it’s the soundtrack to torture porn.
Rating unashamedly influenced by subsequent events. Also hard to believe New Order was born from the ashes of this
I was all set to give this the standard inoffensive 3-star rating. Then Livin’ in a World (They Didn’t Make) came on. Such cringy, over wrought lyrics meant I had to knock another star off
Not a single low point here
Occasional moments of sing-along anthems, otherwise just a pleasant ride
The supporting cast of special guests helps to keep this one fresh
My biggest gripe about Zappa is usually his lyrics and voice. This album was immeasurably improved by him essentially keeping his mouth closed for most of it
A timely reminder that the death of nu-metal should be celebrated, not mourned
36 minute album, last song is 14 minutes long, unexpected Garden of Eden. What a ride
I feel for these punk albums to really resonate you had to actually live through them at the time
Not his greatest, but certainly shows signs of the great things that are yet to come
A jamming session, where the semblance of songs can just about be deciphered
A word to the wise: when you’re trying to convince your wife and children that they need to listen to a random album per day on their holiday, over an hour of jungle music isn’t a great way to make your case
They don’t make super groups like they used to
This took me back. Muse were probably the best stadium rock band at that time
You can really begin to identify Kanye starting to fall apart here. Still some cracking tracks though
Musical parody that doesn’t really have any humour. Not for me
A classic in my eyes. I’m firmly in the pro-Dylan camp when it comes to this list
Never heard of Coldcut before today. Nifty enough.
Guaranteed to have smooth operator stuck in my head for a week now.
Casablancas muffled vocals over zippy instrumentals. Sounds bad on paper, sounds good in reality
Like a peppier Portishead. Feels like half the songs could be on a Bourne soundtrack
A perfectly cromulent album. Neither pulled me in nor pushed me away
What a terrible day to have ears.
Not his best, but certainly not bad
Simple, uncomplicated but damn catchy soft rock. Always have a soft spot for the black keys
Not the worst pop album I’ve been subjected too. The guest appearances keep this ticking over
I’ve never really had a love for punk, but this is one of the better ones
Interesting discovery. A little bit of trip hop, lo fi
Not in my top three Bruce albums, but still excellent.
Arguably more relevant today than when it was released fifty years ago
A classic in my eyes. I’m firmly in the pro-Dylan camp when it comes to this list
Punk verging on post punk. There’s anger, but it’s nicely restrained and songs actually feel structured
Remember getting this for free when it was released with the “set your own price” system. I don’t think I really “got” it then, but it has really grown on me over the intervening years
Peak Bjork Icelandic weirdness
Still as good as when I first heard it at its release. Narrative, beat, production all excellent
Lou Reed at his most monotonous.
Over long with some bubblegum pop filler
Less of the gritty noir of Back to Black, but certainly a portent of things to come
I used to prefer their earlier more guitar-heavy albums, but maybe a sign of maturity is their later works growing on me…
Bemoaning their move away from their old sound while reflexively singing along to Sex on Fire. The duality of man.
The classic album to put on as background music during dinner. Inoffensive, unobtrusive and bland
Their beards are more impressive than their music
Lyrics are absolutely on point here. The best New York rap album for me
Equal parts humour and pathos. One of the best singing voices in the business
Quintessential lounge music…
Enjoyably different
This suited my mood quite well today. Ambient, with slow building crescendos
Not my favourite Elliott, but still damn good
Much like Mark E Smith, I find his voice hard to warm to. Maybe it’ll grow on me over time
One of the Bowie albums that gets lost in the catalogue
Better than expected. Beat is pretty much of its time, but the production stays fresh even now
Showing its age. Hasn’t really stood the test of time but still listenable
My love for this has slowly mellowed over the years. Still a nice early shoegaze album, and the opening track is still a classic
Never been a big listener of Rush previously. Still not a big fan, but can see the appeal with this album
I’m a sucker for anything by Cohen, and this isn’t an exception to that rule
Big element of nostalgia in this rating. Obviously the opening track is a classic, but it keeps that standard throughout.
Forefront of the genre at the time, and has aged beautifully
Maybe a little over-long, but this is how punk is supposed to be sound. Leaves the Sex Pistols in the dust
Not my favourite Silver Jews album, but still a masterpiece of songwriting
Cycling to work on a sunny May morning, this was exactly the soundtrack I needed
Had me rocking around the kitchen on a Saturday morning. Angus Young’s voice can be grating, but I love it on this
This feels like the sort of music that inspired Fred Durst. My rating is generous.
A slice of middle America. Has aged better than i expected.
Was apprehensive when I saw the band name, but pleasantly surprised. Can see the influence on Joy Division, Swans, even some of the darker Interpol stuff
An odd addition to the list. I guess it captured the state of radio soft rock around the millennium.
I generally like Reed’s vocal style, but this album is a bit too chaotic and dark for my taste
A perfectly cromulent album
One of her most accessible albums, although still plenty of quirks and Björkisms to be found
Bubblegum pop with a performative edge. Not for me
High energy feel good music. If it doesn’t get you on your feet, please see a doctor
Like a Temu version of the Beatles
There’s only so much quirky droll Costello I can take, but this is manageable
Not my favourite genre, but this is probably as good as it gets
A pretty good way to start my Friday. Coltrane is just so smooth.
Temu Beatles. Pretty underwhelming
Not usually a big fan of live albums, and this is no different.
This album is the platonic ideal of southern USA living
I can see how this style inspired Paul Simon on Graceland. Soulful, funky
Not my favourite PJ album, but still very good. Her usual vitriolic delivery is as acerbic as ever
I had forgotten how controversial this was amongst some conservative groups when this first came out. Just the right mix of vulgarity and humour for me.
Timeless.
Straight up dad rock. Awesome guitar as always
Arguably his best album; certainly my favourite. Operatic
One of the quintessential grunge albums. A classic
Jangly folk rock. This genre is really of its time
Scuzzy and distorted. A bit too DIY-sounding for my taste
Unexpected gem. Unfamiliar with Beth Orton prior to this. Superb songwriting, powerful vocals. And a new album out this year to boot too.
An all time favourite. Think I was too young to fully appreciate this when it first came out, but over the years it has confirmed its place in my top albums. Pathos and vulnerability in the songwriting, contrasting to the upbeat music.
Hard to beat a hip hop album that has a strong narrative.
Like listening to Air without the breathy vocals.
Nothing says 80s naff rock like Boston does
Distinctive style. Lots of production chops, punchy lyrics
Like a x rated honky tonk cabaret
Early dark wave. Laying the foundations for Joy Division et al to follow
Even though the track isn’t actually on this album, every Moby song is associated with Jason Bourne in my head
