168
Albums Rated
3.5
Average Rating
15%
Complete
921 albums remaining
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Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950
Favorite Decade
Jazz
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
41
5-Star Albums
14
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
All That You Can't Leave Behind
U2
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Genesis
|
5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
|
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
George Michael
|
5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
|
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
|
5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
|
Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
|
4 | 2.29 | +1.71 |
|
Peter Gabriel 3
Peter Gabriel
|
5 | 3.29 | +1.71 |
|
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
|
5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
|
Live At Leeds
The Who
|
5 | 3.31 | +1.69 |
|
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
|
5 | 3.31 | +1.69 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
|
1 | 3.72 | -2.72 |
|
Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
|
1 | 3.54 | -2.54 |
|
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
|
1 | 3.48 | -2.48 |
|
Ghosteen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
|
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective
|
1 | 2.91 | -1.91 |
|
Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
|
1 | 2.9 | -1.9 |
|
Vincebus Eruptum
Blue Cheer
|
1 | 2.8 | -1.8 |
|
Happy Trails
Quicksilver Messenger Service
|
1 | 2.8 | -1.8 |
|
Roots
Sepultura
|
1 | 2.78 | -1.78 |
|
Atomizer
Big Black
|
1 | 2.74 | -1.74 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 3 | 5 |
| Beatles | 3 | 5 |
| David Bowie | 2 | 5 |
5-Star Albums (41)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Fleet Foxes · 1 likes
4/5
A hugely well received debut album which was the definitive statement in the burgeoning indie folk scene. A lot of 60s/70s fans would’ve been taken by the Crosby stills, Nash harmonies. Sounds fresh now.
John Lennon · 1 likes
5/5
A contender for best solo Beatle album and evidence of the sheer breadth and range of Lennon’s. Imagine, jealous guy and how do you sleep are now legendary songs, but gems like ‘oh my love’,and ‘how can I’ really sound like late Beatle songs. Gimme some truth has also gained a reputation. Excellent stuff - timeless
Ian Dury · 1 likes
4/5
The punk era was a really useful backdrop for the release of this classic release from the most famous polio suffering cockney poet with a decidedly non punk sounding backing band. (Steely dan fan) Dury's lyrics contain characters that were refreshing to pop music at the time and had a long lasting influence on many 90s/2000s artists. The Blockheads could turn their hands to a range of styles and had some real chops. Madness had more hits but this act had critical credibility (which meant a lot in 1977) and took risks.
1-Star Albums (14)
All Ratings
Scott Walker
4/5
Highly influential pop star turned crooner, david Bowie looked up to him. A world away from his avant garde concept song cycles in his later career. A really distinctive voice
GZA
3/5
Clearly a great rap album, but I couldn’t fully identify a clear concept lyrically despite its comic art work and intro track.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Their second of three 1969 albums, 29 minutes of economic rockabilly. It just feels right and this band could’ve been the next biggest band of them all. Fabulous music
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
An album supposedly dwarfed by a historic rock anthem in ‘freebird’, it confounds expectations of a dumb southern rock record with some varied approaches to playing and writing. Impressive band
Sister Sledge
1/5
Essentially a Chic album with a different set of vocalists. Rare for a late 70s pop album to have four top notch hit singles on it. You can hear the sound Diana Ross would develop with Nile and Bernard the following year. One of the best disco albums of the era.
Dire Straits
1/5
Missy Elliott
2/5
Slightly groovier than I expected and clearly influential - just a little bit too long
Blondie
4/5
Pop quality with a new wave touch. They’re still a better singles band.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
The start of the California sound - a true supergroup - they just weren’t that prolific. Harmony singing of great invention
Beastie Boys
1/5
Never liked them, led zeppelin samples and a threat to VW cars…..
The Black Crowes
3/5
I feel this perfectly adequate debut album is dwarfed by a sublime cover of Hard to handle - the bastard child of Zep and the stones
Iggy Pop
4/5
Co written produced by David Bowie, during a remarkably productive Berlin period, and fracturing (future Tin Machine) rhythm section Tony and Hunt, this is a proto punk effort with 2 stonewall classics on it and a couple of tracks (tonight and Neigbourhood threat) that ended up on Bowie’s awful Tonight album 7 years later.
Blue Cheer
1/5
The origins of the who’s cover of ‘Summertime Blues’ and some pretty average psych/ stoner rock. Not a classic…..
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
A formative influence on the genre and it contains the first crossover with walk this way. Can live without it though……
David Holmes
1/5
Not a fan AT ALL
Arcade Fire
4/5
Excellent album, continuing their upward trajectory as David Bowie’s favourite band in later life.Grammy winning, tuneful, conceptual.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
One of the all time great rock albums - 8 tracks recorded in 74/5 that were too long for a single album and so we also have 7 extras from earlier albums. Just outstanding - a real journey into their world
Fleet Foxes
4/5
A hugely well received debut album which was the definitive statement in the burgeoning indie folk scene. A lot of 60s/70s fans would’ve been taken by the Crosby stills, Nash harmonies. Sounds fresh now.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Produced by Ian Brodie with two significant hits on it, they were nip and tuck with U2 for the post punk alternative crown at the time. Not well reviewed at the time but it has aged well - sounds more of its time now
Animal Collective
1/5
This is total bobbins - psychedelic nonsense!
Maxwell
3/5
Nas
3/5
Highly influential east coast rap album. Full of interesting jazz and funk samples. Not my area of comfort but it has clearly aged well.
Beastie Boys
3/5
A really varied hip hop album with elements of punk, funk and rock. They were now a long way from nicking VW badges.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
One of the greatest rock albums of all time, takes you on a genuine journey into the stones’ world - rock, blues, country, gospel, boogie. The last in the run of four classic albums and considering their situation, a miracle it turned out like it did
The Prodigy
4/5
Absolute banger from 1997, powerful, unsubtle, dance meets punk/metal crossover. Their biggest seller - Keith flint made a huge difference. Has Dance music ever been so mainstream since…..?
Black Sabbath
4/5
Much written about - birth of genre etc - but stands as a great rock album by a jazz drummer, guitarist with a hampered hand, a bass player who put horror fiction into lyrics and Aston’s village idiot turned most iconic star on vocals - what a combination. And they still put an acoustic number in there…..
The Clash
4/5
Along with the pistols and the damned, one of the key UK punk albums, compact and concise and just waiting for Topper Headon to give them a more stylistic options.
Various Artists
5/5
Some of the only notable Christmas 60s recordings and arguably the defining seasonal album collection. Perfection of its kind
Metallica
4/5
Brought them to a wider audience with Bob Rock’s slightly more ‘accessible’ production, with some hit singles in there. In some top audiophiles lists of best sounding albums.
U2 had a fab 80s, a 50/50 90s and this album kicked off a hugely successful 2000s with a no.1 hit single (impressive for 20 years into their career). It should be called ‘Elevation’ rather than from a line in ‘walk on’. This album has aged well.
The Go-Betweens
3/5
Pretty sounding jangly indie pop from Australia. Sounds like the smiths accompanying the bastard child of Lou Reed and Bernard Sumner. Hardly a classic album but a very familiar sound to those of us of a certain generation. Prefab Sprout did it infinitely better…..
Louis Prima
3/5
A mixture of jazz Melodys, gibberish improvising, changes of tempo and some R&B sounds with some Latin mixed in. ‘Jump,jive and wail’ and ‘Bueno sera’ are the standouts but it’s an entertaining period piece, 12 years before ‘king of the swingers’
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
Entertaining fare from two northerners channeling their inner Scott Walker with some French chic in there as well. Certainly an indicator as to the Arctic Monkeys direction on their recent two albums
Pentangle
4/5
This was a refreshing departure with the premier UK folk rock group along with Fairport Convention. The opening track was well known as the theme for TV show ‘take three girls’. The guitar playing of Bert Jancsh was hugely influential on the likes of Led Zeppelin and Danny Thompson’s double bass also played with John Martyn and Richard Thompson. A fine album from an important act of that time.
Robbie Williams
4/5
A member of Take That ‘doing Britpop’ ended up being a recipe for success, once Angels and let me entertain you prevailed after 3 misfiring singles. The real story really is Guy Chambers’ songwriting taking the best bits of pop/rock history with Robbie’s sometimes dodgy lyrics. Nice to hear it 28 years on - it’s aged better than I thought
Beatles
5/5
Hard to write anything that hasn’t been written about this album. Occasionally I think a single album would’ve been better. Revolution 9 could’ve been replaced by Hey Jude! It’s John, Paul and George being more eclectic and grasping the rock revolution and more acoustic stuff than in ‘67. It’s a compendium of delights and some mad moments.
Mercury Rev
4/5
This fourth mercury Rev album is hard to pin down - a lovely brittleness in the early songs, arrangements going away from rock cliche. Levon Helm and Garth Hudson (the band) appear on drums and sax remarkably. Uncut magazine used to love them. I enjoyed it far more than I would’ve done back in 1998!
Astor Piazzolla
4/5
Playing on another level by the specialists in their respective fields. Excellently recorded live album.
The Stone Roses
5/5
Listened to it recently after Mani died and, aside from the unnecessary backwards track, it stands up incredibly well. A huge changing point for post Smiths alternative UK music which ended up with Britpop.
Fela Kuti
3/5
The first example of one of the rock/pop fraternity fusing with Africa - great to hear Tony Allen as well. The birth of afrobrat (for western ears). Goes on a bit but fela kuti is very charismatic and this lays down foundations for WOMAD and such like.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Another favourite of ‘uncut’ magazine. Americana singer songwriter that to my ears doesn’t really stand out from the rest.
The Icarus Line
1/5
This album is a horrendous cacophony, steering between punk, metal and post rock. I will not be searching out the rest of their catalogue…
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Hard to separate this album from the 1988 Mandela concert, which helped make it a success. I like it now more than I did back then. It seems that some of the underground alternative music became mainstream in readiness for the 90s. A distinctive voice and writer
Elbow
3/5
Their definitive album by common consensus. I really should like this band more than I do - ranges of moods and instruments, soaring vocals, northern, Guy Garvey is a great personality. However aside from mirrorball and the Olympic ceremony track, it’s not FULL of tunes. An ok band in my book.
Pearl Jam
3/5
One of the big albums to kickstart the grunge scene. It’s all very committed, full of energy and Eddie Vedder certainly has a distinctive voice. I just don’t buy into the idea that this helped to rescue rock from
van Halen, Bon Jovi and Aerosmith
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
The idea of hearing this for the first time would’ve been mind blowing. One of the greatest records of them all - less an influence on heavy metal, more on Queen, Bowie/ mick Ronson, Stevie ray Vaughan, stone roses and Prince. Can’t ignore the acid and psychedelic aspects of his music. Very few more impactful artists than this guy,not forgetting Noel and Mitch.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
One of the finest recording of the 21st century, helped by the production of mark ronson and salaam remi. Retro meets modernism. Who knows what could’ve been had rehab not been necessary…..
John Lennon
5/5
A contender for best solo Beatle album and evidence of the sheer breadth and range of Lennon’s. Imagine, jealous guy and how do you sleep are now legendary songs, but gems like ‘oh my love’,and ‘how can I’ really sound like late Beatle songs. Gimme some truth has also gained a reputation. Excellent stuff - timeless
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
This album evokes a time, place and entire movie genre. The fact that it’s a film soundtrack but yet works as a studio album will have no doubt influenced Quentin Tarantino. Never has the underworld sounded so stylish and groovy……
The Who
5/5
Along with ‘get yer ya yas out’, kick started the trend of the live album. This capitalised on the success of Tommy and contains some great rock n roll covers which were updated for the rock audience. The band were one hell of a four piece - ramshackle and spectacular at the same time. A true classic of its time - heavy rock being born
Talvin Singh
3/5
The equivalent of a magic carpet ride over eastern parts with contemporary beats. The kind of mercury winning album of its time. Interesting but not hugely compelling
Sepultura
1/5
I’m not hearing much in the way of Brazilian influence, the nu metal screams permeate and, to my ears, sound horrendous. Obviously there are some useful riffs and some bite in the music, but I didn’t grow into this during my 20s……good of its type I guess.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Short, conceptual, varied and put them well and truly in the ‘big league’. Some would say their best album, and with America, Mrs Robinson, hazy shade, old friends and title track, they could be justified. Sonically interesting too. A cut above.
Fred Neil
3/5
A curiosity from an oft overlooked folk musician. Nice to hear the original version of ‘everybody’s talking’ and ‘dolphins’ and the last Raga like track is very 1966….. clearly better known for songs he gave away.
Jerry Lee Lewis
5/5
Doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to traditional rock n roll. Not a bad live sound for ‘64. Short, snappy and the standard length of a gig I guess. The Beatles and stones would’ve considered themselves not worthy in his presence!
Skunk Anansie
3/5
More britrock than Britpop, and they did have Kerrang’s support back in the day. I thought after track one it was going to be a horrid noise, but the elements of grunge and dynamic shifts made it more interesting. Ok overall
Coldplay
5/5
A modern classic I guess, these days. The album that put them into the big league with a superior set of songs to a Parachutes and some tracks that still dominate their sets today
Big Black
1/5
Unless forcibly coerced I will
Never listen to this album again. It was horrendous, badly played, badly produced and, if it helped influence industrial rock I won’t be exploring that genre much….terrible.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Rare for a band to have an eponymous third album. Doug Yule replaced John Cale and we now have a more mellow set of less obtuse songs but they still have electric strum DIY sound that became so influential. A yes from me for a band I don’t rate THAT much.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Another conscience laden soul album in the wake of ‘What’s going on’ - consistent, funky and stylish. It was a great period for a defining voice of that era.
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
Clearly a very strong practitioner in this genre, just a shame I find it hard to love this stuff. Not something that gives me great joy
Cowboy Junkies
2/5
This kind of thing paved the way for the alt country and Americana boom in the 90s, along with unplugged on MTV. A family based group with a moody melancholia - I find it dreary but great numbers didn’t. Some original treatments of famous tracks as well.
David Bowie
5/5
Six stunning tracks on one short, concise masterpiece. This album dominated his Glastonbury set and is the perfect mix of his plastic soul and European experimentation. Up there with his finest work with cover artwork from ‘the man who fell to earth’.
Keith Jarrett
4/5
A remarkable musician, 80 minutes of extended improvising. Heavy going and quite immersive, and an insight into spontaneous creativity with an underlying structure and method.
Deee-Lite
3/5
The sound of a changing decade - if ever an album sounded like 1990 it’s this one. Sampling is now becoming an art form and the use of Herbie Hancock’s ‘Blow up’ soundtrack for the (now legendary) ‘groove is in the heart’ dominates this album. It now sounds of its time but, 36 years ago, everyone who could was attempting this approach.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
Probably the last ‘indie’ group to be a mainstream success and a lot was made of this album at the time. Spiky, tuneful and with a sense of fun, and they’re Scottish! Not hugely original but entertaining nonetheless.
Eagles
5/5
A defining work from the era when the album was one of the key modes of cultural expression. Three mega hits, the arrival of Joe Walsh, departure of Randy Meisner and Don Felder denied the lead vocal on ‘Victim of love’ by the ever more dictatorial Henley. The album’s Grammy nominated success precipitated the band’s ultimate demise. A classic.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
5/5
One of the finest recordings of a big band ever put to disc. Neil hefti arrangements, sublime direction and a masterclass for the up and coming rock n rollers who took over.
John Prine
4/5
A 1971 album that emerged with the saturated singer songwriter boom and has subsequently been extremely positively reappraised. To my ears it’s a more produced version of early Bob Dylan, Arif Mardin no less. It’s all about the lyrics and they do strike a chord. I only heard about this guy when he died during Covid. I’ve enjoyed this.
Bebel Gilberto
4/5
An album of stylish elegance delivered by the next line of Brazilian samba royalty. Obviously the spectre of ‘desafinado’ and ‘girl from ipanema’ are never far from one’s thoughts. I can’t help thinking that George Michael could have explored this territory.
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
The sound of tattoos and piercings for the 90s. Trent reznor was an original and this ‘industrial’ sound enraptured david Bowie who asked him to tour with him. ‘Hurt’ was immortalised by Johnny cash’s swansong acoustic cover version. A bit dismal but not boring.
k.d. lang
4/5
A defining album of 1992, showcasing a burgeoning talent in the new country genre. Constant craving is a bizarre choice to close the album considering it’s hit single success, but the songs are satisfying throughout if not extraordinary. Produced by Rush’s mate Ben Mink and is, overall, inspired by Marlene Dietrich.
The Temptations
3/5
The start of the Motown shift to counter cultural themes with the drug influenced title track. Soul and funk permeate throughout, the rather over long third track looks forward to ‘papa was a rollin’ stone’. The second half seems more traditional in terms of style. The sound of 1969 black music encompassed in 35 minutes.
The Police
5/5
An excellent ‘sophomore’ album where you can hear the three individual players and their contributions as clear as day. Two number one hit singles, a Grammy winning instrumental title track, a funny Stewart Copeland lyric (on any other day) and two other classics in ‘beds too big without you’ and ‘bring on the night’. Just fabulous - and Copeland co writes 4 of the tracks!
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Great to hear the Stax house band in their own instrumental album. A unique sound, Steve Cropper taking a big role and the muscle shoals studio all in one. Probably recorded in a day! Fantastic stuff.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
4/5
A 1958 album from the same well spring as woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger which paved the way for Bob Dylan’s breakthrough work from 1963-5.
Certainly topics that were eons away from mainstream pop at the time. One take, three chords and the truth…supposedly
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
A not dissimilar tale to Syd Barrett’s solo work, committed to a mental institution after attacking a fellow member of psychedelic band Moby Grape. This album - Skip’s only solo effort - is the sound of pain, confusion and despair. The lowest selling album in Columbia records history - It’s not an easy listen - Robert Plant will love it!
Pink Floyd
5/5
Hard to follow Dark side but they did it with a second consecutive masterwork. You have the 12 part Syd tribute bookending the album with some of Wright and Gilmour’s best instrumental work, their most popular song as the title track and two tracks showing evidence that Waters was becoming cynical about the ‘biz’. I feel the mix is not as clear as Dark side but it doesn’t take a back step musically. The fact that Syd visited them during the Shine on recording and Roy Harper ended up
Singing ‘Have a cigar’ just adds to the legend.
TLC
3/5
This was enormously successful at the time and they were seen as the biggest girl group of their era. Financially they were ripped off and there were subsequent tragedies, but this is a fine RnB sound of the time with a mega hit single and a good Prince cover on it. Not my scene but good if it’s kind.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
1959 was a year of change in jazz (ornette Coleman, Mingus, miles) and Brubeck’s approach certainly made people think of metre and time signatures. I would suggest that it influenced prog rock more than most, and the album doesn’t change time for every track. It has a chamber like elegance and subtlety.
The Pogues
3/5
This was NOT the sound of my 80s and, apart from fairytale and Irish rover this would’ve passed me by. Listening now it sounds like a breath of fresh air amongst all the style and sophistication. It would also be a good source of material to demonstrate traditional music to GCSE students! Quite an exhaustive listening experience for the time.
David Gray
4/5
One of the biggest selling products around the turn of the millenium. Babylon and this year’s love were all over tv programmes at the time and its influence on the Ed Sheerans, James Blunts and Tom Odells of this world cannot be underestimated. I still thought he sounded like he was trying to be Bob Dylan with his vocal timbre. A pleasant but not earth shattering listen.
Giant Sand
2/5
Millennial mellow, slightly mysterious low fi Americana featuring a lead singer heavily inspired by Lou Reed. They create a few moods but if this is something I need to hear before I die, I sincerely hope there will be some considerably different sounding ones leading to the inevitable……uncut magazine would no doubt have given this 5 stars!
Kanye West
2/5
Clearly a controversial and important artist of his time. Some interesting use of samples and melodic moments in and amongst the racial confrontational language, not to mention unnecessary sexism. Black skinhead is quite a significant hook laden track but I don’t hear musical development, I hear celebrity product placement.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
This is one of the finest departures in popular music, released (much like David Bowie earlier in the year) just before he passed away. Moody, dark, accepting and with a final love song to Marianne just after her death. Bill Bottrell and Patrick Leonard are key collaborators, a long way from their Madonna and Sheryl crow stuff. A great epitaph.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Iconic 1968 live album, well recorded for the time. A really novel idea which spawned three more albums in prisons. The man in black was a true man of the people. Great song choices, the response from the crowd of ne’er do wells to the fourth lines of verses is priceless.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Definitely the ultimate example of musical marmite. Experimental, avant and for many impenetrable. I confess to rather liking it and understanding why Frank Zappa chose to promote Don Van Villet. John Peel would also agree……this is now 57 years old and we don't hear this level of creativity and imagination in popular music now. Highly entertaining stuff, but did it need to be a double……?
Björk
3/5
Her first music since finishing with the Sugarcanes. I recall this being a very fashionable album at the time of my first year of teaching. Big time sensuality, Venus as a boy and Violently happy were popular on radio. I can't help think it was a bit overrated looking back and lacking big tunes compared to atmosphere and feel. Nevertheless a distinctive voice.
Brian Eno
3/5
Evidence that, if you work with Brian Eno, you don't know what to expect next and Talking Heads followed up 'Remain in light' with a year's hiatus whilst their leader and their producer created an entirely new form of music by using samples of voices as a 'lead melody' over rhythm tracks. The bonus outtakes are not really worth much but it's inventive stuff and influential, creating even more credibility for its creators
Genesis
5/5
One of my all time favourite acts at the peak of their early period of creativity. A troubled gestation, all lyrics written by the soon to depart lead singer and premiered on a US tour to audiences who’d never heard it in readiness. Having seen it performed, with slides and costumes, by The Musical Box, it is quite baffling for the uninitiated. Nevertheless it’s a prog masterpiece - remarkable music.
Scott Walker
4/5
This was an intriguing listen as this was from a period when Walker was only two years past his Walker brother heartthrob period, but the album was far more versatile than pop would allow at the time. On the surface you hear Walker crooning over easy listening string led arrangements but if you delve deeper you hear a range of compositional approaches - popular covers, Jacques Brel songs (clearly identifiable) and his own (ever developing) songs that would influence David Bowie and such like so much. It was better as it progresses and 'Jackie' got banned at the time and the Bacharach and David 'windows of the world' is an absolute gem.
Arcade Fire
3/5
An important debut for David Bowie's favourite band in the 2000s. Some useful pounding anthems in the alternative rock mould like 'Wake up'. Also nice to have a track with four parts in an album so early in a career - quite risky some would say. Their appearance at Fashion rocks with their legendary admirer was career defining for them at the time. This album gets better and some better work was to come from this Canadian bunch.
The Roots
2/5
Not my musical idea of heaven for over an hour, but this group are politically aware as opposed to self promoting. Some creative samples and a plethora of black music styles on offer. Clearly a musically credible bunch. Critically acclaimed despite being less commercially successful
Stevie Wonder
5/5
All killer no filler, one of the all time great albums from the format’s golden age. The mid point of Stevie’s imperial phase - how many artists get that in the second decade of fame? Michael Jackson and that’s it…. Hard to fault this recording at all - Stevie and his two professor longhairs with the synths.
Beatles
5/5
probably one of the most anticipated popular music recordings of all time, based on its 'advanced orders' in late 1963. Issued alongside 'she loves you' and 'I want to hold your hand' it captured the energy of the newly emerging Beatlemania more than the first album 'Please please me'. 'All my loving' could easily have been a single and really stands out as a Lennon & McCartney original (with 'It won't be long' in second spot). It's in the cover versions where the band really kick this time - roll over Beethoven, you really got a hold on me, til there was you, please mister postman and devil in her heart are all superb album tracks. You also have George's first song, Don't bother me and the Ringo lead vocal that they gave to the Stones. Highly entertaining and full of tunes 63 years on......
Jean-Michel Jarre
5/5
For 1976 this is a groundbreaking recording by the (latterly crowned) ‘Father of Techno’. One can’t help but identify the influences of some progressive rock acts in some of the more expansive tracks. Parts 1-2 became used in tv and film and part 4 was a hit single, learnt by many new owners of Casio keyboards in the 80s. The only thing that dates it is the relatively basic programmed percussion. A defining sound of my young life.
Elvis Presley
4/5
The '68 comeback TV special had clearly injected some vitality into the Elvis lost movie star and this album gave a contemporary sound for the time with some gospel, blues, ballad and Motown flavours. There are a couple of tracks that became staples of the vegas live years. Proof that he could challenge the heirs to his original throne on occasion. Nonessential but solid.
The Gun Club
2/5
Nick Drake
4/5
His third and final album of that brief, retrospectively lauded career. It is also his first to be entirely him and a guitar as opposed to the enhanced instrumentation of bryter later. There is a haunted, troubled character to the music, though hindsight is a remarkable thing. Who knows how the perception of mental health would've played out without the timeless story of Nick Drake - an important work.
Suicide
1/5
Minimalist electronics with rock n roll vocals. Springsteen loved it, and I’m sure Trent Reznor was influenced as well. Sounds crap to me. I guess I won’t forget ‘Frankie teardrop’!
Dr. Dre
2/5
A key album from the hip hop genre and the 1990s. Dr Dre’s first post NWA solo album bringing a slower more relaxed ‘G-Funk’ approach to the genre with some very funky obscure 70s funk samples. Clearly of artistic significance but I can’t get past the n words and mofos that permeate the album as a whole.
‘Bitches ain’t shit’……really?!
David Bowie
5/5
A memorable release, forever related to Bowie's death, and certainly evidence of an artist NOT going through the motions. The moments of avant jazz sound incredibly fresh and the title track's video was memorably premiered in late 2015 to rave reviews and it is a track like no other, yet relating to Major Tom. The Lazarus track gave birth to a stage musical and Tis a Pity and Sue were familiar as a single in late 2014 so this album was seen as a really strong effort. Not sure we expected the Monday morning news after the Friday release...........
The Cult
3/5
After rejecting an initial album (released years later) they teamed up with Rick Rubin (fresh from Slayer) and created a sound more akin to AC/DC and ZZ top than the more 'Goth' approach of 'she sells sanctuary'. The drums almost sound like demo recordings they're so organic. There is a lacklustre Steppenwolf cover and a better single in 'love removal machine'. I remain unconvinced by this band as the real deal and Ian Astbury was a distinctive yet limited rock voice. Memories, but not of total musical excellence.
Spiritualized
2/5
Sonically part of the trippy post Britpop hangover of ‘97 and also typical of the CD noise wars. I hear some influence on later Blur and some Mogwai like drones but also quite an unbalanced track sequence for such a varied listening experience. No intention to return unfortunately.
The Pogues
3/5
Their second album, produced by Elvis Costello, sees a much more focused approach to traditional folk song and the definitive Irish wedding band in their prime. Shane McGowan is also sounding the best he ever did. A real contrast from the pop scene at the time. The title was based on a quote from Winston Churchill….
Beatles
5/5
The official end of the era known as the 60s. Iconic in artwork, production, use of Moog synthesiser, a multi part segueing song suite and a pop song based on a backwards Beethoven sonata! Paul had excelled himself on the Get Back / Let it Be shelved sessions with three classics but he and John were now giving way to George as the strongest emerging songwriting talent. Something is one of their greatest songs and Here comes the sun us now their most streamed song with the kids now. He was soon to be the biggest selling solo Beatle in the immediate aftermath of the break up. Abbey Road was not reviewed that well at the time and is now firmly among the highest regarded of their albums, deservedly.
The Everly Brothers
4/5
The centre of the imperial phase of their career, this album does not really match a greatest hits, but does contain a classic Boudleaux Bryant ballad in ‘Love Hurts’ and their biggest hit single in ‘Cathy’s clown’. ‘Lucille’ and ‘Donna Donna’ were other better known tracks and ‘stick with me baby’ was covered by Allison Krauss and robert plant for ‘Raising sand’. Not a remarkable album but certainly good to hear those harmonies - one of the great singles acts of that era.
a-ha
4/5
This brings back nice memories of the first Scandinavian pop sensation since ABBA and an album that sounds more melodic and crafted now than it did back in 1986! The production of Alan Tarney (best known for Cliff Richard), Pal Waaktar's songs, Mags's highly musical and fluid keyboards and the highly distinctive range of Morten's voice make this more than the sum of its parts. The title track sounds great now, 'the sun always shines on TV' was their epic sole UK no.1, 'Train of thought' was another top ten hit but this album is now dwarfed by one of pop's great pieces (and videos) in 'Take on me'. The filler is superior and of its time but can't be worth 5 stars. Very successful and a new boyband were born who managed to transcend the term.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Unquestionably one of the best 'sophomore' albums ever made, establishing the band as the heirs to The Beatles in terms of the numbers, and the album knocked Abbey Road off the number one spot in late 1969. You can never fail to hear the individual qualities of each member, Page generating some of rock's best riffs and getting the production of the band SO right in terms of power and clarity at the time, Plant is starting to co write effectively and is inventing the heavy metal voice, Bonham has a drum solo that doesn't drag and Jonesy's playing on Lemon song and Ramble on is highly influential. Three classics, six superior album tracks and three songs that should've credited classic blues singers as co-writers. Remarkable album and its response in the US made them what they became.
George Michael
5/5
Brit award for best album in 1991 and the emergence of an artist at his peak form both a vocal and writing perspective. A remarkable Stevie Wonder cover, three tracks using grooves of the time and four other magnificent tracks make this one of the best albums of its era. This was an era when an artist was taken very seriously and, in the case of George Michael, played up to it with his absence from all promotional videos and a tour that was all covers. The idea that Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams were competing over doing a 'George Michael' is faintly laughable when you hear THESE songs.............nowhere near!
The Replacements
2/5
I fear that me great 5 album run has come to a sudden end with this supposed punk classic from the U.S. This album does not represent the sound of 1984 AT ALL - punk had moved on. Not unpleasant throughout but I'm not hearing music essential to my life here at all.
CHIC
4/5
Seen as one of the key albums of the disco era with one of the greatest grooves of all time in 'Good times' . I think they did well to get away with 7 tracks on the album and track two certainly drags a bit. Definitely a lesson for many in how to record a rhythm section, courtesy of Rodgers, Edwards and Tony Thompson. However within a year, disco 'sucked' and Niles and Bernard were working with Miss Ross. 'My feet keep dancing' and 'my forbidden lover' were also hits of note from this entirely decent album.
The White Stripes
3/5
Their penultimate album which now sounds as if it is moving towards Jack's solo career. They had started to experiment with new more unusual instruments and was critically well received but wasn't quite as successful as Elephant. I'm not sure I can differentiate much in their songwriting between albums a great deal, but its interesting to get some marimba and piano.
Motörhead
4/5
The classic trio of Lemmy, Eddie and Phil - all sadly now deceased - with their defining musical statement. It's a consistent album, a pure amalgam of metal and punk, and is dwarfed by its iconic title track despite plenty of other quality tracks. I love the fact that Lemmy stole the Hawkwind track 'Motorhead' and made a career out of it after they left him high and dry in the states.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Often seen as the Stones response to The Beatles doing 'Rubber Soul' and writing a greater variety of songs. Granted the likes of 'Mother's little helper', 'Lady Jane', 'Under my thumb' and 'Out of time' are better album tracks., but the ridiculously long 'Going home' has a negative effect on the album as a whole and the other songs are more akin to the early blues rock idiom of the two previous years. 1966 was a key year for so many acts (Paint it black, have you seen your mother and 19th nervous breakdown were great hit singles) but this album is for me a tad overrated.
Duran Duran
5/5
Iconic in artwork, sound and songs - a far from 'difficult second album'. Three huge hit singles, an updated single (My own way), two classic album tracks (new religion, the Chauffeur) and (vitally) the lesser tracks (lonely in your nightmare, hold back the rain, last chance on the stairway) balance well in between the biggies so the album seems a full and consistent listen. The sound of Roxy Music, chic, Human League and Glam - a unique fusion with remarkably pretentious New Romantic lyrics (they've aged better than their reviews!). Terrific piece of work by the 80s band that ultimately prevailed.
Thundercat
4/5
A very interesting album from the kimono wearing bass player Steven Lee Bruner. The music bears little resemblance to Thundercat's live sound and comes across as a rather stylish collection of groovy fragmentary tracks who happen to have some 'A list' collaborators (Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, Wiz Kalifa) on some of them. His voice to me sounds like the falsetto of Mike Lindup from Level 42 but his playing is varied and at times remarkable. Worth another spin from time to time.
Barry Adamson
3/5
A real curio from the 90s - not a significant commercial success back in the day - with notable appearances from Jarvis Cocker and nick Cave but rooted in the world of independent film soundtracks which were all the rage in that decade. A range of styles and sonic approaches but more of an interesting listen than a musical feast.
The Slits
2/5
The meeting of punk and reggae at the time. This band have been written about, interviewed, critically acclaimed and viewed as seminal in the development of women in music. It still sounds, to me, ramshackle and not inviting of too many other ensuing listens - I don't hear the agitated art pop qualities that drove the music papers wild back in 1979......
The Go-Go's
3/5
When Belinda Carlisle (and indeed Jane Wieldin) had late 80s mainstream success I was unaware of their status as US new wave stars in the Go Gos. The success of this album was almost entirely stateside though the Fun Boy three's hit single 'Our lips are sealed' (about Terry Hall's alleged affair with Jane Wiedlin) was by far the key track from this debut album. To my ears it's an all female self contained unit trying their best to emulate Blondie. An important act, usurped by the Bangles five years later but their solo members were to easily outstrip their initial influential work.
3/5
Mercury Prize winning fifth album from Somerset's finest featuring an excellent Thom Yorke duet (especially the second one) and the track 'This is Love' was familiar at the time. It has its grungey moments and PJ Harvey is forever associated with the alternative 90s scene, a darling of the music press form that era but this is a more varied collection overall. a decent listen today.
Dr. John
3/5
Dismissed at the time, by none other than Armet Ertugen, as 'boogaloo crap' it has subsequently been critically reappraised and the Voodoo practising alter ego that was Dr. John became a jazz/blues legend, and a key influence on Jools Holland and such like. I can see that Atlantic would have struggled at the time to market the music but the presence of 'Walk on Gilded Splinters' has given it some renown and subsequent covers by Marsha Hunt the following year and Paul Weller in britpbop days have added to its appeal. Definitely an original fusion of psychedelia and New Orleans R&B.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Two things surprised me when delving into this album: firstly that it was their sixth album, and secondly that it charted so well and won Grammys and featured a big billboard chart single. All the elements that made them so fantastic 2-3 years down the line are pretty much present - funk, African rhythms and serious balladry. I enjoyed listening to it but am just of the view that the best is yet to come and I hope that the 1001 list recognises this as well.
Mj Cole
1/5
I really find this music hard to love - the cutting edge of urban pop in the early 2000s - and the sound does regrettably annoy me in excessive quantities
Tom Tom Club
4/5
I have vivid memories of Wordy Rappinghood in my 11 year old charts before I knew the big Talking Heads tracks and this track seems fresh even now. Genius of Love was the track we got to know on 'stop making sense' (a much better version than the one on this album I find). I can't admit to finding the rest of the album as ultimately appealing as these opening two nuggets but it certainly was an excellent achievement from Tina and Chris not knowing what to do whilst 'My life in the bush of ghosts' was being made without giving a thought to them - ably supported by Adrian Belew as well.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
One of the exciting breakout acts of the 'new Merseybeat' of the early 80s and you have 'Reward', 'Treason' and 'Thief of Bagdad' which really stand up today. The album seems to get better as it progresses after a couple of dodgy early tracks. Front man Julian Cope was a bit of a character who emerged as an unpredictable solo act and it is often felt that this band did not ultimately achieve their potential. The use of horns on some tracks gave them a unique sound for a post punk/new wave act.
Neil Young
5/5
A record deserving of the term 'classic' in that period when the album was the key form of musical expression by artists that took it seriously. Seen by many as his finest musical statement with the post 60s hippie hangover meeting the cynical Watergate era. It was the biggest selling album of 1972 and contains all killer and no filler with use of orchestra standing out at certain moments. Timeless yet evocative.
Dr. Octagon
2/5
One of the more original and inventive hip hop albums, with elements of psychedelia and trip hop amongst the standard beats. You tend not to get 40 minute concise albums in this genre and it starts to go on a bit in the last twenty minutes. I can't get TOO worked up by it but it was a diverting listen for the most part without saying a great deal poetically.
Ramones
3/5
An iconic album, artwork, image and related T shirt merchandise. This album, in terms of influence, could be classed as one of the key works of popular music, though it cannot be denied that the album appears musically limited and aside from 'Blitzkrieg Bop' it sounds a bit dated if truth be told. I found Johnny Ramone's interviews very funny and the idea that, as they didn't have cars or girlfriends, that lyrics avoided cliche may well explain their championing by the music press, English teachers and such like. The signature rhythm guitar sound is legendary (and influenced a Queen track) but not all one dimensional bands can sustain a successful career.
Boston
5/5
The official source of AOR and a masterclass in rock production and arrangement at the time. Patented engineer Tom Scholz was the mastermind behind this band and there are guitar playing similarities with Brian May at times. The opening track is one of my favourites of all time and the fact that the band’s post debut existence was fragmented, splintered and dominated by law suits and hiatuses is a cliched example of ‘what might have been’. Clever people taking a not so clever form and making it into a Rolls Royce.
The xx
3/5
The sound of the 21st century was emerging in 2009 when this record came out. Minimalist arrangements, occasional joy division like riffs and an absence of song structure conventions - verse, bridge, middle 8 - gave way to urban mood and ‘vibe’. Not my cup of tea but interesting to identify the demos from the actual (still) laptop sounding final tracks!
Al Green
4/5
The definitive work by the ‘reverend’ with one of the great soul classics as a title track. A smooth laid back album with a consistency of approach and a showcase for a unique voice. The cover of the Bee Gees song is another high point. A pleasing satisfying listen.
Massive Attack
3/5
Along with ‘dummy’ this provided the Bristol part of Britpop. Hard to categorise and with a refreshing array of collaborators, including two lovely tracks with Tracey Thorn. The title track is one of the 90s finest tracks looking back. Pleasantly surprised today as I didn’t pay too much attention to the album as a whole back in the day.
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
Iconic cover, legendarily difficult recording circumstances and arguably Paul's finest post Beatles music. Two huge hit singles to follow the Bond theme that year helped but the quality of the album tracks make this album what it is - Bluebird, Let me roll it, No words, Miss Vanderbilt and Mamunia are all fine songs. We forget that in 1970-2 it was George and John who were setting the pace in terms of critical and commercial achievement, and now Paul was preparing to get his second global superstardom. A great album and, along with 'All things must pass' and 'Imagine', the best Beatle solo album.
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
If an album were to be judged entirely on energy, conviction and confrontational artwork then this is up there with the best. A lot of my guitar playing students 20 years ago saw this as the holy grail of riff practice. Metal for rappers with some funky riffs in there. A lot of shouting as well which, for me, struggles to sustain a 50 minute listening experience. Very 1990s
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
This really is NOT the sound of my 1995 and for a punk band they sound insufficiently shambolic, well arranged and entirely melodic and harmonic. I get the sense that the band were better known for their idiosyncratic live performance which got the interest of the music press and TOTP ultimately. Well I've heard it before I die so that's something!
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
The first album after Skip spence left on drums and Grace Slick rather vitally joined the band, this represents one of the landmarks of the psychedelic rock era and 1967 as an epoch of musical time. White rabbit and Somebody to love were big Billboard hits and the idea that this band morphed into the purveyors of 'we built this city' and 'nothing's gonna stop us now' is quite remarkable. The rest of the album has quite a Mamas and Papas sound to it, surprisingly.
Bert Jansch
3/5
One of the most influential guitarists to emerge from the burgeoning folk scene. It’s not the range of Melodys in this 1965 album that stick out, it’s the playing styles and techniques that the likes of Jimmy Page, Paul
Simon, Nick drake and Mike Oldfield used in more significantly acclaimed music later on. Donovan may well have passed fellow Scot Jansch’s picking technique to Lennon around the time of the White album. Pentangle awaits……
Tori Amos
4/5
This album was huge when I started on teaching practice and the Kate Bush influence was commented on considerably at the time. The contribution of Tears for Fears' Ian Stanley had a big effect on the arrangements for Tori Amos's vivid and at times emotionally wrenching songs. This is now a modern classic and, 34 years on is still one of the better records of the early 90s. Along with Bjork and PJ Harvey, the music press had a new female triumvirate.
The Stooges
3/5
This, the second album by the stooges is even more aggressive and 'punk' like than the cult like debut the previous year. If one considers how many people sounded like this seven years later, you realise what a radical sound this was - limited ability with a really clear production. Iggy Pop was unique in that he was an intelligent chap who liked doing things to subvert rather than aspire (as was the late 60s hippy philosophy). Another album whose cult influence is greater than its musical merit. A good listen- though the 1970 track goes on a bit!
Steely Dan
5/5
The last album Steely Dan made whilst still a touring band is a collection of concise tunes with a greater pop sensibility than their two previous efforts. It contains their biggest billboard hit (Ricky don't lose that number), their first album title track and their first and only cover and instrumental (East St. Louis doodle-oo). It is an eclectic and quirky mix, and a number of the songs are from Walter and Donald's writing before the band was formed. Not my favourite album of theirs but still totally magnificent stuff - 'every major dude will tell you' is a phenomenal piece of work.
Flamin' Groovies
4/5
This was a refreshing listen to an act who'd hitherto pretty much passed me by. Mick Jagger had praised this band at the same time the Stones were putting out Sticky Fingers and one can hear the Flaming Groovies approach in Exile on main street the following year. I did think the album descended into 12 bar blues pastiche in the latter stages until Whiskey woman returns to the Stones sound. I don't really hear the punk influence in the album until the rock n roll garage sounding covers as bonus tracks. Sorely tempted to give it 5 stars at initial stages....dodgy title though.
The Cramps
2/5
The alleged birth of 'Psychobilly' - the fusion of punk and rockabilly which sounds to me quite shambolic and, if it weren't for the slap back echo on the vocals it would be a rubbish set of rock and blues songs. This is not the sound of 1980 to my ears..........
Amy Winehouse
4/5
A well documented debut album and a much more expansive and less commercial affair which, with hindsight, was probably where Amy should have stayed for a while longer before hit producers came calling. It still sold a million and got an Ivor Novello award. One can still hear elements of the sound that became so big 3 years later, with ska mixing with the jazz and retro grooves. Clearly it was made for the CD market and one senses that Island records were not chasing a single - and musically there better for it.
Elvis Costello
4/5
Released during the heady days of Britpop, the now elder statesman of the new wave reunited with his original band the Attractions (it lasted a couple of albums until bassist Bruce Thomas annoyed Elvis again) for his best and most consistent album since the early 80s with some absolute gems (sulky girl, London's brilliant parade, favourite hour) in and amongst some consistent fare that got people talking about him commercially again. He kept distinctive drummer Pete Thomas and keyboardist Steve Nieve in his next band The Imposters in the following decade. I recall being quite interested in this album when not listening to Blur and Oasis!
Turbonegro
1/5
Part of the 90s noise wars. For the opening instrumental two minutes I thought I was going to enjoy the echos of Queen and The Who. What followed was the equivalent of the beastie boys and joey Ramone singing over a more talented band. It just sounds like gonzo knobhead rock with titles like ‘rock against ass’ and ‘rendezvous with anus’……..
Quicksilver Messenger Service
1/5
I have no understanding why, firstly, Greil Marcus stated that this was the finest recording to come out of the San Francisco scene, and secondly, why the 'who do you love' suite (based on a Bo Diddley riff) goes on for 27 minutes on TWO chords. It's a live album from that 'Fillmore' period when guitar improvising and getting high were synonymous. It's very Woodstock but give me some tight and meaningful Creedence any time over this meandering drivel.
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
The definitive live recording by 'Sassy' with her trio performing a top set of standards and name checking Ella Fitzgerald at one point before quite a significantly elaborate ad lib scat towards the end. Some excellent recordings which really show which form of popular music had the best production values at the time. One of the greats in her prime.
De La Soul
4/5
One of the unique sound of my university life, a wonderfully creative approach to sampling - zeppelin, steely dan, hall and Oates - and a refreshing alternative to the political and gangster scene. Probably a bit too long overall but it works as a unified piece with its tv/ radio show type intro and outro.
Culture Club
3/5
1983 was the year that 'the eighties' supposedly began and Duran, Spandau, Wham! and Culture Club spearheaded the second British Invasion of the US pop mainstream. Due to its four hit singles (the obvious opener, It's a miracle, Church of the poisoned mind and Victims) this album became a defining artefact of the era. The work of multi instrumentalist Roy Hay should not be underestimated in the music of this album, as well as the vocals of Helen Terry. To my ears the album tracks pale into insignificance next to the four hits and 'Miss me blind' but 10 million sales and number 2 spot behind 'Thriller' is not to be sniffed at......
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Up there with the greatest debut albums surely. The blueprint of everything Zeppelin became is on this album - two potential singles (if they ever chose to release one!) in good times bad times and communication breakdown, a folk song that builds in babe I'm gonna leave you, a psychedelic folk instrumental in black mountain side, two hard rock blues covers (you shook me and I can't quit you baby), a west coast track in Your time is gonna come and two riff based tracks that morph into guitar showcases - Dazed and confused and how many more times. To hear track one for the first time would've been quite something.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
By 1982 the decade was starting to take shape musically and Costello was unlikely to be in the mainstream with efforts as arty, experimental and varied as this critically acclaimed effort. Produced by Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick, it has a range of instruments not heard in the Attractions before and 'Beyond belief' and 'Man out of time' were unlikely to trouble the singles charts. It needs multiple listenings to fully appreciate but it is a true work of art and seems to be channeling Sgt Pepper rather than the new wave.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
In 1984 this music would've been a long way from my 14 year old Queen fan radar and the acoustic guitar was not the instrument of the era. However, listening with more mature (and open) ears I am appreciating the reverb laden textures and the variety of approaches to songs within the album. Elizabeth Fraser's voice is one of the distinctive female voices of that era looking back. It will need another listen to fully convince me but I could well explore in more detail after this.
Hole
3/5
I remember a colleague doing a cd copy of this for me when it came out. It seemed to have moved away somewhat from the grunge sound to a more melodic alternative rock in the style of Garbage. There are more arrangements with strings and so forth, Courtney Love had never sounded more commercial and tuneful.
AC/DC
5/5
This album has aged well. The first album with mutt Lange producing and the last with Bon Scott on vocals. It’s really well balanced and tracks like ‘love hungry man’ and ‘if you want blood’ are excellent. The definitive statement by the entirely Antipodeon original line up.
The Pharcyde
2/5
I will confess to not being aware of this album during my first year of teaching but it does have a more live and occasionally jazzy feel than those early gangsta rap albums. There is a playfulness and moments of humour but it still sounds like a bunch of annoying teenage boys being inappropriate in the school corridor for the most part. I do also hear some of the sound that Prince developed with the NPG which I'm sure I would have given more leverage to. These hip hop albums always seem a bit long.......
Peter Gabriel
5/5
The real start of Gabriel as an original and innovative solo artist. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, fresh from XTC and engineered by Hugh Padgham, soon to reinvent the sound of the 80s with the Police, Phil Collins and Genesis. I didn't realise he was in Genesis when I was 10 but when I saw 'Games without frontiers' on TOTP, like Talking Heads, I made a mental note that this is an interesting artist. There are political songs, art rock songs with new wave production and the new presence of David Rhodes on guitar was significant for Gabriel as a live act. There are no cymbals on the record and the sound of the gated drum reverb is first heard by Phil Collins on 'Intruder'. It's a superb record - 1980 had a lot of them.
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
This was a satisfying listen from a highly regarded album by Rolling Stone and an example of samba fusion with rock elements. Not an outstanding album but clearly very influential on Brazilian popular culture and a real contrast with Santana's virtuosic take on the samba form.
Ian Dury
4/5
The punk era was a really useful backdrop for the release of this classic release from the most famous polio suffering cockney poet with a decidedly non punk sounding backing band. (Steely dan fan) Dury's lyrics contain characters that were refreshing to pop music at the time and had a long lasting influence on many 90s/2000s artists. The Blockheads could turn their hands to a range of styles and had some real chops. Madness had more hits but this act had critical credibility (which meant a lot in 1977) and took risks.
808 State
3/5
This represents part of the sound of 'Madchester' and features one of the defining tracks of the acid house scene in 'Pacific State'. I found it quite a good listen to accompany other activities and the sound seemed familiar despite last hearing any sound from it on the soundtrack of the '24 Hour Party People' film. Evocative, but that did not mean a lasting career was guaranteed.
Elton John
5/5
This must be a contender for the most consistent double album ever put out - no filler, no flab and a real compendium of song writing approaches. There's prog, ballads, RnB, ska/reggae, rock n roll, glam, hard rock and country. It followed on from the Rocket man single and the 'Don't shoot me I'm the Piano player' album as Elton became the world's biggest act until 1976. Its title track is one of the great songs of all in my view and the other three big hits on the album are all stone wall live staple classics. It was a remarkably prolific period and a sense that stardom had its drawbacks.
The Cure
4/5
The culmination of their initial four album 'gloom' phase when very cool people liked them. They tended to release singles separately to albums and the fact that ' a hundred years', 'the hanging garden', 'siamese twins' and 'a strange day' are now fan favourites is evidence of how well the album has weathered. The band was in a drug fuelled mess at the time and Robert was severely depressed - no surprise there! Nice to hear synths and a nice expanse to the atmosphere in the production, with a new wave drum sound. After this came 'love cats' and the start of the hits phase. Smith was also moonlighting with Siouxie and the Banshees on guitar as well.
Stephen Stills
4/5
It took me two listens to fully appreciate this album, but it does stand as one of four albums made in 1970 after the CSN debut: this one, deja vu and solo Crosby and Nash efforts. The guest list of musicians is evidence of Stills' clout at the time: Hendrix, Clapton, Ringo, Booker T, Mama Cass, Crosby and Nash, Rita Coolidge and John Sebastian. In addition to the impressive guitar work there are some serious backing vocalists giving a few gospel like moments. This was THE era of these artists and despite CSNY not being hugely prolific as a group, there was so much extra solo/collaboration work going on in the early 70s. Glad I heard it again - it's well above average.
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
I remember seeing this album cover in shops during my early teaching days and it is an album of its time - an alternative grunge influenced album with a bleak set of break up lyrics. There were moments of recognisable musical character which was a reaction to the sheen of the 80s but it was mostly a bit of a dirge and an overall glum listening experience. I was SO pleased that Britpop came along and made this kind of album a thing of the past. Not a poor band but the music's appeal was unlikely to be eternal.
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
An album beset by ensuing tragedy in the death of highly virtuosic Double Bassist Scott Lafaro, it endures as one of the finest live jazz recordings and evidence that the 60s did not just begin with The Beatles. Evans retreated for a while after Lafaro's death in a car crash and it may also have precipitated Evans's own descent into drugs as the decade progressed. Nevertheless this is a master at work in one of the great trios. Everybody should dig him!
New Order
4/5
This, their third album seems to cement their move from post punk band to then first proper rock and electro crossover. New Order have that quality that all great bands have - they are greater than the sum of their parts. Bernard Sumner audibly struggles with some of the lead vocals and yet he sounds distinctive, Peter Hook is no Jaco Pastorius but creates memorable and simple high range bass melodies, Stephen Morris sounds the most technically proficient member of the band with his high energy quick patterns and Gillian Gilbert doesn't dominate on keyboards. Yet the perfect kiss and sub culture are strong singles, Love Vigilantes sounds like a country song and there's even an instrumental in triple time. It shouldn't work but yet prevails - al the cool kids liked New Order at school, I had to wait til student years.
Madness
4/5
I was bought the cassette of 'Complete Madness' for my 12th birthday which featured 'House of fun' as the new single. Add to this 'Driving in my car', 'Our house' and 'Tomorrow's just another day' and you have evidence this was one of the best singles acts of the era, period. I was wondering where 'Cardiac arrest' was, to be honest. I was thinking this album could be worth five stars after the title track and a few other early ones, and I'm sure that this album may well have been the inspiration for the 'Our House' musical. One can tell that this is a more piano dominated album than ska based and it is the production of Langer and Winstanley that stands out - I think this may be a concept album about their growing up, but 1982 was not the year for that type of record.