GOING IN: Hopeful
FAMILIARITY: Know a song or two
SKIP RATE: No skips (played straight through)
REPLY VALUE: I’ll play it again
DISCOVERY CURVE: Liked it straight away, surprisingly
ALBUM ARC: Consistent throughout
VERDICT: Liked it more than expected
FAVOURITE TRACK: Hard to Explain
Good solid 3/5
GOING IN: Neutral - I liked some of their stuff
FAMILIARITY: Know a song or two
SKIP RATE: Light skipper (1-2 tracks)
REPLY VALUE: One and done
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never clicked
ALBUM ARC: Weak start, side B is better
VERDICT: Bit underwhelming
FAVOURITE TRACK: Cemetry Gates
GOING IN: Very excited indeed
LISTENED WHILE: Lying on sofa, headphones on at 5am, doing a sudoku
FAMILIARITY: Know the name
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Deffo play again
DISCOVERY CURVE: Got it by the end
ALBUM ARC: Warmed up nicely
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble
FAVOURITE TRACK: Hit It and Quit It
ALBUM RATING: 4
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: Morning on the treadmill
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Got it by the end
ALBUM ARC: Warmed up nicely
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK: ...Duh!
ALBUM RATING: 3
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: with my morning cuppa
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Got it by the end
ALBUM ARC: Solid all the way
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble
FAVOURITE TRACK: Can't Buy Me Love
My Rating: 3
GOING IN: Quite hopeful
LISTENED WHILE: Saturday morning, pottering about
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Still waiting
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely / Motionless appreciation
FAVOURITE TRACK: none
My Rating: 2
GOING IN: Quite hopeful
LISTENED WHILE: Having a bath
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Deffo play again
DISCOVERY CURVE: Loved it straight away
ALBUM ARC: Strong start, tailed off
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 3.5
Sound of a heartbroken man, sitting at a bar, crying into his whisky.
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: While working
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Still waiting
ALBUM ARC: Solid all the way
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK: --
My Rating: 2
APPRECIATE: Beats. The brutal honesty and vulnerability of his lyrics about gang life and growing up poor. Some lyrics I applaud, and the way he delivered them was another level.
PROBLEMATIC: The graphic depictions of violence, drug dealing, and casual misogyny. Sean Combs.
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: Walking the dog, am.
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Skipped half of it
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
My Rating: 1
Very tame "punk"
GOING IN: Dreading it properly
LISTENED WHILE: lounging
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Dunno, gave up
VERDICT: Waste of my time
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 0
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: With a cuppa
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Full wiggle
FAVOURITE TRACK: I Can't Stand the Rain
My Rating: 2
The album was ruined by cheesy 80s musicians/production. The 80s ruined everyone. Fucking synthesisers. I'd love to hear someone take Tina's vocals and put them on something more suitable.
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: Making the dinner
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble
FAVOURITE TRACK: Embryonic Journey & White Rabbit
My Rating: 4
Wish Grace Slick sang on all the songs.
GOING IN: Very excited indeed
LISTENED WHILE: Relaxing with a wine
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Needed another go
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK: Wrote For Luck
My Rating: 3
I'm going to try this again. I think it's a slow grower, and I need another environment/situation to enjoy it.
GOING IN: Very excited indeed
LISTENED WHILE: Sunday sofa surfing
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Off to buy it now
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 4.5
GOING IN: Not fussed really
LISTENED WHILE: on the train
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Peaked mid-way
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 2
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: walking the dog
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Slow burner this one
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK: We've Only Just Begun
My Rating: 2
Incredible voice, but I would rather listen to the greatest hits album.
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: walking the dog
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 2.5
Not my thing but not unlistenable.
GOING IN: Very excited indeed
LISTENED WHILE: Drinking an Old Fashioned in front of the fire
FAMILIARITY: Part of my life this one
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Deffo play again
DISCOVERY CURVE: Loved it straight away
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Absolutely brilliant
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK: Very hard to choose!!!... Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
My Rating: 5
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: Driving
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 3
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: chillin' at home
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Strong start, tailed off
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 2
Iconic album cover. Unfortunately, the album sucked.
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: chillin' at home
FAMILIARITY: Listened to it many times
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Strong start, tailed off
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 3
GOING IN: Quite hopeful
LISTENED WHILE: doing some work
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 1
Yet another reminder that 'classic' often just means 'made for and by a specific type of person who got to write the rules
GOING IN: Very excited indeed
LISTENED WHILE: Chillin at home
FAMILIARITY: Listened to it many times
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Deffo play again
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Absolutely brilliant
BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 4.5
GOING IN: Dreading it properly
LISTENED WHILE: walking the dog
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
VERDICT: Waste of my time
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
My Rating: 0.5
I'm losing faith in this project...fast.
GOING IN: Quite hopeful
LISTENED WHILE: having breakfast
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Needed another go
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
My Rating: 2.5
Needs another listen.
GOING IN: Not fussed really
LISTENED WHILE: With a cuppa
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK: ---
My Rating: 2
Can't believe there are more Smiths AND Morrissey albums in this list that I must listen to before I die. Ugh! I gave this a two because it wasn't as bad as the last one.
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: Cleaning house
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: All over the place
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 1
Cultural apropriation. Repetative. Ugh. So many things. This hasn't aged well at all. I listened to this while cleaning the house and felt like I was in an advert for a cleaning product or a kitchen appliance.
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: taking down xmas decorations
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Ended better than it started
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble
FAVOURITE TRACK: Typical Girls
My Rating: 3
Not bad, not great either, but better than I was expecting. If someone else had this playing, I would happily nod along in appreciation.
GOING IN: Dreading it properly
LISTENED WHILE: afternoon lounging
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Skipped half of it
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
My Rating: 1
GOING IN: Quite hopeful
LISTENED WHILE: reading a magazine
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: All over the place
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
My Rating: 2
Spent almost 20 years getting to a quiet place in my head. This album undid it all in under 4 minutes.
GOING IN: Quite hopeful
LISTENED WHILE: having morning coffee
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Slow burner this one
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 2
She doesn't start singing until track 3. Up until then it's all a bit Tom & Jerry.
GOING IN: Not fussed really
LISTENED WHILE: supermarket shopping
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 2.5
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: having morning coffee, pottering.
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Strong start, tailed off
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble
FAVOURITE TRACK: Gin and Juice
My Rating: 2.5
Marked it down, 'cause, you know... misogyny and sweary words. Other than that, I dug it.
GOING IN: Quite hopeful
LISTENED WHILE: doing laundry
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: All over the place
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 1
Really disappointed with this one.
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: preparing lunch
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Few tactical skips
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 1.5
Meh
GOING IN: Quite hopeful
LISTENED WHILE: walking the dog, then again with a cuppa
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Skipped the odd one
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Needed another go
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 2
Enough with the harmonies. I know everyone says that's the best thing, but it's constant. Harmony overload.
GOING IN: Very excited indeed
LISTENED WHILE: morning coffee
FAMILIARITY: Listened to it many times
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Deffo play again
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Absolutely brilliant
BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation
FAVOURITE TRACK: So Much Love
My Rating: 4
GOING IN: Not fussed really
LISTENED WHILE: Morning coffee
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 3
This was actually not bad. This kid's good.
GOING IN: Not fussed really
LISTENED WHILE: walking the dog
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Slow burner this one
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
My Rating: 3
First thoughts: Yikes... wait, what... explicit... dark... fearless... witty... musical... funny... shame... clever...
The music is sharp, funny, and broadly American sounding rather than just Southern rootsy, which helps make his point that these failings reflect all of America, not just the South. But there's a risk here. Not everyone will catch that Newman is performing these characters, not endorsing them.
I've given this a 3 rather than a 4 as I don't think I'll ever listen to it again, but I'm glad to know it's out there in the world.
GOING IN: Not fussed really
LISTENED WHILE: commuting
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 2.5
GOING IN: Not fussed really
LISTENED WHILE: Morning coffee
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
My Rating: 2
GOING IN: Quite hopeful
LISTENED WHILE: walking the dog
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Skipped half of it
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 3
I like country music, and I can hear the influence this record has had, but it's not great. Not bad, but not great.
GOING IN: Not fussed really
LISTENED WHILE: Afternoon cuppa
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 0
Anyone wearing an Unknown Pleasures t-shirt is a red flag. Avoid them.
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: pottering and cleaning house
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Peaked mid-way
VERDICT: Better than expected
BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble (Shimmy-Shoulder Shake)
FAVOURITE TRACK: Escapade
My Rating: 3.5
This was my very first ever listen to this album, yet I knew most of the tracks. I was never really interested in JJ, or even MJ, when I was a kid, yet their music somehow got through.
GOING IN: Not fussed really
LISTENED WHILE: Afternoon, relaxing
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Might come back to it
DISCOVERY CURVE: Slow burner this one
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Sitting nicely - Motionless appreciation
My Rating: 3
GOING IN: Quite hopeful
LISTENED WHILE: Afternoon, relaxing
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Off to buy it now
DISCOVERY CURVE: Loved it straight away
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Absolutely brilliant
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK: If I Could Only Win Your Love
My Rating: 5
This is the first album, out of the 46 already listened to, that really knocked it out of the park for me. The music. The voice. The harmonies.
GOING IN: Not fussed really
LISTENED WHILE: moving furniture
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: Strong start, tailed off
VERDICT: Waste of my time
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK: Beetlebum
My Rating: 1
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: Afternoon, relaxing
FAMILIARITY: Know the artist, not the album
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Warmed up nicely
ALBUM ARC: Ended better than it started
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Decent head wobble
FAVOURITE TRACK: The Ox
My Rating: 3
Ooh, those drums!!
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: clearing out kitchen cupboards
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Never happened
ALBUM ARC: All over the place
VERDICT: Bit disappointing
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 1
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: walking the dog
FAMILIARITY: Know a few songs
SKIP RATE: Played it straight through
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Slow burner this one
ALBUM ARC: Peaked mid-way
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Toe tapping situation
FAVOURITE TRACK: Ready Or Not, Fu-Gee-La, Killing Me Softly
My Rating: 3
I'd have given this a 2 if it weren't for the girl from Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit on vocals.
GOING IN: No strong feelings
LISTENED WHILE: evening walk around town with dog
FAMILIARITY: New to me
SKIP RATE: Gave up entirely
REPLAY VALUE: Once was plenty
DISCOVERY CURVE: Slow burner this one
ALBUM ARC: Pretty even, consistent
VERDICT: Fair enough
BODY'S VERDICT: Statue mode
FAVOURITE TRACK:
My Rating: 2
Some say "smooth", I'm verging on "oily" can't quite wash it off.