Not really my taste but did enjoy the energy of the live show.
These swampy blues bring back great memories of my teenage years driving home to bad moon rising. It may have been a manufactured sound, like the surfing beach boys, but they did it very well. A solid 4 for me.
Smooth funk and disco. I’m a fan of Prince and can see he was probably influenced by this band as well as others like Sly and the Family Stone. Listenable and enjoyable with a positive message that is so needed today. Solid 3.
A great groove to these songs and a strong message of self empowerment. Enjoying this album. I particularly like her hit out at misogynistic male rappers, not someone to be messed with.
I remember this being quite controversial on its release. I quite enjoyed the music but not so much the message which I found hard to relate to. 8 Mile provided more context on Eminem’s background and upbringing. Listening to it now I can appreciate the album in its historical context and feel less shocked by the misogyny and homophobia. It is the sound of an angry man saying fuck you to anyone and anything in his way. I do hope he has found peace as he got older. Solid 4.
One of my favourite Springsteen albums. Ballads, straight rock, epics…what’s not to love. Have this one in my collection.
I have this one in my collection. I came to Sufjan’s music in reverse after first falling in love with the ‘Carrie and Lowell’ album and accompanying concert at the Sydney Opera House. It was one of the most moving concerts I have ever been to. This too is an amazing album, although I do feel it could have been a bit shorter with some of the repetitive parts left out.
A classic white blues 70s sound. Undeniably great guitar soloing. Some of the jams went on too long. Some nice variation in songs added interest.
I remember this album being huge when I was in high school. Springsteen toured Australia on the back of it and broke every record for consecutive concerts. Live he is unparalleled. I’m a big fan but hadn’t listened to this album in many years. I put it on today and was instantly transported. What a fantastic album with so many layers. Love it.
The only song I really know by this band is Sweet Home Alabama, which is not on this album. So I came at it with fresh ears. I enjoyed the southern sound, particularly on the simpler songs. I also enjoyed some of the guitar solos. All in all an enjoyable listen. I will be listening to this a few more times to see if it grows on me through repeated plays.
I don’t like Christmas music, the wall of sound or much to do with Phil Spector. I much prefer The Beatles Let it Be (naked) with all his tricks and multilayered mess removed. So no surprise I give this my first rating of 1.
An album I really enjoyed when it came out. A good balance of smooth sounding pop with a rougher rock edge. Obvious Beatles influence. I would be happy to have a copy of this in my record collection.
Not one I particularly enjoyed. I can understand that in the late 60’s this would have been quite groundbreaking. I have a hit and miss relationship with Zappa’s music.
An easy 5 stars for me. One of the best and defining albums of the decade. Side 1 had all the hits, but it is side 2 that I return to time and again. Just brilliant atmospherics. Had the pleasure of seeing the tour that accompanied this album with BB King as opening act.
I had zebra on my end of year favourite songs mix of 2010. Funnily enough I never got around to listening to the album. I enjoyed listening to it today and it is definitely worth repeat listens. Dreamy music for when you just need to chill out. I’ve given it 3 stars, but feel it could be a 4 if I spend some more time with it.
I was initially put off by the opening track but then found this a quite interesting album. Pioneering music in both ambient electronica and world music influence. The forerunner perhaps of Eno and David Byrne. Could also see the influence on later music such as Peter Gabriel and Tears for Fears. Also a great one to try out stereo separation on headphones. 3 or 4, but settled on 4 for experimentation.
I’m a fan of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground but for some reason have never gotten around to listening to this album. Apparently it was panned on its release. I really enjoyed it, particularly the lyrics. This is now on my listen app.
I’m not generally a fan of country music. This album however I found side 1 quite compelling. Side 2 was not so much to my taste. A little too ho down…
I have been a huge fan of U2 right back to my first album of theirs . Boy. I particularly enjoy the journey they took on the first 9 albums, post punk, Americana and then electropop. When this album came out I saw it as a backward step, maybe trying for Joshua Tree part 2. It didn’t grab me like their other albums, although having a few memorable tracks.
I do like Willie’s version of Georgia. Such a great song. The rest is ok. At least not country.
This is an album of pure genius. Captures a time and place with key insights into the issues of the world. Musically diverse and melodic. So many great songs… I don’t own this album yet. This needs to happen. 5 stars. Favourite track is ‘Living for the city’
Didn’t enjoy this album. Not really to my taste. A few moments I did enjoy as a fan of Paul Weller. Better music was to come as the Style Council developed on later releases. I felt this album was trying anything and everything including some questionable rapping. 2 stars. Favourite track - you’re the best thing.
Not too sure about this one. I’m a fan of grunge and garage rock but this sounds like a group of talented musicians intentionally playing out of tune. The vocals in particular from the female vocalist are quite weak. I’ve listened to other albums from this band and know that this lofi discordant sound is not what they can sound like. Not one for me. 2 stars. Best track Sugar Kane.
A brilliant album. NY was on a roll. 5 stars. Fave . Southern man.
I was aware of this band but had never really listened to them. I found this album quite enjoyable and am sure repeat listens are warranted.
Not too sure what to make of this one. Pleasant enough but didn’t really give me much of an urge to go back to it.
I’m a Wilco fan and have listened to this album many times. What I wasn’t aware of was that there were 2 more follow-up albums, including a performance from Natalie Merchant. I find the Jeff Tweedy vocal’s preferable to Billy Bragg but that’s nitpicking. This album is great and I love the premise behind it. 4 stars. Fave track - Californian Stars.
This album reminds me how much I like guitar. Straight up riffing. Very enjoyable. 3 stars. Favourite track - Total trash.
This was the album that introduced me to Oasis. A solid album from start to finish. In my opinion it is equal best with the follow up before their egos got the better of them. 4 star. Best track - cigarettes and alcohol.
A great album. This band released a run of very good albums in the noughties. I haven’t listened to this in quite a while and feel it has held up well. I particularly enjoy how the two vocalists work to their strengths. 4 stars. Fave track - stork and owl.
I like Elvis Costello, but this is far from his best album. 3 stars. Fave track - Alison.
This is a great album. Influenced by 60s sunshine pop like the Mammas and the Pappas. They then take it in a whole different direction with driving guitar and incredible bass. So influential on the later Britpop sound, particularly Oasis and Pulp. 5 stars any day of the week. Fave song - I am the resurrection. Such cutting lyrics deceptively hidden by such a pleasant sounding song. Btw the bonus live videos are well worth watching.
Sometimes when a band releases so many great albums you lose track of some of them. I haven’t listened to this album in full in quite a long time. I was instantly mesmerised. Hauntingly beautiful and unsettling. 4 stars. Fave track - I will.
This album has Its moments but overall it is inconsistent. 3 stars. Fave track - Epic.
I enjoyed listening to this on my morning walk. A bit repetitive but pleasant enough. When it finished autoplay went to Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes and James Brown. All three were much more interesting to my ears. Rating 2 stars. Best track - hard times.
Groundbreaking at the time of its release. Not my style.
I’m not the greatest lover of hip hop and this album to my ears was dreadful. Reading up on it I see that it was quite influential on later artists. I was familiar with ‘renegades of funk’ from RATM. I find the cover version much more enjoyable and biting… This did send me on a journey listening to RATM, so not all lost. Rating 1 star for the renegades. Best track - renegades of funk.
I quite enjoyed the experimental nature of this album. On my second listen through I paid less attention and just let the mood wash over me and enjoyed it more. 3 stars. Fave track - hooting and howling.
A great album from start to finish. Simple guitar riffs and minimal instruments. Reminded me at the time of the purity of rock. Rating 4 stars. Fave track - we are gonna be friends.
I discovered the genius of Tom Waits in reverse. The first album I heard was Mule Variations. So the shock people must have felt on first hearing this album was not a shock for me. I feel this change in direction only got better as Tom refined his sound and persona. A solid 4 stars, with 5 star albums soon to follow. Fave track - underground.
I was familiar with the two hit singles but had never listened to the whole album. It was energetic and catchy with lovely harmonies on the choruses. The guitar work was excellent. 4 stars. Fave track - our lips are sealed. Such a joyful song.
I quite enjoyed this. I can imagine it would be much better listening to it at a club, as intended. Reminded me of early massive attack and tricky albums. 3 stars. Fave track - keep on moving.
A fantastic album from start to finish. I have listened to this album many times but never had it in my collection. 5 stars. Fave track - enjoy the silence.
Another brilliant album from Stevie Wonder. A real mixed bag of styles and ideas. This one has been added to my collection for repeat listening. 4 stars. Fave track - superstition.
A great album by an exceptional band. I had almost forgotten how much I loved this album. 5 stars. Fave track - fake plastic trees.
Love this album. Have it in my collection. Everything from straight up rock to folk and mysticism. Solid 5 stars. Fave track - Going to California, but could have been any of the others.
Portishead tick all the boxes for a band I should really like. Ambience, electronics, expressive lead vocals, alternative, experimental…that is why I keep giving this album a go, but for some reason it just doesn’t click for me. One of my favourite albums of 2024 was lives outgrown by Beth Gibbens. This has just added to my confusion. I have the same repeated issue with Bjork, who I also keep retrying… 3 stars. Best track - the rip.
