The words that immediately spring to mind are skronky and clangy. Which might not be actual words but describe this very accurately. It’s what actual psychedelia sounds like slightly confused and distressed as opposed to songs about magic ocelots
First time listening to Sarah Vaughan, just a beautiful voice. Soothing, relaxing and the perfect soundtrack for a hungover Sunday morning
It’s abba, it does all the abba things you’d expect- however really surprised by drums and bass playing. Unexpectedly funky
Technically brilliant but I’m not sure when I’ll ever want to listen to an hour of Indian classical music
Whilst the opening tunes really do stick out (wordy rapping hood and genius of love) there’s a lot to love in this groove filled pop
Some of the best singers of the era, backed up by the best session musicians knocking out a top class Christmas album. Spector is hugely dodgy though
Again technically this is clearly excellent, and the double bass work is extraordinary but it’s really not for me
I love Billy Bragg, and whilst this isn’t my favourite album of his I still truly love it. I proposed to my wife after a Billy Bragg gig so there’s a place in my heart for all his works
This is weller just at the point he starts to spread his wings. Pysch, soul, pop, punk and just classic songwriting.
As someone who lived through the 90’s, this might be the most 90’s thing ever. The smell of indie discos comes rushing back. The singles are bangers though
Whilst it doesn’t have the power of the debut album, it does sound like about 90% of the bands I listened to in the 90’s. A blueprint for modern indie
Another one for the double album that could be a single pile, he’s hugely talented and a great songwriter but I’m not sure I need that many extended jams. You’ve got the look is excellent in any context though
Again something painfully 90’s and maybe one that didn’t age as well as other things from that period. I loved it at the time, bought it on the day of release but just feels a tiny bit one track. That said some great beats, and Narayan remains a favourite
I really don’t understand why we don’t celebrate PJ Harvey more, a warm emotive voice, a great guitar player and genuinely a generational songwriter. Both political and personal at the same time, like little short stories
Not something I’d choose to listen to, but well crafted grown up pop. Lots of very much of the time influences obvious, but the songs are strong and her voice has real character
The album that all the girls I fancied in sixth form listened to, and the real move from synth pop into BDSM goth pop. The singles are great but it’s a bit one beat, they know how to write a hook though
Any one who knows Randy for the Toy Story soundtrack would be surprised by this. Satire, righteous anger and genuinely touching love songs. The power of a voice and well crafted songs
Whilst this is clearly in my wheelhouse and does what it does well, it really doesn’t draw me in as much as other bands such as bad religion as lyrically it’s seems overly simplistic. That said it’s chock full of great riffs, massive bass and singalong choruses
I’m not mad, I recognise that this is very good at what it does. He’s an engaging and talented singer who benefits from the most carefully polished and well-produced studio work of the 80’s. Crack sessions and musicians and excellent song writing means this is a great pop album. Just not something I’d ever choose to listen to
This is a grab bag of styles and influences- blues, ska, jazz and folk but all formed into shape through great songwriting. Each song is a like a short story full of rich characters. Great lyrics and unerring sense of melody throughout
I remember the singles but first time listen to the album. A charming little thing somewhere between mercury rev and teenage fanclub. Sweet little slices of pop but not quite memorable enough to push into must listen territory
I like The grateful dead, I own both working man’s dead and American beauty and they are both great albums. I love their Americana sound im not keen on elongated live jams. Absolutely not for me
I’ve been thinking about what a 5 star album is, and it needs to be something I would go back to continually. Which I have done for nearly 40 years, needs to be exemplary in its field- and this is genuinely in a field of its own and it needs to have a personal impact and this is the album that got me into music… yeah it’s misogynistic in places and Axl is an awful man but this is an album that captures life on the fringes of society and does it with the hugest choruses and finest solos. Platinum stuff
Genuinely surprised by this, Hucknall has a deeply soulful voice and provides the songs with real emotion. Yeah it’s a bit 80’s in places and the later stuff left me cold but this is an authentically British album that truly loves soul and blues and pays deep homage to it
This is harder and heavier than the debut and Skins voice is at the heart of everything. Powerful, angry but surprisingly melodic. She’s a hugely charismatic performer, however the riffs and songs are less memorable. Solid but unspectacular
This simultaneously contains some of the Beatles best work- the masterful medley on side 2, and their worst- Maxwells silver hammer. It’s a Beatles album there’s great songs, beautiful Melodys and soaring harmonies. Theres also weird bubble sounds on octopuses garden
I started this project because I’d more or less topped listening to whole albums and just used playlists. This album is proof why listening to whole the thing has a value. From its title, into the opening track spellboundthis is just an atmosphere rather than a collection of songs. All glimpses of hidden knowledge and darkness. Pinned down by thumping drums and scything guitars. Enchanting
This has been an interesting one as I listened to the extended version and in places it’s baggy and indulgent all the things I don’t like about live albums but at its best it’s a rush of pure energy driven by the best rhythm section ever. The original track listing is probably the way to go but there’s lots to enjoy
I never got Dylan, not for decades but I do now. Everything is well crafted, the tumble of words, the music and yes his voice. The album has some wonderful musicianship and just a real sense of a group of musicians at their peak
I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this. Whilst I like the complex and ambitious, I’ve little time for the noodly and indulgent. This always stays on the right side of the line for me. Whilst there is a lot going they keep coming back to central ideas that focus your thinking and keep you grounded
