Was not familiar either this album, loved it a lot.
Soft Boys were led by Robyn Hitchcock who continues to tour and make interesting music and of whom I am a big fan. They disbanded shortly after it was released and I wasn’t aware of this album until 1984 or so early in Robyn’s solo career. This is an excellent album, with some great songss including “I Wanna Destroy You”, “Tonight”, “Positive Vibrations”, “”Queen of Eyes” and the title track.
An interesting album, liked tne Lindsay Buckingham contributions most, could have been condensed into a single album, but at the likely at the expense of some of the weirdness and variety that is this album’s appeal.
Hard for me to rate objectively in light of what followed (breakup of the band, Sting’s solo career in which I quickly lost interest). Some great songs, mammoth hits, on side 2. I enjoy side 1 less than probably everything by the Police that preceded it.
Hypnotic and enchanting
Maybe Sonic Youth’s most accessible album, but no less potent and still unique enough to have alluded largescale mainstream acclaim. A fantastic album.
A disturbing depiction of life in South Central LA delivered with more thought and perspective than I expected. Might have benefited from being truncated a bit, but a compelling and interesting listen.
Bowie continued his run of great work here. Less satisfying to me than “The Rise of Ziggy Stardust” or “Hunky Dory”, but still an excellent album.
Feels colder and more detached than previous work and with the exception of “Sound and Vision”, lacking what sounds like hits. I can imagine this one growing on me upon further listens, but not as immediately compelling as the albums recoded with the Spiders from Mats.
A genre of music I don’t listen to and haven’t developed an appreciation for. A challenge for me to absorb on just two listens.
Not a huge fan of grunge, but this is as a great album, compelling, brutal and disturbing.
Excellent album, echoing the early work of The Who and Kinks, with crashing guitars and tight three minute songs focused on life in Britain. The Jam’s introduction to many Americans, kicking off a run of great albums in a short period in the late 70’s, early 80’s.
Sounds great, but not a genre I’ve developed an appreciation for.
Unique, danceable and fun
Compelling and clever from an artist I’d not previously heard of. Upon two listens reminds me of a less amusing, but not necessarily less intriguing Father John Misty.
Phenomenal, including the amazing cover of “All Along the Watchtower”, including psychedelic British pop played with Hendrix’s unmistakable virtuosity.
Did not make the impression on me it did on others when released, but a strong debut, though not to me as interesting as what followed. At the time, I wasn’t introduced to Television’s first which I now find more exciting.
Gram Parsons’ albums and contribution to the Byrds “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” were instrumental in the birth of country rock. This feels as much the work of Emmylou Harris as him, influential for sure, perhaps more influential than great, but a very good album.
Nice to see Steve Winwood return to the the spotlight, but feels light, not essential.
Fantastic live album!
Glammed up by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, a great album, though not quite as amazing as Lou’s work with the Velvet Underground. Ronson’s guitar playing is terrific as always.
My favorite album by a band I like, but don’t absolutely love.
Great set of old school country from a female perspective.
Had never heard of this album or Ute Lemper. I am a fan of some of her collaborators here, including Nick Cave, Elvis Costello and Tom Waits. Enjoyed this on first listen.
Doing what they do, with a brand new lead singer.
Phenomenal and influential, incorporating the sound of the Rolling Stones with the glam look and feel of Bowie, Mott the Hoople and T. Rex.
Somewhat disappointing to me upon it’s release, still not as impactful as Doolittle or Surfer Rosa, but sounds better now than I remembered.
Stunning, artsy and threatening, remains unique, a great band's best album.
Great album, even with far less glam rock crunch from Mick Ronson in comparison to the albums immediately preceding (Man Who Sold the World) and following (Ziggy Stardust)
Still struggle to warm up to ELO, long and inessential to me
Terrific blend of rock, soul and funk.
Super debut from a great band.
Had been a long time, liked it more than I expected
Their masterpiece.
Still sounds great, would have been fascinating to hear what would have followed.
Groundbreaking, released prior to Led Zeppelin’s debut and with a relatively unknown Rod Stewart on lead vocals.
Two listens probably not enough to really appreciate this, but didn’t pull me in immediately.
Clapton’s best work
Not a huge metal fan, but I see the appeal.
Phenomenal, one of Bob’s best in his great 1960’s run.
Hard to choose a favorite amongst the Byrds’ first five great albums. Chris Hillman and David Crosby shine on this one after the departure of principal songwriter Gene Clark who left them with “Eight Miles High”, but otherwise left a bigger void on the previous album, “5D”.
Shocking, violent, sometimes humorous, one of Cave’s best.
Love all the 60’s Kinks albums. Easy to see how this made little impact in America and not my favorite, but always a fun listen.
One of the Kinks’ best, a celebration of Britain’s past, tinged with regret.
Another great selection of songs, a few of which have long been classic rock staples
Fine album, though it feels inessential, a surprise inclusion on this list.
Great artist, probably need to spend more time with this one to evaluate more fairly.
The Stones begin their run as the greatest band in the world with this album. The transition from Brian Jones and to Mick Taylor and with more swagger starts with this one, a great album.
More contemplative and not as chaotic, but no less wonderful than the first two albums.
Extraordinary album by a great artist, maybe Neil’s best.
A strong, later career comeback, introducing Leonard Cohen to a new audience. A unique artist with his own style, I still enjoy this even if the electronic effects leave some tracks sounding of the moment.
Al Green’s smooth and soulful voice is amazing.
I’ve always struggled a bit to warm up to the Berlin trilogy after loving most everything prior to that. The title track is astounding and perhaps overshadows the rest of this album.
Not too familiar with this artist, but Sour Times and Glory Box did receive significant airplay at the time of release. An atmospheric, interesting blend.
Not sure this 1980’s sound has aged so well, fine but not necessarily to revisit.
Not for everyone, this one begins a transition that includes more melody and a poppier sound.
I expect this album takes many listens to be appreciated. I am a big Gene Clark fan and there are some (I'm not one) who think this is his best work. I do like it a lot, but it didn't grab me initially as much as No Other, Echoes, Gene Clark Sings for you or his great work with the Byrds.
Groundbreaking, fantastic, their best.
Interesting blend of psychedelia and folk, Bryan MacLean’s contributions are key to Arthur Lee and Love’s best.
Hard to imagine how exciting this would have sounded in 1963
Their last great album and their best since the IRS yesrs
Never a fan, but like this a bit more than I expected
Tremendous
Groundbreaking fusion of rap and hard rock
Fantastic album
Highway Star, Smoke on the Water and Soace Trucking, what’s not to love
Wild for 1978
