Never been much of a country fan, but this got better as it went along. Definitely got me on a bit of a Neil Young kick afterwards.
Favourite track: Down By The River
Least favourite track: Cinnamon Girl
It'd be criminal to rate this any lower. Aretha's voice is just godly, the instrumentals hit so hard every time, and there's not a single bad track. She was indeed the First Lady of Soul.
Favourite track: Ain't No Way
Least favourite track: People Get Ready
As much as I still think Bowie was a genius, this one just wasn't for me. The janky pianos combined with the glam rock guitar riffs felt a little distracting, the lyrics got a little over-prosaic in places, and there isn't much that stuck with me afterwards aside from The Jean Genie. For such an iconic album cover, this was a disappointment. Much prefer the Berlin trilogy.
Favourite track: The Jean Genie
Least favourite track: Let's Spend The Night Together
Just superb. Despite being a whole 19 tracks long, London Calling is still so tight as an album. Not a single skippable track to be found, I loved the combination of punk and reggae with a little bit of ska thrown in for good measure, and the guitar work is properly catchy stuff. Already loved the Clash, but I'm glad to have finally listened to this legendary release in full.
Favourite track: Spanish Bombs
Least favourite track: Koka Kola
Great hip-hop album from an artist I've never given the time of day. The lyrics flow so smoothly from one verse to the next, each song conjures up vivid images of growing up in New York, and the beats had me bopping my head from start to finish. Definitely one I'd listen to again, and will certainly be recommending to people going forward.
Favourite track: One Love (ft. Q-Tip)
Least favourite track: The Genesis, mainly due to it being more of an interlude than an actual song.
Was not expecting too much but ended up having a fun time with this one. Whilst it's not as packed with hits as other Blur albums, this is nonetheless filled with great songs. I especially enjoyed some of the guitar work throughout, and the lyrics were properly witty in their examination of British suburbia.
Favourite song: Chemical World
Least favourite song: Villa Rosie
This was another big surprise. A britpop sound without even being British, elements of neo-psychedelic shoegaze, and plenty of drones later on, creating a rather nifty stoner rock album that I can imagine being quite formative for the genre. Really nice enveloping sound to this one, and one that works perfectly on a long walk. Cracking stuff.
Favourite track: Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth
Least favourite track: Pete International Airport
It's good, but I wouldn't say it's great. Oasis have always come off as overrated in my opinion, and finally sitting down to listen to a whole album only confirms that to me. There's a few tracks that had me engaged, and then the rest just blended into one another. Wish I could have loved this a little more, but I'm afraid I'm just not an Oasis guy.
Favourite track: Live Forever
Least favourite track: Digby's Dinner
Really enjoyed this one. It was a little tricky to find the exact album, as its technically not on streaming, however I'd like to thank whoever put the tracklist together as a playlist. Fats Domino had the vocals, lyricism, and energy down perfectly, and it was exactly the kind of blues that I love. Definitely adding some of these tracks to my regular rotation.
Favourite track: You Done Me Wrong
Least favourite track: Honey Chile
This was endlessly funky and a totally addictive listen, to the point where I had to get myself home from my daily walk and start it all over again so I could have a proper boogie to it. Love a bit of 1980s new wave, and this perfectly scratched a particular itch I've been craving to be scratched for a while. Smooth melodies, powerhouse vocals, and timeless lyrics. More of this please.
Favourite track: Poison Arrow
Least favourite track: All Of My Heart
Not for me, I'm afraid. Never really been a nu-metal fan, but this was just all over the shop stylistically.
Joni's voice is simply angelic, and her lyrics offer a window into a particular point in her life, painting vivid images of heartbreak and melancholy alike. The instrumentation is so smooth, providing the perfect backdrop to some already excellent compositions, and I found myself enchanted by the whole thing. Definitely adding this to my rotation.
Favourite track: Carey
Least favourite track: This Flight Tonight
Made me feel like I was sat in a jazz bar, sipping an old-fashioned and smoking a cigarette. Gorgeous stuff from Sarah Vaughan, whom I had never heard of before until now. After looking at some reviews, I must be in a bit of a musical minority here, because I just can't get enough of a good live album, and this one absolutely delivered. Definitely one I'd listen to again.
Favourite track: Stairway To The Stars
Least favourite track: Just A Gigolo (an overplayed standard, imo)
Good but not great. I could see what they were going for here, however much like most stoner rock, it feels as if this would be best experienced under certain influences so to speak. Many of the songs blended in with one another, meaning that there's not a whole lot of memorability, but that's not to say I didn't enjoy it because I was impressed by a lot of the guitar work from Clapton.
Favourite track: Sunshine Of Your Love
Least favourite track: Mother's Lament
Who says rock can't be funky? An absolute treasure trove of an album which pushes the boundaries of what's possible, delivering heavy riffs and infectious grooves throughout. The lyrics speak of unity and self-expression, making it so much more important now than ever before, with an opening track which justifies a 5-star rating by itself. Sublime.
Favourite track: You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks
Least favourite track: Wars of Armageddon
It's like the soundtrack to a heist film that doesn't exist... YET! I really enjoyed this electronica album from David Holmes, whom I'm more familiar with in terms of his film scores. The sound takes you on a journey, from car chases to bank robberies, all within the confines of NYC, and I found myself becoming properly immersed. More of this please.
Favourite track: Rodney Yates
Least favourite track: Freaknik
This is exactly why I signed up to this challenge. An album I've never heard of from a band that is totally unknown to me, in a subgenre I wouldn't usually go for. Whilst not a classic in my opinion, it's still a fun listen. Short but sweet, just as it needed to be.
Favourite track: What Gets Heard
Least favourite track: Understanding
This one rocks. Like actually rocks. It's raw and brimming with energy, to the point where you can actually hear the punk genre being birthed in real time. A lot of people would say it's a bit too rough around the edges, but to me that's where MC5's debut is at its finest. How has this eluded me for so long? A banger of a live album.
Favourite track: Rocket Reducer No. 62
Least favourite track: Starship
Can't go wrong with a bit of Queen. Mercury's voice is an all-timer, May's guitar work is something to behold, and the rhythm section of Taylor and Deacon is tight as hell. So why the lower rating? Well, it's not that cohesive as an album on the whole. I found the first half to be stronger than the last, and a few songs felt a little over-the-top with their theatrics. It's a mixed bag, but I still enjoyed myself here.
Favourite track: Brighton Rock
Least favourite track: In The Lap Of The Gods
A real all-timer of a metal album. From start to finish, this anti-war epic exudes pure speed and power, producing head-banging tunes and heavy lyrics. These guys are just on another level here, and I cannot believe I never gave this one a chance before. Hell yeah!
Favourite track: Disposable Heroes
Least favourite track: Leper Messiah
I can forgive an album for feeling long-winded, but boring is something else. This just did not grab me, no matter how much I tried to connect with it. Self-indulgent rubbish.
Maybe not on the same level as Blue but still brilliant. This is Joni going into slightly jazzier material and it just feels so right. Once again her voice is like nothing else I've ever heard, especially in terms of her dynamics, and I really found myself getting lost in the storytelling of these songs. My first repeated artist in the challenge, and I could not have asked for anybody better.
Favourite song: Help Me
Least favourite song: Trouble Child
A corker of a live experience. The first half had me in a state of introspection with its acoustic vibes and surrealistic lyrics, but then the second half kicked in and blew my mind. This particular concert recording is where the infamous Judas incident occured, and if you listen closely, you can hear the audience are restless at first when it comes to hearing Dylan transition into his electric era, slow-clapping to throw him and the Band off. To me, going electric allowed Dylan to explore more avenues for his musical storytelling, and ultimately this audience had no idea of the greatness they were able to witness live. Definitely want to hear more of these bootlegs soon.
Favourite track: Baby, Let Me Follow You Down
Least favourite track: Desolation Row
An interesting listen, that's for sure. It's basically an album which asks the question "What if the Byrds were a punk band?", with its jangly guitars and witty lyrics. If you're going to listen to this one, make sure to look out for the 45th anniversary remaster, otherwise you'll be stuck with a whole lost of extra tracks for something you might not enjoy. Overall, whilst not a band I'd seek out again, I still enjoyed myself quite a bit.
Favourite track: Positive Vibrations
Least favourite track: Old Pervert
As soon as I saw Cohen's name, I knew this would be an emotional one. In a similar vein to Blackstar by David Bowie in the same year, this is a man reflecting on his life and doing something that very few musicians get the opportunity to accomplish: Saying farewell to his fans. He looks back upon the person he used to be, the person he has ended up becoming, and the world he is leaving behind, and the whole thing is this heartbreaking yet totally cathartic experience. Just beautiful and one that had me in tears at points.
Favourite track: Treaty
Least favourite track: N/A
Wait, this was actually pretty good. As somebody who has a stoic disdain for Mr West it came as a complete surprise to me that I enjoyed myself here. The beats are catchy, the mixing is on another level, and the lyrics explore a very complex relationship with the world of fame. However, stars have been deducted for the simple fact that it's less of an album and more of a collection of songs, with a couple here and there not quite scratching the itch. Not amazing, but still pretty cool.
Favourite track: Devil in a New Dress
Least favourite track: Blame Game
The Jam is a band I've always been meaning to look more into, with a few of their songs such as Town Called Malice and Going Underground being very familiar favourites to me, and so it comes as no surprise as to how much I actually enjoyed this album. A lot of it feels like a precursor to the Britpop sound that would dominate the 1990s, especially Blur with its lyrics about suburban English life, but here there's an element of the country's class issues that make the album more punk-like. It's full of infectious energy, Weller's vocals are on point as always, and it provided the perfect companion to a sunny afternoon.
Favourite track: Fly
Least favourite track: David Watts
Only made it to track 4. Shite.
A proper time capsule album, transporting the listener to somebody's basement back in the 1990s whilst surrounded by good friends and smoking grass. It's abrasive and rebellious, and does well to embrace the newfound counter-culture that the era brought with it, in which it was cool to be a slacker with no direction. The kind of album that allows you completely let your hair down for half an hour without a care in the world, releasing those pent-up frustrations as opposed to keeping them bottled up.
Favourite track: Where Is My Mind?
Least favourite track: Tony's Theme
Just gorgeous. Gave me slight Elliot Smith vibes, but with more complex and experimental instrumentation. It even had me in the feels, intensified by the fact I was listening whilst walking through the rain. Definitely need to add this to my rotation, and I've no idea how it's eluded me for so long. Beautiful album.
Favourite track: War On War
Least favourite track: Poor Places
There will never be another MJ. Plain and simple. Off the Wall is one of the ultimate funk albums of its era, containing this infectious groove throughout that never falters and keeps your toes tapping. Usually I'd stick my daily album on whilst out on a walk, but this one I just had to stay home and dance to, as I let the music move me. Not a single skip to be found here, and an early indication as to the special talent that the world could have never been ready for. This might not be Michael's debut, but it's certainly the first true MJ album.
Favourite track: Get On The Floor
Least favourite track: Girlfriend
It's good and all, but not massively memorable. When the best track is saved until last, it means everything else becomes more of a chore to listen to rather than the build-up to s something special. Definitely one of the more basic new-wave albums.
Favourite track: Love Action
Least favourite track: Get Carter
I mean, it's definitely Elvis, no doubt about that. He's one of those artists that I can acknowledge as good, but he's not quite an album guy for me. This was just fine. One or two memorable songs, that's it.
A real favourite, even before listening to it this time around. It was made moreso upon discovering that each track was recorded live in studio, with very little overdubs or fiddling with filters, resulting in a sound that is raw yet crisp. You can tell how talented these guys are due to their absolute dedication to precision, and the title track alone is an all-timer. Proper CBGB-scene punk, from an era defined by similarly brilliant emerging artists such as Talking Heads and Blondie.
Favourite track: Marquee Moon
Least favourite track: Prove It
Super catchy hooks and riffs, surrealistic lyrics, and songs that don't overstay their welcome, all coming together to create a rather succinct debut album. Murmur is definitely a sign of good things to come, remaining strong throughout and very rarely dipping in quality. You can't beat a bit of R.E.M.
Favourite track: 9-9
Least favourite track: West of the Fields
Never thought I'd enjoy a salsa album, and yet here I am giving it a 4 star rating. It's the kind of music where you can't not get up and start moving, with the music being very much embued with danceable grooves. I can certainly see the appeal now, that's for sure. My experience was aided by the fact that it was bright and sunny during my listening session, enhancing the summery vibes throughout and putting a smile on my face.
Favourite track: Pedro Navaja
Least favourite track: N/A (It's all great)
Very wishy-washy kind of music, the type of indie that I find more annoying than enjoyable. It's basically an Irish band singing about the fact they've been to California, except they're exploring the feelings of the places rather than what they actually saw. Not for me.
Lowest common denominator rock. Genuinely overrated band that everybody else seems to love, but I can't get behind them. Super overplayed and just irritating at this point.
This one had me at John Coltrane. Just incredible stuff throughout, a real special listen. Felt like a symphony of jazz, one that stays with you for a while afterwards. Essential.
Favourite track: Part 3
Least favourite track: N/A
PG just does not miss. A masterpiece of 1980s art rock, and one that I could honestly listen to everyday. It's the first album in the challenge so far that I actually own, so I was very happy to get this spinning on the turntable. Such a warm sound throughout, especially when it comes to Tony Levin's insane bass lines. Cannot sing this one's praises enough.
Favourite track: Big Time
Least favourite track: This is the Picture (Excellent Birds)
Perfectly fine. I think the reason why I didn't completely get on with it is the fact of the situation behind it. Syd Barrett was clearly a genius, as seen in his work as part of Pink Floyd, however you can tell the copious amounts of substances were really catching up with him here, and it's a shame how people took advantage of him. Only about half of this stuff really works, with the rest being actually a little grating.
Favourite track: No Good Trying
Least favourite track: Here I Go
Super chill stuff from the man who would go onto inspire a whole generation of musicians to incorporate Eastern stylings into their work, most notably George Harrison. Love how Ravi introduces each track with a mini-lecture on the theory behind each style, as it helped to immerse me within the whole thing. What a journey.
Favourite track: Bhimpalasi
Least favourite track: N/A
It's less of an album and more of a masterpiece of sprawling literary fiction, conjuring vivid images and palpable scenes. Kate Bush is one of those once-in-a-lifetime talents whose work stands out from the rest, never conforming to the styles of the times that she's composing within. Though it was Stranger Things which brought her back into the limelight, I've had the pleasure of listening to this one way before thanks to my parents being fans of her work, and I shall continue to savour this masterwork. Excellent!
Favourite track: Waking The Witch
Least favourite track: Running Up That Hill (Still great, but it's overplayed at this point)
All due respect to Boy George and everything he's done for the community, but this just wasn't for me. This is pop to the most annoying degree, cheap and tacky throughout with very little soul. The whole thing feels over-produced, especially when it came to that bloody harmonica, and I honestly found myself in a bad mood because of it. Meh.
Such a great album of synth pop, consistent all the way through and filled with vivid imagery. I was especially enamoured with the bass lines, and I've honestly no idea why I hadn't listened to this one before. Excellent stuff.
Favourite track: Glittering Prize
Least favourite track: Big Sleep
It's like the soundtrack to a movie from the 60s that's only just been unearthed, lost for decades and finally rediscovered. There's a lot of music you could call "cinematic", but The Last Shadow Puppets manages to capture pure cinema in just 35 minutes here, delivering rocking riffs and soaring orchestras to create a truly captivating listen. Gorgeous production, poetic lyricism, and addictive vocals from Turner and Kane. Awesome stuff.
Favourite track: Black Plant
Least favourite track: The Meeting Place
The sheer definition of cool, to the point where it is only one of two albums within the subgenre of Cool Jazz around these parts. Those cats were really swinging with this one, as my foot was tapping from start to finish and I felt as if I should have been sat in a lounge with a couple of old-fashioneds. I'm becoming more of a jazz guy every time this challenge throws me a classic.
Favourite track: Everybody's Jumping
Least favourite track: N/A
Repetitive trip-hop, and not particularly my style. More background listening than something I'd stick on actively.
I love the idea of "Your favourite band's favourite band", as it feels like listening to Sparks brings you, the fan, just a little bit closer to the tastes of the geniuses. Kimono My House might sound like a novelty record, but underneath that facade is some pretty intricate lyricism and composition, telling stories that are simultaneously surreal and human. These guys might not be to everybody's liking, but I honestly cannot get enough of them. Love the Mael brothers!
Favourite track: Talent is an Asset
Least favourite track: Barbacutie
The kind of album that always comes back to me at the perfect times in my life. This particular instance, the sun was shining and the heat has been the highest it's been in ages, creating the perfect listening conditions for an album which exudes that summer feeling. Uber catchy, still just as revolutionary as when I first gave it a go, and some of my favourite basslines in anything. Iconic stuff.
Favourite track: I Am The Resurrection
Least favourite track: Bye Bye Bad Man
Didn't think I'd enjoy this as much as I did. Proper heavy nu-metal stuff, with lyrics about things that actually matter like the environment instead of just "I hate my stepdad". The production is insane, the use of traditional Brazilian instruments amongst the chaos grounds the whole thing, and I found myself properly head-banging. Awesome!
Favourite track: Lookaway
Least favourite track: Jasco
Was expecting the worst but actually got something which is pretty good. Very surprised to learn that this is a concept album, something that I didn't think ABBA would really do. Quite a few classics on here, but also a couple of saccharine stinkers that let the side down somewhat. Overall, this was surprisingly alright, if a little dated in the synth department.
Favourite track: Money, Money, Money
Least favourite track: Dum Dum Diddle
Very pedestrian funk, admittedly paving the way for disco but not in a particularly exciting way. I was expecting a lot more from this, especially with how iconic Le Freak is, however that one ends up being the strongest track. Everything else kind of just blends together.
Favourite track: Le Freak
Least favourite track: At Last I Am Free
Undeniable masterpiece. The Floyd's first major concept album explores the various stages of life, from birth to living to death and back to birth again, creating this neverending cycle which allows the album to be listened to again and again. Everything is just so on-point, filled with gorgeous production and heartfelt composition, and I shall never tire of the opportunity to revisit this iconic piece of music. Forever a 5 star classic.
Favourite track: Us and Them
Least favourite track: N/A
An interesting listen, for sure. I only really recognised Underground, known for its appearance in the seminal animated feature Robots, with the rest having more of a world-building purpose rather than stuff you can actually sing along to. Waits' voice takes a while to get used to, but I found his style to be rather intriguing eventually. Not quite a fan yet, however I can see myself becoming so someday perhaps. Pretty good.
Favourite track: 16 Shells From A 30.6
Least favourite track: Dave The Butcher
We get it, Steven Tyler! You're a horny creep. There's one or two good tunes here but that's it. The whole thing seems to consist of songs about how much sex the band likes to have on the daily and how many girls they can pull. Not really one to make you think at all. Don't let it distract you from the fact that Steven Tyler once took guardianship over an underage girl so that he could continue taking drugs and sleeping with her. A vile human being.
Favourite track: Love In An Elevator
Least favourite track: Young Lust
An album where the influence is both undeniable and transcends genre. Psych rock, indie, acoustic, folk, garage, even ambient drone. It's all here and impossible to dismiss. Such a fascinating listen that I had to start it all over again after the final track, and one that stays with you long afterwards. Just timeless, to the point where you almost forget it was made in the late-60s.
Favourite track: Heroin
Least favourite track: N/A
Another CHIC album so soon? What a shame that this ended up being another disappointment. These guys are supposed to be pioneers in their genre, but instead their brand of funk just falls flat for me. Good Times is a classic, however that's about it for the whole thing, as everything else becomes meaningless repetitive noise which doesn't really go anywhere interesting. At least this is the last time they pop up in the list.
Favourite track: Good Times
Least favourite track: Can't Stand To Love You
Again, nothing special. Aside from Suspicious Minds (What a tune!) and In The Ghetto, the whole thing ends up being rather middling and unmemorable. Eh....
Highly underappreciated and brilliantly produced. Much like Kate Bush's work, this is an album focused on storytelling as opposed to just pumping out hits, and honestly it pays off in shed-loads, creating vivid imagery and evoking plenty of introspective emotion. I'd only ever heard The Killing Moon before thanks to its appearance in Donnie Darko, but I'm glad to have finally listened to the whole thing. Well worth it.
Favourite track: Thorn of Crowns
Least favourite track: N/A (It's all great)
Another classic from Neil Young, and apparently his most renowned for very good reason. It's catchy, it's melancholy, and altogether influential, telling richly layered stories and evoking strong emotions. With each album, I'm beginning to understand the appeal of this guy, and cannot wait to discover more of his stuff. Great!
Favourite track: Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Least favourite track: Birds
I have the exact same problem with this type of music as I do with mumblecore cinema, in that a lot of it is depressing for the sheer sake of it without saying much of anything particularly substantial. Dull sadboi stuff
A solid listen all round. Was not expecting to hear Lou Reed pop up, but his presence was necessary for Aisha. The beats were popping for the most part, the production was tight, and I certainly found myself in a focused mood in the same way as a lot of trip-hop gets me going. Where it loses points however is probably for the fact that it hasn't really stayed with me all that much, save for a few tracks here and there. Still worth a listen though.
Favourite track: Lever Street
Least favourite track: Death Threat
For me personally, you really cannot go wrong with the Dan. Whilst everyone else was playing hard rock and metal, these guys subverted all expectations and created a genre all of their own: Steely Dan music. Not quite yacht rock, not quite easy-listening, just smooth grooves with danceable riffs from Fagen and Becker. I could return to this one again and again, and was captivated by the wry humour on display throughout, as well as the stories being told from song to song. Many may hate them, but I love these lads. Big up the Steely Dan!
Favourite track: Parker's Band
Least favourite track: East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
It's good but not great. Like a lot of Britpop, it doesn't have a lot of staying power as an album for me personally. A few tracks here and there, sure, but nothing shouts out to me as anything I'd stick on again and again. I enjoyed the shoegaze approach here though, blending the styles rather well and creating something that stands out a little more.
Favourite track: History
Least favourite track: Brainstorm Interlude
A much funkier affair than I was initially expecting, especially judging by the fact that I'd only ever heard Holding Back the Years prior to actually sitting down for the whole album. Mick Bucknell's voice is an absolute revelation in my opinion, bursting onto the scene like the second coming of soul itself, and I really found myself entranced by both the upbeat and downbeat tracks. There's some seriously infectious rhythms throughout, the synthwork is on point, and there's even a Talking Heads cover in the middle of it all which I very much appreciated. What a debut!
Favourite track: Look At You Now
Least favourite track: Picture Book
A very easy listen on a hot summer day. Nothing to blow you away, but nice enough that time flies by whilst you're listening to it. I'd heard the name Stan Getz before, and it feels good to finally put some tracks to the nomenclature. Good stuff.
Favourite track: Samba Triste
Least favourite track: O Pato
Wow! I wasn't sure about what to expect from this one, as I'm very much a novice when it comes to Prince, but I think this album may have converted me. The musicianship is sublime, the production is tight, each track is better than the last, and I found myself properly grooving here. Can't wait to explore more of Prince's discography as soon as possible.
Favourite track: It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night
Least favourite track: N/A
With how plodding the first half felt, I was very ready to just write this one off as forgettable, but then the second half kicked in and my ears were open to a whole new sound of Krautrock. Angular riffs, aggressive vocals, and spacious production, all coming together to create something rather exciting. I might be tempted to check more of NEU!'s work, however I would have liked this one a little more if they had just kept the momentum of the second half throughout the entire thing.
Favourite track: Hero
Least favourite track: Seeland
Certainly a very fun album to listen to. The trumpet work blew me away in certain songs, especially during "Basin Street Blues / When It's Sleepy Time Down South" where Prima's is just going full-speed ahead with what I can only describe as inhuman skill. What lets it down is the fact that very few of the tracks are long enough to really sit with, instead fading out when they could have gone further in exploring the sounds being created. Aside from that, I still really enjoyed this swing album which truly rocks, with a cover that really gives you a feel for the rambunctousness of Prima right from the off.
Favourite track: Basin Street Blues / When It's Sleepy Time Down South
Least favourite track: The Lip
Tonight on Queen's "A Night at the Opera":
Freddie makes it impossible for anybody to think he's straight with songs like "Seaside Rendezvous"...
Brian sings a sad song about astronauts...
John continues to be the underdog of the group...
And Roger wants to do unspeakable things to his car...
Twaddle. It's like if somebody tried and failed to do a one-man show as a musical. None of it is fun to listen to, the lyrics are nonsensical, and I barely made it through the bloody thing. They say that this album struggled to find an audience upon release, and I'd say that fact is still true today.
Ok now we're getting somewhere. I'd heard of these guys in passing, but had no idea of how diverse in terms of genre they could be. Blues, folk, prog, and even jazz. A gateway into a band I can see myself really getting into.
Favourite track: Feelin' Alright
Least favourite track: Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
What's That Noise is exactly what I said when sticking this on. Yikes.
Dated in the best way possible, Jagged Little Pill grounds itself firmly in the mid-90s as this snapshot of a simpler time. The production immediately transports you back there, and I could picture myself listening to this in somebody else's bedroom with curtains half closed and some incense burning somewhere. Honestly a marvel to behold, and one that is timeless in spite of itself.
Favourite track: Ironic
Least favourite track: Wake Up
Of course this was a banger on the same level as Ocean Rain. As soon as I saw what the opening track was, I just had to stick it on immediately. The basslines throughout are properly infectious, and really drive home how smooth the overall production is from track to track. Awesome vibes, imaginative lyrics, complex instrumentation. The fact that this was released a year before their biggest album is crazy to me.
Favourite track: In Bluer Skies
Least favourite track: Fuel
Couldn't even make it through one song. Quite possibly the worst kind of Beach Boys, and that's the schmaltzy Hallmark "Wish you were here" kind. Yuck.
My first time listening to a Nick Cave album in full, and I have to say that this was a very fun experience. This one gave me some proper Tom Waits vibes in places, with the storytelling of Leonard Cohen thrown in for good measure. Proper big sound for the first half, before dialling it down for the second half. More of this please.
Favourite track: There She Goes, My Beautiful World
Least favourite track: Spell
This is what a friend of mine would call "drug music", and I can totally see why. It's trippy in its repetition, the rhythm isn't so complex that you need to be constantly focused upon it, and the tracks are a little longer than usual. Not awful by any means, but nothing too mind-blowing either. Perfectly adequate downtempo trip-hop.
Favourite track: Inspection (Check One)
Least favourite track: Melt
Very catchy and pleasant album. Did not expect to enjoy this so much. My only complaint is that I've heard so much like this album, so it probably won't stay with me all that long. Still, I won't say that I didn't enjoy myself, as that'd be a lie.
Favourite track: Woman's Blues
Least favourite track: Poverty Train
Very fun live album but not too much else. There's only so much Frampton I can take, if I'm being totally honest. The talkbox stuff was cool, the fact he played "Baby, I Love Your Way" took me off guard (Especially since it was randomly in my head just before), and the crowd seemed to be having fun. Pretty good, not brilliant.
Favourite track: I Wanna Go To The Sun
Least favourite track: Shine On
A group who I've enjoyed in passing, but never quite gave a chance. Now that my eyes have been opened as to their genius songwriting and composition, I'm looking forward to exploring this legendary band of the British Invasion movement. The social commentary and storytelling go together perfectly, with the whole concept feeling realised in full, and I especially loved the dynamic instrumentation throughout. Not a single bad track to be found. A classic.
Favourite track: Shangri-la
Least favourite track: N/A
I'm not really one for the Flower Power rock of the 1960s. If I'm being totally honest, the best tracks here by a mile are White Rabbit and Somebody To Love, both of which feature lead vocals from Grace Slick, whose voice contains so much power that she should have just done the whole thing herself. The rest is so-so, but I can see the influence somewhat.
Another certified classic from the Jam, chock-full of biting social commentary and witty lyricism. I'm really starting to get into the Mod side of punk rock, with these guys in particular incorporating more funky stylings into their music, making quite a few of the songs rather danceable. The messages here still ring true, you can't wrong with a bit of Paul Weller, however it's a shame this is the last I'll hear from the Jam on this list. Still, it's going in my ever-shifting rotation, and that's all that matters here.
Favourite track: Set the House Ablaze
Least favourite track: Boy About Town
An absolute party from beginning to end. As soon as I heard that crowd interacting with the music, I knew I was in for a 5-star classic. Right from the off, this album transported me back to the 1960s Harlem and I did not want to leave. Sam Cooke truly was one of a kind in his field, and it's such a tragedy that his life had to be cut short so suddenly in the way that it was. If this one doesn't put a smile on your face, there's something wrong with you.
Favourite track: Chain Gang
Least favourite track: None
Absolutely stellar folk-rock from the British Jefferson Airplane. The storytelling was on point throughout, the production surprisingly impressive in spite of its own lo-fi nature, and I was thrown through an unexpected emotional journey. Just imagine yourself sitting amongst the hills and valleys of the English countryside with a folk group serenading you, surrender yourself to nature, and have fun with it. Wow.
Favourite track: Matty Groves
Least favourite track: Tam Lin
Hell yeah! As soon as I saw this one come up, I knew I was in for a treat. Though I only knew the hits, I had a feeling the rest would be of the same calibre. Whilst the Prodigy weren't the first to combine rock and hard-bass, they were probably the first to do it properly. Absolute banger from start to finish, proper hype machine stuff, and one that will go down in history. Yes!
Didn't particularly need to listen to this one due to how much I already heard it on repeat as a kid. My mum has been a massive Adele fan right from the start, so she'd put the CDs on until she got sick of them. Brought back childhood memories and things like that, but didn't do too much more for me personally.
What can be said that hasn't been said already? Just a proper all-timer that can be listened to again and again, filled with infectious pop grooves and classic riffs. Prince's voice is truly something else here, brimming with power even in the most quiet moments. That final track hits me like a ton of bricks every time anyway, but I never paid attention to the string section before. Sheer genius from beginning to end that has seldom been matched since.
Mediocre background music to a wine bar. Feels very much like it's only in here to make up numbers and bolster the ranks with just about anything. It's got moments of light in the malaise, but they're too far and few between to really count as anything noteworthy. Didn't totally hate it, however it's honestly nothing to write home about. Eh.
Greatly underappreciated post-punk album, which certainly paved the way for the sound of the 1990s and even beyond in some ways. Throwing Muses is exactly why I carry on with this challenge in the first place despite the fact that I know there's inevitably going to be more stinkers than winners, as it's introduced me to a band I can absolutely see myself diving into very soon. The riffs are addictive, the lyrics are cryptic, and there isn't a single bad track here. Why has the world hidden this from me for so long?
A real hip-hop odyssey with all manners of flavour throughout. OutKast are just on a whole other level here compared to everyone else at the time, delivering songs that are authentic and truthful. I especially enjoyed the creativity in the sampling, such as the reversing of "Strawberry Letter 23" in "Ms Jackson" to get that unique sound needed to really complete the ensemble. "B.O.B" was another particular highlight, and I feel as if that's the track I'll be returning to again and again. Just sublime.
It's an enjoyable listen, but there's much better out there. As much as I think Solomon Burke's voice is perfect here, I feel as if everything else was a little monotonous in terms of production, with each track blending into one another and forming this musical malaise. Don't get me wrong, there are a few bangers here, such as "Cry to Me" and "Beautiful Brown Eyes", however it's nothing that'll stick with me for too long. Still, I don't regret having listened to it, which is why I'm saying that it is good rather than great.
Nope. Still not a country fan after this one. Every song eventually just sounds the same to me, blending together into a Willie Nelson soup until none of it is particularly recognisable. Eh.
Other than the title itself, you really wouldn't know these songs were originally country and western standards, with Ray Charles absolutely making them his own by adding his signature sound. This is an album that sounds further ahead in time compared to others of its ilk, and the fact that Charles had full creative control as a Black artist during the height of the Civil Rights movement is something to be recognised. Each song explores yearning, love, loss, depression, and happiness alike, creating a smorgasbord of emotion that really takes the listener on a journey. So why the lower rating? Well, quite frankly, it's a very long album, consisting of a whopping 24 tracks and lasting almost an hour and a half, meaning that it becomes a bit of a chore to listen to after a while. Some tracks fail to distinguish themselves from the rest, so unfortunately there are a portion where I probably couldn't you what makes them unique in any way. Other than that however, it's a pretty good collection of tunes that kept me entertained for the most part.
Sex: The Album. If you thought Steven Tyler was a horndog, just wait until you've heard this. At least Marvin Gaye was classy about it and didn't keep referring to the woman as "Little girl".
I would have rated this slightly higher if it weren't for the almost 20 minutes of spoken word at the end. In spite of that however, this album by the Mothers of Invention is a laugh and a half, with absurd humour and quirky musicality to really entertain the listener in a way that I don't think you could find at the time outside of Frank Zappa's work. Very silly, yet still containing some heart to it.
I used to be a massive indie head in my teen years. Arctic Monkeys, The Kooks, The Strokes, The Coral, Two Door Cinema Club, The Fratellis, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, just to name a few. After a while however, my taste diversified itself and I kinda just fell out with the subgenre, so I didn't think I'd get a whole lot out of this one. That is until I actually started listening, and I have to say that it pleasantly surprised me. The Zutons have a sound which can only really be described as "Scooby Doo", in that it's all very old-school and slightly funky, with a hint of the carnival amongst the rock. You can also hear some proper B-movie atmosphere as well, with the dizziness turned up in order to evoke a unique seedy feel that runs throughout. Overall, well worth a listen, especially when that saxophone starts to kick in.
"YES" is exactly what I said when I saw what the day's album was. These guys are the gateway to all things prog-rock, and for very good reason. Whether it's lyrical poetry or technical musicianship you want, Yes has you covered, and this self-titled odyssey is one that contains a multitude of styles. From melodic organ-driven melodies to acoustic delights, you'll find no shortage of creativity here. Definitely one I'd recommend for sure, especially for that opening track.
Ooooooh boy, this was an instant banger right from the off. I'd only ever heard the first two tracks beforehand, but I'm annoyed to have never sat through the whole thing until now. This is hip-hop at its purest. Raw, angry, unfiltered, proper rough around the edges, everybody collaborating to deliver those hard-hitting truths on all sides of the studio. The NWA bred a crop of true talents here who would go onto great successes in their own rights, but it's Straight Outta Compton which will always be their finest hour, and rightfully so.
It's true what they say about Paul's Boutique. This absolutely is the Sgt Pepper of hip-hop, in that it takes the listener on this wild ride through various styles and sensibilities. I already had a lot of love for this one, but this particular listening session just blew me away all over again, as I was once again heavily impressed by the way samples were utilised in order to create some truly unique beats. Paul's Boutique paved the way for another band I adore, The Avalanches, and you'd never think to put the Beastie Boys and those guys in the same. Hells to the yeah!
Just beautiful. I have no more words to say. Wow.
My new favourite Bowie album. A whole hour of nothing but great tunes and insane amounts of talent. Tony Visconti was cooking way too hard in the kitchen when he produced this one, as the mixing is on point from start to finish. Without this album, we wouldn't have got the legendary Luther Vandross, who Bowie discovered whilst recording the title track and subsequently hired him to arrange the rest of the album's backing vocals. The man had his finger on the pulse of what's good, that's for sure. Phenomenal blue-eyed soul stuff.
Very solid live blues album. There's no doubt about Muddy's status as a bona-fide legend of the game, but I couldn't help feeling that most of the songs here sound the same after a while. Probably doesn't help that there are literal repeats to bulk up the runtime. Still, I enjoyed myself and had a real bluesy time.
I mean it's Thriller. What can be said that hasn't been said already? This is one of the highest selling albums of all time, and for very good reason, remaining the pinnacle of 80s music, transcending genres and audience and never stopping. I'm especially impressed by the production, which consistently features a crisp sound that never seems to age and a real ear for creating immersive soundscapes without sacrificing the funkiness. All Thriller, and absolutely zero filler.
I love Ella Fitzgerald, but not 3 hours worth. Just complete overkill, recording an entire songbook and forcing the audience to come along on the journey. Could only manage a quarter, as it started to sound the same after a while. Who put this on here?
Bad is great. Maybe not on the same level as MJ's first two, but still a banger
