1001 Albums Summary

Tom Sawyer - I heard this track first in a film (‘I Love You, Man’) a while ago and thought it was great fun! Great rock production here. Hints of Led Zeppelin influence I feel. That ancient folklore or at last distant past reference being recalled here. Red Barchetta - slightly more upbeat, almost poppy. This one has a bit more of a narrative to it. Like a family drama or something. Feels as if it’s an ode to a family member. Nice soloing. YYZ - dissonant riff here. Instrumental. Very cinematic opening. Not sure if I dig it but it’s certainly memorable! Very strong guitar work. Peart’s drum fills are really quite something. Limelight - a strong opening riff, almost reminiscent of AC/DC. I almost recognise this one. It feels very classic rock. The Camera Eye - the most prominent use of synths (premiered on Tom Sawyer). This also feels very cinematic. Possibly too long, at 11 mins. For my attention span anyway! Witch Hunt (Part III of Fear) - Folkloric, prophetic feel to it. Feels like a political song. The drums here again brilliantly convey the epic breadth of their sound. Vital Signs - I didn’t care for this one particularly musically but interesting lyrics. Fairly cryptic lyrics. Open to interpretation. Quite epic feel coming back again! Overall review: this is not the usual genre I go for, but there were times that I was gripped by the dexterity of the players and the production. Really coming along for the ride. I did feel as if there could almost be more variety in it and perhaps some shorter songs, but overall a positive introduction to the band for me. Perhaps an even slower tune could’ve perhaps helped, I’m not sure. They do have proper talent undoubtedly. It’s definitely of the era. Favourite songs: Red Barchetta, Limelight

Track By Track EXP - A radio intro! Very of the time and quite idiosyncratic. Up From The Skies - I can hear his blues influence right from the get go. Heard this was how he learned to play, listening to old blues numbers. Very open summery blanched out sound Spanish Castle Magic - rock! I like the vibe. His voice does seem quite low and a bit lost in the mix which seems a shame. He has a great singing voice Wait Until Tomorrow - better mixing here. Like the jamming intro riff a lot. Ain’t No Telling - a lot of these songs feel like jam sessions. Very loose. Showcases his guitar work very well but the band is tight as well. Little Wing - I love this song. Such a brilliant riff, beautifully executed. Suffused with love and melancholy. Almost cuts out too soon but it’s this near perfect moment of semi psychedelic rock. If 6 was 9 - I feel as if White Stripes were inspired by this one. Bit more dirty bluesy. A nice talk-sing section that sounds sharply political and of the time as well. Sounds like some delay pedal action too? End section recalls experimental Velvet Underground. Really like this one despite its length. You Got Me Floatin’ - quite nice solid tune. Sounds like it’s been inspired by other proper rockers. Castles Made Of Sand - all about the narrative. Sad, melancholic. A very nice riff as well. She’s So Fine - a little Led or The Who influence? Or perhaps this preceded them, not sure! This does actually feel like a Who song that’s been psychedelified. One Rainy Wish - bit of an Indian influence at the start. Very nice. Good guitar work on this one. Sweet, bit more laid back. A nice change of pace. Little Miss Lover - did not like this one as much. Just not as much my style Bold As Love - I can see why John Mayer wanted to cover this. This is an exceptional song. So much fun guitar wise. A true classic in my opinion. Favourite Songs: Little Wing, If 6 was 9, Bold As Love Overall Review - I hadn’t heard a whole Jimi album before. As always impressed by his guitar work and singing voice. A few songs i didn’t care for as much as I don’t listen to this genre too much. Very decent overall though. It’s got 3 but if I could give 3.5 I would!

Track By Track Tutti Frutti - just lots of fun. Fast moving, tight band. Great piano vamping! Classic. True, Fine Mama - this pianist is having a ball! Love it. I’m very much here for this type of music (kind of need to be in the mood though!). Can’t believe you Wanna Leave - I can really begin to hear how this would’ve inspired so many afterwards. Laid the groundwork. For pop, rock, rhythm & blues, etc. etc. Beatles for sure! Ready Teddy - it’s the exact same structure and I love it! Perfect length. Fabulous. Baby - this sounded like someone else at first. He’s almost taking on a different character to my ears here. Slippin’ & Slidin’ - the music evokes the title here quite well. A proper masterclass. Great horns. The lyrics are relatively surface, but I think that might be their point. Just a fun time. Long Tall Sally - here we go again! I recognise this I think. I don’t know about some of the lyrics… Miss Ann - a slower one. The sax solo is great. Tight. Oh Why? - a fairly ambiguous story about conviction. Rip It Up - first hear Buddy Holly’s version of this. Not sure which came first. This one is a bit more laid back actually. Fun party tune. Jenny Jenny - another love song, same formula! Like an alternative standard. Saxes sound more prominent, particularly the lower one. Good solos. She’s Got It - a famous one. He’s got a great voice, a scream. Almost James Brown - like on this one. You can again see his legacy reverberating. Overall Review: I haven’t listened to a whole album of his before. It’s great playing, tight band. Reminds me of Buddy Holly at certain points also. Think he was around similar time, albeit briefly. Of course, it’s a similar formula throughout. Quite a lot of sameness for a whole album. Very great writing and playing though. 3.5/5 Favourite Songs: True, Fine Mama, Tutti Frutti, Jenny Jenny

Track By Track Black Sabbath - atmospheric intro with the rain. Sounds very cinematic, gothic, almost horror but more palatable than that actually. There is a lot of melody here rather than noise. The Wizard - apparently inspired by Gandalf. Very folkloric. Ozzy’s screaming harmonica in the opening is very effective and evokes the theme really brilliantly. Seems to be a bit of Led Zeppelin influence as well, especially with the subject matter. Behind The Wall of Sleep - Great guitar work on this one. N.I.B - a creative concept. Builds well. Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Game) - not bad, good playing but not a standout for me. Sleeping Village - I like when a track goes multiple places. Great musicianship here. Nice form Warning - a long one! Good showcasing of their musical chops though. Wicked World - This one definitely reminds me of Led Zeppelin. Kind of a modern (for then) commentary. Almost protest-like song. Quite dig it. Overall review: I liked a lot of the playing in this. More than I thought I would. I am very impressed by the musicianship. They’re a tight band. It gets four stars for originality and what it was of the time, but three from me personally simply because it’s not usually my cup of tea genre wise. Although I want to thank Alexander, as this has reminded me about ‘Fluff’ (not on this album) is one of my favourite songs of all time. 3.5/5 Favourite Songs: The Wizard, Sleeping Village

Track By Track Out In The Street - starting with delay? I like the sort of rockabilly bounce of this one. It’s got a bit of grit to it, in the guitar and Daltrey’s voice. Can hear the early rock ‘n roll influence. I Don’t Mind - this almost recalls early Beatles. Great vocals, swooning almost crooning. Nice little harmonies too. Brilliant licks from Townsend. The Good’s Gone - bit too noisy for me, in terms of the production. And mixing. Bit Kinks, but not quite the ones I like. La, La, La, Lies - old style vibe. Quite fun, with almost doo-wop backing vocals. Nice jazzy piano vamping on this. Much Too Much - it’s almost sloppy and wet, the sound. I suppose that’s intentional and sometimes it works, but it doesn’t always do it for me. My Generation - I don’t care for this song that much in general, but it does sound great in the context of the record. Great bass breaks. Bopping. The Kids Are Alright - quite nice harmonies. Fun times on this one. Reminds me of something similar, not sure what! Please Please Please - great vocals, guitar work, solid. It’s Not True - but more energy and speed. Nice! I’m A Man - ok! A cover. Bo Diddley. Good times indeed. Original still bit better though in my opinion. Having fun with this I can tell. A Legal Matter - I like the opening riff. And it’s quite a little bop this. The Ox - stonking driving rock. Epic harbinger of what was to come with the Who. Not my favourite on this album though. Overall Review - I hadn’t listened to a Who album before. I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve never really listened to them properly before save a few tracks. It’s like they started out being influenced by early rock and roll e.g. Chuck Berry etc. then evolved. This early sound is nice, lots of drive and rock feel to it. It’s got 3.9 for when I’m In the mood for it and 3.5 for when I’m not! Favourite Songs: I Don’t Mind, The Kids Are Alright, Please Please, Please, A Legal Matter

Track By Track Highway To Hell - a classic. Belter of a song. Really enjoyed this. Girls Got Rhythm - I’m feeling like this album is all about the guitar. Mainly the rhythm actually. Didn’t stand out so much for me Walk All Over You - I do appreciate his singing here. Got a good scream on him. Bit forgettable this one Touch Too Much - a lot of these songs seem to be about … sex? These guys do seem to be classic rockers as well actually. A simple, but cohesive sound. This, again, did not stand out for me. Beating Around The Bush - a great opening riff. Quite good energy here. Shot Down In Flames - kind of feels a bit sleazy almost lyrically! But basic for me I’m afraid. Not a fan Get It Hot - this seems a bit more fun. Quite liked this. Major key. Kind of reminds me of the hilarity of Jack Black in School of Rock. If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It) - did not listen to all. too samey at this point. Love Hungry Man - just dated kind of. Very much of a time and place. Horny again. Bit too raunchy! Night Prowler - conceptually, like ‘Midnight Rambler’ (kind of) but not as interesting in my opinion. I didn’t finish it if I’m honest. Overall Review: I hadn’t listened to an AC/DC album all the way through and I do now know why. It’s just not really my thing, this kind of rock. Dad rock & not the best of it really. Great for a couple songs but a whole album is a bit much for me to stomach. I get if you enjoy this kind of music you’d probably really dig this album, but it’s really not for me. 1.4/5 Favourite Songs: Highway To Hell

Track By Track Badlands - Great chords for this opener. Sounds like classic Springsteen that I know (my knowledge of him is limited). It’s got that rousing, dancy feeling that I do really dig when I’m in the mood. Guitar solos, yes. Sax solos, very much yes! Love it. Lots of fun. 10/10 Adam Raised a Cain - Bit more grit on this track. Read a little bit about this one, that it’s about his father I think and a difficult dynamic. Didn’t love, but felt the emotion. Something in the Night - nice intro. Musically also like this one. Quite melancholy. That late ‘70s/‘80s epic stadium feel. Candy’s Room - like a portrait. Quite cinematic. Racing In The Street - slow one. Very American lyrics! Like a slow ‘Dancing In The Street’! Kind of. I wasn’t as moved by this one but didn’t dislike. The Promised Land - This one was good. Not as good as the opener though. Nice harmonica Factory - I do like the piano in this. And the Hammond organ? Nice little one. Portrait of a place in his memory in his town perhaps. Streets of Fire - it’s like he’s pleading or lost in this one. Anguish. I can kind of feel it, even though it’s sort of cheesy. Borderline. Prove It All Night - liked this one. Good solos, fun guitar work. Hopeful, tinged with darkness as well. Darkness on the Edge of Town - Good closer. Got heart and grit. Ties it all together well. Overall Review: First Springsteen album I’ve listened to. I know he’s influenced so many and can hear that a bit in this. For me, many songs oscillate between cheese and real heart. Some lost me in the middle but there were at least three or four that I really liked. 3.5 really but four Favourite Songs: Badlands, Factory, Darkness on the Edge of Town

Track By Track You Make Me Feel So Young - I know it well. It’s quite fun! Just straight run of the mill stuff, not amazing or one of my favourites. Great woodwind trills by the way. It Happened In Monterey - he’s a great singer for this genre for sure. Classy, y’know. A real class is emerging through this album. This one sounds like a lot of other standards. But didn’t dislike. You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me - got a nice slower walk. They all do have a very similar structure though! You Brought A New Kind Of Love - Bit More smoky vibe here. This is lovely inoffensive jazz. Great accompaniment from the orchestra. Swells and little boops. Too Marvellous For Words - nice, fun. Same stuff! Old Devil Moon - it’s a vibe, but I think there are better slow standards. Quite nice though Pennies From Heaven - kind of liked the concept and whimsy of this. A bit Mary Poppins. Love Is Here To Stay - blends seamlessly into the record. Sounds like any of the other songs. But I don’t mind, like it! I’ve Got You Under My Skin - I mean. This is great. Brilliant accompaniment from the orchestra and particularly the horns. I Thought About You - happy yearning. Quite sweet. We’ll Be Together Again - Nice tempo, plodding. Great jazzy background one. Easy on the ears. Makin’ Whoopee - quite good, fun again. Clearly paving the way for Cardi B. It think this was her reference point. Swingin’ Down The Lane - a good time had by all. Strolling down the street. It’s like singin in the rain vibe. Anything Goes - quite nice version. Cole Porter, great songwriter. How About You? - very smooth, classy ending. Lovely Overall Review: It’s great background music for doing whatever, mostly. Pottering. Also I feel it would be great in a classy club in the ‘50s or ‘60s. I liked it. 3.5, rounded up :) Either 3 or 4, really, depending on the day. Favourite Songs: I’ve Got You Under My Skin, How About You?

Track By Track Alsatian Cousin - gritty opening. There’s a biting quality to this straight off the bat. Do not particularly like this one. Little Man, What Now? - I don’t mind his voice actually. Just quite dreary lyrics! Everyday Is Like Sunday - quite good this one. It’s got even more darkness though than the Smiths. Bengali In Platforms - I read up about the controversy surrounding this song a bit in the reviews. Can see where some people were coming from but on first listen I get the sense it’s more sympathetic than derogatory. I liked the tune mostly and thought I’d dislike it more. Angel Angel Down We Go - little portrait of someone. Pleading tone. Quite full on. Late Night, Maudlin Street - not bad. More of a love song. His voice is actually beginning to be quite a bit at this point. Quite good song though. Bit long. Suedehead - pretty good bass driving this. Sounds very much like a Smiths evolution. Break Up The Family - classic Morrissey-sounding this. Don’t mind this one. Treat Me Like A Human Being - very plodding and morose. There is a sliver of hope within it though. Buried. I Don’t Mind If You Forget Me - Sounds very ‘80s! Electronic guitar vibe, futuristic almost, for the time. Like a darker Bangles or something. Or maybe that’s him or the Smiths in a nutshell. I dunno :) Dial a Cliche - quite sweet tune. Could be in a ‘80s movie soundtrack. Margaret On The Guillotine - Segues from the previous track nicely. Biting political opinions here. A really nice, sweet instrumental actually, juxtaposed to the lyrics. A good closer to the album in terms of sound and sentiment. Overall Review - From what I hear and read he may well have been a arse but he made some good music. Quite good production though and decent songwriting. It’s not really for me though, his sound. Especially not for an entire album. It didn’t move me particularly but I enjoyed a few of the songs. 3.3/5 Favourite Songs: Everyday Is Like Sunday, Dial a Cliche

Track By Track Just A Gigolo / I Ain’t Got Nobody - sets the tone for the album. Slightly whimsical, absurd. Great musicians and harmonies. (Nothing’s Too Good) For My Baby - exceptional musicianship. Accompanying piano is on point here. Nice to mix up the vocalists as well. The Lip - fun duet. Sounding very of the time! Body and Soul - a really fun and great instrumental. Very enjoyable. Oh, Marie - fast one. Kind of wild! Nice vibe. Quite nice call & response. They seemed to be having fun with it. Basin Street Blues/When It’s Sleepy Time Down South - they’re really fitting it all in there. Nice mashups. Perhaps some of the original mashups? Who knows. Nice lilting rhythm. Jump, Jive, An’ Wail - classic blues/rock riff. Very ‘50s sounding fun tune. Great solos. Buona Sera - I know this one! It’s a classic. He’s got a stretched, trombone quality to some of his vocal chops. His trumpeting must contribute to this, the fact that he’s a player. Night Train - another instrumental. Great playing. Kind of sultry. (I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead) You Rascal You - a funny closing track. Or biting?! Like the music for this quite a bit. Bass is great. Doing the bonus tracks as well… Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days - brought to mind the Crickets actually. The fast rhythm, the structure, the idiosyncratic vocal flairs. Banana Split For My Baby - like the pace of this. Very sweet. He’s a feeder. Cheeky. Whistle Stop - does what it says on the tin. Quite nice. Be Mine (Little Baby) - quite a decent standard to close everything. Fairly standard boogie woogie love song lyrics. Overall Review: I thought the musicians were fantastic. Brilliant showmanship from all. It’s not really my style to listen to, particularly for a whole album, but I can appreciate it. Favourite Songs: (Nothing’s Too Good) For My Baby, Buona Sera, When You’re Dead, Banana Split for My Baby

Track By Track Come Together - Inspired by a Chuck Berry song I think? It is a classic. But most songs on this album are. Brilliant bass and I think Lennon enjoyed himself on this despite the tensions of the band fraying at the edges contextually. Something - Although previously this was not my favourite of his, I am at the current moment a big fan of this. The lyrics are so tender and honest and human. The harmonies and chords are so simple but so intricate at the same time. Lovely melody work. I do feel that this and Here Comes The Sun could perhaps have been more stripped back but it’s a small note. There is a more acoustic version on Anthology that I prefer. It’s still a very strong song, don’t get me wrong. I definitely really like it. Key change (sort of) near the end is great. In fact this song’s meaning is deepening in me and growing on me as I age. I think it’s testament to Harrison’s originality and maturity as a songwriter. It’s got this yearning, sad, smoky quality. Maxwell’s Silver Hammer - I like Paul. Liking him more as I get older actually. And it’s a weird, silly song this. I like the instrumentation. But it seems out of place and bizarrely dark. Strange to follow Something. Oh! Darling - it’s a great one for Paul’s belting. The backing vocals are also great. They were so very good at that. Very classic rock inspired. Quite simple structure really. Octopus’s Garden - I love this song. It’s Ringo at his best. A fun time had by all. Makes me feel all warm and happy. I Want You (She’s So Heavy) - great guitar work. Fairly heavy blues guitar. It really paints a world of heavy rock guitar. Murky almost, that then abruptly gives way to the next track that kind of works! Here Comes The Sun - A beautiful song. Very well produced. Such a warm world painted here. Little pocket of loveliness. Also would lend well to an acoustic version. Because - it sounds psychedelic influenced to me. Lovely harmonies. I do know a version that is just the voices that is great. You Never Give Me Your Money - one of my favourite pieces on the record. Just how it develops and goes into Paul’s signature plinky-plonk is a great example of one of these songs. Harmonies great, instrumentation 10/10. Just magic. Sun King - so beautiful, ambient and vibey. I believe Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Albatross’ inspired this. Another ambient banger. Mean Mr. Mustard - kind of knarly, could’ve been on the white album. Polythene Pam - Quite fun and biting little Lennon number. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window - great jamming song. Just a fun, great number. I really liked this one. Golden Slumbers - very famous I think been covered quite a bit? Anyway, is a very lovely Paul one (I think!). Rate it highly, despite its short length. Carry That Weight - Quite nice, kind of a chant. Perhaps my least favourite of this medley though. The End - I like this end song, very satisfying. Her Majesty - bizarrely out of place, tacked on by mistake/on purpose at the end. But i do love this little tune. Learnt it on guitar recently and there’s some great harmonies and chord changes. Overall Review: It’s funny listening to this album in this context, an album I know so well. It’s not my favourite Beatles one, but it is strong. I had the privilege of listening to it in surround stereo sound on amazing speakers at a friend’s. It really lent itself to that kind of presentation. Really brightened my day. I thought the production was exceptional and all the instrumental parts blending on various songs were great. The medley from You Never Give Me Your Money… onwards is fantastic. I am rating this highly because even though I don’t like every song, I really enjoy over half of them and it was a very rousing, enlivening experience listening to this as a whole. Tried to have fresh ears and beginner’s mind when listening and it still holds up. Favourite Songs: Come Together, Something, Octopus’s Garden, Here Comes The Sun, You Never Give Me Your Money, Sun King, Her Majesty 9/10 but has five stars as it’s a high 9. Or 4.8/5 to be specific.

Track By Track Born In The U.S.A. - a really great classic Springsteen opening track. I like the lyrics and the epic vibe. Cover Me - more rocky (‘80s style!) very American! Quite nice driving beat. Solid one. Darlington County - good guitar riff intro. Nice fun percussion. Sounds like a cowbell. Clarence Clemons is so great on the sax as well as contributing to percussion. Working On The Highway - more of a rock n’ roll shuffle here. This isn’t as much my vibe but I like the rhythm. It’s fun though. So much of this album’s music seems so upbeat. No wonder it sold so many copies. Downbound Train - fairly run of the mill Springsteen one. Nice synths though. I’m On Fire - Really good tune. Love the melody of this. The Staves have a lovely cover of this. Favourite one so far. No Surrender - a hopeful pick up from the darker track before (I’m On Fire). Really quite great. Bouncy. Bobby Jean - fun. Real good fun. I’m Goin’ Down - once again that sax shines. Absolute banger. Accompaniment is top notch. Would likely be great live. Glory Days - it’s almost too American (Americana?) for my liking. Liking this one less. Can see why some would dig it though. Dancing In The Dark - This one is bloody great. A banger, a mover. Potentially my favourite Springsteen even though that’s kind of cliché. It’s like many of these songs are sort of appealing to the Everyman. Working man. So many of his tunes have universal appeal. Great tunes when he hits a certain spot. My Hometown - a nice, more gentle closer. Seems quintessentially him actually. A reminiscence of one of the formative periods and places in his life. Has a glow to it. I liked this. I think all of the songs are very cohesive and it’s very radio friendly for sure. Perhaps would’ve liked some variation but the songs do paint the picture of what the title suggests very well. Get the feeling he’s chronicling his life in a very American way. 3.8/5 Favourite Songs: I’m Goin’ Down, Dancing In The Dark

Track By Track Roundabout - this was required listening for Lawrence in ‘School Of Rock’. Keyboard solo is indeed brilliant. A funny epic tune. It is great. Cans & Brahms (Extracts from Brahms’ 4th Symphony in E Minor, Third Movement) - reminds me of a Penguin Cafe Orchestra tune. Didn’t love it, a bit strange! Lots of experimental stuff on this album I feel. We Have Heaven - like a Meadieval jig but with synths. South Side Of The Sky - rock synth vibe. More of a tune but I just wasn’t moved by it. Kind of abrasive harmonies, sounded a little tinny and almost annoying. Quite nice harmonies and piano in middle section though. Five Per Cent For Nothing - like free jazz experimentation but for rock. Long Distance Runaround - but more of a song with video game-like music. Bad, but I did like how it transitioned into the next track. The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus) - like a funky jam. Quite nice. Good groove and guitar. Mood For A Day - liking the guitar a lot on this one. It’s a vibe. Heart Of The Sunrise - a weird and wacky closer. Very different to the previous track! It’s epic, got some good guitar work but didn’t care for it. Overall Review: I enjoyed some of the almost meadevial influences. It was really not up my alley though. Wasn’t a fan as a whole. Too strange and experimental and too long tracks! 2.4 Favourite Songs: Mood For A Day

Track By Track Since I Left You - nice guitar and sample to kick it off. Nice and vibey. Simple structure. I like this. Stay Another Season - nice segue into this one from the previous track. Like an extension of it. Sounds a bit like an interlude. So far it’s sounding like more of a vibe than songs per se. Radio - quite hypnotic beats. Very repetitive. Didn’t love this one. Two Hearts in 3/4 Time - quite like the vocal sample on this one. Moves nicely. Avalanche Rock - almost Beastie Boys?? Influences. Breakbeat interlude sounding to me. Flight Tonight - kind of good to move to. Not one of my favourites. Gets a bit tiresome. Close To You - picks up a bit. Still repetitive but quite nice breaks within this track. Diners Only - another interlude of sorts. Like when rap/spoken word is included. Mixes it up nicely. Seems like they’re sampling widely. Evoking all kinds of eras and genres. A Different Feeling - almost disco sounding at the beginning. Bit Gloria Gaynor or Donna Summer in its feel. Electricity - kind of dancy. Like it. Tonight May Have To Last Me All My Life - really like this one. A great chilled vibe. Pablo’s Cruise - nautical vibe. Frontier Psychiatrist - clever use of samples and little snippets to create a vibe. Quite cool use of production and beats. Still didn’t love the end product of it though but it works well in the context of the album. ETOH - has a good simple beat to it. Again slightly nautical with perhaps birds in the background? Summer Crane - does have a summer vibe. Quite quirky and fun. Little Journey - classic strings! A good segue into the penultimate track. Live at Dominoes - beginning in almost a club-like manner. Can hear Daft Punk in there for sure. Good dance number. Extra Kings - beautifully spooky atmospheric closer. I like the ambient drone throughout and the funny electronics searing through. Overall Review: I think it all tied together nicely as a vibe. I appreciated some of the samples and how they weaved it all throughout the mix. Very creative. Didn’t love all of it and definitely would have to be in the mood. Lost me in the middle but nicer tracks towards the end. Good moving or cleaning music though! It loses some points for repetitiveness. 2.9/5. Favourite Songs: Since I Left You, Tonight May Have To last Me All My Life, Extra Kings

Track By Track Holidays In The Sun - nice opening guitar riff, quite jovial almost. His vocal delivery is very recognisable and fits the style perfectly. Sounding like they’re aware of the zeitgeist and politics as well, mention of communism and the Berlin Wall. Great guitars. Bodies - taboo topic confronted. Almost screamy shouty this one. I can start to hear how influential this album must have been on subsequent bands. No Feelings - I think that these must have been a lot of fun to sing along to for fans. They have good driving energy. Liar - Leary vocals. Good guitar as well. Didn’t love. God Save the Queen - quite famous one. Nice progression. Very anarchical. Again very of the time I feel. Paints a bleak picture by the end of the song, with the repeating ‘no future’ motif. Problems - this one has good energy. Quite a vibe actually, when in the right mood! Perhaps a minute too long. Seventeen - like an angry teen anthem. Early version. Anarchy In The U.K. - iconic lyrics. ‘Don’t know what I want but I know how to get it’ encapsulates a really raw teen feeling very well. Submission - same energy. Not bad. Nice bleurgh (kind of) at the end! Pretty Vacant - nice title. Good one. Think I’ve heard this one. Great to sing along to. Communal. Again, good guitar licks interspersed throughout at just the right moments. New York - I’m a bit bored of the vibe at this point. But solid playing. EMI - a little dig at record labels, particularly this one? That’s the vibe I get. Quite like the tone. Overall Review: It was actually less hardcore than I was expecting. Must’ve been radical at the time though. It’s just not my cup of tea at all but was enjoyable enough at points. Can also so appreciate it contextually. It gets one star for the songs I enjoyed & another for the cultural significance and impact that I can hear in the lyrics and loose style. I will likely not be returning to it any time soon though. 2.4/5 Favourite Songs: Holidays In The Sun, EMI

Track By Track Mining For Gold - a very different style from what I’ve received thus far! Melancholic solo voice. Reminds me a little of the ‘O Brother’ soundtrack. Quite nice. Misguided Angel - plaintive lyrics. Sad and heart felt. I didn’t love on first listen. Blue Moon Revisited (Song For Elvis) - nice fusion of cover and more original material. Solo was a nice touch, great simple guitar work. I Don’t Get It - moody, plodding. Like the aching harmonica. Dusty vibe. Slightly too long but I guess that’s the point for this one. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry - a cover that really leans into the aching sadness of the tune’s lyrics. It’s stripped of Williams’ jaunty twang which masked the lyrics’ sombre tone. It’s almost like a slow Mazzy Star one with all that echo. Nicely done. I’m sad now though! To Love Is To Bury - cowboy music indeed. I do like the progression here. I think bands like Hurray For The Riff Raff must have been inspired by this. Lovely steel guitar and soloing from the lead guitar as well. 200 More Miles - like a sort of old troubadour folk song. Another slow one - this album could do with a change of pace a bit! Pretty playing though. Dreaming My Dreams With You - fuzzy bass and echo-y guitar a nice combo. Quite a heartbroken song. Working On A Building - nice little pick up (slight!). Good guitar licks and noodles. Sounds like a classic but not sure. Heard another song like this before. Quite dig the moody tone. Sweet Jane - really nice moody cover. It’s a great tune from Velvet Underground. Guitar focused, nice fuzz. Postcard Blues - just very much encapsulates the feel of the record. That harmonica (?), woah. Intense. Walking After Midnight - It’s a classic one. Here, they really bring out the darkness and forlorn melancholy of the lyrics. The blues exemplified, or incarnate? Good one. Overall Review: It’s very much a mood album this one. A little dark actually, to me. A good and well put together one though. I did appreciate some of the tunes, but an entire album of slow songs like this was a bit much. Nice to discover someone new, this is the first album and band combo I’d never heard of before. So sad though! 2.7/5 Favourite Songs: Mining For Gold, Sweet Jane, Walking After Midnight

Track By Track Politik - a strong, stonking opener. Communicates the unease surrounding a few of these songs, given the political context. Brilliant. I love the end section as well, how it blooms beautifully into a lush ending. Slight dissonance at the end is great. In My Place - LOVE THIS. Such a great energy. So joyous. That riff is stellar. Soaring. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face - this album is exceptionally produced. I’ve noticed this on this and the last track. Great mixing. Quite a banger this one. Brilliant lyrics, philosophical and also quite broad. The Scientist - I mean. It’s so famous, it’s like the quintessential breakup song. I can hear the emotion in his voice. Clocks - I’ve always said this was one of my least favourite of their hits but this really slaps on good speakers & in the context of the album. Great driving rhythm and riff. The bassline is brilliant on this one. The synth is lovely in it too. Never really noticed it before. Daylight - kind of haunting and hypnotic. Quite repetitive, almost frenetic at the end. I also like the bass on this song. Kind of juxtaposed, as it’s in a minor key, fairly dark. But the lyrics are quite triumphant. Green Eyes - This is a very special little song that is very personal to me. I was introduced to this by a friend and bandmate at school as a teen and I always thought it was so sweet and tender. It’s been a lovely source of connection for me through the years and one I always reserve a soft spot for. I rediscovered it with a friend recently and it was so nice. Makes me very happy whenever I listen. Warning Sign - this one sounds very timeless to me. Gorgeous strings. Teenage memories on this one too. A Whisper - it’s got the same grit and unease that characterises the minor tracks on this album. The loops are nice and I do like the little progressions on the mini choruses. A Rush of Blood to the Head - sombre and slightly brooding. The chorus ‘Honey, all the movements you’re starting to make…’ part is my favourite part of the song and potentially the whole album. The key/chord change in that part is just delicious. Chef’s kiss. So deeply satisfying. Amsterdam - As I was listening to this, I found myself reflecting on my life and what it’s taken to get me to this point. I’m 30 now and I feel as if I can look back with pride and gratitude and although there are issues, I am at a point in my life when I feel happy generally and am blooming in many areas. I have been through so many things, particularly in the last 10-15 years. Struggles with mental health and a yearning for belonging. The lyrics here evoke deep gratitude for all of the people who have helped me, raised me and got me to this point. I’d like to thank my step mum particularly more recently but everyone really. I also feel grateful to my friend for introducing me to this one as well. And finally to myself, for always pushing through and finding a way, even in the darkest moments. This song and so many of Coldplay’s gives me hope and reminds me that life is worth living. Very emotional writing this. Thank you Chris & co. for making my life shine brighter. God bless you :) Overall Review: Wow, wow, wow. My goodness. This album is very nostalgic and close to my heart so I am a bit bias when I say it’s absolutely one of their best and my favourites. I grew up listening to this album. I was introduced to many of the songs by a dear friend and bandmate. It has it all: high energy, contextual and political awareness, philosophical musings, soft moments and absolutely stellar songwriting. The production is immaculate. It’s been a while since I heard it actually, very touched to be hearing it again. An absolute treat to listen to. Thank you for this gift. I’m thinking about getting it on vinyl as I’ve been reminded of how dear it is to me. 5/5 Favourite Songs: In My Place, The Scientist, Green Eyes, A Rush of Blood to the Head, Amsterdam

Track By Track A Walk Across The Rooftops - slow beginning. Atmospheric, almost filmic. Sci-Fi. Jagged, angular. Big fat funky bass, quite enjoying that. Didn’t like the chorus. Tinseltown In The Rain - a good driving bass line. So very eighties. Again sounds like it’s from a soundtrack or something. From Rags To Riches - very different to the swinging jazz number I know! Dancing melody on the top. Sounds like it has some influences from Steve Reich or someone similar. Very strange harmonies going on in a lot of these tracks. It has that slightly sinister ‘80s sound. Stay - they’re really going with that repetitive bass line here. It’s a good vocal melody in this one. This has that Scottish feel that I can’t quite put my finger on. Sweet chorus. Easter Parade - slow and plaintive. I felt the emotion in this one for sure. Heatwave - another slow tempo one, like the experimental instrumentation actually. Again, very ‘80s. Automobile Noise - a nice closer for the vibe of the album. Has a good finality to it. Quite movie-like and a reminiscent nostalgic feel to it. A portrait of a place type song. Nice. A little bit Springsteen-esque actually. Overall Review: Not too bad. Some of the synth melodies did get a bit waring after a while. It seems to me one of those albums that’s more of a mood than with singles and the like. Quite experimental actually in parts. It’s not a genre I particularly love for a whole album, but was decent in places. For experimentation and musicianship, it would get a high 3, but for my overall enjoyment and listen-ability it’s getting a mid-late 2. 2.7/5 Favourite Songs: Stay, Easter Parade

Track By Track Son Of Sam - starting with his signature sound, which I still can’t put my finger on but it’s so distinctive. This is what I call one of his bigger kinds of songs, with full band rather than stripped back. Good piano and guitar happening. It has the acoustic vibe but also elements of rock and folk in there as well. Very unique blend Somebody That I Used To Know - a classic acoustic Elliott number. I have heard this a couple of times before. Very sweet melody. His use of harmony is so singular. Really unique and idiosyncratic. Sad, perhaps a little biting. It evokes such a specific feeling of melancholy, very slightly tinged with beauty and hope. Junk Bond Trader - quite an epic one with the orchestration. Got a good groove to it actually. Fairly upbeat for him. Everything Reminds Me of Her - I like the intro. Sets the scene very well. A wistful, sad one. It’s an emotional one. Lovely chord changes and little inflections in the guitar. Everything Means Nothing to Me - this is quite nice. It could be straight out of ‘Eternal Sunshine’ or a similar film. Builds well at the end. L.A. - this is the most rock one so far. Good riffs. Didn’t love the melodies as much. And it seems almost too noisy in a lot of this one. In The Lost and Found (Honky Bach)/ The Roost - I do really quite like the piano in this. Kind of charming. Apt title. I feel that this was quite Beatles inspired. / I like the echoey guitar ending for this interlude-like track. Stupidity Tries - nice chords again. It’s got a very grand ending that I’m very much into. Switching to minor chords and some passing chords employed to great effect. Easy Way Out - I really liked this. Particularly the lyrics, quite affecting and I could hear the personal/universal in them. It’s achingly sad and a bit like a diss track. Love the strings. It recalls Miss Misery to me. Color Bars - He’s painting with the piano simultaneously very loosely and precisely. I like the little fills. There are very familiar Elliott melodic motifs spun throughout this track and I’m here for it. Happiness/The Gondola Man - I think this was a single. Can see it. It’s got a good structure and that climbing and descending progression I’m a sucker for./ quite nice little outro or transition/interlude. Like a vignette. Pretty Mary Kay - kind of nice. The lyrics and chords are pleading almost. Not sure what else to say about this one. Better Be Quiet Now - sad, very personal. Very intimate this one. It’s very him. The guitar seems to float and meander through the song very nicely. Can’t Make A Sound - a good one for near the end of the album. The lyrics also sound personal and unique to him. Bye - An echo, like a whisper. Ghostly. Seems to reference the whole album as well as being totally original and stand-alone. Nice instrumental closer. Overall Review: I enjoyed this a little more than I thought I would. I know Elliott’s music fairly well but have never dived deep into his stuff. There is a lot of energy on this album, and a sort of eeked-out passion, like a strained kind of beauty trying to communicate itself. I also love when an album has enough variety and innovation to make it engaging and this album has that. It’s a very high 3 for me, verging on a 4. 3.9/5 Favourite Songs: Somebody That I Used To Know, In The Lost and Found (Honky Bach)/The Roost, Color Bars, Easy Way Out

Track By Track Blue Rondo À La Turk - Straight in with piano riff, in a very swinging, polyrhythmic, almost minimalist-sounding ostinato. Can hear maybe some of the legacy this track may have left in its wake there. Quite epic in its structure. The way it weaves different American sounding motifs and rhythms together, it sounds a little Gershwin-esque. I liked the variety in this one tune. A lot packed in. Strange Meadow Lark - lovely lyrical piano in the opening. It floats around, this melody, dancing. Very nice. Think I prefer this one. It has a nice gentle swing in the second section of the song as well. Take Five - The piano riff really drives the whole thing, jazzy, fast-paced, groovy, dancy, never resolving. It’s so great. I’m a big fan. The sax solo is great. Also the drums, the extended solos and fills. Good stuff. Three to Get Ready - this is really cool. I like this. The rhythms, the motifs, all of it. A great swinging fun vibe. Kathy’s Waltz - this is like skating. Feels a little Vince Guaraldi to me. A sweet cozy wintry vibe. A good length also. Everybody’s Jumpin’ - got a nice little jumpy ( ☺️ ) feel to it. Not a stand out one for me particularly but decent enough. Pick Up Sticks - a slow-ish swinging closer. Pretty good. A kind of jamming vibe. Good solos. Again, not a stand out personally. Overall Review: This was nice to listen to, particularly as I’m currently learning about jazz piano a little more. It has some really impressive playing and ‘Take Five’ was a joy to listen to. I didn’t love all of it and it’s not what I always go for, but it was enjoyable basically all the way through. It’s also very lovely background music. 3.6/5 Favourite Songs: Strange Meadow Lark, Take Five, Three to Get Ready

Track By Track 6’1” - cool slightly grungy poppy guitar. Very ‘90s girly vibe. Nice! Help Me Mary - can almost see this on a soundtrack on a 90s show or something. Quite nice melodies. Glory - This kind of reminds me of raw Nirvana in its feel. Makes sense as I think it was made around a very similar time. Again, grungy. A good little interlude kind of song, or a sketch of sorts. Dance of the Seven Veils - very indicative of that loose singer-songwriting style of the ‘90s and beyond. It’s got a little of Fiona Apple to me. Never Said - Sounds like a classic for some reason. Like the chord progression. Harmonies are cool and quite nice girl rock. Soap Star Joe - to me, this is the first one that slightly more overly references the Stones’ album this is a response to. With that portrait and the harmonica coming in, has that slight blues twinge to it. But it’s subverted. I like. Explain It To Me - I like the echoing guitar chords. This has a very specific feel to it. Kind of wistful and reflective. There’s a certain sadness to it also. Canary - Again echoing in the piano this time. A similar feel to the last song. Like it’s recalling something. Mesmerising - I like the lyrics. To me it out really clearly a feminine desire and plea. Good guitar licks and lines also. Fuck and Run - This feels very demo-y. Again, very ‘90s, stripped back feel. Again I’m liking the honesty of the lyrics. Girls! Girls! Girls! - Is this a self-aware portrait of her manipulation/use of men? Or more of a funny joking one? I feel like it may be the former. It’s succinct and to the point. Divorce Song - brilliant lyrically and paints the portrait of a relationship very well. Didn’t love the music of this one as much. I do like a bit of harmonica though, must say. Shatter - quite like the slightly moody and atmospheric long intro. In the middle it almost reminded me of Jeff Buckley in its tone. The emotion comes through here very well too. Sad. Flower - it’s got real humour to it. I was amused. It’s pretty real. Really only makes sense in the context of this album though! Johnny Sunshine - it’s like this and a few others on this record are like loose sketches for many genres to come, like singer-songwriter (particularly women) & bedroom, grunge, pop, indie rock kind of as well. Gunshy - it’s quite intimate this one, almost domestic. Moody again for sure. Stratford-On-Guy - another Nirvana-esque one. Didn’t love this one very much. Little too drowned out. Strange Loop - a good closer lyrically, but didn’t love the music very much. Again, very self aware. Overall Review: It’s very much its own world. Was a nice voyage into it. I don’t know if I loved it. It has a very loose, paintbrush-like style. I read in another review that this was trailblazing for the kind of bedroom pop confessional sound that so many women are emulating now. I can hear it. People like Soccer Mommy, Beabadoobee. I can also hear Foster The People in one actually. Hadn’t heard of either the album or the artist before as well. Although I didn’t enjoy a huge amount of the songs, I did like a few & can hear their influence. 3.4/5 Additional Note: I wanted to mention that I’m really enjoying this project so far, for two reasons: a) it’s shifting my mindset as to how I listen to music. Whilst I will occasionally listen to an album front to back, I don’t usually and this has helped me to really sit with each artist’s work and appreciate it for what it is, live in their world for however many tracks and that level of immersion is something that I’m really enjoying. b) it’s expanding my listening in general, through auto play and also hearing different influences, it’s helping me map out different styles, genres and artists and connect the dots as to how they relate or just discover something or someone new. Favourite Songs: Fuck and Run, Shatter

Track By Track What We Do Is Secret - ok! Messy, thrashy very short opening number. Guitar is great actually. Communist Eyes - like the lyrics and snarling energy. Can hear definitely some pre-pop-punk type chord changes here as well. Very nice. Land Of Treason - starting with a more epic, slow opening chord and then cheekily changes pace (keeping us on our toes!) with that fast tap in with the drums. The lyrics are nice here, quite poetic. Not what I was expecting. Richie Dagger’s Crime - fun, strong, angular riff. Sharp. This almost reminds me of someone like Buzzcocks. Similar energy, to me. Strange Notes - a swirling, whirling energy to this one, with those bends. Again, very tight. Good drumming. Could not for the life of me understand what he’s saying. Had to look up the lyrics :) American Leather - a very short blast of yelling. Speaking about feeling ‘so confined’ & ‘conflict’, etc. All very punk. Lexicon Devil - got a good energy this one. Beginning to feel a bit samey by track 7 now. But was decent this one. Manimal - a slight change here. Quite good riff also. Kind of like the animal imagery as well, fits the feral, raw feel quite well. Our Way - slower one. His slightly incoherent screamsinging puts across the energy very well but again I gotta look up the words! We Must Bleed - a proper messy one. Intense. But jarring this one. Biting, downright violent lyrics. Didn’t like. Media Blitz - a political statement. Good lyrics here again. Like the radio outro. The Other Newest One - aww. Kind of sweet (haha). This is the closest this album gets to softness. Even it’s quite brittle as well. Sort of a story, details a relationship. Not bad. Let’s Pretend - more animal snarling, lyrically and musically. He’s got that down. There does seem to be layers to these lyrics, maybe. Not sure. Dragon Lady - great drum intro. Nice title. Multiple voices or double tracked? Works kind of well and a nice little switch up with the vocal production. Makes it stand out. The Slave - nice when a song starts with a solo riff. This one recalling the messy energy from the beginning of the album. Nice slides and guitar effects, like planes taking off or something. Shut Down [Annihilation Man] - ooo. An epic, slower screaming, snarling one. Gnarly. Stomping and bluesy. Didn’t really like it, mainly as it was too long. Overall Review: If I were to compare this and the Sex Pistols’ album, I think I’d choose this. The songs are punchy, I do slightly prefer the energy here. The band are somehow tighter, whilst also being very loose and thrashy. I do think this was really made to be live though. It sounds like it’s somehow out of time, even though it was the ‘70s. Kind of could’ve been in any decade from the ‘60s beyond. To me, anyway. Kind of cool that Joan Jett produced it as well. Whilst I didn’t care for all the music, I thought the lyrics were smart, biting and a little witty at times. Impressed with there. Also, some of the songs ending so abruptly (at least on the Apple Music version I’m listening to) feels kind of jarring at times. Ultimately this album and genre is not really for me. I sort of felt like I was enduring some of the songs, but I appreciated the energy at times and certainly felt it! 2.5/5 Favourite Songs: Communist Eyes, Media Blitz, Dragon Lady

Track By Track Art - I - Ficial - more tuneful than yesterday’s record! Still very punk though, singing about ‘consumer society’ and the like. Saxophone’s a nice touch as well. I also quite like that yesterday I had the Germs and now… With the titles and their names etc. as well, it’s like they have a gimmick or style or something? Obsessed With You - Slightly more hardcore this one, especially with the guitar chords. Again, lyrics reflecting consumer society etc. Warrior In Woolworths - I remember Woolworths! What a throwback! Nice opening riff. What’s coming to mind it’s like a punk rebellious (possibly criminal) nowhere man. I kind of love the sax, but it also sounds so dated! It’s funny :) Let’s Submerge - ooo. You know what this is reminding me of? Rocky Horror. It’s that sax and the dancy, jumpy rock feel to it. It’s quite fun I must admit, despite it being of the time. It’s also very teen. I Can’t Do Anything - More poppy (kind of). It’s like this could be at a school dance or something. Maybe they were in their teens or early twenties when they started? That’s the energy I’m getting anyway. The imagery (‘plastic popper beads’ & ‘my pet rat’) very much evokes ‘70s/‘80s teen vibes. Identity - it’s very universal as a teen experience. I didn't love this song musically as much but can see why it may have been a single. Genetic Engineering - it’s kind of sweet and also a little annoying that they announce the song’s title at the beginning. Bit grating and monotonous shouty singing in this one. Kind of interesting lyrics. They’ve got a formula of sorts and a thing going with that sax of theirs. I Life off You - Again very social commentary, amidst joyful soundtrack. Speaking about certain issues of the time maybe. Very simple in structure. I Am a Poseur - Very basic tune. A bit too noisy this one, for me. Didn’t love particularly. Germfree Adolescence - This one is different. Liking the echoey delay on the guitar. Health anxiety theme? Is there another meaning? I’m not sure! Plastic Bag - Bit more of an epic one. Kind of a sterilising theme continued here. It’s quite astute though in the lyrics talking again about consumer cultur The Day The World Turned Day - Glo - I’m a little bored of this kind of vocal delivery at this point if I’m honest. Grating noisy harmony also. Did not really enjoy this one. Age (Bonus Track) - Good guitar intro. It’s like a lot of these punk songs, they have lyrics that any one of them could be like a banner or a poster or something. Like an emotion distilled. Highly Inflammable (Bonus Track) - Recalls almost ‘50s doo-wop or something. With that futuristic twist with what sounds like synths or that kind of effect. Kind of prefer the harmony on this one as well. Quite nice. Overall Review: It definitely has a theme. Mostly teenage shouty anthems and at times social commentary that’s witty in the lyrics. Reckon many teens would have dug this back in the day. Also, I do quite like the name Poly Styrene. Again, it’s not massively my thing and I wouldn’t listen to this whole album again probably, but there were some fun moments on it for sure. Preferred the first half of the album to the second mostly. 2.5/5 Favourite Songs: Warrior In Woolworths, Let’s Submerge

Track By Track Violet - Girl Power! I feel as if I’ve heard this before. Famous intro. Does sound reminiscent of Nirvana which makes sense. Very raw and grungy. It’s like what’s under the surface of the woman in the cover photo. Is that Courtney? I think so. Miss World - Nice intro. I like this kind of guitar work. The effects on it are very ‘90s. Speaking about depression perhaps and the vacuous & shallow world of beauty queens. It sounds quite universal. Plump - sounds very them again. Good energy to this one. To me, this sounds like voicing the emotions that are pent up from eating disorders etc. Must have been cathartic for so many, particularly women. Asking for It - There’s a bit of fuck you energy in a lot of these tunes. Comes through well. Has Kurt Cobain’s darkness as well. Good guitar break in the middle. I am liking the guitar on this album quite a bit. Jennifer’s Body - She’s got a proper style and I’m kind of digging it. Is it inspired by the film of the same name? Potentially, it speaks about biting. Doll Parts - I think this one is quite famous. It’s good. I like it. The vocal breaks are really effective. Moody & bright in equal measure. Credit In The Straight World - Nice intro here too. It reminds me of a cult actually. Very dramatic shift to the grungy moody meat of the song. Got a good rhythm and flowing drive to it. Softer, Softest - shift of style. Apparently Courtney said that people may be surprised at their softer side. This is a sweet one. Like the vocal harmonies. Very dreamy. Kind of funny as some of the lyrics are also kind of hardcore (‘your milk has a dick’). She Walks On Me - Back to the intensity! Like she’s shouting through a megaphone in the beginning. Proper impactful, hits you round the ears a bit. I Think That I Would Die - quite a cool riff and groove. Simple one. Not bad. Gutless - crunchy, dissonant. Moody one again. Quite punk this one. Didn’t like very much. Rock Star - nice false starts. Raw one. Quite like it. Both punky and tuneful. Great energy on this. Overall Review: I thought this album had great range and communicated the grunge/punk vibe well but also had a lot of emotional and melodic moments that were impactful. I didn’t really love it all but some strong work here for sure. 3.2/5 Favourite Songs: Doll Parts, Softer, Softest, Rock Star

Track By Track Silver - Lush ‘80s instrumentation! Got that epic feel in the lyrics as well. Quite like the strings. Nocturnal Me - This feels a bit cinematic. Again, an epic feel to it. Perhaps a harmonic scale being used, sort of Middle Eastern influence perhaps? Theatrical feel to it as well, like in a musical or something. Crystal Days - quite like this chord progression and melody/riff. Bit of Cure influence I can hear as well. Also a bit of U2. Although they may have been influenced by these guys a bit as well. All the ‘80s crew innit. The Yo-Yo Man - Sounds a little Irish actually this. Are any of them Irish? It’s also a bit Smiths - the melody and delivery. Kind of like a dark waltz. Thorn of Crowns - same harmonic (I think!) scale. It’s like a western. The chords. I kind of like it. I reckon Muse would enjoy listening to this track. The Killing Moon - it has a spooky opening actually. Very autumnal (I’m listening in September). Again those western-like chords. Nice chorus this as well. It’s perhaps a little long. Seven Seas - I like this one. Good tune. Possibly my favourite one so far. My Kingdom - I like the opening chords on the ?? (Harmonium?). Builds nicely. Quite far into the album I’m kind of digging the sound. Ocean Rain - Slow, atmospheric beginning for the title track. Plaintive as I’m currently reading ‘Life Of Pi’, so my mind is currently relating it to that a bit. So ‘80s, so echoey! It’s like the decade that properly invented echo and reverb. Overall Review: I went into this knowing who they were but not ever hearing any of their music properly. They do sound very quintessentially ‘80s. They were also very cinematic, which once I got past it, I kind of enjoyed. I definitely preferred the second half of the album. I’d also have to be in the mood. It’s one of those. They have a way of weaving fantastical sounding narratives both lyrically and melodically. They’re like the ‘80s’ dream-weavers. Solid album. 3.4/5 Favourite Songs: Seven Seas, My Kingdom

Track By Track One Chord Wonders - feedbackey atmosphere. Pacey opening. Good drumming and definitely a punky teen vibe. Actually makes me think a little of Ezra Furman’s more energetic numbers. Pretty standard punk tune but not bad. Bored Teenagers - Speaking of a teen vibe! Quite decent, rousing lyrics. Very to-the-point. Which is think punk’s thing right? Short & Sharp one. Alright chorus too. Good drum & bass break near the end. New Church - Straight in! Can sort of hear Bowie’s influence here a little actually. It’s like thrashing the system and carving out a new path I think? Kind of empowering as a concept. On The Roof - Bit of a change of pace. Sounds a bit like Rush or even Zeppelin at the start. Then goes real punk. Quite decent energy on this one. Kind of cool how it switches between the two paces. Good slowed outro. Always like that. Newboys - Noisy. A bit garagey, which I suppose adds to the raw, punk element. The lead guitar is shredding very well in this. Gary Gilmore’s Eyes - Kind of spooky this one. More of a story, like a scary teen novel. It’s a bit like if the ‘Goosebumps’ books were a song. Not that I’ve ever read them! Bombsite Boy - Again, that Rush-like prog-rock feeling. Evokes a mood for sure. Did not enjoy. No Time To Be 21 - This is where the sameness is starting to get grating & boring. Didn’t love this either. Quite decent bass solo and guitar solo later in the track. Safety in Numbers - It’s sounding a little apocalyptic actually by this point, quite deep in the album. Serious. Sort of catchy I guess but drudgy and the emotion just gets drowned a little in noise. New Day Dawns - 10 tracks in and i can safely say the novelty of this genre has definitely worn off. I could do with some bloody variety! The guitar is quite impressive though, I’ll give it that. Drowning Men - Same key! I think. Dramatic lyrics to this one. It’s almost comical actually. Almost theatrical. Perhaps that’s because it’s of the time. On Wheels - Kind of a sad lament on drugs I think? Great British Mistake - It’s speaking about politics, youth, rebellion? I’m not too sure. Didn’t like the song very much. One Chord Wonders (Radio Edit) - it’s like they’re speaking from a speakerphone. Quite good energy here. Quickstep - Good rhythm in the opening. Same singing style though. Quite good chords. Gary Gilmore’s Eyes (Radio Edit) - The vocal does feel a bit clearer on this version. This is such a bizarre song! Like a novelty. Also makes me think of Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace. Just weird stuff. Bored Teenagers (Radio Edit) - Appreicate the guitar parts on this one, hearing it again. Also the rhythm, quite fun. Safety in Numbers (Radio Edit) - It’s like it’s speaking about the cutting edge of culture, quite cool I spose (‘New Wave’). I’m just filling space at this point. This version is too long! Unfortunately the guitar is so samey and grating. We Who Wait - Very driving energy. Punk lines, short and yelling. Like a pastiche of a punk song kind of. Live Versions - Reviewing these as extras, as they’re on the deluxe version and not part of the original album: On Wheels - Like the slower start and build up for this. Moody and punk-epic sounding. Good solo. Newboys - They play this well live but I just don’t enjoy this song at all! New Church - Some of the chord progression I was on board with, but not so much the rest! Thrashy live energy as well, which I guess is pretty punk. Gary Gilmore’s Eyes - Sounds like a slower start live but that might just be me. Vocals mostly drowned out by the band, apart from the terrible albeit kind of memorable chorus! Drowning Men - Seems like it’s a punk thing perhaps to announce the name of the song in punkspeak before you play it. No Time To Be 21 - It’s as good a closer as any for this style and type of album. Solid energy. Overall Review: The positives: There’s a kind of cool swagger to them. They’re also very tight as a band which I respect. But again, too samey and really not my thing. And I’ve said it before but much of it felt like I was enduring it rather than enjoying it. This album was also too long. Like 6 or 7 songs too long. I know on this version there were the live tracks which are extra but still. 1.5/5 Favourite Songs: Elements of some (Bored Teenagers, On The Roof, New Church) but none that stand out.

Track By Track Blackened - Here we go! Atmospheric opening. Rock, metal, energy to start. It’s a little more intense than punk. An apocalyptic feel I expected from this genre! It’s somehow on the same level (kind of) of Queen or Muse’s epic songs in terms of rhythmic shifts and structure. At least that’s where my brain goes. The very stabby power chords communicate the harshness and maleness (!) of it all quite well. Guitars are pretty decent as well. Great soloing, though it’s not the style I usually dig. …And Justice For All - Lovely little intro here. Reminds me of Zeppelin a touch. I really would’ve been fine without the ensuing thrashy part. They are quite the tight band though. Great rhythm section. Seems like he’s speaking/singing/shouting about corruption and politics. Slightly long and indulgent. And intense. Eye Of The Beholder - Intense start! It’s definitely continuing the themes of oppression, political commentary & rebellion in the lyrics. It’s a little nihilistic though. The guitar in many instances throughout this and the album becomes an instrument of noise rather than melody. All of the instruments sound very blended and close as well. Kind of seamlessly. One - Really quite distressing lyrics. Sad and desolate riff and music. Almost recalls westerns or something similar, particularly with that effect on guitar. To be honest it’s nice to have a change in pace. It’s speaking about a veteran, from what I gather. Some nice guitar parts. The Shortest Straw - This is a bit noisy and I don’t think I like it! Again, strong guitar though. It’s also like in this and the punk genre they just say words and phrases a lot! Maybe that’s reductive but hey! Harvester of Sorrow - Quite decent riff here. Epic one! Another long intro. Almost comical lyrics. E.g. ‘anger, misery’ etc. But also just dark! I’ve said it a few times now, but impressive guitar work, gotta say. The Frayed Ends of Sanity - Slight rhythm change, which is good! Despite being in same key. Pirates??? Would Christopher Lee have enjoyed this album I wonder? He was a metal guy apparently. Quite apocalyptic imagery towards the end. I wonder if some of this could be slower to have more effect? Not sure. To Live Is To Die - Again, like the more slow, almost medieval intro. Always. Here for it. Then the rest of the song starts… not as good in my opinion. It’s like their own concept of living and dying. I don’t much like it but I can appreciate it. Also the little swells of strings, nice touch. Although I’m grateful to hear anything other than shouting or heavy guitar power chords at this point! Also liked the outro. Really would’ve just preferred that for the whole song. Dyers Eve - A violent cutting off of that delicate outro belonging to the previous track! They do love that thrashy metal, do Metallica. I mean the name kind of gives it away. Finishes in true Metallica fashion, with heavy and intense chords and drumming. Even faster this time actually. Angry. Potentially cathartic. But didn’t love. Overall Review: Came into this expecting not to enjoy it and to be met mostly with intensity. I was almost right. I liked when the rhythm and speed varied and we got something a bit different, particularly with those dexterous little guitar licks. I do also think the album cover communicates the themes quite well. It just wasn’t for me musically and everything was about 4 minutes too long. As good an intro as any to this intense genre. 1.5/5 Favourite Songs: The guitar parts of One, To Live Is To Die (the intro)

Track By Track Dig Me Out - It’s a very grrrl rock vibe. Quite decent. A little grating on the chords. This track does have a sort of brightness to it in the chorus which I don’t hate. The punky shouting is somehow more bearable from the women than it is from the men. One More Hour - Nice switch up. Good chord changes. Quite like the off-beat rhythm in the drums. It sounds like it could maybe be a soundtrack type of song. Prefer this. Bit more tuneful than the first song. Turn It On - Quite liking the sound of this. It’s a tiny bit pop-punk. Digging it. This album seems to have been produced and mixed very well by the way. Like there is a lot of noise but you can hear the instruments. Could be the remaster though. Also a very musician lyric at the end ‘don’t tell me your name if you don’t want it sung’. Nice :) The Drama You’ve Been Craving - Appreciating the vibe and energy of this (as well as the album so far). Not sure I 100% follow the lyrics but like the title. Good length too, in & out. Heart Factory - Nice variety. Sounds like a factory in the background with those sounds. Nice touch. It’s like a moody grungy vibe but somehow finessed and delivered very well. Good lyrics again: ‘find me out, I’m not just made of parts’. Quite enjoying them. Words and Guitar - Quite like the contrast of the punky shouty vibe and the gentler chorus, particularly the first one. Nice mix. Also enjoy the concept of this, simple. It’s Enough - A darker vibe for this one. Quite noisy. Didn’t really like this. Bit filler. More vibe than song as well. Decent playing though. Little Babies - The title made me think of Pulp’s ‘Babies’ but it’s quite different. Quite good, very sing-along punky almost poppy vibe. Band sounds good in the break and I like the ‘mother’s little helper’ refrain with those harmonies. Not What You Want - A fun kind of boppy song. Quite a good bounce to this in the drums. Buy Her Candy - This has a more open, sort of grainy, smoky feeling. VHS. That’s for some reason what it evokes. Very ‘90s sound. Things You Say - Lots of one liners that I can’t decipher on first listen. Looking up the lyrics they are quite lovely. ‘Brave to Feel’, ‘Brave to Be Alive’. Decent enough chorus as well. Didn’t love the verses musically. Dance Song ‘97 - Again, I’m liking the titles to these songs. Nice vocal delivery on this one. Jenny - A nice change of pace and more space in this song too. Very open. Builds well also. Overall Review: I went into this album thinking this would be just another punky trashy album and I was very pleasantly surprised. I was impressed by the vibe, the band’s intimate cohesion, symbiosis almost. Also the lyrics, the playing. It’s a lot of the time but there were a few moments that I really enjoyed. Having plays in a band myself, I know the fun and the relationships that come with that and it feels like they have that special bond. I could be way off though! Anyway, although I didn’t love every song, some were a bit too noisy or forgettable but I really appreciated the unique vibe and world they created. Glad to have discovered this band. 3.5/5 Favourite Songs: One More Hour, Little Babies

Track By Track I Got You - Sounding country but rock country! Very American lyrics. Classic U.S. tropes. Fairly standard structure to the song as well. Quite decent melody. Nice solo. Twangy for sure! One More Name - I do like the occasional smattering of a pedal steel guitar in my life. Not perhaps for a whole album, but I do quite like it. Quite sweet to the ears. What I Don’t Know - Different vibe. Again very American. The lyrics are questionable. ‘…might get you killed?’ Bit over the top perhaps. Quite dark actually. Music was alright. Didn’t love but didn’t hate. Middling. Home of the Blues - It’s again quite pleasant to the ears but generally this kind of music doesn’t particularly move me very much. Good playing here though, very solid. Buenos Noches From A Lonely Room (She Wore Red Dresses) - Decent playing again, particularly the fiddle. It is a little slow and mopey though. I Hear You Knockin’ - Quite nice bluesy stomp and romp. Evokes kind of early ‘50s rock for me (seeing how everything sort of links up in a complex map of music!). I Sang Dixie - Nice fiddle here. Nice sort of walking chords here. Again, it’s cliche but it’s making me think of ‘O Brother’. I wonder if that soundtrack’s on here? Probably not, as it’s a compilation soundtrack. Maybe 🤷🤷‍♂️ Streets of Bakersfield - Oo this was a bit more upbeat than I was expecting tempo-wise. Didn’t actually do much for me this one. Pleasant enough. Floyd County - Quite sweet one & again good fiddle. Read from another review that it’s lamenting a miner. It’s both upbeat and a little elegiac. Send Me the Pillow - Another slow burnin’ one. Slightly prefer this to the other slower one on the record. Hold On To God - A fairly sweet religious number to end on. Nice harmonies on this one. Again, reminding me of ‘O Brother!’. Will likely listen to some of that after this. Tight playing and one of the more jovial songs on the tracklist. Overall Review: It’s a funny thing, this music was not unpleasant to listen to. It just doesn’t do very much for me. Generally doesn’t stick. I struggle to access the emotional core of it. Also some weird and dodgy lyrics. Some of the tunes were fun and pleasant enough though. Not brilliant but not terrible. High 2. Nearly a 3 but maybe not quite. 2.5/5 Favourite Songs: I Got You, Floyd County

Track By Track The Dolphins - Nice, echoey, very classic guitar. Like his voice very much. It’s got a slight crooner quality but more modern and perhaps more unique. It has that slightly minor/seventh harmonies that speak of melancholy. A touch of Scott Walker. I’ve Got A Secret (Didn’t We Shake Sugaree) - Nice almost jaunty melody in the beginning. Sweet whistling. Moody vibe still though, with a pretty tune. I’ve heard ‘Shake Sugaree’ I think, by Elizabeth Cotten before. It’s a nice little translation of that. Digging it. Nice solo as well. That’s The Bag I’m In - More Americana-y almost. Bit like a Bukowski poem. Not sure why it’s reminding me of that but hey. Ba-Di-Da - Flows into this nicely from the previous number. Didn’t even notice the transition! A similar vibe. Didn’t love this as much. But more middling but still ok. Faretheewell (Fred’s Theme) - Much more atmospheric. Very much his own version of a classic folk tune. Really enjoyed. I may have heard this version before actually. His low notes hit very hard and beautifully in this. Lovely. Everybody’s Talkin’ - Did he write this? I think he may have done. Both Nilsson (whose version is more famous) and Neil are credited on Apple Music as writers. In any case, this version is quintessentially Neil’s. More atmospheric, slower. You can really hear more parts of the song. The tenderness in it. There’s an ache in there. Everything Happens - A decent number. A bit more plodding and country sounding. Less a fan of this one than the others. The band sounds very blended in the production as well. Sweet Cocaine - A very him version of this classic. Possibly adding in his own lyrics as well? So many people have done versions of this: Keith Richard’s, Nick Drake, & so on. There’s a positivity to the chord changes even though the song is kind of lamenting also. Nice. Green Rocky Road - Interesting take on this one. Very drawly waltz. Did not like this quite as much. Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga - This was a cool little foray into the structure of Indian music. Kind of weirdly works in the context of the album! Very evocative of the experimentation of the ‘60s music scene. I liked the atmospheric, background sort of feel. Not bad at all. Overall Review: I had heard one or two of Fred’s songs before, notably ‘Little Bit Of Rain’, where I was struck by his voice. Really distinctive. That depth. So beautiful. I will say after 6 or 7 songs, his voice almost gets to be too much. But the songs are strong, tenderly sang and performed. A great record. Very impressed with most of it. 3.8/5 Favourite Songs: The Dolphins, I’ve Got A Secret (Didn't We Shake Sugaree), Faretheewell (Fred’s Theme)

Track By Track Soubour - This is a lot more rocky than I expected! I can hear Ali Farka Touré’s influence pretty much straight away. A cool groove for sure. Irganda - It’s a shame I can’t review the lyrics without going through a translator which may not give an accurate translation. Would be interested to know what they’re saying in some of these. This is a quite good one with nice guitar licks/runs. Al Hassidi Terei - I tend to enjoy the slower ones on these kinds of albums. There’s a hypnotic quality to the guitar looping around like that. This one picks up though as well which I also liked. Good rhythm changes in the vocal melody. Sekou Oumarou - This is my favourite one so far. Really nice rhythms and arrangement. More spare and sparse, which I like quite a bit. A good groove. Nick - Ode to the guitarist I think. Definitely more of a fast paced blues feel to this one, mixed with their chorus vocals. Quite nice. Although it is feeling a tad repetitive by this point! Tasty solos though I must admit. Ai Tchere Bele - Nice guitar intro. I always dig these kinds of licks. Again, very mesmeric almost, like a chant or something. Wayei - A nice continuation of the vibe. Good filler kind of track. Petit Metier - This is a nice little stripped back number. More acoustic. Feels more homely or intimate. I like that it builds gradually. Jolie - Another mesmeric one. Goes nicely in the tracklist. Enjoying the chilled groovy vibe of this one actually. Desert Melodie - Lives up to its name. The guitar evokes the desert feel quite well. Got some hints of tenderness in this one as well, towards the end. Mali - Heard this was about their home. It’s does sound like an ode. Very sweet and their tenderness really comes through on this closer. Overall Review: This album grew on me as I listened. I don’t generally listen to whole albums of this kind of genre. Also my education in it has been limited to Farka Touré and similar artists. There were parts where I felt it was a little repetitive, but as I listened I was lulled into the hypnotic vibe of this kind of music. Very sweet and I felt its heart by the end. Whilst this is not something I would usually go for, I did rate this fairly high. 3.4/5 Favourite Songs: Sekou Oumarou, Petit Metier, Mali

Track By Track Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 - Quite a honky beginning with that marching band feel. Sounds like it was recorded in a convivial, loose kind of session. Like it when he laughs or ad libs on a song. Singing about the establishment it seems in his very witty and slightly dry way. Quite decent, didn’t love though. Pledging My Time - Very screamy Dylan harmonica. He’s really getting into it on this one. Like those bluesy stabs and riffs in between the verses. Slow rambling vibe, quite good. Visions Of Johanna - The lyrics are so lovely here. Beautifully mysterious and poetic. Weaving lots of dream-like vignettes throughout the whole narrative. Great melody. Liking the organ on this as well. Hadn’t noticed it before. Favourite one so far. One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later) - Never heard this. Nice intro, again with that organ. It works really well in the mix. Enjoying the melody of this as well. Good chord changes too. I Want You - This sits well in the listing, nice up tempo following the slightly slower previous track. There’s a sunny brightness to this one. Very sweet. Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again - I’m very much into the Dylan vibe at this point. I loved this. The poetry, the narrative, the music. His lyricism is really in its own world, so unique & surreal and somehow universal too. Brilliant performances all round. That organ again shining in the background. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat - I think I was introduced to this either by my friend from school or my step-dad, so there’s some fond memories there. I do like the bluesy rockin’ stomp. A fun one. It sounds like Dylan in his cheeky or funny mode. It’s got a slight honky tonk vibe. Just Like a Woman - I mean it’s really lovely. Beautiful song. It’s been covered by so many, Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone. This original is great. The acoustic picking in the breaks is a lovely touch. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine) - Liked the bluesy dissonance in the opening. It has some grit, this one, but also with a pretty melody. Temporary Like Achilles - Like strolling into a bar somewhere with a honky tonk piano. A good vibe on this one. Similar structure to ‘Pill-Box Hat’, but softer. Absolutely Sweet Marie - Larger, driving sound for this one. Another weaving story, almost epic in length. Big harmonicas also. Didn’t stand out as much for me, but it’s got some powerful company. Fourth Time Around - Very lovely beginning, pretty guitar. Liking a lot. I almost recognise it! Gorgeous melody. There is also a cheekiness in the romantic lyrics. Obviously Five Believers - Another mover. Great smokin, almost rock n’ roll vibe. Fun, tight playing from the band. Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands - An epic ballad. Really quite lovely. Nothing more to say really. Could’ve swum in it for longer actually; just took me away. Overall Review: I had obviously heard of this before, but never listened all the way through. A little like the cover photo, this album feels very loose and frayed at the edges but also has a bunch of heart and a good dollop of his acerbic wit thrown in there. The playing is brilliant. The band was tight. There’s an almost ethereal magic running through the musicians on many tracks. And Al Kooper’s organ really was a highlight for me. It was previously not my favourite of Dylan’s, but by the last track, I was really quite charmed. It has so much to offer, this album - I thoroughly enjoyed diving into its world. A pleasure to review this classic. 4.5/5 Favourite Songs: Visions Of Johanna, One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later), I Want You, Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again, Sad-Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands

Track By Track Is This It - Modern electro intro sound, tiny bit Radiohead-y. They sound like a proper rock/alt band. Very blended and cohesive. He’s kind of doggedly singing, quite laid back. Nice sound. The Modern Age - Have heard this before I think. Great flow and rhythm to this. So simple but it works. He seems to like that almost crap speakerphone/echoey effect on his voice. So much so that I can’t always understand what he’s saying but the tune is great so I’m kind of alright with it. Soma - This sounds like it would soundtrack a 2000s TV show or something. It’s both laid back/stoner-y and jovial. It’s like the emphasis is very much on the sound rather than the lyrics. Barely Legal - This has a very similar sound to The Modern Age to me. Quite decent rocky tune. Can also hear some of the garage influence on this one. It sounds SO 2000s! Can hear that it influenced Arctic Monkeys and Killers for sure (read this in the description). Someday - This really reminds me of Buzzcocks. Like a lot. Great tune. Again, simplicity is king in this universe. Alone, Together - Very Bloc Party. Jagged guitars, quite nice. Not a big stand out for me though. Last Nite - Crux of the record, but also goes very well in the tracklist. Possible favourite, apart from Modern Age. So good. So famous. The slowed ‘walking out that door’ at the end is so subtle but a quality touch. Brilliant. Hard To Explain - Nice drums, very insistent drive. Kind of here for it though. I appreciate the guitars here too. This is great songwriting, the verse and chorus blend so well, with a great flow for the whole tune. New York City Cops - More thrashy rock-from-a-garage vibe here. Even a bit punk. Quite decent energy on this one. Trying Your Luck - It’s quite a standard one for them. Not a stand out for me. A little drawly for this genre actually. Same as a bunch of other songs, as it says in lyrics (‘tell me it’s all the same’). Take It Or Leave It - It’s got their typical sound, with some punky lines peppered throughout. Potentially inspired by punk. It’s one of the slightly grimier ones on the record. Overall Review: It’s funny with this one. I feel as if I’d definitely have to be in the mood. It’s the first Strokes album I’ve listened to all the way through. Can hear its influence for sure. Very clear in many ways. I didn’t like all of the songs, some sounded samey and not my vibe but the songs I did like were very strong & I had a great time listening to those. Having said that, it’s not usually my go to genre right now and it didn’t blow me away musically or lyrically. Even so, it was a fun one. So, mixed! 3.5/5 Favourite Songs: The Modern Age, Someday, Last Nite, Hard To Explain

Track By Track Rio - As this opened, I just remembered they soundtracked a James Bond film and I have memories of listening to it like a novelty track as a child. Fairly similar fun vibe. Got that dramatic, cinematic ‘80s feel. Recognise the chorus. It’s quite decent actually. Synths sounding nice and well placed in the mix. It could also be in an advert or cheesy ‘80s movie. Enjoyable. My Own Way - Thumping bass, pretty impactful. Chorus is a little jarring and annoying to me. Not terrible though otherwise. Quite funny lyrics actually and they do like a bit of animal imagery (‘dancing with the bulls’, ‘running like a fox’). Lonely In Your Nightmare - The bass here reminds me of experimental Kate Bush for some reason. I preferred this musically. A good bit of variation even though this is a very clear ‘80s synth-y sonic universe. Hungry Like The Wolf - Brilliant. Catchy and dramatic. Sort of cheesy again and horny (lyrics), but sort of comes across as almost cool as well, as it’s executed so well. No real fluff on this song, like with so many on this album. It’s very clean sounding. Hold Back The Rain - Heavy on that synth and beats. Higher synth embellishments add a nice little bit of contrast in terms of high and low. Kind of a head banging one, sort of into it, although not my favourite. New Religion - Almost spooky, atmospheric spacey beginning. It’s one of those that could be a TV show theme! They’re both simple and kind of cryptic lyrics. Decent chorus. Also good grooves in the breaks with the bass and guitar. Last Chance On The Stairway - Nice one. Like the melody and the chord changes. Bass driving it very well. Sounds a bit like The The. Bit different with the marimba solo, kind of fun. Save a Prayer - Funny mix of the synth part and the rest of the instruments. I have heard this one before! Good refrain. The Chaffeur - Bad and a bit annoying verse. Good chorus. There’s almost a bit of slow funk influence on this one. It’s a quite unique one. Kind of liking the funny recorder-like (ocarina) solo ending the track and the album. Overall Review: Laughed when I saw that this was my album of the day, due to the super cheesy ‘80s cover and my opinion of Duran Duran as kind of a novelty band. Although I think a lot of ‘80s music has that kind of dramatic, fun or funny quality. I was impressed though by the slick production and brilliant mixing. Strong, bold performances from all of it. Very dancey. There were a few songs where I got a little bored and thought it dragged or was repetitive. It’s also not massively my thing overall but I enjoyed a fair amount of it. Also those are some killer earrings. 3.4/5 Favourite Songs: Hungry Like The Wolf, Last Chance On The Stairway

Track By Track In the Wee Small Hours of The Morning - This is a classic for sure. It’s very sweet and soft. Classy heartbreak. Mood Indigo - I feel as if a lot of this album will be a similar vibe! Again, classic feeling to this. I like the orchestra sort of echoing the lyrics here. Piano fills are also very sparing but classy & effective. Glad To Be Unhappy - Slightly different vibe in terms of instrumentation. Pretty, jazzy embellishments from the celesta & guitar. Embracing heartache wholeheartedly too, feels like a fairly original take on a breakup song, for the time especially. But there could have been other contemporaries doing the same, who knows! I Get Along Without You Very Well - There’s a Chet Baker version that is very intimate and soft. This one is slightly more grand but it does still retain the sad melancholy of the tune. Deep In a Dream - His voice sounds very lovely on this one. A nice range of notes. Satisfying harmonies. Pretty simple but effective. I See Your Face Before Me - Old timey intro. Could be part of the opening of a movie at the time or something. Slow and atmospheric. Slightly smoky. But vocal jazz smoky, not experimental jazz smoky. Tame, thin smoke. Can’t We Be Friends? - He’s made this slightly jovial track quite blue. Fits very well in the context of this album but also very slow! When Your Lover Has Gone - Kind of a sleepy number. Quite nice strings though. Sounds a lot like a lot of the other tracks. What Is This Thing Called Love - Again, same feel to the previous track really. Slightly more melancholic and chromatic notes hinted at on this one. Also his vocal ability, jumping between notes is impressive. Last Night When We Were Young - Liked the glissando in the strings. Sort of a magic touch in the ‘50s. Think that was also used in Disney films to evoke intrigue, wonder or mystique. Did not love this though. I’ll Be Around - This is sweet. Like the little accompanying melody in the intro. Ill Wind - It kind of evokes wind or fog in the beginning with those woodwinds. Possibly heard this before. There are so many famous standards on this album! Not too bad. It Never Entered My Mind - This album’s still at a veeery slow pace! Nice to hear this classic sung though, only ever heard this played by jazz pianists. I think he was a big jazz fan in general and had good knowledge of all these tunes. Dancing On the Ceiling - Good guitar playing on this. Nice little melodies in the chorus. I’ll Never Be The Same - Alright, slightly run of the mill for the album. Proper heartbroken lyrics. Goes alright in the background though. Not offensive. He does sing well though on all these though, will give him that. This Love of Mine - Bit more soaring strings, like yearning, a reaching out. A decent closer for this album. Sweet and sentimental and also melancholic. Overall Review: This was, as with a lot of Sinatra, pleasant to listen to for the most part. I just don’t generally listen to him very often, definitely not whole albums. But it was decent and high quality playing for sure. Notable also that it’s the oldest and first album on the list. Just a little bit of a downer for that many slow and sad tracks! (Read this on another review and kind of agree). It began to drag for me by track 10. Also not loads of variety. It feels like it was very much of the time and would likely have had a fuller effect on audiences back then. 3.3/5 Favourite Songs: In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning, I’ll Be Around

Track By Track Gotta Get Up - Poppy beginning. Nice! Sounds like it’s in the same world as Elton John but also a bit more kooky. There’s a circus vibe here happening too. Like a more indie alt Paul McCartney in terms of the lyrics and jovial tune. Driving Along - It’s a nice pop vibe so far on this album. Very ‘70s this one! Cool soloing from the guitarist. Early In The Morning - Nice that it’s stripped back. It’s bluesy but it’s still got his jaunty, fun feel with that peppy syncopated rhythm. The Moonbeam Song - This is nice. A slow, almost psychedelic one. Nice harmonies. Bit like late ‘60s Beatles. Down - This one reminds me of Billy Joel a little. Liking the bluesy honky-tonk groove. Sounds very singer-songwriter as well. Quite classic. He’s really going for it on the vocals, slightly a-la McCartney on ‘Oh, Darling!’. Without You - Very sweetly and tenderly sung. This is so heartfelt and ‘70s, even a bit ‘80s. Kind of genius and cheesy but he gives this class and heart. Didn’t know this was a Badfinger cover. Coconut - This I remember from being played a Muppets version. It’s like the furthest you could crank the dial on his silliness scale, at least on this album (there are definitely wackier songs that exist!). Did not love massively but it’s fun for its novelty value. Let the Good Times Roll - Sounds like his version of the classic track, I think Sam Cooke did a version, which I’m pretty sure is the same. Fun little jaunt of a song. Jump Into the Fire - Sort of a similar vibe to Down earlier on. Leaning into that classic ‘70s rock sound. Quite liking the fuzzy bass on this. I’ll Never Leave You - This is decent enough as a closer. Tender and strange & almost evokes some ‘50s jazz or soundtrack music as well as being a ballad of the time. Not a huge stand out though. Overall Review: This seems like a very Nilsson collection of songs. Like he’s got a lot of creative control and he’s doing whatever he feels without regard to how it’ll be received and I respect that. Very short and sweet. Enjoyable enough tunes, although there weren’t many that I really liked or loved. I did think it was a little disjointed at times as there’s quite a few different styles thrown together. But great playing and his style is pretty unique which I was into at times. Saying that, I can hear The Beatles’ influence on a few tracks. Also can I just say I love the name of this album. It’s brilliant. 3.4/5 Favourite Songs: The Moonbeam Song, Without You

Track By Track Love Song - Like the ‘ladies & gentlemen’ introduction bit. Sounds like it’s someone like Richard E. Grant saying it. Very fun. Striking opening chords and guitar licks. Quite decent. More tuneful punk which I do prefer to the more thrashy stuff. And he’s singing not shouting. Always a plus! Machine Gun Etiquette - More thrashy this one! Lives up to its title, I’ll give it that. Kind of like the energy, can appreciate it even though I didn’t particularly like. I Just Can’t Be Happy Today - This one is almost Smiths-esque in its tone and lyrics. But with that added punk thrash. Quite good speaking through a megaphone it sounds a little like. The solo is quite cool as well. Sounds like a synth but also could be the guitar with a bunch of effects. Can also hear the beginning of the eighties sound in that synth-like outro. Melody Lee - A piano intro! Didn’t expect this from a punk outfit. It does then go into a Clash-like punky tune, but was quite a nice mix up! Anti-Pope - Rock n’ Rolling driving, almost funky rhythm. Liked the guitar solos a lot but not so much the rest of the tune. These Hands - I Like the titles of these songs. They seem to fit the album well. Satisfying somehow. Dark, moody, circus funhouse vibes on this one. Not bad. Almost gimmicky. Plan 9 Channel 7 - This is a different feel. Actually makes me think of bands like Suede or Pulp, but with a more grungy, punky edge. Bit moany in terms of the vocal delivery. Not bad though. Noise, Noise, Noise - Another punky thrasher. It was alright. I appreciated the megaphone type effect on his voice, like he’s announcing the lyrics. Sort of workers for the song. Not a stand out though. Looking at You - Driving energy abounds on this one. The guitar solos sound a little early Metal-influenced. Good shredding. A little long, it’s a bit repetitive also. Liar - This recalls early punk. I did prefer the energy to some, say Sex Pistols songs, but still did not enjoy. Just a little too noisy. Good solos though. Smash It Up (Pts. 1 & 2) - Nicer, quite cool, moody instrumental for the first part. Enjoying the guitar parts for the second part. Do like when they mix it up on this album. It’s a nice surprise and showcases their range and capability as songwriters. Overall Review: As with most of the other punk albums, I was dubious going into this thinking it would be more of the same. I actually was a little surprised by their tuneful style. They do sound a little like the Clash, which I liked. This album also had variety, which I appreciated, particularly from a punk record. They’re not just repeating a formula ad infinitum, even though some did sound the same and a little boring. Middling between 2 and 3. 2.5/5 Favourite Songs: Love Song, I Just Can’t Be Happy Today, Smash It Up (Pts. 1 & 2)

Track By Track Baba O’Riley - I think this was maybe one of the first instances of minimalist synth motifs being used in a rock song like this. Not sure. I don’t know the history of it in depth enough! I did go down a mini research rabbit hole about the song’s history (watched one video :) ) and it was interesting to learn about his innovative use of the synthesiser and his being into minimalist Terry Riley at the time. Anyway, what an opener. Belter of a song. Great vocal delivery on this one too. Properly earnest. I do know this though and I am biased. It’s my favourite Who song, although my knowledge of them is limited. Nice reading about the history, that this was meant to be like a rock opera. This song absolutely fits that description. Also read that the title is named after Meher Baba and Terry Riley. Very cool. Classic. Awesome. Bargain - Starting with ethereal, Bowie-like chords, into more Who vibes. Still with that rock operatic feel, particularly the drumming. It’s got sections like a musical or something. That slower break with the more prominent vocals is very of that style. I’m imagining a stage and lights. Love Ain’t for Keeping - Some of these songs starting abruptly! Nice vocals again on this one. Feel he was properly at his peak on this in terms of power. It is a tiny bit reminiscent of Led Zeppelin. Got that medieval tinge. My Wife - I liked the chorus of this one a fair amount and it’s decent, but not a standout. They’re spanning the whole gamut of musical instruments though by introducing those horns. The Song Is Over - This is quite nice. Ballady but also with synths. Goes into the rock musical vibe with the full band. That part I liked less. Quite enjoyable song though. Getting In Tune - Hilarious opening lyrics. Lovely tune. It’s almost comically epic. It’s a lot of fun this one. Liked it. Enjoy that I can hear the instruments clearly (bass, piano, etc.) Going Mobile - This has a good rhythm and vibe to it. Rocking and great. Solid tune. Behind Blue Eyes - Another nice ballad. Again, can hear Led Zeppelin’s influence. Sounds very of the time this one. Those harmonies very distinctive. Well written song. Personally didn’t love. Won’t Get Fooled Again - I just keep thinking of that infamous George Bush quote! Anyway, it’s a great tune, with quality playing. If I’m honest, these epic 8/9 minute rock numbers can get a little waring. But I can dig it if I’m in the right mood. Overall Review: I enjoyed reading a little about this album’s history. It’s like it’s verging on a concept album. I did appreciate how it was put together and can also appreciate it likely had a strong legacy. The artwork is also very apt, as it’s like it’s representing not only the teenage wasteland he’s singing about, but also the salvaged nature of the songs which is alluded to in the album’s context. It’s an impressive piece, even though not all songs really did it for me if I’m honest. Some very strong highlights though. It’s a high 3 for me. 3.5/5 Favourite Songs: Baba O’Reilly, Love Ain’t for Keeping, Getting In Tune

Track By Track What’s Going On - Starts with a cool convivial atmosphere of folks talking and chatting and vibing & then smoothly transitions into such a great chill groove. His singing is so soft, yet I can feel the earnestness and soul. You can tell he’s really into it as well, Motown vibing. Just brilliant. Potent, simple and extremely relevant timeless lyrics. What’s Happening Brother - A continuation of the previous track (this album’s been called a song cycle). It’s like a clear, alive call to his brothers to wake up. Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky) - More of a smoky feel to this one. Spacey. Save the Children - I liked this one less but dig the message. Smooth harmonies as well. God Is Love - This was quite influential I think. The Vernon Spring has a track that is inspired by this. Another call to peace. It’s great. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Great tune. Lovely, timeless. Can hear its influence as well across time. Again, it’s that balance of sweet, soft & soulful and passion in his voice. Ends with an almost horror-like warble. Right On - Slight change of pace. That jazzy flute is nice. Reminding me of a jazz flute player that I can’t name very much! A bit Gil Scott Heron being political as well. Tinges of that. Very nice cool grooves. While Holy - Nice chilled one to begin to wrap up the album. A nice pace to this. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - A great way to tie up the album. Nice that he alludes to the beginning with the ‘mother, mother’ refrain. Weaves elements of the other songs in it beautifully. Overall Review: Lovely. Smooth voice, great concept for an album. Also feels timeless and relevant today still. A important album. It feels like its message can be applied certainly to today’s situation but to any conflict in history. Many of the songs do have a very similar vibe though would be a note. 4.4/5 Favourite Songs: What’s Going On, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Right On

Track By Track Stand! - Beautiful song. Lovely lyrics. Again, feels very relevant to me personally! They can do feel-good music very well. A call to truth and standing up for what’s right. Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey - Nice effect on the guitar (wah I think), it’s like it’s speaking. Very soulful impassioned singing as well. A simple message and refrain. Quite liked. I Want to Take You Higher - Quite nice how they’re bouncing the lines between the different singers. Emphasises the family element of the group. There’s no harmonica credited but it’s sounds like a harmonica and it’s perhaps the highlight of the song in my view. Somebody’s Watching You - This is a switch up! It’s like a simple, sinister, political tune. Sweetly delivered. It’s a little reminiscent of Labi Siffre or someone similar. Sing a Simple Song - Sounds very ‘60s in the beginning then full on breaks out into the funk vibe. Would likely be a good sing-along one. Everyday People - I know this well. What a brilliant song. I do also like Jeff Buckley’s version of this as well, when he slows it down and still leans into the groove in his own unique way. But this original is great. Strong, short, sharp and powerful performances. I will say it kind of sounds slightly odd in the tracklist though. Sex Machine - Gettin that psychedelic funk (from the wiki description) vibe straight from the get-go on this one. They have that talking instrument effect going on again and it’s really working here. Great grooves and soloing happening. You Can Make It If You Try - Back to a more succinct, proper fun funk tune. Nice harmonies, chord & key changes. A great original. Overall Review: I was aware of these guys before but I hadn’t listened to hardly any of their stuff. Was definitely impressed by the musicianship and playing, the horns, the keys, the effects, the proper vocal ability. Strong lyrics in many ways too. Didn’t love all of the songs. Some did feel a little long and also the tracklist felt a little disjointed at times. There’s both a tightness and looseness to it. At times (Sex Machine), it feels like an extended jam. But overall very decent and some really great standouts. Am glad to have discovered this. 3.4/5 Favourite Songs: Stand!, Everyday People

Track By Track Shame on a Nuh (feat. Raekwon, Ol’ Dirty Bastard & Method Man) - This was … great. I loved the groove and the kind of nasty, grimy but also clean production and delivery. The rhymes are pretty brilliant too. The jazzy piano breaks I was a big fan of as well. Clan In Da Front (feat. RZA & GZA) - Here I can hear the early ‘90s vibe more. The instrumentation is really great. I like the samples of movie quotes here. Woven very seamlessly into the track. Can It Be All So Simple (Radio Edit) - This has a lovely Gladys Knight sample and groove. Some straight up braggy sex lyrics but also brilliant commentary and rhymes. Method Man (feat. Method Man, Raekwon, GZA, RZA & Ghostface Killah) - This album’s flowing so well, each track into the next. Can tell they’ve thought about it and crafted it well. Method Man’s bars are really great here. The intros are great. Beat and piano riff works very well. I’m into it! There’s smart rhymes and funny ones (referencing ‘Green eggs and ham’). I think I could listen back time and again and glean new stuff from the lyrics. Probably with most of these songs. Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ (feat. Method Man, U-God, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah & Masta Killa) [Radio Edit] - Again nice use of movie sample. This was even grimier. Less liked but great bars & rhymes from people nonetheless. Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’ Wit (feat. RZA, Inspectah Deck & Method Man) - Got a real hype to this one. Quite cool. Not as much of a stand out for me. C.R.E.A.M. (feat. Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck & Buddha Monk) - Aort of recognise this. I think it’s quite famous. Good rhythms and stuff. Didn’t love. Protect Ya Neck (feat. RZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah & GZA) - They’re spitting bars with political weight and then also flipping between superhero references and humour & it all flows so well. Also other references that I can’t quite place but they seem clever! Showing my ill-educatedness here. Tearz (feat. RZA & Ghostface Killah) - Great sample and then organ (?) riff. Good groove on this one. Title is smart, emphasising the grief and turmoil after death or a big event. It feels very personal and also like a narrator observing and commenting on the lives of others in a poetic and direct way. Overall Review: Really liked this. Found myself head-nodding to almost every track. The rhymes and lyricism is second to none in this genre, I must say. It sounds like a blueprint. Can tell these are high quality rappers. I also enjoyed the movie references/clips and other cultural and political quips. I will say that some of the beats were very similar and felt a touch samey after a few songs. Whilst I didn’t love all of it, this was a really strong one. 4.1/5 Favourite Songs: Clan In Da Front (feat. RZA & GZA), Method Man (feat. Method Man, Raekwon, GZA, RZA & Ghostface Killah)

Track By Track Assessment - The lyrics were actually quite potent here as I had quite the day of lessons learned. The music reminds me of an early Biffy Clyro middle-eight. Decent tune here. Very good lyrics. It has an almost grungy feel to it. A darkness. Not quite what I was expecting given the album artwork! Space - A dark groove, moody. This sounds like music on the fringes almost. It’s like they’re concerned with the concepts here, not the hit-making necessarily. Sounds like it’s inspired by prog rock a little. Lion Thief - Slightly unsettling song with dark lyrics. Quite nice guitar happening. Easy - This reminds me a lot of Badly Drawn Boy. Got that loose, yet also tight rhythm. A good bluesy jam. Wonderful - This displays their range quite well. This is like a lazy Sunday Velvet Underground song. Sweet, dreamy, almost druggy, laid back. The bubble noises do feel quite cartoony. Troubles - This sounds like a prog rock break or something as part of a concept album. It’s got a slightly cinematic spacey feel to me. Weird one. Did not love particularly. Out-Side - I didn’t like the dog barking. It’s a bit trashy mid, this one. Guitar was ok though. Space Beatle - The drone in this is a little dreary I found. It does have hints of Beatles influence peppered and woven throughout this album, not just on this track as well. Also a little of Radiohead I’d say. Rhododendron - Quite a sweet little interlude. Playing around with synths, feels fairly spontaneous. Pretty. Liquid Bird - This was a crap beginning. Noisy, bad. Song was alright, kaleidoscopic as the album cover. Simple - Listening on a Tuesday. Sort of folk-electronica. Can hear bits of Beck as well on this. But that may also be power of suggestion as Lost Cause was on auto play. Alright music, quite nice strings. Pure For - Leaning more into the spacey electronica for the ending. Can hear some Scottish inflections on this as well. Overall Review: This was a very surprising and intriguing album. I hadn’t heard of these guys before. The songs seem weirdly incongruent with the album art, except for a few songs towards the end. But the title seems apt though. Darkness pervades so much of it. It’s almost dystopian. Also very wide-ranging which I respected. Lyrics were great and perhaps some of the best I’ve heard so far. Not on all tracks, but some. Gains points for this. 2.7/5 Favourite Songs: Assessment, Easy, Rhododendron

Track By Track Tubular Bells, Pt. I - I can’t un-see/imagine (I’ve never seen the film) The Exorcist now after reading that! Have for sure heard of this and know the riff I think. Funny, spooky, hypnotic. Some of it feels like video game music for an early Microsoft video game. Others feel like an experimental minimalist piece. Prog rock as well. Impressive, not all of it was really my thing. The announcements of the instruments at the end remind me of Benjamin Britten’s ‘A Young Person’s Guide To The Orchestra’. Like it’s introducing the instruments in an ‘80s instructional video. Kind of sweet and comical. Liked the acoustic ending. Tubular Bells, Pt. II - Quieter, sweeter opening. Still similar vibe though. I preferred the first half of this to the first one. The grunt-singing is interesting! It’s sort of bizarre and weird and comical. Got a Pink Floyd vibe near the end. Lovely guitar work. And what a joyous ending, so much fun! Mike Oldfield’s Single (Theme From “Tubular Bells”) - very nice, like Greensleeves almost. Medieval vibes. Quite nice. Sailor’s Hornpipe (Viv Stanshall Version) - This was a lot of fun, must say. I’m deep into the world at this point so that does help! Good British nonsense humour. Overall Review: This grew on me a lot as it went on. What a piece! So vast in its breadth and scope. Lots of references to various genres. Almost like an odyssey. I had heard of this before but again, never dived in for the whole thing. I enjoyed quite a bit of it actually. Get the feeling he has a sense of humour as well. Shown in the last couple of tracks. 3.5/5 Favourite Songs: Tubular Bells, Pt. II, Sailor’s Hornpipe (Viv Stanshall Version)

Track By Track Hanging on the Telephone - A dark grungy, rocky vibe on this opener. Not a big stand out for me in their catalogue. One Way Or Another - This is really great. Actually not my favourite Blondie. I prefer their pop rather than their rock stuff. But yes, a classic for sure. Picture This - A lovely opening riff. Groovy, fun. I’m actually preferring the slightly lesser known tracks on this album so far. Fun vibe on this. Like a teen movie from the ‘80s, even though it’s late ‘70s. Fade Away and Radiate - A cinematic one. Very dramatic! Quite haunting & again sounds very ‘80s. Can picture smoke, lots of it, vampires & glitter. It’s also a bit Rocky Horror but more dark. Pretty Baby - One I know well. Great refrain for sure. Like the bass/guitar groove and driving rhythm. Very strong! Again, quite the teen movie vibe. I Know but I Don’t Know - The start sounds like it could be a part of a rock opera. It’s like beat punk poetry, these lines. Very simplistic. Not bad. Didn’t really love it. Bass break was quite cool though. 11:59 - The verses were fun, Poppy, dreamy. Great tune. Good length. Very solid. Have likely heard this before as well but didn’t remember how good it was! Great organ solo. Simple, fun, works great in the context of the song. Will Anything Happen - Here, I can see how they shared the stage with more punky acts like the Ramones. To me, this is one of the better ones of their rockin/punk songs. Just the right combination of thrashy in the verse and poppy in the chorus. I couldn’t listen to a whole album of it though, too much to stomach! Sunday Girl - Dated lyrics, a little funny, a little sad. I do really love this song. It’s perhaps one of the first Blondie songs I heard. I know it so well! Heart of Glass - I mean, it’s Heart of Glass. That’s kind of a throwaway comment, but it’s such a banger. Brilliant, brilliant. I’m Gonna Love You Too - Did not know this was a Buddy Holly cover but makes sense! The speed, chord changes. Brilliantly done. Just Go Away - Back to the ‘80s teen movie vibe. It’s very earnestly delivered, almost in character. A fan of this one. Very decent melody. Nice climb in the chorus as well. Fun times had by all. Overall Review: I did mostly enjoyed this one. Grew as it went on I am not a huge fan of their stuff in general. Obviously I had heard of this before and there are some really strong songs. I do have to be in the mood I guess. Didn’t all grab me as much as I thought! But quality tunes were a-plenty and had fun with most of it. Also, the second half’s tracks are so much more fun and stronger in my opinion. By the end, she sounds like she’s really having fun with it and leaning into their poppy, new-wave, slightly punky sound. Very solid. Mid-high 3. 3.6/5 Favourite Songs: Picture This, Sunday Girl, Heart Of Glass

Track By Track Mis-Shapes - Nice, almost dancey groove to this one. Sounds a little ‘80s even though it’s ‘90s. They were perhaps influenced by ‘80s bands and synth usage. He’s got such a distinctive voice. Of the people. Pencil Skirt - Pretty sure this is about sex. Some slightly dodgy lyrics, but I think it’s a fantasy. It has a slightly dreamy quality as well. Pretty decent tune. Common People (Full Length Version) - Iconic song. For real. Banger of a song. This is like their Hey Jude. When the main groove kicks in, it’s just works. A simple synth riff, brilliant. I Spy - This is quite epic. Like him being prophetic, or a novel in song form. At least it sounds like that a bit. Great scope and vision. Disco 2000 - ‘Deborah, Deborah’. Can say no more. So great. The phrasing, ace stuff. Rhythm is brilliant. Proper classic. Live Bed Show - He’s great at portraits of people, but the music is so epic, it elevates the ordinary to a height that’s hard to ignore. Can really appreciate their original craft here. I didn’t actually like this song that much, but the concept and execution is pretty strong. Something Changed - Again feels like a portrait. Starting to get what Pulp were about on this album. I enjoyed this one. It seems like a lament. Like the instrumentation. Sorted For E’s and Wizz - Quite like the story and narrative of this one but didn’t really like the tune as much. F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E - Very conceptual again. Horny lyrics! Great chorus. It’s like it’s out of Blade Runner or something. Can see them doing a very ‘80s style music video for this. Underwear - Great tune. Perhaps the be best musically so far on the album. May be about domestic abuse? Monday Morning - groovy one, also moody! Quite cool but not a stand out. Bar Italia - Really lovely, sweet closer. He’s almost crooning at this point. Overall Review: I found this to be a grower. As I got quite deep into the album, I found the lyrics to be quite layered and unique in their portrayal of the characters and the social commentary they lay out. Whilst I didn’t love every song, it had some brilliant highlights and the closer I also really enjoyed. My step-mum said that this was the soundtrack to much of her college days and I can hear how cool it must have sounded in the nineties. Also, this album is basically as old as me which is quite cool ( came out five days after my birth day :) ). 3.8/5 Favourite Songs: Common People, Something Changed, Underwear, Bar Italia

Track By Track Writing To Reach You - I don’t know if it’s because I’m listening to this in good speakers, but it sounds great in terms of mixing. Good production. Clear sound and I can hear the whole band. They sound balanced. I know this one, it’s kind of nostalgic for me. The Fear - Quite decent, not sure I liked the electro stuff at the beginning. Not a big stand out but nice. As You Are - This is very moody gloomy Scot vibe. Very pleasant and a nice tune to it. Like a slow ballad but with just enough groove & movement to keep the interest. I can actually hear the Radiohead comparison here! The guitar solo two-thirds of the way through is really great and a highlight for me. Driftwood - Nice jangly guitars happening. I think I have heard this before. This sounds like a ‘song’, if that makes sense. Quite a typical structure to it. Well written for sure, even if it didn’t move me as much as others of theirs. The Last Laugh Of The Laughter - Again, like the progression and the way the guitar melodies move and are alive and kind of carry a lot of the song. Like each member is bringing their own emotional perspective. Pretty chorus, very simple. Turn - This sounds very ‘90s in its production and sound. The echoey guitars. Very nice. It’s very earnest and heartfelt, almost dramatic feel to the song, with the climactic chorus. Why Does It Always Rain On Me? - Such a classic. I wasn’t sure it was gonna but it really, really holds up. It’s so mournful. Big fan. Luv - Harmonica, nice! Got a mournful feel to it, continuing from the previous track. Liking this too. It’s a good slow ballad-y vibe this one. She’s So Strange - More of an atmospheric one, not as much of a standout. Although, again, I liked the guitar in it. It lends a nice counterbalancing melodic counterpoint to the song. Slide Show - Get a communal vibe to this one. Seems quite Beatles actually. Can also hear Coldplay’s first album in it. Nice strings. Quite novel referencing other lyrics (Beck, Oasis). This interim period of silence had me thinking of empty slides (analog). Probably prompted by the title of the track. Blue Flashing Light (Hidden Track) - Vocal sounds like a Blur track or similar. Not bad. Quite 90s. Haven’t heard it, but it perhaps harkens back to their early days as a more rock/grunge inspired outfit? Overall Review: I read a couple of reviews of this saying it was budget Radiohead or just forgettable crap but it’s just different in my opinion and fruitless to compare too much, even though I can hear the influence on a few tracks. I really like this. I was introduced to this as a teen & have fond friendship memories tied to it. Did not like every track. Very pleasant band. 3.5/5 Favourite Songs: Writing To Reach You, Why Does It Always Rain On Me?

Track By Track Oxygène, Pt. 1 - It sounds like it could be the opening to a space film/TV show yes, but also a video game. The ambient whirring could be embellishing an adventure game landscape or something. At first, I’m a little indifferent to this music. Oxygène Pt. 2 - A continuation really of pt. 2. Quite good arpeggios climbing. I’m getting laser gun sounds for this one. Like a desolate war scape or something. Also a voyage. Bit more of a beat in this one, like you can move to it a little more. Oxygène Pt. 3 - I’m now thinking it could be the soundtrack to a film like Dune. But the ‘80s one, not the recent one. Does sound very of the time. Can also appreciate this may have sounded groundbreaking when it came out. Oxygène Pt. 4 - This sounds like it is more of a song, or tune rather than soundtrack type music. Nice driving rhythm. Quite dramatic! Decent. Oxygène Pt. 5 - This is like arriving in a new place, onto a lush forest plain or a golden landscape or something similar. Flashes of light sparkle and appear in time with the synth melody notes. It has a feeling of home or relief. More settled. Even though not all of it feels totally resolved. My imagination is acting more vividly now, I feel more immersed in the album’s world at this point. I prefer the slower ambient moments on this record. Didn’t like when it sped up. Oxygène Pt. 6 - Very sparse atmospheric beginning with the weather sounds. This sounds like it’s ascending (but also descending) into space or the sky. Overall Review: This was certainly different! I’d heard of Jarre before but never listened to his music. It was quite nice to immerse myself in. There were pretty moments and can appreciate his very distinctive, contained sound and style. I’m not sure it will be something that I’d listen to again for myself, but can certainly appreciate it in context and as a soundtrack or imaginative tool! 2.4/5 Favourite Songs: Oxygène, Pt. 5

Track By Track Chameleon - Great, funky groovy brilliance. Building layer by layer. I recognise the bass synth riff. To me it has that coolness of maybe Rick James or Teddy Pendergrass but with a more experimental edge. In the solos, I was almost hypnotised, although that might be because I’m tired after a day at work! Watermelon Man - This one was really innovative as a rework of his classic tune. The wind instruments sound African in their influence. Not sure how accurate that it but I enjoyed them. It sounded more beach-y as well in the groove. The little melodic inflections and nods to the original tune woven and peppered throughout are really nice and gives the listener just enough of a tie to it as to invoke familiarity and then moves somewhere else. Sly - This is cool. Got a nice background vibe to it, with great bass and solos. Then when it picks up the synth and horns really take off. Oh also I forgot to mention how good the drums are throughout. Big up Harvey Mason. Vein Melter - Slower one. This seems to be a nice combination of a more traditional jazz sound and futuristic vibes. I liked that it ends with the same beats as when it started. Like a little, gentle footstep out the door. Overall Review: I liked that I listened to this in the evening. As I listened, I enjoyed the late night feeling of me packing whilst my cat went a little crazy running about the house. I got into the textures and meandering melodic lines of the free expressionistic jazz, I was properly immersed at points. I actually didn’t realise how innovative Hancock was (& is). Impressed with a lot of the songs, the experimentation and the musicianship. Some were familiar but most weren’t and I very much enjoyed the vibe. I would listen again, but in context and when the mood is right! 3.9/5 Favourite Songs: Chameleon, Watermelon Man, Vein Melter

Track By Track So You Want To Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star - Sounds very of the time, like bands like the Animals, or The Zombies. With those harmonies and that kind of open ‘60s sound. This was nice, had a good lilt and movement to it. Enjoyed the bass. It’s like it’s a recorded song but also simulating live with those screams in the background. Have You Seen Her Face - This one reminded me of the Kinks, in their slightly alternative ‘60s style. There a mystery in the chords and harmonies, a sort of magic, psychedelic high permeating it. Great guitar solos & the harmonies are pleasant. C.T.A - 102) - This is like a nice vignette of a song. It’s got a good driving rhythm to it. A fun jaunt. A strange ending, with the kooky vocal! Renaissance Fair (Single Version) - Liking the guitar in this a lot. I like this little snippet of song. Time Between - Liked the pace of this song. Bit more of a country influence I can hear. You could drive to this song. Everybody’s Been Burned - This is an interesting shift. It’s got that James Bond mystery happening as well as that very open ‘60s sound. I can picture a haze in the air and this being played in the summertime, with blue skies layered with wisps of cloud. Thoughts and Words - This seems to define what a lot of this album is about. Meaning the title as well as its sound. The album’s a collection of short and sweet songs and ideas, coming together in a kaleidoscopic reverie. This particular one has a relaxed, laid back beat and feel. I can also really hear the Beatles’ influence on this song, particularly albums like Rubber Soul and Revolver. Mind Gardens - Much more psychedelic. Can hear Hendrix in this actually. Nice Shakespeare reference. Cool tune. Going into experimentation on this one which I like. A nice switch up. My Back Pages - This was really nice and a great chorus with the harmonies. Lovely solo too. It just works. They’ve elevated Dylan’s piece well, even though I still slightly prefer his stripped back version i think. The Girl With No Name - This also reminds me of the Zombies a little, with its sensibility and its portrait of somebody in a neat tune. Great soloing, just enough. Sparse and smart. Why - I do like the chord progression that keeps building up the scale. It has an immediate effect of lifting and gives the song movement and variety. Very nice :) In the guitar, I can hear hints of Velvet Underground. It Happens Each Day - A slow, slightly smoky number. Hazy. Don’t Make Waves (Single Version) - A great little tune that is a little reminiscent of Beach Boys in its harmonies and jubilant lilt and gait. Fun, even though it wasn’t a big stand out for me. My Back Pages - I’m not sure why this is on the record twice, but it’s nice to hear it again. Think this version sounds a little different? Maybe more organ? Not sure. Mind Gardens - Apt title, I realised, given the psychedelic feel of it. It’s like a little story, takes you in. Lady Friend (Single Version) - A nice return to a more jovial vibe. It’s a nice penultimate one (aware this is the deluxe bonus track version but hey). Good jangly guitars going on. Fun rhythms. Old John Robertson (Single Version) - Again, like the rhythm. It’s a little Dylan-esque in its subject matter or structure, but with a more upbeat, sort of early-ish Kinks feel. Quite like the string breaks. Nice psychedelic ending (or is that a different song, after that brief silence? Potentially…) Overall Review: This album grew on me as I went on. At first, I found the sound to be a bit bland and repetitive or even predictable. But as it progressed, I was struck by their experimentation and impressive harmonies. I had the sense of many songs blending into each other. There were so many little vignettes blending into each other. Makes me think about how the album was structured in the sixties and how bands like The Beatles changed that. I enjoyed a fair few of these songs, even though not all of them hit me that deeply and it’s not what I usually go for, especially for a whole album. But very decent indeed. 3.4/5 Favourite Songs: Mind Gardens, My Back Pages

Track By Track Do You Wanna Dance? - This sounds like early Beach Boys era, but also different and more mature (their voices I mean) than other surfin’ stuff they had done before. Nice enough, very Beach Boys-y! Good to My Baby - The harmonies are quite nice must say. They have a very distinctive sound and great vocal chops. I guess it’s a teen vibe still even though it’s a slightly more mature Beach Boys. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister - I read that some of these lyrics are a bit misogynistic and I can see the sexism and stereotypes here for sure. Dated. Quite nice tune though. When I Grow Up (To Be a Man) - How old were they when they recorded this? Unclear. It’s kind of weird and I guess a little sweet also this one, speaking about his hopes for the future I guess. Help Me, Rhonda - I like this tune and rhythm. It’s kind of classic Beach Boys and rock n’ roll vibe. It’s a good melody. Also is this low key about an affair? Just to throw that in there. Hilarious I just used that phrase :) Dance, Dance, Dance - Disappointed as I thought this was the tune from Fantastic Mr. Fox, but that was ‘Let Her Dance’ by The Bobby Fuller Four. Just thought I’d shout that out here as it’s probably not on this list. Anyway, this was another classic sounding riff. Dancey tune for sure. Fun! Please Let Me Wonder - Nice that they have a change of pace here. It’s very welcome. Great chords and harmonies here. I’m So Young - Oh, I recognise this! A classic, beautifully executed. Think it’s from ‘50s doo-wop. Kiss Me, Baby - Bit slow and slooopy. Almost muddy. It’s alright but not a stand out. She Knows Me Too Well - This sounds as if it’s in the same style as ‘Don’t Worry Baby’, which I think is also by them. Climbing up in the beginning and then going down melodically, resolving in the chorus. Nice. In the Back Of My Mind - Another slow one that I didn’t care for as much. Slightly preferred this to the other one though. Also nice addition of the strings and horns. Nice textures. Bull Session With “Big Daddy” - Studio/House ambience. The family of the album chilling and eating afterwards. Quite nice to hear them chatting and being themselves. Seeing them as humans in a way. Overall Review: Number 50! It’s funny, I didn’t know they had such a large discography. I also wouldn’t have thought this was their eighth album. They were very prolific as a band and I do appreciate hearing stuff I hadn’t really heard from their back catalogue so this was good in terms of discovery. I thought a fair few of these were decent and the whole thing was pleasant enough to listen to. Some of them were slightly samey. I do have a hunch there are better Beach Boys albums. 2.9/5 Favourite Songs: Help Me, Rhonda, Please Help Me Wonder, I’m So Young

Track By Track The Chronic (Intro) - Good beats here. The high keyboard melody is actually quite grating and annoying. Also lyrics sound just sorta braggy. Also talking about some beef perhaps? Not sure exactly. Not terrible but didn’t really enjoy. Fuck Wit Dre Day (And Everybody’s Celebratin’) - Seems like yes mostly rapping about sex and killing. I dunno, not a fan. Snoop’s verse is alright though. Let Me Ride (feat. Jewell) - The beats in this are decent, and the production. Didn’t love the verses again though. Sounds like more of the same, ‘bitches’, ‘dick’, etc. etc. Could do with some variety really. The Day The N****az Took Over (feat. Daz, Snoop Dogg & RZA) - This has a more city, kind of political vibe, with the news samples, gunshots etc. It’s kind of messy, which works well in this context. Decent. Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang - Not sure why but Snoop Dogg is more enjoyable to listen to. He’s kind of more melodic & tuneful I’d say. He makes this otherwise not amazing track bearable. Deeez Nuuuts - I think this was sorta juvenile!? Also more gun shit, bit boring actually. Lil’ Ghetto Boy (feat. Daz & Snoop Dogg) - Preferred this. Sounded like a portrait and a switch up (finally!) in subject matter. Thought I heard some jazz flute in the background there - always nice. Snoop’s verse solid as well. A N***a Witta Gun - Not bad. Decent beats again. Back to similar subject matter tho! Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat - I mean it fits well on this album! Same shit once again in terms of subject matter. Decent enough backing track and production/mixing though. A little head-bopping. But not great. The $20 Sack Pyramid - This is kinda weird! Like a dream or something. Sex references kind of. Like it’s from a weed concept album, which is maybe what this is? Sorta? Lyrical G******g - Again, annoying, whiny synth or something. Whatever that is. Pretty decent rhymes but same subjects being discussed, basically. It’s a little more straightforward, direct, clean, this one. In delivery and production, not content! High Powered - Nice smooth segue from the previous track, makes me think again of that concept album trope. Decent one, quite loose. Whiny thing still going strong whining away! I quite like the bass. The Doctor’s Office (feat. Jewell, Rage & Kevin Lewis) - This could be the beginning of an Avalanches track. Ambience and stuff. But explicit. It’s gone from sex references to just full on sex. I mean, it’s commitment to the bit I guess! This is NSFW, as they say. Stranded On Death Row (feat. Bushwick Bill) - Like the sample and how it starts. Yes, it’s the same stuff but great rapping on this. The rhythm, rhymes, etc. The Roach (The Chronic Outro) - I do like when there are some kind of jazzy horns on a track in this genre. It’s a match made in heaven. Just smooth and cohesive, as well as juxtaposed, kind of. Even the whiny synth is vibing on this one. Bitches Ain’t Shit - So this one is an apt closer because it sums up the album: great beats and production with really crappy and mostly repetitive lyrics. This is kinda straight up misogynistic crap. Very dated. Overall Review: Had definitely heard of this before but to be honest, I expected better given this album’s reputation. The production is great and the beats are pretty cool, I will give it that. But I have the same quip that I’ve read in some of the other reviews: the lyrics & their repetitiveness, endless dick refs, sex talk & killing references. It gets a bit old. 2.4/5 Favourite Songs: Lil’ Ghetto Boy (feat. Daz & Snoop Dogg), The Roach (The Chronic Outro)

Track By Track Turn To Stone - I first became aware of this when I happened upon the second season of Josh Turner’s (& Kelly’s), project ‘Among Friends’, where in the first episode did a fantastic acoustic cover of this. It’s such a fun song and I loved it pretty much instantly. Liking the airplane swooshing/swooping noise on this original and the driving bass, drums and synths. Awesome chorus. Great, great song. Ends similarly to A Day In The Life. Can hear the Beatles influence already! It’s Over - Starting with almost teasing that orchestral but of Mr. Blue Sky I know so well. This is a nice number, keeping with the maximalist theme. Nice harmonies. Sweet Talkin’ Woman - The intro here reminds me of Bach or something, but modernised with the synthesisers (think that Wendy Carlos album). It’s a great mix and very ELO. Song isn’t a big stand out but great moments still in it (like the break towards the end) and good solid pop. Across the Border - Great tune. So much drama and flair in this music. Orchestrally and chord changes-wise. Lots of fun this one! Night in the City - Very night ambience in the beginning. Big chords, almost like this could be part of a musical. Nice structure, goes to a lot of places. Satisfying to the ears, as a lot of this is. Starlight - This is a cool change of pace. I do like these kinds of songs - can’t think what they’re called now! Just grooving along with those chord changes, love it! It’s part of a canon of these slower numbers. I’m here for it! Jungle - Ambience again for the opening. Sensing a theme here! Great opening chords. Into it. Good use of percussion and general ambient jungly sounds. Believe Me Now - A slower one, almost an interlude-type one. Like orchestral, stadium-adjacent. Steppin’ Out - It’s like an end credits or pensive bit in a movie. I recognise the chorus actually. Felt quite poignant as I’m moving house soon and it’s also like a transition song. Standin’ in the Rain - This is also a transition track, very musical-ly! Gloriously lush strings and synths. Reminds me a bit of the pomp of Queen. Big Wheels - Great segue from the previous track. A lovely ballad. Leaning into that electric orchestral stuff (aha that’s why they’re called that!!). Very epic. Summer and Lightning - Great, as well. These are a strong run of songs. Feeling nice and cheerful when listening to this. Proper ‘70s synths happening in the background. Synth bass break in the second half is killer! Great tune. Mr. Blue Sky - Wow. I just had a massive smile on my face the whole time. What a classic. No notes, really. I always found that but after the main song to be strange but now it makes sense in the context of the album. So much fun. Absolute tune. Also finishes with ‘please turn me over’. Never knew that. Think that’s referring to the record but not sure. Sweet Is The Night - Approaching the end of the album now. It’s got a bit of an outro feel. Really into the vibe by this point. Swaying. The Whale - Futuristic (& space) vibes for sure. I could imagine the cover photo’s ship docking to this. Great swells and swirls from all of the instruments. Another interlude of sorts. Birmingham Blues - It’s a little bit T-Rex, but glam-ified and crosses with McCartney/The Beatles. Quite decent. Wild West Hero - A great closer to this rather epic album. From the honky-tonk beginning and bluesy middle to the orchestral, musical vibe of the rest of it, it fits the theme very well. Overall Review: Space opera! Particularly get the vibes from the album cover. Not really space, but there is that feel throughout - those lush epic strings and synths and electric vocal effects. I listened to this in the afternoon with sun coming in through the windows. A great setting for it. Really great, feel-good stuff. Open, epic, spacious, fun. I haven’t heard their other stuff but this is stellar, even though I may not return to every song. A quality record in this genre. 4.3/5 Favourite Songs: Turn To Stone, Starlight, Big Wheels, Summer and Lightning, Mr. Blue Sky

Track By Track Señorita - The hype, the vibe, the instrumentation - it all sounds very 2000s. Can hear this maybe in a bar or club in 2002. Production is pretty good, very tight, snappy. Like I Love You - It’s like a mixture of flamenco and this genre of pop. I don’t know if this is just me, but it sounds bordering on sleazy but also I guess just flirting. Not sure.. (Oh No) What You Got - This is actually a little long. It’s alright as a song, not loads to write home about for me. Also the synth sounds a little dated. Take It From Here - This is pretty decent. Can imagine listening to this on a CD player or a Walkman or something. With like wire earbuds. In a lift or on a tube or similar. Quite good groove. Hands making that wave motion. Cry Me a River - It’s hard to listen to this as if for the first time as it’s such a classic. Again, well produced and catchy hooks. Don’t know if it’s my favourite one but enjoyable enough to listen to. A lot of this music sounds like it would be at home played underground, like in a club or somewhere similar. Rock Your Body - Musically, this is a legitimately great song. Good mixing, instrumentation & general dancy, groovy vibe. Sounds actually a little more sleazy in the context of the album. Don’t know why that keeps coming up but hey. Nothin’ Else - This one reminds me a little of George Michael, in its style and delivery. Pretty decent tune. Actually I may have preferred George himself to perform it! Last Night - This does sound a little budget Thriller. Bit mean, but can’t dent it on this one. Also, many of these are about a minute too long! Still On My Brain - This one is ok, just seems a little forgettable as a ballad-y one if I’m honest. May have been better as a boy band piece (N-Sync??) (And She Said) Take Me Now - Can hear some more Michael Jackson inflections here. He must have been an inspiration for him for sure. Some decent vocal runs. But I didn’t particularly care for this one. Synth was a bit mid & slightly annoying. Right for Me - This sounds like it could be an interlude but it’s too long again. I just lose interest after a couple of minutes. Again, annoying synth and electronic sounds. Bit of jazz flute again? Not bad, but unfortunately even jazz flute cannot save the day here. Let’s Take a Ride - This is a quite decent smooth R’n’B-style groove. Again, very of the time. Not particularly great though. Just passable really. Never Again - Some decent progressions/playing and a good change of pace. A little long and meandering though. Overall Review: Was not aware of this album before, but had heard of Justin before. I don’t think I was massively missing out. Whilst there are a few great hits on this (particularly Rock Your Body) and the production on some is good, many of these tracks sound like filler and are too long or forgettable. It may have had more of an impact at the time but it’s not massively doing it for me as an album. Also, they could probably have edited and curated it a little better. Could easily have been 11 tracks & 45 mins. Doesn’t justify ( :) original hehe) the length. 2.3/5 Favourite Songs: Rock Your Body

Track By Track Offence - Nice beats and accompaniment. And is that a bit of flute I hear? VERY nice. She’s painting a portrait of herself in a sort of self aware and kind of witty way. Boss - Anger present here for sure, can hear/feel it. Quite nice funky, almost dirty accompaniment. Underground vibe. Not bad at all. Selfish (feat. Cleo Sol) - Got that soul (close to Sol!) feel this one. More laid back and great singing from Cleo. Wounds (feat. Chronixx) - This one is equally laid back and vibey. Her delivery on the bars is really great. Her rhythm and intonation are wicked. Venom - Like a kind of horror backing. Again, great delivery. Pretty badass song. It’s also slightly low-key, understated. Echoing that greyscale of the artwork and title. 101 FM - really liked this sample & instrumental. Fun, light and cool at the same time. Great to move to. Pressure (feat. Little Dragon) - Pretty decent. It’s quite a harsh vibe. Makes sense that the album cover is black and white. Not a huge stand out but quite good vibe. Therapy - It’s like it’s really building in intensity from the last track, musically. This is a great portrait of her personal experience but it also feels very relatable and human. Sherbert Sunset - This is like her inner monologue voiced. Like so many other songs of hers! Good lyrics. Didn’t like this quite as much musically but was alright. May be that it’s a grower. Flowers (feat. Michael Kiwanuka) - Nice refrain on this. Like it when she infuses some soul and even a smattering of jazz in tracks like this. Gives it some colour and life. Am a fan. Overall Review: I was very impressed with the lyrics, flow and general personal concept of this. She’s very honest as a rapper. Speaks to a lot of the challenges of the human experience. Discomfort with pain, difficultly with living, hope, etc. She spits bars that are very eloquent and some that are very on the nose. Some of it I found quite bleak, some witty, biting. I didn’t like every track, but did generally vibe pretty well with the whole thing. 3.4/5 Favourite Songs: 101 FM, Therapy, Flowers (feat. Michael Kiwanuka)

Track By Track Don’t Panic - The Sun is shining as I’m starting this album. Gonna be a nice listen I reckon :) I heard that Will Champion has a verse on this. It’s great to hear them swapping stuff like that in the early days and figuring stuff out. Really like this intro. It’s both big and intimate at the same time. Shiver - Lovely falsetto and melodic jumps in his vocals. Great playing and speed. Apparently this was their attempt at a Jeff Buckley song. It’s great. How it builds and weaves and flies by like it’s driven by a powerful energetic fuel. Spies - Very atmospheric. Just sounds like (haha) early Coldplay to me. Very much their sound. Intimate, slightly experimental. The delay on the guitar works well on this. Not entirely sure what he’s talking about but it’s a little like he’s precluding Viva La Vida or some of their other vaguely political or concept albums and songs. Sparks - This has really grown in popularity in the mainstream in recent years. I think perhaps because it’s such a warm and honest song. It’s like this album’s Green Eyes, to me. I always found that line ‘But I Won’t let You Down, Oh, Yes I Will, Yes I Will’ to be both sweet and cheeky at the same time. Funny. It’s like a warm autumnal hug. Perfect season for it. Lovely guitar. Yellow - Magic. So Big, So, Beautiful, So English. Highlights are the guitar and the backing vocals in the chorus. Just lift it and make it theirs. It’s just so good. Beautiful. That euphoria they do so well. As an aside, there’s also a very lovely live version they did for I think radio 1 outside the station. It’s on YouTube. Trouble - This is strong in the context of the album. I’m also noting how well it’s mixed and produced. It’s never been a stand out for me this one but I’m vibing to it. Perhaps a grower. Parachutes - This is one of my favourite interludes ever. I think it’s because it’s so satisfying as a chord progression, but still retains the early alternative sound of them as a band. Guitar sounds so alive and in the room. High Speed - This feels prophetic for the current times and likely times then (‘We’ve been living life inside a bubble’). Speaking maybe of the speed of the times. We Never Change - To me, this is speaking of the human need for connection and wanting a simple life. I resonate with it a lot and think it’s quite lovely. There’s also a voice crack towards the end, which is really lovely and earnest, human. Everything’s Not Lost - They’re so good at making songs that sound universal. That you can be in a crowd swaying. Caring songs about life. This is basically at the heart of what they do. I think they’re a really important band who have helped many people and perhaps this song has contributed to that. To providing hope amidst darkness. Life Is For Living (Bonus Track) - This is quintessential Coldplay. It’s like their little calling card. I don’t know if they play it at live shows but maybe they should. It feels so timeless. Overall Review: This is another nostalgic, quite timeless album for me. I think they are polished here in moments, but still have that raw, rock influence and sound that they started with. Quite raw and honest and very them. It’s also a very soft album, for the most part. Warm & intimate. It feels like this is their tender personality as a band in many ways. A very strong album. So human. I think this is one of the best debut albums by a band in general and certainly one of my favourites. Teetering on a 5! 4.5/5 Favourite Songs: Sparks, Yellow, Parachutes, We Never Change, Everything’s Not Lost

Track By Track Into My Arms - I instantly got a warm feeling upon hearing this. It’s so tender and beautiful. This, I believe has been played at funerals, weddings and everything in between. A universal song in many respects. Lime Tree Arbour - Enjoying the introduction of the organ. Very nice, subtle but very present. This is the first biblical sounding song here. So many of his songs actually sound very timeless and biblical/almost ancient in their origin. Like they’ve been snatched from the mists of time. Gorgeous chorus, how it rises and falls. Yearning. People Ain’t No Good - This is, of course, very sad. But it’s so brilliant melodically and the performance is really heartfelt. The yearning is also very present here too! Warren’s violin building in the final third is just the pièce de résistance. Brompton Oratory - There is a lovely live version of this on his Alexandra Palace record. Gorgeous. This version also sounds churchy but I almost prefer the piano one. It’s somehow even more raw, which communicates the aching and heartfelt, almost desperate feel of many of the songs on this album. Still, it’s a beautiful song. There Is a Kingdom - An ancient/biblical spin on a love song. It’s ,again, another strong chorus. (Are You) The One That I’ve Been Waiting For? - Great rhymes. ‘Sat and I’ve watched an ice age thaw…’ Nice. Great writing. Nice how he interweaves the bible references and lyrics of longing. Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere? - This sounds very Leonard Cohen in its amble along and the piano and guitar interplay. Less of a stand out for me. Not my favourite but still decent. West Country Girl - It’s a very apt title. Sounds like his take on a country-western song. It could even be in a movie. He has composed for soundtracks before (this one’s pretty cinematic). This has the darkness of Nick Cave that is so intoxicating and quite beautiful I find. He’s channeling something big here. Black Hair - How the accordion is used in this song is so perfect. How deeply evocative it is. Such a wonderful song. A little moment of space on the record, a vignette, a simple love song executed beautifully. Idiot Prayer - It’s almost Shakespearean, as well as religious this one. Interspersing various different turns of phrase. It’s like this song builds and floats like it’s a ship sailing along. All one long verse. Far from Me - No notes. Just perfectly executed. I really, really love this one. Despite its yearning sadness. Green Eyes - I don’t think I had heard this before. Lovely. I really could listen to him read a shopping list. Great voice. Overall Review: It’s like all the heartbreak songs in one. But done so, so well. I do have a soft spot for Nick Cave. Particularly his later work. I do not get bored of the piano really at all throughout, which is testament to the songwriting. This reminded me of how well Nick Cave does darkness and finds the pearls in the grit, the magic and beauty in the depths. There is a quote of his I really like: “The writer who refuses to explore the darker regions of the heart will never be able to write convincingly about the wonder, the magic and the joy of love … just as goodness cannot be trusted unless it has breathed the same air as evil.” So much truth in that. He’s actually been an incredibly influential artist for me. I also love the film by Ian Forsyth and Jane Pollard ‘20,000 Days On Earth’. Great film. I would say this is probably an evening album though! It is a lot of sad slowness. Stellar writing. Timeless tunes. He’s definitely got a gift. 4.5/5 Favourite Songs: Into My Arms, Lime Tree Arbour, Black Hair, Far from Me

Track By Track Zuton Fever - It’s got that slightly kooky, alternative grungy vibe that lots of early 2000’s indie records have. Quite decent, fairly catchy. Both polished and loose. Recalls bands like The Wombats, The Kooks, The Fratellis, etc. Pressure Point - Nice groove. Very decent again, though didn’t love. I have a feeling this would be great live. Think that’s a cowbell towards the end. Nice touch for the song. You Will You Won’t - This is alright but it’s a little too generic or gimmicky for my liking. Confusion - Liking the change of pace a lot. Sweet song. Good instrumentation & playing. Very nice. Havana Gang Brawl - This is decent, almost Latin vibe. Good song. The outro at the end reflects the artwork I reckon. Slightly freaky vibe. Railroad - This is a sweet, charming, trundling along song. I liked it. Slight Country influence but modernised. Long Time Coming - More Rock ‘n’ Roll, particularly in the drums. I reckon so many drummers are influenced by John Bonham. But this of course sounds more indie. A little bit Strokes in terms of the slight garage-y vibe. Nightmare, Pt. II - I really recognise this. Brilliant intro. I think it may have been used in a Gavin & Stacey episode or something like that. It’s giving me that vibe! It’s a great, jiving, rollicking tune. Not a Lot to Do - It’s a little ‘60s this one. Reminds me of the Kinks’ ‘Sunny Afternoon’, in terms of vibe. Quite nice. Good harmonies. Remember Me - This is a fun one. Actually reminds me of Paul McCartney. Possibly as I’ve just seen a video of him, but it’s got a similar jaunt. Fun, sorta summery one. Dirty Dancehall - I’m into this. It’s like walking into a kooky underground club with that band with animals from Star Wars. Interestingly jazzy/rockin’ vibes. Also can hear hints of ‘50s influence. Moons and Horror Shows - Great closer. Laid back, slightly dreamy. Overall Review: I know them as the writers of Valerie and that’s it really, so it was nice to discover some of their other material. Artwork looks very post-apocalyptic and conceptual but also has a kind of theatrical humour to it, like some of the music. They’re certainly great performers. I can hear their wide range of influences as well, from rockabilly to Latin. Overall, I found the music to be pretty fun and entertaining. Lots of solid tunes. 3.5/5 Favourite Songs: Confusion, Remember Me

Track By Track Arrogance Gave Him Up - Very ‘80s sound with those synths! Like game music, it could be from Sonic or something. Can imagine characters soaring through clouds, flying and swooping at speed. And pure instrumental. Almost like a soundtrack. Not bad. No - Again, cinematic, but in a different way for the opening. Budget Dune :) Sounds a little like Homecoming by Kanye West actually but much more ‘80s and more eerie & smoky (as in dry ice). This could be people/aliens emerging from eggs or spacecraft in a musical onstage. His vocal delivery is potentially influenced by Bowie. I can hear Bowie’s more experimental synth-pop a little. This is great in scale and very evocative. Doesn’t really do it for me melodically though. Bap De La Bap - Sounded like Radiohead for a second there - National Anthem. Maybe they were influenced! Kooky ‘80s conceptual art pop. Alright this one, but not great. Lyrics are wild and ‘80s and quite random. Gloomy Sunday - The title evokes Morrissey very much. But this is much more ‘80s synth heavy. This is both a little grating and quite hypnotic. Nude Spoons - Definitely pretty experimental with the intro. Again, it does sound cinematic. Whilst I may not be particularly enjoying the music thus far, I can appreciate the song titles and their inventiveness. Skipping - This was decent. Sounds like The Cure a little and I can also hear David Bowie’s influence on the vocal delivery. Unique melody. It’s Better This Way - Didn’t like this particularly. But I don’t love this genre particularly. Not bad guitars in it. Vocals are just weird and shouty and grating to me. Party Fears Two (Remix) - Wonder what the non remixed version was like! This was quite good. Like the climbing and angular vocal melody. Sort of decent chorus. The opening riff is also quite good. But it’s also a bit bad as well! Like he’s yelling in ‘80s screech-sing. Club Country - I don’t know if it’s because I’m quite deep into the album, but I found myself starting to throw some shapes and head-bop to the intro to this. The melody is not to my taste. It sounds the same as a lot of the other songs to me. The beat and synths however, I’m quite into. They seem to hit a little better on this song. Also the bass break is pretty good. Nothinginsomethinginparticular - More video game music. I actually really dug this. When they hit their stride on these more upbeat instrumental numbers it’s a good time as far as I’m concerned. 18 Carat Love Affair - They loved the previous track so much they couldn’t help but continue it on here. Heavily referenced. Decent extension song. Although I preferred the instrumental before! Love Hangover - Bring the ‘80s club classics! Can hear this in an alternative bar, or art school party in a warehouse. Decent. Disco vibes here. Club Country (12” Version) - Ooo those beats at the start, so naf! Kind of love it in a way. Who knew this needed a 12” 7 minute version 😵‍💫 A touch long, perhaps. I mean, you can really get into the weird artsy ‘80s groove this way. The synth felt a little Eurythmics for a minute then the bass comes in and makes it them. Fun, alternative, quite odd! Party Fears Two (Instrumental) - Nice new intro. Got that emphasis on the riff again. Really nice. Can hear the bass much clearer in this instrumental. Good bassline. Sounds like it could be quite satisfying to play. This could be a singalong, but also just a deeper dive into the instruments and what they’re doing. It’s Better This Way (Alternative Version) - I like the sort of live/studio tuning up in the beginning. This sounds more rough, although I can’t remember how the other one went! The bass, again, seems more prominent. Think I prefer this alternative version. Quite like the looser, almost operatic (at the end) vocal delivery. And Then I Read a Book (Alternative Version) - Was not expecting a burp, but this album has been a wild ride and some unexpected ‘80s stuff has gone down! Jarring melody. Rambling. Can see why this was perhaps an outtake or similar. Break was good though. Ulcragyceptimol (Alternate Version) - Jagged in rhythm and melody. I liked this a little better. I am really hearing the Bowie influence on a few of these tracks. They must have been influence by him. Skipping (Alternative Mix) - Quite nice alt. mix of this. Guitars still sound very Cure influenced. I suppose they were around at a similar time and also drew inspiration. Australia (John Leckie Recording) - I quite like when they include the jangly guitars on a track. Gives it a lift and good movement. This was decent. Again, a little rambling melody-wise. More of a groove. Me, Myself and the Tragic Story (John Leckie Recording) - These Leckie ones sound more garagey or live. There’s a rawness, an aliveness to them. This one is like an extended jam. Great playing. I Never Will (Demo) - This sounds like it’s referencing another track (The Party one??). I’m enjoying the raw, demo nature of this. Club Country (Demo) - This was very grating. I get that it’s a demo, but this was very rough. Sounded quite bad. A tough listen. Grecian 2000 - Ending with a disco nod. Quite nice. These were some of the higher points on the album for me. The Room We Sat In Before (from another version of the album) - Dissonance reigning. The vocals sound more isolated and different. Perhaps as this is a remaster. But there aren’t any effects or anything. Reverb and such. I kind of like just hearing his voice in a more raw format. It’s somehow more effective this way. Overall Review: Blimey. This was a ride. So much music! It definitely had its highlights, although many of the songs were quite forgettable. I enjoyed the riffs and choruses when they were good, but I am just not a big fan of this kind of ‘80s new wave pop. Cool album cover as well. I am enjoying the colours. It’s like an art/theatre piece. Also - this album is WAY too long. Especially this version. I don’t know what Apple Music has presented me with, the deluxe version or what, but it’s excessive. 2.3/5 Favourite Songs: Arrogance Gave Him Up, Party Fears Two (Remix), Nothinginsomethinginparticular

Track By Track Watch That Man - Lots of fun. Great song. Like it’s taken the best elements from Rock n’ Roll and glammed it up, given it a makeover and had a party. Great piano and guitar. Gospel backing vocals are also an excellent touch. Aladdin Sane - Very atmospheric. Great piano creating the mysterious vibes. It’s also a clever pun/double meaning, for sure. It devolves into a quirky chorus and eventual breakdown that’s almost free jazz or experimental in its style. It’s like a drug trip perhaps or a head wheeling in crazy avenues of fame. Drive-In Saturday - This sounds like a classic, that could be included in Grease or something like that. Gotta love that sax in the chorus. Panic In Detroit - Not a stand out for me but still good driving energy. It’s both ordered and chaotic, this one. Cracked Actor - I was first introduced to this by my friend from school and I remember really enjoying it as a teen. So raw and druggy. It’s a great stonking riff. Sounds very classic rock and liking the harmonica as well. Time - There are a lot of piano based, almost Liberace-esque tunes like this on the album. Very epic, theatrical stuff that Bowie does very well. Very much a world unto their own. Can imagine swaying to it by the end! Swaying with buddies! Lighters/electric torches out! The Prettiest Star - Had heard this before and it’s a great number. Reminds me of doing a Bowie musical. This wasn’t in it I don’t think but loads of fun! Let’s Spend The Night Together - This sounds very loose and jam-session-y. Spontaneous even. Great stuff. I do prefer the original but was enjoyable enough. Makes sense that him, The Stones and maybe The Beatles were all hanging out in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The Jean Genie - Oh yeah. Really great one. Pounding rock n’ roll riffs. Brilliant. Can imagine rock musician clad in denim, rocking out. And there’s magic involved too. Glitter, star lights in multi colour. Red, blue bit of green maybe. Rockin’. Vibin. Lady Grinning Soul - Feel about this one similarly to the final track of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, ‘Gold Dust Woman’ - I have to be in the mood. But actually, listening to this loud, it is great. The piano/arrangement lends it its mystery and almost airy, jazz-bar like feel. Overall Review: Bold, solid, stonking, strong riffs pretty much throughout. Really liked the theatrical concept (continued on from Ziggy Stardust) of it. I read that he said it was like Ziggy going ‘to America’. It’s quite general sounding in terms of theme. Perhaps commenting on fame and its ups and downs. Not my favourite Bowie album but I was very impressed with the writing and the musicianship. Brilliant, theatrical performances. Loved them! Also good length, 10 tracks, in & out. Great. 3.9/5 Favourite Songs: Watch That Man, Drive-In Saturday, The Prettiest Star, The Jean Genie

Track By Track Stripped Intro - Oo it’s like I’ve stepped into a space station! So futuristic and space vibes! Can imagine smoke, etc. setting the scene for sure. Makes me think this could be a concept album. But also personal. Can’t Hold Us Down (feat. Lil’ Kim) - RnB vibes happening. Very early 2000s! Pretty decent musically. Harmonies are nice. Hands making that wave shape. An empowerment and ‘fuck you, patriarchy’ song it sounds like. Nice bars! By the end it’s like it’s turned into a different song almost. Walk Away - Smooth RnB. Vibey for sure. Great vocal runs. Just let it groove in the background. So sassy and fun. Fighter - Very smooth, effortless segue from the previous one. Good fun this one. Guitars are apt here. Sounds so of the time as well! You could probably play this at a house party in 2002 and it would go down well. That sort of vibe I’m getting. Primer Amor Interlude - Went so smooth I hadn’t even noticed the track had changed. These interludes are sleekly tying together the songs on the album. Infatuation - Liking this flamenco (?) vibe. Fun time. Loves Embrace Interlude - I do like a good, tuneful, atmospheric interlude. Lovely lush strings. Loving Me 4 Me - Slow, mellow. Reminds me a bit of Girls Aloud or the Sugababes. Again, harmonies are really strong and idiosyncratic. Self pleasure, sensual. Impossible - Alicia! Lovely piano. Lovely to have another songwriter feature on this. Great performances and writing. Can hear Alicia’s belting and soulful melodies coming through strongly and brilliantly sung by Christina. Cool collab! Underappreciated - Another nice slow groove with smooth as silk harmonies. Very specific to early ‘00s in the production. Decent. Beautiful - Ballad. Sounds a little Mariah Carey. Soon as the chorus came in I was all ‘oh!’. Yes great song, great song. Into it for sure. Brilliantly written and works very well on this album. Make Over - The mix of Spanish guitar and beats really works here. It’s not a huge stand out but good and enjoyed the feel/rhythm. Cruz - Ok I’m into this. Ballads and harmonies combining. Belting vocals. Great stuff. I’m a bit of a sucker for these kinds of songs. Soar - We’re on a roll with the piano songs. Going for it. Nice. Moving, grooving, very much into this as well. Get Mine, Get Yours - Still strong vibes. Liking, not quite as much as the others, but still good. Dirrty (feat. Redman) - Haha, this sounds in the sort of Pitbull, party realm. Quite brilliant for the club for sure. Not my favourite though. Stripped, Pt. 2 - Playing out the club anthem superbly. The Voice Within - Really strong. Great tune. Lovely vocal runs and chord changes. Brilliantly crafted pop song. Sounds quite classic as well. Can hear someone like Leona Lewis singing this very well. I’m Ok - I’m weirdly thinking of Pink Floyd here. It’s like ‘The Wall’ or something! Nice change with the acoustic guitar. Heartfelt one. Sweet and tender. Keep On Singin’ My Song - Good, sweet, soulful closer. Could be possibly part of a movie during this era. But not even. It’s a great stand-alone. Hopeful, sunshine song. Great spoken word finish lol. Overall Review: I imagine that this was a classic in its day but I’d never heard of it. Definitely been educated here! Pretty strong production and performances all round. Very sprawling and long. It’s essentially a double album. It is very well crafted though. Tied together nicely, flows well. Strong writing throughout. It grew on me as I went through it. I’m also realising, given the subject matter of some of the songs, how much inherent sexism there must’ve been (and likely still is) in the music industry. Also within me, I saw the parts of my mind that are a bit intimidated by and feel defensive about some of the songs here. That’s also the judgment of the patriarchy I’m seeing. I learned and grew a lot as I was listening to this album. Felt humbled. Aside from this though, initially my apprehension was also fuelled by me not loving this genre of 2000s pop that much. By the end of the album though, I was so on board and loving the world of the album. Never really heard Christina’s stuff aside from a couple of famous tracks. It’s not usually my thing in terms of melody or genre but I was impressed! Granted, gotta be in the mood and not my favourite kind of music but I was here for a lot of it! It’s really a mid-3 for me but the ballads are so strong that I’ll be generous and bump it up to a four. 3.6/5 Favourite Songs: Infatuation, Impossible, Beautiful, Cruz

Track By Track Spinning Song - There is a live version of this on his Alexandra Palace album. It’s been sparse and different and I love it. This has so much more texture and depth, as well as being sparse. It’s longer and deeper and more raw. It’s hard to compare the two actually. It’s like they are two different songs. It’s simultaneously religious, mysterious and human. Bright Horses - The imagery is so vivid in this song. This whole album seems to invite one to pause and sit with what it’s conjuring. Lovely outro. Expectant. Waiting for You - The drums in the intro are like the train from the previous song. Swirling into the chords of this really rather beautiful ballad. I hadn’t noticed as much before, but his voice sounds so aching, stretched and yearning on this. Night Raid - I didn’t like this quite as much musically. The lyrics are lovely though and the bursts of harmonies. Sun Forest - This very much paints a sparse picture. I can see glimmering trees and lights. Knowing the context, it’s beautiful. Galleon Ship - Beautiful song. Poetic, magical, universal. This I feel is the most accessible song on here and it really shines. There’s a lovely version in the film of Marianne Faithfull reading a passage from something beforehand. Also the acoustic version from Idiot Prayer is lovely. Ghosteen Speaks - This was beautiful. From beginning to end. The grand, chilling, atmospheric opening. It feels like home from the start. Leviathan - This could be a straightforward love song, but in the context of this album, it’s got this whole other depth and meaning. It also sounds like journeying into the depths of the forest of grief. There’s magic there and mystery and stars. A voyage. Ghosteen - I mean, this is such a magical journey. Like the album almost, in 10-minute vignette form. The ‘Ghosteen Dances’ swell is perhaps my favourite part. So tender, his voice in all of this. Fireflies - This is both beautiful and gargantuan. So tender and human. Hollywood - He sounds wrought with grief, almost resigned in the beginning. He sounds pensive and reflective throughout. But also angry. Some of it sounds like a hollowed out, ghostly version of a rock tune from his earlier days. The images are beautiful. Overall Review: A deeply moving piece. This is a funny album to be rating. It’s such a cohesive piece in and of itself. It’s almost beyond good and bad. It’s either quite low or quite high. Definitely not a normal album. I certainly didn’t love all of it. But it’s so evocative of the emotions he’s trying to convey (grief, sadness, longing, love). There is also magic and mystery present. It sounds transcendent in parts, in the sense that it’s speaking about and painting other realms. It’s a little like it’s out of time. Beautiful, really. I was definitely taken on a journey. 4.8/5 Favourite Songs: Galleon Ship, Ghosteen

Track By Track Start - Rough but also curated noise. Synth and magic. Then phone sounds! A proper journey. Thinkin Bout You - I actually first heard this properly because of Flea’s cover on his recent album. It’s a great tune. Very smooth and vibey. I like! This has permeated the culture quite a bit I’m aware - but it sort of passed me by actually. Fertilizer - This makes me think of him as a bit of a musical magpie, or even maverick, who will sample stuff he likes and weave it into what sounds like a mixtape, or a dj mix of some kind. I liked this too. Sierra Leone - Went from the last track into this really nicely. Good flow. Enjoying this vibe. Good harmonies and melodies. Sweet Life - Nice, chill, beachy, relaxing vibes on this. Not Just Money - Another interlude of sorts. Good precursor for the next one. Not much else to say! Super Rich Kids (feat. Earl Sweatshirt) - Again, cool vibes for sure. Didn’t like this as much, blends into the background almost. Kind of a dooby, lazy song in terms of rhythm and pace. Some honest lyrics. Pilot Jones - This is like an echo of an interlude, particularly in the beginning. Nice hooks laced throughout. Quite like the ending synth part, like it’s arriving home. His tenderness coming through here also. Crack Rock - Good groove. Liking the rhymes and vocal rhythms as well. It’s got that loose and aching feeling of being down and out. It also seems to echo soul and people like Marvin Gaye actually. Pyramids - This was a nice groove. Like a pop odyssey. I preferred the start of it to the end and where it got to. Lost - Not bad. Decent vibe, didn’t really love as much as some others. White (feat. John Mayer) - Always like a bit of John Mayer in a tune. Very much contributed to the groovy, chilled vibe. Monks - This has great drums and bass. Good licks and fills and unique beats happening. Meandering melodies happening. Great. Bad Religion - Nice little change of pace. More pensive. I like this little vignette. Sounds personal. Pink Matter (feat. André 3000) - I remember Pink and White I think is on the other album. Maybe pink is a motif for him. The strings are lovely. Good rap from André. Guitars rocking and blues-lickin’. Very nice. Forrest Gump - I really liked this. Great portrait. Very sweet. Good vibes indeed. End - Like it’s being heard from the other room. Going in and out. A fitting vibe track for the end of the album. Echoey, sample-filled. Both diegetic (or life) sounds and non happening. (Those aren’t the right terms but hey!) Nice work Mr. Ocean. Overall Review: I had definitely heard of Frank going into this but actually I’ve never been able to connect with much of his music. I was impressed with this though. His music has always felt to me more of a vibe rather than having a collection of standout tracks. It has that mixtape feel, as I mentioned earlier. Sampling-wise, potentially influenced by The Avalanches or other similar artists? Definitely meant to be listened to as a whole flowing piece. It didn’t all have an effect on me but there were many moments I was vibing out for real. Head-nodding. 3.8/5 Favourite Songs: Thinkin Bout You, Crack Rock, Bad Religion, Forrest Gump

Track By Track Isi - Lovely opening chords. Sounds like it could go anywhere. Sounding a little pop-electro vibe. Nice! Seeland - Very atmospheric. I’m seeing a slightly poppier David Lynch’s Dune in my mind! Cinematic for sure. I really liked this a lot! Leb Wohl - Lovely segue. It’s sounding like more of an ambient album at this point. Good mix of natural and synthetic sounds. Sounds a little like a more hippie Brian Eno or even Sigur Ros. Pretty vibe. Slow, peaceful, slightly kooky, meditative. Really into it. Hero - This was also quite fun. Slightly cheesy ‘80s vibe. Almost montage music in the beginning :) Liked it, but did not care for the vocals much. Ad-libbing to the max! E-Musik - At first thought this was a little boring and repetitive, but as it went on I found it quite meditative/enthralling almost and I got into it. After Eight - Not sure about the choice for this closer! It’s like a very niche Velvet Underground outtake but Kraut-ified. Not bad, but I did not enjoy as much as some of the others. Overall Review: A lovely surprise and discovery! Had never heard of this band before. Really great and unique soundscapes. They have a very loose style, as well as being very bold in their choices of instrumentation. They seem to do what they want and I do respect that. 3.4/5 Favourite Songs: Isi, Leb Wohl

Track By Track This is a Call - This is all him! I hadn’t realised that he plays essentially all the instruments on this album. That Foo Fighters really started with him. Sounds very raw but also flowing and polished. Good song. I’ll Stick Around - Carrying on the energy brilliantly. Driving forward! Great flying energy on this track. A fan. I like the punky-grungy energy on it as well. Reminds me of the echoes of Nirvana. That drawl and production. Big Me - This is like a cute, jangly ‘90s movie montage. Lovely song. Works very well. Great chords throughout and really liked the end one. Alone + Easy Target - Again the Nirvana drawl. Can hear Kurt’s influence on this one. Good echoes on the guitars. Good Grief - More thrashy and very loose. Grinding and grungy energy to this. Good guitar. Not a favourite. Floaty - Liked the intro. Not a huge fan of the melody though. A little jagged and meandering. Kind of apt title though. Weenie Beenie - This is a crunchy one. Verging on metal, particularly with the vocals. They also literally sound metallic, like they’re being filtered through a really crap speaker. Not a big fan of this. Oh, George - A nice float and plane-like quality to the rhythm. Nice vibes. Still leaning into the grungy, thrashy sound. Good guitar. Very simple but effective solo. For All the Cows - Nice switch up. Groovy. Nice melody. Like a poem or something. I do like the softer cuts on this record. X-Static - It reminds me a bit of punk. Or at least influenced by it. It’s almost like noise. Works well as moody, grungy ambience. Wattershed - More thrash, too much thrash. Did not like particularly. Exhausted - A decent enough closer but so hissy and fuzzy! Maybe that’s the point though as a lot of this album is fairly raw. Overall Review: My birth year! This album is only a tiny bit older than me I think. Enjoyed the sound, a little more than I thought I would. Although not every track did it for me. Especially the thrashier metal scream-o ones. But fairly decent overall. 3.2/5 Favourite Songs: Big Me, For All the Cows

Track By Track Ponta De Lanca Africano - Really nice effects on the guitar (a slight flange I think!). I recognise the refrain too. Great stuff. Lovely, sort of funky groove. Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu - Equally great. Continuing in the funky vibe. Like the harmonies, backing vocals. Mixed well. O Filósofo - This sounds like a classic in many ways. Reminds me of the jaunt, humour and bounce of many of the samba-like tunes in the film ‘Nacho Libre’. Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro - Lovely guitar in the intro. Funky vibing. Nice how it has a slow intro and builds. Again with the backing vocals, it’s nice having a sort of family vibe, lots of life happening in this music. O Plebeu - Again, another Nacho Libre-esque track! Loving this vibe very much. The fun, funky, slightly goofy sound effects really lend a lightness to it. Lots of fun. Taj Mahal - Great variety on this. This is a great upbeat one with a recognisable refrain. Enjoying boogieing to this one :) Xica da Silva - Lovely with the flute (I think!) adding some cool flavour. Jazzy. Liking the groove on this one. A História De Jorge - Perhaps more personal. Big band almost madri gras influenced. A little parade-like. Good one. Nice movemenf to it. Camisa 10 de Gavea - Strong one. Lovely funk guitar at the start. Kind of infectious as a beat. Camisa is shirt I think? Speaking about funky fashion? Not entirely sure. Cavaleiro do Cavalo Imaculado - Great rhythms and improvisation on this one. Fast paced and brilliant. África Brazil (Zumbi) - Cool change of pace and instrumentation with the piano intro. Didn’t like the vocals as much in this one. A little grating at times. But still good groove. Overall Review: I really enjoyed this for the most part! Great grooves, rhythms and blending of various genres. I think I had heard of him before. Perhaps heard one or two tracks growing up. A fun, quite relaxed atmosphere and vibe throughout. Nice to have a totally different genre to explore as well. 3.7/5 Favourite Songs: O Filósofo, O Plebeu

Track By Track The Genesis - GREAT rap intro. Sets the scene really well. Ambience and nice beats/flows. Can hear this is a classic immediately. N.Y. State of Mind - Like the beat. It works with the piano also. His bars are great. Brilliant pace and the rhymes are cool and varied. Almost epic but also personal vibe. Life’s a Bitch (feat. AZ & Olu Dara) - So smooth. Great. I think I heard this first in the film Fish Tank. It’s so great. His verses are tight and cool. Good refrain. A proper head-nodder. Really cool jazzy vibes laced throughout. Influenced potentially by the New York Scene. Also cool that his dad is on this track. The World Is Yours - This tracklist is so awesome so far. Again, great bars. Liking the record scratches and samples. They work well. Very well produced and mixed. Halftime - His boastfulness seems valid. These are great lines. Another good one. Like the beats and groove. Memory Lane (Sittin’ in da Park) - Nice Hammond (I think?) from the sample. Compliments the verses really well. Adds to the flow. One Love (feat. Q Tip) - Nice feature. But more low key backing on this one. Works fairly well, pretty sparse. One Time 4 Your Mind - Really great. Loved this one. Just sounds deep and groovin. Top quality rap tune. Almost the heart of it all. Represent - A good portrait of his neighbourhood :) Repping the people in his life. Lovely bars, just lovely. His timing is on point. Impeccable. It Ain’t Hard to Tell - Very tight verses. Good speed variation. Sounds nice and soulful. I’d have had maybe an instrumental of just acapella/spoken word closer myself. But it does also leave you wanting more, like a cliffhanger for the next project. Overall Review: Really really great. A head-nodder and flower for sure. I really enjoyed the samples, the beats and instruments. He’s really carrying it all though, with brilliant rhymes and bars. His rhythm is great. Some of the backing was a little samey but it was so strong overall. Can understand how it’s highly rated and influential. Fantastic debut. He’s got proper talent. Well done Nas. 4.3/5 Favourite Songs: Life’s a Bitch (feat. AZ & Olu Dara), Memory Lane (Sittin’ in da Park), One Time 4 Your Mind

Track By Track Janie Jones - Good guitar and bass in the mix. A nice pace to this song as well. Not bad! I enjoyed the crowd-like band vocals on the chorus. Remote Control - The vocals do sound a bit drawly and stretched. I’m not a huge fan. I do quite like the melody of this though. I’m so Bored With The U.S.A. - Decent enough guitar intro. I like the verse a lot. Little guitar stabs and chords, very nice. White Riot - The punk energy is very much here and it does come through. Unfortunately I’m not a fan of this genre. Hate & War - This recalls the jangly sound of the Smiths, at least at the beginning. Good intro. Not bad verses, trundles along. Very short and sharp. What’s My Name - Echoey! Oh so very simple and punky. Noises also. Reckon this would probably go down well in an underground club or perhaps a festival or somewhere. Deny - This does sound like a quite similar vibe to a few of the other songs. It’s quite dramatic in terms of the delivery and the chord progression. Rising and falling. Drawly as well I’d say. London’s Burning - It’s just very shouty! And simple. That’s partially why I don’t like this genre. Career Opportunities - Speaking to the people on this one. Fairly relatable, probably at the time. Anti-establishment and the like. Didn’t love this though. Cheat - Not a huge fan of this although I did like the guitar solo. Protex Blue - Great drums. Kind of snappy chorus. Fairly decent this one! Also a nice solo. It’s another snappy one as well - it gets in and out. Does what it needs to do. I respect that. Police & Thieves - This is a much welcome change of pace. Good cover. Solid tune. Liking the bass a lot in this. It really carries it from the background. Fun part to play I’m sure. Background vocals also on point. A nice balance of ordered and sloppy, tight and loose in its groove. 48 Hours - Back to the same vibe unfortunately :( Sad times. Not great. Sort of forgettable! Although I’m aware it’s not trying to be catchy pop. Garageland - Liking the introduction of the harmonica, although I’m gasping for any variation at this point! A decent song and as good a closer as any, for this project. Overall Review: So the Clash are my favourite punk band, even though I really don’t like the genre very much. I have mixed opinions of them. I do hope Combat Rock (their best album in my opinion) is on this list. Would quite like to review that. This is them perhaps at their most raw. There were some highlights for sure, but it’s punk and it’s all so samey! I am aware that they do mature in their sound and get more experimental. Not terrible but did not enjoy very much overall. 2.3/5 Favourite Songs: I’m so Bored With The U.S.A., Police & Thieves

Track By Track Street Life - Oh, this is very smooth indeed. Buttery soft, in fact. The intro was like a smoother, sexier, midnight cowboy. Nice vocals! Wasn’t expecting them when I saw it was a jazz album. There’s disco here too. Lots of groove going on. Very nice indeed. Brilliant solos too. This track has it all! My Lady - They’re going for the long vibey groovers on this one and I’m on board to be honest! Very nice! Rodeo Drive (High Steppin’) - This is a lovely continuation. It’s like this and the last one are one long continuous track. A groove that just keeps on movin’. Vibin’ to the max. Carnival of the Night - Can imagine the scenes prompted by the title. It’s apt, it’s vibey as ever. I’m into it. Can imagine myself or people struttin’ their stuff in some glam threads down the evening sidewalk in New York or somewhere similar to this. The Hustler - Nice one, although this one and the last do sound fairly similar. But a definite vibe. I’m into it. Great guitar work. He’s bending and dripping jazzy vibes on those licks. Night Faces - This went by quite lovelily in the background. Nice! Overall Review: I just want to mention that this is my first night in my new place! Been a massive project moving but I’m here now and this is a lovely soundtrack. I’m Vibin’ and groovin’. It’s a nice dose of funk/disco/jazz. Very late night. Really liked the first track in particular. It did start to get a touch samey but this was my only real complaint. Very vibey album and great background potterinf music. 3.5/5 Favourite Songs: Street Life