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