Firstly, Summer Breeze is the only Isley Brothers song I knew before listening to this album and it’s banger for driving on an open road when the sun is out. The rest of this album I could take or leave. Good for some Friday evening background music for winding down and not much else.
2.5
I thought I liked the Cure. Maybe I don’t…
Had to resist the urge to skip the songs which I found to be repetitive. The highlight for me was definitely A Forest which I really enjoyed when the beat kicked in.
2.0
It’s impossible not to dance when you hear ‘I Bet You Would Look Good on the Dancefloor’.
Classic indie rock with a Yorkshire twist making it unbeatable.
Mardy Bum is one of my favourite songs of all time because we can all relate to when ‘you’ve got the face on’. Also shout out to the introduction of ‘When the Sun Goes Down’ which is iconic!
‘Up up and away’ a brilliant debut album but not my favourite Arctic Monkeys. A fabulous 4.5 from me - it has some of my absolute favourites but also a few songs I’m not fussed about.
I do like the variety of music styles on this album, some up beat with some folky and country vibes creeping in later in the album. Drive My Car is undoubtedly very catchy and I like the melody in Norwegian Wood. Unfortunately this is far from the best of the Beatles and Run for Your Life is problematic enough to nearly ruin the whole album for me. It’s a 2.5.
This was an exciting new discovery for me. I enjoyed the raw, under stated nature of this album - a guitar and a voice. The rhythm of the title song was definitely the highlight for me. It’s an album I’d revisit.
I enjoyed Nick Drake’s voice but I probably prefer music with a bit more vocal range. It’s clear how Damien Rice has been inspired by Nick Drake and his vocal range with soft and strong is more appealing to me. I would also like a bit more lyrical complexity than this album offers.
For me it’s a strong 3.5.
I feel very torn about this album. I love the lyrics across these songs but find the musical style a bit hit and miss. The rockier and piano moments worked better for me. I struggled with the parts which sounded like they should be featured in a cheesy (and a bit sleezy) romance scene in a Roger Moore James Bond movie.
I would definitely revisit this album and think I would come to love many of these songs.
My initial favourites were: Movin’ Out, Just the Way You Are and She’s Always a Woman.
A solid 4.0 for me on the expectation that I’d grow to love this album after a few more listens.
Nah - not my favourite genre and this certainly isn’t the best of its kind. Just a bit meh for me.
1.5
Middle of the road for me. Strength of Strings was the highlight. I didn't hate but wouldn't rush to revisit.
A 2.5
Is it just me or is there musically a fine line between psychedelic rock and Christian camp music? The bells and percussion don’t do it for me.
Having said that, I enjoyed the more musically complex songs. Stronger at the beginning and end of the album. Time of the Season is the only song I knew and I do like it but it’s very different to the rest of the album - a lot smoother. If the rest of their album were like this it would be better overall.
A 3.0
I love Bruce Springsteen so much. He’s my ultimate, and that voice is just epic. Born in the U.S.A. isn’t my favourite album of his, but it’s still an excellent record.
Controversially, I actually think the title track is a bit overrated. Musically, it’s far from his best, but I do love the anti-establishment sentiment behind it, which runs throughout the album.
Dancing in the Dark, though, is one of my favourite songs of all time. “Wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face” — honestly, what a lyric. I never get tired of it. I’m on Fire is another absolute favourite, and Glory Days is just brilliant.
It might not be my number one Bruce album, but it’s packed with incredible songs, that unmistakable voice, and all the heart and grit that make me love him so much. The Boss, always.
Rating 4.5
This isn’t really my genre so I’ve tried to give it a couple of listens and a fair chance. It’s definitely grown on me and I can see how this would have been ground breaking when it came out. A couple of tunes I recognised. Wasn’t keen on the Queen remix but generally it made me want to break out the dodgy dance moves.
Raging: 3.0
Hit and miss this one. Lady Jane is a classic but overall the album (and particularly Going Home) drags. Wasn’t a fan of the country moments
Rating: 2.5
I like the Beach Boys but think this style of music should remain in the past rather than being revived in the 00s. A bit too chaotic. Would be well placed at a fairground or on a kid’s tv show.
Rating: 1.5
A new discovery for me. I really enjoyed this album and it’s definitely one I’ll revisit. Found myself humming Heart of Gold after listening.
Highlights: I actually enjoyed every song on this album but especially the opening track and The Needle and the Damage Done.
Rating: 4.0
I have to admit, on first listen I found Dusty in Memphis quite old-fashioned, and the style of music didn't immediately grab me. However, after a couple of listens I definitely started to warm to it and found myself enjoying it on its own terms. I think the more soulful tracks are where the album really shines, particularly when Dusty shows a bit more variety in her vocals, which makes the songs feel much more exciting and engaging.
Son of a Preacher Man and Breakfast in Bed are both absolutely superb. I love how effortlessly sexy they are, and there's something about Dusty's delivery on these tracks that really draws me in.
Not an album I instantly fell in love with, but definitely one that grew on me, and I can see myself enjoying it more with further listens. Will defo be revisiting this one.
Rating: 3.5
I'd never heard any of the songs on this album before, so went into it with no real expectations. Overall, it's a solid album and a very easy listen, but equally there wasn't anything that particularly blew me away or felt hugely memorable.
What I did find interesting was how much you can hear the beginnings of the American indie pop sound that would become so popular in the 90s and 00s. Some of the melodies and guitar sounds feel surprisingly familiar, and one of the songs literally sounds like the intro to Stacy's Mom! I can definitely see how this album might have been quite ahead of its time and influenced a lot of what came later.
Nothing bad here at all, and I can appreciate its place in music history, but ultimately it's just an okay album for me.
Rating: 3.0
Every song on this album is far too long. Otherwise I enjoyed the vibe.
Rating: 3.0
Another completely new album for me and one that I absolutely loved! Elizabeth Fraser's voice is superb and really makes the album something special. I was getting definite Cranberries vibes at points, particularly in the way her vocals float over the music, and I loved the dreamy and atmospheric.
The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars is that it does feel a little too much like background music at times. As much as I loved the overall sound, there weren't quite enough moments that really grabbed me or demanded my attention. That said, it's a gorgeous album and a really enjoyable discovery.
Rating: 4.0
Another completely new album for me and one that's very far outside my usual taste in music. I've never really been a fan of heavy metal, so I wasn't expecting to enjoy this anywhere near as much as I did. However, it's pretty clear why Metallica are so highly regarded, and if this is heavy metal at its best, I can definitely appreciate the genre a lot more than I thought I would!
What I found particularly impressive was how cleverly they move between softer, more melodic moments and the really heavy stuff. The way some of the songs build up and then suddenly explode into something much more intense is brilliant, and gives the music a lot more variety than I was expecting. The Unforgiven, Wherever I May Roam and Nothing Else Matters were particular highlights for me, and I loved how they showed different sides of the band's sound.
Rating: 3.5
Having listened to this album, I have to admit I'm feeling pretty indifferent about it. I thought the first half was fine and there were some enjoyable moments, but nothing that particularly grabbed me or made a lasting impression.
I think I also made the mistake of listening to the outtakes, which really put me off towards the end. I found them quite jarring and didn't particularly enjoy the experience, which probably left me with a slightly more negative impression of the album overall.
Rating: 2.5
My first jazz album for a while and a pleasant change from what I've been listening to recently. I can definitely appreciate the musicianship and the lovely, relaxed atmosphere throughout. I'd be very happy listening to this in a nice cocktail bar whilst sipping a martini, but I'm not sure it really has a place in my home. An enjoyable listen in the right setting, but probably not something I'd choose to put on regularly.
Rating: 3.0
I think I just didn’t get it…
Rating: 1.5
