I don’t mind admitting that I was pleasantly surprised with this one. I thought I would have to sit through airy fairy wailing songs, but instead there were fantastic 90’s dance beats, strong vocals and top production and arrangements.
Started strong and got better. Really struggled deciding between 4 or 5 star rating.
I love The Who. Who's Next is one of my favourite albums. But, somehow Tommy just leaves me cold. I don't know if it's because I have to listen to it in full to get the full experience, and 75 minutes is too much to give it undivded attention, but I just never 'get' it.
To me, Pete Townshend, is one of the all-time greats for songwriting and guitar playing. I've read about how technically difficult it is to correctly play the chords on Pinball Wizard, and this goes to show how much went in to creating this album, yet I still find myself longing for a 'Won't Get Fooled Again' track.
Perhaps I need to sit in a darkened room, consume some illicit substance and be totally mesmerised by it, then I will eventually understand it fully, but until then, it gets a middle-of-the-road three stars.
Standout track - Pinball Wizard (obviously)
Didn’t mind this. It was nice background. Won’t be in a rush to play it again but won’t be turning it off if I start listening to it again.
Good mix of songs and was just about the right length
I haven't listened to a full Fleetwood Mac album in its entirety before, just the odd song here and there on the radio, so this was a nice chance to do that.
Having read notes about how this album was made, I was intrigued to see how it played out, and I liked the chopping and changing of styles between tracks. The switch from the chilled out Sara to the Sgt. Pepper-esque (in my opinion) What Makes You Think You're the One was interesting.
I wouldn't say I'm a die-hard Fleetwood Mac fan, but I'm never adverse to hearing their music. I think four stars is probably just about right for this. When Rumours comes round, I'm sure I will revisit Tusk afterwards.
Standout track - Tusk
Chilled easy listening, and when one of Frank’s songs comes on, you can’t help but get drawn into it. BUT, a whole album of songs all starting to sound the same, is a bit too much. Giving this three stars is about fair in my view
Paul McCartney... my second favourite solo Beatle after George Harrison. This is the only solo album of his I have listened to fully, but is a fairly standard early 70's offering.
Perhaps it was the initial recording in an under-equipped studio in Nigeria that makes it feel slightly empty and lacking a punch. Maybe it's just me, but thinking about it now, for someone at the level of Paul McCartney, I would expect more 'bangers', and not so many of the filler tracks such as Mrs. Vandebilt.
Still, I enjoyed revisiting this album, and feel it's worthy of four stars
Standout tracks - Jet & Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five
The mid to late 90’s for me was when I was really getting into bands. It was the middle of the Britpop era, and I was playing Urban Hymns and Be Here Now on repeat. I missed out on A Northern Soul and never really got round to listening it back then. So I was glad I finally got a chance to listen to it now…
And for 50 minutes, I was taken back in time to being 13 again. Richard Ashcroft’s vocals. Nick McCabe’s guitar. It stirred memories. It’s very rare for an album to do that for me. But I’m sitting here reminiscing about times gone by.
I can’t rate this album any less than five stars. It’s stirred something in me. I will probably listen to it again countless times, and I’m grateful it came up as my pick.
Standout tracks - I can’t pick all of them, so I’ll go with A New Decade & Brainstorm Interlude
There’s the age-old joke about putting on a Massive Attack record, and a baby will be conceived… Well, not on this listen, but I have to admit, having not listened to a full album of theirs before, it wasn’t too bad.
It’s clear this is a very well thought out record, every beat, note, effect is deliberate and is placed exactly where it should be to create what is not a bad listen. Wouldn’t be top of my list to replay again, but still glad to have had the chance to hear it. Can’t add a half star on ratings, otherwise I’d go for 3.5, so a toss-up between 3&4 ultimately leading to 3 stars.
Standout tracks - Weather Storm & Euro Child
I mean, it’s the White Album. ‘Nuff said. It was always going to be five stars. Just happy to have the chance to listen to it in full.
Standout tracks - Dear Prudence, Blackbird, & Helter Skelter
Admittedly, the only Johnny Cash song I’ve ever sat down and listened to in full is A Boy Named Sue. I’ve listened to snippets of Hurt when it’s been used in a programme or film, so i was looking forward to just being able to focus on it.
I’m torn on this album. It starts off incredibly, The Man Comes Around and Hurt are just fantastic and I could listen to them over and over. But then we get to halfway through the record, and First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Danny Boy had me wanting to turn it off.
Maybe 15 tracks at 52 minutes is too long. After track 5, I’m struggling to get through the rest of the songs. It could have been cut down by a third. But… then I’m back at the first two tracks of the album. Those two songs on their own would be enough for five stars. The rest of the album, however, I’m going to have to go for three.
Standout tracks - The Man Comes Around and Hurt
I forced myself to listen to a Radiohead album, so I suppose I owe it to Norah to listen to hers. But my god I wanted to turn it off. I could tolerate one track if it came on the radio. Maybe. But if you’d have said it was the same song on repeat I would have fallen for it.
Apparently there’s a Super Deluxe version of this album with two additional discs. Such excite.
One out of five for this album. Five out of five for me actually making it to the end.
Standout track - Seven Years
As a white male in his 40’s I suppose I fit the demographic for Radio 2. Which is what exactly this album does. It’s an inoffensive pop record. Exactly the type of songs that would be played to take us to the 11.00 news. Middle of the road.
It’s very well put together and Aimee Mann has a great voice, but I couldn’t help feel that overall there was something lacking. A solid middle of the road 3 out of 5 for me.
Standout track - Stupid Thing
I’ve tried to get into punk… I like some, Ramones, Psychedelic Furs and The Stranglers. But I just can’t get into this album. To me, it’s lacking something. I don’t know if I’m expecting too much. But it just doesn’t seem as punchy and in your face as I’d expect a punk record to be.
Probably won’t be listening to this one again, two out of five for me.
Standout track - Adult Books
The limit of my country music knowledge is K-Rose radio from GTA San Andreas. All My Exes Live In Texas etc. so let’s give this a go. Anything has to be better than the last two records I’ve had to listen to.
Well, I didn’t want to turn it off straight away. I can have it on in the background while I cruise around Bone County helping Catalina hold up a liquor store. But as usual, I’ll end up going back to K-DST or Radio Los Santos.
Is this enough words now? I can’t think of anything else to write. Oh yeah, two out of five.
Standout track - Love Hurts
I love a 10 minute+ prog track. Something that I can just drift off into my own loudly dream world. So, this album ticks those boxes. And with the added benefits of the other tracks, it’s a 5 out of 5 for me. Which, incidentally, is one higher than the 4 that I gave DSOTM.
Standout tracks - Shine On You Crazy Diamond, pts 1-5 and 6-9
This is why I’m really enjoying this project. I get an album assigned, I have some pre-conceived idea that I don’t know whether I’m going to like what I’m about to listen to, and I’m pleasantly surprised. Or in this case, I enjoy it immensely.
This record makes me feel like I should be driving on a cool summer evening with the windows down and a coastal wind blowing through the car, with this playing loudly through the stereo.
It is very well produced, great vocals. And I even enjoy the filler tracks with samples from various 60’s films/shows.
All in all, this will definitely be listened to again. Quite possibly in July/August on a drive along the coast.
Standout track - Spring
I said a couple of days ago in a review that I am quite partial to a good prog record, and whilst this isn’t necessarily full-on progressive, there are some elements here which made this quite an enjoyable listen.
I only really know a couple of Steely Dan tracks, none of which are from this record, so it was nice to approach it blind… It was engaging, and one of those albums that you can just listen to without necessarily having to concentrate too much on it. Wouldn’t be in a rush to play it again, but still gets a respectable three out of five.
Standout track - Bodhisattva
This was an interesting choice for the drive to work today. Although, I’m glad I held off playing it whilst dropping my daughter off at school, when Don’t Call Me N****r, Whitey came on. That would have led to all kinds of awkward questions.
I am quite partial to some good 70’s funk and soul, and I’d like to say this album didn’t disappoint, but it didn’t quite hit the spot. It was good, but maybe because I was stuck going through roadworks at 40 miles an hour, I just wasn’t feeling it. Y’dig?
Still, give it a solid 3 out of five, and let’s move on to tomorrow’s pick.
Standout track - Everyday People
Two 70’s soul albums in a row. Such excite. I do enjoy hearing Let’s Stay Together whenever it’s played on the radio, so a nice chilled time to listen to the entire record is very welcome.
And this was 34 minutes of pure soul groove. Nothing fancy or trying to be anything it’s not. But yet, I can still only bring myself to give it three out of five. I’m becoming stricter with my ratings.
Standout track - So You’re Leaving
It was 2020, middle of Covid lockdown, expecting my first child and I was listening to a Biggy playlist on repeat. Summer heatwaves, dope beats and “and if you don’t know, now you know…”
I always used to firmly be of the opinion that west coast hip hop was king. Dre, Snoop, Tupac. But that summer something changed. It was no longer West coast is better than East coast. Or vice versa. They complement each other. The gritty Brooklyn beats and rhymes. This is probably Biggy’s best album. It’s gritty, raw and tells the story of someone who’s lived the streets.
This is easily five stars. That’s it. Nothing else will convince me otherwise.
Standout tracks - Ready to Die & Juicy
I used to know someone who bought this album when it came out and listened to it constantly on repeat. I just didn’t get it then. I thought her songs were overplayed on the radio, and that made me not like her music.
But… listening to this now, with an open mind, I can see how talented she was as a singer and songwriter. Coupled with some very good production, this is a very good album. Still not one that I will necessarily listen to again for a while, but I don’t hate it. And that’s saying something.
This gets four out of five. I didn’t think I would score it that high. It’s a good record, and I can appreciate that.
Standout track - Tears Dry On Their Own
Pretty chilled record this. I can picture myself enjoying this on a road trip. I don’t know too much of the story about Neil Young and CSN/CSNY so I can’t comment on that, but suffice to say, I enjoyed this and will look into listening to some more records by him.
Not sure what else to put here, giving three out of five as there was nothing standout to warrant a four.
Standout track - Down by the River
Pretty good album to chill with. I think it may even be enhanced if partaking in a certain herbal substance. But don’t do drugs, cos drugs are bad m’kay…
Standout track - Marrakesh Express
I’ll probably get loads of hate for this… I can’t stand Radiohead. Many years ago, I tried to listen to OK Computer, and had to turn it off halfway through. Ever since then, I’ve had no want, nor made any effort to listen to anything by them.
But… in the interests of this project, album 43 has presented me with the dilemma. Do I skip it as I can probably guess how this is going to go? Or suck it up and try and get through 43 minutes of Thom Yorke whining about something or other?
I chose the second option, optimistic that I may have changed my views. And by track three, I was wishing I hadn’t bothered. 10 tracks of slow whiney lyrics. The only good thing it has going is the drums aren’t too bad. Otherwise I will be glad that there is one less Radiohead album I have to sit through before completing this project. Sorry to anyone who loves them, but it’s one out of five for me.
Standout track (if any) - Weird Fishes / Arpeggi
After a run of some albums that I really didn’t enjoy, we move on to this album which I have never listened to fully before. Yes I’ve heard a few of the tracks here and there. But this was a very welcome change.
There’s something about the title track that just has to be played loud when listening through headphones. The build up of the piano. The final note being held. Chills. Literal chills.
This was an enjoyable listen and I will definitely revisit again in the future a solid four stars here, starting the week strong.
Standout tracks - The Boxer and The Only Living Boy in New York
I’ve never listened to a record by Siouxsie and the Banshees before. This was a nice introduction to their music. I felt like I was immersed in an episode of TOTP2, but in a good way.
I feel like I can get lost in these songs, perhaps even more so if I was to partake in some kind of smokable substance. The guitar riffs are captivating and Siouxsie’s voice keep you listening right to the very end of each track.
I’m going to give this four out of five. Bumped up by one as there’s just something more to this when you’re listening to it in a dark room…
Standout track - Monitor
I’ve only heard the track Eple from this album, so it was ascribing to listen to more by Röyksopp, and I quite enjoyed it. This was a good album to sit and chill with in a dark room and get absorbed by the beats, bass lines and melodies.
Can’t decide on a rating, somewhere between 3 & 4, but as I can’t give decimal places, will round up to four.
Standout track - Royksopp’s Night Out
Nothing much to say other than this was a very good album. I enjoyed this a lot and will probably listen again to it.
Very refreshing to have two four star albums in a row.
Standout track - Welcome to Tijuana
It was 2004, I was working a dead-end job in a supermarket and the three K’s were on rotation on the CD player in my car. Kaiser Chiefs, Kasabian and The Killers. I must admit, at the time, Kasabian got played the most, but this was a very close second.
This album opens brilliantly with Jenny Was a Friend of Mine. Obviously Mr Brightside gets played to fuck everywhere, but it is still a good tune when you’ve not heard it for a while. But for me, the real standout track on this record is Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll. There’s just something about Brandon Flowers vocals on this track that draws me in.
It’s nice to revisit this album again after not having listened to it fully for a long time. I think it’s a close race for which one I prefer, this or Sam’s Town. It brings back memories of driving home in late spring with the windows down after working a late shift. I’m going with four stars as a lot of the tracks are very good rock songs, but it’s probably more for the nostalgia.
Standout track - Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll
Ah, the mid to late 90’s… I was big into Britpop, trying to learn to play the guitar. But strangely never really got into Supergrass. Well, I prefer their later songs from the self titled album.
I could feel myself getting drawn into this record, as I did with Parklife, or What’s the Story… Obviously the big hit Alright isn’t too bad, and there’s some good highlights, but I feel I have to give this a three and move on to the next.
Standout track - Strange Ones
I miss Brian Matthew and Sounds of the Sixties on Radio Two on a Saturday morning. I used to hear some very good songs on there. Including quite a few from The Byrds, or do we say the American Beatles?
Being quite a fan of his royal Bob-ness, of course I’m going to enjoy the Dylan covers. But my favourite of these would have to be All I Really Want to Do. It give me vibes of The Who, before The Who were even The Who.
Some good tracks, some average tracks, gives this an average three out of five.
Standout track - All I Really Want to Do
No mistaking, this is definitely the Pet Shop Boys. I like some of their songs, but then a whole album starts to sound the same after a while. Probably best to stick to greatest hits.
Nothing bad warranting less than a three, so we’ll go for that.
Standout track - Jealousy
