Reviews by abee

The La’s – The La’s – 3 STARS
Another British 90s band I never listened to – this book is the gift that doesn’t keep giving.
However, I actually liked this one. The tunes are quite upbeat and jangly but never in the style of Baggy and the vocals are very British and muted. It almost sounds like Nick Cave doing a Monkees song. Despite their name (a contraction for Lads) their music isn’t in that awful laddish Britipop style . Wish I could give 3 and a half for this one.

Another 90s band that I decided were not for me and didn't bother listen to at the time. If I could go back in time to my former self after listening to this I would say .... "nice one, your assumption on their value to your life was completely correct. Boring as hell". This only got three stars because some of their tracks on the second part of the album were slower and slightly more meaningful.

Tribal Quest – Peoples Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
This was an eye opener. Not a genre I would normally like so why was I smiling and enjoying this so damn much? One reason: they use samples to enhance a song, not turn it into a cover version; but mainly because they are good. Real good.

Have this album and have always loved it. So beautiful and inspiring. Joyous and melancholic at the same time.

Soooo, not sure why this band is here they weren’t even a major mover and shaker in 80s British pop, they are certainly no Duran Duran, or even Wham.
Jeez I cant stand this, the synths just hurt my head. I have now started screaming in a high-pitched voice MAKE IT STOP and this is from someone who feels pop is a perfectly acceptable musical genre. How much did Scritti or Politti pay to have their album here. That is the question. Yet this album did get great reviews across the board and so I am flummoxed, for me this is meaningless pap. I rest my case.

This is my second album of his generated. The first, Either / Or did nothing for me, washing over me like a sea of ennui. This album I felt was a lot better, some of the songs stood out and I heard some interesting additions to the songs. At the end though it gets its score because I am unlikely to listen to it again.

I sat up seeing that this album was by Eno as I have recently come to have a new found appreciation for his talent after paying attention to his work with Roxy Music. I wouldn’t say that the albums they made after he left were bad, but I feel his contribution led to some of the most intricate and interesting songs of their work. But here is the rub – David Byrne – Not really a fan of Talking heads and it feels like he is the dominant partner here. I don’t mind songs that don’t fit into the traditional mould but this felt cold to me hence the score.

Metallica is an interesting band for me because while I love their melodic / doom laden intros and meanderings, I am not so enamoured of the punk parts to their songs. I appreciate this is thrash metal and, in this genre, they are one of the best, especially on this album where the musical structure is more complex, I enjoyed this, certainly more than their eponymous album so 4 stars is it’s due.

Rap is a genre of music I wouldn’t normally listen to, being far removed from my love of folk singer songwriters. The generator has given me a lot of Hip/Hop and rap and some I thought was ok (Run DMC) others less so (Public Enemy / Fugees).
Although it is out of my comfort zone, I really liked this album. Trying work out why this works for me, I’ve decided that it is probably because this is West Coast Rap, more funk based with a softer sound instead of a harder East coast rap vibe. Whatever the reason, this was a pleasure to listen to.

Second album by a band I have never heard of. I didn’t really mind this although the vocals are low in the mix, I quite liked their style. This album is labelled post hardcore which apparently means it is punk but more creative, and I get that. However, I kept thinking it sounded a bit like Pavement if Pavement were rubbish. Obviously my three stars is generously given… especially as this band makes the Pixies look good.

Wasn't sure about this one. Some of it felt derivative other songs were really lovely and his voice seemed so familiar, so similar to another singer but could not place it. I will give it a three as while it didn't make me sit up and go "Whoa" in a good way it didn't hurt my ears.

Not really a style of music I get on with. Liked the beat, the rhythm and her voice but all together gets 3 stars.

Less well known than Otis, Sam and James and I wonder why. Gorgeous vocals and warm songs that engulf you in a hug.

I hoped I’d get something to cheer me on this blah Friday. This came up, first full album of his I have heard, and within 2 seconds I literally could not stop clicking my fingers to the beat and intermittently woohing. The soul and RnB feels so familiar and retro but there is a freshness to it. It’s a wonderful album but I need to go put my fingers in a bucket of ice water now!

Another 60s psychedelic band I have strangely not heard of considering how much I appreciate the genre. First song had too much experimental sound. The band are known for excluding guitars and using, uncommon for the time, electronic instrumentation. However, by track two the wonderful melodies were shining through with the instrumentation enhancing, rather than obscuring the songs. I was torn between 3 and 4 but as I am not sure I will listen again, 3 stars.

I was a little surprised to see this band having an entry in the book, they are definitely not the best of 80s UK pop, that crown going to Duran Duran, and the only single I ever liked was Temptation. Their lead single off the album “We Don’t Need this Fascist Groove thing” with such brilliant politically charged lyrics has sadly a tune so dull I wonder if the BBC banned it for being boring.
That’s what I wrote before I heard the rest of the album. Track 4 onwards is great and credit for making a political pop album, so ultimately 3 STARS.

I like this band’s singles Promised You a Miracle and Don’t You Forget About Me but never liked the band enough to buy even a greatest hits album. This was okay and listenable but it didn’t make me change my mind about delving into their back catalogue.

U2 - War 5 STARS

This is a harder album than the previous two and includes one of my favorite songs of theirs "New Years Day". This is when they were young and raw and their first three albums will always be my favorites. Undeniably good.

Great album and vocals.

Here Ray has taken old country standards and freshened them by using a mix of pop and jazz bringing them to a wider audience. As someone who used to play in a Hillbilly band (his words) he always knew he could do a good job with them. And he did.