Reviews by abee

I have some of Elvis's music but not his whole catalog so was interested to hear this one. Its really good ! I like the production and the little tone changes that makes the songs more interesting but having said that the second half of the album felt a bit samey. Only one of these songs is on his greatest hits which kinda says it all.

I really found it difficult to rate this one. By rights I should like it. It’s interesting, good melodies-sounds like Bowie/Japan, lots of worthy contributors – Paul Weller, Kate Bush and ahem.. Phil Collins. However, it just didn’t do it for me. I was left feeling quite cold. It didn’t help that his vocals were lost in the mix, perhaps contributing to my emotional distance from it.

I have this album but had not listened in a while. It is as I remembered, In a gadda da vida is the standout track and the other songs, while supremely psychedelic, are less memorable. I love the darkness of this 60s offering, its like Bach trying to expand his mind.

Hard to score as the title track is sooo good. But it will have to be a three.

Heard of this band but never listened to them before. Absolutely loved it, great vocals, heavy rock guitars, brilliant melodies, meaningful lyrics....

I am not a fan of rap and this album by the BBs seems to contain all the genres of music I hate. Hardcore punk? Jazz-Funk? Rapcore ? No, thank you. With so many songs on this album they all blurred into one big noise.

I was looking forward to this. An album often included in the top 100 albums of the 70s and it was good, more new wave than punk which surprised me but at the end of the day, all seemed to meld in to one for me.

I liked this solo recording from Lauryn better than her work with the Fugees - although it contained sampling the songs had a higher level of originality. I really liked the songs in which she collaborated with other singers, but ultimately would not buy this. Would have liked to have given it 3.5 stars but it will have to be 3.

RIP Ozzy.
This album is the child of a flower girl and a rock guitarist, seamlessly mashes together hard guitars and transcendental visions.
The band took over the production here so this is how they wanted to be and what they wanted to be was gods of their genre. They nailed it.

This album just blows my mind. It seems like it is all singer songwriter, and it is, but it is also invigorating with a production so good, so subtly brilliant, you don't even realise how much effort is put into every second of this album. Add to all of this a voice so tortured and so beautiful, what you end up with is a unforgettable album.

I am not a huge fan of rap but this felt quite accessible for me, perhaps it is because a lot of the melodies were purloined from other songs. I think its called sampling isn't it? and thinking about it today, isn't it similar to a band that only does cover songs? Don't get me wrong some cover versions actually add something to the song - i'm thinking John Cale's Heartbreak Hotel but here? Hmm ironically the song I liked best was Cowboy where I couldn't determine the source of the riffs.

I only have a couple of albums of the Cure and while I like them, I wouldn’t say they were one of my favourite bands. Listening to this album is changing that.

The instrumental that starts off the album is stunning and one reviewer has written that the Final Sound seems like it could be the soundtrack to a Hammer movie – yes, it’s that good!

Another band that I believed to be some sappy Brit pop losers but was amazed to find out I liked. They had intricate melodies and I liked the urgency of some of the songs. I would have given it four stars but it felt quite derivative and reminded me of Pulp/Richard Hawley

I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Lovely vocals and dark synth with beautiful lyrics. I only knew this band for Take on Me so really happy to finally hear this.

Absolutely beautiful. Such poignant lyrics and that gracious voice. What happens when a god does what he was made to do.

I have an issue that no matter what wonderfully apt politically conscious lyrics are being expressed if there is not a melody I find it difficult to listen to. This album therefore washed over me. Combine this with samples which to me always feel sterile and contrived and you have something that is unpalatable.

What can I say that hasn't been said before?

One of the most recognisable voices, brilliant lyrics, melodies to die for.

This probably doesn't even cover the accolades this album richly deserves.

This is really lovely but perhaps not so memorable.

This album was on my list of CDs to buy as I love Dexys but it was always so expensive, but after listening to it I think it is awful.

Yes, Knowledge of Beauty is lovely but it is immediately followed by One of Those Things whose only redeeming quality is that it has the riff from Werewolves of London.

I really can’t understand why this has been included, do the compilers of the book NOT want you to like Dexys?

I am a huge fan of this band, loving their dry deadpan lyrics, spoken vocals and great synth melodies. I wouldn't say that this is my favorite, preferring their first two albums, but whats not to like about an album with a song about passive aggressiveness on it.

Their first two album's names were chosen so people could walk into a record shop (remember that) and say "I'd like the Pet Shop Boys, Please" and "The Pet Shop Boys, actually" and in their tradition this is VERY Pet Shop Boys:)

One of my favorite singer songwriters shows off his extreme talent in his debut album. With some of his biggest "hits" included it is a delight for my ears that loves a minor key much more than a major.