Reviews by arewenotben

Didn't expect to enjoy this, good throughout - I'd always written off Dire Straits as a MOR 80s group but this is kinda interesting. Nice surprise!

Expected to enjoy this more than I did, couple of great songs but largely a bit meh

I never fully appreciated this when listening before, despite being a huge JB fan, as it doesn't have the same funk as his later work but wow, something clicked with me today listening. This is molten, the slower stuff particularly - Lost Someone >>>>

Dem dronez

Glorious, one of the best discoveries so far. Beautiful stuff

Some of this is incredible, some absolute nonsense. Good bless Kate

Oh man, so good. Coronado <3 <3 <3

Bland and forgettable. I hated the singles from this at release and they haven't improved, especially with Quaye's cod-Jamaican accent. Could pass as background music but shouldn't be on this list.

Going from What's Going On to this is pretty wild, this is much better as well

Bit dated but his voice is undeniable and the singles still bang

It's not perfect and I prefer the tighter Talking Book / Innervisions but jesus, what a talent.

First heard about Santana from that awful Smooth song so knowing he was some Latin jazz fusion monster back in the day was a surprise. Still good stuff here, kinda wish it was a bit harder as he has the chops to really go

Maybe 3.5? Better than I expected but still kinda nothing

Largely inoffensive 50s pop with a few highlights. Love Hurts is great

This is fantastic, had always written off UB40 as a pop-reggae group but this is very roots/dub orientated.

Appreciate the craft of the writing and Karen C is a great singer, not one I'd want to revisit but enjoyable

Dang, what a voice. Great instrumentation as well, super tight band. Difficult to fault.

I expected folk, not dubby cosmic funk (for the most part). Interesting in places but not something I'd listen to again. Can't say I'm a fan of Martyns voice either, sounds like a drunk old bloke down the pub. 2.5, making a generous 3

Loved this back in the day. Perfect Day/Walk on the Wild Side are played out to death but there's not really a bad track here.

Going 3.5 - always found this one of their less interesting early albums but still has a different, glammier vibe to it's britpop peers. Great live band back in the day