Reviews by berl1nchair

Somewhat familiar with some of their more well known songs, but nothing on this debut album. Parts of it I really liked, whereas others left me a bit cold. Might be something that grows with repeated listens, but Requiem, Primitive and Change would be the top tracks on first listen. 3 for now but it might get better marks on a re-listen at some stage.

Liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Nothing that I've heard before, although obviously familiar with Rockin' Rod's later stuff in the late 70s and 80s.
This has a fair bit of swagger, and some mighty good tunes, but ultimately doesn't add a lot to the overall conversation of early 70s rock. Overall, liked it, but unlikely to go back any time soon

I get what some reviewers are saying about this album being a bit of a downer, but it's meant to be that way. It hits a tone, and stays there, wallowing in it. There is actually a fair bit of light and shade if you listen carefully, and the music is interesting in that post-punk late 70s type of way, with early electronic sounds that date it but still sound cool today. Great for if your wanting to feel better about the world, as you might just realise you have it better than Ian Curtis thought he ever did.

It's not complex, it's straight ahead, 4 to the floor punk rock. And that is why it rocks, even 50 years later.
Some of the later tracks do sound a bit the same as each other, but I was pleasantly surprised that there is a bit of variation here. And if Blitzkrieg Bop doesn't get you bobbing your head to the beat, you better check your pulse, you just might be dead.

Fantastic early British punk. Buzz-saw guitars, good vocals and drums, a lot to like here. Not a lot of their bigger hits on this album, but there is still plenty of good stuff to explore. Probably the best track for me is Autonomy.

Probably something more like what my kids listen to, but I quite like some of this. Green Light is a banger start to the album, and Homemade Dynamite and Liability are also good. It drags a bit towards the end, and maybe Lorde's talk-singing style starts to grate a bit, but overall not bad.

Not bad for nearly 70 years old. But limited in appeal for me. I'd not mind if somebody put this on to listen to, but I'm not seeking it out for a re-listen. And having just read the whole bullshit about which actual album is the correct one to review, I'm definitely not bothered to go back for a 2nd look.

Dunno exactly how to feel about this one. There is some catchy tunes hidden in there, but the lyrics (or more correctly, the vocal delivery) leaves me flat. Sounds like it is autotuned into obscurity, or perhaps like it was written or sung by AI.
Having said that, Hail Bop and Default were decent tunes, but the rest seemed to blend into one after a while.

When I was a kid, we had a copy of the excellent Billy Connolly book, Gullible's Travels, where each chapter is about his experiences in a different country. The chapter on Jibrovia (a fictional country somewhere in ?the Middle East) is a riot, particularly where he describes how one should sing the national anthem, thus (paraphrased): 'Should be sung as if a Christmas Tree is being slowly pulled out of one's anus'.

That's how I feel listening to some of Morrissey's singing on parts of this album. He whines and bleats on, with a few memorable lines here and there, but delivered with such torpor as to put one to sleep. Meanwhile, Johnny Marr and particularly Andy Rourke provide a fantastic soundtrack in the background. The bass playing particularly is a highlight.

And then the title track, to finish the album, is just a bummer. OK, you don't like eating meat, we get it, but no need to be such a cunt about it.

She really was unusual, and continues to be.......
This holds up surprisingly well after >40 years, with a bunch of really quite good singles to start off the album (even though 2 of them are actually covers), leading into some absolute crackers in the middle section - Time After Time will always have a place in sad-lands to go and mope after a lost love. The 80s production is about as 80s as you can get, but it doesn't get too over the top at any stage.
Close to 4 stars, but I think it just falls away a little too much in the latter part of the album so I'll give it a 3 for now,

Man, did these boys have some hits. Even though this probably never gets a mention amongst the top pantheon of Beatles albums, you've got the title track, I Should Have Known Better, And I Love Her, Can't Buy Me Love and You Can't Do That. And the lesser known tracks are also pretty damn good, too.

Vale Dolly Parton, we knew you well.
This is sweet, but ultimately not really in my wheelhouse. Lovely interplay between 3 very good voices, the music is relatively pedestrian (like a lot of country, at least to me).

Great introduction to this band. Matt Johnson finds a way of weaving heavy themes into pop/punk songs with intriguing lyrics and interesting music. Always have to turn up the marvellous piano solo in 'Uncertain Smile' and air-piano away - Jools Holland may come across a bit like a twat these days, but damn, he could tinkle those ivories. This Is The Day and Giant are other highlights.

Pretty good, sounds like a party going on, and doesn't overstay its welcome. Best when the band gets a chance to get some swing going, rather than tricky bits like in 'The Lip'. Something that I'd happily listen to if a band was playing it, or if it was put on at a party, but not something I'm likely to put on myself.

Probably something you have to be in the right mindset to appreciate, but I found it struck a chord with me on this particular day. Repetition is the order of the day, the boys hit a groove and just stay with it for extended periods, and it's a damn effective strategy. Highlights for me would be 'Block Rockin' Beats' and 'Setting Sun', and I'm always a sucker for a Beth Orton vocal ('Where Do I Begin') and the last track provides a soothing comedown after an hour of madness. Not something I'd listen to on the regular, but nice to visit once in a while.

Not really familiar with Fela Kuti, but I know a fair bit of Ginger Baker, mostly from his time with Cream. Damn, there is plenty of good stuff going on here, they can even get away with the last song being an extended drum solo/battle between Ginger Baker and Tony Allen. Might have to dig a little deeper on this one!!

I can understand Doves ain't everyone's cup of tea, and people are a bit over British indie pop, but I'll always love this album. Lots of very good tracks, faves are 'There Goes The Fear', 'Words', 'N.Y.', 'Pounding' and the closer 'Caught By The River'. In fact, the only track I tend to skip a bit is perhaps Friday's Dust, which never really did much for me. But a solid 4 from me.

Dando at his peak here. Brilliantly crafted pop songs with the added bonus of Juliana Hatfield’s sweet backing vocals and bass. I hadn’t listened to it the whole way through in a lot of years, but it was like slipping back into an old, comfortable pair of jeans.

I don’t mind some MBV, but this album doesn’t really do it for me. The songs seem a bit half-cooked and the production hasn’t quite hit that wall-of-sound that they were so good at on the next couple of albums.

I never got fully into Muse, although I do recall a fair few of their singles, just never did a deep dive. This is good, but perhaps they are a better singles band than a full album band for me. Having said that, good moments here with 'Starlight' and 'Supermassive Black Hole', and they do rock hard in places with Matt Bellamy's vocal range continuing to amaze. Could perhaps slip up to a 4, but for now I'm giving this one a 3.