Reviews by conorr90

I've listened to this a good few times, but it never really stuck with me the way Unknown Pleasures did. I think it's one where credit has to be given for influence on other bands. I can hear a lot of inspiration for the likes of U2 for ex. I really like the drumming and some of the melodies, but find the lyrics a bit inscrutable.

Absolutely love this album. It was my gateway into Peter Gabriel's Genesis, and this sort of Prog in general. It is very theatrical and the lyrics quite dense, but that's part of the charm! The musical performances are excellent as well - particularly Collins' drumming and Hackett's guitar.

I quite enjoyed this album, despite knowing very little about the artist going into it. I knew her name and some vague association with Mick Jagger, bit not much beyond that. These songs are mostly really compelling, punky, and seemingly quite ahead of their time. I feel like this sound was something like Leonard Cohen was aiming for with I'm Your Man (missing the mark wildly). Especially liked the title track, Brain Drain, Working Class Hero, and Why D'ya Do It.

I don't really understand the negativity in the comments - surely the context of an album should always be taken into account when doing a list challenge like this? It's quite relevant here too, as it explains the raspy nature of her voice and direct, explicit lyrics.

I can't work out if this is genius or terrible. Some great energy in the music, very danceable in places. I recognised one song, Party Fears Two, but nothing else here seems that different from other new wave bands at the time. The vocals are quite annoying at times, and very derivative of David Bowie too. The drumming is absolutely frantic on some of the songs, and I think slightly out of time, which made me uneasy. So I think I've landed on terrible.

I've mainly been listening to Gabriel's earlier solo albums and his Genesis ones over the past few years, so completely forgot how many great songs are on here. I especially like the collaborative ones. Elements of it are slightly dated, but it's pretty perfect, as far as 80s pop goes. 9/10

Really fun album. I only knew Germfree Adolescents and Oh Bondage going in, but there some other great songs on here as well. It's nice to hear a classic punk album that hasn't been played to death, it sounds pretty fresh and ahead of its time. Singer sounds quite like Johnny Rotten, but over all I think these songs are much better than the Sex Pistols. It is a but repetitive, and maybe there are a few songs too many. But I think some of the ones toward the end were bonus tracks. No other notes really.

Hadn't heard of this one, so I initially assumed it was some throwaway 90s alt rock band. Surprisingly though, this is right up my alley! I'm a sucker for these sort of melancholy lyrics paired with optimistic melodies. Love the guitar sound too. Only negatives are that it is slightly repetitive melody wise, and the lyrics are sometimes hard to catch. Will definitely be revisiting this though.

Love this one, although it took me a while to come around to. I think Homogenic is a better album overall though, surprised that isn't on here. The style of this is very intimate and cosy, in a wintery sort of way. I never knew until now that Matmos are collaborators on this album, I recognize them now though! Their style is really evident on Aurora and Unison especially. 9/10

I've heard of this band a good few times, but never listened to them. I can see why this was included on the list, because it shows how successful a band can be with a lo-fi approach.

But I find the sheer number of song snippets on here a bit overwhelming. So many of them sound like demos, and there's no real flow to the album. I would have liked to hear like 12-15 of these songs at a proper length. The best ones, like Game of Pricks and Blimps Go 90, feel like they're only getting started and then they end.

A lot of the songs are just obnoxious experimentation with effects and static as well, like Chicken Blows. Why is that one over 2 mins long, and the best songs on the album are barely 90 seconds? Come to think of it, I would have cut everything after "Blimps Go 90", apart from "Alright".

I thought I had this album, but it turns out I've been listening to the greatest hits compilation all these years. This is a great debut, with a lot of unique songwriting and great energy from Bjork. I love drumming on it as well. The downsides for me are the somewhat annoying male vocalist who talk-sings from time to time, and the too-bright 80s style production. Both of those date the album somewhat, but there's still enough great songs on here to make up a memorable album. 8/10

I had never listened to this before, and I think the only song I knew going in was Juicy. This gets constantly referenced as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time though, so I guess it's finally time to see what the fuss is about.

Overall, if I could just rate this on production and rapping skills, this would probably be a 5. I really like some of the songs, mainly Juicy and some of the storytelling ones near the beginning, but wow so many of these lyrics are just gross. Casual homophobia, misogyny, and passing references to domestic abuse being presented as ok. Don't even get me started on the porn sketches (the blow job one at the end of Respect completely ruins an otherwise great song). I couldn't listen to this album on anything other than headphones without being horrifically embarrassed, and I proudly listen to a lot of weird stuff on my stereo and in the car.

I much prefer Illmatic, which came out around the same time, and deals with a lot of similar themes, without being absolutely disgusting in the delivery.

There was a time when this was my favourite Radiohead album, but it's since been overtaken by In Rainbows, Kid A and OK Computer. It still has some great songs on it, even though I think High & Dry and Fake Plastic Trees were chronically overplayed, to the point where I don't even hear them anymore. Enjoyed listening to the deep cuts again though, like Black Star and Bulletproof. Street Spirit is probably one of my favourite songs of all time - still always gives me chills. Its not perfect, and a little dated, but I still love it. 9/10

Enjoyed a lot of this, and they are all fantastic singers. It's a bit too dreary and lacking energy in places for me though. Don't think I'd listen again but glad I did!

I hadn't listened to this one before, only Closing Time, Swordfish, and Rain Dogs. This isn't quite on the level of the latter 2 but I really enjoyed it all the same. He really pushes the limits of his voice. Can see how some people (most people?) would absolutely hate this.

Absolute masterpiece. I don't listen to this one as much as Fragile, but I will take it out more often now after listening to it more closely. It's so moving to hear a group of musicians performing in sync at the peak of their ability.

Enjoyed this one more than White Blood Cells, but I still find that their music just doesn't stay with me, apart from the singles I already know. My Doorbell, Blue Orchid, Denial Twist and Take Take Take are all great, but the rest of it I can take or leave. I think Meg White gets too much hate as a drummer, she's great and gives them a very recognizable sound.

The first time I listened to this one I wasn't in the right mood for it at all, second time I really enjoyed it! Genuinely sounds like medieval music in places, but tastefully updated for the times. At times I felt like I was meant to be dancing around a May pole. Some excellent guitar playing all over this, and nice flourishes of othe instruments. I thought the sitar was maybe a bit too much, but I can forgive that given the year it was released. The singing gets a bit too warbly in places, but overall I enjoyed it. 8/10

For some reason, I never got around to listening to this one, despite my borderline obsession with 90s alt rock and grunge. I only knew the Mrs. Robinson cover. The whole album is great though - short and snappy, and very catchybin places. Especially liked the title track, Confetti, My Drugs Friend and Alison's Starting to Happen.

I feel like I need to preface this by saying I love a lot of hip hop, because I see a lot of unnecessary hate laid on the actually good hip hop albums on this list.

However, for me to actually enjoy hip hop (no matter how good the flow or the production), the lyrics have to be clever and insightful, or at least funny in a tasteful way. I mostly prefer political hip hop, and I can tolerate a good bit of bragidoccio. But I draw the line at the sort of horrible misogyny on display all over this album, not just You Can't Fade Me. There's just no excuse for it, and we don't have to perpetuate it by immortalising albums like this.

Elements of this are noteworthy, and I did enjoy the Chuck D feature. But overall, it doesn't bring anything to the table that N.W.A. hadn't already brought with Straight Outta Compton, and it has aged even worse than that album.

Went into this not knowing anything about it other than Victoria, so I was pretty surprised that it lives up to Village Green. So many great songs on here, and good exploration of different styles. I never really appreciated how heavy their music was, for the time. Will definitely be revisiting this. 9/10