Reviews by dave_the_rave

If I was out of my brain at a music festival this would be fine. Did I need to listen to it before I die? No.
Layering looping sound effects with mostly shit lyrics. Wor is the standout.
This is another more recent release where I can see multiple other albums released in 2012 taking its place.

2.5/5. Raising to 3.

I like the sound of the Appalachian dulcimer so favoured those songs. California is the highlight. The unusual song structures, lack of rhyme/stream of consciousness and vocal can be off putting at times.

It's a very good album but I don't really see why this is so often mentioned as one of the greatest ever among critics.

3.5/5. Raising to 4.

Hotel California is iconic but overall I dont know why this get's listed in various Greatest of All Time lists other than it sold a tonne. It's easy listening that was very popular but theres nothing ground breaking here. 3.5/5. Raising to a 4.

Really set the bar for music production innovation on a pop album.
'Wall of Sound' really comes through with everything so densely layered.
Just never really liked the barber quartet style of singing and the cheesy harmonies so it loses a point purely on that.
Songs like God Only Knows are pure magic though.
4/5.

One of those albums where after the first few songs I start to question how this made the list and I go in search of other albums that year that aren't included.

Interpol - Antics didn't make this list.

Jesus wept. This is boring music that nobody needs to hear before they die. 1.5/5. Raising to a 2.

Never heard of the band before so had high hopes going in. Didn’t grab me. Was expecting something heavier and grittier. Lead singer has a clean vocal and overall this is quite polished. 2.5/5. Raising to a 3.

Never heard this album before, more familiar with their 60s singles and probably because they are more radio friendly. It's not a bad album by any means, was expecting more of a hard rock sound but got more blues.

It finished strong with Shine A Light and Sole Survivor. I don't know why this goes down as their 'best' album on critics lists though. To quote the wiki:
"Exile is not one of my favourite albums" - Jagger

"Jagger also stated he did not understand the praise among Rolling Stones fans because the album did not yield many hits."

3.5/5. Raising to a 4.

Initial reaction was it's good to see a Foo Fighters album I've never listened to.

I then checked what other Foo Fighters albums made the list. None. The creator picked this over 'The Colour and the Shape'...the first album with actual band members and not just Dave Grohl.

Anyway this is a decent debut album but no songs worth revisiting. Supposedly a lot of lyrics were written 15mins before recording. 3/5.

Undeniably catchy with some iconic songs but it becomes a bit samey. Big, loud and basic but it works. Music made for Roadtrip Action-Comedy movies. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.

First time listening to a Lou Reed album. It was good, with Perfect Day and Walk On the Wild Side being the standouts. 3.5/5. Raising to a 4.

An enjoyable live blues album. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.

Thought it would be better. 3/5.

Wasn't in the mood for Beck but it's the same as Odelay. Cool album stylistically. A talented guy, but not for me. 3/5.

The relatively low-key but long-lived popularity of The Nightfly led Robert J. Toth of The Wall Street Journal in 2008 to dub the album "one of pop music's sneakiest masterpieces." - Wiki

Masterpiece? Robert J. Toth has a favourite colour and it is beige.

There is nothing technically wrong here but this is soulless music and will be the first 1 I hand out.
1/5.

First track really set this up then takes a hard left. Didnt enjoy the music when it took that hard left but it did make me smirk. I tend to enjoy sad boy music and those parts were fine. Album is kinda all over the place and I don't see myself returning to it. 2/5.

"the first great album to come from Manchester since Definitely Maybe...". Nonsense. The Verve is just one example and their 1997 album is miles ahead of this. It's Radiohead if they were from Manchester and shite. This doesn't belong on this list. 2/5.

A sad folk album with some interesting brass and wind instruments. Didn't grab me. 2.5/5. Raising to 3.

Could hear Nile Rodgers within 3 seconds of the album opening and I'm a sucker for it. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.

It's a very cool album stylistically. He's definitely a talented guy, just not for me. 3/5.

Got excited when I saw the album. First song was kind of off putting and 'Cowboy Movie' was decent and the rest of the album was tame. For the list of talented people on this album its a disappointing one. Originally had this as 2.5 but came to Song with No Words. Now thats some self-indulgent shite. 2/5.