Reviews by dcspool

God Wonderwall is annoying. But I don't really think that's Oasis' fault. I want to dislike this album more, but really there are just quite a lot of solid undeniable tunes. As with Definitely Maybe I'm still not a huge fan of the production choices, particularly in relation to the guitars, but overall I think this a more well rounded and diverse album, and deserves a place in the canon.

Fave Tracks: Don't Look Back in Anger, Some Might Say

3.8/5

So nice. 4 tracks that all deliver vibes. The opener is particularly iconic. Though now all I hear on top is Beyoncé’s “6 Inch”. This is great music.

4.6/5

Kinda just folksy nonsense. Sounds like people tripping on acid and just strumming chords randomly. Pleasant sound pallette, limited substance.

2.4/5

I'm familiar with Calexico from their Alone Again Or cover and the album Carried to Dust. I was surprised to see that they have quite an extensive back catalogue.

I like that Calexico have quite a distinct sound. It sounds very true to their locale. At times I do find it a little boring though. The vocals have a nice timbre and at times some lush harmonies, but they can also feel like lacking a bit of character at times.

Fave Tracks: Pepita, Not Even Stevie Nicks..., Guero Canelo

3.2/5

I enjoyed this more than I expected.

Fave Tracks: Rudderless, My Drug Buddy

3.6/5

The intro to Between the Bars gives me goosebumps. Such a beautiful song. I’ve been anticipating this album for some time. When I’ve dipped my toes previously the water has been so warm.

If I could nitpick the album there are some tracks that feel like they would be better tracks with larger instrumentation behind them. That might be true of the section from Pictures of Me to Rose Parade.

Still, great album, great voice, RIP

Fave Tracks: Speed Trials, Between the Bars, Pictures of Me, No Name No. 5, Cupid’s Trick, Say Yes

4.5/5

Beautiful, but quite overrated if you ask me.

Fave Tracks: Hidden Place, It’s Not Up To You, Unison

3.6/5

The start of this album is so great. First 4 tracks (excluding the intro) are quality. From there it dips, but always maintains a decent level - there might truly be no skips - but I could give or take most of the middle of the album. Last two tracks are also great, perhaps that is why the album feels so strong (Apple Music’s favourite album of all time after all…)

Fave Tracks: Ex-Factor, To Zion, Doo Wap (That Thing), Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Tell Him

4.2/5

Very mild. Not bad, but don't need this in the 1001.

2.9/5

I could see this album being quite marmite. If you don't like UK Garage, and particularly MJ Cole's not-so-grimey slightly twinkley brand of garage, then this album is probably a chore. The beats are repetitive, at least in terms of percussion, and generally the songs follow a pretty similar formula.

If you do like that formula, then this is a rather great album, with lots of really solid garage bangers. I was surprised to hear Bandelero Desperado - I knew the Azealia Banks version, but didn't realise it was essentially a remix of this MJ Cole track.

Fave Tracks: Bandelero Desperado, Crazy Love

3.8/5

Very bored by this one. The Byrds try to dabble in psychedelia and it all sounds like wishy washy nothing.

2.3/5

2.7/5

Another slightly strange inclusion in my view. Turn of the millennium acid jazz samba fusion. Not terrible, and interesting to see a release like this getting the spotlight, but a lot of the sounds haven't aged great, sound just a bit tacky.

2.8/5

Excellent Stevie album. Hard to dislike. I'm not so much into the slower ballady numbers, but its not like they're bad.

Fave Tracks: Maybe Your Baby, Tuesday Heartbreak, Superstition, I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)

4/5

This album sounds waaay ahead of 1975. It deserves much plaudits for that fact alone.

I am into this. One of the most exciting completely new albums for me in a minute.

Fave Tracks: Isi, Seeland, Hero

4.7/5

Quite fun, not that special, but I tended to like the tracks that leaned in a more garish 80s direction.

Fave Tracks: Hamady Boiro, Daniibe

3.6/5

I’m a big fan of the Libertines, though I think as I age and so does the music I see much less appeal in it. Still a lot of good tracks here, though only a couple that are peak Libertines for me, which is a little disappointing on a 14 track album.

Fave Tracks: Can’t Stand Me Now, The Man Who Would Be King, Music When the Lights Go Out, The Ha Ha Wall, What Katie Did, What Became of the Likely Lads?

3.7/5

Nothing bad about this one, but it didn't do much to move me at all. Feels quite slow and formulaic after 35 years of subsequent hip hop history.

3/5

Thirteen is somewhere between my 49th and 330th favourite song of all time. I think its the backing vocal "ahh-ahh-ahhs" over the line "would you be an outlaw for my love?" that really do it for me . A beautifully simple perfect song.

I think Big Star are much better in the tender moments. "Don't Lie to Me" after "Thirteen" is such a tone shifter. The vocals, the guitars have a totally different douchey sheen.

Most of the rest of the album is fine. Some ok moments like "Give Me Another Chance" but not really any other big hitters.

Fave Tracks: The Ballad of El Goodo, Thirteen

3.75/5

Quite a nice time.

Fave Tracks: To Be Young (Is to be Sad, Is to Be High), Amy

3.4/5