Rated 6/10
Second PJ album to come up in a few days. One that passed me by at the time and a bit of a departure from her more rocking earlier stuff. Definitely quite inventive, but I'm on the fence about how successful it is. Ultimately probably needs a few more listens to fully grasp it.
Rated 8/10
Despite knowing all the single, and this being a big hit, don;t think if I've ever heard the whole of this record before. The hits are UNDENIABLE, and most of the rest is really excellent, and the title is an apt description of the contents. A few forgettable bits, plus a couple of parts that feel a bit dated now, mean it's not quite a 5-star. Will definitely be coming back to this one.
Definitely a step down from Dry or To Bring You My Love. Polly's voice remains compelling, and there are a bunch of great songs, but it veers a bit too close to stadium rock at times and the Thom Yorke song is a bit yuck.
Rated 6/10
A crooning masterclass from Sinatra, with very tasteful arrangements. Clearly really great stuff, but maybe decades of pastiche by others means that it just doesn't grab me as much as it might.
Rated 6/10
Felt very powerful and moving at the time. 10 years down the line it doesn't hit as hard. Still some amazing moments, but maybe sags here and there.
Rated 10/10
A regular spinner back in the 90s for me but haven't listened in at least a decade. Still holds up as a rich, dark, emotive, cauldron of dub paranoia. Paved the way for a lot of inconsequential background music, but Blue Lines itself is a heavy listen. Remains a classic.
Sublime. Incredible interplay between the trio. Scott LaFaro's bass is ridiculous, just soaring, light as a feather. Feel amazed that I'd never heard this before - an absolute treat.
Rated 4/10
A lot of this is very rumty-tumty and worryingly close novelty-rock. Quite a few clunky lyrics throughout. The core of the band sound great, and I do enjoy Strummer's voice, but most of the songs are just so-so, with only a couple of standouts. Don't get why this record is so acclaimed.
Rated 4/10
Actually enjoyable Frank Zappa! All the smirking, pointless showboating I usually associate with Zappa is dialled down a lot, though not fully. Pretty groovy rhythm section and a about half the tunes are enjoyable. Would've been better with almost all the guitar removed.
Rated 10/10
Forgot how tight this record is. 100% killer riffs.
