Reviews by forestfly2009

Before today, I'd only heard of Fugazi, but had never listened to them before. The way I heard of them was actually through another album I've already reviewed on this generator. That album was Out of Step by Minor Threat. The singer from that band, Ian MacKaye, is also the singer for this band. I loved that album, it was awesome punk, and this album is post hardcore punk.

Ian never wanted to be part of a band who could ever be accused of selling out, so when Minor Threat made it to the mainstream, he left the band for another, eventually creating Fugazi.

This wasn't as strong as his Minor Threat stuff, I found. Maybe I'm just not as much a fan of post hardcore punk? Whatever the reason, this just didn't resonate with me the way the Minor Threat album did.

This album is full of distorted guitars, machine gun drums, and screaming lyrics. I can hear how the Offspring drew influence from songs such as Merchandise.

Overall, not bad, but not great. Just average. I kind of couldn't keep focused on this album today. One song would blend into the next. Good music that was absolutely influential, but I doubt I will revisit.

Favourite songs: Merchandise, Song 1, Shut The Door, Blueprint, Reprovisional

Least favourite songs: Break-In, Two Beats Off

3/5

Great... More fucking obscure British shoegaze garbage..... Ffs....

Never heard of the Boo Radleys before, and hope to forget them quickly. They are, as my first comment suggests, a shoegaze/brit pop band who has no reason to be on this list. Sounds like they are trying to be like Smashing Pumpkins but are too shitty of artists to come close.

If the band didn't canoodle and play random shitty intros/outros, the album could have been done in half the time. Album production is garbage. Music is loud as hell, then when the vocals come in, you can barely hear them.

Horns?!? Why?!? They have no place in your depressing shoegaze garbage. And random distorted electrical feedback noises.... An attempt to add psychadelica to this crock pot of horseshit.... Why?

Why did they have to do poor Boo Radley dirty like this? Probably to make people think they were artsy and deep, but in actuality they are depressing emo trash.

Favourite songs: Take the Time Around, Lazarus, Wish I Was Skinny

Least favourite songs: Butterfly McQueen, Run My Way Runway, as well as the rest of this garbage album.

Absolutely no redeeming qualities: 1/5

Another unknown Scottish alt rock band. This generator has a slight obsession with them lately apparently.

Never heard of Cocteau Twins before. After researching them a bit this morning I learned they are another fucking shoegaze/dream pop band, and are accredited with helping start the dream pop sound.

Now, I've been known to hate shoegaze, so I went into this with low expectations. This "dream pop" is different though. It is like that mopey goth rock /shoegaze garbage in song structure, but with a warmer, more upbeat vocal delivery and more jangly guitars.

One weird thing about this band is that the vocals are layered so much that you can't understand what she is saying. It sounds like she is singing in a foreign language. As odd as that sounds, the vocal layering adds a etherial aspect to the music. The singer has a beautiful voice, kind of like Enya in some respects. That added beauty is welcome over the backing shoegaze shuffling garbage. It is like goth but with "hope".

Overall, a weird listen today. Not terrible, but not really in my wheelhouse. I understand it's place in the grand scheme of music, but I probably won't revisit it again.

Favourite songs: Heaven or Las Vegas, Wolf in the Breast, Iceblink Luck, Fotzepolitic

Least favourite songs: "Road, River and Rail", Cherry-coloured Funk, Fifty-fifty Clown

2/5

Looking at today's album cover, and having no idea who Richard and Linda Thompson are, I wouldn't have guessed that I was in for a folk record, but that is what I got. Not only a folk record, but a phenomenal folk record that mixes country and blues sensibilities into its sound as well!

Turns out Richard Thompson was the lead guitarist and songwriter for the band Fairport Convention, before he broke off and did his own thing with his then wife Linda. The harmonies they can achieve, and the music they created on this record is amazing. Linda has a beautiful voice, and it adds a hint of beauty to Richards bleak songwriting style. The End of the Rainbow is a particularly bleak, but beautiful song.

Every song on this record is amazing in its own right. From the fast paced, upbeat I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight to the slow ballad Withered and Died where Linda took the role of lead singer.

Overall, thoroughly enjoyed today's album. So much so, that I listened to it three times cover to cover, and found something new to love about it each time. I will definately revisit this one, and will add it to my regular listening.

Favourite songs: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, We Sing Hallelujah, The Calvary Cross, When I Get To the Border, Withered and Died, Down Where the Drunkards Roll, The Little Beggar Girl

Least favourite song: The Great Valerio

5/5

I've never heard of Travis before. Apparently they are a soft rock/alt rock band from Scotland. Basically, these guys sound like Scotland's answer to Coldplay or Oasis.

Their sound consists of jangly guitars with piano accompaniment. Their music has a tendency to be quite bland, as is the norm with this era of alt rock. Nothing wrong with it, it just blends in with the thousands of other bands that were doing the same thing at the same time.

Overall, this was a good album. Perfectly average. The best song on the album was the hidden track at the end of the album called Blue Flashing Light. They really turned up the energy on this one (maybe they had to, given the fact they were singing about domestic violence). Nonetheless, it stood out ahead of the rest for sure! The rest kind of blended together.

I enjoyed today's listen, but don't know if I will actively seek it out again.

Favourite songs: Blue Flashing Light (*hidden track*), Driftwood, Why Does it Always Rain on Me?, Turn

Least favourite songs: The Last of the Laughter

3/5

As familiar as I am with Bruce Springsteen's hits, I've never sat down and listened to one of his albums cover to cover before.

Right off the bat, Thunder Road, Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, and Born to Run are all classics! I wasn't familiar with the rest of the album. The only song I didn't really care for was Meeting Across the River.

This whole album was fantastic! The addition of piano and sax gives it that traditional Springsteen sound that everyone is so familiar with. The E-Street Band was tight on this record.

The Boss just oozes Americana. When you hear one of his songs, you are immediately transported to NY in the 70's.

Overall, a great album. I'm glad I got to listen to it. Bruce was insanely influential to artists that came after him.

Favourite songs: Thunder Road, Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Born to Run, Jungleland

Least favourite songs: Meeting Across the River

4/5

Before today, I had no idea who TV on the Radio were. After a bit of reading, I discovered they are an alternative/indie rock band that fuses aspects of funk, jazz, and electronic music.

After listening, this is a great album, and band! I thought I recognized the song DLZ but couldn't place where I'd heard it before. After a few minutes of Googling, turns out it was used in a scene of Breaking Bad. Excellent scene, and excellent song!

By times the singer sounds like a modern day Prince. I find that their sound is similar to Arcade Fire, but with more of an electronic sound.

Overall, thoroughly enjoyed today's album. This is what this exercise is all about! Discovering a new band that I never would have found on my own. I enjoyed this album so much that I listened to it twice, then started listening to their back catalogue.

Favourite songs: Dancing Choose, DLZ, Golden Age, Red Dress, Shout Me Out

Least favourite songs: Stork & Owl, Love Dog

4/5

Before today, I've never heard of The Damned. They are a mid-late 70's punk band from Britain; from the same era as The Clash and The Sex Pistols. Actually, interestingly, I learned that two people were asked to audition for The Damned: Dave Vanian, and Sid Vicious (who became the Sex Pistols bassist). Only Dave showed up, and ultimately got the job. Captain Sensible became The Damned's bassist.

The aliases some of these lads use are hilarious: Captain Sensible, and Rat Scabies for example. Their sound is classic punk, and was a great listen today!

Dave has a funny way of spinning lyrics, such as in the song "These Hands" about a murderous clown, or "Anti-Pope" about organized religion.

One interesting thing these guys do is use a synthesizer from time to time, which is something you don't normally see in punk music.

Overall, not a bad listen. Nothing really stood out, but I would definately listen again if given the chance.

Favourite songs: "Noise, Noise, Noise", Anti-Pope, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Plan 9 Channel 7, Machine Gun Etiquette

Least favourite songs: These Hands (because fuck clowns)

3/5

These idiots should be banned from owning musical instruments. There is nothing on this record that could begin to be called music. None of these brainless bastards can play an instrument, let alone maintain a beat, or carry a tune.

This sounds like a bunch of 5 year olds left in a room with musical instruments, and their main objective is to fucking destroy the instruments by wailing on them.

This isn't a genre of music because this isn't music. By times it sounds like they're trying to emulate Talking Heads, but they don't have the cognitive ability to even begin to come close.

The "singer" sounds like a cat stuck in a grease trap. If you can't make music, don't. This has influenced nothing but headaches from every poor sod subjected to listening to this trash. This "band" should have to pay fines for every set of ears that bleed because of their garbage. Never heard of Pere Ubu before, and will have forgotten about them by tomorrow. Whoever put this album on this list needs their head examined.

Favourite songs: (if forced to pick) On the Surface

Least favourite songs: Navvy, Dub Housing, Thriller!, (Pa) Ubu Dance Party,

1/5 because I have to... It'd be a 0 if I could.

Before today, I had never heard of The Jesus and Mary Chain before. They are a indie rock/shoegaze band from Scotland. One thing I am learning through this 1001 albums exercise is how much I hate shoegaze.

If you aren't going to be enthusiastic about playing your instruments or singing, then why the fuck are you making music?

This is depressing, brooding music which is sung by someone who seems bored to be there. The guitar is played shittily with tons of distortion (maybe to try and cover up the lack of talent, but it doesn't work).

Overall, this was a shitty album by a shitty band that I will never visit again. Only reason it's 2 stars is because at least it isn't fucking Joy Division. I have no idea what this could have influenced. Why it is on this list, I don't know. Different strokes for different folks I suppose.

Favourite songs: Happy When It Rains, Cherry Came Too, Darklands

Least favourite songs: Nine Million Rainy Days, On The Wall

2/5

Before today, the only song by a-ha that I was familiar with was Take On Me (the first song on this album).

a-ha are a Norwegian synth pop band, that rose to fame with the song and video for Take On Me. I remember the sketched music video well. After the success of that song, it seemed like, on this side of the pond at least, the band kind of fell off of the face of the earth. Interestingly though, there were 5 singles released off of this album in Europe (Take On Me, The Sun Always Shines On T.V., Hunting High and Low, Love Is Reason, and Train of Thought), and they are actually still actively making music and touring over there as well (latest album release was 2022).

This album is full of 80's nostalgia. Not because I was familiar with all the songs, but because all of the songs had that signature 80's heavy synthesized sound, with electric drum machines and synthesizers in the forefront. Aside from the 5 singles mentioned above, the other songs were good, but felt a bit like filler (didn't really stand out).

I was hoping that another of their songs would impress me enough to topple Take On Me from my "favourite song" slot, and that is what The Sun Always Shines On T.V. did. Not that I don't like Take On Me, but it just got played to death, so it lost a lot of its grandeur over the years of repetition. The Sun Always Shines On T.V. starts off slow, but is a real rockin' 80's pop song.

Overall, not a bad record. Probably not something I would revisit, but I can see how it may have been influential in the 80's.

Favourite songs: The Sun Always Shines On T.V., Take On Me, Love Is Reason, Hunting High and Low

Least favourite songs: And You Tell Me

3/5

This is another album that I have no idea what genre to put it in.

Laura Nyro is a singer songwriter who melded together aspects of jazz, folk, soul, R&B, pop, and show tunes, creating an odd mishmash of everything.

One thing about her style that I've read a lot of people don't like is the constant tempo/genre changes she implements. You are just settling into a song, getting used to the beat and flow, and Laura flips it on its head and completely changes it. While it may annoy a lot of people, I don't mind it really because it keeps you focused on the music instead of drifting off.

Laura has a beautiful singing voice, and can really hit those high notes! I hear influence from jazz/soul greats such as Nina Simone and Billie Holiday in her style and vocal delivery. Her lyrics are largely nonsensical, much like Kate Bush, but older.

Overall, I enjoyed today's album after listening to it twice. Much like Joni Mitchell's album I reviewed on here already, it took me some time to warm up to how out there this album was. I doubt if I will listen again, but I'm glad I did at least once.

Favourite songs: Eli's Comin', Lu, Sweet Blindness, Timer, Stoned Soul Picnic

Least favourite songs: Lonely Women, Emmie, Woman's Blues, December's Boudoir

3/5

Today's album was a weird one to fit into a genre. It was funk, rock, psychadelica, and soul all seamlessly mixed into a fantastic listening experience!

Funkadelic started life as a sister act to George Clinton's doo wop group, the Parliaments. Funkadelic is where all the experimentation happened, whereas the Parliaments stayed true to the funk genre.

It is said that the name Funkadelic came from the fact that most of the inspirations for their music came from LSD trips. This makes sense, given some of the song titles. Notably: Lunchmeataphobia and Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis.

The musical talent in this band is amazing! Stand out props to Michael Hampton for blowing the roof off of the place and shredding guitar licks in the song Maggot Brain!

Overall, a great album! Will definately listen again! I had to find the album on YouTube though because Spotify doesn't have it for some dumb reason.

Favourite songs: Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!, Maggot Brain /Chant (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!), One Nation Under a Groove, Lunchmeataphobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!)

Least favourite songs: Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis / Enema Squad (the Doo Doo Chasers)

4/5

Before today, I had no idea that Rod Stewart had a band! In 1969, the band "the Small Faces" disbanded when Steve Marriott left. The three remaining members picked up Ron Wood on guitar, and Rod Stewart on vocals, and became the band "Faces".

Rod already had a career of his own with his solo work, so he used his time with "Faces" to go wild. A few songs on this record were sung by bassist Ronnie Lane. His voice isn't as strong or recognizable as Rod's, but is still good in its own right. There are heavy blues influences on this record, and I love the sludgy guitars throughout!

Apparently "Faces" lived the rock 'n' roll lifestyle: partying, drinking, and womanizing! It's too bad the band broke up after only 5 short years! I can't believe I just discovered Faces today!!

After breaking up, Rod continued with his solo career, Ron Wood joined the Rolling Stones, and drummer Kenny Jones eventually joined the Who, so quite a perigree of talent came from this band!!

I've heard the song Stay With Me before, but always assumed it was just a Rod Stewart song.

Overall, I loved today's album! So much so, that I listened to it twice! I will definately listen again!

Favourite songs: Stay With Me, Memphis, Miss Judy's Farm, Too Bad, That's All You Need, You're So Rude,

Least favourite song: If forced to pick, Last Orders Please

5/5

My second Prince album reviewed. This record had a lot more familiar song on it than the first one I listened to (Sign 'O' the Times). This is the first album he recorded with his backing band, the Revolution.

This album is sexually charged as hell! I feel like I've been ear fucked by Prince, and I'm ok with it! I could do without the 2 minute porno clips in the songs Automatic, and Lady Cab Driver, but we will chock that up to artistic expression.

The Revolution were tight on this album, taking Prince's pop rock to another level! There are strong dance vibes on this, and also touches of R&B, and funk.

The song Free is a great nod to the world issues surrounding people who are horribly oppressed by their governments, and preaches a message of peace and love.

Overall, I really enjoyed this album! A lot of great songs on this one, and great beats throughout! Will definately listen again!

Favourite songs: Little Red Corvette, D.M.S.R. 1999, Let's Pretend We're Married

Least favourite songs: Delirious, Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)

4/5

The B-52's were a new wave, post punk band, most famous for the song Love Shack, and Rock Lobster.

This was their debut album. Their sound blends "surf rock" guitars with heavy synth backing and weird psychadelic, nonsensical lyrics.

I enjoy the male/female vocal dynamic. This music is weird, but in a good way. Some of their stuff was too out there for me (like when their singing doesn't mesh with the time signature that the instruments are playing) but overall, I can see how many bands that came later drew influence from this band.

Overall, an interesting listen today. Before this I was only familiar with their hits, but discovered a few more songs I hadn't heard before, but really liked.

Favourite songs: Rock Lobster, Lava, 6060-842 (6060 842)

Least favourite songs: 52 Girls, Planet Claire, Hero Worship, Downtown

3/5

Today's album is my second by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. This is the album once recommended to me by a friend.

This is a very dark album, whose entire theme circles around death and murder. Listening to this album is like listening to a true crime documentary. Nick's writing style and vocal delivery gives an overwhelming feeling of dread and gloom. He pairs with female vocalists such as: Kylie Minogue and PJ Harvey to inject some beauty to his baritone voice. The whole record proceeds through so much death and murder, and finally ends with a song of hope (a cover of Bob Dylan's "Death is Not the End") to pull the listener out of the darkness.

This album is beautiful in the most fucked of ways. Nick has a way of genre jumping between albums. The first album of his I reviewed was called The Boatman's Call, which was an intimate acoustic album which featured Nick singing with piano accompaniment. Very soft and mellow. This album was rock oriented (kind of goth rock in a way) and VERY dark.

I loved this album. At first, the shock of the material kind of turned me off, but eventually, it won me over, and upon second listen, I really looked past that, and really listened. This is a piece of art! The only way to enjoy this record is by listening front to back.

Favourite songs: Stagger Lee, Where the Wild Roses Grow, The Curse of Millhaven, The Kindness of Strangers, Song of Joy, O'Malley's Bar, Death is Not The End

Least favourite song: Crow Jane

5/5

This is Elvis Presley's fourth studio album, and his first album made after his deployment with the army.

Elvis was influential in creating the rock and roll movement that exploded in the late 50's - early 60's. You can definately hear influence from blues and country throughout this album.

My knee-jerk reaction this morning after seeing this album pop up was "Oh no, not an Elvis album". I understand how important he was to music, but have never been particularly fond of his music, however, after listening to this album, I was pleasantly surprised! This being an early album, and also happening right after his tour in the military, he did a bit more exploration of his sound on this record. The albums that follow this one (after he begins his time in Vegas) steadily go downhill and he becomes more of a circus act than a singer (with the hip gyrating and weird outfit). This is what I think of when I think of Elvis, and I hate that era of his music, so I am very glad this wasn't that.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this album today! Not a bad song on the record, even though I only recognized one of them (Fever, because of the movie Hangover, even though the song in the movie is a remake of this one).

Favourite songs: "Dirty, Dirty Feeling", Such a Night, Make Me Know It, Reconsider Baby, Like a Baby, The Girl of My Best Friend, Fever, I Will Be Home Again, Fever

Least favourite songs: It Feels So Right, Soldier Boy

5/5

Happy Mondays is a British "Madchester" band. Madchester was a music movement in the 80's and 90's that took place in and around Manchester, hence the name. It is a blending of indie rock/new wave with acid house and psychadelia music styles.

Happy Mondays style features heavy precussion/bongo work with rock style guitar riffs and sometimes funk oriented bass grooves, all while having this super dance-y structure and delivery. Most of the lyrics are nonsensical, and there is also some brass instrument sections on this album. It has a bit of everything.

I didn't mind this album, but nothing really jumped out at me either. The whole Madchester genre is kind of weird, and maybe doesn't translate as well on this side of the pond.

My favourite song on the record, as shown below, is Tokoloshe Man (which isn't on the original record, but was included in the Spotify linked "Collectors Edition). If I were to have a favourite from the actual album, it would be Loose Fit.

Favourite songs: Tokoloshe Man, Loose Fit, Step On, God's Cop, Kinky Afro

Least favourite songs: Grandbag's Funeral, Harmony

3/5

Fela Kuti is a singer songwriter from Nigeria, who is credited with creating the Afrobeat genre of music.

Afrobeat is a combination of African musical styles and American funk/jazz/blues. It also has chanted vocals.

This album is very politically driven, focusing on the unrest and violence in Nigeria at the time. The album title, Zombie, was a metaphor, referring to the Nigerian military's methods. It is believed that this album triggered the attack on his commune, and the resulting murder of his elderly mother.

This music is spectacular, and doesn't feel like 12 minute songs when you listen to it. There is something about it that pulls you in and keeps your interest.

The Spotify link is for the re-release, which happened in 2009, and included 2 more songs, so this is the one I listened to and reviewed.

Overall, fantastic music! Thoroughly enjoyed discovering "afrobeat", which is a genre I didn't even know existed. Will definately listen again.

Favourite songs: Zombie, Mr. Follow Follow

Least favourite song: Mistake (Live at the Berlin Jazz Festival)

4/5