Reviews by gmuzza

Yes Kanye is a loathsome individual, but before that became a reality he made great music.

This is just a great debut that showcases his production skills that gave him his breakthrough. The combination of old school samples and beats make this an enjoyable listen. Whilst he’s never been the greatest rapper ‘musical’ genius (and this is very much where that ends) perfectly matches his flow and that of his guests (with the possible exception of Ludicrous) to his production.

The singles are all great as are tracks like ‘School spirit’. Yes as always the skits aren’t needed, but that’s a general hip-hop thing for you and the final track definitely takes his unmatchable levels of self belief well beyond anything that is enjoyable but this is a minor quibble on an otherwise classic album

As mediocre an album as they come. Relatively pleasant without ever getting out of second gear. ‘Can’t let it go’ tries to at least provides some variety and stops the feeling that this is all variations on the same track. Unfortunately the tracks after that (up to ‘Greenville’)appear to switch to more that style so becomes variations on two tracks/styles
‘Joy’ is surprisingly unjoyful to listen to.

If this process allowed for half marks it would be 2.5/5 (straight down the middle), but as it is it’s a 2/5.

It feels like music that would play whilst you walked through a creepy house. I didn’t really find this enjoyable on any level and ‘Croker Courtbullion’ was a clear low point.
‘Jump Sturdy’ had potential to be a high point, but i think the volume and quality of the vocals put an end to that

Given there is only 8 tracks on rhis album, you couldn’t get much stronger of a first 4.

‘War pigs’ showcases the individual elements of Sabbath superbly. Typical of a lot of Ozzy era Sabbath it manages to balance heaviness with a highly enjoyable (and listenable) groove. ‘Paranoid’ is well ‘Paranoid’, just simply a high energy classic.
Strangely my first introduction to ‘Planet Caravan’ was through a Pantera cover rather than the original. I love how spaced out and chilled it feels compared to the first two tracks.

It feels unfair to say the second half of the album doesn’t quite maintain the same level, but that’s the issue of having the first four tracks be that strong. That said there is still plenty to enjoy. ‘Hand of Doom’ meanders through various different styles of Sabbath, slowing down and speeding up at will throughout. If anything if probably goes on a little too long, but is still enjoyable enough to not prompt nervous glances towards the remaining running time.’Rat Salad’ is possibly the most unnecessary track on any early Sabbath album and could’ve been cut without issue.

Golden Skans casts a huge shadow over this album as the only track i remember before listening (by the Klaxons full stop).

The first track us ok, but ‘Atlantis to interZone’ is a difficult listen, especially given it leads to the aforementioned’Golden Skans’ which i dont think you can really fault.
I enjoyed the energy of ‘Totem on the Timeline’ which has that mid 2000s guitar sound to it, which makes me think of Maccabees, who i think more worthy of a place on this list.

‘Magick’ is frankly irritating.

I’d forgotten ‘It’s not over yet’ which gives ‘Golden Skans’ a run for it’s money in the infectious stakes.
The least said about ‘For Horsemen’ the better

I just couldn’t get over the vocals which just grated on me. I can understand why some people would like it, but just not for me.

This just enjoying easy listening vibes and was good accompaniment for a first day back at work after the summer break.

There’s nothing that grabs you, but equally not really anything that grates or annoys. It is just a good mid album. That being the case it would be churlish to round down so 3/5

Oh great a double album of Nick Cave for a bank holiday Monday .
The opening track made me think of a raucous interpretation of Blue Moon for some reason and i actually enjoyed how rocky it was.
‘Nature Boy’ is reasonably enjoyable, but there’s something about the album as a whole that i just can’t connect with.

The Lyre of orpheus leaves you in no doubt Anais Mitchell’s songs were the Orpheus Eurydice songs best to form a good musical around (and just better songs). It offers a much gentler sound to Abattoir Blues and is far less enjoyable.

Supernaturally eventually injects some much needed energy but overall the second side/album is just a bit drab and uninspired to justify the need to make this a double album

I thought i would enjoy this and the music makes a promising start, but it’s all a bit samey. The delivery being deep and rhythmic felt like something that would showcase the aware lyrics, but by ‘Language of violence’ nothing really registered as it feels like rap to fall to sleep to. Perhaps the intention is for the messaging to subconsciously enter your mind, but awake its just not happening.
The length of the tracks dont help either. ‘ The Winter of the long hot summer’ tips the eight minute mark and is just dull.

‘Hypocrisy is the greatest luxury’ at last finally injects some life into proceedings, both in teems of music and musically delivery. This is continued through the next track, but comes to an abrupt end after that.
‘Financial leprosy’ and ‘California uber ales’ are probably the most explicit attempt to occupy Public Enemy territory, but they just deliver with far greater urgency and energy….and my god the repetition grates.

Is the messaging on this album worthy of attention, undoubtedly but that doesn’t make it a good or enjoyable listen. Would bet served to just read the lyrics.

I only really know ‘Everyone’s happy nowadays’ and ‘Ever fallen in love’ by the Buzzcocks and I’m not really sure why I’ve never ventured deeper into their back catalogue, so this is an intriguing prospect.

I spoke too soon as there is nothing interesting about this album. It is fine, but nothing really excels are lifts this above the mundane.

Our House is a very very fine song, but the rest is just bland mediocrity.

Second live album in a row, i understand the historical significance this may have but still feels like a cheat in terms of the possible track listing over a traditional album.

I have become relatively partial to a bit of Dylan with age, but this was a step too far. I listened to most of it crawling along the m25 to the m1 and this managed to make that even less enjoyable. Even the enjoyable tracks like ‘like a rolling stone’ just go on too long. You’d be mich better advised to listen to one of his studio albums

God this is shocking. ‘Baby I Love Your Way’ aside this is unbearable. I dont understand the presence of live albums (mtv unplugged aside) on this list, you may as well include hits compilations.

I remember the singles, but little else and can see why. My memory was of TTD’s vocals being far richer and soulful.
Unfortunately aside from the singles this just sounds dated, manufactured pop does soul.

I always quite enjoyed this era of Death in Vegas and this is their best album. ‘Dirge’ and ‘Aisha’ are just brilliant tracks.
The rest of the tracks dont get near that standard, but still an enjoyable listen

Such a raw sounding album that allows Lennon’s vocals and lyrics shine, including those more acidic ones.

‘Mother’ is a beautifully fragile song that stands up there with anything Lennon did. ‘Hold on’ and ‘I Found out’ maintain the standard, before ‘Working Class Hero’ blows the doors off.
Could the album have done without ‘My Mummy’s Dead’, well yes but it fits here, especially following on from ‘God’ in which he discards his former band amongst other in favour of himself and Yoko. Overall one of, if not the strongest of his solo output

It’s all just a bit too boring. Tracks like ‘Kaini Industries’ and ‘Bocuma’ dont even develop beyond the initial opening. Just an album of background music

I’ve always considered Summertime Blues as a great straightforward song that is difficult to go wrong with. Turns out it you strip the tune away, throw in shit vocals you really can make a dirge out of it.
The second track isn't much better and they are certainly more blue than cheer. ‘Doctor Please’ is unenjoyable and surprisingly long on a relatively short album, but the comparative brevity of ‘Out Of Focus’ doesn’t really improve things. Yes they might have been ahead of their time with this style of music, but they didn’t do it well, even the guitar noodling sounds crap.

Solo Jack White is far better than the White Stripes. This is probably more solid than spectacular, but it feels like he really hits his groove from ‘Blunderbuss’ and its strings onwards.

I enjoyed the raw energy of this album, but little beyond that. I can understand how PJ Harvey became lauded for her work, but that still feels some way off at the stage this album was made.