Reviews by gromit

Occasionally funny but mostly uninteresting - doesn't have the atmosphere or energy of horror rap from the 90s and it's not charming in the way some silly / comedic rap can be. Doesn't really go anywhere

Incredible record - concept album, adaptation almost - feels like a complete story. Instruments are perfect, vocals so smooth. Minimalistic funk sound with percussion and a strong atmosphere throughout.

I liked the majority of tracks and thought it was very solid - Yoshimi 1/2 are the highlights for sure. I assume there's more of a story throughout but I didn't pick up fully on that. Sonically it's just what I want so it's a 4 regardless

Great record - was surprised to see negative reactions given that it does sound genuinely quite fresh (especially for a band almost 25 years in) and is consistently good throughout. Undoubtedly pop music (some songs wouldn't be out of place on a Dido record) but since when was that a problem? Missing a really standout track but overall very solid.

Really good stuff - it's nocturnal, sinister - don't need the mythology around sampling to engage with this but it does help elevate it as well.

Great album - no weak tracks here

Can absolutely hear the influence on darkwave / goth, techno, trance, electro, industrial etc - ominous and yet futuristic and almost hopeful in places.

I liked it, but with more atmospheric music it might take a few listens - I can see it growing on me

Good stuff on here - I like what I've heard from Paul's solo stuff and this one really sounds like he was (successfully) bringing his sound into the 70s.

I liked a lot of this, a few parts that dragged but balanced out by highlights such as the long psych jam at the end.

Preferred the movie adaptation

Cool stuff - I like the bluesy tracks

No strong feelings on this one - it's not unpleasant and at times feels emotional, sentimental about his own life and history in a way that I quite like. But no songs massively stand out to me - would happily give it a 5/10 so will give it a 2(.5)

Great riffs, love the vocals - feels bluesy in places, much more closely related to hard rock than the thrashier metal of the 80s and extreme metal of the 90s. Has the sensitivity of Changes - which somehow fits right in with the other tracks - and the nice folkiness of Laguna Sunrise. Rest of the tracks all rule

I like some of the soft rock stuff on here - rest of it is odd - music hall, orchestral, lots of strange vocal performances. Doesn't feel very coherent unfortunately. I understand they go on to do better things...

Very nearly the first one I couldn't finish - just found it really quite boring and even unpleasant in places. Feels like a 4/10 if generous.

Really enjoyed this - particularly the tracks Judy Blue Eyes and Helplessly Hoping

I must have been aware that there was a missing link between 50s electric blues records (mostly American musicians) and 70s glam rock (mostly British musicians) and that there must have been a period in the 60s where young British musicians just ripped off the blues without adding any of their own influence or flavor. I'm sure this influenced the next generation of musicians to make more interesting interpretations of blues into rock. That doesn't mean I have to think it's good!

In addition, while I can separate a lot of Eric Clapton's work from his vile personality (separate art from the artist etc), I would struggle to do with this one as it is a one-to-one copy of blues music by black musicians such as Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, all by a man who just ten years later was openly and proudly racist against black people and in favour of a white ethnostate within Britain.

As a result, I have a lot of mixed feelings - mostly negative - about the context of this album. But what about the music, I can hear you asking? The big highlight is unfortunately Eric Clapton's guitar work, he can make the guitar talk in that satisfying way and gives this the bluesy feel it needs. The downside is the rest of the band doesn't really have that bite that blues needs - there's not much emotion here.

So I think all of this writing is for an album that is just not that memorable in the first place. Hopefully this is the last one from this lot, though I have a feeling I'll be hearing from Mr. Clapton again on this challenge...

Otis is wonderful - love the sound, some great highlights here (Ole Man Trouble, A Change is Gonna Come). Some of the tracks have versions which are more iconic (Respect, My Girl, Wonder World, Satisfaction). I do like Otis' version of these but it keeps the record feeling a bit less essential. This is a strong 3 for me.

Picks up as it goes along - gorgeous work from the whole band (that drum performance!). Not hearing the spirituality or the 'speaking in tongues' that this record gets compared to - the sax playing sits in the background often and there's enough other stuff going on here to enjoy without the mysticism.

Really great, loved this one. Can only see if growing