Rated 8/10
Started listening to this yesterday, found it nightmarishly horrible and had to switch it off, but I was not in a great place. Picked it up again today and enjoyed it a lot more; despite Sinatra's reputation, there is something heartfelt and sincere about his songs and the way he sings them. I like the way it tells a story as well.
Rated 6/10
Girl From Ipanema is very good, it feels bright and sunny. Lost interest after that though.
Rated 10/10
My Mum played a lot of Baez when I was growing up, but, being 10, I never really saw the appeal. This album really clicked for me, though; it's very straightforward, but her pitch-perfect voice and skills as a guitarist elevate it to stratospheric levels. What's more is that it has a level of authenticity and sincerity that's sorely missed in modern music.
Rated 10/10
I've always been put off KISS by the way they look. But I realised that this is quite judgemental of me and these poor people must have suffered throughout their lives due to their unusual facial pigmentation, incredible hair, and malformed feet. Anyway, this album is decent; well-rounded and nicely paced with tight production. And it doesn't sound like I expected a KISS album to sound.
Rated 6/10
A less weird Kate Bush. Some decent tunes, especially Little Earthquakes, but there are some boring ballads too.
Rated 8/10
There's something very sweet about Gary Numan, he was a musician who was unafraid to embrace his inner nerd. This album is a little underwhelming, probably because other artists have remixed and amped up his songs.
Rated 8/10
Stirring.
One of Eno's best collaborations, with David Byrne and the entire continent of Africa adding a vital funk injection.
Rated 10/10
Not usually a fan of live albums, but this one is essential. Its acoustic nature strips Kurt of his electrified anger and softens Nirvana's rough edges, revealing something more tender. The covers, in particular "Man Who Saved the World," fit in perfectly too.
Rated 10/10
Listened to Sticky Fingers a lot at uni. It makes you feel dirty just by listening — and it's all the better for it. The remastered edition on Spotify is a bit unnecessary, I prefer the heroin-fuelled rawness of the original recording.
Rated 8/10
My Dad had this on vinyl, so it got some heavy rotation when I was about five. Now, the tentpole tracks (Born in the USA, Cover Me and Dancing in the Dark) lack the punch I remember, but I'm on Fire is an absolute masterpiece; Springsteen baring a vulnerable heart underneath his gruff exterior.
Rated 10/10
Exactly what my brain needed on a stressful Wednesday morning. Orbital are at their best when they're doing more chilled-out stuff.
Rated 10/10
60s music was really good, wasn't it? This is powerful but effeminate without ever being cloying.
Rated 8/10
It's like someone put The Beach Boys in a blender, then baked it. Love the texture.
Rated 6/10
Love the diversity of the samples, the bravura of the production. I think the way it pushed things forwards just about overcomes the nasty, dated lyrics.
Rated 8/10
If you can't listen to this without at least tapping your foot, you're not alive and probably a zombie or vampire.
Rated 8/10
Groovy.
Rated 10/10
When I first listened to this about 10 years ago I wanted to like it more, but found it too schizophrenic and irritating. On relistening Rundgren's genius really shines through. I love the fact that it doesn't sit still and changes direction so many times, but still manages to work in some decent tunes.
Rated 6/10
Big Mouth Strikes Again is probably The Smiths' best song (and yes, that includes How Soon Is Now?), but Frankly Mr Shankly is probably their worst.
Rated 10/10
Not quite as coherent as III, but it makes up for it in the heavenly heights the songs hit.
