Reviews by keithb

Proof that being good can be overrated

The singer can't sing, the guitarist can't play, the music is as basic as can be… but this is Shear brilliance

Strong evidence for the ( mistaken) case that Punk originated in New York not London

Before the overblown ego of gifting everyone a free album , that nobody wanted or could delete, was a bombastic stadium rock band

Before that was a U2 at its creative best, taking on important social messages and driving a creative original sound. Bombastic, but with a small b .

Elvis is back , but who cares .

Not sure why this is on the list . A more mature Elvis with a resonant voice but the songs are all just meh . Apart from the great “Fever”.

Meh if not got Otis Blackwell who was a genius.

This would feel like a short album , of just 6 songs , if not for the fact that the opening track feels like 3 if not 4 distinct songs

The thin white duke person resonates through an album steeped with emotion - but is at odds with the funky tones of Stay

“To Pimp A Butterfly", is an instant classic so the previous album "good kid, m.A.A.d city" has a lot to live up to warrant being on this list . “Good kid” is a tighter, leaner piece that is looking inward focused and social commentary.

While not as musically deep as the sequel this still needs to be on this list

Okay this is interesting to rate (that means hard )

Obviously the actual songs are great, but there is just too much fannying about with sound scapes.

As a huge fan of Public Service Broadcasting I see the value of talking and sound effects taking the place of a vocal track, when it’s done well.

Why does every song need to start with a lame sound effect linked to the title , like some bad 90s PowerPoint or Alan Partridge radio link .

That till/cash register sound adds to the MIA song but not here.

snare drums high in the mix , heavy base lines jangly guitars , morose lyrics , check , check, check, check… patchouli… probably

Goth rock by the masters . The 4th in this list for me and their best so far.

Southern groovy blues rock; with slight touches of early metal - mostly from shredding and the odd heavy riff like the start of master of sparks.

If drinking Jack (or southern comfort ) while playing game of pool in a dingy bar had a sound this would probably be it .

“Hot blues , and righteous” really drags the album down and the following “move me on down the line “ does little to rectify the situation

tres estrellas

Like a lot of others I will add this to a playlist for my next dinner party.

Bluesy, jazzy, laid back., but is it good ? Kind off.

Its biggest strength (in being unobtrusive background music) is its biggest weakness.

60s boomer psychedelic rock with a band synonymous with Clapton, so you know what to expect

Fair play that there is actually No Clapton on this , but it’s still shit

Beck is a great guitarist though

I can like weird sounding albums , but albums trying to be wired and wacky less so

The only bit I actually liked was the start of “Ever since the world began “ as its sound like a less heavy version of a Sabbath song

The hardest working man in show business

Great soul album before bootsy delivered the funk

Suffers like most live albums but still great

Bret’s voice is like an extra instrument that adds depth and feeling to the jangly pop rock

Never understood how suedes brand of new wave goth lite got lumped in with the other britpop bands .

An almost perfect blend of hip hop, rap, funk, even a riff or two from the likes of Lou Reed and Stevie Wonder.

Like the “daisy age” the sound of a tribe called quest deserved a bigger impact.

It’s quite surprising really that such a straightforward and simplistic sound could shake up the establishment.

By the numbers straight up rock n roll with an umpf

I know punk was more an attitude than a sound or esthetic.

But then again this project has highlighted to me how bland and bloated some of the 70s boomer rock was in 70s - looking at you (steely) Dan and Clapton, et al

Boomer blues rock that is actually quite good; for a 60s guitarist based album

Is justified to be on the list as it means one does not need to listen to CCR as Beck and Stewart do it much better than Credence.

its fun, catchy, really good but it definitely is NOT Punk.

A bastard child of punk and bubblegum pop this 90s pop punk has way to clean production to be really fun .

has the grand, dramatic sound Arcade Fire is known for, but I can not help but agreeing with rolling stone and Uncut magazine. Somehow distant and overblown.

I’m torn between 2 stars or 3. 2 feels low, with 3 normally being my benchmark for whether or not I’d buy this on vinyl; but if I did actually own this I just would never elect to listen to it.

Americna folk that’s well played and his voice is quite good . It’s just a little too dull for 2 songs Let alone 20.
“I was mamed by This album “

Will certainly offer value for money with 3 or more different sounds in just the first 4 songs … it’s just a pity none of them are overly interesting

Vans voice still blows me away and this live album is brilliant, in places .

The “Them” songs are the best . There is a section ( side 2 of the vinyl) that the quality drops until domino brings it back up .

Live double album that actually sounds good to listen to to is something of a rarity

The voice of a generation but Not “Blonde on Blonde” or “Blood on the Tracks“ but still brilliant

You can definitely hear the influence of Woody in this early work before Dylan finds his own sound .
But his songwriting is excellent.