Reviews by kitch82

*Risqué* by Chic is a fun album, full of fantastic musicianship, infectious rhythms and some brilliant disco music. It's the sort of record that instantly puts you in a good mood.

"Good Times" is disco at its absolute best. What a tune! The bassline is simply stunning, and the combination of funk, groove and energy makes it one of the great disco records. It's impossible not to enjoy it.

What surprised me most about this album was how much I enjoyed the slower songs. Tracks like "A Warm Summer Night" are lovely and provide a nice contrast to the more upbeat disco numbers. They give the album some real variety and show that Chic were capable of much more than just filling dancefloors.

I enjoyed *C'est Chic* when I listened to it earlier in the challenge, but I actually think *Risqué* is the better album. It flows beautifully, there's more variety in the songwriting, and the quality remains consistently high throughout. The production is excellent too, with some wonderful bass and guitar playing.

Favourite track: "Good Times". An absolute disco classic with one of the greatest basslines ever recorded.

Least favourite track: Nothing really. Every song is worth a listen, and I enjoyed the album throughout.

Album artwork: Cool album cover. I like it.

Songs of a Lost World by The Cure must be one of the newest entries in this challenge, and what an album it is! I've always loved The Cure, and I remember being incredibly excited when this was announced. I listened to it as soon as it came out, and it absolutely blew me away.

I genuinely think this is a modern classic. In fact, looking back over the last two years, I can't think of another album I'd give a 5/5 to. That's how good I think this record is.

There's something incredibly moving about this album. It's dark, atmospheric and melancholic, but also full of beautiful melodies and fantastic musicianship. Robert Smith's voice is as distinctive and emotional as ever, and the songwriting is simply brilliant. It's remarkable that a band that's been around for so long can still produce music of this quality.

"Endsong" is an absolutely stunning piece of music. What a track! It's emotional, powerful and beautifully constructed, building into something quite extraordinary. One of those songs that really stays with you long after it's finished.

"Alone" is another masterpiece and such a brilliant way to open the album, while "A Fragile Thing" is simply gorgeous. There isn't a weak moment on this record, and despite the longer tracks, nothing feels unnecessary. This is an album that deserves to be listened to from beginning to end.

I honestly can't praise *Songs of a Lost World* enough. It's everything I love about The Cure, and to release something this good so late in their career is an incredible achievement. I loved it when it first came out, I love it just as much today, and I suspect I'll still be listening to it for many years to come.

A modern classic and an easy 5/5.

Favourite tracks: "Alone", "A Fragile Thing" and "Endsong". Three absolutely outstanding pieces of music. "Endsong" in particular is something special.

Least favourite track: Absolutely nothing. There isn't a single skippable track on this album. You really need to listen to the whole thing to appreciate just how good it is.

Album artwork: Brilliant. Such a striking and memorable cover. It's one of those album covers you see once and never forget.

One of the best discoveries of this challenge has been Traffic and Steve Winwood. I've become a huge fan of their music and have been working my way through Winwood's back catalogue. I love the combination of rock, jazz, soul and R&B, the brilliant musicianship and, of course, Winwood's fantastic voice. I was really looking forward to today's listen.

*Traffic*, the band's self-titled album, certainly didn't disappoint. What a great record this is! It's a wonderful mixture of rock, soul, jazz and psychedelia, with some really funky, almost danceable rhythms running throughout.

What I particularly like about Traffic is how difficult they are to pin down to one genre. There's so much going on musically, but it all comes together brilliantly. The guitar and keyboard playing is excellent, the arrangements are interesting, and there's a lovely loose, almost improvisational feel to some of the songs.

Steve Winwood's vocals are fantastic, as always. He has such a distinctive, soulful voice, and it works perfectly with the music. The songwriting is excellent too, with some lovely lyrics and melodies that make this a really enjoyable listen.

"Pearly Queen" is a cracking tune and probably my favourite track, although there are so many good songs here that it's difficult to pick just one.

Overall, *Traffic* is another superb album from a band I've really grown to love. It's full of great musicianship, interesting sounds and excellent songwriting. I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish, and it's definitely an album I'll keep coming back to. Discovering Traffic and Steve Winwood has been one of the real highlights of this challenge.

Favourite track: "Pearly Queen". A fantastic song, although there are plenty of other great tracks on the album.

Least favourite track: Nothing really. Everything on the album is worth a listen, and I enjoyed it throughout.

Album artwork: A fairly standard album cover. Nothing particularly exciting, but perfectly fine.

Today's listen is Licensed to Ill, my fourth Beastie Boys album in this challenge. I've always wanted to like the Beastie Boys, but so far I've struggled to understand what all the fuss is about. Let's see if today's album can change my mind.

Musically, there's some brilliant sampling and production on *Licensed to Ill*, and I can appreciate the energy and creativity that went into making it. Unfortunately, I still find the vocals quite irritating, and some of the lyrics haven't aged particularly well.

The big singles are easily the best part of the album. They're catchy, full of energy and good fun, but outside of those tracks, I found much of the album rather dull and forgettable. Too many of the songs sound similar, and there's not enough variety to keep me interested.

I can understand why this album was so popular when it was released, and there's no denying the Beastie Boys brought something different to hip-hop. However, listening to it today, I think a lot of the music sounds quite dated.

Overall, *Licensed to Ill* is another mixed experience for me. There are some cracking tunes, and I enjoyed the better-known tracks, but the rest of the album didn't do much for me. Four Beastie Boys albums into this challenge, and I'm still not convinced!

Favourite track: "Fight for Your Right". A great tune, full of energy and easily one of the highlights.

Least favourite track: "Girls". I really didn't enjoy this one. The lyrics are poor, and several other tracks were equally dull and forgettable.

Album artwork: I love the album cover. Easily one of the best things about the record!

Today's listen is *Nighthawks at the Diner*, my fifth Tom Waits album in this challenge, and I can't say I was particularly looking forward to it! I've really struggled with his music so far, especially his grating voice and the lack of melody. *Rain Dogs* was probably the best of the four I'd heard, but even that didn't do much for me. I know he's highly regarded, but I've never really understood the appeal. Maybe today would finally be the day Tom Waits won me over, although I wasn't holding my breath!

Well, what a surprise! *Nighthawks at the Diner* is by far the best Tom Waits album I've heard. I actually really enjoyed this, which is something I never thought I'd say about one of his records!

Musically, it's excellent. There's some lovely piano playing, great jazz arrangements and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere throughout. The lyrics are clever and genuinely funny in places, and I particularly enjoyed the spoken introductions between songs. They give the album plenty of character and make it feel like you're sitting in a small club watching Waits perform.

Even his voice, which I've found almost unbearable on previous albums, didn't bother me quite as much here. It's still rough and certainly not something I'd describe as pleasant, but somehow it works with this style of music. The combination of storytelling, humour and musicianship makes this a surprisingly easy and entertaining listen.

Overall, *Nighthawks at the Diner* has completely surprised me. I still wouldn't call myself a Tom Waits fan, and I doubt I'll ever love his voice, but this is the first album of his that I've genuinely enjoyed from start to finish. It's funny, atmospheric and full of great music. After four difficult listens, I've finally found a Tom Waits album I'd happily play again!

Favourite tracks: "Better Off Without a Wife" and "On a Foggy Night". Both really enjoyable tunes, with great piano playing and some entertaining lyrics.

Least favourite track: Nothing was horrific, which is certainly not something I've ever said about a Tom Waits album before!

Album artwork: A really cool cover. I love the atmosphere of it, and it suits the music perfectly.

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm* by A Tribe Called Quest is a classic hip-hop album and easily one of the best I've heard from this era.

What makes this album so good is the fantastic use of sampling, the laid-back beats and Q-Tip's distinctive rapping style. His vocals work perfectly with the music, and there's something effortlessly cool about the whole record. It's full of great rhythms, clever production and some really catchy tunes.

I've always struggled with hip-hop albums when they go on for too long, but this was a really enjoyable listen. There's plenty of variety, and the samples are brilliantly chosen. It's easy to see why A Tribe Called Quest are so highly regarded.

And then there's "Can I Kick It?". What an absolute classic! It has to be up there with the greatest hip-hop songs ever made. It reminds me so much of watching *Soccer AM* when I was younger, and I've always loved Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side", which it samples. It's one of those songs that instantly puts a smile on my face and is iconic not just on this album, but across the whole genre.

Overall, this is a cracking album. It's melodic, inventive and full of character. Hip-hop isn't always my favourite genre, but when it's done this well, I can really appreciate it. I'll definitely listen to this again.

Favourite tracks: "Luck of Lucien" is a really fun tune, but "Can I Kick It?" is the standout. An absolute classic and one of my favourite hip-hop songs.

Least favourite track: Nothing I particularly disliked. I can struggle with listening to hip-hop for extended periods, but this was an enjoyable album throughout.

Album artwork: Cool album cover. Simple, colourful and instantly recognisable.

*Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not* by Arctic Monkeys is 20 years old this year. Twenty years! Where on earth has that time gone? It's quite frightening how quickly time passes. This is the one Arctic Monkeys album I've always really loved, so I was looking forward to revisiting it today.

What I love most about this album is how it instantly makes me feel young again. So many of these songs take me straight back to indie nights out, packed pubs, sticky dancefloors and the music of the mid-2000s. It's one of those records that captures a particular time in your life perfectly, and listening to it brings back so many great memories.

The songwriting is absolutely brilliant. Alex Turner's lyrics are witty, observational and full of character, perfectly capturing what British youth culture was like 20 years ago. The nights out, the relationships, the arguments, the frustrations and the general chaos of growing up are all here. There's something wonderfully familiar about the stories he tells, and I think that's a huge part of why this album connected with so many people.

Musically, it's fantastic too. The guitars are sharp, the drums are relentless, and the whole album is bursting with energy. It's raw and exciting, but underneath all that noise are some genuinely brilliant melodies and incredibly catchy songs.

And what a collection of songs! "The View from the Afternoon", "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", "Fake Tales of San Francisco", "Mardy Bum" and "When the Sun Goes Down" are all absolute belters. I could go on, but with some of these song titles, I'd be here all day writing them out!

What makes this album so good is that there's virtually no filler. Thirteen songs in around 40 minutes is just about perfect. It's quick, sharp and straight to the point, with barely a moment wasted. There's so much energy and variety that you never get bored, and before you know it, the album is over and you're ready to play it again.

For me, this is Arctic Monkeys at their very best. I've listened to their later albums, but none of them has come close to capturing the excitement, energy and brilliant songwriting of this debut. It's a record that sounds just as good today as it did 20 years ago.

Overall, *Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not* is a fantastic album and a genuine modern British classic. It's full of brilliant songs, wonderful lyrics and memories of a time when life felt a little simpler. I absolutely love it, and I can't believe it's already 20 years old!

Favourite tracks: "Mardy Bum" and "When the Sun Goes Down". Two absolute classics, although I could easily have picked another five or six songs.

Least favourite track: There isn't a weak song on the album. It's consistently brilliant from start to finish.

Album artwork: An absolutely iconic album cover from the noughties! Instantly recognisable and perfectly captures the era. I love it.

Today's listen is *Rattus Norvegicus* by The Stranglers, and what a great album this turned out to be! It's a very different sound from the Stranglers' more familiar work, particularly songs like "Golden Brown", and I really enjoyed hearing this earlier, rawer side of the band.

Musically, I was surprised by just how much this reminded me of The Doors. There's a similar dark, slightly psychedelic atmosphere, particularly in the keyboards, but with a much heavier bass sound and a raw punk edge. It's an interesting combination, and one that works brilliantly.

The musicianship throughout is excellent. The bass playing is particularly impressive, driving so many of the songs forward and giving the album a really distinctive sound. The guitar work is equally good, and I love how the different instruments work together. There's a real energy and attitude to the music, but it's also far more interesting and varied than I was expecting from a punk album of this period.

"Peaches" is an absolute classic. The bassline is fantastic, the whole song has a wonderful swagger, and I have to admit that I quite enjoy the rather smutty lyrics! It's cheeky, funny and musically superb. I also really enjoyed "Down in the Sewer", which is a brilliant piece of music. It's ambitious, full of interesting changes and shows just how talented the band were.

What I particularly liked about this album is that it doesn't simply rely on the speed and aggression of punk. There's plenty of melody, atmosphere and some really interesting arrangements. It has a darker, slightly menacing sound, but there's also a lot of humour and personality running through it.

Overall, *Rattus Norvegicus* was a fantastic listen and one of those albums that makes me want to explore more of a band's work. I knew some of the Stranglers' better-known songs, but I hadn't appreciated just how good their early material was. This is a really strong album, full of great musicianship, character and memorable songs. I'll definitely be listening to it again.

Favourite tracks: "Down in the Sewer" and "Peaches". Both are musically superb, with fantastic bass and guitar playing. And who doesn't enjoy the wonderfully smutty lyrics of "Peaches"?

Least favourite track: Nothing really. Everything on the album is worth a listen, and I enjoyed it from start to finish.

Album artwork: A really cool cover with a slightly dark and creepy feel. Very fitting, as I'm listening to this around Halloween!

The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe was a really interesting and enjoyable listen. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going into this album, but I was pleasantly surprised by just how much variety there is throughout.

What makes this album so impressive is the way it moves effortlessly between different musical styles. There's a mixture of soul, funk, R&B, pop, hip-hop and even orchestral music, yet somehow it all fits together without ever feeling completely out of place. It's a very ambitious record, but for the most part, Janelle Monáe pulls it off brilliantly.

The production is excellent, and there's a real sense of creativity running through the album. Some songs are full of energy and catchy melodies, while others are more atmospheric and experimental. I particularly enjoyed how unpredictable it was. You never quite know what the next track is going to sound like, which makes for a refreshing change from albums where every song follows the same formula.

My biggest criticism is the length. At 19 tracks and just over an hour, I think the album could have benefited from some editing. The first half is particularly strong, but I found myself losing a little interest as it progressed. There are a few tracks from "Wondaland" onwards that could probably have been removed without taking much away from the overall experience.

That said, there's a lot to admire here. It's an inventive, adventurous album with some excellent musicianship and songwriting. Even when a particular song didn't quite work for me, I could appreciate what she was trying to achieve.

Overall, *The ArchAndroid* is exactly the sort of album that makes this challenge worthwhile. It's not something I would necessarily have discovered or chosen to listen to myself, but I'm really glad I did. There's so much going on musically, and despite being a little too long, it's a very good record. I would happily listen to it again.

Favourite track: "Dance or Die". A great track with loads of energy, a fantastic rhythm and an excellent arrangement.

Least favourite track: Nothing particularly awful, but I think the album loses some momentum towards the end. A few tracks from "Wondaland" onwards could have been cut to make this a tighter and more consistent record.

Album artwork: An interesting and elaborate cover, but definitely not one I'd want hanging on my wall at home!

Today's listen is *The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators* by The 13th Floor Elevators, an album I was looking forward to hearing.

This is a wonderfully strange record. It's a bit all over the place, mixing early psychedelic rock with raw garage rock and an almost psychobilly feel in places. There's a real energy to the music, and I particularly enjoyed the rough, slightly chaotic sound. It's not especially polished, but that's part of its charm.

The opening third of the album is excellent. There's some great guitar playing, plenty of attitude and a wonderfully distinctive sound. "You're Gonna Miss Me" is an absolute belter and a fantastic way to open the record. It's raw, catchy and full of energy, exactly the sort of music I enjoy.

Unfortunately, as the album progresses, I found myself losing interest a little. The songs start to sound quite similar, and what initially feels exciting and unusual becomes rather repetitive. There's plenty to enjoy, but I think the album could have benefited from a little more variety. By the end, it felt longer than it needed to be.

That said, I still enjoyed listening to it. There's something very appealing about the band's sound, and I can appreciate how adventurous and unusual this music must have been when it was first released in the 1960s. It's rough around the edges, slightly mad and good fun.

Overall, *The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators* is an enjoyable album with some excellent moments. It starts brilliantly and loses a little momentum as it goes on, but there's enough energy and character here to make it worth a listen. I wouldn't call it a classic from start to finish, but I certainly enjoyed it.

Favourite track: "You're Gonna Miss Me". What a great song! Full of energy, attitude and a fantastic garage-rock sound.

Least favourite track: Nothing particularly bad. The album becomes a little repetitive towards the end, but it's still a fun listen overall.

Album artwork: Very cool, colourful and wonderfully psychedelic. A brilliant cover that perfectly captures the spirit of the music.

*Dr. Octagonecologyst* by Dr. Octagon was a surprisingly pleasant listen, particularly compared with some of the other hip-hop albums I've struggled with as part of this challenge. It's a relatively smooth, laid-back record with some really good beats, and I found it much easier to get into than I expected.

Musically, there's quite a lot to appreciate here. The production is interesting, the beats are catchy, and there's a nice variety of sounds running throughout the album. It has a distinctive style, with some unusual arrangements and creative ideas that make it stand out from more conventional hip-hop records.

The lyrics are where I struggled a little. They're often bizarre, deliberately ridiculous and full of strange humour. I can appreciate that this is part of the album's character and that it's not necessarily meant to be taken seriously. However, some of the humour felt a little childish to me, and I didn't always find the storytelling particularly engaging. It's certainly original, even if it isn't entirely to my taste.

"Real Raw" and "Bear Witness" were the highlights for me. Both have excellent beats, and I really enjoyed the production. They're good examples of the creativity and musical ideas that make this album interesting.

Overall, *Dr. Octagonecologyst* was a decent album and a pleasant surprise. I can understand why it's regarded as an interesting and influential hip-hop record, particularly given its unusual approach and inventive production. While the lyrical style isn't always for me, there's plenty of creativity here, and I enjoyed listening to it more than I expected. I'm not sure it's something I'll return to regularly, but I'm glad I've heard it.

Favourite tracks: Real Raw" and "Bear Witness". Both have excellent beats and some really interesting production.

Least favourite track: Nothing particularly bad, although some of the tracks didn't leave much of an impression. I enjoyed the overall sound more than the individual songs.

Album artwork: I love a good skull, and this is a great album cover! Really striking and perfectly suited to the unusual character of the music.

*Another Music in a Different Kitchen* by Buzzcocks comes just a week after I listened to Magazine as part of this challenge. It's interesting hearing the two bands so close together, particularly given their connection through Howard Devoto.

I've always liked Buzzcocks, and this album delivers plenty of their trademark sound. It's full of high-energy, fast-paced punk rock with catchy pop melodies, sharp guitar playing and that wonderful sense of urgency that makes their music so enjoyable.

The guitar work is particularly good, and there's a real energy running throughout the album. Buzzcocks have always been brilliant at combining the rawness of punk with proper pop songwriting, and there are plenty of examples of that here. The songs are short, punchy and full of attitude, exactly what you'd expect from the band.

That said, I thought this was a decent album rather than a great one. It has all the ingredients of classic Buzzcocks, but it lacks some of those truly brilliant, instantly memorable songs that made me love the band in the first place. There are some good tracks, but not enough that really stand out or make me want to keep coming back.

"I Don't Mind" is a cracking tune and easily one of the highlights. I also really enjoyed "Moving Away from the Pulsebeat", which is a little different from much of the album and shows another side to the band.

Overall, *Another Music in a Different Kitchen* is a perfectly enjoyable punk album. It's energetic, well played and full of the familiar Buzzcocks sound, but I wouldn't put it among their very best work. There are some great moments, although I think the band went on to write much stronger and more memorable songs.

Favourite tracks: "I Don't Mind" and "Moving Away from the Pulsebeat". Both really good tracks, with plenty of energy and some excellent guitar playing.

Least favourite track: "Fast Cars". They really don't seem to like fast cars, do they? Unfortunately, I wasn't much of a fan of this song either!

Album artwork: A fairly standard album cover. Nothing particularly exciting or memorable. Nothing to see here!

Going into *Mama's Gun* by Erykah Badu today, I had never heard the album before and wasn't really sure what to expect. I struggled with it a little at first, but as I worked my way through the tracks, it really started to grow on me. In fact, I think the album gets better and better as it progresses.

*Mama's Gun* has a lovely modern soul sound, although it's quite remarkable to think that it's now over 25 years old! In reality, it's an R&B album with plenty of soul and jazz influences, and while this isn't normally the sort of music I'd choose to listen to, I found myself enjoying it far more than I expected.

The standout feature throughout is Erykah Badu's stunning voice. Her vocals are absolutely beautiful, effortlessly moving between smooth, soulful melodies and more expressive moments. The musicianship is excellent too, with some lovely arrangements and a really warm, laid-back sound.

There's also some great songwriting here. The lyrics are thoughtful and interesting, and the whole album has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. It's chilled out, easy to listen to and full of little musical details that become more noticeable as the album goes on.

I particularly enjoyed "In Love with You", featuring Stephen Marley, which is a lovely song. "Bag Lady" is another highlight, and "Green Eyes" is a fantastic way to close the album. All three have beautiful vocals and arrangements, and they really stood out for me.

My only real criticism is the length. At 15 tracks, I think the album could have benefited from a little editing. There are a few songs that don't quite reach the same standard as the highlights, and cutting some of the filler would have made this an even stronger record.

Overall, *Mama's Gun* was a really pleasant surprise. R&B has never particularly been my thing, but there's something about the warmth, musicianship and wonderful vocals on this album that really won me over. It's a very good record, and one I'd happily listen to again. Another unexpected discovery from this challenge!

Favourite tracks:"In Love with You", "Bag Lady" and "Green Eyes". Three excellent songs with lovely vocals, great melodies and beautiful musicianship.

Least favourite track: Nothing particularly bad. Everything is worth a listen, although I do think there's some filler that could have been cut to make the album a little shorter.

Album artwork: A fairly standard album cover. Nothing particularly memorable, but perfectly fine.

Wuthering Heights by Charli XCX must be one of the newest albums on this list. The author of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is clearly a Charli XCX fan, judging by her inclusion in the more recent editions!

It's quite a surprising entry, particularly as this is a soundtrack to the film of the same name. I enjoyed BRAT when I listened to it as part of this challenge, so I was interested to hear what she'd do next. It was also a lovely surprise to hear John Cale appearing on the album.

Musically, this is very different from BRAT, which could have been a disappointment if the songs weren't so good. Thankfully, I really enjoyed it. There's a darker, more atmospheric feel to the music, but it still has plenty of the interesting sounds, catchy melodies and creativity that made BRAT such an enjoyable listen.

For me, this is exactly how an alternative pop album should be. Twelve tracks in just 34 minutes, short, sharp and straight to the point. There's no unnecessary filler, the songs don't outstay their welcome, and there's enough variety to keep everything interesting. It's full of unusual sounds and great production, but most importantly, it's entertaining.

The album gets off to a particularly strong start, and I really enjoyed "Chains of Love", "Wall of Sound" and "Dying for You". There's a lovely mixture of melody, atmosphere and energy throughout, and nothing feels particularly weak. I also like that Charli isn't simply trying to recreate the success of BRAT. She's doing something different, and it works really well.

Overall, Wuthering Heights is a really good album and another pleasant surprise from Charli XCX. It's inventive, enjoyable and perfectly paced. I liked BRAT, but I think I might actually prefer this. Two very different records, both of which have made me appreciate her music far more than I expected. I'll definitely be listening to this again.

Favourite tracks: "Chains of Love", "Wall of Sound" and "Dying for You". A really strong opening to the album, with some excellent songs throughout.

Least favourite track: Nothing really. There isn't a bad song on the album, and everything was worth a listen.

Album artwork: A cool, striking cover. I'm assuming it's an image from the film, but either way, it suits the music nicely.

The Stone Roses is the album of my youth. Every time I listen to it, it brings back so many wonderful memories, and even after more than 30 years, it still sounds as good as ever. There are very few albums that mean as much to me as this one.

I absolutely love the sound of this record. John Squire's guitar playing is beautiful, and some of the riffs are genuinely iconic. Just listen to "Waterfall". What an incredible piece of music! The guitars, bass and drums all work together perfectly, creating a sound that is instantly recognisable as the Stone Roses.

What makes this album so special is its unique sound and texture. The production is superb, somehow managing to sound polished and beautifully put together while still feeling loose, slightly chaotic and wonderfully unpolished. There's a real energy and atmosphere running throughout that makes it unlike anything else.

The songwriting is also fantastic. The lyrics are full of character, and there's something lovely about the melodies and the way the songs develop. Ian Brown's voice works perfectly on these recordings. He might not be the greatest technical singer in the world, and I'd certainly advise against going to see him live these days, but on this album, his voice is absolutely right for the music.

And what a collection of songs! "I Wanna Be Adored", "She Bangs the Drums", "Waterfall", "Made of Stone" and "I Am the Resurrection" are all absolute classics. Any band would be delighted to have written just one of these songs, let alone have them all on the same album. There are so many wonderful moments, and the whole record has a fantastic flow.

The only thing stopping this from being a completely perfect album is that there are one or two tracks I could happily skip. "Don't Stop" has never really done much for me, and I think the album would be even stronger without it. But that's a very small criticism of an otherwise extraordinary record.

Overall, *The Stone Roses* is an absolute masterpiece and one of the defining albums of my life. It's full of brilliant melodies, incredible guitar work, wonderful rhythms and songs that have stayed with me for decades. I've been listening to it for over 30 years, and I know I'll still be putting it on for many years to come.

Favourite tracks: Where do I start? "I Wanna Be Adored", "Waterfall", "She Bangs the Drums" and "Made of Stone" are all superb. And that's without mentioning the incredible "I Am the Resurrection". I could go on and on!

Least favourite track: "Don't Stop". One of the few songs I'd happily skip, and probably the only thing stopping this from being a completely perfect album.

Album artwork: Absolutely iconic. One of the most recognisable and brilliant album covers of all time. I love it.

Rocks by Aerosmith is another example of mediocre American 70s rock. I've never been a particularly big fan of Aerosmith, and unfortunately, this album hasn't done much to change my opinion. For me, it's just so bland and generic.

That said, Rocks is probably the best Aerosmith album I've heard as part of this challenge so far, although that's not saying a great deal!

There is some very good guitar work throughout, and I can appreciate the musicianship. "Back in the Saddle" opens the album with plenty of energy and sets the tone for what's to come. Unfortunately, that's also part of the problem. Almost every song seems to follow the same formula, with big guitar riffs, screeching vocals and very little variation.

After a while, everything starts to sound the same. There's plenty of noise and energy, but not much in the way of memorable melodies or interesting songwriting. I kept waiting for something to really grab me, but it never happened. It's the sort of rock music that I find perfectly listenable in the background but would never actively choose to put on.

"Home Tonight" was a welcome change of pace and easily my favourite track. It has a lovely melody and shows a softer, more interesting side of the band. I wish there had been a little more of that variety throughout the album.

Overall, Rocks is probably Aerosmith at their best from what I've heard so far, but it still does very little for me. I can understand why fans of 70s hard rock would enjoy it, and the guitar playing is certainly impressive, but I found most of the songs instantly forgettable. There's nothing here that makes me want to listen to it again.

Favourite track: "Home Tonight". Easily the nicest song on the album, with a lovely melody and a welcome change from the relentless guitar-driven rock.

Least favourite track: Take your pick. So much of this sounds like generic American rock, and about 95% of the album is instantly forgettable.

Album artwork: I really like the cover. In fact, I think it's probably the best thing about the album!

Going into Now I Got Worry by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, I had never heard of this band. The dark, ominous album cover gave me the impression that I was in for something bleak and unsettling.

Unfortunately, this album just didn't do it for me at all. It feels like a collection of noisy, disjointed interludes rather than actual songs. There are 16 tracks, but nothing really develops or stands out. Most of the tracks blur into one another, with lots of noise and repetition, and very little in the way of melody or structure.

I found it quite a long and difficult listen. Rather than feeling experimental in an exciting way, it just felt monotonous and, at times, tiresome. I kept waiting for a song to grab me, but it never really happened.

Overall, this wasn't for me. I can appreciate that it may appeal to fans of more experimental or noise-driven music, but I struggled to find anything to enjoy here.

Favourite track: I couldn't pick one. None of the tracks really worked for me.

Least favourite track: Everything on the album.

Album artwork: A dark and moody cover, which fits the music, but not something I particularly like.

I've Got a Tiger by the Tail by Buck Owens is proper old-fashioned American honky-tonk country music. It's certainly dated, but it's short, simple and does exactly what it says on the tin.

There's something quite charming about this album. The songs are straightforward, the melodies are catchy, and there's a lovely traditional country sound running throughout. It's full of twangy guitars, upbeat rhythms and that unmistakable honky-tonk feel.

I wouldn't normally go out of my way to listen to this sort of music, but I can appreciate it for what it is. Buck Owens does this style of country music incredibly well, and I can see why he's so highly regarded. The album doesn't try to be anything clever or complicated. It's just good, honest country music, and sometimes that's more than enough.

What I particularly liked was how short and enjoyable it was. The songs don't outstay their welcome, there's a nice bit of variety, and nothing really dragged. It feels very much of its time, but that's also part of its appeal.

Overall, I enjoyed I've Got a Tiger by the Tail more than I expected. It's a really good example of its genre, even if it sounds incredibly dated today. I'm glad I've listened to it, and everything was worth hearing, but I doubt I'll ever feel the need to put it on again.

Favourite tracks: "Fallin' for You" and "We're Gonna Let the Good Times Roll". Two lovely tunes that stood out for me.

Least favourite track: Nothing particularly bad. Every song was worth a listen.

Album artwork: A fairly standard country album cover. Nothing particularly exciting, but it suits the music perfectly.

Back to Basics is my second Christina Aguilera album as part of this challenge. I listened to Stripped back in August 2024 and really enjoyed it, describing it as one of the best pop albums on the list. However, I felt it had too much filler, which stopped me giving it more than 3 stars. I was interested to see how this one would compare.

Despite the title, there's nothing particularly basic about Back to Basics. With over 20 tracks and a running time of nearly 90 minutes, it's a huge album, and I immediately suspected I might have the same issue I had with Stripped.

The album takes a while to get going, but when "Ain't No Other Man" arrives, it's worth the wait. What a great song! Christina has a superb voice, even if I find it a little overpowering at times, and there's no denying her talent.

I really enjoyed the change in musical direction. Moving away from her usual pop and R&B sound, she explores jazz, blues and soul influences, which gives the album plenty of variety. There are some really good songs here, and it was also lovely to hear Birmingham legend Steve Winwood make an appearance.

My biggest criticism is the length. This would have been a much better album if it had been cut down to 10 or 12 of the strongest songs. After the first eight or ten tracks, I found myself losing interest, and the music started to become monotonous. There's plenty of quality here, but it's buried beneath far too much unnecessary material.

Overall, Back to Basics is a good album with some excellent moments, and I admire Christina for trying something different. Unfortunately, much like Stripped, it's let down by its length and the amount of filler. A shorter, tighter album could have been fantastic, but as it stands, it's another solid 3 stars from me.

Favourite tracks: "Ain't No Other Man" from the first disc and "Hurt" from the second. Two excellent songs that really show off Christina's voice.

Least favourite tracks: There's far too much filler, particularly tracks like "Thank You (Dedication to Fans)", "Intro (Back to Basics)" and "Back in the Day".

Album artwork: A fairly basic album cover. Nothing particularly exciting.

BRAT by Charli XCX is definitely not the sort of album I would normally choose to put on. It's quite a long way from my usual musical tastes, but that's one of the things I love about this challenge. Every now and then, an album comes along that surprises me.

And I have to say, I actually liked this a lot!

It's catchy, energetic and has plenty of variety, while still being a really easy listen. There are some great pop tunes here, and I enjoyed the mixture of electronic sounds, dance beats and catchy melodies. It's the sort of album that doesn't take itself too seriously and is great fun to listen to.

What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed the whole thing. I expected to struggle with this, but instead I found myself getting into the songs and enjoying the energy of the album. There's enough variation to keep it interesting, and nothing felt particularly weak or out of place.

Overall, BRAT was a really pleasant surprise. It's not normally my kind of music, but I can certainly appreciate a good pop album when I hear one. This is another example of why I enjoy this challenge so much. It's introduced me to music I would probably never have listened to otherwise.

I'd definitely listen to this again.

Favourite tracks: "Everything Is Romantic", "360" and "Club Classics".

Least favourite track: Nothing really. Everything was worth a listen.

Album artwork: Cool album cover. Incredibly simple, but bright, striking and instantly recognisable.