Reviews by kitch82

Introducing The Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby was a completely new listen for me, and I was genuinely curious to see what it had to offer.

Right from the start, I was hooked. The opening two tracks, If You All Get to Heaven and If You Let Me Stay, are easily the standouts, setting the tone with energy and charisma. Add Wishing Well into the mix, and you’ve got a fantastic opening run that I found myself returning to throughout the day.

This is a seriously strong debut. The album moves confidently across genres, blending rock, soul, and R&B into something vibrant and full of personality. At times, it carries echoes of Prince and Stevie Wonder, but with D’Arby’s own flair. His voice is outstanding, and the fact that he played most of the instruments himself makes it even more impressive.

Overall, it’s a great slice of 80s music—stylish, bold, and packed with talent.

Favourite track: If You All Get to Heaven
Least favourite track: Lets go forward was a bit dull.
Album artwork: Standard 80s cover

I’ve never been a fan of Rage Against the Machine, but I promised myself I’d give their self-titled debut a fair shot.

To my surprise, I enjoyed this album far more than I expected. It’s not just mindless head-banging — it’s a sharp mix of genres with real purpose behind the noise. The record is full of raw power, anguish, and unfiltered anger, driven by anarchic lyrics that still feel relevant to America today, more than 30 years on.

I have to admit, I probably liked this album more than I’d ever admit publicly. Consider my opening statement withdrawn.

Favourite track: Killing in the Name is iconic for a reason, and Take the Power Back really hit me. I also loved the Zeppelin-esque guitar intro to Wake Up.
Least favourite track: Honestly, I enjoyed every track.
Album artwork: Simple, bold, and instantly recognisable.

I go through phases with the Manic Street Preachers—sometimes I play them a lot, other times I forget they even exist. I saw them live last year, which reignited my interest, and Everything Must Go has been on regular rotation since.

This is a solid indie album with a strong opening, though it loses steam towards the end. That might explain why, despite their status as one of the UK’s biggest indie bands, this record doesn’t quite feel like a big landmark album.

For me, the Manics embody Britpop mediocrity: decent, polished indie music but nothing groundbreaking or wildly original. Like Stereophonics, Ash, and Ocean Colour Scene, they fall into that bracket of bands who have excellent greatest hits compilations, but no single killer album.

Favourite tracks: A Design for Life, Everything Must Go, and Australia—all great indie tunes.

Least favourite track: Small Black Flowers That Grow in the Sky—too whimsical and a bit naff, not one I’ll revisit.

Album artwork: An iconic indie cover.

Remedy by Basement Jaxx is an OK electronic dance album from the late 90s, but in truth it doesn’t stand out from the wave of similar records of that era. For me, it’s nothing particularly special.

There are a couple of undeniable bangers—“Red Alert” and “Rendez-Vous”—but beyond those, the rest of the album feels bland and forgettable. I gave it a 2/5 purely for those two tracks, but it could just as easily have been a 1/5.

Favourite track: Red Alert—a proper clubbing anthem from back in the day.

Least favourite track: Pretty much everything else.

Album artwork: Lots of flesh—very of its time.

Going into this, I’d never heard of Le Tigre or their self-titled debut album—so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

What I found was an enjoyable, if not groundbreaking, record. It’s packed with catchy, politically charged pop songs that are both fun and sharp in their messaging. Highlights for me included Eau d’Bedroom Dancing, Friendship Station, and Let’s Run—all infectious tracks with memorable hooks and lyrics. One quirky moment: the riff in Les and Ray kept reminding me of the Only Fools and Horses theme tune, and once I noticed it, I couldn’t un-hear it.

Overall, I’d happily return to this album. It’s clever, catchy, and enjoyable throughout.

Favourite track: Let’s Run and Friendship Station
Least favourite track: Honestly, everything is worth a listen.
Album artwork: A cool cover that fits the vibe.

This week has been all about heavy metal, and today’s challenge was Peace Sells... But Who’s Buying? by Megadeth. Honestly, the band and album title already sounded unappealing to me before I even pressed play.

To be fair, there are flashes of talent here—particularly the guitar work. The intro to Good Morning/Black Friday is superb and shows real skill. But beyond that, I struggled to find much to enjoy. The songs all blended into one wall of noise, and the lyrics didn’t do anything for me either. I can imagine fans of the genre loving this, but it’s definitely not for me.

Favourite track: Devil’s Island stood out the most, with some solid guitar work.
Least favourite track: Honestly, most of the album—it felt repetitive, with weak lyrics and little variety.
Album artwork: Pretty horrible.

I was really happy—and a little surprised—to see So Much For The City by The Thrills included on this list. I loved this album when it first came out, and I can’t believe it’s now 23 years old. It made me wonder: where are The Thrills now?

At its heart, this record feels like a whimsical trip to California, remembered fondly from a cold winter’s day. It’s sweet, nostalgic, and very of its time.

Musically, it’s good, easygoing indie—nice to listen to, but perhaps not groundbreaking. That said, the opening run of tracks is fantastic. “Santa Cruz,” “Big Sur,” and “Don’t Steal Our Sun” make for a strong start, and “One Horse Town” is another highlight. Toward the end, though, my excitement began to fade. Slower songs like “Plans” and “Till The Tide Creeps In” felt weaker and lost some of the early momentum.

Favourite track: “Santa Cruz,” “Big Sur,” “Don’t Steal Our Sun,” and “One Horse Town”
Least favourite track: “Plans” and “Till The Tide Creeps In”
Album artwork: A really cool cover that captures the spirit of the album.

I had no idea Black Flag was Henry Rollins’ band, so I was intrigued to finally give Damaged a listen. I’ve read plenty about Rollins but wasn’t familiar with his sound, and I expected loud, heavy punk music.

That’s exactly what I got. The album is fast, furious, angry, and completely relentless—full of raw energy. I still can’t decide if I love it or hate it, but the fact I went back for a second listen suggests it got under my skin. The lyrics are sharp and biting, and the mix of words and noise somehow becomes strangely catchy.

Favourite track: Room 13 – it has a cool Iggy Pop vibe.
Least favourite track: Honestly, every track has something worth hearing.
Album artwork: A striking, gritty cover that suits the music perfectly.

Metal is always a tricky genre for me—it has to be really good metal for me to even give it a chance. So what exactly is Black Metal by Venom all about? Let’s find out.

On my first listen, I genuinely couldn’t work out whether this was meant to be taken seriously or if it was some sort of parody, closer to Spinal Tap or Tenacious D than a serious metal record. At times, it felt almost cartoonish in its attempt to be dark and heavy. The whole experience was odd, confusing, and ultimately not for me.

It’s safe to say this isn’t my thing—I won’t be coming back to it. There’s too much focus on Satanic theatrics and too much noise for the sake of noise.

Favourite track: I couldn’t pick one.
Least favourite track: Most of the album—I really didn’t enjoy much of it at all.
Album artwork: Dark and grim, not something I’d ever want hanging on the wall.

I’ve always found Sinatra a tough listen when it comes to full albums. His style feels dated to me, and since this record was released in 1955, it naturally carries that weight of time. I’m not a fan of the crooner sound, but I gave In the Wee Small Hours a fair try today.

Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it. The crooner/big band style just isn’t for me, and this particular album lacks the big, dramatic songs Sinatra is most celebrated for. Instead, it’s a collection of slow, melancholy tracks that all blur together, leaving the record feeling long, dull, and heavy in tone.

That said, there’s no denying Sinatra’s voice. It’s powerful, commanding, and instantly recognisable—even if the material here didn’t connect with me.

Favourite track: None really stood out as something I’d want to revisit.
Least favourite track: Nothing was awful, but nothing left a lasting impression either.
Album artwork: The iconic cover is great—moody, stylish, and evocative of the album’s tone.

This was my first time listening to Stephen Stills’ self-titled debut, and I really enjoyed it. From the opening track, Love the One You’re With, the album grabbed me straight away. Stills blends folk, blues, and rock seamlessly, giving the record a great sense of variety and energy without ever feeling disjointed.

There are plenty of strong moments across the tracklist, and it’s an album I’ll definitely come back to.

Favourite track: Love the One You’re With and Go Back Home
Least favourite track: Nothing stood out as weak – everything was worth a listen.
Album artwork: A pretty standard cover, nothing too memorable.

Today’s album is one I’ve always wanted to hear: Too Rye Ay by Dexys Midnight Runners.

One of my first impressions was just how good Kevin Rowland’s vocals are. He has a brilliant tone and delivers every line with real passion and drama. I also loved the instrumental sections on the B-side – they add so much texture and variety.

The record spans so many genres—New Wave, ska, folk—and somehow blends them seamlessly. It’s fun, upbeat, and full of energy from start to finish. I really enjoyed this listen and will definitely be returning to it.

Favourite track: Come On Eileen is a classic, of course—an iconic dancefloor filler. But I enjoyed plenty of other songs just as much, including Show Me and Dubious. A brand new discovery for me was Let’s Make This Precious, which I loved right from the start and will be playing on repeat. There are so many strong tracks here.
Least favourite track: Honestly, every song was worth a listen and brought something enjoyable.
Album artwork: A fantastic cover that perfectly suits the band’s style.

Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room by Dwight Yoakam is very much 80s country—and for me, that made it a tough listen. At least it only runs 37 minutes.

I didn’t enjoy this album at all. The music felt dated, and the lyrics didn’t connect with me in any meaningful way. This was easily a 1/5 listen.

Favourite track: None stood out.
Least favourite track: Honestly, every track.
Album artwork: Nothing special.

I’m currently in my Billy Joel era, so listening to The Stranger feels perfectly timed.

I love Joel’s voice in his 70s work—warm, distinctive, and full of character. His ability to tell a story within a single song is remarkable, and when all those songs come together, the album paints a complete picture. The Stranger is packed with highlights and stands as a true showcase of his songwriting brilliance.

Favourite track: It’s hard to choose, since so many feel like 5/5 classics. But Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Just the Way You Are, and Vienna stand out for me.
Least favourite track: Every song here has its place—there isn’t a weak moment.
Album artwork: A cool, slightly quirky cover that suits the album well.

Brothers in Arms is a superb album from one of the greatest bands of the era, Dire Straits. I’ve always loved this record, and it remains a defining moment in their catalogue.

Mark Knopfler’s guitar work is, of course, exceptional—subtle yet powerful—and it drives the entire record. The opening three tracks on Side 1 are outstanding, setting a high standard right from the start. Side 1 as a whole is incredibly strong, packed with energy and memorable hooks.

Side 2, while not as consistently gripping, still holds one of the band’s true masterpieces: the title track, Brothers in Arms. It’s haunting, emotional, and one of the greatest songs Knopfler has ever written.

Favourite tracks: So Far Away, Money for Nothing, Walk of Life, and of course Brothers in Arms.
Least favourite tracks: Your Latest Trick and Ride Across the River feel weaker compared to the rest. Without them, this would easily be a flawless 5/5 album.

Album artwork: Iconic. The instantly recognisable guitar against a soft blue sky is as timeless as the music itself.

Sign ‘O’ the Times by Prince is, for me, the definition of an average album. I was expecting so much more—perhaps Prince is more of a singles artist than an album one.

When I first saw it was a double album, I was excited: plenty of material to help me really get into Prince, and by his ninth studio album he should have been at the peak of his powers. Unfortunately, it didn’t land that way. The record feels uneven and often underwhelming, with only the odd highlight shining through. I will not be listening to this again.

Favourite track: Slow love was OK.
Least favourite track: Starfish and Coffee felt especially weak but in reality there are a lot of songs that do not stand out and blend into 1.
Album artwork: A brilliant, iconic cover—probably the best thing about the album for me.

I remember loving Ray of Light by Madonna when it first came out—I thought it was a brilliant album, and I was excited to revisit it today.

On re-listen, it still holds up in parts, but the record is let down by its length. From Frozen onwards, the quality dips noticeably, with tracks 10–13 adding very little. They’re slow, overly drawn out, and, frankly, dull. That said, the album does contain some real highlights—Drowned World / Substitute for Love, Swim, Ray of Light, and of course the hauntingly brilliant Frozen.

Overall, a good but uneven record that starts strong and then fades badly. For me, it’s a 3/5.

Favourite track: Frozen—a powerful, haunting classic.
Least favourite track: Everything after Frozen, especially Shanti / Ashtangi, which really doesn’t work.
Album artwork: An iconic Madonna cover.

I didn’t think soundtracks were even allowed on this list—if they are, then where’s Saturday Night Fever? Honestly, I don’t see why Shaft deserves a place in the 1001 albums to hear before you die.

As a soundtrack, the music probably works well within the film, and there are some nice moments—Theme from Shaft, No Name Bar, and Do Your Thing all stand out. But as a standalone album, it feels flat, with too many aimless instrumentals that struggle to hold your attention. For me, it’s a fairly pointless listen outside of its cinematic context.

Favourite track: Theme from Shaft is the obvious highlight, with No Name Bar and Do Your Thing also enjoyable. These three songs just about lift the album to a 2/5 instead of a 1/5.
Least favourite track: Most of the instrumentals blur into one, making it hard to pick out anything memorable.
Album artwork: A standard soundtrack cover—nothing special.

Highway to Hell by AC/DC often feels like the same song played on repeat with only minor variations. It’s a straightforward rock album—loud, simple, and catchy—but it doesn’t offer much in terms of invention or variety.

The title track is an undeniable classic and easily the standout moment, but beyond that, the record doesn’t bring much new to the table. In summary, it’s an OK album by an OK band.

Favourite track: Highway to Hell is the clear highlight, though If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It) comes close.
Least favourite track: Most of the songs blur together, but Love Hungry Man felt particularly dull.
Album artwork: A cool and iconic cover that perfectly captures the band’s image.

Crocodiles by Echo & The Bunnymen is one of my favourite albums by one of my favourite bands.

The Bunnymen’s lyrics have always been a little surreal and don’t necessarily make sense—that’s part of their appeal. What really makes them stand out is their sound and style, and this album shows that off brilliantly. Tracks like Rescue, Do It Clean and Going Up are absolute bangers, though there are a few filler moments that stop it from being perfect. For me, that’s why Ocean Rain edges it as my favourite Bunnymen record overall.

That said, Crocodiles is still a strong 4/5.

Favourite track: Rescue and Villers Terrace
Least favourite track: None in particular
Album artwork: A very cool, striking cover