Reviews by kitch82

Closer is dark, moody, and full of restrained anger—and I really like it. The album pulses with raw emotion, creating a sound that’s both haunting and hypnotic.

It’s impossible to separate the music from the tragedy surrounding it. Released just months after Ian Curtis’s death, Closer feels like a parting message—a final, vulnerable glimpse into his state of mind. The lyrics and atmosphere carry a deep emotional weight, making the album feel deeply personal and intense.

Musically, it’s exceptional. Peter Hook’s basslines are unforgettable, carving out grooves that are both cold and captivating. The tracks are layered with dark melodies and sparse, eerie production that adds to the album’s bleak beauty.

Favourite Track: Isolation is one of Joy Division’s finest—urgent, emotionally charged, and perfectly constructed.
Least Favourite Track: Honestly, there isn’t a weak moment on this album.
Album Artwork: A stark and iconic cover that reflects the music’s sense of finality and distance.

Beyond Skin blends traditional jazz with Indian musical influences—a combination that, while ambitious, didn’t quite land for me. From the start, I had a feeling this wouldn’t be my kind of album.

The opening track showed some promise, but overall, the album felt like a slow decline. The fusion of styles just didn’t resonate with me, and I found it hard to connect with the mood and pacing.

Favourite Track: Broken Skin stood out as a solid moment with interesting textures and rhythm.
Least Favourite Track: Homelands didn’t work for me at all—it felt disjointed and overly dramatic.
Album Artwork: The cover is a bit jarring—Nitin looks like he’s in pain, and it’s not the most inviting visual.

Life’s Too Good is a fresh discovery for me—I wasn’t familiar with The Sugarcubes or aware that Björk was their lead singer. Her distinctive vocals really shine throughout the album, adding an otherworldly charm to the band’s sound.

The record is a bold and quirky mix of post-punk and new wave, full of unpredictable energy and off-kilter melodies. It’s inventive without losing its pop edge, with standout tracks like "Birthday" and "Motorcrash" showcasing the band's unique blend of rawness and playfulness.

Favourite Tracks: "Birthday" and "Mama" both stood out for their dynamic arrangements and Björk’s emotive delivery.
Least Favourite Track: Honestly, nothing felt skippable—each track brought something interesting to the table.
Album Artwork: Eye-catching and strange in a good way—perfectly in tune with the band’s eccentric vibe.

The Bones of What You Believe by CHVRCHES is a vibrant, uplifting, and sonically rich debut that left a strong impression on me. I went in with no expectations and was immediately hooked—this is the kind of album that grabs you from the first listen, especially if you have a soft spot for indie electronic music like I do.

Each track bursts with energy and features infectious melodies that linger long after the album ends. The synth-driven production is polished but never sterile, and the emotional undercurrents in Lauren Mayberry’s vocals add depth to the shimmering soundscape.

Favourite Tracks: “The Mother We Share,” “We Sink,” and “Recover” are standout moments that showcase the band’s knack for crafting memorable hooks and dynamic arrangements.

Least Favourite Track: Honestly, I enjoyed the entire album—there were no real low points for me.

Album Artwork: The cover is simple yet effective, echoing the clean, modern feel of the music within.

I’ve always enjoyed Buddy Holly’s classics like Oh Boy, but I’d never listened to a full album—until now. I was looking forward to diving into The "Chirping" Crickets, and it didn’t disappoint.

The album kicks off with Oh Boy and Not Fade Away, two of my all-time favourite tracks. From the start, it’s clear why Buddy Holly is considered one of the founding fathers of rock and roll.

Chirping Crickets is tight, melodic, and immaculately produced. The love songs are simple but beautifully written, full of catchy harmonies and charm. There’s a warmth and precision to the performances that still holds up today. This album is not just enjoyable—it’s historically important, and it absolutely deserves its place on any essential albums list.

Favourite track: Oh Boy – a classic pop-rock anthem that’s hard to beat.
Least favourite: An Empty Cup felt a little flat for me.
Album artwork: Classic '50s/'60s style. Their smiles are... intense, and I’m not convinced those suits were made to measure!

New Boots and Panties!! by Ian Dury is not only a fun album—it’s a brilliant one.

Dury’s lyrics are meaningful, poetic, and often laugh-out-loud funny. The songs are rich with melody and wildly eclectic—you never quite know what’s coming next, and that’s part of the magic.

This album is pure genius. Giving a 5/5 to something I’m hearing for the first time is rare for me, but this one absolutely earns it. I’ll be returning to it again and again.

Favourite track: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll – a timeless classic.
Least favourite: None. Every track deserves its place—there’s not a weak one here.
Album artwork: Brilliant cover—striking and full of personality, just like the music.

I never got into Green Day when I was younger—I was a Mod, after all—so I must be one of the few people who had never actually listened to Dookie.

In hindsight, I would’ve loved this album if I’d given it a chance back then. With 15 songs packed into just 38 minutes, it’s exactly what good punk music should be: tight, fast, and full of energy. Dookie is fun, guitar-driven pop-punk with standout tracks like Basket Case and Welcome to Paradise. It’s clear why this album is so highly regarded—it’s catchy, confident, and bursting with youthful attitude.

That said, I feel like I’ve now had my fill of Green Day. Since Dookie is often considered their best work, I’m happy to leave it there.

Favourite track: Basket Case
Least favourite: Honestly, I enjoyed everything on the album.
Album artwork: Really cool cover—busy, playful, and very '90s.

I haven’t spent much time with Dexys Midnight Runners before, so I was excited to give them a proper listen—and Don't Stand Me Down felt like the perfect place to start.

I really enjoyed this album. It’s a smooth and engaging listen—I played it three or four times within 24 hours. The standout track for me was This Is What She's Like. It perfectly captures that unmistakable Dexys energy: heartfelt, conversational, and a bit theatrical. Very Dexys indeed.

Honestly, every track on the album feels like it belongs; nothing seemed out of place or like filler. The whole album holds together really well as a complete piece of work.

As for the artwork, I really like the album cover. It has a clean, understated style that reflects the mature tone of the music.

Favourite track: This Is What She's Like
Least favourite: None – every song earned its place.

I remember giving Antichrist Superstar a listen when it first came out—I was curious, even though it was far outside my usual tastes.

I gave it a fair shot, but honestly, I think it’s a terrible album. The music feels chaotic and abrasive, with constant shouting and little sense of structure or storytelling. It just doesn’t work for me. Admittedly, my perception of Marilyn Manson himself—given his well-documented controversies—also casts a shadow over the experience.

Favourite track: The Beautiful People is a solid song and easily the highlight.
Least favourite: Pretty much the rest of the album.
Album artwork: Dark and unsettling—not really my style.

What a surreal coincidence—spinning Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut just a day after Ozzy Osbourne’s passing. RIP to a true icon.

I’m not usually drawn to heavy metal, but I’ve always appreciated Sabbath’s influence. Listening to this album, it’s easy to see why it's often credited as the birth of heavy metal. In 1970, this was the heaviest, darkest sound the world had heard—and it still hits hard today.

Tony Iommi’s guitar work is especially striking. The riff on The Wizard is phenomenal—bluesy, menacing, and brimming with attitude.

Favourite tracks: N.I.B. and The Wizard—both absolute standouts.
Least favourite: Honestly, there isn’t a weak track here.
Album artwork: Haunting, eerie, and perfectly aligned with the music’s ominous tone—I love it

I always thought I enjoyed '90s hip hop—until this challenge had me listen to Sex Packets by Digital Underground.

Honestly, the album felt flat. It dragged on without much purpose or standout moments. Most of the tracks blurred together, lacking impact or memorability. Overall, I found it pretty underwhelming and don’t see myself returning to it.

Favourite track: The Humpty Dance gave me a laugh—it has some quirky charm—but even that felt a bit stretched out.

Least favourite: Hard to pick just one. The whole album felt like a sea of mediocrity, nothing really rose above the rest.

Album artwork: Typical of the era—dark tones, oversized fonts, and a gritty aesthetic. Nothing particularly distinctive.

Going into this, I had never heard of Rocket From The Crypt. On first listen, it quickly became clear that their brand of 90s American punk rock isn’t typically my style. Still, I gave Scream, Dracula, Scream! a fair shot.

The album is sonically consistent, with high energy, aggressive guitar work, and a noisy, chaotic vibe throughout. While that might appeal to fans of the genre, I found the lyrics underwhelming and felt the album lacked standout moments or memorable hooks. Overall, it struck me as a very average effort.

Favourite tracks: Come See, Come Saw, Born in 69 and Bali Lightning stood out slightly—they had some energy and groove that worked.
Least favourite: As the album progressed, the songs began to blur together, becoming repetitive and hard to distinguish.
Album artwork: Creepy, fitting the chaotic vibe of the music.

Today’s listen was Nick of Time by Bonnie Raitt—an artist and album I had never come across before. Unfortunately, this one really didn’t land for me.

Overall, I found the album to be a rough example of dated '80s production. The sound felt overly polished in a way that stripped the emotion from the songs, and I struggled to connect with it. Real Man stood out—but for all the wrong reasons. Honestly, it might be one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard. I really did give the album a fair shot, but it just wasn’t for me.

Favourite track: I couldn’t pick one—I didn’t enjoy any of them enough.
Least favourite track: Real Man
Album artwork: Very much of its time—classic ’80s aesthetic.

Infected by The The is an enjoyable slice of ‘80s alt-pop—fun, listenable, and representative of its era. While it doesn’t break any new ground or deliver standout “wow” moments, it holds up reasonably well today with only minor signs of aging. The album is easy to get into, making it a solid, if not essential, listen.

Favourite Track: Slow Train to Dawn stands out as a strong track with a memorable groove and atmosphere.

Least Favourite: Honestly, nothing felt like filler—every song had its place and was worth a listen.

Album Artwork: The cover is a bit chaotic and cluttered, lacking the visual impact or cohesion that might elevate it.

Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone was a really enjoyable listen. The album strikes a great balance between funk, pop, and psychedelic rock, blending genres in a way that feels both fresh and timeless.

The lyrics are thoughtful and purposeful, often carrying a strong social consciousness. I particularly enjoyed Everyday People—a standout track with a powerful message about unity and acceptance.

There are so many great songs on this album. From a musical standpoint, tracks like Soul Clappin’ and My Brain showcase the band’s funky instrumental flair. Lyrically, Somebody’s Watching You and Sex Machine stood out for their depth and creativity.

Favorite Songs: I Want to Take You Higher and Everyday People are definite highlights.
Least Favorite Song: Honestly, there isn’t a bad track on this album.
Album Artwork: A cool, vibrant cover that fits the spirit of the music perfectly.

It is hard to write about Born to Run because it means so much to me. This album is incredibly important in my life and I genuinely listen to it every single week. It is perfect.

It is also almost impossible for me to choose between this and Born in the U.S.A.. On different days either one could be my favourite. They both sit right at the very top for me.

This record has everything. It builds with intent and power. The sound is huge and cinematic, yet deeply personal. The lyrics are heartfelt, romantic and full of longing. Every song feels like it is chasing something bigger.

And then there is Thunder Road. I absolutely adore that song. For me it is the greatest song ever written. From the opening piano to the final line, it is hope, escape, love and belief wrapped into five perfect minutes. It moves me every single time.

There is not a single thing I would change about this album. Every track matters. Every track is five stars.

Favourite song: Thunder Road. The greatest song ever written.
Least favourite: None. Every song is flawless.
Album artwork: Iconic. Even better on vinyl when you open the sleeve and see The Big Man standing tall beside him.

Low is not my favourite Bowie album, but it contains one of his very best songs, and that alone lifts the whole record for me.

When it was first released it divided opinion, and I can understand why. The minimalist approach and the instrumental heavy second half make it a challenging listen. It is not an album that immediately opens itself up. It takes patience.

That said, I appreciate it far more now than I did when I first heard it. With time, the atmosphere really starts to reveal itself. There is something brave about how stripped back parts of it are. It feels experimental without being careless, and the mood it creates is genuinely striking.

Sound and Vision is the clear highlight. It is upbeat, melodic and full of colour, and it stands in perfect contrast to some of the colder moments elsewhere on the record.

Favourite track: Sound and Vision
Least favourite: Art Decade. It still feels slightly impenetrable to me
Album artwork: Very cool and iconic. Simple, bold and instantly recognisable

Haunted Dancehall by The Sabres of Paradise was a tough listen. To be honest, I found it monotonous and directionless—more noise than music. I'm genuinely surprised it made the list.

The album struggled to hold my attention from start to finish. The tracks blur together with little variation or structure, making it hard to distinguish where one ends and the next begins. It felt more like an endurance test than a musical experience.

Favourite track: If I had to choose one, Tow Truck stood out slightly—though that's faint praise.
Least favourite: Honestly, it's hard to single out just one track. The entire album felt aimless and repetitive.

Album artwork: The cover is probably the most interesting part of the release—visually striking and nicely in line with its 90s aesthetic.

I've been listening to quite a bit of English folk music lately as part of this challenge, and Unhalfbricking by Fairport Convention is the latest addition to that journey. Let’s dive in.

Overall, the album was enjoyable. While rooted in folk, it offers a nice variety in sound and style, keeping things from feeling too one-note. The lyrics are strong, and I was especially drawn to the vocals—Sandy Denny’s voice is beautiful, with a tone that reminded me a bit of Nico. The guitar work throughout the album is also excellent and adds real depth to the listening experience.

Favourite tracks: I particularly liked A Sailor’s Life, Dear Landlord, Million Dollar Bash, and Cajun Woman.
Least favourite: The album starts a bit slowly, and some of the earlier tracks—like Autopsy and Genesis Hall—felt a little dull and dragged in parts. Thankfully, it picks up momentum as it goes along.

Album artwork: I love it—so distinctly '60s and full of character.

Songs of Love and Hate by Leonard Cohen isn’t, in my view, one of his strongest albums. The lyrics are as poetic and thoughtful as ever, but overall it feels slow and a bit directionless. Compared to something like I’m Your Man, it lacks the energy and momentum that make his work really gripping.

Joan of Arc stands out as a highlight, a haunting and deeply lyrical song that carries real emotional weight and is one of the few moments that truly connected with me.

Avalanche didn’t quite land in this version. The lyrics are strong, but the arrangement feels flat. I actually prefer the version by Nick Cave, which brings a darker, more intense atmosphere that suits the song better.

Favourite track: Joan of Arc
Least favourite track: Avalanche
Album artwork: A real highlight, stark, minimal, and striking, perfectly matching the tone even if the music didn’t fully connect