Reviews by kitch82

I’ve just discovered a new guilty pleasure—World Clique is a fun, infectious dance album that’s impossible to resist. The beats are catchy, the energy is high, and I thoroughly enjoyed every track. This is definitely an album I’d revisit.

Going in, the only song I knew was Groove Is in the Heart, a track I’ve always loved. The rest of the album carries that same vibrant, feel-good energy, making for a great listening experience from start to finish.

Favorite song: Groove Is in the Heart
Least favorite: Honestly, every track is worth a listen.
Album artwork: A cool, psychedelic cover—very Scooby-Doo vibes.

This album is truly fascinating—one that takes multiple listens to fully process. On my first two plays, I swung between loving and hating it, unsure where I truly stood.

Before this, I had never heard of The United States of America (the band and album, not the country), so I had no idea what to expect. What I got was something wildly unique.

It feels like Sgt. Pepper’s meets early electronic experimentation—avant-garde, unpredictable, and at times, completely unhinged. With 20 tracks, some are absolutely brilliant, while others feel like total garbage. It’s hard to articulate exactly what this album is or whether I love or loathe it.

For something released in 1968, it feels shockingly ahead of its time. The fact that there’s no guitar on the entire album makes it even more intriguing.

Favorite songs: Hard Coming Love and The Garden of Earthly Delights. The album starts strong from track 2 through track 7.
Least favorite song: The American Metaphysical Circus—it just felt out of place compared to the rest of the album. Way too circus-like!
Album artwork: A really cool cover that perfectly matches the album’s experimental nature.

Kate Bush remains an enigma. Every time I revisit one of her albums, I find myself both intrigued and challenged. I’ve always struggled to fully connect with her work, as many of her songs tend to blend together for me.

That said, this album had its moments. Reaching Out and Heads We're Dancing stand out as fantastic pop tracks, showcasing her unique ability to tell stories through catchy melodies but there is also a lot of tracks that dont really offer much at all and all sound very similar.

Favorite track: Heads We're Dancing
Least favorite track: I struggle with whimsical, dreary songs like Deeper Understanding and Rockets tail.
Album artwork: A stunning cover that perfectly captures the album’s essence.

The Cure has such a distinct and captivating sound, and this album perfectly showcases their darker, more atmospheric side.

It’s not designed to be a crowd-pleaser—there are no big pop hits here. Instead, the music is haunting and immersive, featuring brilliant guitar work, hypnotic loops, and eerie, mysterious synths that pull you into its shadowy world.

Favorite track: 100 Years—an absolute standout with its intensity and gripping energy.
Least favorite track: Pornography—a slow build that doesn’t quite land as strongly as the rest.
Album artwork: A striking and moody cover that fits the music perfectly.

"With the Beatles by The Beatles, their second studio album, builds on their early sound and hints at the greatness to come.

You can hear their pop instincts really sharpening here, with tight harmonies, energetic performances, and confident songwriting. The album brings together seven original Lennon-McCartney tracks, George Harrison’s first composition Don’t Bother Me, and a set of brilliant rock and roll covers.

It’s a near-perfect record that captures the raw energy and excitement of early Beatlemania.

Favourite tracks: All My Loving is an undeniable classic, Don’t Bother Me is a real surprise, and Roll Over Beethoven is pure rock and roll
Least favourite tracks: None, there isn’t a weak song here
Album artwork: Simply iconic, the moody black and white portrait is one of their most striking covers

"Exile in Guyville" is a fantastic album, blending meaningful lyrics with a raw, punk-influenced sound. Every track feels intentional, making it a great listen from start to finish.

Favorite song: Divorce Song
Least favorite song: None—every track is solid.
Album artwork: A great cover that perfectly suits the album’s tone.

This one really was not for me.

I know this album is considered a landmark live jazz recording, and I can appreciate the technical skill on display, but as a listening experience it does very little for me. The improvisation feels loose and meandering, and I struggle to find a clear hook or melody to latch onto. After a while, it all blends into one continuous wash of piano, bass and drums.

At best, it works as background music, but even then it is not something that leaves a lasting impression on me. I understand why jazz fans might love the intimacy and interplay, yet it simply does not connect with me in the way other genres do.

Favourite track: I genuinely could not pick one, as nothing stood out enough.
Least favourite: The overall sound just never grabbed me.
Album artwork: A classic black and white jazz cover. Understated and serious, much like the music itself

This album did absolutely nothing for me—I’m honestly surprised it made the list. It lacks standout moments, the hooks are forgettable, and the overall sound feels like a generic take on ‘90s indie. I struggled to find anything worth revisiting.

Favorite song: Couldn’t pick one.
Least favorite: All 17 tracks.
Album artwork: Cool cover, though.

Ray Charles is undeniably the man. I’m not usually a jazz fan, but if I have to listen to jazz, I want it to be him! This album stands out with its rich variety and dynamic sound, making it an easy exception to my usual tastes.

There are some fantastic tracks here—Deed I Do and It Had to Be You were definite highlights for me. You can really hear the foundation being laid for the rock and roll explosion of the ‘60s, which makes this album feel even more influential.

Even if jazz isn’t usually your thing, this album is worth a listen—Charles brings so much soul and style that it’s hard to resist.

Favorite song: Deed I Do
Least favorite song: Just for a Thrill—way too Disney for my taste.
Album artwork: Cool and timeless.

I’ve been looking forward to a Sparks album popping up on the list, and this one did not disappoint.

"This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us" kicks things off with a bang. It’s dramatic, theatrical, and easily one of the strongest songs in Sparks’ entire catalog. That falsetto? Iconic.

After a full listen, I can confidently say this album is pure glam rock fun. It’s not weighed down by deep meaning or heavy themes, but that’s part of the charm—it’s an effortlessly enjoyable listen. Every track bursts with eccentric energy and quirky melodies.

Favorite song: This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us
Least favorite song: Nothing stood out as bad
Album artwork: Funky and fitting for the music

I had never heard of Violent Femmes before, so I went into this album with no expectations. What surprised me most was how ahead of its time it sounded—despite being released in the 80s, it has a raw, lo-fi energy that feels more in line with 90s indie rock. The band’s stripped-down sound and unfiltered intensity immediately stood out to me.

Favorite song: Blister in the Sun—an undeniably catchy and infectious track.
Least favorite song: Honestly, I enjoyed every song on the album and will definitely be giving it another listen.
Album artwork: A slightly eerie cover that adds to the album’s offbeat charm.

I went into this expecting some run-of-the-mill dad rock—let’s see what I actually got.

To my surprise, this album leans heavily into a glam rock vibe rather than the heavier sound I anticipated. And honestly? I loved the campy, over-the-top energy it brought.

Favorite Song: Walk This Way is an absolute classic—such a fun, infectious pop-rock anthem! Sweet Emotion stood out too, bringing a different kind of vibe that I really enjoyed.

Least Favorite: A lot of the tracks felt pretty forgettable—nothing terrible, just a bit meh.

Album Artwork: The cover? Absolutely awesome.

This might just be the most unapologetically '80s album I’ve ever heard. Initially, I wanted to hate it—but somehow, it grew on me. That said, I don’t think I’ll be revisiting it anytime soon.

Favorite Tracks: The first three songs are genuinely fun, full of energy and catchy melodies. Unfortunately, the momentum fades as the album progresses.

Least Favorite Track: Flesh and Blood is a bizarre clash of ska and ‘80s synth-pop, and the result is pretty rough. It just didn’t work for me.

Album Artwork: The cover is undeniably cool—easily one of the album’s strongest points.

I’m slowly but surely becoming a Led Zeppelin fan thanks to this challenge. Physical Graffiti is nothing short of a masterpiece, and I absolutely love it.

The guitar work on this album is exceptional, truly some of the best I've heard. The lyrics and vocals are powerful and captivating, adding so much depth to each track.

One thing that stood out to me is how much Trampled Under Foot reminds me of Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand. It feels like the band must have drawn inspiration from this track while crafting that iconic song.

Favorite tracks: Trampled Under Foot and Kashmir
Least favorite: Honestly, every song is worth a listen—there’s not a bad track on this album.
Album artwork: The cover art is brilliant—I love its design.

This album is solid overall, with standout tracks like What's Love Got to Do with It and Private Dancer, which showcase some truly memorable pop moments. These big hits are undeniably catchy and demonstrate Tina Turner's incredible vocal talent. However, the rest of the album feels a bit lackluster and doesn't quite live up to the strength of those iconic songs. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, with some tracks feeling forgettable or uninspired.

Favorite Songs: What's Love Got to Do with It and Private Dancer
Least Favorite: Help – I wasn’t fond of the cover version at all. It didn’t capture the energy I expected.
Album Artwork: I really like the album cover—it’s stylish, and the cat adds a cool, quirky touch!

Unfortunately, I really struggled to connect with this album. None of the tracks stood out to me, and I couldn’t find one that I truly enjoyed. I’m honestly baffled by its inclusion in the Top 1001 Albums of All Time list. While I can understand that musical tastes are subjective, this album didn’t resonate with me on any level, and it didn’t offer much in terms of innovation or lasting impact. It left me wondering what made it so highly regarded.

This isn’t my usual genre, but I gave it a fair shot. In short, the album starts strong but gradually loses momentum. It’s far too long, with too much filler weighing it down.

Favorite song: The opening trio—Independent Women, Survivor, and Bootylicious—are the undeniable hits. Great pop tracks!
Least favorite: Everything from track 4 onward, with Nasty standing out as one of the weakest.
Album artwork: A cool cover, at least!

I once had the chance to meet Ray Davies and it wasn’t the warm encounter I’d imagined. Impeccably dressed, yes, but an odd chap and not especially pleasant. That slightly detached, eccentric air you sense in some of his writing.

That said, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society remains a remarkable piece of work. It stands apart not only within The Kinks’ catalogue, but from much of what was happening in 1968. While others were leaning into psychedelia or heavier blues rock, this album turned inward celebrating small-town England, fading traditions, and everyday characters with warmth, irony, and nostalgia.

There’s a Beatles-esque melodic sweetness in places, but the storytelling is unmistakably Davies: observant, gently satirical, and steeped in longing for a disappearing world. Beneath the whimsical surface sits a quiet melancholy that gives the record real emotional weight.

Favourite tracks: Animal Farm and Picture Book — both brim with sharp lyrics and wonderfully nostalgic melodies.

Least favourite track Honestly, there isn’t one. It feels cohesive and purposeful throughout, more like a carefully constructed world than a loose collection of songs.

Album artwork: I absolutely love the cover. It perfectly captures the album’s timeless and whimsical feel.

This is hip-hop I can truly get into and enjoy! After my first listen, I immediately played the album back-to-back three more times—it’s that good.

Lyrically, musically, and through its well-chosen samples, this album delivers on every level. It manages to be funny, powerful, and even intimidating all at once, showcasing brilliant craftsmanship.

The variety here is incredible—different sounds, styles, and rappers all coming together to create something special. This album has it all.

Favorite song: Don't Believe the Hype is an absolute banger, and I also loved Terminator X.
Least favorite: Honestly, every track is worth listening to—there’s no filler or weak spots apart from possibly show em wathcha got.
Album artwork: Not something I’d hang on my wall, but that doesn’t take away from the music

Creedence Clearwater Revival have such an American sound. Rock and roll with a dash of country.

There is some great guitar on this album. Penthouse Pauper was a great song. Proud Mary is an all time classic.

Favourite song: Good Golly Miss Molly.
Least favourite: they were all good
Album artwork: A bit blurry