Reviews by kitch82

Today brings up one of my favourite artists, Elvis Costello. That said, I haven't really listened to him since seeing him at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this year. Unfortunately, the set that night was awful and, frankly, really boring. It actually put me off listening to him for a while, so I was interested to see how I'd feel coming back to Imperial Bedroom.

Thankfully, Imperial Bedroom by Elvis Costello & The Attractions is anything but boring.

This is a brilliant album musically. There's so much variation from track to track, with great arrangements, melodies and instrumentation throughout. It doesn't rely on a massive hit like "Oliver's Army" to carry it either. Instead, it's the quality of the songwriting and storytelling that makes the whole album so compelling.

Costello is such a clever lyricist, and this album is a great reminder of that. The songs have depth and personality, and there's always something interesting happening musically behind them. "Man Out of Time" is fantastic, while "Almost Blue" shows a completely different, softer side to the album and is absolutely beautiful.

This was exactly the reminder I needed of why I love Elvis Costello in the first place. Maybe he was just having an off day when I saw him earlier this year!

Favourite tracks: "Man Out of Time" is the standout for me, and "Almost Blue" is beautiful.

Least favourite tracks: Nothing. Everything on the album is worth a listen and there isn't really a weak moment.

Album artwork: Cool album cover. There's loads going on, plenty of colour, and it suits the variety and personality of the music inside.

Thriller by Michael Jackson is my second Michael Jackson album of the week, and I think this is probably my favourite of his solo albums. I prefer it to Bad and Off the Wall, although if given the choice, I'd still rather listen to the Jackson 5.

It's easy to see why Thriller became as huge as it did. There are some absolutely brilliant pop songs on here, with great beats, fantastic production and music that just makes you want to move. At its best, it's pretty much perfect pop music.

The title track is superb and still sounds brilliant today. The same can be said for "Billie Jean" and "Beat It". These are massive songs that I've heard hundreds of times, but they haven't really lost any of their impact. When you have three tracks of that quality on one album, it's difficult not to be impressed.

I don't think the quality is quite as consistent across the whole record though. Songs like "Human Nature" and "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" don't do much for me, and there's a noticeable gap between the very best tracks and the rest of the album.

Overall though, this is easily the Michael Jackson album I've enjoyed the most. I may still prefer the Jackson 5, but there's no denying that Thriller contains some of the greatest pop songs ever made.

Favourite tracks: "Thriller", "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" are all brilliant. Three genuinely great pop songs.

Least favourite tracks: "Human Nature" and "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" don't really do much for me and feel weaker than the album's big hitters.

Album artwork: An iconic album cover. Simple, instantly recognisable and probably one of the most famous covers in pop music.

A Short Album About Love by The Divine Comedy is a great little album. As the title suggests, it’s short, but it doesn’t waste any time and I really enjoyed listening to it.

It’s catchy, clever and good fun, with some great melodies and lovely orchestral arrangements throughout. Neil Hannon has such a distinctive voice and style, and there’s a wit and charm to the songwriting that gives the album plenty of personality. It feels theatrical at times without becoming too over the top.

Most importantly, there’s very little filler. Seven songs, just over half an hour, and then it’s done. More albums could learn from that! I enjoyed pretty much every track and it never outstays its welcome.

This was a really enjoyable listen and definitely something I’ll be revisiting. Short, fun and full of great songwriting.

Favourite track: “Everybody Knows (Except You)” is a great tune. Easily my favourite on the album and one I’ll definitely listen to again.

Least favourite track: “Timewatching” was probably the weakest for me. A little slow and dull compared with the rest of the album.

Album artwork: Cool cover. Simple but effective.

Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons is a really enjoyable listen, which surprised me slightly considering this is predominantly a country album! This is definitely the type of country music I can get on board with. It's less twangy and banjo-heavy than a lot of the country albums I've struggled with during this challenge and has much more going on musically.

The real star of the show for me, though, is Emmylou Harris. I completely agree with the reviewer who said her name should have been on the album alongside Gram Parsons. Her voice is absolutely stunning and works beautifully with his. Whenever they sing together, the album seems to go up another level.

There are some genuinely beautiful songs on here as well. Their version of "Love Hurts" is lovely, and the whole album has a warm, relaxed sound that makes it incredibly easy to listen to. It's country music, but with enough folk and rock mixed in to make it much more interesting to me.

Overall, this was a really pleasant surprise and another country album from this challenge that I'd happily listen to again.

Favourite track: "Love Hurts" is beautiful, largely because Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris sound so good together. "Return of the Grievous Angel" is also a great tune and a brilliant way to open the album.

Least favourite track: Everything on here is worth a listen. There wasn't anything I particularly disliked.

Album artwork: Really cool album cover. Simple and effective.

'd never heard of Calexico before today and had no idea what to expect from Feast of Wire. This is one of the reasons I love doing this challenge though, every now and then you find a band you've completely missed and really enjoy them.

This is a really interesting album. There are so many different genres and sounds going on, with indie, folk, country, jazz and Latin influences all mixed together. It shouldn't necessarily work but it does, and it means the album never gets boring or feels too samey.

Musically there is loads going on. I particularly enjoyed the guitars and brass, and at times it has a really cinematic, almost Western soundtrack feel to it. Then the next track can sound completely different. It keeps you interested throughout and I genuinely enjoyed seeing where the album was going next.

Overall, a really enjoyable surprise. I'd never heard of Calexico before today but I'll definitely be listening to them again. Another great discovery from this challenge.

Favourite track: "Sunken Waltz" is a great opening track and immediately got me interested in the album.

Least favourite track: Nothing on the album was boring and every track was worth a listen.

Album artwork: Really cool album cover. There's plenty going on and it suits the music perfectly.

Moondance by Van Morrison is a great album and one I've always enjoyed, so I was very pleased to see it come up on the challenge today. In fact, I enjoyed listening to it so much that I ended up playing it three times.

There are so many great songs on this album. It's warm, soulful and incredibly easy to listen to, with a brilliant mixture of folk, jazz, soul and blues running throughout. Van Morrison's voice sounds fantastic, but it's the musicianship that really stands out for me. The piano, horns and guitar give the whole album such a rich and relaxed sound.

What I particularly like about Moondance is how effortless it feels. There are some genuinely beautiful moments, but it never feels overly serious or difficult. It's just a collection of brilliantly written songs that flow together perfectly. You can have it playing in the background and enjoy it, but there is also enough going on musically and lyrically to reward actually sitting down and properly listening.

Three listens today and I still wasn't bored of it. That probably tells you everything you need to know. A fantastic album that has aged incredibly well.

Favourite tracks: There are several great tracks here. "Caravan" is lovely, "Into the Mystic" is absolutely beautiful, and "And It Stoned Me" is a brilliant way to open the album.

Least favourite tracks: There isn't a weak song here. Everything on the album is worth a listen and earns its place.

Album artwork: A classic Van Morrison album cover. Simple, understated and instantly recognisable.

Street Life by The Crusaders is technically a jazz album, but it feels like jazz in disguise. There's enough funk, soul and pop mixed in that it doesn't immediately feel like the sort of traditional jazz album I've struggled with during this challenge.

And to be fair, it isn't quite as difficult a listen as some of those albums. It's perfectly pleasant, well played and easy enough to have on in the background. The problem is that after the excellent opening track, there isn't much else that really grabs me.

As the album progresses, it becomes increasingly repetitive and starts to blend into one long piece of background music. The musicianship is clearly excellent, but being technically good doesn't necessarily make something interesting. I kept waiting for another song to match the energy and quality of "Street Life", but it never really arrived.

It leaves me wondering why this particular record needed to be included in a list of 1001 albums you have to hear. There's absolutely nothing terrible about it, but outside of the title track, I found very little that was memorable either. It's pleasant but ultimately disposable — perfect background music for cleaning the fish tank or scrubbing the toilet, but not something I'm likely to actively choose to listen to again.

Favourite track: "Street Life" is one hell of a tune and easily the best thing on the album. Does it really need to be 11 minutes long though? Probably not.

Least favourite tracks: Nothing is horrific. The bigger problem is that after "Street Life", most of the album just drifts by without leaving much of an impression.

Album artwork: A fairly standard album cover. Nothing particularly memorable.

System of a Down is the self-titled debut from System of a Down, and having never really connected with this style of music, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going in. Unfortunately, this was absolutely not for me.

I found the whole album incredibly noisy and chaotic, often feeling like it's being loud simply for the sake of being loud. There's constant shouting, sudden changes in pace and direction, and very little in the way of melody or harmony for me to grab onto.

The lyrics didn't connect with me either. I know there's political and social commentary behind many of the songs, but the frantic delivery meant that much of it just sounded like shouted nonsense to me. I struggled to find the storytelling, melody or emotion that I usually look for in music.

Favourite track: "Sugar" was really the only track that grabbed me at all. It's still completely chaotic, but at least there's something memorable and catchy about it.

Least favourite tracks: Pretty much everything else. I would be perfectly happy never hearing another track from this album again!

Album artwork: I actually quite like the cover. Simple, striking and much more enjoyable than the music inside.

952 albums into this challenge and we finally get one from The Everly Brothers. Genuine pop pioneers and a huge influence on so many artists who followed them, so I was really looking forward to giving A Date with the Everly Brothers a proper listen.

This is exactly why I enjoy so much early 60s music. It's simple, fun and incredibly easy to listen to. Most of the songs barely make it past two minutes, but that's all they need. Great guitar, beautiful melodies, catchy hooks and then onto the next one. What's not to like?

The real highlight, though, is those harmonies. The Everly Brothers sound fantastic together, and there's something so effortless about the way their voices work alongside each other. You can also hear just how influential this sound became. So much of the pop and rock music that followed in the 60s owes something to what they were doing here.

There isn't anything particularly complicated about the album, and that's part of its charm. It's just a collection of brilliantly crafted pop songs that get in, do exactly what they need to do and get out again. More than 65 years later, it's remarkable how fresh and enjoyable much of it still sounds.

Favourite tracks: "Love Hurts" has always been one of my favourite songs. It's been covered numerous times and in many different styles, but it's great hearing this early version. There are plenty of other excellent tracks too, particularly "Baby What You Want Me to Do" and "Made to Love".

Least favourite tracks: There's really nothing not to like here. It's consistently enjoyable from start to finish.

Album artwork: A standard early 60s album cover. Very much of its time, but it has a certain charm to it.

Vauxhall and I is, for me, Morrissey's best solo album. I've always loved this record, so I was very pleased to see it come up on the challenge today.

Musically, I think this is the best band Morrissey has worked with as a solo artist. The guitars are fantastic throughout, the melodies are brilliant, and there's a richness to the music that perfectly complements his voice. Everything feels incredibly well put together without ever sounding overproduced.

Lyrically, this is also Morrissey at his very best. There's the usual mixture of melancholy, humour, bitterness and vulnerability, but the songwriting feels particularly strong and focused here. Every track has something to offer, and there isn't a moment where the quality noticeably drops.

The first half of the album is especially brilliant. Tracks one to five are about as strong an opening run as you could ask for, but the quality continues throughout. It's one of those rare albums I could happily put straight back on again as soon as it finishes.

For me, Vauxhall and I captures everything that made Morrissey such a great solo artist at his peak. Brilliant lyrics, a fantastic band, memorable melodies and not a weak song on the record. I could listen to this album all day.

Favourite tracks: "Speedway" is probably Morrissey's greatest solo song in my opinion. I also adore the entire first side of the album; tracks one to five are incredibly strong.

Least favourite tracks: There isn't one. Every song earns its place on the album.

Album artwork: A classic Morrissey album cover. Simple, distinctive and instantly recognisable.

I completely missed The Beta Band when they came onto the scene in the late 90s and early 2000s. They’re one of those bands I’ve always been aware of and wanted to properly explore, so I was looking forward to finally giving Heroes to Zeros a listen today. Unfortunately, it turns out I don't think I've missed out on much.

I found this album incredibly average. There's nothing particularly bad about it, but there's also very little that grabbed me or made me understand what all the fuss was about. It has that familiar early-2000s indie sound, but rather than feeling distinctive or interesting, much of it came across as quite generic and forgettable.

The musicianship is perfectly fine and there are occasional interesting sounds and ideas in the production, but none of them develop into songs that really stick with you. It just seems to drift along at the same level, and by the end I struggled to remember much of what I'd actually listened to.

Maybe I need to explore some of their earlier work to understand why The Beta Band were so highly regarded, but based purely on Heroes to Zeros, I'm not particularly inspired to dig much deeper. Very average and not an album I can see myself returning to.

Favourite tracks: Nothing really stood out enough for me to pick a favourite.

Least favourite tracks: Nothing was offensively bad, but that was almost the problem. Too much of the album blended into one fairly forgettable indie sound.

Album artwork: Very cool cover. There's loads going on and plenty to look at.

Bad by Michael Jackson is a really good album. Michael Jackson's solo music has never particularly been my genre, and personally I've always preferred the energy and sound of the Jackson 5. That said, it's difficult not to enjoy an album with this many great pop songs on it.

Bad is fast-paced, brilliantly produced and full of energy. At its best, it's easy to understand why Michael Jackson became such a huge artist. The production still sounds massive, the melodies are instantly recognisable, and when this album delivers a hit, it really delivers. There aren't many albums that can boast songs as good as "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Smooth Criminal".

For me, though, it doesn't have the consistency of Thriller. There are some absolutely brilliant songs, but there's also noticeably more filler. When the quality drops, it drops quite significantly, and there are a handful of tracks I wouldn't particularly want to hear again.

Overall, though, I enjoyed this far more than I might have expected. Michael Jackson may not be the sort of artist I'd naturally choose to put on, and I'd still rather listen to the Jackson 5, but there's no denying how good he was at making huge, memorable pop songs.

Favourite tracks: "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Smooth Criminal" are brilliant. Three massive pop songs that still sound great today.

Least favourite tracks: There's more filler here than on Thriller. Songs like "Just Good Friends" and "Dirty Diana" don't do much for me and are a noticeable step down from the album's best moments.

Album artwork: A classic album cover. Simple, iconic and instantly recognisable.

Will the Circle Be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is one of the toughest listens I've had during this challenge. I know this album is regarded as an important collaboration and a landmark in country and bluegrass music, bringing together generations of musicians, but it simply wasn't for me.

At 42 tracks, it's far too long. There are only so many banjos, fiddles and traditional instrumentals I can take before everything starts to blur into one. By the halfway point I felt like I'd already heard the same song dozens of times, and there just wasn't enough variety to keep me engaged.

The biggest issue is the sheer length. There are far too many instrumentals, many of which felt interchangeable, and I found myself losing interest long before the album finally came to an end. Instead of feeling like a celebration of country music, it became an endurance test.

I'm sure fans of traditional bluegrass and old-time country will absolutely love this record, but it's about as far away from my musical tastes as you can get.

Favourite tracks: I honestly couldn't pick one that really stood out.

Least favourite tracks: There wasn't a single track I felt compelled to revisit. The instrumentals in particular all merged into one very long listen.

Album artwork: A slightly creepy album cover, more memorable than most of the music inside.

The Slim Shady LP by Eminem is a brilliant album. I don't think it's quite as good as The Marshall Mathers LP, but it's the record that introduced the world to Slim Shady and changed hip-hop forever.

When this album came out, there really wasn't anything else like it. It was funny, shocking, controversial and incredibly creative. Eminem's storytelling is exceptional throughout, switching effortlessly between dark humour, satire and more emotional moments. Whether you like the subject matter or not, there's no denying his talent as a writer.

The production is excellent too, with catchy beats that perfectly complement his style. Every track feels different, keeping the album fresh from beginning to end. Beneath the outrageous lyrics and controversial character is a hugely talented artist with an incredible ear for melody, rhythm and rhyme.

While The Marshall Mathers LP would go on to refine and improve the formula, The Slim Shady LP deserves enormous credit for how original it sounded at the time. Even today, it still feels inventive and exciting.

Favourite tracks: "Guilty Conscience" is the standout for me. It's clever, funny and brilliantly put together, with great chemistry between Eminem and Dr. Dre.

Least favourite tracks: There isn't really a weak song here. Some tracks aren't quite as memorable as the biggest hits, but the album is consistently entertaining throughout.

Album artwork: A good cover that perfectly captures the dark humour and chaotic personality of the Slim Shady character.

The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers is a phenomenal album. It may not be their most accessible or their most commercially successful record, but for me it's their finest work. It doesn't have the big, radio-friendly hits of some of their later albums, yet as a complete listening experience it's more powerful, more consistent and ultimately far more rewarding.

What makes this album so compelling is the intensity of the writing. The lyrics are intelligent, dark and deeply poignant, exploring themes that few bands would dare to tackle. Knowing the struggles Richey Edwards was going through at the time gives the album even greater emotional weight, and it's impossible not to hear that pain and vulnerability running through the songs.

Musically, it's every bit as impressive. The guitars are sharp and urgent, the rhythm section drives everything forward, and James Dean Bradfield delivers the lyrics with passion and conviction.

Favourite tracks: It's difficult to pick just one because the album works so well as a complete piece, but "Faster", "Yes" are particular highlights.

Least favourite tracks: There isn't a weak song on the album. Every track earns its place and contributes to the overall experience.

Album artwork: A classic album cover that perfectly reflects the stark, uncompromising nature of the music inside.

Pyromania by Def Leppard confirmed something I already suspected—I don't think this style of 1980s hard rock is for me. I didn't enjoy Hysteria, so I went into this expecting to have similar struggles.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened.

For me, this type of rock has become a bit of a self-parody. It's packed with big choruses, huge guitar riffs and endless references to rock and roll, but it feels like style over substance. The songs are polished and technically well played, but they rarely have enough depth or individuality to really hold my attention.

As the album went on, I found many of the tracks blending together. They follow a very similar formula, with the same structure, the same soaring choruses and the same glossy production. I know that's exactly what many fans love about Pyromania, but for me it became predictable rather than exciting.

Listening to it also reminded me of This Is Spinal Tap. The over-the-top rock clichés are all here, only without the comedy. I can appreciate how influential this album was and why it became such a huge commercial success, but it just isn't a sound that connects with me.

Favourite tracks: "Photograph" is actually a pretty good pop-rock song and easily the standout track if I had to choose one.

Least favourite tracks: Most of the rest of the album blurred into one generic 1980s rock sound. Tracks like "Action! Not Words" summed up the formula that, for me, became repetitive.

Album artwork: I do really like the album cover. It's bold, memorable and probably my favourite thing about the album.

Forever Changes by Love is a wonderful album that I've always enjoyed listening to.

Musically, it's outstanding. The string arrangements are beautiful, the melodies are memorable, and the whole album has an effortless elegance about it. There's a psychedelic feel running throughout, and at times it reminds me of The Doors, although Forever Changes has a lighter, more orchestral sound that gives it its own identity.

What impresses me most is how well everything fits together. Every song feels carefully crafted, and the album flows beautifully from beginning to end. It's thoughtful, melodic and packed with subtle details that reveal themselves the more you listen.

I've always felt this album doesn't get quite the recognition it deserves. While it might not be as famous as some of its contemporaries from the late 1960s, it's every bit as good and has aged remarkably well. For me, it's one of the hidden gems of that era.

Favourite tracks: "Alone Again Or" and "Andmoreagain" are both beautiful songs and the highlights of the album.

Least favourite tracks: There really isn't a weak track here. Every song deserves its place.

Album artwork: A very cool and instantly recognisable album cover that perfectly captures the psychedelic spirit of the music.

Done by the Forces of Nature by Jungle Brothers is the sort of hip-hop I really enjoy listening to.

The album has a laid-back, positive feel that sets it apart from a lot of the harder-edged hip-hop I've come across during this challenge. The beats are excellent, the production is smooth, and there are some really clever lyrics throughout. I also enjoyed spotting some of the famous samples, which add another layer of enjoyment when listening.

It's easy to hear why this album is regarded as such an important record. It feels fresh, inventive and influential, helping to shape the sound of alternative hip-hop while still being incredibly enjoyable in its own right. Rather than relying on aggression or shock value, it lets the quality of the music and the songwriting do the talking.

It's also one of those albums that gets better the more you listen to it. The relaxed grooves and jazzy influences make it an easy record to put on, and I can definitely see myself coming back to it again.

Favourite tracks: "Black Woman" and "Doin' Our Own Dang" are the standout tracks for me and perfectly capture the album's energy and creativity.

Least favourite tracks: There isn't really a weak song here. Everything is worth a listen.

Album artwork: A fairly standard hip-hop album cover, but one that suits the era and style of the music well.

When I started this album challenge, Stevie Wonder was never an artist I'd really listened to beyond the greatest hits.

I'd always recognised his influence and enjoyed the occasional classic, but I'd never really connected with his albums as complete works. In fact, Songs in the Key of Life was only the second album I reviewed on this challenge, and it completely changed my perspective. I called it a timeless masterpiece and one of the greatest albums I'd ever heard. On the other hand, Innervisions didn't resonate with me in the same way. I enjoyed a handful of individual songs, but as a complete album I found it quite dull.

That brings me to Talking Book.

There are some genuinely brilliant moments on this album, and when Stevie Wonder is at his best, there's almost nobody better. His songwriting, musicianship and effortless blend of soul, funk and pop are on full display. However, I don't think it's as consistent as Songs in the Key of Life. For every outstanding song, there's another that feels like filler or simply doesn't have the same impact.

It's an enjoyable album overall, but outside of a few standout tracks, I can't see myself coming back to it as a complete listening experience. It has flashes of greatness, but it never quite reaches the level I know Stevie Wonder is capable of.

Favourite tracks: There are some fantastic songs here. "Superstition" is an absolute classic and, for me, one of Stevie Wonder's greatest songs. I also really enjoyed "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life".

Least favourite tracks: Some of the slower songs lost my attention a little. "You and I" and "You've Got It Bad Girl" felt a bit flat compared to the album's stronger moments.

Album artwork: A fairly standard album cover that doesn't really hint at the quality of the music inside.

Night Life by Ray Price was a really enjoyable surprise. I lost count of how many times the phrase "honky-tonk" came up while I was listening, so I had to look into it afterwards. It's often described as one of the last great honky-tonk albums before country music shifted towards the smoother Nashville Sound, which makes it quite an interesting record historically.

More importantly, it's a genuinely good album.

Of all the country and western albums I've listened to during this challenge, this is probably my favourite. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, but it's an easy, relaxed listen with plenty of warmth and charm. The songs are well written, Ray Price's voice is excellent throughout, and the whole album has an effortless quality that makes it very easy to return to.

It's the sort of record you can happily have playing in the background, but it's also rewarding if you sit down and pay attention. There are no big surprises or dramatic moments, just consistently good songwriting and musicianship from start to finish.

It may not reinvent the genre, but it reminds you why this style of country music became so popular in the first place. I'll definitely be listening to it again.

Favourite tracks: "Night Life" is a brilliant song and easily the standout for me.

Least favourite tracks: There isn't really a weak track here. Every song deserves its place on the album.

Album artwork: A fairly standard album cover, but one that perfectly captures the classic country feel of the record.