Rated 4/10
Never heard of this band before so I had no expectations on what this album was like or idea on the bands sound. that was a nice experience.
This was an OK album, not many stand out songs you think thats amazing I want to listen to that again
Favorite song: real world
Least favourite song: Over my head
Album artwork: Great artwork
Rated 8/10
What a great album this is.
This challenge has really got me into Talking Heads, and Fear of Music is another example of why they are so highly regarded. There is a nervous, edgy energy running through the whole record, but it is still packed with hooks and clever ideas.
Zimbra is such a bold opener, rhythmic and hypnotic. Minds is another standout, driving and slightly unsettling in the best way. The first three tracks in particular are an incredible start. They set the tone perfectly and pull you straight in.
The album feels tight and purposeful from beginning to end. It is quirky, intelligent and genuinely engaging. This is definitely one I will be returning to.
Favourite song: The opening three tracks. What a start to an album
Least favourite song: None. They are all strong
Album artwork: Simple yet superb. Stark and distinctive, even if it is not exactly one for a T shirt
Rated 8/10
Album Review: Fear of a Black Planet – Public Enemy
Brothers Gonna Work It Out and Fight the Power—what a pair of tunes! This album is a definite keeper; it’s going straight into my playlist for repeat listens. As Public Enemy’s 9th studio album, it’s clear I’ll be diving into their back catalog soon.
The album tackles heavy, thought-provoking subject matter with powerful delivery, making it both impactful and poignant. The combination of strong lyrics and sharp performance makes it a standout in early hip-hop.
Favourite Song: Brothers Gonna Work It Out—a standout track, though all the songs are great.
Least Favourite Song: Reggie Jax—didn’t quite hit the same mark for me as the others.
Album Artwork: A striking image that perfectly captures the album’s bold message.
An essential album for any hip-hop fan, blending social consciousness with unforgettable beats.
Rated 8/10
A massive album for Morrissey and easily one of the high points of his solo career.
Your Arsenal has real swagger. The glam infused rock sound suits him perfectly and gives the record a punch that some of his other solo work lacks. The guitars are sharp, the rhythms are confident and the lyrics are classic Morrissey. Witty, cutting and slightly camp in the best possible way.
There is a boldness running through the whole album. It feels focused and self assured. This is Morrissey fully leaning into his persona and making it work.
You’re the One for Me, Fatty is a standout. Catchy, cheeky and unmistakably Mozza. Tomorrow is solid, but for me it does not quite reach the same heights as the strongest tracks.
Favourite song: You’re the One for Me, Fatty
Least favourite song: Tomorrow
Album artwork: Iconic and striking. A perfect visual match for the album’s attitude
A confident and stylish record that stands tall in his catalogue
Rated 2/10
This is quite a far out album and definitely a product of its time. In places it reminded me a little of The Who, particularly in the more energetic sections and the slightly ambitious, conceptual feel.
It is a fun listen overall. There is creativity and variety throughout, and you can hear a band trying to stretch beyond straightforward rock into something more expansive. That said, there is quite a bit of filler for me, and too many instrumental passages that interrupt the flow rather than enhance it.
When it locks into a strong melody it works really well, but it does not quite sustain that level across the whole record.
Favourite song: When I Touch You
Least favourite song: The instrumental sections tend to drag for me
Album artwork: Completely mental. Psychedelic, bold and very memorable
Rated 8/10
Songs of Leonard Cohen is a beautifully cohesive debut. It creates a haunting, poetic atmosphere from the very first track and never really breaks that spell.
The songwriting is the real strength here. Suzanne and Master Song are genuine masterpieces, lyrically rich and emotionally weighty. There is a quiet intensity to the whole album. It does not shout for attention. It draws you in slowly and rewards patience.
So Long, Marianne is my personal highlight. Heartfelt, melodic and timeless. It carries warmth alongside the melancholy and feels like one of those songs that only grows stronger with age.
There is not a bad moment on the record, although Sisters of Mercy is probably the one that resonated with me the least. Even then, it still fits the overall mood perfectly.
Favourite song: So Long, Marianne
Least favourite song: Sisters of Mercy
Album artwork: Iconic and understated. It perfectly captures the introspective and enigmatic feel of the music within
A powerful debut and a defining early statement from one of the great songwriters
Rated 8/10
Pop rock at its absolute best.
Hot Fuss takes me straight back to nights out in my youth. Loud, confident, full of hooks and impossible not to sing along to. It captures that mid 2000s indie disco energy perfectly, with big choruses and sharp, driving rhythms.
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine is a brilliant opener. Dark, punchy and instantly engaging. The album is packed with top tunes and feels cohesive from start to finish. It balances swagger with melody really well and never loses its momentum.
There are one or two tracks that do not quite hit the same heights, but overall this is a cracking debut and still sounds great.
Favourite song: Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
Least favourite song: On Top
Album artwork: Great cover. Clean, stylish and instantly recognisable. I love it
This was a really fun and vibrant listen. From the first track, the album feels full of life and confidence. Earth, Wind and Fire have that incredible ability to blend funk, soul and pop into something that sounds effortless but is clearly crafted with serious musicianship.
What I enjoyed most is how the album evolves as it goes along. It moves between upbeat, groove driven tracks and smoother, more reflective moments, yet it never feels disjointed. There is variety in style, tempo and mood, but it all works together as one cohesive piece.
The musicianship is outstanding throughout. Tight rhythms, rich brass sections and those layered vocals give everything a warmth and energy that is hard not to smile at. It is the kind of album that instantly lifts your mood.
It even makes me curious to watch the film of the same name, although I have heard that the movie itself does not quite live up to the soundtrack.
Favourite song: Shining Star
Least favourite song: None that stood out negatively
Album artwork: Very 70s and very cool. It perfectly matches the cosmic, soulful vibe of the music
There are a couple of genuinely great tunes on this album. Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth and Boys Better are absolute standouts and still sound sharp, catchy and full of attitude. When they hit that groove of fuzzy, slightly sleazy indie rock, it really works.
The problem is the length.
It is a long album, and there is a lot of material that feels like filler. Many of the tracks drift into a similar mid tempo haze, and after a while they start to blur together. The hooks are not always strong enough to justify the running time, and it loses momentum as it goes on.
That said, listening to it did make me want to rewatch Dig. There is something undeniably cool about this era of the band and the whole scene around them. You can hear the ambition and the swagger, even if the album does not fully deliver on it.
Favourite song: Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth
Least favourite song: Hard to pick one, but several of the deeper cuts merge into one another
Album artwork: Bold and very 90s, it captures the aesthetic of the band perfectly
Rated 6/10
I enjoyed this far more than I expected to.
Abraxas blends rock, Latin rhythms and blues in a way that feels both loose and precise. The instrumental sections are interesting and genuinely different. They never feel self indulgent and instead add colour and texture to the album. The musicianship throughout is superb, especially the percussion and guitar work.
Black Magic Woman is obviously a highlight and a great tune. Smooth, hypnotic and instantly recognisable. The album flows really well from start to finish and feels cohesive rather than a collection of separate ideas.
If I am being picky, it perhaps lacks that one enormous, era defining anthem that dominates the whole record, but the overall quality more than makes up for it.
Favourite song: Black Magic Woman
Least favourite: None that stood out negatively
Album artwork: Completely nuts and all over the place, but in a way that perfectly matches the vibrant, psychedelic sound of the music
Rated 4/10
This one left me fairly neutral.
There is no denying k.d. lang has a superb voice. It is rich, controlled and technically impressive throughout. The production is smooth and understated, leaning into a sophisticated pop and adult contemporary sound.
That said, as a full album it feels a bit meh to me. The tempo and mood rarely shift enough to fully grab my attention, and a lot of the tracks blend together. It is pleasant, but not particularly memorable.
Save Me is the standout and the one track that really rises above the rest. Beyond that, it is an album I can appreciate more than truly connect with.
Favourite song: Save Me
Least favourite: The overall album feels too safe and similar throughout
Album artwork: A cool and stylish cover that suits the tone of the record
Rated 6/10
It’s hard to believe this album is over 20 years old. I remember really enjoying it when I was younger, and it still holds up today. It’s packed with fun, catchy pop, and Dreaming of You remains an undeniable classic.
Favourite Song: Dreaming of You – infectious, timeless, and full of energy.
Least Favourite: Some of the later tracks feel a bit flat and don’t quite match the strength of the earlier ones.
Album Artwork: A cool cover with a distinct '60s vibe that suits the band's retro-tinged sound.
A nostalgic and enjoyable listen that still delivers plenty of charm.
Rated 8/10
I loved this.
Talking Heads: 77 is packed with sharp, clever pop songs that feel fresh and slightly off kilter in the best possible way. The rhythms are tight, the guitars are clean and punchy, and there is a nervous energy running through the whole album that makes it completely engaging.
I had not heard many Talking Heads songs before this, but this has definitely converted me. There is something unique about the way they combine art rock ideas with genuinely catchy hooks. It feels intelligent without losing its fun.
Psycho Killer is obviously the standout. Such a great song. Instantly recognisable, tense and ridiculously catchy. It anchors the album brilliantly.
Favourite song: Psycho Killer
Least favourite: None that stood out negatively
Album artwork: Simple and cool. Instantly recognisable and very much of its era
Rated 2/10
Not a fan at all.
I have tried a few times with Radiohead, and Amnesiac does nothing to change my mind. The songs feel cold and distant, and vocally it leans into that fragile, almost whiny style that I struggle to connect with. After a few tracks it all starts to blur together.
I understand that this period was about experimentation and pushing boundaries, but for me it feels more abstract than engaging. There is atmosphere, but very little warmth. It just does not move me in the way great albums should.
Favourite track: None that truly grabbed me
Least favourite: The overall tone feels repetitive and detached
Album artwork: Dark, distinctive and memorable, even if the music does not land for me
Rated 8/10
I have always loved this album.
Dog Man Star has such a raw, dramatic and slightly gothic sound. It feels darker and more theatrical than a lot of Britpop from the same era, and that is exactly why it stands out. There is ambition in the songwriting and a real sense of atmosphere running through the whole record.
Heroine and We Are the Pigs are particular highlights for me. Both have that brooding intensity and sweeping feel that Suede do so well. The album is bold, emotional and never plays it safe.
I have also seen them live and they were superb. The songs take on even more power on stage, with that same intensity and presence that makes the album so strong.
Favourite songs: Heroine and We Are the Pigs
Least favourite: None that stand out negatively
Album artwork: Moody and striking. A perfect visual match for the sound of the record
Rated 4/10
I genuinely have no idea what I think about this album.
Bubble and Scrape is all over the place. At times it hits something really special. There are moments of scrappy, lo fi brilliance where the melodies shine through the fuzz and the emotion feels raw and honest. Then, almost without warning, it veers into something that feels half formed or deliberately messy to the point of frustration.
That unpredictability is probably part of its charm. It feels unfiltered and personal, like you are hearing ideas as they spill out rather than neatly packaged songs. But it also makes for a stop start listening experience. Just as I was getting pulled in, a track would come along that completely lost me.
There is definitely something here though. Enough strong moments to make me think it deserves another listen. This feels like one of those records that might click properly with time rather than on first listen
Rated 8/10
This was my first proper listen to a full Bob Marley album, and it did not disappoint.
Exodus flows brilliantly from start to finish. The songs work so well together, balancing political messages with warmth, groove and melody. There is a laid back confidence throughout, but also real purpose in the writing.
Three Little Birds is one of my favourites. It is simple, uplifting and timeless. The whole album has that same easy feel, yet there is depth beneath the surface. The rhythms are infectious and the songwriting is strong across the board.
I came into this curious and came away genuinely impressed. A great album that fully lives up to its reputation.
Favourite song: Three Little Birds
Least favourite: None that stood out negatively
Album artwork: Instantly recognisable and perfectly in keeping with the era and the sound
Rated 8/10
Loved this.
Fever to Tell is full of raw energy and sharp, punchy songwriting. It has that garage punk edge but still manages to be catchy and immediate. The guitars are jagged, the drums drive everything forward, and Karen O’s vocals give the whole album attitude and personality.
It feels urgent and alive. There is no overthinking, just direct, confident songs that hit hard. I had not heard much of their music before this, but this has definitely made me want to explore more of their catalogue.
Favourite song: Maps
Least favourite: None that stood out negatively
Album artwork: Bold and striking. A cool cover that matches the album’s attitude perfectly
Rated 6/10
A really nice album and one that surprised me in places.
The cover of Goin’ Back is a definite highlight. It is melodic, warm and beautifully arranged. The harmonies are superb and it captures that dreamy late sixties sound perfectly. It is one of those songs that just floats along and stays with you.
There is a lot going on across this record. Psychedelia, country touches, studio experimentation and layered production. At times it feels ahead of its time, and you can hear how influential it would become. That said, I am not a big fan of the instrumentals. They break the flow slightly for me and do not have the same emotional pull as the vocal tracks.
Overall it is an interesting and enjoyable listen. Not one of my absolute favourites from the era, but a strong and creative album with some genuinely great moments.
Favourite track: Goin’ Back
Least favourite: The instrumentals do not quite land for me
Album artwork: A very cool and slightly quirky cover that perfectly fits the late sixties vibe
Rated 10/10
I absolutely love The Smiths, and like their other records, this is another five out of five for me.
Strangeways, Here We Come is an incredible album and, sadly, their last. It captures a band at the height of their creative powers. The songwriting feels expansive and confident, pushing their sound slightly further while still keeping that unmistakable Smiths identity. There is wit, melancholy and drama running through the whole record.
Johnny Marr’s guitar work is as inventive as ever, and Morrissey’s lyrics feel reflective and sharp in equal measure. It sounds like a band evolving, even as they were coming to an end.
Favourite track: A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours. A bold and unconventional opener that sets the tone perfectly.
Least favourite track: None. Every song earns its place.
Album artwork: Striking and stylish. Elegant, slightly mysterious and unmistakably The Smiths
