Reviews by kitch82

This is a very odd album to my ears.

The long, sprawling songs move through multiple sections and ideas, often jumping around in ways that feel theatrical and unpredictable. I can see why progressive rock fans love it, but for me it feels overcomplicated rather than immersive. There is a strong pastoral, almost Robin Hood atmosphere running through parts of it, which adds to that slightly whimsical, medieval tone.

There is no denying the musicianship. The playing is intricate and ambitious, and the band clearly had huge ideas at this stage. It just does not come together in a way that keeps me fully engaged.

It is interesting and creative, but not something I would choose to listen to again.

Favourite song: None that truly stood out for me
Least favourite: The longer tracks feel particularly hard work
Album artwork: Distinctive and very much in keeping with the album’s quirky, English tone

Elvis Costello’s fourteenth album and he is still going strong.

Brutal Youth feels like a confident return to that sharp, punchy sound he does so well. The songwriting is tight, witty and full of bite, but there is also melody and craft running through it. It does not reinvent the wheel, but it does not need to. It is a solid, enjoyable record from an artist who clearly still had plenty to say.

There is energy throughout and it works well as a complete album. No obvious weak moments, just strong, well written songs delivered with that unmistakable Costello edge.

Favourite song: Pony Street
Least favourite: None. Every song is worth a listen
Album artwork: A cool and understated cover that fits the tone of the record perfectly

Not normally my sort of album or music, but there is no denying this has some huge eighties moments on it.

Colour by Numbers is packed with that unmistakable early eighties pop sound. Bright, melodic and full of personality. At times it feels very much of its era, which is probably why I am not sure I would return to it often.

Karma Chameleon is superb. An absolute classic and still incredibly catchy. It carries the album for me and reminds you why Culture Club were so massive at the time. Beyond that, several of the other tracks feel very eighties and slightly forgettable.

Favourite song: Karma Chameleon
Least favourite: A few of the deeper tracks blend together
Album artwork: Bold, colourful and completely reflective of the era

Brilliant indie pop and a proper rush of nostalgia for me.

Parklife takes me straight back to my teenage years. It captures that mid nineties energy perfectly. Witty, sharp and full of character. The songwriting is clever without being pretentious, and the melodies are instantly memorable.

Girls and Boys is pure Britpop. Catchy, confident and impossible not to sing along to. Parklife is just as iconic. That spoken word delivery and the everyday British observations make it completely unique. These songs were the soundtrack to my youth and they still hit the same way now.

The whole album feels vibrant and full of life. It is playful, observational and very British in the best possible way.

Favourite songs: Girls and Boys and Parklife
Least favourite: None that stand out negatively
Album artwork: Instantly recognisable and completely nineties. A perfect match for the era and the sound

This really is one of the cornerstones of hip hop. I knew far more songs on here than I expected, which says everything about how influential this album has been.

Musically, the production is superb. The beats are smooth, heavy and instantly recognisable. That G funk sound is laid back but powerful, and it still sounds great today. Nuthin’ but a G Thang in particular is a standout. It is effortlessly cool and easily the highlight for me.

That said, some of the lyrics feel dated now and, in places, uncomfortable by today’s standards. While I can appreciate the cultural impact and context of the early nineties, certain themes and lines do not sit well decades later.

Overall, I enjoyed it more than I expected. The production alone makes it worth hearing, even if parts of the content have not aged as well.

Favourite song: Nuthin’ but a G Thang
Least favourite: Some tracks feel lyrically dated
Album artwork: Iconic and instantly recognisable, fitting for such an important record

I’ve never been a fan of Willie Nelson, and Red Headed Stranger didn’t change that for me. While I can appreciate its place in music history, I found the album quite slow and unengaging. It just didn’t hold my attention, and I won’t be revisiting it.

I had never listened to War by U2 before today, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Compared to some of the band’s more popular albums, this one felt different—less about big, polished hits and more focused on raw, powerful songs with real meaning.

Favourite Song: Sunday Bloody Sunday – an intense, anthemic track that perfectly captures the album’s emotional and political core.
Least Favourite: Honestly, I enjoyed every track—nothing felt out of place or skippable.
Album Artwork: A striking and iconic cover that sets the tone for the album’s serious, urgent message.

War proves that U2’s strength lies not just in stadium-ready singles, but in their ability to craft music that speaks to something deeper.

Microshift is one of the most recent albums I have come across in this challenge, and it was a really pleasant surprise.

The sound feels modern and textured, but still melodic and accessible. There is a driving energy underneath it all, with layers of synths and guitars that create a slightly hypnotic atmosphere. It manages to feel fresh without being overly experimental for the sake of it.

What I liked most is how immersive it is. The songs pull you in rather than hit you over the head, and the mood builds naturally across the album. It is the kind of record that benefits from repeat listens, and I will definitely be going back to it.

Favourite song: A Short Distance
Least favourite: None that stood out negatively
Album artwork: Bold and distinctive. A striking cover that matches the modern feel of the music

I had never heard of this band before, so this was a genuine discovery for me and a very pleasant surprise.

Another Girl, Another Planet is a brilliant song. Instantly catchy, full of energy and with that slightly raw late seventies edge. It is one of those tracks that grabs you straight away and refuses to let go.

The album as a whole is really enjoyable. It sits somewhere between punk urgency and classic melodic songwriting, which works well for me. There is attitude, but there are also strong hooks and memorable choruses. It feels like a band with real personality.

I went in not knowing what to expect and came away genuinely impressed. Always a good sign.

Favourite song: Another Girl, Another Planet
Least favourite: None that stood out negatively
Album artwork: Very much of its era. Simple, understated and cool

Another dive into psychedelic folk—this time with Triangle by The Beau Brummels, an album I hadn’t heard of before. While it had some lovely moments, with thoughtful lyrics and charming arrangements scattered throughout, it didn’t quite land for me overall.

A few tracks stood out, but as a whole, it’s just not my style.

I love this album.

Back to Black felt completely different when it came out. In the middle of mid 2000s pop, this raw, retro soul sound stood out immediately. It was bold, honest and full of character.

The songs are sharp and memorable. Rehab is iconic, Back to Black is heartbreaking and powerful, and Tears Dry on Their Own has that Motown energy that makes it impossible not to move. Amy’s voice carries the whole record. It is smoky, vulnerable and full of attitude.

What makes the album so strong is that beneath the retro production there is real emotional weight. It feels personal and unfiltered, which is why it still sounds fresh years later.

Favourite song: Back to Black
Least favourite: None. It is strong from start to finish
Album artwork: Simple and striking. A timeless cover that perfectly matches the tone of the music

There are some really nice pop songs on this album, even if it is not something I would usually choose to put on.

It is unapologetically eighties. Bright, bold and full of character. At times it feels very much of its era, which is probably why it is not one I would revisit regularly. That said, there is no denying the strength of the big singles.

I absolutely love Time After Time. It is a beautiful, timeless song with genuine emotion at its core. Girls Just Want to Have Fun is pure pop joy. Catchy, energetic and impossible not to smile along to. Those two tracks alone make the album worth hearing.

Favourite songs: Time After Time and Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Least favourite: The deeper cuts do not leave much of an impression
Album artwork: Colourful and very eighties. Instantly recognisable and full of personality

I have never really been a big Clapton fan, so this one came as a surprise.

I genuinely enjoyed this album. It feels relaxed and confident, with a warm, laid back groove running through it. The production is smooth without feeling over polished, and the songwriting is stronger than I expected.

I Shot the Sheriff is the clear standout for me. It has a great feel to it and is easily the most memorable moment on the record. Beyond that, there are several solid tracks that make the album an easy and enjoyable listen from start to finish.

It may not completely convert me into a die hard Clapton fan, but it definitely made me appreciate this period of his career far more.

Favourite song: I Shot the Sheriff
Least favourite: None that stood out negatively
Album artwork: Simple and understated, fitting the relaxed tone of the music

This one really did not connect with me at all.

I know Five Leaves Left is widely regarded as a beautifully delicate folk record, but I found it slow and difficult to engage with. The stripped back arrangements and hushed tone never really build into anything, and I struggled to stay invested.

Nick Drake’s voice, which many people find intimate and haunting, just does not work for me. It feels too subdued and never quite lifts the songs. As a full album, it drifts rather than grabs.

I can appreciate the craft and the influence it has had over the years, but as a listening experience it left me cold.

Favourite song: I genuinely could not pick one
Least favourite: The overall sound just did not land for me
Album artwork: Understated and moody, but not something that stands out for me

This really was not for me.

At times it feels like full on wrestling entrance music, all bombast and bluster without much subtlety. I know it has its fans and I can respect the musicianship, but as an album it does very little for me. It is loud, relentless and just not a sound I connect with.

That said, I will give it some credit for Cult of Personality. It is a great tune. Big riff, big hook and undeniably catchy. That track alone drags the album up to a two out of five for me.

Favourite song: Cult of Personality. A genuinely strong track.
Least favourite: The rest of the album does not do much for me.
Album artwork: Fairly forgettable. Nothing that stands out in the way the single does

I went into Apocalypse Dudes expecting loud, outrageous, over the top rock and roll. I do not mind swagger or silliness if the songs back it up. Unfortunately, this one just did not land for me at all.

It leans heavily into parody and glam infused sleaze, but instead of feeling sharp or knowing, it felt cartoonish. The whole thing came across like a poor man’s Spinal Tap, all attitude and excess without enough genuinely strong songs underneath. The riffs are big and brash, but after a while it all starts to blur into one long exaggerated joke.

I can see how the tongue in cheek style and camp bravado would appeal to some. There is clearly a cult energy to it, and I imagine it would be chaotic fun live. On record though, it felt more irritating than entertaining.

It is not one I will be revisiting.

I can absolutely recognise that George Jones is a giant of country music, and The Grand Tour is often held up as one of his finest records. Going into it, I knew I was stepping into classic 70s country storytelling at its purest.

It just is not really my thing.

There is no denying the quality of his voice. It is rich, controlled and full of emotion. The title track in particular is a masterclass in heartbreak and delivery. You can hear every ounce of pain in the phrasing, and the production is polished without losing that traditional country feel.

But as a full album, it does not quite connect with me. The themes are heavy on sorrow and domestic heartbreak, and while I can respect the craft, I never feel truly drawn in. It is beautifully performed, just not something that fits naturally with my taste.

I can see why it is revered, and for fans of classic country this will be essential listening. For me, though, it is more admiration than enjoyment.

Favourite song: The Grand Tour
Least favourite song: She’ll Love the One She’s With
Album artwork: Very much of its time. Simple and classic country styling

I have never really been a fan of Radiohead, and Hail to the Thief does not change that for me.

There are moments where individual songs are perfectly fine, but as a full album it feels overly long and a bit repetitive. The mood rarely shifts enough to fully pull me in, and after a while many of the tracks start to blur together.

I can hear the ambition and the political edge running through it, and I respect what they are trying to do. It just does not connect with me emotionally. A lot of it sits in that space of being OK rather than memorable.

Favourite track: None that truly stood out
Least favourite: The overall sound becomes repetitive over the length of the album
Album artwork: Distinctive and bold, certainly more striking than the music for me

Evermore is a really strong follow up to Folklore and shows just how much Taylor Swift has grown as a songwriter.

The album leans into indie folk and alternative pop again, but it feels slightly darker and more atmospheric. The storytelling is cinematic and detailed, with characters and narratives that pull you in. It is reflective, moody and beautifully arranged. Somewhere along the way I have realised I might actually be a Taylor Swift fan.

No Body, No Crime is a clear standout. It has that noir country edge and a gripping storyline that makes it instantly memorable. It adds a bit of grit to an otherwise delicate and introspective record.

There are no obvious weak spots. The album feels cohesive and carefully constructed, and it rewards listening all the way through rather than picking out just one or two tracks.

Favourite track: No Body, No Crime
Least favourite: None. It is consistently strong
Album artwork: Muted and mysterious. A cool, understated cover that perfectly matches the tone of the music

It is quite odd to get two albums by The xx in two days, but it has actually been a welcome surprise. It has properly introduced me to the band and made me pay attention in a way I had not before.

I See You feels a little brighter and more open than xx. There is still that minimalist core, but the production has more colour and movement. The hooks are stronger and the songs feel slightly more immediate.

On Hold is incredibly catchy and easily one of the standout moments. I Dare You has a warmth and confidence that really works. The whole album flows well and is an easy, enjoyable listen.

Favourite songs: On Hold and I Dare You
Least favourite: None that stood out negatively
Album artwork: Simple, bold and instantly recognisable, very much in keeping with their aesthetic