Reviews by kitch82

I’d never really listened to Queens of the Stone Age before. I love their biggest hit, No One Knows, and I’m fairly sure I’ve seen them at a festival at some point, but I’ve never properly explored their albums. I figured there was no better place to start than with their self-titled debut, Queens of the Stone Age.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t really land for me. At 14 tracks and over an hour long, it felt much longer than it needed to be, particularly as very little seemed to change or develop as the album progressed. I kept waiting for a standout moment or a song to grab me, but it never came.

My biggest issue was how samey much of the album sounded. The riffs blur together after a while, and a lot of the songs rely heavily on big power chords and repetitive grooves without offering much in the way of memorable hooks or interesting guitar work. The vocals didn't do much for me either.

There are flashes where you can hear the foundations of the band that would go on to write songs like “No One Knows”, but overall this felt like a fairly average hard rock album.

Favourite tracks: I struggled to pick one as very little stood out for me
Least favourite tracks: The closing four tracks in particular felt like filler and could easily have been left off the album
Album artwork: A bit smutty but does the job

Moving Pictures by Rush was a really pleasant surprise for me. Progressive rock is not normally my thing at all, but this album is short, sharp and gets straight to the point. There’s no unnecessary indulgence here, just great songs and brilliant musicianship.

I ended up giving it two or three listens throughout the day to really form an opinion, and I enjoyed it more with each play. It’s an easy rock album to put on and enjoy, with catchy songs, fantastic guitar work and enough complexity to keep things interesting without disappearing too far into prog excess.

What struck me most was how modern it sounds for an album released in the early 80s. There’s an energy and precision to the playing that feels way ahead of its time, and you can hear the influence this album has had on countless bands that followed.

This is exactly the sort of progressive rock I can get behind — ambitious and technically brilliant, but still focused on writing great songs.

Favourite tracks: “YYZ” and “Limelight” are both superb tracks
Least favourite tracks: Every song on the album was worth listening to, and even on the second and third playthroughs I never felt the urge to skip anything
Album artwork: Cool album cover

Back to Mystery City by Hanoi Rocks was completely new to me. I’d never heard the band before and, judging by the album cover, I was expecting something unapologetically 80s.

That turned out to be pretty accurate. I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for dramatic glam rock and heavy guitar music, and this album delivers exactly that. I went into it with fairly low expectations but ended up enjoying it far more than I thought I would.

The closest comparison I can make is Mötley Crüe, although Hanoi Rocks feel a little less over-the-top and a bit more laid back. There are plenty of big riffs, catchy choruses and enough swagger to keep the album entertaining throughout.

It’s not an album I can see myself coming back to, but I had a lot more fun with it than I expected.

Favourite tracks: “Sailing Down the Tears” and “Until I Get You” were both great fun
Least favourite tracks: “Boys Play Weird Openings” lives up to its name and didn’t really do much for me. There are a few naff moments, but they're all part of the album's charm
Album artwork: A wonderfully over-the-top 80s album cover

After yesterday's disappointing listen to HMS Fable, it was time for a proper Britpop classic. I’ve always loved Tellin' Stories by The Charlatans, so I was really looking forward to revisiting it.

I’ve always been a big fan of The Charlatans’ early studio albums. I do have one confession though, as much as I love their records, Tim Burgess is probably one of the weakest live performers I’ve ever seen live. Thankfully, that doesn’t take anything away from how good these albums are. Their first four or five records are packed with quality, and Tellin’ Stories is the best of them.

This album contains some of the band's biggest songs, but it’s more than just a collection of singles. It captures everything that made Britpop and indie music so exciting in the mid-90s: great melodies, memorable hooks, brilliant guitar work and that unmistakable Charlatans sound.

For me, this is very close to being the perfect indie album. There are one or two tracks that feel more like filler, but the quality of the standout songs more than makes up for it.

Favourite tracks: “North Country Boy”, “How High”, “Tellin’ Stories” and “One to Another” are all absolute indie classics from my youth
Least favourite tracks: “You're a Big Girl Now” and “Only Teethin'” feel more like filler, but they're the exception on an otherwise excellent album
Album artwork: Classic Charlatans album cover

I was right in the middle of the Britpop and indie scene in the 90s, but somehow HMS Fable by Shack completely passed me by. I'd never even heard of it, so I was interested to see what I'd missed.

Unfortunately, I don't think I was missing much. HMS Fable can be summed up quite simply: bland, boring and largely uninspired. Very little ever seems to happen, and despite giving it my full attention, I struggled to find anything that really grabbed me. The songs came and went without leaving much of an impression.

There are a couple of decent moments. “Comedy” and “Pull Together” are enjoyable enough, but they’re not enough to lift the rest of the album. Too much of it blends into the background and feels instantly forgettable.

Overall, this is another album that left me wondering how it made the 1001 list. I know it has its fans, but it did very little for me and it's not something I can see myself returning to.

Favourite tracks: “Comedy” and “Pull Together” were both enjoyable
Least favourite tracks: Much of the album blends into the background and is instantly forgettable
Album artwork: I do love a good ship, and the album cover is probably my favourite thing about the record

Chore of Enchantment by Giant Sand was completely new to me. I’d never heard of the band or the album before today, so I went into this with absolutely no idea what to expect.

The album gets off to a really strong start with two excellent opening tracks, “(Well)-Dusted” and “Punishing Sun”. Both are quite subtle and understated, but there’s something about them that immediately draws you in. The mood, the sound and the songwriting all clicked straight away.

There are some other really strong tracks on here too. “Satellite” stood out, and “Shiver” was a lovely song. At its best, the album has a warm, melancholic and thoughtful feel to it, with some really well-crafted songs.

My only issue is that as the album goes on, a lot of the tracks start to blur into one another. The same moody, introspective sound runs through much of the record, which creates a nice atmosphere but can also make parts of it feel a little interchangeable. It’s clearly well made, but at times I found it drifting into the background a bit too much.

Overall, I enjoyed this more than I expected. It’s a solid album with some genuinely great moments, even if it doesn’t quite maintain that early momentum all the way through.

Favourite tracks: “(Well)-Dusted”, “Punishing Sun”, “Satellite” and “Shiver”
Least favourite tracks: Nothing was bad, but some of the middle tracks felt a little samey
Album artwork: Cool album cover

I had never heard of Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart or Rising Above Bedlam before this challenge, so today’s listen was a complete surprise. It was also a bit of a challenge to track down, as it wasn’t available on Apple Music, which always makes these lesser-known albums a bit more interesting to explore.

Straight away, “Visions of You” stood out as a beautiful song and an early highlight.

The album itself is a very easy listen, but there’s also a huge amount going on beneath the surface. It constantly throws different sounds, rhythms and voices at you, which keeps grabbing your attention and makes you stop and properly listen. Tracks like “Visions of You”, “Rising Above Bedlam” and “Ungodly Kingdom” were particularly strong.

What really struck me was how many genres and influences are blended together here. There are elements of world music, electronic, dub, ambient and rock all mixed into something that feels very unique. It’s highly experimental, yet never feels inaccessible. In some ways it feels almost ahead of its time, multicultural, genre-blending and ambitious in a way that feels very modern.

This feels like exactly the sort of album that would be a Mercury Prize nominee, unusual, clever and artistically bold. It’s not always easy to categorise, but that’s part of what makes it so interesting.

Favourite tracks: “Visions of You” and “Ungodly Kingdom” are both excellent
Least favourite tracks: Every track was worth listening to, and each brought something different from the one before
Album artwork: Cool album cover, there’s lots going on visually

I’ve always enjoyed Run-D.M.C. and, of the hip-hop I’ve heard during this challenge, they remain one of the acts I connect with most. Hip-hop is still a genre I often struggle with, but what I like about Run-D.M.C. is that their lyrics don’t feel misogynistic, crude or overly dated in the way some older rap can. I’ve also always loved their beats and stripped-back style. Earlier in this challenge I gave Raising Hell a 5/5, so I was really looking forward to listening to their self-titled debut, Run-D.M.C..

I really enjoyed this album. It feels slower, rawer and more stripped back than a lot of later hip-hop, which actually works in its favour. Nothing feels overproduced — it’s just beats, rhythm, attitude and strong delivery. There’s a simplicity to it that gives the album a lot of charm.

My only slight criticism is that, as the album goes on, the sound doesn’t evolve all that much. The formula stays fairly consistent throughout, and at times the tracks can blur together a little. That said, the album is short enough that the repetition never becomes a major issue, and the quality of the beats and lyrics keeps it engaging.

Overall, this is another strong Run-D.M.C. album and a great reminder of why they were so influential.

Favourite track: “It’s Like That” is superb
Least favourite track: Everything on the album earns its place
Album artwork: Standard album cover

Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes was a really enjoyable listen and one I can definitely see myself coming back to.

What stood out most to me was the variety across the album. It never feels one-paced or repetitive, and there’s a great mix of bluesy rock, swagger and soulful grooves throughout. The guitar work is excellent and gives the album so much energy and character. It has that classic rock sound without feeling stale, which I really liked.

There’s a real confidence to this record. The band sound tight, the riffs are strong, and the songs are packed with attitude. It’s just a very easy album to put on and enjoy from start to finish.

This was a great discovery for me and definitely an album I’ll return to again.

Favourite tracks: “Hard to Handle”, “Thick n’ Thin” and “She Talks to Angels” were all superb
Least favourite tracks: Every track on the album was worth listening to
Album artwork: Cool album cover

British Steel by Judas Priest is very much classic 80s heavy rock and metal. It absolutely has its place and I can understand why it was influential, but listening to it now, a lot of it feels quite dated and, at times, a little cheesy.

That said, there are definitely a couple of genuinely great songs here. “Living After Midnight” and “Breaking the Law” are classic rock tracks for a reason — big riffs, huge hooks and that unapologetically over-the-top rock-and-roll energy. They’re fun, catchy and easy to enjoy.

Outside of those standout tracks though, I found much of the album fairly forgettable. Nothing is actively bad, but a lot of it blends together and feels like a parody of stereotypical dad rock or peak 80s heavy metal. The riffs are solid, but there just wasn’t enough variety or memorable songwriting to keep me fully engaged.

Overall, I can appreciate its importance to the genre, but it’s probably not an album I’ll find myself coming back to.

Favourite tracks: “Living After Midnight” is the clear standout for me
Least favourite tracks: Nothing is terrible, but a lot of the album feels samey and leans heavily into cheesy 80s metal clichés
Album artwork: Cool album cover

Going into Phaedra by Tangerine Dream, I’ll be honest and say this is not normally the type of music I would enjoy at all. Long instrumental electronic albums are usually not my thing, and on paper this sounded like exactly the sort of record I tend to struggle with.

That said, knowing this was made in 1974 and helped shape electronic music as we know it makes it impossible not to respect. For its time, this sounds incredibly progressive, ambitious and way ahead of the curve, so I was genuinely interested to see what I would make of it.

I ended up really enjoying this. It’s the kind of album that works brilliantly in the background — immersive, atmospheric and unlike anything else I’ve heard on the list so far. There’s something hypnotic about it, and once you settle into its rhythm, it becomes a very absorbing listen.

One thing worth mentioning is that it was surprisingly difficult to track down, as it wasn’t available on Apple Music or Spotify, so I had to listen to it on YouTube. Despite that extra effort, I’m glad I did, because this is definitely an album I could see myself coming back to.

Favourite tracks: “Phaedra”
Least favourite tracks: Everything on the album was worth listening to
Album artwork: Cool album cover

I’ve never been a fan of Incubus. Their style of music has never really done anything for me. They’re often described as an eclectic rock band that blends alternative metal, funk, hip-hop and jazz, and even reading that description makes me think it sounds like a bit of a mess.

Unfortunately, listening to Make Yourself did nothing to change my mind. I gave this album two or three listens today, really trying to find something positive to say, but I struggled. Nothing ever truly clicked, and I never found a track that grabbed my attention or made me understand why this album is so highly regarded.

My biggest issue is that the album feels completely all over the place. Rather than sounding eclectic in an exciting way, it just feels disjointed and lacking any real cohesion or direction. The constant shifts in style never come together into something compelling for me, and instead the album ends up feeling like a boring, confused mess.

This challenge has confirmed something I probably already knew — Incubus and this style of alternative metal just aren’t for me.

Favourite tracks: I genuinely couldn’t pick one
Least favourite tracks: Honestly, the whole album left me cold
Album artwork: I do like the cover — the colours work really well

I’d listened to Robert Wyatt before through Rock Bottom and, if I’m honest, I really didn’t get it at all. I struggled to connect with that album, found none of the tracks memorable, and was left pretty baffled by its reputation, so I went into Shleep with fairly low expectations.

Shleep was definitely better. There were moments on this album that I genuinely enjoyed, particularly “Heaps of Sheeps” and “Maryan”, which at least gave me something to hold onto. However, there were also tracks like “The Duchess” that felt completely bizarre and did very little for me.

Overall, though, I still found the album quite hard work. A lot of the songs feel like they’re trying very hard to be clever and experimental, but they lack the melody, hooks and catchiness that I naturally look for in music. I can appreciate the artistry and why some people admire Wyatt’s work, but it still doesn’t really do anything for me.

Favourite tracks: “Maryan”
Least favourite tracks: “The Duchess” was easily the weakest track for me
Album artwork: Lovely album cover

I went into The Wall hoping it might finally be the Pink Floyd album that I like and it wasnt!!

After my previous Floyd review, where I described them as “wanky middle-class pop music,” I already knew they probably weren’t a band for me, and The Wall only reinforced that feeling. I just don’t get Pink Floyd. This album felt like everything I struggle with in their music — overblown, overly experimental and far too pleased with its own cleverness.

At over 80 minutes, The Wall is simply far too long for what it offers. There are moments where you can hear the quality and ambition, but so much of it feels like self-indulgent nonsense. Tracks like “Is There Anybody Out There?” left me completely cold, and there were long stretches where I was just waiting for something to grab me.

I think what this challenge has taught me is that experimental concept albums just aren’t really my thing. Give me a brilliant 30-minute rock and roll masterpiece over an 80-minute conceptual odyssey any day. I like strong songs, hooks and storytelling, and Pink Floyd’s style rarely gives me that in a way I connect with.

At this point, apart from Comfortably Numb, I could happily go the rest of my life without listening to Pink Floyd again.

Favourite tracks: “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2”
Least favourite tracks: Large parts of the album blended into one long, dull experience, especially the more experimental sections
Album artwork: Classic album cover, simple but very effective

I’m still not entirely sure why some live albums make the 1001 list while others don’t, but if any artist deserves to have one included, it’s probably B.B. King. He’s an absolute blues legend, and with B.B. King, what you see is what you get — no gimmicks, just world-class blues played with feeling and authenticity. I was really looking forward to hearing Live at the Regal.

This is a fantastic live album. One of the things that stands out straight away is the crowd noise, which adds so much to the experience. You can feel the excitement in the room and just how much the audience is anticipating a great performance. It gives the whole album real energy and atmosphere.

B.B. King is a superb performer, and this album captures exactly why he’s regarded as the king of the blues. His guitar playing is expressive, his vocals are full of soul, and everything feels effortless. There’s a warmth and charisma to the performance that makes the whole thing incredibly enjoyable.

This is also a very easy album to listen to. Even if blues isn’t your go-to genre, there’s something timeless and accessible about this performance. It’s fun, engaging and a brilliant showcase of what made B.B. King so special.

Favourite tracks: Every track is enjoyable, but I particularly liked “You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now”
Least favourite tracks: Everything on the album is worth listening to
Album artwork: Standard live album cover

Going into this, I knew that three hours of Ella Fitzgerald was going to be a challenge, and I honestly thought this might be the first album in the 1001 challenge that I wouldn’t finish.

By 9pm, I finally got there.

That said, I do think this is slightly unfair to judge in the same way as a normal 30–40 minute, 10-track album. This is really more of a box set or collection than a traditional album, and I think that matters. You don’t really sit down and consume all of this in one go in the same way you would a standard studio album — it feels more like something to dip in and out of over time.

In that sense, it was easier to get through because it works well in the background. I found myself dropping in and out of it throughout the day rather than actively listening to every second. The collection moves through so many styles — cabaret, jazz standards, Disney-style vocals, pop and more — that it can feel a bit all over the place.

My biggest question is simply whether it needed to be this long. There were moments I found genuinely beautiful and interesting, but there were also large sections that drifted into the background or felt a little dull. A lot of it, if I’m honest, passed by without leaving much of an impression.

One thing that absolutely has to be said, though, is that Ella’s voice is wonderful. Even when the material wasn’t connecting with me, her vocal talent was impossible to ignore. The warmth, clarity and effortless control in her singing are remarkable.

This collection isn’t really my thing overall, but there are undeniably beautiful moments throughout.

Favourite tracks: “But Not for Me” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It” were both enjoyable
Least favourite tracks: So much of this went by without fully grabbing my attention
Album artwork: Cool album cover

I’d never really listened to The Boo Radleys before, so I was looking forward to giving Giant Steps a proper listen today.

Straight away, I knew this was my kind of thing. This is a fantastic indie record, packed with great guitars, strong melodies and loads of atmosphere. It may not have huge standout hits jumping off the album, but what it does have is consistently excellent songwriting and a sound that really clicks with me.

Like a few albums in this challenge, this was one I ended up listening to two or three times across the day, and it got better with each play. It’s an easy album to sink into. The songs are catchy without being obvious, and there are some brilliant melodies throughout that keep pulling you back in.

What I really liked is how layered the album feels. There’s a lot going on musically, but it never feels cluttered. It balances dreamy textures with big guitar moments really well, creating an album that feels both ambitious and effortlessly enjoyable.

This was a brilliant discovery and definitely one of those albums I’m glad this challenge introduced me to.

Favourite tracks: There weren’t any huge standout tracks for me the strength is how consistently good the whole album is
Least favourite tracks: Every song on the album earns its place. This is a great find
Album artwork: I love the album cover

John Prine by John Prine did absolutely nothing for me. My immediate reaction was that it sounded like a Temu version of Bob Dylan, and unfortunately my opinion didn’t improve as the album went on.

I know by now through this challenge that country and country-folk music rarely works for me, and this album was no exception. The nasal vocal style, the laid-back delivery and the overall sound just felt whiny and, if I’m honest, quite boring.

I also struggled with the lyrics. I know John Prine is highly regarded as a songwriter, but for me the lyrics didn’t come across as witty, insightful or emotionally powerful. Instead, a lot of it felt clichéd and fairly unremarkable. I kept waiting for something to click, but it never happened.

This is definitely not an album I’ll be returning to. I can appreciate that many people love his storytelling and understated style, but it just wasn’t for me.

Favourite tracks: I genuinely couldn’t pick one that stood out
Least favourite tracks: “Quiet Man” reminded me of a poor man’s Tangled Up in Blue
Album artwork: Standard country album cover

Broken English is the first album by Marianne Faithfull I’ve come across in this challenge, which surprised me. I’ve always loved her voice, so I was really looking forward to listening to this one.

I really enjoyed this album. Marianne’s voice is the star of the show — raw, distinctive and full of character. There’s a lived-in quality to her singing that gives every song real weight and emotion. She sounds completely believable, no matter what she’s singing.

The songs themselves are excellent too, with a darker, edgier feel running throughout the album that suits her perfectly. There’s an intensity and honesty here that makes the whole record feel compelling from start to finish. This is definitely an album I can see myself coming back to.

Favourite tracks: I enjoyed a lot of this album, but the opening track “Broken English” and her cover of Working Class Hero were particular highlights
Least favourite tracks: Everything on the album was worth listening to
Album artwork: Cool album cover, Marianne was a very cool lady!

Aqualung is the first album by Jethro Tull I’ve come across in this challenge, which genuinely surprised me. They’re one of those bands whose name you hear all the time, and I was vaguely aware of them, but I’d rarely properly listened to their music before. So I was looking forward to giving this a chance.

Aqualung was much better than I expected. It’s a really enjoyable listen and far more accessible than I had imagined. The blend of rock, folk and progressive elements works brilliantly, and the album has a lot more energy and groove than I was anticipating.

The standout for me is the flute playing, which is absolutely incredible throughout. It sounds so distinctive and gives the album a unique character that immediately sets it apart from other rock records of the era. Combined with strong riffs, catchy melodies and excellent musicianship, it makes for a really engaging listen from start to finish.

This was a really pleasant surprise and has definitely made me more interested in exploring more of Jethro Tull’s catalogue.

Favourite tracks: “Mother Goose” and “Aqualung” are both great tracks
Least favourite tracks: Every song deserves its place on the album
Album artwork: There’s something very Oliver Twist about the album cover, which I quite like