Rated 6/10
The album artwork always put me off. In recent years I couldn't help but think was Robert Fripp's reaction to Toyah Willcox on their YouTube videos.
As for the album itself, it's strangely hypnotic, an almost calm before a storm.
Rated 8/10
Similar to how I reviewed the Slim Shady LP, it's all a play on personas; the artist, the mask and the cartoon. This one felt more of what life could've been like if he hadn't of made it. The satire, the skits, the coulda woulda shoulda.
Rated 4/10
Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex
I always forget that Norah Jones is Ravi Shankar's daughter. I quite like Don't Know Why, she has gorgeous vocals, but the rest of the album just felt oh so bland.
Rated 6/10
Never heard of Lupe Fiasco before. Surprised how good it was. Quite cool to hear the "Daydream in Blue" I Monster sample, (which itself is a sample) - enjoyable enough album up until the Outro - meh 12 minutes of unnecessary circle jerkin' shout outs, Jesus wept! 2.5
Rated 4/10
I can't deny I caught myself foot tapping along at various points, but overall, it is very bland and largely forgettable.
Rated 6/10
I enjoyed it, plenty of head bopping beats!!!!!!!
Rated 8/10
Listened to it several times back in the day, it's been a long time. The runtime is a tad bit longer than it needs to be, but still great album. 4.5
Rated 4/10
It sure ain't no Urban Hymns. Found it a little too raw and a bit boring. 2.5
Rated 1/10
The backstory was more interesting than the album, a Phil Spector shitshow. The album itself, "met with indifference".
Rated 4/10
I kept thinking of Bowie in that episode of Extras when he spontaneously comes with a song about Gervais' character, "little fat man, who sold his soul".
Rated 6/10
Never heard of these before, good grooves! They're were totally an influence on the Eagles of Death Metal.
Rated 4/10
I struggled with this one. I knew of Tubular Bells because of The Exorcist, already iconic in my mind, but never listened to the album - I was told (at the time) it was a modern classic.
Listening today, I can only assume that everyone only heard the opening 5 minutes of the title track, yes iconic, then spirals off into a prog-rock mess.
Reminded me of the first time I went to Za Za Bazaar, too much choice, you pick everything, now you got to eat with a mountain of food from every corner of the world. Vindaloo flavoured Dim sum is interesting, but regrettable. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
The rest of the album has its interesting parts, but quickly forgettable. I didn't hate it, just felt messy (as an album).
Rated 6/10
Enjoyed it well enough, kind of music you'd listen to darkly brooding in the shadows.
Rated 10/10
I was familiar with The Specials hits, but hadn't listened to the albums. Enjoyed this a lot, even did a bit of a skank dance in the kitchen. Felt that some of the tracks do get a bit lost in themselves, but they are still fun and you know they love this stuff.
At face value I was gonna give this album a 4, but in the context of late 70s middle-England, it's culturally important, much deserving of top marks!
Rated 4/10
Fever To Tell was on regular rotation when it came out, but I never listened to anything else by Yeah Yeah Yeah since. This was felt quite a detour from their original sound, started off alright, then got quite dreary. Much prefer their first album.
Album artwork is pretty cool though. 2.5
Rated 6/10
Well, this was quite pleasant. 3.5
Rated 6/10
I kept meaning to listen to Creedence since they're referenced throughout The Big Lebowski. I enjoyed this, mostly in that I could imagine The Dude kicking back and have a good time.
Rated 4/10
Not terrible, just boring. Constant Craving is good though.
Rated 10/10
A spiritual and ambientic journey through space and time. Part 4 is the pinnacle, but you must experience Parts 1-3 to get there. Parts 5-6 hold the energy and brings you back home.
Giving a 5 for an essential listen, at least once, preferably late at night.
Rated 6/10
Again, I struggle with the concept of "what is an album?", where I generally rule out a collection of cover songs.
Despite that, if you're caught in a sentimental mood, this could be quite a nice album to listen to, (as I was today).
