Rated 8/10
I had Slayer yesterday so this is quite the contrast. Can't really diss the impact that this 50s sound had and there's tracks that still stand the test of time today. 3 stars musically "right now", bonus star for bringing guitars and singing to the masses. Would Slayer have existed without these trailblazers? Almomst certainly not.
Rated 6/10
Goes a little *too* hard for me (I like "popular" metal. Tough.) but fully understand that the influence is immense.
Rated 6/10
Yep, this ticks the "kraut" box and the "rock" box for sure. Not industrial or gritty enough for my tastes, but with the benefit of hindsight, you can see the direction here.
Rated 6/10
My first of the "new" batch I think. And, yeah, it's pretty good. Somehow I feel like, due to my age, I'm past having the hunger to understand every single new hot thing so really have no way to compare to anything else that's been released in this timeframe.
Pleased this has been brought to my attention. Worthy of inclusion on the list / will it remain on the list? Far far far too early to tell.
Rated 6/10
Is it OK to not "get" Bruce? Like, at all?
Rated 6/10
Interesting the conclusions this project throws up. I was v.excited when this was the selection for the day - got a lot of play "back in the day", especially "Halfway Home".
Ended up pretty disappointed at how bland it was, title track aside, and a somewhat baffling inclusion again.
Rated 6/10
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time. It's Tricky... it's Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
Rated 4/10
<<insert rude pun about it being "Tosh" here>>
It's fine isn't it. At the right place and right time, this would absolutely hit the spot. A Wednesday morning in SW London with the rain sheeting down is not it.
Rated 4/10
Sentences you never thought you'd need to type "like a more average Red Hot Chilli Peppers"
Rated 4/10
Long. Just really really long.
Rated 2/10
I listened to some of it, but after 10 tracks I had to throw in the towel. Might have got 2 stars as there was something slightly different from what was typically being played in the early 00s, smoother, more soul like I guess.
But also, what a prick
Gentle, pretty, unremarkable.
Rated 4/10
I think I can just about get this to a 2. It's not exactly "just noise" but equally, it's hard to latch onto anything about it. I almost certainly won't listen again, but it didn't inspire hatred and loathing either.
Rated 8/10
Marvellous stuff this. "This Corrosion" on my go-to playlist already thanks to the synth / deep vocals but from the opening electronic drums & midi sounds of Dominion you just know this is going to be (a) very 80s (b) very OTT.
Rated 4/10
Had this been early-60s, I could plausibly see how it could have been "trailblazing" or something. But really, by '67, it's just another quite good example of pop / soul / harmonies. The hit single itself isn't even that good ("How Can I Be Sure" the standout track with the OTT vocals and strings)
Rated 6/10
It's OK I guess. I love "Games Without Frontiers" because it reminds me of a cassette in my Dad's old Ford Orion, but............. is it really any different to anything else that Eno / Gabriel etc were pumping out around this time?
Had high hopes based on his choice of artwork for his album covers but hard to find the redeeming features in this mid-90s sludge. Also, he appears to be a real piece of shit.
Rated 6/10
If you have to listen to one Billy Bragg album, make it this one, where you have the massive benefit of other artists being heavily involved in the music and lyrics.
Rated 6/10
Two absolutely barnstorming wedding favourites to open the album followed by some other songs. I would love to give 4 here on the basis of "Don't Stop" alone, but don't love the rest of the album enough. 3.49 needed here.
Rated 10/10
I scroll down and see the various criticisms and look, I get it. Lars is a sloppy drummer, this album was a "sell-out", it's one-dimensional etc etc.
But my God what an album this is. There's not a weak track on it, and the breadth on display is pretty impressive, not least on "Nothing Else". Saw them this summer on M72 (first time) and when the final section kicks in after 4:50, it feels like all that raw emotion is still just pouring out.
Top 10 - it comes with me to the desert island
