Reviews by marcusmuck-again

Very late 70's in sound which seems to suit her voice this album seems to be more about Marianne than the music. She has an odd voice and has a magnetic personality. Try checking out her 60's songs on Spotify and it's shocking the contrast.

The music is average but the lyrics and Marianne's voice and persona make this worth listening to. It's all about excess and self-destruction.

BTW don't listen to 'Why'd ya do it ' with your mother in the room......

Don't know whether to laugh or cry at the irony since The Queen did in fact die last night. Methinks someone tinkered with the 'randomised generator' for this?

I've always struggled to be over the moon with The Smiths and never got beyond the hits despite thinking there must be something i've missed somewhere- Marrs music and Morrisey's lyricism are epic but both are a bit grating after a bit.

Still, I played this through again and increased the 'enjoyment factor' a tad but still never enough for me to put them on again.

Incredibly talented but underated singer/songwriter.

Proof that you can appreciate something but not especially love it since I have to admit after a few numbers it starts to grate with it's NYC energy and vibrancy.

Still, it's mood music and maybe on a sunny Spring day doing housework it would be good to have this on?

Cover songs done by an aged Country star.

But done in a powerful way.

Some work, some don't.

And of course then there's Hurt....

Absolutely loved the first album but this sounds like the same tunes with different words.

Maybe you're supposed to see the songs as musical poems and the tunes don't matter, just the words?

Then I read the reviews and even the high score reviews admit it's this way.

It's pleasant, and there are high points but a lot of it can be left on in the background.

Pleasant and inoffensive but nothing special or groundbreaking.

It brings back pleasant memories of the early 90s.

This is often included in best 'alternative', 'independant' or '90s' albums but it's sad that the height of the album is a cover that was only sewn on when it became a hit.

Very well produced and assured. It's like the rockiest Queen song but a whole album of them. I know 7 Seas but none of the others.......

I think I'd need to listen several times before I started to get into this. It's worth the effort so maybe I should?

There's a lots of Celtic influences here by this time but I miss the raw passion and inventiveness in her early work.

It's too assured and well produced with a host of 'guest appearances' from famous friends. It's like a cosy little club but there's no pressure.

It's good but bland apart from This Woman's work.

This was the first album I bought and I still love it today.

It's 110% full-on from the word go with orchestral rock-n-roll pop-driven tunes and not a quiet introspective moment in 4 sides. Jeff Lynne is a genius for arrangements and tunes and it flows along with a multitude of classical and electronic tricks.

I can understand how some people can't stand the whole vibe but it's so hooked into my memories I can't but love it.

Seedy clubs in Leeds in the late 70's this is the sound of Soft Cell.

Marc Almond is the perfect diva and has an operatic range that goes hand in hand with Dave Ball's sparce synth symphonies.

Reading the reviews some people seem to miss the whole point of the exercise. This is sleaze and this is early Brit Synth where wannabe stars bought cheap Rolands and dreamed in their bedsits writing lyrics that reflected their angst lives.

This is a classic.

Reading some of the other reviews I'm struck by how tastes differ and how being an originator matters little now.

To me though this is a virtuoso performance that never ages and each listen reveals new nuances.

Simply one of the best.

I wouldn't like to say I don't like this or even that it doesn't deserve it's place here only that it doesn't appeal to me as outstanding.

There's other artists that did this genre I prefer.

Having said all this it's pleasant enough as background filler.

One of the bands I feel I missed out on at time. Generic to be sure but pleasant with some interesting added touches.

Gave his last album a low score as being derivative and repetitive but this is more like it.

I like the self referential bits and the energy reminding me of Public enemy but with direct references to specific events.

It's another world to me but I appreciate the vibe.

Even I've heard of this one. Quite hypnotic and atmospheric.

I like the sax above other jazz instruments and this doesn't disappoint.

Don't find it too overwhelming either.

Great record.

Odd album concept but the songs are certainly great. Some big hits too. 'I can't stop loving you' is one of the altime greats.

Culturally this had a big impact too so it should get recognition for that if nothing else.

The arrangements are a bit smaltzy by todays standards and not much piano either. A bit like a big band album rather than C&W.

I like the vibe but it's a one-trick pony with no real variety.

Madchester and the 90s, Britpop and Alt-rock etc were a great fun time and I'd have this on in the background but not really listen to any of them apart from the hits.

Liking the whole vibe- laid back and lyrical.

I once listened to this over and over again on a long haul flight and it did the trick and even now her voice has an affect on me.

KD is to Country that Nora Jones is to Jazz and it certainly fits the niche.

Wow this has a lot of hits in it. Really takes me back to school dances.

Disco at it's finest courtesy of Nile Rodgers. 1001 albums could have a whole genre in his name (Chic has 2 albums as well).

Amazing how many cultural references have spawned from this too - a lot of people unaware where they came from.

"Days of speed and slow time Monday's
Pissing down with rain on a boring Wednesday
Watching the news and not eating your tea
A freezing cold flat and damp on the walls
I say that's entertainment, that's entertainment"

One of the greatest songs from one of the greatest and sadly neglected bands. It's quintessential post-punk Britain with a nod to the Kinks.

I grew up with this so I'm kinda biased. It encapsulates Britain late 70s-early 80s so it may not be your cup of tea but for me it's happy days.

(btw: All Mod Cons is even better imo)