Reviews by muse-getes

I didn't always love the songwriting on this album, but what I did love was it's unique energy — especially on the more upbeat tracks. Listening to some of these songs honestly feels like being pulled into an 80s house party where you can imagine Prince stomping around doing a one man band act like in some kind of corny feel-good movie. The guy was larger than life and this album is a monument to that. It's fun, it's funky, and it's even surprisingly thoughtful at times.

I wasn't a big fan of the slower, ballady songs though. It does feel like he was trying a little too hard to be Mr. Sensual Lover on some of those tracks, but maybe that's just my straight male ass being impervious to his charm. The other main issue I have with the album is that some of the songs seem to continue for a couple of minutes past the point where I feel like they were squeezed of all their juice. If I Was Your Girlfriend is guilty of both of these complaints of mine; I really wasn't a fan of that one.

Probably would have given this a 5 if it was just a little bit tighter of an experience.

Favourite Tracks: Housequake, U Got the Look, It

The only track I really enjoyed on here was Sunrise; the rest ranged from tedious to outright irritating. To say that this is far from The Who's best work would be an understatement.

As someone who isn't familiar with The The in the slightest, this album genuinely blew me away on my first listen. At just two tracks in I already felt like I'd been punched in the gut by how hard the lyrics hit home for me. I try not to wallow too much in the sort of cynical ideations that songs like I've Been Waitin for Tomorrow and This Is the Day explore, but I can't deny the raw emotional response they elicit for me. Matt Johnson really explores these themes in an evocative way. I'm probably a little too old to be gushing about such angsty lyrical content but hey, feelings are feelings. Maybe I'll finally grow up some day, but that day's not today.

The music itself is excellent as well, with This Is the Day being a particular highlight with its wonderful soaring accordion hook that almost tricks you into thinking you're listening to something a lot more joyous and hopeful than what the lyrics would imply. Most of the rest of the album is more subdued and goes for a 'cooler' vibe, but those tracks are no less engaging. The way songs like Uncertain Smile and Giant start with a very catchy base and then branch out and go a little crazy in an almost jazz-like way while maintaining their funky, danceable rhythms was something I really enjoyed. It reminds me a lot of LCD Soundsystem in that way, so I wouldn't be surprised if James Murphy was a big The The fan.

Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I need to go check out more music from Mr Johnson.

Favourite tracks: This Is the Day, I've Been Waitin for Tomorrow, Uncertain Smile

Like most people I prefer the latter half of The Beatles' discography, but this is probably the strongest record from their poppier early era. As with most of their early output, this album's characterized by catchy guitar-driven compositions with great use of harmonies that do the heavy lifting to carry the often (though not always) trite lyrics and subject matter. It's an enjoyable listen from start to finish, and the songs are short and snappy enough that they never really outlive their welcome. While it's not an all time great album, it has a lot of great songs all the same.

Favourite tracks: Can't Buy Me Love, Things We Said Today, A Hard Day's Night

A surprisingly low energy live album given how many iconic songs it includes. I'd much prefer to listen to the studio versions of these tracks if I'm entirely honest. I'm sure all the freestyling and long winded sonic detours would be great to appreciate live, but when I'm just sitting down and listening to stuff at home I really just prefer a tighter experience. Like I'm really not here to listen to a meandering 6 damn minutes long drum solo. Sorry to be the world's #1 live album hater and all that.

I don't really know the first thing about Gene Clark or The Byrds so I went into this album pretty much completely blind. My first impression is that it reminds me a lot of Neil Young, only with a warmer voice and more of a spiritual bent. It almost feels a bit like a country rock/gospel fusion record in a way, though that might be overstating it a little. In any case, it's a very grandiose and ambitious record at times with some complex production and orchestration on songs like Strength of Strings and the title track, though a couple of the songs feel a little trite and uninpsired in places. True One in particular I thought was completely forgettable. I think what brings the album together is the rather unique texture of Clark's vocals. I'm not sure quite how to describe his voice; it's a little warbly, but not gratingly so, and it has a soothing quality that compliments the spiritual themes he sings about.

Overall, I really liked this album, and if it had just a couple more tracks at the same level of quality as it's highest highs I could have maybe even given it a 5.

Favourite tracks: Silver Raven, No Other, Lady Of The North

A collection of great classic pop songs, well performed with some powerful vocals. The fact that it's mostly a covers album until you get to the bonus tracks from the reissue makes it so I can't really justify a higher rating, but I thoroughly enjoyed this album. A few more interesting original compositions like Summer Is Over could've made this a real classic.

Favourite tracks: Summer Is Over, You Don't Own Me, All Cried Out

Dug the music but could have done with fewer mentions of licking toes.

This isn't a bad album, but it's not really remarkable in any way; it's just sort of there. It all sounds like stuff we've heard before from more talented artists only blander. The vibes are alright so I guess it's passable background music but there's very little to grab your attention here; just more upbeat pop rock with nothing to say.

It's a bit of a shame that the author of the list's clear anglocentrism led to him including serviceable but not particularly noteworthy or impactful albums like this over more interesting left field picks. It is what it is though.

For some reason I found this album really dull, despite realizing it shares a lot of similarities with other artists and albums I've enjoyed over the years, and I think it probably all comes down to the vocals. The lead singer's vocal style just puts me to sleep. I do think there's plenty to like on this album but unfortunately I disliked the vocals that much that I just couldn't appreciate it it all.

Also that rip off of Father and Son at the start is a pretty unfortunate introduction to this band's work.

Favourite tracks: Do You Realize?, All We Have Is Now, Approaching Pavonis Mons

Not all bad but a lot of this just feels quirky for quirky's sake. It strikes me as a record that would probably grow on you after more listens but sadly I don't really have the desire to do that right now.

Decent in places; Enter Sandman is a jam. Mostly just quite meandering and self-indulgent though in my opinion.

Obviously a very influential musician who helped to shape rock music, but rating this purely on how much I enjoy listening to it right now in 2026 means this gets a 3 from me. A pretty decent listen but music has come a long way and there are plenty of other things I'd prefer to listen to.

Just not for me.

Good on the whole but a lot of the songs feel very samey. The same riffs and rhythms get reused throughout, which I guess is sort of a blues staple but it's not something I really care for.

I think this is an album that would benefit a lot from just shutting yourself off from all other stimuli and taking it in on its own, free of distractions. It's a bit of an odd collection of songs but it has soul and atmosphere in spades. The vocals are a little unconventional and can be grating at times if I'm entirely honest, but I can't deny that they contribute to the unique texture of the record. Something about the sound here feels like such a perfect snapshot of that pre-turn of the millenium era. I find it oddly nostalgic even though I was just an infant when this came out and indeed I've never even heard any of the songs before.

I think I'd need to listen to this album at least another 2-3 times to really collect my thoughts on it and write a more substantial review as there's a lot going on here, but suffice to say that although I didn't absolutely love it, I do believe it's a very interesting and worthwhile listen.

It's kind of crazy how much better the Beatles were than the sum of their parts.

Not my favourite Stones album, but this one's just a nice comfy listen. It has this warm, inviting vibe that makes you want to sing along with it. It does feel a bit samey in parts though and doesn't really justify its length in my opinion, so that's gonna knock a star off for me.

Favourite tracks: Rocks Off, Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed

Dumb and crass but occasionally entertaining.

Favourite track: Detroit Rock City

There's worse pop music out there, but there's certainly a lot better too. There's just no edge to any of this; nothing to grab your attention, just a few catchy choruses.