Rated 4/10
Didn't engage strongly with this. I don't need great lyrics to enjoy music, but these lyrics baffle me, especially Indian Sunset. Some cool musical moments, like the guitar riff and strings on the title track.
5.5
Rated 8/10
I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting. Good long-form hippie guitar noodling.
7.8
Not very interesting. This doesn't belong on this list, given how much great music came out during this period.
4.8
Rated 8/10
It's kind of impossible not to like this. Great energy.
7.2
Fav track: (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You
Least fav: Body and Soul
Rated 8/10
I think this is a great project. Capturing Cash's epic voice with modern production that suits his style and some cool, unexpected song choices (NIN, Depeche Mode…). When it's great, it's great. When it's not, it's still Johnny Cash singing some good songs.
7.5
Fav track: The Man Comes Around
Least fav: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Rated 10/10
This is brilliant. Loads of variety and inventiveness. Sunny, psychedelic... I will put it on again in the summer.
Fav track: Um Girassol...
There are undeniably great songs here. I prefer folk Dylan, and this didn't change my mind.
Side One - On the whole, I prefer the studio versions. There are some great moments (the harmonica on Mr Tambourine Man), but he sounds bored of singing the songs at times (also Mr Tambourine Man).
Side Two - Again, great songs, but I don't think his rock arrangements are very interesting, and it drags.
6.7
Rated 6/10
I'm a fan but I don't think this is consistently great.
6.8
Fav track: Never Let Me Down Again
Least fav: Little 15
Rated 6/10
I think Psychocandy is the only JAMC I need in my life, but I enjoyed this. I thought two of the songs were "Head On" because they sound almost exactly the same, but that's on another album.
6.9
Fav track: About You
Least fav: On The Wall
Rated 10/10
There's a tendency to say prog rock is endless, purposeless noodling, but I didn't get that impression from this album at all. I thought it was tight and super inventive. I can hear the influences even in post-rock or post-hardcore 20-30 years later. Came out two years after the Who's awful Tommy that I had to sit through two days ago, and sounds light years ahead (I know light years are a measurement of distance).
Fav track: The Fish
Least fav: Mood for a Day
Rated 4/10
Not really my kind of thing. Somehow sentimental and patronising at the same time. Some nice acoustic guitar. I'd rather be listening to Simon and Garfunkel.
5.2
Fav track: Into White
Least Fav: Father and Son
Rated 2/10
I've been aware of this album's status all my adult life, but I've never sat down to listen to it... until now. I was taken aback by how disagreeable I found it.
I'm not against the idea of a concept album, but nothing about this worked. Escruciating in places. Worst album I've come across so far on the project.
I don't even like Pinball Wizard, I'm sorry.
1.6
Fav track: Sparks (the lack of vocals was a real treat here)
Least fav: Do You Think It's Alright? (no)
Rated 6/10
I think embracing Nick Cave is largely about buying into his schtick. Listening to this, I buy into it, for a while, and then I get tired of it. Some great moments on here, but it's too much for me for a long album.
6.8
Fav song: The Curse of Milltown
Least fav: O'Malley's Bar Song
Rated 8/10
8.3
Rated 6/10
This is fine. Great musicianship, but unfortunately, this type of music has been co-opted for commercial use, and it's hard to understand in its historical context.
There's a lot of jazz/blues/folk from the early 60s that I'd rather see on the list.
6.2
Fav track: Green Onions
Least fav: One Who Really Loves You
Rated 4/10
Amazing voice but it all blends together a bit after a while. I think it would need a closer listen.
Fav track: I Don't Wanna Talk About It Now
Rated 6/10
I like it for its sheer over-the-topness. Three Out of Five Aint Bad.
6.6
Fav track: Bat Out of Hell
Least fav: For Crying Out Loud
Rated 4/10
Falls into the unfortunate category of bands I thought were rubbish when I was growing up. Can I re-assess them with wisdom and experience? I can accept that their songs are well-crafted, but they're too polished and middle-of-the-road for me to care.
5.0
Fav track: Four Seasons in One Day
Least fav: It's Only Natural (still hate this for some reason)
Rated 10/10
I've listened to this many times in my life, but not for a long time. Still sounds great.
9.4
Fav track: Dream Brother
Least fav: Corpus Christi Carol
Just love the Curtis vibe.
7.5
Fav track: Hard Times
Least fav: Blue Monday People
