polyjamjam

I've never heard of these blokes before and am quite surprised they've got three entries on this list? Even artists like Fiona Apple don't have that much. I liked some songs and the upbeat instrumentals are nice, but I can't say I'm looking forward to the next time they pop up. This record does little to distinguish itself from other British new wave bands of the same ilk, and several songs lose steam before the end. The vocalist, while occasionally strong, sounds like he's singing around a cotton ball stuffed in his mouth. Cool band name though!

What a treat! Vaughan's voice is fabulous and all-around warm. Live jazz albums are delightfully intimate, especially hearing her talk and joke candidly with the audience (even messing up her lines a couple times). These little human moments we take for granted. There's also something precious about a regular old performance being worth so much more in the present day. Makes me very nostalgic for a time I've never experienced and dredges up some lingering bittersweetness. It's a good kind of ache, though. I'd have loved the opportunity to attend one her shows, but this is the closest I'll get!

Not bad for 1966! Other than that, I don't really have much to say. Another alright and occasionally engaging collection of blues rock from an early band made up of English chaps. I liked how it kept its psychedelic edge throughout, but it never managed to draw me in.

Will I be drawn and quartered in the square if I say this is a little overrated? To me, it’s a case of their reputation preceding them, and there are better punk records out there. The Sex Pistol’s widespread popularisation of the punk movement and status as one of the most enduring acts of all time, now that I can’t argue with. I don't hate this! But while there are enough moments of cathartic messiness and aggression on here that help it eek out a 3 stars, the music itself still leaves me feeling unmoored and scratching my head. I've tried and can never seem to get fully into it...

A lot of nostalgic of-its-time late 2000's electronic production that can seem quite heavy-handed nowadays (seeing as there's been huge explosion in underground talent in the 2020's), but that's not a bad thing! Just goes to show how era-defining this record is; very much hazy but euphoric beach bonfire vibes. The rest of the record doesn't reach the same highs as "Time to Pretend" or "Electric Feel" but it's still good!