Reviews by 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!

Groovy! Funky! Soulful vocals! Everything you could want from a record like this. Some great classic disco bolstered by its classy production and infectious rhythms. Definitely an album to revisit when I'm feeling under the weather, to force my body to move and my mind to wander to lighter things.

Another surprising gem of an album! I knew of Billy Joel of course, but I did not expect this to impress me as much as it did. Rich and occasionally sultry while also maintaining some playful melodies, it felt like I was the guest of honour at some lively mansion party. The instrumentals were pleasantly dynamic and had a lot going on, in particular that twinkling piano.

Very nice! A smooth low-energy listen supported by some lovely saxophone work and driving percussion sections. Made my evening better by helping to relax my heart after a long few weeks of mounting academic stress and general life worries.

On first impressions, I was excited to dive into this record due to the genres being listed as funk and jazz (with the style being disco). Upon finishing, I can't say I was disappointed but I am a bit underwhelmed? Ah well, I had a good time regardless!

A near perfect album to me, and I'm so surprised that more people on here don't seem to love it? I especially adore that its sound is much bigger and bolder than the first track's serene ambience (sometimes it even gets outright scary). It's very orchestral and movie soundtrack-like, while also knowing when to explode into some dirty electric guitar. Every time I listen, it really does feel like I'm floating in zero-gravity attempting to commune with aliens. Plus, I can vividly imagine WALL-E and EVE waltzing in space to the opening track, so it scores extra points with me!

The second Beastie Boys album I've gotten! I think "Paul's Boutique" went down smoother this time round cause of the added prior experience, though I think I much prefer "Ill Communication". Their frat boy type humour still isn't my favourite, but I'm more here for the creative production and sampledelica than the lyrics.

I have to say, the beautiful gaudy cover perfectly captures this album's commitment to weird musical fuckery. And what an album it is! Some parts are a little too try-hard and I didn't gel with them, but overall I warmed up to this pretty fast. It's a cool experimental experience for sure, even if not all of the tracks are winners. Definitely quite out-there for 1973 and I wasn't expecting those zany electronic elements either! However, I don't think it meshes together too well. While each individual song has its quirky charms, there isn't really a method to the madness.

I appreciate and sympathise with what this record was going for. The background info is pretty harrowing, and I'm made a little uncomfortable by all the tongue-in-cheek sanist jokes scattered throughout some of these reviews. That being said, this is not something I'll be returning to often. The instruments and lo-fi ambience were nice, but the album itself is quite bloated and meandering.

I was unsure this album would measure up as I wasn't feeling the opening track, but it's impressive that my mind was almost changed by the end. While not as astonishing as the string of 4 star and above albums I've been getting lately, this was still an interesting journey into the minds of the "Meat Puppets" and their fun brand of chaos! Never heard of the cowpunk genre before this and it sounded exactly like how I thought it would (complimentary), though I'm not sure it's my cup of tea.

Wow I did not expect to love this as much as I did! Very well-produced and builds up some great atmosphere. Another excellent album to add to this list's collection of art rock and post-punk. It's surprising sophistication and tenderheartedness for a punk record really won me over, and I think Verlaine's slightly whiny delivery actually added to this. Especially because the album isn't afraid of lengthier tracks, helping it thoroughly explore the more introspective and anxious parts of the human experience (as well as highlight sections of their innovative and intricate guitar playing).

Ahh, I love it when women scream. There are a ton of great female-fronted punk projects out there and this one is a certified classic for a reason. It's more post-hardcore and grunge than I remember, but it gives this album such a full-bodied edge. Had a grand ol' time relistening and rediscovering!

My first ever LCD Soundsystem project! So many popular bands and musical acts just sitting in my library gathering dust, so I'm grateful this challenge is forcing me to do something about it. I always love an electronica and synth-heavy moment. And as I now know from from bands like Gang of Four and New Order, dance and punk / rock make a spectacular combination. However, one of the main things keeping it from 5 stars is the length of some of these tracks. I don't mind long songs but a few of them do start to overstay their welcome.

Love me some Bruce! He was one of the first older legacy artists I felt compelled to check out. Maybe that's why I've developed a bit of an emotional attachment to his music, and he was also one of the first times classic dad rock captured my attention, both in sound and lyrics. This one is more solemn than an album like "Born to Run", but still a goodie!

A bizarre album that has no idea if it wants to be pop or rock or something entirely different… and I enjoyed myself! Some songs like "Hotel" were not for me, but other tracks like "Somewhere in Hollywood" made up for it. This record is strange and experimental-ish in an amusing way, not in a head-scratching way. I was also impressed when I realised its release date was 1974; not what I was expecting from this time period, though perhaps that's only cause I've barely listened to music from the 70's. Not the most incredible project out there, but a decent spread of art rock and pop that doesn't take itself too seriously!

Sometimes legends are legends for a reason and David Bowie is no exception. Simultaneously achingly tender and breathtakingly punchy, I had a great time with this! "Life on Mars?" is the obvious highlight, but everything on here is very solid, made all the better by Bowie's versatile and theatrical vocals.