Reviews by simonh

What I've learned from the first 50 albums on this list is that, given a few listens, I pretty much like anything and everything, so long as it's not racist I'm-so-hard-done-by shouting, or the drivel written by Stevie Wonder post 1980.
It's taken 3 goes (one being a 'proper' listen sat on a plane) to enjoy Funeral but I got there. Maybe if I had more time then everything would be 4+

Nothing to see hear (geddit?)

When I read about the background to this album I thought George was just trying to get a bit more of the Beatles pie, writing some naff ditties that Paul and John had dissed, patted the young lad on the head and sending him on his way. But these songs are really good. Even (maybe especially) the ones that Lennon and McCartney rejected. Easily enough for a quality double album

I'm not sure it needed the third record 'Apple Jam'. I skipped a lot of that first time around as overlong and tedious. But after a second listen to the 'main' 2 records I think having the third set was a great chill out. Maybe I wouldn't listen to it very often but it's like the additional film director's narratives they used to add to DVDs. Interesting. A bit of self indulgent jamming - like a warm up before the main recording session with your mates. I'm glad it's there.

Most of my 5* ratings are previous loves rediscovered. This is a new love and a nailed on 5. How was there so much talent in the Beatles.

Classic. Brilliant. Better than 'Back In Black'? About the same. Bon Scott definitely was a better frontman though. Easy 5.

This album was ok. But it didn't excite me. Nothing horrid. Nothing great. Boring voice though. I imagine he's really dull live? (apparently he's not!!). Second listen. Better.

I was going to give it a 3. Then a saw I gave Odelay a 4. And after the second listen I guess this has grown on me in the same way. If I had more time then I would listen a bit more but this 1001 Album thing is relentless. It will stay in my Spotify library though.

Slower, more moody and melodic than the typical aggressive shouty hip-hop. Fewer racial slurs (I counted just 2 and that was in a cover). Overall not bad at all. Maybe the female vocalist should be bigged up a bit more. This was her album more than Tricky's.

Really enjoyed this. But maybe not for the right reasons? Had me smiling throughout. Great production. Not sure how seriously I was supposed to be taking it (I hope it's as tongue in cheek as I think).

Militaryesque martial music. Industrial with a strong heavy dark beat. Dictator music. The sort of music I'd expect to hear at a Trump rally. Only it's primarily in "foreign" so the insular fuckwit wouldn't have given it time of day.

The Queen cover is awesome. 'Get me a Litebeer' (yes... I know!). On second listen some of the tracks on side 2 drag on a little.
3½

I was big into metal at school in the very early 80s. But with plenty of New Wave stuff around and regarding Black Sabbath (without the fired Ozzy) as has-beens I never sought out any of their old stuff.

I wasn't expecting an album like this. The standard Sabbath sound, but with melodic, thoughtful quiet bits too. Changes is a good song but let down by the horrible melotron behind it. It's really the only track that lets the album down. Could this be the third 5* album I've had this week?... I think so.

Inoffensive. Formulaic. Pleasant but ultimately unmemorable. Maybe they should have become more well known? But at the end of the day the masses decide and we all probably got it right.

I can't objectively rate this album as it's part of my youth. I bought it on cassette. Loved it. My sister then borrowed it and left it on a school trip coach. I've never let her forget. Great to listen to it again from end to end.

Next level guitar, arrogant sleazy vocal delivery. Outstanding production. And then for that 'difficult second album' they go and release Van Halen II which is even better!!

Never heard of him.

Very listenable. Nice chilled mood music. And he's a great guitarist. I didn’t really listen to the words in any great depth so I can't comment on how depressing it was. And anyway listening to someone else whinging doesn’t really depress me.

Though his IS a sad story. A druggy who committed suicide by stabbing himself in the chest?… twice!?? Whilst his girlfriend was in the bathroom? She heard him scream so emerged and pulled the knife out???? Yeah right. Unlucky mate.

The problem with the CD era is that some bands feel that they need to fill as much of the available space as they can. The Verve have done this by dragging perfectly decent songs to well past their ‘bored-by’ date.

There's a lot dreamy guitar on this album. Except it’s so dreamy that the best time/place to listen is on earbuds at bedtime if you suffer from insomnia. And that’s not a bad thing. I think I could really like this album if I managed to listen another 4 or 5 times. But I can’t be arsed.

I don’t know why a seemingly intelligent female UK rapper needs to use racist and misogynistic language from 1970s pornos. This album has well structured tunes and she has a good voice. Maybe she feels she needs to conform with the gun toting gangster US neanderthal rappers. I think she should grow up and do her own thing.

So similar to the other Johnny Cash "prison" album which came a year later. Very much a "warts and all" live set, voice was creaking in places and the guitar hopelessly out of tune in others. But that adds to the appeal. Better than the San Quentin set. But not quite a 4

An album of 2 halves. or more accurately alternating killer/filler. Lovely melodic songs intertwined with more repetitive long formulaic "woke up this morning..." blues songs.

I liked this album a lot more through headphones than listening in the car. Also very glad there was only one song with 'harmonica' (why is it called that? harmonic it definitely isn't).
'Lovesick' 'Tryin to get to Heaven' (yes even with mouth organ), 'Not dark yet', 'Make you feel my love', 'Highlands' great. Other stuff less so but still a solid 3.

Influential Punk album my arse!
Released practically in 1982. So only 3 years late to the party then.
Punk had burned out by 1979 you twats. Listen to Ramones, UK Subs, Sham 69, Sex Pistols, Damned if you want to be influenced. This album isn't at all bad, but influential? or something I need to hear before I die? Do me a favour, mate!

I forgot how good this album was/is. Some bangers from NWOBHM. But I think both the debut Iron Maiden album or Killers (with Paul Di'Anno) were better and either should have been on this list instead of TNOTB. Di'Anno was a 'character' and so got the boot. LIke Van Halen and AC/DC who changed frontmen (of course AC/CD had no choice) I think Iron Maiden were poorer for it.

Happy Birthday Punk. Literally. So what if all the tracks sound the same? It's punk innit. Fack off you prog dinosaur wanker.

I used to like Madonna back in the old days but went off her when she started her psychodivabitchslag period and I haven’t listened to a Madonna album since about 1990. 


I think it helped that this album popped up on a chilled Sunday evening. It’s full of great tracks ; exquisite, atmospheric, ambient, trippy, rave electronica . The production is brilliant and her voice sounds great. I’m listening again on a Monday morning and it’s still awesome (Shanti is a dud, but everyone's entitled to one). I need to re-evaluate Madonna perhaps. Nah perhaps not she’s still a batty old fruitcake. 

5*