Reviews by tall_poppy

Just love the irreverence of Gainsbourg. The mix of cinematic jazz stylings and loungey singer songwriter works great on this record. 4 stars

Perhaps Bowie’s best, certainly his best early work. Absolutely chock full or memorable songs and brilliantly arranged and sequenced. Written primarily on piano, which gives it a different feel than his subsequent work.

I adore The Damned, and this record is a great scholar of why. Hard-rocking but difficult to categorize, neither particularly angry nor political, at times more garage than punk, clever and self-deprecating, very well played and conceived, and featuring a few different writers and therefore sides /personalities. This is their best since Neat Neat Neat and while I love their early 80’s work (Strawberries and the Black album) some would say their best ever.

Unique and affecting artist and singer. But for me at least, an album full of it is a few songs too many.

One of the better pop rock records of the seventies. The list of great songs is impressive, and the musicianship is of course very solid. McCartney’z best.

Pete Ubu is fucking awesome

One of the earlier and better pop psychedelic records, fronted by the improbable hit single “Too Much to Dream”. I’m an outsized fan of this band and therefore of this record - but would rate their second album “Underground” ahead of this, given its focus on band-penned songs, and a more consistent mellow psych sound. This has a few beauties and showcased production effects that changed the game in their day….very good stuff and important in its day.

She’s a phenomenal talent, this is a great record.

Quite intriguing modern soul jazz. The musicianship and arrangements are strong - occasionally stunning - and diverse, the vocals, often falsetto, are an acquired taste but by no means bad. Interesting artist with great chops and pedigree, and accompanied by the top players on his scene (K Washington among others).

Different from their others, more soft-edged in production, and some of the songs more anthemic are almost Beatlesque (Last Night eg), so perhaps not classic Smiths, but a fine album.

Still packs a punch after 45+ years. At its core is the metallic, echoed, and amateurish sounds of the band and Curtis’s baritone. It embodies emotional disenfranchisement
despite IC’s attempts to bridge the gap with words that seem to conflict.

Quirky, string laden, and at times beautiful. This one is a grower. Chilton sure can sing….such a wasted talent.

A really important album in its day, great confessional songs delivered in Cole’s unique vocal style. One of those artists whose first effort was probably his best, although he shone intermittently in the 40 years since.

A top 20 album for me and one of the better releases in the 1970’s. The combination of world weary anger, intelligent political commentary and great playing and production is just brilliant.

A top 20 album for me and one of the better releases in the 1970’s. The combination of world weary anger, intelligent political commentary and great playing and production is just brilliant.

I enjoy this one but slot it into his post-peak period. It’s more self conscious and less pure pop than his first three absolute classics. Perhaps the end of the beginning of his remarkable career….he was never as good again.

Really enjoyable somewhat retro LA sound, great melodies and rock or folk rock arrangements.

Perhaps the most important rock album of the year 2000’s. The urgency, the channeling of great artists from the past, the insouciant charm of the band. They didn’t belong in the limelight and yet somehow they ended up there….and weathered it well, for a while.

Essential transitional album, from increasingly reluctant folkie to rebellious blues-folk rocker

A top ten album for me, the blend of attractive chamber-folk and uncompromisingly Teutonic interpretation from Nico, and subtle subversiveness, is extraordinary. As much today as it was in 1966, this record has the power to polarize….always a good sign.