Rated 6/10
First time coming across Type O Negative. I really like this style of atmospheric gothic metal, but man, this guy is horny!
I’m glad I listened to it and there’s a lot to like here, although I’m still not sure what I make of some of the over-the-top lyrics. Not sure it’s one I’ll come back to, but maybe it’ll grow on me with time.
Rated 8/10
Clearly heavily influenced by The Clash, which is a big positive in my book. Looking back 30 years on, I think this is one of the best punk rock albums of the ’90s. Some great standout songs, but ultimately it’s still not as good as its ’70s influences. If anything, it’s put me in the mood to listen to London Calling again.
Rated 6/10
Enjoyable aggressive rock. Not sure I’ll come back to it though.
Rated 4/10
Enjoyed the Beach Boys influence and the lush, pleasant sound, but ultimately it felt more like background music than an album I wanted to actively listen to. Far too long, and most of it was pretty forgettable. I can appreciate what they were going for, but I don’t think I’ll be coming back to it.
Rated 4/10
This album didn’t really do much for me. The mixture of gothic, pop and electro sounded interesting on paper, but ultimately came across as a bit gimmicky rather than particularly groundbreaking. There were a few decent moments, but overall I found it pretty forgettable
Rated 4/10
I can appreciate the ambition and the complex themes running through the album, but sonically it really doesn’t do much for me. I found the constant genre-hopping more irritating than exciting, and ultimately it’s not an album I enjoyed listening to
Rated 6/10
A genuinely innovative and influential indie album, and I can see why it’s so highly regarded. But its deliberately chaotic, genre-hopping sound feels a bit all over the place to me, some great moments, but ultimately not an album I’ll be rushing back to.
Rated 8/10
Not an album I was familiar with, so was expecting big things after reading it beat Mezzanine and Urban Hymns to the Mercury Music Prize. Wasn’t disappointed, brilliant indie album. Love the vocals and bluesy bass lines, and there’s something really distinctive about the sound. I preferred the first half to the more acoustic ending, but still straight into my frequent rotation.
Rated 4/10
Can’t disagree that she’s a great singer, but this just feels like that middle-of-the-road mid-00s R&B that was everywhere at the time. There are some good songs in there, but overall it just didn’t do much for me.
Rated 8/10
Really enjoyed this album. Beautiful, haunting and surprisingly dark in places, with a really distinctive atmosphere throughout. Loved how it could go from these gorgeous, almost dreamy moments into something genuinely unsettling. A great example of how good some of the new music that is missing from the list. My only criticism is that it’s a bit on the long side for my personal taste, but definitely one I’ll be coming back to.
Rated 6/10
Great music for working to, not sure if I’d explore further than that.
Rated 6/10
Soild modern rock music, can argue against having this on the list.
Rated 4/10
Feel like we are starting to scrape the barrel with these entries
Rated 6/10
Pleasant indie pop
Rated 4/10
Nice background music but forgettable
Rated 4/10
German vocals just put me off this, otherwise interesting album,
Rated 8/10
Great album from its genre, some classic collabs in here.
Rated 6/10
I like this, raw, abrasive and impressively experimental. But as a 38-year-old with two kids and a mortgage, I’m not sure I’m the target audience for something this relentlessly angry. Glad I heard it, not sure I’ll revisit it.
Rated 8/10
Another one I’d never heard before but instantly loved on first listen. Feels like a Strokes x Beach Boys crossover I didn’t know I needed, straight into the regular rotation.
Rated 10/10
Incredible album—right up my street. It builds tension beautifully, with an atmospheric yet aggressive edge. It reminds me of Slint and Mogwai. Easily one of the best recommendations on this list so far. Just a shame I had to listen on YouTube.
