Ratings Explained
In which, your reviewer explains what each rating neans, and why not everything will get 9 or 10 out of 10. Continue reading Ratings Explained
Gomez – Bring It On
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me Continue reading Gomez – Bring It On
Paul McCartney – McCartney III
Three is the magic number Continue reading Paul McCartney – McCartney III
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Fallout 4 – Diamond City Radio
I’ll hold you close and kiss those
Radiation burns away Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Fallout 4 – Diamond City Radio
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
I’ve been to a post-punk, postcard fair Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
Mansun – Six
I’m writing the words, like the fool that I am
Try and say something good, like the person I am
But it’s all just a sham, ’cause the writer I am not
Could say anything, you’d believe them Continue reading Mansun – Six
Belle and Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister
Look, there she goes
That girl is so peculiar
I wonder if she’s feeling well
With a dreamy, far-off look
And her nose stuck in a book
What a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle (and Sebastian) Continue reading Belle and Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister
T-Rex – Electric Warrior
Television man is crazy saying we’re juvenile delinquent wrecks
Oh, man, I need TV when I’ve got T.Rex Continue reading T-Rex – Electric Warrior
Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell
Well, I’m standing by a river but the water doesn’t flow
It boils with every poison you can think of
Then I’m underneath the streetlights, but the light of joy I know
Scared beyond belief way down in the shadows Continue reading Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: The Clash – London Calling
What are we going to do now? Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: The Clash – London Calling
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced?
We all make mistakes
And then when you’ve made enough
You call it experience Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced?
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
And if
You don’t love me now
You will never love me again Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
Sparks – A Woofer In Tweeter’s Clothing
You and me and the guy from Sparks,
Hangin’ round with Howard Marks Continue reading Sparks – A Woofer In Tweeter’s Clothing
Sparks – Sparks
Hello, good evening and welcome to nothing much
A no holds barred half -nelson and the loving touch
The comfort and the joy of feeling lost
With the only living boy in New Cross Continue reading Sparks – Sparks
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Curtis Mayfield – Curtis
Loving one brother and killing the other
When the time comes and we are really free
There’ll be no brothers left you see Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Curtis Mayfield – Curtis
Peter Gabriel – 3 (Melt)
Let there be light
Let there be moon
Let there be stars and let there be you
Let there be monsters, let there be pain
Let us begin to live again Continue reading Peter Gabriel – 3 (Melt)
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Nirvana – In Utero
Serve the Servants – with 3 hits of Grohl’s drumsticks, then an opening chord, we hear right away that this is going to be quite different to Nevermind. ‘Teenage angst has paid off well, now I’m bored and old.’ – … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Nirvana – In Utero
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Pixies – Surfer Rosa
Bone Machine – I like that this gives each member of the band a wee moment to shine as it opens – first drums, then bass, then guitar before Frank shouts ‘this is a song for Carol’. It’s a song … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Pixies – Surfer Rosa
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Massive Attack – Blue Lines
Safe From Harm – sinister, paranoid sounding bass line amidst a constant almost wind sounding sound effect as Shara Nelson sings soulfully about protecting her baby – whether her literal baby or her partner is irrelevant. 3d’s rap fits perfectly. … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Massive Attack – Blue Lines
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Kraftwerk – Trans-Europe Express
Europe Endless – I mean, its establishing a sound. And what a sound this is. Digital, inspired by transport. Apparently also inspired by a vision of Europe where World War 2 never happened. I’m really liking this. It’s actually quite minimal … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Kraftwerk – Trans-Europe Express
The Pogues – Poguetry in Motion
London Girl – the most overt display of celtic soul and punk this side of Dexys Midnight Runners but without the horn section. The mix is a wee bit off for me as the accordions are behind the drums. Bass … Continue reading The Pogues – Poguetry in Motion
The Doors – The Doors
Break On Through (To The Other Side) – Jazz inspired drum patterns, alongside what is a simple bassline arpeggio around the minor chord notes… Actually listening to it right now, the music has more in common with a bossa nova … Continue reading The Doors – The Doors
Prince – Batman
The Future – noir funk, sung from the perspective of the world’s greatest detective? Sign me up. This is a moody opener, but maintains all of the hallmarks of a decent Prince song and could very well be an out-take … Continue reading Prince – Batman
Big Country – The Crossing
In A Big Country – opening with a drumbeat that is almost immediately evocative of Girls on Film, before the shout of “Shock” causes it to change, this is a percussive dream at the start. Does it sound like 1983? … Continue reading Big Country – The Crossing
Feeder – Comfort in Sound
Just the Way I’m Feeling – I’m suddenly flooded with memories of being 21, and people proclaiming Feeder to be excellent off the back of that Just A Day song (which isn’t on this album). It was alright but nothing … Continue reading Feeder – Comfort in Sound
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Kate Bush – Hounds of Love
Down by the Rosemary and Cameron
She hands out the Bhagaved Gita
I see her around every couple days
I want to meet her so that
I can say… hey Kate Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Kate Bush – Hounds of Love
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Serge Gainsbourg – Histoire de Melody Nelson
Melody – fucking hell, it’s Massive Attack’s Karmacoma (Portishead remix). Well, it’s where the samples used come from. Really excellent bass work. This sounds so much like trip hop, and I dunno if I’m just thinking that because it was … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Serge Gainsbourg – Histoire de Melody Nelson
Cream – Disraeli Gears
Strange Brew – similar sort of tempo to Purple Haze. This is built around a blues progression, but with complex riffs on both guitar and bass. Clapton borrowed heavily from Albert King’s Crosscut Saw for this. It’s good, but I’m … Continue reading Cream – Disraeli Gears
Chemical Brothers – Come With Us
Come With Us – urgency abounds as we’re immediately met by dizzying strings, then bass is added before spacey synth sounds rising and falling to and from the stratosphere drag you down a Willy Wonka-esque tunnel of imagination whilst vocals … Continue reading Chemical Brothers – Come With Us
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Intro – we start with the sound of a school bell and a register being taken, yet Lauryn is absent on that day. The guitar is lovely, and plays off the electric piano nicely. More of a skit than anything … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Jellyfish – Bellybutton
The Man I Used to Be – Pipe organ opens with an almost dissonant chord sequence before moody piano, bass and minimal drums work around a descending chord structure punctuated by fuzzy guitars and glockenspiel. As the chorus comes in, … Continue reading Jellyfish – Bellybutton
Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever
Free Fallin’ – bright guitars in an intro that may have inspired Take That on Back For Good. This details the tale of a good girl and a bad boy. The lyrics contradict themselves in the tradition of You’re So … Continue reading Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Pink Floyd – Dark Side of The Moon
Speak to Me – starts with the bass drum heart beat that we know ends the album, suggesting it is an eternal loop. It also works as an overture too as it introduces the themes which will appear throughout the … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Pink Floyd – Dark Side of The Moon
Iggy Pop – Lust For Life
Lust For Life – Title track to start, and this is all about the propulsive drumbeat, which is the first thing we hear on the album. Each instrument gradually comes in, and it’s apparent just how tight Iggy’s backing band … Continue reading Iggy Pop – Lust For Life
Joni Mitchell – Blue
All I Want – it’s a song about several different things – wanting to be at home and in a comfortable relationship where she can make sweaters, she holds a definite desire to travel in here too. At the same … Continue reading Joni Mitchell – Blue
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Joanna Newsom – Ys
Emily: Joanna Newsom is an accomplished harpist, and the music here is beautiful. Certainly initially it sounds like a string quartet (in the main, all bowed, though occasional pizzicato in the double bass), while her harp provides the percussive parts. … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Joanna Newsom – Ys
Insane Clown Posse – Wicked Vic
Wicked Vic – demented chipmunk laughs, lead vocal is pretty much the title repeated constantly, and a pile of samples that combine to sound like the middle part from the Bloodhound Gang’s Mope, in a shitty carnival but without any … Continue reading Insane Clown Posse – Wicked Vic
Toots & The Maytals – Sweet and Dandy
Monkey Man – with a bassline that is more commonly found in soul, this leads into a roll of percussion before the guitar adds the familiar ska syncopation. Organ supplements it too. Toots voice is great, and at least 2 … Continue reading Toots & The Maytals – Sweet and Dandy
Symposium – One Day At A Time
Drink the Sunshine – Rio. No, really, I didn’t realize this in 1997, but listen to the chorus – it’s absolutely musically similar to Rio by Duran Duran. That’s no bad thing, cause if you’re looking for a chorus, you … Continue reading Symposium – One Day At A Time
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
I’ve used the original Mono mix for the purposes of reviewing. Wouldn’t it Be Nice – the ice-cream van intro leads us straight into Mike Love’s dreams of being old enough to get his end away. Straight away this song … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Leonard Bernstein – West Side Story
I’m going to get a bit technical before I get into the review, but it’s something I think is important in understanding what Bernstein has done. There are two main motifs (small repeated patterns) that feature throughout West Side Story … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Leonard Bernstein – West Side Story
The Gaslight Anthem – Señor and the Queen
Señor and the Queen – same opening note as In Utero, then Fallon sings show me your hands and the discord is broken by blustering punk guitars and drums. It’s a very short song, and filled with energy and a … Continue reading The Gaslight Anthem – Señor and the Queen
Tokyo Cramps – Monster Session
Cramp Stomp – hugely fuzzed up distorted guitars, and a vocal that sits somewhere between Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett, and the 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster, this is off to a good start. This should be on the Call of Duty Infinite … Continue reading Tokyo Cramps – Monster Session
Queen – A Night At The Opera
Death On Two Legs (Dedicated to…) – opens with quite a nice classical piano riff amidst some gloomy atmospherics, but then quickly turns into one of the most venomous, bitchy, vitriolic songs ever recorded. This is Freddie venting about their … Continue reading Queen – A Night At The Opera
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Prince – Sign O’ The Times
Start wearing purple, wearing purple
Start wearing purple for me now
All your sanity and wits, they will all vanish
I promise, it’s just a matter of time Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Prince – Sign O’ The Times
Wu Tang Clan – Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers)
Bring the Ruckus – album opens with a sample from Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang – and this will be a recurring motif throughout the album – the tension is amped up by RZA’s hook of ‘bring the muthafuckin ruckus’ before 5 … Continue reading Wu Tang Clan – Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers)
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds – Let Love In
Do You Love Me? – opening with a bassline and hi-hat pattern that instantly evokes Shaft’s cousin going through a goth phase, before the snare hits, and the organ takes this into horror western territory. Cave’s simple yet ominous piano … Continue reading Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds – Let Love In
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
Somethin’ kind of blue jumping in my tutu Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
Blur – The Ballad of Darren
The Ballad – opens with a drum machine and ambient noise (like Ghost Town but with the noise tuning up instead of down), then Albarn’s voice and simple piano. Immediately striking is just how melancholic this is. When the harmonies … Continue reading Blur – The Ballad of Darren
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Nas – Illmatic
The Genesis – I’ve just finished listening to Kraftwerk, and the first sound on this album is a train. Then there’s the sound of a very young Nas rapping. If Nas is the Superhero of Rap, then this is the … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Nas – Illmatic
David Bowie – Station to Station
Station to Station – Doppler effects abound as a shuddering semi-train like synth sound flits from ear to ear. I think this is the longest song Bowie ever recorded, and it’s more like a suite of songs. After the sound … Continue reading David Bowie – Station to Station
Tom Waits – Heartattack and Vine
Heartattack and Vine – at it’s core, this is a twelve bar blues played at a pretty slow speed. It’s more than that though, it sets the scene for this album as Waits transitions between his boho-jazz years and the … Continue reading Tom Waits – Heartattack and Vine
The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – vocals are entirely in the right channel for the verse, but for the chorus are in the left (which is where the majority of the brass is too). Elements of vaudeville surround this. … Continue reading The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Robyn – Body Talk
Fembot – Hmmm… A gimmicky song to start doesn’t sit well with me. I mean it’s generally inoffensive, but her flow isn’t good (she sounds like Jimmy Pop from the Bloodhound Gang – seriously, I’ll post a video in a … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Robyn – Body Talk
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Michael Jackson – Off the Wall
Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough – Jackson’s last album was 4 years before this, aged 17. This is his first as an adult. It starts with a shy MJ chatting for 15 seconds with the bass, and a click … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Michael Jackson – Off the Wall
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Joni Mitchell – Hejira
Coyote – supposedly written about Sam Shephard. Jeez, is this what Joni Mitchell sounds like? Meandering lyrics that are just throwing words with no real cadence? Musically, the accompinament sits in a kind of Crosby/Stills/Nash/Young place which is fine. Deja … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Joni Mitchell – Hejira
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
Disorder – and here we go. One of the greatest opening tracks ever. Puts you off kilter with starting at the end of a bar (anacrusis) so it takes a moment to work out the time signature. We build into … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Bob Marley – Catch A Fire
I listened to both versions – Jamaican (island mix) and original album and it’s a mixed bag, but generally I prefer the Jamaican versions as they’re much more soulful. Concrete Jungle – I like how the instrumentation gently builds in … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Bob Marley – Catch A Fire
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars
Five Years – introduces the character of Ziggy observing humanity. In compound time (6/8), and builds up the instrumentation, almost like it’s telling the story of the end of the earth. There’s some sound effects here, but not in a … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Led Zeppelin – IV
Black Dog – what an album opener. The ‘start-stop’ and call and response style between Page and Plant is underpinned by Bonzo and Jones. Interesting time signatures used too. Bonham’s drumming in particular stands out, a lot of jazz influences … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Led Zeppelin – IV
Sparks – A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip
All That – follows the familiar I vi IV V chord progression that so many songs do. It’s a cheery, almost triumphant song with the brothers (well, Russell), basically saying they’re in it together til the end. You could interpret … Continue reading Sparks – A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You
Respect : What is there to say about this? One of the greatest songs, arrangements and vocal performances of all time. The rhythm section is so good and underpins the whole thing. Drown In My Own Tears: again, the rhythm … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Madonna – Like A Prayer
Like a Prayer – a true pop classic. Madonna doing what she did at the time, mixing religious imagery with overt sexual themes. Maybe I’ve heard remixed versions, but the verses seemed a little thin at times, with just the … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Madonna – Like A Prayer
Ghost – [Message From the Clergy]
Mary On A Cross – opening with a roll of tympani and keyboards that Ray Manzarek would be proud of. Our previous Ghost review, Prequelle noted the 70s influences (more on that later), but this is pure 60s psychedelia. There’s … Continue reading Ghost – [Message From the Clergy]
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Metallica – Master of Puppets
I’m listening to the Remastered version on Spotify and the first thing I’m noticing is how much heavier it sounds compared to the original mix. It never sounds sludgy like say Meshuggah or Mastodon can. Hetfield’s vocals still sound thin … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: Metallica – Master of Puppets
The Who – Who’s Next
Baba O’Riley – not sure this has ever been recognised as a prog-rock song, but it absolutely is. Listen to those synth keyboards in the intro, and how they shift from side to side creating the side to side effect … Continue reading The Who – Who’s Next
Manic Street Preachers – Generation Terrorists
Slash ‘n’ Burn – right from the opening flourish of James Dean Bradfield’s guitar, you can hear the Guns ‘n’ Roses influence. The bass is functional and generally chugs along on the root, and the programmed drums are big and … Continue reading Manic Street Preachers – Generation Terrorists
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: The Beatles – Revolver
Taxman – Well, what you give is what you get, isn’t it? To Start, McCartney’s bass line throughout is outstanding. So is his guitar solo. I do like a Harrison song, and this is a blistering take on the tax … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: The Beatles – Revolver
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: The Shangri-Las – The Best of The Shangri-Las
Bloody hell this is 25 tracks long? Is this everything they ever did? Remember (Walking in the sand) – recently sampled on something, can’t remember what but it used the ‘oh no’ part and distorted it slightly. Probably one of … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: The Shangri-Las – The Best of The Shangri-Las
Salem – Salem II
William, It Was Really Something – the title is a nod to the Smiths, and while the song starts with a few seconds of shimmering, wave like guitar, when the riff kicks in, all I can hear is One Armed … Continue reading Salem – Salem II
Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols
Holiday In The Sun – opens to the sound of marching, which is joined by kick drum and chords that wouldn’t sound out of place with Pete Townshend windmilling them. The riff isn’t so much borrowed as outright stolen from … Continue reading Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols
Tyler Childers – Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
Old Country Church – Cover of a Hank Williams song. Southern gospel organ opens, then guitar and bass play the Let It Be descending pattern. Drums are played with a shuffling rhythm. Guitar sounds quite Stones inspired at times. Organ … Continue reading Tyler Childers – Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
Primal Scream – Screamadelica
Movin’ On Up – Primal Scream open what is referred to as their magnum opus by going for the gospel inspired Stones song here. The percussion is a mix of uninspiring hi-hat and cymbal work, and a conga line that … Continue reading Primal Scream – Screamadelica
WWF The Music Volume 4
Break Down The Wall – no countdown to start which is always a disappointment, but this is an iconic theme. Distorted vocals that actually follow the same pattern as the old Thorn In Your Eye intro song pattern. Actually a … Continue reading WWF The Music Volume 4
Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground and Nico
Sunday Morning : That glockenspiel part is beautiful. Overall, the song is like a hazy warm Sunday morning in the late summer/early autumn. I’m Waiting For The Man : reminds me of the Stooges in a lot of ways – the driving … Continue reading Pop-Crazed Youngster Classic: The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground and Nico
Dr Horrible’s Sing-along Blog
Horrible Theme – very short and to the point. This is very clearly based on any number of 50s B-Movie themes. My Freeze Ray – our protagonist’s first song establishes that while he is a horrible villain, he’s not a … Continue reading Dr Horrible’s Sing-along Blog
The Rolling Stones – Beggars Banquet
Sympathy for the Devil – what a way to start an album! Rocky Dijon’s samba inspired conga beat and Watts’ jazz inspired drumming are relentless and worm their way into your soul in seconds. Jagger has a few vocal tics, … Continue reading The Rolling Stones – Beggars Banquet
Roxy Music – Roxy Music
Re-Make/Re-Model – opens with ambient crowd noise which pans from left to right, then a piano intro. Phil Manzanera’s distorted guitar in the left channel is balanced by the saxophone in the right – on several occasions they are either … Continue reading Roxy Music – Roxy Music
Lighthouse Family – Ocean Drive
Lifted – from the opening bongos and Spanish guitar I’m immediately transported back to 1995 and the mountain of bland shite like this that filled the airwaves. A sub-Funky Drummer drum machine loop, and piano sound that is straight out … Continue reading Lighthouse Family – Ocean Drive
Pulp – This Is Hardcore
The Fear – on the previous Pulp release, it opened with the triumphant Mis-Shapes – an ode to the weirdos, freaks, and geeks who would rise up and take over. This time, it’s a much more unsettling affair. Mark Webber’s … Continue reading Pulp – This Is Hardcore
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raising Sand
Rich Woman – straight away, the music sounds like a refined, polished version of Goin’ Out West by Tom Waits. It’s a bluesy guitar lick, with a straightforward drum beat. Even the shimmery break part sounds like it would roughly … Continue reading Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raising Sand
Popcrazed Youngster Classic: Talking Heads – Remain In Light
Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) – Straight away it’s a proper funkgroove, with a lot of Fela Kuti Afrobeat style rhythms. Little parts of the synths along with some human whooping and mewing add to this by giving an … Continue reading Popcrazed Youngster Classic: Talking Heads – Remain In Light
Rocky Horror Picture Show – Original Cast Recording
Science Fiction / Double Feature – straight off the bat, you know exactly what you’re going to get from RHPS because of this song. Sung by Richard O’Brien (who wrote the whole show, and stars as Riff Raff), this name … Continue reading Rocky Horror Picture Show – Original Cast Recording
Adam and The Ants – Prince Charming
Scorpios – full on Rio carnival feel, with horns, samba drums, and woodwind, along with a bassline that mainly follows what the lead vocal is doing. This is very much a continuation of what brought Adam and the Ants to … Continue reading Adam and The Ants – Prince Charming
Johnny Cash – American IV: The Man Comes Around
The Man Comes Around – one of the original songs on the album. From the Revelations quotes that bookend the song, to the classic Cash palm-muted riff, and the call to judgement lyrics, everything about his just sounds good to … Continue reading Johnny Cash – American IV: The Man Comes Around
Warren Zevon – Excitable Boy
Johnny Strikes Up the Band – sharing a name with the 1927 Krenek German language opera (orig. Jonny Spielt Aus), this tribute to Tonight Show legend Johnny Carson might be the most straightforward rock song on the album. Unlike most … Continue reading Warren Zevon – Excitable Boy
Scissor Sisters – Scissor Sisters
Laura – yes, we all know it has similarities to the vintage Thomas The Tank Engine theme, but this is a clavinet away from being a lost Stevie Wonder song. The wahwah guitar that is played throughout the second verse … Continue reading Scissor Sisters – Scissor Sisters
Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
Thunder Road – Springsteen’s attempt to sound like his musical hero, Roy Orbison, and when you know that you can hear it in the opening bars. This is classic Springsteen – a very literary tale of small town young adult … Continue reading Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
The Cure – Disintegration
Plainsong – opening with around 20 seconds of windchime-like bells before crashing into an aural palette that is reminiscent of both Joy Division’s Atmosphere and Just Like Honey by Jesus and Mary Chain. The higher synth melody was later borrowed … Continue reading The Cure – Disintegration
Fallout 4 – Diamond City Radio
Doing things slightly differently again, today’s album consists of the songs from the video game Fallout 4. Fans of the series know what to expect, but for those who have no idea then we’ll set the scene by explaining that … Continue reading Fallout 4 – Diamond City Radio
Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik
The Power of Equality – strong opener, with anti-racism message. Flea’s bassline is prominent, and at times is where the melody is carried in the music, while Frusciante’s guitar and Smith’s drumming provide the rhythm section. Kiedis sings in his … Continue reading Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik
The Ronettes – Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica
Walking in the Rain – opens with a thunderstorm sound effect, and I’m immediately transported back to that unforgettable day when I reviewed the Shangri-Las and begin to regret my choices in life. Thankfully this is a Spector production, so … Continue reading The Ronettes – Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica
The Darkness – Permission to Land
Black Shuck – with a riff that channels Led Zeppelin, this album doesn’t so much burst into life as it explodes with the heat of 1000 suns. I’ve never noticed til right now how Justin Hawkins kinda sounds like Robert … Continue reading The Darkness – Permission to Land
Half Man Half Biscuit – Achtung Bono
Restless Legs – with a bassline that more than recalls Milk and Alcohol, and a tune which Me Formby would be proud of, HMHB launch into their own brand of ramshackle folk inspired punk. It’s not the sort of song … Continue reading Half Man Half Biscuit – Achtung Bono
Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life
Love’s In Need of Love Today – laid back synthesizer, smooth backing vocals giving perfect harmony… Stevie introduces himself as ‘your friendly announcer’. The music is quite subtle, and Wonder’s voice and lyrics are given the starring role. This is … Continue reading Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life
IDLES – Joy As An Act Of Resistance
Colossus – a song in two very distinct parts. The first part is a post-punk, noise rock dirge which builds across 4 minutes or so. Initially rimshots, then a once per bar guitar drone, Joe Talbot’s vocals and lyrics, then … Continue reading IDLES – Joy As An Act Of Resistance
Carly Rae Jepsen – Emotion
Run Away With Me – Almost elegiac synth accompanying the first verse with a very simple beat and processed sax sound. Bridge adds multitracking to the vocals, and synth arpeggios low in the mix. The chorus is a burst of … Continue reading Carly Rae Jepsen – Emotion
Kanye West – Late Orchestration
Diamonds From Sierra Leone – mainly built around a sample from Diamonds Are Forever by Shirley Bassey, this really benefits from the live orchestra arrangement as it gives more depth to the track. The addition of the harp elevates this … Continue reading Kanye West – Late Orchestration
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – The Nightman Cometh (live)
This review is something a bit different from the usual daily albums, but not a million miles away. After all, we already covered Once More With Feeling though it did receive a soundtrack release. Instead, today we’re going to look … Continue reading It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – The Nightman Cometh (live)
Blondie – Parallel Lines
Hanging on the Telephone – sure, we all know now in this age of instant information that this is a cover, but the original isn’t a patch on Blondie. Where the original is almost pleading, Deborah Harry’s take is more … Continue reading Blondie – Parallel Lines
Pop-Crazed Youngster 