KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka 2019 **** 02/12/2024
A 2019 release and a new one for me, and a very pleasant surprise. Michael Kiwanuka has a rich, soulful voice that easily stands comparison with any of the greats and the music is a timeless mix of 70s themed soul, funk, jazz and contemporary elements. It’s rare with these albums that I listen to them more than once, but this is definitely one that will be on repeat for a while. The Dolby Atmos mix on Apple Music is another plus- this really does sound lush
Hotel California by Eagles 1976 ** 03/12/2024
1976 was something of a musical wasteland - the excitement of glam rock was gone, leaving only pomp rock, seedy disco and novelty songs while we waited for punk. This album is solid Dad Rock, and the first 3 tracks will be familiar to anyone who has ever heard one of those Jeremy Clarkson’s Driving Songs compilation tapes that you used to see in garages in the 80s. The hits are too well worn and the non hits aren’t that thrilling either. Snooze-tastic!
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by Beatles 1967 ***** 04/12/2024
It is difficult to overstate just how revolutionary this album is. In just 4 years the Beatles had gone from a jangly boy band playing enthusiastic covers of American R&B songs to producing records of unprecedented depth and imagination. This album mixes rock and roll with surrealism, music hall with poignant kitchen sink dramas, Indian mysticism with farm animals. The final track ends with a huge crescendo that still stops me in my tracks. FabFour-tastic!
Youth And Young Manhood by Kings of Leon 2003 *** 05/12/2024
I was all prepared to hate this album, but then realised that for years I’d been mixing up the Kings of Leon with the Gipsy Kings, probably because of the long hair. Doh! Anyhoo, it turns out that this is quite acceptable indie rock with a bit of a garage rock vibe and the huge plus point that it’s an album from 2003 that crucially doesn’t sound like Coldplay. Highlight is Holy Roller Novocaine which has a lovely bouncy bass line. Not Coldplay-tastic!
All Hope Is Gone by Slipknot 2008 ** 06/12/2024
This was my first time listening to Slipknot - the whole masks, costumes and “look at me - I’m EDGY!” shtick is a bit off putting if you’re not in the target demographic. However, first impressions of this were promising - I enjoyed the distorted feedback and metal guitar work, but I still find screamed vocals hard to follow. The lyrical content is as expected with song titles like Snuff and Sulfur. They’re good at what they do but it’s not for me - sorry!
Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears 1985 *** 09/12/2024
This album is unmistakably from the mid 80s with that characteristic brittle production, booming drums and overly bright keyboard stabs thrown in at random intervals. I found that I preferred the quieter tracks to the better known stadium friendly anthems like Shout and Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Highlight was probably The Working Hour which opens like something off the Vangelis Blade Runner soundtrack. Note to self - not to be confused with Simple Minds
The Band by The Band 1969 **** 10/12/2024
Probably the most influential band with a generic name that defies search engine optimization. They’re probably best known for backing Bob Dylan when he made his seismic step to electric guitar, but this eponymous album is a fine example of how good they are when they take centre stage. It still sounds fresh today, drawing on an American tradition that stretches back over a hundred years.
The Genius Of Ray Charles by Ray Charles 1959 **** 11/12/2024
A perfect wake up call - big band jazz with a bluesy twist centered around the voice and piano of Ray Charles. He was just 25 years old when this was released and this was his seventh album in just two years. Side one is bright and brassy, and the flip side is laid back and cool. My highlight is the reflective Am I Blue.
Genius? Yes, I think so
In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra 1955 **** 12/12/2024
It’s interesting that this album popped up today - Tom Waits has said that this is one of his favourite albums, and the themes of loneliness and introspection on this are certainly familiar ones. The cover sets the noir mood and song titles like “Glad to be Unhappy” and “I Get Along Without You Very Well” you know that you are in for some soul searching. Nobody does this better than Frank and this is much better than the cheery Songs for Swingin’ Lovers.
Abbey Road by Beatles 1969 ***** 13/12/2024
This is the last album that the Beatles recorded together (although Let It Be was released after this). It’s as fine a coda to their career as you could wish for, although the tensions between them could be felt. Apparently John hated Paul’s “granny music”, Ringo had his moment with Octopus’s Garden and George had two of his best songs included. Side one closes with the relentless I Want You and side two with The End (and the cheeky Her Majesty). Sublime!
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins 1995 * 16/12/2024
Remember how I said that Smashing Pumpkins would be better if they focused on being a scrappy indie band? Anyhoo, turns out they went entirely the other way in 1995 and released an incredibly overblown and tedious two hour long concept album. The punning album title is irritating too. It also turns out that the lead singer is a long time anti-vaxxer and far right loon, so he can get in the bin as far as I’m concerned
Figure 8 by Elliott Smith 2000 *** 17/12/2024
What is it about slightly fae singer songwriters with a 60s vibe on this list? I really enjoyed this album from someone that I hadn’t previously heard of, then clicked through to Wikipedia to read more about them and found out that they had died tragically young in mysterious circumstances. Expect a lot of wistful songs about lost love and regrets here, and the second listen through was even more poignant in places. RIP Mr Smith.
Ragged Glory by Neil Young & Crazy Horse 1990 * 18/12/2024
You know that guy.
The middle aged dad who used to be in a pretty cool band when he was younger, then gave it up for a while. Now he’s got the dusty old guitar down from the loft and is determined to show these darn kids with their modern music what real rock ‘n’ roll is, with proper guitar solos that last 10 minutes and edgy swearing and everything. Oh yes, and he’s also somehow turned into a republican and is startlingly homophobic.
Yeah. Fuck that guy.
Oar by Alexander 'Skip' Spence 1969 ** 19/12/2024
This is a deeply weird album. I usually listen and then check the Wikipedia page, but in this case something made me look a couple of tracks in and the weirdness made sense. The usual sequence of events is to record a psychedelic folk rock album and then have a drug induced breakdown. Skip Spence attacked his former band mates with a fire axe after suffering severe delusions, spent six months in a secure institution and then recorded this when he got out.
Teenager Of The Year by Frank Black 1994 *** 20/12/2024
I was never really a Pixies fan, which is weird because they were theoretically right up my street back in the day. Anyhoo, for this album Black Francis became Frank Black and released this mish-mash of post punk, surf-guitar, garage and reggae infused songs. It clicked into place for me on the track Ole Mulholland where I realised that he was channelling the spirit of Lou Reed on a song about the LA water system of the 1920s. Infrastructure-tastic!
Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes 1969 **** 23/12/2024
I was initially surprised to see that this album had just four tracks, clocking in at 46 minutes in total. Turns out though that this is totally justified, with each song being an extended and languorous performance, with the opening track being a version of the David/Bacharach classic Walk on By that totally fills every second of its 12 minutes. Side 2 has the even more epic By The Time I Get To Phoenix which feels like a mini movie in song form. Superb.
A Night At The Opera by Queen 1975 ***** 24/12/2024
Bohemian Rhapsody is pretty much everyone’s number 1 song of all time. It’s a sign of just how good this album is, that it doesn’t overshadow the other tracks on here. As the title of the album suggests, this is a grand performance with flourishes, arias, jokes, nostalgia and plenty of hard rock. Some people might not like the 1920s style music hall tracks or Roger’s song about being in love with his car but they are essential parts of the tapestry. Superb!
Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors 2009 *** 25/12/2024
This initially washed over me, but I thought I’d give it another go and it’s definitely a grower. I do have a thing for lo-fi indie beats with slightly fae vocals, and one of the singers reminded me of Lily Allen or someone in that sort of oeuvre. The standout highlight track for me was Two Doves which had some gorgeous strings and minimal guitar. This isn’t going to set the world on fire, but it might spark an ember somewhere with someone who enjoys it.
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector by Various Artists 1963 *** 26/12/2024
Ok, let’s address the festive elephant in the room. We all know that the producer of this record is very much on the naughty list but on the plus side his nuts are now definitely roasting on an open fire somewhere hot. Anyhoo, this album pretty much defined the canon of Christmas pop songs in the 60s. The highlights for me are the classic songs from the adorable Darlene Love who is still with us and will be getting royalties from this. Merry Christmas all!
Pyromania by Def Leppard 1983 ** 27/12/2024
I’m a little conflicted by this. On the one hand, they are a Sheffield band with a proper rags to riches story but on the other hand this is very much transitional album between their heavy roots and their monster pop metal sound of the late 80s. I was quite surprised by just how much they sounded like AC/DC in places here and there’s not much that really stands out, except for Die Hard the Hunter which includes air raid sirens, helicopters and gun sounds.
Oracular Spectacular by MGMT 2007 *** 30/12/2024
I would have sworn that I hadn’t heard anything by this band, but then the track Kids kicked in with an infectious beat and hooked me in. This has a fun, glam, 70s vibe, reminding me somewhat of Sparks in it’s variety although the vocalist is nowhere near a match for Russell Mael when he attempts a falsetto on Of Moons, Birds and Monsters. A promising debut album that has put them on my listening radar.
The Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd 1973 ***** 31/12/2024
I was a kid the local radio station would sometimes play classic rock albums in full late at night. I remember sitting out in the garden on a warm August evening watching for meteors and listening to this album for the first time. It still has the power to send shivers up my spine even after 40 years and countless listens. It’s nice to see that Clare Torry finally gets a writing credit for Great Gig in the Sky - her voice is the highlight of this!
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