769. Soundgarden - Superunknown

Release Date: 1994
Label: A&M

I liked this album, I just didn't want it to be 70 minutes long. Sometimes, shorter is better - (not) like this review.

Rating: 7/10

747. Sheryl Crow - Tuesday Night Music Club

Release Date: 1993
Label: A&M

I enjoyed this album, more than I probably should.

Rating: 7/10

661. Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation

Release Date: 1989
Label: A&M

In the 1980s, the Jacksons were the most famous family in the US since the Kennedys in the 1960s. In the 1990s it was The Simpsons by the way. There were elements through this album which reminded me of a song from the 90s, but I can't remember the name of that song.

Rating: 6/10

555. Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega

Release Date: 1985
Label: A&M

Rating: 8/10

529. The Police - Synchronicity

Release Date 1983
Label: A&M

I've never understood why the Police are rated so highly, and one again this album has done nothing to change my opinion.

Rating: 4/10

433. The Police - Reggatta de Blanc

Release Date: 1979
Label: A&M

I've never understood The Police's popularity and I never will. They released a handful of good singles but everything else sounds dull.

Rating: 4/10

368. Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive

Release Date: 1976
Label: A&M

A smash-hit when it was released over forty years ago, this album is largely ridiculed or ignored these days. Certainly it is a too long, rather cheesy and lacking any spirit to make it worth more than a cursory listen; but it isn't terrible.

Rating: 6/10

359. Joan Armatrading - Joan Armatrading

Release Date: 1976
Label: A&M

This was another good album, and one that I'm likely to add to my collection. On the surface it is a standard singer/songwriter affair, but it is recorded in a way that enhances Armatrading's strengths. There are a number of fine songs throughout, in particular 'Love and Affection', 'People' and 'Tall in the Saddle' stood out for me.

Rating: 9/10

314. Supertramp - Crime of the Century

Release Date: 1974
Label: A&M

I don't know why, but I'm surprised this was the only Supertramp in the book - and apparently it's not even their best album. 'Best' is subjective though of course. So, as far as this one is concerned, I quite enjoyed it. I didn't enjoy being stuck in traffic while I listened to it however, and maybe feel as though I should give it another go.

Update: I gave it another go, and I didn't enjoy it as much second time around, so I'm deducting one point.

Rating: 6/10

236. Gene Clark - White Light

Release Date: 1971
Label: A&M

Gene Clark was the original vocalist for The Byrds, leaving after the release of their second album before they went country. This is his second solo album - released four years after the first - and is your standard singer/songwriter fare. It has everything you'd expect- acoustic guitars, harmonicas, nice tunes etc - but nothing to set it apart from the rest of the pack.

Rating: 6/10
Favourite Track: Where My Love Lies Asleep

181. The Carpenters - Close To You

Release Date: 1970
Label: A&M

Karen Carpenter had one of the sweetest vocals in pop. She also possesed one of the least-cool names in pop. She sounds like she should be the Head of HR for a pharmecuetical company. Anyway, I will confess to enjoying what I have heard of The Carpenters - Close To You, Rainy Days and Mondays, We've Only Just Begun etc are all great songs, even if they are saccharine. Unfortunately, I found this album a little too vanilla, which is a shame because I had high hopes for it.

Rating: 5/10
Favourite Track: Close To You

141. Flying Burrito Brothers - The Gilded Palace of Sin

Release Date: 1969
Label: A&M

This is better. Following on from the disappointing BS&T, we have the Flying Dorito Brothers. Like The Byrd latter albums - of which there are two here - this has a country flavour liberally sprinkled across the record. And I really liked it for the first ten songs. Then Hippie Boy popped up and it went a bit odd.

Rating: 8/10
Favourite Track: Dark End of the Street