It's not that I don't like Morrissey's solo albums, it's just that they're irrelevant next to The Smiths. There not as intersting lyrically or musically.
Pet Shop Boys succesfully marry the great combination of fantastic lyrics and fantastic melodies.If I didn't already own a PSB compilation I'd buy this.
This is an album I already own. Surprisingly it is the first Parlophone album on the list since The Beatles' Abbey Road from 1969. Clearly the 70s weren't a good year for EMI's most famous label. By the way, you wont find anything like 'Come on Eileen' on this.
Unless they've included 'Let it Be', which I doubt they have, this is the last Fab Four album I have to listen to before I go the same way as the Norwegian Blue. Luckily for me, it is a fantastic album so I am not at all upset. Yes it has Maxwells Silver Hammer (but that's not terrible) and it has Mean Mr Mustard and Polythene Pam, and Her Majesty but it also has Come Together, Something, I Want You Because, You Never Give Me Your Money etc etc . The album works so well as a whole. Sometimes I think this may be my favourite Beatles album
Rating: 10/10
Favourite Track: You Never Give Me Your Money
Can it really be four months since I listened to The Beatles? Of course not, I listened to 'With the Beatles' on my iPod the other week. Once again, I have no need to listen to this album for obvious reasons. I've heard it plenty enough times already.
A largely forgotten 'classic', The Beatles tribute to Sgt. James Pepper of the 14th Albion Regiment is a remarkable piece of work - combining everything from brass bands, Indian instruments, hard rock, psychedelia and references to the 1946 General Election manifestos (Getting Better). Paul McCartney is at his peak on this album, both with his songwriting and his bass playing.
The start of the Beatles holy trinity, this album goes a long way to showing why The Beatles are loved, not only by their fans, but by music critics and all. Imagine a band like McFly suddenly producing something that Radiohead were capable of, and you'll understand how innovative the Beatles were at their peak. The album is packed full of brilliant tracks, and musical perfection.
Chaaaaaaaaaaang!!!!! Whenever nobody asks me to choose my favourite Beatles album from their early days (i.e. the days where moptops overruled the moustaches) I always pick 'A Hard Day's Night'. It's their first made up entirely of originals, and if anything it proves how much better they were at songwriting than any of their contemporaries. Every song on here packs at punch, with the first knock-out blow of the title tracks opening chord (probably the most discussed chord in popular music!) to the resigned farewell of 'I'll Be Back', this album has me falling in love with The Beatles again and again.
The first album on the list that I've actually owned prior to beginning this project, and one I'm rather familiar with. Therefore I see no point in listening to it again just to review it. Out of the 'early' Beatles albums (say everything up to Help) this sits comfortably in the middle. There are some great tracks on this album - 'All My Loving', 'You Really Got a Hold On Me', 'All I've Gotta Do', but also a couple of duds. So great, but not perfect.
Overall: 8/10
Favourite Track: You Really Got A Hold On Me
There's a book you may or may not have heard of called '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'. Here is my attempt to do just that. Follow my progress from Frank Sinatra to Arcade Fire as I write my thoughts and feelings about each album.
All errors in this blog are mine, and mine only (unless they're not).