551. Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms

Release Date: 1985
Label: Vertigo

It's looking very likely that Dire Straits are going to be another band who I just don't get. I'll admit to a passing interest in 'Mone For Nothing' and 'Walk of Life' - especially the latter - but two songs do not a good album make.

Rating: 4/10

517. Def Leppard - Pyromania

Release Date: 1983
Label: Vertigo

They loved hard rock/heavy metal in the early 80s. It's sometimes difficult to keep up with the sheer volume. This firecracker of an album is Def Leppard's (they were never good at spelling) third studio album and isn't as good at Iron Maiden.

Rating: 5/10

483. Soft Cell - Non-Stop Exotic Cabaret

Release Date: 1981
Label: Vertigo

Seedy and sleazy. Known mainly for their cover of 'Tainted Love' - which has now become the definitive version, Soft Cell can not have existed at any other time than the 1980s. NSEC is their debut album and worth a listen or two.

Rating: 8/10

419. Dire Straits - Dire Straits

Release Date: 1978
Label: Vertigo

Did you know there is a Dire Straits tribute band from Chesterfield called Dire Bolical? Anyway the orginals are such an uncool band that even uncool people think they're uncool. In a way, I suppose that makes them cool. Formed in London via Newcastle and Leicester, their self-titled album - the one we're reviewing - is a promising debut, but one that ultimately falls short of essential.


Rating: 7/10

412. Thin Lizzy - Live and Dangerous

Release Date: 1978
Label: Vertigo

There is something about this album which makes it seem a lot shorter than it really is. Perhaps it's because I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, having previously though 'live' albums pointless. The hit songs are all there - Jailbreak, Dancing in the Moonlight and of course The Boys are Back In Town. Finally, there is a certain guitar sound which the band should trademark and it is identifiable throughout the album.

Rating: 7/10

296. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Next

Release Date: 1973
Label: Vertigo

Possible one of the worst albums I've heard recently. I'm sure it was good in its time, but it now sounds incredibly dated. There is nothing sensational about it at all.

Rating: 3/10

244. Black Sabbath - Volume 4

 

Release Date: 1972
Label: Vertigo

It seems that, in their forty-year career, Black Sabbath only released three albums that are worth listening to, and only one of those (Paranoid) is essential. Their debut was on the list because of its importance to Heavy Metal and this album isn't particularly enthused about either.

As always, the lyrics are woeful, but whereas the music made up for the other two albums, unfortunately it isn't that good on here.

Rating: 4/10
Favourite Track: Snowblind

195. Rod Stewart - Gasoline Alley

Release Date: 1970
Label: Vertigo

No matter how good an album may be, if it features Rod Stewart singing, it's not going to be as good as it could've been. His voice, beloved by so many housewives, is husky and horrible. This record isn't terrible, but it's ultimately a bit of a damp squib.

Rating: 6/10
Favourite Track: Lady Day

185. Black Sabbath - Paranoid

Release Date: 1970
Label: Vertigo

The second album from the founders of Heavy Metal follows closely on the heels of the first. I suggested there was room for improvement after the first album and this satantic offering fulfilled my theory, especially the first side which features a number of the band's signature songs - War Pigs, Iron Man - and a rather lovely, unexpected song called 'Planet Caravan'.

Rating: 8/10
Favourite Track: Iron Man