Today’s Albums – 1 to 100

The Beatles 1967 classic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Band’s 8th album, transformed standard pop tunes into art. Love Getting Better Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds and genius A Day in the Life  thebeatles.com

The Rolling Stones – Blue & Lonesome

The Stones started out playing the blues, and now their music has come full circle with the latest and who knows perhaps their last release, Blue & Lonesome. The album which covers some sweet old Chicago and Delta Mississippi tunes was recorded in three days and contains tracks originally by Howlin’ Wolf, Memphis Slim, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed and Willie Dixon to name a few. When I heard The Stones had a new album coming out, I was relieved to learn it was of covers as I wonder how much more The Stones have to give creatively. As for performance, they’re definitely still on the money, with Keith Richards, Ronny Wood and a guest appearance from Eric Clapton having a jolly old time on guitar, but it was Jagger that impressed me both vocally and with harmonica.  rollingstones.com

Christine and the Queens – Chaleur Humaine

Another album that caught my attention this year was Chaleur Humaine. Ooh la la! French music, think of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin singing Je t’aime… moi non plus, the Little Sparrow Édith Piaf or the helmeted dance act Daft Punk, that’s about it right? Nope, what about Héloïse Letissier? Or Christine and the Queens as she is known, spawned from her time with London drag queens. In France she is well known, releasing a string of hit singles, but earlier this year a repackaged and re-recorded version of her album Chaleur Humaine was released. I was introduced to her on Later… with Jools Holland and needed to hear more. Her debut album Chaleur Humaine, French for Human Warmth contains a collection of electro pop numbers, with a glancing nod to Michael Jackson. The mix of French and English lyrics glide effortlessly over minimalist electronic beats fashioning a very enjoyable listen. Vive la France!  christineandthequeens.com

Car Seat Headrest – Teens of Denial

Another great album from earlier this year. Many artists would be immensely proud to have released twelve albums in a lifetime, what about by the tender age of 24? Will Toledo, the man behind Car Seat Headrest is a prolific talent. He originated from Virginia and now resides in Seattle, and released eleven homemade records on the Bandcamp website in just 4 years. Toledo’s first major release is Teens of Denial and with smart guitar-driven indie-rock takes the listener on a rock opera style journey through the trials and tribulations of an adolescence character named Joe. Teens of Denial is a grand, rich and ambitious beast, which will be welcome on the headphones of all that appreciate well written and powerful indie-rock.  carseatheadrest.com

David Bowie – Blackstar

We are heading into that time of the year, where ‘The best of…’ lists start appearing. So I thought I’d post a few of the great albums released earlier in 2016. It’s still hard to believe that David Bowie, the man that fell to earth, is no longer among us. When Bowie’s 25th and final album was released on 8th January 2016, his 69th birthday, I immediately listened and was honestly blown away. It was incredible that someone in their later years could remain so progressive musically. However, when news broke of his death, it was apparent Blackstar was his parting message and a farewell. I must have played the album’s most poignant track Lazarus everyday for a month, and three times today. I honestly believe it’s among his best work. Another genius has gone.  davidbowie.com

Bruno Mars – 24K Magic

I have to admit I’m out of touch with modern pop, but a few friends that enjoyed the music of Michael Jackson have turned their attention to the man originating from Hawaii, so I gave his new album a listen. 24K Magic is the third studio release from Mars, and with a running time of around 33 minutes is punchy and to the point. Uptown Funk it’s not, and I doubt 24K Magic will be remembered in the same vain as any of Jacko’s releases. However, that said there’s a fun 90’s R&B vibe evident throughout, and occasional great vocal performances by Mars, reminiscent of the king of pop. It’s perfectly fine, but I was just expecting to be blown away and cause me to bust some moves, but it didn’t.  brunomars.com

Sly and the Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On

On Sly and the Family Stone’s 1971 release There’s a Riot Goin’ On the happy-go-lucky pop is long gone, replaced with a deeply brooding, almost improvised sounding funk, and that’s funk in the loosest possible sense. By all accounts the band was going through a ‘difficult’ period, with Stone’s drug problem causing tension and further hindered as he was recording mostly solo in his Los Angeles home studio. Despite these issues, There’s a Riot Goin’ On is often cited by critics as the band’s finest moment. I’m unconvinced, further listens will be required, it’s definitely different to their other back catalogue, and a bit unstructured and demo-ish… like this sentence!  slystonemusic.com

Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan

The journey to winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016 began with the release of Dylan’s second album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan back in May 1963. Dylan won the award for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition. A summary that truly captures the essence of his second release Freewheelin’. Where his first album was mostly covers, the second contains eleven Dylan penned tracks, including the anthem of the 60’s, Blowin’ in the Wind. At the tender age of 22, Dylan observed what was happening to the world and wrote lyrics of civil rights, nuclear warfare paranoia and other profound political topics. Rolling Stone ranked the album at 97 in their Top 500 albums.  bobdylan.com

@todayzalbum is the rock opera Tommy by The Who. Released May 1969, it’s often titled world’s first concept album. Tommy sure played a mean pinball!   thewho.com

Peter Gabriel – So

So was Gabriel’s fifth solo album, released 30 years ago, and his biggest commercial success, also his first album not to be self-titled. Gabriel’s husky voice delivers a blend of catchy and heart-wrenching tracks, with help from artists such as Kate Bush on the haunting Don’t Give Up and Youssou N’Dour on In Your Eyes. Manu Katché, Stewart Copeland of The Police, P. P. Arnold, Jim Kerr of Simple Minds, Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Laurie Anderson also contribute vocally of instrumentally. Gabriel’s world music influences are evident in the rhythms and textures throughout, although not overpowering. So is the work of a master musician and an enjoyable listen three decades on.  petergabriel.com

Rival Consoles – Night Melody

I always find reviewing dance music troubling, whenever I attempt to articulate my feelings about electronic sounds it always comes across rather pretentious. So, I shall be blunt. I really enjoyed the latest release from London-based producer Ryan Lee West aka Rival Consoles. Night Melody is a mini-album where digital has been replaced by atmospheric analog, culminating in a set of tracks that are addictive, emotive and evocative. Oh, did I do it again? Sorry, just listen to the album, you won’t regret it.  rivalconsoles.net

Beck – Odelay

“Where it’s at! I got two turntables and a microphone.” Oh, yes Bek David Campbell as he was christened certainly has, he also released his second official album, Odelay,  two decades ago this year. From the unusual cover design featuring a rare Hungarian dog called a Komondor, to the clever use of samples throughout, it was apparent Beck was a smart cookie. It’s hard to pigeonhole Beck’s genre, as he skips between numerous styles, including funk, country, hip hop, blues, electro, garage rock and others, cue the clichéd phrases…a ‘melting pot’ or ‘mosaic’ of styles. The classic tracks Devils Haircut, The New Pollution and the catchy Where It’s At still sounds great two decades on, and worthy of a place in the Rolling Stone Top 500 albums, at 306.  beck.com

Marlon Williams – Marlon Williams

I first saw Marlon Williams on Later… with Jools Holland this year, and pondered about the young man’s heritage. Surely he hailed from a long line of wandering eastern European travellers, belting out intense folk songs to all they passed. I couldn’t have been more wrong, Williams born of Ngāi Tahu descent, a New Zealand Maori tribe, and studied choral music before collaborating with fellow students and his science teacher to form a band. His sound combines alternative country, soul, folk with blues, and comparisons have been made with Roy Orbison, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and even Elvis. Poweful stuff.  marlonwilliams.co.nz

Miles Davis – Bitches Brew

I’ve listened to Davis’s 1970 experimental double album, Bitches Brew, many times over the years, and every time I have the same feeling. I know it’s great, but I just can’t get into it. I’m hoping one day it will be like tasting olives, you resist for many years then suddenly your taste buds except the flavour and become a fan. Incidentally I still don’t like olives. The album discards typical jazz rhythms in favour of a loose improvisational style, enlisting the talents of jazz greats including pianist Chick Corea, guitarist John McLaughlin and saxophonist Wayne Shorter. One day I can see myself loving Bitches Brew, but not yet, and as for olives? Nah!  Rolling Stone ranked it at 95 in their top 500 albums. milesdavis.com

KISS – Destroyer

KISS are known for their incredible live shows featuring black and white face paint, on-stage pyrotechnics, Lycra suits and of course Gene Simmons tongue. Destroyer is the fourth studio album by the rock band from New York City, released forty years ago and was ranked at 489 by Rolling Stone in their top 500 albums. The band enlisted the services of Alice Cooper’s producer Bob Ezrin to maintain continued commercial success. The result was an album of polished production, sound effects, sing-along anthems and even collaboration with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Is Destroyer enjoyable? It’s KISS, one of the world’s biggest selling bands of all time; enjoy it for what it is especially the track Do You Love Me? kissonline.com

Brent Cobb – Shine On Rainy Day

The story of Brent Cobb is a familiar tale, a singer-songwriter moving to Nashville in hope of hitting the country music big-time, having some of his songs recorded by other artists then finally being noticed as a performer in his own right. Brent had some help along the way from his successful producer cousin, Dave Cobb, who produced his debut Shine On Rainy Day. The songs of small-town life and his longing for home in South Georgia are infectious, and sounds like an album recorded many decades ago. My stand-out tracks are Maybe Traveling Poor Boy and Black Crow. brentcobbmusic.com

Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Reginald Dwight’s 7th studio album, released in 1973, is a monster. The double album has sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide and contains some of his best loved classics, such as Candle in the Wind, Bennie and the Jets, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting. For me, the album could lose the eight-minute instrumental prologue, as well as a few numbers including the intolerable Jamaica Jerk Off, and would be better placed as a single album. However, when it’s good, it’s great, with elaborate production, over-the-top glam and pop, and rightly deserves a place in the top 100 of Rolling Stone’s Top 500 albums, at 91. eltonjohn.com

A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service

I was as surprised as many when the 90’s hip-hop crew A Tribe Called Quest dropped a new album, 18 years after their last ‘final’ release. I knew member Phife Dawg passed earlier this year, but wasn’t expecting a sixth album. I was hesitant to listen, given the passing of so many years, how good could it be? In summary, pretty darn good. An array of guest artists has helped them out, including Elton John, Kanye West, Jack White and André 3000. We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service is definitely worth your time, a fitting tribute to Phife Dawg. atribecalledquest.com

Massive Attack – Blue Lines

The debut album, released twenty-five years ago, by the Bristol collective Massive Attack was a landmark genre defining album. Blue Lines is widely considered to be the first trip hop album, although the term was not coined for another few years. The sound was unlike anything else heard in the early 1990’s, a fusion of dub, rap, sampling and soul, with a slow ponderous tempo. The album took several years to be truly appreciated, as the music industry were coming to terms with the new sound of interchanging vocals, including Horace Andy for the reggae, Shara Nelson for the soul and Tricky Kid for the rap. The magnificent Unfinished Sympathy is the album’s pinnacle and helped place the album at 397 in the Rolling Stone’s Top 500 albums. massiveattack.co.uk

In 1975 country singer Willie Nelson already loved the track Red Headed Stranger, and decided to turn the song into an album of dark tales. The basic premise is of a man who murders his wife and her lover, before going on the run. Red Headed Stranger catapulted Nelson to country stardom. willienelson.com

Metallica – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct

It’s been 8 years since the Californian heavy metal band Metallica released a new studio album, but last week their 10th album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct dropped. The band may be in their 50’s now, but they have rekindled their youthful intensity on Hardwired. Almost entirely written by singer-guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, it’s heavy, full of tempo changes and standard Metallica riffs. For me the standout tracks are the opener Hardwired, Atlas, Rise! and the final Spit Out the Bone. Epic stuff! metallica.com

79. 23/11/2016

Various – Power to the People!

I rarely feature compilation albums, however when I heard Power to the People! mentioned on the Vinyl Me Please podcast I had to give it a listen, and was pleasantly surprised. Who knew Zimbabwe had a rock and funk scene, especially amidst a cascading civil war? The album contains tracks from bands such as Wells Fargo, Gypsy Caravan and Eye Q expressing their nation’s freedom through the power of song. Power to the People! is a cracking listen through a much unknown period of African history. Play it loud!

78. 22/11/2016

Metallica – Master of Puppets

The third studio album from the ‘thrash metal’ band Metallica was placed 167 in Rolling Stone’s Top 500. The album, recorded in drummer Lars Ulrich’s native Denmark, was the first of an eight album deal on Elektra Records. Every track is an epic, full of aggressive riffs, hard rock and angry storytelling, all perfectly produced to create one of the finest metal albums of all time. The longevity of Master of Puppets is a poignant legacy 30 years on for bassist Cliff Burton, who died during the promotional tour in Sweden, killed instantly in a bus crash. metallica.com

77. 21/11/2016

Shooter Jennings – Countach (For Giorgio)

…and the winner of the most bizarre album of 2016 goes to…Shooter Jennings. Countach (For Giorgio) is what happens when an American country artist has an unhealthy obsession for 80’s electronic music, in particular Giorgio Moroder, hence the name. A friend of mine, many months ago recommended I listen to the album, but at the time I it didn’t do much for me. But I gave Countach another chance, what was I thinking? How could I not love such a peculiar electro-country album, featuring Marilyn Manson and the track The NeverEnding Story, yes the one from the film! shooterjennings.com

76. 20/11/2016

Frank Sinatra – Songs for Swingin’ Lovers!

Can you name the very first number one album on the UK album chart? You don’t need to be a genius to work it out. It is sixty years this year since Ol’ Blue Eyes released Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! an album of swing standards. Sinatra’s 10th album contains orchestra and arrangements led by the talented Nelson Riddle, who he formed a formidable partnership producing great performances. Although the title has different connotations in modern day, back in 1956 swing was all about exuberance steered by the emphasis on the off–beat, and Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! has that by the bucket load. Rolling Stone rank the album at 308 in their Top 500. sinatra.com

75. 19/11/2016

Today the wonderful soul singer Sharon Jones (& The Dap-Kings) lost her fight with cancer. 100 Days, 100 Nights was their 3^rd studio album and was recorded using a completely analogue system at the Daptone Records studios. The opening title track is simply divine. Farewell Ms Jones. sharonjonesandthedapkings.com

74. 18/11/2016

David Bowie – Station To Station

It’s still hard to believe that David Bowie is no longer with us. 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the Thin White Duke’s tenth studio album, Station to Station. The album was recorded while Bowie was allegedly subsisting on a diet of peppers, milk and a frenzied cocaine habit, and apparently remembers nothing of the production. He was also under the influence of German electronic synthesizer music, such as Kraftwerk and Neu! inspiring him to create, arguably his most experimental album. Rolling Stone ranked STS at 324 in their Top 500 albums. davidbowie.com

73. 17/11/2016

Fugees – The Score

“Fu-Gee-La” Twenty years ago this year Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras, known as the Fugees, released their global smash hit album The Score. The album propelled the hip hop trio into the limelight, following the minimal commercial success with their previous album Blunted on Reality. The Score was the Fugees final collective release, before deciding to focus on solo projects. Is the album still worth a listen today? Oh absolutely, at least “One time!” The Score also featured at 469 in the Rolling Stone Top 500 albums.

72. 16/11/2016

Ramones – Ramones

“Hey ho, let’s go!” When a band from New York City released their debut album forty years ago this year, rock and roll music changed forever. The Ramones eponymous debut is perhaps one of the most influential albums ever made, and is often cited as the beginning of the punk movement. The simple set up of guitar, bass, drums and vocals delivered fourteen punchy numbers, with the longest at a little over two-and-a-half minutes, all recorded in seven days for the princely sum of $6,400. The album is a minimalist masterpiece and one of the classics! Rolling Stone ranked the album at 33 in their Top 500. ramones.com

Aerosmith – Rocks

The bad boys from Boston had already made three albums prior to their 1976 release Rocks, which celebrates a 40th anniversary in 2016. The band’s blues-based hard rock sound was turned up to eleven on Rocks, arguably their rawest rocking album in their back catalogue. At the time of recording, Steve Tyler and the boys were riding high on previous success and enjoying the rock star indulgences on offer. However, the sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll didn’t hamper their creative progress, with Rocks featuring among many critics, peers and fans favourite Aerosmith releases. Rolling Stone ranked Rocks at 176 in their Top 500 album list. aerosmith.com

Bob Dylan – Desire

It’s 40 years ago since Bob Dylan released his 17th studio album, the critically acclaimed Desire. The album features a number of lengthy affairs, including two epics each running over 11 minutes. In true Dylan tradition, each song has a story to tell, from the opening track Hurricane, accounting the story of the wrongly convicted murderer boxer Rubin Carter, to the finale, Sara, a tribute to his wife that divorced him the following year. During rehearsals and recording Dylan collaborated with Eric Clapton and Emmylou Harris, although Clapton didn’t make the final cut, a testament to the albums quality, one of Dylan’s finest. Rolling Stone ranked Desire at number 174 in their Top 500 Albums. bobdylan.com

Queen – A Night at the Opera

The fourth studio album, released November 1975, by Freddie Mercury and the gang, was at the time the most expensive album ever recorded. The record is a blend of contrast, with progressive rock to a cockney knees-up, but is dominated by the presence of that song, Bohemian Rhapsody. I believe having one of the most famous tracks of all-time on the album somewhat detracts from the rest of the album. Of course Bohemian Rhapsody is amazing, but the ballad Love of My Life is also masterpiece, and was written for Mercury’s girlfriend at the time! Rolling Stone ranked the album at 231 in their Top 500. queenonline.com

Leonard Cohen – You Want it Darker

I was planning on making Cohen’s latest release, You Want it Darker, today’s album before the news of the legendary songwriters death broke yesterday. I don’t want to use this as a eulogy for the great man, but as a celebration of the superb new album. Over the years Cohen’s voice has deepened to a point that playing his music too loud could cause earthquakes somewhere around the globe. It’s worth the risk, play it loud especially the opening title track. Farewell Leonard and thank you. leonardcohen.com

Pretenders – Alone

The Pretenders are back, well Chrissie Hynde is with the help of Black Keys main man Dan Auerbach pulling the strings. Don’t get me wrong (sorry!) I love Chrissie Hynde, but is this really a Pretenders album, with only one original member, and the occasional drummer? Nevertheless, it’s good, darn good and the critics agree. The pair from Ohio worked well together, and released a more polished production, thanks to Auerbach, than we are normally accustomed to from Hynde. Great listen! thepretenders.com

Tracy Chapman – Tracy Chapman

The eponymous debut album from Tracy Chapman almost didn’t happen due to reticence from record companies and producers. Thankfully Chapman did make it to the recording studio and the album was finally released in April 1988. Talkin’ Bout a Revolution and Fast Car are the stand out tracks and helped place the album at 263 in the Rolling Stone Top 500 albums. “Don’t you know, you better run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run..” tracychapman.com

Depeche Mode – Violator

The boys from Basildon hit the big time with their 1990 release, Violator. The album contains some of their best known tracks, including Personal Jesus, Policy of Truth and the timeless Enjoy the Silence. Rolling Stone ranked Violator at 342 in their Top 500 album list, despite originally giving the album a paltry 2.5 out of 5 rating, shame on them. The reviewer also said of David Gahan “he sometimes comes off as slimy and self-involved,” harsh words, but that’s when he is at his best. depechemode.com

No.64. 8/11/2016

A heart-wrenching @todaysalbum. The Long Goodbye is debut solo by former #civilwars singer-guitarist @johnpaulwhite. Clever chord progressions! johnpaulwhite.com

Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley

Uh huh! Elvis Aaron Presley, born in Tupelo, Mississippi executed his sexually provocative swinging hips and became the face of rock and roll. The release of his eponymous debut studio album was actually a bit of a punt by RCA, as there was no guarantee the album would sell. Elvis had sold singles but would his fans buy a whole album? The album complete with covers of Ray Charles, Little Richard and Carl Perkins made Elvis a superstar, and became the first rock and roll million-selling album to top the charts. Rolling Stone ranked the album at 56 in their Top 500 albums. elvis.com

John K. Samson – Winter Wheat

Samson hails from Winnipeg, Canada, and is the front man of the Canadian indie rock act The Weakerthans. The 2016 album Winter Wheat is Samson’s third solo release, and for anyone listening for the first time, you will notice his incredible use of lyrics. His word play talents have even been studied by English Literature undergraduates. The very catchy second track Postdoc Blues is my stand-out track on the album. johnksamson.com

The Texan trio ZZ Top hit the bigtime in 1983, with Eliminator. Includes Gimme All Your Lovin, Legs, Got Me Under Pressure and Sharp Dressed Man. zztop.com

George Harrison – All Things Must Pass

Lennon and McCartney always took the plaudits when The Beatles were concerned, but I’ve always believed George Harrison was massively underrated. All Things Must Pass was his first solo album following the band’s split, released November 1970, and is a masterpiece. The tracks My Sweet Lord, What Is Life and Isn’t It a Pity are sublime, culminating in a very spiritual album by the quiet Beatle. Rolling Stone rank All Things Must Pass at 433 in their Top 500 albums. georgeharrison.com

Empire of the Sun – Two Vines

The Australian electronic music duo Empire of the Sun recently performed on Later with Jools Holland. Their performance was a colourful affair complete with latex costumes and over-the-top plant displays. The craziness sums up the band’s latest album, released last week, which is a strange pickle of an album, yet deeply addictive. The tracks High and Low and the title track Two Vines are for me the highlights, and it’s nice to see a guest appearance by Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac. empireofthesun.com

The Lemon Twigs – Do Hollywood

Don’t you just love it when you come across youngsters with more talent than most people will have in a lifetime? The two teenage former child actors from Long Island, known as The Lemon Twigs are two such fellows. Their 2016 debut album Do Hollywood has been described as a lost Todd Rundgren album, but there is also more than a nod to that rather well known quartet from Liverpool. Fantastic stuff! thelemontwigs.com

The 1977 debut Talking Heads LP 77 failed to capture the public’s imagination. Over the years David Byrne’s unique cries and catchy tunes, especially the superb Psycho Killer, has increased 77’s stock to a ‘classic’ album.

Teleman – Brilliant Sanity

I hadn’t heard of Teleman prior to seeing the band recently on Later With Jools Holland. It may be a clumsy analogy, but the English indie-pop act, to me, sound like a cross between A-ha and Franz Ferdinand. The quartet’s second album, released this year, is packed of catchy indie riffs and hooks. Standout tracks for me are Düsseldorf, Tangerine and Fall In Time. Definitely worth a listen! telemanmusic.com

Muddy Waters – The Folk Singer

The Folk Singer was the 4th studio album from the father of modern Chicago blues, Muddy Waters. The album is Waters’s only all-acoustic ‘un-plugged’ album, and a record I’d never listened to prior to today. The recording quality is exceptional and feels like the legendary bluesman is in the room with you. Rolling Stone ranked The Folk Singer at number 282 in their top 500 albums.

The Meters – Look-Ka Py Py

The Meters are an American funk band from New Orleans, which played under the direction of Mr Louisiana himself, Allen Toussaint. Look-Ka Py Py was the band’s second album, released at the end of 1969 and contains some absolute belters, including the opening title track. The album made number 220 in Rolling Stone’s Top 500, and has been sampled by many artists including Nas and the mighty N.W.A. funkymeters.com

Jagwar Ma – Every Now & Then

The Australian trip Jagwar Ma seem to be a band of modern day wandering minstrels, performing their retro late-80’s/mid-90’s indie-dance tunes, between homes in London, Sydney and even the outback…of France. Every Now & Then is the band’s second album release and reminded me of 90’s Primal Scream. Love the single O B 1, tune! jagwarma.com

Run–D.M.C. – Raising Hell

“Now Peter Piper picked peppers but Run rocked rhymes…” Oh my! Run–D.M.C.’s third studio album Raising Hell reached the grand old age of thirty earlier this year. There was only one rap act invited to the legendary Live Aid stage in 1985, and that was Run–D.M.C. I was fortunate to have seen Run–D.M.C. at the Reading Festival back in 2001, where I experienced some of these tracks performed live. It could be the greatest hip-hop album of all-time! rundmc.com

Kings of Leon – WALLS

I don’t think the Followill family from Nashville will ever return to the rough energetic music that lured me to the New Bands Tent at Glastonbury 2003 to witness their first UK performance. However, the critics are praising WALLS, which was released last week. It’s their best work in years, and I always look forward to hearing Caleb’s voice. kingsofleon.com

Dead or Alive – Youthquake

Following the death of Dead or Alive’s front man, Pete Burns (57), yesterday I thought I’d revisit their commercial breakthrough album Youthquake. The album was released in May 1985 and produced by Stock Aitken and Waterman, but don’t let that put you off. The famous track, You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) is the stand-out, but Lover Come Back To Me and In Too Deep are worth checking out. Classic 80’s! deadoralive.net

Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run

It’s time for the first appearance of The Boss on todaysalbum.com. Springsteen’s third studio album, Born to Run, was released in August 1975 and gave the man from New Jersey the commercial success he yearned. The tracks Thunder Road and Jungleland, as well as the title track have become live show favourites. Born to Run was ranked number 18 in the Rolling Stone Top 500 albums. It’s classic Springsteen. brucespringsteen.net

Bob Weir – Blue Mountain

A picture is worth a thousand words. The haggard portrait of Bob Wier on the cover of his latest solo album, Blue Mountain suggests he has lived an eventful life, which he certainly has! The album was allegedly inspired by his time working as a ranch hand in Wyoming when he was fifteen, a long way from becoming a founding member of the Grateful Dead. Blue Mountain is an album of atmospheric moving country music, and I loved it! bobweir.net

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced

Are You Experienced has to be one of the greatest debut albums ever! Rolling Stone ranked it number 15 in their greatest 500 album list. The guitar god recorded the album in London and released Are You Experienced in May 1967, with differing track listings in the UK and US. Every track is superb, but when combining both releases you get Foxy Lady, Purple Haze, Hey Joe and The Wind Cries Mary all in one, basically a greatest hits! jimihendrix.com

“I want my MTV.” The 5th studio album by Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms was released a couple of months before Live Aid in May 1985. The tracks Money for Nothing, Walk of Life and The Man’s Too Strong are my highlights.

Two Door Cinema Club – Gameshow

The Irish indie-rock band Two Door Cinema Club released their third studio album last week. I’m not familiar with their previous work, so can’t compare. However, I found Gameshow an enjoyable listen but nothing special. There are many bands offering this indie-radio-pop music at present, and to be brutally honest, to me they are all much of a muchness. twodoorcinemaclub.com

The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street

The Stone’s 1972 double album Exile on Main Street is widely regarded as their finest moment, and breaks into the Top 10 of Rolling Stone Magazine Top 500 Albums (at 7). I love Exile, as it doesn’t contain any ‘monster’ Stone’s hits, but every track is on the money. I’m also always drawn to the cover, especially “Three Ball Charlie” he’s easy to spot! rollingstones.com

Bob Dylan – Blonde on Blonde

Mr Zimmerman had already released two of great albums, Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61 Revisited before completing his electric rock trilogy with the mind-blowing Blonde on Blonde. The album is a combination of Dylan’s witty yet poetic lyrics and amalgamation of folk, rock and blues and has been revered over many years. What’s the acronym of Blonde on Blonde? BOB, well what do you know? bobdylan.com

Tom Chaplin – The Wave

The former Keane frontman, now going solo released his debut album last week. It’s been well documented Chaplin’s addiction struggles, and has also had to overcome yet another hurdle, writing his own material. The Wave is basically Keane-light, but is an enjoyable listen and clearly a deeply personal album. tomchaplinmusic.com

Love – Forever Changes

1967 was known for the summer of love, and shortly after LA psychedelic rock act Love released their third studio album, Forever Changes. Unfortunately the album was not an immediate commercial success, but found ‘love’ many years later. The album is now often cited as the finest psychedelic album of all time. Forever Changes made number 40 in the Rolling Stone Top 500 albums. lovearthurlee.com

The Mystery Lights – The Mystery Lights

I do love modern day interpretations of old music. The Mystery Lights, from New York, are a five piece psychedelic garage rock band, and their debut album released in June this year is full on distortion and a homage to the sounds of the late 60’s. Comparisons aside, the album rocks and sounds great, give it a whirl! mysterylightsband.com

St. Paul & the Broken Bones – Sea of Noise

It’s been two years since Paul Janeway and the boys from Alabama released their debut album, Half the City. They are back with a new album, Sea of Noise, continuing their old school soul revival, showcasing Janeway’s incredible voice, akin to the late great Wilson Pickett. Sea of Noise is a solid follow-up to the debut, and great to hear soul backed by a top notch brass section. stpaulandthebrokenbones.com

Here is a picture from the St. Paul & the Broken Bones gig in June this year. What a voice!

The Strokes – Is This It

One of the shortest albums featured so far. The hype around the release of Is This It by the indie-rock band from New York was palpable. Back in 2001 The Strokes offered a refreshing change from the Britpop phenomena, with their stripped down NYC rock. Love the tracks Someday and Last Nite. The album just made it inside the top 200, at 199, in the Rolling Stone’s Top 500. thestrokes.com

Blondie – Parallel Lines

The opening bars of Heart a Glass still sends a shiver down my spine, nearly 40 years after I first heard it. The song is the standout track on Blondie’s third studio album, released in 1978, Parallel Lines. The perfect combination of Debbie Harry’s vocals and punk-rock tracks helped catapult the album and the band into the limelight. The album made number 140 on Rolling Stone’s Top 500. blondie.net

1977 was all about disco, and when Saturday Night Fever, starring John Travolta took the silver screen by storm, it was no surprise the soundtrack featuring the Bee Gees became a mega hit. The album features the crackers Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive and Jive Talkin’. Listen and boogie! beegees.com

Billy Joel’s sixth studio album 52nd Street, released in 1978, was named after the road famed as New York City’s jazz centre, and contains the tracks My Life, Big Shot and Honesty. billyjoel.com

Bon Iver – 22, A Million

The latest offering 22, A Million, released last week, from singer-songwriter Justin Vernon’s band Bon Iver has been well received by critics. Apart from Skinny Love, which everyone loves, I’ve never really got the furor around the band from Wisconsin. The new album sounds a bit too James Blake for my liking, but does have its moments. For many people, this will be among their best albums of the year, but for me perhaps I need further listens. boniver.org

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain

Maggot Brain, released in 1971, was the third studio album by the George Clinton’s funk act Funkadelic. The opening title track is epic, weighing in at over 10 minutes, but contains one of the greatest guitar solos of all-time, played by Eddie Hazel. Apparently when recording Clinton, on LSD, told Hazel to imagine he had been told his mother was dead, but then learned that it was not true. The album achieved a lowly 479th position in Rolling Stone’s Top 500 album list, but deserves to be higher! georgeclinton.com

Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate

Tonight’s the night I see Michael Kiwanuka live, so had to give his latest offering another listen. The second release by Kiwanuka was nominated for this years Mercury Prize, and rightly so. I’ve already compared Kiwanuka to Marvin Gaye, and the latest album reminds me of Gaye’s album What’s Going On, a beautifully flowing soul album. The opening three tracks are worthy of the Mercury Prize alone…however, he was beaten by Skepta! michaelkiwanuka.com

Here’s a picture from the gig…

Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again

Tomorrow night I will have the pleasure of seeing the London soul artist Michael Kiwanuka for the first time at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London. Kiwanuka’s soft tones are akin to that of Bill Withers or Marvin Gaye, and convey that 70’s soul vibe made popular by these artists. The tracks Tell Me a Tale and Home Again are my stand out tracks. michaelkiwanuka.com

Slaves – Take Control

I’d heard the name before, although hadn’t heard the music from the Kent post-ironic punk duo until their performance on Later with Jools Holland last week. I was struck by Isaac Holman singing and playing stand up drums, delivering an energetic and powerful performance. Take Control, their second release, doesn’t have the impact as their live performance, but nevertheless it’s good to hear punk being made in 2016. youareallslaves.com

Frank Ocean – Blonde

When word got out that Christopher Edwin Breaux, the American idiosyncratic singer songwriter, and rapper, was about to drop a new album, Blonde became the most eagerly anticipated album of 2016. Despite a short delay, on release Ocean delivered with the hype and anticipation making an immersive, textured and emotional album. There are also guest vocals from Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and James Blake. frankocean.tumblr.com

Released in September 1969, Abbey Road by The Beatles has a sweet harmonious flow, and contains beautiful songs like Something, Here Comes the Sun and Oh! Darling. The album cover is probably one of the most famous rock images! thebeatles.com

Jean Michel Jarre – Oxygène

Tonight’s the night I see Jarre live at the O2 in London. I hope his indoor show will have the impact of the majestic outside performances. In preparation I’ve been listening to some of his classic albums, with Oxygène being one of them. Released in 1976, Oxygène was a hugely influential electronic album proclaiming Jarre as a synthesizer pioneer. It still stands the test of time. jeanmicheljarre.com

p.s A great show from a legendary musician.

The Clash – London Calling

The London punk rock band’s third album has one of the most iconic album covers of all-time. Ranked number 8 in Rolling Stone’s Top 500 albums, the 1979 record is variety of different music styles highlighting the band’s diversity. The title track is without doubt the most well known, but listen out for Jimmy Jazz and the wonderful Train in Vain. theclash.com

Bob Dylan – Blood on the Tracks

Dylan’s 15th studio album was released in January 1975. The album is a personal affair with much of the material written about his break up with his estranged wife Sara, and is regarded as one of his finest. Rolling Stone ranked Blood on the Tracks at number 16 in their Top 500 albums. The opening track Tangled up in Blue is for me the highlight. bobdylan.com

Nirvana – Nevermind

Nevermind was 25 years old last month! I have to admit, it’s been quite a few years since I listened the band’s biggest selling album, until now. I forgot how many great songs there are on Nevermind, starting with Smells Like Teen Spirit (an anthem of a generation), In Bloom, Come as You Are…to name the first three! Rolling Stone ranked it 17 in their Top 500. nirvana.com

Wilco – Schmilco

The American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois has been around for over 20 years, and often have been a baby of the music press. The latest offering from Jeff Tweedy and the boys is their tenth album and was described by The Guardian newspaper as concise, acoustic and grouchy. I couldn’t put it better myself. wilcoworld.net

The Velvet Underground & Nico – The Velvet Underground & Nico

The famous ‘banana’ album was released by Lou Reed, John Cale and the gang back in March 1967. The album was ranked in the unlucky number 13 position by Rolling Stone in their Top 500 list. Andy Warhol was the band’s mentor and manager, although had little interaction while recording. It contains the classics I’m Waiting for the Man, Venus in Furs and Sunday Morning. velvetundergroundmusic.com

The Smiths – The Queen is Dead

The Queen is Dead is The Smiths third studio album, released 30 years ago this year, and often cited by critics as their greatest album. Johnny Marr’s guitar work is sublime and Morrissey’s politically, witty and satirical lyrics are written and delivered by someone at the top of their game. The music crosses genres such as punk, pop and even a touch of rockabilly. The album only makes 218 in the Rolling Stone Top 500 album list. It should be higher! askmeaskmeaskme.com

RY X – Dawn

Dawn is the 2016 album by Australian singer-songwriter Ry Cuming, or RY X as he is known, and is undoubtedly my most played album of the year. His blend of atmospheric arrangements and heavenly vocals are haunting. He was originally inspired to create music after listening to Jeff Buckley’s album Grace. ry-x.com

The Beatles – Rubber Soul

In my humble opinion the Fab Four’s 1965 release Rubber Soul is their finest moment, in part because it pushed Brian Wilson into writing Pet Sounds. The Beatlemania pop record was replaced with a mellow and more considered approach to song writing, viewing the whole album as a piece of art, rather than a constant stream of hit singles. It contains the classics Norwegian Wood, Nowhere Man and In My Life. It makes number 5 in the Rolling Stone Top 500 albums. thebeatles.com

Jean Michel Jarre – Rendez-Vous

In preparation for Jarre’s O2 Arena performance next week I’ve listened to his fifth studio album Rendez-Vous. The album is mostly known for the last track, nicknamed Ron’s Piece as it was supposed to include astronaut Ron McNair playing a saxophone solo recorded on-board the Challenger Space Shuttle. However, the Shuttle tragically disintegrated on lift-off. jeanmicheljarre.com

John Paul White – Beulah

It’s four years since The Civil Wars, a Nashville based partnership of John Paul White and Joy Williams, publically imploded. Now going solo, White released a new album in August 2016 called Beulah, which is a sad and gloomy affair, yet a spellbinding listen. johnpaulwhite.com

The 1977 debut album Marquee Moon by New York’s Television is often cited as a defining album in the alternative rock genre. The band regularly performed at the legendary CBGB club in Lower Manhattan, with the 10 minute title track being one of the highlights.

Jean Michel Jarre’s Équinoxe, released in 1978, followed the hugely successful Oxygène, which was a hard act to follow. However, there are some great moments including the popular Équinoxe, Pt. 5. jeanmicheljarre.com

The 70’s was a decade of concept albums, mostly in the progressive rock genre, although soul legend Marvin Gaye hit the ball out the park with What’s Going On.

Following the passing of legendry ska and rocksteady artist Cecil Bustamente Campbell OD, better known as Prince Buster, let’s celebrate with his Fabulous Greatest Hits. Buster influenced many artists, such as Madness hence their own track The Prince. Listen out for track 10, Ten Commandments, very un-PC!

Kyle Craft’s debut Dolls of Highland, released in April 2016, is one of my top albums of the year. His voice, a blend of Bob Dylan and Brett Anderson of Suede rips through the speakers like a wailing banshee. It was recorded in his friend’s laundry room, epic stuff!

Trans-Europe Express is the 1976 album from the German electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk. The quartet’s 5th album saw a departure from Krautrock to greater manipulated electronics and vocals. kraftwerk.com

The latest Warpaint offering Heads Up, released this week, is the 3^rd album from the LA female quartet. The album is a sultry indie-pop affair. The track New Song, not the Howard Jones track, demands repeat plays. warpaintwarpaint.com

The first jazz outing on Today’s Album is possibly the best selling jazz album of all-time,  Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. Contains So What and features pianist Bill Evans, saxophonists John Coltrane, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Sublime! milesdavis.com

Primal Scream’s legendary Screamadelica is 25 years old today.  Bobby Gillespie and band were worthy winners of the 1st Mercury award, with their perfect indie/dance record. ‘Just what is it you want to do?’ primalscream.net

The Beatles 1966 album Revolver is a masterclass in song-writing despite featuring the Yellow Submarine (chortle!).  In my mind their 3^rd best album!  thebeatles.com

The latest Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds album Skeleton Tree is macabre and morose, but for good reason, following the death of his teenage son. A haunting masterpiece!  nickcave.com

The 3rd album in Bob Dylan’s famous trilogy Highway 61 Revisited is a monster. Opens with Like a Rolling Stone and doesn’t let up over all nine tracks. bobdylan.com

No.01 19/09/2016 – Starting with my favourite album of all-time, the 1966 album Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys.  Includes I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times, Caroline, No and the sumptuous God Only Knows.  A masterpiece!