TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 26, 2023 7:37:35 GMT 1
70 Belinda Carlisle - Live Your Life Be Free
After this album I pretty much lose track of her solo music, although we do have The Go Gos- reforming imminent. This was her fourth album and the title track is probably the best song although "Little Black Book" was the last solo music I bought by her, it was a 3 for 99p purchase mind you. Her star is fading in many parts of the world, I think they thought she was resting on her laurels a bit but it was still a big hit here where we still loved her and it reached #7. 3.5/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 25, 2023 7:57:49 GMT 1
71 The Candyskins - Space I'm In
This could have been all girls in this batch but a band break it up. The Candyskins are a rock band/Pre-Brit Pop band from Oxford. Very much nearly men of the Brit Pop scene, they released three very good albums in the 90s, we will see where the next two fall. This was their debut album and very much led by the single "Submarine Song" which was a rock chart hit in the US and the title track was an MTV favourite. They passed by pretty much unnoticed in the UK sadly. It is a pretty solid album but they will get better. 3.5/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 25, 2023 7:51:18 GMT 1
72 Zoƫ - Scarlet Red and Blue
This was an effort to review apart from the massive hit 'Sunshine on a Rainy Day', you try finding this record anywhere. I had to dig through all my vinyl to find it as it is not even on YouTube. She should have been a proper star but sometimes you just have one amazing song that makes the rest look weak. That single of course had been around for some time before it finally made the top 5. I am reading hear something I never knew she beat Seal, Cathy Dennis, Beverley Craven and others to Best Newcomer at The Brits in 1991 but her record company still never have her the support she needed. So many superb songs on this especially the first half of the record 'Lightning' especially. The record reached just '67 in the UK. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 25, 2023 7:44:04 GMT 1
73 Siouxsie & the Banshees - Superstition
Their 10th album and I must admit I really like 90s Siouxsie. Never heard this album before and it really could have gone either way, with the epic baggy influenced 'Kiss Them From Me'. It shouldn't work but it does. Produced by Stephen Hague of all people. So yes it is very pop conscience and even more of the fact it has to sound now, there are a couple of duffers but generally it works and there is enough classic Siouxsie to fend off the 'I don'ttt like change!' brigade. The record reached #25 in the UK and #65 in the US. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 25, 2023 7:37:23 GMT 1
74 Texas - Mothers Heaven
I didn't have to look far at other reviews to concur what I already thought about their 2nd album. It is more of the same but not as good. Having not heard this album for over 30 years I wondered if that view would change but no especially when it is just a few weeks earlier when I replayed 'Southside'. So of course it is good, Sharleen amazing singing , and a great band and it should all work but the songs are just not there 'Why Believe in You' is probably the best track but it only just rivals the weaker songs on 'Southside'. A disappointment at the time and still today. The record reached #32 in the UK. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 25, 2023 7:32:02 GMT 1
75 Enya - Shepherd Moons
Enya's third album, higher up the list than her breakthrough second record, that was a surprise for me. Not sure why I like this one more maybe as it is closer to pop than folk especially the lead single "Caribbean Blue". It is even more atmospheric and the production is just pristine, and her vocals are brilliant as ever. The record gave her another UK #1 and #17 in the US. 3.5/5 (although we are getting to the higher end now)
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 24, 2023 9:08:32 GMT 1
76 Spirea X - Fireblade Skies
Learning quite a few things I never knew about this alt rock/shoegaze band. This was their debut album and they were formed by Jim Beattie ex of Primal Scream, I did know they were Scottish. I also didn't know that they were a 4AD band. Very strange, as the cover art makes them look more like a Creation band. I must have known that as well, but they really were never marketed as a 4AD band. This was the first time I have heard their debut album, I bought the two singles on 12", the shoegazey/punk sound of 'Chlorine Dream' and the early Brit Pop sound of 'Speed Reaction'. They are both very much the best songs but they do have a 30-year head start. Nothing I dislike it on this, it is fine but for a 4AD band, it is lacking that special magic. 3.5/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 24, 2023 9:01:07 GMT 1
77 Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
Nice quote here from Grampus on RYM, 'I once read a review that claimed disliking Matthew Sweet's Girlfriend must mean you're a Manic Street Preachers fan!' He couldn't disagree more but I was a Manic Street Preachers fan in 1991 and I had no idea who he was, so there is that. Matthew Sweet is one of those names that keeps cropping up on best of year lists so I thought I would finally explore his music in 2023. I did know the song 'Girlfriend'. Coming in fresh though, I love the sound it is very power pop and it is very enjoyable on the whole but it is a little long, the tracks do start to merge into one. So yes I like it but it is no 'Generation Terrorisrs'!!! The record reached #100 in the US. 3.5/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 24, 2023 8:52:39 GMT 1
78 Simple Minds - Real Life
Not quite their wilderness years yet but the writing was on the wall. This was their ninth album and I must admit playing it in 2023, it ism't that bad at all. The first six tracks are all pretty solid and must admit I always loved 'See the Lights' after that though it is so dull, nothing interesting or creative at all. It is a band on autopilot, but then even the big hit 'Let There Be Love' is Simple Minds by numbers. It is crazy how much a better band they have been over the last fifteen years now they are not in the commercial limelight. I guess super stardom was the wrong path for them. They just never got over 'Don't You...'. Anyway they still have loads of fans the album reached #2 in the UK and #74 in the US. 3.5/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 24, 2023 8:45:36 GMT 1
79 Amy Grant - Heart in Motion
Ahem yes, I really got quite a lot of stick for liking her. I actually loved her previous single 'Lead Me On', Christian pop yes but it was a brilliant single. This was her ninth album, and she caused a bit of a stir by going pop. Not sure why she is still very wholesome, she was not exactly Madonna. "Baby Baby" was absolutely everywhere you could not avoid it, it must have been even worse on US radio. A very catchy but slightly irritating song I can say now. But there was plenty more where that came from, this is a pretty decent pop record and she had/has a great voice. This album was a massive hit for her, reaching #10 in the US and #24 in the UK. It sold over 5 million in the US alone. 3.5/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 24, 2023 8:37:47 GMT 1
It's sunday let's do a few more 80 All About Eve - Touched by Jesus
A bit of a change of line-up and direction for All About Eve with their third album. Most of the goth leanings are gone and they are much more in the ethereal pop/ college rock area now. Although I only bought a couple of singles from this album, I was still a fan of their sound in 1991 and this album was generally stronger than I expected. No duffers really at all. The record reached '17 in the UK and was not a great seller. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 24, 2023 8:32:26 GMT 1
81 Orbital - Orbital [Green Album]
We will see more dance and electronic music as the 90s goes on. Must admit Orbital were not one of my favourite even though they were very highly regarded. I did see them live at Glastonbury though, that was pretty epic. This is their debut record and it is generally pretty solid with the best tracks coming in close to the end "Chime", "Midnight" and "Belfast". The record reached #71 in the UK. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 24, 2023 8:27:52 GMT 1
82 A House - I Am the Greatest
The third album from the Irish band and I think it is pretty much regarded as their best. Coming back after being dropped with a really strong college rock album with an Irish perspective. Produced by Edwyn Collins, there was a moment where it looked like they might break with the single "Endless Art". Think the polar opposite of Beloved - Hello. But they may not be comprising, they still could deliver R.E.M like pop gems like "Take It Easy on Me". Regarded as one of the top 30 Irish albums ever, it failed to chart, even with two top 55 singles in the UK. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 24, 2023 8:11:45 GMT 1
83 Heavenly - Heavenly vs. Satan
More Sarah Records, I never thought I would enjoy so much o their output in 2023. This is the first full length album from the Twee Pop band from Oxford. It is what you expect indie pop with jangling guitars and cute vocals but that's what you want from a Sarah band. It is just lush, pretty and cute. It will not change your life but it will always make you feel good. This is indie music very much done the old way but that makes it quite timeless now. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 24, 2023 8:06:39 GMT 1
84 Martika - Martika's Kitchen
The second single from the pop artist and I really thought I would have liked this more, her debut is for sure better overall. It is a shame as the first three tracks are brilliant, especially 'Love... Thy Will Be Done'. Nothing bad just very generic swing beat meats Paula Abdul style pop without the emotion and creativity, she can show in her music. It really needed more Prince. So it's fine just a bit disappointing. The record reached #15 in the UK and just #111 in the US. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 24, 2023 8:01:13 GMT 1
85 The Wedding Present - Seamonsters
Their third album and a decent placing on the list considering, wait for it, it's a Steve Albini production but actually this is a rare occasion where he actually makes me like the songs more. The Wedding Present really suits his production. Ok we don't have any sing- a- long catchy songs this time but that is fine. Sometimes am indie rock epic is all you want see "Dalliance" or "Octopussy". I can't imagine that this is our resident Wedding Present superfan is a huge fan of this record, as it sacrifices the tunes quite a bit. The other crazy thing is this is their highest charting record, I doubt it is the biggest selling that must be 'George Best' but it reached #13 in the UK. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 23, 2023 8:28:05 GMT 1
86 OMD - Sugar Tax
The eighth album from the band which at this point are more of a solo project for Andy McCluskey but at least there is a bit of pop spirit on this album, with some superb singles in "Sailing on the Seven Seas" and "Pandora's Box" especially. But after that strong start it does fall off a bit. It is fine, but a shadow of the OMD we used to know. The record reached #3 in the UK. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 23, 2023 8:22:49 GMT 1
87 Definition of Sound - Love and Life: A Journey With the Chameleons
The debut album from the UK hip hop group and this is very much the style I love. Very much in the Tribe Called Quest/ De La Soul mode, just fun feel good music, with a little bit of message. It is again too long though but at least I am not bored on this one. "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" still sounds brilliant. The record reached #36 in the UK. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 23, 2023 8:11:07 GMT 1
88 Candyland - Suck It and See
This was a band I really liked in 1991, I was pretty wrong. They are basically a 3rd rate EMF. But their first two singles 'Fountain Of Youth' and 'Bitter Moon' which is even better I loved. 'Bittermoon' is a mix of Madchester and 80s new wave, and it still sounds brilliant. The album though is not great. It is mostly weakly produced and quite dull. I was a bit disappointed. 3.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Sept 23, 2023 8:07:11 GMT 1
89 Sting - The Soul CagesHis third solo album and probably the last one I expect to properly like. Some really good singles on this one and apart from 'The Wild Wild Sea; which is too long and boring, it is a pretty solid record. But yeh a lot I like but Sting will never be The Police. The record reached #1 in the UK and #2 in the US. 3.5/5
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