Jubilee - Howard Beaumont

Advantages: Lyrically strong. Not simply a re-tread of the previous album
Disadvantages: Not quite as tight as 'Scarecrow'

...Following on from the mid-west tales of 'Scarecrow', The Lonesome Jubilee moves Mellencamp's writing to the city. The acoustic roots of the previous album seep through at times, but this is a harder-edged record with the emphasis on rock rather than folk/country. A key to the sound of the album is the introduction of the fiddle and accordion which provide a unique blend with the electric guitars and give the record it's signature. Mellencamp's recurring lyrical theme of people impacted by a greedy and naive society is mixed with uplifting songs that border on pop. Downbeat tales of unemployment sit side by side with reflections on the best years of youth. The album created a number of hit singles in the States, where Mellencamp is far better known than in the U.K. Still a cut above the output of most other artists in the mid to late... Read review

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Advantages: A Good Different Sound
Disadvantages: A Couple Of Album Fillers

...This album is probably Blur's most noticeable album, and a complete contrast to the previous two. The adding of the synth sound is a great addition and you have got some memory lasting songs because of it. Here's the playlist: 1. Girls & Boys 2. Tracy Jacks 3. End Of A Century 4. Parklife 5. Bank Holiday 6. Badhead 7. The Debt Collector 8. Far Out 9. To The End 10. London Loves 11. Trouble In The Message Centre 12. Clover Over Dover 13. Magic America 14. Jubilee 15. This Is Low 16. Lot 105 As you can see a lot of tracks although Lot 105 is an instrumental. This album was totally over hyped upon it's release, and perhaps justifiably so, lyrics and guitar rifts are some of the best written by Albarn/Coxon, most notably lyrics to London Loves and Parklife and rifts on London Loves and Jubilee. So overall this is a valued addition... Read review

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Advantages: A proper punk record
Disadvantages: Punk doesn't sound like this anyomre

...-to-basics sounds on the Pistols classic still strike a chord when listened to some twenty-six years later. The aim of the album, to record a batch of “couldn’t care less” three minute, slices of dynamic, raucous rock music, has arguably not been bettered. The opening track, “Holidays In The Sun”, sets the scene for what is to follow. It is possibly the best track on the album. Rough, raw and frenzied – music like this would have been labelled “garage rock” prior to 1976. Lydon’s demented and inimitable vocal is both comical and harrowing in equal measure. Out of context “Holidays In The Sun” sounds brilliant. Trying to imagine hearing the record towards the latter end of Silver Jubilee year, is nigh on impossible for someone who was born during the heyday of punk rock – but it must have sounded awesome. By the time “Bodies” has ripped through your... Read review

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