Rock & Pop > Alternative Rock & Pop > 1970 to 1979

Advantages: Catches the youthful sound of Mark E Smith
Disadvantages: The Drums sound to mechanical in places

This was the first Fall album I ever bought and I now have all of them. The Fall frontman Mark E Smith has always been a lyrical genius and the likes of 'No Xmas for John Quays" prove this here, 'The X is Xmas is a substitute crucifix for christ' is spit out with impressive venom. With repetition a permanent fixture in The Fall's music down the years the last track 'Music Scene' is excellent. It made me laugh the first time I heard this as they leave ... Read review

Advantages: brought back my salad days, before maccy ds and poll tax riots
Disadvantages: only one CD

Being of a certain vintage, I remember that one of the theme tunes of my youth was Freebird. At any party or pub evening normal loon-clad hippy types would be transformed into cavorting idiots when the opening organ chords of this great rock anthem burst forth from the juke box (Yes we did have electricity in those days) and the ensuing air-guitar playing rumpus would often cause the vinyl to jump. In fact I remember talking to the juke box engineer ...
...all the pubs that had Freebird on the selection had distinctive wear marks on the keys that corresponded to this choice. When you remember that all this took place at least 18 years before the first CD hit the shops you will appreciate how well this band has stood the test of time, anyone who gets nostalgic for 12 inch vinyl should be taken back in time to the days when an expensive new LP could be ruined by one clumsy move from a hippy pissed on ... Read review

Advantages: Easy listening that works on many levels.
Disadvantages: Might be too overt and individual for the more generic rock fan.

...one of the UK's best Alternative Groups. If you've any inclination in investigating Muse, Absolution is definitely the album to begin with, then you can lean towards the heavier side in the Origin of Symmetry, or the more modern rock edge in Black Holes and Revelations. Definitely try it! ... Read review

Advantages: Great, Entertaining, Original, EXCELLENT!
Disadvantages: the album has to come to an end

After hearing Newtons cover of 'Teardrop' on a T.V. advert I instantly fell in love with his mellow voice and that distinctive guitar playing. I went out and bought 'Hand Built By Robots' a couple of days later. After just hearing 'To the light' (the first track on the album), I couldn't waite to hear the rest!! The album is one of the best I have bought for many years and I would highly recommend it to people of all ages. Newton has a great sound ...
...guitar as a drum aswell as a guitar make him truley unique. Being a guitarist myself I appreciated his work and unusual techniques more but I would seriously recommend this album to someone who is looking for something smoth, mellow, chilled, relaxed and exciteding at the same time. It is a must CD to add to anyones collection. I love it!!!! ... Read review

Advantages: Great up beat music
Disadvantages: None

...Peppers went into recording for Mother's Milk needing a success. After a steady first 3 albums in 5 years, the band suffered changes, with the death of Hillel Slovak and resignation of Jack Irons, they recruited John Frusciante and Chad Smith. With the new line-up came a new sound, and with it was a true gem of an album, the launch pad of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. There are songs that inspire, songs to aspire, songs to sing to and songs to try and ...
...any sad songs, a testament to the positive upbeat nature of the band, turning adversity into triumph. RHCP are probably the best band in the world at covering songs, as shown here with Higher Ground, Fire, Castles made of Sand and Crosstown Traffic, all done slightly differently to the originals but still sounding superb. Personal favourite's off the album are Higher Ground, Nobody Weird Like Me, Knock Me Down and Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky. ... Read review