Advantages: Eccentric English whimsy at it's very best.
Disadvantages: Offbeat humour not to every one's taste.

...a truly credible record of British psychedelia. Their first album of completely original compositions, Keynsham is, as such, the Bonzo Dog album which is most arguably 'theirs'. Stanshall's voice is on fine form here, easily shifting from firm and fruity to light and airy, taking in everything from retired colonel to Tottenham spiv. His vocals are truly a joy and so alive as he sings with raunchy intent 'I'm gonna get you in my tent-tent-tent-tent-tent/where we can both experiment-ment-ment-ment-ment' ('Tent') Give him a nice cold shower If Keynsham is the most Bonzo album, you have to argue that the Bonzos at this point were Neil Innes's band (try saying that with a dry camel in your mouth.) Innes here emerges as a bona fide front man, sharing the limelight with Viv as the face of the group but taking masterful control of the music. His... Read review

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Advantages: Some fantastic songs, generally strong cast
Disadvantages: Let down by a couple of very bad tracks, mostly at the end which brings the whole album down slightly

...and doesn't stand out. *Mimi Marquez* (Rosario Dawson) - a nightclub dancer and a drug addict. She's also an AIDS sufferer, and lives a very up-and-down life. Most of the time, Rosario Dawson gives an okay performance, but in one of the Finales she really lets herself, and the whole album down. *Benjamin Coffin III* or Bennie (Taye Diggs) - used to be poor like the rest of them, and lived with Mark, Tom and Roger once upon a time, but since married into money. Now he's the enemy of the homeless as he's trying to get them kicked off the lot where they have their tent city and he cuts the power on Christmas Eve. He does sort of pass over and become a good guy as the story moves on. *Joanne Jefferson* (Tracie Thoms) - a lawyer who becomes Maureen's production manager, but doesn't really know what she's doing and so struggles. Joanne... Read review

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Advantages: One of the greatest soul albums of all time
Disadvantages: ---

...'s breathtaking ability to squeeze feeling through pinpoint phrasing; and a staggering penchant for taking massive vocal risks, Aretha created an art so close to god, that I be foolish to describe it in one sentence. On <i>" Never loved a man" </i> she rips through conventional vocal bars with an immense sadness that nearly everyone was in awe of but few could understand. She went past modern interpretation and gave her audience something equivalent to blend of deep dark blues and a constant never ending full tent revival. All done with a visceral impact clarity and range that still sounds transendental today After White freaked out and canceled the deal, only to be cajoled back in the studio with more money; they moved to New York to record <i>" Drown in my own tears"</i> an old Ray Charles number. In a way, it's the queen paying tribute... Read review

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Advantages: A great debut album
Disadvantages: Disadvantages?!

...A phenomenon or a fad? Love them or hate them? Regardless of what you think of the Arctic Monkeys, credit must be given through what they've achieved in such a short time. Personally, I'm all for them - witty lyrics and catchy rhythms make them people-friendly. Just over a year ago I heard about the 'buzz' regarding a track called "Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" that was circulating at the speed of light through the Internet. They playing Reading and Leeds festival in 2005 on the Carling stage, the smallest stage at the festival, and although I didn't watch them, just passing the tent when they were on showed at least crowds of 12 to 15 rows deep outside the tent, something that was completely unheard of for the Carling stage. At the time, they had no record label, and no single had been released. Exactly one year on, they were... Read review

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Advantages: Original, funny, terrifying, scary, emotional...the list goes on
Disadvantages: Are there any? Not every track is instantly accesable, but get into it!

...So I'm at the Carling Leeds festival, right, and I'm at the very front of the barrier of the Radio 1/NME tent, and I'm waiting with tears in my eyes for what is the reason that I came here, the very basis of my existance at this point. Kasabian were amazing last night, but these guys are going to blow the roof off. Some people go to festivals for the rioting and the violence, some to shack up with some girl wasted out of her face, some for the bloated healiner or the unheard of indie giant.... me? I'm here to see The Arcade Fire. Funeral is way different to anything else that I have ever heard before. I like all kinds of music, from classical to jazz and especially rock, and I'm sure that every music fan out there has at some stage had a sinking feeling, like myself, that every new and exciting act is simply recycled from... Read review

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Advantages: Its worth 100pounds
Disadvantages: hard to get

...I dont know why on earth some people would find this a disappointment. It is far one of their best albums and thats saying something seeing as its a b-side collections. Each of the song are meaninful and lasting. Its one of those albums that could be listened to years after it was released. One of the best rocking roll albums ever and thats sayig something. Could anyone really come up with an album that is in the same class as this, i dont think so. Each song goes together like a tent in a campsite. Track Listing 1. Huckleberry Grove - A very english sounding album, very sad, but also quite meaningful. 2. The Day We Caught The Train - One of their most famous songs. 3. Mrs.Jones - 4. Top Of The World - 5. Here In My Heart - 6. I Wanna Stay Alive With You - 7. Robin Hood - "when your starting to choke... Read review

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Advantages: Pure class and very addictive.
Disadvantages: YUo must be kidding there are no disadvantages!!

...I was introduced to this album by my good friend Chris. He had discovered them on the John Peel show and had a rather low quality tape recording of one of their songs (Last Nite). I must admit I was not particularly fond of them at that stage they just seemed a bit pants. Then came the release of the album and Chris was out there straight away and bought the album and then played it non-stop. I was still not liking it much. Then another nail in the coffin was some of my friends saw them at the Reading festival. Where they were moved from the evening session tent to the main stage because of the great demand to see them. Apparently there was not much of a stage show but the music was brilliant. I then felt I had to give in to pressure and really listen to the album. Two weeks later not only did I have a copy of the album for myself. I had... Read review

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Advantages: Both stereo and mono mixes on one disc
Disadvantages: can't think of any!

...and the future looked rosy. Caravan consisted of Pye Hastings (guitar, vocal), Richard Sinclair (Bass, vocal), his cousin Dave Sinclair (keyboards) and Richard Coughlan (drums). All four had served time with the legendary Canterbury group The Wilde Flowers, a breeding ground for talent that had also nurtured the likes of Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers and Hugh Hopper. Inspired by Wyatt and Ayers' band The Soft Machine, Caravan spent most of '68 rehearsing in various communal homes, including a couple of months living in tents outside Graveney Village Hall. After playing some local gigs they went to London where they made a splash in the psychedelic clubs, arousing interest in several record labels and eventually signing, as already mentioned, with Verve. This debut album is a beauty. Virtually all of the band's character traits are already... Read review

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Advantages: Considered; wise; wonderful; mature
Disadvantages: Too short; last song

...of the songs can be considered as proper tunes. I am also not a fan of Fin, album closer, which whiffs of borderline cheese, and means that really there are only 7 songs here. But don't let my whinging undermine the absolute triumph of the album; it really is a spectacular shift in gear, a touching and brilliant piece of work that should firmly establish 'Grass as one of the best modern bands. I was shocked at Leeds '03 to see them headlining the Radio 1 tent, and not having a main stage slot; this album WILL change that. Go out, part with some cash, and lend an ear to the fantastic progression of one of the most underrated bands of all time. Supergrass are finally free.... Read review

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Advantages: Some of his best ever tracks
Disadvantages: Occasional repetitive slow burners

...-between the styles of the first two tracks, Peach Tree is a downbeat number, which features Martha once more on backing vocals; a regular occurrence on Rufus' albums and a strong acoustic guitar for foundation once more. Builds up and is another grower 8/10 Little Sister - More piano led than any of the others on the album up to this point and definitely the most upbeat despite the lyric of " and I become a total bastard". The song must be about Martha as ironically she doesn't feature on any part of the track. 7/10 The Art Teacher - By far the best song on the album, and arguably one of his best ever tracks. I remember hearing this live in a barely quarter full tent at V2006 in Stafford as an opening song and blowing away what felt like 10 fans. Just piano and Rufus (well, some sparse horns in the middle); so simple yet... Read review

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