Very elegantly put there Batty.

Guys thanks for the comments on Capt Beefheart. It's never going to be for me. I doubt I'm ever going to understand that some music doesn't need melody. I've always wanted to enjoy what I hear. Some people can listen to the sound of photocopiers running or buildings falling and call it music, I can't. I can certainly listen to nature sounds but other than that I need a melody in my music.

As for Slayer, don't be under any illusions: I know I'm going to hate it, but I'm determined to give it a fair listen. Probably have to knock the volume down, but I will listen to it. Don't expect any miraculous conversions though, there or anywhere else. I'm pretty much set in my musical tastes, and as I already said, I haven't put this up as a genre-crossing exercise, despite the efforts --- well-meaning of course --- of some of you.

A fan of Tyler the Creator? Aesop Rocky? Slayer? Daft Punk? Don't hold yer breath!

Fun though, innit? ;)

http://hitsvilleuk.files.wordpress.c...s-of-love1.jpg
Title: Hounds of love
Artiste: Kate Bush
Year: 1985
Chronological position: Fifth album
Previous experience of this artiste?: Just "The whole story" and of course her singles. Oh, and "Fifty words for snow". Forgot that one.
Why is this considered a classic? I think it was seen as her comeback album and yielded her some of her biggest hit singles, also reawakening her profile in the US of A.

My thoughts
One minute (or thereabouts in) ---- Good, great, bad, meh, still waiting or other? Great
One track in --- Great
Halfway through --- Great
Finished --- Great

Comments: Yeah, well of course I know much of this album, but have never listened to it --- or indeed, to my shame, any Kate Bush album other than her latest --- all the way through. So I know what to expect for about three or four tracks, basically the first side of the album. I don't think I've heard a single of hers I didn't like, so naturally I'm happy right up to Mother stands for comfort (what a typically Kate Bush song title!) which is kind of what I'd expect: very ethereal, laidback and gentle with some lovely bass. Just the thing after the unbridled energy of The big sky and then of course everyone knows Cloudbusting.

This takes us into the second part, or side, of the album, which is apparently a mini-concept album on its own, based upon a person drifting in the sea and trying to stay alive till morning. I like the atmospherics of this side, between the gentle piano on the first track and the more dramatic strings on the second, and the return of the motif from Running up that hill just hinted at on the piano during Waking the witch is a nice touch. Mind you, it goes a bit wild then, a bit disjointed with some dark vocals that really belong more on a death metal album than here, but I get the idea.

Jig of life should be embarrassing and twee but manages not to be, with masters like Liam O'Flynn and Donal Lunny in charge, and Hello Earth is pretty much the standout, after the singles. Class album.

Favourite track(s): All of it
Least favourite track(s): None of it

Final impression --- Well-crafted and special album, glad I got a chance to hear it at last. So much more than just the singles, great as they are.

Do I feel, at the end, A) I wish I had listened to this sooner
B) I'm sorry I bothered
C) I might end up liking this
D) Have to wait and see
E) Bit underwhelmed; was ok but a classic?
F) Definitely enjoyed it, but again would I consider it a classic?

Another A for me.

I thought I remember you listening some random black metal band on your meat grinder thing and giving it a decent review.

http://www.rollingstone.com/assets/i...d52765021a.png
Title: Elephant
Artiste: The White Stripes
Year: 2003
Chronological position: Fourth album
Previous experience of this artiste?: Nothing at all.
Why is this considered a classic? I don't know anything about the White Stripes so that's really not a question I can answer.

My thoughts
One minute (or thereabouts in) ---- Good, great, bad, meh, still waiting or other? Good
One track in --- Good
Halfway through --- Great
Finished --- Great

Comments: Everybody raves about the White Stripes, but I've never heard anything by them, so this is all new to me. Pretty impressed so far considering this is just a two-piece. I really like the acoustic You've got her in your pocket and the blues grinder Ball and biscuit and what's this? I think I've heard The air near my fingers before, though I didn't know it was them. Not seeing this elephant on the cover though. Well, sort of, but not really.

Favourite track(s): I just don't know what to do with myself, You've got her in your pocket, There's no home for you here, Ball and biscuit, The air near my fingers.
Least favourite track(s): Little acorns (that story is just so twee) Girl, you have no faith in medicine, It's true that we love one another

Final impression --- Good album, will probably get into it. Not so sure about all the high praise for them though, but as I say, pretty damn good for just two people.

Do I feel, at the end, A) I wish I had listened to this sooner
B) I'm sorry I bothered
C) I might end up liking this
D) Have to wait and see
E) Bit underwhelmed; was ok but a classic?
F) Definitely enjoyed it, but again would I consider it a classic?
E really. Maybe F.

Would you recommend this album? I'm thinking about it.

One of the gems from her golden period, despite the silly "Jig of Life":D

I think I would. I definitely didn't hate it and given a few more listens I really think it could rise in my estimation. I don't think it'll ever be an "A" but it could very well get to "C".

A ringing endorsement if I've ever heard one.

Just being honest. No point pretending I loved the album. I thought it was pretty damn good, on first listen, but don't get the mania that surrounds these two. Maybe after some more listens, but I doubt it'll ever be a case of "why why why oh why did I waste my life instead of listening to this?" ;)