U2 - Boy

:-(

Persian Gulf - Changing the Weather: 7.5 (high B+)

A full A from both Christgau and Hull? So it's the equivalent of Daydream Nation? Really?.... Really? Probably more of a "liked," but upped a notch in deference to those critics, and that I already have it in vinyl and want to keep it.

Dizzee Rascal - Boy in da Corner: liked

Shelved due to critical pressure at the time. De-shelved in 2020 after yet another listen. Could never understand what people heard in this. Actually probably a neutral for me, but I'm still bending to that critical pressure.

Neil Young - Road Rock, Vol. 1: Friends & Relatives: liked

"Cowgirl," "Words," and "Watchtower" are A level, but all the other songs are far below that. But those three are so good, it almost rates a B plus in my mind, like Christgau gave it. He overrates it by a notch no doubt because Neil let his wife sing on it. So we probably agree in the end. Overall, I can't justify getting it. I have all his live albums with Crazy Horse though, just not this one with "friends & relatives." At least four plays.

That Petrol Emotion - Manic Pop Thrill: 7 (B+)

With former Undertones.

Princess Nokia - Everything Sucks: 3.5 stars

Digital only.

Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox [liked]

:-)

Sleaford Mods - All That Glue: 7.5 (high B+)

 #bestof

Brian Eno - Nerve Net: liked

:-)

Walter Becker - 11 Tracks of Whack [honorable mention]

:-)

Rush - Permanent Waves (40th Anniversary): 7 (B+)

Grade is for live, second disc. Some good renditions. But, the songs are from different shows, making this inessential when there are other good live Rush albums from this period. Plus I wouldn't collect live Rush at this grade anyway.

Beck - One Foot in the Grave [honorable mention]

:-)

Brother Ali - Shadows on the Sun: 7.5 (high B+)

Busdriver - Fear of a Black Tangent: 4 stars

African Fiesta - Merveilles du Passe (1962 1963): 4 stars [360163]

Muzikifan Congo essential. Obviously unfindable. Also a little before my collecting period.

Jeffrey Lewis - A Turn in the Dream-Songs: 7 (B+)

Normally, this would be #folk, but for this I will make an exception because I have it already.

Yes - Close to the Edge: liked

"And You and I" is a great song. The other two, especially the side-one-filling title track, are not so good. Update (July 2026): Ended up with a copy, which is awaiting re-evaluation.

Anna Domino - This Time: liked

See post re: comp Dreamback.

Etoile de Dakar - Khaley Etoile, Vol. 4: X (X)

The title track is a top ten African track of all time no doubt. Five of these six tracks are on the essential comps ("Silmakha" is not - dutifully played three times), so I haven't bought this or rated it.

Juvenile - 400 Degreez: 7 (B+)

Upped from "liked" upon further listening.

John Coltrane - Africa/Brass and The Africa/Brass Sessions, Vol. 2: X (X)

Listened to these in their two original configurations. #jazz

Judas Priest - Painkiller: liked

At least six plays.

Sonic Youth - Candle (Edit) [12" EP] [liked]

:-)

Mike Watt - Ball-Hog or Tugboat? [honorable mention]

:-) [There's a B+ or even A- EP in here, but as an album, it goes on and on and on, for 70 full minutes. A double album he did not have in him.]

Various - Oi! The Album: 7 (B+)

Could be an 8 (A-). Right on the edge. But impossible to find at a less than exorbitant price so not bothering to make the determination. It's #multi-artistcomp at this grade though.