This is a good album, exactly what you’d expect and want from a Goo Goo Dolls album. This one came up after watching the penultimate episode of Shrinking, where the teenager asked what a Goo Goo Doll even is. It’s still a great question. I don’t think this particularly stands out and ultimately isn’t going to make a top ten list, but it’s a good listen and nice to have on in the background.

I was nervous going into this album because a) hard rock and b) two hours long! But in the end, neither of those things were too much of a problem. It only occasionally gets too much into the hard rock category, otherwise it’s just regular rock with the ups and downs that are required in an epic double album like this. It is long and I would never particularly search out an album at this length but I was never bored during it or wishing it would end, so that’s a great sign. I don’t know how much of this is going to stay with me (1979 maybe), but I’m glad to have given it a listen.

I know Lighthouse Family are considered slow-going easy-listening lift music but actually, I didn’t mind it. It made for really good background music, and even though I only knew a couple of the songs, it all seemed to work together. It’s not one I would seek out over and over but I can see why those couple of songs are as well-known as they are.

Listened to this in honour of the sad passing of Taylor Hawkins, my first Foo Fighters album on this journey. I went through a period of loving Foo Fighters music but it was after they’d been around for a while. It’s so interesting to follow the journey of the band, from Dave Grohl’s earlier experiences in Nirvana to blossoming out and becoming frontman of this new adventure. This album is a great debut, full of rock and angst and rage but more importantly showing all the hints of the band they’re going to grow into.

This one jumped up the to-listen list to pay tribute to Meat Loaf after he passed away, and it’s exactly what you expect and hope for from a Meat Loaf album. Rock, theatrics, drama, the occasional female voice sounding constantly annoyed at Meat Loaf and his antics. It’s interesting how iconic the ML sound is whilst also being able to provide different songs - rock anthems, dramatic ballads, soul-searching weepies. The anthems are the best of course, great album this one.

I can’t believe Elastica only had two albums altogether, and only really this one has stood the test of time. It’s so good! Some really good pop rock punk combo, with unique elements and interesting riffs and beats that I’ve not really heard anywhere else.

I really liked this one. The nice blend of traditional Irish vibes alongside general pop goodness is great, and Runaway is obviously a stand out that leads the way. I listened to the most recent Corrs album and it felt very middle-of-the-road, but back at this time, their debut album, it has that feel like they had the option of going down a unique and interesting route.

Initially I thought I hadn’t heard of Cast, but Mr C said they were the band of the 90s that it was cool to dislike. When I got through the album, though, I realised I did know a couple of the songs, and more than that, I liked it! Thankfully I know I’m not cool so it makes no difference if I like or dislike them.

A classic 90s album, this, and one that I’ve not listened to in its entirety before despite the tunes on it. My conclusion at the end of my second listen is that I really like the music, the ska/reggae feel to it. I’m not such a big fan of Gwen Stefani’s vocals. She’s a really great singer but some of the choices along the way aren’t my favourite.

Love this, it really tells of the time it was released. Some of the songs sound very similar, but the standout singles are incredible. Roll With It, Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back in Anger are three brilliant songs and to have them consecutively makes some of the best ten minutes of music ever!