On an album that is incredibly consistent, I find myself missing the mad bursts of Macca genius. I would have taken a few more duffers in place of something truly special, but at least the old boy hasn't embarrassed himself.

Highlights - As You Lie There, Days We Left Behind, Never Know, Life Can Be Hard

This album is frustratingly inconsistent. The good stuff is utterly brilliant, but it is weighed down by Petey indulging his love of artsy drudge. I fear this is the canary in the coalmine for the rest of his career, but at least I still have a few things to hold on to for now.

Highlights - Steam, Washing of the Water, Digging in the Dirt, Secret World

Petey proves that he can do pop, but only if he does it his way. A wonderfully eclectic mixture of tracks, some of which are all-timers. The production is slick as hell and Gabriel's trademark weirdness works with his mainstream desires rather than against them. I will never understand the two art pieces, but I can live with them.

Highlights - Red Rain, Sledgehammer, That Voice Again, Big Time

With more long, high-concept numbers than previous efforts, I found Petey's final self-titled release (for now) to be his least accessible. It has its moments, don't get me wrong, but I've always found his more focused work to be his best. There will be some people who love this unincumbered artistry, but it ain't for me.

Highlights - The Rhythm of the Heat, I Have the Touch, Lay Your Hands On Me

The problem with Petey is he's too consistent. His bar is so high than even good songs fade into the background. They have to be really good to stand out. That's my main issue with Melt, which sounds ridiculous, but it's the only way I can explain it. Some very strong tracks on here, but only a few that I know will really stay with me.

Highlights - Intruder, No Self Control, I Don't Remember, Games Without Frontiers

Not as packed with gems as Pete's previous effort, but still a solid release with no true duds. If Car was Gabriel emerging as a new force in pop music, then Scratch is him establishing that he is here to stay.

Highlights: On the Air, D.I.Y, White Shadow,

While I don't know a great deal about his era of Genesis, this album feels like Gabriel is unleashing his full potential. Nine beautifully crafted songs with their own unique feel on a record that never outstays its welcome. My main complaint is that its structured a little weird - it feels like it should end about three times before it does - but this is a real gem.

Highlights - Solsbury Hill, Excuse Me, Humdrum, Down the Dolce Vita

Sonic cohesion and pleasantly swift runtime does not make up for a lack of memorable or original tunes. Bruno is in fine voice and plays his heartbroken party boy persona well, but this still falls short of expectations, especially as we're still waiting for Silk Sonic II.

Highlights - I Just Might, On My Soul, Something Serious, Nothing Left

This is the first Taylor Swift album in a very long time not to feature a single 'great' song. Everything is fine-to-dreadful, with the album itself suffering from a lack of flow and inconsistent themes. I'm not saying she's 'cooked' or anything, but this release marks a significant downturn in her output.

Highlights - The Fate of Ophelia, Opalite, Ruin the Friendship

It's one thing to release an album of covers identical to the originals. It's one thing to make that album stupidly long. It's one thing to release it at a time where your voice is ropey at best. But to do all three at the same time? I'm sorry, Phil, but that's just not fair.

Highlights - None, just listen to the originals.

After the dreariness of his previous two efforts, it's nice to see that Phil has recovered a fraction of what made him so good before. That fraction is very small, however. A large portion of these tracks are still utterly forgettable, mired in an attempt to sound deep and meaningful. Just make the bangers, Phil. It's what you're good at.

Highlights - Don't Get Me Started, The Least You Can Do, Can't Stop Loving You

With the notable exception of the title track, Phil offers little in the way of memorable pop. The songs are mostly competent and there are a few that threaten to be good, but his days of crafting upbeat bangers with catchy hooks are long gone. It's sad to say, but this album brings little light and inspires little dancing.

Highlights - Dance into the Light, That's What You Said, Wear My Hat, Take Me Down

What on Earth was Phil thinking? The songs are too long, too preachy, and soooooo boring. There is none of the pizzazz that makes him so fun to listen to, even if there is some obvious technical triumph in some of the duds. A total chore to get through.

Highlights - Both Sides of the Story, We Wait and We Wonder

As with most 80s 'issues' songs, many tracks on this album have their heart in the right place at the expense of quality. Even with these timely missteps, Phil shows he can still deliver a pop-rock banger or two, even occasionally striking the balance between the two. Far from perfect, but not worth ignoring.

Highlights - Hang in Long Enough, Something Happened On The Way To Heaven, Another Day In Paradise

Phil turns in some of his best work yet, frustratingly accompanied by some of his absolute worst. The catch pop-rock is off the charts, with the ballads once again letting the side down. A highly-listenable album with some great playlist headliners, this is PC's best yet.

Highlights - Sussudio, I Don't Wanna Know, Inside Out, Take Me Home,

More consistent and varied than Phil's previous effort, there is still only one standout on this album, but it's a good one. A very listenable record, don't expect to be thinking about 'Hello!' for much longer after you've finished giving it a spin.

Highlights - I Don't Care Anymore, I Cannot Believe It's True, Like China, Do You Know, Do You Care?, Don't Let Him Steal Your Heart Away,

The most inconsistent Led Zep record yet, the good stuff is good (with no all-timers, though) and the stuff that isn't sits right at the foot of the table. Whilst I have to give this album credit for introducing some much needed variety to the band's catalogue, I'm still not fully getting the magic.

Highlights - Immigrant Song, Since I've Been Loving You, Gallows Pole

With the exception of one song - Phil's best and one of the greatest tunes of all time - this is completely fine. Odd sequencing choices and flat-out dull tracks do not mix well. There's nothing downright offensive here, just disappointing from a man who would go on to produce so much better.

Highlights - In the Air Tonight, The Roof is Leaking, I Missed Again, You Know What I Mean

With a few classics on it, Led Zep II is more enjoyable to me than its predecessor. I still find the band's sound too homogeneous for me to fully get behind, too steeped in blues tropes. The quality is undeniable, sure, but this era of Led Zep just isn't for me.

Highlights - Whole Lotta Love, The Lemon Song, Heartbreaker, Ramble On

Another decent collection of songs with a little bit of flow, but nothing that truly blew my mind. Robbie's nearing venture off the deep end can be felt in some of his more obtuse lyrics (his obsession with being gay is very grating at this point), but there's still enough pop goodness to render this an enjoyable, if somewhat unremarkable time.

Highlights - Feel, Love Somebody, Come Undone, Hot Fudge, Nan's Song