I grew up in a small city in the UK. Like most people. I have a job, a family and more hobbies than I have time for. One of them has always been, discovering great music.
Growing up through 90’s and 00’s I was surrounded by some incredible guitar based bands. Britpop icons like Oasis, Blur and Suede eventually gave way to punk, alt-rock and metal with bands like Green Day, The Clash, Korn and Deftones becoming my soundtrack.
The problem is, I stayed in that lane. Never really venturing out of it.
One day, I found myself asking myself simple questions, “Who inspired Deftones?” and “What did Billie Joe Armstrong listen to growing up?” If I loved these bands so much, who influenced them?
At the same time, my Spotify algorithm had become predictable. It kept serving me the same songs, the same artists and the same recommendations. I wasn’t discovering anything any more.
So, I asked chatGPT to help.
With a simple prompt, I started a musical journey through some of the best albums ever recorded – many of which I somehow had never heard. This website is where I want to document that journey.
This site is not run by a music critic or an audiophile. There is no expensive listening equipment and I’m making no claims to being a definitive voice on music.
Its just 1 bloke, a phone, a tablet, a car and a pair of earbuds, listening to great albums when life allows – on the way to work, in the office, cooking in the kitchen, or gaming after the kids are in bed.
I don’t have a dedicated listening room.
These are reviews from a real life.
Maybe you’ll re-discover an old favourite from years gone or maybe you’ll find a your next favourite.
Either way, welcome to The Next Record