Microshift

Easy to like, hard to love

Like phoenix meets stereolab

we have LCD Soundsystem at home

Scared at the first note, Soon hooked on upbeat grooves—pure Phoenix vibes shine through.

I started quite sceptical about this, but the more I listen the more I like. There's a depth here that isn't immediately apparent. Nothing here that deserves a 5, but I think a solid 4/5. It will be going into my rotation and I'll look for other stuff by them. About the best recommendation I can give.

It’s fine. Not great. Not sure why it made the list

Some songs I liked such as Ullswater, Opener, Shortcomings, Each Time We Pass…others were a whole of nothing that took away from a 4. Final score 3.75/5

2.5

This was a weird one cause overall I really enjoyed it. It seems up my alley in a way. It had a sound echoing Ride, LCD Soundsystem, Animal Collective ,and a hint of Tame Impala. It was an alternative album With electronic elements and some shoegaze vibes. In grand scheme of music probably a 3 or 3.5. However I really enjoyed my time with this and gave me a nostalgia feeling for the 2010’s when I was in my 20’s 4/5

Did not like much of it, and the parts I did like a bit were pretty boring. 2 stars or D-.

At first I was sceptic, but as the song"negative space" reached its peak I truly enjoyed it. Also the parts with mostly synth and rather calm tones, I found very intresting. First time listening and wont be the last time.

It's ok i thought it was going to be repetitive electronic sounds of trying to be kraftwerk but it's a bit more garage rock than that

Didn't think I'd ever heard of this but it turns out I'd liked the opening track on Spotify once. Enjoyed the music, did some digging to find out what happened to the band and that took the shine off a little.

I had never heard of this band upon getting this album, so I decided to go back and listen to their entire discography. Their first full length - which is not their first album - was a bore to me, mostly just felt like jamming and too much psychedelica. Their first actual album was a better representation of a mix of the psychedelic sound with some nice songwriting and vocals on a few songs. The second album seemed to be a more rote copy of the first album. So, when I got to "Microshift," their final album, I was surprised to hear how much of a departure it was. You can obviously still hear their sound and similar approach, but it went much more into the pop direction and sound of the 2010's. I think it is very good and probably one of the best representations of the (especially British) 2010's sound while giving some still with a little unique edge as many of the other bands doing a similar thing came from a more R&B or electronica direction than the rock and psychedelic angle that Hookworms came from. It's a shame their singer blew the whole band up after this album...

Gostei bastante da primeira música, mas depois ficou mais do mesmo

Solid alt rock record. Has some nice vibes and moods throughout and is easy to listen to. Some electronic influence as well. Nice one.

Very good

Pretty cool stuff here, and at some spots brilliant. At others, not as much, but I appreciated the effort.

I've never heard such a strange intro to an album before that made me go from “Ew, wtf” to “Actually, that's kind of nice.” For that reason alone, I’m inclined to rate this album a bit higher, because it's become pretty rare for an album to create a memorable moment at all. What remains after the opening track, however, is pretty standard indie rock that hovers somewhere between Two Door Cinema Club and Phoenix, without ever reaching their quality. 3.5/5

Falopa pero está bueno, en el penúltimo tema metieron un pitido que me arruinó, tremendos hdp. Sape

Very cool, groovy, expansive and albeit yet tame. Falls quite in line with 2010's millennial dreampop adjacent. Think Animal Collective and Tame Impala. I never heard of this but I enjoyed a few songs. Worth exploring for the exercise.

Would recommend. Nothing particularly special, but brings something old into the new that is worth a listen.

Life got crazy and I ended up listening to this album over several days, which was not a great way to experience it. I didn't like how it opened, but it improved as it went. Rating a 3 for now - it might be better if listening to it all at once.

The bookends of this album are phenomenal but I feel like they missed the mark on 2010s electronics with everything in between. It’s just a hodge podge of sounds and a lot of the musical ideas didn’t gel together imo. It was a fun listen but I expected so much more after the first track. Highlights: Negative Space, Shortcomings

Was not on track for making a very good album based on the start of the opening track. I thought it was going to be a super repetitive electronic album. But it ended up being pretty enjoyable.

This was so awesome. I connected with this right away and really enjoyed it. Disappointed to read a bit more about the band and the actions of some of their members. Finding it hard to separate art from artist in this case, but I really want to love this.

It was a fine listen, mostly good as background music while working or doing the house, but I don’t think it deserves to be on this list. I won’t remember it in a couple of weeks.

Good

Never heard of these guys, but I really liked this. I dont know why, but I kept on comparing them to Stereolab, even though that doesn't quite describe it on the whole. I do think the front half is a little better than the back half, but it's very solid overall.

Not really an anything album. Very much background music. Not bad, but don't feel like it's a must listen to album really.

AliExpress tame impala 2/5

Much better than expected. Gives me MGMT vibes and did not realize it came out relatively recently. Band has some talented musicians for sure

So, I can definitely appreciate some droning repetitive motorik krautrock, and this is alright, but there's just not much groove here. There's very little dynamics in the first two-thirds of the album, it feels like everything is volume knobs and mixing board adjustments. Then in the last third of the album, it feels like they recognized that they needed to change it up a bit, but it's also kinda dull. Like Phoenix with some electronica, weaker vocals and lyrics, and fewer musical ideas. 2.5, but I think I'm rounding down. Wouldn't list it.

Have never heard of this band before, some really great tracks on here. Negative Space and Ullswater in particular were absolute belters. Towards the end it did start to fade a bit for me but still one I’ll definitely go back to as well as checking out more from them. Top Track - Ullswater

3.5

La unión de guitarras, rock y electronica queda espectacular

I didn't mind this at all. It didn't really hook me, but it was adequate as background music and didn't annoy me

life is too short to listen to this shitty album

There was significantly better pop-rock before and after this, this is entirely forgettable.

third and final album by psy-rock band hookworms; the album was named after a vst. the album was recorded shortly after a devastating flood hit band leader matthew johnson's home studio... the efforts and crowdfunding from many fans of the group made this last hurrah possible. upon release, it generally got positive reviews. essentially this is another weird, fuzzy indie electro/pop album. synthy beeps and boops, krautrock-ish beats, and vocal hooks a plenty. someone on the 1001 album platform said this sounds like menu music for fifa 15, and i agree with that description. the album really started out strong but the more it played it just kinda... melted together into one big indie music soup. there's not a lot of information about the album, the songs don't keep me interested for too long... it's just like... who even are these guys? this album feels like it was just put on this list just because a critic listened to it one time and thought it was "lush" or something.

Huh, interesting. 80s like.

Bacaninha como tema de fundo pra vc fazer suas demandas do dia a dia. Fora isso, meio chatinho, infelizmente.

ist doch scheiße

Complicated songs, took me ages to really hear them. Ultimately, they have that shimmery Phoenix charm.

I knew absolutely nothing about Hookworms, but I found out this record was a departure in style from earlier records in that more electronics were utilized. I wonder if the last song on the record, which sounds less electronic ( meaning guitar ,bass, and drums) reflects their "old" sound. At any rate, the heavily layered synth sounds don't sound bad at all. A serious wall of sound is generated and periodically drops out. Sometimes jarring, sometimes interesting. Except for the last tune, the processed vocals are often buried in the mix. I wish I could hear more..my ears may be the problem though. Never boring and fun to listen to...reminded of Stereolab, Animal Collective, and maybe a little Can. Compliments in my book.

No es lo mío

2010s electronica indie rock.

Decent

worms dancing silly insects buzzing in my ears i can do without

Nyeah. Pleasant enough. Some cool riffs and production. Nothing groundbreaking.

Wth?

Third rate, at best - very derivative English-style krautrock, with some ham-fisted psychedelic touches. This has all been done before, and done far better, for example by Stereolab.

i guess maybe a 1.5? idk

it was giving the strokes and it make me nostalgic for 2018

Alright I usually hate Britpop/Electronica bullshit. This didn't make me want to strangle everyone involved. It's weird I put it on while I set off on some things at work and realized there was no killing rage. It was just me getting down to business. It's weird. If I pay attention to it I'm not even mad. It's great background need to get shit done music. I think this will get added to my library. Even if I only use it for background music to not get distracted by. It's the exception that proves the rule I guess.

Cool enough

Weird but has good parts

Terrific album, had me dancing in my chair at 8 in the morning when I listened. A combination of standard instruments and electronic doodads to create some thoroughly enjoyable and varied music.

I thought this was ok, felt quite Tame Impala-esque in places, a bit Hot Chip-coded, enjoyed it while on the bus home but probably won’t revisit. Don’t have anything to say about the abuse stuff that hasn’t already been said. Something a bit sad and quiet and odd about the history of this group, and their place on this list.

Another album rounded up because really it’s a 2.5, not my sort of thing, but not without some merit… I

Very generic sound for the time. Lyrics aren’t interesting. Never heard of the band and probably never will again.

Reminds me of Austin Powers. My first thought upon generating is "That's not my bag, baby." . But after giving it a spin, this sort of thing IS my bag, baby. Like Tame Impala and Bloc Party, underwater. "Opener", which is definitely not the opener, was my favorite. Very cohesive from front to back.

Pretty good stuff

I have absoluyely no recollection of this album 24 hours aftet i listened to it.

Took a few listens. But it grew on me.

I dig it

Hookworms on here? Wow. What's next? Wooden Shjips? Toy? Bewildered though why they'd choose Microshift over Pearl Mystic (2013). This is more accessible, for sure, and a good album in itself, but less interesting. Do yourselves a favour and go back to their debut - a masterpiece of contemporary psychedelia, menacing, metronomic and joyous.

this was new to me—enjoyable! not unlike what a lot of current bands are going for

Three listens on three separate days and I can't say I can remember much about it at all. And I tried really hard as I know it's one of the most recent albums on this list. I didn't hate it. But I can't rave about it either. Bang average.

Wasn't bad

I enjoyed this but couldn't quite get my head around it, it was almost as if it had no distinctive sound of it's own.

I liked the first song but after that it felt quite generic to me

Funky!! Reminds me of Kraftwerk but if it were present day indie. Very atmospheric and energetic - perfect for music while working. Fav track: Ullswater

1/10… neo psychedelic / garage / *2018

Have absolutely never heard of this band in my life and I don't know if they belong on this list, but it was a good record!

Better than I remembered, probably not for everyone but I really enjoyed it

In 2018 they’re still adding the same old British electronica synth pop BS to this already bloated list. No lessons have been learned.

Some very interesting sounds coming out of this album. Creative and repetitive with powerful vocals. This is most likely a one-and-done for me, but I’ll give credit for experimental sounds that didn’t annoy the piss out of me.

The Incredible String Band now has some strong competition for the worst album on the list so far. This is embarrassingly bad. No wonder so many rave kids turn out to be clinically depressed.

My expectations were very low going in, but I was pleasantly surprised. There is a small bit of an Arcade Fire vibe to the album that I enjoyed. A bit heavy on the tonal stuff, but not too bad overall.

2018 is the worst possible year for this to come out, since it's too early for indiesleaze nostalgia but way too late for kinda synth-y, kinda dance-y indie rock to be cool

Not many albums I love at first listen and then gradually like less with each return. That's kind of the opposite of what should happen. This had loads of potential, electronic rock, some great ideas. But it just drifts away to being generic after a great opening.

Meh

Si mi año tendría un año, esto es lo que sonaría cada vez que me tirase un pedo.

Me están hartando los álbumes que están bien, nada muy destacable y nada para criticar. Además es de 2018 este, parece como que pagaron para que esté aca. Pero bueno, tampoco le puedo dar 2 porque estaba bueno.

good example of that sort of lofi electro pop that was abundant in the late 2010s. Is not doing anything particularly special or interesting though.

Totally immemorable.

No es mi estilo

Very bwip bwop

Splatoon Music! Started strong but mellowed out.

Oye, que sorpresa de grupo. Ahí eo arquitecto me ha dado una alegría

There wasn't really much special to this for me, aside from a couple of sax parts which brought it marginally out of 5/10 range into a low 6/10.

On the surface, this is a classic Robert Dimery special. Random ass British band that no one has ever heard of before. An album that’s not really a must-listen, and is unfortunately taking the spot of one of many more important albums from 2006-present. That said, I didn’t hate it. A little weird at times, but overall enjoyable indie/alt rock. Maybe it’s because the 2010s FIFA video game soundtracks hold a special place in my heart, and the songs from this album absolutely could’ve fit on one of those soundtracks.

Gave this multiple chances because it started really strong, but like many other albums on here, the fun flourishes and extra touches gradually disappeared as it all became a mass of samey indie sludge. Can't say I didn't enjoy it, because I did, but it let me down a little.

The name made me think it was going to be metal, but it is a combination of shoegaze/poolwave/dreamhaunt/housecat that i found myself enjoying as moodsetter

favs: negative space each time we pass reunion shortcomings rating 2.2/5

I really didn’t know what to expect here, and my first thought was that it sounded like the kind of music you’d hear playing in The Gap or Old Navy. Except a lot better. It’s polished, catchy, and very easy to listen to without sliding into the bland retail playlist territory that usually comes with this sound. “Ullswater” and “Shortcomings” were both really good and helped sell me on the album pretty quickly. There’s a nice mix of indie rock and electronic stuff throughout, and it gave the whole thing more personality than I expected.

Like a party bro version of Arcade Fire

Really good but your man is a rapist x

I'd have thought this was from 2014 instead of 2018. But otherwise it's competent background music. I wouldn't be surprised to hear it in an indie-head's car.