Microshift

Like phoenix meets stereolab

we have LCD Soundsystem at home

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Not a bad album. Didn’t grab me necessarily, but it’s a solid effort. I’m going to give it a 3, but a second listen could improve it.

Seamlessly worms its way between heavy Joy Division-esqe dark crunky electro and lush synth pop hooks

Uneven, but not bad. Meh. It's fine. Some interesting tracks, but nothing that really grabbed me. I've never heard of these guys before, which isn't usually a great recommendation for the impact or staying power of albums made within the last 10 years, but I can kind of see the thought process behind adding this one to the list. Still not something that blew me away though, and I wouldn't be surprised if I heard it was one that got removed/swapped out in later editions.

This one is one of those albums that reaches out and grabs your attention. Wasn’t sure when the first track kicked. But it built and built until it made me stop and take notice. Loved the rock swell they created and maintained for the rest. I went back and listened again and saved the album for later, it’s a cool one for sure with a lot of lush builds and swerves. Makes for one on-the-toes listening.

5/10 This is an interesting one. I’d never really heard of Hookworms before, and the cover and name made me immediately think this was going to be some kind of electronica act. A brief bit of Googling reveals that they are in fact a “neo-psychedelic rock” band, and that over 50% of their biography on Wikipedia is dedicated to sexual assault allegations against their lead singer. So that’s good. But art/artist and all that, so let’s see what’s so special about this then, shall we? To begin with, things were pretty promising. The hints of electronica in the vein of Lusine were pretty good, and that built into a vibe with echoes of LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip. There’s an interesting blend of electronic tones and indie band instrumentation that shifts focus from track to track, which was an interesting element. But as the album wore on, things just didn’t develop. They spent so long spinning around the same ideas on each song that the initial interest generated by the vibe and tone of the work dissipated all too swiftly. They make some decent rhythmic choices here and there and build some nice sound beds, but there is little to no dynamic range or sense of musical development in pretty much all of the songs, an issue that is compounded by the frankly baffling runtime of some of these tracks. It’s a real shame, because there are some pretty cool moments and concepts within the record, but it honestly feels like they’ve written 15-20 minutes of music for an EP and dragged it out to over 45 through repetition rather than development. And there are so few hooks or real peaks within the structure that everything sort of drifts along, rarely bothering to attempt a grab for attention as it floats by. The fact that the bones are there is the most frustrating thing, and it honestly doesn’t feel like it would have taken much to have pulled this into much more coherent and engaging shape, but as it is, it ends up feeling like a fairly formless wash of music. It’s fairly benign and inoffensive, and worked reasonably well as background music while working, but on closer inspection had nothing much of substance to say. Stick it in the pile with the other post 2010 landfill indie. Negative Space - It’s a sonically interesting start that’s essentially electronica in nature. It’s got some cool sounds, and has hints of LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip once the vocals come in. The way they pull around where the beat sits by shifting the emphasis of the groove is very fun. The slow build nature of the song works very well to slowly trickle what the band are trying to achieve in over the course of seven minutes. The drop back out to a more restrained sound and then return to fullness of arrangement is well handled, and the extra guitar later on adds an extra bit of texture. I’d say this is a promising start, even if it is a bit too long. Static Resistance - A nice change of pace now, and they lean a little bit more into a band sound with electronic additions, rather than the other way around. It’s not bad stuff, to be honest, and I quite like the rhythm of the vocal delivery. It’s fairly one paced though and while I like the vibe, it doesn’t quite have the range to completely hook me in. Ullswater - There’s some decent elements here, and a cool sense of urgency to the songwriting choices. The pulse is nice and bouncy, and it’s fun to have the core of the track in 9/8 time to give things a slightly off-kilter feel. It’s definitely a case of dragging a concept on for too long though, because while there are strengths to this track, I don’t think they justify a seven minute run time and there are definitely parts where things just lull to a state of inertia. There is a bit of drive out of the back of those sections though, and I do think the general vibe is pretty decent. Funnily enough, when the guitar came in late on, it made me realise how structurally similar it is to the opener. The Soft Season - Now this one is quite dull. I can kind of hear what they were going for, but there’s very little in terms of musical hook on which the song can rest, so it feels very meandering and unfocused. As a transitional track between others, this might work quite well, but it’s another where they’ve pulled the idea beyond its viability, so it just becomes fairly uninteresting after a while, even if it began with a bit of sonic interest. It’s a shame really, because thus far, this feels like a pretty damn good EP stretched out into a so-so album. Opener - As if to address my issues with the album so far, the band gives us an incredibly slow-burn synthy wash of an intro that drags on for two minutes before anything really starts to happen. Once it kicks in it’s a decent vibe, and has a well produced quality to the sound design, but by god it takes forever to go anywhere. The vocal comes in just before the four minute mark, and the general musical gist of the track just plods on and on and on. This one wouldn’t even have been saved by a sensible chop to three minutes, because there’s not really enough variety in the songwriting to justify that, let alone eight and a half minutes. People, learn to edit. Each Time We Pass - Another song with nice sound design, but not much to actually do with it. It’s just a bit floaty and bland without anything substantial to grab on to, which is a massive shame, because the rhythms aren’t bad, but by the end, it feels like it’s passed me by almost completely without leaving any impression at all, like finger prints on an abandoned handrail. Boxing Day - Again, the groove here is pretty good, with well layered rhythmic elements and some interesting moments of sound design. But where is it going? Nowhere in particular, it seems. Again, as a transitional track, this isn’t bad, and at the length this one is, it would probably work well between two more engaging and well developed songs, but because it’s among quite a lot of tracks that are fairly unremarkable, it doesn’t have the effect that it would on a better collection of songs. Reunion - And the same goes for this one. Nice sound design. Nothing to say. Stick this between two high quality tracks and it would be a pretty perfect respite, but as it is, it’s a pleasant diversion from nothing. Shortcomings - The vibe and tone of this starts very well, and the main bass riff is pretty good, and feels like it’s building to something, but it just stays quite flat and, if anything, weakens it’s central premise with a bunch of pretty beige musical choices. There’s very little dynamic range across this album, and this is a prime example of it, with a decent starting point, but no satisfying development of the themes, and no diversion from the base state of the production. It’s just bland, and perfectly sums up the shortcomings (phnarr) of the record as a whole.

This just enjoying easy listening vibes and was good accompaniment for a first day back at work after the summer break. There’s nothing that grabs you, but equally not really anything that grates or annoys. It is just a good mid album. That being the case it would be churlish to round down so 3/5

Apple Music used the following words regarding this band and this album: “droning”, “neo-psychedelia”, “Krautrock”(?), “space rock”, “murky”, “mind-altering”, “psych rock”. … so obviously I hated it.

I had a surprisingly decent time with this album, went to look up some more info about the band and erm... yes... Makes me wonder quite what proportion of the artists on this lists are wrong 'uns? Anyway, Negative Space started in a way that made me think I was going to despise it, but it kept building and building and I ended up really enjoying it. So it really won me round, despite being nearly 7 minutes long. I enjoyed Static Resistance too - I liked the keyboards and the harmonies. Ullswater just didn't grab me until the chorus and started a trend where I was a little less enthusiastic about what I was hearing. The Soft Season made me think of The Flaming Lips for some reason. Opener is far too long. Each Time We Pass was forgettable. Boxing Day was odd, with it's monotonous lyrical delivery, screeching instrumentation and such a sudden ending I thought I'd accidentally pressed skip - I think I liked it? I didn't see the point in Reunion and the final track Surroundings had a very enjoyable funky bassline. I didn't write a review on my first listen, so I relistened later in the day to remind myself of each track. I ended up enjoying it a bit less second time round, but it's still getting a solid: 3/5

This was fine. Sounded to me like about 800 other albums released earlier that decade. No idea why it's on the list.

Totally fine. I do think I could have died before listening to this.

Not bad. It's not as interesting as an MGMT. It was fairly uneventful

Literally why is this even here? Most of the albums to come after 2015 from the 1001 albums books seem to be random as heck. This is just some random English indie band that has the same sound as a lot of other bands. Not even sure what makes this album stand out or how this was even influential. The band also hasn't made any newer music it seems. I feel like there are so many better choices to listen to from the last decade.

Very random. Music is ok but in no way significant? Starts great but then drones out unfortunately. It’s a fine listen but to be honest a wasted slot on this list.

4,285 monthly listeners on Spotify.... 21,487 votes here. The math aint mathing, Robert. No Supremes. No Blue Album. No TOOL. No Neutral Milk Hotel. No Madvillain. No Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Do we need to start a nasty rumor about Diana Ross to get her on this list?

Very odd?? Not my type of music and really didn’t like it.

does feel like it could have been quite good, but just too many weird beepy noises, and then the fact the singer is a cunt makes you want to mark more harshly as well

Got some good moments but is broadly like background music to me. Listened then found some big accusations against the singer too...

I mean it’s alright. Again as is the case with this journey. Why is it actually on here? Also reminds of a little of artic monkeys. I don’t like them.

Very cool. I started listening and almost dismissed it as some generic indie pop thing with that voice. There is something raw and energetic there though. There are some fun musical ideas - playful time signatures, unconventional bass phrases, playing with the tension and release in novel ways. There is some cool sound too - it sounds kind of live in a nice way. I had so much more fun with it that I first thought I would.

This was shockingly good, actually (considering how much I dislike almost all obscure newish music on the list); would consider picking up a copy on vinyl. Cracks me up that the Wikipedians completely gave up on categorizing this by genre and just went with "Rock."

Day 14 What is it with these albums that start so strong and then dive down in keeping my attention lmao Fav track: Negative Space

I mean I am a firm believer in new music, but these dudes have 4000 and some listens on spotify. Are we sure this is actually on the list?

Oli aivan täydellinen albumi töiden jälkeen. Pisti aivot pois päältä ja sai katselemaan ikkunasta elämää ja maisemia. Musiikki sopi hetkeen niin täydellisesti ja paransi päivää niin paljon että pakko antaa 5/5.

I really like the energy for most of the album and then some of the more ambient and atmospheric stuff too. The transitions between songs are cool, though does get excessive at times. Anyway, solid find.

• "Negative Space" - this intro went on forever and it reminded me of the scene in "Billy Madison" where the one kid is slowly burping the alphabet. • "Static Resistance" - Yawn. Generic, early-2000's indie rock. • "Ullswater" is freaking great. I actually really loved this tune. • "The Soft Season" - Is this song ever gonna get started? • "Opener" - Ha, ha, ha! Get it!? It's called "Opener" and it's in the middle of the album! Aren't we so clever!? Also, this song took too long to get going. • "Each Time We Pass" - If Michael Cera was a song. Too twee. • "Boxing Day" - Monotone and completely uninteresting. • "Reunion" - Yet another tune that never manages to get off the ground. • "Shortcomings" - Not bad, actually. The one song absolutely slaps, but I don't think I needed to hear this before I die. I'm gonna give this a 2. It's a high two that borders on three, but a 3 for me means that the whole album is at least "fine." There's much of this record that is far from fine.

Initially, I was expecting something more along the lines of Django Django. I'd say this was more like Arctic Monkeys with synths. It didn't blow my mind, but it was very well done and a good listen. I started a second play-through, and was finding more to enjoy about it, so that's always a good sign.

Дольше чем обычно слушал и оценивал данный альбом. Бесшовный альбом не от пинк флойд - нечто новое для меня. Не сказал бы что я прям кайфовал от него, но в целом очень даже достойно. Треки: Shortcomings и Ullswater

Неясно что альбом такого уровня 2018 года делает в этой подборке. Ценность для жанра, эпохи и индустрии сомнительная. Ничего для себя не отметил.

The music faded into the background for me.

Not bad a bit of airy prog rock - soft vocals

Interesting collision of things happening here.

Let’s keep this thing moving

Vurderte enern her innledningsvis, men der jo noe her, men det er bare ikke for meg :)